Into the Fire Part I_Requiem of Souls

by Christian Kallias

  Chase turned and was surprised to see Argos standing there.

  “Are you doing this?”

  Argos shook his head.

  “What the hell is this? I only experienced something like this when I was inside the Gaia 2 matrix. I sure hope that doesn’t mean what I think it does,” questioned Argos.

  “I’ve had a few of these visions. That’s how Aphroditis communicated with me. And guided me to stop you.”

  “That would explain why you always seemed to thwart my plans back then.” Argos looked at his feet. “I’m obviously glad you did though.”

  “I have forgiven you, Argos. Right now we have the same goal; that’s all that matters. And if you’re in this vision, then perhaps Aphroditis has forgiven you as well.”

  “I haven’t forgiven myself, though. And as much as I like the idea that she brought the both of us here, do you think she can still do that in her state?”

  “She’s more resilient than any of us can imagine. I think the love she has for life and every living being in this universe grants her a power that we can’t quantify or even hope to understand.”

  A female silhouette walked toward them, seemingly unaffected by the sandstorm. Red lightning bolts shot from the dark crimson cloud cover and struck through her, but they didn’t seem to have any effect. She was far enough from them, and her silhouette glowed blue as she traversed one of this world’s typical chaotic sandstorms. Vicious animals materialized around her and growled at her. They looked like a cross between Earthly black wolves and saber-tooth tigers. Their black fur was striated with glowing red fur. Their feline eyes glowing red.

  “I don’t like this,” said Argos.

  “Tell me about it; what are those?”

  “Zargons. They’re vicious animals; very high on our planet’s food chain. A pack can bring a non-elite Fury fighter down. But they are almost extinct. I’m surprised to see them here. They love drinking the blood of their prey while they’re still alive. They inject a paralyzing venom through their first bite, and then they take their time drinking their prey’s blood. Once they’re satiated, they usually shred the corpse into pieces.”

  Argos painted such a vividly gory image of the creature’s kill ritual that Chase felt a little queasy.

  “Charming. Let me guess? They were used as a weapon.”

  “Yes, in the old days. Story has it Furies would starve the creatures for weeks on hand before an invasion. They would then be used in the first wave of the attack.”

  “That seems cruel to do to them, but I’m not surprised that the Furies would use such tactics.”

  “The coalition of worlds that faced the Furies during the first war thought so too, and they soon developed a virus to infect the brain of the Zargons, which reduced their aggressiveness levels to near zero.”

  “Let me guess, Arakan wiped the infected ones?”

  “Exactly. So there are still a few surviving and immune to the pathogen the Alliance used, and from what I gathered, their population is now again growing on Erevos, but there are no longer enough of them to use as a weapon of war.”

  The Zargons switched from growling to attacking the silhouette, but they simply passed through her translucent presence as if she wasn’t there. Which seemed to anger the vile creatures even more.

  Soon, she was only a few yards from Chase and Argos, and finally, her face was visible.

  It was Aphroditis; her eyes cried tears of blood, which Chase took as a very bad omen.

  Argos felt his heart drop, and he was filled with an incredible amount of guilt looking at Aphroditis, who stood in front of them while crazed and mad Zargons tried to get her, to drink her blood, and to shred her to pieces.

  He had never experienced these sorts of visions that his brother seemed to be familiar with, but he could tell that the Zargons were symbolic of the pain and suffering she must be enduring in the machine he had trapped her in.

  Argos fell to his knees, unable to contain his sorrow.

  “I’m so sorry; please forgive me.”

  Aphroditis looked straight at him.

  “You don’t need to apologize. I have stepped into the path of my destiny with both eyes open. I knew what I was in for, just as I knew that it was required of me to make this sacrifice. Please, don’t beat yourself up. Know that I am proud of you for having realized the mistake of your previous path of anger and hate. You’re no longer the man who put me inside that machine, and with your help, I know Chase can succeed in his quest.”

