species5478

Poe is one of the greatest. He's an amazing writer.

Excellent story. Keep up the good work!

Chapter 10 The Devil's Abode Everything was in order. My cults controlled every portion of the world with money, technology, and my own rule of law. There was a new place. A place full of magic. A place I had yet to explore. Similar to this world. But different. Tamriel? Yes, I like Tamriel. I sense an offering. Yes, a fresh offering. Pure. Something more…A gift? Yes, a key to yet another realm. The God of Death? Yes…interesting. The sacrifice is female. A Mage? Yes, this can be my new wife. She will bond me to Tamriel. I must wed. I crossed planes, and entered the new realm where Isah awaited. She is locked in a cell guarded by Mages. Her body is filled with magical potential. I never witnessed such a thing in my own realm. The Mage leader is looking for a way to remove my invitation. I cannot allow this. I must take her body back with me. Yes…Isah's body will serve as my new form for Armageddon. I unsealed the perfectly placed Pentagram on Isah's belly and entered her body. YES! Such power! There was nothing like this on earth! Such a pure and uncontaminated spirit…I levitated in my cell, and rattled the steel bars with a blast of magic. One of the Mages ran while the other stayed to hold me back. "Leave her body demon!" "Never!" I smiled at the foolish Altmer and laughed when he tried using a minor Dispel on me. "Show me your soul!" I grabbed the bars, and ripped them out one by one. More Mages emerged from the steps leading to the floor above. The one holding a talking staff was the first to speak. "I am the Arch-Mage of the Arcane University!" "Show me your soul!" I yelled. "Unhand her Devil!" The Arch-Mage tried binding me in place but I was too powerful. His abilities were impressive…but I was the reigning malevolent force on my home world. I tore away the Mage's binding spell, ripped the ceiling from the dungeon, and levitated high into the air. Summoning power from the depths of Hell was easy here. With a moderate amount of flames in my possession, I hurled a massive fireball at the entire dungeon and the building collapsed almost instantly. Mages emerged from every corner of the blazing rubble. All seemed able to avoid my Hellfire, but one of the older Mages was within my immediate grasp. When he strayed from the group, I attacked. Tearing into his stomach was easy…robes made for poor armor. A handful of guts later; I now admired how entrails appeared in Isah's hand. Yes… Her body is worthy of possession. The Mage's screams are music to my ears. Intoxicating…the chorus of wails forms a delightful symphony when shouted loudly. I twirl Isah's body in circles from delight but keep my head straight, staring at the Arch-Mage. He wants to release his full power on me, but fear of hurting Isah is holding the Arch-Mage back. Two other Mages transport their injured comrade out of the chamber while the Arch-Mage summons a tornado. "Leave Isah's body at once Devil! The Nine Divines demand your banishment!" The tornado was filled with icicles made from holy water. Poison! I can ward them away…but the pummeling shards damage my hold on Isah's spirit! The Arch Mage held his staff upright. "Isah! You must fight him! Don't let the Devil steal your soul! Fight back! I can only open a path back into our realm! You must fight your way through!" "I hear you, Raminus! I won't let him take me!" Damn, I can't feel my body again…the Devil regained control of my body. I'm still able to think for myself, but had to fight for every bit of consciousness… "Your soul belongs to me now!" The Devil lifted my hands skyward, and soaked the pristine clouds above with the blood of sinful humans. Rain immediately dropped from the sky. The red torrent pummeled the Arch-Mage's tornado until it fell apart and that's when I attacked. The Devil in all his fury, failed to gather Gorah's key from me. Costly mistake. Like a tightly knotted rope, I spent the day unraveling Gorah's key from my spirit, and held the object up as I stalked my prey. The key was fanged shaped and made for the perfect weapon. With the key gripped tightly in both hands, I sneaked out of the subconscious mind, stabbed the Devil through his back, and watched as the tip punctured the demon's black heart. Screaming miserably, the Devil fell from my body and right into the black hole leading to his own realm. The effects of possession were severe. As I regained control of my body, I immediately fell from the sky when my exhausted limbs failed to respond. Barely conscious, I could feel someone catch me. Cradle, me…our bodies hovered over the burning dungeon rubble. Looking up to Raminus is why I fell asleep right there, with a smile on my face…

Thanks guys! Love reading your replies...they're like Birthday presents, or reading fortune cookies! Some people say the fortune cookie is the best part of the meal... @ K - Thanks for response! @ SilverDNA - Really? That's great...I don't want to feel like I'm blabbering though, so I try to write only relevant info. @ Maharg - Yes. It is the Devil from this realm... Next chapter will be posted in a few minutes.

Everyone gasps, but I’m quick to respond. Saya had just finished laying out the sleeping gear but had fainted on the spot. I catch her in my arms before she comes into contact with the rock-hard earth. The morphine must have worn out and Autumn’s torture methods must have taken their toll. Her light, tender frame allows me to carry her effortlessly. -AliasTheory Nice.. Well I think Bethesda is great at developing good worlds. I feel as if you can take any of their characters, and fill them with life. Jericho is an excellent example.

