Volume 2 - Epilouge

Year of the Ram

13^th Proclamation of Lord Baal to the tribes of Pandemonium

             My dear Primerans, as your current lord it is my duty to inform you, to the best of my abilities, of all that impacts our way of life. You all may have been aware that the eldest of our fair community have sensed a great deal of change upon the lands of Ferus Mundus. This is due to a subtle weakening of the hold that the foul Black Hearts have on our world. For today is a day that deserves celebration. For on this day, I can share with you all that we are finally free of the legacy of the traitorous Styx.

            Our youngest generations may not be aware of the details, but allow me to remind you all that Styx was the most vile criminal in the history of our centuries old society. Styx and his accomplices attempted to destroy our way of life through deceit and manipulation. But fate was with us when we discovered Styx's lair, a place filled with all manner of dark arts, and exposed him for what he truly was, an apprentice to the Black Heart, Belphagor. His comrades, Wraith, of the ghost clan, and Ghast, a chimera and an apprentice to Black Heart Mammon. Have been reported to be no longer of this world.

           The ministry's connections to the ghost clan have reported that Wraith left for the human world of Earth months ago after over a century of banishment from our lands. He is now reported to have succumb to a final death, as his essence can no longer be felt by their tribe's elder. As for Ghast, we know this is true from our spies in the Necropolis where Mammon dwells that Mammon himself has destroyed the entire city in a fit of rage, screaming for the blood whoever has killed his “precious.” Mammon's own vile powers have waned, and the ministry has come to the conclusion that he may very well indeed become a target of the remaining Black Hearts so that they may expand their own territory. If Mammon should fall prey to one or more of his demonic brethren, then this will mark the second time a Black Heart has fallen in the time of the great city of Pandemonium.

              Forget not the forces unleashed upon us by the Hive Army lead by the Black Heart of Wrath, Daimon. Forget not how we met his forces head on and staved off the darkness attempting to swallow us whole. But most importantly, forget not his foolishness to destroy himself using his own power. Though his strength nearly destroyed us, he is now nothing but a memory with a poor excuse of an army still clinging on to the idea that he will lead them again. Remember all of this my fellow Primerans, so that you can look upon this new development and see how foolish these demons are, how they will all ultimately destroy one another and leave us as the lords of Ferus Mundus!

So, to celebrate this momentous occasion, the ministry and myself have decided to host a rare event, The Festival of the Hunt! To those who are not aware, The Festival of the Hunt is a sacred tradition hear in Pandemonium. It reflects the great trial of our ancestors, who used our ancient laws of honor and combat to determine which members of our clans would be strong and brave enough to face the most heinous lord of all the Black Hearts and emerge victorious, and as a result, founded our noble nation.

             The rules are simple, two teams of warriors will compete in the lands that border our city by hunting one another until at least one team member remains. Though we must always endeavor to show compassion and honor, those wounded in combat or unable to continue the hunt will be withdrawn and treated in a display sportsmanship. The winning team will meet with myself and the rest of the ministry in private to discuss what they would desire most, and the ministry will grant it. However, the ministry wishes for this to be a special festival like no other. So we have decided that this Festival of the Hunt will only permit entries from outsiders. We shall show the rest of Ferus Mundus the greatness of our nation by offering a chance for them to see our generosity and benevolence through this most momentous event.

              So rest well our children. For in the coming days we will be revealing to you all of the proud warriors who have come from far and wide to participate. Until then, we ask that you offer thanks to whomever it may be that has rid our world from the likes of Wraith and Ghast. I ask you to all raise your glasses high this evening to salute the noble soul that has vanquished a great darkness that tried so desperately to destroy our way of life. It is to you, warrior, that I offer my thanks, wherever you may be.

Episode 10: Something Wicked... - Part 5

September 19^th 1995

              So here we are, after the longest night of our lives, we are still here. Well, all but one of us. Trying to explain the events of the last several hours is what I need right now. I need time to be alone, to process. After Blue, Meryle, and I made it on to the roof of the house, we saw a red colored light emitting from inside the tower. Shortly afterwards, the entire tower began to collapse and I felt my heart sink down into my gut. Seeing that strange red light immediately made me feel sick, and yet, it also felt nostalgic, as if I had see it before. Blue had changed back into human form and watched the tower crumble as well. He pointed out that the walking corpses were falling apart and stopping their advance, as well as Meryle's complete recovery. It was then that I knew that Ghast was gone, but I worried at what cost.

               We continued to watch the tower fall to pieces and sink back into the earth, leaving nothing in its place but a mound of dirt and old bones. The creatures that Ghast had summoned seemingly just disappeared completely into the ground as well. Within minutes of the dust finally settling, we had our first sign of what had happened. Monster was flying towards us holding an unconscious Ani. He landed at the base of the house and we went down to find out what was going on. Of course I could have been more concerned for Monster, but truthfully I didn't give a rat's ass about him. I was “direct” of course and asked what happened to Ani. With his typical arrogance, he quickly shrugged it off and explained that Ghast was gone for good, but for a terrible price. Wraith gave his life to kill Ghast.

                Monster went on to explain that both he and Animal fought hard to help Wraith, but in the end, Wraith was forced to transform into a something called a “poltergeist” a creature that was all but immune to Ghast powers. The battle was apparently brutal, but according to Monster, Wraith had to destroy himself to finally defeat Ghast, the massive red light we saw. I asked why Animal was unconscious, and Monster replied that Ani attempted to shield him from the blast that was created when Wraith destroyed his own body. Ani was apparently knocked unconscious by the debris. The moment Ghast was no longer alive, the tower began to fall apart and both Monster and Animal fell towards the ground below. Monster continued to explain that he used what little strength he had left to forcefully heal his wounds and fly away, but not before rescuing Animal from falling.

           At the time, I simply excepted Monster's story, but now, I think he's full of shit. He's hiding something, but what I can't say. Monster said that the red light was a result of Wraith basically suicide bombing Ghast into pieces, but that light, it didn't feel like it came from Wraith. Reading this aloud makes that last line sound incredibly stupid, but I have no other way of explaining it. I'm not saying that Wraith isn't gone, even Animal confirmed it. When Ani did wake up, the first thing he asked about was if Wraith was okay... But we had to tell him. He didn't believe it at first, the poor thing wailed and sobbed for hours, saying that we were lying. It was Monster that snapped him out of it by explaining that his tears were insulting to what Wraith did for them. Monster told Ani that everything Wraith did would be for nothing if he continued to wallow in, as he put it, “...a pathetic way to remember a warrior...” Even though I hate to admit it, Monster was right. But I still believe that he's a lying sack of crap.

