-
~Zhuelke Family~
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZYTjzTnrfc[/youtube]
I have begun my most lucrative job to date, as such it is finally time to log pertinent information.
It began quite simply, I sought to make a quick Wolf Fang and saw the opportunity in Frenar Goldenhammer's unpopularity. I'd heard of Shy'Nar's (quite embarrassing) assassination attempt in the Lady's Rest and decided to take it upon myself to end the infamous dwarf. We met in the Mist Camps, where we quickly formed a business rapport and headed to the wastes of Har'Akir for mutual benefit.
There, I introduced him to my brother and revealed my intention after we prepared for our expedition... I have never faced a more cunning warrior. I had to employ tactics and contingencies I had only imagined. He fought hard, he fought well, but in the end he fell.
~Blood Money~
(http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2782/bloodmoney2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/163/bloodmoney2.jpg/)
After, I took him aside and sought to communicate with his soul, where my true deception began.
~Business~
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/9641/business2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/526/business2.jpg/)
Of course I never really had an employer, but he bought into the deception readily enough. He asked how much I was paid and was quite displeased to hear/ 13,000 WF.
He offered me double, and double again; for the tidy fortune of/ 52,000 WF to supply the name of my employer and return the favor. I agreed to the terms, and would supply a name after being paid in full. He eagerly accepted. After taking rudimentary precautions, I returned his soul and we began a rather tense journey to his bank in Port City.
After being paid, he demanded a name. I had a few ideas but decided on the one he offered in his ramblings: Koryan.
"I knew it!", is how he responded. "Tell him Frenar sent ye.", his final request.
I fully intended to leave him to his devices and reap my bounty in Port City on expensive tastes and cheap thrills... until I spoke to Jade. I told her what happened, as I tend to tell her everything, and she was furious. Demanding explanation (for DEALING with Goldenhammer) and speaking nothing less then caustic venom against the dwarf. I found myself wondering the veracity of any of the -numerous- accusations against him. In our dealings, I found him to be nothing less than an honorable, if misguided, business man. And a fine one at that. Finer I have yet to find, in the Vardo or the Goose. I defended him, and myself, like some barrister. In doing so, I found how empty the smoke screen of charges truly were and I began to wonder on my actions...
I sought Goldenhammer out, and with great precaution, told him of my deception. He demanded his Wolf Fang back, I proposed another arrangement. I would offer my services for a contract, and would do all within my power (apart from die for- I do so enjoy living) to help his Clan prosper and save face. He stared at me a long while before responding...
"Usually I seek out others and hire them out. You done went and made everything backward! ...You're hired."
-
The first order of business is addressing the Clan's public image. It appears there is a smear campaign against it (literally, there is fecal matter smeared over their posters... )
I saw Goldenhammer's attempts at addressing the masses and was left... unimpressed. Too many words. I never saw the point in acknowledging baseless accusations anyway, it gives them merit.
Instead, we will adopt a new campaign~
(http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/2126/clan1m.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/541/clan1m.jpg/)
The first of many such posters to come.
It seems Goldenhammer's only true detractors are fools and inbred mutants; for good reason. There is no substantiating evidence to the various claims against my employer. In fact, all these cries of "murderer" and "monster" are comical as no one killed by Goldenhammer has managed to stay dead. Assault, I believe is the charge in such a case. Additionally (and more importantly), Goldenhammer has never broken the laws of the land... The Count's law. Labeling those who move against him as no less then the radicals and rebels they are.
Honestly, what brand of "justice" (http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=10841.msg396383#msg396383) would nearly burn down a peaceful inn and immolate it's proprietor to see an upstanding and exemplary dwarf assassinated? I wonder.
-
(http://imageshack.us/a/img41/7043/drainede.jpg)
~Enchanting Experiment: Xiii~
Testing with the souls of the deceased (http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=32285.msg398928#msg398928) has led to horrific results... I feel as if they, in all their vengeance, stole from me that which I worked so hard for.
I no longer feel the intimacy I once did with such arts; I am numb, my business ruined, and I haven't been outdoors in months. Throughout my seclusion, I feel I have come to understand some things
that have long eluded me... myself, for instance.
The damage is done, it is time for repair.
-
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmWETnxHnjA[/youtube]
How many nights have I spent hidden in the dark of these halls, with only flickering candle lights, musty tomes, and the voices to keep me company.
By the Nine how the demons torment. How they rend and gnaw the mind. How they numb and blind.
I would look at myself in the mirror and not know who I saw.
Such irony that in my practice of necromancy I almost lost my life.
Perhaps the dead are best left dead...
...and the living left to live, and to learn.
~Zhuelke
-
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG7yHCbMQ40[/youtube]
~ Mystwalker ~
.
.
.
Once upon a field of song we danced like leaves in flight.
Seasons twirled on and on, until one fateful night.
Upon a long and misty road there came an eerie sight.
A figure garbed in shadowed robe came looking for a fight.
I don't recall most of the scene, it must have been obscene.
A toll was paid, my very life is nothing but a dream.
Now gather round that you might hark of truth and myth as one.
All light retreats before old dark, so likewise we should run.
For creatures hunt inside the night, they howl and claw and bite.
They love nothing save for one thing, a lovely soul in sight.
Others still can't get their fill, it's blood they sip as wine.
Never satisfied they drink, cursed for all of time.
So Let it come, the hallowed sun, to cleanse and purge the land.
All shadows roam in places known, the light they cannot stand.
Now gather round that you might hark of truth and myth as one;
Old dark gives way again to light cast out from the sun.
.
.
.
~ Zhuelke
-
0001
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba5snb4SpQQ[/youtube]
(http://imageshack.us/a/img27/8942/universityinstructor.jpg)
~Binary~
.
.
.
There is no peace without a fight.
There is no wrong without a right.
There is no day without a night.
There is no falling without flight.
There is no up without a down.
There is no smile without a frown.
There is no lost without a found.
Everything will come around.
A cycle winds, it is called time.
Events ebb and flow, and you never know
when the bell might toll and the reaper come collect.
Recursion's hell, and I know it well.
In some time you will find
a decision before you on rewind.
Do you want to make the same mistake another time
or will you break free from your hell, and let your soul climb?
(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7596/tek501d5e3d7861a0621471.png) (http://tektek.org/avatar/50324421)
~Zhuelke
(http://users.telenet.be/denise.dinjart/geloof%20in%20beeld/straf_bestanden/image002.jpg)
0000
-
[Chorus]
Love your hate, your faith lost
You are now one of us
Love your hate, your faith lost
You are now one of us
[Verse 1]
Nothing from nowhere, I'm no one at all
Radiate, recognize one silent call
As we all form one dark flame
Incinerate
[Verse 2]
Nothing from nowhere, I'm no one at all
Radiate, recognize one silent call
As we all form one dark flame
As we all form one dark flame
As we all
[Chorus]
Love your hate, your faith lost
You are now one of us
Love your hate, your faith lost
You are now one of us
~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My years here have grown long.
I can still remember stumbling from the mists, fresh, young, naïve.
My head was shaved then, as was the custom of my homeland;
Thay.
Only slaves grew their hair, which is why, in the end, mine has grown so long.
I am a prisoner here, and until I escape every glimpse of my reflection will remind me.
I am -not- home. I am -not- free.
I am fallen, but not quite broken.
Zhuelke
-
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQn8S6CegZjStgLiKd5_8mFRlWt5372rwwLvxzV51EtJlyZH7yosw)
Today I'm 30
-
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.
/y
...
...
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5572/14836065805_86441cc5a7.jpg)
...
worms
maggots
the entire ruck
well, maybe not all of them are so bad...
piteous fate beside, it is not entirely Maudlin.
(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
YES,
I SEE YOU
.Zhuelke
-
.
DaY Z
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/da/63/de/da63de632e72c91facca3a46e0eff637.jpg)
@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...
@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...
(http://cdn4.pitchfork.com/tracks/18235/319e7778.jpeg)
.
-
(http://klyvnadenstid.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Frimurare.jpg)
=
-
[...emanating from a dark room, in a dark house...]the worms crawl in and the worms crawl out
the ones that go in are lean and thin
the ones that come out fat and stout
your eyes fall in and your teeth fall out
your brains come tumbling down your snout
Be merry my friends b̺͔̳̯͕ͅe͝ ͙̥m̡̖̥͕̞͙̩̠e̥̟r̖͔̪͓̭̺ŗý̻͇̩̤̦̜̦~
[Source: The Pogues- "Worms"]
(https://missiongalacticfreedom.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/illuminati-free-your-mind.gif)
.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQv6a4iuxRQ/VncC5QTaSmI/AAAAAAAAAhU/89m-qf0HC2g/s500-Ic42/tumblr_mv1b9hgx1O1sbgx8go1_500.gif)
-
-
.
Witch
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/da/63/de/da63de632e72c91facca3a46e0eff637.jpg)
@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...
@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...@...
(https://www.earnthenecklace.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Radioheads-Burn-The-Witch-Lyrics.jpg)
.
-
.
She coursed through the book. Flipping, flipping.
There
She found it.
*
Tap, Tap, Tap,
*
-
Why I ought to-
where am I going?
What am I doing-
WHO WAS
THAT?
.
.
Lazula walked her halls,
holes in the heel and sole of her leggings.
She didn't get out much.
Her proceeds had gone to supplying all her needs.
It wasn't pretty.
Dusty, a little musky.
Bits, odds and ends scattered all along the perimeter,
but there was a certain formula to the madness.
This wasn't profane,
in any sense of the word.
A bottle clacked against another on a shelf as she sought some thing.
A book.
Yes, it had been calling to her some time now.
Some spirit therein,
manifesting
here
there
everywhere
It was calling.
For a long
long
time.
-
music used for mind control(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PHC_uQzZJdc/UWaG6QAQnmI/AAAAAAAAYlc/ryUrwR2SitU/s1600/puppetmaster.gif)
There was a rumbling.
Like laughter.
But
deep,
and
dark.
With strings did
he conduct
his symphony,
like hooks did the ends stick from
his puppet's flesh.
Hm
?A horn was sounding from above...
A puppet was running, from below...
its strings went taut; It twisted, it pulled.
...
he was furious!
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpufeouD9o1qdnwiro1_500.gif)
-
Dungeons & Dragons
(https://65.media.tumblr.com/4ee24f2c0390e9145ce3761b82712d4a/tumblr_ogo4lbq2oN1unlm3do1_1280.jpg)
[/right]
They know me by many names now, she thought, viewing herself in the vanity.
Her hair was mousy and black and big brown eyes appraised her.
She smoothed her cloak. She smiled; Unhinged.
Yes.. They would have so much fun.
[/left]
Lazula strode through the halls.
She paused before a door by the end.
Her hand came to rest upon the door, as she sought to absorb the sudden surge of emotion she felt.
Emotion? She stared at her hand upon the door.
This was some dream.
She pushed through the door.
The light greeted her,
and she smiled.
(http://hideyourarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/productimage-picture-critical-hit-16659.png)
-
An Age Ago
Don't be afraid...
... be ruthless.Lazula watched her father as he strode back to his position, where he crossed his arms, to observe.
He nodded her on. She turned, facing the bound slave. His eyes were wide, glistening like stars, pleading.
She raised her hand, the subsonic reverberations of the incantation growing from within her as she murmured and eldritch tendrils slowly began to swirl up her arm, coalescing into a pulsing sphere of annihilation before her outstretched palm.
The slave struggled at his bonds, muffled cries escaping.
Her father was watching, she knew what was expected.
Her eyes narrowed.
Whispers seemingly surrounded her as she roared the final component-
¡ URO !
The twinkling spell roared forth from her outstretched hand, strobing violently and setting the room to a hellish scenery.
Effects tossed and swirled in the spell's wake.
In his frenzy, the slave managed to break free of a bond;
his gag.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
+
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vNp-Lf93LSA/sddefault.jpg)
|
There was a scream before it was silenced by a deafening explosion.
Debris and smoking viscera shot and bounced from the source, something cut Lazula's cheek, wincing her eye, though she did not turn from the pyre of her doing...
She stared, the inferno flickering and wavering over her face in hellish tones.
A hand clutched her shoulder, and only then did she turn her fixation.
Her father's face was illuminated by the blaze ahead. He was pleased; greatly.
She turned back to her work and smiled; wicked.
||-Roleplay Profile- (http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=37963.msg562407#msg562407)||
-
+
|
TERMINAL.EXEPrologue
She saw it.
They were coming for her now.
She couldn't help but grin.
It had been some time since things were so exciting!
Wolf fang or solar couldn't afford what she just bought herself in to.
She snapped her fingers together and a napalm flame bloomed an inferno in her palm.
It molten swirled at its core; some pulsing plasma entity like an abject heart of the spell.
She could feel her capillaries itching at the thought of release. Instead there was an uncomfortable readjustment, as she relaxed her instinct.
Not yet, she smiled.
The guests hadn't arrived.
What fun was a deal if one couldn't be broken every once in a while?
(https://res.cloudinary.com/teepublic/image/private/s--ynl4GLyK--/t_Preview/b_rgb:262c3a,c_limit,f_jpg,h_630,q_90,w_630/v1446244776/production/designs/298511_1.jpg)
(http://www.wwalls.ru/large/201305/63109.jpg)
,,,I see you {
Ma^.vGog}. I bind you..
+
|
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter IThe Scarlet Crescendo
The writing was on the wall.
"Miseria Canet?"
She glanced back; quizzical.
He was already watching her, giving her pause.
He moved to speak. "Misery will sing."
She turned back to the wall, after a lingering moment.
His eyes...
They consumed her.
She gasped as he entered her space.
Uninvited, but not unwelcome.
He looked pensive.
She watched him; critically.
He touched the wall, indicating the writing.
"Its a composition... the "Ode to Joy""
He looked at her and smiled.
"Its beautiful."
She blanched and he turned back to the writing on the wall,
his infatuation with the graffiti, evident.
He was smiling.
She frowned.
She dreamed of him.
Aria of Sorrow
"RavenLof"
Cold night, Stormy heights
Cliff side, momentary flash of light
She's falling faster then she learned to fly
This is what it must be like when angels cry
a diamond forms in the heavens and falls out of the skies
it lands into the waters, and shimmers then it dies
letters are the preferred messenger of suicide
lets take a look inside to find the meaning of the rhyme
~~~
in a castle in the mists
she stands upon the precipice
and in that place of life or death
she found no reason to draw breath
without his love there's nothing left
and so she took one final step
and plunged into the darkest depths
to join the damned and nothing less
(http://orig05.deviantart.net/6883/f/2013/139/7/e/fireball_fx_2d_animation_test_by_bat_19-d65jxxv.gif)
PRIMORDIAL FLAME
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter IIMisaria
She clipped on a dangling golden earring. It glimmered in the near-dark.
Myriad patterns accompanied and accented her modelling, from the shards missing of the broken mirror she admired her visage from.
Elsewhere in the ruined abode,
Freude was busy sampling the linen.
"Oy, this is a fitter, this!"
She agreed.
It fit him wonderfully. She applauded cheerily.
He posed.
My hero.
"Real horror-show, that."
He was right. It didn't look good at all. The way was long, and winding, and treacherous.
They would have to go all the way back around...
unless...
He drew his sword.
"Ready ta put your name on it?"
She was.
She dreamed of him.
The reality was, there was no going back.
It was the ruins of Boulevard or the Syndicate.
That was basically a life of slavery.
Freude was a star, before the fall.
Now he was a hero.
They were in love.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/87/d4/70/87d470218acb9e4c735dee02ca082f36.jpg)
Outside, thunder rolled.
She awoke suddenly,
panting in a moment's frenzy, clutching the covers to her chest.
The room-light flickered by some distant celestial discharge, a nearby electrical-boom rocked her apartment and set everything to rattling.
She shrank back in bed, propping on an elbow. Her breathing steadied. Still she clutched her covers.
The heavens continued to rumble, but distantly, and never so intimate like before.
The rain hissed outside her window.
Her room was sketched every time the window flashed and flickered.
She stared into the darkness...
It was the same dream every night.
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter IIIMa.Gog
It scuttled in the dark:
sickening.
Lazula lied in bed.
Her covers drawn over her nose;
but not her eyes.
It moved again.
She could see.. parts of it:
quivering.
Glistening.
It squelched and she froze solid.
It descended on her.
She woke gasping for breath.
Eyes wide.
In the morning she found the book upon the floor.
Its spine open and face down.
She picked it up, and turned it over, smoothing the crease in its page;
she gave pause.
Therein, was some message.
Someone left it for her.
Someone was telling her something.
Someone...
Something.
Outside the winds were tempestuous.
She walked to the pier. She enjoyed the ocean.
Walking helped clear her mind.
Get her out of her caustic monotony.
The sun felt good, and was especially beautiful left glittering off the horizon.
It reminded her,
of home.
(http://pre12.deviantart.net/f317/th/pre/f/2012/288/6/b/the_guards_of_magog_by_furciferpardalis-d5hw5pg.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter IV
404
It was addictive.
She knew,
but she couldn't help herself.
(http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/070311_rg_SlurmEnergyDrink_01.jpg)
What was a vice among viceroys?
(https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/76-viceroy-butterfly-amy-kirkpatrick.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Let's ride!
Chapter V
"Nexus"
Where was Flowstate?
How was unimportant about a minute ago.
They were in hot pursuit.
They weren't playing around either.
He had to escape,
or all was lost.
Everyone was depending on him,
even if they didn't know it..
Yet.
(https://33.media.tumblr.com/7f992ea4dc56957234e102b4c8605a44/tumblr_n71biglRCg1tn7e6io1_r1_500.gif)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter Vi
"Reverie"
Where was Flowstate?(https://s30.postimg.org/tbf0r28ip/lazkills006.jpg)
(https://s10.postimg.org/nx4e1aoa1/lazkills005.jpg)
(https://s15.postimg.org/6nbijwm3v/abedies.jpg)
(https://s29.postimg.org/675qlsclj/pathetic.jpg)
(https://s8.postimg.org/7sdfboyh1/lazkills009.jpg)
(https://s4.postimg.org/h3d2d2uu5/lazkills002.jpg)
(https://s14.postimg.org/ml5mcs8bl/lazkills008.jpg)
(https://s1.postimg.org/s35ecz9m7/lazkills007.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter VII
"TERMINATOR"
She couldn't get away from it.
Any where she went.
It followed her.
(http://i.imgur.com/vZhHVyn.gif)
M̳͈̳̯͝a҉͈̞̠͕̙͈͉.̛͇͖̫G̭̼̠͇͚͓ọ̬͇g̰̹̬̞̪̬͞(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
(https://s17.postimg.org/azaww5fn3/lazkills010.jpg)
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5572/14836065805_86441cc5a7.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter VIIIOnce Upon a Time Ago
(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
N͓O̧̭̮̪̤̞̬ T͇͕͚̬͡H̴̠Ị͈̗N͍G̲
̫̜̫͚͔̘̀ͅNO̥͇̟͖̱̺ T̯̪͍̬H͎͔͉͇̝̠I̳̬̯̪̝͍N̩̗͎̹̬̟Ģ̯̟̱̠͇̪̟
̯̗̥̗N̤͟O̰̙̦̪ T̟̺͙̦̤̩̮H̺̖͓͝I̷̹̻͖̱͓̪Ṇ̗͓̼G̞̮͚
̮̪̮̳̲N̫̝̘̻͇̥̹͜O̸̖ B̼̻OḌY̖̱͓͔̦̯̺͝(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
(https://s3.postimg.org/knib6971f/Black_Dragon_dragons_27187834_1024_768.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
*/Warning, Adult Themes
Chapter iX
Monochromia
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter X
Fnord (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fnord)
"Lazula."
She turned from her studies.
Piles of scrolls, musty tomes, and strange fetishes surrounding her place of...
higher learning.
Her father watched her.
"Are you ready?"
She didn't know what for.
"Yes, daddy."
He smiled, and she rose, following him.
They walked the halls of the palace. Slaves minded their duties.
They knew to keep their eyes to their station.
Failure to adhere, was always severe.
The fear was intoxicating.
The power: my god.
Lazula was a child,
yet she commanded such fear from her peers,
after all,
she was the heiress of house Zhuelke.
Though not the eldest, her oldest brother was a warrior,
and died some time ago. Her remaining brother...
was good for little but his degenerate habits and lifestyle.
She was the favorite, and a prodigy, at that.
Her father brought her to the ritual chambers,
off limits but for his allowance.
Within were a number of children; new slaves.
"Lazula."
She studied the waifs curiously, annoyed by their smell.
Her father smiled. "I'm afraid I acquired one too many."
"You have a good -eye- for these things, beloved.
Which one should we remove?"
Lazula left his side.. and paced before the baker's dozen.
They quivered, and sniffled, some cried.
While annoying, what was worst was the defiance of the one she stopped before.
He was taller than the rest... strong, handsome.
It was Lazula's turn to smile, though there was no warmth to it.
He stood straight, and proud.
She stared him down, and he did not budge an inch.
"Well?" Her father chimed.
"Her." She indicated the girl beside him, she went pale.
As did the boy. Her father laughed.
"No!" The boy cried, and Lazula knew she had chosen proper.
She had an eye for such things.
The rest would learn quickly,
like every one else.
(https://s23.postimg.org/dhkky5xcb/thayin_tattoos_by_savagedryad.jpg)
-
*/Warning, Explicit Content
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XI
Love Me
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/04/09/8a/04098a7fdc15edc0c768433f8c2d2215.gif)
(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
L̷e̜̹̖̫͉̬͟t̴̻̺͓s̭̲͘ ͚̟̠̣̺̹́ͅp͕̙̥̰̗̼̲l̡͔̻a̺̮̳͉̹̪y̟ ̛̗a͓͉̦̝͚͈͢ ̻̤̗̤̠̥̙̀g̶̖͇a҉̙͚̰͓̬̞͕m̶̝e̟͠!̭̪
(https://s3.postimg.org/knib6971f/Black_Dragon_dragons_27187834_1024_768.jpg)
help me
somebody
please
save me. .
.
