We entered the retail store across from the street for cover… We didn’t account for that which for us was waiting inside. Blue felt with his consciousness for water-based infrastructure beneath the building, luckily there’s enough power to summon a tsunami, judging by the still active plumbing. But years of ambushes told him that it’s a bit too early to relax just yet.
Red: I hate hiding.
Blue: Stop complaining, didn’t you ever like it when your mommy took you outlet shopping?
Red: I never liked boys’ clothing.
Blue: …
Red: What’s up?
Blue: I’m picking up something… Past traces of life maybe?
Red: Ugh… Who would wear that?!
Blue: Hey, Red, do those belts look like they’re moving to you?
Red: Uh, nope!
Blue: There!
Blue flipped back into the air, the landing causing immense pain to his sensitive legs. Red turned just in time to see a… coat? Reaching for him. With a burst of flame, he burned the coat to ashes, an eerie presence escaping its confines at the slight destruction. The belts lashed out at Blue, who managed to call a protective aura at the last moment. The frozen aura turned the belts into ice, leaving it fall to the ground and crash to pieces.
Red: Nice job.
Red yelled condescendingly at Blue while aiming a fiery heel kick at another set of sentient coats.
Blue: Coming here was a mistake.
Red: I’d rather worry *grunt* about getting out of here.
Red was overusing his power. Blue could feel his human consciousness faltering.
Blue: Red, be careful!
Coat: *Breathy voice* Ji…
Red: Hiyaaaa!
Belt: Ssss *hissing*
Blue closed his eyes and released a wide-radius burst of natural water energy, freezing all clothes in place.
Red released a small burst of flame to keep warm, clearly shivering from the impromptu binding attack released by Blue.
Blue: What’s making them move?
Red: Something smells good over that way.
Blue: You’re right…
Blue realized that the smell came from stale souls trapped in jars behind the cashier, but there was also a shadow looming there, a dark ominous shadow.
Blue: *GASP* Red! RUUNN!!
Red: What?
Blue darted to the door before the ground began to shake. The dim light emanating from the shards of frozen clothes highlighted the shadowed figure – Death.
The double doors of the building snapped shut instantly, a rigid layer of deadly frost coating the glass. Blue rolled on the ground to evade a bony hand.
Death: Jinn, old friends too.
Red: Who are you?
Blue: D-dea.. D-death…
Death: Ah, Marid, it seems you remember me, still. I hope you haven’t forgotten our deal?
Red: Wait a minute… Who are you? Blue?
Death: *Chilling laughter* I never thought I’d see the day when a Marid and an Afreet would be allies… The actions you living things take to escape me…
Blue: No one’s escaping you, and we owe you nothing.
Red: Who do you think you are?
Death: Ah, as hotheaded as ever.
Blue: Excuse me, but we’re not in the mood for idle chit-chat.
Death: One never is, I’m not exactly “pleasurable company”, still, I’d like for you to meet my children.
Two figures sliced their way through to this world, the gateway generated by Death’s unfurled robes.
The Splits: We like bones…
Blue: *Screams in pain*
Red turned to hear Blue’s blood curdling scream as he was forced into a strangely lopsided posture. Two strange twins were each holding one of Blue’s legs, giving him a make shift split.
Split: Not very flexible this one…
Spleet: I think we dislocated the thighbones.
Blue, raggedly breathing, looked like he was struggling to remain conscious. With a flick of his wrist, a mass of water burst from the ground like a geyser, enfolding Blue’s legs, and forcefully pushing the twins away. Red realized that Blue, at this instant, decided to get rid of his legs and transform, it seemed he was trying to flood the place.
Split: Trying to drown us? We’re already dead!
Spleet: Oh, he’s transforming, a Marid… and a really old, powerful one, too! This will be fun! *giggle*
Blue: $#(^&#@^)%$&_!
Giant hands rose from the water puddles, grabbing Spleet from behind.
Spleet: Akh! No!
Split: Spleet! Quit fooling around.
Blue was floating over the water, swimming as though he was submerged beneath. He moved with such fluid grace that he was unto Split in no time flat, smashing his tail with such force, sending Split’s bones clattering against the walls nearby, only his skull toppled to the floor half-submerged in the flooded floor. Spleet’s skull followed with a dunking splash, the magnitude of the water-arm crushed his skeleton to tiny shards.
Split: *Bone-chilling laughter* We are already dead, you can’t kill us.
Red: Maybe not by drowning. Blue, I guess I could finish this for you.
Blue: Make it painfully slow.
Red: No, I’d rather be merciful, get your humanity in check.
Red’s aura began shimmering a steady crimson, slowly glowing lighter into a bright flame. The ignited fire slowly engulfed the two skulls, the water was pushed away by the searing heat. The two skulls shrieked in agony at the flame’s intensity.
Spleet: Hey Split… Maybe this is what they meant by Inferno.
Split: Idiot, you WOULD believe in such fairytales.
The Bone Brothers’ bickering faded as they were slowly transferred to the Parallel Universe, back through Death’s robes.
Red: Well, that takes care of that.
Death: Hmm, see if you can help your friend.
Blue & Marid: Red… HeLp mE! I cAn’T suppress iTtt!
Blue was steadily going into a deeper stage of his transformation, the Jinn was beginning to take control. With a fling of his bulging and scaled arm he smashed every pipe in the building, causing its foundations to shatter, ceilings and floors beginning to crumble.
Red: BLUE! NO!
Large scaly fins sprout forth from Blue’s back, his tail growing even longer.
Red embraced Blue and held tight unleashing a steady flame around Blue.
Blue: IT burns!
Red: Ssh, I know, focus on the pain. Do you want it gone?
Blue: Yes…
Red: Then change back.
Blue: Bu-
Red: I SAID CHANGE BACK!
Blue gasped as his transformation was beginning to reverse.
Death: Interesting.
Blue was naked a bruised in Red’s arms. Sighing into fatigued unconsciousness, Blue collapsed into a deep sleep, his frail human body barely containing the powerful Marid.
Death: That this boy has managed to tame such a powerful Marid is truly remarkable, and to keep it bound within his frail human mind and body for over 5000 years is beyond phenomenal.
Red: He’s been around for that long?
Death: Still, it’s a shame you let him continue living… I’d have enjoyed collecting his soul.
Red: Hm, no offense, but you’re despicably hideous, Blue’s soul, though rare, will barely be enough to earn you good looks.
Death: Hm, I have my sights set on you, too, boy. No offense, but I’ve rarely met an Afreet capable of thinking.
*Pause/ Howling wind could be heard*
Death: You’d best hurry, the third is looking to finish the fight you started, I suggest you find somewhere far away and remote for Blue to recover his strength.
Red: Any suggestions?
Death: To the parallel world.
Red: Thanks, but no thanks, I think we’ll stay on this side, for now… You know lots of unfinished business and what not.
Death: HA! If I had a soul for every time I heard that!
Death turned his back to step into his own robes back to the PW, but before that, he paused.
Death: When Blue recovers, meet me at the Holy City. I have something you both might need, though it’s difficult to admit it clearly, provided I do have my ulterior motive, I’m rooting for both of you. I see great potential in this partnership.
Red: I’m not into necrophilia, but I suppose Blue could use the date.
Death: See you soon, then.
