Chapter 11 - Saga 3, Anything’s Fate
Revelations
*
“Have you noticed any changes in Anything in recent memory?”
Kelanor looked around. The buildings on either side of him were aged, windows shattered, scorch marks, a woman screaming somewhere inside. He remembered yesterday, when he found a new structure, one so filthy and objectionabe as to require immediate demolition. None of it would’ve happened a few months ago.
“Of course I have, Archer. A gradual deterioration, a dark shadow slowly enveloping this realm. I’m not happy about it, either. The denizens of Anything seem to be hurling themselves to their own doom.” Archer slowly nodded. “But it’s not just that, is it? It’s not just the society crumbling, it’s not a simple, temporary lapse. Have you seen anything strange lately, things your eyes did not believe?”
Kelanor looked away for a moment. Last week, he’d been on patrol and came across a small cube. It was a puzzle cube, in fact, with each of its faces partitioned into smaller squares, each having different text. Aligned correctly, the cube made sense. Aligned incorrectly, it was utter chaos. He recognized it as something belonging to Rules, another realm in Lore. However, the cube was ancient, faded, and would no longer be applicable.
He grimly looked back up at Archer. “Yes, I have. You too?” The Troglodyte shook his head with a deep frown. “I have seen dead threads sprouting from our ground, I have seen locked objects tucked away in our forests, I have seen unknown things flickering in our skies, as if unsure of their own existence. Even a couple months ago, I reported an incident to Todd, and have not yet received reply. This time, I do not think it’s merely a slowness of response.”
Kel sighed, Archer continuing. “I think Todd has left Anything, and I think we must somehow get him to return. First, we’ll have to figure out why he left in the first place. Can you remember any-”
The noble squire laughed in biting sarcasm. “Oh, my dear Archer, I do not believe it’s that simple. I think you realize it too; that this isn’t just an absence on Todd’s part. You and I both know he never really hung out here much, anyway. I think that Anything is, indeed, slowly turning into Hell as we speak. But someone is definitely behind it, causing it, driving its destruction. Dead threads from other realms don’t get here by themselves. And what of these ‘refugees’ we have?”
Archer chuckled at the word, a joke nowadays. Everyone knew they were just outcasts, ignored in their home realm so turning to Anything. Then Archer realized the very idea that had been working in his mind for some time now. What if their journey here was not by choice, if they were actually punted here, verily banned from their homes, forced into Anything like it’s some kind of prison?
Exiled. Banished.
Kelanor smiled as he saw the enlightenment dawn on Archer’s face before the former Army general began speaking again. “We need to figure out who’s behind this and put a stop to it. I am not letting Anything go down without a fight.”
“And if Todd is the one behind it?”
“Then I’ll plead my case, our case, before the Almighty and seek to heal our land. But I don’t think it’s him. If it were, if he hated Anything or no longer found it necessary, he’d simply smite it, destroy us all in an instant.”
Kelanor shook his head. “What if he’d rather find a use for it as a gigantic garbage bin?”
Archer’s gaze narrowed. “Todd and I may disagree on a great many things, but I have never known him to be anything but benevolent. I refuse to believe it’s him. If I’m to be proven wrong, let it be in the final hour.”
“If not Todd, than who?”
The former Emperor became downcast, unsure. “I don’t know, Kel. But I have to go do something about this, even if I’m unsure of where to begin. I’ll visit all the other realms if I must, inform the Mods of this atrocity, gain some allies, some support. And if indeed it is one of them, we shall have a mighty war on our hands.”
Hesitation, then a nod as Kelanor understood. “If you have to leave, and I think I see that you do, than I can only wish you the best of luck. However, you must understand, Anything has two Mods, me and you. If you leave, the fall of Anything will only be quicker. Every day with you gone is a day Anything endures strife with half as many Mods. I only hope I’ll be okay alone.”
Archer took a deep breath. “By now, it may be a lost cause anyway. I think our salvation lies outside of Mod duties. I’ll leave tonight.”
“Are you taking anyone with you on this quest?” Kelanor queried. An explosion erupted in the distance as Archer grinned, replying “I guess I’ll need provisions.”
Kel twitched toward the explosion. “I have to- I mean, farewell, Archer. You’re probably our only hope.” At this, he fled the alley, charging with renewed vigor towards the latest disturbance.
