The Exiled Order
Ones Forgotten About
Chapter One: Death be Thine Enemy
Daxic - The Viper's PoisonIllustration
My name is Cida. I was born on a planet where humans and reptiles coexisted in harmony. So mush so that it was not at all uncommon to find a mixed breed. My father was half-human and half-reptile, and my mother was a pure breed human. Her parents were racist toward anything reptilian; a trait of the older generation. I am 1/4 reptilian, mostly serpentile. I live in a fairly large city called Nonsero, which is famous for having so many mixed breeds. One day, my father took me out to see a parade. On the way there, an outsider to the city stopped us. It was easy to tell he was an outsider because of his darker skin and lack of reptilian features. His dialect was even different as he said, “You scaled mother f*ckers are the dirge of this planet! I swear to the gods I’ll kill every one of you!” The outsider pulled out a weapon of which I’ve never seen. My father let out a threatening hiss before the outsider took his life from him like a cherry from its tree. People all around us screamed and attempted to escape. This sudden uproar broke the outsider’s attention away from me, and he turned to murder many more reptilian citizens before being killed by the authorities. After witnessing this, my body felt like thousands of bricks had been tied to each of my limbs. I fell to my knees, curled over, and cried like a newborn baby. At the age of twelve, in the city square, I had become a bastard child. No...I was made into a bastard child.
Days later, my father’s funeral was held. My mother was mortified. Each one of her tears was like an attack from that outsider’s awful weapon to my heart. I came to the realization of just how powerful Death is. The greatest people in the world could not escape it. But there has to be a way. If there is, I’m going to find it. And when I do, my wrath will be released upon those ignorant outsiders! I searched for two years in the local library, through every available book, for ways to extend my life. I finally came about a book called “The Book of Ophidia”, which had more than one formula to gain eternal youth. Each one required most immoral acts. Only one, however, was guaranteed to work: “The sacrifice of the birth giver.” In order to escape death, I would have to kill my mother and eat her heart. I loved my mother more than anyone in the world, but my fear of death- my absolute dread -took over. That night, I killed my mother in her sleep. My hands soaked in her blood, I found myself in shock that e was capable of such a crime. With the same knife I used to take her life, I attempted to carve open her chest, but my soul couldn’t handle it. I dropped the knife and passed out.
When I woke up, I was being confined in a straightjacket, in a prison cell. My eyes frantically scanned the room as I tried to figure out what’s going on. One of the sentries walked by my cell and gave me the foulest expression I’d ever seen, and I knew why. I sacrificed my mother for nothing. I wasn’t able to complete the ritual. It was no longer a sacrifice, but a cold blooded murder. I’m no better than the outsider that killed my father. The sentry opened my cell and told me to follow him. He lead me to a courtroom, where I was to sit and accept my punishment. The judge, a full reptilian, let out a slight hiss while giving my sentence. “Cida, you have been proven guilty of the gruesome death of Reena Solida. You are here by banished from Nonsero indefinitely, and to be given the Mark of the Viper.” My sorrow was now far beyond grief or hate. No word could describe my pain. What’s worse, I brought it upon myself. The court guards removed me from the building, and guided me out of the city. I was to take nothing with me but the blood stained clothes I wore that night. Before removing my straightjacket, a masked person tattooed a mark on my left cheek: the Mark of the Viper. It didn’t hurt as much as I expected. The person that gave me the tattoo said, upon finishing, “This is the Mark of the Viper. It’s given to only the worst of criminals. Everywhere you go, the people will know how evil and wicked you truly are.” He removed the constraining jacket from me, and I turned to face my new world.
By the time I was 21, I had covered almost ever foot outside the city, wandering. One day, I found myself over exhausted, and not a water source for miles. I then stumbled on the ruins of a temple, on I’ve never seen before. I went into the ruins in an attempt to escape the relentless sun. In the temple ruins, I saw a fountain of water. I desperately scrambled toward the fountain, but within inches away from it my will gave in. I fell out of consciousness. That night, I woke up and pulled myself to the fountain’s water. Nothing ever tasted so good. When I was finished, the fountain was nearly empty. I looked up at the night sky, and noticed it was unusually darker than normal. Normally, there was a tint of blue in the black sky. But now it’s just black. Not a single cloud in sight. From the ground, small black creatures began to emerge. There must have been thousands of them. They all swarmed toward Nonsero. An army invading my hometown...I can’t say I’d mourn for those killed. During the creatures’ charge, I caught the eye of one of them. It strayed from the group, and started to move toward me. As I shifted to a defensive maneuver, the creature sunk into the ground. It caught me completely off guard. Within seconds the creature jumped out of the ground, and shoved its claws into my chest. I could feel my life slipping. The creature then ripped out my heart. Death had found me. I fell to my knees and closed my eyes, as the cold hands of Death took me away.
For some reason, I awoke from my eternal slumber. I opened my eyes, and noticed I was floating in a pool of a green liquid. I frantically swam toward the surface, and grabbed anything I could to pull myself out. At the expense of a small passing by dinosaur, I freed myself. An array of new knowledge suddenly came rushing through my mind. I was in a pull of acid just now. Somehow it didn’t burn my skin. It’s because of my new ability to control acid. And that thing...that creature that attacked me...was called was called a heartless. It took my heart, and left nothing but a shell of my former self. I am a nobody, no longer Cida. My name is Daxic. Thanks to those heartless, I now have eternal youth, and that city that abandoned me is no more. There's only one thing left for me in this false existance. Power.
