Shadows Of The Soul

Prologue

Planet: Xibalba

Dimension 15: Guargaeon

Lying there, all she could do was wait. The crisp cool air from the nearby mountains brushed against her skin as the silhouettes of various avians graced the skyways. It had been over a decade since she had arrived in this war-torn universe. Since she had met him. Since she had conceived this child. Her position in the heavens now revoked, she had no choice but to stay here and watch over the creatures she had risked her all to save.

Scarlet and violet hues danced around the field before her, the wind coordinating the flowers’ every move. Gentle mists could be seen slowly traversing the hidden base of the Irakalla Mountains. The golden streaks in her luscious black hair played on the breeze as she inhaled the crispness of the meadow. It was here she had decided to birth her child.

Your Majesty, are you okay? Can we get you anything? Have the contractions started? Her faithful minister of defense’s visage appeared from the darkened hollow behind her. Glancing backward, she could see he had verified the healer’s preparations of the birthing area quite thoroughly.

A sigh of despair escaped her as she looked back into the sky. The twin suns shining down on her as the Celestial Eclipse neared, filled her with so much hope…and pain. It was on this day ten years ago that she became with child. At the height of the convergence, she would give birth to the next evolution of her kind…

My kind…

Her kind…a murderous pack of destructive beings awaiting the Celestial Lunar Eclipse…the day they were promised they would conquer the two divine realms and finally have access to Vidik Suvereno, the realm between realms where they would be granted immortality.

Inching a small blade of grass into her mouth, a small grin pierced her lips. The marks of the Sphynx and Manticore on her inner wrists reminded her of her past.

At least this child will never have to worry about that kind of existence.

Here, she had aided in the creation of a peaceful world. A world where everyone had plenty and prosperity flourished.

ARGGHHH!

An agonizing pull in her abdomen halted her thought process.

My lady…is everything ok?! Is it that time?!

The healers brushed past the minister of defense, darting to her side. As they approached, a soft lime-green glow emanated from their bodies, slowly covering her.

Her breathing has slowed.

She seems to be coming back around.

The healers swiftly moved, hovering like a hive of bees over their queen. Their hands circulated in tantric rotation as they moved around her. The glowing aura started to numb the pain as the agonized look on her face subsided.

We’ve got to move her into the birthing chamber before the suns align! Sir Tari?! Sir Tari, we need you!!

From inside the birthing chamber, all that could be heard was the slithering and hissing of what seemed like hundreds of snakes. The tongues and heads of one, then three, then ten snakes started coming out from the darkened room. Moving away, the healers allowed the serpents through as they crawled towards the queen. Meticulously, they began to circle her body from head to foot, slowly tightening upon each other as more and more vipers joined them from the darkness. Within two or three minutes, they had intertwined to form a bed of living serpents hoisting her into the air.

*THUMP THUMP*

The heartbeat of the child caused everyone in the vicinity to shudder as it resonated with their souls, many dropping to one knee. The snakes shook, a few falling from the bed, making it lean to one side. For every serpent that faded, two more took its place, keeping the bed from tipping over as it slowly made its way into the sparsely lit birthing chamber. The healers, recovering from their reeling, accompanied the bed of creatures.

Each healer tried to maintain mystical contact with the mother-to-be, walking in unison, unbothered by the snakes coiling around their ankles. As they closed in on the darkened door the chiseled visage of the Minister of Defense, Johar Tari, became clearer. His dark, dreaded hair fell over his stony gaze. The bright white gloss of his reverse dilated pupils scanned his queen in sheer concern. Pieces of piercing light sullenly combed through the room from the branchlike structure encompassing them. Serpents of all kinds seemed to encompass his entire lower half, hoisting him eight feet in the air. Slithering over the birthing bed, they gently released the queen from their grasp. Slowly dispersed, the ophidians returned to Johar. Lowering himself, the serpentine tendrils dissipated, revealing a more humanoid form. Red, black, and gold silk ceremonial attire formed from the very scales of the creatures he commanded.

