The Cat Factor

Darth Felinius

2012-01-03T22:55:00.000+02:00

My Comic, My Rules

2012-01-02T07:28:00.000+02:00

Creative today

2011-12-11T17:25:00.000+02:00

I wanna rip you to shreds
And kiss all the pieces
Spread on the bed
Of vices and excess,
And I'll make ammends,
My violet princess.
But first... I'll rip you to shreds.

Would make some pretty cool lyrics, don't you think?

R.I.P. little brother.

2011-12-06T18:52:00.000+02:00

It's actually really ironic that mom decided to tell me today, just one day after I started drawing Jack, that he disappeared about 2 months back. He was a kind and friendly little tomcat - I loved him like a little sibling. I will miss him a lot. I also got the terrible news that 4 more kittens were poisoned or have disappeared... If I ever find out who's responsible for this, there will be blood.

I can see no better way to honor my lost little orange friend than by making him a full-time character. Happy cloud-mouse hunting, Jack.

Meet Jack

2011-12-05T20:55:00.000+02:00

I'm bored and looking at comics gave me silly ideas. Like I could draw (with enough practice). Photoshop's being a bitch though...

Crux: Absolution - Part 7

2011-12-04T21:11:00.000+02:00

Arlo ran ahead by herself, leading the throng of armed creatures back to their boats. Behind her, the lycanthropes and the other shape shifters followed in their beast forms, some carrying the ones who couldn’t keep up the pace. Andrew rode on Nom’s back and Thomas tried to hang on to Ash, but had a hard time doing it. He barely knew how to ride a horse, let alone a giant wolf that mostly leapt than actually ran. The vampires followed closely but didn’t overtake the beasts mostly out of respect for this type of group organization; in reality, some of them could easily outmatch their speed.

“Oh, no…” she muttered while realizing that the mountain pass was closed, but then also pondered about how Nom and his people reached Genesis.

“Go right!” Andrew shouted. “Nom knows an another way through!”

She nodded at him and went in the indicated direction, running along the mountain wall. For a second she thought she is imagining things, but when the stone vibrated a second time, she looked behind. The rocks came out of the mountain and slid back in just like a wave, with something advancing inside the giant peak. It passed her at an incredible speed and some yards away it sprung out like a baby from a womb, without leaving any trace of its passing. She expected the stone to explode and massive clouds of dust and pulverized snow to rise, but the creature delicately parted the wall and walked out elegantly on four giant hooves.

The entire Bastion army stopped in its tracks as Esseriss strode out carrying a Fallen with eyes like sapphires glowing in the azure light. The air smelled like fresh soil as a breeze blew Maar’s long hair to the side and reached the group, and Arlo was the only one to step forward and speak.

“You’re blocking the way. Shouldn’t you be somewhere else right now?” she asked with a hint of irony in her voice.

“She tends to do that,” Maar replied, dismounting and walking towards the half-angel.

“I was addressing you, my dark cousin. Isn’t there a Nilithar you’re supposed to protect?”

“The girl is safe, don’t worry. She…” he said jerking his head towards the horse-elemental “wanted me to come here. Why that is, I’m not sure I understand.”

Arlo turned her crimson gaze towards Esseriss and bowed her head and flexed a knee in something that resembled a curtsey.

“Greetings, ancient earth-spirit! Arlo Bloodfire is honoured by your presence.”

And well-met to you, young half-angel. I came with this Fallen one to warn you of great danger! Esseriss said melodically, while her crystal eyes reflected light arrows in all directions. Although it is a terrible thing to ask, I must request that you do not join the battle of Enoch…

“What?!” Thomas exclaimed. “But they will be overrun!” he added extending his hands in Arlo’s direction. “There’ll be a massacre!”

That is indeed a strong possibility, human. But not joining the conflict would mean less victims, less death for the demons to feed on. The dark ones are led by a one who feeds on destruction. The more die, the more powerful he will become.

“I cannot stand idly while innocents are slaughtered!” Arlo shouted, her eyes burning red.

What of the mechanical ones? Aren’t they innocent, half-angel? Esseriss asked.

“She does have a point,” Maar said miserably.

“And you?” Arlo questioned him. “Were you brought here to convince us to keep away?”

He was brought here to make a choice.

“Yes, you keep saying that,” Maar growled. “But you never told me what are my choices.”

Andrew fell to the ground, looking as white as the snow.

“Drew! Drew!” Thomas shouted, shaking him wildly.

“I’m okay…” the mage whispered as a circle formed around him.

“No,” said Ash. “No, you’re not, lad.”

Arlo looked at them then back at the elemental guardian and Maar with anger in her eyes.

“I have no more time to waste here! I don’t care for your prophecies and foreshadowing - we need to leave NOW! So do yourselves a favor and get out of the way!”

Arlo! - the telepathic voice made her jump.

“Tesla?” she asked out loud.

Yes, it’s me. Just listen: do not engage my people. I know how we can solve this. Keep the army away from the Meka!

“But they will be the ones leading the siege on Enoch. I can’t allow that to happen!”

Please, trust me with this. Flank the Fallen army and I will deal with the siege! Go now!

She just stood there, completely blank. The faith of the entire world depended on her choice. Her crimson gaze locked with Maar’s, pleading for an answer. She was feeling the full weight of the burden he carried with him for time immemorial.

“What was the message?” the blue-haired warrior asked calmly.

“…He said we must not attack the Meka, but the Fallen instead. This is horrible!”

“These are my choices, Esseriss? To tell her to attack one or the other?”

You’re fighting skills are not more impressive than your wisdom, young one. But there’s also a third choice: not to enter the battle at all. Whatever you decide, you must act quickly. I will support you all the way, as I am bound by my oath of loyalty.

Maar watched the broken half-angel, then his electric gaze scanned the entire contingent of ragged souls. They looked discouraged and already broken. And then there was those two humans… What were they doing on this plane?

“Hold,” he replied to Esseriss and joined the group tending the mage. He appeared truly ill, pale as one could get with his veins surfacing and turning purple and thin. “What’s wrong with him?” he asked Thomas.

“Drew somehow got us here to help your cause, but he has no anchor to his earhly body. It’s dying and destroying his projected spirit in the process.”

“So… he’s some sort of magician?”

“A wizard, yes. “

“Then he feeds on magic. Just like a vampire would feed on human essence.”

“I think so. I don’t fully understand his spiritual metabolism…”

“I do!” he growled and crouched next to the ill mage, taking his hand and putting it against his own chest. “Feed then, friend.”

Without even realizing he could do it, or even wanting to, flashes of blue light shot forth from the Nephalem and became absorbed by Drew, in the rhythm of his increasing heartbeats. The light rushed through his veins, making them shine like a complicated iridescent exoskeleton. In but moments, the wizard felt like a pure adrenaline had been shot directly into his bloodstream. With great effort, Maar removed his hand and stumbled back, looking quite dizzy, under the surprised eyes of everyone present.

“Wow!” said Drew. “That was amazing! Thank you so much!”

“Don’t mention it,” the Nephalem replied and turned to Esseriss. “Now everyone’s ready. Let’s do this before there’s no need for me to act.”

Have you decided?

“I did. And I choose neither. We will do this right. Listen up!” he ordered the mass of troops. “I am Maar of the Fallen Nephalem! And I’ve been fighting for so long to fulfill the prophecy of the Nilithar, I forgot what this was all about. It’s about freedom! It’s about casting aside all those who wish to control us! …I refuse to be controlled any longer! And I refuse to pick an option the Universe throws at me! That’s why, right now, we will march to Enoch and hit the ones that who really deserve it!”

“Wait a damn second!” Nom interceded. “I lead Bastion and none of these men and women will follow you just like that. What makes you believe I would even consider following a Fallen Nephalem?”

“Because,” Maar replied smiling. “When I said ‘we’ I didn’t mean your people, nobble one. I plan to go avoid all unnecessary combat - I need a few volunteers with me to help the Nilithar. If Innanna is freed, there will be no need for bloodshed. Arlo! You come with me! I’ll need you to hold off your brethren. They must not attack the Fallen.”

“Yes,” she said confused but happy with his plan. “Sounds good.”

“Good! Whoever else wishes to join us, is welcome to do so!”

“We’re with you,” Drew said and acknowledged the nod Thomas shared with him.

“We’re coming too,” Ash grumbled, poked by Mona.

“Then I will join as well,” Nom said silently. “I can’t have any of Bastion’s people fight our battle while I just watch.”

A loud rumble came from the army behind. Shouts of disapproval and concern overwhelmed the group. Maar stepped and and rose his hands in the air.

“Stop! Hear me out! This is the best plan we have!”

“No way we’re standing idle while Nom fights!” came a shout.

“Yes! We will not let him battle alone! I want to come too!” shouted another one.

“Looks like another puzzle,” Drew told Maar, joining him. “But consider this: why don’t you split the troops?”

“He’s right, Thomas confirmed. We can go in, secret agent style, while Nom leads the bulk of troops on a diferent front. Or at least stand by as back-up.”

“You are wise, warrior. Are you a strategist on Earth?” Maar asked.

“No,” Drew responded for Thomas with a smile on his lips. “But he’s the best damn chess player I’ve seen. You should consider his advice.”

“Very well then!” the Fallen said decisively. “Nom, you will lead your men to Enoch and observe the outcome of our effort. If needed be, attack the demon. We will go straight in.”

“No offense, lad,” Ash interrupted. “But how are we going through the blockade? There be your people, the Meka and the High who I’m sure won’t just open up their gates just to let us run in.”

“We’re not going through,” Maar said with a playful smile on his lips and jerked his chin at Esseriss: “We’re going under!”

Crux: Absolution - Part 4

2011-12-03T22:01:00.003+02:00

Tesla observed how his ragged and colourful army was being armed and prepared for the upcoming conflict. In a short period of time, the Genesis weapon depot managed to fulfil the needs of over five hundred mixed vampires, were kin and a few other creatures he did not know how to call, but the irony of providing the means to fight his own people did not slip past the green-eyed Meka. If he had a mouth and fully functioning lungs, he would sigh deeply in sorrow.

Arlo presented herself to him and reported that everyone was ready for the journey back to Enoch, but that wasn’t an accurate statement. He knew he needed to guarantee the safety of the Meka and their legacy before everything else.

“I need to… do something first” he told her.

“I mean no offence, dear friend, but we’re running out of time. The battle will surely start before we arrive, so we need to hurry as it is…”

“Go on ahead then,” Tesla said confidently. “There’s no need to wait for me – I will catch up with you, don’t worry.”

“How will you do that?”

“I’ll find a way. Go now! Lead them back to Enoch! I will meet you there.”

Arlo took a knee and looked the small metallic creature in those giant eyes of his. Hers would show concern, but she put on a brave face and hugged him tightly.

“Don’t worry” she whispered. “We will win this. I promise I will do my best not to harm your brethren.”

He bobbed his head in agreement and returned in the belly of the mountain. The shadows and silence felt discouraging but he pushed on, going through the mazes and tunnels and circular passageways that led deeper and deeper inside Genesis. As he descended, the blue stripe of light illuminating the way and leading him to the heart of the city became thinner and thinner, until nothing but a string remained that slid under a vault door. Tesla triggered the mechanism and four iridescent crystals came out of the walls on both sides. He thought for a moment and then ran his three-fingered hand over them in a chaotic pattern. Something clicked, then the motors behind the locks activated and the door slid up into the ceiling, revealing a dark room. The thin light was not enough to show anything that may have been hiding in the darkness.

“State your name” a metallic voice demanded when Tesla entered the room.

“Tesla the Seeker” he answered.

“State your position” another voice asked, in a melodic way.

“Tolgarim of Enoch” the answer came again.

There was a pause and then four massive diamond-shaped crystals started glowing powerfully enough to reveal every detail of the steel chamber. Between crystals was a large metal egg with cables and pipes leading upwards into a convex ceiling. The room was oval and the walls were polished to perfection, reflecting everything like mirrors.

“You should not be here” hummed a third crystal in a deep voice.

“I am aware of that, great Ohm. Yet I had no choice. Our race faces extinction and I had to come.”

“Extinction you say?” the first crystal asked. “Explain this to us, Tesla the Seeker.”

“There is no time. Scan the city yourself and you will find no trace of Meka. Something has happened in my absence; the Galileo Council is no more and someone is manipulating our people into war against the High Nephalem.”

“He is right” the second crystal sang. “There is no Meka in Genesis.”

“How can this come to pass?” the third asked. “Can you tell us?”

“There is no time!” Tesla repeated. “I came to activate… the Epsylon function.”

“Preposterous!” Ohm boomed. “You do not possess even half the wisdom a Galileo Councilman would require for such a thing!”

“True. Which is why I am suggesting an alternative approach.”

“And what is that, youngling?” the first crystal asked.

“I would require access and control over a single project of my own. One that would ensure the safety of Genesis and our race from now on. I seek no other influence over your area of activity, noble Amper.”

“Even if we were to consider such a proposition, who is to say that you are correct? Our people may overcome these complications. Assuming your analysis is right, our purpose is to learn and evolve. Considering that the Meka will perish, our conscience will go on and-“ the second crystal said.

“You are wrong!” Tesla finally snapped, not able to contain his feelings any longer. “This city has been breached, our brethren have been slain! And you continue this futile argument with no reason whatsoever! We NEED the Epsylon activated now, Morse!”

“Your time among the Nephalem has altered you, Tesla the Seeker” Ohm replied. “You are no longer capable of cold logical thought. You are not being rational, but emotional… This was not your purpose in the city of Light.”

“To hell with your rational thinking! Do you think the ones seeking to destroy us care if we’re logical or not? The issue is a simple one: accept my request or wait for the inevitable outcome!”

“We will ignore this outburst” Amper said and paused for a second then continued as all three crystals seemed to glow at the same time much brighter. “…And your request. This is a matter that needs to be analysed in depth. Probabilities must be calculated before we could consider such a bold suggestion.”

“Then analyse yourselves to death!” Tesla replied bitterly. “I’ll go and try to save what’s left of our people!” he added and turned to walk away, but a fourth voice spoke in a female tone.

“Stop! Tesla the Seeker will be permitted to take a place among us!”

“Gamma, we can’t grant such an honour to one so young. Be him a Tolgarim…” Morse said.

“Young or not, he is right. We will deal with eventual functionality issues along the way if we must. For now, we must ensure that the Meka survive. That is and always was our priority, or have you forgotten, brothers?”

“No, you are right, Gamma” Amper agreed. “Very well, we shall honour your demand, Tesla. What is the name of your project?”

The mechanical creature turned and looked at the crystal and stared in awe as the metal-shaped egg opened in half, releasing a cloud of steam. He bowed his head towards the fourth crystal and answered to Amper:

“My project is called Defender. And I am ready to submit it.”

“Then step inside and be welcome among us” Gamma said.

“Thank you, wise one” Tesla answered as he walked inside the machine.

All light in Genesis died that instant. And a new one was born, more powerful than any of the physical creations of the Meka.

Out Of Smokes - Ep. 3

2011-10-31T17:38:00.002+02:00

Brian walked in and went straight for the bed. The rush of recent events was fading fast and he was coming down from his high at rollercoaster speed. He crashed and exhaled loudly, freezing in a comical position, with his extremities wide open. In a matter of second, he felt the predictable jump on the bed and Jack approaching him slowly. The cat took a look at him then pawed at his face.

“Open your eyes, Brian” he said.

“Go away, I want to sleep” the man replied annoyed.

“What did you do, stupid?”

“You know what I did. It was funny.”

“Oh, really? ‘Cause all the great ones liked practical jokes. I’m sure Mr. Ripper, when he wasn’t dissecting hookers, had a part time job as a clown at the circus. London loved him!”

“Fuck off, I needed a laugh…”

“Bah! You’re worthless…” Jack concluded bitterly and turned his tail around, flashing Brian his butt.

“What’s your problem?” Brian snapped, finally fed up with being scolded by a feline.

“My problem?” Jack replied looking back at him. “My problem is that you’re embarrassing yourself and you’re making me ashamed to be your mentor! No cat would ever pull off something like this… It’s so degrading!”

“I’m not a cat now, am I, you smart little fucker?” he said arrogantly, with half a smile and folding his arms to his chest.

“Oh? Then what are you, you dumb tall abstinent man? …That’s right! It’s called wordplay!” Jack growled silently and threw him an evil look.

“I should have you castrated for that…”

“Yeah, whatever, dude… You don’t fit into your society, you can’t get along with anyone, friend or girlfriend… Maybe you’re gay!”

“Maybe I should get a dog…”

“You’re not that cruel. And you’re graceful when you can be, and elegant, and you are very territorial. You’re more of a cat than a human, Brian! You really don’t do or want anything a normal person would.”

“Ok, name one more thing a normal people wouldn’t do!”

“…You’re talking to a cat.”

“My mom does that. She’s normal.”

“Does the cat answer back?”

“Touché.”

“…Now are you willing to listen?”

“I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

“Yes, stop bitching about it like a horny teen pretending she’s not into oral.”

“Wow, that’s a horrible comparison!”

“But, oh, so true!”

“Right. So?”

“So before you fall into depression, because, mind you, you will soon enough… You have to do something despicable. Something terrible.”

“How about skin a cat and let it dry on the fire escape?”

“Fuck you too. Ok, so, like I was saying, do something horrible! You have to keep the monster fuelled up for now, human. Only so will you be able to go through this transformation…”

“So I am changing… I thought there was something new in the air.”

“Oh, there is! They’re working on some sewer lines down the corner. But that’s beside the point.”

“Fine. Despicable horrible thing it is. But no children or animals.”

“I said horrible, not pointless. A retarded dog in a wheelchair could do that…”

“You’re so good with visuals, Jack!” Brian mocked.

“Suck it up, Susie. Now think! Who deserves having a really bad Monday?”

Brian pulled the crumpled pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket and flamed one, looking at the ceiling. The smoke ran through his lungs, poisoning a few more cells and released the nicotine into the bloodstream. It rushed directly to his brain, sending a few electrical impulses down his spine and into his arms, making the hairs stand up.

“There you go…” Jack said quietly and curled into a ball, closing his eyes. He chose to sleep on Brian’s pillow.

“You better get your ass off it ‘til I get back” Brian said calmly and went to the kitchen.

Just ten minutes later he lit another cigarette and tested the knots on the piece of string. The brick at the end seemed firmly attached. He lowered it down somewhat and marked it at some point, then took a long drag and those electrical impulses hit him twice as strong, making him grin idiotically like a junkie. Brian dialled a number on his cell phone:

“…What?! You have any idea what time it is!”

“Yes, 10 past 12 actually. I thought you’d be up, Jerry,” Brian said apologetically.

“Oh, it’s you! What the fuck do you want Brian? I went back to sleep 3 hours ago. Bored with your shitty job?”

“Actually, yes. There was something really important I wanted to show you. Can you come to your living room window please?”

“Fuck you, asshole! I’m going back to sleep!”

“It’s about you Beemer… “

“What about my car?”

Brian put the old sink with half a pipe still attached to it on the ledge. He pushed it into position then shoved it good, dropping it like a crazy bomb straight for the BMW’s front window. It smashed loudly and made the exasperating alarm go off in an instant while explaining calmly:

“It just got fucked up.”

“WHAT? Jesus-fucking-Christ! What the hell, man!?” Jerry rushed to the window and before he could open it, a brick came into view.

The string tightened and the throwing force boosted the projectile towards the wide glass. It smashed into it, shattering it and spraying large deadly shards in all directions, most hitting the giant man in the neck and face. One piece, penetrating his eye, was hammered even further in by the brick that ended up hitting his face as well.

Brian fished the brick back, threw it over to the roof across the street and looked down, smoking his cigarette. With the sink’s explosion into the car and the alarm screaming like a banshee being raped, nobody even noticed the second smash and the agonizing yelling coming from the third floor apartment. The man looked at the fire escape and saw Jack’s head peeking out and looking down from his window. He looked rather calm considering all the noise, then he seemed to understand what was happening and glanced up at the roof with his big yellow eyes.

“How’s that for despicable?” Brian muttered.

“Good job,” Jack said matter-of-factly in his head. “You actually redeemed yourself for that awful turkey gag… Honestly, I’m impressed.”

“What will I think off next?” Brian said proudly.

“Get over yourself!” the cat mocked. “Come on, it’s time for lunch. Let’s order Chinese! I love those spicy meatballs.”

Brian descended on the fire escape and looked at Jack like he was some green-headed monster. The cat didn’t say anything; he just watched him approvingly as he tightened the gloves and entered his neighbour’s apartment. He was still twitching on the floor, a leg convulsing in a reflex as Jerry was lying in a pool of blood. Brian carefully picked up the cell phone that was thrown a couple of feet away and deleted the last received call, then placed it back on the nightstand. Luckily it had no blood on it.

The place was a lot bigger than his, wider somehow, and filled with crappy modern art. The kind that Brian couldn’t understand nor appreciate as real art. Crazy paintings and vulgar statues littered the place, while Jerry’s bedroom as the apogee of bad taste. He even had the zebra bed sheets and the bachelor’s lava lamp. It made the young man shake his head in disbelief. For a moment he had the masochistic impulse to check the drawers but he feared what he would find. Instead he just checked the wallet lying next to the bed. A smile curled on his lips.

“I knew you were stupid, Jerry, but this proves you were really retarded. You’re paying for my car this month, buddy… “

“Well?” Jack asked when Brian returned through the window to his own place.

“Who carries around five thousand dollars in cash?!” he said still puzzled.

“The same person who gets paid five thousand in cashm” Jack answered wisely, without even knowing he did.

“So… Chinese?” Brian asked, taking the gloves off.

“Yes, please!” the cat replied and offered a Cheshire grin.

Brian didn’t feel better or worse. Watching his victim die didn’t stir much emotion inside him – he was positive he would feel more for a wounded animal than that son of a bitch. In fact, seeing that mass of flesh all bloody and vulnerable disgusted him beyond words. He didn’t feel pity but even more appalled by his former neighbour. The cat was right though – he needed to do that. Brian still had a bone to pick with the world, with faith, with what society and probabilities chose for him. This life sucked, he decided. Might as well make fun of its rules…

The cat looked at him rather concerned. He too had noticed the weird flicker in Brian’s eyes.

“I hope you’re being careful” he finally said when Brian still wouldn’t move. Not that he cared much, but he had the phone in his hand and still hadn’t called the restaurant.

“Hmmm?”

“Careful. As in ‘not getting caught, you moron!’… You know.”

“Ah, yes, careful. No worries. I plan to do this for quite some time.”

“You have the same complex all murderers do.”

“What’s that?”

“The fame thing. You want to be notorious. You want yourself being mentioned on the news, but your name still a secret. Until one day you’ll want more and get yourself caught.”

