Eclipsing the Dunes

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

I didn't know what to expect when I exited the gate. Though for that matter I would have thought at least I’d know what the gate travel would be like. All in all it was kind of dull. No maelstrom of power, the conversion of matter into energy, nor melting clocks and other time pieces circling overhead. No just one step in and a few steps out. That simple, mundane even and yet not in this entirely normal.

Practical in a way the Wizarding World would have had trouble accepting. If it didn’t pop, transform, or injure you in some way then it wasn’t safe to travel. The only exception to that was when they appropriated over Muggle transportation and even then there were no guarantees as to the result or what end your head would be attached to afterwards.

The only thing that kept it from being boring was Nealaphh’s condensed and more than little complex explanation of his animagus abilities. Which given proper time and conversion of the numbers I figured I could replicate. Though no doubt I’d have to review the memory later to decipher the full content of what he had said. Though I quietly thought it might have been easier to just throw omnilium at the situation. My musing was however interrupted when the curtain of energy at the other end of the gate parted just ahead of me.

What greeted me didn't match the name either, "Well Nealaphh whoever named this place should give me my money back,” I said with a note of derision, as my eye wandered. Savannah at best, mostly dried vegetation that ranged between pale-brown to nearly white. The shoots of green I could glean seemed to be the kinds of weeds which prize lawn gardeners feared the worst or were more complex things such as shrubs and bushes. In the distance, I spied some sort of herd of quadrupeds that could be passed off as a relation to gazelles. The air itself had a tangy dryness and hint of detritus that went along with climates that had desperately short raining seasons that staunched a drought only just.

To put it bluntly, it looked like postcards one often saw at shops for Africa. The kind you send back to a family when you either want them to believe you’ve been some place or as a joke. Only somehow I was beginning to think that the Omniverse didn’t have a postcard shop. If it did, I really needed to see what other kinds of trinkets there were, might be something worth having and maybe even hint at the design of this place.

As it was, I had yet to even come across a place remotely like that and my observations were left mostly on the drier, more naturalist persuasion.

The temperature though was to say rather warm, warm as I was expecting and then some. Annoying but it was altogether impotent against the charms of a wizard. One in particular would help as I tapped the bridge of my hat, which was busy digesting the dataverse, and cast a simple cooling charm followed by that of an impervious charm for any potential sandstorms.

A blast of chill rushed and filled the first few inches above my skin, like a coastal breeze in the fall, sweetening the air enough that condensation formed on my skin.

Looking to my shoulder I gave a nod to my raised wand, “Cooling and sand protection charms for your troubles?” I left it unsaid that I needed directions; simply asking would be like stating an obvious question that needed to be answered anyways. I may be a genius but I wasn’t yet a god, so omniscient thought of knowing exact locations even before I’d been there was beyond me. Hence an offer of a cooling charm rather than looking helplessly lost or confused.

[Tearen Wover]

It wasn't Nealaphh's first instinct to accept hospitality from anyone, much less people that the God-Mind had just met. It was sometimes impractical, which honestly was something the shadow did not often indulge in. Still, in this form, Nealaphh was extremely vulnerable, and protection from any potential sand storms might be well-welcomed if such a thing were to occur.

Very well. Thank you.

Once the charms had been cast, Nealaphh sat in stillness upon the wizard's shoulder, waiting for the human to start moving. It wasn't until a little while had passed that the god-mind realized that Tom was likely waiting for directions. Embarrassment was not an emotion Nealaphh was capable of feeling, but it certainly felt something akin to this as it succinctly gave the demi-human direction to start walking in. Evidently, this avian body was not as quick to process information as the God-Mind was used to. It would have to try and keep this fact in mind if they encountered any trouble. It wouldn't do to be sitting still, waiting to figure out what to do while any potential bounty hunters were bearing down on them. Their first destination was Nippur, as before anything was figured out, Nealaphh needed to speak to Demetri Malius about his conduct at the status of his mission. It was really quite annoying to have to be checking up on the agent; the shadow had been rather optimistic about his maturity and dedication to a mission. If this was sort of thing was going to be a regular occurrence, however, the God-Mind might have to reconsider the man's position within the Institute.

