Tim's Writing Experiment

30 Days of Creativity Day 6 - Argyle: A Haiku

2011-06-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

30 Days of Creativity

Diamond line pattern
Preppie or retro throwback
Argyle sweater

The New Suit: 30 Days of Creativity Day 3 - Chrome

2011-06-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

30 Days of Creativity

The artificial lights glinted off the shiny unused armor. The flawless surface reflected distorted images on every surface and it made Alex squirm. He looked down at his own rusted and worn armor, scraped at a patch on his chest, and frowned.

"I feel sorry for these newbies," he muttered.

"They don't know any better, Alex," Bree startled him.

Alex didn't flinch, but he turned quickly. "It's not like they're going to be using it very long anyway. You know the survival rate out there."

Bree brushed a loose strand of amber hair from her face. "But some of them will, and this will help them make it. They're not all as experienced as you are. Their training won't prepare them for the crags. That's why they need us to teach them. That's why they need you to be a leader."

Alex nodded. "But I'm not their leader. Remember? They gave that job to Jack."

She stepped closer and tapped on his armored chest. "But they look up to you. Whether you like it or not, you're a leader."

"Give me my own tried and true armor any day. That new shiny stuff hasn't been tested."

"It's supposed to be much stronger and lighter than the carbon weave. Some new allow that is more flexible but harder under extreme pressures and impacts."

Alex shook his head. "It just looks like old fashioned chrome to me. I don't-"

The alarm sounded and red lights began flashing down the hallway.

They both shoved on their helmets and Alex adjusted a fitting on Bree's shoulder. "It looks like they'll get a chance to test it sooner than we thought," he said, patting her on the shoulder.

Responsibility - A Haiku

2010-07-21T13:09:00.001-07:00

Words are coming slow
Day job impedes writing time
Responsible me

Payback

2010-04-09T21:11:00.001-07:00

She touched her swollen cheek and winced. Looking in the mirror was difficult, not just because of the marks that John had left on her face, but also because she had lost respect for herself. She was becoming convinced of the things that he would tell her, that she was worthless, that she was not deserving of love. That was all going to change.

Karen pulled her coat tight and held her purse close as she climbed the steps to the building's front doors. She rode the elevator with several other people, but she was all alone when it reached the sixth floor. She exited there and found the receptionist, who recognized her from the office party.

"Oh, hello!" she greeted. "Should I tell John you're here?"

"No. Thank you," replied Karen. "I'd like to surprise him."

As she stepped past the front desk, she reached into her purse and gripped the handle of the gun with a steady hand.

A Change in Fortune

2010-04-08T21:46:00.000-07:00

Frank sat alone at the table, staring into his beer. Another depressing country song was blaring on the jukebox, eliminating any morale he might have had left from when he had entered the restaurant. The few other people in the bar were only slightly less dejected, but they were with other people, and they might have had at least one thing going right in their lives.

He was still stunned from his long day. It was hard to imagine so many horrible things to happen all at once, but to come to work to find out you were being laid off, only to come home to a house left empty save the note that his wife left on the kitchen counter telling him that she was leaving. There was not much left to go wrong.

"Is anyone else sitting here?" a man said. Frank looked up from his glass to see an ordinary-looking middle aged man smiling at him. Frank shook his head and the man sat across from him. "You look like you could use some cheering up. What if I told you I know exactly what you're going through?"

Frank perked up a little.

"If you want to make a difference in your life and the lives of others, I've got an opportunity for you."

The Stones of the Ages

2010-04-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

Elain sprinted to the tomb marked with the bent triangle and threw his shoulder into the stone doors. They stood firm. He tried pulling on them with a similar result. After a few more moments of fruitless effort, he slumped against them. Was it all for nothing? He stood there and stared at the intricate carvings on the doors, elaborate designs and swirling patterns that covered the doors entirely. They all seemed to be moving, but the dominate mark was still the spinning pyramid, which he gently touched. The doors swung inward silently.

He raced inside and even in the dark he found the basket, and throwing open the lid, there he found a blue Stone of the Ages. It was the third he had found, the other two being yellow and lavender. If the legends were true, there were four more, and when brought together they would bring about the end of chaos. After finding the other four, however, he would have to figure out what that even meant. Perhaps the answer would reveal itself when he found the remaining Stones.

Big Boom

2010-04-06T22:31:00.000-07:00

"Get out of there!" Finick shouted into his headset. "You're gonna get yourself killed!"

His fellow Mechan operator, Visi, was more than just another fighter. She was his wife. He pressed his Mechan near its limits to scale the hill and attempted to give her cover fire. He locked his railgun into place and squeezed the trigger. It fired in rapid succession at the enormous Battle Carriers that were bearing down on their position as Visi ran her Mechan in the opposite direction, occasionally turning to fire her dual miniguns as well.

Finick's noticed the temperature on his railgun and stopped firing. "Hurry up! There's not much time left!"

He turned to run as she reached him and they both took off in a sprint inside their armored Mechans.

"Did you set the charge?" asked Finick.

The smile came into Visi's voice. "I think they'll have the surprise of their lives."

Kenji and The Infinite Rings of Harmony

2010-04-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

Kenji picked up The Infinite Rings of Harmony and carefully turned through the dusty book. In it, he found very boring lists of temple supplies and ritualistic teachings, each concerning their own aspect of the Mu-Chen. Most of all, it seemed to be a general guidebook for living at peace with neighbors and with nature, in order to keep one from ever needing to use the more violent aspects of the training.

As he turned the pages he grew more interested in spite of the lists of spices and utensils used in rituals. When he came to the last page, he found text written in a different hand. It was strange, most of all because it was written in a different language, one with letters and symbols full of strange blocky lines and curly loops. At the center of the page was a symbol larger than the rest, and though he did not know the language on the page, he could sense from it a great foreboding.

Strength of Character

2010-04-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Dean stepped in front of the revving car as the robbers piled in. They looked at him, perplexed. He had chased after the three men and now that he was here, he did not know what to do. One of the men leaned out of the window, waving his pistol like a flag. Without knowing what he was doing, Dean reached underneath the car's bumper and began to lift. The action seemed odd, even in his own mind, but the result seemed all too natural. The front tires came easily from the ground, and as the driver hit the accelerator they spun uselessly.

The robber leaning from the window finally had enough. He fell from the leaning car and began to shout, but this only made Dean drop the car which scraped against the ground with a crunch. The robber aimed his gun at Dean's chest, who was now facing him with defiance. The two rounds squeezed off should have dropped Dean to the ground, but instead only made him angrier. No one was getting away with this crime today.

The Peculiar Task

2010-04-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

The stone was foreboding, and obviously heavy.

For some reason there was a guard in front of the dusty tomb. He stood there casually, not expecting anyone but perhaps the dead man's crazy friends. The man inside did not really deserve to die because he had done nothing wrong, except for maybe angering some of the council members and a few local magistrates. Falling asleep on the job would not bode well for the guard, but his head bobbed regardless.

Suddenly, the ground shook, knocking the guard from his feet. He hit his head on the massive stone and fell unconscious. The bright sunlight beat down on him, and after a time it woke him from his painful dizziness. He jerked up in realization and regarded his assignment, knowing that he had failed. The stone had somehow been moved, and when he ducked into the opening he found nothing but an empty cave.

Rhythm

2010-04-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

It began as a faint pulse. The sound was almost indistinguishable, but it was there, just at the fringes of audible, and yet still somehow reaching the senses. As it grew louder, the rhythm became apparent, and it was then detectable by ears. Nothing might have been assumed at this point, but that would change in an instant.

The throbbing was now a steady beat, which then turned into a heavy thump. Like a massive heartbeat it went on, relentless. It felt as if it had approached from afar and was now almost coming from above, or perhaps from all around, enveloping. The sound pounded the ears and put a weight on the chest, and as it drove ever louder it brought up emotions that would maybe have been better off untouched, for in the rhythmic beat was something that words alone could not describe.

Spelunking

2010-04-01T07:09:00.001-07:00

After discovering that nobody was reading his work, the writer decided to give it up completely and focus more of his efforts on spelunking. He was rather fond of caves, and despite the cold and the dark caverns he liked the echo. The bad rap that bats had received from an onslaught of vampire novels made him grind his teeth in disgust, especially considering how many more readers such drivel had than him.

He checked his ropes and changed the batteries in his headlamp and dove into the dark abyss of discovery. His readers would never know that he was gone, had he the luxury of readers.

