Update: May 4th, 2003. Finally finished the prologue the other day, and here's the results. Also there's a warning: The plot related links down below are non-functional. Right now I'm debating on turning this back into an open plot in The Pork RP room, switching it into an RP/Story group over at Yahoo, or simply keeping it as a personal project meant for a book (or possibly more). I have started one character at the RP room based on this story/universe so far, and will be adding the link for her shortly. If you have any suggestions on which way I should go, feel free to voice them via e-mail at phantasm_psi@hotmail.com
The_Unknown_One :[Things change - even reality...]
Reality is. There's no other way to describe what that means. If you try to, whatever is said cannot encompass all the beauty, wonder, cold uncaring of celestial events, or the feats of those that inhabit it. Essentially, no mind can truely concieve of all that is a part of the very essence of Reality - not even those with the powers of what others would call Gods. Including something that is about to change this reality very powerfully - to what end, only time will tell.
********************
The_Uknown_One: Things change...even reality~^{Somewhere within the stream of this vastness, there resides a Being that didn't start here. Many ages past, something happened to its home reality that none had imagined could be done...and from what the ripples of cosmic power were saying that which had happened so long ago might just be coming here.}^~
"I had wondered if He would find this one...it is pretty deep within the Weave. But now it is inevitable, and time for me to start events to try and prepare this place for what's to come."
~^{Tendrils of awareness sweep out amongst the galaxies, stars, planets, and everything in between - searching for those that were given the responsibility of Protecting this reality. They were sleeping, at the moment the cause of that escapes the eldar being’s mind as something unimportant, so the first step was to find and awaken them once more.}^~
~^{There. Amongst the icy shards of a planet that had exploded long ago far from it's sun, the Protectors rested, in that place. The tendrils quickly flowed together and reached into the very depths of the crystal formations of water molecules, to it's very center, where nothing could normally go without being torn to shreds or crushed. Surprisingly, the center was like the eye of a hurricane, with masses of destrution swirling slowly around it but nothing but calm space inside. This, then, was the resting place for them, for several mellenia.}^~
~^{However, it's quiet calm was disturbed as a form made of energy appeared within - the tendrils were quite good to use for certain things - but this required a face-to-face, as it were, chat. "Eyes" of pure white light turn about for a few moments, making sure all was as expected, before a flicker of concentration sent beads of energy towards seven distinct points within the darkness.}^~
"It is time for you to awaken, young ones. You are needed to defend your responsibility now far more than ever before."
~^{For what might have been hours, moments, or days, nothing happened as the energy sent into the darkness continued.}^~
~^{A movement. It wasn't enough to be seen in the darkness, but it could be sensed. Then another shift on the opposite side. Seconds later, the energy beads flickered and died. The being of energy glanced serenely into the darkness, a look of what mortals would call satisfaction slipping over it's shifting face, as it waited for the "young" ones to step forward.}^~
~^{It was a relatively short wait.}^~
War: #The first to move close was a being much smaller, and made of red energy cascading throughout it's form. Fire seemed to leep within it's eyes as they studied the other.# Why have you awakened us?
Nature: War, mind you "tongue". ~This voice matched it's source, quiet but strong. A green figure of humanoid shape except far larger moved into the forming circle, next. Emerald orbs with the blue of the oceans mixed within flickered between the red and white figures.~
Magic:(A laugh filled with mystical energy drifted from the darkness, followed by a blue mist.) Nature, you know he never has before, why start now?
Hope: ^A bright light blossomed in one of the other directions, quickly approaching the others - an aura of Hope seemingly surrounding it.^
Thinker/Technologist: Ah, it's nice to see her shine again.
Justice: @An eagle consisting of golden light sweeps it's wings, flying through space as easily as the form's originators move through air.@ Now Thinker...or do you prefer Technologist these days?
The Dreamer: =Finally, the last recipient of the energy beads appears, a shifting cloud of energy that formed shapes of things that are, were, and what might be made by the minds of sentients.= Once again, we are awake...and Justice changes forms...
