Written By: Epicstu Wyyvernwriter

“The Void, it has no beginning, end, or time and connects all Realms both Living and Under together forming the Multiverse. Even Victor Wares, the most frequent explorer of its vast eternity, knows precious little about it. It is a place of mystery and wonder where physics do not apply and reality is a random fact based on the closest Realms. Anyone can go to the Void, but few ever have the Will to explore its depths. It is the nothing from which all Realms, Living and Under, are created,” Aleister spoke to Ember Fray as they viewed Edward’s situation.

“Why send Edward there?” Ember asked. “Are we trying to teach him how to create?”

“No,” Aleister replied with a chuckle. “He knows how to create, though he is currently limited in his ability to do so. He has access to a mere fraction of his full power, because he fails to accept what he is. He does not believe he deserves to be what he is.”

“So, we sent him there to find himself?” Ember questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Aleister smiled, “you still have so much to learn. It’s rather annoying,” he raised his eyebrow back at Ember before returning his attention back to Edward’s situation. “Once Edward accepts what he is. Once he admits what he is. Only then can he begin to unlock his potential. Without his full power he will never be able to stand against the Devourer of Life. This is why he is where he is now.”

“This Devourer must be very powerful then,” Ember shuttered.

“He is the same as Edward. He is what Edward is,” Aleister replied. “An equal to Edward’s full potential and an opposite to Edward’s Will.”

“An evil for a good,” Ember replied.

Aleister’s smile turned to concern, “that would be the most reassuring way to put it.” 

*          *

“He’s alive,” Gail Usce waved her hand held vitals scanner over the humanoid Fennec Fox with confusion and aw.

“How could anything hold itself together out there?” questioned Kyle Tock. “Without a RPCLS Suit its body shouldn’t have any form left.”

“His fur is so soft. And warm. And inviting,” Fran Isrow put the beings soft, paw-like, hand to her cheek.”

“Don’t touch it!” Jacob Isrow quickly pulled his daughter away and held her close and tight. “We don’t know anything about it. It could be dangerous. I want it off my ship. Now!”

“No!” Gail snapped.

“Are you disobeying a direct order from your Captain, Officer?” Jacob snapped back.

“You are right,” Gail replied. “We have no idea what he is, but I took an oath when I became a Medical Officer to save lives.”

“Yeah, our lives!” Jacob argued.

“His body composition, his cellular structure, I’ve never seen anything like him before,” Gail made her point. “I don’t even know what his bones are made out of. There is so much we could learn from him. This could put us eons ahead of the curve in inter-dimensional exploration,” Gail paused a moment and sighed. “Just let me study him. I’ll keep him sedated and restrained.”

Jacob knelt down and faced his daughter, “Francis, go to your room,” he said softly with a smile as he let his daughter go and waited until the doors had sealed behind her. Then he sighed, rubbing his forehead, “fine, keep it restrained and sedated. If it wakes up notify me immediately and if I regret this, you’re finished,” with that, he left the Medical Laboratory.

Gail rolled her eyes before returning her attention to the individual on her operating table, “alright, my furry new friend, let’s see what makes you tick.”

The double doors to the bridge slid closed behind Jacob, “Julz,” he wiped the stress induced sweat from his brow.

“Yes, Captain?” the ship’s AI responded without delay.

“What’s our status?” Jacob asked as he found his seat and activated his console by pushing buttons, sliding toggles, and flipping switches.

“The Haul has sustained minimal damage from the anomaly,” Julz responded. “However, we are operating at critical capacity and repairs are needed before we can move again.”

“So we’re drifting?” Jacob replied.

“Yes, Sir,” Julz responded

“I want every scan you can run done immediately,” Jacob ordered as he leaned back into his seat.

“Running diagnostics now,” Julz responded. After a brief moment of silence, “Reality and Physics Containment Life-Support Systems are fully operational. Engines are non responsive. Communications Array is non responsive. The Lifeform in Med Lab is not the only foreign Lifeform on board.”

