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Azrael Erebus · (09-16-2019)

To witness Azrael Erebus' laboratory is to view the internal structure of a real-life, mad scientist's sanctuary. However, this is only to an extent. Amidst the array of peculiar inventions and machines, there dwells a transcendent, ethereal aura. Brought forth by the energy summoned from every component or element that can be registered on the supernatural side of the equation. It is only amplified by the existence of things that are not meant to exist, the proof that in fantasy, legend and lore, sometimes there's truth.

Here... a powerful yet forbidden essence of mysticism and magic, literally radiated from potions and elixirs of every design. While jewels, crystals and stones - precious treasures encased in enchantment, called out and begged for attention. Look a bit further and that's when your blood would run cold, for that's when one could encounter items designated for a much darker design in sorcery. Talismans, charms and various objects created for the purpose of rituals and curses, things that tainted the soul; little by little, with every use. Then there were the ancient artifacts, pieces of the past long since forgotten and others that were simply conceived as mere myth. Discoveries and prizes unearthed from some of the most deadly and dangerous expeditions. Volumes upon volumes of texts (books), were accompanied by scrolls and even centuries old parchments, all dedicated to providing knowledge on the extraordinary, strange and unusual. If one came here seeking answers and their desire was to make sense of the senseless, then this was where you would look and if you still didn't find what you were after, there was always Azrael's journals. Recorded accounts of creatures and events, no one else could have had the pleasure of experiencing.

Fantastic and frightening, this place drew your curiosity like a moth to a flame and kept it in place with a firm sense of illicit allure and intrigue. Like peeking behind the wizard's curtain, fear of the unknown made you want to flee, while an intense desire to uncover secrets, kept your feet cemented to the floor. A juxtapose in its finest, nothing less was to be expected and why would it?

This was where the stark cold hard facts of science met the mysterious. Where reality was challenged, the lines were blurred and everything that you've come to know as the truth, takes flight, just as easily and as freely, as an empty plastic bag caught in an updraft. Right before it sailed out of an open window, never to be seen again. That is how it is for most of the individuals that have come into contact with Azrael's lab. The initial sight of it all can be a tad overwhelming and it takes a few moments to gather yourself together, especially when you look up and see two giant wrought iron cages, hanging from the ceiling and start to silently wonder, now what did Azrael ever need those things for?

After some time this eventually passes and you're able to focus on why you were there in the first place but there's always that introductory pause that establishes itself, right at the beginning, before anything can be discussed or spoken about at all. Why it is such a commonplace occurrence, Azrael has come to anticipate it, merely as a thing that happens and nothing more. Imagine his surprise when young Bradley Thomas, didn't suffer from silent shock and bewilderment, like so many prior to Bradley were fated to have befall them, from the mere sight of the place. When Bradley exclaimed with undeniable exuberance as he looked about in astonishment and delight.

"Whoa! This place is so... cool!"

Bradley's exclamation drew a chuckle from Azrael as he shook his head and walked over to a long metal table littered with various gadgets and contraptions. The explanation behind Bradley's enthusiasm was simple, he was still a young boy and the world hadn't yet pulverized his sense of adventure or love of whimsy. Which explains why the troll gave the shiny gold rock to him over a year ago and why Bradley brought a shimmering silver rock to the spaceman now. Proclaiming that it held a resemblance to the gold rock that served as Azrael's prison. He wasn't trapped within the confines of what was thought of as reality and was willing to challenge its basic, rudimentary aspects, in pursuance of answers. In other words, the kid still believed impossible things could happen and wasn't an old, jaded, dream killing, stick in the mud.

"So what's the plan? How are you going to find out what's inside that silver rock?"

"I was thinking I'd use a giant metal hammer that I borrowed from the god of thunder. One quick tap should do the trick."

"Really?"

"Hah! No. I'm going to examine it."

Azrael stated over his shoulder as he situated the silver rock under the lens of what appeared to be a binocular microscope, looking through the eye piece he began to turn a dial that would normally only control the focus on this type of apparatus.

"And you're going to do that with a stereo microscope?"

"Is that what it looks like I'm doing?"

"Yes."

"Well, rest assured, I'm not using a meager stereo microscope. While the piece of equipment that I'm using appears to be an ordinary binocular microscope, it is indeed much more than that. Its operations surpass the simplistic capabilities of that limited device rather exceedingly."

Those words didn't do anything except raise more questions. Bradley Thomas sighed and sat down on a nearby chair.

"So what does it do?"

