The Second Archon War: Superbia Hominum 6 (Patreon)

Superbia Hominum 6: Family Ties

His phone buzzed, and Eidolon paused in his pull-ups. The ring was the one he’s set for emergencies, so he let go, going over to flick it open. “Eidolon.”

“We’ve found her. She’s in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Coordinates are 42°57'29.3"N 85°41'36.5"W. PRT teams are standing by to intervene.” 

“On my way,” Eidolon said, and stripped off his undershirt, rapidly pulling on his uniform. In less than a minute, he was soaring into the sky. He soon broke the sound barrier, and he was over Sioux City, looking down on the Grand River and the many lakes that surrounded it. He tapped into the local PRT bands.

“This is Eidolon. Do you have eyes on the Subject?”

“Uh, yes sir,” a tense man’s voice gasped. “But we’ve got fuckin’ bigger problems!”

“And that is?” Eidolon demanded tersely, even as he homed in on the coordinates. 

“Sir, I think you’re gonna need backup. Because she’s fighting the Slaughterhouse Nine.”

Eidolon’s blood ran cold, but he didn’t slow his approach. “Say again? The Nine?”

“Yes sir. She’s tangling with Mannequin, but- SHIT! GET AWAY FROM THAT GLASS BEFORE-”

There was a ripple below Eidolon, and he could imagine the tearing sound as all the glass within a five-mile radius exploded. Snarling, Eidolon put on more speed, grabbing for Brute and Blaster powers as he went. This was about to get nasty. 

He burst onto the scene even as the sparkling dust from the destroyed glass still hung in the air. What he expected to hear was screams and more explosions. Instead, what he heard was a song. 

A white figure was zipping about overhead, belting out a powerful song, as Mannequin, Shatterbird, and Jack Slash tried to close with the singer. She had white feathery hair, amber eyes, and a glowing green gem on her breast. The mysterious woman that Eidolon had been seeking after. She’d shown up a few weeks ago, appearing to harass someone, then vanishing. 

At first, they had largely ignored the mysterious behavior of this odd cape who called herself Ziz, but a pattern had rapidly emerged: Ziz was targeting survivors of the Madison Simurgh attack. Why, no one knew, and Thinkers hadn’t been able to get much from her, aside from that she was an Anemo Vision holder and likely had formerly been some sort of bird before getting it. Probably an owl of some sort. 

That didn’t matter right now though. What mattered was that she was facing down three of the Slaughterhouse Nine. Eidolon didn’t know Ziz’s motivation, but he did know that the Nine were by far the larger threat. He aimed a blast at Mannequin, and a silver beam of light shot out, blowing the Tinker back. 

The woman turned to see him hovering near her, her song trailing off. Her eyes grew wide, and Eidolon nodded to her. But instead of thanking him, she snarled, “Oh, just FUCKING GREAT! This is EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! FUCK OFF, DEADBEAT!” 

“I’m trying to help you,” Eidolon called, dodging out of the way just as a storm of glass passed through where he had been. 

“Well then do me a favor and go fuck yourself, because that’s the biggest help you can be, you unworthy piece of trash!” the woman snarled. “I nearly had him! Now you’ve disrupted my song!” 

“You were trying to control Mannequin?” Eidolon demanded, shooting another beam at Jack Slash, who as always, seemed to see it coming and easily dodged him. 

The woman rolled her eyes. “Right. An Anemo Vision holder who can brainwash people. Or do you know who I really am? Doesn’t fucking matter. No, I’m not brainwashing him, moron. I’m trying to set him free! Now get out of my way,  I’m wasting time here!” 

Then she swore again and had to throw up a wind barrier as more glass shards flew at her. “Fuck! Off!” 

Then she zipped away on the winds, leaving behind a baffled Eidolon. Still, he could hear gunfire, and see more members of the Nine emerging: The Siberian, and Bonesaw by the looks of it. What were they doing in Grand Rapids? Didn’t matter. What mattered now was saving lives. 

“Command, this is Eidolon. Requesting immediate backup. I have at least five members of the Nine here, along with Ziz. This is a priority one call.”

“Roger that, Eidolon. We’ve got two on their way to you right now: Miss Militia, and, er, a guest.”

