Infinity in the Void – Freedom in the Abyss

"I have taken a liking to the name Shub-Niggurath, so you may call me that.", it spoke

"Are you dangerous?", I asked even though I don't need the answer.

"Dangerous... the term you refer to when something poses a threat to you.", Shub-Niggurath mused in a way, "So in that sense, I am not dangerous."

"I'll still kill you either way.", I pointed my lance at it.

But it only bellow a chuckle, "Your species is really amusing. Duality is what you excel at, both easy to understand and incomprehensible. Your action now belongs to the former."

"Do you think I care?"

"No, I don't.", it replied, "Though I can see why the Pale Court calls your race... interesting."

The Pale Court?

"Truthful and Deceptive at the same time. No species I am aware of is capable of balancing such... nature.", it began to walk towards me, touching my firestorm.

Sure, the fire did burn Shub-Niggurath but it was regenerating faster than it could burn. It got close to me.

"Ah, the Ego of the World wanted me to give you a message—", I stabbed it right in the head before it could speak.

Theia... nothing good comes from that thing. Though it seems like the Ego of the World cannot interact with me directly.

"You didn't let me speak, how rude—", I ignite the lance, stopping it from speaking.

The body dropped down lifelessly... melting into the stomach. This isn't over, I can feel it.

"Ah, just like the Pale Court. You don't let anyone talk, you force others to follow you, make their decision in their stead.", its voice came from everywhere...

"Who exactly is the Pale Court?", I demanded, pointing my lance to the ceiling.

"Ah, so you don't know.", that sounded like mockery, "The Pale Court as they call themselves, a judge in your terms who oversee everything, to grant a verdict... countless worlds had felled by their Judgement. They are very close to you, more so than you think."

Countless worlds fell by their hands... if an Eldritch God speaks so highly of this Pale Court, then it must be another Eldritch God. One closer than I think... no way...

"Our Star... the Sun.", I muttered.

If other Stars and even Nebulas have Eldritch Gods, then why can't our Sun have one? But the Pale Court... it sounds simple yet ominous at the same time.

"Correct.", Shub-Niggurath chimed in, "Now about the message... The Ego of the World said... 'I will not be dealing with the Tindalos. This is your punishment.' That is all."

"...", I stayed quiet, thinking about its words, and I have only one response, "That's it?"

"I do not appreciate me repeating myself... now, I guess I will end you now."

—A tendril thrust towards me in front, to which I parried by using my lance. Then I spotted more tendrils coming. I tap my foot in a rhythm, spinning around in a dance, in turn, making the firestorm go even faster, becoming a meat grinder of flame!

Dancing forward with the roaring of fire being my music, with the writhing floor as my stage— dance until there is no end—

To indulge in slaughter, to enjoy destruction. That is what it means to be human~

Though like all things, this dance must come to an end at some point. I pulled my hood up, cover my head and veil my face in a dark shadow.

"Escalation Level Four: Encore of Entropy!"

Wisps of flame escape my eyes, glowing brightly amongst a background of shadow. I glazed Quirinus over my cape, igniting it with an even purer flame. The red Runes once again glow as it was imbued with the power of Malice. 

Then, I touched Fallen Starlight with my lance, channeling the power of the World into the weapon designed to kill gods.

The memories of the weapon once again came to me, but it was warped. Instead of the pure intention to escape the grasp of the divine, it was the malice to deny God.

'Born from our unity and desire

Created from Its final gift to mankind.

And It shall fall by what we Made.'

The Fallen Starlight awakens, glowing with the light of humanity's malice and the power to preserve the world...

I aimed the barrel down to the abyss in front, and I pulled the trigger. Unlike before, the shot did not go without sound. I hear the scream, the laughter, the pleasure of sins, of evil, of agony.

This is what I was waiting for!

"O' Black Goat of the Nebulas, receive our gift of Destruction. Witness the path we took, the lives we burned... look in horror, as what length we will go... TO DESTROY YOU!!"

Eight beams of red energy followed the howls of Malice, haunting, morbid, but also gorgeous in a nightmarish way. They ignite the inside of Moby Dick, killing it from the inside, and shaking the whole place...