And with that, Death vanished, leaving behind a slight boom – the atmosphere rippling slightly as the Haze readjusted the balance between realms.
Blue: Red… *Sounding hoarse and thirsty*
Red: *sigh* Try to sleep, I’ll watch over you…
Blue: I overdid it…
Red: Hmmm… Ya think?!
Red heated up Blue’s aura to keep him warm. Blue looked parched, Red was wondering how to get him water to drink…
Blue: I can feel a natural aquifer below me. Don’t worry, I’m replenishing myself.
Red: You had me worried there… Why did you go past your limit?
Blue: I wanted to scare Death away, as he’s very powerful.
Red: No, why did you go past your limit?
Blue: …
Blue was lying on the ground, hesitating and slowly going pale.
Red: You’re usually much more composed than I; we’ve completely traded paradigms.
Blue: My Jinn is an arrogant, omnipotent bastard… He’s cheated Death many times in the past. That I could tame such a powerful Jinn…
Red: Makes you Death’s new obsession… So that’s why…
Blue: Why what?
Red: Death helped me bring you back. He said he has a bargain for us, and would like to meet once you’ve recovered.
Blue: My answer is no.
Red: Aren’t you just a little bit curious?
Blue: Did I ever tell you that Marid and Death are brothers?
Red: And you were going to tell me that when exactly…
Blue: I don’t know what he wants… If it’s to be reunited with his brother, or if it is to get my soul… Either way, I’ve grown tired of their deceptive benevolence.
Red: Marid’s were known to give out a wish if they were bested, right?
Blue: All Jinn…
Red: Wait… Death is a Jinn?
Blue: Of course… All Jinn were angels once.
Red: Hmmm… Now I’m curious to hear what he has to offer.
Blue: Do what you will, but count me out.
Red and Blue hear the sound of dawn changing into morning, as birds picked up their chirping, and cars began getting out of driveways – Rush hour was imminent. It seemed unlikely that the crazy-hair-lady was going to resume her attack.
Blue: Come to think of it, where are we?
Red: I’m not sure, Death dropped us here. It’s a graveyard.
Blue: Ha. Ha. Imagine that.
Red chuckled. Death definitely has his twisted sense of humor.
Red: What water are you replenishing yourself with? I hope it’s not corpse juice.
Blue: You’d probably be surprised, or even disgusted, but it’s a Marid’s favorite.
Red: I thought Jinn only wanted souls.
Blue: Some enjoy eating the wrapper. Excuse the metaphor.
Red: *sigh* as long as it’s already dead.
Blue stood up, looking unscathed and fit once more. Red was growing used to this – painful injuries, that would take humans months even years, take only minutes.
-----
I could hear him speaking to me over the cups of tea we had between us at the artsy coffeeshop, but his lips weren’t moving. It was extremely creepy that it looked as though only sound continued to travel, but my friends across the table looked frozen in time. This is the second time that this has happened today and I didn’t like it.
I stood from the chair, to see what was going on outside. I was still surprised to see that even the denizens going about their business in the street were completely frozen, minus the voice speaking to me – which continued as though it were intruding from another dimension.
I took a deep breath before walking towards the person standing, though he was indistinguishable from the rest, but I knew deep down that he was familiar.
Shade: You can see me?
I stood silent. The moment he spoke, the hustle-bustle of the street, in addition to my friend’s voice quieted instantly.
Shade: You can hear me, as well.
I tried to be your regular captain obvious and say “yes,” but it felt like a lot of work. My tongue was tied, literally. I opened my mouth and realized the strange sensation having my tongue elongated, even wound around itself. At that instant I thought “what a strange dream.” I was shocked to realize I was hyper aware of everything happening around me, and was in complete control of my imagination. Every thought that came to me seemed to manifest.
Shade: Good, you are accessing your personal power.
Wasn’t that what I needed to do? If I had felt like a victim here… I knew I wasn’t weak, I yearned to deal with whatever life throws my way.
Shade: Do you know how rare it is for a human to even think that?
Me: It wasn’t easy. Thanks for noticing in any case.
He was staring so intently at me, I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious for a second, then I stared back. I tried not to glare.
Shade: I made a choice to put you through this. Please, tell me how that makes you feel.
Me: Well… “Is that all you got?” comes to mind, but I’m very curious. I have deeper questions going through my head.
Shade: Feel free to ask, though before you do, aren’t you angry? That I’m manipulating the course of your life this instant?
Me: No, I’m not, because I willingly chose to stay here and listen to you.
Red: I hate hiding.
Blue: Stop complaining, didn’t you ever like it when your mommy took you outlet shopping?
Red: I never liked boys’ clothing.
Blue: …
Red: What’s up?
Blue: I’m picking up something… Past traces of life maybe?
Red: Ugh… Who would wear that?!
Blue: Hey, Red, do those belts look like they’re moving to you?
Red: Uh, nope!
Blue: There!
Blue flipped back into the air, the landing causing immense pain to his sensitive legs. Red turned just in time to see a… coat? Reaching for him. With a burst of flame, he burned the coat to ashes, an eerie presence escaping its confines at the slight destruction. The belts lashed out at Blue, who managed to call a protective aura at the last moment. The frozen aura turned the belts into ice, leaving it fall to the ground and crash to pieces.
Red: Nice job.
Red yelled condescendingly at Blue while aiming a fiery heel kick at another set of sentient coats.
Blue: Coming here was a mistake.
Red: I’d rather worry *grunt* about getting out of here.
Red was overusing his power. Blue could feel his human consciousness faltering.
Blue: Red, be careful!
Coat: *Breathy voice* Ji…
Red: Hiyaaaa!
Belt: Ssss *hissing*
Blue closed his eyes and released a wide-radius burst of natural water energy, freezing all clothes in place.
Red released a small burst of flame to keep warm, clearly shivering from the impromptu binding attack released by Blue.
Blue: What’s making them move?
Red: Something smells good over that way.
Blue: You’re right…
Blue realized that the smell came from stale souls trapped in jars behind the cashier, but there was also a shadow looming there, a dark ominous shadow.
Blue: *GASP* Red! RUUNN!!
Red: What?
Blue darted to the door before the ground began to shake. The dim light emanating from the shards of frozen clothes highlighted the shadowed figure – Death.
The double doors of the building snapped shut instantly, a rigid layer of deadly frost coating the glass. Blue rolled on the ground to evade a bony hand.
Death: Jinn, old friends too.
Red: Who are you?
Blue: D-dea.. D-death…
Death: Ah, Marid, it seems you remember me, still. I hope you haven’t forgotten our deal?
Red: Wait a minute… Who are you? Blue?
Death: *Chilling laughter* I never thought I’d see the day when a Marid and an Afreet would be allies… The actions you living things take to escape me…
Blue: No one’s escaping you, and we owe you nothing.
Red: Who do you think you are?
Death: Ah, as hotheaded as ever.
Blue: Excuse me, but we’re not in the mood for idle chit-chat.
Death: One never is, I’m not exactly “pleasurable company”, still, I’d like for you to meet my children.
Two figures sliced their way through to this world, the gateway generated by Death’s unfurled robes.
The Splits: We like bones…
Blue: *Screams in pain*
Red turned to hear Blue’s blood curdling scream as he was forced into a strangely lopsided posture. Two strange twins were each holding one of Blue’s legs, giving him a make shift split.
