Far Pangaea 81 : cHORUS line

"And, the Ganthorian?" Horus glares toward the scientist in his analyzing pose.

"Not sure. Looks like he lost a little weight though since we arrived."

"Anyone know you came looking for me?" Lightmare removes his light helmet and holds it under his arm.

"Best Buddy and My Heartbeat are outside." She motions to keep names out of it. Both knew she meant Malcolm and Anemone. A relief that at least they might have a chance yet.

"Anyone else? He cut off James when he was in our head. Well, mine anyway."

Horus creases a brow, "Now that you mention it I didn't hear him. If we are of one mind how come I didn't?"

"The same reason you blocked me some of the time when you and Sabbath were fucking." Lightmare had to rub it in.

"Good times." Horus had to be smug.

Elle eases between them before tensions escalated any further. Both men growling at each other until she palms their faces in an effort to distract their anxiety toward each other. It worked. Both settled down.

"Less fight more insight. I need you bozos to work with me not against each other."

"Gotcha." Lightmare nods with a pair of palms raised toward his lesser half. Horus hisses with a narrowing of eyes, "Agreed."

"That's my boys. Now let's check on Toho."

Following her in what seemed like the distance of a football field they reach Mav'Ryk. He notes their arrival with a flicker of eyelids, "I have attempted to organize the array of various frequencies in this room. Perhaps in the entire structure. We are contained within a pocket dimension. None of what we see is real. Merely existing to make us feel at home."

"Gathered that. The food here is awful." Lightmare expresses, "Don't try the snails. I still feel my belly gurgling."

"I would surmise that the gurgling is hunger. Not what you presumed to have eaten." Mav points out.

"Don't crap your life fiber." Horus chuckles.

"Right. Fiber in my diet. Good one." Lightmare smiles.

"Of course. I am you."

"Only in appearance. Let's not start this all over again."

While they enter a staring contest Mav'Ryk taps into the frequency and cancels it out. In the process the scenery shifts. The very tombs that they had entered were all false. Around them were a massive chamber of slumber pods. Each and every family member was exposed. Including Osiris himself. All were mummified yet appeared to be alive. Eyes watching their movements. It gave everyone there a chill. Even a Dark Angel.

"Yep. Man behind the curtain." Elle groans.

"AH! YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE TRUTH." Osiris enters their thoughts.

"What's the game we're playing here?" Elle follows her intuition until facing the larger of the bodies. His head dress alone spoke King. Standing before him she taps on the glass shielding holding his body, "That you Big Daddy?"

"INDEED."

"So, let me tell you what I'm thinking." She fidgets a moment, "You want you and your family here to have new bodies. All invasion of the body snatcher style. Ours looks appealing. Am I on to something?"

"I MERELY WISH TO CONTINUE OUR BLOODLINE. TO EXACT REVENGE UPON MY RACE FOR TRAPPING US HERE ON THIS LIFELESS WORLD."

"Lifeless?" Lightmare peps up, "It might look lifeless but we're finding more and more people alive here every day. Surviving as best as they can. Way I see it you chose us because of our powers. We all fall into a category similar to you and yours. Perfect host bodies. Well Buddy I'm partial to my body. Even if it is his too." He casts a thumb toward Horus.

"That sounded gay." Horus winces.

"IT IS TOO LATE. YOU HAVE ALL BEEN CHOSEN AS VESSELS. WE MERELY AWAIT THE FINAL HOSTS. AS KING I OFFERED YOU PARADISE. SEEING THROUGH THE RUSE AS QUICKLY AS YOU HAVE PROVES THAT I CHOSE WELL. OUR TIME NEARS. FOR NOW I MUST ASK YOU ALL TO REST."

"Rest?" Elle poises a brow. Suddenly, she feels light headed. Looking about her she realizes that her friends were also feeling the effects. Darkness claimed the four. Even the Master of Light went out. As they topple to the floor Osiris hears a loud snarl brewing in the air. His eyes flaring amid the wrapping cloth. Fear was in his thoughts. His entire family expressed the same. Even those whose bodies appeared to turn to dust via hologram. Fear had spoken.

Eden, once again.

Sabbath Black continued her nightly walk in the grace of twin moons. There was something magical about them. Having grown up under a single moon this left her imagination to run wild. Intoxicating if you will. Since her transformations under the Dark Angel Cameron Scott she had continued evolving. Even away from his influence. She had not decided if the changes were good or bad. Alone with her sister Lillian in the form of Gaea Goddess of the Earth itself gave her a bit of peace. Now with unfamiliar faces allowed into Eden she felt the need to expand. Perhaps it was time to leave. To find a home of her own. Not this night.

