Uranometria Volume 3--Chapter 1

Hey guys, I have the first chapter of the third volume. It's finally here, yes? Sorry, I don't have an accent, I just like saying that sometimes. Hope you guys like it! --KatDon

Chapter 1: Ennui and Boketto

Ophelia got the rifle ready and calls out, "I took down your creeps, Sarpedon. Now it's just you and me. So why not come out and fight girl to dog?" She waited until she heard a low chuckle, it sounded like Laran's laugh sort of. But deeper, demonic sounding to it. "'Dog'? Like I never heard that before." said a deep voice. Ophelia was shaken by this voice but managed to stand tall. "Is that how you do? Scare your son? You abandoned him, you made him feel like he was worthless?" She called out to him. "He was not in full bloom of his power. He couldn't control it, who wants to train him? A stubborn, mild piece of crappy work?" said Sarpedon. "You're a jerk, a fricking jerk. What kind of father are you that does that to his own son?!" shouted Ophelia. Then, just around the corner, her enemy was closing in on her! She could feel him, his heart beating fast. He was scared too? Well, things were about to get interesting....Very. Very. Interesting. For both predator and prey. Who will stay alive? Who will be the one bleeding from the wound? 

Earlier before....

Fortunate Isle where the wee folks reside. Most say in Fortunate Isle that the Wheel of Fortune comes for the lucky ones and the unlucky one. But some are in between. Take Patroklos Amirani; he himself was a young man with dark red hair, eyes shimmering of emeralds, and faded freckles on the bridges of his nose to his upper cheeks. His one year younger brother, Jeremiah, is sallow complexion and dark hair. He is the fairest of them all. And Patroklos is protective of his brother because of how frail and nervous he is. Patroklos and Jeremiah lost their parents when they were children in a car accident, so Patroklos became responsible and nurture his brother Jeremiah. Jeremiah begin to have clairvoyant visions of who is lucky and who is not. He had clairvoyance since he was 13 years of age. The Amirani Brothers differ from the Irish kin; Patroklos is a logical, patient, and brave young man. But Jeremiah is shy, reserved, anxious, and low self esteem of a young man. Patroklos bonded with Jeremiah as well as their friends: The boisterous, blood thirsty and bashing bruiser name Tiermes LeSavage. Tiermes was suffering from teen alcohol for he was abused with liquor physically and mentally by his father, he harmed one of his friends name Hagen Rut and never forgiven himself for that scar he had given him. Hagen is nevertheless loyal to his friends, he is always forgiven to others even in the traumatized moments. He is a little brother figure to Patroklos and Jeremiah. 

Patroklos's close friend Iktomi Ogma is a wise mentor to Patroklos and very patient while also shows kindness, he was a survivor after he was stranded on an island. And lastly is Glen Drest is a writer and a storyteller who has suffer of emotional and verbal abuse from his dysfunctional family that always never pays attention of how smart he was. They call him names, they believe he is nothing more than a 'lazy mistake'. Patroklos has quit from his job at the mental health clinic because it was 'too family-ish' and once friend Darius Cook became a poisonous friend to poor Patroklos, who got away as he begins to feel depressed but recovers through therapy. One day, he gets a breakthrough when Jeremiah had a vision in his sleep: He dreamt that there was people screaming, a blood bath, and madness. Patroklos hears his brother's vision so he tells his friends about it and they all pack their things. They went to catch the bus in time, they climbed aboard but while roaring away; they receive word on the news that Fortunate Isle had the Wendigos attacking all the people that were screaming and there was blood splatter like a shower of petals. Madness was in the air--Jeremiah's vision has come true so Patroklos and his friends search for a new home. Listening to the music from the radio. It's an intense song  but Iktoki didn't know what to write about now. He begin to dream as he dreamt of something more beautiful. And the others were looking forward into finding their paradise. 

5 years ago.....

