If you prick us do we not bleed?
If you tickle us do we not laugh?
If you poison us do we not die?
And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?
—William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
"Bring up the map of LPZ12190," Oriquin ordered. Seconds later the holographic projection in the center of Galaxy Hunter's bridge displayed the layout of an entire planet, mapping out the oceans, two land masses, north and south icecaps, a deadly volcano so massive it was unbelievable, and the Rapture Fortress, an obelisk architecturally designed to resemble ancient Omnis monuments. It was from this Fortress that Corout, D'Aretiv, and Mnsomey, those who called themselves Rapture Legion, ruled the world and its thousands of inhabitants with an iron fist. Humans, beasts, and controllable natural disasters all at the disposal of madmen who destroyed the only home Oriquin had known. "Show us," he growled to the hooded figure beside him who was being restrained by both Talyserys and Pyrial.
"I must see in order to do that," the captive responded politely with a gentle laugh.
The captors shifted their stony stares to Oriquin, who acknowledged them with a wave of his hand, then pulled back the hood and untied the blindfold covering their charge's eyes. "Now," the Lord of Omnis continued with a bite in his tone. "Please show us the secret passage you spoke of earlier."
Arcanza stared back at him with hatred shivering uncontrolled in his crystal-clear, almost invisible eyes. "You mean, the one I spoke of when I was undergoing your systematic torture?" His black hair was wild and tangled, his face baring a multitude of scars, and a nose that must have been broken, with blood trickling down his face and into his mouth.
"You and your companions are responsible for much more pain that anything you have undergone here," replied Oriquin. "I thought we agreed to spare your life if you cooperated."
"I am dead no matter which path I choose," sneered Arcanza, lifting his arms and twisting his manacles. "The only reason I help you is because more people die with me if I cooperated with you then if I die alone in your dreary little dungeon."
Soleron appeared then, carefully fingering a strip of paper, and paused before Oriquin. "My lord," he announced himself, bowing. "A messenger bird arrived with this moments ago." The Ranger handed the paper over and excused himself quickly. His hatred took over his reason if he was even near a room where Arcanza was present. The villain smirked.
Written on the paper was a message from Feilia, one of the remaining twenty-seven men and women from the original crew of Galaxy Hunter, who had assumed an undercover role in the city of Jyt, where ships to and from Rapture Fortress circulated constantly. Mnsomey had come ashore to inspect the recent attacks on the harbor, which of course the ruthless conqueror held Oriquin's forces were responsible for. An incredible-sized Rapture Legion army had accompanied him.
"I have other business to attend to," announced Oriquin as he rubbed his temples to offset another headache before it began. "Explain this route to Pyrial and Talyserys," he addressed Arcanza, then to his Rangers he added, "or they have my permission to kill you." Without awaiting the usual acknowledgment of his orders, Oriquin departed swiftly, desperately trying to summon the image of the waterfall in his mind.
In his private room, the Lord of the Omnis (called "Lord of the Dead" here by the Rapture Legion brainwashed natives) locked the entrance and moved slowly to the mirror. Staring at the reflection, he could barely tell the man who looked back at him two years ago was the man who looked back now. His once golden-brown hair was oily, slicked back, and almost as deep black as Soleron's. The features of his profile were hardened and rugged, four days of an unshaven face, and a permanent scowl that evolved from two years of not smiling. Another trait he now shared with Soleron; he could not remember that man ever smiling, even as they grew up together as close friends. Oriquin had promised that, when their mission was complete, only then would he be happy again.
The two years since Meridian-Omega had exploded/imploded had taken their toll on everyone, not just Oriquin. Talyserys, once a man of the Order of Lineage, a man who appeared three times his actual age because of the side effects of the Lifeblade he activated and maintained during his long vigil over Taerys after the assassin struck, had become a fierce and unstoppable weapon in their fight. Years of withheld rage were emerging from the Green Ranger and fearful tales of him were spreading across LPZ12190, called "New Omnis" by the inhabitants, a name the true Omnians refused to acknowledge. Seraide, Oriquin's elder half-sister—their mother, Janoa, had been a mother and widow before she captured Taerys's heart, only to die birthing their only son—was as cool and collected as ever, as much the mind of the Rangers as Talyserys was becoming the body. Laurasia, meanwhile, was its soul, keeping peace among the survivors on Galaxy Hunter. She played a Charm Flute and told stories to entertain the children as well as the older crew. Even the teenager Rade, who had become apprentice to the ship's mechanic and pilot Deuroic, did his part to keep up the spirits of the people.