“Maybe. What’s it to you?”

“Well, you’re right!...” the cat said sarcastically. “Because there won’t be anyone calling the Chinese Garden then either! And I’ll prolly be dead from starvation already…”

“Can’t you just ask normally? These wiseass comments are starting to get on my nerves…”

“You realize that makes no sense. You’re talking to your cat and he’s getting on your nerves?”

Brian shrugged. He was right. He dialled the restaurant.

Out Of Smokes - Ep. 2

2011-10-31T04:56:00.000+02:00

“How’s the chow?”

“Great. You know I love these things.”

“And you know there’s nothing but cereal and artificial flavors in those pellets, don’t you?” Brian asked and took a drag, watching the remains of the pizza with disgust.

“…Now there are two problems with that question,” Jack said and looked up arrogantly at his owner, while chewing patiently. “First, you’re the genius who feeds this crap to me. And second, you’re talking about healthy food after having pizza before noon and sucking on that coffin nail.”

“Amusing, isn’t it?”

“Irony mostly is. Unless you die from it.”

“How would that be?” Brian asked curious all of the sudden, crossing his legs. He didn’t even change his suit. He just tossed the jacket on a chair, loosened his tie, ordered from “Antonio’s” and celebrated doing nothing while doing nothing on his couch.

“You’re developing a strange fascination towards death, buddy” Jack said and jumped on the couch, stretched and slowly started licking himself clean.

“There’s nothing strange about that, cat. Humans have always found the concept… appealing.”

“Right, right… Cats don’t. We hunt, we kill, it’s fun. Nothing deep about it. You don’t see many tigers pondering about the place where they’re going after kicking the bucket…”

“How so?”

“Nine lives and all that jazz. What do I know? …What were you asking?” the orange and white feline asked again, pausing the licking for a moment.

“Ironically dying. I’m on the verge of having an epiphany here…”

“Now that’s a joke… People don’t have epiphanies, it’s just an impression. Your so called inspiration comes from the little things you don’t even notice. Like the fact that you must buy another pack of cigarettes...” Jack explained.

Brian looked inside the carton recipient. Empty indeed. He grabbed his black and white tennis shoes and put them on, throwing the cat another glance. The evil little creature seemed too absorbed with licking his fur off. He grabbed his keys and walked out.

It felt kind of good not being attached to a cell phone or a briefcase for a change, especially on a Monday morning. Or was it noon already? Brian decided not to check his watch. He noticed that whenever he did that something bad would happen. Like spilling hot coffee on his leg. The thought hit him like a brick in the face. He turned and looked at himself in a coffee shop’s window, cursing under his breath at the sight of the dark spot on his trousers. He looked up at the green sign and cheered up. Irony was funny indeed.

Brian stopped at the kiosk where he usually purchased his cigarettes, but looked down the street. It was calm, autumn throwing around pile of dark orange leaves all over the grey sidewalk. A pale warm sun was shining down from a rather white sky. He took the air in and it didn’t smell like car exhaust.

“Hey, there, Brian!” said the old man, tipping his hat a little.

“Good day to you, Sam! How’s things?”

“Same old, same old… Old,” the man chuckled under his bushy white mustache. “And you? You seem in a good mood for a change.”

“Got fired today, Sam. Enjoying the illusion of freedom,” Brian joked.

“That’s the spirit, boy! You should go have some fun. All these fucking corporate bastards want to do is keep you down… The usual?”

“Yes, please. And yeah, I’ve been meaning to do just that. Any suggestions?”

“Aside a bottle of Old Turkey and bowling? No. We’ve got different ideas about fun, kid. Take a walk. Maybe an idea will spark!”

Brian nodded, paid for the cigarettes and thanked Sam. If only he knew he murdered a guy just a couple of hours before. …He’d congratulate him! Brian realized and started laughing to himself while people started throwing strange glances in his direction.

Before he knew it, he was on his way to the office. Fun was the word and the idea just hit him out of nowhere. Or was it something Sam said? He did some shopping and just around noon he made it to his former working place, carrying a large bucket covered with paper bag.

“Mornin’, Dave!” said Brian, saluting cheerfully the fat guard.

“Good… day, sir” the man replied terribly confused. He had no idea who that guy was nor did he care. His face seemed familiar, but he was sure he never said hello before.

Brian whistled along with the elevator as it went up to the tenth floor, making people look at him with a little envy. Nobody was that cheerful on a Monday morning. Finally, a guy with glasses leaned over and asked.

“Promoted today?”

“Oh, yes! Definitely!” he replied and rushed through the doors as they opened, cackling.

“Bri-“ started the blonde secretary but before she could even finish the word, he was already in Amanda’s office.

“Norris!” she jumped and hung the phone without even realizing. “I take it you’re feeling better…” the woman added, raising an eyebrow. It made him really glad he decided to do this today – her complicated red curly hair in that awful cut, her terribly stereotypical business clothes and especially her fat body made him sick. She was like a pig trying to fit in with the swans. It wasn’t the weight that bothered him, it was the attitude. She really didn’t know how to fake it.

“I’m perfect!” he said excitedly and emptied the bucked on her desk. A giant defrosted turkey greeted Amanda’s gaze. She yelped and started screaming in that high pitched voice.

“Have you lost your mind, Norris?! Get this thing out of my office before I call security!”

Brian smiled calmly and said: “Good bye, you annoying fat forever-bitching cunt,” and lit the long fuse, hidden from her ex-boss’ eyes. He turned and just when he opened the glass door, the large firecracker exploded, decorating Amanda’s officer and person with bird insides.

Through the screams and the agitation of people rushing from their cubicles to see what had happened, Brian walked calmly, laughing softly to himself.

“…Should have brought Jack along. I think he would have enjoyed that.”

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it in the elevator.

“Hey, no smo-…” started a guy but changed his mind after seeing the… interesting look in Brian’s eyes.

Out Of Smokes (maybe a series)

2011-10-30T01:19:00.000+03:00

If you like this, please let me know. I will make a short series out of it. I just thought the concept would be funny and it's a way to get my mind off NOT smoking.

Although people don’t normally agree to this, there is a complete darkness in everybody, and the only thing keeping it in check is each person’s capacity to comprehend morals. It’s true that some have a natural tendency to reject everything vile, something about certain aspects of that soft chewy pitch black core just… disgusting them beyond words. This however is but a reflex, not something premeditated. Because, in reality, humans truly love being evil. In certain circles, especially in younger groups, being bad is considered a virtue, a merit, something to flaunt and something that can be used as currency to attract the opposite sex. The worse a teen is, the better the reputation.

This doesn’t work though for the regular adult, does it? You can’t have a three-piece handmade suit clad lawyer, graduated at Oxford, working for “Beelzebub, Baal and Steinmann”, going around the office cubicles and spitting in people’s coffee cups when they’re not looking. That would be ridiculous! Yet there’s no surprise when the same person purchases a regular piece of military hardware (let’s say an AK-47, because it’s still rather easy to find on the black market), marches in the office in the morning and starts shooting down his colleagues, as a side effect of being fired. Pun intended.

…Either way, a scenario with an adult acting despicable is just absurd. This is exactly why, once in a while, the Universe fucks a person up so badly, that there’s no morals left for that person to consider, and one such individual is born. The problem with these kind of situations is that, in those rare cases, when one loses the ability to conceive reality as a scary monster, one of those unfortunate people turns out to be extremely intelligent, creative and, why not, always in the mood for a good joke. You would expect the following story to be one about this kind of man, who despite being a dick in society’s ass, is so smart that you would find him adorable. It’s not. You don’t wake up one morning and feel like an evil genius, do you?

Brian has deep brown eyes, short brown hair and a brown sway jacket he loves to wear during fall. He’s a little underweight, though labelled as a tall man, usually wearing a calm expression in contradiction to what he is thinking about society. He is what Americans would call Average Joe. The problem with Americans being that they’re stupid and this fact is confirmed by the fact that all of Brian’s acquaintances think of him as being average because he seriously doesn’t give a shit. Brian’s miserable because he would rather be a photographer instead of an accountant, a hobby which he’s rather good at. Corroborated, these factors make him a sloppy working man, who has no aspirations and doesn’t care much about excelling in his job nor pursuing this activity as a career. He’s got intimacy issues, commitment issues and mommy issues, but he is definitely open to more because that’s just the kind of person he is.

“Good morning, Jerry” he said quietly as he locked down the front door.

“Hey, neighbour! Hope the music wasn’t too loud last night!” said the two-ton pack of muscles and grinned a bleached grin at Brian. “It got so wild, man!”

“What was the occasion?” Brian asked with fake interest, trying to juggle the briefcase, apartment keys, car keys, cell phone, cigarette pack and lighter, and a carton cup of coffee.

“Being incredibly awesome in the whole New York scene is reason enough. Oh yeah!” he said and grabbed his newspaper from the doormat.

“Yeah…” Brian replied absent-mindedly and tried a few time to push the elevator button. “I guess that can work… What time is it, Jerry?”

“Pfff! You have a watch – why are you asking me?” the bulky neighbour with a bad clubbing haircut said bitterly.

Brian tried indeed to see the time but only managed to spill some coffee on his leg. He jumped from the burn, dropping everything but the cup of coffee.

“Shit! …Fuck, this is just one of those damn mornings!”

“Ha! You’re such a joke, man! …It’s why I never invite you to my parties!” Jerry laughed and slammed the door.

Brian just looked calmly at the closed door and muttered “douchebag”. By the time he managed to pick everything up and actually place some of the items in his pockets, the elevator door opened and closed. Of course, everybody was going to work at… 8:05.

“Fuck this!” he shouted and turned around. He dropped the suitcase and pulled out his keys, walking back in his apartment and slamming the door loudly. Jerry peeked his head out and wanted to shout at the noisy neighbours but saw no one there.

“Amanda, hi! Listen, I’m sorry, but I can’t make it in today. I have the… flu! Yes, and I’m feverish… I just need the day off…” Brian tried to lie.

“I don’t care, Norris! You do a horrible job here and I would actually be relieved of not having to put up with you today, but I AM paying you and you have to come in!” the answer came in the form of a screechy voice. It was so annoying, Brian imagined the only way to block it was to scratch a blackboard with your fingernails.

“I can’t, I’m so sick I can barely find my way to the bathroom, Amanda!” he complained, trying to appeal to her better nature. It didn’t work. She didn’t have one.

“Then, and I’ve been waiting for a long time to say this, Norris, you’re FIRED! Feel free not to come and pick up your shit when you’re feeling better. Now… you’ve wasted enough of my time-“

“Come on! You can’t do this! What if-“

Click.

“Amanda? Hello? FUCK!”

Brian rammed the phone in the hook and kicked the chair, hurting his toe. He took a deep breath and started thinking logically. First, he would have to explain to his mother how he got fired, then he would start the painful process of finding a job and the even more agonizing one of going there every day. At least there was no Felicia this time to bitch about how insecure their future would be together…

The cigarette never tasted better. He flamed it slowly and sipped his coffee, sitting at the small kitchen table in complete silence. Jack, his cat, jumped in his lap and started purring and turning in a circle until he found the perfect position to crash lazily. He was rather ugly, Brian thought, looking at the thin orange and white feline. His cell phone rang.

“Hello?” he said with some effort.

“Mr. Norris, I’m calling you from the credit company. It seems you have missed the last payment on your car-“

“Yes, I know, I had some problems to take care of, but I assumed there is a safety period… I will pay all in full this month. I have to cash a paycheck in two days in fact.”

“Yeah, well, it doesn’t work like that. I have to file your papers today and if you don’t pay up… You know what that means” the guy’s voice said, sounding very arrogant and annoyed to have to make this particular call.

“Actually, I don’t know” Brian snapped, not capable of holding back anymore.

“We will mark you as a bad client, Mr. Norris, and you’ll be refused any more loans for the next five years. That’s what will happen, so I suggest you take a trip to the bank right now and pay your debt to us” the guy continued in a manner that royally pissed Brian off.

“Okay,” he said icily. “I didn’t catch your name?”

“Andy Perkins. Why do you need-?”

Brian downed the cup of coffee, put Jack down and grabbed the car keys. In a matter of minutes he was at the “Morrison & Thane”, with a frozen smile on his lips. He looked around at the desks and the bunch of people busy with phone calls and paperwork. Too busy to acknowledge his presence and too uncaring to say hello. He looked around and noticed the little fucker who had just called him, recognizing his name on the golden plaque on his desk. He was barely five feet tall, overweight, probably from the dozen doughnuts he swallowed every morning (just a couple more remaining in the open box on his desk), wearing a navy blue suit that barely fit him. Brian leaned against a pillar with murderous thoughts and just watched him sitting at his desk by the window and ordering the secretaries around while secretly checking out their asses. This was the kind of dickhead you’d expect to find in clubs after 2 A.M., pretending to be younger than he is, and a whole lot more virile. The type that drives a Mercedes even though he’s barely middle management. The kind that orders the most expensive drinks in bars just because he can and not because he likes them. He was also the kind of person who treated his clients like shit for the same reasons, not caring that they were actually working hard to pay their bills.

It made Brian grind his teeth and grab the long extension cord from the corner without even thinking. It was like God had placed it there, near the fax machine, to catch his eye. He moved like in a dream, automatically, his actions driven by something or someone unknown, walking by so casually that nobody noticed him. He tied the cord to Perkins’ armchair’s leg and went around a pillar, then tied the other end to a water tank and adjacent cart, close to the water cooler. Expertly, he lifted the tank with the special cart and pushed it to the elevator doors. It took a little effort to pull them open, but he did it without raising suspicion, and then dunked the cart, dashing off without watching the outcome. There was a scream of surprise as Andy Perkins was jerked back with the armchair on wheels under him flying off without warning. The chair slammed against the pillar and threw the fat bastard against the window.

Brian stopped by the crowd that grew larger and larger, louder and louder, commenting on the plummeting lard ball that lay dead, over a smashed windshield, head cracked and blood flowing freely and finally liberated from being tortured with sugar overdoses. Brian thought he should feel bad. After all, he didn’t try to actually kill the man, just hurt him on a scale from mildly injured to… this. Pondering about murder, he realized he really didn’t care. In his mind, that little fat fuck deserved it.

“What happened here?” a girl asked him quietly.

“I don’t know” he lied casually, without even looking at her. “I guess he finally decided to do the world a favour.”

“Oh” she giggled secretly. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

Brian looked at the dark-haired goth-looking girl who worked the mail at “Morrison & Thane” and shook his head.

“I don’t” he said seriously. “He just looks the douchebag type…” Brian added with surprising sincerity.

“Wow!” she replied, widening her big black eyes at him. “You’re awesome, man! People usually try to be polite when speakin’ of the dead, but you just lay it out, don’t you? Respect, dude!”

He shrugged and offered a fake smile.

“Excuse me, I have to go” he said dismissively and walked away as fast as he could, considering the circumstances, with the dark haired girl shouting something at him and waving her hands.

Some time later he would wake up back in his kitchen, wondering if all those things really happened. Jack jumped back in his lap, performing the usual ritual.

“Yes, that really happened, in case you were wondering” the cat said.

“Huh!” he replied absent-mindedly.

“You don’t seem very surprised I can talk” Jack continued, looking up a little with his big yellow eyes.

“No, I knew you could talk. I just didn’t expect you to” Brian said and sipped the last drop of coffee from the carton cop. It tasted horribly.

“Did you enjoy it?”

“As a matter of fact, yes, I did. It felt… right.”

“You might want to answer that” the feline concluded and let his head rest on its paws, closing his eyes.

The cell phone rang annoyingly and Brian panicked for a second, just before answering it.

“Mr. Norris?” a girl’s voice asked in a familiar tone.

“The one and only.”

“My name is Becca. Your debt supervisor was involved in a terrible incident today and… has passed away. I’ll be taking over your file.”

“I’m sorry to hear that about Mr. Perkins. What can I do for you?” Brian replied, barely holding back from hysterical laughter.

“Well, sir, in fact I called to inform you of what I can do for you. Being that you’re a little late on your payments, I should make a note of this in the registry…”

“I actually wanted to come by and address that matter. I will make up for the payments this month – I’ll be coming into some money tomorrow actually.”

“…Okay, tell you what: I’ll give you 48 hours to make the payment. With everything being so crazy, let’s say the paperwork got… lost.”

“That’s great. Thank you so much!” Brian said and winked at the cat.

“Good. Don’t make me regret it, Mr. Norris. Have a good day!”

“You too!”

“How do you like being a killer?” Jack asked.

“Loving it.”

Crux: Revelation - Finale

2011-10-27T05:39:00.000+03:00

Well, thank God for anchoring! And cigarettes. And coffee. And all the bad things that make life good and make me write like a machine. Speaking of which, I’m not particularly fond of this second and last hatrick, but it’ll have to do for now because I simply had ENOUGH of Revelation. It’s time for a break and some meditation on the last part of Crux which surely must be the jewel. Well, I’ll try anyway. So yeah! Here’s the last part of the second chapter of my book and the last piece you’ll get until the book is published or I’m dead! I hope you enjoyed my writing and that, by now, you’re a true fan. If not, get the fuck off my blog! …Kidding. Somewhat. I will see you later with some non-Crux stuff!

Akaba had a permanent facial expression that demanded a certain amount of healthy paranoia from whoever was near him; a rather smug smile combined with a sinister look in his eyes, something you would expect from a serial killer or a politician. The latter being a more adequate description and not an entirely metaphorical one, considering the constant struggle for power among demonic entities. Even the way he moved managed to keep Kara on the edge, leaving the impression that at any moment he might turn and tear open her ribcage. Maar didn’t feel much comfortable either, but unlike the girl, he was showing no sign of fear, keeping up the pace with the Infernal as they walked at a hurried pace through the tall grass.

“Are you sure we are going in the right direction?” Akaba asked at some point, with Kara burning holes in the back of his head.

“If there were any doubts, I’m completely positive now. The land is becoming alive and I caught the scent of Yama trees in the wind. We shouldn’t be far now – I expect Enoch lies over the next hill.”

The Infernal hummed his approval and turned his head towards the sky. The second sun was almost setting and soon a chilly night would embrace Crux like a vampire lover. The white star that shone a second day over the planet was becoming blue and the point where it would hit the horizon bled in indigo swirls of mist. Akaba narrowed his eyes and grumbled like a silent volcano.

“You can feel it too” Maar said without even looking. “Something terrible is about to happen.”

“Yes. I’m surprised you can… Interesting beings you Nephalem are. Vicious warriors as well… Makes me wonder if I’m not making a mistake by aiding you.”

“Why are helping us then?” Kara asked with a slight tremor in her voice.

“Because, human, despite the fact that Hell will lose so many precious agents when this… cherub is released, I will be the one who brought some rogue forces to their knees. And who knows? Maybe Balittian is right and Innanna does intend to turn this entire race abide the rules of Judgement. My masters will be truly pleased with my actions-”

“Say that again!” Kara exclaimed, her eyes widening at the mentioning of Maar’s father. Even the Nephalem jumped at the name.

“Yes, Balittian summoned me here. What do you think, sport?” Akaba grinned and gave Maar a nudge that would dislocate a man’s shoulder. “Think ‘old dad’ wants to patch things up with ya, eh?” he mocked. “…Nah!” he bellowed and laughed maniacally. “He’s just thinking of himself! He’s just a scared old demon, afraid I would pull out his insides and decorate his temple with them… Pitiful. But you have to appreciate a hellspawn’s betrayal. Proved he belongs perfectly where he is…”

“Hey, do you mind?” Kara said, frowning and feeling her anger take over. “…You don’t need to be a douche about it” she added and quickly started to regret her words. Her gaze slid toward Maar who kept walking silently, not visibly affected by the words. “You knew?” she asked confused.

“I suspected he had something to do with the whole thing. Why else would he take residence here? It wasn’t like he came to watch over me. But you’re wrong-“ he said to Akaba, without even turning to look at him, his dark face hidden by the mane of blue hair. “He is not a coward at all.”

“Oh? I wouldn’t call him brave now, boy” the Infernal growled. “Selling out his partners and doing a wonderful job of watching out for himself...”

The Nephalem snorted and finally glanced at the hellish warden, a nasty smile dancing on his lips.

“I thought you smarter than that, Infernal” he said, suddenly looking like he was the most powerful of the three. “It took a lot of guts to call on you and… “ He started laughing and kept laughing until Akaba finally yelled in frustration.

“What? What is so funny, half-breed?!”

“Well…” he said, wiping an invisible tear. “I just have the feeling that you were not the only plan he had. Actually that is a certainty. I wouldn’t expect anything less from him.”

Kara sped up and came by Maar side smiling a little. She gave him a supporting smile and added: “He does rule over the land of vice, lies and all other nasty things…”

There weren’t many things that gave pause to Akaba. His mind worked with the speed of light and one like him couldn’t afford to be tricked by lesser creatures, be they demons who cowered in alternative dimensions. But for the first time since his creation, the Infernal pondered the fact that Balittian, a weak entity with petty aspiration, might have indeed manipulated him far more than he ever realized. And then he did something that made both Kara and Maar smile in silent amusement: he looked back.

As they climbed a gentle hill, littered with short trees bearing red pear-shaped fruit, something shifted in the air. It was like a the kind of noise only a dog could here. Or someone with demon blood. Maar and Akaba exchanged glances and rushed to the top, under a patch of foliage, with the girl trying to keep up.

“Oh, no…” the Nephalem muttered. “What are they doing?”

As Kara reached the spot, she froze with the sight of thousands of Fallen Nephalem warriors preparing for war. A massive camp site lay in the valley and giant fires were lit and burning blue in the dimming daylight. There were no shouts of rage or morale-lifting battle cries, but the anticipation of the carnage could be felt clearly. Come daylight, there would be no stopping the force commanded by Mattias; it would crash like a riptide against the walls of the distant white Enoch. Over there, the three saw, the lights of the capital shone brighter than usual. Its towers burning a golden light that enveloped the surrounding area and protected it with their magic beyond the thick tall walls. Although it was not clear from their position, Maar knew they were preparing for the assault as well, and couldn’t help but wonder why the sudden decision to attack directly. Both sides usually met on neutral ground and did battle because neither was strong enough to conquer the other’s city. He instantly looked to the east where a passage broke through the dark-stoned mountains.

“No, no, this isn’t right…” he growled silently. “So many will die for nothing” he added between his teeth in frustration.

A force like no other came slowly but at a steady pace toward the Fallen camp. Clad in their thick armour, some levitating, others using machines that resembled tanks, the Meka advanced with determination to meet their allies. Maar’s fists clenched until it hurt. He turned to Kara with the look of a wild beast in his eyes:

“We need to break into Enoch before they start fighting!”