              As I said before, the red light didn't make me think of Wraith when I saw it, it felt foreboding, kind of like when I knew I did something bad as a kid, and that if my father found out he would beat the white clean off my ass. It felt like something was coming for you, something that you feared so much that your world was going to end if it caught hold of you. In the following days I tried to talk to Masters and Meryle about it but each of them gave me two very different responses. Masters claimed that he felt nothing when the red light occurred, but I've decided that after whatever Cain had did to him that he was lucky to feel anything anymore. As for Meryle, when I asked her about it, she said that it she doesn't remember how she felt, just that it was “bad.”

              On a different note, I'm sure Masters would like me to forget about what Meryle said last night. But I'm not going to. Meryle claims that my father's cat, Pumpkin, saved her after I was knocked unconscious when boarding up the back doors. When I woke up and Blue was helping me to my feet, I saw that pink flame for the second time. I haven't forgotten what happened that day when Cain's monsters abducted me and brought me to the Dynatech lab. I still remember when I was trapped in Cain's office, and that right before I blacked out, I saw that damn cat peering at me on the window sill, that was hundred feet off the ground, and when I woke up, pink flames, everywhere. I can't talk to anyone about this, they would think I've snapped. But after dealing with an army of mutants, a wolf man, a dragon, a ghost, a man who can turn into a metal bug, and a skeleton that can control the dead, I suppose a cat who can fly and breath pink fire is well in the realm of plausibility. But what it wants I'm not sure. I'll be keeping an eye on her regardless. But for now, it's Ani that I'm afraid needs the most attention. He's shut off and won't talk to anyone, not even me. The clothes my dad gave him got trashed in the fight with Ghast, so I decided to make him some new ones with what little my old man and taught me about sewing. I found some old patterns in the attic and Meryle said she would like to help too, more bonding time I suppose.

              Monster hasn't been seen in days and I assume he's lurking in the woods. Though I still hate his guts, I don't believe he means us any harm, after all, Ghast is gone, and as far as I know, the only thing between us and some sense of a “normal” life is the Grim Virus. We have only a few months left now... Christ, when does it end?

Episode 10: Something Wicked.... - Part 4

           Ghast's was ruined, his powers were suppressed by the foul aura of the beast and he lay battered and broken before it. At this point my lord's muscles were now clearly visible and were starting to tear apart, his eyes could no longer see the what was happening, and could only writhe in agony, his screams filling the night air. But for all his pain, he clung to anything that could allow him to perceive what would happen next. He muffled his screams to listen, listen to the final words of his half-brother. “You hid yourself so deep, Styx... So deep inside the flesh of this cheap imitation... Your will has become great indeed... So great that it drowns out my own power... This beast is your will, your successor... What hell have you uncovered in that vile lab of yours... What have you unleashed unto this world?... Our savior will never allow it... Bestia Custos will return, and your legacy will know a pain infinitely greater than mine! Hahahaha-”

            Ghast's final words filled my lord with a renewed sense of dread, “...Our savior... Bestia Custos...” Though not known by younger Primerans, the story of the Bestia Custos is well known by elders. Younger Primerans are not told this tale, as it spreads ideals that many Primerans find to be harmful to our society. As told to me by my clan's elder when I was a child, the Bestia Custos, also known as the Animal Keeper, was a being that came to Ferus Mundus during our darkest age thousands of years ago when Primerans were little more than slaves and soldiers to our ancient primordial progenitors. Each Primeran tribe member can trace his or her lineage back to a single monstrous being. These creatures, known simply as the Primeran gods, were colossi who waged constant battles with one another. They sired armies of lesser beings who would become modern Primerans to fight for them and spread their territory and influence. We were all bound to the will of our clan's own respective god, all but one. There is no true description for him, some say he clothed himself to hide his identity, others say that he appeared as he wished to better appeal to those he preached to. But all agreed on what to call him, the Animal Keeper, he who watches over all of us.

             The name, Bestia Custos, is the name given to the Animal Keeper in the old tongue, the first language Primerans inherited from humans in the early days of our contact with them. Regardless of which of the two names used, they referred to the same individual. The Animal Keeper, as described by the clans most oppressed in the dark times, was said to have power equivalent to even the gods themselves, and strove to free our kind from its cruel parentage, that after years of trying to convince the clans to rise up against their sires, he eventually sacrificed himself by using all his power to guide the gods into the depths of the Primeran underworld, where they would sleep for eternity under his watchful gaze, protecting Primerans forevermore from their tyranny. There are those who believe that the Animal Keeper would return if the balance of the Ferus Mundus was ever thrown into disarray. Alternatively, the clans who were the most dominant during the dark ages have come to view the legend as a tale of the consequences of acting against what is considered to be the natural order. To some, the Animal Keeper was a Primeran who could not change his cruel fate, and embraced a cursed darkness that turned him into a monster that destroyed the old ways and reduced the once dominant clans who had fought and died for their place in the world to being no better than those they once considered weaker than themselves. So it came to be that “he who watches over all of us” could be used to described a protector to some, and an all powerful oppressor to others.

            Why is it then that Ghast would mention such a thing? For Ghast to describe the Bestia Custos as a “savior” would imply that he believed in the side of the tale that the Animal Keeper was a liberator. Though it is true that the Rats were always supporters of the “savior” version of the legend, the truth is that he served a Black Heart, beings that would loath to have a god powered revolutionary against them. Despite his current concerns for Ghast's words, in that moment all of his thoughts were drowned out by the immense pain coursing through every inch of his body coupled with Ghast's insidious laughter, though it would not be for long.

           It was then in mid cackle, that my master forced his eyes open to witness the end of Ghast. From how he describes it, Ghast was lifted into the air by the beast, who flooded his body with its crimson tendrils of blood. Red light burned through through every nook and cranny of Ghast's frame until his body erupted into a red mist from the sheer force of the beast's roar annihilating Ghast into oblivion. Though it was over quickly, it seemed almost too quick of an ending to the terror that had haunted my lord's family for over a century. It was then that my lord was left alone with the beast, who had no one left to dispense its furious rage upon, no one but him. But the beast did not turn on him, instead it bellowed another roar skyward and enveloped itself in a whirling maelstrom of crimson light and bloody lashing tendrils. With Ghast's death, his influence was undone, and the tower he created quickly crumbled beneath my lord's feet... Or did it not need Ghast's presence to remain, and instead crumbled beneath the weight of the beast's own tremendous power? Regardless, both the beast and my lord fell into the dark depths of the tower, falling deeper into darkness.

           Though it is apparent from my writing that both my lord and Animal survived their fall, my master wishes to leave the particulars of their survival and Animal's recovery a mystery. Though I am unsure of why this is, I will respect his wishes. Afterall, if it were not for him and Animal, my brother and I would have lost all we hold dear, but that is a story best suited for another time.

