Chapter Text
Dinner was something Eddie had not expected when the running began earlier in the day but was none the less grateful for. To be able to act normal if even for a moment was not something he realized he needed. E had made some kind of noodle dish that Eddie loved but could not tell you what was in it. The group had moved to the sitting area that was arranged with very comfortable couches in a half circle in front of the large fireplace. The girls were together on a couch a little to the left he had chosen the spot centered on the fireplace. E was was in an arm chair that looked to have seen more years than Eddie had. The darkened leather was cracked in many places and the finish on the wood had faded over time. No one had said anything since they moved from the kitchen. He imagined that had a lot to do with so much happening so quickly.
"E can you tell me what is going on? I still don't think I have been able to wrap my mind around anything that I have seen.." It was a spontaneous questions but he really needed to hear an answer to it.
"Eddie I can answer your question and tell you what I know, but why these people are after you I have no clue." responded the old man without looking away from the roaring fire.
"Thank you. I guess the first thing I want to is how does all this work? I mean I have seen strange half human creatures, you turn into a dragon, two dudes using magic, and lets not forget about the woman who raised me as her own being a freaking angel." He couldn't help it when his voice rose slightly at the mention of Sister Clara. The hurt he felt was something he just knew was going away anytime soon.
"Let me get myself something to drink while I try to explain what most children learn in primary school to you." He looked back with a smirk when he noticed Eddie and the put out look he had. It did not take him long to pour a rather large glass of some amber colored liquid. E took a small sip as he ready himself to tell Eddie about the world he had just been thrust into.
"Well lets start with what you already know. You know what keeps our world hidden and we also told you how the Gods of old exist. Now the Gods and their hmmm... lets call them children are all considered celestial beings. Some of the other races who call earth home are also considered to be celestial in origin. Your Kitsune half actually has a subset that is and I believe you are descended from that line. Now all myths and legends that have ever been told have been based on a version of the truth that exists in our world. Most of the outer races tend to stay in their native areas as it tends to be perfectly suitable which is why you rarely hear tales of local creatures appearing in other cultures around the world. That coupled with the fact that most cultures have some very similar types of beings some can easily be mistaken for others." He paused taking another sip of his drink.
"So basically everything from Angels to vampires exist in one form or another?" Eddies couldn't help but ask and noticed that Becca was nodding her head.
"Yes Eddie that is what he is saying. For centuries we have lived alongside humans with them being none the wiser for the most part. You would be surprised with how many of the major human wars in history are coverups of altercations between different outer race factions. Speaking of vampires they tend to be in middle of a good portion of the ward breaches over the years." Eddie looked at her with a question in his eyes. "You know because they feed on humans?" She answered the unasked question as if he was five years old.
"Of course I know that. Just hard to believe all of this is real sometimes." Which caused Becca and Tracy to laugh at him. "What? Why are you laughing?"
"You remember you have three tails and fox ears now right? Not sure how things are hard for you to believe." Becca deadpanned before both girls broke into laughter once more.
"Okay you have a point laugh it up." Eddie said his own smile evident on his face.
"Now all jokes aside that is the most basic of explanation of the world that we live in. You don't need much more for the moment. What we need to figure out is why you are being pursued by the Order of Visketh. There are plenty of evil or questionable groups and creatures in the world but if there was a top five they would be there every time." That brought the mood in the room back down almost instantly.
"Sir I have never heard of them. What are they?" Becca asked
"Well you probably know of their front name Ataxia." E responded and Becca's ears perked up at the name
"I have heard of them. I thought they stuck in the medical field mostly. Don't they mass produce potions and cures for almost anything you can think of?"
"You are correct my dear. What better way to hide something so evil then to keep it behind something that does so much good? It may be the way that many justify working for both." Was E's response.
"That is all good to know but what do they want from me?"
