The entire trilogy is one principle basis revolving around Causality. It is a story where Morality and Mortality are constantly on trial with one another, both being the catalyst to the events within history. In the final book, everything comes full circle, played out as a tragedy. With the ultimate antagonist being recognized by many names, ultimately known as Exodos, there are hints of Greek play involved.
In Greek tragedy, Exodos means “The final scene.” And that symbolizes the antagonist as he is quite literally, the Omega of all things. The ending chapter is called the Stasimon, which in tragedy, is a choral ode preceding the Exodos. So ultimately, it is the final battle with the Omega, brought into physical shape by a chorus of Monody- which is an ode sung by a single voice in a tragedy.
Now, as the main character soon realizes, he is connected with the Omega through Causality. This is where the most important fight between morality and mortality takes place. In the end, there is no possible way to destroy Exodos except by slaying himself and destroying the link between morality and mortality. This in turn, causes Exodos to become non-existant as the bridge that keeps him empowered is shattered.
Exodos cannot be given a single name, as he is beyond such mundane shapes. He is an entity that cannot be controlled by god or demon. His strength is unlimited and one could only imagine what power the protagonist could have wielded should he have accepted all of Exodos’ power. However, such would never happen since Exodos would then have free reign over him and have a mortal body in which to spread his chaos.
Exodos is a power hungry entity who has conquered limitless worlds only to finally be imprisoned by an ancient pantheon of gods. Most had unwillingly sacrificed themselves in order to seal Exodos within a single prison made of his own strength. Able to feed from within but not outside, Exodos’ power has no limit when it comes to Innisfal. However, he can not escape such a prison and instead feeds on the power of the fallen gods- gods that die or are banished to become fallen and imprisoned in Innisfal in order to provide greater support for the prison’s barriers.
Even though Exodos is unable to travel from Innisfal, he is free to send his agents into countless worlds and destroy them. When the protagonist had unexpectedly done the impossible and sealed Exodos within tools of his own demise, his essence was no longer bound to Innisfal and the protagonist had broken the carefully intricate prison that Exodos was bound to. His spirit was bound to the Mark of Kings ring, and his physical form was trapped within the Banesword, also known as Banewreaker. The sword was the ultimate weapon, unable to be broken and capable of cutting through anything mundane. The ring gives the protagonist artificial strength, immortality, and as much power as he demands from Exodos, in exchange for his own essence.
While the hero’s hair is fully brown at first, strands constantly become more silver as he uses more of Exodos’ power. In the end, his hair holds no more color and all his essence is within Exodos. However, this is the demise of Exodos because when the main character sacrifices himself, his essence is ripped from Exodos and without any for himself, the bridge disappears and Exodos ceases to exist.
Little does anyone know though that Azurio’s essence never ceased to be but returned to him through Aurendil. Due to his abilities to realm-walk, he had already become more powerful then most mortals. Along with Exodos, he could be a mortal god. Being fully exposed to Ultideum Arcadius within Ithillien’s realm of the H’tarrin, Azurio truly became a god, capable of anything. However, he did not know of this strength due to Exodos’ quick capture of his essence within the Banesword.
As he intoned the words to escape from the collapsing realm, Exodos briefly for a split second was no longer bound to the sword but to Ultideum Arcadius instead in order to escape with Azurio. However, Exodos took that moment of time to swiftly seal Azurio’s essence within the sword and switch places with him, via Ultideum Arcadius. This switch covertly kept Azurio from realizing his potential and he was helpless to stop Exodos’ in bringing about, the collapse of civilization. During this time, Exodos, in Azurio’s form called himself Eidolon.
When Azurio sacrificed himself to destroy Exodos, he gained back all his essence.. Because Exodos had all of Azurio’s essence, the only way Azurio still lived was due to Exodos’ essence flowing through him, due to the constant corruption of soul and body via the Banesword. When he plunged Aurendil into himself, the sword began to purge the corruption from Azurio’s body as well as draw his own essence back from Exodos. Because of this, Exodos no longer had a bridge that he had built over a steady amount of time, and ceased to be. Exodos’ power was gone but since Azurio’s essence was mingled within the entity, its power was on the same level as Exodos. Azurio then, became as powerful as Exodos if not more.
However, he was still mortal and his physical form died. However, his spiritual being was drawn to Calus who sensed how powerful he had become. Fearing the worst over her champion, she convinced him to enter a portal and find peace at last. When he stepped through, he found tranquility at last but it but an illusion. Calus quickly converted Innisfal’s looks to that of a paradise for Azurio. Unknown to him, it was nothing more then a prison for a new Exodos.
How much power did Azurio have? Being a proficient swordsman, his skill with the Banesword made him an unstoppable foe. Able to cut through anything, the sword was able to change its shape, depending on what it fought. The blade could suddenly thicken, curve, or become longer. Unlike most rumors, it did not take souls. The blade simply killed.
The ring gave Azurio an artificial mortality. He would not age nor die from wounds as long as that ring was on his finger. He could shield himself with fire, cast down flames from the heavens, or heal himself through Exodos but it all came for a price. Every drawing from the ring took a bit of Azurio’s own essence, seen by the silver strands of hair on his head. The more he drew, the weaker he became. If his entire essence was eventually consumed, he would no longer have enough mortality to keep Exodos sealed and the entity would be able to free itself, as it did in the Sacred Grove.
With the ability to realm-walk, Azurio had the power to travel to any outside portal surrounding Calus. He could alter reality within these realms and practically change any laws that were the foundation of the realm. With his exposure to Ultideum Arcadius, his power was no longer limited to only realms, but to actual reality itself. This made him a living god, able to do things beyond imagination.
However, not realizing his potential, the only source of power he kept tapping into was Exodos’ core. Exodos attempted to contain Azurio within the Banesword in order to keep him from realizing his potential as well as obtain the power from him. When Azurio’s enriched essence was returned to him in Innisfal, he became the most powerful entity in existence. Even though he was still human, his mortality was only limited to his body. Even though he died, his spirit lingered on. Calus, realizing that Azurio would soon control his power, was quick to react and contained him in Innisfal, recreating it as a paradise.
02 November 2008
14 October 2008
The Power of Words
"What did you do to him? What did you show Azurio?"
His complacent smile revealed everything, she realized. His influence had become her fear for what her champion was now capable of. Chaos, in its purest form. The unraveling of her makers' world. Utter destruction.
His complacent smile revealed everything, she realized. His influence had become her fear for what her champion was now capable of. Chaos, in its purest form. The unraveling of her makers' world. Utter destruction.
"Why, I showed him the truth. Does he not deserve that much?"
"The truth of what? What could he possibly see in your madness?"
The Lord of Dreams raised an eyebrow curiously as one finger calmly probed through his beard.
"Madness? I merely showed him the truth of the world, sister. Of what it is meant to be."
She stared at him, aghast of what he dared to do. No line such as this had ever been crossed much less ever thought capable of occuring. All her foresight and careful planning had now become hopeless. Each second that passed would slip through her fingers, tearing everything she had hoped to accomplish into shreds of futility.
"You thought him your champion? You believed he could be your second pawn after the first realized the truth of this world? No, dear sister. I would not allow you to repeat your mistake."
"Mistake? You've brought ruin to our fathers' world! This world was meant to be more then simply a sphere of life!"
"Then what was he meant to be, Calus? An ignorant soldier of a dying race heeding the word of a 'goddess' that cares simply for her one true people? How many lies can you bear?"
"My lies are their promise."
"A race built on ignorance, but one who will endure beyond us both. You know that."
"I will change-,"
"You will not change the inevitable. You cannot. That power is beyond us both. Where our strength fails, the power of words cannot. It took Arcos from you. And so, shall it take Azurio."
"No..."
"I've done to him what I did to the first. I showed him the truth of the world. And it broke him. Now watch, Calus. Watch as every deceitful dream you've ever created comes crashing down atop each beating heart within this miserable ceiling."
"The truth of what? What could he possibly see in your madness?"
The Lord of Dreams raised an eyebrow curiously as one finger calmly probed through his beard.
"Madness? I merely showed him the truth of the world, sister. Of what it is meant to be."
She stared at him, aghast of what he dared to do. No line such as this had ever been crossed much less ever thought capable of occuring. All her foresight and careful planning had now become hopeless. Each second that passed would slip through her fingers, tearing everything she had hoped to accomplish into shreds of futility.
"You thought him your champion? You believed he could be your second pawn after the first realized the truth of this world? No, dear sister. I would not allow you to repeat your mistake."
"Mistake? You've brought ruin to our fathers' world! This world was meant to be more then simply a sphere of life!"
"Then what was he meant to be, Calus? An ignorant soldier of a dying race heeding the word of a 'goddess' that cares simply for her one true people? How many lies can you bear?"
