Heir of the Immortals Resurrection

Chapter 26

Herald flew towards what would be the California coast on earth his eyes closed as he drifted through the air. A frown slipped onto his features as he felt the earth beneath him. He never dreamed that he would become connected to the planet he terraformed. A part of him wondered if this is what Gaia felt like.

Touching down in what would be Hollister, he placed his hand on the earth, sending a pulse of Geokinesis from his palm. The tall grass around him swayed, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers as he focused on his task.

"Just as I thought, the fault line exists on this world too." Pushing his power into the earth, beads of sweat ran down Herald's face as he began growing the tectonic plate, turning the fault line into a solid piece of land once more. His arms shook as he spread his power along the fault line.

Sweat ran down his back, sticking his bear pelt fast to his skin.

Eventually, he had to stop.

Falling back on his back, Herald sent a pulse through the earth. His teeth ground together when he saw he was only able to join a mile of the fault line together. Sinking his fingers beneath the earth, he called out to The Cradle.

'Cradle, see if you can grow the fault line running along the coast shut. Try to join it into one solid piece of land, if our people are living here, we don't want them to fear the coast eventually breaking off and falling into the ocean.'

Standing to his feet, Herald slapped the dust off his dark leather pants while slowly drifting into the air. In the distance, he could see Krakoa slowly drifting closer. With a force of will, he shot forward, it was time to say hello to an old friend and see just what happened to Mary.

–XX –

Mary slowly opened her eyes, pushing herself up on one side with a soft grunt. "What happened?"

Images of her battle with Challenger flashed through her mind. "Oh right, Challenger." Now in a sitting position, she dropped from the angled bed in the center of the room. As her feet touched the floor, she swayed realizing she was taller than before.

Looking down at herself, her eyes widened as she saw that her formfitting black suit had torn from her muscles expanding.

"Krakoa, what happened?"

'We have both absorbed the power primordial, which has left its mark. Now, someone is coming you might want to see.'

–XX –

Herald drifted down towards the island of Krakoa, the sun above piercing the forest canopy to cast the forest beneath him in shadow. Landing on the forest the refuse shifted beneath his boots. 'Hello old friend, how are you?'

'I am fine Herald; you seem to have been through some changes since we parted ways.'

Harald started at Krakoa's voice; it was deeper with a hint of culture in it. The biggest surprise was he seemed to be speaking in full sentences. 'It appears I'm not the only one that's been through some changes.'

"Speaking of changes."

Herald blinked, focusing on the hollowed-out tree before him. If he remembered right, this was the tree where he connected to the island using the island's residual magic and a runic array.

His eyes widened as Mary emerged into the streams of light that pierced the canopy above them.

Before him stood Mary Walker, but not the Mary that he remembered. She was now 6'2" tall with lean defined muscle. Her Auburn hair draped her pale face, and black eyes with glowing white galaxies in the center stared out from the colorful curtain.

"Mary," Herald began taking a hesitant step forward, "what happened?"

Mary placed her hands over her waist in a nervous gesture, "Does… Does it look bad?"

In two quick strides, Herald closed the distance between them wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "No, no, I was just concerned," he looked down at her a soft smile on his lips, "I mean it's not every day someone goes through such changes."

Mary snorted, a grin on her face, "Changes you say," she looked up at him, "your changes are even more drastic than mine." She ran a hand over his broad shoulders taking a moment to feel the curve of his new muscles.

Picking her up, Herald placed a kiss on her lips.

Mary wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

They broke apart, their noses almost touching as they stared into each other's eyes, "I take it you approve."

Mary kissed him again, "Of course I approve, but that doesn't mean I don't want to know what happened."

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

They stared into each other's eyes. As Herald's eyes glowed red, the galaxies in Mary's eyes glowed and began to spin. Their grips tightened on one another as they experience the other's adventure while they were apart.

With a blink, their minds were separate again.

Stepping back from Herald, Mary looked him up and down. "So, you battled a god, absorbed his life force, transformed a city into an object capable of terraforming a planet, and then terraformed another earth taken over by a techno-organic virus into a haven for the mutant race. Did I miss anything?"

Harald unwrapped the leather around his arms, showing her one of the golden ash tree tattoos, "You miss the part where I am now bonded to this planet."

He walked around her. In a quick motion, he tore open the back of her shirt, staring at the tattoo of an island on her back, "in a similar way you are now bonded to Krakoa. I have to say if I was the jealous type we might have a problem, but I'm just glad Krakoa was willing to work with you to help defeat an Elder of the universe."

Running a finger down the back of her shirt he sealed the tear while adjusting the size of her clothes so they fit better. Satisfied he moved back around to face her. "So, what does it feel like to have the power primordial running through your veins?"

Mary swayed forward placing a hand on his chest, "How have you been changed by absorbing the life force of a god," she countered.

"My learned abilities are now on a completely different level, I am also physically stronger, and faster than I was before. Probably more durable too."

"The power primordial has done about the same to me."