She didn’t know what to say. His eyes were demanding a solution from the wrong person and the girl felt at a complete loss, managing only to nod slightly and return a puzzled expression.

“There” Akaba said in his low hellish voice and pointed at the demon marching through the ranks, inspecting his troops. “That’s the one I want” he added and started walking towards the camp but Maar grabbed his shoulder.

“No!” he roared. “There will be no killing. If that’s who you want, you can have him. But if you march in there many of my brethren will die trying to stop you!”

“No, little man,” the Infernal replied. “They will all die!”

“You can’t do this! There has to be another way!”

“My patience is wearing thin – take your hand off me! I agreed killing the demons. There’s no clause that says I have to let you live, Nephalem.”

In an instant Maar drew his daggers and assumed the stance, preparing to fight, while Akaba grinned sinisterly and made the spear appear in his hand, but just before they would rush each other, Kara interrupted.

“Look! Look there!” she said, pointing at Mattias. “What is he doing?”

The Nephalem lowered his daggers and realized there was no point in fighting: the demon had prepared a portal and was now walking through its burning ripples, fading slowly out of sight. Akaba grunted and dismissed his weapon, then leaned in: “This isn’t over. When our business is done, you and I are going to have… words.”

“Looking forward to it” Maar retorted and turned towards Kara. “We move now. We’ll go around the walls and find another way in before morning.”

Before she could even agree, he was already walking down the hill and appearing to give the camp a wide berth. Altering their path would make the trek a little more difficult, but among the forested hill they would be safe, yet it would take longer to reach Enoch. Even at full walking speed Kara couldn’t manage to keep up with Maar. She had to jog half the way, while the Infernal followed in disturbing silence, still undecided whether to stick with them or stay behind and hunt the demon.

As the shadows grew thicker at sunset, under the abundant vegetation, Kara had to half-guess where the black clad guide was headed. Nearing a narrow bent over a steep fold, the girl tripped and yelped as she fell to over the side. A strong arm caught the back of her jacket and pulled her back immediately.

“Watch it, human” Akaba said with a thoughtful expression. “You wouldn’t want to die so stupidly after surviving for so long, would you?”

“T-thanks… And no, I wouldn’t want to die at all, if possible. But I can’t see a damn thing.”

He nodded and with a gesture, extending his hand to the side, brought forth his unholy spear. The large spear started glowing immediately but in a manner so odd it made the girl rub her eyes in disbelief: it shone a grey light and everything around her looked like it was being seen in night vision. Everything in a small radius became illuminated in different shades of silver, while being perfectly visible to them and completely undetected from afar.

“If I made a mistake,” the demonic creature said, his molten eyes appearing amused. “I might as well go with it now… “

Palisera stood silent, watching the seraphim hover over a patch of violet flowers. It said nothing since it arrived, but she knew that could mean only one thing. In her wisdom she realized, as the celestial being examined the life in her garden, that Nadir wasn’t actually seeing the complexity of the beautiful plants in front of him but just waiting there lost in thought. The seraphim had an entirely different purpose altogether and, even though they stood on the same side with angels and cherubs, they could never understand creation. They were divine messengers, promoting the ways of Light, driven only by the need to purify everything in the Universe. The fact that Nadir even existed in this dimension was a complete paradox, one which upset the balance of Crux, abnormal as it was already.

He’s here, she said melodically as a portal opened not far from where they stood.

Mattias strolled in proudly, wearing his bloody armour and spiked shoulder pads. His hooves burned the soil and everything in his path withered and died. It made Palisera flinch with pain just by feeling his presence nearby.

I thought we had a deal! the seraphim echoed in its hundreds of voices. What is this, demon? Have you lost your senses?

“This… alliance,” Mattias spat. “Has gone on for long enough! Our children must make war – that was agreed from the beginning. Or have you forgotten?” he added, snorting.

I have not. But there was no agreement about approaching the Meka! This was supposed to be a battle between us alone. Whomever would win would claim this realm and purify it. THAT was what we said then!

“You pathetic, wretched creature!” Mattias growled and his white glare burned hatred. “I helped you banish Innanna, put up with your schemes and suffered your presence for eons, and now you summon me here to bitch about breaking the rules?! I intend to cleanse Crux, make no mistake about that! And I will do it in my own way!”

The seraphim extended its arm towards the demon and an elegant thin silver blade emerged from its hand. Mattias returned the gesture by flourishing his own giant broadsword.

“Come on! Let’s finish it now!” he bellowed and spun the blade slowly.

STOP! Palisera commanded, her voice hitting the rounded ceiling full of stars and planets. This is a place of peace and I will not permit either of you battle here!

Nadir obeyed and dismissed his weapon, throwing a glance from his unseen face masked by the silver hood and the blinding light underneath.

You will regret your actions, you filthy creature! Nadir threatened and disappeared in a white explosion of light.

Mattias turned to Palisera and narrowed his eyes, scanning her for a moment. He sheathed his sword and marched determined towards her. The stench of death came with him and she could barely refrain from showing her disgust as he neared her.

“This land will burn” the demon said.

This land’s fate remains uncertain, she retorted.

“Is this one of your… predictions? Vague as ever. Let me clear it up for you: my army and the Meka will grind Enoch to pebbles.”

Your army… fights for no cause. The Enochians fight out of instinct. And the mechanized beings fight because they are being lied to. There is no glory and no purpose to your conflict, demon. The Universe sees no true outcome to this.

“The Universe…” he growled as he gestured at the air and another portal opened. “Will quake from the fury I will unleash upon it. I will rule this realm and turn it into my own Hell!”

There is no absolute truth, just as there is no absolute force save the Creator.

“Then I will ask for your wisdom and you will obey” Mattias roared, facing her again.

You forget there is still one small factor in your plan for obliteration. The Nilithar still lives.

“The Nilithar!” he said arrogantly. “The Nilithar is a useless concept now, Oracle! It has been since the beginning. A human that could overthrow demons and angels? A human that could change the fate of a world? It is ridiculous! It has only managed to avoid us so far. After we’re done with the High, we will hunt it down and deal with it once and for all! And then… when all lies in ashes, I will come after you personally!” he added and stepped through the portal.

Palisera watched him leave and, for a moment, she pondered the scenario. If Mattias would win, she and all life on Crux will perish, including the Nephalem. The demons cared not about their offspring. If anything they saw them as failed experiments that could never accomplish more than kill each other; having no souls, but being the physical manifestation of their spirits, material reflections as it were, the Nephalem couldn’t ascent or fall. They could never leave Crux and they would not bolster the armies of Heaven or Hell. After exterminating each other, there would be no purpose for them save to amuse the demons by getting tortured and killed in unspeakable ways.

The Oracle turned, shimmering in and out of view, and hovered over to a small pond in the middle of Rhodima. Her bare feet touched the perfectly still waters and her whole body started glowing wildly, as her mind reached out throughout Crux.

Hear me, Valenthar! Hear me, First Born! she commanded and all life on Crux stopped to listen.

Ash spun the wheel and made the ship slide sideways in the gentle waves and roll on the beach with little effort, making Andrew wonder again about the sailing methods of the werewolf sailor. Arlo, Tesla and Thomas hopped over onto the snow covered beach and looked up at the steep mountains in front of them. Not far from where they had landed, a pass could be seen running between the mountains, but the rocky outcrops appeared to be closing in on it.

“Get a move on, Drew! We need to hurry!” Thomas yelled as Arlo and Tesla were already jogging towards it.

The mage sighed and looked at Mona for a moment then turned to his friend and offered a sad smile.

“This is good-bye then, Gates. I can’t come with you. I’ll meet you on the other side then – whatever that may be!”

“What?! You’re doing this now?”

“Come on, mortal!” shouted the Meka. “We have little time!”

“Come with me, damn it!” Thomas said with desperation in his voice.

“Tom, go!” the mage ordered. “I won’t be of any use to you. I am already being drained of power and I would only get in the way. Please, just go help them! I will be fine here!”

“Damn it…!” Thomas conceded and then nodded at the wizard in acceptance before he dashed towards the other two. “Don’t die on me, you hear!” he called out from the distance.

“Will try, my friend! Will try! Good luck!” Andrew shouted back.

Ash came to him and put a giant arm on his shoulder, while Mona took his hand and squeezed it gently.

“Don’t worry, mate. They will be fine and you… Well, you need to put this dying business out of your head. I’ve something special in the hold, I do…” the captain assured him and winked, disappearing below decks.

“He means rum” Mona explained. “Stuff that would make your eyes explode and your lungs boil. Hope you can hold your liquor, dear.”

“Well!” Drew replied with the smile frozen on his lips. “That takes care of one problem. I’ll feel more alive than ever.”

As they followed Ash in the belly of his rundown ship, Arlo, Tesla and Thomas were speeding through the closing pass. The rocks were melting together, like perfect puzzle pieces, and the latter felt the adrenaline pump through his veins like never before. Somehow, he found this mad race very funny. How silly it would have been to die swallowed by a mountain.

“There!” Arlo called, pointing at the exit. “Almost made it! Hurry!”

Tesla lept over a rock coming out of the ground and as Thomas dodged a monolith, he replied loudly: “We won’t make it! Probability is too small! Calculating an alternative route!”

Thomas frowned and roared loudly, making the other two flinch in surprise as he boosted past them with unnatural speed.

“If this mountain thinks it can eat me… It can EAT me!” he yelled leading the way.

As they neared the closing maw, meeting a wall of stone, Thomas focused all his strength and his fist met the obstacle with godly force, pulverizing the rock and pushing the still growing rock to the sides.

“HURRY!” he shouted, trembling with effort and pain.

The Meka reached him first, bouncing over him and landing gracefully on the other side, while Arlo just slid like a baseball player between spread legs. He cried loudly and jumped away, rolling to safety as the passed closed with a deep clunk.

“What happened to your eyes?” Tesla asked as he came close and reached a hand to Thomas’ face. He dodged it and backed away.

“Easy there, fellow!”

“He’s right. They’re orange!” Arlo said, dusting the snow off her clothes. “Why are they orange? And glowing?”

“Vampire blood” Thomas said matter-of-factly.

“Oh,” she replied casually. “Of course. Why not?”

The Meka gazed at him with his green orbs, pondering the scientific uses of said liquid, but without managing to contain his enthusiasm.

“Don’t even think about it!” Thomas warned. “You’re complicated enough as you are!”

“Come on, Tesla!” Arlo called already climbing the irregular slopes. “I can see the top from here. Genesis lies just ahead!”

“Indeed!” the Meka agreed and something about the notion of returning to his home city after so long made him look excited, though Thomas couldn’t tell how that was exactly.

Half of the way up Thomas couldn’t get him mind off Andrew. He felt awful about leaving the wizard behind like that, but it didn’t seem like he had much choice. The need to speak about it was overwhelming, but he doubted Tesla could understand a thing he would say and Arlo seemed way too concerned with her own problems. He was grateful though for Mona being right about the snow. It wasn’t cold at all and it felt quite pleasant to the touch. While trying to focus on this little thing and try to put Drew out of his head for the moment, the Meka broke the silence.

“Something is amiss” he said in his mechanized voice. “The towers!” he added, pointing the three-fingered hand at the peak ahead.

Now, as they approached, they could see the low drill-shaped towers protruding out of the mountain and reach towards the sky. Energy crackled slightly on them and this aspect seemed to bother the green creature greatly.

“This is very bad” he said and looked at Arlo. “Hurry! I must investigate this!”

“Why?” she asked as Tesla was running towards the arched gate that was wide open now revealing the dark tunnel behind. “What’s wrong?”

“They activated an emergency protocol!” he replied still running.

“Not a moment of peace around here” Thomas commented and gestured Arlo to follow as they tried to catch up with Tesla.

He had stopped in front of the massive metal gate, looking confused. Nothing had ever managed to break through their fortifications but there it was: the entryway completely accessible and the bodies of several guards sill scattered in green pools of blood.

“Oh, my…” Arlo muttered as she and Thomas approached the Meka slowly. “That’s terrible…”

“You must wait here” Tesla said quietly now. “Foreigners are not allowed within the city.”

“I think that rule has already been broken” said Thomas, regretting his words immediately. It was no time for jokes and Arlo gave him a grave look. “Sorry. We’ll wait here.”

“That was cold” the half-angel told him when Tesla disappeared in the darkness of the mountain corridor. “He claims he’s all logic and mathematics, but I think he can feel just like any other creature. And your words were… inappropriate.”

“I know,” he admitted bitterly. “I’m just… worried about Drew. I shouldn’t have left him there.”

“Your friend has a lot of faith. You should too. Let’s rest… He will return shortly.”

The last remnants of light disappeared and thousands of stars faded into existence on the dark orange sky, its reflection on the snow making it look like the Grand Canyon. Inside the mechanized city, the smell of hot metal and sound of electricity still floated in the air. It felt warm and artificial and Tesla felt at ease. Along his way he saw more and more bodies of his murdered brethren, but now, strolling through the adjoined science rooms and factories, relaxed his mind. He felt purpose again, he felt the familiar emotion of belonging, but most of all, he felt the burning need to avenge the loss of Genesis. Being cut from the central neural node, he didn’t receive the order to prepare for battle against Enoch, and that gave him the advantage over whoever thought they could control the Meka. His mind raced and analyzed possibilities.

It was obvious that the cyborg creatures constructed weapons and readied for a conflict. It wasn’t however to defend themselves and it wasn’t under the order of the Galileo either, lest he, as a Tolgarim, would have been informed. Logic dictated only one thing: the only creature capable of taking command over the Meka was the other Tolgarim, the one assigned to Babel: Benjamin.

Tesla turned and dashed towards the Galileo Council’s chambers. The room murmured remnants of energy and death. The Meka leaders were dead and so were many of their bodyguards. Green blood stained the polished stone floors and walls. Even the blue light from the core pulsated slowly in apathy. Approaching the thrones of metal, Tesla noticed that the one responsible for these killings lay among the victims as well. A wave of green electricity washed over his eyes as he placed his hand over Benjamin’s face. And then he saw everything.

A golden moon rose over the peaks to the west, shinning on the silent trio sitting in the stone, each struggling with different thoughts. Thomas felt angry and frustrated, while Arlo fought with confusion and the need to help, and Tesla meditating on the course of action. Three individuals could not stop an army.

“Three people can not stop an army!” Thomas finally yelled and slapped the snow.

“Stop yelling, man. You’re not helping” Arlo said and her eyes moved from one spot to another, trying to think of a solution.

“We will go to Enoch and…” Tesla began, but didn’t know how to finish the sentence.

“Okay, go and?” Thomas asked.

“I… I do not know. We can’t warn them in time, we can’t fight my brethren, let alone the Fallen. I see no possibility of success here. I see… nothing.”

Thomas jumped on his feet and yelled a series of curses, his voice making the canyons tremble. He took the air in and faced the other two.

“Had to get that out, sorry” he said softly.

“Hey, mind the language, will you! You Americans are so bloody rude!” came Drew’s voice from behind him.

Thomas turned taken aback by the sight of his friend and the other quickly stood as they saw the mage riding on the back of a huge lion as white as the snow. Slowly, behind them, Mona, Ash and a few other individuals followed at a gentle pace.

“Drew?” Thomas asked stupidly with his eyes as wide as ever. “What… What’s going on?”

The wizard laughed softly and dismounted the massive feline who slowly morphed into his human shape. Nom cracked his neck as he walked on two feet again and offered the three the most gentle smile possible.

“Your friend here can be very persuasive, you know! We-“ he said opening his arms wide. “-decided to… get involved. So… need an army, do you?”

Arlo nodded in silence while Tesla was still coming to terms with what was going on. Nom gestured them to come closer. As they reached the ridge, he pointed towards the shore that could be seen over the closed pass and the low mountain. A few hundred boats of random sizes floated on the pink shallow waters. While they admired the massive force that came to their rescue, Thomas grabbed Andrew and gave him a quick hug, whispering: “Don’t do that again. You’re sticking with me until the end.”

“For such a badass, you can sure be a wimp sometimes, Gates” the mage retorted.

“What did you say to him?” Thomas asked jerking his chin in Nom’s direction.

“Before we all left his house, I told him that they couldn’t avoid war. If the Nephalem were trying to purify the planet, they really stood no chance, being hybrids themselves.”

“Smart observation” said Thomas.

“Here’s another one” said Arlo. “Our army doesn’t have any weapons. Sure, we don’t want to hurt the Meka but there is still a Fallen army to be dealt with… “

“Well, that’s true” Nom agreed. “We banned weapons from Bastion a long time ago. But we can still fight – we have our strengths, no?”

“Won’t be enough” Tesla said shaking his head. “My people are heavily armed and your powers will do you little good. But… I think I can help with that” he added and gestured them to follow. “No other creature but the Meka stepped inside Genesis until now. Sad that it has happen under such circumstances…”

Nom, Arlo and the two earthlings walked through the blue lit corridors in silence as Tesla led them in through the maze of chambers, finally reaching a giant metal gate in a tall chamber. He passed his hand over the crystal panel on the right side and it buzzed electrically. Cogs spun into motion and the door opened with a heavy sound while the blue stripes of light illuminated the depot.

“We have gathered these for study, yet we found them crude and… unreliable” the Meka said.

“Impressive” said the leader of Bastion, then quickly added. “What are they?”

Thomas and Andrew looked at each other grinning like children in a toy store.

“Oh” the mage said. “We know what they are.”

“Dibs on the chaingun!” Thomas yelled and rushed towards the pile of machineguns.

Crux: Revelation Hatrick

2011-10-23T05:22:00.002+03:00

Jean-Jacques was royally pissed and one of the reasons why he wouldn’t stop chewing on his bottom lip in frustration was that they called him at two in the morning when he had a fishing trip planned just a few hours later. Come autumn, that part of the Mediterranean would turn very nasty and most people were rushing to take advantage of the last few moments of sunshine and good sailing conditions, taking their boats out of the channels of Port La Nouvelle and out to sea. If not for his sociopath tendencies, he would actually love the small town lifestyle and the routine, which was why this place was so adequate for someone like him. This particular mage was indeed a hazard to himself and others, and was (as one high ranked member of the Lion Order once said) like “Elmer Fudd without those last remnants of self-restraint”. He would make use of an atomic bomb to take care of the rabbit infestation in his garden. And to make it all pretty and wrapped in a pink bow, Jean-Jacques was also a pyromancer.

The other reason why he continued to nibble on his lip and the massive chunk of fresh irony was the fact that they summoned him to handle an issue because he was the highest ranked mage in the area. That wouldn’t normally be a problem, but actually something rather flattering, if not for the fact that he was never told that that issue might exist in the first place because, as Lion motivated, “that information was reserved for higher ranks only”. Just a few miles off the coast and on the beautiful island of Corse, stood an ancient temple buried within the mountain; a couple of hours earlier, the mages sent to guard it failed to report in at the scheduled time and now Lion had a very big problem. The mage just nodded, like he was taught to, and carried out the orders as given. In less than half an hour, with his stomach on the verge of being regurgitated inside out, he had jumped two portals and a chopper hitherto and finally woke up across the black waters of the gulf with a team of silent experts and longing for a cup of coffee and a croissant.

“What’s this all about?” he finally shouted over the noise of the propeller, at the group of five black clad individuals sitting across from him and on his flanks.

“Ask Snowfox!” shouted the one in front of him who appeared to be a woman and pointed behind him at the cockpit. He couldn’t tell since they were all wearing some strange masks that covered up their face completely and some high tech cherry red goggles which looked like toys.

“This is ridiculous…” J.J. muttered and turned and squeezed a little between the front seats. “Which one of you is Snowfox?”

“That would be me, sir” came the reply from the one on the right, who the Frenchman observed he did wore some kind of hierarchic symbols on his left shoulder. The voice was however a very young one, Jean Jacques noticed and shook his head in dismay.

“Ok… Snowfox,” he said calmly “What is the plan?”

Snowfox looked at the pilot and he looked back at him, sharing what J.J. assumed to be amused glances. Finally he turned to face him again and said: “Sir! We’re supposed to be following your orders! There’s a breach in sector 45 so we were sent to assist. Usually this would mean a flashbang-and-sweep operation, but it’s your call!”

The “civilian” looked completely puzzled. He nodded in that calm way of his and said “I’ll get back to you on that one”, then crashed back in his seat. He had baggy eyes, a receding hairline and he could feel the five o’clock shadow starting to grow, ironically as they were nearing 05:00 A.M. He tugged on his black tie and loosened it, then closed his eyes and tilted his head back comfortably.

“Sir!” came the woman’s voice. “Sir, what’s the plan?”

“…Sit back and try to sleep.”

“I mean for us, sir! What’s the strategy?”

“Same thing. I’ll think of something until we get there.”

Even though he wouldn’t open his eyes, he had the feeling that the whole group was sharing the same amused look their commander and the pilot exchanged earlier, and he found he didn’t give a ratatouille’s ass about it.

At that exact time, at the said temple, Alexis Huntington-Gates and the vampire Victoria were arguing loudly, their high pitched tones echoing through the tall room and annoying immensely the local bats.

“For the last time!” shouted the blonde, her steel blue eyes burning with fury. “You can’t kill them!”

“I didn’t say kill them!” replied the green-haired vampire. “I just want a sip! …It’s close to sunrise and I’m feeling peckish!”

“You can’t bite them either” Lexi said calmly, trying logic one more time. “It’s bad enough we clobbered them, tied them up and broke in here without permission. Andrew would get the axe for this. Literally!”

There was a moment of silence while Victoria scanned Lexi with an expressionless porcelain face and cold emerald eyes. She shrugged and sat on the floor next to the aforementioned wizard, crossing her legs Indian style. After a second’s thought she asked again: “What if I try it from the wrist? Won’t leave any marks if I drop some blood on it.”

“No biting! Jesus, it’s like babysitting a baby piranha! Next time I go and Drew can very well strap a magical leash on you or something!”

Lexi exhaled deeply and looked down on the body of her husband. Her demeanour changed instantly, turning from frustrated to extremely worried. It had been just a few minutes since they performed the ritual and… well, died. But she had no idea how long it will take until they came back. From what the young wizard said, it couldn’t be much longer lest they risked not being able to return to their mortal shells.

“…Drew won’t come back” Victoria said quietly, sniffing at the two unconscious guards, tied up like Christmas presents.

“What?” Lexi asked, just realizing what the vampire said.

“He won’t come back with Thomas. We’ll need to find a way to bring him back and fast-“

“Why? …How do you know this? Did he tell you that?” Thomas’ wife asked in astonishment.

“Yes. Just before we started. He made me promise I won’t tell until the spell was done.”

“…This just keeps getting more and more complicated.”

“Not really. Why do you think he agreed to do it in the first place? Sure, he cares about your hubby there, but loves being a mage. Drew loves a good magic book – imagine how he must feel in a place where everything around him is magical! …No, he knew what he was doing. Greenwich was going to remove him from service anyway so he thought of it as an early retirement. What better place to go when you’re a mage?”

