Destiny: Gospel of a New Genesis [Evangelion/Destiny]

[Ultra Sonic 007]

/The Catacombs, the Dreadnaught/

"Uh, what exactly is Eris up to?!" yelled Fenchurch Everis, uncomfortably noting the encroaching Worm larvae coming over the sides of the arena.

"Something that only a Guardian would think to do," answered Rei Ayanami, standing strong as MP-06 stomped the arena. The shockwave rippled over them all, threatening to knock them into the pit. "For all of her caution...Eris Morn can be just as headstrong." Quietly, secretly, she began to focus her Resolve, ready to manifest it at the proper chance.

"She put up with my rambling for a number of years, even when I accurately questioned her insights and intelligence." Toland calmly prodded the snapping fangs of a dog-sized larva. "She has always been headstrong, much like her fellows."

"That may be the key," remarked Nula Sov, summoning yet more Taken to strike at the seemingly impervious Evangelion. "When you enter the depths, what will you decide to do?"

xxxx

The Core within Number Six was smothered in Darkness: immense and calm and unending.

It is comfortable, honestly thought Eris.

' :O! '

Fear not. I am merely making an observation. "Perhaps this is why you succumbed?" In the face of empirical evidence, she had considered the Taken to be...more final, in a sense. More real, in the sense of their weight upon reality. And yet, in a place where she could see soul-to-soul...the logic of it all was made manifest. "You despised so many things...about our universe, and about yourself. It was so simple to put on a show, so easy to wear a mask...that it almost became real."

(She knew that her presence was...off-putting. She told herself that it didn't matter, so long as she could protect the City from the Hive. The trust of the Speaker, and the few that she could call comrades...that was enough for her, in the years following Toland's demise. That was what she told herself, no matter how much Rose insisted otherwise.)​

"Even though you wielded the Light...you could never stomach its essence. Little wonder that you were unable to succeed, in the end." How many times had a Guardian been able to turn the tide, and survive overwhelming odds? In spite of their threat, and power, and sadism...were the Nine ever truly strong? "For here you are now, purposefully in the Dark..." Now.

The Light within her soul bloomed, pushing back against the Darkness; a humanoid outline cringed, and hissed; the remnant of Katsuhito Ikari's soul could look upon himself, and feel...rage.

"...because under the Light, you can see just how ugly you are, how weak you are...and that infuriates you, doesn't it?"

The soul of Number Six roared.

Eris let the Arc flow, manifesting a staff of lightning-!

xxxx

The torso of MP-06 erupted with a shadowy splash as Eris Morn was expelled.

Chief's eye flickered with intent as he teleported in midair, catching her and warping back down before she went sailing over the arena's edge. "Sitrep?"

"I think I made him angry," muttered Eris, moving somewhat woozily.

Indeed, the black torso of Number Six was open, revealing the unholy starlight that seemed to be part and parcel of the Taken's appearance. The Serenity of Oryx was no longer so, wings flaring wildly to strike with an impetuous rage.

Ayanami's eyes gleamed. "Now."

Blights erupted and Hive portals began to burn into being; Taken Hex and Subverted Hive emerged by the dozens, attacking MP-06 without relent. Directing their actions with horrid shrieks was a Taken Sorcerer, none other than Omnigul, the Resolve of Ayanami. Even Garmurg rejoined the fray, clambering up from the pit far below; the Brutality of Ayanami lived up to her name, landing atop Number Six's shoulders and pulling.

Rei Ayanami's smile could only be described as blissful as the Taken Evangelion toppled. "Good. Crush him. We have little time to waste on such...vermin. We have a King to depose." Those words were said plainly and honestly, without a hint of wrath. Instead, it was spoken with a sense of...expectation, and long-awaited fulfillment.

Not for the first time, Eris wondered what the price of Ayanami's assistance would be.

 

[Lazor]

The Core within Number Six was smothered in Darkness: immense and calm and unending.

It is comfortable, honestly thought Eris.

' :O! '

Fear not. I am merely making an observation. "Perhaps this is why you succumbed?" In the face of empirical evidence, she had considered the Taken to be...more final, in a sense. More real, in the sense of their weight upon reality. And yet, in a place where she could see soul-to-soul...the logic of it all was made manifest. "You despised so many things...about our universe, and about yourself. It was so simple to put on a show, so easy to wear a mask...that it almost became real."

