A man named Marcus: Becoming routine

“Tongue up.”

I followed Doc's orders while he aimed Cleo's glowing claw into my mouth. He held on to the fluffy end of her paw like a little flashlight and examined the inside of my mouth. The other girls stood around at a distance, after Doc shooed them away.

“She really left a mark on you, huh?” Doc asked. “The toxin residue is still stuck to your gums...”

He pulled Cleo's finger away and I closed my mouth.

“Was that really necessary?” I asked him.

“You find me a torchbug all the way out here in Zant and I'll buy it off you.” He said with the usual wave of his hand. “Besides, you have other things to worry about.”

“Like what!?” I stopped myself from shouting.

“Skin walker toxin is pretty effective at what it does. She manipulates your emotions and memory with it to make it easier for her to find a mate. After all, its easier to fall in love with someone if you think you've known them all your life.”

“So what's going to happen to me?” I asked.

“Well, if you got the full amount, you would already be looking for her... Instead... Well.” Doc coughed. “Are you familiar with menopause, Marcus?”

“Wait, what!?” I cried at the top of my lungs. “Are you fucking kidding me!?”

“Settle down! Settle down!” Doc placed his hands on my shoulder and pushed me back down against the chair. “Its the closest thing I could think of, please calm yourself!”

He cleared his throat and readjusted his mask. “When the toxin fully kicks in, well...You're going to be having some issues. Memory and emotional to be specific. You're going to have some issues with telling what is reality and what isn't, passing thoughts may become memories as clear as day, being in a good mood may make you unreasonably joyous, so on and so forth. The short version would be that you're becoming very emotional and very delusional with your surroundings.”

“It...It doesn't mean I'm going to turn into a husk again, is it?” I asked, I could feel tears welling in my eyes. “I don't want to go all the way to Whitegale again...”

“Oh...I see its already starting to take effect.” Doc rummaged on his desk and picked up a jar, he opened it and reached inside with his gloved hand. “Nothing of the sort. You just need to stay inside for a few days, take it easy, take your mind off things...Here, have a bonbon.”

I glanced up at him quickly and took the candy from his hand. “Thank you...”

“And girls.” Doc turned to the four. “May I speak with you in private?”

Doc led them to the other room and shut the door, turning to each of them and taking another deep breath.

“As some of you may know, Marcus narrowly escaped becoming a husk a few weeks ago.” Doc explained. “From what he told me, he was in the final stages before the antidote could be administered.”

“Final stages of demonic poisoning!?” Moriko gasped.

“Correct.” Doc nodded. “That being said, he of course had the dreams that came with the end stages. Dreams that most likely involved all of you.”

“I don't get it.” Lupa tilted her head. “Like...Dirty dreams?”

“Its more complicated than that.” Cleo informed her.

“Its called the 'slow mercy' by other doctors. Manipulation of dreams by the demonic energies to give the false reality of a happy life. Chances are, he was married to one of you in that dream, if not all of you in different intervals. Those memories may reemerge, and Marcus may come to believe that he is married again.” Doc tilted his head from side to side as if trying to find the right words. “It would be...For the best...To just go along with these memories. Else he might panic or go into shock.”

“You want us all to pretend to be married to him?” Cleo's ears perked up.

“Yes, if the occasion arise, just go along with everything. Lie to him if he asks certain questions, go along with it, play a character as to say. The toxin may even make up memories on the fly so you might have to improvise.”

“I think I can do that!” Lupa wagged her tail happily. “Sounds fun!”

“This is all my fault, isn't it...?” Mouse lowered her head. “If we didn't let that night get out of hand, Marcus wouldn't have all those memories, would he?”

“Well, I'm a doctor, not a therapist.” Doc shrugged his shoulder. “So in a way...Yes, it is your fault.”

Mouse lowered her head even further in silence. The Doc looked at her, and then to his jar before lifting his arm forward.

“Bonbon?”
-
“And you're supposed to get plenty of rest!”

I followed along while my new housemates took turns telling me how I'm going to spend the next couple of days. Lots of rest, warm food, plenty of fluids to wash out my system, take it easy, everything I need to keep myself stress free and not mewling like an infant.

I could already feel all the effects Doc was talking about. I felt moody, stressed, an almost childish pouting. But I held it in, I put on the stoic face to not make myself look like an asshole in public, at least until I got home.

