The city of Shuggazoom was not built on the vision or back of a single man. But there is every reason for it to fall because of just one.

He was a man once. Now he's the furthest thing from it. We curse, shun, and fear him. Yet he's exactly like us. He's humanity is its raw form. Dark, angry, evil.

I don't know if Shuggazoom can stand against him. Everything is uncertain. I'm only one person. But maybe, one man can save this city.

I'm not sure how long I can fight. But I will.

He's only one man.


It is so easy to dry your hands of water. A firm swipe across your skin with a cloth and it is gone. You are clean, and dry. So much harder is the task of ridding your hands of blood.

He looks down at his palms. By sight, they seem the same. Pale fingers and firm knuckles; yes, they look the same as always.

But other things have changed. He has changed on the inside. His eyes, now darkened, deceive him.

For the first time, he has innocent blood on his hands.

Washing is useless. Blood is thicker than water.


Time is an illusion. As is space. And reality... Isn't real.

There are many other things in this universe that are illusions. Happiness mightn't last, because time is an illusion. Good and bad things should not be categorized; there are no such things.

He stands in a place of loveliness and peace. But he knows that it is not real. None of it is. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Where has he heard that before? Ah yes, he was the one who coined the term. The cosmos looks calm today...

Xanadu never existed. Perfection is an illusion.


What did she want? That is what he asks her.

She isn't sure. She wishes her parents would let her go out more often. She wishes she was prettier. He assures her that those wishes would all come in time.

What can he offer her, then? That is her reply.

Whatever she wants. That is his answer.

What if she doesn't know? That is her concern.

If that was the case, then he would offer her everything until she was satisfied. That is his promise.

Everything? That is her question. She waited for him to confirm.

He never answered fully.