“Shit,” Jacob sighed. “Where is the other one?”

“The second Lifeform is currently moving through the ventilation system,” Julz responded. “All scans indicate the two Lifeforms are different species entirely. Lifeform 1 appears to be far superior in both biology and brain functionality.”

“Lock down the vents, and keep me updated,” Jacob ordered. “Open emergency distress beacon.”

“Ventilation System in lock down,” Julz responded. “Emergency Distress Beacon is non responsive.”

“Damn!” Jacob struck his console. Then he pushed a button and spoke into a microphone, “all crew aside from Gail and Fran to the cafeteria, now.”

*          *

In the center of the ship all remaining crew members except Francis and Medical Officer, Gail, sat at a large round table, “The storm we passed through inflicted minimal damage to our haul,” Jacob addressed his crew. “However we are operating at minimal capacity and now we are drifting until we can repair our engines.”

“We could call for help,” replied Science Officer Jessy Uddo.

“Communications Array is down as well,” Jacob replied.

“Well what about the Emergency Distress Beacon?” argued Second Officer Betty Tarr.

“Also non responsive,” Jacob replied.

“I’ll get to work then,” Engineering Officer Kyle Tock stood up.

“Not so fast,” Jacob put a hand on Kyle’s shoulder and sat him back down. “That thing in the Med Lab is not our only stowaway.”

Acting First Officer Thomas Wrodd spit his coffee, “you mean there’s more than one?”

“Julz scanned the ship,” Jacob replied. “She says they aren’t the same species. In fact, our furry friend in the Med Lab is superior in every way including intelligence.”

“Do we know where the other is?” Betty questioned.

“Julz has it trapped in our ventilation system,” Jacob replied. “Even so, I’ve already lost three crew members and I will not lose another. So until we have the second Lifeform contained I don’t want anyone going anywhere alone. Jessy, go to Med Lab and make sure Gail keeps that thing contained there. Betty, go with Kyle and help him repair the ship.”

“Jacob,” Gail’s voice sounded through Jacob’s handheld radio under static.

Pushing the large button on the handheld radio’s left side, “Gail, what’s your status?” Jacob inquired.

“He’s awake,” Gail responded.

“Keep it restrained, Jessy is already on his way. Thomas and I will be there shortly,” Jacob replied. Then he turned to the rest, everyone grab a weapon from the armory before doing anything else. Your lives out weigh the stowaways’, do what you have to do and keep each other safe.”

Jessy entered the Med Lab and sealed the doors behind him, “why the hell is that thing not restrained?” He aimed his sidearm at the humanoid Fennec sitting upright on the operating table.

“That will do nothing for you,” the Fennec smiled.

“Put it down, Jessy,” Gail sighed. “Edward’s body has already proven to be beyond bullet proof. I can’t even stick a syringe in him.”

“You named it?!” Jessy questioned.

“He already had a name,” Gail replied as she continued to move her stethoscope over Edward’s chest. “Your biology is beyond anything I’ve ever seen, but from what I can tell,” she removed her gloves and mask, “you’re in good condition.”

“Thank you, doc,” Edward replied.

“Gail!” Jacob shouted as the doors opened and both he and Thomas raised their sidearms. “What the fuck did I say?!”

“Nothing we have can harm him and he is more than capable of breaking the restraints on his own,” Gail rolled her eyes. “I let him go in an attempt to build trust.”

“So you let him go?” Thomas questioned.

“Did I stutter?” Gail questioned back.

Jacob lowered his gun, “Who are you?”

“My name is Edward Michael Dimir,” Edward replied. “I would like to thank you for picking me up and reviving me.”

“Your welcome,” Jacob sighed irritably. “Who’s your friend?”

Edward raised an eyebrow and listened to his surroundings for a moment, “are you referring to whatever is crawling around the ducts of your ship?”

“So you are together,” accused Jacob.