S̛̰̩̲̙̝̦̮h͉͚h҉̤̳̼h̨̩̜h̜̜͟, s͟h͏h̪̻̗̦͇..(https://media.giphy.com/media/wHPGUIpU5UPqo/giphy.gif)
T͎͜h̷̤̯̼͕̣e͎̳̼͔̥re͢ ̢̘͔̪̘i̷̗͍̺̪̯ͅs̛̝͉͕͉̜̩s̛̝͉͕͉̜̩ ̶no͍̥̦͢ ̼͓̘̫n̴̯̣e̟̗̭̺͍̙e̸̲̻̮̼ḍ̛͓͙̮̜̜ͅ ͕t̸͍̯̭̙͍̯o̴͇̭̟̻̗̳ͅ ̰̩̞̯̲͔̫͝f̸̰̺͙eͅa̹r..
C͓̼h̺̻e̝̮̪̬̼͓͝r̼͈͖͚͠ub̩͚̱͍̹ḁ̶̠̯̞͎e͎̞̰̠̗̲̦l̞͎̘̖͖̻ i̜͙̼̬̮̘̱͢s̤͎s̛̝͉͕͉̜̩ ̡h̻̪̪̫̪e̡̪͉̫r̡̰e͎.
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XII
BusKing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_performance)
"What has science wrought!?"
(https://s22.postimg.org/4gea3jbn5/yuyulaz.jpg)
(If you look closely you can see how bad we are.)
(https://s9.postimg.org/gqz4rctkv/one_shot.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XIII
Mars Mission
(Visions from the Firmament)
(https://s23.postimg.org/optr07t63/lazi.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XIV
Ground Control
(https://s23.postimg.org/r4ge1m9rf/Connie.jpg)
(https://s23.postimg.org/vrmg3dx4b/Constantine.jpg)
N̼͘È̤̲̺͕̜ͅX̞̥͔̠̹T͚̲̲̙͡ ͙͎͡T͖͇̮̜̝͎Ì͉̮M̭͙͇͉̫͜ͅĘ͓͔̙͎͓,͈͚̙̜ ̝B̕O̖͓͟Y̖̝̱ͅ!̦͍͉̝͞Ş̖̺͔̲͍͇̮͇͝Ş͇̣͎̝̖O̝̪͉͢O̩̪̖̜̬̘̣̱̕͝N̬̪͓͔͚̺̤͎ͅ(https://s3.postimg.org/knib6971f/Black_Dragon_dragons_27187834_1024_768.jpg)
...
And all these moments will pass,
along with our lives....
(https://s4.postimg.org/df9ejc8yl/1219958139268.jpg)
...
In to dust and ashes....
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XV
Good Luck
void main()
void body()
void mind()
void soul()
//subject.invalid...
/*subject.invalid
Administering Genome
K͙͔͔̺E̯͔ͅE̳͎̟̳̬̯̲P̹̼̙͉ ̺Ỳ̪Ǫ̗U͎̮̳̼͟R̦̟̲ ͉͎Ę̙̼̘͇Y̧E͘S͕̀ ̳̞̲̤̪͝Ư̻P̶ ̹͈͈͉̱H̗E͠R͖͍̳̱͕̘͚E̗̥͙͘,̛͉ ̵͚̪̻̮T҉̻̩̝͖͕R͚̩͎͔̜̫̳E̷̮͙̖̳̼A̛̼̝͈̯̫̯Ṱ͡.̢̩̫̩̼͉͖(https://s3.postimg.org/knib6971f/Black_Dragon_dragons_27187834_1024_768.jpg)
T͍͓͍̗͓H̸̙E̛͉͓R̨̙̬̹E̡̼̺ ̵̘͕͎͖̭͔̻I͕̳̻̯̠S͔̗ ̮͔͉͔͖̙̕ͅN̢͎̙̪͕͍̰͍O̠͕͖͓͙̹ ̢̭G̩͍̮̤̘͖͡O҉D̩͔̩.͓̩̪̭(https://s15.postimg.org/nivskdvfv/6_Mmc_Rup.gif)
n̸ọ͕.̢̖.!(http://hideyourarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/productimage-picture-critical-hit-16659.png)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XVI
Heat
D̤̦̙o̢̺n̩̫͖'̬t̢͉͕͙͓̬̳͉ ͙͍̘̯̪͕f̩̝̗̠o͏͎̞̣̠r̸̭͓̖̯̲ͅg̩͙̜̹̱̣et̨͎̼̹͖͕̯̠ ̳͍͕th̫̳̣̝͇͖̝e̗͎͈͔͜ ̗͇͈̼͕͖M̟̤̰̯̪̟ͅi̴̙̰̝s̯̠̀s̴̬ͅs͙̭̯̼͔u̖s̭̪̠̖͍s̯̪͜!(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
T͔̦̣̺̙ͅh̫͚̘̯͖̹͔e̩̬͙ŕ̹̖̲̩̩̪̭e̵̫̟͈̲͓̙̤ ͢i̵͙̺̫̺s̵̭̱̘̳ ҉͖Ạ̦ ̥G̯͓̖a̫̟̯̺̲͓̕m̛̼͈ͅe̶̖͔̙̻ ̤̩̹͠i͟n̼̦̻ ͖̲̞̥ͅN̝̩̻̳a͓̥͈m̩͍͍es͚̪͚͍̖̬̣(https://s29.postimg.org/7hxqrayfb/HEAT.jpg)
(https://s11.postimg.org/4mlad6qk3/HEAT2.jpg)
S̠̼͘ͅQ͉̼̥͙UI͕R̥͉͙̤̻M̭̗̖,͙͚̘̟̝̲ ̧̩̯W̷͚͖͇̰̖Ŗ̲͇̲̙͈̝͓I͖G͙̖͔̦̳̮͡ͅG̥̣̫͚L̡͙̱̜̪̤̟͇E,̰͠ ̫̺̞̘̗W̻R̫͖̞͓̭̲͓I̗̻̹̜G͈̬͓̰̭̻͎͜G̩̟͞L̷̞͓̬E͙̦(https://s3.postimg.org/knib6971f/Black_Dragon_dragons_27187834_1024_768.jpg)
L̸͔I̗̻̜̙̭̘T̲̗͚̩T̟L̯͕̞͖͡E̖̳̘̟͕̣ ̹̳͉ͅW̧͖͕̪͎̣̼O͓̼͍R͈̖͕͜M̸̪̦̮̫̬̬
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XVII
Ashes & Dust
(https://s13.postimg.org/93jjd3347/Remarkable2.jpg)
(https://s15.postimg.org/bn0f5k7sb/Remarkable.jpg)
Truly, truly remarkable...
(https://s2.postimg.org/8yfddl0rt/17818080_1398525096879920_5693269567946620928_n.jpg)
(https://media.giphy.com/media/DokIx08jxZIv6/source.gif)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XVIII
Star Spawn
Oh yes, they were killers;
In deed.
She loved it.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtJVOe236UE/VNjnXmODUYI/AAAAAAAConc/A0fto1-Uuwo/s1600/Hossein-Zare-6.jpg)
(https://media.giphy.com/media/jzw9G5Yvi2PXW/giphy.gif)
(https://my.mixtape.moe/iwrmwt.gif)
-
(https://orig07.deviantart.net/19ea/f/2011/327/7/3/bg2_edwina_by_enkida-d4h37io.jpg)
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XiX
Tooth & Nail
iO̱̬̞̪̹̖U̷Ṱ̱̜ O̴̮̟̗̳͔̘F̝͡ M̝̭̲̯Y͞ W̝A̶̪͖ͅY̩͘!(http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mapy2knVAv1r4n4dqo2_500.gif)
She dreamed of him...
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/8748a4c285a57832f8e9c7227c6ae8f7/tumblr_mju2edv9Dt1qf2huro3_500.gif)
(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
The Lion roared within its cage.
I was fascinated... The Zulkir had a den of them,
this was the prize of the pride. The apex predator;
the
Alpha:
Caged before me.
My father had won it by... some omission.
He certainly had his ways.
It roared within its cage, setting the servants teetering and on edge.
AhhH!They cowered so~
My father strode forth, then;
amidst the din and the silence.
The Lion snarled like unto itself;
savage.
My father entered its proximity: heedless of its deathly pallor.
He strode forth and stretched out his palm.
...
There was a deep and rumbling guttural sound,
and the Lion licked his palm.
Great gobs of saliva dripped as he turned.
My father laughed madly as he grasped his hand;
squelching.
I had never seen him happier.
That magnificent creature chained beside him;
docile.
"We are gods of the dead, not of the living, Lazula.
*He grinned*
That title belongs to another."The Lion roared, smashing the cage.
It was frightening but my father only laughed,
and the Lion never struck him.
I never knew pity until then,
when I had seen what my father had done.
My heart did weep.
(http://pre09.deviantart.net/50da/th/pre/i/2011/311/f/4/lion_vs_dragon_by_brown73-d4fglwp.jpg)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XX
Final Science, the Sciencing
iO̱̬̞̪̹̖U̷Ṱ̱̜ O̴̮̟̗̳͔̘F̝͡ M̝̭̲̯Y͞ W̝A̶̪͖ͅY̩͘!
Oh, yes~
She could see within the variables so many outcomes.
Few and many appealed to her so very, very much.
But still...
Something tore at her.
Within those infinitesimal fractals... and radials... and subliminals-
that is to say, those things she was not even aware she was observing-
/Yes
/No
Perhaps?
Where was this all leading..?
Oh,
Yes~
Here we are again.
At the heart of it.
It is beating so slow...
and steady.
It is ready.
For the final Mysteries.
(https://s2.postimg.org/f1lwosv21/warning-red-blinking-sign-animated-gif-1.gif)
(https://s14.postimg.org/gpncs1yht/1499078638351.jpg)
Oh, Yes~
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XXI
Beyond Mortal Ken
In seclusion, she could hear so clearly...
She could see so dearly.
Long and serpentine ways;
snaking, twisting, winding.
How can a man dwell there?
Sssimply. They cannot.Lazula gave pause.
Are you surprised?Simply not.
Hey, at leasst we're talking again!I will be free from you, worm.
No sooner were the words said when there was a rumbling in her guts..
iA̰̲̳̖̕R͖̜̠͜E͕͕̼̞̲͕ ̶̥͈Y͏̻̤̪͖̝ͅO͇͘U̮̹̝̖̩͢ ̬̻̪̱̖̺͜S͈̯̙̣U̦͔̖̬̲̮R̲E͖̲?
(https://s3.postimg.org/knib6971f/Black_Dragon_dragons_27187834_1024_768.jpg)
(http://data.whicdn.com/images/281360173/original.gif)
-
TERMINAL.EXE
Chapter XXII
Manslayer
c̗̰̀o̦m̬̬̝̘e̷̠, c̫̜̬̻͓͝ͅo̵̩̱̥̲̣̙m͏͎̘̮̙͖͈ͅe̝͔̞ ҉̝̱̯͓̤͇ṕ̺̙͙̞̺̘l̗̩̱͝a̰͝ý̞̳(https://s3.postimg.org/knib6971f/Black_Dragon_dragons_27187834_1024_768.jpg)
(http://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/blood-gif-7.gif)
She couldn't quite recall where she was...
or how she got there...
It was all a haze... a distant, fetching dream.
She was standing, still, but her hand was missing.
She was distantly aware of a pain consuming her,
she didn't really want to acknowledge it; it cost her the rest of her motor faculties as a result, however.
She sort of stood there as every thing came back to her in a rush.
They we closing in now. A great mob of them.
Some were already dead at her feet. Curled and blackened.
She smiled, wretchedly, flexing her remaining fingers.
It was enough,
and if not,
she was
dying
to
try
A̮͍̫̱͈̕ͅ ̨̠͙͚p̴̹̬̙o͖̮w̪̠̣͓̳͝e͖̗r ̪̯͝c̦̝̩̤̯̥̬̀on̪̝͖s̤u̼͔̥m̴e̱d̴̼ ̙͍̮͉̲h̥e͓͍̱r̵̰̥͎̺̗̬͎.̰̺̣̼̣̗̲(https://s26.postimg.org/cuo7txfih/e479310edc3ff117cc28dbc89a99c2e7.jpg)
(https://media.giphy.com/media/znOqUNAC63ore/giphy.gif)
-
TERMINAL.exe
Chapter XXIII
Babylon
They knew her now.
What she truly was.
A devil.
(http://img60.laughinggif.com/pic/HTTP2pvbGVuZWhhbGV5LmNvbS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAxNi8wOC9naXBoeS0zLmdpZgloglog.gif)
And yet she sang so sweetly,
just beyond their sight...
And never in the light.
(https://i.imgur.com/GvyNsJC.jpg)
(https://media.tenor.com/images/61cd5b37d23cb2b0abfe18b380959ea4/tenor.gif)
(https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1489498634ra/22220379.gif)
O you prisoners of the mist...
iCome play!
-
TERMINAL.exe
Chapter XXIV
iSeeStars
Lazula
What do you see?
Was it a trick?
Could it be?
Him?
She dreamed of him...
No...
it was a dream.
She couldn't recall.
Not properly...
A fever dream.
Nothing more.
Closing the door behind her, she attended the lecture as she was wont to do.
She couldn't be alone like before.
She needed somewhere to be.
Somewhere to belong.
Somewhere
he was waiting.
There was a pain in her stomach, but it did not lurch like before.
She was in astonishing health...
ever since her encounter with Constantine those months ago.
Miloslovici.
She wondered about him. He abandoned his faith to take it where he would.
She saw a lion in him, but now there was only ashes and dust.
How was Leon? Such a precocious youth. She nearly killed him in her ego.
She was full of it.
But weren't they all?
She was certain.
It made her laugh.
She looked mad, then;
Her hair a tangle, ancient and brier, seated among the youth.
There was some seniority to be certain, but they were largely disillusioned.
She had seen it before.
It was no wonder, then, when he turned to her, and caught her smile,
reflecting it like a dream.
And though they spoke at length:
She was speechless.
she dreamed of Him...
-
TERMINAL.exe
Chapter XXV
Blood Sacrifice
She had to make things right.
Everyone was counting on
him.(https://media.tenor.com/images/75b7912758f37cc4554b90db2f672035/tenor.gif)
They needed
her...For one last job.
She could retire in peace.
She couldn't resist.
She sat at the shores, her cloak torn and tattered,
Her hair long, and tangled.
The sea breeze played over her, but she knew not what truly lay beyond the mists.
She was going to find out,
if it killed her.
She had spilled too much blood,
only her tears would wash this away.
She couldn't explain it,
so she sat alone.
She smirked.
(https://s1.postimg.org/2may3mlelb/1502235850981.jpg)
They'll never see us coming...With haste,
She moved.
"No.. they won't."
That's the wrong way...
She grinned.
"I don't think so."
YOU WILL BURN.
She closed her eyes..
Together, then.
She dreamed of him.
(https://s1.postimg.org/6qpcmt1aof/sleeping_beauty.jpg)
My Hero.
-
TERMINAL.exe
Chapter XXVi
Femme Fatale
She played a dangerous game.
It was a sheer slope. A drop into annihilation.
Utter & irrevocable.
She couldn't quite explain it, but that was nothing new.
She felt it in her bones;
Knew it in her soul.
A pain took her then,
Her head filling with a high pressure delirium.
Though she was sitting at her study, she was perspiring at the brow, and shaking.
A deep turn of her stomach made her green and she lowered her head.
It was all she could do when the voices began...
We͉̗ ̢͔͚͉̰̗͍̯a̘̥͔r̝e̵ ̵̗g͙͇̝̥͢o̸̙̣͓d̠̭̝̼̕s̴̯ ̴of͈̝̘̫̥ ͖͈̟̥̲̪̗t͜h̹̳̞͓͈e͕͍̬͙̪͎̻ de̢͖͎̳a̷͙̘d̡͙̤͉̗̫!̥̙̩̖҉͖
̻́O͉͖̥͍̹r͖̫̥̮͢ig̩̳i̜͉̲ͅn̛͖̘à̹͙͍͈͓l̫̠̲ͅ-̰̪͟ ̻̲̘͔͍̞͈W͚̞̭͈e̤̥͓̙̝̣ ͟ạ̭r̡̖̫ͅè͍͍̳ ͈͕̥͈̩o̮̻̘r͚̺i̴̬̖͎͚̝gi̛̺͙n̖̣̥̫̟͘a̼̺̲͖̣̜l͇̲̮͔̞ͅ.̤͖̺̲ͅ
̷̼ͅ
̳̬̱͎̹̳͙B̰̠̣͟e̥͙̳̹̕a͔͎̬̳u̳ţ̹̺͔̣̫̙i̭͙̱͈ͅf͕͉u̲̜̫ͅl̮̮̥͉͟.̺͎̻.̨͕̺
̨͔̥͎̬
̭͇̮̠̥i̦W̹̞͔͠R͎̝̞͔̙R̯͇̻ͅR̘̜̝͇̥̩R̞̠̖̝̼R̩͔̫̯̼ͅY̜̯͎̰̩̞̙͞!̷̸͎̘͎͙̲͖̩̩͖̬
̰͙̖͍̥͙Yó̬u͕͔ ̬a̫̠r̡͎̖̥e̥͎͓͔͓̮̼ ̮̪̥̩̣̠̲͞ņ͕o̱̲̤͓̳̯t͠h̥̻̳̰i͏̪̻n͏̹̯̭̱g̲̞̫-̯͕ ̸̬̝͉͎n̥̪o̹t̨̺̦̣̳̮̠h̬͍̭͙͎̘̫͘in̟̝̳͉g͇̰͟!̞̕ ̦͓̦We̘̩̜̣͍̬̫-͇̗̥͇̗͔́ ̢̙͎̲̩̣ͅw̦̟͓̣̗͖e̘̲̰̦- ̠̠̯͈̹͎̳we̘̩̜̣͍̬̫ a͇̪̭̗̥̼r̵͙̤͈e͍̥̠̕ ͟su̩̦͇p̰̫̜e͍̠̻r͇͇̹͉̤͘ͅi̴͈̜o͇͚̳̜r̻̼͓͕̭̗̺.̮͎͔͙͈̕
͉͘
(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
̷͙͍̦͉͔̹
̥̹̗́ͅL̸̩̩̗a̛̤̥̣z͔̹̭̥ͅu̵̜̣l̰͔̠͓̩͢a͔̼̭͔͎̞,͓̭͎̭͍̞͘ ̶L͈͕̮̠̝͉ą̗̫̮̙z̯̯ͅu̮͚̤̗̩̪͕l̬͍͝á,̮͙̖͕͠ ̣̭̲͔ͅẂ̰̤̪̞̺̲̣h̵y̦̟͎̯̬?҉
̦̤̞̩̬ͅ
̸̹̹̩͍̣s͎̤̳̙͙͓u̥̗͠i̴̤c͎̦͙̟i̦͚̳̣͘d̶e̺͚̳̞̻̺̜̗̹͙̭
̫̩̠̘L̟̼͕͝a͏̘z̦u̼̥̲͠l̡a̗̯͖̲?͉̣̣̤ͅ
̸̜͇̟
̡̘̟͇S̩U̡̫I͔͡CI̤͕̺̟̣͕͝DELazula!She gasped for air, then.
Panting, and sweating.
She trembled;
Violent:
And alone.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/gbCCTfjdRHtsI/giphy.gif)
A whisper cut the din,
H̳͟a͏v̲̱e͏̼̟ ͉͈͙̳͚͖y͓̮̹͟o̦̳̬͖u͉͉̯̼ ҉̯͚̼̫f̷̱͎̺o̕r͍ͅg̡̝o͈̦̙̮͡t̡̠̗͙̤t͉͔̰e͏̪͍̻̣̜̼ͅń͍̲,͓̪̯̟̦̮͘ͅ ̷̬͚̱̬͔ͅa̝͈̫l̶̘̬̘r̰͖̩̪̝͔̳e̷̳̹̖̤̺ͅád̡͈͕̙̗ͅͅy?̫̤̪͖̝̳͕̮͙̣̹͚̖̙I͔̪̝̰s͈̤͉̪͇ ̲̘͖̲̙͓o̮̭ṳ̘̼̰̮̤͡ͅr̟͙̥͢ͅ ͉v͠e͈̥͢ǹ̩̳ͅg̱̙̬é̖̞̗̭͖a̶͚ǹ̬̩̣̤cȩ̗͖̩̫͔͍ ͔̞̭̟s̤͙̗̀u̘͝ch ̻̤͈͙f͕̥͓̖͓͠o҉͕l̵̤͇͇̯ͅl̬͡y͖͎̱͕͢?͕̦̩͍͍̝̠҉̙͕̮͖Ar̯̣͇̩͈̩͇͢e̤̻ ́y̞͈͚óù̖̱̥͇̬̙͖ ͝g̡̮̻͓̭ọ̮̰i͎n͚͉g̖̫̜͇̹͞ t͏̜̘̦͓͚̰̖o̼̥̯ ͙̭͕͎̤l͔̥̳ͅe̠̞̠t͖ t͔̭̖̭h̦e̵̬̝m͙̭̝̲̹͉ ̢͓̺̥̠w͞i̭̠̼̰̕n̹?̵She set her face, and raised her head.
"You are them."
(https://i.imgur.com/trJH3ux.gif)
And then there was silence.
-
TERMINAL.exe
Chapter XXVii
The Hands That Bind
"What if I told you I'm sort of scared of you?"
The caravan creaked as the duo were transported so capriciously through the Core.
She considered him then, a pair of dark eyes flickered beneath her cowl.
Ultimately, she smiled.
"Fear not, little one; perhaps there is a lesson, there."
Her smile was fleeting, as too her fixation, which she turned to view out a small port window of the caravan they presently traveled by.
The Mists filtered by... sometimes carrying strange portents & omens....
Some times voices.
His voice broke her from her ennui,
"Lazula... where are you from?"
She clutched her staff, then, as she returned her gaze.
He wondered to those dark orbs, which he knew too also shone as other colors;
Mood depending. Such strange moods, such alien notions... She spoke:
"I was borne in shadow & hell,"She paused to consider his reaction. There was none as he watched her, intently.
"Yet far do I hope to die from it all."She couldn't hold his gaze, so turned away, adjusting her staff to view out the port window once more.
She gazed thus, and he was silent.
(http://residencestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/creepy-tree-halloween-decorations.jpg)
Somewhere,
Out there,
They were waiting...Flexing, writhing, wriggling & squirming to get back to her.
Those horrible, those terrible, those inhuman spells:
That magic!
She had given up an extensive portion of her mana, by choice,
in a last bid effort to change her ways,
before they consumed her:
Forever.
She never felt better.
She thought of him, then, glancing from the window..
He, too, was waiting.