(She knew that her presence was...off-putting. She told herself that it didn't matter, so long as she could protect the City from the Hive. The trust of the Speaker, and the few that she could call comrades...that was enough for her, in the years following Toland's demise. That was what she told herself, no matter how much Rose insisted otherwise.)​

"Even though you wielded the Light...you could never stomach its essence. Little wonder that you were unable to succeed, in the end." How many times had a Guardian been able to turn the tide, and survive overwhelming odds? In spite of their threat, and power, and sadism...were the Nine ever truly strong? "For here you are now, purposefully in the Dark..." Now.

The Light within her soul bloomed, pushing back against the Darkness; a humanoid outline cringed, and hissed; the remnant of Katsuhito Ikari's soul could look upon himself, and feel...rage.

"...because under the Light, you can see just how ugly you are, how weak you are...and that infuriates you, doesn't it?"

The soul of Number Six roared.

Eris let the Arc flow, manifesting a staff of lightning-!

Click to shrink...

So the Taken transformation is less ending your worries and weaknesses so much as running away from them? I guess that makes sense. Being Taken means submitting to the will of a being designated higher than them on the Darkness's social hierarchy. For a given value of higher, considering the Hive Pantheon are played like fiddles, no matter what they say.

 

[Timerider]

I was kind of hoping that Eris would find out about Shinji's grandfather.
It would give her some interesting questions.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Unit-04 roared as it charged at Unit-01.

Shinji Ikari focused on one thing and one thing only: evasion.

His Evangelion ducked beneath a right hook, minutely flexing its A.T. Field to dart backwards from a knee to the torso. Unit-04's A.T. Field rushed forward, only to be met by his own and nullified. Massive srtreams of Arc energy were undone by Arc bolts of the opposite charge; fiery Solar blows were dispelled by hands infused with Solar power; Void devoured Void. Every single strike, every single tactic; no matter what Ghaul did, Shinji either countered or dodged or parried.

And all the while, the Cabal Emperor was roaring furiously at him.

"Cease your cowardly retreat, and fight me like you mean it!"

"I am." Unit-01's right shoulder turn, bumping a left straight away.

"Is this the mettle you hoped to show? Is this what it means to be a Guardian: to not even fight for what matters?!"

"I guess so." Unit-01 promptly dropped through space, avoiding a cut with a flaming sword.

"Your Speaker spoke so confidently of you Guardians! Adulating your weakness, as if the weak could ever triumph over the strong!"

Shinji said nothing. Unit-01 caught a Void-empowered fist, seamlessly using the white Evangelion's momentum to toss it away. With a burst of power, Unit-04 turned and came right back at him.

"It won't erase your failure. It won't erase the fact that you failed the Traveler, all those centuries ago! It won't erase the reality that you lost your City. GIVE UP!"

"No." Unit-01's hands clapped together, unleashing a metaphysical wave of force that dispelled the wall of fire that Ghaul had unleashed.

"You said that you pitied me. What foolishness; it is I who pity you! What do you know of sacrifice? What do you know of worth?!"

"Maybe we could talk about it?" Standing on a platform forged by his spirit, Unit-01 bobbed and weaved around Unit-04's strikes, which came like lightning.

"The time for words is long past! There is only the struggle to survive, the struggle to triumph over those who stand in your way! Do you honestly think that this will change anything?!"

"Yes." Unit-01 barely dodged Unit-04's heel, which would have hit with neck-breaking face.

'He's getting faster,' cautioned Yui.

I know.

Ghaul's laughter was derisive. "Then the mettle of your people has been shown: it is the mettle of fools! We are Cabal. We will claim what is OURS!"

"...what would it accomplish?" Unit-01 batted away dozens of energy grenades, forged of fire and entropy and electricity. The space around them erupted with tricolor explosions. "What will any of this accomplish?"

"That you even have to ask only cements the shortcomings of your species. The power that fought back the Vex, the power that makes death a mere trifle; what Empire wouldn't want such a thing?"

"But what does that mean for you?" Unit-01 impulsively crossed its arms, blocking Unit-04's bull rush. An unpleasant ache seared through his limbs. "What is the meaning of it all?"

