I like to write

Hi, I'm Leo, and this is where I dump all my writing junk

[garou]

They say that you should always remember the dead… But who will remember the death of memory…? What sort of world can we live in, if we can’t remember anything? Will we all just disappear, like we were never there in the first place…? Do you lose your right to exist, simply because you’ve been forgotten…? Memoria mortem… The death of memory… Is there truly such a fate, far worse than death…?

I’ve moved Memoria Mortem to AO3, where you can now read it with ease.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[MEMORIA MORTEM] Arc 0 - Part 2

As much as it hurts... This world cannot live without your help, prince... As the sea rages out of control, life will follow close behind... I know you can feel it... A painful loss, as if everything you’ve ever known or loved has been ripped away... You’re the only one who can remember, the only one who can guide the merciless ocean back on it’s path. Please... Bring the world back... Remember, where others have forgotten...

...

...

...

What an empty feeling...

...

...

...

The prince got out of bed quietly, making his way to the kitchen, where Lucina was happily waiting.

Leo: “You’re up early.”

Lucy: “Of course, daddy! Tomorrow’s a big day!”

Tomorrow...? ...Oh.

Leo: “So you’re excited for my birthday? Seems a bit strange to be excited for you to be excited for your dad getting older.”

Lucy: “Of course, it’s important! It’s another year of my wonderful daddy’s wonderful life!”

...’Wonderful life’...

Leo: “I see... Well, how about some breakfast? Then you can go and play.”

As always, breakfast was brief, but neither really seemed up to eating.

Leo: “So, are you going out to play with Tina again?”

...Huh?

Lucy: “Who’s Tina, daddy?”

Leo: “I... Don’t know. Strange, I feel like my memory’s in a haze...”

Lucy: “Maybe you should lay down, daddy...?”

Leo: “Maybe...”

The two dispersed to their rooms, the prince resting until he decided to check on Lucina.

Knocking a single time before slowly pushing the door open, he saw his daughter attempting to wrap something up.

Leo: “What’s that, Lucy?”

Lucy: “A top secret gift! You’re not allowed to see it! Good thing I already finished wrapping it! ...For the most part!”

Leo: “So you got dear old two-hundred-thirty-four year old dad a gift, huh?”

Lucy: “Well, yeah! I told you earlier that tomorrow was a big, big day!”

Leo: “Are you just saying that because you know I can be talked into getting cake?”

Lucy: “Nah! I’d rather you be happy, daddy... You’ve been looking really sad the past few days... Cake is just a bonus.”

Leo: “I see... I’m sorry, Lucy. i never intended to make you feel like it was your job to cheer me up...”

Lucy: “Daddy, I want you to cheer up because I care about you. You’re important to me, because you’re always there for me, so... I wanted to return the favor. I may not be able to understand some adult stuff, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to smile! Everyone at school said you always had a pretty smile, but I haven’t seen it in a few days...”

Leo: “Well, how about now?”

The prince puck up his daughter, wearing a bright smile on his face.... But something deep inside of him churned... As if the odd haze in his mind was eating him alive.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[MEMORIA MORTEM] Arc 0 - Part 1

Prince... I need your help... The world is beginning to die, in a way that I can't control or prevent... Memory is fading away, taking the world along with it. I need you... I need you to save the world from dying. You won't know it right away, but... I'm sure you'll feel this way... As time goes on, the world will become emptier and emptier... Because less and less is being remembered... The the sea of memories is out of control... Without anyone to guide it, it'll continue to drown other memories... Do you ever look around, and wonder what it could possibly be that's missing...? I know you've felt it before... Something you have loved so dearly, trapped forever in the sea's waves... I can't do anything to help... Other than to send someone who can act as a guide... Please, Leo... Help the world... Before even that has become forgotten...

"Daddy!"

A familiar voice startled him from his deep sleep, moments before a small weight crashed down onto his stomach. As his eyes focused, his daughter gave a small hop, in order to make sure he was awake.

Lucy: “Daddy, daddy!”

Dragging himself so he was sitting up, his glance landed at the vast emptiness beside him. Something felt strange about it, but he couldn’t think of what it could be…

Leo:  “Yes, Lucy?”

Lucy: “Daddy, how do you look so young? Tina says her mom’s fourty, but she looks way, way older than you!”

Leo: “Didn’t I already tell you before?”

Lucy: “Huh? Did you? Well, can I hear it again anyways? …As a refresher!”

The prince sighed. Of course, she meant that she forgot, but what can you really do about a ten year old girl?

Leo: “Well, as Zeroes, our lifespan is much longer than a human’s. Of course, that’s the simple part that you’re already aware of... Right?”

Lucy: “Of course, daddy!”

Leo: “Along with a longer life, we also have delayed growth, so once we turn a certain age, usually eighteen, we essentially stop growing for nearly two thousand years, slowly looking older until we pass away.”

Lucy: “So you’ll be around for a long, long time right, daddy?”

Leo: “Of course I will, Lucy. I wouldn’t just leave you behind, would I?”

Lucy: “Hm... Okay! Well, I’m hungry, daddy. Lets hurry up and eat breakfast!”

... Something still didn’t seem right. A part of him felt like it was missing, and it left a huge hole in his heart and his stomach. All he could do about it, though, was try to keep this feeling from Lucy...

...