As she eased amid the foliage all around her Sabbath hears a snarl. Without fear she exposes herself to a thin clearing. There to her surprise stood a magnificent black lion. Appearing to her gaze as if a negative on film. If she knew fear she might run. Instead she steps closer to the beast and kneels to pet him. Her fingers melding through his thick mane. His snarl loosens up into a more relaxed grumble.

"Your manifestation is quite life like." She calls out to a hidden figure. In response Marshal Lionel Warjorj with his rifle over his shoulder reveals himself. Tipping his hat he grins.

"Real enough to maul somebody. You must be the Sister."

"Yes. My name is Sabbath."

"Lionel. That there is Manitou. Real at night. Ghost in the daylight. Got no clue how I create him. Just happens. Dunno even why a lion."

"Perhaps it is because you share traits. You are a very large man. You have Lion in your name. I can sense bravery. Fierce if need be."

"Reckon so. Don't explain the why and how though. Not complainin'. Place like this it's nice knowin' I got somethin' watchin' my back."

"I sense something more within you Lionel. The lion is not the only thing you can call upon."

He narrows his eyes, "Care to enlighten me Ma'am?" His curiosity doubling by the breath. "Have you tried to create other things such as this lion?"

"Can't say that I have. Weren't countin' no chickens. Just glad to have ole Manitou there."

"You should try. You might be pleasantly surprised."

"Hmm! What do ya suggest?"

"You ride Greta Winston's horse. She will undoubtedly miss him. A horse of your own would prove helpful."

"We got ole Gustov, Gus for short. The Clydesdale."

"Which belongs to another correct?"

"Yeah. Reckon he does. You sayin' I can create a horse like ole Manitou?"

"Perhaps more than that."

"How do you know this?"

"Strangely enough I can feel the moons telling me of possibilities. I myself have changed much recently. As you can obviously guess I am Vampire. One that means you no harm. You should try. To create a horse."

Removing his hat he ponders her idea. Seeing Manitou bowing before Sabbath the second she stands makes him huff his cheeks. Hat returned to his scalp he nods, "Can't hurt I reckon."

"Good." She smiles warmly feeling Manitou's heated breath upon her flesh. In a very unfortunate spot. Her eyes flare wide at her thighs reaction. She had to step back. Eyes sealed Lionel Warjorj envisions a big black stallion. Moments of detail he suddenly hears a horse whinny to his left. Opening his eyes he glares toward a magnificent beast. Black as coal. Eyes of fire. It reacts to him by nudging its head into his shoulder. The shock immediately made him smile, "Well ain't that somethin'."

"Now you can offer Greta her horse back."

"I can indeed. Thank ya Ma'am."

"You should try something that is not alive. In appearance that is." She persists. Having as much fun as he was.

Nodding as he tried to decide what he should attempt he looks at his rifle. He knew his bullets were dangerously low. Puckering he lowers his Winchester and ejects a bullet. Picking it up from the ground he rolls it between his fingers. Finally, resting it in his palm he closes his eyes once again. This time picturing a hand full of bullets. Weight upon his wrist he opens his eyes to see six more bullets. All black outside of the original.

"Well I'll be. You definitely opened my eyes. I appreciate that."

"Welcome to Eden Marshal. I saw the tin star." She smirks. As quickly as she bats her eyes she feels a piercing pain in her head.

"COME HOME!"

Her expression alters to worry it might be her Dark Lover Cameron Scott. Yet, the voice was different. Lionel watching her pockets his bullets and prepares to comfort her if needed. She resists by holding her palms out defensively.

"Forgive me." She whispers, "I have experienced something unexpected."

"You heard it too. Didn't you?" They hear a voice behind her. From the shadows crept Bogart Ross the resident werewolf. Shocked by his admission she tilts her head to the left until he adds more to his revelation, "Weren't just my canine ears hearing things. You heard COME HOME just like I did."

"Yes. I did." She peers up at the moon and sniffs the wind coming in off the desert, "Malcolm Brand. I can smell him. Many miles away yet he is indeed fresh upon the air. I must go to him."

"Wait! Who is Malcolm?" Bogart halts her advance. His hand briefly upon her thigh before quickly pulling away with an apologetic look on his face.

"A friend of Greta Winston. A friend of mine. My sisters. A giant."

"Giant?" Bogg Ross swallows, "Everyone is a giant to me. I heard it too so I'm going with you."

"I will travel fast. If you can keep up." She immediately disappears in a blur.

Bogart bulging his eyes at her speed looks back at Lionel Warjorj, "How am I supposed to keep up with that?"

"On horseback. Take my new friend with ya. Might have to walk back come mornin' though."

"New? Holy Moses. You made a shadow horse?"

