CALL me a fool. Having little money and no faith in my works and cleverly write whatsoever particularly interest my taste, here I say, involuntarily speak my mind of this drizzly November rain.
Somewhere in the country of Bryce. It was a gathering in the evening.
There was a lingering presence of Nuj that came from the sky intact. The kingdom of Bryce, home of humans, bird angels and beastwalkers took notice of it and held an upmost council. It was a meeting of blue-bloods, merchants and peasants dealing with the phenomenon. All was to join in the debate but only a few serfs showed up. The meeting started in the Evarlosin Halls. First was the judge.
“I am here to announce that due to the phenomenon that we all had experience. It is to my conclusion that the pillar of lights meant us no harm as of the moment. Our scouts are heading in the direction of the anomaly in accordance to good measure with our neighboring states that they too have some concern of the situation. It is to my understanding that many peasants, travelers and even lowly criminals sighted the sensational episode as to seeing what it could be, a man falling out of the light into the grasslands. Whether this “man” will pose us any harm, we do not know. One thing that we do know, this light bringer disrupted the barrier of Durian Dome and the presence of the demon lord that was sealed, vanished. Hardly, this magic is clearly not of elians’. I am here to listen to my fellow countrymen of what will be best for this kingdom. Please proceed.” The judge ended and let the people speak of their opinions. Second was the noblemen.
“Hmph, Durian Dome is destroy? The Court of Veils will likely excavate the place for the lost empire’s treasures. The old prince was dying to get his hand on such dangerous relic from the past. Even sixth magistrate, Yeagur, wanted to break such powerful spell that had been cast. It might as well be his doing.”
“Sir Magolin, you must be joking! Yeagur has no power to destroy the dome and there is no such treasure within the three-hundred and one vaults. The court will likely use the failed dome as a base to evade us lowly lands of the south. After all, they’re after the old bloods; controlled by the black hands of Count Narbodci whether they deny the truth or not.” The people look afraid.
“Damn that vampire to Ereshkigarl! He is blooding his hands everywhere.” said the common knights.
“Don’t be ridiculous! This is rubbish! The dome holds no vaults but only a demon sealed by the sure-less of the four great warriors, Rudest Becket. Smoking poppycorns must have dull your brain Magolin. The old treasure was not lost, no, taken centuries ago by the knights of Ole--!” answered a well-manner nobleman.
“Why, are you doubting us?!” Becket and Magolin replied with a temper voice. Rowdy voices of politics were also engaged.
“Order, Order I say!” as the judge calm the people in the room, “What do you think mister Selonious? Your face seems to disagree.” and in that spotlight, the man about the age of thirty-nine responded slow from a sinking think. The room turn to look at him. It was eye nerving as he spoke. Nonetheless, spoken like a maverick gentlemen he is.
“Well?” said the judge.
“I say we find the whereabouts of this “man” the people claimed. Ignore the aftermath of Durian Dome and fortify our defense with a secondary wall. It is likely the court will not take action for they are at war with the elvessals to the west. It will only weaken their state against Highland and us.”
“Build a wall? You’re insane, Second Lieutenant. There is nothing. Nothing but open fields of dry grasses and sands! No army would evade this country in clear sight, Selonious. If what you said are truly the truth, then there is no need for the wall. Even so, where would you find the funds for such grand project? It was tempting for Clive to send a low-ranked civil knight to this meeting. It would be best if the mayor himself greet us in person but I dare say, Clive is just a child of old-age. Oh ho, the boy even let his grandfather died from his own stupidity. Saratinobu must be rolling in his grave as we speak.” Your wise, Fauqua was disgusted.
“What do you have in mind, Selonious?” An old madam spoke. “Given the circumstances we are in, you must have other motives. What would those be if I may ask?”
“Yes, what is your reason for another high wall, sir?” A common father from the crowd wanted an answer if it was labor he must do for the good of the kingdom.
“The Red Giants of Rraengold.” The room became startly quiet, “It seems the Elder of Fire has begun to move his home to the old northern capital. As it was stated by old man Jared and his company.”
“The Jaredites?” said Magolin. Selonious raised upward his voice and continue regardless of Magolin’s intervention nor Becket’s scoffs.
“The Court of Veils will not likely attack nor set up camps in the forsaken dome. For the treasures, if there is any, men will be digging their own graves.” Most of the nobles’ fears lash out effortlessly and was the first time a plebeian knew of lore.
“Elder of Fire? You mean, t-those nasty cannibals.” A nobleman spoken with the lost of his will.
“Selonious! You have not fully answer mister Fauqua’s concern. It will cost this country a huge sum of cash to cover the expense of a newly fortress. Given your statement that if you are correct, indeed I hope ‘tis not, where would you find the funds? This is a poor kingdom. Have you not realize that by now? We greats cannot be heavily taxing the citizens under secrecy or they will rebel. It will be another bloody civil war from the past, ruled by countless retards. And I certainly don’t want that image on me!” said the enlarged sandwich-eating nobleman.
“I never did say anything about taxing the people now did I, sir Ophelius.” An argument with different nobles spoils for a while. Selonious continues his talk of strategy.
“The clan of the Temporian knights will gladly help construct the wall since they owe this country much for saving their order along with the help with the Priests of Yale. If what I heard is exact, a foretelling in the literatures of old, the temples will gladly support as well. We’ll have a messenger send a letter of union to the city-states while this country fortified their defensive. And for the surrounding guilds, they need not much. Send a secret letter requesting aid to brother Ifreet concerning about the giants’ whereabouts. The rest will handle itself. And as for the king, let it be decree concerning the search for the man. Small teams will do best. Bright lights always leave large shadows. Those willing to help will fill in the gaps afterward-”
“This is mad, Selonious! That won’t do much. To send small army to the states is a declaration of war!” said Magolin, “Why look for this man? He is not of any importance. And what if this “man of light” denies any cooperation with the kingdom?”
“And that is why I am h-“ Selonious was interrupted by a peasant and his wife in the crowd.
“I know! A marriage with the scrap princess or the sea dragon king’s daughters will be suffice. The king could bring an envoy once the man is located.”
The people was happy to the idea. However, Selonious thought it was a really bad plan to trick and submit the man of light. How would one find the light bringer when no one knows his face? The elvfyn of the Grasslands? Their kinds will not tell the highest secrets to outsiders even if the wanted man was worship as a God. Clues? Bleh, elians are good at covering their tracks. That was what he was thinking. Old age tactics may not work and that was what he fear yet kept his silence. In business and politics, it still holds true. Even the noblemen liked the concept, and more threw in their opinions.
“How I love how peasants think. Simplicity to the mind.” laughed a snarky noblewoman.
“God, help us.” The judge looked very concern semi-massaging his eyebrows.
