Legends of Amacia The Awakening

A deep chill raced down Hanna spine as her face paled. She suddenly sensed doom looming in the distance. Selina felt Hanna’s dismay and asked, “What is it, Hanna? What are you sensing?”

“Something malevolent just stirred again in the East,” Hanna reported softly as she stood up, looking east. “And it’s not the Emperor. It’s far older and fouler than he could ever be. It also feels artificial somehow and incredibly familiar. It feels like the abomination that tried to kill me in my dreams...the one that was a mix of Selina and me screaming about FATE. Gabriel, what is this? I’ve been feeling this thing for several weeks now. It’s been lurking in the background, stirring like something waking up. What is it and does it have anything to do with this Grimm creature that Aeolus showed me. I feel they are somehow connected.”

“Grimm,” Gabriel rumbled ominously. “When do you find out about him?”

“When I found his Bane in the Armory,” Hanna stated, going to the weapons rack and picking it up. “Ragnar’s spirit lies on this weapon. It called to me, as did the Hellion and the Ryu-Fudo’s draken gauntlets. Something very strange is happening here I’m not at all sure about. What is going on?”

Gabriel’s left eyebrow rose as he saw the Bane in Hanna’s hand. Before he or anyone could speak, Hanna triggered the Bane. It unfolded into the massive scythe, whirring and clanking. “Holy shit,” Dan cried in shock. “What is that? I’ve never seen anything like that, even at Tiamat.”

“And you never will,” Hanna stated, letting the point of the main blade rest on the floor as she held it by the handle at its trigger, balancing it. “This scythe is called Grimm’s Bane and is not of this Earth. It apparently belonged to Thoth Caverias’ fourth generation grandfather, Ragnar Omicron Caverias. Aeolus told me he used this weapon against the alpha Grimm when that rascal led the Dark Gods to this planet. Apparently, Grimm was about to connect with FATE and open the Nexus so he could consume the Etherians and Old Ones. Ragnar killed Grimm with this weapon before the beast could finish, but died of his wounds shortly after the fight. He even prophesied about me in such intricate detail that it’s scary. This new information has troubled me ever since I discovered it. Is this why you came today, Gabriel?”

“Yes,” Gabriel answered. “In part; the Lord knows this has been troubling you, so He sent me here with Dan and Paul as witnesses. I shall explain to you what is happening both above and here below. But first, Dan, Paul...do you have anything else you wish Hanna to share with you?”

“No,” Dan stated. “She’s given me more than enough to chew on right now. Besides, just seeing her alive and in one piece is more than enough.”

“Same here,” Paul answered. “I need to pray and ponder on what she has shown us. Gabriel, does the Lord want us to share what we’ve learned from her with the world?”

“No,” Gabriel stated. “For now, keep Hanna’s present mutation quiet. You can tell the elders about what she’s doing, but don’t say anything about the mutation. The time is not right for them to know about the mutation. The Lord will let you know when the time is right. But you should keep everyone praying for her. It’s the prayers of the saints that are helping Hanna survive and do the Lord’s will.”

“Should we share what Hanna showed us about the completed soul?” Dan asked.

“Yes,” Gabriel stated. “You should share it. Start by sharing it with your friends and family at Tiamat. When they begin to comprehend it, then you can start sharing it with the rest of the saints.”

“We shall do it,” Paul insisted. “Our brothers and sisters at Tiamat will be an excellent test of the truth Hanna shared with us.”

“It will,” Gabriel replied. “Be patient with them as you share it. The truth of the completed soul is something completely new to them. It will take time for them to assimilate it.”

“Of course we’ll be patient,” Paul stated. “Hanna is our example. I saw how patient she was with us when she shared it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Gabriel laughed. “And remember to pray for Hanna while you’re sharing the truth. She needs all the prayers the saints can muster. This is critical time for her and everyone here.”

“Don’t worry,” Paul insisted. “We shall pray for her and everyone here. I’m aware of how important our prayers are now that I’m here. I can feel the festering evil of this place. It’s like hot tar being poured over everything.”

“I’m glad you can feel the evil of this place, Paul,” Hanna said soberly. “It permeates everything here, even though this place is one of the few places in this cursed underworld that isn’t overrun with it. Your prayers and the prayers of the saints will help to stem the tide of the Darkness here. It’ll also help to me to figure everything out. The sooner I come to grips with the conundrum of this place, the quicker I can deal with it and live in peace.”

“Don’t worry, Hanna,” Dan crowed. “We have you covered from above.”

“I know, and appreciate it,” Hanna replied. Turning to Gabriel, she then asked, “Now that’s out of the way, what’s the true reason for you coming to us, Gabriel? Something is obviously going on topside I need to know about, isn’t it?”

Gabriel smiled wryly. “The Lord knew you’d be impatient,” he chided. “Slow down Hanna. Don’t be in such a hurry. Everything flows as the Lord wills.”

“I know,” Hanna admitted. “But something really bad is shaking in the weeds. I know it. I feel it down deep in my bones and spirit. We must be ready for it, whatever this sleepless malice is.”

