//------------------------------//
// Fanfare for a God 
// Story: The Last Human 
// by Crooked Djinn 
//------------------------------//

	You walked. You could do nothing but walk. After that brief period of mourning, you both pressed on. Celestia's wing was then bandaged to the best of your abilities. You doubted she'd be flying any time soon. As for yourself, you had long since wiped the blood away from your mouth which left it with a metallic taste. As the both of you continued to make your way through the streets, not once did you open your mouth to speak. There was nothing to be said. The both of you were too busy thinking. Over and over, the last hour surged through your mind. You kept thinking "Could I have done something to prevent it?"

You began to pick apart everything that happened, to think on every possibility. If you had saw the trip wire, had you made the shield bigger. If you held on to Spike just a little tighter. All these things were variables that taunted you and made you feel like you were on the edge of madness. Celestia was no better. She no longer smiled. It wasn't so much a surprise, considering what had happened. She mostly kept her gleeful nature even in the most dire situations. Now she remained silent with her eyes slowly rocking back and forth, apathetically taking in the sights of the ancient city.

District Two was a lot smaller than the others. Rather, the very large buildings dotting the area took up a lot of space, which made it seem that way. All around you were giant stone walls and impressive gateways. Roads and streets split off from the main path to continue towards  other buildings. Retrieving the magazine from your back pocket, you once again find the page with the picture of Eden. Though you couldn't very much see the building itself, you could very clearly see the gate. A large archway crowned with an owl. That was what the both of you kept an eye out for. Holding the lantern aloft, you scan the sides of the roads, the many towers and turrets still looming in shadow.

No owl found. Eden was becoming very difficult to find. With the stifling silence between you and the princess, the search was becoming uneventful and boring. You wanted a distraction; something to bar your mind from your thoughts. Unfortunately, there was nothing. Only silence that plunged your mind into a vast well of regrets and sorrow. You found yourself wanting to stop thinking all together. Thankfully, Celestia's presence alone was enough to stop you from delving into thought. The sound of her hooves walking on the stone roads was a metronome that kept you aloft. Her calm and weary breaths sounded in your ears, letting you know that she, at least, was still alive.

As the both of you continued to walk, you noticed how the large buildings were decreasing as you progressed. They were no longer clustered and cramped together, but now more spaced out. You came to a stop at a crossroad, unsure where to go next. Ahead of you were walls that spanned both left and right with the road continuing down the middle. For a moment, you considered taking a left, that was until Celestia casually stepped forward to continue across the street. She stepped off the curb, leaving you. She seemed distracted. Droning on forward as if she no longer were searching and merely wandering.

You follow her, picking up your pace to rejoin her side. As you looked around, you saw that the walls continued down the road along side you. Celestia hadn't seemed to notice for she merely continued without giving them any thought. You take note of the walls, realizing that the further down you went, the more the walls fell into disrepair. They became cracked and crumbled, some segments completely destroyed and creating large holes. Whatever compound was behind these walls must have seen great damage over the years. It was also quite big. What was behind these walls must have been very important. Then it occurred to you that you may have found the place.

You slightly walk faster, only drawing ahead of Celestia a tad bit. You wanted to feel excited, but found that you could not. You were having a hard time feeling anything. The walls were coming to a stop, connecting with an archway that spanned over the street. Lifting the lantern higher, you try and get a look of the crowning figure atop the arch. Celestia had noticed, now hurrying to match your stride. She looked up, trying her best to make out the large statue. As you got closer, the statue came into light. A large metal owl, its two mighty wings spread beautifully, the words "Knowledge is Power" written boldly below. This was Eden. The heavy wooden doors leading inside were toppled and split, welcoming you inside its walls. You stopped, staring at the gate and the owl that lured down at you with its lifeless brass eyes.

"Are you ready?" 

Celestia asked, breaking her long silence. For a moment, you were hesitant. What laid ahead could very well endanger the both of you. With each milestone towards Eden, someone had died. Who was to say she, or you, wouldn't die if you stepped inside? Alas, you had already come too far. It wasn't all or nothing. Whatever came at you, you would protect her. You knew she'd do the same for you. You nodded at her, patting the base of her neck with your right hand as you moved on. Stepping over the fallen doors, you entered the compound that was riven with large cracks and fallen debris.

Eden was particularly ravaged by the Aliik'ir. Large buildings had been toppled, and the area was singed with black ash. Walls were destroyed and rubble dotted the surrounding complex. It was a complete ruin. You and Celestia continue on, moving about the ruin like mice through a maze. You didn't specifically know what you were looking for; only 'Heaven's Gate'. Whatever that was. It could be a literal gate. Or something completely different. A small device or ideology. Regardless, you pressed on. Eager to find answers, but still apprehensive.

"Are you afraid?"

