The Ockress

1. The Binding of Fate The Binding of Fate The Ockress The Ockress

2. Everything I have ever been, everything I have ever dreamed of becoming has not yet been sought after Go now, seek him out, bring him hither and put him under your spell. O, come my noble friend, my embodiment of youth yet to be discovered, my lover of innocence, I your subdued, your wooed. I’m angry… I wait here patiently for the right one to seek me, but none have yet even tried. Alas, for no choice is on offer but to wait again a little more for him to find me, choose me, pursue me. Take the lack of care you have and entangle me within the emptiness that is thus left… Then you shall learn how to care once more.

3. For some people, their fate does not present its self before them, therefore they have no need to believe that fate is true. But for others they do not prove fate any more than they can feel it day in and day out… the people destined for great things. The mystery thus lies in what does this feeling entail, where can it lead him? He does not like to believe in fate, fate shouldn’t even be called a truth… fate is a feeling, a feeling that few can truly know. Well first of all, I don’t see how ‘the absolute’ that you followers of the faith claim shall soon be ours can actually… be ours. My main point is why would we want the absolute? Seems to me as though there’ll be little left for us to do once we find it. We should enjoy attempting ‘the absolute’, not having it. Irresponsible! Haha, for what! Irresponsible towards your faith… nonsense! It’s just that some people prefer to follow absolutes whilst others search for I don’t know… Perlone, I have great news for you, all the ‘Keepers of the Spirit’ are awaiting in the temple for a most marvellous outturn of events. They say that the star Indomnias is to finally appear within the heavens. …Let us go to the temple at least. We can see the star Indomnias through the seeing-glass they have there. Surely you’re okay with doing a bit of astronomy hah? …contentment. Yes, that is it. I seek to be content with a world of both beauty and ugliness. I like the balance of life. I don’t see how ‘the absolute’ could give one’s self balance. …It’s a shame that we cannot share the same faith… we usually agree on most things. I’ve tried to understand you in the past Perlone, but I fear I may never truly accomplish that dream… you are so… You never were a good follower of our faith were you Perlone. What is this star? What does it signify exactly? What can I say, I have little reason to believe in your faith. Haha, I suppose so, lets go then. Why so? …Irresponsible Hey Perlone, hey PERLONE!

4. Welcome to the temple of ‘Indomnias Watcher’, I am Master Loiyan. I’ve heard much about you Perlone from your friend Hailla… you may not share our faith, but remember… anyone could be the one which the God Indomnias follows as his chosen being, the being who shall find this absolute and teach the world of true beauty. Does anyone know what form of beauty that the ‘absolute’ shall consist of, once the chosen one of Indomnias has made his journey? …Well let us begin, Hailla, step forward and look through the seeing-eye. And through you we shall all see the star appear, the magic radiates into our minds from the seeing glass so we can all see it appear. All the other ‘Keepers of the Spirit’ are watching it through other glasses in the temple… come… We do not know, some say art, some say virtue, some say magic and some say poetry. But the word ‘absolute’ speaks for its self does it not…? Thus it shall always be worth pursuing. Master Loiyan was meant to meet us here. He said to bring a friend so that we can watch the star appear in the heavens. All the people within the town follow the faith as far as I know, it’s strange that this one should not. …At the temple of ‘Indomnias Watcher’… Come Perlone, in order for us to see the star we must both place our hands upon the table that the seeing-glass sits upon. That’s all very well and everything, but where is this Master Loiyan? Here… he’s coming now.

5. There it is… the star of Indomnias. The star has shown up ten times so far within the heavens in the past one-thousand years, each time signifying a new hope of the arrival of the one that shall have to find the absolute. Accept today the star does something spectacular… watch. So… are you becoming a believer yet Perlone? You’ve seen it before your eyes… things are in motion now and when all the people in the city retrieve their ‘absolute’, what are you going to do? Do you really want to be the one that is left out, maybe even forgotten about? You have to embrace the future Perlone, not deny it. I suppose my eyes are a little more open… but my opinion still remains that life needs balance. The absolute cannot help with our balance. The star Indomnias has collided with the star Santaree, it signifies that the chosen one has truly awoken. I told you Perlone, this is an amazing turn out of events. It means that our long wait may finally come to an end… It is in a state of hibernation. You will awake soon… do not fear. Who’s the stubborn one, me or all the believers around me? What’s happening? Where is my body, what has happened to it? Let’s hope that it shall then be for the good. What happened Loiyan? *Sigh* You’re so stubborn Perlone. It is beginning… Do not fear master Perlone, this is the black space of the seeing-glass. The seven seeing-glasses were all gifts given to us by Indomnias many thousands of years ago. …What am I supposed to think when I don’t believe in any of this… but yet it is before my eyes, it is proving its existence to me. Yet I feel compelled by it, I feel lured. ………………………………………………………………….. Yes, only once, isn’t it beautiful. This is what made me a stronger believer than ever. Have you ever been here before Hailla?

6. Why doesn’t he share our faith exactly? He appears to be a very curious case. Well… I too had better go. All the other ‘Keepers of the Spirit’ are most probably discussing the recent events. Very exciting are they not? Thank you for sharing this with me Master Loiyan. …………………….. By which you mean the world of faith? The absolute? Perlone cannot run away all his life from our fate. It matters not, when the absolute arrives… he will see that I was right and he shall thank me. I don’t think he knows himself really, he’s always so I don’t know… lost within him self. He can rarely find where he is in the real world, let alone the world beyond. Farewell Master Loiyan Yes That was amazing. I think I’ll be off home now. I shall speak to you some other time Hailla.

