Half by Half, Karasondrias

Deaths are hard. But life continues on for the living whether they wish it or no. And so the group had to proceed to History class, taught by the inhuman, literally, teacher Karasondrias. Her classroom was large and spacious and looked as if it could probably have fitted a torture chamber inside and still have space for lunch. The decorations were all fake, all illusions. The only real ornament, was a rather ominous looking stone statue of a male adult human staring ahead into space with a look of abject fear on its face. Rumour had it that the statue was actually one of the school's alumni who had forgotten that Karasondrias was sensitive on the topic of her heritage and made a joke about lizards and fire. It was also said that before turning him into a statue, she had also turned him into a lizard and set him on fire. At any rate, anyone with an ounce of sense ought to know better. She herself had said it when the class was first introduced.

"My full name is Karasondrias which you may not address me by. You may call me Kara or Teacher or any other suitable honorific. If you are wondering why I leave out my surname, the answer is that I have no surname. I am a half-dragon. Make no mistake," At this point she glared at the class. "Make no mistake, my other half is not human. Nor is it Cain. Or any other humanoid. My other half is of the phoenix, and if any of you make a joke involving my lineage, please do remember the rumours concerning that statue to your left."
Her appearance was odd. All dragons had the innate ability of polymorphing into a humanoid form. Half dragons retained that ability. However, there were always some telltale signs with half dragons. Karasondrias's chosen form was that of an elf. In her case, the signs were rather obvious: random blotches of her skin were either covered with scales or fire red feathers. She also had a pair of wings, leathery wings ablaze at the edges.
Strange as she was, her lessons were generally regarded to be the most interesting among all the teachers. Where other teachers would either drone on and on or give them problems to solve. The more enterprising teachers would give the students group work or debates. However, none of them could beat Karasondrias. She was a skilled illusionist. And old. She could use her illusions to imprison someone in a cage which seemed so real that if you hit it with another metal bar, you could actually hear the clang sound. Which she did to misbehavers. Of course, nobody was actually sure when she was using her illusions or not. She did not just read out what had happened during a certain time. She would start by saying why she was there at that time in the first place, and used the large space in the room to recreate the entire scene. It was as if the class had traveled back in time, so true her illusions seemed, with the exception that the people took no heed of them. She was there in virtually all the major historic events and then some. Those where she wasn't, she would find someone who was and request in a vaguely threatening way for his memories regarding it. She brought a new meaning to "Bringing History Alive". She also tended not to stick to the syllabus.
"Greetings, students. I wish to speak not of The Murder. I know that some of you are affected by its Choosing. Emotionally." Lethe fidgeted at this point, having enough control not to weep openly. "Today, I shall show you the first encounter between the dragons and humans. Around the year 4048. In case any of you failed maths, that is approximately 5000 years ago. Ancient history." Karasondrias summoned up her memory.

The class was standing in a field of ash. A number of humans were armed with archaic looking guns, while some were holding scanners. There were several humans and elves who bore themselves with the aloofness which only aristocracy had. The whole group moved slowly.
"Those elves are diplomats. To my memory, they were looking for a race which had caused this incineration. This was the Ashlands. In modern day, this would be Fecundus Ultima, the most verdant, fruitful and fertile farmland in the entire Fecundus region." Karasondrias always gave a running commentary when showing them the past. "I was with one of the first dragons who came into contact with the humans, Nielagoras. We were out hunting, I believe." As she spoke, one of the humans with the scanners shouted out, "I've got movement! Above us and getting close!"
A dark shape burst through the cloud, the afore-mentioned Nielagoras. He was a large blue dragon and radiated an aura of age. A second shape burst through the clouds, but it was rendered invisible in the illusion. Karasondrias never let any of her students see what she really looked like. Only her outline was visible.
"There's two of them!" One of the armed humans cried out.
"Do not fire at them. Only attack if they attack first." An elf replied calmly. "Our shields ought to hold if they attack us."
Nielagoras and the past Karasondrias landed slowly in front of the expedition.
"Greetings, humans," He rumbled deeply. "Me and my protege mean you no harm. We are, I am at least, a dragon. My name is Nielagoras and she is Karasondrias. I believe that you humans," he indicated the aristocrats "are the leaders?"
The class could hear whispers of amazement among the humans. These large beasts could talk! They were intelligent!
Stepping forward, an elf boldly declared, "Salutations, great ones. My name is Iston of the House of Archiran. I am-"
"Ah yes, Iston Archiran, diplomat betwixt the elves and the humans. Yes, we know. Our race has been aware of your coalition's actions. We have observed both of your races for a long time. Your politics have intrigued us for a long time. This expedition is here to find whichever race did this." Nielagoras stated and waved a talon, indicating the Ashlands. "Your expedition is complete. You have found us."
The scene grew blurry and murky, and disintegrated.
"You do not want to see the next part. Just endless talking of politics. I remember in my impetuous youth that I almost fell asleep. The fact that anyone with phoenix blood do not have to sleep ought to convey the boredom of it." Karasondrias said. "Nielagoras explained the Ashlands. The dragons and the phoenixes had a long great war long before. The Ashlands were the result."
As always, the class was enthralled. Even Lethe forgot her troubles for the time. Also, they had realised long ago that Kara did not answer personal questions.

