Fantasy The World Has Died

[Rokku Hizori]

There are worlds beyond our own, but they are beyond our reach.

After all, how can we learn more of new worlds when we have not yet learned the truth of our own?

We cannot master worlds beyond the stars

Until we recognize those beyond our eyes.

Rasad stared at the small human in front of him, thoroughly amused. He was little more than a mouse, harmless, pathetic…tiny. This…man, if the childish individual before him could be called that, stood at barely five feet, and was a whelp of a person. “So…you have summoned me, Azeroth.” The being said, and laughed inwardly. The name was clearly from the various computer worlds that these clever little monkeys had created, but Rasad would humor him. “What do you offer?”

“O-offer?” The man-child replied, his voice shaking.

Rasad was amused, but he did not let it show, as he was going for intimidation, nothing less. “What a sad world in which humans perform rituals they do not understand! How far have your pathetic people fallen?!” He roared, hiding his amusement. “The process is simple. You summon the representative of the Gods, then you make a deal. You understand that, yes? I am speaking the proper language, yes?”

The man nodded, clearly nervous, and looked up at the figure before him. All the things this man was, the otherworldly image was not. He was tall, handsome, imposing. His long blonde hair fell to his shoulders, and his stature was well filled and muscular. His face was hard, and dangerous, but emanated a radiant beauty beyond this world. Pine green eyes pierced into the tiny human before him.

He gulped, and asked weakly “Wh-what do you want?” the frail creature asked.

Rasad resisted every urge to laugh at the weakling, and continued on. “There is a price to be paid for what you ask. It has been paid before, the most recent paid by the Mongols.”

“What was their price?” ‘Azeroth’ asked, his voice now holding curiosity rather than fear.

Rasad smiled, and spoke slowly, dangerously. “You have heard of the Black Death, yes?”

‘Azeroth’ gulped, and attempted to force himself to say something. “D-do people have to die?”

“Of course people have to die you idiot. Blood and life is often the only price worth paying.” He lied. “Your people have lived in a world of science for over seven hundred years, the longest spent in one way of life. The price will be particularly high in this instance.” Rasad said, staring at the small man before him. He smiled then, revealing thin, handsome lips that drew anyone in who listened too closely. Language clearly danced for this god.

‘Azeroth’ could not bring his brown eyes to meet Rasad’s, but he managed to stammer out “W-well what do you w-want?”

Rasad smiled, but it drained rather than expressed warmth. “Simple. In exchange for the switch between worlds, you will be robbed of what the previous world has provided you. Medicine, electricity, gunpowder, flight, computers, heat, all the things you’ve accomplished will be stripped from you. Everything that your species has gained will be lost. You will be thrust back into the Stone Age…and assuming you survive, will have none of this technology until the worlds are once again switched, or unless another deal is made with some spirit or god, but that is another matter entirely.” He said, his eyes piercing into the boy before him, who grew more and more childish by the second.​

​

 

[Rokku Hizori]

The class had drained the life out of him, and he was glad that "Artistic Expressions of the Late 1700s" was over. It was an arts credit, but a dull one. At any rate, for the day it was over, and the rest of the afternoon belonged to Stephen to do as he pleased, which usually meant playing a few songs on his lyre in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Not that he really made much money from it, usually only enough to buy dinner for himself and one or two friends, but it was still a welcome activity to perform for people and get a few appreciative claps from passersby. He made his way to the first few steps, and took a seat. A small group of his normal audience, a few homeless people that he usually shared his meager earnings with, were already there to listen. Stephen gave them a smile and a bow, and then unslung his bag to pull out his lyre, a wooden instrument that had long since fallen from popularity, but one he had learned to play none the less. He quickly tuned each note, and began to dance his fingers along the strings.


Elsewhere, beyond the heavens....


