The Sun was setting over the tall Norashe Mountains, when Robyn was falling asleep on her brown stallion, when Abraham galloped next to her and poked her on the ribs with the butt of his sword. She felt as if she was going [...]]]> Note: This is the first chapter of Robyn’s P.O.V. First draft.  Enjoy. 

The Sun was setting over the tall Norashe Mountains, when Robyn was falling asleep on her brown stallion, when Abraham galloped next to her and poked her on the ribs with the butt of his sword. She felt as if she was going to fall of her horse and quickly grabbed the reins of the horse, and felt her blood rushing from her head to her toes in a burst of adrenaline. “Why did you do that?” Robyn asked trying to keep her anger down, and her big sleepy blue eyes open.

Robert galloped next to her and helped Robyn to steady herself. “Are you alright?” Robert asked and shot an angry look towards Abraham.

Robyn held her horse reins with her right hand, and with her left cursed hand brushes off the hair from her face and smiled. “Yes, I will get him next time.” Robyn said with a sinister smile forming on her thin red lips.  Her young and genius mind was already forming ways to make Abraham suffer. When he least expects it.

“You better watch out Abraham. Witches do not make idle treats. I would sleep with one eye open.” Robert said smiling and his long dark brown hair moved with wind that was picking up.

Abraham turned his horse around and began to make it dance from side to side and laughed. “I see that you got yourself a strong ‘Protector’ Robyn.  No other than the prodigy of the Royal Army, but nevertheless I am not a small fly. “Abraham said imitating Robert’s straight posture.  Then, he took out his sword and pointed it towards Robyn. “I might look young but I have killed a few witches already, they are really not that hard to kill.” Abraham said and within drew his sword once again and turned his horse around.

Everyone went quiet. It was not secret that most of the Royal Army hated witches not just because what they practiced, but because witches were known to be strong allies of the enemy and a series of myths surrounded them.  Of course, it was now illegal for the Royal Army to hunt witches down since Queen Blanca made it illegal. But, no one believes the Queen that it was for the sake of peace. Many suspect that the Queen herself is a secret witch, and the Royal Army is powerless to do anything about it.  But that does not stop the old families like those of Abraham from finding loopholes and killing witches at will. Robyn is grateful that it is illegal to kill witches, but she still goes around carefully and the danger ever present. Just like Abraham reminded her.

Robyn sighed. She was tired. Two days of riding nonstop, and she was hungry. The sun was out of sight; just the orange strokes of light illuminated the cloudless sky.

Robert stopped his horse and licked his finger then lifted it to the air, then put his horse into a run. The others followed, and then he stopped after a few minutes into a glove of pine trees. It made for a nice barrier against the gusting wind. “Here, we can set up camp for the night it is a bit off the road and it will shelter us from the cold wind. Abraham and I will go and get some wood to get a fire going.” Robert said and galloped towards the trees and Abraham followed at once.

Robyn got off her horse and was glad to finally stretch her stiffed legs. She was left just with Elias that was more of squire than a full knight.  Robyn always preferred the silence of Elias. He was quiet and almost never made any comments.

Elias got off his horse and at once began to unpack everything that was needed to cook. Robyn began to set up the camp.  Her mind drifted to the events of a few nights ago when Sebastian was born. The intense fight with the powerful witch that left her with a cursed left hand and that it does not stop bleeding and that at times bring tears to her eyes because of intense pain. She tried to push those images away as she began to put up her tent.  She still did not have the hang of it. Elias knelt next to her and quickly put up her tent with a few quick movements of his thin agile hands. Robyn was impressed how quickly he moved them, and he was just a 13 year old squire.

“Thanks Elias, I guess I will now help you to get the meat ready for cooking.” Robyn said and stood up. She felt her left cursed hand throbbing and she pressed tight on it with her right hand saying an incantation top stop the pain. Elias looked concerned. Robyn smiled and said, “It is alright, it will pass” and walked off. She needed to clear her head for the magic to work better.

After a few minutes of walking, Robyn’s mind became cleared. She looked up and the full moon was already rising. The sky was full of shining stars. She liked the clear skies of Norashe.  Her home country was always cloudy and stormy. Terra Magica, the Land of Magic, not that magic as the name suggested she thought. It might have been beautiful once before the big war.  She is awoken from her day dreaming by the shaking of Elias weak hands.  She turned around and saw the pale face of Elias. “What happened?” Robyn asked concerned.

“They are in trouble.”  Elias said and pointed towards the sea of pine trees.

Robyn’s heart began to beat fast. She took her staff from the side of her grassing stallion and Elias followed with his training shield and sword.  She did not bother to ask Elias how he knew, but she thought all in the Royal Army shared some kind of special connection.  She held to her staff with her good right hand as tight as possible and walked carefully towards where Elias had said they went.  Elias followed at her heels. She could almost hear the fast beating heart of Elias. Obviously, the kid was excited she thought and perhaps it was Elias first real battle.

They walked under the light of the moon and the stars into the thickness of the pine forest. The aroma began to make Robyn a little dizzy. Her allergies were slowly making its way into her nose and it began to run. She tried to control herself.  It was no use trying to use magic to keep the allergies at bay, but she tried with all her will to stop her running nose.  She needed all the magic she had for what was to come, she thought.

Elias stopped suddenly on the middle of a circle of trees.  Robyn also stopped and looked around. She felt as if someone was looking at them. She put her stuff in the defensive position and tried to listen to the slightest movement.  She felt Elias heavy breathing against her neck.  Robyn was getting ready to shot whatever was watching them, when she heard a voice. “Drop your staff at once witch!”  And Robyn immediately shot a lighting spell towards that direction.

At once many wolf like creatures jumped from the trees landing next to Robyn and Elias, their bright yellow eyes shining the full moon.   Elias pushed Robyn aside so quickly that she almost fell and he lifted his shield and sword and in Elias said a few Angelical words and the sword and the shield turned afire.  The creatures stepped back and Robyn was awed by what she was seeing. Wolves walking in two legs and some of them talked. She heard legends about them, but they were usually on other lands far away from Norashe.

“Don’t be foolish boy. You are outnumbered.” The voice from before said.

Elias did not lower his shield or sword.

The owner of the voice stepped forward, a tall creature with light gray fur and fierce looking fangs that stuck out at each corner of its mouth. It looked fiercer than the rest of the creatures that were around. Perhaps for its closeness to Elias’ fired sword and shield.  “I said to put your sword and shield down boy.” The creature said once again.

“Do you want us to kill him boss?” one of the creatures with black fur asked.

“No need. I can handle it myself.”  The boss said and walked around Elias and Robyn, scanning them from head to toe. Robyn felt as if the creature eyes were undressing her.   Robyn tightened her lips and her heart was beating faster and faster. She was looking for a route of scape.

“There is no way to run. We know every corner of this forest, and besides if I was to kill you I would have done already. The instant you missed the shot.” The boss smiled and pointed to Robyn’s staff.

Robyn lowered her staff and then asked. “Alright, what do you want from us?”

“She asks what we want from them.” The Boss laughed and laughed, then tried to catch his breath. “We don’t need any help from you, insolent Witch.”

Robyn was confused as to what she did wrong. She waited in silence to see what else the creature had to say.

“Let’s start all over again, shall we?” The Boss said and bowed his head. “We are the Luna Clan,” he said and pointed to the rest of the creatures around him. “And I am Marcos Luna.” He said and bowed his head once again.

Robyn bowed her head as well, and decided that Marcos was being honest at least for now and decided to return the courtesy. “Well met Clan Luna and Mr. Marcos Luna. I am Robyn Sinful ofTerra Magica, and this here is Elias Blackwood of Norashe.” Robyn said in the usual polite way.

Elias lowered his sword and shield. The flames disappeared at once. “I am guessing you are looking for your fellow companions.” Marcos said pointing west.

“Yes, Elias felt that something was wrong and we came at once.” Robyn admitted.

“Well, your friend there was right. They were taken by Clan Rivers. A fierce one, I smelled their nasty scent from a mile away, but when we arrived it was too late.” Marcos said looking at the ground.

Robyn looked concerned and asked, “Do you think they were harmed?”

“I don’t know probably just a little but the River Clan must have been carefully. Since you know, capturing knights of the Royal Army is always such rewarding business.” Marcos answers.

Robyn does not know of such things happening and she imagined that such things did not happen in their homeland. “How can two of the strongest Knights be taken so easily?” Robyn asked.

“Well, they might be strong but it is a difficult fight to fight on a land that is unknown to you and they probably had an overwhelming numbers. Such clans usually drag with them the worst of the worst.” Marcos said with resentment.

Robyn tried to remain calm and think what she and Elias were going to do.  They could have just gone with their original plan and continue all the way to the nearest outpost and ask for help, but then it would be too late.  She needed Marcos help, and she had sensed the bitterness of Marcos voice when he mentioned the Rivers Clan.  “Is there anything we can do for them?” Robyn asked.

“You can go and try to storm their hideout but you will probably be killed on sight. They have no need for a witch, and an apprentice.” Marcos said and began to walk towards the direction he had said earlier. Robyn and Elias followed.  “But, there is an alternative.” Marcos said.

Robyn felt as if a cold buckle of water was being drop on her. What could be the alternative, she was uncertain. But, she needed to hide her concern and said, “I am open to any ideas, you know the forest better than us.”

