Misadventures in the Multiverse

Chapter Fourty Three

Lucius and the others have reached the deepest parts of the trunk, looking at a void that seems to go down for miles. A path slowly spirals down the abyss. Rainbow lights shine and move up and down it like some sort of information network. Dr. Corvus seems very interested in taking all this in. The control panel he is holding lights up with something, so he stops to check it. "Ah, perfect, it won't be much farther just down this hole." He says excitedly. The leader looks around as well. "So this is the source of everything. It's wondrous indeed. Too bad that thing squandered its potential." He says with a bit of anger.

"All remaining forces other than The Reaper, and The doctor are to stay here and hold this position. Hopefully, it won't come to it, but you are the last line of defense, understand?" The men saluted him, showing their willingness to do so, even though it seemed they had lost a lot of numbers just getting here. Rebbecca watches them descend just out of sight, not taking action for now. She pretty easily avoids their notice and still keeps up with them.

The Strike team has made it to the area with strange white creatures, they struggle a little to subdue them, but it doesn't take them long to take care of all the ones around. Clyde catches his breath, looking ahead at the miasmic fog just ahead. Raleigh slowly approaches it, touching its surface. "Careful... I'm not sure how I know this, but... if we don't stick close to each other in this mist, you could end up on the other side of the multiverse." Clyde looked at her, wondering how it was she knew that. Was it the same as her finding the right world to go to in the multiverse? If so, how did Rebbecca get through, he wondered.

Cyrus pulled out a cable from a multi-box. "How about we tie this to each of us as you lead the way," he suggested. "That sounds like a good idea." She nods in approval. After he goes about tying the cable to everyone, Raleigh takes a deep breath, entering the fog. It disoriented all of them, but Raleigh everyone was struggling to keep focus, but she felt fine, and drawn to something. They saw a few Empire soldiers fighting the white monsters or just looking lost, but none of them seemed to be able to see them. It grew thicker and harder to breathe, Clyde struggled to keep his head straight, he felt like he was losing his mind. Like it was being pulled In every direction. He was everywhere, and nowhere at the same time.

Raleigh grabbed onto his hand tightly, looking back at him. She tried to speak, but no words came out, but somehow he knew what she said anyway. They were almost out, it kept getting stronger and harder to see. She didn't let go of him as they finally made it out on the other side. He took a long deep breath, returning to his senses. Now they were before the void, but also the army waiting for them. They seemed a bit surprise to see anyone, but they quickly charged at them, leaving them no time to recover.

The Emperor walks a little ahead of the others. His goals are so close to being achieved he can taste it just a little farther down. Even still, he stops. "Before we take another step, I need to know something." He says, turning to face the old man. He looks at him with feigned ignorance of whatever it is, but mentally prepared himself for a fight. "What is it, old friend." he asks. "Enough of this. I know you better than anyone. What is it you are truly trying to gain from this?" He asked him. "After all this time, you would question my motives. I've been there since the beginning. I've followed you every step of the way."

The Emperor pauses for a second. "That's right, you have been my greatest ally. I didn't always agree with your methods, but I accepted them as a necessary thing to further our goals. Goals I thought we shared. But looking back on it. It was all too smooth. You had your answer for what happened to my beloved right away. You directed my anger here. Why?" He said, demanding an answer from him Corvus sighs once again. "For the same reason as you must I explain it?" "I know what you did." Lucius said to him. At first he looked shocked, but after a moment her spoke. "I grow tired of playing this game. It seems in the end we were both using each other, but now I don't need you anymore."