Marie, he whispered in her ear as her dainty hand disappeared into his. Running his hands through her hair, he kissed her forehead. My queen, it will be okay. This child, our child, will be as beautiful as her mother. With tears in his eyes, he caressed her face.

Or as handsome as his father… she stated, allowing a pained giggle to escape her grimacing smirk.

The remaining healers, finally recovered from the psionic pulse of the child’s heartbeat, made their way into the chamber, ushering Johar to quickly step away.

My queen, his head bowed in submission, I will take my leave…but should you need me… He paused, allowing their eyes to connect only briefly. Merely utter my name.

A slow nod signified her understanding of his feelings as one of the healers stepped between them, finalizing preparations for the birth. Quietly, he backed towards the door, his head remaining bowed until he finally reached the entrance. Upon exiting, vipers of all breeds began to emerge from his torso, his legs and thighs melting away into a sea of slithering serpents. The simplest motion seemed to command them as hundreds found their way to the doorway. Interlocking, they contorted to form a protective covering over the entire domed birthing room.

Inside the room, the healers scurried about.

Where are the clothes? Does anyone see the Yestina petals? How far apart are her contractions?

The pain intensified as the sun's orbital approach continued. Screams of agony and pain tore through the forest, scattering nearby flocks of birds.

Ahhhh…Arrrrgggggghhhhhhhh!!!!

It’s nearly time, said one of the healers as she raced across the room to a rotating lever. Someone, help me open the skylight!

A few healers raced over to assist her with the three-handled wheel, which opened the hatch in the upper portion of the branches covering the room. As they turned, the sun’s light pierced through the darkened den, shining directly onto Marie. She screeched as though tortured by the sun’s very existence.

And then, it happened…

THUMP THUMP…THUMP THUMP…

Each murmur of the child’s heartbeat could be felt across a portion of the globe. The forest creatures began to scurry. They all raced to evacuate the area, as though a catastrophic event were on the horizon. Those not hardy or swift enough to escape the range instantly collapsed, as though death had taken its toll. The healers were also worse for wear, though each of them continued to release a green aura seeking to absolve the queen of her pain. Alas, one by one, they, too, fell; victim to the psionic blasts emitting from the queen and her unborn child.

THUMP THUMP…THUMP THUMP

It is time, my queen, you must push.

The few healers still conscious continued to work tirelessly through the birthing process. A flurry of fresh towels, water containers, and potions continuously rotated around the room.

THUMP THUMP…THUMP THUMP…THUMP THUMP…THUMP THUMP… This time, even the strongest healers had issues maintaining their composure.

As the height of the lunar eclipse came to a head, there was but one healer left standing by the queen’s side. Sliding her arm underneath Marie’s head, she whispered, We’re almost there, my queen. You will now give birth to the living damnation of all you tried to preserve. Your child will be the demon spawn that hastens the desolation of everything you have come to love these last ten years. May we all be reborn as servants in the Manticore’s Court…LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!!

Marie’s eyes widened as the healer removed her hands from under her neck. Blood trailed down the healer’s arm where the faint reflection of hair like needles protruded.

THUMP THUMP…THUMP THUMP…

The healer, no longer able to withstand the barrage of energy, and her errand finally complete, lost consciousness. Falling to the floor, she mouthed, May I rest in your court, my queen…

Silence enveloped the den. Marie’s breathing shallowed as she barely released the words from her now-numb mouth, Jo-har…

From under the earth, a violent eruption of serpents spewed into the den.

MARIE!!!! What have I done? I knew I shouldn’t have left you alone…

Holding her close, tears filled his eyes as he gripped her head and hand.

The baby… she gasped.

