Travel, part of AO's Multiverse Options

[MorriganAensland]

Is his last name Oak and is he trying to collect them all?

Mizuki: You're not one to talk about using certain iconic names.

Anser: And neither are you!

[Asher Omega]

D : Now now everyone, we can talk this...

*epic jump right on to D *

NO NO! you haven't gotten your chapter yet so back to the Limbo you go! *shoves D through portal* freaking god character.

Sadly Gary doesn't get a last name. and yes D will be important.

D : just get to work on the next chapter Freak!

Shut it you!

[Zhanneel]

All done reading! I get a cookie for that! ^^

I really like Dyu's character. He's hilarious, smart, witty, charming. Woot! I even love his idea of religion, even if I'm not religious myself. Nice job on the all the chapters Asher. I even made it through the wall-o-texts and the sometimes confusing dialogue shifts, hehe. I know you're still fleshing out Serenias' character, but would it be fitting to have some more internal dialogue from her? I wouldn't ask that for the other characters in case you're purposely keeping us in the dark about their character traits. Or if you want to do the same with Serenias that's fine too. I just personally want to know Serenias's thoughts, but no pressure =).

[Asher Omega]

Don't worry Zee, we'll get to see some rather interesting insights into Nia's character in the next couple of chapters. but I am purposefully hiding some of the character's thoughts because of some of their histories. which will all be revealed... in time of course.

[Zhanneel]

I understand perfectly then .

[Asher Omega]

Announcement!

I am working on Travels, its just taking its sweet time, but the next chapter (and if I can swing it, the one after it) will be done before I leave for Basic/Bootcamp.

on a side note I finally found my journal that contains the original Start for Nexus Fusion, the Main story line. Travels is actually a side story to NF.

This post has been edited by Asher Omega: Mar 24 2009, 12:35 AM

[Zhanneel]

Awesome Asher ^^. Will gladly read it when you've got it up.

[MorriganAensland]

Yayz! From what you were saying about it earlier, I can't wait for the real story to start on up!

[Asher Omega]

And then there was Gary

Serenias’ next mission was scheduled to happen two days from the next day. Her report on what had happened to her on Dyu’s Alternate was handed in to Durumas’ hands as per his request. Dyu had started on making a generator for the Facility as well as a small personal one. “Well I’d rather not take an amount from the race I’m staying with. Its bad manners as a guest and even worse for business.” Was Dyu’s response as to why he was creating a small personal generator. Durumas had excused Serenias for the rest of the day, but Serj had to attend some military seminar on procedures so he had to stay at the facility. When Serenias got to the entrance she was met by Jin. “May I?” “So you’re my escort home?” Jin grinned and bowed. “Of course. But first, a small celebration, to the local diner!”

During the drive to where ever Jin was taking Serenias, she thought up more questions that she wanted to ask Dyu. “Something bugging you Nia? You’ve been sitting there like your head is next inline for the chopping block.” Serenias looked at Jin. “Wha..? No, just a bit tired and confused.” Jin nodded to her response. “Well you can at least tell me the parts that aren’t classified right now, or you could tell the whole story and no one would be the wiser.” Serenias thought it best to just get the whole affair out of her system, so she relayed the entire story from her first mission to where Durumas and let her go. Jin drove silently for a while; his face is avid thought before he said something. “So what do you think Alternates are?” Serenias opened her mouth, but then closed it. *I thought they were other countries, but I know there isn’t a place like Serj’s ruins anywhere. And while there are massive forests and mountains, I don’t think people believe in massive monsters that live in caves, like where Dyu is from. But they have to be some place.* Serenias thought to herself. “I… don’t know honestly. What are they then?” Jin got a big goofy grin on his face when she asked him that. “Ah, the right question has been asked. Well you’ve probably deduced that where Serj is from is a mite more advanced than here. I mean the whole Robot army there at the end does put one nail in the coffin. And while you might have thought that Dyu’s tale of people believing him a monster, there are still people who do believe in stuff like that. Only it’s more geared towards the monster being things we can’t control. And the way Dyu speaks, from your descriptions, means he’s not a local of where you found him from. What number did he say when he mentioned what he was made out of?” Serenias thought back a bit. “I think he said he was made of the 14th metalloid or something.” Jin started to giggle at Serenias’ problem. “Serenias, no offense, but did you ever take Chemistry?” Serenias glared at Jin then lowered her gaze. “No, my school didn’t offer it because most people there were expected to continue with the family business. Which was mostly farming, but my dad was the local power plant technician.” Jin looked at Serenias with an odd look. “Ah, sorry. Well did they at least teach you about molecules and such?” Serenias tossed a weak punch at Jin’s shoulder. “While I didn’t get to take chemistry, they at least taught some basic stuff, yea I know what molecules are.” “Then you at least know what elements are.” Serenias nodded. “Well, elements are given numbers based on the neotrons they have. And if Dyu knows what he’s talking about, then he’s a Siliconoid.” Serenias raised an eyebrow at that statement. “A what?” Jin let out another bout of giggles. “Siliconoid, something science fiction writers came up with to describe beings made of the element silicon.” Serenias looked at Jin with skepticism. “Don’t worry; this does have a point with our conversation about Alternates. So what element do you think we’re made of?” Serenias sat there. “But we’re taught that stupid fairy tale of the…” “Of a big invisible guy creating everything in a week or two. Yea, well as far as the scientists are concerned we’re made of carbon, and they say nothing else can be used as a basis of life.”

Serenias sat there in the car, slightly stunned at what Jin had just said. “Shocked at the fact that we’re made of carbon eh?” Serenias shook her head to both clear it and give Jin a signal that he was wrong. “No, that you just…” “Went and insulted a world religion? Eh, not that a big of a problem where I come from.” *But that must one hell of a place, where they don’t consider the Templars important.* “Back on topic though. The Ruins, the robots, and Serj’s book all contain things that that look like they were pulled strait from some of the pulp fiction out there. The forests, mountains, the tale Dyu said about him being though of a monster, kind of resembles a fairy tale, don’t you think?” Serenias looked sternly at Jin waiting for what he was trying to get at. Then a small spark lit in Serenias’ mind. “Wait, you mean to tell me that I’ve been messing with stories?” Jin frowned for a second. “Not quite, while yes they do sound like they’re from stories but they’re real. Now, think a little deeper.” Serenias decided to go through what Jin had said. *okay stories take place at, well, a place. But where that place is, isn’t necessarily where we live. And what’s with the… name… Alternate?* Jin face now had the widest, goofiest grin plastered all over. “Figured it out, have you? Well just in time for the mini-celebration.” The car had stopped outside of a diner not to far from where Serenias lives. “World’s End Diner?” Serenias read out loud. “Best diner around. Hell, the only diner around. Given that most of this land, including the little urban houses are all owned by the Government.” “Really? But a city is just a few miles away.” Jin shook his head as he opened the door for Serenias. The smell of cooking oil and charred food made her stomach growl in anticipation. “While, yes that city is there, that doesn’t change the fact that most of this is still connected to the Explorer’s Association and in turn, the government. But its now time for food! Hey Derrick, I got one that needs a celebration meal.” Some where in the back of the kitchen a sound of various metallic clanks and the sound of heavy feet. “JIN! You rapscallion you!” the man that came from the kitchen was a mountain of a person. His immaculate apron covered the muscles that must have been the envy of his high school football team. “So we got one fresh from the mission or a few days stale?” Derrick’s voice was a tenorish quality, but he sounded like a how a scholar might. “Just a day stale, so most of the stuff is still fresh and she’s actually keeping up with some of the advanced stuff.” Jin and Derrick started talking about various things that Serenias couldn’t keep up with. So she decided to look around the dinner.

