Character Profile~Rousreuel

My Soulcalibur V interpretation of Rousreuel. Image taken by Perseonn Balthasaar. Edited by myself.

Title: The Devilspawn Necromancer
Age: 23
Sex: Male
Birthdate: 12 Kislev 4253
Birthplace: Thinks he’s from Asturania
Family: Taken from his family as an infant so he cannot remember…

A former acolyte, or in his own words pawn of the Sanctorum, he has learned the religion has fallen to the Novus Lux’s forbidden secrets connected to the worship of the one revered as Dius to actually being the demon known only as Bal. For most of his life, his first memory was of a knight dropping him off at an orphanage while he was at the brink of his life after a chariot accident. From then on, Rousreuel dreamt of a member of the holy knights known only as the Order as he grew up on tales of their courage as well as become a hero rather than treated like a freak because he was believed to be part demon with his inherit gifts in magick at a young age. He was disillusioned by the fact that they were not the knights of the tales he was told and tried to leave them only to get imprisoned. Upon being freed by the leader of a mercenary group opposing the Novus Lux’s machinations, Percio, he decided to learn the truth of the Order. One day in the famed library of the great city of Corazoras, his only place of solace back in his childhood, he learned to his destiny upon learning the shocking truth of the Novus Lux as well as the fact that he was kidnapped by the one he once squired, the Order’s commander known only as the Godhand. He willingly chose to become an apostate and join Percio’s company. Fearing for those whom he owed his life as well as feeling they would be better off without protecting his high bounty, Rousreuel became a vagabond and an adventurer due to not only his crimes against the church and the secret society that controls it, but also because he was labelled a necromancer by those who feared him as a magus. His tragic childhood led to his cynicism at the world yet he holds a passion to destroy the Novus Lux and the demons it worships, even the one considered their god. He shows strangers no emotion but to those whom he dedicates himself to, he hides his feeling to avoid being a burden on them. He only reveals his emotions on the stage where he can pretend to the hero of the tales he has always loved. Because of his romantic fantasies though, he can be considered naive. He is willing to be hailed a demon himself in his goals for what he believes to be the greater good and to truly bring forth a world free of evil and especially the Novus Lux. However, with his goals comes recurring dreams of a woman claiming to be his grandmother’s spirit reminding him to bring forth a new light to the people and not destroy their faith- words that haunt yet inspire Rousreuel. Ultimately though, he wishes to be a hero much like those in legends despite the fact that he would be hailed as a villain by many.

An Excerpt from my Main Work (And Hopefully Magnum Opus)

No one was to wander the streets as the moon lit the sky. Surely it was a death sentence as either a demon would consume your soul or the knights of the Order would imprison you for disobeying the Sanctorum’s tenets. One vagrant soul feared not the night however and in fact found it to be his daylight and so he wandered beneath the night’s stars. He was neither a thief nor a vampire but even to see his face would strike fear in some and others sought to kill him. The price on his head was high yet one who understood the reasoning behind his crimes would support him on what he called his journey to rid the world of the one only known as Bal.

He was a dark-haired, pale man of 23 years garbed in crimson garments under a long rawhide coat with a matching wide-brimmed hat to obscure his face wandered the streets of Corazoras at night. Upon a closer look at his face, one would see hazel eyes that held both despair and passion behind his silver spectacles and that his facial features were not even those of a citizen of the holy city-state of Corazoras. Nobody knew who he was other than a menace to the Sanctorum and therefore he would declared as an enemy to all adherents of the faith. He spotted the familiar shape of a knight of the Order in the night and knew he had to run as he would rather avoid spilling blood. Stepping into the nearest cleft he could find, he accidentally knocked over a barrel. Torchlight drew near and he kicked the barrel right as the soldier looked in his direction. The wanderer took off. As he ran by a church, he did not remove his headwear and muttered a curse under his breath.

“Kill the Demon-Spawn if you value your life. Remember that you shall not suffer a warlock to live.” he heard from one he assumed to be the commander of the soldiers. The voice was vaguely familiar to him in a way that only brought him trauma. He heard the clashing of steel upon pavement and saw the lights of lanterns spreading throughout. He was out in the open and barely saw the supposed commander look in his direction and with nowhere to hide, he ran off, panting heavily. He came upon the city gates and saw that the city’s guards had their crossbows aimed at him and the one he believed to be their commander appeared behind him. His sword was pointed at the back of the wanted man’s neck. “You will kneel before the Imperator, Garistov.”

“My name is Rousreuel. Garistov is the one you seek. He is dead, Iairus.” The wanderer responded. “Come and kill me if you must unless you want your beloved Novus Lux burned down.”

Iairus punched Rousreuel to the ground and mocked him. “You would humble yourself as an Asturanian yet commit treason against the Novus Lux?”

Rousreuel slowly lifted unto one knee and said, “Have you forgotten that hubris is a grave sin? I kneel before none of your demons you claim to be angels.”

“Blasphemers deserve only Hell’s flames. I must slay you.” Iairus kicked Rousreuel in the head and knocked his hat off.