Though the God-Mind did not know exactly where Nippur was, the Dataverse proved once more to be able to provide a reliable map. As they traveled further and further from the gate, the dusty road they had been on was gradually snuffed out by encroaching prairie grasses and weeds that rose up to Tom's neck. Not being able to see into the brush more than ten feet ahead was really a rather uncomfortable feeling, but Nealaphh reassured the human that it would be able to sense if anything sneaking up on them. Of course, this only really applied to living, thinking creatures, which is why when the pair suddenly plummeted through a wide pitfall trap, Nealaphh could sense just a hint of wry disapproval leaking from Tom's usually tightly locked mind. As the wizard sat up and shook his head, Nealaphh rolled onto its feathery underbelly and stretched its wings, one of which was broken. The pain registered, but the God-Mind simply ignored it in deference to the situation. The demi-human brushed his suit off and replaced his hat, looking up at the umber sky far above. Really. To be taken by such a simple device was more than a little infuriating for the Slytherin adept, but far be it from him to become ruffled by the fact. It was far more important to try and assess the situation. Based on how Nealaphh's crow form was sitting, it was clear that the bird's wing was badly injured. Tom sighed just once.

"Well. Alright then. I guess you weren't lying about peril." he said with a hint of wryness in his voice. The crow's beady eye regarded him, unblinking. For some reason, this was almost more uncanny than Nealaphh's usual three-eyed, viridian gaze.

Indeed. I suggest we simply wait until whoever created his trap comes and lets us out.

Tom blinked slowly.

"I don't think they'll be expecting to just let us go."

No, but that's what's going to happen.

"Would your usual form be able to free us from this puerile snare?"

Yes, but I would really prefer not to reveal my true form, given the circumstances.

"I suppose that's...reasonable enough."

Well, it appeared as though the only recourse at this point was to wait. It was a truly blessed fact that the horcrux body didn't have normal bodily requirements, otherwise this would have been very unpleasant indeed. At least it would give Tom time to peruse this so-called 'Dataverse'...

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

You and me both, I thought with a wry tone. It made me thankful that Nealaphh hadn’t penetrated my thoughts, although at this point I was pondering that had it actually tried I may not be able to keep my occlumency barriers up. The whole act of ‘knocking’ had been polite enough and the diary did provide me a degree of a partition… but I had never had to deal with a purely psychic entity beyond that of the simple boggart.

Which considering my capabilities now would make a rather effective… spell.

Blinking I shook my head and glanced up, first at the Sorting Hat, which was still brooding over everything that was in the Dataverse, and then the edge of the pit. I did some mental maths trying to figure about how deep we had fallen. Considering my current predicament with my ally effectively waylaid, I didn’t want to be dealing with individuals just yet of an unknown quality and quantity. Bearing in mind that they were ruthless enough to drop someone in this potentially lethal hazard where one wrong bone would be a drawn out death… I decided to offer them the appreciation such a thing deserved.

“This trap seems far too generic and too feeble to be design for ones such as us.” I said with more than a little bit of disdain. That someone would do this to me deserved recompense.

It was most unfortunate… but I was reminded of the story of the Deathly Hallows. How they supposedly came about. Not really the close to the factual art of how magic worked, but more of a ‘moral’ tale. I saw it for what it was meant to mean, the subtext that colored Wizarding thinking. Simple solutions were often unbecoming of wizards who reveled in the flash and drama. But that was the touch of the inept, incompetent, and idiotic. A true wizard simply undid the issue that was boggling them. In this case the Brothers crossing the river didn’t try and divert the river, or vanish the water. They instead grew a bridge which became their means of cheating Death.

Summoning my wand to my hand; I began to sketch out an object of my own bidding but of modest design. It was a simple thing, something I should have been able to do in seconds, but instead I felt sluggish. The magic here was definitely different. Thicker, weaker, like pushing a fist sized glob of dough through the eye of a needle. Any effort I expended to speed up the process seemed only to be rejected by the wand. It was rather annoying, as I didn’t know why.

So I followed the lead that my instincts told me to walk. Omnilium. Not much, but there it was. The amount I needed didn’t seem to be significant, only a dollop. It rested at the tip of my wand, pulling what work I had done. And no matter how much I tried it looked like it would be the medium I had to work with. I couldn’t just conjure something from nothing unless I had somehow had used it in the first place; which was how I suspected was the reason I was able to use my wand so.

Seconds ticked by and I could feel the components of my work beginning to snap into place with each nudge and push of the force that was mine to command. Every bit of work I normally would’ve done still had to be reinforced in triplicate until at last it felt acceptable.

With one final jab of my wand, I muttered a casual, “pario,” that wrought my will upon this reality. Reshaping it into a ladder that gleamed solid gold.

