Forces Chapter Six
Suggested Theme:
Main Theme- Whiskey, Mystics and Men by The Doors
Accato knows that he was just playing his guitar to an adoring, albeit slightly drunk, crowd just mere moments ago. He was at a bar with a very forgettable name but served some of the best Liquid Consumption in the OverWorld. He was just wailing on his guitar from atop a table while dancing to the point of knocking his goblet off the table. And then, something like a portal…..came and pulled him out of the bar. He recalls hearing a lot of screaming and seeing the bartender running, but not much else after.
He looks around and knows that he's not in Perim anymore. The streets are paved like the cobblestone streets of the UnderWorld except with cracking, black tar. There is green grass, bushes, and trees around this place like most parts of the OverWorld, but the foliage is quite small in comparison. There are houses but they appear to be made of wood like huts from small villages or ancient houses from Ancient Perim.
Players, or rather humans since most of them aren't carrying those Scanner things, are running and screaming about. He wisely hides in a tree because he didn't want to get accidently lynched by this mob of humans. He has seen mobs, mostly of UnderWorlders, doing horrible things to the scape goat of some nitpicky issue at the time. Even though he knows that humans don't have the same powers that Creatures have, he's wise enough to know that a crowd of them can still beat the shit out of him. Also, he doesn't have a single Mugic or Flux Bauble on him to take him….anywhere else.
He stays up the tree long enough to see that the screaming mass of humans eventually leave in what look like grounded Levitars; most of them left after stuffing most of their possessions inside their vehicles. He gets down in one jump and adjusts his guitar to hang from his back like a one-strap backpack.
He sees smoke from many paces away from him and hears the cries, screams, and barks of a battle between UnderWorlders and OverWorlders. He does not head towards the battle, not even when he hears the familiar roar of Intress. He is not a coward, but he is no fool. He only has his guitar and it's not exactly Battlegear and he's only good at fighting when he has Mugic or his opponent is stupider than him. Unfortunately, he has no Mugic on him and he's pretty certain that the UnderWorlders are probably the ones who caused him to be pulled into the world of humans. So the UnderWorlders aren't stupid.
His plan is to find a tree that is tall enough to give him a good view of wherever the Cothica he is. The tree that he was in was barely two stories and not nearly tall enough for him to map out the….town. He hopes that he'll be able to locate his fellow OverWorlders and just head to wherever they are; hopefully, not running into any UnderWorlders in the process. Or confused humans.
He walks for a few hundred paces, making turns to avoid the battle, until he comes across the only two grounded Levitars on a mostly abandon street. One is pale-green and the other is silver like Raznus's hair. The two grounded Levitars are heading towards the battle, and Accato groans inwardly at the humans' stupidity. There's no way they aren't going to be blasted death; those things scream targets! He is tempted to just use a Rock Wave attack to take out their tires and stop them from heading towards their death. But if he did that then the humans would have no speedy way of getting out of this damned town.
"I hate escort missions." He curses out a whisper. He runs as fast as he can to get in front of the grounded Levitars; the Levitars barely screech to a halt and narrowly avoid hitting him. The humans get out of their vehicles; both are about a foot shorter than him and they have worried expressions on their face. The human male has silver and black hair that makes Accato think about his cousin Maxxor's hair. The human female also has black hair but with only little clumps of silver gathered at her roots.
"Are you Maxxor's son?" The human male asks him without a hint of fear. His swamp-green eyes are bright with curiosity. Accato almost laughs at the question; many, many Creatures have also asked that question.
"No, no I'm not. I'm his cousin. My name is Accato. What's yours?" The human female stares at him with absolute fear at him while also managing to glare at the human male with her stormy-blue eyes.
"I'm Lazarus Majors and the one who wants to kill me right at this moment is my lovely wife, Buttercup Majors. We're the parents of Tom Majors; maybe, you've heard of him?" Buttercup looks half ready to throttle her own husband; obviously, their son is missing and they're trying to find him.
