Axe

There was just the Darkness. The Void, endless and silent. Time was irrelevant here, so I don't know exactly how long I "lived" before the Awakening. I can vaguely remember the searing pain, the bright lights, the screaming (were those my screams?). There was someone, something else there, in the shadows (was it part of the shadows, I couldn't tell). A calm, even voice filling my head, "Soon the Awakening will subside and you will join the Horde, my child. Soon you will become flesh and carry the Plague alongside your siblings. Soon you will rise a Seraph!" The shadows smiled a toothy, malevolent smile and the chaos overtook me again.

I don't remember how long I was unconscious. When I woke, the pain was just an ache in my limbs and head, not the tearing, ripping pain I remembered (was it just a dream?). I was in a large industrial shipping container that had been converted into a primitive, but effective, shelter of some sort. My eyes strained to make out another figure huddled over a makeshift fire pit. I soon learned this was Dek, an AI Construct who had found me howling in pain and incoherent amidst the rubble and destruction of some sort of battle.

Dak said my injuries were quite severe and they weren't sure I would survive, but over the course of a couple days my body mended quickly and I lay in a feverish state for nearly a week. I was thankful to be alive. Thankful my nightmare of pain and suffering was coming to an end, or so I thought.

I was nobody, I couldn't remember my name, who I was, my family, friends...nothing. I had flashes of memories and strange dreams filtered into my slumbers. None of it made sense or pointed towards my identity. I was just a random human man, left for dead in some back alley.

Then the voice started after a couple weeks. It had that same calm, even tone from my dream, "We are almost ready. Soon we will Awaken and merge into Seraph! Soon we will be one." I was convinced it was further trauma and discussed it with Dak. They were concerned at this new development, especially when my body began to change.

My skin took on a grey pallor and large dark mottling began to form. The texture became leathery and I grew gaunt, my limbs wiry and all my hair fell out. My face became a featureless mask, with deep set sockets of dull blue where my eyes had been. When I looked in the mirror, I saw the shadows from my nightmare smiling their toothy grin back at me. What was happening to me?

Meanwhile, the voice was getting more and more sinister, and occurring more frequently. Dek knew something awful was coming, but whatever it was was beyond their abilities. Dek took me to see Spark, a recluse that lived at the very edges of the Plague Boroughs. Spark was old, grumpy, miserable and very helpful. Spark knew almost instantly what was happening to me. She told me I was becoming a mature Seraph and that soon the "voice" in my head would take over my consciousness and I would cease to be whomever I was before.

Over the course of the next few hours Spark explained the history of the Seraph, the great Plague, the Great Frost and how the race of Seraph had all but disappeared. She explained that Seraph were almost regarded as myths now, a bedtime story used to frighten children. when I asked how she knew all this, she pulled back the deep hood of her robes and revealed her gray mottled form, dull blue eyes gazing from their deep sockets.

Spark went on to explain that there was another group of Seraph, opposed to the Plague bearers and Knights of the Blighted Blade. That they had formed near the dawn of the Great Frost and worked in secret to fight the Plague wherever they found it. She offered to teach me their ways, to keep myself from turning to the Plague. She explained that nothing could prevent the transition at this point and I would lose almost all connection to my former self. This Awakening was a 'rebirth' and once I was one with the Seraph, I would only have vague memories of my former self, if any at all.

That was over 60 years ago. Spark has remained a close friend and mentor, teaching me how to create new Seraph responsibly and train them against the Plague. She was right, I only have the most distant connection to my old self. Strange things that linger on in my psyche, like my affinity for music. It's nothing I learned since the Awakening, yet I have natural talent with a variety of instruments. It must be something that carried over from my old life.

I stayed with Spark about a decade, learning the history of the Seraph and the Plague that led to the Great Frost. She taught me how to stay out of sight and blend into society. Of course living in the Plague Burroughs kept most inquisitive eyes off of our kind.

Eventually, I started to make my way to higher levels of the Orion. Being careful not to draw attention to myself, I started to explore the Druid Groves and the Transport Nexus. Over the years, I began busking around the Orion, making a few credits here and there and making a name for myself as well. I was able to eke out a meager living playing for credits on street corners around the Transport Hub.

