#saraxis the shadow

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT.12)

He found the others. They were safe, for now, but he had to help them.

Kortifex was there. He was ready to kill.

And he stopped it...

... With a twist from Maxis.

He had gone to the comms tent, which was also empty, and tried to track everyone down. They had emergency trackers, mostly for rescue missions after him almost being captured. After all, if it wasn’t for Alex seeing it, he might’ve never been found.

“Russia.” He said after finding them. “Back in fucking Stalingrad.”

“Let’s get you there.”

The portal opened, and he went through it…

Red and purple crystals everywhere. Undead bodies on the ground. Footprints.

Footprints- bootprints. 

He followed them.

Sure enough.

“That’s Kortifex, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

He looked over more.

The crystal of his Artifact. Floating next to him in the air.

And the 141 looking up up it from a cliff.

“Fuck it.”

He had found out how to properly use his powers.

So he teleported up there.

“Is that really your Scepter?” He said teasingly, and chuckled. He noticed his voice had an effect.

“You…”

“I know what your trying Kortiex. I won’t let it happen.”

“You're a mere mortal. A red blood.”

“Not really. I’m not fully human anymore. I spent a long time in the Dark Aether. There’s no chance I’m human now…” He looked down at his glowing hands, “Plus, the power of five Elder Gods? I’m not even close to being human."

"What more can you do then, red blood?"

He chuckled

"You know what to do, Seedling. Summon the dead!"

He did.

And the dead corpses of the dead soldiers, and long buried, rose at his command.

He saw Kortifex’s face change.

He cackled as he opened a Portal and slid back into it, opening another one to appear infront of the 141.

“Don’t ask questions right now, just help me get these things killed and stop the Blood Rite, I’ll explain when we’re safe. Now go!” 

And he disappeared again.

He didn’t need his guns, all he needed was those powers.

It had been hours. But, they finally managed to stop the Blood Rite.

It wasn’t fully over yet.

He managed to put a Rune Wall up to protect the others while Kortifex tried to do… something. He wasn't sure what, but he knew it wasn’t good.

“Keep trying, red blood. You will never win.”

“Watch me.”

“What more can you do, mortal?!”

He heard something. 

“I’m sorry… I must.”

“What- Maxis, what are you-!”

He blacked out.

…

Alex just watched as Kyle put up some sort of dome over them while Kortifex tried… Something. Fuck…

"Keep trying, red blood. You'll never win."

"Watch me." Kyle replied, glaring at him.

Yes. He knew damn well that Kyle would be able to win. He was stronger.

"What more can you do, mortal?!"

"Kill you." He said, though no one could hear it.

"We need to get out of this thing!" Price yelled.

He watched as Kyle… chuckled. Eyes closed.

He snapped his fingers.

And thick, black fog surrounded them

He opened his eyes.

They were bright yellow.

"No… impossible!!"

Kyle- no. That was not Kyle. It was someone else. They smirked before yelling out.

"FETCH ME THEIR SOULS!"

And cackled before falling backward and disappearing into a puff of smoke.

It didn't end there. No, it was just starting.

Fucking… hellhounds, he'd call them, started appearing out of nowhere. Killing the rest of Kortifex's army.

He just watched. Almost in horror.

That… person? Controlling Kyle reappeared on the ground, finishing the job with powers and powers alone.

They made a dome around themselves when Kortifex tried to… grab them, probably. And he backed down while they smiled.

"Did you miss me, Kortifex?!! I sure as hell missed you!!" They yelled. His voice sounded different. Still him, but the accent that he loved to hear was gone. Replaced. German. "Not really, but we all need a little validation sometimes, ja?"

"What do you want, Maxis?!!"

Maxis? Maxis? Samatha Maxis?!

"Could ask the same to you, you know."

"No playing games!"

"Oh, this is your game, I see. I don't have to play by your rules. I'm as much in control of the Dark Aether as you are. Und Garrick, for that matter."

"What does the red blood have to do with this? He is nothing."

"He is far from nothing." Alex whispered.

"Oh, you poor thing. You have no clue what I am doing."

"Humor me, then, Maxis. What are you doing?!"

"Taking control. Poor Garrick just happens to be the… 'victim'."

What?!

"What are you talking about?!"

"Oh, Kortifex… I am in control. You know what that means, right?"

"You little brat!!"

"That's right. You have about… forty-eight hours until Kyle Garrick is gone, along with all of the intel that you desperately want. And he becomes just another pawn to me."

"What?!!" He yelled.

"So, good luck! Auf Wiedersehen!" She cackled, and disappeared again.

Alex just watched. In horror.

A portal opened behind them.

They went through it. 

They caught a quick glimpse of Maxis before she disappeared into a different portal. Probably to hide until the forty-eight hours were over.

But Price said what they all were thinking:

"We need to find Kyle before it's too late."

[gayaethernaut]

Hey to all the fellow Dark Aether Storyline enjoyers still out there I found an old painting of Saraxis at Shi No Numa!

Not sure if this is an accurate depiction of what her full body would look like but I love how they put it on Shi No Numa because it makes sense! All the DA gods have their preferred cultures/were popular in certain cultures and Saraxis was often mistaken as a Kitsune trickster spirit in ancient Japan!

[alex-pvsz-935]

Elder gods symbol

Bellekar the warlock

Vercanna the last

Norticus the conqueror

Kortifex deathless

Inviktor the destroyer

Saraxis the shadow

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT. 10)

It had been... a long time since he claimed Inviktor's powers.

he wanted to get out of there. go back home.

But even worse.

Kortifex had struck.

Four months later…

They had just gotten back to the safe house after a supply run. He quickly washed some of the blood off his face with an old water bottle before running off to the roof.

He was glad that he still had a picture of the team with him. He was sure he’d be in a much worse place had he not been able to see their faces in the last… eight months.

He missed them. He missed them so fucking much. But he'd keep going. He'd do it for them.

He was hoping they were alright.

Hoping that The Dark Aether hadn’t taken effect of the world yet.

He just shook his head, as if that would get rid of the thoughts.

And that morning, the others woke up as he just came inside.