“And so you will,” Gabriel replied. “But first, you need some critical intelligence to fill in the gaps. Dan, tell Hanna what’s happening on the surface. And be sure to tell her what you and Paul saw as I brought you here. It’s important.”

“Okay,” Dan stated. “Things are deteriorating at an exponential rate on the surface. World War III is officially on now.” With that, Dan rendered his report on surface events. He also told Hanna about the cloud phenomena laying waste to everything around Aconcagua along with updated positions of Planet X and Gabriel’s Hammer.

When Dan paused in his report, a troubled sigh escaped Hanna’s lips. “I knew something bad was going on upstairs,” Hanna said grimly. “I could feel it in my bones. It seems Zeus’ plan is now moving into the final stages and the debris from Gabriel’s Hammer is causing them to accelerate their plans so it won’t wreck them. But this cloud phenomena you speak of worries me even more than Zeus’ plan. The planetary forces are starting to spiral out of control. I suspect this phenomenon is part of the mechanism that will uncover Amacia. I pray it doesn’t tear this planet apart. Will it, Gabriel?”

“No,” Gabriel answered. “It will not extinguish all life on this planet, but it will do a tremendous amount of damage and reshape the surface. Understand; the Lord is now starting to reverse the process that buried Amacia. The festering darkness of Amacia must be opened before it can be purged. This cursed underworld is a festering boil on this planet. The Lord will lance it to remove the infection. The phenomenon Dan spoke of is the lance. The land of Amacia must be opened to the light and the festering Darkness expunged from it and this planet.”

Hanna’s eyes lit up as she realized what Gabriel meant. “I get it,” she crowed. “The Lord is using this thing and me apparently in a major surgical operation to get rid of the cancerous Darkness infesting this planet.”

Gabriel smiled warmly. “That’s right,” he replied. “The Lord is pleased you grasped this so quickly. But there is more you must know. Dan, tell her what you saw and experienced when I brought you and Paul into this cursed grave.”

“Gabriel brought us in from below,” Dan stated. “I still don’t understand how or why he did it. But as we moved like ghosts through the center of this planet, we felt something incredible. Gabriel said it was the Earth’s pulse and life. It was a throbbing pulsing sensation coming from all directions that seemed alive. It seems this planet is alive with its own strange version of the life the Lord gave us.”

Selina’s eyebrow rose at the news while Hanna gasped. “You’re kidding,” Hanna breathed. “You actually felt this planet’s life force?”

“That’s what Gabriel said,” Paul answered. “I thought we were hallucinating, but Gabriel insisted that the Lord gave this planet life when he created it. It’s a form of life completely different from what we are. But it is alive nonetheless. I felt like we were traveling through its womb where we could feel its heartbeat and very life, if such a thing is even possible.”

“It’s true,” Gabriel stated. “As I guided them through the heart of the planet, they felt its pulse and life...the life the Lord gave it when he created this planet. This planet is a living organism and the Darkness infesting it is a festering infection threatening to snuff out that life. It’s why the Lord is insistent on uncovering Amacia now. The infection of the Darkness is threatening to kill this planet, and humanity in the process.”

“Whoa,” Selina breathed. “Does that mean Kaitia was alive too?”

“Yes, while it existed,” Gabriel replied. “Along with every other celestial body throughout the universe; life does not necessarily stop with organic beings as yourself. Life throughout the multiverse comes in as many forms as there are dimensions. However, all forms of life have one common denominator. They all come from the Lord, who created everything in every dimension in every universe. Understand this, my friends. The Lord is about to show everyone the true nature of His creation to prove to everyone that He alone is the one and only Creator.”

Hanna’s eyes grew wide as an epiphany hit her. “Wait a second,” she breathed. “Are you saying there really are multiple universes and dimensions existing side by side in the same time and space?”

Gabriel smiled wryly. “You’re finally catching on, Hanna,” he congratulated. “This reality you exist in is just one of many realities, one of many timelines and dimensions existing throughout the Lord’s creation. There are other realities, other dimensions existing alongside this one. Time and space are multidimensional concepts that penetrate every timeline and every dimension of existence no matter of whether they are of the Light or the Darkness. They create the framework for all existence in this multiverse the Lord created. But when someone or something messes with that framework, very bad things happen and the multiverse gets out of balance. Lucifer’s rebellion shook the entirety of the Lord’s creation in every time, dimension, and universe. It created the First Darkness and Chaos in the multiverse. When the Lord cast Lucifer and his followers out, they landed in one of the dimensions of the multiverse and completed destroyed it. It became the root of the Dark Dimensions...what you call the Abyss or the Void. If it helps, you can even call it Hell. It’s a universe of utter chaos and darkness. The creatures and souls of that universe became corrupted completely by Lucifer’s darkness when he fell, becoming lost with Lucifer and his fallen angels. They became the demons as Lucifer’s minions corrupted and possessed them to have form in this multiverse.”

Everyone sat rapt as Gabriel explained the true nature of creation. When Gabriel paused for a moment in his explanation, “Oh, man,” Dan breathed. “This is nuts. You mean demons like the Black Prince are really from another universe?”

