Celestial Monday

     This one has lost itself to a void that has no name, and it is a void in the truest sense of the word.  Absolutely empty, and for some reason I find myself capable of living in it.  I need to remind myself how I got here, but nothing is flowing properly.  I feel like I have been falling in every direction for a very long time and that makes it difficult to remain conscious.  So instead of waiting to be torn apart by the loss of my sanity, I will attempt to regain myself.  I’ll start at the last thing I remember:  It was Sunday, March 17th, Cycle: 1458. I was searching for someone, a person who has caused me much anger and suffering.

  “Took you long enough to find me.  Do you know how long I have waited?”

“Yes, 42 years, six months, nine days.  You have become very good at hiding.”

  “Hiding?  Hah, is that what you thought I was doing?  No, I was hunting.  I found your little friends and showed them the meaning of betrayal.”

“I am not surprised to find out you did such an incorrigible act, but they weren’t yours take.  THEY WERE MINE!”

  “You own nothing, you feel nothing, and you are and always will be nothing.  Revin, you are hated for your “heroic acts” and yet you persist in trying to stop me.  Not this time, today You. Will. Be. Punished.”

 “I won’t let you exact your version of “justice”.  Kafarnak, our war has shown me that you are a coward, and only capable of causing pain.  Your greed has- “

  “GREED!  YOU HAVE LOST THE RIGHT TO SPEAK OF THAT SIN!  I know what I have done, but you have not seen the effects of your actions.  Let me show you, brother.”

  Visions flooded the mind of Revin, visions of what this war has done and visions of the pain of friends and family, until like an assassin’s dagger the visions split his heart open and let all of the anger, fear, pain, sadness, and loss spill out of his very being.  Revin had walked right into his trapped and will now pay the price for his heroics. As a last ditch effort, Revin summoned every bit of strength that remained in his Valve and destroyed the container of his existence and locked himself in a void.  This act burned the very soul of Kafarnak due to his misstep of forgetting the near-infinite amount of power Revin has constantly swirling within him and was nearly ripped limb from limb by the sheer force of the absolutely awe-inspiring explosion caused by the release of all of his brothers soul.

Back in the void…

  “I remember now, oh sun and stars; I wish I wasn’t so blind to my own actions.  I can’t stay here anymore and my strength has finally returned, so I am going home.”  And just like on that painful day, Revin attempted to repeat the same thing.  Little did he know, he had repeated this cycle of self-destruction hundreds if not thousands of times yet no matter how many times he repeated this… he never made any progress in getting home.

This time though, something was different, and while he didn’t make it home, his memory of the void returned.  He howled, yelled, screamed, and cried out his rage until his throat bled but to no avail.  After what might have been days of feeling this perpetual rage he finally managed to calm himself.

  “I have been trapped for a very, very long time and I think I now understand why I am here.  I killed many and ruined the lives of many all to gain power and respect.  My past is a wretched scar upon my existence and I will atone for it.  I CAN’T STAY HERE, I WILL ESCAPE.”

 Despite his sincere words the void did not grant his wish, because you can’t just erase the pain of thousands of people by saying sorry.  Being in a void and as well as being damn near immortal, he has the time to find the answer he needs.

______________________________________________________________________

  Kafarnak has always been a heavy sleeper, but even he was woken by the immense pain echoing across the cosmos.

  “So, brother, you have finally found out the truth.  You will need to do more than repent, but I am not letting you back until the time has come.  It has been 1100 years and you only now discovered the harsh truth and the next part is so much more difficult.  Can you find it within yourself to leave behind your old ways or will you persist in the void for all eternity?”

  Rising from his inner monologue, he starts his day and what a glorious day it is.

______________________________________________________________________

  Today is Celestial Monday, January 1st, Cycle: 4000.  What a day it is, as everyone scurries around preparing for the festivities.  All sorts of species have come to the city of New Narem to come see a one-of-a-kind firework show.

“Guildmaster Dare?”  the short portly Nemurian man asks.

  A Nemurian is a frog-like species who are very serious workers, but the moment they stop working it is like they become children.

“Yes, how may I help you, Mayor Devs?”

  Devs has been the mayor of New Narem for three years now and is up for re-election this year. Overall, he is a good politician but has a lot of trouble understanding just how to maintain a city, so he leaves that to me.

  “I was wondering if your speech was prepared for today.  We have a couple of VIPs who have been dying to see you.”

  The Luis/Bella twins somehow managed to convince me to give a new millennium speech and those sly girls are really going to get it for this one.  I’ll have them doing paperwork for a month.

“Yes, I have it in my pocket, and as for the VIPs, you know I don’t do that sort of thing.”

 I try to stay as far from the politics of nobles as a Guildmaster can be, but that is not very far.

“Yes, I know, but I was hoping this time you would make an exception?”  Not likely.

“Why is that?”  I tiredly asked.

“Well, it’s the Archons of the Shultz and the Montague family.”

  Those are the only noble families that aren't at war right now, and they are twelfth and fifteenth respectively when it comes to the overall influence of their family.  I just need to convince them to share medicine and supplies and we would be set for the next decade.

“You’re right, Devs, They are an exception and I will speak to them personally at your home after the speech.”

  I don’t exactly have lodgings that will “please” nobles but the good mayor here owes me a lot due to my Guild being solely responsible for security and improving this city from the thieves den it once was.

“Yes that will work perfectly, Dare, thank you and good luck during your speech.”

  With that Devs giddily ran off to the food stalls.

”Well, it looks like he finished work for the day.”  I stated as I watched the mayor find himself entranced by a group of street performers.

  He wasn't the only one staring as it seems Melissa finally managed to finish organizing the fireworks and make it into the festival.  Melissa is what I’d imagine what would happen if a shark and a tiger mated and somehow birthed a human.  She embodies the warriors’ code: Strong, Aggressive, and Independent, but once you get to know her, she is easily the most caring and passionate person out there.

“So, I heard you’re gonna do a speech later, I thought you hated crowds.”  Melissa snarled the word “hated” at no one in particular.

“I am, the twins swindled me into it, and you know why I hate crowds.”  I explain lazily.

  An effect of being the Guildmaster of one the most active guilds on Yitin is that you gain many enemies.  I am no stranger to assassination attempts, as a matter of fact, just this morning one of the Shaded failed to stab me in the heart.  Idiot didn't study before attacking, and if he did he would’ve know it takes more than steel to kill me.

“Of course I know. You aren’t the only one targeted by cowards and liars. Hey, is there anything else for me to do today?”  She impatiently asked.

  I pulled a list out of my pocket and started crossing things off.  “Hmm, it seems like you are done today. Just one more thing, can you get your husband for me?  I need to ask him something.”

  “Of course, He’s probably finishing up the rest of the paperwork.  Are you going to tell me why?” Melissa is not stupid by any means but she lacks the tact and grace for dealing with nobles as well as holding a complete contempt for them.

“Sorry, I will tell you if it pulls through, though.”  I replied quickly.

“Tch, fine, I’ll go get Leo.”

 She then saunters off towards the guild and the crowd parts away from her as she makes her way.  She is only slightly annoyed that everyone is afraid of her but after seeing what she is capable of I am not surprised.

  When Melissa and Leo work together, which is very rare because that means that something bad has happened, they’re capable of pulling off truly astounding feats of physical prowess.  The kids like to joke that Melissa can lift a mountain while Leo cores out the land beneath it.  I have never seen them do that but I have seen Melissa punch holes in light and Leo once beat himself in a sword fight.

  After a particularly gruesome job, when they arrived at the guild an assassin had the balls to attack both of them.  Poor bastard didn’t even get close before he lost his legs and head from being pulverized by a jab from Melissa.  She did not hold back against the foolish assassin because they were tired, angry, and hungry.  His body was launched away until caught by Leo to prevent a mess, but there were witnesses and word spreads quickly around here.  Awoken from my memories, Leo taps my shoulder.

 “You called.”

  This guy is as blind as a bat, but his Valve allows him to “see”.  I never understood just how exactly it works, but it has something to do with the strength of various emotions running through the air.

  “There you are.  I have a meeting with the Archons of the Schultz and the Montague families and I was wondering if you would come with me to help convince them to share supplies.”

  “Nobles?  It was only a matter time until we got involved with them.  Melissa is going to be pissed, but sounds like you need someone in your corner.  Sadly, I am unavailable later.  May I suggest taking Frank and Grant with you?”  Those two are almost as bad as the twins!

  “Why would you suggest those two?”  They are good guys, but they frequently make reckless mistakes.  I’ve got to give them credit though as they never need to be bailed out and they pretty much handle every situation thrown at them.

  “Grant has had training as an emissary also Frank needs experience in more than just fighting.”

  “Well, that’s perfect.  I didn't that know that about Grant.  Frank, though, isn’t exactly “presentable” for dealing with nobles.”

  Frank is a huge guy, about 240 pounds of muscle and a little over six feet tall.  Grant shares those attributes.   Frank, though, is about 20 years younger and more prone to reckless actions and arrogance than his elder.

 “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he is ready before Melissa and I set off.”  Leo replied.

“Wait, where are you two going?’  I wasn't expecting a retreat from them today.

For the first time in a long time, Leo smiled

   “Anniversary, I have a surprise waiting for her.”  He normally hides his emotions, but right now it feels like happiness is just cascading from his being.

“Then don’t let me get in your way.  Just don’t hurt each other.”  I wink at him and walk off to find the “Reckless Wreckers”.

  I found them covered in mud, wrestling on the ground with a crowd of women cheering them on.

“Hey, stop pinchin’ meh!”  Frank yelled out as he gave Grant a pretty severe wedgie.

“Oi, let go of me undergarments!”  Grant cried out while pinching the underside of Franks thigh.

“I gave you one order.”  This immediately stopped their raucous display.  “No fighting.”

“Oh, shit, sorry boss.”  The two giants said simultaneously after standing up as fast as possible.

I sigh. Their antics are going to ruin our chance with the nobles. “Walk with me.  I have a job for both of you.”

  “Yes sir.”  They are both looking like dejected children about to get a scolding from their parents.  One of them is 50 years old and it boggles me that they act this way.

  “Grant, do you still know how to act towards nobles?”  I ask after we have walked away from the crowd of women booing me.

  “It depends on which nobles. Most of them have differing etiquette rules, but there is a general consensus on how to act.”  He stiffened up a bit while explaining.  I know he had a rough past with nobility but I don’t know any details.

“What about the Archons of the Schultz and Montague family?”  I could see Grant relax after those details were shared.

  “Yes, I will be able to handle myself around them perfectly fine.  Frank, you’re coming with me.”  If he acted like this more often then maybe we wouldn't have to spend so many resources cleaning up their messes.

“What?  Come on… I don’t want to waste this festival spending time with some spoiled sticks-in-the-mud!”  Frank had his hands on his hips while was huffing and puffing.

  “Frank, these aren't just regular sticks-in-the-mud.  These are sticks-in-the-mud with resources that we need!”  That seemed to have gotten Frank on his side.

“After my speech, we are going to Mayor Devs home to meet with them.  I need both of you to help me convince the “sticks” to share their supplies.  Before you ask, yes, I could have done this alone but I thought a little company would be nice.”

“Dare, we are more than happy to help but we want a vacation.”  Huh, I wasn't expecting this.

“If all goes without a hitch I will give you both a week off, and I will pay for your trip.”  These two have earned it, but they just hadn't asked me before.

  After getting their agreements, I set off back to the city square.  As I walk away before I passed around the corner I heard them shouting in excitement.