"On top of magnifying the object, this device measures age, density and it allows me to see the object's temperature. Right down to its very core. You'd be surprised how often that differs from the surface of an object. For instance I am in possession of a gem that is positively ice cold to the touch, yet its core burns with the same intensity of the sun. The surface of the gem stays cold when it's dormant. Aside from measuring it with this device, you would never know the center was that hot... not until it was activated anyway. Then the gem would start heating up real fast. Within minutes it would be way too hot for any human hand to hold. We're talking skin melted to putty and bones burnt brittle, it would literally burn straight through a human's hand and fall to the floor, where it would continue picking up heat. Meanwhile, the person that attempted to hold it, would have a gem shaped hole in their hand. However, that would be the least of their worries because once the gem is activated, there's only one course of action to take."

"What's that?"

A ripple of laughter was sent through Azrael's body, when he heard Bradley's question and despite his better judgement he soon realized, he was answering the inquiry, in a tone far too mirthful for the subject matter. Oh well, nobodies perfect, not even valiant saviors of the universe.

"Find another planet to live on cause yours is about to be blown to smithereens... but not before the gem sends out a massive blast of scorching heat that sizzles all life to a crisp. So in hindsight the planet's destruction isn't really your main concern, since you'd be dead, well before it explodes. Still it's all around bad news to activate it on a planet that you live on."

Most would have been extremely troubled to learn that there was that kind of gem in existence, expressly with the knowledge that it was also the property of an unpredictable, highly impulsive alien, only making it worse. This was not the case for Bradley Thomas. Probably because the gravity of the situation didn't register with him yet. Don't fret, he'll get there... eventually.

"Why do you own that and think it's a good idea to keep it here on Earth?"

The explanation came quick and earnestly. With zero hesitation.

"It's the safest place for it, I live here."

Followed closely by a brief burst of snickering.

"Besides, it's not the sole, planet destroying object, in this room."

Finally the relayed information gave Bradley a cause for pause and maybe some slight concern as he gazed into the vast interior of Azrael's laboratory. In that instant, he looked on in horror as everything stretched out to an infinite, limitless space, in every direction and he suddenly felt, exceptionally small. This was in truth, not real. No. In the actual, true, physical existence that surrounded him, nothing was altered. That didn't stop him from being overtaken by a sensation that told him otherwise.

"What do you need those things for?"

To say that Azrael's response was calm, would be underplaying it. He spoke with the same casual nature, one may use, when speaking about stocking up on batteries or light bulbs.

"You never know when the need to eradicate an entire planet might arise."

Enough was enough, Bradley had to switch topics.

"Right. So how's it going with the rock's examination?"

"It doesn't seem to be that old, three years at the most and there doesn't appear to be any source of heat, emanating from within. From what I can tell, this is nothing more than a rock. Sorry Bradley, I know you wanted it to be something more but sometimes, what you see is precisely what you get."

"What if it's dormant? Like the gem you spoke about. What if you need to do something in order to activate it?"

"What do you suggest I do?"

"I don't know, you're the spaceman, this is your territory of expertise. Making sense out of nonsense. Solving mysteries, cracking the codes and finding answers to an enigma. No matter how odd or abnormal the situation surrounding it seems to be."

Bradley Thomas wasn't the only person that defined Azrael like this, it was a pretty well known fact that if you needed help and the circumstances of your problem were weird, you went to Azrael. This was a reputation that would follow him forever.

"Okay. Tell me how you broke open the gold rock."

"I picked it up and accidentally dropped it."

"You dropped it? That's it?"

"It was heavy. Real heavy. The thing only increased in weight too. That's how it crashed through two floors and left a crater in solid cement. I don't know how that tiny troll carried the thing, much less picked it up."

"Well this rock is light and judging by your ease in transporting it, I'm guessing you noticed that too."

Obvious. Bradley internally kicked himself for being such an idiot. That was so obvious. Why didn't he think of that before bringing the silver rock to Azrael? Now he resembled any other typical, stupid kid. This was awful. Dropping his focus to his shoes, he sighed.

"I suppose that means I was wrong..."

Shoulders instantly slumping, Bradley was weighed down by possible failure and foolish, unwarranted ambition.

"It's clearly, nothing more than a rock."

One thing that the spaceman truly hated, was seeing someone lose faith in themselves. Becoming disheartened and depressed. Knowing that he technically encouraged this outcome and that the dreams he shattered also belonged to a child, well that made it ten times worse. Yet who better qualified to uplift a downtrodden spirit, than the fearless galaxy traveler. Even if he was the one to inspire this decline in determination, when he metaphorically sent a pin into Bradley's balloon with his words, ultimately deflating it in the process. There were times when Azrael defied every reason and law of physics, destroyed the very foundation of reality and made the impossible, possible just for the heck of it. He never knew when to quit or give up and would journey to the end of time and space, if it meant ascertaining the truth. If Bradley Thomas says there was something more to the silver rock... then by the sanctioned gods, there was something more to the silver rock.

"Maybe not. There might be something else that I can try."

