Strange Highways in Hiding

The Lord of the Last Day: Daleigh city

2004-11-04T18:45:00.000-08:00

They traveled, along the dark clouds of Satania, reaching ever closer to the borders of Golgotha, while the dragons flew along side waiting to attack. Johnny looked out the window, the lights pointed aimlessly, spotting something was approaching. The gunners, most of which were asleep, were now on full alert, and the sirens sounded off to awaken the passangers.

"Dragons! All gunners get prepared!"

"They'll have a good time, these skies, they're littered with dragons." Roy said with a metter-of-fact tone.
"I'm going to look for John" Murray said.

"I saw Ged and Pizargo follow him into the lower levels..."

It is at the stairs, when he felt the first jolt of the ship, followed by several others. The gunners opened fire, and a wounded dragon roared with deafening noise. When he reached the lower levels Johnny was manning one of the larger cannons.

He stood up "We have to go up to the top...it's the only way to prevent those flying iguanas from damaging the ship!"

As they made their way through to the outside of the ship, Murray's eyes began to shine bright red, brighter and brighter, they were now at the very top.

"Don't slip...alright just concentrate, clear your mind!"

From where they stood these dragons looked nothing like dragons.
In fact they looked like metallic grey Geico lizards with wings.

Johnny jumped up to avoid one that dove towards him.
His blade tore through the hard skin of the dragon as it crashed in to the Ariship tearing a gash through the cloth.

"The gas is going to escape...you ready?"

Meanwhile the gunners were holding their own protecting the cabins and passangers.

Murray was ready indeed, the red illumination covered him as it had in Terrazia, and he became a demononic creature.
The dragons approached, one by one, Murray blasted them with an assortment of flames and chains.

The ship sustained a few more damages as the rest of them disappeared into the clouds.

Murray turned to John as if he's next..."whoah there, down boy! We have to get back down, the airship is fucked!"

Jenova and Ged were in the cockpit with the captain.

"Right now if we unlock the main segment we can still hope for a safe landing.
We're losing too much pressure. Soon we'll start to descend and fast."

Johnny "How far are we from Daligh?"
"Not sure" Ged said, "we wont know until we get below the clouds."

"It's now or never Lady Jenova!"

"Unlock."

----------------------------------------------------
Daliegh airfield

"So Kimor...thah young chickey you've ah been courtin...she seems like ah firm one eh?"
"Hehehe that's right, my wife hasnae found ut, she'd kilt me bah now!"

"Is there any moe brew bach there?"

"Lemme check, there wahhh...Holy flyin fuck!"

"Emergency landing ye stupids, turn on thee lights, hurry!

Just in time, the pilot was able to see the airfield, it was going to be one hell of a crash.

Pizargo jumped on Murray causing him to fall back and hit his head on the floor.

The metal structure twisted as it slammed into the ground several time.

It finally came to a halt after several seconds of sliding.
------------------------------------------------------
Daleigh Residence

Daleigh is a town near the Golgotha border to the south of the deserts.
The plans have changed for the small group.

"While we are here we can get some additional information."

The leader of the small city told them of recent activity further North.
Communication with kingdoms near the swamplands had died.
Trading in commercial goods had been suffering since then.

"It's safe to say this isn't the work of organized raiding parties.
People have been disappearing from the villages as well."
The council man added,
"We've been forced to negotiate with the other kingdoms, which carries higher taxations for us,
our interests lies with you. If the king has refused to help you then the other kingdoms will surely
lend a helping hand."

Jenova answered to this "Unfortunately we can not go out of our way.
We're in search of DoomMaker..."

"...and the Lord. A mere legend me lady...but now that you mention DoomMaker."

"You know something?" Johnny asked with growing impatience.

"Well rumor has it that prince Reyal led an expedition to the place By-tor had visited when he disappeared.
The prince and his 200 soldiers never returned.
Whatever is happening to Satania is not clear, however, if the Lord is real then the entire planet is in danger."

"Explain this, I heard Lady Jenova say that The Lord can destroy all life..." Murray was cut short.

"In the swamp lands there is a poison that spread out ages ago.
The result was the expansive deserts."
----------------------------------------------
Meanwhile

DoomMaker looked into the flames.
The Lord sat quiet beside.
Around the dark lair the rotting corpses collected from the last raid hang up high on hooks.

The Lord could care less about this worthless planet.

