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Tis but a story...

Am I running to, or from, something? The road I travel is one that I am unfamiliar with, but something rushes away from my knowledge. I seek something. I am on the hunt, pursuing something that I do not know. Yet, through this journey, I strive to move from something. Glory before me, hell behind me. What is it that I am rushing from?

I burst through the trees, feet stamping the ground with each passing stride. My knuckles have grown white from the stress of gripping my bow. The scabbard of my sword wildly smacks my hip with each jump, pushing pass bushes and rocks that seek to become an obstacle in my way. My right foot lands on soft earth and it all crashes down. Now, I am flying forward, tucking my arms underneath so I roll instead of create bodily damage to myself. My foot is free from it's imprisonment as I roll to safety, only to come back to my stomach and leap out to a crouched position.

I made quite the commotion, leaves and rocks sliding along from where I landed. I stay poised, looking around in the vast emptyness of the forest. Pockets of leaves open up to allow rays of light to idly fall in but the feeling of darkness is ever present. Something is after me, but yet, I am chasing something. Who is predator and who is prey? I am left to listen to my own breathing and heart beat. Thump...thump...thump....now! I fire off in the original direction, using the ball of my feet and shifting them sideways to keep balance as I skid downhill, leaping near the end and rushing off.

My breathing is beginning to grow shallow after such pace, my eyes always darting behind me but always catching glimpse of what is ahead. The sounds of rushing water is in the distance. I must be near. The last time I saw it. No...not it. Her. I knew after laying eyes on her that I was meast to keep chase. A snap behind me forces me to keep a stronger pace, throwing barriers and limits away as I throw my remaining strength into this run. It's getting closer. The lake. More so, the basin of the waterfall. It is the picture perfect world for her.

I reach back and grab an arrow from the quiver, snapping the end to the string and coming to a halt behind a tree. The waterfall is masking any sound that I am making, waters rushing from great heights and slamming into itself from below. That's when I see her, from behind the tree. Auburn hair sways gently in the ever present breeze, gently paled skin kissed by the sun giving her a glowing presence. A flowing, white dress masks her body. Striking green eyes reach across the lake and pierce through tree, through flesh, to find the spirit that is in me. She knew I was coming, and now I know. Captivating is she, my father said, who becomes the embodiment of wisdom. When you find her, take haste and chase after her, for now the darkness realizes that you have found what you are looking for. It happens to all men who seek to make themselves whole. Wise man, my father.

Breaking free from my hiding place, I walk away from the tree and she stands up, staring at me with those eyes. I cannot escape her gaze, nor can she mine. I do not know what it is that draws me, but I keep advancing. Now I reach the water, staring at her from the other side as he advances as well. The cool waters have no effect on me, but a rattle in the bushes catches my attention. Out from the unknown, the darkness leaps out, taking the form of beast and rushing forward. I react; bow in hand and arrow drawn back, I fire. The arrowhead collides with the head of the beast and it explodes, a black smoke obscuring vision and knowledge alike. Out from the darkness comes snakes, slithering out and wrenching my ankles and arms.

I slam into the water as it drags me away from her, but that is all I can think of. My finger grip mud and stone alike, dragging it alomg with me to impede the beast. My own strength is failing as hope starts to dwindle, reaching out for her as she reaches for me. A thought crosses my mind though...if this beast doesn't consume me, then it will go for her. If I can slow it down, then she can run. The idea of escape flies from my mind as I kick up to jump to the darkness. I've decided, that after all this pursuit, that if I cannot have her as my prize, then at least this monster will not take her. A roar reverberates from my throat as pure light erupts from my chest. The desire for the life of another and to risk my own life to make sure it is achieved, such a power gives strength to even the weakest. The darkness cannot fight it. We collide, a mixture of black and white flooding the forest as a battle for life and death has been met. It all goes black for me...and I do not remember it.

What I can recount, however, is the end, for it is one of great fortune. The darkness is but an extension of a being that seeks to deny me everything that is mine. If I give away what is mine so that I can show this darkness that it surely was mine in the first place, then he has no argument. Never tell a man what he isn't entitled to when he clearly is, lest you find yourself locked in a battle you desire not. She was what I pursued, sought after. To be whole with her, for two beings created to become one is such a beautiful, yet profound painting. She nursed me back to health after destroying the darkness that sought to drive us away. My wisdom, the embodiment of what is better than myself. We are one, she exudes what I cannot in such a grace and elegant way. Yet, there is a strength more wilder than I could ever believe. Yes...

...all one can say is that bliss is what comes from such a union of strengths.

What's all this then?