Split: Not very flexible this one…
Spleet: I think we dislocated the thighbones.
Blue, raggedly breathing, looked like he was struggling to remain conscious. With a flick of his wrist, a mass of water burst from the ground like a geyser, enfolding Blue’s legs, and forcefully pushing the twins away. Red realized that Blue, at this instant, decided to get rid of his legs and transform, it seemed he was trying to flood the place.
Split: Trying to drown us? We’re already dead!
Spleet: Oh, he’s transforming, a Marid… and a really old, powerful one, too! This will be fun! *giggle*
Blue: $#(^&#@^)%$&_!
Giant hands rose from the water puddles, grabbing Spleet from behind.
Spleet: Akh! No!
Split: Spleet! Quit fooling around.
Blue was floating over the water, swimming as though he was submerged beneath. He moved with such fluid grace that he was unto Split in no time flat, smashing his tail with such force, sending Split’s bones clattering against the walls nearby, only his skull toppled to the floor half-submerged in the flooded floor. Spleet’s skull followed with a dunking splash, the magnitude of the water-arm crushed his skeleton to tiny shards.
Split: *Bone-chilling laughter* We are already dead, you can’t kill us.
Red: Maybe not by drowning. Blue, I guess I could finish this for you.
Blue: Make it painfully slow.
Red: No, I’d rather be merciful, get your humanity in check.
Red’s aura began shimmering a steady crimson, slowly glowing lighter into a bright flame. The ignited fire slowly engulfed the two skulls, the water was pushed away by the searing heat. The two skulls shrieked in agony at the flame’s intensity.
Spleet: Hey Split… Maybe this is what they meant by Inferno.
Split: Idiot, you WOULD believe in such fairytales.
The Bone Brothers’ bickering faded as they were slowly transferred to the Parallel Universe, back through Death’s robes.
Red: Well, that takes care of that.
Death: Hmm, see if you can help your friend.
Blue & Marid: Red… HeLp mE! I cAn’T suppress iTtt!
Blue was steadily going into a deeper stage of his transformation, the Jinn was beginning to take control. With a fling of his bulging and scaled arm he smashed every pipe in the building, causing its foundations to shatter, ceilings and floors beginning to crumble.
Red: BLUE! NO!
Large scaly fins sprout forth from Blue’s back, his tail growing even longer.
Red embraced Blue and held tight unleashing a steady flame around Blue.
Blue: IT burns!
Red: Ssh, I know, focus on the pain. Do you want it gone?
Blue: Yes…
Red: Then change back.
Blue: Bu-
Red: I SAID CHANGE BACK!
Blue gasped as his transformation was beginning to reverse.
Death: Interesting.
Blue was naked a bruised in Red’s arms. Sighing into fatigued unconsciousness, Blue collapsed into a deep sleep, his frail human body barely containing the powerful Marid.
Death: That this boy has managed to tame such a powerful Marid is truly remarkable, and to keep it bound within his frail human mind and body for over 5000 years is beyond phenomenal.
Red: He’s been around for that long?
Death: Still, it’s a shame you let him continue living… I’d have enjoyed collecting his soul.
Red: Hm, no offense, but you’re despicably hideous, Blue’s soul, though rare, will barely be enough to earn you good looks.
Death: Hm, I have my sights set on you, too, boy. No offense, but I’ve rarely met an Afreet capable of thinking.
*Pause/ Howling wind could be heard*
Death: You’d best hurry, the third is looking to finish the fight you started, I suggest you find somewhere far away and remote for Blue to recover his strength.
Red: Any suggestions?
Death: To the parallel world.
Red: Thanks, but no thanks, I think we’ll stay on this side, for now… You know lots of unfinished business and what not.
Death: HA! If I had a soul for every time I heard that!
Death turned his back to step into his own robes back to the PW, but before that, he paused.
Death: When Blue recovers, meet me at the Holy City. I have something you both might need, though it’s difficult to admit it clearly, provided I do have my ulterior motive, I’m rooting for both of you. I see great potential in this partnership.
Red: I’m not into necrophilia, but I suppose Blue could use the date.
Death: See you soon, then.
And with that, Death vanished, leaving behind a slight boom – the atmosphere rippling slightly as the Haze readjusted the balance between realms.
Blue: Red… *Sounding hoarse and thirsty*
Red: *sigh* Try to sleep, I’ll watch over you…
Blue: I overdid it…
Red: Hmmm… Ya think?!
Red heated up Blue’s aura to keep him warm. Blue looked parched, Red was wondering how to get him water to drink…
Blue: I can feel a natural aquifer below me. Don’t worry, I’m replenishing myself.
Red: You had me worried there… Why did you go past your limit?
Blue: I wanted to scare Death away, as he’s very powerful.
Red: No, why did you go past your limit?
Blue: …
Blue was lying on the ground, hesitating and slowly going pale.
Red: You’re usually much more composed than I; we’ve completely traded paradigms.
Blue: My Jinn is an arrogant, omnipotent bastard… He’s cheated Death many times in the past. That I could tame such a powerful Jinn…
Red: Makes you Death’s new obsession… So that’s why…
Blue: Why what?
Red: Death helped me bring you back. He said he has a bargain for us, and would like to meet once you’ve recovered.
Blue: My answer is no.
Red: Aren’t you just a little bit curious?
Blue: Did I ever tell you that Marid and Death are brothers?
Red: And you were going to tell me that when exactly…
Blue: I don’t know what he wants… If it’s to be reunited with his brother, or if it is to get my soul… Either way, I’ve grown tired of their deceptive benevolence.
Red: Marid’s were known to give out a wish if they were bested, right?
Blue: All Jinn…
Red: Wait… Death is a Jinn?
Blue: Of course… All Jinn were angels once.
Red: Hmmm… Now I’m curious to hear what he has to offer.
Blue: Do what you will, but count me out.
Red and Blue hear the sound of dawn changing into morning, as birds picked up their chirping, and cars began getting out of driveways – Rush hour was imminent. It seemed unlikely that the crazy-hair-lady was going to resume her attack.
Blue: Come to think of it, where are we?
Red: I’m not sure, Death dropped us here. It’s a graveyard.
Blue: Ha. Ha. Imagine that.
Red chuckled. Death definitely has his twisted sense of humor.
Red: What water are you replenishing yourself with? I hope it’s not corpse juice.
Blue: You’d probably be surprised, or even disgusted, but it’s a Marid’s favorite.
Red: I thought Jinn only wanted souls.
Blue: Some enjoy eating the wrapper. Excuse the metaphor.
Red: *sigh* as long as it’s already dead.
Blue stood up, looking unscathed and fit once more. Red was growing used to this – painful injuries, that would take humans months even years, take only minutes.
-----
I could hear him speaking to me over the cups of tea we had between us at the artsy coffeeshop, but his lips weren’t moving. It was extremely creepy that it looked as though only sound continued to travel, but my friends across the table looked frozen in time. This is the second time that this has happened today and I didn’t like it.
I stood from the chair, to see what was going on outside. I was still surprised to see that even the denizens going about their business in the street were completely frozen, minus the voice speaking to me – which continued as though it were intruding from another dimension.
I took a deep breath before walking towards the person standing, though he was indistinguishable from the rest, but I knew deep down that he was familiar.
