Post by Silent on Aug 18, 2012 20:00:03 GMT -5
Twisted Reflections
On the seventh day God rested and he saw it was good. It WAS good to put his feet up he’d had a strenuous week, what with the renovation of his residence and the fiasco with the pearly gate, it was the eighth time this month it and broken free of its moorings and floated away. “How hard can it be to keep a gate grounded?” he asked himself, sighing. It hadn’t originally been part of the plan of course, his brother, wondrous though this place he had created was, hadn’t really seen the point of doors. “The mortals are free to go wherever they please in this universe, it’s DESIGNED for them.” His brother had reasoned to which he had replied, “It’s more of a PRIVACY thing, brother, mortals set great store by what’s ‘theirs’ and what is ‘everyone else’s’” His brother had chuckled, a rare occurrence for him. “Not just the mortal’s brother” He had said, still chuckling, gesturing to the map on the table in front of them, detailing the sections of the Spiral. God had shared a laugh with him then, a rare moment of levity with his most dour and serious brother.
God chuckled briefly at the memory, “He was right of course” he muttered to himself, smiling as he gazed at the view in front of him. “Sorry, lord?” said a voice behind him. God turned to see a glowing figure hovering nervously a foot or so above the ground on alabaster wings. “What is it Gabriel? Don’t be so nervous man.” God said kindly. The glow faded as the angel alighted upon the ground, revealing the figure of a man with sandy hair and blue eyes. “I’m sorry to interrupt your reflections lord” said Gabriel, looking bashfully at the ground, “but Lord Honesty is here and requests an audience with you” God smiled at his seneschal, “Of course he can have one send him up” he said, “And Gabriel?” he added as the angel turned to leave. Gabriel turned back to God, “Yes, Lord?” he asked nervously. “Don’t be so nervous around me Gabriel, I am not just your lord.” God said, walking over to the angel and laid a hand upon his shoulder, “I am your friend as well, as you are mine” he finished, smiling softly. Gabriel looked up into God’s eyes for the first time since he had entered the room and his nerves melted away. He returned his masters smile and said “Yes, Lord” He then turned and took his leave of the room, leaving God to return to his musings as he fetched his Lords brother.
Gabriel closed the door as quietly as he could before leaning against it and sighing with relief. He was still unsure of how to act around his Lord; no matter how many times God reassured him it was ok to act informally around his person. Gabriel set off down the white marble, reflecting on how much things had changed for him in the past few months. It had all began at the battle of Gorgons Peak, where he had fought against the infernal host the demon king Baoloth, self proclaimed Lord of Pain. He shuddered at the memory of that battle, mortals screaming in terror and pain as demons cackled and roared. They had descended upon them from above, yelling warcrys and putting the demons to the sword even as they turned to flee. He had just been a seraph back then, in command of a host of angels, one of one the three that fought in the battle beside their Lord. He could still hear the sing of his blade as it clove through the treacherous demon scum. He had been the first to break into the inner sanctum of the demon king. Alone and unaided, he had fought the great demon, his sword clanging against the black axe of his opponent. He remembered how it felt when his blade had finally pierced the demons cursed heart and it had disintegrated with a tormented howl. He had turned; face aglow with triumph and pride, only to find that God, his Lord and master, had been leaning against the door observing the whole battle. As he had approached Gabriel had just stood there, sword held loose, unsure of whether to expect a rebuke for his foolishness or praise for his deed. But God merely stopped in front of him and smiled a smile that Gabriel was coming to know very well before gesturing him to follow.
After that things had happened for him very quickly, rising from rank to rank till he had reached his current position, that of the right hand of their Lord. He had become God’s seneschal just one month ago and he was still getting used to his new duties. He paused at a crossroads and dallied a moment before taking the right exit. That and the confusing maze of corridors that was the White Tower, his Lords home and now his too. He stopped and took in his surroundings, he was lost, AGAIN. He began to panic slightly, taking wing to speed his progress down the corridor, he couldn’t leave his Lord waiting, it would be unacceptable. He slowed down and sighed with relief, finally spotting a landmark he knew, before landing and turning left. Eventually he reached his destination. Gabriel paused before entering, laying a hand upon the inlaid ivory doors and whispering the name of the room, as he had done every time he entered it, “The Hall of Ages”. He pushed the door open slowly and peered inside, searching for its occupant. “Ah it’s you, Gabriel isn’t it?” said a voice from his right, “Come in”
Gabriel entered and bowed to the figure. “Your brother will see you now lord Honesty” he said courteously. Honesty turned from the firenze he had been looking at and observed the angel. “He can wait a little while longer for my company” the bear said, “Now come here”. Gabriel hesitated, unsure of what to do. It was an order, not a request, so he complied and walked over to Honesty. A thought rose unbidden to the front of Gabriel’s mind, ‘God would have requested my presence’. “What is it you require of me lord? He asked out loud, now standing beside the bear. “Do you know what this is?” Honesty asked, gesturing to the firenze in front of them. “This wall documents The War in the Dark, where you and your siblings battled against the Void Lord and the Unreal to preserve the Multiverse and its denizens.” Gabriel replied, wondering why Honesty was asking him that. Practically every being in the service of the 42 knew of the War and its history. The bear sighed, “Yes, yes, but I meant THIS one in particular” he said, gesturing to the firenze again. “That firenze in particular depicts your storming of the Void Lord’s castle, along with a group of your brothers” Gabriel said, still unsure of what was being asked of him. “The Brothers who fought with you that day” Gabriel continued, “were Timorous, Mysterion, Sec, Min and D-”
“Yes, yes, I remember it well enough” Honesty cut across him. “Now tell me,” the bear said, laying a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder, his expression unreadable, “What does this scene show do you think?”
Gabriel paused, caught off guard by the question. “I suppose it shows the power and majesty of the 42. No other beings could have hoped to stand against the Void Lord, no matter what Timorous’ servants say they can do.” Gabriel frowned; he hadn’t meant to say the last part. The bear nodded, “A good answer” he said, “It does indeed show our power, yet it shows so much more than that to one who knows what to look for” The bear smiled and touched the firenze with his free hand, “Power” he repeated, speaking softly, as if to himself. Gabriel shuddered suddenly; Honesty was touching the depiction of the Void Lord. “I think it also shows the loyalty and determination of you and your brothers. You stand side by side and fight for what is right despite the odds” Gabriel added. Honesty took his hand away from Gabriel’s shoulder and sighed, clearly disappointed with something. “Let’s go see my brother then” the bear said, before turning on his heel and walking from the room without waiting for a reply.