"My lies are their promise."
"A race built on ignorance, but one who will endure beyond us both. You know that."
"I will change-,"
"You will not change the inevitable. You cannot. That power is beyond us both. Where our strength fails, the power of words cannot. It took Arcos from you. And so, shall it take Azurio."
"No..."
"I've done to him what I did to the first. I showed him the truth of the world. And it broke him. Now watch, Calus. Watch as every deceitful dream you've ever created comes crashing down atop each beating heart within this miserable ceiling."
25 August 2008
Ithil - Azurio's Mortal Foe
Aside from the constant struggle against Exodos, Azurio has another foe, more different from any man he had ever encountered. While Azurio can be seen as the man within the mirror, this antagonist is the shattered reflection that stares back at him. They are both the same in nature, but their moral values are completely different.
Enter Ithillian Asiranth Alazon. One of the last remaining Grey Elves that has not yet been hunted down to extinction for the sins of his race. His mother was a victim of a pillaged village. Raped and taken by a human mercenary band, she eventually brought him into the world, paying with her life as he was taken by the humans. Raised to an abusive system, his childhood was filled with torture and despair, as he wandered in a state of captivity unable to escape the clutches of his caretakers.
Grey Elves have the innate ability to pass down mental projections to their targets. Ithil's father had passed down his last memories unto his child before his death at the hands of the mercenaries. Two simple words that drove the boy to survive the beatings that plagued him daily.
Slaughter everyone. That simple message kept him alive. Yet as he grew older, the torture worsened. His body was covered in scars and wounds, and yet to the surprise of his captors, he still lived. Deciding to tear the man apart, the mercenaries tied his arms to two horses and watched in cruel satisfaction as Ithil screamed in pain, his muscles slowly tearing apart.
At that moment, his innate ability to project mental focus fell upon his captors. Every bit of pain that he suffered throughout his life, he released upon each individual man and animal within the camp. Every beating- every punishment- each man recieved tenfold within their minds.
The deep inner hatred within Ithil did more then simply drive the men insane. It destroyed their minds, instantly killing each individual within the camp, including the animals.
And so, was Ithil given his freedom. Through hatred for humanity, he survived.
Yet even with his hatred, Ithil was no simple murderer, slaying anyone in his path. He had no goal, no path in life. His kind was hated throughout the land. He was unaccepted in all but the most devious of orders. And so, he became a master assassin within the Kir Kalad, an order that spanned beyond mortal timelines.
Within that order, he was revealed his destiny. The Kir Kalad explained to him, that he was the last descendant of an ancient race known as the H'tarrin, a demon-like race. Ages ago, the H'tarrin were defeated and banished away from the world, never to see the light of day again. Ithil's destiny was to free them and bring the world to chaos once more.
With his goal explained, he set about to finding the H'tarrin, only to encounter Azurio. Not realizing their great differences, both temporarily banded together at first to escape a dangerous situation. Yet they would meet again, and eventually realize how similar and yet different they were.
Ithil is Azurio's temptation into succumbing to Exodos. In all aspects, Ithil was supposed to be the bearer of the blade and bring ruin onto the world with no hesitation. It was his goal and mission. To obliterate everything. And yet, Azurio wielded the blade against him, refusing to release Exodos and kill him.
What would have happened if their places would have been switched?
Enter Ithillian Asiranth Alazon. One of the last remaining Grey Elves that has not yet been hunted down to extinction for the sins of his race. His mother was a victim of a pillaged village. Raped and taken by a human mercenary band, she eventually brought him into the world, paying with her life as he was taken by the humans. Raised to an abusive system, his childhood was filled with torture and despair, as he wandered in a state of captivity unable to escape the clutches of his caretakers.
Grey Elves have the innate ability to pass down mental projections to their targets. Ithil's father had passed down his last memories unto his child before his death at the hands of the mercenaries. Two simple words that drove the boy to survive the beatings that plagued him daily.
Slaughter everyone. That simple message kept him alive. Yet as he grew older, the torture worsened. His body was covered in scars and wounds, and yet to the surprise of his captors, he still lived. Deciding to tear the man apart, the mercenaries tied his arms to two horses and watched in cruel satisfaction as Ithil screamed in pain, his muscles slowly tearing apart.
At that moment, his innate ability to project mental focus fell upon his captors. Every bit of pain that he suffered throughout his life, he released upon each individual man and animal within the camp. Every beating- every punishment- each man recieved tenfold within their minds.
The deep inner hatred within Ithil did more then simply drive the men insane. It destroyed their minds, instantly killing each individual within the camp, including the animals.
And so, was Ithil given his freedom. Through hatred for humanity, he survived.
Yet even with his hatred, Ithil was no simple murderer, slaying anyone in his path. He had no goal, no path in life. His kind was hated throughout the land. He was unaccepted in all but the most devious of orders. And so, he became a master assassin within the Kir Kalad, an order that spanned beyond mortal timelines.
Within that order, he was revealed his destiny. The Kir Kalad explained to him, that he was the last descendant of an ancient race known as the H'tarrin, a demon-like race. Ages ago, the H'tarrin were defeated and banished away from the world, never to see the light of day again. Ithil's destiny was to free them and bring the world to chaos once more.
With his goal explained, he set about to finding the H'tarrin, only to encounter Azurio. Not realizing their great differences, both temporarily banded together at first to escape a dangerous situation. Yet they would meet again, and eventually realize how similar and yet different they were.
Ithil is Azurio's temptation into succumbing to Exodos. In all aspects, Ithil was supposed to be the bearer of the blade and bring ruin onto the world with no hesitation. It was his goal and mission. To obliterate everything. And yet, Azurio wielded the blade against him, refusing to release Exodos and kill him.
What would have happened if their places would have been switched?
05 April 2008
Cloaked in Shadow, Engulfed in Flame.
Under the darkened sky, the fire crackled peacefully in the silence of the valley. They sat across from each other, watching the flames dance in the air.
At last she spoke, her face raised to meet his own. There was hesitation in her voice- a tone of disbelief.
"Again and again, I see only death surrounding me. No matter what actions are taken against the king, each resistance falls to his armies. I've seen familiar faces die again and again but you..."
His eyes remained calm but questioning.
"What about me? What do you see?"
"Instead of death, I see you cloaked in shadow and engulfed in flame, alway alive and fighting in the midst of the ravages of war. Never falling. Never dying."
He sat silent for a moment, pondering her words. Turning them over in his mind, again and again.
Cloaked in shadow and engulfed in flame.
"What does this mean?"
She shook her head quickly, casting her eyes back to the fire and pulling the blanket tightly around her.
"I don't know... I don't know."
The silence rose once again between the two. As the flames continued their eternal dance, he watched her slowly fall into a deep sleep below the blackened night.
---
Commentary:
I got this idea while watching The Scorpion King. There isn't much to say about it except some sort of foreshadowing in regards to the 'hero' always surviving, his destiny unclear until the end. Its a generic idea of sorts but theres always a way to make them unique.
At last she spoke, her face raised to meet his own. There was hesitation in her voice- a tone of disbelief.
"Again and again, I see only death surrounding me. No matter what actions are taken against the king, each resistance falls to his armies. I've seen familiar faces die again and again but you..."
His eyes remained calm but questioning.
"What about me? What do you see?"
"Instead of death, I see you cloaked in shadow and engulfed in flame, alway alive and fighting in the midst of the ravages of war. Never falling. Never dying."
He sat silent for a moment, pondering her words. Turning them over in his mind, again and again.
Cloaked in shadow and engulfed in flame.
"What does this mean?"
She shook her head quickly, casting her eyes back to the fire and pulling the blanket tightly around her.
"I don't know... I don't know."
The silence rose once again between the two. As the flames continued their eternal dance, he watched her slowly fall into a deep sleep below the blackened night.
---
Commentary:
I got this idea while watching The Scorpion King. There isn't much to say about it except some sort of foreshadowing in regards to the 'hero' always surviving, his destiny unclear until the end. Its a generic idea of sorts but theres always a way to make them unique.
04 March 2008
The Sealing (The Words of Exodos)
You have questioned and I shall answer. I am neither Arcos or Belial. Nor am I a simple being, created by the whims of a simple master. I am their successor! I am fate incarnate and chaos unleashed. I am the maker and the destroyer, the incarnate father of sin! My names are beyond legend, mortal. Tyrus, Alam'gir, X'os- I am all of these! But you. You will know me by another name, fitting for a new era. You shall be my herald of the coming dawn, by this name will worlds know of my coming! Exodos! Exodos! I am Exodos!
See me now and know fear, mortal! I am no demon, nor am I a god- fallen or risen! I control those that enter my prison and take from them, what is to be mine forevermore!