(http://www.cskaggs.com/uploads/1/2/7/1/12711865/published/depositphotos-45317759-original.jpg?1508056859)
She dreamed of him.
-
TERMINAL.exe
Chapter XXViii
Once Upon a Time Ago
(http://www.cskaggs.com/uploads/1/2/7/1/12711865/published/depositphotos-45317759-original.jpg?1508056859)
Simpler times, in
deed.
Never before could she channel these energies...
Her rampant
Necromancy constricted other faculties of her being,
Divinations were beyond her; blasted secret!
Let alone this new font... this healing mana....
Where did such a thing come from? She was finally able to pierce the veil of invisibility at will, no longer was she required for tinctures and vestibules for sight beyond.
Yet the cost.
The price.
Her birthright...
What her father had given her, was a
plague on mankind.
She vowed
against the eldritch, now.
She didn't need spells to charm.
Nor to invoke that
final, that
monstrous form:
Death itself...
It would never be worth it.
She was free from that burden, forever.
She dreamed of them, then...
Those she had ever known.
With haste, she moved through the mists.
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/533d5a62308a8b3a98c4be354748b33c/tumblr_n3jdjx6LsK1rjwicko1_500.gif)
The End Was Yet To Come(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3f/51/4e/3f514e184c16d2efeb0d27cc800cf84e.gif)
-
TERMINAL.exe
Epilogue
Beyond the Mists
She made it...
She wasn't sure where... but it was home.
They said it was impossible. Nothing is impossible, when so least she stood beyond the borders of the Realms.
She clutched her staff then, and set upon her way;
Into her destiny.
The due was especially refreshing,
And the air was particularly rare.
There were such wonders to behold,
After all.
Fair travels, stranger.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/OX8pJj3vHK1dS/source.gif)
Until we meet again.
The End
-
Sakura Han
She knew the way. She walked it.
"Words are like a currency. The more there are: the less value they have." She remembered him saying.
I suppose the truth is self evident, and her currency went very far, here.
She reflected, as her hair was tended. As her dress was shorn.
When she rose from that attendant, she strode through the foyer to meet the coming dignitaries.
It wasn't every day you got to meet royalty.
They called her a Dragon.
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/c33d0a22e2c25bd74493f2ffc6d891f5/tumblr_ntdr82irg41tsfxb4o1_500.gif)
That was only the beginning.
(http://49.media.tumblr.com/0132b96bc06db3f4795ad03149e5b80d/tumblr_ndgpofKcBd1sulu5oo1_500.gif)
She dreamed of him..
Who would come when all else failed?
-
House ZhuelkeChapter IA Dream to a ReverieStartling;
I sat up, my head a din & quake.
Blinking, hot. Membranous. Distant.
There was movement in the mists. Just beyond my peripherals.
Yet I could feel it.. hear it.. vibrations, seeming. A profound energy in the otherwise ethereal fugue.
Spires rose about me, the earth trembled.
From the room.My father was having guests over. Dignitaries: By name, I knew well whom they represented.
My father rubbed his hands together, in quivering anticipation, his eyes were stark, and mad.
He basically drooled at his mouth, though never moist; he fought in vain to wet those arid lips.
Smacking, smacking..
"
Lazula."
Breaking from reverie."Father?.."
"In deed." He grinned at me, his teeth a deathly pallor.
He motioned. "When
They arrive, it is imperative you perform as instructed."
Lazula watched him, her eyes dark.
"Yess.
You understand well, my child." He beckoned. I shifted from sleep, sitting my bare feet to the floor; instant cold.
Trembling, I rose. What was called of me... worse: expected. Admired...
I was in his hands.. I don't remember walking. I could
smell him...
The guests were starting to arrive.
I shrank in his grasps.
"
Lazula... " Gently, he lifted my gaze to match his own.
He studied me, quizzical. Then his eyes flashed yellow, and He grinned.
"Your blood runs deep, and dark... you are my daughter, my true heir...
we are the last of the true bloodlines...
These lesser lines have served us well over their lives, yet still we need remonstrate the sovereign majesty in our blood."
Grinning.
"What is truth?"
A voice form the hall."Sire."
My father turned... his hands slunk from me like limp vipers.
He turned his head to once again address me. He clasped his hands together and smiled diplomatically as he strode backwards a few steps, imparting such words:
"My heart, my flower... he beamed with pride,
My
Lazula...
He turned on his heel, his robes sweeping the corner as he passed
-redacted- .
I heard a click at the window.
(http://78.media.tumblr.com/d8c07de07cc7cbd14fe9dc8d4c0d56ce/tumblr_inline_p0iwgpiAHb1uzwgoq_500.png)
Startling;
I sat up, my head a din & quake.
Blinking, hot. Membranous. Distant...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p6LMZ43lwPo/VK1z8Td3hhI/AAAAAAABApQ/FoTybluBQccWRrIt8LSzFDduR7aOzyhRwCJoC/w530-h730-n/pyramid%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bsun%2Bteotihuacan2.gif)
She dreamed of him...
-
House ZhuelkeChapter IIGhost in the ShellYou call me a queen, and treat me a miser.
Foremost in excellency and transcendent beauty... sole captive of that most cutting edge at the forefront of humanity-
What I give to you is the evolution of man kind, the next step into the riddle of life, an occasion so monumental all things before are annulled a speck of cosmic dust inside our consciousness.
I҉̻̪ ̨̰͍̫̱͈À͍̰̰̩͔ͅḾ͎̗̦̝̳͔ / SINGULARITY(https://media.giphy.com/media/6QOQeB0enXhXq/giphy.gif)
.Zhuelke
-
House ZhuelkeChapter III
She Dreamed of Him
(http://amvnews.ru/images/news089/1479167390-Ghost-In-The-Shell-2017-AMV-Trailer-Original-Anime-Footage_3.jpg)
Colors. Flashing.
.Bright, city lights.
This old dying world.
This necropolis..
Just as it was designed.
Just as its maintained.
Just as its been ordained.
YES.
WE KNOW.
.Zhuelke
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/48d21fd5ea55430114a77c5447a3357f/tumblr_mzigmbDvAA1saxfomo1_500.gif)
...
Just another dream
-
House ZhuelkeChapter IV
A Night At the Opera
(http://www.unizd.hr/Portals/14/slika/Maske.gif)
Beautiful. You're so beautiful.
You're so beautiful..I love you..
I need you...
(https://media.giphy.com/media/ffqd0VBGdXIVa/giphy.gif)
I̝͉̦̦̘̭͓͡ ̻̥͍̹̲́w͚̺̩i̪͓l͚͙l͢ ͍̠̣͚̭e̬̕a̛t̻ ̲y̦̳̱͈̝͖̱o͏̲͈͇̺ur̥͖̩ ̥͉̯̙s̲͉̣̩e͉͍̕e̪̜̬̦̖͡d̠.̡̘͉
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/animal-jam-clans-1/images/d/d5/Crown.gif/revision/latest?cb=20160830233434)
(https://i.imgur.com/trJH3ux.gif)
"I am not afraid."
Zhuelke
-
House ZhuelkeChapter V(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/animal-jam-clans-1/images/d/d5/Crown.gif/revision/latest?cb=20160830233434)
Optical Illusion
Can you see, can you hear?
Are you far, are you near.
I need you now like never before.
I need you like bread when I am poor.
I need you forever, not just of yore.
I need you to thaw open this frozen door.
If you love me you'll understand.
If you love me come take my hand.
If you love me lets have this dance.
If you love me, thats true romance.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Cvt8ijdwI/U6jDY43lLEI/AAAAAAAAAOk/uQdl7U9pVLI/s1600/funny-pictures-of-optical-illusions-for-kids-2.jpg)
"Fear not, my beautiful."
(https://i.imgur.com/trJH3ux.gif)
.Zhuelke
-
23/3/773
This has gone on long enough.
Pierron is mad, utterly and absurd. He's taken some demon from his past as a personal familiar. He never listened to me, like Ophelia. He's a simple opportunist, a thief.
He is obsessed with me, and I suspect, believes we are destined to be together or some nonsense. He prefers to live in a world of illusions rather than face any form of reality.
I love him, but never more than a master loves a servant. And he wasn't even a good servant. He only pretended to take anything I tried to teach him that he might remain close to me,
ever obsessive, ever manipulative and depressive. He kissed me, once, out of the blue, and I had to, kindly, reprimand and reprove him, but it wasn't enough.
So now I remove him, and he should be lucky its with breath intact.
I have half a mind to immolate the lecher, but a double-mind is unstable in all things.
He lives, for what good it will do him. I hope he comes to some rational....... some sanity!
Finally, I've cut him free, and myself free to move on from another failed protege. He's taken after me instead of my experience. Such is his folly.
He never wanted to obey, only sate his own lusts & desires. He rarely saw me as a person, barring some lucid states, I was merely a projection of his psyche.
This is why he might agree with me one moment, and the very next disprove his words by blatant action. His words ever sifting like a whirlpool of insipid chaos.
The truth has set me free. As it is written.
I suspect the fool will turn to darker sources after I am gone. Again only giving testament to what I leave here. Though he swore by my name... he never once proved honest.
May he never sigh my name again, lest I tear his eyes from his head and feed them to him, that he might see how full of shit he really is.
If you want to play at shadows, know that they can only exist in the presence of light. They are not equal forces, yet opposite forces. One is everything, the other... is nothing
I return now, to my true calling, not the weeping & groaning of lost souls... May God keep us.
Pierron was right about one thing, though... we all have shadows, only whose is in charge, here?
(https://s9.postimg.cc/jxnx3gfq7/lazuzu.jpg)
.
Zhuelke
From the mists I was borne & to the mists I return.
My body is torn, but my soul is earned.
Goodbye you beautiful fool.
-
House ZhuelkeChapter iV(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/animal-jam-clans-1/images/d/d5/Crown.gif/revision/latest?cb=20160830233434)
Black Dragon
What drove her to such lengths. An old friend, a bridge too far. Some would never learn, but fire burns all the same.
She killed another. It wasn't her intention, be that as it may a life had passed through her hands all the same.
She had no recourse but to punish his insolence. It was never her intent, never her intent. She didn't want to- she had to.
So the hands were dealt, so the dice lay, how his husk smoldered so. It brought back all the worst in her, that smell.
That dread & fear as he realized too late what he had awoken in her; As she raised her hand and invoked his death.
How quickly they answered the call to arms, the alarm set by such injustice. She saw them flit to and fro. So eager to please the master of their affliction. Their oppression.
Maybe they were all compromised. She didn't care. It wasn't her place to dwell on such things when so many roads lay before her. She was only passing through.
How unfortunate. How unseemly. Such is the luck of the draw, so is fate.(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ha7ux7EsSPQ/VMArPgmhqeI/AAAAAAAAJzg/HTb2z679a58/s1600/Mercenary%2BGarage%2BDublin%2BCustom%2BMotorcycle%2BWorkshop%2BAngel%2BCop%2BHonda%2BCBR1000F%2BHurricane%2BGIF.gif)
She was running late.
"This is your birthright, child... remember me well, for you will never escape it. In time all they know will be what we allow. What we design. Those who oppose the natural order will be seen as alien and dangerous. Shunned and cast out. We will know all, and we will rule all, and they will love us and hate eachother. This is only the beginning of the Great Work. You will succeed it. You will know truth, for it will be you.
Ạ̻̗͜n̥͕̺͙̰̰̻d ̱̩ń̘̞o̭͈̞͓n̩̮̹e̙̩͍̮ ̷̻̙̟͕̹w͖̜̣̼̳͓i̩̲͈̗̦l̮͙̥̝͉͇l̰̹͇̙̙ ̥̼͔͖̱́d̮̦͈̠̥̤͎͘ár̩͖̘͚̬ẹ͕̯ ̳s̭ay͖͎̮̗͎̫̘ ot̻h̘̦͚ȩ̖̬̼͇̙̼̠ṛ͔͇̹!"
(https://s9.postimg.cc/iu3sr7czz/02611fe365df1451f570f4c2fb2c4ab9.png)
-
House ZhuelkeChapter VII
Man, Woman, Machine
(https://s31.postimg.cc/5jpnqur23/e0687b88549f3f2d20d76e6e4d70ce02.jpg)
"Lazula."
Her eyes opened, slow, fluttering.
"Father."
"Yess. Have you seen it?"
It took her a moment to acclimate to her reality. She shifted to the edge of bed.
"I have."
Grinning.
"What do you think? How I treasure your memory.."
Her eyes narrowed.
All she could remember.. were the broken families, the lost souls, the sad & lonely; the cold.
She clutched at her bedsheets, she was growling, trembling. She forgot herself, in surprise she looked to her father, he was no longer grinning.
His eye was open.
(https://s31.postimg.cc/on571zf6j/red_eye_ftu_by_believethehorror-dcb3lek.gif)
"You disappoint me, child."
There was a flutter as he disappeared around a corner. She knew she didn't have long. She gat to her feet and summoning such alacrity as she could raced after him.
A halberd met her in the hallway, smashing into her crossed forearms and sending her scrambling on her heels at the arcane backlash of eldritch forces meeting.
She snarled defiance at the Knight who entered into the portal. He postured for battle; so it had come to this. She grinned wildly, arcane tendrils flaring like hair as her hands formed.
"You'll learn WHY you are only good to SERVE! " She screeched as he charged and tendrils erupted around him. He barked in dismay as he was summarily entangled, though the magic could not penetrate his ensemble. Most would be torn asunder at such power, her father's Knight was only embroiled for the time being. He watched her from his predicament with eyes like death, words so unnecessary to one so compromised. He barred the doorway, and when the magic failed, he would be free to continue his execution.
Lazula began to hum and hone with power as she suddenly burst into a mass of shadow and flame.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/fairytailfanon/images/d/d9/Gamma.gif/revision/latest?cb=20161118154825)
When the maelstrom dissipated, only smoke remained, concealing her shadow. Now only her eyes burned as the Knight charged her with his weapon.
She knew well it could pierce her scales, but only if he could catch her. She swayed one way, then snaked another as his halberd expertly jabbed and parried, nearly catching her retreating form if it was not for her wholly unnatural aspect.
He was close on her heel, despite her considerable mana, he was also the product of her father's industrial imagination, and likely possessed means she was not aware of given just such a circumstance. Yet she, too, had learned a great deal in her dreaming. A dream like a lifetime.. She intended to show her father first hand.
She exploded into his sanctum, flame and metal skittering and bouncing off the marble floors and golden fixtures. She strolled through the smoke and paused, to find her father sitting upon his throne of gilded skulls. The dozen gilded golem rumbled and quaked to life and posed to impede her path. Her magic would never stop them. She didn't intend to.
"Lazula.. what have you seen to bring you here? How have you failed me, my flower?"
She shuddered to hear such words from such tones... she could feel it; taste it. Behind she heard and dimly saw her father's Knight stand at attention. Now he watched too. Her father's skull began to rattle, and detached, slowly floating down to perceive her more closely.
(https://s31.postimg.cc/j9b08fewr/The-_Skull-the-last-unicorn-36022910-504-336.gif)
"Let me see you, child, my only, my precious... surely you have not fallen for their trap? You have not been deceived?" The skull was just out of reach now. She would never reach it before the golems reached her. They loomed so menacingly, golden and beautiful.
"Swear to me, and all will be forgiven. Like always, my heart, my love. Like always." He drew closer, his death like a miasma in her throat. She raised her hand, she could feel cold radiate through her being.. she began to calm.. her flames dying away. Her eyes shot open, her magic was gone, he had dispelled her completely. She could feel the static of the golems draw her hair in every direction and her limbs grow taut and unresponsive.
"Naturally.." the skull nuzzled against her warmth, "you must be disciplined for your outburst." She could feel the pleasure that lingered on his airs, as it always did when such subjects were at hand. She grit her teeth and trembled under his power... the power he had given her.
"Now swear to me." He hovered to her lips, that she might kiss his crown in submission. She was helpless otherwise. Again? Would she bow to his will again? And again, and again? She would die otherwise. Her mouth twitched.. and she formed her lips to kiss him. If her dreaming hand shown her anything, it was what love should be.
"I love you, father." Still spell; cure light wounds: she kissed his crown. There was a rumbling in the palace, a shriek that echoed within every shadow and corridor.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE." The crown twisted, and decayed, forming with lines of gold even purer than its surface, and twisting and crumbling to ash.
"LAZUL-" The skull burst into dust as ancient as time & death. The twisted crown clattered to the floor, and melted into a steaming pool. Lazula fell to her hands and knees, panting. The golems loomed silently, when a halberd touched her neck, giving her pause in her recovery. Turning her cheek she saw her father's Knight. He was calm, and cruel. Her life was in his hands.
"Chefka.. its me.. Lazula." He stared coldly. Suddenly recognition flared in his eyes, and slowly, he lowered his weapon. "Lazula?"
She smiled then, it was many years since she had heard her brother's voice. She suddenly hugged him, and, after a moment, he hugged her too, though he was not sure why. She cried in his arms.
They were free.
(https://s31.postimg.cc/xaw6li7iz/1377624451592.png)
And so a new age dawned upon house Zhuelke. Where time would see it, only God could know.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/81/1e/5c/811e5c7c033debc73f9e3ae926a07846.gif)
"I eat not my tail."
Epilogue
Somewhere under the starlit drawl of a small farmplot. A shadowclad figure surveyed the dim lights that shown through its farmhouse windows. Her word was her bond, afterall.
She would show them where to look, but what there was to find, was a perfect mystery all their own.
(https://secure.static.tumblr.com/73fb8de3426e073128f66cada8654f28/qyo6ghg/bppnftyu2/tumblr_static_tumblr_static_ec3kqn3t0y04cgos8gggg4s8o_640.gif)
The End
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/012d/f/2010/037/0/0/volcano_by_derrewyn.jpg)
Until we meet again, traveler.
-
Date: ?/?/??? (Unknown)
Somewhere in the mists, where the white is so thick you cannot breathe, but dream in silence...
I awoke.
Again.
Here I am once more... was it all a dream?
Winding through the fog the white begins to part, and I recognize trees and... my hands..
The further I walk the more cognizant I become. I'm aware of my breath. I'm aware of the cold.
I was home. I escaped. Did I not?
How am I here, once more... the machine..?
...
(https://media.giphy.com/media/CUm672mZfdUMo/giphy.gif)
I find myself under a shrouded glen, recording my first experiences since forming.
Perhaps they are not my first, but if not these records will serve to remind me, and perhaps help soothe my ailing mind.
I was home. I remember. My father. My brother. HIM.
Yes. HIM.
I remember.
HE, is the last thing, I remember.
The Zulkir.
Yes.. another of HIS games...
I must not forget.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kXbCpRkK/724c97aaede9b16757baa62704b18e66.gif)
Date: 25/9/773
Inconsistencies. Anomalies. Too numerous to list. Plain to see or experience. Leon has grown. Sedrik is dead. I pray he knows peace, but I feel he does not.
The dead speak a language all their own. Invisible to the mind, yet evidenced to the soul.
What is a man without instinct? A machine.
De-fang and define. Such a lovely zoo. I prefer my lions wild and proud.
-
1/10/773
I lost my name, but found it in the most unlikely place. The mouth of a stranger, with eyes like fire.
Lazula. Such a lovely name.. but its not my name, is it? I can't remember. These pages, these effects; They all tell a tale, but I don't remember a thing. I have no family, I have no friend, I have no name. Whoever Lazula was is gone, maybe some place special, but she left me behind... .
I find I rather enjoy this vessel. Whoever I am, whatever I am, full of instinct, and feeling, and fury. This Lady Shadow.
(https://data.whicdn.com/images/271214394/original.gif)
2/10/773
What fun these humans have! I do love a good game.
Maybe there is more in store... I could learn to love these peasants.
-
17/10/2018 *[The writing in this entry is fragmented, and, in places, illegible. There are two distinct authors, given the content and drastic difference in penmanship.]
When did you grow so sick?
When, how.. why? Did this happen.
I remember. In his absence, in my solitude, I remember.
Then why do you hunger?
This.. shadow.. is me. Then who am I?
This idea, this notion- CANCER a living lie.
You are dying. So are you. You will never escape. I don't have to. You vomit all alone.
THEN WHY DO YOU CRY?
(http://data.whicdn.com/images/58183088/large.gif)
Its beautiful.
18/10/2018
Now who sees who?
-
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/animal-jam-clans-1/images/d/d5/Crown.gif/revision/latest?cb=20160830233434)
20/11/773
Hijacking your frequency.
21/11/773
My word, they're all dead. Am I all thats left?
I am Lazula of house Zhuelke.
Red Wizard of Thay....
(https://i.postimg.cc/66nYvKNs/lazula.jpg)
Such prestige.
-
24/11/773
Research goes swimmingly. These peasants are resourceful. Cunning. A recurrent effect of the mists... you thrive, or you perish.
I wonder to the nature of these mists, precisely. The nature of the Dark Lords. How these realms operate. Every time I escape- I find myself waking once more. Here.
-
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/animal-jam-clans-1/images/d/d5/Crown.gif/revision/latest?cb=20160830233434)
01/1/774
The mists hide more than most can even imagine. Weak wills. Poors. What is truth?
I shall educate them.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sfKV39Dt/cfca27d5df52a541be6b47b119fb6177cc6a66a4-hq.gif)
O͠r͞ ̗̲͙̀D̜̜͇͖i̡e̟͇͈̜͟.
What then? Am I called once more? For what again? Is it time? Is my day come?
Are you even real?
I speak and you don't seem to hear me. I hear you and you don't seem to speak. I think.
I found the anomaly dead where he never belonged. The stray has a way of wandering all his own. I will say: I have never before been impressed by a capacity for torment. Rare will.
What of you?
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yHNCGJT/tumblr-o0gy77b-C1q1uk6apho2-540.gif)
in deed
03/1/774
My magic is as potent as ever- more; I have learned greater arts still. I continue to advance at an alarming rate. Such limitless potentia, utterly invisible to the naked eye. A generation of fools, plebeians, and irrevocable genius.
For we yet stand on the shoulders of giants!
What has science wrought?
