Foreword:
I'm on a roll with these rewrites! Comments make me go brrr! All jokes aside, the new year is almost here and I hope to deliver another chapter before the year ends so I hope you all look forward to it!
This Chapter is an Interlude including Director Piggot and a bit of Valefor! There's also a snippet of the MCs reaction. Please enjoy!
[PRT Headquarters, Brockton Bay]
As I poured the whiskey into my glass, I was visibly tense. My hands were shaking due to the stress. My lips were pursed and I had a stern and concerned expression on my face. I tried and failed to steady my hands as I dropped ice cubes into the whiskey filled glass.
Today was the day of the PRT Directors meeting. The cause of such a meeting was due to the latest Endbringers that surfaced. Now there were four running around the world. It was stressful, to say the least. It was hard enough for me to allow Brockton Bay Protectorate Heroes to take part in regular Endbringer attacks. Sending Armsmaster, Assault, Battery, Dauntless, and Miss Militia against a new unknown had weighed heavily on my conscience. As much as I hated Parahumans, the thought of losing more good men and women pained me.
"Fucking Nilbog..." I say this before downing the full glass of whiskey, setting it down on a metal tray after finishing my drink.
My office was chilly, the air conditioning sending pricks of cold down my skin as I moved to make sure the doors were locked. I was idly checking the room to make sure nothing was out of place. It was a good way to pass the time while waiting for the meeting.
After five minutes of pointless reorganizing, my projector screen unfurled itself from the low ceiling. I quickly pushed the files back into the filing drawer and walked to my comfortable seat in front of my large desk. It was time to start the meeting.
Dragon appeared on the screen, the same peach skinned, dark-haired woman alongside a few other faces she was familiar with. Chief Director Rebecca Costa-Brown, the woman who stood above the rest of the PRT, dressed in her signature black suit and jacket. Dan Seneca, the Native American Director of the Anchorage PRT Department. He was still handsome and single after all these years, though I knew that my current looks would put him off. Perhaps in another life, I thought as I scanned the rest of the gathered Directors.
James Tagg...Director of the Salem PRT Department. He was a gruff and violent man, but he didn't get to his position without success. Also, I was still pissed at him for not returning my casserole dish after the annual PRT Directors Christmas Party. My face didn't budge from its usual poker face even if the sight of his face displeased me. I kept my cool even though I desperately wanted to shout, "Where's my casserole dish, James? It's been more than a year! It doesn't take that long to do the damn dishes!". The rest of the Directors were either familiar or unknown to me.
"Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, as per the instructions of the Chief Director, I have you all here to discuss the surfacing of the fourth Endbringer." Dragon said this as I, alongside my compatriots, stayed silent. It was hard enough having to live with three, but now...there were four of them. Dragon took the shared silence as a reason to continue, further explaining the situation.
"The fourth Endbringer has been named Cthylla, based on the youngest progeny of Cthulhu a Great Old One of Lovecraftian fiction. The name itself has been spreading through the online forum known as Parahumans Online." Dragon says this before revealing a picture of the Endbringer.
Cthylla was both curvy and unnerving to look at. Horns floating with a purple crown and gleaming blue gem, supple purple skin, entrancing eyes, facial tentacles, very large breasts, and the widest hips. Her modesty was covered with black metallic diamond shapes, ripped stockings, and puffy flowing sleeves. I felt a twang of jealousy at the creature's curvaceousness. Even an Endbringer was sexier than me, a fact that would have made me sigh were I not in a meeting.A few of the male Directors had their jaws drop upon revealing the Fourth Endbringer. However, before Dragon could continue, the Director from Austin piped up.
"Is this some kinda joke? She looks more like a fucked up tinker sex-doll than an Endbringer." The Director of Austin, Texas, whose name I couldn't quite remember, had a point. He was one of the younger Directors, a half-Mexican man who looked to be in his late twenties, but was most likely in his early thirties. The Fourth Endbringer, or Cthylla, as she had been named, looked less like a world-ending threat, and more like the personification of an obscure male fantasy.