"At first it was probably just to find and punish someone who destroyed one of their facilities. Now after seeing them send two directors after you it has to be more. I have reached out to my daughter who should hopefully be here within the day. She should have some ideas." E answered the best he could not noticing the shadow that fell over Eddies face when he mentioned the destroyed facility
"What makes you think she would know more than you?" Becca asked surprising Eddie
"Because she is a member of the Order." The silence that followed that statement was oppressing. Before anyone could speak E smiled before continuing. "She is a spy so that we know anything major they may be planning."
"Isn't that very dangerous?" Tracy asked
"Not so much as she works in the lab running tests and other things that my old mind does not understand."
The conversation between the girls and E continued but Eddie was no longer listening. His mind had been racing the past couple of days with almost no time to stop and go through the massive changes that happened since he woke up in that room. Now sitting here in what felt like a safe place the enormity of what he did was finally settling on him. He had killed seven people whether he meant to or not. Of course this group was after him. Evil or not those people had friends and family that he took them away from. It was times like this when he could think that the images flashed into his mind once more. A young woman's mangled body. What was left of what he thought was an older man piled in a corner. Then there was the woman who had tried to inject him with something her dead eyes staring straight into him. He found himself running to the kitchen area in search of a trash can or something he could release his dinner into. It was only moments before he felt a hand on his shoulder turning to see the old man had come to comfort him.
"I keep seeing the faces of the people I killed.... Whenever my mind gets a moment of peace there they are forcing me back into that room." Eddie was sobbing as the words came out of his mouth.
"Eddie look at me." E said with gentle authority. "It is never an easy thing to kill another. However there is a difference between self defense and murder. You my boy acted in self defense and from what you tell me it was instinct not a choice. I know that does not change the fact that you feel what you did was wrong. The very fact that you care that it tears you up inside means that you are a good person. I do not know if the images in your mind will go away for I know many of my own have never left me, but I do know that it gets easier to live with over time." He then wrapped Eddie in what he imagined a fatherly hug would feel like.
"Thank you E. This is all just to much. There are moments I feel like I get it and have adapted but then in an instant my mind and body go into panic mode." Eddie admitted
"I would be more worried if you had taken everything that has occurred in stride and just shrugged it off. Why don't you grab one of the spare beds and get some rest."
Eddie was more than happy to take up the suggestion. He dared glance over at Becca and Tracy before making his way to the closest bed. Tracy was looking at him through her own tear streaked eyes while Becca had a more difficult expression to decipher. She watched him with that same look that seemed almost worried to Eddies eyes before eventually going back to comforting Tracy. As he lay down in the bed that was surprisingly soft to the point he felt the bed might actually swallow him he had a quick thought about the girls parents and if they were safe. Before he could sit up to ask he was already on his way to land of dreams.
*****
He could not remember the last time he had come to this place. Opening his eyes Erebus looked around at the quaint meadow he stood in. Surrounding it was a lush forest filled with more colors than one would normally see in a natural forest. There were trees whose bark was a faded blue color stretching high into the sky with branches filled with purple leaves that gave off just a bit of a glow. They resembled an oak tree but he was unsure if these trees had true names. Others dotted the forest with even more odd color combinations. He could see a grouping of what looked to be pine trees with a dark almost black bark and pure white needles. Erebus only had a few moments to gather his bearings before he had to move. As peaceful as this place seemed he knew better. It was only a matter of time before the eyes would appear in the trees. Small red eyes that he remembered all to well from his last visit. He scanned the area around looking for the sign he needed that would tell him which way to go. At the edge of the meadow to his left there was a small patch of grass that was completely dead and devoid of any color. Getting closer he saw that the patch was one of many that led off into the distance and he knew that was the way he needed to go.
Erebus followed the dead patches through the woods for what seemed to be hours though he knew time worked differently in this place. The term Dreamwalking has some people picturing lucid dreaming while to others ideas of astral projection are brought forth. Both ideas while being true abilities that some possess are not like Dreamwalking. Only a few can do it and of those few not many who try it survive. To Dreamwalk is to physically enter into the world of dreams. A world where the natural laws of the physical plan do not exist. The place one goes to when they walk is more of an in-between place. A realm that exist outside of all things while at the same time being connected to all things. It is where you can travel for a few hours after entering in America and exit to find yourself on the other side of the world in Australia. There was a man long ago who tried to create a map that represented the many realms within the Dream. It was not long before he went insane his mind unable to comprehend the things he found within.