"You ask for meaning, child? Survival; conquest; proof that you are superior to all others! If one refuses to yield in battle, then you are left with only one choice: victory or defeat!" Unit-04's eyes glowed. "I am Ghaul!"

CHYOOOM!

Shinji grimaced as the energy cross slammed into him.

"And I will always strive for victory, in all things!"

"...your people sound very lonely." Unit-01 shot away from a mighty orb of Void energy, erupting like an overpowered Nova Bomb.

"Mere prattle from an inexperienced naif! I have subordinates who have fought and died, together as bond brothers; I have sons who have fought and died, struggling to make their own place in this world! I am an Emperor who fights alongside his brethren...and you think that I am alone?!"

"I am inexperienced..."

(Since Ayanami's death, he was the only one who could fight against the Ahamkara now. There was an entire organization throwing its weight behind him; all of NERV-Japan had his back. And yet, he was always going into battle by himself.)​

"...but even I know the difference between being alone and being lonely." Unit-01's armor cracked from the force of Unit-04's haymaker, even though it had been successfully parried. "You have so much power...and you want your people to have that power as well. I can understand that."

(There were some moments when his bitterness ran high; when someone adulated his kill of an Ahamkara, even though he had gotten there too late to stop it from slaying hundreds; when someone else snidely questioned his effectiveness, simply because NERV's intelligence had not discovered the Ahamkara's Vassals in time; these moments, and more, made him want to scream and rage. What did they know? WHAT DID ANY OF THEM KNOW?!)​

"...but as long as you view the Light as nothing more than a means to mere power...then you will never get what you want."

Ghaul chuckled. "How humorous. Your Speaker said the same, before he brought your Tower down upon my head! Have you taken his words for yourself?"

"No. These words are mine."

"Then tell me, child! What forms your words? What gives them weight? Infantile idealism? Childish hope?"

"No..."

(Bitterness was outpaced many times over by a sense of quiet despair, as he witnessed more death in a matter of months than most would in an entire lifetime. And yet he kept going out there, wielding Unit-01 with battered conviction and simmering rage, because if he could just save one more person, if he could just save even ONE person, then maybe, at the end of the day...it would have all been worth it.)​

"...experience."

 

[Timerider]

Shinji Ikari is using Talking-no-jutsu.
Not sure if effective.

 

[StatelessGem]

Shinji Ikari is using Talking-no-jutsu.
Not sure if effective.

Click to shrink...

It's gonna evolve into punch-you-in-your-bitch-face no Jutsu in about.......Eh, I'd say within the next four updates.

Side note: Anyone see the Twitch reveal trailer for Warmind? I saw Sleeper Sim and a GLOWING STAFF OF "FUCK YOU".

PleasedontfloppleasedontfloppleasedontflopPLEASEDONTFLOP.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Within the Core of the Exalted, Dominus Ghaul snarled, even as the ethereal power of the Traveler coursed through his veins.

(With Calus deposed, he wasted no time in making his will manifest. The powers behind the Praetorate were brought to heel, and the mobs of the former Emperor were cowed into submission. The rank foolishness of the aristocracy and the hedonistic pleasures of the lowest classes were done away with, all for the sake of restoring the Empire to the vision espoused by Acrius.)​

He knew that the power of the Weapon of Acrius was great. He knew that to use its Ascended form was to invite potential repercussions.

(The years passed, and the Cabal Empire expanded. Each time he called upon the power of the Exalted, his mastery of it grew. The Light sang through his soul, empowering him beyond measure.)​

After this battle, he would likely be comatose for a period of time, recovering from the sheer strain. But that would be fine, for his people were mighty.

(Two of his sons struck at the same time, trying once - just once! - to knock him down. His Anima Murum rebuffed them both, and he proceeded to lecture them once more on poor tactics.)​

And he was the epitome of that ideal! Even though he was a proverbial runt for his age, his body was as steel, forged by discipline; his spirit and will were hardier than that of all others!