I sighed with relief as we entered the front door, Titos was nowhere to be seen, hopefully he was hiding in his little jewel. With one deep, long breath, I sat down on the couch with my palm against my right eye. I closed both and shut off the world around me, doing everything I can to keep myself in check.

“Are you okay, Marc?”

I opened my eyes to see Lupa sitting on her knees beside me, her ears low and her eyes filled with worry. I fluttered my eye lids and gave her a reassuring smile.

“I'm fine.” I told her, standing up straight. “I just think I need to get some rest.”

“Rest sound good!” She nodded rapidly. “Doctor said sleep really good!”

“You sure you don't want something to eat first?” Moriko added.

“No, I'm fine.” I stood up and stretched. “But you girls gotta do me a solid.”

“Solid?” Mouse asked with a tweak of her ear. “What, like break the law for you?”

“No I mea- Is that what you think when I saw solid?” I asked. Mouse only shrugged. “No I mean...Look, you all seemed to like Mouses idea the other night. And honestly, I could use the company... But please, please try to get along, if we want this not to be a living hell, then at the very least try to be friends.”

“We can do that.” Cleo seemed to speak for everyone. “We talked a lot when we were out shopping. Turns out we have a lot in common.”

“Okay, good!” I clapped my hands together and pointed to each of them. “The place has two more bedrooms, the beds are all still there! Four of them in total, you guys can decide who shares what room with who.”

“I'll bunk with Mouse.” Moriko announced, immediately hopping to the wererat's side.

“What, why me?” Mouse asked.

Moriko wrapped her arm around mouse and pulled her closer, speaking in a harsh whisper. “Because the dog isn't self conscious with who she fondles and the cat is a little too frisky for my liking. You and I are kind of short in the physical or magical department. Lets stick together, shall we?”

“Oh.” Mouse peeped. “Good idea!”

“Well its settled then.” I said. “Pull straws on which team gets which room and...Uh...I'm going to bed...”

My strength had suddenly left me, both physically and mentally. I drudged myself past the four and slowly began to climb the stairs.

“Wait, Marcus!” Cleo called out, standing at the end of the stairs behind me.

“Yeah...?” I muttered, turning back to her with tired eyes.

“Well...I wanted to discuss something with you.” She said, tilting her head from side to side. “But I guess it can wait until you get better.”

“Well...” I sighed. “Okay then. I'll see you four later...”

“Have a good nap!” Lupa barked with a wave. “Night night!”

I opened the door to my room and found myself already sitting on my bed. Titos, still sharing my face and features, sat on the side of the bed and picked at his finger nails. He looked at me with the black voids he called eyes and gave a half wave.

“Still with us, I see.” He stated. “Surprised you haven't gone incubus on us yet.”

“Guess I'm just lucky.” I yawned and sat down on the side of the bed opposite from him. “What are you doing up here?”

“I was already here when you got back.” He said to me. “Thought I'd give one of your...American comic books a try.”

“You can interact with things?” I asked in surprise. “Like a poltergeist or something?”

“A few things.” he confirmed. “If I try hard enough. Books are the easiest, and I can just place them on a surface and just turn the pages.”

“That's cool, I guess.” I moped. “Can you uh... Give me some privacy? Before I start crying and demand ice cream, I mean.”

“Understandable.” He nodded. “I should be able to make it back to my little abode with out having the danuki spot me. Oh, and when you wake up, do try to keep yourself composed...”

I blinked and he was gone before I could utter another word. With a few muttered curses, I rolled myself up in my blanket and quickly fell asleep, my body feeling like it weighed nothing as I did so.
--
Forty five years after the last crusade against Zant and Estonia, a tradition was created in the form of a military organization. An order funded by both governments to maintain security across the south western boarder near the Ecclesiarch realms.

Thirty five hundred cavalry consisting of fame seeking knights that considered themselves knight-errant, horsemen from the steppes, men of free companies looking for pay, and the occasional company of centaurs seeking title and glory.  For decades now they have roamed the ever changing boarders between the eastern nations and the Ecclesiarchy, with the occasional battle with “crusaders” and the flagellants.