~^{A faint chuckle fills the void, as it takes in the group and their smaller forms intently, with the flashing white eyes.}^~ Now, Dreamer, he is entitled, as are you all.
War: You still haven't explained why you woke us, Old One. #A slight edge of hostility tinged the words of the cloud, it's shape growing a bit larger with each word.#
Nature: ~An almost exasperated look passed over the features at both the tone and the "showing off" of the larger form.~ You know that we would never have been arisen had there been any other way, War. However, I must admit to being curious to the reason, myself.
A general sense of agreement flowed from the others at Nature's words, for they weren't disturbed in their lives very often these mellenia.
~^{A mental sigh reached the seven minds around it as a weariness drifted through the being for a silent moment. However, it was shaken off and the present and possible future reasurted itself.}^~ The reason for your awakening is not yet here in this reality, but is on it's way nonetheless. You all know I'm not from this place, and the very thing that caused my fleeing from home... ~^{If a cloud of energy could shrug, this one would have. The pure white arcs of light that were this form's eyes glanced from one to the other of the Protectors.}^~
You are all that stands between Him and this Reality's oblivion, and you've hardly any time to prepare for the fight...
Thinker/Technologist: Just what is it we face, Old One?
~^{An almost palpable shiver flowed through the cloud of energy before control was reasurted.}^~ His name is Destrus, and I believe this would be his 6th reality distruction...
*************************
And the phrase "speak of the Devil" might be used...as at that very moment a 10' being of muscled strength with shoulder-length, raven black, hair was pacing on the bridge of His ship. It was as big as a couple Earths put together. Besides size, though, nothing else could be compared to that life-giving globe for it was a machine of death and distruction. Weapons pods sprouted all along the metalic surface, though broken for several dozen fighter bays and the engines.
**************************
"Lord Destrus, we've arrived..." The 5'6" tall form of a Ra'shar warrior - a humanoid race evolved from reptiles with dark blue skin, vertical slit pupils, a tail, and scales - bowed as the report was given...
--The huge form didn't move, but seemed to radiate cold contempt.-- Have I suddenly gone blind, Kalar?
"My Lord?"
--This time the being known as Destrus did turn, and a grim smile curved his lips as the stormcloud grey eyes glared at the smaller being.-- I can see we've arrived.
A gulp of air is nervously taken and Kalar knew Death was staring at him - and the worst part was that while distain might be resting in those eyes, there was nothing remotely like caring one way or the other within them. "But of course, my Lord, I am sorry. However, while we're still not very far into this Reality the sensors have picked up faint traces of the Protectors..."
I see...--Turning back to the windows that faced the starfilled space around the ship, the eyes turned thoughtful--
A few silent moments passed with only the humm of the great ship drifting in the air, while Kalar waited to hear the orders that the news would bring.
Are they moving? ~~The words swept upon the air like sharp knives seeking a body to sink into, however there was no emotion in them...well, slmost none. For deep within each syllable there lurked a hint of anticipation, perhaps hunger, and impatience.--
"Not at the moment, my Lord. They are currently on the other side of this Reality and while together are not moving at all at the moment..." All that the Warrior said was true, but there was one more thing... "However, there is one odd reading amongst them, one we're unable to determine the cause of, Sir."
--Again the towering form turned to face the Ra'shar, and the look was not in the least happy upon that normally uncaring face.-- An unknown amongst the Protectors of a Reality...
--The faintly musing tone died, and the next words were far icier.-- I want to know what that reading is Kalar, and I want to know NOW.
"Of course, my Lord..." The Warrior quickly bowed low, then turned and just as speedily departed from the observation/plot room of the Reality Destroyer, Destrus.
--After the other had gone, the grey eyes showed slight puzzlement as the window and stars were turned back to. Feet braced shoulder length apart the hands drifted behind his back to be clasped there while this situation was given grave thought.--
***************************
At the same time, the Protectors and the Old One were still talking. None being sure of what was to come.