This is my pandemonium, little herald. It was built to contain my very essence by the pantheon itself! Do you know of the pantheon, human? Of course not. It is beyond your time. It was the order of your gods, a basis of all things. But by sealing me, they were forced to close the bastion with most of their own inside. Inside, human! How I enjoyed taking their powers for my own. And when that happened, the pantheon collapsed and dissension ran amok their ranks, spreading until the remaining gods became nothing more then feudal lords.
How do I know this? Fool! Insect! This is my domain! All who dare enter stand no chance resisting me! They tell me all! They give me all! This is Innisfal, prison of eternity! Those who fall, land here and from them, I take all!
Belial. The first of the fallen. The most powerful of Twilight. He stood against me, like most. But… like all others, he too had no chance. Belial. Were you sent to seal him, instead? Little fool. You came to your doom. You were tricked. Decieved! Yes. Let the hope leave your eyes. Let your soul know the cost of betrayal!
Aurendil? Do you think such a tool has any power over me? What? You don’t even know what you wield? It is an elvish blade, human! Designed by an elven race of old who are nothing more then a forgotten memory now. Aurendil, the bringer of light. But there is no light in this darkness, herald. There is no hope. Like the crafters of the blade you now hold, you too shall perish. There is no hope!
What? What have you done? I bleed! What have you done to me? That is not Aurendil! That is not Aurendil! Come, assassin! Show me your claws, so that I may recognize the works of cowardice! So even Exodos may bleed. How is it that I can not feel the blade’s glow even though it is from my land, human? What weapon has the power to hurt me so? Tell me!
I understand now. Bearer and blade, one and the same. You are Bane, Bringer of Ruin, and the sword you hold is nothing more then yourself, crafted by my blood. So you plan to destroy me and seal Belial at last? It seems you’ve succeeded. But I cannot die. Not now. Not ever! I am eternal, Azurio! You cannot destroy me!
What? No. No, no, no! Stop! This cannot be! You cannot seal me, Azurio! It is impossible! I am Exodos! I am eternal! You cannot seal me!
You won’t need that now, Azurio. You have me now.
Yes. Exodos. That is me. You’ve sealed me within yourself, Azurio. You’ve traded your soul- your very essence in order to contain me. And now you’ve become the most powerful of mortals. My secrets are yours. My powers are yours. For a price, of course.
Leave it. Leave behind your shattered heritage and create a new one, with me. We shall walk amongst worlds, with crowds of thousands shouting our many names. Together we shall be almighty! Side with me and we shall be, the chosen of eternity.
-----
Commentary:
These are the major words of one of the most important events in the Calus Trilogy. Azurio had traveled to Innisfal in order to seal Belial as was told by the Light Elves. However, the given objective was misinterpreted and Azurio was doomed to face the being that is known as Exodos. This is not one large soliloquy. It is a number of his major sayings within this chapter, before and after he is sealed within the Mark of Kings and the Banesword.
Little detail is given about this chapter but it is the beginning of Azurio's burden that ultimately leads to complete chaos.
See me now and know fear, mortal! I am no demon, nor am I a god- fallen or risen! I control those that enter my prison and take from them, what is to be mine forevermore!
This is my pandemonium, little herald. It was built to contain my very essence by the pantheon itself! Do you know of the pantheon, human? Of course not. It is beyond your time. It was the order of your gods, a basis of all things. But by sealing me, they were forced to close the bastion with most of their own inside. Inside, human! How I enjoyed taking their powers for my own. And when that happened, the pantheon collapsed and dissension ran amok their ranks, spreading until the remaining gods became nothing more then feudal lords.
How do I know this? Fool! Insect! This is my domain! All who dare enter stand no chance resisting me! They tell me all! They give me all! This is Innisfal, prison of eternity! Those who fall, land here and from them, I take all!
Belial. The first of the fallen. The most powerful of Twilight. He stood against me, like most. But… like all others, he too had no chance. Belial. Were you sent to seal him, instead? Little fool. You came to your doom. You were tricked. Decieved! Yes. Let the hope leave your eyes. Let your soul know the cost of betrayal!
Aurendil? Do you think such a tool has any power over me? What? You don’t even know what you wield? It is an elvish blade, human! Designed by an elven race of old who are nothing more then a forgotten memory now. Aurendil, the bringer of light. But there is no light in this darkness, herald. There is no hope. Like the crafters of the blade you now hold, you too shall perish. There is no hope!
What? What have you done? I bleed! What have you done to me? That is not Aurendil! That is not Aurendil! Come, assassin! Show me your claws, so that I may recognize the works of cowardice! So even Exodos may bleed. How is it that I can not feel the blade’s glow even though it is from my land, human? What weapon has the power to hurt me so? Tell me!
I understand now. Bearer and blade, one and the same. You are Bane, Bringer of Ruin, and the sword you hold is nothing more then yourself, crafted by my blood. So you plan to destroy me and seal Belial at last? It seems you’ve succeeded. But I cannot die. Not now. Not ever! I am eternal, Azurio! You cannot destroy me!
What? No. No, no, no! Stop! This cannot be! You cannot seal me, Azurio! It is impossible! I am Exodos! I am eternal! You cannot seal me!
You won’t need that now, Azurio. You have me now.
Yes. Exodos. That is me. You’ve sealed me within yourself, Azurio. You’ve traded your soul- your very essence in order to contain me. And now you’ve become the most powerful of mortals. My secrets are yours. My powers are yours. For a price, of course.
Leave it. Leave behind your shattered heritage and create a new one, with me. We shall walk amongst worlds, with crowds of thousands shouting our many names. Together we shall be almighty! Side with me and we shall be, the chosen of eternity.
-----
Commentary:
These are the major words of one of the most important events in the Calus Trilogy. Azurio had traveled to Innisfal in order to seal Belial as was told by the Light Elves. However, the given objective was misinterpreted and Azurio was doomed to face the being that is known as Exodos. This is not one large soliloquy. It is a number of his major sayings within this chapter, before and after he is sealed within the Mark of Kings and the Banesword.
Little detail is given about this chapter but it is the beginning of Azurio's burden that ultimately leads to complete chaos.
Soldiers
“I have a story for you.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” He nodded, his eyes solemnly locked with hers as a smile appeared on her face.
She loved his stories. It was the only treasure he ever brought back with him from the shadowed lands. Every tale, whether filled with adventure or horror, was a delight to her. Even in these times, when life seemed naught but grey.
“Remember the Knights of Ember, Erry?”
Nodding excitedly, she sat down besides him, her smile growing wider. She loved it when he called her Erry. He was the only one that ever could. Even though he was much older then her, Errien would always fawn over him and his tales.
“I met one.”
She gasped, that smile of hers disappearing immediately. All thoughts of Kieran were swept from her mind instantly as those words hit her.
His calming stare fell to his palm, whereupon it lay a simple black figurine of a mounted knight on a horse with a tiny banner in hand. Though the detail was crude, the figurine was crystal and that in itself was proof of the object’s genuine nature.
“Kieran-…”
“They all died trying to save our lands, Erry. They tried to quench the great flame that came before our lands were sundered.”
“Kieran. That was two centuries ago.”
He smiled. He hardly ever smiled ever since Duncan died. It was one of those moments, she knew. A moment he shared with the kind man before his end.
“Kieran,” she began, looking at him inquisitively. “Was Duncan a Knight?”
He shook his head, that smile slowly fading into a grimace.
“His father was, Erry.”
She didn’t understand. Duncan’s father had disappeared when the boy had just been born. Surely the burning desert had swallowed the man and whatever forces he took with him when they ventured towards the Emerald Isle. How did Kieran know anything of him, let alone the fact that he was a Knight? Unless…
“No. Kieran, I don’t believe-.”
He turned his eyes towards Errien, holding the figurine out to her.
“He is gone, Erry. Dradik died, but not before I met him.”
She turned back to him with a bewildered look.
“D-Dradik?”
“Sir Dradik of the Cloven Field, realmlord of the Emerald Isle.” He said calmly, looking at her shocked expression.
She couldn’t believe any of it. Dradik was her grandfather and her home had been the Cloven Field of the Emerald Isle once. But this made no sense! If this knight- this Dradik was Duncan’s father…
“Oh gods.” She whispered heavily, her muscles failing her. Collapsing towards the ground, her plunge ended in Kieran’s arms.
“Kieran…”
“I know Erry. I know.”
“Kieran,” She whispered, her watery eyes trying desperately to focus on him. “Duncan was my father...”
He nodded, holding her shivering body tightly against him. He spoke no words of comfort. He never did. Such was his way. But he cared. Each stroke of his hand through her hair revealed the worry in his eyes.