7. Who am I kidding? People always only want more to worry about. Why can’t people be happy without always pursuing certain things? As if people don’t have enough to worry about already. *Knock, Knock*

8. I have no intention on staying master… not without you by my side that is. ……………………………………………………………………………………… I have come to collect you, you are needed Perlone, much awaits you. Do not become all defensive master Perlone. …………………………………………………………………………………….. So you’re either a wondering drunkard from the town needing some company or you’re someone looking for trouble. Either way, you’re getting out of my house! But you need not fear too much longer… Now come with me… I sense much fear Perlone. You shall follow me… Are you afraid master Perlone…? What do you want! Who the hell are you? How do you know my name? *Knock, Knock*

9. Ha-ha, how pathetic, he just stood there and let us defeat him. But we must make haste, we cannot waste valuable time with such a trifle. *Grunt* Forever I have sworn to keep my eyes open for the chosen one and upon the first time of seeing him, I am forced to the floor by my enemies. I shall endure much shame through this but I shall surely have to withstand a greater shame if I do not continue trying to fulfil my promise. We are far, very far from the end and I shall not stop until someone forces me to draw my last breath. I shall come for you Perlone, I shall come. Ha-ha, this kid is funny. Let’s do away with him. You have the boy I see… were they’re any complications? That boy is coming with me. Have I ever failed before? AHHHHHHH! Excellent… it’s all going according to plan. None, did you get the girl?

10. Bless our ears for hearing him. Bless our ears for hearing him. Bless our ears for hearing him. Bless our ears for hearing him. So I see that you have carried out the prophecy at last. For thousands of years I have awaited for the arrival of this congregation of beings and now it is here before me. You have all served your purpose well and thus your lives shall end soon once the chosen has achieved ‘the perfection’. But you shall all join my kingdom and we shall rejoice! Oh great one, we have before us both the chosen one and the chosen one’s chosen and we bid you that we may begin with our task. As the only man of his kind without faith he is by nature our chosen one for the much anticipated idea of the ‘absolute’ shouldn’t be titled as the absolute at all. It shall be named ‘perfection’, that somewhat dark and mysterious word. Heed our call, and answer it. The people of Vickaloss City shall soon learn the errors of their faith, believing that their so-called ‘absolute’ was something of heavenly quality, perfectly amiable and perfectly of a good nature. Perlone was right to suspect that the ‘absolute’ was simply not good for the balance of life, but ‘the perfection’ now that is something dangerously, crudely beautiful, and now my followers of my danger, my bad conscience, let’s begin. And so the chosen and the chosen’s chosen must step into the light which shall plunge them into the darkness and then into the beyond, beyond light, beyond consciousness and shall look at the world in it’s inside-out state, the state that is the most perfect. The people are waiting, the stars are anticipating and the dead warriors of the past are looking for their healer as they look down and listen to the world… they want to hear you. Of course thy great one, all shall apply as planned. Excellent… let us begin. Bring the girl then!

11. Is it cruel to tell you who you are? Is it cruel to wake you up from a lifetime of wallowing around in a daydream, always with the idea that fate shall take its course embedded in your mind. You’ve had enough wondering about your fate, it’s time to wake up, it’s time to see. Place the chaotic formula upon the chosen. …Wake up Perlone… And now he shall see the world through my eyes... See Perlone… See! Let me be put to rest and I shall awake in the morning and kill you from my mind. You cannot take hold of me forever… you cannot! For if I do know fate somewhat then this is my certainty. Now let me go! AHHHHHHH! What is this inside my head?! Why is it there, what is it’s purpose? …Sleep Perlone… sleep… Why are you playing with my head so much? Why must you be so cruel? You know what is inside you Perlone, you’re just too afraid to see it, you don’t want to see the hidden darkness within you because you’d prefer to ignore it. Life is more comfortable that way. I want you to leave, you create too many questions and none of them can be answered. But there’s something very wrong about this, there’s something not quite right! I’ve gone beyond questions and answers now for they don’t concern me, what concerns me is what lies behind them… I can see its gaze looking into me and I don’t like it, he tells me things about me that I would rather not know. But when you wake up in the morning, you shall want to know then, I swear it! In the morning you shall ponder over my gaze and realise its beauty, its splendour its perfection because after all, this is fate and you know that in the morning… You will want to know! Or is it both? But isn’t that an answer in its self? Questions aren’t always there to be answered, sometimes the question its self is the answer, because of the fact it has no answers and it never will. Who’s voice is that, my own or someone else’s?

12. I’ve told you, I want to forget about you, I’ve had enough! Why must I go through this so many times during my life, so many unfriendly encounters, so boisterous, so malicious? Can’t I just be left to be instead of being always mislead by you? Please… do not speak outside the box. Please… do not speak outside the box. You have!?? Is he with us now? O, I think I can, watch upon him and you shall see… you shall feel his torture and in the process you shall feel for him because you’ll be able to connect with him… as a human that undergoes very extreme tortures. But you must understand that where your tortures are somewhat literal, his are more spiritual, more mental, and through this curiosity of your own opposite… you shall be attracted. But as I have always promised you, all your hardships shall one day pay off and today they shall. We have found him Sail, we have found him at last for you and he has chosen you. You may speak now I’m sure that he shall meet your satisfaction young lady. He is a fine young gentlemen. If anything, he’ll be the one to walk away from you. Nonetheless… it is futile to resist for you will do as we wish, whether free of will or under our spell. But I am sure that neither you nor I would want spells to be involved so as long as things remain co-operative there shouldn’t be any problems. I want to see him. He’d better be everything that he’s been worked up to be because if he isn’t then you’ve wasted your time. AHHH! Yes but do not worry, you both shall be returned to your homes lady Sail and in the morning when you wake up, you will have none on your mind but this curious case of a man. ……………………………………………………………… Why so certain about it? You cannot know how I shall feel! But…