Pyrial undertook the role of the Omni Rangers's heart. Whenever Soleron fell into his too-frequent floods of anger, the youth took over commanding the core army. Two tribes of the "New Omnis" natives had joined the cause to rid the planet of the Rapture Legion and brought much-needed manpower with them. It was these rebels who managed to seize Arcanza and transport him to the hidden location of Galaxy Hunter, though they numbered less than two hundred in strength. Deuroic, surprisingly, had uncovered the information that led to the capture.
"So this is the situation after so long," Oriquin spoke to his reflection. He detached the Seal of Meridian-Omega and set it inside the chest specially designed for it, then hung the white-stars-in-black-space cloak on a nearby hook. Slipping out of the black velvet vest embroidered with the ancient designs of his homeworld, he collapsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. "Decrease illumination," he ordered, and the bright lights dimmed to half intensity.
Time passed, but whether it was minutes or hours he could not tell, until finally a sharp noise aroused him from his empty reverie altering him to someone outside the door. Sitting up, he ordered the voice-activated door to open, admitting Soleron into the room.
"The latest report preliminarily confirms our success," the Red Ranger started right into his report, skipping even the formality of bowing. It was at Oriquin's command, of course, to be casual. How could you be proper all the time even in the midst of war. "Feilia will return with Mnsomey's body for the final verdict. On the West Continent, our operatives managed to locate D'Aretiv, but ultimately they were lost. Self-inflicted, so none of our plans were compromised, when his soldiers began slaying everyone..."
Oriquin lifted a hand and interrupted the operations report with, "What do you think of Arcanza's secret route into the Fortress?" He added, "Honestly," along with a sharp look at his childhood friend.
"I assume there must be at least one," reflected Soleron, crossing his arms and staring at the carpeted floor in thought, "since the coward would not attempt the ship to Jyt route. It must lead to this continent though, since that is where we found him. Although, personally, I would never believe a word from the serpent's mouth."
The Lord of Omnis nodded, closed his eyes, and tried forming the waterfall in his mind again, the hundredth time today, the thousandth time in weeks, but for two years, as it did now, it eluded his ability. "We cannot chance taking it ourselves," he mused, "but if we knew exactly where it emerged..."
"...and some catastrophe threatened the Fortress," finished the Omni Ranger commander, "doubtless the so-called conqueror inside, Corout, would flee via the underwater tunnels in question, providing they exist."
Oriquin smiled, offering the remark, "The greatest waves of thinking come in waves," then wished he had not spoken when Soleron recognized the old Omnian proverb and his expression darkened. Hurried to correct his err in judgment, he proposed, "It is fitting that such a catastrophe be a quote-unquote 'natural' type, just as the Center Star's supernova was. I would promote using the volcano."
Almost seventeen years had transpired between the first meeting between Soleron and Oriquin, and never before had the former smiled or shown relief. But now, his mouth twitched with something that felt strangely like emotion. It was equivalent to hysterical laughter of a normal person and Oriquin felt genuinely satisfied with the reaction. Then, bursting his bubble of pride, the Red Ranger told him, "This goes against my honor as an Omni Ranger."
The Watcher of the Heavens's vision began to shake. "What?" he demanded.
"Until now, the rest of the Rangers and I have overlooked our pledges," Soleron explained softly, almost as though he were being gentle. "Our oaths. The power shall not be used for self-fulfillment. We have made excuses for ourselves. Laurasia says it is all right because they are implemented in your service; Pyrial thinks that without Omnis we live without the oaths taken there; Talyserys prays you will come to your senses and give up your fascination with revenge."
Oriquin's fists tightened, his nails piercing his palms, as he growled, "And you...?"
"I refuse to destroy innocent lives anymore." Still gentle, he detached the OmniTech Ability Band around his forearm and dropped it to the floor. "I refuse to follow your rage-induced plans anymore. I refuse to train your armies, run your missions, or collect your information. I, Soleron, son of Clarit and Krysen, lineage embrace them as one, successor to Eztram, star-born of Omnis and honor-bound to the universe, leave this room a free man." He turned and walked toward the doors, already reaching for the black panel that would open them.
"You, Soleron, leave this room a traitor!" cried Oriquin, standing up tall and kicking the OmniTech Band. It flew in an arc, crashing into the mirror and shattering the delicate glass into thousands of jagged pieces. "I order you to return. The Lord of Omnis orders you to return. Soleron!" Silence replied. "Soleron!"
Left alone in the dimly lit room, Oriquin collapsed to his knees, grabbing the sides of his pounding head, and left yet another trail of tears down the path of vengeance.
Morning on New Omnis. As the second of three moons set in the southwest, so did the first of two suns rise in the northwest. This time of day was called "Balance Dawn" by the planet's inhabitant. It seemed appropriate, reflected Oriquin as he dressed himself in a comfortable dark blue shirt, laced with gold, and an ordinary pair of trousers. For several minutes he stood considering whether to wear the Seal today. He felt clean, after his warm bath, and chose to avoid any glamour today, departing his chambers in ordinary clothes. Surprisingly, the Lord of Omnis had never felt this relieved and vaguely wondered why he headed in the direction of Arcanza's cell.