It was a bit decadent but I figured if I could casually violate certain laws then I should engender people to avoid making stupid mistakes that would cost them their lives. Or at the very least set a spectacular precedent. Any being that would design a trap like this had an intended target, thusly they should also make preparations for unintended targets being, sidetracked. If they didn’t well then…

I said surreptitiously to Nealaphh, “I’d rather not wait” And with that statement I climbed. Upon reaching the top I surveyed the pit and pointed my wand. Not to recover the ladder’s worth. That was a pittance and a seed. Now I drew in power and my annoyance. I would see this pit be the undoing of the fools who dug it. And if the simpletons to retrieve my warning… they would pay.

With a growl, I rolled each syllable of power out with my grievances, “Infini Fractaviscus!”

Molten light pooled at the tip of my wand as the entire world seemed to retract in fear of it. In fear of me. I rolled it once in a swirl, pulling my arm upwards towards me before thrusting down towards the hollow once more. A bolt of blackness and purple discharge erupted, increasing the deepness of the cavity’s gloom before a howling scream tore upward. Living shadow undulated like a liquid current of expanding smoky fire, its tendrils corrupting everything within reach. Even the gold seemed to quiver though it did not sicken or corrode unlike its earthen neighbor. Root systems shriveled and the plants connected to them began to wilt all around me into black decay. That would give them one last warning to mind their betters. Anything else was blood on their own hands.

I glanced back at the gold that the darkness still burned across its surface; sickly lines of power impregnating it with forces that were my ken alone. They would soon dissipate but the anathema would remain. It brought a smile to my lips, such inauspicious thing gold. Cursed though it was.

“Let’s be off shall we?” I said to no one in particular, or perhaps everyone.

Feeling the high of the magic in my veins I turned down the path we had been heading and began walking. Though I could feel the slight wariness that the casting had imparted on me, it also left an energy I had thoroughly missed. Perhaps it was something that I should have used on Potter rather than employing the basalisk… But then where would I be? One lone Dark Lord whose minions had abandoned and an entire world against me.

No this was much better place to be.

[Tearen Wover]

Nealaphh clicked its beak in agreement as the demi-human set forth back along the main road in the Dunes. It was well traveled, and the two Primes passed by a series of caravans, where nameless, shaggy beasts of burden walked languorously, their backs overladen with cargo both valuable and mundane. The wizard horcrux and his crow partner attracted only fleeting attention as they walked in the opposite direction. After a while, as the sun sank lower in the sky and cast great ribbons of violet and beige across the sky, the grasslands eventually ebbed, until nothing remained but sand and scrub. A lone buzzard wheeled in the sky overhead, hoping to scent out one final mound of festering gore for the day, and rocky hills, striped in sandstone strata, were muted in their glory by the ephemeral haze of dust that lingered in the air.

Warm siroccos kept the chill of the night at bay, at least for now, and at length, the Primes happened upon a small traveler's outpost, where weary traders and wayward souls could parch their thirsts for water and good company. Currently, a small rabble of turban and head-scarfed nomads sat on the lip of a great well, passing around a bottle of dubious content and laughing softly over the fleeting crackle of the cook-fire at their feet. They certainly took note of the strange, pale man with a pressed (if not slightly dusty) suit and black bird on his shoulder, but their reserved nature and cultural mores persuaded them to let the silent pair pass from their attention. It wasn't until Tom had passed the encampment almost completely that Nealaphh silently bade the mage to turn around and engage the natives in conversation.

"Are you quite sure? I can't imagine they know anything of great import." Tom muttered under his breath, turning to look back at the outpost but not immediately making a move to close the distance.

They are traveling from the direction of Nippur, our destination. I want to know what has been going on."

With a great sigh, Tom adjusted his tie and hat and calmly retraced his steps back to the warmly lit roadside camp. This time the nomads eyed Tom with a little more suspicion. His appearance belied an upbringing of finer tastes and higher class living. It also indicated that, perhaps, the man approaching them was not a normal traveler of the Endless Dunes, and any Omniverse Native would know that a strange looking individual in a remote place was usually an indicator of Primehood. Nealaphh softly relayed its desired words to Tom's mind, and the Wizard then spoke them in turn, though not verbatim. The Nealaphh being's wording was often a little too dry for Mr. Riddle's erudite mannerisms.

"Good evening, gentlemen."