Thanks for the comments. Very agreeable points, especially concerning prohibition. I'm always of the mind, that freedom isn't (or shouldn't be) governed by law. It's a state of being. I have absolute say over what goes in, and comes out of my body and mind. If I don't...then perhaps I'm not free. Of course, the guise comes in the form of law. Lawyers argue over our "right" to smoke K2, or not smoke K2. But it has nothing to do with K2...Aren't they really just arguing over how much control to inflict on us?

So one of the professors here on campus was caught smoking one of the harsher brands in the spice collection. (Triple XXX) He can't be fired, because it's not illegal. But he's been put on administrative leave for improperly using the spice. It says on the label, NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. Now the lawyers are involved. But isn't this true for a lot of chemicals and ingredients in the world? My questions? If K2 becomes illegal, shouldn't we make all chemicals illegal? Whey isn't glue illegal? People sniff glue to get high, too. But since K2 is legal, shouldn't everything just be legal? Even the bad stuff, like Meth, or cocaine?

“Should not exist but we do exist. Do we not bleed?” Bobby frowned softly. “Do we not weep, laugh and all that sort of thing?” -Maharg We do...

This can be a very sad, or happy poem. Depending on perspective.

"After him!" -K You're getting good at executing a suspenceful scene. I really enjoyed this Chapter. It shows a good amount of writing growth.

