Ch 21: He of the Infinite

Angelorum Lux, heroes of the gods. 1000 years ago they ended a terrible war, but now Alexander reveals a new side. What will Alexander tell Grey in private? Just who or what IS Grey?

            The doors to the deck slid open, and together Grey and Alexander stepped out, making their way slowly along the deck. The ship’s deck was a basically the top of the ship, a large, flat open space with a railing around it. Pulling away from Alexander, Grey said, “I think I’ll be able to stand on my own for a bit.” He walked away from Alexander to the edge of the ship, holding onto the railing as he looked off into the distance. Standing there staring out into the windy skies, they took in the spectacular view for a moment. Finally, Grey said, “Well, are you gonna tell me what this is all about?” Taking a deep breath, Alexander said, “Grey, do you yet believe the story I told you and Amy on the way to Abnoct a couple weeks ago?” Grey nodded, saying, “Yeah. It was a bit hard to swallow, but I eventually figured it wasn’t like you to say something like that as a joke, especially the part about being Alastor’s brother. Also, back in Abnoct, Zero said something similar. He said I was supposed to be the heir to the legacy of a being revered as a God. I still don’t really understand exactly what that meant, but I’m pretty sure it’s connected with the story you told us. Do you have any idea what he meant?” Alexander nodded and said, “To be honest, that’s precisely why I asked you out here. Grey, the truth is…” Alexander seemed to be struggling to find the right words, but then he simply said, “Grey, you were not born in this world.” 

Grey turned to look at Alexander, his eyes wide, and stammered, “Wh-wha…?” Staring back at him, looking as serious as possible, Alexander continued, “Grey, you are a half human with both human and halman blood. Halmans are a race of non-humans who took a different evolutionary path than humanity. It’s why I had to ask Amy’s mother for assistance in curing you of your illness eight years ago, though it was her father who was of most help. Your body, while you look human, is slightly different. You have slightly more acute senses, a different heart rate, and your body tissues heal much faster. Both I and the town doctor couldn’t figure out what was wrong with you, as you had a disease normal humans are not affected by.” In disbelief, Grey replied, “How the hell can you expect… me to believe that?!” Grinning in spite of himself, Alexander said, “Oh that pales in comparison to what I must ask you to believe now. Grey, when you think about how everyone keeps saying you have such incredible potential as an energist, about how Altera Veritas is so eager to control you, about the fact that I, a member of Angelorum Lux, have been watching over you all this time… Don’t you ever wonder why?” Grey simply nodded, still trying to make sense of all this. Pressing on, Alexander said, “You remember there were three members of Angelorum Lux, correct? Yet you have only met two, Serius the Unbound and myself, Gabriel the Immortal. Don’t you wonder what happened to the third, Amanus of the Infinite?” Stuffing his hands in his pockets as a cold breeze stung his hands, Grey said, “Well now that you mention it…” With a grave look, Alexander said, “Amanus died after he battled with Alastor and the Nameless One. He used the power of Origin’s gift, the blade known as Deus Amictus, to seal their strength long enough for us to devise a method with which he could be forever contained. Yet thirty years ago, the seals we created after that battle malfunctioned somehow. The Cataclysm of Noctivagus. With the seals malfunctioning, they were weakened and their absorption of EDE greatly reduced, allowing this world to become saturated with EDE. Alastor must have struggled against the seal for over a decade before he finally broke free. That is why eighteen years ago, Origin seems to have decided that it was time that the mantle of He of the Infinite was passed down to another in order to protect the worlds.” Grey was staring at him in utter disbelief now, and slowly he said, “No way… There’s no way…” Shaking his head, Alexander said, “No Grey, it’s quite true. You are the one. He of the Infinite, the Herald of Origin’s Will.”