Chapter Two: A Hero’s Covenant
Ruxel - Life and Death's Apprentice Illustration
“Are there other worlds out there, dad?” “Of course there are, Rule.” “One day, I’m going to explore those worlds. I want to travel all over the place. I want to be a hero that everybody looks up to. The guy everyone comes to for help. Most of all...I want to fight the bad guys!” “Hahaha! I’m sure you will, son. I’m sure you will”
That’s the conversation my father and I held that wound up changing my life for good. Who am I? I’m Rule. I live in a place called Radiant Garden. It’s the greatest place in the universe for a kid like me to grow up in. That’s what mama said, anyway. There’s this guy, Ansem, that just gives me the creeps, though. He’s always locked up in the castle, with his subordinates, studying the natures of the heart. I always thought it was simple. Every heart is different, so there’s no point in trying to figure them all out.
It was on my 16th birthday that my fate was set. My parents tricked me into thinking they’d forgotten about my birthday, so I spent the entire day moping around the house. At 10:00 my dad came into my bedroom and sat down beside me. He had something poorly hidden behind his back. It looked like a pair of fishing rods. Was he planning on taking me fishing for my birthday? What a lame way to make up for forgetting the day I was born! “Son...”, he said. “I’ve been waiting all of your life to give you this. Your mother finally gave me permission to do so.” I looked at him with a plain look on my face. “You’re giving me a pair of fishing rods...” Father was taken back by this statement, before bursting out into laughter. “No, not at all! Hahaha!” He put the objects wrapped in cloth on his lap, and slowly began to peel away the material that was hiding its identity. I simply watched in silent anticipation. “Rule, my son. These are for you.” From the cloth, he pulled out a pair of swords. The blade was similar to that of a claymore, yet the hilt resembled that of a katana. Even stranger, it almost seemed to emit an .... aura of some sort. Maybe I was just so exited about the weapons, that they just looked magical to me. Either way, I energetically snatched the swords from my father, a huge smile on my face. I started to run outside to test out the blade, before my father stopped. “Just one moment. Those swords are no toys, Rule.” “Well, duh, dad. Only an idiot would think they were.” “That’s not what I mean. Those swords are family heirlooms that have the power to give life back to the deceased.” Against my will, my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. “What?!” “If the blade of either of those swords come in contact with the heart of one who has died, he or she will return among the living. But this incredible power comes with a cost. Each time you use these magical weapons, you life becomes shortened. I warn you, do not use these swords’ power unless absolutely necessary. Do you understand, Rule?” I was staring at my birthday present, in awe. “Y...yes, sir.” “Good.”
Soon after that, Radiant Garden came under attack. Some unholy experiments must have been taking place in that castle, because thousands of pitch black creatures swarmed out of that place like bats out of Hell. They swarmed through the cities and towns within the blink of an eye. This was my chance to live out my dream! I would defend Radiant Garden, and all the people who live within it! You see, I’d been training myself in the different arts of the blade, and was considered the single best warrior on this world. Even so, I was easily bested. No matter how many times I destroyed one of these creatures, they would reform and continue to attack. Within minutes these vile beings killed everyone around me. Or, rather...they took their hearts. They ripped them out, and crushed them in the palms of their hands. I saw Hiroshi. We must have been the only ones left. Do I go to him? I mean, I'm better off in numbers. Or save the spot that I defended, where you could no longer see the city’s floor it was so black. It was all covered by this...as I like to call black essence which these "heartless" emitted. I fought valiantly, destroying each and everyone of those baleful abominations. But it was a near fruitless attempt as I made my escape. I ran, for that is all i really could do. I could barely stand on my own two feet I was so exhausted.
My home was in ruins. There was nothing left for me to do. Only thing I could do is look. Look for whoever did this to my home, my father. I would find whoever did this and kill them for they ruined my life. I promised myself that I would kill to find the answer. Promising myself was the only hope.
Chapter Three: The Child of Revenge and Betrayal
My name is Cody. Most can find me wandering the deserts of Neon Paradise with my brother, Samuel. Neon Paradise is definitely one of the oddest names for this planet, considering there’s only one city in this sand trap. My brother and I were exiled from that bright city when we were younger. Officially, it was because we disobeyed the orders of an elder. That’s not true though. Because conditions here are so harsh, the media likes to “exaggerate” the news. The real reason was because I murdered someone. The punk was constantly picking on me. So, my brother and I payed him back...with interest. Samuel didn’t know I was going to kill the poor sap, and neither did I. I’ll admit it. I lost my temper. I just kept hitting him, with neither remorse nor joy. Knowing how much trouble we’d be in, we ran.
We wound up living in an area called the Blessed Dunes. Neither of us really know why it’s called that. A cult must have worshiped here years ago. We now spend our days either searching for food, or training our skills with a sword. “You wanna take a break?”, Samuel asked while thrusting his wooden sword into the sand. “You’re kidding.”, I responded, and rose my tattered wooden sword. Mine was much older, and was probably ready to break any second. “Fine.”, Samuel smirked. Less than a second after, he attacked me, aiming for me head from the right. It was easily blocked, though. With raw talent backing him up, Samuel flipped his blade under his hand, and onto the other side of mine. With a quick slash, he hit my neck. Were that a real blade, he’d have killed me. That was nothing new, to be honest. He wins every match between the two of us. I secretly despised him for that, never showing it. I seemed to be very good at hiding my emotions.
