Hello again! I hope your Christmas was great like mines! For Christmas, I got a new wallet, Grand Theft Auto III, Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2, vibrating headphones, some clothes, and a Game Boy Player accessory for my Gamecube. I also got 25 dollars that I'm going to spend very shortly if my mom gets a day off from work. Seeing as how it's past Christmastime, I'm going to try something new…are you ready? A romance, or better yet a variety of relationships that will test how strong the bonds of love will hold against one of darkness or one submitted to darkness. If everything goes right, then I will create a sequel. I'm not giving out any details about it yet only that the whole thing takes place in a universe J.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Act II: Revelations of the Darkness
Written by Ansem Revived
Chapter 4: Slaughterhouse
James, you have no idea of what you're doing…God has the power to create life, you don't. We are all God's children; he created us. You-
Don't give me that shit about God! If there were a God, then why would he destroy my family…my life?
It was a sign that you weren't ready or either that you you're not meant to have one.
Why can't I have a family? Why can't I have happiness? Why can't I have love? If everything were true in the bible, then God wouldn't have destroyed my life!
You have no idea of what you're talking about. Please, stop trying to recreate her… She died as a child, she's in a place now where she will not harmed by people of today.
SHUT UP! You have no idea… You don't have the slightest idea of…of how it feels to lose someone you love. I would be willing to die for them if a problem showed and it called for that solution… I wish I were you, Ark. I would have no worries whatsoever; I would never have to experience pain…
Ark…
If you think that way, stop the X-1 project. A human navigational component for the ship is almost sacrilegious. You're trying to play God.
Ark…
No I'm not, I'm just trying to regain something that was mine…
"Ark!!!"
Wake up; the old man is calling you.
Half asleep, the priest muttered a groggy "I'm up" to Hadul. Under his breath, Ark started to rant curses about how old the man was and how long his nose was that he could use it for a machete. He sat up on his cot, rubbing his eyes, wondering about the dream he had. Oddly enough, Ark just realized he had just recalled a memory, a memory of which the events it contained happened before he was given the gift of using the power of the Light.
It was a dream that revealed a memory, that's all, thought Ark…
He felt a slight rumble in his stomach. "Hadul, you got something cooking? I'm starving."
The priest expected to hear some kind of a crack from the old man, but Hadul said, "I have sad news…"
"What? We're out of souvenirs? Don't worry, I'll order some more plastic cups and some key chains." Ark stretched his arms.
Hadul simply sighed, "I don't know how to explain this, but…" He paused, didn't want to scare his partner over his long dead friend. Hadul tried a different approach. "Have you been experiencing anything odd lately, feeling stronger but feint, overly cheerful…" his tone lowered, "occurring memories of what happened to…him?"
All this time, Ark was thinking that Hadul was talking about some sickness until that last part. He spoke up. "You can have dreams, and some of those dreams will contain memories, even the ones you forced yourself to forget."
Hadul lowered his head; his eyes were shadowed. "I wish that were true right now… but Urt…"
Ark spoke in concern, "What? What happened to her? Is she hurt? Let me gather my staff and other things and I'll go heal her." He laughed, "Maybe she's finally getting her just desserts for that rigged cheesecake she gave us awhile back, huh?" He started to get up from his cot, but flinched because of the cold, stone floor.
"It's not that, Ark… She's aging"
A silent shock of fear went up his spine. That dream of his friend…had a meaning? He started to remember…remember how Thomas didn't want to…
"Oh god…oh my god…" He bent his head down, emerged in his thoughts. "Does that mean that Thomas gave into the darkness for he was scared?"
"Yes, it does mean that… If he had any choice, James would have let Thomas lead a normal life. Melfina is also out too probably, trying to stop her loved one."
Ark lay back down; he forced himself to relax. "…Gene Starwind is greedy."
"He sure is, there's no doubt that he fell in love with the android and wished to be together always. He made the key leave her…he left the key in the door…"
"Well…the red-head can't ask us for casters anymore to stop a caster…kinda ironic, ain't it?"
Hadul smirked, "I guess you're right. But, if someone can find a Sin Light Sword, then there may be a chance."
"Melfina already holds the Sin Curer, maybe that will be enough?"
"I certainly hope so, but with Thomas with his Sin Harvester, we can only hope…"
Ark jumped out of his cot, cricking his neck. "Well, there isn't much we can do here so let's go see what we can do with Urt; if Melfina is out of the Leyline, then maybe our powers are stronger."
*****************************************
Throwing up was the first thing on Harry's mind; the dizziness from his experience was unbearable. He cradled his head in his hands to stop his eyes from spinning. Absorbing all those souls caused his dilemma. Wiping the sweat off his brow with his free hand, Harry took the time to scan over the sword.
"40-45 inches, good enough… I like the color, black truly is the color that spells out fear." He turned his attention to the hilt's whisker-like thorns, "They make the sword look more fearsome, even the hilt is comfortable. I'm going to this sword down Gene's throat and up his ass!"
