Origin: Eternity's End

by Uneeb Qureshi

He remained on the idea, prompting a revision of his previous mantra.

  “Accept it. There is no such thing as pain here, look around...”

  But the idea failed, his head refused to budge. The ground felt soft and warm underneath him, as if he was lying on a bed of fertile flowers. He imagined himself on the banks of the ancient rivers in his youth, days when the fate of his people was not a burden on him. He basked in the light, feeling solace in the warmth. It let him know he still had a sense of touch left in his lifeless body.

  “You big moe-moe…” Said a young boy in the distance.

  His eyes grew open and his breath grew deep, he recognized the voice. He could hear himself breathing, his hearing was coming back. The boy ran over to Sheppard and bent over looking down at him. His head blocked the sunlight for the most part, Sheppard’s vision began to focus but it was still weak.

  The light eclipsed the little boy’s head. “I wanted to grow up and be like you, but now you’ve just given up on everything…” The boy said with a lousy grin.

  Sheppard could not resist a smirk and an off-hand moment of laughter. A hand rested on the top of the boy’s head pushing him aside. A more mature young man now gazed down at Sheppard with despair filling his countenance.

  “When I saw you tens of thousands of years ago you were a man who did not care what others thought. You embraced and welcomed death but would never let it take you so easy…so why are you laying here now?” Sheppard could not make out the man’s facial features. But the voice sounded even more familiar than the first.

  Sheppard tried to utter words but his vocal cords hurt as they stretched. His words came out in rather silent ululating tongues.

  The young man shook his head and stood up as if walking away. Sheppard mustered enough strength to raise his arm but he was immediately struck in the chest with a swift kick. An unbearable pressure lay on his chest.

  Sheppard looked at the new visitor. His clothing reminded him of the Founding. The man’s silhouette was all he could see. The sun now moved behind him. Sheppard tried to raise himself but was immediately struck back down. His sense of pain had returned. Something he preferred to the empty feeling of existence he had before.

  “What now young prince, the inheritor of our legacy?”

  Sheppard began to spurt out blood from the edge of his mouth. His small intestines had been pierced by something. He spoke back when his sense of sight and speech finally returned.

  He was looking at a shade of his former self. The embodiment of his reckless ways. The apparition held a pole with an indiscernible flag at the top. His dark persona planted the flag pole deeper into his abdomen. The pain was bearable but uncomforting.

  “What now?” The apparition beckoned.

  “I want…” Sheppard began, “To end this.”

  “And then what, what will you do after? You coward. You had the world in the palm of your hands and feared it. You feared that which looked to you for answers. That which revered you like a de-ity.”

  “The world no longer needs me…” Sheppard replied.

  “Does not need you? For over forty-thousand years you ruled this Earth like a tyrant. Whatever satiated your desire. This world would be lost without you the way your blood lines are already lost.”

  Sheppard tried to resist but the apparition planted its feet on his chest, slowly pressing the air out of his lungs.

  “The tyrant prince…you will always be remembered as that. Women approached you like cattle, one by one demanding to bear your children. How many did you leave bastards? To wander the Earth for the rest of their miserable existence, not knowing their royal blood…and how many did you find when you scoured the Earth years later, only to realize they had inter-bred with the mortals?”

  Sheppard did not resist anymore, the apparition stopped torquing the pole in his abdomen and stepped off of his chest. The other two figures stood by the violent apparition’s side, this time both stood looking at him. Even amidst the powerful light shining on his eyes he could see their faces. Each of them was a shade of his former self, representations of times in his existence he had since chose to forget.

  The small immature, innocent and hopeful young child he was looked at him and smiled. He hardly recognized that he was that handsome in his youth, the dirt and cuts that covered his body were characteristic of those days.

  The older one stood resolute compared to the dark apparition. The middle-aged apparition kept its countenance neutral, choosing instead to nod in respect to its now wizened older self. Sheppard smirked, as if trying to remember how naïve he was back then. But the key to his future lied in him now.

