VERSE SIX

Start of a fire?

A simple ember.

That is the center.

The Devourer.

---

Finding the seven remaining members of Batch J was the easy part, convincing them to risk life and limb again was much to Oberon’s surprise also, the easy part. Finding somewhere safe to call home base while they planned and strategized- that was the hard part. At least until Oberon recalled just how much this recent event shook his family's trust in the government. The Aurum estate just might be the perfect base for this team and their mission.

Before splitting off, Oberon told the group to meet him at an old warehouse come nightfall; either he would have a place they could use, or they would need to work together to find one. Regardless, this evening and tomorrow would be pivotal in planning their next steps.

Oberon can maintain morale in the group for a time, but without Shayan and Amara, some of the original spirit that turned Batch J from unwitting allies into a group of friends and trusted comrades is lost. Batch J trusts one another with their lives, but as much as Oberon hates to say it, he is not a leader. He’s great at talking, a charmer, a silver tongue, and an intellectual, but not a born leader. Shayan was a leader, at least in terms of uniting people; Amara was a leader by way of inspiring people, and according to the two of them, Oberon was a leader in how he guides people. Together, they are the leaders of Batch J. Alone, they have weaknesses and no one to make up for them. And for what Oberon wants to do, they cannot afford to have any glaring weaknesses at all.

Oberon returns to the Aurum estate in the dead of night. He enters the main hall through the front entrance, and starts toward the study where his father and mother can typically be found together.

His heart and mind race a mile a minute. Unsure of what the response to his plan will be, nervous if he misread their attitude or mood.

What if they were made for the moment, but remain loyal enough to consider what I have planned treason?

He draws nearer to the study door; it’s just at the end of the hall.

What if they don’t want to risk Elio being hurt because they act out of line?

Oberon reaches a hand out and grabs the doorknob, turning it and pulling the door open.

What if they agree and all of us are killed as traitors?

Oberon enters the study.

What if my brother is already dead?

Sitting in the study, one at a desk, the other on a love seat, are his parents, Adonai and Kallipso. Adonai looks up from reading at the desk and locks eyes with Oberon. Kallipso tilts her head, closing the book she was reading. He has their attention now, to get their approval, or perhaps draw their ire.

Oberon straightens his back and exhales.

I have something I need to talk to you two about.

Kallipso sits up, a slight look of concern on her face.

What is it? Are you alright?

Adonai just stares at Oberon, eyes unblinking, piercing through him. Oberon looks to his mom and begins to feign a smile, but can’t bring himself to do so.

No…no I’m not. They took my brother, and I did nothing. My friends were almost killed or are being hidden in a lab somewhere, and I did nothing. I can finally DO something, but…I would like your blessing, your support.

Adonai speaks in a slow, calm voice.

And what is this something you can do? Or rather, what is it you are planning to do regardless of our conversation here?

Kallipso looks between Oberon and Adonai before her gaze locks on Oberon once more.

The men in this family continue to shoulder all things alone. You both forget who I am. Allow me to remind you.

Kallipso’s eyes flash with the same azure energy as Elio’s lightning, but unlike Elio, her magic appears more elegant and free-form, more liquid. There’s a knocking on the main doors of the residence; without a word, Kallipso stands and starts toward it. Oberon and Adonai look at each other in confusion, before following.

As they walk, Oberon continues with his appeal to both of them.

I don’t know what you have done, Mother, but I need both of you to trust me.

Kallipso rounds a corner and descends the grand staircase leading to the front entrance. Oberon and Adonai hasten their pace to catch up with her. Oberon continues.

I want us to feel secure, supported, like we aren’t one household against a city.

Kallipso reaches the door and swings it open with a flick of her wrist. Just as Oberon catches up and finally makes his point, he sees who is on the other side of the door.

That’s why I’m getting together a team to-

Kallipso taps her foot on the ground, and Oberon’s voice is silenced through arcane means. She hugs Oberon tightly as he fully takes in the seven people standing just beyond the threshold. The members of Batch J, all seven of them, were here. Kallipso squeezes Oberon.

Thank you for thinking of us. But just as you ensure Elio is never alone, it’s our job to make sure you feel safe at home.

