Chapter Sixty-Two
My father once gave his life to save others, even those he wasn't terribly fond of. At the time, I didn't understand what compelled him to commit what I considered suicide. Now I do. Sometimes... sometimes... you're the only one that can do the job, and in doing that job, you have to give everything to complete it.
It's a rare elixir, knowing that what you're about to do will likely be your last living act; and yet, at the same time, you wouldn't have it any other way. It's a stark contrast to my kind's self-preserving nature.
I understand so much more now... why my father was so distant, why he seemed different from the rest of us. I think he knew... I think he knew the lengths he would go to preserve our people. To him, it was just a matter of time before he was required to do so. I might not have had his foresight, but nonetheless, it's my turn now.
Dad... I'll be seeing you soon.
There was a real good chance his dictated log would never make it to Rata Sum for storage... considering how badly the demonic minions of Bhu'kahuh were now actively destroying anything mortal made in Atal Ra.
That really didn't bother him, considering that in roughly two minutes and thirty-eight seconds he was going to level the whole damn cavern complex.
The muffled sounds of combat were still going on in the adjoining hall, and Vekk finally allowed himself confidence in his success. Turned out Yue bought him slightly more than ten minutes after all. Now all he needed was ten seconds.
From the console, he activated the rocket propelled weapon's final countdown, and dashed to the top of the A.T.O.M. Bomb where he had prepared a makeshift seat and harness. Despite the fact it was lashed together in about three minutes, and likely would get shredded simply by the force of acceleration as the rockets fired... to Vekk that seemed to be the least worrisome thing that could catastrophically fail in this endeavor.
And it's not like he had time to test it and make sure it worked properly.
"Ten seconds until ignition." The warm Asuran voice of the bay systems noted as Vekk strapped himself down tight, making sure every buckle was pulled as tightly as possible, and gripped the thumb unit as firmly in his hand as possible, literally wrapping his entire hand in a strap just as the voice declared that launch was imminent, and the bay doors leading to the exterior opened to the cavern outside.
It immediately drew the attention of the Old One's minions, but they would be far too late to stop the weapon now.
"Have a nice day!" The system chirped, and the propulsion systems of the A.T.O.M. Bomb flared to life.
It was quite evident very quickly that the weapon was not designed for someone to be strapped to it as it was fired, as the burst of acceleration nearly whipped Vekk's head backward with a violent jerk. In fact, that sort of movement should have been fatal.
He discerned the reason for his continued living as the weapon rocketed out of the bay at speeds beyond anything natural... a ghostly apparition glowing a pale violet that he was honestly amazed he saw considering his rate of travel and the chaos all about.
Can't let you be dying just yet after all your hard work.
Well... that was thoughtful...
The Oni tried to impede and stop his path, but it was a futile effort; not even the dread beasts could slow a machine traveling at speeds faster than even sound could keep up with. The A.T.O.M. Bomb ripped them in half or crushed them under its mass, something that should have easily jerked the weapon off the rails and careening off course.
Only keeping you on the right track. Not going to interfere more than that.
Another apparition, a ghostly flame, as he powered through into the adjoining tunnel, caught his eye.
Are you sure you wish to do this?
Another of the human's gods, no doubt, the blue, featureless face now readily located due to the increasing darkness of the tunnel before it entered the chamber of Bhu'kahuh.
There was no doubt about it really. After all this... he felt he needed to be the one to end the menace. He wasn't going to allow any outside force to steal that from him, to be the one that initiated the pinnacle of mortal ingenuity and power.
The remaining human gods of Tyria guided him through the chaotic den, their powers allowing them the knowledge that Vekk would have had to leave to chance. While theoretically, anything that went boom of the A.T.O.M. Bomb's size would blow up anything anywhere in the cavern... Vekk wanted Bhu'kahuh to see it firsthand... to watch everything literally blow up in his hideous, grotesque face.
The gods weren't so much aiding him as they were granting him that poetic justice, he rationalized.
Even as the scenery shifted wildly, Vekk knew he was on the right path... he could feel it. He knew the touch of Bhu'kahuh... he could almost taste the Old One's presence coming closer, even as the rockets fully expended their fuel and only momentum was keeping the entire contraption moving forward, Vekk still sensed that it was all going to work out. This sense of impending victory and hope was such a stark contrast from the last time he was here that it bolstered his belief even further... the self-proclaimed "Lord of Madness" had no power but what Vekk let him have.
Then time seemed to slow to a crawl, one last goddess awaited him, right inside the hall of carvings Vekk remembered as the entry to Bhu'kahuh's throne chamber.
Thank you... whatever it is worth... there is a place within the Hall of Heroes for you if you so desire it. I'm sure your father would like to see you. Kormir's voice echoed in his head.
Vekk allowed himself a wry smile. Vekk somehow doubted even destroying an ancient god of the gods would impress old Gadd.
Time returned to its normal tempo so abruptly that Vekk's brain didn't even catch up until the A.T.O.M. Bomb crawled to a stop in the center of the Old One's throne room. That memorable inhuman hissing roar drew Vekk's attention upward into the fully animated face of Bhu'kahuh itself.
It's tendril comprised face writhed sickeningly, it's blood red glowing eyes sunk deep within the slithering facial structure. It's slitted catlike pupil dilated, then bulged wide, finally sensing the building energy within the weapon... and finally coming to grips with the threat it posed.
Vekk smiled; the Old One finally knew what it was like to feel fear.
"My conclusion?" Vekk grinned maliciously, his thumb poised on the trigger. "You're not that scary after all..."
The last sight of Vekk's mortal life was the image of Bhu'kahuh, father of the gods, the Lord of Madness, trying to shuffle back away from the inverted Agroium reaction, then the bright white light of a primal fire rarely seen beyond the beginnings of the universe, unleashed from the core of the A.T.O.M Bomb.