  He gazed back at the dark apparition. It was standing with its back to Sheppard as he lay impaled to the ground by the flag pole in his abdomen.

  “Wake up now, Sheppard. Your time is not done here. We know you’re not dead, just yet.”

  With those words his eyes opened wide. In the sunlight his eyes were now a brilliant sky blue, the humor in his eyes rippled like waves. He was not dead yet.

  He lifted his knees, ready to pull himself up. Almost demonically he stretched out his hands and lifted his body up while keeping his posture stiff. By the time his body was up-right he saw a flagpole covered in his blood by where he laid.

  He pulled out anti-bacterial foam from his emergency medical pack and blasted the foam into his wound, he grunted in pain as the cold foam expanded to fill his abdominal cavity. His body took over almost immediately and began repairing its intricate muscle fibers.

  He took several deep breaths before opening his eyes and looking at where the dark apparition stood. Several Eri soldiers with their helmets off glanced back at him, they were moments from taking a photo in front of his former corpse. Sheppard shook his head and charged them.

  As they fell, his body was revived with a second wind. His armor, cracked and worn, turned fiery orange. Sheppard let out a fierce war cry as his body ached in pain and want. He still had a mission to complete before he could rest in peace.

  With every step, his abdomen shot cries of pain through his spine. He bore the pain, this would be his greatest hour, he could only hope that others would find him soon and share the glory.

  The remainder of the Eri continued their pursuit, preoccupied with Krontos. Sheppard stopped a moment behind a tree to survey his surroundings. They were just outside of Arlington National Cemetery.

  He heard another round of gunfire off to the distance behind him. As he crept back through the trees to get a better view he saw his backup had arrived. From the metro-rail system dozens of Phoenix Legionnaires poured out. The crates of Eri and vital communications equipment still lay outside of the metro terminal, used by the Legionnaires in their ambush. The Legion infantries were appearing from the terminal and from the forest in the distance behind them.

  Well, it seems not all is lost.

  His men provided the distraction for him to safely sneak into the main cemetery grounds. In the distance he could see Arlington House, it brought back memories.

  Chapter 22

  Tabula Rasa

  Arlington National Cemetery

  Sheppard reached the steps of Arlington House and immediately detached his rifle, readying himself for what was inside. He swung the doors of the Greek revival style mansion and stormed inside, surveying its surroundings he found it quiet, empty.

  He grunted as he checked his chest. Large chunks of foam were turning to dust. His body was healing faster than he thought. As he brushed off the debris he continued forward.

  He stepped silently up the stairs. The empty mansion brought back memories.

  He stared at the now unused fireplace.

  Creaks were heard from the hallway. He snapped his rifle at the door expecting an enemy but saw an injured dog enter the room. It was a beautiful female German shepherd with a very friendly demeanor.

  It barked once at Sheppard. He laid down his weapon and knelt down to its level. He removed his helmet to show it he was human. The dog w
alked up to him, whimpering. Its collar and leash was tattered and hurting its neck.

  Sheppard unhooked the leash and petted the dog around the scruff of its neck, checking for any injuries. The dog lowered its head, it needed a friend in this desolate battle field.

  Cute little thing… He pulled out rations and water from his pack and fed the dog with his cupped hands.

  “You’re okay girl, stay here until this is all over…” After the dog finished eating it looked at Sheppard with its dark eyes and whimpered some more, sniffing him. It wanted to climb up on him and ask him something, but it knew he would not know what it was saying.

  Sheppard felt helpless not knowing what it wanted. He donned his helmet again and followed it outside. The dog raised its ears and tail as it looked into the distance. The forests and open fields wreaked of burning wreckage and incessant gunfire.

  The dog glared stalwartly into the distance, looking back at him now and again to act.

  He knelt again at its side and brushed it effeminately, “Where’s your master girl…” He whispered into the dog’s ear but it did not understand him.