Kenji's Journey is Only Beginning

2010-03-31T21:07:00.000-07:00

Kenji scrambled up the steep slope, groping at rocks and scrub brush to pull himself up through his exhaustion. He was unsure of the distance to his destination, as the texts he had studied were vague on such things, and the fragments that the Masters knew were unclear. He could see the summit approaching, and here at the end he felt a surge of adrenaline to bring him to his journey's completion. He heaved himself up with all that he had, and when he saw the view his heart sank.

He fell to his knees, gasping for breath, and there he looked out onto summit upon summit of dozens of mountains. There had to be hundreds, for all he knew, and from his vantage point on top of the first mountain he began to feel the weight of his task. There on that mountain he knew that his journey was only beginning.

Kenji and the Gauntlet of Ariku

2010-03-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

Kenji slid the tarnished gauntlet onto his aching right hand. The gauntlet appeared ancient, and the smells of rust and old age wafted in the air as he closed and opened his hand with an unfamiliar grip. Master Hideki had given it to him when he had returned to the dojo after his encounter with Tikanashi.

His fight with Tikanashi was much more difficult that he had expected, and his bruised hand ached still as a reminder. Even with his advanced skill amongst his peers, when challenged by the more experienced fighter, he could not rely on his limited training alone. He was being forced to advance even quicker than before, but with the Gauntlet of Ariku now in his possession, he might just have the advantage he would need to face Tikanashi once again.

Inside Importance

2010-03-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Trini shivered as she clutched the wooden box to her belly. The winds whipped the downpour of rain even harder, blowing into her face and causing her to duck against the storm. He clothes were already soaked, and pulling her sweatshirt tighter did no good. Her hood only gave slight relief against the cold wind and against the now constant chill against her skin.

Her tears were long gone, washed away by the rain and dried up from exhaustion. She looked down at the box she gripped and sighed. There was nothing more important to her at this point than what was in the box. She figured it was now the thing that would define her, and only time would tell if she was right.

Repentance

2010-03-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

His storefront foreshadowed what Musipoli would find inside. The windows were shattered and soot and ash blackened the walls. He had to carefully step over broken glass to get inside, and there it was much worse. Everything was tainted by flames and destruction. This had been done intentionally. It was done to send a message. He was only lucky that none of his family were here when it was.

Musipoli was now paying for the mistakes he had made, and he had put his family and his livelihood in danger. Now, one was gone, and it was only a matter of time before the other was threatened.

"What happened, Musi?" his shocked wife wondered as she entered behind him. "Who would do such a thing?"

His eyes filled with tears. "Angeline, I have done some terrible things. I must right those wrongs, but first I have to confess them to you."

Following Shadows

2010-03-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

Fritz turned down a dark corridor and circled around the building he had just passed. He was certain that someone was following him, and at this time of night they would be up to no good, since that was what he was also planning. He slipped the short sword from beneath his coat with one hand and in the other grabbed two magnetic EMP balls. If whoever was following him had an implant or an electronic weapon, it should be able to disable both of them.

He picked up the pace to catch up to whoever might be there and eventually came to a dark shape moving through the shadows cast by lamplights. It turned from side to side, as if it had lost someone's track —his track— and when he approached close enough he could see that they were indeed carrying a sonic rifle.

He flipped the two EMP balls at it and waited a second before he revealed his lower tech weapon.

Meeting A Stranger

2010-03-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Jen flicked the cigarette butt onto the sidewalk and stepped on it. She scanned the bustling streets for the person she was supposed to be meeting, but he was not here as far as she could tell. She was told to wait by the statue of some guy on a horse she had never heard of, and it was ten minutes past the designated meeting time.

She fell in step with the passing people and crossed the street to the park. It was quieter and less busy here, which was one reason why she liked it, but it also reminded her of her childhood when she would play in the grass with her brothers. She found an empty bench beneath the ash trees and faced the lawn.

Before she could really get settled she heard the footsteps of someone approaching her from behind.

"Jen," he said. "Sorry I made you wait."

Making Friends

2010-03-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Taris stepped into The Troll's Hand and was instantly hit by a wall of musty air and suspicious looks. The tavern was packed with people trying to get out of the weather and doing their best to lift their spirits during the difficult times. Few spoke as he entered, and those that did were muttered and whispered to only those closest to them.

Taris went to the bar and dropped a few coins in front of the man there, asking for a drink. He quickly scooped them up and poured him a glass of whatever dark brown liquid almost everyone else was drinking. Most of the men at the tables went back to their hushed conversations, but Taris had other intentions. He removed a pouch of more coins and tossed it in front of the bartender. He then turned to the room, saying, "And give my friends here a drink, too!"

The Collective Imperium

2010-03-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

The sight of the many factions of the Collective Imperium bickering with each other during the open session made Trel take a step back from the men shouting at each other on the current issue and head towards the door. He was stopped there by Prefect Garlan, who had an appeasing look on his face.

"And where is Trel going at this point in the debate?"

Trel attempted to sidestep him, but Garlan was persistent and blocked him from the door.

"I'm getting tired of all the talk, Garlan. If we can't get anything done, what's the use of any of it?"

Garlan shrugged. "Maybe you're right, but acting too hastily has its own dangers. If I've learned one thing, it's that anything worth doing is worth taking the time to make the decision to do it."

"I'm not even sure what that means," said Trel, "especially with starving subjects on the street. They can't wait for us to make decisions. They don't have the luxury of time. Garlan, it's time to do something about it."

Heatglider

2010-03-23T22:28:00.001-07:00

"Give it time. You'll get the hang of it, you just have to ease into the winds a little more," said Rogan from behind his little brother.

Manny twisted the handles on the heatglider and gained altitude and speed with more control than before. The contraption was built for their particular climate patterns, with the continual warm winds coming through the gorge from the desert on their way towards the cold ocean. It was powered by the constant blowing of the winds, although navigating them could be tricky in an ever-shifting movement off the unpredictable rocky cliffs on either side. They allowed quicker travel both up and down the gorge, as long as you were a skillful enough driver. The warm winds also charged power packs as you flew to allow for better control when going against the wind.

"That's it," said Rogan. "You're getting the hang of it. Pretty soon we'll try going against the winds and you can try using the reserve power from your heat storage."

Time Well Spent

2010-03-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

How often in our lives do we consider the time we have spent? Too often these ponderings come in the form of regrets, long after we have the chance to do anything about lost hours and days. At this point it is too late.

What if we were to glean the wisdom from those who have come before us? Instead of repeating their mistakes we can build upon them, using their knowledge as a foundation for accomplishment, for success, and for happiness, assuming these are worth having. But then, what is true success? Is it a job that brings satisfaction? Is it the wealth and comfort of having plenty? Or can success come from the raising of confident and obedient children in a peaceful home by parents in a happy marriage?

Consider how your time is spent. Is it used for toiling or selfish endeavors, or have you used any of your time on that which matters in the greater scheme of things?

Justice

2010-03-21T21:06:00.001-07:00

The screams were coming from somewhere down the street.

The images came rushing back to Jed in a wave of emotion, the sight of his mother killed still vivid in his memory to this date. The screams reminded him too much of that day and it momentarily froze him in place.

The screams grew more frantic.

Jed shook himself from his stupor, forcing his legs to stand and move towards the door. As he stepped outside he knew the source of the screams. He removed his revolver and ran in that direction, knowing exactly where to go and what to do when he arrived. He could only guess the reason for such a racket, and the thought only pressed him to run faster.

Kenji and the Armored Sumo (part 2)

2010-03-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

Kenji feinted to one side, then whirled and moved to the other. The movement caught the enormous man off guard, and as he brought a heavy iron hand down the look on his face was full of anger as it crushed into the stone ground instead of his lithe adversary. Kenji brought his sword up and into the side of the man, but it only scraped again at the metal armor. The sumo was not so slow as to be able to recover, and he grasped the blade in a hand made of gears and pistons and metal plates.

Kenji attempted to free the sword, but the larger man only smiled and shook his head. The hand clamped down harder, and with the sound of tearing metal the sword was crushed as Kenji stood hopelessly still gripping the handle. Remembering his Mu-Chen training, he closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. With a shout of defiance, he opened his eyes and struck at the sumo's chest plate. Like a gong, the plate rang, and it gave to Kenji's punch. The sumo looked surprised and then frightened when he looked at his own chest, and without knowing what had just happened, he fell to the floor in a hefty flop.