Adonai steps before the members of Batch J and scans them all thoroughly. Oberon is released from the hug, and the silence affecting him ends. He steps forward alongside his mother as she speaks.

I had my familiars following you. After they took Elio…I wasn’t going to let them abuse my children without my knowing. When I saw the people you met and the plan you were putting together, I summoned them all here just after you split from them.

Adonai places an arm around Kallipso’s waist and brings her to his side.

And you told me you swore off your little spy games.

Kallipso pushes off from Adonai and steps in front of him to greet the group.

My “little spy games” might be one of the reasons our son comes back in one piece.

Oberon stands in stunned silence for a moment before stepping forward to introduce the members of Batch J, his friends, to his family.

Mother, father. This is Batch J. They were my team during the survey, and while we weren’t together long, I trust them with my life. Allow me to introduce you to the team.

Oberon begins to go down the line, starting with;

A small woman, daggers wrapped in spell scrolls, green eyes and black hair. Hiro Strife.

A man of average stature and build, wearing light armor, but missing an arm, an arm lost during the fight with the Outer, equipped with a single-headed axe. Traximerden Sloan or Trax.

A mountain of a woman, nearly the size of Adonai, wearing a tunic protected by an arcane barrier. Domina Laplace.

The Febrazi triplets, all brothers, specialized in different forms of support: Landa the combat alchemist, Nolan the clerical healer, and Arbaless the enchanter.

Lastly, and ironically the only person not a traditional humanoid, is Palo, a sentient ooze who more often than not forms itself to look like a person. They specialize in being a jack of all trades, capable of mimicking others down to their abilities, albeit much weaker than the original.

Oberon steps out and turns to face his parents.

And the final member of our group until we bring back the others is me. Oberon Aurum, transmuter-illusionist swordsman.

Domina places a large hand on top of Oberon’s head.

Don’t forget that you’re the leader too.

The others circle around him, and either wrap an arm over his shoulder or poke and prod him with their fingers.

Adonai and Kallipso smile at this, at seeing the bond and trust they have in one another. Adonai steps forward; the members of Batch J step back from Oberon as he looks up at his father. Adonai places a reassuring hand on Oberon’s shoulder.

You have our support, but you will need a plan.

Kallipso steps forward, wrapping an arm around Adonai’s waist and pulls him to her.

And a better name. Since this will be traced back to us eventually, and seeing as we’re going to be sponsoring you. How about…The Aurum Eight. It has a nice ring to it, I think.

Oberon looks at his group; they look right back and await what their leader says. Oberon turns back to his parents.

Once we get our other members, it will need to change, but while we are under the employ and patronage of House Aurum, we will be the Aurum Eight.

Adonai and Kallipso turn and start to walk back into the depths of the estate. Adonai calls out as they walk.

Then please enter. We can start planning what to do next in the dining hall over a nice meal.

—

Dinner is nice. That is about all Oberon can say regarding the strange occurrence that is currently ongoing in his home. The anxieties of everyone from The Eight are palpable, but to their credit, Adonai and Kallipso don’t show signs of their greater emotions surrounding recent events. Discussions about where people are from, their goals, their skills, their lives; every kind of talk, both big and small, happens over the course of the meal. Everything but the reason they are all gathered here today.

When the final plate is taken away, the real conversation begins. Adonai is first to speak, addressing Oberon. The stress of being the leader is already beginning to build.

I’m certain all of you are aware of what you are up against. Maybe not to the extent that Kallipso or I are aware, but you know this is the Chromeran Military complex, correct? They call themselves scientists or medical researchers, but in the end, they all report to one of the two towers in the center of our city.

Oberon nods before responding.

I’m aware. I’m also aware that as a team, exhausted and frightened, we subdued an Outer. We’re capable.

Kallipso chimes in.

We don’t doubt that for a moment. You all are among a small few who made it through the entirety of whatever that awful program was. However…

Adonai finishes his wife's thought.

You’re missing the point. If the officials we briefly saw are present, let alone with the high likelihood of The Professor being there. Those are monsters on par with some of the greats from my time in the government…honestly, some of them might have even been former colleagues from when I was working.

The mood starts to sink. Oberon brings a hand to his chin in an attempt to think of a solution. Kallipso speaks up, sensing the shift from her husband's words.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible. While, depending on the Outer you fought, these individuals may be stronger, they also operate like someone from that generation. No offense, dear.

