In the room, there was darkness, the mutters, and mumbling between Captains and General reigning over the shadows. Glancing at one another in question for the topic at hand, the talking had all ceased the moment the Author's skeleton had formed with a golden light leading up his feet up to the poofing of his long snowy strands. His yellow pupils piercing their souls, the Elites rose from their seats, arms at their sides, bowing their heads in respect for their Leader. Taking His seat at the back of the round table, the Messenger emerging from the wall to the rear of His skull, Akuji stood at the side of the seating God. Slouching on the left arm of the chair, He waited for the presentation to begin, as the curtains began to spread, there he was. His chosen champion and Guardian for the Temple, Uraku was there, standing in the bent down position as if bowing to his fellow militant allies. A singular light flowed out from the row above the table, splicing the spotlight in four ways behind the Hierophant, his shadow leaking onto the walls. Raising his head, purple pupils spotting their familiar faces, Uraku rose his figure, beginning to present, lids sliding shut over his optics for a split second before revealing the vibrancy of his eye color. Lips parting, his siblings watching from their seats at the table, closest to their Father, Ryder to the right of the Author with Akuji to left. Hands behind their backs collectively, the images Uraku was referring to appearing as he mentioned the years and the events that occurred in them. Without any further ado, he began to speak and inform the lower ranks... the following,
"In the name of our Lord and Savior, our Allfather and the Ruler of Heaven; God, we stand here today. Millenia after He was created and brought forth into this Universe, we stand here, above the clouds. Our goal is never-changing, to prevent the destruction of humanity. To restart anew, so that the true humanity can remain secure. Individual freedom has led those mortals astray, without peace, without harmony, warring with one another for eternity. For fifty years, our Lord has acted, time and time again, underestimating the strength of humans and their inevitable evolution.
2013: The destruction of the Kingdom, hired by the Author with the promise to return to Heaven if they were to capture Ben Rivera. However, like the Great War, Lucifer is trapped in Hell with Rivera's doppelganger. The mother of the Requiem Triplets is slaughtered by the Empress. Spelling the beginning of our retribution at the hands of those pitiful creatures.
2019-2020: Though the Earth they were born on was sucked into a singularity hole, I allow the Requiems to escape to an alternate world, knowing my chances at capturing them if they were able to defeat my brother to be slim. They live for 16 years in this new universe, Ryder Karlo's physical form is forever damaged, and he serves as my new attendant in the Temple.
2035-2036: Augustus Rivera had been born, my sibling, Yaldabaoth, infiltrating the ranks of the United States Government. In a desperate attempt to create and manufacture more superhumans for our Lord, he infuses cells with Omni energy. One of these experiments being that of a girl by the name of Celine Pierce. The form of Abaddon Kuno and the cover is blown, with Its cells being split across the Universe, It reunites years later and returns to Heaven; Its mission a failure. Rivera's energy is exhausted by using an unbelievable amount of Requiem power, and his spirit is captured by me and sent to the Temple.
2052-2054: The father of Sunni Lynn is influenced by the Superior, followers of Satan and otherwise are spread, with premonitions of the future sent through the humans' minds. Believing the Superior and Lucifer's will to be true, they enact a plan to bring them back, locating the Key to Hell in its split pieces across the World. To reverse the Invasion of the Demons, they locate and free Ashton, the son of our former Messenger. Sent to the past of the alternate universe where the Kingdom was born, they try to locate the Key to Hell and use it to seal the demons once more with the Superior and Lucifer slaughtered. A descendant of Ryder, Azazel Karlo, uses the demonic influence in his blood to locate the Key; pushed under cement and concrete from the War from centuries before. Charmeine and Sirilla are sent to capture the three Requiems in this other timeline, though they are unfortunately beaten and sent back to Heaven. This world is destroyed, and the Author rebuilds the Earth for the Requiems.