The other major difference between Dreamwalking and other similar abilities is that your physical body comes with you when you walk. Whereas when you are lucid dreaming or using an astral projection it is only your mind and part of your spirit that enters. Even then there is only so far you can travel before you are forced out. When you walk with your physical body you an go as deep as you want as long as you are able to survive that is. Erebus finally emerged from the forest luckily without encountering any of the little beasts that were behind the red eyes. One or two were no issue but they always moved in packs and could overwhelm more powerful foes in an instant. When one begins a journey within the Dream they always start in the forest. Depending on the direction they choose depends on where they exit. Erebus was now standing at the edge looking out at open plains as far as he could see. There were hills off in the distance that could be as tall as a mountain or no more than a bump along the ground. The way the light played across the yellow sand made it difficult to judge what you were looking at. He began walking feeling the oppressive heat strike him the moment his foot touched the first piece of sand. The heat could be seen as waves coming off the sand if you were to look at one point for to long.
He knew that this was a hard stretch to travel across but that it must be done. To see his father there were far worse places he would have to traverse after the desert. After some time he came upon a field of boxes all sealed shut with a small golden lock. Erebus knew that each box held a poor sold who had wondered to far and made a deal with the wrong being. There were hundreds if not thousands of boxes scattered about the desert each one producing a muffled scream or moan when the occupant had the strength. He had met the being once long ago on one of his first walks and was glad he had not fallen victim and ended up in a box himself. For once you entered you were never let out. Almost as if his very thoughts conjured her into existence she appeared before him from a cloud of black smoke.
"Ah Son of Visketh how long has it been? Do you once more come for the answers to your questions?" She asked with a giddy excitement that betrayed her appearance. Erebus himself was already abnormally tall but the woman or more apt thing before him was taller still. Some called her the Harlot as a title other just called her the secret keeper as none knew her true name. Standing at about twelve feet tall with hair that resembled a out of control bramble bush she did strike an imposing figure. No one could ever mistake her for beautiful with a face covered in pock marks and scars. Teeth that were to large to allow for the mouth the fully close and colored a disgusting yellow. A nose that hooked itself downwards coming to a sharp point that looked more like a fishing hook than an appendage. Then there were the eyes. Pure black orbs that looked at as if unseeing. If one were to look to long you could find yourself falling into an infinite well of the cosmos giving her free reign over all of your mind body and soul. To top all of this off she covered her body in what looked to be a collection of fragments of clothing from her numerous victims. The patchwork robe completed the ominous aura of the Harlot.
"Be gone with you woman. I am only passing through and have no time to deal with you." He did his best to be dismissive while trying to step around her to no avail.
"Now now is that anyway to treat an old friend?" Her grotesques mouth twisted into a smile that was to large for her face.
Erebus halted knowing he was going to have to play her game. He still remembered the first time he had crossed her path. It was decades ago and his first time Dreamwalking. He had been naïve then underestimating the world he had stepped into. At the time he was at the peak of his power being able to manipulate the matter of the world around him. Upon being approached by this beast of a woman he had arrogantly ordered her to step aside and let him pass. Before he could move on she had called out a simple question that tugged on all the right strings. 'Do you wish to know how to find your father?'. That was all it took to stop him mid stride to turn and respond with a simple yes. He had wished for all his life to know and meet his father. The being he had been created from and spent his life searching for. It was the goal of all those around him to bring him back to earth to restore the true order of things and here before him was the answer. There was a price she said and again in his youth he agreed to pay whatever that price was. That was a mistake as the moment the words left his mouth he felt a pain tear through his body worse than any he had ever felt. Something was being pulled from inside of him coalescing in a small black orb that was floating over the hand of the woman. She had taken his power from him forever weakening him all that had been left was his strength and durable skin. Never would he make the mistake of underestimating this creature again.