Johnny held the key to the portals.
Perhaps even one directly to Hell.
---------------------------------------------

Johnny and Jenova talked for a long time about which direction they should take.
In the Kingdom of Ice to the east lay Eski, to the west is the desert Kingdom of Muidos.

"Well...I hate the cold, if Muidos is closer then I think it's better to go there first."

"Then Muidos it is." she said.
-------------------------------------------

Far from any population Muidos seemed inactive from a distance.
Inside the walls of the city there was such horror you will have to wait until I write the next part of the story for me to describe it.
: P

Q-1

2004-10-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

The dead have highways.
Only the living are lost.
-Clive Barker

Lord of the Last Day: DoomMaker and The Lord

2004-10-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

Who is the Lord?

Jenova and Ged waited in the foyer.

"Since the only person here who doesn't have a clue as to what were doing here is Murray
I will allow Lady Jevova to explain."

(Image Copyright © OjodeKuervo)

"In darker ages a legend existed about a dark lord that ruled the entire planet of Satania who threatened to destroy all life.

Kings assembled their legions against the lord and managed only to corner him to the lands of Adoil.
The campaign ended after six revolutions.
The lord disappeared for what they thought was forever.

Rumors of sightings began to emerge several...as you call them...years ago.
My housband By-tor and several explorers went to the land of Adoil.

The terrain of the desert and swamps along the way made it a difficult journey.

After reaching the place where the final battle took place in the legends they noticed phemonema occuring.

The Lord appeared before them and By-tor approached the lord and was trapped by his powers.

The surviving men returned to a city along the way we shall travel.
Before the explorer Durak died he said By-tor was no more.
His last words were "By-tor is now DoomMaker...and he shall bring the Lord's Chaos."

(Image Copyright © OjodeKuervo contact the artist for permission at ojodekuervo@hotmail.com if you wish to use this image in any way shape or form. Or visit his progfile http://ojodekuervo.gfxartist.com/ )

We have lost contact with many kingdoms from our own regions over the years.

Our cities prefer isolation to prevent any political fighting among our kingdoms.
Last year Claurio and Frenz did not appear at the conference of kings.
They are the closest kingdoms near Adoil.

I wont lie to you.
There is severe danger along the way to Adoil.
Mooglio, the king of Golgotha, refuses to become involved.
We are on our own until then."

Johnny interrupted..."Basically this is where Murray and myself come into play.
This Lord character is very real and alive.
If we were to encounter DoomMaker along the way to Adoil....we may have to fight and perhaps kill him.
There is no guarrantee that By-tor will come to his senses.

I have seen such power before.
After I traveled to an alien world where I discovered that it had been comepletely destroyed.
After tracing the origin of this power I was led to another world called Blessing.
It has long died out with no life.
But the stories there gave me an idea of how the Lord may be destroyed."

"There's a connection then?" Murray asked.

"Yes, this Lord character shows up in Blessing's legends as a powerful demon in their interpretation of hell.
'Why did he appear here in Satania?' you might ask.
Astaroth may have sent him long ago.
In the end, like all dreams, Astaroth and his king Satanail have ceased to seek domination of the universe.
The Lord is a remnant of those illusions."

"It's heaven and hell..." Murray stopped himself.

"Oh I can tell!"
Johnny concludes.
---------------------------------------------------

The only way out of Golgotha was via airship. It looked eerily similar to the Hindenburgh Zeppepelin.

The darkness still ruled.

The lights built around the airship we blinding.

"What are those cannons for?" Murray asked.

Roy responded "Oh just to scare the Dragons if they get too close!"

The airship began to rise as they headed out of Golgotha and into the dark skies.

Lord of the Last Day: Johenel

2004-10-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

In Satania there is no moon.
Outside the darkness enveloped Golgotha.

Even with Crystals to illuminate like flashlights it was difficult to see at night.

Murray walked about the Mansion waiting for Johnny boy to wake up.

The door to Miranda's room was slightly ajar but no a JAR ; )

Johnny was inside the room as if waiting for him to show up.
"HEHEHEHE it took you long enough MurMan!" He speaketh unto him.

At hearing this Miranda woke up and noticed Murray near the door.
She looked to her side and Johnny was in the bed with her and....

"Sir John, I thought I told you last time....If you ever come into my room again I will cut your balls off!"
"GEEEEET OUUUUUT!"