"Best get before you lose her scent."

"Doubt that. Might not be the wolf right now but he's in here. Hunting even in my human form. Look after Abigail?"

"Always. Good luck Bogart."

With relative ease the Circus Strongman although a midget hops on the horses back and holds on to its mane. With a loud "YAWWW!" Bogart "Bogg" Ross was off. Lionel and Manitou observed the midget tossed about barely hanging on. Corner of his lip twitching Lionel hisses, "Prolly should have created a saddle."

From a distance he did just that. Bogart was thankful.

Pyramid Central...

"You cold Annie?" Malcolm Brand huddled next to the Hybrid Amphibian. She shivered not from the chill off the desert but more at her loss of Elle Franklin.

"I am fine. My body is used to the cold of the depths. This air is quite warm actually."

"Never thought of that. Was gonna say I could grow a bit and access my fire rune. Keep us warm out here. Help ward off predators if there are any close by."

"If you feel the need." She exhales the strands of raven hair from her trembling eyes. "Long as you're good I'm good. Since I ate that apple whole my body doesn't really react to extreme temps. Lucky for us. Wish Elle would let us know something. Don't know how much longer these bikes can hold a charge with the lights on. Alien tech it could last forever. Who knows."

"I feel as if something is very wrong." Animahni pouts, "This place reeks of evil. Can you not smell it?"

"Might just be the Vampires. We're being watched. Let's hope Gaicazar's peace treaty keeps them at bay."

"I am not worried about the Vampires. I cannot feel Elle. As if my heart is all alone."

"You two that attached?" He is taken back by her admission.

"I feel a loss without her. If that is what you mean."

"Whirlwind romance there. I'm happy for you guys. Gotta say you two make a good couple."

She looks at him without expression then faintly smiles, "Thank you Malcolm."

"I'll try the talkie again. See if we get a response." He steps into the headlights glare and raises his walkie talkie to his lips. Before he can speak he hears a beeping noise. Double taking a look around him he lowers the talkie and eyes the dunes around the pyramid. The sand within the lighting expanse. Suddenly, the two drones released by Elle burst from the sand in a huff of dust. Flying to his side frantically pinging.

"The drones Elle carried with her." Anemone raced to his side.

"Looks as if they're panicking. Can drones do that?"

Without another word the two orbs display what appears to be a TV screen between them. Showing the recorded image Elle had relayed to them. A message to Malcolm.

"What is Elle doing?" Animahni alias Anemone was mesmerized.

"Trapped. She's telling me to grow big and bust them out. Might crush them under tons of rock though." He looks up sizing the situation in the darkness. Anemone noting Elle's blown kiss makes her melt. The salute triggering Malcolm's decision. Stepping away he motions Anemone to move away for safety. The girl choosing to mount a Technoride and lift off into the air away from him as his height increases. She marveled at the enormity of his body as it developed. His clothing tattered seconds after it began.

In the headlight beams she observes every inch of his colossal form. Including his manhood. Something she had not witnessed before this day. Male anatomy made her eyes bulge. Who knew?

Down below in the sand appeared Sabbath Black miles ahead of Bogart Ross. Even though the dark horse was far faster than an actual one he could still not keep up with a Vampire. She stands there nude watching Malcolm continue until he overshadowed the pinnacle of the pyramid. Approaching without warning a dozen Vampires reuniting with Sabbath. She looks to each with a mental report. No word verbally spoken. They let her know all they knew from dusk onward. Warding them away she looked out toward the desert. Hearing a gruff, "INCOMING!"

Reaching the structure the horse makes a sudden stop. In its panic it launched Bogart through the air until he landed in a roll. The sand cushioning his fall. Sabbath realized something strange about him suddenly. In his tumble the midget had transformed into his wolf like form without feeling the pain of reshaping bones. A morph that happened within mere seconds. Rising to dust himself off Bogart Ross eyes his fur.

"What the heck?" He even had his own persona. Bogart Ross was both Werewolf in body and Bogart in mind. All new to him he started laughing. Sabbath remained expressionless. Her attention returning to the sky. The moonlight silhouetting the body of Malcolm Brand. Bogart joins her gaze upward, "You weren't kiddin'. He is a giant."

Ignoring him Sabbath lowers her eyelids and concentrates. Bogart looks up from her feet and like a scolded dog whimpers, sensing an oncoming change of her own. Dark wings erupt like roots through soil and develop into traditional angelic wings. Once extended she garners a feel for them and begins her rise skyward. Soaring in the moonlight, her body glowing as if the moon itself. She circles Malcolm's head to catch his attention.

"SABBATH?" He roars into the night. His voice carrying volume due to his 30 story height.