“From your perspective, yes,” Gabriel stated. “They are, but in order to exist in this dimension, they must possess a living body from this dimension, just as they had to do when they first fell.”

A very troubled look crossed Hanna’s face when she heard Gabriel’s words. “Did the Lord seal off this universe, this dimension they landed in when Lucifer fell?” she asked bluntly.

“He did,” Gabriel stated. “He saw the rage, hate, and destruction they did to that dimension and sealed them in so they would not run roughshod over the rest of the multiverse. He even saved a remnant of the original creatures of that dimension from Lucifer’s wrath, as He’s doing now in this dimension and universe. However, the Lord told us Lucifer would eventually find a way to breech the seal, and contaminate other dimensions and universes with his Darkness and hatred of everything the Lord created. Over the eons, Lucifer has sent his minions out into the multiverse to wreak havoc through the small breeches he discovered in the dimensions. And they have done just that, spreading their poisonous Darkness to every corner of the multiverse, including this dimension. As you well know, Lucifer seeks to corrupt every form of life and every soul created by the Lord so he can use them against the Lord. The destruction of all life and creation is his goal. When he’s destroyed the last dimension in the multiverse, Lucifer will once again attack the Lord in the eternal realm using every soul he’s enslaved. But he will not succeed. The Lord is all and knows the end of every universe and timeline from their beginning. Lucifer will fail and this time, the Lord will sever Lucifer and his minions completely from every universe and dimension.”

“That sounds like the Final Judgment spoken of in Revelation,” Paul said softly, reeling from the information. “Are we that close to it?”

“You have surmised correctly, Paul,” Gabriel stated. “But you needn’t worry about that right now. The Final Judgment of all dimensions is not yet. Many generations of souls throughout the multiverse have yet to live before this happens.”

“Thank you, Lord,” Paul breathed in great relief. “I was worried our time was up.”

“Not yet,” Gabriel insisted. “But that doesn’t mean humanity will escape the wrath of either Lucifer or the Lord. He will judge every soul in their proper time and send them to their proper reward, me included. I’m not beyond His will or justice. Everything in His creation will have their time before the Lord.” He noticed Hanna’s worried look as she digest what he said while standing with her hand on the Bane. “You’re troubled with what I’ve shared, Hanna,” he said softly, touching her on the shoulder to bolster her courage and spirit.

“I am,” Hanna admitted, looking down at the floor. “You’ve ripped the veil back and shown us the truth of creation. It’s even deeper than that of the completed soul. I had suspected so much about the nature of our universe and the source of the Darkness. But now, you’ve shown us the root of this horror at the Lord’s order. I feel so insignificant now. How do I even begin to comprehend Lucifer destroying an entire universe when he fell? I’m just a humble mutated woman who realizes even what she thought she knew is an illusion. What do I do?”

Gabriel put both hands on Hanna’s shoulders and looked her in the eye. “Do not doubt who you are,” he insisted. “And do not doubt the Lord who shows you this. You’re not meant to totally comprehend it at this time. Let your faith work, not your head. You had to be made aware of the true root of the Darkness before the Lord can use you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I think so,” Hanna whispered. “But I’m not sure. What you said feels so familiar. Wait a minute. Is Lucifer’s fall why space and time warps are scattered throughout the universe?”

“Indeed,” Gabriel replied patiently. “When Lucifer fell, he damaged the fundamental structure of space/time of the multiverse. It created warps in time, space, and sometimes between the dimensions of this multiverse. It’s through these warps that Lucifer’s minions escaped the Void to plague the rest of the multiverse. Even though the Lord managed to seal the Void and keep it from spreading, He knew they’d find the warps and eventually create them artificially.”

“But if the Lord knew that was the case, then why did He let it happen?” Dan asked.

“Because it was His will,” Gabriel stated. “Lucifer’s minions were supposed to eventually slip through the cracks of the dimensions and get out. Without Lucifer’s corrupting presence creeping throughout the multiverse as a counter to the Lord’s light, the free will He gave every soul and life form everywhere wouldn’t mean anything. It allows them the opportunity to choose between the Lord’s light and life, or Lucifer’s darkness and oblivion. Don’t try to understand the Lord’s reasoning for this. Not even we angels understand why he let our corrupted brothers and sisters escape. We must have faith that He will eventually set things right and purge all realities of the Darkness.”

“Oh,” Dan murmured. “I still don’t understand, but I know you’re right, Gabriel. Maybe it’s not for us mere mortals to understand such things. Fact is just what you’ve already told us is enough to make most people blow a gasket.”

“Indeed,” Gabriel agreed. “But both you and Paul have great love and faith not just in the Lord, but also in Hanna and each other. This love and faith makes you strong enough to at least consider the possibilities of what I’ve shared.”

“Has Lucifer escaped?” Hanna asked bluntly.

“No,” Gabriel replied definitively. “He remains bound in the center of the Abyss of the Void. But his chains are weakening as his minions work to break them with every soul they claim in the multiverse.”

“That’s a relief,” Paul declared. “But I cannot help but feel there are other dark powers he spawned down this twisted dark rabbit hole.”

“Indeed,” Gabriel stated. “Lucifer’s dark poison has spawned some true abominations in the Void. They’re incredibly powerful and hate every form of life, including that of Lucifer. I still don’t understand why the Lord allowed their existence, but He did so I must assume they’re part of His greater plan.”

A deep chill raced down Hanna’s spine as she suddenly looked at Grimm’s Bane. Her complexion paled as Gabriel noticed her reaction. “Yes, Hanna,” he said bluntly. “Grimm is a spawn of Lucifer himself, an abomination of abominations. His very existence is a threat to everyone, including Lucifer.”

“Who is he?” Hanna asked softly, fearful of what Gabriel was about to share.

Once again, Gabriel put his arm around Hanna, strengthening her. “Don’t be afraid, Hanna,” he cooed. “Even Grimm cannot overcome the Lord. But you must know who and what he is and why he feels so familiar to you.”

“Aeolus said Grimm was an alpha chaos lord from the Void who led the Dark Gods to this planet,” Hanna stated.

“Aeolus is right,” Gabriel stated. “What Aeolus didn’t know is Grimm was the king of the dimension Lucifer fell into. When Lucifer arrived, they fought and Lucifer defeated Grimm, corrupting his body and soul completely. Before Lucifer, Grimm was kind and gentle, helping everyone live according to the Lord’s ways. After his defeat, Grimm became a thing of pure chaos with a burning hatred of all light and life. He started consuming intelligent life, adding their intelligence to his own. He wished to become more powerful than Lucifer so he could destroy Lucifer for what he did. But soon, his hatred and darkness surpassed even Lucifer. Lucifer had destroyed his entire dimension so he vowed to destroy all other dimensions until only the Void was left. At that point, Grimm would consume Lucifer himself for what he did, and then he vowed to destroy and consume the Lord Himself for creating Lucifer and allowing his rebellion. Lucifer now fears Grimm because, like the story of Frankenstein, he created a monster that has turned on him...a monster that has the power to destroy him same as the Lord can. Only one soul in the multiverse has ever stopped him...Ragnar Caverias. The Lord did for Ragnar what He’s doing for you, Hanna. He equipped Ragnar to deal with the threat of Grimm. This scythe here was the instrument of Grimm’s destruction in this dimension.”

“I’m sorry I asked about Grimm,” Dan admitted. “How can such a creature be even worse than Lucifer? Isn’t Lucifer the source of all evil?”

“It is,” Gabriel admitted. “But even an evil as deep as Lucifer can spawn even worse evils. Grimm is the hell spawn of Lucifer’s own rage, lust, desire, and arrogance. At first, he thought to use Grimm to wreak his revenge on the Lord. But the Lord foresaw Lucifer’s evil would spawn a worse evil and let it happen to punish Lucifer for his pride and arrogance. Since Lucifer’s fall and Grimm’s inception, the Lord shifted the multiversal reality into dimensions of Light and Darkness in order to keep the balance of His Creation. It’s our job as angels to police the boundaries between the Light and Dark Dimensions and keep the balance. However, that job has become increasingly difficult as the Darkness spreads from the Void. As the Darkness spreads with Lucifer’s minions gaining the technological prowess to break into neighboring dimensions, we’re being pushed back. Moreover, when the Lord introduced you humans into the equation of this multiverse, this drew the attention of all powers, both Light and Dark. This planet and humanity have become the focal point of this battle. What happens here with you humans and this planet will ripple throughout the entire multiverse. Lord willing, we will stem the tide of this darkness here and let it consume no more dimensions.”

“Is humanity and this planet really that crucial?” Selina asked, trying to comprehend the depth of an existential battle that spans every dimension.

Gabriel turned to Selina and nodded. “It is, Selina,” he declared. “This is why humanity was created: to settle the question forever between Lucifer and the Lord. No other species and no other planet in the entire multiverse have this unique confluence of physical, dimensional, and spiritual attributes. Many species and souls throughout creation have been lost to the Darkness. The Lord is drawing the line here. He’s not letting the Darkness spread any farther. This is why He got off the throne and buried Amacia in the Noah’s day. He meant to stop the spread of the Darkness. Now, the time has come for Him to resolve the question.”

“The End of Days is really here,” Hanna whispered, “And I really am the tool the Lord’s going to use to stop this insanity. Why me, Gabriel; wouldn’t someone else have been a better choice?”

“Oh, Hanna,” Gabriel cooed. “You still don’t understand. The Lord chose you, Hanna, just as he chose Moses and all the other prophets...just as He chose Ragnar. Of all the souls everywhere in every possible dimension, He chose you...you because He knows you’ll do the right thing. He’s given you everything you need to tackle this task, including the weapons and help. Caverias is not just any guardian, Hanna. He’s the elite of the elites in Michael’s cohorts. He’s a general of generals with command over legions of war angels. He reports only to the Lord Himself, Michael, and me. Caverias commands the hosts of Heaven itself. The Lord has not left you defenseless. Both Gideon and Dante are commanders in their own right, and Bannon is what you would consider a leader of Special Forces. You aren’t alone in this. The Lord knows how to equip His warriors. You’ve been given a unique genetic structure not seen since Ragnar Caverias. You wanted to know how you recognized Grimm. Here is the blunt, brutal truth.”