God was leaning against the railing of the balcony, lost in thought, when Honesty walked briskly into the room, a very worried Gabriel trailing him. “But my lord, I’m meant to announce you before-” he began. “I think I can announce myself” Honesty cut across him before turning and addressing God. “Brother!” The bear cried, embracing God warmly. “It is good to see you brother, it has been too long” God replied, breaking the embrace and smiling at his brother. “Come let us take a walk and catch up a little” he said, stepping up on top of the railings that circled the balcony, pulling Honesty up after him. “Actually” Honesty said, “I come bearing news”
“It can wait” God replied with a twinkle in his eye before stepping off the railing, dragging his brother with him. The distance from the balcony to the ground was roughly 4000 metres, an unsurvivable drop for any mortal, yet it was a mere trifle for beings such as God and Honesty. They alighted lightly upon the ground and began walking side by side as if they had just stepped down from a step. “So how have you been?” God asked, “It has been a long time since you have visited me, visited anyone, what have you been doing with yourself?”
“I’ve been busy.” Honesty replied shortly, “Experimenting and researching certain things” The tone of the bears voice indicated that was all he wished to reveal about his secretive dealings. “Well you should visit more” God said, “Ever since you returned from wherever you had been, you’ve become very...” he searched around for the right word, “Quiet. We all missed you, you know. Well maybe not Timorous, be everyone else” Honesty was silent for a long time; the only sound was their footsteps as they crunched down the gravel path. Finally Honesty stood a little straighter, as if he had made his mind up about something, and turned and smiled at his brother. “I missed you too” the bear said, “I was just caught up in my work”
God smiled in response. “I think you need to relax a little” he said, and threw his arm around his brother’s shoulder and steered him down another path, “The gardens should fix that”
The pair eventually reached the end of the path and before them was a large gold gate. God touched it with the tip of one finger. There was a small click and the gate swung open. Honesty stared at the vista now laid before him. They both stood at the top of a marble stairway which from the bottom stretched a vast swath of grassland that disappeared beyond the horizon. Within the grassland there where large areas filled with flora of all descriptions, trees, ferns, flowers and shrubs. The myriad of colours was astounding and the scent that wafted upon the breeze was glorious. “Impressive” said the bear, “I assume each section represents the entire flora diversity from each universe?”
“Correct” replied God, the corner of his mouth turning up, “astute as ever brother. Of course it’s a long way from being finished but when it is I will open it to the mortals to explore and enjoy to their hearts content” Honesty nodded in acknowledgement. God began walking down the steps before turning to his brother, “Come, let us walk and enjoy it, you and I” he said happily.
Honesty began to follow his brother down the steps. “Why build this?” the bear asked, “I do not deny it is not impressive, but if you wanted to see any of these plants you could just travel to the universe it grows in easily”
God chuckled. “I told you brother it is not for me to enjoy, but the mortals. I want to give them a place where they can visit and see the plants of their home once more.” he told Honesty. “I must admit, it is good to be creating again” he added. “Then why not just leave this place? Let your servants carry on without you” Honesty asked, confused. “Because this is MY home” God replied with a smile, “I like it here, besides I made a promise to our brother that I would look after the mortals”
“I don’t even get why he built this place for them” the bear grumbled. “You’d have to ask him that brother” God said, “In fact he was here not so long ago but we both felt something, a disturbance, and he went to investigate. Actually brother, did you feel the same thing?” God asked inquiringly as he turned to Honesty.
“In fact brother that is the reason I am here. I believe it is connected with the news I bring. There-”
God suddenly held up his hand, silencing his brother. He cocked his head to the side and a trace of a smile on his lips. “We’re being watched” he whispered to Honesty with a wink and tilted his head to indicated the bush they had just passed. God stood to his full height and raised his voice, “Who’s there?” he thundered, the trees shaking. He nudged Honesty conspiratorially and turned to stare at the bush, which was shaking. They could make out the sounds of voices lowered in a whispered argument before one voice shushed the others to silence. “Uh, no-one?” said the small voice. God chuckled and walked over to the bush, brushing it aside to reveal two mortal human children, a boy and a girl. “U-Um” the boy stuttered, before proffering one of the apples he was holding to God, “Apple?” He asked. God stared at the apple directed at him for several seconds before throwing back his head and bursting into laughter. He failed to notice the look of disgust that crossed Honesty’s features. “Go on shoo! Keep your apples just don’t come back in. This place isn’t finished yet remember?” said God, still chuckling, flapping his arms at the children. “Yes sir!” they chorused before running off. “Little rascals” murmured God before turning to his brother. “Most amusing aren’t they?” God said to his Honesty, mistaking the bears grimace for a grin, “I keep telling them to stay out but they keep coming back for the apples in the orchard. I swear the snake vines hanging over the wall call to them!” he laughed. “Yes most amusing” replied Honesty gravely, “May I tell you my news now? It was pressing before but now it is probably urgent” he finished stiffly, standing straight and looking at his brother with a deadpan expression. “Very well” said God, “What is it?”
“There is movement in the Dead Zone” said the bear simply. God ceased smiling, “Are you sure?” he asked, all trace of levity gone, “One of our kin? They know that place is off limits”
“Indeed, none of them would ever think to go back there, not even Timorous. After all, what is there for them? It is unlikely to be them, which means” Honesty hesitated before continuing, “It is something else” God’s eyes hardened, “Come” he said, “We’re going to investigate” He clicked his fingers and suddenly they were back upon the balcony at the tower. “Gabriel” God said and Gabriel sprang up from where he had been sitting awaiting their return. “Yes, Lord?” he asked. “My brother and I are leaving. We will be back later. You must mind this place until I return.” God said, his tone exuding authority. Gabriel was rather taken aback by the order. God had never ordered him before, something must be wrong. “Y-yes Lord, but-” he began before God cut him off. “No buts” he said, resting his hands on Gabriel’s shoulders, “You will do fine, I have faith in you” God smiled and Gabriel smiled in return. Gabriel noticed that Honesty was also smiling, but something about the way the bear pulled his lips away to reveal his teeth made Gabriel shudder. God let go of Gabriel and moved to stand beside his brother, pausing to pick up his staff from its resting place beside his chair. A portal opened before them and Honesty stepped inside. God turned to look at Gabriel one last time, “I WILL return” he promised before stepping after his brother. Gabriel gazed at the portal as it began to close slowly, contemplating the punishment he might merit if he followed the course of action he was considering. “Azrael!” He shouted. He had made up his mind. Azrael entered the room at speed before bowing. “Yes, sir, what is it?” He asked. Gabriel gestured to the portal, “Follow them. Don’t be seen and make sure our lord returns safely” he ordered. Azrael looked dubiously at him for a moment before nodding once and diving into the portal. Gabriel stared at the portal as it slowly shrank before finally closing. “Godspeed” he whispered and turned and walked from the room.