Reaching towards the sheets below her, he froze. Draped in bloodied layers, a figure seemed to rise, giving the appearance of a small ghost. A violent wind shunted its way through the den, ruffling the sheets before blowing them to the floor. There, floating in confusion, the wide-eyed face of a child met his gaze. A demon-blue color slowly rose from the child’s feet across her skin. Inconspicuously, Johar attempted to send serpents around the bedside in preparation to contain or strike as needed.

The eclipse now complete, an ominous ring emitted kaleidoscopic flames. The sudden waving of their arms wildly across the sky must have scared the child. Scared or awakened…none still conscious could tell.

WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

An explosive psychic blast was released with the child’s shrill cry. From the skies of Xibalba, all that could be seen was a mushroom cloud of destruction. For miles on end, the lush greenery that covered the southern fields of the Irakalla Mountains was destroyed.

A desolate wasteland was created.

A queen was killed.

A child was born.

Planet: Earth

Dimension 66: Presonius

She’s going into labor! a man screamed into the hallway. Nurses and MDs racing through the hallways of a New York hospital seemed to not notice as he hurriedly returned to his wife's side.

Clasping his hand, her white-knuckled grip conveyed the intensity of her pain.

Brian! It's coming! The baby…aaaahhhhhhhh!!!

Her screams echoed, bouncing off the walls of the small room.

Brian, trying to comfort her, placed his palm against her cheek, It’ll be okay, hon, they’re on their—

A nurse politely pushed him away in mid-sentence as the room filled with medical personnel finalizing preparations for the newborn child. Just as he was removed from the situation, a psionic wave reverberated through the room causing everyone to freeze.

Brian…Brian…

Seeming unaffected by this skip in time, the pregnant mother screamed for anyone to respond. Coming to the realization that she was the only one able to move, her contractions pierced even harder than ever. AAAAAHHHH! She attempted to breathe deeply as she cradled her stomach. Not sure what had happened to those now-frozen people before her she spoke through the pain.

It’s okay, Hisania. It’s okay, baby…

Through her tears, she attempted to console her unborn child.

It’s gonna be…

Her heartbeat flat-lined. Brian’s heart dropped as he watched the nurses, almost in slow motion, work to save both his wife and unborn child. To him and those around her, only a second had passed.

At the exact same time, a similar situation was happening across the world in Slovenia. The proud parents Jordik and Vitania had been praying for boys for the last ten years of their marriage. Today was the day their twin boys finally joined their family. Though poor, Jordik had worked double and triple shifts at the factory to ensure medical coverage for his wife and children, preparing for this momentous day.

JORDIK!!!

Vitania screamed as her contractions grew closer and closer. This is not how it was supposed to happen, was all she could think. He was supposed to be there with her when this happened. He was to be there to welcome his children into the world.

Where is he? Can’t you call him?! Please...please call him! she screamed at the nurses in the run-down hospital they had found to admit her.

They all tried to calm her. Ma’am, we have attempted to contact him, but no one has been able to reach him. Over the sound of her screams, the nurses continued to inform her of their inability to reach him between barking orders for her to push.

At that very moment, a psionic wave emanated—seemingly from her soul—through the room, causing Vitania to collapse in the bed. Her heartbeat flat-lined. Thinking she had died, the nurses rushed their work in order to save the children, as one was already crowning.

Meanwhile, on the side of a highway, Jordik was furiously kicking the rim of his car. Rain and tears poured down his face as he attempted to flag down passersby.

Hey, help…please!

Jumping and waving like a madman, a car finally pulled over for him. Cracking his passenger window, the driver reached over to unlock the door of the older vehicle.

You okay, man? What happened to the car?

Jordik slicked the hair back out of his eyes, rain slapping the headrest as the door slammed behind him. The tire blew on my way to the hospital. My wife is in labor. Is there any way you can get me there?

The man smiled at him.

Congrats, man! Hell, yeah! Hang on.