“The Long Patrol” as they began to be called, famous throughout the lands as vigilant warriors that cut down all that would threaten the liberty of the two great nations. The reality is less than romantic. Many days of sitting around in camps and tending to horses, drinking the nights away and standing around camp fires with soldiers that are less than charming in their own regards. Even the centaurs find themselves pounding back the drink.

For Puck it was less than even that, an errand boy if the world had ever seen one. Framed for stealing by a rather crafty goblin, Puck had the choice to either face a prison sentence or sign for military service. Most find themselves in the city watch or highway patrol, sitting in booths and standing on street corners. Unlucky for Puck, the Long Patrol just so happened to have an opening.

They gave him a splintery spear, a rickety shield, a loose fitting helmet, and a dimwitted pony and then was welcomed into the order with “Open arms”. He now spends his days emptying latrines, delivering messages and pulling extra shift on guard duty. Trying to find the strength to continue as a centaur goes on and on about duty, love, and honour is dull work to be sure, but at least it isn't prison.

But today was different, today Puck found himself dashing for the command tent with spring in his step and worry in his heart. The news reached him first while he was out, once again, checking the main road for incursions, being greeted by a ranger who was on foot. He came from the south and told the troubling news to Puck, who in turn went running to his commander, Captain Kristoff.

“Captain!” Puck cried as he entered the tent, showing his salute. Kristoff stood over the table with a mug in hand, looking over a crudely drawn map of the area.

“On the corpse of the old gods, Puck.” Kristoff sighed, looking up at the teenaged boy. “If I have to hear about one more bloody party of questing paladins or cock sucking inquisitors not understanding what a boarder is, I will ride into Ecclesiarch territory myself and burn every cunting holy book I can get my hands on...”

“N-...Nothing like that, sir.” Puck reassured him.

“Then what is it? Spill it out, boy!” Kristoff barked.

“Its that old desert, sir!”

“Sahagin?” he raised a brow. “What of it?”

“W-well, sir.” Puck gulped. “Here's the ranger's report.”

Kristoff snapped the paper away as soon as Puck got close enough, unfolding it and reading every word carefully. His reaction turned from interest to confusion to concern in the blink of an eye. The report spoke of oasis rising from the ground as far as the eye can see, a river splitting the once dry sands in two and running clearly across the horizon. It spoke of more monster activity in the area as well as vast migration from surrounding areas. Sahagin dessert wasn't always a dessert, it was once a domain of forests and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Magic destroyed that place, turned it into a dessert that only some of the most magical creatures could survive in.

But it takes very, very powerful magic to shape the sands as they see fit, to sprout water and life from nothing. There is one kind of monster that came to Kristoff's mind, a very powerful and very ancient creature that prefers the deserts over mountains, forests, and fields. Kristoff crumpled the letter in his hand, looking up towards puck and the wall of the tent in front of him. Only one word came to mind to properly describe his emotions.

“Shit.”

--
“He's been sleeping all day...” Cleo whispered as she peaked through the crack of the ajar door. “Hasn't even woken up to go to the wash room or eat...”

“Are you sure he isn't dead?” Lupa whimpered. “He looks dead.”

“He's not dead.” Moriko whispered back. “The doctor said he would be out cold for awhile. We should just leave him be.”

Cleo closed the door and stepped away, turning to the other three.

“We should probably go to bed as well.” She stated. “Its getting late.”

“Wait!” Lupa hopped up and down, her tail wagging excitedly. “Does this mean I get to sleep in an actual bed!? A real-deal bed!?”

“You've never slept in a bed before?” Mouse asked. “Actually, I'm not really that surprised.”

“I'm so excited!” Lupa clapped her paws together, barely containing her giddy giggling. “I'm super tired, the kitty is right, we should go to bed!”

Lupa began a charge towards her new room, but yelped when Cleo caught her by the leg. She fell on the ground with a loud groan.

“Oh no! I am not sharing a room with someone as messy as you!” Cleo huffed. “You are getting a bath, missy!”

“NNNoooooooooo!!!” Lupa whined while Cleo dragged her down the hall, her claws scampering across the hard wood floor.  “Beeeeeed!”

“See? Problem solved.” Moriko crossed her arms and smiled. “Let them get at each other instead of us.”

“Whatever.” Mouse yawned. “I'm hitting the hay...”