More and more tendrils came, but against my flame, nothing can get close to me - the center of Malice!

The eight beams united, becoming a spiral that pierced through... something. I can feel the backlash from the heat and—

Moby Dick is sinking! I need to escape quickly. I once again brushed the lance against my cape, granting it the Flame of Malice.

I think I can break through this... from where I am, this should be directly under the spine... I thrust the lance, unleashing a piercing column of flame!!

It burns through the stomach lining, then charring the bone into coal— and water began to leak in.

"Very well, it seems like my performance has come to an end.", I spoke to Shub-Niggurath, "If you are still alive, then I await the day we clash again!"

With fire at my feet, I jump upward and did a little spin. Charging Fallen Starlight by brushing it against my cape... and I still have one more trick.

"Justice."

From my cape, little specs of embers came out. They formed into swords and spears, weapons of war in general. I can make guns, but that is a little bit overkill... what am I thinking?! Overkill is fun!

Gun for days!!

Then in a shower of blades and bullets, the fire burns into the stomach, cutting everything to bits. I have an urge of calling this whale a mongrel! And I don't know why!!

Hehahahaha!!

Busting through the whale, I find myself underwater. But I am still dry due to my fire burning so hot it evaporates the water. After all, nothing burns hotter than the Fire of War.

However...

I brushed Quirinus against my cape, then I touched Fallen Starlight with the lance, fueling it with the power of both Humanity and the World. Though I kept contact, channeling the energy from the lance to the gun continuously.

I aimed the barrel at Moby Dick, watching as its cry travels through the water— Heha~ luckily I am in my own bubble, or else I would've burst from the inside out.

"O' Evil, Consume It All."

And came the screams of agony and pleasure, followed by eight red beams of fire bending, digging into Moby Dick like a hot knife through butter. Again and again, as it sinks deeper, its body was riddled with holes and burn marks.

Surviving is impossible... maybe.

But just to make sure~ the beam gathered together, and struck from its mouth, drilling into its body like an arrow piercing through an apple— dealing the final blow.

With everything done, I closed my eyes and listen...

'Why did you attack us?', the voice bellowed in frustration.

'We did no harm to you...', it cried out.

'All we wanted was to swim in the vast ocean...'

'But you came for us.'

'Why?'

Humans used to hunt whales for their oil and bone because it was a necessity to have them back in the day. But when hunting for profit became hunting for sport...

I can only smile, "Because we want to let loose, to have fun. Your mortality means nothing to me, to humanity. We want to prove that we are more powerful, that we are the sole ruler of this planet— your species' death means nothing to us."

'I see... then you all should've died early.'

'I curse you, humanity.'

'I curse you, Akasha...'

I nodded, "I know, but that is how the nature of this world is— the strong rule the weak. You deserve no pity, because you are weak. Your cries touch no one, for you are insignificant to us."

It let out one last cry, cursing me, cursing my existence. Just because I gave it the truth, doesn't mean it can be an ass about it.

I rose up to the surface, looking around to look for a ship... ah, they all left to search for Shub-Niggurath.

I turned on my communication device, "Nyarlathotep, this is Charlotte."

[Yo, are you done?], they asked.

"Yeah, Moby Dick is now full of holes. And I found Shub-Niggurath inside it, can't confirm if I killed that thing or not."

[I'll go check it out myself. Oh, and I'm sending Omegius over to you. He should be at your location right about.... now.]

And as the Thousand Face Trickster said, Omegius appear right in front of me. Silvery white hair with clear blue eyes, he stare at me while standing on top of the water.

If this was a romance film, this would be a touching moment. But I am Charlotte Silvi, I don't deal with romance.

I wore Fallen Starlight on my back, a strap really helps to carry such a big gun. And I pulled back my hood, staring right back at him.

"Hello there.", I greet him.

"Hello, do you need a lift?", he tilt his head.

"Yes, back to a ship would be nice... why are standing so far away?", he is about seven meters away from me.

"I don't want to get burned by you, it's already very hot right here.", he spoke frankly.

"But I don't want to get wet...", wait, I was in an animal's stomach, "...on second thought."