Shade: You can see me?
I stood silent. The moment he spoke, the hustle-bustle of the street, in addition to my friend’s voice quieted instantly.
Shade: You can hear me, as well.
I tried to be your regular captain obvious and say “yes,” but it felt like a lot of work. My tongue was tied, literally. I opened my mouth and realized the strange sensation having my tongue elongated, even wound around itself. At that instant I thought “what a strange dream.” I was shocked to realize I was hyper aware of everything happening around me, and was in complete control of my imagination. Every thought that came to me seemed to manifest.
Shade: Good, you are accessing your personal power.
Wasn’t that what I needed to do? If I had felt like a victim here… I knew I wasn’t weak, I yearned to deal with whatever life throws my way.
Shade: Do you know how rare it is for a human to even think that?
Me: It wasn’t easy. Thanks for noticing in any case.
He was staring so intently at me, I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious for a second, then I stared back. I tried not to glare.
Shade: I made a choice to put you through this. Please, tell me how that makes you feel.
Me: Well… “Is that all you got?” comes to mind, but I’m very curious. I have deeper questions going through my head.
Shade: Feel free to ask, though before you do, aren’t you angry? That I’m manipulating the course of your life this instant?
Me: No, I’m not, because I willingly chose to stay here and listen to you.
It claims to be a satirical site. Gotta say, though, I know the English major definition of satire, and this ain't it.
"Men," she said as she took my arm and led me to the brightly lit room. "They forget we need to see the outcome of pain before we willingly put ourselves through it. How else would we suffer nine months to have a beautiful child? We already know we have guts. Getting a tattoo to prove it means little.
"Old enough to know better, and young enough not to care."
It was like trying to play cards with five-year-olds who kept changing the rules and lying. If you didn't have the clout to make them hold to their rules, they wouldn't.
Every revolution has a face, needs a face.
Long ago, there was no sun. The world was cloaked in cold darkness; to save life on Earth, a legendary Taif cast a spell on plants to survive without sunlight by burying a shard of sunlight within every life form in the physical world. Until a strong hero slew the dark Jinn that swallowed up the sun, sunlight was restored, but the shard still remained within most creatures - they are warm to the touch. Underwater life had survived and thrived during this period, since the moon; though lacking it’s sunny luster, still gave its mystical powers to creatures of the abyss. They would roam the sea’s surface freely, but still cannot roam the land. Only one scholar met such creature, they both fell in love, and a child was born, who could walk on land and dive into the sea, but when he has legs, he cannot stay for long, and every step he takes as he walks brings immense pain as if daggers were perforating his sensitive legs.
“Cowards of us they make - taunted and toyed with like pebbles on a wayside, our entire efforts amount to nothing. Always feeling defeated, our dignity crushed under their feet a devastating system of apartheid that seeks to wipe us out from existence. They stand in our way, forcing us to resort to entropy”
“What most scientists stubbornly refuse to acknowledge is that a theory can never be proven nor settled, and that experiment results are always manipulated by what the experimenter assumes through a hopeful hypothesis”
“rather cynical won’t you say?”
“I had the strangest dream; we went to this library/archive facility to meet with this person who will give us a run through of the material and a tour of the place. I went off for a little while just to walk, and every time I look down on my path, I see a trail of 10 Shekels, and I start picking them up all the way. People notice me, but they don’t say anything, thinking it was my money I dropped, the whole time I keep picking them up until I find my way back to the archivist, I told him his tour sucked and he’s overcharging us. Yara Bamieh was there and she said, yeah it fucking sucks! And then we ended up fighting and I paid all of my Beirut money down to the last dollar, and was so angry that the 10 shekels I picked up won’t be enough, I was seriously contemplating putting the ten shekels in a bag and killing the person to get my money back, but right then the secret services came and asked if there was a problem, I said no, and then left. UGH!”
Terms/
Rouhs cannot touch physical entities or harm them, as all those who walk the physical world are protected by a thin yet powerful aura. It is not made of haze, but a mystic substance in a mysterious physical state of non-being. A Paradox protects us by generating this shield. Additionally, the combinations of doubt and certainty in our lives in turn give power to this paradox. When either doubt or certainty becomes exceedingly more then the other, the aura thins and becomes weaker.
Jinn. Powerful beings with finite power are called Jinn. Most Jinn thrive on natural forces and physical matter, but some have an insatiable taste for souls. All Jinn are made of some elemental force, with Malaak being made of light, instead. In certain cases, Jinn have been known to possess Taif out of a desire to acquire their infinite potential, out of jealousy. In other cases, humans themselves have sought power and knowledge from Jinn, in exchange for a heavy price – often their soul. When those who look human practice magic, there’s most probably a Jinn involved.
The Barrier Between Worlds is a strong paling made of the highest, purest form of Haze. It is completely impermeable. Occasionally, due to the Haze’s slow dissolution in both worlds, the Barrier weakens, and oftentimes there are minuscule tears that allow travel between both worlds. There are warriors –called Huras - who are tasked with protecting the barrier and healing these rifts, mostly to keep harmful Rouhs from manifesting in the physical world.
Haze is power overflowing- spiritual energies, dreams, desires, emotions, and Elements that originate in the Parallel World. It is the very essence of all that roams the Parallel World and is crucial to its reformation as it acts as its life force. Magick and all natural forces rely on Haze to cause manifestations in the Physical World as well as transference between both worlds. Areas dense with Haze (such as seas and oceans especially) allow the workings of powerful Magicks but there are often wide tears and rifts in the Barrier nearby separating the Parallel World and the Physical World. The souls of all creatures are comprised of a higher form of Haze.
Physical World, the physical world is a world where reality is linear and absolute. Within each moment there is only one possibility and one end. Matter and natural forces exist within limitations, and all life ends in death. Logic and rationality govern this world, there are little cracks in its foundation. Supernatural beings cannot exist in this world, as it limits their life and power, due to the almost non-existent Haze. Still, there have been documented events of certain exchange occurring between this world and the parallel one, and certain systems have shattered to be replaced by new ones.
Parallel World, the parallel world is a world of fantasy. Often the talk of myths and legends, this world thrives on children’s dreams and the hopes of collectives. Ideals and impossibility thrive in this world, power is infinite, and the potential, boundless. Humans cannot survive in this world since they are often lost, and before they can regain their bearings or even attempt to find their way back, they fall prey to all supernatural entities. There have been few human survivors who managed to return to the physical world, but they are insane, vegetative, or simply missing.
Magick is a gathering of forces that respond to sheer willpower, a beckoning that thrives on all forms of desire so it can cause various effects to materialize, leading said effects to manifest and take hold. Magick runs on varying degrees of Haze in order to come into being. Long ago, in the Battle of the Twelve the power of Magick along with clouds of Haze have been driven away into the Parallel World, as the rift between the Parallel World and the Physical World was completely sealed from both sides, creating the Great Separation. That is why Magick cannot exist in the Physical World, as it is still trapped to this day in the Parallel World. Still there have been some reports of Magick being practiced, but due to the limited and miniscule amount of Haze that was left behind in the physical world, certain practitioners aren’t as strong as they used to be, now that the font of their power is no longer accessible. Overuse of Magick may lead to pure agony - even death, especially when Haze runs out, the soul –which is Haze in and of itself- is capable of fuelling Magick, but when a certain limit is surpassed, the soul escapes, leaving behind an empty shell with a will of its own – a being known as Taif.
