Of Things to Come

[YanYanGanaffi]

*A big thanks to Zariah for editing and spellchecking this story; even though I didn't ask her to. Thank you!!!*

 

1

 

 

"I was sitting in a field as I sometimes do either looking at the storm clouds approaching or watching the twinkling of the stars while bathing in the light of Mother Moon, whose nocturnal smile comforts her children of the night. As I gazed upon the night sky, I saw one star begin to flicker above me. I noticed when I tried to look at the rest of the sky that I found myself unable to tear myself from the star that was now growing in glow and changing from a soft white to a lunar blue. Frozen there under the cypress tree in the field, a beautiful shaft of light fell upon me. A holy calm flooded my entire being. Soon, all I could see was that beautiful blue hue.

 

A shadowy form emerged from the glow. At first I could only see the silhouette, but soon, as the light softened, I could see the face of a perfectly featured woman in a dark blue cloak looking at me. In her hand was a silver bow that seemed to have a glimmer of light glinting off of it here and there. She smiled at me with lovely dark lips and ivory white teeth. Reaching to my face, she took one finger and gently shut my mouth, which was agape in awe. Seeing more of her form, I noticed she was wearing a shirt of silver chain mail, the chest covered by a midnight-colored vest with a stag's head in a circle done in silver, as well. Her eyes were those of a cat, a dark slit across her icy blue eyes. They gleamed with a huntress' spirit. I began to hear thoughts enter my mind. It took a moment before I realized those thoughts were not my own. She told me to kneel, which I immediately did.

 

'Child of Mother Earth,' she announced,' rise and look before you. The Lord and Lady have sent me to bring you special blessings. Know now that trying times are ahead. There is on the horizon a dark power from the East that will roll over this world like a plague that will engulf all in its path. I have come to send you word as a messenger of these things, as the God and Goddess has done time and again in matters of great woe.

 

The waters of the deep shall begin to cool, stealing the life from within for those creatures that dwell below in the Sea. The power of the Guardians of the Oceans will weaken and slowly begin to die. This will occur when the Great Node flares to life once more deep with in the Land of Famine. A golden chest will be discovered and moved, causing its power to rise. This power, which comes from the very Heart of the Earth, will turn dark in the hands of the Mad One who sits in the House of Ivory and Pearl. Despite the magic of the Children of the Divine, the Node will protect its new 'owner'. In time, the corrupted will enslave the corruptor. Wreathed in black flame, they will stand on the Hill of the Red Ones and break the Rods of War in the name of peace, though they will take up a new weapon with which to strike down their foes. Calling sky fire to rain down upon those that will seek the Mad One harm, they will rule with fear and terror unimagined since the rise of 'Little Boots". This will last for 21 moons before the emergence of the Warriors of the Scoll arise to take there place as warriors without weapons in the service of the Lord and Lady. Seven shall be chosen by the Lord and Lady.

 

In the Field of Heroes, the Mad One will speak to the world in celebration of their rule. Upon this field of the slain, the warriors will strike against the tyrant with the splitting of the earth. With the Great Node, the Mad One, full of dark energy, shall wave their hand over the field, causing those who sleep to climb from their beds of earth and stone. This battle, in the place called Arlington, will be but the beginning of the Dark War. Summoning fire from the sky, one of the seven shall give her life for those of her comrades. Though her spirit will depart from the mortal realm, her flesh will stay as a reminder and honored with apple blossoms in remembrance of her sacrifice. To punish her enemy, the Lady will sink a mountain and kill with a flood. The Coast of Alantis will be swallowed up by a great wave, from which many will die and many left to weep.

 

A leader will step up from the disheartened Warriors of the Scoll, rallying them. From the South they will create a new Great Node, one pure and untouched by Darkness. It will be placed in the head of a staff made of platinum and gold. The Lord and Lady will place their energy within the Node. With this staff, one could cause the very Earth the rend and mountains to shatter. Before the staff is complete, the Mad One sends a flock of silver ravens to attack the Warriors. Using long departed spirits, the Warriors call forth a maelstrom of red clouds. The sky will bleed as this storm washes the sky clean of the silver ravens, leaving tails of flame as they fall from the sky. This victory is bitter sweet when the sky rains red, causing water to be foul and stink.

