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Marvel: King of The Swarm Chapter 34: Twin Divinity
🕑 Added 2025-06-12 19:40:09 +0000 UTCThe indigo grass of his God's kingdom brushed against Gideon's robes as he wandered through the garden and watched as his brothers and sisters plucked the golden fruit from Orcharch of Sanctuary. Those who met his gaze smiled and greeted him with laughs and expressions of joy free from any worries or pain. And Gideon could recall the name of every single face, his mind now clear and sharp with the mental acuity of a cleansed mind.
A gift that Gideon was especially thankful for as over the past month, things had been rather hectic. Not in Sanctuary itself, of course, but in the world above where the corruption was sick and beyond the reach of his God's cleansing light who had been in seclusion ever since bestowing his blessing upon the Spiderwoman. However, even in his absence, Genesis still guided his followers, informing them of his will through prophetic dreams.
Without hesitation, Gideon followed these dreams and each time they led to a pocket of corruption rife with victims, men, women, and children all in need of salvation. And that is what Gideon offered them, a place in Sanctuary where they could escape and free themselves of corruption. Unfortunately, not all of them could be saved or even wanted to, those who had fallen so far into the darkness of corruption that they could not see the cleansing light of his God.
And while he was compassionate Gideon could not risk bringing such seeds of pain and suffering into Sanctuary especially when they did not want it themselves. However, those who followed, either because they had no other place to go, or were enticed by the promise of free food and shelter, were welcomed with open arms. As such Sanctuary's population had swelled growing to just shy of five hundred people in a matter of weeks. For a day Gideon thought that they would run out of space, when Sanctuary responded to their needs growing an entirely new village for those they rescued. That demonstration of power had firmly cemented Gideon's belief that Genesis was still watching over them even though the entrance to his inner chamber remained sealed.
However, not all occupants of Sanctuary were so steadfast in their belief, those they had rescued whispered amongst themselves thinking they could not be heard questioning whether or not Genesis truly existed.
'Even though they walk within his Kingdom and are fortunate to reap his endless bounty of gifts and blessings,' Gideon thought darkly wondering how anyone could be such an ingrate, before exhaling as he reminded himself, 'They have not been cleansed, it is only the corruption speaking through them. They know not that they have strayed from your light'
'Have you been developing scripture in my absence, Gideon?'
Gideon froze on the spot as the voice of his god echoed in his mind, and a second later his presence encompassed him like a protective cloak, "My King!"
Gideon's shout drew eyes from those around him, but instead of questioning they looked eager clearly looking for their lord and savior.
'Forgive my absence, much has changed and it required almost all of my attention to address,' Genesis spoke again this time out loud as his voice echoed from the grass, the trees, and the crystals along the ceiling, 'But I never stopped watching, all of you have done well in my leave, and for that you will be rewarded.'
Gideon and everyone else in the orchard dropped to their knees as the presence of their god-king swept over them and through his entire kingdom, 'Gideon, join me in my sanctum, we have much to discuss and I'm afraid we must act quickly.'
"Of course," Gideon hastily replied as he rose to his feet and took off moving with blistering speed thanks to the enhanced body. In a matter of seconds, he stood before Genesis' chamber, only to find his god waiting for him at the entrance. It was evident even at a glance that Genesis had not been exaggerating about undergoing a chance. Genesis was now larger than life, measuring at least seven feet tall with the muscular build one would expect from an all-powerful god. Genesis' robes had changed as well, they were now pure white with golden trim, and now only covered the left side of his torso and the corresponding arm. His right side and limb were exposed revealing marble-like skin that looked more like stone than flesh, inlaid with golden veins that faintly pulsed with power. But the most obvious change to Genesis' nature was the fact that his bare feet now floated an inch or two above the ground.
The sight filled Gideon with awe and as he came to stop Gideon knelt before his god bowing his head as an otherworldly presence spilling from his avatar, "You beckoned for me?"
"Walk with me Gideon," Genesis instructed as he drifted to the ground and turned walking back into his sanctum.
Once Gideon joined his god's side Genesis began to speak, "As you know Gideon I offer my gifts to all who open themselves and accept my saving light, cleansing them of corruption and healing their ailments. That is why I sent you to those places, I wanted those people to be saved."
Gideon nodded believing his Genesis beyond a doubt, "But an observant mortal such as yourself no doubt noticed what had transpired in those places before you arrived, and the message left behind at each one."
"I wondered but did not question," Gideon replied without hesitation, "If you did not inform me of it then there was no need for me to concern myself with it."
Genesis paused and his hooded head turned to stare at Gideon, "Your loyalty is valued, but do not let it blind you. Keep your eyes open for as you walk through this world they shall be mine to gaze through."
Gideon bowed his head, "As you will it."
Genesis resumed his walk, "The mark you saw left behind...that was my doing, I was the one who killed those men."
For a moment Gideon didn't know what to say, "Is it because they were unworthy of your light?"
"No, the problem did not lie with them, but myself," Genesis admitted, "While I have openly shared with you and all my followers that cleansing the mind and body of a mortal takes a considerable amount of energy, I did not reveal that I retain the corruption within myself to prevent it from returning to the world and seeking out another soul to poison."
Gideon's eyes shot up to stare at Genesis, with a wide and terrified gaze, "Please be at ease, I can withstand far more than a mortal without truly negative consequences."
"But we are a burden," Gideon whispered in abject horror, "Our mere existence causes you harm."
Genesis let out a low hum of agreement, "Yes, but I wouldn't have it any other way and I will not stop helping those who seek my light. It is my purpose. You would have better luck asking the sun not to shine."
Gideon's heart hammered in his chest as Genesis' words rang in his ears, "But what about the corruption within you? It may be negligible now, but what about in a decade, a century, a millennium? Surely there is a solution?"
"There is, and I have already implemented it," Genesis replied, "However the solution I have devised will have dire ramifications for those who do not follow my light."
It was then that they reached the inner sanctum and for the first time since the start of their conversation, Gideon's eyes left his god, as he turned to stare at the figure floating within the center of the room.
"You see while I could not destroy the corruption I could create a vessel for it, capable of harnessing its destructive power," Genesis spoke into the silence as he levitated upwards to join the figure.
While the duo were identical in stature the similarities ended there, where Genesis wore white the figure wore an indigo so dark that it seemed black. Instead of golden accents that radiated a beaconing warmth, the figure's uncovered arm was covered in a cancerous ooze growth that pulsated and emitted an aura of hunger and sin.
Sensing his gaze the dark robe figure stirred and Gideon could feel the being's attention fall on his shoulder like a weight, "Hello Gideon, I know you may not understand but this was the only way. Life by definition can not be perfect, and that is a breeding ground for corruption. Had I remained singular I would have wasted away in an endless battle. Only upon creating a second form did I realize the truth. To stop the spread of corruption all life must stop, either through cleansing or consumption. Those who do not welcome Gensis' light, will be swallowed by the many maws of my children. We will be my namesake upon the universe wiping out all sources of corruption...we will be....a Scourge."
