"What is it Seventeen?", Zephyrus asked, surprised by his sudden outburst.
Seventeen looked at Zephyrus, "Well. Prime just said that the skull looked familiar to him."
"Did he learn about the creature after you came to this world?"
(No. I knew about this creature before I even died.)
Seventeen repeated what Prime said to Zephyrus. The latter frowned, "This is getting weirder and weirder.", he remarked.
(I have an idea. Both of you come into my Mindscape.)
'You mean MY Mindscape?', Seventeen thought back.
(Whatever. Just bring Zephyrus into the Mindscape. I have something to say about this situation.)
Seventeen looked at Zephyrus, "Prime has some information about this creature so he wants to meet us."
Zephyrus nodded, "Very well.", he held out his hand.
Seventeen took his hand and closed his eyes. When he opened them he found himself in the familiar vast white space.
"I still can't believe the size of this Mindscape.", Zephyrus standing beside him whistled in awe.
"You get amazed by almost everything.", Prime's voice spoke behind them. Zephyrus turned around and looked bemused, "Hello there Prime. You look.", he paused, "Young."
He was right. Prime looked like he was sixteen years old with long white hair and crimson eyes.
Prime smiled, "I can take on any appearance since I am just a consciousness. I thought some small change wouldn't hurt. Plus it would be pretty confusing if I and Seventeen looked the same."
He looked at Seventeen, "You can also change your appearance. It's one of your features."
Seventeen was surprised, "Seriously? How come I never knew."
Prime shrugged, "You never asked."
"Do you have a user manual?"
"Sorry. I haven't made one yet."
Seventeen sighed, "Well. It was expected."
Zephyrus was looking at this exchange with interest, "Damn. If you make a user manual for Seventeen, I would like to read it."
Prime smiled, "Sure. I believe you have read the books Seventeen gave you?"
"Of course.", Zephyrus nodded. He had asked Prime about his world. The latter had compiled every information about his world and asked Seventeen to put them in several books for Zephyrus to read.
"I am truly amazed by the advancement of your world given that the amount of magia is much less than our world. Our science is still in its infancy and most of our technologies are incorporated with magia.", Zephyrus said.
"That is a good thing. Combining science, technology, and magia can give results that had never been seen in this world's history. It would be fun.", Prime said with enthusiasm.
Zephyrus nodded in agreement, "Of course, it would be fun. Oh yes, Prime. I can't seem to understand the working of a dishwasher. Can you please explain it?"
Prime nodded, "Sure. The working of a dishwasher is a fascinating subject."
Seventeen cleared his throat, "Gentlemen. Perhaps we can talk about the arcane workings of a dishwasher at a later date? We have a situation here.", he reminded the two geeks.
"Ah yes. I momentarily forgot about it. My apologies.", Prime smiled sheepishly, "Let's talk."
The blank space around them suddenly changed into a modern study with couches, a sleek black desk, and a big monitor.
"Take a seat.", Prime said. Seventeen and Zephyrus sat on the couches with the latter in awe at the study.
"So.", Prime laced his fingers over the desk, "Zephyrus. Can you tell us about this creature?"
Zephyrus nodded, "Alright then."
"Our knowledge of this creature is limited since the only source is from the writings and engravings of ancient Vahari. According to them, this creature appeared about ten thousand years ago. Long before Arkenstein's birth, back when the continent was populated by Vahari and dragons."
"How this creature appeared was interesting. It's said it fell from the sky or heavens and was fatally wounded. But it recovered quickly by absorbing the magia from everything, even living beings. After recovering, it started destroying everything around it."
Prime frowned, "It started destroying immediately?"
Zephyrus nodded, "Yep. It was as if the creature's sole reason for existence was to destroy.", he shuddered, "It's said its malice was so terrible that the ancient Vaharai had to make prayers and chants to keep it at bay."
"Interesting.", Prime mused, "So what does the ancient Vahari say about this creature?"
"Well. Here are a few lines from their books.", Zephyrus cleared his throat and said the lines.
"A colossal body that shook the earth with each step. Four wings so massive that they cast a dark shadow across the land. It had scales of the purest white streaked with the darkest black."
"Twelve horns formed a twisted crown on its head. Two sets of jagged teeth, the first set fused to the bone. It had six long and jagged tails and six golden eyes that glowed with malice."
"It was called The six-eyed devil, The White Cataclysm, and the father of all horrors. But none knows its true name and none gave it one.", Zephyrus finished. An unnatural chill enveloped them even though they were in the Mindscape.
"Oops. Temperature control just went wack.", Prime said. "Is that even possible?", Seventeen asked incredulously.
"Anything is possible in a Mindscape. The only limit is your imagination.", Prime smiled.
"Anyway.", he turned to Zephyrus, "That was kinda poetic but I can visualize it in my mind. Judging by the description, this must've been a terrifying existence."