13. I do feel for him… ……………… *Listens* ………… *Listens* ………… 5676554(^548$%&$5*(^%4874^%48754 Oh my God… she was right… ……………… *Listens* ………… *Listens* ………… ;][;@.#..;[‘:>~’o9&i8klGytr67Gl[#;{;.;’,O8i9k@.54686Uyuy78tylp7 *%$$%£%(&^&*^%$^%$^&%*^()*(&*(&*&*^

14. Let’s not be hasty with over-romanticising this shall we. It is a serious business we have before us. ‘The Ockress’… ‘the perfection’… it is all at hand. And so the great one and his mad thought intertwined with that of the chosen one, upon which his woman gazed at with sympathy, thus following forth that which has been thus far prophesised, fate no longer lies in our hands. It is up to thee to make sure the rest of the necessary events are carried out… keep an eye, an open eye on the proceedings after this, for none is now predictable. And yet we must not concern ourselves with them for a task is at hand and none else can be done but to tackle it as best we can. ‘The Ockress’ is lying around this planet somewhere and we know what to do when Perlone begins his journey to find it don’t we… Let us both take them back to their home so that they may rest. We shall return here within two days for we have much to do else where. The two chosen ones have returned from their dreams. O, what thoughts are to open themselves to them both tomorrow morning? One can only anticipate can they not? We must learn to be cautious, there are an endless list of possibilities in which this could all go wrong. …Follow him to the end of the world and if it need be further, then further we shall go.

16. What a tremendously strange dream that was… Sleep now master Perlone… sleep… But now I have a strange feeling… as if it meant a lot more than just a dream. Is it wrong of me to think it was? I wish, O how I wish I knew what it meant, what it’s purpose and cause was. I want to know everything about it! I sensed so much meaning behind it, so much truth that was all so unfathomable. What on earth caused me to have a dream like that? ………………………………………….. ………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… And he thought I was here to cause trouble… far from that my friend. I’m here to set you free… consider us your guardian angels from this day forth and be assured, you shall never fear me again. It was a pleasure meeting you at long last… but fear not. We shall meet again, but next time you will learn not to fear me… but perhaps to love me. *Knock, Knock*

17. I am most honoured to make your acquaintance, my name is Ryan. I have promised to come and find you in the city of Vickaloss and to deliver you from harm. I am to be your guardian and humble servant. Okay, I lied to you, I am here of my own accord with my only master being the promise I made to a dying friend which was to find you and to protect you from harm. Forgive me for my hastiness master Perlone, but the reason as to why I am here to serve you is a reason I cannot tell you, at which point I send you further apology. For you see, my master wants to remain anonymous but I can promise you that if you accept his offer then you shall be in safe hands. Woaw! Woaw! Hang on a second, what is this for, who sent you, why did he send you? I don’t know if I can accept this without knowing your motives. Tell me, why is this so? You are clearly passionate in your will regardless of its intent. Are you the one they call Perlone? Come… let us go outside into the outskirts of the city. The air is clearer there and you can think a lot clearer. I feel as though I should not trust this man, but I feel compelled to follow him. If his story is true then he and his friend have done much for me in which case I am greatly indebted to them both. But the chances are likely that he is lying. All I know is that I cannot stay here. Basically, it all began about a year ago. My best friend named Milan had gone about searching for you for many years before me and a few days before he died, he discovered what your name was and what was the city or town you lived in. He was stabbed whilst pursuing this information but managed to stagger his way home… we couldn’t do anything for him… Yes But basically Perlone, you are the chosen one and I am here to continue Milan’s task, given to him by the Gods I have all day to listen How may I help you? It is a fairly long story master Perlone. *Knock, Knock* ………………………. ………………………. I’m sorry to hear that …He asked me to carry on his pursuit of you and once you are found, to stand by your side as your protector. The reason he sought you was because of his faith. He said that the Gods had given him a clear sign that the chosen one was on his way but he was is much danger of being corrupted by outside forces, namely the same people that stabbed Milan. He searched for evidence among their castle far in the north for your name and whereabouts. In the process he also found evidence that there are people after you and you are lucky to still be alive. …………………………………………………………… Safe hands?! It doesn’t sound like that to me! Tell your master that I thank him for his generosity, but I shall not accept his offer without knowing its origins and motives.

18. Because I saw them, I saw them with you. They had put you under a spell putting you in a deep sleep, I saw them take you towards the outside of the city. I tried to stop them and to help you but there were two of them and they both possess very dangerous powers to which I was helpless against. I tried for my part and I am sorry that I couldn’t help you further. But if you were under a spell, I suppose only they could have removed it. You’re just lucky that they didn’t harm you or take you away. Ten minutes later They call themselves the Automatons, they caught you last night and right now you are probably thinking that it was a dream… but it was entirely real. I believe that a man came to your door hooded in a black cloak with no favoured look about him. I cannot say what happened after that for it is beyond my knowledge but I know that it must have been immensely strange, what ever they did to you. We have much to do me' lady and that we must find out. I know that this is not easy for you, but you shall come round eventually me’ lady. Come we have much to do and not much time. I told ya, you are chosen lady and need protectin’. Those Automatons aren’t yet finished with you and be assured that if they get their hands on you again, you may have another one of these so-called dreams but next time you might not be allowed to wake up from it. You can’t know miss, you can only choose to trust me or not. I do not believe this, so you’re telling me that it wasn’t a dream at all!? How could that be? Who exactly have you come to protect me from? Some things you cannot believe, some people you can never trust. It’s simply up to you if you want to believe… It’s up to you if you want to trust. Come, I need to go back into the city to buy myself some new weapons. How do I know if I can trust you? How do I know if I am the chosen one? I’m sorry… but I’m finding much of this very beyond me. First thing’s first, you need to learn how to protect yourself. I cannot always be by your side for whatever reason that may be. ……………………………………………………….. How do I know if I can trust you? This is all too much for me to take in. I want to trust you… yes… I do want to. How on earth do you know about that?!