Elements
Fire – A raw force that emits heat with varying degrees. Fire is powered by the passion and courage of all living beings. It is said that most Jinn are made of fire. Fire burns when it is strong enough, and it rarely leaves anything behind but ashes.
Afareet
Earth
Water
Mared
Wind
Taif are beings that are on the brink of nothingness. All that is physical and visible in this world crumbles into rubble at the merest touch. Their very presence sucks away at the essence of all that exists. Undepirits are Rouh that have become sadistically and insatiably addicted to Haze. They can sense magic a mile away and rush with merciless animosity to absorb the Haze dry. Undepirits come to be when a Rouh overexerts itself, or when Magick takes away the soul - when the user dies while casting spells, or when the Rouh is completely cut-off from the parallel world and used Magick without the presence of Haze.
Characters/
Capricorn has extreme self-discipline, with incredible practice and self-taught skills at his disposal; this Rouh is hard working and has Saturn’s power on his side. The patriarch of the Zodiac, this god has incredible political knowledge, and is often indispensable as the King’s counselor and advisor. Capricorn also has great endurance and defense, though he may appear cold and calculating, but he possesses a tender and kind heart, with a surprisingly playful demeanor as he warms up to his companions.
Aries is the Rouh of war and strife. Aries along with Aquarius herald the dawn of change and bring about a new age. Though Aries is powerful and has unmatched brute strength, his judgment is quite limited and often clouded by excessive pride. Aries always leaps before he thinks impulsively, perhaps it is courage, perhaps it is recklessness, but once Aries makes a decision, he can never be swayed. He also has dexterity and remarkable leadership skills.
The Gemini twins-Rouhs Castor and Pollux, are two gossips and swift messengers. Their speed and wit is unmatched. They are knowledgeable of social happenings, always like conversation, and are fond of the superficial. Their powers are limited however, as it falls short to their extreme ease of mobility. Castor possesses more magic spells than Pollux, while Pollux is more versed in sabotage and confusing those who stand in her way. They are not opposed, on the contrary, though they may appear different in every way they act in unison and are of one mind.
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A leopard killed a baboon, but her child, the baboon, followed the leopard
-----
Act 1- Scene 1
EXT. Sub-urban neighborhood at night
I saw an eerie light, so I followed it down the street right across from my house. I came close to the glow, but my body was immediately sucked in a strange tear hanging above the air, as though the atmosphere from my world was merely a curtain - revealing another side that had existed all along. The tear seemed to be a rift between two different sceneries. I barely had time to digest this strange phenomenon. I was so focused on pursuing the tiny glow of light now making its way through a thick forest. I was beyond curious, for how is it that a window no leads to a forest and on this street of all places? The colors of the forest were so eerily bright; colors that bespoke of bizarre plant species that I was sure were never discovered, having no reference or origin in any library book.
The trees were huddled too close to one another; I had to move sideways through the spaces between them. I remembered hearing strange noises at that point, looking back at the trail I left, I thought the tear was still open, and I could see my house if I concentrated enough. I was growing anxious the further I went away from the tear, what if it was sealed and I lost my way back, trapped forever in a foreign world? I decided to hurry, and made a deal to turn back as soon as the glowing light passes 30 trees. I didn’t want to miss my chance to explore this new world, but I also couldn’t take such a huge risk, especially when I had just one more year to finish college.
I suddenly felt it: a painfully uncomfortable tug deep within my body. A resounding screech filled my ears, and my eyes saw only white. I tried to block the sound with my hands pressed to my ears, but my hands decided to stop moving completely. That’s when I felt as though my body split in half.
“Open yourself to me, I’m trying to become one with you” -I heard a powerful, deep voice say.
“Trust me” -It sounded within me again.
----
I don’t know why, but I was always aware of my sensitivity, in all senses of the word. I took everything personally that was directed at me, even a moment - when a friend is complimenting me - can very quickly turn ugly, as though they’re insulting me. Sometimes I would over-analyze and jump to wild conclusions, usually fueled by my loony imagination. I only just recently developed a sense of humor and learned the joys of sarcasm.
But being sensitive made my intuition sharp. It made me feel my way through life, almost to the point where I was able to easily pick up hints - emotions, which are often betrayed by people’s energies and temperaments.
I never saw myself as manipulative per say, but through sensing and predicting the reactions, I was able to gain an advantage at devising a counter-argument, thus coming prepared when it’s my turn for rebuttal.
I suddenly felt it: a painfully uncomfortable tug deep within my body. A resounding screech filled my ears, and my eyes saw only white. I tried to block the sound with my hands pressed to my ears, but my hands decided to stop moving completely. That’s when I felt as though my body split in half.
“Open yourself to me, I’m trying to become one with you” -I heard a powerful, deep voice say.
“Trust me” -It sounded within me again.
----
I don’t know why, but I was always aware of my sensitivity, in all senses of the word. I took everything personally that was directed at me, even a moment - when a friend is complimenting me - can very quickly turn ugly, as though they’re insulting me. Sometimes I would over-analyze and jump to wild conclusions, usually fueled by my loony imagination. I only just recently developed a sense of humor and learned the joys of sarcasm.
But being sensitive made my intuition sharp. It made me feel my way through life, almost to the point where I was able to easily pick up hints - emotions, which are often betrayed by people’s energies and temperaments.
I never saw myself as manipulative per say, but through sensing and predicting the reactions, I was able to gain an advantage at devising a counter-argument, thus coming prepared when it’s my turn for rebuttal.
---
My body was not entirely my own. I felt uneasy crammed within it, as though I’m sharing it with another consciousness. I wondered if my thoughts weren’t read or picked up by that other - entity. I was so afraid, whenever it breathed, another breath harmonized with mine, and I felt like I was breathing for two, and my mind grew heavier than before. It was as though my heart pulsed with twice as much force, the rush of pumped blood making my limbs ache with the unfamiliar pressure.
The moment I fully regained consciousness I was hyper-aware. One, that I was lying facedown on the floor, quite uncomfortably, and two, that I sensed and picked up so many sounds, smells, and other sensory signals with obscene clarity. Things I never noticed or understood before became abnormally clear and intensified on a much grander scale. I opened my eyes.
All that my eyes picked up blinded me momentarily. Not only was I able to see so crystal clear, but also my vision has altered dramatically. I have gained control over my pupils, thus getting a detailed view of things that are far away. I realized that I was still in the secret curtain forest world, but the intricate designs were never there on the plants I had passed by moments ago. My memory felt excessively fuzzy and unreliable, I suddenly had to ask, was my vision really that bad before? As I wondered about the happenings before I stumbled into this place, I immediately realized that I probably had to check and make sure the tear between the two locations didn’t disappear yet, I also wanted to go back, as I’m worried the next time I decide to move forward, I may never stand up again. Truth be told, I was terrified.
I darted back through the trees, moving with such grace and speed, that I had effortlessly reached the tear in seconds, I was so relieved to find that it was still there, but was quite shocked at how much quicker I had become. Normally it would have taken me at least 10 minutes now it took a second. Something was really off.