"And how would you know what a tinker 'sex-doll' looks like Director Reyes?" I covered my lips as a smirk formed, some of the other Directors laughed at the not-so-subtle jab. It came from the Director of San Francisco, California. She had a suit dress with a neat-looking knit scarf on her neck, pale pink lipstick on a face that could be described as a brunette in her late thirties.
"W-What?! I mean s-she, the Enbringer just looks so..." Director Reyes stammers, blushing at the insinuation. This caused me to giggle quite a bit.
"I think the word you're looking for is 'unreal', Director Reyes." The Director from San Francisco said this while wagging her eyebrows.
"That's enough from you Ms. Franklin, and you as well Mr. Reyes. Dragon, please continue." The Chief Director Costa-Brown chastised them with an amused tone as she mentioned for Dragon to continue her explanation.
"Yes well, Cthylla has shown the following powers during her first appearance in Kyushu, Japan." Before Dragon continues to explain, she reveals a few sets of footage taken from different points of view.
"The first of which is a Shaker ability that lets her manipulate organic matter and create life. Cthylla used her ability to create tentacles from nothing which then spread out through Kyushu to revert and improve plant life. The trees she created were capable of rapidly absorbing seawater and radiation. The plants and fruit-bearing trees seemed to exude minor healing properties as those that ate them were cured of radiation poisoning." Dragon said this as a Director from Atlanta raised his hand. She motioned for him to ask his question.
"Can these plants be reproduced? Perhaps they could be planted in areas that Behemoth has made uninhabitable?" Director Franklin said this with curiosity in her voice. There was a hint of hope for places like Muran, Iran.
"Preliminary testing has led me to believe that the plants can be reproduced, though it is unknown as to when the trees will start producing seeds." Dragon said this before giving pause, waiting, just in case one of us wanted to ask another question. After a brief moment, she continues once again.
"Cthylla's ability is also capable of creating new species. This includes the previously extinct and recently revived species of shark known as the Megalodon. However, the fauna Cthylla creates is far from normal. Take this species for example." Dragon then reveals pictures and footage of various insects and fishI had never seen before. The insects were beautiful, butterflies that had gemstone-like wings, musical bees that buzzed to catchy rhythms, and beetles that produced miniature fireworks.
The horned whales and dolphins were very cute. The fish, on the other hand, were unsettling, to say the least. I saw footage of a goldfish eating trash and pooping out a jetstream of light. What the fuck… I don't think I was the only one that was disgusted by the sight.
"What the fuck?" Director Reyes said what I had been meaning to say. The footage was disturbing, to say the least. It subtly reminded me of my time in Ellisburg. Of creatures that had too many teeth, crawling over one of my men and leaving his skeleton behind.
"This new species, recently dubbed Trash-Rainbow Goldfish by Japanese Zoologists, have been tested. They seem to be completely docile and even loving towards humans, but seeing as they eat trash, they have taken to swarm tactics whenever some brings trash from outside their homes. We offered to round up and destroy the animals, but the Japanese Government declined. They stated that these new animals were a gift from Cthylla, and were not to be disturbed. They were also run through Master Stranger protocols and all officials came out negative." As Dragon said this I visibly stiffened, the creatures were so similar to the ones in Ellisburg, yet so different. I couldn't decide whether I was okay with it or not...
"And what of these Megalodons? Are they also 'harmless'?" Director Franklin said this with a noticeable distaste for the creatures.
"Surprisingly enough, the creatures are also harmless, though they have several adaptations due to being designed by Cthylla," Dragon says this as she reveals pictures of the horrifically huge sharks. They were shocking, to say the least.