19. Weapon Shop *Mumble, mumble, mumble*. *Mumble, mumble, mumble*. We normally would go straight to the temple to ask for guidance but we can’t do that. It’s too dangerous, the Automatons are bound to go there to wait for you. We have to avoid going places where they would expect us to. *Mumble, mumble, mumble*. Thank you very much sir. How may I help you sir? There is only one thing we can do but we cannot discuss it here, let us wait until we are out of the city. Ryan… what must we do? I mean, are we to go on a journey or stay put or call for help or… what? I’m afraid so, we cannot give them another chance at abducting you. I suppose then that going to stay back at my house is out of the question. The city sure is busy today. So what shall we do then? ……………………………..Look, there’s the shop. *Sigh* Here Perlone, this is yours. I shall be requiring some weapons. I need a sword, a dagger… *Mumble, mumble, mumble*. *Mumble, mumble, mumble*.

20. And so the great Indomnias raged at Santaree for creating the world embedded with flame thriving with pain-dwelling beasts of flame. Santaree stood there unafraid and uttered the words ‘you do not like my flame? Thou has shown much betrayal, thou shalt pay for thy treachery.’ And just when he was going to strike Indomnias, all the other Gods came to join the battle. ‘We agree with Indomnias’, they all roared. ‘We shall reclaim this world of pain and disease and change it for the good’. We banish you Santaree into the unknown realm… Hmmm… dreams are indeed mysterious things in life, rarely embedded with answers and this is of course no exception. I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you Hailla, the best thing to do is to wait for events to take their turn. If you really suspect Perlone of being the chosen one then go and see him later and discuss it with him, or else, do what you feel is best. But yet he said more. He said that my friendship with him hindered his chances of reaching his goal. I said to him ‘but I want Perlone to find the absolute’. He then looked at me as if I was stupid, as if I was lying and began to laugh at me. He then said, ‘that stupid lie, no, you shall not hinder that, but you shall hinder his real task’. He waved his hand in front of my face and that’s all I remember. It would be dangerous for her to spread her word of suspicion of Perlone being the chosen. But I hope that she is not right. I sensed much disturbance in that young man’s mind and if he were the chosen one then be assured that something is wrong… very wrong. But it is very unlikely, the chosen could be anywhere in this world. I should get back to my friends, a person in need of teaching about the faith is indeed in need of myself. What seems to be troubling you young lady? You have a much troubled look on your face. It’s okay Hailla, it’s okay… dreams can scare us often, they reveal things about humans that are sometimes very unholy. But that is apart of being human is it not? No… it’s not as simple as that. He shall show up in his own time and in his own way. I wouldn’t worry about the issue if I were you Hailla. You do realise that this doesn’t make him what you claim he is for the rest of the world. For even if your claim is true he must choose when to reveal himself not you. It’s just that I had a dream last night. This man knocked at my door, hooded and cloaked in black he was, bony blue fingers he had and a haunting voice… he said… he said. It’s nothing like that. He said to me that I knew who the chosen one was, I’ve always known it but I’ve always been too afraid to admit it to myself… and I feel as though there may be some truth within it. Do you know who the chosen one is yet? The sooner you know the better is it not? Hmmmm, interesting. Did you go and talk to Perlone about it this morning? Hello Hailla… could you excuse me my brothers, we shall continue our lesson in a moment. Who do you think it is then? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… I think it is Perlone, Perlone is the chosen one. I cannot prove this of course… it is just a feeling about him that I’ve always known somewhat. I went to his house but he wasn’t in. Master Loiyan… what could all of this mean exactly. Thank you for your advice Master Loiyan.

21. I remember when we used to love playing games like stick-fighting and similar things… it’s been a long time since we’ve done anything like that. Could he be the chosen one? The question may not remove its self from my mind at all until I ask him about it. The star exploded yesterday so if he is the one, surely he would know by now. I don’t know… maybe he had a strange dream too. What am I supposed to think about him? I always knew we were somewhat different, but we always got along fine. But recently, this gap has grown between us, he’s become so much more lost than he was, so much more unsure of everything and sometimes I feel like I am in the way of something. I feel like I’m sometimes in the way of him thinking clearly, which a lot of the time, it seems as though this is all he desires. What should I do? I going to go and look for him.