Exactly one year later, while I was searching for food, I found a rotting corpse barely sticking out of a dune. Its face was mangled beyond the point of recognition. I couldn’t even tell if it was man or woman. If I were curious enough, I could have investigated more into the issue, but I felt more comfortable with just assuming it male. On the disfigured human’s back was a claymore. Days earlier, Samuel had found a short sword for himself, so its no wonder that I wanted this claymore. I quickly snatched it up, and hid it in a place where Samuel wouldn’t find it. I practiced with it day after day, behind Samuel’s back. Within each week, I’d become even closer to finally defeating my brother. Nearly fifteen months later, while I was training with my powerful blade, I was attacked by Samuel from behind. He gave no reason for doing, and he gave no relent. There I lied, beaten and bloodied, as Samuel rested the tip of his blade against my neck. He had a look in his eyes that screamed superiority. All my training had been proved useless that day. At that, he sheathed his sword, and walked away. The bastard had left me for dead.
Refusing to die by his hands, I managed to lift to my feet. Fueled by nothing but hatred for Samuel, I stumbled through the desert toward the city, leaving a dry blood trail behind me. As darkness consumed my already cold heart, I could almost feel it disappear. It was then, through the blur that the heat created, I saw my brother also walking toward the city. A pitch black aura surrounded me as my feet began to move faster and faster. Somehow sensing my pure bloodlust, Samuel turned to see me. “Cody! How did you-?!” Within a blink of an eye, I find myself face to face with my unenviable brother. My sword was sticking through his stomach, and blood was running from his mouth. Without a word, I ripped the blade out of his body, and watched him fall to the floor. It was at that moment that I realized that I no longer had a heart beat. Had I somehow lost my heart? Suddenly, the black aura that emitted from my being consumed me. I saw nothing but darkness.
I then woke up, my hair a lighter color, but face almost the same. I really did loose my heart to the darkness, and I really did kill my brother. A mix of knowledge rushed into my head, as I realized I had a heartless counterpart that was most likely destroying that one city in Neo Paradise. Just like with that boy so many years ago, there was no regret. There was no delight. For this nobody, there was no emotion. My name, from this day forth, is Xodyc.
Chapter Four: One Who Should Not be
I don’t remember. Where was I? Who am I? The first thing I recall is awaking in what seemed like a laboratory. I was floating in a cold liquid within a glass chamber. As I sterilely scanned the area, I saw a man in a black coat. His hair was dirty blonde, with two long strips falling down his face. He was regularly checking, I think, my vitals. The thing, he didn’t seem human, had a crooked smile the entire time. When I forced myself to lift a finger, he gasped in shock. Calling for a “Xenmas”, he ran out of the room. My head began to ache, the tubes and wires protruding from my body were beginning to burn. My rage soon took form, and I couldn’t stand to be in this cage any longer. I heard footsteps coming toward the room I was being held in. The scientist and the man who must have been Xenmas entered. “Ah, so this one was a success, Vexen?” “Yes, sir.” He glanced over toward a monitor, a look of terror formed on his face. “X-Xenmas! He’s got so much power, and his level of rage is...” “Perfect.”, interrupted the potent being. The anger within grew and grew. They were talking about me as if I were some sort of animal! The room commenced to rumble, the liquid I dwelled in started to boil. “This isn’t good!”, Vexen shakily murmured, “He must be stopped, his power must not be allowed to grow anymore! He’s a threat to us and himself!” Before I knew it, I strike of lighting hit my tank, and I was gone.
Seconds later, I found myself running through the woods, trying to determine where I was. The only problem was that I didn’t know where anything was. Dazed and confused, I collapsed from exhaustion. I heard a woman scream, then everything went black. When I woke up, I was in a bed, clothed, and could faintly here the voice of a woman. It was the same voice from before. She was singing her song beautifully enough to make even the most elegant bird jealous. I had never spoken before, so I struggled to get my first words out. “Wh-wh-where am I?” From the area she stood, she replied. “You’re in my bedroom. I couldn’t just watch a man pass out and leave him there, now can I?” I suppose her logic made sense. Suddenly, she popped her head in from around the corner. “So what brings you to this quaint little place?” I couldn’t bring myself to give an answer. Her face was unlike any I’ve ever seen. Granted, I’ve only seen two before hers, but she was definitely special. I could do nothing, but look away in shame. Why was someone so perfect taking time out of her life to help me? She didn’t even know me. She giggled at my reaction to seeing her, and tried to comfort me. “My name is Yoko, by the way.” I looked at her and replied with, “I don’t really have a name. I don’t know anything about my past. I was just...made.”
I spent 7 months with this woman, and we grew to love each other. She became my life. Everything I did was just for her. Rage, hate, anger. Those became a foreign words to me. It wasn’t long, though, that this happiness was plucked away from me. I was roaming through the streets of the city, miles away from Yoko’s home. She had asked me to go out and get supplies for “something special.” From a portal of darkness, a cloaked man emerged. “It’s time to come back, Jinx.”, he said. “We’ve been looking all over for you. But now you can finally go home, and meet your family.” This man had the same voice as that “Xenmas” person. “Not thanks. I’ve got a home.” So, my name is Jinx, then. Without warning, Xenmas summoned a pair of blades that emitted a red light. “You’re just a failed, ruined shell of the truth, Jinx. You haven’t the right of any home other than ours.” I had no idea what he was talking about, but I knew it to be true. “Come with me,” he continued, “ and I will show you how to summon the key to all hearts. The keyblade.”