“They’re both dead, Kieran. My family is dead.”
“They were dead to you before, Erry.”
It was a cold reply but a truthful one. She knew he was blunt with his words, not realizing how much they could affect her. But it was the truth. Before Duncan- before Dradik- her family was gone.
“I don’t understand why,” She whispered, looking at him through tears.
“They needed to protect you, Erry. You’re the last one who can bring back-.”
“No!” She cried, shutting her eyes. It was all too much for her. She knew what words were going to be next. They were not for her. “No, no, no!”
Everything was destroyed. Her city, her life. Everything. There was nothing left and yet everything was in her hands now? She hated those words and what they meant. Heroes, legends, and myths- they were all relied on. She didn’t want the world on her shoulders. Not now. Not ever. All she wanted was the comfort of Kieran’s arms.
“You’re the last one, Errien. Surely Duncan knew that. That is why your bloodline was hidden away.”
Always so calm. Always so professional. When would it end? When would Kieran Reiyn break?
Could he break?
“You’re the last of the Ember, Errien. It is in your blood.”
“Then who are you, Kieran Reiyn?” She cried out in rage, freeing herself from his arms. “Who are you to tell me who I am?”
He smiled, standing up and placing a hand on the hilt of his blade. It was genuine, that smile of his. Errien recognized it so easily. Her anger dissipated almost immediately as a wave of guilt rolled over her. Her tantrum was like that of a child, she realized.
“Who am I?” He asked, looking down at her with content. That stance- his very movement was that of a hero. Her hero. “Just a soldier, Erry. Just a soldier.”
-----
Commentary:
This is a simple story I wrote/brainstormed during class once. Kieran Reiyn is the main character of the Western Califran Series which I've yet to get a name for. I have little in store for this story aside from a drawing of the land that I made and minor notes in regards to what is happening. My current idea is that the land is in complete chaos, as it had been a battlefield for a number of gods and the people are slowing dying out due to the limited amount of resources left in the land. I've plenty to go by and I'm sure more will develop eventually.
“Oh?”
“Yes.” He nodded, his eyes solemnly locked with hers as a smile appeared on her face.
She loved his stories. It was the only treasure he ever brought back with him from the shadowed lands. Every tale, whether filled with adventure or horror, was a delight to her. Even in these times, when life seemed naught but grey.
“Remember the Knights of Ember, Erry?”
Nodding excitedly, she sat down besides him, her smile growing wider. She loved it when he called her Erry. He was the only one that ever could. Even though he was much older then her, Errien would always fawn over him and his tales.
“I met one.”
She gasped, that smile of hers disappearing immediately. All thoughts of Kieran were swept from her mind instantly as those words hit her.
His calming stare fell to his palm, whereupon it lay a simple black figurine of a mounted knight on a horse with a tiny banner in hand. Though the detail was crude, the figurine was crystal and that in itself was proof of the object’s genuine nature.
“Kieran-…”
“They all died trying to save our lands, Erry. They tried to quench the great flame that came before our lands were sundered.”
“Kieran. That was two centuries ago.”
He smiled. He hardly ever smiled ever since Duncan died. It was one of those moments, she knew. A moment he shared with the kind man before his end.
“Kieran,” she began, looking at him inquisitively. “Was Duncan a Knight?”
He shook his head, that smile slowly fading into a grimace.
“His father was, Erry.”
She didn’t understand. Duncan’s father had disappeared when the boy had just been born. Surely the burning desert had swallowed the man and whatever forces he took with him when they ventured towards the Emerald Isle. How did Kieran know anything of him, let alone the fact that he was a Knight? Unless…
“No. Kieran, I don’t believe-.”
He turned his eyes towards Errien, holding the figurine out to her.
“He is gone, Erry. Dradik died, but not before I met him.”
She turned back to him with a bewildered look.
“D-Dradik?”
“Sir Dradik of the Cloven Field, realmlord of the Emerald Isle.” He said calmly, looking at her shocked expression.
She couldn’t believe any of it. Dradik was her grandfather and her home had been the Cloven Field of the Emerald Isle once. But this made no sense! If this knight- this Dradik was Duncan’s father…
“Oh gods.” She whispered heavily, her muscles failing her. Collapsing towards the ground, her plunge ended in Kieran’s arms.
“Kieran…”
“I know Erry. I know.”
“Kieran,” She whispered, her watery eyes trying desperately to focus on him. “Duncan was my father...”
He nodded, holding her shivering body tightly against him. He spoke no words of comfort. He never did. Such was his way. But he cared. Each stroke of his hand through her hair revealed the worry in his eyes.
“They’re both dead, Kieran. My family is dead.”
“They were dead to you before, Erry.”
It was a cold reply but a truthful one. She knew he was blunt with his words, not realizing how much they could affect her. But it was the truth. Before Duncan- before Dradik- her family was gone.
“I don’t understand why,” She whispered, looking at him through tears.
“They needed to protect you, Erry. You’re the last one who can bring back-.”
“No!” She cried, shutting her eyes. It was all too much for her. She knew what words were going to be next. They were not for her. “No, no, no!”
Everything was destroyed. Her city, her life. Everything. There was nothing left and yet everything was in her hands now? She hated those words and what they meant. Heroes, legends, and myths- they were all relied on. She didn’t want the world on her shoulders. Not now. Not ever. All she wanted was the comfort of Kieran’s arms.
“You’re the last one, Errien. Surely Duncan knew that. That is why your bloodline was hidden away.”
Always so calm. Always so professional. When would it end? When would Kieran Reiyn break?
Could he break?
“You’re the last of the Ember, Errien. It is in your blood.”
“Then who are you, Kieran Reiyn?” She cried out in rage, freeing herself from his arms. “Who are you to tell me who I am?”
He smiled, standing up and placing a hand on the hilt of his blade. It was genuine, that smile of his. Errien recognized it so easily. Her anger dissipated almost immediately as a wave of guilt rolled over her. Her tantrum was like that of a child, she realized.
“Who am I?” He asked, looking down at her with content. That stance- his very movement was that of a hero. Her hero. “Just a soldier, Erry. Just a soldier.”
-----
Commentary:
This is a simple story I wrote/brainstormed during class once. Kieran Reiyn is the main character of the Western Califran Series which I've yet to get a name for. I have little in store for this story aside from a drawing of the land that I made and minor notes in regards to what is happening. My current idea is that the land is in complete chaos, as it had been a battlefield for a number of gods and the people are slowing dying out due to the limited amount of resources left in the land. I've plenty to go by and I'm sure more will develop eventually.
03 March 2008
Rosa Aceleus - Comments on it's brief origin.
I used to do alot of foruming in my younger days. I didn't play too many games or do much after school. I would sit around on various forums and talk with people. I think thats where alot of my creativity came from because I look back on it now and wonder where I obtained all those ideas from. I don't even recognize some of the work as my own- its that different.
Anyways, one of these forums was Fallengene, also known as Fallen Genesis. Just a few people having fun, talking, making stories. Haze Henry, known as Zephyr on the forums was the guy I met and shared my stories with. Hes from England by the way. He wanted to work on one project but had no story for it whatsoever. Thats where I came in.
All he had was a name. I don't remember where it came from but thats all he had. No story, no ideas- just a name.
Rosa Aceleus. He wanted me to create a story for that name. Instead of a story, I created a world. It isn't written out bookwise but I've a very detailed timeline and map of the land relating to Rosa Aceleus. And if that isn't enough, I split it up into 3 and a half books.
I will write them sometime and bring out more detail here but I simply wanted to say that its amazing what one can create from a simple name. Take a seed and create with it a forest of dreams. Anything is possible when it comes to writing.
Anyways, one of these forums was Fallengene, also known as Fallen Genesis. Just a few people having fun, talking, making stories. Haze Henry, known as Zephyr on the forums was the guy I met and shared my stories with. Hes from England by the way. He wanted to work on one project but had no story for it whatsoever. Thats where I came in.
All he had was a name. I don't remember where it came from but thats all he had. No story, no ideas- just a name.
Rosa Aceleus. He wanted me to create a story for that name. Instead of a story, I created a world. It isn't written out bookwise but I've a very detailed timeline and map of the land relating to Rosa Aceleus. And if that isn't enough, I split it up into 3 and a half books.
I will write them sometime and bring out more detail here but I simply wanted to say that its amazing what one can create from a simple name. Take a seed and create with it a forest of dreams. Anything is possible when it comes to writing.
22 February 2008
Blood Red Moon
Evil stalks its prey tonight,
Feasting on the sorry sight,
Of creatures stirring in the night.
Passing mountains all too soon,
For visions of the Blood Red Moon.
Its features crimson like the blood,
Through which demons soon shall flood.