  The dog left his grasp and moved through the Greek columns that comprised the front of the mansion. It paused and looked at the Amphitheatre in the distance, one of the site’s most visited landmarks. The Roman architecture reminded Sheppard of his days of service to the Roman legions many centuries ago.

  “You know I had a friend like you many thousands of years ago,” He talked to it as if it was a child, he grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck and brushed it with his fingers. “But he was a wolf.” He whispered, “Don’t worry you looked much cuter than he did,” He let out a laugh, the dog barked in acknowledgment. “On the other hand you’re a beautiful young dog.” He smirked at her, animals may not understand all human emotions but he knew the dog understood his compassion.

  He let her go and stood up, the dog stood at his side loyally. “You remind me a lot of him, I’m sure you two would have gotten along great.”

  The Amphitheatre…maybe he is there… He thought as he looked in the distance.

  He crept behind the house and made his way across the lawn but stopped as he sensed the dog following. “No,” He pointed to the ground, “Stay.” The dog sat and stared at him, wagging its tail.

  He turned back and proceeded across the lawn. The dog barked and continued following him again keeping a distance. An artillery shell exploded on the ground just near Sheppard.

  The dog barked madly as the ground seared from the blast. He deftly rolled away in time and ran through the fields toward the forest. The dog remained in its spot, waiting for its new friend to return.

  “Wow Shep, you can’t go a minute without being shot at can you?” Sheppard was alone, he used these awkward moments to pretend he was crazy. It kept him sane. Like a ventriloquist he used his left and right hands as puppets and held a conversation with himself, “But you’re so strong and smart you can survive anything!”

  He was growing deathly tired of being attacked wantonly. “Once you get to that amphitheatre you’ll get him this time, right?” Said his left hand in a gravelly voice.

  “Yes, yes! He’ll end this war once and for…” As his right hand finished speaking he became surrounded by a number of soldiers. Their weapons fixed on him.

  Many had camouflage paint on their bodies allowing them to meld with the shrubbery. His lips were pouted just as he was about to respond with one of his hands. He glared and recognized them as U.S. Army soldiers. “Herro…” His right hand said toward them, Sheppard had a hard time pronouncing his L’s in the high-pitched voice.

  “Okay, I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding,” He said as he talked normally, he lowered his hands. “I’m not crazy.”

  “Commander Sheppard Artanis, of the Immortal Legions?” One of the soldiers asked.

  “Yes, have we met before?” He said rather confused.

  “Your lieutenant, Krontos, has sent us to find you. We’re part of the Old Guard contingent assigned to the grounds, soon as we came under attack we suited up and prepared for battle, sir.”

  “Wow.” Sheppard said, “You guys survived this long versus the Eri?”

  “We sustained heavy casualties out in the open but once we took to the forests we were able to gain the upper hand. They’re strong but they don’t know the terrain for shit.”

  “I would hope not, ninety percent of them have never seen the Earth.” He looked around. “How many of you guys are still left?”

  “We’re the first battalion. The fourth is still at Fort Myer. We lost contact with them hours ago.”

  “They have radar jamming stations around here. Have you guys noticed any funny looking towers or dishes around here?”

  “There have been a few in the distance but our scouts report that base is already under attack by another unknown force.”

  “Our soldiers are coming out of the metro system,” Sheppard replied, “Air support should be here anytime now. Our forces are stretched just as pre-occupied in the city and the region as your forces are… If you see anyone wearing Jet black armor like me then hold your fire, those are our men.”

  Sheppard thought for a moment, “By the way have your men noticed anything strange around the Amphitheatre?”

  “Approximately two hours ago a large contingent of enemy troops moved into the stage. We haven’t returned since, the forest surrounding the theatre is full of patrols. It’s approximately three clicks north of here.”