A long, silent pause, wherein a series of looks among the nomads were exchanged.

"Greetings, traveler." said the foremost man, speaking with a heavy accent of unplaceable origin. Tom shifted slightly in the sand and clasped his hands behind his back. This was already becoming tedious.

"Do you chaps have any news from New Babylon? I heard rumors of some upset there, of late." Tom continued, his voice plastered with saccharine coating of forced pleasantry. The natives mumbled to each other in a tongue that neither Prime immediately recognized before turning back to stare at Tom. The wizard hadn't noticed it at first, but these men's eyes were shaded almost solid blue, similar to his own black hues. In addition, Tom was occasionally catching glimpses of rather intricate looking, form fitting jumpsuits beneath their otherwise ragged outerwear.

"Nothing of importance, traveler. After what happened in the Nameless Town, we decided it best to avoid areas well traveled by eazad 'yuli."

Tom creased his mouth into a thin grimace. Honestly, speaking to someone in a language that you knew they didn't know was simply a profound expression of arrogance; a fool's attempt at asserting authority. Surely the cretin was expecting the wizard to ask just what an eazad 'yuli was, but Tom was far too clever for that. The man was clearly talking about Primes. Not one to be outdone, Tom continued pressing questions, this time of his own volition.

"What happened there?" Tom asked, raising an eyebrow. Again, the lowlifes gabbed at each other in their mutant tongue. Must they do this every single time Tom asked them a question. Despite the fact that Nealaphh was breathing through the minuscule nostrils of a crow, the wizard still caught the sound of the enigma sighing.

"The town was nearly leveled. Some raiders showed up with weapons of fire. Then, a golden star appeared over the entire town, and buildings started collapsing left and right."

This piqued Nealaphh's curiosity, but the questions that the God-Mind had could not possible be answered by the likes of these self-isolating Secondaries. Namely, the god-mind was concerned with how this would effect trade all the way to Carrefore. The Town with No Name and the Empire fort city rarely associated with one another, but if Primes were causing so much trouble that no one was willing to pass their trade through the few barely safe places in the Endless Dunes, it would make smuggling the raw materials into Coruscant that much harder.

It appears you were right, Mr. Riddle. Let's move on. These Secondaries have nothing more to offer us.

Feeling a sense of relief welling in his chest, Tom thanked the nomads for their time and briskly turned on his heel, continuing down the desert road. Both Primes could feel those solid blue eyes trained on them for a long time, until they passed over a small hill, into the wilderness of the Dunes...

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

As the land became progressively more treacherous, I didn’t want to risk a repeat incident of a pitfall with my own arms or legs being injured; that would make things exponentially more unacceptable. That meant I was forced to keep my eyes scanning as far as I could see, an activity made difficult given the hellish- hillish nature of the terrain. It seemed more and more of it was just pure sand and had to wonder if the suits I had seen earlier had been worn in some measure to keep cool or maintain water in kind of climate. If it was I had to marvel if such a contraption worked by muggle or magical means, or something similar.

My first hint of such had been the eye color, it was too unnatural. Or maybe it was natural. Infinite potentials considering the situation I found myself. Considering where they had found themselves, had they come her voluntarily because similarities to their own world? Regardless their comportment was entirely unacceptable even if they were equals.

Which they weren’t.

However a much more pertinent issue was taking place, I was beginning question my sanity in doubting the name of this place. When it had already offered such strange curiosities, who was I to judge on whether or not it could provide impossibilities as well? But something like this was bit too high on my scale for impractical places to transverse. But it did leave time for conversation.

With each step and the crunch of dried once water bound sand I moved forward on the prescribe path. I didn’t spare the bird much in the way of a visual cue that I was talking to him. But I did speak with a tone that wasn’t so colored with the forced act I had paid to the natives.

“So might I inquire what New Babylon is and why they are willing to tempt fate so with a name like that…” I queried. While I never found myself attracted to muggle religions the Orphanage had… done a rather exemplarity job ensuring our exposure to such things. The Tower of Babel in particular and prophecies regarding Babylon, to be exact, stuck with me. Be they myth or historical fact I knew something of luck and how whim, will, magic and fate played into it.

It was just asking for disaster to tear it down.

Granted that I had been brought here by a proverbial god that went by the name Omni… well I may have to reevaluate which deific entities were worthy of my praise and support. Though I had some time in that regard provided He chose not to smite me any time soon as he had the Golem. The nervousness I could feel in me regarding that incident still felt out of place. Such things did not become a Dark Lord.