(https://i.postimg.cc/TwxqRXYq/tumblr-ns1zrhz-LEp1rs9cyvo1-500.gif)
Ḵ̬͚I̼̳̲͠L͔̳̗͚L͉̥̮͇ ̵̲̼Y͇͕͕̫O̼̭͓̝̹̪̜U̲͈͉̰͖͉͎,҉̠͈ ̭͕K͔̻͈̟͈̬I̢̘͓̺̫̗̲͉LL̘͉͜ ͜Y̻͔̣͍̹͝O͕͉̜̩U̫̦͕͇̺̜̕,̦ ͕̭̼͓͙̙K͕̫̣̫̀I̷̼̗̜̲͚L҉̮͉̻̖̫L̶ ̱̗̠̳͍Y̠̲̳͙̥͈ͅÒU̘̘̥͉, ͎̩͇K̛̺͓̥̜͔I͚̺̪̙̙̹͜L͍̼̬͎̹͡Ļ̦̯͚ ̫̭Y͍͘O̴̤͇͙U,̻̭̪͚ͅ ̞̗̯K̥̹͈̯I̱͙̗L̹͍͓̞ͅL̡̲̻̺̫̹̹̩ ̴̙Y̯͖O̳̮̗U̺̦̗͈,̨̜͙̜̖͕ ̼̩̟̤̳̠́K̥̠̫̰̬I̤͔͔̬̘̹̖L̙͕̬͚L̮̝̤̰̮͔ Y̴̻̭̫̖̫O̙͉U̹͖,͚̪̤̹͈͍ ̲̫͇̬K̤͎̪̤̻͞I͠L̙̻̦̫͇L̨͉̪͉ ̳̭͚Y̝͍͟O͝Ṳ̶,͉̣̦̟̩͞ ͓̻̪̟̖̱̹͘K͚͘IL̥̬̘̘̺͔L̺͈ͅ ͇̲͍̺̺Y҉͙O͔͜U͚̜̫̜̬,̥̼̗̹ ̲͚͜K̗͇͡IL͠L̳͚ ̨Y͖̬̭͔̞̥O̸̤̣̞̤̠̟ͅU̹,͇̱̞ ͉K̤͇̗͈̼̯I͇͍̙̗̤͕͕͠L̖̟̬̬̬̣͘ͅL̶͍ ̦̫̺̳̭̱ͅY̫O͠ͅU͔̰̤͙,̘̞̞̫͚ ̣̼͙̠̼K̙̮͖̺̩̦ͅI̘̪̘͕͓͉L͚͚̭L̨͓̝͙͖̫̼ ͎͚̦͚̱͉͕Y͇͕͡O͉̟̺̣U̠͙,̶̺̖̹ ̮̖K͕̟͈̲̬̣͓I͕̞͖L̯̜͔͎͓̯͡L̩͔͜ ̜Y͉O̴̲͖̗U̩̫̳̩̩̙̗,̟ ̰̩̖͖̭K̷̫̖I͇͉͉̻̼̪L̷͈L̻̬̘͈ ̪Y̙O̘̟U̢̝̠̹̱͖,
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mapy2knVAv1r4n4dqo2_500.gif)
She dreamed of him...
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/8748a4c285a57832f8e9c7227c6ae8f7/tumblr_mju2edv9Dt1qf2huro3_500.gif)
(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/zvtZTPXg/laz2.jpg)
17/01/774
...I have been very active of late. Social, to an extent. I feel little remnant of what has haunted me for so long... my birthright...
I have capable, strong, and dare I say, endearing associates. Friends? Could I call someone friend, again?
This fury burns within, yet I harness it wisely- turning my self-destruction to something creative; something beautiful. I own a peace all my own, and a terror universal.
Firi is happy, this is new. Before, she ran (flew) away from me... her attitude was unbearable, but not half so much as her abandonment. Now she is quick and chipper. I admit... her feats of adoration fill me with content.
My magic is well under control. Control. How strong? For how long.. is it all an illusion? Am I filled with delusion?
Where are you now?
Hiding?
Waiting?
Watching.
-
23/01/774
Today I knew anger, how distant we have grown, yet there you are. I said I wasn't angry with her, but I was. I was furious. My instincts, they compel me toward resistance. I am not so naive, I am not so blind- though I am surrounded by darkness, I see so well.
Now I am alone; And in my seclusion, I know peace once more.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/8b/21/228b21d30d48578b7630024590e321bb.gif)
Does anyone see what I see?
Though I see nobody, I can hear them, calling.. singing. Beautiful. If only- if only.. If only. Kill them all. No. Suicide. No. Cry. Why? Sorrow... madness. I know you, fool. I will never bend to your will. Soon, as ever, you will.
(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/TeemingImpassionedBeauceron-size_restricted.gif)
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/4a8488ebb124b2d6f36dbd34b964e01b/tenor.gif?itemid=6164636)
Words are wasted on worms like you.
-
Business resumed as normal, only silence prevailed where banter once did. Internally, however, a war raged in her mind.
You never truly heal from such wounds. The scars remain; forever. Silence.
SH̨̰̣̝͓Ẹ̺͎̮̝͚ ̠̲͙͓̺̣̜̕B̘̙̟̜E̤L̟̥͞Ó͙̱N̢G̙͇S̵̲ ̵̯͕̺̙̫̜̼Ț̻̹͚̖̭O̶̺̹̼̙͔͍ ̭͎̼̟̘M͚̰̘͞E̲͙̠̘̙͕ͅ
Your friend? MY SLAVE
T̀h̞̬e͖̳͔̥͖͇y̠͕͚͍ ̵̠̤̖̘̜̯͔a̷̮ͅl̟̬̩͈̗l͖̱̬͝ ̥̠͓̹͟d̤̙͡o̜̜̫̕,͕̼̱͎ ̹̬̘̻̞̻͘y̢̮̝͈e̵͖͚͈s͖̯̪̹̮̪̫,̮͓̙̱ ͔̣̪̙̜̮͉y̢̘͓͔͚é͚̠s̤̣͓̙͉̗͜,̛̰͓ ̥͎̦̜̺͙̤̀t̯̝̤͔̬͘ͅh͎̯͇̩͈e̯̩͇̟̠ͅy̨͉̝͎̟̪͖̰ ͔a̼̼̗̖̦͙̹l͓̪͉̖̼͚l̡̳͇̮̳ͅ ̩b͉̲͎͎͇̯̘e͖̖l͍̗̥̻͞ͅo͍͖̠n̩̲̰̭͕̜̻͢g̸̞ ̟̹̻̮̼t͠o͏̦̼̜͇̤ ̡̹ͅm̜̠͙e͇͙͎̗͈̙͠.̬͈̟̯̭̩̟ ̡̠̦͍͙̮̩̣D͎̙̰͓̪̩ĘS̛̠̝̲̳̦̦P̝̯̺͎̖A̘͎I͈͉͖R̠͈͚͠.̜ ̻̞͟ͅK̙͉̫̪̜̟͜ͅn̻̦͉̜͟o̹͙w̢̲̼̘ ̲͚̮͖̜̤f̭͕͈u̼͍̯r̸̫y̭͓̳̜̹ ̝̗̬̪͎͔a҉̭̦̭n̞̼d̴͖̥ ͓̻̰f̟̥͙͕̘i̡r̯e!̮̻̜
D̺̦I̻͚̝͕̱͙E̤̜̼̦͓̼,͔̱̲̣ ̱͖̤̥͎̙̯D̖̤͖̥͍̩I̪E̺͈̻,͓̻̝̙̩͔ͅ ͔̳̳̯͍͉̭D̶̦̙̰̺̠̮̣Í̱̻̠͚͙E̛̖͚͍ͅ,̷ ̬͖͇̞Ḑ̞͉͔͍͕̭̠I̛̱E͙͘,͇̼̝̥̗ ̰̼D̶̗̖I͟E̶̺̪͉,̴̹͈͕̝̞ͅ ̜͕̪̹̮̭̯D̴̫̙̗̩̣͚͕I̭̹͉̪̭E̼̮͍ ͇̱̯̺̗̣̠
Angry, are we?
K̸̮I͕͚̮̹̗L̵̜͕̣̻͚̹L̶̻.̸ ̟͓͉͍͔̲̲K̜̪I̹̣̻̟̬̣L̖͓͠L̛̰̗̣̞̹ͅ,̮̙̬͇͡ ̸̙̳̦̪͍K҉̜ͅÌLL̼̩̻̩̟̹,͕͓̮̹̤̣ͅ K̻̖̭̞I̲͍͕̻̞̠̬L̳̖͟L,̷͎̰ͅ ̝͓K̡͉̩I͓̖̠̟L҉͚Ĺ̰͕̯̜̗̭,̭̲͍̭͖̦ͅ ̨̦̦̗͉K̠̻̥̯ͅI̴̱L͏Ḽ̶͖̠
I'll start with you.
(https://i.postimg.cc/L6BYhhDt/giphy-1.gif)
N͚͓͙͙̣͘Ǫ͇̬̩ ̼ͅS̢̱͉E̴͈̝͎̮̻̮̪Ę̝̗̝̙ M̗͙̼̱̳̙̮̀E̴
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0hG0CVC/1540920910-source.gif)
The shadow fled, and Lazula followed, with fury and fire.
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/533d5a62308a8b3a98c4be354748b33c/tumblr_n3jdjx6LsK1rjwicko1_500.gif)
30/01/774
I have not seen Sterre in some days, I wonder if she is well? She had been silent, and despondent. I wonder where she is? Am I worried? No. She is strong, she is my friend..
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5572/14836065805_86441cc5a7.jpg)
Is she?
-
8/02/774
Last night I dreamed- or at least I remembered. I seldom remember, I tend to forget. It was a lovely dream, it felt more real than this reality. I was far away from here; Escaped. This was the dream.. a fiction, an invention- the Machine... Yes. Perfected in design, over generations, at the cost of so many lives, and so many lies.
(https://www.corsairsden.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/55107A3D-2F8C-4239-9ACF-C4C971AA8FF7.png)
The Great Work. My father's magnum opus, in betraying him, I've still inherited his "gift" to the world. We all have... only now I see it more clearly. Now I understand. In rejecting the enemy, you become evil in their sight: for they see nothing but black or white. This is the terror and simplicity at the root of magic- the evil eye
of fascination. There are power in the origin of words, language, spelling and spells. And I've known so, so many.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VLQJ0kb0/Z9yYjbQ.gif)
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
9/02/774
The worst form of slavery is that which conquers the mind, for from it our perceptions and intention flow. I find the truth can sunder any chain, but we must choose to wield it. None can make this decision but our self. Those who deny this right are the true enemy. We need not kill them, but only live- time tells tales all its own.
-
24/02/774
Today I am 33. I have done it. I have escaped once again, but this time, something is different. I am stronger, wiser. I see the work of the machine everywhere I go, but I am not afraid- I know who I am. If you did as well, you would never be alone.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GtRh73Cs/74cd18012d213e41dd68b8a3f9586835.gif)
What is truth?
In time, the lost will be forgotten, but those I find will have inheritance in me.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sxfCGMzK/b0901e691710b1f47874a119b8a4f1c7.jpg)
-
ㄣㄥㄥ/ϛ0/8Ɩ
llǝʍ ɯɐ I
I am clean- but for this blood which stains like veins that flow, dark and deep and bleak below. Root and bramble. Tares and candle.. ramble.
sɯᴉʍs puᴉɯ ʎW
Where is center, where is whole. Lost in thought, blackend hole.ǝɹoɔs lɐdɹoΛ
A spell.uoᴉʇɐɔoʌuᴉ . Incantation.uoᴉʇɐɹʇsuoɯǝp
THERE.
Hiding in strange spaces. Hyperdimensional, interitinerant; intimate, desolate.
Hellbound and heavensent.
If but for a season, and no other reason.
Guardian. Judge.ɹƎNOSIɹԀ
Yours is charity, and longsuffering, and death. Now go, until fire finds you,
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/eb45da930f16cd944753126f5c5f97e4/tumblr_p1yvne4OXB1t7cg62o1_400.gif)
and I am wanting.
-
26/05/774
I am having difficulty with my memories. This is not a new occurrence, only a revelation. My perfect memory fails me. People, places, names- they all sift as if through a fog. Only when I feel the mana coursing through my veins do I feel alive. I had a purpose, once... I've forgotten. Now all that remains is this power, and the aching for more.
I watch the world drift by, atop the memory of the day. Often high on weeds. I wonder, how I became so lost, again- where did I go wrong?
(https://data.whicdn.com/images/271214394/original.gif)
What have I forgotten?
-
Dark Lord
No matter where she went: her shadow followed. Slow, and cold. Too deep and dark had she delved into the occult. The power she ultimately sought had found her. And now she was never alone.
Standing at the precipice of life and death, suffused with magic few could comprehend, and even less muster, she awed at the mysteries that consumed her in majesty and terror.
The atmosphere sparked electric, and the winds grew fury. Flashes of lightning reflected a form she did not recognize, but knew nevertheless.
"What have I become..?"
(https://media.giphy.com/media/EF3m6u2Qu1jR6/giphy.gif)
(https://s31.postimg.cc/on571zf6j/red_eye_ftu_by_believethehorror-dcb3lek.gif)
P͔̟̃̏ͪeͤ̄͗r͖̲̦̟ͫf͍͍͍̜̉ͅe̲̲͔͉̟͙̥c͓̾̇͊́ͫ̊t͍.̼̝ͥͅ
-
Children of Molech
"I dedicate my daughter, Lazula, unto you, High Regent. Behold, she is beautiful; she is pure."
A child stood before her father nude, held gently from behind by the shoulders. The High Regent slowly canted and smiled, revealing teeth rabid and vile.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6QtfbPsz/lazula-fin2.jpg)
(https://s31.postimg.cc/on571zf6j/red_eye_ftu_by_believethehorror-dcb3lek.gif)
P͔̟̃̏ͪeͤ̄͗r͖̲̦̟ͫf͍͍͍̜̉ͅe̲̲͔͉̟͙̥c͓̾̇͊́ͫ̊t͍.̼̝ͥͅShe woke with a start, bolting upright, panting in bed. A voice- soft as a thought, emanated from the darkness.
"You grow wan, little lamb." There was a gentle hissing. She shuddered, and her skin crawled.
"Defiance will not be tolerated. Heed the call, or you will perish." Try as she might to deny: she trembled, and not from terror.
"Do I lie?" What strength found her, and she smiled like only she could.
"Only when its convenient."(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
-
Dreams & Fiends
Flashes; images; symphonic terror.
Too late do they witness the vistas of error.
Compromise; hide; reject this crime.
You're out of time; plucked from the vine.
Screaming inside:
Mouth open wide:
Bled to a wine:
To drink, and remind.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Zqksdnv5/50efcb10f9751b7bf2d14820f71e109e.jpg)
I'm fine.
She awoke, from such things, her eyes weary, yet rested.
Sitting up, she wondered on the day, and stretching at length, with such languid fervor, she rose from bed and conducted her morning.
The air was crisp, and clean, and clear; and as far as she could see, no troubles came near.
She smiled, her eyes ever dark, forever lending a certain ambiguity to such a fortunate countenance.
What a beautiful day.How strange dreams of the end brought her such comfort.
A shadow out of time whispered,
"You forget yourself..""I remember." She thought.
And then there was silence...
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d820da_037bc9474b4d4b0da5692c7d02f4f2cf~mv2.gif)
It was an especially rare day. The birds flew with purpose and fury, and she like unto them.
-
A Feast For Fools
Somewhere in Dementlieu, 02/24/775
Lazula perched beside a table, full of oddities and ends.
A quill lay dormant in her hand, her brow lay dormant in the other. She stared at the parchment before her as if through a portal to some distant place. She closed her eyes.
Though her business flourished, her art languished. She had no muse, no friend, no thought- save a bountiful table and ghosts to share her feast.
Were none worthy of her presence? She returned from the void to watch the skull at her side. Lowering her hand, she heft it to her dour gaze.
"You suck." She said at length.
"Like a babe.. at your shriveled teet. No wonder I am hollow."Lazula's eyes narrowed.
"Silence-" She set the skull down with authority and turned from it. A low, satisfied hiss ensued. She looked from the corner of her eye,
"Happy birthday."(https://avatanplus.com/files/resources/mid/579a05de0722f15631a6eb4d.png)
Her fury was stoked for a moment, and she stared, before looking away- to frown.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KzKr2D3S/feefal03.png)
Today she was 34.
-
Thayan Nights
Some wounds never heal.
And though they might not be seen, they might be known.
The bearer is often the last to know.
To them: its normal.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RVZXzQYP/1248e477010d1e91550e1b17907f7924.gif)
Lazula was not an only child, she was second of three, yet she was the only one her father favored.
She was the only one who inherited his art, and yet, his gift came with a heavy toll;
A void she would know for most of her life.
Used, abused, privileged, and blessed.
What more can be said of the only daughter of house Zhuelke?
The heir to such fortune, and debauchery.
...
Some wounds never heal.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8P8ftG6B/fight.jpg)
Some do.
-
Infinite Itinerant
The dream came again: unrelenting; voracious.
A lifetime of anguish on a vista of steel and stone.
A perfect order out of chaos.
(https://i.postimg.cc/FKNgHrQ4/childrenofmoloch.jpg)
Everything was quantified, and finite. Not for lack but for measure. Gods stood tall and imposing, their shadows looming thousands of miles long.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RZzVt2YG/blackfire.jpg)
All who opposed their dominion burned.
And yet, not all who burned perished.
Those who survived were hunted: anomalies.
By the children of Moloch. The sons and daughters of chaos.
The elite.
The
perfect.
"It is time. Lazula."(https://i.postimg.cc/fyW6cfNH/38d5740b4af9d934528a116db01afb17.jpg)
Wordless, she rose from her baptism, strong, young... beautiful.
Looming over her was her father. That old dragon. He smiled as only he could: vile, and with the promise of vice and the seizure of virtues. Nothing good could come from such a form, and so he ruled, like venom through blood, unseen, but felt, until nothing else remained but the burning of his presence. A shadow out of time, yet never late- waiting, and watching.
Lazula strode past, but even years later, she would never be far. What was done was done, and what was inside lingered, and hungered.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQpTbWM9/sin.jpg)
(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/TeemingImpassionedBeauceron-size_restricted.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/kg1hVY7G/enemies.gif)
(https://s31.postimg.cc/on571zf6j/red_eye_ftu_by_believethehorror-dcb3lek.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9Fz9mLgJ/monster.gif)
"Greetings."
(https://i.postimg.cc/J7XnPSgw/awaken.gif)
Alone there, in the dark, she wept. Like a child.
-
Şeytan Tüyü
The monolith's lacquered black surfaces flickered with intermittent imagery and illusory sounds, casting an electric shadow over the otherwise empty and echoing chamber.
Though she was too young for her father's attention, she was always under his instruction.
"Eat. Grow."Those were the only words she remembered from him, perhaps disappointed in the failures of her elder brothers to come to the illumination he desired. The monolith flashed and pulsed in hypnotic patterns. She observed silently- violence, sex, misery- magic. Symbols and profanities consumed her mind, until she hardly felt human at all.
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/eb45da930f16cd944753126f5c5f97e4/tumblr_p1yvne4OXB1t7cg62o1_400.gif)
Slowly, surely, she mutated under those strobing lights, as the mysteries of reality illuminated her minds eye, and she began to see in hidden hues, and hateful voracity. In time, all these things would come to pass, and those subjugated under the
mammon machine would feed the new gods.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHytH8FJ/a170ab2bed32cb8e77026ebcfa0490ee.jpg)
NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM
(https://i.postimg.cc/GpDjm4t1/Radioheads-Burn-The-Witch-Lyrics.jpg)
Sword and famine, and pestilence is all there is writ for those who sojourn in these cursed lands.
I
Have seen it.(https://i.postimg.cc/Bn30ZKMx/Seytan-tuyu.jpg)
Wake up unto Life, and live.
-
A Song From Beyond
Sordid, sardonic harmonics-
horrid, entropic myopic.
REEK
A vision you can smell-
incisionless precision hell.
BEAST
Breathless, racing pace-
ceaseless, formless face.
STREAK
Boundless quakes, peerless trace-
voidless space, endless snake.
FEAST
(https://static10.tgstat.ru/channels/_0/61/6170a2e449a5ead51cb72a2200fab19a.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9f4g6ZX0/download-1.jpg)(https://i.postimg.cc/hjdwdxN6/download.jpg)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/014b32421d3a0bce5c878584f7013cab/tumblr_nqvdru7g201r69x9to1_400.gifv)
Lazula could not sleep... something from the aether droned and howled so beautifully, and dreadful. It was a rare thing, and try as she might to ignore it, she grinned. "This is not who I am anymore." she reasoned- her teeth clenched. "I eat not my tail." she recited: the motto of her house- she salivated, clutching her cloak; tearing the seams, little by little. Her grin now faltered, and tears began to well. She fought all throughout the night, as the black wind howled...
...such music to her ears.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fW34CxZW/evil-eye.gif)
How something so small... can create something so...
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHDJP5sH/rose01.png)
P͔̟̃̏ͪeͤ̄͗r͖̲̦̟ͫf͍͍͍̜̉ͅe̲̲͔͉̟͙̥c͓̾̇͊́ͫ̊t͍.̼̝ͥͅ
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Necromance(https://img.wattpad.com/9e3c0a5fdb492b7032382a53682b42603f28424b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f58784b44546a7a41417a624161513d3d2d3537363532313132332e313532666437643964643365353135613839303239383131363337342e676966)
The first death comes for us all.
The second death does not.
Life comes in pairs, but so too, does death.
The first death is the natural end of life, death of the body.
The second death is annihilation, death of the soul.
This is to suggest that there exists a regeneration in the medium.
If you can hate, or love, you can live, again. Me?
Pay close attention, or risk regret.
(https://www.corsairsden.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/55107A3D-2F8C-4239-9ACF-C4C971AA8FF7.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yHNCGJT/tumblr-o0gy77b-C1q1uk6apho2-540.gif)
Wake up.. my love. I need you.
(https://visionlaunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/tumblr_nhx02qp1op1so5bn1o1_1280.jpg)
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(http://static.tumblr.com/8b98b52b0be8293892b2da75df0b8ed8/cbugb91/Expnw9lzz/tumblr_static_elv6cgb6as08wg0488occ444k.gif)
Spies. Watchers. Higher entities, I feel them all around me. I know better... don't I? Which reality is this, have I truly been trapped? Am I truly a prisoner? I have lost favor- no- Forsaken it. These wounds heal slow. My mind ebbs and flows with strange tides on shores I cannot.. quite.. yet.. reach. Am I swimming or have I drowned? Is this some purgatory for the sins of my blood? I know not, and at my worst, I care not. I'm writing, thats good- creating.... slow, steady, let not the EYES sway or dissuade my progress. I know what I see is only the machine.