“No, but I can hear it,” Edward replied, “and I do not like what I am hearing.” Then Edward suddenly stood up, “there are three more of you, two of which are in danger.”

“Captain,” Julz chimed over the intercom. “Lifeform 2 has escaped the ventilation system and is moving toward the engines.”

“Kyle and Betty. Thomas, let’s move!” Jacob ordered. “Gail keep… where did it go?” Edward had vanished. “Julz!”

“Lifeform 1 is heading toward the engines,” Julz responded.

“Gail, Jessy, get to Fran’s room and lock it down. Now!” Jacob ordered before heading to the ship’s engines.

*          *

“Hand me the solder and a flat head,” Kyle requested, half his body through an open panel.

Betty did so. “Is there anything else I can do?”

“Yeah,” Kyle replied, “Just stand there and look pretty, doll face.” Betty scoffed and smacked Kyle in response. “Ooh, kinky.”

“Shut up and fix the damn ship, pig,” Betty replied. A loud clanking and rustle made Betty scream which made Kyle jolt and hit his head.

“Ouch, What was that?” Kyle pulled himself out from the engine panel he was working on. Betty did not respond. “Betty, why’d you…” After removing himself from the panel he saw it standing over Betty, who was shaking in a paralized fear. “Betty!” Kyle ran up, threw Betty to the side, and attempted to tackle it, but it struck him down with one hand.

“Kyle!” Betty shouted, but Kyle wasn’t moving. As it turned its attention toward Betty a fluffy white, paw-like, hand with six-inch claws grabbed it and threw it against a wall. The creature screeched before leaping toward Edward, but he caught it out of the air and pinned it to the ground with his foot. Seeing the creature’s instinct, Edward made his decision and crushed it beneath his foot before it could do anything.

“Holy shit,” said Thomas as he arrived on the scene.

“Thomas, get Kyle and Betty to Med lab,” Jacob ordered.

“I got his head,” said Betty as she and Thomas picked Kyle up carefully.

“Gail, Jessy, bring Fran to the Med Lab and see to Kyle, he’s been wounded,” Jacob spoke into his radio.

“Right away, Captain,” Gail responded.

“Julz, is it dead?” Jacob asked.

“Lifeform 2 is terminated,” Julz responded.

Jacob let out a sigh of relief as he lowered his sidearm, “those are knew.” Edward sheathed his six-inch retractable claws and clenched his fist. “Your angry, why?”

“I almost wasn’t here in time,” Edward replied, still staring at the creature. “Take my hand,” he held one hand out to Jacob and put the other on the creature. “You do not have to trust me, Jacob,” he said.

Jacob cautiously took Edward’s hand and immediately found himself in the Med Lab, “what the!…” he jumped back against the wall behind him. “How the.. What are you?”

“I do not like the title,” Edward replied. “I do not deserve it. I did not create everything and I am far from anything close to perfect.”

“What? Answer the question. Now!” Jacob shot Edward’s eyeball and the bullet bounced off. “What are you?!”

“What am I?” Edward sighed. “I am God.”

Jacob dropped his gun unable to not believe Edward’s answer, “fuck you.”

“Jacob,” Gail sounded afraid. Everyone turned to watch Kyle melt into a puddle around another creature as it slowly slurped him up.

“Everybody out of this room,” Edward put himself between the crew and the newly emerging creature. It slashed at him, but its claws passed through the Blizzard’s snow as he moved back closing the doors and phasing the crew through it with him to the other side. Through the thick window he glared at the creature as it found a vent and disappeared. “I need to get you out of here.”

“How, we are in the middle of the void with no knowledge of how to get to the nearest Realm,” Thomas argued.

“He’s right,” Jacob replied holding Betty and Fran as they cried over Kyle’s death. “We need to get to the docking bay and abandon this ship and take our chances with the Void. Now.”

“Then let us be quick,” said Edward. “Whatever happens, do not let it touch you.”