Dwelling in the Emperor

"You are a man not an island"

A refined and royal emperor stood on a porch over looking his domain he mutter to himself, "My land, My Kingdom" with a smile. His adviser came in and told his emperor, "Your majesty, the  nation's birthday is coming soon, and you must do something special in order to gain favor with the gods". The emperor was displeased, not because he didn't like the idea, because he had no idea how to repay the nation for their loyal service.

So he sat down at his desk, and began outlining things he could do, but with each proposal he discovered that "oh this is too expensive" or "This is childish" with each idea that came to him he had no humane way to repay the nation and it's people for their service over the many years. He stood up quickly like lighting hitting a tree and told his adviser, "Quick! get me some commoner clothing i wish to know what the people want!" the poor old adviser nearly had a heart attack, the royal emperor a commoner?! the adviser propose a different if not humane way to go about their business with the common folk, "why don't we just ask directly?" said the adviser.

So the emperor and the adviser with a contingent of royal soldiers went to the city overlooking the castle, he explored everywhere asking the people what they want, to their amazement the whole consensus was this, "we like everything you have given us, you don't need to bother". The emperor pounded his feet to the ground causing dust to dirty his royal attire. The adviser once again almost feinted and told the royal soldiers "Quickly! protect the emperor from the dust!" the men tried their best to fight his unforeseen foe only to be made a mockery of the townsfolk.

The royal party returned to the castle and planned another trip in the city. The next day, they entered the town was busy as it was trading season. Ships come and gone dropping off goods and people to either start new lives or usually on a business trip of some kind. "Ah ha!" said the Emperor. "Why don't we build a ship that does all of these things and therefore we won't need any more stinking ships passing in and out". This time it wasn't the adviser that had a heart attack but the banks the nation over, out crying: "Absolutely not!" the emperor was sad and return to his quarters for the rest of the day crying in his sleep.

On the day before the country's birthday a monk from distance lands came to visit. The whole city welcome his arrival except for the emperor who was so depressed at not being able to figure out that 'gift' he can give back to the nation. The monk visited his quarters, as he stepped in he sees paper everywhere from sketches to blueprints to finance papers; yes it was that bad.

The monk sat down next to the emperor; and ask him: "What is wrong emperor?" said he. The royal majesty got up from his seat and told him candidly, "I can't figure out what this nation want's in return". The monk was slient and then began laughing much to the dismay of the emperor, the monk got up and gave him advice. "You are a man, not an island" he patted the emperor's shoulders and departed.

The emperor was in shock for a brief few seconds and then he began giving out a haughty laugh. "So that is what he meant" the emperor was happy again he told his adviser, "I know what we need to do" said the emperor. The adviser said "oh? what is it?". The emperor sat on his throne and announced this to his people:

"My people, loyal citizens and soldiers of the empire, for many years we have fought, bled, and died for each other and for the sake of this nations future. My predecessors couldn't do, what I did; we have brought peace and comfort to the four corners of the world and for that I thank you. Today marks the 10th anniversary of this nations history and i want to make it a special one. So in honor of our nation under the heavens above, I will step down as being leader and for a good reason for you see I am a man not an island i can't be an emperor if i am treated like a god, I can't be treated as a normal human being without the need for constant council, I hope you understand and thank you for your hospitality and generosity".

The audience and the royal council was in shock. But then one by one each one clapped their hands. Including the adviser, after the announcement. The adviser asked the emperor for a clearer context to his meaning of "A man not being an island". The emperor patted his trusted adviser and said, "The people don't need a figure to follow, they need to follow what's in their hearts, countless emperors from nations long past and the world over are treated like a divine being from the heavens, I want to be here on earth where all of my vassals are and if we die together then we will die together, but the most important thing that they and us will remember was that on this day. The emperor of this nation has become 'normal' and for that i am happy and content".

So he took off his royal attire, grabbed his things and departed for his people, not to celebrate like a nation but to celebrate as equals.

Into the Depths -chapter 1-

You arrived in the town of Lancaster, the town looked like a barbarian raid just swept in, but no it was far worse. Paranoia seeped into the towns roots, people are scared of just about almost everything. The mayor mysteriously locked himself in the town hall. With only dim lights being saw in the distance.