"This council will come to order. As the ancient laws decree, the shift between worlds must be agreed upon by all High Gods. The shift is accepted, and Lord Rasad has outlined the basics of the agreement between himself and the human race. Their representative agreed to the terms, and all that remains is to decide what constitutes "The gains of science". So far, we have all come to agree that electricity is the first to be revoked. All others are still in argument...Yes, Great Lord Ares?"

 

[Osuka]

Another day. Tired feet and weary muscles carried the old man where he wanted to be. At least, wherever he wandered to, but it was all relative, right? Joel’s old, scraggy face looked from left to right before hearing something he hadn’t heard in a while. Music? The sound was unfamiliar since last he listened. It sounded like a guitar, and a damn good guitarist behind it. With nothing else to do, though, Joel decided that he had nothing better to do than to check it out. He started following the direction the music was coming from, passing some kids who were giving him weird glances, but otherwise ignored him as he did the same until he came to a halt.


A Lyre? Hell, he had himself a six-string where he left from a long while back, and it was back there for good reason. He let himself stand there for a moment, pushing away everything around him to simply appreciate the melodies that spilled from skilled fingers which seemed to dance to the tune itself - before the tune came forward, obviously, but it was good to simply watch and listen rather than to be constantly moving for once.


Joel’s muscled arms which were covered by his flannel shirt crossed over his chest as he stood and simply nodded to the cadence, not being able to help but appreciate the sounds... He had to admit - he didn't have a clue about sound compared to this kid.

 

[PrinceKamazaki]

As clueless Tobi was exploring the amazing city of New York he began to hear music. "Who could possibly be making such wonderful sounds?"


Tobi said with curiosity. Although Tobi knew absolutely nothing about music he was curios to know who could be playing what he calls "wonderful sounds".


He spots a man infront of St. Patrick's Cathedral and notices him playing the Lyre. "So he was the one making such amazing sounds.." Tobi mumbled to himself. Tobi nods his head and begins dancing.


"This... These sounds are wonderful! They warm my heart!" Tobi announced with much delight. He hands the strange man playing the Lyre $10.00 as that was all he had on him at the time being.

 

[Phoeniana]

"Oh god, it's that Stefon kid again with that damn banjo."


"It's Stephen and a lyre."





"Who's a liar?"





"Shut up, Krista." Why was Krista walking with her anyway? Class was already over and Xeri made it very clear with a hard stare in her friend's direction that she did not want to be bothered for the rest of the day. Best friends or not, she had a headache the size of Malaysia and wanted nothing more to be molded into the very bed she owned. Best friends don't seem to take hints very well as was made very clear with the way Krista sprung into step right beside her.





"I don't get it though," voice high-pitched and confused, "Why does he play it in front of all these people. It's not like he's very good at it. Or good looking for that matter." On cue, she sent Stephen a disapproving frown off of her plastic, Barbie-doll face. Xeri didn't a flick an eye.


"Because he wants to." That was that. Krista knew that Xeri had signified the end of the conversation, and to avoid any more sulkiness on the matter, she pursed her pink lips together in silence. Sweet silence, thought Xeri. New York had never heard of such a thing since she had been there. In fact, Xeri was quite sure that if there were ever to be silence among the streets of the Big Apple, the world would surely tumble off balance and into a deep, dark chaos. A dark chaos would perhaps be a lot more silent than now, she mused. The melody of Stephen's lyre mingled with the obnoxious horns, screeching tower, and some kid's beat boxing. Such wasted talent and even more wasted time. She thought to what Krista asked: Why did he play when no one listened?


"This... These sounds are wonderful! They warm my heart!" Just kidding, she thought, swiveling her head to look at who made the announcement.





"Who is that?" Krista asked. Xeri only blinked once, unamused.


"Maniac, probably."

