Deathstalker 08 - Deathstalker Coda

it was coming from, even though he couldn’t see anything yet, and eventually a bright shining light came swooping towards him.
    The light swiftly became a living thing, an entirely unfamiliar creature flapping towards him on huge butterfly wings almost thirty feet across. It moved easily through the cold vacuum of space, entirely unprotected, apparently driven only by its brightly shining wings. The body within the wingspan was basically humanoid, but in no way human. It was alien, in appearance and affect, a delicate flimsy creature of bright shimmering rainbow colors. It slowed to a halt about a dozen feet away from Owen, and considered him with a face that was somehow even more disturbing for its vague human connections. The eyes were huge and dark and unblinking, taking up almost a third of the long pointed face, and the mouth below was a simple slit. Two long slender antennae streamed up from the bulging brow. The vast rainbow wings rippled slowly, as though holding the creature in place against unfelt astral winds.
    For a moment, Owen wondered if perhaps he’d died, and this was some angel sent to finally bring him home, but the creature was just too obviously alien for that. Owen slowly raised a hand and waved politely, and words sounded suddenly in his head, sliding smoothly through his thoughts like bitter honey. They certainly weren’t coming through his comm implant.
    “Greetings to you, strange traveler. I am of the Illuminati. We heard you thinking up here, so I came to see what new marvel had come to Hearth. We are strangers here, traveling on our way, but you . . . you appear human. Though humans don’t normally survive long in open space.”
    Owen pushed his thoughts in the creature’s direction, and it seemed to pick them up easily enough. “Hi there. I am human, or at least I used to be. I suppose human is as human does. I’m . . . just visiting. May I ask what you are?”
    “The name for my people translates into your tongue as Luminary Beings, or Light People. Since we have been here, we have adopted the old human name of Illuminati. I myself have taken the name Lucifer.”
    Owen blinked a few times. “I’m not sure you’ve really understood the implications of that name.”
    “It means light-bringer, doesn’t it?”
    “Well, yes, but . . . no, forget it. Life’s too short to explain some things. I’m Owen.”
    “Hello, Owen. May I inquire as to how you’re able to survive in open space without exploding, boiling, or otherwise perishing in a very messy manner?”
    “I haven’t been entirely human for a long time,” said Owen. “I’m still trying to decide whether that’s a good thing. Long story; basically I’m traveling back through time from your future, searching for a friend who came this way before me. Her name is Hazel d’Ark. Have you encountered her, by any chance?”
    “I do not recognize the name, Owen. I have to say I’m impressed. My people have traveled in space long and far and wide, and we have never encountered any species that could move at will in time. May I inquire as to your intentions here?”
    “Well, since we’re both being so very polite and civilized . . . I thought I’d take a rest stop, and take a look around. See what there is to see.”
    “I’m not sure that’s entirely wise,” said Lucifer. “The people of this world are not ready for contact with a being of your power and abilities. I can sense strange energies, within and around you. Your presence could terrify and traumatize the people of this time, perhaps even anger them to violence. They have very little experience with beings other than themselves.”
    “Did they treat you badly?” said Owen, frowning.
    “Not as such. I think it would be best if you came down and spoke with my people first. I understand that I cannot coerce you, but I assure you there are things we know that you do not, and that you need to know.” The alien studied Owen’s face for a long moment, with its flat black unblinking eyes. “You are not just looking for your friend. I see something in you . . . an old, familiar fear. You know of the great and ancient evil that destroyed my people, and a civilization millions of years old. You know of the entity we call the Terror.”
    “Yes. Perhaps we should speak,” Owen said carefully. “Any idea on how I can descend to the surface without being spotted? My stealth field will shield me from electronic eyes, but not material ones. Hey . . . wait a