"Yeah, he's Maxxor's favorite human. Look, I can't let you go this way because there's no way you two would be able to survive. Even in those vehicles of yours. There's a battle raging on between two Tribes who have hated each other since the Cothica went missing. I can help you just tell me what happened with your son." And maybe how the Cothica all this shit transpired while at it. Accato cheekily thinks but knows these humans barely comprehend what's going on. Buttercup and Lazarus then decide to have a "private" conversation with each other for about a minute; by the end of it, Buttercup goes into her vehicle and shuts the door. He looks into her vehicle's window to see that she's crying.
"Okay, Tom went right into that obvious deathtrap of a battle to find his best friend, Kaz, even though his mother suggested that he wait with her and I go look for him. However, he decides to play the fucking hero and throw his life away to save his friend without any knowledge if he's really there. We were trying to find him until you showed up. And now….I think it's best if we wait here for Tom." Lazarus sounds exasperated like he's pissed off and concerned for his son's wellbeing. Accato sees that both parents are stressed out of their minds and probably unable to make stable judgements at this time.
"Well, since he went into the battle, there's a good chance he came across an OverWorlder and is probably being taken to Maxxor. Tom lives here, so he'll be able to provide Maxxor some much needed information on this place or something. Look, I'll go inside the battle after…..let's say ten minutes if he doesn't come back. Compared to you, I have a higher chance of surviving in a battle." Accato is slightly lying at the end, but Lazarus seems to believe him. Or at least wants to.
"That sounds like a good plan. Tom will come back. He's always been lucky like that." Accato wonders briefly why Lazarus made that comment. From what he has heard from his cousin, Tom is pretty smart….for someone his own age. However, he's a bit too foolhardy. Actually, that makes sense why Tom has survived in Perim thus far. He's really lucky. Lucky in his choice of friends and lucky in his loyalty to the OverWorld. Or rather to Maxxor. However, it still sort of bugs Accato how Lazarus said the last part. It reminds him of the time he told his father that he wanted to be a musician; his father thought he was acting stupid but eventually, reluctantly accepted his choice in life.
"So you've got anything to occupy…these ten minutes?" He could play his guitar, but his mind is a bit too preoccupied with comprehending how he's on another world. Also, he needs to re-tune his guitar; it's overdue for a tune-up.
"Follow me to my car, I'll play us some music." Accato follows Lazarus to his car, mildly curious what instrument Lazarus will play. He sees the man goes to his driver's side and fiddle with a metal box with a few buttons and two knobs; at first, Accato believes that the metal box is some kind of instrument that needs to be powered on.
"Well, I'll tell you a story
Of whiskey and mystics and men,
Da da da
And about the believers and
How the whole thing began.
Da da da
First there were women and
Children obeying the moon,
Da da da
Then daylight brought wisdom
And fever and sickness too soon.
Da da da
You can try to remind me
Instead of the other, you can.
Da da da
You can help to insure
That we all insecure our command.
Da da da
If you don't give a listen,
I won't try to tell your new hand.
Da da da
This is it can't you see
That we all have our ends in the band."
Accato has never, ever heard this kind of music before. He identifies only about two instruments; one a guitar and the other drums, but the rest is a mystery like songs in Mugic. It's a pleasant, pleasurable mystery like the existence of the Cothica. The chorus vibrate and breathe like buzzing heartbeats. The singer, like a great narrator and poet warrior in one, sings and leads.
"Da da da
Da da da
Da da da."
Accato is alight with awe, envy, and bone-cutting wonder. He wants to meet the singer and pretty much beg, grovel if he has to, how did he come up with the lyrics and the arranged the music thusly. He doesn't know how to comprehend the lyrics: part creation myth, part rambling, part glory, all better than any stuff that Accato has ever sung about.
"And if all of the teachers and
Preachers of wealth were arraigned,
We could see quite a future
For me in the literal sands.