Adonai nods a head of affirmation toward her, as she continues.

Which is to say…they like to operate alone. Individual strength and accolades mean far more to them than results. Even if, on the surface, they won’t admit it.

Oberon adds on.

They won’t refuse what they view as a decent challenge to prove themselves or gain more recognition.

Domina picks up the train of thought.

Meaning, if we show them we’re no joke, they’ll want us to prove it.

Kallipso finishes the chain of talking points.

Exactly. Isolate and eliminate. Beyond that, your Adonai and I can provide the last known map of The Watchtower.

Trax speaks up, confused.

The Watchtower? Not the Black Keep? I thought they were military?

Adonai points at Trax.

You wouldn’t be wrong in that thought process. They ARE military; however, when it comes to research, it’s classified as an intelligence project. Which was our specialty.

Palo speaks into Oberon’s mind telepathically.

Your parents are cool.

Oberon smiles and responds in his mind.

I never really thought about it, but yeah…I guess they are.

Adonai pulls out a scroll tube and sets it on the table.

There is one problem with the Watchtower, and it’s because of its connection to intelligence that this problem exists at all.

He pushes the tube over to Oberon and his team. Oberon opens the tube and looks at a broken building with segmented rooms, hallways, and entrances that connect to nothing. Each new scroll in the tube is marked as a different floor or sometimes a different floor with a different number, but none of the individual pieces connect to the central “spine” of the structure. Oberon looks up at his father.

I don’t understand? Is the building an illusion of some kind? None of these pieces connect.

Adonai clasps his hands in front of his face and responds.

No. Your mother and I could dispel the illusion on the structure if that was the case. No, I'm afraid it’s worse than that.

Oberon and the others scan the floor layouts as Adonai continues to speak.

The room layouts shift. Chambers, hallways, doors, anything and everything with the exception of the foundation and central pillar of the tower teleports at the whims of those in the command center on the top floor.

Domina leans forward, hovering over Oberon, looking at Adonai.

So what do we do then?! If the door we go to isn’t there and we get caught, it’s game, set, and match before we even have a chance.

Kallipso clears her throat as she sips from a mug of tea.

That’s where I would come in. While my husband is the better combatant and caster in terms of output, I excel at efficiency and accuracy. With my familiars, I can alter their shape to appear as a member of senior staff and secure you the layout of the day…for the exterior. It will get you in, but once inside, the layout will be changed.

Oberon looks up from the schematics, confused.

Wait, changed AFTER we get inside? Why? Isn’t the point of changing it to keep people out?

Adonai responds.

Yes, and it’s meant to keep potentially possessed or compromised individuals lost. Whenever a new person enters, the building automatically senses it and alters itself without the supervision of the command center. A sentient ooze like Palo manages the structure's “intelligence”, and keeps it amorphous on the inside. Most people who walk into the Watchtower don't leave until the day is done, so the layout doesn’t change often enough for it to concern them.

Palo speaks into the minds of everyone present.

Palo could get into Watchtower and mess with the other…keep building from changing while the team searches.

Oberon looks at Palo, concern definitely visible on his face.

That’s a lot of risk.

Palo responds.

Shayan and Amara would do it for us.

Oberon’s heart tightens. He bites his lip, but nods at Palo. He turns back toward his mother and father.

We’ll trust Palo once we’re inside.

Adonai nods and speaks once more.

Kallipso will get you a proper entrance. Palo will keep you from getting lost; however, getting to the location where they theoretically should be keeping people will be another beast. I don’t know where they will be, but I can assure you, it will be in the sub-levels of the building. All of the security down there will attempt to kill you, and they are stronger than you individually. So, do not split off, and do not get cornered. If it looks bad, withdraw and…

Adonai stops for a moment to think. Kallipso puts a hand on his shoulder and speaks in his place.

Leave the rest to us if it gets that bad. We’ll come to support, but that would also mean that the Aurum family would officially be traitors to the government.

Adonai follows up.

They’ll throw everything they have at us to make an example.

Oberon locks eyes with his parents.

We won’t get caught. I promise.

Adonai smiles at Oberon, as does Kallipso.

