ArmSys Limited (1)

Eddie slowly blinked open his eyes, drinking in his surroundings. He was back inside the British Museum laying on a stretcher bed covered in a thick blanket. Nearby a tanned Mexican-American man sat in a camping chair adjacent to Vincent and a battle-worn Brandon. They were also all moving imperceptibly slowly - almost frozen in time and space.

"UnCommoner?" asked Eddie, groaning as he sat up in his bed. He now realised he was shirtless and the wound in his side had been bandaged with expert care. [I'll have to thank Vin later], he thought.

"You learn fast Eddie," mused the UnCommoner as he flickered into view and appeared in a spare camping chair, "very fast indeed."

"Fuck, I haven't been this sore since Bolivia," complained Eddie as he swing his legs out of the stretcher bed and into an upright sitting position, "anyway, why are you here?"

"Can't a deity unbound by the traditional laws of physics and the strife of human mortality visit his favourite Angel?" asked the UnCommoner, shadows dripping and coiling out of his coat. He was wearing the same grey fedora and suit as last time. His face was also still an infinite abyss only marked by two glowing red eyes.

"You're here about Spy, aren't you?" asked Eddie.

"You mean Scout." replied the UnCommoner.

"Yes, Scavenger." answered Eddie with a smirk.

The UnCommoner sighed and shook his shadowy head.

"You are a very lucky man Eddie. Normally I'd kill someone for injuring my second best Angel that badly," began the UnCommoner, "but you're my best Angel by a country mile so I'll spare you."

"Thanks I really appreciate that," began Eddie half sarcastically, "but then why are you here?"

The UnCommoner tilted his head and Eddie suspected he was smiling despite his abyssal face.

"Your ingenuity and quick-thinking has impressed me. Summoning ammunition directly into your revolver so you do not have to reload while storing the shells for later use? Absolutely brilliant. Marvelous, even." ranted the UnCommoner, "You really are something else Eddie, it's truly remarkable you've maintained your edge despite your age. Which is why I have decided to grant you another ability?"

Eddie's blue eyes lit up at the mention of a new ability. "What would you be granting me? Shadow weapons like Scout?" he inquired, speaking rapidly with excitement despite his exhaustion.

"Sadly I cannot do that, Edward. A god can only grant one copy of each of their abilities to each of their Angels. Or put more simply, I cannot give two Angels the same ability. It is strictly against the rules. Even me requesting for a special exemption to do so could result in your powers being completely stripped permanently by the Administrator. So instead I am going to let you choose between two different abilities." explained the UnCommoner with a sigh when he mentioned the rules.

"Who's the Administrator? Why do the Gods have rules?" questioned Eddie, frowning.

"Unfortunately the aforementioned rules do not permit me to explain the purpose of the rules or any specifics at this time unless a scenario occurs where such rules may potentially be in violation. In short, I am not allowed to say. As for the Administrator, similar rules apply. I am not allowed to discuss anything regarding the Administrator to Angels without their permission unless it is in passing reference when explaining rules or stating they enforce the rules the Gods abide by." elaborated the UnCommoner in a flurry of words in a monotone and clearly recited voice.

"Well, that's a disappointing answer." said Eddie as his frown deepened. [How powerful is the Administrator if the Gods follow their orders?] pondered Eddie, [And why do these limitations exist for the Gods?]

"I am not allowed to say anything else other than that, old friend. Anyway back to your decision," continued the UnCommoner, "both abilities are more utility based rather than offensive or defensive, however I am sure you could make good use out of them. The first allows you to phase through an object or surface - such as a wall for example - provided the side you wish to phase from is in darkness. The other side, the side you are phasing to get to, can be in shadows or light. It does not matter. Although do note unless both sides are covered in shadows, a noticeable amount of darkness, you can only phase through one way. It's called Shadow Phasing and does not require a command word to activate. The second ability is much simpler to understand. It is called Night Vision and as its name suggests, grants you the ability to see in the dark. This is a passive ability that will always function when you wish and is full colour night vision. There will be no visual difference between night and day for you, should you choose Night Vision. Which will you choose, Night Vision or Shadow Phasing?" explained the UnCommoner.