“Hey, sergeant.” Nikolai commented.

“Hey… nothing to report.”

“Good. Let’s hope that means something good.” Dempsey said as he and Takeo walked in. “Who’s next?”

“Bellekar, I’m guessing.”

“You guessed correctly. In fact, I shouldn't be far from you."

"And it turns out I'm right. God, this gets annoying sometimes."

"Hey!" Saraxis snapped.

 "I said what I fucking said."

"Where?" Dempsey asked.

"Somewhere. She'll tell me eventually, I'm sure."

"I will. Once you're closer."

"Rog."

"Let's go out for supplies. We need extras."

They geared up, and left.

"Seedling, you should know that Kortifex is officially in the real world."

"What?!" He didn't mean to say that out loud. Thank God they split up.

"I just found out. He just got there."

"Fuck! Are the others okay?!"

"They should be for now."

"We need to speed this up. Come out of wherever the fuck your hiding and Bellekar, you do the same."

"We can't really help it. Sure, we can try to get there, but finding you is proving difficult."

"What, should I light a flare?"

"I get you are upset, Seedling. But there is not much we can do."

He groaned in frustration. “Fuck… Just update me if anything happens.”

“We will. Until then, find Bellekar.”

“I’m close by.”

“Good.” He just kept walking. It was all he could do.

He was just ready to go home.

He finally found her.

"You've come far, my pupil."

"Just… do it. Get on with it. Get me out of here."

He passed out. But woke up to a strange feeling.

"Hmm… I think I used my Artifact."

"What…?"

"It'll wear off in a moment."

"I'm invisible, aren't I?"

"Yes."

He sighed, but stood and started walking.

"Vercanna, give me something."

"I may be close."

"Thank God."

"Go back to the safehouse. Search tomorrow."

He groaned, but started going back.

He was getting out of there as soon as possible…

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT. 9)

Time went by, feeling the same amount of time in a day, but just... so much longer

He had only found Saraxis since Norticus...

but that was about to change.

But he still wouldn't get out of there for a long time...

Four months later…

They had just gotten back from claiming Saraxis' power. He only had the two of them, but it was a start.

He hadn't fully tested how his powers worked yet. But he had a general idea of it. 

He was on watch that night. It was nice, he could just clear his head up there.

“Don’t relax for long, seedling.”

“I know… I just miss everyone. All I see is them crying in those illusions.”

“We can’t really speed up the process."

"I know that. Who's next, anyway?"

"It should be me."

"Give me more details in the morning. Let me clear my head."

But it's hard when you have a bunch of voices in it. And he could've sworn he heard another one. Just a calling whisper again…

He didn't want to pay attention to it.

The next day…

He had just gotten inside, and the others were waking up.

"Anything new?" Richtofen asked.

“Negitive. Not even undead.” 

"Which is good, I suppose." Dempsey said as he entered the room. "Anything with the voices in your head?"

"Invictor is supposed to be next. Not sure where he is, though."

"We'll find out soon. Until then, we need to go on a supply run.”

They went shortly after, and he learned a bit of their old missions together. He was pretty fascinated. It was at the start of the Cold War. The very start. 

"Then the whole 'jump through portals and take your own soul' thing happened and we got stuck in a cycle for like… twenty years until we somehow got out of it, and went a year before we died and ended up here." Dempsey finished.

"How'd you take your own soul?"

"The Summoning Key." Richtofen replied.

"Hm. Any intel on that?"

"I never fully figured out how it worked. But I have a feeling that it's how we ended up here."

"He's right about that." Norticus said.

"Interesting."

They just kept walking. They needed food and water. Supplies were low, but since the Dark Aether was a place that was never ending and always changing, they basically had limitless supplies.

Another illusion showed up.

This time of Price.

“Norris, I do not give a single shit what you say, finding Kyle is more important than looking for Shepheard right now. If you want to make your own team, do it, but I am not giving you my Task Force. My son could be dead!”

“Oh, cut the crap, John, he isn’t your son!”

“I sure as hell wish he was. He has called me ‘dad’ for nearly three years! He’s my fucking child!”

He felt horrible…

“Fine. You go and look for a dead man.”

“I will. You can sit this one out.”

 Norris rolled his eyes before walking away, probably out of Price's office.

He sighed before he sat down, looking at a picture he had on his desk.

His favorite picture of them together.

"Dad…" He whispered, taking a step towards it.

"You've only really been gone for a week… there's no way your dead. Right? Please… Please, son…" He very rarely cried, but he started bawling then.

"Kyle, please. I love you, son. Come back… I'll do anything… I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault…”

“I need you back…”

Graves showed up, sitting on the other side of the desk.

“John… He’s probably okay.”

“He’s alone. Who knows where the fuck he is?! He could be…”

Graves stood, Price did to, and held him tight.

“We’ll get him back… I hope.”

It disappeared.

He just walked away from the settling ashes. He didn’t want to cry in front of them again.

They went back to the safehouse that night with a ton of supplies.

He was cleaning his pistol and knife, trying to get his mind off it.

"Hey, kid."

He looked up at Dempsey,  "yes, corporal?"

"That was Price in that illusion, wasn't it?"

He nodded as Dempsey sat down in a chair across from him.

"Who was the other one? Not Norris, the other one?”

He sighed, “Phillip Graves… his boyfriend.”

"And Price is also your father?"

"It's complicated… my unofficially adoptive dad’s, I guess."

"Unofficial?"

"I wasn't actually adopted. I was twenty-seven when I started calling him dad and since January called Phil pops. I had a… not so good family- and my father was a real piece of shit. I didn't realize how much I needed a father until he came along… then Pops…”

"Damn…"

"That whole task force is my family."

"Then why'd you leave?"

"I didn't have much of a choice."

He nodded, "let's hope their alive." He stood, "get some sleep." He left the room

He froze at that. What if they were dead by the time he got there?

He wouldn’t think about that.

The next day…

He woke up before the others. And he couldn’t sleep.

He decided to got out to where no one could see, and test his powers.

It felt so weird. Telekictics on top of all the other ones. But it felt… good. Natural.