  Argos’ guilt skyrocketed upon hearing the kind words of his aunt. He jumped back to his feet and launched fireballs at the pack of Zargons, but just like Aphroditis wasn’t affected by the beasts’ earlier attacks, neither were the creatures affected by his, and his fireballs flew through them.

  “Don’t worry, Argos,” she added. “I am where I’m supposed to be.”

  Chase took a step forward.

  “That won’t be the case for long. We’re getting you out of there. Soon.”

  “Yes, Ares told me. But you must understand that my body and mind have gone through so much since I entered the machine, you may not like what I’ve become once I do get out of it.”

  Argos made fists and clenched his teeth. The amount of hatred he felt for himself was astronomical.

  Aphroditis must have felt it too as more crimson-colored tears flowed from her eyes.

  “Argos, stop beating yourself up. I know it’s hard to understand, but it was vital that you did what you did. It may not be something you’re willing to accept right now, but it needed to happen. Unknowingly, this future where two brothers who were once enemies unite to destroy the Furies is the only future that seemed acceptable. There are still hardships ahead of you both, but together you’re stronger than you can ever imagine. I have forgiven you, and so has Chase, now you must forgive yourself.”

  Fat chance! thought Argos.

  Aphrodits came next to him and caressed the side of his face gently.

  “Please, do it for me?”

  Argos felt a warm wave travel through his body and obliterate any negative emotions he was feeling. It was a sentiment of pure love radiating in both his heart and soul, and he felt like basking in the heavenly bliss. The sensation was similar to when he was taking the Kyrian snake venom, but with none of the side effects.

  “Thank you,” whispered Argos.

  Argos looked at Chase and saw him smile at him. In that perfect moment, he realized that no matter if he hadn’t forgiven himself for his terrible deeds of the past, his close family had. For the first time in a very long time, Argos felt like he belonged, and more importantly, no part of his soul felt like he was alone anymore.

  Aphroditis felt the bond that linked both her nephews and couldn’t be prouder. It made both her physical and emotional torture inside the machine more bearable. At times though, especially in moments when she had to divert every single ounce of energy to establish a link to Chase and project a vision like this one, she would feel overwhelmed by the darkness trying to bring her down and swallow her whole.

  “Listen to me, the two of you. I know you have had some painful losses.”

  Argos nodded.

  “We lost Zeus, I— I’m sorry,” said Chase. “I couldn’t save him. I tried, but a strange darkness prevented me from doing so.”

  A single black tear that looked like Zeus’ infected blood before he died dropped from Aphroditis’ left eye. When it impacted with the ground, it turned into a puddle that began bubbling. A humanoid silhouette rose from it as the puddle retracted. It was made of pure darkness, a black darker than the moonless night, shaped like Supreme Commander Arakan, with two glowing eyes that burned like perpetually exploding supernovas.

  Argos instinctively took a fighting stance, but Chase put a hand on his shoulder.

  “It’s okay, none of this is real. She is showing us a visual representation of what she feels or sees.”

  The Zargons ignored Aphroditis and jumped at the shadow. Black tendrils
shot in all directions from the center of the shadow Arakan and grabbed the beasts in mid-air before they could reach their prey. A mad laugh echoed around them. It was part Arakan and part something else. The tendrils burned through the Zargons, and they yelped in horrible pain before being both shredded and burned alive.

  “Your brother is correct, but fear not Argos.” added Aphroditis.

  Her blue glow radiated behind the imposing supreme commander’s shadow. But his presence made everything darker. Light all around was being siphoned from the Arakan shadow-form.

  “That’s what I’m feeling we have to fight,” said Chase.

  “Yes. Your enemy is no longer just the head of the Furies or the Furies as a species anymore. But this could not be prevented. None of the futures I have gazed upon could ever prevent this one event from happening. Even the ones where you killed your brother before he had a chance to put me into the machine.”