"Why are you here traveler?" said an old beggar. You replied "To save my family home", the old beggar laughed in your face as you begin to scowl at his rudeness, "Lad there is no such thing as families here, only the dark meat and the light meat" he then growled and bark at you as his eyes began to bulged out of his head and he began running at you with super speed. It was then a ranger came from a dark corner and with pin point accuracy killed the poor sod. "What? who are you! and why did you kill that man?" said you. the ranger laughed step forward from the darkness and said "man? that was no man it was a Possessor, people who look human but aren't" he took off his hood and presented himself to you with manners; "My name is Galahad, I hail from the town of Crow Haven not to far from here. I came here to this particular place because i heard that there is someone coming that might just solve this um problem".

He then handed you his sword, "Don't worry i got a dagger hahaha" he laughed as he walked towards the saloon, you looked onward with confusion and awe at the strange man. You step into the place to see it rotting and decaying, "Don't trust anyone, not even the bartender" he said. You both sat down in a corner, and began discussing what to do next. "I know who you are, I am sorry for your lost my friend, but I no WE! need your help in saving this land from eternal darkness" the ranger took out a rusty map of the land vicinity. "Your family estate, is here at the heart of Hell itself, no mortal can enter and leave sane. My companions and I tried to penetrate the place but we were instantly cut down with such speed for only I remain and fled that is where i met you". You stare at him with no expression or grace for that matter. You then said to Galahad, "Then we must act, and act now if we get the funds-", "The mayor is dead" said Galahad, already knowing your answer and the question before you asked it. "The town hall is plagued by demons, lesser servants of the Dark Lords that rule this land, my wife Eliza was an offering to the mayor and in turn was transformed into a Brood Mother, who births demons every hour on the hour" he shutters and withheld his tears.

You pat him on the shoulders and said to him, "It will be alright, we have both something to fight for" Galahad slammed his fist, stare back at you with fire in his eyes and said "Your damn right! Let's go". You both departed from the Saloon, and came upon the town hall; The door is opened, you slowly push the door open and peered inside to scout the first floor, "It's safe" you said, as you enter two axe skeletons came out of nowhere, Galahad threw his two daggers at them and took them out quickly. "Thanks" you said, as you both walked the town halls you both began seeing how this place, of wisdom, and council was turned into a den of sheer pleasure.

"My god" Galahad said in shock, "We need to fix this, and fix this now!" you said with such anger you then hear a bellowing laughter. "*bellow laughter* hahahaha, you came, you finally came to my den, now time to rot and die!" two zombie dogs came leaping from the stairway and tackled both you and Galahad to the ground. After a few minutes of struggle you and Galahad snap their necks and proceeded onward to the second floor. Skeletons and lesser creatures roam the place but you both took them out with such speed and then came upon the mayor's room. You both enter to see a giant blob of a man with four arms and constant drool and sweat coming from his body; around him was half naked possessed dancers and prostitutes. "Where is my wife, foul creature!" Galahad demanded with his sword drawn, "Disappointing this is how you will greet me?" the creature said, "Your wife is dead long ago, killed by somebody else! why do you think I am here and not at the Royal Palace celebrating everything the Dark Lords have given me!" in anger he roar, the candles blew out and the possessed ones in the room became hostile. "Time to die you son of a bitch!" Galahad yelled drew his holy sword and shield and lunge forth into battle, You covered him by taking out anything that came before you, "argh!" "hungh!" "ack!" one by one the creatures died. Galahad dodged, block and sliced his way through, jumped upon the former mayor grabbed nearby chains and causing a slow agonizing death! The rest of the demons who served under this foul creature suddenly self-combusted and disappeared.

You both secured the area, and then you hear a loud banging sound. "Let me out of here you monstrous pig!" yelled a woman. "I swear, if you have balls i will cut them off and fed them to you and your sluts!". You let her out only for her to tackle you and holding a dagger near your throat, "Who the hell are you?" said the woman in leather armor. "My name is not important, but the quest is" you said. My name is Galahad said he as he walked up towards the both of you. The woman stare up and down at you and began to laugh "Oh my god, you are him aren't you? The Cousin, my the world is strange, I am Nuudae amazon warrior at your service" she bow in respect such as it was their custom.