None of the other people in La Villa woke up.
They were already used to his antics.

"Hey I'm hungry...is there a MacDonalds or Taco Bell here?" It never hurts to ask.

"No, there is a place that is open 24/7...no wait, make that 190/28...really good food. Quiet too. I'll answer what questions you have the best I can."

Pizargo followed them cautiously before Johnny turned around "Peek a boo! Tag yer it!"

They ate something that looked like steak...it tasted quite good. Like a mixture of Chicken and Pizza!.

Pizargo had the biggest plate of all.

While they waited for him to finish Murray asked his first question;
"So where are you from?"

"Well, my name is not John, it's Johenel, I am the son of Caleb, the head of the tribe of Judah."
'You might know the story of the Exodus, but I can recite the Passage where my father is mentioned...
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
So and so from this tribe yadda yadda yaddda!
Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
And the heads of the other tribes are mentioned in the books of Moses.
I went with my father Caleb to help them spy on the lands. At the time I was 16 years of age.

After Rehob they all decided to rest and build camp before heading out to Hebron.
When I awoke they were all gone.
In the wilderness I wandered. Upon reaching Hebron once again I realized everything was different, the city, the people.

A soldier spotted me.
I was arrested and taken to a prison.

They asked "Where are you from?!" I gave them honest answers but they accused me of blasphemy, something I found out later I'm good at doing.

A prophet of God called Samuel had me released.
Not once did he speak to me on the way to see the ark.

I walked into the room alone where the ark was...and I was surrounded by light...and it took me to the void....a nexus in the universe.

Ever since then I have been traveling through the worlds. Someone guided me for the first few years until the man upstairs finally cut the strings.

"Is it God who brought me there? You through the ark? What the hell does it all mean?" Murray knew he wasn't getting a straight answer.

"Don't worry son, you'll get to see the puppet master one day, I know I have..."

"Wait, so you've seen God?"

"Yes...I can't tell you what he looks like, but I'll give you a hint...Bugs Bunny."

*BURP* Pizargo was done eating...

"You know, this has been a real disappiontment! What a waste of time."

"Yessir I don't fucking know one thing except you are from New York City. Get used to it. When t's my turn to rot someone will help guide you along the way. Until then you will have to rely on me.
Jenova should be awake and preparing our travels, finish your drinks and I'll meet the two of you outside."

He's holding something back...

Writers Note ; )

2004-10-26T23:41:00.000-07:00

Now that Murray and Johnny can talk while the peoples of Satania sleep (Pending John getting sober) I will introduce the origin of how John came to be a traveler.

One hint: It has to do with a story in the Old Testament :)

Aerosmitten has helped with ideas and criticism and has helped pick out (or invent) some names for characters.

OjodeKuervo is also interested in being a big part by contributing his art whenever possible. So a big thanks goes out to him \m/

I will work on the dialogue (ARGH!) tonight and tomorrow so I can add it tomorrow night.
-Jose

From Chicago to Satania

2004-10-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

While Murray was approaching Golgotha...

Johnny walked the streets of Chicago.

For now the important thing was that the discs were retrieved. He had no intention of delivering them to the U.S. gov't. Not until he found out what the Dehumanizer Project was all about.

He had been to this world's future several times before.

Right now though....Johnny needed a drink.

Several hours later he staggered to the portal.

Taking the portal of Satania-Lord of the Last Day.

--------------------------------------------------

Murray, Ged and Roy entered La Villa Strangiato Mansion.

"Gentlemen, Lady Jenova waits in the guests room! Oooh! And who is this stranger?" said the pretty maiden.

Ged introduced the two.
"Miranda this is Murray a friend of John."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I hope you behave yourself, when sir Blade was here he made a mess of the guest rooms. Not only that he just can't keep his hands to himself..."

"Alright Miranda that's enough."

"Oh I am so sorry sirs...Lady Jenova is waiting in the discussion room."

"You are all here." Jenova didn't look so happy about them being there.

"Is something wrong me lady?" Asked Roy.

"Yes look..." she pointed at the couch.

There, the one, the only, Johnny Blade was drunk as hell with his hand giving the middle finger gesture at Murray.

"sss bout fugkin"

"Why am I not surprised" Murray thought.

"Once John gets well we can talk about our plans," she said "go rest and take this poor bastard to his room will you please?"

So finally the night came to the planet of Satania.