22. Ryan and Perlone were now a few miles away from the city Vickaloss... Many reasons I suppose, firstly because I don’t want to come to harm by the Automatons, they seem like powerful creatures. Secondly, I feel a sense of duty I suppose to all my people at home. They all had such big dreams and hopes within ‘the absolute’ and I suppose I am acting on behalf of my fellow men. Then again, I guess a part of me is curious about the whole issue. If I am the chosen one then I guess, I don’t know… there are answers I need to seek about myself. For if this is the key to my very existence then I guess I am curious about it. I know what he’s probably thinking though. This lack of freedom in our fate is very depressing. I’d rather not think about it but yet the thought is unavoidable. I wish I could feel more free about it. But yet I like this feeling we both share… ‘I don’t know why we’re doing it but lets just do it.’ I suppose like you, I’m just curious. Think about it, we cannot have anyone who places all their heart and soul into faith to protect you and neither can the chosen one adopt a similar approach. For he will find it hard to focus on the job at hand. We’ll let the common men be passionate about it, whilst us uncaring lot shall decide the fate of their efforts. Isn’t that how things should be… life doesn’t want to be led by the blindly passionate people… it wants to be lead by the purposeful, those that are fixed in their aims and rarely allow emotion to intervene. ‘The cave of born desires’, it is a cave that lies towards the west. This is what Milan told me, he was a great scholar of the chosen one and told me that if I were to find you then this cave is where we must go. I feel like I have no choice in any of this, as if I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do. But my opinion still remains that the absolute is something that I don’t believe shall bring balance to life in the city. There seems to be something very wrong with all that has been prophesised and I don’t want to be apart of it in many respects. He didn’t know… he said that everything we need to know shall be revealed to us within the cave. Of course, he didn’t know what was inside it, but his studies said that this was the case. I come from another city remember and very far it is too. My people have no need of any such faith. But upon studying the absolute I naturally think the same thing… it seeks to be happy in absolutes rather than… real life, reality, what it means to be human. But you do have a choice in this, you didn’t need to come out here, you could’ve stayed at home if you wished. If you completely refused to be helped then obviously I would have let you have it your way. My mission is to serve as well as to protect. It’s starting to get dark… this seems like an okay place to camp out. I’ll get some sticks together to make a fire, I’ll be back soon. I wonder what Hailla is doing… So what are we to do then? Where are we to go? I just don’t think I want to be apart of all of this… I don’t want to search for the absolute. How so? Then why did you follow me all this way out here? Why have you been so accepting of the situation? And after that? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Why do you think that the absolute wouldn’t bring balance? Do you doubt that you are the chosen one? But what’s your motivation for all of this then?! Surely, you’re not just following a promise! You have to believe in the prophecy and so forth. I suppose our situation does make a lot more sense now that you put it like that… I think I’m going to get some sleep now, it’s been a long day. It’s nice to hear someone have similar opinions, the people in the city drive me mad sometimes with their constant preaches. I don’t want any of this, I don’t want to be the chosen one. Why? I suppose you disagree with me too huh? I’m going to stay up for a bit. Everything seems so hopeless to me. No, as a matter of fact I don’t. I can’t believe it! You’re the only person I’ve ever known that has agreed with me!

23. What’s that I see there? Why is that… is that a fire? Yes! Yes it is! Perhaps it is Perlone! Let us be cautious though. You can never know who it might be camping out in these parts. Many rumours enter the city about the goings on within its borders and they are rarely pleasant. *Sigh* this is stupid… why am I doing this?! I guess… I don’t really know why I am doing it, I just am. I believe that the dream was more than a dream, how could it have been only a dream, it seems impossible to think of. Without doubt that man that spoke to me was evil and was trying to delude me into thinking that I was no good for Perlone… but I know that I am! We are good together… it is true. And I may have nothing but the witnessing gaze of a stranger and I have been walking for quite some time… but I know that if I carry on walking I shall find Perlone. I must… Why on earth did I come out all this way just to find him? I am very worried about him though, I couldn’t find him anywhere at all!

24. O Perlone, it’s wonderful to see you again! It’s good to see you too Hailla, but what are you doing here so far out of the city at this this time of night? That’s a few miles away! It’s a miracle you found us! But that is no reason as to why you’re here at such a late hour, what on earth possessed you to come looking for me? I asked around the city for people that had seen you and some said they had. I simply followed their directions. The guard on the road leading out of the city was the last one I asked. Please, put down your weapon, I am a friend on Perlone’s, my name is Hailla of the city of Vickaloss. If it is trouble you are after then you’ve got it… if you’re here to harm Perlone you’ll have my blade to answer to. Speak, what is your name? I looked for you at your home and everywhere where you could have been but there was no sign of you. I felt like I just had to find you, I had to… I don’t know why. It’s just that… I had this strange dream last night and ever since I woke up I’ve had nothing but strange thoughts all day. I woke up with so many questions and I knew that only you could answer them. I couldn’t go back to sleep without confronting you with my questions… It’s a shame that so much effort must come down to this… such a small thing. It may very well be that neither Perlone or myself really know what we’re in for or even why we’re in for it. But maybe that adds to the adventure of it all… Is something bothering you Hailla? You seem very much… I don’t know… side tracked with unusual motives. I shall be back shortly Ryan. Let us walk about a bit whilst you ask of me what you have wished. Put your weapon away Ryan, she’s a friend of mine. This is most strange indeed… Okay then. Very well.