Honesty and God walked through the Void for a long time, although technically it was no time at all for no time existed in the Void but that which you took in with you. As they walked they both sensed a change in the space around them. The colours which swirled around them, visible only to them, began to blemish and dull. Strands of darkness began to weave through the colours, eventually overwhelming them as they progressed onwards. God felt the cold stinging sensation of corruption against his skin. They had entered the Dead Zone. Finally Honesty stopped in front of him, “We’re here” the bear said quietly. God stood and stared at the place before him. It had been so long since he had been here. He wished it had been longer. Before him stood the ruins of a massive edifice that easily dwarfed him, even in its tumbledown state. It appeared to be made of darkness made solid, stacked brick by brick into what it had been and then tore down into what it was now. God remembered tearing it down, he remembered the sting of the corruption that made up the bricks as he ripped them from the building with his bare hands. He paused as the memories overwhelmed him before finally shaking his head clear and stepping across the threshold of what had once been the gatehouse of the castle of the Void Lord and followed his brother inside.
God caught up with Honesty and they walked in silence for a time through the ruins of the stronghold of their greatest enemy, the aftermath of their greatest battle and the fading memories of their greatest loss. Finally Honesty spoke. “It’s been so long since this place” the bear mused. “Not long enough” God muttered in reply, warily watching the shadows for signs of movement. They entered a room that was the size of a large cathedral. It was empty save for the broken remains of a gigantic obsidian throne. Honesty walked to the centre of the room and slowly rotated on the spot before coming to a stop, his gaze resting on his brother. “Do you remember this place brother?” the bear asked softly. “Of course I do brother!” snapped his brother, “How could I forget it? This where the Void Lord fell” he sighed, “This is where it finally ended” Honesty stared at his brother for a while before tilting his head and allowing a crooked smile to spread across his features. “Actually brother, I prefer to think of it a beginning” Honesty said, still smiling crookedly. Gods head snapped up and he looked at his brother sharply. “What do you mean brother?” he asked slightly disturbed by his brother’s smile. “Think about it brother” the bear said, “Look at what we have become since this place! Look at what the Void Lord showed us, the power! I prefer to think of what happened as an awakening” Honesty’s smile stretched into a feral grin. God clutched his staff tighter before replying. “We have become more distant from each other when we were once so close” God replied, his voice low, “All the Void Lord showed us is that things of corruption cannot truly create, only destroy. And even that knowledge cost us, have you forgotten Ultimus?” God hissed, advancing on his brother, “You shame him with your words”
Suddenly Honesty’s face twisted in surprise before pointing behind his brother. “Look out!” the bear shouted. God turned in time to block a dark blade as it plunged towards his chest. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the thing that wielded the weapon. It was nine feet tall, with jet black skin and one red eye set in its head, glowing malevolently. It wielded a huge sword in a two handed grip. God spun his staff in a circle, driving the creature back and clearing himself some room. He gazed around realising the brutes were filing into the room from adjoining chambers and slowly surrounding them. “I thought we had wiped out all the Unreal after the battle” God said, aghast, staff raised in a defensive position. He heard the whisper of Honesty’s rapier leaving its scabbard, “Evidently not” the bear muttered in reply. The Unreal brutes had completed their encircling motion and stood, swords raised, each point directed at the brothers. For a few moments nothing moved, even what time there was seemed to stop, as the two foes faced each other. Finally, with a roar, the Unreal threw themselves at their foe and the battle was joined. God blocked two strikes with his staff before lashing out with his staff and crushing one of the creature’s skulls in one blow. He slammed the tip of his staff into another. The tip glowed for a moment and the brute howled before imploding, blasting its encroaching companions from their feet and clearing the brothers some room. God put his fist through one creature while sparring with another and he felt the old familiar sting of the corruption as it touched his skin. He removed his hand and used it to blast an Unreal apart with a beam of white light. More kept coming, slowly pushing him back no matter how many he killed. ‘I must end this’ he thought before shouting at Honesty to take cover and raised his staff above his head. “BEGONE!” he roared and slammed the staff against the floor. White light blazed from God, spreading in all directions. The Unreal screamed as skin was flayed from flesh, flesh burned from black bone, bone turned to ash and the ash vaporised. When the light finally faded not a trace of the Unreal that had packed the room was to be found, their forms destroyed utterly by Gods power.
“Look out!” cried Honesty. God turned in time for a huge wave of corruption to strike him. He was slammed against the wall and fell but immediately jumped back to his feet, snatching up his staff and raising it into a guard position. “Where’d that come from?” God asked, feeling something was amiss. Honesty shrugged and leaned against the far wall nonchantly. God suddenly realised what was wrong, this wasn’t his staff. He looked down to see the staff in his hand darkening and writhing. It became a dark serpent, fangs poised to bite him. God gave a cry of disgust, flinging the creature away before destroying it with a blast of light. “Honesty have you seen my staff?” he asked, worriedly. “You mean this?” Honesty said, taking his claw from behind his back to reveal his brothers staff, his features stretching back into the approximation of a grin. “Yes” God replied warily, disturbed by his brothers demeanour, “Give it here”
“Come and get it” his brother replied, leering. God began to advance, unease growing. “What has gotten into you brother?” he asked. Honesty stared at him for a second and then began to laugh. The laughter quickly rose, becoming a roar that shook what remained of the walls. God lunged at his brother, making a grab for his staff, afraid now.
Suddenly Honesty fractured, as if he were an image on a mirror which had suddenly been shattered. Blinding light shone through the cracks in the bears form, causing God to stumble and throw up his arms to protect his eyes. When the light cleared God lowered his arm to find he was no longer in the Void Lords castle. He was in a room of mirrors. The floor was black and the ceiling was so high it was lost from view, the mirrors extending up to meet it. Both had had carvings etched into them which sparkled with a life of their own, giving the impressing that he was trapped between two starlit night skies. “Impressive isn’t it?” Honesty’s voice hissed in God’s ear. “What is the meaning of this?!” God shouted, “Show yourself!”
“As you wish” Honesty’s voice replied his image fading into view on one of the mirrors. “What’s going on? Release me from this place!” God snarled. “Oh I don’t think I can do that” his brother replied, sneering, “As for why” Honesty’s expression hardened, “you should have ruled us”
“What?” said God, his brother’s statement catching him off balance. “You should have ruled us, forced Timorous down! You could have down so much yet you squandered it and left us in his hands!” Honesty shouted, claws made into fists. “You were weak” the bear hissed, “It is time for me to assume my place, to show you what TRUE power is” Honesty grinned, raising his claw as corruption began swirling around it. God’s eyes widened in shock, “Brother” he said aghast, “What have you done? What have you BECOME”
“Better then you” the bear snarled in reply, before composing himself and smiling in an almost caring way. “Now let me introduce you to your companion in your little worldlet” he sneered, clicking his claws together.