“…are we to ally them, combat them or something else entirely?” I continue, not really pausing much even with my own thoughts on the subject floating across my pages.

[Tearen Wover]

The crow on Tom's shoulder let out a short huff and ruffled its feathers slightly. Honestly, it felt good to be able to express emotions in a more natural way. Though Nealaphh had become accustomed to living in the humanoid body it normally possessed, having a form of actual flesh and blood rekindled old feelings in the god-mind. As always, however, it had to remain wary that the animal's reduced brain capacity was not causing it to follow ill-advised thought patterns. Regardless, Tom had prompted the shadow with questions.

New Babylon is a faction in the Omniverse of several notable Primes, though they all serve a single king named Gilgamesh. My limited understanding of King Gilgamesh's background indicates that he was a hero of some renown within the ancient kingdom of Babylon, and sees the Omniverse as an ideal place to start a new version.

Nealapph clicked its beak in a habitual manner as Tom digested the information and spoke again.

For now, I would say that New Babylon and the Institute are tenuous allies, though my visit there will be the first real attempt at diplomacy that has been made. It's funny you should ask, the primary reason I am traveling there is actually to speak with a Prime named Demetri Malius. He is a member of the Unity branch, and is actually Vice Dean.

Tom rose his eyebrows in an amused manner, as he considered the implications. So he already had direct subordinates? Things were rapidly turning out in the wizard's favor, having met this enigmatic shape-shifter.

"And why is Mr. Malius in New Babylon?"

Apparently Demetri decided to aid some irrelevant Secondary get revenge on a Prime named Victor Wolfe. This was, of course, not a sanctioned Institute mission, and the fool has gotten himself thrown in jail as a result. I intend to have a stern talking to him, and perhaps, you might too.

Tom chuckled softly. It was the only mirthful sound to be heard for miles as the pair continued to trudge down the seemingly endless, dusty road.

"Who is Victor Wolfe?" the wizard asked, adjusting the Sorting Hat and wiping his brow with an emerald kerchief.

Ironically, Victor Wolfe is also a member of the Institute. I still have yet to hear from either of them on the situation, but it is clear that there need to be better lines of communication between our component Prime assets.

Tom made a disapproving noise with his lips and shook his head slightly. If it was going to be his job to be hearding cats such as these fellows, the Institute would definitely have to pay out handsomely. It wasn't as if he didn't like the idea of being a part of Nealaphh's organization, for now, but business was business.

"So it would seem. If these two are to be my adjutants, I should like to know more about them."

The crow nodded slightly, which did not convey a natural appearance.

Victor is somewhat infamous in the Omniverse. We did rather well in a free-for-all survival death competition. In addition, he shares fealty between New Babylon and the Institute, so he will be less at your beck and call than others in the Unity branch. Victor is sly, cunning, and ruthless, and not at all one to be trifled with.

"I suppose Demetri learned that first hand. What of Mr. Malius?"

Demetri is a far more mysterious character, and relatively new to the Omniverse. I met him when he had first been summoned, along with another new Prime. The other one disappeared under ambiguous circumstances, and I fear she may have shared the same fate as that creature in the Nexus. Regardless, Demetri is, above all else, a spy. He excels at stealing and learning information, but is otherwise subtle and withdrawn. I had initially though of him as someone reliable, but this most recent outburst throws that assumption into question.

Tom rose his eyebrows and nodded in empathy. It was never enjoyable when one's underlings turned out to be less than advertised. Then again, neither of them had the full scope of the story, so Tom decided not to be too quick to judge.

"What exactly was Demetri's job?"

Heretofore, he had been assigned to locate and secure several key pieces of equipment needed to fabricate the weapon I mentioned earlier. Demetri does have a Secondary in his employ. I'm hoping I can have her complete the task.

Tom hummed softly. Technology. The wizard couldn't conceive of how muggles or their simian instruments figured into the creation of a weapon with such potency as Nealaphh desired.

"Machinery? I have a hard time conceiving of anything the clunking automatons of the..." Tom trailed off, trying to find a suitable idiom for 'muggle'. After all, there was no sense in assuming that the enigma knew everything of his old world. "...magically ungifted that precision sorcery and arcane research cannot produce." Tom said, with nothing but absolute certainty in his voice.

Technology and Magic are really one in the same to me. Both disciplines manipulate inherent forces of reality to achieve specific results. Still, if you have a better option, I'm willing to hear it.

