Upon finally getting Shiishii back from his thousand year absence. We began to see change within the Omniverse and it's people. Seeing so many rejoice for his return was the expected norm. What I never expected, was how many had become bold enough to show their disapproval for his revival. Beings and deities who actually agree with Haydes's views. Such is the traction Haydes was able to gain in the last one thousand years. Even so, a bold statement would be made that day. For you see, once Shiishii finally returned, he immediately took down Haydes. Though, it was a bit of a struggle in the end, he was still able to reign victorious. Instead of making the same mistake as last time, Shiishii decided to seal only Haydes's soul using his death scythe. A pinnacle victory that would make the beginning to a new chapter within my life, as well as everyone from the second generation of STRIFE.
Though, it was not a chapter most of us was expecting. With the rising tension coming from those that believe Life, Death, and Strife shouldn't exist. Young Morpheus, Shiishii, and even Gaia have had a few assassination attempts on their lives. Some of which I've had to thwart myself. But once Lord Zigorim caught wind of such things, he immediately ceased all acceptance of such requests. Which would cause those wishing to get rid of them, to take matters into their own hands. Leading to many deaths at the hands of Gaia and Shiishii. Both of which wished to keep their baby brotheren safe from harms way.
In the midst of such trials and tribulations for we members of STRIFE II. The movements of an organization came into play. The group known as the Untold TRUTH had finally begun to make its move on the Colossaverse. We had no idea what their target was yet, so playing defense against them proved to be quite the challenge. ZeeShift and I were sent to locate an anomaly that Shiishii and Gaia believed would lead us to some connections to the Untold. We were sent around the same time Shiishii and Gaia chose to visit our dear friend from Luminaria, the Light Clan. Delio-Dant, our representative for the Light Clan, was leading a rebellious front against the corruption of his people. We were informed that it was believed that a captain from the Untold was behind it all. Such things were rumored throughout the entirety of the first Colossaverse, all occurring within the first three months of Shiishii's revival. So needless to say, it was time we made a counterattack on these scumbags.
Our mission started off as one that was only supposed to be one of espionage. For most of it, it stayed that way. But things tend to change when dealing with elements that are foreign to our log of knowledge. Such are the elements used by the powerful members of the Untold TRUTH. Their prowess is only matched by their cunning nature and intellect as a whole.
"So is this the place, big brother?" ZeeShift asked.
"Yes, it is indeed, Shift. We'll be infiltrating that Kingdom(Universe Sized Civilization/Territory.) to see what's what with this recent rumor." I explained.
"Mhm, let's head in and see if we can find any signs that lead to them then." ZeeShift positioned himself for a silent launch into the Kingdom's outer spatial walls.
"Heh, alright. Lead the way then, Shift." We both leapt into the cover of the void without so much as stirring our essence even a flicker above zero. We masked our presence masterfully, cutting through the wall with our Annihilation essence. Infiltrating their empire through one of it's supposed, barren sector. From what we could see, the information we received was correct. Getting through their small multiverse was an easy task, but gaining entry into their Capital took a little more finesse.
"Sooo... How do you want to go about this, Arc?"
"Heh, well use the technique ZeeNanasa and YeeNessa taught us. Erase Thy Existence." My entire being as whole was wiped from the scope of reality as I casually strut through their front doors. ZeeShift followed my lead and used the same technique. We were completely undetectable, invisible to every conceivable sense any deity could ever use. We quickly made our way towards the empires Central palace and keep. We knew we could get some answers on the whereabouts of who it was that corrupted this place.
During our investigation, we found that this empire managed to come in contact with quite the artifact. It was sacred and rare amongst rare jewels from what the books they've written on it have told. ZeeShift and I plunged through the information, searching for answers on what this artifact they hold so dear even is. Or at least a god-damned name!
"Tch, I can't find anything at points directly to their prized artifact. Must've been done so that anyone unworthy who may search for it would be strayed far away." I hypothesized.
"Yeah.. but we don't have that luxury, now do we?" ZeeShift retorted.
We continued our search, forging through their entire archive and palace. Searching, hunting for the treasure they hold so dear. We began to gain clues and hints that we're beginning to lead us towards our goal. But as we closed in on the endgame, I could sense the presence of something vile. It fried my senses as if it were directly sending signals towards me. ZeeShift described the exact same feeling, making me wonder...
"What could that be!?" We both searched rapidly through the lower levels of their empire's central palace. Finding dungeons and ruins that hid countless bodies and atrocities committed by their people. Not their actual people though, just those that were corrupted. From what we saw, the remnants and clues we collected, as well as the countless bodies we examined. Plus our little cherry on top, which was our little talk we managed to have with a survivng victim. They were charred, their toes and fingers cut in various ways until they were shaved down. Almost as if they were sculpted out over time... how painful that must've been. They readily told us what they could, including what this all was.
"They were tortured. Stripped to the very bare minimum of what a deity can take before meeting with Shiishii, Gaia, or Morpheus on the other side. All so the two individuals corrupting this place could locate their artifact." ZeeShift deduced.
"Yeah, and the artifact is one of the six Heinous Omni-Keys of all things. Why the fuck would these people have that of all things!?" I thought hard to myself before being startled by a sudden explosion. It felt as though it was beneath us.
"Let's go!?" ZeeShift looked at me with a bright smile.
"Heh, let's get on with it then!" I created a hole with my essence.
