A Dark Turn

“Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity”
George Elliott

As I left you, we had just left the island by boat. The journal began and we talked of our options, and where we were heading. This... discussion, and our journey, was cut short sooner than we'd hoped, as Poseidon himself rose out of the seas to threaten us, and carry out with his threat. Vengeance. The Greeks are big on that.

I leapt into the sea, hoping to move the boat forwards myself after it was stopped, but soon found myself attacked by an oversized shark. The beat grabbed hold of me, but thank the fates I am tough, and it's teeth barely pierced my skin. Twisting and fighting, a stared right into the eyes of the beast, and he into the abyss of my soul. With a shudder, and an unheard scream, the shark tore away from me and fled into the ocean depths to bother us no more, just as Rupper and Tal tore me from the sea, allowing me to catch my breath to see Rhia, with help from the others holding back a wave, crashing upon the boat.

Just as we felt it was safe, we discovered a hole in the midst of the boat, with was filled by clever usage of Tal and Kelly's own abilities. Pepper spied a ship in the distance, so we approached. The boat was still grounded, still surrounded by sharks, we needed to be in safe ground once more.

I stayed down by Wuyi and Rhia as they fought the shark in the sea, I was not going to leave anyone behind, but soon enough, a gun came tumbling from the side of the ship, so I flew up, caught it and landed on the edge of the boat, daring any to move.

Things turned out peaceable enough, and we were sent to cabins until we could have a meeting with the Captain. Whilst Tal and myself were alone, we took the opportunity to talk.. to pour our hearts out, I believe would be the appropriate turn of phrase, as Tal told me how upset she was that I was not sharing my feelings, so I did so, and then we consulted fate, and discovered that there was a traitor on the boat.

As soon as we could speak to the Captain we did so, and then returned, events conspiring that the others went to explore the boat, whilst Tal and myself spoke to the Captain again in private about the traitor, after I decided I could trust him. He said there were only three on the boat he could not trust, and like a fool, I believed that would be enough.

Soon enough, everybody had returned, and the three new crewmembers were in our room. I began the grilling, concentrating eventually on a young girl who had seemed the most suspicious. I let out my dark side, a side I had tried so hard to hide was now free for all to see. I almost frightened the poor girl to death, to discover something which I had suspected early on. It was the XO who was the traitor.

The others left to find him, but Kelly had chosen this time to walk in, where before she had been missing. I had already released my darkness and found it hard to hold back, as she tried to lie her way out of trouble. Trouble her Spider had caused. Apparently, Rhia also needed a release, as she laid into the poor girl as well. Eventually, I managed to calm myself enough to drag the others down to the cargo hold, where we found the XO in the corner, mumbling evils.

I was angry, so I pulled him from the room and beat him for his crimes - along with Tal - until we were dragged off of him, and the horses in the room. Horses I had barely noticed lept to the attack. But not attacking us. They tore him to sheds, and once again, it felt good to see justice in this way.

Back to Life?

I do not believe in fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in fate that falls on them unless they act.

Anon

It has been a long time since I last recorded my thoughts, but my head has been clamouring with so much, I have had no time to really thing things through. I have decided if I do not now, I will never get my thoughts in order.

Firstly, I am happy to say, I am back alive, but that is about where the happiness stops at the moment.

As I last left you, I had just landed on the Isle of Mann, Rhiannons father. Of course, at this time, I did not know that and approached a house in the distance, only to be confronted by an old woman - Mona - who thought me some kind of bandit. After failed negotiations, I forced her to look into my soul, and see me for who I truly am. She was soon calmed, just in time for the others to arrive.

Whilst we discovered Mona was Rhiannons stepmother, we were invited into the house, the old woman still wary of me after what I had shown her, and Rupper set to fixing up Tal. I was jumpy and feeling paranoid. Whilst I did eat the soup Mona offered, I felt something dark stirring in the air above us, and I was correct. Pepper and Cal soon called out that wolves had come to attack the horses on the farm, and I was firing at them before anybody else could truly react. Unfortunately, the gun did little, so I flew outside, towards the wolves with a rope made by Kellys spider.

It was useless, I had allowed myself to forget we were now incorporeal. I soon recovered from that shock, and flew towards the barn to get a rope. It was second nature to me, but later I discovered the others were surprised by the sight.

Coming back, I found that the others had already dispatched of the wolves, and Tal had reopened her wounds in the act.

We set back to fixing ourselves up again, whilst I stood on watch for further attacks. Soon we had another newcomer, but it turned out to be Manannan Mac Lir. Rhiannons father (or adoptive father? I must admit it is unclear.)

Mann promised to bring us back to life in exchange for a quest - something I soon agreed to, along with the others. The quest was a rescue of one of the horses, which went bad fast. We were attacked by a fomorian hag, who cursed me for the trouble of helping stop her. I curse that was luckily lifted by Wuyi.