Reaching behind him, he grabbed a police siren/light. Opening his window, Jordick could hear the thunk of the driver attaching the siren to the roof before it roared to life. Gravel kicked as they peeled back into traffic, siren blaring. All Jordick could think was, I’m coming, baby. Just a little while longer.

Reaching the hospital, Jordik thanked the man for his help and rushed through the doors. A small ding sounded as he entered. Rain soaked and sloshed with each step as he reached the nurses counter.

VITANIA KLIMAS, WHERE IS SHE?!

The nurses stepped back in terror. Realizing the impression he must have made in his near manic state, he presented his explanation.

I’m sorry, I’m her husband. I got a call that she was in labor, but my car broke down and I had to hitch a ride here. Am I too late? Is everything okay? Is she okay?

The tears once again began to well in his eyes as he spoke the words. He knew Vitania’s condition had continued to worsen throughout the course of the pregnancy. As much as he worried about the children’s arrival, he was more concerned about his wife.

The nurses must have felt the sensitivity exuding from his phrases because the head nurse stepped from around the desk.

Come this way. Taking his hand, she started down the hall, stopping in front of room 1221. Stepping away, she allowed him to open the door.

Jordik’s hands shook, nervous about what he would find. Gradually, he eased the door open, fear gripping his chest. There lay Vitania, the two boys nestled closely, one in each arm. The nurses next to the bed looked up from their charts and excused themselves. Vitania mouthed her thanks as they bowed, exiting the room.

Jordik’s tears could no longer be contained as he rushed to his wife's side. Kissing her, he caressed her brow, tucking her hair behind her ears.

They made it, baby… Vitania’s weakened voice increased Jordik’s anxiety. Look, your boys made it.

Jordik wiped some of the tears from his eye, stopping them from dripping onto his wife.

Yes, dear. They did.

Stepping to the side, he reached down to grab the boys from her.

The nurse who had brought him picked up the second child before moving back against the wall near the door.

Rocking side to side, pride swelled within his chest.

My boys…

The tears once again flowed as he kissed them both on their foreheads.

Have you named them yet, dear?

Clasping her hands over her stomach, she attempted her cutest smile.

No?

The shortness of her breath alarmed Jordik as he continued to rock the boys.

The naming of one’s boys should be reserved for their father.

Sniffing tears back, he nodded. Very well…

Looking into his right arm, he watched his son’s face. He etched every inch of this moment into his mind as only a proud father could.

You...you we will name Remus, for you will give your brother hell.

Laughing, he again kissed his son's brow.

But you will be there for him till death. You will build where he shall talk. You will move where he shall ponder.

The nurse’s face turned, slightly feeling he may favor one child over the other. Vitania, noticing the nurse’s nervous motion, raised one hand, pausing her. Jordik, however, noticed none of this as he looked at the second son in his left arm.

You…Romulus…you will run faster than the wind itself. You will decipher the very fabric of time and space as you move. Your definition of reality will consist of your brother and you; no one else will compare to the speed and intelligence you will bring to any and every battle life has to offer.

Pausing, he chuckled, kissing Romulus on the forehead.

And if you ever find anyone who does, they will be lifelong friends of yours… he paused he looked over his son, …and your brother.

Looking back at Remus, he nuzzled the child, growling, You are your brother’s protector. He then leaned over to Romulus, nuzzling and growling at him. And you are his.

Standing tall, tears streaming down his face, his voice cracking with each syllable of pride and pain, he said, You two are my pride and joy. You are your brother’s keepers. You will outdo anything me or your mother have ever done. And no matter what path you choose in life, I will always be proud of you.

The nurse gasped to keep from tearing up as she fell back, leaning against the wall. Never had she heard such a speech from a father towards his child at their birth. Vitania’s weakened smile couldn't have been any larger as she watched Jordik place the children in their cribs with the help of the nurse.

After gushing his affection towards his newborn children, Jordik turned his full attention towards his wife. Kneeling on the floor, he gripped her hand. As he stood over six feet, this was just tall enough for them to enjoy each other's company while she lay in bed.