He was asleep again. 10 year old Artegal Dice dreamt for so long, even around morning. That's when he woke up with a start. He saw someone peering down at him, it was his best friend 9 year old Talus Zedek. "Talus, what are you doing peering at me like that?" Artegal asked in a groggy tone. "You were supposed to be ready, I was waiting for you to wake up. We were supposed to go to the Britomart house, remember? It's her birthday." Talus explained. Artegal groaned in disbelief, he couldn't believe it. He'd forgotten about that, it was Britomart's tenth birthday today! He couldn't believe he forgotten about it. "Sorry, tell my mom and dad to wait for me. I'll be right down." said Artegal. Talus nodded as he headed out. A few seconds later, Artegal was dressed as he was walking with his family and friend to Britomart's house. It wasn't that far, it was just a short walking distance. Artegal and Talus live in a rural, small, relatively isolated town. It was a nice to place to live but there was only one problem; the sun would set and everyone was quick to get back home. Ferocious monsters that feed on human blood and flesh. Children and teenagers were forbidden to go out alone. Even adults weren't allowed to go out alone either. If anyone disobeyed, they will be killed by the monsters. And this is true, there's a lot crimes involving with these.....things. Artegal and Talus obeyed to these rules however Artegal wasn't sure if they were real or not.  Talus begged his brother not to risk it, but Artegal made up his mind. They were going to find their liberation and find a way to shatter themselves from the lives they live in. But it looked like Artegal's life was also going to change for good. 


5 years later.....

Artegal was writing in his book, "It’s us against the society. Three against many. Everyone’s trying to corrupt us but we are trying not to let them. I've been fed so many lives by the society, so I don’t even know what to believe anymore. I'm with them, and we give each other strength and shelter." He stops and puts down his journal. Artegal is 17 years old; Tall, dark haired, and handsome. He is sallow, aloof, reserved, stern, and stoic while Talus, who is 16, is a cheerful, light-humored and energetic. And Britomart, who is the same age as Artegal, became this quiet, introverted, yet courageous and full of perseverance. Artegal stood up and faced the other two, "It’s our individual lives. Are we gonna let the same rules restrict us?" He asked. "No." Talus and Britomart said. Artegal nodded, "Good answer." He said. Talus pumps his fists, Britomart smile timidly. Artegal turned away. Here they are. They’re supporting each other here and now as they fight off the society. Artegal, Talus, and Britomart were assassins; well, special kind as they hunt down other killers and vulgar minded criminals. Especially Radigund--A ruthless woman who is part of a Mafia as well as a drug cartel. Artegal and his friends are monastic figures who despises injustice and devotes themsevles to helping victims of criminals, they are justice. One day, Artegal caught somebody looking at an astoundingly canvas wall art painting at a museum. It was a girl with long dark hair and she wore a blue casual dress with heels. Talus saw this sight and wolf whistles, "Hell-O Nurse!" He said, laughing. Artegal saw the young lady in blue, she seemed pretty. 

"There's nothing to know about me, I mean...I'm a mess, look at me." Artegal said, looking away. "I am....You're not a mess at all." replied Cassandra, staring at her. Artegal looked at her with a confuse look before he passed out. When he woke up; Cassandra was standing next to him in the medics. "Wha--Where am I?" Artegal whispered. "In the hospital." replied Cassandra with obviousness in her voice. "Heard you got yourself in trouble." Artegal looked confuse underneath his stoic gaze, "What?" He asked. "You passed out and had a break down." explained Cassandra. "I did?" asked Artegal. "Yeah, you OK?" asked Cassandra. Artegal sat up as he clutched his head, "No. I don't remember having a meltdown." He said. "You don't." replied Cassandra. So, Artegal explains what happened: "I remember I'm just doing my own business. And I keep having these blackouts and I don't remember any of it." "You sure you don't remember?" asked Cassandra. "No, I don't." Then she comes up with an idea as she told him of a parable: "A guy saw no light in his life. He only saw darkness and gloominess. He thought he saw light in me. I want to be free. He destroyed the light of hope inside himself, while looking for my hope. We don't own what makes up happy, we only own what makes us sad. I've been alone and sad. The things that are supposed to make me feel better, they don't. I did everything in my life to be good, because if he knew the really me, than he would see that I'm a free spirit. Once you do something, it's said and done. When you hurt the person in all the money in the world, but it wouldn't change what you did that person. Or how they feel about you." explained Cassandra.