I began to wonder, as I crossed the tear back towards my house, is my brain working very slowly from some kind of shock? Am I drugged or high too much that I’m vividly imagining all these supernatural abilities? I felt stupid at first, but then again, a part of me wanted to be extraordinary. I just wasn’t sure I wanted to be different again. High school was enough to squelch that desire of being unique. I had a good strong dosage of not belonging, bullying, and ostracizing. It certainly was a nightmare, but I also had so much trouble around the world for not being complete. For being a part, and having another part that contradicts the first and so by default, it was impossible for me to belong anywhere as I was never accepted fully.
Shut your whiny babbling, I cringed, that wasn’t my voice.
Uh, I said wanting to test my voice, but it sounded similar to how I remembered it, except it was richer, clearer, and… nice! What is going on? Whose deep voice was it that spoke just now?
Mine, it said, again. I could hear its amusement, sneering at my ignorance.
---
I got back into the house; luckily my mother wasn’t home yet. So I decided to go take a shower. As I stepped into the bathroom, I gasped as I saw my reflection in the mirror. To say that I looked different was an unprecedented understatement. I had developed much more muscle mass in less than... How much time has passed since I’ve been in that coma?
My body was not entirely my own. I felt uneasy crammed within it, as though I’m sharing it with another consciousness. I wondered if my thoughts weren’t read or picked up by that other - entity. I was so afraid, whenever it breathed, another breath harmonized with mine, and I felt like I was breathing for two, and my mind grew heavier than before. It was as though my heart pulsed with twice as much force, the rush of pumped blood making my limbs ache with the unfamiliar pressure.
The moment I fully regained consciousness I was hyper-aware. One, that I was lying facedown on the floor, quite uncomfortably, and two, that I sensed and picked up so many sounds, smells, and other sensory signals with obscene clarity. Things I never noticed or understood before became abnormally clear and intensified on a much grander scale. I opened my eyes.
All that my eyes picked up blinded me momentarily. Not only was I able to see so crystal clear, but also my vision has altered dramatically. I have gained control over my pupils, thus getting a detailed view of things that are far away. I realized that I was still in the secret curtain forest world, but the intricate designs were never there on the plants I had passed by moments ago. My memory felt excessively fuzzy and unreliable, I suddenly had to ask, was my vision really that bad before? As I wondered about the happenings before I stumbled into this place, I immediately realized that I probably had to check and make sure the tear between the two locations didn’t disappear yet, I also wanted to go back, as I’m worried the next time I decide to move forward, I may never stand up again. Truth be told, I was terrified.
I darted back through the trees, moving with such grace and speed, that I had effortlessly reached the tear in seconds, I was so relieved to find that it was still there, but was quite shocked at how much quicker I had become. Normally it would have taken me at least 10 minutes now it took a second. Something was really off.
I began to wonder, as I crossed the tear back towards my house, is my brain working very slowly from some kind of shock? Am I drugged or high too much that I’m vividly imagining all these supernatural abilities? I felt stupid at first, but then again, a part of me wanted to be extraordinary. I just wasn’t sure I wanted to be different again. High school was enough to squelch that desire of being unique. I had a good strong dosage of not belonging, bullying, and ostracizing. It certainly was a nightmare, but I also had so much trouble around the world for not being complete. For being a part, and having another part that contradicts the first and so by default, it was impossible for me to belong anywhere as I was never accepted fully.
Shut your whiny babbling, I cringed, that wasn’t my voice.
Uh, I said wanting to test my voice, but it sounded similar to how I remembered it, except it was richer, clearer, and… nice! What is going on? Whose deep voice was it that spoke just now?
Mine, it said, again. I could hear its amusement, sneering at my ignorance.
---
I got back into the house; luckily my mother wasn’t home yet. So I decided to go take a shower. As I stepped into the bathroom, I gasped as I saw my reflection in the mirror. To say that I looked different was an unprecedented understatement. I had developed much more muscle mass in less than... How much time has passed since I’ve been in that coma?
Spirit: Your body was able to rejuvenate at an alarming rate. I was glad you weren’t gone. And, umm...
Me: What?! (I snapped, immediately feeling bad that I sounded like a mother catching a child being naughty)
Spirit: I’m hungry (He said feebly, in such a vulnerable tone, I almost berated myself for being cross)
Me: Could you handle waiting for another 10 minutes?
There was no response, but I was sure I heard a grumble at the back of my mind.
(To continue later)
-------
My first kill… I couldn’t believe what I just did; never in my entire life did I ever imagine murdering someone. I was perfectly capable of inflicting pain, but never to the point of death.
Spirit: This just got messy…
Me: …
Me: What?! (I snapped, immediately feeling bad that I sounded like a mother catching a child being naughty)
Spirit: I’m hungry (He said feebly, in such a vulnerable tone, I almost berated myself for being cross)
Me: Could you handle waiting for another 10 minutes?
There was no response, but I was sure I heard a grumble at the back of my mind.
(To continue later)
-------
My first kill… I couldn’t believe what I just did; never in my entire life did I ever imagine murdering someone. I was perfectly capable of inflicting pain, but never to the point of death.
Spirit: This just got messy…
Me: …
Spirit: Oh, c’mon! Don’t be so shocked, like you didn’t think this could ever happen.
Me: …
Spirit: Now’s not the time to be in shock or shut down… NO! DON’T SHUT DOWN ON ME!
Me: Gasp… Spir… I… Oh shit! What are we going to do?!
Spirit: Better move the body and bury it, preferably in the parallel world. Make sure no one watches you or follows you.
Me: No wait… Insect repellant! Yes lots of insect repellant so the body doesn’t decay, or maybe magic… Yes if I use magic I could have it get burnt to ashes until it’s unrecognizable… No… What would the person want? He surely would want to be buried home… Or… Ugh!
-------
First door/ Scimitar sigil “Ahead you’ll find your strength tested to its limits. The power of destruction and laying waste to all those who stand in your path, are you strong enough to handle it?”
I crawled face down, completely suppressing my spirit’s presence. He hated me for doing this, I was sure of it, but I had to. He’ll understand the risk involved in being detected. I was up at a ledge, right off a vast plain. I was shocked to see an army of spirited beings just like me, lined up nearby as though they are about to receive a mission briefing. The number, it was most alarming. A war could be waged using fifty of them. I was very uneasy, my hunch told me those were a minuscule sample of the spirited beings that were at the institute’s disposal, no doubt they could manage a far larger number than this, I immediately felt the crippling fear of being easily overpowered. I thought of running away, and in my moment of fear I felt my spirit writhe under my suppressing will.
No. I hissed at him. He went still, feeling my fear spread through him like a drug. I focused my hearing to the max, to pick up what the commander was saying. She appeared to be a high-ranking officer as her voice demanded authority and had a condescending tone to it. I heard her, resisting the urge to look behind my back for I thought she was speaking right next to me.
Commander: A spirit has deserted its partner and is on the rampage. After killing its human partner, it gained a physical presence, allowing it access to this time and space.
<pause>
Commander: The spirit is nothing like any opponent we’ve faced before. It’s lethal and has acquired a sense of self. Meaning it’s much more violent and unpredictable than the trained-to-kill variety dormant within all of us.
