Instinctively she forces herself to eat, to nourish the growing child in her belly. The terror of it all is the silence, the fact that her cries go unnoticed, save the twice a day call and the moment when she can see the silhouette of a figure as her daily meals are delivered. No windows and no hope today as only her tears and the gentle rocking on the ocean surface soothe her in this dark prison. Sharing her prison not far down the hall, Tyler Morgan also sits with a blank stare fixed on the wall in front of him. Isolation can break the strongest spirit, but Angela knows the love that awaits her, a love that can never die.
Tyler feels more alone today than ever before, knowing not the fate of his comrade and all he can be sure of is that they haven't found him yet. Had he been located, Tyler knows his usefulness would surely be unnecessary at this point and his fate sealed. The man of faith has seen what these soldiers are capable of, nursing fresh wounds as flashes of torture techniques burn his memory, these horrible things that will haunt him on the arduous journey ahead. For the rest of his days the events of March 10th, 2025 A.D. will be painted across his heart like so many others and for his suffering from these persecutors, he will never speak of these events aloud.
It's been two weeks and there isn't a shred of evidence to lead Jonathan Reynolds toward his elusive target. Emerced in the life of an obscure painter from the 20st century, obsessed with a man known as Ashton Mortal. Standing on the deck of the U.S.S Solitude, his base of operations, as a breeze kicks up and he feels the chills of the Pacific surround him. Jonathan's hair stands on edge as he stares at the beautifully crafted pyramid that remains stationary on the ocean surface still, its purpose remaining a grand mystery indeed.
Silence surrounds this site taunting Jonathan, leaving so many unanswered questions and unsolved mysteries. How does a man just disappear into thin air? What does it all mean? Jonathan Reynolds is a man that is stressed to the max, a man with demons in his mind that are desperately clawing for the truth. The few men who know his first name look to his judgment to see this particular situation through. This is the first time Jonathan has felt defeat and this is an emotion he doesn't take kindly to. A notification goes off on his cellular phone as he taps his camouflaged earpiece to accept the call.
"Old friend, where do we stand?" A voice asks him.
"Forgive me Sir, this one is spooky. Ashton Mortal has vanished and with every resource we exhaust, we are no closer to an answer." Jonathan replies with a disappointed tone. "He has managed to allude us all together Sir."
"What's going on Jonathan? This isn't like you. I've never seen anyone get under your skin like this."
Jonathan is hesitant for a moment as he runs his eyes along the reflecting edges of the pyramid just off the port side of his ship. "Mr. President, I understand your situation Sir, but know that every measure is being taken to find him. We have his wife and best friend imprisoned onboard in solitary confinement where they've been for the last two weeks. We're going to interrogate them together in a few hours and see if we can't crack this thing wide open Sir."
"Sounds good, but if this leads you nowhere cut them loose. People are bound to be asking questions at this point, we still need deniability old friend. Put them under twenty four hour surveillance and see if that turns up any leads." The President instructs.
"Are you sure that's a wise choice Sir? We really have no idea how deep this thing goes."
"My advisors think that this is the best course of action at this time. We know our suspect, so it's only a matter of time before we find Ashton Mortal and the Payload he carries. Make sure you take care of this Jonathan, that's an order."
"Yes Sir, consider it done Mr. President."
The doors to both Tyler and Angela's cell swing open as Jason Scott and Greg Knight enter each cell individually. Both are weak, malnourished as they struggle to rise to their feet with the help of the soldiers. They are shown out of their cells one at a time down a long hallway as they come to the room with the large double doors. Walking through the doorway they find a fireplace burning and Jonathan sitting in his favorite executive chair holding his trusty glass of scotch, sloshing the three ice cubes about as the two prisoners are shackled to chairs.
Jason and Greg stand at attention silent as no one in the room makes a sound, only the crackling of the fire. Jonathan sits for a moment watching the flames dance once more, for it is these precious seconds where he finds subtle traces of peace. "Do you realize the kind of trouble this has generated for me, the magnitude of what's at stake here?" Jonathan asks the prisoners. Silence echoes through this room where decisions are made as the government official continues staring at the fire consuming the logs of wood. Angela just stares down at her lap trying to avoid the course of events her life seems to have taken. "So after everything you know, you still refuse to cooperate."
"You people think you can just do whatever the hell you want and get away with it! You think you're above judgment? You make me sick!" Tyler suddenly blurts out.
"Let us go!" Angela pleads to the aged government official. "We've done nothing wrong."
"Speak for yourself young lady. Your friend Tyler here stole property of the United States government." Jonathan heckles leaning forward in his chair.
"Just because you claim it, doesn't make it yours!" Tyler shouts back.
"I've had it with you both, you're absolutely useless! I brought you in here to let you know we will be releasing you immediately."
"Another mind game Jonathan? Keep trying!" Tyler says with a laugh.