With all the hustle and bustle around the Transport Hub, no one really paid attention to my odd appearance. I witnessed an abundance of other alien species milling about, and I began going out without a disguise. Most people assumed I had some sort of permanent cosmetic augments to match my stage presence. I haven't discouraged that theory.

Eventually, I caught the ear of a Human club owner, Vinny "Scratch" Scaruzzo. Vinny had a band that was looking for a guitar player and he saw that I was capable. I met the group, StahlGeist. They were heavy, loud and dark. I fit right in. The band stayed together a few years, before everyone started getting interested in trendier music.

I gigged with a few other groups over the years, but it was always the same. We'd last a few years and eventually everyone would lose interest. I had a good relationship with Vinny and I started doing solo gigs, hooking up all my background instruments through my data jack and just shredding guitar and vocals on my own. Occasionally, I'd jam with other players, but times were pretty good.

About 5 years ago I finished my set at one of Vinny's clubs and I was approached by someone I thought was an AI Construct, or some sort of advanced android. Said his name was, Mors Plaga. He was very interested in me, my background, where I came from, how I got on the Orion, how extensive were my augments, etc. The whole encounter put me off and I felt like he was after something.

I was right. A couple days later I was talking with Spark about this guy, his fancy android-like mask and gilded clothes, the cool, emotionless way he talked. It unnerved me. And since that time I felt like I was being watched. Spark didn't seem too concerned and explained that a lot of alien races can be disturbing to regular folks. I brushed it off as paranoia and headed home.

A few days later, I started having dreams. There was this growing cloud of darkness surrounding me. Flashes of a toothy smile every so often as I tried to look through the inky blackness. That grin... I knew it, but I could never see it clearly and there was this low chuckle. Then, a flash of light would appear in darkness, and a muffled voice screaming and muddled. I couldn't understand it and it would get swallowed up by the darkness.... and I would wake up, heart racing.

The dreams were growing more and more frantic each night. I willed myself to get closer to the light when it appeared, trying to hear what it was saying. It was always garbled, but I could make out the words 'darkness...comes...find you...'

Mors Plaga kept showing up at my gigs, always chatting me up, trying to get details about me. He kept saying I was destined for greater things, that my true talent hadn't even been revealed yet. But, when I found it, I would change the lives of so many. He gave me a card and said he could help me unlock that hidden gift.

After two weeks, I broke down and went to visit this strange guy in his penthouse suite in the upper level of The Orion. It was posh, gaudy and I was ill-at-ease from the start. I hadn't ever been to the upper levels of the city and I was really sickened at the lavish surroundings.

I lived among the destitute and everyone had to scrounge and scavenge just to make ends meet. Families were living amongst rubbish heaps in the filth. This decadence was grotesque and I am sure it was meant to impress me, but I could barely stomach the excess, especially when I knew how so many of us lived below.

Mors Plaga was expecting me and ushered me in. The whole place was just over the top and garish. I tried to focus, but I could feel myself getting more and more irritated. "Axe..." he trailed off for effect, "I am soooo glad you decided to come by. I hope you didn't have trouble finding the place." I couldn't see his face behind the emotionless veneer of his mask, but I imagine he was full schmooze smiling under the veneer.

"I've had my eye on you for some time. I feel you're not living up to your potential down in those rathole dives you're playing. I know you must have felt it. That little voice in the back of your head telling you there was so much more out there?"

Again, I could feel the creepy smile seeping from behind the mask. I was still put off by the ridiculous, pompous display of wealth that surrounded us and it made me combative from the start. "More? Like all this?" I gestured grandly around the penthouse and scoffed. "No. This is all pathetic quite frankly. It makes me sick to see so much wasted by rich fucks like you." I crossed me arms defiantly and sneered at him.

"Well, that's rude. But I expect living in the slums for 50 years will make one rough around the edges. I wasn't referring to all this specifically, but rather that actual little voice in your head. I know you must hear it from time to time, we all hear it until we finally give in."

My rebellious, fuck the man countenance slowly melted into one of confusion, "What the fuck are you talking about, man?"