In recent years, with the breaching Yaldabaoth had made in the Academy's security, and the Emperor entering a recent coma, we must be wary. For almost sixty years, we've easily attacked and abused these people without regard for the humans' feelings. There is no doubt that they harbor a special hatred for us and the pain we've caused them, taking their loved ones so they could forever live in fear. I, of all people, who've watched and lived normally among these creatures, know better than anyone- that humans hate and destroy that which they do not understand. I do not doubt that, at this current moment and point in time, those lonely and distraught superhumans are planning, day and night, training to trick their souls and infiltrate our seconds. On December 20th, two days from now, we will gather our forces, and DESTROY THOSE HUMANS!! ONCE AND FOR ALL, TRULY!!!"
The roar of applause echoed through time and space, spreading open his arms, the sounds of warmth and agreement flooded his mind. There was no doubt that the second they left this secure location, the public would learn of this decision thanks to Demiurge's blabbermouth. Nevertheless, the war was imminent, and as Uraku's face returned to normal, the roars of the blood-lusting Angel Captains, Generals, Commanders, and otherwise had calmed. The culminated destruction and annihilation of the Requiems, along with their planet, would commence on December 20th, one day from now.
In the past, on that same bench, Karlo had discovered that the Emperor had infiltrated the ranks of this condensed secure military, he held his old rival close. Hand clenching the shoulder of the Moon, the flesh and skinned hide surrounding and covering the index extremity of Rivera beginning to bleed away and crack like a wall's concrete. Arm resting on the shoulder of the Moon, the startled expression of the older Karlo in contrast to the unbothered look to Ryder. Calmly informing his old friend of the information he'd received from the memories of a distant relative,
"I can't trust you, here, everyone is an ally and an enemy. We must be wary of who to talk to, but since you shook my hand and they took your children away from you, I'll let you in on a little secret. Since I bet you harbor some sort of hatred or distrust for me from your time here with these enemies, use this information to your advantage, Ryder. Tomorrow, at the Icarus Tower, my father will first announce to the military officials; the destruction and annihilation of the human species along with the decimation of the planet. He will sum up every event that occurred over these fifty-plus years of hardship and trauma. And the day after tomorrow, December 20th? The forces will gather and attack Terra for all it's resources and power. Including me, my son, and my 'brother,'"
Widening his eyes in surprise at this information, Karlo stared into the blank and emotionless eyes of his rival, seeing nothing but rage and irritation for the realm he inhabited. Previously staring, looking straight at the dancing angels playing in the ocean levitating in mid-air, frolicking with peace and harmony in their minds. Ben and Ryder stared at one another, the former holding no sense of care for the man he was looking at, though the latter of the duo had sweat running down every gland hidden on his front-faced features. Gulping strongly, Karlo apprehensively inquired of the Requiem Emperor,
"How... would you know that..? You're not... an... official..?"
"And despite that, I'll be there.
Don't take it literally, though, I'll be sleeping at the time. But I will be watching, as I always was, and I always will be. I truly am an Emperor of Time..."
And now, in the present, there he laid, Ryder, standing in the shadows of a lone tree. Its trees darkening his light-skinned anatomy, Karlo took a long step back, rear resting against the bark popping out from the emerald bed of nature. An Emperor of Time. Those words kept repeating as he stood, idly, without an expression or anything. There was no doubt about it, Rivera saw the future, and though he, himself, couldn't predict what came next, the Requiem ally, no doubt could. Maybe then, he could tell him if he would truly be free of this monstrous fighting, time and time again, for eternity... Karlo did just want it to end. And if this was the cost, then he would have to take it, no matter the cost. For these were the people to take the chance he had to see his children from him, he had the personal right; to end this nightmare.
