C71 The Prince.
The Prince.
“ Well ? “ Roland spoke up, as Kadim had remained silent for a while. And after actually bothering to summarize what may seem important so far, he was interested to see where this was supposed to go.
Kadim would just shake her head, and simply proceed with her story.
“ His kin could see no difference in his appearance and welcomed him as one of theirs, and sought to let him share in their way of life. But no matter their attempts, he was unable to integrate with them.
He did however find their ways so moving, that he felt the desire to protect them. So much so, he was the only one to willingly seek serving as one of the guardians under the then N’Khar, Arelio.
Arelio, like many N’Khar before him, was one of those that had not found a bond mate, largely in part due to their species having been forcibly split. And as one without mate, he accepted the position of the High Lord and Guardian of his people, a task that gave him purpose.
And when the man, then called Talparo, offered his services, Arelio accepted them without much thought about Talparo’s reasoning. There was an actual hint of curiosity about it, but it grew gradually towards appreciation, as Talparo proved to be efficient in his duty as Guardian.
When someone threatened their kin, or dared to attack them, Talparo went out, and the problem went away. When they needed someone to stop a war between those they sought to enlighten, the problem went away. And more often then not, thing's remained peaceful then.
But what Talparo’s brethren did not understand, was how he managed to seed peace so easily. Because they were unaware of his methods, and never looked into them, blindly trusting in one of their own.
The truth was, when Talparo went to solve a problem, he did not do so through diplomacy, nor through a warning. He went there, removing the root of the problem entirely.
He went to any that sought war against his kin or those they sought to enlighten, luring the offending party in, and then utterly obliterate them. At times he would destroy entire worlds, just to spread enough terror for others to never again dare raise a weapon, against his kind, and those under their protection.
The method did not matter to him, as long as his goal was achieved, and it was nearly as though he enjoyed his work, taking pride in it, even when committing utter genocide. “ Kadim spoke, and then permitted herself another pause, and as Roland assumed, once more to signify something of importance.
“ All his people saw, was his commitment, his success. And Arelio considered him, amongst a few, as possible Khar, which was the position of one that was guided to become the next N’Khar.
But before such a decision could be made, one of their fiercest enemies made a new appearance. The beast folk they had been in constant conflict with. Though, it was only one vessel, which, a lot like their worlds, were similar to their own. And the pilot seemed to be unconscious.
When they came to take the Pilot in, it turned out to be a female, and she came around by the time Arelio and some of his aid’s entered her ship. But then something happened no one considered possible.
Talparo approached her, and growled. It was something that was driven by pure instinct, and that he had no control over. Just like any of their kind when they found their soul mate, when both of them were ready to bond with their significant other.
It confused Arelio and his men even more when Talparo, also through pure instinct, shifted his form into a beast appearance just like hers, and seemingly attack her.
She fought back, but as Arelio finally realized then, it wasn’t actual aggression, it was them, bonding. The first greeting of every mate-ship, were the dominant role was determined before their actual first mating, which always resulted in their first of precious few offspring.
This came as a shocking realization to a lot of them.
The beast folk they have been in a form of war with, they were the very brethren they had been searching for so long. So blinded by the few differences, that they overlooked the similarities they shared.
Arelio had to, at that point, call his men and retreat from the vessel, only to have Talparo and his new mate collected after they had exhausted themselves. And by then, they already reached out into any direction to make contact with their lost kin.
Talparo though, he would eventually wake up besides his mate, without recollection of what has happened. Simply waking in a bed, with a strange woman besides him. No longer beast, but in the form similar to his, but again, with distinct features reflected in white.
She was confused as well, but not because she did not understand what happened. She could already sense the life that had been sparked within her, but what confused her, was that Talparo was completely sealed off.
As Mate’s, they were supposed to feel the others emotions more clearly, understand their thoughts, as if it were their own. But where there should have been a connection, there was simply a void in him, and no matter how deep her mind tried to reach, there was simply nothing.
And instead of expressing his joy, he looked at her like one would a stranger. Only to leave her there, as though there was no significance to him in her presence.
For a while, that confused the woman, disturbed her deeply. But eventually she sought to stay close to him, certain that, by the time their child was born, he would understand that they were made only for one another.
And she was very patient, always to be nearby, always to keep an eye on him, waiting for the moment that he would open up and see her as the part that was missing from his life.
Talparo was meanwhile elected as the new N’Khar, without going through the usual process. Only because his bonding signified the gradual reunification of two people back into one.
Takis, the N’Khar of the beast-folk, gladly stepped down from his own position when the two races finally became one once more. And the newly unified people assumed one shared form, but freely to step between each form again as they pleased. Just as it used to be before what they called the great shattering.