"Thank you, let's us all return to the town and celebrate" you said, as the three walked out back into town, to be greeted with cheers and happiness, "Drinks are on us" said the bartender, "And no Galahad, i am not swindler or a poison monster or whatever gods name you told the lad" he then poured the drinks and gave it to the three of you.

What the? (Info on "Into the Depths")

The main character is YOU!, your cousin has dispatched to you a letter, telling you about a disastrous expedition into the catacombs that lies in the Grey Burrows.

Demons have appear and the land is now in complete darkness, cut off from the rest of the world and you will later discover something more terrifying than you could've not possibly imagine!

It is up to you and a band of adventures of sorts to save the land, or DIE TRYING

Into the Depths: Prologue

"...it began with darkness"

 "then there was light...."

"but to every beginning there is also an end"

"But what awaits us in the beyond?"

"For only you can truly see" 

 

"My dearest cousin, I write this to you from the family home. When you get this it's most likely i will be dead, for you see: In my youthful days i pleasured with riches, wine, women and song. I enjoy such decadence to no end. I then discovered something that my father locked away in his studies. It was a map of sorts along with a journal in it was strange writings". With little caution i under took my father's task. So with all the funds that i amassed over the years, i plunged forth into the catacombs that lies in the Grey Burrows, i should've not gone, I should've not gone.
"Master we have come upon the entrance towards the catacombs" said a digger. "Excellent" said a hooded figure only armed with a book and a torch. the excavation team blew off softly the cobwebs and dust to reveal the same strange writings that was in the journal. The hooded figure then quickly open the journal with such haste and fervor he said to himself. He founded the entry he was looking for:

"Here lies those that should be forgotten for all time, Amalaxun the demon of the four winds, Ioezon the demon of false promises and hopes, then the third and last the mightest of them all Eeadar the demon of order who brings chaos, destruction, disease and famine to the world; He who peers into humanities hearts and corrupts them and changes them to serve thee".It was then a chilling cold air breeze in that scared the workers and miners who fled the area with such haste including the horses themselves. "We must press on" the elder man said. As the team went further and further into the catacombs they experience something wicked.

" *evil laughter* Look who has come to play with us brothers"

" ....Indeed dear sister more poor human fools to come and be our playthings"

"You should've not come here to this place for only darkness remains and light is such a trifling thing"

One by one instantly the torches went out and the laughter began again but this time in unison.

"Time...TO DIE! *evil laughter* HAHAHAHAA!"

"My god cousin, i didn't know what happened next.....piano music could be heard,we didn't know where it was coming from, then they appeared...."

The undead has awoken, clinging and grasping onto the poor souls that day who entered the dungeons of the Grey Burrows. One by one they fell with little to no chance of survival; Some who had weak will was turned into the demons that now plague the place. One person's looked himself as he was fleeing in a mirror to see his face being melted off and twisted into something horrible for only him to realize it was not a hallucination but real. Another person with such speed tried to flee the place for only giant winged bats swopping down and carrying the person off into the darkness for only a loud tear sound and then a splash upon the ground. The bats tore that poor soul into two and began eating the remains. A third person who was strong held them off for only to be captured tortured and completely turned mad, that same third person killed two more and offer their corpses to the demons. a forth and fifth person fell into a bug infested chamber only for the bugs to be appearing from within their own bodies and then sudden combustion.

"I couldn't believe my eyes it was like hell itself has come from the depths of the world"The demons marched upon the family home. Killing, twisting and devouring all those who came before them. One maid was dragged into a dream state for only her sanity and humanity to be lost. She slowly lost her hair, her skin began to flake and grew pale, and her eyes turned red; for the tears came down like blood; She gave out a siren like screeching sound that broke all the glass in the vicinity and popped the fleeing humans like a hammer to a melon with such speed and deadly accuracy.

Everyone fled the estate, except for the man who caused it all to happen. He looked himself in his father's room. With supplies to last him forever, but soon they will find him and he will "be one with them". "I know what must be done" said the hooded figure. He pen the letter that you are reading from the very beginning of this tale to you, my dear cousin. Afterwards he set the whole estate on fire and proceed to shoot himself in the head.

You have arrived in the town of Lancaster. What will await you in your journey?

Blog Info! (revised edition)

This blog is dedicated to stories that are either inspired or something original.

Note, the stories i post here will probably have some familiar elements and such.

Enjoy