There was only one other person in the place, already eating. He looked to about her own age, lean musculature like someone who does casual exercise, and over all he seemed to have an air of confidence of himself. Immediately Serenias didn’t like him, she didn’t know why, but she just didn’t like him. So she went on and looked around to see the pictures of previous dinner patrons, and various memorabilia that a place like this always seemed to collect. The photos lining the walls were of people with various attitudes, most of them with confident smiles or determinant eyes. And then she saw a photo with three young men huddled together. It was also signed by the three men. She was dumbstruck by the three names, Gercent, Kreus, and Janus. She almost didn’t believe that Mr. Durumas wasn’t stocky when he was young; Kreus however had the beginnings of his hawk-like appearance; but Serenias was more interested in Janus. He had a smirk on his face and a relaxed pose. But somehow it gave him the look of someone who could and would do anything, but he didn’t give the feeling of smug confidence but one of true confidence of a person who knows his limits. And the more Serenias looked, the more she noticed that Janus seemed to be in a majority of the pictures lining the walls. And after looking at most of the pictures that he was in, it reminded her of the story that Durumas was supposed to tell her after she was finished with her mission. But she got distracted by someone calling her name.

“Serenias Ventros, back to Terra. Calling Serenias Ventros.” It was Jin, apparently she was caught up in her looking at the photos that Jin and Derrick both started to look with her, at least until Jin remembered why they were there. “Sorry I just got caught up in the photos.” “Yea, noticed that. Anyway you have time to look at them while I make up your order Ms. Nia; so what shall it be?” Derrick had a small note pad and pencil ready. Serenias looked at the menu and just picked the first one that jumped out at her. “I guess a Molten Double Ender burger?” “Slaw or fries?” “I’ll take the coleslaw please.” Derrick then turned to Jin, “the usual?” Jin nodded and added for Serenias’ sake “yes, a Rocky Molten Ender with the tots.” Derrick nodded back and gave a courteous wink to Serenias before he disappeared into the kitchen. Serenias started to look at the photos before noticing that the other person that was in the dinner was looking at her. As soon as he noticed that she had seen him looking at her, he went back to his food. Jin also noticed the other person in the dinner and he let out a groan. Serenias looked at Jin and tilted her head a little. Before she could ask Jin who the stranger was, or why he was annoyed at his presence, she heard the stranger get up and walked right to them.

“Hello Jin! Fancy seeing you here, and who’s the chick?” the person said in a very boisterous manner, and made Serenias a bit peeved at him. Jin put on a genteel smile, one that made Serenias think of Dyu for a brief moment, before responding. “Hello Rensan and I am a bit surprised to see you here, given that you’re still supposed to be under house arrest for letting that animal specimen loose.” *Ah so that’s who this guy is, he’s Rensan… wait I’m supposed to know who he is?* Rensan shook his head and handed Jin a piece of paper. Jin took it, looked it over frowning before letting out a sigh and handing it back to him. “And you still haven’t answered my second question, who’s the…” before he could finish Serenias stood up and slapped Rensan in face. “I’m Serenias Ventros, not some ‘chick’.” Serenias saw that slap had shaken his confidence quite a bit, and after he recovered he lifted up his hand and… it was caught by another. Derrick had come from the kitchen unnoticed by anyone. “Mr. Vesuvius, I believe you’ve finished your meal, paid for it, and now I think its time you left.” Rensan looked at Derrick, and then to Jin, and then to Serenias. She saw not quite loathing but something that he just couldn’t understand and just didn’t like it coming from his eyes. He jerked his hand out of Derrick’s grip and turned and left the dinner. Serenias sank back to her seat and found her ‘Molten Double Ender’ right next to her. It turned out to be a double stacked burger with cheese, perfectly melted to coat the top of the burger. Serenias noticed that Jin’s was a single but with crushed bacon on top of his cheese. “Jin, I’m going to be in the back cleaning up, but if anything happens, call.” And Derrick disappeared behind the kitchen’s doors. Jin sighed and turned to Serenias.

“I had hoped that you would have met Mr. Hotshot under working conditions. You’ve just met Rensan Vesuvius, the up and coming poster boy for the Templar Explorers and you’ve slapped him.” And then Serenias remembered where she had heard the name before, when she over heard Kreus talking to Durumas and when Renthal ordered the beast loose. *And now I’ve made another enemy, great, just… great* Serenias thought before she picked up her meal. Before she took a bite she decided to ask something asinine. “Is he always like that?” Jin just snorted as he was about to take a drink. “Rensan? Urgh, practically all the time. Although he’s actually pretty competent when he actually thinks things through. I hate to say this but he’s a decent person if only his ego would stop driving his actions.” Serenias looked at Jin with heavy skepticism, only to shake her head and finally took a bite of the burger. Serenias was surprised at the taste of it. The flavor of the melted cheese seemed to meld with the juiciness of the hamburger. “And now you know why I dragged you here. Plus it’s a rest from the hectic days after your experience.” Serenias nodded at the statement reading to take another bite from the burger when a bright flash and clicking noise happened. Serenias blinked out the blinding glare that was caused by a camera flash to find that Derrick had once again appeared without noise from the kitchen holding a camera. “One for the Wall Miss.” And before Serenias could attempt to take the camera Derrick was in the kitchen area in the blink of an eye. “Don’t worry, that photo is only for his personal wall.” Serenias looked at Jin with venomous eyes before finishing the delectable burger.

After Serenias finished the Burger did she find out that Derrick allowed the first meal of any Explorer go for free. After that they had to pay. Jin led Serenias home for the rest of the day so she could go on her next mission in the next two days. She found Serj playing the video games silently like always when he returned. But Serenias noticed that near him were a package and a letter. “Here.” Was all he said when he paused the game and handed her both items. Serenias opened the letter first. It was a briefing on the next mission’s geographical climate, terrain, and what was needed. She also noted that Dyu would accompany her as a ‘Technical Advisor/Research Head’. This meant that Dyu would look about figure out what was going on. Serj was going as well to act as a body guard of sorts. Nothing really else was noticeable in the letter so she put it down and turned to the package. It was from home, and Serenias stared at the package dreading what was in it.