“Iairus, you know not of your bindings.” Rousreuel rose from the ground again and took his hat.

“Fire!” Iairus commanded. Rousreuel took the quill adorning his hat and stabbed his foe with it and then took off.

I did not expect that trick to work. Damn it, I need to stop running! Rousreuel thought to himself. I’ve been running for seven years now and you’d think I would be fit enough to outrun these bastards! He blindly ran towards the docks and saw that a ship was lit up.

“Rousreuel!” a voice familiar to the wanderer shouted. Suddenly Rousreuel felt a strike in his back and he closed his eyes.

Rousreuel heard another voice with an Asturanian accent telling him, “Wake up.” He opened his eyes and saw that he was on in the cabin of a ship. In front of him was a face familiar to him and the other was of someone he did not recognize. The familiar face was slightly younger than him and possessed the features of the Zintalo people of tanned skin, bright green eyes, a small stature, and curly brown hair. He wore typical a white shirt with a green vest over it and tight black leather pants for easy movement. The other man appeared to be in his 40’s had the usual features of an Asturanian albeit tanner and had a muscular build. He tied his oily rust brown hair back in a ponytail and wore an Asturanian sailor’s togs consisting of baggy tan pants with a blue sash and a brown vest without a shirt underneath. They both had stubble and wore earrings as Rousreuel did even though he wore it on his left ear.
“Are you trying to get us all killed?” Rousreuel questioned Tanon. His old friend shook his head for no. “It sounds like you’ve got a death wish. Just how did you become friends with the former captain of Asturania’s navy before it went to Hell? Why were you in Corazoras? You know the Zintalo and Asturanian refugees ate not welcome in the city let alone my ugly face.” The wanderer turned to Seimeon and asked him, “Ser, this is personal. Would you please step out of this room?” The former Asturanian naval commander gave Rousreuel a look of distrust and left the room.

Tanon responded, “You’re not really that ugly.” His comment made Rousreuel feel a chilling itch.

“If you saw my wanted posters then you’d assume I’m ugly. That’s not important though. Why did you kidnap me?” the wanderer said to the Zintalo.

“Captain Seimeon knocked you out. It wasn’t me. At least it’s better to hide out in Asturania than in a city where everyone wants you dead. You’d blend in better I suppose. People have other things on their mind in Asturania than your head anyways.” Tanon answered.

“Really? I look like a starved vampire. Asturanians are darker. Just tell me why you kidnapped me! You would think that killing me would solve everyone’s worries.”

“Asturania needs you. It’s your home. The princess of Asturania believes that you can stop the Usurper. We know you’re not a demon.”

“I have no home. Why do you insist I am human? I could lose my humanity any given moment I use magick?”

“You’re stronger than that!”

“No Tanon, I am a coward. I keep on running when I could just overthrow the Novus Lux at the cost of becoming Bal. I am tired of running and I am tired of being called a demon.”

“That is why we would have you fight for Asturania. You cannot take an empire in a single day but you did once believe in dividing and conquering. You’ll no longer have to run for sure.”

Rousreuel considered his friend’s words for a moment. He told him, “Perhaps you are right Tanon. Perhaps I shall turn the princess against the Novus Lux.” Tanon smiled. “I’ve been on the run all night so good night.” Rousreuel yawned and apologized to Tanon. “Why are you still here?” The Zintalo too left the room. “I didn’t mean it that way!” Rousreuel exclaimed. He undressed himself so that he could sleep in comfort and then laid in the bed. This is not very comfortable, but Tanon and the captain are doing me a favor. At least I’ll lose Iairus’s trail for now… Why can I not save him from the strings of the Novus Lux?

The wanderer opened his found himself in complete darkness. The only sound he heard was that of his heart’s beat and his breath. Due to his nudity, this rhythm was more noticeable to his ears than the sounds he often heard during his entire lifetime in the big city. He felt as if he was falling into an endless abyss yet he could walk around normally without there seemingly being any obstacles. Rousreuel screamed, which echoed in the strange place he was in. Am I in the heavens? Am I in the inferno? he thought to himself.

All was silent. Rousreuel heard a commanding and distorted voice with a vague hint of his own tone saying, “Come to thy altar, herald of Us.”

“Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here?” Rousreuel called out to the voice as he awaited a response. The stark obscurity he found himself bound in became a blinding flash of light. Rousreuel now stood within a cathedral where its altar stood opposite of him. It was both beautiful and decrepit at once, yet it was still shrouded in the darkness that Rousreuel stood in before his rapture to this cathedral. Reminded of a daily ritual of his in his childhood, Rousreuel cursed the place he stood in silently. He looked on ahead and saw an emerald radiance vaguely shaped like a woman in an elegant gown. Curious about this phenomenon, Rousreuel approached the apparition carefully, holding back whatever fear he had.

Approaching the peculiar figure, Rousreuel saw more clearly that it was a woman he remembered in a painting at his former cell in the monastery he lived in during his childhood. Intrigued, he asked her, “Are you my-”

“Why yes, I am your grandmother’s spirit. How could you forget? It has only been a few weeks since we have last met before you decided to travel to Asturania,” she spoke. She wore a lavish gown resembling the garments of antiquity of the same color she radiated and her soft, rounded, and gentle facial features were the same as Rousreuel’s.