The cell was dim and damp, until Oriquin approached and ordered brighter lights and extra heating, and he found Arcanza seated on the floor next to an uncomfortable-looking cot. "My lord," the villain sneered, "how nice of you to visit." Something screeched then and for the first time Oriquin noticed a hawk—as black as true night with unsettling white eyes—perched on the washstand. "Even men who destroy worlds need companionship," he said coldly.
"Just so," replied Oriquin, folding his hands together. "I came to amend the bargain."
"Bargain?" barked Arcanza, rolling his head from side to side. "I did not know the light made bargains with the darkness."
Oriquin sighed, opening the cell and entering. The falcon spread its graceful wings and bared sharp teeth, but its master motioned it to relax and it obeyed. "We do what we must to keep the balance."
And, as expected, Arcanza listened with interest.
"Preparations complete." Rade saluted.
Deuroic returned the signal accordingly. "Engines warming."
"Mapping system online," announced Seraide, while Pyrial added, "Course is set."
The bridge of Galaxy Hunter swam with excitement. The four remaining Rangers scrambled from console to console checking the ship's status while Rade and Deuroic ran back and forth between here and the engine room. Oriquin watched with silent awe.
A week had passed and most everything had been settled. Arcanza was released from captivity and, as promised in return, he had successfully taken the life of Corout. Now only one member of Rapture Legion remained: Arcanza himself. Oriquin told no one his reasons for letting the enemy go, but everyone settled on the assumption it was a result of his new outlook. Since the incident with Soleron, the Lord of Omnis had begun reverting back to his old self.
"Check that; check that; check that!" Deuroic was panting, rushing by Rade and pointing out something on a nearby monitor. The teenager dashed out the doors instantly.
Most of the original passengers of the crew were on-board now or returning, but some had opted to remain on New Omnis and try to re-establish their greatness of their old home. Feilia, the contact in Jyt, had been chosen the new ruler and she had ordered the Rapture Fortress destroyed and forgotten. Arcanza himself planned to isolate himself from the natives and live his remaining life free. The only unaccounted member of the party was the only one Oriquin truly wished to see.
Rade rushed back into the bridge. "It's fixed!" he exclaimed. The four men and two women of the crew shared an excited look. The teen cheered, "We're ready to fly!"
"At your command, Lord Oriquin," Deuroic hastily inserted as he playfully slapped the back of the boy's head. Rade repeated the words stoically.
"Well, then," Oriquin announced. "Let us fl..."
Puzzled frowns replaced eager grins as he paused in mid-command. Slowly they turned around and gasped at the sight. Stumbling through the open doors was Soleron, pushing a bound and gagged Arcanza in front of him. The falcon fluttered noisily above them, obviously agonizing over a broken wing.
Nobody spoke, allowing Soleron to fling Arcanza violently to the cold hard ground. "Confessions are in order today," he announced with contempt. "First on the agenda is you, my lord, and why you kept the fact Eztram is alive and well from us. Second, I believe, also focuses on you and some dirty little dealings with evil. And third, probably of least importance, is the true identity of Lord Taerys's assassin." He kicked the crumpled form at his feet. "Not to mention a two-world-wide spree of death and devastation. The Lady Feilia is with child, thanks to this rapist." Soleron's eyes pulsed with a wild blue glow. "Last but not least," he finished, lifting his hand and pointing to Deuroic, "deals with a certain betrayer in our midst."
Seraide rushed to him and embraced him, pleading, "Settle down, Sole, settle down."
"Take it easy," Pyrial added, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Oriquin stepped forward. "I am guilty of conspiring with Arcanza," he confessed, closing his eyes to avoid the shock or disbelief or disappointment or contempt he would find in their expressions. "I used evil to fight evil. And in the past two years, I have dishonored myself and quivered in darkness empty of the light of the lineage. But, Soleron, you must believe me when I say I had no choices left. Things have turned out peaceful. Release Arcanza now and..."
The falcon screeched and began speaking. "Release Arcanza now!"
"These last few years have been difficult for us all," Soleron snarled. "None of us have gone insane."
Each word stung Oriquin like a scorpion, and he could feel himself snap inside. Suddenly the same rage he had felt before, on several occasions, the passion and power coursing his veins and soul itself. "This monster is responsible for my father's death?" he demanded. "He raped Feilia? When?"
"I assume immediately after his release," Soleron answered. "It was a recent event."
