Fist digging into the manufactured skull of the Chaos' form, blood, or whatever was equivalent to it, leaking from his lips. The Moon panted heavily, as sweat expanded itself from the glands around his face. The Emperor manifesting from an afterimage he created from moving at lightspeeds, and gazing at their defeated enemy,
"The truth you sought out with your powers of seeing into the future, though impressive, are useless compared to my grown power! Your demise will be swift, however, due to your feeble existence... I doubt anyone will ever notice. So, perish at the hands of your puppet, and forever witness- THE TRUTH OF REQUIEM!" Though barely noticeable from the size of Nyarlathotep's eyes, Ryder could make out the distinct feeling of hate that dwelled within him. Fighting through the immense agony he was experiencing around his ribs, The Moon let out a final flurry of blows. With one last cry,
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA! MUDAGHHHHHHHH!" A final punch to the side of whatever resembled The Chaos' skull had sent him flying toward the Singularity, luckily, the Emperor had momentarily spread apart the psychic bubble surrounding the roof. For a moment, before the form of Nyarlathotep was engulfed into the blackhole above them, a purple glowing tarot card soared past him. The Emperor watching with the rest of the Protectors in confusion, but their attention was then quickly drawn to HIS voice,
"Guys..?" Upon turning, Ella and Ben were the first to notice, with Madi being the third and the remainder of everyone else following. The Priestess' eyes widened, to see a cauterized wound, a big hole, wide enough to see through the back of the Moon was visible in his chest. Without anymore adrenaline coursing through his veins, Ryder Karlo was caught into the arms of his best friend and lover. She stared into his ever fading eyes, their fingers interlocked together as he used the remaining parts of his strength to place his metal palm on her cheek,
"Ryder..." Instead of hearing anymore sappy words, he simply put his finger to her lips, as his body fell limp- his soul emerged in the form of his figure. Momentarily rising from his mortal form, the Protectors could see him- all welling with tears,
"There is no need to grieve, everyone... I am simply returning to how I was meant to be..." His form, glowing with the palette of the sun, shone onto their faces. Not blinding them, but instead, enlightening them all. The Emperor's tears started to flow, as his brother attempted to comfort him- the Moon gave his final actions to those he held dear. Giving a faint transparent kiss to the side of El's cheek, a loving touch on the hand to his former lover, Madisyn, and now, finally- for Ben,
"Do not think of this as a failure. You saved me, for a while, and I applaud you for helping me... but this is the greatest gift I've ever gotten. You all believed in me, I was simply blinded by my own trauma to not see the Answer in front of me all alone. Death is a sleeping slave, everyone tries harder and harder to avoid it, to find out the answers to it. Slaves to life's greatest question, but if his is where you all break free. Do not dwell on my death, everyone... if anything, celebrate. Please, and I leave the rest up to you all. Thank you, everyone. And most of all... thank you very much, Benjamin Rivera," All of them watched, intone with their emotions, The Emperor nodded. He won, but at the cost of this? He witnessed the rising of an angel emerging from a demon's tainted body, as El reached her arm out to try and touch his soul- she was met with no avail. Instead, he turned, playing the back of his palm into her hand... limb evaporating into an emerald cloud of dust,
"Goodbye..." His soul had transformed into its true form, spinning with an azure hue surrounding the card, The Moon hovered in his palm. Guardian of the Temple brought forth by the green wind that previously surrounded the deceased Karlo, Uraku gazed into everyone's eyes. Hoping they'd get an answer to Ryder's fate,
"My Father will arrange a spot for him in Heaven. I assure you, his spirit won't be forgotten... my son," No one even had a reaction to Uraku's sudden nickname for the Emperor, instead, they all just stared at the ground. Stepping up to be the mature one, Ben asked his father,
"What now?" The aura dissipated from around the soul of Uraku, whose eyes quickly noticed the disappearance of the Singularity above them. There was no doubt about it, Earth was getting destroyed. With a wave of his hand, the Guardian created a see-through universal gateway. Following suite, knowing their other halves would safe, they all entered the gateway. With only Uraku left in this Universe, he witnessed the disappearance of the Earth, and slowly but surely faded away...
And time moved slowly. Now in this new Universe, living with the accomplishment he had with the saving of Ryder Karlo, Ben Rivera was back to being the most influential CEO on the planet. Working with his older sister to help better the World, manufacturing not just weapons, but everyday products like phones, hologram technology, even helping advance the world of artificial intelligence with Artemis. He and Cecilia Lane Rivera would marry in December of 2020, as she gave birth to two more kids earlier that year in August. August and Genesis Rivera were born on August 28th, 2020.
Jason Rivera would go back to his usual career as a lethal bounty hunter, instead of slaughtering the bounties, he learned to be soft and give them in. He was crowned to be the world's first actual 'superhero' thanks to him taking multiple lawbreakers to justice with ease. He and Charlie Kyles Rivera would marry in January 2021, as she gave birth to Blaire Rivera that same month.
Madisyn Rivera continued her work promoting and gaining new customers for Rivera Manufacturing. Some call her writing, 'poetic,' she would go on to be called the greatest partner in the world by her brother, the CEO. In November of 2020, she and her fiancée, Abby, would marry. And after the wedding, they'd adopt a two month old Japanese baby girl who they'd name, 'Mei Rivera'. She would retire in 2030 to focus on her family, as Ben continued to head the company in a new direction.
Matthew Miller would return to his fiancée, who he had learned was pregnant during his journey with the Protectors. Because of her appreciation for everything he'd done for America through these past few months, they named their son, 'Matt Johnson.' He would continue with his construction worker job, as head of the company he founded, taking multiple contracts and leading a happy life.