All together near the rune,
Of the silent Blood Red Moon.
Demonic laughter shall soon arise.
After seeing their great size.
Of their army filled with hate,
The entire world shall dissipate.
None shall live to see the boon,
That people call the Blood Red Moon.
-----
Commentary:
I wrote this years ago when I was still in Middle School, I think. In commemoration of last night's moon, I've decided to post it. Its funny- I think I was alot more creative back then than I am now. I've lost something in the process. I need to find it once again.
Feasting on the sorry sight,
Of creatures stirring in the night.
Passing mountains all too soon,
For visions of the Blood Red Moon.
Its features crimson like the blood,
Through which demons soon shall flood.
All together near the rune,
Of the silent Blood Red Moon.
Demonic laughter shall soon arise.
After seeing their great size.
Of their army filled with hate,
The entire world shall dissipate.
None shall live to see the boon,
That people call the Blood Red Moon.
-----
Commentary:
I wrote this years ago when I was still in Middle School, I think. In commemoration of last night's moon, I've decided to post it. Its funny- I think I was alot more creative back then than I am now. I've lost something in the process. I need to find it once again.
18 February 2008
Odium
He wanted to die. Right now- this very moment, he was praying for anything to happen. Behind his plated mask, his face was grim. His eyes were narrow, focusing on the road ahead. Every one of her words rung in his ears, shattering his senses again and again. Quickly- very quickly had he rebuilt the cold wall that he took down for her. How quickly did he push her away, throwing away any hope that could have remained? No. It was all a lie. Every intention- every feeling was a delusion.
He was quietly dressing a wound when she suddenly came in. Clenching his teeth, he slowly wrapped bandage over bandage in an attempt to seal the deep gash where the sword had sliced him. It was a serious wound and he had ignored it far too long by the time he arrived at Thelsamar. With the toss of a few coins to the innkeeper, he stumbled to an empty room, collapsing in front of the fire and hastily wrapping delicate cloth over the bloody cut.
And then she was there behind him, as if she had never left. Walking in on him without his shirt. How long had she stood there watching? Where was she before, when he silently waited for her in Lakeshire? Turning towards her, he could not help but feel embarrassed, glancing down at his bare chest- covered in tiny cuts and little scars. And yet he hoped that she would notice the wound and come closer to look at it, her smooth hands running over his shoulder, down to his arm.
And then she said it. Before he could tell her anything- before his own words came from quivering lips, she told him that they would never be. First confusion hit him. He did not understand her words for a moment, not realizing their meaning. She was never one to be blunt. He could not tell whether she was smiling or not, her face glancing down to the stony floor below them.
And then slowly, the truth fell upon him like a hammer slamming down on cold metal. But there were no sparks in his eyes. Only a dimming realization that hit him in the one place he had reinforced with false hope. No words came to mind. He stuttered helplessly, looking for anything that could comfort him. Words. Thoughts. Emotions. Everything began to feel overwhelming. The air around him grew heavy and dark, the light around her quickly fading away before his eyes.
He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He could only sit there, frozen in time as she slowly destroyed him from the inside. Memories rushed through him like a storm. Those smiles. Those priceless meetings. That one forbidden kiss that still lingered upon his lips. Everything.
And now it was all gone, pulled from him with a gut wrenching force. He could hardly hear her now- or himself. It was his turn to talk and he could only seep poison from where once blissful words only came from. He was angry now, and his voice had amplified to a low yell. He wanted to stop- he wanted it all to go away!
No. He kept going, attacking her with spiteful words, refusing to comprehend the irrationality of his logic. It didn't matter anymore. Looking down at his hand, he saw blood trickling down his palm. So much anger.
But for a reason. She was his world. She held the torch that lit his bonfire of dreams. He could not have gone so far without her, pulling away from the cold dark apathy of his soul and becoming a man once more. He wanted to be her champion. Her paladin.
And yet, she only acted upon the whims of a priestess, intent on helping his soul. His soul. Did she even give a damn about his heart? What mattered more?
In the end, she had her secrets. In the end, she had her mysteries. He told her everything. His every sin- his every secret. But her… He knew nothing of her. Nothing about her world, nothing about her life.
Was there someone else? Was it simply a game to her? Damn her and her secrets! He didn't know anything!
And in the end, it was he who turned his back on her. He had not slept in days now, traveling northwards towards his task. His plans to rest were over when she destroyed his tranquility. He could have gone north with a lie, thinking that she felt something for him. That would have been enough for him to keep fighting with something to come back to.
But now he had nothing, once more. It was the same feeling he had ages ago. He had no one. And in the end, he had one last gift to give. A crushed flower- its beauty destroyed by his fury. He had grabbed her arm and shoved the rose into her hand, turning his back to her without even seeing her face. He knew she was crying. But so was he. Behind that helmet- behind that mask, his face was wet with the tears of sorrow.
There would be no more dreams to fight for. As he rode on, he could only think of what he had done wrong. Where had he faltered? When did he lose his focus? Even then, in that tower in Silithus, he had lost his hope. Yes, he had let her go. And such a loss nearly pushed him over the tower's edge and unto the stony crags below. But then she was there for him, before he could commit the final transgression. She was there for him once more, and his dream was sealed with her kiss.
Things were different now. She wanted to come with him- to haunt him at his side while they entered the cold heart of Naxxramas. He would not have it. With a hateful growl, he forbid her to join him, and left. It was over. He had nothing. She took everything from him. Everything.
"Sir, the Dawn is prepared to carry out its objective." He said coldly, not bothering to salute the Duke as he approached him at Light's Hope.
"Were you not hesitant with the amount of men you had earlier, Commander?"
"It is enough."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I do not want anymore. I don't care w-."
"Commander! You've a few weeks to carry out the final objective and you say you have enough men? I find this ridiculous."
He gritted his teeth, narrowing his eyes at the Duke.
"You ordered me on a suicide mission, sir."
"I asked you and you agreed!"
"Then let me carry out my own orders!" He yelled, forgetting his place. The hall quieted around him. Even the council at the table behind him became silent as they watched the scene unfold.
"Azurio, we seem to have a problem."
"I can take care of it, sir." He muttered, realizing his actions.
"See to it that you do. I will continue with rallying more men for the Dawn. Can I place my trust in you, Azurio?"
"Yes sir."
"Excellent. Carry on then."
Turning his back to the Duke, he coldly walked out of the hall, his dark gaze set ahead on the door. Suddenly stopping, he glanced back at the Duke who had already turned his attention to other matters.
"Sir."
"Yes, Tserai?"
"After this is over… I would like to join the expedition to Northrend."
Without waiting for a reply, he left the Argent halls and silently strode to his tent, his mind burning with a complete odium.
-----
Commentary:
This is a short story I wrote in regards to the Azurio within Warcraft after certain events lead to a interesting separation between him and someone he cared for. It can relate very closely to Dark Partings but there is actually so much difference between the two. Azurio in Calus does not anger as quickly as the one in Azeroth. They share much in common but are completely two different people. I enjoy writing about my character's experiences in Azeroth because it offers interesting views on proposing storylines while giving me enough freedom to develop better techniques when it comes to writing.
* * *
He was quietly dressing a wound when she suddenly came in. Clenching his teeth, he slowly wrapped bandage over bandage in an attempt to seal the deep gash where the sword had sliced him. It was a serious wound and he had ignored it far too long by the time he arrived at Thelsamar. With the toss of a few coins to the innkeeper, he stumbled to an empty room, collapsing in front of the fire and hastily wrapping delicate cloth over the bloody cut.
And then she was there behind him, as if she had never left. Walking in on him without his shirt. How long had she stood there watching? Where was she before, when he silently waited for her in Lakeshire? Turning towards her, he could not help but feel embarrassed, glancing down at his bare chest- covered in tiny cuts and little scars. And yet he hoped that she would notice the wound and come closer to look at it, her smooth hands running over his shoulder, down to his arm.
And then she said it. Before he could tell her anything- before his own words came from quivering lips, she told him that they would never be. First confusion hit him. He did not understand her words for a moment, not realizing their meaning. She was never one to be blunt. He could not tell whether she was smiling or not, her face glancing down to the stony floor below them.
And then slowly, the truth fell upon him like a hammer slamming down on cold metal. But there were no sparks in his eyes. Only a dimming realization that hit him in the one place he had reinforced with false hope. No words came to mind. He stuttered helplessly, looking for anything that could comfort him. Words. Thoughts. Emotions. Everything began to feel overwhelming. The air around him grew heavy and dark, the light around her quickly fading away before his eyes.
He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He could only sit there, frozen in time as she slowly destroyed him from the inside. Memories rushed through him like a storm. Those smiles. Those priceless meetings. That one forbidden kiss that still lingered upon his lips. Everything.
