‘You don’t find it exciting?’ said Garovel.
Ibai’s smile waned as he looked at the reaper. “No, I’m afraid I don’t. And if you don’t mind, I’d rather not hear the rest.”
‘Really? But there’s a lot more to tell.’
“I’m sorry for confusing you, then. I prefer happier tales.” The aberration required a moment to find his cheer again. “Do you have anything with unicorns?”
‘‘fraid not.’
“I see. Well, never mind, then. I’m suddenly in the mood for something sweet. Does anyone else want a snack?” He didn’t wait for anyone to answer. “I’ll be in the kitchen.” And he teleported away again.
Horatio gave a sigh, and Hector watched the man’s silent exchange with his reaper, no doubt asking where Ibai went. The reaper pointed, and the bodyguards all rushed off.
Hector decided to follow along. ‘What was that about?’ he asked Garovel as he ran. ‘Trying to test his bloodlust or something?’
‘Pretty much,’ the reaper said privately. ‘I just wanted to see how he would react, really. Didn’t expect him to run away, though. Not sure what to think now.’
‘I can’t imagine he would’ve confessed to enjoying that story.’
‘Sure, but I thought he’d at least be curious. I mean, aren’t you?’
Hector had to concede that point, at least. He hadn’t heard the term Dáinnbolg before, but he had a fair idea what it referred to. If it was where Garovel came from, then it was probably on the other side of the world, where the Lyzakks originated; and if it had been ‘devastated,’ as Garovel said, then it was likely related to Exoltha, the dead continent. Or perhaps the Dáinnbolg was just another name for it.
Exoltha was a land torn asunder by ancient wars, but that was where common knowledge ended. Today, that land was considered beyond uninhabitable. From what Hector understood, few people ever dared to go there anymore, because none had done so and returned to tell the tale.
Or so the story went. Hector had experienced a passing fascination with the place a couple years ago, but now that he knew about reapers, he wasn’t quite sure what to believe. He remembered scouring the internet for information on Exoltha and finding nothing scientific, save only satellite images of endlessly dark storm clouds.
A dark serial novel. Set in a modern fantasy world called Eleg. Mature language. Updates every night at midnight PST by ~400 words.
So there's a dark continent to explore and an Underworld to explore. Lots of interesting places Hector will (hopefully) get around to visiting at some point.
ReplyDeleteTypo:
ReplyDelete"‘Pretty much,’ the reaper [said] privately."
And the world keeps growing! ^^
ReplyDeleteUnderworld: filled with superReapers
ReplyDeleteOld Continent: filled with SuperReapers
Space: filled with Super Reapers
Ocean: filled with RainLords evil whale deity
Deserts: probably some sort of ancient uber sandlord
Eleg: if Australia was a planet and the wildlife had super powers
[From what Hector understood, few people ever dared to go there anymore, because none had done so and returned to tell the tale.]
ReplyDeleteChekhov's Gun rights there
I think the servants in the underworld and on Exoltha are more powerful than the leaders of Vanguard and Abolish combined.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that Dainnbolg was either the site of some major battle or was simply deliberately screwed up by Abolishers before the Vanguard organized to stop them.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that there're already Vanguard and Abolish during those time.
ReplyDeleteIf you one wants to know frustrating bodyguarding the one must first guard Ibai.
ReplyDeleteOh, but it gets worse, young novice. To truly understand frayed nerves and hair-pulling frustration, you must guard him after he has a sugar buzz on top of everything else... ;P
ReplyDeleteHe may's well get the cartography equipment together right now, yes. <_<
ReplyDeleteLol for sure
ReplyDeleteWell, Sermung and Sai-hee ARE the servants in the underworld...
ReplyDeleteThe groups names and leaders will change, they may even split into factions but the basic concept will stay the same. (Excluding third party's) I am wondering if the cloud cover over that continent is all one servant.
ReplyDeleteHey frost, can you edit these comments? I meant to say "Reapers" In space to make a mass effect joke but I'm an idiot and mistyped.
ReplyDeleteYou can if you make a Disqus account, but not if you post as a guest since it can't be sure you're the same guy.
ReplyDeleteI'm travelling right now, and my phone won't let me log into disqus. But yeah, both of those are me. It was just a typo
ReplyDeleteYou really aren't likely to get a whole other organization as bad as Abolish. Say what you will of them, but I think even the most hostile atheist can agree that Abolish is way worse than any of the real world's religions. Its just kind of unrealistic to expect that the basic concept of a servant religion that mandates omnicide would outlast the actual group. Of course, half of Abolish don't really see the will of the void as more than a convenient excuse to kill for their own amusement, and people will always be looking for excuses to justify their evil.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Ibai realized he was being tested. His reaction is honestly a good sign either way. Either he is as sweet and idealistic as he seems and is genuinely offended by hearing about terrible things, or he has developed some trace of cynicism and is still a good person, which says promising things about his ability to resist being corrupted.
ReplyDeleteI hope he isn't cynical. He's way too adorable for that.
By now Frost likely has a whole Chekhov's armory. I've noticed a few things, but expect to see more of them when they get fired.
ReplyDeleteWho your team for March Madness.
ReplyDelete