Board Thread:Character Journals/@comment-30219852-20161028001132

Turning Point

It's been a month since I left the comfort of the city.

My memory of of its inhabitants has grown vague in such a short time.

I'd find my thought still poisoned by the idea of Rorick; Less of a man, and more a revolting aggregation of fat folds.

Every so often though, I find myself thinking of Cecilia. Clumsy, curly-haired goddess. I'm curious what she's doing now... Maybe I should head back for her...

Corpses and Fog

It's been a week since my last entry. I ended my previous entry short to get a head start on my trek back to the city for Cecilia! I didn't consider the distance I'd covered, though. Apparently, I had gone pretty far in a month's time.

I've stopped in a ruined structure atop a hill. I don't remember seeing these ruins when I originally left, but am thankful for a place to rest.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Honestly, I was hesitant at first. Corpses littered the ruins like stones. I'd been warned about places like this. In my youth, Slack-Eyed Ben would say, "Stay away from corpses and unnatural fog!" Ben always was an eccentric. He'd ramble for hours about corpses rising, walking the night, attacking the living... Haha! Corpses rising!

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I need to get some shut-eye. Tomorrow, I'll be dreaming on Cecilia's bosom.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Awakening

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I awoke, drooling into the limp hand of a severed arm. I must have nestled it in my sleep.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I stretched and disregarded the grotesque sight. There was something else more interesting. A statue; A man holding a bowl in the distance. The base of the statue had a sign, but I couldn’t make out what it said. So I pushed myself off the ground, wiped the dirt from my pants and walked closer to the sign.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"The trials of The Eternal Night: Make a blood offering to begin."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"Hmmm... I wonder what The Eternal Night is.," I thought as I sliced my hand over the bowl.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">A trapdoor opened beneath my feet and I fell, grasping at the air above me. The door was too quick. I'm lucky it didn't sever my fingers. My backside pressed against a smooth tunnel as I fell for a moment.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The tunnel disappeared and I began to think, "This is it. This is the-". I couldn't finish my thought. My chest and face slammed through water.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I flailed wildly. I didn't know how deep the water was! Well, turns out, only a few feet.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">So, I've been standing here, logging my experience. The void I'm surrounded by is echo-less. I can't tell its size. I'm wet, cold, and can't see any way out of this.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">But, I refuse to die down here.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Trials

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">What have I gotten myself into? It's only been a few hours since I've escaped the trials.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">When the first room flooded with light, I thought I was trapped in a nightmare. It still feels like a dream to me. Chronicling my thoughts hasn’t made my situation any easier to stomach.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The First Room

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">When light finally flooded the first room, It was nearly blinding. While I gathered my senses, a voice grumbled between my ears.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"Kill," it said.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"Kill what?," I thought before I saw the armed woman in front of me.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">She made her way toward me. "Kill!" the voice said again.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I could already tell, she heard it too. Though, the voice didn't echo in the chamber; it was like a thorn rattling inside my skull. How could this be happening?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">My opponent closed the gap between us. She swung an axe, grazing my leg.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"Maybe she'll listen to reason," I thought. I was wrong.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"...Maybe I can disarm her...," Wrong again.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I grabbed her axe by the hilt several times, but she was much stronger than any of my opponents in the arena. She swung her axe again and again; against me, completely unarmed, trying to talk sense into her.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">She wouldn't listen. I began looking for any weaknesses, but it was too late. She struck me in the chest with her axe.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Obviously, I'm not writing this from beyond the grave, so, what happened? How am I not dead? I still can't explain it myself.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">She pulled her axe away and I fell. My head sunk into the water and I felt... stronger. Much stronger. It wasn't adrenaline. It was something else. I pushed myself out of the water and slowly brought stood upright. She cowered at the sight of me for a moment. Neither of us understood what had happened.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The voice rang between my ears again; louder than it was before. It pierced my thoughts. It became difficult to differentiate the voice from my own thoughts.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I couldn't think. The voice was painful, but empowering, "Kill!"

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Her eyes were terrified; she could no longer hear it.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I don't know what came over me, the power was addicting. Eventually, the voice in my head lowered to a whisper, and I felt an unnatural grin stretch across my face. I stared at her and began sloshing through the water.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">When she swung at me, this time, I caught her wrist and cracked her forearm. That should have been enough, but, the voice continued in my head, I couldn't help myself!! I twisted her arm and held it behind her back. She cried out, but I wouldn’t stop. I pushed my knee into her spine. Her head went under the water and; I held it there.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Air bubbles violently rose to the surface of the water as she struggled. Until... they stopped. I squeezed and wrung her limp broken arm, gritting my teeth.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The voice spoke again, "Sometimes, the slow death is best." Hearing those words, I felt calm again. I let go of the woman’s arm and a gate at the end of the room raised that I hadn't noticed before. I pried the axe and shield from her floating corpse and made my way through the gate.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Second Room

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I walked into the second room. The unnatural power still ran through my veins. What was that feeling? It was maddening, but I wanted more. I looked around the room and noticed a boy. Bound and gagged. The voice returned, commanding me to kill again.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"He's helpless," I thought. "I can't do this."