And now it was all gone, pulled from him with a gut wrenching force. He could hardly hear her now- or himself. It was his turn to talk and he could only seep poison from where once blissful words only came from. He was angry now, and his voice had amplified to a low yell. He wanted to stop- he wanted it all to go away!
No. He kept going, attacking her with spiteful words, refusing to comprehend the irrationality of his logic. It didn't matter anymore. Looking down at his hand, he saw blood trickling down his palm. So much anger.
But for a reason. She was his world. She held the torch that lit his bonfire of dreams. He could not have gone so far without her, pulling away from the cold dark apathy of his soul and becoming a man once more. He wanted to be her champion. Her paladin.
And yet, she only acted upon the whims of a priestess, intent on helping his soul. His soul. Did she even give a damn about his heart? What mattered more?
In the end, she had her secrets. In the end, she had her mysteries. He told her everything. His every sin- his every secret. But her… He knew nothing of her. Nothing about her world, nothing about her life.
Was there someone else? Was it simply a game to her? Damn her and her secrets! He didn't know anything!
And in the end, it was he who turned his back on her. He had not slept in days now, traveling northwards towards his task. His plans to rest were over when she destroyed his tranquility. He could have gone north with a lie, thinking that she felt something for him. That would have been enough for him to keep fighting with something to come back to.
But now he had nothing, once more. It was the same feeling he had ages ago. He had no one. And in the end, he had one last gift to give. A crushed flower- its beauty destroyed by his fury. He had grabbed her arm and shoved the rose into her hand, turning his back to her without even seeing her face. He knew she was crying. But so was he. Behind that helmet- behind that mask, his face was wet with the tears of sorrow.
There would be no more dreams to fight for. As he rode on, he could only think of what he had done wrong. Where had he faltered? When did he lose his focus? Even then, in that tower in Silithus, he had lost his hope. Yes, he had let her go. And such a loss nearly pushed him over the tower's edge and unto the stony crags below. But then she was there for him, before he could commit the final transgression. She was there for him once more, and his dream was sealed with her kiss.
Things were different now. She wanted to come with him- to haunt him at his side while they entered the cold heart of Naxxramas. He would not have it. With a hateful growl, he forbid her to join him, and left. It was over. He had nothing. She took everything from him. Everything.
"Sir, the Dawn is prepared to carry out its objective." He said coldly, not bothering to salute the Duke as he approached him at Light's Hope.
"Were you not hesitant with the amount of men you had earlier, Commander?"
"It is enough."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I do not want anymore. I don't care w-."
"Commander! You've a few weeks to carry out the final objective and you say you have enough men? I find this ridiculous."
He gritted his teeth, narrowing his eyes at the Duke.
"You ordered me on a suicide mission, sir."
"I asked you and you agreed!"
"Then let me carry out my own orders!" He yelled, forgetting his place. The hall quieted around him. Even the council at the table behind him became silent as they watched the scene unfold.
"Azurio, we seem to have a problem."
"I can take care of it, sir." He muttered, realizing his actions.
"See to it that you do. I will continue with rallying more men for the Dawn. Can I place my trust in you, Azurio?"
"Yes sir."
"Excellent. Carry on then."
Turning his back to the Duke, he coldly walked out of the hall, his dark gaze set ahead on the door. Suddenly stopping, he glanced back at the Duke who had already turned his attention to other matters.
"Sir."
"Yes, Tserai?"
"After this is over… I would like to join the expedition to Northrend."
Without waiting for a reply, he left the Argent halls and silently strode to his tent, his mind burning with a complete odium.
-----
Commentary:
This is a short story I wrote in regards to the Azurio within Warcraft after certain events lead to a interesting separation between him and someone he cared for. It can relate very closely to Dark Partings but there is actually so much difference between the two. Azurio in Calus does not anger as quickly as the one in Azeroth. They share much in common but are completely two different people. I enjoy writing about my character's experiences in Azeroth because it offers interesting views on proposing storylines while giving me enough freedom to develop better techniques when it comes to writing.
11 February 2008
Dark Partings
He never even looked at her after that bolt flew right next to her. He didn't hear her scream, or the shouts of the elven envoy. All he saw was a blood haze surrounding the one who shattered his only hope. All he saw was Tyler.
Like a beast he leapt from the horse with Exodos in hand, sprinting forth through the deep snow straight for the man who had clearly gone mad to commit such a crime. Was the missile intended for him or Mae? Azurio didn't care. It didn't matter. Either way, Tyler would be dead.
Frozen branches seemed to move out of his way, afraid to even block the man's rampant charge. Like a specter, Azurio flew amongst the trees, his eyes set on the man ahead, who was hastily readying the crossbow once more.
Another bolt flew by him, missing his head by a mere few inches. He could see Tyler's eyes now, full of fear as quivering hands tried to hold the crossbow steady for the next shot. It would not come.
With a final lunge, he brought Exodos' entire force down on Tyler, watching the man desperately block with the crossbow, shattering the frail weapon with the mighty blow like shards of ice fit for such a frozen forest. Exodos quickly came up again, going for the man's chest in one quick strike.
But Tyler had managed to unsheathe his own weapon, parrying the blow frantically. He screamed into Azurio's face, his disheveled appearance giving him the look of a mad man. He leapt away on the defensive, his long sword ready to parry Exodos' strikes.
He would have none of it. Pure hatred ran through both mens' eyes. Whether for Mae's soul or their own, neither would not allow the other to live. One had to die.
Azurio would not strike. He stood there with Exodos in hand, staring into the eyes of the betrayer, remembering seeing Tyler for the first time in the Thundering Hall, his hand intertwined with Mae's.
He remembered watching Tyler pushing him from Mae, remembering the disappointment in her face every time he did it.
He remembered his emotionless face as they watched Mae depart into the sunset like a phoenix flying toward the sun. She knew the dangers. Azurio knew what she could face. Tyler simply didn't care.
No. He didn't care. Not for Mae. Not for the woman who saved Azurio's soul while Tyler simply stared from the shadows. This man had to die.
Raising Exodos, he lunged at Tyler without hesitation, watching the man's eyes go wide as the mundane blade prepared to block the upcoming attack. It would have shattered and left Tyler defenseless, his helplessness exploiting the weakness in Azurio's heart. But he would not have it. Not anymore. Not after what Exodos taught him or after what Ithil did to him.
Exodos swept down to meet the sword, both blades ready to equally lock in combat, one's strength surpassing the other. But Exodos was no mere sword.
"Now!" Azurio screamed at the sword, his eyes filled with inhumane fury as he felt the blade in his hands change shape, becoming larger, heavier, - and longer. Both blades met and the mundane metal of Tyler's steel shattered effortlessly. He tried to fall back but Exodos had grown longer in such a short time.
The blade kept flying through the air until it cut through Tyler's neck without pause, hungry for the man's death.
Decapitation.
Tyler's headless body fell forward, the head landing next to his shoulders, a mist of crimson spraying from the severed corpse.
Azurio stood there, breathing heavily and watching the head roll in the bloody snow with Exodos- back to its normal form, clenched in his grasp. He was gone. Tyler was dead. Mae was-
She screamed. Azurio turned towards her, looking at the terrified horror on her face. Her eyes were wide, wet with a flood of tears that dripped down a silken face and unto the snow below.
He could only watch with bloody sword in hand, as she collapsed onto her knees into the snow, her eyes locked on the fallen body of the man she cared for.
The man she cared for. Was it not Azurio? Did he not sacrifice his very heart to her? Who was Tyler to her? What made him matter to her so?
"Mae.." He whispered, pushing himself towards her. He hardly took a step before the very wind was knocked from him, his body thrown against a tree. It was Tyson with a hand clamped upon Azurio's throat, the massive war hammer merely inches from his face.
He could feel Exodos' warmth in his hand, silently suggesting that he fight back and defend himself.
"What are you doing?" Azurio shouted, his very strength fading from Exodos' aid while trying desperately to ignore the creature's call. "I was protecting her!"
"Protecting her? By killing Tyler?" Tyson shouted back in rage, his grip on the man's throat growing tighter. This man was a friend, but his life belonged to Mae. He would not hesitate to strike Azurio down.
"He tried to kill her, Tyson!" Azurio stammered. "I was only-."
"You were only doing what you always do, Tserai!" Mae screamed as she grasped at the bloody snow, sobbing without end. "You never stop! You can't stop! You don't want to!"
She turned to look at him, her face ashen with sorrow.
His eyes widened at her words and his mouth opened, but no words emerged. His tongue- his very mind, searched helplessly for words that could offer any meaning. Any consolation.
"You always have to kill, Tserai! You can never stop!" Her eyes met his, and he could see no love anymore. Only a darkness like no other. Only enmity.