Honesty’s image disappeared from the mirror. God tensed waiting to see what his brother would unleash on him. The mirror in before him suddenly fogged over. God tilted his head quizzically. ‘That’s it?’ he thought. Suddenly the mirror cleared revealing a figure of a man surrounded by machinery. The man was clearly in great pain; for he was screaming as the dark machines connected to him pulsed and growled. “Mirrorus!” God shouted in horror, dismayed by what Honesty had done to his brother. The mirror fogged over again, obscuring Mirrorus from view before clearing to reveal Gods own reflection. But something was wrong with it, for instead of the look of horror upon Gods true face, it bore a twisted grin similar to that Honesty had worn just minutes ago. The reflection placed a hand against the glass, a movement that wasn’t reflected by its true form, and pushed. God took a step back in shock as his reflection stepped through the mirror and stood before him. “It’s kind of poetic isn’t it?” Honesty’s voice chuckled depreciatively in his ear, “Harnessing one brother’s powers to contain another? With an image of HIMSELF no less!” Honesty laughed. “Try defeating yourself brother, well not yourself exactly but the complete opposite of your personality and none of your powers” the bear said, “However” God could hear the sneer in his voice, “we can remedy that”
God’s reflection wasn’t quite free of the mirror for dark tendrils still connected them together. Even as God watched they began to pulse and writhe, pumping power from an unknown source into his reflection. The reflection hunched over in pain, snarling as it began to transform. Teeth and limbs began to lengthen, hair matt and grow, claws slide out and limbs contort. God stood stock still, unable to take his eyes off the figure that had once been his reflection. Finally the tendrils broke and slide back into the mirror and the figure, the creature, which had once looked like God stood. It bore no resemblance to its former self now. It was a hulking brutish bestial thing, white hair covering its body, large rending claws now in place of fingernails. It looked up at God with eyes as black as the corruption that inhabited its form before throwing its head back and howling. God heard Honesty chuckle, “Meet the new and improved Anti-God” the bear said with a laugh.
With a snarl, the beast launched itself at God. With a roar God rose to meet it. The two met in mid air and fell to the floor in a grapple. The beast’s strength was prodigious, enhanced be the corruption within its body, and God found it difficult to keep its claws away from his throat. He kicked the thing away before rising into a crouch and trying to reach into the Void to escape. He couldn’t reach it. It was as if it was behind a sheet of unbreakable glass, there but unreachable. He glanced down and the symbols beneath his feet sparkled. “The symbols” he growled, drawing his sword from its sheath beneath his cloak as the beast came at him again. “Ooooh, very good” teased Honesty’s voice as god parried the beasts blows, “They’re unbreakable except for our items you know. Where’s yours? Did you forget it old man?” the bear laughed. God twisted aside from a blow and blasted the creature with a beam of light. The beast howled and staggered back, part of its arm missing and leaking black blood. ‘It should have been destroyed from a blast like that’ God thought, dismayed, the wound in its arm beginning to heal even as he watched. He charged keeping the beast on the back foot, forcing it to defend and back away. But things weren’t going all God’s way for he picked up several wounds from the beasts claws for his persistence. Twice God cut the beasts head off only for it to continue fighting and regenerate. Finally the beast batted aside Gods strike and lunged. At that moment God saw his opening, twisting aside from the lunge and inverting his sword to pierce the beast’s heart.
The creature let loose a howl of agony before falling to its knees and crumbling to dust. God crouched down to retrieve his sword, panting from the exhortation of the fight. He turned at the sound of clapping. There was no-one there. “Well done” Honesty’s voice said, still clapping wherever he was. “No let’s see you do that again” the bear hissed. Suddenly all the mirrors surrounding God had his reflection in them, all smiling a crooked smile. “NO” replied God, swinging his sword in a circle and letting loose a blade of light. The mirrors all shattered, his images fracturing and dissipating. God looked around in triumph only for his heart to sink when he saw that he had only revealed another layer of mirrors. He heard Honesty laugh. “Quite impressive isn’t it?” the bear said, “An entire universe that is a maze of mirrors. They even reform!” God looked down and despaired when he saw that his brother spoke the truth. The mirrors he had destroyed were slowly fitting themselves back together piece by piece. “I built this all for you” he heard his brother whispered softly, “I hope you are proud”
“What do you what me to do?!” God cried, seeing more reflections beginning to appear in the mirrors. “Run” Honesty whispered, the reflections starting to laugh. “Run!” he roared. God looked around for a way out despairingly before, with no other choice and a broken heart he ran. He ran as the laughter slowly become howls behind him.
Honesty stood for a while and watched his brother fleeing the pursuing beasts. He was still in the Void Lords throne room watching what was happening through a mirror that floated weightlessly in midair. Azrael had watched in horror at the crimes the bear had perpetrated against his Lord. He was hidden from view behind some ruins, having watched the whole scene, from the battle against the Unreal to Gods imprisonment. ‘I have to warn the others’ he thought, making ready to leave when movement suddenly caught his eye. Honesty had raised a hand and clicked his claws together. Shadows slowly rose from the ground, taking the shape of four eyed, winged, chittering monstrosities. “Kill the straggler” said the bear without looking round. Azrael froze in terror as a hundred red eyes snapped around to stare at him evilly. Azrael spread his wings and began to fly, terrified the creatures would catch him yet determined to warn the others of what had transpired. Still chittering, the creatures spread their black wings and took off after the angel in pursuit, leaving their lord and master brooding alone in the dim light shed by the mirror.
Gabriel was in a function room organising a host of angels for guard duty on the northern fringes when an orderly burst in. “Sir!” the orderly cried, panting and struggling to breath from the exertion of getting to the seneschal. “Yes what is it?” Gabriel asked impatiently, eager to return to his appointed task. “Attackers sir” the orderly gasped; “at the eastern gate, they- they’re Unreal sir” he finished fearfully. “Lead on” Gabriel ordered to the orderly, all other tasks now forgotten. ‘Unreal?’ he thought as he flew, ‘Impossible’. The battle was already over by the time Gabriel reached the gates, corpses of angels lying in heaps around the entrance and only a few lingering puddles of darkness that indicated they’d even had any enemies. One of the angels saluted as Gabriel approached. “Sir we have a survivor” he said, “He was the one the creatures where pursing”
“Lead me to him” ordered Gabriel quietly, following the angel. He followed the angel to a tent, which had been set up for the casualty of the battle. The angel lifted up the flap of the tent, “Be careful sir, his wounds are grave” he said as Gabriel entered. “Azrael!” Gabriel cried, seeing the figure upon the gurney. “What happened to you?” he asked aghast. Azrael struggled to speak, slowly raising his hand and beckoning Gabriel closer. Gabriel leaned closer listening closely. He listened silently, his eyes widening in horror. Azrael’s hand wavered and fell from his brother’s shoulder. “No, NO! Where is he?! BROTHER WHERE IS HE?!?! NO, NO, NO!!!” Gabriel cried shaking the lifeless body of his brother before burying his face against his chest. “Sir?” an angel called from the entrance, looking inside the tent flap, “What is wrong sir? What has happened?” Gabriel looked up from the body of Azrael, staring into the distance with fierce eyes, tears coursing down his cheeks, and whispered one word.