25. I always kind of knew that you were something great, but as time went by I never could figure out what this greatness could be aimed at. At one point you wanted to be a writer, the next an actor, the next a musician… but somewhere down the line you always felt this need to aim higher… deeper perhaps. I suppose this is the only thing left for you to dive into. You know I want nothing but to help you find the ‘absolute’ Perlone… I don’t see how I could possibly lead you away from your goal. Besides, the holy scriptures say that the chosen one also has two people that must aid him in his quest, a protector and a female who looks out for him, titled as the chosen’s chosen, who's fate it is to be chosen by him to aid him in his endeavours whilst on the pursuit of the ‘absolute’. …If the absolute is the meaning for my existence, if it is what I was put on this planet for, then I suppose I am doing this to come to understand my meaning. But it is early days yet, I may not even go all the way to find it… but I have to go some of the way just for the sake of knowing a bit more about myself I suppose. I admit, my motives are perhaps selfish, but I can see no other way of making all the believers in the city of Vickaloss pleased with my actions and indeed, pleasing myself. *Whisper* perhaps I shouldn’t ask him questions like that anymore. Perhaps my faith cannot help us anymore, for if it cannot help the chosen one, then surely it should be absent from the group… we have to do things Perlone’s way after all. About that man in a black hood and how it wasn’t a dream at all, I didn’t tell you what he told me. He said that you were the chosen one and that I would hinder your chances of reaching your goal. Perlone… why are you pursuing the ‘absolute’? You said yourself, the absolute is not healthy for the balance of life… so why are you looking for it? And that’s why you decided to look for me was it? …I suppose that man with you is your protector then? Aren’t you going to say anything? Yes? Perlone… I want to go with you. Yes… yes I suppose I do. Perlone… why must you be so cold towards our faith, surely, if you embraced our faith then it would make you more determined in you quest. Are you the chosen one? The stars are very bright… perhaps the clouds have cleared. Perlone… what you just told me… What are you supposed to do? Do you? Surely, you are the decider within this. So what did he say? ………………………………………………………………………… Do you believe that I am? I’m a little unsure… I would like to think so. I suppose only time shall tell on the matter. *Sigh*………………………………………………………………. Let’s get back to the camp. Do you believe what that hooded man said, that you shall hinder my chances of reaching my goal? I have to go to the ‘the cave of born desires’ that lies in the west… apparently after finding what is there I should know what I am to do afterwards. Then there’s no need to answer your question. Yes, his name is Ryan. He has gone through much pain and suffering to find me. ……………………………………………………………… And do you think that you are the chosen’s chosen?

26. But we also have to avoid over-romanticising the situation Hailla. Ryan and I intend on going about this in a professional manner, not a passionate one. We cannot allow any emotions that are powered by faith to take any big decisions here after all can we. I am a strong believer in the faith Ryan and I have always dreamed about the ‘absolute’ like so many in the city of Vickaloss. I will not be a burden on you or Perlone and the minute in which I suspect that I am, I promise you that I shall leave you both to carry on your journey without me. I am here for a purpose, as I believe we all are. We just need to take time with understanding that purpose. I apologise for my rudeness earlier Ryan for not properly introducing you to me friend. This is Hailla, Hailla this is Ryan. I looks as though we’re all heading west as planned Ryan. Well, if you wish it to be so then it shall be master Perlone. Let’s get going. Yes Likewise… what is the plan for tomorrow then? Hailla, you should have this dagger. You may need it when in great need. Yes Perlone, I understand that and I shall do my best to stand by it… No more shall be said on that matter unless it is necessary. You should both get some sleep now… it’s very late. I’m going to stay up for a bit and watch the fire fade. Including the girl? It’s nice to meet you Ryan.

27. *Sigh* *Sigh* They believed that behind the sky there was this large ocean miles deep that covered the world, hence the colour of the sky. They say the ocean was being held up by a great invisible spell of white mist that they called clouds, created by the great Indomnias, who created the ocean up above like a giant bubble. They say when it rains, it is was because there was too much white magic in the air and the magic would get confused, in which, it would let the water seep out through negligence. The people believed that it would be better to die a quick death if the sky were to fall by using the holy stone to burst the bubble that is the sky, allowing the ocean to fall upon us and give us a quick drowning. They said this would be much better than getting caught up within the magic of the clouds which apparently gives people horrible and evil, insane and horrific visions when they get too close to it by climbing mountains. The ocean in the sky is Indomnias’ jewel and he does not like people getting near it. Anyway, they believed that the magic bubble above would come crashing down upon us if the chosen one did not turn up soon because Indomnias would loose patience with the world. The prophecy goes that after this, he shall lift the sky once more and create a new race of man so that he can try again at creating a race that is capable of baring a child of whom has the capabilities of finding the ‘absolute’. And the cycle shall continue until the chosen one awakens. Yes well we’re a lot more accurate about our predictions nowadays. We predicted that the star Indomnias would do something spectacular and we knew that the chosen one would arrive afterwards and look at us now! They call it the ‘sky-piercing stone’. Many thousands of years ago, people of the faith believed that if the God Indomnias did not find his chosen one soon, then the time for mankind would run out within their world devoid of the absolute, dreadful things would soon happen. What did they think would happen then? Let’s get going now. There is a bridge a mile ahead of us and it shall lead into the realm of Barlon. Let’s make haste. What is that thing? …A long time before today. So the stone is simply there for a quick death worldwide? So what does the ‘sky-piercing stone’ have to do with all of this? So when is or was the sky supposed to fall? That is the basic idea. ……………………………………

28. This isn’t destiny acting here Hailla. It’s choice… I’m perfectly aware that it is choice and none else… That’s the bridge we have to cross to make our way over the river and enter the realm of Barlon. Tread carefully, there are unpleasant and territorially protective people in these parts. Of course there is the issue that I had told Master Loiyan, the ‘Keeper of the Spirit’, what I suspected about you… about you being the chosen one. And I’m sure that my parents shall go and ask him for his holy advice on what to do about me. And upon realising that you and I have disappeared, Loiyan may then believe that you are the chosen one and I your chosen, of to go and search for the ‘absolute’. So I suppose I can take comfort in knowing that my parents can know what has happened to me that way. Well both of us have been missing for two days now. My family and friends might start to get worried soon. And does that concern you greatly? What do you think people will think back home? What do you mean? Didn’t you tell them you were leaving? *Sigh* ……………………………………………………………… …No ! …No… I suppose it doesn’t. I know that what I’m doing far outweighs the importance of the worrying back home. Did you? It appears to be a strange thing destiny… it obviously has little intent on including those who are close to you within its divine plan. People are going to start to get worried soon. It’s not like me to just disappear like that.