 

[The Darkling]

Cordelia was sitting in her raggy old chair that she kept around for the simple fact that getting a new one was so expensive. She sighed as she looked over to the pile of clothes that needed to be washed, a dark cloud hovering over her snow white hair. She simply sighed and got up out of her chair to go about getting her clothes washed. "Why mother thought it funny to buy me mostly white clothes ill never know..not like I don't look like a ghost as is.." She shook her head and lifted up the heavy bag of clothing. It was much easier without all the kids clothes but it was still a pain. She grabbed whatever change she had left and started heading out the door. Her simple worn out jeans and white blouse making her feel like a damn star when the sun shone on her. Music drifted through the air as she approached St. Patrick's Cathedral. Music was something she couldn't afford to listen to..unless the upstairs neighbors screaming counted. She huffed as she adjusted her hold on the bag of clothes, her muscles starting to get sore, "Almost there.." She blew her hair form her face and in consequence of doing so she got a ray of light in her blue eyes, she cursed in pain and walked blindly tripping over her own feet. She dropped her clothes and lucky landed on the bag itself giving her somewhat of a soft landing, but her pale knee was scraped and bloodied. "Really...why.." She looked at her scattered clothes and shook her head.

​

 

[Rokku Hizori]

Stephen's fingers left the strings at the ending of the first song, and he smiled warmly at the small group that clapped. He started retuning the lyre, and heard the compliment and saw the money land in his case. "Thanks stranger, I appreciate it! Glad you're enjoying it!" He said, and looked over to see Xeri, from one of his classes, and her...wonderful...friend Krista. For some reason, the girl seemed to hate him, why he wasn't exactly sure, but it got irritating very quickly. On the other hand, he wasn't the type of person to try and change her mind, so he just accepted it and dealt with her presence when it was necessary, which was rare. He returned his gaze to the small gathered crowd, and nodded at them, noticing a weathered face new among them. He nearly began a new song, when out of the corner of his eye he saw someone fall. He quickly sprung to his feet and set his lyre on the ground. He turned to an elderly woman, and said "Bertie, watch that for me?" She smiled and nodded, giving him a thumbs up and shuffled over to where the instrument laid.


He made his way over the young woman, and held out a hand. "Need some help?" He said, and glanced at the laundry. "Or some quarters?" He offered, knowing he had a few dollars worth in his case at the moment.


Beyond the heavens...


A figure stood, and approached the center of the crystal room. He stood on the raised dais, and looked around at the multitude of figures present. He held a bronze helmet beneath his left arm, and a sword was sheathed at his right. His silvery breastplate shined in the ethereal light, and his face was old, hard, and dangerous. "Long have the humans shunned the art of war, giving up glory and bravery for their weapons that kill from a distance. There is no honor in this! There is no honor in hiding frightened while a machine does the killing." an audible scoff from those assembled drew his eye, to what appeared to be a woman beneath her Greek helmet. His glare attempted to pierce it, but if it did she gave no sign. "I propose that the humans be denied gunpowder and all that sprung forth from it! Let them remember the glories of war!" His speech was followed by various cries, some of outrage, but others of agreement were more prominent.

 

[The Darkling]

Cordelia looked up as a mans voice was heard above her. She noticed a hand was outstretched to her, his words were kind but kindness is not what she was used to. "Thank you.." Her pale skin was such a sharp contrast to his own it was almost like black and white photo when she grasped his hand. As she stood up she winced as her knees burned with pain, wonderful, she thought. She started gathering her clothes that lay on the ground, "I do not need your money though...im sure I have enough" She glanced up at him as she picked up her garments trying to hide any..well..personal articles of clothing if she could. He was a handsome man, a man she assumed was making the music she heard earlier since it had stopped as soon as he came over to her. She shivered as a small breeze rolled by making her wish her jacket was clean. "Thank you though...for the offer that is. You very kind"

​

 

[Osuka]

It seemed well enough he wasn't too noticed. A stranger falls nigh invisible past a first wary glance. It wasn't his problem if they thought strangely of him, though. Usually, people in bigger cities were more conscious of who they associated with. Still, he couldn't help but to observe the world around him.