More importantly, we were chased by Cerberus, and when we went to retrieve the hags corpse, he began to chase us all. I did my best to distract him, but eventually he was stopped by one of the inhabitants of the island with a milkbottle he was blowing. Simply astounding.

As said, we returned to Mac, who then after a fight between Rhia and Tal -these are growing increasingly common- turned us into horses for the day, a day which Tal and I spent running through the fields, and letting our wild instincts over take us.

When we came to, we asked fate some questions, mostly pertaining to Tal's past and I vowed I would find her true father to punish him for what he had done to her sister and herself. This mood for justice must have stuck in my mind, because it's the only way I can explain later actions.

We got back and Wuyi cured me of the affliction which had been affecting me during my encounters with Tal, and I was so overcome, that I soon tore off again with Tal, whilst the others got down to important work. We got back, and Tal went to the barn to talk things through with Rhia and Wu. I decided she did not need me at her back for this, as my presence can be distracting at the best of times in such talks.

I meant to ask her what had happened when she finally got into the feast which Kathy had prepared for us, but, of course, I was distracted. I began to smell human faeces coming from the larder and soon found Mona's destroyed body. My eyes went red. Kathy had killed her - I knew this. I took Kathy outside, the only thing in my head to punish her, to make up for my mistakes.

Taking out the crescent moon blade - something i'd not paid much attention to before now, it being so different in design from everything else - I ordered her to bend over a trunk whilst I drew the blade up, but Rhia demanded I do not kill her. And I agreed. She was, after all, the family of the injured. I could not stand there and watch what was happening, so like a child I went behind the house and had a tantrum.

Tal found me, and at first I refused to talk. I did not want her to see me like this, but I soon calmed down and walked to the others. Mann had left, and demanded we do the same, but to leave Kathy behind. I complied, and we left, I myself apologising to Rupper for losing control. He seems to be the only one to have kept his head.

We were picked up by a boat, by lesser god of the Loa, who offered us information. We concurred and moved on.

There is still much I need to say, still much I need to think about, but right now, my mind is too clouded with worries.

I am worried for Tal and myself. We seem unable to talk things through - we are supposed to be man and wife, but still our emotions are closed.

I am worried about the group, we fight and argue. Rhia in particular - she has just lost her family, I feel we should be a support to her, but i'm not sure how to do that for her.

I can only dream that the future is brighter.

Ponderings

An old picture of pepper I managed to dredge up from my pack. I believe it was taken in Egypt. Paying homage to my father, perhaps?

The worst thing about having no memory, is that you do not know the formative moments of your youth, or even where you spent that youth. I have no idea why I am the way I am, and why I feel the things I feel. Am I typical of a man of my background, or some kind of anomaly.

Considering our current situation (which I promise I will up date on later) I perhaps should be focusing on the job, but increasingly my mind is on the wider world, and the potential for change that we as scions represent.

I hope this is not the signs of a mind losing it's grip on reality, but at least here I can let my thoughts flow freely with no fear of others intruding on my private musing. Though I love Tal dearly, she seems to a desire to know every thing I think, and I don't think I am ready for that level of openness even with her.

She had opened my eyes in many ways, and allowed me to share parts of myself no other has, something I really need to show my appreciation for soon, but that does not mean she need know everything.

Lies and Betrayal

We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.

Tad Williams.

I had eventually fallen asleep and was woken up by a servant summoning Tal away from me. The palace was safe enough, and she could handle herself, so I got up and redressed myself for the rest of the day. I already had a pounding headache going on, as it was probably unwise to drink so much Tequila the previous night.

We were all hurried towards a basin with some kind of ceremony occurring. Whilst myself and Pepper were watching intently, some of the others had taken chagrin to the upcoming sacrifice. Luckily, nobody made a scene and my father-in-law was reborn successfully, with Tal also standing nearby in a dress, we were soon summoned to his private chambers for a discussion, and questions.

We told Huitzilopochtli what memories we had retained in exchange for asking questions of our own. Tal and I asked questions regarding our ressurection, or at least returning us to earth where we could do s ourselves and Huitzilopochtli revealed he had no such plans, as fate would just repeat itself. The others asked questions along those lines, all except Rhiannon who wanted to sleep with my father-in-law. I don't know what she was getting at, but it seemed like a waste of a question and worse, it upset Tal enough to cause her to storm off towards the door.

Huitzilopochtli was telling Tal not to disappoint him, to stay here in luxury, not to go against fate because she couldn't change things. Something inside me just snapped. Huitzilopochtli was a coward. He knew we could change fate - he was just too scared to do so. I stared him in the eye and told him as much.

Bad enough that he keep my and my companions in this gilded cage, bad enough that he lie to us, but to endanger the people back on earth for what? To keep us safe? To keep him safe? No, that wouldn't do.

The accusation obviously struck a nerve because he was unable to hold his composure, his face transformed into one of hideous bestiality and he ordered me gone or he'd kill me. Let him, I knew I had won this show down, and I knew it was something he would never forgive me for.

