Read Online The Shadowed Manse by David Alastair Hayden, Pepper Thorn - Free Book Online
Authors: David Alastair Hayden, Pepper Thorn
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the other green. The red one was glowing; it was noticeable but not very bright.
“So if the light is green,” Morgan said, “and we open the door …”
“You will step out into a new world, but not just any world. You will be in the one place in the universe where the Multiversal Paladin is most needed. Finding that place and getting you there safely will be my job.”
“So you could guide us back home,” said Morgan, “if we wanted to return?”
“I could … under normal circumstances. But there will be no return to your home — no going anywhere — until the Manse is restored, and all the Entropian forces within are eradicated.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen, because we don’t have any way to kill them.” Arthur said. “All I’ve got is a blue belt in karate.” He pointed to the sword that he’d dropped when Ylliara’s explosive arrival blew him across the room. “And that didn’t do me much good.”
“That is but a ceremonial blade,” Ylliara replied. “There are powerful weapons capable of destroying wraiths — you will find them in the Armory. As for your skills … there is nothing we can do about that.”
The flames in the other fireplace fluttered and went out. Ylliara took a deep breath and spoke fast. “Listen carefully, and please, do not interrupt. We have no time left for questions. Arthur, we call you the Multiversal Paladin because you carry within you the royal bloodlines of the Aetherian Universe and the Entropian Universe, as well as some of the best genetics humanity has to offer. Your universe is called the Prime Universe. You may find it easier to think of the other two as higher planes of existence.
“I am, of course, from Aetheria. And the shades you fought are from Entropia. Where we represent light, order, and creation, the Entropians represent darkness, chaos, and destruction. The history of our war is long and complex. Suffice it to say that we have battled one another for eons. We have fought directly, and we have fought through our agents in your universe.
“The Paladin family has long represented Aetheria, and while all of them are above and beyond normal humans in their abilities and training, a single member of the family, the one most qualified, male or female, takes on the mantle of the Multiversal Paladin. This mantle brings with it raw power and supernatural abilities that you, unfortunately, have not had the chance to prepare for, so be wary: Power is not always a good thing. If you are not careful, it can overwhelm you.
“Using this power, the Multiversal Paladin travels the universe, from planet to planet, helping those in desperate need and fighting against the forces of Entropy — sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. Of course, one Paladin cannot defeat the enemy alone. The universe is almost unimaginably massive. No, the Aetheria merely sends the Paladin to where he or she is most needed, and the Paladin serves as a beacon of light and hope. Hope, you see, spreads like a ripple in a pond — that is how we counter Entropy’s forces, which are stronger and far greater in number.”
“You don’t have any other agents?” Morgan asked, defying Ylliara’s request that they ask no questions.
Ylliara shook her head. “Once we did, but all have now perished. For the first time since the Manse was created and the first Paladin anointed, the Entropians are attacking our universe directly. We will not be able to hold them off much longer. A hundred years at best; a decade at the worst. With the Manse restored and you, Arthur, successful, we may be able to fend them off permanently, or at least extend our survival.”
“So let me get this straight,” Arthur said. “Aetheria is about to fall, and I’m the last hero you’ve got to represent you in this universe. I’m especially powerful, but I don’t know how to control the powers you don’t have time to tell me about. And all of my family is dead.”
“That is correct.
“So if the light is green,” Morgan said, “and we open the door …”
“You will step out into a new world, but not just any world. You will be in the one place in the universe where the Multiversal Paladin is most needed. Finding that place and getting you there safely will be my job.”
“So you could guide us back home,” said Morgan, “if we wanted to return?”
“I could … under normal circumstances. But there will be no return to your home — no going anywhere — until the Manse is restored, and all the Entropian forces within are eradicated.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen, because we don’t have any way to kill them.” Arthur said. “All I’ve got is a blue belt in karate.” He pointed to the sword that he’d dropped when Ylliara’s explosive arrival blew him across the room. “And that didn’t do me much good.”
“That is but a ceremonial blade,” Ylliara replied. “There are powerful weapons capable of destroying wraiths — you will find them in the Armory. As for your skills … there is nothing we can do about that.”
The flames in the other fireplace fluttered and went out. Ylliara took a deep breath and spoke fast. “Listen carefully, and please, do not interrupt. We have no time left for questions. Arthur, we call you the Multiversal Paladin because you carry within you the royal bloodlines of the Aetherian Universe and the Entropian Universe, as well as some of the best genetics humanity has to offer. Your universe is called the Prime Universe. You may find it easier to think of the other two as higher planes of existence.
“I am, of course, from Aetheria. And the shades you fought are from Entropia. Where we represent light, order, and creation, the Entropians represent darkness, chaos, and destruction. The history of our war is long and complex. Suffice it to say that we have battled one another for eons. We have fought directly, and we have fought through our agents in your universe.
“The Paladin family has long represented Aetheria, and while all of them are above and beyond normal humans in their abilities and training, a single member of the family, the one most qualified, male or female, takes on the mantle of the Multiversal Paladin. This mantle brings with it raw power and supernatural abilities that you, unfortunately, have not had the chance to prepare for, so be wary: Power is not always a good thing. If you are not careful, it can overwhelm you.
“Using this power, the Multiversal Paladin travels the universe, from planet to planet, helping those in desperate need and fighting against the forces of Entropy — sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. Of course, one Paladin cannot defeat the enemy alone. The universe is almost unimaginably massive. No, the Aetheria merely sends the Paladin to where he or she is most needed, and the Paladin serves as a beacon of light and hope. Hope, you see, spreads like a ripple in a pond — that is how we counter Entropy’s forces, which are stronger and far greater in number.”
“You don’t have any other agents?” Morgan asked, defying Ylliara’s request that they ask no questions.
Ylliara shook her head. “Once we did, but all have now perished. For the first time since the Manse was created and the first Paladin anointed, the Entropians are attacking our universe directly. We will not be able to hold them off much longer. A hundred years at best; a decade at the worst. With the Manse restored and you, Arthur, successful, we may be able to fend them off permanently, or at least extend our survival.”
“So let me get this straight,” Arthur said. “Aetheria is about to fall, and I’m the last hero you’ve got to represent you in this universe. I’m especially powerful, but I don’t know how to control the powers you don’t have time to tell me about. And all of my family is dead.”
“That is correct.
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