Part 5 - Blood of the King
Chapter 106 - Unto the Breach
Max had been at Grace's house for five days now. In that time, his wounds had been healing. At the same time he and Grace had been trying to draw up plans to defeat the girl in the Darkness Below. They had done a lot of other things too, but it was irrelevant for the time being. Now, Max had received a notification on his watch telling him the Battle of Zaltoxir had begun. He threw on a t-shirt which Grace had gone and recovered from his old house while he was healing. His other clothes had been trashed beyond any form of repair, as well as his spider suit. Grace was sitting at the kitchen table, drawing something. She looked up and grinned at him, but dropped the expression when she saw how serious he looked.
"What's wrong?"
"The battle at the Tree has started."
"Already? I thought it would take a week at least."
"I think time works differently between multiverses. I'd say it's probably been about two weeks there. Anyway, I have to go."
She took a deep breath and stood up, planting a kiss on his lips.
"You can't do much without a suit."
"I know."
"I've been drawing some stuff; maybe you could pick one from there?"
"You've been drawing me suits?"
"Yeah. They're not very good but…you know…"
Max took the drawings she offered him and spread them out on the table. His eyes immediately fell on one that looked a little like his mothers, with elements of his father's, in that it had some of the jagged white markings around the waist and some red trim on the edges. There was a teal patch on each upper arm and a red spider on the chest. Red trim gave it an extra cool look, and it was topped off with a hood like his mother's although this one was dark grey like the rest of the suit. He picked it up straight away.
"This one."
"I like that one too. Where will you go to make it?"
"Legion HQ. But I have to go quickly or it'll be too late. In the words of Henry V: 'once more unto the breach'."
He kissed her. As he pulled away, she slipped her hand into his.
"I wish you didn't have to go."
"Me too, but I've been an idiot. I shouldn't have been sitting around here satisfying my base desires. I have to hurry, Grace. I love you."
"I love you too. Remember me when you're a god."
"I could never forget you."
He was gone in a flash, leaving her feeling lonely.
Max warped to Legion HQ, straight to the R&D department. He entered the slightly infamous R&D Eight where he was surprised to see Stanley pouring over iPads and sheets of paper. The scientist looked up.
"Where have you been?"
"Trying to figure out a way to beat a witch without getting my ass whipped."
"And did you?"
"No. I just have to go for it. I need a new suit; the bi…sorry…witch shredded my other one completely."
"Have you got a design or just the same one as before?"
Max passed him the drawing and he nodded.
"Any special features?"
"It just has to withstand magic and not shred itself if I become a god or something."
Stanley chuckled.
"No offence, but I don't see you becoming a god. I could maybe see your father being idolised enough to be counted as one; but at the moment, not you."
"Whatever. Can we make it?"
"Of course."
Ten minutes later, Max took the new suit and put it on. He loved it even more now he could see it in person.
"Good luck on whatever quest you're on. Teresa was livid about your absence. Not that it matters, since I just got a notification that she's dead." Said Stanley.
Max took a deep breath and nodded.
"I have to go."
"Have fun."
As far as Max knew, time in the Darkness Below was four times faster than in Zaltoxir. That suited him, since it meant he didn't have to sprint through the red dust. He reached the castle housing the Animators and prepared himself. He thought he could already hear the sound of the girl's sickening giggles, but he blocked them out as he put up his mask, and new hood, with a double tap on the side of his head. He walked quickly through corridors and soon came to the Animators' chamber. There was the girl, sitting impatiently on the steps. Max sprinted at her, drawing the Grasshopper Sword and slashing it across her face. He was gunning for the neck, but his fear had made him misjudge the swing. The next thing he knew, he was pinned to the floor again, listening to the girl talk about how he was her new toy.
"You're back! Let's play a game!"
"Just kill me already."
In response, Max started to feel a cut forming on his leg, slowly moving up…
Gwen switched off her phone. If she wasn't reading, it wasn't happening. From what she knew, she was the only one who knew where Max was and how close to being killed he was. It was the middle of the night, but nevertheless she went and knocked on Liam and Michael's door. Michael opened it groggily.
"What?"
"I need to talk to Liam."
Liam climbed out of bed and came to the door.
"Hmm?"
"Is there any way at all that you can send me back to my narrative?"
He took a deep breath and left the hotel room, closing the door behind him.
"Let's talk about this somewhere else."
They returned to Gwen's room and locked the door.
"So, is there any way?"
"I knew this was coming. There might be, but I'm not sure about it. I could create a device that would allow you to jump up or down narratives, but if it fell into the wrong hands you would be very sorry."
"Make it. I have to save Max."
"Give me a minute to work this out."
Liam's face went blank as he worked through his thoughts. Gwen got herself ready, sheathing her remaining katana on her back. Half-a-minute later, Liam raised his hands and focused, creating a watch that was slightly bulkier than the usual dimensional jump watch. When he was done, Gwen took it and put it on, giving Liam a nod of thanks. He raised his eyebrows.
"It's useless at the moment. You'll need this."
He focused again and a small disk appeared in his hand.
"This is hard coded to your narrative. Someone will re-wire it one day and jump back here, or maybe to a narrative down."
Gwen slid it into the little slot she had noticed. The watch beeped and the screen came to life with a single button: 'jump'.
"Will this take me straight to the Darkness Below?"
"Straight to where Max is. Should probably add it can do normal temporal jumps, and it has a slightly explosive kick."
"It'll blow up in my face?"
"No, just the faces of everyone around. The thing will be intact."
