"We stand above the clouds, August. Existing between that which is and doesn't, this is the Temple..."
Uraku stood over his grandson's body, laid in rest after his spat with his sibling, the year on Earth was 2037. About a month had passed since the 'demise of August Rivera', the so-called 'Savior of Humanity.' There was no Celine beside him, as he'd hoped, Good though, he was fine with that. He'd seen her again, he said his goodbyes, she needed rest from beyond the cruel world where he would be destined to return to. Instead, his legs dangled off the edge of the mattress, extremities running through the curls of his snowy-white mop of hair. As his father was a grassy garden filled with chirping birds and a loving sun that kissed his face whenever he'd wake, his son's Temple form was that of a house on the side of a road. His distant relative watched on the side of the curb, a painted smile over Uraku's lips, August raising a brow as his back cracked. Raising from his position, he stood beside his grandfather, watching as a white-haired little girl ran past him in the road with a green ball in hand. Inhaling sharply, the repeated sound of the sprinkler spreading transparent liquid over the field his bare soles stood against led to his eyes producing... tears. The girl sent him a smile as his father's parent placed his hand on the shoulder of the young Rivera, but a boy lost in a Universe where only tragedy existed for him,
"Look... behind you,"
There she stood, arms crossed over her breasts with an irritated expression, as if annoyed that she'd been ignored so blatantly. A smile curved over his lips, and though she tried her best to repress it, the same happened to her as he threw his arms over her body. Embracing her close to his chest, the girl whimpered and cried into her lover's anatomy. The time they'd wished to have gotten back had returned to them, the scenery shifting from this suburban location to a snowy landscape. Uraku watched, content with the future he'd foreseen for these two, though the World would be trampled beneath the foot of The Author's creation... there needed to exist a countermeasure. August and Celine kissed, their lips touching as the aurora borealis sparked into existence stretching over the dark sky. The Temple's Guardian couldn't help but let out a happy laugh at his grandson and future granddaughter-in-law, the couple stared at the stars glistening in the Northern Lights. Sighing happily, the girl's head rested on his shoulder, with Uraku's shivering fingers never halting their movement as they bounced shakily from side to side. Why? Why wasn't he in control? Was there something more than the duty he'd been given by his Father that led him to move forward? Gazing at his flat palms, lines outlining across his hands, curving in differential directions continuously. The future remains the same no matter what happens, the Author ensured His will would act out forever.
"Follow me, children,"
They followed that demand, it was only right, fingers interlocking, August led Celine forward so the duo could follow closely behind Uraku's rear. Until he pushed through the illusion that was Rivera's Temple form and emerged into the grey halls of the true area. A rotating white globe continuously spun around, to the confusion of the Reaper, as Pierce was just there for the ride. All she had to do was listen, and as August attempted to speak out and question what this was about, the boy was slapped on the back of his head.
"Just listen,"
A thankful nod was sent the white-haired girl's way originating from Uraku's falsified skull, a simple wave from his hand to the right over the globe showing the truth to these ignorant children. So they could realize the vastness of their existence, the Reaper's grandfather informed them of the following,
"Time and time again, humanity has thrust itself into hell. Wars ravage the Earth, greed plagues your country's superpowers. The human mind is accustomed to these things, as it is human nature to act out cruelly. The Author, the Multiverse's Allfather, had manufactured humanity from the ground up believing it to be the Key to everything. To create true life and hold peace between everything chaotic, but in an attempt to stabilize and create peace, he ensured more chaos would erupt in his very own ranks. A soldier in the Elite Guards of Archangels, Lucifer Morningstar, challenged his will as he'd noticed the Allfather grew more accustomed to these creatures. Feeling as though He favored them over His very own people, Lucifer manipulated your ancestors, Adam and Eve so they'd bite from the forbidden fruit of knowledge. Events led to one another, and it would lead to war between Heaven and Hell. Four hundred years passed, and though the Author believed it to be over, His creation had been twisted and corrupted by His carelessness. Humanity learned to hate, to murder... Requiem Warriors would be created to tame humans so they could learn from their mistakes. Though He'd underestimate their nature, and made Requiems in the form of the multiverse's most horrific phenomenon; man. The Warriors sided with the man and challenged Heaven outright, knowing God was horrible and cruel for His ignorance of their problems. Slaves, oppression. War. The Requiems were easily slaughtered, with no remorse from Heaven... yet as the war faded from humanity's memory; I ensured it remained. I ensured that my son and daughter were born into this world with my blood- REQUIEM blood. I ensured that my sibling went down to that planet and found the blood of a lost Requiem warrior, experimenting and fiddling with their DNA to create a more Elite Race to protect Heaven. Benjamin Rivera, August Rivera... Alexander Amara. You must keep moving forward if you are to save everyone from their grim future looking for them in the future. So, what do you say... grandson?"
