VERSE ELEVEN

The Pain, The Hatred, The Woes

It blooms like a wild rose.

Flourishing like meadows.

Such thoughts that arose.

Such things will happen, Transpose.

But the strong compose,

Such suffering which impose

On my very heart I must oppose.

For a sun, smoke and fire follows.

And everyone knows:

All Suns Cast Shadows

---

Elio sends two beads of static energy soaring through the air into the field of objects. Diavo strolls as if taking a walk through the park; a large crate moves to intercept one orb; it detonates in a flash of electricity. Elio streaks forward like lightning, as the second orb is sliced into quarters by an invisible force.

Oberon can’t fall behind, not now. He has to give it his all. No matter the cost.

Oberon closes his eyes; he’s back in that darkness. The entity is gone, but he’s not here to take something; he’s come to leave something. He places a hand into the chest of this inner avatar of himself; he strains to pull something from within, tears welling up in his eyes, until with a snap, a small mote of golden light is plucked free.

He lets it drift in the void.

I’ll come back for you one day. But for now…I need to hear the music.

He snaps his fingers, and the Garden of Dreams spreads from beneath his feet, filling the darkness with a vibrant forest of color and imagination. Children's sketches, artistic muses, ethereal orchestral music, and at the top of it all, overlooking it all, is the Aurum estate.

Oberon places a hand on the golden mote and pushes it toward the estate; it shoots away like a star toward the estate.

Oberon takes a deep breath, then opens his eyes.

All reservations about killing, about death, all inhibitions, and moral standings of being a better person than those he must face fade away. Oberon as a man is left to dream of his paradise; who takes a step forward is Oberon as an ideal.

—

Elio deftly weaves through the telekinetic debris field, utilizing his static barrier as a buffer and automatic defense from the sudden projectiles that are launched at him from random angles. Oberon uses the distraction his brother is creating to move like a shade through the falling rubble. The Garden of Dreams no longer needs to be manifested for him to expand the versatility of his abilities; he simply needs to pull from the dream and make it manifest. The duration may not be as prolonged, but the potency and speed are increased, a fact that Diavo must be aware of by now.

Oberon watches as Diavo shoots his hands outward, the debris field erupting in all directions; half a dozen of the conjured Oberon clones leaping through the debris field are turned to mist; the other half launch shadow blades down toward Diavo; he raises a hand and the projectiles explode into dark miasma. Without further motion, the remaining clones are cut or smashed by raw telekinetic energy.

Elio uses this opportunity to launch three rail cannon shots directly at Diavo; The first one impacts a wall of force, the second hits Diavo’s personal barrier, the third slams into a piece of metal that Diavo barely raises in time. The projectile rips through the sheet and tears a chunk out of Diavo’s side.

Perfect.

The symphony of devastation was the exact cover the real Oberon needed to get close; he surges forward. Diavo spins in his direction, but his gaze is fixed on a true illusion of Oberon, not one of the clones as before. At this range, Oberon’s illusions are all but indiscernible until the last possible moment.

Half of the courtyard is cut to ribbons by Diavo, but the illusion stays on target. Diavo, suddenly realizing all too late what is occurring, spins to face the real Oberon, just as Oberon plunges Lily up to the hilt into his stomach.

Elio appears in a streak of light behind Diavo, a spear hand laced with lightning; he swipes toward Diavo’s head, but it completely misses as Diavo vanishes from the space he was in.

Elio throws Oberon to the side as a wave of force impacts them both. Elio is sent spiraling into the wall of the tower, while Oberon watches in horror as his arm splits from his body at the elbow and tumbles away.

Color me impressed.

Diavo walks forward, holding a hand over the wound in his torso, a small stream of dark blood soaking his clothing. Elio shoots from the where he impacted the building and floats defensively above Oberon as he gets back to his feet. Diavo continues.

I haven’t had to focus this much on a fight in a very long time. You Aurum’s really are exceptional specimens of mortal excellence

Elio looks at Oberon.

Do you need a moment?

Oberon places a hand over the stump and stitches the flesh together. He feels the skin on his arm growing tight as it’s altered to heal over the injury. Oberon responds.

No. I need him dead.