I held back the urge to run, and left with Tal and the others (discounting Rhia and Wuyi). Tal quickly moved off and I spent the rest of the day racking my brains as to our next course of action. When the sun fell, the two women who had been with Huitzilopochtli reappeared. We exchanged our opinions on what each had done. I called them cowards for assenting to his will, they called me a fool for earning his ire, we then split ways, personally, I felt that they may have had a point.

I found Rupper who had found himself a phoenix, the regal old bird was demanding freedom, so we assented. There was some initial screw ups as the phoenix set everything it touched (including my coat) on fire, but we got around that problem and returned with Cal to Tal who had persuaded Huitzilopochtli's retained, Painal to aid us. If I had just kept with Tal, I could have known that he two was lying to us and planning betrayal and none of what happened next would have occurred.

We rode the litter through the skies again. Tal refusing to even acknowlege the other women, other than young Kelly, who had frustrated me earlier by having that spider follow me again. I was about to tell Tal that she'd forgiven Rhia before when she had apparently laid with her father, so she should do it now as well. Unfortunately, we had no time, and everybody began to panic as to what to do next with Painal surprised us.

Rupper set the old bird free, the phoenix valiantly fighting to slow us down. Kelly knelt down to pray, and I grabbed at the memory still in my pocket in the hopes I would get some kind of revelation. I did, but not the kind I expected. I saw the hideous true faces of the Keepers, and I saw them slaying someone I did not know. Scratch that, I was the someone, but it was not me.

Whilst I was reliving this memory, Tal had stabbed herself in the heart and Wuyi and myself worked to restore her to health. Great winds were erupting around us and Pepper was thrown out. Tal was safe. I trusted Rhia, trusted Wuyi to look after her whilst I saved my best friend. I'd already said my piece to them, now they just had to prove themselves to Tal.

I leapt from the litter, hearing Rhia shouting out in rage at me for abandoning Tal. No matter, Pepper was struggling whilst she fell. I used my own weight to fire myself towards the bird and managed to wrap myself around her. Soon, we landed on the ground, creating a path of destruction as we slid through the earth. No matter, Pepper was safe and in the distance, the litter had stopped.

At that moment, I knew that if I wanted to, I could fly back to the litter just as easily as I allowed myself to fall through the air. That didn't matter for now though, for in the distance a small cottage had drawn my eye.

My secret aired.

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.

~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Today, I told Tal that we were married. I also admitted that I love her. I can't shake the feeling that the first time around it would have take much longer for our feelings for each other to become manifest, but I was forced to reveal my hand by Tal's father, who was obviously already aware of the marriage.

For a while, Tal had been telling us that we had to move, that staying with Reginald was not a good idea. Finally, we managed to convince the other of this and I lead them out of the room towards the stairs. I heard a thud behind me as Tal waited behind, but decided to leave it be. Rupper apparently had heard something as well, as he stormed off with Wuiy close behind playing peacemaker.

What exactly went on with either of them, I do not know, but for the sake of the units integrity, I may have to bring them together to talk about it. I'd heard and seen many of the Keepers closing in on the group, including at least one moving around above us but I considered that to be our best option. I soon found myself alone with Kelly, who I ordered to wait whilst the others regrouped. She spent the time waiting in the shadows, I now know conversing with her damned spider.

Kathy was busy emulating a statue, and drawing crowds as it appeared that uninhabited clothes were floating doing so. Of course, this would draw the keepers but I could not do much without the others. Soon enough, Tal and Rhia re-emerged, so whilst Cal was sent to scout outside, I sent Pepper to search the foundation for Wuyi and Rupper, which took some explanation but eventually took. Within the minute, I heard her screaming, so Tal and myself headed off to find her, followed closely by Kelly.

It was Sawu. The glass spider had grown jealous of Peppers tracking skills and webbed her up. I deftly cut her down, and then turned on Kelly my eyes full of rage. How dare she trap Pepper. The fool girl could have killed my closest friend. I heard Tal behind my soothing the bird and immediately softened. It was an accident, but I would have to watch out for that spider. I did not trust it in the slightest around my Pepper.

Finally, Rupper and Wuyi returned, having almost been attacked by Keepers near the front door. Ushering them back to Rhia, we found her trying to persuade Kathy to move. I was getting pissed at the constant charades, so moved to the Shakti and ordered her to get a move on. After she conversed with Rhia she agreed to do so, in exchange for some sort of gift. The implication being she wanted to sleep with Rupper or myself. Not bloody likely.

We managed to escape and it turned out that the Keepers could not see us, so we slipped past them and headed back towards the caves, where a storm was brewing due to Thanatos' grief at his brothers death. The storm did not bother me much, but I could see the others were getting injured by it. Wuyi, Rhia and Rupper ran to the caves to calm Thanatos, and apparently succeeded because the storm ended whilst Tal, Kelly and myself were speaking to Tal's father, The Big H. My Father-in-Law.