Driven purely by instinct, I stretched out my hand. In a bright array of light, it appeared in my hand. It was a strange weapon, the likes of which few have ever seen. Just like the name implies, it was a sword in the shape of a key. “You mean...this?” Through the shade that covered his face, I could almost see a frown on Xenmas’ face. I tried to attack him, but my efforts were in vein. He easily beat me. I didn’t even stand a chance. I was lying on the ground, covered in cuts and bruises. Xenmas was just picking me off the floor to take me back, until she came onto the scene. She felt I was out for too long, and became worried for me. If it wasn’t for her, my life as a tool would be all I knew. It was also because of her my pain was given birth. In a selfless act of saving me, she had sacrificed her body to protect me. Seeing her lifeless body before me, I was overcome with fury. My brows burrowed, and my teeth cringed as a surge of energy shot through me. A black lighting bolt streaked through the sky, and into my body. My wounds were all healed, and I stood to my feet. In my free hand, a second keyblade took form. This one, however, was much more evil than its counterpart. With a powerful downward slash from both keyblades, a great lightning bolt fired out from the tips straight toward Xenmas. It hit him dead center, giving him no time to react, and launched him back into the portal from which he came. The portal closed soon after.
With little to no energy left, my keyblades disappeared as I slumped over, barely able to stand. I dropped to my knees, and held Yoko closer to me as I felt her life slowly fade away. I could feel my own consciousness slip away, so my time with her was extremely limited. I clenched her and whispered to her, “I won’t let you go...”. She smiled, and breathed her last breath. At that, my blood ran cold, and I passed out. This woman had taught this heartless being to love, only to loose her own life. For that I will be forever grateful, and forever mourn.
Chapter Five: Painting of Hearts Aweary
“Boy have I got a job for you, Wolin!” I wish I’d never heard those words that day. Here, in Radiant Garden, I’m known as “The Muses’ Sage”. Many consider me the greatest artist to walk this world. Ansem was considered the greatest and wisest mind to walk this world. So you can see why he thought it fitting that I paint a portrait of himself and his lab assistants. This was to be my best paying job yet, and I was reasonably exited. I’ve seen Ansem before, and know what to expect from him. His assistants, on the other hand, I’ve never even heard their names. On my way there, I saw a young boy in his back yard. He was vigilantly training with a pair of swords that seemed much to big for him. I thought to myself, “That’s what the world lacks now-a-days: tenacity.”
I had finally arrived at the castle. After walking in, I was lazily greeted by the lab assistant that went by the name “Ienzo.” Still, he had a wide smile on his face. I suppose he just had a lazy nature about him. He led me to Ansem’s study, where the great mind was scribbling something down in a journal. He glanced up, and gave a reaction that suggested he had no idea I was even in the room until now. “Thank you, Ienzo.”, he said. “You may leave us now.” The child like man quietly left the room, as I focused my attention on the mastermind in front of me. It was amazing. His presence alone made you feel inferior to his genius. Without warning, he began to speak. “I’ve a request for you, sir. Lately, my lab assistants have been acting strange. I fear, maybe, the stress of their research is taking it’s toll on them. So, I believe that taking some time off, and having portraits made of them would be just the thing to calm their minds. I’m willing to pay you how ever much you desire. Considering your artistic prowess, nothing you say can be unreasonable in my eyes.” I really didn’t know what to say. He gave such an honest and straight forward request. He practically just told me to overpay him. For some reason, though, I just couldn’t. “Alright then.”, I responded, “Who’s first?” Ansem closed his journal, as he repositioned himself in his chair. “His name is Xehanort. He’s my newest assistant, and due to his amnesia has been having the worst time of all. He has such a bright young mind. I’d hate to see him loose it to insanity.” So, Ansem wanted me to paint a crazy person. Great. I should’ve known there was a catch to this.
Before I could give a proper response, Ansem called his apprentice in. Xehanort walked in, wearing a white lab coat, and a depressed expression on his face. The differences in appearance between Xehanort and Ansem were astonishing. Unlike Ansem, who had a very rough and wrinkled face, Xehanort’s face was beautiful. Not a single flaw on it. He was like a walking masterpiece. “Please, follow me.”, he said. Not knowing what else to do, I followed him. As I was leaving the area, I glanced back only to see Ansem continue his writing. Xehanort led me to a bright room, with a crimson velvet carpet, an easel and paint set prepared, and a pair of stools. What with the velvet carpet and all, I was exceptionally nervous about getting in trouble for making a mess. Xehanort then comforted me by telling me, “Don’t worry about dirtying anything up. Master Ansem expects no less.”, as he sat on his stool. Giving it no more thought, I sat at my stool, and started on my work of art. This Xehanort didn’t seem nearly as unstable as Ansem made him out to be. He was actually rather calm and cooperative. He never said a word, until I was about half way finished with the pencil outline. He asked, “Is it true that artists tend to suffer from a dark heart?” Because I was busy, I didn’t think to much about the question, and answered with “Usually.” I wasn’t really one of those cases, but I’d heard of some sick and twisted artists out there.
After finishing the painting, I lowered my arms in both fatigue and satisfaction. Xehanort rose from the stool he was sitting in, and started to walk out of the door. Just before leaving, he turned to me, and pulled something out of his pocket. “I’m sorry for informing you on this subject on such late notice,” he said. A crooked smile slowly took shape on his face. “but we’re going to have to drop you.” Before I could respond, the ground beneath me had disappeared. I looked up to see Xehanort pressing down on the button of the object he pulled out of his coat. I feeling of lightheadedness swept over me, as I fell into a dark abyss. Before I knew it, I my head made contact with some hard object, and I blacked out. I came to just long enough to see a large machine pointed at me. It’s ominous aura pouring out about the area. There was a sharp pain in my head, my eyes grew heavy, and I passed out yet again. When I awoke, everything was different. I could no longer feel my heart beat. I couldn’t feel any emotions, at that. I was being held in some sort of cell. It was then that I noticed what had happened. Everything around me was in ruin. Something horrible had happened to Radiant Garden, and I was unconscious through the whole ordeal. A being resembling Xehanort walked up to my cage, and said one thing before walking away. “Welcome to your new life, Xowlin.”