"Look Harlot I do not have time to waste in your God forsaken garden of souls. I also seek no knowledge from you so just leave me be." He spoke with a stern tone.
"Oh so there is nothing you wish to know then? How unfortunate. I am the keeper of all the worlds secrets after all as you already know. All you must do is ask and I will be able to give you an answer. Of course always for a price." The last words were said with a smirk as her hand caressed the necklace she wore. Recognition struck Erebus immediately as inside the glass orb necklace was the ball of black energy she had pulled from inside of him all those years ago. The energy within began to ripple reaching towards him through the glass. He could feel the pull within himself to be whole once more. Then a thought struck him.
"I have two questions Harlot that I would like answers to. What is your price?" The thing smiled before answering him
"Well that depends on the questions themselves does it not? Some questions can cost much while others could possibly be free. Tell me the question and I will give you my price."
"That is not how this is going to work this time Harlot. We will decide upon a price first as I know how you work. The moment I ask the question you will be able to exact your price whether I agree or not." The smile had faded now and she was looking at him with a hunger that would frighten a lesser being.
"Wizened up over the years I see. Lets see then how about a year of your life per answer. Not to be paid today but at another time of my choosing. You can finally see what it's like in one of my boxes."
"Well that seems reasonable enough. I have many years left in me what are two lost ones." Putting his hand out to seal the deal he continued. "Two years of life for two answers deal?" The creatures hand clasped his and a faint glow surrounded them before vanishing. The predatory smile was back on her face.
"Ask your questions now my dear."
"First question is how do I get back what you took from me?" It was a long shot but he wondered if he compulsion to give truthful answers would reveal anything. From the look on her face she was not happy.
"You can not get back what was not taken to begin with." As she spoke the energy within the necklace disappeared and immediately he felt more whole than he had in a long time.
"Wait that makes no sense. I felt it being taken from me. It felt like I was missing a piece of myself all this time." He was confused not expecting this turn of events at all.
"I will give you an answer for free as I already have years of your life guaranteed to me. Remember we are in the dream world where the line between mind and body is the thinnest. It was not hard to trick your mind into thinking something was gone that truly could not be taken to begin with. Honestly I was disappointed when I saw how easily manipulated you were when we met all those years ago." The smugness in her face was not missed by Erebus. "Now ask your second question so I can be done with you today."
He was still reeling from the fact that he never lost his power after all this time. The fact that he had been pushed aside after his brothers death was amplified with the perceived loss he suffered. Now things would change when he returned to the waking world. Erebus gathered his thoughts as he needed to focus now.
"A mysterious boy has been found with blood that is not recognized. Do you know what he is?" Her eyes widened causing him to think that the answers themselves did not come until the question was asked. If that was the case it was an interesting power indeed.
"Oh my you did get one over on me for this type of information. The boy you seek is a cosmic child. Son of Phanes first bringer of light in the darkness. He is also descended from the Tenko Kitsune or as some call them the celestial fox. What an interesting combination you have on your hands. It is to bad that you will need to wait a couple of years to seek him out once more. I feel that I would like to call in my debt now. Seems only fair after you got one over on me. Now get in the box." Her voice had hardened while she spoke and a large box made of what looked to be woven whicker appeared next to her.
"I will have to pass on that hag. Thank you for the answers I will be on my way now." With that he turned and began to walk away.
"You will do no such thing!!" He turned back to see that her face had twisted to reveal the true creature beneath. Her nose and mouth elongated to create a snout shape while her teeth sharpened fitting much better than they had before. She waved her hand and stood with a shocked expression when nothing happened. "Why are you not obeying? How are you resisting?"
"It was just a little word play on my part that I am surprised you didn't catch on to. When the deal was sealed I did promise you two years of life just not mine." The realization that passed over her face caused her expression to go from shock to rage in a remarkably fast time.
"You will pay for that!" The creature launched herself towards him at blinding speeds only to be stopped by nothing at all.