The meeting lasted for two hours. The last thirty minutes became outrages. Politics for an average man who would find it more enjoying than sports. Selonious left the hall and was reporting back to Mayor Clive of Joyous Spring. Alone on his route, he took a quiet path through the back where his chariot awaits. It was the Hara Halls that went through the Garden of Even. A ring of a bell he notice rang bluntly. Lagia was sitting on an outdoor bench, legs cross and did not care of anything. Listening she was, to the sounds of waterfalls, the dribbles of fountains, love songs of midnight bobolinks and chirps of mysterious sweet insects. Selonious approach the beast lady.
“Well now, Second Lieutenant. What brings you to this garden of eve? And I thought Mayor Godphrey’s knights hated the kingdom for what they did to your town.”
“Spare me of their coughed-up debris. Those idiotic buffaloes. They are no match against the men of Elysium and their ariel machines. Once they raise a banner against them, Sylvan will not be the only desert to be name. Enough of the avoidance Lagia. Did you retrieve what was lost?”
“Simple as baking a cake. I must say, Darrio notice me presence a couple of times.” Lagia handed over a small music box etched with the old writings. “Why would the Bandit Kings want a music box? Enlightenment me, Selonious.”
“It is not of your concern, young beastian. I’ll be going.” Selonious left, handed her a stash of valuable jewels.
“Hooh. Lasting Autumn I presume.”
Curious as she is, the animorph lady grin a smile for successfully completing a quest and was gone from the scene like an assassin in the wind. Now we focus back on the nomadic settlement O children.
It was cloudy. The evil magician came on the third day to rightfully claim his honey that a bear has stolen. He flew on a humongous dandelion, crash the wedding preparation and started to murder the elvfyns one by one. His name is Calsufur. The corrupted magician looked everywhere for the one who took his prize from his personal vault. Oh, the tenacity he shown; wanting revenge from his own doing of a curse, how it backfire and ate his right arm. The dark sorcerer never did admit his own fault with his contract with lowly demons.
Slowly, forth bringeth the sound theme: “Jigoku” by Akki, from the album, Fukkatsu I think.
Nou and her sister ran away. Her newly-to-be husband fought the devilish magician. Purplish black flame engulf the nomadic settlement. An obscene oath of flame did not burn those who touch the lukewarm heat but devours and drain their life essences. A miasma unknown to humans, planxis and beasts. And the magic he was bestow upon, out came the secondary batch of sizzling heat that burns the flesh who wash the skin with water.
“Ahhhh, it was you who stole my wife, my precious, my beautiful love, my life. It was you! Give me back my wife!!”
Their mother, however, was unlucky ever since she was born and was caught between fires. The magician grab the mother and drain her life. He threw the freshly corpse into the damaged well. Calsufur yelled at Nou’s groom who tried to stop him. It was his fifth attempt to stop the mad magician. The young man was no match against the black magic conjure against him holding the crazy’s leg.
“Run!” The groom scream to Nou.
Calsufur pick up the vibration. It signals where she was as he squint his eyes, heavily sniffing the senses, thank him dearly as a black beast came out under his cloak, pierce and ate the bod. The magician swished his hand, fling in the motion of a conductor; and a leftover of a demon’s tail strike one of the house nearby. The large piece of wood fell on Nou as she block the incoming projectile to protect Manni. She was trap with the bodies of braise-like drained victims. The dead had succumb to the illness, status ailment, Drain and Sufferage.
“Sis!”
The wood was too heavy for Manni to move. Seeing her sister in agony as it press on her thighs made her hesitate. She tries to use some magic but was too slow. As I repeat, Manni was not gifted in great nor simple magic. The psychopath came in view spitting out ridiculous claims. Out of the ether, a demonic hand came through space and slap Manni. She flew around the bushes.
A masculine blue demon hand was cover in tattoos of curly symbols. Nails were long and sharp and dull in black. It wore the ten worlds of hate. It seems Calsufur made more than one contract to nullified or lessened the others. A blasphemous power. In the end, your soul will be rip into pieces. All demons b’yond will share a percentage of the pie.
“Manni!” Nou shouted in pain.
“I put you in my heart. I even protected you from the evil with my powers. I love you. Why can’t you accept it! Why Nou?” said Calsufur. The cultist grab and pull Nou’s hair, splattering along with his spits and whisper into her lovely ear.
“If I can’t have you, then no one will.” and took the bride away with him.
An invisible portal from below appear to the naked eye. It took them instantly. Manni was bleeding. Fainted from the blood loss. Oh, the youngling cried in her sleep. It breaks my heart to hear of such kismet. Poor elvfyn child. The world is crueler to many.
It has been another three days since the horrific event. Not even a soothsayer can predict her hands that have been betroth to. Fortunately, the magician have not claim her of yet. For she must accept the crazy magician by her own free will. Until that day come, she will be torture and shame to her finale rest before beseeching in marriage.
The young lord travels nearly twenty-seven days southwest to the town of Lasting Autumn. Nuj had use half of his money for food stalls, tolls and fares. The remainder was stolen by highway thieves. But, he is of maker. Why would he let them have their way? An overweight boy was being held as a hostage and the man drop his wallet bag in the failed attempt to save him. A wry grin he gave upon his future grave. It turns out that the boy, he too, was a thief. The duo pilfer his money and the cowardly children ran for it as if their life was on the line. Oof, it was comical but Seneth is in wroth of his own thoughts. Boy, can they run!
A couple of hours had pass. In the dreary heat, a farmer saw the man walking along the nicely paved dirt road. He offer him a ride in his wagon. His cart was pulled by fizzling armored oxs. Gentle in nature these creatures are, carrying ginseng apples and sweet fruity rum for sale. It was a long way until reaching civilization so Nuj accept the offer.
"I wonder what Sandou is doing? I hope he doesn’t steal my hidden stash of cash." There are times Seneth just think of something randomly.
“Where are you going, son? Traveling without tools? You’re either courageous or a nut case, I presume.” Nuj kept his thoughts to himself. He even tried to pay the farmer one geld of his own coin that was drop by the thieves out of courtesy.
“Beats me. I’ll let the One decide or go on a whim. Who knows. Maybe I will live on the outskirt of town in Askistari City or Lasting Autumn. And maybe start a guild of some sort.” The old farmer assume the One is the Lord of their world and did not feel like pondering Seneth and continues to talk. A very amiable fellow.
“Ho Ho Ho, well I’ll be. Letting old Lord deciding your fate? Since you ain’t carrying no money, I reckon you can’t pay for the night at the inn. So keep that one geld. It well serve you good.” The farmer however was not aware that Nuj was robbed. He dress more like a hobo in his eyes and denied the generous payment.
“If you want to start a guild, the cats of the Sipth already been informed without being told.” and Seneth put his last coin away in one of his inner pockets.
“I doubt you’ll find a home in that overpopulated city of Askistari. Prices are too high and the sewage goes on rampant during the rainy season right from the bottom. Phew yeww! Not to mention, young children goes missing once in a while. Your best bet is Lasting Autumn.”
“Missing?” asked Seneth.
“Yes sirree. Mostly young boys I heard. There is also a new religion in the city that gives you free luck. But I’ll bet a pony it is just a scam.”
“New religion, huh. I am just a recusant man when rules are stupid. Know any place that is free of bill throughout day and night in Lasting Autumn?”
