“My investigative sources are assuring me this new 'CALI protocol' affecting the AIs is clearly NOT the Department, nor any of Corporate Security's doing. As to how this will impact operations, we shall see,” Anthony explained with confidence.
“What of Cain? As Vaudi said, Cain has yet to be found,” Raldron expressed his concern.
“My sources investigating the issue of Cain, have assessed the threat did not survive the explosion,” Anthony assured Raldron. “The Cain threat is no more.”
“But why didn’t you mention that to Huir?” Raldron asked.
Anthony gave each a glance before taking a sip from his glass. “Must have slipped my mind.”
*** Kyrios inspected the edge of his Dark Realm, adjacent to the Realm of Light he so desperately desired. Never before had there been such a demarcation of the boundary, now defined by thousands of his warriors caught, some partially surviving the transition with the loss of a limb, others agonizing with near deadly results of being turned to a white crystalline form at the point of crossing. Millions more between the Realms were now crystalline statues, their look of horror frozen for all eternity, capturing an instant in time, from the strange blast.
“What is this sorcery, this weapon of such power?” Kyrios demanded to know.
The Animus hovered near the unseen boundary, not daring to cross, unsure if the power of the blast was still in effect. “I have never seen such a thing, My Lord,” the Animus admitted.
Toward the middle ground between the Dark Realm boundary and the crystalline protective wall of the Light Realm, a ball of light appeared, growing and forming to a humanoid shape. Kyrios watched as the luminous humanoid coalesced to that of a magnificent warrior clad in brilliant, glowing armor, with long white hair and a dark streak over the left eye, and strong facial features that were of some familiarity. Only the ring on the warrior’s left hand, confirmed Kyrios's suspicions.
“Cain!” Kyrios announced, as though beckoning an ally.
“Cain is no more,” the warrior announced, approaching the boundary, to face Kyrios, each on opposite sides.
“Li?” Kyrios suggested, now unsure to whom he was speaking.
“Li is no more. I am the metamorphosis, now completed; whole. I am Ca'li.”
“I see only a warrior's strength and stature. Li was defeated,” Kyrios argued.
“You see what you will, what you need, what is familiar. But do not assume you know me,” Ca'li declared.
“You still wear the ring--I own you. You are mine to command. Do not forget your place,” Kyrios demanded.
“You hold no power over me,” Ca'li replied, pulling the ring from the finger without resistance. Ca'li sent the ring floating across the boundary back to the Dark Realm and engulfed by the Animus. “This ring holds no power over me.”
Kyrios sent an order to his Animus. The black smoky being, moved with swift intention toward Ca'li. A portion of the black smoky being crossed the unseen boundary line, and the smoke turned to a white powder, and drifted to the ground like falling snow. The Animus pulled back to the Dark Realm before being completely transformed.
Enraged, Kyrios reached with a dark crystalline spire toward Ca'li, but the crystal turned clear as the spire crossed the unseen boundary, slowing to a stop just before reaching Ca'li's chest armor. Ca'li grabbed the spire and the crystal turned clear white, reaching all the way back toward the base at Kyrios's chest. With a flick, Ca'li snapped the spire off, leaving a white-ringed scar on Kyrios's chest as a small portion of the black crystal remained, encased by the larger base at the end of the spire. Ca'li stood the spire upright like a tall staff, the blunt end reformed as though liquid fire surrounding a black core.
Kyrios's screech of pain echoed off into the distance, while lightning bolts skittered across the dark skies of the Dark Realm further proclaiming the damage and pain. The rolling thunder died off after a few moments, to a deafening silence.
“You would seek war with me?” Kyrios grimaced in continued pain. “You have no armies, you have nothing!”
“I seek no war, nor do I have desires for the Dark Realm,” Ca'li stated. “Although the Tutela-Animus of the Realm of Light, neither have desires within your Dark Realm, I have placed this boundary, this barrier here between both the Light and the Dark Realms, that neither side may enter or cross.”