Kenji and the Pit of Desolation

2010-03-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

Kenji knew that the Pit of Desolation was only a name given to this tournament as a means of giving it a sense of mystique and danger, but when he stepped into the pit for his first match he got the sinking feeling that there may be something to it. He entered from a dark tunnel into a bowl-shaped cavern, with stands of people near its rim cheering, their shouts echoing in his ears and off the high walls. As he scanned his surroundings, the deep walls loomed above him blocking out all but the noon sun, and near the massive iron doors there were piles of bones swept to the sides to allow new combatants to enter the pit. As he walked closer to the center the bones were more scattered. When he looked back to the closing gate he saw why the bones were greater in number there, for on the doors and around it on the rock walls were grooves worn out over time from the clawing hands of the previous tournament losers.

Suppressed Experience

2010-03-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

Lifting his arms in defense, Wilfar unintentionally released something that had been hidden for decades.

The studies from Wilfar's youth and the training into his adulthood had been mostly forgotten, although sometimes in his dreams would rear itself into reality. At times he would wake himself to find the room in which he was sleeping engulfed in flames or full of smoke. On even rarer occasions there would be worse things that had been summoned forth in the night. It was his disgrace that would be pushed back down into his subconscious and force him to extend his journey to another town.

Today he was without the excuse of waking from dreams, and with others watching, his training came out in full force. Lightning lanced at the man who had tried to grab him. The warrior fell in a charred crumpled heap at his feet. Shouts came from the small battalion and they advanced on him. The families that had been forced from their homes and thrown into line behind them watched in terror, but a sense of hope was tangible at their chance of freedom.

When the attackers came closer, Wilfar's eyes grew angry and he let out a shout that was overtaken by a seismic wave that pulsed through the battalion, knocking them all to the ground, where they all lay twitching and unconscious.

Finishing First

2010-03-17T22:37:00.000-07:00

"Are you done yet?" asked Andy. His eyes flicked across the racks of lingerie encircling him and shuffled his feet, not knowing where to look or what to do with his body.

"I'm almost done," said Cerese. "What's wrong? You act like you've never seen a bra before."

"It's just kind of creepy standing here. They should make this part of the store be off limits for guys. Besides, you're my sister."

Cerese laughed. "What would really be creepy is if you were here by yourself. Unless, of course, you were buying something for that girl you work with. I've seen the way she flirts with you. You should ask her out."

"I don't think that's gonna work, Cereal. She's way out of my league."

Cerese gave him a scornful look. "You should give yourself more credit than that. Sometimes girls do go for the nice guy. Those are the ones that are usually worth keeping."

The Angry Sea

2010-03-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

"Hold on!" shouted Jeremiah, though he doubted many could hear him over the massive waves and torrential downpour. Several men were tugging at rigging as the bow of the ship plunged underneath an enormous wave.

The shock jarred men from their hiding places, and one of those valiant enough to be doing their job was washed into the sea. Jeremiah went into action and locked the wheel in place. He jumped the stairs and tied a loose rigging down, then moved to where the men were struggling with theirs. He grabbed onto the rope and helped them secure it as well. Splintered wood left a marker of where a mast used to be, and downcast faces where the deckhand had gone overboard.

Kenji and the Armored Sumo

2010-03-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Kenji unsheathed his sword and put it between himself and the massive sumo-sized man. The hulking man was dressed in traditional clothing, and those parts of him that were uncovered by clothes were covered in greasy metal parts and gears and hydraulics that merged into his flabby folds and were lost from view. The man taunted him and tried to use his size to intimidate Kenji, but the fighter was not deterred.

Kenji leaped without warning, bringing his blade down in one fluid movement as sparks sprayed in the air with the sound of metal grating against metal. He landed and rolled into a standing position facing the lumbering foe. Again, the sumo scoffed at Kenji, waving a deriding finger in his face. Knowing that there was something more to this man than a mere wrestler, Kenji regrouped to devise a new strategy.

Pruning with Discernment

2010-03-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

Things are changing that make my heart leap with excitement and uncertainty. A paradigm is shifting that I perhaps cannot control, though without any hard work or sacrifice on my part it is a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. The pointless jungle of activities that chokes my time only takes me farther from that which I strive for.

Remembering who I am and what I have keeps me grounded, and from there I can stay tethered to peace. The possibilities enter into my field of view waiting only for me to extend my reach. Distinguishing between dead weight and encouragement at this point is essential, and the path is made clearer with this discernment. Tonight I must make the choice to prune the lifeless branches in order to promote health and fullness to the whole. The goals in mind are more easily obtained with wisdom.

A Chance to Fly

2010-03-13T16:19:00.001-08:00

"What does it do?" Jari asked with skepticism.

The merchant's eyes lit up. "It gives the wearer an advantage over gravity. It varies from person to person, but it could either give you the ability to jump extra high, to levitate, or even to fly."

"How am I supposed to believe that?"

The woman studied Jari's face as if she were making a decision on the spot. "I could let you try it, but what is to keep you from flying away and never seeing you again?"

"I could give you something for collateral," said Jari.

"Something like this would be very expensive."

Jari looked at what he had in his pockets, nothing of which was worth anything. Then he remembered the ring that his father had passed on to him.

March of the Vorals

2010-03-12T22:26:00.001-08:00

Shariva stood on the precipice overlooking the valley. From here she could easily scan the horizon for the army marching against her people. She knew that the threat was imminent, as the scouts had reported, but there was something instinctual telling her that it was coming sooner than they thought. She could see for miles from this vantage point, and hopefully it would be enough warning for them to better prepare.

There was a dark mass to the east, which could only mean one thing: the Vorals. They were rumored to have been driven into exile generations ago. If it is true that they had returned to this side of the desert it was possible that the blood line of Haruk was not severed and that this army could be coming not to rise against her people but to help defend it from the tyranny of the Relangan king.

Riot

2010-03-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

When she realized that a riot was breaking out around her, Layla began to panic. She looked around for a way to safety, but shouting people pressed closer to her, swaying and swelling like ocean waves while occasionally throwing objects at an unseen target. To her left a fistfight broke out, resulting with one man falling beaten to the ground and left behind in the jostling force of the crowd.

Amidst the confusion Layla lost track of her surroundings. Her head spun with the mass chaos and the pushing became more violent. She almost lost her footing one time, tripping on an unknown object. Then again she was shoved by a wall of bodies and this time she was knocked to the ground. Several others fell with her, but she looked up to the mob continuing to press forward and threatening to trample her. She shouted for help, but no one could hear her. A foot stepped on her hand and despair welled up inside, until the she saw a hand reaching down to her through the river of people.

Among the Salvagers

2010-03-10T22:21:00.000-08:00

It did not take long venturing out into the hills to make contact with the secretive inhabitants there. They mostly kept to themselves, but now and then a representative from the community came into town to collect supplies, trading for food and other staples in exchange for their odd tinctures and strange handmade contraptions built from parts salvaged from other more familiar mechanical devices.

When we entered their enclave we were met not with hostility, but a timid curiosity. They watched us with searching eyes and offered us some of their pungent concoctions. These we denied politely, for we knew the stories of such things, but instead we humbly offered the repeated question of the location of their leader. They directed us to a tent no larger than the other dwellings, and there we learned the fate of the missing inventor LeFrenz when he stepped out to greet us.

Calling the Storm

2010-03-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

"What are you gonna do about it?" snarled the mercenary, lifting his torch to the squat house. It caught fire and the flames began to spread rapidly. The man then turned to threaten the scraggly man once again.

Aturn shook his head and turned his eyes to the sky. His mouth opened and with a silent shout he stared upwards. His eyes glazed over and his body froze as if cast in ice. Clouds as dark as any the mercenary had ever seen rolled in out of nowhere and consumed the sky, sapping the heat from the air. A patter of raindrops began to fall that quickly became a downpour, extinguishing fires throughout the village as quickly as they had appeared.

"Does that answer your question?"

The Device

2010-03-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

He picked up the complicated device and studied it quizzically. It was covered with knobs and toggles and lenses, most of which were not labeled, but all of which added to its dangerous appearance. He attempted to hold it as it seemed designed to be held and he flipped a switch on the small panel facing him.