Episode 10: Something Wicked... - Part 3

           My master insisted that I never refer to the beast as Animal, for it displayed not even the slightest inclination that he was in control. In an instance the beast disappeared from their sight, and then immediately reappeared hovering above Ghast and delivered a blow with such force that he was sent straight through the floor of the tower's apex, but one attack was not nearly enough to satisfy the beast. Bloody tendrils had latched onto Ghast's skeletal frame when the first attack was made. Though Ghast fell into the darkness below the tower, ruby ribbons tethered him to the beast and was quickly pulled back up wards towards the demon. Ghast, still gripping his weapon, attempted to shield himself with the massive blade as the bloody steams pull him back to his attacker. But with not hesitation the beast threw another burning fist as Ghast came sailing back to him and shattered the weapon into nothing but vapor and dust, still making contact with its intended target.

           As the beast continued to assault Ghast, my master struggled in agony as the mere presence of the beast caused his body to rend itself apart slowly. Though his flesh boiled and his very bones burned, he continued to watch. He had to see it, he had to witness the death of the immortal stain of his family. The assault was never ending and Ghast was powerless to stop it. His fabled abilities were no longer at his beck and call, the power of the beast was so great that it could suppress the power of even the Black Heart. The beast continued to strike and retrieve Ghast back to it like a game human children have been know to play with a wooden paddle attached to a ball with elastic string. The speed at which this wicked game took place was so fast, that it appeared as if the beast was striking with multiple arms, and Ghast was little more than a green streak zipping back and forth, the walls of the tower erupting at random, but in fact were the high speed impacts of Ghast striking the surface and then sailing back to the beast.

           The beast soon ceased its barrage, laying Ghast's smoking body at its feet. His bones burning red from the friction of his high speed impact with the surrounding structures. Grasping at the beast's feet, Ghast pulled himself towards the demon. “I still live... I have been given a gift... You can't take a life that doesn't even belong to me anymore. Lord Mammon owns me, body and soul. Do your worst!” The beast lunged its claws clean into Ghast's left shoulder, penetrating his bones, and for the first time in over a century, Ghast howled in pain. The beast raised him to eye level as Ghast screamed, unable to comprehend how such a thing was possible. The beast then grasped Ghast's right arm and flooded his bones with the bloody appendages. Ghast looked on in horror as his arm burned away into nothing but red vapor.

           It was at this point in my lord's tale that I was reminded of a verse from an ancient Primeran text, “That which is not dead, with eternity may lie. But with strange aeons, even death may die.” This quote meant little to me as a child, but now I have come to understand the truth in its words. Existence must be filled with beings that we could never hope to comprehend, entities so terrible and powerful they contradict all that we have come to know. The beast, whatever it is, is nothing known to Ferus Mundus or Earth. Why it slumbers in Animal is a mystery that my master has confessed he hopes no one ever solves. If it where his will, knowledge of the beast would cease to exist, and Animal be given a life free of anyone foolish enough to go looking to coerce that devil from within him.

              With pain flooding his mind for this first time since his flesh was stripped from his bones, Ghast could have only been left in a moment of disillusionment and insanity. This was a being who knew no pain, no death for a time long enough for him to forget that most basic of sensations, fear. The thought that death, true death was upon him must have been maddening. But he would not know death so quick, for the beast was not done, not satisfied. The beast's bloody tendrils burrowed themselves into every crevice they could find among Ghast's skeletal frame. Then, as if by the beast's will alone, raised him from the ground and then quickly embedded his body into the floor. The beast bellowed and then dragged Ghast through the floor tearing across the crystalline matter. Shards of the tower were scattered throughout the apex and the beast continued to plow through the tower's structure with Ghast's body. Pieces of the tower began to shatters and collapse under its own weight from the loss of material. 

            
        When the beast had enough, Ghast once again layed at its feet, his body now penetrated by hundreds of sharp pieces of debris. Was this spite? Did the beast abuse Ghast the same way he had harmed Animal? Was Animal somehow still there, deep inside the beast? Or was something else in control, fighting back to protect Animal? If so, then for what purpose? As I've stated, my master wishes I refrain from ever associating Animal with the beast, but I can't help but wonder. For what purpose does it exist and for how long can something presumably more powerful than the Black Hearts survive without drawing attention.

            To my knowledge, there are only two who even know of the beast's existence, my master and I. To think that such a being exists and that the two of us must bear the burden of this knowledge with us until either we perish or the beast reveals itself to others. I know that my master would wish to never encounter the beast again, as its very presence seems to unravel Primeran flesh, almost as if denying its right to exist. For as of this moment, I am convinced that Animal, though a kind and honorable soul, has more than a body that shelters a beast, it is the temple of a cruel and angry god.

Episode 10: Something Wicked... - Part 2

Year of the Ram – Sixth Entry

            Its was not my decision to cease my last entry. My lord was very clear that I was to never document the events that followed Wraith's demise. He believes that if anyone were to know the truth about what transpired, then all of Ferus Mundus would suffer a terrible fate. I asked many times, as I had to know how my master and Animal managed to survive their encounter with Ghast. Eventually, my master came to me in the night, he was distraught and looked as if he was plagued by a heavy burden. I begged him to tell me what caused him such grief. He explained to me that he has been ravaged by horrible nightmares of what transpired, that every night he saw the same scene over and over again. I swore an oath to my master to never speak to anyone of his troubles, but instead he asked that I take again to the pen and record his tale. It was his hope that by telling his tale he could seal away the nightmares that haunted him. So it was that my master told me of how the world came to be rid of Ghast.

           Ghast had begun to approach my master and Animal, who was on the verge of death after being bombarded with shrapnel and bleeding profusely. My master tried to shield Animal away, but Ghast would not be denied his vengeance and used his power to draw the barely conscious Animal into this grasp. Ghast griped Animal by the neck with a single golden hand and thrust his weapon clean through Animals body with no hesitation, as if he had done so infinity before. He then repelled his body far across the apex of the spire until his lifeless body landed in a wet thud upon the ground. Animal lay in a pool of his own blood with no sign of life.

            Ghast turned back towards my master, who stood in horror of the lack of emotion behind Ghast's actions. My master tried endlessly to move his body, to jolt his frame into moving, standing, running! But he could not, his body had surrendered to the inevitability of death well before his mind had. “Good, accept it. You should be the one to submit over the others. Wraith and Styx deserved to die struggling in vain, but you... You deserve a death that you accept. When you see him, tell father that I have avenged her, tell him that justice is ours. Will you do that for me, brother? Will you die for me so that father can rest in peace-” Ghast stopped speaking. He noticed that my lord was not listening, nor was he watching. My master's gaze was drawn elsewhere, across the tower, to where a nightmare was about to be born.