That's right, Huitzilopochtli himself had appeared from the mists at Tal's beckoning, and after forming a protective sheaf about us all, bade us to speed on our way to reblock the underworld before returning at sunset. Just as we left, he referred to me as Tal's husband. Now we really needed to talk. Before that though, we needed to close the underworld. We did so, Rupper and Kelly taking memories of Hypnos and ordering us around. We all managed to recover and even I managed to slip out of the underworld, but not before taking a memory string which resonated with me. Never know when such a thing will come in use.

We met with my Father-In-Law again and wer taken to his realm. It was something of a paradise, and the environment certainly loosened me up for what came next. Not to mention the abundant alcohol. Tal and I were taken separately, and finally I was forced to face facts.

I told her everything of our wedding day, of how we were married. She told me of how she had once killed me. I told her of my doubts, of how I was afraid that our motions could make us weak. She kissed me. I returned it. Finally, we re-established our true bond. Finally we reaffirmed our love in more than one way. I felt at peace, but still at the back of my mind had niggling doubts. I decided it was nothing I could do anything about for now, and pushed it away as we went to meet Rhia and Wuyi.

I'll admit, I took surprisingly well to teasing the girls, and then finally explaining what had come to pass. Amusingly, Rhia threatened to kill me if I ever hurt Tal. I don't think I could ever do anything to upset Tal, she's just too strong, too open with herself. Unlike me.

Finally, we started serious talk, once again of Kathy and of what we were to do next, but the conversation was too much, and the women all fell asleep. I stay awake. Thinking and watching.

The Happiest Day of My Life?

The sum which two married people owe to one another defies calculation. It is an infinite debt, which can only be discharged through eternity.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I really need to speak to Tal. Alone.

Once again, we I woke up in a cave, with Pepper on my chest. Tal had already got up and taken her string from the Lute, and was offering me my own, so shooing Pepper I took it. It glowed, a powerful white glow as I took it but didn't do anything else, which I believe secretly, I was pleased about. I took it and wrapped it around Peppers glove.

I'd spotted an archway out of the cave, blocked by a boulder and as the others took their own strings with more eagerness than myself I decided to check it out. It was far heavier than anticipated, so I started checking it for weakness whilst the others were doing whatever it is they do. Prometheus confirmed to us that was the way, but he was unable to lift it himself. Taking hold of Tal's spear, I broke off a few chunks to make it easier and with extreme effort and a little help from the others, we managed to move the boulder out of the way.

Behind us, Kelly had eaten her string, for some fool reason and found out that is how to get the memories back. Everybody dug in in excitement, leaving just Rupper and myself. I thought about leaving my memory be, but Rupper inspired me to go for it.

"If all my friends jumped off a bridge, would I follow?" He said before swallowing. Well, i'd jumped off more than enough heights, so I could not skip out on this one. I rolled up the string and swallowed.

I suddenly found myself in a chamber, with stained glass windows. Some kind of church? The room was full of people in a mix of modern clothes, and more traditional looking garb. Lot's of beads. I was wearing a Tuxedo, and as I looked around, I saw a powerful figure dressed in eagle feathers opening the door to let in a group of four women carrying some kind of litter, with Tal within.

My first thought was it was some kind of funeral, or sacrifice, but Tal stepped out of the litter and... well, she looked stunning, my heart sped up, I just wanted to move in and kiss her. Feelings I am not accustomed to overwhelmed me as a ceremony was held. A marriage ceremony celebrating both of our cultures, and both of our love for each other.

My father was watching. Unexpectedly, I recall, as we were married. Tal and I were married.

I'm still trying to compute that. Was Rhia right all along? Do I have hidden feeling for Tal? Were we man and Wife? My memories indicate so.

My mind was still abuzz, when Rupper gave me a cigarette and I walked following the others down the path. Tal was trying to speak to me, and I was perhaps more abrupt than I should have been. I really can't afford feelings now, all we've worked for, all the respect i've earned. It would be unravelled by such emotional weakness. I put it to the back of my mind, figuring I would get time to sift through later and speak to Tal about it then.

She herself seemed to be having trouble with her memories. Perhaps she had seen the same thing.

We left the caves, amidst pain. A membrane stopping us, but I pushed through, the metaphor for birth not lost on me. In this case, rebirth, rather. Our celebrations were cut short as Prometheus left and Rhia revealed our ordeal is not yet over. We're still dead.

We went to the urban sprawl I could see. I had no idea where I was, someone said Naples. Never heard of it. Someone else said that was in Italy. I've never heard of there either. Eventually, despite the others fooling around, enjoying haunting the place, Tal managed to find someone who could see us and hurried us to his office, away from the Keepers, who were later explained to be alien lawmen. I didn't think we had anything to fear from the law, but Merrywether said we're spectors, and well, spectors are illegal.

Getting inside, we went through a list of options to get our bodies back. The simplest was just finding them and sacrificing criminals in our place, but predictably, half the group disagreed. There were other options, Shabti's, which would involve exploring my own past in order to find the workshop I made Kathy, the Egyptian Book of the Dead- we'd need to go to Cairo. Rhia suggested her father, he is after all, a ferryman himself.