Cooking wasn’t his strongest point, but he tried his best none-the-less, and it seemed to make his daughter happy when he did. Lucy would always try to eat quickly so she could go play with her friends, but the prince would always try to get her to slow down. After all, it’d be terrible if she choked on it...

Leo: “So Lucy, what plans have you got for today?”

Lucy: “Same as every weekend, daddy! I’m going to go play with Tina as soon as breakfast is over!”

Leo: “You be safe now. Avoid--”

Lucy: “I know, I know! Avoid playing in traffic! You and-- Er, I mean you always tell me that! I’m a big girl now!”

Huh? That was strange.

Leo: “Me and who, Lucy?”

Lucy: “I don’t know... I guess I must’ve made a mistake without thinking? Oh well, I’m going to go play with Tina now! See ya later, daddy!”

Leo: ”Stay safe, Lucy.”

He waved to her as she jumped up from the table and ran out the door. Was she talking about Tina’s mother perhaps? ...Or does she feel how he’s feeling today? ...Couldn’t be. That’d be silly. After all, what on earth could he be feeling? Everything was normal... Right? Not wanting to think about it anymore, he puck up Lucy’s plate and cup, moving to the sink to wash the dishes.

... What was missing from his life? It hurt to think about... Yet it seemed like he was already told what it was... Why wouldn’t he remember?

[leo-writes-stuff]

They say that you should always remember the dead... But who will remember the death of memory...? What sort of world can we live in, if we can’t remember anything? Will we all just disappear, like we were never there in the first place...?

Do you lose your right to exist, simply because you’ve been forgotten...?

Memoria mortem... The death of memory... Is there truly such a fate, far worse than death...?

Read Memoria Mortem, my newest book! Free to read, Memoria Mortem will be updated at a leisurely pace. Be sure to follow to check for updates!

Check out the index here for the book’s information!

Please reblog this post to spread the word!

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 3] A Part of Me

Abel being asleep longer than Lucian was a rare occurrence. Usually, Abel would be the one to wake him up, but he couldn’t help but sit and watch for a bit. It brought him an odd sense of peace he didn’t quite understand, but Lucian brushed it off without thinking too much about it.So much was happening that he was completely unaware of... What sort of friend was he, being so unaware of how his friend was feeling?

Abel tossed and turned a bit in bed, but Lucian’s attention was on the things he wanted to know. What sort of job was Abel working? Why did he always look so exhausted? How long had all this been happening to him? Why hadn’t Lucian known about it sooner...?

Knocking at the door startled Lucian out of his thoughts. it always seemed like people wanted something when he was thinking... Peering through the spyglass, a rather jittery man who look like he just got back from a hangover tried to peek back through, seemingly paranoid of what may come in any direction.

The man’s breath reeked as he spoke, wasting no time as the door began to open.

???: “T-th-this the wh-whore’s house? Th-the b-boss w-wants you to hurry the fuck over, g-got it k-k-kid?!”

Luce: “Hey, what the hell--”

Without being allowed to even say his piece, the stranger shoved a crumpled ball of paper into his hands.

???: “Y-y-you b-better hurry up,kid! T-the boss doesn’t l-like straddlers!”

Too angry to react properly, he just slammed the door, nearly chucking the paper into the garbage. The man clambered off, leaving Lucian free will to read the paper dropped off to him... Or at least, he’d have loved to, if only it said more than just an address.

Lucian looked up from the paper, ready to crumple it back up, only to see Abel standing there, staring with a  mix of fear and disgust wrought on his face.

Luce: “I-I can explain, Alex, I--”

Alex: “G-give me that thing...!”

He ripped it out of Lucian’s hands, shoving the wad of paper into the pocket of his shorts, then turned his back to his friend, not wanting to have to face the judgement he was expecting. Unable to confront him,he just stared at Abel, focusing on whatever he could that might let him lighten the situation... Though there wasn’t much to go with, beyond his bare chest, vest-like shirt, and form-fitting shorts. Abel was a pretty handsome guy, but... Lucian didn’t want to imagine the sort of folks he must be running with, or what on earth they could be doing. Hopefully... Abel wasn’t getting involved with a gang... but what could he really do to protect his friend from that...?

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 2] A Part of Me

It was around that time again, where Abel would disappear now and again, returning the same way as always, later and later in the day, bearing some sort of gift for Lucian. Of course, Lucian didn’t seem to think anything of it...

One lazy evening in particular, the duo was lounging around, playing a game of cards to pass the time until dinner. It wasn’t that hard to outwit Lucian, but he had a natural luck with him that made him a truly difficult opponent... Either that or he fixed the games beforehand, but that didn’t really matter.

The sun started to fade when the sirens began to wail. Lucian naturally thought little of it, expecting it to be nothing more than another drunk being taken to the precinct.

Luce: “Heh, better hide, Alex. Police are finally here for ya.”

Abel’s distressed expression surprised him. He thought it was nothing more than a harmless joke, but his best friend was reacting to it very strangely... Of course, he was probably just playing around... Without further hesitation, however, Abel quickly hid himself as best as he could.

Alex: “Under no circumstances do you tell anyone I’m here, Luce...!”

Thoughts groggy from confusion, he got up to answer the loud knocking on the door. Two officers nearly burst inside the second the door opened. They questioned about some local happenings, then quickly asked something he had never expected to hear. The police were looking for his best friend... Not really sure what to do, he assured them that the only other person home was his mother. The police tried to talk their way inside, but Lucian told them that they have to have a warrant for that.

