Chapter 143: Bifrost

Chapter 143: Bifrost

James rose cautiously to his feet, gaze darting about the large cavern in search of potential danger.

Other than Crimson Hydra, however, all was still.

The cavern was a series of subtly compartmentalized segments, each distinguished from the rest by columns or curtains of stone that intruded just enough to give a sense of separation. Thick fur rugs were thrown over the polished stone floor, and vividly painted landscapes and portraits hung in heavy gilt frames from the walls. The ceiling was high above, and combined with the sparse furnishings gave the place an airy sense of tranquility and stillness.

This, like, his pad? asked Yadriel, shifting down to his human form.

Caveman-chic, said Denzel, tone approving. Look at the size of that bed. He couldnt live here alone.

The last room housed a bed big enough for six. But James saw no signs of other people living here. No clutter. No dishes - no kitchen, for that matter. The place was stark and beautiful, but it felt more like a mountain temple than a home.

Look at that view, breathed Miriam, moving to the edge of the open wall to stare out over the jungle far below. Oh - is that a dinosaur?

Everybody moved to joined her. Amongst the mist-wreathed trees moved great saurian beasts, their necks long, heads tiny like brontosauruses. A hooting cry rang out from their number, a strange, feral trumpeting, and as one the herd of huge beasts turned to head along a different track.

What is this, Jurassic Park? asked Jason quietly.

James moved to crouch beside the dead angel and froze. The massively muscled, Conan-like figure had disappeared to be replaced by a vaguely octopoidal creature. Its purple head was rubbery, bald, and heavily wrinkled, and its mouth was a powerful beak. Black silk clothed the rest of its body which seemed to be a mess of boneless limbs.

Jesus, breathed Serenity, moving up alongside him. Is this?

Its in the same spot, said James. Everyone, take a look.

The crew tore themselves away from the edge to startle at the angels new appearance.

Is that what it really looked like all along? asked Miriam, hand going to her mouth. Jason slid his arm around her shoulders.

If so Kerim crouched before the dead creature. It would seem that the angels are illusions crafted to meet our expectations. Illusions that disappear upon their deaths.

But this bitch died when he was hit by a black ball, yo, said Yadriel. So that was a fake death?

Fake death, agreed Denzel. Fake as hell. More like he got tagged out of the game.

And he was - what? Olaf moved up to stare in fascination at the dead creature. Coming back here to relax?

Could be, yeah. James moved closer, half -expecting the creature to jerk back to life at any point. He was powerful enough to be an Archangel, but not more than that. When he tagged out he opened up a portal to this place. Maybe to relax until he was summoned again?

James, set that device on the floor so I can scan it, asked Jessica.

James examined the wand in his hand. It was heavy, solidly built, but the spherical head was clearly intricately mobile, the hundreds of rune-inscribed keys meant to be depressed, with four bands of gold which could spin about them all.

Jessicas Omni hovered over the staff and emitted a blue light over the device.

So, aliens? asked Serenity. These the creatures running this show?

Might be, said James. But this guy wasnt running much of anything.

Miriam and Jason had moved off together, slowly inspecting the rooms contents. Hey, said Jason. Look, this is him, here. He took up a framed photograph and raised it for them to see.

It showed a group of nine octopoidal people underwater, their limbs intertwined, each of a subtly different color. They ranged from dark jade to light aquamarine to golden yellow, but the figure in the center was clearly their guy. The purple skin and distinctive black sports along the side of his head gave him away.

Miriam took the picture, studied it, then stepped back and looked at the walls. Some of these people are in these paintings.

James pivoted around on the balls of his feet. The heavy gilt frames held portraits of other octopoids, he saw. Each was a solo portrait, the figure floating in blue waters, vividly painted and distinct.

Nine, said Jason. Just like us.

A crew of nine? Serenity walked over and took the picture. You think maybe his world was hit like ours was?

Who knows? Jason ran his hands over his buzz cut hair. But if so, this is where he ended up. Why? Did he fail to get to the bottom? Or was this his reward? To play-act as an angel in another species trial?

Right till we showed up, said Serenity softly, handing the picture back. And ruined his day.

Perhaps Kerim rubbed at his goatee. Perhaps this was his reward? Its almost useless to speculate, but his belonging to a group of nine is highly suggestive. As an Archangel he was powerful, but not overwhelmingly so. Perhaps he didnt reach the bottom of the Pits, but still did well enough to be rewarded?

Or forced to work for the demons, spat Yadriel.

The demons work for someone else, said Kerim. Remember? Its possible theyre not even demons but beings like this forced to wear an illusion for our sake.

Thats fucked. Yadriel scowled. To go through all this and then be forced to fuck with another world as a reward?

Kerim smiled. Whomever is running this show has yet to demonstrate an ounce of interest in concepts such as fairness or commensurate rewards.