Marcos continued to walk deeper into the forest in silence.  The pine trees began to disappear as they climbed a small hill. Robyn did not leave her guard down. Perhaps she was too trusting of Marcos, but she was no fool. Elias seemed to be in the same mood. They finally arrived to the top of the small hill, it was an easy climb but the lack of food and the tense situation made Robyn stomach protest.

Marcos laughed. “You both must be hungry. We got some food back in camp it is mostly raw. We never cook our food, but you maybe could cook it. Anyway, look over there,” Marcos said and pointed to a long and wide river that was flowing wildly under the moon light. “That river comes from the mountains over there. There have been many rains lately, and it is hard to cross even under normal circumstances. “Marcos said and with his finger traced in the general path the river took.

Robyn felt her heart sinking in that river current.  Even if she had known Abraham and Robert for a few days, she was already used to them. Abraham with his constant pranks and Robert with his serious face trying to act grown up.

Marcos continued walking along the clearing. The moon shinning on his gray fur, made it almost look like silver. “But, there is a low bridge just beyond that curve do you see it?” Marcos asked pointed down the river. There was a faintly visible wood bridge just hanging from the edge.

Robyn’s hopes went up. “So, we can cross it?”

“Yes, but under this full moon we will be an easy target. They got bows and are probably guarding the bridge.” Marcos said and smiled.

Robyn wondered what that smile meant. She was concerned.

“There is another way,” Marcos said and paused.” But it is dangerous and I am not sure if you can survive it.”

“Well I have been known to survive against such bad odds. Lead the way.” Robyn said trying to regain her confidence.

“You are going to get a little dirty.” Marco said and at once began to fast walking downhill.

Robyn and Elias followed close, but Marcos long legs allowed him to walk twice the distance. The rest of the Luna Clan followed to the sides shooting glances at Robyn’s staff.  Maybe they were also worried for their leader safety. After a few minutes they were near the shore of the river. Robyn saw the wild river passing by, she could almost feel the muddy ground shaking as more and more water passed.  She looked around for way to cross it, but there was none.

Marcos turned north up the river and said, “Esmeralda and Ralph,” the both names he called a pair of brown furred creatures appeared at once in front of him. “You two go ahead and scout the old tunnels.” Marcos said, and Ralph showed his sharp teeth in the direction of Robyn. He was not pleased, but at once followed Marcos orders and Esmeralda followed him running on with their hands and feet. They disappeared into the night.

Robyn wondered what those tunnels were. She was going to find out soon for sure. She followed Marcos and Elias seemed nervous as well.  After a few more minutes of walking almost knee deep on the muddy shore of the river, they arrived to a cave entrance covered tree branches that were all over the place probably Esmeralda and Ralph had removed them just a moment ago.  Marcos stops at the mouth of the cave.

“Lady from this point forward there is no going back.” Marcos said with a serious face.  But, there was more to it, Robyn thought.

“I understand.” Robyn said sounding conformed.

“No!” Marco shouted and her echo carried inside the cave.

Robyn suddenly felt very afraid, and she held tight to her staff. Maybe this was the moment that Marcos was going to attack well away from the main road and near a hidden cave that probably not many knew.

“Do not be afraid. I am sorry if I scared you.” Marco apologized bowing his head and smiling. “What I meant to say is that you need to understand that once we go through the tunnels there is no way to return, and the possibility of dying is high. There are many hidden dangers in there, we almost never use them. They go back for hundreds of years.” Marcos said and walked in.

Robyn and Elias walked in nervously and alerted.

Marcos continued, “You will have to follow me very close it easy to get lost in there. Also there are hidden traps. Our ancestors built them we worked with the vampires; to smuggle people and goods.” Marcos said and sighed.

It was a dark cave it was hard to see anything at all. Robyn, wondered if it was alright to light her staff. It would provide some light for her and Elias to see. But she was concerned because the creatures did not seem to look that happy about magic… especially just after she almost shot their leader.  “I can’t see anything.” Robyn said.

“That is right I forgot you can’t see that well in the dark.” Marcos said.

“I guess there are no torches around.” Robyn asked.

“No, and if there were they are long gone with humidity and long time without use.”  Marcos said and continued walking.

Robyn tried to feel the slippery ground she was walking on. It was as if she was blind. Then, she decided to ask Marcos if she could use her magic, “Can I light my staff?”

“Sure, but don’t shoot me with that staff again.” Marcos said joking.

Robyn shot a spell on her stuff with her left cursed hand and she felt the warm fire coming out of her fingertips.  The tip of the staff was a fire at once; it did not burn all the way down just the top.  The cave came alive with the light. The cave was taller than it looked form the entrance and along the walls there were long roots hanging down and some buried statues.  Almost at the end of the cave there were some descending steps. Marcos walked that way and the group followed him.

——To Be Continued—

Copyright Joaquine.com 2011

Morpheus:

Chapter 1: The Sticky [...]]]> Note: Morpheus will be a serialized short stories. It will be for fun, and I am sure you too will have fun with Morpheus… what would it be like for an old Greek god living in a modern day teenage be like? Find it out.

Morpheus:

Chapter 1: The Sticky Situation

Looking through someone’s eyes has been Morpheus ability since he was born, or it could be better said that the eyes of the sleepers or dreamers, during their most intense dreams.  Just like the god from Greek mythology. Morpheus is just a tired fifteen year old boy; average looking, and average student.  His long light brown hair is his only saving quality at least he thinks. It helps to hide his face from the girls in class. For the typical teenager reasons, and because his sleepless nights from so many years have made his face look older than it was.  He sighs and looks out of the window.

It early December and outside is already freezing cold. He sees the bare trees and the fog coming in from the distance. His mind drifts to last night’s adventure, or better said nightmare. San Francisco is a big city and it is easy to land in someone’s nightmares without even trying.   He hated living in such people packed city, hell he just hated living close to much people in general.

Anyway, during his nightmare adventure he was in a world full of mirrors.  Under his feet he looked at the horror the mirrors reflected; or at least it was horror to the person he was controlling.  There were many laughing women pointing at him, with their white teeth and showing and their breasts moving back and forward.   He was wearing no pants and his boxers were stained.  He tried to cover himself up, but as he continued to walk more and more women appeared on the mirrors.  Urine ran down his weak legs and he began to shake. He needed to find an exit.

The mirrors began to spin on the walls and the laughs began to turn demonic.  As it was typical such dreams always had a satanic feeling to it. The faces of the women began to melt away changing into skinless faces that continued to laugh.  Now they were cursing the weak man walking in the hallway of mirrors.  The place began to shake, Morpheus took complete control and pushed the weak man away into a corner of its mind and began to run towards an exit.  With the mind of the man he imagined an axe and it magically appeared on his hands, and he began to lift it and crash every mirror that was closing on him.  Pieces of mirrors fell to the ground with and the laughing demons continued to laugh on the shattered mirrors.

Morpheus began to see the exit not far from he was. It was the typical exit, with a door emitting an intense white light. He took a deep breath and quickly moved the weak man legs to the door. Before he reached it, he was grabbed by one of the laughing demons that were crawling out of the mirror.  He swung his axe, but the demon had did not come lose, instead it continued to drag the weak man towards the mirror.  Morpheus realized then that it was more than a nightmare, it was a vivid dream.  He pushed himself out of the man’s dreaming mind and tried to connect himself with the man’s real mind. It was a more exhausting task, but he had to try it.

The first few seconds he tried to connect to the main mind, all he saw was whiteness.  He knew that a hard fight was coming up, and as he was expecting. The mind defenses began activating, the whiteness turned into a battlefield. He was been attacked from every angle and he did his best to avoid making contact with any of the defenses. He could easily kill them, but it was risky. He would damage a critical part of the brain by hitting the wrong nerve. After a few seconds of avoiding the defenses he came up to the part that controlled the man dreams and state of awareness.  It was the one responsible for causing such vivid dreams.  The defenses here were harder to avoid, but as long as he did not trigger them he would be fine.  Morpheus concentrated his own mind to make a connection with the man’s mind, and such a weak man easily accepted the connection.   Most of the mind defenses he noticed were in complete chaos not only because of his intrusion but also for the vivid dream.  He calmed them down slowly by ordering them into a state ready to be awake.

He needed to open the man’s eyes. But doing it too quickly would be shocking. He tried to search for the cause of the vivid dream on the man’s body. It was usually caused by some bad position the hands were in, or some external force that was forcing his body to panic.  He felt that something was holding the man’s feet. He felt them trapped.   He tried to move the man’s feet slowly from wherever they were stuck in.  But they do not seem to respond and he tried another technique. This time he stopped the man’s breathing for a few seconds intervals and the man’s snoring became unnatural causing him to cough then he slowly began to wake up.

Morpheus saw with the man eyes under the darkness of the room and saw that his covers were to the side and that the man felt the coldness of the room instantly.  The man looked down and noticed that his pajama was down to his knees and Morpheus at once understood why the vivid dream was happening.  And he began to laugh, probably he had fallen a sleeping masturbating or something. He left the man’s mind at once and returned to his darkroom.

He smiles and his classmate asks, “What is so funny Morpheus?”

“Nothing, I just remembered something funny.” Morpheus says, and packs his books.

The bell rings, and the class is dismissed.

Copyright Joaquine.com 2011

Heart Shadows

by: Joaquine G.