The 23-year old wanderer stared at the phantom in awe as she spoke. He felt surprising ease in meeting the entity claiming to be his deceased grandmother, but he still had his doubts. Rousreuel questioned, “Are you an angel or a devil? Why are we here?” His fear overcame his tranquility as he spoke.

“Do not be callow. I am simply your grandmother’s spirit. Nothing more, nothing less. Your destination of Asturania will fall into greater peril. I have been sent by Dius to watch over you on your travels and to protect you,” responded his grandmother’s spirit.

“Leave me. I need not be watched for I am an apostate. Do not meddle in my affairs, phantom.”

“Do not be crass. The eagle of the Santorum; the burden of Tartaros, will soon fall apart to the machinations of the Novus Lux. Remember why you left the Santorum. Remember why you became a wanderer.”

“I will. I shall become the phoenix that shall burn down both the decaying Santorum and the Novus Lux eating at its heart to bring forth a new light to the world. I will be hailed as a hero to not just Asturania, but to all the known Teras.”

“You must not talk of the Santorum as a villein. Even though the Novus Lux is her poison, she can still be saved. Answer your call, your heart’s desire. The Santorum was never meant to be used for evil; she can be cured.”

The young man thought to himself. “Very well then, please forgive me,” responded Rousreuel. He embraced his grandmother’s spirit. Upon their touch, she vanished then the rest of the cathedral-like place soon disappeared back into the darkness.

He heard the spirit’s voice say, “Farewell my grandson, I must return and godspeed!” Everything, including Rousreuel’s heart’s beat and his breath became silence.

He opened his eyes rose from his bed in a panic from the knocking at his cabin’s door and thought to himself, Damn it, I had that dream again. It would be best to preserve my magick usage. The knocking at his door continued and Rousreuel, frustrated, looked in the small opening of his door. He saw that it was his traveling companion and yelled, “Tanon, you pervert!”

Rousreuel went to his wardrobe and dressed himself, starting with a simple burgundy shirt 0f silk and tanned trousers. He then adjusted his leather boots and gloves, finally donning his long leather coat and a matching wide-brimmed hat adorned with his saffron-colored quill. He opened the door for his friend to come in.

“Morning Rousreuel. We’re approaching Asturania. Seimeon told me that we will be going to the inn first to pick up some intel from a courier of Lord Volos’s, the princess’s uncle. Seimeon also says that the inn’s among the finest, yet simplest and inexpensive inns in the country,” his friend said.

Rousreuel let out a slight smile much to Tanon’s shock and answered, “Nice of you to offer, but I only drink tea. Do not assume I have made permanent vows not to drink alcohol. I really should not give it a chance anyways as I just had that dream again. Such things aside; did you send my letter to your sister?”

The apostate’s friend nodded in confirmation. He then apologized to his friend for startling him.

“You do it all the time like some who is fixated on me. It is quite disturbing,” Rousreuel said with a hint of sarcasm. Tanon quickly walked out of Rousreuel’s cabin in embarrassment. Rousreuel took off after his younger friend.

Seeking fresh air, Rousreuel stepped unto the top deck of the ship. He approached its bow and saw clearly the Asturanian coast nearby. Tanon who was speaking with Seimeon, the ship’s captain at that time, called Rousreuel over. The wanderer sighed as he approached the rugged war veteran, sighing in concern of an argument. Within Seimeon’s distance, the latter began to speak. “Sir Rousreuel, Tanon, as you may know, we are approaching Asturanian shores soon by way of the city of Lysithion. Sir Rousreuel, stand on watch should we be attacked. Tanon, ready the cannons.”

“Aye,” Tanon nodded.

“No aye,” Rousreuel subtly mocked Tanon, “Don’t treat me like one of the Novus Lux cur. I will fight too. And please do not address me as “sir.” I am no longer associated with both the Santorum and the Novus Lux. Remember that I am excommunicated. I do not care whether I am an apostate of your religion or if I were to be the most devout adherant of your Dius.”

His response enraged the captain who responded, “Sir Rousreuel! Do not be foolish! You are important to milady’s mission. Do not jest in the battlefield with your parlor tricks!”

Tanon, feeling bad for his strong-willed but vulnerable, emotionally wounded friend whispered into Rousreuel’s ear, “He is just watching out for you. You need not get upset.”

“I need no one watching my guard. Even though I am an apostate, I will help those in need, whether it be you or even a member of the Corvus that seeks to assassinate me,” Rousreuel said to both Tanon and Seimeon. “Tanon, stay out of my battles for at least one time,”He told his younger companion. The wanderer looked out towards the shore to relieve himself of the captain’s words and to both Tanon and Seimeon, “In the world Rousreuelas and Myriam fought for and died for in vain, the world would be free of its demons; free of a tyrant such as or worse than the Novus Lux. I can only dream and fight for but not pray that the princess too seeks a world much like the heads of House Costanza sought.”

