《Of Life and Light》Chapter 8 [Brutus]
Advertisement
"So good," my pelvic bone wiggled as I watched the last of the Elves, Fauns, and Orcs fall upon the earth, dead. Afterwards, I pranced amongst the bodies, swiftly pulling and binding the souls of such creatures to the metals which were my body. So that I may keep their essences close to my being for whatever I desire. Of course, they did not enjoy this. No. Not at all, but they were stuck forevermore.
Anyways, it was about this time that I realised something. I didn't know where these creatures who dared to face the glorious me resided. It was quite annoying, to be honest, but didn't bother me, as I was able to extract such knowledge from the souls of the dearly departed. Though, to be honest, I just did it to make them scream.
Oh how they screamed, and screamed, and screamed! Such delicious screams they were, but they only lasted for a few moments, unlike the Feasts I perform today. No. I will not be discussing that. The Ageless forbade it, and therefore, it will forever be restricted until you all become of age.
Getting back to the topic at hand, there was a moderate sized village of Elves not far from the glade we were in. One that had a road, which was of hard packed earth, but it was better than having muck in places it should never be.
The village itself, though, was rather peaceful. That is, if you enjoy tree hugging sissies telling you how to live your life. Believe me when I say this, kill them quickly. For they have the innate ability to make anyone who does not have any sort of mental protections fall under their spell. Afterwards? Well, you don't want to leave, for one, whilst another keeps you subservient to their whims.
Which is why we liberated the lot of them from their mortal coils. Because if I had to hear another, "Hey man, that ain't cool," or something along those lines, I would have allowed the Madness to surface and just run rampant throughout the mountainside. These words, amongst others, caused me to give the order for their execution. However, there was no beauty in this slaughter, no elegance in the systematic destruction of an entire way of life. Instead, there was simply death, blood, and, "Not cool man. Not cool."
"Come," I commanded my underlings and supposed bodyguards with a tinge of disgust seeping into every syllable, "We must hasten to our Lord's side. It is entirely possible that the others will have brought new additions for our new found land." This was spoken, as we entered the shadows of the trees, melding our entirety with the darkness.
Advertisement
However, this was only partly true. For although I desired to stay by my Lord's side for all time, there was still something which bothered my wondrous senses, and decided to wait as opposed to simply journeying back. Of which meant we had to play the "Waiting Game", as something was watching us, and I desired to know who and why.
For ourselves, my minions were quickly absorbed into my being, whereas the pair which followed me were told to simply hide and stay silent. Of which was a Skeleton's specialty, Playing Dead.
Unfortunately, I grew bored of waiting within the first decca-turn, but by the second, we were rewarded by something feint shuffling across the village. Of which, by the by, was just a cluster of twenty-eight shacks which held more filth than possible, and for once I was glad to not have had the sense of smell.
Now, as to what had appeared? Well, it was another Elf, but not one of those pansies who wanted to control our minds with whatever it was they were smoking. This one, on the other hand, was more or less an adult, and was cloaked in endarkened leathers. Of which were more like straps wrapped around the creature than anything else. It also hid the gender of the creature, but that's beside the point.
For you see, I had the feeling we were being watched by something unknown, and I hate that feeling. Unless, of course, it's our Lord doing the watching, then I don't mind it so much. He can look and poke, and... ahem.
Back to the story, one of my so called bodyguards dashed out to subdue the pesky intruder, but only found a log covered in strips of leather within his arms. It was quite astonishing, to be honest, and changed my desire from wanting it dead and forgotten, to capture it for our Lord. For the creature held a unique ability, one that is quite known upon Sol'anon, as it was a decoy ability. One that replaces your body with that of an inanimate object nearby. No doubt some poor sap was mind controlled into chopping the wood for the blasted Elves.
In any case, due to it losing all of its clothing, the Elf was rather easy to spot as it streaked a bright blue streak in between the shacks. Though, it could not hold up to us being Undead, and metallic in body with four arms. For it tried to desperately break our bodies with unknown traps of solid wood and spiked pitfalls. Of which I cried out, "At least buy me dinner first," when I fell into the first one.
Advertisement
It was here that I desired to torment the Elf, and called forth the pansies from within my being. Had I known it would have been a mistake to do so, I would never had done thusly. For once they came into being, was I bombarded with their voices constantly whining. Such as, "Ah, man. Dude, my shack is like, totally wasted," or, "Bruh, that ain't like, your shack. It's Derrel's."
"!" I intoned, causing most of the consumed dead to moan a, "Bummer, dude," as their essences were utterly destroyed from my want of silence.