(Early on, the Primus of All Legions dared to try and undercut his authority, believing him to be a mere whelp who could had grown too accustomed to the overwhelming power of the Exalted. After a decisive demonstration of his martial prowess, no one within the military leadership ever tried to betray him again.)​

Empowered by the Light, he would bring the Cabal to new heights! His people would be the protectors that Traveler deserved, and usher in a new era of everlasting glory!

So why?

Why aren't you staying down?

These thoughts roiled through Ghaul's head as his foot smashed into the torso of the violet Giant. The armor shuddered - it should have cracked him in half! - yet still the Evangelion did not break.

"Tell me, Guardian," he growled, calling upon even more Light. "I have learned much of your kind; I have lived for over a thousand of your years! How many have you seen?!"

"...not even seventeen."

The sheer gall of it all! A proverbial toddler in the eyes of his people, daring to lecture him so! "And yet you presume to teach me...perhaps your impetuousness can be forgiven."

"...I guess to you, I am very impetuous. My father thought the same. He probably still does."

He barked out a hearty laugh. "And here you still stand! You have yet to lay a single blow upon me, ever since dismissing your allies; do you believe that I will burn out?" The child did not respond. "Such arrogance; I have had centuries to master this power! You think you can outlast ME?!" His body burned ever brighter, as luminous as white dwarf. "DIE!"

In the blink of an eye, the Exalted closed the distance, ready to pulp Unit-01's head with both hands.

In even less time than that, Unit-01 glowed brighter than the Sun, shining with more Light than Ghaul had ever been able to summon.

The Dominus stared in shock as his hands were caught by Unit-01's, stopped with shocking ease. "How...?" Where did this power come from? Why had he not manifested it before?! With such might, he should have crushed the Nine with ease! "...how do you have so much Light?"

"...I don't know if I could ever explain it to you. Maybe I was always the one supposed to stop you...or maybe you've been on this path for so long, that you know nothing else..." The child's tone was solemn, as though he felt genuine sorrow! "...but honestly, I think it comes down to something simple. I think you've forgotten something important, if you ever knew it at all." Unit-01 leaned in close, glowing eyes peering directly into his own. "You don't know what it really means to be weak...and without that, you will never know what it means to be strong."

Indignant, Ghaul roared, "And you presume to know?! You presume to know where I came from, and what I endured to get this far?!"

"No."

"THEN WHY?!"

"Because the Traveler would have chosen you otherwise."

"That has yet to be determined!"

"...you want the power too much. That's why you'll never understand."

The Dominus sneered, trying to outpace the Light that the violet Giant had summoned with seeming effortlessness. "And you think that this glorious might is something that you can do without?!"

"Ghaul...I never wanted this power."

For the first time in many years, Dominus Ghaul was stunned into silence.

And so Shinji Ikari continued. "...but someone has to stand up against you...and even though I think there are people who deserve it more...I was the one who was chosen to bear this burden."

"...why...?"

The child actually laughed, with a tone crossing both delirium and disbelief. "Honestly...I don't know. But here I am anyway."

xxxx

/Reefship Sekris-Sov/

The sudden brightness emanating from one particular region was impossible to miss. "Lock on those coordinates and transmit them to the MAGI!" commanded Queen Mara.

xxxx

Within the cargo hold, the Minotaur's eye glowed a brilliant purple.

"Ha! It is time."​

Akagi-81 was typing furiously into the console of RASPUTIN. "And here...we...go."

As one, the MAGI made their proclamation.

"COMMENCING WITH SUBROUTINE ABHORRENT IMPERATIVE."

It was the same action that, centuries ago, had torn the Traveler's soul apart. Twenty-eight synthetic minds, acting in concert, to break apart the metaphysical barriers of a god.

By comparison, Ghaul was...small.

So very small.

xxxx

Twenty-eight rifts opened around the two Evangelions, aimed directly at Unit-04.

Invisible waves of force erupted like spears, striking at the white Giant without mercy.

With a sound akin to breaking glass, Ghaul's soul...was sundered.

And thus did he scream.

 

[Timerider]

"Ghaul...I never wanted this power."

Click to shrink...

That right there is the pure antitheses of everything that defines Ghaul.
Fantastically done.

 

[StatelessGem]

Well it wasn't a punch but damn, the timing of my comment tho. o.o

 

[Roaming_Guardian]

GLORIOUS.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

The Light was fading. All feeling in his body was fading. What...?