"Cocky little shit." Jonathan replies irritated. "Just know, when I find Ashton Mortal I will make him tell me everything I need to know. If I find out you both have anything further to do with this, you will never see the light of day again!"
"Why let us go now?" Angela asks. "After all you've done."
"You did this to yourself! Get them out of my sight Lieutenant Scott!" Jonathan says with a wave of his hand.
Jason and Greg walk over to the prisoners and begin to unfasten their restraints. They take them out of the room and head for the main deck of the U.S.S Solitude, where a chopper is on standby waiting to take them back to the mainland. Angela and Tyler are hurried into the chopper only getting a brief glimpse of the mesmerizing crystal pyramid, glistening in the sunrise of the Pacific. Jason and Greg accompany them on their journey home as escorts, hoping to salvage a now strained friendship.
Sitting in the chopper as it flies over the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, Greg breaks the silence. "Look, we're sorry Angela, you gotta' believe us! We had no idea you and Ash were involved in this."
"I don't doubt that Greg. The least you could have done is explain who we are. You know damn well we're not terrorists!"
"We tried, but this mission goes way over our heads." Greg reveals. "Top priority and just to give you a heads up, you're both gonna' be under some heavy surveillance for a very long time."
"What day is it?" Tyler asks.
"April 3rd." Greg replies.
"I notified Ash's parents and your mother Angela. Cynthia was in Europe on business, but they will all meet you at home." Jason says. "They don't know the extent of what's been going on and you should probably keep what you know to yourself for the time being."
Angela leans forward in her seat facing Jason on the opposing side of the chopper. "What do they know Jason?"
"That you and Ash have been held for national security reasons and that Ash will continue to be held for these security reasons. They do not know he's missing."
"I think what you people do is sick! Messing with people's lives like this." Tyler says disgusted with the two soldiers. "This isn't freedom!"
"All in a days work bud. There's a reason we have the job and you don't." Greg responds.
The chopper continues its flight and lands in a secluded airport not far from the San Diego coastline. A white transport vehicle with no windows meets the chopper as the two prisoners are transferred to be shuttled home. Jason and Greg accompany Tyler and A
ngela to the house on 4983 Utopia Drive as the van finally arrives at a familiar place. "Now listen, there's gonna' be a lot of questions from a lot of people. As far as you know, Ash is involved with a government project and that is all you know. Understand?" Greg asks.
"You want me to just lie? Just like that to my own family, to his mother? What kind of person do you think I am?"
"Angela please! You know this thing is above our heads, I mean for God's sake, you both know something's going on here. Don't make this any more difficult than it needs to be. Look we know Ash is missing and something beyond explanation is going on here, so help us out a little." Greg says trying to reason with the captives.
"Find my husband Greg! If anything happens to him…I'll hold you both personally responsible!" Angela warns.
"You better not hurt Ash!" Tyler says. "He has done nothing wrong, I take full responsibility for my actions."
"Look, we're gonna' do everything in our power to get to the bottom of this, please just be patient. The minute we know something, you will too." Jason says calmly. "You have my word."
"Find m-my husband…pl-please, find my husband." Angela replies as tears build in her eyes.
CHAPTER: 11
UNIFICATION
Ashton Mortal was the man I used to be, the name of a whisper, now only a reflection of the human lost within the eye of destiny. Sitting near the statue of Vexicus not far from the large pyramid monument on the shorelines of Father I stare out onto a world vast and full, a place where dreams are as real as the drum beat in my chest. A manifestation of this creator as eternity glides along elegantly reflecting the purity of this place. I don't know how long I've been here as I calmly meditate near the mountain's edge. Indeed I have changed, but my core remains the same as my thoughts follow the silent echo of this Garden of Eden.
Angela is my dream, the only thing that matters as now the life I had planned with the woman I love has changed. Now I am in this place, within Father and I have a new destiny, one I cannot escape. My wife is my reason, the love of my life and my future son, God I so desperately want this life with them. I would do anything for their safety, for the ones I love and in these moments I come to the paradox that has become my life. This creator has shown me the truths of what my dreams finally mean, what destiny holds in store. For weeks now I have contemplated my reincarnated shadows, allowing me to completely understand the gravity of the situation.
The truth was something I could have never expected, never understood until now. These days I feel most lost, a thought of remembrance floating through the repeating eternity of time, yet this eve's oncoming brings something new to my spirit. I can feel the energy that courses through my body, this power I channel with my heart. Power like I could never describe, the birth of a warrior and now I've become a ghostly reflection of the man I used to be. My humanity is my last remaining human trait, for this body has become very alien to me. My love for my wife and child will stretch out from all corners of the cosmos in all places of creation's dawn.