When you get back. I’ll tell you everything about your past.

Oberon nods and stands, looking over his shoulder at his comrades.

We’ll only be gone a moment.

He turns to face his team, giving them a once-over, looking for any signs of doubt or fear. He finds none.

Let’s bring them home.

He ushers everyone back toward the main entrance; they all politely excuse themselves from the table, thank the Aurum family for their hospitality and help, then rush to leave. Oberon lingers back for a moment. He turns to face his parents and clenches his jaw before speaking.

Elio will probably be somewhere even more secure than the others I-

His voice is silenced again. His mom holds his dad, both smiling at him. She raises a hand, and a gentle burst of air starts to push Oberon toward the door.

We’ll manage Elio as a family. Go get your friends first. We know that Elio is strong; he can hold on…just don’t keep him waiting. He needs his brother.

Oberon nods and sprints to follow his team. Tonight, they take on the city.

—

The Towers are immense structures; being at the base of them is still intimidating even after seeing them many times. Resting dozens of floors above any other buildings in the city, there is no doubt that they are the heart of Chromeran governance. Surrounding each location are twenty-meter-tall walls, inscribed with magic to ward off intruders or dispel lesser arcane abilities. Luckily for the Eight, Oberon’s abilities are far from lesser, and in a sense, not traditionally arcane.

Oberon grasps at the air in front of the wall before him; it turns from hard metal to a thick clay-like substance. Domina pushes her hands in and parts the clay into an opening that the team passes through into the compound.

A small hummingbird flutters down, hovering in front of Oberon; its beak opens, and the voice of Oberon’s mother comes out.

The entrance is 100 meters to your left, and 5 meters off the ground. Patrols rotate clockwise and will be at your back in 5 minutes. Good luck.

The bird darts away, and Oberon leads his team toward where the entrance should be located. While patrols aren’t a direct threat, the sheer number of guards and support personnel that walk around the exterior of the building cannot be understated. Getting caught is only a single mistake away.

Hiro taps Oberon on the shoulder and points a bit up the outer wall of the tower to a door with no floor or staircase.

How are we gonna get up there without getting spotted?

Oberon smirks, his eyes flashing violet.

Leave that to me. Just get everyone else inside.

Oberon splits from the group; he brings his hand to his face and shifts into what he has recently titled his ‘Lucid form.’ In this mode, he is able to use his abilities almost without limits for a brief amount of time. With his free hand, he snaps and conjures forth the Garden of Dreams, extending the radius instead of focusing on raw output. He feels sick for a moment, and remembers that there are some enchantments capable of disrupting the abilities and presence of non-mortals. However, he’s stronger than when he first entered the survey grounds, and more than that, the enchantments here are far weaker. Oberon manifests from where he stands to back where his team and the door are located, a replica of the tower exterior as it should be without interference.

He grits his teeth. He just needs to hold for at least thirty seconds. If they can all get in within thirty seconds, he can push his body a bit to dash into the building as well.

A pair of guards turn toward Oberon and start to walk in his direction. He conjures Lily in one of his free hands; if it’s just two, maybe in this form he can take them both. But can he kill? Can he take a life?

Oberon’s heart rate quickens at the prospect of a fight, of needing to kill two people for his own ends. A voice calls toward the pair of guards; they stop and turn around. Oberon takes that moment to glance back at his team.

Domina is the last one in; she spins and waves Oberon over. He’ll need to run up the wall and grab her hand to get inside.

Oberon dashes at top speed, letting the illusion fall in his wake, putting more energy into his Lucid form over maintaining the Garden. He plants a foot and kicks up on the wall, extending a hand, and clasping Domina by the wrist as she grabs his.

She hefts him inside and closes the door just as Oberon feels the Garden dissipate and his Lucid form coming to the end of its safe duration.

They’ve made it inside. Now onto the next step. All heads turn toward Palo, who is already phasing part of his body into a slit in the wall. He speaks in the minds of Oberon and the others.

The other in here is far older and more established than I. At best, I can keep the building as it is for 1 hour. Then they will notice me and…

Oberon nods to Palo.

We’ll be done by then. Stay safe.