                Lucy was her name at least that was what she was called in that dirty Brothel between Bryant and 21st in San Francisco.  She came from Fresno, [...]]]> Note: It is intended for mature audiences. Rated “R” first draft. Leave your comments and feedback,  thanks.

Heart Shadows

by: Joaquine G.

                Lucy was her name at least that was what she was called in that dirty Brothel between Bryant and 21^{st i}n San Francisco.  She came from Fresno, California five years ago during the infernal summer of ’03. Other than that, not many people know what her previous live was like. Of course, I know since it is my job to know stuff about people. I know she graduated from a Visalia High School as an honor student in the spring of ’01. She came from a rich family, owners of many farms and restaurants.

But, as in every family there is always a black sheep. And Lucy, or rather Esther Pausini that is her real name, is the black sheep of the Pausini family. After her father died in the summer of ’01, her world went down the tubes. She began doing drugs and began hanging out with the wrong people.  This I was told by my contact, that I should talk more about later on.   She was kicked out of her house during that winter, and all her bank accounts were closed as well.  This only led to more drug abuse and to life on the streets doing petty crimes to get her fix, and to prostitute for shelter or sometimes just a simple pill of ecstasy.

A few months later, her boyfriend from High School saw her outside of a Downtown Club, and when he told her that if she needed help he was there for her.  She accepted, and this boyfriend took her to his apartment. He asked her what she had been doing after they graduated. She hesitated and was embarrassed to tell him of how the months had been after her father died.  But, at the end she told her everything. The dude felt heartbroken listening to her story. He told her that she was welcome to stay with him and his family as long as she needed to.

For a few days, she seemed to be doing fine, and he thought she was on her way to recovery.  But, on the fifth day after midnight she left the house, but not before killing the dude little brother when she was discovered stealing money from the kitchen jar of money.  Police looked for her all over the place and there was no clue where she had gone. The dude was enraged and heartbroken at the same time, he asked himself how it she could have done it, she that was such a sweet and loving girl. The girl with he fell in love with in the 10^th grade… tall, bright green eyes, and an inviting smile that always made his heart melt.  Now was the killer of his little bro’ that one that always cheered him during his soccer matches, and the one that always was telling him how much he wanted to be like his big bro.

He looked everywhere for her, from the Downtown Club he saw last to their old hiding places where they used to make love during high school.  After a few months of fruitless search, he returned to retake a few of the classes he had failed, and in the spring of ’03 he got a tip that one of his old classmates had seen Lucy around an abandoned building with a group of addicts.  He considered calling the police when he got the news, but then decided that he needed first to see her and ask her a few questions. He left the dorms as night was falling and drove to the empty building, he saw a few junkies coming out of empty buildings and he parked his car in front of the building where his old classmate told him that Lucy was at.  At around eleven she came out of the building, with skirt too short revealing her thinning legs and he had to look hard to recognize her face.   When he did, he was surprised how much she had changed. Her air of innocence was gone now completely, and now she was part of the rest of the junkies.

He stepped out of his car, and followed her close until she was by herself. She turned to the corner and went inside the store, and came out with a brown bag. Probably booze and he walked faster and when she reached to her, the penetrating aroma almost made him vomit. But, he controlled his breathing; he needed to be strong for what was to come. He called her name, and at first she didn’t turn around, then he tapped her shoulder. She turned around with a sharp dagger and struck it in an instant in his stomach, blood began to flow and he struggled to speak.  And she seemed to recognize who she had stabbed and quickly dropped the dagger, and her little brown bag. She got in her knees and tried to stop the blood with her hand, but it continued to flow. A fast growing crowd of people passing by and junkies began to form around her. She quickly picked up her dagger, and fled the scene.

I watched her pushing people that were on the sidewalk, and then disappear into the night. I stepped out of my car and pushed the people around the bleeding dude to aside, and when I put my hand on his wound it turned dark red instantly.  With my left hand I closed his wound, and with my right I put my hand on his head. He was hot as coal, and I began to read his mind and heart. It was full of despair, sadness, love and revenge.  I whispered if he wished to make a contract with me, and promised him that I would do whatever he wished for.  He nodded that he agreed and I sealed the contract by draining his soul from his body.  For that is the price of my contract. I left his soulless body on the sidewalk, and then the ambulance came, as always late. I drove away.

It took a few months to locate Lucy outside Wal-Mart in Portersville. It was in the middle of summer of ’03. She was now walking with confidence with two young girls, probably junkies too around the parking lot. With their small tops and shorts to combat the infernal heat.  I watched them from my car, and I was hungry. Souls of junkies do not fill me that much up, but Lucy was another case. She once was a role model in a sort of way, and everyone that she has betrayed just made her look like a smoking ham in two legs.  I needed to get her before her soul got darker, with two kills under her belt it was going to taste a little bitter, but I like spicy souls once in a while.  Lucy and her girls were now street dealers from the look of it, a few cars approached them and they handed them something from the small pockets of their tight shorts and they got something back in return, probably folded dollar bills.

I observed them for a few minutes, and then I began to get dizzy with the heat and the hunger and I got sleepy. I drifted off and when I opened my eyes at the distance I heard sirens coming from many directions. Lucy and her girls quickly ran off from the Wal-Mart parking lot, and my blood began to boil with frustration. I started the car. Stepped on the gas pedal, and felt my intense hunger returning and every nerve in my body turning into adrenaline.  Sweat ran from my forehead, and then in a stupid move I crashed a cop car with my old car. The cop car made a 180 degree flip on the asphalt, and in less than a minute the whole city cops were ordering me to put my hands up and to step out of the car. I did I was bid, I could have done more. But, I was outside my territory and the Mayor of this region liked to keep things quiet, the less we used our powers the better.  An old and foolish way of doing things, but it kept most of his men and women under control, and I was just a guest.  I was booked in jail for a few days, and then I was released. Obviously, the Mayor had paid for it to be arranged but I never heard from him.  I got a new car, and after I fed from a few junkies and stupid drunk teens. I went to look for Lucy again.

I was pissed. It was now not just about fulfilling a contract, it was personal.  I began to contact my most trusted contacts to keep an eye for her, and I continued to look everywhere in the Central Valley. Then, I was sidetracked by other business for a few years.  In the early spring of ’08 I got a call from one of my contacts in San Francisco, and he told he had seen a girl matching the description of Lucy. At once I drove to San Francisco, and began to look where my contact had told me he had last seen her.  The first night I did not have that much luck. As it is usual sometimes whores have different schedules and go to different brothels.  After a few raining nights, I saw her stepping out of a Yellow Cab; I didn’t need to see her face to recognize her.  She now looked a little bit chubby, and she was wearing a little red dress that was too tight for her body. The man at the door greeted her with a smile as he opened the door for her.

I waited a few minutes, and then got off the car. It was still pouring rain. I grabbed my bag  and I had to run inside the Brothel at Bryant and 21^st. The place greeted me with a few familiar aromas of urine, cheap perfume, and old wood.  The man at the desk asked me if I was staying for a night.  I said that yes, and I paid the eighty bucks, and he told me that it did not include the extra service. I smiled, and he handed me a key. It was room 172. I opened the door, and was greeted once again with aromas of vomit and who knows what. The bed seemed to be clean, but I knew better.  I walked around the room inspecting it for any hidden cameras, or peepholes.  It was just a stupid precaution, since I could just use my powers and make blind spots anywhere I wanted.   After a few minutes a knock came to my door.  I checked that my bag was on the little table and my heart began to beat faster at the smell of the person behind that wooden door. It was Lucy, it was really her. After all this time, my mouth began to water. Then I composed myself.

“Come in. It is open.” I said.

Lucy opened the door and stepped in. She still retained that pretty face under the heavy junkie eyes, and pale skin. “Did you order extra service, Madam?”

“Yes, you are beautiful.” I said, with a big smile and trying to keep my watering mouth shut.

“Thanks, and you look beautiful too.  You look nervous, take a sit over that bed and I will make you relax.” Lucy said closing the door behind her.

I sat on the probably bed bug infected bed, and Lucy kneeled on the bed behind me, and helped me to take my black wet coat from my shoulders, and her finders began to work on my tensed shoulders.

“Relax.” She said and the aroma of alcohol emitted from her mouth.

I began to get turned on in a weird way, it was not sexual desire. It was the anticipation of devouring her soul in every way possible. It might sound strange, but the feeling of finding such special soul is better than any sexual feeling I had felt. Sure, it was already darkened outside by the years of prostitution, drugs, and killings. But it still had that creamy center, that just made my mouth water, and the feeling was intensified by the soul of the dude that she killed inside me.

“If it is your first time with a woman I will guide you, it is almost the same as with a man. Just relax, and we will both enjoy ourselves.”  Lucy said and began to kiss my neck and caress my breast. My body responded; it shivered and gave in little by little. But, I quickly regained control of it.  I could not slack once again, and lose her once again. I whispered a few words in Latin.

“What is that… some foreplay?” Lucy asked.

But in an instant Lucy body dropped like a heavy stone in my shoulders.  I pushed her into the bed, and got up. Went to my bag, and opened it. Revealing my instruments as I call them, and my felt like flying with all the excitement I was feeling.  I turned on the lights and I put on my favorite pair of gloves.  Even if I have done the ritual thousands of times, I still feel at times excited as if it was the first time I was doing it.  I had come prepared; with sharp knives and plenty of little toys to bring the juices out of the delicious soul.

