RuneScape Forum Archive | Shorts, Fragments, and Verse

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Commentary: This story is currently featured in Aeraie's "The Emotion Anthology." You can find the QFC under "Recommended Reads." Check it out, there are some great writers over there! The idea behind this story is that it is supposed to depict an emotion or "feeling."
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Determination
“I'm sorry, madam,” the man in the hospital scrubs said. “There's just nothing we can do for him at this point.”
The woman slumped into a chair and stared through the window. “Are you sure?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“Yes, ma'am. We're completely positive. I'm so sorry,” he repeated.
The woman sighed, not even knowing what to think.
“Would you like to see him?” the man in the scrubs asked.
The woman nodded and stood. The man led her down the hall of the hospital to her husband's room. He paused in front of the closed door.
“I think you should be warned that he's in really bad shape,” he cautioned her.
She took a few deep breaths. “It's okay. I'm ready.”
The woman stepped into the room, getting a full view of the man lying comatose on the bed, his head and body wrapped in bandages, the life support system beeping away. She sat down in a chair next to the bed and took her spouse's hand. Sadness filled her eyes as she rubbed the large bulge in her midsection. She had only five weeks to go.
And unless something drastic happened, their daughter would never get to meet her father.
“Why us?” the woman muttered, shaking her head. “Why him?”

27-Apr-2012 03:11:50 - Last edited on 28-Apr-2012 01:32:22 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The man stepped into a pleasantly lit room with suits of armor standing against each of the green walls. A lone sofa sat against the far wall just to the left of the only other door. In it sat a smiling young man dressed in a black suit. He was deathly pale, yet handsome at the same time. He emanated an air of authority.
“Hello,” the young one greeted the man, never dropping his smile.
“W-where am I?” stuttered the man. “One minute I'm driving down the road, and the next, I'm here.”
The young man's smile broadened. “Ah, so many of them react that way,” he muttered to no one in particular. He stood, clearing his throat. “I suppose I should welcome you properly,” he said to the man. “Welcome to the Antechamber of Eternity.”
“The Auntie of what?” the man responded.
“You know, the Antechamber of Eternity. You'll deal with me before you proceed through that door,” the pale one forked a thumb over his shoulder, indicating the door behind him, “where you will be judged and escorted to your eternity.”
“Well, if I'm facing eternity, you must be–”
“Death. That's right,” the younger man completed the other's sentence, nodding to a shiny scythe leaning in the corner. “Although, I prefer 'Thanatos.' It sounds much more amiable.”
“But I'm not ready to die!” the man exclaimed.
The younger man rolled his eyes and sighed. “So few of them are,” he mumbled, shrugging off his topcoat. “Look,” he said pleasantly as he walked over and picked up the scythe, “we can do this the easy way. Just accept it; it won't hurt a bit.”
“No! I'm NOT dying today!” The man ran over and grabbed a sword from the grasp of a suit of armor.
The pale one sighed yet again. “Another one, eh? Fine.” He returned the scythe to the corner and retrieved a sword for himself. He took a few practice swings. "What is it you humans say? Oh, right: *en garde*.”

27-Apr-2012 03:12:05 - Last edited on 27-Apr-2012 03:40:03 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

They quickly closed the distance between them and immediately launched into a series of blows. Strike after strike was followed by parry after parry, interrupted every so often by a lightning-fast riposte or a surprise attack. The two men seemed to be evenly matched. Indeed, their fight could have lasted for all eternity had the younger one not landed a powerful blow to his guest's shin.
The man managed to drop to a crouch as the bone fractured. He stared up at his pale assailant.
“Now, you may drop your weapon. You've lost,” the pale man remarked, his eyes flaming with triumph.
“I won't quit," the other retorted. “I've got–”
“What?” the younger interrupted. “Too much to live for? Yeah, I hear that a lot.” He drew his pale face within inches of his guest's. "What are you thinking about right now? Your pregnant wife? I'm sure she'll never remarry; you can take some solace in knowing no one could ever take your spot in her heart,” he sneered. “Or are you thinking about your unborn daughter? Trust me, I've seen this enough to know that your wife will never be able to keep a handle on her if she starts acting out. I'm sure I'll claim your 'little girl' shortly after she begins abusing drugs to escape her teenage troubles. One overdose is all it takes.” He paused. His voice softened slightly. “Please, don't make this harder than it has to be. Give up now."
The pale man's eyes glistened coldly, digging into the other man's soul. Visions of the man's wife and daughter flashed into his mind. He thought for a minute; it was true: he *did* have too much to live for. Suddenly, waves of energy coursed through his body. He clawed his free hand and plunged his fingers into his adversary's eyes.
The young man howled and stepped back. “That's not-"
"What, fair?” his opponent growled, staggering to his feet. “We have a saying: 'life isn't fair.' I'm sure death is even less fair.” He raised his sword.