"This new species of Megalodon comes in nearly fifty shades of gray. They are capable of flight due to an organ within their body that acts like a biological balloon. They are much larger than their prehistoric counterparts having measured the smallest of the creatures at twenty meters. Their final adaptations involve a police siren growing out of their heads like a horn as well as a Blaster power involving the aforementioned sirens." I visibly shiver and grow uncomfortable at the next few pictures Dragon displays.
"The Megalodon's have a police siren attached to their heads made of bones and cartilage similar to that of glass. Said sirens are capable of performing a shift between red and blue lights. They are also capable of producing a noise similar to that of an actual emergency siren. These Megalodons also have the ability to fire heat blasts from their eyes that have been used to pacify criminals. They seem to have a friendly demeanor towards humans, and have helped stop looters and other criminal activity." Dragon said this in a quick, yet detailed explanation. I was starting to lose my cool. A fucking bio-tinker endbringer was out there! We should be in full force destroying that creature until nothing remains
"Cthylla's second Shaker ability is the power to manipulate inorganic substances. She used the tentacles mentioned previously to repair and rebuild the entirety of Kyushu in less than an hour." Dragon then proceeded to show a slideshow of the island.
Tentacles...Of all the damn things it could have been, it had to be tentacles. Damn squiggly things that crushed private Malcolm and dragged his corpse into an alleyway. The Ellisburg flashbacks were becoming more apparent, but I stayed strong. I wasn't about to break down in front of my fellow Directors. Still, Kyushu is beautiful now.
It was clean...Gorgeous, and certainly not what she imagined Japan would look like. There were buildings that rivaled the PRT Headquarters in both size and design. Some were architectural marvels, looking ancient and brand new. Kyushu was now a sight to see, perhaps she'd visit during her retirement. Minus the giant fucking sharks.
"Why? Why would an Endbringer do this?" This question was posed by Director Armstrong.
"That question has been asked by many people over the course of the week since Cthylla first surfaced. A question we still don't have the answer to. It doesn't follow any discernible patterns, and I am even having trouble predicting where she will end up next." Dragon says this in a rather disappointed tone as I slowly nod. So the Fourth wasn't hostile, for now at least.
"This brings us to the item that Cthylla was using." Dragon says that she reveals a book that makes my heart drop. You see, my father used to read me tales written by H.P. Lovecraft. He was a bit of an eccentric but I loved him nonetheless.
That wretched book. The Necronomicon. How was it possible for an Endbringer to have it?! It had to be a fake! There was no way in hell this Earth would survive if that thing was real!
"This information has caused quite a large amount of fainting in Watchdog. Some have even been put in asylum for now. Apparently Cthylla has what is called the Necronomicon. The Book of the Dead. The full extent of what this book entails is unknown. It could be vestigial, but I suggest caution nonetheless. Lovecraftian Mythos suggests that the Book can drive people insane with just a peak of its pages. I'm sure many are keen to analyze whether its real or not, but as of right now, we are understaffed and the next Endbringer attack is predicted to arrive in less than a week." Silence reigned among us directors. What were we to do when faced with an Eldritch threat of this level. Not to mention the fact that another Endbringer attack was scheduled to arrive soon.
Not one director bothered to ask a question about the book. Instead fear was palpable amongst the crowd of leaders. It was understandable. The Necronomicon, bound in what looked like human flesh, was a monstrous sight to behold. Especially in the hands of an Endbringer.
"Now onto the final events of Cthylla's first appearance. As you can see here. Before disappearing in a black burst, Cthylla winks towards the Triumvirate. An action that has caused many to question what Cthylla's motive is." There were questioning looks amongst the gathered directors, but this time I was the first to speak.
"Have the Triumvirate submitted to Master/Stranger Protocols?" I swear I saw Chief Director Costa-Brown's eye twitch as soon as I asked this.
"Yes. Through extensive testing that took nearly three hours with new protocols in place, including a pheromone test, we have concluded that the Cthylla's wink was harmless." I smirked at that. Three hours would have been torture for those capes. I wish I could have seen Eidolon's face through it all.
