13 pages, 5701 words, and 813 minutes later...my submission is COMPLETE.
[spoiler=My Entry]
[Excerpt from “Daeikzae: Tales of Light and Shadow”]
OKKEVUNLIO
"Die, mortal."
It had been an accident. A completely random, unexpected event. And yet, if he hadn’t decided to avoid the streets, he would never have found them.
Why avoid the eyes of others? Appearance wasn’t a factor; plenty of strange individuals roamed the streets with the civilians. He was normal to them: thick shiny black spiked hair that dangled past his shoulders, intense yellow eyes set in the black pools of his sclera, a visor of darkness that kept his eyes safe from harsh lighting, and skin so pale…he almost looked like a vampire. His teeth would sell that look too; all of them tapered to subtle, sharp points in his mouth. His name? Samael. It was the only name he knew.
There was one feature that didn’t seem to fit with the rest of his doom-and-gloom look: an ornate collar, made of swirling silver and decorated with a single, large, eye-shaped gem crystal. Its glittering surface would shine regardless of shadow, enforcing the belief that this trinket was far from ordinary. As far as Samael knew, he’d appeared on this planet with the collar on. He had a faint idea of who was responsible, but was in no condition to face them. At least…not yet.
He was avoiding others because of…
it. It would talk to him, poisoning his mind with evil. Sometimes, it would make an appearance, slithering around his body; a ghost-grey serpentine creature, with four long twisting tentacles and diamond-shaped, crystal shard eyes. Despite its spirit-like form, wherever it touched him…it left an icy chill that bit to his bones. He’d had it for a long time, but he couldn’t remember if he’d been born with it…or if it had been given to him. One thing was for sure.
He was very,
very scared of it.
Though there was a list of unsettling things that he knew about the creature, one of the most disturbing ones was that it
knew he feared it. In fact, the fear seemed to make it strong. Also, as far as he knew…he was the only one who could see it and hear it. That, perhaps, was another reason for him not to enjoy publicity. As if that wasn’t bad enough; the creature could only hear him talking to it if he spoke loudly, as though it was another person.
Yes, any onlooker would think he was crazy; talking to himself out loud like that. Either that, or that he was cursed. In the midst of all these drawbacks, Samael found comfort in one somewhat positive factor:
It could not hear his thoughts.
Yes, the creature could sense his emotions, but…in this short time he’d come to know of it, the creature didn’t seem to know what he was thinking at any given time. He’d named the creature Alph. Since it seemed so different from him, it seemed like the right thing to do; to give it a name. When Alph first made contact, Samael believed it was just a voice in his head; an old version of himself reprimanding him for past offenses. As the days went on, it became quite clear that the voice was much more indeed. Alph claimed to be from a race of super powerful beings (after which he’d been named), and that he was now trapped in Samael’s mortal body. That last part was still something that Samael was trying to figure out. Since the creature seemed to have a mind and will of its own, it could easily be lying to him.
As for the accident, well…it was more of a discovery…
***
“Once we’re home…we’ll be safe…yes…yes…very safe…”
William (uncommonly known as William Franklin Jimboree-Adieux), chuckled to himself as he shuffled down the alleyway. A misshapen mop of black hair hung from the top of his skull; some bits just barely hanging on, others cut, while the majority consisted of tangled clumps. It looked as if he’d been his own personal (and quite distracted) barber; a confusing thing for a man with such a well-trimmed moustache.
He was dragging a young girl of about 12 behind him. Her hands and feet were bound with duct tape, and her mouth was covered with it too. Her wavy black hair framed her dirty, yet delicate face; cheeks streaked with tears. As for clothing, she wore a thin light blue hoodie, and a grey pair of jeans with intentional rips along the knee and shin areas.
William, on the other hand, was dressed like a gentleman, for he fancied himself as such; at least, that’s what he felt like today. Perhaps the guise would have been more genuine, if it didn’t look like he’d pulled the tuxedo out of the trash (which, in actuality, was where he’d got it from). His impressive musculature was just barely held back by the seams of his “uniform”. Aside from his muscles, his eyes were the most intimidating of all his features; ice-blue, beady things that penetrated to the core of the soul. These…any observer would agree…were just as frightening as the ugliest of scars.
The madman stopped a moment, pulling the whimpering girl in front of him and shoving her against the alley wall. She slumped against it, shivering in miserable fear, and stared at him with pleading eyes.
“I need…adrenaline, girl…a shot of…mmmm…energy. I’m a tired man, y’see…”
The girl moaned, knowing what was coming. To be honest, she was surprised that he’d waited so long to do it; it had only been about three hours since she’d been snatched from her home. She’d been a fool to open the door to a stranger, but he’d spoken and acted so kindly back in that moment. She’d only wanted to get him out of the rain. Once inside, he’d taken her by the arm and she was given a choice: either come with him or get strangled to death in her own home. She had chosen the first option (a choice she regretted most tremendously). Now, the rain had stopped, as if the girl was no longer of any concern to the world.
She was going to lose her virginity to a monster; a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’. The idea sickened her, causing bile to build in her mouth. William approached her, blocking the sunlight above with his shadow, and in that moment, she realized that there was absolutely nothing she could do. She couldn’t even kick him in his…man parts; he’d probably break her leg if she showed any sort of resistance. The way he’d handled her had been enough for her to judge his strength. Hopelessness seeped through her weakening limbs, and the tears began to flow anew.
“Oh…don’t cry…” William soothed, his yellowed smile broadening under the curls of his black moustache. “…it’ll all be over soon…I promise.”
With that, the man reached down to undo his belt; eyes bright with an intense greed…like a stray dog that had just happened upon a bountiful, abandoned feast.
“Hey!”
William’s head jerked up, snapping to the direction of the new voice. There was a young man standing in the entrance of his alleyway. He was wearing a plain grey shirt, dark blue skinny jeans, and some muddied white sneakers with Velcro straps. His shadowed face made him look like he’d just walked off the stage of some horror movie, and an ornate collar encircled his neck. The look in his feral yellow eyes was more than unsettling, and caused the hair to rise on the back of William’s neck. He blinked, trying to make sense of the situation for a moment.
Was he her lover?
He glanced back at the girl, who was staring at the stranger with wide eyes.
Probably not.
“And what do
you think you’re doing?” the stranger continued, his smooth voice slithering threateningly between his teeth.
William smiled broadly, even as the stranger’s tone drenched his body in a chilling fear.
“Nothin’…” he replied. “…I’m just goin’ to play with my pet here…”
He didn’t even wave to indicate the girl; instead, he put his hands behind his back, slipping one of them into his back pocket.
“You got a problem with that, whatever-your-name-is?” he asked, putting his own dangerous tone to use. William could feel his confidence returning. The stranger showed no signs of having a weapon, and the madman had an intricate ward burned onto the back of his neck. The person he’d met prior to his…fetching…of the girl, had assured him that it would stand up against any sort of magical force.
“Samael.” the stranger replied. “It’s Samael. And yes, I do have a problem with that, whoever-you-are.”
“William.” was the madman’s response, a maniacal grin spreading across his face. “William Franklin Jimboree-Adieux.”
“Ah…may I call you Will?” Samael asked, unshaken. “I pity those who have to put
such a long name on your gravestone. That is…if you’re even worthy of such a privilege.”
***
Samael stood there, staring the madman down with as much courage as he could muster. To his immense disappointment, the man did not flee. In fact, he didn’t seem the slightest bit scared. Sweat broke out on the hybrid’s forehead, and he struggled to keep his expression unchanged. Almost at the same moment, the icy chill on his shoulder told him that…once again…he’d attracted the attention of his inner beast.
Tevzerzyl Daeikzae? Alph queried, resting his chin on Samael’s left shoulder.
Why do you hesitate? Does he…scare you?
Samael squinted at the man. He’d pulled out this pen-shaped object from somewhere behind him. It was white, and had two colored caps on both ends; one orange, and the other, blue.
“N-no…of course not.” the hybrid faltered, balling both his hands into fists. “I can take him.”
Then go! Alph snarled.
“No…I can’t. I can’t just
rush him. It’s foolish…”
Ha! You are scared!
“No…I…”
The madman was suddenly in Samael’s face, fists clenched tight, arms windmilling like a man off balance. Startled, the hybrid backed up hurriedly, tripping over his own feet as he did so. He sprawled onto his back, and his opponent got on top of him. Brandishing his pen like a dagger, the madman swept it down, aiming for Samael’s face. The hybrid jerked out of the way, his motions blurred with speed, and bunched his legs tight against his chest. He kicked upwards, forcing the man off him. The hybrid struggled to regain his footing, but William was already up. The madman charged Samael, kicking him in the ribs and sending him tumbling face-first onto the ground. The hybrid attempted to rise again, looking over his shoulder. His opponent was way too close, so he burst forwards on his hands and knees, getting to his feet at a safer position.
Your movements are too slow. Alph muttered, his tone sporting an obvious lack of enthusiasm.
“Quiet!” Samael growled, turning to face William. “I’m just trying to find his skill level!”
Weakling. the creature hissed.
The madman remained where he was, cocking his head to the side. A strange look sparked in his eyes.
“You talk to yourself…?” he said, and a giggle spurted from his throat. “…you’re like me! William always talks to himself…every day…every hour…”
Samael shook his head. “I am
nothing like you.”