You're not alone.

Coldness is all that is left,
the emptiness itself is so bare,
there is a thin line between life and death,
when will this silence cease to fare?

Words hold no two souls in line,
the silence binds us all as one,
forever alone in our deepest minds,
this thought holds us as one.

The invisible lines of connection cross,
when, oh, when will you begin to see,
this world is not all bitter and frost.

A difference can be made,
when, oh, when will you understand,
your existence is not just meant to fade.

Live well and love much,
potential lies in every action,
hug well and smile much,
dream with much determination.

A pebble in the water creates a ripple effect,
the never-wavering winds of tomorrow hold us together,
the bit of warmth your existence creates will affect,
the impact of your life will stay with us forever.


--Anonymous

The secrecy of a silent wish,
flickering every candle in the mist,
the whisper of a silent wind,
holding everything in its fist,

The illusions hold no sound belief,
peeling away the hardened core of soul,
the denial gives me no relief,
throwing away all traces of self-control,

Hope is sacred and unknown to many,
Faith is held nought to heart,
Loyalty silenced by backstabbers aplenty,
Forgiveness unseeked for the deliberate,

Believe in that light which appears in the darkness,
leading you onto home,
a place which holds no trace of sadness.
only then will all be well and done,

A perfect world is beyond us,
look beyond the imperfection,
only then will sorrow pass fast,
yet all thats left are unfinished conversations.

--Anonymous

The Murder Of Crows

Slinking out and sneaking around, he crept out of the dormitory. Making sure his steps were quiet, he creaked open the door and closed it softly. And as he ran lightly, he heard the chiming signaling Deadlight. He sped up, caring less for stealth now. And into the gardens he ran. And rushing up to him, an oncoming shadow, a glimpse of black upon black, a beak, many beaks, all rushing forward, too quick for him to react. And the last thing he saw as he stared into the Mu-
Utter darkness.

-

Utter darkness. It was the first thing Styx felt as she jolted awake. She felt slightly disturbed, and reached out to her friends.
Guys? She sent out
I'm feeling... weird.. Like someone got hurt. Is everyone okay? Cocytus asked.
They all sent their affirmations. Except...
Lacier? Hello? Kestrel called uncertainly.
Shit, where's he? He can't have been removed from the link, can he? Lethe thought, worried for his safety.
The group met quickly, telepathy not giving the same comfort as physical contact.
"His bed is empty. Where could he be?" Phlegyas said the moment they met.
They started walking, too anxious to just stand around.
"I do not know, where does he usually like to go?" Acheros asked, Acherus having flown overhead to search for Lacier.
"He likes going..... He likes going out during Falselight to the garde-" Cocytus stopped.

