Unbroken: Fall of the Universe

Chapter Seven

Horde Prime gave the order that he was going to Etheria. In his words, he "obviously had to take care of this embarrassment himself."

When the Velvet Glove arrived at the planet, Hordak made sure to be at one of the windows to see. He wasn't at his post, so it'd have to be quick. When the planet came into view, he sucked in a breath. It was so beautiful.

If he took away all of the Horde ships and spires riddling the planet's surface, it had beautiful white swirling clouds. The sea was a sparkling blue, reflecting the stars and moon's light. The jagged mountain peaks came into view as they moved closer. The turquoise forest canopies were nothing but a distant dusting on the vast green. If he looked carefully, he could see the towns and kingdoms of Etheria. Along the coast, he could make out the spires of Salineas. Then somewhere in the forest, there was the Castle of Bright Moon. The planet was small and fragile.

For the first time in his life, the clone found that he did not want this planet to be harmed. It was too beautiful, too mystical, too powerful for the Horde to tamper with it. He quickly shook himself out of the trance and looked away.

It is yet another world that Horde Prime must destroy in order to insure total victory, he told himself firmly.

Horde Prime! Master of all intelligent beings! King of all that light touches! Nothing can defeat the all powerful lord of space and time itself!

The former defect let the praise play. He wanted to drown out such frivolous thoughts on why a planet must be protected from Prime. Why do I care about a stupid planet?

He will free us all from the darkness, and bring us into the light of Prime!

Hordak clutched his head, and clenched his jaw. What is wrong with me? His mind screamed. All I want is to be useful to Lord Prime. Why must I remember such things?

The Horde throne that did not belong to Prime consumed his vision...

Get out of my head! Hordak slammed himself against the wall.

A woman had magenta eyes that sparkled with wonder...

Hordak let out a groan of pain. It wasn't working. He put his back to the wall and slid to the floor.

Putting his face in his hands, he fell silent. Why do I even want to remember? I just want to be perfect to Horde Prime.

Imperfect...

Minutes turned into hours. Still no one was missing him. He stayed frozen, trying to rid himself of this terrible feeling that flowed through him. He wanted to seal the rip in the barricade back up. He wanted to forget and to simply be a servant.

But he hesitated.

There was still a small part of the clone that wanted to remember. There was a spark in his heart, a sensation that he was never supposed to know. It'd taken hold of him ever since he found the crystal in the wreckage.  A small sliver of him that he never wanted Prime to discover and take away. 

He unfolded his hand to see the crystal. It's runes reflected in his lime green eyes. Hordak had stared at this object for days, hoping it'd give him enough answers. He hoped it'd prove that there was nothing before Prime, and that he could forget.

Buried beneath that hope, there was dread. He was scared of what he'd find in those shards of the past. Did he really want to know what was before?

Hordak's ears perked to the sound of footsteps echoing down the hall. The clone quickly raised himself to his feet, and tucked the crystal back out of sight. Quickly, he strode away from the sound and rounded a corner. The brothers' telepathic communications leaked into his consciousness.

"Where is our good brother?" one inquired.

"He was supposed to be sent to Etheria to accompany Lord Prime on his journey to the surface," the other agreed. "Alas, I am not aware of his whereabouts."

"Perhaps we should find him," the first recommended.

"No. I am receiving a transmission stating that Prime does not want anyone coming with him. Our sisters on Etheria will take care of him."

"Even with their magic?"

"They will protect the creator of the light at all costs."

Hordak frowned. Sisters on Etheria? Horde Prime was going to trust the chipped rulers of Etheria to protect him over...

He was going to take me, Hordak realized. But why? It's not like I've ever been to Etheira. I'm hardly what you'd call a guide.

A chill ran down his spine. He remembered something he didn't catch before. I knew the names of the Etherian kingdoms.

He did a quick check and searched his photographic memory for any mention of the Etherian kingdoms. The Horde never mentioned any to him.

His breathing quickened as the reality set in. He steadied himself against the wall. How is this possible? How do I know this? 

"Brother? Are you quite alright?"

Hordak spun around to see a fellow brother standing behind him. The green eyes were blank.

He straightened up and nodded. "Yes, brother," he replied calmly.

The clone announced, "Lord Prime reported he has found what he is looking for. He requests the Eastern squadron to depart to Etheria. We leave in an hour. Glory be to Horde Prime."

"Glory be to Horde Prime," Hordak mumbled as the clone stalked away. As soon as the footsteps vanished, he sighed. The crystal caught the light again, and he stared at it for a while.

Something clicked.

He gasped. Everything fell into place inside his mind.

That throne, the names of the planet...

Somehow, Hordak had lived on Etheria. Somehow, he'd been an emperor, too.