An Epicstu and Avisern Collaboration Written by: Epicstu Wyyvernwriter and Robert Whitmore

“This is bad, wait… Maybe, yes. They can help. Bring them through in three,” the End waits, just outside the Multiverse, “two,” he needs to time this just right or all may fail.

*          *

“You wanted to see me, my Lord?” I approach New Valhalla’s main entrance and exit where Edward waits for me. My large fennec ears twitch back forth searching for any sound among the ominous silence. My very fur stands on end.

“Sarah Iron. How is Loki?” Edward asks me with a genuine smile.

“We both agreed not to pursue our love any further,” I reply. “We both have our own jobs to do and we would never see each other. Besides, I don’t really want to be queen of New Valhalla or anything for that matter, but this is not why you asked to see me. Is it?”

“No,” Edward’s tone and demeanor seems to change. “Heaven has been taken. I have failed. Hell is all that remains now,” he struggles to even speak as he tries to keep his smile for me.

“I don’t understand,” I move closer as I see something moving through his fur.

“I grant you Godhood and control over my Dead Snow,” Edward says to me. “An equal to me, independent and free of your priesthood to do as you please.”

I take a step back, “My Lord, no,” as what appears to be a swarm of slender tendrils grow in bundles from beneath his fur.

“You are Goddess now. You must save the.”are Edward’s final words to me before, “he is mine now,” the voice coming from Edward’s own lips is not his own. Scared, I turn and run as fast as I can, but I have never run from anything before, so I stop to look back. A flash of light, and darkness takes me.

*          *

“Navigation Officer” what is our ETA to earth?” uttered Lord Finwe Standing just behind the display table with Captain Sinbad just feet away.

“Sir the computer readouts say roughly six hours arrival with R.E.S. Indefatigable B and R.E.S. Valiant. The rest of the fleet will be coming out of hyperspace two hours after us.”

Lord Finwe turns to Captain Sinbad. Speaking to him at the same time. “After our exploration into the Proxima Centauri system and the unexpected skirmish that ensued I think the crew will enjoy some R&R back on earth.”

Captain Sinbad replies. “It will help those who still have wounds both mental and physical. Remember, three years ago was the war against the devils horde. Our population is still recovering from all our losses from that war.”

Nodding in agreement Lord Finwe then turns and starts heading towards the elevator. “Captain if you need me I will be down in the Training room. Otherwise I will be back in three hours.”

*           *

Entering into the main training room taking a quick look toward the firing range eyeing my children Cadfeal and Ellawyn plus Sev’s children Ewan and Arianwen. They are practicing their marksmanship. Odd thing is, Lady Glyslyn is next to them.

“Well Lady Glyslyn how are my children so far?”

She takes 1 more shot at her target then flips the safety on and places her LR-15s on the counter. Turning, she looks up and smiles. “My Marksman skills are right on the mark. As for the kids. Ellawyn is getting bullseyes each time same with Ewan. Hey Ewan show your dad your last target.”

He turns his face. Seeing me he smiles switches the safety on his rifle and places it next to the range. Flipping the toggle next to him the target zipps over stopping in front of the range kiosk. Ewan reaches up pulling the target of its hook. As he Holds it up to me I notice the tightly packed concentration of holes in center chest.

Smiling at my son and opening my mouth. “That’s very good Ewan. the rest of you gather around now.” Stepping onto the padded floor of the Martial arts section of the training room. Grabbing a hold of the hilt of an Elven training sword. Sliding the blade from the rack and giving it a short spin. “Your eye is very keen and skilled now. To your next stage it’s time to fully test your mental and physical speeds and abilities.” The others grab their preferred melee weapons from the Training rack. Forming a semicircle around me. “Ok then who wants to attack me.” I utter out to them. My son Cadfeal is the first to take the invitation. Holding his quarterstaff at mid height. He begins spinning a circle eight while approaching me. With a few more steps closer he alters his hand movement to twirl the staff over his head as he lunges forward with his left foot. Quickly I duck in under his staff pushing my sword between his legs with the aid of my forward momentum trip Cadfael onto his back. Instinctively he tries bringing his staff up to block but was to slow as my sword touches his throat. “To slow your dead now.” I say to him. Reaching down with my other open hand. He takes my hand as I help him up. In the process I explain to him. “To avoid that from happening you must side step or go to your knees taking the advantage and neutralizing your opponent’s forward momentum. Then follow up by striking at their exposed back. Other then that your form was good starting in a defensive style.”  