Lucian watched from the windows as the police drive off, until even the siren went silent. Abel emerged from his hiding spot and walked up to the door, holding it open for a brief moment.

Alex: “I’m sorry, Luce, I’ll be home later... I probably won’t be home for dinner, so don’t wait up for me.”

Luce: “You better not be doing anything stupid or illegal, Alex...”

Without speaking a work, he shot a sheepish smile to Lucian, then walked out the door. Even more confused than ever, he just watched as his friend disappeared into the horizon, opposite of where the police had gone.

It wasn’t until morning that Abel came back. He looked exhausted and in dire need of a shower, but as always, the first thing when Abel would come over was a gift for Lucian. It was a fancy new set of playing cards, ones that he had admired before in the store. They weren’t cheap - being priced at nearly $300 - yet the price tag didn’t stop Abel, apparently... The thought of his best friend being a thief crossed his mind, but he quickly pushed it out, not wanting to think of it any longer. Just where was he getting all that money...?

After a quick shower, the three of them sat down for breakfast. Surprising enough, Abel didn’t seem to want to sleep, and instead wanted to hang out with Lucian. His mother jokingly passed it off as ‘teenage boys wanting to have fun’, but Abel knew she knew more than she was letting on... Probably for Lucian’s sake, no less. It didn’t take a prodigy to tell Lucian was oblivious.

When the two returned to Lucian’s room and another game of cards was dealt, he asked the questions he wanted answers to.

Luce: “So why are the police after ya?”

Alex: “It doesn’t really matter, does it...?”

Luce: “I gotta know if you’re in trouble, bud. I can’t help if I don’t know what to do.”

Abel sighed. He’d rather just push things off, naturally, but not that Lucian’s seen what happened yesterday, he’d only ask about it over and over, until he finally got the answers he wanted.

Alex: “I ran away from home... Well, kicked out, I guess.”

Luce: “What’d ya do to piss your folks off?”

Alex: “As far as I’m aware, nothing. Father was drunk as always, and my mother used that to try and get rid of me. When he sobered up, she tried to get the police to bring me back. I’m done talking about this now, play your cards.”

A brief silence fell between them, broken again by Lucian’s questioning.

Luce: “So where’re you getting all that money?”

Alex: “I worked for it.”

Luce: “Really, where do ya work? Is that why you leave for a handful of hours and come back?”

Alex: “I... Don’t really have one specific place I work, I guess. I go wherever the client wants me to be.”

Luce: “So what do you do?”

Alex: “I’m not going to talk about this right now, I’m sorry.”

Luce: “But--”

Alex: “Drop it.”

Abel shouting caught him off guard. If it was something that he didn’t want to talk about, he could really only accept that... He still had so many questions, but there was no chance he’d get the answers he desired.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 1] A Part of Me

... A year had past since then, but still, nothing was thought of it. He began to stay over daily, almost as if he had nowhere else to go, but one day he just disappeared from his life... Until his phone repeated that familiar chime.

Only an hour passed since then. He knocked at the door, just like always... But this time, he looked different. Older, more mature... Tired. Shortly after the door flung open, he handed over a small bag. It wouldn’t have seemed like much to anyone else, but a bag filled with only your favorite candies was something rare to find without spending big money on it in these parts.

Alex: “So Luce, how’ve you been?”

Luce: “I should be askin’ you the same thing, bud! Mom’s been worried sick since ya dropped off the face of the earth! Almost like she lost her baby boy!”

Abel sighed. It wasn’t an upset sigh, but more of a traveler’s after returning home from a long journey. It wouldn’t surprise Lucian if he had gone out traveling... With all the money his parents seemed to make, after all...

Alex: “It’s good to be home, I guess.”

Months and months went by, until finally the year came to an end. Abel continued to stay with Lucian and his mother, arriving with gift after gift for Lucian alone. But things can’t be perfect forever... It wasn’t until that very day that things started to go sour.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Short Story] A Memory

Warning, may contain spoilers for a few of my books.

There are rumors in this new world that seemingly defy all logic. One of which involves a young girl, who mysteriously continues to live, despite her disappearance long, long ago before the world was reborn for the second time...

Another slow day, but Agnetha didn’t seem to mind. When things went slowly, she could take time off and do what she loved to do the most - listen to the stories of a man who had lived since before the first rebirth. Flipping the sign on the door to ‘Closed’ and gently placing her apron in it’s proper place, she flipped off the switch and locked the doors. Carefully and quietly walking up the stairs, in case he had been asleep, she peeked into the room where he stayed.

Though he had been alive for well over ten thousand years, he looked like your every-day young adult... Well, aside from a few racial differences. Looking at him always reminded her of a cat, especially with how his tail swished with the breeze from the open window. Though his people never existed from the odd days she remembered, she didn’t care that much. As long as he was there, she was happy.

He looked at Agnetha with a smile when she pushed the door open. He knew full well what she wanted, and he already thought of a story to tell her. Ushering her to sit down beside him, he adjusted the position of his wheelchair. After being alive so long, his ability to move had begun to rapidly deteriorate, but he continued to strive to live onward, perhaps for Agnetha’s sake.

Agnes: “Are you going to tell me a new story this time, Mr. Leo?”

Leo: “I’ve told you many times, Agnes, there’s no need to call me ‘mister’, but yes, I do. Are you ready?”

The truth is that she wanted to ask him about one story in particular... But now wasn’t the best time for it. Maybe the next time... Nodding, he began to speak.

The tale told of a great thief, who traveled the world. Although she didn’t exist in the world the two of them live in now, she was still just as much alive. Though theft was, and is still, frowned upon, she sought out to help whoever she could... A modern Robin Hood, if you may. The thief eventually discovered something crucial about herself - a heritage of godhood. This discovery fueled her desire to save the people who needed it most... An unholy war struck, and many lives were claimed in the process. The demons were relentless, even forcing people to commit suicide after committing mass homicide. In the end, she was not able to save her sister, trapped forever within the wooden shell of the holy tree Yggdrasil, forcefully returned to the home world where she had no family to call her own.

After hearing the story, she gave the man a kiss on the cheek and a hearty goodnight, rushing off to her own room to prepare for the next day, hoping to one day get the answers she wanted so bad.

The next day was the same as usual. Few customers, but she didn’t mind. As soon as she was able to, she did the same as the day before, returning to the man who would tell her stories of the past.

The story today was about the war that forced the world into the second rebirth. One, lone goddess rallied forces of the past, the present, and even the future, in order to put an end to a tyrantic reign, freeing the world’s people from his sadistic torments. Hearing that the prince she heard so much about was involved surprised her, but Agnes pushed the thought away for now.

As with the day before, she kissed him on the cheek and ran off in order to prepare for the next day. Hearing the story of how the world’s most beloved prince, a Zero man who shared a name with her guardian, had gone back in time put forth new determination in her mind...

The next day would be the most important yet, the day she finally gets the answers she’s been yearning for for all these years. Rushing up the stairs as fast as she could, she burst into his usual room, halfway panting when she asked him that crucial question...

Agnes: “M-mr. Leo, can you tell me about... About me? And these memories...”

Leo: “I figured you’d ask about it eventually... Sit down, Agnes.”

Taking her usual spot, he remained silent for a moment. When he finally began to speak, his voice was low and quiet.

Leo: “While you’ve been told that your memories were nothing more than dreams, and your inability to remember anything from your youth was just amnesia... I’m sure you already know that isn’t true. I’m sorry, but we thought the truth would hurt you more than anything, but running away from it forever will only make it worse when you find it out for yourself.”

He sighed.

Leo: “I’m sure you’ve recalled this scrambled in your memories, but eight thousand years ago, there was a horrible incident. Children were forced to murder each other, for the entertainment of a twisted young girl... You were a part of this, Agnes. I don’t doubt that you can still remember some of their faces... Many of them died, but even those who hadn’t... Not all of them managed to get out. A select few were drugged... Using a modified version of a concoction you yourself had made.”

Agnes: “But... What about the other memories...?”

Leo: “Those... Are a bit harder to explain, but I’ll try. I know you’re talking about that girl. Your very best friend. When you were younger, you loved do experiments, eventually discovering how to make a lethal toxin that could be converted into a powerful medicine under high pressure. You were considered a hero to the world for your discoveries. Trusting in your best friend as she worked by your side, the two of you began to further your research, allowing her to handle the samples... Unfortunately, she didn’t simple store them. Because they were completely natural and broke down in contact with blood, they were efficient tools for healing, but the same trait was shared with it’s poison. I’m sure you remember the next part now... She would murder numerous people, mostly young students, using the toxins you created to create the medicine the world so desperately needed. One day, she was caught stealing the toxins from the lab, so you confronted her about it. Instead of bothering to talk, she injected you with your own anesthetic... Enough to completely terminate your body. However, the poison didn’t work as intended. Instead of dropping your heart rate to death, it instead preserved your body. Thousands of years later... Your body was discovered. Of course, we had initially assumed you were deceased, until medical reports returned. Three years after that, you finally woke up, and you’ve been in my care ever since.”

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 2] Frozen Solid

Breakfast and lunch both breezed by with little thought or care. The gentle rocking of the ship was soothing, making it hard for Rosa to sit in one place for very long before starting to doze off. Every now and again, she’d look over her surroundings. Not that they were particularly beautiful, but it takes a special taste to design room after room with peaches in mind. The walls were etched with peaches, to the point it seemed more like an unhealthy obsession. The carpet was a lush, cream color, almost as if the room itself was trying to become a dessert of its own. Before long, she found herself dozing off once more, taking that as an opportunity to venture around once more.

The dining hall ended in two directions, one leading to the recreation room where the older, richer passengers would drink and gamble, while the other lead outdoors to the cabins. Though cabins at the end were deemed better than the rest, Rosa didn’t see anything superior in being the first underwater in case of the ship tossing up.

Before long, she saw a familiar figure -- a rich, blonde-haired girl named for what she loved the most in the world. Even though she was one of the richest passengers, she didn’t act like it. She was calm and down-to-earth, and it made her feel at home, even more so since the country Libra was born in, Germany, wasn’t too far from France. Though it was an eleven hour drive, it was nice to see her. Libra, finally noticing Rosa’s presence, quickly hugged her. Her bright, green eyes shimmered as the sun lazily watched over the duo.

Libra: “What’re you up to today, Rosa?”

Rosa: “Just wandering around, I guess... What about you?”

Libra: “I was watching some paint dry. Sounds really boring, yeah, but hey! I drew some stars in it! ...They won’t get mad, will they?”

Rosa: “There shouldn’t be any wet paint on a ship at sea anyways... It’ll never dry because it’s so humid.”

Libra: “Well, then I have nothing to worry about! -- Oh! Did the creepy old man give you trouble again earlier?”

Rosa: “Yeah... I don’t know why he’s so... Fixated on me. I’m not special.”

Libra: “Oh, but you are, Rosy! You’re the brightest star in the sky! One day, when even America crumbles up into the sky, you’ll finally see your true brethren! Say hi to Virgo and Aries for me, though!”

Rosa: “All I really have going for me is some hard work in medicine, Libra.”

Libra: “And you doubt your cute little face?! My, my, aren’t we a Modest Molly! Your beautiful blue eyes make the skies jealous! Your luxurious, dark brown hair makes Aphrodite look like a slob! Heck, even your accent is cute! Barely noticeable, but cute!”

Rosa: “Ngh...”

Libra: “Calm down, Rosy! I’m just playing with you. I’m telling the truth, though! Don’t sell yourself so short! ...But we definitely need to do something about old man Abbey. He’s about as right as the left! Do you think he might be... A danger or something?”

Rosa: “With the way he stares at me all the time, I’m too terrified to think of the possibilities...”

With a sigh, silence gathered momentarily before Libra was called away by her father. With quick goodbyes, the girls parted once more. To Rosa’s disdain, that very man was now walking towards her... Once he caught up to her, he greeted her and held her tight, doting on her with toxins powerful enough to kill even the mightiest boar.

KICK HIM MAKE AN EXCUSE

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Short Story] Prince Charming

A short story about a lonely prince who finally meets his “prince charming”.

Once upon a time, in a world unlike any other, there was a relatively decent-sized kingdom. Smaller than the others, it was always seen as weaker, but no one cared to harm it. At the throne was an old man, grey-haired and weary-eyed. His life would soon come to an end, but his life was lived almost fully. His servants tended to him dearly, ensuring his final days are lived out in peace and comfort.

The people of this kingdom were a rather strange set of folks. Unlike the other kingdoms, their members didn’t fully resemble humans. Their eyes had various, luxurious shades, ranging from an angelic blue to a lustrous, crimson red to even the color of the sun itself. Their ears were tufted with fur, though fur was not all over their body. Their physique resemble that of humans, yet had tails, claws, and ears that would be out of place, if it weren’t for their fur. Flawlessly, their fur would recede to bare skin where necessary, giving them a human-like appearance, should you disregard the ‘abnormalities’.

The prince of the kingdom was no different, with bright, golden eyes, tanned skin, and luxurious, faded blonde hair. He was a gem to the people, a beacon of hope and beauty. Women lined up daily, just to get a glimpse of him... But that wasn’t what he wanted.

His father, now resting on the end of his life, further urged his son to marry. Without a queen, the kingdom will fall short, and eventually perish. Not wanting to disappoint him, the prince agreed.

Days passed, and the king grew furious. At every opportunity, the prince refused the advances of numerous beautiful, wealthy maidens. Concerned for his kingdom’s prosperity, he had his son imprisoned in a tower, like most other fairy tales usually tend to do, with the hope he would be enlightened towards marriage with one of the maidens of the court. But that wasn’t what the prince wanted...

Days. Weeks. Months had passed. The prince continued to idle his time away, waiting for the day he would escape with the one he would truly love forever and always, just as all the fairy tales prescribed. Though he was fearful of the outcome, he waited, and waited, and waited, for that fateful day. Being a prince in a tower, would his true love be a brave maiden? But that wasn’t what he wanted...

One day, idly dreaming of what his savior would be like, the young prince heard the clopping of hooves against the weary stone pathway that lead to the mouth of the tower. Curious, he peeked out the small window, peering over the windowsill that held various golden chrysanthemums. Unfortunately for him, all he could do was make out a figure, suited fully in armor. Watching the stranger make way to the tower, he felt his heart race. It was finally time. He would meet his savior, the hero, or heroine to his dismay, who would be his true love, now and forever...

The entrance to the tower opened with relative ease, the sound of the armor clanking as the hero made their way up the mass of stairs. At the top, they pulled at the handle, halted by its lock. Without wasting any time, they bashed the door down with their shoulder, making way into the prince’s chamber.

Curious, but nervous, the prince stared at the figure before him. He nervously bade them a quick ‘hello’, which the stranger immediately responded, their voice deep and charming, kneeling before the prince. Removing his mask before standing once more, the stranger revealed himself to be a human boy, or as the prince would assume a man.

The stranger took the prince’s hand and gently pressed his lips against its back, announcing his purpose for arriving - to save the lonely prince, damned to a tower at the forest’s outskirts. Intending to return to the nearest kingdom they could find, the knight scooped up the prince in his arms, carefully making his way down the stairwell.

Once they returned to town, the king demanded audience with his son, wondering if he had made up his mind to marry. Pleased at his son’s response, the king asked which fair maiden would be his lucky bride. Nervous, he blushed and remained quiet. Without much delay, the hero bowed before the king and introduced himself, not only as the knight to rescue the prince, but the man who would have his hand in matrimony.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 1] Frozen Solid

The world was crumbling at an alarming rate. With the world on the verge of rebirth, it was only a matter of survival until that point. With lethal diseases sprouting up on that very day, it became a laborious task. Thankfully, as more and more die, the rest seem to develop an immunity to those initial diseases, allowing a chance at survival.

With only a week remaining until the world’s rebirth, it was time for the final conference of the medical company in charge of practice and study involving these lethal illnesses. This time, however, was a bit different. Instead of only members attending, there was a new face. Rosa Agnetha, a top-tier medical student from Paris. Accompanied by her professor, she would have to bide her time on the ship that would take them across the ocean to America.

When given free time, she couldn’t help but think of the world as it was. Just a month ago, the world was perfectly intact. Now, the world is scarred and battered, even the air itself is tainted with crumbled masses of land, forming vast aerial islands that no man can safely venture. Even her own home was ravaged by the destruction, with over half of the country broken up as floating islands.

???: “You awake, Rosa? It’s time for breakfast.”

Looking away from her mirror, she turned towards the door.

Rosa: “Ah, yes, I am! Sorry! I’ll be there in a second, Professor Foster!”

Lou: “You know you can just call me Lou, Rosa. If anything, I should be calling you ‘Professor Agnetha’. It’s an honor to be invited to the conferences without being a part of the company.”

Rosa: “I just had a lot of studying time... Nothing really important.”

As they made their way to the dining hall, a familiar, large man called out, scuttling his way to her. Wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close to him, he let out a foul, hearty laugh.

???: “Hello, dear Rosa! You are looking very well today!”

Rosa: “H-hello, Mr. Abbey...!”

When he finally let go of her, she took a second to catch her breath. Being trapped against his mountainous fat wasn’t the best place to be...

Lou: “You look like you’ve gained weight, Abbey. You should try laying off the cheese for a bit.”

Abbey: “Heavens, no! No diet is worth the loss of such a wondrous delicacy! The heavenly bliss of port wine cheese will be my only diet!”

Lou: “Even in times like this, you’ve always had money to throw around, didn’t you... Oh well, we need to head out, Abbey. Rosa’s got a big day ahead of her.”

Abbey: “My, my, every days’ a big one when you’re--”

Lou: “Yes, she’s quite aware. We must move on, however. Talk to you later, Abbey.”

With a huff, the large man said his farewell and headed back in the direction he came from. He wasn’t a particularly pleasant man... She often found herself in fear whenever she wasn’t accompanied by someone like her professor. Something about that man’s demeanor towards her didn’t sit right...

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 15] Advent of Polaris - Depths

The path before them sloped further downward, at times requiring them to slide down slim, dark passageways. As they traversed through the depths, false starlight as their only guide, many strange creatures made way around them. Wolves with four mouths, mammoths that could breathe pure white fire... Even dragons, their fearsome bodies seemingly deep in rest.

Eventually, they came upon a series of doors, each with odd markings, vastly different from the ones back in Fucce. Carefully, the two of them pushed them open, one by one, until they came across a gilded door, vastly larger than the ones prior. At the heart was a slot fit for Cor.

Polaris: “Do you think we’re almost there?”

Lu: “We gotta be! Why else would a big door like this be there?”

Cor: “...Perhaps they could be why...?”

Confused, the duo looked around, until Lu pointed out the creatures hanging from the ceiling. Their bodies were massive, too large to ever possibly fit through the doors prior.

Polaris: “We have to get through the door without waking them up...!”

Lu: “No kiddin’... We don’t have any time t’screw ‘round, Polly...!”

As quiet as they could manage, they made their way to the door. As their feet gently touched the steps, a vile aura seeped into the room. Drawn by fear, the duo looked overhead, to see numerous eyes watching their every movement. By the skin of their teeth, they jumped out of the way, separated from one another, each cornered by a ferocious-looking beast that resembled a horrific cross between a bat, an ogre, a tiger, and a dragon, bearing the hunger of them all combined. They had to escape as quick as possible, or else they’d sooner become food for a creature that dwarfs them down beyond even a pebble. The savage quint of eyes sized Polaris up briefly, no doubt it’s comrade doing the same to Lu, then likely deemed her as a snack, swiping it’s grotesque claws down at her.

Polaris: “Lu, I’m coming!”

Panicking, she used whatever she could think of. With all of her might, she swung core around once.

Cor: “L-lady Polaris! I am a precision device, n-not a mallet! I’ll shatter!”

Polaris: “I don’t care! I’m not letting Lu die!”

Twice. With heavy force, she rammed Cor’s face right into the side of it’s head, sending it tumbling to the ground, face-- or what is assumed to be the face-- first into the stone stairwell. Without hesitation, she drew the other beast’s attention away from Lu, preparing to defend them using Cor, even if it cost her her life.

Polaris: “Lu, get out of here as soon as you can! When it’s all over, you take the hammer and go through the door!”

Lu: “Dammit, Polly! I ain’t leavin’ you t’die here!”

Polaris: “If one of us doesn’t survive and fix this damnable world, then everyone will die!”

Lu: “Then let ‘em! Polly, y’can’t go and die like that! We started this journey t’gether, and we’re gonna finish it together!”

Polaris was flattered, but she knew it would be hopeless in the end. The chances of them making it safely to the structure was almost inexistent.

...Unless...

With all of her might, she smashed the hammer into the creature’s eyes, forcefully blinding it. Without any loss of momentum, she grabbed Lu’s arm and ran for the door, smacking Cor’s face into the socket and opening the doors. When the doors opened, they ran through, dragging Cor with them, watching as the entryway caved in, blocking their only known exit.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 14] Advent of Polaris - Unknown

The machine flew for hours, until finally dropping the cage down into a dark abyss. The cage’s walls shattered on impact, thankfully launching away from the trio. The bottom slid and slid, kicking up dirt as it flew down the slope, the cavern walls eating the sun’s presence until all light was gone. It slid, and slid, and slid, through perilous darkness, until small lights peeked out from the cavern’s ceiling. The sliding began to slow down as the erroneous stars filled their world like moonlight.

Polaris: “Where are we...?”

Cor: “It would appear we’ve been discarded into one of the world’s abyssal pockets.”

Lu: “We’ve slid down pretty far, Polly... Do you think we’ll get outta here...?”

Polaris: “We have to. We don’t have a choice. Cor, do you have any ideas on how we can get out...? It was too dark to know how much we’ve twisted and turned on our way here... Or how steep the slope was...”

Cor: “Sadly no, but we’re in luck, lady Polaris. It seems there’s a signal. Somewhere nearby, there’s a structure awaiting to be resurrected by your wondrous hands.”

Polaris: “So they ended up helping us by mistake in the end...”

Lu: “Where we goin’, then?”

Polaris: “Where we can, I guess. We can start by following the stars and hope for the best.”

Lu: “We gotta keep our eyes peeled though, Polly. There’s a reason why the Abyssals went undiscovered for so long...”

Polaris: “Why’s that?”

Lu: “Monsters roam all over the abyssal pockets. They’re a breedin’ ground for ‘em. One wrong move and we could find ourselves a snack in onna their nests...”

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 13] Advent of Polaris - Seek

???: “Polaris, dear hero, the eyes cannot see the darkest of depths. Keep your eyes on those closest to you, for the darkness may reveal its rancid stench. Protect what is yours always, and do not fear the darkness. Be the light that binds it to its' shadows.”

The voice echoed itself into reality once more.

Polaris: “What does that mean? Who are you?”

???: “I am the god of sanctity, the watcher of the world. I have lived for eons, cursed by the tyrant. I am Ignil al Namaal. You may address me as Libra.”

Polaris: “Okay... But what did you mean by that?”

Libra: “Only time will tell. I do not have the answer. Stay safe, hero.”

Without another word, Libra disappeared, time slowly flowing once more. 

The structure in front of her took shape, forming a spade. Cor’s form changed once more, the whispiness of it’s appearance magnifying. Lu and Polaris made their way outside of the temple, shocked at the strange machine descending upon them.

???: “Hmph. Are these mere children the dissenters?”

An armored figure nodded. 

???: “Capture them.”

Polaris: “What?!”

Before the trio could react, a machine fired at them, transforming into a cage and trapped them inside. The machine took flight, taking the cage with it, out of the desert, leaving the temple entrance as nothing more than a speck.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 12] Advent of Polaris - Forward

The scent of ash lingered in the air as sunlight began to pour over the sandy walls. It seemed to be morning, meaning it was time to get a move on. Since the desert hadn’t had a chance to warm up yet, they have ample time to cover as much distance as possible before the heatwaves return in full force.

They lounged about momentarily, being sure to eat and hydrate themselves, for the journey ahead of them will be anything but simple. Now, their journey continues in full force.

The labyrinth twisted and turned so often that turning back seemed impossible. They walked, and walked, and walked, until they came upon a crumbled mass of sand, granting a way out, albeit a small one.

Climbing through the hole, the sands whipped up around them, stinging their cheeks. According to Cor, they were almost to the heart of the desert. Only a little while left...

Lu: “Y’ don’t think that snake’s gonna come out ‘n’ get us, do ya...?”

Polaris: “It’s likely long dead, Lu. Worst comes worst, we’ll use the hammer as bait and bail.”

Cor: “L-lady Polaris...! I am a fine tool for word restoration, not some... Snake’s chew toy!”

Lu: “Cor’s right, Polly. Snake’ll pro’lly get bored of ‘im with how much he gabs all day.”

Polaris smiled a bit, probably the first time since their journey began.

The sandstorm’s velocity increased tremendously as the trip made their way to the heart. Painful or not, they had no choice but to continue forth...

Unlike the first structure, the ruins were still intact, though entry was barred to prevent defilers and sand from entering it’s deep crevices. Taking shelter at it’s gates, Cor worked it’s magic once more, causing the doors to grind open, revealing the ancient knowledge it hid away for so long.

The walls were etched with drawings of a snake being subjected to worship. Whoever had resided in this building during those years must have seen that deadly snake as some sort of god... A wrathful, bloodthirsty god, who would devour any who filled it’s belly.

At the heart of the ruins was a small oasis, with a small structure at the center on a plateau. The gentle tides washed onto it’s delicate shores,shifting the sand over and over.

Without hesitation, Polaris moved to the structure, swimming most of the way there. She stood at the edge of the plateau and allowed her mind and body to relax. Her adventure thus far surged to her thoughts, invoking the bright flash of light that she had seen beforehand.

When her eyes opened, something seemed different than usual. The world had gone grey, and the water ceased movement. Even Cor’s own whispy flames seemed to be at a standstill.

Afraid of what might happen, she looked around the room, unable to move from the spot in which she stood. A great voice boomed, echoing off itself. It was a tad raspy, but deep. The manner in which it spoke made it seem as though numerous people were talking at once. It took the voice speaking her name only once for her to locate it’s source. A scaly beast slithered around the room, filling it up except for the plateau and where Lu had been waiting.