            There was something that my lord could sense that Ghast could not. He turned towards where Animal lay and could see nothing but the wolf lying in shallow pool of his own blood. But my lord's attention was absolute, he described the feeling as though his soul was being swallowed whole by some unseen force, whose presence alone seemed to render his own existence insignificant. To put it another way, it was as if something large and terrible filled the entire apex of the tower and whose presence seemed to be erasing his own. My lord believes that Ghast could not sense this presence due to the loss of his Primeran body. Ghast only lives through the power of Mammon, whose greed is so strong that it would not allow Ghast to die. Therefore, Ghast uses his own powers, gifted to him by Mammon, to perceive the world around him, and seeing as though he could not anticipate this new presence, he could not feel the immense sense of danger that was rapidly approaching.

           Though he could not sense it, Ghast knew that my lord's reaction was genuine and quickly motioned towards Animal's body. He took but only a few paces towards Animal's lifeless frame before he noticed it. Ripples, ripples in the blood emanated from Animal's body in a rhythmic pattern. One two, one two, one two. Over and over again, speeding in intensity until both heard it, a heartbeat. So strong was it and so deafening the sound that my lord clutched his ears to shut out the noise. The force of the beating cracked the ground beneath Animal and spattered his blood across the floor. Animal's entire frame convulsed with the force of each beat as if something was attempting desperately to enter this world from inside his own body.

           Ghast made several attempts to advance towards Animal, but the force of each convulsion pushed him backwards. Ghast attempted to use his powers to draw himself towards Animal, but nothing happened, as if his own power had pushed itself way down inside of him for fear of being consumed by this monstrous force. Then, almost as soon as it had begun, all was silent. Ghast turned towards my master and spoke to him, but he could not respond. My lord lay upon the ground, barely conscious and writhing in pain. His flesh seemed to be burning, but upon closer inspection, was tearing itself apart. Ghast then noticed a wisp of vapor trailing from himself. Raising his hand, he could see that what ever was affecting my master, was happening to what remained of his body as well.

           Ghast stopped, as if he finally could feel what my lord was sensing before. “So, you really are here. I felt you, but could not see you. Let us face one another as equals, as we did once before-” These were the only discernible words that my master could make out. For as Ghast turned, hoping to see a familiar face, he instead was greeted by something no one could have expected. Animal barely stood where he was laying, his body seemed to dangle like a puppet attached to strings. Streams of crimson blood trailed from his wounds, but instead of running to the floor, they acted as a series of multitudinous limbs, each one ending in a clawed hand, reaching and grasping at the air around them. Animal's head rolled forward to reveal large blood stained eyes and elongated teeth and claws, all glowing with a crimson light. This thing, this demon, let loose a roar that shook the very tower upon which held them. A maelstrom of bloody streams spiraled about the creature and filled the tower with a ruby glow that surely was seen for miles.

Episode 10: Something Wicked... - Part 1

Memory File: 0020

Time: 12:00 A.M.

           I suppose if there was ever a time to make a recording its now. The last wave of the creatures has stopped advancing. To think that there are this many people who have died in this valley, its practically the middle of nowhere. Though Kate did mention there were several generations worth of native inhabitants to this land. The truth is, the creature are not strong, but their numbers are so staggering that it makes keeping them away from Kate's home all the more difficult. I've almost been transformed for three hours now and that is definitely the longest that I've ever have done so. I feel like I'm reaching my limit and I can tell that more are coming. I want use my stronger weapons, but I can't. Ghast keeps sending these things from the direction of the city. I have no idea the damage that I might cause if a unleash that kind of power towards them.

Strange, the creatures have been very consistent, but now have suddenly stopped. Its almost as if something has diverted Ghast's attention. I guess I should hope that its a good sign. Aside from that, I'm still bothered by the events of the last hour or so. During the last wave of corpses, a large number of them managed to circle around and reach the back of the house. I was too preoccupied and had no idea they were there. They began to break in through the back windows and there were certainly enough to break down the door. Kate tells me that she tried to brace the door as best she could in an attempt to protect Meryle, who was still unconscious at the time. Unfortunately, Kate was struck from behind by something that smashed clean through the door. The blow knocked her unconscious momentarily, but just long enough for her to not recall the events that immediately transpired.

            I knew something was wrong when I heard the explosion, and I quickly headed towards the house. A large piece of the back wall where the door had been was blow outwards, the bodies of multiple creatures were scattered everywhere, including one hulking brute, the one that sucker punched Kate through the door no doubt. The creatures were clearly blown away from the house by something. Though the only clue as to what happened were several small flames that glowed with a pink hue. I immediately helped free Kate from beneath some of the rubble, she was unhurt, though definitely shaken. She had no recollection of what happened and was quite furious when she saw a good portion of her wall missing. Meryle was awake and seemed better, but still clearly sick form the bite she received earlier. Her conditioned only added to my assumption that somehow Ghast was either weakening, or choosing to focus himself on something else.

            Kate continued to demand what happened, but I couldn't explain. Meryle, struggled to get our attention and claimed that she saw everything. She said that the cat was responsible. Her speech was weak and at first I assumed she was merely struggling to find the right words or that her speech was impeded by the strange illness she was infected with. There was really no time to continue the discussion, as getting the two of them to safety was more important. I helped Kate to her feet and took Merlye onto my back. As we moved upstairs to higher ground, Meryle began insisting that the cat saved her and Kate and we shouldn't leave her behind. I looked back and the large orange cat that I saw earlier in the evening was waddling up the stairs and huffing along the way. Had the situation not been so dire, I would have laughed. Meryle simply smiled and said “Thank you, Pumpkin...” as the cat passed by. I thought nothing of it, but Kate's face showed signs of shock and even fear, especially when Meryle mentioned the cat's name.

           Kate guided me into the attic where we were able to access the roof through and old opening that was once a sun roof her father had remodeled several years ago into an easy way to access the roof. We gazed out into the vast wilderness that surrounded Kate's home and could see that no more of the creatures were advancing. Ghast's tower loomed in the distance and we could see a golden light emanating from the top. Kate drew out a knife that she had on her person and began to eye the cat that had tagged along with us. I found it odd just how well the cat knew it was best to stay with us, but Kate had other ideas in mind. Her following conversation with Meryle was, odd, to say the least.

Meryle? Could you tell me again what you saw earlier. I know your tired kiddo, but I really want you to tell me.

Pumpkin saved us, you were hit from behind, the monsters came in, and Pumpkin made them go away.

How? How did she make them go away?

She just looked at them. Then they were on fire. She made the big one pop too. That's what broke your house. I'm sure she's sorry about it.

Kate, she's had a hallucination. She's still sick, remember? For all you know one of those things was covered in some flammable substance that ignited.

One problem with that theory; how did she know the cat's name? I never told her.

           Our strange mystery came to an end, however, when our attention was drawn to the tower. A crimson light erupted from inside the structure. Whatever it was, it was powerful enough to shake the earth below, as we felt the effect miles away on top of the house. Kate looked pale, almost as if she knew that something horrible had just happened, that some new nightmare was unleashed.

Episode 9: Stand Proud - Part 5

            Wraith had now become a beast, whose ferocity and lust for destruction was aimed solely upon Ghast. The assault on Ghast was relentless as Wraith cast him about the tower's apex like a rag doll. The poltergeist's speed was uncanny for its size, and Ghast could do nothing but defend. Ghast's attention was so fixated on warding off blow after blow that his power to hold Animal pinned to the emerald throne had weakened. Animal managed to free himself and rushed over to my master offering aid. After my lord rejected his assistance, Animal was left in awe at the sight of just how quickly the battle had turned around in their favor and gazed upon the creature that was pummeling Ghast relentlessly. With a renewed sense of hope, victory seemed as though it was only moments away. But the aspiration in Animal's eyes quickly diminished when he failed to get my lord to join him in his premature celebrations. My lord explained to Animal that what Wraith had become was no longer Wraith at all, that the entity known as Wraith ceased to exist when this new beast was born. To make matters worse, even if the poltergeist was capable of destroying Ghast, it would turn on them next.

            Unfortunately, Animal would not have to fear his former teacher delivering the same punishment to him, for as he stood there in disbelief, refusing to accept the loss of his mentor, the poltergeist was suddenly sent skyward in a flash of golden light. The beast came crashing down into the tower sending shards from the structure flying in all directions, but mostly towards my master. He shielded himself by turning away and shutting his eyes, but he knew well that the debris would be not only be painful, but potentially fatal in his wounded condition. Though when sound of the crash had quelled and the last bits of crystal had settled, he felt no pain, though expect for the wound Ghast had dealt from before. He turned back towards where the poltergeist fell and was in shock of what he saw. Animal had shielded him, his body littered with dozens of pieces of emerald shrapnel, his crimson blood draining from the wounds.

            No matter how loud or how much my lord called out to Animal demanding why he did use his powers to shield himself, he received no response from the wolf. Animal's eyes were vacant, and what little life was left in them was quickly fading away. The poltergeist slowly began to writhe on the ground, slowly returning to life as Ghast approached from the distance, his body now enveloped in golden light. Though a midst the chaos as my master tried to revive Animal and take refuge, he could still here Ghast's voice thundering through the night air. “You think me so weak that I cannot fell a beast such as this!? You think so little of my power that you can just swallow me in darkness!? My master birthed me in darkness, and it was my salvation!” The golden light that enveloped his body slowly drained into the hand that wielded his massive blade. The weapon became iridescent and blinded my lord as he tried to shield Animal from whatever was about to happen next.

              Ghast leaped into the sky and thrust his weapon down towards the beast that Wraith had surrendered his very life to become. The poltergeist reared its head towards the falling Ghast and opened its maw wide as if to swallow him whole, but in the mere moment before Ghast fell into its jaws, the power stored in his weapon exploded down into the beast's gapping frame and flooded it with the power of Ghast's own tangible avarice. His power burst outwards from within the creature, shattering the darkness that composed it. Ghast tumbled down into the creature's body as it screamed an unearthly death cry. The creature soon lay still, its body slowly turning a golden color when soon it was at last no more than a golden monument that lay upon the ground where it was cast down. The golden statue then cracked and exploded into dust from the inside out. Golden lights spiraled into the air and obscuring my lord's sight, and when it all was done, Ghast remained, unharmed, and glaring at him. “I tire... I have never used my power as I have done this day. I thank Wraith for that. I thank him for allowing to see just how powerful my master has made me. Tell him for me, tell him your struggle was in vain after you both have died by my golden hands.”

Episode 9: Stand Proud - Part 4

            Animal was the first to try and avenge his comrade by leaping towards Ghast with teeth and claws ready to exact justice upon him. But again, it was all in vain, Ghast caught Animal by the throat and cast him into the emerald throne he had originally had been perched upon. But Animal did not merely fall to the ground upon colliding with the pillar, Ghast sought to keep him out of play by using his powers to simultaneous pin him to the emerald throne with a shard of crystalline debris , skewering Animal through the shoulder, leaving him to dangle from it, unable to heal his wounds or avenge his compatriot.

             My lord stayed vigilant, though he was unable to move and remained collapsed on bent knees. Ghast motioned towards Animal, still writhing and desperately attempting to free himself. “You should relax, Styx... My dear brother will not die just yet. He will live to witness the end of you and your vile accomplice. Isn't that right?... Wraith?” Wraith stood motionless, eyeing Ghast like prey even though it was clear who the predator really was among them. “That's quite the hateful gaze, Wraith. Are you calculating how you will save your comrades? Are you so desperate that you will deny to yourself the false sense of hope that you have?” Wraith replied, “I don't blame you for what you've done, Ghast. In truth, I am, in part, responsible for what has happened to you. But make no mistake, you take your vengeance out on the wrong Primerans. Animal is not Styx, I don't understand how you cannot see it. You must know that Styx died long ago. He was executed by the Zodiac Ministry, I was there, I saw his head roll when the guillotine fell. You have no reason to do this!”

              Ghast turned towards Animal, still struggling in vain to free himself. “It is true. I know that what my eyes see is indeed not the same wolf that betrayed me, and yet... Do you not feel it? Do you not hear it? The beating of a Black Heart. Belphagor's Heart. The power of the Sloth King echos from within him. He inherited the same vile darkness that Styx once wielded. Belphagor has chosen this mutt to succeed his will as an apprentice, just as Mammon had chosen me. So yes, I know that he is not Styx, but the power remembers. It holds in it a small remnant of each apprentice that has wielded it in the past. So to do I feel it in me, each of the poor souls who were given Mammon's dark gift and eventually fell. He is not Styx, but what little of him remains in this world I will extinguish!” Ghast moved with a great determination towards Animal, his weapon ready to enact a harsh, but misguided revenge.

            “Then you doom yourself to relieve this nightmare over and over again!” Wraith bellowed. “ If what you say is true, then once Animal is slain, then the powers given to him will only eventually be bestowed upon another! Styx will remain in this life no matter how many times you cut down a heir to Belphagor's power!” Ghast stopped in his tracks and turned to Wriath once more. If his skeletal visage could have contorted into a smile, he would have done so with great glee. “How little you know, old friend. The barrier between this world and ours strong, so strong that our kind can never bring with us the same degree of power we wield in our homeland. You know this, as well as my fool of a brother. When you two first came to this world you may not have noticed it, but in time you must have come to realize that you were weaker than you once were. The physical laws of our world or in contrast to those of this one, and so, we are weaker here. But for me, I am cut off from my master. I can not feel him nor hear him. I know that if I were to perish here, my essence would not return to my master without my will to guide it. Mammon would be perpetually weakened, forever losing the degree of power he has given me. But it will not be my master who suffers, it will be his. Belphagor will permanently lose a portion of his strength, and when the other Black Hearts learn of it, they will descend upon him and destroy everything he has built. His people, his legacy, everything to his name will disappear! The power that Styx wielded will be gone forever! Then, and only then will my vengeance be complete!”