There was an expression akin to shock on the violet Evangelion's face. It was reaching out to him, almost out of impulse. Why...?

The Light was leaking, dissipating harmlessly into the space around him. The Exalted was going dark, as his soul withered away into nothing. This can't be...I am the Dominus...! He tried to lash out with something; anything, to keep his mighty spirit from breaking apart. All attempts to grip the Light failed, as it slipped away like water between his fingers. All attempts to move his body, to keep it moving, amounted to nothing. He simply...was starting to stop. I am...the Emperor...!

"Oh? Is the Emperor beginning to panic? Surely not!"​

Ghaul paused; were his eyes deceiving him? Was he beginning to hallucinate, in his death throes? Calus...?

The psionic image of his predecessor laughed.

"But of course! Did you believe me to be dead, my beloved Ghost Primus?"​

...how...?

"I have lasted long enough to see you undone by your arrogance! You elevated this machine to the level of a deity, when only my perfect goodness merited such quality. That you could not see the truth of its origins is proof of how deluded you allowed your keen mind to become. Ah, such a waste...but this is the fate of all traitors, is it not?"​

...what...? Ghaul's thoughts slowed to a crawl, as everything he had worked for - all that he had struggled to achieve - began to slip away.

"Alas, all has come as I had predicted it would. Your life was nothing but a quest to fill the hollow in your soul; you sought to make the universe a grueling slog, misled by historical delusion! You placed the Light as an ultimate universal principle, when there is more to life than light and illumination! Then again, I knew of all this; why do you think I thought so little of Acrius? Why do you think I dismissed his ancient lore? Should I admire the words of a madman? Should I constrain myself to the ideals of an inferior?"​

Ghaul blinked. He was starting to have difficulty breathing; on a gut impulse, he ripped the mask off of his face, revealing a maw that had been brutally scarred so long ago. His breathing only got worse. Not...like...this...!

Calus's icon cackled, chins visibly rippling with joy.

"Ah, but these are the limits you placed upon yourself. Your vision bound you tighter than any shackles ever could. You willingly became the tool of mere machines...and you couldn't even be a proper tool! In the end, all you cared about was fighting...for the mere sake of fighting."​

Ghaul's vision began to go dark. Not yet...I can't die here...not HERE...!

"This was my perfect revenge, my dearest treasure...to see you come to the end of the road that you chose...and to see you get EXACTLY what you wanted."​

The only thing he could see now was the face of an Emperor that he had long ago crushed...and yet, in the end, Calus remained.

"I hold you to your own standard: your strength simply wasn't enough. Now...die with the knowledge that all you worked for...was nothing more than a colossal waste of TIME."​

And then there was only darkness.

xxxx

Shinji Ikari blinked, hand outstretched towards Unit-04. The white Evangelion had gone slack. "Wha...what just happened...?"

'...I'm honestly not sure. Those metaphysical rifts seemed similar to the activities of the MAGI...but how would they even...'

Before Yui could finish her thoughts, the Light that was leaking from the crippled Evangelion suddenly swirled upward, taking on a purple tinge; Unit-04 spasmed wildly, as something else took control, if only for a moment of history. The ethereal energy bloomed, taking on the appearance of a ghoulish Cabal's face. "What the...?!"

Within his mind - within the minds of so many, bursting across all communications channels, solely by an act of undying will - a booming voice echoed haughtily, with joyful wrath and spiteful glee.

"The Dominus is dead! Long live Calus, the TRUE Emperor!"​

The beast's laughter echoed loudly across spirit and time, even as the Light finally dissipated and Unit-04 fell silent, giving up the ghost.

"...mother?"

'Yes?'

"What just happened?"

'I honestly don't know. This is a legitimate mystery...isn't that exciting?! '

Little did they know, with that single action, the proverbial ghost(?) of Calus unleashed a wave of religious panic and hierarchical confusion amidst the entirety of the Cabal forces within the Solar System.

 

[Lazor]

"This was my perfect revenge, my dearest treasure...to see you come to the end of the road that you chose...and to see you get EXACTLY what you wanted."​

The only thing he could see now was the face of an Emperor that he had long ago crushed...and yet, in the end, Calus remained.