In this world the night lasts longer than the day.

Angry Machines: Berlin in Flames

2004-10-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

Johnny stood at a relatively safe position as the machines lay Berlin to watste.
Explosion after explosion leveled most of the buildings throughout the city.

Johnny made his way towards the Joseph Goebbles technology building which was still standing.

Blocks away the firefighters were preparing to extinguish the flames in vain. There was nothing to be done except try and escape and help the people.
The machines on the other hand just gunned them down as the men women and children ran screaming in the streets.

Since the elevators were disabled he opted for the stairs. Several SS agents confused by the chaos outside ignored him as they headed down.
Just before he reached the 23rd floor another SS agent was approaching and started screaming at him to turn back and head down.

Johnny took out an eight inch blade from under his coat an struck the agent on his hand comepletely severing it.

"Tough luck baby blue eyes..." and slit the man's throat.

With the key card aquired the door to the 25th floor would open.
Most office workers had already exited the building.

In the main reception room behind a secretaries desk was a monumental propaganda poster of Hitler with a backround of Europe, with the year of his birth and death.

The building rattled as it was struck by a missle. The machines were now begining to gather together in mass numbers.

He finally reached the main computer within the testing area of the building only to...

"Alright...the password..." forget the password!

Remember?
"Mr. Blade, upon reaching the main computer the virus will change the passwords:
DHMNZR should be the correct password."
DHMNZR>>>>>>>processing>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>Proceed to>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>IntrOdUcE thE mOnkEy>>>>>>>>>>>>

"What the hell!?"

Mr. Blade it's about time>>>We were worried>>

Enter message: Now what?<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>You should be able to enter the following: E5150--

followed by: 5015E to retrieve the data disks>>>>>>>>>>

Enter message: It might be awhile before I can deliver the---

the goods. Give me a few days to figure out how to get out--

of Europe<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>Agreed>>>if you can not get out we will arrange---

transportation for you>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Enter message: That wont be nessesary<<<<<<<<<<<
Keitel Prog: *****
Keitel Prog: *****
.......
.......
.......
Keitel Prog: AxZept Dio Italia

Another missle hit directly above this time.

He grabbed both disc from their respective trays and when he turned around a machine had sneaked up behind him.
"NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN!"

"Whaddaya mean NEIN you pile of shit!" He raised his weapon and shot it between the eyes.

Unable to see anything "NEIN NEIN NEIN MEIN KAMPH! HEIL HITLER!" is screamed as it fired off its ammunition all over the room.

>>>>>>NO MORE MONKEYS?!!!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Systema Ciao Ciao>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>Good luck Mr. Blade>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The computers went out with a huge blast as Johnny headed down the stairs running and tripping a few times.

The Machine had made its way to the door leading to the stairs.
It took a plunge down as it struck the railings all the way down landing a few feet away from Johnny.

"Don't scare me like that....whew!"
Outside it was a total disaster.

The Goebbles building was one of the few remaning buildings.
The roads were littered by a potpurri of metal debris and burning flesh.

"Sweet lord! Maybe I should have taken the other portal?"

Three blocks down a military assault vehicle was in flames barreling down as it's driver was being carbonized.

Most of the fighting was going down not too far from where he stood.
A teenage girl ran towards Johnny screaming for help.

OH CRAP! he thought.

"Shut up will you! Come on!" He grabbed her by the hand as they ran through the outskirts city.

He left the girl somewhere hidden, he sensed a few machines close nearby, and sure enough...

"NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN!"

Four machines began their assault firing several times toward Johnny.
He stepped on something squishy....he looked down...he was standing on top of a soldiers guts.

"You don't mind if I borrow this do ya buddy?"
He ran in plain sight as he fired the grenade launcher.

"One!....Two!....Ha you missed you fucker!...Three!...."

The third machine fired it's ammunition as it bit the dust taking the fourth machine with it.

"I think that's all of them..."he walked toward where he had left the girl.
She had been struck in the chest by a bullet.

He knelt down to caress her hair she took her last breath.

"I'm sorry girl..." Johnny Blade does not cry, "NEIN", but he couldn't help it. "Well...shit happens!"

As he left Berlin behind he took one last look, laughing at the thought he might turn into a pillar of salt, he walked on to the portal.

INTO THE VOID:

He returned to the endless void and took the same portal back to the same world.