“What gives you the right--”
“My right, is given by my strength within this universe, this domain, and my honor,” Ca'li interrupted. “I am providing needed balance.”
“What makes you think I will stand by the
proclamation of an abomination such as you? I would not lower myself to simple negotiations,” Kyrios declared. “This is trickery, no proof of your power--”
“My proof stands tall for all to see,” Ca'li interrupted, planting the spire-staff firmly into the ground among the bodies of Kyrios's frozen army.
“Proof of what? There can be no agreement,” Kyrios argued.
“Proof--that I can hurt you. Let this spire standing here within this boundary, remind you of a fact you cannot deny,” Ca'li proclaimed. “And deter further aggression toward the Realm of Light.
“That is all?” Kyrios was skeptical. “No further demands, nor shows of force?”
“I have no further cause or dispute with you,” Ca'li explained.
“I would--”
“As I would expect from you, and I will forever remain vigilant.”
“Then we are at an impasse,” Kyrios growled his continued argument.
“A forced truce,” Ca'li assured.
“For now--” Kyrios further defined, not realizing his misstepped sarcasm.
“I accept your terms. We now have an accord,” Ca'li was quick to acknowledge, as the universe too, accepted the terms of the agreement between the empowered entities, with a rumble of the ground echoing off throughout the dimensions and domains.
“More trickery!” Kyrios growled his displeasure with the results of the undesired negotiations. With a flash of lightning, and thunderous resonance, Kyrios retreated to his chambers. This dispute and egregious illusion of power would be tested again, and soon--but only after consulting the secrets of his father's book.
*** The warm season for the NorWes part of Earth was still a few weeks away, and the chill in the first light of the
new day was quite evident as a light breeze pulled the cool air down the canyon from the snowfields. Kutch was glad he had gone back to the shuttle and grabbed his long coat, although Alex didn't seem to mind the animal skin wrap she had keeping her warm in the early morning hours.
The procession of friends and family moving up and down Ca'li’s staircase, surrounded individual statues of loved ones, honoring those who had passed by the hand of Cain. Kutch was surprised, how the mood had changed from sorrow to reflection and bestowing honor, and many more proclaimed and rejoiced the passage of a longawaited prophecy. Kutch had stayed up the entire night watching the events of the strange night.
“Kutch, Alex!” Novia approached with an older Earth man, Kutch had not seen before.
“Kutch, this is Grafter, from the Moon,” Novia introduced. “He wishes to talk to you about the Keepers--”
“The Keepers?” Kutch asked.
“Yes, you have been to see the Keepers of the Time,” Grafter corrected and greeted with an arm extended.
“Oh, yes, them.” Kutch tried to clutch the man's arm in the tradition of the Earth greeting. Unfortunately, the man's grip was too strong and Kutch's PPD forced his hand away.
“I am sorry--I am still learning the ways of this new technology,” Grafter said, trying again but more gently.
“You also know of the Keepers of the Time?” Kutch asked.
“I am in search of my scion--um,” Grafter paused to search his memories for the translation to the NorWes dialect. “Child-ren--child.”
“A male child is call a son,” Novia interjected.
“Yes, son--his name is Tayl,” Grafter added.
Alex recognized that name right away, and stepped closer. “Tayl? Tall, pale skin, bright red-orange hair?” “YES, that is Tayl,” Grafter agreed.
“We met a large Earth human there by that name,” Kutch continued.
“The artificial entity on the craft from the moon--Jenai, says I should request--coordinates,” Grafter suggested.
“I'll have my tactical AI send them right over,” Alex agreed.
“Sure, the leader is an older Earth man named, Kulma,” Kutch added. “He knows us and--” Kutch stopped.
“What's wrong?” Novia wondered.
Alex shook her head. “Not a good idea.”
“Yeah, it might be best not to mention our names.” Kutch agreed.
“Why?” Grafter asked.
“They may think we broke their Keeper of the Time,” Alex hinted a vague explanation.
“What?” Novia asked. “You broke something?”
“No, it was already broken--but now...it shows a different time than their 'sacred time,'” Kutch attempted to explain.
The look on Novia and Grafter's faces suggested more explanation was needed.
“That's a much longer story--for another time,” Kutch continued.
“And we should be going now, anyway,” Alex added.
“Where?” Novia asked. “You will return for the official ceremonies, yes?”
“We still have a lot of information to get from Proto--” Kutch answered. “When are the ceremonies?”
“Presley1477 and I will be working together to develop something appropriate for their members. We should be ready by the summer star festivals,” Novia explained.
Grafter tapped at the small transceiver sticking out from his ear. “I will be leaving now too. I have just received indications from Jenai, that she has received the coordinates and the sky-ship is ready for departure.”
“Are you going now to find your son?” Novia asked.
Grafter shook his head. “I have a responsibility to the people from the moon, to get them back to their homes. Once I have accomplished that, I will seek my scion--my son.” Grafter gave Novia a hug and waved to Alex and Kutch as he left. On his way he passed Damus who approached with a slow limp and another Elvonian, dressed in the full ceremonial jumper with blinkingcolored lights, full head-dress, and carrying a large bundle.
Damus pointed to Kutch and stepped close to Novia for support.
“Are you Kutch, series EJ-AG4162D-9?” The Elvonian struggled with the NorWes dialect.
Kutch gave everyone a cautious glance, then answered. “Yes?”
“I have been sent on behalf of Presley2945 and Presley1285 to present to you the completed project,” the Elvonian replied.
“Completed project?” Alex asked first, though Kutch was wondering the same.
The Elvonian began to unwrap the bundle to expose a large book that Kutch recognized right away.
“The book? I thought that was lost in the fire at Arcquis Resort?” Kutch asked with surprise.
“The book was heavily damaged, but Presley1285 and Presley2945 assigned a team of technicians to restore the original as best as possible. The total project has taken the better part of the last six fiscal years to complete,” the Elvonian explained, handing the large book to Kutch, followed with a deep traditional bow.
“It took six years to repair that book?” Alex asked, trying to hold back her skepticism.
“Oh, not at all. The technicians analyzed Kutch's data collection authentication protocols and sifted through the vast database that Anthony--Presley2945--had collected over the last several thousand years, that was recovered from the fire. Based on this first prototype, we have assembled three thousand, seven-hundred and thirty-five additional books, with additional embedded technology.”
“Three thous--” Kutch stopped; the words stuck in his mouth in shock.
“You embedded technology into the book?” Alex asked.
“Yes, we have embedded audio and visual files into the synth-paper, as well as holographic displays where necessary. Also included are embedded translations between the many ancient languages, dialects and codex symbols,” the Elvonian explained with pride.
“Three Thousand?” Kutch tried again.
“That would be incorrect. Three thousand, sevenhundred and thirty-five additional books of similar size and nature,” the Elvonian corrected. “There are three cargo containers being unloaded from my small transport at the lower end of the Canyon, as we speak. Presley1285 and Presley2945 wanted you to have them as soon as they felt it would be safe.”
“What am I going to do with three thousand books?” Kutch demanded, shaking his head.
“Three thousand, seven-hundred and thirty-five books, plus this one,” Alex poked at Kutch with a smirk.
Novia stepped up to see the book closer. “May I?” Novia gestured toward the book. “I may have an idea, if you would like?”
Kutch nodded, too numb to speak, handing Novia the book to examine.
Novia looked to Damus, who seemed to know exactly what Novia was thinking. “We can build a place of honor at the village. A place where you can keep and store your books as well as any other items of interest, and visit upon your many returns to the NorWes clans,” Novia explained.
“I'll bet Proto has a LOT more stuff we could add to the collection,” Alex assured.
“Like a repository,” Damus added. “A place to show off what you find.”
