Shattered Dimensions

Chapter 4, Obsession Part 2

Dimension 3

170 ASC

Unknown city in the Northwest Earth Kingdom

Nobody's POV

In the middle of the night, in an alley, the wind started to pick up. It began to spiral upwards. It then burst out in all directions, effectively knocking over various objects and disturbing the peace and intriguing anyone around, and then dissipated. It left a large, shadowy ring, with a six foot diameter, in midair. A red, liquid like substance slowly filled the center of the ring. Shadowy lines shot from the side of the ring to form a pentagram across the ring. A gloved hand slowly reached through, then another. Across the street a street urchin watched, interested and stunned at what was happening. A wooden mask slowly started to appear through the strange ring. The mask looked to be a face with its mouth sewn shut.

The rest of the figure came through shortly. The figure crashed onto the ground with an audible thud. The figure was bent over on its knees breathing heavily. The figure slowly got up and stretched. Large muscles were clearly visible through the figures clothing. He walked out of the alley and surveyed his surroundings. He noticed the street urchin. He pointed to the street urchin.

"You, street child, what year is it?" the man asked. The street urchin glared at the man.

"It'll cost you first," the street urchin said.

"I have no time for games. Tell me now or I'll slice your hand off," the man said, partially unsheathing a long knife on his leg. A newspaper rolled by, and hit the man in the leg, in the wind. The man picked it up. He looked at it. Across the front page was a picture of another masked man.

"Hmm, 170 ASC," the man said aloud. He turned the paper towards the street urchin and pointed at the picture.

"Pray tell, where would I find this, Amon?" the man asked.

Dimension 2

100 ASC

Tyler's Flagship

Jake's POV

As we continued on our trek to the admiral, I kept thinking on some flashes I kept having. I felt like these people were oddly familiar, and not in a friendly sort of way. It was almost like there was a second consciousness forming in my mind. It was definitely me. With this second consciousness, everything but the memories was the same as me. I figured I'd act as if I was this other version of me. I remembered some things from this new me, but other things I didn't. I remember being accepted into the Navy SEALs. I don't remember this Ellen. There isn't much to go on. She is just kind of there. Who was she?

As we reached the flag bridge, I made sure I was focused, looked professional, and had an emotionless face. Time to let this new me take a spin, with my guidance of course. When the door opened, I noticed the admiral was engaging in a conversation with a man who seemed familiar.

"No, we took care of that last night. We are in a giant ship too," the man said with a smile. We approached them.

"Sir," the E-2 said, getting the attention of the admiral.

"Why did you interrupt me? And who is this?" the admiral asked. As the E-2 was about to speak, I interrupted him.

"Lieutenant Commander Jake Alverez, Navy SEALs," I introduced myself. I held out my hand.

"Admiral Tyler Barns, Navy," he replied, shaking my hand. We both had put on fake smiles. I knew that we both hated each other.

"We had a mission in Somalia in '07," I said.

"Oh yeah, it was you and Arnold Vasquez," he replied, "By the way, how is Arnold?"

"He is dead," I said. Wait what!? In this alternate future, Arnold dies? This was weird, I've known him my whole life, and he wouldn't die that easily. I mean shit; we survived the same bomb that killed my family.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Tyler said.

"Yeah, life's a bitch. Ellen is dead too," I said. What the fuck was I talking about? Who the fuck is Ellen? And why is she so important to the other me?

"Shit," Tyler said, resting his head in his hand and staring at his desk. That was enough to for me to take over.

"I'll be in the gym if you need me," I said. I needed some time to figure out what just happened.

When I reached the gym I stripped down until I was in a white undershirt and olive drab trousers. Who was Ellen? What the fuck is all of this. The other me was no help with this at all. There was only one person who could tell me what I needed to know, Zhianwuo. I entered the room and the lights seemed to dim. I walked further into the room. I felt a wisp of wind on the back of my neck. I knew it was Zhianwuo.

"You summoned me?" a voice asked. It was definitely him.

"You do know you still have a debt to pay, right?" he said.

"Yes, I know," I replied, still facing away from him.