Henry Colon, with Ella Garcia, paid respects to her fallen lover. After that, he would propose to his husband, and they married in July of 2021 thanks to their rich Ben Rivera friend. After the wedding, Madi would lead them to the same adoption agency, and they'd adopt a three-month old boy, who'd they name, 'Beau Edmund.' Henry would continue his work as a firefighter until 2027, retiring early to ensure his powers didn't get worse. Which was kind of redundant, but whatever.
Ella Garcia was the one to arrange the funeral of her, now deceased, lover; Ryder. Heartbroken by his demise, she would eventually accept his death, but never dated anyone ever again. To keep her heart safe from any treachery, and she was better for it, in fact. She became a best-selling author with her fantasy novels depicting the experiences her family and friends went through over 2020 selling over 10,000,000 copies worldwide. Getting a comic adaption, then a TV Show, then the movies, it was safe to say she led a successful legacy. Knowing she made her dad proud.
And so, time moved on, without any falter or showing any sign of stopping. That is, until the specific year of 2037.
A white haired girl's boots pushed into a puddle, the liquid splashing onto the concrete and seeping its way into the material. Locks moving in the January chill, her hands concealed into the cover of her pockets. You might assume that maybe this might be Mei, white hair like her mother's in her teens, but her crimson red shining pupils proved that thesis wrong. Alone, she took out a pack of cigarettes, it was Saturday. There was nothing for her to do, the grass beneath her rear now sticking into her bottom. The smoke from the butt of the cigarette soared into dark blue skies, slowly fading away into nothing, her head turned to see a car racing down the road. Like a bat out of hell… Celine nodded and leaned back, palms flat on the plain. Deep in the fabric of her soul, she felt the need to stand, to try and head home. But, in the end, what was the point? They'd only just ignore her, think her brother to be so 'perfect', as if they have any idea what the true meaning of that phrase meant. The softness in her eyes, despite the bags under them, spoke it without words. If only there were someone in this vast sea of people in Paris… that could appreciate her. The cigarette fell from the crevice between her lips, for it to be crushed underneath the sole of her boot. That need was a weak part of her, though, wanting someone only led to more trash, more incessant garbage. With people bothering you and asking for attention. She didn't need anyone, that's what she told herself, she was better off utterly… alone.
🎵People come and they go🎵
Shedding himself of the darkened gloves that hid his skinned extremities, the blue-eyed man with black hair pushed out his arms. So he would be comfortable and could do some of these cases, an obvious police badge was seen to be taken from inside his red coat. Along with a silenced M1912, that sat beside his right hand, sliding a pen from his pocket. A woman, no older than maybe 19, came over to his table. The singer in the background continued to sing in French, music to his ears, as always.
"Azzy, nice to see you again, darling. What can I get you, la mignonne?"
He hadn't an answer, the tip of his utensil continuously tapping against the paper he'd been examining for the last moment or so. If only he could've found something more, something better than the measly pathetic trash that they'd found. And of course, they give him the case that no one could solve, rubbing his eyes with his free left index and thumb, 'Azzy' sighed dejectedly,
"Détective Karlo?"
Inquired the waitress with a thick French accent, to which Azazel Karlo, finally listened. To see the girl he'd seen a plethora of times as he came to this establishment, instinctively, like a subconscious thought, he his pen. She didn't question it, instead, she just smiled, and he did the same gesture back. Whenever she saw his smile, she couldn't help but nod, as if it held a secret symbol.
"The usual, chérie,"
Strutting away with her hips swaying from side to side, attempting to grab his attention by flaunting her figure, his eyes returned to his work. Scratching the back of his neck for a moment, a wound of a needle that had been pushed through his skin visible, should you try to pull down the collar of his jacket. And if you were to see his eyes, you would catch a glimpse at a ruby red leaking from his usual azure pupils. Snapping his utensil in two, as the waitress, 'Hannah', returned to serve him his food. He was nowhere to be found, not a trace of his belongings. Detective Azazel Karlo has disappeared. And no one tried… to find him.
Across the city, a silver skyscraper pierced the Paris skyline, the Eiffel Tower in the view of his room's window. A bunk bed for his younger sister when she would get scared of the nightmares that plagued her. Bureau beside the bottom bunk, riddled with clothing and items of his past. Broken glasses from when they went to Seven Flags, and his glasses fell off the roller coaster. A red strand of hair in a glass container from when his adolescent sister failed at dying her hair, a plethora of other assortments like his ex's flower headband, and his older sister's golden necklace he had wrapped nicely around his neck. The locket holding a photo of the duo siblings, he smiled at the thought that'd he make more fond memories with the people he loved,
"Auggyyy~! Come on, we don't wanna keep everyone waiting, bro bro!" Understanding the demand, August Rivera stood from his bunk, locking the door to his room as the wooden entrance enclosed. As he disappeared into the lit up hallway, a reflection of dark violet pupils could be seen, coming forth in the reflection of the window. Information gathered, the eyes evaporated, and Its galaxy-like form that pulsated and hummed with a satisfying ring took form on an asteroid, hovering slowly through space.
"I misjudged you, Father. Gifting them this new home, them living confidently that nothing will happen to them, now we can accomplish your goal without any eyes on us. And thankfully, our newest asset is proof of that fact," The Aether spun, energy bursting in the form of a slice in time and space. His appearance stood the same as he exited the gateway, tiny bits of stubble forming around his face. Their very own pawn, Ryder Karlo, hatefully gazed at the Children of God. Following the elder Karlo, the Author's eldest child emerged from the portal, to slowly spot his Father lifting Himself from the Throne He'd been sat upon. Gawking vividly at the new World He'd created, He gritted His teeth. Golden retinas glistening, the God smirked, turning to His Children with that signature mischievous smirk.
"Time for a rebirth."
The Story continues in Book 3 - The World.