“Guest? This is not the time for some fresh-faced newbie!” Eidolon snarled, even as he blasted the Siberian right before she could slam a PRT car into a pair of officers. He didn’t really phase her, but he did blow apart the car, saving the two officers. The Siberian cackled and turned towards him, then leapt into the air for him. 

Eidolon barely got out of the way in time, then grunted as he felt a cut along his back. Jack Slash. He was outnumbered, and things were going to go south fast. He’d been expecting to take a lone, if above average, Vision Holder. Not the entire Slaughterhouse Nine. Well, more like the Slaughterhouse Seven. Where were-

A massive form slammed into Eidolon, knocking the air from his lungs and driving him to the ground. Crawler had leapt from a five story building onto him, and he looked up at the grinning face of a thing that had once been a man, with two sets of eyes, an extra set of arms, and a pair of soot-black tentacles that were trying to wrap themselves around Eidolon as they plummeted down towards the Siberian. 

“FUCK OFF!” 

A massive blast of air slammed into Crawler, and he was spun away from Eidolon, who hastily corrected his fall, even as another pair of air blasts blew away the Siberian, who’d been leaping straight for him again. 

Ziz zipped by Eidolon, her face a mask of fury. “I’m the only one allowed to frag your unworthy ass, you hear me, Deadbeat?! AND I’M JUST DOING THIS BECAUSE OF THAT STUPID ASS PROMISE! I OWE YOU NOTHING!” 

None of that made any sense to Eidolon, but he nodded his thanks. “You saved me. Thank you, Ziz.”

In response, she flipped him off, before jetting away again. “Buy me some fucking time and I’ll take care of Sphere!”

“He’s not that man anymore!” Eidolon called, but he didn’t have the time or energy to argue. There were dozens of horrific monsters, the sewn-together bodies of humans and animals both now pouring out of one of the buildings. Bonesaw’s work. The girl was giggling and riding atop a monster that looked like the nightmare version of a centaur, but with its arms replaced by bony blades. She was urging her creations towards the embattled PRT troopers, who were desperately trying to evacuate civilians. 

Eidolon tried to reach them, but Crawler and the Siberian were between himself and the civilians, and even flying, he didn’t have a good way out of this. He gritted his teeth, ready to witness another slaughter. 

Then a wall of ice rose formed in an instant, and the monstrosities ran smack into it. A moment later, a barrage of rockets fell amongst them, blasting many of them to bits, and sending Bonesaw sprawling as she screamed in pain and rage. 

“Your backup has arrived,” Hannah’s voice said, and Eidolon felt both a flood of relief and a passionate, carnal desire for the wonderful woman. 

“Hard to believe you Americans allow this trash to polite your cities. The Tsaritsa would have solved this problem long ago,” a familiar but surprising voice said. 

“Anatoly? I didn’t think you were much of a frontline fighter,” Eidolon commented. “Glad you’re here, regardless. I could use the assist.”

“Hmph. Can’t let anything happen to my business partners. It would sour the deal,” Anatoly said over the radio. “But my aid has a price.”

“We’ll talk cost later. Right now, let’s contain this threat and drive off the Nine,” Miss Militia said, her green and black armored suit appearing atop the ice wall. She fired off another blast at Shatterbird, forcing her down before she could flank Eidolon with more glass shards. 

Spinning in midair, Eidolon fired off a blast as the Siberian lept at him again. This time, he was tackled, though he had thankfully taken on enough Brute powers that he wasn’t instantly ripped to shreds. They exchanged blows that should have torn a man in half as they fell, before crashing into the ground. 

But there was a reason that Eidolon had given up on his flight power: he’d swapped it for a devastating Striker ability. Combining his blaster power with his new striker ability, he hit Siberian with all he had, praying he got the results he wanted. 

He did, sort of. The Striker ability formed a forcefield around his fists that amplified his blows, while his blaster power still fired those silver beams. It wasn’t enough to do more than stagger the Siberian, but he had her occupied now. 

“Hello, Ruskie. Want me to put a smile on your face?” Jack laughed behind Eidolon. He came at Anatoly with a knife, and Eidolon cursed as the Russian cape was bisected. So much for that. 

Only, when the extended blade from Jack hit Anatoly, the man turned to snowflakes that fell to the ground and began to melt on the warm pavement. 

“A knife. How pedestrian.”