"Vitania, my love, my sweet…are you okay?" His concern bled through his words. His lips caressed the backs of her hands as they clasped.

He could sense the energy leaving her even as she attempted to speak.

Yes, dear, I’m fine…

But Jordik could sense her hesitation, her head turning away from him.

What happened, Viti? And don’t lie to me.

Turning back towards him, she feigned a smile.

Nothing, Jordi. Everything went fine. Patting their clasped hands with her right hand, she nodded at him. You must promise me you will raise the children to be respectable citizens.

Jordik’s eyes widened as she continued to talk.

You have to promise me that you will teach them to respect each other and their family. Teach them to always respect women and to eat their vegetables. Smiling at him, tears started to run down her face. I know how much you hate vegetables, but promise that you’ll make sure you cook and eat them with the boys. Promise me you’ll get them into a good school and you’ll stop working such long hours. Promise me…promise me…

As she continued to speak, her voice softened more and more, the tears from her eyes increasing continuously.

Jordik, sensing her panic, tried to calm her.

I promise, Viti…I’ll make sure they are taken care of. I’ll make sure they eat their vegetables. I’ll make sure I’m active in everything that they want to do. I promise I’ll stop working so much and be there…I…I promise…

Vitania’s next words were shaky and sorrowful, yet joyous and proud. I love you…I love Romulus…I love Remus…please tell them…please tell…..them…

The machines beside her flat-lined.

The nurses all raced in response. They pushed Jordik away, and he swayed as the gravity of the moment weighed upon him. He knew that those were her last words.

Simultaneously in the United States, in a small one-bedroom apartment, a woman wept incessantly. Alone...scared…she was about to give birth to her child.

It's okay, it's okay…we’ll be okay. Rubbing her stomach as her face grimaced through the pain, she spoke to her unborn child. We…will be... ok… aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

The pain intensified as the contractions closed in on each other.

I will always be here for you…aaaahhhh….

Breathing heavily, she struggled to control herself as she sat alone in her tub.

Okay baby...phewwww…pheeewwww…I’m gonna start pushing…so work with me…. Phewwww...phewww…it's just me and you…phewwww phhhheeeewwww…so let’s show the world it will not win!

Taking one last breath, she strained to push the child out. Placing her hand to feel the breach of the child, she paused before pushing again. Sliding back into the tub, she nearly submerged herself, her next push allowing the child to rise above the half-filled tub.

Pushing one final time, she could feel the displacement of water as the baby sank into the tub. Frantic, she panicked, her hands reaching to raise him. Holding her newborn, she lay there, breathing shallowly. Brushing the placental blood from his face, she smiled.

My baby…

Tears of pain mingled with those of joy as she rocked the silently breathing child, the umbilical cord still connected to him. She used every fiber of her being to maintain consciousness. She had notified 911 as she’d gotten into the tub, alerting them to the fact that her door had been left unlocked.

Niko…welcome home…

Not five minutes after the child's birth, she fainted, sliding under the water. A subconscious blur remained in her memory as the EMTs burst through the door, grabbing the child before they pulled her back up.

The flashing lights of the ambulance, the continuous noise and jostling bumps as she was rushed down hallway after hallway of the hospital corridor—none of it registered. Her only thought was, Niko…you finally came…

Subconscious tears of joy streamed down her face mask as they wheeled her into emergency surgery.

Chapter 1

Every story begins with a hero. Every life begins with a single breath. But what if I told you that every organism originated from one plane of existence. In the plethora of dimensions explored over the ages, there is one that reigns supreme: Vidik Suvereno, the Aspect Sovereign.

Here, no one ever dies. No one ever wishes harm. It is the perfect Utopia. Those who wish inter-dimensional travel would pass through this ever-moving nexus of the multiverse. It is these beings who allow travel. Many have attempted to reach this land in hopes