“Wait,” Selina called out, feeling Hanna’s dread rising. “Is it truly the Lord’s will that Hanna know this yet? She’s already stressed out about everything you’ve told us so far. Is it really that important that you pummel her senseless with the truth as she’s about to have her mutation reversed? Before you showed up with Paul and Dan, we’d planned on just letting her relax and focus her mind on the mutation reversal. Now, she’s so strung out that I fear for her. How can she finish the merger in the mutation reversal if she’s a basket case?”

Gabriel started to speak when Hanna intruded. “No, Selina,” she murmured. “I have to know. Besides, I just realized I was resisting the Lord’s will again. I am sorry, Gabriel. I just didn’t know how to assimilate so much intelligence so quickly.”

Gabriel gave her a friendly hug with one arm, smiling warmly at her. “Very good,” he chimed, “You saw your sin again and repented. But you do need to stop kicking against the Lord’s will here. You know what He wants you to do, so do it. He’ll give you the strength and grace to do it.”

“I know,” Hanna admitted. “Sometimes, I’m too pig-headed for my own good. Forgive me.”

“It’s okay,” Gabriel replied. “The Lord forgives you. Now you need to forgive yourself. Did you understand what I was saying about Caverias?”

“Yes,” Hanna answered, smiling soberly. “I had no idea Caverias is such a heavy hitter, nor did I realize Bannon, Gideon, and Dante were commanders in their own right. Am I that important?”

“Yes,” Gabriel insisted. “You are the key player in what’s happening here. You’re the counterbalance to the Emperor, Black Prince, and the Darkness that spawned them. The Lord has equipped you physically, mentally, and spiritually for this. The Lord Himself has forged you for this task. Your telepathic, telekinetic, and elemental abilities are all part of your toolkit. Do not fear or hesitate to use them in defense of the Light. Whether you know it or not, Ragnar Caverias underwent a similar trial of his faith, though he wasn’t mutated into a woman. Ragnar, like you, was very wary and fearful of his power and only used it when there was no other option. When he made peace with himself, becoming a completed soul as you are about to do, he accepted what the Lord wanted him to do and became a great warrior for the Light. Do not doubt yourself, your abilities, or the Lord. He will show you what to do, as He did for Ragnar. Now, would you like to know why you recognized Grimm when Aeolus revealed him to you?”

“Yes,” Hanna replied, leaning into Gabriel’s embrace as he kept one arm around her. “I’d also like to know about the foul presence I feel stirring in the east. Is it FATE?”

“It is,” Gabriel stated. “In fact, I showed it to both Dan and Paul before we came here. Presently, it lies inside a temporal disruption...an eddy in time and space that separates it from this reality. You remember me telling you about the warps of time and space caused by Lucifer’s fall?”

“You also said something about them creating artificial warps,” Hanna stated. “Wait a second...are you saying there’s an artificial warp around this thing I’m sensing?”

“Yes,” Gabriel stated. “Dan, Paul...let Hanna use her telepathy to see what you saw before coming here. It will be the quickest way to show her.”

“Of course,” Dan stated, walking up to Hanna with Paul. “Before you do that, don’t you think you should put that monster scythe away? I can see you’re holding it up.”

“Oh, gee, I forgot about the Bane,” Hanna said in realization. “You guys should stand back for a moment.”

Gabriel pushed Dan and Paul back, saying, “Be careful, my friends. The Bane is a unique weapon and is capable of killing in an instant, even when it folds up. Hanna is the second human soul ever to be able to handle it. The first was Ragnar Caverias.”

They watched as Hanna picked up the Bane, triggering it. It collapsed back into its original form in seconds. “Whoa,” Dan breathed as Hanna returned the Bane to the weapons rack. “Is it that powerful?”

“It is,” Hanna stated, turning back to them after sitting the Bane down. “What you don’t realize is the Bane is more than just a giant scythe. It’s also a massive sniper rifle. It uses plasma rounds that I suspect are every bit as powerful as any thirty millimeter round we have. I still haven’t discovered its full potential yet.”

“That’s incredible,” Paul cried in astonishment. “You mean it actually shoots too?”

“It does,” Hanna stated. “I don’t doubt that it’s the most powerful weapon in this Tower, maybe on the planet. It even has Ragnar’s spirit on it. Every time I pick it up, I can see him using it to kill monstrous creatures of the Darkness. I don’t doubt he even slew Grimm with it. Now show me what Gabriel showed you.” Hanna touched Dan and Paul on their temples with her fingers, linking with them telepathically. “Remember what you saw,” she said, “That way I’ll be able to see what you saw.”

“Right,” Dan stated. He and Paul concentrated on the nightmare image of FATE in the middle of the frozen time bubble.