Picking up the shimmering, silver rock Azrael clutched it tight within his hand as a blazing golden radiance, consumed his fist. This light seemed to leave his body and seep into the rock. Not long after this happened, the rock began to glow in an almost pulsating fashion. Each flare brighter than the last, they were rhythmic in the way a heartbeat could be perceived, steady and consistent. Azrael opened his hand and lifted it close up to his face, with the silver rock resting on his palm; doing its impression of the world's slowest strobe light, he inspected the silver rock thoroughly.

"Unbelievable."

From there he put the silver rock against his ear and listened. As soon as he did this, an ecstatic expression of elation crossed his face, he was obviously thrilled by what he heard.

"What?"

The question caused Azrael to lower his hand.

"The rock."

Jubilation filled Azrael's voice as he gave the silver rock a toss up into the air.

"It's alive!"

Catching it swiftly he glanced at Bradley.

"That is... I think it's alive. There's a definite sound of life stirring around inside of it, indicating that at the very least, there is something that's living, dwelling within it. It also seems to be gaining weight. I'd say it weighs at least 45lbs now. Give or take a pound. Which is totally besides the point. The point is that you were right Bradley and I never should have doubted you... not for one second, shame on me for doing so because this is unequivocally, without question, more than a mere rock."

Previously distracted by his own words, Azrael stopped speaking when he noticed the silver rock wasn't blinking anymore. Instead it now gave off an uninterrupted, continual glow. Setting the silver rock on the stone floor of his laboratory, Azrael took a step back, his gaze firmly planted on the rock as its brilliance grew in strength. Until it was almost intolerable for even Azrael to bear and the entire room was flooded with nothing but a pure silver light. An effulgence so bright, it made everything else in the room practically invisible and then, it detonated, sending a wave of illumination outward. Blasting towards everything in the room, the light engulfed it all. It was like existing within a star. Only then was Azrael forced to look away and when he returned his sights to where the rock had previously laid, he gasped. The slight sound pulled Bradley's hands down from his eyes and he looked on and watched as Azrael, slowly approached a woman that was gradually rising up from the floor. Azrael stopped several inches from her as their eyes met.

For a moment, it was quiet. So quiet you could hear a pin drop. Then the spaceman spoke, his voice scarcely above a whisper.

"Alara. Sister is that you?"

After that his voice cracked, broke as if he were fighting back tears. The woman blinked and briefly looked down, almost in a confused manner, like she was attempting to process everything. Her eyes widening as her breathing became rapid and erratic, she raised her hands to the sides of her head, where they stayed clenched into fists. Clearly panicking, she backed up and stumbled but Azrael surged forward and caught her before she could topple to the hard stone floor. Snapping his fingers, they were both transported from laboratory to living room, where he gently placed her on the sofa. That's when the first sign of recognition, flickered within her gaze. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Azrael. Hands falling to her lap, in a very weak voice, she whispered.

"Azrael. You found me."

That's all it took for the man from the stars to crumble to his knees. Those words made him drop down in front of his sister. His arms immediately wrapping around her, he pulled her close and hugged her tightly as tears streamed freely from both his eyes. His body occasionally seizured from the soft sound of a sob.

"I found you."

"Relentless. The XWF's next pay-per-view event. Wrestlers will be tested to their limits and face opponents of the most amazing caliber. Meanwhile, I get to fight Dolly Waters, a fifteen year old girl that circled the drain a few months ago; after her short lived comeback, fell down the drain, got washed into the sewer and recently climbed on up out of the toilet..."

"...only to claim a loss to Unknown Soldier."

"Who's really surprised by that one though?"

"Now, I'm not sure who thought this fight was a good idea, a seven foot tall spaceman with powers facing a tiny girl, that's clearly not ready to wrestle but there's some seriously sick bastard in management that wants to see her suffer. Probably enjoys watching torture porn on the dark web too. This is a wrestling company, not a place for you to illustrate your demented fantasies via your subordinates. Sure the fights should be brutal and vicious but by the sanctioned gods, she's a little girl. I don't care if she fell off five hundred foot scaffolding in the past, it's obvious the girl is broken and unable to fight in that capacity anymore. To put her in a match with me after she was already brutalized by Soldier, well that's just cruel and unusual punishment."

"Don't get me wrong, I'll still do my job but there's no way I'm going into this fight with everything I've got. I'll wind up killing her if I do that! And I'm not about to be responsible for the death of a child. Still she's my opponent and I have an obligation, on top of that she wants to fight, clearly she must need the cash. I can't see any other reason why she'd return. She must be really desperate for the money and at the end of the day, who am I to deny her the funds for her clinic visits, chore boy, three dollar glass pipes with tiny roses in them that you can find at the gas station and of course, heavy supply of crack? Like father, like daughter, I suppose. I'll make her defeat quick."

"You're welcome in advance, Dolly."

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