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Alex Reborn 4: Heart of Vengeance

Alex Reborn 4: Heart of Vengeance


Thirteen years had passed since the flames of Izu consumed Alex’s world. Now a man of twenty, he bore the physical scars of his past. The wilderness had etched a feral resilience into his being, and now that he was no longer afraid to hold company, he was untouchable by the slings and arrows of ridicule. Within him still flickered the embers of hope for revenge, fueled by the memory of his fallen village and hardened by his love of firepower.

For the past four years, since the prophecy of the wizard Pyros (whom he had not encountered since), Alex had loyally carried the ancient shoulder cannon wherever he went. The shoulder cannon was an archaic weapon, wielded in days of giants, days in which men grew much taller and stronger than in Elysium today. His ability to shoulder the mighty weapon was uncanny, but its weight caused Alex’s back to hunch even further as the years went by. He welcomed these changes with good humor, knowing the cannon would be a part of him forever.

With his fears of people since defeated, Alex enjoyed traveling about, spending time with the inhabitants of various towns and villages throughout Elysium. With his cannon and firepower to protect him, he needed not even worry about the more perilous lands toward the center of the continent, where the Ring of Ruin exuded a strange and evil magic that produced nightmarish monsters. So Alex explored the lands looking for good company.

One evening he found a crowd in the bustling eastern tavern of Havenfall, nestled along the rugged coast, where he regaled the patrons with his outlandish tales, oblivious to the whispers of amusement that followed him.

But the evening’s merriment was all but shattered when a ragged and black-toothed sailor uttered a single phrase: Dark Sun. It was a name carved into Alex’s soul like a knife of fire, a name that awoke a dormant beast of rage within. Years of friendliness and genial composure crumbled, replaced by a primal fury that threatened to consume him. In a fit of confusion and rage, Alex nearly lit his cannon and set the entire place ablaze.

A seasoned sailor named William, with a handlebar mustache and a mighty anchor held as a weapon at his side, sensed the storm brewing within Alex. He left his place at the bar and quickly intervened, his voice a calming wave against the rising tide of anger in the young man. He took Alex aside, befriended him and listened to his tragic story, a tale of a lost village and a thirst for vengeance. William, seeing in Alex a reflection of his own past struggles, was moved with sympathy and camaraderie.

Together, they forged a plan. The sailor who had mentioned Dark Sun was a mate for Crimson Dawn, a notorious pirate crew rumored to be suppliers of gunpowder to the Dark Sun, became their target. Alex, with his imposing presence and shoulder cannon — an archaic relic from a forgotten age — and William, with his stoic strength and formidable anchor-axe, presented themselves as prospective mates for Crimson Dawn.

Their offer to join the crew was met with mixed reactions. The sight of Alex’s cannon intrigued the pirates, its power a tempting tool for their nefarious plans, but Alex’s wildness caused hesitation.

While the Crimson Dawn mates were unsure about Alex, William’s reputation as a skilled sailor and his calm demeanor spoke volumes for both of them. The crew, primarily from fear of treachery, decided to split them up. Alex, with his cannon, was granted immediate acceptance on the harbored ship’s crew. William, they declared, would have to prove his worth aboard another ship due to arrive within three days.

Disappointment flickered across Alex’s face, but William’s hand clasped his shoulder in a reassuring grip. “Remember our plan, brother,” he whispered, his voice a low rumble. “We will meet again soon, and together, we will see the Dark Sun extinguished.”

With a heavy heart, Alex watched his friend disappear into the crowds of Havenfall. He knew the plan was risky, but trust in William burned bright within him. It was time to infiltrate the enemy’s ranks, to gather information, and to strike the first blow against those who had stolen his childhood and his family.

The fire of vengeance burned brighter than ever, fueled by a newfound purpose. He would finally become the instrument of justice that would reclaim his lost innocence, bring peace to his thirsty soul, and forge a new destiny.

But the journey ahead was fraught with dangers. The Crimson Dawn was a crew of hardened criminals, and Alex, despite his feral skills, was an outsider. He had to tread carefully, walk a tightrope between suspicion and acceptance, all while carrying the weight of his past and the burden of his vengeance.

He knew that this was only the beginning. The path to justice would be long and arduous, but Alex was determined to walk it. He would not rest until the flames of his cannon’s vengeance had consumed the darkness that had consumed his world.


PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Alex Reborn 1: Childhoodwinked
Alex Reborn 2: Misfit’s Cry
Alex Reborn 3: Faith in Fire

COMING SOON

Alex Reborn 5: Captain My Heart

The Bianca Chronicles 3: Jumping Ship

The Bianca Chronicles 3: Jumping Ship


“It’s all in the timing”, Bianca said quietly to herself as she watched the choppy white foam between the Albatross and the Salty Siren. The sun’s first rays appeared over the ship’s bow a deep blood red, but Bianca didn’t have time for old sailors’ tales and omens. She made her own destiny, and she had picked these battles a long time ago. If she didn’t make this jump she was fish food, but the turbulent waters between the tethered ships was nothing compared to the tempest raging in her heart that fueled her mission of justice.

Staring defiantly for a moment into the rising sun, Bianca thought of how far she had come since that dark night that changed her life at sixteen. Several long months ago Bianca thought she knew the secrets of the little town where she grew up, but she had been wrong–dead wrong. There was so much more to the story of her elderly protectors, Perkins and Clara, who were brutally killed by the pirates. Since running away from home to protect her mother, learning the truth had never been easy, but through a wide array of newfound skills (gambling and treachery, for example), Bianca gradually found the answers she needed.

In addition to the trials and troubles, these six months held many fond memories for Bianca. She would miss some of the merchant ship’s men, especially the ones who had helped her grow sea legs. Still, it was time to move on. She was grateful to the merchant captain, but he lacked the ambition needed to carry Bianca’s burden of revenge.

This restocking tether would be her only chance to infiltrate the enemy’s ranks. The joining of ships on the Red Sea was a rare occurrence on its own, but to think that the adjoined ship was the same crew that had killed her beloved Perkins and Clara–This could be no coincidence. Bianca had learned to not question events like these. The more attention she paid, the more she noticed that her entire life was a series of pre ordinations and fateful appointments. It was almost as if all the divine forces of Elysium were leading her to something. To what she didn’t know, but she would follow.

After checking the makeshift harness that fastened her dual sabers to her back one more time, Bianca stopped daydreaming and focused her attention on the waves below. She had to pick the crucial moment during which the Salty Siren’s deck was lower than that of the Albatross. The two ships bobbed chaotically in the choppy waters, and if she picked the wrong moment it was all over. She cleared her mind of distractions (she was so easily distracted these days) using the breathing techniques Perkins had taught her an eternity ago. After a few long breaths, her mind was sound and she was confident.

The pivotal moment came, and with the spryness of a seagull taking flight, Bianca jumped into her new life… once again.


Play Eternal Paradox

Previous Chapters of the Bianca Chronicles:

Chapter 1: The Sea is Yours
Chapter 2: The Darkest Night

Coming Soon:

Chapter 4: Captain’s Duel

Aiden’s Call 2: Earning His Wings

Aiden’s Call 2: Earning His Wings


Two years had passed since the eagle prophecy bestowed upon Aiden the mantle of leadership for the Guardian Angels clan. During this time, Aiden grew not only in stature but also in wisdom and compassion, his heart unwavering in his dedication to protecting the innocent and upholding justice.

As Aiden’s eighteenth birthday approached, the majestic eagles of the sky beckoned him to their realm, where he would face a trial that would determine his worthiness to receive their aid in his pursuit of righteousness.

On the day of his trial, Aiden stood at the edge of a precipice, the wind whipping through his hair, his eyes fixed on the swirling clouds above. As if in answer to his silent call, a golden eagle emerged from the heavens, its wings shimmering in the sunlight.

With a gentle nudge, the eagle led Aiden into the eagles’ realm, a world of boundless skies and ethereal beauty. Here, amidst the clouds, Aiden was given wings of clouds, and faced a series of trials, each designed to test his strength, courage, and moral compass.

He soared through treacherous storms, his body buffeted by gale-force winds and torrential rain. He navigated through labyrinths of clouds, his senses challenged by disorienting illusions and shifting perspectives. He faced the judgment of the eagle elders, their piercing eyes scrutinizing his every thought and action.

Aiden’s spirit remained unyielding, his determination unwavering despite the daunting challenges that lay before him. He demonstrated his strength by weathering the storms, his courage by navigating the illusions, and his integrity by facing the elders’ scrutiny without faltering.

As the final trial approached, Aiden stood before the eagle council, the wisest and most powerful of their kind. They presented him with a choice: to remain in their realm, to become one of them, or to return to Elysium, to continue his journey as a Guardian Angel.