I tied Lucy hands and feet to each side of the post. I needed to work quickly.  I set my timer next to the bed, counting backwards from 30 minutes.  It was plenty of time.  I placed my noise cancelling device in the middle of the room, and monitoring systems in the four corners of the room to keep an eye out.  After I placed my surgeon apron I told Lucy, “It will just take a bit. Relax.” Then I placed a heart monitoring device on her finger. I am not big fan of technology but this little device has made the work easier over the years, still I have my old ways to know when I have gone far enough.  Of course, killing the subject might seem like far enough, but is not. It is actually damaging the precious soul too much.

“Now, before we begin. I want to tell you why you are in this situation.” I said and tears began rolling down Lucy cheeks. I cleaned them up with my tongue.

“Don’t cry, I haven’t started yet…”  I said and caressed the sweaty colored hair from Lucy face.

She tried to scream, but no words came out. Yes, a simple spell is that powerful.  I smiled and said, “Don’t struggle, and listen to what I have to tell you.” I paused, and put an anti-shocking ball with a strap on her mouth. It looked kinky I thought.  I didn’t want the tongue to get spoiled. “I don’t need to hear your words. I can read your mind. Yes, I know you are wondering who I am. Well, that would take long time to explain, and that I don’t have. But, what I can tell you is that I contracted to ‘save you.’ Who do you ask? Well I don’t know if you remember your sweetheart from High School. Yes, the one you stabbed and killed his little brother.” I said and with my large sharp knife pointed to her belly where she stabbed him.  More tears rolled down her cheeks.

“What are those tears for, regret, satisfaction, or something else? I know what those are. But, it is too late to ask for forgiveness. You know that I have been chasing you for around 7 years. Almost no one escapes me for too long, but your soul is precious. You must have been protected heavily, and yet you must have rejected everything that was sent your way, that I was able to find you. Took sometime but I did, and that is all that matters.” I said with a smile on my face.  Then, she went pale.

When I touched her forehead once again to read her mind, she was hot and images of the many people that tried to help her along the way were being replayed. She turned everyone down, including some Angels that tried to reach to her, no one can force an unwilling soul it is even difficult for Angels. My mouth watered and I salivated a bit, like a dog I thought.  With my knife I began to cut her red dress carefully to not cut her, not yet.  She was had the mark of many injections all over her body, probably from every day drugging, and a few burns.   I began to wonder how some men would desire a body marked like that, but I guessed that it was not that bad as other junkies I had eaten before.  Her large breasts were begging to get a little saggy, and they were covered with small bite marks, probably done by some of her clients.

“I sorta feel sorry for you. You had beautiful body, a beautiful soul, and probably a successful life ahead of you. But, I understand what the dead of a parent can bring into one’s life. Just look at me, I had a very disturbing and poor family but the loss of my mother was still hard on me. But, we do what we gotta do in order to survive. Now, I do not have it too bad. When you eating souls you learn more and more about the world, and it prolongs your life for another 10 years. You cost me almost more than half a soul. Your soul shall last me at least 50 or more years, but I don’t know it is too covered in darkness. I might even get sick, but it will be worth it.”  I said, and took a small vibrator from my bag, then parted Lucy legs revealing her badly shaved pussy.

I caressed it back and forth a little to relax it, then inserted the egg shaped vibrator, and she got wet as the vibrator worked its magic. Her body reacted quickly; maybe she was also into kinky stuff.  I smiled and pushed the vibrator further in. She came as I was taking out of my bag another of my little toys, “Dirty girl.” I said teasing. Then, took another pair of vibrators from my bag they hook to nipples easily. These are just some of my toys I picked from Japan, I thought it would be good to go back there and pick some more stuff as I hooked the vibrator’s to Lucy’s nipples.

I caressed her face as it was in full orgasm and felt her face muscles move back and forth and her mind trying to fight the feeling. “It feels nice, doesn’t it? Even our bodies betray us in such moments. Just like you did to that little kid when you were craving for meth or cocaine got too strong that you were blinded by it, and then once again outside that store when you killed Him. I watched your killer eyes from my car, I could have prevented it. But, there is nothing more delicious than watching a great soul being in such state.” I said and made a small cut just below her breast and drops of blood began running down her body.  She had another orgasm, and the never ending stream of tears continued to flow.

I was beginning to have an orgasm of my own with all the small drops of blood flowing over Lucy body. I succumbed a little and licked the drops of soul dropping out of her body.  20 minutes were left according to the countdown clock.  I cleaned my mind. It would do not good to drain her out blood, and soul. I wanted it mostly whole. I wanted to hold it in my hands and devour it slowly.  I took a needle and a substance out of my magic bag and showed it to Lucy. “You must be familiar with something like this; of course my stuff does not make you high, it just intensifies your orgasms and makes you see flying unicorns around the bed. You did have such dreams once, did you not? Anyways, I thought it would be appropriate to give you the best ‘high’ there is in life… fitting for a junkie like you.” I said and injected on her arm and her over abused vein jumped up, like a trained dog.

Her eyes went white at once, and a smile appeared on her face. “Yes enjoy it… it will be your last.” I said and with a smaller knife began to carefully cut off her face, in a few minutes it was ready to be separated.  But, she continued to smile like she was living a dream.  I untied the leather strap around her mouth and made the last two cuts, then in a skillful move lifted her face… once beautiful now with the marks of drug addiction and bad skin care.    She did not feel any pain; I made sure the drug was strong enough.  I was fascinated how the muscles under her face still looked too young unlike her face, and I smiled too be able to look at a person that “naked.”

Sometimes I like to collect faces, but hers was not that beautiful with all the damage she had done. But, perhaps something else would worth while keeping, perhaps the creamy center of her soul. I smiled just thinking about it. “I will probably sell this face to some fetish collector. It might worth some; after all it goes together with an interesting story.” I said, and Lucy didn’t seem to hear what I said.

It would be useless to try and harvest anything if her face was in such bad condition; the rest of her body was probably in worst condition. I proceeded to the heart in a matter of speaking, but I just laughed to myself because it was after all the heart that was go next. I took off the hooks of the vibrators on her still hard nipples and put them in my bag, and flipped her nipples just for fun with my fingers.  15 minutes to go, I thought mentally and then I saw that clock and I was right. I had to move faster, all the foreplay just delayed my schedule.

I took out a sharper knife out of my bag and began cutting between her sore breasts.  At times like this I always wish for more hands to work faster.  My heart beats as each long cut was done slowly revealing the muscles under the skin of her chest.  I looked at the clock again and I had 8 minutes to go. In a hurry a take another neat device from my magic bag, and set it on top of her chest. I pressed a button and it sprung into life. The touch screen lit up, and I put my password with my bloody gloves and it begins to tear apart muscle and bones with laser precision, after all it is a laser.  I was hoping to do it by hand like old times, but time was of importance.  Sweat ran down from my forehead.  The aroma of the incased soul near her heart made my mouth water once again. I took out the silver soul container out of my special bag as the laser continued to do its work.  I noticed that the drug was starting to lose effect as Lucy tears ran along her faceless face.

I felt as if my heart was stopping for a moment. Any wrong movement and the laser could cut right through the precious soul.  I whisper once again the Latin incantation, and her bright green eyes stopped moving.  I turned off the laser machine and folded it into the large book looking case it came with, and then picked up the small knife once again. This I needed to do by hand, my stomach protests in hunger and my felt my hands shake a bit. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. 4 Minutes were left; I opened my eyes and made the small cuts around the heart. It was still beating softly and calmly.  I carefully made a cut around the cavity where her soul was, everyone has the soul in different places. Hers was not surprising right next to the heart like if it was part of it. Made me wonder how it was possible, but never mind that.  I grabbed the silver soul canister with my right hand and opened it with my left hand, a bright light came out of it, then and I turned it over the soul cavity and it locked into place like a sucking machine.  I turned it on and it began to suck the precious soul without dropping out that much, and filtering the darkness around it. Silver purifies most souls, but I guessed that it would still leave some bad stuff behind with hers.

My hands began to shake once again, the canister got heavy like a few pounds more.  I quickly took short breaths and waited for it to fill up. 2 Minutes were left. When it was full, I closed it and quickly put everything in my bag with crazy speed. I took the vibrator from between her legs and sealed it on a plastic bag and put it with the other stuff. Then, I looked at the soulless body there when its faceless face, and open chest. It brought a smile to my face.  Then in one quick move I took out her hardly beating heart, and then bit. It was not that damaged. Blood dripped down from my blood and I devouring it eagerly as quickly as I could.  Thirty seconds were left; I threw the remaining pieces of the heart inside the chest. And took off my operating apron, and threw it into the bag and cleaned my face, and then picked up the rest of my equipment and put on my wet coat.  I loaded checked my loaded gun, and images of Lucy agony began to replay in my head. I guess some of her soul leaked into her heart.  It feels like a heavy headache. I take a few seconds to compose myself, and then I take my bag and exited the room 172.

When I stepped out of the Brothel the rain was slowing down.  But, no one saw me exciting the brothel and if they did the spell would make them forget in a few hours. Perhaps later on the night they will find the heartless and faceless body. But, that was still some hours away. As I drove across the Golden Gate I saw something like a star failing from the sky, but I felt like if a soul that was stronger than the one I had just picked up passed me by, I almost crashed against a pickup truck. Then, I opened my bag and felt the silver canister in my hands and I smiled.  Probably it was just my tired mind playing tricks on me. Now I had to plan in ways to slowly enjoy the soul, like a fine wine. Perhaps I will drink it once in a while, not too eager to know what went on when I lost track of Lucy, but I am certainly curious.