"Cool. I should probably say goodbye to Michael."
"Right."
Michael opened the door again, still half asleep. Gwen held out her hand.
"I have to go. It was nice knowing you."
He shook himself awake and shook her hand.
"We haven't known each other long, but it was an honour. Maybe something to tell the grandkids. And hey, if you're ever back in this narrative, feel free to drop by."
"Thanks."
She turned to Liam.
"And thank you to you too. I'll make sure to keep our secret."
"Yeah."
"See you around, guys."
With a wave, she left the hotel and ran down to the deserted water front. She looked at the watch and took a deep breath, pressing the jump button. She felt as though she was being crushed between two colliding planets, with black holes either side trying to stretch her. She grit her teeth against the pain, knowing she would have only a second to kick the little girl's ass before both she and Max were dead.
Max started to feel a cut forming on his leg, slowly moving up towards the rest of his body. He fired a web at the girl, but she brushed it aside and giggled. Suddenly, there was a flash accompanied by a resounding bang. The shockwave sent the girl hurtling into the ground and freed Max who was on his feet in and instant, ready to fight both her and whatever this saviour of his was should the need arise. The light faded away and Gwen leapt at the girl, driving her katana through her chest. She squealed and flailed, trying to get free. Max was too dumbstruck to move, so Gwen did her best to finish the job. However, the girl kicked her away and pulled the blade from her, throwing it away.
"Gwen! I thought daddy said you were dead."
"Shut it."
The girl tried to knock Gwen to the floor with her powers, but nothing happened.
"Why can't I make you scream?"
"I don't know. I'm a temporal screw up if I've ever seen one. I'm dead, I'm alive, I'm a human, a spider, an Ethereal Plate and I've been to a different narrative. Good luck."
She webbed her katana up and charged, blocking the punch that came her way with her arm, then swung the blade through the girl's neck. Her head went flying across the room and her body slumped to the floor; lifeless. Gwen sheathed her weapon and morphed off her mask and hood, smiling at her son who removed his own mask and hood.
"I like your suit." She said.
"Mum…is it really you?"
"As really me as can be."
"Mum…I'm sorry about what…"
"It doesn't matter; we can talk about it later. Right now, there's a battle going on and they need us. Unless you want to lose, of course, and never be able to screw Grace again."
"Wha…how…"
"Long story. Nearly three-hundred thousand words, to be exact."
"Right."
Max picked up one of the Animators, looking it over.
"It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be."
"Is that what Grace said?"
"Mum! Stop!"
Gwen laughed and picked up another.
"I always thought there was only one."
"Yeah…well let's get going. We need to be fast. Can you take these to Bastria? I need to go to the Void."
"Then let's move before Khahrahk wins."
Max hitched a ride on a Pritari shuttle that had been conveniently keeping watch. He was transferred down to the courtyard and stepped into the middle, kneeling as the world darkened and the mist descended.
"You have returned, mortal." Said the first voice."
"I did what you asked."
"Indeed you have."
"Tell us, mortal: do you believe you have proven your worth to us?" Said the third.
Max took a deep breath.
"Probably not."
"Why?"
"I spent too much time lying around instead of trying to get the Animators back. I would never have done it if my mum hadn't saved me."
"And tell us, mortal: do you believe you are worthy?"
"No. I'm a fifteen year old kid who should be at school, not talking to the makers of the omniverse."
"And yet you come to us?"
"I'm here because I can't let Khahrahk win. If he does, he'll destroy everything. I've spent my life wanting to save people, to be like my dad, but I never could. Now I have a fraction of a chance to change that, and I have to take it."
There was silence, then a fourth voice spoke.
"'Tis thine desire to protect, and to see thineself for what thou truly art which maketh thee worthy."
"There is but one last test. To be a High Elder God, you must be able to look upon your brethren's true form. Many have come before us seeking strength and passed the first trial; none has gazed upon us and survived. Will you look upon us?"
"I will."
The world seemed to go white and Max wondered if he had just been killed, but his eyes adjusted a little to the blinding light and soon he could make out four figures. One was a mass of eyes and tentacles, one looked like a pig or boar, one looked like a snake and the fourth looked humanoid.
"You have looked upon the High Elder Gods and survived. You are the first in a trillion years. You truly are worthy of what you seek." Said the second.
"To mortals, you will forever be Maximilian Morales. To immortals, you are 'Dei Volente', 'Gods Willing', for it is by the will of Gods that you are crowned as such." Said the first.
"Lay down the Grasshopper Sword; its blade has served its purpose. Take up 'Furore Mortale' and wield it in the name of all you are." Said the second.
A sword floated in front of Max. Its blade shone in the bright light, showing ornately carved patterns. As Max grasped the handle and dropped the Grasshopper Sword, there was a booming noise that echoed throughout the omniverse. The worlds shook, the winds howled; the ranks of mortals and immortals alike bowed to the might of the High Elder God.
"Dei Volente: we bestow upon you the power of the High Elder God. You will walk amongst everything and nothing until the end of all things. Rise, go forth, and set Creation free."
"Thank you. I…just have one question."
"Speak, brother."
"If nobody has ever looked at a High Elder God and survived, won't I kill everyone wherever I go?"
"You were born of mortal blood, brother. Your might is not as great as us born of time itself; mortals will look upon you and kneel. Yet though your powers are lesser to ours, you are a High Elder God and shall be forevermore."
"OK. I have to go. The worlds need me."
"Farewell, Dei Volente. May time guide you."
Crossovers in this Chapter
- SCP Foundation