All of it made sense, there had to be some reason that the Author continuously sent threats down to Earth, no matter what version. To capture his father, himself, and apparently; this Amara kid. What did He need it for? Isn't He omnipotent? Why am I so important?
"Your... Father, isn't he God? Why does he need any of us? He should be able to do this all by Himself, right? Why are we so important, we all hold but a fraction of His power, don't we-?"
"He ordered me to impregnate a woman on Earth, for he was sure that her offspring and his grandchildren would ensure the safety for humanity. He seeks to gather you all, to bring you to Him so He can achieve True Happiness for Humanity. Though- I can't allow Him to do so, as He seeks out to destroy every remnant of human life. My siblings, though they might say that they lived amongst them- it was a lie. The sights that this planet holds, the people that exist on it, not all of it is horrible. The Earth is a cruel world, but humanity keeps moving forward, knowing that their actions are useless in the long end, they keep moving. As if something pushes them... humanity intrigues me beyond my wildest imaginations. If they were to perish, it would be such a waste, and so... stupid,"
August's teeth gritted against his bottom lip, memories of the past speeding through his brain as Uraku tightly grabbed the wrist of his distant relative. Fitted with a despaired frown over his lips, the Reaper's emerald glow radiated brighter and brighter, witnessing the truth. Everything that led up to this moment in the present, and to the confrontation of the Demon King in the future. Even more, the same vision that his father had experienced, of a future yet to come, but of what, only three knew. Uraku. August. Ben.
"Now you see it, don't you? You wish to be free, the same as my son in the future. You must train, you must put yourself through Hell, as your father only experienced a fragment of the power you'd receive should you follow your heart. Devote your heart to fleeing dawn, ensure that the Author doesn't commit the same mistake as humanity, so the cycle of war... ends. You must fight, and keep moving forward. Follow the dream you had all that time ago, and use it as fuel to keep going. Justice will be served, and you are the driving force for it. Augustus Benjamin Rivera,"
August fell to his knees, flat palms against the softened platform against his ankles, a tear pushing out from the edge of his eye. Chuckling maniacally, he shook his head as his fingers dug into the center of his snowy mop of curls over the peak of his skull. Blood drawing as his skeletal interior revealed itself, Rivera cried out at the truth, Uraku looking down at his grandson with great pity.
"Stand,"
Stand? What for? He was dead, why did this rest on him? He should rest for the time he has with the girl he'd loved, he'd accomplished his goal and reached his dream. Then, he remembered those on the ground, those who'd cared for him, and those he'd inspired. His sisters... his cousin... his 'brothers'... his best friend. They were waiting for him, why would he stay here when he could see them again? August Rivera sniffled in response and stood tall, making direct eye contact with his grandfather, and stating with a determined look in his pupils,
"I can't just leave them behind. I had a dream that I believed in... but it's not over yet, is it? I'm free, but what of their freedom? I reject Heaven's desire, humanity will exist across each Universe no matter what I must do to ensure it,"
Time and time again, humans always impressed him, from the girl behind him, ready to support her lover with a happy smile that spread over her lips- to him. Though he'd experienced such a grim future just as his father did, he kept moving forward to ensure it would change, to make sure that The Author doesn't get His way. To sacrifice the Multiverse for the greater good, so He could attain true control just as He once did billions of years ago. For freedom, and justice.