"You enjoy killing others!" She cried, ripping her eyes from his and back to the fallen corpse.
Others. He enjoyed killing others. No. This could not be true. It wasn't possible. He didn't fight because he wanted to. He fought because he had to. It was his goal to protect her. He loved-.
"Get away from me." She whispered through her tears, her face buried behind that auburn hair.
He couldn't move. Not after such words. Even Exodos was silent now, offering no emotion or dark whisper. All he could do was stand there and stare at her, his mouth open in disillusion.
He'd killed Tyler. For her. And now she wanted him gone from her sight. Who did she love? Who did she want?
She wanted Tyler.
If that was what she wanted, Azurio would grant her that wish.
Turning away from her and Tyson with Exodos in hand, he silently strode through the snow, Mae's sobs echoing through his mind. Feeling a streak of wetness flow down his cheek, he hastily wiped it away before proceeding into the forest, once again alone in the world.
------
Commentary:
I was compelled to write a brief and slightly detailed story in regards to the final scene between Azurio and Tyler. While Tyler remained enshrouded in intrigue and mystery in regards to his actions and decisions, Azurio's actions were fully revealed as those of revenge, zealous protection of Mae, and personal rage compiled from the tolerance of Exodos' actions against him.
As seen, there was a relationship between Mae and Tyler even though it was not fully explained. In a previous chapter, Mae had painfully cast Tyler out from Rain and Thunder for his actions and ended anything they might have had. However her feelings for Tyler, whether from simple respect or lingering attraction, remained till his death. She realized the savagery within Azurio, even if not thinking about the past in regards to finding out about Exodos.
Azurio was quick to be cast out, realizing Tyson's passionate loyalty for Mae. Friendship was second to him when it came to Mae. And even though this would come near the end of the entire tale, this once again brings Azurio to the epitomy of his madness- being alone with Exodos.
Like a beast he leapt from the horse with Exodos in hand, sprinting forth through the deep snow straight for the man who had clearly gone mad to commit such a crime. Was the missile intended for him or Mae? Azurio didn't care. It didn't matter. Either way, Tyler would be dead.
Frozen branches seemed to move out of his way, afraid to even block the man's rampant charge. Like a specter, Azurio flew amongst the trees, his eyes set on the man ahead, who was hastily readying the crossbow once more.
Another bolt flew by him, missing his head by a mere few inches. He could see Tyler's eyes now, full of fear as quivering hands tried to hold the crossbow steady for the next shot. It would not come.
With a final lunge, he brought Exodos' entire force down on Tyler, watching the man desperately block with the crossbow, shattering the frail weapon with the mighty blow like shards of ice fit for such a frozen forest. Exodos quickly came up again, going for the man's chest in one quick strike.
But Tyler had managed to unsheathe his own weapon, parrying the blow frantically. He screamed into Azurio's face, his disheveled appearance giving him the look of a mad man. He leapt away on the defensive, his long sword ready to parry Exodos' strikes.
He would have none of it. Pure hatred ran through both mens' eyes. Whether for Mae's soul or their own, neither would not allow the other to live. One had to die.
Azurio would not strike. He stood there with Exodos in hand, staring into the eyes of the betrayer, remembering seeing Tyler for the first time in the Thundering Hall, his hand intertwined with Mae's.
He remembered watching Tyler pushing him from Mae, remembering the disappointment in her face every time he did it.
He remembered his emotionless face as they watched Mae depart into the sunset like a phoenix flying toward the sun. She knew the dangers. Azurio knew what she could face. Tyler simply didn't care.
No. He didn't care. Not for Mae. Not for the woman who saved Azurio's soul while Tyler simply stared from the shadows. This man had to die.
Raising Exodos, he lunged at Tyler without hesitation, watching the man's eyes go wide as the mundane blade prepared to block the upcoming attack. It would have shattered and left Tyler defenseless, his helplessness exploiting the weakness in Azurio's heart. But he would not have it. Not anymore. Not after what Exodos taught him or after what Ithil did to him.
Exodos swept down to meet the sword, both blades ready to equally lock in combat, one's strength surpassing the other. But Exodos was no mere sword.
"Now!" Azurio screamed at the sword, his eyes filled with inhumane fury as he felt the blade in his hands change shape, becoming larger, heavier, - and longer. Both blades met and the mundane metal of Tyler's steel shattered effortlessly. He tried to fall back but Exodos had grown longer in such a short time.
The blade kept flying through the air until it cut through Tyler's neck without pause, hungry for the man's death.
Decapitation.
Tyler's headless body fell forward, the head landing next to his shoulders, a mist of crimson spraying from the severed corpse.
Azurio stood there, breathing heavily and watching the head roll in the bloody snow with Exodos- back to its normal form, clenched in his grasp. He was gone. Tyler was dead. Mae was-
She screamed. Azurio turned towards her, looking at the terrified horror on her face. Her eyes were wide, wet with a flood of tears that dripped down a silken face and unto the snow below.
He could only watch with bloody sword in hand, as she collapsed onto her knees into the snow, her eyes locked on the fallen body of the man she cared for.
The man she cared for. Was it not Azurio? Did he not sacrifice his very heart to her? Who was Tyler to her? What made him matter to her so?
"Mae.." He whispered, pushing himself towards her. He hardly took a step before the very wind was knocked from him, his body thrown against a tree. It was Tyson with a hand clamped upon Azurio's throat, the massive war hammer merely inches from his face.
He could feel Exodos' warmth in his hand, silently suggesting that he fight back and defend himself.
"What are you doing?" Azurio shouted, his very strength fading from Exodos' aid while trying desperately to ignore the creature's call. "I was protecting her!"
"Protecting her? By killing Tyler?" Tyson shouted back in rage, his grip on the man's throat growing tighter. This man was a friend, but his life belonged to Mae. He would not hesitate to strike Azurio down.
"He tried to kill her, Tyson!" Azurio stammered. "I was only-."
"You were only doing what you always do, Tserai!" Mae screamed as she grasped at the bloody snow, sobbing without end. "You never stop! You can't stop! You don't want to!"
She turned to look at him, her face ashen with sorrow.
His eyes widened at her words and his mouth opened, but no words emerged. His tongue- his very mind, searched helplessly for words that could offer any meaning. Any consolation.
"You always have to kill, Tserai! You can never stop!" Her eyes met his, and he could see no love anymore. Only a darkness like no other. Only enmity.
"You enjoy killing others!" She cried, ripping her eyes from his and back to the fallen corpse.
Others. He enjoyed killing others. No. This could not be true. It wasn't possible. He didn't fight because he wanted to. He fought because he had to. It was his goal to protect her. He loved-.
"Get away from me." She whispered through her tears, her face buried behind that auburn hair.
He couldn't move. Not after such words. Even Exodos was silent now, offering no emotion or dark whisper. All he could do was stand there and stare at her, his mouth open in disillusion.
He'd killed Tyler. For her. And now she wanted him gone from her sight. Who did she love? Who did she want?
She wanted Tyler.
If that was what she wanted, Azurio would grant her that wish.
Turning away from her and Tyson with Exodos in hand, he silently strode through the snow, Mae's sobs echoing through his mind. Feeling a streak of wetness flow down his cheek, he hastily wiped it away before proceeding into the forest, once again alone in the world.
------
Commentary:
I was compelled to write a brief and slightly detailed story in regards to the final scene between Azurio and Tyler. While Tyler remained enshrouded in intrigue and mystery in regards to his actions and decisions, Azurio's actions were fully revealed as those of revenge, zealous protection of Mae, and personal rage compiled from the tolerance of Exodos' actions against him.
As seen, there was a relationship between Mae and Tyler even though it was not fully explained. In a previous chapter, Mae had painfully cast Tyler out from Rain and Thunder for his actions and ended anything they might have had. However her feelings for Tyler, whether from simple respect or lingering attraction, remained till his death. She realized the savagery within Azurio, even if not thinking about the past in regards to finding out about Exodos.
Azurio was quick to be cast out, realizing Tyson's passionate loyalty for Mae. Friendship was second to him when it came to Mae. And even though this would come near the end of the entire tale, this once again brings Azurio to the epitomy of his madness- being alone with Exodos.
04 February 2008
Jacob's Ladder
My name is Tom Jacob and I am a scientist. For decades, Earth has suffered due to our greed. A third of the world is scarred with the demented brilliance of the human race. We call it the Atomic Deluge, and in less then a century, we will be wiped out of existance.
But hope remains because of a discovery I made. On the opposite side of the sun, in a precise rotation with Earth, I have found another world. This planet is identical to ours in composition, but larger in size. But most importantly, it has the capability to support life. This Super Earth has become our goal. Our salvation. Our Eden.