Alexis listened in shock as Victoria was speaking to her matter-of-factly, without any visible emotion on her face. She was speaking of death. Cold, silent and permanent! And she didn’t even seem to care. The girl growled and barked at her:

“Are you completely insane? …No! That’s not the right thing to ask. Is he” she asked, pointing a finger at the dead mage “completely stupid? If he dies for real then he doesn’t stay on Crux does he?! He will be forced out to a different realm and most importantly stay dead!”

“Huh!” the blood drinker said in reply. “Guess neither of us thought about that! …Maybe his soul isn’t yet ready to move on?” she added optimistically.

“It’s Drew! He’s the selfless, good-hearted, martyr type we both know! He will move and we won’t be able to get him back!”

“You’re right” Victoria conceded and stood up.

And there was a shift in the air, one that Lexi knew quite well ever since her spouse and the vampire fought the demon Damumus together. It was one of those times when Victoria would stop being the trigger-happy crazy teenage bitch and become a calculated and tactical genius, pulling a rocket launcher out of the pocket of her coat.

“Whatever happens,” the vampire said “do NOT move him. I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?!” Lexi shouted after her as she was leaving the circular room.

Victoria half turned and spoke levelly: “Shopping.”

The blonde opened her mouth and then decided against it, considering it was better to just trust her for a change. Lying down next to her husband, she rolled on one side and embraced him, caressing his face gently and repeatedly. There was just one light, coming from the broken ceiling, shinning down on the three bodies that lay between the twin colossal pillars which still stood over the centuries. Lexi fell asleep, hoping to slide through miraculously in the dream world Thomas was visiting.

“Behold! The Rift!” yelled Ash, opening his arms like captain Ahab marvelling at the white whale. “It’s be the scavenger’s holy land! Wonderful isn’t it?”

And what a marvellous sight it was, for the waters above the ravine were crystal clear and every sunken ship down there was perfectly visible even from the few hundred feet above. It went on, like a sleeping snake, for miles, beyond the horizon, and it was filled with thousands of vessels that have sunk during the course of history.

“Yes,” said Mona almost laughing. “We also have a Titanic down there.”

“That’s not funny” Ash commented. “Many people died in that terrible accident!”

“Yeah” she retorted. “And they made a terrible movie after it. I’m sure those lost in the tragedy feel a lot better now that they turned the whole thing into a sobbing love story.”

“I went to that movie” Thomas said quietly. “We joked about it up ‘til the end. Now I feel like a jackass…”

“…If you ask me” Mona added “ if those who died on the Titanic saw you laugh at the movie, they probably felt better about it.”

“You really hate that film” Drew said amused.

“Oh, yes. And I’m not too crazy about that Celine Dion song either, buddy…”

Thomas chuckled and looked at Arlo and Tesla who were watching the conversation completely confused, but tried not to show it. He opened his mouth to explain but thought better of it and just waved it off.

“This is all very interesting” the Meka finally said “but we should get going. If we don’t reach the eastern beach by sunset, we will be cut off from Raibah. There is a canyon pass there that would take us to Genesis faster, but it closes at night.”

“The pass closes?” Thomas asked and looked at the mage. “I thought those thing were like 7/11. Open all day, every day.”

“The landscape changes here” Drew explained. “With every passing moment, the planet… if it really is a planet – might be flat for all we know – shifts it’s forms according to celestial alignments. Not sure those really are stars up there either…”

“Okay then! Captain, would you be so kind?” Thomas asked.

“Of course, lad! Mona! Full speed ahead!” the giant bellowed.

“Aye-aye, meatball!” the vampire replied and pushed the throttle to full sailing speed. The vessel, which appeared to be a tugboat from the 1900’s, roared madly but barely produced enough visible progress. Still Ash loved the old boat and was very proud of it, though it made the wizard really ponder the fact of navigating without static constellations, a non-changing shore line and any viable navigation instruments whatsoever. He told himself it was wiser not to ask and just hope Ash knew where they were headed.

Arlo approached Thomas with feline grace and slid next to him on the boat’s prow, struggling a little with her white cloak and getting her bent blade out of the way. He gave her a nod and a polite smile.

“Something eating you?” she asked softly, scanning the silver sky’s reflection in the water.

“Except for the fact that my friend will die?” he joked bitterly.

“Except that, yes.”

“I don’t know how I’ll explain that to Alexis. She’s my wife… “

“You look too young to be married. How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-five but…I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. I found the perfect girl. One as damned as I am.”

“Then there you go – she will understand.”

“You think?” Thomas asked and his amber eyes turned softer looking at the half-angel.

“You’re a pact-child, aren’t you?” the Nephalem asked smiling a little. “Oh, I know, there’s no point in explaining how. What’s your power?”

“My eyes. Whatever I see, I suddenly understand. …I’ve graduated five universities already.”

“That’s a huge advantage” she commented. “And Alexis’?”

“Charm. Her family thought it best for woman to master the social disciplines. Turns out, the Huntington and the Gates both served the same demon lord. Hell of a way to meet the woman of your dreams…”

“Nice pun” Arlo laughed. “…But not fair, is it?”

“No, definitely not. We took care of the demon, but our souls are still… condemned. Who decided that parents should have ownership of their unborn children’s spirits anyway?”

“Same entity that decided the Nephalem could be influenced so easily by their own creators I guess” she said shrugging a little. “I hope you’ll find a way to redeem yourselves” she added after a short moment of silence. “You love her truly, don’t you? I can see it in your face. It’s the kind of love that our race is capable of. Never saw that reflecting from a human…”

Thomas closed his eyes and listened to the boat slicing the wavelets and enjoyed the sea spray for a short while. He turned his head and looked the girl next to him once more, her eyes locked on the horizon and the wind blowing back the cerise energy swirls rising from the corner of her eyes.

“It’s why I came here” he muttered. “I figured if we can make a difference by aiding this Nilithar person, we could tip the scales in our favour.”

Arlo laughed softly and turned to him smiling benevolently. She patted his shoulder and pushed herself up.

“It doesn’t work like that, my friend. You can’t cure a damned soul. If you really want absolution, then you must act out of selflessness, out of the good in your heart. Your friend is a good example. His sacrifice has worth, while your actions are just… trade goods. They don’t value much up there…”

Thomas gazed at her and nodded grimly. He wanted to ask her about love and if that didn’t count at all. In every movie and every book, especially the holy one, that concept was the guide for a repentant person’s path to enlightenment. But he realized love came in different forms and if she had so much love to give to the Light, there was certainly a sinister adoration for Darkness as well. Love was a concept, but the deeds in its name were what really mattered. Love, loyalty, courage… sacrifice. He was better off just putting all of them out of his head and hope that they at least played AC/DC in the torture pits.

“Land ho!” yelled the werewolf captain, extending a giant arm at the starboard side of the boat. Through the fading haze, the ashen outline of the shore became slightly visible. Mona giggled.

“What’s funny?” Drew asked.

“He said ‘ho’…” she explained. “It always amuses me.”

“Is that snow?” he asked smiling.

“Yes. Crux snow.”

“What’s Crux snow?”

“It’s just like regular snow, only that it doesn’t melt. Ever. And it’s not cold to the touch.”

“Good” Thomas said joining them. “I hate the cold.”

“I know I’m going to regret asking this, but why do you hate the cold?” said Mona.

“I’m from Florida! Our notion of skiing involves a wetsuit and a motorboat. …Wait. Why would you regret asking me anything?”

“Because asking you a question and expecting a normal answer would be like making a poll about preventing global warming at a mental institution” Drew answered instead.

“Pfff! You don’t need a poll for that! We just need to invest in technological development regarding alternative fuel and replace paper filing with an electronic system, manage a data base and stop fucking up the ozone lair with rockets.”

Mona shared a tolerant smile with Drew: “Point made.”

Lexi woke up to the sound of a helicopter hovering outside. She didn’t so much wake up as jump to her feet and draw a CZ2000 pistol, pointed at the entrance. Her heart pumped madly as she realized that the inevitable was about to happen. They broke in a temple guarded by mages and hijacked a sacred pathway to another dimension. Cause and effect, she told herself as she took a position in front of the Thomas and Andrew. The two guards appeared to have woken up from their magical slumber as well and they were watching her calmly through the dim light, waiting for their rescue party to come crashing in.

There was no flash, no guns firing madly, no blood and gore. Just a simple man, dressed in a navy blue suit, looking really annoyed as he marched in without even saying hello. Lexi kept her gun pointed at him and stood her ground quietly. Jean-Jacques looked at her, looked at the bodies behind and glared in a disappointed manner at the two wizards who seemed to say “not our fault!”.

“I don’t care who you are and why you’ve come here, ‘cause I have no idea why this ruin is so important in the first place. What I know is that I have orders to arrest you or use lethal force if you resist” He finally said.

As following his cue, the six combat spec-ed mages walked in, aiming suppressed Uzis at the girl. Their laser sights danced on her white cotton pressed shirt like red fireflies. They looked like black ghosts, clad in their neoprene suits with special light armour plates covering their vital parts. Lexi had never seen such a team before but from what Andrew told her about wizard warfare, she could tell they could level a small town in minutes.

“You can arrest away” she said icily. “But only after my husband and my friend wake up. As you can see, we have not harmed your people. We’re just borrowing the mystic energies that flow free here and we will surrender when we’re done.”

“I think” the man said with his strong French accent “that you’re not following me. I did mention the fact that I do not care right from the beginning, no? You will come with us and your friends will be brought along.”

“They are not to be moved!” Lexi thundered as the air around her seemed to vibrate. Her pale eyes glimmered for a second while her powers activated. She could manipulate anyone at will and, if Andrew was right, with time she could even posses another’s mind. Yet the wizard in front of her didn’t even flinch. Not only that he was immune to such charms but he also had the social abilities of an oak.

“That won’t work on us, but it is rather impressive. You must tell us more about how you acquired such skills after we bring you in” Jean-Jacques replied. “Put your gun down or I will tell them to fire.”

Lexi felt like a mouse trapped in a corner. Her frustration grew immensely as she couldn’t even reason with the man, not to mention do anything else to stop him from doing what he planned. Smart as Thomas was, it was a wonder sometime how he didn’t think this plan through – of course they would send a team to investigate! It was a holy temple! She told herself to remember to scold him if they survived this encounter.

“I see there’s no way to convince you of our good intentions… But I will not lower my weapon, sir. If you move them they will die and I’m not going to just let that happen. If your men will shoot, I’ll certainly die. But perhaps I manage to shoot you too before I hit the ground. Now what do you suggest we do?”

The man breathed out exhausted. He was over forty and tired of such complicated situations. It was hard enough to live while seeing mathematical solutions about every little detail in his life. Being in control for someone with obsessive compulsive issues and an extreme hatred for people was already too much, and such situations definitely didn’t make things easier. If one was to sum up what it felt to be Jean-Jacque Monnier, that would be not caring about anything on a regular basis.

“I’m just following orders” he said slightly displeased with himself for even giving such a crude explanation. “Take her down now.”

There was a prolonged pause as the mage team didn’t want to believe that order. Normally they wouldn’t hesitate, but this woman was obviously no threat, even if she did point that small pistol at Monnier. The safety locks on their Uzis went down but still no one fired.

“What’s the matter with the lot of you?” the wizard asked aggravated. “I said shoot her! I want to go back to sleep.”

“Sir,” Snowfox said from his side “perhaps we can find another way. I’m not comfortable with taking down a civilian like this. My team-“

“Will follow orders!” he exploded. “What’s wrong with you? Lethal action was approved. She doesn’t want to cooperate so we will take her down. NOW!”

“Yes… sir” Snowfow said gritting his teeth and rose his weapon towards Lexi.

The girl’s muscles tensed to the point of breaking but before the first gun could fire, a noise like a hurricane was heard and a blur of green dashed from one soldier to another, sending guns flying in the air with precise strikes and knocking them back against the walls. For a split second, Lexi thought Victoria had returned but realized it couldn’t be her because, despite her supernatural speed, she didn’t move that fast, nor did she ever glow like a green neon illuminating the entire chamber.

“Merde! “ roared Monnier. “What the hell is-?”

A hand like of steel closed around his windpipe before he could finish the sentence. It tossed him aside like a rag and stood in front of the girl, protecting her with his large body. As the light faded, Lexi could see that it was a man, but not just any man. An old friend that came to make sure they were safe. She laughed softly and scolded herself for not trusting in Thomas’ tactical abilities. He was, after all, the best chess player she had ever met.

“You okay, chérie?” Rene asked in his warm usual voice.

“I’m fine. Would have been a lot better if you arrived faster. I was scared my heart would give up before they would even start shooting. Thomas called you?”

“He called Octavius. He told me what you were up to. Next time, call me before you get yourself in such a mess, oui?”

“Oh. I thought my husband was clever enough to ask your for help. As back-up at least…”

The Incubus laughed still scanning the recovering mages, scrambling to their feet and recovering their weapons. The one in the blue suit was particularly annoyed.

“Don’t sell him short, Alexis. He knew Octavius would call on me. Your husband just likes to do things a little more… complicated.”

“What are you standing around for, you fools? Shoot them! Or will they have to rip one of you apart to agree they are hostile?!” Jean-Jacques yelled.

“Stand down, gentlemen!” Rene ordered and his eyes burned that hellish green fire. He walked closer and his glow became just a thin mist, revealing himself completely to them.

The Incubus was almost seven feet tall, with a natural muscular body and long platinum blonde hair that fell freely to his lower back. He was wearing a royal blue outfit with golden trimming, the jacket knee-long and showing the symbol of his Family – the lion’s head. On his belt he carried a sheathed Roman gladius , its pommel shaped like the feline as well, a reminder of who Rene Montmartre really was: one of the almost extinct Gauls and the one responsible for the massacre of the Roman armies at the Bay of Biscay over two millennia back. His sight alone could turn a man to stone, possessing the purity of a flawless diamond, but his reputation among the magical circles was enough for the combat team to lower their weapons and bow their heads.

“My team and I mean no disrespect, milord” Snowfox said. “But this is mage business.”

“Look at me, boy” Rene said gently extending his chiselled jaw and chin towards the masked speaker. “What is your name?”

“I… My codename is Snowfox, milord.”

“What is this?! You will address me! I am in charge here, vampire!” Monnier thundered.

“Shut up before I drain your soul and eat it, little man” the Incubus said quietly and waved his hand at Jean-Jacque, making him instantly faint. “He’s alright” he addressed Snowfox. “He needed a time-out.”

“Truth be told, your highness, we are grateful for that. But about this-“

“Yes, yes, formalities” he agreed. “Okay, if the words must be said, I here by claim my right of dominion over this territory which is part of France and this temple and so forth…” Rene added amused. “Are we good now?”

Snowfox removed his goggles and took off his mask. A red haired young man with hazel eyes smiled at the ancient psychic vampire and nodded: “All good, milord. Begging your pardon for the trouble, but it is protocol to hear the exact words be said. I will report back to command that you needed to… borrow the site for a few hours.”

“Dearly appreciated, monsieur Snowfox” Rene said kindly. “Give my regards to the Order and tell them I will stop by Lion for debriefing on the way back. We don’t want any loose ends here.”

“Of course, milord. Sorry for the inconvenience, ma’am. For the record, we wouldn’t have followed that bastard’s order anyway” the team leader said apologetically.

“It’s okay” she said bravely. “For the record I would have shot him.”

Snowfox nodded and gestured at his team to free the two guards and retrieve the unconscious Jean-Jacques’ numb body, while the Incubus finally faced Lexi.

“That was quite impressive. I knew they respect you deeply but I didn’t know you had such authority…” she said.

“I am above their conflicts now, as is Octavius and others that survived for over two thousand years. The matters that capture our interest are far more complicated that even the clever wizards can comprehend. Such as what you are doing here…”

“I’m glad you find my husbands demise fascinating.”

“Well… demise is not the right word is it, chérie?” he said looking at Thomas’ body. “Oh, he is quite alive I see. Yes, his spiritual link is still very strong…”

“What of the mage? Is he still anchored to his body?” she asked concerned.

“Shouldn’t he be?” Rene asked puzzled. “…What aren’t you telling me?”

“He said he won’t be able to return. Victoria went to find… something. She thinks she might be able to bring him back. Can you help?”

“My power does not reach that far. I can barely slide out of this dimension but to pull him all the way from a… what was that again? Purgatory?”

“Something like that…”

“No. That I can’t do, I’m afraid. But maybe the young Merioch can figure out something we can’t.”

Lexi didn’t answer. She was just concerned about getting Thomas back. If Victoria wasn’t successful, surely her brilliant spouse could come up with a solution.

“Don’t you worry” Rene said placing an arm over her shoulder and giving her a gentle comforting squeeze. “I trust Andrew knew what he was doing. Despite his situation, he would never put Thomas at risk.”

“…Yes, ‘cause we know he wouldn’t kill himself either, right?” the girl said bitterly. “How long does he have?”

“Without medical assistance, his body will die in a matter of days. I guess I could force-feed him energy, but…”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes – he said” Alexis growled silently. “Men are idiots… Since when do you report to mages anyway?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you will stop by Lion…”

“Ah, yes, indeed. But I don’t report to them, they like having me around. I just show up and let them squabble about my origins. It’s like Santa Claus coming by for a cup of tea” Rene said and offered a delighted grin.

Announcement!

2011-10-22T00:49:00.000+03:00

If any of you were wondering why I haven’t posted much lately, it’s because I’m about to experience the full length of the proverbial dick in the ass: my job. Up to now I’ve been able to spare some time for what I love, contrary to what I –have- to do, and let creativity play, but it seems that in a few days, we will be switching routes and that means a lot of real work for me. To further ruin my life, we will also be going to a shipyard pretty soon for repairs and maintenance. In Turkey. Which means I will probably not have any more access to the internet.

The good news in all of this is that, while in Turkey, if the predictions will be true, I’ll have a lot of free time on my hands and I will try my best to finish the third and final part of Crux: Uprising (still working on the name). For those who didn’t know, Revelation is the middle part of the book and what you have read so far are just fragments; the whole thing is a lot bigger.

That said, I will close up shop and hope to see you soon.

Out of business – until further notice.

Crux: Revelation 9

2011-10-18T05:21:00.002+03:00

Gantruel had never met an Infernal before nor was he expected to until the upcoming hostilities on the grounds of Armageddon. Despite identifying the individual now determinedly walking towards him with a spear in his hand, he had no idea how to approach him. Stories were told of the fierce wardens, especially among Michael’s troops, but nothing could indeed prepare any regular angel for such an encounter. Fact which actually led Gantruel to a gruesome, painful death, after a quick battle and a humiliating defeat. In mere seconds, diving at Akaba in a heroic feat, the angel ended up as a spearhead ornament. Turns out the Infernal was right: his chest armour shattered on impact like an egg shell and, despite the attempt to blind his adversary by shining his spread wings, all he achieved was making the monster squint and arch an eyebrow in puzzlement.

Akaba drew back his spear, angelic soldier still attached, and thrust it forward with such a force that the corpse spraying liquid sunlight blood was propelled into one of his comrades, sending them both smashing into the valley’s wall.

“I came here to find demons and bring them back” the Infernal spoke with obvious satisfaction. “But you three… You’re just a bonus! What luck, eh? Considering you are not supposed to be here either, you can’t call for daddy now, can you?”

The third plate clad angel gulped or so it appeared to Maar who stood and stared in fascinated horror at the entity that was not only beating celestials, but was pulverizing them with little effort. Akaba jerked his head, making the long dreadlocks fly back over his shoulder and grinned sinisterly at his enemy. The angel stood up right and folded his wings, gesturing him to approach. He removed the shredded black cloak bearing the symbols of Michael’s legions and spun his short war scythe backwards.

“Oh, yes!” said the Infernal. “You look a little more challenging. Let’s see what you can do!”

He rushed forward, spun around and drew a large arc with the spear, but just as he was about to slash the angel in half, he leapt into an impossible somersault, rolling over the blade and kicking Akaba in the side. To his surprise, the Infernal barely moved, although the force of an angel’s kick could move a house ten feet away. He roared his frustration and charged immediately, taking advantage of the short distance between them and slashing wildly in a combination of martial moves that turned him into a blur. Finally he managed to graze his enemy, the blade of the scythe severing the tip of one of Akaba’s locks and then coming down toward his head in a finishing move. At the last second, the Infernal brought his spear up horizontally, blocking the blade but crashing to his knees from the force of the impact.

It took Maar only a moment to react, taking off like a rocket towards the two combatants when the other angel decided to commit to the battle and leap from behind, in not such an honourable act, scythe aimed at Akaba’s back. The Nephalem’s speed amazed even the angel, for he proved a lot faster than him. With a blue blur of energy behind him, Maar cut through the distance in the blink of an eye, crossing his daggers into an X and blocking the strike. Akaba noticed him in the corner of his eye and grinned.

“How nice of you to lend a hand!” he grumbled in his hellish voice, his molten eyes churning gold.

“We’re even” the Nephalem replied evenly, pushed the scythe aside with one dagger and plunged the other one in the angel’s heart. The revelation of being defeated by a lesser being truly stunned the divine soldier, glaring icy blue at his adversary as his life hastily drained away.

The Infernal pushed the scythe up and managed to get a foot on the ground. He focused his strength and jumped throwing the surviving angel back a few feet.

“Enough of this!” he ordered, spun his weapon blade down and thrust it at his adversary with all his power. Like a deer in the headlights of a speeding car, he stood in a daze, with not enough time to react. The shot’s force boosted him several yards away, ultimately slamming him into the hill’s side, with the dark weapon impaling his chest, just a couple of inches below the neck.

Akaba gestured vaguely and the spear turned to smoke and reappeared in his hand, leaving Maar to believe that if he wanted, he could have killed those three a lot faster. There was one thing certain about the Infernal: he lived for his job. Brandishing his daggers in a defensive stance, the Nephalem stared him down, his lightning wings still throwing bolts of furious energy at the ground.

“I don’t know what you are” he said coldly. “But I you will not take the Nilithar. Wake away!”

Akaba snorted in a vulgar manner, a sort of short arrogant laugh, and met the warrior with a smouldering fleeting look.

“You’re brave, son of Balittian, but a monumental fool. If I wanted to kill you or the human, you wouldn’t have made it out of the desert…” he replied annoyed.

“You know who I am” Maar said, lowering his weapons.

“I do. I came to help you in fact…” the Infernal mused. “Funny, no?”

He didn’t reply. What could be funny about death? He supposed that if, under the conditions of Babel, he would or could find destruction humorous. For now it was just a need, burning in the deeps of his soul.