Of which caused the entirety of the forest and swamp to become still. Even my own so called bodyguards were surprised by my outburst, perhaps wishing they had a digestive system like the naked Elf had, and joined it in defecating on the spot. Whereas I, myself, was having none of this, and instead pointed at the still frozen in shock Elf with all four index fingers.
Its own eyes widened as I intoned another spell, "!" Vines erupting from the ground and from nearby trees shot forth in order to bind and ensnare the blue Elf who was the cause of my having to utterly destroy my reserved forces like that. Which was necessary, by the by, but was by no means an easy choice.
"Bring that thing here," I growled a low and terrible growl as my eyes flickered between ocean blue and crimson red. Of which meant that the Madness was trying to take hold, but out Lord had developed a way to release such desires to let go and become mad. For my sake, I needed another body in order to "play with". This was how I released the Madness within, by making another suffer until I feel better.
*****
"Which will not be spoken of to little children like yourselves," chimed in the Lich King as he leafed through his Story until he found a suitable page to continue the story at hand. Whereas the other children, except for Anasi who sighed with relief, whined greatly at this new revelation.
"No," Brutus raised an index clawed finger from his right, primary clawed hand, "He has forbidden me from revealing too much, especially when it concerns the Darkness of the past. Perhaps on a later date, but not now."
"Uncle Brutus?" mewed Nox who now had both twins snuggling up to his sides. Of which he did not seem to mind, and hugged their small bodies close to his own.
"Yes, Nox? Is there something you need?"
"What's it like to go Mad?"
"Ah," he was at a loss for words at this time, as he did not know how to respond to this inquiry, "Perhaps it's best if you ask your Papa."
"Kay."
*****
Now, I've skipped ahead to the part where I had returned to our Lord's side, which was rather early as everyone else was still gathering up would be candidates. He was also sitting upon a throne of what looked to be the spitting image of the one within our Necropolis. For he had chosen to retain his true form in all of His magnificent glory. Thus we returned with a broken and torn body of a barely living Elf, which was then tossed to the feet of He who gave us purpose. However, he was none too pleased with my offering, as noted by the disgust upon his perfect features.
"And what is this you have brought before my eyes, Brutus?" His voice, rich and commanding sent shivers down my spine. For I knew I could not disobey Him, and would even destroy my life to prove my undying loyalty for Him and Him alone.
"An Elf who had shown us a unique ability, My Lord God," my body had knelt down within the dusty ground at some point, and my head bent low in devotion of He who was, is, and forever shall be our One True God.
"Oh?" His eyes, which were full of boredom, flashed once with a brilliant crimson. Which was a notification to us that we have his full attention, "What sort of ability?"
"This thing," my right primary waved at the broken mass of flesh, "was able to teleport with relative ease, leaving behind a decoy dressed in its clothing." To which our Lord responded with a chuckle, one that soon divulged into a great and roaring laughter that echoed throughout the mountains surrounding us.
"Good. Good," His eyes flared a brilliant crimson once more, sending more shivers down my spine which would have made me quite... happy, as his right primary reached out to grab and drain the Elf of everything that it was.
Advertisement
- In Serial23 Chapters
A New Light In Interria
Interria. Cruel and Injust. Forget the promise of an exciting adventure because abominations from your worst nightmares will rise and fill their path to damnation with bloodshed and carnage. Forget your moral compass because thinking of it will only make things harder and harder for you to survive in this grey world. Forget the promise of a wonderland because the lands now are just an empty shell of what they once vowed to be. Forget all your dreams because there is no hope for anyone in this mad world... Or is there? *Note: I am a new writer. So I am open to all criticism. But pls don't be too hard.