"Have you had any luck locating where Cthylla went Dragon?" Director Armstrong asked this question. I, on the other hand, was busy thinking about getting myself another glass of whiskey. Dialysis be damned, I needed a drink after what I just witnessed.
"I have actually. For those of you who didn't see the news last night, my satellites, along with a few offshore news networks, broadcasted a city that sprung up from the Pacific Ocean. I must warn all of you that the place I am about to show is visually disorienting. It has caused multiple people to collapse from the dizziness. One thinker described it as the visual equivalent of LSD before attempting to jump out a window." Dragon asked all of us for consent after that. Though most of us were hesitant, we all agreed that we needed to know what we were dealing with. That was how I saw it...
Spires, towers, and oddly shaped buildings that made my eyes itch. The world around the place seemed to curve inward, and the buildings never stayed put. They were bloated and then they were squeezing inward. Tentacles and other things were wrapped around the structures. At the center of it all was a statue. It was as if someone had added a stripper's body to an octopus. The octopus stripper had huge wings that covered its immense chest. It made her sick to her stomach. It was Cthylla, in all her semi-nude glory. Except this time she had wings.
Suddenly, Dragon cuts the feed as a few Directors excuse themselves, myself included. I didn't know my body was shaking as I got up. It was hard not to get nauseous after what I just witnessed. My face was twisted in an unsettling grimace, my legs wobbly as I approached the drinks tray on the left corner of my office.
As I reached the table, I leaned into it, catching my breath. I felt weak after seeing that place. My ears were ringing, causing the meeting to sound muffled as I continued to steady myself. It wasn't right, nothing about that place was right. That place was where Cthylla was located...
It was a place of nightmares...
My hands, still shaking but not as much as before, reached for the whiskey bottle. Uncorking it and pouring another glass full. I ignored the alcohol mixing with the melted ice as I gulped down the whiskey. I ignored the heated sounds of arguments. I ignored it all, due to the dizziness and the ringing in my ears.
The burn in my throat and the numbness it soon brought helped me get a hold of myself. The slight buzz in my head helped calm me down. If only I still had my kidneys, then I wouldn't have to get dialysis tonight. That made me sigh as I slid my back on the wall, sitting my fat ass on the ground. God the stress is getting to me, drinking in the middle of a meeting of all things. Still, the alcohol helped to relax me.
My face formed a somewhat satisfied expression as the ringing in my ears ceased. I was content to let the meeting go on while pretending to listen. I needed to relax before I had a heart attack.
[An Isolated Manor in the American South]
It is I, Valefor! The master of eyes and thoughts, the most hopeful of the Fallen who worship the great gods that have descended upon this earth. Today was a most gratuitous occasion! Brothers and sisters from all over the continent were gathering to meet and worship our newest goddess. Cthylla she was named! A most beautiful name for one so blessed.
Clearly she was the Endbringer of Fertility. Her sacred breasts and hips were being ogled by the unworthy. Many sacred texts depicting tentacles and Cthylla were being posted on the site known as Parahumans Online. Though many question her motives and actions as new and sacrilegious I saw them for what they truly truly were. Clearly she was put on this earth to create new life after the rest of the Endbringers had finished their job! She started with Kyushu of course. The latest holy sight that I wished to visit.
Brother Gateway and Brother Elligos were busy setting up the celebrations. Meanwhile Jake Crowley had declared an orgy in the name of Cthylla. How revolting if you ask me, perhaps he would be punished someday.
Suddenly my senses were shared with that of Mama. It seems she needed help in the kitchen and I was happy to oblige!
As soon as I made my way there my eyes were beset with a jaw-dropping cake. Mama Mathers was always quite the baker and this enormous cake, painted with the image of our new Goddess was nothing if not spectacular.
Meanwhile Mama Mathers looked excellent as always. Mama is a thin woman, heightened by her thin face and long hair that bleaching has rendered frayed and silver. This gives her the presence of an older woman, despite the fact that she is in her thirties, and makes her look fragile enough she could break. She also wore white flats and a clean white apron over an off white sundress.