A low hum started and lights began to flash and wink on as the hum grew louder. The device vibrated and he could hear moving parts inside it spinning and cranking in rhythm. When it reached a steady time and leveled off, the panel went dark except for three lighted knobs, each a different hue. The knob on the left was green, with numbers all around it from one to eight. The knob in the middle was a warm yellow, with notches carved out in regular intervals around its circumference. The know on the right was a dark amber and it had only three markings, although there was no question in his mind what each setting did: confuse, paralyze, kill.

Heist Gone Wrong

2010-03-07T20:57:00.001-08:00

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Jimmy cradled Darla's head and shuddered. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

He surveyed the scene with pleading eyes to no one that could see them. There was smoking rubble littered with crumpled bodies, some moaning or at least still moving, but all victims of a heist gone wrong. Jimmy had planned for them to hit the bank and the jewelry store at the same time using their adjoining wall to his advantage, and Darla was hesitant to the use of explosives. He shook his head. He should have listened to her. He forgot to take into account the possibility of a main gas line running directly underneath the store.

Sirens grew louder in their chorus as they were joined by others. "It wasn't supposed to be like this," he sobbed. At this point he was now apathetic to the appearing strobe of red and blue lights.

Wave Cancelling

2010-03-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

"What does it do?" asked Miriam.

Dr. Davis watched an oscilloscope and turned a knob. "Sonineutralization. It is a procedure that I am working on that cancels out sound frequencies and creates silence. Sort of like noise cancelling headphones, only this is the real thing."

She raised her eyebrows. "What does that mean?"

"Think of the possibilities of being able to create silence. Imagine noisy neighbors are now a thing of the past. Have a headache? No more aggravation from sound. Militaries could move silently behind enemy lines. If we can cancel out sound waves, imagine what this means for supersonic travel. And if we can transfer the technology to light, the possibilities are endless. Imagine an absence of light without the danger and power of a black hole. Our armies would be an unstoppable force that could go unseen and unheard wherever they went."

The Warrior Child

2010-03-05T22:23:00.000-08:00

The father stood proudly holding his baby with the mother lying exhausted by his side. She reached out a weary hand and touched his leg, getting his attention. He put a hand on her head and gently caressed her hair, smiling. She returned a weak smile as he bent down to let her see her child.

"I expect great things to happen to my son. There is greatness within him, even with his destiny only just now barely written," he said.

The mother's eyes sparkled. "He has the strength of his father. I would expect nothing less."

"We can do our best to protect him, but he must learn discipline to do so. Trouble will be at his heels every day of his life. He must be prepared."

"Let it be so," she said, and she fell into a deep sleep from her weariness.

The father watched his son sleep. "Let him not make the same mistakes as me."

The Garden Walk

2010-03-04T21:52:00.000-08:00

Watch your step as you enter the garden. Take in the colors of the pansies and primroses in a dazzling display of yellows and purples. Breathe deeply the scents of sweet daphne and spicy roses. As you step through the garden gate see the clematis climb the arbor and the wisteria reach out its arms, all bursting with blooms waking from winter into the spring. When you find yourself surrounded by greenery full of life do not diminish the peace that wells up.

Be mindful of the unseen. Spiders and bees alike find their homes among the flowers, and worse things can take root there, things unwanted. Weeds are an ever-present danger that choke out and steal life from their neighbors. Be vigilant in your watch as you travel through the garden.

Kenji in the Living Forest

2010-03-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

As he entered the forest, Kenji sensed that from somewhere he was being watched. He stepped carefully and slowly, watching for traps, but it appeared as if no one had been on this trail for a long time. Before he knew it he was fully surrounded by trees and the thick canopy above him blocked out the sun, darkening the sky and taking away the warmth from the air.

A wind moved through the forest, and with it came whispers from voices that he could not understand, as if from a vague memory. Kenji spun in a circle and pushed his sword an in from its scabbard. The trees shook and rattled their branches in response. Sensing an anger welling up in the forest he took his hand from his sword. The wind dissipated and the trees calmed and stood still.

Kenji picked up his pace, but kept his careful watch as he walked.

Magical Properties

2010-03-02T22:19:00.000-08:00

She looked perplexed. "I don't understand. What is so special about water?"

He smiled. "There are certain things around us that are inherently magical. Then there are those that do not necessarily have magical properties, but through them can amplify the potency of magic tenfold, or a hundredfold." He held up the bowl of water. "For instance, take water. It is the most common substance on earth but mix it with other things, such as salt, and it becomes poison to a thirsty man. This is the irony of the oceans and the degree of mystery in our existence. Other items are similar to this, such as wood, gold, iron, glass, or even fire. Fire, like water, can take many forms, but it is not the flame in itself that is magical, but the fuel by which it burns. Just because something is not magical does not mean that it cannot make all the difference in the world."

The Last Entry in the Journal of Lang Azul

2010-03-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

This journal has been the bane of my existence. I began it as a means for posterity, and with it came the torment of my broken thoughts. Never could I have predicted the events played out from unearthing the innermost secrets, but they have taken shape into something beyond my control. Because of what has always been inside me I have brought an evil to life that is greater than myself, and something that can no longer be contained in these pages. Nothing I do can stop it, and with this as my last entry the darkness has overtaken me. You now have a recorded series of events to follow how I got here and by which to destroy what I have become.

The Quiet Circle

2010-02-28T22:17:00.000-08:00

Fering stepped into the rough circle drawn in the sand and faced the tiny man with disdain.

"You should never have come here, Triah," he scoffed. "You're losing your wits in your old age!"

The man simply stood at the center of the circle he had drawn and waited, his staring eyes boring into Fering.

"I'll give you one last chance to run away with your tail between your legs before I burn you down where you stand," said Fering.

Triah was a statue.

"Have it your way," Fering said, lifting a hand to use his magic. There was something wrong and nothing happened. He tried raising both arms and speaking an incantation, yet still nothing happened. He shouted. "What have you done?!"

"It seems my wits are just fine," said Triah.

The Effigy Theif

2010-02-27T22:27:00.000-08:00

Devin walked casually into the shop full of obscurity, glancing over items on mismatched shelves against the walls and carefully stepping around the other customers maneuvering through the tiny crowded store. There was no reason for someone to assume the worst from any of these people, especially Devin who blended in with them both in dress and in mannerisms.

He picked up a vial from a display of something called Drake's Brew, a foul smelling drink purported to simultaneously allow the user to speak to dragons and to cure halitosis. He set it next to the dozen other bottles of the stuff and moved on. When he was near enough to a locked glass cabinet, he slid a key into the lock and in one fluid motion removed a small carved statue and reclosed the cabinet unnoticed. With the figurine settling in his pocket, Devin left the shop and fell back into the steady stream of people rushing by outside.

Devin was long gone before the shop owner even noticed that the Effigy of Runah was gone, when dread sunk into the merchant's gut that he could have been so careless to let such a dangerous thing get out of his hands.

Survival

2010-02-26T22:21:00.000-08:00

Since the first sighting of the creatures there were many explanations of their supposed origins. Some believe they were mutated from the toxic recklessness on the environment by the Chinese, while others believed them to be the result of too much genetic testing. Others still considered them to be alien, from another planet altogether. Since the destruction of much of the Asian continent there was still too much speculation for anyone's comfort, and the rest of the world was on edge. There were creatures spotted in every continent now, including Antarctica, which brought about concern that extreme temperatures did not seem to matter to them. Cities and towns created checkpoints and barricaded themselves with walls, though they were more there to make themselves feel secure than anything. With the rapidly multiplying numbers of these creatures, it was only a matter of time before the Earth was overrun and mankind became extinct.

Falling From Space

2010-02-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

Jerry approached the smoking crater with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. He had seen the low flying streak of light through the sky and felt the booming impact from his apartment. He was quick to throw on shoes and run to the nearby park where the light and sound had come from. It was difficult to find his way in the dark, with almost no moonlight to guide him, and the dimming batteries in the flashlight were giving out. It did not take him long to find the crater, with broken tree limbs shorn away in its path.

Jerry stepped to the rim of the crater and peered through the still settling dust, only now able to make out a rose-colored glow coming from the bottom. He turned around to see if there were any other curious neighbors awake at this time of night, and finding himself alone he slid down the side and into the crater.

The Clockwork Tower

2010-02-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

Stepping through the narrow stone arched doorway, Fidru had to duck to keep from hitting his head. He entered the Tower of Clockwork with low expectations for what he might find. He thought the moldy and dusty hallways were just a foreshadowing for what would be waiting for him, with rusty gears and ancient technology sitting motionless and disused.