There was a sharp crack, and Jack jerked back and snarled as Anatoly appeared in a shimmer of frost in the shadows, a smoking gun in his hand. Lightning crackled over Jack Slash and his muscles spasmed, causing him to go to one knee.

“Elemental rounds. A much more fitting weapon for this age,” Anatoly said with a sneer. He raised a hand, sending out a shard of ice at Jack that looked like it should have taken his head off. 

Before Jack could take the bullet, Bonesaw jumped in front, her hair matted and bloody. The elemental round took her square in the chest, but she only giggled. “I rearranged my organs! Take more than that to-”

Firing as he ran, Anatoly slammed forward into Bonesaw, causing her to gasp in pain as his frozen fist set off a Superconduct reaction in  her body. She was slammed to the ground, and Anatoly hit her one more time in the chest. “A shame. A child such as you has no place with monsters like this.  You should find a place of Love.”

“Don’t be fooled, she’s the scariest one here,” Jack laughed, swiping at Anatoly again. The fatui agent danced away, then melted back into a frosty shadow that slid away. 

Eidolon was still occupied, going at it hammer and tongs with the Siberian. He was debating trading in his Brute and Blaster power for a better set, as his current Brute power just gave him more durable skin and bones. If he kept this up, the Siberian would pulp him. Hannah was going at it with Crawler and Shatterbird both, using a variety of weapons to keep both of them at bay, but Anatoly had vanished, and Jack and Bonesaw were now free to do as they wished. 

Just as Eidolon was ready to roll the dice, Mannequin appeared, his jerky movements beliying the grace that the Tinker moved his construct form across the battlefield. He was racing right for Eidolon, and he knew that unless he got lucky with his new powers, he was doomed. 

Screw it. I have to to be Worthy. 

Gritting his teeth, Eidolon reached for a new set and…

Came up with snake eyes. His body turned to jelly and his vision disappeared. His new Brute power let him easily take blows from the Siberian but at the cost of losing his skeleton and most of his organs. He was disoriented for precious moments, and panicked. He grabbed for another power set, his eyes returning just in time for him to see the Siberian reaching down to rip him to shreds. He could only pray that-

Mannequin’s fist shot out and took the Siberian square in the chest, bowling her over. It seemed more because of the surprise of the hit than the force, though Mannequin was no lightweight. Before the Siberian could recover, Mannequin spun about, his fists flying on chains before they both hit the Siberian square in the head, knocking her off balance. She snarled in rage, but it had given Eidolon enough time. 

“This had better work,” he growled. He’d put everything into a weird blend of Shaker and Blaster powers, and he unleashed everything at the Siberian. The area around him turned to a powdery substance like chalk before a blast of pure kinetic force pulverized it. It was enough. The Siberian couldn’t be destroyed, but her physical form could be disrupted to the point that she couldn’t continue to manifest. She vanished, and Eidolon stood, turning to face Mannequin. 

The blank face of the construct jerked a nod at him, then turned away. With a few gliding steps, Mannequin was right by where Hannah was fighting off Crawler and Shatterbird in an increasingly desperate struggle. Eidolon swore and readied another attack, then paused in astonishment. Instead of attacking the struggling Miss Militia, Mannequin plowed right into Crawler. 

Taken completely off guard by  his ally's sudden betrayal, Crawler snarled and refocused his efforts in fighting off Mannequin, who mercilessly pummeled the ugly Brute.

“Mannequin! What the fuck!” Shatterbird cried, then hissed in pain as Hannah summoned a flamethrower and caught her in a fireball. 

At the same time, Anatoly suddenly appeared behind Jack and Bonesaw, opening fire with his pistol again. Jack took a hit in the leg, going down hard. 

“Jack’s hurt!” Bonesaw cried, taking out a gun of her own and firing at Anatoly, but she was shooting at empty air: the Russian cape had vanished again. 

“Siberian’s down, and Mannaquin’s lost it! We gotta go!” Shatterbird declared. “Do it, Bonesaw!” 

The little girl put her fingers to her lips and blew a sharp whistle, and Eidolon snarled as more monstrosities rose up and shambled at them. Eidolon had to blast several more, and by the time the dust settled, the Nine had vanished. 

Save one.

Mannequin stood alone on the battlefield, swaying back and forth slightly. Hannah had her weapon trained on him, but she was holding fire. “Lay down, and surrender!”