Pouring out from the underground entrance of the Tower, following the Moon was the rest of the Commanders, Captains, and Generals. Lastly, though, there stood Uraku, Akuji, Yaldabaoth, Sirilla, and Charmeine together. The siblings standing together in a circle, their poses all representing something about their distinctive personalities and traits. Aether's carefree and rebellious nature with Its arms around the rear of Its energy-flowing and illuminating skull, Uraku's arms facing one another; tips of individual extremities against one another, Sirilla's arms behind her with a gleeful smile over her bloodied lips, Akukji's fingers gradually stroking his beard. And finally, Charmeine, arms over her chest, explaining to each of her siblings the plan they'd devised considering the annihilation of the humans,
"Since we decided to push forward the date of the Attack to tomorrow, we'll need to work overtime and twice as hard as we ever had before. I'll head back inside to gather some forces and make sure my Elite are trained," Facing her older brother, the Guardian of the Temple, whose eyes had previously been gazing at the vibrancy of the grassy bed to his soles- swiftly made eye contact with his younger sister hearing his name, "Brother, since you're our big gun and hold the most of our Father's pure power, you should rest. You too, Yaldabaoth. The rest of you, gather the Elite you command and ready them for the coming battles. We strike at 6 am tomorrow, don't be late,"
Fleeing from their circled discussion, the Aether went to Its chambers, Sirilla skipped off to find the guards and followers she had, Akuji doing the same, Charmeine retreating back to the Tower and descending underground, and finally, Uraku... stood. There, as everyone had left, and he was the only one there, the grey optics of the Moon were seen peeking behind from the tree. Having heard everything they'd discussed, Karlo had noticed something odd change-up in the position of the Protector. Kneeling, nails digging into his face so blood would leak and pour out from the insides of his flesh- splashing to the platform of grass beneath him. He had no place to intervene or help this man; this was what he deserved, forever. For abandoning the family he should have stood with. However, this wasn't the sort of exhausted hidden regret he'd experienced at the Temple when they were talking with one another.
This was something more. But this wasn't the time, he didn't need to worry about this guy; he was a literal God. What he truly needed was to meet up with Ben at the location given, the words Rivera directed at him echoing in his mind.
"Come to the Capital, the one I retook alone. Underground the golden palace built by the ancients there lays the truth that the angels are too ignorant to acknowledge-"
There it towered, piercing the skies and scraping the clouds, mirroring the skyscraper built for the company the Emperor's older sister owned as of currently. Hands covered in his pockets, Ryder stuck out his hand, with no other way to enter, a soundwave destroyed the front of the palace. Stepping in, the hole he'd created had magically been repaired, to which the Moon twisted around, the grey aura surrounding and energy flowing around his body. Nails sharpening to claws, the demonic blood revealing itself from the hidden depths inside of Karlo's veins, he widened his eyes for a moment. Without anything solid to stand upon, he began a swift descent to the underground dungeon of the palace. Back cracking against the platform, Ryder tumbled across the ground, the rattling of bones and squishing of blood entering his eardrums. Beginning to stand straightly, wiping the dust from his hoodie, unzipping it, and throwing it to the side, Karlo's annoyed groans were heard exiting his parted lips. Rubbing his nape in a momentary wave of anguish, there was a specific deepened voice that entered his ears...
"Yo,"
Turning his head- he'd felt he heard that sound before, for some reason, it reminded him of his abusive piece of shit mother. Though, it wasn't, and it held the same tone that Ryder was known for when he was younger, about thirty years ago. The lights flickering on, there they were, the Infiltrators in all their glory, Ben with his arms hanging off from a chair as he sat in the middle. And to his left, there was his older sister, her arm on his shoulder as she tightened her grip. Patting the back of her hand, Madi finished her sentence with a hateful glare gazing at their former enemy,
"It's been too long, Ryder..."
