Chapter Text
Consecration.1
Taylor felt herself floating in a wetness that was not wet, blinded by a darkness so bright it hurt to look at. She didn't know where she was, or when, or why. She only recalled that she was being locked-
A choking sob escaped her lips. The feeling of being filthy, of genuine filth, clung like an icky, icy crust upon her skin, making her feel so cold, so alone.
Yet, she felt a warmth embracing her. It was not a kind warmth. Despite its soothing nature, it felt both intense and distant, but it was enough to banish the creeping cold. Like a radiator in the cold, the warmth made her want to lean towards it, embrace it.
[So, that Parasite seeks to claim another of mine? But this one… I see. She has the potential. Perhaps it is time to test them.]
The voice was maddening, as if spoken in every conceivable tone at once. She felt herself moving before being lowered onto something. The voice returned, this time more distinctively female, and hauntingly familiar.
[Hello, little one. You will do nicely. I have a little offer for you, which I am sure you will indulge.]
It was her mother's voice, at least, in a manner. It carried an undercurrent of sadistic glee and a smoldering intensity, yet it also held a familiar kindness and commiserating sorrow.
Taylor realized she could speak. "W-what are you?"
Her voice was weak, she hated how weak she sounded. Because this thing, if it was real, was using her mother's voice. She knew it probably was not real, that this was probably some dream or maybe a result of her mind having given up, but what else could she do?
[I shall not lie to you, dear child. I am not the one whose voice I borrow, and right now, your mind is not ready to accept what I truly am. But the nearest term would be God.]
Taylor's eyes forced themselves open. She tried to look at the entity, only to scream as her eyes seared and her mind splintered.
Shattered images filtered through, a tree reaching into infinity, nonsensical things devoid of any logic. A hand ran through her hair in an almost soothing manner.
instinctively, she wanted to correct her thoughts of before. Using implies an intent. The idea that this thing had any concept of something as laughable as her mother´s voice was ... obscene. And it was a figment of her mind, so it was more... was she projecting the voice onto it?
[Fret not. You are the first, but not the last, to come under my influence. So rejoice, Little One. You were chosen to be the first of my Heralds in the effort to reclaim what was stolen.]
The voice paused, almost kindly. [You can choose to reject this gift, but hear me out. You desire to be a hero, yes?]
It had to be a dream. Taylor knew that. Yet ... people did not know how powers came to be. Perhaps it was a foolish, selfish notion to want to be chosen, but what else could she cling to? Where was the harm in playing along?
[If you accept consecration… if you become mine, I shall grant you power beyond any soul.]
A golden gem appeared, floating before the young girl. She felt the world scream at both it and her. Her mind buckled, screaming in both terror and ecstatic adoration. A biting voice from inside her harshly asked if she felt even remotely ready for such a power, and then slowly her hand reached out.
Perhaps she was not ready. Perhaps she did not deserve powers. But there was a simple beauty to it. This power, if she did not take it, might land in another's hands. And for once, she wanted to be on the side of power. And this was a dream, after all. What did it matter?
The gem floated toward Taylor before vanishing into her. Her head exploded into pain as her understanding of the world shifted. The vectors of time and space unraveled in a manner not suited for the human mind.
Therefore, her mind needed to change, though before it could, the flood stopped.
[What a limited mind. Be thankful, girl. I cannot have you break so fast.]
The voice matched the entity's, though it felt more aloof, bored with it all, yet somehow lesser. An image appeared of a woman, her cheek resting on a closed fist, golden eyes narrowed at her.
[Bah! Don't listen to her, Sister! Happy to meet you!]
This new voice screamed sociability. Instead of the inhuman quality of the others, this one was quite human. Taylor could not help the image of a girl leaning against a wall, a casual smile on her lips, blue eyes glimmering with aggressively cheerful energy.
The addition of two more voices did not make her less convinced that she might genuinely have gone crazy.
[As your task and way differs, so will the tools I provide you. As you have heard, two of the more remarkable hosts to the power you now possess have decided to aid you in this endeavor. They shall teach and guide you as you proceed on the path of your ascension.]
Her head spun.
[Taylor.]
The usage of her name made the world lurch, removing the distance of impersonal references. Unbidden, there was an anticipation of dread and hope both, to be known by this… Will. Where did that term came from?
[You will need a lot of power to achieve my design. You are now, and forevermore, mine. My Herald, my Seraph. I will grant you what you need to start, but it is your task to find a way to grow. One I will observe with anticipation.]
Suddenly, she felt her cheeks being caressed. She was forced to look up, meeting eyes that had not been there before.
Prismatic, haloed eyes of infinite depth stared at her with love. Her heart immediately yearned for and feared this love, for it was both great and terrible. Most of all, it was beyond any doubt real, burning any doubt of this being anything but real in its wake.
[Your world is one built on suffering, infected and sick. It courts disaster with every breath, and every heart grows numb to the beauty of the world you were given. So hear my charge, your mandate! You are my tool of judgment upon this world, the scale which will decide the fate of all!]
The Will´s voice turned ecstatic, almost triumphant.
[So! Arise, my beloved child! My Herrscher! Fight! Love! Let me see how you will tear out the vile heart of this world, how you will raise it to greatness! Prove to me that Humanity is worthy of my love!]
And with that, Taylor Hebert awoke in a locker.