When he looked up after passing through the arch, his mouth hung open in awe. The Tower of Clockwork was deceptively large, and it was not exactly a tower. It was a great hall with a dome set high on the walls. There was so much movement around him that his mind spun trying to take it all in. Elaborate contraptions ticked and whirled and pumped, each with their own purpose, most of which Fidru did not know, but the shock of the surprise only momentarily distracted him from noticing the dais in the center of the room holding on it a small device encased in glass.

Canine Instinct

2010-02-23T21:35:00.000-08:00

Mike approached the German Shepherd carefully, making sure to keep his head down as he did so. At first it barked incessantly, until he came inside the chain link fence. He held out a damp rag smelling of urine. The guard dog caught the scent and sat and whimpered. He took a step forward and reached out to pet the animal, but its ears went backward in reaction.

"You don't have a very nice master, do you fella?" said Mike.

The dog's ears perked up and his tongue fell from his panting mouth. Mike pulled a piece of dried meat from his pocket and offered it to the do, and seeing it accept the treat openly he reached out and scratched the dog on the head. He thought about the owner of the business once again, and as if it could read his mind the dog let out a deep growl.

Routine Negotiations

2010-02-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

Agent 146 raised his hands and leveled the compact pulse cannon at the gang member.

"Freeze!" he shouted.

The gang banger turned to reveal the plasma rifle in his hands. He shook his tattooed head and grinned mischievously. The gang banger suddenly swung the rifle around and fired multiple shots at him. The special agent dove behind a car in time to avoid being hit. He raised the pulse cannon over the side and fired one round, and seeing the charred, molten holes in the car's metal instead of his body, he quickly pulled his hand back behind his cover.

He knew he would have to act swiftly, so he crept to the other end of the car and got on his belly to crawl underneath. He was able to get a bead on the gang member's leg, so he took the shot. An orb of crackling blue light flashed from his hand cannon and struck his target in the leg. The thug twitched involuntarily and dropped to the ground with violent spasms.

Far From Home

2010-02-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

"I'm sorry if you don't like the price, lad, but that's what it is. You're not in the sticks anymore and illudon is scarce around these parts. You'll pay half again that price anywhere else."

Dillon stared the merchant down a little longer and then looked into his small bag of coins. He knew that without the crystalline powder he would not be able to last much longer on his own like this. It was the essential ingredient for powering his plasma rods, and without them he was defenseless against the inevitable gang of High Riders. Emptying out his money, he said, "Give it to me."

Passage From A Commentary on the Volume of Truth by Mortimer LaRoux

2010-02-20T22:34:00.001-08:00

You do not need to search these pages to find what you already know to be true. Everything here has already been outlined in other volumes, especially the one of Truth. Seek what you will there, and use the wisdom it contains for good, for good can only come from truth. Look deep into yourself and take what has been given to you from the beginning and take action. Actions give credence to inherency and validation to mere words. Do not take for granted what you have learned, and never let truth be overshadowed by sloth.

~ A Commentary on the Volume of Truth by Mortimer LaRoux

Drawing With Light

2010-02-19T21:48:00.000-08:00

The magician slowly waved his hand through the air. There were muted gasps coming from the audience, people impressed by the beauty of the action. Behind his hand as he moved it back and forth were streamers of light, tracers left as by a candle moving swiftly in the darkness, only here on the stage it was in the midst of bright spotlights. He made sweeping intentional patterns with the hand, with the occasional inclusion of his other hand to add to the designs forming before him. As he went the shapes hung in the air without dissipating. He abruptly stopped, satisfied with what he had created, and he stepped to the side to gesture at his final product. The audience broke out in applause and he accepted it graciously. With a snap of his finger the image burst into millions of tiny points of light and vanished in a shower of sparks.

Kenji and the Pool of the Unseen

2010-02-18T22:28:00.000-08:00

Kenji's feet splashed in the shallow water on the raised platform overlooking the pool. The platform was covered in a layer of water fed from an unknown source that emptied into the large oval-shaped pool continuously. He looked down into the rippling pool below him, unable to see the bottom of the murky brown water.

It was too late to go back now. With a resigned sigh he spread his arms out to each side and stepped to the edge of the platform. Kenji did not know why he felt compelled to enter the pool, but he felt it calling to him like a siren song. Whether it filled him with refreshment or brought him to his ultimate demise he now did not care. A twinge of danger hinted in the back of his mind, but with acceptance he leaped into the unknown.

Stalking Tiger

2010-02-17T22:29:00.000-08:00

It sat hidden in the tall grasses, silently and patiently watching its clueless prey, its stripes camouflaged by the vertical shadows of the brown blades. The deer raised its head, flicking its ears and listening for the warning of a careless hunter, but then went back to drinking from the shallow pool.

The tiger inched closer, licking its lips, staying downwind and out of sight. When it was close enough, it took the chance and sprung from its cover, darting toward the closest target it could find. The deer tensed as instinct kicked in, fleeing immediately with its surprised friends.

Kenji and the Stone of Ka'ar

2010-02-16T21:44:00.000-08:00

"Next!" shouted Master Takuma.

Kenji stepped from the ranks of the students under watchful eyes. The Masters had given him the most praise for his promise as a Mu-Chen, but also gave him the most correction because of this. He was quickly gaining enemies and he could feel their stares boring into his back.

"Now!" shouted Master Takuma.

Kenji took his distinct dragon stance and closed his eyes. For a few long seconds he breathed and then he opened them to stare a ferocious stare at the Stone of Ka'ar. For centuries the Stone had been used to test the skill of the Mu-Chen, and only a handful throughout the ages have been able to make a mark in its smooth white surface. The largest scar must have come from that of the great Jung-Lin, and Master Takuma and Master Hideki were the only living Mu-Chen to have done so.

Kenji screamed and pulled back a bare fist. When he brought it forward there was a gasp from the students. Kenji jerked his head to find the reason, but then noticed the tiny white chip of stone at his feet.

Where the Flowers Grow

2010-02-15T20:01:00.000-08:00

I long to leave behind the woe
On a barren dusty winding road
I will travel far and wide
To find a place where flowers grow

Away from times that haunt me so
And winds that toss me to and fro
To calmer plains of endless peace
And where the fields of flowers grow

A place where life is calm and slow
Where smells are better, colors glow
Where foods are not ash in my mouth
And everywhere the flowers grow

I will travel on the road
To find a new place where rivers flow
The sun shines bright and freely warms
And make my home where the flowers grow

Deepshifter the Dragon

2010-02-14T22:26:00.000-08:00

Elias watched the dragon carefully, as it did with him. As he approached, it spoke to him in a raspy, feminine voice.

"Who is so brave as to think they can just come right up next to me unmolested?"

He swallowed hard and managed to get out, "I am Elias, son of Erule from the Mountains of the Broken Range. I am looking for the one called Deepshifter. I had heard he could be found here."

The dragon straightened to its full height and said, "This Deepshifter you are seeking, I have heard the name. Unfortunately for you, she is not a male dragon. Look no further, because you have found her."

Elias studied her iridescent scales in wonder as she casually preened her tail. "Some say that you can change color, or even change your shape. Is it true?"

She stopped and stretched her long neck towards him and said, "I can do that and much, much more. Now what is it you really want, human?"

The Targets Arrive

2010-02-13T22:20:00.001-08:00

Sven blinked and rubbed his right eye. Most people did not have their ocular implants put in their dominant eye, as recommended by doctors, but Sven never was someone to listen to doctors, or anyone else for that matter. He watched four men file out of a black vehicle and enter the Chinese restaurant. His implant fed him a barrage of information, from his distance to the front door, to the specials on the menu for the week. He smiled when he saw the Kung Pao chicken. It was his favorite, even though spicy food kept him up all night.

He cracked his knuckles and slid the pair of pistols from their holsters, engaging the burst feature on one of them in expectation of multiple unknown targets in addition to the men from outside. He strolled casually from his cover across the street up to the front door and met the startled guards with an unexpected greeting.

Kenji and the Many-Tentacled Creature

2010-02-12T17:55:00.001-08:00

Kenji attempted to pull away from the creature but its tentacles tightened and pulled him closer. He managed to wriggle free of them enough to get loose one arm, using it to push himself away from the scaly creature. In doing so, he was able to squirm away just enough to evade the clamping down of two massive mandibles onto his body, which would surely crush him.