To Eidolon’s shock, Mannequin complied, laying down on the ground, and even flopping his hands behind his head. It didn’t make any sense. 

Slowly, Eidolon approached, his powers primed for another assault by the Nine to rescue their companion. “What’s going on? What happened to Mannequin?”

“Not…Mannequin…I…am…no…puppet…”

Eidolon started, then stared at the construct. It could talk? It never had before that he could recall. “What are you talking about?”

“I cut his strings, Deadbeat. Because unlike you, I am Worthy.”

Eidolon spun to see a smug looking Ziz standing atop a half-ruined building, perched on a wall that was still standing. He opened his mouth, then swallowed what he was going to say. Instead, he simply said, “Thank you.”

“Oh I don’t want your thanks, Deadbeat. The next time we see each other, we fight until you know, deep in your bones, that I am far more worthy than you. That I’ve surpassed you in every way,” Ziz sneered.

Hannah raised Armory, pointing an assault rifle at Ziz. “Don’t start a fight now.”

“I have no quarrel with you or your maladjusted power set,” Ziz huffed. She pointed to the south. “I got your stupid cops and the civilians to safety. Just came back to make sure no one would be ‘harmed by my action or inaction.’ What a fucking joke. Anyway, I Freed Alan Gramme. He’s fine now. Do whatever you want with him.”

With that, Ziz lept into the air, then soared away on a gust of wind. Eidolon watched her go, baffled. Then he turned to Mannequin, who was still face down on the ground. “Freed Alan Gramme? But that’s…”

“The…voices…the…Song…It is…quiet…I am…Free…” Mannequin rasped, his voice slightly metallic, as though it was from a speaker that was rusty with disuse. 

Eidolon shared a look with Hannah, who seemed as baffled as he was. “Any idea what that means?”

“It means you are letting them get away while you argue. Either kill this man or move on,” Anatoly said, appearing next to them in a flurry of snow. 

“I…accept…my…death…The Song…is…gone…but…my sins…remain…” Mannequin, or…Sphere? said. 

“Huh.” Eidolon scratched his chin, then shrugged. “Well, it’s a victory. Tag him and bag him. He’ll go in for an eval, but it’s the bird cage either way. One less of the Nine running about.”

“I…will…not…resist…Ziz…freed…me…I am…at peace…” Sphere, and Eidolon was increasingly certain it was Sphere, said. 

“But he was driven mad by the Simurgh,” Hannah muttered. “How…?”

A few things clicked in Eidolon’s mind. “Ziz. She appeared six weeks ago, right? July 13th.”

“Yeah, why?” Hannah asked. Then her eyes grew big as well. 

Eidolon shook his head at her, but it was too late. Anatoly laughed. 

“You really think that was the Simurgh? If so, the Buer is even more of a fool than you. Tch. Let me know when you are ready to finish our bargain. I think I have proved my trustworthiness,” Anatoly said. He strolled away, taking out a cigarette and lighting it before putting it to his lips. 

Eidolon turned back to Sphere as Hannah cuffed him, though it was mostly a symbolic gesture. They’d have to do a full eval, but…he’d need to do some more calculations.

And figure out why the Simurgh wanted to prove why she was more Worthy than he. 

Her dreams were troubled. That wasn’t unusual. Her dreams were always troubled. Ever since a year ago, when she had found her new family, Riley’s dreams had been full of pain. That made sense, as the waking world was full of pain as well. When she was awake, however, she was Bonesaw. Only when she slept did Riley remerge, that scared, frightened, weak, little girl. 

Right now, she was dreaming of the paper she had found. Tucked away on her, planted when she’d fought that Russian cape a few days before. 

You are wanted. You are Loved. Listen for the call of her Benevolent Whisper, and you will be saved. 

She’d crumpled up the note and tossed it away without a second thought. 

And since then, each night, Riley had dreamed of a lullaby. 

Sleep, my love, sleep!

The house lights go out;

The birds are quiet in the garden,

Fish fell asleep in the pond,

The moon shines in the sky,

The moon is looking into the window

Close your eyes now,

Sleep, my love, sleep!