I dispelled Malice, letting the water make me wet. The water is cold— fuck, the salt is going to mess my hair up.

Omegius approached me, giving me his hand. I took it, feeling his hand wrap around my wrist.

"It will take only a moment, so please bare with it."

We went back to the ship, which I just realized in a destroyer, the same ship Philip was on too. And then Omegius went away. As for Philip, he seems to have regained his composure... though he still looks unwell.

I did this to him... what is this ache?

Am I... feeling guilty? No, no... I can't be feeling guilty. I am Charlotte Silvi... this isn't what I should feel.

Hah... just as Sinclair said, I am developing a... conscience. Did she traumatize me that much? I mean, she did walk into the shower and pinned me against the wall... it was no less a sexual assault.

Anyhow, I need to get rid of this annoyance. I walk over to Philip, who is watching the calm ocean.

"Hm? Charlotte.", he noticed me, "You seem a little... wet?"

I smile, "Yeah, the sea salt is a bit annoying... and... sorry about what I did to you.", I look to the side. I can't believe I actually apologize to someone of my own volition. No, the gym thing doesn't count, machines can be replaced, and... humans cannot.

He smiles back, "Just give me a warning next time. You are dangerous and you should be more... conscious about everyone around you."

I can only nod and say nothing. I cannot change, I still am Charlotte Silvi. The girl with pride... so is this one of my flaws, my pride.

"You know, Charlotte.", he look to the sea, "My father taught me something. He taught me that anyone can change for the worse, or become better. Take my grandfather for example, do you know who he is?"

"Howard Philips Lovecraft.", I answered. Or better known as H.P Lovecraft, an explorer, and novelist who recorded most of the known Eldritch Gods, now as Babel classified them, Those beyond the Oort Cloud for the sake of being fancy.

"Yes.", Philip continues, "For most of his life, he was not a good man, he was openly racist, he saw people not as people but dangers to his existence. He knew fear and he was not able to conquer them till the very end. He was beyond saving as many people said. But in the end, he still got over his own paranoia and accepted that he wasn't the best version of himself, he could've been better, and he could've avoided a lot of regrets."

He took a deep breath, "That's what counted. He changed for the better. If a man who was beyond saving such as my grandfather can be better..."

Then he looks at me, "Then you can too."

I... have nothing to say. I can be better... but will I? Will I walk down the same path as Sinclair? No, I will not. I saw her pain hidden behind that playful smile, I don't want that.

From her song, I know she was selfish, not in the same way as me, and that led her to her tragic ending... I don't want that.

"I guess I should try to be better than being myself.", I chuckled, I mean, I did lose a part of my soul because I didn't know myself enough, "Thank you for your advice."

"Well, at least you are still polite to some extent."

He tried to pat my head, but I slapped his hand away with a bright smile.

"No touching."

"Haha, I like that you have principles.", he laughed, "Let's head back on land, I heard Erin is organizing a celebration party."

"That sounds good, I will be there."

"Let us head back inside, you need to dry off after all. Oh, and Kawl is sad because he couldn't fire off the guns.", he chuckles while we walk.

"As an American, I understand him, there is something so... liberating about firing a gun.", I too, smile.

"Hahaha! That's the spirit, Arco would be proud!"

We walked for a bit in silence. I would've liked to keep this quiet atmosphere but...

"Hey, I can heal you if you want.", either Hope or Delusion should do it.

However, Philip shook his head, then he spoke with a smile, "I would like to keep these wounds, please. They are proofs that I have experienced today, even if they will eventually become ugly scars."

 

=0=0=

 

As Deliah carry her luggage into the airport, she breathed a sigh of relief. Airplane is something she dislikes,s after all, she always gets sick and the hum of the turbine made her almost deaf.

And behind her is Kratos, carrying several suitcases in both of his hands and wearing others around his shoulder.

"Are you sure you can carry all of those?", she asked while holding back her vomit.

He nodded without saying a single word.

"I'll go to the restroom, find a place to sit and wait for me.", she left her luggage behind to Kratos.

While speed walking, she cannot help but smile...

"I can't wait to meet you... Silver Royal.", she mumbled, smiling widely, almost in a perverse manner.