Cadfael steps back. Ewan and Ellawyn are next up to face me. Ewan bringing his long sword up to his shoulder. Ellawyn spins her 2 single handed swords either side of her bringing the right 1 up at shoulder height wrist just at her shoulder with the blade pointed at me while the left sword extends with her arm at a downward angle the tip of the blade crossing the other sword. I respond by bringing my sword, bringing my left hand out while opening my right hand bringing the back of the blade back on my right arm. Ellawyn Lunges towards me pulling back her left sword while pushing forward with her right. Ewan also joins in the attack still keeping his sword at his shoulder. Stepping to my right avoiding Ellawyn’s attack bringing my own sword out from my arm slicing at her exposed back. She realises her mistake by twisting her ankle around bringing her left blade up in time to block my attack. Ewan comes around her left using her defense of my attack to make a downward slash at me. Kicking out with my left foot straight into his stomach forcing him back and leaning backwards at the same time somersaulting back avoiding Ellawyn’s right blade lunge. Landing on my feet as they both come straight for me again. Leaping forward and diving using my hands pushing me up and over the two as they try to turn in time to strike. Rolling onto the ground. Quickly turning I myself charge into them. Dashing onwards as they prepare to defend. Before making contact I change my weight on my right foot to spin bringing my sword up at chest level. The spinning attack catches Ellawyn off guard and my blade impacts squarely on her chest. Still spinning I loop my left arm around her neck. Pulling back on her as Ewan stabs out at me. She shouts out to the other. “Help together we can take him.”

Cadfael and Arianwen charge in immediately. Dodging their ragged attack keeping an eye on Lady Glyslyn as she waits for the opportunity to get me. Clearly she is far more skilled than the children. But after 300 years she should be. Arianwen leaps towards me as I crouch under her sending my arm up striking her leg and forcing her into a tumble. She tucks her legs in to her body rolling onto the ground and leaping up spinning in the same movement. My hair tingles from a sudden surge of magic looking as Arianwen raises her open hand streaks of blue magic running around her arm forming into a shield in her palm bringing my sword away from my side kneeling down as fast as possible as she unleashes the magical shield pushing everything and everyone. At the moment before the shield impacts me slicing my sword in front creating a quick barrier. The shield dissipates after a moment. All the other kids are looking directly at Arianwen. Looking behind me to view Lady Glyslyn behind me inside her own magical barrier. De summoning her barrier she looks at me with wide eyes. She then asks the question at the front of my mind.

“Arianwen where did you learn how to use our high magic?”

Arianwen responds very quickly. “Aunt Nëastar has taught me when we are alone together. She says I have a special talent.”

Speaking up. “In all the centuries I have fought. Never have I seen high Magic used in coordination with melee combat. When Nëastar fights she only uses her Magic. Your Mother Galadriel only uses magic to create an aura for her armor. Truly you do have a gift. Which does make sense as your grandmother my mother is Avisern the divine spirit of our land. Ok everyone continue to practice I need to return to the Bridge.”

Walking towards the weapon rack placing my practice sword on it. Then walking for the hatchway back towards the bow section of the ship.

*          *

“One,” the End waits to see if he had been on time as he creates a hole in the Multiverse, pulls in three large straying ships from the outside, and then closes the breach behind them.

*          *

“Welcome back to the bridge Lord Finwe.” utters Captain Sinbad while standing over the shoulder of the Comms officer. Walking up to the forward view ports.

Alarmingly the Sensor Officer shouts out from behind his console. “Sir the sensors are picking up some big anomaly eighty light years in front of us. It appears to be magical in origin.”

Both captain Sinbad and Lord Finwe rush over to the sensors station. Looking at the screen readouts and the data streaming in from the forward sensors.

“Looks to be getting bigger and potentially dangerous. Navigations, can you steer us clear of the anomaly!.” shouts Captain Sinbad.

“No Sir the anomaly is to close to clear unless we drop out of hyperspace and still no guarantee to avoid it.” shouts out the Navigation officer.

“Comms sound the alarm and warning to the other 2 ships as well.” Lord Finwe screams out. The emergency lights start lighting up as the klaxon blares out. As the comms officers alert to brace booms over the loudspeakers. Looking up as he grabs onto the railing next to him Finwe sees the emerald green burst forth from the white streaks of star lines as R.E.S. United shakes uncontrollably until a great burst of white light silences everything.

*          *

“Did you catch her?” the End asks, hoping that one of them will hear him. “No reply, hmm… Ember, gather the Warpriest and get them to Hell where it is safe.”

“I will,” the hooded Coy Fox bows in reply as her Wyyvern of the End, Dust, opens a portal behind her.