She asked. You were tempted to ignore her. You didn't like having distractions from the goal. Being afraid would mean you would be hesitant. To be hesitant in a world like this would mean death. You had to be fearless. Unfeeling. You had to be strong, for your sake and hers. But that didn't stop the fear from slithering into you, suggesting dreadful thoughts and wonders into your mind.

"I am.....anxious."

Your reply came with a slight tremble of the voice. Celestia then moved closer to you, walking within inches from you as you explored Eden.

"As am I. There's no telling what we'll find here...."

She trailed off, the silence once again walking beside you two, instilling a moment's hush. Then she spoke again, softly. Ever so softly in the darkness that was a ruined Agartha.

"Regardless of what we find, no matter what we may face, I will be here with you. Even if your fear consumes you and drives you into a panic, I will be there to calm you."

As she said this, you felt the hairs on your arms and neck stand on end. And your heart began to race rapidly as a well of emotion swirled within you like a dragon's core.

"Celestia.... Thank you."

Looking to her, you could see the fierce determination on her face. She was committed to you, bound by threads of affection and reverence. You were hers, and she wouldn't let anything harm you.

"You have been a tremendous help to me, both physically and emotionally. I trust that you'll continue to be, long after this. Even if I falter, and fall into despair, you will be all I need. In the darkness, there will always be your light. A beacon that calls to me. All I need is for you to love me, and I will be well."

Then, with a single motion, you stopped and brought her into a tight hug, slinging your arms around her neck and bringing her close. It always felt nice to confide in her. She truly was amazing. To have her to yourself was a little less than a dream. You then parted, staring into her as she stared into you. A bridge between your hearts spanned the gaps. She was yours.

"Now and forever. Don't you ever forget that." She said

She meant it. By coming here and sticking with you, she had sacrificed her magic, her peace of mind, and even her wing. Smiling, she brushed you aside with her good wing.

"Towards the back is a large building. If we follow the main path, we'll find it." she said as she started off. You looked ahead of you, confused. A very large pillar had fallen on the road. It much too large to see over. How could she know where she was headed?

"How do you know?"

With her good wing, she pointed to a fallen sign a few feet from you. The archaic words read "Tree of Knowledge, straight ahead." You chuckle to yourself as you join her. The both of you would have to round the large pillar to continue on. Once you did, the complex became barren, the only landmark being the large building in the background.

It looked very large, even from far way. Two long wings spanned left and right, and in the center, a gigantic slab of smoothed stone stretched up into the submerged sky, coming to a sharp tip. Rows upon rows of of buttresses aligned the walls. Arches and lunettes lining the large doors and halls. It was an elegant cathedral, as marvelous as the palace. But that wasn't all that snagged your awe. In the midpoint, between you and the cathedral was a great big tree. The biggest tree you had ever seen. It was at least twenty bodies wide and as tall as the cathedral. Its canopy cast a thick shade. As you approached, you could see the many details that came with the massive tree.

Ledges were carved into its trunk. No, not ledges, but shelves. On them rested many artifacts. Mostly books. Valuable and holy books. Jewels and gems were embedded into the tree, each row spanning up the tree and into its thick branches. Leafs still fell from its branches, each leaf the size of a head. They twinkled like stars as they floated down gently on an absent breeze. A plaque was nailed to it. A plaque of platinum that read:

"Dedicated to His Majesty Judea and his life long friend, Solomon Khalifa; whose friendship, like a tree's branches, spiraled out into the sky that was the universe and bore the fruits of knowledge."

You read it aloud, Celestia peeking over your shoulder and attempting to read as well.

"This is quite the dedication. They must have been very good friends." you said.

"A marvelous gift. Not many could compare to something like this."

Celestia spoke as she rounded the tree. She took in the many relics that had fallen and still remained on the tree's face.

"I wouldn't say that. I think I'd rather something much more tangible than a tree."

You approach the tree, climbing atop its large roots. Reaching onto a shelf, you grab something that had fallen face down. You turned it towards you as you retrieved it, studying it. It was a portrait small enough to place on a desk. It seemed to be of a child King Judea on the left and another beside him. The right side was faded completely. You could only see the other child's legs. You presumed the other child to be this Solomon Khalifa. The young king smiled brightly. Happy, yet sickly. He was frail and looked rickety. You wondered if he looked similar in the picture in the magazine.

"Anon?" Celestia called back to you.

She was already halfway to the Cathedral.

"I'm right behind you!"

Placing the picture back on its stand, you stepped down from the tree. The picture of the young king sticking with you in the back of your mind. After catching up to Celestia, you both came to the doors of the cathedral. They hung open, just like the gates of Eden. Taking a deep breath, you nodded to Celestia. Both of you stepped forward, taking your first steps into the ghostly lab.