Whatever it takes to see this through, even if it means sacrificing the moments I care for the most to ensure they remain safe. Sitting for a while longer I scan over my favorite memories with my wife, the happiest days I knew in a life I won't dare to forget. I feel a presence behind me as my eyelids peel back revealing the blackness that clouds them. "Ashton, the moment has arrived." The figure says from my backside.
"What shall we do?"
"Whatever you choose my son. The fates of all things remain your decision alone."
I stand and turn facing the glowing being standing at my backside. "You give this choice to me alone, why not make the choice yourself? I mean, you started this whole thing to begin with."
"This unification of all things is not within my control. I gave life, a transfer of energy yet do not have the power to decide these fates. My creation is that of free will and you are the host I need to exist within that creation, this is your choice."
"My choice?"
"Yes Ashton, you know the truth of creation, you know what is needed of you. You must now choose to take your rightful place as king of this universe and all that mirror its reflection, or return to the life you once had for a short time, until the chaos finally finds you." The figure explains with a straightforward approach.
"Great list of options there huh. So if I help you leave this place, I say what goes?" I ask. "We do what I want?
"Yes, you make the choice in the fate of all things to come my son. I know the answer is within you."
Rolling the idea around in my head, I come to grips with these harsh terms. "Here's the deal then, I will do what is needed, I will help fight this battle you speak of and together we will stop this tyrant. But when this fight is finished, I will return to my family and be free of this burden. Understood?"
"All choices are your own now, fate is the weapon you wield, for your powers are now limitless and together we can finally end this war." The glowing figure replies. "We will inspire the hearts of freedom and rescue those lost to the injustices of long ago."
"So be it. I have decided on a name for you creator, a name destiny has chosen for us." I say with my fist clenched, energy seething from the darkness filling my eyes. "From this day forth you will be known as Mortalitus, together we will be Mortalitus."
"As you wish Ashton Mortal. I am Mortalitus, we are Mortalitus. Follow me now and we can begin the process."
We journey back to the beach of my awakening, long ago it seems at this point. I've lost all track of time, trying to adjust to everything that's happened to me, everything I've ever been. The words of Vexicus Miogar live on in my heart and his mission to unify the stars remains most important, as do many of the tasks linked to many of the lives I once called my own. On my home planet Earth, I was every key figure in the evolution of mankind, touching every corner of the planet with ideals from the stars. Religious icons, dreamers, prophets, messiahs and voices of reason, all stepping stones to Ashton Mortal, the last hope for peace.
I walk alongside Mortalitus up to the pool in which he first appeared to me. Still the liquid remains motionless, silently pouring into the oceans of Father. Standing, we face the energy pool for a few moments with no words, just majesty. "Step into the pool Ashton, into the embrace of Father to begin this transformation."
A steady drum beat in my chest, pounding in the distance with the tremble in my heart. Thoughts of everything I thought my life would be, the dreams I shared with those I love. Feeling destiny at my doorstep, time slowly runs out of the hourglass, if only I could fully understand the dark places this saga might take me. Mortalitus at my side, I take a deep breath and push myself to walk forward into this pool of all creation. Slowly I step on its surface, one foot at a time yet I do not sink into the liquid energy. Hovering silently just above the surface, I continue to walk towards the center of the pool.
I turn and face Mortalitus as he stares back at me, the liquid below giving off a steadily increasing glow different from usual. Mortalitus begins to walk toward me, one step at a time, very slowly until he too shares the center of the pool with me. Facing each other, my heart racing, no expectations for a moment like this, like nothing I've ever experienced. "Ashton Mortal, with this we become one, everything I am will become everything you are destined to be. Will you accept this responsibility?"
"I will."
The liquid below us begins to react, the same way it did when Mortalitus first appeared to me. Strand after strand of energy stretches upward from the once calm surface toward Mortalitus and I. Standing in the center of this pool of energy facing the creator of all life in the known universe, I feel the moment finally at hand. Mortalitus steps forward toward me, walking through me almost as his glowing figure merges with my body, his presence occupying the same space. The intensity of this creature grows calling forth the powers of creation, the powers of the universe.
These liquid strands of energy begin to cocoon our combined figure, coating us as my body levitat
es into the air yet again as this amazing force comes over me and the transformation begins. I feel Mortalitus sync with my body, his figure becoming my own as we are wrapped together in this energy cocoon. The intense glow becomes brilliant; the presence of something beautiful as nothing through my existence could prepare me for this fateful moment. Baptized in the primordial essence of Father and the creations of all life as these surreal moments reinforce my thoughts of her.
Energy abruptly explodes from the cocoon outward in all directions as I find myself let out a roar, my head tilted backward. I feel all things in all places instantly become one with me in that second. This iconic roar from this union of creator and creation echoes forever within the violent seas of Father for all to hear. The glowing figure that was Mortalitus melts away, coating my body as it merges with the primordial liquid of Father. Mortalitus becomes as much apart of me as my very skin, a new skin like a metaphysical parasite and I have become its host.
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