“Honesty”
On the seventh day God rested and he saw it was good. It WAS good to put his feet up he’d had a strenuous week, what with the renovation of his residence and the fiasco with the pearly gate, it was the eighth time this month it and broken free of its moorings and floated away. “How hard can it be to keep a gate grounded?” he asked himself, sighing. It hadn’t originally been part of the plan of course, his brother, wondrous though this place he had created was, hadn’t really seen the point of doors. “The mortals are free to go wherever they please in this universe, it’s DESIGNED for them.” His brother had reasoned to which he had replied, “It’s more of a PRIVACY thing, brother, mortals set great store by what’s ‘theirs’ and what is ‘everyone else’s’” His brother had chuckled, a rare occurrence for him. “Not just the mortal’s brother” He had said, still chuckling, gesturing to the map on the table in front of them, detailing the sections of the Spiral. God had shared a laugh with him then, a rare moment of levity with his most dour and serious brother.
God chuckled briefly at the memory, “He was right of course” he muttered to himself, smiling as he gazed at the view in front of him. “Sorry, lord?” said a voice behind him. God turned to see a glowing figure hovering nervously a foot or so above the ground on alabaster wings. “What is it Gabriel? Don’t be so nervous man.” God said kindly. The glow faded as the angel alighted upon the ground, revealing the figure of a man with sandy hair and blue eyes. “I’m sorry to interrupt your reflections lord” said Gabriel, looking bashfully at the ground, “but Lord Honesty is here and requests an audience with you” God smiled at his seneschal, “Of course he can have one send him up” he said, “And Gabriel?” he added as the angel turned to leave. Gabriel turned back to God, “Yes, Lord?” he asked nervously. “Don’t be so nervous around me Gabriel, I am not just your lord.” God said, walking over to the angel and laid a hand upon his shoulder, “I am your friend as well, as you are mine” he finished, smiling softly. Gabriel looked up into God’s eyes for the first time since he had entered the room and his nerves melted away. He returned his masters smile and said “Yes, Lord” He then turned and took his leave of the room, leaving God to return to his musings as he fetched his Lords brother.
Gabriel closed the door as quietly as he could before leaning against it and sighing with relief. He was still unsure of how to act around his Lord; no matter how many times God reassured him it was ok to act informally around his person. Gabriel set off down the white marble, reflecting on how much things had changed for him in the past few months. It had all began at the battle of Gorgons Peak, where he had fought against the infernal host the demon king Baoloth, self proclaimed Lord of Pain. He shuddered at the memory of that battle, mortals screaming in terror and pain as demons cackled and roared. They had descended upon them from above, yelling warcrys and putting the demons to the sword even as they turned to flee. He had just been a seraph back then, in command of a host of angels, one of one the three that fought in the battle beside their Lord. He could still hear the sing of his blade as it clove through the treacherous demon scum. He had been the first to break into the inner sanctum of the demon king. Alone and unaided, he had fought the great demon, his sword clanging against the black axe of his opponent. He remembered how it felt when his blade had finally pierced the demons cursed heart and it had disintegrated with a tormented howl. He had turned; face aglow with triumph and pride, only to find that God, his Lord and master, had been leaning against the door observing the whole battle. As he had approached Gabriel had just stood there, sword held loose, unsure of whether to expect a rebuke for his foolishness or praise for his deed. But God merely stopped in front of him and smiled a smile that Gabriel was coming to know very well before gesturing him to follow.
After that things had happened for him very quickly, rising from rank to rank till he had reached his current position, that of the right hand of their Lord. He had become God’s seneschal just one month ago and he was still getting used to his new duties. He paused at a crossroads and dallied a moment before taking the right exit. That and the confusing maze of corridors that was the White Tower, his Lords home and now his too. He stopped and took in his surroundings, he was lost, AGAIN. He began to panic slightly, taking wing to speed his progress down the corridor, he couldn’t leave his Lord waiting, it would be unacceptable. He slowed down and sighed with relief, finally spotting a landmark he knew, before landing and turning left. Eventually he reached his destination. Gabriel paused before entering, laying a hand upon the inlaid ivory doors and whispering the name of the room, as he had done every time he entered it, “The Hall of Ages”. He pushed the door open slowly and peered inside, searching for its occupant. “Ah it’s you, Gabriel isn’t it?” said a voice from his right, “Come in”
Gabriel entered and bowed to the figure. “Your brother will see you now lord Honesty” he said courteously. Honesty turned from the firenze he had been looking at and observed the angel. “He can wait a little while longer for my company” the bear said, “Now come here”. Gabriel hesitated, unsure of what to do. It was an order, not a request, so he complied and walked over to Honesty. A thought rose unbidden to the front of Gabriel’s mind, ‘God would have requested my presence’. “What is it you require of me lord? He asked out loud, now standing beside the bear. “Do you know what this is?” Honesty asked, gesturing to the firenze in front of them. “This wall documents The War in the Dark, where you and your siblings battled against the Void Lord and the Unreal to preserve the Multiverse and its denizens.” Gabriel replied, wondering why Honesty was asking him that. Practically every being in the service of the 42 knew of the War and its history. The bear sighed, “Yes, yes, but I meant THIS one in particular” he said, gesturing to the firenze again. “That firenze in particular depicts your storming of the Void Lord’s castle, along with a group of your brothers” Gabriel said, still unsure of what was being asked of him. “The Brothers who fought with you that day” Gabriel continued, “were Timorous, Mysterion, Sec, Min and D-”
“Yes, yes, I remember it well enough” Honesty cut across him. “Now tell me,” the bear said, laying a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder, his expression unreadable, “What does this scene show do you think?”
Gabriel paused, caught off guard by the question. “I suppose it shows the power and majesty of the 42. No other beings could have hoped to stand against the Void Lord, no matter what Timorous’ servants say they can do.” Gabriel frowned; he hadn’t meant to say the last part. The bear nodded, “A good answer” he said, “It does indeed show our power, yet it shows so much more than that to one who knows what to look for” The bear smiled and touched the firenze with his free hand, “Power” he repeated, speaking softly, as if to himself. Gabriel shuddered suddenly; Honesty was touching the depiction of the Void Lord. “I think it also shows the loyalty and determination of you and your brothers. You stand side by side and fight for what is right despite the odds” Gabriel added. Honesty took his hand away from Gabriel’s shoulder and sighed, clearly disappointed with something. “Let’s go see my brother then” the bear said, before turning on his heel and walking from the room without waiting for a reply.