“Free of Bill? Well there ain’t no man named Billy there.”
“I meant free of paying land taxes and mandatory “accessories.”
“Couldn’t just say that sooner, sunny! There is one . . . Unfortunately, the toilet is haunted.”
The old farmer and Nuj travel through the gorgeous farm valley. Yes children, Seneth did not want to be poor nor rich. Just a mere outsider wandering about in finding a place to belong. The hobo man decided to walk the rest of the way to town on the yellow brick road. There he found a discarded house left from the district, untouched, as it was meant for him. It was peculiar in size and rooted into an old age arboreal. He heard from villagers along his travel that the townsmen fear it for being foul. What kind of harm will befall Nuj? Who knows. He decided to make it his haven and went to gather materials for his cold sleepless night.
It nearly took hours to start a fire freezing his behind. Night has fallen and there were no source of blanket to keep him warm. There was a scarecrow bind together with the mailbox. Nuj was looking at such creature that turn around smiling.
“Woah, I know I am not in Kansas no more.”
“Hey pal, if your cold, you can hug me. I’ll keep you warm. In return, can you help find me a grassy brain? I would like to be smarter if you will.” The scarecrow was very jolly. It scare the three kids hiding from around the bushes near the front window. The children’s cute squeal was heard by Seneth.
“Suzzy, sussshhh or the ghost will find us.” said the big brother.
“Wow, the ghost has fire power, Lloyd.” said the younger sister.
“Bwah bwah bwah bairy.” said the baby brother and all of them spoken at the same time.
Nearby on top of the hill, their mother came out of the house raising her voice. Call out her children for dinner and the children heard her from afar. Their father was in the front yard near a shed chopping woods. It would seem the parents knew the curse was a lie. To misinformed those to move to Askistari City, a city of hate.
A ghost, however, was not a lie. Did it haunt the toilet. It was a hand that hold a pair of two-ply toilet papers asking what color you would like. Not sure if it is a home a woman would want to claim by sitting on the toilet seat. Other than that, it was an ordinary damaged home. Seneth came out to check. The three siblings cutely squeal and ran back home.
“Gosh, I wish I was cute. People would want to hug me too. Deal?” said the scarecrow looking at Nuj.
“Maybe next time. Maybe.”
Seneth went back to sit beside the campfire. It was a shallow home, nothing but unopened boxes and a couch to soothe his soul. The great perennial plant was fill with life, drenched within the warmth of the earthen world. There were cracks within his haven but it is not to be fear. Flowers of angel mint bloomed through the crevices of darkness and sow its seeds for years. Wishful butterflies are allured to its honey roots. And yes, those itchy vile dust, the drags of houses that Seneth hates when its on the loose.
In the morning, the guild maestro, a fluffy chubby vanilla-orange Persian cat of the Sipth came out of the cracks.
“Hey you.” It had said with that moody look and all the man did was stare.
Mr. Moody was stuck and Seneth help the poor overinflated feline. The old beast spoken to Seneth in a manner fitting of a great liege and told, “Meowning of all, Sir Seneth. The Court of Guilds request your purrsence in forming your order.” His voice was deep and purrrfect and made arrangement for his arrival. The old grimalkin took a look around, “Hmmmm, what paw-erful view. Puuurragotory is it not?” Could be. But, of course not.
His newly home, the loving mother tree provided simple warmth and comfort. The gazing blossoms and leaves purified the unloved house. Cleaned currents of wind flow through the branches and its tranquil shadow provided cooling. The scent of the great tree drives harmful insects insane. A great and affordable home - if only the world knew. And the land is free of sales and hoarders for profits.
“No, . . . not at all, for now.” said the man. But what got him curious was the cat knowing his fake name. And what’s with the cat jokes?
“Well, lets be on our way Sir Seneth.” The cat lead him to town but did had trouble going down a stair of seven. Instead, the feline roll. Works every time. The fluff puff bounce wins the hearts of women. The child was overly happy that she would stomp her feet from side-to-side continuously in joy. The hands bellow the neck. An innocent cuteness that would make anyone softly laugh in joy.
This was the theme of the town and particular fields; 明日天気になぁれ (Acoustic) by Coba, from the Album - Samurai. Translate service as “Weather Tomorrow.”
It was an orchard town with plenty of space. Farmlands to the west and south. East lies the great mines of Noah. There, they trade of plenty in the wealth of rich and rare minerals. In north of the town is the legendary forest known as Alswragod. It was a place the town of Autumn held their most precious festival, the Trial of Adulthood. There were more than curious shops Nuj pass along the way. A Bizarre? A Magic Hat Store? Rare and Exotic Slave Market? An Assassins' Daycare?! There were more to be name. My goodness! It was like some role-playing game someone cooked up. It wasn’t Seneth of course. Even he had trouble denouncing how his world came to be.
Nuj headed towards to the Autumn Court of Guilds. His club was established but no one did join him on the holy field; went back inside to select a job, and post a recruiting sign for those who wanted to join. A literal temp agency for the working men and women. It was a place of mercenaries and the likes, a place for travelers and community looking for jobs or perhaps a career. Yea, those high rate turn-down jobs. I do say children, many does not work to earn their keep.
He prepped with little he had and left the agency. Went foraging for huge luckcherries for the farmers and the old. It was a challenging and dirty job swarmed with giant mosquitoes. And collected three-hundred and fifty-one fruits within a day and deliver the harvest to the church of Mae.
“Shesh! Beats working like a robota. Alright, today I earned . . . lets see, three platinum. That must be a lot!”
Priest and priestesses were shocked! No one never did took on their request since the pay was so low. And sincerely they gave him the last of breads, cheeses and purple onions as warming gifts. It was not much but Nuj accepted.
A poor abbey it was. Parents and children come to play with halo slime monsters. Harmless blog of creatures that usually appear near the shores, in-taking pure salt from dry sands. It was these creatures food source, and deposit concentrated excrement made of hardened crystals in the sea bed where gem turtles come to repair and shed their old shells. Those folks were more humble than the religious people he met in his old world. The angels walked with them. Such good spirit, you can felt it in the air. That, my friend, is a truth. List ye, O the city of flees reeks of gas.
A common troupe of orphans and adults were present. Nothing in the kitchen were edible except the fruits that Seneth brought. The amount would last a year. And the man humbling gave back the two platinum to help make their ends meet for their abbey was of rent. The priest had no money of his own. Reminiscence of the olden days to our hobo, to live on the street with misery who had lifted his own weight. The common man will joke until satisfaction. Seneth was not kind nor hateful. He left without saying anything afterward.
After the long hours of work, Seneth head to the farmer's market, bought a flourishing grass lotus for the scarecrow to stop his tiring yapping, dried fishes and some useful tools and items. He was even cheated of his own money and Seneth knew but said nothing.
