Project Prometheus Ch. 60 - Teaser (Patreon)

Alex dropped into the realm he remembered, with its massive pillars, unending waterfalls, and golden-bronze walkways. He had fallen into this place, much closer to the audience grounds of the Violet Ladies. The big man smiled and took it for a sign that he was becoming stronger with his Aetheric power. That he was more aligned with their power.

Alex then started walking and made his way to the grand audience platform and found his way there. When he arrived, only Eldea was present at the platform when he arrived, and she was facing away from him. Sensing a presence there, she turned around; her face lighting up when she saw it was him.

“You know, you’re getting really good at that,” Eldea told him in a motherly tone.

“So I’ve noticed! Where are the others?” Alex wondered.

“They’ll be along shortly. Since coming to full wakefulness, we have had to spread out to the limits of our home. Tending all the parts that have grown or shrunk beyond our control,” Eldea explained.

“Is that why there are seven of you?” Alex asked.

“In a sense. Because of the power we help manage and the part we play in keeping the Aether flowing, it falls to us to continue managing the energies we have and contribute to,” Eldea told him.

“Energies? What energies?”

“A question for another time. They are here,” Eldea told him as she stood straight. Seconds later, violet energy started to gather in the audience platform. The energy diverged into six separate shapes, each one taking the form of one of the Violet Ladies. Within moments, all seven of them stood by Alex, fully formed and curious about the reason for his visit.

“Visiting us twice in one week? Things must really be afoot if you are coming back to us so soon!” Khairi, the brawny redhead, smirked.

“You could say that. I passed the message on to Matthias and he made the journey to his guide, through the Immaterium,” Alex told the women.

“He went into the Immaterium… alone?” Sumena asked, shocked that such a thing had been done.

“Not quite alone. Gave the man a smattering of my energies that he could call on if he needed it. So did the others, which certainly helped him survive the encounter he had,” Alex informed them.

“What kind of encounter did he have?” Analisa queried, her face one of concern.

“Minions of the Black One, is what our assumption was. Thankfully, the Indigo Knight showed up and pulled his bacon out of the fire,” Alex said as he relayed what happened. He told the story in full, letting the women know every detail of what had happened. All seven of the Violet Ladies were a captive audience at his tale. They breathed a sigh of relief at Matthias being safe and finally connected with his guide.

“He is very lucky that the Indigo Knight found him when she did! If she hadn’t, he might not have made it out alive, or worse!” Fahrai breathed.

“What could be worse than dying in the Immaterium?” Alex asked.

“Having your very soul consumed by a dark entity, then using the energy of your soul, it would then inhabit your physical body. From there, it would wreak havoc wherever it goes, until it is stopped,” Savia told him.

“Stopping such an entity would be difficult?” Alex queried.

“It would. When such entities take possession of a body, the body is… changed… corrupted, until it suits the entity’s needs and desires. Such creatures are… abominations, and would be far more powerful than even you are in your current state,” Yuki explained.

“Damn! Well, I for one am glad that such a thing did not happen! In fact, I am here to ask for your help in preventing such a thing from happening in the future!” Alex said, remembering why he had come there to speak to them.

“What is it you need, Alex?” Eldea asked.