Hex Cycle III — Tertiary Scenes

Tome of The Sixth Sun: Lunacy Trilogy Book III

1. Enemies Within

Reddest Orkh — The Anti-Angel — was newly arrived to the highest zone of Ketheroz, along with a massive army composed of both Dæmon & Druuj (greater and lesser fiends). Trevulguz — their unnatural parent — had gradually paved a path here since escaping from the bottomless abyss of Daath. Indeed, its colossal coils wound through the stormheads far off in the distance.

Meanwhile, sitting upon the high throne, Amoun-Rah silently marveled at the ingenuity and impertinence of these enemies. Never before had such a thing occurred in his monarchal midst. Luckily, several of his honor guards had remained in court during the defense of secondary zones Bynah & Zhokmah. Chief among them was the Archangel, Azhah Vahyzthah. Three more of the seven Amezhah Zpentaz were also present: Ameretath, Armaythyh, and Haurvatath.

Last but certainly not least, the denizens of Ketheroz could count on Bez — the protector troll. In fact, it was he whom responded to Reddest Orkh’s unspoken challenge first. Bez looked somewhat out of place within this otherwise sublime setting. After all, the highest zone of Ketheroz is what we humans might call heaven itself. It was a regal abode filled with indescribably intricate superstructures; metaphysical noumena for physical phenomena.

In any case, Bez grew in stature to match his opponent and stepped up to face the Anti-Angel himself. Existence on this plane was rather boring for Bez, so he welcomed this opportunity to engage in actual action. Not being one for words, Bez immediately bashed his maul against Orkh’s maw!

Orkh’s head snapped back for a moment, yet his tentacle tongue lashed out and latched onto the attacker’s armament. Bez attempted to pull his weapon back but the Anti-Angel’s tongue was remarkably strong. Before long, shark teeth shredded the haft in half and Bez had no choice but to resort to fighting with his fists. Reddest Orkh allowed Bez to take a couple of free shots, which he absorbed while grinning wide. He then extended the claws of one of his leonine paws and tore through the troll’s jugular without any pause!

Even Amoun-Rah winced when he saw Bez having his head severed from its body. Flitting on rarefied air nearby, Zpentah Ameretath asked him:

“Preceptor of Neterz — will you permit this flagrant Abstruction to continue unimpeded in our supreme court?”

“It has come to pass as mother Maath predicted in the past. Only the worst could best Bez.”

Azhah Vahyzthah drew his sword next, but that just made Orkh shrug with delicious laughter. Neither of them had forgotten the trouncing which the latter had dealt the former when they’d fought in orbit of Tellz in the solar system of Orz. Nonetheless, the Archangel rebuked Reddest Orkh:

“Do not rejoice prematurely, despicable Dæmon, for thine arrival is not wholly unexpected. I hoped to rematch with thee, near where our foundry fuels my blade and bow with bountiful energy.”

However, before they began to spar, Amoun-Rah addressed the Anti-Angel:

“Reddest Orkh, I knowest thou thinkest that thy victory is assured, ergo allow me to retort. Since thou art so fond of combat, I hath arranged a suitable punishment for thee and the rest of thine abominable company. Thou shalt battle incessantly across a thousand light years within the galactic center. Steel thyself, because this is merely the beginning of a warring winter.”

With those words, Amoun-Rah and the High Court of Ketheroz faded away and both the angels and the demons found themselves floating amidst frigid space, where numberless stars twinkled from afar. Reddest Orkh was irate and railed:

“Return here at once, thou crafty coward!”

But it was already too late. Anyway Azhah added:

“Fret not, more company is currently coming to join us. Thou hast yet to meet my youngest brother, Zpentah Dex. He is much stronger than I and ought to provide plenty of sport. In the meantime, we shouldst warm up. Have at thee — foul fiend!”

Azhah’s falchion flared and the Anti-Angel angrily gripped his weapon; Kernunnoz’ Antler. So commenced the thousand light year battle…

2. Friends Without

Zpentah Dex was definitely on the way to Ketheroz, though not exactly in one piece. In order to simultaneously defend zones Bynah & Zhokmah, he’d had to split his Khabz from its Khuh. At the moment this meant that he was divided in two.

In zone Bynah, Dex was flanked by fellow Zpentah, Kzhathrah Vayryuh and Minister Aywaz — Patriarch of Yazadz. Yazadyh Ztellah brought up the rearguard, comprised of a thousand Yazadz from her sorority. They stood near the portal to pathway Beth, waiting for the heavenly gatekeeper — Vortexyuh.

In zone Zhokmah, Dex was accompanied by his other brother, Vohu-Manah and Prince Ztaoth. An angelic legion of Fravahz loyal to Ztaoth (as well as their mother, Queen Manthrah) provided back cover for them. This contingent stood by the portal to pathway Aleph, anticipating the arrival of Vortexyuh.

Unfortunately, the Dæmon & Druuj had stolen her personal passageway when they made for Ketheroz earlier on. Therefore, she would never show. Yet somehow, she was able to transmit a message to the gold and silver spires of these higher zones. Messengers bore the bulletin to each group, wherefore (in either frame) Dex decreed:

“I’m afraid to say that our dearest Vortexyuh has suffered a delay. Which is why we must make haste to an impromptu entryway at Daleth — which will open soon — for a very short stay.”

Thus, both expeditions flew toward Daleth with extra expeditiousness.

3. Allies All About

Orbiting Marz in the zone of Geburah, Vortexyuh stood alongside Major General Zadokh and Special Sergeant Zeudh of the Marz Imperial Konautz. An army of Konautz numbering in the tens of thousands was presently reorganizing itself under their direction. Damaged mechs and injured pilots were being shuttled back to the red planet’s surface aboard a steady stream of frigate vessels. Likewise, freshly minted reinforcements were arriving to bolster the continuing war effort.

Though the latest battle had been won, casualties were more than nominal while too many of their enemies got away scot-free. Anyhow, foremost among those joining them now was Qualyuh; a mutual friend of Zadokh & Zeudh. She brought her Konauth close to theirs and hailed them as well as Vortexyuh:

“Howdy hellcats, and my fair lady. Imperator ßeroß has sent me ahead to inform you that we’re nearly set. His own custom Konauth is powering up in Amazonyuh Planyzyuh together with the Imperial Y-Wing. He intends to see this military mission through himself and I’m sure that none can deter him from such a course.”

Vortexyuh voiced her concerns:

“I do hope you all realize what you are getting yourselves into. I have lost access to my personal portal, at least temporarily. This means that we shall have to traverse half the length of pathway Teth and then travel up Gymelh, past the awful abyss of Daath, before finally arriving on the outskirts of Ketheroz. Unknown dangers await us and I hate putting others at risk.”

Zeudh soothed her mind:

“Don’t worry about us mistress vortex. We Hybryd-ÜZ yearn for adventure and are always ready to lay our lives down. Our ancestors were true lunatics, who came here from Lunah. They sacrificed everything they loved so that we could become the hardy folk you see before you. Every Imperator before ßeroß has perished during active duty.”

Down below, ßeroß was almost ready to go. No matter how terrible the foe, he had more than enough firepower to put on one heck of a show!

Author’s Note: This segment is part of an ongoing LIVE novel. A full listing of chapters follows.

Further Readings

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Many characters mentioned in this chapter originate in Lunacy Trilogy Book II — A Codex For Gnostics: