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[Chesa]

Oligarchy

It all started in 10th grade biology. A few of us, all meeting in Mr. Tamer’s class. We had known each other since elementary school. Fletcher Isle was a small community at that time, and had seen each other all through our school years, but we had never really known each other until that year…and maybe that would’ve been for the best if we had remained acquaintances.

The bell rang, sending us from the lunch room to our 4th periods. Mr. Tamer’s biology class was on the second story in the science wing (go figure). It took less then 3 of the 6 minutes we are given to change classes to get from the hot and over crowded lunch room to the science lab that our class was to be in. On the board was a seating chart. Even in high school it seemed teachers had the need to seat us according to there wishes. I didn’t worry about it though. It took a week or less for the students to disregard such useless organization and seat themselves to there own accord.

I spotted my name on the chart. Second row, third seat. Close enough to where I could see the board, but far enough back to where it was easy for me to hide behind the people in front of me and sleep. The perfect seat.

I had been the first in the class room, but before I got the chance to fall in love with the peace, it was hacked to death with a cleaver of gossip and shouting from my fellow student. The first I spotted through the door was a girl I was familiar with. She went by Angie Gund, but I heard her name was Los Angles, on the birth certificate and everything. I could not regale you with the story, because, well, I can’t even fathom how her name came to be. Her name wasn’t the only thing odd about her too. She had a think streak of rainbow among the dark brown curls of her short hair, and the glasses that sat on her face had a zebra pattern that made you want to stare at her face. With a pair of baggy jeans, combat boots, and an old t-shirt, it looked as if she had jumped into a pile of clothing to get dressed.

Angie took her seat right in front of me. She turned around with a wide grin spreading across her lips. It was the type of grin that made you want to hug her, and then slug her in the face at the same time. One of those smiles that shows she is honestly happy to be meeting people on the first day of school. “Hey, I’m Angie,” she grinned. Her voice had a high pitch, grinding into my ears with happiness. I looked up at her. I, was far from excited about starting school, and could not muster anything that even considered itself an expression to give her in return.

“Yo. Cass,” I said. She seemed a little turned off by my blank face and bored look, but who could blame her, I had a habit of being anti-people at times. That grin faded and she turned around in her seat, just to fly out of it again.

“Juliet!” She shouted happily almost taking down Juliet Raine with a hug. Juliet was fourteen years old and one of the top students in our class. She had skipped 6th grade, and probably could’ve skipped more if she wanted to.
Tall but finely shaped, she really was a pretty girl. Thick curly brown hair reached passed her shoulders, but she tied it back to with a different colored ribbon each day.

[Chesa]

When the dark moon shines, life will forever change.

Sakara sighed softly, staring out the window of her chambers across the great lands of the Heavens. "Why is it so boring," She muttered to herself. It was the heavens, the place all souls wanted to go when they passed on, paradise...so why was it boring? Sakara sighed again, standing up as there was a knock on the door. She softly shut the book that was laying in her lap, placing it on one of the many book cases that lined the walls of her room. Her long silver gown fluttered around her as she crossed the cold, flat marble floor, her bear feet pattering slightly. She opened the large door, and blinked looking up to findLuno, the God of the Night, staring down at her. His long black robes seemed to shroud him in a shadow, even though the brilliant morning sun was shining through the high windows of Sakara's room.

"Ohh...Luno Sir, what do you need?" She asked in her soft, almost melodic voice, its ring added a bit of innocence to her already juvenile apperance. Even though Luno was her God, it was odd that he come to her chambers, none the less in the morning, when the sunhad already risen.

"I want you to join me at the Night God's Festival at my temple in the Umien lands," He said. His voice was harsh, but full, and like all gods, he was the essence of beauty. With Dark blue eyes and black hair, his pale skin seemed to glow in the night, giving off certain radiance. It was no wonder the Night God's festival was an amazingly popular event, since it was the only time in 1000 years when he would appear to the Umiens to give his orders, wishes, and wants.

"I would love to go," She said softly, having always wanted to attend the event. "It is tonight, correct?" She asked, looking up into his tired eyes. He nodded, surpressing a yawn as he looked lazily into space. "Yes, it’s tonight. I will summon you just before the sun sets," He said. "You will raise the moon at the festival tonight, if you manage not to annoy me before then," He mummbled. Sakara looked at him oddly. She knew him to be tough, but not necessarily nasty. She sighed mentally. It had to be the day light. She knew it really wasn't his thing, being the god of the Night. On the other hand, she wasn't going to complain. Raising the moon was a huge honor, and up until now it had been a job only Luno held. Sakara was only a couple thousand years old, and was still a child to most gods. She couldn't help but be a little giddy, though she noticed Luno was having problems keeping his eyes open.

"Umm, Luno, You should probably go get some sleep," She said to him. He just looked more annoyed. "I would, but Uminon has been listening to Ankela again," He said. Sakara gave him a simpethetic look. The Queen of the Gods did have a habit of going a little...over bored, especially on those Gods that had Demi-Gods, or children. Being the Goddess of Motherhood, she did have a tender spot for anyone with a young face. Being the Goddess of War on the other hand, gave her a bit of bite when she didn't get what she wanted, when she wanted. It was unfortunate the King of the Gods was a pushover when he listened to his wife. Sakara actually felt bad for Uminon sometimes.

"Well I guess you want to go do...whatever it is Ankela has you doing. If you need me to, I can help," She offered. His lips twitched up for a single second as she petted her. "You’re a kind heart," he said, turning down the hallway towards his office. Sakara chuckled. It wasn't often one received anything that resembled a complement from the cold, stoic Night God. She just smiled softly to herself, brushing the long, wavy, black hair over her shoulder, closing the door behind her as she walked down the opposite hall as Luno, looking for the garden's door.

Sakara personally liked the gardens much better at night, preferring the night flowers over the day ones.The flowers that flourished there were lovely, basking in the bright light of the mid-day sun, a rainbows among a soft grass green sea. Sakara hummed softly to herself as she walked, bear footed, along the grass and step stone paths. She couldn't help but spin lightly as the wind whistled a short soft, jump harmony.

I am going to be in the festival She thought to herself, that blissful beam never leaving her face. She spotted another young woman sitting in the bushy grass by the foot of a river, her hand dancing among the water lilies. Sakara quickly rushed over to her, sitting by her side, her legs underneath her. The girl looked up with a jolt, then let out a small smiling laugh. "Wow Sakara, you surprised me," She said with a sharp voice. This girl had a short brown and green dress on, which only extenuated her pixie features. Her long brown hair was pulled into a ponytail in a fall of brown curls.

Sakara just smiled to her. "Guess what Orlina?" She asked, plucking a daisy from the patch to her side, her hands running over it in excitement as she spoke. The young flower maiden raised an eyebrow. "What?" she asked, shooing away one of the Fairies who had fluttered up to her. "I am going to raise the moon at Luno's festival!" she said, her voice growing as she said the sentence till again she quieted, leaving her a smiling fool. Orlina almost jumped. "Really? Ohh Sakara that is fantastic!" She said, pulling her into a hug.Orlina was the flower maiden of the garden, and the one who kept the fairies and pixies who tended to the garden in check. She was one of Sakara's closest friends. Sakara just loved her, and hugged her back. "I know," she said. "I'm one step closer to getting my full god-hood," she said. Orlina nodded. "That's wonderful, absolutely wonderful," She said.

Sakara stood, doing a small puriett in the grass. "I know," She said, pulling Orlina up with her. “Then you should defently get some sleep. You don't want to be tired for your first appearance to the Umiens. You know how fussy mortals are about their Gods," She said. "But Luno can't sleep yet, so I shouldn't," Sakara said, honestly to excited to think about sleep. Orlina stopped frowning. "Ohh Sakara, you are too simple. He's probably already asleep anyways, and besides, are you supposed to live by the night sky, not by the suns?" She asked. Sakara laughed, defeated and embraced. "Yeas, I guess you're right," She said. Orlina nodded, like a young woman who knew more then her Baby sister.

“Now shoo, go sleep," She said, pushing Sakara back towards the high doors of the palace. Sakara laughed. "Ohh shush," She said, turning around and grinning at Orlina, who like a jester in a mirror, just grinned back. "Good day," She snickered. Sakara just shook her head, waving to her close friend. "Good day!" She almost shouted, rushing back to her chambers to draw the curtains and try and get some sleep.

*~*~*
Wake up !
Sakara was pulled from her dreams by a mental hand, dragging her mind back to reality. She rubbed her eyes yawning, the white, silk sheets pooling around her waist. She moved slowly to the edge of her bed and sat there for a few moments, her legs dangling over the side in a groggy daze.

You have five minutes before I leave you here Sakara... It was Luno's voice.

Sakara sighed for a moment wondering what in the world he was talking about, then remembered. "The Festival," She muttered, almost flying off of the bed. She rushed, quickly pulling on the nicest gown she owned. Neatly she placed the small silver head band with a crescent moon on it that she was to wear when, and if ever, she appeared to the Umiens. She hopped, trying to fix her slippers as she rushed down the hall towards main hall of the palace. Most of the other Gods and Goddesses were already on there way to the Chambers for the night, and Sakara almost ran into a few of them as she sped towards the hall. Not many of the other Gods or Goddesses approved of Sakara, but that never stopped her from doing anything except attending gatherings (which she found incredibly dull anyways).

Sakara stumbled into the foyer of the great palace. She wasn't looking where she was going and BAM! She ran right into Luno. Stumb;ing backwards she fell onto the ground. She blinked, looking up at him. "I-I-I'm sorry," She stuttered. He just shook his head. "Come on," he said holding his hand out to help her up. Sakara grasped it, smiling. He was always in a much better mood after the sun went down, and there for, almost amusing to be with. Sakara had to deal with his annoyance, since he was one of the only ones who would speak to her.

He grabbed her hand. "Let's go," He said. Sakara nodded softly as they vanished from the Castle, appearing in a large open room, filled with incense, candles, and food for offerings. Sakara looked around the great hall, the smile on her face growing until she let out a squeal of excitement. "Luno! Thank you so much for letting me come!" She laughed, spinning lightly. "Sakara, shush!" He snapped, knowing the priest would hear them and alert the priest. If that happened, he would be forced to act the part early.

"Lord Luno!"

Luno moaned turning to face the lines of priest had entered the temple room. Each was on their knees, basically talking to the ground. Sakara swirled, her dress dancing around her as she looked at the people. "Arise," Luno said, his voice stoic and agitated, as it normally was when he didn't sleep. Sakara cocked her head to the side. "Luno, do you need to get some sleep?" She asked. Luno sighed.

Sakara, you must act a certain way around the Umiens. You are better then them, act that way or they won’t take you seriously, Luno said to her. He honestly hated having to act like that, but the mortals were so fecal. Once the god stopped being a god, they turned on them. Sakara didn't argue, though she obviously didn't understand why she had to act in such a manner. She just stopped and faced them as they rose to their feet. Sakara stood with the stone statue ability of only a goddess.She took a few steps towrods them, her feet and dress bearly touching the dirty stone floor.

"Is this the Demi-goddess of prophecy?" they were muttering to each other. "Silence!" Luno boomed, aggravated, his voice echoing off the walls of the hall. Instantly every priest froze. Sakara could see the fear at his anger. She looked at him. He just stared at the priests with cold, empty, inhuman eyes. "Sakara, Demi-Goddess of the moon," He said. Sakara understood what that meant, she had heard of it happening before. She turned to face Luno and bowed. Can you tell me what to do? She asked him. He said nothing, like he was testing her. "Sakara, present yourself to the people," She said. "And hang the moon high in the sky," he said. Sakara did so and nodded. Luno turned his head to the priests. "Go, now," he hissed. Sakara jumped at the intensity in his voice. "Luno...weren't you being a little harsh?" she asked. He shook his head, a scowl on his face. "I know those idiots have been using my offerings for their own gain," He said, their ignorance and stupidity obviously putting Luno on edge. Sakara cocked her head, giving him a worried look. It wasn't often he got this genuinely upset. She knew he liked to get grouchy, a lot, but never honestly mad. Luno looked at Sakara and sighed, walking towards the door, petting her softly as he did. "Come on," he muttered. "We don't want to keep the mortals waiting."

[Chesa]

Ch.2

Antony wandered aimlessly among the masses in front of the temples. The lights, the music, the noise, he enjoyed it all, it was mind numbing. He couldn't help but love parties. He grinned to himself as he walked pass the venders that were selling various foods and trinkets to leave on the offering table. Umiens, worshiping so many gods he thought laughing to himself with a grin. If it weren't for all the excitement, one might have noticed the sets of pure white fangs that marked him as a Vaprium, and not an Umien.

As a Vaprium, Antony worshiped one God and one god alone, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy the fun of a festival. It wasn't everyday an Umien god came to their lands, and the sure made a big deal of it. Sure, he hadn't personally seen a god with his own eyes, but that didn't mean it required such a fuss, did it? Antony shrugged, snatching an apple from one of the vender’s tables. Right as he was about to bit into it though, the vendor snatched his hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked. Antony blinked, looking over to him, and he gulped. This man wasn't a small one. He was quite the opposite, big, hairy, and angry. He was a giant ape, and he was looking at Antony, like he just took his last banana. Antony grinned sheepishly, setting the apple down and stepping backwards. Holding his hands up in surrender, he began to sweat as the ape came towards him. A crowd had begun to form, sensing the drama and homing in like it like a group of hungry Vaprium on blood. "Now come on, it was an honest mistake, I thought they were free," Antony said, trying to back away enough to run for it, but a wall of spectators stopped that plan. "You Thief! I should cut off your hand for that!" the ape growled.” Now that's not necessary," He muttered nervously.

"What is this disturbance on the holy night of Luno!" One of the priests shouted, coming up to the crowd. The ape grabbed Luno, holding him by the hair. "This petty fool tried to steal from me!" He hissed, holding him out towards the priest. Oh I'm so screwed Antony thought as the priest glared at him. "The Great God Luno is going to present Sakara, the Demi-Goddess of the moon to our humble audience, and you are causing a fight on this most special of nights?" The priest shouted. Antony just blinked, staring at him. What the hell does he expect me to say? He thought. He decided to just look scared for being caught as the priest yelled at him, but that wasn't working. Umien priest were a bit coincided. "Bring him to Luno's shrine, let the god give his vengeance," He said. Antony sighed as he was dragged towards the large front entrance of the temple.

How the hell am I going to get out of this one? He thought to himself. With out warning, he was thrown at the foot of the large set of steps to the temple. Thousands of Umiens were staring at him now. He stood up, looking behind him. There was a wall of people to his back, rows and rows of torches to his left and right, and....

Antony caught himself staring at the young girl before him. She stood a few steps up, so she was the same height, even though it was obvious she was naturally shorter then him. Long black hair flowed down her back and over her shoulders and her bright silver blue eyes were fixed on him, with both curiosity and kindness in them. Her lips were lush, and parted slightly as she stared at him, and then she spoke.

"What is this commotion?" she asked. Her voice rang beautifully through the air, a song on the night’s breeze. Antony just gapped at her. She had to be the Demi-Goddess that idiot priest spoke of, because not a single Umien or vaprium girl he had ever met held the level of beauty she had. She truly portrayed the stereo-type that all goddess had beauty.

The priest approached them, head down, and crouched over slightly as his back was causing him so with his age. The man must've been death walking. "This man stole from a man, selling offerings for your holinesses," He said, pushing Antony down onto his knees before her. Antony growled, staring at the ground. He easily had the strength to stay standing, but he couldn't in front of this crowd. He just shook his head. I swere if one more if one more Umien pushes me around, I will eat well tonight. He swore to himself.

"What did he steal?" The daintily asked, looking at he priest with calm eyes and a steady soft voice. Even with that soft voice, she managed to command respect from the Umiens around her. "He stole a large amount of fruit," he said bowing his head deeper to her. Antony twitched. "I took an apple!" He shouted angrily. "Do not act in such a way before a Goddess!" The priest growled back in a voice shaked from time. He pulled his dried and wrinkled hand back to strike Antony, but before Antony could lung to bite him, the woman had caught his hand. "I do not appreciate being lied to," She said sternly to the priest. Antony blinked at her. She was now standing in front of him.

"Sakara, is it not time you present the night sky with the radiance of the moons light," Luno said, stepping down the temple steps with arrogance about him. The entire crowd dropped in a bow, leaving only Antony, Sakara, and Luno standing. The priest scotched back, his head down. Antony watched as Sakara stared at Luno momentarily. The two's facial exspresions changing slightly with the seconds, like they were talking to each other silently. Then Sakara's lips gracefully slide upwards in a smile and she approached the top of the steps. Antony moved himself back so he was off to the side, still standing.

Standing surrounded by high, intricate, weaving pillars of stone, she raised her hands to the empty sky above her. "O'er the lands of Asinya, in the comforting protection of the darkness of the night, may your rays shine down upon these people, granting them with the soft hope of your light. Turn, turn as light shines brighter may the hopes and happiness of these people grow!" She called. Watching as the Moon slowly appeared in the sky, waning till it was almost full, Antony was caught in a sort of trance. Staring with blank eyes at Sakara, his entire mind seemed to blank with her words. The people in the crowd were in the same sort of awe as her voice seemed to spread over the masses, though she wasn't yelling or raising her voice.

The people looked as the bright moon hung in the sky, a gleaming emblem to the new Demi-goddess power. "Arise!" Luno boomed, and instantly, all did. Sakara turned her back to them as she let out a shaky sigh and smiled to Luno, who only gave the faintest image of a smile back, but that was to be expected from him.

Antony felt the urge to follow Sakara as she walked back towards the large stone doors of the temple, but to his better judgment, disappeared into the crowds. He let out a short whistle. "What a goddess," he muttered to himself, strolling aimlessly through the throngs of people. All had forgotten the events concerning the little curly brown haired scoundrel, and with no effort, he became a shadow among the Umiens again.

*~*~*

Sakara smiled up at Luno. "So how did I do?" She asked. She wobbled slightly, falling against him as a brace. "You did fine, " He said handing her a glass of wine from the banquet table that was prepared for him right inside the main hall of the temple. She took the cup in her shaky hands. "Thank you ," She said softly. He just nodded, staring off at the stone statue of him that stood tall at the end off the hall. A shrine was set up beneath it, with a freshly cleaned silver offering bowl, where small trinkets would be place and burnt in his name.

"You used a lot of power tonight," He said. "That's the first time you've ever done something like that isn't it?" He asked. Sakara looked down at her feet, as if that were something to be ashamed off. Luno took hold of her chin with a powerful hand, forcing her to look up. "Don't be embraced, for a young one like you, that was quite a feet," He said. "You did well," He repeated. That reassurance from him made her feel a little better. She smiled at him again. "Umm, Luno, this is the first time I have been to the mortal realm. Would it be too much to ask if I...I...just for a little..." She stuttered with her words. Luno just rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "You can't do that here Sakara, the mortals aren't can't see a bit of uncertainty in there eternal Leader," He said. Sakara nodded. She took a deep breath, and stood up straighter, staring right into the dark eyes of Luno. "I am going to take a walk around the forest," she said sternly. Luno just shook his head, giving her a light bop. "No, not like that, you just seem conceded," he said. Sakara pouted, staring at her feet. "Well your one to talk," She muttered. Luno ignored that comment. He just sighed, irritated with her confusion.

"Like with that thief earlier. You did well with that. You were stern, but not obnoxious," He said. "Believe me, with Solarious running around, the last thing you need is more obnoxious gods," He muttered. Sakara couldn't help but laugh a little. Luno and his brother, Solarious god of the day, never got along, but their fighting wasn't promenate, it was comical. Sakara didn't mind Xandir, the Demi-god of the sun. They got along...though he was extremely loud, and had a huge macho attitude...but what could she expect, he was the sun.

Sakara laughed slightly. "I am going for a walk,” She said. As she left, she past the priest who rushed in, barely was acknowledging her presence. From what she knew, any other god would’ve smitten them then and there, but then again, Sakara wasn’t any other God.

Sakara sighed slightly as she walked down the elegant steps of the temple. The crowd had thinned quite a bit, to her pleasure. She quickly took a sharp turn , heading into the woods, away from the festival, and its chatter. Despite how much she had wanted to come before, she had decided she didn’t really like being around Umiens. Annoying and petty, they were nothing like what she had hoped for. Coming to a god over the theft of an apple. If that wasn’t insignificant she didn’t know what was! Was that truly a matter that Luno was intended to handle? It could’ve easily been delt with amongst themselves, away from what was supposed to be a sacred night.

[Chesa]

“AH! YOU LITTLE!”

The scream erupted over the courtyard. The holler of anger drew the students into a circle like pot heads to a screamo concert(worst simile ever) the sound of a heavy slap. I, myself, was in the middle of this circle, having been the one to deliver the slap. In front of me was my prey. A wanna-be bad ass freshman who had put his hands where they didn’t need to go. I had gotten into more then one fight already this year. I may have not necessarily won all my fights, but there was one major factor in the fight I had just picked that didn’t come against me in my other scuffles…My opponent normally wasn’t the six foot generous and pushing on two-hundred pounds. He was one big freshman.

If I had been smart I would’ve backed down the second I released this freshman could very well eat me if I tried to punch him, but no, my pride got in the way. The very fact that he had put his hands where no man’s should ever be wasn’t going to let me back down. I was going to throw a punch or two, even if I ended up suspended for this one.

The chants and shouts grew defining as the hungry adolescent on lookers screamed for blood. The noise slurred as it pounded in my ears as I stared up at the giant before me. He raised his hand up, his pudgy fingers curling into a massive, meat ball fist. My eyes were locked on his hand as it reeled back and came flying forward. The crowd screamed louder as it looked like teeth would start flying.

Concentrate Cel! Concentrate! I shouted at my self, trying to block out the roar around me. The fist flew towards me with a over whelming speed. Duck! Duck! Duck! My brain was sending the pulse but my body was too slow. I barely ducked the strike. I quickly recovered myself standing again, and before he hand time to regain his balance, nailed him, quite beautifully I might add, in the chest.

Crack! I heard the satisfying crunch of a rib. The screaming had gotten so loud that I couldn’t even hear myself think. I was too wrapped up in the moment off it, and the only thing that would pull me down from my high was god.

In high school though, god comes in one form and one form alone. Vice principal, Peterson, or as he has been known as, Vice Principal Pitt Bull. Pitt Bull was the god of our world, and a malevolent god at that. He was more ferrous then he Roman god of war, and more terrifying then the Mayan god of death. He was known for making even the hardest of students leave his office blubbering like a second grader, and he had just grabbed my arm.

“Mrs. Stevens!” He bellowed. The crowd silenced and scattered. Shit…was the only thought that entered my mind. I looked straight into the beady black eyes of Pitt Bull. He was a squat little man, whose chubby face went beat red when he was anger, the color it was now. He had flabbing arms and walked with a hunch, making him even look like a pit bull when he trudged through the thongs of high school students.

His hand was curled in a fist around my upper arm as one of the other administrative staff helped the freshman stand. “Don’t say it,” I grumbled, glaring off towards guidance. I knew where I was going to spend my 4th period.

[Chesa]

Love is a tricky emotion. You don't choose who you grow close too. Mothers love their daughters unconditionally, whether they are spoiled brats, or little angels. You can love a movie, a book, a food, or a sport. Love comes in more forms then a centipede has legs. The trickiest of this already mind boggling emotion is the love that a woman feels for a man. Is it unconditional? Does he want something in return? Minds stop function, people accept harm, or willingly put themselves in harms way in the name of this four letter word.

They say love grows with age, and that at 17, I know nothing more then crushes, puppy love, but when your life was supposed to end three years ago...can that funny little emotion grow from the pure knowledge that you may not be around long enough to experience true love?"

1
December 14, 2007
7:42 pm


Thoughts occur during strangest times for some people, for me, they occur in the midst of the most inappropriate moments. I believe that the deepest of thoughts always come to me while I am in a situation that requires my full attention. I get distracted by the most oddly profound thoughts, I begin to loose focus, and slowly my attention peels away from its intended target. My thoughts drift from the hard and course earth, gingerly letting go of the task before me, and wisping towards thoughts of the wide open sky, or diving into the vast, deep ocean.

No one else seems to find the fascination behind my thoughts either, such as the fact that I, a terminal patient, have to take Health to graduate. What is its point? I can tell you my class has no point, none what so ever. I haven't learned a thing that will keep me alive a day longer then my doctor said I have, so what’s the point of forcing me to sit through a video on healthy eating, or making me give Cardio pulmonary resuscitation to a plastic dummy that hundreds of other germ infested hands have been all over. What's the likelihood of me actually having the chance to put my otherwise useless CPR skills to work? Ten million to one, that's the chance.

These thoughts about the pointlessness of health class occurred to me during one of those times when my focus was desperately needed elsewhere. My attention should've been on the tall, balding man at the front of the stage, waving his arms like a wingless bird trying to flay, fat arms stretching out the sleeves of his swallow tailed tuxedo. Instead of keeping my mind in the auditorium and remembering the lyrics to Festival Sanctus, my thoughts again left the bounds of earth and floated high above the realms of our world, and thanks to this lack of concentration, I made the mistake that only armature singers make....and I locked my knees. It wasn't long until the circulation in my legs had all but ceased, and I got to see the lovely lacquered floor boards of the stage's floor very close up.

As I came out of the blur that came along with passing out in the middle of a crowded auditorium A familiar whine of a siren greeted me. I squinted, the blindingly bright light above me flickered as the moving object, what I assumed was an ambulance, bumped and sped over the road. I must've hit my head hard or something for them to actually call an ambulance, but I was used to these monstrous moving hospitals by now, The intense illumination was blocked momentarily as a young, baby faced paramedic leaned in over me. She was a pretty young thing, probably fresh out of school. Bright blond hair fell in gold waves over her face, as the pony tail she had pulled it back into for work completely failed at it's job. Pale blue eyes stared at me with a calculating gaze as she assed if I was conscious enough to start asking the ruining questions too. She had a figure that, even under the paramedic’s uniform, looked like something right off one of the posters on Jake's wall.

"Can you tell me your full name?" She asked. Her voice was sharp and clipped. High pitched and quick toned. It's annoying qualities distracted from her pretty face. She didn't have to tell me to give my full name. I was used to the drill by now. "Jane Axel Knightie," I said, trying to put more intensity into my voice so she didn't assume something was horribly wrong with me, like all the others. I felt a slight tug on the neck of my chorus dress. No, she had found it. Her fingers curled around the small red tag with the white medical tag. She turned it over, reading the information on the back, which contained the fact I was prom to seizures, the medicine I was on, and the number to contact Doctor Browsky.

I really hated having to wear that tag, and it did more harm for me then good, but having it put my fathers mind at ease. I don't see why he wanted me to wear it, because of that little red tag people always assumed that when my thoughts got the better of me and I tripped, or ran into something, that I was having a seizure. With that beacon around my neck I draw attention from people who wouldn't give me a backwards glance if it weren't for the fact I gave them a chance to play the good Sumerian.

The pretty paramedic called some code into the radio. The operator at the hospital responded seconds later. I might have been able to understand there conversation but, the pattern of crackling that the radio made was much more fascinating. Besides, I already knew what they were saying. The lady was saying that I had a seizure, which I hadn't. The nurse on the other end of the radio would have the hospital pull up my file, and then call my father, which wasn't needed.
In the panics my father tended to go into he would call up and immediately have me transferred to Shan's Hospital, where I would spend a day or two while Doctor Browsky would run a series of unneeded test, and all of this because one paramedic didn't ask me if I had locked my knees, which I had.

"I didn't have a seizure," I insisted, hoping to convince her before they sent my father into freak mode. My words bounced off her ears, water on the waterproof ball that was her empty skull. She felt my forehead, as if I had a fever and delirium that was causing my self diagnosis. "Your going to be fine," She said. I wasn't panicking.

I was starting to wish that Bert still had his job. Bert was the short, squat paramedic that I had gotten to know and recognize from the stretched out mermaid tattoo on his right arm that he said he got when drunk, after I had asked. He showed up in my life twice last year. 11th grade had bee a bad year for me. I had gone to the hospital five times, twice in an ambulance. The first time was when, at my aunt's barbeque, I had gotten distracted when going to retrieve my little cousins ball from the middle of the road. While contemplating how the pattern on the little plastic ball looked like the stars along pieces, I had forgotten to get out of the road and had been hit head on by a gold ford toress. Bret hadn't been like the other paramedics (and sadly I had met enough to distinguish him from the rest), mainly because he managed to keep my dad calm, and to keep me responsive on the way from orange park south ( the little suburb that my aunt's house was in) to the trauma center at Shan's , had entertained me with a story of when he was young ho him and his brother had played chicken with a train on a dare for a dollar win, which he promised was a bigger win then it sounded.

The second time I came upon Bret was when Max and Jake, with the best intentions, had accidentally sent me into a seizure at my own surprise party. it wasn't the jumping out and yelling surprise that had done it, but the strobe light Jake's brain dead sister had decided to turn on as a joke. Well the second her joke started, my consciousness stopped.

When I came too in the ambulance, the overweight sea beauty on Bert’s arm was staring down at me. After asking me the necessary questions he realized that it was my birthday. With a lopsided grin he dug into his pocket and pulled out a broken tooth plastic comb, three pieces of bazooka bubble gum, and four dollars and thirty-two cents in change and wished me a happy birthday. He then went on to tell me how lucky I was, because not many people got to go 100 miles and hour down a high way for their seventeenth birthday.

I really did like Bert, he was what Jack Johnson would have called ‘Good People’. I was quite upset when later on that week I found out that a Bert Shannons had been arrest for stealing ten thousand dollars from his wife. Bert lopsided grin popped up in a mug shot next to the tight cheeked face of the news lady as she reported that Bert’s dog had bit the arresting officer. Will watching this I had to wonder what type of witch Bert’s wife had to be to make a man like him steal money from her.

“Alright, we’re going lift you off, Kay?” The pretty paramedic asked me, grabbing the edges of the turnacit to pull me off whether I said yes or not. I nodded, annoyance pulling out of me in a huff. The doors to the ambulance opened up and rushed me into the hospital. I just closed my eyes, the bright lights hurting my head. I think if most people had passed out at a concert, there wouldn’t have been a second though, but that little red tag had again caused people to over react.

Once they had gotten me admitted, and the nurses had finished their examination, my father finally entered. I had wondered what took him so long. When he got the hospital calls he normally got to me quicker then a little kid to chocolate. His delayed appearance didn’t make his response to seeing me in a hospital bed any less panicked.

“Dijubo Axel!” He shouted as he came in. He must’ve been really worried, because he wasn’t speaking English. He had a hard time concentrating on the proper language to be speaking when he was worried.

“I’m fine father. I just locked my knees at the concert.” His face went from worry to depuration. “That’s such a juvenile mistake, were you not concentrating?” He asked, though through this simple question I could see the fear that my condition was deteriorating. “I’m fine, I promise,” I assured, but my assurance meant little to him. After my mother death he ignored everything but hard medical facts, even though he rarely understood what the doctor was saying to him. Even though my mother and I had two very different conditions he lets his paranoia get the best of him.

When my mother had died of anaphylactic shock from an allergy we didn’t know of, my father had me tested for every allergy under the sun. Through these constant checkups the doctors realized my eyes sight was getting worse very fast. Fifty test later the doctors had their answer, and I was diagnosed with Batten’s Disease. At seven years old, I was told it would be a miracle for me to see my sweet sixteen. To a first grader, this information doesn’t really mean anything. The doctor was speaking a language I didn’t comprehend. I think what really made what was happening sink in was the look on my fathers face when he was told that not only did I have something wrong with me, but it was incurable as well. No one can imagine the pain of a father finding out his only daughter is dying.

I saw that look creeping onto his face now, clawing at the edges of his frown, forcing it deeper. Truth had taken his young face and beaten it into that of an old man, after all, he was only 38.

I poked his nose. It was an action that had started when I was young, and had become fascinated by the striking features of his face, the bump on his nose in particular. I would do it when ever he was upset and he would laugh at my childish curiosity and then tell me of our Scandinavian heritage. Now words were no longer need. The pokes spoke for themselves.

He looked at my hand as it retracted from his face, resuming its possession in my lap. I saw the dread again retracting from his face, my fathers corky smile left in grim’s recession. Father ruffled my hair, sending black floods tumbling over my head. “I’ll go get us some soft serve from the cafeteria,” He said rubbing mu back. My father had really course hands.

My fathers hands had always confused me. They were hard, strong, and calliced. As an interpreter for a big, international, company I didn’t think that he ever even picked up a pencil. He never worked in the yard, or did house projects, and I know that Interpreter had been his only job. He would tell me over and over that the Knightie’s had been interpreters for two hundred years. With my fathers heard so set on mastering the languages of the world, I wonder what had happened to make his hands as tough as a farmers.