The both of us leapt into the hole, chasing after the essence we felt. Running through the corridors and tunnel system built underneath the palace. We continued our search until we found ourselves entering a massive room that carried a different aura compared to the rest. It was an open space, similar to that of a throne room. At its center sat a pedestal with an empty key slot. It was large, large enough to fit a sword within it. Yet, such an item was now missing from its crevis. Which only meant one thing..
"Someone has already taken the key!?" ZeeShift asked.
He examined the pedestal closely, looking for clues and hints that show who might've come and taken it.
"Hey, I can see prints on this thing. But... They're not normal prints by any means. It looks like something else, and from the texture I'm feeling as I rub my fingers across it. I'd say a reptile deity of some sort took it." ZeeShift looked at me with uncertainty.
"Hmm... A reptile deity who also has affiliation with the TRUTH? It has to be Aiyama's old best friend, Slith."
"Oh, how right you aaaarre, ZeeArc." A snake-like voice called out from behind us. Annoyance swept across my face, that was until...
"So... Zenki and the others sent you two, eh Arc and Shift?" A familiar, soft voice rung out from behind even Slith.
"Big brother, is that who I think it is!?" ZeeShift took a step forward, heightening his visual and essence senses simultaneously. All so he could get a better look at the deity draped in a navy blue cloak. It was littered with golden U's and T's. His face was similar to ours and his hair was rough, coarse, and silky all over. Dropping down to his neck, despite all of it spiking upwards, naturally. And even if none of that was a dead giveaway... he wore Zeefist earrings only given to those of us bearing the family name, and bloodline.
"Jabreeze!" I shouted.
"I knew it! Why the hell are you with the Untold TRUTH!?" ZeeShift seemed to be especially angry. Expressing great disapproval for what he was seeing in that moment.
"Calm your anger, Shifty. Gritting your teeth at me whilst visibly holding back your violent urges will get us nowhere." Jabreeze snickered a bit. Pacing around the room as he engages us in conversation.
"Tch, you don't get to~CALL ME THAAAT RIGHT NOW!!"
"No, he's right, little bro. Calm yourself and study the situation at hand. Plus, your anger always annoys me, and I need to focus right now. Don'tcha think?" I smiled at him like the loving brother I always am for him.
"Nrrrgh... Y-You're right. But dammit, why are so many of our family and friends apart of this group!?" His frustration calmed, but was still too great to consider he, himself, calm.
"The reason as to why doesn't matter, just know that I have them, and that's all that matters. Now then... Do you still love me enough to let me go-
"Not until you inform us on why you two stole this empire's prized artifact!" I insisted. Taking a step closer to where Jabreeze currently stands.
"Hah! You two imbecccilesss think we ssstole their artifact!? Hooow laughable! T'wasss already taken upon our arrival here!" Slith laughed at the audacity we displayed just now.
"What!?" ZeeShift was perplexed.
"No, no... It makes perfect sense, Shifty. Why else would they have come back here if they already had the artifact in hand?" I explained. Determining that they must have thought we were the ones who took it in the first place. But it wasn't us, and it wasn't the two of them either. Leaving the four of us to ponder on who might've taken it before we could arrive.
*Hmph, so you see, we've done nothing wrong here." Jabreeze continued to wear that annoying smile full of confidence on his face. Basically looking down on the two of us as he shrugs his shoulders.
"So why not let us go, and-
"You two are responsible for the corruption here, aren't you? Is Jollister somewhere around here helping from the shadows? We know you serve his faction!" I took another step forward, stomping my foot down as I demand answers.
"Heh, ssso what if we are? What can the two of you do before we make our essscape??" Slith now copied Jabreeze's idiotic gestures. Annoying the ever loving shit out of we two brothers.
"Heh, let's make our way out of here, Slith. We have to rendezvous with the others." Jabreeze turns his back on us, enticing us to strike our of rage and disbelief for such disrespect from our own first cousin. Such actions caused a quick fight to ensue. One where I eventually got the advantage over Jabreeze, but Slith would go on to even the playing field by capturing ZeeShift during a slip up. This forced us to make an exchange and call for a truce. One that allowed both duos to leave in one piece.
Later on, within that same month. Jollister, Jabreeze and their subordinates would go on to rob the EmbodimentClan of one of its most vital studies. Using that same one to infiltrate and nearly take the key belonging to the Phoenix Empire. By then, we finally learned why they wished to obtain the keys so badly. There are six in total... All of which create a set that can be used to unseal a mysterious gate found at the ever-growing edge of our Omniverse. Within that gate is said to be a force capable of breaking the current balance for good. A force that can actually eliminate Life, Death, and STRIFE for good. An event we must avoid at all costs.
We eventually learn more about re TRUTH and it's many members. They were like the counterpart to STRIFE II, but more complete than we could ever be... for now. We even got a few chances to learn more about what these beings are capable of. Fighting a small war against them when Haydes made a rousing return for yet another attempt at his elder brother's life. A battle that would decimate a multiverse of more than fifty universes bearing Infinite timeline possibilities within themselves. If you don't get that, it just means that every universe holds their own timeline, probability multiverse within itself. No universe is ever just a universe when it comes to our advanced cosmology. Even then, they destroyed more than fifty as collateral. Something that forced Gaia to repair the damages, including the revival of several deities. By then, we had a clear grasp of what they were after.
They were after the deities that five of the keys were sealed into. All five were descendants of original STRIFE members and the like. So they're not easy targets by any means, but even so... the TRUTH have their ways. Their moves are cunning and their connections spread far within the first two years of Shiishii's return. By then... Shiishii and I brought in our first kids around the same time. Beginning the first steps into the next generation of deities. Unfortunately for us...
The Untold TRUTH made a major move that upset everything.