With his free arm, Kenji struck a closed fist into one of the bulbous eyes that were staring emotionlessly at him, and with it came a squeal from the creature's throat. This caused it to loosen its grip, and he dropped away and spun to meet the thing face to face. He found his Morningstar that had been knocked away and hefted it into the creature's face with a grunt, instantly knocking it still in to a heap on the ground.

Telemarketing Revenge

2010-02-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

Robert slammed the phone down. "Ugh. These telemarketers are driving me crazy. First, they withhold their number so you don't know who is calling you. That's illegal by itself. Then it's not even a real person. It's some recording of a lady offering a great deal on something I don't want or need. If I wanted to take a trip, I know how to plan it myself."

"Well, there's not much you can do about it if they hide their identity, is there?" said Wendy.

"No, I suppose there isn't," he sighed, "but maybe that should change."

Robert stalked to one of the back rooms in the house and came back holding a large black case. He placed it on the kitchen table and unlatched the lid. Inside were several pieces of electronic equipment that Wendy was unfamiliar with.

"Where did you get that?" she asked.

Robert looked her in the eyes, saying, "There's something you need to know about my job."

The Worth of Wisdom

2010-02-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

Wisdom comes about not just from the knowledge of information, but from that which is gained from living through experiences. Many times it is gained from the mistakes made by us or by those around us. Wisdom can appear foolish to the unwise, for in their pursuit of self-fulfillment and gratification, and even sometimes under the guise of a noble act, they cannot see the harm they bestow on themselves or others. The wise are able to see such a situation for what it truly is and forego satisfying immediate baser desires for the fulfillment of later, longer-lasting ones.

Wisdom is only as good to us as our willingness to act upon it. How much have we learned from our mistakes if, when faced with similar situations that in the past resulted in disaster, the next time ends with similar results due to our repeated action, or lack thereof?

Like Veggies For Candy

2010-02-09T22:03:00.001-08:00

Reginald savored the Fizzy Buttertaffy with delight. He worked his jaw to fully chew the tasty treat, while enjoying the sensation of tickling on his tongue in the process. His mind spun around the thought of more sweets to come, and the passing thought only brought him more joy. Nothing could take away this moment from him, for he considered himself a true connoisseur of candy. There were only a few things that could bring down his spirits at this moment, and the heaping plate of Brussels sprouts placed in front of him was about the biggest downer he could think of.

The Road to Cardona

2010-02-08T20:56:00.000-08:00

"Never you mind, boy," Grimherd snarled. "You just keep your eyes forward and think about what I told you. We are in hostile country and there are plenty of scarier things to worry about here than gantalags. There are darker forces at work in these parts and beasts much more dangerous than any you've ever seen or heard of. If we just stay on this road and keep to ourselves we should be fine. No more talk about where we're going or why. And definitely no more of this nonsense about those monsters your troublemaking friends told you about. Where did they hear about such things anyway?"

Percy nodded with tight lips and left Grimherd's question unanswered, gripping the reins harder to steer the wagon. He knew he shouldn't have asked the question, even though the shadows in the surrounding forest shifted and moved more than enough to make his skin crawl.

In the Way

2010-02-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

Running his hands across his head to fix a stray hair, Theron then adjusted his tie and folded his arms across his chest in defiance. His face was amiable but serious, with an eyebrow arched in a quizzical nature.

"Get out of my way!" Darius demanded. "I'm not letting anything get in the way of me getting revenge on Melansi, including you!"

"You can't get revenge on her," Theron said, "at least not without my help. But if you haven't noticed, I'm not going to help you."

"Have it your way," he replied, stepping forward and grasping Theron's shoulder.

Theron looked Darius in the eyes and shook his head, smirking. "Big mistake, friend."

Beleg's Sword

2010-02-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

Beleg lifted the sword to the candlelight in order to better see it. The guard was a crescent moon and the handle was wrapped tightly with red leather straps. It was the pommel that he eyed suspiciously. It held a single large topaz colored gem that appeared dull and foggy, but as he turned the sword in his hand there were times when it seemed clearer than anything he had ever seen. As he concentrated on it and held the sword closer to the flame he was startled enough to jump back and drop it when he thought he saw a glimmer of light coming from within the stone. Beleg was beginning to think that pulling this sword from the ruins may not have been such a good idea.

Freedom

2010-02-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

Caleb looked around at the cold concrete walls, attempting to replay the events in his mind of how he had ended up sitting tied up in an empty windowless room. He eyed the steel door suspiciously, waiting for someone to come through at any moment but also because it was the only exit. After hours of squirming, he was able to free one hand from his bonds and quickly free himself completely. He stood and crept to the door and carefully pressed his ear to it. He could hear faint voices coming from somewhere far off, but he tested the doorknob and found it unlocked. Caleb silently pushed his way out the door into unknown dangers beyond it.

Mr. Zane's True Nature

2010-02-04T19:59:00.000-08:00

"I know exactly what you are," said Mr. Zane. "The problem with greatness is that the closer you come to it, the more people want to keep you from achieving it."

Jacques nodded in agreement. "I suppose that it why there are so few who actually do. Only history can tell, after you are long gone from this world, if you have done so."

"You see, and that's where you are wrong," he sneered. "The truly great become great in spite of what people say or what is written in books. The truly great are able to dictate their own legacy. That is exactly what I intend to do, and nothing you say or do will change that."

Mr. Zane took a step back and turned sideways, and with a sucking sound and a puckering of the space he was standing in, he vanished.

Waking Actions

2010-02-03T21:40:00.000-08:00

William's eyes popped open and his head jerked up with a start. He squinted as his eyes adjusted to the new surroundings. He had awakened from thoughts of a horrible nature only to find himself kneeling over a man lying on the floor. The man was motionless and blood was pooling around them.

William stood quickly, obviously startled, and looked around to call for help to no avail. He flexed his right hand, which was sticky with crimson, and shook his head in recognition. He was reluctant to look at his left hand, for he now knew that in it he would find a knife stained with the same color.

He did not know what to do next, for this was not the first time this has happened.

Running On Instinct

2010-02-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

Kelly's lungs burned and a stitch grew in her side, yet she pushed herself to keep running. The steady pounding of her feet on the damp ground reassured her that she was increasing the distance between her and her pursuer, but she had the sinking feeling that he was still back there somewhere.

She slowed and then paused, both to catch her breath and also to listen and peer into the darkness behind her for any trace of the stalking one chasing her. All she could hear between her ragged breaths were the sounds of crickets and other creatures that came out at night to feed. She still was not sure if the thing that chased her was human or something else that came out at night on pure instinct to join with the other animals in their daily survival.

Looking Down the Road

2010-02-01T20:40:00.001-08:00

I do not know what is coming down the road
I cannot tell what the future holds
But looking back can give me hints
Of what is to come

As my travels lead me farther on
I have learned a great many things
And experience shows that events repeat
And lends me guidance forward

Laying down can be a way of giving up
And straying from the path is foolish
In a dark and unfamiliar place
Where hungry wolves howl

Travelling alone can seem peaceful
Though deaf ears are devoured easily
Companions going with you on the long road
Help lead to future safety

Summoning the Flame

2010-01-31T21:19:00.000-08:00

Sensing the danger that they were in, Phemon lifted his head to the sky. His eyes glazed over and changed in color from their usual brown to turning completely into a dull silver. The air around his body began to glow a light grey and with the growing intensity of the aura, small objects such as rocks and fallen branches lifted from the ground and hovered weightlessly around him. Red sparks appeared in the aura around him, like flying embers from a fire with no source but his body. There was the sound of a violent crack and with it emerged red flames from both his hands, burning gently without consuming his flesh.

Shadow Walker Apprentice

2010-01-30T15:52:00.000-08:00

"You must learn to calm your emotions, Varin" chided the Master Shadow Walker. "Too much and the rift you open could be irreparable. There are many dangers in opening portals through space, but with concentration and guidance you will learn to gain enough control of your magic and your emotions to become very powerful."

"I will never be as great as you, Master Ludwig," the apprentice moaned. "It's too hard."

Ludwig shook his head. "You have the potential for greatness, which has as much to do with persistence over adversity as it does with skill."

Varin squeezed his eyes tightly and sighed. "Ok, I'll try again." He held the practice staff in front of himself horizontally and concentrated on a mumbled incantation. The light began to dim near the tip of the staff as if shadows were being cast by an object that was not there. The spot grew darker and a vertical line began to stretch down to the ground and as tall again above the staff.