“Oh, don’t look so glum. This is great news! I’m not going to cleave and devour your spirit!” Akaba bellowed.

“Doubtful” Maar answered, still reluctant about putting his daggers away.

“Are you guys going to measure your… egos all day or what?” Kara shouted from the ridge.

“Good news, mortal!” the Infernal shouted back. “I’m not going to kill you after all!”

“Oh, I’m so happy about that! For a moment there I was so worried – with you being the only one on this fucking planet who was after me!” came the inevitable sarcasm.

“See? She’s grateful” Akaba addressed Maar who immediately sheathed his daggers. “Ah, there, you can trust me.”

“No, I can’t” he said with a grin. “But anyone lacking this badly a sense of irony must be either stupid or genuinely sincere.”

The Infernal growled silently and clenched a fist, but relaxed when the Nephalem added: “And I don’t think you’re stupid.”

Crux: Revelation 8

2011-10-16T17:39:00.000+03:00

Bastion was a lot larger than Arlo expected. She glanced across its streets and buildings that ran up and down the coast, and she would have compared it to San Francisco, if she knew what that was. The people here, if they could be called that, seemed to enjoy their main occupation, that of collecting flotsam and junk that drifted near their city, and use it to build random structures. Using all sorts of materials gave Bastion a somewhat festive look because they didn’t seem to care much about painting their constructions after they managed to raise them. From the terrace of the tallest and, let’s say, richest house of all, she watched with genuine curiosity the impressive number of residents going about their business. The building process didn’t seem to pause very long and she suspected it never will – almost all the races considered unnatural ended up here sooner or later. Unless a vampire was particularly bloody during his existence on Earth, she would most likely settle in Bastion at one point in town. And, Andrew knew, there were a lot of bloodsuckers on his planet alone. He shared a look with Arlo and shrugged slightly.

“Normally I’d welcome you myself” came the calm words in a low tone. A giant man, with skin so dark it seemed like tree bark, stepped onto the balcony and scanned the group of four. “Yet you proved quite troublesome. One dead, three badly injured. I do not condone this behaviour in my city” he added in the same undisturbed voice and took a seat in a straw chair.

Thomas watched Nom carefully, his orange eyes locking with the intense black orbs of this self-proclaimed ruler. In fractions of seconds, he could tell a lot of things about their host and most of them would be pretty dire. He noticed, of course, the ancient collar made of bone and fang of a large predator, the hunter demeanour and regal posture. He wore simple linen clothes though and his long curly hair was tied in a ponytail with a piece of string, but most noticeable was the fact that Nom walked barefoot. Thomas took a stepped forward and bowed his head, while the Andrew, Arlo and Tesla just watched him with mild surprise.

“We apologize for this inconvenience, sir” he said politely. “My friends and I were just passing through and, while we regret the outcome of our actions, the incident could not be avoided. My friend” Thomas added motioning slightly towards the mage “was being harassed by your people. He merely defended himself when they turned to violence. I believe the witnesses in the establishment can confirm that.”

Nom laughed and scratched his chin, while looking at Thomas benevolently. He stood up, three inches above him, and measured him from head to toe.

“You’re quite the speaker, aren’t you? You seem rather versed in the fine art of conversation. What were you before you died, human? A peace messenger or an ambassador perhaps?” Nom asked amused. “It’s not often that I have the opportunity to meet such folk, I must admit.”

“Neither, sir” Thomas confessed bowing his head. “I was simply raised and educated in this manner. My father insisted on it and, as it seems, it was worth the effort. And I must say that I am also pleasantly surprised to be able to establish a common ground by conversation alone-“

“Who said anything about conversation alone?” the giant asked, leaning down at him and bringing his thick eyebrows together in a scowl. “You must face the trials of the Ring of Blood for you transgression and only then – if you manage to survive, that is – I will consider letting you walk away!”

Thomas froze and felt his heart jump up his throat. He choked on the feeling and barely managing to swallow the shock, and jumped as Nom slammed a hammer-sized hand on his shoulder.

“I’m just jesting, friend!” he bellowed and patted him gently, laughing the way thunder would if the universe knew any good jokes to tell it. “Oh, the look on your face is priceless!” He coughed politely and wiped a tear, then motioned them to sit on the scattered velvet pillows that lay around. “Please, don’t stand. I want to hear all about you. I’m sorry for playing games with you four, but we rarely have humans, Nephalem and Meka come visit us, let alone huddled up in such a colourful group such as yourselves! My name is Nom and I do, indeed lead this bunch of miscreants, but it’s only because they asked me to. I should think it’s my age that gave them the impression I am capable of such a position…” he added and reached a hand to his chest.

They sat around and spoke for a short while, while Nom shared wine with them and his own story from when he was alive, insisting that no matter how pressing the matters, they just had to accept his hospitality. None dared to say otherwise. The group learned that he was indeed one of the oldest Bastians, possibly the first, from when the earth was so young that villages barely contained more than a couple of hundred men. He was a shape-shifter by birth and surprised no one when he confessed his form was that of the lion. Andrew decided he shared a lot of characteristics with Rene, the oldest Incubus he knew, but decided to keep that to himself.

“Ah, so that’s what you’re after…” Nom finally said when hearing the stories of Arlo and Andrew. “I had forgotten all about the Nilithar and your prophecy”. His appearance changed slightly, speaking with a hint of concern in his voice. “We decided that we will not get involved in your wars a long time ago. We like it here and we exist undisturbed.”

“No offence meant, dear sir,” Thomas interjected. “But that sounds like an apology. We have not come here for your assistance in this conflict. They seek transportation and we just need to find that fabled human. None of us are judging, I assure you.”

“Speak for yourself” Andrew muttered. “In my opinion, a lot of blood shed could have been avoided if you just acted. That is what I think” he added, while Arlo watched him with concern in her eyes and Thomas just disapproved of his intervention.

“…You may think what you like” Nom spoke frowning slightly. “But we owe nothing to either side. Nephalem business is Nephalem business and that’s it. Bastians do not cross their borders, they do not cross ours. Some of us have lived centuries in the dark and we just want to enjoy our eternity in peace. There’s nothing that would dissuade us into marching to war” he added and stood up, hinting that it was time for them to leave. “You must be in a hurry, friends, so I will not take more of your time. You two especially” he added, nodding at Thomas and the mage. “I hope you find your way and, as for you, half-angel, Meka, I shall arrange transportation over the water. From the other side, you should reach Genesis in hours, if the Calendar is on your side.”

“We thank you for your hospitality and your help, lord Nom” Arlo said and bowed sincerely. “I personally hope we could meet again, in more peaceful times.”

“As do I” Tesla contributed. “Your citizens seem rather fascinating to me. I would very much enjoy learning more about them.”

Nom flashed his calm and polite smile and nodded: “You’re welcome here anytime. Best of luck in your endeavours!”

Arlo, Tesla and Thomas turned and descended the white stone steps that led to the street, without noticing that their wizard companion remained behind for a few moments more. Andrew leaned close to Nom and whispered some words, then nodded with a slight frown on herself and added: “Consider that”. He turned and followed the rest towards the harbour.

Nom watched them go, arms folded to his chest, lost in thought. The mage was rather short in comparison and not as well-built as his friend, while the Meka was a… Meka and the half-angel was obviously a skilled fighter. Out of all four, he seemed like the weakest, yet, thinking back, Nom realized that he was the only one who had shown no fear in his presence. Throughout their conversation, he didn’t hesitate to combat the leader or Bastion nor did he try in any way to slide through the chat like the other man. He still maintained a decent level of respect and all of that puzzled Nom for quite some time after their departure. Andrew’s last glance and expression were meant to give birth to a mental debate and the giant werelion leader began struggling with the few words that were whispered to him.

As they reached the docks and realized that their captain was Ash, with Mona the punk vampire in tow, they hesitated. Their boat looked like something that would never float, yet they were assured it worked “like a charm!” by the muscle-packed Ash. The couple of men decided that it would be best to tag along for some time. After all, Arlo and Tesla were on Nilithar business as well. But mostly, the mage found a keen interest in the way the Meka functioned… Right after he lost interest in heaving his stomach out overboard.

“How can you always get so sick at sea? I swear, if you throw up again when we get back on the ‘Sea Hunt’, I will throw you overboard myself!” Thomas warned, while holding his head up, then looked at the passing forms under the clear water. “Those poor fishes down there…”

“Oh, those ain’t fish, mate!” Ash said absently, steering the pile of rust and junk. “Those be merfolk.”

“That’s great!” Thomas exclaimed as the mage bent over the railing, for another short concert of disgusting sounds. “That’s just great! You just puked on some mermaid’s face, you twit!”

“Thomas…” Andrew grunted, looking up at his friend through teary eyes. “If you don’t shut up, I’ll turn you into a turtle, shove you overboard and throw up on you!”

“Are they always like that?” Mona asked Arlo, watching the show slightly annoyed.

“I wouldn’t know” she replied dryly. “And hope to Heaven I don’t have to find out.”

Crux: Revelation 7

2011-10-16T05:27:00.000+03:00

N.A.: This is a long piece after a somewhat long absence. It has not been reviewed, edited or even thought over. Basically, I just wrote my ass off hoping it would be interesting and clear some questions for the small segment of people who have read the full version of Crux and enjoyed it. It might seem a tad dry and unspectacular, which is why I encourage any comments about repetition, alternative terms or any thing that just doesn’t seem to fit.

Maar stared at a second dawn from the heights of a nearby chapel, like a black gargoyle observing the landscape below. His eyes narrowed suspiciously at the silence ruling over the Gate. It was unusual, especially for this part of Crux, to lack any sign of activity. Most souls would come through the Gate, if only for a short while, later to be taken to either Hecta or a higher plane. But this particular second morning was as dead as the ethereal graves that lay scattered in the circular valley beneath the building. There were tombs and mausoleums and columns of all shapes and sizes, spread all around the area in a monochrome rainbow of mist. The lands itself appeared as if it was evaporating and the indistinct servants of Horvan the Watchkeeper were fading in and out of view, hovering steadily and transparent above the ground. There was absolutely no movement aside for the constant breeze that itself was as silent as a last breath of air being exhaled.

The Nephalem reached for his bow and armed it with a dark arrow, taking aim. He sucked the air in and waited until the gentle wind removed the strand of azure hair off his right eye, then he released the projectile. Nothing happened. The arrow hit the ground silently, like he shot it in outer space, and no monster jumped out of the mists to get him. It made him anxious.

Letting go of the giant stone cross, he leapt from the roof to a nearby ledge and dropped down with feline agility and stealth. Kara opened one eye and looked at him expectantly.

“Nothing is stirring down there” he said softly. “I don’t like it. It should be packed with souls and guides taking them one place or another. Something has changed…”

“You’ve been asleep for a long time, didn’t you?” the girl asked sympathetically. “Perhaps they have… relocated?”

He shook his head and crouched next to her. The possibility didn’t cross his mind because there wasn’t any chance of such a thing happening unless Innanna willed it. And Innanna was still trapped.

“That can’t happen. But now that I’m putting some thought into it, our whole journey so far was rather… dull. Some of my memories are lost in the fog of time. Such are the mechanics of this place… But never before have I noticed such shortage of activity.”

She smirked bitterly. If that’s what he considered dull, then she wouldn’t want to find out what excitement meant.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, noticing the Kara’s vague interest in his words.

“Oh… Sorry” she replied, like snapping out of a daydream. “I remember some things as well. Made me wonder about stuff.”

“Stuff” he repeated. Stuff wasn’t a term he used often – must have been more commonly used on Earth these days.

“Yes, I guess I could call him ‘stuff’. Being that he kicked my soul in the teeth and walked away smiling. Wish Dan could see me now. Bet I’d look pretty darn adventurous to him after all I’ve seen here…”

“This Dan… Your lover?” Maar asked in a serious tone.

“Boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend. …Can’t believe I spent two years with that prick” she hissed between her teeth, closing her eye and trying to shake the image away. “You know what he said to me?”

“I’m guessing he said something that you loved, but he meant none of it. Eventually proving his unstable and unreliable nature to you by doing something terrible. Probably cheating on you with someone you would consider immoral and look down on under normal circumstances.”

Kara blinked in astonishment. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times, trying to find the words, but all she could manage was: “How did you know that?”

“I’m no stranger to such relationships. It may have been a long ago, but I remember some of my time on Earth. What? Did you think that on any planet in the whole Universe such interactions differ in any way? They don’t. I’ve met creatures that lived on the rim of the void and they were as pathetic – no offence meant – as any fragile and emotionally scarred human being. Time, space and love are all the same in any dimension you care to name: relative and identical.”

“I must admit I’m surprised. For a cold-blood individual you have an incredible understanding of emotions…”

He grunted in disapproval and wanted to stand, but she caught his arm.

“Look at me” she said softly.

“Why?”

“I want to see your eyes. Your human eyes. Surely you still retain some of your human appearance – I want to know it.”

“That’s not a good idea.”

“I just want to understand. There is something driving you. Something so powerful that not even demons have any influence on you. Let me see.”

“You won’t like it” he warned in a low voice. “But I will show you if you must know. I’m certain that there’s no arguing with you anyway. You’d probably just push this ‘til the end of time if I don’t agree, right?”

She nodded smiling and pulled him close, placing her palms on his face and staring into the Nephalem’s burning eyes. It was nearly impossible to distinguish the spherical shapes behind that blue burning energy they emanated, but she had a way. As gently as possible, Kara began absorbing his essence just like before, but this time without draining him completely. Little by little his eyes were outlined, then became focused and finally, as the energy’s colour faded into just a slight blur, she gazed upon them and tried not to shiver.

“Thank you,” she whispered as she released him. In a moment the magical fire resumed its burning ritual, covering secret behind it.

“Well?” he said, sensing her discomfort.

She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, then looked upon him with a small smile.

“It must take a lot of it. Self control I mean… I can’t imagine what you’re going through...”

“Please don’t speak to me like that. It sounds like pity and-“

“It’s not!” she quickly reacted. “…Okay, maybe I do feel sorry for you, but that’s not what I was trying to say. Look,” Kara said in a breath. “If anything, I admire you. You’re incredibly strong to contain those urges. I don’t know why you decided to fight that beast inside, but it’s… really impressive.”

She couldn’t find the right words. In his blue eyes she saw the need to hunt and kill and enjoy that feeling. She saw a monster roaring to come out and lay waste to anything in its path. It wasn’t just a feeling most people would get when staring at someone, but a certainty. It was obvious that this… man was engaged in a permanent battle. A David versus Goliath encounter where he actually managed to hold his ground. What Kara couldn’t understand was how that was possible. Sheer will alone was not enough.

“It’s anger” Maar answered, knowing what she was wondering. “I’m using my own essence to fight my nature. I am made from and for sin, and from that I took what I could in order to find some balance…”

“…How did it come to this? I mean… Your kind doesn’t seem to have much self control.”

The Nephalem stood and gazed at the pink hued horizon, then looked down at her.

“When I arrived here demons and angels didn’t have much control over the Nephalem. In terms of time, Innanna had just recently been banished and the usurpers themselves didn’t understand what power they held over us. While I haven’t had a morally correct existence when alive, I still clung to the notions of good and evil. But most of all, I held on to logic… When the violence started and cities were burned, I saw no reason in it. High, Fallen… there was no point in killing each other.”

“They just ordered you to fight amongst yourselves?” Kara asked, taking an sitting suddenly in an Indian position.

“They called it purification. Like we were not meant to share this world... Darkness and light should not coexist in peace.”

“And you just accepted? That’s horrible! That’s… racism!”

“It wasn’t a matter of who was superior, Kara…” he spoke calmly. “That’s exactly it: we all aspired to being superior. To achieving… more. To reaching the next level and maybe, at some point, we would be like our creators. It’s in our blood, it’s in our nature – you saw that in my eyes.”

“They are the windows to the soul, I guess…” she muttered.

“And so” he continued “ we fought. We killed young and old, soldiers and bystanders. And the more we fought, the more our free will diminished. Hell! We all became… stupid! Animals, with just reflexes. Nothing more. You saw those I fought – there wasn’t a grain of self control in them. They just followed blindly to whatever command they were given… When I saw that, when I witnessed innocents being slain in a war we didn’t need, I had to do something.”

“So you just got pissed and said no?” she asked dumbly.

“Nobody can just do that. But I pushed myself to leave… I walked out of Bastion and kept walking until that influence faded enough. It was like a claw gripping onto my spirit. But then it relaxed somewhat… It took me a while to understand what was happening, but with help I did.”

“It’s then that you met Palisera?”

“It was long after I left Babel. It seemed like forever since I had left Babel and wandered into the unknown. Crux changes…”

“I noticed that. I was going to ask if you even know where we are headed.”

He nodded gravely and paused for a moment.

“Learning the Calendar is nearly impossible. It is that which controls the aspect of this realm. Surely I was confused and in but hours I became lost. I don’t know if it was luck to come upon Yarin and I don’t know what drove the creature to teach me about Crux. But at some point I just knew how to tell the signs. Look there!”

The girl jerked her head in the direction he was pointing. Far on the horizon, red objects were falling over the end of the world.

“The Crimson Tears” she said quietly.

“Yes. And the second sun rising to the right and the four stars on the opposite side. It means it’s the sixth day of the Season. But it’s not enough to know your way… There are other clues. The lack of shadows is one. It means there are some strong energies colliding nearby. The lack of sound as well… And others.”

“It all seems insane to me… How can you know what you will find over the next ridge?”

“I watch and listen. It speaks to me in ways I don’t know how to describe. And it is as fascinating as it was in the beginning… That’s why they called me the Wanderer. I wanted to know the how this world can change and I did… It worked for a time – replacing the need to destroy with curiosity. Yet, when I stumbled upon my own brethren again, everything came crashing down on me. Exploring was no longer a viable purpose. I had to act in some way.”

“What did you do?” Kara asked fascinated with his story.

“I met a spirit one day. Well… it actually met me, while I was camping in the mountains of Raibah. It just flew by between the narrow passages and I decided to follow. You don’t see such wisps often and, even though I spent quite some time there, I had never seen one just wander by. It led me to a lake in a hidden valley, it hovered over the waters then dove in and disappeared. I decided to follow…”

“You didn’t end up in Hecta, did you?” she asked, arching an eyebrow. “Because if you tell me your father taught you self control, I’m going to call you a liar and walk away.”

“No” he said, smiling a little. “I met him much later… That is a different story altogether.”

“I should think so…” Kara whispered.

“Anyway… The portal took me to Rhodima. I had no idea that was even possible though I prided myself with knowing Crux better than anyone. And yes, it was then that I met Palisera for the first time. Now that I think about it, she was never a mentor to me…”

“Not such a nice thing to say. She did guide you.”

“No, she told me about myself. Palisera doesn’t tell the future nor does she give any advice. She looks upon the world as it is and speaks of it. She told me about what I was, from the smallest part of me to the whole entity I could become. And when she told me about principles, it was then I realized what I had to do. All beings are driven by some… stuff inside. You are one way or another depending on how you organize that… stuff.”

Kara chuckled. Now he was at a loss of words.

“You shouldn’t use that word. It doesn’t suit you very well.”

“True as that may be, it makes my point. We are how we decide to be. I used the fury inside. I fuelled myself with rage against being dominated by a creature which, from my point of view, by my principles, had no right to do so. I channelled it through logic and reason, and when I had learned from her about Innanna, about the Nilithar, I knew what had to be done…” he trailed off.

“How many others were before me?” she asked cautiously.

“Many” Maar replied sharply. “But I will not fail this time, Kara. I will not fail you. This world must be restored and all of us must be given a chance again. It is how things were meant to be and nobody has the right to deny us that.”

The girl nodded, stood up and patted his shoulder. It seemed enormous compared to her tiny hand. The wind picked up and swirls of grey mist rose and danced around them. Something about his posture and the determination in his face told her he would be unstoppable. Not just his code, or skill, or the focused fury he aimed at his adversaries, but the realm itself seemed to reassure her that if they stood together, they would win.

In the silence of the Gate, a beam of light cut through the fog and hit the centre of the cemetery. Three flashes of intense red light appeared and, with cries of battle, a trio of celestial figures materialized. Maar walked towards the edge of the cliff with Kara following fast. They gazed upon three warrior angels glancing in frozen eyes. They wielded war scythes and everything about them spoke of death.

“I think you should take cover” he whispered to the girl. “I’ll be back after I rip their damned wings off”.

“You can leave them attached to their corpses for all I care. Just come back in one piece.”

“Go inside the building. I’ll hold them off at the entrance” Maar whispered.

As she left her side, he could feel the electrical impulses stronger and stronger, running up his spine and into arms. The fury of hell, the essence of the Fallen, bolstering his might thousand fold. Maar let it loose. If there was a time to give into his nature, this was it. His lightning-like wings burst open and spread widely, while his skin crackled with energy and the circular tattoos began glowing blue. He tossed the bow and quiver aside and flourished his twin daggers.

You stand no chance, weakling!

We wrestle demons and spill their blood in rivers!

Surrender the woman to us, you filthy aberration!

The Nephalem ground his teeth, showing a pair of growing fangs on a figure of pure hate. Even so, the sense of reality could not be beaten, the same way he knew he couldn’t win a battle against three higher beings. But he had to try. He crouched and jumped downwards, smashing the ground with a thunderclap. As the mist cleared around his figure, Maar stood up straight and pointed a dagger at the three angelic warriors.

The only thing I will surrender will be my blades in your hearts!

Then we will deliver you to oblivion…

We will walk that path together then! Come!

Blades rose in the air, preparing to strike, but they stopped before their handlers would take one step forward. A sound echoed in the short moment of silence before the battle and, from atop of a nearby marble mausoleum, Akaba clapped loudly and reached two fingers to his mouth, whistling loudly and rather rude.

“Awesome show! Encore! Please, that was so dramatic I almost wept!” he shouted, crossing his legs and flashing a sinister white smile. “I really enjoyed the special effects” he addressed Maar, nodding. “Bravo! …But you three” the Infernal mocked the trio of angelic soldiers. “have the worst armourer in the known Universe. Who designed those chest plates? They look like broken nutshells!”

What… is this? said one of them.

It makes no difference. Whatever you are, you have no business here, said another.

“On contraire,” Akaba replied and slid down to the ground elegantly. “This is precisely what I was looking for” he grinned and the smoke spear appeared in his hand. “Oblivion is my business, you pathetic little bitches!”

Crux: Revelation 6

2011-10-11T05:32:00.001+03:00

“…and then he said ‘I know he’s a demon, but you can’t kill him – he’s my grandfather!”

The small crowd exploded with laughter, raising their pints of beer and shots of whiskey, toasting to the newcomer.

“So what did you do?” asked a girl who looked like a combination between a pincushion and rainbows, wiping a tear from her mascara outlined eye.