We didn't have time to make up our mind, as shortly after we worked out we'd been dead for six years, we also realised we let other ghosts out with us. We'd have to find somewhere safer to discuss our options, and I still need to speak to Tal.

Dream a little dream of me.

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."
Edgar Allen Poe

Where had I left you?

Oh, yes the Harpies. I immediately set to work, taking down any that I could with my rifle, concentrating on the largest of threats. Whilst I was working away effectively enough, Tal and Rhia decided to jump at the damned things and as a result, Tal had started taking a battering from all the exertion she's been putting herself through.

I really should take them down the gun range one day, it'll mean a lot less hurt in future. I have a sword of my own, but you don't see me jumping off cliffs with it. Well, unless I really have to.

After she had managed to free Rupper who had got himself taken hostage by four harpies , still not ready for battle for battle (Note - speak to him about his drugs in dangerous situations.) I ordered her to stand back as we took care of the rest. Obviously, she didn't listen to me and leapt off the cliff again, this time tearing off the wings of one of the harpies and sending herself plumetting down the cliffs of Tartarus.

Seeing little choice, I left the others deal with the harpies up top and aimed myself at that one, and jumped myself, sending it, myself and Tal smashing into the cliff side. She fainted as we hit the ground, saying something in Spanish. Probably some sort of reprimand for risking myself for her like that. Maybe I wouldn't have to do so if she didn't throw herself about with such abandon. I performed what first aid I could, and rested her head on my lap to prevent blood loss from her head. Calling her name, she woke up saying "I did it again". Hopefully she'll learn something from this, but I seriously doubt it. This is probably going to keep Rhia amused for days.

Having a look at the map Tal had got from Joshua (or should I call him Epimetheus as he revealed himself to be?) We headed off into the swamp. Tal voiced her concerns about Kathy and how the others were treating her. This issue would have to be dealt with soon, but I needed more solid facts before I could make a decision. Best to keep her with us for now.

Joshua having revealed himself as Epimetheus and his brother as Prometheus, we decided the best place to get away from the harpies was the swamp, where we discussed our options, amongst a growing sense of tension in the group. Our best choice to escape was through Hypnos and his brother Thanotos, the lords of Dream and Death here in the underworld.

This will come with the added advantage with the possible recovery of our memories. My feelings are mixed on this. Whilst they are undoubtedly important, what happened next made me realise I could recover my past to discover I am someone I don't like. C'est la vie, I guess. I can deal with that when the time comes.

Before we moved on, Tal decided it would be a good use of our time to consult Fate about Kathy. It's not anything I really understood, but any information we could get would be useful.

She found out that Kathy is the Avatar of a Greater Titan, something called a Shabti created by myself, though apparently for a good cause. When it was revealed (rather dramatically with a burning book) that Kathy still could turn back to what she was, I stepped away from the group to mull things over, leaving an opening for another big argument.

I decided that we need to keep Kathy with us. I knew this would piss of Tal, and as much as I like to present a united, sensible, front with her, in this case it was just not doable. Plus, it would do the group good to show them I am willing to listen to all of their opinions when we are divided. The majority were for keeping them, so in the interests of group harmony, I sided with Rhia and Wuyi. Kelly and Rupper had not really expressed much of an opinion.

Besides, I have no reason to doubt Tals (and Fates) word that it was I who created Kathy, so in a way I must be responsible to watch over her. Any trouble she can cause will be partially my fault. As I thought, this pissed off Tal, and she told me to fuck off. It was much more painful than I imagined, but nothing I could really change.

Rhia suggested if we wanted to get rid of Kathy, that I stay here with her. I can't say I liked the idea too much, but it seemed fair, though I worry how far they could get without my hand to help guide them. More arguing and eventually Tal walk off on her own to settle down. I follow her to apologise, but it must just seem like I was only doing so in order to get the coins to the ferry we needed.

I offered Tal the chance to lead the group to the river, but she took the rear so I lead the way ahead. Whilst I was doing so, Rupper took the opportunity to ply the others with drugs, but only Kelly accepted. I feel sometimes that her girlish crush on her is more because he is there, rather than any real feeling involved. He certainly doesn't seem to reciprocate it. As we reached the boat, we paid to get on and Prometheus followed on by killing the Ferryman. That seems... dangerous, but there is little I can do about a Titan now.

Rhia had to take the reins of the boat, and for the most part, it was smooth sailing. I stood at the head of the boat, trying to look into the distance. That turned into a foolish choice as we came upon a waterfall, heading deep into the caves. Danger as always, forced us to work as a team as we cleanly tore away most of the dangers of the cave we were falling into. The fall however, got too steep and we all hit the floor of the cave. Luckily uninjured.