She turns around entering the portal. As it closes behind her the End shouts after her, “and find the Victors. I hope we are not too late.”  

*          *

As the blinding sound begins to fade from my mind. Picking myself off the deck grabbing on to the hand grab looking over to the stations chair and the crewer slumped in the seat. Reaching over to check for a pulse in her neck and getting a strong reply as she starts to move. She opens her eyes and looks at me Quietly speaking “My lord are we ok?”

Replying “Yes we are ok.” shouting out to the rest on the bridge. “All right who’s not dead? Sound off.”

Everyone else gives a small chuckle at my remark.

“Ok people now we are awake we need to get operation again. Whats our status?”

The Navigations officer chimes up immediately. “Engines are offline and the reactor has gone into emergency mode. We’re drifting right now. Bringing the reactor back online now. It will take me fifteen minutes to get the engines active again.”

Captain Sinbad is next to talk out. “Ariel how is our medical situation?”

Her voice comes from the speaker as a short moan sounds nearby. “No Fatalities or injuries reported other then some bruises and headaches. We were lucky this time.”

The sensors officer next to me then speaks out. “Sensors forward are knocked out from the shock wave impact. They will need to be fixed. The other sensors are fine and both Vailant and Indefatigable are three hundred yards off either side of us. Glad they made it too. There is a planet four points off our starboard bow about thirty miles distance. Can’t get any readings of life or habitat until we can bring the starboard sensors in line.”

Walking up to the view ports and looking at his brothers ship. Captain Sinbad taps the open comms key and speaks out. “Brother what is Valiants status?”

Captain Sirion’s voice sounds out. “Our engines are offline and our reactor is  shutdown. We are on emergency power right now. Lastly all our sensors are down. Good news is no wounded reported.”

Speaking after Captain Sirions report, “Captain Arthfael what is Indefatigable’s status?”

Captain Arthfael gruff deep voice booms back. “No wounded same as you. Engines offline but our reactor is still fully operational. Most likely thanks to the upgrading of indefatigable. Same goes with our sensors. Already did a scan of the planet. It is habitable with a large life signature towns and cities. What do you want us to do, Lord Finwe? Should I send a combat team down to the planet?”

Breaking into the conversation captain Sinbad exclaims. “No don’t send a team we need to first find where we are and see what planet that is on our solar maps.”

The navigations officer nearby cuts in. “Sir I have already pulled up all available data. We are not anywhere on any charted space let alone and galaxy we have been to. Wherever we are it has not been discovered yet.”

Captain Arthfael utters out something in the background then stats out. “My navigations officer has the same readings and has also found none of the stars nearby match any star known in our universe. We must have crossed dimensions and are now in a different universe.”

Captain Sirion speaks out. “So we have no idea where we are nor do we know what dimension we are in plus we have no ability to cross dimensions. Basically we are stuck here then.”

Getting a handle on the conversation finally. “NO we may have some chance people. Get the fleet back to full operational status.” tapping the shipboard comms. “Galadriel dear, get the kids, Sev and Nimrodel we are going to the planet. Sicko get a gunship ready.” Turning and walking towards the back of the bridge quickly .”Corr you have command.” looking rather quickly at Maddy Corrs wife as she squirms a little. And adding in “Unless your wife pulls rank on you.” she smiles rather quickly with a little mischief in her eyes. And corr nearby gives a little whining sound and his eyes seem to bulge out just a little in fear.

Laughing just a little myself as Sinbad puts in. “Heavy weapons and demolitions expert. Fought in many battles and done many a dangerous job and yet he is afraid of his little wife.” the whole bridge burst out laughing.

Once down in my cabin putting on my armor as Galadriel and Nëastar Rush in and start pulling their dresses off grabbing and putting on their body suits. Placing the last of my armor pieces on and sealing the helmet I begin to grab my weapons and ammo loading different magazines into different pouches and pockets on the utility belt. The cabin doors hissed open as Seren storms into the room. Looking up as she stops in front of me her helmet tucked under her arm.

She instantly starts berating me. “Finwe I am coming with you regardless of what you say. This is my first time out in space and the first time I have been away from Avisern and my tomb. You can’t go without me I really REALLY want to see what’s out in the universe.”

Sliding a fresh magazine into my rifle and holstering it on my right thigh. Looking at her in turn and replying. “OK I don’t plan to hold you back either as Nëastar is coming to. Having another great soldier and another spell caster will be useful.” finally grabbing my 2 swords and sliding them into the sheath on my back. “Ok Ladies time to move out.”

