:O:

:O: A Special Moment With… :O:

:O:

—Greetings, everyone! It's a pleasure to meet you!

…Tee hee! My apologies. I can get a little "loud" when I'm excited. But the feeling's right for the occasion: I, Dr. Lyte, am hosting today's Special Moment!

I must admit, I'm a little nervous. I've been in the laboratory for *years,* so things like this aren't my strong point. However, because you're all "special" to me, I'll do my *very best* to "share and care" with you. Tee hee!

Question: What do you think of my "training methods"? A little "rough," yes, but *actual* combat comes with greater consequences.

Lesson! In order to use my super-special, super-powerful, super-magnificent technology, a subject *must* be strong. Mind, body, spirit: All must be whole, or the subject will *never* be able to sync with my inventions… I forgot to mention that to Katherine, but she shouldn't hate *too much* after this, right?

Regardless, our new-bloomers, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Crowley, are showing great promise. So, there's no doubt in my mind; they'll pass with flying colors!

Also, did you *feel* that storm!? Honestly, what were those silly headhunters *thinking,* creating a hurricane out of nowhere like that? But it was *super-cool*: A miracle of modern meteorology, *but then it pissed me off in the end*!

Luckily, Dr. Farrelly "batted the eye" out of the park. And honestly, I wasn't expecting the necromancer *and* the archmagus to show up at the same time. One *could* call it "an act of fate," but coincidence is a normal part of life. Still, this promises to be an *exceptional* battle: A diviner of death vs. an envoy of the gods.

Furthermore, err…it's not that *easy* to kill a zombie. Warning: Highwaymen, watch your backs! Babyface is leading you on! Don't let him trick you…

—oh, wait, they can't hear me… Darn it! I wish they could!

But this adds to the suspense, which is good. Also, in my honest opinion, a major antagonist *falling that easily* would be an absolute fail. Estimation of disappointment: No more or less than 100%... It must be epic, creator, no excuses! Please, don't disappoint Dr. Lyte. Cute wink! Tee hee!

Alright, everyone reading along and/or listening, time for the announcements:

*Earth Day is around the corner*! Yahoo! Hooray for our beautiful planet!

Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on 22 April, on which worldwide events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 193 countries each year.

In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on 21 March, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature's equipoise was letter sanctioned in a proclamation written by McConnell and signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations.

A month later, a separate Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on 22 April, 1970. Nelson was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award in recognition of his work. While this "22 April Earth Day" was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Numerous communities celebrate "Earth Week," an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues that trouble the world.

This year, the landmark Paris Agreement is scheduled to be signed by the United States, China, and some 120 other countries. This signing satisfies a key requirement for the entry into force of the historic Climate Protection Treaty adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. That means *this* Earth Day is an important one. Mark your calendars, people. Please, show your support… After all, this is *our* planet, and we only have one. So let's show it some love?

I would also like to apologize to everyone on the behalf of the creator: This past week has been rather hectic, so do excuse the late entry. Furthermore, we *planned* on making each volume no more than 200 pages an issue, but it seems this one might be a *little* longer than that. Each volume comprises at least four to six acts, and has the potential to spread into a seventh one. But with the last act's *massive* development, yeah…we'll be "stretching it" this time. Oh, and, after the twelfth act, we'll have a new opening theme. *What* that theme is, I'm not sure, but it won't be the previous second opening; that's not in the works.

Okay, okay, I know you're probably sick of me by now, but I have to go anyway. This concludes our announcements. Can't hog up all the time, right?

I enjoyed our Special Moment. Thank you for having me. Now, I must return to my duties. I'm a hardworking old soul: My job comes first, so you can always count me! Enjoy the rest of your read, everyone. This is Dr. Lyte, signing out!

Opening Theme: Heaven in the Hell

Artist: Mizuki Nana

Obel Tower, Belfast

9 May, 2011

23:50—White Album's Perspective

:-:

Magic: Rituals or procedures associated with supernatural magic or mysticism. The use of actions to manipulate information about the natural world, especially when seen as falling outside the realm of religion; also the forces allegedly drawn on for such practices. A conjuring trick or illusion performed to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers. A special kind of power or ability. Something producing remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; an exceptional skill.

Magician: A person who plays with or practices allegedly supernatural magic. A spiritualist or practitioner of mystic arts. A performer of tricks or an escapologist. An amazingly talented craftsman or scientist. A person who astounds, and is considered an enigma. "Archmages" are powerful magicians.

"Necromancers," however, are considered taboo: Diviners of death and the dead. Practitioners of sorcery or witchcraft involving death or the dead; particularly, thaumaturgy involving raising and reanimating the dead.

One thing connects them: Contracts.

Magicians contract with deities, virtuous spirits, and mythical figures. Necromancers…are contracted with Azrael, the angel of death.