God was leaning against the railing of the balcony, lost in thought, when Honesty walked briskly into the room, a very worried Gabriel trailing him. “But my lord, I’m meant to announce you before-” he began. “I think I can announce myself” Honesty cut across him before turning and addressing God. “Brother!” The bear cried, embracing God warmly. “It is good to see you brother, it has been too long” God replied, breaking the embrace and smiling at his brother. “Come let us take a walk and catch up a little” he said, stepping up on top of the railings that circled the balcony, pulling Honesty up after him. “Actually” Honesty said, “I come bearing news”
“It can wait” God replied with a twinkle in his eye before stepping off the railing, dragging his brother with him. The distance from the balcony to the ground was roughly 4000 metres, an unsurvivable drop for any mortal, yet it was a mere trifle for beings such as God and Honesty. They alighted lightly upon the ground and began walking side by side as if they had just stepped down from a step. “So how have you been?” God asked, “It has been a long time since you have visited me, visited anyone, what have you been doing with yourself?”
“I’ve been busy.” Honesty replied shortly, “Experimenting and researching certain things” The tone of the bears voice indicated that was all he wished to reveal about his secretive dealings. “Well you should visit more” God said, “Ever since you returned from wherever you had been, you’ve become very...” he searched around for the right word, “Quiet. We all missed you, you know. Well maybe not Timorous, be everyone else” Honesty was silent for a long time; the only sound was their footsteps as they crunched down the gravel path. Finally Honesty stood a little straighter, as if he had made his mind up about something, and turned and smiled at his brother. “I missed you too” the bear said, “I was just caught up in my work”
God smiled in response. “I think you need to relax a little” he said, and threw his arm around his brother’s shoulder and steered him down another path, “The gardens should fix that”
The pair eventually reached the end of the path and before them was a large gold gate. God touched it with the tip of one finger. There was a small click and the gate swung open. Honesty stared at the vista now laid before him. They both stood at the top of a marble stairway which from the bottom stretched a vast swath of grassland that disappeared beyond the horizon. Within the grassland there where large areas filled with flora of all descriptions, trees, ferns, flowers and shrubs. The myriad of colours was astounding and the scent that wafted upon the breeze was glorious. “Impressive” said the bear, “I assume each section represents the entire flora diversity from each universe?”
“Correct” replied God, the corner of his mouth turning up, “astute as ever brother. Of course it’s a long way from being finished but when it is I will open it to the mortals to explore and enjoy to their hearts content” Honesty nodded in acknowledgement. God began walking down the steps before turning to his brother, “Come, let us walk and enjoy it, you and I” he said happily.
Honesty began to follow his brother down the steps. “Why build this?” the bear asked, “I do not deny it is not impressive, but if you wanted to see any of these plants you could just travel to the universe it grows in easily”
God chuckled. “I told you brother it is not for me to enjoy, but the mortals. I want to give them a place where they can visit and see the plants of their home once more.” he told Honesty. “I must admit, it is good to be creating again” he added. “Then why not just leave this place? Let your servants carry on without you” Honesty asked, confused. “Because this is MY home” God replied with a smile, “I like it here, besides I made a promise to our brother that I would look after the mortals”
“I don’t even get why he built this place for them” the bear grumbled. “You’d have to ask him that brother” God said, “In fact he was here not so long ago but we both felt something, a disturbance, and he went to investigate. Actually brother, did you feel the same thing?” God asked inquiringly as he turned to Honesty.
“In fact brother that is the reason I am here. I believe it is connected with the news I bring. There-”
God suddenly held up his hand, silencing his brother. He cocked his head to the side and a trace of a smile on his lips. “We’re being watched” he whispered to Honesty with a wink and tilted his head to indicated the bush they had just passed. God stood to his full height and raised his voice, “Who’s there?” he thundered, the trees shaking. He nudged Honesty conspiratorially and turned to stare at the bush, which was shaking. They could make out the sounds of voices lowered in a whispered argument before one voice shushed the others to silence. “Uh, no-one?” said the small voice. God chuckled and walked over to the bush, brushing it aside to reveal two mortal human children, a boy and a girl. “U-Um” the boy stuttered, before proffering one of the apples he was holding to God, “Apple?” He asked. God stared at the apple directed at him for several seconds before throwing back his head and bursting into laughter. He failed to notice the look of disgust that crossed Honesty’s features. “Go on shoo! Keep your apples just don’t come back in. This place isn’t finished yet remember?” said God, still chuckling, flapping his arms at the children. “Yes sir!” they chorused before running off. “Little rascals” murmured God before turning to his brother. “Most amusing aren’t they?” God said to his Honesty, mistaking the bears grimace for a grin, “I keep telling them to stay out but they keep coming back for the apples in the orchard. I swear the snake vines hanging over the wall call to them!” he laughed. “Yes most amusing” replied Honesty gravely, “May I tell you my news now? It was pressing before but now it is probably urgent” he finished stiffly, standing straight and looking at his brother with a deadpan expression. “Very well” said God, “What is it?”
“There is movement in the Dead Zone” said the bear simply. God ceased smiling, “Are you sure?” he asked, all trace of levity gone, “One of our kin? They know that place is off limits”
“Indeed, none of them would ever think to go back there, not even Timorous. After all, what is there for them? It is unlikely to be them, which means” Honesty hesitated before continuing, “It is something else” God’s eyes hardened, “Come” he said, “We’re going to investigate” He clicked his fingers and suddenly they were back upon the balcony at the tower. “Gabriel” God said and Gabriel sprang up from where he had been sitting awaiting their return. “Yes, Lord?” he asked. “My brother and I are leaving. We will be back later. You must mind this place until I return.” God said, his tone exuding authority. Gabriel was rather taken aback by the order. God had never ordered him before, something must be wrong. “Y-yes Lord, but-” he began before God cut him off. “No buts” he said, resting his hands on Gabriel’s shoulders, “You will do fine, I have faith in you” God smiled and Gabriel smiled in return. Gabriel noticed that Honesty was also smiling, but something about the way the bear pulled his lips away to reveal his teeth made Gabriel shudder. God let go of Gabriel and moved to stand beside his brother, pausing to pick up his staff from its resting place beside his chair. A portal opened before them and Honesty stepped inside. God turned to look at Gabriel one last time, “I WILL return” he promised before stepping after his brother. Gabriel gazed at the portal as it began to close slowly, contemplating the punishment he might merit if he followed the course of action he was considering. “Azrael!” He shouted. He had made up his mind. Azrael entered the room at speed before bowing. “Yes, sir, what is it?” He asked. Gabriel gestured to the portal, “Follow them. Don’t be seen and make sure our lord returns safely” he ordered. Azrael looked dubiously at him for a moment before nodding once and diving into the portal. Gabriel stared at the portal as it slowly shrank before finally closing. “Godspeed” he whispered and turned and walked from the room.