The evening was soothing with the shade that the stores and houses provided. Upon heading to the gallows, raised the voice from the knights of Lasting Autumn. They handed the civilians wanted poster of multiple men. A handsome reward for capturing them alive and only alive. A snobbish man pass by Nuj littering the streets. Bump into him almost knocking over his grocery bag. It seems he was having a bad day. What the man threw away was the wanted flyer. And Seneth pick up the man's trash and discover a similar face of his was on it.
“Huh, I am a criminal in my own world. This is odd.” Seneth was confuse and was startle by such trivial matter.
“It could've just been a coincidence?” A young lady's voice came from behind Seneth's elbow and he intentionally move to give her space. He had no idea if she was setting him up or just plain curious of his clothing bending forward interested in the flyer. After all, Nuj did dress differently from the rest. It is reasonable for one to expect this much if not for one’s personal space. Even she had dressed differently but no one tend to notice. The power of women I suppose. The young lady was boredom to death, standing in front of the seventeenth-century convenience store until something of interest walk by. And Seneth was her lucky pick.
“And who might you be woman?” Seneth asked.
"Oh gosh! Pardon me for intruding your personal space, mister.” That woman show such false surprise with both her hands near her mouth. “You see, that face of yours on the flyer got me curious, definitely. I am just astounded that you have the guts to be in public. Especially in front of the cop-py knights, of course." she was indeed smiling, smiling with those razor sharp teethes of hers’. Ooh, and those fox-like eyes.
“I am no thief. This poster does not concern you so I should be going.”
“Go where? To school?”
The gleaming stare of her sodom eyes awaken Seneth's sense as he plausibly turn around. She was sucking and gently licking her right index finger and pinky from a popsicle she bought earlier.
“Saint Mykiel's Academy of Knights and Scholars, am I right?”
“Nnnnm what?” said Seneth. The young lord didn't fully replied. To him, it reeks of trap. Thank goodness, Seneth knew what he was in for. Or, perhaps not, “Who are you child?”
“My, oh my toots! It is customary to give your name before asking another.” She slap her hands together twice as if it was a prayer. Her head twitch a little to the side and gave an eerie atmosphere.
“Aren’t you the one that started this conversation-?”
“Pretty pleaseee . . .” said the woman begging with her eyes desperately closed and slapped her hands together.
Seneth could have swear he saw something flicker within the space as if someone travel back in time in the moment. Nuj did not want to use his real name and went by his false. The man was cautious and wasn’t sure if evil will take his calling.
“I am . . . Seneth, a mere hobo . . that is all. Who are you if I may ask?”
“Kwee-kwee, Eryane is my name, Seneth. Oh, how lovely, an old man hitting on me! Khwe-khwe-khwe”
“This girl is dangerous!! Look little lady I-”
“Silly llama, I'm a boy!” replied Eryane.
This child was no different then Sandou himself. Lucky for Nuj, he knew how to deal the creepiness and amend their hearts . . . I think. To understand Eryane, her story must be told but takes out the suspense and the art of surprise for character presentation.
The child's name is Erynae; born from the dirty fruits of hard labor. A shy chubby child who discovered hidden tomes in a library. They were magical books indeed, board her eyes Erynae did. Fascinated by such language that was bestow unto her. Who knew such books lurked in a high school. A sly child Erynae became. A silver tongue she emerged and was no more than a meer highschooler who didn't fit in society. Or so she says. The power of words is her power. The sounds of lies and truths. The voice that turns false into reality. A scary power holden by children of non profanity. I could only imagine what she could do. Abusing such ominous abilities for her own needs. Oh the power gave her everything. Beauty, wealth and status to name a few. Her actions are in reverse. Her speech and manners are in reverse. Her lies and truth are in reverse. And in the game you play her, Erynae will reverse such thoughts in the most unfortunate state. Oh children, this power is a double-edge sword. If one says they can punch a boulder into twenty pieces knowing they cannot, it will break into twenty piles at the cost of your limb.
“Well, Eryane. A young man as yourself should be heading home. It is late in the evening and your parents may be worrying about you. Don't you have school tomorrow?” said Seneth.
At first glance, the lord thought the lady was some cosplayer trying to hit on men in her thirties. It was strange indeed. She dresses similar to those in the fifties of Japan. Yes, those long black dress and long sleeve sailor suit, color of navy, black and white. The attire for the days of autumn. The low end of her long hair was braided. Dark black hair drenched down to nighty brown. Yes, don't forget those creepy cunning eyes. At least, she wasn’t a yankee . . . yet.
“Nope. I don't go to school. I work for the “church.”” She quoted the word. The more her target denies, the more she says becomes real. It is most fortunate that Seneth was playing along without knowing great danger.
“Definitely Dangerous!! Nice to meet you young man. It is getting late. I must be going.”
Our main speedwalk his way home and took no detour. Yet he remember, there is not even a door at his haven. Just a broken wide gap up to the roofs. He did not feel safe no more. And the woman follow him. He was being stalk. The hobo pretend to look at some interesting store passing by and saw her at the corner of his eyes. The creepy girly women was skipping so eerie towards him and frighten his heart. Even the bells of the clock shop pass by made it worse. Everything had slow down. And came out the laughing of a creepy child. It reminded the man of a horror movie he once watched long long ago. Off the man walk faster and headed into the happy mask shop. So much for no detour.
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“Phew, that was a strange encounter.” His heart was skipping.
“Goodness, a customer.” said the happy mask owner. He too was creepy but had a gentle voice, “Feel free to look around sir.”
Lasting Autumn is famous for their interesting masks during many of their festivals. Some masks embedded with magic. Others are born with traits as if the mask was alive. Very little are curse and many are plain for their interesting looks and designs. Nuj was not the only customer. They were four others: a man trying on a chicken mask, an elderly women talking to the owner and a young couple deciding on the perfect birthday gift.
“Well, good bye madam. I hope your grandson will feel better.” The old lady left and the owner turn to look at Seneth, “Ah, you must be new to this town. The way you dress gives it away. Isss theree something I could do for you?” And humbly the owner skip in jittering steps.
“I am not solicitating. Just running for my life.” The hobo said while checking through the window.
“Running away from what? The little people? This is Lasting Autumn, my boy. Odd guilds usually come and go from the streets but they are not bad people. Well, most of them. Hmmn, lets see, if someone frighten you that much then, I say this mask will do wonders for you. However, you don’t look like the type to be wearing fancy masks. Please, come closer. Don’t be shy.”
“No no no, I am fine . . . The Mask of Unfortunate Blessings?” Seneth was stump as it was shown to him.
“Goodness, you do know about this ordinary work. No need to tell of its tale then.
“Hey boss! How much is this bird mask-hey, what is that?” The chicken man, a customer, was fascinated by the new item shown. His name is known as Thorg.
“Ah, my fellow patron. I take back what I said. This, my boy, is the Mask of Unfortunate Blessings. It was created ages long past the prime of ether. Created by a man who sought a world, who sought his fate and confronted the inner fires. The Lord of lords had other plans for him. Unfortunately, the man died an unexpected death and gave the mask to the guardian of Ereshipath in writings, who kept it until the day the one-who-walk-the-end-roads return back to this world. This mask signify that our world has not fallen but a prelude to what is to come. The mask gives the people hope but shorten lifespan as the story goes. Or, it is just a saying for the people to not steal a priceless work of art. Ho ho ho. This veil is one of the seventeen true-mask, my boy. I guarantee you it is not curse but fill with uncounted blessings!”