[Chesa]

Log continuation
I hold a blank space in time, but the first thing that juts into my memory are those eyes of him. There unblinking quality, It’s almost unreal. “You’re thinking there is something about me, maybe I’m a demon, a monster?” He asked.
I stared at him. Was my face really that easy to read. I had prided myself on being hard to read for a long time, but it was as if those unblinking eyes were staring straight into my very soul. My scounts here do not sound sceientific, or logical. I realize this, but I must recount this expreiance as I experianced it, only thing can the truth behin Yutaka Yoshikazu be uncovered.
He gazed back at me, like a child stuck in a staring contest. “Really?” I asked him playing it off as if I knew not what he was speaking about. “Well, these deads you’ve been acounted for, they are quite monsterous. Do you concider yourself a Hell spawn Yoshikazu?” I asked him. I could see a certain glee jump into him, he was laughing at my stupidity.
“You’re quite childish, Miss Jung. Those are just fairy tales…Reality is much harsher. “
Wth those words reality took a spin for the odd. A short circuit sparked through the machines in the room. The turrets spazzed, sending a small spray of bullets before bursting, hitting the ground as flaming heeps of useless metal. There was a heavy mechanical whine and hiss, the sound of the doors jamming shut.
“Reality is something very scary,” He stated, a callous calm through this sudden terror. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I had found myself standing with out a single realization of doing so. For all my efforts, I was unable to keep all hints of fear off my face, I could tell that.
My eyes were locked on Yoshikazu, following every single one of his movements. I was begging with all my being that those heavily armored guards would do what they were paid to do and break open the door and put some sanity in to this madness.
Then came a tear, a tear that cut through the whining security alarm. The restraints that were keeping Yoshikazu tied down ripped, one by one. Arms, legs, body…after several, seemingly effortless tugs, he freed himself from the gurny. I was sure now I looked as fearful as I was. He took two steps towards me, tossing the bite mask onto the floor, the flimsy metal shattering like glass under his step.
“GUARDS!” I hollered, looking over to where the security camera had been when I entered, though it was no longer there. “They can’t hear you,” He said, shoving the table aside. The table crashed into the opposite wall. I backed away from him, but it wasn’t enough. I was stopped in my place, froze suddenly. I figure now that the fear must’ve gotten the best of my mind, and had caused me to lock up, but I can only say that as I sit her, calm and my mind free of influence.

[Chesa]

The control room was silently when the boss entered, no one wanted to be near him when he check the message himself. It was bad. ‘We have your wife’ Nothing more, nothing less.
“…” Shade glared at the screen that held the message, and then punched the monitor, shattering it. He said not another word, and stormed out of the control room heading to the hanger.
On the way Shade met Max and Yuuji, his two best friends and and the ones who kept the massive citidel in the sky. They were both searching for their own wives. When Yuuji finaly managed to get Shade to tell him what was going on, Max and Yuuji got a very bad feeling, they knew their own loved ones were at risk of Shade’s enemies as well, so they both joined him. They boarded their jets, and flew out of the flying fortress. Only the three of them. Shade didn't want any big army to get involved, what was happening was personal.
Shade knew where he was going. He had many enemies, and only one would have the resources to get to his wife. A small base in the middle of the forrest. Shade flipped several switches on his aircraft, making a signal to the other two. They all ejected, and fly out of the jets, as the machines crashed into the main building, destroying it.
Shade ran over to Yuuji, having to move fast before they were bumbarded with bullets. Shade pulled out a small black box with a screen "Well...." Shade gave it to Yuuji "Teishu and Nina are here, but they’re in that building, Pixies in that one" Shade said "See ya" He said and ran off. Yuuji and Max looked at each other, and ran into the building where the device was showing Nina's and Teihu's DNA signals. The three separate, Max and Yuuji having no time to waste. They’re wives weren’t important to this scheme. If they waited, there might be no one to rescue.
Max and Yuuji just hacked and slashed their way through the enemies, leaving a bloody trail in their wake. When they got the room where Nina and Teishu were bieing held, they were obstructed by a massive thick metal door "I don't think It'll exactly be just them..." Yuuji muttered "Alright, blast it open" Max said, and Yuuji did just that, and pulled out a small charge, sticking it to the door. It blasted open, smoke having in the hole that was left.
Literally as the door blew open, three gun shots sounded. On the inside, Teishu and Nina were laying side by side. A bullet straight through Teishu's head, and one in Nina's arm, where the shooter missed, and then in her neck, where the fatal blow hit. Teishu's eyes were shut, she had been crying and silently pleading before death, where as Nina's were open, a certain glaze over them not from death. She had had seen the door blow open. She knew they were coming, but never got the chance to see. Their shooter was lying with the few other dead men, the gun still clutched in his hand.

Yuuji was the first to hear the gun shots, and he was the first one to see them "......" His heart clenched and just stopped right there. He fell to his knees, dropping his weapon. He stared off into space, in utter shock. Not wanting to balieve what he was seeing. He was a soldier, he had saved so many people before, but he couldn't save his own wife....