Episode II — The Sah’s Pyramid

Chapter 3: Michael vs. the Self (Part 2)

With determination, Michael creates another black hole, its accretion disc even brighter than before. The gravitational force begins to affect the Self, breaking its grip. It attempts to distance itself, but the force of the black hole draws it inescapably closer, stretching it like rubber.

Gebmar and Ember watch the final confrontation unfold, unable to look away.

The Self, incapable of resisting the gravitational pull of the black hole, is inevitably consumed, vanishing into the darkness of the event horizon.

Even as Ember continues to film, her voice rings out in celebration, shouting, “Yes, he won! Way to go, Mike—!”

But Gebmar interjects, tempering the mood with a somber reminder. “It’s not over yet.”

“What do you mean it’s not over?” Ember asks, confused. She looks around as the atmosphere suddenly shifts and all the light is pulled into Michael’s black hole. As the brightness fades, the world around them is swallowed by shadows.

“What’s going on?” She scans the area, terrified.

“And so it begins . . .” says Gebmar, as he watches all the light being sucked into the black hole.

“Turn around and cover your eyes!” Gebmar commands loudly, startling Ember almost to death.

“Wait! Why? . . .” asks Ember.

“Do it, or you’ll be left blind!” Gebmar shouts.

Ember complies, turning around and covering her face, squeezing her eyes shut as tightly as she can.

“Whatever happens, don’t open them!” says Gebmar.

In that instant, a brilliant magenta ray of light, brighter than a thousand suns, erupts from Michael’s palm with such intensity that it sends shockwaves rippling through the world. Gebmar watches in wonder as the ray shoots into the sky, striking the pyramid’s peak and causing an earthquake.

“Aethryon’s Quasar!” says Gebmar, a tear of joy rolling down his cheek.

“Aethryon’s Quasar?” Ember repeats, still keeping her eyes tightly shut.

“One of the most powerful bursts of energy ever wielded, even stronger than that of Khronos.” Gebmar sighs wistfully. “I never thought I’d see it again!”

“All that sounds very interesting, but . . . Is it finally over? Can we go home?” Ember clings to a column with her eyes closed.

Gebmar watches as Michael ascends peacefully towards the heavens, enveloped by the radiant glow of the quasar’s light. The world around them starts to crumble and dissolve into drifting motes of light. With gentle grace, Gebmar and Ember float upward as well, carried by an invisible energy.

“What’s happening? Are we done? Is it safe to open my eyes?” asks Ember.

“Not quite yet,” Gebmar replies, reclining mid-air. “But don’t worry; we’ll be out soon. In the meantime, just relax and enjoy the ride.”

“How the hell am I supposed to relax when we’re being dragged who knows where?” Ember shouts at him as they vanish into the light above. 

***

Deep within the forest valley of the LA hills, the apex of the Sah’s Pyramid emits a brilliant magenta glow and Rigel feels a searing heat in his hands. The pain causes the dragon to drop the artifact.

“Ahhh, my hands!” he cries out, flying around in agitation.

“Aren’t you supposed to be heat-resistant?” the dwarf mocks, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“Yes, but . . . something is different about this heat,” the dragon responds as he lands and approaches the pyramid, his curiosity piqued. Rickiemer joins him, and together they observe as the pyramid begins to glow a bright magenta. Suddenly, Rickiemer senses an unsettling presence looming too close behind him.

“Can you step back? You’re invading my space,” Rickiemer protests.

“What are you talking about? I’m right in front of you,” Rigel replies, before abruptly falling silent.

Sensing that something is wrong, Rickiemer cautiously turns around, only to be met with Nyx’s menacing stare.

*** 

In the lounge of the Archmage Mansion, Perseus rests in a grand chair, his expression betraying his boredom. He drains his sixth glass of champagne in a single gulp, then glances at his watch before shifting his gaze to the hallway leading to the ballroom.

“Why is Mike taking so long?” he exclaims impatiently. He turns to his chamberlain, Dorgia, an enchanted anthropomorphic toad. Barely three feet tall and decidedly chubby, Dorgia wears his sleek black hair parted sharply down the middle, falling in smooth waves like curtains over his brow. His eyes, an arrogant shade of green, peer out from beneath dark spots on his cheeks, and he is dressed in the sophisticated black livery of the Archmage’s household: a perfectly tailored three-piece suit with a burgundy bow tie.

“Go sneak into the ballroom and find out what’s going on,” the Archmage instructs. Dorgia nods and turns invisible.

Perseus looks up to where Nyx had been sitting and observes the empty seat suspiciously. “She’s been gone for a while, too—”

He is abruptly cut off when he and his guests are blinded by a magenta ray of light coming from the valley below.

“What is that?” asks one of the guests.

“Dad, isn’t that a—?” Tyrone asks.

“A quasar! I’ve never seen one that powerful, or in that color. But why there? Unless . . .” The Archmage opens his eyes wide and immediately heads towards the ballroom. “Tyrone, back me up here. And bring your most trustworthy officers!”

Thank you for reading Chaos’s Key.

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