 

The Mad One will take up residence within a mountain of steel and mortar. With the world at their fingertips, they will control their far-flung armies and hunt down the Warriors of the Scroll. For 24 moons, they hunt until they find the Warriors at the Land of the Red Sands. With a great multitude, the armies of the Mad One will send fire and hot steel at the Warriors one by one until three remain. With the Spirit of the Lord and Lady within the Second Node, they will focus their very spirits into the jewel of the staff. Making the very fiber of their souls scream, they shatter the Second Node with a force greater then any seen.

 

Like a small sun, the explosion will be seen by a third of the world and heard by all. The Land of the Red Sands will be as polished glass. In the center will be a temple of crystal. Within it will sit the Lord and Lady with their servants no longer just spirit, but made flesh and blood. With a horde of servants from across the Vale on the other side of reality, they will march on the Mad One's mountain fortress.

 

The Mad One will call up an army of the dead. These husks will bare arms against those from across the Vale, destroying many. The Lord and Lady will call the Great Node, using the Great Word to cause it to become unstable. Holding on to the very end, the Mad One will attempt to carve a path through the horde of the Lord and Lady. Then the Great Node will crack. The Might Stone will rupture with such force that the mountain will shatter, sending a great cloud of smoke and ash that will cover half the Earth in its haze. For six moons will this cloud linger. Finally, the dust will settle. All will be quiet and calm, and all lands will be at peace.'

 

Then she lean over and kissed me on the forehead before she faded from view, being replaced by the night sky. I sat there for a long while taking all this in. I came home and thought about writing all I had heard. It was just so much to take in. However, my Lord and Lady gave me a task. I look back over it all as I write. I would say it was just a dream had it not been so vivid. I still feel sane and of good judgment. I know that this is a vision that the Elders of the Seven Covens will be greatly interested in. I will tell them of this tomorrow..."

 

 

Leslie read the rune script that was unique to her coven. Most of those that followed the 'Old Ways' used a magical alphabet to encode information in their personal journals and grimoures; or books of magic. She marveled at the words on the 350 year old parchment in the leather bound book. There was such a sense of history here within these pages. She had known about the book's existence since she was sixteen. Being a bit of a bookworm, her heart's desire had been to help take care of the family library. Deep within the family's estate in Tennessee, just outside of Lebanon, the library was a treasure trove of old manuscripts and tomes. It was home to one of the few existing Gutenberg Bibles. Its greatest treasure, however, was a first hand account of the ancient ceremonies of the Celtic Druids scribed by Gentius the Scribe in 450 B.C.E. It was a series of lambskin scrolls that detailed the rites of passage and traditions that had been passed down through the ages orally by bards; the record keepers of the Druids. The scroll was sealed in a dark mahogany box that was enchanted to open only by the Elders of the Coven.

 

Lightly she ran a finger over the yellowed pages. She closed her eyes, focusing her mind on the book. She felt the soft pulse of power from it. In her mind, she saw it wreathed in a greenish-blue aura. The energy was soothing her. She didn't have the gift of psychomatry; the ability to see the past energy imprints on an object, like her older sister, Jamie, had. A cool rush flowed down the back of her neck and shoulders. It was the approach of a storm. They had had many this Summer. Smiling, she carefully closed the tome and replaced it in a protective chest of ash wood, banded with 'raw' iron. Replacing the lock, she looked again at the library. It had the feeling of a large museum, with many artifacts under of behind glass. As she walked toward the door of the library, she paused at one of the treasures; a rosary that was resting on a jeweler's model. This had belonged to King John the Second of England. One the back was carved a small pentagram in a circle. King John the Second had been the one forced to sign the Magna Carta, the document that effectively handed England over to the Pope of Rome. When the Church had taken away his rule of the land, he was plunged into a dark and troubled time in his life. He had discovered a chamber maid praying one night as she looked at the full moon. Right away he knew she wasn't praying to the God of the Catholics, but a heathen deity named Diana. He called to her, startling her. He saw her shaking with fear and reassured her that he would not turn her over to the church or have her executed only if she revealed whom it was she prayed to. She responded by telling him that she prayed to an almost forgotten Goddess of the moon. She told him of the rituals and festivals they had in her honor. Intrigued, he asked to be taken to the next meeting they had. Reluctantly, she agreed. King John was overwhelmed by the love and fellowship he witnessed there. Secretly, he converted. On his deathbed, as a priest administered 'last rites', King John asked for a small knife, with which he carved the small pentagram into the back of the rosary; his last act in life before he died. The chamber maid, an ancestor of Leslie's, stole into the room after the priest left, kissing her lover's forehead and taking the rosary.