"So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds for us," he scooped her up in his arms, "now, I haven't seen you in a while and I want to get reacquainted before my meeting tomorrow." With a force of will, he rose into the air and shot off into the distance.

–XX –

Mary walked out of a dome made of intertwining branches as the sun peeked over the horizon, a blanket of woven grass wrapped around her nude form. She watched the shadows crawl across the mountains that ring the valley surrounding the mutant village.

A light rumble shook the ground. She turned, watching the roots of their temporary dwelling withdraw back into the earth. Herald stood there dressed in his leather pants, his bare feet digging into the ground. The bear pelt was draped over his shoulders, and strips of leather covered his ash tree tattoos.

With a grace that belied his broad-shouldered size, Herald approached wrapping his arms around her body and kissing her neck. "How did you sleep?"

Mary leaned into his embrace, "Fine when you finally let me."

"I don't remember you complaining," Harald countered resting his chin atop her head.

Mary shivered as her blanket began to shift, transforming into a black T-shirt and form-fitting jeans. "This place is amazing you know."

"I had some help."

"Yggdrasill."

"It prefers to be called the cradle now."

"Can you really resurrect deceased mutants?"

"I'm pretty sure I can, but we'll find out today at the meeting."

"Are you sure you want me to be there with you? I'm not exactly the most diplomatic."

Herald tightened his grip around her, "I need you there with me, I need you to watch my back."

"Fair enough."

She turned as Harald tensed, watching as two Herald's emerged from his back and flew off into the distance, "Where are they going?"

"One is going to mine more metals from the asteroid belt, the other is going to the graveyard to retrieve technology."

"The graveyard?"

"It's a section of space where earth sends their decommission satellites to orbit out of the way. I was concerned about the cradle getting technology. The cradle and Krakoa have been talking. Krakoa told the cradle about the satellite graveyard and the cradle told me. Seems a waste to leave all that technology just floating out in space, so my duplicate is going to retrieve the 400 satellites floating there."

"The Technopaths here can then use it for their projects."

"Now," he smiled down at her, "we've got a few hours before the meeting. What do you say we go shopping for some essentials and grab some breakfast?"

"You had me at breakfast."

–XX –

Two hours later, Herald and Mary entered the castle that was once Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Pausing in the entrance Hall, they watched mutants move around the building. Until more individual accommodations could be acquired, the castle was acting as a communal living space.

With the help of Selene, they were finding any hidden compartments in the castle as well as reworking its magic to suit their needs. Shaking his head, Herald led Mary into what was once the dining hall.

A multitude of smaller tables was spread throughout the room except for a large one in the center of the room. Lights were equally spaced along the walls, casting a bright glow across the stone.

Making his way over to the roundtable, Herald nodded at the occupants.

Emma Frost, Selene Gallio, Lionel Jeffries, Madison Jeffries, Alicia Collins, Ororo Munro, Sarah Kinney, and James Howlett.

"Ladies, gentlemen, thank you for coming."

James grunted, "Well it's not like we had a choice. You just teleported us here."

"Emma was supposed to talk to you all," Herald glanced at her, "since I didn't receive a negative response. I assumed everybody was willing."

Emma wiggled her fingers, "I may have forgotten to speak to some."

"Forgotten or ignored?"

"Details."

Ororo leaned forward a wave of white hair draped over each shoulder, "Why don't you tell us all why you brought us here."

Pulling out a chair for Mary, Herald waited for her to sit down before joining her in a seat to her left. "I brought you all here to help me build an infrastructure for a mutant haven. He glanced at Alicia, "You can sense The Cradle."

Alicia nodded, her golden eyes locked onto him, her braided green ponytail draped over one shoulder, "I can also sense your connection to it."

"Though I have a connection to the planet, I am mostly following the cradle's instincts, I would like you," he glanced at Ororo, "and Ororo to be caretakers for this world."

Alicia and Ororo shared a look, "We would like to help, but we have responsibilities on earth."

"I understand that, but I'm hoping this place can be the home of all mutants, making your responsibilities there obsolete. I will not force you," he shook his head ruefully, "it's not like I could anyway, I just ask you to not make any decision until the end of this meeting."

He turned to the Jeffries brothers, "I would like you to build the medical and technological infrastructures of the cradle."

"Lionel, I was hoping you could work with Miss Kenny to make sure our people stay healthy."

Sarah inclined her head, "I might as well put my education to use. It would help make up for the events of my past."

Madison ran a hand through his dark hair, "I'm interested, but it doesn't look like this place has much in the way of technology."

"I am having that taken care of as we speak."

He looked at Selene, "Grandmother I would like you to take care of the magical element and teach those mutants who are open to learning the Mystic arts."

Selene tapped her bottom lip. "Let me think about it," she looked around her, "this entire world is saturated and magic, I'm interested in knowing why."

Inclining his head, Herald turned his attention to James, "Mr. Howlett, I want you to train the defense force of this world. I'm not naïve enough to think that we will always be safe, and someone needs to protect the cradle's greatest secret."

Selene leaned forward, "And what is this world's greatest secret child of my blood?"