<A strange burst of energy is released from her body>
Commander: I’ve been given intel on the spirit and have fused its scent with my spirit. Please allow your Haze reserves to make contact with mine so you could get a sense of the spirit.
I couldn’t believe it! It’s as though they have a tracking device for the spirit. I HAD to find it before they did. Defeating that spirit is not the way to do it. Just what are they planning? Do the other spirited beings even know what they’re up against?
At this, my spirit broke free from my consciousness. I couldn’t feel anything anymore, I had completely blacked out.
<shift perspective: spirit>
I had to take him out of here! He was going to get killed, so I made him black out and stole his consciousness. I took over his body and neutralized my existence. I moved in the other realm to shake off pursuers. Those spirited beings, just what do they want from me? I ran and ran without stopping. Putting as much distance between them and me, I decided to dive underwater; I think they can’t find me there or even think to look for me there, I had to visit an old friend first.
My vessel began to stir, I fought to keep his consciousness below, then it dawned on me, he couldn’t breathe underwater! I had to hurry... I moved at lightning speed towards the deepest chasm in the ocean. There I yelled out his name... But nothing... I decided to fuse with him again, so he could catch his breath.
<shift perspective: me>
I opened my eyes, gasping for breathe. My throat was burning painfully, I opened my mouth wide, swallowing huge gulps of air. Why was I holding my breath, then I realized the reason everything around me was blurry. I was underwater.
Me: Where have you taken me?
Him: Keep swimming! They’re after us!
I did as he told.
Me: Where are we?
Him: Underwater - days away from the surface.
How did we get so deep that fast? How long have I been unconscious?
Him: I’m sorry! I had to. To get you away from them! They were too strong!
Me: You could have warned me...
Then I immediately felt stupid for saying that. How could he have warned me when I was trying so hard to stifle and suppress his existence?
Me: Ah, forget I asked that. I’m sorry for being reckless.
Him: You were curious... It’s alright; just don’t suppress me like that again.
I wondered why I wasn’t feeling the high pressure, if I was that deep underwater. I couldn’t see the surface; I’d see the sunlight if I looked up, right?
Me: Where are we going?
Him: I’m taking you to my friend. Can you breathe?
Me: Yeah... How?
Him: My help, I’ll light your way.
A whoosh of Haze reverberated through me and I saw a sparkling light wheeling away, deeper into the deep ocean chasm. So I followed it. That little light seemed to know the way, so I had to ask.
Me: You’ve been here before?
Him: Yes, my old friend. He told me he’d be here if I ever needed him, and I think now is the perfect time.
Me: Something wrong?
Him: We need more power. As we are now, you’d die quickly before so much as lifting a finger.
Me: (grumbling) So much for the vote of confidence…
--
Afreet: This is the possessed one of the sea Jinn – We call him Marid.
Marid-Person: that’s quite the flattering introduction, but I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave, now.
Me: Wait! We came here to-
Marid: Seek my aid, yes, I know, who doesn’t?
Me: …
Marid: Look kid, I’m literally out of favors.
Afreet: Ah, Marid, old friend, it IS you. You never change.
Marid: Afreet? What brings you here? Aren’t you afraid you’ll get put out underwater?
Afreet: Thanks to possessing this youth, my limitations are forgotten. Say, where is your bodily shell?
Marid: He’s been captured not so long ago, I’ve been trying to- wait, why am I telling you this, you should just go, and you’re wasting my time.
Afreet: We can help you, if you help us.
Marid: Hmmm, are you suggesting that you’ll help me rescue my coil?
Afreet: Absolutely.
Me: What? Afreet, what are you getting us into?
Afreet: Trust me, my feisty flame, we’ll need an ally, and this Marid’s skill is unmatched, after all they are extremely powerful. Stronger than us, Afreets.
Marid: Very well, if it’s an ally you want, then that I shall be. As for your part in the bargain, here is what you need to know. I don’t usually do this, but given the desperate times, I’d like to make an exception.
Afreet: We’re all ears.
Marid: I’ll become your ally now until we rescue my little sea dragon. The army has captured him as they were training on a beach-military base, he’s a curious one, and got himself captured trying to gather intel on their environmental operations. I made sure to abandon his body lest they discover us, but this brief separation is beginning to exact a toll on both his body and mine. We must be reunited.
Me: Ok, so what’s the catch?
Marid: Blunt little fucker, aren’t ya?
Me: …
Spirit: Now’s not the time to be in shock or shut down… NO! DON’T SHUT DOWN ON ME!
Me: Gasp… Spir… I… Oh shit! What are we going to do?!
Spirit: Better move the body and bury it, preferably in the parallel world. Make sure no one watches you or follows you.
Me: No wait… Insect repellant! Yes lots of insect repellant so the body doesn’t decay, or maybe magic… Yes if I use magic I could have it get burnt to ashes until it’s unrecognizable… No… What would the person want? He surely would want to be buried home… Or… Ugh!
-------
First door/ Scimitar sigil “Ahead you’ll find your strength tested to its limits. The power of destruction and laying waste to all those who stand in your path, are you strong enough to handle it?”
I crawled face down, completely suppressing my spirit’s presence. He hated me for doing this, I was sure of it, but I had to. He’ll understand the risk involved in being detected. I was up at a ledge, right off a vast plain. I was shocked to see an army of spirited beings just like me, lined up nearby as though they are about to receive a mission briefing. The number, it was most alarming. A war could be waged using fifty of them. I was very uneasy, my hunch told me those were a minuscule sample of the spirited beings that were at the institute’s disposal, no doubt they could manage a far larger number than this, I immediately felt the crippling fear of being easily overpowered. I thought of running away, and in my moment of fear I felt my spirit writhe under my suppressing will.
No. I hissed at him. He went still, feeling my fear spread through him like a drug. I focused my hearing to the max, to pick up what the commander was saying. She appeared to be a high-ranking officer as her voice demanded authority and had a condescending tone to it. I heard her, resisting the urge to look behind my back for I thought she was speaking right next to me.
Commander: A spirit has deserted its partner and is on the rampage. After killing its human partner, it gained a physical presence, allowing it access to this time and space.
<pause>
Commander: The spirit is nothing like any opponent we’ve faced before. It’s lethal and has acquired a sense of self. Meaning it’s much more violent and unpredictable than the trained-to-kill variety dormant within all of us.
<A strange burst of energy is released from her body>
Commander: I’ve been given intel on the spirit and have fused its scent with my spirit. Please allow your Haze reserves to make contact with mine so you could get a sense of the spirit.
I couldn’t believe it! It’s as though they have a tracking device for the spirit. I HAD to find it before they did. Defeating that spirit is not the way to do it. Just what are they planning? Do the other spirited beings even know what they’re up against?
At this, my spirit broke free from my consciousness. I couldn’t feel anything anymore, I had completely blacked out.
<shift perspective: spirit>
I had to take him out of here! He was going to get killed, so I made him black out and stole his consciousness. I took over his body and neutralized my existence. I moved in the other realm to shake off pursuers. Those spirited beings, just what do they want from me? I ran and ran without stopping. Putting as much distance between them and me, I decided to dive underwater; I think they can’t find me there or even think to look for me there, I had to visit an old friend first.