Elio smiles.

Then we’ll see it done. Together. The way our parents would want.

Diavo appears between the two brothers.

I grow tired of you in particular.

Diavo places a hand on Elio, and the pair disappear. Oberon spins, scanning for any sign of the two. A sonic boom echoes above him; Oberon glances up and sees the clouds parting, a massive hole torn open.

Oh no…

A streak of lightning launches down at immense speed, straight toward Oberon and the Black Keep.

Oberon focuses his mind on the streak that must be Elio; he reaches out through the telepathic connection the pair share.

If you can hear me, brother, I have a plan…just don’t fight it.

Oberon drops Lily, the blade vanishing. He reaches a hand toward Elio. Oberon’s nose begins to leak hot ichor; he feels his head throbbing, his eyes and ears burning. Oberon focuses all of his energy on making his reality a dream, the inverse of everything he’s been doing before. But he is an Outer; there is no true measure of what they can or cannot do.

The streak of lightning becomes a swarm of butterflies. Oberon collapses to his knees, and as he does, from a cloud of butterflies and miasma, Elio appears and collapses onto one knee.

Interesting. There might be some use for you after all.

Diavo leans over Oberon’s shoulder. He spins to face the Supreme Leader.

You continue to evolve at an astonishing pace.

Before Oberon can attack, an invisible force hits him hard in the chest; Oberon feels bones in his chest snapping. He stumbles back, falling onto his back, but finds enough strength to roll to his feet. Diavo slowly paces forward.

You make having to kill you a regretful-

A beam of electricity slams into his face, causing him to slide backward. Elio rises, extending a hand to Oberon.

He might not look it, but he’s on his last legs. That teleportation is a crutch.

Oberon rises beside his brother. He observes Diavo closely; from the extensive damage done, Oberon can clearly see tubes running across his body, funneling purple ichor into his body. The ichor is the same color as the blood Oberon saw seeping from his stab wound.

So that’s how it is.

Oberon rears back in amusement and grins.

Outer blood. That’s how you acquired these abilities.

Diavo hesitates. Oberon continues.

Yes, I see it now. Everything you’re capable of seemed too remarkable. For someone of your power to have been injured to the extent you are, your foe would have had to vastly exceed your capabilities. But seeing as how you’re outpacing even my brother, it’s hard to believe that your abilities are anything but artificial.

Diavo stares at Oberon. Then he responds.

Very astute…you are correct. I have yet to use the arcane ability I was born with in this fight. What you see now are powers gained from the blood and body of the Outer; I merged with what remained of my own.

Oberon watches as Elio begins to slowly heal some of his wounds. While it’s mainly the ones Diavo wouldn’t see, it might be enough to allow him the rest he needs to tip the scales in their favor. Oberon keeps the conversation going.

Is that how you’re controlling Amara? Or rather, the Outer that’s latched onto her psyche? Outers respond to strength of their own above all; if you came across as one to them, then-

Diavo interrupts Oberon.

I appreciate you trying to stall, but can we get back to it? Knowing all of this changes nothing. Just because you are aware of the origin of my power doesn’t make the power any less my own at this moment.

Diavo begins to lift objects from the ground and raise them above Oberon and Elio. He continues.

You’re still going to die from these powers. But perhaps knowing they came from your kin offers you solace. The strength of the Outers currently outclasses us mortals now, but not forever.

Oberon’s smile drops.

Oh, but it has changed something.

In the blink of an eye, a streak of lightning is dissipating from where Elio was standing. Elio is directly in front of Diavo, who suddenly rocks back from a series of impacts across his body. Tubes and pipes burst as violet ichor spills.

Diavo claps his hands together, and an immense force begins to crush Elio; however, his barrier holds strong. Diavo’s mask starts to leak the same purple liquid coursing through his body as he speaks.

How?

Oberon smiles, summoning Lily.

Knowing how changes nothing. You’re still going to die.

He charges forward. Diavo sends debris flying toward Oberon; one piece after another is altered in some way to bypass Oberon. He turns crates to liquid, chunks of stone to dirt, shards of glass to feathers. He feels his mind and body screaming; he’s been at this for far too long, using abilities he’s only just begun to evolve to their absolute limits. He stumbles, catches himself, and continues.