Harry started swinging the weapon, rotating it between his thumb, pointing finger, and middle finger. He grinned at how lightweight it was. Easy to handle. He accomplished some basic moves: thrusting, blocking, parrying, slashing, etc…easy. Harry proclaimed himself the luckiest man in the universe, he died once (A/N Am I right? Did he die once?) already.
"One who dies once can't die at all." This was more than what Gwen Khan could give him, who needed machines when you can have the power to do anything?
Power with no limits…Just kill a few people…'few'…
He destroyed a space station full of innocent people, people with personal issues and loves. There were over a million, it was not like they knew what was going to happen. They were just people down on their luck.
Harry frowned, "Oh god, don't tell me you're starting to have regrets."
"No, I'm just recoll-"
Harry tried to sound convincing, "Cut the crap. You killed all those people for a reason…they were going to turn on you, destroy you."
"Yeah, b-but there were probably some of them that had no idea…most likely the children."
The blue-haired man folded his arms, disappointed at what he was hearing. "Oh…that just gives you a better reason you're going to exact your revenge. The children are the future, if this generation didn't get you now; they were surely going to get you the next generation. You need to abolish all these regrets from your mind; you never had love like everybody else, even the one you loved turned against you…to that Gene Starwind…"
Harry was in realization again, what was he thinking? He wasn't going to just let all these people get to him; especially Melfina and that damned Gene Starwind… Those two would die by his hand; he wanted to taste their blood in his palm. They were the real enemies, he wanted to love Melfina, Gene came and killed him for that, and she fell for him. It was like some messed up fairy tale.
"You're starting to have the right idea, they are the enemy. Remember that. In this fairy tale, you will be the knight in shining armor!"
Harry smiled, "Thank you. You know what, you are very smart, how would you like to be my partner? Thomas has done enough for me, wherever he is… I could use you for…I don't know, a sidekick."
He raked his hand though his hair, "Thank you, but were are more than that if you don't mind me saying… So, where shall we go? The hunt needs to begin."
"To be safe, let's go to Sentinel III. Gene must be there; I know it. His business branches off to that area."
"Okay then, shall we go?"
Harry slid the sword through his belt, "Ok then, and let's do it…" Harry paused. He held his head up, sucking his teeth. He let out a silent "Damn…"
"What? What happened? How come you're just standing there?" asked Harry.
Harry chuckled uncomfortably. "Thomas never told me how to move in space. I never really thought that I would be in space without a spaceship, or at least a spacesuit."
Harry laughed. "I should have known."
"Sounds stupid, doesn't it?"
"No, no, not at all. I expected this. Listen, first try figure out where Sentinel III is in relation to where we are now. When you figure it out, face yourself in the direction where the area is located." Harry shifted his body towards the northeast. "Good, now close your eyes and focus on the area, think of how it looks like, how it feels like, smells like… Lastly, you must tell yourself that you want to be there, tell your body and mind that you must be there. Force yourself mentally and you'll be there way more faster than any spaceship could travel."
"Thanks, I'll remember this for the future." With that said, Harry turned his attention to the northeast. He took a silent deep breath, then closed his eyes…
The sky was brown; the sky was always brown. All the steel mills and factories ruined the ecosystem. At any given chance, acid rain would fall and burn permanent scars to anything in its path to drop. The musty odor of sulfur and coal practically was the air freshener around Sentinel III; around the most populated parts…around where Starwind and Hawking Enterprises held it's business.
Harry felt something wrap around both his legs, something cool. As much as he wanted to see what was going on, Harry forced himself to concentrate on Sentinel III. The feeling worked its way up to his waist; Harry held his arms out sideways so the feeling could have easier access to him. When the sensation reached his arms, the wrap tightened ever so slightly. To Harry's astonishment, even the feeling was cold; his body seemed to find it suiting.
It felt good; it felt normal.
The coolness made its way upon his neck, now it started to wrap around his skull; Harry's right eye was covered by it. Through all this though, Harry found it relaxing, his mind was open…this made it easier to concentrate. Then all of a sudden, he was jerked fiercely downwards; the grip tightened, hurting his arteries. Harry's whole body felt numb,
Freezing…
The force was pulling him, during this experience; Harry thought he heard someone chuckling…
The chuckling became giggling…
The giggling became a maniacal laughter.
Everything started to get warm around Harry. The warmth felt uncomfortable as a peculiar redness penetrated through his eyelids. His feet felt solid again; knowing this, Harry opened his eyes to the ever so recognizable sky of Sentinel III. It was day. The noises of bypassing cars and the chattering of people made up the daily harmony of Sentinel III.
Harry also realized that he was standing on top of a H-shaped building. Behind him, a great billboard advertising realty stood. Atop of it, there rested a flock of pigeons; they stared at him with beady, hazel eyes.