“Oh, my god,” Hanna breathed, seeing and feeling what they felt when they saw it. “That’s insane.” She broke contact with them and they staggered slightly. Hanna quickly steadied them, asking, “Are you all right?”

“Yeah,” Dan stated. “I suddenly felt weak when you left, but I’m okay now.”

“Me too,” Paul agreed. “Just give me a moment.”

“How close were you?” Hanna asked.

“Just outside the eddy,” Gabriel stated. “I was not authorized to take them inside the eddy. However, they could see FATE’s fortress clearly in the middle of the time collapse there.”

Hanna shuddered as the image from Dan and Paul remained fresh in her mind. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” she admitted. “But it’s definitely the source of the foul presence I’ve felt. What happened in there? It looks like time and space splintered and collapsed in on itself. And that eye...I know that eye. Why do I know that eye? What is that, Gabriel?”

“The eye and the foul presence you sense is FATE,” Gabriel said, “Or rather what’s left of its physical form. Long ago, FATE tried to create a device that would allow it to control time and space so it could change the course of history. It tried to erase your existence, Hanna, but it failed.”

“What do you mean?” Dan asked as Hanna’s face paled. She abruptly sat down on the bed.

“It tried to create a stable artificial time warp in order to eliminate the Caverias line before it ever got started,” Gabriel stated. “But the Lord intervened. Someone or something penetrated FATE’s very core and stole the control disk it created as it tried to engage the warp. The thief vanished and FATE found itself trapped inside a temporal disruption where past, present, and future collapsed into one point. That is why everything inside the bubble is the way it is. As the past, present, and future dimensions of this universe collapsed, it pulled space and time together, mixing everything from those times into that chaos. Nothing organic survived the Disruption, which nullified FATE until the Emperor rediscovered its position and started mining it for its technology. FATE had the technology to warp time and space along with the will to use it.”

“Who was the thief?” Selina asked.

“I am not permitted to say,” Gabriel stated. “It’s something Hanna must discover for herself.”

“Hold on,” Hanna intruded. “Are you saying this foul thing is the Etherian master computer FATE, which helped to create the Nexus?”

“Bingo,” Gabriel chimed. “You catch on quick, Hanna. You know this beast because you’ve encountered it before, just as you encountered Grimm before. Time and space are splintered, fractured in and around this planet because of what FATE tried to do back then. This was no accident. The bubble of collapsed time and space around FATE’s Fortress was the direct result of a catastrophic rip in time and space...a paradox that keeps space-time splintered with countless warps drifting around in this part of the universe you inhabit.” Gabriel looked Hanna in the eye, declaring, “FATE’s time eddy, the Battle of Drakonia, your instinctual use of your growing elemental and telepathic power, and your missing time in Bolivia all have a common thread. Hanna...you’ve leapt through time on multiple occasions and not realized it.”

Hanna’s mouth fell open with astonishment as Dan cried, “No way! How is that possible?”

“Remember what I said about Lucifer’s fall creating instability and warps in time and space of the multiverse,” Gabriel said plainly. “It’s all connected. On more than one occasion, the Lord allowed Hanna to travel through the warps. However, the penalty for using the warps is total memory erasure. She never remembered it happening. All Hanna was left with was missing time and nightmares of what happened in lost ages and dimensions.”

“Bolivia,” Hanna whispered as something clicked in her mind. “That’s it. It has to be it. All the records I’ve seen so far about the Battle of Drakonia has someone matching my description showing up out of nowhere and turning the tide against the Emperor. That wasn’t someone else. That was me, or rather my younger self. Are you saying the anomaly I encountered in Bolivia was in fact one of those natural time warps created by Lucifer’s fall into the multiverse?”

“Yes,” Gabriel stated. “The Lord said it was time for you to start discovering what you lost that day. The first step was for you to realize you fell through a time warp with your friends.”

“But I still can’t remember anything that happened,” Hanna insisted. “Just feelings and a deep alien dread that makes my blood run cold.”

“I realize that,” Gabriel stated. “But you’ve now identified what the anomaly was. Now you can start to uncover what you lost there. Know this, Hanna...your true essence and destiny lie in that darkness. Until you recover those memories, your destiny will be elusive and a torment to you. Your dreams provide clues to both your true essence and destiny. Let Cerrelius help you. He’s not your enemy and will help you unravel the tangle that keeps you from seeing who and what you are. The time of your full awakening is near. Trust the Lord and your instincts. Merge with Hannibal, Hanna, and together you will find the truth of your soul and your destiny.” He sat beside Hanna on the bed, touching her on the hand. “I know you feel overwhelmed by this,” he cooed. “But it’s the truth...a truth you desperately needed to know. Now, let the Lord bear this burden and let Him explain it to you. He will. All you need to do is ask. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

“Has Grimm escaped the Void again?” Hanna whispered. “I feel something terrible, a sleepless malice at an incredible distance that’s far worse than the Black Prince or even FATE. I think it’s Grimm, but I can’t be sure. I’m so confused right now.”