She opened it with a slight shaking of her hands. It opened to reveal a tin of something that smelled vaguely of home, a couple of videos, and a letter. Serenias opened the letter first. It, thankfully, was from her father. It started with the normal niceties that were usual for this kind of thing. It also said the tin had some of his home baked cookies, my siblings were fine, and however her mother was going righteously berserk at my choice of careers. *Like I ever wanted to do what she wanted in the first place.* Serenias decided to clear her mind of what her mother would think by having some of those home-made cookies. To her surprise there was a note atop the pile of cookies in the tin. *Oh no. I seriously hope this isn’t what I think it is. If it is, Dad you may have just ruined what little privacy I was going to have.* The note was exactly what she thought it was, a note from her mother about how Serenias doesn’t know what choices to make with her life and that as soon as her mother could, she would be traveling to take her away from her ‘ill-made choice’.

Serenias sat down with one hand to her forehead. *Mom is coming to pick me up. She could even be rolling up to the door right now* something in the back of her mind perked up, but she ignored it. *No, I made sure that when she found out, accident or not, she’d have troubles with her job and all. But I didn’t plan on her finding out this soon.* the thing in the back of her mind perked up once more, again to be ignored. *Dad, you should have waited a couple of more weeks to send me a care package. I knew you only meant well…* that thing in her mind finally started to make itself very well known. Serenias finally noticed what was wrong, instead of the constant synth’d noise of a game, she only heard silence. Serenias looked up to see Serj’s mismatched eyes. Serenias stared back at them, not unsettled by it anymore. “Problem?” Serj said calmly. “No, not really. Just something happening that I didn’t plan on.” “Then don’t worry about it. What will happen, will happen.” Serj promptly picked a cookie out of the tin. “What are these?” looking at the cookie like a foreign object. Serenias started to giggle to herself, while Serj kept his calm face until she was ready to talk. “How… how can you not know of cookies? I mean…” Serenias stopped when she looked at Serj’s mismatched eyes. She knew that he was serious. *That’s right; Serj probably didn’t have a normal childhood. I don’t even know how he was raised.* Serenias shook her head, “I’m sorry I forgot that…” Serj just shook his own head and held up the cookie. “It’s something you eat Serj. I don’t eat them often because my younger brother would get to them first and there’d hardly be any left. Go head, try one.” Serj bit into the cookie he was holding. There was flash of color in his bright green eye for just a moment before it faded back to its normal bright green. Serj picked up the tin’s lid and put it back on. He finished the cookie in silence before returning to his game. After a while at looking at Serj’s silent form, Serenias finally heard an answer, “it was good.”

After her recent mission did Serenias learn that sometimes a mission has to fail. It was a complete waste of time. Serenias sat in the briefing room after going into the Alternate just twenty minutes before. Durumas was sitting there with massaging the bridge of his nose. “Okay after you entered the Doorway, Dyu started to act strange. Strange how?” Serenias said calmly, “After we entered, Dyu stumbled like he was some how winded.” Durumas looked to Serj. “He did indeed misstep; his eyes also took on a somewhat unsteady gaze sir.” Durumas nodded to Serj and Serenias to continue. Serenias decided to continue first. “At first we though it was just something wrong with the air, but then he started to clutch at his Core sir. He then went to demand that we return back here.” Serj nodded in agreement before Durumas prompted him. Before Durumas could ask the next question, a soft knocking was heard at the door. “I’ve come to explain what happened Mr. Durumas.” Durumas opened to a wan looking Dyu, his hair looked slight bit duller his core didn’t have as bright a shine as it did when Serenias first saw it. His clothes seemed a bit drab as well. Dyu took a seat at the conference table. “I’m sorry for cutting the mission short sir. I made a mistake and I could have made a much graver one if I did not abort the mission.” even Dyu’s voice didn’t have the singsong quality it usually had. “Okay then, Mr. Vyern. But first I’d like to finish getting what Ms. Ventros and Mr. Newman witnessed.” Dyu agreed. “Okay, Serj what happened after Dyu started to make his demands on returning.” Serj shook his head, like he was trying to clear it. “Pieces of the land started to disappear sir. It got to a point which a large boulder vanished. Serenias made the return with out warning.” Serenias added to Serj’s statement. “I thought we were in danger and the only solution I had was returning here.” Durumas wrote down their statements then nodded to Dyu to get his perspective.

“As I’ve stated to you and Ms. Ventros, I live on very small particles. And in some situations I can take the very matter around myself as sustenance in the absence of said particles. What happened is when there is a major void of the particles.” Durumas wrote down the statement then froze. He looked up to Dyu, and finally he shook his own head. It then hit Serenias what she witnessed her self. “Yes, Mr. Durumas I could have killed two sentients if I didn’t have the self control to noticed what happened.” Durumas was back massaging the bridge of his nose. “So if this happens most of the time we send you to an Alternate, its going to be problematic.” Dyu nodded his agreement. “I propose that I be suspended from participating in missions until I’ve found a decent way of detecting if I will start the ‘Eating’ phase or not.” Durumas thought about it for a while, “I’ll have to talk to the Director about this but for now I think that’s the best suggestion. I’ll have to give this mission to someone else while I find another mission for Mr. Newman and Ms. Ventros. Dyu you’re dismissed, go get rested or fed or what ever it is that your people do.” Dyu just nodded then left the room. Durumas turned to Serj and Serenias. “Sorry lass but this mission is a failure. Don’t worry, there’ll be more. For now go home get something to eat, rest up, and I’ll call you when I’ve got another mission for you.” Serenias and Serj left the Gate facility.

The next day after the failed mission Mr. Kreus called Serenias to tell her of her next mission. While she didn’t like or trust him, he did give her enough information about her next mission. She gave Serj his details as he was the only one to accompany her on her next one. It was much like the failed mission only this time it hopefully won’t be interrupted by an unforeseen problem. It wouldn’t be for another few days. So Serenias and Serj decided to prep a bit more this time.

As Serenias was waiting at the Doorway awaiting for the Door to appear she got a chill down her spine. Serj was standing there showing nothing. Then Serenias realized that the Door was open, but it was different. It didn’t have any thing to it; it was just a black square different from the black rock or whatever it was around it. Serenias and Serj stepped though.