"You learn quickly, Seedling."

"I have you."

"You should get back to the house. The others are waking up."

He nodded, and walked back as they were just waking up.

“Hey, sergeant.” Nikolai said when he walked in. 

“Hey…”

They waited for the others, geared up, and went out.

They split up for a bit. "This is a bad idea. A damn movie Cliché. Someone's gonna die."

"Or you'll live, just with a few scratches."

"Not helpful, Saraxis."

"I wasn't really trying to be."

"Wow. Leave me out to dry, why don't you?"

He just kept going.

That calling whisper started up, but he could actually make it out

"Come to me. We have a lot to talk about." 

That… that couldn't be, right?

There's no way.

There's no way it was Samatha Maxis.

"It is the only way."

Shit. It was her.

He followed it…

Sure enough. There she was, leaning on a tree. The same gear she had when she was in The Dark Aether.

"What the fuck…?"

"Ja, I know. Shocking. Just, don't freak out."

"I don't think I could even if I tried. I've had voices in my head for the past five months, I've been killing undead, chasing Dark Aether Gods, and many more. This is one of the more normal things I've seen."

"Fair. Well, you probably have some idea of what's going on. I don’t think much needs to be explained. Other then this… We’re connected through the Aether. We’re a part of it. I can talk to you just as the other gods can. I can take control of you. And you can me. I will if I need to.”

He nodded. “So your just here?”

“FIgured I’d try to help.”

“Didn’t you get trapped here?”

“I would’ve been here forever if not for Mika. She managed to get in, I still have no clue how, and managed to get us out. She was one hell of a soldier.”

“She stopped aging too, yeah?”

“She did. Had kids, too.”

“I met Lilith.”

She froze, and looked at him.

“At least, Her callsign is Lilith. I know her name is Kaida, but she was always called that. Surprised you never knew."

"I had to get away from them. Lay low. After all, we're all legally dead. I died in the late 2010's. So did Lizzie. Mika died last year. So did her sister's und Aimi. As far as the world knows, Kaida is the last known descent. Of any of us."

“she was twenty-three, 2016, when I met her. I heard a few stories, just about growing up and her mothers. What a pain it was for them to be able to have her… Nothing about… this.”

“Never told her. She didn’t need to know.”

“Fair… I-”

“Go. We’ll meet again.”

With that, she disappeared into a cloud of purple smoke.

He sighed, and went off, back to-

"Don't. I'm nearby."

Well great.

He went over to him.

There he was.

"Just cut to the chase."

He did.

He passed out again, only to wake up with his powers.

"Good luck."

He really needed it…

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT. 8)

He must've been out for a while.

But he was in the Dark Aether.

And he was found by... someone. He woke up in a house...

And he knew that he had to hurry...

He had just woken up, and… Was in a house? His right arm was fully numb, and he tried to remember anything that happened.

He felt someone shaking him, but he didn’t respond. He heard voices. Not of the Gods, but of humans.

“Ah, there you are- oh my God!”

“You found him like this?!”

“Get him inside!”

He sat up on the table, pulling on the cuff on his arm until it snapped.

“Are any of you there…?”

“We’re all here, Sergeant.”

He got up, trying to get blood back in his arm. He was so confused…

Then the door to the room opened.

 "How the fuck did you get out of the cuffs?!" American. Almost like Alex, but aged. He turned. He didn't even look like Alex. He didn't have dusty blonde hair, instead dark brown, but the blue eyes were the same.

"Don't shoot! Don't shoot, please!" He held his hands up, bracing for anything that could happen.

"Woah, hey, hey, kid, calm down. We ain't gonna hurt you."

"Your… your not?"

"No. First things first, what's your name?"

"Kyle Garrick… they call me 'Gaz'."

"You military?"

"SAS. Task Force 141."

"How'd you get here?"

"Could ask you the same. The Dark Aether is rebuilding itself. I have to stop it."

"We died. That's how we got here."

He was a little shocked. "Who are you…?"

"Tank Dempsey. USMC. I have three other people with me, out on a supply run."

"You were put on babysitting duty?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

He chuckled a little, and looked around the room. All his gear was there.

"Put your stuff on. I have questions for you."

"Rog."

He grabbed everything, and put it all on before looking in the mirror.

His eyes were purple. Not glowing, but they were a deep purple.

“What the fuck…?” He whispered.

“You’ve become Aetheric. Your not fully human anymore. Let’s hope that it doesn’t get you the point of it keeping you alive.”

“Okay…”

He just went out to the other room. It seemed like a normal safehouse.

“So… You found a portal and went through it?” Dempsey asked

“Opened a portal… I’ve been tracking down the Elder Gods for the past month. When I found Vercanna, she opened a portal for me.”

“Damn… How old are you?”

He hesitated, “Twenty-nine.”

“Rank?”

“... Sergeant.”

“Your pretty young for a Sergeant. You must be good.”

“They say so.” He leaned back on the table, and sighed.

“What’s the Task Force?”

“It’s an elite Task Force. We’ve been together for three years, four in November.”

“Damn.”

“I’ve been there since day one.”

“Who’s in charge?”

“Captain Price. I’m his second.”

“Damn! Wait, what year is it?”

He heard about this. It was in Elizabeth Grey’s report… Well, back when she was Dr. Grey. It’s Elizabeth Maxis, now.

“2023…”

He looked shocked, “I… wow… what's war like nowadays?"

“For us, its mostly terrorists and cartels.”

“Interesting… You got someone back home?”

He chuckled a little. “Back at base, yes. My partner… Actually a part of the 141. Been together nearly three years.”

“Name?”

“... Alex.”

“Alexander or Alexandrea?”

“Alexander.”

“Cute.” He chuckled, noticing Kyle blink in shock, "The others should be here soon."

He nodded, and then he heard a whistle.

"There they are." He went outside, and called out, "He woke up!"

That got them running.

"What's your name?" The German asked.

"Kyle Garrick. They call me 'Gaz'."

"Well, Gaz, how'd you end up here?"

"Back off, doc. The kid just woke up." So he was a Doctor?