 

Leslie finally tore away from the display and to the door.

Edited March 29, 2005 by YanYanGanaffi

[The Portrait of Zool]

Very excellent!

 

Also a good intro to a novel! Clean it up with a little editing, set some background, and fill out your main character a bit, if I may say so...

 

It could be done.

[YanYanGanaffi]

Yeah, I was thinking about doing that. It would be a great begining to a novel. I wrote it completely on the spur of the moment, so the flow is kind of choppy. Not a bad effort for a few minutes at the keyboard being bored.

[Mynx]

Very Very VERY cool my friend!

Continue the story! I want to see where this goes...

Sometimes the best stories are started with such seemingly random thoughts...

Keep it up!

[YanYanGanaffi]

Very Very VERY cool my friend!

Continue the story! I want to see where this goes...

Sometimes the best stories are started with such seemingly random thoughts...

Keep it up!

Gryphon said the same thing. I might build off of it.

[Zariah]

I like how descriptive you were when giving the features of the woman who brought

The prophesy. I could construct an illustration of this scene in my mind.

 

 

On the same track as the others, I believe with a bit of revision, this could evolve into a great tale. I look forward to reading more.

[Sweetcherrie]

*applaudes the story*

 

encore, encore..

[Quincunx]

This is delightfully open-ended, thanks to the unusual detail of the prophecies. Did the prophecies already come to pass over the centuries and will the rest of the book talk about those? Will someone in the present day use the propechies and fit them to current events?

 

It is a bit unpolished, but nothing that a spell-checker couldn't fix--the marks of the story coming out in a rush. (Ok, looked back over it. . .yes, one or two things the spell-checker won't fix. Still, cosmetic details mostly--no major lapses in grammar or story flow.)

[YanYanGanaffi]

2

 

"You know it not wise to mess with Mama CiCi," the Creole accent was almost as heavy as the person it belonged to. Sanjay had tracked the old woman to this stagnant swamp. The energy of the place was dark. In his mind's eye, he 'saw' wisps of dark grey energy; like dirty stream, coming from around the Voundoun priestess. She had led him into a graveyard deep in the Louisiana swamps. This wasn't the first time he had dealt with necromantic foes. He had fought and defeated a powerful wraith in his homeland of India. Carefully, he studied his opponent like a hawk to try and discern the slightest hint, the smallest ripple of power so he could defend against it. However, the dark taint of this part of the swamp was a bit unnerving.

 

All magic has a flow. Like a light mist in the breeze, the slightest force can move it in attunement with one's will. Sanjay thought of it as an ocean of energy, with its own currents, tides, and flows. Everyone had the potential to tap into it, but few had the gift to do so; whether born with it or having cultivated it over a period of years. It had taken ten years of yoga and meditation before Sanjay could successfully utilize the forces of magic. Some it took a lifetime.

 

Suddenly, he felt a pull of energy from the old woman, who slightly resembled a toothless toad with stringy white hair. She waved the gnarled staff adored with feathers, bone, and a string of light purple beads; river pearls. That was what Sanjay had come for. Each of the seven pearls contained a water sprite, powerful elemental creatures of water. In the wrong hands, they can be a plague to all those that are in the possessor's way. A flashing bolt of searing black energy shot forth at Sanjay. With reflexes on par with a cat's, he threw up a shield of energy from the ground. There was still enough pure earth energy in this place for him to deflect the bolt, which streaked off into the top of a large Cyprus, splintering it as though it had been hit with lightning. Flicking his wrist, he spun a boji stone from within a concealed compartment in his sleeve and at his attacker. The stone, a magical construct known also as a 'lesser node stone', contained a concentrated pocket of magic. Like a bullet, it raced at the evil priestess, homing in like a laser guilded missile. She made a swipe at the projectile, knocking it away with her staff. It skipped off a half-buried tombstone and off into the twilight's shadow.

 

Raising the staff into the air, the Voudoun woman spoke a few quick words of power, swinging the staff in a circle over her head twice quickly. A second later, a bolt of red lightning erupted from the sky and down at Sanjay. Thinking quickly, he stepped backwards into a tree. The trunk of the old oak absorbed him safely inside as the lightning scorched the bark off of the tree. "I'm through playing games, little one," Mama CiCi called out," I'm gonna fix you good, now!"