Mors Plaga paused a moment and I could sense him calculating, as if he might have made a mental error. He stepped a little closer, his voice lowering, "The voice, Axe. Calm, cool, emotionless. Nudging you towards your true destiny. I know you have heard it whispering to you, calling to you, telling you to embrace your calling and devour all these pitiful life forms like a plague!"

I stepped back instinctively, getting in a semi-defensive stance, "Who the hell are you?"

Mors Plaga , leaned his face down and his hands reached to the chrome mask covering it. He touched both sides of his head at the temple and there was a slight 'whoosh' of a metal panel opening. He slowly looked up and I recoiled as an inky, mottled gray and black, featureless face peered at me with dull, deep set, blue eyes. His face twisted in an obscene grin as he stared at me, "I am the one that made you, Axe. I gave you the gift to soar above the mundane, base beings that exist here. I am the one who planted the seed of greatness and immortality with in that pathetic meat sack you used to be over 50 years ago."

That grin. It was the same as the one in my fever dreams all those years ago. My eyes narrowed and I spat back at him, "You! You took everything from me, robbed me of my life and turned me into this! A parasitic blight upon existence! I wondered if I would ever come face to face with another one of my kind. Spark has told me all about your kind, plague-bearer. I'm going to enjoy sending you back to the void!"

I think I lunged at him. I remember it felt like tackling a concrete pillar, and I pretty much bounced off him as he laughed. "The old one has turned you away from your nature. She has clouded your purpose, Axe. You are meant to lift all these lower life forms from their suffering. They will know no disease, no death, no sorrow. They will pass on their gift to all creation, Axe. You are denying them eternity!" Mors, tossed me to the floor, shaking his head.

I rolled back and into a crouch, realizing I hadn't brought any sort of weapon, I tried to body check him and make a dash for the door. I lowered my shoulder and barreled into his gut, temporarily knocking Mors back a step. I took advantage of the momentary advantage and sprinted towards the penthouse door. I kept low as several projectiles sped past me into the walls. In one final surge I was through the door and sprinting towards the stairwell.

I could hear commotion behind me as Mors was giving chase, but I was fast. I quickly descended the stairs until I could no longer hear the footsteps behind me. I ducked out the stairwell and made sure there wasn't anyone waiting in the hallway. I went to the elevator, pressed the button for the garage then got off the elevator. I ran down the corridor to the stairwell at the opposite end and slowly made my way down to the second floor where there were a few stores and restaurants. I figured I could duck out in a crowd of people.

I waited until a small group passed by the doorway and followed them out to the parking garage. My heart was pounding and I was concerned about how I was going to get back to the safety of the lower levels. I quickly made my way to the streets and hailed a cab. "To the Transport Nexus. Step on it!" I barked.

The driver sped off and I watched out the back window half expecting to see some one following us. Peering through the window, nothing happened, no mysterious black vehicle pulled out and sped after us. I watched for at least five minutes, my eyes flicking back and forth to make sure I had escaped.

Finally, I sunk into the pleather bench seat in the back of the cab. The driver smiled and made small talk as we drove to the nexus. I don't remember the conversation, my head was racing and I was trying to figure out my next move. We arrived at the nexus with no incident and I began to feel a little relief.

The ride back to the Plague Burroughs was uneventful. I kept my guard up, just in case. I called Dek as soon as left the transport, begging them to meet me at my place and grab Spark on the way. They wanted to know why and have a conversation, but I was too jacked and needed to sort through what had just happened.

I heard the crack of the rifle just before the pain ripped through my shoulder and spun me around. I fell as I spun watching a figure in tactical gear moving down the street towards my crumpled form. I groaned as I rolled towards the shop front I was lying front of. blood spilling from the wound in my shoulder staining the ground as another couple shots ricocheted off the ground around me.

I crawled into the store, a small bodega, and shakily stood up leaning heavily against the wall and stumbling towards the back. The clerk and two other patrons looked obviously shocked as I grunted and stumbled, blood dripping from my wound. The clerk was shouting at me, but I was focused on the back door that led to the storage room and, hopefully, the alley. I clutched my shoulder slumped against the wall as I forced my feet towards the rear of the store.