And like the people, the two halves of their home-world were mended, so that it seemed they finally would be at peace again. “ Kadim spoke, and then once more paused.
“ But ? “ Roland uttered, because clearly there was a very big one buried within that pause alone.
Kadim would watch his reaction with no expression that would suggest what she was thinking. And then simply moved on with her Tale.
“ Takis tried to help Talparo, as a sort of guide, but Talparo kept on taking care of issues personally. He did not even have a need for those that usually helped the N’Khar. And the people, instead of growing suspicious, were glad about it.
They simply did not understand the means or the extend Talparo went through to achieve what he did, and how could they ? He was one of them, it was a blatant impossibility to them that one of their own could stoop to such cruel actions. That was simply something reserved to other species who not yet understood the joy of life like they did.
And for many years, that seemed to go well. Takis stood ready to help the new N’Khar, if ever there would have been a need for it. The woman who carried his child, Isa as she was called, would remain close wherever she could, hoping for Talparo to finally see her. And Arelio found his own bond mate, so that he ended up mostly withdrawing from the burden of guardianship entirely.
But the power that twisted one of the builders, it was not done yet. The plan it had set in motion had yet to come to fruition, and it was determined to see it through.
It would do so in a deceptive way, using the people that followed the Builders, that were welcomed and protected by them. These people, they worshiped the Builders, despite how the Builders themselves frowned upon the idea of a deity when instead, one could deposit that faith into oneself.
These people, they were especially enamored with the N’Khar, and most of all Talparo, who was the greatest of the N’Khar to them. Aware of his ruthlessness, of his decisive and merciless ways to protect that paradise of theirs and the Builders.
They worshiped him and his dedication, as wrathful god that would cast his judgment on any that dared mar the purity of the Builders, and the worlds of plenty they lived on.
So they too were quick to note, how gradually, Talparo seemed to grow less determined. How his gaze wandered to where Isa stood. How it even seemed that he grew, merciful over time, granting choice or chance to those that should have been struck by his righteous wrath.
To them, Isa was poison, a source of corruption that sought to ruin their god. Because her persistence seemed to gradually crack the walls that Talparo had erected around his soul, and his very heart.
Talparo did not even realize this, he was equally annoyed, and relieved whenever he took notice of her presence. But he had no understanding of the cause, and while in time he may have mellowed down to finally understand and embrace what was happening to him, neither he nor Isa would be permitted the chance to explore that possibility.
Isa was lured onto a vessel under the premise that Arelio, someone she had come to confide in, was seeking to speak to her about Talparo. But Arelio was never headed for the ship. Instead, the Builders worshipers had send the ship into the void, where a bomb would erase what marred their god.
And when the deed was done, they approached Talparo, confessing to their crime. To report to him how they removed the stain on his soul, so that his judgment may never again be influenced by the seductress that sought to bring about his fall.
And Talparo, though confused, thanked them. “ Kadim carried on, and once more paused, and for once, Roland could clearly see the reason why.
“ So, he simply accepted that his mate, one of the Builders, was killed ? “ He asked, just to make sure.
“ There was a brief outburst before he did, but it lasted not even a second. A brief crack within the walls he build around himself, allowing but a flicker of rage to seep into the surrounding walls which tainted them black. But it was misconstrued by his followers as a sign that their god had reached his peak strength again, after he thanked them.
And it was not just Isa, but the child she carried as well, as the Builders took a long time before they were able to give birth. “ Kadim elaborated.
“ So, what then ? “ Roland asked, as clearly it felt like there was more yet to come.
“ Talparo did not understand. Without realizing it, he had been constantly looking for Isa that day, and for once he was annoyed because she was not present. Though perhaps more so, because he could not understand why that was of significance to himself. He had no concept of love, just as the other builders had no concept of Hatred.
But after his worshipers confession he had to withdraw, because that brief outburst, it was a symptom of a deeper issue. That beast that he sealed within, that other self, chained down with every emotion he kept denying himself, it was thrashing within it’s cage. It was rabid, bloodthirsty, gradually tearing his walls down and refusing his control.
Though it was probably also the realization that something was missing, something essential. And only when the walls broke down entirely, and they both finally became one again, he would realize to some degree what he lost, and it hurt more then anything in his entire life.
But the breakdown of his walls brought something more terrifying for the Builders, because until then, Talparo’s will was considered unbreakable. And the moment he and the beast within reunited, he subconsciously allowed his emotions to flow out, to impose it with that very will onto everyone else.
