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Showing posts from October, 2020

Canlanma Street Level, Story 5

Story 5    "I know I shouldn't have done it."   The Protector riding next to me shakes his head. There are a few other entities in the boxcar who chuckle. We've been in here for a little while but already our shifts in fate had an effect. The judges of Canlanma know how to bring the consequences of actions in full force. It now brings me and my nine other travelling companions to a place where we hoped to never go: the ride to Neraka. It is known informally as the Dark Path of Fate. "The Dark Path only lead to the Dark Place" became a reminder to any child or adolescent during schooling.    The Protector next to me shutter slightly in his protective clothing. I barely begin to wonder why as I feel the shift in energy and atmosphere as we leave the bridge between Canlanma and Neraka. The joy and peace I felt in Canlanma seems to be swapped with an unrelenting wave of tension and chaos. Is that why we are all chained? To remain still? I see one of m...

Canlanma Street Level, Story 4

Story 4  "It is a strange thing to be a celebrity in Caelum.   "To start with, your sudden status change is- well, sudden. Back in the old eras, you had to be on the talent spectrum. You either had to have a lot of talent or a lack of talent to be considered a celebrity. now? Well, now you have to show the most skill with a positive human characteristic. I mean, for many cycles, I have been the Most Engaging person to younger entities. Heck, that reptilian female -Kanako is her name, I think-  is the Most Fashionable and Most Generous to the less fortunate.    "The other thing that is different is that we don't do any sort of entertainment or product endorsement as a celebrity. Again, back in that one old era, celebrities were always in some sort of production or on those weird advertisement things - I think that's what they were- for someone someone or something else. Now we just remind entities to do good and then do our regular jobs we did before ou...

Canlanma Street Level, Story 3

Story 3    You discovered something truly amazing.    It has been 45 cycles. In 45 cycles, you were born to a sweet pair of metallurgists who taught you everything they know abut their trades. Your father went on numerous trips to meet Royals and advise them on weaponry and mechanical components. Your mother made her home in the Capital and became a fashion advisor to the celebrities and Royals when wanted and a doctor to their mechanical servants and devices when needed. After testing you, your parents sent you to the Tower of the Mind in Eulim. You took your lessons and lectures in due time. Hours of sitting through teachings you learned as a child. Instructors tried not to show it, but you knew you were the favorite. The newer lectures on the quest to make a new metal for many cycles intrigued you. A new mental would be the talk of Canlanma for at least 100 cycles. Sadly, each "new" metal they discover turns out to be a well-known alloy with an uncommon ...

Canlanma Street Level, Story 2

Story 2    I wake -yet again- to the snore of another cadet. I really wish the other cadets would take others into consideration. There are crystals to aid with snoring or sleep apnea or even congestion. I mean, it isn't hard to go to their Healer and- Oh, the sun. It's not up yet. I climb out of bed and hop outside to open my Inane. I double-paw my necklace and stare at the Adimasi circle. The sun icon is still ten degrees from horizon, meaning I have some time. I could train and- I hear footsteps. Is that a patrolling Protector? I duck into a dark corner. I wait for the footsteps to pass before I grab a handful of shelled walnuts from my Inane and stuff them into my face. I need the energy to train. I have been asking to train since I was a kit -or a kitten? I don't remember- and it took convincing my entire dray -the entities in that science city call us a scurry, but they are wrong- to get me into Ludum to train. And now, I'm here, one cycle later. Still learning. S...

Canlanma Street Level, Story 1

Story 1    The holy incense follows the disciples out of the gilded temple hall. The Shepherd continues to swing the burner as he repeats the old mantras of the faith. The last disciple leaves and the burner settles as the Shepherd contemplates the list of rituals he must perform before the sun sets. The ritual implements have to be cleaned, the sacrifices burned, the acolytes of the temple purified, the-   "Shepherd Thanatos, we have a situation that requires your attention." An acolyte of the temple calls from below the altar. The Shepherd sighs and recites his calming mantra: "What I am about to do has not been approved." The Shepherd walks slowly behind the altar and finds the symbol on the side as he recites "chao regnat" under his breath. The symbol glows and opens a trap door under the altar. Shepherd Thanatos checks for other unwelcomed entities then slips under the altar and down the exposed staircase.   The acolytes in the room part as Shephe...