 

"Too bad," replied a reverberating voice that called out from nowhere and everywhere all at once," I was actually starting to enjoy myself." Sanjay stepped out from within the tree, a slightly green grow pulsing from his form. While inside the oak, he drew in as much energy from the earth as he could. Before the old hag could act, he closed his eyes and focused his mind on the beads that hung from the staff. Calling the spirits within, he coxed one to come forth and free itself from the pearl that held it prisoner. The water spirits couldn't leave the pearls on there own, but needed help to escape. A loud shriek followed by a pop sounded from the staff as the bottom most pearl shattered. A blue orb formed in front of Mama CiCi. The orb, about a foot in diameter, floated in place for a moment, then plunged into the woman's chest. In an instant, the water sprite's form turned to water, filling her lungs in the process. Her eyes got wide briefly. She clutched at her chest, and then slumped to the ground, drowning from the water sprite inside her.

 

Walking over to the priestess' lifeless form, Sanjay collected the staff. He would free the rest of the water sprites as he crossed over the Mississippi River on his way back to Tennessee....

Edited March 29, 2005 by YanYanGanaffi

[YanYanGanaffi]

3

 

"So, Sanjay managed to locate the alter stone," Frank Merryweather asked. Frank was the High Priest of Iron Serpent Coven, one of the oldest in the New World. Originating in Germany, they immigrated to the Pennsylvania area before scattering to the whole of America. The huge study was warm and cozy. A friendly fire burned in the fireplace. It was more for pleasing the eyes then actual warmth. The manor was a converted farm that had a long history stretching back almost two hundred years. Future president Andrew Jackson had stayed there for a few months during a harsh winter in 1817. The Merryweather family bought and renovated it during the Victorian Era, darn near rebuilding it from the ground up.

 

"Yes, my lord," Leslie answered with a polite bow. It was common to refer to a High Priest or Priestess by the title 'lord' or 'lady', a tradition dating back to 12th century Europe. The alter stone in question was a sacrificial alter that was used by a cannibalistic Native American tribe that lived in the Louisiana swamps hundreds of years ago. No one knows what happened to the tribe. They had seemingly disappeared; leaving few clues as to their whereabouts. The relic Sanjay recovered in the swamps would unlock valuable clues to the magic the long dead tribe used.

 

"Excellent," the old man smiled. He was tall and thin, like all the Merryweather men. His slightly grey skin bore evidence of a not completely human lineage. His fox-like face was smooth and unwrinkled by time. The only mark of his advanced age of 78 was a head of silvery-white hair. He had been High Priest of this coven for almost twenty-five years. The High Priestess; Aileen Stafford, was at a meeting in Mobile, Alabama with a group of 'hunters'; small clans of men and women that hunted and killed paranormal creatures that stepped from out of the shadows and began preying on humans. A small vampiric outbreak had happened near Dothan, Alabama, and needed to be dealt with. This particular group of hunters didn't have anyone with magical talent. Besides, one of the lead hunters was a cousin of Aileen.

 

"Do you plan on attending the Esbat tonight," Leslie asked," my mother wished to know."

 

"It's the full moon already?" Frank was surprised he had forgotten. All the excitement from the location and recovery of the alter stone along with the day to day running of his import/export business made the past month a bit of a blur. He had completely forgotten about this month's Esbat, the coven's monthly meeting. He glanced at his calendar a moment, seeing that it was blessedly clear for that night. Regaining his smile, he nodded at her, confirming that he was going to be able to attend.

 

"I'll inform mother," Leslie replied. She gave another polite bow and bid him farewell before she turned to leave.

Edited March 29, 2005 by YanYanGanaffi

[YanYanGanaffi]

4

 

 

The pale light of the summer moon shown down on the circle of stones that were arranged in a spiraling circle in the secluded meadow. Cherokee in this area used it for a meeting place with other tribes long ago. Those that could sense the ebb and flow of magical energy felt the light and friendly sensations travel up and down their spine. The circle was fifteen feet in diameter as it swirled into the center. The Coven of the Iron Serpent had added a cobalt blue stone alter to the circle for their Esbat rites they performed under the full moon. Cowens; non-magical humans, were forbidden to attend these ceremonies. Though they were dulled to the flow of magic, they were still effected. The land that the ritual place was belonged to the Merryweather family.