Honesty and God walked through the Void for a long time, although technically it was no time at all for no time existed in the Void but that which you took in with you. As they walked they both sensed a change in the space around them. The colours which swirled around them, visible only to them, began to blemish and dull. Strands of darkness began to weave through the colours, eventually overwhelming them as they progressed onwards. God felt the cold stinging sensation of corruption against his skin. They had entered the Dead Zone. Finally Honesty stopped in front of him, “We’re here” the bear said quietly. God stood and stared at the place before him. It had been so long since he had been here. He wished it had been longer. Before him stood the ruins of a massive edifice that easily dwarfed him, even in its tumbledown state. It appeared to be made of darkness made solid, stacked brick by brick into what it had been and then tore down into what it was now. God remembered tearing it down, he remembered the sting of the corruption that made up the bricks as he ripped them from the building with his bare hands. He paused as the memories overwhelmed him before finally shaking his head clear and stepping across the threshold of what had once been the gatehouse of the castle of the Void Lord and followed his brother inside.
God caught up with Honesty and they walked in silence for a time through the ruins of the stronghold of their greatest enemy, the aftermath of their greatest battle and the fading memories of their greatest loss. Finally Honesty spoke. “It’s been so long since this place” the bear mused. “Not long enough” God muttered in reply, warily watching the shadows for signs of movement. They entered a room that was the size of a large cathedral. It was empty save for the broken remains of a gigantic obsidian throne. Honesty walked to the centre of the room and slowly rotated on the spot before coming to a stop, his gaze resting on his brother. “Do you remember this place brother?” the bear asked softly. “Of course I do brother!” snapped his brother, “How could I forget it? This where the Void Lord fell” he sighed, “This is where it finally ended” Honesty stared at his brother for a while before tilting his head and allowing a crooked smile to spread across his features. “Actually brother, I prefer to think of it a beginning” Honesty said, still smiling crookedly. Gods head snapped up and he looked at his brother sharply. “What do you mean brother?” he asked slightly disturbed by his brother’s smile. “Think about it brother” the bear said, “Look at what we have become since this place! Look at what the Void Lord showed us, the power! I prefer to think of what happened as an awakening” Honesty’s smile stretched into a feral grin. God clutched his staff tighter before replying. “We have become more distant from each other when we were once so close” God replied, his voice low, “All the Void Lord showed us is that things of corruption cannot truly create, only destroy. And even that knowledge cost us, have you forgotten Ultimus?” God hissed, advancing on his brother, “You shame him with your words”
Suddenly Honesty’s face twisted in surprise before pointing behind his brother. “Look out!” the bear shouted. God turned in time to block a dark blade as it plunged towards his chest. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the thing that wielded the weapon. It was nine feet tall, with jet black skin and one red eye set in its head, glowing malevolently. It wielded a huge sword in a two handed grip. God spun his staff in a circle, driving the creature back and clearing himself some room. He gazed around realising the brutes were filing into the room from adjoining chambers and slowly surrounding them. “I thought we had wiped out all the Unreal after the battle” God said, aghast, staff raised in a defensive position. He heard the whisper of Honesty’s rapier leaving its scabbard, “Evidently not” the bear muttered in reply. The Unreal brutes had completed their encircling motion and stood, swords raised, each point directed at the brothers. For a few moments nothing moved, even what time there was seemed to stop, as the two foes faced each other. Finally, with a roar, the Unreal threw themselves at their foe and the battle was joined. God blocked two strikes with his staff before lashing out with his staff and crushing one of the creature’s skulls in one blow. He slammed the tip of his staff into another. The tip glowed for a moment and the brute howled before imploding, blasting its encroaching companions from their feet and clearing the brothers some room. God put his fist through one creature while sparring with another and he felt the old familiar sting of the corruption as it touched his skin. He removed his hand and used it to blast an Unreal apart with a beam of white light. More kept coming, slowly pushing him back no matter how many he killed. ‘I must end this’ he thought before shouting at Honesty to take cover and raised his staff above his head. “BEGONE!” he roared and slammed the staff against the floor. White light blazed from God, spreading in all directions. The Unreal screamed as skin was flayed from flesh, flesh burned from black bone, bone turned to ash and the ash vaporised. When the light finally faded not a trace of the Unreal that had packed the room was to be found, their forms destroyed utterly by Gods power.
“Look out!” cried Honesty. God turned in time for a huge wave of corruption to strike him. He was slammed against the wall and fell but immediately jumped back to his feet, snatching up his staff and raising it into a guard position. “Where’d that come from?” God asked, feeling something was amiss. Honesty shrugged and leaned against the far wall nonchantly. God suddenly realised what was wrong, this wasn’t his staff. He looked down to see the staff in his hand darkening and writhing. It became a dark serpent, fangs poised to bite him. God gave a cry of disgust, flinging the creature away before destroying it with a blast of light. “Honesty have you seen my staff?” he asked, worriedly. “You mean this?” Honesty said, taking his claw from behind his back to reveal his brothers staff, his features stretching back into the approximation of a grin. “Yes” God replied warily, disturbed by his brothers demeanour, “Give it here”
“Come and get it” his brother replied, leering. God began to advance, unease growing. “What has gotten into you brother?” he asked. Honesty stared at him for a second and then began to laugh. The laughter quickly rose, becoming a roar that shook what remained of the walls. God lunged at his brother, making a grab for his staff, afraid now.
Suddenly Honesty fractured, as if he were an image on a mirror which had suddenly been shattered. Blinding light shone through the cracks in the bears form, causing God to stumble and throw up his arms to protect his eyes. When the light cleared God lowered his arm to find he was no longer in the Void Lords castle. He was in a room of mirrors. The floor was black and the ceiling was so high it was lost from view, the mirrors extending up to meet it. Both had had carvings etched into them which sparkled with a life of their own, giving the impressing that he was trapped between two starlit night skies. “Impressive isn’t it?” Honesty’s voice hissed in God’s ear. “What is the meaning of this?!” God shouted, “Show yourself!”
“As you wish” Honesty’s voice replied his image fading into view on one of the mirrors. “What’s going on? Release me from this place!” God snarled. “Oh I don’t think I can do that” his brother replied, sneering, “As for why” Honesty’s expression hardened, “you should have ruled us”
“What?” said God, his brother’s statement catching him off balance. “You should have ruled us, forced Timorous down! You could have down so much yet you squandered it and left us in his hands!” Honesty shouted, claws made into fists. “You were weak” the bear hissed, “It is time for me to assume my place, to show you what TRUE power is” Honesty grinned, raising his claw as corruption began swirling around it. God’s eyes widened in shock, “Brother” he said aghast, “What have you done? What have you BECOME”
“Better then you” the bear snarled in reply, before composing himself and smiling in an almost caring way. “Now let me introduce you to your companion in your little worldlet” he sneered, clicking his claws together.