“And how old is the kid?” The Russian asked.

“Twenty-nine.”

“How’d you end up here?!”

“Stop it. Both of you.”

He looked behind them both, seeing a third man, Japanese, probably, who wasn’t speaking.

“How about we just… Figure out what you need from here, then figure out how you get home.” 

“That’s easy.” He chuckled a little, “The Dark Aether Elder God’s need me to… claim their power. I need to find them.”

“... Okay, well, that isn’t something you hear every day.” 

“We know how to find ourselves, plaything.”

“Well I hope you do.”

“What now?” The Russian asked.

“Turn in for the night. Figure out what to do in the morning.” Dempsey replied.

“Rog. Does someone need to be on watch?” 

“Yeah. I got-”

“I just slept for however long, I got it.” He got up, and watched as the others gave him a weird look.

“Roger that, Sergeant. There’s a sniper rifle on the roof.”

“Rog.” He went out, climbed the ladder, and went to the edge of the roof.

This is what Captain Mika Masaki wrote in her report. In her description of the Dark Aether. Purple hue on everything, shadowy illusions, forests, and broken down towns. "It is a place always changing. Shifting around overnight." Is what it said.

He was about to experience it.

The next day…

He had heard them moving around, and eventually the Russian, who he heard that his name was actually Nikolai, came to get him.

"Alright, Sergeant, where do we need to go?" Dempsey asked. 

"Well, once I get word from them, I'll let you know."

"Come to me first, mortal. I'm not far."

"Nevermind, just heard from Norticus. He’ll probably take me right to him.”

“I will.”

“Is… Is it weird to have a voice in your head all the time?”

“When you have five, six including my own, voices in your head, yeah. And it’s worse since they can hear all the thoughts I have… So they hear about my partner a lot.”

“Ooh… yeah, that sounds rough.”

“Anyway, I’ll find him.”

“We’re coming with you.”

He was a little shocked, but nodded.

“Gear up, lets get going.”

They were ready in about two minutes. He felt a little out of place: Higher quality gear, weapons, and armor. And he wasn’t caked in blood… Yet.

They were walking around for a while, Norticus was telling him what to do and where to go. 

He saw one of those illusions.

It was Alex crying his eyes out, holding the note he left against his chest.

He felt horrible.

“Kyle… Baby, please… Come back. I’m so sorry…”

“But…” He started walking towards it, “But it wasn’t your fault.”

He looked down at it again, before screaming and pounding his fists into the floor.

“No! No, Alex, please!” He started to run, but one of the others held him back.

“Why’d you have to fucking take him from me?! Why?! It’s not fucking fair!!” He looked so distruaght. Hair messy, eyes red… Wearing one of his jackets.

“Alex, please, I’m so sorry!” He collapsed, and he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m getting you back, baby… I promise…”

He just sobbed as he watched the illusion disappear.

“That was Alex?” Despsey asked.

He nodded.

“Damn…”

He just stood, looking at the settling ashes.

“Mortal. I’m nearby.”

He just walked away, wiping the tears off his face.

He just wanted to forget what he saw.

He got that wish when he found Norticus.

The voice wasn't just in his head anymore, they all heard it.

"You've done well, mortal. I'm close."

He followed it.

Then found him.

"N… Norticus?"

The God turned to face him.

"You've come far, Sergeant." He stated, gesturing for him to come with him. "But I'm afraid you must go farther."

He nodded, and followed.

"How'd you know we're I was?" He asked as they walked.

"We can see through your eyes and hear through your ears. We could… take over, if we wanted too."

"But you wouldn't?"

"No. We need you."

He sighed as they stopped.

"This is where-”

"Get on with it."

He braced as Norticus turned to face him, and he fainted as he was touched by him.

As he came too, he felt something… different.

“Norticus?” He asked as he looked around.

“You took a bit of a hit to the head.”

“I can tell… what happened?"

"You have my power now. Works about the same as using my Artifact."

"Do you need it back?"

"Keep it until we destroy this place."

He nodded, and stood. 

"The others will tell you when they're close. Until then, you're on your own."

"Will you still be in my head?"

"Yes."

"Okay…"

"Leave. Find the others."

He nodded, and left.

"Well?" Dempsey asked.

"It worked."

"Good. Let's get going. Back to the safe house."

They started walking back, and the whole time, he was thinking about how he would test the powers.

He went back inside with them, cleaning his knife. It was a stress reliever for him.

"Hey, kid?"

He looked up, and saw Dempsey.

"Sir?"

"Can I ask something?"

"Sure."

He sat down across from him, "that note Alex was holding? What was it?"

He froze, and put down his knife.

"It was the the note I left before I came here."

He nodded, "You said you've been together nearly three years?"

"Will be on Christmas."

He smiled.

"Did you have someone back home?"

"My parents. Back in Nevada."

"Really?"

"Where's Alex from?"

"West Virginia. We went there last year for Christmas to see his family."

He just looked happy.

"Did you have a partner? Wife?"

"Not back there."

"But?"

"That hot Jap?"

"Your with him?"

"Tak and I were really close before we got sent here. Keep in mind, the time goes different here. It was… fifty years of being here before we managed to find each other again. And… it really didn't take long for us to… get together."

"Damn, you had a longer love story than me."

"What's yours?"

He chuckled.

"So, it was 2020. I thought he was dead. It was classified that he was alive after destroying Barkov's gas factory in November of 2019. In May, I found out. We got close after that, and… He was the one that saved me from getting captured. And I started falling for him. I’ve never been in a relationship- or, after I found out I’m gay, I never got into another relationship. I just… was hoping he’d make the move.”

“Did he?”

“Funny enough, I was the one that did it. I was… about to die. Or, I thought I would. I knew that I’d never get another chance. So I told him.”

"Damn. What happened after that?"

"I was in a coma for five days, woke up on Christmas day, stayed in the hospital for another three, got out, kissed my now-boyfriend of nearly three years by the lake that's on the base."

"That's cute… better than mine."

"How was yours?"

"Took a while, but I did start it. He didn't even respond, just gave me a little kiss on the cheek."