It's interesting. I have been trying to think of really interesting and wise things to start off this blog to sound super insightful but I haven't been able to come up with anything. I am not sure whether it is the lack of sleep or that I am not in that mood of Captain Knowledge. Then again, it is not on me to be Captain Knowledge, nor is there any reason that it should. I guess what you can say is that I am putting unnecessary weight on my shoulders when I should just be myself on this blog. While I cannot do it physically and throw what is know as my eccentric personality on here, I can just ramble on about what I think. It's a little bit safer for most people.

I wish I had taken fencing or some form of martial arts as a child. In that way, I could not only have a means to defend myself, but a really interesting thing to bring to the table. Maybe if I was an actor than I could help choreograph a few fight scenes and add some interesting things into the mix. That would make me extremely happy, but it's not too late to learn. If there is ever some form of invasion and I gotta protect me and mine, then I have to be prepared. Always wanted two small swords to start fighting with, like in the movie. God made me to be a warrior dang it, so I totally want to get out there and start doing it. Or...watch movies about it, read books, and play video games. Then, reenact it with a friend until we are bruised up enough. That seems a little bit safer.

It boils down to two things: do I play by the rules or do I push my limits? If I am told not to do something, then naturally I will not do something out of respect. But the thought that begins to gnaw at my head is what exactly is that thing that they don't want me doing? Why would they place an obstacle in my path when I clearly would like to plow straight through it. Those with a mind of rules and move on from such a thing, kudos to you. I cannot do something like that. I want to have freedom to break down walls and get through whatever it was I was asked not to do? Why? Because I am an explorer. I want to see things that I am not allowed and haven't seen, traverse new country or explore new pathways of the same road. Curiosity killed the cat, but I am willing to believe that the cat was satisfied with what it found.

Back to violence. While I would enjoy a good beatdown, I don't think that it is the major thing in my life. I believe I was made to be a lover, not a fighter. Sure, get in front of what is mine and threaten it and be sure that I will bring an end to your face. But at the same time, it could be different with other people. Loved ones, for example, I would try to be super nice and loving. I am a protector, and a romantic. A hopeless one for that matter, but that side of me has not been fully discovered and explored yet. One day perhaps, but not at the moment. While I do not watch romantic movies because, well, I'm a guy, but I do enjoy the art of romance. Yes, the art, not the act. Being romantic is not enough for women. It has to be something that is striking, that comes out immediately and lingers. An act of romance will last for so long, but romance that has transcended in an art will last a lifetime. Think about it...Jesus has been using the art of romance to get all of our attentions and we are constantly being drawn to him. Guy knows what he is doing.

So, I am a warrior, an explorer, a lover, a protector, and a rising artist. Interesting. And here I thought I had nothing to talk about.

Guess that is very daft of me.

Shadow of the Colossus

Okay...here are some disclaimers here:

1) This is totally unedited, so any odd sentences you see and things that don't really go well are to be expected. I will definitely get to revising it soon so no worries.

2) This is only a part of the piece I had originally written so I could cut the amount of work I would be showing off to a Writer's Group I attend every Wednesday. It's better not to read out more than 5 pages of work single-spaced (so about ten doubled).

3) This is based off of the video game Shadow of the Colossus so...don't be too confused by it.

4) Enjoy.

That place...began from the resonance of intersecting points

They are memories replaced by the ens and naught and etched into stone.

Blood, young sprouts, sky, and the one with the ability to control beings created from light...

In that world, it is said that is one should wish it, one can bring back the souls of the dead...

...But to trespass upon that land is strictly forbidden.

I laid her body gently on the stone tablet, a rush of wind brushing strands of her ebony-colored hair from the large opening before me. This hall is so expansive, as I can see. From the looks of it, it appears to be a large stone cathedral. A giant hole in the ceiling, perfectly sculpted, allows light to pour in on top of me and fill up the entire building. Cathedral makes it sounds so small though, because it feels like I am in a large castle. Behind me are two long rows of large statues, each shaped like creatures from myth. Sixteen in all, eight in each row and facing each other. Whoever crafted these beasts must have had gifted skills, for each detail gave off an eerie feeling that shot straight through my body.

The soft taps of hoof on stone catches my attention for a moment, each step from my horse, Argo, echoing throughout the expansive hall. But again, my gaze is captivated by the lifeless beauty that rests before me, a pale veil masking the once vibrant skin she had. It was painful, watching what they did to her but there was still hope. I traveled to the very ends of the world, just to find something that could save her.