  Argos’ eyes grew upon hearing her words as a cold shiver ran down his spine.

  “I want you both to know that you are fighting something more now, something way darker than Arakan ever was. This being he has become or is becoming as we speak, it’s not just a crazed Fury. It’s not just malevolent or evil—”

  “What is it?” asked Chase.

  “And more importantly,” interjected Argos. “How do we fucking kill it?”

  “Together is how you fight it. I wish I could tell you more, but I can’t stay much longer. I just want you to be ready for what’s ahead. It will be tough, and I wanted to talk with the both of you while I still could.”

  “We’re coming for you,” said Argos. “Soon you’ll be free, I promise!”

  “I know, Argos. And I thank you. But I may no longer have this power of foresight, and this might be the last time I can warn the both of you.”

  “Don’t talk like that!” cried Argos, unable to contain his tears of guilt.

  “Please, Argos, I’m running out of time, let me finish.”

  “Let her speak,” insisted Chase.

  Argos nodded.

  “What has been set in motion,” continued Aphroditis, “will shake this universe, long after the Furies are gone. But right now, the two of you must focus on eliminating this scourge, no matter what. If you don’t, everything and everyone you love will be consumed by darkness and hatred. We stand at a nexus in time. Your courage and love are what can bring balance back to the universe. You cannot fail. But—”

  Aphroditis looked down and then straight into Chase’s eyes. She could feel his shivers as she kept gazing through his eyes and into his soul. She was trying to soften the blow of what needed to be said with every ounce of love she could still project before the darkness of the machine swallowed her back into the void.

  “Chase, I know you want to save everyone; I know you don’t want any of your friends or loved ones to die.”

  Chase held a closed fist in front of him.

  “I won’t let this monster take one more life if I can prevent it! He will pay for Zeus’ death, for Saroudis and for everyone he has taken away from me!”

  “Chase— I’m so sorry I put you in this position.”

  Aphroditis cried rivers.

  “But, please understand what I’m telling you now. You can’t save them all. You just can’t. And if you try, if you act with caution instead of unleashing the full depth of your determination, then you— will— fail. As hard as it is for you to hear, you must be prepared to sacrifice more than I feel you’re currently willing to. But I beg you, trust your instincts; trust your loved ones. But let them do what must be done when the time comes, even if it claims their lives. Destiny will attend to itself, but you have to be willing to accept the sacrifices that may present themselves on your path. Only then will you defeat the Furies and death incarnate that Arakan is turning into. You will once more feel hatred and pain in your heart; just use them to fulfill your promise, Chase. I’m— I’m so sorry. I wish there was another way, but there isn’t.”

  Aphroditis felt she couldn’t hold the vision anymore, and while she saw both Argos and Chase’s mouth move, she couldn’t hear them and was already being swallowed back into the void.

  “What the fuck did that mean!?” said Argos. “Hasn’t the loss of Zeus and most of the Olympian civilization been sacrifice enough?”

  Chase fell to his knees. “Apparently not.”

  Argos knelt by his brother’s side and grabbed him by the shoulders.

  “Are you alright?”

  Chase could see the genuine worry in his brother’s eyes.

  “No, but I have to be.”

  “You’re not alone. I’m here with you until the end. Together, we’ll bring them down. Together—”

  But Argos couldn’t finish his sentence.

  “I won’t let you fail,” he added. “I’ll give my life to make sure you kill that motherfucker and send the Furies into the deepest chasms of hell once and for all.”

  “I know you would,” said Chase. “And I think Aphroditis knows I’m not willing to pay this price. I don’t want you or anyone else I love to die.”

  Argos slapped Chase.

  “You listen, and you listen well now, brother. You’re the most courageous and honorable living being that I know. Perhaps that has ever lived. But you are just one man, and you will need my help and the help of everyone who cares about you. Don’t disrespect their free will. That’s not who you are. If we must lay down our lives so that this universe survives, we will gladly do so. You need to accept this, and respect our choice when the time comes. Do you hear me?”