"In return for my help and knowledge, and past due debts, I will insist upon one task for you to complete," he said.

"Anything you want," I lamentably said.

"Kill the one they call Clayton," he said. I nodded my head. I turned around and came face-to-face with a pitch-black shadow creature.

"Where is your physical body?" I asked.

"He was lost somewhere during teleportation back here from two thousand years in the future, along with a piece of my consciousness," he said, "I believe he is trapped in some third dimension, that I have not been to yet, anywhere between now and two thousand years from now. I will know for sure when I run some tests."

"I see. That is only a minor loss though," I replied.

"Indeed, now what is it that you want?" I stared at him for a second.

"Show me my history from this dimension's future. All of it," I said, "And don't skip out on me Zhianwuo."

Nobody's POV (Clayton's perception)

Clayton made his way to the gym. He did not trust this new person. He felt something sinister about him. Something that was not human. As he entered the locker room, he felt a chill down his spine. Something wasn't right. He cautiously made his way through the locker room. He stopped when he heard two voices. One of the voices was Jake. The other seemed oddly familiar. Thinking for a second, Clayton then recognized the voice as the one from the man on the television in the compound. The conversation set up Jake as a traitor, but other than that nothing of great importance. And that is when the voice said it.

"Kill the one they call Clayton." He knew that there was something up with Jake. He was a goddamn traitor. Clayton was now next to the door. He waited for the perfect moment to get the drop on them. He then heard Jake say a name that disturbed Clayton. Zhianwuo. The man with the wooden mask carved like a human face. The one who came to him in what seemed like the most vivid dream he ever had and admitted to killing all of those sailors. The one who told him that he would lose Amy by summer's end. He had to see for himself. Clayton peeked around the corner. To his surprise he did not see Zhianwuo as he knew him, but a tall, skinny, shadowy figure. Clayton could only think but one thing, "What the hell is that?"

Roask's POV

Roask's Palace

I sat in the dining hall, alone. I slowly chewed on a piece of some cooked venison. I swallowed that piece and cut another, slowly chewing it. Someone entered the room and patiently waited behind me. There was a voice in my head.

"You called for me, sir?" it asked. I swallowed the piece I was currently chewing on.

"Yes I did, Talon," I replied.

"What is it you wish, master?" he asked. I slowly set my utensils on the table.

"The Fire Nation is becoming too cocky," I said, "The future has sent troops back in time. And they sent an emissary here and offered us an alliance against Tyler and his ever mounting army."

"How did you respond?" Talon asked. I took a drink from a chalice filled with an ancient Fire Nation spirit. I then set the chalice back on the table.

"I beheaded him. I fed the body to the ghouls. I skinned the head and fed it to Keract. And I sent the skull, with the emissary emblem pinned through its eyeholes, back to the Fire Nation," I explained.

"What do you need me to do?" Talon asked. An evil grin grew on my face.

"Go to the Si Wong Desert and awake the titan," I commanded.

"As you command," Talon said. He then walked out. The unspoken command was to cripple the Fire Nation and Tyler's Navy. The creatures that were sent back by the man I shot in the face a few days ago were of no concern to me. In fact, these winged creatures were helping me out by killing every enemy I have. And reproducing these creatures and discovering new ones was a simpler task than first anticipated. There were footsteps behind me. I turned to see a young woman enter the room.

"I demand you release me," she said firmly.

"Ah, you are Zhianwuo's daughter," I said. She held a knife to my throat.

"I am not his daughter," she seethed.

"You certainly have his attitude," I said under my breath.

"Release me, now," she commanded.

"Fine, you are free to go," I said, "But if you leave, you will never discover your full potential. And the ability you have." She narrowed her eyes at me. She then ran out of the room, ensuring I could not change my mind if I wanted to.

"She will be useful to me, whether she knows it or not," I said aloud to no one. I then picked up my utensils and cut another piece of venison. I then began to slowly chew it. Now the real fun will begin. And I shall bring all hell. And I will personally gut that cocky admiral, Tyler.

"I have a mission for you three," I said. There was a deep voice behind me.

"What do you have in mind?" One of them asked.

"Bring me the one they call Amy."