            Walking away from the railing, Grey’s mind raced. Moving over towards Alexander and stopping next to him, Grey stared at the deck for a moment, then he looked up and asked, “If it’s true, if this is really true… How did I get to this world? What happened to my real family?” Alexander looked away, remaining silent. Reaching out and grabbing him by the shoulders, Grey shouted, “Don’t you dare hide something like this from me again damn you! Tell me!” After a moment, Alexander turned to look at him and said, “After breaking free, Alastor had to regain enough power to form Altera Veritas. Despite his weakened state though, he sensed your existence I think, and when you were three years old he used every ounce of strength he had to send what forces he’d gathered across the void between worlds in an attempt to capture you. I managed to save you, hide you away in this world, but… your mother and father did not make it. I’m sorry…” Grey dropped to his knees, for a while he simply stared at nothing. Finally Grey clenched his fists, closed his eyes and screamed as loudly as he could. After he’d finished screaming, for a moment he once again stared at nothing, tears rolling down his cheeks. In despair, Grey said, “Why…? Why did I have to be born like this?! This power… It’s a curse! I’ve lost everything because of it! Why did I have to be like this?!” Removing his shades and revealing the solemn look in his eyes, Alexander said, “I’m sorry Grey… I’m afraid we are not given any say in how we come into this world. We can only live the life we are given and forge our futures with the choices we make.” Kneeling down to look Grey in the eyes, Alexander continued, “You haven’t lost everything Grey. Like Amy said, we’re all with you, and while it may be little consolation, you do have a twin sister as well.” Grey’s eyes widened as he stared at Alexander and asked, “I… have a sister?” Nodding, Alexander smiled and said, “Her name is Saria. Unlike you, her appearance would not pass for human I’m afraid. She had rather cute cat ears like your mother. We decided it was best she be raised in the world of Gaia.” Standing and donning his shades again, Alexander extended a hand to Grey and said, “You’re not alone Grey. We’re all here with you, so why don’t we go back to see the others? After all, what would Saria think of her brother, sitting here crying like this?” With a quiet laugh, Grey wiped the tears from his face, taking Alexander’s hand as he said, “You calling me a crybaby?” As Alexander pulled him to his feet, the two burst into laughter, and they both headed back inside the ship, laughing together the whole way.

            Standing before everyone gathered on the bridge, Grey took a deep breath and steeled himself before saying, “Everyone, after speaking with Alexander… I’ve decided I wanted to tell you myself. I don’t know how to really say this, so I’ll just say it… Apparently I’m the successor of Amanus of the Infinite. A half-human from the world of Gaia.” Scott stared at him in shock, Schmitt with a disbelieving look, and Amy had a look of awe on her face as she said, “It’s really true? Amazing…” Turning to look at her curiously, Grey said, “Did someone already tell you?” Amy quickly realized she shouldn’t have said something like that out loud, as Alexander looked at her in frustration and said, “So you DID follow me back in Aerennis… Still, I can only assume Serius filled you in on the rest, considering I didn’t discuss everything.” Leaning against the right window of the bridge, Serius said, “I saw no harm, she already knew too much…” Suddenly Scott said, “Hold on here! You can’t all believe this?! I mean, Alexander your story up till now has started to make sense to me, but this is… I’ve known Matt for so long, we grew up together, and he’s just as human as anyone!” With a slight laugh, Alexander said, “Indeed you have known him a long time Scott. Just as energists are people just like anyone else, non-humans, or half-humans in this case, are also people just like anyone else. If you remember, back then you did not even know Grey was an energist, for he was not yet aware of his abilities. Sometimes what you see is simply not what you get.” Scott considered this a moment, but still his face showed disbelief as he started to say, “But, still…” Interrupting with his hearty laugh, Schmitt said, “Come on now, Admiral! We’ve trusted ol’ Alexander on more unbelievable matters than this! ‘Sides, no matter what the case may be, he’s still your buddy, as well as our fearless leader! Right?” Alexander nodded in agreement and said, “Exactly. Anyway Scott, once we reach Lamiswood and find the person we’ll be searching for there, I’m sure you’ll find everything I’ve told you to be much more believable.” Scott blinked in surprise and said, “We’re going to Lamiswood to look for someone? Who?” Taking a seat in one of the passenger seats, Alexander said, “We are going to find an old friend of mine named Mythra. Together with her, I am going to train everyone for the battles to come. The fact of the matter is, Alastor still has not recovered his full power. He will be stronger the next time we face him, and he may send others under his command after us as well. We must be prepared.” Turning to head to the pilot’s seat, Schmitt said, “Heh, alrighty then! Lamiswood it is! Maybe while ya’ll train, I’ll slip in and visit the grandkids. To your station Admiral, we’re off!” Taking a pair of right side passenger seats, Amy and Grey sat down as Scott and Schmitt headed the Audentia towards Lamiswood. Turning to look at her slowly, Grey said, “Uh, Amy… Are you…. alright with me being like this?” Looking back at him, she blushed and said, “O-of course! Something like that doesn’t change anything, you’re still you! You’ll always be… my friend.” As Amy finished her sentence, she felt rather upset with herself, thinking, “Stupid, stupid, stupid! That was a perfect opportunity! Why can’t I say anything about how I feel? It’s been over a week since then, and I still don’t even know if he remembers what I said!” Gripping the armrest in frustration, she suddenly felt Grey place a hand on hers, and she heard him say, “Thanks Amy.” She suddenly felt as though she might faint, certain she felt her face turn red, she couldn’t think of what to do in such a situation. Lei, sitting happily in her lap, looked from Amy to Grey for a moment, and then closed his eyes to take a nap.

            The Audentia landed in a clearing within the southeast area of Lamiswood as the sun began to set. While the others walked down the ship’s boarding ramp, the ship’s cargo hold doors opened and Schmitt zoomed out, riding on the air cycle. Hovering over the others, he shouted, “Ya’ll take care, I’ll be back in a lil’ bit!” As Schmitt flew off towards Lamis, Grey said, “Is he really gonna be alright going there by himself?” Looking unconcerned, Serius said, “He will probably draw less attention by himself. In any case…” He turned to Alexander and continued, “How do we find Mythra? Our information on her location was vague at best, and it’s going to be dark soon enough. Do we really have time for a wide scale search?” Thinking for a moment, Alexander said, “Well, hopefully the same magic that she would no doubt use to hide her home from the skies won’t affect those approaching by ground. Whether or not it does, we simply have to search. If it gets too dark, we’ll just come back and try again tomorrow. We should have a better chance of finding her if we split into two groups. Serius will come with me, while Grey, Amy, and Scott will be the other group. If either group finds her, use EDE to create a flare for the other group to locate them. Don’t go getting lost now.” With that, Alexander and Serius started heading west through the forest. Facing Amy and Scott, Grey said, “Ok, let’s get moving too.” A look of concern on her face, Amy said, “Are you really sure you don’t want to wait here at the ship? You haven’t completely recovered.” With a reassuring tone, Grey replied, “I’m fine, really. If I don’t hurry up and get back on my feet soon I think I might forget how to walk.” With a sigh of frustration, Amy said, “Alright, but if you ask me you’re pushing yourself.” Laughing, Scott said, “Oh well. If you think about it, that’s just how Matt is. Always moving forward despite what’s in the way. If I had to guess, I think it’s because he knows he’s always got us with him if things get tough.” Heaving a sigh, Grey muttered, “Let’s just go already. And quit using that name, I’m getting tired of it.” Rolling his eyes, Scott replied, “Fine, but I still don’t get what the big deal is…” With that they began to make their way north through the forest, Grey managing to keep up, but still struggling slightly.

            After a while Scott said, “You know there are some pretty scary stories about this forest. The people of Lamis talk about a monster that lives around here. In some stories they call it a witch, some a vampire, I even heard a few that said it was a werebeast.” Amy, not liking the sound of this, said, “Y-yeah but those are just s-stories right? It’s not r-really true right?” Thinking for a moment, Scott said, “Well I can’t say if it’s true or not. There are all sorts of monsters outside the cities, so it’s possible. The townspeople sure believe in it. I hardly think it’d be anything we can’t handle though, so I don’t think we have to worry.” Turning back to look at her for a moment, Scott could see the color had drained from Amy’s face. In frustration, Grey said, “You tell her all that and now you say, ‘Don’t worry’?” Scott laughed nervously as they continued to walk and said, “Come on Amy, you don’t have to be scared with Grey and me here with you. Besides, now that I think of it, the monster is only supposed to appear under really misty conditions. This is the middle of summer, so we’re in the clear.” Still staring at Amy, he noticed the color seemed to drain from her face even more as she stopped suddenly. Stopping as well, Scott said, “What? What did I say?” With a bit of concern on his face as well, Grey said, “Uh Scott, look around you for a moment…” Looking around quickly, Scott became aware that the area of the woods they were now walking through had suddenly become shrouded in thick mist. Doing a double take, Scott finally said, “Uh, ok… I suppose maybe we should head back?” Looking around, Grey’s concerns grew as he said, “Sure. Just one little thing though… Which way is back?”