Seimeon responded, “Surely you jest in your fantasies from those books that you have read.”

“No, Seimeon, you jest. As long as I can reveal to the known world the secrets of the Novus Lux from my studies, then the world will truly see the sun- the sun of salvation as opposed to the moon of the Santorum. No man or woman can bring another person enlightenment; he or she can only help pave the way to salvation, not rapture them and hold their hand like a mother to her child. You, Tanon, the princess, nobody, not even a former member of the clergy as I unwillingly was is a pawn of a higher force. This is why I use my magicks even though I am no longer a man of the cloth or bound by strict tenets. Let me be labelled a necromancer! Let me burn on the stake as a petty criminal if I speak the truth!” Rousreuel spoke back to Seimeon in a slightly mocking but truly passionate tone. Tanon looked on with concern while Seimeon only looked at Rousreuel in a harsh way that he wound consider Rousreuel as a fool. Tanon and Seimeon resumed their work on the ship while the wandering apostate looked out again unto the Asturanian shore. Soon, the crew set the ship’s anchor at the dock of Lysithion.

Why I think the “Wheel of Time” series is less known that “A Song of Ice and Fire” and “Lord of the Rings.” -A Brief Rant

I know I should not speak as I only got into the Song of Ice and Fire series through the HBO series and consider myself a big fan who as a writer is inspired by George R. R. Martin (Incidentally, we both grew up in Bayonne yet I’m still living there and we’re both Marist High School graduates who have worked on the school newspaper.) I also don’t exactly consider my self extremely passionate for literature despite being an English major, specifically for creative writing, at my college. As you may all know, I once wanted to be a game designer but I have little artistic skill so I decided I’d write for them. I realized though that I just want to write in general though. The last chapter of the “Wheel of Time” series was recently released but the only reason I have never even bought myself a copy yet was because I haven’t even started the first book. I would like to get into the series in fact as I heard lots of good things about it yet it’s overshadowed by Martin’s and Tolkien’s work.

I really think that the Wheel of Time series needs to be adapted into film or a television series so that it can get a wider audience and encourage sales of the original books. I too consider myself part of an audience entranced by an adaptation. Because film and television is a big part of modern culture, we sometimes even forget about the original version of a work and even begin to accept their changes as actual canon such as Doctor Frankenstein having a hunchbacked assistant or naming the Beauty “Belle” and having her talk to enchanted objects. Sadly, it’s hard to appreciate a good old novel or original version of a story in the modern world. I really do not know much of the Wheel of Time series but I am sure that it can become very popular should it be adapted for a lay(as in television and film watching) audience. Then again, during Hurricane Sandy, I suffered only a blackout for a few days and finally got to read “A Dance with Dragons” even though it was really through my iPad. So, what do you think about the points I made about how society relies too much on modern forms of entertainment and have a hard time appreciating simpler measures? As an aspiring writer, I feel that I should read the original works as opposed to relying on just “modern” media.

Astral Fable: Episode I- Pilot

“Adam, our fuel is running short and soon we will need to restock on supplies. I am afraid we must crash-land on Aesop as soon as possible without sending probes to find an ideal home.” The soldier with the bobbed blonde hair said to her husband, a researcher looking for a new homeland for humanity. The scientist in his early forties turned to his wife and took off his reading glasses.

“Diana my love, please do not interrupt me in my research.” said the scientist. He looked into the single eye of his wife and returned his sight to the monitor, fascinated by his studies.

“This is important. If we run out of fuel then you cannot do any research at all and we will have nowhere to go. Do you know the Kang-Admi language so that we can negotiate with the inhabitants for materials? Diana responded. She rubbed Adam’s back to relieve his stress.

Adam responded to his wife, “We must leave for Aesop immediately. Aesop is the most Earth-like of the planets in this galaxy but I doubt that we will be able to settle on that planet. I fear that we will come across with Kang-Admi on both Aesop and the next closest planet. I have learned that they are not to kind towards humanity. As for an answer to your question, we have theses.” Adam opened the drawer at his desk and handed Diana an earpiece with a microphone attached.

Diana “What is this? Another one of your inventions for the kids? I don’t have time for games Adam.”

Adam smiled and said, “Come on, just put it on and say something.”

Diana wore the device and spoke Adam’s name. She paused for a second and then angrily said, “Is this a joke?” Her voice was much akin to an ape’s gibber.

“If it is a joke, than I would not have told you while I am conducting important research. It is the Kang-Admi language, dear. I have programmed this device to speak their language. We better prepare for our crash landing as I fear that we may end up in their land. They are not on good terms with humans so we will not get a nice welcome at all. It will also be too cold for us to step out, so make sure that all the Thermosuits are ready before we descend on Aesop. In the mean time I will try to find a solution that will provide us warmth should we have to enter Kang-Admi land and I will also come into contact with Prime Ambassador Tigranes for further support in our galaxy.

“Is their distrust of humans also because they could be slaves of Xenomaster? That bastard will pay for what he has done to our galaxy and to my family. We are not trophies of his conquest.” Diana said in fury.