My vessel began to stir, I fought to keep his consciousness below, then it dawned on me, he couldn’t breathe underwater! I had to hurry... I moved at lightning speed towards the deepest chasm in the ocean. There I yelled out his name... But nothing... I decided to fuse with him again, so he could catch his breath.
<shift perspective: me>
I opened my eyes, gasping for breathe. My throat was burning painfully, I opened my mouth wide, swallowing huge gulps of air. Why was I holding my breath, then I realized the reason everything around me was blurry. I was underwater.
Me: Where have you taken me?
Him: Keep swimming! They’re after us!
I did as he told.
Me: Where are we?
Him: Underwater - days away from the surface.
How did we get so deep that fast? How long have I been unconscious?
Him: I’m sorry! I had to. To get you away from them! They were too strong!
Me: You could have warned me...
Then I immediately felt stupid for saying that. How could he have warned me when I was trying so hard to stifle and suppress his existence?
Me: Ah, forget I asked that. I’m sorry for being reckless.
Him: You were curious... It’s alright; just don’t suppress me like that again.
I wondered why I wasn’t feeling the high pressure, if I was that deep underwater. I couldn’t see the surface; I’d see the sunlight if I looked up, right?
Me: Where are we going?
Him: I’m taking you to my friend. Can you breathe?
Me: Yeah... How?
Him: My help, I’ll light your way.
A whoosh of Haze reverberated through me and I saw a sparkling light wheeling away, deeper into the deep ocean chasm. So I followed it. That little light seemed to know the way, so I had to ask.
Me: You’ve been here before?
Him: Yes, my old friend. He told me he’d be here if I ever needed him, and I think now is the perfect time.
Me: Something wrong?
Him: We need more power. As we are now, you’d die quickly before so much as lifting a finger.
Me: (grumbling) So much for the vote of confidence…
--
Afreet: This is the possessed one of the sea Jinn – We call him Marid.
Marid-Person: that’s quite the flattering introduction, but I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave, now.
Me: Wait! We came here to-
Marid: Seek my aid, yes, I know, who doesn’t?
Me: …
Marid: Look kid, I’m literally out of favors.
Afreet: Ah, Marid, old friend, it IS you. You never change.
Marid: Afreet? What brings you here? Aren’t you afraid you’ll get put out underwater?
Afreet: Thanks to possessing this youth, my limitations are forgotten. Say, where is your bodily shell?
Marid: He’s been captured not so long ago, I’ve been trying to- wait, why am I telling you this, you should just go, and you’re wasting my time.
Afreet: We can help you, if you help us.
Marid: Hmmm, are you suggesting that you’ll help me rescue my coil?
Afreet: Absolutely.
Me: What? Afreet, what are you getting us into?
Afreet: Trust me, my feisty flame, we’ll need an ally, and this Marid’s skill is unmatched, after all they are extremely powerful. Stronger than us, Afreets.
Marid: Very well, if it’s an ally you want, then that I shall be. As for your part in the bargain, here is what you need to know. I don’t usually do this, but given the desperate times, I’d like to make an exception.
Afreet: We’re all ears.
Marid: I’ll become your ally now until we rescue my little sea dragon. The army has captured him as they were training on a beach-military base, he’s a curious one, and got himself captured trying to gather intel on their environmental operations. I made sure to abandon his body lest they discover us, but this brief separation is beginning to exact a toll on both his body and mine. We must be reunited.
Me: Ok, so what’s the catch?
Marid: Blunt little fucker, aren’t ya?
Me: Call it transparency, I’ll rescue this friend of yours, but I need to know more.
Marid: I’ll tell you that on the way, and I’ll show you the tunnel I’ve been digging up and shaping with the help of my underwater friends. If our guess is correct, the tunnel should lead us to their Military labs.
Me: Don’t tell me it’s the IDF…
Afreet: Yup, since we’re under Israeli jurisdiction, the army must be everywhere now, moving discreetly and quietly may be a must at this point.
Me: I hate espionage.
Marid: Well hate all you want, unless you’re god, we all have to do this quietly.
Me: So supposed we get to the labs, then what?
Marid: I’ve been practicing deactivating security devices and anti-break in traps. Using a thin film of water I can manipulate any machine by insulating the electro-magnetic energy.
Afreet: Fascinating, it seems we’ll be in charge of brute force, my sweet ember.
Me: That’s fine by me, but I’d also like to figure out this espionage thing… though annoying it may be, I feel like we’ll be doing it a lot from now on, might as well get used to it.
Marid: That’s the spirit, alright then, let’s go. Remember to reach the tunnels we have to ride the North Wind current.
--
They chose now! Of course they did! Surprise element? Check. Catching me off guard? Check. I felt one step closer to accepting that one could never be prepared. There are moments when coming in contact with these beings meant a lot of improvisation, adrenaline, and instinct. One wrong move and it’s over. There’s always an opportunity or a loophole. Right?
I ran towards the heart of campus, to find that X was on his knees, one sharp swerve away from a deathblow. Those mysterious soldiers had him surrounded, flanked on either shoulder. I ran to him, impulsively and without thinking, I was driven completely by his humanity, and all I wanted was for him to live long enough, long enough to understand that. Whoa there! I’m fantasizing too much! He doesn’t give a rat’s ass about me!
That hit a nerve. I felt a gentle warm caress surround my body, suddenly felt my entire body fill with ecstasy and complete euphoria.
I have awakened.
I sent a surge of energy from my body, felt as though I was extending out of myself beyond the limits of my skin. I entered into all the soldier’s bodies, including X’s. I showed them how I felt, some collapsed from my emotions, some burst into tears, utterly paralyzed. My eyes were closed, but I saw everything, felt every pulse of life around me, every buzz, every tender cry and breath of life. I was able to touch that energy and shape it into different forms, so I focused all my power on showing X how I felt. The heart-wrenching pain I suffered, knowing that I wasn’t enough, but most of all, the realization that I could only share them with him in my private world. How I pined for him, yearned for his warmth and laughter. I felt a complete alignment, a belonging I never felt so fully and intensely. I channeled all of that to X. Showed him the deep recesses of my mind.
Then I felt his presence. The Immortal. He stole the bodies’ energies so ruthlessly, and I felt them taken away from me. I suffered sorrow within my heart, when all those lives were brutally taken.
I returned to my physical form when all the soldiers’ bodies were stolen. I stood in front of X, guarding him to my last breath.
Immortal: You’re overwhelming the poor young man.
Me: Don’t you mean hadn’t it for my interference; you’d have taken his life as well?
Immortal: Harsh.
I floated above the fire, the ground beneath me turned to molten lava. I cradled the spirit in my arms.
Immortal: Funny how you’re still in control of your human appetite even after awakening. You have to teach me how to control such hunger.
Me: I was planning on doing that right now, actually, seeing as you’ve developed a rather obscene appetite for my friend.
Immortal: You know how I’d want what I can’t have, and pursue it relentlessly.
I collected my human remains, and formed a physical entity. My shell will have to continue the fight for me.
Me in human form: X, I hope you like running, ‘cuz we’ll be doing that for a while.
X: What the fuck is going on?
I grabbed his arm and made a run for it. Thankfully his legs responded to my motion to escape.
Me: Now’s not the time to be curious, trust me, losing a life is not worth the info.
X: Shit, alright, I’m running!
Me: On second thought, slow down.
I stopped dead in my escape, only narrowl