She put a hand on his thigh, Artegal moves away and he looked like he was about to lose it. He is panting so heavily. Cassandra came over to him, "What's the matter?" She asked, "Afraid of me?" "Don't come any closer." warned Artegal. Just then, he became a white haired persona known as Elric. Cassandra talks to him as Elric explains how Artegal is feared by the one woman that ruined him, Myrrha. "Who is Myrrha?" asked Cassandra."His mother." Elric replied, "The way she jacked him for good." "Jacked? Wait do you mean....?" Cassandra starts to ask, however Elric turned back to Artegal. As it turns out; Artegal was a victim of carnal abuse. His mother, Myrrha, has a interbreed love with her son and deflower him of his innocence. Artegal tried to refuse his mother's advances, however every time he refused; she would ravished violently on him with sharp objects. Artegal would be left traumatized, he never told anyone about his abuse as he blames himself. His mother died when she was kidnapped and found dead. It was poetic justice, as Artegal became a different person. He had two friends, name Balan and Balin, who were innocent people who were victims of black marketing for human moonshine. But the boys are killed by their flesh peddler. This made Artegal so angry that two swords appear in his hands as well as his hair became white. Something inside him changed, a new person as he took down all the people involved in the human moonshine and the flesh peddler. This white haired, black heart alter ego is Elric and his double swords are known as, Stormbringer & Mournblade. Cassandra is shocked to learn about this as she was terrified and needs to find Artegal and fast, she is beginning to have another vision and Radigund is going to kidnap him, she had to get there before Radigund! 

Even though Balin & Balan are dead. Instead of trying to forget them, like some people would do, Artegal remember them, he cherishes their life. He visits their graves, and gives them flowers. He still talks to them, pretending they're still alive, wishing they would talk back to him one of these days. Artegal still remembers everything about them, even their birthday. Someone once told him that saying their names will make their deaths easier but he doesn't know if that's true. Could it make it easier? Were they truly happy? "I’d fix everything if I could go back. I want you both back, I miss you more than anything else in the world. But I can’t go back. And, my friends, these roses won’t bring back what’s lost. They say you didn’t realize what you had until you lost it....Now I know what that means." He said. Just then, someone knocks him out and he wakes up with bounds on his wrists as well as behind him. He couldn't believe who he saw standing over him, "You...." He said. Radigund turned to him with a smirk on his face, "Judgment Day is here for you...." She grabbed him, hauled him over the edge. "Please, don't..." He started to say but Radigund said, "Nice knowing you, Artegal Dice." and drops him down. Artegal tried to hang onto the ledge however Radigund steps on his fingers as he lets go. Artegal tried to find a way to grab something but there was nothing. As he thought he was going to die; he saw a vision: He's with them now in the afterlife. Now he can feel and see his friend. Artegal can start over with his friends, live the life that is meant for them. Now Artegal finally have them. The three of them relive the good times they had. They’re in Heaven, and they will be alright. 

But he wonders what about Talus and Britomart, who are sad that Artegal is gone. Balan and Balin fade as Artegal called them out. He realize after seeing his friends that this isn't what he wanted. He rather burn away and he was standing on the ledge to a fiery chasm as he was pushed down. But someone caught him before he could reach the flames. When Artegal looked up; it was Cassandra. "What are you doing here?" Artegal asked. "I came to rescue you." replied Cassandra. "Please, go away." Artegal begged. "Sorry. Can't do that." said Cassandra. The angel has come to only wreak havoc upon him, Artegal willingly gives himself up to it, ready for his fate. But the angel is benevolent, she is saving soul and is now healing him from the inside out, making him hear friendship. Believing this angel can help him, he begs for it’s aid. However, the angel has intention of saving him. An angel with wings, white and blue clothing comforting around him. Like some sort of comfort. This angel, Cassandra, came in from the Heavens and is saving Artegal from the depths of Hell. She was a fire, it was easy to see in Cassandra. She had wings big enough to show how much faith she had. Cassandra got Artegal to the ground safely as Radigund is shocked by this, "Impossible." She cried. "Nothing's impossible." said Cassandra, "You that old saying? 'Everybody deserves a chance to fly'? Well...Everybody deserves a chance to be free! And if you are free; you have liberation. To those that ground you, show them what you can do and admit your weaknesses." said Cassandra. Artegal looked at her, "Why are you telling me this?" He asked. 