29. WHAT! YOU’RE TELLING ME THAT YOU TOLD SOMEONE ELSE WHO YOU THOUGHT I WAS AND SOON HE’LL PROBABLY KNOW! How could you do this Hailla…? Don’t you know what this means? Those people in black cloaks are going to be coming after me! They’ll know that if anyone in the city would know who or where the chosen one is, that person would be Master Loiyan, the chief ‘Keeper of the Spirit’! That’s beside the point, the point is that we can’t afford to make these kind of mistakes! If the hooded ones do ask Master Loiyan, then they could simply follow us by asking people for directions just like you did. Do you really think that matters! These black hooded ones are a powerful race, their spells can force his confession alone and it would not even take five minutes! There are many of these men Hailla… many! If I were to come across them, then not only would it be the end of your beloved quest, but it’ll be the end of us no doubt! The sooner they find out that we’re both gone, the sooner they shall come looking for us so we must make sure that they spend as much time searching for information in Vickaloss as possible! By the look of things, this may not be for very long now! Master Loiyan isn’t stupid, he wouldn’t tell anyone that looks suspicious about you anyways. He said to me, ‘things are best not known to people, the chosen one shall reveal himself in his own time’. But he doesn’t know what way we went, where we’re heading. It’s okay Perlone, anyway, the black hooded figures already know that you are the chosen one.

30. I’m sorry Perlone… I shall make my way back home if you want me to do so. I know I have done you wrong.

31. My first day on this quest and already I am a danger… this is not fair! Is this a sign? Is Indomnias trying to tell me that I… aren’t the chosen’s chosen? There’s no use for it… I suppose I can’t really blame you… I guess you didn’t really know what all of this involved. ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… Forget about it, there’s nothing we can do now. Come, the bridge is before us. I really am sorry Perlone!

32. GRRRRRRR! GRRRRRRR! GRRRRRRR! Let’s go before we hang around long enough to find out if that Goblin does have friends or not. And you believe that one of you against three of me is enough to sustain your bold words? We can’t just go around killing people all the time. The Goblin may have had friends, many friends… and they wouldn’t have been to happy about this. Those whom aren’t Goblins must pays to crosses the bridge. Now emptied your pockets! Perhaps we’d just better pay him Ryan. That’s one way to avoid your taxes. In that case, perhaps we’ll skip the payment. Let’s get going. ‘Tis a fitting prices of hundred golden pieces for you threes. How much does it cost? Well you did say we have to have a professional attitude about this, and that was done rather professionally. That bridges there is not for peoples like you. Only us Goblins can use the pathway between thee mountains. There’s the bridge.

33. GRRRRRRR! GRRRRRRR! GRRRRRRR! GRRRRRRR! GRRRRRRR! You two go first. It’ll take care of them Perlone. You and Hailla make a run for it! Crap! Perlone hurry you must leave, it’s too dangerous! It seems safe to me. PERLONE!!! There’s only one way to find out. …………………………………………………… Do you think it’s safe? Ryan! Look over there! Three Goblins and they don’t look happy!

35. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Get out of the way Perlone, you’re in the way of my fire!

36. Come on, let’s get out of here. Who knows how many of them Goblins are skulking around this area. Perlone…! What the hell happened there? Why did you insist on fighting? But he never even learned how to fight… that’s what my question imposed. How did he manage to fight like that? You may be my ‘so-called’ protector Ryan, but that doesn’t mean you have to take on three attackers single-handedly whilst I just run away. I said to you, I don’t care about the absolute, so in my eyes we’re equals. Besides, your friend died in finding me and you have gone through much hardship for the same reason. I owe it to both of you to not just sit around hiding behind bushes. …………………………………………………….

37. 20 minutes later One thing is sure, I’m glad that who ever it was took up the privilege of doing the chore of killing these beasts. These three plus that one we saw back there… we would have been hopeless against them! ‘Tis strange me’ lady. Must have been a big battled. I’ve heard about these Goblins before, always trying to make moneys out of innocent travellers, even when they don’t owns anything. Someone might have not liked their ideas on paying. Well maybe this case was acceptable… he was asking for one-hundred gold pieces just to cross this crummy little bridge that most probably cost only twenty to actually build. Seems okay to cross Ms. Let us goes. This Goblin was killed fairly recently and by the looks of this arrow, it was by a person from the city of Vickaloss! Let it go Hailla! Perlone doesn’t care about his responsibility any more than I do! If he is the chosen one then shouldn’t we do things his way?! Hey! Bikarack smash them all, two swings of axe shows all of those. This place scares me, let’s get out of here. That may be so Hailla, but it’s either his way or no ones way… you do things the way he wants you to or he simply doesn’t do them. I assure you now, for I have spoken with him on the issue… if this quest becomes uninteresting, annoying or even burdensome on him then I have a feeling that he shall stop what he is doing. It is in all of our interest to therefore go about the quest in the manner that he wishes. What in the name of Indomnias happened here? Dead Goblins everywhere! ………….. How are you now? This bridges might not be safes for yours to cross me' lady. ‘Scuse me a moment me’ lady. …Women… I’m a bit shook up after that, but I’m okay. Let’s just hope these situations aren’t common on this journey, or else we’ll never reach the end that can be assured. Let us try and avoid trouble as best we can in the future. No! Not if it risks both our quest as well as our lives! I can’t believe this! You are both so impossibly awful! Are you saying you don’t in any way regret not paying!? Whilst at the same time you know that it resulted to fighting off four scary Goblins! You’re crazy! We can’t go about our quest, not like this! We’ll be murdered eventually for sure and in doing so we shall completely let down all our responsibilities! Ryan… I’m sorry I wasn’t much help with you there. I’ve never been in a situation like that before. *Stomps her foot* Grrr, this situation is impossible!

