The Book of Abbadon

The Tertiary Objective

" It all makes sense now. "

You say telepathically as you look down, deep in thought. Tom then puts his hand on your shoulder as he telepathically answers the question that you initially asked him.

" The deal that I made with The One was done in the hopes that I could one day relinquish Uphedis's grasp on reality. Like I said before, The One wanted information and I refused, so instead I promised him that I'd do my best to preserve his creation with the power that he grants me. It's been a long time since then... Every time The None consumes a universe, The One makes another. I'm only able to fight off Valghuli for so long before they eventually end up killing the Gods of a universe. It's been a stalemate that's lasted 100 billion years, and right now both sides are desperate. That's why you're so important, Donny. You're the piece on the board that's able to turn the tide. The Absolute power that Our Father gave you is what both sides are after to finish this conflict. "

You take a deep breath as you feel the fate of the entire Omniverse weigh heavily on your shoulders. You think about your power as you continue to converse with Tom telepathically.

" You're right about my Absolute power. Every time I've used it, it's been in a situation when my heart was involved. It first awakened when I was grieving Ariel and I hunted down powerful mortals and Gods to familiarize myself with my abilities in order to protect the people that I love. Then when I lost Rosie, it awakened again and in a blind rage I used it to undo an entire multiverse in an attempt to get back at The One for taking my daughter from me. And most recently, again it awakened in Somniohm by thinking about seeing Ariel again in Voldoor... "

Tom looks at you skeptically as he inquires about what you just said.

" What are you talking about, Donny? Ariel was killed by Anito, remember? "

" No. "

You say to him with a look of conviction in your eyes.

" That's actually the thing that I wanted to talk to you about. When I used the book to create Rosium and defeat the Valghul, I was able to see everyone all at once. I saw Izael crying as Athanohm crumbled and Veronica tending her garden in Havnahm too. I know what I saw. You have to believe me, Tom... It was her. I saw Ariel in Voldoor. "

You say to Tom as your eyes begin to tear up. Tom sees your emotional state and wraps his arm around your shoulders as he hugs you to the side. He tilts his head down to look at you compassionately as he responds.

" However impossible it may seem, I believe you Donny. The book is too powerful to be faulty in any sort of way. We can make looking for Ariel a secret tertiary objective between the both of us once we reach Voldoor. Most importantly though, we need to focus on talking to the Czar and investigating the club that Sowzo showed you before he died. "

You nod your head as you wipe the tears out of your eyes. You then pull out The Holy Omniverse Transcript from your garments as you ask Tom a question.

" If we could use the book right now then I'd show you, but unfortunately I can't. I tried opening it when you gave it to me, but the lock wouldn't budge. We're in a pretty bad situation right now because without the book, those Valghuli that I encountered in my dream will have the upper hand. It took using the book to defeat a regular Valghul when we fought it together, and I don't even want to imagine what it would be like fighting a Valghuli Exemplar without it. I do remember in the castle you said that you had an idea on how to get it open. What did you have in mind? "

Tom takes the book from your hands and looks at it curiously as he gently rubs the leather-like cover.

" The Holy Omniverse Transcript is the physical embodiment of Omniversal understanding. The One gave it to you which means that he wanted you to use it, but yet I find it strange how after you did, the book sealed itself shut. Speculating on why it was sealed or how we could open it on our own may prove to be a fruitful endeavor over a long period of time, but we don't have time like that. Ideally, it would be best for us to give the book to one of the Gods of this universe. Perhaps they could break the seal and open their father's book faster than we'd be able to figure it out. "