*
Archer strolled into the tavern bar, heading straight for Drexlin as every being in the joint cowered at his presence. He promptly sat down, asking “How’s business?” Drex grinned, shaking his head. “Oh, business is okay, I guess, if you mean to ask if I’m still rakin’ it in. But as for the atmosphere…”
Our favorite Troglodyte didn’t even have to turn around to detect all the new stains, scuffs, and shady characters since the last time he’d been here. “Archer, my man! How long has it been?!?” Our hero raised an eyebrow at the question, his thought process interrupted as he turned to the source of the query. Sitting near was a tall, dark, and handsome man, wearing a sharp suit and tie with hair slicked back in a thoroughly urbane manner. “Who are you?”
“CardinalFang! Who’d you thi- oh yeah, forgot to mention, I’ve had a lot of plastic surgery done!” You don’t say. “Yeah, ever since my Hippo Girl left, I just…” He paused for a moment to wipe a solitary tear away. “Haven’t felt the need to continue in my usual repulsive way. I guess I’m a new man.” He tried to smile. Archer couldn’t help but notice how stunningly white his teeth were. “Uh, wow. Nice. Sorry about the girl, but I guess you have no trouble with the ladies now, right?” CFang sighed. “Yeah, but none of them are mildew-infested…”
“So, what’ll it be?” Drexlin grinned. “I’m going on a journey. I need you on sustenance duty, like you used to do for the Fellowship.” Drex was stunned. “Wha, where are you going, why, you’re leaving?” Archer began to explain, only to be startled at the sound of Fang screaming “Ter-Soth is coming!!!”
A hulking mass at the end of the bar again unfurled, as Acid Flux again revealed his weaponry, Drex also pulling out his piece and Archer reaching for his Bow of Flaming. A few other patrons got the hint and drew weapons as well, just as the entryway burst forth in light.
Acid was the first to fire, loosing a volley of minibolts before Drex squeezed trigger as well, Archer drawing back a lit arrow. They had to squint, because whoever was at the door seemed to be sheathed in impenetrable light. The newcomer advanced, his light dying down a bit, everyone gradually becoming able to detect his features. Others tried shooting him, only to have every projectile splinter or ricochet on impact. Many broke a sweat, fearing what the terrible conjurer would do.
Soon it was apparent that the wizard was indeed clothed in a cloak of light, though the intensity had dimmed by now. Apparently the being was a man, tall, with long white hair and pupil-less eyes to match. In fact, his very skin was also bright, as he strode forth with a certain purity about him.
He stopped in front of a nervous Archer, arrow leveled at his face as he began to speak. “Hello Archer. I’ve come to help.” Archer felt sick. “What are you talking about?”
“You know very well of what I’m referring to. Ever since the incident, I’ve changed. My darkness was repelled, I am now purely a being of reason, having been through a sudden maturity. However, within that drastic change brought much that I am still not fully used to. For instance, I can see darkness now, yes, shadows everywhere, the very stuff of which had taken me before. And in Anything, I see that the darkness is growing, melding, flowing with strength I cannot fight. I see that you are our hope, and without you, our realm will be lost. So, I’ve come to offer whatever assistance I can. It is the only reasonable thing to do.”
Cardinal stared for a second. “Is that really you, Ter-Soth? Wow, guess I’m not the only Fellowship member who’s undergone some drastic changes! Haha!” Fang then whimpered and cowered away as Ter-Soth shot him an icy look.
“Uh, okay. I guess it couldn’t hurt to have you along, especially seeing as your legendary imperviousness has only seemed to improve…” CardinalFang jumped back up to life. “Can I come too? Please? Surely you could use a handsome devil like me!” He smiled obnoxiously. “Fine, whatever. The more the merrier, and such.” Archer rolled his eyes, wondering if this was such a good idea after all.
Suddenly another entered the bar, hastily running up to Archer, excited. “Archer! Thank goodness I found you, you have to hear this, they’re killing us Archer, Anything, they’re using it as, like, like, a depository of sorts, we’re slowly corroding and corrupting and someone’s-”
“Whoa, hey, yeah, we already know, Advocate.” Archer smiled, admittedly glad to see the very postmaster general of Anything so obviously willing to help. He was quite aware of how handy those telekinetic penguins can be. “What do you think, Archer, think he could help?” CardinalFang grinned. “Who’s that?” AOL chided. “CardinalFang, apparently he’s had some procedures done.” Advocate raised an eyebrow, unabashedly looking CFang up and down, even sniffing him a bit. “Uh, lookin’ good there, Fang.” Cardinal blushed at the comment. “Thanks, and, you know, it’s good to see another Fellowship buddy along for this little ride of ours.”
Advocate smiled politely, sighing deeply when nobody would notice. He wasn’t sure if it had really hit everyone yet; how dire this situation really was.
© Eric Bailey