“We'll call it the 'Tara'Arth, Earth Memorial
Repository,'” Novia suggested.
Kutch nodded. “Sure...the 'Kutch and Alex, Tara'Arth, Earth Memorial Repository.' I like that.”
Alex shook her head. “Wait a minute--Kutch and Alex? Why not the Alex and Kutch, Tara'Arth, Memorial Earth Repository?”
“Because--Kutch and Alex just sounds better,” Kutch explained.
“Who says?”
“I just did. Besides, I made the first book of the collection.”
“Because of MY suggestion,” Alex stated.
Kutch started toward their shuttle across the clearing. “Next you'll start claiming everything was YOUR idea--”
Alex followed Kutch. “If you mean, going back to see Proto, then yes--that WAS my idea too.”
“Are you serious? I found Proto first. I told you about him--Me, FIRST,” Kutch assured.
“You always think you're the first one for everything!” Alex exclaimed.
“Who was the first to have an AI turn into some interdimensional being, huh?”
“Are you claiming you had something to do with that?”
“I'm just saying that has to count for something--”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Alex asked.
“It means I have a right to pilot the shuttle back to Proto this time, and no excuses!”
“WHAT?”
“It's my turn--”
“The ship’s AI won't let you,” Alex assured.
“Why?”
“Because I told her never to let you--”
“Oh, that's so not fair--”
“Not fair, but safe!”
“That's SO NOT TRUE!”
The Elvonian stared and listened to Kutch and Alex argue as they walked away, their voices carrying off into the morning mist, toward the dark shuttle across the clearing. “I do not understand what just happened. Is there going to be a problem between them now?” he asked.
Novia shook her head. “No. Everything is--normal-between them.” Damus chuckled at Novia's explanation, guarding his broken ribs.
“But...what am I to do with all of the books?” the Elvonian asked.
“We will take good care of them,” Novia assured.
*** The great crystalline pillars reached to a ceiling filled with a universe of stars and galaxies, with the grand ornate doors at the far end, as always, but all felt much smaller to Ca'li--even towering over the top of the TutelaAnimi.
It is good to see you have come together as one...whole...
But you have no purpose here now...you have already traveled beyond those doors, and back...I have nothing more to offer...
“I have come to honor your wisdom and guidance throughout my journey.” Ca'li nodded before standing tall once more. “I know now, you and the many Tutela-Animus I have encountered, are of an ancient race of beings--I have felt and recognized the Aki throughout this universe. Travelers, teachers, warriors--guardians of realms.”
I am but a simple attendee...a guide to the possibilities...offering the answers your heart already knows...
“And I wish to honor your guidance and wisdom by accepting this path offered before me, and making this gesture complete--by passing through the doors,” Ca'li explained with reverence.
We are all honored...
Ca'li and the Tutela-Animi glided over the glass-like flooring, passing row after row of the large crystalline pillars in silence, until reaching the large ornate doors covered in gold and silver. Without hesitation, Ca'li took the handles and pushed the doors open, allowing the brilliance of the other side to bath them both before stepping through.
“I stand here, humbled by the light of possibilities, and pray I may always find my way back--that I may gaze upon your radiant beauty, feast upon the enlightenment of your guidance, and rest within the bosom of your wisdom--whenever in my hour of need,” Ca'li said before disappearing into the light. The echo of the doors closing, rumbled into the far corners of the crystalline hall.
Only in your heart can you answer your prayer, my dear Ca'li...
*** Mar'ya was becoming annoyed in short order, with Presley1625 waving the small device around
Presley1833's extended belly, over and over for ever more data collection. Novia arrived for her visit, just as Mar'ya forcibly removed Presley1833 from the small cavern cutout. Although several long-houses had been rebuilt at the main village below, many NorWes clan families, including the Presleys returned to the caverns for space that was already available, to protect themselves from the coming winter.
Birth Of A Goddess Page 50