27-Apr-2012 03:13:56 - Last edited on 27-Apr-2012 03:41:34 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The younger man recovered his sight just in time to see the sword descend. A second later, his head rolled across the floor.
“Well!” the pale, disembodied head exclaimed as his body stooped down to collect it. “It was a bit underhanded, but I suppose you've won. I could continue to fight, but you've already put me terribly behind schedule.”
“So I'm free to go? That easily?” the man asked with his sword poised for another strike, a determined spark still in his eyes.
“For now," the pale man remarked. “Know that one day I WILL get you.”
The other man had already reached the door through which he had entered. He opened it, half-turned towards his adversary – the adversary of all men, and grinned. “Of course. We have another saying: 'there are only three unavoidable things in life: God, taxes, and death.' But for now, I'll live.” He turned and exited the room.
***
The woman sat in the hospital room clasping her comatose husband's hand. She started when she felt a slight squeeze. The man's eyes fluttered open as he turned his head toward his wife. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?” he asked.
They both smiled as they looked into the light of a brand new day.

27-Apr-2012 03:14:06 - Last edited on 27-Apr-2012 03:43:17 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Commentary: This is just something I recently whipped up. I hope you enjoy it.
---
Chronos
The writer sat down to compose
An epic tale of heroes.
And by the dancing candle-glows,
He began his task.
He wrote of lords and gallantry
And legends and the sights they see.
The protectors of the peasantry
Filled his prose.
He wrote of God and of age
Of love and of potent rage.
Each word on a page
Testified to his mastery.
Across the pages his quill flit,
Crafting a tale for a king befit.
He poured out his endless wits
On each and every page.
And when his plot had been fulfilled,
He grabbed the parchment and dropped the quill.
And as he stood, his voice rang shrill.
“I've finished it!”
Yet his life was not one of prosperity;
And as the days grew closer to eternity,
He began to lose vitality.
Slowly he became still.
Striking quicker than an asp,
The sands of time broke Life's weak grasp.
And as he gave his final gasp,
His parchment passed into immortality.

27-Apr-2012 03:14:21 - Last edited on 28-Apr-2012 01:23:32 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Commentary: This story was my entry for the April 2012 story competition ("The King is Dead!" ), earning me the position of 10th out of 13 entrants. Needless to say, there is always room for improvement.
---
Crown of Flame
The sun beamed through the trees, its golden rays caressing the green paradise. All was well – no - better than well in the Kingdom of Zephyr. Its beautiful citizens, birds of every kind, sang and glided through the immaculate treetops.
And then there was him: their king, Alrix. He was a beautiful bird, with a massive frame that seemed to emanate waves of sovereignty. His myriad of gold and red feathers covered nearly his entire body, ending just above the knee of each leg. The voice that came from his beak always was melodious and kind, yet full of power and dignity. He was the perfect king.
REX
The avian lord never failed to manifest compassion to his subjects. He would help the wrens build their nests before the howling bite of the winter storms. He often chatted amiably with the parrots as if he were not their king, but just another friend and guest. Whenever he passed the golden-feathered canaries, they would sing an ode to his incomparable glory. Alrix loved each of his subjects, and each loved him in return. He was something of an unconventional ruler because he was so friendly. Often times, the feathered villeins begged that they may serve him, yet Alrix's beak always curved into a radiant smile as he told them that it was the king's job to serve his people.
SERVUS
Eventually, an unholy group of seditious fowl decided that they had tired of Alrix's rule. They despised everything about him: his perfection, his amiability, his love. Led by Nefaron, the great dark bird, the group conspired against their ruler, secretly spreading propaganda and winning more allies to their side.

27-Apr-2012 03:14:32 - Last edited on 06-Jun-2012 02:01:25 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Clouds covered the sky like an endless gray ceiling, low enough that King Alrix, perched on the highest branch in Zephyr, could have lifted his beak and kissed the heavenly barrier. The feathered regent had just finished taking an audience with a group of starlings. He sat ensconced by his courtiers, all of whom bobbed their noble heads in approval as they congratulated their king.
“Excellent decision, my lord,” a macaw said, bowing.
“Your wisdom is glorious as always, Highness,” a sparrow chimed in.
Suddenly, Nefaron appeared with a group of his followers and fellow conspirators. His black feathers shook across his large frame as he took a mock bow for the king. His beaked curved into a wicked smile as he began to speak.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,” he said. His thrumming words were distinguished and deep, yet dripped with poison.
Alrix smiled. “I know why you're here,” he said pleasantly.
“Indeed,” Nefaron responded. “*Rex oportet perdidit.*” The king must be destroyed. It was the signal for his followers to begin their cruel attack on the citizens of the kingdom.
“Hold!” Alrix commanded, raising one of his beautiful wings in protest.
“Oh?” Nefaron inquired, his voice seething with both a desire for victory and an unbridled hatred. “What is it?”
“I know it is me you want,” the regent said. “I will turn myself over to you.”
“Indeed it is,” Nefaron responded, signaling his cohorts to cease their attack. “I wouldn't have killed the citizens of this kingdom. After all, there wouldn't have been anyone left for me to rule if I did.” The great dark bird's cawing laughter resounded through the trees. “Do you recall the tree that caught fire two days ago?” He didn't wait for an answer. “It still burns. Revolutionaries, victors, seize him and bring him there.”
The tree crackled in a scorching inferno, the flames licking the trunk and slowly destroying the great arbor. The winged company stood before it as the conspirators released the king from their grip.