Chicago, Illinios

People gathered around to see the breaking news as satellite photos showed most of europe's capital cities in flames.

Lockers for Rockers!
"Cheap prices to store your personal belongings"

He bought a months renting space and got the key for locker 1984 to store the discs inside.

Tomorrow Johnny heads out to join Murray on his quest.
Tonight Blade rests...

The Lord of the Last Day: Part I

2004-10-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

Outside the ruins Jenova and her small group of six waited for her and the traveler of worlds.
Murray could see the forests from the top of the hill from which they walked toward camp. In the far distance the city of Golgotha illuminated...in plain daylight no less.
"Welcome young man, you look exhausted, the city is a few wheels ride from here, you could use some rest and new clothes."
They led him to a tent where he slept...when he woke up it was still day.
"Your friend John informed us your perception of time is different."
"Sorry, I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."
"No need to be sorry, we're headed out in a few moments, Jenova headed out ahead of us.'
'My name is Ged, he is Roy.."
"We'll talk along the way!" Roy seemed a bit giddy, this was of course, the dead forest.
A hidden red brick path lead to a main road of sorts. The walked for hours before Ged finally began to ask questions.
"So what is your homeland like?" he asked.
"I don't remember much...a flash of light..." continuing to tell his story of the events in Terrazia.
Gad interrupted, "So the first time you met the man John was just before coming here?"
"Yet he knew so much about you."
"Like what?" Murray was holding back his frustration from showing.
"Ah yes!" Roy knew, "A grand place where buildings reach the heavens! Where the woman of liberty stands tall!
The Bog Apple!"
"The Big Apple! It's in New Yor..." Murray suddenly stopped.
"I think this discussion should be avoided until we reach the city....for your own good."
A few minutes after a giant animal stepped out from the forest.
To Murray it looked like an Armadillo with the head of dog.
Standing at 20 feet tall.
"That is a Cerk, they are harmless, eat leaves and other vegetation."
Further still bones lined both sides of the road, soldiers from looking at the rusty armor they once wore, relics of times long past.
"Hmmm...usually this time of the cycle the dead show up, even in daylight, I'm surprised they havent appeard to us once."
No zombies or undead monsters were present on this day, but along the road to the final destination, there would be plenty of shit to deal with besides walking corpses.
The forest ended and civilization began.
From the outskirts of Golgotha he could see what made it shine so bright.
Every building was made of solid gold, hardly any brick. The citizens didn't look at Murray with the least bit of curiosity. He looked no different than any other person walking the streets.
"So much gold!" Gasped he with the red yes ; )
"Gold? What is that?" Ray asked with a quizzical look on his face.
"The metals used for construction of the buildings."
"You mean the Aurum...it's plentiful, although it's comepletely useless to us....we have arrived!"
Murray will soon find out why he is in this place...

Angry Machines: Introduction

2004-10-14T01:16:00.000-07:00

What if?

The Nazi empire dominated Europe.
Japan did not attack Pearl Harbor.
Hitler chose not to attack Stalin's Soviet Russia.

The robotics industry flourished in Japan.
Eventually it grew to became a means to produce war machines.
None had ever been used in actual warfare.
Like Nuclear weapons it was a political tool.

In this version of our world technology and greed combined out of control.

The machines worked perfectly.
The powerful nations of the world began to compete in this rapidly growing industry.
The United States government had its own secretly funded program named the "Dehumanizer project", but this is an issue for a different story ; )

Somehow the weapons in Germany began to malfunction. At first it was nothing to be concerned about.
Then they began attacking soldiers.
In Keiv several machines had escaped the military base and headed towards a nuclear power plant before stopping and returning back to their base.

No one knew what was causing the machines to act so erraticly.

No one except Johnny Blade...

As Johnny sat in a park bench in Berlin,
he waited for the fun to begin.

All at once, through the gift of satellite communication, the virus commands would be transmitted.

As he ate his sandwich with a slice of his favourite German cheese, Tilseter, a huge explosion sounded off.

"Oh sweet lord! This cheese is great!"

Yes sir, ol' Johnny boy wasn't going to let a little danger spoil his cheese orgasm, if he died today he'd die a happy man.

A missle struck nearby sending a shockwave so strong it knocked the sandwich out of his hands...

"Oh...my cheese!"

Angry Machines look out.

Nobody fucks with Johnny Blade!