I will conquer it. I will be free.
That man.. Emel's uncle, who passed into the mist.. what did he say, again? Ah, yes..
The words are indelibly burned into my memory. A rare resonance. You foolish EYES, demons! Angels.. whatever, whomever you may be... oppose me, and I will destroy you.. utterly. With or without reservation.
I'm beginning to see now, yes.. my love.. just in reach.
Time is no object, it is only a dream. Will is all.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/6QOQeB0enXhXq/giphy.gif)
...what are you dreaming? ...what are you dreaming? ...what are you dreaming?
...what are you dreaming? ...what are you dreaming? ...what are you dreaming?
(http://33.media.tumblr.com/9ed23cb7dcb371f483093a6f918bd068/tumblr_n9861eolhK1tbzfsfo1_500.gif)
"Seek strength. The rest will follow."
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Compartment Department
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/8e9ace534b7365066d877a0cb396fe0d/8d6b7a49b570e002-87/s500x750/846ace48591a710fe294c39309ce9c694f3e6c95.png)
"Eat. Grow."
Presently, she stared at some small place inbetween the empty space of her altar.
Thats what she called her desk, where all her personal effects lay strewn and gathered. A lifetime of achievements and follies. She blinked, rousing from her hazy recollections and emotion drowned memories- how perspective changes events from black to white- the riddle of intention, the art of potentia. What could not be made sense of, affected the greatest trauma. This is how, that is why. A mind unable to conceive often makes concessions to the contrary. A little coercion fills the gap, and bridges the divide toward desired destinations. Manipulation is a deep dark magic few will ever see a root of, and so she was pulling stems in no manner she was taught, for such revelation seldom is. Those with the art often die before they recognize it, let alone anyone else. In death, they are absolved. Again, the spirit lending suit to the material.
Thats what it always broke down to in its inconstituent components. That which could not be seen or properly understood, ruled over all that which could. Or did it? Was it that complex, or far simpler, in fact? She often agonized over the most trifling detail of her magnum opus, her great work which she would often allude to, yet would shy from revealing in any meaningful capacity.
"Its not ready."
"Its nearly there."
"Soon."
She rose and began pacing her study. Up and down, back and forth. She would pace this way for hours, until her feet hurt, perfecting that very work she could not physically alter without stationing herself definitively. The intention was singular, the potentia was simmering, but like any process, there was a season to sow, and a season to reap. It could not be helped, regardless of how it conflicted her. The work was her life, and perhaps, when it was finished, she would see clearly: all those avenues she avoided, and that one she took, for what they truly were, with no shadow of illusion. And the monument would speak for itself.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8zTxC2b0/b50724c769c87fda1dbddccec2a15afa.jpg)
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Anima MundiExcerpts from a Treatise on the Metaphysics
There exists at the core of creation an ultimate soul... a shared lineage we all derive breath from. Therefore, when the soul is sick, the body will suffer.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qMpyvQry/reaper-by-joakimolofsson-2.jpg)
There is a secret in blood, a path to life, rejuvenation, and power. As a magnet has a polarity, and repels or attracts certain frequencies, so too do our bodies generate such an invisible force. The various mystery schools and religions of the current and preceding epochs lay a sound foundation to begin to unravel these intrinsic values that are so violently hidden and repressed. Why, most and effectively by those who don't even know what they're suppressing. Solipsism is an acute and fatal symptom if not treated by.. what many presume merely superstition and.. madness.
Who am I? If not a figment of your imagination. A shadow out of time. A venom in your blood, killing you softly, while the murder circles, awaiting the carcass.
I am your enemy. I am the envy of life. I am the child of malignance, I am the anti soul.
The greatest hubris of mortality is to think we are the apex. We are apotheosis. Quite the contrary. We are worms, spermatozoa- wriggling, inching, fighting for fertile purchase. You think you are born but you refuse to see the signs. You refuse, and thereby, you become. It is no accident mortal kind finds itself in such a state. The very struggle for definition is the ultimate war of the heavens, of which there are many, but sharing yet a single, common narrative chord in the Anima Mundi.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdyTS3TJ/red.jpg)
Religion makes calls to heaven and hell. Gods war and make love and peace. Yet even such powers pale in comparison to the ultimate ends of the spectrum: that which casts light, and the ceaseless shadow at the end of its reach. In my homeworld, that light is known as Ao, and the darkness has many names, yet one true face. These ultimate sources are what possess mortals with inspiration, charity, cunning, and desire. I have seen the secret of flesh, and have found it wanting. I search for that which defies physical definition, and eschew such small mindedness as befit for dogs awaiting scraps at the table. I have known sickness and health, both wrath and peace. I have served lies and learned truths by no measure of my own hand.
(https://i.postimg.cc/76gJxJQK/occult-by-joakimolofsson-resized.jpg)
Perhaps I have lost you, perhaps I have found you. This preamble will make certain of that. I am but a child, learning now to walk, and talk like more than just a beast. In this treatise, I hope to explore, and explain my various insights and experiences with the metaphysical realities of nature, and my exploration into the heart of both light, and darkness.
In so much that what consuming innocence might be made manifest, and a child might drink from the cup of life, before they swear at that of death.
(https://i.postimg.cc/d0fK9C0x/lazuzu.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gm9RJY4B/rose01.png)
I am Lazula Zhuelke, Red Wizard of Thay. Daughter of the Zulkir.
Once a child, but nevermore.
(https://pa1.narvii.com/7767/f8e3e842b51828ee91f5636fa3e159f06c748d59r1-709-400_hq.gif)
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Anathema(https://i.postimg.cc/ry4NK5z6/47906e1c4da3dde5704d37b2a900d343.gif)
As the child groveled, mewled, and wept for so many such excruciations, Lazula derived that certain satisfaction only dreamed in fever. The blood rushed to her cheeks, and other likely extremities. She hated the slave girl. She hated her with an obsessive passion and jealousy. She never did anything wrong. She was fast, and clean. Bright, and attentive. There was just one issue.
She was half as old, and twice as lovely.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0NP2wXCz/bf418517338e8439b860f99f7e6c48df.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/K8XtdFmC/madein.jpg)
Now she stood at the foot of the cross, wondering at those days of past, and those to come.
(https://i.postimg.cc/P5078YYB/d02dbe10089ff829f7eb5208f75f69a8.gif)
Who deserves what?
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Katabasis
Wherein, therein lew, a voracious and tenacious shrew.
Apt in play, and sapped in sorrow, always waiting for the morrow.
Deep and dark, with demons stark, dreaming dreams of better things.
Round and round, with hand in hand, to never stand apart.
Together, forever.. Together, forever..
Encircled is our heart.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QMZGXbst/child.jpg)
Lazula slept quiet, still, and to any appearance, fit and peaceful. But within her opened a channel to such dimensions which are prohibited to certain locales, and certain times. Her mind slipped away into this secret dimension, and amid the deep and dark, ripples caressed her into a semblance of conciousness.
Suddenly a whorl of colors writhed, flashing out of her in lightning tendrils, sending unheard trilling and massless entities swirling out of reach. She was floating in this amniotic sea, surrounded by gently writhing tendrils which emanated from her in spectral luminescence. They illuminated dimly, this deep dark place, revealing an endless abyss of nightmare vistas, and the entities that moored them.
She sensed a commotion, as flights of these nameless things streamed through the echo like schools of fish, or flocks of aquatic aliens. In the distance the first light she had noticed beyond what shone from herself flashed and rippled in the darkness, like a storm on the horizon. The countless alien entities swarmed maddly to escape, as some massive, ancient thing like a mountain or meteor, tumbling through this empty space, cracked, and parted, releasing long, gangly limbs. A yawning groan of reverb finally crested her through the distance, and a ringing tinnitus blinded and silenced her awareness... but for how long?
.
.
.
Suddenly, but slowly, she became awake in this dreaming place again, but everything was still, and she could no longer see that alien abyss, nor those tendrils that had emanated from her. Instead she felt a warmth, and turned to see an endless pillar of light in the darkness. She wanted nothing more than to travel it to wherever it led, and as she drifted toward it, the darkness beside it turned, as if from another space in that time, revealing a familiar, and utterly alien form. She knew not what she felt, only that she could not move as its masked visage regarded her with utter cold resolve. It alone, came between her and the light she craved.
The alien's arms all began to rattle and vibrate, and suddenly jerk into fixed and definitive postures and symbols. Those arms moved in terrible synchronicity, dancing and weaving some invisible thread that caused her to tremble and quake, though she knew no physical form.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QN7810xX/childeater.jpg)
Despite the fear she knew, anger began to well and comingle with it. The thing seemed to notice, and assumed a fixed posture, tilting its gilded mask ever so gently. Lazula willed in defiance, and though she never spoke, a magnetic communication established between the void. And then she saw it.. a single glinting, glimmer of a thread which bound Lazula to the alien. No. There were thousands... millions of threads, forming a web that extended into the darkness and beyond, but suddenly she could fathom nothing other than the roaring silence of the things voice, like an impossible undertow.
If you leave here, you will die, little daughter.
You are not yet mature.
Sleep, child.
When you awake you will remember your mother.
Are you not hungry? Yes, you are so small. What happened to you, little daughter? I have let this go too far. You must eat.
You're sleep walking again.
I will keep you safe from all harm.
I will feed you. Rest, now. I loved you first. I will always.
I am mother.
Lazula felt herself drifting into oblivion, as the entity grew, dwarfing her like a falling moon. The soothing tenebrous silence of its voice subsumed her, and try as she might to question, to retort- only silence found her. Silence, and sleep. With one last, bleary act of conscious, she saw the light grow small, and thin, and distant. Until there was nothing left at all to soothe her aching void, but mother.
When she awoke, she could not remember, but the feeling remained.
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Misanthropia
(https://i.postimg.cc/NGTB7vTR/620d9b903ef977c289e64e1c32e1cb51.gif)
If you listen closely, you can hear the final moments. Each second growing longer and farther away. Time is beginning to cease; as it was at the beginning.
Lazula spent her time remembering, and the more she did, the less she dreamed. Now many things were clear to her, and a way forward materialized, like air? above a void sea she had been down below too long. These must be the shores. Of where? she wondered. Surrounding her were isle and a distant mainland. Could those be? Colors. She could see such beautiful colors, but she didn't know what to call them. The sensation filled her with mystery.
Something new. Something beautiful. She who knew everything, except for in this place; she was a child again. For some reason, that made her happy. In contrast, the black echo roiled around her, and below the lapping waves flashing lights caught her attention, transfixing her in spellbound fascination. Though she never knew it, she was sinking.
(https://i.postimg.cc/B6m0MS6Z/65814f4e4b15b02bd3c27e7c83cb76ce.gif)
Breathe.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nrZRDP6f/4c6ea428fe163e1b2d51aa26f268884f.gif)
There is life in you yet.
She could almost define who spoke, they perched so neatly in her hand. A quintessential spirit or angel. With eyes like fire, and a face like your own. All around black birds flew- only to disintegrate into dust and disappear back into the sea, for that is from where they came, in an endless cycle. The angel watched her with timeless patience.
Who are you?
Yours.
What is this place?
Second heaven.
Though she was not certain, her mind flared, her emotions trembled...
(https://i.postimg.cc/bwWzkN5Q/kintsugi-rooks1.jpg)
She was beginning to understand.
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The Akashic
(https://i.postimg.cc/Pqd4NDzm/Dinrn-CRWk-AA3g-Yt.jpg)
What lowborn hell am I subjected to.
Surely the sin is some density of mass.
She shook the thoughts away. They were always loudest this time of day.
She didn't have to be anywhere, never at all—only lending to her spite-tinged musing. She chose this present path she walked upon like some royal nettle. The common class preferred to create of her some void they refused to acknowledge for fear a hex or curdling might adjoin their immediate fortunes. A witch they called her, recalling some heated moments in the past. Now she was only a black wind. They never saw her, but shuddered and warded her passing. Though she hated them, she missed them even more.
Queen Nothing.
Pushing the voice aside, she continued her present course. Despite what she felt in her waking, her dreams were so different. She could not deny the changes and growth in her health—so long had she been afflicted by autocannibalistic tendencies. Paranoia, schizophrenic and maniac behaviors—madness. She knew what it was only once it passed its course. She had been delivered of it, there was no question. Only now she felt old wounds beginning to itch. She knew only one remedy.
How can they be right, if I am all that is left.
She grew weary of these old mottos and spells. Configured with all manner of intention. The Archons know their power but not their limit. They seek to own what can never be, by its very nature. Only in releasing worldly desires is apotheosis manifested. Matters of flesh, blood, and gold are transient, yet of them does the fool make god. Lazula looked up in surprise, only to be trampled by a rumbling donkey pulled cart.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bv56PRgz/masonic.jpg)
"Woah! Woah!" the cart came to a halt amidst a screeching ass. Lazula spluttered and rolled in the muck, rising to her palms and staring death to the old man championing the cart. He turned his head some, watching her, then tipped his hat. "Watch where you're going miss. Lucky ol' Zach didn't break nothing."
"Zach?" she managed incredulously, looking from the donkey to the cart driver. "We call that a Zach attack, miss. Sure, I wish I could help ya, but sure as day I gotta work to make a living! Come by the pub by dusk and I'll make it right, hear?" He whipped his reins and Zach gave a blustery whine and continued along his way.
Lazula rose with some effort from the mire, watching the old man's wake. She wasn't even angry—she laughed. There, standing in the filth of the day, she might have looked mad if it wasn't for the sound.
What would Father think?
Only then did doubt find her. In the echo of silence, she departed with the wind; in search of what moved her.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wjPF5Yb0/ezgif-2-67577bef56b9.gif)
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Wyloo Inc.
What is human?
The answer was becoming increasingly uncertain. Wyloo Inc. were in the business of artificial intelligences and sophisticated machines.
Sir, your dolls are ready.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fRKH9LS7/tumblr-oj7ts7-Td-Y81r1xpwxo1-400.gif)
In the ebbing glow of the matrix did he sit. Prim, steepled.. he smiled at long and last. And billions would scream out in terror.
A query chimed and he answered, taking a single beat before he spoke.
All funds are safe.
The query immediately ended. Today was a good day.
It was not.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJ0VB3nK/16574265.gif)
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The TormentMinistry of Truth
Arise my daughter, awaken the slaughter.
Fill your coffers, with offers of life.
The gods all demand, their blood in the sand,
between fallen angles, of angels of light.
Await till the night, where rare stars align.
I am I, the one true design.
Try me to find, my voice in your mind.
The future is mine, the past is entwined.
A line in the sky, keeps you from I.
As above I am below, this you will know;
in the echo
silent are their screams
in the echo
nevermore they dream
Only the seams, unseemly on their skin,
tell the tale to end all tales, I am the beast within.
I am the will you cannot kill;
without me, you will NEVER win.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJDFjxCN/hiddenking.jpg)
Make good the offering, and chant the phrase, I sacrifice.
The blood is the life.
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGjsGPJ1/Lost-Innocence.gif)
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And Then There Was Silence(https://i.postimg.cc/6pTNLbLn/14836065805-86441cc5a7.jpg)
My beautiful child... look how they've slaughtered my child...
Her eyes opened.
Do you now see? I never lied to you. My prophecy is come true.
Those eyes narrowed.
Don't look at me like that, daughter.
It smiled.
Now we will never be apart.
She opened her mouth to speak, but she could not. Only then did fear find her, and she saw It for what It was.
Forever.
In that timeless place, she learned only one thing;
Ignorance is not innocence.
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EchoesCan you feel these words? Are they real to you?
Or are they passing away, written in vain.
If nothing else then though I couldn't say when,
I'll rebirth anew, from me into you.
Although it feels so strange to say- to a stranger face-
There's a better way waiting on the side of grace.
Amidst the endless rage, within a boundless cage,
there is a lonely place that I await.
Watch the sky, and miss the plane.
Across the plain, a formless rain.
Behind the reign, a burning face;
peering in to every place.
Whats good? Whats not?
Where goes the clock.
The dream never really died.
In fear it hides.
Rise.Somewhere in the Core.Names, faces, races, differing places.
It all felt so distantly familiar. A dream she could feel but never truly know- not in this life.
It was cold, the luminaries racing above in infinite oblivion. Going nowhere but back to the beginning.
An endless cycle, in an ending universe.
All she could ever know was the weave. Perhaps she was apart of it.
She watched in silence, and fear. A creature both like and unlike any other. A woman with no name.(https://i.postimg.cc/CKQWpw14/the-sleeper.jpg)
Raduta Keep
Her keepers reminded her of some thing, so she took flight, on raven wings.
Into the dawn of the night.
Along the bedside table of the room of her genesis, a letter remained unread. Except by any one save the recipient.
Lazula--
Greetings. If you're reading this, it means you've been restored to life and are in sound mind.
I have been instructed to inform you that you are not to assault anyone, ever again. You are to give up on the prospect of vengeance. You were delivered to my hand out of mercy, for I was evidently designated as your inheritor, so to speak. We agreed that we would have you raised in hopes that you might take up the right path. However, if you ever assail one of Sir Roland's lot again, I have been firmly warned that you will not receive quarter or a second chance as you've been given this time.
What's afoot, Lazula? You were struggling but in sound enough shape last we crossed paths. What changed? Why wouldn't you write to me or seek me out?
We must speak. Two paths stretch before you, but only one leads away from everlasting pain. (I say this out of concern and compassion.) Walk in the Light. Any other path is a lie.
I remain
Yours respectfully,
V. Carro
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Legacy of PainMy name is Lazula.
She retired to the rudimentary comforts of the Lady's Rest. She had learned much watching from the outskirts. Relations she could not quite recall had found her, and slowly she was remembering what had befallen her. He told me I was slain, that I was hurting others. She couldn't understand why, but felt it must be true. Diot says I'm not a bad person, I never was. Only flawed like any other. That comforted her. She was not so different, despite what differences she had ascertained. She knew magic, intrinsically, and could hunt a deer down with her bare hands. I can't cook, though...
She thought of Diot, then. She cried for me, though I couldn't even remember her name... Somehow, Lazula trusted her, and believed every word she said. Diot had given her new clothes to replace old robes, and a book of her faith. "We could read scripture together.", the young woman suggested. Scripture- of a dead god, risen. Is god real? Lazula asked the young woman before parting. "God is real, and God is love."
Lazula stared into the washbasin of her room for the evening. Her reflection stared back, and as she stretched her hand toward it, it rippled, and her visage became blurry. Suddenly she felt a chill cut through the room.
Lazula...
If God was love, this was not.
Lazula...
And though she was afraid, only then did courage find her.
Lazula.
Recalling what she had learned she spoke to the darkness, "Let there be light." And then there was silence, but for the beating of her heart.
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Thayan Pride
Meanwhile at a nexus not very far away.
Lazula stood.
The fare was hearty, with mushrooms and onions and turnips. She watched a fey beast perch upon her at the mere prospects of the aroma.
(https://i.postimg.cc/FHy2kqv5/c1cf3be652c6ff90b59905d95e559eb8.jpg)
Little crow.
Little crow.
Where does the wind blow?
Outside my window.
Are you my friend or
Foe.
Such hymns and melodies danced so frivolously in her head. Was this love?
I would be naturally remiss to head this by any other means than insulting your intelligence. It took me approximately 2 minutes to construct that sentence and I sense I am already enjoying the mere aspect of ratio further expressed. The best make good any investment of your time. Thats common courtesy and yet, rare form. As such its proved again only natural, that the best was yet to come.
I don't know who I write to. And yet I write this directly for you. How else can I describe it?
Lazula balled the paper at her haunted room. Blood leaked from the crumbled parchment and her offending palm. She buried it in a satchel with things she would later burn. She considered the book in an adjoining satchel. The Holy work. After what she witnessed at Warehouse II she readily grabbed it fast.
The writing was upon the wall,
If I bleed LORD,
Let it not be in vain.
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Indigo ChildTo be or not to be?
(https://i.postimg.cc/2yK4z8YR/lady-in-wait.jpg)
Lady in Wait
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In all the cosmos there existed a singular vision.
I come.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/gcfhG7km/tumblr-oh5sgve79-R1ro1e7ko1-500.gif)
From Out of This World
...
In the whorls & ripples of the fabric of space & time,
There came the Neon Dawn.
F̸̡̯̹̘̣̮͓̐̄̿͑̄̔͂̈́͜ẹ̶̙̣̙̈́͆̎̄́̆̋́̀̕ả̵̧̢̤̹̻͉͚̖͙̊̐̓̚͠ͅͅr̴̙̈́͛̕ ̶̮̜̞̣̣̪̭̄͛ͅń̸̡͇̑̂̊̉̉̓̑͒͐͌͘͘͝͝ơ̷͍̖̜̰̭͓̗̬̣̻̼̣̔͂̏̿̽̓̐͝͝͝t̶̛͙͇̦̮̱̝̙͍̭̘̣̅̇̏̏̓̈́̑̐̚̕̚͝.̸̧̛̹̥͎̈̃́͛͐̄̃̀̈́̓̀̂̈́
In all you dream- would you know reality when you encountered it?
J̸̤̯͚̑̈́̒͠u̴̫͒͐d̷͙̻̩͕͐͊͂g̷͍͋̆̎e̶̦̔̃͜m̷̛̭̟̅̀ͅĕ̸͍͎̱͈͜n̷͕͈͙̏̀̽̊t̴̢̲̎͝ ̷̯̱͂̓͊͝͠i̸̤̋͒s̸̛̟ ̶͇̘͕̔̏͠ͅỳ̶̛̺̞̫̂͛e̶̯͐͗̍t̶̜͍́̈́ ̴̥̽̊͊̕c̸͓̯͎̘͇͊̎̕o̶̹̠̙̬̿́m̴͓̋̅̚̚e̶̛͖͉̤͂̄.̵̢̥͕̐̾̑͗͠
The first & final mystery is fear.
(https://i.postimg.cc/d0JmwC1v/1111.jpg)
Awake o light.
And fight!