And if all of the people
Could claim to inspect such regrets,
Da da da
Well, we'd have no forgiveness,
Forgetfulness, faithful remorse.
Da da da
So I tell you, I tell you,
I tell you we must send away.
Da da da
We must try to find a
New answer instead of a way."
Lazarus has his eyes closed and is leaning back into his seat; he's not smiling, but he's not as stressed as he seems before. Accato quickly glances over to the wife's car; she's not crying anymore, but she's still trembling. Part of him finds it sort of cruel of Lazarus to not go over and comfort his wife, but maybe he knows that his wife won't be comforted until their son was back.
"So…what is this metal box? Also, who sung that song?" Lazarus cracks open his eyes at the eagerness in Accato's voice.
"The metal box is called a radio and broadcasts music, news, and commercials. However, I'm using the CD function right now because all the stations are just babbling about the end of the world. The song is 'Whiskey, Mystics and Men' by The Doors; Kaz told me that you Creatures don't have much when it comes to music." Accato is not offended by the last part because it's mostly true. Most of the music really comes from the songs that the Mugic sing; there are very few "professional" musicians in the OverWorld, and he's including himself as part of that minority. He's unsure about the other Tribes; although, the UnderWorld has Dyrtax, even if his guitar is basically a rip-off of Accato's and he sings like Screamer.
"Music was starting to grow…but it's probably going to stagnate thanks to all of this." If there was some sort of portal around here, Accato would've gestured at it to make his point. Lazarus's eyes flick to the metal box and Accato finally notices that there are numbers on it. It's 3:34.
"Five minutes to go before you begin your search. If you somehow don't come back, what shall I tell Maxxor? If I ever meet up with him, of course." Morbid, but prudent. Accato inwardly comments. He's not annoyed by the lack of faith from this man; it is quite possible that Accato could die while trying to find Tom.
"There's a hole in you / Skeletons walk through it / Ghosts live in it / can you feel them?" He chooses the first three lines of the first song he ever created as his final words to Maxxor. It's actually fitting since his first song is about his cousin, even if it does come off as a bit too spiteful. He's actually never shared that song with anyone because…it makes him feel too vulnerable.
"I'm sure he'll get that. And if something were to happen to me and my wife, then tell Tom that we love him and I'll haunt him for the rest of his life." Lazarus chuckles after the last part like he's telling a private joke. Accato doesn't envy Tom when he meets with his father again.
Dum-dum-dum
Crunch-Crunch
Crack
They hear the sound of heavy footfalls, but only Accato only recognizes the sounds as a march. His eyes are sharp enough to spot OverWorld blue and a very familiar-looking human. He hears Buttercup give a sharp cry and gets out of her car. Lazarus immediately gets out of his car too. Accato almost grins at how lucky Tom Majors truly is.
"TOM!" Buttercup immediately runs to her son, while Lazarus remains curiously behind with Accato. He has a smile on his face, but it wasn't really one of relief. It was more like he has gained an advantage in the midst of chaos. Again, Accato does not envy Tom.
He sees his cousin by Tom's side while also being flanked by an ash-covered Najarin and a bristling Intress. He sees plenty of soldiers, some he recognizes from his time at the Barracks, carrying their wounded brothers-in-arms. Some of the injured look ready to die if their wounds are any indication; fresh blood bleeding through their blue tunics like open faucets. Like Lazarus, Accato opts to remain where he is.
"Accato, since your cousin and the OverWorld army are here instead of fighting, is it safe to assume that they're retreating?" Accato's cheeks flare angrily for a second. Like UnderWorlders, OverWorlders do not like retreating since it seems like such a cowardly thing to do. However, given this situation and the surprising amount of wounded soldiers, retreating is a wise option. Especially if Maxxor has a fortified Location to retreat to. But then again, this is not Perim. Maybe that's why Tom's here. Accato realizes as his cousin draws barely a few paces away from him.