“Did I really die? No way. It can’t be. I never did ask for a world, just wanting to escape fake reality for awhile. Puzzling . . .” Seneth wonder in his mind if the story was of him or pieces of him.
“Sweet, so what power does it have?” said Thorg.
“None, my boy! It is just an ordinary mask that comes and goes on a whim. But it is strange that it will come to me of all things to sell it. Ho ho ho, I must be famous. Does it still peak your interest?” The shop owner effort was of no avail to sell the veil. More like it was his way to make hidden profit in due seasons.
“Ah, never mind then. Hey, newbie. Try it! You will be hook on this small shop.” Thorg put his arm around him and brought him to the counter, “Boss, I must head out to deliver my quest item before the due date, see ya.” The chimes on the door made him felt he awaken into a different world than his own designed. It was an odd sensation.
“Why does it feel like I am a main character going on an adventure to save the world?”
“It is fate. Divine intervention that of one’s prayer, isn’t it? Will you let it to correct your own wrongdoings?” answer the owner.
“Tell me about it. I will let someone else do it and work from the shadows.”
“I see. Pray I that thou not fell to obscurity. You’re the fourth one this mask has shown itself. Please, I do insist. This one will be on the house. It always brings me pleasure to have new customers. Ho ho ho, remember. Wear the veil truest. For all veils are trials in the greater schemes of truth. Face what you fear less when more is blinded.”
“Very well, if that would stop you from pestering.” The owner offer Seneth the mask. It must’ve been written.
“Oh and ah, beware the little people. Don’t mind them when a few simple things gone missing.”
Darkness had scatter and it was time the hobo should return home. On the street, the jolly scarecrow happily said, “Hey, is that brain for me. Gosh, you are too kind. I had always been beaten by sticks and rocks from kids. Now I finally going to have my revenge. Please, please, put the brain in me.” Seneth decided not to.
“What are you doing?! Don’t go! I’m sorry for saying that. I really do! Please don’t make me beg!” and wailed the scarecrow.
As Seneth was heading into his house, the mother from top of the hill rush to him with a lost of breath, strongly holding her chest and talk to Nuj.
“Excuse me sir! Have you seen my son and daughter? Lloyd and Suzzy is their name.” She was in distress. Sweating she was, gave Nuj clues that the children were missing for quite a while now.
“No madam, I was in town working since this morning.”
The father went to gather free hands to help look for his kids. It was a kidnap it seems to the ordinary folks. Missy was sorry to get our hobo involve and went to yell behind his house where there is an old road that led to an abandon mill in the forest. Two elderly gentlemen was with her. Old yet they still had the strength of young men.
The Scarlett Alliance and the Brotherhood of Knights were there searching as well from east of the woods. Third Rank, Joshual, and Knight Captain, Hryuno, led their respected teams of youth. It is common in these guilds to let the new recruits go through a phase of reality before facing against a possible death.
“Are you going to search too?” said the scarecrow.
“. . . No. If I did everything, those around me will become placid. Taking advantage of me they will.” said Seneth as he slowly walk up the steps. He was speaking about his past but the scarecrow care not about what had happened long ago.
“So you will let them to die? The heart of Autumn, their people, are not like you, mister. A family oriented country, less selfish than you. That I give.”
“Why me? I don’t want to get involve in people’s business. It is tiring.”
“Involve or not, you are already in one the moment the lady came to you for help! Even without a brain, I know what is right, though I do want revenge against those kids who beat me up like a pinata! Maybe it is easier to run away, to run away from a wagon crash.” Crow looked at top of the hill. The volunteers had dispersed, “If those two cute children did die, can you live with it? The hyenas laugh at you, Nuj.” At that end of Crow’s words, there was a subtle change in his voice. It was the One’s voice. He spoke his name but Crow did said “mister” instead. Seneth realizes something.
“Doesn’t matter were you go, another’s reality will always follow you. Gosh, I am surprise that I CAN be smart. Why must you let the devil breathe down your neck? Why must you be a failure? I don’t understand your view.” Crow have said. Seneth came back into the realm, chuckle a bit. A little ominous but fare.
“Neither do I. Hemm, this strangely developed world is my trial, I guess.” And he start to look for the children just by walking. Unfortunately, the man came back, “You’re coming with me too, Scarecrow. I had no idea where I am going.”
“Wait, wait, wait. I need my special hat stashed in a box.” Seneth went to get the hat in his house that the children hid in plain view and they both went on a quest. His first real journey, episode one with no strings attached. The two buddies headed south from the outer forest to the River of Vale where it is safer to enter. It was Crow’s idea.
Near the river was the Maple Merry Inn. It was the night of drunks and party animals. Cops of unclean hands were present. Travelers of unknown origin sang their tunes. Thorg was among them, delivered his quest item.
“Ha ha ha, serves you right!”
The protectors were laughing and yelling. Things went wrong for Thorg. He was kick out by the little lady’s guards and drunks. Different men of weight threw him onto the moldy dirt. Out came the little lady. She is ten-years old. A snobbish girl she is. Her papa loves her and gave her everything. A little “female dog” at best.
“You dare to cheat me for this ugly mask? I ask for the grand frill mask made of ivory diamonds to show my daddy how much I love him. Ha, you think I am a fool, chicken?” The little lady step on Thorg’s leg with all her might. Just once. Thorg was embarrass from acting like a tough man. He did brought what she wanted. Unfortunately, the diamonds were fake.
“Little master! We are rooting for you!” The brat’s protectors incite an uproar.
“Enough! Let me finish my speech.” said the little girl, “Ha, my daddy has power. He is a wealthy merchant. If you ever, ever do this again, my bunnies will chop your head, chicken. Hhmmp! Cassarol . . .” The child was being a fancy pantsy.
“Yes madam.” Cassarol answered.
“Take me to my turnip palace.” The rest went back inside from the cold, laughing.
“I should’ve not quit my job. How am I going to pay for this debt?” Thorg wipe the cold mud off his beak and the gryphorse neigh. From the distance, the loving-mask wearer saw Seneth entering into the forest through the River of Vale. Had he remember how oddly our protagonist dressed. Thorg thought the boy was up to no good and decided to tail him thinking he would make some gold in return. What a pig!
Nuj enter the river. The water was up to his knee. Wearing no shoes he did, it was easy to maneuver but was extremely cold. Thorg came around the bushes to bushes. He loves to rive deeply into other people’s business which is the mark of a neon-liberal. It is a shame for a Fighter Monk class-type.