Six vessels have been constructed for travel to Eden, their cargo filled with tools to study this planet. I have been placed in charge of the last one. Five have departed for Eden, but all contact has been lost. Since then, I have been instructed to direct the vessel to Eden. However, my cargo is unlike the rest. Instead of tools for study, I am forced to carry the instruments of destruction and travel to an unknown planet with naught more then a hostile mind.
I did not know that my discovery would lead to a worse fate then the one humanity has already suffered. I wish I could take it back but it is hard to imagine such, since it was my hand that consciously pulled the trigger.
Jacob's Ladder
This is a story about the future. In this future, Earth faces the danger of extinction. The world is a nuclear wasteland during a time called the Atomic Deluge. Three-quarters of the surface is scarred with the touch of humanity's weaponry. On the brink of self annihilation, a discovery is made. On the opposite side of the sun, there is a planet identical to Earth. Larger, and more resources, this Super Earth's revolution is on par with Earth and has remained hidden from humanity's eyes until now. The Earthen Combine, which is the ruling directorate of the world made up of multiple countries immediately begins to build six space research vessels to journey to this world, now popularly dubbed Eden by the remaining population.
During the building of these vessels, codenamed LADDER (Logistically Advanced Data Dispersal Expeditionary Reconnaissance), six scientists are chosen to lead six different teams. Each vessel is able to carry at least thirty scientists. As the vessels near completion, the last one suffers setbacks and becomes indefinitely terminated. The sixth chosen scientist, Jacob and his team are left behind as the other five LADDERs fly out to space and head towards Eden. Due to the sun's radiation, communication becomes impossible and all contact disappears. After a period of time, an emergency beacon is detected, calling for reinforcements. As the funding for the sixth LADDER re-activates, the team led by Jacob is cut to only ten men, while the rest of the slots are covered by military soldiers.
With the sixth LADDER launched, the journey to Eden is filled with a tension between the scientists and the soldiers, who are under personal orders with no obligations to Jacob.
Eventually the sixth LADDER lands and becomes base of operations while the team searches for the other five vessels. Survivors are soon found as are modern-looking ruins that resemble the Mayans. The survivors explain that Eden is more then just a world. It is a planetary weapon system, built by a race called the Anakim. Quickly, the military attempts to take over and find the key to the system but the scientists revolt and force the soldiers to return to Earth by means of one of the LADDERs. As Jacob and the rest realize that they will be deemed criminals, they start to settle on this new planet, while finding some way to defend themselves against Earth's military who's coming is now inevitable.
Some time later, Jacob and his team are forced to fight against invading soldiers, as well as other settlers who are arriving on smaller LADDERs, called ARKs (Advanced Rheologic Kinesis). Some settlers and soldiers take the side of Jacob while others keep their affiliation with the Earthen Combine. Jacob soon realizes that Eden is just a satelite weapon system and that there are others, another being Earth. Realizing that Earth has the potential to destroy Eden, he must make the decision on whether to use Eden's power to save his new home, while destroying his old one or risk losing everything to the greed of humanity.
------
Commentary:
~ I've always wanted to make an attempt at a Science Fiction, whether a short story or just a quick summary. My first actual idea for a futuristic story was 'The Search for Project Nova', a story about a 'Fallout' like world where most of the continents were buried under water and there was little land, thus the main route of travel (and warfare) was through submarines.
As far as this story, I've always had a fascination for Science Fiction anomalies like Dyson Spheres and Ringworlds. The Halo franchise had a great effect on me storywise and I enjoyed the concept- even though it was not original, it still materialized into an imaginable world. So the idea of artificial planets, ancient mysteries, and apocalyptic settings would fit well together, I think. I always enjoyed the speculations in regards to where the Mayans went so what if they expanded beyond our world and perhaps were simply advanced beings?
I've also used a lot of religious connotations in regards to the other race as well as their culture. The entire idea of 'Jacob's Ladder' came from its religious overture- a ladder into heaven, witnessed by Jacob. Expanding that idea, I decided to symbolically use things such as Ladders and Arks, advanced transports to 'Eden'.
This is the story where Avachron and Parachron make their debut. To simplify explanations, Avachron is Eden, which is the proclaimed new world for humanity. Parachron is the old earth, doomed to be destroyed by the same hands. Avachron is the Alpha, while Parachron is the Omega. Or is it the other way around? Thats something to think about.
Theres a catch. Theres something in the middle. Venus. With the exact same composition as Earth and Eden, Venus would have been inhabitable if it was farther from the sun. It will be revealed that Venus is actually called Orochron and was once inhabited before being destroyed somehow. Orochron is also a conjunction between the Alpha and the Omega, to signify the 'Beginning, Middle, and End." It is a significant addition to the two worlds, acting as a mediator- but to what end...?
30 January 2008
Parodos
Whether they are original ideas from my mind or influenced by the works of others, I will post given fragments here. The idea of Avachron being more then an imaginitive world came to me when I was taking concept notes for Jacob's Ladder, an interesting idea I had based off a few futuristic stories. Being more of the fantasy type of writer, I find Science Fiction to be extremely difficult to write due to the fact that while it is in the future, things have to make sense in a whole new way while providing logical explanation for the plot, if you are to provide a legit and fantastic story.
So anyhow, like Parachron (Another idea from Jacob's Ladder), Into the Dark is no simple title with mundane meaning. Its a song- a fantastic song by Ferry Corsten and Howard Jones. The lyrics go like this:
I think you lost your mind...
Or did you fall asleep?
Was your vision closing in...
Did the light play tricks upon you?
Was the window shut...
As you lay on your bed?
Was there someone creeping in...
Did the vapours swirl around your head?
And slowly, but surely...
Take you away from me-
How can you fall into the dark...
When my arms are there to catch you.
How I ever lose my way...
With your open hand to cling to.
I think I'm breaking through...
I'll wake you from this sleep.
One kiss surely that will do.
And the ice will melt around you...
And slowly, but surely...
Bringing you back to me-
How can you fall into the dark...
When my arms are there to catch you.
How I ever lose my way...
With your open hand to cling to.
You can find a link on youtube if you type in 'Ferry Corsten, Into the Dark'.
At first, when I thought I understood this song, I thought it was a great 'unofficial' theme for Azurio during his pretensful relation with Maelon, but over time as well as some other influencial experience, I realized that Azurio wasn't the so called 'hero' of the song trying to save someone, but was in fact the victim, entrapped in a state of darkness due to his legacy and constant battle with Exodos.
However, I will leave it at that and begin the journey into the dark. Some of my major stories that I will try to focus on will include:
- The Calus Trilogy - Beyond Califran
- Jacob's Ladder
- Rosa Aceleus / Gorn Adulis / Arius Azhil / Tyrfang
- Lords of Midnight / Gods of Twilight
- Untitled - Western Califran
- Small short stories
- World of Warcraft universe fanfiction (Around Azurio)
- Bits and pieces, notes, comments, etc.
So let the journey begin.
So anyhow, like Parachron (Another idea from Jacob's Ladder), Into the Dark is no simple title with mundane meaning. Its a song- a fantastic song by Ferry Corsten and Howard Jones. The lyrics go like this:
I think you lost your mind...
Or did you fall asleep?
Was your vision closing in...
Did the light play tricks upon you?
Was the window shut...
As you lay on your bed?
Was there someone creeping in...
Did the vapours swirl around your head?
And slowly, but surely...
Take you away from me-
How can you fall into the dark...
When my arms are there to catch you.
How I ever lose my way...
With your open hand to cling to.
I think I'm breaking through...
I'll wake you from this sleep.
One kiss surely that will do.
And the ice will melt around you...
And slowly, but surely...
Bringing you back to me-
How can you fall into the dark...
When my arms are there to catch you.
How I ever lose my way...
With your open hand to cling to.
You can find a link on youtube if you type in 'Ferry Corsten, Into the Dark'.
At first, when I thought I understood this song, I thought it was a great 'unofficial' theme for Azurio during his pretensful relation with Maelon, but over time as well as some other influencial experience, I realized that Azurio wasn't the so called 'hero' of the song trying to save someone, but was in fact the victim, entrapped in a state of darkness due to his legacy and constant battle with Exodos.
However, I will leave it at that and begin the journey into the dark. Some of my major stories that I will try to focus on will include:
- The Calus Trilogy - Beyond Califran
- Jacob's Ladder
- Rosa Aceleus / Gorn Adulis / Arius Azhil / Tyrfang
- Lords of Midnight / Gods of Twilight
- Untitled - Western Califran
- Small short stories
- World of Warcraft universe fanfiction (Around Azurio)
- Bits and pieces, notes, comments, etc.
So let the journey begin.
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