"What did I say?" said Master Ludwig.

Accidental Destruction

2010-01-29T22:28:00.001-08:00

The dust was still hovering in the air above the rubble of the house. It would be indistinguishable as a house if it were not for the remains of one wall and the pile of bricks that still were somewhat formed as a fireplace. A person was rummaging through the remains when police had arrived, responding to complaints of shouts and a loud sound like an explosion. There were no signs of fire or smoke, so an explosion seemed unlikely. However, the face of the woman in shock in the driveway gave away that something had happened that was outside of a mere accident. The man digging through the remains was muttering about something and when the police cautiously stepped from their vehicle they displayed some shock of their own. The man was glowing.

The Cloud

2010-01-28T20:39:00.000-08:00

Faen Laron was in the field instructing his son how to work the plow with the pair of oxen when he spotted the cloud. It was an otherwise clear and warm spring day. I was not uncommon for there to be sudden rainstorms this time of year. The lone, slate-colored cloud hanging in the air was unsettling, but he could not put his finger on it.

"I don't like the looks of that cloud," he told his son, who looked at him with questioning eyes. A breeze whipped up gently against their faces and through the trees and grasses. That was when it hit him why he was so disturbed by it.

"Let's get back to the house," he said suddenly. They hurried the beasts back toward their home without looking back at the ominous cloud that was unmoved by the spring winds.

Tranquility

2010-01-27T19:14:00.000-08:00

Irothudain felt warmth in the sun for the first time in weeks. Even in the occasional breeze there now was comfort as it pushed through the canopy of trees and made the leafy branches dance in the air. Birds sang a peaceful song, making his eyelids droop when their notes mixed with the sound of the wind.

The chill was just now seeping from his body and here, with a full stomach and rest taking its hold, he was beginning to forget the struggles of his long and difficult journey. The dangers following him were still real and imminent, but he was safe for now in this protective refuge.

Need A Ride

2010-01-26T22:21:00.001-08:00

"Look, I'm not driving you anywhere."

Chris glared at the pouting brunette confronting him. She tousled her brown curls playfully.

"Aw, come on," she urged him, "after all I've done for you? You remember Reno? Where would you be now if it weren't for me?"

He looked shocked. "I can't believe you're bringing up Reno. We said we would never speak of that again."

She raised an eyebrow. "There's no one else here, Chris. It's just you and me. Besides, you of all people should know that you can't trust anybody."

She held up his keys and jingled them with intent. He sighed and snatched them from her hand.

"Get in."

The Last Council Member

2010-01-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

Orthilir stood smugly over the cowering beggar who was still writhing in pain at his feet.

"That will teach you how to show the proper respect to your betters," he said. He snapped his fingers and the invisible torture he was imposing on the man seemed to cease. The beggar let out a low whimper and there were murmurs among the onlookers.

"And let it be a lesson to the rest of you as well," he said. "Do not cross the Order of the Scythe."

"Does that go for me as well?" A dirty elderly man stepped from the crowd. People backed away form the man and let him through. His presence was met with gasps from the villagers.

"I thought the Council was long dead," Orthilir sneered. "It appears Tha'in overlooked one of you."

"I wouldn't say he overlooked anyone. I am the one who stopped him."

A Good Weekend

2010-01-24T21:43:00.000-08:00

After a pleasant, relaxing weekend full of naps and walks, dinner out and staying in, my eyelids are becoming droopy. Though usually frugal, an occasional splurge at a restaurant can be as rejuvenating as a week-long vacation out of town. In the schizophrenic weather of sunshine and downpour, numerous activities can be fulfilled, such as long walks without the need for jackets, and curling up with warm blankets while listening to rain on the roof and reading a good book with warm tea. Such a weekend is complete when spent with the one I love and the enjoyment of sleep is spoiled only by the knowledge of having to return to work in the morning.

A One Man Siege

2010-01-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Dhellourhyn carefully drew the strange symbol on the heavy oaken doors. They were barred from the inside by the besieged army as the attacking forces watched his actions with confusion. They had been there for days making no progress in entering the fortress of the barbaric King Amathul. When he finished the last brush stroke he took a step back and closed his eyes, murmuring something to himself and raising a fist in the air toward the gate. There was a short and silent flash and then with the sound of rushing wind the doors were instantly engulfed in flames. They burned so quickly that soon the massive stones they were fixed to began to bubble and crack and burn themselves.

Dhellourhyn opened his eyes and smiled. He turned to see the shocked faces of soldiers, and as he walked away he pocketed a small misshapen item with a familiar rune carved into its surface.

Rain

2010-01-22T22:13:00.000-08:00

The pattering on the roof was a constant white noise, frequently overcome by the whistle of wind through leafless boughs and the insistent rush of increasing downpours. Water could be heard growing from a trickle to a steady stream running down the slanted shingles and in the gutter to its destination in the downspout.

In spite of the raging storm the sounds were soothing to listen to from inside, and a thankful expression of the haven of shelter and the security of the dry warmth that it held. The cleansing shower was a reminder brought by a lesson of endured hardship bringing about newness, like the purifying power of fire.

The Ministry of Befuddlement

2010-01-21T21:51:00.000-08:00

Ray Stern scratched his head quizzically and backed up to the building he had just walked past. He strained his eyes to read the tiny sign place next to the pair of unassuming front doors. It read: Ministry of Befuddlement.

Ray examined the building for clues to its identity and then shrugged. He pushed his way through the door on the right and entered. On the other side of the doors he found another set of doors facing him. Those he entered, finding two more sets of doors identical to the others. He took the pair on the left and entered a large cooridor containing four more series of doors all the same except for the last set. Those stood open, and from them came the sound of whooping and shouting. After seeing the scene in that room he would have left the building immediately, had he been able to find the way out.

Discovering Identity

2010-01-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

The explosion rocked the brick two story building. Some were knocked from their feet while several hid under their desks. After the initial shock, however, many of the special agents could be found with guns out of their holsters and gripped tightly before them. Some of the agents led rest of the workers out of the back stairwell while a few of the agents stood examining the smoking hole in the side of the building. One of the agents pointed the others to a man now starting up his car and smiling with hatred. They all turned to find the nearest exit, all except one.

Lloyd Bavaro leaped from the second story through the charred hole and hit the ground running with more agility and speed than should have been possible and was on top of the car before anyone could see how he got there. By the time the rest of the agents were there he had already pulled the struggling man through a shattered windshield.

Nowhere and Everywhere

2010-01-19T20:03:00.000-08:00

She stared out into the eerie dimness around her in surprise. With a sensation of floating, she explored her new surroundings unsure of what to make of them. She could sense the presence of people and see their faces as if draped in shadow, but they did not react to her presence. Here, it was as if sounds could be touched and light manipulated by pure thought, and when she reached out a hand, both were affected and swirled like smoke in a still room.

As quickly as she had appeared in that place, she snapped back to the reality that she knew.

"What was that place?" she asked.

"You saw the perspective from the sidelines, outside of time and space. It was a place for spectators." The mysterious magician watched for her reaction but she still did not understand. "That place. It was nowhere. It was everywhere."

Dreaming

2010-01-18T18:58:00.000-08:00

With enough faith and discipline, and through a fair amount of perseverance, dreams can morph into reality. Against insurmountable odds, sometimes the greatest and most outlandish dreams are overcome by those of great faith and facing extreme hardships. At the rare times those people come along the world can usually be found in turmoil and through it their voices ring loud and true. They are remembered not just for the things that they have done, but for what they believed in. Their infectious faith rubs off onto other people, inspiring a movement of believers in something better than the needs of any one person and sending a rippling wave of which the effects can be seen and heard through the ages.

The Book of Broken Thoughts

2010-01-17T21:47:00.000-08:00

The scribe flipped through the pages of the worn red leather book. The lettering on the binding was completely gone, but the text inside was legible, if not incomprehensible. There was no clear order to the chapters, or even from thought to thought, but with some diligent note-taking and interpretation he found that it had a clear and unique message. In fact, it was revolutionary for the current situation of the land.

When he finally made his way to the end of the book of scattered thoughts, he realized that he could not find any mention of the author. This was a puzzling ordeal, for by appearance along the book had to have been several hundred years old. The more remarkable thing was its accuracy in explaining the events that had recently occurred and were occurring, and carrying with it dread for the things it foretold would come next.