 

Around the circle were thirty members of the Iron Serpents. Leslie peered at the others through her robe. She had been allowed to attend since she was sixteen; the age the coven considered one an adult. The dark blue robe she wore was trimmed with forest green. The green trim signified where she was in here magical training. The rest of the coven had similar robes, save for the trim. Elders had silver trim while warriors of the coven whom were known as sentries or 'sword bearers' had bright red trim. Senior sentries were the ones that attended the ceremonies, while the others surrounded the ritual area. Even though Iquisitors (called 'red robes' by the coven) didn't come to the shores of America, other unwelcomed people could try and disrupt the meeting. A church had moved to Lebanon from north Florida a few years back. At first, they kept to themselves, building membership and brainwashing it's followers. Though claiming to be Christain, they were an apocolyptic cult slowly assembling a 'holy army' of sorts. Unlike most 'dooms' day cults, they were able to utilize magical energy with suprising effectiveness. It was but a matter of time before the Coven of the Iron Serpent and the church butted heads. The end result came when the coven cursed the leader of the church with a severe stroke that left him in a vegetative state. Without their guilding hand, the ranks of the church dwendled from almost a thousand to but several dozen.

 

Frank Merryweather stepped to the edge of the circle and touched it with the tip of his staff made from ash wood. On the top sat a large quartz crystal. As soon as the staff touched the edge of the stone circle, a light blue glow of magical energy that shown light soft neon traced it's way quietly around the circle. A low hum started to emit from the building of energy as the ritual place charged up. Frank began to take a step foreward as he was stopped by an unseen force. He immediately jumped back with his staff at the ready, incase an astral creature attacked. The sentries withdrew pump shot guns loaded with salt shot and iron dust shells; both effective against spiritual creatures. Simon Frost, leader of the sword beaers, moved infront of the High Priest, keeping his shot gun leveled at the center of the circle. After a tense moment, Frank placed a hand on the back of Simon's shoulder. "It's alright, friend," Frank spoke," It seems the messanger of the Lord and Lady is paying us a visit."

 

The energy tracing it's way around the circle had finished it's journey. The entire circle glowwed with a bright blue light. The hum of energy raised a pitch or two higher as a shaft of light from the moon centered itself on the top of the alter stone. Many of the coven dropped instinctively to a knee, letting the powerful lunar energy wash over them. Leslie's eyes were transfixed on the alter. She saw the shadowy form of the Messanger appear inside the shaft of light. Her form finally became solid looking. She was even more beautiful then in the grimoure. Tendrils of light waved and fluttered like ribbons in the wind from her aura.

 

With a voice more felt then heard, she began to speak," Children of the great Earth Mother; heed my voice. The time of troubles is now upon you! The signs spoken of long ago are now turning full circle. Gird yourselves in the strength of the Lord and Lady. By their power will you be safe these coming moons. Among you now are two whom will arise and do battle with our foes. They will be as a sword and shield before you. Within them is the power to topple mountains and rend the sky! By the will of the Lord and Lady are they given this gift. Though they are two, they are but the first of the seven to arise. May the power of the Goddess and God emerge from within!" Leslie felt a rush of energy from deep within. She gasped as she was lefted three feet off the ground, hovering as a brillent light of holy power shown throughout her being, lighting the entire meadow in a white light. Her mind seemed to fade as the power swelled inside her. She could have sworn before she passed out, she heard a faint singing...

 

Meanwhile, Sanjay was eating a chicken sandwich at Burger King. He was making great time and would be home before dawn. He hated that he had to miss the Esbat, but it was Frank Merryweather who had sent him to find and recover the alter stone. The people of Devil's Creek; a small Cajun town back in the swamps, had offered to give the stone to Sanjay if they ridded them of the swamp witch. Apparently, she had cursed them with red fever, a magical malady that resembled Ebola in it's symptoms. He had been more then happy to oblige. Looking at his copy of U.S.A. Today, the new Secretary of State had given a speech to a group people at a huge enviromental rally at Washington D.C. He was flipping to the sports page to see how the Tennessee Titans were doing in training camp when he felt the surge of power hit him. He was caught off guard. he tried to get up and leave. As he stood, he was lifted off of his feet by an unseen force. A wave of power filled the restuant. People looked, some pointed and screamed, as one old woman crossed herself and prayed. A loud hum began while tendrils of energy flashed from Sanjay's body. A swelling of energy erupted from him, creating a whirlwind that blew napkins, trays, and cups all about. Sanjay screamed in fear before passing out. he had heard of vortexes forming inside of magic-using people as a punishment from the Lord and Lady if they abused their power. Silently he prayed to Them that this wasn't the case....