Aiden, his heart filled with gratitude for the eagles’ guidance, chose to return to Elysium, knowing that his true calling lay in protecting those who needed him most. The eagle, recognizing the purity of his intentions, granted him their blessing, promising to come to his aid whenever he walked in alignment with their noble ideals.

With a newfound sense of purpose and unwavering resolve, Aiden descended back to Elysium, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead. He had earned his wings, not through physical prowess alone, but through the strength of his character and the unwavering purity of his heart.


Song of Aiden | Part 2

The call had now rung out for two long years,
Extolled and praised with laughter, joy and cheers.
As wisdom in the child of eagles grew,
And to his heart he called a faithful crew.

When eighteen years had gone the eagles came
To impart truth and test him with the same.
Ascending to their realm where he could fly,
Brave Aiden faced their Elders in the sky.

Through tempests soared and winds they battered strong,
He trusted wings of cloud and went not wrong.
The eagle Elders judged with piercing eyes,
Which held in gaze his triumph or demise.

Unshaken, unyielding, Aiden prevailed,
While knowing he would die if he had failed.
Through storm and visions, Aiden’s soul did soar,
So far above the valley’s rocky floor.

The eagle council, wisest of the kind,
Presented him a choice to test his mind:
“To stay” said they, “with us among the clouds,
Or turn back hence, to lowly, earthbound crowds.”

With gratitude, the hero chose his path,
To stand betwixt the innocent and wrath.
Moved so by his noble sacrifice,
The eagle elders loudly blessed him twice.

“With greater wisdom now you shall descend,
Calling truly every eagles friend.
And when your noble path with ours aligns,
We’ll grant assistance, true as sun that shines.”


Previous Chapter:

Aiden’s Call 1: Guardian’s Crest

Coming soon:

Aiden’s Call 3: Shadow Showdown

Join the discussion in Discord

Alex Reborn 3: Faith in Fire

Alex Reborn 3: Faith in Fire


When you open yourself to the wonders of life, they will often light a fire within you somewhere along the way.

The sun, a fiery orange globe peeking over the horizon, cast long shadows across the beach as Alex skipped down the shore. His laughter, a symphony of joy and childish abandon, echoed in the crisp morning air. He was a whirlwind of energy, his eyes sparkling with the excitement of a new day, his dark hair adorned with seashells and coral fragments, a testament to his adventurous spirit.

Alex, despite years spent alone, had cultivated a remarkable resilience, a fractured personality that housed both solitude and companionship. He conversed with himself, weaving intricate tales and cracking witty jokes that left him doubled over with laughter. His humor, born from the solitude, was as unique as his spirit, a beacon of joy in a world that had seen so much darkness.

As Alex stooped to pick up a particularly beautiful starfish, his eyes caught a glint of light in the distance. An orange-cloaked figure stood at the mouth of a nearby cave, watching him with curious eyes. Intrigued, Alex momentarily forgot his usual aversion to strangers.

The figure, cloaked in orange robes, chuckled softly, then lit a curious device in his hand. A stream of fireballs, shimmering with an array of colors, erupted from the device, painting the sky with an ephemeral spectacle. Alex watched, mesmerized, as the fire danced and twirled, a captivating display unlike anything he had ever seen.

The stranger beckoned Alex closer, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. As Alex approached, the fear of people that had clung to him for so long like a shadow began to fade. The fire ignited a warmth within him, melting the isolation that encased his heart.

“I am called Pyros,” the stranger said, his voice deep and resonant. “And you, young one, are destined for great things.”

Pyros, with an uncanny knowledge of Alex’s past and future, sensed the boy’s yearning for connection and purpose. He saw the potential within him, a raw talent waiting to be nurtured. With a twinkle in his eye, he introduced Alex to the wonders of firepower.

“This is no magic,” Pyros explained, gesturing to the cave floor, where an intricately carved and ancient looking cannon sat. “This is the power of fire, a force that can forge both destruction and creation.”

For the next fortnight, Alex became Pyros’ student, learning the secrets of fire and gunpowder. He honed his aim, mastered the intricate mechanics of the cannon, and absorbed Pyros’ wisdom like a parched sponge. The fear that once ruled him slowly gave way to confidence, replaced by a newfound sense of purpose.