"Mama! What wonderful work you have performed!" I exclaim this as Mama approaches me and we exchange kisses on the cheek.
"Indeed Valefor. Now I need your opinion." Mama was suddenly very serious as she said her next sentence. "Should I make the breasts bigger?" Her tone was deep and ominous, truly a serious question when depicting sacred fertility arts.
I had to think very hard about the question. Was Mama Mathers' depiction of our sacred Goddess' bodacious bosom imperfect? It was a matter of life or death. Some sweat formed on my brow as I answered truthfully.
"Yes." I had to be honest even if it meant punishment. Such was one of the rules of the Mathers family. Closing my eyes as I expected a nightmare sent my way, I was instead surprised by mercy.
"Sigh…I knew it, I need you to fetch more edible paint from the cupboard." I was overjoyed that no punishment came and instead I was met with a request. Truly today was a momentous occasion. Perhaps our Lady Cthylla was a mistress of mercy as well! Such was the glory she brought into this new world!
Suddenly my phone rang through my costume. I quickly answered after handing Mama some edible paint.
"BROTHER VALEFOR CHECK THE NEWS!" Brother Elligos was shouting and of course I was unsure at first but I obliged him.
"Alright Brother Elligos." I say this as I grab the remote by the kitchen counter and turn on the rather expensive television Mama had acquired not too long ago.
"-s you can see here. A new island has emerged in the pacific. The PRT confirms that this new island named R'lyeh is the work of the fourth Endbringer recently dubbed Cthylla-!" All noise began to drown out as I began to grin from ear to ear. I was not ashamed to say that I was weeping tears of joy.
Another cause for celebration had appeared! The promised land had arrived! Oh and how beautiful it was! With buildings so grand they change before my eyes. Clearly their Goddess was calling for them! The promised land had arrived!
[R'lyeh at the center of the Pacific Ocean]
I was not ashamed to say I was laughing at the sheer lunacy I was causing. I couldn't wait to see the PHO's reaction. Japan was taking it well, but the Megalodons still scared some people. Piggot was drinking herself to an early grave, The Fallen were somehow immune to my island's visual defenses, all that and more.
It seems Canberra was just around the corner. I wondered if I should burst into fighting or appear after. I didn't want to make an enemy of my sister, so maybe appearing after her rampage would be best. Also, how would I access the PHO without the internet and a computer?! Darn it, things were getting complicated. Perhaps the Necronomicon could help.
I began skimming the Necronomicon for some spells when I received a rather distressing signal as another core began to connect with my own.
[Query: Proposal?] I already knew that voice. It sounded like a thousand wind chimes and birds all singing in unison. My sister, Unit-3, Ziz, The Simurgh was sending me a proposal.
She was offering me schematics and designs for things I would need in the future but at what cost?
[Query: Purpose?] I ask this with foreboding curiosity that could kill a cat. What could she possibly want from me?
[Statement: Secret~.] I never thought I'd hear a mischievous bird woman tell me she was keeping secrets from me. Still, I NEEDED to troll on the PHO. Thus, I accepted.
[Statement: Accepted. Current Status: Pouting.] I tell the Simurgh this with all the silly sourness I could muster. She was being too nice! Which only meant she was being mean to me somehow! Oh, did I mention my voice sounded like seductive eldritch whispers and writhing tentacles? No? Huh, must have forgotten to mention it.
[Current Status: Laughing.] Then she disconnected, her laughter still ringing through my core as I begrudgingly started to expand my power to create a simurgh-designed computer.
This thing better run Skyrim's visual mods to an insane degree or I'm getting a refund! My attentions falling on the computer and Canberra. Things were turning out quite interesting…
Author's Note:
Remember to DM me or check QQ and AO3 for the images of the MC!
Thank you all for the delightful commentary! Please keep them coming! You all inspire me so so much!