Serenias was met by the oddest sight. It was a small room, with light yellow walls with a band of stripped wall paper encircling it. There was various things strewn about, but there was something odd about the room. Serenias could recognize what an object was, but she could fully describe it. The room had a bed, a desk, and a chest of drawers. But any specific detail was fleeting about them, Serenias couldn’t tell what kind of sheets were on the bed, the desk was wooden but what kind of style and what type of wood she couldn’t answer, and items stacked on the chest of drawers was best described by stuff. It might have been books, it might have been clothes, but she just couldn’t focus on it. There was something extremely odd and disturbing about the whole feel of the room. Serenias turned to where the door way should have been in the room, only to be met by the light yellow of the painted wall and that stripped band of wallpaper. And then Serenias remembered that Serj had walked into the portal the same time as her. Serenias looked about the small room in vain to find Serj. It was then Serenias saw a person. He was sitting in a chair at the desk. He was wearing a hat, a t-shirt, some pants and some slippers. He was working with something sitting on top of the desk; it was more definite than the stuff littering the chest of drawers. She could describe it as a mix between a TV and the game console, but it reminded her of the neotroic workstations that were in the Gate facility. It hit her as to what was sitting on the desk, it was one of the electronic workstations but it was more compact, it didn’t need the ribbons of magnetized tape that the neotroic workstations need back home. And its monitors, two of them, were in color, not the pastiche of green that the workstations had. The Figure finally stopped working at his advanced neotroic workstation, but he didn’t bother to turn around.

{Hello Ms. Serenias Ventros} the figure said, or would have said if it didn’t some how just appear in Serenias’ head. It scared her that the figure could just pull information out of her head, unlike Dyu who could only skim the surface because he didn’t like trying to read too deeply into people’s minds. {Don’t worry, I won’t keep you long. And your companion Serj isn’t in any danger. I’m just going to propose to you about something.} The person said in that strange mind speak. It was still disconcerting to Serenias when he did that. {You don’t have to answer to what I’m about to propose to you, just… consider it a possibility of an open door. I’m willing to give you and your home access to technology, histories, information on anything you require. But it does come with one small hanger on. I’d like some information on any encounters with an interesting object. Don’t worry, I’ll know if you’ve encountered the right object or not.} Serenias wanted to scream with fright and anguish at the person but some how she just couldn’t get her mouth to open. {Don’t worry, you don’t have to take up my offer but think of the things that I could just give you, instead of waiting on your companion Dyuelgus to finally invent for you.} Somehow that last statement was a bit soothing to her, but in the back of Serenias’ head a voice piped up *Don’t trust him, he’s not what you think he is!* {Oh shush, she’s and intelligent woman, she doesn’t need help from some baser instinct. Now what do you think of my Offer Ms. Serenias Ventros?} “I’ll… I’ll…” Serenias wanted to agree but she kept thinking that doing so was not going to better anyone except this stranger’s own agenda. Serenias finally shoved out an answer that would give her time to think about why his offer was so wrong. “I’ll think about it. Sir…” {Gary, Gary will do for now. And Off you go.} Gary turned around to finally show Serenias a horrible sight. Gary’s face was featureless; there was no eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows. The only distinguishing feature was his hat; it was black with what looked like explosions of color. Before Serenias could scream in fright she was shoved back into the portal from where she came. She fainted as soon as she felt the cool air of the Doorway chamber.

________________________________________

And that's it for this chapter. nothing really going on with maybe the exception of GARY!

Gary is a villain of sorts. not going to explain his plans much other than DON'T Listen! also for a picture of Gary's Hat, well Here it is. Yes I made that hat and its one of a kind too.

and I've introduced the Rival, Rensan Vesuvius. and yes his last name is the same as a very famous Volcano. I meant it to be that way.

Next chapter I finally get to introduce D (not his actual name of course, but I'll explain that later) and he'll be one hell of a character.

on the topic of D (and his story) I was mistaken about the journal, however I might have a really good hunch as to where it actually is. how ever the Main story I probably won't put on here due to its rather Graphic nature and some of its darker perspectives.

D : FINALLY! Get to work Freak! I must have my chapter before you go off to boot camp.

*swift kick to the face* And back to Limbo you go. I'll get to your chapter after I've gotten a few things straitened out.

I apologize for the walls o'texts but its my style, so I'll just apologize for it.

This post has been edited by Asher Omega: Mar 24 2009, 8:22 AM

[MorriganAensland]

WHUMP!

Finally found the time to read this.

And yes, I do not like Gary. Hell, at least Dyu knows where to draw the line for the time being. Mr. Volcano's amusing, at least for the moment too.

And you're doing dimension hopping? ^_^ Good thing I decided to exclude that from Shin Minako in exchange for a more practical way of introducing the Big Bad for that.

Anyways, great work, and I can't wait to meet D. And are you going to post the main story on fictionpress?

[Asher Omega]

as far as I think I may still have my fictionpress account, however I'm not sure if the story is up there (if it is, its not using the Original start). if I do find that journal and finally type up the original start I will put it on my fictionpress account.

also most the villains are irredeemable @$$holes in my stories. mostly due to the extremes they will go to, to get what they want. but that doesn't mean much. for all we know Gary is trying to do something good (if he is doing something rather nasty to get it).

and yes Rensan will probably annoy people but he's not going to be doing some idiot thing. remember he was ordered to let loose the beast. but yes he has one big fat EGO on him.

and just because I'm weird, I like giving some of my characters theme songs/BGMs. Gary's is Cultivation by Susumu Hirasawa, while Dyu has Hold Baroque Inside from BAROQUE (the original PS/Saturn game). I have an idea for Serj but his theme song is kinda a spoiler and I don't have one for Serenias yet.

and Morrigan got what the hell the Doorway is. which means I can finally reveal the second inspiration for this story (and the Main story's). the first inspiration was Stargate, but the second one was a 90s show called Sliders. four people are stuck "jumping" from dimension to dimension trying to get home, after (I think it was) season 3 it went down hill and got really sucky. but the first three were really good. (and don't worry about anything the whole "what if germany won WW2" Alternate has been said and done so I'm not going there.)

also for a treat (which took several hours of trying to upload and reupload) I have D's theme song (or at least one for the first time he's met). Stress (Live Version) by Justice and yes its supposed to be intimidating.

This post has been edited by Asher Omega: Apr 11 2009, 4:28 AM

[MorriganAensland]

And I've got no problem with Card-Carrying Villains. As long as they pull it off and are not Designated Threats, then I'll enjoy them all the same.

And yes... that is a great, intimidating song for D.

[Zhanneel]

I'm almost getting to this next chapter. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten =).

[Zhanneel]

I made it! Did it all in one go. *drinks something with electrolytes*

Okay, teasing aside, it was great. I loved the cookies from home, and Serj's interest in them. His noncommittal reply. And we got to learn a little more about some of the characters, especially Dyu (who I like very much). Feel free to add lots of chemistry references in your writings. I always like referring back to my old classes. Well, it keeps me challenged when I read stuff . Gary...the stalker! Okay, maybe not the same one, but very creepy nonetheless. Almost forgot, the bit about Serenias not taking "chick" talk from Rensan (edit!) was just what I was hoping her reaction would be.