Tom smirked, happy to give his mind something to chew on for the untold miles that remained before they reached their destination.

"What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"

The crow sucked in a deep breath. Nealaphh wasn't used to being completely forward with its plots and plans, at least when it came to specific details. Still, if its time in the Omniverse had taught the God-Mind anything, it was that preconceived notions and assumptions regarding the flow of events should be constantly reevaluated.

The weapon I am trying to create is an improvement on a legendary hammer used to slay the monster, Volvagia, called the Megaton Hammer. A fanciful name, perhaps, but the principal is that it was a hammer capable of impacting with enough force to stun even a dragon, if only for a moment. I have reason to believe Volvagia has grown significantly in power since coming to the Omniverse, and as such, an improvement is required.

Nealaphh paused for a moment, allowing Tom to take in the large volume of information. It should have known better than to underestimate the demi-human's mental faculties, however.

"Go on."

The original hammer was made from enchanted iron. Effective in its own right, but there are certainly much more rare, naturally occurring metals that are much more dense than iron, namely-

"Osmium."

Nealaphh was only slightly taken aback by the wizard's knowledgeable interjection.

Indeed. I have a group of natives in Volvagia's home verse mining nickel and copper ore in great quantities. As I'm sure you know, Osmium is rare in the extreme, but does have a naturally higher occurrence in those two ores. I needed a machine that could extract the pure Osmium from the more mundane metals, so as to have sufficient quantities to fabricate the weapon.

"I see. What is this new hammer going to be called?"

The crow snorted in an expression of mixed amusement and derision.

The Gigaton Hammer.

"That's rather...droll, don't you think?"

Yes. It is important, however, for other Primes who would potentially desire to assist to be drawn wholesale into the mystique of this particular quest. I figured that giving such a needlessly fanciful title to the new weapon would serve to assist that endeavor.

Tom chuckled, a staccato two-step sound that indicated only the exact amount of levity required. Nealaphh was pleased that it had encountered someone so well suited to understanding its ways and methods. Maybe, alongside Okor, the three of them could achieve the Omniverse Institute's true goal. That, however, was something that the god-mind needed to play much closer to the chest for now.

So, Mr. Riddle. Have you any suggestions?

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

“Fair enough, but I’ll pass on any naming conventions for such. It has come to my attention that wizards have had poor experiences naming things practically.” I said with an unobtrusive look embarrassment. One had only read had read or hear the names of the charms I used to know it was a fact. Most of them weren’t mine… some were.

Something touched upon my consciousness, a subtle fear that I was not used to, possibly tied to distrust of circumstance. Nealaphh seemed to be giving me a lot of information and upfront access to his organization. The whole thing was made me wonder if there was a motive I hadn’t yet dissected from the conversation. If it were me, I’d never trusted myself without some sort of rite to bound… huh. Maybe that’s where He went wrong.

Back to the conversation, I had been given a puzzle.

I could perceive a number of means to stun a dragon. Such was the ways of several professions back upon my world. But the suggestion that the dragon had been growing stronger factored significantly. Likely a prime?

My eyes were still falling back across the land, maneuvering best as I could so not to land myself in a hole of doom and pain. Just what I didn’t need would a reputation that included ‘death’ by punji stick. Or at least something close to it. Not that the beige and white mixing sands weren’t important enough to actually pay half attention to.

I could make several assumptions but details were always devils to nail down, “Does the intention remain the same of simply stunning the beast?” I murmured questioningly.

The crow nodded before the telepathic words followed, Yes, killing it could be potentially disastrous if it were to resurrect within the Nexus and would make it extremely difficult henceforth to predict. Subduing it would be our primary goal.

I nodded; the prospect of immortality did come with that specific complication. A few ways of which I had an idea of how to combat it. “I suspect that not everything my world pioneered in the ways of farming dragons will be applicable. Since I doubt the common tactic of using a team of thirty or so wizards with stunning spells would work nearly so well here. But some concepts can be applied.” I almost chuckled as I had a thought of what that oaf Hagrid would do if I brought him here and threw him at such a beast. Raising an acromantula in his trunk? Probably go weak in the knees at the sight of a dragon. No, as satisfying as it would be to poison the idiot and use him as bait, it wouldn’t likely win me any trust with the locals.

