Posted by Tommy Tanaka
on 6/2/2009, 11:17 pm, in reply to "Re: A Merciless Ending To The Mercy Family"
Facing the central seal, Tommy began to speak. “True, without error, certain and most true. That which is below is as that which is above, and that which is above is as that which is below, to perform the miracles of the one thing.”
The glow from the Gamer's eye turned black, and expanded to suffuse his body. “And as all things were from the one, by means of the meditation of the one, thus all things of the daughter from the one, by means of adaptation. Its father is the sun, its mother,the moon, the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth. The father of all the initiates of the whole world is here. Its power is integrating if it be turned into earth. Separate the earth from the fire, the fine from the dense, delicately, by means of the great together with capacity.”
White light now flared out around the Gamer. “It ascends by means of earth into heaven and again it descends into the earth, and retakes the power of the superiors and of the inferiors. Thus, you have the glory of the whole world. Therefore, may it drive-out by means of you of all the obscurity. This is the whole of the strength of the strong force, because it overcomes all fine things, and penetrates all the complete. Thus, the world has been created. Hence they were wonderful adaptations, of which this is the manner.”
Again the Gamer's glow changed, filtering to red. “Therefore, I am Hermes the Thrice Great, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world. What I have said concerning the operation of the Sun has been completed.”
As Tommy finished the incantation, his aura became the pure golden glow of the Sun. A beam of sunlight lanced out from his eyes, striking the central seal, which erupted with the same light. Lifting his hands to the sky, he called out once more. “Orthos, Sovereign of the Howling Dark! Ancient and unknowable, you who saw past the window of Reality and broke through the Boundaries to the Nothingness beyond! Hear my call!”
A breeze seemed to pass over the Gamer as he spoke, ruffling nothing within the circle except his hair and clothes. The breeze intensified, becoming a cold wind, and a low whistle emanated from the vicinity of the seal before him. A black speck appeared over the seal – a mote of shadow like a blind spot in the observer's vision. The whistle became a moan that slowly rose in pitch and volume, eventually transforming into a howl as the darkness spiraled outward, opening like the pupil of some great cat's eye with an explosive rush of wind. The howling grew so loud that it pained the ear, while the seemingly nonexistent wind buffeted the Gamer, lifting him into the air.
“Otiax, the Key to the Gate! Custodian of the Far Realm! Be my guide!” In response to the Gamer's words, the howling wind stopped abruptly. In the sudden silence, a locked golden gate appeared within the black aperture. Blue fog curled out in wispy tendrils from between the bars, obscuring what lay beyond. After a moment of silence, some unseen force crashed against the barrier. Then the gate shook and rattled loudly, as though some creature was desperate to open it. Ragged breathing became audible, and the fog swirled around some indistinct yet terrible form. At least the raging stopped, and the azure vapors passed through the gate. The sound of the tumblers turning in the lock became audible, then the gate creaked open.
The Gamer called out once more, terrible words that seemed to rend the very air they passed through. “Y'AI'NG'NGAH! YOG-SOTHOTH: H'EE-L'GEB! F'AI TRHODOG! UAAAAH!”Glowing, iridescent bubbles poured forth from the gate, seeming to remain within the bounds of the seal yet expand from horizon to horizon at the same time.
“The Lurker at the Threshold, The Key and the Gate, The Beyond One, Opener of the Way, The All-in-One and the One-in-All.” The Gamer's voice was a rasping whisper, the only sign of the strain he was under. The spheres of light coalesced within the gate, forming a strange shimmering veil that silhouetted a man's form. Taking a deep breath, Tommy continued.
“I do not ask you to pact with me,” the Gamer spoke, “rather I ask another boon. These before you,” he swept his arm to indicate the Mercys,” are an abomination in my sight. I would banish them Beyond the Pale.”
The Presence within the gate seemed to observe silently, its awareness a palpable force weighing down on all within the circle.
The Gamer staggered under the focus of the Named and Nameless being's attention. He straightened then, and addressed the Mercys. “Make yourself ready, for in Crossing the Abyss, you must face the final obstruction, Choronzon the Dweller in the Abyss. If your souls are prepared, you will pass beyond the phenomenal world that IS, beyond the Abyss into that which is incomprehensible. Unprepared, you will be utterly dispersed into annihilation.”
The Mercy Family floated into the air to hover before the gate. Their eyes were open – even Sally's – as they stared into the Abyss.
The sense of presence in the air lessened, and the veil within the gate vanished, leaving nothing but empty blackness behind. “It is time,” the Gamer intoned. Whatever force held them aloft now carried the Mercys forward into and through the gate. As each crossed the threshold, he or she faded away to nothing.
Tommy turned to face the North. “Halphax, thank you for your service. Stay or depart as you will.” The Gnomish figure bowed, and vanished.
The Gamer turned then to the West. “Savnok, thank you for your service. Stay or depart as you will. “The armored figure crossed its arms before its chest, and vanished.
Turning next to the South, Tommy spoke again. “Acerak, thank you for your service. Stay or depart as you will.” The skull laughed, then became dust and vanished.
Tommy faced to the East next. “Buer, than you for your service. Stay or depart as you will.” The hag within the star-wheel laughed. “Perhaps I will stay. We'll see.” The strange being then vanished, accompanied by the fading sound of a lion's roar.
As the last Guardian disappeared, the glowing circle dimmed, then went dark. The normal light of the Suns returned, with only the central seal continuing to glow. The Gamer faced the open gate within the darkness. “I see,” he said, and with two quick strides stepped with the gate and vanished. With a great clang the gate slammed shut. The non-wind picked up again, blowing the last shreds of blue mist back through the gate. Wind faded, the gate faded, and finally the darkness faded. All that was left was the Gamer's supine form, non-moving within the seal.