The Final Resting Place

2010-01-16T21:46:00.000-08:00

Hank entered the graveyard with suspicion.

He was told that this was the final resting place of Gerald Jones. The search for his body had been quite a feat, full of frustrations and perils, yet here he was at the end of his journey. The place looked like any other graveyard, although this one looked as if it were not very well maintained. It was covered with long patchy grass and was infested with ivy which, both of which made reading names of the stones difficult.

He finally found the spot that he had been told would be where Jones was laid. He pushed aside ivy and brushed at the surface of the worn concrete headstone. It was not what he was expecting, for instead of a name engraved on its face it was smooth and blank.

The Starsong

2010-01-15T22:14:00.000-08:00

Khyadim reached out one hand and stroked the dozing orange cat next to him.

"I'm glad you came," he said. "I think you'll find my offer very rewarding for us both. Now tell me all that you know about the Starsong."

"Well, there's not much to tell, other than what is in the stories," said Jorim. "That and the songs. That's why I came to you. I was hoping that you could tell me, or even teach me."

"Ah yes," Khyadim purred. "An apprentice would be very advantageous indeed. However, that is not what I am offering to you. There are many mysteries surrounding the Starsong, and I have information that could unlock its potential, but it requires a long journey of which I am unable to take. That is what I need you for. I have a job for you, Jorim."

Ensnared

2010-01-14T21:50:00.001-08:00

"Here, hold this," said Tarahi.

She handed the wooden box to Masic. He found that it was heavier than it appeared. He felt awkward holding it, and by the smirk that appeared on her mouth and the laughter in her eyes, she could sense his discomfort as well.

"I've wanted to share this with you for some time now," she said coyly, "but before now I knew you would refuse."

Tarahi opened the lid with a creak and reached inside, looking into Masic's eyes the entire time and making him blush. The aroma that wafted from inside the box made his mind swim and he could think of nothing else now but the scent, never wanting it to go away.

Tarahi lifted a perfect, supple flower petal from the box and shut the lid. The scent lost some of its potency, but still lingered in the air from the single petal in her hand.

"Take this and you will never lose the scent, but you will only ever think of me," Tarahi said, rejoicing inwardly with a final sense of victory.

Meeting in the Rain

2010-01-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

He pulled in his cloak tighter around his body as the wind whipped at him. The spruce and false cypress danced in the wind and the skeletons of ash and maple clattered against each other. He squinted in the chill gusts, searching for the man he was supposed to be meeting here on the hill, but the trees laughed at him, for no other people were to be found.

He cursed the drizzling rain leaking down the back of his neck and hunched his head down into his shoulders. He was about to give up when a voice rumbled low, vibrating the ground in spite of the wind. "I wasn't expecting you so soon," said the voice. "Did you bring it?"

People Come and Go

2010-01-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

People come and go in our lives, like season turning with new colors and sounds and smells. Things begin and are born in spring and thrive into summer. They mature through fall and then age and sleep in winter only to begin again as something new. Each of us has a season we favor most for different reasons and no one in right or wrong.

Each season carries important parts of the cycle, and just as people, even those that bring the most challenges can be important to the overall lifespan. If we are too quick to dismiss a season we may miss out on the things we love the most. Without the winter, the bulb in the ground will never bring forth flowers in the spring.

The Parting of the Clouds

2010-01-11T21:38:00.000-08:00

Under the sky, when it is gray and showers of rain fall in sheets, there is a place of respite that is dry and warm. It is not on any map and is known by the few who tell tales of it from memory. Occasionally someone has done their best to document its location, but landmarks can be lost and directions confusing. In order to find it you must know where it is or know someone who does.

This was all true, until the day a man came along and changed the rules. He was somehow able to create signs that could not be taken down or defaced. Soon everyone could find the refuge if they wished, and eventually the clouds parted and the rains went away indefinitely.

Mystery Liquid

2010-01-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

Elokibi took the vial of milky white liquid and examined it carefully. It seemed harmless enough, and sniffing it he found it to be sweetly scented. He shrugged and downed the vial in a single gulp, forgetting himself and the life that he had led. The promise of good fortune and innumerable powers brought him to this point and his recent personal losses gave him much to long for.

The creamy liquid went down easily, coating his throat and opening his sinuses with a slight hint of mint. Elokibi smiled to the merchant who had sold him the concoction, who simply stood there staring and waiting for the properties of the liquid to reveal its true nature.

Mongolian Grill

2010-01-09T21:48:00.000-08:00

The sizzling increased with the rising intensity of steam. The smell of sesame and ginger wafted from the source of the steam while nostrils flared with more frequency and mouths salivated in response. The stack of dished grew amidst the dance of steel and water. Piles of differing sizes came in succession, their ingredients varying but cooked in the same manner. The occasional flame burst with golden light reaching to the ceiling and dazzling in the eyes of the onlookers. The array of meats and vegetables was impressive and the plum sauce complimented the flavors exquisitely. Bellies grew throughout the room both in size and in satisfaction.

A Gaseous Trap

2010-01-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

The distinct smell of propane permeated the small room, but he was unsure of where it could be coming from. Ron sniffed at the walls and toward the ceiling in search of its source. He even got down on his hands and knees and put his face next to the heating vent. That was not it either.

He stood, scratching his head, and shrugged with the resignation that he was imagining it, when he looked into the corner and saw a perfectly round hole hidden by a file cabinet. He bent down to the quarter-sized hole and sniffed, wrinkling his nose in distaste. Before he could do anything the door was slammed shut behind him. He jiggled the doorknob and then went to plug the hole, but the sound of rushing air beat him to it.

A Change In Fortune

2010-01-07T21:55:00.001-08:00

"Give it time and it will eventually happen." That is just what she was thinking but it never did. Sarah assumed the advice that she had gotten from the fortune teller would have been bogus but she secretly wanted it to be true, which is probably what most people say who visit fortune tellers yet they continue to visit them.

"The one whom you adore will come to you." Sarah scoffed at the notion. She thought about how Matt had started dating Bridget and how they eventually got married. She had even told him how she felt the week before and still he married that other woman.

"Your world will be turned upside down." No kidding, Sarah said to herself. The one I adore just married someone else.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" someone asked her. She turned at looked at the man beside her and shook her head. "Hi, I'm Ben. Can I buy you a drink?"

Impossible Growing Grass

2010-01-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

When I looked down at my brown leather shoes I realized that the tile floor was changing before my eyes. Grass began to sprout through the mortar, and here and there the tiles split and cracked. The growth continued to push its way upward and spreading its emerald blades across the bland white floor.

This all seems strange in itself, but even more so since I was on the second floor. I reached out my hand to touch the new lawn but felt only the cold hard sterility that had been there previously. My eyes must have been deceiving me, for the grass fluttered in an impossible wind, and even if it were caused by the building's ventilation system the touch of hard ceramic made me blink hard in denial.

An Explanation of Fear

2010-01-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

The next time you encounter circumstances of fear, the likes of which forces your heart and mind to race with panic, remember the words you read here. The prickling feeling on the back of your neck is a mere warning to you that something is awry. You may not be able to locate the source of danger with your physical senses, but the unexplainable foreboding can warn you of what is to come. Do not suppress this heightened state, but use it to your advantage in your response. Never underestimate the adversary you may be facing and remember that fear can be a precursor to victory.

Diffusing Vapor

2010-01-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

It never seemed odd that the dancing wisps of incense came wafting into the room until it was apparent that there was no one around to have lit them. The intoxicating aroma dulled one's thinking yet caused inhibitions to evaporate and insatiable desires to well up despite the growing shadows looming in the doorway. Losing oneself in the enticements of the smoke would eventually reveal its shortfall, and the tentacles of temptation were sure to tighten their suffocating hold.

The incense had not been lit by any man or woman, and the beast that draws near is not merciful. At the end of things one cannot be satisfied by the diffusing vapor, and the grip of the beast is not easily loosened but by one thing of external supernatural influence.

One For My Homie

2010-01-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

The oversized glass bottle tilted in his shaking hand and he wavered. He was afraid that its contents might spill too quickly, dribbling the caustic liquid onto his hand and splattering across the concrete in an uncontrollable disarray. He closed his eyes in sorrow, took a deep breath, and leveled the bottle to release the amber fluids onto the ground. The aroma and the sound gave him a semblance of comfort, but he knew that the action was trivial. His eyes filled with tears. His friend was gone and the malted liquor could give neither he nor his friend relief from the pain of his passing.