“I proved him wrong!” said Thomas laughing and raised his own shot, while the six people around him cheered.

A loud detonation interrupted the general good mood for a couple of seconds, then they resumed their drinking rituals with no apparent interest.

“What was that?” asked Thomas.

“Oh, don’t bother your head with it, mate” answered the giant pack of muscles on his right. “Just ‘em bloodsuckers conducting their loony experiments again. They be doing that on an’ off nowadays…”

“So blowing stuff up happens on a regular basis here?”

“Let’s just say we have time to rebuild” laughed the girl and shook her chaotically coloured strands of hair. “Say… want to come with us on a scavenger hunt?” she asked and winked at Thomas while Ash, the barbarian looking werewolf snorted amused.

“Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t say no to such a pretty girl” Thomas replied and flashed his wedding band. “But…”

She nodded and raised her whiskey glass: “To loyalty then! A rare trait in men these days…” A dirty look flew towards the lycanthrope who avoided her glare.

The place was actually not bad, Thomas decided, taking a glancing around. It looked like an excellent spot to get smashed and hang out with people whose lives were as crazy as yours. Of course, on Crux that was pretty much what it all summed up to. But Bastion was a little more special than any other city just because the individuals who lived here were all freaks to one race or another. Vampires, were-kin, mutants and some pretty weird looking creatures that were part machine, but wouldn’t quite qualify as cyborgs. He could also swear he saw a troll (or whatever passed as a troll in his mind).

“Elysium” was too nice of a name though for such a common looking bar. It was the kind of place where you would find bikers, strippers and thieves, all bad asses and completely real – salt of the earth, as Lexi would say. They hung out in small packs, drinking whatever the boats would bring in and generally having a decent time, which was rather unusual to Thomas who always ended up in the middle of a blood feud between lycans and bloodsuckers. Low lights, beer stained tables, crooked bar, fat tender included, heavy metal in the background and a smashed TV over the shelves for the sake of authenticity. In all the other similar bars, in all the worlds, in all the galaxies, in the entire Universe, Thomas thought, the bartender had to be just as fat and annoyed.

Over Born to raise hell, born to raise hell… and the common loud chatter, Thomas thought he could hear Andrew’s voice trying to defeat the invincible level of noise. He turned and watched the young mage attempting to make his way to the counter, but failing rather miserably.

“I say, do you mind terribly stepping aside? …No, miss, I am not looking for a good time! …Oh, bloody hell, no! This is not a dress and I like my hair long!”

“He’s dead” Arlo commented dryly from the doorway.

“This should be amusing” Thomas jested, nudging his new-found werewolf friend in the ribs and pointing his chin in Drews’ direction.

“Oh, that’s IT!” the mage boomed and the CD skipped annoyingly to Can’t read my, can’t read my… No you can’t read my…

“Friend of yours?” Ash asked folding his tree trunk arms. “He’s about to be in a lot of pain, mate.”

“You gots a problem there, doll-face?” growled a giant yellow-eyed morph, who looked like his second form was that of a bear or something equal in size.

“Might as well ask you the same about the giant hunk of hair and sweat over there, buddy” Thomas answered, pointing vaguely at the grizzly.

“Yes, I do seem to have a rather massive issue, you failed result of a deviant chromosome!” the mage roared.

“He’s definitely dead” Arlo reassured her silent companion.

“I dun know what you just said, boy, but we dun take kindly to that kinda fancy talk ‘round here” the brute replied, lowering his face a couple of inches from Andrews’ and stunning him with a vile breath.

“Doesn’t look like much to me” Ash commented. “I’d wager on Bear over there, I do.”

“I don’t have time for this” the wizard muttered while his entire demeanour changed in an instant. His eyes narrowed and his fists clenched into balls. Sparks of dark energy crackled around him and his glare turned dark as midnight and full of stars.

“Nice lightshow. Still dead” Arlo nodded to herself.

“Bet you another round of shots that he takes down the whole bunch” said Thomas and sipped his scotch.

“What makes you so sure?” the steam punk girl asked.

“That,” he answered, pointing out the fact that Bear just stepped on Andrews’ hand-made leather boots.

A second later, the giant man flew across the room and smashed into the wall. A giant sphere of dark blue energy broke into several smaller and smaller ones until they dissipated completely into his skin. …can’t read my poker face… kept singing in the background while three other massive men tried to jump the wizard, but ended up projected all over the room, one smashing into a nearby table, another into the bar, almost taking down Ash with him, and the third, flat like a poster against the ceiling, where he hung for a moment. The latter fell with a loud and painful thud and, as Drew regained his composure, human looks and normally pleasant attitude, the jukebox skipped back to Motorheads’ rock and roll.

“Damn!” said Ash, Arlo and a couple of other puzzled patrons at the same time.

“Did it ever occur to you to come looking for me?” Andrew asked as he approached the bar.

“Sure, of course, I was getting right on that!” said Thomas and smiled like an accomplice to Ash.

“Take a load of, mate!” the giant bellowed and slammed a hand the size of a shovel head on the mage’s shoulder. “Have a drink! It’s on me – you’ve earned it!” he added in a London accent which made Drew raise an eyebrow.

“We don’t have time for this, Gates” he said quietly, emphasizing don’t.

“You know what I always say, old boy…”

“If you drink like a fish you’ll eventually be able to breathe underwater?” Arlo answered sarcastically as she joined the group, with Tesla looking rather interested in the surroundings and unusual social behaviour. Even with the weird customers around, they still looked out of place.

“No, but close. What I say is: if you’re going to die and go to a Purgatory-like realm, might as well enjoy a good glass of scotch while you’re there.”

“When do you EVER say that?” Andrew growled.

“Do you want to get technical or do you want to go back to your magical friends and lecture them about having a drink while you were technically deceased?”

The mage sighed and hoped onto a stool next to the colourful vampire girl who winked at him. He looked up at the mean-looking tender who was wiping a glass with a cloth that had seen much better days and a figure distorted by the ugly thought of cleaning up the scattered bodies later.

“Just pour!” he said, giving up reason.

“And keep ‘em coming! Drinks all around!” Ash added loudly, while the “Elysium” returned to its normal state of anarchy, alcoholism and what in Bastion passed for good will

And more!

2011-10-08T12:57:00.000+03:00

I guess it’s been an interesting day and that makes it alright to mention in this wannabe journal. First off, I need to say sorry in advance for the lack of regular cynical nuances and sprinkles of irony – I haven’t had a cigarette in 10 hours and I’m exactly in that mood, when even breath seems to activate the entire muscular system. I don’t think I want to quit (I certainly am not using sheer willpower to keep from inhaling that wonderful tobacco scented poison - we just ran out), mostly because it is a fact that the nicotine stimulates the brain and mine is certainly used with a lot of traffic up there. You wouldn’t want to live in my head, I tell you that – the number of reality trucks colliding with motorcycle-riding ideas is off the charts. Alas, I’m used to it and I don’t think it’s a proper time to stop feeding the beast, especially since the work on Crux is going so well. Until we receive provisions, I’ll just run in test drive mode. See how it works out…

And so far it sucks, ‘cause I actually wanted to discuss something else. Yes, discuss. I hate to do that! Every time I ask for opinions, intellectual contributions or even votes, everyone clamps their mouth and goes “I’m too busy, let someone else do it”. Oh, exaggerating, am I? Just scroll down and look for comments. At over 1000 views I have… what? 10 comments?

But I’m digressing again and God, I wish I had a cigarette ‘cause I know the idea’s worth dissecting, but without that coffin nail I just can’t get it right… At any rate, the topic for today is: chance! Well, let’s just call it risk. Well, let’s not… I’m trying to figure out a way to describe the thing that I’m speaking of in one word, but it’s pretty much impossible; there’s no term for this kind of thing, it just refers to how far are you willing to go on a sentimental hunch. How much would you risk for love or, better yet, the chance of love? No! Don’t you frown at me! This is not some emo crap, it’s just a scientific curiosity I need satisfied. Yes, I said “satisfied”, you may giggle now.

Point is: I had a dream recently. And yes, as a matter of fact, it was one of those dreams. And yet, it wasn’t! Due to unstable parameters in my “before bed” mood, caused by high levels or stress, caffeine and (the truly mourned) nicotine excess, even my wet dreams seem to dry up. To sum it up, nothing actually happened in my dream; every time I could see a patch of naked skin, some problem appeared out of nowhere, I and the lovely lady being forced to postpone. So… after about 5 times, running around in an insane environment I won’t even mention (yes, it is that disturbing… unless you consider that living in a factory and having a bloody of a bombardier WWII aircraft as a bridge between the living room and bedroom is normal), I woke up really… frustrated. Now, now, don’t jump to conclusions – I really was frustrated because the thought of me and that certain person didn’t cross my mind (that much). Anyway, I honestly didn’t think about this person in that particular way because there was no point in fucking up both our sentimental lives, which are already pretty fucked up… I know how I get when the basic idea of falling in love just flashes in front of my eyes and I decided not to go there, for the sake of my mental health and the tiny people roasting marshmallows around it every Wednesday night.

So all in all, I had no choice but to chew on this gem of a thought for an entire day. Oh, I know I don’t have the guts to actually pursue a relationship, because of my trust and commitment issues, but mostly because, while being an asshole, I’m not a douche. But I wonder what you would do and that was the main idea:

If you suddenly realized that you may have some really serious feelings for a person in your life, a friend, old or new, an old flame, a person you disliked for a long time, your boyfriend’s best friend, your best friend’s girlfriend, generally someone who is very bad for you (and vice versa) ‘cause of various reasons, would you still give that relationship a shot?

Like I said, I’m not going to do it. Poor girl’s got enough issues of her own and, as Deea recently underlined, I have the habit of attracting all the wrong girls: damaged, emotionally scared and needy. Not sure she’s one of them, but pretty sure she would be after I drive by. I want your thoughts on this one though; would you do it?

The reason why I asked that question is ‘cause I think that basically people are all the same. Following the same rules, having the same agenda, just because nature says so. I saw maybe one hundred people on Neogen (something like Facebook - if you’re not Romanian - but a lot worse) who are desperately still looking for love, even though they are 30, 40, 50 etc. They’re either incredibly stupid (which is a strong possibility), either they have enough experience to know that being with somebody is worth a shot, even if your life is almost ending and your string of lovers is a necklace of pain. I don’t know… Normally, I think that all people are evil bastards who only think of themselves, but, in person, I always give them the benefit of doubt. Many a time I discovered that apparent cunts may actually be really nice people who can act rather honourably, while honey-tongued bitches end up backstabbing you as soon as the possibility arises. What I’m saying is that maybe people aren’t so stupid… No, that’s not true, people are fucking retarded. What I’m really saying is that even though most should wear an orange vest, helmet and a safety harness, maybe nature still whispers some survival tricks in their ears and this… hope that they manifest is one of them.

Enough for now. Got a ship position to fix and cigarettes to lament about.

Crux: Revelation 4

2011-10-05T06:19:00.000+03:00

Note: some parts are missing because I don't want to give away my whole novel. These are samples which I'm publishing for the people who enjoy my writing and short little fantasy stories in general, so don't try to count the Revelation titles. They won't be published in order or entirely. Have fun!

Dawn leaked through the ruffled golden clouds above Bastion, bringing with it a salty breeze from over the hills in the distance. Arlo and Tesla had camped in a clearing beyond the forest and through the large mounds of grass-covered earth that lay east. The whole area looked like it was artificial, designed by a computer enthusiast, for as the eye scanned the landscape, it could find no flaw; everything perfectly green and alive and not even a bush or a tree disturbed the curved horizon, not even the smallest patch of dried grass. It brought clarity and a distinct feeling of inner peace with it, and Arlo followed her expert companion with complete trust.

“Have you ever been to Bastion?” she asked, breaking the silence that was hanging in the air for quite some time now.

“No, never” said Tesla. “I don’t feel at ease around these kind of creatures and, Meka or not, I don’t know who could sleep at night with all the fighting and mayhem that goes on in the streets. Don’t care how much profit you can make there, I rather negotiate with your kind, Arlo.”

She nodded thoughtfully. In truth, she had never been anywhere that was more than a day’s walk from Enoch. Not that she wasn’t curious, but because she really didn’t see the purpose of it. The High city and the surrounding area was an oasis of peace and beauty, thus she preferred to remain in a safe and comfortable zone, where werebeasts and soul reavers wouldn’t threaten her existence.

“What do you reckon we should do when we get to Genesis? I’m not the negative sort, but if what we suspect is true, then it won’t be easy getting the support of your people.”

“Leave that to me,” he buzzed electrically and threw her a glistering emerald gaze. “If it comes to force, then I shall call in a few favours. I’ve been a Tolgarim for a long time and that kind of position doesn’t come without some perks. Don’t worry, half-angel. I’ve got us covered.”

Arlo smiled at him with her perfect doll face and she could have sworn that he smiled back. Somehow she couldn’t help but think that so much time spent in their presence has rubbed off on the little fellow. Sure, he didn’t have feelings (or so he claimed) but liking someone or something had nothing to do with that. And Tesla definitely had a soft spot for her – that much Arlo could see quite clearly. The red haired Nephalem wanted to ask something but the air boomed like lightning hit somewhere very far away.

“What do you imagine was that?” she asked.

“No idea. Maybe those monsters in Bastion blew themselves up.”

“One can only hope” Arlo jested. Before she could add something else, the same boom exploded mere feet in front of them as the air rippled and a figure, screaming like a man plummeting down a rollercoaster line, came flying in out of nowhere. They barely jumped away in time as he crashed and rolled on the soft verdant carpet. She instinctively pulled out her blade and pointed it at the pile of messed up midnight blue garments.

“Put that away,” said Tesla in a gentle tone. “I don’t think he’s a foe”.

“How can you tell?” she asked, eyes locked onto the moaning man who struggled to get up but had a hard time struggling to get his robe off his head and arm.

“…You’re seriously asking me that?” the Meka snapped cynically.

Andrew finally managed to get himself together and stand, but what he saw, he couldn’t quite believe. The landscape was flawless and so simple his eyes had a hard time adjusting. There were no tones of colour, just an endless green meadow that went up and down, bordered here and there by the slopes. He looked up and his peoples dilated as he gazed in wonder at the spectacle above; a light orange horizon through which the white shimmer of a small sun protruded, yet behind it all, a shade of violet took over as far as he could see, pierced here and there by baby blue stars, spread in patterns not even an experienced astrologist like himself could recognize.

“I can’t believe it worked,” he mumbled and spun slowly, eyes locked on the sky.

“I say,” said Tesla. “Are you looking for your luggage? Because we heard something fall beyond the hills. Think it arrived here before you landed. You should work on that – seemed rather painful.”

“I’m okay” he replied automatically then immediately realized that the voice addressing him was not Thomas. He glared at the creature that watched him with big emerald eyes and froze.

“Yeah, well, not for long if you don’t tell us what you’re doing here” Arlo warned, spinning her blade expertly. “We don’t appreciate people crashing on us. Who are you?”

The mage twitched and snapped, finally noticing the beautiful young woman standing by the green-eyed alien. He also noticed the weapon and swallowed hard.

“Yes, well, that’d be classified information” he declared, standing up straight and regaining his confidence. “What you need to know is that I’m here to find someone and my intentions are good.”

“Can I kill him now?” Arlo asked the Meka. “I know it’s not something we usually do, but we only spent a moment in his company and he managed to annoy me beyond words. What the hell is ‘classified’ anyway?”

“Okay, okay!” Andrew conceded. “I’ll tell you! Just put that away before you poke someone’s eye out… Considering how big yours are, buddy, you shouldn’t stay so close to her.”

“You’re not helping your cause, friend,” Tesla replied and patted Arlo on the shoulder. “He has a point though.”

“Fine!” she declared and sheathed her weapon then folded her arms to her chest. “Start talking!”

The mage looked around like he had just lost his dog. In fact, he had lost himself in the process as well.

“Look, I need to find my friend. You said you heard something beyond the hills-“

“Yes,” said Tesla helpfully. “It came from the direction of Bastion. We’re headed that way.”

“Why don’t you tell him we’re also on a secret mission?” Arlo growled at her companion.

“Why would I do that?” the Meka answered promptly. “Look,” he said to the mage. “If your friend landed there, then he’s in big trouble. Bastion’s a dangerous place. We better get moving if you want to find him still in one piece.”

“Oh,” Drew replied with the hint of a smile in his voice. “For the sake of the people there, whatever they may be, I hope we arrive quickly. That is if your want them to still be in one piece.”

“I think I like his friend better” Arlo commented as they flanked the stranger. “He seems like the kind of guy that doesn’t put up with his attitude either.”

Tesla ignored her. For someone so old, she could sure act like a hot headed teenager sometimes. It dawned upon him then that he didn’t quite know how old she really was. After a certain age, the Nephalem didn’t really give signs of growing old. The only clue about one’s years was that they were either children or white haired elders. In between it was anybody’s guess.

“My name is Tesla” the Meka said mechanically and nodded at the mage. “She’s Arlo of the High Nephalem, but you already must know that.”

“Not really” Andrew shrugged. “I’m Andrew, of the Greenwich Order. I’m a wizard.”

“Really…” she mocked. “I thought you were a vacuum salesman.”

“How do you know vacuums?”

“She wasn’t born here” Tesla replied in her stead before she’d whip up another snide remark. “Arlo’s been on Crux for a very long time, but that has nothing to do with her experience on Earth-“

“The crossroads of space and time” Andrew interrupted. “I can cope with that.”

“The concepts?”

“No. Her acting like a… shrew.”

He wanted to say another word but he imagined the girl with the wicked sharp blade, which appeared to be magical as well, wouldn’t take it as a compliment. Not that ‘shrew’ was much of a compliment.

“You’re wearing a dress” she replied in a tone that could freeze an ocean. “You’re the only shrew here. And you’re still telling us nothing.”

“Alright…” he sighed. “To be honest, I was reluctant about telling you this, but you two don’t seem like you would interfere with my mission. My colleagues and I came across a prophecy recently, one that spoke of a human who may travel to this realm and restore the balance among light and darkness. It also mentioned that he or she would face great peril in trying to achieve her goal, thus my friend – the one who crash landed yonder – convinced me to help out. So…”

“You hitched a ride and ended up here. You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into…” Arlo spoke evenly. “There are thousands of Nephalem hunting down that human you mentioned. Granted, she has someone with her who so far managed to keep her alive, but we believe it won’t last long. We’re on our way to even the odds as we speak.”

“I thought we wouldn’t tell him about our plans” said Tesla. “No offence, friend.”

“None taken” Drew replied with a polite smile. “And thank you for helping me out.”

He paused and placed his hands inside the large sleeves of his robe like a monk, looking at Arlo quite attentively.

“What?” she asked with a curious look in her eyes.

“Well, for one… You’re quite amazing. I’ve always wondered how a Nephalem looked like. We only get written descriptions of your true form back at Greenwich.”

She didn’t know how to reply so she just shrugged. A hand went to the pommel of her blade, just in case he decided to make a pass at her. In reality, the thought did cross his mind briefly – she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, though he suspected all High Nephalem were.

“And… you were right” the mage added. “I don’t know anything about this world or the events that are happening as we speak. Frankly, I had no choice but to interfere. My friend can be quite stubborn, you see.”

“I do. Who do you think convinced me of joining this quest?” Tesla replied and, even though he had no mouth, Andrew was certain the brown-cloaked creature was smiling.

They walked together for a couple of hours until they reached a cliff overlooking Bastion. During their trek the mage learned many things about Crux and Enoch in particular, and he was surprised to see that neither of his companions had much interest in his home world. The Meka fascinated him and was determined to investigate the race further when, or better said if, he returned to Earth. The half-angel, on the other hand, had a fairly simple story. As she described it, the Tolgarim were ambassadors or consuls and she was acting like a middle man, negotiating with their race on behalf of the High capital. She had been with Tesla for a long time and they came to trust each other, thus there was no surprise she agreed to follow him back to his home city of Genesis. When he had informed her of the many deaths he felt, for his race was connected by an energetic stream, Arlo did not think twice. For quite some time she had her doubts about her own people. Although the High worshipped Innanna, the Mother of Crux, it seemed peculiar to her that some of the important individuals in Enoch had secret meetings with lesser angels. Even more questionable was the result of those meetings, which most of the time ended in engaging the Fallen in battle, while there was no particular provocation from the dark ones.

“So you think there is some conspiracy here?” Andrew asked in a tone that he immediately regretted.

“Something just doesn’t feel right,” she said, focused on the city bellow. “I felt that when they mentioned the Nillithar – the human you and your friend are searching for” Arlo explained. “I knew we were supposed to destroy this menace as soon as it entered our realm, but nobody ever mentioned why. A danger to our people – they said. Yet killing someone without knowing exactly why, especially a human…”

“Yes” the mage agreed. “It is strange that the progeny of angels would be so, pardon my saying, bloodthirsty.”

“Nothing to apologize for,” she answered calmly, surprising him somewhat. “You’re right. It doesn’t fit and that makes it all the more suspicious. That’s why we must reach Genesis. I know we will find answers there.”

“There is also the matter of the Wanderer” Tesla added. “We have heard stories about the Fallen who rebelled and left Babel to find answers. It is rumoured that he did…”

“A half-demon? Fascinating!” Andrew said with scientific curiosity in his voice.

“Quite. They say he had travelled throughout Crux to learn how Innannas’ creation works. They also say he had found her and that’s why every time the Nillithar arrives, he’s there to guard him. Or her.”

“He disappears for ages” Arlo added. “When he’s not guarding the Nillithar, he shows up in all sorts of places. They say that he was even allowed in Enoch once… After the battle of Uruk’uay, I can’t believe that though. So many died and not all of them soldiers…” she trailed on.

“We’re here though,” Tesla declared from his mechanical chest then flinched as one of the buildings in the centre of town exploded into hundreds of pieces of wood and stone. The mage sighed deeply.

“He’s here as well, that’s for sure. Come on… before there’s nothing left to call a town.”

Crux: Revelation 3

2011-10-03T16:02:00.000+03:00

She felt her lungs collapse, deflating with whatever small volume of air still in them after that scream of agonizing pain. Maar rushed and caught her in mid fall, holding her in his arms like the most precious thing in the universe; with a look of horror in his eyes, he tried to understand what was happening.

“What’s going on?” Kara asked, rasping for breath, while raising her hands in front of her eyes. The skin on the back of her palms turned to wax and it started cracking like dry earth under a scorching sun. Her veins went black and thinned into a spider web pattern. The question was rhetorical, but she didn’t know that. Maar stood paralyzed, crouched, with the mortal girl in his arms, wishing with all his might he could do something.