When the time came for farewell, Alex stood tall, the cannon resting comfortably against his shoulder. He was no longer the scared boy who wandered the wilderness. He was Alex Reborn, a warrior forged in fire, ready to face the world with newfound courage and a heart filled with the warmth of friendship. As he turned to leave, Pyros’ parting words echoed in his ears, “Remember, Alex, fire is a powerful tool. Use it wisely, and it will guide you to your destiny.”

With a final wave, Alex ventured out into the world, his heart ablaze with newfound hope and the promise of a future illuminated by the flames of his cannon. He was a misfit no longer, but a warrior, a friend, a survivor, forever marked by the fire that had illuminated his way back to the true path, whatever that may be.


PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Alex Reborn 1: Childhoodwinked
Alex Reborn 2: Misfit’s Cry

COMING SOON

Alex Reborn 4: Heart of Vengeance


Alex Reborn 2: Cry of the Misfit

Alex Reborn 2: Cry of the Misfit


Fear not, misfit. Fate has a plan for you in the end, and the future will know your name.

The sole survivor of the Izu massacre emerged from the depths of his cave, a boy reborn. The world that greeted him was a desolate canvas painted with the hues of death and destruction. His home, once a haven of laughter and love, was now a haunting reminder of the brutality that swept through his life.

The once vibrant village of Izu lay in ruins, its streets littered with the remnants of shattered lives. The silence was deafening, broken only by the mournful cries of carrion birds circling overhead. The corpses were so unrecognizable that he couldn’t even find the bodies of his parents.

With a heart heavy with grief but hardened by darkness, Alex wandered through the wreckage of his past, his young mind struggling to grasp the enormity of his loss. With nowhere to turn and no one to call his own, he ventured into the unforgiving wilderness, seeking solace in the embrace of nature.

The land, scarred by the Black Sun’s reign of terror, offered little sustenance and shelter. Driven by an instinct to survive, Alex honed his primal skills, learning to hunt and trap the elusive creatures that roamed the wilderness.

His body grew lean and wiry, hardened by the harsh elements. His hands, once the soft and delicate hands of a child, became calloused and strong, bearing the marks of his newfound struggle. His back hunched over as he imitated the prowl of night monsters. The boy who once played in the streets of Izu was now a feral creature, a survivor shaped only by twisted darkness and an unforgiving world.

Months turned into years, and Alex, now a young man, roamed the land, a solitary figure haunted by the ghosts of his past. Civilized folk wherever he found them, wary of his wild appearance, twisted back and haunted eyes, shunned him and treated him as an outcast.

One day, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows like knives across the darkening ground, Alex found himself drawn hopefully to a village. The flickering lights of homes and the sounds of laughter and conversation stirred a long-forgotten yearning within him.

With an anticipatory pounding in his heart, Alex approached the village, hoping to find acceptance and companionship among its inhabitants. But his hopes were soon dashed as the villagers, upon seeing his ragged appearance and feral demeanor, recoiled in fear and disgust. In the town square, onlookers called out to friends and family to join in the ridicule. Eventually, someone threw a stone and Alex was forced to withdraw when it struck his forehead.

Alex, his heart shattered once more, turned away from the village, sinking deeper into the abyss of despair. He climbed a nearby hill that overlooked the village, his eyes burning with tears of humiliation and rage.

As the sun dipped with finality below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold, Alex unleashed a primal cry, a guttural roar that echoed through the valley and chilled the bones of everyone in the village. It was a cry of defiance, a cry of rejection, the cry of a misfit who had finally accepted his place in a world that had no place for him.

From that day forward, Alex embraced his solitude, his misfit identity becoming his shield against the cruelty of the world. He vowed to never again rely on others for survival, for he was a creature of the wild, a survivor who had conquered the harshest of trials.

And so, Alex, the misfit, the survivor, the child of Izu, forged his own path in the unforgiving world, his spirit unbroken, his heart scarred but resilient, forever marked by the dark sun that had once threatened to extinguish his light. But his light would not be extinguished.

Legendary Alex!

COMING SOON:
Alex Reborn 3: Faith in Fire

PREVIOUS CHAPTER:
Alex Reborn 1: Childhoodwinked

Join the discussion in Discord

Eternal Paradox | The Bianca Chronicles 2: The Darkest Night

Eternal Paradox | The Bianca Chronicles 2: The Darkest Night


Rise in yer east and go set in yer west, through darkest night Captain Bianca knows best.

The torchlight flickered and danced upon the faces of the marauders, casting grotesque shadows that stretched and writhed upon the walls of Bianca’s beloved cottage. Fear gripped her youthful heart like an icy claw, but she remained crouched in the darkness, her eyes fixed on the pirate gang.