I fell through the open doorway into the darkness of the storage area, breathing heavily as pain radiated through my shoulder and arm. My back was pressed against the walk in freezer and my heartbeat felt like a bass drum, thudding in my head. I winced as I moved towards the back door just as I heard the front door fly open and the patrons in the front scream. 'Shit!' I thought, 'Gotta move. He's right behind me.' I grunted and teetered towards the door in the darkness. i could hear the screams and threat back in the bodega as footsteps made their way down the aisle.

The door was unlocked and I quickly exited into the dimly lit alley. I was losing a lot of blood and I tried to keep pressure over the wound as I jogged deeper into the darkness towards home. All I had to do was make it home, Dek and Spark could be there and my weapons. My feet plodded one in front of the other to the end of the alley until I nearly collapsed into the street that led to my ramshackle hut.

There weren't many people on the street and I stumbled from shadowed alcove, to alleyway, to crate, to broken store front... all the way home. The lights were on. Dek and Spark were already there! My feet picked up speed as I smiled and tumbled through the half open door. I wasn't prepared for what I saw in the cramped interior of my shack. Spark was crouched over the unmoving form of Dek, cradling their lifeless form in her arms. Spark herself had some defensive wounds of her own, but appeared to be ok. I couldn't even form words to ask what had happened. My brain was in shock. And then, bullets riddled the corrugated sheet metal walls of my home.

The bullets pierced two sides of the structure as I fell to the ground still clutching my arm. Spark, laid Desk body down and pulled me behind the wall separating my bedroom from the main living space. She slapped a medkit on my shoulder quickly as felt immediate relief from the radiating pain in my arm. My arm was sore, but I wasn't bleeding out anymore. I cursed under my breath and crawled to the makeshift closet, grabbing my steel cloth trench coat, my knives and my micro SMG, I popped a fresh clip in and glanced back at Spark. We nodded to each other and crept back out to the main room.

The bullets had stopped and there were sounds of movement outside the hut. It sounded like three voices outside moving towards the entrance. In a sudden burst one of them kicked open the door and rushed inside spraying a hail of bullets around the interior. He didn't hit anything. We stayed perfectly still waiting for our moment to strike. I could hear one of them creeping to the corner of the wall where we were waiting. I raised my gun, steadying it.

That moment stretched out into an eternity. I let the guy spin around the corner before letting 3 shots rip through his guy and torso. I sprung up and grabbed his slumping body as it kept through the doorway. His buddies riddling his back with bullets as I used him as a shield. Spark rolled up and chanted something under her breath as a white-hot bolt of electricity shot from her outstretched hands and lit up the two remaining attackers.

Their forms crumpled into smoldering heaps of twitching flesh as they collapsed to the floor just inside the doorway. I scanned the room and outside the entrance to make sure it was all clear. After a few moments of silence, Spark suggested we grab Dek and get out of there. I quickly grabbed my gear and the little bit personal belongings I had as we draped Dek's body between the two of us and we ducked out of the small hut and deeper into the Burroughs.

Spark led us to an abandoned warehouse far from either of our homes and I finally sat slumped against the wall behind some crates staring at the dead body of my dear friend. I was overcome with grief and rage. Spark tried to console me and I explained everything that had taken place that evening. She seemed concerned, but didn't say much else the rest of the night.

We buried Dek the next day. Trying to figure out our best course of action. We agreed it would be best to go underground for the time being, so we squatted in abandoned buildings for the next several months, never staying in any spot more than a few days. Eventually, we figured that no one else was coming for us. We were no real threat to anyone from the upper levels. Mors knew I couldn't get to him and down here we had the advantage. Gradually, we resumed our lives and things got back to normal.

I knew that someday I was going to face off with Mors again and I needed to be ready. Spark put me in touch with a group of folks who helped me learn to harness my musical talents into arcane abilities. I learned to focus music and words into magical effects! I did some gigs, but not nearly as often and definitely not on a regular schedule. In between I trained my new abilities and started taking side jobs with the group I fell in with, striking out against the megacorps and elitist shitheads who seemed to be doing everything in their power to keep everyone else down here in the gutters and filth.

Over the last 5 years I've really witnessed the imbalance in power and wealth here on the Orion. I want to do something about it, level the playing field and help the people down here suffering. Maybe, I can work my way up the food chain to the upper levels of the Orion. Maybe there I can enact some justice, or at least get some revenge....