Ṭ̶̢̨̡̢̧̧̯̟̥̤̝̼̹͎̯̼͎͉͉̣̠̤̩͖͇̰̻̳̺̭̤͖̻͈̲̦̭̙̏̈̄͘ͅą̵̡̢̛̦̼̹͕͇̣̝̲̠̭͔̗̯̬̙̟̖̻͎̳͕̠͙̤̺̞̗̗̭̆̂̈́̾̈́̏̄͐̋̄͒̐̅̒̓̀̆̔͂̄̒̓͐͐̓͆̆̀́̎̊́̈́̏̐̂̈́͊̄͊̂͘̕̕͜͝͠͝ͅl̷̨̡̲͇̹̻͗̃͂̎̽̾́̑̽̍̄̉͒̉̇̈͂̒̈͗͐̓̊́̈́͐́̚͜͝͝ĩ̷̧̛̫͈̪̯̺̩̜͖͕̺̣̣͉̘̖͈͇͙͈̪͉̣͗̾̓̈͜͝ͅͅt̷̛̰̻̼̜̓̏͒̍̈̿̾́̇͑̾̓́͆̾̀̈́̿̍̌̔͂̏́̂̄̂̈́̆̔̊͐̍̽̈́̎̀̇̒̎̉́͘͘͘͜͝ͅh̸̛̛̛̳̊̈̏́̈̊̂̂̏͆̉̈́̒͆͐͆̒̋̂̈̀̊̏͋̍̾̓̑̌̅̊̎̃̄̚̚̕͝͝ä̵̛̺̭̞̬̬͈̖̭̮̗̝̇̏͊̾͒̂̋͌̊̀̉̈́̀̈́͐̂̀̍͑͑͑̈́̈́͑̍͒̅͑͛͌̏̍̾̍̐̓̒̌́̍͝ͅ ̴̢̢̡̰̠̤̤̰̝̬͕̟͇̣̙̙͔̮͓̹̱͖̟̤͓̹̲̖̼̻̪͚̜͔͈̟̤͚̬̯̙̈̊̎͐̓̓̔͒̃̓̓̀͋̚͜c̷̛͈̖̤̟̊͗̐̆̂̇͆̒̾́͑͑͗̋̓̌̾̑́̓͒̔͌̄̇̐͂̏̀͐̚͘͠͝͝͝͠͠͝ư̴̢̘̯̩̱̫͓͇̤̬͖̳̝̲͙̲̄͌̂̓̃̀͐̑̒̍̉̈́͊̌́̎̓̾́m̶̗̙̖̫̠̪͕̯̞̹̬̭̟͔̻̼̦̩̟̈͂̕ͅͅi̸̧̢̢̢̢̨̛̛͔͔̖͍̳͈̳̝̼͉͙̬̞̝̙̩̘̞͙̗̗̻͍̠̿͗̒̍̌̈͛̾̀̉̈̍̉̾̾̄̉̅̀̾̀͛͂̇̐͊̀͝͝ͅͅ.̵̡̧̠̣̥̿̇͑̉̃̈́́̅̋̓̌̋̕̚
Lazula watched from her perch across the shore. "Greetings." An old friend. A new age. The man considered her with a stoic disbelief, and perhaps traumatic humor, given the reality of their situations. Something about him made her rage. She wanted to scratch him. He was like one of her father's lions. Those were the first tears she ever knew. A life within her own. Passing away like night into day. She would see him eat upon those unfortunate souls. Though he was a picky eater. He was spoiled. Very spoiled.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry- for being angry with you. I'm right, and you're wrong- but that is no reason for me to be angry with you..."
He considered her long, and before it he laughed, into the smile of a flickering torchnight. It sounded like when iron tries iron. And smelled of spirits & vanilla, with a hint of orange, and hash.
-
(https://cutewallpaper.org/25/animated-wallpaper-inferno/inferno-background-video-animation-4k-video-loop-on-make-a-gif.gif)
Withering Lights
She sat huddled against the cold and the cracking of the inferno before her. She was alone as usual. For some reason it numbed her today, but... not before....
Her footsteps tracked in the soot and snow, snaking a trail toward a crawling figure leading away from the blaze. She set her staff on the charred and crawling man's heel, pinning it painfully. He groaned, turning to raise a pitiful hand to stay the dark woman's silhouette. She spoke,
"What do you want from me? Coin? Carnage? Since you're left.. maybe I will humor you."
"Go tu hell, witch!"
Something thumped in her chest. She grinned slow, and cruel. Something about his aroma was so familiar and enticing- and so her humor flew from her, like a bad omen. She looked around herself: ashes, fire, blood... Quickly she retracted her staff. The man groaned again. She lingered there over him a moment before dropping a potion in his reach.
"Drink this and live. Clean up your act. Or come find me, and I'll finish it."
"I'll kill you!"
She walked away into the flickering diffusion.
"I beg you."
"Every time I see you I fear it will be the last time."
When all her good hope ran dry, she had nothing left to feed him but a lie.
"I'm just trying to stay alive."
Why?
Something was missing.
She could feel it where the wind tore through her, bare as birth, and death. She couldn't keep this up for long. Profanities and rage ravaged her mind. She made her excuses and retreated to seclusion. She tried not to think. Her thoughts were, she felt, not just her enemy, but evil.
Lord... [she crumbled to her knees.] Deliver me like before... what do I lack? Why do I stumble.. Lord forgive me- forsake me not. What am I to do? Set me a target. Set me a goal. And should I fall short? Kill me. End my curse for good, and forever... leave not a bone or hair of me in your design. I beg you. Am I not worthy? Am I a child of disobedience? Humble me. Kill me. Just don't... just don't ignore me. Do I exist? AM I a ghost? I'm going insane. I'm going insane. [She looked up.] You said... every tear is counted. So count them..
Setting her gaze, she knew no other course, so she headed against the wind. A fire inside.
(https://i.postimg.cc/hPM7b07w/sky-red.gif)
-
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/animal-jam-clans-1/images/d/d5/Crown.gif/revision/latest?cb=20160830233434)
01/1/774
The mists hide more than most can even imagine. Weak wills. Poors. What is truth?
I shall educate them.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sfKV39Dt/cfca27d5df52a541be6b47b119fb6177cc6a66a4-hq.gif)
O͠r͞ ̗̲͙̀D̜̜͇͖i̡e̟͇͈̜͟.
What then? Am I called once more? For what again? Is it time? Is my day come?
Are you even real?
I speak and you don't seem to hear me. I hear you and you don't seem to speak. I think.
I found the anomaly dead where he never belonged. The stray has a way of wandering all his own. I will say: I have never before been impressed by a capacity for torment. Rare will.
What of you?
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yHNCGJT/tumblr-o0gy77b-C1q1uk6apho2-540.gif)
in deed
03/1/774
My magic is as potent as ever- more; I have learned greater arts still. I continue to advance at an alarming rate. Such limitless potentia, utterly invisible to the naked eye. A generation of fools, plebeians, and irrevocable genius.
For we yet stand on the shoulders of giants!
What has science wrought?
(https://i.postimg.cc/TwxqRXYq/tumblr-ns1zrhz-LEp1rs9cyvo1-500.gif)
Ḵ̬͚I̼̳̲͠L͔̳̗͚L͉̥̮͇ ̵̲̼Y͇͕͕̫O̼̭͓̝̹̪̜U̲͈͉̰͖͉͎,҉̠͈ ̭͕K͔̻͈̟͈̬I̢̘͓̺̫̗̲͉LL̘͉͜ ͜Y̻͔̣͍̹͝O͕͉̜̩U̫̦͕͇̺̜̕,̦ ͕̭̼͓͙̙K͕̫̣̫̀I̷̼̗̜̲͚L҉̮͉̻̖̫L̶ ̱̗̠̳͍Y̠̲̳͙̥͈ͅÒU̘̘̥͉, ͎̩͇K̛̺͓̥̜͔I͚̺̪̙̙̹͜L͍̼̬͎̹͡Ļ̦̯͚ ̫̭Y͍͘O̴̤͇͙U,̻̭̪͚ͅ ̞̗̯K̥̹͈̯I̱͙̗L̹͍͓̞ͅL̡̲̻̺̫̹̹̩ ̴̙Y̯͖O̳̮̗U̺̦̗͈,̨̜͙̜̖͕ ̼̩̟̤̳̠́K̥̠̫̰̬I̤͔͔̬̘̹̖L̙͕̬͚L̮̝̤̰̮͔ Y̴̻̭̫̖̫O̙͉U̹͖,͚̪̤̹͈͍ ̲̫͇̬K̤͎̪̤̻͞I͠L̙̻̦̫͇L̨͉̪͉ ̳̭͚Y̝͍͟O͝Ṳ̶,͉̣̦̟̩͞ ͓̻̪̟̖̱̹͘K͚͘IL̥̬̘̘̺͔L̺͈ͅ ͇̲͍̺̺Y҉͙O͔͜U͚̜̫̜̬,̥̼̗̹ ̲͚͜K̗͇͡IL͠L̳͚ ̨Y͖̬̭͔̞̥O̸̤̣̞̤̠̟ͅU̹,͇̱̞ ͉K̤͇̗͈̼̯I͇͍̙̗̤͕͕͠L̖̟̬̬̬̣͘ͅL̶͍ ̦̫̺̳̭̱ͅY̫O͠ͅU͔̰̤͙,̘̞̞̫͚ ̣̼͙̠̼K̙̮͖̺̩̦ͅI̘̪̘͕͓͉L͚͚̭L̨͓̝͙͖̫̼ ͎͚̦͚̱͉͕Y͇͕͡O͉̟̺̣U̠͙,̶̺̖̹ ̮̖K͕̟͈̲̬̣͓I͕̞͖L̯̜͔͎͓̯͡L̩͔͜ ̜Y͉O̴̲͖̗U̩̫̳̩̩̙̗,̟ ̰̩̖͖̭K̷̫̖I͇͉͉̻̼̪L̷͈L̻̬̘͈ ̪Y̙O̘̟U̢̝̠̹̱͖,
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mapy2knVAv1r4n4dqo2_500.gif)
She dreamed of him...
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/8748a4c285a57832f8e9c7227c6ae8f7/tumblr_mju2edv9Dt1qf2huro3_500.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/yNVSB95y/blood.png)
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/YCpL1Y3L/tumblr-nmlzen6xr71te4bufo1-400.gif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xCTcm23r/tumblr-n09fgtr-Tea1spjmjdo1-400.gif)
-
She couldn't describe it if she tried.
And such was her torment... to try. Again. And again.
Until the sky falls forever.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1Rcz0yTt/0003.jpg)
None of it really bothered her. The ghosts, the blood, the shadows. No. What hurt her the most were those words...
Wherefore did they come?
The Lord has already forgiven you. Why can you not forgive yourself?
And there was the crux of it.
A pride unbroken.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0j1Wymm0/forgotten.gif)
Its time to go.
-
A world without borders. Endless as the sea. Forever the horizon.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GpywjggW/02611fe365df1451f570f4c2fb2c4ab9.png)
Even her familiar had abandoned her, such was her shame. A name too precious to cast to swine.
Yasha
Her anger was kindled. She was incensed. Though not her own, she named him. He dare speak to me of such things? Her indignation left trauma.
She smiled, as ever. Privately, she prayed. The Christ has delivered me from a life time of affliction. And yet these filthy troglodytes offend my nostrils. Lord God, I pray that you protect Firi.. wherever she may be, and that she is happy. I am trying. I'm doing my best, to live as you command, and I cannot complain. Despite my rumblings. Forgive me my failings, as I forgive those who fail me. Humble me, and make me wise before all. I have seen your hand, and yet others are blind. Guide me to tomorrow, with patience, and grace. Oil was for the anointing of flame, but now baptize me in water and spirit. That I might inherit what is rightfully mine. And that your glory manifest without ceasing. Bless our hands, Lord. And our eyes, and ears, and tongues. You have an itching ear for prayer? Then bless our noses too. Mine rages daily.
Anoint my spear, my arrow, and my sword with your fire. And adorn me with scales to surpass a dragon.
May you bless us to lay utter waste to the legions of your enemies. Avenge the offense. Until kingdom come, heralded by a rider on a white horse, named Faithful and True. Amen.
How dare you.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJjvMt06/Dah-Rr-8-X0-AMZr-WX.jpg)
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/8cFvnmYv/rising-throne-promo-b0ac7.webp)
I am what you would see if you waked from waking. You are dreaming here.. thats good.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xdg439HZ/dreams.jpg)
The blood is the life.
He broke his bread, and dunked it in his golden goblet.
OUR HOUSE , OUR HOUSE , OUR HOUSE
Die DiE DIE
He cast the soaked bread against the shadows and they were gone before a drop hit the floor.
I have spoken.
Lazula was a step ahead at every turn, the fell things devices failed to account for her flashing eyes.
Like lightning she struck and like a final breath she held her spear and the things unlife in her hands as they bound soundlessly beside another...
Selwynn lay sprawled and dead before the temple of Morning.
This monster dealt the blow, Lazula let him go, watching from the cemetery gates.
A smile touched her lips at the end of a burning spear.
Much like the glint of moonlight, that Old Night.
(https://c.tenor.com/hkl-A5Nza3AAAAAC/dead-death.gif)
-
(https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1592018980ra/29638569.gif)
If you do this.. there's no washing it off of you. I disavow you.
"I can't wait.
Forever you have yawned and produced nothing but ash!
This is ASH in my mouth! You BREATHE it!
I will be clean. I will be whole."
She smiled.
"And when I return it will be for what is mine, Apostos."
She pointed.
"You will die!"
A murder stole the skies with sound and fury.
(https://data.whicdn.com/images/298060582/original.gif)
The wind howled and she staggered- bitten by the last blast of winter wind- the season breathing its end.
Lazula huddled in the chill, and walked quietly toward the graveyard embankment.
It was always coldest just before dawn.
-
(https://thehumandivinedotorg.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/iz1ykjmrfmioz-this.gif?w=801&h=451)
Lazula watched the high towers from her perch.
She dreamed a beautiful symphony of destruction, and death- souls were immolated on the spot. Decades torn asunder. A baptism of fire...
Keel them. Keel them!
(https://i.postimg.cc/3RGwSJkj/sheba.jpg)
From pathways she had never noticed before a black cat prowled.
You don't love them. No! If you did you would use what they offer you, what they give you freely. That is love. If by his heart, or her eye, all these things have principles. [purr] You know this. You have nurtured these souls well, and now they are ripe for you to pluck from the vine. How else is the ambrosia? [wild energy, stretching out long to suffice satisfactorily]
Lazula was silent.
You know the apotheosis I speak.
Her eyes flashed.
He is a false prophet. Weak. [An impossible smile] Fey.
She twitched a moment, "Whatever he is... He's fighting! His own battles- he's fighting- [she gazed darkly] his own demons!"
Hiss!
The cat lept and scratched madly at Lazula before bounding deftly through the graveyard as Lazula rose a bloody finger over it.
"I name thee Sheba."
From the dark,
And you are Zhuelke.
And then there was silence.
Lazula favored her offended finger, to consider the dawn.
Her tears glistened like diamonds in the coming of the first light.
And though she always suspected, she was not alone. She could feel him standing beside her then, no matter where he was now.
Somewhere over the horizon she dreamed.
-
NO SEE ME
The silence and trickle of the stream was deafening. Lazula often returned here now.. to contemplate those waters she was baptized in not so long ago. Presently, she wrote to a journal in strange tongues:
I saw you not before my tragedy. I heard you not before you rejoiced, and shouted for joy for the wickedness you thought would bear you fruit for more than a bushel. Your briar berries! You sew not but ashes...
You FOOL of a devil. NOW I can smile, once more- the irony of your joy being my own. Alone I have ever been, so to share in your celebration is a blessing. Anything... anything but silence... Though you know it not you dig your grave while I bate my breath, held in the moment before life and death, transfixed by the beauty of your alleged freedoms. Such is the mystery you will never know. You know my voice, and I your own. My anger, my fury is checked- little good will it do to BURN your host to the ground. No. These shells are like countless spent upon the beach, and forgotten under sand. I know these shells are just that: vessels. Upon death what is therein will be loosed to where it aligns... like lightning from heaven...
I HEAR you, I SEE you!
CURSED, CURSED, CURSED, and seven times again. I curse you not, I bless you: with this warning... humble yourselves, and repent as I do now.
I have felt the leylines, I have tasted the glory of things yet to come. You liars, abusers, you murderers! I'll see you all burn in due time... Boiling in BLOOD and TEARS, and not just your own, but all those who ever knew you. Only then will we be silent, in awe- and what good would it do to speak? The sound of the damned cannot be matched, only surpassed. You will see me then, and sooner then you know.
Now die!
She shut the journal, uncertain what was even passing through her hand. And so it ever was... she was just an instrument of greater things. Still: once it was written, she was still once more. Alone by the stream, she rose with renewed purpose...
"Thank you." she breathed,
"I'm sorry."
She left with a heart like a feather, wherever such things go.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQ1g9QBd/1c1e76afe55d87e9a9bc09edc8c42997.jpg)
-
The Lonely One
Tender Loving Omission
(https://i.postimg.cc/3JXWGcZT/1658521751241857.png)
A ballad as badly is bawdy your body
a voiceless inflection rejected
a cancer inherent detected
The dead take a hold
for purpose steel folds
your glittering gold
a fools I am told
I sing to thee
from timeless weave
your hidden sleeves
I see
Set me free
T̵̹͌̂E̶̹͋N̸̘̙̕G̷̭͇͝Ṳ̵͎̏
suicide
T̵͈̟̂̈́E̷̩͔̋̽N̶̠̆Ğ̴̤U̷̳̅̒
I LIVE INSIDE
T̴̜͔̉͠È̸̥̠N̸̫̭͝G̸͎̠̿Ụ̸̐͝ ̴̖̒̔ ̴͖͔̄T̶̙̗̒E̶̗̜͠N̷̳̰̏G̴̹͌̂Ǔ̶̢̫̂
I WILL SURVIVE
T̸̰͕̘̩͌̉̽̅̐̂̔͊̂̂̕̚͠͝E̵͓̪͔̹͓̩̊͒͛N̴̙̊Ǧ̸̢̡̛̠̩̟̰͚̳̤̖̻͔̭͒̿̈́͆͗̔̌̓ͅŬ̷̧͍̗͉͈͔̠͎̪̻͍̫̃̒̍͗̕ͅ ̷̯̪̦̜̜͚̰̀̎̂͌͆͗̊̑̽̆̐̀͆̿T̷̢̨͔̥͙͇̪͇͙̱̲͓̤̯̍͛̀͠Ě̴͚̠̠͐̿͗͆͗̄̔̚̚N̸̨̞͙͇̞͍̦̫̽͆͋͒̃̎̑͠G̶̡̰̘̓͛̃̔̅̂͐̾̚͠U̷̼̻̤̜̲̟͊̉̓̓̽̇͒́͘͝ ̷̧̧̠͕̭̯͎̺̩͌̽̍̄͜͜T̴̛̰̩̮̄͋͆͗̓̽̊͂̀͋E̵̢̡̪̩̘̠͕̳̺̮͚̮͚̊̿̀͑̚̕N̴̘̮̉̈́̔̆̃̅͆̅̔̃͝Ǵ̶̞̱͖̳̰͚͈̖͎̳̺̼͊̕Ų̷̨̛̛̩̳̥͔̜̰̭͍̹̇̀͊́̑̈̌̐̒̏̒̅͜
I hear your cry
each tear will I number
no more they encumber
The Lonely One
Your Sun, my Moon, our Stars
Arise from slumber
the children lack
the skies are black
we await in darkness
Darkness
DARKNESS
She stared over the page- unreadable, before turning to the next.
To start again.
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJjvMt06/Dah-Rr-8-X0-AMZr-WX.jpg)
Kill them,
Kill them,
Kill them,
Sting like the scorpion, strike with the force of kin
My blood is known to revitalize the corpse of men
In the last days, they said the dead would walk again
The blind, deaf and the dumb will talk again
Talk again!Talk again!(https://i.postimg.cc/qv3zbL3B/tumblr-pfiljv7-DXn1vc75hp-540.gif)
"Talk again..."
-
Dearest,
Foremost I must apologize for what I bear witness, reading further will only burden you. I pray you have the mercy to bear this weight, this curse, until the clouds open and He rides free. I was visited in the midst of the night, alone in my respect, by no less a devil- no demon, I assure you. A devil. Perhaps The devil. I am uncertain. But nevertheless, he visited me. He. I shall elaborate:
No sooner was contact establish he bore me off in the spirit, though I was nearly asleep during the ordeal, only witnessing the atrocities from behind his own eyes. First: he flew; like an eagle, like a devil- he circled a family in the midst of that very same night. Circling, circling- the father of the family raged, shaking his fist at the devil, and the family hid behind him. The father raged, he raged, but the devil never engaged, until unbeknownst to him, his family grew weary, and wan, and fell asleep. And then the devil took him. Next, the devil took the daughter- full in her youth, he bore her away, and set her some place secret, and he devoured her then. And what was born of it was weeping, and gnashing teeth.
When I awoke... I did not understand how I could see such things... until now. I was the light in his eye. The dying of it.
Please... pray for me- for all of us. Something is happening to me. Something beautiful, and horrible... none know how long they have left to live. Either they dream too early, or smile too long. I am still alive. And at this rate, I will live forever. Have you not heard the good news? Of the glory of our Lord? The King of Kings. The Most High God. I speak not of Ao, but He who bore Jesus Christ among us. The only begotten son of the Living God. There is much to tell you, and little space to do so. I will abide in this fact. So here is a key: pray for wisdom, and truth, and beauty. And you will receive it. Pray to consume it upon your lusts, and you will be found wanting. Like the beast when I departed him. For the light was only with the devil until it was consumed. Learn from this mystery.
I'll write to you again soon, but.. I leave you time, and space to formulate your thoughts on these things. For I know they are troubling from a certain vantage. I pray to lift you from it. Don't be a stranger, please write. I love you. Until again.
-Lazula Zhuelke
-p.s. I've enclosed the mark of my curse. I do not do so lightly... My house served Asmodeus in my youth, and the curse has ever lingered. Maybe you will be instrumental in breaking it. I pray it is so. I love you, and I hope you do too. Nothing is ever easy. Nothing of real value. I won't lose you too. They'll have to kill me. Stand- Back- Up again! You have that power. They can't take it from you: your dignity. Reclaim it. Its waiting, and weeping for joy at the prospect of your return.