Napa, yes…  yes it will be my next destination. Perhaps, I will eat a bit of Lucy soul with some aged wine and some fine cheese.

Copyright Joaquine.com 2011.

Joaquine, November 2011

Michael (Chapter I)

                Soon a new force will join the [...]]]> First draft of my new Epic Story… it will take a few years to finish. But, here is my first chapter to get it going! More to come soon, leave your feedback it is important to me. Thanks, and enjoy.

Joaquine, November 2011

Michael (Chapter I)

                Soon a new force will join the War of Heaven and Hell.  That was what Our Father had said the when the sun was rising, Michael thinks as he descends towards Earth with his enormous white wings spread across the sky.  You must find out what they are up to, a smile appears across his face remember how his Father had spoken to him with trust and love. It had been a hard work getting the trust back from his Father after the failure to protect his son, Jesus, all those long years ago.  Even if he was one of the most ancient Archangels he was still learning from the great teachings of his Father.

Michael now feels the cold wind rushing against his pale cheeks, and they slowly begin to turn pink as he descends faster. His wings begin to get shorter, and his heart beats faster and faster as he sees wild horses running on the green plain. He looks to his right and sees Lucia smiling and a few tears on her eyes. It is the first for her visiting the Earth after her rebirth as an Angel.  Michael picked her up from a group of 400 students that he was instructing, before his Father summoned him.  She is good with the sword, shield, bow, and her speech ability is unmatchable other than the great Saints and of course our Father.  Michael thinks that if she is successful in this mission she will likely ascend to an Archangel, but she is still young in terms of war experience and it will do her good to have some firsthand experience with the Sons and Daughters of Adam.

Another range of mountains disappear beyond the green plain and the running horses become nothing but moving blurs at the distance. Michael unsheathes his golden sword that is as bright as the Sun itself. He holds it tight with his left hand and then quickly slashes the air the current of time breaks like a fragile glass and the day slowly turns into night, and the sea of lights appear below Michael and Lucia.  Those moving lights reveal the cars crossing across the big red bridge.  Michael’s wings disappear and he free-falls towards the water under the bridge.

A small fishing boat crosses under the bridge, and the man driving it sees two half naked bodies falling into the cold Bay waters.  His heart beats faster and faster as the bodies crash the water, and for a moment he sees a beam so bright of light coming out of the water that he is left with his mouth open, and after a few seconds of shock he picks up his radio and calls the coastal guard. But, he has trouble describing what he is seeing, and the Coast Guard tells him to wait where he is that they are coming.

Michael feels the cold biting water pressing against his lungs he opens his eyes and tries to see under the darkness of the water where Lucia landed.  He knows that the first time crossing the planes of time can be shocking, and the vessels themselves can go into a state of temporal comma.  He sheathes his sword and ascends to the surface.  He closes his eyes and slowly can hear Lucia heart beats, he swims that way quickly and when he finds her he embraces her toward the surface.  She coughs out water, and she opens her eyes.

“Can you swim?” Michael whispers to her ear and she nods. He lets go of her, and Michael watches the small fishing boat approaching them.  He says a silent prayer, and light jumps from his fingers and in an instant Michael and Lucia are dressed with clothes; Michael with black jeans, and a black jacket. Lucia with a long purple sweater and tight yoga pants under it.   He makes his sword disappear and his eyes meet the bright light coming from the fishing boat.

“Hey! Hold up… help is coming!” the captain of the small fishing boat says, and turns up all the bright lights of his boat and makes the water transform in a pool of bright greenish water.

Michael smiles and lifts his right to acknowledge the Captain.  Three minutes later Michael hears a Coast Guard rescue helicopter approaching them fast.  After a few minutes his is blinded by the intense light emitting from the helicopter, he sees the Coast Guard Rescuer descending with a rope and a rescue basket.  Michael mind quickly tries to adjust to the local language and customs of the current time he is in, everything comes in fast like a flash and when he hears the man that is descending asking him a question he mind wakes up from his little trance.

“I said are you hurt?” The officer asks.

“We are fine, Sir just a little cold.”  Michael says and smiles with the light on his face. Then, whispers to Lucia in the Angelical language, “just follow as I do, and you will get adjusted soon.”  He doesn’t know if Lucia mind has already finished adapting to the current time.

“Alright, hold on a bit we will get both out of here. Here, I will take the girl first she seems a little shocked, then I will come back for you later.” The officer says and lowers the rescue basket and throws a floating device to Michael to hold on. Michael nods and helps the officer put Lucia on the basket. She still has her eyes closed probably because of the blinding light or the shock.

Michael hurt beats fast and his instincts want to kick in when Lucia shakes a bit when she is being tied to the basket safety bells.  He puts his hand over her shoulder, and she calms down. The officer radios for her to be lifted off and Lucia basket slowly ascends to the helicopter.  The officer waits with Michael and inspects him from side to side. He seems to notice something weird.  Michael smiles, and then the empty basket begins to descend again.

“Alright son, now it is your turn.” The officer says and holds the basket while Michael gets in it.

“May Our Father bless you and your family for the rest of your life Son of Adam.”  Michael says, and smiles while he is being secured to the basket.

The half hears what Michael tells him, but his heart beats faster and faster as he is securing Michael, he feels as if his heart was jumping in joy and an intense sense of peace runs through his body. Suddenly the moon seems like the most beautiful thing he has seen, the splashing water touching his face doesn’t feel cold anymore, he feels as if he was being touched by godly water that is slowly satisfying a hidden thirst he had. A tear runs down his cold face, and he smiles.

Michael ascends on the basket breathing deeply, the smell of the Bay penetrate his brain. The can hear the buzzing cars over the Golden Gate Bridge zooming by, and the voices of the drivers speaking on their hands free phones; some are making plans for the evening, others listen to their kids asking their parents to bring something they want for dinner, and others carrying on with their work while they drive.  Try to use the divine powers just in emergencies otherwise, you are to behave like normal humans… those were his Father instructions and that’s why now he is strapped to a rescue basket ascending to Coast Guard helicopter.

A female officer smiles when she receives Michael on the rescue basket. She holds to the basket and quickly with the help of another officer brings the basket inside.  She radios the officer that is hanging from the rope that he is secured, and immediately opens her emergency bag and shines a lamp over Michael eyes, and opens them wide with her gloved hands.

Michael is blinded once again with light. He wonders when all this blinding will end.  He gives the officer a smile and tries to sit, but the officer pushes him back into the basket.  Then she begins to undo the safe belts and the other officer quickly checks Michael vital signs.

“You seem fine,” the female officer says and helps Michael sit up and puts a warming blanket over his shoulders.  “Now, slowly stand up.” She and the other officer help Michael, and then are surprised by how tall he is. “Never mind that, just sit by your friend she is fine just a little shocked.”

Michael looks over to where Lucia is with her eyes closed and her head rested against the side of the window.  He breathes a little bit easier when he sees her breathing like in a state of sleep. Maybe she is sleeping. The journey between worlds and time is always such tiresome matters.  He himself feels a little tired, but he is more excited than tired.  “Thanks officers for looking after my sister.” Michael says and takes a seat next to Lucia.

The Coast Guard helicopter disappears behind the bright lights of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Copyright Joaquine.com 2011

               ***Note: First Draft of Prologue… Still work in progress. Let me know what you think on the comments, and I am open to suggestions. Thanks and enjoy.***

Crossing Hades was never Victor’s favorite part of his trips to the human world. But, as a General [...]]]> Prologue

               ***Note: First Draft of Prologue… Still work in progress. Let me know what you think on the comments, and I am open to suggestions. Thanks and enjoy.***

Crossing Hades was never Victor’s favorite part of his trips to the human world. But, as a General in the Royal Army, he needed to make this journey at least once a year.  His long brunette hair was sweaty under the weight of the big golden helmet and the unusual suffocating hot air that Hades, was covered in around this time of the year. Victor tried imagining he was in his homeland where the cold breeze of the sea entered his house that faced the rising sun above the Blue Sea.  He sighed, and then was interrupted by one of his soldiers. “Sir, there is something ahead that is blocking our way.”

Victor pushed the sides of his beautiful Black Stallion, named Marino because of his almost dark bluish color of his fur when it was wet, and at once Marino galloped forward at the command of his master.  Victor signaled his man to follow him close, and he held to his long golden sword with his right hand and with his left hand held tight to his horse. Any delay, on the trip would be bad, since they only had a brief window to go across Hades, just when the New Moon appeared, and only then most of the spirits were away.   Victor arrived to where a few of his soldiers were trying to figure out what was blocking the way, illuminating it with their torches.  Victor got off his horse, and walked towards it to inspect. “Any idea of what it might be?” Victor turned and asked a soldier that was touching it.

“No Sir, it just feels like a big ball of fur.”  The soldier said and once again pushed his hand against it.

Victor pushed his hand against the thing, and it was indeed furry as the soldier had said.  But, Victor kept pushing then felt it move as if it was breathing. “Step back!” Victor screamed and the big furry ball began to move.  The Soldiers drew their swords and stepped backwards, Victor held to his horse and Marino was frightened as the furry creature began to make roar noise, like those of a bear.