Adam nodded and said, “Calm down. You’re a soldier for the entire planet and commander of Ark VII. Humanity does not just depend on me. You too are instrumental to our species’ survival. I know I am one of the smartest men remaining but even though I do not have a strong belief in such matters, we must not lose hope. You are the one who said hope is humanity’s bulwark.”

Diana sighed and said, “Adam…”

“I will see you again at lights out,” he said. The two kissed each other and Diana left the laboratory.

Lights out, treated as nighttime onboard Ark VII, came and Diana went to her cabin aboard the ark. She entered her daughter’s bedroom. “Good night Ursula. Mommy and daddy love you. Shall we pray before we go to bed?”

“Mommy, where’s daddy? I want him to pray too.”

“Daddy’s busy again. Why don’t you want to pray with just me?”

“Daddy’s very smart. Isaac said God doesn’t exist again and he’s for babies like me. I’m not a baby anymore. Daddy will prove my big brother wrong!”

“Ursula, you have to understand that daddy’s job is not about God or the Devil. It’s about finding a new home for us. It is like the story of Moses. Only Pharaoh is the big bad Xenomaster and you don’t need to worry because he’s going to be in Hell forever when the good guys win.” The child smiled at her mother and held her hand.

“Mommy, I’m scared of Xenomaster. Are we there yet? Is Xenomaster gone?”

“One day I pray we can go back home and live as a normal family. Sweetie, go to bed. You will need to rest tomorrow.”

“Yay! Daddy found a new home!”

Diana told her child, “We think he did. Good night honey. I love you.” The commander tucked her child to bed and kissed her on the forehead after a brief prayer.

Before she left, the child said, “I love you too mommy. I hate daddy.” Diana made a false smile so she would not upset her child and a tear fell down her eye as she left her child’s bedroom.

Diana went to her cabin aboard the Ark and stepped into the shower. Ursula, I will protect the human race. Please do not cry if one day I am never to return. Daddy will take care of you and I will watch you from Heaven. 

Ark VII landed on the snowy mountains of Aesop. All the soldiers of Ark VII, including the commander, wore their Thermosuits and set out for the harsh new planet they assumed would be their new home. One however did not put on his suit. “Are you insane Acero? You’ll out us! Put on your Thermosuit!”

“It’s not like he’s human anyways,” a boy called out. He resembled his father both in personality and in appearances but he was overweight and lacked both his father’s intellect or his mother’s resolve, traits his younger sister had that made him feel left out by his family.

Diana scolded him. “Isaac! Mr. Acero is very much a human! Now apologize. I want you to stay here and help your father out!”

Isaac came out and said, “It’s not my fault he’s the Tin Man. Dad said that he’ll be leaving soon.” The overweight, listless boy did not listen to his mother.

Acero said to Isaac, “You better listen to your mother. You really should pay attention to your father’s lessons. It will do our race well. You should also consider yourself lucky that you don’t have the parts I have. War does a lot to you. As your father’s bodyguard, I would stay here but he’s going on the expedition too soon. He asked us to clear the way of any hostile creatures we would encounter on this planet. You should show respect for a veteran like me.”

Isaac apologized and hugged his mother. Ursula was with him and hugged her mother too. “Mommy, are you going to be alright?” The girl was crying as she saw her mother armed and whimpered, “I’m afraid the Bigfoots are going to eat you!”

Diana hugged her children back and kissed them on their foreheads. “Mommy’s busy now. I promise I’ll be back. You know I am doing this to find you a new home, right? Stay with the caretakers on the ship once your father disembarks.” She turned to the former soldier Acero and lost her caring tone. “Acero, we are ready to move out. I will report to you once we are clear of any danger.” Ursula approached Isaac because she was afraid of Acero and felt uncomfortable seeing her mother wearing her Thermosuit. Diana and her soldiers marched out on the ship to the harsh mountains of the northern region of Aesop.

All was quiet in the harsh field. “Before we set off to explore our surroundings, I will take half of you. Sergeant Jackson, you will take the other half of our crew. I will call for back-up if necessary. Move out!” the commander instructed. The soldiers saluted her firmly.

“Why is Commander Homer bossing us around again? What happened to the good old days where men were in charge.” Jackson asked.

“Jackson! I heard that!” Diana said, “Let’s go.” Her soldiers descended down the mountain. Soon, they came across a nearby cave and heard a sound much like a wolf’s howling as it died. She looked on further and saw a large furry white creature wearing what appeared to be the armor of a Viking. Next, she heard deep sounds of rolling. She cursed under her breath, thinking, An avalanche now? The commander set her eyes towards a slope and saw a large snowball-like object rolling in her direction and dodged it. Several of her soldiers took out their guns and pointed it at the sphere. It opened up to be another one of the alien beings. It made an ape’s gibber. “Damn it. It’s the Kang-Admi!” Diana muttered. Two of her soldiers fired at the extraterrestrial creature, shouting, “Sasquatch!” The Kang-Admi’s armor was bulletproof, surprising the two soldiers. It roared and pounced at one of the two soldiers.

“Help! I’ve been found by Bigfoot!”