Chapter Six: The Child of Science
DrBanxon - The Wizard Illustration
My name is Brandon. My father is the apprentice to a famous scientist, named Ansem. Most people would find it surprising that Xehanort had a son. That’s only because I spend all my time in my room, reading my books. I, sadly, never met my mother. Father says that she died in child birth, but I know the real reason she died. It’s because she was murdered...by my father. Over the years, I’ve realized that my father and I are practically complete opposites. Father is a man of science, while I have a great interest in the magical arts. Father enjoys the darkness and destruction, and I abhor anything to do with violence. Luckily, he spends all of his time in the lab preforming experiments to study the heart, so we rarely ever have to interact. Personally, I find the mind much more interesting than the heart.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that father came home with that odd expression on his face. His skin was much darker than before, his eyes a different hue, and a much more sorrowful look about him. He took two steps toward me, and I took two steps back. I could feel a dark energy resonating from him. He stopped, and looked at me with surprise. “What’s wrong, Brandon?” I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Actually, I couldn’t even bring myself to move. After a few seconds of silence, father’s eyelids drooped, and snatched my wrist. “Come with me,” he said, “I have something to show you that I think you’ll like.” With my body unable call upon its own strength, he dragged me along without resistance. While he swept me along, he told me a fact I was never aware of. “My son. You are special. One like no other. Do you know why?” He looked down to me, as I nervously shook my head. “You, Brandon, where born in Kingdom Hearts. The world where all hearts are born.” I had no clue what father was talking about. Hearts are born outside of where the body is born? So, what if one’s body was born where the heart was born? A look of dazed shock struck my face, and father smiled wide. “Exactly,” he said, “no human’s heart is as powerful as yours. I know you’ve never taken much work, but seeing as you are my first experiment in my study of the heart, it would be in your best interest to start caring.” Everything was happening so fast, I didn’t know what to do. I was nothing more than an experiment? Is that why he killed my mother? Because she was nothing more than incubator for his studies?! I was so angry, so filled with rage. I just wanted to destroy my father, or rather, my creator. Even still, with all this passion within me, I couldn’t offer resistance to his grasp. “I’m curious,” he confessed, “for one with such a powerful heart, how divine will your heartless be?”
It was mid-afternoon by the time we arrived at father’s lab. I was slung onto an iron table upon entrance. Before I could attempt to get up, shackles of a negative energy formed around my wrists and ankles. I looked around most frantically, and couldn’t help but noticed a various array of black creatures with heart-like symbols embedded on their bodies. They were each held in odd cages that were most likely built specifically for them. One cage held a motionless man, who resembled the famous artist-Wolin. My eyes finally drew their gaze back at father, who was looking back at me in an emotionless daze. A great machine was now taking refuge in front of me, its barrel pointing directly at my chest. A black aura began to emit from it, as my father granted me these final words: “Don’t worry, my son. After today, you will be known as DrBanxon. Any who don’t know that name will soon tremble to the might that lies behind it.” At that, a blinding darkness shot forth from the machine, and I was no more. Those last words of my father rang through my mind as all other memories faded away. I now wander a foreign world, a different being with no past.
Chapter Seven: Life and Death
“Raise the blade a little higher, Oem. Where you have it now, I could wack you in the face whenever I felt like it.” “Teranes, I’m just no good with a sword!” He threw the wooden blade down with vexation, and stormed off further into the forest. My brother’s always been a little hot headed. I, on the other hand, am I bit more stable. My name is Teranes, I’m almost 9 years old, and Zanahorion is where my family lives. It’s a predominantly agricultural and religious planet, with most of its citizens being either farmers or hunters. Normally, my younger brother and I spend our days training to one day join the military corps near by our village. Right now, though, I find myself chasing after Oem. If he gets hurt or in trouble, it’s my head on the chopping block. Dad’s one of the best hunters out there, and possible the worst temper to boot.
I spent around five minutes chasing after Oem, who was trying everything he could to get me off his trail. It was then that we stumbled upon something most unbelievable. Both my brother and I stopped in our tracks at the very sight of it. Before us stood three goddesses. At first, I was in doubt. That was until the third goddess spoke. She had the most gorgeous and enigmatic voice, as she said to us “Your arrival, Teranes and Oem, is most fortunate.” She sat down on the grassy floor as the other two fell lifelessly to their knees. The seated goddess stopped their fall by catching each of their chins with her index finger. “These two goddesses were the former embodiments of ‘That Which Grants Life’, and ‘The Dual Homes Of the Lifeless.’ You two were destined to replace these poor goddesses. Without them, existence as we know I would fall into eternal turmoil. Seeing how unexpected and overwhelming this news must be for you, I’ve decided to grant you ten years reprieve before officially starting your duties. That is the longest this world can last without you fulfilling your obligations. Good day to you both.” At that, all three goddesses shifted into the form of a blinding light. The one on the right shot into Oem, whilst the left into me. The center one, that spoke to us, simply disappeared. I can’t remember anything else that happened between then and waking up in my bedroom.
“Come to think of it, this bed is unfamiliar”, I thought. I arose only to discover that this was, in fact, the home base of the military corps. Oem was lying in a bed next to mine. When I looked around the room, I noticed all sorts of shields, swords, and the likes hung upon the wall. As I rose from the bed, and attempted to leave the room, a guard standing outside the door stopped me. He told me that one their scouts had overheard the message given to us from the goddess. Needless to say, they had every intention of putting us to full use during our “down time”. The next morning, we were to put our new ability to test. “Until then,” he said, “just go back to sleep.” Then he knocked me out. The next day, I was awoken for training. They placed a katana in my hands, and a pair of katars in Oem’s. According to the platoon leader, we were to spar with one another until we discovered our new god-like abilities. The didn’t even bother to give us armor, because we were “endowed.” Seeing as we were just as curious as the soldiers observing us, we fought willingly. Besides, it’s not like it’d be too different from any normal day for the two of us.