Temporary Setback

2004-10-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my AOL started to freak out on me. Now I have to rely on AOL4.0..yeah that's right! 4 freakin point OH!

As far as continuing the blog I shall try if possible, even if I have to go to the public library to do so, if this post shows up then I guess I can get by for now, if not then I just wrote this message for nothing.

Thanks.

Jose "Big Brother" Zepeda

Lord of the Last Day: Intro

2004-10-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

Murray stepped out of the portal (gently this time) and into a dark hall.
Crystals in the walls were still eminating faint light...just barely he could see were he was stepping.
Bones and skulls were scattered throughout the stone floor.
By the looks of things it seemed the dead here had perished centuries ago.
He walked to the stairs which were nearly completely blocked off by bones that had been piled up.
These bones were clearly those of small children.

The stairs led him to the outside of what looked to be a garden, which surprisingly still flourished, the various vegetation suggeted someone still tended to it in such a horrible place.

"Damn I'm hungry!."

His stomah was growling loudly. He reached for the tomato looking fruit and wolfed it down.
After a few minutes of eating, someone was approaching, Murray heard the sounds of footsteps farther along the path that led to the other section of the ruins.

Carefully he walked into the ruins once again to the other side.
The crystals here had lost their power long ago making it barely visible.
He kept as quiet as humanly possible when he felt something jump on his back...

"AAAAAAH!!!!!!!!"

"Pizargo come back to me!" It was the voice of a woman...when the little boy that freaked Murray out returned to her he picked up his orange orb that produced a strong light.

"I've been expecting you, my name is Jenovah, and this is my friend Pizargo."

(The Mystery of Time by © ojodekuervo@hotmail.com or visit the artist profile for more information @ http://ojodekuervo.gfxartist.com Contact the artist for permission to use their work in any way shape or form, Thank you.)

Back in the void: Johnny Blade

2004-10-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

Back in the void Johnny waited for Murray.
Now little ol' John John was a little crazy, but then again who isn't, especially when you've been in travelin' a long as he.

This trip back was a bit more comfortable for Murray. The portal's belt was transparent allowing him to see the galaxies in the far away.

Upon reaching the other side the protal opened as Johnny watched, Murray fell face first into the surface of the void.
For the next five or so minutes Johnny laughed his ass off as Murray lay bleeding.

"You alright Sally boy?"

"Who the hell..." Now sitting up and wiping the blood off his face.

"Johnny Blade's the name! Used to be Orel Cummings...so you see why I changed it HEHEHE!"

"Why am I here? When can I go back to my family?"

"Geez and I was in such a good mood...do I really have to explain things you? Maybe some other time. No offense my friend but time is money...you have shit to do, people to kill, a million different cheeses to taste...no, we'll have time to chit chat later."

"I ain't going back through those fucking portals!"

"Oh yes you will, if you run into any problems I'll get you out.'
'Who do you think killed all those guards? You were too busy screwing with that pretty lass you forgot you had a job to finish."
'You and me, were in the business of keeping things from falling apart, NOW GET UP!"

Two portals opened, one on the right and one on the left...
Both portals produced a gate,
on the left ANGRY MACHINES,
on the right LORD OF THE LAST DAY.

Murray stood up considering his options..."Any advice?"
"AGH! I am honored, such respect, *sobs*
ooooooooh, but you are still but a wee pup, so if you want an easy job take the one on the right, there's a smokin' hot babe wating for ya!
It leads to the world of Satania. The other portal is for me, we'll have a chance to discuss things later, that is unless you die."

Murray, frustrated, held his breath, the gate opens, and he's gone into Satania.

Both the gate and the portal disappear.

Johnny stood still facing in the direction Murray had left...
"That son of a bitch didn't laugh at my jokes!"

Johnny walked into the left gate to face the Angry Machines...
"Time to burn baby!"

Coming Soon!

2004-10-11T01:34:00.000-07:00

Back in the void.

From here I will decide where to take the story next.

This was my first attempt to keep the story as a narrative.

The possible titles for the next adventure will be one of the following:

Angry Machines

Lord of the Last Day
or
After all (The dead)

Highways in Hiding: The Holy Diver: Final Passage

2004-10-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

She walked towards him.......the eyes.
Lights out!
Several time had passed, no woman in the cell, just he and his thoughts.
He walked out, not giving a second thought of the missing hours, expecting to be attacked by the other guards.
They were all dead. Corpses, some torn in half, others decapitated.
Within the narrow halls there was a trail of blood pointing the way to his destination.
He followed the trail to the prison entrance.
There besides the door was the woman that had entered his cell just hours before.
She was torn inside out, cut in half, and only her beautiful face was intact.