“Grimm is indeed stirring,” Gabriel stated. “But he hasn’t breeched into this reality yet. He’s trying, though. As of now, Grimm is caught in a warp between the Void and this dimension and cannot find the way through yet. But he will eventually break through.”

“Are you sure?” Selina asked. “Maybe he will stay lost in the warp.”

“No, he will break through,” Hanna said resolutely. “Aeolus said Ragnar prophesied that Grimm would eventually break back into our dimension when the Darkness of this dimension reached a sort of critical mass at the end of days. I believe that may be now, though I really hope it isn’t. I have enough trouble dealing with the Black Prince, the Emperor, and now FATE. I don’t want to have to deal with that beast too.”

“But you eventually will because Ragnar’s prophecy will come true,” Gabriel declared. “The fact you’re sensing Grimm inside the dimensional warp is direct evidence he’s trying to break through. Be happy you don’t have to deal with him now. I’m sure the Lord will hold Grimm back until the time is right for him to be dealt with. Just keep on your toes.”

“Will I sense him break through?” Hanna asked.

“Indeed you will,” Gabriel stated. “Grimm’s entry into this dimension will be a torment to all life whether it’s of the Light or the Darkness. Grimm’s goal is to destroy and consume all life and return the multiverse to the Void of Chaos. His goals are incompatible with even our enemy. Do not be surprised if you see a truce between the Light and the Darkness when Grimm approaches this planet. He knows that this planet and humanity are the keys to destroying everything.”

“God, I hope it doesn’t happen in my lifetime,” Dan declared.

“I cannot answer that,” Gabriel admitted. “The Lord is not saying anything about what Grimm will do next or when. What He is insisting on is that Hanna finishes what she started and awakens to her destiny. The Black Prince and FATE are our primary concerns right now.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” Hanna murmured. “I’m actually glad I don’t sense any more of Grimm than I do. It’s like seeing a storm at a far distance. We know it will eventually come, but it’s not threatening us right now. It gives us time to prepare.”

“Well said,” Gabriel chimed, standing up. He lifted Hanna to her feet by her hand. “One last thing for me to do,” he declared, touching Hanna on the forehead with his finger. “Hanna, be at peace with what I’ve shown you this morning, and ponder it carefully. The Lord will give you the rest you need and rejuvenate you this day so you can be ready for your next task...your restoration. Do not let anything we’ve shared trouble your spirit for the Lord has it in hand and will give you the proper understanding when you’re ready. Be at peace in the name of the Lord.” Hanna felt her anxiety about what Gabriel shared melt away. “Moreover, use Grimm’s Requiem as often as you need it,” Gabriel declared. “The Lord had Cerrelius share it with you to give you a weapon to combat the chaos of the Darkness. It will give you a deep lasting peace that the Darkness will be powerless to shake.”

Hanna hugged Gabriel, saying, “Thank you so much, Gabriel. I apologize for being such a twit. Besides, not only have you answered some of my questions, you let me see my friends again and shown me a great truth about creation itself. I will treasure it always.”

“You’re welcome, Hanna,” Gabriel said, smiling. “Now, you’re better equipped to handle what’s coming. Selina...be at peace too about everything we’ve shared. Don’t let it trouble you and ponder it with Hanna. The Lord will show you both the truth about what’s been revealed in His own good time and pleasure. And Selina...thank you for protecting Hanna. You did exactly what the Lord wanted you to do.”

“I’ll protect Hanna forever,” Selina declared. “I love her that much.”

“I know you do,” Gabriel chimed. “Keep that love and you will never be parted. Dan, Paul...it’s time to leave. Our job is done now and you must go back to Tiamat. Say your farewells.”

Dan and Hanna hugged warmly. “Well, I guess this is goodbye for now,” he told Hanna. “Stay out of trouble, okay?”

“You too,” Hanna replied, kissing Dan on the cheek. “Thanks for coming. Having you here helped.”

“No problem,” Dan chimed as he stepped back. “Now behave yourself, okay?”

“Sure,” Hanna chimed, giving him a friendly punch in the arm. “I promise.”

While Dan and Hanna said goodbye, Paul gave Selina a hug and wished her well. When Dan went to say bye to Selina, Paul stepped up to Hanna and sighed. “It’s definitely been a day of revelations,” he said, hugging Hanna, who returned the embrace.

“It sure is,” Hanna replied. “I’m really glad you got to see me like this and I’m really glad you were here to help me sort out everything. Your comments and insights on what Gabriel shared helped me deal with it. Thank you.” She kissed Paul on the cheek, making him blush. “It’s okay,” Hanna chimed. “I only kiss people I love. I hope you can help share this thing about the completed soul with everyone. It’s a wonderful truth that everyone needs to hear.”

“I will,” Paul stated. “Now you stay safe and don’t do anything rash. Everyone wants to see you come back alive and well. You promised them you’d come back.”

“That I did,” Hanna agreed. “I’ll come back. I want to see my friends at Tiamat again. You take care of them, okay?”

“Of course,” Paul answered pleasantly. “And before we go, may I again say how lovely you are. Dan was right when he said you were beautiful. I’ll never forget you, Hanna.”