38. This is bad, Perlone cannot be seen anywhere. Fear not, finding him should be no difficult task. The city is full of people who are capable of sight and I shall interrogate the mind of everyone of them in order to find the ones that know his whereabouts! Milan, that ignorant fool has been murdered so there was no chance of any other receiving Perlone. We are his real protectors now. We are the rightful successors of Milan and none can ever prove otherwise. I must inform the others of this news for it is surely not good. Where can Perlone have gone to? It would have be virtually impossible for him to have started searching for the so-called ‘absolute’ at such a young age! The prophecy goes that he shall only know that he is the chosen one by the age of thirty years or so. This is most worrying. We shall suffer for sure under the hands of our God if his wishes are not carried out appropriately. We MUST find him.

39. But we could do with having some previsions on us. We have no food and sleeping on the bare grass was not exactly a pleasant sleep last night. You and I have a little money and none of us have eaten for a while. These aren’t the safest areas to go around looking for help Perlone. We are on the edge of the realm of Barlon, the realm where barbarians, warriors and untamed men thrive. Very well, let us knock and see who is inside. Be on the alert and be cautious however. We don’t want to end up creating a riot like we did on the bridge. Look over there, a cottage of some sort. There may be someone who can help us in there. O, nothing… What was that? …Agreed! Remember what you told me Ryan!

40. ? ? ? We were wondering if you have any food or sleeping blankets that we could purchase from you. Me and my friends are travellers and we have ran out of provisions. Seeing as you are all so confused about me questions, why don’t you all come this way and sees what I got? We did but… err… we dropped them over a cliff by accident and we spent last night sleeping on bare grass. Fifteen! Hmm… I suggest that if you wish to live, then you should price your goods fairly. Here’s is the deal, you wants sleeping blankets you’re going to have to pay ups fifteen gold pieces for the three of you. SWINE! Why don’t you have any sleeping blankets? Surely you brought those with you for your travels? I suppose so. I wants another ale! Me mugs is emptied out. What…! Who the hell is that as this hour? *Grizzle, Grumble* What do you wants? And be quick about its, I haven’t got all day! Lets just try and keep this civil shall we, for all our sakes. Don’t worry, it is enough for you my friend. Who is the leader of this here group? Shall we follow him? *Grizzle, Grumble* Threats don’t shakes me mister, only moneys does. Come inside then if ye wished it. How much moneys you got on you? *Grizzle, Grumble* *Knock, Knock* *Knock, Knock* You’ve had enough ale already. Why don’t you keep your mouth shut or do something useful?

41. Stupid children… if they knew any better they would have not come into this house. They would have heard the message… ‘if you see two young men and a girl heading west, stop them going west’. Those stupid children. Who knows what they’re wanted for. Whom gives a dam when there’s a tidy price on their heads? Ha ha ha ha! Well as you can sees there I’ve got plentiful of sleeping blankets. These boxes are filled of various equipments. ‘Tis a curious case however, telling all us goblins to set up trap doors in their own house, but its not my part to question, just do. Those men in black cloaks certainly know how to get a pointless riot going amongst us. I just hope I got the right peoples for the job. The sooner I get my money for its, the sooner I can afford my own group of slaves for myself from the market. I’ll have my own labourers finally to build my inventions of warfare weaponry, the giant crossbow, the wooden-dome with its wheels… the ultimate protection. These inventions shall then help me get richer! ‘Tis a prosperous life ahead of me indeed! Hmm, I was also wondering if you have any potions of a sort because I may require the odd spell along the journey. I know they are usually expensive, but defensive ones are common potions, easy to make so I heard and easy to use. If you have any going cheap then I shall be willing to make a bargain. Weapons, dried foods, keeps fresh for months, years even. Good for long travels no? So what have you got here? Yes well I don’t cares about what you wants. I’m here to does a jobs. Such as?

42. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! HELP MEEEEEEE!!!!!

43. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! The End *SLAM* I’ve found a wall here… maybe if I could find a weak spot, I might be able to break through into another room maybe, or even be able to dig through to the surface. *Crackle, Crumble* What the hell are we doing down here? This wasn’t supposed to happen! This is bad, very bad. …………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………… Are you hurt Perlone? The basic story is that we’re all trapped down some hole and that we need to get out, so I’m going to get us out! I think I’ve found something here… You won’t find anything in this light Ryan, let us wait until our eyes adjust. Entire production brought to you by Victor Verne Rikowski I can’t see a thing! ………Perlone! AHHHHHHH!!! ………………………………………………………………………… I’ve got you now Hailla, you’re okay. Ryan, come over here as well, so that we know we’re all together Try and find me and hold my hand, so that we know where we are. Just move around to find me. Let’s wait until our eyes adjust to the light before we do anything shall we! All we can do now is make sure we stick together! I’m a bit sore, but I’m fine, are you okay Hailla? Neither can any of us Hailla, hopefully, when our eyes adjust to the light we’ll be able to see something down here. RYAN! Same here, a bit sore but other than that… Of Act 1 ……………………………………………………… …………………………………… Perlone… I’m scared.