Rising to his feet, Herald turned, "Follow me outside and I will show you why it's important for all of you to be here and help me take care of this world."

–XX –

Herald led the group outside around the lake to the tree of rebirth.

As they walked, the group looked over the village that ring the valley. As one, their eyes trailed up to the rock face that stood above the village.

Rock began to shift into the semblance of buildings as they reached their destination.

Turning his back on the pale white tree with silver leaves he stared at the group. "By now, all of you know about the magical world kidnapping mutants for their ends. A little while ago, Mary and I attacked one of their outposts where we found Sarah Kinney and her daughter."

"After sending Sarah to the Xavier Institute, we discovered that they had created a pocket dimension using mutant powers. This is also where we met Alicia Collins," he nodded to the woman. "During that time, I was instilled with an idea. If the magical community can use magic as a bridge to combine mutant powers, then so could I."

"I began working on that idea when we attacked the base of Narcissa Black née Hammer. There we found a mutant codex, and that they were tracking a mutant named Fabio Medina. After taking out his stalkers, we learned that Fabio Medina could produce unfertilized eggs."

"Long story short I was able to combine the mutant powers with other elements to create this tree." Herald turned to the tree, squinting his eyes at the light reflecting off its silver leaves.

Logan's lips curled in a slight smirk, "All that build up for a tree."

"This tree allows us to call our fellow mutants who have fallen back from the dead." The group tensed, and there were sharp intakes of breath, but Herald ignored them as he made his way to the trunk of the tree.

Placing his hand on the tree, he closed his eyes. Pushing his mind into the tree, he reached out to limbo. The tree shook slightly as it passed through the otherworldly realm and into the afterlife.

Standing in a plane of white mist, he called out to his kind. 'My fellow mutants, you no longer need to reside here if you don't want. You can return, and live out the lives you missed.'

As shadows move through the mist, a glowing golden tree burst from the ground.

From now on, this tree would be here, calling any mutant that died to return. As they entered the tree, it would judge how they died and what they did in life. If it finds them wanting, a tribunal of twelve mutants would be convened to watch their lives. Those twelve would then decide if the person was to return or not.

Opening his eyes, he backed away watching the tree pulse with light.

Emma approached him, leaning close she asked, "Who did you call?"

"Everyone willing to return."

"Are you good with being our eyes and ears on earth?"

"Of course darling."

Both turned as one of the eggs flashed before dropping to the ground. On impact it split open, revealing a woman with pale blonde hair and blue eyes.

With a flick of his fingers, Herald transformed air molecules into a blanket to cover her slender nude form.

James's eyes widened as he stared at the woman, "Clara Creed, is that you?"

While James stared at an old friend, a red flash lit the air, drawing the gaze of the rest of the group upward. They watched as another Herald descended from the sky objects trailing behind him to settle on the ridge that overlooked the valley.

The Herald at the tree turned to Madison, "My duplicate has returned with technology the humans have discarded. If you'll go take a look, I think you'll find that it's enough to get you started."

Madison nodded and began walking towards the ridge his brother following close behind.

Herald turned to the rest of the group James had made his way over to talk with Clara, "Now you know the secret of the cradle, will you help me protect it?"

Slowly, one by one the rest of the group nodded.

Then Ororo spoke up, "I think it would be wise to bring Charles in on this."

"If you think he can be trusted with the secrets of the cradle, you can bring him here, but fair warning I may be linked to the cradle, but Yggdrasill reads those who tried to enter. If they find him untrustworthy, he will be left on earth."

A pulse went through the ground, and Herald winced, "Sorry, the tree of rebirth was once called the Yggdrasill, it prefers to be called so now since it views Yggdrasill as its father."

Alicia moved towards the tree, a soft smile on her face, "I think I would like to speak with the tree of rebirth, it probably has an interesting story to tell."

"That's fine, I hope to work with you and Ororo to balance the cradle's ecosystem so we don't destroy it like we have earth."

"If we're bringing in Charles," Emma began, "then we should probably bring in Erik."

"That's fine."

–XX –

Duplicate Herald number two floated above the earth, his body shifted to become invisible. He had long since teleported the gold and other precious metals he mined from the asteroid belt back to the cradle. Now, he was focused on his second task.

With a flick of his wrist, a car-sized media shot towards the earth.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Herald watched as it careened towards Azkaban Industries.

In a flash of light, it struck the barrier protecting the island, the kinetic energy of the meteor was funneled into the island by the wards.

The barrier flared, a yellow dome of energy that covered the entire island. Blue sparks crackled along its surface as it fought to contain all the kinetic energy released by the meteor. With a sound like shattering glass, the dome cracked before collapsing, releasing a wave of blinding white energy out and upwards.

In the darkness, Herald could make out bits of the ancient structure fallen into the ocean. Bits of rubble lay across the island. Each piece crackled with ambient magical energy before going dormant. Smoke rose from the cracked foundation.

Nodding to himself, he turned away, his body folding in on itself.

This was the first blow to the magical world, tomorrow the threat they pose to mutant-kind would be over.