To a slight distance from his right were two women, good friends it seemed, who were commenting on the kid - Stephen from what he heard - and his playing, an one obviously wasn't very approving. To his left was a more enthusiastic sort who seemed more than thrilled with the performance and was happily contributing. So far, no one to worry about. The sound behind him though took him off guard.


A woman had taken a tumble, and as he was readying to help, Stephen had blown past him and beat him To it. Whatever she was doing, she was hiding something before responding to him in kind. If they weren't in this situation, it's be suspicious, but he passed it off and turned his attention back to the lyre.


It was well made from what he could tell, and well maintained. It was apparent that his music was more than just a hobby. It reminded him of days back in Texas. Clear skies and his daughter sitting with him, picking on his own guitar as he taught her. A sigh was drawn from his lips at the thought. Sarah... Just what the hell did she do to deserve what happened to her?


He pushed away the thought and shifted where he stood, now shoving his hands deep in his pockets, keeping an eye and an ear open to whatever may happen next.


(Posting from mobile. Sorry it took so long.)

 

[PrinceKamazaki]

As Tobi noticed the two females speaking of the man playing the Lyre he slowly began to stop dancing. He glanced left and right noticing the people around him, but soon after he heard the sound of a person falling to the ground. He quickly turned around to see if he could assist the lady who had fallen, but was a little to late as the man playing the Lyre had dashed right past him. Tobi did notice the way the lady was responding to the man, but didn't want to say his thoughts out loud.


He then started to think back to the sounds the man on the Lyre was playing. It was as if the melody was stuck inside of Tobi's head and he couldn't stop thinking about it. He this time though; wasn't dancing.


Tobi then put his attention towards the stranger who was playing the music and stared at him in a strange way. " I wonder who he could be" Tobi said out loud meaning to speak within himself.

 

[Rokku Hizori]

Stephen smiled as he helped the girl gather her less personal articles, and then helped her to stand once everything was collected. "Think nothing of it. This is more of a hobby than anything else anyway. I usually end up giving what I make away or buying dinner for friends. Are you sure you don't need any? It really won't be any extra trouble on my part." Stephen said, motioning to the case that held a decent pile of coins.


"Then it is decided. Gunpowder and its children are denied. Electricity and its children, denied. Medicines and their healing, will not be denied, and will not be altered. Steam and its children will not be denied, and will not be altered. There will be no pandemics, no altering of the natural order, and no alterations of the earth and its ecosystems. These are what we have agreed upon, brothers and sisters. Has the contract been decided?" There were no words after, merely nods of affirmation, or indifferent stares. The judge nodded, and then raised his hand toward Rasad. "Then it is done, and you may implement the shift which you agreed to." Rasad smiled, and bowed, drinking in the looks of hatred and terror from some of the newer gods, and then walked to the center of the chamber. He held his arm above his head, as a white metal scythe formed in his hand, seven feet long, with a blade like the crescent moon, like a halberd. He spun it around, and then slashed it diagonally, opening a rift that gazed upon the earth. He walked forward, took a deep breath, and then released it into the void.


There was a tangible shift in the air, and Stephen felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He had no idea why he suddenly felt on edge, but he turned and looked around to try and find something amiss, which he of course could not. He nodded at the girl, still smiling, and said "Well, have a good day then, I suppose. Feel free to come back and listen if the laundromat isn't far." He made his way back to lyre, and made sure it was back in tune, but he still felt off. Something was wrong, but he had no idea what it was. He glanced around, and noticed that there were a few cars that were just...stopped on the road in front of him. It was strange indeed, but it was not what he felt, he was sure.


He began to fall back into a song, dancing along the strings and trying to ignore whatever was going on, but the music did not have the attention it did a moment before. His mind was wandering, his mind taking in various small things. A cell phone suddenly not working as a woman walked by on her way to work, a police radio cutting off mid-sentence. Whatever was going on, it wasn't good.