Palo vanishes into the walls, and the rest of the team sprints down the hall, following Oberon, who himself follows small indicators Palo forms from the decorations and hallways around them. Like a maze guiding you toward its end.

The team rounds a corner and spots a doorway that, according to the markers from Palo, will lead them to the sub-levels. They rush toward it and make their way down. Within moments of reaching the first floor of the sub-levels, things take a turn, and Oberon barely saves Trax from getting killed the moment they do.

Reaching the base of the staircase, Oberon sees three figures standing in the center of the hall. Two are wearing full-body suits and helmets; one simply wears a mask and stands in a way familiar to Oberon and all of the Eight, for that matter.

The Eight get into formation, the triplets in the back, Hiro and Domina in the middle, Trax and Oberon in the front. Oberon summons Lily.

Proctor TWO.

The head tilts to one side.

You’re just as I expected, Oberon. All of you are. Never leaving a buddy behind. It’s so touching. So sweet…

She stands up tall and points forward; her companions start toward Oberon and his team.

So foolish.

The two guards bolt forward, TWO points at Oberon.

Face me.

Oberon feels her words hit him like a ton of bricks. Far heavier than they were even during the survey. Her control over more than one hundred people wasn’t the full extent of her power; even now this might not be everything she can do, but it’s almost more than he can bear. Almost.

Oberon raises a hand, summoning a halo of shadow blades and sending them toward TWO in the same instant. The members of the Eight spring into action, splitting their focus on the two others that came with TWO.

The first hurdle of their mission just might be the worst, and Oberon is quick to call this out.

TWO KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT US AND WHAT WE CAN DO! BE UNPREDICTABLE! TRUST YOUR TEAM!

Oberon fights through the control for a moment longer, before letting it take root. If she wants him to face her in a duel, he’ll do just that, and make her regret it.

—

Oberon lunges. TWO side steps.

Oberon plants his lead foot and kicks toward TWO’s stomach; she ducks under and points two fingers at his face. A small dot of iridescent energy forms and a laser shoots forward. Oberon tilts his head out of the way, then raises his hand and grasps the air above TWO’s head. The roof turns to sand that plummets onto her head.

TWO leaps back from the sand; Oberon leaps through. TWO sends another beam straight through Oberon’s chest, and he vanishes in a cloud of violet mist.

Oberon takes the chance to burst through the sand, transmuting grains into small shards of glass that fly toward TWO as he aims his blade for her neck.

Fall.

Oberon’s momentum slows as once again TWO’s words hit him and his body tenses up. He pushes through the enchantment and throws Lily before he loses the speed currently at his back. The blade grazes TWO’s shoulder, slicing through cloth and skin.

Oberon hits the ground, rolls, and springs back to his feet in a full charge. He extends his hand, TWO braces, but nothing happens.

Oberon plants his lead foot hard and slams into TWO’s masked face with a powerful overhead punch, made more impactful by transmuting the air in front of his fist into pure hydrogen, reducing the resistance. When his fist connects, he turns her mask into lead and watches as she falls to one knee.

TWO peels the mask from her face and spits out blood, with a smile.

The woman behind the mask is not what Oberon expected. Her brown skin is clear save for one birthmark on her cheek, and one of her eyes is scarred over and blank, blinded. She looks about the age Oberon expected, mid-30s, give or take a few years.

She stands back to her full height, as Oberon transmutes the floor beneath her feet into slick mud. TWO calmly speaks.

Kill yourself.

Oberon’s eyes go wide.

Can she do that? No, that’d be…be what? Unfair? Fight it. Fight the intrusion. You can’t die here. You can’t-

Two thuds echo in the hallway. Both of TWO’s companions collapse to the floor, one having slit their own throat, the other blowing their face off with an explosive spell.

Everyone for a moment stands in stunned silence. Then they surround TWO and prepare to fight. TWO raises her hands.

Wait. If I wanted anyone here dead, that-

She points to the two bodies.

Would have been any or all of you.

Oberon picks up Lily and stows it away in the pocket of space where it typically waits. He circles back to her front and looks her in the eye.

Explain why you didn’t then.

TWO takes in the faces of everyone present. Oberon senses something, the same sort of energy she was giving off before the second-to-last test during the survey. Resignation.

She lowers her hands.

Because I need your help…and I believe you need mine.