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I removed the gag from his mouth and probed for information. I asked him his name, his age, and how he found himself in the trials. He was responsive to all but the third question. He seemed like a normal child. I reassured him everything would be alright.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I looked for another way out of the room. Just a closed gate. I started toward the gate but, then, my power began to fade. I paused. I couldn’t leave my new strength behind... I made my way toward the boy and the power returned. I sighed with relief, but, was curious... I tested again, back and forth. Same results.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Was the boy the source of the power? I dragged him with me toward the gate and my strength faded again. I’m being watched.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The voice rang again. Obviously, whatever was behind the voice had little patience. I looked at the child and knew I needed to make a choice.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">When I left the city, I thought I’d never be controlled again.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I wrapped my arms around the child's neck from behind, and lifted him off the ground by his throat. I tightened my forearms until I felt life leave the boy.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The next gate opened.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I took the boy's bindings, slipped them into my pockets, and continued.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Third Room

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I walked into the third room and, was, unfortunately met with a familiar face. Cecilia. She was standing, waiting for me. How did she get here? Is that really her? No... It can't be!

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Even before the voice could violate my thoughts again, I knew what it wanted. I thought that maybe... Maybe I could prove it wasn't her. It wouldn't matter then. Just an illusion.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I balled the boy's bindings up and tossed them to Cecilia. I remember! She was an awful juggler! I thought for sure I'd be able to see through this mirage!

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">She wouldn't be able to do it! But... Then... she did. Effortlessly.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">And then I started to think about it again... was she an awful juggler? She pleaded with me - she said that I had taught her to juggle. Was that right? Yes... It must have been. I think that sounds right. But... Why can't I remember?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The voice continued rattling through my head. I couldn't think. Every thought was hazy; clouded by the unwanted voice.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">And... I knew how to make it stop.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Madness overtook me.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"I'm sorry Cecilia.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"For what?," Her water-logged eyes pleaded for my help.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I wanted to close my eyes, but couldn't. They remained peeled as I struck her. I had to fight back a smile. It wasn’t my own. What was wrong with me!?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">With my bare hands, I broke her jaw. Then her nose. She screamed, and I fractured her eye socket. Then her ribs. My fists were clenched with such force the palms cracked and bled. The gate opened, but I continued until even her own parents wouldn’t recognize her remains.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Every moment, I expected to wake from my nightmare.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Instead, the voice returned. Pleased. It directed me to the opened gate, and I followed its direction.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Fourth Room

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">As I entered, I had only a moment to dread what was next; I was struck from behind. A spear, straight through my chest.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“What!?” I thought.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I had gone all that way for nothing. Toyed with for some being’s entertainment! Forced to kill an innocent, and Cecilia, for nothing.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Light faded to dark and I heard the voice say, death was not the end.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Light returned and the spear was gone. There was neither scar nor wound.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I continued to the other end of the room where two hooded figures stood. I couldn't see their faces. They didn't move as I inspected them; they didn't even turn their heads as I walked through.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Benjamin Pannberry

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">In the last room - I met the body that accompanied the voice in my head. He claimed to be a god and, even though the claim is bold, I have no reason to question it. He spoke to me, but, my mind was preoccupied. I couldn't get their faces out of my head. The ones I'd killed.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The god mentioned that the Eternal Night was an assassin organization and that I was their newest member.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">He explained, that, with each contract I complete, I'd be given more power.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I've seen trainers use this tactic to tame wild animals. Even the fiercest of beasts would resist biting their master for nothing more than a scrap of meat. Is that what he thinks of me? The power I'm being fed; is it a scrap of meat to him?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I was sworn in and led to another area where a member gave me a new identity, a group to infiltrate, and some weapons. I was told to pose as a Vanguard; the last survivor of a regiment sent to investigate this cave. Oh - and my new name is Benjamin Pannberry. It took me only a moment to grow accustomed to it. Penn and Ben are close enough, after all.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I got dressed in my new assassin attire, threw my Vanguard gear over-top and we went to broker a 'treaty'. They led me and another man to the group wandering the catacombs. They told me that the other man did not pass the trials. They intended to use him as a reliable source of information for my story. Good Idea, I thought.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">When we came to the group, no introductions were made.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Council Trials

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The rest of the day has been a blur. All I can recall was my debriefing. I became painfully aware of how difficult my task would be during that debriefing. They asked me simple questions:

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">"What happened in the trials?" I told them my cover story, and they didn't believe me.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I tried to act as a soldier who just saw his companions murdered, but, they saw through that as well.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">They asked again, and I lied. Somehow, they remained calm, and reminded me that I was in a safe place. A safe place... Ha! Safe for a member of the Vanguard perhaps.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I thought for a moment about what to do. No more acting.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I told them the truth; mostly. I told them that I was not proud of the things that I'd done in the trials. I remained intentionally vague while answering their questions.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">When I thought it was finally over, someone else chimed in. Kaelib, a member of the group I was sent to infiltrate.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">He began questioning me. Somehow he knew who I was. He could see through my half-truths. Instead of a guilty silence, I answered his questions. They seemed never-ending.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I could tell, he'd be keeping a close eye on me.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Jezebel

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I find it fascinating that a man in Kaelib’s position travels with his wife and son.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The strings above her were almost tangible. I tugged at them, laughing, flirting with the girl. She was visibly taken with me. I learned about Kaelib, her son, Varris, their travels... And, I took note of the strings she had attached to Kaelib; perhaps more like shackles.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">I needed a way to keep Kaelib occupied. To keep his eyes away from me.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Perhaps I've found it.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Notes to Self

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- Kaelib has an unnatural ability to see even through the truth... Keep this in mind.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10.666666666666666px;font-family:'Droid Sans Mono';color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- Jezebel's description of Varris makes me wonder; Does The Eternal Night limit new recruits based on age? <ac_metadata title="Penn (Benjamin Pannberry)"> </ac_metadata>