  “What’s a click again?” Sheppard felt dumb, “Never mind, I’ll figure it out eventually…”

  “Permission to accompany you, sir.”

  “Permission granted, but,” He interjected, “Find Krontos and bring him with you, this might get a little messy.”

  From the woods he could see inside the Amphitheatre. With his help, the Old Guard was able to neutralize several Eri patrols in the forest. But the worst was yet to come.

  The structure looked unguarded at first glance. He stepped out into the open, his camouflage unit melded with the grass.

  By the time he reached the steps of the Roman structure he could feel his chest stiffening. His outer skin healed tremendously, but it was still a gaping wound in his chest.

  He hid behind a column taking one last glance at the soldiers waiting in the trees for his signal.

  He stood up, Enough hiding… He stormed into the center of the Amphitheatre taunting his enemies to appear. He heard the echoes of his footsteps. The architecture reminded him of Rome, the crowds had lauded him then as a hero in structures much like this but much larger.

  Publius Cornelius Scipio… He let out a laugh as he remembered his old name during that age, After me it just went downhill…

  He milled around the structure. After sitting down he looked around him. The forests just outside of the structure swayed in the breeze.

  The rustling of the leaves and the low howl of the wind made him feel like he was somewhere else altogether. Isolated and distant from the cares of war and death. The clouds finally opened to the first sight of blue sky in days.

  He heard footsteps coming from the stage, “Hear he…hear he…” Said Dom emerging from behind the clothed podium, he stood in a Shakespearean pose with his hands raised just in front of his head as if holding a skull. “That was these people right?” He said to Sheppard while keeping his pose.

  Sheppard chuckled, “A few centuries too early.”

  “Whatever,” He threw his hands down and waved them at his sides as if trying to pass time. “I may have underestimated their resilience during this invasion, but make no mistake Sheppard, their days will be over soon enough. By my hand, or their greed.”

  Sheppard did not respond, instead he examined the cloth draped box by Dom.

  “Does the great savior of the mortals have nothing to say?”

  “I have some things to say,” He stared at Dom, “I knew you long before I knew Anur. This whole ‘kill the mortals’ thing is not lik
e you. Who is truly behind this war?”

  Dom cackled and waved his hands aside, “Your enemies are closer than you know.”

  Sheppard connected stares with him again before standing and walking toward the stage.

  “If I have to make you see, then with my last dying breath I will make you see the futility of your struggle.” Dom said as he raised his fist into the air. At the same moment several dozen Eri soldiers appeared out of the columns, surrounding him with weapons drawn.

  Each had their weapons fixed on Sheppard. They appeared from the shadows, some crawled out of the crevices like insects. Sheppard bent his knees, keeping a low stance.

  Dom swung his fists down signaling his troops to fire. Their projectiles burst into nets that crackled alive with electricity. As they hit Sheppard, they passed through him.

  An illusion? Thought Dom.

  The real Sheppard emerged from behind one of the pillars and quickly took out a hulking Eri commando nearly twice his size. The man hit the ground with a loud thud alerting the others. Sheppard’s armor emanated a fiery blue aura from its vents and surface, it shot out jets of light that none had seen before.

  Sheppard charged another group of Eri commandos and pushed both of his palms onto the faceplates of the Eri commando helmets. A small crack on their helmets instantly leaked out blood through its slits. A silent kill.

  Sheppard had the technological advantage here. He phased out of sight temporarily, the air streaked around him. Light bent around his armor like waves rippling across a stony brook. As the Eri soldiers scrambled to keep up with him, he thought to himself, Bad move.

  He began to kill them one by one, they had lost their cohesive formation. Though he was not completely invisible he was too fast to keep up with. Another two down…

  They were too easy for him isolated. He danced through their shadows, appearing and disappearing every few meters. He would appear behind his enemies and make quick work of them.

  Another group of Eri tried to surround him but triggered a small explosive trap laid minutes earlier. The group flew apart in separate directions. Another three…