Chapter 9 Wolf in Sheep's Clothing My father, alive? I was sure I watched him perish…but I wasn't positive. This small sliver of doubt is what gave birth to the mountainous pillars of hope swelling inside of me. But I had to temper the excitement. Hope could be more dangerous than poison, and I was not in the mood to get ill. It was dusk by the time I reached the Imperial City. Shimmering waves of auburn rattled across the horizon as I strolled along the Imperial Isle Bridge. There were a few people standing by the banister leading into the Arcane University. When they noticed me, one of them stepped in my way. "Where do you think you're going?" "Official University business is none of your concern." "Well I'm making it my business," The brutish Orc growled. "And you don't look like a Mage. There's only one reason why you're walking around here dressed like that..." I tried not to acknowledge my scanty clothing, but the Orc and his Imperial buddies couldn't stop looking at me. "I was assaulted…and don't usually dress like this." "That's what all whores say!" The Orc laughed, stepping closer. "You're going to pleasure me on this bridge. And when you're done, you're going to pleasure my friend's too!" "Am I?" I said, using my telekinesis to fondle the Orc's belt. He smiled when I unlatched the buckle, and tugged at his trousers. "You're groping me with magic? Will it hurt?" "Don't worry," I said smiling. "This will be quick. The Orc licked his lips when I used my telekinesis to grab his hips. With a swift tug of my spell, I pulled the Orc's trousers down to foot level, and wrapped them around his ankles. "Hey, what are you doing?" Without answering, I pulled the Orc off his feet and lifted him upside down. "I'm not one of those whores on the Waterfront." "Let me go sewer rat!" "I'm not one of those, either. But if you want to be put down…" I strolled to the western side of the bridge, and held the Orc over the edge. "Wait!" He panicked. "Don't let me go!" Morus seemed to smile at the dangling barbarian. "Make up your mind, Orc." "Do something!" He yelled to his friends. "Stop her!" "Hey, I don't mess with girls who wear pentagrams!" Said one of them. "I'm just a farmer!" Exclaimed the other. "Mages are above my rank! This one has a talking staff!" "Looks like you're on your own, Orc." He growled, but didn't apologize. So I lowered the disgruntled Orc to the bottom of the gulley before going about my way. I slipped into the Arcane University just before the evening supper bells rang. Yes I was famished; but the need to find clothing trumped my other priorities. I made my way towards the tower and was immediately greeted by the Arch-Mage. "Isah, Isah, Isah…I sensed your arrival and came to meet you. Come with me. May I take your staff?" I gave him Morus, as was the custom, and followed the Arch-Mage to his private quarters on the tower's third floor. He smothered me with a contemptuous look the entire time. "I made half of the Mage's Guild look for you. This is not the time for unauthorized absences. Tamriel is in great peril…and where are you clothes? That's barely an outfit! I can almost see your…" I sat on the edge of the bed and covered my chest with one of the Arch-Mage's pillows. He circled me before grabbing a spare robe from a nearby cabinet. I took it willingly as he stood by my side. "What is that on your stomach?" "I've been cursed." "Let me see." Worry now chiseled the Arch-Mage's face into wrinkles. When I revealed all of the Devil's Pentagram, he leaned closer. "This is the work of a Master. No…something more than a Master. Where did you get it?" I started from the beginning, and explained how I found and defeated Gorah. The Arch-Mage began pacing about and didn't speak when I finished the tale. I grew worried, and questioned him when the silence became uncomfortable. "What's wrong? What did he do to me?" "The Necromancer has sealed Gorah's key to your spirit so that when you die, only the Devil will be able to retrieve it. He performed kind of…magical surgery on you." He was right. When I tried to remove the key from my spirit's grasp, I could not obtain it. "How is this possible?" I asked in amazement. "This is why the previous Arch-Mage banned Necromancy before his passing. Tampering with minds and spirits is unethical, dangerous, and invasive. This particular curse has its roots in dark magic. Santa Ria, Mierqualos, and Enobi Bas Horum are some of the most powerful cults that practice dark forms of magic." "Who is behind this?" "Your curse is known as the Devil's Engagement. It will bind you to the Hellish being by the next eclipse. The Devil's Engagement is a very ancient Enobi Bas Horum curse that grows stronger with time. The sooner you can be dispelled, the better." "What does it do? What do you mean by bind?" "If the bond between you and the Devil becomes strong enough, he may decide to make you his bride. If that happens, the Devil will take possession of your body in order to commit suicide, and bring your soul into the Underworld." I was frightened. No…near frantic! I could feel my heartbeat pounding like a Warhammer. "How do I get rid of the curse?" "I will be difficult." The Arch-Mage said pausing by his door. "I must consult with the Universities' greatest minds to find the exact incantations that will sterilize the pentagram for removal. This is a dangerous time for you. There will be side effects." "What do you mean?" "Innocence is one of the greatest things to defile. This is why the Devil is drawn to virgin blood. Mages are even more appealing and when you add Gorah's key into the mix…I fear the Devil will find you irresistible." "What can the Devil do to me?" "I'm not sure, Isah. The Devil isn't a Daedra Prince. He comes from another realm. A place of great turmoil. Look out for crazed followers. He might attack you with insects, dementia, or invade your dreams with nightmares. You'll have to be prepared for anything." "Will this interfere with my joining the hunt?" The Arch-Mage laughed. "Hunt? You are no more qualified to hunt deities than a baker." "I am a Master Wizard!" I yelled standing. "I found the first key!" "You were lucky." He said calmly. "You don't really believe you're qualified to be a Wizard, do you?" "What is that supposed to mean?" "Are you that blind to your beauty, Isah? You're a Mage befitting of marriage, but not the title of Wizard. I promoted you to this rank because quite honestly…I find you alluring and thought we had an understanding. Besides, it wouldn't look right if the Ach-Mage were married to a Journeyman." I stood there with my mouth ajar. "I didn't earn my place among the Wizards?" "Not with magic…" Said the Arch-Mage shaking his head. "You're a Journeyman at best. A Master Wizard at the age of twenty? Open your eyes. The next youngest Wizard is twice your age." "And you just think that I'll marry you because…you say so?" "Why would you say no? I am a fine specimen of a man, am I not?" I was crushed. To think I hadn't earned my rank was bad. But to know it was only because I was thought of as…a piece of marketable meat, was demoralizing. The other Mages must have scorned my quick ascension through the ranks. Now I know why mischievous students were my friends. Even worst, they must have thought I was giving the Arch-Mage sexual favors for advancements. Even at this very moment… I put on the new robe and walked to the door as my eyes watered, but the Arch-Mage barred me from leaving. "Where do you think you're going?" "Away from you! I don't believe you lied to me like this! Am I nothing more than flesh to you?" "You should feel privileged that I've taken an interest in you, Isah! Have you forgotten the filthy gutter rat you once were? Be thankful merchants brought you here to the University, where you could be civilized." Aghast, I pushed the Arch-Mage back with my telekinesis, but he countered with a more powerful spell and thrust me against the wall. I couldn't move any of my limbs as he pinned me beneath a painting of Anvil. "I can't let you walk away." "Let me go!" "Sorry Isah, but that's not going to happen. I'm putting you in the dungeon for your own good…I can't be sure if that's you talking, or the Devil. I will remove the curse. Trust me..." "Let me go! I will not be your prisoner! Let me go! Let me go!" The Arch-Mage conjured a spell that turned the entire room into a cloud of smoke. I could feel my mind and body drifting away. There was no way of stopping it, and the two of us were sucked inside the cloud and transported to a darker place.

Thanks for the comments! Lot's of homework this weekend, I was SO busy...next chapter coming up shortly. Your comments are welcome. @Robco I changed the order of the words. Did that help? @Maharg Let's pop some champagne every time a chapter is finished! @K Your words always make me smile. Thank you! @SilverDNA So... DNA was looking for proof? lol

A witch… And the proof is here for all to see…” He tossed a brown, tattered book to the ground, returning to the sides of the other members. Unable to feel my legs, I crawled for the book with met resistance, focusing on keeping my hands steady as their trembling prevented me from opening it. Once I took my glance at the first entry, the grimace discovery was too much… -K Moving. Compels the reader forward. I can't wait for the next entry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd8SULGBBuQThe Summit On Campus Activity

Ok...K2 has been out for a while. (I was privy to it during my first semester of college last year) It's under the guise of incense, and sold at most tobacco shops. It's perfectly legal in all states except for Kansas. Some European countries have already banned it. Supposedly, K2 gives a similar high to marijuana. From what I've seen on campus, some people get really high, other see stuff, some aren't affected much. (like weed) Should it be illegal even though it's sold traditionally as an incense? What about other illegal drugs of a similar ilk? I could use the insight to take back to campus... 8)