“Well. A congratulations on my brilliant plan would be appreciated.” Moriko pouted, following the wererat towards their shared room.
--
Cleo felt the silk of her new black nightwear with a silent purr. It felt like forever since she treated herself to something nice, and this time she didn't even have to pay for it herself!

“See, isn't that better than those grimy old rags?” Cleo asked Lupa, who was sitting on top of her bed sniffing her new pink pyjama top.

“Its soft.” Lupa commented. “Feels nice and warm.”

“Glad you like it.” Cleo said, sitting down in the chair in front of the vanity with brush in hand. “Wasn't going to let you leave town without at least a bag of actual clothing...”

She began to brush her hair until she heard the sound of furniture grinding against the ground. Her ears twitched and she turned around. Her tail stood on end as she watched Lupa push her bed across the room until it was right beside hers.

“W-what are you doing!?” Cleo stuttered, the chair tipping over from under her when she launched herself to her feet.

“I thought we're having a sleep over.” Lupa asked, her ears tilting to the side with her head.

“That doesn't mean we have to sleep in the same bed!” Said Cleo with shaky paws.

“But my pack always sleeps in a pile.”

“This isn't your pack now, is it?”

“We're a pack.”

Cleo raised a brow and put her paws to her side.

“How are we a pack?”

“Well, we all live together.” Lupa stated. “And Marky is in charge, so he's the alpha. Sounds like a pack to me!”

“You really aren't going to let this go, are you?” Asked Cleo.

Lupa shook her head.

With a long sigh, Cleo through up her paws and blew out the candle. “Okay, whatever. You win.”

Lupa perked up and wagged her tail ecstatically. She finished pushing her bed against Cleo's and crawled under the sheets, her wagging tail still visible from the side of the bed before Lupa pulled it under. Cleo couldn't help by smile at the werewolf's wide eyed wonder of the world. If only everything could be so simple.

With her cat like agility, she hopped over Lupa's bed and landed on her own mattress. She wrestled with the blanket and crawled under until her head landed on the pillow. Lupa appeared from under her own blanket, giving Cleo a big toothy grin before laying her head against her pillow.

“Night, night.” She yawned and snuggled up in her sheets.

“...Goodnight.” Cleo returned, turning over on to her other side.

She began to stare at the wall and lost herself in though, but soon her eyes became heavy and she too drifted off to sleep.
--


My eyes opened slowly, there was no grain or resistance in my eye lids when I awoke. I didn't feel like I overslept or anything like that. I looked out the window to a clear blue sky, the sun above revealed that it was, or a little past, noon. How long was I out for? I remember talking to Titos and then falling asleep. But I can't remember what time, or even what day that was. It felt like I was sleeping for an eternity, lost in a dreamless void where I floated on forever with nothing to stop my journey.

I drudged my way to the bathroom and relieved my bladder, sighing deeply to myself and washing my hands. It was quiet...But that...Can't be right, can it? Someone should have woken me up, right? I'm not alone here...I...I can't... I have a wife, don't I?

That's right. It was after I came back from Whitegale. I've been married for awhile now...Right?  She's probably down stairs or in town. I didn't bother changing from my t-shirt and underwear and followed the stairs down to the main floor and was quickly greeted by the sound of humming before I even reached the living room.

A soft, beautiful melody flowed into my ears, I was treated to a gentle song coming from the kitchen. I turned the corner and saw Mouse standing in front of a sink filled with soapy water, scrubbing dish after dish before putting them aside to dry. Mouse...She's...my wife, isn't she?

She was distracted, lost in her own little world, and a smirk etched across my face like a venous knife. I tip toed closer and closer, making sure not to make a creak on the hard wood floor. She continued to wash away until I finally closed in the distance on my prey and dug my fingers into her sides.

Mouse squeaked loudly and dropped the plate into the soapy water, her hair and tail standing on end. She turned to my snickering face, her own face contorting from shock to anger.

“Jeez, Marcus!” She yelled with a stamp of her fuzzy foot. “You scared me half to death.”

“Sorry.” I said, wiping my finger under my nose. “I couldn't help my self.”

“And here I was thinking I'd do something nice for you...” Mouse pouted and crossed her arms.

“Aw, c'mon.” I said as I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “Don't be like that.”

Mouse gasped and raised her arms, she seemed surprised, almost taken aback by my display of affection.