We woke on the shore, which was now made of gold. Pepper was actually sitting on my chest, preening her feathers almost absentmindedly. Joshua and his brother were nowhere to be seen, so we took the only available option and headed into the castle that was up ahead of us.

Once inside, there seemed to be some sort of party going on, with a naked child beating a dead man at video games. This turned out to be Hypnos, so at a complete loss, I challenged to beat him at his game for our memories. I really don't know how to deal with children. I hope to hell I haven't got any floating around.

After finding out where the memories were stored, I went to look at them, to see if there was any way I could find my own. The others used their own methods. I saw one memory which somewhat called to me, and with encouragement from Rhia, took a grab. It was a bad call on my part, I got some other poor saps memory of his death. A soldier during World War I, throwing himself in front of a mortar to save the life of his commander. A hero. Hopefully when I do find mine, I can be as proud of myself.

Tal had done the job for me it seems, having found a Lute with her memories tied to one of the strings, and checking, my own were there as well. I suggested to Hypnos we make a trade, and the only thing he was interested in was Rupper's Bass. Fair enough, I thought, he can get another.

Rupper didn't like this idea, and began strumming the Bass, after Hypnos gave an impromptu speech about rebelling against the man, or something. I think the guitar must be from Rupper's father. The Dream God was distracted enough by the music for Tal to steal the Lute from his hands. Then he did something very stupid, he ran to the river Lethe, and stuck his head in there, drinking more and more before finally collapsing. Could Rupper have destroyed the God of Dreams using the power of Rock and Roll?

Stupid idea, i'll have to ask about that later, but for now the cave was collapsing., and Kathy seemed to be turning. I went for my gun but as I did so, I blinked and opened my eyes.

We'd just fallen from the boat. We were on the dusty shores of the River Lethe, Pepper was perched on my chest. Prometheus and Joshua sat nearby. If it was all a dream, how come Tal still had the Lute, and there were new bodies on the shore?

JOSHUA FOUND.

If only I were a bird! Ah, but to eat caterpillars?
Palestinian proverb

To be the son of a God means more than just having abilities beyond the human norm, it means that one must be there for there fellow man, be they mortal or Godling alike. It seems I have taken it upon myself to lead our band.

Whilst we are all the children of the gods, and therefore natural leaders, I feel in my heart that it is my place to ensure the others are safe before I am myself. This is not through valour, or nobility, or even friendship, though I do feel those bonds. Neither is it because in many ways I am the group elder. It is simply a position I feel myself fitting into - the ordering of subordinates, easing of emotions, all such things come to me quite naturally.

It was because of feelings like this, I jumped off a cliff in the underworld today. Let me get back to where we were last week.

As you likely remember, the Ferryman had come to us to take us across the river Lethe. We were not yet ready to leave so he rowed away, though we did get a destinati0n. Asphodel. I knew, somehow, that this was a neutral zone of sorts in the Greek Underworld, for those spirits who are of an unexceptional nature.

Wuyi at this point bounced off back to the fields to retrieve her cauldron. It was now, whilst trying to stop Kelly doing any more harm to herself, or others that I noticed Tal cutting herself. Of course, she is Atzlanti, but I will have to find a way for her to make sacrifices without having to injure herself, or others in the process. Kelly took this opportunity to question Tal, and I could see that it was a line of questioning not to be pursued, so we put a stop to it.

The most noticeable thing about this is that the site of Tal injuring herself seemed to ruffle Pepper far more than it should have. Maybe the bird knows something we do not? Perhaps, though, she just opposes the practice to be contrary with Cal and Tal, neither of whom she seems too fond of.

Wuyi returned with the woman we had found in the cave, Kat, and so again we called the Ferry. Rhiannon sped off on her own before it arrived to pick something she had spotted in the river. A memory of sorts, though she says not of us. What is so important about it, I don't know. Whilst she was doing this, Wuyi chased her along the bank before I could stop her, and Kelly almost jumped in the river after her again. We managed to stop Kelly. I really need to keep an eye on that girl, she seems to be developing a habit of wandering into dangerous situations.

WE got on the boat, with Tal handing out the money, and missing out doing so for Kat. She, like myself does not trust the woman. I would rather keep her close to us for the time being though, so we can keep a wary eye on her. Wuyi, once again caused trouble by steling a coin from Tal and words were thrown, such as thief and princess. The two were getting ready to fight, and Tal even leapt for Wuyi, so I found myself intervening to prevent bloodshed at this early stage.

Tal leapt ahead of us onto the shore we had just arrived at and found some tracks heading to the west. Good girl. We began to follow, myself heading to the front and the relative safety that was at Tal's side after Rhiannon decided now was a good time to make crude jokes about myself and the other woman. I'm about 10 years older than Tal! Beyond that, it would be entirely innapropriate and unprofessional to get mixed up in such things when we have work to do.

The spirits all around us moved in, as if to crush us. It got colder, but not debilitatingly so for myself, so I let Tal lead the way whilst I checked on the others. Wuyi in particular seemed to be struggling, but Rupper was doing his best to cheer her up through his usual perversion.

