The Third Entry

The coiling soul of the creature twisted between my metal fingers, attempting to implant itself once more into a host. Vros was minutes behind us, but now a distant memory. It was time to collect my thoughts and see the path forward. Yet, it seemed I was not alone in that endeavor. From the shadow of the meditative chamber silently crept a being of wisdom. It approached and knelt low.

“My lord.” Humbly said the being.

“My…Keeper.”

“Yes, my lord, I am your Keeper Aberus. Your vessel of counsel.” The Keeper said in a soothing voice.

Aberus donned a ceremonial mask, similar to my own, marked in dead runes and ashen color, and clothed in black robes. What being Aberus might have been before was a dead question, only The Keeper remained. Aberus was a being of memory, even my unconscious mind knew of their value.

“My lord, what is it you seek?” Aberus asked.

“Knowing.”

Aberus seemed shocked by my newfound desire, and of my ability to speak.

“What is it you wish to know?” Aberus cleared their throat and asked.

“Everything.”

Aberus looked upon the soul in my hand and nodded.

“I see. You are a being beyond all expectations, my lord. To be able to sense a clue as small as atoms is something remarkable, especially since you just woke into your conscious form. My counsel, should you require it, I can give.” Aberus said.

“Speak.”

“I advise to you, Dark Conqueror, caution in your quest. You have defeated many foes, but this will be your greatest challenge. Your direction is clear, and the one ahead may yet reveal more clues. They are an old being, older than I and perhaps even you. You should have no trouble getting to them, but I advise mercy. It is in mercy I believe they will reveal your next path.” Aberus bowed low, their words clear in the crowded silence of the chamber.

I said nothing in response, only nodding. Aberus chose their words carefully to avoid my wrath, and I would trust that fear more than anything.

“I will retreat then, my lord, until you require me further.” Aberus bowed once more, standing from their kneeling position, and then departing into the shadows once more.

The soul writhed and coiled, stretching small tentacles of energy to my hand. The destination was not far, and its use had run its course. I crushed it within my hand, and the soul was shattered into fuel for my own powers. Flashes the creature’s memories quickly followed but dissipated just as fast. In amongst the memories, however, was a strange moment of utter darkness. It was not the start of the creature’s memories, but something else. In the silent darkness screamed thousands of unintelligible voices all at once. The screams threatened to split my mind, but then the voices became silent once more.

I wondered then, if by collecting these souls they would reveal more of these visions and their connection to myself.

The shuttle jolted; the destination reached. I stood from the seat and walked into the cockpit to look upon where the next soul resided. A fleshy shipyard of abandoned ships set before me, tendrils of a purple flesh like substance clung onto masses of chunked metal.

Before we could approach, however, the turrets of a nearby wrecked cruiser opened fire on the shuttle. The blasts shattered the glass of the cockpit before the entirety of the vessel was ripped apart and sent me into the void of space.