Diana yelled, “Shut your mouth unless you want us all to get killed!”

The other Kang-Admi in the cave came to assist its brother in arms. Diana’s soldiers retreated out of fear. Idiots, the commander thought to herself. She dropped her gun and raised her hands in the air. One of the yeti-like aliens gibbered at her. Sorry, I do not speak your tongue. 

Diana used the radio in her Thermosuit to contact Adam. “Adam, the Kang-Admi have captured me. My cowards of a troop abandoned me in a cave. I am requesting back-up immediately. The Ambassador of this ship will understand our pleas of assistance. If you don’t hear from me again, tell the kids that I love them. Adam, your help is needed.”

One of the Kang-Admi spoke in its ape-like language, “What sorcery is this witch practicing! Bring her to the Gothar! Death awaits her along with the Serpent-Harlot.” He removed her suit’s helmet and then grabbed her. The two Kang-Admi went deeper into the cave until they reached their underground home. The city of the Kang-Admi was extravagantly built from ice blocks that would never melt in the frigid caverns. In the center was the shrine of the Gothar and at the opposite end of the entrance stood the palace.

Three hours later, Adam and Acero found themselves surrounded by Aesopian wolf-like creatures as they set off on their own expedition. “These are not our planet’s wolves,” Adam snarked as Acero fought them off with only his steel hands. Acero then skinned the animal’s pelt, cleaned it in the snow, and then wrapped it around his still organic body parts. Adam said, “You should have worn your Thermosuit. Now that blood might infect your cybernetic systems.”

“It would only get in my way. Besides I do not feel this cold normally so maybe Commander Homer was right about the suits. Still, they would prevent me from using my full potential,” the scientist’s bodyguard responded.

“We are short on fuel so do not exhaust your strength. Even with our soldiers’ technology, they are no match for your strength.”

“Don’t remind me. Let’s follow these footsteps down. They are the Commander’s men.”  The two traveled down the mountains following the soldiers’ paths. They entered the cave and Acero picked up the commander’s helmet among the two gored soldiers killed by the Kang-Admi.

“Diana’s been captured by the Kang-Admi. These are their tracks and that large trail is how they move quickly by rolling around. They are incapable of running with their short legs and their large bodies so they must gather speed by going down a slope. Not only is it a convenient way of traveling but it is also deadly. I’d imagine it to be like a giant bowling ball with three pins. We must hurry! Who knows if they took her to the Gothar as a sacrifice?” Acero nodded.

They made their way to the subterranean city of the Kang-Admi. Adam handed Acero the translating device so that they could communicate with the alien species and put his own translator on. He asked the chief through the device, “We come in peace friend. We wonder if any Flesh-Apes have entered the village. We have come in search of a home.”

The Kang-Admi guard growled lightly. It heard Adam’s human voice but understood its language in its device. Through Adam’s ear piece he heard, “Your kind is not welcome, dog of the Xenomaster.”

“We are not servants of the Xenomaster but his victims. Our home has been taken by him and we are seeking a new home. so we must ask for your king’s assistance.”

“How are we to trust you Flesh-Apes? Is the dark Armor-Ape too a servant of the Xenomaster? We will meet the Gothar who will decide your fate. Truthfully I would kill you and the Armor-Ape here and now yet you speak our tongue. Is this sorcery? Is the Armor-Ape an abomination created by the Xenomaster?”

“No, he is a cyborg.”

“So you are a servant of the Xenomaster! I knew it all along.”

Another Kang-Admi rolled down the slope ascending to the city. The guard knelt before her and

She gibbered to Adam. “I am Princess Reginleif. We too are a people oppressed by the Xenomaster. I shall make your plea to the Gothar. We warn you of two witches- one a cyclops who too is a Flesh-Ape and the other of the Snake-Men from the Golden Sea to the south. “

“Thank you my lady,” Adam said to the Kang-Admi’s princess. He knelt before her and gestured to Acero to do the same.

“Giant monkeys,” the bodyguard mumbled to himself. Reginleif growled slightly at him.

“Come,” she instructed. She and the guard escorted Adam and Acero to the Gothar’s temple.

Both Diana and several snake-like alien life forms in clothing resembling that of an Ancient Egyptian’s were imprisoned at the temple. The Gothar shouted in front of his adherents, “We offer these witches to the All-Father! May all know his name and may he strike down the Xenomaster and all who serve him!” The ritual was interrupted by the princess and the two humans. “Who dares disturb this offering to our Gods?”

The princess called out, “Release the Flesh-Ape. She too is a victim of the Xenomaster along with the others that have arrived. They have technology that will be beneficial to our war with the Snake-Men. We both share a common cause- a fight against the conqueror” The Gothar released Diana from her prison and Adam passed her a translating device and introduced her to the Kang-Admi princess.

“Thank you, Princess Reginleif.”

“Forgive our people. They know not of the fact that humans are also a victim of the conqueror. Even though he has been hailed as a god on our planet for countless generations, we no longer swear loyalty to him but instead to the All-Father?”

“The All-Father?”