8 128 - In Serial13 Chapters
The Beta Test
Our nameless narrator participates in a beta test for an early VRMMO game Meridian 60. That's not the real name but it captures the spirit of the adventure given the chronological and contextual era of the game. His character is unique and special but purely for mundane reasons and not because of any inherent or social significance. The first chapter which is mandatory to submit a story on RR serves as a bit of a prologue with some exposition, although I limited that to a reasonble level. I plan to begin releasing additional chapters starting Thursday, to align with the 48 hour submission approval process and also because I have something to do Wednesday. I haven't written anything but the summary and first chapter, nor have I plotted anything out. This is because my plan is to release roughly 34000 words a day, 10 chapters of ~12.5 pages each, for 3 days at which point the story will be complete. I'd have liked to plan for more but handling the interface tables and so forth needed for a data heavy litrpg slows down the writing process. 100k words is a bit short, a standard pre epic fantasy 300 page spec fic novel, but this is mostly a writing exercise and I am considering a longer project if I can maintain the pace. Probably do a different concept, maybe a dungeon core, over 5 days, since a 500 page novel is more common these days. Slight subversion of VRMMO stories Stat heavy/crunchy No paying your bills by gaming No out of game conspiracies No angst, interpersonal drama, or damsels/dudes in distress Schedule is 30000 words a day excepting the first chapter, a limitation of RRs fiction submission system Fantasy, high magic, male lead, no party, guild, or harem No gore, some profanity, no sexual content, and no current plans for anything traumatic
8 97 - In Serial155 Chapters
Goblin's Glory
The Sword Saint, a man unparalleled in combat, embarks upon a quest that derails the entire world. He forges a bargain with a trio of ancient and evil hags to slay a dragon. In exchange, they promise him immortality. Unexpectedly, the hags upheld their end of the bargain. But it came at a cost… His true name is now hated and cursed by all. Spoken only with contempt. That’s without considering his own, more personal blight. Transformed into a goblin. Ill-fated to become the thing he most loathes. He has all of eternity to come to terms with his new form. It’s been centuries, yet he still hasn't found a way to escape the vermin he’s become... What to expect: • Goblin miscreant behaviour • Overpowered monster MC • MC will remain a Goblin • Potential harem as well ♥ Join the Discord ♥ 《 The censored version of the story is available for FREE with OPTIONAL adult content on Patreon. 》 The release schedule is currently at least THREE chapters a week. There are Patreon stretch-goals to increase the rate of releases.
8 319 - In Serial167 Chapters
The 13th Loop [A Progression, GameLit, Sci-Fi Adventure]
Kyle Goldman is having a bad century, multiple of them. Kyle is immortal, destined to live the same mediocre life over and over again. Worse, he remembers each time through life. Every betrayal, every life lesson, every combat spell, he is destined to learn them all again and again. Every life he re-awakens during the Awakening Trials. Trials designed to pull out the full magical and spiritual potential of a Space Force Candidate. Depending on how well he does in these trials can change his entire career. Since this is his thirteenth time through the trials he is well aware of their importance. Even better, he knows how to cheat. Having prior knowledge of the trials and their ever increasing difficulties is the ultimate form of cheating. Especially when the rewards for completing each stage of the trial is an increased Attribute point. He's lived each life to its fullest, some dying as a famous ace pilot. Others dying as an expeditionary Marine on long range space recon. Each life ultimately leads to the same inevitable end, he makes friends, tastes happiness for a brief moment, and then is betrayed. The betrayal always changes, but always hurts the same. From there a deep spiral occurs, leading to his inevitable, but often glorious demise. This time he vows to take things differently. He still plans to ace the exams, but then he will do the unthinkable, he will resign his commission as an officer. To live as an overqualified regular citizen of the free worlds. With the knowledge of spell craft deeply ingrained in his mind from his previous lives, he is set to make try number thirteen his lucky number after all. There is only one problem. The Government saw his test scores and now they won't stop to have him in their ranks. It looks like the betrayal will come earlier than expected in this, his thirteenth try at living the same stale existence. Themes Include: GameLit Elements, Progression Fantasy, with Space Tech and interstellar battles. Schedule: Monday through Friday Cover Art: Thanks to Asviloka
8 223 - In Serial48 Chapters
Big Brothers | Completed ✔
|| Highest Rank - #3 in brothers || Harper Channing is a 14-year-old girl.Not any normal 14-year-old though. She has brothers, want to take a guess? Two? Incorrect. Three? Try again. Five? Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! Harper has five older brothers. That's not it though, count her brothers two best friends who live with her in the same house, and they treat her the exact same!Harper struggles daily trying to keep sane living in a household of men because her mom works 24/7 sadly.She's never had friends, not because she's shy though, she just doesn't like people from the beginning. It's also a new starting for Summer break, which means she has to wake up to the sound of her annoying, immature, bratty people she calls her brothers.Follow her journey of endless bickering, arguments, love, teasing and a whole bunch of special moments she experiences with her brothers.▫▫▫Hey, I decided to make another book because I just love reading brother and sister books.One particular book inspired me, called Little Sister by Emma.Other than that, enjoy!
8 288 - In Serial142 Chapters
Heavy Metals, Heavier Firepower
Heavy Metal Dawn, a new VRMMO game where every player is a pilot in command of a giant war machine called a ‘War Suit’. Axton Ryker is one of the few people in the United Earth to be given a Beta key, and jumps at the opportunity to pilot a giant robot. However, this game is not for the casual market, as every dollar earned in game can be exchanged for real world money, and eventually vice versa. Hop in the cockpit and stomp around while sending destruction downrange; its gonna be a blast. That is, if you manage to successfully deal with RNGesus, pirates, and the occasional galactic war.
8 469