[leo-writes-stuff]

[Part 11] Advent of Polaris - Continue

The labyrinth seemed endless. Turn after turn, rock-hard sand caked into walls underneath the perpetual dunes. Every now and again, a small hole would cast light into the halls, but the sand was too strongly stuck together to make the holes larger. Even if it were possible, the chances of bringing the tons of sand down upon them was far too high to risk doing it.

Polaris: “We’ve been walking for what feels like hours...”

Lu: “Yeah, I’m feelin’ mighty tired... Maybe it’s time t’take a break?”

They both agreed to rest alongside a wall with numerous pores, filling the area with the sun’s fading light. Before long, it’ll be nighttime. The temperature will take a heavy toll, so they’ll need to set up camp soon. Thankfully, Lu planned ahead and began to start a small fire, safe from the dry winds.

Lu: “Hey, Cor, how ‘bout a story? Or tellin’ us somethin’ neat? You’ve been ‘round a real long time, so you gotta know somethin’!”

Cor: “As you wish, then. I will tell you the story of the ‘cursed children’. At the brink of Caladbog’s destruction before the Combine, there were five children, each had an age ranging from ten to sixteen. As with all children, the end of the world inspired them to do all they could before the final tick. Together, they began an adventure throughout Caladbog. Their journey interested the Goddess of Chance, Sygnette, and she had granted them her favor. However, when the world had ended, the children thus became trapped in limbo. The Creator was unhappy with Sygnette’s interference in their journey, but didn’t want to rob the troupe of their futures. He sent them to the new world, but not without a cost. Each one received a special curse.”

Polaris: “A curse for a god’s interference...? Why not just punish Sygnette rather than a bunch of children who probably didn’t know she was helping them?”

Cor: “The Creator is a sadistic, unruly man. Every action you take comes with a cost. Even the legendary heroine who saved Caladbog and the human world by fusing them together received a dreadful curse... Forgotten, but remembered, for all of eternity. But that’s a story for another day.”

Lu: “That’s darn-right rude! Creator or not, he ain’t gotta right to do that t’ bunch-a kids!”

Cor: “He acts as he pleases. Back to the story, however... Each child had received their own curse.

The first child, who had been eleven years old, had been cursed back to infancy, and with perpetual life, yet not with immortality. She went from family to family, each widdling their lives away as she never grew in age. On one dreadful day, her newest family began to think she had been cursed. The child had not grown in over twenty years in their care... Afraid of whatever malevolent curse may be inflicted upon the child, they abandoned it inside of their old home, setting it on fire before fleeing and never returning. She cried, and cried, and cried, unable to escape the hellish fires that consumed her infantile life...”

Polaris: “They burned alive a child?! Cursed or not, that’s terrible! Why isn’t the Creator punishing them?!”

Cor: “Alas, we don’t get any say in what he does or does not do. It’s time to continue the story, however...

The second child, who had been merely ten years old, had been cursed to old age. Forever trapped in the body of an eighty year old man, he lived forever at the edge of the world, on an outlook over the sea. Year after year, decade after decade, century after century... On his four-thousandth year, he finally had enough. Solitude, senility... The pain of it all went over the edge, battered by stalagmites at the sea’s depths.

The third child, who was but fourteen, had received the most unique curse. She had been cursed with immortality, and a perpetually unaging body. She needn’t eat or sleep, nor could she ever die. She wondered the world for a thousand years, then fell into a deep slumber... In early 3000, she awoke from her slumber, and was invited to attend St. Amaran, two years before the Amaranthine Incident. During her year there, a group of students had been trapped inside, forced to investigate an endless string of murders. The one behind it all was never discovered, nor could the answer be extracted from the child, who had been sent into a forceful deep rest until the late 7500s. The time from then to now had been spent between rest and prolonged life. To this very day, she continues to live. You may have heard of her in the news, for possessing what some call the ‘miracle blood’, capable of perfect transfusion with any subject, human or not, regardless of blood type. Though immortal, she’s still susceptible to illnesses and diseases, so she can’t simply live a careless life.”

Lu: “Immortality? That’s a pretty nice curse y’got there...”

Polaris: “Immortality is the worst curse you can inflict upon someone... Forever forced to live, no matter what happens to you, forced to watch everyone you know and love die, time after time... it would be so dreadfully lonely... Everyone from her era is gone... All long, long dead... She wouldn’t even die if she were just a head...”

Lu: “When y’put it that way... I don’t think it’s that great anymore...”

Cor: “Immortality is the Creator’s second greatest curse... The first has yet to happen, but I know, it will be far worse. Now, let our story continue.

The fourth child, a stark 16 years of age, was cursed to live for a thousand years. Her life was damned to infinite perils, from start to finish. Hellish misfortune stalked her every step, binding her shadow with the shackles of death. Death was her greatest fortune...

The fifth child... Was the Creator’s own son. Having been sent to the world to monitor the world’s end, he had been split into two. His now twin sister was sent to live in a realm in which he had not existed, cursed with sealed memories of her previous life. She became the greatest thief of mankind, living in the late 5000s. When his sister’s life was at list for annihilating existence itself, he and his doppleganger twin were forced to work towards rescuing her. The god who ruled over existence itself neglected to step in and save his own child from obliterating existence itself...”

[leo-writes-stuff]

[03/20/15] NEW LAYOUT

Since my old theme was suuuuuuuuuper old, I made a new one just for this blog.

Thus said, this theme won’t be released, but my coding blog is linked in the corner if you wanna check out my other themes!