[Asher Omega]

Derrick is the cook! Rensan is the idiot that called Serenias a "Chick".

[Zhanneel]

Ack! Whoops, I shall edit it, but the damage has been done. *shuns self from the world*

[Asher Omega]

its okay Zee. I mean it is a wall o' text so its easy to misinterpret somethings I write.

[Asher Omega]

That which Sleeps of Self

Serenias awoke to a foul smell. The room she was in was the local medical clinic inside the base. She felt really groggy for the first few seconds after she awoke. There was a small vial being held to her nose by someone in white. “Ah, you’re awake now. Whew, if you stayed asleep any longer it would have been a rather sad day.” The voice was female. The person shuffled off to somewhere out of sight of Serenias. *what… what happened?* she thought to herself. *You were taken advantage of. And no not like those stupid videos they show in Sex Ed.* it was the strange darker voice that she heard when she met Serj. *I thought I told you too get out.* if Serenias could see the face of the cold voice it would have had a smirk. *Yes you told me to get out, but I’m not easily gotten rid of girl. And right now is the best chance I have to tell you abo…* the cold voice was abruptly cut off by a strange sensation, soothing and comforting. But to Serenias there was something else about that sensation, she just couldn’t put feeling to why it felt strange. Serenias’ eyes finally began to focus on her surroundings.

The person who had awoken Serenias was the head doctor for the Gate Facility. Serenias had a hard time pronouncing the doctor’s last name. “Don’t worry about it, just call me Nina. Practically everyone does.” Dr. Ningishzida said mirthfully. Nina went about Serenias making sure that everything was in proper working order. Nina told Serenias to wait while she went to talk to someone. The memories of the last mission were some how crisp and clear yet extremely fuzzy at the same time. And every time she tried to think about it deeper a head ache would appear. So Serenias did the only thing that she could, she just stopped thinking about it. She could deal with the details later. * I wonder how long I was out for. And I wonder where is Serj?* Serenias tried to sit up but her body was a bit more tired than she thought. Just as Serenias was about to fall out of the bed, Dr. Ningishzida and Mr. Durumas walked in. She was caught both by Durumas as well as Nina. As soon as they propped Serenias up with a few pillows for comfort did Durumas speak. “Lass, what happened? Serj doesn’t know because all he can remember is being stuck in an endless black space.” Serenias tried to recall what happened but that head ache started again, less than when she was trying to remember everything in detail but it still bugged her. “Gercent, I know you want to know what happened a couple of days ago but she just woke up. Allow her some rest first and then you can talk it out of her.” Nina chided Durumas. “Sorry Nina, but it just worried me that she was missing for an entire day then came back suddenly and fainted. It’s happened but something just urks me about this.” Nina shook her head. “Don’t worry she fine, but after being out for two days I’d say she might need one more day of bed rest then allow some time for her to collect her thoughts.” And with that Nina shoo’d Durumas out of the room.

For the rest of the day Nina popped in and out of Serenias’ room, making sure that Serenias didn’t try to over strain her body. Jin popped in briefly just to see how she was doing but he was called away due to his own work. Serj didn’t show up at all. *But that’s probably because he’s trying to figure out what happened to himself. I can’t believe that I was out for two whole days. I’m pretty sure I was only in that Alternate for just fifteen minutes.* the head ache that usually accompanied her thinking of the Alternate had subsided through out the day. Although at one point Serenias felt really nauseous for a few moments before it went away. It was almost time for her to go to sleep when Dyu came in, accompanied by Durumas and Ningishzida. “Okay Dyu has proposed a way of finding out what happened when you were gone.” “Within reason Mr. Durumas, I’ll stop as soon as I sense any pain I may cause her, as per Dr. Ningishzida requested.” Dyu stated as he nodded to Nina. Nina looked a bit worried but she did have some confidence in Dyu strangely.

Dyu put one hand on Serenias’ forehead, lightly touching her skin. “Relax Nia; this should be over before you know it.” Serenias closed her eyes because it would be easier to relax than staring into Dyu’s crimson eyes. And without any warning Serenias and Dyu felt a sharp pain. Dyu stepped back with inhuman grace and a shocked look in his eyes. Nina went to Serenias’ side immediately. After a brief check with both of them, Durumas decided it was the best time to find out what happened. “I’m sorry Mr. Durumas, but as far as I can ascertain someone or something has literally put a mental block on those memories. Any interference will cause an amount of pain both to her and anyone trying to read them. It even surprised me.” Nina looked at Dyu with a bit of venomous anger. “So will you be trying this again Dr. Vyern?” Nina asked very curtly. Dyu shook his head and replied, “No, while I am interested in what happened, I’m pretty sure if I tried again it would result in some serious damage to either party. Whether I succeeded or not. No, Dr. Ningishzida, I’m not willing to try it again.” Nina let a sigh of relief out at that. Durumas was still a bit worried at this though. “Well if I can’t form a report other than either Explorers can’t remember what happened then I’ll have to put a lock down on that Alternate.” After that Dyu and Durumas left Serenias and Nina alone in the room. “Well that went as well as I thought it would.” Nina complained to no one. “Get some rest; it’ll be a while before you get your next mission.” And Serenias was left alone in her bed.

It was a week or so after the encounter with Gary that Serenias got her next mission, this one was more attuned with sample collection. She was to get a large amount of a small herb like plant that was found on her next Alternate. Dyu had found an interim way of testing if he could be sustained in an Alternate. He did state that he was on the verge of making a more non-biased tool instead of his current ‘hap-hazard’ way. It consisted of sending either Ura or Aru through the Doorway with Serenias to ‘taste’ the locale. Dyu had tested this Alternate with Ura with one of the science teams, and it was reported to be within ‘livable’ levels. So Serenias had started to make her pack when Serj knocked on her bedroom door. “Mail” was all he said, and Serenias took her share *I’m surprised that Serj already has gotten mail. I’m not sure to be surprised at the junk mail companies or curse their system.* most were junk mail, a letter from Jin who was currently working in a different country’s Explorer’s Association branch. He mostly mentioned how this one was more run by the Templar Church than anything. A couple of bills were in there as well, but then Serenias noticed the pink envelope. *NO! Oh god, not another one, Mother I love you with all my heart but just stop. Please.* Serenias opened the dreaded thing and her heart sank even more. Serenias left her room and went downstairs to break the news to Serj. As always he was sitting in front of the TV playing a game. “Serj, News.” He stopped as soon as he could, which wasn’t very long and never was for Serj. “Pink Envelopes?” he asked. Serenias nodded, Serj knew that those envelopes usually broke Serenias’ good mood when ever they came in the mail. “My Mother finally found the time to come here. It’s even got a set date for it.” Serj waited a bit before his question. “And when is it?” Serenias took a moment to compose herself. “It’s after the next mission about a week or so after. But some how *thankfully* my father snuck in that she won’t be coming alone, so you’ll get to meet my family.” Serj sat there with an odd expression that Serenias never saw before. It looked to be a mixture of sadness and exclusion. It made his mismatched eyes look very old and some how hollowed out. It saddened Serenias to see such a look on him, but that face was gone as soon as she saw it. It was replaced by Serj’s normal emotionless-like face. “I’ll try and stay out on that day then.” Serj said it with a small twinge of regret. Serenias shook her head and put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t, I need at least one other person here so my mother doesn’t start on her rants. She usually tries to not show that side of her unless she’s with family.” Although his face didn’t change, the bright green eye of Serj’s seemed to glow once again. Serenias returned to her packing while Serj went back to his daily routine.