Desperate for a better vantage and some plan of attack, Bianca darted through the black to the side lawn of the cottage, where she could see, hear and smell the action through a well-lighted open window.

The pirates, their voices raucous and breath laced with the stench of rum, burst through the cottage door with weapons glinting menacingly in the firelight. Perkins and Clara stood defiantly before the pending onslaught.

With his weathered hands gripping the hilt of his old sword, Perkins spoke in a voice that trembled with age but not fear. “We knew you would come,” he said, his eyes unwavering. “We were ready.”

The pirates laughed — a harsh, mocking sound that echoed through the small cottage. “Ready to meet your maker, old man?” the leader sneered, his face obscured by a dark hood.

Perkins met the pirate’s gaze without flinching. “Ready to protect those we love,” he replied, his voice firm.

The jagged laughing response from the hooded man chilled Bianca’s soul. He took a full and indulgent cackle, then paused with a sigh and spoke plainly: “Where is the brat?”

Perkins’ words came out as a defiant curse: “The king left her in our protection, and she will never be yours.”

“Y’old fool,” replied the cold voice, “We only mean to kill her.” The band laughed heartlessly at this.

Clara, her frail form standing tall beside her husband, raised her hand, her palm glowing with an ethereal light. “You will not find her,” she said, her voice laced with magic.

The pirates, momentarily confused and stunned by Clara’s display of power, hesitated. But their hesitation was short-lived. With a wild roar, they lunged with weapons aimed at the old couple.

Bianca watched in horror as the pirates descended upon Perkins and Clara. She longed to rush to their aid, but her legs were frozen with fear, and she knew that Perkins wanted her to run. As he had reminded her so carefully less than an hour before, we run when the fight ain’t ready for us.

Perkins fought valiantly, sparks from his sword flashing in the dim light as six pirates fell by his hand, but he was no match for the overwhelming number of attackers. Clara, her defensive magic failing to hold back the tide of violence, collapsed to her knees with wide eyes full of rebellion and rage.

With a final desperate lunge, Perkins fell to the ground, his sword clattering away and blood pooling below him. The pirates turned their contorted faces to Clara.

“No!” Bianca screamed, her voice echoing through the night.

But her plea was too late. A pirate’s blade pierced Clara’s heart, and she slumped to the floor, lifeless. With one final heroic burst of energy, Perkins jumped to his feet and bound with impossible quickness to the corner where Bianca’s sabers were leaning against the wall. He picked them up and tossed them immediately out the window, knowing Bianca was there and issuing a blood-gurgling cry of “Flee, child!”

As she ran, Bianca’s world shattered. The old couple, who had been her surrogate parents, her confidantes, her friends, were gone, taken by the cruel hand of fate. The pirates gave chase, but she knew they would not catch her in the darkness. She knew the grounds too well to allow it.

A few minutes later the pirates had given up their chase. Tears streamed down her face as she watched from a distance as they ransacked the cottage, their greed insatiable. They took everything they could find — the precious trinkets Clara had collected over the years, the tools Perkins used for his fishing boat, even the food from their larder.

When the pirates finally left, the cottage was in ruins, its warmth and laughter replaced by an emptiness that echoed in Bianca’s soul. Then fire engulfed the cottage.

She stumbled off into the night, her legs weak and trembling. She smelled the sea, once a source of comfort and adventure, but it now felt vast and unforgiving.

She had lost everything she held dear. Her home, her family, her sense of security. All that remained was a burning desire for vengeance, a need to make the pirates pay for their crimes.

As she crept along behind the pirates, she fantasized about attacking. She wondered how many she could kill, but even if she could manage all of them, it was not enough. Bianca made a vow. She would become a pirate, a force to be reckoned with, a legend that would strike fear into the hearts of those who dared to cross her path. Only then could she manage the punishment that these wicked creatures deserved for their crimes.

She would never forget Perkins and Clara, and their sacrifice would not be in vain. She would use her skills, her knowledge, and her newfound determination to avenge their deaths and bring justice to the world.

The darkest night had arrived, but Bianca had faced it and survived. She would emerge from the shadows, stronger and more determined than ever before. The sea was hers, and she would make them all know it.


COMING SOON:
The Bianca Chronicles 3: Jumping Ship

PREVIOUS CHAPTER:
The Bianca Chronicles 1: The Sea is Yours

Join the discussion in Discord