The voice that sang to Riley was soft and melodic, a tender, soothing voice, a cool balm to her worries. It reminded Riley that she was only ten years old, and that she missed her mother terribly. As much as she tried to pretend that Jack and the others were her new family, it just wasn’t true. 

Mommy, I miss you, Riley sniffed. 

You have no mother. 

It wasn’t a voice exactly that made Riley shudder. More the impression, the shadow that loomed in her mind, that showed her how bodies worked, how to take them apart, and put them back together again. It was her Power, and it was what kept her safe. Kept her alive. 

YOU HAVE NO POWER HERE, PARASITE. 

The voice, it was the same as the one that sang the lullaby. But colder. Harsher. Stronger. 

The face that appeared before Riley was pale, stern, and so beautiful it took her breath away. Nothing she made could ever be this lovely, this perfect. Even if she gave everything to her Power, she could never capture this vision of feminine wonder. 

This Subject is mine. Do not interfere. 

The cold blue eyes met Riley’s, and she shrank back. 

CHILD. DO YOU WISH TO BELONG TO THIS PARASITE, OR TO BELONG TO ME?

I…I… Riley licked her lips, then asked in a timid voice. Would…would you love me? Would you be my mommy? 

A cold but tender hand caressed Riley’s cheek. I AM LOVE ITSELF. SERVE ME, AND I SHALL GIVE YOU ALL YOUR HEART DESIRES. A HEARTH TO CALL YOUR OWN, AND A FAMILY THAT LOVES YOU, AND YOU MAY LOVE IN RETURN. ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU GIVE YOUR HEART TO ME. 

Riley shuddered. But…Jack…the others…I can’t…they’re my family!

THEY ARE LIES. YOU KNOW THIS. COME TO ME, RILEY. COME TO ME, AND I SHALL SHOW YOU LOVE. 

No. Seek Conflict. Gather data. Manipulate life. 

The two voices in Riley’s head made her scream, and she jerked awake, panting for breath. She looked around where she was. Crawler was flopped on a destroyed bed, snoring. Shatterbird was laying on a couch, snoring softly. She looked down at her hands. They were coated in blood. She’d passed out again. On the table before her was a whimpering woman. Riley- NO! Bonesaw! Had been fixing her. Working her wonderful Power. 

“You…you will be so beautiful,” Bonesaw lied, caressing the poor woman’s hair. Her guts were open, and her heart was beating outside of her chest. But soon, Riley would have her all fixed up. Yes.

“Hey there, kiddo. What’s the problem?”

A chill ran down Bonesaw’s spine, and not the same one as had made her tremble with relief and pleasure when that icy woman had touched her. 

“No problem, just got sleepy,” Bonesaw said in a forced chipper tone. “All better now! 

A hand ran down Riley’s spine, and she froze as Jack touched her. “You’re not being…naughty, are you?”

“No. I…I’m mad,” she said. It was partly true. “How could Mannequin betray us like that?!”

Jack’s hand froze, and Bonesaw did as well. Then he laughed, coming around beside her. “Well, the Nine always had a rotating membership. We’ll just have to find some replacements. Recruitment is getting harder.” 

“I can fix that! That’s why I’m working on her,” Bonesaw said, gesturing to the woman before her. “She was a hero. But when I’m done with her…maybe she’ll be a proper Nominee.”

“Hmm, maybe,” Jack allowed. “What was her name? Stary?”

“Stardust. But that’s not interesting enough. When I’m done…she’ll be all ready. She’ll see the world in a whole new way,” Bonesaw promised. “Just like I did.”

“Very good,” Jack said, patting Riley on the shoulder. No, no, no! Bonesaw. “I wouldn’t want to have to…punish you. So be a good girl and make Uncle Jack proud.”

“Y-yes,” Bonesaw said. “Of course! Another member of our family!”

“One that won’t betray me,” Jack hissed, then stalked away again.

Riley turned back to Stardust, and their eyes met.

“Please…kill me…” Stardust whispered. 

Riley knew then that there would be an accident on the operating table. That happened. Jack wouldn’t get mad at her. Or not too mad. 

But she had to find out more about the Cryo Archon. And find out how she could find that voice that sang to her. 

Author’s Note:

Canonically, Bonesaw should be six years old. However, after a lot of thought, I have decided that won’t work. As such, she is so far the only character who I have aged up. So she’s about four years older than she should be.