“What's wrong?” I asked with concern, tilting my head. “Are you feeling alright?”

Mouse bit her bottom lip and looked away, like she was deep in thought and had a decision to make. Her eyes looked down towards the ground for a few moments before she looked back up with a smile.

“N-no, its nothing!” she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I'm just tired is all.”

Mouse laughed nervously and then took in a deep breath. Finally, she fluttered her lashes and looked into my eyes with a sweet smile.

“Are you feeling any better?” She asked, dancing back and forth in my arms.

“Yeah, I feel much better.” I told her. “Though, you could always kiss me to make me feel better.”

“Oh, I think we can arrange that.” Mouse giggled and stood up on her toes.

She pursed her lips as I leaned in, tightening her arms around my neck until our lips finally touched. It was a sweet, tender, long kiss that continued until we had to separate for air.

“Guess I do feel better.” I laughed, releasing my grip from around Mouse's waist and stepping back.

Mouse looked down towards the ground and pressed her fingers against her lips, her cheeks turning a soft red. I leaned over her and pressed my forehead on top of her head between her ears.

“You know I love you, right?” I asked her silently.

“O-of course!” She laughed. “You...You tell me every day.”

I smiled and stepped away.

“I think I left the firewood outside yesterday, I'm going to go bring it in.”

“Alright...I'll...I'll be in here.” Mouse gave me a half smiled and turned away back to the dishes.

I left the kitchen after a “See you in a bit.” and headed outside. I didn't see Mouse lean against the kitchen counter, her eyes focused at the water while she looked on with uneasiness.

I filled a crate with fire wood and brought it inside in a single load. I felt great, better than I had in a very long time. The house was quiet, I didn't hear the pattering of feet against the wood ground or any signs of life.

“Mouse?” I called out to no answer. I looked in the kitchen and up the stairs before turning my attention to the library, she may be reading something in there.

I turned right and entered the library, finding Lupa sitting on the ground with her legs crossed. She was looking into one of the comic books I brought back with me from my old apartment room. I stopped and thought for a second, I was looking for some one, wasn't I?

That's right, I was looking for my wife...And I'm married to Lupa...Right? That can't be right...No, it is.

“There you are.”

Lupa pulled her nose away from the comic book and looked at me, her tail wagging playfully back and forth.

“Oh hey, you're awake!” She announced joyfully. “I was worried sick!”

I stepped into the room and hovered over her, looking at what she was “reading”. It was Winter Soldier #4, I didn't even know it was in the pile that I grabbed back in Whitegale. It was a gift from my dad back in 2007 when I was still a kid.
“I see you found my comic books.” I commented, sitting down on the ground beside her.

“Is that what these are called?” Lupa asked. “I thought they were just picture books with words. Though, I can't read any of it...”

“I wouldn't expect you to understand the words.” I said to her. “Its in the language from the place I come from.”

“Oh wow, really? Can you read it to me then?”

“Sure.” I smiled and scooted closer, pulling myself around Lupa until her back was against my chest. I could feel the heat coming from her cheeks as I rested my chin against her shoulder, placing my hands under her paws and pulling the book up to make the words easier to read.

“Ready?” I asked her.

Lupa's entire body trembled, I could feel her tail beat frantically against my chest. Her face was bright red and her eyes seemed unfocused and uneasy.

“Lupa, you okay?” I asked her, reaching up and giving her a little scratch behind the ear.

Lupa Looked away, as if confused by the turn of events. Then suddenly her ears perked up and her skin colour quickly returned to normal.

“Oh!” She exclaimed, a rather excited smile came across her face before she cleared her throat.

“Okay 'honey'!” She started with a wide smile and a giggle. “Ready when you are!”

“...Well okay.”

I began to read the book to her panel by panel, making sure to point out which character is who if they're not being introduced in the scene. Lupa was more than pleased with the situation, taking every opportunity she could to cuddle closer or sneak in a kiss on my cheek when I wasn't paying attention. Eventually she wasn't even paying attention to the comic book anymore and rather spent the time nuzzling against me.

“Jeez, you're really affectionate today.” I complimented, putting down the book and locking my arms under her legs.

Lupa's grin widened and she reached back to wrap her arms around my neck.

“I'm just really happy today, is all!” She barked, brushing her wolf ears under my chin.

