Chapter Twenty-Five: Fated Nemesis

High above Midgard, the Golden Fleet arrived in utter silence. Concealed beneath a field of invisibility, humanity’s sensors remained oblivious to their presence.

Pride of Ottalis, one of the three great Arks of the Protoss Empire, had taken up the mantle of maintaining order in the main universe after the Spear of Adun had been dispatched on a mission into the multiverse. For many years, though there had been frictions among the various races, with the support of the Galactic Tribunal and the Golden Fleet, peace and stability had largely prevailed.

But the sudden appearance of an evil god now made it clear to the Protoss leadership: the tendrils of the Dark God still crept through the main universe. Their passive stance of observation could no longer be sustained.

Within the War Council, the Grand Hierophant of the Council of Light and Shadow—Gaskel—the High Preserver Zamara, the Light Prelate Karas, the Dark Prelate Mohandar, and the Purifier Taldarin, among others, had all gathered. Once Artanis’ report had reached them, the highest authorities of the Protoss Empire boarded the Pride of Ottalis, setting course for Midgard in person.

Since the reformation of the High Council into the Council of Light and Shadow, the old office of Archon no longer suited the new polity. As a vast empire, the Council established the position of Grand Hierophant to oversee state affairs, with the Prelates of Light and Shadow beneath, each governing the High Templar and the Dark Templar respectively. Next in rank were the Khalai Elders and, later, the Purifier Executor. After the Protoss soul underwent integration into the Purifier consciousness matrix, further advancement became impossible for them; to properly honor those warriors who had given their lives to the empire, the Council established the office of Purifier Executor.

After the Council moved its headquarters to the divine realm of Ulna, the Purifier Executor was stationed permanently on Aiur, responsible for matters of lesser urgency.

Yet this time, the arrival at Midgard included not only the Executor, but almost the entire Protoss high command. If anyone hoped to eliminate them all in a single stroke... it was impossible.

As one of the three great Arks, the Pride of Ottalis possessed unparalleled might. With the Golden Fleet sailing alongside, even should someone assemble all six Infinity Stones, the Ark could instantly tear itself and its fleet from this universe, evading the Stones’ cosmic grasp.

This journey, however, had two purposes: to protect the Protoss leaders and to better aid Aiur. In Artanis’ message, he had mentioned that Aiur was bound for Asgard, which itself faced the coming of Ragnarok. Should they encounter another evil god, the Protoss Empire was confident it could lend its strength.

“We have confirmed with Artanis: His Majesty is currently in the headquarters of the Sanctum Mages on Midgard. We must not keep him waiting,” Zamara announced after contacting Artanis through the Khala upon arrival, confirming Aiur’s location and informing the others at once.

“Activate the warp beacons. Set coordinates to Artanis’ residence.” The Pride of Ottalis’ warp matrix already encompassed this star system. At Grand Hierophant Gaskel’s command, the phase technicians prepared to transport the group. Bathed in blue light, they vanished from sight.

Aiel, reading in quiet, lifted his gaze as the Protoss high command filed in. The Ancient One had already linked the reception hall’s door to Artanis’ quarters, so the Protoss needed only open it to find Aiel waiting.

There was no psionic matrix within Kamar-Taj, and out of respect for the Sanctum Mages, the nearest transmission point the Protoss had established lay atop a snowy peak northeast of Kamar-Taj. But to hasten the meeting, Artanis had requested—and the Ancient One had agreed—that his own residence be temporarily opened for this purpose.

“Grand Hierophant, High Preserver, Prelate of Light, Prelate of Shadow, Purifier, Khalai Technician of the Protoss Empire—humbly greet Your Majesty Aiel. May your wisdom illuminate our ignorant hearts.” The Protoss stepped forward with reverent excitement. Even in ancient times, there had never been a true descent of a god; they were witnessing history.

“No need for such ceremony.” Aiel nodded slightly at these successors of the Protoss Empire. “You must already know the reason I have descended this time. The Dark God has sent forth his offspring in an attempt to corrupt the Infinity Stones. I already have a strong sense of his intent.”

Aiel rose, waving his hand to alter the scene—an illusion conjured by psionic power, to better illustrate his explanation.

“The Infinity Stones are our fulcrum...” As he shifted the illusion, he continued, “Once the Dark God achieves his aim, he will shroud our sight and unleash the Tide of Darkness.”

“Tide of Darkness?” Some looked puzzled. Aiel elaborated, “That is my own term. Through my recent clash with the evil god, I have successfully analyzed the laws he practices and now understand his true purpose.”

“Since the dawn of creation, I have been dormant due to inherent reasons, requiring the development of civilization to reclaim my station as Creator. This, however, left a vacancy among the gods. I once thought the Dark God’s aim was merely to replace me as the new Creator.”

“But from this encounter, I have discerned his mastery of time, space, corruption, knowledge, reality, and illusion. Coupled with what I know of him, I fear he aspires to become the Supreme Deity.”

Here, Aiel’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had his past life’s memories to thank for this insight—upon hearing the evil god’s true name from Artanis’ recollections, he immediately recognized the Dark God’s identity.

“The Dark God Amon—or rather, Azathoth, the Blind Idiot God. While my strength was not yet restored, he took hold of my opposite principle and has since tried to devour all laws to become Supreme Deity. If I am to become Creator, I must defeat him and claim his Law of Ignorance; without this, the Law of Wisdom remains incomplete, and I cannot ascend.”

“The same is true for him. Whether he seeks to become Creator or Supreme Deity, he must defeat me; we are opposites of principle, destined adversaries.”

[And Galactus, too, likely has yet to fulfill his law. Only by destroying and recreating worlds can he truly attain Creator status.] The thought drifted through Aiel’s mind, but he continued, “His offspring are the Black Goat of the Woods—Shub-Niggurath, the Key and the Gate—Yog-Sothoth, and the Crawling Chaos—Nyarlathotep.”

“The Dark God and his progeny are enemies of all sentient life. They corrupt living beings, transforming them into hideous monsters; they annihilate wisdom, proclaiming ignorance as the universe’s true creed; they sow destruction, seeking eternity through the annihilation of all things.”

“I am aware, due to the events at Karathi, that the Protoss Empire has long chosen not to interfere in the development of other civilizations. But the spread of darkness threatens to bring extinction to the entire universe.”