Once the debris is gone, the ground begins to be torn apart. Oberon is sliced, batted aside, and slowed, but with half of Diavo’s attention on keeping Elio held, and much of his power quite literally seeping from his body, this is no longer enough to stop Oberon.

Diavo diverts his attention from Elio for a moment, and instantly he lands another strike on Diavo’s chest that sends him sliding back onto one knee. Diavo curses and vanishes from space.

He reappears right in front of Oberon. If Diavo had visible eyes, Oberon knows they would be wide with confusion right now. Oberon smiles.

My dreams made reality.

He sinks Lily into Diavo’s chest, piercing through a large, visible container of the ichor. Diavo falls to his knees. He looks up at Oberon.

You stopped my teleportation…

Oberon kneels in front of Diavo.

No. That’s not something I can do.

Oberon pulls Lily free of his chest, kicking him over.

But when you teleported, I manifested my Garden of Dreams, and within it. Distance and place are at my discretion. I redirected you.

Diavo starts to crawl away. Oberon walks beside him; Elio stands and waits, giving Oberon space to do what must be done. To end this once and for all. Diavo raises a hand toward Oberon, a weak blast of telekinetic force hits him across the face. Oberon turns back with a smile.

Such a waste.

Diavo stops crawling and puts both hands up in an attempt to placate Oberon.

You came for Amara and your brother, right? They’re yours. You have more than proven yourself strong; we can cease this. Let’s talk.

Oberon takes a step forward.

Listen. The survey, everything, was to fulfill an order. The Ascendants were a request by an unknown contact in the Eden Commonwealth. They offered resources, monetary support, anything if we hit their desired quota. I was doing what I had to for not only mortals, but for the prosperity of Chromerus.

Oberon grabs Diavo by the back of the head.

You were building a radicalized army for your own needs. Tell me, what is your original arcane ability?

Diavo groans in pain, his artificial voice distorted from the damage done to his body.

It’s a mental enchantment. It enhances the strongest emotions within others, and when combined with my ability to instill certain feelings in others, it allows me to effectively influence those who cannot resist feeling what I desire from them.

Oberon stands, forcing Diavo to rise onto his knees.

Your little speech at the end of the survey…

Oberon looks at Elio as he paces over to observe the interrogation. Elio scowls at Diavo. Diavo looks between the two brothers, but his gaze eventually returns solely to Oberon.

The Ascendants are necessary. There’s a belief that the Outers are planning something, and we need to be ready. A radical army here, an Ascendant task force there. What does it hurt to be prepared?

Oberon chuckles.

Oh, it hurts nothing…

He places another hand on Diavo’s head.

But you killed my parents.

Oberon begins to funnel his miasma into every opening on Diavo’s body. Diavo screams, his voice box cracking, screeching, and breaking. Oberon continues.

You tortured and killed my friends.

Diavo starts to send telekinetic slashes into Oberon’s body, but the small amounts of pain from the cuts means nothing. If anything, the blood being splattered on the stone is in some ways, beautiful. Like paint being sprayed across a canvas.

Oberon presses harder, funneling more energy into Diavo; the slashes stop.

You tried to kill my brother and me.

Oberon pulls Diavo close, seeing his own twisted smile reflected in his face.

And now…you will make my dreams a reality.

Oberon can’t help but recall what Rey asked him the day she joined their team.

Why don’t you turn their bodies into something else?

Diavo’s screams go silent. Where Oberon once held Diavo’s head, now he holds a grey steel rapier.

Oberon stands looking at the blade, pleased with the work he’s done.

Welcome to the Garden, Diavo. There will be plenty of time for us to talk now.

A nearby wall, one of the few still standing near the Black Keep, is melted to slag. The hulking form of ONE steps through; in one hand he holds Nolan, but Domina is nowhere to be seen. Oberon observes that ONE looks injured, not mortally wounded, but he imagines had Domina and Nolan been luckier, they might have beaten him, even if it cost them their lives.

There’s that word again. I’m sick of it.