I ran the numbers quickly, enchanting metal had always been a goblins specialty, but conjuring was a wizard’s. Especially alchemy, though it was a course that I had to forgo due to the Old Man’s presence being necessitated. The concepts however were not foreign to me though it was an area I wanted to brush up more upon in the future.

“It would need to be alloyed, lest you let it tarnished and subsequently poison the wielder, or at least magically reinforced to the point of stasis.” I stated as I pondered to basics, however deep thought and planning weren’t all that hard for a basic bludgeon, “Spacial-expansion charms could be employed with a selective featherweight charm, to increase its density tenfold at least while still making it wieldable by a man-“ I paused and corrected myself, “being of average to above average strength.”

“It’d also give you more flexibility in material choice.” I said in conclusion to that thought.

My wand appeared without much fanfare as I began drawing out the basic designs, in burning stylized effigy, that such an item would need to incorporate both mathematically and structurally. This however carried one major flaw; it was assuming that such a thing employed the physics native to my universe. Which did give me pause again. “That is supposing the cost and effects are translated roughly equivalent from my universe to this… realm” I cast the last word out with slightly less deference than I’d have liked.

I stepped around an odd look flat area before moving forward again while I continued my train of thought.

As much as I liked the opportunity, I was suspecting that the transition may have corrupted my abilities far more than I initially assumed given Nealaphh’s own formula to how physics worked here. It set my teeth on edge at the audacity that such a thing would be done to such sacrosanct laws. “However” I continued finally, “with enough omnilium it might be able to ensure that the omniverse at least observes it with some lip service.”

[Tearen Wover]

Nealaphh nodded its avian head slowly, taking in every single one of Tom's words. Honestly these were all things that the God-Mind had thought about before. What it had really been after were concrete methods to replace the technological approach. In addition, it didn't address the primary problem that Nealaphh needed to solve, which was how to extract the osmium from the nickel and copper ore in the first place. The rest of the Gigaton Hammer's construction had already been rather well planned. Still, it would never hurt to have a second option to fall back on, and, perhaps, a fusion of both Magic and Technology could be achieved for maximum efficacy. The shadow would have to talk more with Tom on that idea, however. It didn't want to offend the wizard's pride by suggesting that he wasn't capable of doing what was needed via arcane methods. At the same time, there was too much riding on this particular part of the plan to risk costly mistakes. Besides, a lot of what Tom was talking about hinged on the assumption that the magic he was familiar with was fully functional within the Omniverse.

The God-Mind determined that it would proceed with its designs as planned, but if necessary, it could call Tom in to provide a differing perspective. This meant that getting the specialized refinement technology from the Empire was still the top priority at the moment. Perhaps if Victor could be persuaded into joining in on the conversation, the four of them could discuss the best plan of attack.

I will take your words into consideration, Mr. Riddle. I am certain we will discuss things more at length in due time, when plans and schematics can be drawn with more precision.

A rudimentary deflection, but it would have to do for now. As the pair of Primes crested the last hill, they were met with the sight of Nippur, the capital of New Babylon, sitting on the sandy horizon. Its bulbous parapets and domed towers glimmered in the long-rayed sunlight that remained in the day, and its dusty, sandstone wall was decorated with blue swatches of lazuli filigree. It was an admirable sight to be sure, and the God-Mind hoped that, when the time came, the Institute's Arcology would be at least half as magnificent. It certainly spoke volumes about King Gilgamesh's propensity to put a great deal of stock in outwards appearance. Only time would tell what the city looked like from the inside, however.

Bidden onwards by the promise of progress and adventure, the Primes prepared to sojourn the last few, dusty miles. Even though neither of their bodies required sustenance in a mortal sense, both would be more than happy to get a drink of water, outside of the scrutiny of mysterious, blue-eyed nomads...

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

I let out a whistle when we finally crested the last major dune. A monument to the best in sandstone architecture erupted silently and motionlessly from the horizon. Nipur that was laid out before me in the distance that was impressive even when partially obscured by the heat waves coming off the terrain. It made me wonder how I’d be doing without magic or if I had an actual human body. Instead I was something indestructible or close to it provided I was careful, and luckily mostly blind mundane heat.

“Ahem, Mr. Riddle.” My hat said with a rather sudden movement that I had completely forgotten about. Its leathery folds rolled once as if to express itself to the most in terms of emotion that I had imparted into it. Much of the Hat’s weight shifted by using the tail-head like appendage, which must have been to some goal as it gave me the distinct impression that it would like to whack me more than figuratively.