Eddie stroked his chin, weighing in the possibilities. The first ability would be extremely useful for travel and in combat - allowing him far greater maneuverability. It could also be used to attack his enemies through shadows, allowing for greater range for melee attacks if Eddie was clever - which he was. However the second ability was an extremely useful passive ability that would give Eddie an advantage at night - his favourite time to attack. [Shadow Phasing could also let me enter secure locations seamlessly,] thought Eddie, [and I could use it in conjunction with Shadow Pocket Dimension to pass through a wall, scout the area and immediately hide].

"I want the first ability, the shadow phasing one." replied Eddie.

"Excellent choice, Edward. Now, to use your new ability simply desire to phase through shadows that cover a surface and say 'Shadow Phase'. Remember, you can only pass through a surface on sides that have shadows. If the opposite side is covered in darkness, you can still pass through but will be unable to travel back through again." speedily said the UnCommoner as he melted into the shadows.

Before Eddie could even reply to the UnCommoner's hurried speech, time began to speed accelerate and resume to its normal rate.

***

Meanwhile

***

Nathaniel stood amidst thousands of clouds surrounded by golden light. On an ornate ivory throne sat Minerva, towering above him. She had replaced her gold chain wrapped judge's robes for a beautiful silk white dress with a gold trim. Behind her stood a colossal bronze statue of Minerva herself styled like Lady Liberty - complete with a blindfold, scales and a sword. Interestingly, the statue's eyes burned a brilliant golden red behind the bronze blindfold. [Minerva always was overly dramatic,] thought Nathaniel, [seriously you are not only looking down on me from a throne but have a giant statue of yourself too. Absolute overkill].

"Nathaniel," greeted Minerva with a warm alabaster smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Your Grace." praised Nathaniel. [I never personally met her in the last apocalypse but I do know Minerva loves to be referred to as royalty,] remembered Nathaniel, [I'll use every trick I know to get in her favour].

"My, my, Mr Torres," mused Minerva as her smile grew wider, "such wonderful manners. You certainly know how to treat your Master."

"Oh of course, My ladyship. You have been so generous blessing me with your divine strength to enact your holy will. I am eternally grateful." said Nathaniel.

Minerva attempted to hide her satisfaction but failed. Her smile turned into a gleeful grin at the sound of Nathaniel's honeyed words.

"Uh, yes. Excellent. You should be grateful and you are about to be even more so." began Minerva while fiddling with her thick curly blonde hair. "As one of the Major Gods I have many abilities I can grant you, however you are not quite ready for another yet. Instead I am going to give you a Relic for your valiant efforts saving and caring for Diana Keene. As long as you keep her on the path of righteousness and protect her, the Relic shall be yours to keep indefinitely. Specifically, I am granting you the Boots of the Higher Path. They allow the wearer to walk on water, absorb any landing impact from falling if you land on your feet while wearing the boots and allow you to take two sets that defy gravity. These two steps allow you to walk on walls or even ceilings, unless you try to take a third step before touching the ground again."

[Boots? Fucking boots that let you Spiderguy around for two steps and walk on water?] agonised Nathaniel internally, [Minerva has nearly a dozen legendary Relics. She has the Righteous Defender Riot Gear, Summa Lex and even The Lament. And she decides to give me boots with some of the most common abilities for Relics and present it like a divine gift.]

Straining to contain his anger, Nathaniel smiled through his slightly tensed jaw.

"I am forever blessed by you, My Queen," he said while donning the Boots of the Higher Path. It was only now Nathaniel realised they were identical to Nathaniel's own hiking boots he was currently wearing. [She probably made them just now] he realised as he finished tying the laces and stood upright again.

"Thank you so much my Queen," he said while donning the boots which Nathaniel noticed were identical to his previous. [She probably made them just now] he realised as he finished tying the laces and stood up again.

"You're oh so welcome, Nathaniel. You are after all my favourite Angel. I have big plans for you. Very big. For now, continue to survive, you seem to know exactly what you are doing which is refreshing compared to most of the other mortals."

"I am forever in your debt, Oh Great One." continued Nathaniel while internally screaming "Could you please let me return back to Earth now so I can continue serving you?"

"Why of course, My Dear. I shall do so immediately." said Minerva, snapping her fingers.

Nathaniel's vision flashed white and he was suddenly back inside the British Museum.

"You too, huh?" said Eddie with a smile.