The outlaw despised birds, especially pigeons. Looking at them reminded him of the time when, unfortunately, when he was younger, Harry was the recipient of a pigeon's droppings. It left his hair smelling with a foul odor for days.
Out of his deride of them, Harry started ranting at birds. "Who the hell do you think you're staring at?"
The pigeons just cocked their heads a bit; some ruffled their wings.
"Oh, so you do hear me. Well lets see if you can understand this, if one of you motherfuckers try to even take a piss on me, I will rip off your dicks, deep fry them, and shove them up your asses!!!!" With all his insults said, he picked up a piece of a broken brick and threw at the birds. As on cue, the pigeons started cooing as they flew around wildly. Harry started laughing at them, having more humor at the bird he hit.
The birds started to fly around Harry; their annoying cooing made Harry draw his sword. "I HATE ANIMALS! I NEVER WANTED A PET, BUT ALL THESE DAMN BIRDS ALWAYS COME TO ME! GET OFF OF ME! SHOO SHOO!" He started flailing around, trying to shield his head; the pigeons' reaction to this was to start pecking him.
'DAMMIT!!!"
He placed his left hand on his sword, bracing himself. "Alright then, I warned you…" He focused on one bird, the one closest to him.
"You die, you feathery fuck!!!" He waited until the bird came within attacking range. The pigeon's cooing gotten louder as it zoomed in, it was getting closer. Harry tightened his grip as he brought the sword above his head. When the bird was in front of Harry's head, he brought the sword down, along with the terrifying swish as the sword sliced through the wind, the struck bird emitted a satisfying screech as it fell limp to the ground; the rest of the flock left.
Harry slid the sword back into his belt and laughed, "I AM MAN!!! HEAR MY CRY!!!!" After celebrating his odd and unnoticed victory over a mere fraction of Sentinel III's decreasing wildlife by ranting on about how birds are nothing but food for humans, he looked down at the carcass of the fell pigeon.
Out of confusion, Harry stepped back. The bird was still in one piece…
In fact, it was still living!
Harry nudged it with his foot; the pigeon's breast was pumping. It just lay there, not making any sudden movements. Harry withdrew his sword again. He looked at it, "That bird should have been dead, I know I hit it dead-on!"
His sword started reacting again. It started to shake violently; Harry clasped both hands on it. As he was doing this, images started appearing in his mind.
The sword was sticking out of the Earth; it was giving off its familiar violet glow. Underneath it, however, was a shadow that was way too big for it. The shadow, on closer inspection, was not of the sword, but of something else. It looked like some gossamer, shape shifting around the edges.
Harry gazed again at the black sword, ever since his encounter with Thomas in Magusser 9, images and dreams were his guides. He had no idea where they were coming from, he thought for a moment…he remembered talking to someone in space. He never really got a clear picture of who it was…how could there be another person in space? He concluded that he was being affected by some phobia; he was talking to himself. He started to ponder why he was talking to himself but yet he's been on a space ship for almost half his life…
"Forget it…"
Harry went back to the task at hand, figuring out what the image meant. Maybe Thomas would tell me to do this, thought Harry. He remembered when Thomas stabbed him with the sword. He started to consider what Thomas did was a way to attain souls. Maybe if he did that, he could receive souls…
He looked at the bird. "What perfect practice…" Harry smirked; he would try to steal the pigeon's soul. Instead of just stabbing the bird, he was going to place the sword in the ground, or concrete rather. He walked around the roof, trying to find a crack, there were none? So, Harry was just going to thrust the sword downward. He stood beside the bird, hoping that the technique will work.
He closed his eyes, silently praying.
He shoved the sword into the building.
Unusually, it went through with no effort at all, it almost made Harry fall face first. He regained his balance and stared down at the sword.
It was reacting once more; the violet light around it glowed fiercely.
Along with it the bird's shadow expanded itself longer. It pointed to the sword, regardless of the light.
The shadow connected itself to the sword, causing a small circular image to appear in place of the sword's shadow…
The shadow vanished, the sword's glow dimmed away…the bird was left without a shadow.
Harry pulled the sword out with the same ease as he had putting it in, he was even more amazed.
"So there are other ways to collect souls…hmm…I never knew I could collect animals, too," chuckled Harry. He walked to the edge of the roof, he looked down at the people through the oncoming darkness from nightfall, and the city's lights came on. People were driving with their headlights, most of them going home…some of them doing the nightshift
"Even if I don't find Gene and Melfina here," said Harry, "I'll still have a blast testing out my souls while gaining some." He looked over his shoulder at the now-dead bird. "Hell, I might just try out some animals!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally, I can get into the action! I know I've been saying that the action starts 'next chapter' and I don't do it, but this time…I mean it. I even came up with a cool name:
Sentinel III VS Harry
Sounds crappy, then give me a good name, I need it.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!
Ansem Revived