“Yes. He is who is known as the human God. Our people still believe you to be wicked creatures as taught by your people’s scripture and thus we have come to fear you as the Flesh-Apes. Forgive us our insults.”

Diana answered, “No need to ask for forgiveness. We humans too have fought other humans. If we help you in your battle against the Snake-Men and the Xenomaster’s men, shall you give us resources so that we can find a home on planet Aesop?”

Princess Reginleif answered, “We must learn to hold trust for your species. We too are descendants of the apes unlike the other species on Aesop. Many of our kind have set off for distant lands beyond Aesop that are too frigid for even your intellectual species. We will do our best to assist your kind. I shall gather the Dreki to return you to your Star-Dwelling.”

“Star-Dwelling?”

“You are not welcome amongst my people yet so I will send your kind supplies to help get you through the arctic temperatures. Your Star-Dwellings possess great technology but our kind frowns upon the use of weapons, especially your projectiles called guns. We are a people of tremendous strength and I will pray that we can trust your kind. You must assist us in our war against the Xenomaster or we too will be forced to exile Aesop. Once you provide us your assistance, we will grant you our Thorstone which shall provide fuel for your kind to leave this planet. The Snake-Men and us are not the one beings on the planet. Our world is full of creatures evolved from animals from the Cat-Men to the East to the Bird-Men of the west. We have had a history of warfare yet ideally we would unite against our common foe, the galactic conqueror known only as Xenomaster.”

“How do you know so much of our kind?”

“You were not the only friendly humans we have encountered on this planet. We too saw them as an enemy at first but they have helped us fight the Xenomaster in the past.”

“You mean others have settled on Aesop led by Ark I?”

“Is that what your Star-Dwellings are called? They have left for other regions and I fear that some may be on the side of our sworn enemies your kind has called the Naja. Our Dreki, much like the creatures your kind would call dragons in your mythology, shall return you to your Ark. I know that your kind is capable of evil yet also capable of good. Guards, leave me to escort the humans, not Flesh-Apes, to their Star-Dwelling. Tell my father not to execute any humans until further notice,” Reginleif told the guard.

The Kang-Admi princess led the humans to their Dreki Ranch. As a member of the royal family, she raised her pendant of Thorstone at the dragon-like alien. Before the three departed back to Ark VII, Diana told the princess, “Farewell. May we be as companions. Forgive our species our trespasses against your kind. Us humans too are aliens.”

“You need not forgive us as we are like you as creatures capable of good and evil. May we be as allies in war. So long, Diana Homer.” Diana, Adam, and Acero mounted the Dreki directed by the Thorstone pendant to reach the peak of the mountain.

Soaring high above the northern mountains of Aesop on the Dreki, Diana and Adam looked down in awe. The commander told her husband, “Adam, I have never seen anything as beautiful. I pray we can make this land our home. Let us not make the mistake of our ancestors and take the Kang-Admi’s kindness for granted. Any foe of the Xenomaster is a friend of the human race. Let us remember that.”

“I too have never seen such beauty. Perhaps these extraterrestrials are more majestic than our race. The Xenomaster too is a human or at least he was once a human. I am no man of semantics but instead, I am a scientist. My first job is to guarantee our survival. I was astounded by the kindness of the Kang-Admi princess,” Adam responded. “Look Ark VII is down below!” The Dreki descended to the front of the Ark and the three descended from their mount.

In the entrance of the ship were many of the Ark’s crewmen and the Naja fighting one another. One of the soldiers shouted, “Commander Homer! Please! Get to the Ambassador’s office! Sargeant Jackson is already helping him against these snakes!” The Naja spit acid in his the soldier’s face. Diana, Adam, and Acero had no time to help out the others.

“I’m coming Ursula and Isaac!” Diana shouted. She headed off for the library where the children were being kept and instructed Adam to find the Ambassador. As she got to the Ark’s library, she saw Sargent Jackson holding Ursula close to him and had his gun pointed at Isaac. With intense fury she shouted, “Let her go you disgrace to the human race!”

“Disgrace to the human race? That would be you Commander Homer,” Jackson responded. He fired his gun at Isaac.

“Duck!” the boy’s mother shouted. Isaac ran out of the room.

Diana punched the sergeant in the face as he gloated about shooting the child. “You disgust me. It is men like you that give us a bad reputation amongst the other species we have encountered.”

“Lucky you that you are a woman. Otherwise you’d be dead already.” Jackson tossed Ursula towards the back door and Diana ran towards the child.

Diana cried, “Ursula!” She shot the Sargeant and hurried towards Ursula. Suddenly, a robed and masked yet robotic looking figure appeared before her. “Xenomaster you bastard!” she cursed.

“Homer, I have no words. The girl is mine!” The Xenomaster taunted her and then disappeared.

Diana banged the floor in tears and cursing the villain’s name. Isaac came to her and asked, “Mom, I’m sorry?”

“Isaac honey, it’s not your fault. Our kind is cruel. This is why we have figures like Jesus and for some, the Buddha. No wonder our race was doomed.”

“Mom, I got this. He’s a lot like my old comic book villains and if there’s one thing I learned even though I’m pretty stupid, it’s that we’re still the good guys. The good guys always win.”