The gate this time turned into a mass of twisted blackened vines that formed what appeared to be a burnt hedge maze entryway. Dyu was already waiting on the other side, he had been checking if Ura’s judgment had been correct and so far it was. Serj nodded to Dyu who had regained his ‘luster’ and maybe even gained a bit of a glow since the incident. “Miss Serenias, it’s nice to see you.” His voice had definitely regained its sing-song quality. *is it just me or did it somehow gain a harmony part to it as well?* Serenias thought to herself while greeting the bit more energetic scientist. Serj joined them after a minute of waiting. He was wearing a military uniform, with two special patches. One was the military’s special patch for the Explorer’s Division and the other was a patch that marked him as an independent unit, one that doesn’t have any team mates or in some cases doesn’t need them. From what she got from Gercent, Serj had earned that patch on his own while she was in the facilities’ clinic recuperating. “So what are we looking for Dyu?” Serenias asked him. He held up a small plant that looked like it was made of leafy curls. “From what I got from the research team that had gone here before, these plants may have an anesthetic chemical quality to your biology. They however didn’t find enough from this point but one of the members did state that they were more commonly found on the out skirts of the forest we’re currently in. Serenias took a good look at the trees that were surrounding them. They were tall, thin, and most of the leaves were up at the top which made the trees look like giant green ear cleaners. However they were sparsely spaced, unlike where Serenias had found Dyu, so there was more sunlight streaming through the leafy canopy. Serj had taken out a pair of small binoculars and started to search the horizon for the nearest clearing of the trees. He stopped and waved at Serenias to get behind her and Dyu took step to stand beside Serj. Serenias saw what Serj had with out the aid of the binoculars. A figure that was in a black long coat, a hood that was covering over his head while a collar inside the hood was masking the stranger’s lower face. Due to the slight gloom of the forest, the open part of the hood had completely shadowed over the stranger’s eyes. But as soon as Serenias noticed the stranger, it in turn noticed them. And then Serenias felt the pressure. Her body felt like it was suddenly cast into a cold ocean. The stranger was very far away but some how he was exerting something towards them. Serj took a defensive stance and Dyu some how seemed to lock up. The stranger started to walk to Serenias. The walk wasn’t threatening at all; it was like someone who was going to deal with a chore or a small task that could be done at any time. With each step it, the pressure increased, just like she was falling deeper into that cold ocean. Serenias stood there looking strait at that darkened hood. The Figure had covered a quarter of the distance when Serenias understood why he stood out. Some how within a certain radius of him things started to get covered in hoar frost. It didn’t scare Serenias, but that pressure was definitely causing some problems. It felt like she was now several hundred feet under the ocean and while her body wasn’t shivering it felt like it was definitely colder than any winter night she had been in. he was now at half the distance that they saw him at. The long coat gained some details. It was made of black leather, with a piece that covered the stranger’s torso that clasped at the shoulders and near the bottom of, where Serenias suspected, his ribcage ended. Below a belt were long flaps with a row of buttons down the front, left unbuttoned. The sides of the flaps were disconnected at the waist from the ones in the back. The two that were behind the figure had a piece of lighter weight fabric between them to allow for the movement of the legs. The figure also wore black gloves that had metal attached on top of each part of its hand, giving the impression of wearing a pair of gauntlets. He was now a quarter of the original distance away from them, the pressure now effecting everyone. Serj was standing leaning into an invisible heavy wind; Dyu looked to almost have been carefully carved out of pure white marble. The pressure on Serenias now felt like she was never going to warm and she though her bones would break from any kind of movement. Now the Stranger was mere feet away from them before he stopped his walk. Serj took a couple of steps back as if the heavy wind that he was facing was starting to gain hurricane speeds. Dyu was nothing more than a statue that surpassed any statue the Deity would have carved.

Serenias mood had worsened while all that walking was happening. *I’ve had it with any person I’ve met here taking the lead! I’m sick and tired…* Serenias noticed that the stranger was now just a foot away from her, standing over her head. The pressure was now unbearable. Serenias couldn’t take this stranger’s pressure or what ever he would have said. Serenias swung an arm at his head in a back hand. She missed his head, but her hand caught the hood and it was flipped back. The instant it was the pressure was gone, the hoar frost that had surrounded him and them was gone, and the bone deep chill was lifted. But Serenias now wished that she had left the hood up. The stranger’s hair was short and gave the appearance of being naturally being spiked, Black and White, and not mixed. Strait down the middle was the part; his left side was black and the right white. But it wasn’t the hair that had made Serenias regret her decision; it was the way the stranger looked at her with pure grey eyes. These eyes had seen devastation, corruption, immoral acts, and various other saddening and madness inducing traumas that would only cause Serenias more horror to learn of how he had witnessed such events. But deeper down there was something that told her to run, it wasn’t the other voice, but more something that had made the core of herself. This person was missing things that normal people have. Even Dyu had these pieces, even if they rarely showed themselves. This person didn’t, it wasn’t that he got rid of them by his own volition, but it was looking at a puzzle that you saw the whole picture but there were pieces missing, and no matter how hard one looked you couldn’t find where the pieces or the holes were. His emotions were hollow; shadows formed by something that knew what each emotion was but didn’t know why it would use them. A hand reached up. Serenias took a step back, only to find that the stranger was unbuttoning the collar that covered the lower part of his face. It was then that Serenias understood who held eyes like that. Some how the individual was almost like a blank slate. Bland features that if not for the hair and the eyes, he would be completely invisible to everyone around him. But some how he radiated something indefinable. “What are you doing here?” his voice however betrayed what his eyes had given a small glimpse of. It carried a weight that even Serenias was shocked at the depth of it. His voice was similar to Dyu’s only it carried a bitter tone instead of the sing-song one of Dyu’s. The sound of his voice could easily get lost in a crowd, but since it had that weight of authority to it he didn’t need to raise his voice to silence any sized crowd. Serenias had kept silent but some how regained that stubborn fire from before. The Stranger was about to say something before he shook his head.