"I hold you to your own standard: your strength simply wasn't enough. Now...die with the knowledge that all you worked for...was nothing more than a colossal waste of TIME."​

Click to shrink...

I can only hope that Oryx burns in an equally epic blaze upon his death. A great parting shot, Ultrasonic.

 

[Timerider]

And so one ham is replaced by another.
I really can't tell which one is more annoying.
Welp.
Time for Shinji to get back to work.
Also have to consider Gendo's part in all this. This should be interesting.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

/Reefship Sekris-Sov/

"...we're picking up a significant amount of chatter from all of the Cabal ships. They're demanding answers from their Primuses...and there's even reports of mutiny?"

The words of the helmswoman elicited a frown from Mara Sov. What an interesting show. Had the strange apparition that called itself 'Emperor Calus' instigated a revolt or revolution amongst the Cabal Empire? Either way...it matters not for us. "Brother. Advance with the fighters. Broadcast a friendly signal to the Fallen, and assist them as needed."

"Of course, your Grace."

As dozens and dozens of Ceres Galliots advanced towards the battlefield, the Queen spoke with authority. "All flagships...form a defensive perimeter between the Fallen and the Traveler." Out here, on the edge of the conflict, they would eventually be found. Better to put some meat shields between them. "The Hive will be our primary targets. If the Cabal present any weaknesses, then they will be targets of opportunity." Now...for the matter of our 'guest'.

xxxx

Within the cargo hold, Calus's voice echoed with joy from the units of the Baris Protective.

"Ah...centuries of time and patience, culminating in a satisfactory feast!"​

"...vengeance is yours, hm?" idly remarked Akagi-81, casually typing on RASPUTIN's console.

"As is my right as the perfect loving god; though my mercy is exquisite, my justice is even more delectable!"​

"I see." What a narcissist. The fact that his Herald was Gendo Ikari only cemented her decision. "Now what-" She paused as the Minotaur's hulking hand rested upon her shoulder. "...can I help you?"

"You cannot mask your thoughts of betrayal, my dear machine."​

What. HOW. "...I'm not sure what you mean-"

"Ha! I was betrayed before; the signs are obvious and transparent! Your fear is palpable; understandable, in light of my magnificence!"​

Ritsuko didn't dare type. Instead, she was intently trying not to focus on the fact that they she and the MAGI and the trio of Tech Witches were surrounded by potentially hostile Vex. The MAGI have to realize what's going on...they don't need my authority to act. Why are they waiting?!

His answer was surprisingly quick to come.

"But my generosity is boundless! Your betrayal would be ineffectual, much like the teeth of a War Beast pup! After all, it would be difficult for these synthetic minds to strike at something that has no soul."​

...wait. WHAT?! "That's impossible...even without an A.T. Field, you should still have a soul, with the kind of behavior and activity you've exhibited!"

"Ho ho! Even your brilliance has limitations; the universe is far bigger than the war between Light and Darkness! That is a reality which shall soon be made apparent, a reality that my people will have to learn the hard way."​

One by one, the Baris Protective began to retreat into the Vex Gate Network, teleporting out of this dimension.

"Behold: the Age of Acrius has come to an end. All who witnessed this day will proclaim that it was Emperor Calus who destroyed the Exalted, and killed Ghaul, the greatest heir of Acrius's ideals! Now...the Cabal shall always be overshadowed by my glory and presence..."​

The Minotaur slowly began to fade away, taking Calus's voice with it.

"...and thus shall I live forever!"​

And then he was gone.

"...what the hell just happened?" demanded Akagi-81.

"I LIKE HIM. HE'S A CHEERFUL FELLOW!" exclaimed LOKI.

"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!"

 

[Timerider]

Cabal r hax. Pls nerf.

 

[Roaming_Guardian]

Cabal r hax. Pls nerf.

Click to shrink...

Pretty sure that's just Calus. I HOPE it's just Calus. Because if not, that's some bullshit.

On another note, is there a faction that hasn't suborned a group of Vex yet?

 

[StatelessGem]

Pretty sure that's just Calus. I HOPE it's just Calus. Because if not, that's some bullshit.

On another note, is there a faction that hasn't suborned a group of Vex yet?