The ceiling, walls and roof began to shake as if an earthquake was happening.  Victor closed his eyes and began to recite the protection spells he knew; whatever that creature was he was sure he was going to need them. “Formation!” he called his Soldiers, and the soldiers at once formed a wall of shields and spears around him.  Victor ran his left hand over his sword cutting a bit into his hand and the blood quickly covered the sword with an intense white light that was almost blinding.  The Creature stood up and under the light of the torches looked like a giant Puma. The Soldiers were frightened when the creature roared again and again.  Its bright yellow eyes glanced at Victor and the Soldiers with anger.

Victor stepped forward from the wall of shields, and continued his prayers.  He took off his helmet and it revealed the sharp features of his face and big gray eyes.  He took one more step and then he lowered his head and bowed before the creature and put both of his knees down. “We are sorry that we have disturbed your Highness.” Victor said with his head down, and then he put his sword down.  And the rest of his soldiers followed.  A few of them whispered questioning what their General had just done.

The creature roared once again, but this time less intense and then stepped forward and with its big nose approached to sniff Victor.  Victor tried to hold his breath as the loud sniffs continued above his head, his heart pounded harder and harder.  But, he remained with his head down and his straight composure. The creature stepped back and then, the big creature in a flash disappeared leaving on its place a beautiful tall woman with long black nails and long black hair covering part of her naked body. Then she said, “I Ixchel, order you to lift your head mortal.”

Victor lifted his head and was met by the beautiful yellow eyes of Ixchel, he was speechless and waited for her to say a word. The rest of the soldiers were dying of curiosity to see what was happening. “I Victor Ioso, General in the Royal Army of Tlaloc, we are protectors of Tlalocan. We are at your service your majesty.”  Victor said and bowed his head once again.

Ixhel gasped and covered her mouth with her long fingers, then at the snap of her finger she made a staff appear on her right hand, and it had a bright blue flame dancing on top of it.  The Soldiers and horses felt a sea of spirits approaching like a giant wave, it sent shivers to their spines and then thousands of whispers began to be heard all around them, each time closer and closer, then Ixhel waved her staff and the soldiers found themselves surrounded by thousands of women holding lanterns with the same bluish dancing as Ixhel staff.  Fear ran through the Soldier’s bones, but they did not lift their heads.  “Why is Tlaloc sending you to the human world?” Ixhel asked with a voice that echoed throughout ancient walls.

Victor lifted his head and looked around him at the sea of women around him all with bright yellow eyes, and their head covered in with dark hoods. He felt their eyes on him, he took a deep breath and said, “We have never consulted with Tlaloc since, he is one of our land’s Gods and to your question majesty, we have been doing this journey for thousands of years. It is vital for us to gather information about how the Humans are progressing and we learn from them. Since, we are cut off from the tools that other beings have at their disposal to gather information without having to travel there.”  Victor said like if he was reciting a book he read many times during his military training.

Ixhel in anger shook the ground with her staff, and the place began to shake violently, a few parts of the ceiling came crashing down, and it sent a few soldiers to the ground.  “Don’t lie to me Mortal, tell me the truth” Axhel said and quickly grabbed Victor by the neck with her sharp nails.

Victor tried to gasp for air but he felt as the nails were penetrating his neck, and blood began to drip down.  “I am telling you… what I know your majesty.” Victor said strangling to speak.  Axhel left go of his neck and he fell to the ground, and he landed on his bare hands.

“Alright, I did not smell or felt deception from you.” Axhel said and walked backwards then waited a few seconds in silence thinking. Victor felt that it was an eternity has he felt fear like never before, and he wanted to throw up. But, he had to be strong in front of his soldiers. Images of him saying goodbye to his wife back home played on his mind, the last kiss he felt from her lips. It was dry and dusty, but it was still a kiss from his beloved. With a child on the way he had looked forward returning for the first time Home, he imagined of him teaching his kid how to hunt with the bow he hunted as a child and he was sure it was going to be a boy, he felt it on his gut.  Victor opened his eyes once, again and saw that a few of the hooded women were whispering to Axhel ear, and they seemed to float on air.   Axhel pointed the end of her staff to lift Victor’s head and said, “You got the unforgettable aroma of Traloc, I would never forget that aroma that he left when he betrayed all of us. But, worse of all he betrayed the humans he was trusted to protect.” Axhel said and exhaled then turned her back.

Victor felt as if his blood was burning throughout his body as Axhel said those words.  His mind was racing to find the answers to the many questions he was having, like if it was open library and he was running from hall to hall looking for the book to give him the answers he needed. He did not remember any mention of such thing in any of the books he had read, or any of information on the official records.  Victor after a few seconds of silence said, “The history of our Gods is still being studied day by day and I guess we still have a few things to learn.”  Victor said sounding nervous.

“Mortal, I guess I was wrong in accusing you for something that you have no knowledge of, but now you know. You must inform the others.” Axhel said, and with a snap of her finger two tall hooded women appeared at each side of Axhel. “These are my disciples, they will accompany you back to your homeland, and they will be my eyes and ears there, since I can’t step into that world. To the right you have Sacnite, and to the left you have Teicuih.” Axhel said and both of the women stepped forward one with a staff shaped like a rigid snake, and the other with long bow and arrows on her back. Axhel, waved her staff and the sea of women disappeared, then she said, “Now Mortal, go and tell your Priest and man of power that Axhel sent you, and that trips to the Human world have been suspended for now.” Axhel said and she waved her staff once again, a lighting came from the ceiling and struck Victor and the soldiers sending them to the ground. Victor felt as if his insides were turning upside down, then everything went black.

            In the bible we learn about Adam and Eve, in the book of Genesis, and we just read about when they are created and when they fall in temptation and then they are banished from heaven. We know this story very well, but John Milton in his epic poem, [...]]]> Adam Feels

            In the bible we learn about Adam and Eve, in the book of Genesis, and we just read about when they are created and when they fall in temptation and then they are banished from heaven. We know this story very well, but John Milton in his epic poem, “Paradise Lost”, offers us another view of what might have happened in Paradise. Throughout the epic poem Milton invites us to enter his fantasy world and to experience in some way the epic journey of Satan, God, Christ, and Adam and Eve. During that journey we are taken to what happened after Adam and Eve ate from the “Tree of Knowledge” and Milton takes us to a scene where Adam and Eve are discussing how they are going to ask for forgiveness to God and how to best redeem their sins. Adam and Eve both for the first time feel what it is like to repent and feel the pain of sin.

Near the end of Book X Adam talks to Eve about the possible consequences that their sins can bring to them, and he predicts what will happen once they are out of Paradise.   He tells Eve that their deeds will go punished and that they will suffer pain and despair. “We are by doom to pay: rather such acts Of contumacy will provoke the Highest” (2020), Adam has realized that the “Highest” is going to be upset with them and that it will carry consequences. He expects nothing but a doom future for their actions. I find it interesting how Adam suddenly changes from a positive man to a very negative man that seems doom in everything.  His character is similar to that of Satan, when Satan rebels God he feels like hell is every place he goes. The hell for Adam in this case I think would be to be mortal and not be any more in the grace of God.

Milton through Adam’s soliloquy lets us inside the mind of Adam and shows us how he felt after he and Eve ate the apple. Adam shows signs of fear and of shame like that of a child when they disobey. I can imagine him as a big brother getting in trouble with his little sister, and planning in ways to face their angry mother. Adam speaks of the consequences they will face and one line that I find fascinating is “To make death in us live” (2020). Because Adam right there realizes that they are no longer the immortal beings they once were and that it is a consequence of their sinful acts. I can imagine that the concept of death must have been incredible hard to comprehend since, it is something foreign to them. Not only that but it also puts a time limit as to how much time they have to be together.  Later on, this words are sort of mirror when Jesus comes to Earth and dies for our sins to “bring us back to life”, as a symbol to conquer death. Adam after this realization speaks of more foreshadowing consequences that humanity will endure and sort of visions how difficult it will be to live on Earth without God’s help.

Milton makes Adam to be like a prophet and a visionary of doom. I do not know if Adam when he was in such stress state of mind spoke unconsciously about how Jesus would come to be on Earth even before the Archangel came to speak to him and how he was going to suffer colds and the hardships of Earth. “Satan, who in the serpent hath contrived Against us this deceit: to crush his head Would be revenge  indeed; which will be lost By death brought on ourselves” (2020) and he continues on talking about how Satan will end their days of being “childless” and about how the punishment also will be with them.  I find this a little complicated to understand, as to why Milton wrote Adam saying those words like prophesies or I do not know it might be because of the poem structure and to relate it to what is written in the bible. But it is very interesting   to see how he mirrors the words of Adam to that of the bible and how he is creating already a hell in the head of Adam; where humanity is punished for his deeds.

Adam describes how live on Earth will be like without the divine protection of God and the new reality of death; “Leave cold the night, how we his gathered beams Reflected, may with matter sere foment, or by collision of two bodies grind The air atrite to fire” (2021) The Norton Anthology notes suggest that Adam here is talking about the invention of fire and that he predicts that it will be the only way we will be warm without the protection of God.  I find this interesting both as a technique to justify how Adam and Even were able to survive on Earth without first going through the process of evolution and with the knowledge already of how to manipulate the environment to shield them from cold nights.  After weighting the outcomes of what might happen to them, Adam suggest to Eve that it will be better to just ask for forgiveness to God and that he might listen to their plead.

