Entropy of Apotheosis

[Tearen Wover]

The figures were clad mostly in metal, as humans tended to do. Their clothes were simple and made of rough spun cloth. Long slivers of purified iron dangled from their hips. Nealaphh identified these objects as swords; an implement mortals used to slay one another. As the shadow turned, the four Camelot scouts looked at each other for a moment. One of them, who had a small band of brass adorning his helmet, pointed hastily into the white vastness beyond.

"I said keep an eye out!" he whispered in a harsh tone. The man who he spoke to pursed his lips and turned outward, apparently looking for...something. Nealaphh couldn't possibly fathom what. Omni had mentioned that there would be others within this Omniverse. Perhaps there were many humans trapped here, much like itself. The Brass One turned back to face Nealaphh and spoke in a voice that attempted to sound calm, but had a note of deep fear hidden within the words. This pleased Nealaphh.

"Greetings, Prime. I am Genwin Alovar of Camelot. We search this land for Primes, those Omni has chosen for greatness, in hopes that we may rally them to our cause." The Brass One said, gesturing widely at the blankness around them.

Do not speak that name in my presence. I require no assistance from you. Nealaphh said. Of course, to Nealaphh, communication was a completely mental exercise. The form into which it had coalesced did not even possess a mouth. The Brass One did not seem to hear Nealaphh's words, however. This was evident when the human continued to speak as if Nealaphh had not replied.

"We...uh...we can help you find your way to more habitable climes. These empty wastes hold nothing in the way of shelter or sustenance. Surely you feel some form of hunger, no?" The Brass One continued, a look of anxiety clearly scrawled across his misshapen human features. Nealaphh stared for a moment.

The only hunger I have is for vengeance upon The Smiling One. Nealaphh said, its three eyes narrowing slightly. From the scouts perspectives, it just seems as though this black skinned, faceless being with asymmetric eyes was simply staring at them in silence. They all cast looks at each other once more, not sure of how to proceed. One of the underlings leaned in to mutter at The Brass One.

"Is...is it slow or something?"

"I don't know..." The Brass One replied. He spoke once more to the shadow, his voice still coming in faltering steps. "Our horses are not far off. We brought a spare mount, if you should so desire." The Brass One said, taking a step towards Nealaphh. Nealaphh made no movements, and simply kept its eyes fixed on The Brass One. The human took another step towards Nealaphh and reached out with a gloved hand, tentatively grasping Nealaphh's arm. Nealaphh had never felt actually physical contact from an organic perspective before. It was terrifying how encompassing the sensation was...Nealaphh had laid its caress upon myriad black holes, and basked in the radiance of super novae, but there was no retreating from this. It's sovereignty had been broken.

"Come, we..."

UNHAND ME! Nealaphh screamed inside its mind, clutching its arm away from the Camelot scout. The Brass One's eyes widened and he took a step back, his hands raised in a placating gesture.

"Okay, okay. We mean no harm." The Brass One said, offering a quaint smile at Nealaphh. This gesture of comfort meant nothing to the god-mind. The Brass One's underling spoke to him again.

"Did...did you hear that?"

"Aye...words spoken into my very soul..."

"It seems...scared."

"Yes. Yes it does."

The humans continued to exchange words and try to assess the situation. Nealaphh was, however, pleased that its words had finally been heard. It closed its eyes and reached out with its mind, and found all four of the human's minds within its reach. It gave the men a mental tap.

"Wh...what was..."

"This creature...it speaks to us within our minds. Guard your thoughts carefully." The Brass One said, turning back towards Nealaphh. "Your touch upon our heads is noted, Mind Seer." The Brass One said, resting a palm on the hilt of his sword. Aside from this, though, the Camelot Scouts did not seem sure of how to proceed.

"Telepathy, I think this is called, sir. It is a rare gift. Best not let it fall into Empire hands."

As if on cue, there came a distant whirring, howling sound, reverberating across the Nexus. The scout who had been assigned to keep watch came jogging back towards the scouts.

"Mounted stormtroopers, approaching quickly sir! We need to move!" he shouted, bouncing on his toes so that he could sprint off again on a moments notice. The Brass One furrowed his brow and stormed towards Nealaphh, hands outreached. Nealaphh could all but shy away like a wounded animal, unsure of how to defend itself.

"The Wizards will want to have a look at this creature. Come! Help me wrest it from it's stupor." The Brass One said, beckoning the two other Camelot scouts to approach. Nealaphh backed up against the whirling plasma of The Fountain. Now...now it was starting to panic. It seemed though, that Omni had not left it completely powerless. It still had its god-mind fully intact, and if that was the case, then surely it could still warp even the unknown fabrics of this Omniverse to a certain degree.

The Scout captain to a single step more before Nealaphh's eyes flared. There was a sickening crunch sound as his head was suddenly twisted completely backwards, and a loud clatter of metal as his body hit the floor like so many bricks. Immediately his comrades drew their swords, but did not immediately attack. All the while, the whining sound of approaching speeder bikes grew steadily louder. Not that Nealaphh was really sure what the noise indicated, but based on how these humans had responded to the stimuli, it was clearly something they feared.

Nealaphh could work with that...