“Really? I just lost your sister. I’m ashamed to call myself Commander Diana Homer when I cannot even protect my own daughter!”

Isaac wiped his mother’s tears and hugged her. “Mom, we will win against the bad guy. I may not believe in your fairy tales but you’re a hero! You can do this!” She embraced him back and wiped another tear.

“I will take Ursula back!” Diana swore this. “Xenomaster, your ass is mine!”

Adam and Acero entered the library and saw Diana on the ground crying with Isaac. The scientist placed his hand on his wife’s soldier, saying, “This is important. If you lose hope than you cannot be a great leader and humanity will have no hope at all. You are our hope Diana my love.” He helped her get up. Diana embraced Adam and the two kissed one another. Isaac joined his parents’ embrace.

Adam told his wife, “Let’s do this for not just humanity, but all who have suffered because of the Xenomaster. We have cleared the ship of the Naja. Let us rest and see whatever supplies we can ration as well as whatever weaponry we have for our battle with both the snakes and our war against Xenomaster.” Diana made a genuine smile the first time in a long time.

The Lunatic

New to this sea, I am now lost.
In this ocean, I disappear,
Only a thrall to lunacy.
On this voyage, I am star-crossed.
My mind’s chaos is what I fear.

My sights cleared, I try to reach the sun.
Yet, it is way far from my hand’s reach.
Lonely at the verdant grounds, I yearn.
Blinded by awe, I seek its breach.
Both towards and away I cannot run.

Halfway there, the radiance takes my sight.
Minor to this light as it always burns.
Its captivating wonder is my envy.
Yet to grasp its glory takes all my might.
This star’s radiance is what my heart yearns.

As I approach the shores of this paradise,
I contemplate on how I sought its glory;
An exodus from darkness- enlightenment.
Enduring the flames, I shall tell this story.
Through these trials, I conquer lunacy’s vice.

Now at one with my subconscious, I will now shine.
I will shed my light on the lost to find their way.
As I become the glory in the black hours,
I will have become much like the sun’s golden ray.
The lunacy in my heart will now intertwine.

While those on the green land will heed my advice,
The laws of the universe I still obey,
I am always inferior to the stars.
The burden of all the stars I cannot weigh.
I can only share a fraction to suffice.

My grandeurs have simply been a flight.
My retreat from my troublesome concerns.
To be one with the stars is heresy:
An eclipse to destroy other’s discerns.
Instead of dreams, I would become a blight.

Fallacies born from what fate have spun.
One day, its glory I shall beseech.
Not now, but when its power is lost.
Only then, shall the wise masters preach:
Shining at night, over which I won.

My passion burns beyond my frost.
I have both lost and won this sphere
Having conquered my lunacy,
Conquering doubts, my mind is clear.
Through the night, my glory is tossed.

Broken Shields

They no longer war with shield in hand.
Protection, distorted into an iron brand.
Now, we can no longer fight fire with water.
Solitude is now the coward’s slaughter. 

The skies rain and the earth trembles in its ire.
War forever wages, all hours dire.
The heavens deceive yet they are sanguine,
In truth, all is gloom and poison is wine.

Many create a false light; also steel.
These fragmented shields form scars that will never heal.
Once armor; it is now a weapon most deadly.
Its adamantine iron shines redly.

The broken aegis, now brandished by savages,
Bastions of solace lie in ravages,
No longer does our home have salvation.
There is no sanctuary, only cessation.

Remolded by hellfire into destruction,
Providence is forged solely by promise.
Now I know justice is only man’s construction.

 (This poem was inspired by the Newtown shootings, hence the tag)

Image from annecolleta.com

Non Compos Mentis

The chaotic laughter, the raving cries;
It is I whom they openly mock.
“Will you stop singing all your lies?”
The fool asks for other paths I walk.
These words form into the rain of my eyes. 

They ask, “Have you fallen into a rabbit hole?”
“No, do you dwell in a cave?” I kindly ask.
“Wake up. Open your eyes.” Am I a mole?
For I cannot, I shall not don the clown’s mask.
For myself, there is no one who can console.

Detained not inside the prison, but outside.
My eyes see the dark; my ears hear silence.
All are shades of gray, the music died.
Fantasies of my sanity’s absence:
Haunting both waking life and at the bedside.

Dragons dance and the heavens war,
Beneath them my heart beats in my head.
The voices claim me as their savior.
The plague of the harlequins I dread.
Or is it my doubts I ignore?

Restless, both illusion and truth are the same.
Good and evil: Both are fragmentations.
Are my ill perceptions one to shame?
These may be wicked imaginations.
Yet, my sanity is no person’s to blame.

“Does he think this is Wonderland?” Asked them.
They burn me alive with their tongues of fire.
Because I inquire, they shall condemn.
Even so, if my truths are of a liar,
May all be as fiction; I sew my own hem.

My queer senses are no one’s my own.
The true phantom is society.
These visions are together sewn.
My gap from norms are anxiety,
Yet I think, so I am. Let it be known.