Adam talks to Eve about the mercifulness of God and that he might forgive them for what they did if they are truly repent.  “What better can we do, than to place Repairing where he judg’d us, prostrate fall Before him reverent and there confess” (2021),  here Adam begins to tell Eve how they should ask for forgiveness and that there is no other way for them to choose something else. He continues, “Humbly our faults and pardon beg, with tears Watering the ground and our sighs the Air Frequenting, sent from our hearts contrite, sin sign Of sorrow unfeign’d, and humiliation meek”(2021) I can imagine them like little children trying to come up with a technique to convince their parents that they are really sorry.  I think this is the way Adam is picturing all of this action because they have never really experienced before and he thinks that’s the way of asking God for mercy. They relate their feelings to the physical world like the tears and the sighs. I think this is very intriguing since we see an Adam that is connecting physical to metal in a way that they never did before and thanks to the “Tree of Knowledge” they are now more human that are capable of having feelings and somewhat made them aware of what other people feel, in this case God.

Adam assures Eve that with their repentance they will be forgiven by God and that he will show mercy. I think Adam thinks that he will be forgiven that easily by God and that everything will be back to normal, but he at the end of Book X doubts if he is correct and questions of that’s how God is going to react to their plead.  By doing this actions Adam decided to join the way of being obedient from now on and to try to be in God’s good side. I think this is important because they could have choose to be disobedient and ally with Satan that offered them an easier way to carry on with life without the feeling of regret or being forced to acknowledge the existence of God.  Their repentance will allow Adam and Eve to be possibly forgiven and humanity as well and eventually reach salvation.

Milton concludes book X by repeating the words that Adam said and comments that they did as they had planned and asked God for forgiveness.  I like how Milton repeats this again with same words and same structure as to point to us how important it was for Adam and Eve to ask for forgiveness.  I think this demonstrates that Adam and Eve tried to repair our relationship with God and to save humanity from the evident doom.  God listens to their plea and decides to tell them that he will send his son to be the salvation of the world from the sins they committed.  But Adam and Eve will still be with hell in their heads just as Satan was, but in hope for a better future they leave paradise with the sense that they will be back there once again, unlike Satan.

Milton showed us how Adam connected his emotions to the physical world with tears and pain that he felt. He also showed us how we can be forgiven if we are truly repentant of what we did and that there is eventually salvation to those that do so.

— Copyright Joaquine.com 2011. You may not Reproduce or Repost this Essay in any form. Just posted to show an analysis of Paradise Lost.—

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My [...]]]> This is my first draft of a new project I am working on. It still on the really early stages. I just wanted to share some of it, and I hope you enjoy it. I will post more updates soon, when I have more parts of the draft. Enjoy.

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I Cried.

By Joaquine

My mother told me this morning that I wasn’t going to classes and that I needed to dress up with a pair of white jeans and a gray woolen Poncho.  The poncho still smelled like new but it was itchy, and my white neck was all red after just wearing it for a few minutes, I tried to take it off, my mother insisted that I need to keep it. I tried to fight the itch and just ended up scratching my neck, when we left the house it looked as red as a tomato and now that there are no mirrors around I can’t see how it looks.

After walking a few blocks I see my classmates hurrying to their classes and a few of them ask me why I am dressed like that. I say nothing, and my mother just pushes me to move faster, I almost fall down but she just grabs me by the poncho and picks me up to walk faster. I have never seen my mother like this before, she has not said that many words since we left the house. She seems lost and I can feel that she is worried about something.

We walk a few more blocks and a crowd of people become denser as we approach the place my mother is taking me. I sight, and wonder how we going to make it through all that much people, but somehow my mother just pushes her way in and pushes me in front of her. People, just whisper and I can hear the wind carrying a few times my mother’s name, “Clarissa,” and mine grandmother’s name, “Diana,” my skin shivers at the thought of what might have happened.  We continue making our way through the crowd and as we approach towards where everyone is watching, the place gets louder with people crying and some others scream obscenities.

Tears begin rolling down my mother’s pink cheeks and her green eyes get wet.  She holds me tight and kneels besides me hugging me and covering me with her long black shawl. I feel the air being sucked out of me and I begin to get dizzy at the sudden events that are taking place. I feel and hear her heart beating faster and faster as my ear gets pressed against her chest, her tears wet my messy hair and my body feels like it is going to go into shock. My eyes can’t stop my tears from flowing and I feel as my body shakes compulsively; mucus and tears mix in a salty combination when they reach my lips. I sob and hug my mother as hard as I can. The noise around me disappears and there is nothing more than my mother and I.

I still don’t know what is happening, and when I try to turn around my grandmother comes running towards us with tears in her eyes. She hugs me just as hard as my mother and I inhale her so familiar perfume of roses, her heart does not beat as fast as that of my mother, and I feel like a baby once again. I sob now and then, and I feel my body getting heavy and everything around me begins turning black.  I can’t move my body, my eyes just see everything blurry and my grandmother arms is the only thing that is holding me up.  I begin hearing people at the distance screaming and my grandmother covers me with her gray shawl. I feel my body getting hot and as if thousands of needles were piercing my body at once.  I hear my grandmother at the distance screaming for help and I feel around my body still covered with the shawl, a pair of strange arms that carry me inside a house.  I try to scream but my mouth does not move, I feel like my heart is shutting down. I feel like I can’t breathe and my body goes into panic mode as I try to get some air. Everything gets dim and darker.

Norman Podhoretz, in “Doomsday Fears and Modern Life”, writes about how the fear of the “End of Days” still plays an important part in our modern life. He compares both past and modern fears. He begins by giving an example about how fear people had about a possible nuclear war. But he argues [...]]]> Summary: Doomsday

Norman Podhoretz, in “Doomsday Fears and Modern Life”, writes about how the fear of the “End of Days” still plays an important part in our modern life. He compares both past and modern fears. He begins by giving an example about how fear people had about a possible nuclear war. But he argues that after sometime people stopped being fearful of the possibility of a nuclear war. Podhoretz points out, that fears of “End of Days” either appear or disappear when the people advocating it, the catastrophist, gain or loose power to convince people that the end is near. He argues that when the catastrophists lose power with one issue as in the example he is using about that of a possible nuclear war, they move to a new “End of Days” fear to exploit; in this case to the pollution movement. He summarizes their new theory by saying that; “technology…is destroying us all.” He critics how fast this new idea is gaining ground in every circle. Podhoretz points out that some theories that before were being ignored, now are the center of attention. Like those theories that say that the world is going to end either by flood or frost.

He introduces E.J. Mishan, as an example of a modern “catastrophist”, that believes the world is going to end by the use of pesticides and vaccines that we have developed. He argues that Mishan ignores the other theories of the past because they lack “rational basis” for them to be valid, and yet the modern theories, Podhoretz adds, that modern theories have almost the same concept of being guided by warning signs rather than in scientific proof. He continues on saying it does not make them any better than any people from the past using the warning signs to predict a possible outcome. He argues that they “are not speaking as scientist but as moralist and ideologues,” and that one does not need to be fooled by their claims.

Podheretz introduces Sir Peter that is at the other side of the issue that argues that the environment can be fixed by the creation of more technology that can fix the damage created by other technology. Podheretz points out that the price of technology is always high both for the environment and the impact that it has in our lives. He asserts that surely with technology we can “buy” our way out of problems, but it just creates problems in somewhere else. Podheretz gives some suggestions of how technology can be used to our advantage like installing devices in cars and airplanes to clean up the environment. Podheretz says that the damaging effects on the environment make the “End of the world” supporters more powerful, but he points out that their effort to “wake people up” is only “putting people to sleep,” is failing because people feel that they cannot do anything to stop the doomsday from happening. He also points out if we were to surrender to the claims of the catastrophist and declare a state of emergency our individual liberties would be taken away, and that’s why we should take what they say with the “greatest skepticism.” Finally he points out that there a third alternative is that is to accept modern life as it is; with “restless growth.” He concludes by saying that “to make a life is to strike a continuing series of bargains,” both with nature and with the past and future.

Referenced Works: “The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope

Sometimes it is difficult for us men to understand why women get attached or get so obsessed with something they have; especially when it comes to their physical appearance and most often than not their hair. In Alexander Pope’s “The [...]]]> –Essay Draft—

Referenced Works: “The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope

Sometimes it is difficult for us men to understand why women get attached or get so obsessed with something they have; especially when it comes to their physical appearance and most often than not their hair. In Alexander Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock” he focused in just that questioning in a epic-mocking way why women during the 18^th Century English society were obsessed with such thing as a piece of hair and even were willing to risk losing their “honour.”  Pope in his poem mocks the lengths people would go to protect their honor, especially Belinda that can be contra productive in a moment of rage and despair.

The super natural come to warn Belinda in her dreams about a possible danger that she might be facing in the near future.  Ariel the overseer of the sylphs comes to Belinda when she is dreaming and tells her that the heavens have told him to warn her and says, “Beware of all, but most beware of man!” (I, 27).  Here Pope brings the super natural protection that “women” need to have in order to keep their honor and to be warned of any dangers they might face and he does it in a very symbolic form by presenting this in a dream like that of a vision that many Christians would have understood to be an allusion in the bible; when Joseph was having a dream with an Angel telling him that they were coming for them and Jesus to be killed and he took his family out of harm’s way right away.  This is another example of Pope’s mocking of the beliefs and reasons behind things happening in order to protect the honor of a woman.  Ariel also in the dream assured Belinda that the sylphs would protect her no matter what and that they were at her disposal if needed.  Pope here points out that they would only protect her chastity and nothing more.  I think this is another good topic to discuss as to why sylphs were so important and what their intentions really were, but for now I think they symbolized the moral concepts of the 18^th Century English society and they were there to guard it.  In Canto II Pope goes more in depth with sylphs and her role in Belinda’s life.