The time that'd escaped him for over seventy years, the time he wished he could have, to hold it in his arms. A shadow adrift in time, in the corner of the apartment, as he watched, stalking his left-behind wife cradling a brown-haired baby in the past. Unbeknownst to her, he began to lean up, walking around the back of the woman so he could catch a glimpse at his son. Eyes closed as his mother sang to him the perfect lullaby, a soft smile spreading over his pink lips, bending over her shoulder so he could catch a closer look... he truly was an angel among those. He was destined to save the world, and to prevent the ruin of mankind, but because he wasn't there, because that boy's father hadn't been there to help him mourn the demise of his long-lost mother. Because Ben Rivera had no one to help him mourn, to help him love, and no one to play catch with, a new savior was born. Light-skinned extremities brushing against the leather arm of the couch, Uraku's eyes lit up hearing the innocent whines of the young child. Turning around from the distance he held away from the mother with his prepubescent son, he could see... the tiny finger pointing right at his chest. Somehow, someway, though he was in the memories of the woman he married, the young Benjamin could see his father in the corner of the room. Widening his eyes, he scratched at his head, groaning irritably, Jessica whispering to her baby boy,
"You want to sit on the couch?~"
Just as if he were never there, she walked right through him, Uraku's consciousness sent back to the present- but before he could return to where he laid in bed, he turned. To see the wandering eyes of a son wanting his father to be there, sticking out his tiny fingers on the shoulder of the woman he called his mother, Uraku loudly pleaded, sticking out his hand...
"Please, wa-!"
As the city, he'd visited in the memories of the woman he once loved was filled with bustling humans, engines roaring with cars zooming down the streets. Though, in the deepened and intricate halls of this location adrift through space and time, there laid only one thing. And that; was silence.
The Temple... was silent.
A hand in the air, the limb attached to that was not even made of skin or bone, but of another energy, built together of other life forms. Uraku sat up, the human-like form attaching to his dark matter made anatomy building together to his limbs and chest, flowing hair poofing into the air behind his skull before falling flat covering his nape. Hand staying over his face, rubbing his eyes. What was the point of anything anymore? The Father of the Triplets held his hand, digging his fingers into his skinned face, shaky breaths sending out of his lips. The tears began to stream out from the corners of his eyes, liquid falling out his cheeks, Uraku held his chest in agony, shaking his head from back and forth. Visions of the past, remembering the abandonment he ensued, the events that his actions let all of these horrific events occur. In the darkness of his assigned chamber, where only a bed laid in the greyness of this room, the ticking of a clock endlessly hitting back and forth, there was nothing left. Nothing but the loneliness and guilt he experienced, for leaving his children... that day.
The night was cold, the future grim as the yells of lining-up soldiers echoed into the darkness of Heaven. The home he'd wished for realms away, the only escape known to the elder Hunter of Justice for the home he'd lost decades ago- was death. Movements still, pulling at the blackened scarf covering and hiding his tan-skinned throat, Jason took a sharp breath. Inhaling deeply, the Heavenly air flowing with a white stream of pure energy around it, a butterfly's wings flapping as it perched onto his bloodied finger... the creature's palette was whitened and pale. Signature only to this freak of nature, the beauty of life had seemed to originate from this otherworldly spirit world, fireflies building up and popping into existence. And where? Around the bottom portion of his legs nearing deeper below to his militant armored boots fitted with iron soles. The joy of creation, the phenomenon of love, and the beauty of life around him. The emerald blades he stood against had slowly slicked back to pierce the air, Jason evermoving. Forward, toward the future, to return the past to its rightful place in time, and to locate the home he'd lost- that day. Beginning his descent, cells shifting so they could transform to a form lighter than air, he phased through the entrance to the Tower. The Sword that acted as a front for Icarus Tower losing its golden glow. Rivera's feet repeatedly hitting the stairs as he made his descent down to the depths of Hell, he gazed with no emotion at the greyness in front of him. Roughly pushing out his hand and extending out every single one of his fingers so his flat palm would be the most visible feature of his hand at the moment, the black electricity sparked around the tips of the extremities. A weapon with a metal-edged tip began to manifest amid the sparks, and just like that, the shape reformed over itself. Revealing itself to be-