Grand Hall of the Temple:
Now it was up to him to find that fucking Holy Man Cygnus.
Around this hour there were few monks guarding upper sectors of the temple.
"You, stop!"
Murray punched the guard's face in an instant, he looked down and the man's face was barely recognizable, it wasn't impossible that he'd killed all those guards in the prison...
Time is short my friend!
Murray approached the room where Cygnus lay...He could hear noises from inside, moaning and screaming. Unlike those of the prison, these were pleasure screams. The door flew open startling the young woman on top of Cygnus.
"You!"
"Who else bitch? You and I are going out for a little swim!"
What does Bitch mean?..

Murray closed in on him and caught a glimpse of himself on the golden mirror.
The eyes! They were bright red, illuminating outward, a shadow surrounding him.

"I'm not going anywhere with you!"
Cygnus, as much as he wanted to use his miracles and magic, was unable to. The light in Murray's eyes surrounded the room.
A circle of blood formed in the floor, at this the young woman fainted, and Cygnus was now the one screaming.
The chains bound around the Holy Man. Murray grabbed him and stepped into the circle as the chains dragged their prize...

Back in the Skeleton Ocean

Here high up on a cliff Cygnus tried to plea for mercy, there was none, Murray just about had enough of him.
What once was a prophecy of hope and salvation had become corrupt.
Underneath the watery ocean was the resting place of the murdered priests of Terrazia.
For he chose not to give his life for other, he became corrupt, and instead chose self glory.
This time, he had no choice.
Murray held Cygnus above his head.
"You are the Holy Diver!" cried the undead priests.

"For the gods!"
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! Now he remembered this particular voice, from the void.
Down he went, chains and all, as the prophecy stated.
Only there was no heavenly glory in this dive.
The hands of the dead grabbed Cygnus, pulling him down into the ocean floor, ripping his face, dismembering his body.
Blood arose from the depths, and the skies changed.
The moons illuminated brightly once again.
The spell was broken.
The chains disappeared deep below.
A portal opens before Murray...

...and he dives right in.

Highways in Hiding: The Holy Diver Passage 4

2004-10-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

Before leaving Gild Cygnus performed a few miracles here and there free of charge.
A man suffering of back pain was cured.
Praise Cygnus!
Murray was taken with them in the night to Syrinx before the morning came. The group of guardians was quite small, only about 5, not counting the holy man. From a distance the city of Syrinx was a glow of wonders. Massive gothic style buildings cast their shadows concealing the sad reality of life of it's citizens. But this was not any of Murray's concern.

The temple itself was surrounded with tall statues of the old religion. Several gods stuck out, Dagon, Moloch and Balaam. They seemed like familiar names...from the biblical idols in his own world perhaps?
Where outside the light shone, inside it was dark and ominous, the grand hall was surrounded with art depicting heaven and hell.
He stared at the beautiful writing on the walls...
"The world is full of kings and Queens, who blind your eyes and steal your dreams hahahaha!" said ole' man Cygnus.
Within the temple Murray was led to its lower sections, deep into the prison area.
The screams were loud, reminding him of the voices of the void, Have Mercy!
One of the guardians waved to the others..."Get some rest."
It was the voice of a woman, the thought aroused Murray, he wondered if the women of this world were anatomically different than those in his own, not likely he thought.
After removing her hood she looked in to his eyes "I'll be back to see you in the night, sleep well."
There was no emotion in her voice...She closed the prison cell.

Murray rested for most of the afternoon. Occasionally awoken by the noblemen of Syrinx who wanted to catch a glimpse of this stranger.
He slept until sunset when the woman returned as she promised.

Holy Diver Album Cover

2004-10-08T02:26:00.000-07:00

That's Murray in the backround ; )

Side Note

2004-10-07T15:12:00.001-07:00

The names Cygnus and Syrinx come from Rush songs ( Farewell to kings/Hemispheres and 2112)

Highways in Hiding: The Holy Diver Passage 3

2004-10-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

Cygnus arrived at Gild around sunset. People were already lined up on both sides of the main dirt road. Looking out the window of the stone building (it was rather comfortable actually) Murray witnessed the respect this man commanded.
They met each other as the sun fell in the distant oceanic horizon.
Murray gave his message not totally surprised by the man's disbelief.
Cygnus, "If you speak the truth, that I must sacrifice myself, then you must surely know there is something else you've yet to tell me?"
He remembered the voice in his dreams and repeated the final words...