"Yes, we know nothing of this world and how we got here. Well, except that the UnderWorlders are involved in this. Somehow, I think." The UnderWorlders seem like the obvious suspects given that they have their own mad scientist….that lacks any ethics unlike Mommark. Buttercup is holding onto Tom, who looks a bit embarrassed, like she suspects that he'll run off again. Lazarus does not go up to his son, even when his son is only an arm's length away from him. Instead, he walks right up to Maxxor with Accato trailing behind him.
"Thank you for saving my son, Maxxor." If Maxxor was surprised by this human for knowing his name, he did not show it, but his son gaped at him. Clearly, the father never let his son know about his knowledge about Perim…..until now. Kaz told Lazarus about Perim, but he didn't let his best friend know about this? Why? Accato briefly wonders.
"Actually, your son can save us if you can take us to these mountains he's told us about." Tom is somewhat smiling, but he's straining it like he's hiding something. He was looking for his friend, Kaz, and probably went to Maxxor for help. Maybe Maxxor rejected him and asked for his help instead. What is one human life versus many? Accato slightly grimaces. He knows that Tom will carry that guilt till the end of his days.
"Yes, see the green and silver cars. Just tell your men to follow them and we'll lead you there. Accato will have to drive with me just in case something happens. Tom will have to drive with his mom, of course. Can't have him running off again." Lazarus slightly smiles at the last bit like it was a joke, but his smile seems very hard. Like he's resisting his own anger. And with that, he goes over to his son and finally hugs him. On the outside, it's an embrace of love and relief. On the inside, in Lazarus's and Tom's eyes, there are cracks of anger and self-loathing.
"Tom, don't think you're getting out of this. When we get to the mountains and make camp, you and I are going to have a long and private talk. But I'm glad you're alive." The last part softens the harsh blow in the father's words. But not by much. Lazarus lets go of his son and the family goes their separate ways. Accato looks at Maxxor and somewhat apathetically shrugs at him, not really sure what to say to his cousin at this point.
"Try to calm him down. Don't let his anger create more regrets." Maxxor advises him. Accato looks away from his cousin and follows Lazarus back to his car. He feels like he's experiencing déjà vu from this event. He takes a seat by Lazarus and buckles himself in; he almost chuckles at how much easier it is to buckle himself in a car versus a Levitar. Lazarus begins to drive away with his wife's car following him; he doesn't look back to see if Maxxor is following and neither does Accato. Lazarus doesn't look at him while he drives and turns the radio back on:
"Riders on the storm,
Riders on the storm,
Into this house we're born.
Into this world we're thrown.
Like a dog without a bone,
An actor out alone,
Riders on the storm."
Author's Comments- The last verse comes from "Riders On the Storm" by The Doors. I was tempted to use this at the beginning of the next round of chapters, but I decided it would make a nice closure and a bit of foreshadowing. Also, I love The Doors if this chapter isn't evident enough. And Accato's first three lines of his first song is something I made up and may explore in a future one-shot for him…however, I am not a lyricist just like I'm not a poet.
Speaking of Accato, I figured The Doors would be right up his alley. Accato in his card may look like a rocker and a pop star drifter had a troll baby, but I figured he'd be chill and cool. Maybe a bit mystical like the vibe I get from most Doors songs. Also, he's one of the few Creatures that actually is a musician of some kind; I guess that's a disadvantage of living in Perim, not a lot of musicians.
About Tom's dad, Lazarus Majors, he may come off as bit cold towards his son, but he is happy that his son's safe. But he's also pissed off with him for haphazardly throwing his life away and at himself for not seeing this happen. If I was a parent and my kid pretty much ran into a battlefield with no training or protection whatsoever, I'll be happy my kid is alive, but then I would scold the kid for doing something so incredibly stupid. Because what Tom did is stupid but noble. But still stupid.