There was nothing to be done. He felt her body become a corpse and just fell to his knees, holding Kara like a broken doll. A cold sensation rushed over him. He didn’t want to move, speak or even breathe anymore. He couldn’t see the point. The only rational thought his mind could force-process was that the scenery couldn’t have been more appropriate. It was dawn in Acaccia and the land, as always, was ripped to pieces. The forever blowing gale swept giant waves of grey sand (or was it gun powder?) over skeletal remains of fallen warriors. Those struck down in battle, those who were absorbed by war still fought with fanatical dedication one another. Floating islands of burned earth rose and fell slowly, in a dance of chaos, while silent ghosts with no definite outline appeared and vanished, repeating the same scenes over and over. Some fell, with expressions of fury and anger and frustration, while a spear or a sword skewered them. Others took the hill, raining led on the enemy and being blown to pieces by some grenade. It was a silent play describing what war would look like if it was a liquid and that liquid was distilled. Maar and Kara became one of the silent shapes, unmoving and dying, each in their own way, mixing slowly into the thick patches of smoke or mist that hovered above the ground. Only flashes of white and orange coming from distant cannon fire gave away their position in that valley of pain.

And so, Kara passed away.

Yet somewhere else, on Earth, a different character thought otherwise. For while on Crux various factions plotted the assassination of the most important figure of their times (if suffered to be called so), figures of no less significance on Earth decided to act as well… And, as everyone knew – or at least everyone that mattered – mages didn’t really give a damn about what angels and demons desired, let alone stand by and enjoy the game. Thus, while some had the pleasure of sailing on a yacht with two obscenely rich Damned and a vampire, as previously mentioned, others employed the services of a rather talented ghoul who had just blown the brains out of a doctors’ head.

That was a tad extreme, not to add messy, spoke the voice in Dominics’ head.

“Then why did you add it?” he whispered while removing the syringe from the limp girl’s arm. “You said keep her alive. Luckily, he didn’t manage to push the serum all the way through. She’s still got a chance.”

Good. See if you can get her heart pumping again then take her to safety. I’ve got the feeling more trouble is coming your way.

It didn’t take a two thousand year old Upir to know that, the ghoul thought holstering his suppressed pistol and removing the syringe from Kara’s arm. His dark blue eyes glared at the heart monitor for a second – it was plummeting fast. He rolled up a sleeve and bit on his wrist with short but razor sharp fangs then reached his arm to the girls’ lips. A few drops slipped into her mouth and rolled down her tongue.

“I sure hope this works” he muttered.

She ought to be strong enough, the voice replied like a rusty metal door. She… Oh, hell! Dom, get out of there right now!

“What’s wrong?” he asked evenly – the only way he knew how to speak – but at the same time pulling the girl up right and sliding her over his shoulder.

Forget what I said about being messy, my friend… I just hope you have enough ammo.

He did. He always had enough ammunition. It was his job.

As he exited onto the corridor, the lean tall ghoul clad in dark clothing, staggered as he noticed the entire group of people there just staring at him. Something beyond their eyes told him that Octavius had reason to sound concerned. Nurses, doctors, patients, all taken over by some entity that made them look blank.

Dominic put Kara down gingerly, leaning her against the wall and twisted his head slowly in a circular pattern. A silent crack was heard above the buzzing of the white neon lights. It was as if the entire hospital was under a spell, but more powerful.

“What exactly am I fighting?” he said, looking as normal as ever, not a hint of concern in his voice.

Octavius wanted to answer but realized his ghoul was not addressing him. From the throng, a young man in nurse uniform walked slowly and extended his palm. A flash of white light behind his calm gaze: “Give me the girl and you may walk away, creature.”

“That was impolite, I think,” Dominic replied. “Wasn’t that impolite?”

Somewhere in a dark crypt, lying back in a giant armchair, Octavius grinned. He knew what his ghoul was facing. Only that that particular entity had no idea what it was up against. Upir ghouls were rare, being that in order to create one, that person had to have a solid constitution to withstand that particular undead blood and to be of absolute stubbornness. More to the point, one must refuse Death even though Death wouldn’t offer any bargains. And Dominic chew the metaphorical bubble gum while kicking Deaths’ ass.

“I am the angel Barthariel” the nurse man replied. “Give me the girl”.

“I would really rather not. You seem like a reasonable… fellow,” Dominic tried to mediate. “Perhaps I can persuade you to leave instead before more people get… well… dead?”

“My patience is wearing thin! I-“

The ghoul shrugged behind the barrel of his silenced Beretta while the rest of the gathering watched the body of the nurse fall back, a bullet hole between his eyes. As following a silent signal, their eyes turned towards the assassin then rushed forward. Before reaching a threatening distance, the lights went out and, for long moments, there was nothing to be heard but a distant electrical buzz.

“Thanks” Dominic whispered.

You’re welcome, said Octavius.

The gun was joined by its twin and, with Kara back on his shoulder, Dominic strode forward through the darkness. Angelic possession or not, humans still couldn’t see in the darkness. He could. Flashes of gun fire illuminated the white hallway rhythmically, as both pistols hummed a deadly song, while the ghoul marched through at even pace between the scattered assailants. They would try and jump at him when the barrel lit up but by the second shot, they would find him in a completely different spot. As he reached the elevators by the end of the corridor, the lights returned and he turned slowly to contemplate a trail of corpses displayed like a grotesque form of art deco. The elevator doors opened with a ding and a large man in a white lab coat extended both his hands, like pliers, towards Dominics’ neck. The ghoul dropped the guns, time folding into his own private dimension, where he ducked and drew the black combat knife from his belt. He spun and rammed the weapon in the man’s chest, then pushed him back, entering the elevator and pressing the bottom floor button. As it gasped for air, drowning in his own blood, it looked at the ghoul with intense hatred. He knew that look well.

“Listen… I really don’t enjoy killing all these people for nothing. Just back off, okay?” he asked politely.

The dying man didn’t answer, still looking at him with a curse in his eyes, but as the last sparks of life flickered out, Dominic could tell that it got the message. He walked out the front doors without anyone trying to stop him, though the staff and patients followed him silently with angry gazes. His cold thin pianist fingers checked Kara’s pulse – her heart was beating normally, fact which allowed him to spare a seconds’ satisfied smile.

You should have been a diplomat, the hoarse voice mocked in his mind.

“Too bad my master had other uses for me, eh?”

Kara sucked the thick smoke-filled air in while Maar stared at her in awe, completely lost to what happened. She coughed and stared at her palms – they were normal again.

“You’re alive!” he exclaimed and hugged her tightly.

“Not for damn long if you don’t give me some space!” she protested. “Do you smell… steak?” Kara added sniffing the air.

“You… don’t want to know”.

Something something

2011-10-03T05:25:00.000+03:00

I was thinking - because there’s not much else to do at 2 in the morning – about how typically twisted life can be. When we try to describe ourselves, we do it by comparison to others and for me that resulted in some unique conclusions. Normally, people live in society, with relatives, spouses, friends, lovers and sometimes with the complicated, desired and really weird fuck pals. They wake up in the morning, have a cup of coffee while planning the day’s work schedule, or just go over it again. They do their jobs, while smiling a fake smile at a rival workmate, or gossiping on a cigarette break about the secretary, or just lash out, under the influence of the mornings’ coffee (in this case to be read “beer”), and hit a colleague over the kneecap with a shovel (which is a completely valid hypothesis providing we are talking about construction workers). Normal people get off work, have a drink in a bar, pick up groceries on the way back, tidy up their place, take a shower, have dinner and go to bed. Some of the less normal probably, at that time of night, just sit around and daydream (or is it eveningdream), or just puff a second puff and pass, as the rule says, and contemplate their fucked up lives with their fucked up dramas and their probably fucked up futures, which is none of their fucked up fault (and it’s not). They all share the common trait of being social creatures though; as said, involved in constant interaction with their relatives, spouses, friends and so forth.

I don’t, period. While I’m an arrogant bastard who’s too smug to admit failure, I completely suck at that. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’ve always felt there is more to life than just following conventions. In reality, I follow them when I have to, though I completely loathe calling someone on their birthday and wishing them all that shit the rest of their 101 acquaintances have already wished them before me every single damn year (unless they are 1 and they don’t really give a fuck anyway). But I don’t do social if I don’t have to. If there would be a command button for sex, I’d hardly bother nodding at girls, even though, ironically, the vast majority of my friends consists of female characters. Some may think I am wrong for, as past tells us, I’m usually the center in a social gathering… Which makes me point out, again and so soon, that most of my friends are women.

I mostly hate other men. They’re dumb and plain and posses the insight of a brick wall and the subtlety of a rhino in a porcelain store and the attention span of a squirrel on crack. They’re twice as gossipy and scorned as women, and I rather discuss PMS than spend 5 minutes in the company of 2 football fans. I always felt odd around them, which is why, for a very short period of time, I started wondering if I might be gay. I’m not, in case you were wondering too. But I think that if I was, I’d be excellent at it. Do you know other guys who can dismantle a woman’s wardrobe and discuss the fine details of a chocolate cake? I didn’t think so…

But this is what attracts about me. Why girls may suddenly levitate around my presence, inexplicably attracted by a gravitational field of Interesting. I’m insecure, lonely and shy. Deep down inside anyway. I buried those attributes when I discovered that women don’t really find that appealing. Instead they like being told they look fat in that dress, they admire the mastering of the crafty art of being a jerk and they rather enjoy the company of someone who just doesn’t care. Which is exactly the opposite of what they want. No, I am not picking on women – I rather think they’re wonderful creatures, insane (and so I can relate), who could very much turn the world into Heaven then burn it down to ashes in mere seconds after. I like women ‘cause they’re complicated and challenging and very hard to stay friends with.

And I find myself digressing and not really aware of what I wanted to point out with this piece. There was a small paragraph in my mind (because, yes, I did mind spoke it before I started typing) about the reason of my being arrogant and using words like flamboyant and showing off (which is precisely why I would use words like flamboyant). What you may take from this monologue is that Terry Pratchett is one of the most amazing writers of our times and you should definitely look up his books. He is made of pure awesome just like Brad Pitt in Troy, though the movie generally sucked and Orlando Bloom gayed out the whole experience (almost as much as Twilight did to the entire planet).

Another point would be that, while I do follow a basic set of self-taught rules about social events and can’t quite be my regular word-fumbling me, I do miss my friends. I go to bed scared and wake up terrified and the only thing I can imagine is the people I care about barely remembering me during a day’s length because they most likely have more important things to consider. Like paying rent for example or feeding the cat. I have nightmares constantly and wake up in cold sweat, which isn’t such a lovely experience, and can’t help but wonder why the hell I’m traumatizing myself like this. Granted, I do swallow about 4 cups of coffee a day and write for hours when I should pay more attention to the job, but, as previously mentioned, life is so typically twisted (just because it can).

I sit by the computer, port side of the bridge, and glance once in a while at Ajaccio, which is a beautiful port in Corse. Of course, port side means left side, and bridge means navigation deck, and Corse is Corsica for the uneducated. I’ve got a splitting headache and am down to the 20^th coffin nail and 2^nd cup of coffee, and ponder in horror the fact that, in the morning, we will berth for discharge. I wonder about the irony of being pro nature while carrying and handling fuel that releases plenty carbon monoxide when burned. And doing a job that mainly involves paper which, in many a case, is thrown in the waste bin just because shipping companies don’t want to develop an electronic system that would make everyone’s life better. But mostly I just wish I’d align all those assholes who think my job’s romantic and great and the “you get to see the fucking world!”, and kick their intestines up their necks. Yes, I did say I’m coping with the whole deal but I already miss home and I’m rather pissed ‘cause I can’t make any phone calls and I didn’t pack enough t-shirts and pray I will not lose my mind completely before the end of December, Amen.

Crux: Revelation

2011-09-28T15:11:00.000+03:00

Nadir dreamt. He dreamt as never before, witnessing the past while the Mother of Crux spoke to him, narrating the events as they came. It made the seraphim… angry, if one like itself could feel that way. Nadir was designed pure, as hundreds of children whose innocence had been enhanced and focused into a single will. Flawed. A higher angel indeed, yet still capable of mistake and even sin. Turned out, as the seraphim realized, free will was a giant bitch. Nadir dreamt, aware of his or her sins.

Can you see it, young one? The first creation? The light that sparked in darkness and the sands of the void being revealed to me? I was there from the beginning. Or, if time is a value to you, very close to it…

In the blackness of space, a sun exploded into birth, yellow, warm, gigantic. Soon, light sped through towards the outskirts of darkness, where even the smallest specs of space dust came into view. And every grain of sand in those clouds of grey became connected by illumination. It was, for all the angels knew, the first notion of Good, the first metaphor. Light versus darkness, the conquering of the unknown, order in a chaotic existence. All intelligent life forms would follow after, living cycle after cycle those eras of darkness and light. Renaissance made universal.

Galaxies appeared and swirled at a slow pace, as Creation itself mixed the purest of magic with the laws of being. It played with dimensions and probabilities like a child does with marbles, and colours beyond imagination were revealed into stars and worlds made of gases and fluids and innumerable other types of matter. And among it all, the giant life-breathing sun.

As the view rotated slowly around it, with billions of astral bodies in the background, Nadir saw the cherub. The first of her kind and almost as perfect as the Creator Himself. She admired life in awe, looking at the immensity and complexity of it all, comprehending everything at the same time. An aura of bliss shone around her, enveloping her pulsating body into brilliance, and Nadir knew, felt, that her joy sprung from the concept of time, which was created along with life. Evolution.

You understand. How can you not? For being part of the High means being a creator, a parent, whose purpose is watching over their children, and being nothing without it. Give birth and watch it grow and develop into a wonder and rejoice! For without the bliss of this entire experience you are nothing but gloom…

The cherub took that lesson to heart. She spread her arms and wings as wide as she could, embracing that primal sun. Then said her goodbyes.

Others appeared and embraced her, feeling her need to depart. While they were made to stand by and guard, she, as a cherub, was designed for more than just sing the glory of Life. It was, of course, a matter of choice, and hers was to wander the Universe and discover its’ awesomeness. In those moments, Nadir felt like an insect in comparison to the entities aligned there. It felt like he wouldn’t belong among such a confederacy of god-like beings.

The seraphim followed the cherub, watching from her shoulder at the wonders she encountered right from the beginning. Even in its’ gigantic existence, it never saw such amazing things, it never fully witnessed what the Creator was capable of. That however did not fill it with humility, as one would think, but frustration… and jealousy. It tried to shout at the cherub, to make her stop this vision, but when it tried to speak, its’ mouth would not release one sound.

Such a paradox, seraphim. Such contradictory feelings wash over you… Purity tainted. And taint purified… We are not so different, you and I. Observe!

The seraphim looked indeed, relaxing its’ mind as it saw the cherub stop in the middle of nothing. Granted, stars would shine and planets would appear somewhere far, but it saw nothing truly special about that particular spot. And then it realized that, while watching her for seconds, she actually spent centuries just learning about the mystic rivers of unseen power that flew in from all over the Universe. With the patience that only such a being could posses, she studied and built layer upon layer of matter, until a sphere the size of a basketball was created. It made Nadir laugh and want to snort arrogantly, but it could still not speak.

She absorbed the object into her golden spiritual body and a field of pure magic exploded around her, growing until it became the size of a large planet. At first it was made just of electrical energy waves (or what seemed like it), but then Nadir noticed masses of mist growing and fountains of translucent liquids erupt. It saw solid earth continents shifting, while the cherubs’ light, in the center of all, became less and less visible. Yellow lightning crackled around the surface, connecting living and moving objects, static and noise and phenomena of infinite complexity until it all fell into silence. For long moments, the seraphim thought she had failed, for impressive as it was, it didn’t seem like such an achievement. But a light beam shot forth from the darkness beyond, travelling from unreachable distances, and hit the world the cherub had created. And then Nadir saw it…

Stars and worlds and realms from other dimensions were brought here to greet my creation, the cherub said with a bell-like voice, as all around Crux incredible celestial bodies appeared and the sky around it filled with stars and planets. Nadir knew that they were there all along, hidden into a dimension a mere seraphim could not see, but along with this new worlds’ birth, the hidden web of time and space painted the unseen objects in an incredible colour spectrum just for her. Oceans of space energy broke into rivers, all flowing towards the center of the planet, and she emerged above it, once again embracing the light beam until its’ intensity diminished and became just another distant sun.

The cherub shrunk to a man’s size and hovered down to the surface, to a place Nadir had never seen before. It realized that Crux was not as it knew it now, but had evolved in time as well. She was greeted by entities Nadir recognized, such as Yarin the wise, and many others who came to that place of heavenly beauty and tranquillity. As the creatures congregating there created a circle around the cherub, she spoke again:

I made them into existence, young one. It was then I truly felt a creature of the Creator, a part of Him. Just like they, perfect in the form I had chosen for them, were a part of me. I would see them exist and grow and witness their impact on my world, for I was not only an architect, but a mother. They were superb in their unique way, some resembling other beings I had met before in my voyage… Others were made into shapes I had never seen before, and which I had thought to be original. Perhaps they were.

She paused and seemed to look straight at the Nadir, an aura of impatience around her, while the background shifted as someone had pressed the fast forward button on the evolution cam. When she spoke again, she rested on a white marble bench, in the place now known as Enoch.

I watched over my creation for aeons, while He made others like me, some brighter, some more knowledgeable, some single-purposed. And all of you were sent to watch over worlds just like my own, and battle darkness wherever you found it. I knew of it all, for we were all made brothers and sisters, even though not all of my siblings possessed my insight of the Bond. Residing here, all existence converged into me and, just like Him, I was knew everything of the present. I knew you and your brothers walked many realms and some turned to material form to experience life just like the smallest of His children. And I was happy… No longer was I the only one to be a parent, to witness that miracle… Yes, Nadir. I felt fantastic joy knowing this.

The seraphim wanted to speak but she would still not allow it. As he peered into her essence, he felt stunned, if only for a split second.

Your children… Such biological wonders! They made me crave for that experience, even if it was a lesser creation process. The simplicity of it all puzzled and delighted me… Yet not for long, not by my standards. Soon enough He became angered with the chaos you had sown on his worlds. The Nephalem rose to become a force of destruction just by walking and breathing. The balance was broken but I could not stand them being annihilated simply for existing. Thus I took them all and made my world their home. But you know all this… You know it well.

Nadir scowled under his silvery hood. He felt the urge to scream and lash out, disgusted and appalled by the thought. She knew it, she felt his loathing of the Fallen, but she knew better his need to destroy their seed. Their children.

I do understand, you know… You can’t help it because you are made that way. You would rather see the Universe burn to ashes around you than allow your children to fraternize with theirs. As I gave them ALL a home, you and others like you, even Fallen ones, felt betrayed. Felt dirty. But what you failed to understand was that this was not your decision to make. While all of you were indeed parents, you were not single creators. Not like Him and not like me. The Nephalem had mothers and fathers that were not eternal, some not even touched by the magic. Not holy, not High nor Fallen. Yet simple beings, blessed with free will, who loved their offspring and would have educated them one way or the other.

The seraphim shook with fury. It wanted to bite and claw at the concept. It felt like those poor material shells had no such right. They were just… pods. Simple containers for beings that defied the laws set by the Creator. And that, in its’ essence, was worthy to be called a miracle.

Such anger in you! …I mourn for your lack of capacity to forgive and accept. I created Enoch for all, Nadir. I gave them a chance to become what they wished instead of being slaves to their nature. In whatever world they were born, by the rules of space, they were obligated to become the embodiment of good or evil. But here… Here they could grow into something more. Can you not understand that?

With all his might, the seraphim broke her spell. Or she had finally released it to speak.

“And mix their essence with one another!” it thundered. “I would rather be torn apart, cell by cell, than see the High Children tainted with the filth of demons! Banishing you from this dimension was a price I would gladly pay over and over again!”

…That saddens me deeply. While I understand you repelling the Fallen as your nature demands, I cannot comprehend your pact. Allying yourself with that which you hate most, stealing the choice your children could have had and fighting your own sister… That I can’t forgive.

Its’ hundreds of children voices laughed at the same time, while the seraphim’s whole body shook and sparkled with silver energy.

“Forgive? I never asked for it! Not from you or any other being in existence. I was made pure, thus I cannot be wrong. You however ARE flawed. Your judgements are clouded and subjective! I have allied myself with demons, yes. But that was necessity. While you, however, decided all by yourself to mix Light and Darkness on your pitiful little planet. Why do you think He hadn’t intervened, …sister?”

She remained silent and, even though Nadir could not see her face beyond that golden light, it felt like she was looking at the it with sadness and pity in her eyes. She finally spoke gently:

But He had, young one. I still exist. Trapped by your rituals and bound by certain laws you and the demons agreed upon. You may think it was a precaution not to destroy me in case they might go back on their word, but I think of it as… divine intervention.

“Call it what you will, cherub. You are locked away from the Nephalem and you will never walk free again, free to taint our spawn with… theirs. I will see to that.”

Never is a word not even I would dare use, my brother. For whatever reasons you believe you have succeeded in your task, I assure you it’s just a false impression. Soon you will learn that nothing but Him is eternal… Not even your well-thought rituals.

“You put your faith in that Fallen scum! That is truly amazing! …He will be dealt with soon enough. As all will witness the might of the Celestials! Your view on existence is quite pathetic…” Nadir replied with disgust.

You forget one thing, seraphim: although you broke the wills of all Nephalem and made them into your image, the one you call scum still fights, as he did for aeons. You see, Nadir… It is not a matter of action” she concluded peacefully.. “If Maar succeeds or not, it does not matter.

“And what does matter then?” the seraphim shouted in frustration.

The example of freedom. The word made real, for in the beginning… it was just the word. Now be gone!

Nadir awoke in the gardens of Enoch. Or more accurately, it finally managed to open its’ eyes. The old High was still kneeling at its’ feet, awaiting in silence the instructions. It spoke in those pure voices:

“Our entire existence is in jeopardy, Athos. You must destroy that Fallen now lest we will become infected by evil.”

“I already had Arwen hunt for him, lord. It shouldn’t be long now. He and the Nilithar will soon be extinguished.” The white haired man replied, still not daring to look up at the seraphim.

“Send an army, Athos! Send everyone if you must! My vision was not just a threat made by… an old enemy. But an omen!” Nadir boomed, but soon realized he must switch tactics as the High Nephalem shook and opened his eyes at the seraphim’s reaction. It lowered his tone and added “Trust in me. I love you, my son.”