The shallow watercourse had led him to a world unimaginable. Presented itself into the morning sea into a thriving city of coral reefs; strange inhabitants of the forest and giant bees; trees were normal; the landscape was of three levels; there were small creatures that burst out light; odd plants that shine the roads the animals walk; a crystal that gave a morning glow from the power of the moon; jellfish and rocfish flying with limbs of leaves; and vibrant fantasy plants that Seneth do not know of nor do I. That was what is was like from the south. North and east? Perhaps a form of elevation that blends the senses.
Thorg went commando. Hid himself nearby, around unorganized bundles of giant green rape leaves. Seneth and the scarecrow sees him not, camouflaged with the lining of soot rub across his forehead. Just the bird man’s peeking, waggle the plants, did it startle the scarecrow to see birdy’s face. The stillness in the eyes he glared with unreadable emotion. Screamed Crow, in which scared Nuj.
Now, all men who are trained in martial arts would punch in the direction of the scream or anomaly. And did our main did. A blind fleck punch through the plant. It broke the fowl’s neck! Thorg’s head was crooked and he was very much still alive.
“Please, please. Not the face! Anything but the face and groin!” Thorg’s mouth was out of commission. Its eye had already went to see the gate of heaven.
Seneth and Crow was talking among themselves, “Who is this mixed breed?” Crow thought.
He was listening alright, “I am no breed! I’m a MAN of the fine arts! An admin of theatre!” Coughing and choke his own saliva because of the curvature of the neck bent. Thorg snap his bones back together. Seneth was not sure how it was possible. The possibility was high that it may have been a head wear. Was he wrong? Our hobo continues his talks with Crow but to hear bird man put on an oath to change his ways was quite a lost on their end.
“What is birdbrain yapping about? Hmmmm?” said Crow.
The saying goes, men don’t learn until they get burned. It was one of many saying that speaks the truth but doesn’t said that it’s the truth.
A giant bumblebee had buzz by. Near them was it, collecting a form of crystallized nectar in an open field that caught Seneth’s attention. The scenery, the forest was warped. The landscape was larger than what it was portrayed from the outside. It reminded him of the hidden isle and was it the work of the moonlight crystals.
Thorg settle down their differences with facts but Seneth care less about. He instead enlist the mask wearer into his merry group of firemen. An so, the two man and a monster explore the great frontier.
“We are on a mission looking for two lost children. I expect you to do your part. The money is worth it and you can have it.”
“Hey kid, search and rescue teams do not get paid well. What we are doing are no more than volunteering. Wait a minute. Why am I taking order from a kid again? How old are you?” Seneth ignored him, “Are you listening to me. I am talking to you. Wait up!”
It wasn’t far from their travel that lead them to a low side cliff, raised and descended. The only mountain path for wanderers. As it was descended, up in front of them, there was a creature by itself gathering seeds in its beak. Regurgitated the seed and ate the jelly with mash plants it brought along. The best description of this creature was a zombie-cockatrice-dinosaur. The animal was half the size of our main. Dirty blue and sunset-yellow in colors and had tail feathers that of a peacock. Closely in resemblance that is. It was not a threat nor was the animal frighten.
“That’s a Yukolayli.” said the scarecrow.
Thorg decided to scare the animal away. Shoo, shoo he said. A typical child would do in the reenactment of Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the beast reacted and raised its feathers, tail and the neck ready to fight or defend.
“Don’t worry boys, I can handle this.” There he goes again. Showing off. Went up front to the animal in the attitude, I AM A REAL MAN. Wow, what was that, senpai?! Seneth and Crow was amazed, whistling in their parts, seeing Big Bird being thrown and beat-up in the air, hand semi-covering their eyes from the artificial sunlight.
It threw out martial chicken kicks, reacted fast to big bird’s daunting grabs from above it and spit in Thorg’s face, “M-me eyes!” It trip him and started pecking his butt! The smaller “natural” fowls were flying everywhere from the enticement. Then the smaller animals went into hiding.
“It hurts. It hurts. Boy, help me would ya?!” Thorg plead for mercy from the spiral hill. He was stun as well. There is venom in the avian’s beak that causes pain to hurt ten times worse. He scream out, asking for forgiveness. Now, there is a lesson in this.
“Should we help?” The hobo auctor wonders. Before they could even finish deciding over one of the most cliche light novel character introduction, other than buying young female slaves, the insects had ended their chirps. Crow and Seneth notice the quickening silent rather than bird man’s suffering. The stillness was much dead that have pull one from reality.
Seneth looked around the area in front of the forest, packed in the direction in the west. Left and right he searched there, “The static firmament. We’re being hunted.”
“Perhaps. A kouger maybe.” A giant saber panther with legs of lightning.
Minutes of the silence was driving patience out of Thorg. Seneth and Crows continues to search and listened in that specific area. And before long, the stalking presence behind the packed dark forest blended into the vibrant underwater cities. There he saw. Something came out! A fatty string-like substance, retreated, pulled a good partial of ground and walkway with it. It was not enough to determine the source of animal. This thing almost had gotten Seneth and Crow.
“Crow, details?!” The low submarine cried, the rubbing and crushing of metals in the deep, the moaning death of a man-woman, a whale’s hymn is how it sound, scared the zombie chicken away. A rumble came forth above the giant trees. A greater creature jostle through into the territory, came the ferocious juggernaut slam above them. Their eyes met slowness.
“Holy sweet mother of Mary! That’s a HUGE orneus!!!” said Crow.
“Manure, rescuing just got harder.” The group was on the second level in an area that is a natural covered coliseum. The birds became restless once more.
The partners in crime have disturb a nest. A sub-nest of an orneus. It is a titan plant pod that opens like a clam, and its sticky plantacles at its core move about half the speed of bullets. The belly pod was full of fiber spikes. It made its grand appearance and hammered it’s weight. The group spliced.
Scarecrow was drop. He had no legs of his own. Seneth was knock through the natural wall of vines and uneasy landscape, rush to get the scarecrow but the pod went after him and Thorg came out from under the reefs, fasten scarecrow onto him.
“Thorg!” Our main said.
“Don’t worry about me! I have my fare share of kicking titans behind. I will hold it off! Go search for the kids!” Seneth went ahead. He took the rowdy path. It was the only animal path he sees that takes him to the third upper level.
“Crockie! I did it again. There is no turning back. Come at me pod! I am Thorg!” Bird man’s hand was shaking. He did fought many titans in the past and ran away but not one nearly this huge. The plant pod was humongous! The scarecrow was scare to death and fainted from earlier.
At its third level, the landscape descended into an area, a lake that connected down to a small reservoir in the mountain. From there, it branches to Vale and Hymia. The lake had a waterfall. It was known as Ecohlen Watergrace. At the shore it rested ruins with no roof. Many statues laid on the cold floor. The senses were blended.
The Scarlett Alliance had made there way to a guard post within the forest. It was near the lake after passing the stone marshland. Portion of the Brotherhood of Knights went ahead. Hyruno’s youths were tired from countless searching and needed to rest. She even interrupted a young boy giving a present to a girl he loved. The little magic knight girl never did received the perfume. Then from behind spoke the first captain of the Alliance search party.