I opened my mouth to speak again but was cut off immediately by Lupa's giggling. She unlocked her arms and turned in her seat on top of my legs. Without a warning, Lupa leaped at me and pushed me to the ground, laying on top of me and nuzzling her face against my chest.

“Jeez.” I laughed. “What's gotten into you?”

Lupa looked up at me with a toothy grin. I felt the soft pads of her paws press against each side of my face as she pulled herself closer to plant a big kiss on my cheek followed by a few licks. Her eyes seemed to glisten when she looked at me, sighing contently before she rested her head against my chest.

“Thank you for this...” She whispered.

“You're welcome, I guess...”

I brushed her ears until she finally fell asleep, carefully pulling myself out from under her and leaving her to curl up on the library floor. I gave Lupa one final kiss on the cheek and left her there, returning to my daily routine.

I stepped back into the living room and was hit with a sudden twinge of pain. A migraine surged through my head like a jackhammer. I stumbled but caught myself on the side of the couch, taking in a deep breath and closing my eyes. What was that about?

“Marcus?”

I could barely think straight. I turned my head to the voice and saw Moriko standing at the front entrance with a crate in her hand.

“You...Went out by yourself?” I asked.

“Yeah, I thought I wouldn't get over it if I didn't put in an effort, you know?...Are you okay?”

I looked at her and stumbled again, Moriko quickly put down the crate and ran to my side, supporting me by my arm. I could always count on her, she's always been there for me when I needed her. Moriko lead me to the couch and sat me down, taking a seat beside me.

“You shouldn't be out of bed!” She scolded. “Doctor said you need plenty of rest!”

“I've been in bed all day and night...” I complained. “I needed to move around before I went crazy.”

Moriko sighed and slid across the couch until she reached the end.

“Here.” She said, patting her lap. “Lie your head down.”

I looked at her once and complied, lying on my side and resting my head in her lap. All the pressure in my head suddenly vanished when my cheek and ear pressed against her skin. I sighed and closed my eyes, letting the world slip away while Moriko put her fingers in my hair.

“How long has it been?” I asked.

“How long has what been?”

“How long has it been since we got together?”

“Since we got toge-...Oh.” Moriko laughed to herself, it sounded almost sad from where I was lying. “I don't know, its been so long.”

“I can't even remember a time when we weren't like this.” I chuckled to myself. “Don't know how long I would have lasted in this house without having you by my side.”

Moriko was quiet, her fingers still brushing through my hair. I felt a sudden splash against the other side of my head, a small trickle of liquid running down my cheek.

“H-hey, Mori, are you okay?” I asked, trying to get a good look at her.

“I'm fine.” she reassured me, brushing the back of her hand against my cheek where the tear fell. “Just had something stuck in my eye is all... Just relax, okay?”

I closed my eyes again and got comfortable. “Okay...”

“Marcus...” A familiar voice called me from my dream.

I opened my eyes to the blurry vision of a tanned girl with golden blond cat ears on top of her head. She poked me on the forehead with her claw before prodding my cheek with the pad on her paw.

“You've been lying there for awhile...” She told me. “Its getting late...”

“It is?” I looked out the window, it was dark outside with only the moon and the stars for light. I was still tired, my body felt limp and my vision was sandy and blurry.

“Everyone else is already in bed.” Cleo mentioned. “Maybe you should go as well.”

“Yeah...You're right.” I told her, standing up from the couch and stumbling in place.

Cleo caught me before I fell to the ground, helping me keep my balance from under my arms. My memory constantly slipped, and I struggled to remember where I even was even more. For a split second, it felt as though I was back in my apartment, sitting on my computer and talking to friends. But that feeling quickly faded.

“Hey...Cleo..?” I murmured, wrapping my arms around her for support.

“Yes?” She responded, flicking her ear to the side.

“Are...We married?”

Cleo didn't respond and instead pulled my arms away from around her, lifting my right arm around her shoulders to support me while we moved up the stairs.

“Just take it easy.” She whispered. “You need to get your rest.”

I looked down at Cleo, who looked back with a smile. Nothing made sense anymore, no memory clicked in properly. Before I even knew it, I was in my bed with my blanket being tucked in around me.

“Goodnight, Marcus.” Cleo said with another smile.