Every bit of pain, of loss, of cruelty he felt or executed, they had to experience it, all at once, and it drove them mad. And while some would flee, others would end their very existence right then, but most would be ensnared by that horror. All they could do, was to plead for it to stop.
That horror, through the builders, it was transmitted into the universe as a whole, so that every thinking being was gripped by it, joining into that moment of pure suffering. Until everyone would finally just utter one wish, for Talparo to make that suffering end, and he did.
Empowered by the power the builders started to funnel into him, and the wishes of everyone else that were ensnared in suffering, he ended life forever. Within a single moment he crushed the universe into a small point, and became an entirely new being of endless hatred and hunger. The Prince of hatred, as we call it.
And through it’s creation, it caused the plans that created Talparo, to backfire. The Builders were not the only once being punished, but all of creation. “ Kadim spoke, and then paused once again, though with how it sounded, Roland guessed it was the end of her little fairytale.
Roland sighed, closing his eyes for a moment to consider what Kadim had told him, to summarize it, trying to make even the faintest inkling of sense of it. But was there even anything he could take from this ? No matter how his mind twisted and turned this story, it sounded just so, unreal.
It felt like there were gaps, like that story was way to condensed towards specific details, and parts of it seemed unreasonable even. If he had to try and summarize it in his own words, then he would probably describe it as a bunch of idiots that had the sun shining out of their ass. Imposing their own believes on others, and not taking responsibility for their actions.
The suggested scale of passed time, of size and power alone seemed overly exaggerated to him. Surely a world larger then a blue giant would crush any who set foot on it, or these, builders, must have had an impossibly sturdy build.
Could there even be a planet of that size that would not crumble under it’s own weight ? The largest planetary body’s he knew were gas giants, and the pressure within even the outer layers was prohibitive for most life he knew.
“ Crap. “ He uttered then, realizing that he may have jumped the gun with this.
He acted on a promise, wove a web of lies, and had nothing to show for it. The only saving grace he had, was that he could still place what he told Karlo and THC as information given by another Psyker.
“ I admit, I nearly find it interesting how the marks on your soul have gradually shifted your perspective. It appears that, while Anthony’s soul has grown tired of conflict, yours has grown tired of betrayal.
It is the first time I seen the Guide be greedy, even outright villainous. “ Kadim then spoke.
“ The Guide ? “ Roland asked then.
“ Yes. A reoccurring theme, where every person of importance to Talparo, is represented in some form. Shards, like you. Your Shard would be Takis, the Guide. A man named Ludwig Meldrov, is the Father, a figure that encourages and enables Talparo’s shard, without truly understanding the deeper issue. And then there is the Beast. “ Kadim explained.
Then she raised her right hand to draw a circle within the air before her, which caused a stream of light particles to converge on the path she created, until, a moment later, something akin to a ring appeared in it’s place. She would seem to lightly push that ring then, so that it floated towards Roland.
“ What is that ? “ He asked as that ring shaped object approached him, having forgotten for a moment what she had just mentioned.
“ You were worried that you had nothing to show for your efforts so far. Consider it an incentive. “ She responded.
Roland then dared to carefully take the ring as it stopped before him, inspecting it with some curiosity. It looked like a silver ring, now that the glow from it grew fainter, and it seemed to hold a clear crystal, like a diamond.
“ It’s a source stone, an aether crystal of high density. “ Kadim would offer as Roland still tried to make sense of the ring.
“ Aether ? “ He wondered.
“ Try to sense it. “ Kadim suggested.
And Roland did, a bit confused at first what she was implying. But then he went ahead to reach out with his Psykic energy, and when it touched the ring, it felt like there was a bottomless well. But that well, it was chock full of energy, Psykic energy which he could tap into and use for himself.
“ I believe that should do for now, don’t you think ? “ Kadim suggested while Roland still tried to fathom how such a small object, could hold so much energy.
“ You could say so. “ Roland admitted, figuring that, with this much Psykic energy stored within the stone, he could probably erase the Queen of Hearts presence for days, more then a week possibly.
“ It refills itself gradually by tapping into ambient energy. You can store your own energy in it as well, which also offers a bit of training for your ability. “ Kadim claimed.
Roland just nodded then, guessing she once again had predicted his thoughts.
He figured though, even if the creation of the ring he watched may have been a trick, this ring in itself was more then he perceived as possible. Whatever material this was made from, most Psykers would kill to get their hands on it, he certainly would.
If she was meaning to make a display of power, then she sure had succeeded in his eyes. This was not something you could so easily hand out to anyone. At least, not unless this was something she could indeed create with ease.
“ So.” Roland begun, pausing briefly as he put the ring on his left index finger.