[YanYanGanaffi]

5

 

 

"Great idea, Chad," Ripley mockingly spat,"'Let's follow the creepy face-painted vampire into the catacombs under Paris. Bloody brillent!" One of the vampires in question lunged at her, arms wide in a flying tackle. The necromancer ducked low and caught the monster in mid-air, performing a scooping bodyslam, smashing him hard against the stone floor. Straddling the vampire, she hit him in the face with three hammer-like blows before placing her hands on the creature's shoulders. In an incredible show of strength and balance, she performed a handstand, remaining rigid for a few moments before bringing both of her knees down hard onto the vampire's stomach. In a soundless scream of pain, he convulsed from the force of Vanessa Ripley's knee drop.

 

Chad Usuki had more to worry about then Vanessa's biting remark. True, it had been his idea to come down here. Yes, he wanted to question the vampire they had followed down here about the disappearences of several occultist that had happened that month. No, he hadn't known that he would lead them to a 'kung fu fighting undead convention' down here. Focusing his chi, he performed a spinning round house, making contact to one of the vampires' chin before dispatching another with an armless cartwheeling kick. Lowering his center of gravity, he tensed he body to build his chi. With a 'spirit shout' the energy rushed to his hands and formed into a pair of kamas made of pure spiritual energy. One of the vampires, in a red robe and face painted to look like a skull, swung a pipe at him. The arcing swing missed Chad's head by a few inches. The kama's came into play, striking the vampire's arms, and them streaking through his torso, disrupting the necromatic energy that sustained the monster. it dropped to the side.

 

A blast of dark energy shot past Chad's face, lightly searing his skin from it's black heat. Turning, he saw the origin of the energy bolt. Floating in the air before him was a robed figure; a female voice filled with laughter taunted," We of the Shadows are not without our own powers, mortal!" The vampiress clapped both hands together, then pushed them forward at Chad, another bolt of energy shooting from her hands. It raced at him. He narrowly dodged the bolt, doing a back hand spring out of it's path.

 

Vanessa picked up the sewer pipe dropped by the red robed vampire. Like a band baton, she swung it twice over her head before releasing it at the vampiress. With a 'thunk', the pipe slapped the vampiress up side the head, stunning her. Sprinting toward the floating monster, Vanessa leaped up and turned her body, leveling the vampiress with a full-force double legged drop kick. The vampiress bounced off the far wall, crumpling to the floor. Dazed, she tried to get up. Chad bull-rushed her, catching her in the stomach as she was getting up. He wrapped his arms around her struggling shoulders before sending three knee strikes into her ribs. She dropped to a knee in pain. Chan bent over her form and locked his arms around her body. Using the force of his chi, he leaped with the vampiress five feet in the air, slamming her down in a leaping suplex. A wet crunching was heard as she came down hard onto the stone floor, sending dust flying. Chad rolled on top of her, creating a sabre of energy, pointing it at her throat. The vampiress begged in French,"Please, spare me..."

 

Vanessa, who speak fluenet French, responded," We will if you answer a few simple questions we were going to ask before you so rudely attacked us."

Edited March 29, 2005 by YanYanGanaffi

[YanYanGanaffi]

6

 

 

Shawn Bailey screamed into the microphone before a crowd of 60,000. His bandmates played with a 'nu-metal' sound that followed in the tradition of Linkin Park and Godsmack. As he sung the lyrics in a slightly hollow sounding voice; which reminded some in the music industry of a young Ozzy Osbourne before his parting with Black Sabbath. He had come a long way from his home town of Jacksonville. It wasn't suprising, really. Music legends like Lynard Skynard and Limp Biscuit were from the same place. He remembered opening for Soul Asylum during their yearly stop at Club Five in the Five Points area of Jacksonville. After the concert, he got to meet Jason Kent, star linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had sensed a slightly unusual energy from the guy. Maybe he was faerie blooded?