It was dark. A darkness blacker than black, emptier than a chasm. Your lantern could hardly climb the walls, the great hall being too expansive to allow such a thing. The floors were a dusty ivory, still smooth and untouched for eons. Your own breathing seemed to echo off the walls and your steps were as loud as firecrackers as you moved through the hall. You felt a presence other than you both in the darl as if it bustled with live people. Scientists going this way and that, carrying things to various labs. Working, working, working. Loud conversations carrying up the hall. She felt it too. It made her uneasy and she was closer than before. It was like stepping into a haunted house.

It was cool, a breeze grabbing at your ankles and sending slight shivers up your spine. In the cold, you could feel Celestia's body heat flow to you. Having her close really did wonders. For what felt like hours you both wander through the many halls of the cathedral, passing through countess doorways and even numerous arches. So far, all you managed to find were small labs littered with broken class and other destroyed instruments. Soon you had returned to the main hall. You had passed through it a number of times on your way through the left and right wings, each time discovering something new, like statues, shelves of books, and artifacts that had long since lost their purpose. If you had time, you would study them. They captured your curiosity, but that was out of the question. As time passed, you were even more eager to find Heaven's Gate.

Finally, after crossing the hall so many times and working your way through many corridors, you reached the back of the cathedral. There was a door. Not the first, but very unique. It was completely made of stone. Smooth granite that barred you entry. In its center was a circle. A dial with ancient runes carved into it. A very dim light shined and reminded you of the door to the Reading Room back in Tzipuur. It emitted a magic. It had maintained power for so long, but there was no guarantee it would open for you. Still, you opted to try. You didn't quite know what you were expecting as you lifted your right hand, placing your palm against the runic circle.

Celestia watched in curiosity as you waited. For a moment, there was nothing. And then, as if conducting lightning, something shot into you, sifting around before returning to the glyph on the door. And then, the light became bright, a pale green shining brighter than your lantern. The door began to give way. A loud rumble echoed throughout the hall as it began to lift upward. You expected darkness on the other side, but instead were hit by bright red fire. It clashed with your eyes, forcing you to look away for a moment. When you looked back, you could see that the entire back wall had given way, revealing the lake of fire surrounding the city. Eden was on the very edge of District Two.

You and Celestia then stepped inside, cautiously. It was hot again; almost stiflingly so as you entered the large room. It was filled to the brim with various devices. All looking very advanced, even by what you've seen so far. Some apparatuses you couldn't make heads or tails of. As you scanned the floor and walls of the chamber, your eyes rested on one thing. A door.

But not just any door. This door was large, as all things in the human world were, but also very unique. It was framed by gold and lined with platinum. Diamonds were etched into its face as well as delicate engravings. From the frame were tubes and wires, trailing off and connecting with various consoles and terminals. You felt it in your gut that this was what you had been looking for; your final destination within Eden. You had found Heaven's Gate. You nearly drop the lantern as you hurry over to it, your feet almost not being able to carry you fast enough. The gate stood like a silent beast. An ocean of potential radiated from it. You could feel it.

"We've found it!" you shout, balling your fists in excitement.

Celestia looked at the door with wide eyes, awed by its decor. It seemed otherworldly and holy. It was much different from anything she had ever seen.

"It's so......large." She said, approaching it carefully.

She searched around it, not looking for anything in particular, and also marvelling at it. You did the same, looking for anything; any sort of clue that would give any context as to what exactly it was. Looking closely, you had noticed that the door was slightly open. Cracked, the gap only being an inch in width. As you stared into it, you got a sick feeling that made you feel anxious. You ignored it, knowing better than to let it get to you.

"Where should we start?" You ask.

Celestia then looked around, the lake of fire providing enough light to see the room clearly now.

"Maybe there is something in those devices? They seem to be connected to the gate."

She pointed at the consoles. It was a start. You place the lantern down and rush over to the banks of buttons and levers. Flat panes of glass jutted out from the top of the banks, almost like windows. You try a few buttons and levers. At first yielding no results. You didn't let that stop you. You were too eager! As you kept trying to bring the machine to life, Celestia wandered around some more, taking in the sight of it all. No doubt this room held the height of human technology. It was almost sacred in a way. There were so many things she could learn. About humans, about the world. She would know far more than anyone, pony or man.

In the back, you had resorted to pounding on the console in frustration. You were so close. Literally standing in the epicenter of the fall, yet you could do nothing. It was infuriating. You slam your fist into the bank one last time, hitting a button. With that, the machines around you stuttered, and then roared to life, lighting up and humming quietly. Celestia then looked at you, curious as to what had happened. You simply shrug as you return to the bank. On the panes of glass, you noticed that words began to flash across it. It was a screen.

[Linking to Paradiso....]