"Did you also hear the words COME HOME?" She calls out.

"NOPE! ELLE DID. SO DID MAV'RYK, A GANTHORIAN. THEY'RE INSIDE THE PYRAMID. TIME FOR A JAILBREAK."

She flutters in front of his eyes comprehending the situation. Uncertain what to do she looks toward Anemone on her Technoride. Unofficially never having met Sabbath glides toward her.

"Who else is in there?" As if Sabbath didn't know.

"Cameron. Both versions I think."

Haunted briefly Sabbath turns her attention to the golden steeple crest atop the pyramid. As if calling her she motions Malcolm to wait long enough for her to examine the glyphs etched into the gold. Her eyes easily reading them in the darkness. Hesitance takes over. She feared the Dark Angel within just as much as the unknown. Her only thoughts suddenly on the good Cameron Scott. Feelings flooding her emotions. Bloody tears streak her face. With a careful decision she looks toward Malcolm.

"Bring it down."

Nodding Malcolm Brand lifts his mighty fist and drives it home. The golden steeple crushes instantly. Three ton rocks flying through the sky forces Anemone to seek a safer distance. Below Bogart Ross dodged boulders. He himself seeking refuge in the dunes watching. Waiting.

Sabbath soars higher above Malcolm and looks down at the exposed interior of the pyramid. With each slam of his fists more and more was revealed. Lights expose themselves. Metal gleaming in the moonlight. Within was a spaceship. A pyramid within a pyramid. On the sixth impact Sabbath hears a voice once again.

"DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN KHONSU. SAVE YOUR FAMILY. BRING FORTH ANUBIS AND END THIS DESTRUCTION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. BEFORE YOUR GRANDFATHER ESCAPES. THIS WORLD WILL CEASE TO EXIST."

"What?" Sabbath pauses as a seventh mighty fist destroys one entire side of the pyramid. Resisting her urge to stop Malcolm she falls silent. His eighth impact lacerates the starship hidden within. A sudden fog rises up to meet the heavens. Thick and menacing.

"NOOOO! IT IS TOO LATE. ATUM HAS BEEN RELEASED. ALL IS LOST." Osiris reveals. Halting his destruction Malcolm finds himself enveloped in the density of the fog. His movement freezing up to a statuesque standstill. The fog literally absorbing through his mouth and nostrils. As the fog vanishes all is silent.

"Malcolm?" Both Anemone and Sabbath recite in worry. Their friend inanimate for long breaths. Nothing. The light in Malcolm's eyes fade toward darkness. Like a true Obelisk, James Ian had given him the nickname. An obelisk he became. A lifeless tower of a man.

For ten minutes Sabbath hovers next to Anemone. Their stress showing. Neither knew what to do next. Their decision made for them. On the ground Bogart Ross watched as the Colossus stirs. As if regaining his senses.

"Malcolm? Are you alright?" Sabbath flutters near him. Mighty eyelids open with a glare of animosity.

"ATUM LIVES." He raises his gargantuan arms to peer at his rocky palms. The runes glowing brighter than ever before. Smiling Atum takes a deep breath, "IT IS GOOD TO LIVE ONCE MORE. THIS BODY HAS MUCH TO OFFER." He basks in the body's potential. Understanding the runes forces him to chuckle. Dark laughter that overlooks his audience. In his joyous release they were nothing. Without notice or worth. Turning his head Atum looks north, "POWER. I MUST HAVE IT."

Legs wobbly at first akin to that of a child learning to ride a bike and finding balance Atum turns North. Before his first full step an amazing thing happened. A massive gush of water spills from the colossal cock of Malcolm Brand's body. A gross sight to say the least yet something else caught the eye of Sabbath Black.

"Malcolm." The British beauty dives in flight to feel the water cascade her body. The smell of urine pungent to her nostrils. In her arms a most unexpected arrival. The human sized body of Malcolm Brand had somehow managed to escape his own shell of a body.

"Damn! Pissed on you didn't I?" He barely kept his eyes open. Malcolm weak as a kitten looks up at her. She scowls as he adds, "You don't have to tell anyone I escaped through my penis."

"Trust me I will not." She lands near Bogart as Anemone joins her on the Technoride. Together they race to Malcolm's side and watch as Sabbath cradles him, "How is this possible? Your body is both here and over there."

"He stole my apple Sabbath. Right out of my belly. It's his now." Mal tries to fight losing consciousness.

Too late. Malcolm like his friends within the pyramid discovered darkness. Sabbath knew he had a heartbeat but it was faint. Hearing it easy for a Vampire. As the Shadow horse drew closer now that the Greater of Evils was leaving Sabbath chose her words carefully.