Cassandra turned to him and place a hand on his shoulder, "I'm letting you know that you are not alone in what your going through. As they say, 'if we are all alone, then we’re together.' When life gets hard, and you feel like you want to give up, don't because I wont give in." She said. "Sometimes your left with nothing to say or do to change your bad situation, because the truth has been said and theres no other way, but you still have to hold on to life because it is not the end. It's pretty obvious, isn't it?" She grins and then she jumps down to fight the others. Artegal watched her fight, he had second doubts about all this. "It’s harder to fight and revolt." thought Artegal. He looks at her for support. "I know what to do now. It’s my moment to fight. I knows what to believe despite the lies that the society told me. I know because of her. I'm aware of my faith in her. It's what he feels makes me feel 'alive'." For the first time in forever; Artegal lost his composure as he begin to cry and then he breaks his stoic nature by shouting out to Cassandra, "CASS! I'M AFRAID OF CHANGING MY WAYS, I'M FROZEN AND UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW!!!!! LET US GO FREE.....WITH YOU!" Cassandra is stunt at this as a trembled Artegal calls out again, "I'M A TRAPPED PERSON, I WANT TO ESCAPE!!! FREE ME, MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE AGAIN--FREE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Cassandra turned to him with a smile and said, "I will...Only if you join me." "I will...And so will my friends." said Artegal. "It's a done deal." replied Cassandra, and they fought Radigund's men while she escapes. 

Meanwhile; Ophelia is hanging out with her friends Tamara Feivel and Camilla Hillar. Tamara is the seemingly laid back, easy going, mellow, kind, and humorous 17 year old anime otaku. Camilla Hillar is a peppy, optimistic, energetic, creative, and compassionate 19 year old anime otaku/weeboo. Everything she is thinking about; Ophelia’s clawing and gripping for everything that she remembers about Roland because she doesn’t want to forget. Roland is always running through her mind and is all over the place, but in that moment Ophelia wishes that he was there even though she might have no idea what to say or what to do, she just wishes that he/she was there. She did some crazy shit with him and they, including Ace, didn’t think about the consequences or regrets, they just did it for no damn reason. "Damn, I’d do anything to have him here." She thought. "I miss him so much, I’d do anything just to smile at him again." Then she went to sleep and a fantasy dream: Ophelia moaned out loud, "I'm bored." "Why so bored? Wanna do house work?" asked her mother. "That's not fun! Why can't we go to the mall? Find a manga? Find an anime?" ranted Ophelia. "Maybe." Her mother said. "When?" asked Ophelia with excitement. "Um...How about tomorrow? Or the weekend?" Her mother suggested. "Awww, come on! Tomorrow is fine." moaned Ophelia. Her mother sighs, "Oh, all right." She said. "YAY! I haven't been outside in a long time." Ophelia replied. "You went for a walk today." reminded her mother. "That's the closest I'll ever get!" whined Ophelia. "Baby steps, we'll improve." said her mother in a comforting tone. Sadly, it was a fantasy. Ophelia learns that Jurek Fitzwarin has been trying to get her heart racing but she saw Astrild there and then she has a panic of realization. 

She walks over to Astrild, "Astrild, are you....Jurek Fitzwarin?" asked Ophelia slowly. Astrild looked at her funny, "Yeah." He said. Ophelia stared at him before she turned away. "Oh snap." She said. "Didn't see that coming. Sheeeet." Awkward by this, She walked away but she is contacted as more trouble occurs with the monsters closing in and Ophelia took down the Wendigos. But she was so exhausted that she fainted. When she woke up; Tamara and Camilla were with her but Roland and Ace there. "Roland? Ace?" Ophelia asked. She thought, "Venus Flytrap feeling.....crazy!" "Wow, what a couple of misfits." Camilla remarked. "They look different." Tamara said. "Ophelia, are you OK?" asked Roland. "Who are they?" inquired Ace, looking suspicious. "My friends, Tamara Feivel and Camilla Hillar." Ophelia said. Roland smiled nodded while Ace looks annoyed and walks away. "Hard to believe you used to date them." Tamara noted. Ophelia gave her a friend a look, "Date them? Are you trying to female victim blaming me?" She asked. Tamara looked at her shocked, "No, no, no!" She exclaimed. Camilla looked at them as she whispered, "Why did you dump Ace? He's hot." "Not as hot as Roland." Tamara rasped back. But a familiar voice bellowed out, "OPHELIA!!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Ophelia jumps, she turns around to see the humorous glare from his little brother Axel and an amused Janus comforting him. "Axel? Janus? What's up y'all?" greeted Ophelia. "Axel's gonna kill you for saying that." Camilla whispered. "DON'T START THAT WITH ME MISSY!!!!" said Axel. "Listen up, we are on a mission to find Nuada Chronos but first we must find Laran." 