“Me neither,” Dan agreed, standing next to Paul as Gabriel stepped forward. “Take care, now...both of you.”

“Goodbye, my friends,” Hanna said softly as tears started rising. “Go already! I’m terrible at goodbyes.”

“Be at peace, Hanna, Selina,” Gabriel stated as the guard angels closed in. “The Lord is with you. I am Gabriel and stand in the presence of the Lord. Keep the faith, my friends. Farewell for now.” With those words, Gabriel lit up like the sun as he took Paul and Dan by the hands. The light temporarily blinded Hanna and Selina.

When the flash vanished, Hanna and Selina found themselves alone in their quarters. Hanna rubbed her eyes, feeling a profound peace about what they’d experienced. “There has to be a better way for them to leave,” Hanna complained. “Gabriel blinds me every time he vanishes like that.”

“What can you do?” Selina replied as her eyesight returned. “Gabriel’s an archangel and we’re mere mortals. Just be happy he didn’t appear in the full glory of the Lord.”

“You’re right,” Hanna agreed. “I shouldn’t be complaining like that. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sure Gabriel forgives you,” Selina stated as she suddenly looked at their clock. Her eyes grew wide as a gasp escaped her lips. “Hanna, how long do you think they were here?” she asked in amazement.

“I’d say at least three hours,” Hanna stated.

“Look at the clock,” Selina ordered, stunned by what she saw. “I remember looking at the clock just before they appeared. It was 9:25 am. It’s 9:40 am now. They were only here fifteen minutes.”

“Holy shit,” Hanna breathed. “You’re right.”

“How’s that possible?” Selina asked.

“Gabriel must have slowed time down in this room,” Hanna stated. “It’s the only way for that to have happened. I remember something similar happening when Gabriel came and showed Harry, Mary, and I that first vision of Amacia and the Black Prince. I could have sworn we were gone for hours, but we were only gone a few minutes. It might have something to do with the fact the Lord gave Gabriel the ability to create dimensional fields to affect our reality. Maybe he did that, slowing time so he could share everything without being rushed.”

“Stranger things have been,” Selina stated. “Who am I to judge? I’m not an archangel from outside our multiversal reality.”

“Amen,” Hanna crowed.

“It was nice to see Dan and Paul again,” Selina purred. “I hope they got back okay.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Hanna chimed. “Gabriel got them back safely. In fact, I’m betting they’re probably experiencing the same amazement about the time we are. Chances are they weren’t missing from Tiamat for more than a few minutes. Come on...all these revelations have made me hungry.”

“Indeed,” Selina chimed. “Let’s go.” With that, Hanna rolled Selina out of their quarters heading for the kitchen.

Meanwhile at Tiamat, Dan and Paul rubbed their eyes as their blindness from Gabriel’s holy light lifted. “Are you okay, Paul?” Dan asked.

“Yeah,” Paul replied. “I think so. Was that real; did Gabriel actually spirit us to Amacia?”

“It was real,” Dan stated as he saw they sitting in the cafeteria in the same chairs they were sitting in when Gabriel first appeared. The cafeteria was deserted. “I’m sure of it,” he insisted. “He put us back where he found us. He always does that. I wonder what time it is.”

Paul pulled out his watch and saw it read 1:15 AM. “My watch says 1:15 AM,” he said. “I seem to remember looking my watch when we first came in here. It was a little bit after 9:00 pm. We’ve been gone over four hours.”

Dan looked at the clock on the wall over in the kitchen area and his eyes grew wide. “Paul,” he breathed. “I don’t think we were gone that long. The clock on the wall says 9:20. I don’t think we’ve been gone but ten or fifteen minutes at the most.”

“You’re kidding,” Paul replied in shock, looking at the clock, and then his watch. “By my time, we were gone over four hours, but here only a few minutes have passed. How’s this possible?”

“It’s the Lord’s doing,” Dan admitted. “There’s no other explanation. But this isn’t the first time this type of thing has happened to me. The same thing occurred when Gabriel took me to see Hanna in the dungeon that first time. I swore I’d been gone almost a day, but it was only a few minutes. The Lord must have Gabriel control time somehow. It’s the only explanation.”

“I must agree,” Paul conceded. “But I remember everything. That was the most amazing revelation I’ve ever received. I suggest we both pray and ponder what we saw and experienced. The Lord has to show us what to do with this information.”

“I agree,” Dan stated. “But you know...I don’t feel the first bit anxious about what we saw, even though I can barely comprehend any of it. I think it’s going to be okay. The Lord will let us know what to do with this stuff when He’s good and ready.”

“Indeed,” Paul said with a yawn. “Well, I’m off to bed. Maybe I’ll dream of Hanna.” He winked and chuckled while walking way.

“Pleasant dreams, Paul,” Dan replied, laughing, “Don’t let her seduce you in your sleep. She’s one sensual firecracker.”

“I won’t,” Paul answered warmly, disappearing into the darkness.

“Stay safe, Hanna,” Dan whispered, going to his quarters.