            Wraith must have been unsure of what frightened him most. Was it fear for the future of Ferus Mundus if Ghast's prediction came to pass? Or was it the truth buried deep in his soul that he would have to make the ultimate sacrifice if he wanted a chance to stop him. Either way, my lord believes at the very least that Wraith did what he felt was right, even if he made his decision for a reason as selfish as trying to redeem himself to his friends. As Ghast approached Animal ever closer, a deafening sound echoed across the tower's apex, the sound of a large object crashing to the floor. Ghast turned quickly back towards Wraith, but he was nowhere to be seen, only the massive lock that he carried upon his back remained, embedded in the crystalline floor from its sheer weight. Ghast said not a word as he approached cautiously. He branded his weapon as he moved closer and closer to the metallic construct. Then, without warning, and with speed he had never anticipated, Ghast was grappled by a hideous and massive black hand that erupted from within the key hole on Wraith's lock. The clawed appendage was composed of what appeared to be a liquid darkness. So large was it, that it clenched around Ghast's entire frame and raised him into the air. The hand came crashing down and implanted Ghast firmly into the floor leaving my lord and Animal to stare on in awe.

           When the dust cleared, Ghast was struggling under the weight of the dark hand and tried to repel himself away using his powers. But it was futile, for the darkness continued to pool out from within the lock and amassed itself into a terrible creature. Its face was that of a distorted human skull, its body a chitinous elongated appendage, like that of a snake, and all supported by two arms that ended in massive claws, one of which pinning Ghast to the floor with a strength that the human world had forgotten long ago and only remained in nightmares. 

       
            The creature that had emerged from within the lock Wraith carried was described to me, by my lord, as a poltergeist. This rare creature was once said to be members of the ghost clan who chose to no longer carry their sins from their past lives and instead allow themselves to be consumed by them. The “ghosts,” as many Primerans have come to call them, are humans who decided to settle in Ferus Mundus during the Primeran retreat from Earth centuries ago. But humans lead such short lives compared to us, and when their existence came to an eventual end, Ferus Mundus gave them new life. When a human dies on Primeran soil, the body quickly turns to bone and dust, just as we do. But for humans, their bones are absorbed by the earth, and in time, a ghost resembling the human will appear. The ghosts seem to have little to no memory of their past lives, or what they have experienced beneath the surface of Ferus Mundus. But all return with two distinct features, a mask resembling a human skull is fixated to their faces, as well as a padlock and chains attached to them. The size of the lock is believed to be related to the misdeeds the human committed in life. Considering the size of the lock Wraith carried, he must have been a human of great cruelty, and yet, he was so willing to abandon his second chance at life by allowing his own sins to swallow him whole for even a small chance to save his comrades.

             The poltergeist beast can range in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all maintain similar abilities. They each have the power become completely invisible to the senses and can move several objects at once when doing so. They are tremendously strong and nigh invulnerable to all techniques and weapons known to Primeran warfare. In fact, only a few have ever been considered defeated, and that was at the hands of elder Primerans. Such power unleashed in the defense of my master came as a relief to me when I heard his tale, but in truth, I had not considered to full extent of just how dreadful the power of the Black Heart could be.

Episode 9: Stand Proud - Part 3

             The battle was hard fought, but it did little to slow them down as the trio managed to ascend to the top of Ghast's emerald spire. The roof above them was solid, and it offered no plausible point of entry. Well ahead of the undead creatures that pursued them from below, my lord and his cohorts hurried to find a means of advancement, knowing that the horrors beneath them were amassing in number and preparing to attack. They began to frantically assault the crystalline ceiling with all their strength but continued to make no progress. Every passing second moment was a demoralizing blow to their courage as fear crept quickly back into their minds. Wraith was the first to cease his attempts, and pleaded to the others to stop as well. He could only reach my lord with his words, but for Animal, he could not be stopped so easily.

             Animal refused to acknowledged the words of his comrades and began to only intensify his futile attempts against the impregnable surface. My lord and Wraith seemingly acknowledged to one another in silent that this may be the end of their journey, and that if this was how Animal wished die, then it was his decision, and it should be honored. My lord and Wraith then braced themselves to face the oncoming hoard from the darkness below, but before death could consume them, a brilliant blue light erupted from behind them. Animal had chosen to tap into his cursed powers and injected his hand, coated in blue crystals, directly into the roof of the tower. Screaming, Animal seemed to be spreading his own power into the emerald substance that composed the tower. My lord describes the event as sapphire veins that spread and branched out inside the tower's own composition, illuminating it from within. Animal's own creation eventually exploded in a burst of blue light and the ceiling collapsed around them. They continued to make their way through the falling debris which bombarded the shambling hoard from below. Though they were grateful for Animal's determination, my lord and Wraith shared a mutual fear towards Animal's power and the mystery of its origins.

            The tower's apex was a circular plane surrounded on all sides by spiked pillars, and beneath each, an archway leading to the tower's exterior. There was no roof, as the night's sky greeted them, the moon looming above. My lord and Wraith were already examining their surroundings, analyzing and investigating to have all the information they could possibly need to for next challenge. As for Animal, he was only looking at one thing. In the the center of the tower's apex was a pillar that spiraled upwards, and attached above it, a crude throne. Upon that throne was the source of Animal's gaze. Ghast rose to his feet and greeted the “heroes.” He slowly descended the pillar, which produced steps from its surface to assist Ghast in his descent.

            My lord would prefer to forget the event, but he attempted to recite the words of Ghast and his companions to the best of his memory. “Why am I not surprised, Styx? I forge this spire from my own greed, something that can never be taken from me, and you manage to shatter its walls... Do you see now? Do you see how you can no longer hide from me? And Wraith, don't think I didn't sense you the moment you came to this wretched world, but I do thank you for confirming my suspicions. Why else would you come to this world if not to serve your traitorous master once more? ” No one responded, instead, the trio moved into position. Animal to Ghast's right, Wraith to Ghast's left, and my lord taking his place in front of him. “You know what I see? A dirty little sewer rat who's still crying for his tramp of a mother. Can you see it? How pathetic you are...brother.” My lord's words were cruel, but effective. Ghast turned his attention straight ahead, losing all interest in Animal and Wraith. “Brother? You call me brother after those words? I gave you a chance... But you can die with them!” Ghast declared and encased himself in a sphere of golden yellow light.