Click to shrink...

Pretty sure the Fallen haven't done that.


Yet.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Grimoire: The Apparition

"Security Log SC-25643, First draft, INTERNAL USE ONLY"​

BEGIN AUTOMATED LOG.

RECORDS COLLATED FROM CROW REGIMENTS [ALPHA], [BETA], AND [ZETA]. VISUAL ANALYSIS OF ANOMALOUS EVENT 'APPARITION' IS IN-PROGRESS. DECODED SNIPPETS OF INTERCEPTED AUDIO TRANSMISSIONS FOLLOW. [FACTION-VESSEL-PARTICIPANT] CATEGORIZATION IS UTILIZED (PENDING ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION AND CATEGORIZATION):

[CE-1-1]: "That is the visage of Calus himself! How has-"

[CE-1-2]: "Forget that, what happened to the Exalted?!"

[CE-2-1]: "The Psions are reporting intense migraines; they're wailing and screaming about the true Emperor!"

[CE-2-2]: "Is that why they're attacking my Legionnaires with such ferocity?!"

[CE-3-1]: "Empress, you don't understand...no, the reports are not lying, the Dominus was truly felled by your father...!"

[CE-4-1]: "We are leaving this battle right now."

[CE-4-2]: "Otzot-"

[CE-4-1]: "Calus came back from the dead to kill Ghaul! He managed to stop the Exalted! Right now, the safest place for me is back on the Fatherworld-!"

[CE-5-1]: "No...our Emperor...how could this be...?"

[F/ZERUEL-5-1]: "...are they surrendering?"

[F/ISRAFEL-5-1]: "We honestly have no idea."

[CE-6-1]: "...hmph. This is what he deserves for elevating the Light above his own strength."

[CE-6-2]: "Primus...what are we going to do now? Are we still going to pursue the Traveler?"

[CE-6-1]: "What would be the point? Clearly, our Dominus knew so much that wasn't so...initiate the Downfall Protocol."

[CE-6-2]: "Umun'arath-!"

[CE-6-1]: "Are you questioning my orders? It will take time to regain control of this system with our command structure thrown into such disarray. And there are many who will...struggle, with the realization that Calus is somehow alive...and that he was the one who killed Ghaul. Right now, the rest of our holdings and territories throughout the galaxy are ignorant of what has transpired here. I aim to make sure we inform them properly."

[CE-6-2]: "...by your command, Primus."

INITIAL REVIEW INDICATES FRAGMENTATION OF CABAL LEADERSHIP IN-SYSTEM. AFTER THE 'APPARITION' OCCURRED, CERTAIN CABAL SHIPS BEGAN TO DEPART: SOME FOR THE CABAL HOMEWORLD, OTHERS ON AN OUTWARD TRAJECTORY FROM THE SOLAR SYSTEM. THE FIGHTING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CABAL EMPIRE WILL BE REDUCED, BUT THE EXACT RAMIFICATIONS OF THESE EVENTS ARE STILL UNKNOWN.

PENDING FURTHER SIGNAL ANALYSIS AND DECODING.

CURRENT DRAFT IS PENDING APPROVAL BY THE MASTER OF CROWS.

END AUTOMATED LOG.

 

[Timerider]

Well that's one less juggernaut gunning for us.

 

[StatelessGem]

Well that's one less juggernaut gunning for us.

Click to shrink...

But it's also one less enemy holding the attention of the Hive.

 

[Roaming_Guardian]

Israfel? Not an Israfelix? INTERESTING.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Israfel? Not an Israfelix? INTERESTING.

Click to shrink...

...not really?

The first part designates the faction. Context implies CE = Cabal Empire.

Likewise, F = Fallen, with the additional designation referring to the particular House.

So you had a member of House Zeruel speaking with a member of House Israfel.

 

[Roaming_Guardian]

...not really?

The first part designates the faction. Context implies CE = Cabal Empire.

Likewise, F = Fallen, with the additional designation referring to the particular House.

So you had a member of House Zeruel speaking with a member of House Israfel.

Click to shrink...

I interpreted that as Zeruel addressing Israfel, the fact that it's just a military reporting name for the entire house is disapointing.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

I interpreted that as Zeruel addressing Israfel, the fact that it's just a military reporting name for the entire house is disapointing.