The phrase flashed across the screen, blinking. You call Celestia over and she comes quickly, leaning over your shoulder to look at the screen. A few seconds past. Each second a machine roaring loudly and gears turning.

[Link established. Confirming location of Metatron.....]

Dials on the console began to spin. Bouncing between left and right and lights began to blink on and off.

[Heaven achieved. Awaiting G.E.L.N.D Testament....]

You read the statement, now lost. You didn't know at all what it meant. A compartment opened and a rod protruded out from it. A stubbed knob was attached to the end, facing straight up. It was just like the device that granted you access into Agartha from the Tower of Babel.

"The key. You still have it don't you?" Celestia asked.

You stumbled into your pocket, surprised that the peculiar stone would be of any use to you now. Withdrawing it from your pocket, you brought it up to your eye, the hole in the center aligning with the gate ahead of you.

"Alright. Let's see what befell mankind..."

You place the stone on the knob. You remember the combination. Left, left, right, right, in. You do just that, turning it two clicks to the left, two to the right, before finally pushing down on the lever. At first, all noise stopped. And then the floor began to rumble. You and Celestia stumble back and forth and you fall on the bank, looking up at the screen.

[G.E.L.N.D key accepted. Resuming rapture.]

You then looked to the gate that was now pulsating with power, leaking into your world from a plane beyond. The gate was opening. The pulses began to send shock waves of energy into the room. So powerful, they were almost visible. You and Celestia watched as the door slowly groaned to life.

[PLAY]

A light spilled into the room, flooding it like a sea of gold. Around you the machines began to roar, almost chanting in a sense as the gate began to slowly open. The cathedral was beginning to give way. Parts of the ceiling now came crashing down from above, smashing anything under them. You and Celestia then moved to the back wall for safety.The floor stretched out from under the roof, putting you completely outside as you watched the chaos flow through the lab. Then, as if by powerful command, the gate flew open. Light burst into the room, flying in streams as it bounced off the walls.

The room filled with actual chanting of gospels. A choir. And then from Heaven's Gate came marching angels. Tall, beautiful angels with six massive wings, fire encasing them as if they were torches. Great beacons of God. But they were only a fanfare. A preamble for what was to come. They hadn't seemed to have noticed you as they formed a gauntlet. Then lastly, stepping from the gate was something, rather, someone you couldn't believe was there.

It was a man, more beautiful than these angels and much more elegant as he seemed to glide out from the light beyond the gate. He was naked, curled into the fetal position as he glided through the air to stop at the center. His hair was like the golden rays of the sun as it cascaded down his back. Two wings sprouted from behind him, wrapping him in a ball. And then his sphere became undone. Uncurling himself, he stepped onto the floor, his feet delicately placing themselves on the ground. His movements were slow. Carefree.

You and Celestia both stood speechless as you watched the scene unfold. You especially. You were wracked to the core with nerve. Emotions went berserk within you as you tried to process exactly what you were seeing. It was impossible. Slowly, the man in the center of the room began to raise his head. His hair covering his face as he stood up. You were shaking. In that moment. Every memory. Every thought you once had was rushing back into you. You were remembering. It was a flood of information that took you like a tidal wave. You watched as the man then turned to you. He knew you were there. He had known ever since the gate had opened. But only now did he actually turn to you. His eyes were golden. Two stars embedded in his pupils as his stare shot through you. You knew him. And he knew you. Celestia had been trying to calm you this entire time. She kept asking what was wrong and why you were so shaken. But you couldn't give her an answer. The moment you locked eyes with him, you snapped.

".........Judea!"

The name leaves your mouth like a great ghastly howl. The man then smiled, clashing with your immense frown. Instantly you stepped forward and drew your rifle. That man had to die.

"Anon! What are you doing!?"

Celestia shouted, she tried to calm you, but you shrugged her away. You wouldn't be swayed by anything now. Instantly, you took the shot. The light coursed through the air faster than a blink. It crashed into Judea's palm, blocking it. Judea said nothing as his angels then surrounded him. Chaos then followed. Without any effort, they ripped apart the console, compacting them and melding them into three great big rods. Before you knew it, these rods were flying at you at an insane speed. You could only stand there as they propelled towards you.

You didn't feel anything as one hit you directly in the side. Another grazing your head, drawing blood. The final one beaming directly for your heart. But as your luck would have it, it slammed against the thick golden medallion Celestia had given you with a tremendous clang. The impact still rocked you off your feet, making you spew blood from your mouth as you flew backwards off of the cliff and downward, spiraling towards death. You screamed in agony as you plummeted and began to faint. It occurred to you that you had just possibly unleashed Hell. The last thing you could see was a pillar of light rocketing through the cavern ceiling, Judea, his angels and the gate all ascending to the surface, leaving you to drown in fire.