            “If you ask me the fog is getting thicker…” said Grey as they continued to walk through the misty forest, growing even more lost. Amy had taken to clinging tightly to Grey’s arm, terrified at the thought of getting separated from him or Scott. They were managing to stick close together despite the dense fog, but suddenly Lei, who had been riding upon Amy’s shoulder, leaped off and went hopping into the forest. Amy shouted, “Lei?! Where are you going? Come back!” Without thinking, Amy rushed after her pet and disappeared into the fog as Grey shouted after her, “Amy wait! Come back!” Suddenly they heard her scream, and both he and Scott quickly rushed the direction of her cries. Stumbling through the fog, after a while Grey heard Scott cry out from behind him. Turning to see what was wrong, he could see nothing. Scott was gone, and he was now all alone in the misty forest. Running back in the direction he came, or at least thought he had, Grey called out, “Scott?! Amy?! Where the hell are you guys?!” The sun had set now, and the fog seemed to only get thicker. Continuing to stumble aimlessly, Grey at last came upon a break in the fog, and found himself in a clearing with a pond in it. Walking up to look at the pond, he couldn’t help but wonder at how clear the water was, as it seemed almost unnatural. He could see his reflection in it quite clearly. Suddenly ripples distorted his reflection, and Grey looked up to see what had caused them. Skipping across the water, moving upon it and not through it, was a young woman with long black hair who looked only slightly older than him, if at all. Her clothes were rather different from what you’d see most people her age wearing these days. She wore an elegant looking black dress with silver frills, the shoes she wore had silver ribbon shoe clips, and beneath them she wore long black stockings. On her head she wore a black wide brimmed hat with a white bow and silver frills at the edges. Thinking of the stories Scott had mentioned, he recalled that one of the stories had told the monster was some sort of witch, and he did not know what to expect as the girl slowly skipped across the water towards him. Coming to a stop a little ways from the edge of the pond in front of him, she was close enough that he could see her eyes. They were different colors, the right one was silver and the left one was violet. Suddenly, she smiled and said to him, “I‘ve been waiting for you, He of the Infinite.”

Reviews

[Ryan Henderson]

I like this chapter, such a stunning truth about Grey is unveiled, however it was not ENTIRELY surprising considering the fact that you have foreshadowed the coming of the truthful revelation of Grey's true story and nature. I like how you spent almost half of the book building up to various climaxes and they just keep getting better!

No spelling mistakes, very good! Great dialogue pattern and pace. The dialogue was believable, too which is always good. I also like the name of the chapter, very fitting! Great detail included in this chapter, I might add.

Very good work as usual, my friend! You never fail to leave me wanting more! Great work, you are very talented and original. Keep writing!

[KeithKVH]

Thank you for the review, I'm glad you liked the buildup and revelation. There are quite a number of twists still to come, some are foreshadowed, some are not. Even in those foreshadowed, most often there is something extra as well that will have even more meaning later. As much as I'd like to point it out, I don't want to spoil when you realize it, so for now the story continues on with the meeting of Mythra. How I wonder what you'll think of her personality... xD

Will read more of your work today. I took a break yesterday because the moving work began and I was beat from moving stuff. x.x

[Ryan Henderson]

lol that's okay. I am reviewing your work as much as I can, but I could not stop things from hitting the fan in my situation here and everything has gone downhill. Well, I will be trying to review your writing as much as possible nonetheless!