"Now, let us begin,"
Back in the present, 2052, the scarf he'd worn over his face had been discarded off his person. Azazel couldn't believe his eyes, attempting to reach out with the singular hand he had left, the Reaper took one step forward. Skeletal arm detaching as his arm disconnected from the socket, August reached out to choke out his demonic enemy so he'd been thrown to the ground. Pressure intensified, the Requiem Reaper took another step forward calling back for his arm, towering over the body of his once-Justice-filled rival. Pupils watering at the sight, August's fingers simply brushed against the socket- manufacturing a simple new arm for him to control.
"You're... you're real?"
"Stand and fight. If you don't fight, how will you ever be free?"
Those words held so much meaning, though the question was short, August was different. Standing side by side, Azazel and August faced their demon-like opponent whose darkened lengthy locks flowed in the crimson dawn. Lucifer reached out a simple hand, trident destroying everything in its path as he controlled the destiny of this weapon, Morningstar had it tilt to the left so it'd slice through the Reaper and Detective. Abruptly, the Requiem Reaper arose from behind his rival with his heterochromatic pupils radiating with an extreme hue as he stared down despicably at this 'creature.' The trident had already returned to the hand of the False King, the time had been erased so August could create his counterattack. He wasted no time spouting some sarcastic remark at his enemy, he dug his two fingers, index and middle to the side of his left eye. Grunting out in anger as the eyeball squished out and blew itself up from the inside out, in a ball of blood and gore, the fallen Archangel attempted to push through the pain. Spinning around to stab the man to his rear with the sharpened prongs of his trident, chains wrapped around the monster's ankle and threw him into the air. Karlo's mechanical Crow-like claws slid themselves over his fingers, ready to cut through any sort of thick flesh that hid the skeletal interior that laid beneath the counterpart's used anatomy. BOOM BOOM! Repeated use of 'The World' made sure that Azazel sliced through Morningstar's throat in mid-air, using the sound created from the snarl emerging from the gritted teeth of their enemy to punch him with a sound-fueled blow. Breaking through his cheek, the snapping and shattering of a bone were heard echoing as it boomed through the atmosphere, Alexander awakening as he witnessed their enemy's body soar through the air. This was him... everything they've been trying to prevent for so long, it all led up to this very event, he had to do something to change it. HE NEEDED TO! Alex's body moved on its own, unlocking a latent ability aching to break free, cackles from the Truth entered the eardrums of the adults as they saw a quick blur. Reminded of a time the Emperor used a similar power in his defeat of the Crawling Chaos, the friends of this former CEO couldn't help but chuckle. There was hope, as Amara's feet skid across the ground, dirt kicking up as Alex landed safely- Azazel chuckled. The father and son remained the same, their expressions stagnant as Lucifer had been burst through completely. Internal organs were destroyed, heart demolished, Lucifer Morningstar had been killed.