Ariel and his group of sylphs gather to plan the security measures that would ensure Belinda protection and care. Here we can imagine how the sylphs would gather around like an army and form in order to get ready for battle with their chief Ariel at hand explaining to them how important it was to protect Belinda, he says to them “This day, black omens threat the brightest fair That e’er deserved a watchful spirit’s care; Some dire disaster, or by force, or flight; But what, or where, the Fates have wapp’d in night” (II, 30).  Ariel once again warns about the eminent danger but in this case to the group of sylphs that are ready to protect Belinda.  This scene somehow reminds of the movie “300” when the oracle spoke of the upcoming dangers and everyone got prepared for the war and even knowing that they would lose.  In Ariel’s speech we can also see the urgency for the care of Belinda and also the despair of not knowing when or how it is going to happen. Like the fate of many oracles that can just see the result of an event but not knowing how it is going to happen.  Here Pope is once again mocking how ridiculous is to think that a group of super natural beings are all watching after us, especially to a naïve human like Belinda. Ariel assigns an extensive troop of bodyguards. Brillante is to guard her earrings, Momentilla her watch, and Crispissa her locks. Ariel himself will protect Shock, the lapdog. A band of fifty Sylphs will guard the all-important petticoat. We can see how the way Ariel assigns duties to the sylphs are as mundane and not really task for super natural beings that they are, and all for the protection of Belinda.   We once again can see the references to the bible and other religious beliefs that try to put a super natural spin on how things are. For example people ask a Saint to protect their house from thieves or when mothers ask souls to watch over their daughters when they are late and have not come home yet.  We can imagine that during Pope’s time this sort of practice was more predominant and he used that to mock their beliefs and how fruitless they were when it came to protect honor, in this case the honor of Belinda.

Belinda loses her honor and her loyal sylph at the fall of her lock.  When Belinda is playing a game of “ombre” with Baron and other man she gets the upper hand and wins. Pope describes this scene as that of a war fought on the table as it was a war field and he gives very deep descriptions of how Baron is looking at Belinda’s hair lock all the time as if stalking his prey.  The sylphs kind of feel it and rush to Belinda protection but it is too late, because as the maids are serving coffee Baron asks Clarissa for scissors…  “The Peer now spreads the glittering Forfex wide, T’ inclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide. Ev’n then, before the fatal Engine clos’d,  A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos’d; Fate urged the Sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain, (But Airy Substance soon unites again)” (iii, 35). Pope uses images like these to describe in a dramatic way how the scissors are cutting the lock and even with the “protection” of the sylphs they are unable to protect Belinda’s “honour.”  Many of the sylphs were frustrated and did not understand what happened, but Ariel did when he tried to warn Belinda and saw inside her soul her desire to be “violated by the man” and decided that it was time to leave and the sylphs “with-drew right away” leaving Belinda to protect herself.  Pope here shows that even with “super natural” or “divine” protection there is nothing to do when a woman loses her honor or chastity.  When Baron cut the hair lock it was like a symbolic gesture to separate the super natural protections that Belinda had in order to give in to another super natural forces like that of passion, love, and hate.

Umbriel seeds passion and hate into Belinda’s soul that is already fertile for this and furthers more the breaking of her honor.  After her lock was cut Belinda begins to rage all over and now that the sylphs have left there is no one to calm it.  Umbriel after having returned from the “Cave Spleen” pours a bag of “sighs, sobs, and passions” that fuel her anger and despair.  By her side is her friend Thalestris that encourages her to avenge the Baron and ask for the help of Sir Plume.  All this in the name of protecting Belinda’s “fame” or honor as her friend Thalestris points out.   When Sir Plume arrives to where Baron is and takes a look at the box where the hair lock is says, “My Lord, why, what the devil… damn lock! ’fore Gad, you must be civil!… Give her the hair” (IV, 39).  Here Pope brings up morality once again with Sir Prime asking Baron to be civil as a gentleman should behave. But Sir Prime is unsuccessful with his request and last protection of Belinda is gone. When all the protections from Belinda are gone she falls into deeper despair and with the return of Umbriel once again does one of his tricks and breaks the vial of “sorrows” and “self-pity”.  She cries and mourns the loss of her lock and her soul gets covered with hate and anxiety to get it back.  Here Pope is mocking the whole notion that we as humans have evolved enough to not recur to the salvage methods that we had in the past, and points out that it is all a mask and when we are faced like in the case of Belinda to extreme circumstances everything will change even if it is for the sake of a hair lock.

Belinda loses it and goes after her perpetrator with fury and idiotic actions that end up breaking her honor once and for all.  Clarissa steps in and tries to stop her from doing something she might regret and says, “But since, alas! frail Beauty must decay,  Curl’d or uncurl’d, since Locks will turn to grey” (V, 41). Meaning that even she is going to get old and her curl will turn grey even if she goes after it.  Clarissa seems to be the person with more moral in the poem since her words are much different than Belinda’s friend and that of the others around her.  Pope used Clarissa to show in some way how ridiculous it is to fight for a piece of hair that sooner or later would be old and worthless, and even more over there is no way to “put it back” to where it was.  Pope has a delightful scene when Belinda is confronting the Baron and how everything is quickly breaking what little “honour” Belinda had and it ends with the lock being lost.  After everything and it was lost, he concludes that it might have been ascended to the heavens to make an allusion to Jesus. This  was brilliantly written because he is able to mock everything all the way to the last word and making us the readers get out of it if it was really worth the trouble to get the lock and not to have it at the end.

The “honour” of Belinda that everyone fought so hard to protect was destroyed by her impulsive actions and her trust on the super natural to warm her of the dangers ahead and even when she was warned it all went out of the window when anger and self-pity overpowered her soul.  Pope excellent mocking of the thinking that “honour” can be protected by just a few useless rules and social norms that are thrown aside when other interest come into play.

Joaquine 2011 Copyrighted. (You may use this essay to reference some stuff, but remember you can’t use it as it is for class and it will probably get you in trouble. Good luck with your research and your journey of learning.)

By: Tanner D.

My eyes dot frantically beneath electric light. Peering through the neon geometry of my hud overlay, I trace a path back to a frequently used audio file in my specks’ on board memory. A binaural beat. A beta wave around 30 hertz. The first of an entourage of aspects [...]]]> Business as Usual

By: Tanner D.

My eyes dot frantically beneath electric light. Peering through the neon geometry of my hud overlay, I trace a path back to a frequently used audio file in my specks’ on board memory. A binaural beat. A beta wave around 30 hertz. The first of an entourage of aspects to compile my business face. My specks immediately interpret my double blink as the activation code for the file. In the space of a synapse, the micro-amps in the base of my synthetic skull drop the break-beat techno and employ the soft hum of a binaural pulse. I backtrack to my specks main screen to find the file on my contact. Got to make sure I am in the right place at the right time ya know?  After all, the life of a hitman isn’t all blazing guns and explosions like you see in the movies. Yet in my case it happens like that more often than not.

I’d probably be dead by now from all this violence if it wasn’t for a particular ace up my sleeve, or should I say under my skin. I should be dead. But one life-changing story later and here I am with a body filled with so much techno-junk that I don’t think I’ll see death for a very long time. Even in my particular field. And be that as it may, I have also found it takes quite well to a large sum of abuse both externally and internally.

This brings me to my second and final phase of my business face. My hand slides into the chest pocket of my blazer with well tempered accuracy.  It finds what it is looking for with ease.  A baggy of pills. Everything I need to make the perfect cocktail. Abrums, Vamp, D-9s, and a few pharmaceuticals to ween off some unwanted effects by these fine drugs. As if having a teched-out super body wasn’t enough, I throw it into overdrive with these pills. The pharms first, then the D-9. I wait to drop the two Abrums in thirty seconds intervals and seal the deal with the Vamp. It all gets washed down with some Flavor 4 soda pop to boost the D-9s effect.

As I wait for the drugs to kick in, I finish up scanning through the file on the contact. I close all the windows in my hud and focus my eyes on a symbol in the overlay. A symbol aptly named “Business Time”.  I double blink again and suddenly feel my body tingle.  That’s how I know it’s on. Both the guns tucked under my arms let out a short vibration to let me know they are active now too. I stand with my eyes closed, take deep breaths and wait for a very distinct feeling.

Suddenly the feeling of a bubble inside me pops, exposing a new person. His eyes dazzled by the electric light pouring into his iris. The binaural frequency throttles his brain. He feels the electricity in his body. Now the Vamp hits hard, pushing him to feel faster than time itself. As he swiftly darts out of my shell he exposes himself true. Meet my business face.

He tools over the last vestiges of his former reality, wondering about the style in which he executed former contacts. Two dead and his gun’s four shots shy of a full clip. Not feeling that today. As he palms both his guns he thinks about all the exciting things that are about to happen. With one firm blow, his foot levels the door and he smiles.