"You remember what my power was right? The power you pretended to steal so long ago? I can control the very matter of the world around me. I am going to leave you here while I continue on my way. In about an hour give or take the bindings holding you will vanish. Think of it as a little taste of what your other victims go through in those boxes of yours."
Erebus did not look back as he walked further into the desert all the while listening to some very colorful language from behind him. He was elated to have his powers back and even more so to have gotten a bit of revenge on the creature who had wronged him. Part of him knew that this would not be the last time he had would have to deal with that thing but decided to put that aside to think on the new information he had. A son of Phanes? He was not familiar with that name and wondered if it was some kind of lower tier god that had slipped through the cracks of time. Once back to his office Erebus would have Chimera and her team research the name and find out more. Then again his father could have some information as well. Over the horizon he began to see the signs of the large port city he was looking for. It would take him close to four hours to finally reach the city Shul and another two to find someone willing to take him to the next destination.
*****
Eddie was back in the room and was starting to wonder if he would come here every time he slept now. Something had changed since he was last here though it was brighter than he remembered. He could actually see the outline of the hulking figure hidden in the darkness. The silhouette gave the impression it was a large humanoid figure kneeling with their arms shackled to the walls on either side. What was odd was that there looked to be some sort of mass sitting on the back of the being. Suddenly the mass shifted and two wings fluttered to life each one the length of a semi truck at least. They flapped one time causing the same wind he felt on his first trip to force him back a few steps.
"I find it odd that you so easily are able to come here young one. It seems the powers separating the cosmos are weakening." The deep voice spoke into his mind the body before him not moving at all.
"Yea well there are a lot of odd things about my life lately. What's one more to add to the list." Eddie crossed his arms for lack of anything better to do with them.
"You are troubled I can feel it in your mind. You seek answers that no one knows the answers to and that can be frustrating. I think it is time I tell you my theory on why all of this is happening to you." He was intrigued to get some kind of insight into what was happening even if it was from some elder being he only saw in his dreams.
"As I explained before there are two cosmic cycles that take place throughout all of the cosmos. There can not be one without the other. I fear that the Chaos cycle is coming and once it begins everything will be remade in that image. Worlds will die entire galaxies may collapse horrors beyond comprehension will arise once more to consume all. My theory is that you are the harbinger of the Life cycle. That you are the one thing that can stop the chaos before it begins." Eddie had heard enough and just burst out laughing.
"You are absolutely insane. You are telling me that a fifteen year old kid from New Jersey is destined to save all of existence?" It took him a minute to get the question out through his panicked laughter.
"I understand that you find it hard to believe as I myself do. When thinking of the one who would champion my cause someone such as yourself did not cross my mind."
"Hey. What's that supposed to mean?" He interrupted
"Just that I had not thought a child who can barely grasp what he is let alone who he is would be chosen." Eddie thought he could hear a bit of laughter in the voice speaking into his mind.
"That's fair." He reluctantly said
"Step forward to my slumbering form and place you hand upon my head."
Eddie took a few steps forward until he was an arms length away. The beings head was larger than he was and he tentatively reached out. The moment his hand made contact with the being images began to flash through his mind. A towering figure with golden skin and pure white wings holding a flaming sword. The crumbled remains of what looked to be a fantastic city. A silver dragon slain with the man chasing him standing over it's dead body. Then the final image of himself holding a girl he recognized as Becca in his arms. She was hurt and covered in blood and his face was covered in tears. With a gasp his eyes shot open as he sat up in the bed he was in. Looking around he saw all others sleeping except for Becca who was looking directly at him. There was a cracking sound that broke the tension as a woman walked into the home stopping in the doorway after having announced herself.
"Dad wake up I'm here and don't have time.... Oh sorry I didn't know he had guests."
Looking between the new arrival and Becca he flopped back into the bed staring at the ceiling. What were those images he just saw. Was it part of the future or the past? Was it something destined to happen or could he change it? Whatever the images were he knew that he would do everything he could to stop the last image from coming true.