“Aren't you...Coming to bed...?” I murmured, struggling to keep my eyes open.

Cleo leaned over and kissed me on the forehead. “Not tonight, okay? It doesn't feel right.”

“What do you mean?”

She shook her head. “I'll try again when you feel better.”

Cleo stepped away, and with one last wave, she left my already dark room. I looked up at the ceiling, my eyes felt sunken and weak, my entire body refused to move. Soon, with a long breath, I passed out again.

--
Back in the town of Bouceroc, the town's only physician known more popularly as simply “Doc” toils away in the basement of his own estate. Paper after paper, book after book, research after research, the dead ends are enough to drive the already less than stalwart doctor insane.

“It doesn't make sense!” He told himself. “What kind of creature just turns into dust upon death!? The complex human organs, the muscle, the bones, damn it! No creature decomposes this quickly! No remains but dust!? Preposterous!”

He cursed in frustration, throwing his arms across his desk and sending papers and books flying into the air. “What are you!?”

Doc ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes trailing across the candle-illuminated wood of his now bare desk. He mumbled to himself what would be incoherent to other men, pages of books long forgotten by the modern scholar, or studies from a land distant from this one by both time and space. The language he spoke to himself changed, the volume and pace shifted from moment to moment.

“Wait!” He finally stopped himself, his eyes moving left to right as if he were reading letters in thin air. “Not science and medicine...No...No,no,no,no not science and medicine at all! That would be thinking logically, that would be making sense, no sir! This world defies logic and sense, this world runs on magic, fuelled on spirits of men and monsters alike. Do not look into books by logical men...No, not at all...”

Doc twisted his body and marched across his study with a hand against his back and another in the air, scribbling away at the space around him with his index finger.

“Kojak's body was inhumane, no amount of physical training can make a man that large... He shares that in common with Armstrong... Armstrong was large, impossibly strong, but why...” He continued to ramble, his scribbling finger now pressed against his chin. “They share qualities, qualities of others... Soltar Khan, same qualities, same stature. Large, imposing, impossibly strong, aura of command, face concealed by another face, one of steel, one of metal and terror. Died forty six years ago...Forty six? No, no no, forty five! Was killed, disemboweled and beheaded by another...That was... Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Tiberius Crom! The Butcher of Ardok killed the Smiling General!”

His attention gazed away, peeling towards the dusty books on the other shelf, books of myth and folk tale rather than history and fact. He found it right away, a large heavy bound book of brown leather. He struggled to lift it to his desk, under the light of the candle. It landed on the wood with a loud thud, and another when he opened its pages, flipping through the contents. Pages written in hand writing, and images painted expertly and detailed by brush. The doctor found his mark finally, a two page spread of a battle.

The picture was of a field bled orange by the setting sun, In the centre left of the book was a gigantic jackal in a life or death struggle with a snake of equal size.

“The jackal, that who created the conflict to revolve the world...An analogy for god.” Doc whispered to himself. “And the snake, who's good intentions can doom us all, and turn civilization to ash... The Demon Lord.”

He trailed his finger across the page until it met with a giant wielding an axe, behind it was three corpses of other giants, their faces concealed. The giant had the maw of an angry ogre, its eyes bright with fury and its teeth gnashing for blood.

“You, the titan that would survive the others. The one that would intervene in the struggle of both. You are Tiberius Crom...”

He shook his head. “No, no, no, no, no! This artwork is hundreds of years old! Crom can't be this 'Titan'... But it adds up, it makes sense. God created man and monster to fight, monsters rebelled and started a new struggle, and the titan will attempt to end both struggles... But then who are you?”

Doc's finger moved across the pages one last time, this time to the top centre, a figure floating in the sky in front of what could be seen of the sun. His arms were outstretched, as if he were ascending to the heavens.

“Then who are you, my angelic looking friend?” He asked. “And where do you fit in all this? The Jackal: father of all, the Snake: the rebel child, the Titan: child of dust. And then there's you.”

Doc sighed loudly and rubbed his eyes. “I've been staring at these damn books too long, when was the last time I even slept?”

He lifted the candle from the desk and used it to guide his way up stairs. “Sleep, sleep is what I need. Looking into old books of fairy tales for guidance.”

“Its just dust now. I can't do anything with dust...”