"Good job, kid-"
"The time for thanks is later. Everyone, get inside, we need to discuss the matter at hand,"
Thrown indoors, Ben and August were the first ones to aid a falling Uraku through space, with an unconscious Beau Edmund on his back. Quirking a brow, Azazel watched as he helped Blaire with Rose so the kids could have a bit of a break as the demons ravaged outside in the world. Edmund was placed in the medbay for the time being, everyone else got a chance to catch up, surprised by the sudden appearance of the Headmaster's son. The Reaper kicked up so he could sit on a table, kicking his feet back and forth, holding a red scarf close to his face so it'd hide his lips. Karlo was the one to stand beside him, arms crossed over his chest, August couldn't help but smile,
"I had to leave her. She gave me this as a gift, and my grandfather made it real. I sacrificed my freedom so I can help everyone else with their own, I hope I don't regret that choice,"
Azazel had blatantly interrupted his rival's statement, embracing his friend and wrapping his arms around his body so he'd be held close as August's shocked expression fell. To a warm realization, though the future he'd seen was grim and horrible, some people made beyond that looking forward to it. How long had the Detective been waiting for someone to save him? All the Fool could muster up in the neck of his friend was a muffled,
"I'm just glad you're back,"
To which his back was patted by his friend, and August reluctantly made the man pull back as he'd known his sisters were coming. Ecstatic of the return of their long-thought dead brother, Emma and Genesis hugged him with all the might they could muster. Crying tears of joy that leaked from their eyes, the Second Generation Rivera Triplets were reunited, with the one next being none other than his dear old mother. Cecilia bent down and gripped her son's arms, witnessing how big he'd gotten, the gruff under his chin, the boy looked just like his father now the same age as everyone else. He'd returned... as more hugs came and went from his loved ones, he saw the vision of Celine behind them all, in the darkened Void with her white hair that he'd 'stolen.' She was proud, she'd gotten her to wish, he fulfilled his promise, and now was his time to be with his family, the true people he should've held a dream to see again. Everyone else loved him, it was true, at the time, August was a lonely boy in a cruel world knowing that pathetic people with feeble minds only liked him for he was on the outside.
But Celi was different, they had their ups and downs, nevertheless, they kept moving forward. And he got to see her again at the end of his long journey; over 15 years spent with the woman he'd loved. You'd think him crazy, with just a gifted scarf to show for it all, but it was the best gift anyone had ever given him. August would always try to replay those days they'd spent together when they were just kids, going to the beach in the winter, spinning around in a shopping cart like an idiot.
But he had to let it go. The time they spent together was finished, now was not the time to dwell on the past, but look forward to the future. And as Celine's soul faded away to stay with Uraku in the Void, she let out a final,
"Goodbye... August..."
A singular tear streamed down his right cheek, he didn't stop it, nor did he answer any of the worried inquiries that came to him. He just stared at the grounds, eyelids sliding over his pupils, whispering to the memory he'd always cherish;
"It's truly, truly been... such a long roundabout path. Thank you, Celine Pierce... for bringing back meaning into my life. What else is there to say... anymore..?"
Even with her gone, with him believing that he let her go right and there, he held onto her scarf… and tightly gripped on as that spark of hope lit aflame inside his heart. Before he'd known it, 10 minutes had passed and the present faded away to exist in the past. Snap! His sister's fingers went, creating quick and sharp audio to bring him back from his dream-inspired daze. Gen inched closer to wipe the tear that'd streamed from the edge of his sight organ, inquiring worriedly of her recently returned brother, soft pink eyes gazing into his mix of emerald and crimson,
"Is something wrong, bro bro?"
Her voice was saturated with worry, but to not undermine this important moment in the fight against Hell, it was low as well. Wanting to swiftly move from this annoying topic, the son of the Emperor told her 'no' with a simple shake of his head. The Requiem Reaper cracked his head upward so his eyes could momentarily meet with his father's, the Emperor and the World sharing the same knowledgeable stare as explanations threw themselves out from the insides of their Celestial relative. A guide to the future, on how to eradicate this hellish threat to the planet,
"The current Key to Hell has been destroyed, infused with the many souls of the Superior floating about in the Multiverse. At this moment, you're all vulnerable; sure, now there exist three Requiems in this cafeteria, though not even them possess the will to spin back time, that only belongs to certain individuals. Such as I, my Father, and His offspring. We are pure-blooded 'Children of God', after all. Among those was the Crawling Chaos, though he was the last to be recruited by the Author, he was the oldest. In his time on Earth, wandering out and manufacturing chaos across different locations on the planet, he'd birth a son. Unlike you all, he is the same as I am, pure-blooded with the Author and Nyarlathotep's DNA running throughout his veins. Recently, after the attack on Heaven thanks to the Ringleader's possession of the Strength, my nephew had been taken by the enemy. Wherever their whereabouts reside, you all must locate those coordinates, only his power is capable of opening a gateway to the past. His name is...