Yuvraj and Father Kerrigan: These men are fearsome, undeniably powerful magicians. One is a human given eternal life by the god of war, the other died and rose a vampire… But despite their differences, these men are evenly matched.

This man has stalemated every chant I've recited.

I must say, I'm impressed.

It's a good thing I accumulated an abundance of souls before this moment: My stamina hasn't failed me yet, so I can stay in this fight for a little while longer.

"Hark, hark, the dogs do bark,

The beggars are coming to town;

Some in rags and some in drags,

And one in a velvet gown." Father Kerrigan summons a continuous volley of spherical souls, but his attack is negated by a rift projected from Yuvraj's maduvu. The archmagus' defense, the necromancer's offense: No one is winning this battle.

Yuvraj closes his eyes and casually approaches Father Kerrigan.

"Legend has it you were a school teacher before joining the church. One of your 'passions' was reading nursery rhymes to your students during naptime.

You were *forced* to become a vampire; turned by Count Orlok, who was in a fit of rage because…his son fell 'in love' with a man. But this 'love' was cosmetic: Valdo *never* loved you, he sees you as a lowly servant.

You turned back to the opposite sex to replace what he never gave you. You soon began confusing love with lust, and eventually became a demon… You've been that way for centuries; pathetic, a creature no higher than dog shit."

The necromancer looks away, emotionally struck by his opponent's insight.

It's true, he can't deny it: Father Kerrigan went from being a positive role model to being the second Nightlord's whore… Valdo killed his father because of the latter's disapproval, but Orlok rejected the relationship for something other than hate. It wasn't "hated" at all… "Valdo mastered his existence at an early age.

He used his insanity to drive his father mad, which caused him to attack you. The Old Man plotted his father's death perfectly, making it seem like an act of revenge. When really…he wanted to give himself a 'reason' to usurp the throne of the night. Much like his 'love' for you, it was all an act.

I'm sure you're asking how I know all of this… My contract, Karthikeya, sees all. Even then, the eyes of the divine were upon you.

I pity you, Kerrigan. Should the worst come from this, should either one of us die, I wanted you to know this: There are people out there that can understand you… No one deserves to be treated like trash, not even a necromancer."

What he just said…is frighteningly accurate. I wonder, is it divination, a strong connection with his contract…or is this another trait of his existence?

Either way, his words…are even stronger than magic.

Father Kerrigan returns his eyes to the archmagus. "Thank you, young man. I now see you in a brighter light than before.

But it's too late for me to turn back now. I've committed too many sins. My soul is one with the angel of death, so I am *more* than a vampire; I am a demon.

I would ask you to fight me seriously, but it seems you've made up your mind. However, if you don't attack me, I'll turn my souls on everyone in this city." The chanter of elegies has issued a threat to provoke his opponent. But it seems Yuvraj isn't moved by Father Kerrigan's words, much to the latter's amusement. "What, are you still not taking this seriously, archmagus?"

"…I'm not the one walking into this halfheartedly, you are." Once again, Yuvraj speaks truth that strikes the necromancer's heart… Karthikeya has also revealed Father Kerrigan's reason for coming here: The sibling headhunters, who were translocated to safety by the archmagus. "Don't bother going after them. Their hearts have been crushed; thus, it's too late. 'Action' has run its course.

As the situation stands, you have lost your place in their heart."

…What does *he* know?

Lost my place… How dare he disrespect me!

Father Kerrigan's territory excites, his souls more vibrant than ever. His sync rate has increased… Yuvraj can sense it: As he is now, the necromancer implements at least 70% of his existence, which is enough to distort the atmosphere with a windstorm…as if Northern Ireland hasn't seen enough of this already.

"You, archmagus… What is your name?"

"…Why would you need to know that?"

"It's only proper…to know the name of the person you're about to kill."

Yuvraj smiles, realizing his opponent is serious. "There's nothing 'proper' about that. Don't mix anger with social etiquette; that's petty and immature."

In an instant, Father Kerrigan Steps forward into a fierce straight punch that would have hit the archmagus, were the latter to remain still. In a split second, Yuvraj lifted his maduvu and successfully fended against the attack.

"State…your…name!" Father Kerrigan's anger serves to amuse his opponent.

The archmagus sways his maduvu outward, repelling the necromancer and nearly cutting him with one of his blackbuck horns… "Defeat me, and I'll tell you."

The chanter of elegies recovers from the archmagus' strength, sliding across the rooftop to an eventual halt… A vampire that has descended into a demon is a dangerous creature. Despite this, Yuvraj is calm and composed, almost to the point that he's colder than ice. Nothing seems to faze him.

Even after Father Kerrigan threatened to attack the city…

This archmagus, this pest of a man… Who the *hell* is he!?