James couldnt tear his gaze from the octopoidal corpse. What had it been through? What had it suffered? Were the others in the portraits alive or dead? He thought dead. There was something celebratory about the paintings, something sad. They looked idealized in a way he couldnt quite pinpoint, as if the light were ennobling them. Had it suffered as they were suffering now? Been visited by their own apocalypse and forced to fight against ever more extreme odds till at last he had ended up here?

James regarded the cavernous apartments once more. Youd think hed want to relax underwater.

Maybe they didnt want him getting too comfortable, said Kerim. Or perhaps these are work apartments? He gets to go home after our apocalypse wraps up?

Not anymore he dont, said Yadriel with a grin.

Interesting. Jessica turned off her scanner and rose up. This is a piece of incredibly sophisticated machinery. Far beyond anything we have ever dreamed of back home. Its core is incredibly dense. Im talking center of the sun dense, or even black hole dense. The keys are a means to control the power within it, but I cant tell more than that without access to my Mechanicus and lab back home.

He must have used it to open the portal to this place, said James. Right?

Its entirely possible, yes. Which means that it could be used to open portals to all manner of places. But I cant tell from here.

So we go home? Serenity raised an eyebrow. Can you teleport us back from here?

James made a face and then slowly shrugged.

We bought Earth about ten days, said Jessica carefully. Though now the new levels have been accelerated to 6 hour cycles. Failure to defend the Heart could result in time lost? Or Im not sure, really. Id best get to examining the Bifrost.

James extended the wand. Can you carry this?

The Omni floated over. A small panel slid aside so that an articulated claw could emerge, its three fingers closing around the Bifrosts shaft. Ill be quick.

And she zipped to the front door. Someone get this for me? I dont want to have to destroy it.

Miriam ran over and opened the door. Jessica disappeared.

I dont like this, said Jason. Times we dont understand, consequences that could affect the whole world.

Um, Jason? Could I have a word? asked Miriam timidly. In private?

Um? Oh. Yeah. For sure. The pair of them hurried down the hall and stepped into one of the bedrooms, closing the door firmly behind them.

Fuck, I think we should have a conversation, too, said Denzel. Kerim?

Hmm? About what?

About, you know. Denzel made a face. Ive got questions. About what its like to be a secular Muslim.

Oh? Oh! Oh. Kerim flushed and nervously adjusted his spectacles before glancing around at the others. Well, sure. Weve a little time, dont we James?

James grinned. Plenty. If anybody else wants to go screw their brains out, nows the time.

Kerim opened his mouth, mortified, but Denzel just grabbed him by the hand and hauled him away.

Yadriel grimaced. I dont believe it. Im the most fucking eligible bachelor in the world and Im not banging? Who does that make any sense?

Serenity poured out three fingers of Scotch. The worlds full of mysteries, babe.

Hey, Serenity. Girl. Yadriel eased up to the bar and clucked his tongue. I ever tell you that youre a fine-ass piece of meat? Girl, your legs go from here to tomorrow, and that ass? He winced as if in pain. That ass. Should be the official logo of the state of Georgia. How bout you and me go find some place quiet and He trailed off, eyebrows raising hopefully as Serenity leaned forward, elbow on the bar, chin on the palm of her hand.

No, keep going, she said. I cant believe Im hearing this. Whats your closer?

Closer? He grabbed himself between the legs, this is my closer right here.

Serenity frowned. Man, you were so close.

Yadriel pouted. That a no?

Sorry hon. A million times over.

He scowled. Fuck. Maybe Ill have better luck downstairs.

You gonna go find a hook up? Serenity laughed. Now?

Whens better? He moved to the front door. If demons or angels or shit show up, tell em to give me three hours. Thats all I get going.

Peace, hon, laughed Serenity again, straightening as James moved to sit at the bar. Talk about hope springing eternal. Though on some level, I cant believe it took him this long to hit on me.

Hes a man of respect, said James, sitting down with a sigh. A man of culture.

Why you sitting down? asked Serenity.

James froze. Youre pouring drinks?

Drink, solo. You got places to be.

I do?

Jessicas down there in the basement. You should go check on her, see how shes doing.

I should?

Serenity raised an eyebrow at him.

James flushed. Oh. Yeah. Sure. I should.

Good man. Knew youd get there eventually.

James stood, tugged at his clothing, and turned to the front door.

Oh, and James?

He looked back at her.

Youre a grown-ass man. Dont forget that. Women like confidence. Assertiveness. Tell her what you want, and if she wants it, too, well. Enjoy.

James took a ragged breath. Thanks, coach.

Just dont take too long. This aint the time for the Kama sutra, yeah? Shes got a Bifrost to figure out.

Copy. Jamess heart was pounding. With the power out hed have to take the stairs.

Or not.

He opened a teleportation ring to the underground parking lot, gave Serenity a two-finger salute, and stepped through.