Eventually we were guided to the edge of a nearby cliff, and we made our plans for getting down - Wuyi would go first with Kat, and then I would follow behind to defend her and help stabilise a rope for others to climb down. Cal was sent down on reconaissance, but was chased back up by a pair of bat-like women. Harpies. Tal got the one attacking Cal, and despite an early fumble, I managed to tear into the second one with my HK before it could reach the group.

Unfortunately, Cal had begun to fall down and Tal had gone running as if to leap off the edge after her. I stopped Tal, but then had the strangest urge to jump myself.

It felt like the right thing to do.

I fell, but Wuyi had already caught Cal, so instead I spread my arms and just let the wind rush around me. It felt the most natural thing in the world. As luck would have it, I also spotted Joshua, and managed to swing onto the cliff face again, remaining entirely uninjured.

When the others finally caught up, it was explained that the man locked up was Joshuas brother. The women bickered amongst themselves again, this time mostly in Spanish, so I decided to have a smoke, and was soon joined by Rupper and Rhiannon.

Last thing I heard was the chain break and the cry of harpies.

THE MYSTERY DEEPENS

More to come to terms with today. Just as I was beginning to appreciate my gifts, I find out that i'm already in hell.

We'll start where I left you off in my last entry. I was thinking on what I had seen, and what I had felt and speaking to Pepper. I should probably explain at this point that Pepper is my hunting falcon. I don't know when I got her, just that she has been around since the time I awoke six months ago, and she seems to listen to me. This time though, I wasn't just speaking to her, she was replying. Replying, just not in any language. I could understand what she was saying fine and replying in a whistling language of my own. Turns out that Pepper's mind is on a completely different level from my own though, concentrated entirely on the hunt and on prey.

It wasn't long before I heard another pair of voices in conversation. Of course, Tal had a hawk of her own. Wait, did this mean we could all speak to the birds? Since nobody else was joining in conversation, I guessed not. Convenient, a private way for the two hunters of the group to communicate and organise things. I had a feeling this would come in useful in future.

It was then that Tal started speaking English again, reminding the others that we had a village to save. Good girl. The pair of us, without even needing to confer on the subject - not even via bird - set Pepper and her Hawk Cal into the air. Pepper circled above us and Cal went ahead. One thing that I had picked up in our conversation was that Pepper didn't seem to like Tal speaking to me. Could my pet Falcon have some sort of crush on me? Awkward.

Wuyi, as usual ran through ahead, but I moved after her quickly, just to discover the trees here had shifted as if to hide the exit of the forest from us. Didn't matter, I could see tracks we had made earlier, smell the direction of the wheat fields. No need to worry, the way out to me was obvious. It was then that Tal came close behind me and pointed the same was I said to go. "I trust her instincts" I agreed. No need to take the glory away from her, she has enough trust issues as it is.

We came to the same skeleton from earlier, and knew we had found our way out. The skull tried to speak to us, but as Pepper had reported that the village was under sttack and a group of riders were moving off on horses with the others. Nobody else could reach the riders, but I had my rifle and could hit them from the vantage point at the top of the hill. Once again, my eyes locked with Tal's and she nodded. The other five ran down to the village, and from what I heard, it was a massacre of the riders which had been left.

As they did that, the two birds flew ahead, and harried the escaping riders horses, actually managing to kill one and crushing the rider underneath it. The villager on the back managed to land safely.I managed to get two shots in before the riders got too far away, knocking the riders off of horses as well, and ensuring the safety of two more villagers. Cal let out a terrific cry, warning us that the villagers had been stopped at the edge of the Misty River andwere waiting for some vessel. I ran, not paying attention to anything else, when suddenly I found myself on Tals back. I stabilised myself, and hardly had time to pull out my HK before we came to the riverbank. The girl was fast.

Elder Joshua had been loaded up, and the boat moved away, whilst the others were held as hostages. I didn't give enough of a damn to listen to their threats and just let out a burst of HK fire, killing two more of the riders. The villagers they were holding onto just kinda stood there in shock at how close to death they had come. At the same time, Tal had managed to loft a spear through the air, and right through the middle of the chest of whatever it was issuing threats and commanding the zombie riders. It fell into the drink. Game over for him. I'll remember not to piss her off in future.

To our side, Wuyi came bouncing along with Rhiannon in her arms. Didn't even say "Hi" as she leapt through the air, flying god knows how far and reaching the ferry, which had made it's way into the mists. Girl could jump, but I didn't get to see what was going on up there, until the two of them found themselves in the water. The rest of the group finally started turning up on horseback themselves, and I realised how awkward it must look to Rupper, me sitting on Tals shoulders still. I decided to slip off and stand next to the other man.

Kelly took the descision to swim in the Misty River to save the others, but they seemed fine. After beating off the creature which had previously been on the boat (and was somehow still alive) those two got to shore. It took Rupper with a hastily assembled Lasso to pull Kelly in, who after swallowing some of the drink, had forgotten her own name all over again. I gave her a slap for being stupid, and in the hopes it would knock her brains back in place, but all it did was cause her to act even more airheaded.