“ If I am to understand this right. If Anthony, fails, or whatever. He becomes this black hole like thing, this Prince ? “ He then uttered, trying to give this tale another serious thought, now that it resulted in a gain of high significance to him.
“ No, black holes are part of the universal renewal cycle. The Prince is a concept given form and a will. It is, No-where, and No-when, an absolute void. But since Anthony has become active and grown into his ability to some degree, the Prince can not manifest for the time being.
Right now, Anthony has to want for it to appear, by desiring for an end of everything, and for the moment, that seems unlikely. But as Talparo is essentially the Prince, so is Anthony.
The thing that may appear from him that is bothersome, would be the beast. “ Kadim explained.
“ The Beast ? “ Roland wondered, which brought him full circle towards her mention of the reoccurring theme of shards.
“ Yes. Everything Talparo sealed away, while it is Talparo, it also has become somewhat of it’s own entity, acting purely on instincts.
When Anthony grew into his abilities, the beast within him also begun to wake. It is as much part of Anthony, as it was part of Talparo. But it brings more aspects of Talparo then of Anthony, and acts as a sort of, safety mechanism.
If Anthony is threatened, it may take over. If something that Anthony values, be it person or perspective, is threatened, it may take over. And if he is unconscious, near death, or looses himself to the beast, it may run wild. “ Kadim responded.
“ Hm, and it is that dangerous ? “ Roland asked, recalling her mentioning before that even the Varduun would fear it.
“ It has no mercy, and enjoys the hunt. Had you dragged Anthony into what you call a Psykic battlefield, then you would have won, but you’d stand on a different battlefield then. And the beast would not have granted you a swift death, it would have taken pleasure in your suffering and prolonged it until you’d be in utter despair.
What really makes it dangerous though, is that, by instinct alone, it can use not only Anthony’s abilities, but Talparo’s as well. Aspects of Creation, and Void, and instead of Psykic energy, it can feed on hatred and the suffering it creates. And it’s own hatred alone is enough to make the Varduun shudder in fear. “ Kadim elaborated in more detail.
“ Oh great. “ Roland groaned with a hint of sarcasm.
“ So, what am I to do about it exactly ? I mean, aside from steering him towards taking action ?“ Roland asked then.
“ He has to control that beast, and make it a proper part of himself. And he can not see it as it’s own entity, that would only strengthen the separation, and thus the beast itself.
If the separation grows stronger, and Anthony see’s it as it’s own entity, he might start leaving more troublesome tasks to it, and that would gradually have the beast erase Anthony, until only the beast remains.
But, if he learns to yield it as a part of himself, it can no longer break out on it’s own. Anthony would erase it, and gain it’s abilities, to some degree at least. “ Kadim answered.
“ Babysitting it is. “ Roland said with a sigh, but he kept wondering about something she said still.
“ You said, everyone of importance to Talparo is represented. Then, should there not be a shard or whatever of Isa ? “He asked, getting back to her mention of the reappearing roles around Talparo’s soul shards.
Kadim would simply watch him though, showing no expression that could give him even a hint, which suggested that, once more, Kadim was pushing him to find the solution himself.
Roland would sigh inwardly at that, but at least gave it a thought, trying to retrace what she had said and shown him so far. But the only connection he could see was Isaya, every other vision she had shown him had no appearance of anything, or anyone he could tie to Isa.
The only one thing that kept reoccurring, aside from what Kadim called the shards, was that word, failure. Well, and Kadim herself. But it was always spoken by someone unseen, every-time marking the end of a vision.
No, that wasn’t right. That first vision, Taklos, Isaya, Melvo, and there was another of importance, the one handing out their surnames. The great Mother or whatever they had called her, she was the one that announced the first failure that he was aware of.
“ Yes. “ Kadim interrupted his thoughts then, doing her prediction thing again as Roland guessed.
“ Ok, I think this rabbit-hole is going far deeper then I am willing to accept right now. Let’s go at it one step at a time. “ Roland near protested, whilst his hands slowly gestured his need to distance himself from the subject for now.
“ Agreed. “ Kadim stated bluntly.
“ I guess I’ll have to go through Modaran to get to Anthony as well. I’ll have to find plausible cause for Karlo to give me the leeway to operate independently too, in a wider range then usual. “ Roland uttered, verbalizing his thoughts, if more for himself as he tried to get something of a working framework going again.
This time, he had a little more to work with, so it should not be that hard, he would just have to utilize the situation with Andrew properly. And that would in part depend on Andrew’s state as well. Depending on what he went through, it might even become a detriment rather then a boon.
“ Yeah, what could possibly go wrong. “ He groaned to himself, there were still so many variables to find out before he could even begin approaching the problem with Anthony.