A horrific sight confronted them. There were midnight black feathers everywhere, covering the garden with a macabre atmosphere. And Lacier was there, in the middle of it all, where uncountable numbers of crows were flying all around, all pushing for their place, their turn, to peck out his eyes. Lacier was floating in the midst of the chaos, seemingly oblivious to the feasting of his eyes. His face, when not obscured by the swirling crows, was blank and emotionless and his eyes were mere sockets. Pecked clean. Lethe was the first to break from the haunting sight.
"Eff!" But she doesn't say eff. "I'm gonna get th-"
And there was Mr. Ary coming behind them. "Students, stay back! It will not harm us if we do not disturb it!"
Lethe choked back a sob. "That's my friend there! I'm not going to just stand here while his eyes are getting eaten!"
"I have already called in the Fang! They will deal with this, child! Pull yourself together! Students, stay back!" He called out once more as more students emerged to see the terrible sight.
The rest of the group had to physically restrain Lethe as they all tried to keep their tears in but could not. And all the while, the crows continued to peck at the empty socket which once used to house his eyes.
And the Fang arrived. The Fang, the wolfen police best suited for dealing with magical cases, ran in. At this point, the crows suddenly stopped their hectic movements as one and faced the group of Fang. Lacier opened his mouth, and a deep voice echoed out, seeming as if all the crows echoed his words.
"The Murder has chosen the Next. Expect the Next soon."
With which, the crows all flew away and Lacier being carried by their talons.

"No! Lacier!" Lethe cried out, pain and grief laced in her voice.
A Fang came up to them, saying in a deep gruff voice, "Clear off. There is nothing to see here anymore. Your friend is the Next. The Murder has chosen."
"Uh, sir, I think we're going to have to stay for awhile. None of us.... We gotta deal with the loss first sir." Acheros said slowly to the Fang.
"Suit yourself. We don't need evidence or anything." The Fang walked away.
As they consoled each other, they overheard Mr Ary talking to one of the Fang.
Mr Ary was saying, "You need to send a message to the Lunatic Eden now. They need to know that the Murder has chosen and chosen a mere child. There has been no incident of the Murder ever choosing anyone that young before."
And Lethe shakingly asked, "What was that? All.. all those crows.. What's the Murder?"
Kestrel replied slowly and tried to remove whatever emotion she had from her words, "The Murder Of Crows. It's a... thing. I don't know what it is. But each year, it chooses. It chooses the Next. I... The Next is a seer. The eyes.... are pecked out, for sight beyond sight. The Next advises the Council of the Lunatic Eden. But.. Lacier.. is.. dead." The word sounded more hollow and empty than it ever had before. "He does not.... live anymore. That is just a shell inhabited by the Murder now. Lacier... is dead."
Lethe's sobbing renewed as the hard and cold truth hit her.
Styx, having better control of her emotions, asked, "Then... what is the Lunatic Eden?"
"You've never heard of it?" Surprise overcame Cocytus's grief for a moment. "It's a place. Where madness reigns. Where logic is tossed aside like the laws of physics. Where you cannot lie. That's what is said. None may dissemble within the Lunatic Eden."
"The Council is ... mad?"
"No, they merely rule from there, for lies are impossible within."
"And Laci-, the Next will advise them there? Oh eff!" Lethe didn't say eff. "He was the first person whom I talked to here! He is, was, my best friend! He was my first true friend, ever!" She started shouting. "And effing life takes him away to be some effed-up fortune teller! What the eff is wrong with the world!?"
She didn't calm down quickly.

Mind Over Matter Part 2

It helped that he had excellent knowledge on chemistry, biology and physics. These were the only three subjects he actually studied. As he flew to his secret hideout, he made a note to cut his hair soon. His chestnut brown fringe kept getting into his eyes every time he flew. After a short half hour flight, he reached an island. The island was nameless and as far as he knew, deserted. Untouched by human hands, the island was surrounded by sharp rocks hidden in the sea. No ship had been able to come close without getting destroyed.

He landed and made his way to the waterfall nearest to the centre of the island. The waterfall was beautiful and surrounded by a forest. He could hear animals moving about. A blackbird called to its mate. A herd of deer looking for a good patch of grass to graze. He could hear the waterfall before he saw it. The waterfall was 20m tall and could crush anything that got directly under the fall of the water. This made it impossible to reach the cliff face the water fell directly parallel to.

Impossible of course, for a human. He made the water evaporate a meter before it hit its pool. The waterfall revealed a cave that appeared to go on forever. He flew in and let the water continue falling. Once inside, he dumped his bag on the ground and proceeded further in, choosing to keep his wings for now.


Note from Li-Jun: Once again, just in case you missed the first one, this is NOT mine, this is a friend who wishes to be anonymous. Now, there are two other anonymous people on the blag apart from me. So, will everyone who can write, write and post up here? ^__^