Chapter 5: Halo of Corruption

Paulus floated through the not yet uncorrupted halls of the Equestrian Holt's temple and entered the Hall of the Father. A golden orb of light appeared in a large orb in the ceiling and bowed in the presence of the Father.

"Oh holy, almighty Father. I come bearing news," Paulus announced. "Petyr refuses to abandon the gates of the Holt. He knows of the danger, but he does not consider it important."

"Face me, my son," The Father told the angel, causing him to return to his normal posture. "You have more news, yes?"

"Agartha had fallen but not long ago, it was inexplicably purified of demonic corruption."

"...And what of the missing Summoning Key?"

"It has been identified in Hell, but also Dimension 63. Both are the true keys, but-"

"It is not possible to duplicate Makyr technology."

"It is also impossible for a dimension to be consumed by Hell, only to reappear, but Dimension 63 reappears all the same, uncorrupted."

"And what of the rest of your news?"

"Something unnatural is happening. The fabric of the multiverse is collapsing. Tears leading from one dimension to another, dimension spillover, it's all happening because something is traveling through the dimensions without using Hell as a junction between the two. I suggest that you erase this from history to stop this."

"That won't repair the damage, Paulus. I will handle this problem. You must evacuate from Urdak before Hell's forces take the Holt. If you find the Doom Slayer, tell him that I request his presence in Urdak."

Paulus nodded and disappeared into a flash of golden light and the Father continued to watch three Doom Slayers, each with a device fused to his armor capable of traveling through dimensions without using Hell as a buffer. One stood in his fortress, repairing his arsenal, one fought through the trenches of the first World War with four allies and one fought three of the servants of the Marauder known as the indomitable Captain Vor on the fourth installation of galactic extermination.

"And now, the three will become… the one."


Paulus, covered by a black cloak, moved through the ARC Carrier, attempting to seem human.

"Hey, this is a restricted area. We're gonna need you to vacate the area immediately," An ARC soldier told him, causing him to stop in his tracks.

"I'm sorry. I just lost my way," Paulus told the soldier and his partner as he went back the way he came.

After he had passed the two, he heard them once again.

"That guy's voice was creepy," The soldier that hadn't talked told his partner.

"Normally, I'd tell you that you were being rude, but I've gotta agree with you, Pierson," The other soldier agreed. "It sent a chill down my spine. I've heard some creepy shit in my time, but that took the cake."

"Maybe we should report it to McCullin," Pierson suggested.

"Let's not be too hasty. He was probably just sick," The other soldier said. "We should go."

As the soldiers walked away, Paulus watched them, curious what they were guarding.

"Restricted area. Why?" Paulus wondered aloud before returning to where he was stopped.

Paulus floated before a large door, which was opened simply by him raising his hand, opened by some sort of telekinetic ability. He floated inside and closed the door behind him before telekinetically turning on the lights. He stared at the prototype, trying to decipher its purpose, before it finally sank in. It was a dimensional transporter.

•••• • •-•• •-•, - •!