ONE throws Nolan to the ground; he rolls a few feet. Elio prepares a small bead of electricity on the tip of his finger, but Oberon raises a hand to stop him; he continues to inspect the rapier as he walks forward approaching ONE. The hulk of a man cackles.

Seems like I missed some fun. The little girlie is at the bottom of the bay; she almost had me, but your little healer friend here held her back…so-

ONE stammers to a stop, a confused look on his face as she walks right in front of him and stops. Oberon looks up into ONE’s face.

Was her death quick?

ONE leans down and smiles.

Unfortunately, it was.

Oberon sighs in relief, and splashes blood from the rapier onto the ground before turning away and dismissing the blade back to where it and Lily are not stored.

That’s good.

ONE stands back up.

Where arafa cakaii agoin…wuh?

The large man slams onto the ground, blood seeping from a hole in the front and back of his skull.

To honor you, Domina. This new blade shall be called Indominus. Rest well my friend.

Oberon returns to Elio’s side; he looks over to his brother.

I need to find Shay and Amara…

Elio hands Oberon his detached arm.

When Nolan wakes up, perhaps you and he can reattach it. I am going to destroy The Watchtower and the major bases around the city. When you are done here, meet me at home.

Oberon nods, and Elio lifts off the ground. Oberon watches as eight orbs of electricity, far larger than the ones the clone had summoned, appear in the skies of Chromerus. He looks away before seeing what happens next, because truthfully, he already knows how things will pan out. He just wants to hear it all; he can paint it himself based on the sounds later.

Oberon enters the Black Keep.

—

Near the top of the Keep, Oberon finds Shay leaning against a wall. Amara is laid across a pile of rubble. Oberon looks at Shay with concern, as he sees his friend too is missing an arm. Shay’s head lifts slowly, his eyes lock on Oberon, and he smiles.

Took you long enough.

Oberon looks back at Amara.

Don’t worry, she’s alive. Shay stands up and stumbles down the rubble over to Oberon.

He places a fist into Oberon’s chest.

Are we done then?

Oberon allows himself a slight smile.

Yes. I believe we are. Help me get Amara up. We’re heading back to the Aurum estate; the new Government Movement can handle the rest.

Shay and Oberon together heft Amara up and carry her out of the Black Keep. New Government forces have begun to flood in, but at the mention of Rey’s name, they allow the three to pass unimpeded. Shay looks at Oberon, but before he can say anything, Oberon gives him the news.

Rey and Domina didn’t make it. Nolan is downstairs, alive, but also unconscious.

Shay just nods his head, and they continue to walk in silence.

—

By the time they're at the bottom floor, Nolan is leaning against some of the debris, tending to his wounds.

He spots Oberon and Shayan approaching; he laboriously rises to his feet and limps over.

Domina is-

Oberon cuts Nolan off.

We know. Rey too. But it’s done; Amara should be fine when she wakes up. At least I believe she should be.

Nolan spots the injuries on the pair; his eyes widen.

Set her down; let me fix you guys up. We can talk more later.

Oberon chuckles a bit.

If this is all that’s happened to us. I’d say it was a worthy price to pay.

Nolan scans around the area as he picks up Shay’s arm to begin mending it.

Where’s your brother Obi?

Oberon glances over at the ruined Watchtower, the upper levels collapsing inward as chunks of it fall to the streets below.

Around.

Just before Nolan attaches Shayan’s arm back onto his body, Shayan looks at Oberon.

Hey. This is just an idea, but…what if we trade arms?

Nolan and Oberon both glance at Shayan.

What?

Shayan raises his arm to calm the two down.

Hear me out. I don’t know how this coup will change things, but I do know that you have a certain look in your eyes. A look that means you’re not done yet. But my fight is done, and honestly, I think even if it’s not much, having some of my pact tattoos might help you with whatever comes next.

Oberon looks at Nolan.

Is that even possible?

Nolan takes a moment to think, then slowly nods.

With the two of us working together, it can be done. Though I don’t know what side effects would occur for Shay if he gets Outer blood in him. It might turn him into something similar to Amara or Cabel. Or something totally new.

Shayan looks at Oberon.

The choice is yours. I just thought I’d offer. I already owe you my life. One arm is nothing.