  When I made it back to the city square I sat down on a bench on watched the world go by.  Two children dragging their mother into a candy store, a couple dancing together, and a group of people standing in a circle singing in a opera-like style that makes it seem as if there are in a play.  The artificial atmosphere is a deep cyan color with very few clouds in the sky right now.  After relaxing for thirty minutes, I stand up and make my way to the stage; it’s about time for my speech.  Mayor Devs is already on the stage starting to address the audience that has begun to gather.

   “Ladies, gentleman, and everything in between it’s time to start the last of the festivities.  We will start with a speech from the Guildmaster of the New Horizon Wanderers, Marcus “Dare” Mourne.  He and his guild are the ones responsible for this cities condition, so, be nice.”

  There was some applause, some cheering, and also hooting.  There were some boos mixed in there but they were drowned out by the cheerfulness of those gathered.  I walked up to the podium and pulled the paper out of my pocket.

   “Eight years ago, this place was a den for thieves, murderers, and all kinds of desperate folk. It took two years of work to clean this place up and we couldn't have done it without the help of the people gathered here today.  Your dedication, your support, and your kindness have given this place more life than has been here for the past four hundred years.  In just six years, New Narem has earned one of the lowest crime rates on Yitin while also being a capital for progressive movements.  One decade ago, the New Horizon Wanderers formed with the goal of building a safe haven for those who can’t defend themselves. We have succeeded. This is not the end of the path for New Narem yet; where we go next is up to you.”

    “But, Today is the 4000th cycle of Yitin; The Precursors gave us a home and sent us into the depths of space with only the warmth of our mother, Yitin.  We have come a long way in four thousand years despite our constant fighting and bickering.  The Valves within us gives us the power to exceed our natural limits and with that same power; we fuel Yitin.  We don’t know where our mother is taking us or why we had to move in the first place, but that doesn't change how I feel about the people here.  You all are the only reason why I am the person I am, without your support I would've been just like the desperate people that lived in Old Narem.  Today is for you, for your kindness, your happiness, your empathy, and your passion. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

  With that, I began to make my way off stage.  The people were quiet as they have never heard me speak so openly before.  After six seconds the clapping started, after ten seconds the cheering started, and soon everyone was ready for the next part of the festivities; which was left up to the Luis/Bella twins.

  But sometimes pain eclipses happiness, the skies started going dark until we were left completely in the without light.  Only a small point of blood red light remained above New Narem. I went pale, this isn't right.  I could feel the malevolence in the air, some people in the audience passed out and the screaming started. I ran to the microphone.

“EVERYONE, STOP! COME CLOSE TO ME! NOW!” I yelled into the microphone.

  Of course, I get one day off and this happens.  A Maelstrom has begun.  A Maelstrom is an event that pushes Valve users to their absolute limit.  Normal humans die quickly in these events because of the monsters and fearsome aura that arises.

  Only one person could have done this:  Kafarnak. He is the only one who has the activation codes for the Maelstroms.

“FRANK, GRANT, COME TO ME!”  In an instant they arrived.  Their faces were focused like a beast watching its prey.

“Yes, Sir,” They said in unison.

  “Defend these people with your lives, I will find the Lord.”  In each Maelstrom a Lord is summoned.  These Lords watch over the monsters and anchors them in reality but without it they become unstable and melt away.

“Sir?  Are you sure?  Do you remember how strong the last one was?  He almost killed Grant and me.”  Frank said with a small tinge of fear in his voice but still steadfast.

“Umm, Frank, we tried to fight it without our Valves! That is why we almost lost!”  Grant slapped Frank in the back of the head.

  Before their argument continued I said “The Many will arrive soon, watch out for the Bruja, they will go straight for the weakest.”  I turn and start running towards the center of the malevolence I could sense.

  Creatures started crawling out of the ground. I could see the bone white claws and scalped heads of The Many.  One tried to swipe at me, I grabbed its arms and tore it off.  I impaled another with the arm and continued running while forcing others away from me.  I could see the twins fighting on the rooftops but I had to keep moving.