“My, Hyruno. That busting bosom of yours are looking finer every day. Been taking pills recently or is it pads?” Hyruno aim her rapier at his throat from that seductive whistle. The wood post was cut. It was a cliché.
“I will have your head if it was not for Melony’s forgiveness. Enough of your sick jokes.”
“Relax, it was a lovely compliment, Miss Serious. But I do say, that attitude makes you more prettier than Melon. Leading your youths to death? It is not wise as a knight captain.”
“It will be good training for the kids compare to what is to come. The weak will be weeded out.”
“Chill, Hyruno. With that look, you will be a virgin for the rest of your life. Is that why Melon been organizing blind dates within the guilds? I will be happy to take your hand for one night.” Joshual grimly smiled.
“How dare you, you vulgar beast!”
Hyruno is the type of woman that is hard to please a men. She is a gallant lady. A noble-like lady. A serious lady. A lady with a good shoulder but a poor flirter.
“Enough fooling around Joshual.” said the scarlett youths, “She is better in sword play than you captain. It’s not wise to provoke her when your loss are at eighty-one to two.”
“Fare, fare. Just to please you, we will head out as well like a good chaperone.”
One of the head scouts came to inform Hyruno the finding of the bodies. It was not just the kids that went missing. In fact, there was three others taken from the late evening. Two middle-age women and a father. They were cold and lifeless at the ruins bay being draped like animal pelts by an unknown man in cloak.
“Well, well. It is more than a kidnap it seems. It’s those damn rituals. This o’ta be fun but it is out of our jurisdiction. We’re responsible for the well beings of the youths’ safety.”
“Run with your tail tuck between your bottom if you must. Nothing more than a ransack for coins. Inform the location to those ahead now! Men, on guard! We ride southwest, HAA!!”
“Yes, captain!!” and the scout disappear. The young cavaliers went with Hryuno to the scene of the crime. They made haste. Joshual however, was planning in his head.
“Joshual, are we just going to take our time? The missing folks had been spotted!” said a fiesty boy with a wood axe standing beside his younger brother who is of the Blue Magician class-type.
“Hmm, I smell a mouse. Maybe it is just me, Tommy.” sniffing himself, “Listen Alliance! We will head northwest and make our way through the Gorge of Deceit.”
“Sir, it is counter productive! By the time we reach there, it will be midnight. The mutated Kyuetumoleks will be awaken by then.” said the bookworm girl.
“Well, if you gentlewomen and lover beaus want to rush to death, then follow Hyruno! There is a reason why the gorge is called deceit, Miha. We will make it to the strait and take the direct portal path to the ruins.”
Some alliance youths were arguing indistinctively and Joshual covered his ears.
“Blah-blah-blah. End of it! No more arguing! Yati-yata-yata, go go!” Joshual pass the second captain of the Alliance concerning about the youths safety, “You’re right, inform Phan and Zargov’s unit, we need more hands.”
“Right away.”
“Hyruno, you dearest muffin. Your hasty action will cost some of your own men’s life.” Meanwhile . . .
Seneth climb down the steeped mountain. Notice he, was being watch but by whom? The ravens? And down that road he met Eryane, sitting she was on a horizontal stalagmite, wedging her foots back and forth watching the ceremonial pleasing in action. That is what is was called. A tribute for false power. Eryane was a woman that acted like a child. She even dressed to look the part I do say. Nuj felt his goosebumps surfacing.
“The old saying goes: If you don’t tell to a man, why would you tell it to demons. They will only make it worse. Khwe-khwe. You are just in time for the grand event, Seneth! Aren’t you just a party-pooper? Hmmn, nooo? Come me, Seneth. Be lively. You are about to witness the one true knocking of reality, a monster of a union, heeey.”
“I am not here to listen to your cult-loved lectures. Eryane, what is your connection to here out of nowhere? I find it strange for a lady of your age to be wondering the forest corridors in the night. What game are you playing?”
“My, oh my toots! Should I be saying the same? I have nothing to do with it, I swear! Khwe-khwe, like I had said to you, I work for the church. You know, to heal those who had been abused; mend their hearts; my, not to mention not listening to their guilty testimonies. It’s a carpetbomb!”
“Am I living through me own kenosis. With the attitude of yours, you sounded more like a hurtful liar. Who lies to comfort herself from the iniquity of the people that had spit into your chalice. A girl who was once bully I guess, if thou art fake. Now, excuse me manners . . .”
It hurt her to be reminded of her hated past she tries many time to cast away. His words were sincere but Eryane used his sincerity against him. Seneth bypass her and her laced sweet cedar-mint perfume.
“You careee. Please, Seneth. Is that how you treat your newly girlfriend? Oh, aren’t you interested?”
“It pains me to say this but . . . good for you. Good night.”
“O I am your wife in fact. I know everything about you that is to know. You’ve been betrayed by some of your own creations.” Seneth stopped. The lady turn with her palm supporting her chin, “You are the bearer of the Mask of Unfortunate Blessings, one of the true veils, do you not? Dare I knew thee. The past friends in the days of yore; O the latter-days of young and misfortune; the days of finding. Might I were there. And it came to pass that he who made a celebrity by the nickname, Angry Joe.”
Seneth semi-turn looking at the ground, “Kwee-kwee, how funny. O bless the ever morning for the Father raise the sun over wickedness and righteousness. My, thou hast endureth sleep, thy head to the north and at night, the south. Golly, don’t tell don’t tell. For I kid you not. Remember me? Remember I? No kept secret is safe. A fluffy yellow stuffed-bunny who’ve named Joey. Felicity upon a kangaroo watching Zaboomafoo—Ha ha ha, a similar name as your newest addition of companies! Thou’ist a funny bunny.”
The cosplayer flirted with Seneth. Seneth had no time to deal with odd people and did his best to end the charade of words the lady impose on him afterward.
“That’s enough! Sheesh lady, you sounded more like a stalker. And how do you have knowledge of the celestial events that happened to I? What do you really want from me, Eryane?”
Nuj asked and the lady jump off the stalagmite and appeared hugging him from behind like an angel would. It was strange. She was there and behind, and once Nuj blink, the image of her under the stalagmite was gone.
“Nothing but to hear you say, I hate you. I too long for an unjust lover. You would not imagine what a hidden book could teach you.” circling her index around Seneth’s cheek.
Nuj was in a trance but couldn’t fully react fast enough. A weird kind of magic that felt strange as if a man who had not slept for five days; the heaviness in the muscle, the dreary of the eyes and the constant blanking out. She continues on with more of her ambiguous statements about her past struggles to win his heart. Through will, Seneth shrug the cosplayer off and gave distant.
“Lady, you make no sense.”
“Of course, I do not make sense, silly llama! Let me not be your adim?” She continues with secrets with girly teenage laughs, outburst it was, covering her mouth with hand gestures, then biting her hooked index nail and pointing toward her chin afterward, “Eeeehh, those who knows not of death knows not of life. Those who seen death knows not of the living. Those who walk with death see not the light. Those that become the light see only themselves. Those who grows from finding lights serves no masters. Teachers they all become in counsels with the man up stair. Weren’t those your words as well, hmm? Highland will condemn this as blasphemy. Khwe-khwe”
Our main ignored her, dare not to meet the eyes even as she was speaking rough draft nonsense. She was a bit bitter and let the lips loosely, a shown of her emotion.