He smiled a little, "that's adorable."  

“He is adorable. I’d love to hear what Alex would say about you.”

“Probably the same. I’m, apparently, a badass disguised as a cinnamon roll.”

“That’s sweet… You should get some rest, kid. I got watch."

He nodded, and went to the same room he woke up in.

He fell asleep pretty easily for it being a different dimension. Then again, it held complete silence.

But Alex was all of his thoughts…

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT.7)

Alex kept him in bed for two days.

He finally got his energy back, and he went to find Vercanna in Stalingrad

But things went very, very wrong

He was caught...

He happily spent two days in Alex’s arms. Laying in bed with him and Rose, nice and warm. He was in the comfiest clothes he had. He wanted to just stay there forever.

But, he was back to being able to function. He guessed the Aetherim settled.

He actually got up that morning. He walked around. He went to his own room after sleeping in Alex’s for the past two nights.

He was waiting for the portal. It opened at midnight. He went through it.

It was freezing. Not shocked, it was Russia. 

He walked through the destroyed buildings, and eventually realized what it was.

“This is where Kraft was trapped, right? Where it began for your era?” He asked

“Correct. This is where Vercanna made her Artifact. This is where it began.”

“And now history repeats itself.”

“Not if we can stop it.”

He kept walking for so long, walking through the buildings, and then. He found The Wand of The Wilds.

He touched it.

He passed out again.   

He woke up two minutes later.

"Seedling, it seems you took a hit to the head. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Vercanna. Thank you, though."

"Heh. He really does sound like Kraft. You should get back to your base, Seedling."

"No need to tell me twice. Norticus?" 

Two seconds later, it opened up. He went through it with The Wand, and set it on the table in his room before changing into something else, since it was snowing in Stalingrad. But it was pretty early in the morning, so he wasn't going to be able to get any sleep. It was fine.

"What next?" He asked, looking down at The Wand.

"I'm glad you asked, Seedling. Well, you need to go to the source of this mess."

He knew what she meant.

"... I have to go to the Dark Aether?"

"Yes. You have to. So you can claim our powers."

"I what?"

"You heard us, plaything."

He sighed, and looked down.

"Okay… just. Give me a bit. I need to find out what to do."

He took another breath…

And the door opened.

"Kyle, we have a Briefing in ten-"

That was Price.

He turned, and he looked shocked.

He was horrified.

"Mortal."

"I…"

"Do not say a word."

"When I broke into the Omega base, I found The Horn of Norticus, he was calling out to me, so I touched it, he had me running around for the past month while we looked for the other Elder Gods, I just came back from Stalingrad with Vercanna. The Dark Aether is rebuilding itself, Kortifex is back, the world might be falling apart, and I think it's all because of… me."

Price shut the door, and walked up.

"Dad?"

He glanced back down at the Wand before looking back at him.

"We will say nothing about this. Until we get the chance to talk about this, you did not find The Horn, you didn't go on a wild goose chase, the Dark Aether is not rebuilding itself, and it's not because of you. No one will know.”

He nodded.

“What have you done?!”

“What else was I supposed to do?!”

He heard something behind the door.

“Well, I know.”

It was Farah.

“She’s gonna tell them.” He said.

“Fuck…”

“I have to get out of here, quick.”

“Go where?”

He hesatated. “The Dark Aether.”

“... What?”

“Its the only way.”

“No. No, Kyle, please.” He gently grabbed both of his hands, “Please, I’m begging you, don’t do this. Alex and I need you. We all need you.”

“Dad…” He knew that there was no other way. “I can’t stay. I’m sorry. This is the only way. I love you all, but the world may be ending. And I’m the only one that can fix it. I have to do this. I’m sorry.”

He paused, teared up, but nodded.

“Promise me you’ll come back.”

“I may not be in one piece, but I’ll be back.”

He nodded, “Just go to the briefing.”

“I’ll be there in a bit, okay?”

“Okay…” He pulled him in for a hug, and stayed there for about a minute before pulling away.

He left the room, and Kyle took all of the Artifacts, and threw the bag into the portal that Norticus opened, before sitting down, and writing a letter.

“Hey, guys.

Either Farah told everyone, or she didn’t, but either way, I’m gone. 

I’ve been on a hunt for the past month. The Dark Aether is real. I’ve been hunting the Elder Gods. I won’t say ‘I told you so’, but I will say that you should’ve listened to me.

So, I’ve found the Gods, and gotten the Artifacts. The next step? Going to the Dark Aether to claim their powers.

I’m sorry. I need to do this. This is the only way. I’m trying to fix the world.

I’ll be back. I may not be in one piece, but I will be back

I love you all.

-Kyle"

He went out to the briefing room.

He was acting normal.

But the base wasn't.

The lights eventually started flickering, and the room was shaking like there was an earthquake. There wasn't one.

"Fucking- Kyle!" Alex yelled as he ran up and pulled him into a corner, and Price held onto Graves, pulling him under a table.

"If you think you can defeat me, red blood, you'd be sorely mistaken."

"Leave, Kortifex! They have nothing to do with it!" Saraxis yelled.

"But this one does."

He panicked.

"What the fuck is going on?!" Alejandro yelled from the corner, where he shielded Rodolfo.

He saw Farah.

"Gaz has been looking for the Dark Aether Elder Gods, he found their Artifacts, the Dark Aether is coming back, it's because of him, and we're all fucked!" She screamed.

Then, it stopped.

"Look at that. His team is turning against him."

"I'm opening a portal, Seedling!"

He stood as everyone looked at him. And Alex only looked sad, and worried. Not the looks of horror that the others were giving him.

"Kyle, what the fuck?" Ghost asked. 

The portal opened behind him.

Norris took out his pistol, "Don't you move another fucking muscle!"

"Tap the breaks, let's talk about this." Alex said frantically.

"There's nothing to talk about because he'll just hide it!"

He wanted to start sobbing.

"Kyle."

He turned to Alex, who was still in the corner 

"I'm sorry…"

"You don't need to be, baby. Come here. It’s okay."