With that, the hybrid waited, but William did not run at him as before. He just stood there, grinning and giggling like…well, a madman.
Hmmm… Alph muttered.
Maybe he really is crazy.
Samael put up his fists, accepting a boxer-type stance.
“If he is…this should be easy. I can outsmart him…”
I wouldn’t be too sure about that… the creature replied.
I think you guys are both around the same in terms of intelligence, as well as strength.
Samael rolled his eyes and charged. “You’re wrong. I’m the last person he’ll ever see!”
William held his stance, but as Samael closed in, the madman’s face paled and he turned to flee. Grinning, Samael drew his hand back for a punch, but suddenly William whirled around, aiming a headbutt at his assailant’s stomach. Samael saw the attack and reacted quickly, but he was too late. The blow crushed the air from his lungs, causing him to crumple breathlessly to the ground.
This was the moment William had been waiting for.
The madman forced Samael onto his back, pressing a muscular hand and knee on the younger man’s chest. Ignoring his feeble struggles, William jabbed his pen weapon into Samael’s right leg, getting seven good stabs in. He was going for an eighth…but by now the hybrid had somewhat recovered and struck out with both hands, tearing William’s fancy left sleeve off. He didn’t hesitate, and struck out in adrenaline-fueled desperation, raking ten bloody scratches down the entire length of William’s left arm. The madman recoiled, and Samael slid out from underneath him, staggering backwards as quickly as he could. Even as he did so, his vision began to blur, and a warm fuzzy numbness began to spread throughout his right side.
“Wh-what is this…?” Samael stammered, leaning heavily on the alley wall.
Poison. Alph stated.
William giggled, twirling the pen in his fingers. Its blue cap was missing.
“Special juice…very special…” the madman replied. “…it’ll make you feel all better…all better…yes…”
Shaking his head, Samael struggled to take on his ready stance again, but his eyes were so blurred he couldn’t even see where his opponent was. He blinked multiple times, and a black blur expanded in his vision. The hybrid tried to put his arms up defensively, but only his left arm responded. The other just dangled uselessly at his side.
Oh, I see. he heard Alph say. The creature’s voice sounded very distant.
This poison seems to shut parts of your body down.
“Youuu…don’t…sssaaayyyy…” Samael responded; alarm taking effect faster than the poison was. “Whaaat’sss happennnning tooo myyy voice?”
“Too much juice…” William laughed, grabbing Samael’s good arm and shoving him to the ground. The hybrid struggled to resist, but his right leg buckled, causing him to collapse. “…too much…too much…now young man must die…everything must die…darkness…come to an end…”
Samael couldn’t rise, but he still fought, lashing his good limbs in the direction of William’s laughter. His efforts were futile; William just used his body weight to pin them down. Blurs of color and light flashed meaninglessly in the hybrid’s vision. He could feel William stabbing him again; not just in his leg, but everywhere. Soon, the stabbing stopped, giving way to punches and kicks.
How disappointing. Alph said, his voice suddenly clear again.
And here I thought you were actually going to survive this. My mistake.
“Rrrrrgh…IIIII’llll…shhhhowww…youuuu!” Samael snarled, and suddenly felt William’s breath very close to his face. The hybrid didn’t hesitate, and struck with the only weapon he had left. His teeth.
William tumbled off Samael, howling and clawing at the remains of his nose and upper lip. Samael spat blood and flesh onto the ground, propped himself up with his left leg and arm, and forced his body to rise on sheer willpower alone. His right leg tingled and wobbled beneath him, but didn’t give out. The hybrid turned in the direction of William’s grunts and…for a split second…his vision cleared; highlighting the offender in crystal clarity.
I have you now.
Daeikzae… Alph hissed, and Samael cocked his head to the side; irises drowning in the blackness of his sclera.
I will kill him.
A creepy grin spread across Samael’s face, and he sprang, an unearthly screech tearing from his throat. William put up his fists, defiance in his eyes, but the hybrid just threw himself at him, fearless. Samael’s struck, unleashing a maelstrom of punches and kicks. Startled, William moved to block, and was battered by multiple blows. The hybrid’s strength was unquestionably superior. William would not win this fight. Bruised and suffering from fresh scratches, he backed up, looking for an escape. He was mad, not insane. William fled; leaving for real this time.
He didn’t get far.
The hybrid overtook William and seized him by the back of his neck; fingers digging deep into the madman’s flesh. Samael forced him onto the ground, stomping on the hand that held the pen weapon. It gave way beneath his shoe, its fragments mixing with the pulp that used to be William’s right hand. The madman screamed again, but Samael was deaf to the sound. He yanked Willi