At the start of the match, I thrashed the blade at Oem without relent. I’d expected my brother to dodge my attacks, but to my surprise, he just stood there and took it. Either he didn’t expect me to charge the way I did, or his mind had gone completely blank for that split second. Because, after I inflicted the wound, Oem threw down his katars and grasped the bloody wound. He looked at me with anguish in his eyes, and bore his teeth angrily. Suddenly, the blood seeping from his person shot out at me like a lance. Stiff as steel, a crimson blade was extending from Oem’s wound and hovering inches from my face. Everyone, including Oem, was frozen in shock. I stumbled back, and fell trying to get away. Oem, on the other hand, took great interest in this anomaly. He drew the blood closer, and examined it with his eyes. Then he began to experiment with it, shaping it into various forms, controlling it outside of his body, even giving the illusion that it was a sentient being. With his age still in the single didgets, Oem had become the most renowned warrior on the entire planet.
Two years after that event, I still hadn’t discovered what I was capable of. All I could do was train myself in melee combat skills. Then, one day, Oem snapped. I never did find out how or why, but my younger brother had gone insane. Part of me thinks it was due to his attempts to overcompensate for expectations of his peers. I heard from First Lieutenant, Bion that Oem was in our home village killing anyone and everyone. I rushed to our village, hoping with all my being that Bion’s information was mislead. When I arrived there, however, I was forced to face the grim truth. Bodies littered our village as if a massive execution took place. Mother and father were the first that I noticed. That moment was the first time in my life I’ve ever experienced that emotion called “rage.” I walked through the homes in search for my traitorous brother, when a corpse was thrown out of a window in front of me. An exultant Oem shortly followed after. He looked over at me, and began to clang his katars against one another, his smile getting bigger. I asked him, “Why would you do this, Oem?” Though he gave no answer. He simply charged at me, and swung is blade. I barely managed to dodge, and draw my katana. “Why would you kill our parents, Oem?!” He continued his attack. “Answer me!” Suddenly, a black aura surrounded my left hand, and a white aura on my right. The power of both Heaven and Hell were now within my grasp, and Oem’s smile nowhere to be found. A katana corresponding to each alignment also took form within my hands. With my mind filled with nothing other than revenge, I swung my blades like a mad man. Oem didn’t even bother to dodge a single blow. He took them each by stride, letting the blood mount up. After I ended my assault, he smirked, and gave life to the blood scattered throughout the area. His blood, and the blood of his victims. Before I knew it, there were countless crimson minions surrounding me. With my left arm, I delivered a powerful punch to Oem’s chest, to launch him meters away and grasp for the air I’d knocked out of him. Next were the minions, whom would simply reform each time I destroyed them. Concentrating my angelic and demonic auras, I mounted a powerful wave to break apart all standing follower. My hate for my brother seemed to grow, and grow. I could no longer feel my heart beat, or my lung’s breath. I felt as though I were already dead.
I turned to Oem with intent to kill, as did he. We charged at each other, preparing to pour our life’s energy into this one blow. I swung my katana, and he his katars. Just before impact, there was a blindingly dark light that shew between us. Before I knew it, everything was gone. Oem, and the village had disappeared. My heart had disappeared, as well. Because of my incredible loathing for my brother, I became a heartless and left behind this shell. By becoming a nobody I am no longer eligible to become a god. Especially after letting my emotions control me the way I did. Through my new identity, I will rectify both mine and Oem’s crimes. I am Rextanse, “The Omni-Present Specter.”
Chapter Eight: A Beautiful Letdown
I don’t know what I might have done in a past life to be born in this world, but it must have been horrible things. I was born a blind orphan into a very rotten community. My name is Jiha, and nobody in this entire world cares about me other than my brother Ricti. He singlehandedly takes care of us both. Despite the fact that the only education we’ve received was how to live on our own, Ricti’s very intelligent. He’s always defended me in any situation, and is constantly trying to make me happy. He’s my one joy in this life, and the only reason I keep hope alive that my life will change for the better. I don’t know what I’d do without him.
My story starts when Ricti comes to me with a fur coat. It was too large for me and I couldn’t see how pretty it was, but just touching it told me how wondrous it was. I found myself stroking it for long periods of time, lost in dreams of rapture. Longing for a better life. One day, however, the coat’s original owner noticed me as she traveled the streets. I had no idea Ricti had stolen it. And he intended to keep it that way, because he didn’t want me to think any less of him. As the original owner came over to confront me, she was intercepted by Ricti. He’d lied to her, telling her that I was very sick, and that she’d contract the disease just by coming near me. With a snarl of disgust, the woman stormed off. Ricti sat down beside me. “Why did you lie to that woman?”, I asked. He smiled and responded with, “Because she wanted that coat of yours. Some people just aren’t satisfied with what they have, you know?” I frowned, and lowered my head. He was lying again. “I may be blind, Ricti, but I’m not stupid. Those weren’t the footsteps of someone who had intent to steal. Did you steal this coat from that woman?” “No. Well, yeah...I did.” He frantically began explaining himself. “But I only did it because you seemed so depressed, lately. If you want, I can take the coat back to her.” I smiled softly. “That would be best.”