“No. your not moving. If you are, its because your in custody.”

“You can’t make that call!” Price yelled, standing. 

He didn’t know what to do.

“Go through that portal!”

He sighed. He moved back just slightly. 

The trigger was pulled.

Vercanna put up some sort of wall to protect him. Saraxis used one of her Energy mines to knock Norris over.

“Run!”

He did, and Alex called out for him before he disappeared.

He was in a armory. 

“Grab what you need, we’re going to the Dark Aether.”

He did, and grabbed the bag of Artifacts before looking at the portal.

He walked through it…

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT.6)

a week had gone by before he heard anything.

He was exhuasted. he assumed it was the Aetherim settling, but, it didn't make it any easier.

Invitkor was next. they had to find him...

It had been a week. He had been waiting for further notice. And in that time, Farah had showed up. And not long after that, Alejandro and Rodolfo showed up. Great. Now he had more people to hide from.

"So. We've been waiting for a while. Has no one found him yet?"

"He might still be in the Dark Aether." Norticus said

"I'm glad you brought it up. I found him in a bunker just outside of Berlin."

"Great." He said, looking in the mirror, "usual drill."

He was anxious. It kept happening. He didn't like the feeling of Aetherim. But his body was getting used to it. It was getting better.

He was wide awake until midnight. And he got his gear on while waiting for the portal to open back up. 

He sighed as he saw it. But he went through it.

He started looking through the bunker. And he realized just how exhausted he was. He was sure that he would pass out.

But he kept going, he had too. He could let Alex hold onto him. He could be nice and warm. He just had to get this done.

It took hours for him to find it.

But he found The Sword.

Once again, he touched it. He passed out.

He didn’t wake up for two hours.

“Sergeant, are you alright?” Saraxis asked.

“No. I’m exhausted…”

“What have you three put him up to to make him be like this?!”

“Says the destroyer!”

“Stop it.” He picked up the sword and stuck it in his backpack, “Just take me home.”

The portal opened, and he forced himself up to walk through it. He hid the Artifacts, and crawled into bed.

He wanted Alex.

“Who’s Alex?"

“His partner.”

He needed Alex.

He passed out again. 

The next day…

He woke up to Alex again. Seeing the concern on his face made him feel so guilty. He did start to wonder what the hell he was doing. But the world was at risk. As much as he hated it, he needed to do this. He didn't have a good enough reason to back out yet.

“Baby, did you sleep last night?”

He shook his head. It was 6:30 in the morning when he came back. He wasn’t able to get a lot of sleep.

He sighed, and gently kissed Kyle’s forehead.

“Do you want food? Or just sleep?”

“Sleep, please.”

“Okay.” He started to pull away. But Kyle had grabbed his arm.

“Okay, baby. Just sleep.” He crawled into bed next to him, holding him tight.

He just nuzzled into his chest.

“This is Alex?”

"Yes. This is Alex."

“Hm. Seems-”

“Don’t call him clingy. Don’t call him possessive. He’s just protective.” Saraxis said.

“And he’s been keeping the Sergeant in the best shape he can manage.” Norticus added

“Thank you both.”

He was just enjoying the cuddles he got. Best feeling ever.

He fell asleep soon after. And woke up that night. Alex brought him a warm meal, which at least helped him wake up a little.

He just wanted to stay in his arms for the day. He’d be safe, he'd be warm. He was happy. He wanted it to stay that way.

“You can have today, my pupil.”

“I would anyway…”

He nuzzled back into Alex’s chest. And sighed.

“Baby, I’ll be right back, okay? Rose needs to be fed and taken out.”

He nodded, And Alex gently kissed his forehead before getting up.

He just went back to sleep.

“Sergeant, wake up.”

“Hmm?” 

“I found Vercanna.”

“Where?!”

“Stalingrad.”

“Please… Just let me have a few days. I’m so tired. I want to be held. I need to be held.”

“Fine.”

“Rest, mortal. We’ll wait.”

He sighed, and cuddled back into Alex’s chest.

He slept for so long.

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT. 3)

"Get the Artifacts, stay quiet." Is what Kyle kept telling himself.

He knew that it was just getting harder. He knew that he'd break.

But they had found Saraxis.

He was looking for a while. But considering that it was an old facility by a swamp, it was probably going to take a while.

“What is this place, anyway?” He asked as he dug through old paperwork. Japanese.

“They called it ‘Shi No Numa’. The Swamp Of Death. This is where Die Wahrheit found Saraxis’ Artifact to start with.”

“And now she’s back here?”

“Not that she had a choice in the matter.”

“Did you?”

“Somewhat. I was able to track your energy and follow it. I appeared as you landed.”

“And you called out to me from the second I showed up?”

“As you got closer, yes.”

He just walked to the… Comm room? And found another hut. 

“There. There’s a pathway to your left. Go through there.”

He went through it, not sure why he was still keeping his gun up. The place was abandoned, but he still kept it up. Maybe he was waiting for the undead to pop up.

“Found her. There’s a small mound in the gound in the center.”

He looked down, and sure enough, there was a mound in the center of the dig site.

He jumped down, took the trench digger that was nearby, and started digging.

Sure enough, there it was. A small crate to keep The Dragon of Saraxis safe. He opened it, and there it was.

“You know what to do, mortal.”

He touched it, and passed out. Only for a minute. When he woke up, the side he fell onto was freezing, and he realized that Norticus had used his artifact to make sure he didn’t get mud on him.

“Oh, how I have missed this! Norticus, is this the one we were talking about? Kyle Garrick?”

“Yes. He’s about as willing as the old mortals, if not more.”

“Good! Let’s have some fun, shall we, plaything?”

He smiled, and took the Artifact with him.

“Anything else I may need, Saraxis?”

“Oh, You are by far my favorite now. No, not that I can think of. Norticus, open up a portal for him, will you?”

 The next second, it opened up, and he went back to the base. It had only been about four hours. No one would know.

As he fell asleep, he heard a faint conversation:

“So, anything I should know about this one, Norticus?”

