Ani Was Writing

 I stare at my journal and realize I have gotten everything done. With as hellish of a year I've had, especially in the last three months, I feel numb staring at the last story for my 13-week series. Somehow, I've managed to get everything done, with no sleep, and still remain coherent.    "Is it time to get some alcohol?" Amethyst laughs. She suddenly sees the state of my body. "Nope. Shower first, then food, then alcohol. You need it."   "Yeah. I do." I get up and stretch to keep my back pain away. "Can you do me a favor and say something to the readers for me?"   "Um... sure." Amethsyt says. She sits down at the computer and sees that some chaos has already been started for her. ~ Hello everyone. Amethyst here.   Thank you so much for sticking around and waiting patiently for the posts to come back. If you feel like you missed any, they will be updated on the pages as soon as Ani gets back from getting cleaned up and fed, so ...

Story 13    How long have you been here? You don't know for sure. There is no signal of the passage of time in Neraka. Sure, the sun and moon rise and set, but the days and cycles are lost to you. Did they even exist in the natural state of being? You don't even know anymore. All you know how to do is survive.    You grab your labor clothes and equipment for the mines. After sliding your dirty long-sleeved shirt over your head and your heavy duty pants over your legs, you sling your mining tool onto your back and make your way out of your shack and toward the mine in the center of town.    Do you even remember your life before Neraka? Fragmented images of a temple flash in your mind, but nothing concrete. How do you know those images come from real experiences? You can hardly remember your full name. All you know is Maria. Maria. Maria. Even the name tastes foreign as you mouth it to yourself. Was it even Maria? You look down to your left for...

Story 12  130 Day, 300 Cycle of Night Entity: Dejen Stark, Investigative Explorer Subject: Energies and Their Origins   Today I conclude my investigation on our use of energies and their origins. My investigation took four cycles and a lot of travel around Canlanma and the nomadic Arrunta territory.    My initial investigation came after a reading of the text Histories of the "Supernatural" Forces in the Forlorn and Forgotten Eras by Shepherd Arthur Abraham. The text traces the use of energies in practices centered around terms such as "magic," "supernatural," and "paranormal." I learned that even if entities from those Eras gave technical explanations about these phenomena, it was generally believed to contain a more mystical aspect. I decided after reading this text that I would see if I could discover what the missing link between the mystical aspect of the past and the current understandings of energies.   The current understanding of energie...

Story 11 "I just can't believe we have to suffer for 28 days!" "We are not suffering, Angel. You just make it sound like that." "But it is! No travel, no entertainment, all the shops are closed, everyone's told to just stay at home and chill. It's so boring!" "Yeah, but being at home during Qorrax is a time to get the rest we need." "Rest? I don't need rest, Bea. I need things to do!" "You can always spend that time making plans for renovations..." "Candice makes a valid point." "Oh, yeah. Renovations! I do need to spruce up my home and wardrobe. That is a great idea!" "Thanks, Angel. I'm glad you-" "But that is not what the Creator says we should do." "Oh, for the Void's sake!" "I agree, Donna, but it seems Angel is having trouble with that again this time." "Look, I wouldn't have a problem if I was able to go shopping!" "Bu...

Story 10    "Two more days of Night, Andrea." She looks to her partner. Her partner Andrea slowly sloshes a sphere of ice in her lemonade as she stares into the fireplace. Nadia recalls that look from the last Cycle of Night. The lost in thought stare that proceeds the upcoming transition. Nadia sets down a dinner of lamb and potatoes next to her and gives Andrea a kiss on the top of her head. She leaves the room and enters a cozier room lined with books. Nadia sits down at the desk and taps the floating cube in the center. The cube spins and becomes transparent.    "166 Day of the 102 Cycle of Night. Today is the beginning transition for Andrea's Elder status. I recall my own transition from the last Cycle of Night. I had to teach my best worker how to run the looms and the business. I can't imagine how or to who Andrea taught her secrets of metal and fire. I just hope it is someone who can continue her blacksmithing shop as well as she did.   "I...