Ashton Dabrowski,"
Decrepit empty husks of bodies belonging to those monsters with sharp teeth and edged wings laid about in the streets of Brooklyn, his feet continuously pushing him forward. One foot, then the other, his mouth and nose indistinguishable- all that was visible was his snowy-white eyes that reflected the galaxy above. Tendrils that mirrored that of the Master of Evil's decades ago poked out from the ground, swirling about like chaotic waves. Cutting through their thick flesh, those 'creatures' snarled out in anger before they remained as half of who they were seconds ago. Those same tendrils levitated above those bodies, following their master as his anatomy kept moving forward; to the end of the street. Rebuilding himself from the ground up, Lucifer's heavy pants entered the chilly air around them as more of his hellspawn watched from the roofs. Tips of claws digging into concrete peaks as their fiery blood-red pupils examined the scene before them, seemingly communicating in short growls. Leaning on his trusty trident, the gateway burning with hellish flames had the Demon Prince of all people exit, with a new outfit to boot. Satanic upside-down cross engraved in blood over his chest and muscular abs, a pentagram engulfed the gate between realms to the rear of the Superior. That same symbol threw itself against the back of the False Prince, heating itself exponentially and burning into his skin. The blackened radiation that'd surrounded the body of Nyarlathotep's son had vanished, all that remained was his parted hair with light brown coloration,
"If I am fated to remain with you pigs, so be it. What is the next step, in your plan?"
Though officially, his position was above the Superior's, the King had decided to give his partner his signature dark trench coat. Throwing over himself so his arm would slip into the sleeve, the doppelganger of the Emperor informed his new ally with total confidence,
"Our end,"
The Emperor, the Justice, and the World all sat together in a room, silent and cold with the weight of the future weighing heavily on two of their shoulders. Alex's sweat dripped down from his forehead, worried for what these men would say, and knowing that his father would say something first; August, the World, rose his hand to stop the words from croaking out his throat. Abruptly and reluctantly, the Emperor leaned back, stroking his brunet beard as he listened to his son and student speak with one another. The Reaper's darkened emerald turtleneck cozying him up, Rivera yanked down the scarf so his lips would be visible to the teen,
"There will come a time shortly where we will have to fight for our freedom. After the battle with Hell, we'll be forced to march above the clouds... and though you might not be able to do it, you must be ready. If you want to save Rose, Whitney, everyone else, you must learn to harness your inner potential to its fullest, that is all I ask of you,"
All it took was a simple glance, from that point on, it was clear. The way the Headmaster had looked so downdraught and depressed as if all light from the Earth had faded away and all hope for the future dwindled. What did he see that caused such a lowly expression over his face? Though curious, he looked to the younger ones of the duo, and saw the glimmer of hope still alive in the eyes of the Reaper, still gazing down at the boy, finger pulling the comforter downward. What was he supposed to do when he didn't have all the information? But... What if he said no? Rose, Hazel, Whitney... Ed, everyone he'd grown to love and cherish over this past month would vanish before a year would even pass. If this was the cost to save them all, why shouldn't he pay it? Obliging blindly seemed only right, as there was no other choice. A firm nod was sent the way of the white-haired August, to which Ben stepped in with a hand in his pocket, interjecting to state strongly with a cold tone of voice,
"Devote your heart to the freedom you seek. Half-ass anything and in the future, your death will arrive sooner than you think... Amara,"
And so, Alexander was left alone, the Emperor and the World abandoning the poor boy as he pondered the choices he had left. Fingers gripping the strands slicked back into a bun, his knees hit the ground as his layered glow of light and dark manifested from the depths of his soul. Beyond the clouds, freedom waited for them all, but what was the cost? And would he be ready to take it; just so he could be free?
The Superior, with his army of Lucifer and Ashton, marched on to devour humanity. Fangs digging in as blood squirted out of their skin, splashing over their features, the demons massacred humanity as the Demon King and Prince watched with content. The latter of the two, the youngest of them all, taking a sip from a soda bottle as his right arm settled over his knee, limb dangling over the edge as chaos reigned over the Earth.
The Fight Between Hell and Humanity continues; in PART 2!
To Be Continued in Chapter 46!