“He is adamant that we are to ‘deal with’ the fact that, if he needed to, he’d choose his family over what we need him to do… And don’t pay attention to his late-night thoughts about his boyfriend. He was embarrassed when I heard them.”

“Ooh, romance! Sounds interesting!"

“You know I can still hear you two, right?”

“Rest, mortal.”

“You two are the ones that can hear every thought I have!”

“Go to sleep, plaything. You have a boyfriend to cuddle tomorrow!”

“Other way around. I’m the little spoon.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting him!”

He half rolled his eyes before going to sleep.

The next day…

He hid the Artifacts under his bed as soon as he woke up, and went out to the mess hall.

The smile that Alex gave him once he saw him was impossible to ignore.

“Ooh, is that him?!”

“Saraxis, please, don’t say anything right now.”

“But why??”

“There’s to many people around. I don’t want to look insane.”

He sat down next to Alex, smiling as Rose jumped up and demanded attention before he got a kiss on the cheek.

“How’d you sleep, baby?” Alex asked as he gave Rose a treat.

“Pretty good. I’m still sleepy, but I’ll live.”

He felt an arm wrap around his back, resting at his midsection. He got a light kiss on his cheek, making him smile. He’d never tell Alex, but this was likely his favorite time of day while they were on base. Just the twenty or so minutes they’d have to themselves every morning before they went off to do their duties for the day. Maybe they could sneak in about a half an hour of cuddles at the end of the day, either in the common room, or one of their rooms. But right when they woke up, Alex holding him for the twenty minutes they had. That was his favorite thing.

“Aweee, how cute! Oh, sorry, I’ll come back later.”

“I will rip those masks straight off your face.”

He just ate his food, and Alex had to leave soon after. He got a quick but loving kiss to his lips before Alex stood. 

“I’ll see you in a bit.” He said as he stroked Kyle’s cheek.

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

And he was gone.

“Am I allowed to speak now?” Saraxis asked.

“If your going to make fun of me, don’t.”

“Fine. I’ll just tell you that Bellekar might be next. But we’ll need to find her first.”

“Roger that.”

He just got his food down, and went to find Price to see if he was needed for anything. A minor intel mission was pending for soldiers. 

“Where is it?” He asked, looking at the pictures.

“Germany. It was part of the Fourth Reich.”

“What is it?”

“A worn down airbase.”

He thought for a moment, and then heard from Norticus, “Go on that mission, Sergeant.”

“Why?”

“We’ll need it.”

“Need what?”

“Just do it, plaything! If you don’t, we may lose the intel.”

Fuck.

But what’s the harm?

“Would I be alone?” He asked.

“More than likely, unless Alex decides to pester Norris enough to make him assign him, too.”

 “Mortal. Do it.”

“When do I go?”

“Give it a week.”

“Rog.”

He was briefed on a few things while he was there, trying not to burst out laughing at how Saraxis kept saying, “He’s wrong.” “Not true.” “Keep trying, you’ll get it.” “Oh come on, you can see through the bullshit in that one!”

He just went back to his room afterward.

“So, what’s the facts, then?” He asked as he locked the door and looked in the mirror.

“Well. It was an airbase in Nazi Germany. Where the first undead outbreak started. Edward Richtofen’s report called it, ‘Nacht Der Untoten’ The Night Of The Undead. It was a testing site before that happened, yes. But not brainwashing. Element 115. And yes, it was explored in the early ‘80s. But it was for Aetherim activity, not radiation testing. And, to top it all off, it was a gateway to the Dark Aether. So, when those Requiem Operators came, guess what happened? They got stuck in there for a few minutes. Be careful when you go.” Saraxis replied.

“Just listen to us. We’ll keep you from getting trapped.”

“Okay…”

“We’ll guide you. And we’ll make sure we get what we need.” Norticus said

“Roger that.”

And he went there a week later…

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT.11)

He was going insane.

He needed to get out of there. Kortifex was in the real world, his family was in danger.

But Vercanna finally got there.

It had been just over a week since Vercanna told him she was nearby.

He was going insane from waiting. He was going to get out of there soon.

"There better be an update, Vercanna." He whispered when he got on the roof.

"There is. I'm actually near you. Very near."

"Good." He got off the roof, and started walking to where he could sense her.

He was so ready to go home. To see Alex. To see everyone. Rose.

“I am right behind you.” 

He turned, and sure enough, there she was.

"Get this over with. I want to get out of here. Please."

"You clearly haven't enjoyed this."

"Do you? Do you enjoy being here?"

"We barely know anything else. We didn't for centuries until the 1940s."

"Is it enjoyable?"

"It's our home."

"And I want to go back to my own."

"Very well."

She touched him. And for, hopefully, the last time, he passed out.

And woke up in the safehouse.

“Kid, what happened?” Dempsey asked, kneeling in front of him.

“Went to get Vercanna.”

“Is that everyone now?”

“Yeah. I’ll be getting out of here soon.”

“Good for you. All we have to do is wait for the portal.”

He nodded.

“I will open it when you're ready.”

“Where’s all my gear?” he asked as he stood.

“I take it one of those voices just told you something?”

“Yes.”

He nodded, and went over to a weapons case. 

There it was.

He quickly grabbed his stuff, and left the safehouse after thanking Dempsey for everything. 

“Get me the fuck out of here.”

The portal opened.

He got out of there.

He got out in the same armory. He looked around for a minute, and opened a door.

The base was empty.

He looked around, walking throughout the base.

He looked out the window…

“Fuck…”

Crystals. Both red and purple crystals were everywhere, and he just knew.

Kortifex was there…

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT. 5)

Kyle was stuck in place for two days while Alex took care of him and got him warmed up

But Bellekar was next, and he had to go to Russia for it.

Things just kept getting more and more complicated.

---

It was two days later that Kyle finally had the chance to look for Bellekar, Alex holding onto him the whole time, worried.

“Well, you’ve been held for two days straight. Can we go to Russia now?” Saraxis asked.

“Yes. Wait until midnight so no one notices.”

“As you wish.” Norticus said

And they did. Alex finally was sure Kyle was okay, and gave him a small kiss before going to his own room.