Zephyrus nodded, "Indeed. I had nightmares after reading about this thing.", he looked at Prime. "You said you knew the creature?"
Prime nodded, "Yep."
The monitor came to life and it showed a video of a futuristic city with tall skyscrapers and towers. But something was seriously wrong.
The city was getting destroyed.
Seventeen saw hundreds of people evacuating the city while combat aircraft zipped toward something on the other side of the city. He saw a massive craft hovering above the city.
He noticed something else. There was a huge tear in the sky which showed nothing but pure darkness beyond. A barrier pulsed violently around the city.
"Is this your home?", Zephyrus asked as a skyscraper was sliced in half by something long and whip-like.
"Well. It was my home. About 2000 years have passed in my world since my death.", Prime replied, "But yeah. This was the place where I lived. It was called Silvermoon city, the Lunaris city of my world.", he said with nostalgia.
"This disaster happened five years before my birth. One fine day a huge tear appeared in the sky and this fellow came out of it.", Prime paused the video and it showed a familiar head in high quality.
Zephyrus was shocked, "Unbelievable. That's the same as the skull we found in Ethereos. But how?", he was confused.
"I assure you Zephyrus, that is the same creature. At first, I had my doubts but now I am certain.", Prime stood up and pointed at the paused video, "This fellow is an interdimensional being."
Zephyrus and Seventeen were shocked, "You mean it is the same as me?", the latter asked.
Prime nodded, "Well. Kind of. We know where you came from, which is my world. But we have no idea about the origin of this creature. It is capable of breaking through space and time judging by that tear in the sky."
He turned to Zephyrus, "The city was destroyed by the creature's rampage. No weapons were effective, conventional, or magia-type. The damn thing wouldn't die."
"In the end, the higher-ups had to authorize the use of our strongest weapon. An enchanted projectile called the Silver Pin, capable of destroying a planet."
"Did you just say planet?", Zephyrus asked. Prime nodded, "Well. At the lowest setting."
"Prime. Please don't scare him.", Seventeen chided when he saw Zephyrus sweating. "Your weapons are scary.", the Cardinal leaned back on his couch.
Prime grinned, "Says the guy who can split a mountain with winds."
"Anyway. The Silver Pin was used and this time, the creature was wounded, and that too grievously. In pain, it flew and escaped into another tear in the sky. I believe it must have come to your world after escaping."
Zephyrus agreed, "That would explain why the creature was severely injured when it fell from the sky."
"There is no guarantee that the flow of time in two separate worlds is the same. That could explain why the creature came ten thousand years ago.", Seventeen said.
Prime nodded, "Exactly. We had close to no information about the creature as it came and left quickly. So we had to make a lot of assumptions and theorizing. I also helped research the creature two decades after its appearance."
"So.", he looked at Zephyrus, "I believe you guys came up with a name for this creature? You have to call it something other than a creature."
Zephyrus nodded, "Why yes. The Council of Seventy had to come up with a name since the creature's name was long forgotten.", he paused.
"Its name is Lazarus."
Seventeen felt a familiar chill in his spine. "An interesting choice of naming.", Prime noted, "So you said the Vaharis King fought Lazarus?"
"Yes. It was said to be his most dangerous battle even though he had the help of the Vahari and dragons. He killed the monster and scattered its bones all across Ethereos. But he said that Lazarus would rise again one day and that everyone must brace for that day.", Zephyrus explained.
"And that is what we're doing right now. The Vahari have begun preparations, and the dragon lords, Cardinals, and the Council are coming up with plans. I have sent two squads along with a few scholars down there to keep an eye on."
Prime was in thought for some seconds, "Are you planning on going to the scene?", he asked.
Zephyrus nodded, "Yeah. I'll be going to Ethereos tomorrow since the Gateway is on the Crystalia side of the Corvinian mountains. Naturally, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Aria Family and the Air Cardinal."
He looked at Seventeen, "And I want you to accompany me, Seventeen."
Seventeen frowned, "Why me?"
"To slowly make this world aware of your presence. The Council already knows someone powerful is out there and will soon find you"
"It would be better if you reveal yourself to them and convince them that you are an ally and also someone who can't be messed with. Currently, they're debating whether you are a friend or foe.", Zephyrus explained.
"So I should meet up with the Council?", Seventeen asked. Zephyrus shook his head, "That could lead to some problems. I have a plan to reveal your existence step by step"
Seventeen nodded, "Alright then. I'll ask Ruth to cover for me in class."
"So it is settled then. Both of you go to Ethereos and see the thing in person. I will try to remember more information about Lazarus in the meantime.", Prime said.
"But is there a way to destroy this creature if it awakens?", he asked Zephyrus. The latter was in thought for a few minutes. "Well there is a way but I don't know if it's true."
"What is it?", Both Seventeen and Prime asked.
Zephyrus looked at both of them.
"The flames of pure magia."