I followed Ricti back to the house of which he stole the fur coat, and timidly knocked on the door. There was no answer. Towering behind me, Ricti knocked demandingly. There was still no answer. Refusing to let me down, he shifted over to look through the window. The lights and television were on, but there was no one to be seen. At least, that was the case, until Ricti glanced at the ground in front of him. There lay the woman whom he stole the coat from. Standing over her was a pitch black creature with yellow glowing eyes, holding her heart. The woman’s gaze was centered on Ricti as the life faded away from her eyes. The creature crushed the heart with ease, as it stood fully erect. It was about the height of a grown man, and sported two long, zig zagged antenna atop it’s head. It’s attention repositioned to Ricti, as hundreds of other black creatures arose from the ground. Ricti grabbed my hand, and we immediately ran away. The black creatures continued to form all around us, taking the hearts of other citizens. I was completely oblivious as to what was going on, other than the victims’ screams just before they were silenced by the black creatures. I asked my brother what was happening, but he told me to just keep running. Which I did, until he suddenly stopped. We were now completely surrounded. I could hear Ricti’s heart beat faster and faster as the creatures inched closer and closer. That is, until I heard a piercing “shing.” Ricti muttered to himself “A key?”, just before fending off the creatures that attacked us. He even managed to defend me, helpless as I was. The onslaught lasted for nearly half an hour, and Ricti fought off every creature that came my way. Then one slipped under its guard, the numbers far too overwhelming for him to guard me against them all.
In one swift motion, my heart was gone. I could hear Ricti’s cries of anguish as my life slipped away. I awoke as a nobody in a foreign world. I felt the emptiness where my heart used to be, and clenched it. The rotten life story I possessed had come to a close. Only Jixah remained.
Chapter 9: Slave No More
The crack of the whip shot throughout the deserted farmland. A second crack followed shortly after. I fell to the ground, crying, hands stained with blood. “Get back to work, Zain!” demanded Agatha, my aunt. “I’m too tired, aunt Aggie. I’m only eight years old!” The whip tore into my back once again. My cries went without aid. Five more lashes came down before the hag spoke again. “Are you ready to work now, sweaty?”, she asked in a mockingly sweat manner. I nodded my head slowly, tears streaming down my red cheeks. “I want this corn harvested by 7 o’clock. That gives you four hours, so get to work.” Once again, I nodded my head. “Yes ma’am.” She walked into the house, feeling most dignified.
For eight years, this was how I lived my life. I would wake up at 4 a.m., and clean the house. A small task, since I do it every day, there’s little to clean. I was to have the house spotless and breakfast prepared by 8 o’clock. I was given the solemn privilege of sitting down and eating with my aunt everyday. Directly following breakfast, the dishes were to be cleaned. By 9 o’clock, I had to go out to the fields and work until aunt Aggie was satisfied, which was usually around 7 o’clock. Around 2 p.m., I had to prepare lunch. I, however, did not get to eat. I was to return to the field until dinnertime. I had to wash up, and have dinner ready by 8 o’clock. I’m allowed to eat with aunt Aggie at this time, as well. Again, I would clean the dishes after the meal. For the rest of night, she made me go to the woods about a quarter of a mile north and collect firewood . I wasn’t allowed to stockpile, so it was a nightly duty. I would eventually get to bed around 1 a.m. Three hours later, the process would repeat.
During the day, I would occasionally slack off, and find a place where I would be hidden from my aunt’s view. The only enjoyment that I received was from looking at the clouds. I dreamed of being free, like they were. I wanted to be able to drift away from my troubled life. Looking at the clouds often brought me to tears, because of the thoughts that I drew from them. I knew that I would never be able to attain freedom as long as my aunt was in charge. Oh how I wished I could get away from that witch of an aunt. Oh how I wished that I could be free from this hell.
Eight years later, that dream was no longer fantasy. It was my sixteenth year as this woman’s chore boy. Everything was going as it always has. I was in the process of serving aunt Aggie her lunch when, suddenly, I froze. “What the hell’s wrong with you, boy? Give me my food!” There was nothing wrong with me. I had just had a life changing realization. After all those years of working in the fields and carrying wood every single day for hours on end, I had become the panicle of physical fitness. While this woman had only grown older and fatter, I had grown stronger. I had no reason to take this woman’s oppression any more. It used to be out of fear of the whip, but.... “No.” “What did you just, say?”, she asked, bewildered. I slowly turned my head, and looked her in the eyes. “I said ‘no.’” She reached for her whip, which always rested at her side. I dropped the plate on the ground. Before I knew what was happening, I found my hands wrapped around her fat, sweaty neck. I felt all the hatred I bore towards this woman build up faster and faster, and my grip grew tighter. Her face began to turn red, as she frantically tried to pull me off. But I couldn’t let go. I didn’t want to let go. My thumbs dug deep into the center of her throat, and she began to gag. At the same time, I could feel a darkness take me over. But I didn’t care. I was reveling in the thrill of breaking free from my shackles. Just as aunt Aggie’s arms dropped, and her breathing stopped, my heart stopped as well. I was consumed by the darkness, and fell into a black abyss.
Following a blinding light, I awoke anew. I was a free being. A non-existent being, but non-existent life is better than a life of slavery. No longer the shackled rock, Zain, I am the free floating cloud, Zixan.
Chapter 10: Reverberations of Infuriation
Zaverxi - The Raging Dissonance
A balled up piece of paper struck my head, and I looked up from where I was boredly staring at the table in front of me. “Zavier, there will be no sleeping in my class.” The teacher lecturing about physics scolded. I scowled and returned my attention to staring at the woodgrains of the wooden desk through a sheet of my black hair, pretending not to hear her and hiding my eyes. Five minutes later, the bell rang, and I slunk out of the classroom before everyone else. Chattering about stupid things to each other, making sure THEY are the ones heard. I hate them all. Completely useless. Talking their lives away.
