The Warriors: Protectors of the Multiverse

Chapter 72

After talking with Johanna and listening to her story she and the village disappeared while Desert Claw came in and was telling the gang his side of the story

I spent several months in that tranquil village even after i had recovered. The time i spent with her-it was like a dream come true. So she had new life within her-it was our child. I was overjoyed but she was uncertain somehow. Desert Claw said

Uncertain? Sophitia said

Yeah. I asked her why, and she told me her story. The village's terrible hidden secret... Desert Claw said

Hidden secret? Punk said

The village where time stopped... Kisala said

Yes. Desert Claw said

Oh yeah, that's right. Punk said

Left behind in the flow of time, the village had never interacted with the outside world. She wanted to leave the village for the sake of our unborn child. She wanted to show our child the vast galaxy out there. Desert Claw said

So you both decided that you wanted to leave the village with your child and show him the vast galaxy correct? Batman said

Whoa you guys were planning on leaving and seeing the galaxy? Punk said

Yes, we decided to leave the village. And eventually, our child was born-he was our greatest treasure. That's when we truly knew what it was to feel joy. Desert Claw said

Aww that's so sweet. Sophitia said

Yes it was. But our joy didn't last long. Desert Claw said

What? Sophitia said

How come? Punk said

Shortly after she gave birth, she fell ill and lost her life. Desert Claw said

What? the gang said

So she died? Punk said

Yes. She had contracted the same deadly illness as the other villagers. It was only because time stopped that she had gone on living. She was a strong woman...she must have seen it coming from the moment she decided to leave. She brought forth our child at the cost of her own life. Desert Claw said

How awful. Sophitia said

Seriously. Punk said

Ah... Jaster said

The child's face bore her same birthmark. Desert Claw said

Wait...you mean...? Jaster said

Yes. That child was you, Jaster. Desert Claw said

What? the others except Jaster said

No way. Punk said

That's...not possible. But wait...that means you're my... Jaster said

Desert Claw then took off his mask and hood to reveal himself to Jaster and the gang

Yes. I am Mizel-your father. Desert Claw said

What? the others except Jaster said again

Oh my god. Punk said

D-Dad. Jaster said

So you're Jaster's father. Batman said

Indeed i am. Mizel said

Dude all this time we've been calling you Desert Claw and you never told us your real name until now? Punk said

I was trying to keep a low profile. Mizel said

Well i guess that makes sense. Punk said

I'm sorry i kept this from you, my son. But i had no choice. It was all to set you on the right path. Mizel said

Set me on the right path? Jaster said

Yes. On her deathbed, your mother told me: "This child will bring peace...to you and to this universe alike..." Mizel said

What? Jaster said

I know. I had no idea what she meant at the time. As the months and years passed, i came to notice you were no ordinary boy. You had powers, mighty powers. That's when i finally realized the great responsibility your mother had entrusted to me. Mizel said

What did you do with me after mom died? Jaster said

I left you with my friend Raul and embarked on a journey. I knew Raul would raise you to be a fine young man. I traveled from planet to planet as Desert Claw. I traced the path of the Star King and pursued the secrets of his powers, hidden in the past. Mizel said

Why? Jaster said

It was all to call forth the great powers that slumbered within you. The Star King ruled the galaxy after quelling a drawn-out interplanetary war. Now the galaxy is in need of the Star King once more. Mizel said

This is all too much. Jaster said

I know Jaster but i know you will be able to use your powers justly. You're the only one who can put an end to this conflict. Mizel said

I understand. I don't know if i'm truly worthy to wield this power, but i'll try dad...i'll try. Jaster said

Jaster...i've told you everything i know. I don't know what awaits you in Eden. From here on, you'll have to see for yourself. Mizel said

But what about you dad? Jaster said

My journey as Desert Claw ends here, too. I look forward to sharing my stories with you one day, my son. Mizel said

Me too dad. Me too. Jaster said

Good. Now before i go i have one last thing to tell you. Mizel said

What is it? Jaster said

I've released the lock that was on the ruins. Use your key to open the path to Eden. Mizel said

Got it. Jaster said

Good. Stay the course, Jaster. Mizel said

And just like that Mizel continued walking and left

Dad... Jaster said

Are you alright Jaster? Sophitia said

Yeah i'm okay. Jaster said

I'm glad to hear it. Sophitia said

So...are we heading back to the ruins? Punk said

Yeah we're heading back. Jaster said

A few minutes later

The gang was now back in the Desert Ruins and approached the arena where Jaster can insert the Eternal Keyplate

Well here we are again. Kisala said

Yeah but this time we're gonna insert the key. Jaster said

Then let's do it. Punk said

Right. Jaster said

Jaster then inserted the Eternal Keyplate as the giant half-lion, half-bird, statue started to move around and fired a laser out of it's mouth at the sky and into outer space until it revealed a strange-looking dimensional gate

What was that? Punk said

I don't know. Jaster said

Hey guys! a voice said

The gang looked up and saw Monsha on the ship waving at them

Monsha! Jaster said

What are you doing here? Sophitia said

Nevermind that! Listen a gate showed up in space! Monsha said

Yeah we know, we saw it. Punk said

Good now come on! We're leaving now, so get back on board right away! Jaster said

Okay we'll be right there! Jaster said

We should probably head back to the ship. Sophitia said

Right. Jaster said

A few more minutes later

The gang was now back inside the ship as they were approaching the strange-looking dimensional gate

A gate, floating in space... Jaster said

Are we supposed to go in there? Lilika said

Pretty much. Punk said

Sure does look really cool! Simon said

Cool? Punk said

Yeah i mean look at the way it swirls. Simon said

My, my-this is fantastic! Jupis said

What do you mean? Sophitia said

They say Eden's civilization is considerably advanced. Jupis said

Oh. Sophitia said

Seems kinda like overkill, don't it? Must have some great treasure inside. Zegram said

So it's right on the other side-Eden, the phantom planet...the place where i was born...Mariglenn. Kisala said

Yup this is the place. Punk said

We've finally arrived... Deego said

Captain, are we ready to enter the gate? Steve said

No, not yet! Dorgengoa said

Is there something you want to say? Batman said

Yes. Listen up-Eden is finally within our grasp. Dorgengoa said

We already know that. Punk said

Of course you do but who knows what's waitin' for us behind that gate. Could be unendi' riches or it could be unspeakable hell. Do whatever it takes to get good and ready for anythin' Eden might throw at us! Dorgengoa said

Right! the gang said

Well it appears the gang has finally reached Eden also known as the phantom planet but what will they encounter there stay tuned

TO BE CONTINUED