A dagger, with this edge he sliced his palm, a diagonal-lined wound appearing so the gore would leak out from the cut on his hand. Suddenly, the smaller blade was replaced with the signature blood-manipulating Ketsueki katana, shaded lightning rushing up from his hand to his wrist and further upward, nails sharpening to act as demonic claws. He could smell that scent, and he knew as soon as he was but an inch away from the door- that they could as well. The one thing they hadn't predicted was... the cut on his hand, of course, it was intentional. Yet, the purpose was unknown. As he barged in through the door, pulse rifles and energy spears directed at his face, he rose his hand at the same time Commander Charmeine cried to her subordinates,
"Requ-"
The cut indicated something, the Commander could catch a glimpse at the Vampire's half-baked demonic transformation gradually transforming him to the monsters they'd slaughtered just two days ago. His nails sharpening to a larger edge may be able to pierce the flesh of a regular human at the miniature size they were at now. The back of his ears reddening like blood, resembling that of the Devil's, the white eyeball was overtaken by the shadows. Black on the outside with a crimson pupil in the center of his optics, monsters under his control from the depths of Hell, their forms hardened by shadows emerging from a gateway spreading apart from the platform in front of him. Disarming his enemies of their firearms and energy-firing spears, Jason querked a brow to the Commander who'd, at first, announced the presence of the raven-haired Negative Requiem. Swiftly picking up on the inaudible offer, they took opposite seats, at the heads of the round table. As the silence had screamed silently, Jason began to part his lips, announcing to the seated soldiers, paralyzed in fear with claws to their throats,
"It will soon begin.."
Back at the Nitesun's piercing golden palace, Ryder watched as Madi paced around him, arms behind her back and staring at him. Taking a step forward, about to embrace her so they could respectfully reunite, they were interrupted as the Emperor blandly announced to his sister and rival,
"Cut the shit,"
There was no screaming, just the emotionless blankness that flew out from his vocals chills sending down the spine of the Moon. A hallucination of the decimation the Requiem Emperor would commit shortly entering memories that shouldn't even exist, and at the abnormal agony that pushed into his temples, Ryder held his head for a moment. Wincing the abrupt headache, the male Rivera rose from the chair, boot crushing a wandering skull, to which he casually questioned his old friend,
"What took you so long? Sun's already set,"
"Had to walk. Don't have wings, and if I fly using my powers I'd probably look suspicious or in a hurry. And yeah, that... thatbridgeislong, anyway! Tomorrow, you knew about the decimation before it was even planned. You plan on stopping it, but how?"
Madi pressed her index and middle digits against the left side of her neck, a projection imbued with Omni holographically sending out from one of her earrings. Gasping quietly, the water building up in his eyes, the sight was horrible, and yet, it felt so right. Holding in a maniacal chuckle, behind the Moon as he rubbed his wrist and held in the dormant tendencies he'd been rid of for thirty years, there was the satisfying devious smirk belonging to the Emperor of Time. Arms behind his back, he raised his right arm, patting the shoulder belonging to the man's figure so he'd laugh and smile upon the sight. Examining the screen with Ry and Madi, he inhaled in the middle of his sentence before sighing following the last word,
"I know, a bit brutal. But... for the sake of justice, we must be ready to sacrifice all in the name, of freedom,"
Right above their very heads, the very moment Ryder had begun his descent to the dungeon-basement of this palace, all of the residentials in the suburban neighborhoods of Heaven had been transported to this Capital. Children sleeping soundly, mothers baking pies, fathers watching television. This was the moment. The cost, to save humanity...
Synopsis for Chapter 54 of Heaven's Repent - With everyone in their assigned places, Jason ready to decimate the Lead Commander's forces, Ben ready to mercilessly char and burn the innocents of this war to crisps, all it takes is a simple scream. For the war, to begin.
Next Chapter - Burning Corpses