It was an odd sensation that really took me back. Back enough that I nearly tripped over my feet in a very mortal manner as me and Nealaphh descended the dune. “Yes? What happened to internal contact?”

The Sorting Hat shuddered in perhaps annoyance, the sense I was getting confirmed it. With its voice, it was overkill, “You didn’t notice it in your musings about the city. Anyways it’s not much of a concern; your message upon the Dataverse has a reply.”

Pulling the hat back down tightly onto the crown of my head; I focused on the senses that bridged my body to the construct that was currently housing my consciousness. I pushed into the Dataverse or the sensation of such that the Hat provided with its legilimency wrought powers. The message I was looking for appeared in front of my eyes like a light written conjuration. It was a subtle glow that was impossible to miss in exceptional handwriting.

I frowned thoughtfully, nearly dismissed it, but read it over again. Crude though it was several details did catch my notice. Crucial details. The mentioning of Harry Potter for one who nearly killed me permanently and a reference to a book that most certainly could not be me. More specifically it couldn’t because I had left no allusions to myself in the original post. ‘Loser with no nose’ was lost on me, beyond someone having taken spell damage, though villainy reference gave me a hint. I could swear that Gellert had been handled by Dumbledore, Ginny had at least been well informed in that regard. My other half’s demise had also been assured as far as the media was concerned. I knew better.

What if my Horcruxes hadn’t done their full job in protecting the body of Voldemort? What would a resurrection spell cost and what kind of damage would it incur? It was a curious thought based on a lot of assumptions. Finding out Dumbledore had existed here had been easy enough. But this was something else. A book or a series? That was concerning given they were centered around Harry Potter.

What would be my part in such a historical document? How much was revealed.

I shook my head, “Bookmark it, but don’t bring it up again in mixed company.” The hat nodded and deepened the gloom around my head in shade even as I looked to Crow out of the corner of my eye. I took a breath as I found the beginnings of a road, but my mind had other concerns to which I voiced, “If I could ask a favor of you Nealaphh, if you need to introduce me, introduce me as David Monroe. I fear I may have brought a reputation with me that would not be conducive to your plans or mine. Especially if we are to push the studies of this multiverse.”

[Tearen Wover]

As you wish. I can fully understand the desire for relative anonymity in an environment as perilous as this.

With that, the crow resumed its pensive ruminations. Or, that's at least what it appeared to be doing. In reality it was keeping in touch with several dataverse contacts, and Nealaphh also made a point of looking over the rather conspicuous message board that Tom had posted on.

As the pair drew closer to New Babylon, however, it appeared as though they had not been the only Primes choosing to journey to Nippur that day. An automobile sat not far from the main gate, and two indistinct figures sat hunched on its hood. The god-mind sensed just a flicker of anxiety from the demi-human wizard, but assuaged the man's concern as best it could.

I feel keeping a distance would simply denote ourselves as suspicious. Do you not agree, Mr. Monroe?

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

I nodded. It felt good using the name of my greatest school born rival as means of getting a leg up in this new society. Or at least starting to, if everything planned out just right. But I was under no illusions of the fact that plans seldom survived first contact with reality. David Monroe was for now a temporary thing until I could get a better handle on the situation of which I was in and what kind of legacy had followed me; or perhaps Albus as well.

The being that brought me here certainly had an odd sense of humor.

Well I’d just have to take advantage of that where I can.

“Yes, let’s make sure they are at ease.” I said warily, though I tried to hide it.

Readjusting the Sorting Hat as it informed me that my latest posting was sent, I moved forward with my most charming smile. As close to authentic as I could make it. Part of the advantage of being me was I had largely learned to control my emotions, feel when I wanted to. Most of the time what I chose to show was real. In this case I had a new start even if the situation I was in had become more dire. As my name may very be a loaded word, I would take steps to address such. Luckily the people in front of me who were now coming within a reasonable visual range were unlikely to be completely aware of who I was, if at all.

What were the chances? Especially when I knew well not to take such things unless there was no choice at all.

No, I filled myself with a thrumming sense of anticipation. I was making contacts, I could wield information like a knife, I may very well have an ally already. Yes this was a good start despite inconveniences. I would not ruin the opportunity like Voldemort had; I would not be overcome by an infant nor would the same child be my undoing again.

I refused to make the same mistakes again. I was learning and learning had always been my favorite past time.

“Onward and upward.” I said aloud though mostly to myself.

Moving to It's Mailtime (Open)