“Tsk . . . Why . . . Why won’t you look at me? Look at me!” Continue own he went. His vagrant mind was occupied.
It was displeasing to Eryane, knowing fully, her planned conversation ended tragically. She shook herself out of this distress of hers, regain her early posture of creepiness. Yet was it not shown completely. The sad embarrassment linger, the biting and suckling of the lower lip, the sour eyebrows, the maddening lifted nose, deceiving the self to convince, all is well.
“Heeey” Pronounce without the “Y.” She said.
Her thinking pose had became such a well known trademark. An assassin came out from the upper barrier of the forest. The men of the night attack the hobo and Nuj flew away from the scene. The young had strike the hobo point blank at his heart but the bodkin flinched and chipped. The red-robe assailant was stop by their leader in the moment of the chase. They had no time to deal with hobos.
“Quit flirting, Eryane, when getting the job done early. We have a mission to complete. The Old Mother will not be please if we fail.” said the dressed-robe assassin. He was their leader carrying a small sack of interest. It was alive.
“Tsk, fine eh.”
“What about that man that had escaped?” said the young red-robe assassin.
“Leave him be. He is just a poe. Champity Champ can handle the rest of them.” said the leader. The three of them left the scene of the crime.
Seneth ran and tumble from the outer roots of trees. Panting he was, the man fell into a giant rabbit hole that took him directly to the ruins. There were indeed many routes in the tunnel but Seneth controlled his movement from the fall. Some portion of the tunnel were water slides. And he headed in the direction where the air were less foul. It was the smart thing to do but the waterworks were short. The rabbit hole had ended and he was thrown by the gravity accumulated to the front shores of Ocealon, the ruins secondary passage way. The pulling sensation in some areas of the slides as well as parts of the ruins were intense and some areas were less affected. The senses are indeed blended. It was by environmental elements and also by unknown forces. Gravity in this portion of the land did not affect the waters nor small beast, critters, and plants. Totally strange indeed.
“To recite my corny draft? Give it a rest . . . Next time, when women flirt with me, note: look out for their boyfriend! What a headache . . . lucky the mask saved my life.” Seneth took out the mask from under his jacket. There was not even a dimp on it, “Ordinary you say, huh.”
It did bother Nuj that he had not once put the mask on. To wear the mask was only a dream of his when it was in its planning stage. Now that the dawn of his dwfn came to fruition, why not try it? And did he did. The mask opens his five senses. It was clearer and he reacted faster as if the son of man found a truth of becoming a complete human. The sacred number of six in the ancient days to some. It was not the scene of visors. No mask was laid upon the face. That was how it had felt though the fingers and body are aware. The world is filled with impurities. Oh, he guess on. Such blessings that repel impurities that the dawn of dwfn lay not to rest. The veil to him, to Seneth, to Nuj; it was his Alatuir, like his sacred Omphalos. A treasure that is of trash to the common folks. This ordinary gift of trials he designed in the days of yore. Never it did came to be in words yet had manifest into the mask. And in the end, it’s just an ordinary veil.
“Well, I am not complaining.” saith this young Lord.
A nargeling noise of gluttonous consumption was heard, and Seneth went to check behind the obscene fallen capital. There it was! A man creature eating the body of one of the mid-age woman. Her body was consumed except the legs and head, chewing on the shoulder and arms. It was sickening to watch! On the floor beside the fallen structures were the cold bodies of the missing children and the father of another house. There, they sleep. Oh, the other lady that heard the scream, woke from within the horror desperately covering her mouth to not let fear out. She was afraid of confronting this creature of evil and move away slowly as the the man-beast was occupied in savory his new delicacy. The woman hid around a pile of rocks nearby frighten to death. And in the corner of that pile, there was an unbalanced hole created from slabs of geometric designs. That is when she spotted Nuj, and too she thought our hobo was a man monster.
The creature was disgusting. An invert of man. A monster living in the body of a man. Cultivated his mind within humans. The biker’s name was Champity Champ, Charles. The creature was also called by that name wearing torn and slashed punk-motor outfits in cloak. Not to mention heavy adornments and passive spikes layered. A hideous monster head came out of the lower belly resembling that of an old man who bare no beard. At far glance, it look like an inverted cricket mesh with limbs of grasshopper and tumor torso of spiders. The flesh too gave hint of insects on how it was laid. Oh, this was no creature of the abyss but of man’s experiments. My One, someone is playing God in interbreeding multiple species. It wasn’t Seneth, that I tell.
“What evil mutant is this?” The gravel made noises and the demon heard. It turn its elongated neck and spotted Nuj. He was peculiar. The creature thought Nuj was one of them!
“Oi-oi hoi humm, come to dine, friend? I have spares. The most tastiest one . . . behind those rocks over there, Oi-oi hoi humm. Fear makes food mor yhummi-yerr.” Then it went on licking those chicken licki’n fingers dripped in particular women sauces. The women was evermore scared. The man creature knew yet let her fear to be engulfed, making her a delicious meal for the coming days. One of the tactics of distrustful demons.
“No, I am here for something else.” said Seneth watching the man-beast glut, glut, glut.
“Oi-Yaaal apple apple. What yum-yum you haal?” The sounds of a cranium being crunched.
“. . . Your head.”
The demon insect stop gorging. Without warning, the lower abdomen thrust from the corner. It curved and a prickly abdomen-spear it created. Quick as shots of pin needles blew in a cannon. Nuj stop the insect’s attacks in threes. Not once he bulge from that attack using his own thumb, index and middle fingers with the help of the three sprites. Thank goodness the sprites where there. He indeed was bleeding and sure is, the monster was over leveled. Seneth hold in the pain. He had to endure or the beast will think less of him and continues gouging.
“Oi-Yaaal. You are no ordinary beeeing. What yum-yum thy nameee?” It turn and raise its body over Seneth, the shown of its manly blunted teethes.
“ . . Nuj. Well, this will be the last time I tried Tom’s Yum-Yum sauce.” He gave a ominous low chuckle, “In the name of Logos Astra, I came for the tributes for I foresaw the fallen stars. Such fascinating subject it is! He he ha, nemo mihi auxillo est”
“Nuj?” said a hidden character in the high bushes.
Champity Champ was confuse, “T-tom? Oii-art thou bleeting mad? Forsaken as thy yum yum apples knowledge oi.”
“I bleed in happiness. Face me.” The mask sounded off hysterically with a maddening-soft voice and a hand gesture he beckoned.
Seneth was playing along as a monster himself. To make the man creature fight him away from his fodder. Doing so, the lady who is aware can gather courage and flee with the survivors. There were no escape route except where Seneth stood. What a welcoming party. Life had just got complicated. What would he do now?