Click to shrink...

Well, it would be out of character for Zeruel to speak in non-caps...and for Zeruel to actually question if his enemies are surrendering.

xxxx

Grimoire: Calcified Fragment - LI: The Usurper

"Verse 6:0 - The Usurper"

I sit within my Throne, pondering this addendum to an ancient book.

My Court continues to fight, within and without my Dreadnaught. Their slaughter is great, and yet it will not be enough to feed my Worm forever. My Hive rage and rip and roar, seeking the Sky's bait star, the feeble Traveler. I wish to taste its innards and feast...and yet I have stayed my hand.

The Successor of my Bride is approaching. The Devourer of my Son. The Usurper, who has claimed the power to Take.

She is a worthy challenger.

I will triumph, even if I die. To reach her stage, she must adore the Deep as I do, for Eva would have consumed her long ago otherwise. My preparations are total, and complete; here, at the height of my power, I will wager everything. My soul against hers, my sword against hers! Even allied with the slaves of the Light, I will exploit that weakness...and yet even failure will be my glory.

In the end, even if I were to fail, if I were to fall in final defeat, my path will remain. They will want to understand, coming to realize what I know, learning to desire what I love, seeking to revere what I worship. That one philosophy that undergirds all life, all of reality, all of existence, the single thread that binds us all together.

That is my confidence. That is my assurance.

And yet still, my curiosity whispers: what if she loves something that you do not? What if something else drives her?

I will know.

My beloved, hateful Bride: your heresy has borne a strange fruit.

Let us see if it can withstand my malice.​

xxxx

/The Catacombs, the Dreadnaught/

The team of six stood before the gateway, atop the grand stairway. Soon...so very soon. "Are we ready?" asked Rei Ayanami.

"Yes," whispered Nula Sov. Far below, her Taken fought furiously against the Worm larvae and Oryx's Hive; all the while, Subverted Thralls continued to emerge from the pods, to join the fray. It was a battle that they would not be a part of.

"...somewhat antsy. Slightly frightened...could just be constipation. Hopefully," murmured Fenchurch Everis.

Chief briefly flickered his Void energy field, vaporizing the residual Hive bits that adorned his Minotaur chassis. "Ready."

"The precipice...the point upon which everything turns..." Toland rubbed his hands together. "Let's not delay."

Eris Morn stared intently at her former mentor, before turning her head towards Rei. "...we will see."

That will have to do. Expanding her soul, Rei Ayanami opened the portal; the great void of black and green roared into life, inviting them in. Quietly, the delved even deeper into the Ascendant Realm...

xxxx

/The Threshold, the Dreadnaught/

...and emerged atop Oryx's Dreadnaught, in an open hall with four pedestals bordering two great pillars. The form of Saturn loomed in the distance, and the space around them flickered with shades and silhouettes of the many belligerents engaged in the Battle of Saturn. The presence of the Hive weighed heavier, bearing a greater bond to the Ascendant Realm, and thus carried greater solidity relative to the Cabal and the Fallen. Shards of osmium adorned the open realm, and the light of the Sun brought little warmth in the face of the Ascendant Realm's murk. "...so this is the Osmium Throne."

"...is it supposed to be metaphorical? Because I don't see a throne," said Fenchurch.

"They can be rather real...depending on the metaphor," remarked Toland.

"What does that even mean?!"

Rei did not pay attention to their banter; her eyes were focused upon the glowing mote of blazing radiance, at the edge of the hall. There you are.

As if recognizing her recognition, the mote burst over the edge...and the air around them grew heavy with the presence of divine, hateful royalty.

"...he's coming..." growled Eris.

Beyond the rim, from deep below, emerged the clawed hand of a godly King.

 

[StatelessGem]

Rei did not pay attention to their banter; her eyes were focused upon the glowing mote of blazing radiance, at the edge of the hall. There you are.

As if recognizing her recognition, the mote burst over the edge...and the air around them grew heavy with the presence of divine, hateful royalty.

"...he's coming..." growled Eris.

Beyond the rim, from deep blow, emerged the clawed hand of a godly King.

Click to shrink...

Sup, God-Cunt?

Ready for your ass beating?