           The plan was successful, so far. Though they had spoken little on their way to the tower, the trio had managed to discuss a plan. They would separate and attempt to flank Ghast from both sides. My lord would get Ghast's attention and lower his guard. The others, would attack Ghast, and hopefully land a blow that would allow my lord to deal a finishing strike with the energy he had been storing from the sun for days on end for his most powerful technique. As Ghast raced towards my lord, who prepared to unleash all the energy swelling in his body, Animal crafted and hurled at Ghast the same massive ball of blue crystaline essence that had defeated my lord once before. Wraith assaulted Ghast as well, unleashing a torrent of lashing crimson chains. Though their plan was well executed, the truth is that it was doomed to fail. With no acknowledgment, Ghast extended both of his flesh-less arms and propelled the golden light that encased him towards Animal and Wraith's incoming assaults.

            Cursed with the power of greed incarnate, Ghast chooses what he wishes to take and what he wishes to repel, that is the truth to his powers. His will alone stopped Animal's giant sphere to a halt and shattered it. Wraith's attempts also met a similar fate, as the golden light bent to and fro, absorbing every blow Wraith could muster. My lord, seeing no more reason to old back, unleashed the fiery hell that he had been harvesting for so long, but the power of normal Primerans is nothing compared to the cursed abilities of the Black Hearts. My lord's attack was repelled with ease and as he poured all his strength into his attack, so to did he put all his courage and resolve. My lord collapsed upon the ground, his life energy spent. Ghast, who had so angrily charged him, now slowed to a walk, and looked down upon his half brother. “Is this all you can muster? All of you! Is this the revenge I have been dreaming of for over a century? Can you not satisfy me? Give me a reason to flood your wretched souls with my hate!... No... You won't will you? The power of Mammon is too great, too great for mortals. So be it... Then let this world bath in my greed!” And with his words, Ghast struck the first fatal blow of that evening. The motion was quick, not painful, as if Ghast had no longer cared to take the time to make it so. His hand was straight, bony fingers extended like ivory knives. He reached back, and plunged his hand deep into my lord's chest, his blood flowing outwards, staining Ghast's once chalk white fingers red, the sounds of Animal and Wraith rushing towards him and screaming in distance.

Episode 9: Stand Proud - Part 2

Year of the Ram – Fifth Entry

            My lord spoke to me of the discord that Ghast's revelation brought to his companions. He spoke of Animal's pain over Wraith's secrets, of Kate's anger towards her sense of hopelessness, and of Wraith's own determination to undo the wrongs he had unintentionally committed. The human, who Kate referred to as “Blue,” had begun to stall the approaching tide of the undead that Ghast had unleashed upon my lord and his allies. After for what seemed like hours, Animal returned from a private discussion with Blue and seemed to possess a revitalized spirit and a stalwart resolve. Animal hesitantly admitted that he feared Ghast, but was willing to challenge him, even alone if he had too. Silence washed over the household as all who were present knew of the fate that awaited Animal should he face Ghast alone, but it was Wraith who was the first sever the silence.

Wraith belittled Animal for his selfish declaration, stating that he would throw his life away for nothing, that Ghast was not Animal's responsibility, and that it was he who should atone for his past mistakes by facing Ghast. Animal and Wraith argued over the issue for several moments when Kate interfered. She claimed that both of them were at fault by pointing out their selfishness and misguided attempts to attain a sense of righteousness. She berated them both for not considering that all of them, including herself, want to destroy Ghast for the pain he has caused. Fear, weakness, doubt, and guilt plagued them all, and it was no one's place to take on all of the responsibility, that if they should fight, it should be together. I have gotten to know Kate well, but this moment in my lord's tale only serves to heighten my respect and admiration for her wisdom and sincerity.

            Kate's words even reached my lord's soul, and he too agreed. Casting aside his own fears and pride, he made a pact with Animal and Wraith. They would challenge Ghast together, and carry with them the will and fighting spirit of those that could not make the journey. They agreed, and after a tearful parting between Animal and Kate, the latter of whom made Animal vow to return, the three set off for Ghast's tower that loomed over them all, as if to dare them to challenge their fates. My lord tells me that very few words were shared between Animal, Wraith, and himself. It was not until the trio reached the base of the tower that Wraith decided to propose a challenge to the others as to whom would destroy Ghast first. An idea that each of them knew was foolish, but they agreed all the same grasping for whatever strength they could to hold a tighter grip on their seemingly insurmountable task.

             The tower's base offered no point of entry, and the warriors looked perplexed as to how one might gain access. Then, as if sensing their desire, the crystalline walls parted and presented the party with a path leading into darkness. Inside, they notice that the tower was quite hollow, devoid of interior structures aside from a number of platforms protruding from the walls of the construct that spiraled upwards towards an unforeseeable destination. My lord, continuing to add fire to the facade of a competition, claimed that he held the advantage with this first challenge. Sprouting his crimson wings, he soared upwards towards the top of the emerald spire. Animal pursued, leaping from platform to platform, with Wraith close behind.

            Though confidence began to brim in each of them, it was all too soon that Ghast decided to “entertain” his guests. Embedded in the walls of the tower were the skeletal remains of various creatures unearthed during the spire's construction. They rattled in their crystalline tombs and erupted from walls, many of them shambled and amassed themselves into hideous mosaics of decayed remains. The shambling creatures attacked from all sides with lashing talons, bones, and teeth. The warriors fought back and shattered the creatures one after another. But for every one that was destroyed, two would appear in its place. Animal continued to make his ascent, clawing and pummeling his way from one platform to the next. My lord used his wings to advance far above his opponents and incinerate the horrors from a distance. But the creatures began to adjust to his tactics and sprouted leathery wings, took to the sky, and pursued him into close combat.

Wraith, unfortunately, had been left behind as the others chose to race on wards with overwhelming force. Upon noticing that Wraith was not with them, Animal pleaded to my lord to turn back and retrieve him. My lord declared that Wraith was well aware of the challenge and that the two of them should continue on to face Ghast as soon as possible. Animal refused to go on without him, but before my lord could make his point clear again, fragments of bone and debris sailed past them both erupting from below. Momentarily, Wraith appeared from the darkness now with two shadowy arms ending in massive clawed hands. The arms originated from within the key hole from the large lock attached to his back. The arms were black as night and reflected no light. They tore into the sides of the tower and dragged Wraith upwards at an alarming speed. The clawed hands were massive, large enough to grasp a human as it were a toy in the hands of a child. The creatures that approached Wraith were smashed and or crushed in an instance if they dared to approach him.

            With knowledge that Wraith was holding his own, the others gained a renewed sense of confidence at the sight of such an incredible power they had never witnessed before. The trio continued their journey towards the tower's final destination, each one fighting for something to live for. Wraith, to atone for his betrayal of his friends' trust, Monster, for his sense of duty to liberate his father's name and his clan from Ghast's tainted history, and Animal, who only thought of the family that he was willing die for. Each one of them, so driven to pay for the things they cherished with their own lives, could never imagine the sacrifice they would have to make and what evil they would unleash in order to see their hopes realized.