✵ ✵

“What the? Pip! What Hell just happened? Where are we?!” Leonidas questions me in angered confusion.

“What the Hell is right. We are in Hell,” I reply to him.

“I just got out of this hole,” Snow complains with a moaning tone.

“Last thing I remember we were at closing ceremonies in New Valhalla,” I admit as I try to gather the situation.

“I brought you here,” said a voice that none of us recognize.

“And just who the Hell are you?” Leonidas questions with a drawn sword and an accusing glare.

The hooded figure emerged from the shadows with a small Wyyvern made out of dust and ash circling her, “My name is Ember, I am the Warpriestess and Wyyvern Agent of the End.”

“The End?” I exclaim in my confusion. “What is going on here?”

“Edward and Zesrial have been compromised,” Ember replies promptly. “Along with the Nekolich, his Undead defense grid, and every Wyyvern Knight as well. This,” she gestures to the fiery landscape around them, “is the only safe place left in all the Multiverse.”

“If Edward is compromised, why isn’t Hell?” Snow inquires with a distrusting raised eyebrow.

“Nyarlathotep fears Hell, because Hell can claim him,” Ember replies crossing her arms at Snows attitude.

“Of course,” I begin piecing the details together. “By taking Edward alive, he avoids confronting Hell all together and is free to do as he pleases.”

“Your studies serve you well, Warpriest of he who sits upon the throne of Heaven,” Ember nods to me in approval.

“What do we do?” Snow questions now concerned with her Lady’s safety. “There must be a way to fix this. There simply must!”

“We fight,” Leonidas replies confidently. “We…”

“Not so fast, warmonger,” Ember interrupts his premeditated speech of war and glory. “We are very out matched here.”

“And where is your master?” Leonidas questions in an irritated response. “Why has he left his own brother to this fate?”

“The End has more important roles to play here,” Ember snaps back at him. “The fate of literally everything hangs in the balance now. We must attend to this ourselves.”

“How,” I question. “I have read of this, Nyarlathotep, and if the ancient writings of H. P. Lovecraft hold any truth at all, we are well beyond the realms of fucked.”

“Has anyone been in contact with the Victors?” Ember asks in reply.

“Victors?” Leonidas takes a step back as his eyes widen. “There’s more than one of that creepy cat.”

“Two,” Ember replies.

“One Living and the other Dead,” I finish her response for her.

“They both have ships that can travel unnoticed throughout the multiverse,” Ember continues, “even the Wyyvern Knights of Fate have trouble keeping track of them.”

“The Wares have been compromised as well,” Satan interrupts.

Snow covers herself with Heaven’s lightning, “back away!”

“Oh, but I missed you,” Satan grins at her.

“The feeling is not mutual,” Snow replies as her mind fills with disturbing memories of her eternities spent in Hell.

“It is good to know you still have her lightning, you will need it. I am only here to bring your party its final member,” Satan bows and disappears as the Wyyvern Knight of Madness steps forth from the fiery abyss.

“I trust we are all aware of what is going down, so to speak,” says an intellectual voice.

“William?” Hell becomes cold and even more absolute than it already had been as Ember speaks the name.

“The very same,” William replies for Trace, who is mute, and Q, whom only the mad can hear. “I am Trace’s newest Wyyvern weapon.”

“The Wyyvern Knight of Madness and Intellect,” I fear yet welcome the combo. “We certainly could use your help.”

“Ok, so we have a bookworm, a siren, a spy, myself, and a schizophrenic.” Leonidas states as he turns to Ember. “If the fear on your face says anything to me, it is that we still have no hope of winning this.”

“Before Edward was taken,” Ember explains. “He gave Sarah power equal to his own and sent her out into the Void between Realms. She will be his better in every way. Not just a Goddess, but the Goddess. The most powerful being our multiverse has ever known.”

“Alright,” I sigh with a slight jealousy towards Sarah’s situation. “How do we find her?”

“That is why we needed the Victors,” Ember sounded irritated, “but if they are compromised then it is only a matter of time before Nyarlathotep finds her and takes her for himself. If that happens…”

“Doomed,” Leonidas interrupts. “Got it. What is our next move?”

“We have no choice,” Ember shakes her head. “We have to fight him alone and hope we can buy plan B enough time to save Sarah Iron before it is too late.”

“Plan B?” Leonidas attested. “Who the Hell is plan B?”

“Not even I know,” Ember answers in a concerned tone, “even the End seemed unsure of who they are. Nevertheless, they are now our only hope.”

I think for a moment on the situation at hand, “this is a bad Idea.”

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