Oberon looks at Shay and smiles, then looks at Nolan.

Do it.

—

Dawn breaks over Chromerus, and brings with it a light shower of rain that begins to put out many of the fires that had been raging all night across the city. The two large towers at the center of the city are up in smoke, and the sounds of conflict have begun to peter out as the New Government forces complete their coup.

Oberon stares at Shayan, Amara, and Nolan as he and Elio prepare to depart the Aurum estate.

Nolan shakes Elio’s hand and gives Oberon a hug.

Don’t lose more limbs out there. I won’t be with you anymore.

Oberon smiles.

No promises. I hope we honored and avenged your brothers.

Nolan wipes at the tears forming in his eyes, the weight of everything, and the loss finally catching up with him.

We did…but not only for them…we did it for everyone. Domina, Trax, Hiro, Palo, Rey…every person we lost, we did right by them.

Amara, without a word, walks up and hugs Oberon. For a moment, he feels nothing; that piece of him he locked in the Garden truly took everything with it. Then a warmth floods his cheeks, and he realizes it’s locked away, yes, but Oberon the man is still there, waiting. And for a moment, he slipped out just to remind himself that he’s still here.

Amara buries her face in Oberon’s chest, crying.

I’m so sorry, Obi. Your parents I-

Oberon pulls her away, looking into her eyes.

It wasn’t you. The Amara we all know is far too clumsy to ever beat my parents in a fight.

He smiles. She laughs halfheartedly before looking deep into Oberon’s eyes.

Joke all you want, I know you’re hurting…and it’s my fault in some way. So-

Oberon flicks her on the forehead.

Save it. We can discuss this the next time we meet.

Shayan steps forward and embraces Oberon. Oberon begins to feel the urge to cry, but nothing comes out. He swallows hard, returning the embrace. Shayan speaks after a moment.

You really are my best friend, Obi. Don’t be gone long.

Oberon and Shayan break their embrace.

Again with this friend thing. We aren’t friends, Shay.

Oberon looks Shay in the eyes and smiles.

I have two brothers. I’m just leaving one behind to take care of things at home. I know I can trust my brothers with anything.

Shayan punches Oberon with his own arm.

Without a doubt. We’ll take care of the estate.

Oberon nods. He looks across the three of them, his allies, his friends. He waves and turns to join Elio, who waits a few yards further up the hill.

Shayan calls out to Oberon as he walks away.

Oh, and by the way! The Clover Guild is a terrible name! I’ve got a way better one!

Oberon spins around, pacing backward as he shouts back.

And that is?

Shayan throws up his arms.

You’ll just have to find out when you’re back!

Oberon responds.

I’ll do just that!

He spins around and continues up the hill, away from his friends, his home, and his city.

—

As Oberon and Elio walk through the rain and mud, leaving destruction in their wake, a crack in the cocoon that is Oberon begins to form, and he doesn’t know what will emerge.

Oberon glances down at his new arm, the faint white glow of the pact tattoos now mixed with the violet of his Outer blood, making them shift like lava lamps. While it isn’t much, his reactions feel faster, his durability slightly improved, but most important of all, he’ll never be able to forget this part of his life, because it is now etched into flesh and mind alike.

He turns back to look one final time at the innocence and love that was taken from him. He closes his eyes. Searing this chapter of his life into his mind, never to be forgotten. Never to be forgiven. The encore of Chromerus was truly remarkable, yet the concert had to end. Now he and Elio are moving toward a fresh stage for a new performance.

Within the darkness of his mind, he locks these memories in place. Kept at the forefront where he will always see them, always remember them. Oberon turns away and continues to walk alongside his brother.

The pair begin their journey toward the Eden Commonwealth, and while Oberon isn’t sure what Elio is thinking or planning, he trusts that it will surely guide them to the tomorrow of their dreams.

In the back of Oberon’s mind, a song is playing- his song. It reminds him of where his journey began; the opener for his performance was truly a remarkable one. He has yet to remember the entire thing, but for now the beginning is enough.

How did it start again?

Ah yes, it went a little something like this:

Blood. Rain. A home. A monster. Death. A woman’s face. Salvation. Hatred.