Nova, having just told the Oracle that the Avatar of Supernatural is missing and was last seen in the horrid void of the Malevolence, said, “What can this all mean?”
The Oracle of Tech, aka Dr. Hermes, answered, “If the Malevolence has consumed the Avatar, it is only a matter of time before he reveals himself to the world and thus begins his dark reign over the Supernatural. This is only a part of the whole, for the Malevolence will desire all the avatars’ spirits so it can form all the oracles and thus control morphons in the universe.”
The Oracle of Tech paused and then said, “I cannot give you a clear answer. This has not happened in all the memory of the morphons. Deduction allows me to assume that the Malevolence will begin its path. What that path will be, I do not know. However, it can only be terrible. I can surmise with great certainty that this path will be in this realm.”
Nova paused, “What makes you so certain about an assumption?”
“Logic and evidence. People with supernatural inclinations in their morphons are being targeted and having their energy drained. Correct?”
“Yes.”
Dr. Hermes said, “The Malevolence cannot exist in this realm for long. It requires energy from this realm to exist. It is feeding on that specific energy so it can feed its new creation. Thus, that creation will walk and exist here. It will then need to keep feeding on that energy, ever consuming until it has drained every corner of existence of that morphon type.”
“If the Malevolence fulfills its grand plan, it will consume all the morphon energy in the universe.”
The Oracle nodded. “That is logically the right conclusion. And once it has done so, that which prevents it from existing in this universe will be gone. All that will remain here will be the darkness.”
Nova asked, “Is there anything you can deduce that might give me an advantage? Something to work with.”
“Only this, if a Dark Oracle arises, it will be the presence anchoring the Malevolence in this universe. If you can destroy it, you will cut it off from this universe again. It will not destroy the Malevolence, but it will stop its march for a while.”
Nova was hoping for a stronger suggestion, but this was something. “Thank you. I need to get to this.”
“Good luck, my old friend. If I discern anything else that might be of help, I will let you know.”
Nova paused, “I thought the Avatars... or Oracles in this case, do not involve themselves. They are just observers.”
Dr. Hermes said, “The avatar in me only allows me to advise, but I am going to advise as much as I can. It is our life on the line as well as yours.”
“Good to hear that.” Nova shut off the comm.
Nova walked out of his office with a somber gait. Gar stood at the command now as he watched. The map of the world was littered with small red dots showing combat areas.
“Report?” Nova asked.
Gar said, “Many sightings of the strange creatures have shown up. They have attacked thirteen more hero leagues, five Rangers, and ten civilians. Fortunately, no fatalities among the civilians or Rangers. Unfortunately, we lost two more heroes in the leagues.”
10915 called out, “Message incoming: Ranger Captain Constellation.”
A window opened with a starry-clad superhero looking at Nova with a sweating face under his yellow eye mask. “Sir, this is crazy. We just defeated the same creature three times. It won’t stop going after this orphanage.”
“We? Who is present?”
“I have the Sao Paulo Crashers League. They’re doing a damn fine job, but we’re going to wear out. What the hell does this thing want?”
Nova said, “It wants people. Certain people with a certain morphon signature.”
“One of the kids?”
Nova said, “I doubt it. Morphons really only manifest in the late teens, early twenties in most cases.”
“How can we tell who?”
“We’re working on that.” Nova continued before Constellation yelled anything more at him. “I will send five BADGE battle bots down to assist you and send an all-alert for your location. When we have more we can do, we will do it. Nova out.” He pointed at 10915, who immediately went to fulfilling that order.
Gar asked, “What are we going to do? They’re everywhere. What do they want?”
Nova said, “We aren’t certain. The best guess of the Oracle of Tech is that they’re draining energy from people with those morphons, feeding this Malevolence. It can’t be satiated until it has its own Oracle.”
“How do we stop it?”
Nova said, “We might not be able to.”
“Incoming transmission...” 10915 said.
“Tell them the support will get there when it gets there.” Nova barked.
“Incoming transmission: Field Agent Phillip Bigos.” The robot repeated itself, and the tone was almost irritated.
Nova turned to the screen as a new window opened with Phil’s face looking at him, the morning sky over Carlingford, Ireland, a warm happiness in contrast with his terrified eyes.
“Sir, we have a situation here.”
“Did you find something in the cleanup of that Section 9 lab?”
Phil shook his head, “No. A creature appeared in the middle of the lab and then walked right through a dirt and rock wall.”
“A creature. What description?”
Phil thought hard and then described the woman as best he could. “She said something about being unworthy and then walked away right through the wall.”
Nova said, “Okay, seal the lab and lock down the area. Tell the BADGE support there to be on alert.”
“Are we in danger?”
Nova casually said, “You work for BADGE, that is part of the job description. Keep a cool head and follow orders, those are your best ways to keep safe.”
“Understood, sir.”
The comm ended, and Nova headed for the lift.
Gar asked, “What’s going on?”
“More than I have time to explain.” He paused just before punching the button for the lift, “Contact the United Nations and tell them that all nations are now on alert. The non-metahuman military forces might be required soon. Tell them to be ready for full incursion protocols.”
Gar nodded with a fearful tilt as he said, “I will, Director.”
Drachenflügel flew down and landed near a bank in Zurich. He had a dark green leather outfit on his muscular body, and on his back were two dragon wings. He approached the closed back door with a vicious smile and peered through the window.
“Now, where were the safe-deposit boxes?” He asked himself in German. He patted himself for a moment and then swore as he realized he had forgotten the plans.
Walking around the building in the dark of night, he flattened against a wall and used his dark wings and dark outfit to blend into the shadows as people walked by in the distance. Suddenly he recalled the location of his heist.
Placing both hands on the wall, he concentrated. It’s a good thing he rents himself out as an exotic stripper for the fabulously wealthy. After that rich elite woman had finished feeling his muscles, he snuck into her room where she had a silk case for her special diamond necklace that would go back into this box. Three seeds, that was all he needed to place in that bag.
“There they are.” He felt their presence.
A hand touched his shoulder, and he quickly turned, ready for a fight. “You have no idea who... what the...” He saw the strange woman with antlers looking at him with those glowing eyes.
“You are worthy.” She grabbed his face.
He tried to fight her, but found his body quickly not responding to his own desires. Then something else filled him, and he dropped the valuables. She vanished, and he now had glowing eyes and a flickering body that was emitting a strange mist. His clothes changed, antlers grew on his head. He was no longer the same man he had been moments ago. Roots sprang up from the ground to throw him into the air, and he took off at a speed he had never flown before.
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