Honesty’s image disappeared from the mirror. God tensed waiting to see what his brother would unleash on him. The mirror in before him suddenly fogged over. God tilted his head quizzically. ‘That’s it?’ he thought. Suddenly the mirror cleared revealing a figure of a man surrounded by machinery. The man was clearly in great pain; for he was screaming as the dark machines connected to him pulsed and growled. “Mirrorus!” God shouted in horror, dismayed by what Honesty had done to his brother. The mirror fogged over again, obscuring Mirrorus from view before clearing to reveal Gods own reflection. But something was wrong with it, for instead of the look of horror upon Gods true face, it bore a twisted grin similar to that Honesty had worn just minutes ago. The reflection placed a hand against the glass, a movement that wasn’t reflected by its true form, and pushed. God took a step back in shock as his reflection stepped through the mirror and stood before him. “It’s kind of poetic isn’t it?” Honesty’s voice chuckled depreciatively in his ear, “Harnessing one brother’s powers to contain another? With an image of HIMSELF no less!” Honesty laughed. “Try defeating yourself brother, well not yourself exactly but the complete opposite of your personality and none of your powers” the bear said, “However” God could hear the sneer in his voice, “we can remedy that”
God’s reflection wasn’t quite free of the mirror for dark tendrils still connected them together. Even as God watched they began to pulse and writhe, pumping power from an unknown source into his reflection. The reflection hunched over in pain, snarling as it began to transform. Teeth and limbs began to lengthen, hair matt and grow, claws slide out and limbs contort. God stood stock still, unable to take his eyes off the figure that had once been his reflection. Finally the tendrils broke and slide back into the mirror and the figure, the creature, which had once looked like God stood. It bore no resemblance to its former self now. It was a hulking brutish bestial thing, white hair covering its body, large rending claws now in place of fingernails. It looked up at God with eyes as black as the corruption that inhabited its form before throwing its head back and howling. God heard Honesty chuckle, “Meet the new and improved Anti-God” the bear said with a laugh.
With a snarl, the beast launched itself at God. With a roar God rose to meet it. The two met in mid air and fell to the floor in a grapple. The beast’s strength was prodigious, enhanced be the corruption within its body, and God found it difficult to keep its claws away from his throat. He kicked the thing away before rising into a crouch and trying to reach into the Void to escape. He couldn’t reach it. It was as if it was behind a sheet of unbreakable glass, there but unreachable. He glanced down and the symbols beneath his feet sparkled. “The symbols” he growled, drawing his sword from its sheath beneath his cloak as the beast came at him again. “Ooooh, very good” teased Honesty’s voice as god parried the beasts blows, “They’re unbreakable except for our items you know. Where’s yours? Did you forget it old man?” the bear laughed. God twisted aside from a blow and blasted the creature with a beam of light. The beast howled and staggered back, part of its arm missing and leaking black blood. ‘It should have been destroyed from a blast like that’ God thought, dismayed, the wound in its arm beginning to heal even as he watched. He charged keeping the beast on the back foot, forcing it to defend and back away. But things weren’t going all God’s way for he picked up several wounds from the beasts claws for his persistence. Twice God cut the beasts head off only for it to continue fighting and regenerate. Finally the beast batted aside Gods strike and lunged. At that moment God saw his opening, twisting aside from the lunge and inverting his sword to pierce the beast’s heart.
The creature let loose a howl of agony before falling to its knees and crumbling to dust. God crouched down to retrieve his sword, panting from the exhortation of the fight. He turned at the sound of clapping. There was no-one there. “Well done” Honesty’s voice said, still clapping wherever he was. “No let’s see you do that again” the bear hissed. Suddenly all the mirrors surrounding God had his reflection in them, all smiling a crooked smile. “NO” replied God, swinging his sword in a circle and letting loose a blade of light. The mirrors all shattered, his images fracturing and dissipating. God looked around in triumph only for his heart to sink when he saw that he had only revealed another layer of mirrors. He heard Honesty laugh. “Quite impressive isn’t it?” the bear said, “An entire universe that is a maze of mirrors. They even reform!” God looked down and despaired when he saw that his brother spoke the truth. The mirrors he had destroyed were slowly fitting themselves back together piece by piece. “I built this all for you” he heard his brother whispered softly, “I hope you are proud”
“What do you what me to do?!” God cried, seeing more reflections beginning to appear in the mirrors. “Run” Honesty whispered, the reflections starting to laugh. “Run!” he roared. God looked around for a way out despairingly before, with no other choice and a broken heart he ran. He ran as the laughter slowly become howls behind him.
Honesty stood for a while and watched his brother fleeing the pursuing beasts. He was still in the Void Lords throne room watching what was happening through a mirror that floated weightlessly in midair. Azrael had watched in horror at the crimes the bear had perpetrated against his Lord. He was hidden from view behind some ruins, having watched the whole scene, from the battle against the Unreal to Gods imprisonment. ‘I have to warn the others’ he thought, making ready to leave when movement suddenly caught his eye. Honesty had raised a hand and clicked his claws together. Shadows slowly rose from the ground, taking the shape of four eyed, winged, chittering monstrosities. “Kill the straggler” said the bear without looking round. Azrael froze in terror as a hundred red eyes snapped around to stare at him evilly. Azrael spread his wings and began to fly, terrified the creatures would catch him yet determined to warn the others of what had transpired. Still chittering, the creatures spread their black wings and took off after the angel in pursuit, leaving their lord and master brooding alone in the dim light shed by the mirror.
Gabriel was in a function room organising a host of angels for guard duty on the northern fringes when an orderly burst in. “Sir!” the orderly cried, panting and struggling to breath from the exertion of getting to the seneschal. “Yes what is it?” Gabriel asked impatiently, eager to return to his appointed task. “Attackers sir” the orderly gasped; “at the eastern gate, they- they’re Unreal sir” he finished fearfully. “Lead on” Gabriel ordered to the orderly, all other tasks now forgotten. ‘Unreal?’ he thought as he flew, ‘Impossible’. The battle was already over by the time Gabriel reached the gates, corpses of angels lying in heaps around the entrance and only a few lingering puddles of darkness that indicated they’d even had any enemies. One of the angels saluted as Gabriel approached. “Sir we have a survivor” he said, “He was the one the creatures where pursing”
“Lead me to him” ordered Gabriel quietly, following the angel. He followed the angel to a tent, which had been set up for the casualty of the battle. The angel lifted up the flap of the tent, “Be careful sir, his wounds are grave” he said as Gabriel entered. “Azrael!” Gabriel cried, seeing the figure upon the gurney. “What happened to you?” he asked aghast. Azrael struggled to speak, slowly raising his hand and beckoning Gabriel closer. Gabriel leaned closer listening closely. He listened silently, his eyes widening in horror. Azrael’s hand wavered and fell from his brother’s shoulder. “No, NO! Where is he?! BROTHER WHERE IS HE?!?! NO, NO, NO!!!” Gabriel cried shaking the lifeless body of his brother before burying his face against his chest. “Sir?” an angel called from the entrance, looking inside the tent flap, “What is wrong sir? What has happened?” Gabriel looked up from the body of Azrael, staring into the distance with fierce eyes, tears coursing down his cheeks, and whispered one word.
“Honesty”