  Chase held a hand on his bruised cheek and smiled. He got back up and absently looked away.

  “Chase,” insisted Argos. “Did you hear me?”

  “I did.”

  “And you understand what I’ve told you?”

  Chase let a long and frustrated exhale escape him.

  “Between you and me. I’m not sure of anything anymore. All— All I know is we must finish this. I just don’t know if I’m ready to sacrifice more than we already have.”

  “Aphroditis used the last of her energy to bring that very message to you, what else do you need to accept that you may no longer have a choice in that matter?”

  “I— I’m sorry, Argos, please give me some time to think.”

  “Chase now is not the tim—”

  But, before Argos could finish his sentence, Chase had teleported away.

  Dammit, Chase!

  3

  “Why aren’t we already en route to Erevos? What the hell is wrong with you, Chase?” shouted Oryn.

  “Nothing is wrong with me.”

  Chase knew in his heart that he himself didn’t believe his own words.

  “Bullshit! Ever since Zeus died, I can feel something has changed in you.”

  “You’re the one to talk; you’re now only focused on revenge.”

  “As you should be, he was your grandfather! Don’t you want to see his murderer pay for what he’s done?”

  “Of course I do, but I don’t want you or anyone else to get hurt in the process.”

  “We’re not your crystal statues that you and only you can protect, Chase. This overbearingly protective attitude might fly with your son and Sarah, but I won’t have any of it, you hear me?! We’re all able to defend ourselves, and it’s about time you showed trust in us in these matters. Not to mention that last I checked, I do not report to you! If you’re unwilling to go to Erevos and do what needs to be done, you should let me know now, so I can find a way to get there myself.”

  “Oryn, please—”

  “No! Chase. As much as I respect you and I’m thankful that you saved my life, you need to understand this is not the time to be cautious. Now is the time to act, when Arakan thinks we’re at our weakest. And use the element of surprise before that window closes and we lose the opportunity to get your aunt, which also happens to be my half-sister, out of the infernal machine, and for you to rescue your father. I would think you’d want n
othing more than this!”

  Oryn’s words and infuriated tone cut at Chase’s heart. But he knew she was right, and part of him also knew she was driven by an insatiable thirst for revenge. Chase shared that sentiment as well. Of course he wanted to get his father. In fact, that’s almost all he could think about since the possibility of him still being alive had been brought to light.

  “Look, I’m not saying I don’t want all of this. I’m just not willing to fall into one of Arakan’s traps like we did with Asgard. He’s majorly played us, and we fell for it. It cost Zeus and most of an entire race their lives. What if that was just the beginning of Arakan’s plan; and that he has already anticipated our next move? Have you stopped to think about this, for just a minute?”

  “No, I haven’t. But I know this monster. I know his pride and his ego. And right now he thinks that he’s brought us to our knees and that he has time to regroup while we lick our wounds so that he can move to the next part of his plan.”

  “Perhaps— But Oryn, don’t you think we should take the time to lick our wounds and regroup so we can better retaliate, and not blindly rush toward the next trap? But instead come up with a well-oiled plan?”

  “I shouldn’t even have to tell you this, but plans have a tendency to go awry; one can never anticipate all the variables. Right now, all I know is that we need to get the soul ships. And that means we have to go to Erevos, get both Menelas and Aphroditis out, and while we’re there, if Arakan is there, then that’s when I will kill him.”

  “I can’t let you fight him alone; it’s idiotic to think that you can defeat him alone when both Zeus and Poseidon together have failed. We’re stronger as a unit, and we should take him down together. I know you want to be the one that inflicts the final blow, but you have to accept the fact that bringing Arakan down may require a team effort.”

  Oryn’s eyes flashed bright white, and Chase knew what that meant. The climate around them dropped to sub-zero temperatures, and Chase could feel the depth of Oryn’s hatred that she harbored toward the supreme commander and once father figure.