[Swan Song - Prologue]

House of the Rising .2002.1 Love

"I really did a good job finding the guild a hideout spot, didn't I? Coastline land is really, really cheap." The price tag is all you look at, isn't it? The paladin continues his narration, as I walk along the shoreline south of Booty Bay, together with him. "The ground is solid enough for our small building. And the view is spectacular." Tranquil water doesn't appeal to me as something to view.

There is a house in New Orleans

They call the Rising Sun

"And the best part of it all is…" The fresh seawater skims around my boots; the sea breeze meets my face, but its coolness brings a lot more than what I ask for.

Listen to my pleas

… And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy

"Something wrong, Hellbiter?" I stretch my hand out to his face, and he understands. I should've done that sooner.

I beg you, shaman, hear me.

And God I know I'm one

I scoop up as much water as I can carry and bring it close to my face.

There has been much destruction in these lands. Even the sea itself has been stained with the remnants of living schemes.

'What do you mean?' I say in my mind, and I hope it hears me.

Perhaps your friend would know more.

"Have you done anything Venture Co. recently? He gives me the eye, but I'm going to push for my question. "Do I need to repeat my question?"

Oh mother, tell your children

"Fine. I have been chopping some lumber, from the forest." The water gives off an uproar.

There is yet more he does not tell. I look at him again. "And I have been using the guild hideout as a warehouse of sorts, for my trade goods." The water's surface ripples.

Not to do what I have done

"Tell me everything, unless you want to receive a beat down from my mace."

"I swear this is the last. I dump the excess waste I take from whatever I do there in the river."

Tell him to stop.

"Nature says you've done enough." He looks reluctant to give up his trade.

Spend your lives in sin and misery

"Well, I'm not planning on going broke anytime soon." That's a laugh; you've got enough money to retire until you're older than Moses.

There will be no second chance. Stop him now or we will end you: all of you.

In the House of the Rising Sun

"The Earth Mother has had enough! Normally, I couldn't care less! But consequences have actions, and each step you take brings each of us closer to Judgment Day! Even Satan wouldn't want that, just yet."

Well, there is a house in New Orleans

"Live with it, then." His face made it deadly clear; there was no way to get him to change his mind.

They call the Rising Sun

There has to be some other way, Earth Mother.

No. This transgression is unforgivable. We will bring forth the Cataclysm and end everything.

And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy

I turn around and kneel, to return the water back to the mother sea, when the a cold blade pierces through my hide, before I have any hope of reacting.

"Go to hell," I tell him, with my usual, satiric tone. And soon enough, the weapon emerges through my front, impaling me, blood streaming profusely from both ends, draining into the vast ocean.

"Sorry, friend. It's just good business." He pulls the blade out, and kicks me. My body floats out, to the depths, waiting, eagerly, for the end to come.

And God I know I'm one

[Swan Song - Prologue]