"Replace him in the dungeon," Oriquin ordered Talyserys and Pyrial. They saluted, moving quickly to do their lord's command.
As he was being dragged away, the gag in Arcanza's mouth fell out, and he seized the opportunity to scream, "You will be sorry for betraying me, Oriquin. I will see your warm blood on my hands as sure as I saw Taerys's own! The universe itself will tremble at the hands of the Trinity of Darkness! I swear to the stars I will see you dead, I will see Soleron dead, I will..." Talyserys morphed silently and struck Arcanza with such a powerful force is knocked him unconscious and, more likely than not, critical. No one rushed to help though as he was dragged along the floor to his waiting cell.
"Arcanza was behind everything, wasn't he?" Oriquin asked quietly.
Soleron nodded. "I've put together the most likely sequence of events. Rapture Legion is a anti-lineage religious movement that worships their so-called 'Trinity of Darkness,' three beings who will supposedly unleash a reign of evil that will last forever. Arcanza preached he was the first part of this Trinity, called himself 'the Destroyer,' and convinced three members of the Legion—Corout, D'Aretiv, and Mnsomey, heavily involved in the canceled Meridian-Omega Solar Research Division—to initiate the explosion-implosion of our sun. Taerys learned of this plot, but not more than an hour after he learned the truth the Lord of Omnis was fatally struck by Arcanza's own hand. He fled back to his compound and left with his three major accomplices onboard a ship. Eztram and the Omni Rangers quickly recruited Tally, Seraide, Pyrial, Laurasia, and I, knowing their twenty-five year power cycle was almost over, to accompany them in pursuit. The ten of us chased him to this very planet, where, once the ship had landed, we destroyed it. On the return trip Eztram and the others passed their powers to us."
"But I chose you five," Oriquin whispered. Then, realization sinking in, he added, "Ah. I see now why Eztram heavily promoted you, influencing my decision."
"Once it was public knowledge we were the new Rangers, you the new Lord, and the Rapture Legion responsible for the assassination was gone, we assumed everything was at peace. Meridian-Omega, however, was a time bomb. Apparently Eztram knew this and suggested a journey on Galaxy Hunter to get acquainted with the new ship."
Oriquin nodded, the pieces fitting together in his mind. "I knew Eztram was alive, but he pleaded with me to keep that knowledge secret and allow him to live peacefully."
Soleron spared a twitch of his mouth that was his version of a smile. "Well, I discovered Eztram alive and well on this very planet. He explained everything in great detail, then helped me capture Arcanza."
"So the story draws to a close," Oriquin sighed. "Quiet an adventure."
"There is still the matter of our betrayer." Soleron turned to Deuroic and squinted.
Deuroic held his hands up innocently. "I've never betrayed anyone," the mechanic assured him. "Arcanza disguised himself and tricked me into leading him to you."
Soleron began to say something, but Oriquin held up a silencing hand. "We have wasted enough time fighting, Commander Soleron. "Let us fly!"
A cold stare chilled him, but Soleron bit his lip. "I will not waste any more of your time, Lord Oriquin," he replied. "Let us fly!"
Galaxy Hunter lifted off.
Onboard, Oriquin arranged appropriate accommodations for all passengers.
Deuroic and Rade were left on the bridge to pilot the ship and navigate the course. Laurasia and Seraide were given rooms to themselves, as were Talyserys and Pyrial. Soleron, however, after accepting the return of his OmniTech Ability Band, held vigil over the makeshift prison, watching Arcanza even while the others slept. Oriquin spent very little time with him, compared to the other Rangers and passengers, whom he was constantly in contact with. With New Omnis under the rule of someone good and his enemies slain or imprisoned, the rage and insanity that had built up inside and overtaken him eventually dissipated completely. And, for once, he was able to smile and laugh again at Laurasia's stories or the children's unfunny jokes.
It was months into their trip when it happened. Only he and Deuroic were on the bridge, watching as they passed the planet Earth, when the pilot suddenly tilted the ship and aimed it directly at the world below. "What are you doing?" screamed Oriquin.
"Serving the Trinity of Darkness," came Deuroic's hissing reply, seconds before he stabbed himself with a sharp edge.
Oriquin raced to the controls, pushed the traitor's lifeless body out of the way, and entered the sequence to abort the new collision course, but Deuroic had changed the passwords. As Galaxy Hunter prepared to crash and end its occupants' lives, the Lord of Omnis chose to spare telling the passengers he had come to love about their certain fate.
Soleron stood in the entrance when he turned to look. "The price shall be paid to the alien waters," he said solemnly. "Star-born, honor-bound, my lord."
"Lineage shine on Omnis and its people," Oriquin whispered as the spaceship burned its way through Earth's atmosphere.
Original Publication Date: 13 August 1999