Staring at her, I am completely unaware of the shadowy figures that begin to rise up from the stone themselves. Completely wrapped in darkness, these man-sized figures begin to clumsily lift themselves from the ground and wander towards me. Argo begins to neigh in surprise, horror snatching onto his features as he backs away from the beings. I turn around after having my attention seized by the frightful cries of Argo, my eyes falling onto these strange creatures. Are they specters of this hall, trapped spirits whose purpose were to remove trespassers? Slowly, I reach over and grab a hold on the hilt of my sword, pulling it out of the scabbard. The sound of metal sliding against metal rings in the hall.

I point it at the phantoms who continue to advance, sunlight kissing the blade and allowing light to shine from it. It looks as if it is manifesting the light itself as it vibrates from the blade brilliantly. There is an even a soft hum emitting from the blade. The phantoms cease to advance. Strange, it seems they know something. From the point where they stopped moving, one by one they burst into a black smoke, fading away as if they never were. I can't quite understand what happened, but suddenly I begin to hear an ominous sound from outside the hall. Thunder claps outside as lightning crawls around the clouds.

Just then, a loud voice begins to boom inside the castle-like structure. The walls shake gently as this voice begins to speak, a language of old with a soft melodic tune echoing from where I stand.

"Hmm? Thou possesses the Ancient Sword?" the voice says. A look of surprise washes over my face as I lower the sword to my side, but then again, I shouldn't be surprise. I know that there is a power here that works beyond human comprehension. Unable to respond, the voice continues

"So thou art mortal..." I believe it knows more than it is letting on, but from what it appears to me is that this being enjoys asking questions. I have a feeling I know this being, but to be sure I must ask.

"Are you Dormin? I was told that this place, at the ends of the world, there exists a being who can control the souls of the dead." My statement is bold, for there must be truth in what I speak. These are stories I have heard more than just once, from elders who struggled to keep me from this quest. As I speak, my sheath my sword for it has no use here in such a place with such a powerful being.

It responds.

"Thou are correct... We are the one known as Dormin."

We? I continue to listen and notice that there is more than one voice speaking now, yet each word that rings out is in sync. All the voices are working as one and it is impossible to tell how numerous the voices may be. Somehow, I know that this being understands my purpose, so I speak it out instead of letting it linger inside of my head. The mere thought of what happened has chewed a hole inside of my mind and dampened my spirit.

"She was sacrificed for she had a cursed fate..." I remember each detail of that day, unable to do anything except watch in despair. I curse my own passivity, my own weakness. Therefore, as a way of repentance to her, this is what I am able to offer. A solemn look creeps on my eyes as I turn to look to her, a pleading voice escaping my lips.

"Please, I need you to bring back her soul..." I turn back to the hallway.

To my amazement, Dormin begin to laugh at the request. I don't understand...I have said no joke. What is going on?

"That maiden's soul?" Dormin asks. "Soul that are once lost cannot be reclaimed...is that not the law of mortals?" It's almost as if this being is mocking me. I lower my head as a wave of defeat crashes against me and the weight of loss and regret begins to take its toll. All this...for nothing?

"With that sword, however...it may not be impossible." My eyes widen. A rush of new vigor begin to rise up inside of me as my head rises up.

"Really?!" I exclaim excitedly.

"That is of course, if thou manage to accomplish what We askest." Dormin says.

So it is a trade. Often times, such an impossible favor is followed by an unfathomable favor.

"What do I have to do?" There is no hesitation in my voice. I am ready.

"Behold the Idols that stand along the walls... Thou art to destroy all of them." Dormin explains. Destroy them? Such grand sculptures? Before I can even ask how, Dormin continues.

"But those Idols cannot be destroy by the mere hands of a mortal..." Confusion starts to gnaw at me as I stand at the top of the stairs, unable to understand why Dormin would ask me to destroy something I am clearly unable to.

"Then what am I to do?" I ask.

"In this land, there exists colossi that are the incarnations of those Idols. If thou defeat those colossi the idols shall fall." This task sounds too great for me, but I have to do it. I must do it.

"I understand." I say in response, confidence building inside of me.

"But heed this, the price you pay may be heavy indeed." Dormin warns. But it is too late. I have already paid too great a price for being here, trespassing on hallowed ground and dealing with beings I still don't fully understand. I paid that price the moment I failed to save her.

"It doesn't matter." I say boldly.

"Very well..." Dormin says, a feeling similar to my resolve swelling up deep within me. "Raise thy sword by the light...and head to the place where the sword's light gathers. There, thou shalt find the colossi thou art to defeat."

As Dormin explains all of this to me, I turn around to look at her once again. There is a strange look of peace on her face. No life, yet no decay. Her body is still cold though.

"Now, be on thy way." Dormin commands. There is nothing left to be done here. I cannot stand around and wait for these colossi to show up.