He went through the portal once it showed up.

He got to a bunker and celler type thing, and walked for about two hours before he heard Saraxis say, “Found her! Go left.”

He did, and eventually found The Mask.

He took a deep breath before touching it, and he passed out again.

He woke back up to another voice.

"Is this the one we were talking about?"

"Yes. He's very determined." Norticus said.

"Good."

"Can you get me back to base?" Kyle asked.

"Yes. I'll open the portal." Norticus said.

Two seconds later, it opened, and he went through it.

He hid the Artifacts before going to sleep.

The next day...

He had woken up when he was gently shook awake by Alex. He looked worried. It was late in the morning.

"Who's this?"

"His lovely boyfriend." Saraxis responded.

"Hey, Al..." He whispered, smiling.

"Are you okay, baby?"

"Tired. Didn't sleep until around three in the morning."

"Do you want food?"

He nodded, and Alex kissed his forehead.

"I'll be right back, darling." He stood, leaving the room with Rose trailing behind.

"Does he know anything?"

"No, the plaything has been really good with being quiet."

"Hmm… Has he been in the way?"

"I'll tell you the same thing that I told them: If I have to choose, I'll choose them over you."

"Understood."

"And to answer the question, no. Alex has been nothing but helpful. Keeping him warm, getting him fed, making sure he gets a lot of sleep, coddling him and treating him like a God. Normal boyfriend stuff if ya ask me."

“Damn, Saraxis, that’s what you picked up?”

“I’ve gotten that, too.”

“Well, good. Now, I want my noms, so you be quiet so I can talk to my boyfriend.”

Alex came back then, and sat on the bed with him until he ate everything. And he stayed for a while, keeping him warm. Bellekar was saying something, but he was distracted. Way too distracted.

"Alright, baby. I need to go." He placed a gentle kiss on Kyle's cheek as he stood, and then another to his lips before feeding Rose. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Get some sleep, darling. I’ll be back in a bit." He left the room, leaving Kyle to curl up under the covers.

“I’m staying here for the day.”

“Don’t you have duties?”

“He’ll tell the captain. It’s not like me to sleep in like this.”

“Fine. Saraxis, do you have a hold of Invictor?"

"Working on it."

"Where might we find him?"

"Likely back in Germany."

"Rog. I'm sleeping until then."

[doodling-doodle]

A Modern Great War (PT. 4)

Kyle was off for the whole week leading up to going to get the intel

"Nacht Der Untoten"

That's what that night was called at that airbase.

That didn't make him feel much better about it.

He had been looking around for a long time. It was close to midnight now. But Alex was still awake. Still checking in with him every hour.

“Gaz, report?” And there was the check in.

“Still looking for it… I’m tired.”

“Kyle, please. I can get you exfil.”

“No need. I’ll sleep here.”

“That’s not a good idea. You’ll freeze to death.”

“I brought blankets and there’s a bed. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“...Check in when you wake up. Please.”

“I will.”

“Be safe. I love you.”

“I love you too.” He cut off his comms, and went over to the bed that was in the basement. 

“He doesn’t like that you're alone.” Norticus said

“To be fair, it’s for a reason. He’s scared because of… Something that happened years ago.”

“What?”

“I nearly died in 2020. I was in a coma for five days. He doesn't want that to happen again. I've cheated death too many times. Who knows when I won't be able to anymore?"

"I understand now."

"Norticus, let them be happy. Just let him and Alex be happy and let Alex be concerned about his boyfriend."

“Thank you, Saraxis.” He laid down, pulling out the blankets, and laying them over himself. He could see Alex panicking.

The next morning…

He had woken up not long ago, and packed up his blankets before calling in.

“Bravo 2-6 to Echo 3-1, how copy?”

There was a slight pause, but Alex came back.

“Solid copy. How’d you sleep?”

“Fine for an old airbase. How’s Rose?”

“She misses you. You brought food with you, right?”

“I did.”

“Eat before you go back to work.”

“I will. 2-6 out.” He smiled while he took out the food he brought with him.

“Wow. He is protective.”

“And I love him for it.”

He just ate, and went back to looking. He had found what the 141 needed, but he wasn’t leaving until he found the old documents that Norticus and Saraxis needed.

He found it by the end of the day, told Alex, called in exfil.

“We’ll be there soon, Kyle. Stay safe.”

He just sat down, leaning on a wall. He passed out.

It took a long time for him to wake up, as when he did, Alex was carefully picking him up, wrapping him in a fleece blanket, and he heard Norticus telling him, “He’s been yelling over your comms. He’s been asking if you're alright. Where you were. He stared for a solid ten seconds.”

As much as he wanted to, he didn’t have a witty comeback. He melted into the safety of his lover's arms, unable to move, or open his eyes anymore than he had.

“Why didn’t you just come home the first night, darling?” Alex whispered, laying him on his lap in the chopper, “I’ve been worried sick. But let’s get you home, okay? Let’s get you in bed, nice and warm. And you’ll be in my arms for the day. Safe.”

He smiled a little at the fuzzy feeling of safety, and the warmth radiating off the other's skin.

"I'm safe now…"

"You were safe, mortal."

"I'll always be the safest with him."

He just nuzzled into Alex’s chest. He was safe. 

"Nik, take us back, he might be getting hypothermia!"

He fell back asleep in seconds.

He woke back up in his bed, Rose at his feet, wrapped burrito-style in that blanket, more over him. And Alex holding him tight.

"Well, you have been held for the last five and a half hours in this bed. Longer in the helicopter. Are you satisfied?" Saraxis asked.

"Mmm… no. I want cuddles."

"Of course. I won't make fun of you, but I will say that I may have found Bellekar."

"Where?"

"Russia."

[gayaethernaut]

So I’m pretty convinced that by the end of the Vanguard zombies storyline, we’re gonna find out what Project Janus is, or at least have enough information to piece it together ourselves.

Then it hit me this morning while looking at Saraxis’ design. She’s the only Dark Aether god to have multiple faces:

And I could be wrong, but isn’t the God Janus commonly depicted with multiple faces in a design similar to this?