I saw a bunch of stuff on the ground, and went for the little bell that was waiting there, but Kelly got to it first because I had suddenly found myself surrounded by crowds of villagers, all wanting to get close to their 'Hero'. What the hell? Why pick me? Rupper looked a bit annoyed at the fact himself. The girl started ringing the bell as soon as she got it, but I managed to get a hand around her wrist through the crowds and stop her. I didn't want that damned boat coming back for us as well.

Tal had brought up the possibility that we were in Hades, an idea which didn't exactly thrill me. Unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to talk it through much, since the Ferryman had returned for Kelly after she rang the bell.

AWAKENING

I know the truth now. I know how I came in possession of the weapons I wield. I know that there was once a time when I would have had killed a man with second thought.

I wonder if I could do that again. Become the man I was. I wonder if I want to become the man I was. Maybe I should start from the beginning.

It was a normal day. I was a normal man in the village. With six others I had been tasked to collect the water, something I did often with this group. Though I had only knew them for a few months, I felt I could trust them. I had no other choice. I had Wuyi and Tal. Kelly, Rhiannon and the sole other man in our small group, Rupert.

The six of us were returning, and the women stopped for a rest, Rupert for a smoke of his herbs. I myself sat down and watched the people of the village from afar. Even then my vision was good, I was testing myself, seeing who I could make out from this distance, and wondering idly where my bird Pepper had got to. I stood up impatient, moved over to Rupert and offered him my lighter - an attempt to reach out, maybe. The smoke from the herbs filled my eyes and I could not see, but through the smoke Rupert called out.

There was a fire in the distance. Smoke. That was nothing compared to what the girls had spotted. A body laying in the forest below. Faceless, Wuyi said, and insisted we investigate. After a quick conference I lead the way, undaunted.

Down in the woods, we saw the body was someone from the village, and that there were tracks deeper into the forest. Despite what we had been told of monsters, I took the initiative without prompting and followed the tracks, followed until we came to a bloody clearing. We barely had time to explore before we were surrounded by shadowy beasts who told us of a treaty, and nothing much more.

Intrigued, we decided to find out what we could. We had heard of no such treaty, but the village Elder, Joshua may have done, we figured. Returning to the village, we soon heard of attacks on a nearby village, one we - nor anyone else - had ever heard of. With little prompting, Joshua took us to his cabin, and showed us books and maps of the area, telling of the dangers in the forests, and an ancient evil locked away long ago by the gods. He told us also of the power in the forest, hidden in a tomb, the power to save the village.

Once again, the descision was made quickly, we headed deep into the woods, past the clearing again and found a tomb guarded by a man of stone, inside the door, who let us through after answering a riddle, and showering us in dust.

Entering the tomb, it was dark and the light of the torch merely awaken fungi spores, sending some of the party to sleep. We woke them again, and headed deeper inside the tomb. I was now leading the way again, using the scope of my rifle for illumination. I came across a room with a waterfall, and it was decided we cross through, blocking an archway. This time I offered to take the rear, and stay in the darkness, in case anything had followed.

Crossing the barrier, the water had a reaction with the dust on our clothing, causing it to explode. I shook off the pain and looked around the room. It was the burial chamber, a woman was floating beneath a pool of water, out of reach to me. All around the room were holes glowing with colour. One each of Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Green and Orange. It was obvious what we had to do, so we placed our hands inside, taking hold of the crystal handle within.

A flash of lightning, of ice, of fire, flowing up my arms, into my very self it was ecstasy. Still standing, I blacked out.

The rifle felt cool against my hands, even in this desert sun. I looked down the scope there was a man, maybe of Arabic descent. I didn't recognise him. I shot him and his head exploded. Around me, the desert swam as a one eyed man approached me, seemingly out of nowhere, screams and cries for mercy filled the air.

"Well done, my son" He smiled, giving me a slight tip of the head, dropping a sword to my feet. I was blinded with a headache, and I knew. I knew this was my real father.

I awoke, feeling the weight of my weapons upon me. To my right, I felt Rhiannons heart speed up, heard her tumble backwards herself. Before she could touch the floor, I was there supporting her.

"Thank you" she whispered before pushing me away. The cave was shaking, the entombed woman freed. Some of the others could see in the dark and helped each other up and out. I stumbled ahead alone, not thinking after what had just hit me. The power, and the pain.

I stepped out into the main hallway, breathing in, remembering the fungus too late. The last thing I heard before blacking out again was my own gun tumbling to the floor as I sword to myself.

The flash of flesh, scream. Were they of agony or of pain?

I was not to find out. I woke up, in the daylight, the girl Wuyi carrying me. The wounds i'd recieved earlier miraculously healed. The others were speaking to the woman we had freed. I was looking back to the village, and to the past.