***************************
~^{Taking a moment to collect its thoughts, the elder Being then continued on.}^~ I was much as you are now, though of course we had different names and abilities. His kind began as a very powerful force in my home realm, as they were the first of the races to appear within it. They were masters of both technology and magic, and those that came later often considered them gods. However, they weren't content with even such a lofty position, and always craved more. For a time they ruled over a good portion of that universe, and even spread into some of the others when they were discovered. At their peak, they somehow discovered us - the Guardians - and wanted our powers. They didn't realize that we were the ones maintaining everything...or maybe they did and didn't truely care. I don't know, but one day they began hunting us down one by one by various means. As each of us died reality there began tearing apart. Finally, I was the last...and there wasn't anything left but a small sphere of calm in that realm. Even Destrus'people were destroyed, for the most part. The remnants scattered, but still they craved power, especially him. He came for me in the end, and drained a great deal of my power in turn. However, I'd also gathered the remains of the other's that hadn't been contained, and so was able to trick him into thinking me dead. Somehow I slipped into another part of the Weave, and after crossing it kept moving until I reached here. I figured it might be deep enough he'd not find it. I was wrong.
~^{Glancing around at the seven Protectors and making sure all were paying attention before continuing.}^~ For a time I believe he was content, for the powers he'd recieved were vast...but over the aeons they faded, for he was not meant to contain them forever such as we are. So he gathered what resources he could that were left, and used much of the powers that remained to move to another reality. However, every time he must begin again as a mortal being. I have watched other realities as their Protectors fought him...and failed. A couple times I helped to redirect him to places that truely wouldn't be missed. Realities that make most mortals' "Hell" look like a garden of Eden. ~^{Here the Old One paused to let things sink in for the others.}^~
War: #A soft growl of challenge pulsed out from its form.# Finally, a foe worthy of fighting without holding back...
Nature: ~Throwing a disgusted look at the other, and then zapping his "nose" with a bit of energy lightning.~ I hate to break into your thoughts, but we aren't in any shape to go out and challenge him right now. None of us are at our peaks, and even if we were I'm sure it's been tried and failed. Now pick up your braincells and pay attention.
Justice: @Clicks its beak and "shruggs".@ Nature is right. We can't fight him head-on. Besides, it's exactly what he's expecting and will be prepared for. Mind as well just hand our energies over to him and be done with it.
Hope: ^Flashes brighter and a sense of chiding flows out at Justice's remarks, followed by a mental picture of a star forming to remind them all that out of darkness comes light.^
Magic: (A brief glare filled with venom is sent at the Thinker/Technologist.) Well change hasn't exactly held still while we slept. I can feel more races than ever before in our midst. We can't very well let it go to waste.
The Dreamer: =Shifts from the shape of a starship, to a flickering fire, and then to a sailing ship.= Perhaps they are where we should turn to, then, since they will be affected as much as we.
Thinker/Technologist: -Shoots Dreamer a sharp glance, and then stops and considers.- He may just have a point. If we could rally the mortals to our cause, and inspire them in the right ways perhaps together we might push him out of our reality...maybe do even more.
~^{A look of surprise flashes over the Old One's "features".}^~ To my knowledge that's never been tried. Though to gather them together you'll have to each join with one...or perhaps several of them to help steer them all towards this goal...
************************
And so it went for what might be ages to mortals but mear eyeblinks to the Protectors. Each would seek out at least one mortal being to add their power too so that these "Champions" might then gather and lead the various races to fight the destruction of their reality.
Laeni Solaris, Chosen of Hope.
Plot Background - so far. (Under Construction)
The Protectors. (Under Construction)
The Chosen. (Under Construction)
Species in this Reality. (Under Construction)
Openings in the plot. (Under Construction)
Main Page EhCon 2000 A Bit about Me My Drawing Progression The Character List Favourite Sayings/Quotes Links
Should you wish to contact me via e-mail, here is the link: phantasm_psi@yahoo.com.