 

Though he had the typical bad boy look, complete with over sized football jersey (he wore the jersey of the team closests to the city he was playing in), baggy cargo pants, and short spikey black hair lightly frosted blonde, Shawn was a very polite guy. He never dropped the 'f-bomb', didn't wreck hotel rooms, and didn't keep a horde of groupies around. The rest of the band shared his veiws of such things as being 'pointless, friviolous, and rather trite.' As they hit the chorus of their hit song 'Run and Gun', Shawn and his bandmates felt the swell of energy from the crowd reach a fevered pitch. He moved across the stage, focusing the energy from the fans into the music, increasing it's effects. Shawn and his band were bards, people who worked magic through music and song. The only one not able to leave his body yet was Dylan Cleval, who played lead guitar and backup vocals. Though a bard himself, he always had a little trouble leaving the physical realm.

 

Shawn left himself for a few moments, astrally projecting himself out into the audience. He felt the astral forms of his fellow band members soon leave themselves and fly amongst the crowd like ghosts. They had rehearsed the song set so much that they could do it in their sleep, like driving, they could simply go into 'auto pilot'. Evan Armstrong, the band's keyboard player, gave a mental shout to the rest of them. Shawn willed himself over to Evan. Evan's wraith-like form, the color of dull smoke and visible only the rest of the band, pointed a finger at a raggied 20 year old in a brown overcoat. He smelled slightly and had a dark-tinged aura. The man moved through the crowd, occasionally leaning over and taking to random people. In his hand was several small portions of LSD-soaked blotter paper. Nick Hunter, the drummer, narrowed his eyes and dove into the drug dealer's mind, possessing him. The body of the man went rigid for a second before loosening up once more. Turning around toward the exit, he stopped infront of a sherrif's deputy. With a lost look on his face, he reached into the inside pocket of his overcoat, taking out a two sheets of LSD paper. He handed them to the cops, who stood suprised for a moment before arresting the young man. After the cuffs were slapped on the drug dealer, Nick exited the man's body, joining the rest of the group.

 

Ted "Big Mac" MacDouglas smiled and shook his head. 'You didn't have to get the guy arrested,' Ted told Nick via thought projection.

 

'True, but it was a nice touch,' Nick replied.

 

'Do you guys sense any other among the crowd,' Shawn asked,' We found that drug dealer pretty fast.'

 

'I found that drug dealer pretty fast,' Evan corrected,' Credit where credit is due, remember?' That was the group's motto. It was more to convay responsibility for one's actions.

 

'Okay, Evan found the drug dealer,' Shawn corrected with a smile,' Anybody find anything else."

 

'Just some drunk guy feeling up his girl friend,' Ted reported. He was the lead guitarist.' She didn't seem to mind it, so I don't think we need to do anything about it.'

 

'I almost saw a fight break out,' Nick commented,' but bouncers broke it up before anything happened.'

 

'Good,' Shawn grinned,' the energy flow of the crowd seems very positive. I doubt we will have much trouble. Just keep minds open. We want everyone to leave here safe.'

 

'Roger that, Captain Comic Book,' Evan teased. Shawn was a bit idealistic. He had a deep sense of justice. As a kid, he wanted to be a police officer, but the music bug bit him while in high school. His family was one of the last unbroken Druidic bloodlines in the world. By the time he was 21, Shawn had achieved the rank of Bard; a feat that normally took twenty years of study. He had did it in seven. He had passed on his knowledge to his best friends against his family's wishes. As it turned out, all five of them were natural adepts to magic. Their band, Lunar 6, served as a cover for them to practice their magic in a way to help those around them. The band's high energy concerts seemed to leave those that attended in a peaceful state after the show for a reason. Shawn and his friends astrally removed those that would disrupt the flow of energy int he crowd, such as the dealers, psychos, and other rabble-rousers.

 

They were making their way back to the stage when Shawn picked up a strong pulse of energy, he turned just in time to be missed by a bolt of dark energy. It sailed past Evan and into a speaker on stage, blowing the speaker magnet, causing a loud 'pop'. Shawn caught the form of a wraith floating above a girl in black Goth attire. Her eyes had rolled into the back of her head as she stood there in a trance. 'That wraith must have been riding that girl the whole time,' Shawn thought to himself.

 

The shadowy form rose from off the shoulders of the girl. A pair of sinister dead-white eyes shown from within the undead's dark cowel. It pointed a thin ghostly finger at Shawn. Another bolt of dark energy streaked toward him. Ducking, he dodged out of it's path. Evan reared his arm back and swung it forward, creating a lash of energy that flailed at the undead like a whip. The lash of neon blue energy cracked across the creature's shoulder. It hissed with a hollow rasping.