“Les, get out here. They’re not threats, and definitely not what we’re looking for.” The stranger’s left hand went to his temple as if he had done something he would have regretted. Serenias noticed that what she though were metal covered gloves were actually more true to authentic gauntlets. Serenias heard a loud thump as if a large heavy body had fallen from one of the trees. She looked around and, indeed, a body had fallen out of a tree. It was kind of odd looking until the person called Les reared on her serpentine lower body. Les was definitely of the female persuasion, given here ample ‘assets’. Her hair had four thin pony tails and her head was wrapped like a desert dweller. The pieces of clothing that covered her chest was nothing more than decorated leather with ties at the side, and near where her human body turned to that of a serpent was a larger swatch of decorated leather tied at the sides of her hip. “Cap’n! You know how hard it was to get up there? It took me an hour to at least find a climbable one.” Les’ voice put her near Serenias’ age at least. Les turned to Serenias and glared at her. *Ah I know that look. I spoiled something that I shouldn’t have. Oh Well.* some more normalcy gave Serenias more courage to stand up to the stranger. “Les, now’s not the time. It should be around here. But if It finds us first like this we’re going to have some trouble.” The ‘Cap’n’ nodded his head in the direction of Serenias’ group. Les let out a sigh and started towards Serenias, only to be interrupted by one of Serj’s revolvers. The one that had .500 marked on the barrel. Serj had regained his own composure. Dyu however looked worse now; the statue look was now replaced by something that just made him look tattered and heavily worried. “Uh Cap’n, small problem. This guy has one of those, uh, guns I think, pointed at me.” That statement from Les perked up Serenias’ ears. It was like when Serj encountered something he didn’t know, like cookies. The ‘Cap’n’ let a sigh out himself. “Les, back off. These people are a bit more acquainted with a more diplomatic approach. I’m sorry for startling you and for appearing to be a threat. And I apologize for Les’ aggravation on that point.” He shot an admonishing glare at Les. “And I really should properly introduce our selves. Les is a Lamia from the desert clans of Harsing. And for now you can call me D’Atargan.” Serenias caught that he wasn’t using his real name. *and I wonder why you won’t give that out.* the more Serenias was around him, the more she wanted to either hit him or run away from his maddening presence. It was then that there was a chill that ran down Serenias’ back. It wasn’t like D’Atargan’s pressure, but it definitely carried that primal fear to it. Before anyone could react D’Atargan had a massive sized pistol of odd make pointed directly at Serenias and her companions. The weapon was longer than D’Atargan’s forearm made of black metal with red edgings; the barrel was mounted inside of a large housing that divided between the main barrel and a lens mounted right under. Before the revolver drum was a series of angled holes, almost like vents. D’Atargan pulled the trigger.

Serenias felt something shove her out of the way when the air where she once stood exploded in a mass of heat, light, and monstrous sound. It left a blue after image in her eyes, and realized that Serj had shoved her out of the way of the detonation from the weapon. Serenias searched to find him and saw that Serj had survived, but his left arm was severely burned by what ever that weapon fired. Before Serenias could try and get to him another shot rang out from the weapon, this time it was only a monstrous sound and a gust of wind. But it was forcing her away from her companions. More of the shots came from D’Atargan causing Serenias to cover her ears and run in a direction that wasn’t in the path of his destruction. Soon she wasn’t sure where Serj or Dyu were on that now there was debris kicked up from D’Atargan pistol. It was starting to sting her eyes but every so often another blinding light would flash mere feet from her. But Serenias realized that what ever he was firing at, it wasn’t her. There were shades in the dust covered forest now, things that some how didn’t make any plausible sense that they should be there. Occasionally Serenias would get a glimpse of D’Atargan firing in a different direction, but some how he had acquired a blade of midnight black with its tip a speckle of pure white. But then something caught Serenias’ arm. It pulled her farther away from him; Serenias looked to see who had grabbed her. It turned out to be Les; Serenias couldn’t hear anything over the din that D’Atargan was making but Les was definitely trying to help her to safety. And then a voice shouted, but Serenias couldn’t make out was said in the roar of her ears.

After the dust had blown away or settled Serenias saw what the shadows were. They looked to be relatives of the beast that Rensan had released. Its shape was more feline and it lacked the horns, but it body was more lithe and its seven clawed paw were definitely more dangerous than any horn. It was then Serenias noticed that the trees were burned, splintered, or sliced so cleanly their cut surfaces shown like mirrors. Distant mountains could be seen with splotches of blackness at their bases. But then the chill made Serenias look up a ways from D’Atargan. What met her made she wish that her stomach was empty. It was humanoid, floating in the air, but it looked to made of ropy bands of some black fleshy something. Where eyes should have been was nothing but empty blackness, and yet they shown with some darker intelligence of great malice. “We finally meet Walker of Grey!” the thing said in an almost nasally high pitched voice. “My Father wishes you well, if not that you’d stop interfering with our plans.” All of the comments were definitely directed at D’Atargan. While Serenias couldn’t judge his earlier emotions, she could definitely now, for all that was shown was pure rage. It was frightening to Serenias that anyone or thing could produce such a pure emotion. Even the bishop’s rage vastly paled in comparison to this. “YOU! Dæmon, you’ve impeded my progress thus far and it has done nothing more that cause my own irritation to you and your brethren to grow.” D’Atargan’s voice now gained a quality that puzzled Serenias. It felt like he was addressing an old friend, a great enemy, and complete stranger all at the same time. The dæmon laughed at D’Atargan’s shout. It caused more chills to run the length of Serenias’ spine. “What are you going to attempt to do to me, oh Walker of Grey? The brethren that have fallen before you have given the rest of us immunity to all but the most hearty of attacks of yours. There is nothing of your tricks that can harm us!” the thing looked down, with an air of smugness. D’Atargan next emotion wasn’t that of rage but of despair, deep as the pressure that Serenias had felt and it went deeper. D’Atargan didn’t say anything, but he changed. Serenias almost thought his dead body had dropped from the now ominous shape that loomed a few inches from the ground. It was a ziggurat, or was it a city of long past, or was it a cannon that has yet to be made. It was made of wood, or metal, or rocks, or of flesh and bone. It changed often but yet remained the same, and around the main spire, for there always one main spire, four shattered crystals spun around it. Pieces of the crystals were affixed to each other, but they were not whole. {DON’T LOOK!} A voice cried in side Serenias’ head. It wasn’t anyone’s voice but someone different. But she felt the mass of coils of Les slam into her, but Serenias’ head snapped up to see an unearthly glow was growing at the tip of the central column, as the thing fired something at the dæmon.