  This Lord might be inexperienced because I can’t sense him prepping for battle.  It was at least six and half feet tall with the musculature of a marathon runner.  Its eyes were smoldering coals of arrogance, its skin was a deep crimson which seemed to always be bleeding, and its armor was like a tower built to last forever.  It started laughing, its voice sounding like a man lost in insanity.

  “Who are you? Little bug, come, and face your end at the hands of The Lord of Oblivion.”  It fights alone, too.  Good, that gets rid of one problem.  I haven’t fought a Lord of Oblivion before, this should be fun.

  “May I know your name first?’  Maybe he’s stupid.

  “Hah, nice try, come here and die already.”  No such luck. He pulled a one handed sword from his sheath but strangely nothing in his left hand.

  If I knew his name, I could just send him back.  It’s a loophole made in case something went wrong and the Lord escaped.  The master would just say its name and send it back to Abyss.  No easy way out of this fight.

  The air got heavy as the smell of blood was covered up by the smell of burnt coffee; my Valves signature scent.  I clapped my hands and began to make my muscles denser. I then let out a burst of air which quickly turned into thousands of tiny orbs of light.  He wasn’t very patient and started to charge me.

  “QUIT WITH THE LIGHT SHOW!  I WANT YOU TO BLEED AND HAVE THE FLIES FEAST UPON YOUR CORPSE!”  I’ve heard better banter from petty criminals than this. He reached me and…

  Who is this tiny bug?  Why does he stand in my way?  Whatever, I will kill him and the rest of the worms here.  Wait, where did he go?  He was just in front of me! DAMN IT, It must be those lights.  He must be-

  This Lord is a bit of a pushover before he even knew it he was dead.  Dare thought this as his hand lies impaled in the chest of the Lord of Oblivion.

  “Did you think that would kill me, little bug?”  The Lord then spat on Dare and kicked him into a building.  He began his march towards the hole left in the wall.

  I was careless, I admit it.  He is a damned Lord; I can’t fight like I’m going kill him in one hit.

  Dare stood up and faced his opponent.  They marched towards each other, the enemy brandished his blade while Dare encased himself in an ethereal cloak.  When the blade swung, Dare ducked under the attack and kicked the demon in the knee.  The Lord then punched Dare with his free hand and it connected.  Dare’s cloak shone brightly and burned the hand of the Lord and he used the opportunity to kick the Lord in the knee again.  The Lord slid to the right and with both hands on his sword swung down on Dare.

  “Idiot, steel can’t kill me.”  Dare said right as the sword hit his head. The sword immediately evaporated leaving only the hilt behind.

  “BASTARD, I WILL EAT YOUR LIVER AND DINE ON YOUR FLESH.”  With this he shed his heavy armor and launched himself at Dare.

  Perfect.  Dare jumped at him, caught the Lords left arm in between his legs and grabbed his wrist while wrapping his legs under the Lords right arm.  When they hit the ground Dare pushed his hips towards the Lords elbow and snapped his arm.  The Lords arm buckled and he yelled in fury.  Dare then spun to the Lords back and shut his legs around his chest and closed his arms around the throat of the Lord. Dare used all of his strength to crush his trachea and instead pulverized his neck, shoulders, and jaw.

  The Lord looked up and gurgled at him until he died.

Seconds before:  This worm just broke my only sword!  I am tired of dealing with bugs.  Get rid of the armor, I have never been one for heavy armor anyway.  I am going to tackle him and rip his fucking head off.  Hold on, GET OFF ME!  WHAT IS THIS? MY ARM!  A WORM BROKE MY ARM!  NOOOOOO!  I have to stand up.  Damn it he’s on my back now, and his arms- Shit, I’m dead. Abyss is going to be pissed.

  Already the sky started lighting up, and The Many started melting into the ground.  I need to go back and see the others.