Interlude to Crux

2011-09-26T15:16:00.001+03:00

Reality. Killer of dreams, mother of nightmares. A cruel bitch, juggling destinies, smashing lives with its’ bluntness. Lexi took it all in, along with the cool salty air of the Channel and sipped from her giant porcelain cup of coffee. She looked back at the three silhouettes chatting in the rear of the yacht and sighed silently. There was no way to change his mind now. Nor was there any such fantasy regarding Thomas; his reality was a mixture of dreams and nightmares, and she knew that better than anyone. Ever since that night, when he charmed his way into her life in impossibly inadequate and morbid circumstances, Lexi had never been the same. In a way, he took away her childish view on life and turned it into a microscope under which that cruel bitch revealed more than every day horrors. It revealed the unseen viruses of beyond, the flesh eating bacteria of a dark and hidden world.

“There’s no talking to you!” Thomas exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air in desperation. “This is a chance in… a hundred lifetimes! Don’t be a fool, Andrew!”

“For the last time, Gates, you stubborn mule!” replied the mage with his melodious English accent. “I am not about to perform that ritual just so you can have your way! I’m reluctant enough to follow you in this personal war against demons as it is. Bloody hell…”

Thomas narrowed his orange eyes, frowning at his friend. He was about to reply but Lexi cut him off, embracing him from behind and resting her chin over his shoulder.

“You know you’re going to do it anyway, Drew…” she whispered. “That’s why I don’t bother anymore trying to explain to my husband how suicidal he gets sometimes.”

She paused and kissed his cheek, then shrugged slightly: “He is right though. If what he says is true, then it’s a chance we can’t miss.”

“We? What do you mean ‘we’, baby? If we are going to Corsica (and we are), you’re not joining in on this.” Thomas quickly replied.

“Honey, I love you and I will always do as you ask. Out of respect and knowing that you are a brilliant man. But if you think for a second that I will just stand by and watch you die on purpose, ritual or not, even with the best mage in the world supervising the whole shindig, you must have surely and completely lost your mind. WE are going.”

“Sometimes” the mage whispered exhausted “I don’t know which of you I hate more. But I guess a marriage based on insanity is as valid as any other… Victoria, set course for Marseille!” he addressed the fourth party member.

“Set course yourself, you tight butt crumpet sucker!” replied the petite green haired vampire.

Andrew Grey sighed and marched to the upper deck: “This just isn’t my night…”

Ironic

2011-08-23T13:55:00.000+03:00

Today my mom came to me and said I should remove the offensive "comment" I put on the internet about that famous fight we had some weeks back. Of course, I denied the existence of any offensive comment, as I don't consider I've done anything bad. Or, to be honest, posted anything worse than whatever I've been told, time and again, by said family members. Fact is, if I should actually write about all the humiliating words thrown at me, all the insults with which I've been jabbed, and the whole condescending, arrogant, slave-driver behavior I've been treated with throughout my teenage period, THEN my next of kin should be entitled to worry.

You probably wonder how my mother actually got the news about my posting. Well, I didn't even had to ponder, not just because she gave me the answer, but because I already know who's always blabbing about my life, shining down a bad light on my actions. I won't name that person, but I know he's reading my stuff and reporting back to certain people who then have reason to piss all over my parade. Yes, I know, and he's been doing this shit for years, for whatever reasons I won't mention. He should know by now that I'm a pretty smart fucker, if not streetwise like himself, and I have the means to fucking bury his ass if he keeps up with this crap. I am willing, however, to consider the possibility of him being a gossipy bitch who can't refrain from spraying dirt all over. So, for now, I'll cut him some slack, hoping he will be so kind as to remove me from his list of subjects to talk about, before I run his ass over with my car.

It's ironic. And very much so, considering this whole blog was meant to firstly promote a book project about the jerk stereotype who pokes in other people's business. It's sad 'cause the people who should be closest to you, supporting you, especially during rough patches, actually try to harm you or bring you down. In all honesty, I've got used to this, so I'm not surprised by this kind of betrayal. That doesn't mean, however, that I will accept this forever. You want me to change? To be normal? Guess what! NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! So either shape up, accept this, or get the fuck out of my life!

P.S. I really wanted to apologize for the rude terms used in Level Cap. I'm sorry that I've been so radical and barbaric in expressing myself. So I'll take the upper ground and say I regret said words. Hopefully, this public apology will mend a little the situation.

Vulgar, Hating... & Loving It

2011-08-10T19:15:00.001+03:00

I don't make love. I fuck. And I fuck with passion, in a feral manner, while my mind explodes with chemical reactions and drives me so wild I can barely refrain from tearing the woman apart. I bite, I claw, I ravage my partner's body until she's exhausted. I love, I fuck, I write and I hate with pathos. I -am-, you can safely say so, in a love-hate relationship with myself. There are many things I adore, that they turn me completely around. Psychologically speaking. Because there's no such thing as a mad scientist; we're all mad. So hatred... Yes. Just like love, there are so many things I honestly hate. And countless more people... What's good for? Keeping me... ME. Making me feel alive and different and, most of all, FREE. I'm not part of the mass, I don't wear those tiny ridiculous socks or those gay summer hats, nor do I drive a German car, nor do I party in those infectiously imbecilic clubs. I am being myself and hatred plays its' part. It's said that such a feeling doesn't help anyone. False. It does, even if to keep me shaped as a unique human being, apart, and damn gorgeous in my own way.

Madness Actually

2011-07-31T16:31:00.001+03:00

"Madness is so boring, isn't it, Lewis? Yeeees... So utterly mundane, so predictable when you start noticing the pattern. Look at you, man! You're doing the mouse thing. The crazy old bastard, petting his little minion in a deranged and fanatic way, until there's no life inside the poor creature... And even then you don't stop, still pressing against it's white body with your sweaty palms, absorbed and fascinated by how it becomes destroyed little by little. You are sick, Lewis. Your behavior is beyond normality, no doubt. ...You're also boring the magic out of me."

"Why is that, Mr. Redthorn?" the hunched form asked from his shadowed cell corner, bits and scraps of his massively flesh form escaping into the candlelit gray room.

"Because that's all you'll ever do, Lewis. Until the sparks of insanity die in your eyes along with the poorly lit fire of life that, for whatever reason, still burns inside your pathetic excuse of a body. You'll never be cured, for there is really no cure for madness... All those imbeciles at the Institute are wrong; you are trapped, like so many others afflicted by this epidemic, in a vortex of infinite depths. There's no pulling you out... There's just... observing how fast and how far you sink. And even then... we'll barely know what you truly see. For me, us, there's just the shallow, vague clues your physical shell is kind enough to offer. Like petting that animal corpse for hours..." the sage responded and cleared his throat. "Boring routine. An oxymoron, I believe. Yes. Routine, boring by default. Repetitive, redundant and useless. A cretin would manage to recognize your pattern, what makes you, as a madman... you."

Gavin stepped into the light, the bright yellow spotlight shaping his features, chiseled jaw covered in a dark brown and carefully trimmed beard, and the glittering intelligence behind the hazel eyes. He leaned slightly, looking regal in his arcane vestments, and studied the man in ragged tan clothing. In comparison, he was a god in midnight blue threads looking down on a dying centipede. He spoke again, in his confident tone, words rolling off his tongue like hammer blows. It made Lewis tremble every time the wizard reinforced them with his educated accent.

"And they want to cut into your head, Lewis... They want to dig. Idiots... They should cut inside their own minds and find the proof of their limitless stupidity." He looked at the hunched mass and whispered in a manner as comforting and warm as any of his kind could manage. Not quite comforting nor warm, to be honest. "I do hope they end it for you. Since you don't really have a hold over your own life... It is quite sad, I must admit..."

"What is, Mr. Redthorn?" Lewis mumbled and shrieked, curved in a ball in his corner.

"Being a slave to other minds. Being a puppet." he whispered back and paused for a second, possibly picturing what that would be like. "That I do pity - you may be a puppet, but no other man has the right to pull your strings. No other man who can, and maybe will, turn into a puppet himself..."

"Why then, Mr. Redthorn? Why am I being held here? I've done nothing but love... For, me family's sake, I've loved them. I held them close as I would the rest of the world. There be nothing and no one to threat from me freedom..." Lewis coughed in a hoarse voice, then sneezed violently. The remains of the white mouse sprayed the stone wall and he suddenly became surprised. The man paused and blinked, then carefully started picking the scraps of dead flesh into his palm.

"I don't know" Gavin answered even though he knew he might have just be speaking to the wall nearby. "Freedom of will. Even mad will... That is to be considered."

The wizard straightened and flashed a small smile at the ill man. He turned on his black boots and marched to the massive iron gate. Midway he noticed the hay bed and lack of any windows, even a small barred one.

"Give this poor man a blanket and make sure he is kept well. In a strange way, his madness, even criminal tendencies, make him as innocent as an cherub." Gavin ordered the plate clad soldier standing guard, without offering him a single glance.

"Sure thing, your excellency!" the farmer-faced man responded bitterly, striking at the sage with arrows from his steel glance. "I'll make sure 'e gets some o' them silk covers from 'is Majesty's bedchamber as well..."

Gavin turned and raised his hand, forming three arcane bolts spinning in a triangle pattern, burning with white light. The guard widened his eyes and babbled:

"You... You'd be executed, you will, if you strike a soldier down! Aye!"

"If I release this, there will be no remains of the said soldier. Where there's no body... there's no crime" the mage replied calmly. Now... You will do as I asked, as you would for any man sentenced to death. For, make no mistake, his life will end soon enough. And you will do well to remember that, while his essence is gone, his flesh and bones and blood are still entitled to mercy."

"Mercy" the soldier confirmed in a rush. "Got it, Sir! Mercy he shall 'ave!"

"Huh..." Gavin snorted. "I'm surprised you were so receptive. The thought of disintegrating your sorry excuse of a brain was rather appealing... But..." he sighed dramatically "...giant muscles, though not hard to find, serve their purpose, I guess..."

The mage absorbed the energy bolts back into his wide, golden-trimmed sleeves, and slid his hands inside them, crossing his chest. As he turned and left through the black corridor, he could hear the guard's sweat drip off his face. He made no sound, almost like floating away and fading into the void of shadow.

A bright moon revealed the cobblestone pathways of the citadel. Up, in the city, the Luna Institute's towers rose like a sinister claw, burying itself out of the ground. A chill and a stench passed by his nose as he strolled slowly through the labyrinthine streets of Delnar City. Sewage, wet decaying hay and rotten food. It was all amazing, for while in permanent darkness, the urban center was so well supplied that, on occasions such as this, some of the populous afforded throwing it away. Yet there was still famine in the ranks of the beggars... From under the large flowing hood, Gavin scanned the marketplace, filled with life even so late. At least he thought it was late, as he always did; it never got any easier for the wandering mage, for twenty years of sunlit days could not be forgotten in mere weeks.

He turned his inquisitive gaze towards the dock. A modest and rotting excuse of a harbor, where ships larger than life actually made port. Street thieves, pirates, hooligans and whores. Illusionists, blood drinkers, gargoyles and some dwarven folk. They made him laugh. Why he ever left the tranquil gardens of Benj he could not recall. Something about the Book of Whispers came to mind; that dreadful artifact that persuaded him, in it's dark ways, to visit Luna. Some children crossed his path, running, almost making him trip.

"Careful, you little buggers! Or I'll turn you into furry turtles!" he shouted at them.

"Turn this!" a snotty, red haired one yelled back and flipped him off.

"Holy werecat! Talk about a gap in the system..." he muttered and then rose his voice at the child: "Is that what you little shits learn in school these days?!"

"No!" the kid yelled, turning to face him from the other side of the plaza. A dark smile flashed on his lips as he muttered something Gavin could not hear.

"What?!" he shouted, but then blinked in surprise. His vision blurred suddenly, his blood froze. With the rest of his focus, he read the words the spoiled brat was shouting back of him, in a short bursts, like speaking to a moron: "That. Is. What. We learn!"

Gavin instinctively turned and glanced upon a small burning green demon. A grin larger than it's face met the wizard, as it handed him his own kidneys. It seemed to snicker and jump with joy, then screamed in a high pitched manner as it's flame-like body dissolved along with the kid's incantation.

"Blimey!" the wizard cursed as he collapsed to the ground.

You bloody bundle of evil! I told you not to do that to people. Look at this mess! ...Oh, we're so incredibly shagged! He's a freakin' mage, he is! the woman's voice rang inside Gavin's almost unconscious mind.

Relax, Miss! I'll be havin' him up and running in no time... Loudmouth arcane prick!

Thomas! Don't make me butt rape your soul again!

Oi, ye be a nasty one, Miss...

"Fucking warlocks..." Gavin mumbled... and died.

It is... ALIVE!

2011-07-29T13:56:00.000+03:00

MTV is dead. Let's face it - all those so-called reality shows and the tons of bullshit of the '00s brought with them, buried this once awesome icon six feet under. Many would say that there is no music to promote nowadays, that there are no artists worth promoting, that displaying, for the public, music made on computers just doesn't fit on Music Television, and all the surviving singers and bands are pulled magnetically towards VHF. I say "untrue!". There are hundreds of bands out there, young, striving and very talented, that surprise me quite often with their incredible sound, yet the MTV brand refuses to promote them for... marketing reasons? Sure, there's MTV2 and prolly other channels that still broadcast good quality music... Or so I think. And you know why I don't know it for sure? ...Because as a fan of the '90s MTV, everything else is fucking LAME!

Yet there is still hope; Although I haven't done any research for this little jewel of quasi-journalism, I do hope that the new Beavis & Butt-Head series is going to be broadcast on MTV. And I will speak as such, knowing that this little cartoon show, which I adored as a teenager, can actually bring MTV back in the spotlight of music lovers. I am talking about that group of people that have been, and still are, disgusted with the program MTV chose, promoting nothing but thug rappers, castrated pop singers and DJs. The latter being of absolutely no musical value, in this cat's opinion. I do believe MTV can get us back with B&B, and can be resurrected as the Beacon of Cool that it once was.

As for Mike Judge's decision to return to where it all began, I can only applaud and thank him on behalf of people who understood that Beavis & Butt-Head is not just a silly cartoon. The show was, and still looks to be, very smart; the humor is excellent, the characters as predictable as ever. For once, that is an excellent thing, as real fans like myself love the mayhem and stupidity and lack of general personal care of those two metalheads. Why wouldn't I? Why wouldn't anyone? They don't just reflect the stereotype of the ignorant, destructive and commonly moronic headbanger. I agree there may be such individuals in the U.S., in large numbers, I'm sure, but come speak to any of the people, above 22, who have attended the Metallica and AC/DC concerts in Bucharest. You will find that, not only we perceive reality in a complex way, we enjoy real music (and some pride ourselves in our love for symphony), but the only things connecting us to B&B is our love for rock music and our, dare I say, sophisticated humor.

I'm sure Romanians, and most non-Americans, will welcome the show's return. Again, bravo! Finally we can relate again to MTV. And thus, we will bring our shovels and brushes, to uncover the relics of a giant. I probably won't be home when the show will air, but I am still delighted that I will be able to watch Mike Judge's genius back in action. Oh, happy day!

I'm a believer!

2011-07-28T23:31:00.002+03:00

At Last!

2011-07-28T15:40:00.000+03:00

I said, a long time ago, in my first post of my former blog, that I consider Roxana Andronescu the best female voice in Romania. That is, of course, a personal opinion and a subjective one too; I know this awesome girl, who talks all the time about anything and everything, open to all who possess common sense and the brains to appreciate her humor, and I certainly must recommend her concert Friday night. Fun fact: we actually met at that first concert, when Spin played in my home town, and now, after more than 2 years, we are very good friends and I will be writing another review about her show on my new blog. I do hope you can make it to this event 'cause I guarantee an epic evening.

So! Spin, Friday night, in Bucharest. Be there! Click for details.

Missed you too, love!

2011-07-14T01:40:00.000+03:00

You know... that feeling that you sometimes get, when you first make contact with something completely awesome, new, original, special? I had it when I saw the first movie. And I had it again after this trailer. I LOVE Robert Downey Jr.! Can't wait for this one! W00t!

Level Cap

2011-07-14T01:10:00.000+03:00

I had a most horrible day today, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, it finally came to the point of no return, when I had to state out loud "I AM A FUCKING ADULT! SHOW ME SOME RESPECT, YOU ASSHOLES!"... to my family. Of course, writing this bloody thing here would be perceived as yet another mistake, as all the stupid crappy things in my life, but... piss off, I don't care, I have the RIGHT to do as I please!

It all started with the fact that I spend an enormous amount of time in front of this demonic machine and that I smoke around... 30 cigarettes / day, and this for the past 3-4 weeks. In all fairness, I completely agreed! And still do! Yes, I do love these excesses and I will never deny they aren't healthy! BUT!...

Part two of this wonderful little folk tale involves the fact that, since day one of my World of Warcraft / cigarette marathon, I've been hearing three times a day "You're smoking too much! You're spending too much time with that game!". NO SHIT!

Now... From the people who do know me and can truly answer this question, I am asking to post an answer to the following questions:

Am I a fucking retard who completely misses the point of a discussion and, as a smoker, for the past 11 years, is so bloody imbecilic as to not notice all the "SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOU!" warnings?

Am I so outlandish to believe that spending so much time in front of the PC is NOT bad for me?

Am I such an ASSHOLE and a RUDE person, and treat my mother and my family like shit?

...I don't actually need the answers, because I know. I've tried everything in my power to make these MORONS! understand that I know all of these dangers, that I appreciate their interest and good intentions, that I respect them and their decisions, but they need to treat me as an adult, and they too have to respect my wishes. Two words:

EPIC FAIL!

And such, with all the love and heartache involved in this useless, pointless, inane, childish, in this ego warfare, I swear that I will, to my best ability, try to move the hell out of the house. It is logical that after a certain age, children and parents cannot coexist; I've tried to make it work, though aware of this truth, but it is simply impossible. Thus, with all regrets to my esteemed uncle and my loving mother, who completely MISSED the goddamn point, I QUIT!

My friends, who I hope still care for me enough to give a damn about this, should be happy to learn that I am planning to move to Bucharest. Yes, you will finally get me there, to completely abuse and take advantage of. ...And also be on the other side of the phone when you're in a "booty call"-ish mood. Yeah, I said it, you horny sluts! You know you want me. ;)

With that said... Sorry for washing my dirty jockstrap in public, but I just had to vent. I've been arguing with ROCKS for half a day and... just thought maybe some of you would and could relate. Love y'all! Thanks for reading my blog and thanks for supporting my utopian dreams! Peace.

New Cool Shit!

2011-07-09T20:41:00.001+03:00

You know him, you love him and he has a new album!

Click the image if you want to listen to the songs!

Reccurence

2011-07-09T00:48:00.001+03:00

Felix woke up in a pool of sweat, the dry suffocating atmosphere in his bedroom rising to unbearable levels. He groaned like a drunk and pushed himself up, noticing the stain on the dirty, uncovered mattress. His head spun and hurt like a thousand sledgehammers slamming together against the largest church bell in the world. As the blur over his eyes cleared somewhat, he pulled the small ragged drape a little, only to be blinded by a flash of burning light. He grunted and fell on his back...

The electric clock ticked once as a minute past 2 A.M. passed. It made him twitch and he finally decided to get up as the drops of sweat tickling his face on their path down were starting to really annoy him. In his thick blue jeans he felt steamed, but he knew there was no chance in hell that the shower would work in that dump. No chance in hell... - the words echoed in his mind like the broken doorbell which rang at the same time.

Felix opened the door without even bothering to ask who it was so late at night. The elegantly clad man walked in without a word and just followed him to the improvised dirty grey kitchen. A ray of unnatural light outlined the poorly maintained room, throwing weird shadows around. Felix just leaned over the sink and turned the knob, praying for at least some cold water. Outside, the roar of the city was imperceptible.

"You look like absolute shit. Told you to lay off the crack..." the dark haired man said and leaned against the door frame. "Hope you're up for the job tonight".

"Aren't I always...?" Felix groaned as he let the cold-warm water dry on his face. He pulled his long messy blonde hair back and threw the other one a strange glance through the disgusting mirror in front of him.

"I'm not convinced. The boss wants this job done right. And as bloody as possible!" came the glacial reply. "No fuck-ups this time, Skewer. He wants a massacre."

The word echoed like before, making Felix snap, yet he turned slowly, conceiving his doubts. A glance in the other man's coal eyes made him shiver. He looked surreal, completely out of the picture.

"A massacre, eh, Jack?" he whispered in a hoarse voice, pulling a drawer open slowly.

"Exactly. And- ...did you get a cat?" the dark-haired man asked, his glance pointing at the black agile form of the feline slipping in through the half-open window.

The blade of the kitchen knife flew up, making it's way directly under Jack's chin, catching him with a look of horror on his face and cutting his relaxed gestures off. A spark ignited in his assassin's eyes, burning orange for a moment, just like the color of blood that sprayed over his deadly hand. Burning blood, like lava. The blonde man slowly lifted the other arm to shelter his gaze from the imminent burst and explosion. When he looked back, there was no trace of any Jack. He noticed the cat and smiled, as it didn't even seem to acknowledge him. Outside, behind the enigmatic feline, the slums turned to ash, decaying and burning, and the humming of cars turned to wails of agony.

"How many times did I do that before?" he asked casually, still trying to clear his throat. The kitchen was on fire, but he didn't care. He just reached for the pack of menthol cigarettes and lit one over the burning cupboard.

FOOL! YOU WILL BURN! EVEN IF IT TAKES FOREVER! an omnipresent voice boomed.

Felix curled forward, stretching his shoulder blades; a ragged grey wing sprung, smashing the window open, then immediately the other spread towards the crammed hallway. He arched his back and spun his neck, making the bones crack. With no rush and a bitter smile in the corner of his mouth he poured himself some stale coffee and took a seat on the burning table. He took a sip and a sweet drag: "It just might, asshole..."

In Case You Forgot

2011-07-08T21:59:00.000+03:00

Last year, in our once-beautiful historical side of Constanta...

Meet Your Colleagues!

2011-07-08T10:08:00.004+03:00

Was just minding my own business, pyroblasting some Kobolds in Arathi, when I find this mine. I go in and walk past a heap of those rat-people corpses, and I stumble upon a Tauren. Since he pretty much cleaned up the place, I let him continue his boring deadly routine and run ahead to see if there are any monsters left to incinerate. There were none that would have helped with my quest, but just one big RARE Kobold. So I quickly whip up a spell and murder the unsuspecting rodent in 5 seconds. A smile creeps on my face when I pick up the loot: a pretty decent green leather vest, with just the right stats for my Horde colleague. And but a moment passes before I receive this:

The night after, my veteran guild mate, Kaylight, was asking for some information on how to fish some volatile fire. Yes, in W.o.W. you can sometimes fish anything but the actual fishes. Even fire. Seeing how he kept failing, Sylio was trying to help, linking some information from wowhead.com. I (Katon) wasn't.

I LOVE THIS GAME!