Episode 9: Stand Proud - Part 1

Memory File: 0019

Time: 9:45 P.M.

            I suppose now is as good a time as any to begin recording again. There is a lot of information that as come my way and I find it all to be... Overwhelming. Truth be told I'm not that concerned about the relationships between these “Primerans.” Life was complicated enough comprehending what has happened to me, let alone the existence of the Grim and my drive to protect Meryle. However, this Ghast poses a threat to everyone, and I will not ignore it. The one called “Monster” has explained that my abilities will be useless against Ghast, that there is only one force that could hope to counter his strange powers, and that would be Animal. I have my doubts of course, after all, I watched as Ghast played Animal for a fool and treated him like a toy before impaling him. Meryle seems to be diseased by the bite inflicted on her by the creatures that Ghast managed to create from those corpses in the Kingston Heights' cemetery. Monster tried to explain that she has been touched by Ghast's “greed” and that her soul will soon be his to command. If that's true, then I'll grind that freak into dust until he gives her back... But again, Monster's words linger on. That I'm powerless to stop him.

            An earthquake has just occurred, and after transforming once again in preparation for the worst, I could see that Ghast has erected some kind of emerald tower off in the distance. Wraith believes it to be an invitation, that Ghast is letting us know where he is so that we come to him. But another quick scan of the horizon revealed that he isn't giving us any choice in the matter. Ghast's army of the undead is approaching us, slowly mind you, but still inching forward as to apply incentive to make an even hastier visit. I decided to buy us more time by making our guests have some difficulties with the terrain. A number of fallen trees here and there would help make Ghast's puppets' advance more difficult, and few large blast craters wouldn't hurt either.

            Eventually, Animal woke up while I was attempting to hinder our approaching guests. I guess his kind heal quickly as well... Not a bad perk, but its not going to help much if his last run in with Ghast is any indication. He came outside to see speak with me, to introduce himself properly, and more than likely to find some escape from the bombshell of information that was relayed to him about who Ghast is and what he wants. I recorded our conversation just like everything else. Who knows, maybe there will come a time when he needs to hear this again.

Guess your up. Feeling better?

I guess so, Kate said your name is Blue. I guess it fits you... Sort of.

Actually my name is Jonathan Masters, but Ms. Walker does have a way with names I suppose.

She said you were made this way by Cain. Is that true?

From what she believes I was created to be some kind of damage control against the Grim if they were take over the city, but it doesn't really explain why I'm driven to protect Meryle...

Looks like we both don't know things about ourselves, huh?

Ah, I guess Monster explained his visions from Ghast to you.

I just... I just don't know who to listen to... I've spent my whole life being angry at Cain for taking away my family, but then I learn that I'm not from here, that I'm cursed by some horrible monster, and that Ghast wants me dead because I did something horrible to him, or maybe it wasn't me but someone who looks like me, or it could be that he is really mad at - I just, I just don't know if I can take this anymore...

Hey, try to calm down, Ani. Is it okay if I call you that? Look, did I ask this to happen to me? Did I ask to be turned into a weapon? No. We don't choose what always happens to us. In fact, sometimes shit happens. But it's not what happens to us that you should be afraid of. It's how you choose to handle your problems that will come back to you in the end.

What do you mean? I don't understand.

Let me put it this way. Bad things are going to happen to you, that's life. But you can either face your problems head on and deal with them while remaining loyal to who you are, or you can give in to fear and become someone you never expected to be and never wanted to be. Bottom line... What do you think is the “right” thing to do?

...Stop Ghast, so he can't hurt anybody else.

Then make sure you kick his ass hard enough for the both of us. I'll keep Kate and Merlye safe. I promise.

Episode 8: The First Seal - Part 5

September 18^th 1995 – Second Entry

            I needed to take a moment from the others to get my thought together, writing these entries always seems to give me new perspective on just what the hell is going on. Feels like “hell” is definitely the right word... The dead are returning to life under Ghast's command, Ani is still hurt, and Meryle is sick and getting worse by the hour. Monster's story has certainly answered a lot of questions about Ghast's origins and motivation, but we still don't know anything about how to stop him. After Monster had finished explaining the memories imparted by Ghast, we decided to question Wraith extensively about how much of it was true, to which he replied, “All of it.” Again, not that it makes and difference now, seeing as how Ghast is still alive and its only a matter of time until he finds this place. If Monster's story is as true as Wraith claims it is, then he can kill us all with no effort at all. Ever since I was taken by Dynatech, I've felt powerless among everyone, and that fact glares back at me whenever I look at any of them now. I couldn't take it anymore; death just seems to be creeping towards us every passing moment, and in my weakness, I lashed out at Wraith whom I believed was our ally and friend.

            But Wraith did not put up a fight, not when I tackled him to the floor, not when I kept punching the shit out of him, and not even when I brought my gun to his forehead. I didn't care that none of my attempts would or could harm him; I was desperate for some sense of control, some need to satisfy some urge to feel as though I could change my fate and survive this night. Blue tried to pull me off of him but I shoved him back and proceeded to get away from Wraith myself. I left the room to come here and calm down. Ani is unconscious next to me, and though he looks at peace, I wonder how someone as kindhearted as Animal could be connected to this asshole named Styx. According to Ghast's memories, there is no proof that Animal and Styx are connected, but Ghast seems certain that they are one and the same. I also can't believe that Animal is also in the same class of Primeran as Ghast as well. Wraith verified Monster's belief that Ani was one of the apprentices for the so called “Black Hearts.” Ani and Ghast couldn't be further apart and yet they are both gifted with such abilities. Wraith did manage to tell us that he never saw Styx use the same power that Ani has, and that he never met Animal until that night we attempted to raid Cain's old Dynatech facility. Wraith explained that he came here for the same reason as Cain, that after Styx was executed and he was banished from Pandemonium, he felt that he owed Ghast for the treatment he was subjected to. Truthfully, he had came here to die. But finding Animal and learning of what he was capable of gave him new purpose, and he saw in him a chance to repay Styx for not stopping this madness sooner. Mentoring Animal had become his way to atone for his crimes against Ghast and Styx. But when Ghast appeared, he was faced with the fear of realizing that only his death may truly absolve him of his guilt.

           Just now there was a massive earthquake, we only can suspect that Ghast is back to full strength and is planning something. I know that there is nothing that I can do to help in this fight, but I'll be damned if I don't do anything at all. If we make it through this I swear I'll find a way to pay them back for keeping me alive. I will find a way to stand beside them when our lives are threatened. I'll keep Meryle safe here while we find a way out of this mess. I've never been a religious person, and frankly what I've learned in the last few months has definitely made me question what is and isn't real, but I suppose that even with everything that's happened that there is still room for faith in the unknown. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if something greater than all of this watching over us, then just give us a hand. Please...