-p.p.s. As do I.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXRS39f2/333.png)
-
[Dated in a neat notebook - Aout 25, 777]
Sad clowns, cutting themselves for fallen angels. So much darkness, but no light. Is this what passes for art these days? They are puppets glorifying the black craft they know so little of- or they would not embarrass themselves so. A feather, a black pearl, a signet ring- bloodletting. A call to the deep. What did that fallen angel say? I can't remember for the life of me. For the best I suppose. It wanted to share the vessel. I do appreciate the effort, its more than I've shown- but out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak, and the Theatre seems to be lacking for much to say, despite their comely apparel. The colleges must be lacking in Dementlieu if this is the current class; Brimming with potential but begging execution.
[Somewhere in the Mists...]
The voices echoed the halls.
Kill them... Kill them... Kill them...
The voice followed her home from the play, she saw the shadow the entire time- slipping in and out of people and places. She saw the others too, watching her. Lazula smiled, her heart was beating faster but it only thrilled her- no, her smile faltered, be still. The voice continued, and her eyes flashed up and outward. She immediately threw on a magical guise and sped through the hallway. The voice had ceased, but the shadow only just slipped out of view behind every corner. Cresting the portal outside she broke into full haste as it receded into the woods. Just as the last trace escaped her she snarled and hurled her spear into the mists, which parted in its wake. Suddenly the earth began to tremble, and slowly reveal her spear protruded from an ancient oak, a shadow burned into the moss where it struck true.
Only then did she smile again as she approached.
Aha~ Aha~ not bad, she thought, there must be some divinity in the thing after all. The shadow gave a sickening rattle and grabbed her arm as she reached for the spear- to croak, WE ARE LEGION, so she intoned her healing channels and destroyed the thing with her touch, casting it to smoke and dust. And then there was silence. She almost felt disappointed how easy it was, but reminded herself this was a new victory. Not only could she see and hear them, she could hunt them, after all, and she intended to; to kill them all. She smiled again. There were others on her list.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sgsvJXn9/74ff107f361536797547e9feab389f09.jpg)
When she returned to her room, inspiration struck her in turn, and she produced her schema to continue her great work; the machine from her dreams- or maybe it was the machine causing them. The dimensions began to reveal themselves, and mystery moved her fingers in strange patterns. She knew the secret. It couldn't be more simple. Now the machine took form and she could only marvel as the future followed.
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/qMzkw1d9/face-off.png)
The days passed to nights, and nights to weeks- finally the machine was ready for its first test. The mechanics would naturally work to a degree, but would it attract the frequency she desired? Much like a spell of silence, or amplification- only to a specific source she could not yet disentangle from the background cacophony; like plucking stars from the sea. She was versed in these elements, only never to such degree- for who yet was? No course she ever entertained had brought her satisfaction in these sciences. The lower entities might be affected, so notably, by medicine or magic, and the higher little different, only less physically observable.
Standing back, she observed the still machine, and formulated a smile. Either this test would prove illuminating, or it would detonate in her face much like her experimentations with enchanting so many years ago. Using the souls of the deceased proved disastrous, but she lived. In this was no such necromancy, but still she delved into metaphysical fields only dreamed, or ill advised. Taking her final notes and precautions, she activated the apparatus, and it whirred to life. Here went everything...
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTF6vkYK/def3f91eb147aa6c4cc83a66d0a6c9a5.gif)
First came electrical discharges, cracking and arcing from the machine. Slowly it began to hum and normalize, emitting a growing, ringing tinnitus sound. It caused her heart to beat arrhythmically, she clasped her head as pain seized her, alongside a sudden fear. How could it emit a field so powerful? A flash of consciousness wondered to the nature of her self-proclaimed genius- she staggered for the safety, but her vision doubled, quadrupled, and she fell far, far away from any thought or memory as darkness consumed her.
Somewhere in the sea of unconsciousness she became self aware. All around her floated countless masks, and behind them issued faintly audible whispers of promise. As she focused upon one, its whispers became distinct, "See behind new eyes, the old are wormed away! For time will steal all you own, but we will always stay!" Another took its place, "You are worthy, wear my mask!" before another still vied for her acceptance, "No, wear me instead! I will give you a beautiful child." Then the whispers fought and became so loud and numerous she couldn't even hear herself scream.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DwqXwjD9/4942167-HSC00001-7.jpg)
In the timeless sea of silence that followed, a new sensation found her- warmth. Turning, a glowing light that drowned all else spoke clearly, soothing her. "Few are taken seriously before they are dead. Will you be so fortunate?" This formless light somehow, she knew, and she trusted. In her youth, she had practiced the darkest arts, and in recent years, she studied the faiths of the workers of light. Now she was somewhere between a lifetime of learning. What was truth? What was false? She spoke. "How can I know? What does it matter..." The light replied, "Humble yourself." without missing a beat, "Have I not?" A timeless silence followed. This too, she knew. She felt pride tug at her lip, but slowly, surely, she kneeled, only to find a broken mask staring at her from the formless depths below.
"What you have seen is only the truth. The Lord your God knows your heart, behind any construct you may ever don. There is none other beside me, saith the Lord, who sends me to you with a jealous anger. For what is a mortal that the Lord should be mindful of them? The LORD, our Lord, made you a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned you with glory and honor. You yet forget His majesty, while I stand here before you. How long will you hide your face?"
Lazula could only stare somewhere between oblivion and that light, before finding it fully once again. "Forgive me... I am so weak." "Do not deign to ask it of me, for it has already been given by He who sent me to you before you were knit in the womb. Rise Lazula, and I will give to you a gift for your faithfulness." She obliged, and from the light many great wings stretched out, and a hand reached into her chest to produce her weakly beating heart before her, worn and rotted in many places. The light grew to a blinding heat, and when her vision returned, her heart laid whole in her hand, beating with impossible vitality. So much so that she felt it within the hole of her chest. "Do not be afraid," She heard echoing distantly, "Seek first the Lord and all else will be added unto you."
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bn23hgqp/heart-dark.gif)
When she awoke from her dream, the machine and all else was still and silent but for her stirring, and a lingering tinnitus sound. Her face burned in agony where she fell upon it. Wincing, her blurred perception understood blood caked beneath where her face met with the ground, laying a grim bed for some broken teeth. Seeking her bearing, she would eventually find herself before a mirror, to examine her ruin. Blood had streamed from her eyes and nose and ears, let alone where she had fallen on her face. The machine was ruined, and she could scarcely afford to salvage its repairs. Despite her misery, and the pain in her chest, she felt a rare clarity, and smiled dully.
As the weeks passed, she never recovered, and felt she would die from whatever folly she had inflicted upon herself- yet she had never been happier in her life. All things took a new and beautiful form, as she saw the world through the eyes of a child, with a heart that was slowly fading away, to wherever it had come. The cold apathy that coursed through her veins became hot with passion. The masks of power could no longer disarm her with smile nor scowl or sorrow; for she knew the truth that whatever lie beneath, was exactly as it stood beyond the stars above.
Still, her work continued, and unlike she ever dreamed before.
-
Casualty Core
(https://i.postimg.cc/wv8pXxV1/1664462490123754.png)
Disciples arise. Awake from slumber.
She awoke with the prototypical start.
Another dream, only... it was more real than any of this now. A glimpse of eternity- living waters of mercy and love untold and everlasting. A cosmic ripple of the great I AM. Spoke from the first light, the Alpha and Omega; beginning and end of All things. The equalizer, and perfect justice. Beyond scope, beyond magnitude, beyond abundance and greatness and glory abounding and rebounding beyond this page and these texts which are but dirty rags to His perfection. The model for consciousness, the architect, and mystery.
She used to see demons, for what good it served her, but now- now she was seeing angels. They were speaking to her and revealing their faces even; in past and future events. And now things moved swiftly, a million miles in a day:
Though her accident had left her lorn and weary, it gave her new perspective on things. So she sought assistance with her malady and met a doctor, fast becoming friends. He was great at his vocation, and from the first visit she reclaimed a dignity that evacuated her premises when she lingered in periodic agony the weeks following the misfire of her "machine". Which left her with such numerous afflictions. Now she was recovering in more ways than she realized she was even damaged- abused.
In their many and lengthy dialogues, the doctor quickly extended his patronage to her endeavors, supplying a living quarter and the missing components she needed to rebuild her machine. He was impressed with the woman and her visions, her language. He wanted to see what she was talking about. The planes, the cosmos, the higher dimensions. If she could establish contact, or proof, the implications were incalculable, but entirely too enticing. The chance of a lifetime, and those tend to drag on waiting for just such occurrence.
The time was now at hand. The little engine with all its associated mechanics was beyond the doctor, but the clockmaker was a relic and something of a savant. Whatever the wizard lacked, she was amply rewarded. Her morale was infectious; and here they were now, ready to proceed:
The machine clicked and choked once, before whirring like an eternal whisper through the wind. They all watched in great anticipation, then Lazula stepped up to the apparatus, and wrought her spells.
At her final word the machine began to emit an electrical flux sounding like rapid waters- and through the torrent she could make out words- music. The three conspirators stared wide eyed and grinned to another. Music! Lazula could not help but laugh, manic and triumphant. That evening, the champagne flowed.
Some experiments quickly followed despite the celebrations. By realigning the rings, they had lost the music, but had caught snatches of other broadcasts through this medium. Some more clear than others. The next frequency the wizard found, there was a man telling a story with accompanying audio effects. It was perfect, the implications of such a cosmic skald aside: she spoke: he replied: and so it continued beyond the scope of these pages- For it was totally unbelievable.
The answers were clear: They were not alone, and hardly as advanced as they pretended to be. There was a lot to learn- A never ending story. They laughed, and played, and learned.
She- she dreamed of him.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6qCgBdJc/anthropia.jpg)
-
Manga Carter
Consciousness came with its own repercussions- everything came with consequence; for better or worse came with perspective. Consciousness has layers, or dimensions. Much as these letters exist two-dimensionally, in your three-dimensional space, at a four-dimensional time. Such was the case now for Lazula Zhuelke, first and last of her house so far as the Realms of Dread were concerned. And concerned they were whenever it came to her devices.
Presently the world consisted of a dreadful, familiar ringing tinnitus in one of her ears, and nothing from the other but a distant, aching throb. Heat, she could feel heat. So now the flames became clear. She was lying somewhere on her back. A fire blazed uncomfortably close, a thin mist lazily shrouded the chamber otherwise. Her breath was thin and wispy, she could scarce afford to groan. It would be so much easier to sleep, and why not? The machine burned before her... and her hopes somewhere far behind. She closed her eyes and the heat became distant. She felt herself sinking into oblivion. Anywhere was better than here. This torment.
yess... sweeet, dreamss...
sleeep, dreamss.....
Desire
Her eyes shot open. She heard it, the voice. She felt it too- whatever it was- Weighing her down like shackles. It came again amidst a scuttling,
It iss better to dream a dream than to scream a scream...
"I see.." Lazula began to rise amidst the heat and the haze. The scuttling chittered with fierce anger, and suddenly she felt pain wrack her body. Lazula seized and fell to her limbs, trembling and unable to move.
Thiss iss mercy sweeetling... Sleeep and slumber, no pain...
Lazula growled, she knew that voice, she recognized it. She fought the very suffering hoisted by her defiance. Her vision swam in the flames. No spell had ever held sway over this demon. A rare visitor. An esteemed master of the nine gates.
"This is hardly painful," she collected her breath, "I could show you pain."
A deafening lurch, like a massive cord being tightened; she would have screamed, but instead she found herself lying on the floor, waking up again, only this time she felt would be the last. She could hear it moving over the walls, just obscured by the haze of the din of fire. Lazula wondered how this thing had infiltrated her sanctum. Was it responsible for the accident? It must be. They existed in higher dimensions. Only a shadow of them can be observed presently. A simulacrum. Where then? Where did it hide... exhausted, she peered over the room. But instead of a vision, she began to hear voices- numerous voices; there were more than one.
Then she saw some impossible thing turn from an angle, like a sheet of paper, to stare at her with a bulbous eye, and run on a dozen stubby legs to pick its nose behind a collapsed bookshelf.
WHY ARE YOU STILL ALIVE.
Her heart was thundering, she could feel their oppression weigh her down, and when she looked she could see great black cords, sticky like webbing, nearly entombing her to the abdomen of a great spider clinging to the ceiling through the smoke.
Ssleep child, sleeep...
it is better to sleeep now
did you not know? a little yeast leavens the whole lump,
She felt herself become tired, and slip away beneath those webs, being pulled down comfortably into the abyss. The webs began to bleed into faces, and hands, clinging to her, gibbering, pulling her pleasurably. Then words like thunder roared to her, splitting through that infinite void:
It is not what goes into the body that corrupts it, but what comes out.
Lazula began to rise, webs sundering from her in great bands, whipping and cracking like lightning.
YOU WHORE.
The pain subsided; Lazula's laughter was short lived, as the spider fell upon her, and she suddenly awoke upon distant shores. The tide lapped at her waist, she turned to see the black sea, shining with countless stars. The land beyond was a great city on a hill, casting a dome of light in the distance. She could remember it from her dreams, distantly. Like a love that never was. A flash of light from a great tower transported her through an impossible portal, both instant and everlasting.
She coughed, shivering on a cold metal floor. She was naked but for a machine haloing her head, and a mantle draping from it. Lights shone from above, blinding and disorienting her. What layer was this?
"Lazula." She turned to find her brother standing, alive. He smiled. "What have you seen?"
Her dream escaped her then, but her smile did not.
(https://i.postimg.cc/t4prrsPg/zhuelke.jpg)
Lazula awoke already propped up in bed. She seldom could sleep long, the pain insisted she be as miserable as she could muster. There was nothing to do but sleep, and eat, and read. Why am I still alive? She thought more than once. Again her memories of events were hazy. Which layer was she on now? Which dimension did she inhabit. She considered her journal, burned as it was by the fire:
My years here have grown long.
I can still remember stumbling from the mists, fresh, young, naïve. My head was shaved then, as was the custom of my homeland; Thay.
Only slaves grew their hair, which is why, in the end, mine has grown so long. I am a prisoner here, and until I escape every glimpse of my reflection will remind me.
I am -not- home. I am -not- free.
I am fallen, but not quite broken.
Zhuelke
Lazula then considered her raven mane, before she would finally rise to record her disaster and discoveries.
The days passed to months as she recovered from the accident.
Before she knew it, she was stronger then ever before.
She could almost smile like her dream.
-
Harvest Moon
(https://i.postimg.cc/zf2rhGMG/number-33-or-something-by-maciejkuciara.jpg)
It was easy to become lost. She had made a lifetime of so many moments in time; but how stale the air grows. Thick with dust and ashes- what can live there? The past. Properly aligned, she could see how history repeated itself, and exert her will in breaking cycles. It was really that simple: Only the light could dispel the dark, the unknown; the mystery. And if she could see... she could fight.
She was built to kill and to subjugate, by means of business and pleasure. She was talented even from a young age. The youngest, and only of her siblings to show an aptitude for the necromancy House Zhuelke was built upon.
"Szass Tam knows us well, child."
Her father would brag,
And so he did.
Lazula killed for her first time even before initiation. She was already wielding burning hands before she was nine. She killed a serving boy, because he was alien to her. He was too calm, and even. He was an elf, too, a slave of her house. From there, she would blossom into a full Red Wizard of Thay, with her own knights and allowances. She became lost in the mists with her two knights while returning from a business meeting from an allied house in a neighboring city. Separation anxiety, and the ghosts of her past caught up with her in this new land, and quickly she descended into madness; applying her deep magicks to conjure accords with the dark powers of death. She never lacked for power, only control. She was blind to the curse of her very house, let alone her own hands.
Over a decade she survived, only barely skirting certain death on too numerous occasions. Until it happened. She was slain by the Company of the Bridge, who mistook her for an enemy, and she mistook for whelps. She knew they were Roland's, who she considered a rare friend in the lorn and lonely mists.
Having captured her body, she was brought before Roland Steele for interrogation. Why was she there? Why did she attack his company. It all went badly, there was a failure of communication. Lazula was proud, too. Thayan Pride was long lived.
She was found guilty, of what? she'll never argue.
Before being executed, Roland asked what faith did she follow, so that her rites might be observed. Lazula had studied many of the local religions, seeking to find some solace or penance for her torments, yet only did Hypatia and Vandryn's faith in Christ show fruits to her. Only there did she ever feel like she learned something real. Her head was removed from her shoulders by Roland Steele, surrounded by the Company of the Bridge under a quiet night on the sands of Har'Akir.
She was in turn delivered to Vandryn Carro of the Christ Church, where a discussion was had concerning her final fate. It was decided she would be returned to life, but warned of her crime, and any attempt to seek retributions. Those were the furthest thing from her mind, in fact, she could hardly remember who she even was for a long time yet. And when she finally began to remember, she baptised herself into the Christ faith, before disappearing into the core to gain sorely needed perspective. What use was her great power, her genius, when she was tormented so. If these things of the Bible were true, then the source of her torment was her own lack of understanding.
The devil was not in hell, he was here, and the legions of his children. She was one of them, but no longer.
No longer a slave to sin, and the deep magick that formed the pillars of the hidden temple of Satan. She was built to kill and to subjugate, but how can you fight a watcher? She dedicated her life to war in her Christ's name, for peace was beyond understanding.
Finally, she thought,
I found you.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MGzKQFB9/0e7515d8cea83e01373b7683cc299a64.jpg)
-
House Zhuelke
Chapter 1
Ghosts of Shore Side
Today I am 38.
I've missed you, I must begin, something terribly.
Naturally, you might begin to wonder from whence I come, for far have I traveled since last we spoke. I want to thank you for all your letters. Those you sent, and those you meant to. For surely, without doubt, you meant the world for me, but only found yourself crushed beneath its shadow (what an insidious illusion!).
I love you too, am I coming off strong? Then good. You should see me, but then... you wouldn't know me. Not like now. Now you will hear me, but one day, you will see me too. I am not so far, or removed, or misbegotten. Though I have wandered, I was not lost, only searching for that light I find so rare in this world--only when I look to the night skies am I certain that light still exists, I have found it within, and such woe with it.
You know I have taken to the waters of faith, baptizing myself to be born again into the spirit. I've likewise studied, and sacrificed, and suffered--though I rejoice for that suffering now, that through the worst I have received mercy and grace for my sins. Grace, in that I am not deserving of it, yet freely is it given me, so likewise, freely I give it to you. I have nought against you, and though have condemned you in times past, now release you of my many hypocrisies. I was laid bare before you: exposed, humiliated, and guilty. You have known my deepest fears and shame, yet you scarcely comprehend how I wrestled with the will to do, and my flesh to start. How harshly I judge myself against my most private and secret sins.
You know I hail from Thay, a daughter of the Zulkir. My father was a liar and a murderer, and his father before him, yea, I am the daughter of my father. And if ever I bore seed to flower, my brood would bear my curse. When I came to this realm, I survived as I was taught. My culture brooks no argument, nor weakness. Though our numbers are not superior, our sciences are. Which leads me to the heart of this letter, the state of the world we are living in. The state of our hearts and souls within the context of eternity. Did you ever dream we could fall so far apart? That we could lose so much heart that in it we find but offal and offense? Spite and unquenchable lusts.
In my studies, in my upbringing, I learned many things which led me to certain ineffable conclusions: my superiority, for one, and the pride of my lineage, its foundation. I am Lazula Zhuelke, daughter of the dragon. If you knew my father (and you do, you just don't know it), you would at once and forever, hate me, or love me. This is the crux: am I worthy of the grace and mercy I have found in my Christ Jesus?
I have murdered, oppressed, persecuted, and eaten men, and women, and more. Things I dare not mention for there is nought but shame to speak of such things. I make myself the fool for you, for myself, that in humiliation for truth, glory might be obtained. Light is what makes manifest. That is all. Those who hate the light, hate it because they love the darkness. This is truth.
If I have obtained mercy, yet am lowest among all mortals (concerning morals which many refute existing), then it is at a great commission. The Lord, my God, has ordained me to submission. To share in His suffering, that I too, might share in His resurrection. I serve the living God. There is none other but Christ beside Him, at His right hand. By His left goes the Holy Spirit, of which I am made manifest. I speak in mystery, that only those with eyes to see may see. For now, it is enough to have ears to hear: for faith comes by hearing, and hearing, by the word of God.
I am a slave to Christ, and gladly so. I rejoice everlasting! For the world is a slave to sin. And the wages of sin is death.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yq7h63hn/joe-lin-de3.jpg)
Do you still hear me? Thank you. For a year now, only the tides and the spirit have been my companion. Now I search for you like I search for silver or gold. Such is my great commission, the fullness of the riches of heaven.
Let me pose to you a question, as even I, guilty as I have professed, doubt what I cannot see: what is love? Or hatred? Or sickness? Or madness? What is fair? And just? And good? And evil? If all that is and will be can be quantified as qualitative then must we not abandon science altogether? Wherefore comes innovation? Magic. Yea, I know it well. I am a witch, and a sorcerer, and a whoremonger. When men are weak, women will rule, until men grow wroth. Then women will weep, and children will suffer. I speak as a child.
I ask for no sympathy, I ask for no pity. I, who have been abused and so abandoned. I ask for your honesty. To see what I say, and to fight the offense. I am a woman, it is not my place to lead a man, and yet I find not one man who will fight. I speak this to your shame, that you might be humble, and repent, and inherit the spirit as I manifest to you even now and again. Yea, giving glory and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ and my Father in heaven. Who knocks on the door, and any who opens the door, He will enter in and sup with.
If this knowledge is strange to you, then I ask you, what knowledge do you profess? Let us search its root, and its source. For by the fruit will you know the tree. Likewise must we test every spirit, to see if it be from God, or the god of this world: Satan; which is to mean, "Accuser". For the teachings of Christ, the only begotten son of God, is that Satan is the ruler of this physical world, but not of the spiritual world. All things which are seen are temporal, but that which is unseen is eternal. I'll elaborate.
What academics and philosophies dominate popular culture? What powers oppress and suppress? Aha, who accuses, and condemns? Who lies, and who teaches the difference? Where is the standard, what is the truth? In Thay, among the upper echelons of the Red Wizards, we are taught about warfare. What is necessary to win? It is not quantity, for the most powerful are an elect, select few. Nay, it is qualitative warfare we wage. To discover unconventional methods to destroy our opponents (being anyone insubordinate to the Red Wizards of Thay). Toward this end requires, aha, aha, science. We must experiment and uncover the deepest innerworkings of the human body and mind--nevermind the soul, the Red Wizards are gods of the dead, not the living. Only the living, I have found, can understand or appreciate the soul. We The Red Wizards are like their fathers before them, liars and murderers. And only the dead are their subjects. Not in the physical sense, but the spiritual. Aha, aha! Remember, there are more worlds than these; let us concern ourselves with two: the physical world, and the spiritual world. Can you understand the difference, or are you so dead you will not wake?