27-Apr-2012 03:14:40 - Last edited on 28-Apr-2012 17:56:39 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“You need not throw me in by force,” Alrix sighed. “I do this for the good of my people.” With that, he gracefully flew into the blaze.
SACRIFICATIO
Although the great red bird was consumed by the fire very rapidly, Nefaron stayed and watched triumphantly. Slowly, Alrix was reduced to ash and memory. A peal of thunder crackled across the sky and rain began to fall, almost as if the heavens shouted their condemnation of the villain and wept for the fallen king.
Nefaron quickly flew to a high branch and called all citizens of the Kingdom of Zephyr to him.
“Serfs!” he barked, his voice completely losing its distinguished melody in his moment of triumph. “The fool Alrix is dead! I am your king, and I expect each and every one of you to serve me now! Bow to me! Bow to your new king!”
The feathered creatures of every kind sagged, burdened by sorrow. Some of them did not even try to mask their grief: they openly wept for the lord they had lost.
“At last!” Nefaron exclaimed. “I am triumphant!”
Suddenly, the blazing tree flared even brighter, the light creating a beautiful crystalline display on the falling raindrops.
“HOLD!” A melodious voice shouted, filled with the endless power and fury of heaven.
Every bird turned and looked at the tree. Rising from the pile of ash was Alrix, all ablaze, radiating light that drove every shadow away, his feathers a scintillating display of the regal red and gold. Alrix: King of Zephyr, the Phoenix.
IMPERATOR
Alrix, still flaming, soared upward toward Nefaron with a might never before witnessed in all of creation. Before the dark bird could react, the king struck him in the face with a blazing talon, burning his adversary and clawing open his dark visage.
Nefaron's shrill caw resounded through the forest as he staggered backwards.

27-Apr-2012 03:14:52 - Last edited on 28-Apr-2012 17:58:07 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“I AM KING.” Alrix's voice boomed with power as Nefaron staggered backwards along the bough once again, the words doing more damage that the talon had. “Now, you fiend, I banish you from my kingdom forever. Begone!”
Alrix lashed out at his adversary once final time, striking him across the chest and prompting him to flee immediately.
As the king saw the outline of the villain growing smaller in the distance, he turned to address his citizens. “You are forever freed of the bonds that Nefaron would put on you.” Every bird acknowledged his statement with a bow. “You have always been my people, my friends. I must depart now. Behold, I leave the kingdom in your hands. My will shall continue through each of you. Do it justice.”
“But what shall we do if Nefaron returns?” a wren questioned.
“Make no mistake, he will attempt to return,” Alrix said. “Not today, not tomorrow, but eventually, he will return. When he does, I shall return to retrieve you and destroy him once and for all. Now, I give you my blessing. I am your king, and I shall observe you and help you from afar, but I desire to see you continue to make the Kingdom of Zephyr great. Remember, my friends: I depart now, but I will return quickly.”
Alrix gave them one final smile, turned, and launched himself into the air, a fine mist rising when the rain touched his blazing avian body. As the birds watched their king become an illuminated speck on the horizon, they knew that all would be well in the end.
REX RESTITUTO, NUNC ET AETERNUM
FINIS

27-Apr-2012 03:15:00 - Last edited on 30-Apr-2012 23:48:33 by Yam42

Yam42

Posts: 1,134 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Commentary: I submitted my poem, "Chronos," to the Novelist's Guild for reviewing. They were kind enough to point out a few areas that needed fixing. This return to the poem is the result of those corrections.
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Chronos (Revisited)
The man sat down and began to write
An epic tale of heroes' might.
So by the glimmering candlelight,
He crafted his tale that very night.
He chronicled lords and gallantry
And great legends and the sights they see.
The protectors of the peasantry
Filled his prose with deeds of chivalry.
He wrote of God and of age,
Of love and of potent rage.
The words on every page
Made his skill easily gauged.
Across each page his quill flit,
Crafting a tale bit by bit.
He poured out his endless wits,
No detail would he omit.
And when his plot had been fulfilled,
He grabbed the book and dropped the quill.
So as he stood, he felt a thrill
Joined by his yell triumphant, shrill.
Yet his life was not one of prosperity;
And soon came the approach of eternity.
Thus was the ebbing of his vitality
Into the strong arms of the Divinity.
Striking much quicker than an asp,
The sands of time broke Life's weak grasp.
And as he gave his final gasp,
His pages passed into immortality.

27-Apr-2012 03:15:10 - Last edited on 03-May-2012 20:39:28 by Yam42

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