 

Ted centered himself and drew from the crowd of cheering fans. This caused several to 'astrally blink', a condition that temperarily allows one to see into the astral plane. Gasps and looks of awe shown on their faces as they watched the battle unfold. Ted closed his eyes and willed the energy from him in a think beam that cut at the wraith. Though the beam only grazed it, the beast sent a ripple of dark energy at it's attacker. The force of the blast sent Ted cartwheeling backwards and to the ground. Ted looked around, seeing the room move. He was dazed, but alright.

 

Nick swam through the crowd under the wraith. Like a crocodile ambushing it's prey, Nick leaped out from the audience, grabbing the undead. The monster struggled against Nick's hold. The rest of the group charged at the undead. Leaping into the wraith, Shawn, Evan, Ted, and finally Nick began to force their energy into the undead form. This caused the wraith to shudder and move spastically as it was being torn from the inside out. Small fractures of light shot out here and there from the creature's form until it utterly shattered in a brittent display of light, leaving the four band members floating in the air where the wraith had been. Tiredly, they made their way back to their bodies in time to play the last song on their set.

Edited March 31, 2005 by YanYanGanaffi

[YanYanGanaffi]

7

 

 

Sanjay felt like his body was floating. behind his eyelids he could see the subdued glow of light and smelled the oder of freshly fallen rain. His face was slightly moist, as though he had been sleeping outside, letting the dew settling on him. He rubbed his eyes before opening them. When he did, he saw that he was in a large valley, filled with lush green plants. a trio of rainbow colored birds flew overhead high in the air.

 

He looked homself over, seeing that his clothes were in place, save for his watch. Calming his mind, he took in a deep breath. the last thing he remembered was the vortex inside the Burger King. If it was a vortex, then his spirit should have discorperated. When the Gods strike someone down, they don't merely kill the body, they destroy the spirit through dispersial. Obviously, he was alright, so to speak. He scanned his surroundings. The light from the sky was soft light that of the moon, with a slight bluish undertone. he reached out and touched a broad leaf on a bush near him. As his fingers caressed it, he saw the image ripple, the illusion waving slightly like ripples of water on the surface of a pond. 'What is this place,' Sanjay wondered.

 

"That is a good question," said a warm and welcoming voice. Sanjay turned around to see a man dressed in a fur tunic with a long flowing bread, cheerful eyes, and a pair of large antlers growing from his head. He held out a finger, allowing a butterfly to perch on it. The yellow and blue winged phantom fluttered it's wings in flight after it's brief rest. A smile creased the horned man's face as he watched the insect take flight. He then turned his dark brown eyes to Sanjay. "You are in the Vale between the worlds," he answered," I am Cernnunos, Keeper of the Vale and consort of the Goddess." Sanjay stood in awe before he realised that he was looking at the very face of God, or more correctly, a God. He went to kneel, but Cernnunos stopped him."No, no, none of that please," the God stated,"I am not that egotistical. There is a reason I called you here, Sanjay. As you will find out when you return to the coven, that the Dark times are finally upon you. You are to be one of the Seven Warriors that will rise up. You know the rest of the prophesy, so I won't waste time repeating it." He reached into his tunic and removed a large opal-like jewel about the size of a quarter, holding it in front of Sanjay. "Go on, take it," Cernnunos said," it won't bite." Sanjay took the glowing gem in his hand and looked at it. A bright irridecense shown from within, cascading in a spiral of colors varied and beautiful. "This jewel is one of the 'Jewels of Heaven' as the Chinese once called them. The Empireror of China had one at one time; it being given to him as a gift from the Goddess for his faithful service in keeping the knowledge of the Old Ways. This jewel is the Jewel of Calling. It will summon the rest of the Seven Warriors to you. Leslie has the Jewel of the Night, which will increase your powers ten-fold. As we speak, the Goddess is speaking to her. Hard times are ahead, my child; but be strong and brave, for by your faith will you previal. Now awaken, and return to the coven."

 

The last word echoed in Sanjay's mind as the paramedics placed him on the stretcher. His eyes shot open as he thrashed around like a man possessed. Once he saw where he was, and with the paramedics restraining him, he calmed down. He dwelled on what he had just learned all the way to the emergency room...