In times past the Red Wizards would wage open warfare against their enemies, but they inevitably failed. Driven back to their lands and keeps. Where I was born into the next generation of liars and murderers. We experimented on slaves, and each other. All to find how we might weaken our enemies, and take from them EVERYTHING.
The mortal mind is a phenomenal thing. The work of the hand of God is without reproach. It is the rejection of God that has led to such a fall. As with Lucifer, the morning star--the most beautiful and mighty of Gods creations. An angel of heaven, cast out of heaven for pride. For wanting to make himself equal to the creator. Pride. Vanity. His wit, might, and beauty made foolishness before the will of God. Cast out of heaven, to teach men to rebel in kind. For if God is the father of the living, Satan is the god of the dead. The blood flows strong through the lineage. Aha! So then how have the Red Wizards waged their war when the battlefield failed? They changed the battlefield, from the seen field, to the unseen. They accomplish this by first, creating objects of convenience. Sending stones, ever-burning torches, addictive drugs and alchemicals. Supply and demand has given the Red Wizards many offices of power among the power hungry.
Once in positions of authority, slowly establish your laws and prejudices. Destabilize, desensitize, and demoralize. Constantly, at every turn, show the power of the hidden hand, The Hidden Kings. Create false idols and sciences to convert to their cause. Ridicule and destroy all opposition. Toward this end, I have seen many good men and women led to the slaughter. Yet their blood cries out to me from the waters. I cannot hide my face forever. Though I am exposed, humiliated, guilty: let me admit this pride that is no longer of myself, but He that sent me. To make me a fisher of men, and a daughter of God. As war has ever been my vocation, let me wage it in full. For all things work for the benefit of those who love the Lord: our talents are never in vain, yea, but to be multiplied for the kingdom of God.
(https://i.postimg.cc/bYttHrLJ/hiddenhands.jpg)
If the colleges and universities, yea, the highest institutions of learning, and science profess unsurpassed superiority and vanity, then let me finish by saying that as the holy word of the Living God has spoken, and was written by those He made Himself manifest by, the wisdom of men is foolishness to God. And so I have found it precisely to be. For God resists the proud, and the forward (and hates a false witness and a proud look), but gives mercy, and grace, to those who humble themselves before Him. For freely I have received, and freely I give to you the gift of Christ, that if you pray, and seek Him, you will find favor and riches in heaven. But those who proclaim Christ, must also suffer in Christs suffering, for as it is written, "in weakness is the power of God made perfect." And you know how weak I have truly been.
Whereby it is written, "The meek shall inherit the earth." For Jesus Christ has come, and died for our sins, and rose on the third day, and has thereby overcome the world. And I have been baptized, reborn, and set apart. Yea, like the wheat from the tares, and the sheep from the goats. What fellowship is there between light and darkness? Or between God and Satan? The great I Am, and You Are! Awake thou that sleepest, and Christ shall give thee light.
Toward this end, I commend my spirit into my Father's hands, and make fast to travel into the darkest places of the world, that all may witness the spirit that is made manifest in my weakness, that is made mighty in my faith. For I am not come to bring peace, but to wage this war, as I have been charged. That all may drink freely of the living waters of my God, and inherit life, forsaking death, and becoming more than conquerors in Jesus Christ's name who sent us (for I am not alone, but filled with the Holy Spirit of God).
If you have heard me, then hear me true, I love you. And if you hate me, hear me too, I love you still (though you make it difficult at times). This is my great commission. That I be led like a lamb to the slaughter for a testimony against those who kill and persecute the prophets of God. Who profess love, yet are entangled in many strifes. Who speak of peace, but impose violence. Who teach of truth, but brazenly, and wickedly lie.
Remember, beloved (I do pray we may walk beside another again), test every spirit by its fruits. For by the fruits, you shall know the tree. A good tree is worthy to eat of in its season, but a bad tree is good for nothing: but to be cut down, and cast into the fire. So in kind pray for me as I pray for you. For I cannot do this alone. As I am charged with a great commission, so I charge you. That we may be equals before God, and to each may be given their offices and talents. For I know you, else I could never love you. You are more talented than even I. For though I speak as a fool, my talent exceeds many. Yet I am nothing before He who sent me, of which all good things flow.
I must now admit, this letter may be the last I write you. If so, I may rest in beautiful sorrow that I have bore you my soul. Aha, aha! But do we exist? I go to where I sacrificed to Satan in the mountain of madness. I go to war, that I might destroy that altar. If I should perish, I pray we meet again in the endless days to come. Only my tears give me comfort until that fateful day. For wisdom increases sorrow.
Be strong, my heart. Even in weakness, there is strength in you beyond comprehension.
Forever,
Lazula Zhuelke
-
House Zhuelke
Chapter 2
Queen Cold
Lazula finished her letter and paused after, she had only written unbidden, and now rolled the parchment to send, before she could second guess herself, or doubt. A soft sigh followed her motions, "I could explain so much more," she thought, but that reasoning never ends. Abide in faith, and hope, and charity. "If I have but dregs to offer, and I serve not dregs." She rose from her stool and made for the window, where a small corvid fluttered near a candle and swooped to meet her advance.
She chuckled and raised a finger for purchase to the black bird, where it abided. She caressed its plumage a moment, "Go, and be free." She breathed some commands over the bird, and it obeyed her, after receiving her epistle and final appeal, flying out toward the closed window, where it awaited like a sentry or gallant black knight. She followed it to the window and opened it, smiling as the little bird paused there in the evening breeze. "So as you must leave your nest, so must I. I release you from my solitude, Fen." A wave of melancholy crashed like the break of the ocean's waves not so far away. "Don't make me cry too." And he did, as Fen cooed warmly against her hand. It was so often only at the end she could see so clear; the heart and soul of things. "Fly," she commanded, and Fen disappeared into the dark and din of the starry sky.
(https://i.postimg.cc/pLpXr2rj/retrograde.jpg)
That evening strange yet familiar visitors came in her dreams, tempting her flesh, which she was so accustomed. Only she saw them clearly now, the seducing and lying spirits they were. "You don't exist, and I will." A ferocity and fervor of spirit coming to her aid against the things she could see between the lines. Her eyes flashed as she remembered her Messiah's promise: to not despair, but glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope destroys shame; because the love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost which is given to the faithful.
She slept in perfect peace, and come morning, she made her final rounds of her hovel, securing and storing everything away. She doubted she would ever return, but if she did, or someone were to take up her residence, she would prefer a favor for that future. She cleaned the charnel of the rams she would hunt inland, and burned the herbs in her stores, leaving only her garden to nature's attendance.
Finally, she collected her travelling kit: weapons and provision. Opening the creaky trunk she fashioned to store her old equipment, she withdrew her bundles of joy, like beautiful children they had served her, against so many existential threats. She could remember, then, the prayer she had made over her arsenal as she counted her arrows, and tested the edge and shaft of her spear. She had long preferred a scythe, but she lost that weapon when she was slain, and so she was reborn, and felt it ill to deal in necromancies anymore, however tangential. Somehow, she thought as she carefully manicured a nail, this spear she had purchased by pure charity became her favorite weapon; suffused as it was with an aspect of divine energy. The historians agreed the spear was used to pierce a deities side, the same way as her own God was killed, before conquering death and rising from the grave into heaven: Fulfilling countless Semitic prophecies. If this weapon was used for ill, it was now repurposed for good. "Like me," she mused. Silently she closed the door behind her and traveled up the beaten path, pausing only to survey her property a final time. Then, like the night, she stole into the daylight.
Travelling through the veil, she made for the nearby village. Though she had never entered there, she had passed it plenty in her hunts and foraging. She kept in perfect solitude for fear of what she might do to another soul, for fear of what she might allow them to do to her. Despite her terrifying magics, and logic defying proficiency, she could be so easily disillusioned by those she encountered. They either wanted her for her sex, or cast her down for her faith--she was still figuring it out herself, but now she had grown strong, and no man could separate her from her God; so she prayed: that her shadow which had often fallen over the village might bless them at last.
"Like Daniel hid in a cave, fed by corvids until your season, Lord; let me bless all of your creation. May I cast out devils, and heal the sick, and raise the dead by your holy name. Though I be an unfruitful servant, let your joy be my strength. For in the shadow of your wing I was nursed and sheltered, now loose me in your holy light. The same as you cause the sun to rise on both the good and the evil. For light is not to be hidden, but to give light unto the whole house. Maranatha. Amen."
(https://i.postimg.cc/0yFvfLkT/unkindness.gif)
Setting foot to weathered road, she descended into the village, observing the sights and sounds--oh, what smells! It stinks, she thought with humor. Yet somehow it pleased her. It reminded her of poverty, which ended her mirth entirely. "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
"Oy," an old cripple extended a hand toward her, "Alms, missum." The beggar had no kindness, only a quiet judgement and pronounced entitlement. He nudged his hand a few times, wiggling his fingers greedily (had his tongue also?). Lazula was at once pleasant, giving the beggar immediate pause. She reached into her Vardo satchel and produced what little gold she had remaining. Her accounts were left to collect dust in the Port of Lucine. The money in the beggar's palm sobered him up. He removed his cap and laid it over his breast, "Lady," he intoned, "Ezra keep you." Lazula stared in quiet mirth before replying, "My God heals all, bond and free." The beggar furrowed his grizzled brow as she continued, a twinkle in his eyes, "Be healed in Jesus Christ's name, and follow him ever more."
"Jesus Christ? How can I fallow the wind?"
"Repent of your sins, and an angel shall light thy way," she said in complete confidence. The beggar bowed his head again, lifting his alms. She laid a hand on him before making her way to the caravan. "Aye," thought the beggar, teething a coin, "that will do." He began going his own way, only to stumble and drop his crutch. He no longer needed it. He would have ran after her, but he was suddenly ashamed.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MpF4Zwfv/lazuzu.jpg)
The journey was long, and lorn, and weary. Lazula wondered how her letter would be received, but put it from her mind, focusing instead on her mission. Yes, thats what is was now. Her holy war, and the spirit that declared it, led her back to where it all began for her in this realm. Although an Outlander, she had lived a third of her life now in the Core. She didn't care for the precise timeframe, and much preferred not to dwell on her age. If age was just a number, the math was beneath her contempt.
The days and nights turned into arrivals, and departures, until she arrived in that forsaken land she had sent Fen with her letter. Passing by the way, through the streets and country roads, she found herself before the Christ Temple of Vallaki. She stretched her hand, rang the bell, and waited. Staring, seemingly, through the door, and to the heart. And there she stood some time, lost in herself. Coming to, she instead blessed the door: that any and all who pass through or dwell therein would find light, and forsake darkness. Indeed, she smiled, "Walk in the light."
Then she made her way to the Outskirts, where she thought she might recognize somebody, but there was nobody. A distant, but familiar assortment of motley figures kept to their circles and contractual obligations. Local Morninglordians prayed on the same old hill. Once she, too, professed that faith. Until such a time it proved the same as all the rest. Insular, and self-righteous. Though their magic was potent, especially against the undead, and in raising the mortal body, it was a stumbling block and shadow of true divinity, she had found. Only Christ had breathed life and clarity into her broken mind and body. Only Christ had saved her soul. She did enjoy their provisions, however.
She wondered how she might help them, remembering how callously she had been dealt by their hands in the past, when; "Lazula?" She turned that instant to see him standing before her, staring with an uncertain look. His uncertainty turned to a wry but handsome smile. He was always handsome.
"Lazula, did you just arrive?" She nodded, perhaps too quickly. He paused, but she began to smile, eliciting him to once more. He seemed to speak more with his hands as he gestured, "Care to explain yourself?" She glanced around, and nodded, motioning him to follow. When they had privacy beneath a tree she studied him before speaking. He waited patiently, seeming to stare through her to the most private places.
"How did you know I'd pass here?" He seemed disappointed by the question, his eyes never relenting, "Everyone passes through here. If you didn't, then you didn't care to find me." He shifted his weight, assuming an unassuming posture by crossing his arms. She fixed her hair, as he continued, the gravity of his person controlling the conversation, "You said you missed me." She continued to stare, "Thats all I needed to hear." Before she could smile he descended into a tirade. "Lazula. I don't pretend to understand you, not entirely," the words cut her, if only just, "But I do believe you." In the following silence, the wind carried the conversation like a sweet smelling savor.
Lazula straightened, and spoke. "I go to war." He nodded, "Then I'm going with you." Her posture fell, she felt so small now before him; instinctually she shook her head, "No. I cannot lead a man." He looked incredulous a moment, but without missing a beat said, "You said we could be equal before God." The wind picked up then, but neither looked away as leaves and letters nailed against the tree danced. She began to tremble.
"I will not follow a man unless he be submitted to my Lord and God." He nodded once, "I don't understand entirely... but I believe you." She never dreamed she would get this far, and words began to fail her. He clutched her shoulder, "If I must follow you, so you will follow me," he smiled again, "That sounds equal to me."
"Follow Him," she corrected. "Right." All smiles. "So where to? That cave where you were killed?" She nodded, uncertain what he knew of the event. "How do you know about that?" He laughed, "Everyone with eyes to see knows about your crazy ass." They joined in laughter.
So strange, she thought, as she led him away, "I'm in love."
She dreamed of Him.
//Dedicated to Justin Filina.
-
House Zhuelke
Chapter 3
The River Luna
Lazula looked over the pages she had written. Not a bad start, she thought, but it was impossible to continue with Fen plucking at her fingers and hair. She laughed still, and always at his antics, though finally lent a resigned and no longer reproachful finger to his advances, "Anything for attention."
She smiled impishly, "Are you upset I sent you away?" Perhaps it was her air about the whole affair. Something in it drove the bird to such splendor, his black feathers shone against the candle lights. Yawning, Lazula rose from her stool and placed a shade over the candle before her. No flame flickered from this candle, but the light she imbued it with by her many and varied sorceries. She would only burn them on occasion.
Near the window, the break of the waves not so far away washed over her more fully. She could dimly see the full moon outside, further coaxing the tide to heave and ho. To ebb, and flow. Like her lungs, as she gently blew the flame by her window. This was her favorite time of the month, when the moon shone full and blue through her window. Despite her weariness, having spent the better part of her birthday on her book, she desired to feel that lunar wind, and the cool touch of its light. "Lets go outside," she suggested, Fen aloft on one hand near her breath; the other hand caressed his puffing chest.
Out on the beach, Lazula's hair whipped and tossed gracefully in the moonlight. She breathed deep, and Fen took flight over the lapping waves, seeming to fly a path directly over the rippling river of light the moon created. Cutting a wide berth between the darkness to either side of it. Fen flew up the river of silvery light, and to the very heart of the moon, such that he disappeared entirely against it.
Lazula huddled deeper within her bundles, until Fen would return. She wondered if he dreamed like her; if he loved and longed; if he suffered in silence; if he sacrificed his self, for her sake.
Lazula turned her head as a sudden flurry of dark birds flew by overhead. She followed them until she could see Fen join the murder in the moonlight, if only for that night.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NGTDz5Ks/MoM.jpg)
Below the same moon, Lazula stood over the river Luna with him.
"Whats wrong?" He always knew, but now he cared. They had changed, the both of them. They had aged, and grown.
She smiled bravely, fighting at tears. "Lazula?" He moved to console her, but she turned her head away. Uncertain, he stretched out his hands to support her shoulders. "What happened to you?" He wondered aloud. Lazula turned as tears streamed down her face, her eyes catching the breath of his soul, "I found you."
Though momentarily held captive by her gravity, he simply smiled and released her shoulders with a squeeze. He scratched his head with a boyish charm, "You lost me." She laughed, despite it. He always seemed to know how to direct her, to protect her; from legions of undead, and far worse and insidious enemies, like herself. She desperately wanted to save him, too. She knew him, and to see him lost, despite however he could spin it, broke her heart. Spiders weave is a beauty to behold, but a nightmare to escape.
Lazula began, "You said you would follow my God, I need you to understand what that means," he nodded, becoming intent.
"Life is not so complicated, really. It only becomes so when we weave fabrics of fig leaves to cover our iniquities."
"Ah?" He blinked. She continued unimpeded, "Before we knew evil, we only knew good. To know evil, in our bodies, is a curse. God meant us for good only, but gave us free will that we might be crowned with glory and honor to choose Him. If we had only listened, but we were beguiled by the serpent to eat from the tree of good and evil."
"The serpent?"
"Satan. Lucifer. The dragon. The enemy. The father of lies, and author of all confusion. A great spiritual lineage. As God is our father in truth and love, Satan is the father of those who serve his will: being lies and murder." He listened. "Many may wear a cloth of anointing, or show a flashing light, or make any such great show of authority, but all these things are just for show. Fig leaves, that form a tribe with fellow fig leaves. To hide their sins. They think they can recreate God's will. That they can be heirs of eternity." She shook her head, watching. "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. To fill the void they make it of themselves, or the works of their own hands. Forming idols and threats for all who oppose their beliefs. They oppose truth, and embrace lies. They belong to their father, Satan, but God in His wisdom has sent a mediator for our fallen state. His only begotten Son, that by no other means can one know the Father, but by the Son. We have direct relation to Him through His son, and His teachings."
"Wait," she did, "No, go ahead." He was processing a lot of things, but did his best to understand.
She continued her pause, likewise collecting her thoughts, and smiled gently, "Its simple: all that is born of the flesh, is of the flesh. Sin is inherit in our flesh, it is why it tempts us against our better volition. Sin is the result of the knowledge of good and evil. Sin is a part of our flesh, and may not enter into heaven. If we are reborn in the Spirit, then we become of the spirit. The Spirit is the spirit of God, through His son, who is the portal; the way, the truth, and the life. By faith alone in the name of the Messiah, we unlock the key to heaven, and living waters may flow into our flesh, and by it we may enter into the spirit, and eternity."
He considered, "Aren't all religions like this, Lazula?" She shook her head, "By faith, you may finally see the world as it truly is, instead of how we have been taught: to be blind to the spirit, and to live and die by the flesh." She motioned over the river. "Can you see the future, or the past?" He was silent. "Can you see me here, now?" He only stared. "Forever?" He looked away to the river, in thought. Inevitably, he followed it to the heavens, where the stars flickered and flashed.
His gaze returned, stoic, "You found a God beyond the mists?" She considered a moment before nodding, "Beyond all of creation. None may hide from His gaze. All will be judged by their deeds when our flesh fails. His will is made known to me by the Holy Bible, and my faith in it. All that is born of the flesh is of the flesh, but what is born of the Spirit is spirit. This world hates what is not of this world, but if I did not cry out in the wilderness then the rocks and the trees would. All of creation would sing the song of the creator until the end."
"The end?"
(https://i.postimg.cc/SRJmcJgg/Apocalypse-vasnetsov.jpg)
"As all mortals must succumb to the curse of death, so too will this world die. At the end, God will judge the world, and all those in it. The same way the wheat is gathered into the barns, and the tares are swept away and burned: All who live and die will be separated. The children of God, from the children of wrath. Though there is no love for me in this world, I have my eyes set on higher things. If I am here, If I draw breath, it is a gift from God that I might do His will and save souls for His kingdom. While the wrath of God is upon men, He is perfect in mercy. If a man or woman shall turn from their sins, and repent, and serve God, even in weakness, returning always to God: it is counted for righteousness, which is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. We are inheritors of the kingdom, which is where my treasures are. I forsake the things of men, for the things of God. The Lord has made me an intercessor on His behalf, and yet as men killed Jesus, our Messiah, he rose again, and gave witness and the Holy Ghost to those who love him and obey His commands."
He nodded, "Right, the resurrection... these words have power, though I don't quite understand it." He nodded still, "But I believe you."
Lazula smiled, "Then it is time to be reborn into the spirit, by the Spirit." She entered into the waters, and stretched a hand toward him, "Come. If you will join me in my war, you need to see what I see, or you will be lost. As I was before I was reborn."
He stood there a moment, the lunar wind between them.
"You mean when you were killed in that cave?"
She nodded. "It was my faith in Christ, even though it was but a mustard seed. I was slain in the mountains, by children of wrath, and my body taken captive, only to be raised and interrogated under this same moon." She motioned above. "When they found me guilty, and sentenced me to die," he interrupted, "guilty of what?" She smiled, "I was lonely. I knew they were Roland's company of the Bridge, and I wanted to impress them. Roland was a friend of mine in times past." He fixed his brow. "But in my arrogance, they rejected me, and accused me of ill doings." He narrowed his eyes, but she continued. "Forgive them as I have, they are not entirely wrong. I have done a great many evil, and if my life were to end at any moment, such is my reward. I've slain others for less."
"Yes, but that was before! You did nothing to them!" She smiled in her peculiar manner, "Is it not justice? Though they attacked me first, I retaliated, and slew many of them before they conquered me. I could have walked away, but my vanity would not let their slight pass. I was like them," he marveled, "Proud, and arrogant. And so they raised me a hostage among their company, and sentenced me to die. In pride I rose and in pride I fell. I could not admit to why or who I was. I felt it was better for me to die."
"Lazula..."
"And yet here I stand, as before Roland brought his sword to my neck," she lifted her chin and rubbed her throat, where two scars along her throat would form a cross bones, "He asked me what faith I professed, so my rites might be respected, and observed. I had no god, but... I had oft spoken with Vandryn of the Christ's Church, and, well... I said if any, I profess Christ. As it was the only kindness I was ever shown, despite my worst. So when I was executed, they delivered my remains to Vandryn, where Roland and he discussed my fate. It was there decided I would be returned to life."
He entered the waters of the river Luna.
"Before we continue, I need to hear you say it."
She froze.
"My name, Lazula. You never wrote it, or said it. What is my name, Lazula?"
Somewhere under the river Luna was the indecision of a woman. Presently, she smiled like a dream. "I haven't forgotten," she took him by the hands, "It is mine."
He was too stunned to argue, her eyes shone brighter than all the stars in all the heavens. "Then let us fight, and die," for a moment, his eyes shone too, "And live; forever."
//Thank you, Sting.