Serenias was now standing in darkness, or was she floating? Something was behind her; would she dare look behind her? Thoughts raced as to what was behind her, or what happened to the devastated glen of trees. Some part of her made her turn around. She was greeted by a multitude of persons. Some were like nymphs of legend, others were monstrous abominations, others were like normal people, men, women, girls, boys, and things that didn’t have gender were behind her. And she knew that all the faces were of Alternate versions of herself. And it drove her to madness.

Serj had witnessed that D’Atargan was separating him from his charges as well as defeating the threats. Whether he did this consciously or unconsciously, it mattered not to Serj. He ignored the pain that was coming from his left arm. The dust settled and Serj noted that Serenias was now at least safe with the person known as Les; Dyu was still at the same place were Serenias and Serj once stood with him. Serj heard the traded banter between the new threat and D’Atargan. He ducked as soon as the unknown voice spoke to his mind. He closed his eyes and he could still see the unnatural light through his eyelids. And then a silence blanketed the ruined forest. Serj deemed it was safe for him to check the surroundings. D’Atargan was lying as still as a corpse where the foreign object was once floating above. Dyu was still standing at his place, and his mouth was muttering nothing, while for the first time the two homunculi were by his side worried looks on their faces, Serj had no idea where they had come from. Les was propping Serenias up against a charred stump. Serj made his way to Serenias. Before he was half way there D’Atargan was up and almost beside Les and Serenias. Serj rushed over to prevent what ever D’Atargan had in mind. The strange heavy pistol was pointed at Serj the second he tried to shove D’Atargan away from Serenias. “What ever it is you’re thinking, I’m not going to harm her. The damage is already done. I was going to try and see what kind of damage it is, and if I can help it.” Serj just stood there with a glare on his eyes, but he took a step back from D’Atargan. Les was sitting on a ruined stump near by, with a shocked face, and tears trickling down her cheeks. “Les, Call Yrin. We leave in twenty minutes.” Les nodded a stilted nod and left. Serj then noticed that D’Atargan was getting something ready. Serj crouched beside him, looking at his face. D’Atargan’s eyes started to rapidly change color. Red, Green, Blue, Lavender, Greenish Brown, and then they settled to an amorphous mash of blue and purple. “I was checking her vitals, temperature, pulse, heart, electrical signals, and various other things.” D’Atargan stated tapping near his eyes. “And I do have some news. It’s neither good nor bad. She is still alive, but trapped inside a working of her own construction. It’s probably the first time it’s done that.” Serj suspected that he was referring to the ever changing weapon. “I can at least get her to a place where she can make the choice to wake up or to continue her sleep.” Serj just nodded. D’Atargan took that as a sign to do it.

D’Atargan placed his fingers on the side of each temple of Serenias’ head. A soft bluish glow centered around his finger tips. And then it was gone. A soft chuckle escaped D’Atargan’s lips. Serj felt relief for her and fear for that silent laugh of D’Atargan’s, before the excruciating pain of his burned left arm came rushing back to him. D’Atargan just grabbed his left hand and up and left in the direction of where Les left. The pain started to subside. Then a maddening itching was all over his left arm. He was afraid but he gave in to scratch the itch. The burned layer of skin came off without any help. And Serj rubbed off all the burned skin, revealing a perfectly healthy layer underneath. Serj looked for D’Atargan, but he didn’t see him, Les, or any trail of their passage. Dyu was led to Serj by Aru and Ura. And since D’Atargan’s appearance he said something. “Serj we have to go back. Now.” Dyu’s voice had lost all signs of any merriment. It was as if Serj was listening to a broken man. “We’ve met the prophet of the Grey Man today, and it is not a good sign to meet the prophet of the Grey Man.” Serj made the arrangements to return to the facility. Inside Serenias’ pack was a mass of the curly plant they were originally sent for. Neither Serj nor Dyu remembers or knows how it had gotten there, but they reported what they had witnessed with a gravity of lifetimes of long gone. Serenias was left in a clinic bed. She never once stirred since she saw the light. Serj stays by her bed hoping that she will wake and tell him of new things. No one but Serj knows that his green eye is almost the same shade of grey as the being known as D’Atargan. Dyu knows that they met the End of all today, the Prophet of the Grey Man walks, and when he walks neither oblivion nor creation can stop his journey.

______________________________________________________

and new chapter is up. and I'm a head a little bit too so I can actually update again if I wanted too. but not for now.

anyway Nina's name comes from the Mesopotamian God for the underworld and patron of medicine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningishzida

D's (D'Atargan) name is false, and that's because its a secret. so for now he is known as D'Atargan, which I kinda stole from Psychonauts prototype character (that was replaced by Raz).

and to explain a couple of things, we get introduced in the the Main Character of the Main Continuum. yes Serenias' story is an off shoot of D's. namely because D's is very, very disturbing. plus the fact that I needed a way of showing how a normal person would see him. that doesn't mean that he's going to show up more, or Serenias is going to be replaced, it just means that D will show up again. eventually.

I'm not going to explain what exactly happened at the end, that's for the next chapter. but I will say this, it'll definitely make you think about what's actively going on.

the entire Eye change this is easy to explain. what D was doing was having a type of nanomachine contact lens flip through various spectra for things. so no, the eye color change has nothing to do with his mood, it just means if he's got red eyes, he's going for thermal.

as for the next chapter, it got influenced by me reading all of Neil Gaiman's Sandman. and because of that, it got some serious upgrades in what was going to happen. and I'm glad of that.

and Les was inspired by a oneshot manga that I read. it was pretty cool.

D : And now I finally have my chapter. Lazy little Dep recruit.

Shut it D. you know I had trouble writing due to PT and the move. so back off!

Edit: I forgot to italicize Serenias' innervoice. whoops.

This post has been edited by Asher Omega: May 24 2009, 8:15 PM

[MorriganAensland]

Whoo! Nice chapter.

And yeah, D does seem to be the kind of guy who is currently kind of a jerk or at least not really caring about people. The arm thing reminded me of Antonio in JJBA though with the Pearl Jam chapters. Great sequence, and well handled here too.

Lots of crazy stuff happening, plus story hooks for later on like with Serenias's mom coming in and hilarity ensuing; but that's all well and good. We need a breather every once in a while.

And Sandman stuff? Nice... can't wait to see how it plays out.

[Asher Omega]

well the entire family thing is going to be important, but its kinda breather/plot point.

and yes I stole the arm thing from JJBA. I thought that was just a cool sequence.

and I also hid a shoutout to a book series I liked (at least until it got a bit preachy.)

and the next chapter will be short. and for Zee, its finally some backstory!