  “Stop, I knew you were strong but this is humiliating.”  The all-too familiar voice of someone who lies too much had approached me.

  “Kafarnak, why did you do this?  Are you so holier-than-thou that your own light blinds you?”  I began to charge at him.

 “Oh, quit being dramatic.  I am not here and even if I was do you think you could beat me by charging at me.”  Kafarnak coolly said.   I stopped, of course he isn’t here. How can I be so stupid?  I can see his image flickering and I can’t feel anything from his presence.

  “What do you want?  My forgiveness or just to threaten me?”  I spat at the image and stood with my arms crossed.

  “I want to know how you beat a Lord without using your Valves main ability.”  He asked incredulously.  I laughed at him.

  “No, if you can’t figure out on your own then you aren't ready for the answer.”  He snarled a moment and then relaxed.

  “I’ll tell you why I keep starting Maelstroms.”  That shocked me, this had better be good.

  “Fine, I used the Iron Queens ability to make my muscles denser while using Eviscerators Light Sense ability to see his weak points.”

  The Iron Queen is Melissa and the Eviscerator is Leo.  We use nicknames for a little bit of fun.

  “How did you use someone else’s Valve?”  He was very clearly shocked.

  I guess I am only one who knows how to tap into powerful Valves.  I can only use 40% of the max strength of others abilities and it also fatigues me quickly.  The cloak was a design of my own; I just abused the oxygen in the air into a dense shield that burns on impact.

 “Nope, your turn” I smiled.

  “Okay, How many people here now how to use their Valve?  10?  20?  I just want everyone to have the powers that you and I do.”  He explained.

  “By using a something that only has 32% success rate?  How could you use something so excessive? Also, are you absolutely insane? There are better ways to learn.”  I barked at the trespasser.

  Yeah, there are better ways.  It takes at least two years of work for a Valve Leashed to become free from those chains, but that is too long.”

  A Valve Leashed is a term used for those who don’t know their Valve.  “By the way, yes, I am insane.  If that is what people think of me, then that is what I am.”

  “Get out of here and don’t come back.  If you do, bring a stronger Lord next time, so I can humiliate that one too.”  After that he disappeared, and I continued back to the city square.

  Frank and Grant were covered in a thick black substance.  The blood of The Many is what that is and there must have been a lot of them, at least a few dozen.  I walk them back to the Guild and check all the civilians.

  32 casualties, 23 injured, 8 missing, 2 people had their Valves unleashed. I am going to have to help them for a while and teach them how to control themselves.

  It could have been worse, but because of the Lord being a novice it allowed me to prevent a disaster from happening.  We have to shore up defenses against Maelstroms, and make sure the civilians know what to do when it happens again.  My meeting with the nobles was canceled but we will meet whenever is next convenient.  It won’t take long for Kafarnak to prepare the next Maelstrom, but we will be ready, and he will fall.



3.

2.

1.

  “GOOD MORNING, VOID!  Today we have the wonderful talents of Revin the Mighty on showcase.  He will attempt to create a bottle of booze out of thin air.”

  “What’s that you say, impossible?  Revin knows no such word and he will show you through demonstration.”

   Suddenly a bottle of 3323 whiskey pops into his hands.

  “AMAZING, Revin the Mighty has done it again.  Can you believe it, Void? It’s incredible.”

  Revin then drops his shoulders and groans.  “I WANT OUT! COME ON! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! I’M SORRY! I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO I AM ANYMORE!”

  Suddenly something strange happened, a flower fell from above.  “What the-“

  He awoke in a field.  The tears have never fell harder or been more full of pain and happiness in the history of Yitin.

 “I’m free, Thank you sun and stars.  THANK YOU YITIN!”  The poor schmuck then woke back up in the blinding light of the void.

 “Oh, okay.”  He has been crushed, defeated, and depressed. He has lived a thousand miseries and died a thousand deaths.

 It was all over until Abyss appeared.

“Come my child, and be free once again.”