My name is Zavier. I live in Ascolta Terremoti, which is famous for earthquakes. Stupid thing to be famous for, if you think about it. Sooner or later those same earthquakes will destroy the world, as we know it. Idiots. No need to glorify them.
Megan was waiting for me when I left the class, and she sighs. “Don’t you ever pay attention, Zavi? You might learn something.” “Unlikely. Who cares anything about sound waves anyway? It’s not like they can be used for anything other than drilling.” I replied with contempt, and walked off. Megan started coughing, but once again I pretended not to hear. What’s the point? Nothing I can do.
As I walked down the corridor, people kept their distance. Long ago I made it clear that I didn’t want to have anything to do with any of them. People have tried making friends with me, first silly brainless girls who thought I looked ‘attractive’ or something stupid like that. Shallow fools, probably only care about how a person looks. Then, the smart kids, hoping I was being antisocial because I was secretly a genius because I never paid attention in class. I’m not, I just don’t care. Finally, the groups of ‘emo’ kids. They probably guessed how I really am, and I might’ve possibly attempted to make friends with them, but they’re a bunch of idiots too. Whining about life just because it doesn’t go their way and claiming they hate the world when they really just hate the fact that they’re completely useless. I hate them all. Shallow, vapid, only interested in being with people for other people to see, like ‘friends’ are just a status symbol. Only Megan really cares about me, and she’s my cousin.
Walking home as usual, I unlocked the door and slipped inside, going immediately upstairs to my room. There was a small dog in a cage up there, who had a broken leg. I was caring for it to fool my mom into thinking I was normal, because it’s often the case that people such as me who ‘hate the world’ often have a secret side, doing ‘good deeds’ in private. I let her think that so she leaves me alone. I fed the dog, made sure it had water and a clean cage, but ignored it when it whined hopefully and licked at my hand. What do you want, affection? I asked it silently. None from me. Instead, I walked over to the nearby bookcase and selected a book that my mother didn’t know about, opening it to a blank page. There, I wrote my story. A world with only me in it. Lonely? No. Peaceful. I only went downstairs for dinner, and it wasn’t anything like the family sits at the table and eats together. My parents did, but likely only to appear ‘normal’ as well. All a front for other people to see. I put food on a plate and took it upstairs.
The next morning started the same thing. Woke up, walked to school. People give it fancy names, like ‘college’ or ‘the university’. As if it was anything other than a place they were forced to go in order to do anything meaningful in their lives. It’s school. Required education for the sheep, otherwise you fail in your future life and become prey for the wolves. Some become prey regardless. Useless.
I didn’t see Megan when I got to school. I waited a few minutes, but went to my class when she didn’t appear. Five hours and several classes later, I still hadn’t seen her. Walking back, I decided to visit her house. No one was home. I went to my house and my mother stopped me. “Megan died last night.” She tells me tearfully. I nodded and went upstairs to my room.
When I got upstairs, I opened the dog’s cage and tipped it out the window. What’s the point? I hated that dog. I didn’t care if it broke another leg. I heard a sickly thump and a high-pitched yelp. What did I care? The last thing in the world that made it worth it disappeared. I hate the world. Hate. HATE. I hated it. It. Everyone. I repeated this in my mind and the world gradually turned gray. And then black. I didn’t care what was happening. I couldn’t see anything. Wait. Yellow eyes. I reached out. A clawed hand took mine. I saw a silhouette. Black against black, but different black. Light-eating black and darkness. Saw nothing. Nothing.
When I woke up, I wasn’t in my room. It was outside, dark, and raining. I assumed I’d like such a place, but I felt…indifferent. Sitting up, I caught sight of long blue-green hair, tipped in black. Surprise? No. Nothing. Acceptance? Not even. Fact. My hair. Who was I? Hmm.
Footsteps came loud to my ears. Black shapes appeared around me. Cloaked people in black. One, the one walking towards me. Short. A woman. Blonde. Hair pulled back except two bangs. Antennae, it looked like.
“What’s your name?” she demands. I don’t answer. She leans forward. “What. Is. Your. Name.” She says slowly, as if I was hard of hearing.
“Zavier.” I reply sullenly.
“You don’t deserve that name anymore. No…your name will be Zaverxi. Xed out of the picture.” She laughs mirthlessly. I growl and lunge at her. Needles appear out of nowhere, slash my face, and I fall back in pain. I can feel that. “There, you get a red star for effort.” She tells me mockingly. Gritting my teeth, I form fists with my hands. Right away, gauntlets appear, tipped with red claws. I stare at them briefly, then leap for her face again, slashing with them. She jumps out of range, but still gets knocked down by the wave of sound emitted, growling like an animal. “No good, we can’t use him! He’s….angry! Impossible!” Larxene shouts, and they all disappear into dark holes in the air right as I attack them again. I snarl at their escape, especially hers. The others are nameless, formless, insignificant. She is the one I saw.
Letting the gauntlets fade from my hands, I walk over and sit in the shadow of a building, a shadow within a shadow. Bringing my hand up to my face, the blood smears on my fingers and I pull my hand away, grinding the blood between my fingertips, smearing it, and my eyes narrow. Bright blue eyes, with catlike pupils, though I wouldn’t know that until later.
Having lost my right to a name, the spilled blood on my face forms a pact: I am Zaverxi, the Raging Dissonance. And I will hunt down Larxene and kill her. Then I can die completely.