FINIS PER SOMNIVM REPERIO TIBI SACRA COR VENEFICVS OSTIVM AVRVM

Murray knew this language, Latin, but understood nil.
The expression of the holy man's face was of pure shock!
All his life he had awaited to hear those words, granted no one in Terrazia knew of or spoke Latin, mush less did Murray.

The gods want me to die he thought to himself how can this be?

Before moving on in this tale I must explain a few things...

Since discovering his talent to heal people and perform miracles the rulers of Terrazia used him to become immortal, Cygnus himself would sale his services to the rich, while occasionally healing the poor. The kings built a temple to honor Cygnus in the city Syrinx. The high priests frowned upon this as he was straying from his duty to fulfill a prophecy. In an attempt to confront him the high priests made their way to Syrinx. In the dark shadows of the temple several knights awaited in ambush.
The leadership of the religion was slayed...
Now with the message at hand Cygnus would pay his dues.
He bolted from the stone building and ordered his guardians to take Murray prisoner.
Let them take you to their temple, Cygnus will not dare kill you...

Highways in Hiding: The Holy Diver Lyric

2004-10-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

"Holy Diver, you're the star of the Masquerade
No need to look so afraid..."-Ronnie James Dio

The night came as Cygnus approached the village.
Murray dreamed again. In his hands he held chains.

"If Cygnus refuses to sacrifice himself..."

...And the morning came.

Highways in Hiding: The Holy Diver Passage 2

2004-10-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

Murray awoke in a stone building of the local village not far from where he was found. It was around the purple dawn on a new day. The villagers came to meet this stranger. One frumpish woman asked, "Have the gods sent you?"
The leader of the village, Matheus, asked the people to return to their homes.
Once they were gone Murray asked the him where the man Cygnus lived.

"Ah the Holy Man...he is not far from here, he was sent the news of your arrival. We believed you'd die..."

Murray interrupted

"Cygnus raises the dead?"

"Yes...among other things. How do you know of Cygnus?"

"I can not discuss what I know with you, I'm sorry."

The people of Gild showed great hospitality to their new guest. Not just because he was a stranger, but because his visit would guarantee that Cygnus would also be there soon.

Holy man do this! Holy man do that!

But no longer...as fate would have it, Murray came to Terrazia to convince Cygnus to sacrifice himself.
After all... Said the voice of in dreams, ...Cygnus is their immortality.

The people of Terrazia wont be too happy...

Highways in Hiding: The Holy Diver Passage 1

2004-10-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

Upon entering the gate Murray was sucked into the portal. It wasn't a pleasant feeling at all. Intense vertigo seeming to stretch him down to his very soul. At several moments memories came back to him. It was all to fast as the portal deposited the poor fool into the waters of the Skeleton Ocean. Fishermen in the area saw a bright light rising from the sea and they made their way towards it.

As Murray floated lifelessly on the surface and would be hours before he regained consciousness. Yet in that time of rest all would be explained in dreams.

Word spread quickly throughout the land...
The holy man would pay a visit to this stranger in due time.
"Raising the dead is tiring work" he tells his followers.

Highways in Hiding: The First Gate

2004-10-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

All he remembers is the darkness, preceeded by light. A light that ended his life and brought him into the clearing of hell. Only this was not hell he was in. The large portals surrounded a vast endless void.

Screams shouted from the darkness calling for him to enter the gates. "Where do the lead?!" He cried out.
"ENTER THE RED GATE!" This voice, strong enough to break glass, was now stronger than the rest urging him on to move.
One of the portals closed in near by. Moving like a snake as it arrived.
In front of him the portal became a lare gate with three words...

The Holy Diver

Highways in Hiding: stanza 1

2004-10-05T18:38:00.001-07:00

Eventually the man awoke at the edge of time
Memories of days gone by
Inspecting the mid-night sky

In a strange land our hero stands
Deserts of death from God's own hands
What can it be if not a lie?

Testing

2004-10-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

Does this crap work?