"Laran?" asked Ophelia. "Isn't he that 'hunk' Eulalie told me about?" Axel gave his sister a look, Ophelia noticed and explained: "What? Ask Eulalie, she told me." "Then look him up--like you ALWAYS DO!!!!!!" exclaimed Axel. And she did. She was amazed with the results: "I found him....." said Ophelia in a sing song tone. Camilla looks at him with squinty eyes before saying, "That's Laran? Oh geez....He's a--" Tamara stops her, shaking her head. "Oh this is perfect....Ha." Ophelia said, giggling like a lunatic. She giggled and giggled as Camilla and Tamara looked at her. Axel's eyes bulged in horror before he remarked, "Stop giggling that way, you sound creepy." Axel commented. Ophelia beamed happily, "Just look at him, he's awesome...." He said. Tamara looks at him, "'Awesome' is not the correct word for him." She said. Janus thought for a moment, then a grin appeared on his face. "Oh, I have an idea." He said, "What if you 'charm' Laran? And see if you can talk into helping you?" Ophelia's face lightened up, "Ooooh, awesome." She said in a dreamy tone. "Oh no, Janus!" Axel groaned, "Do not give my sister ANY ideas!" "It'll be fun." reassured Janus. "I mean it's one way to find Nuada Chronos." Axel pouted humorously. "Oh fine." He said. Looks like Laran was in trouble with the Wendigos but it isn't long until Ophelia came in like the speed of light and took them out lickity split. "YIPE!!!!" Ophelia jumped and did a handstand to steady herself. "Oooh, mama! Talk about being hunted down by Wendigos up the yin-yang!" She said to herself out loud. 

She look up to see Laran and his lackeys staring at her, Ophelia looked around and then says holding up one finger, "Give me one second...." She stretched herself and stood up normally as she says, "Hallejuah! Does that feel good or what?!" Ophelia leans over as she said, "So nice to be back into action, hi there--Who are you? Where you from?" Laran is slightly weirded out, "Um...Laran?" He said. Ophelia stood up like a grand-stander, "La-ran! Good to meet you man, ah. I like what I see, absolutely." She said looking at him. "Are you a goddess?" asked Laran. Ophelia gives him a look and looked sensual, "What? Wanna sleep with me?" She commented. Laran blushed, his lackeys were flushing too but also were suffering from a sudden, violent case of epistaxis. Ophelia laughed out loud, "I'm joking, I'm kidding. Sorry. That was out of context, my friend." She explained. Then Ophelia looked at him and recognized him, "Wait, you're that hottie hunk that Eulalie was getting heavy with. Mmmph, she never gave me the justice on you being a looker, a tough looker." Laran is embarrassed by that, "She and I never...Wait, are you from Silver Branch?" He asked. "Ding Ding! We have a winner!" exclaimed Ophelia, her bellowing was loud enough to make Laran and his lackeys winced and glared at her. "I am an agent." ranted Ophelia, "I wear a disguise. I'm just your average Jane, plain Sarah. But I'm not plain, I'm the Super Chick and I got the gun here so I'm gonna be myself." She then made her pose daring as she says, "Ophelia is the name, don't mess with me!" 

One of the lackeys let a wolf whistle rip. "Ophelia, damn that's a pretty name." He said. Ophelia gave the guy a look, "Hey, calm your jets. Don't get too...jizzed." She replied. The lackeys looked shocked, "What now?" They cried. Ophelia cracked a smile, "Gotcha." She said. She fell back as she laughed, "You should've seen your faces. Oh man, so funny." Ophelia replied in between the laughter. She looks to see Laran's glare, she stop smiling. "Don't say that again." said Laran. Ophelia gets up, calm as she replied: "'Kay, Sorry." But she became serious, "So yeah. I know almost everybody in Silver Branch. I don't know everything but I know some things, 'kay?" explained Ophelia. Then Laran thought for a moment however he was doubtful about her being a fighter. "This kid? Please. She doesn't seem like one...Or is she?" He thought. "You know some things? You know almost all the agents? Smart girl but I don't think you got brawn don't ya?" chaffed Laran, "You're just a prissy girl who just doesn't like getting her nails broken. I know if you are able to fight--Let a real man show you how." He left with a small snickered with his boys laughing along with him. And they were gone. But Ophelia was furious, she clenched her teeth so hard that it gritted. "Prissy? Just a girl?" She thought. Then she exclaimed, "That's it!!!! NOW I'M PISSED!!!!!" She marched away to strip off her long sleeved top to reveal a sleeveless tank. She put on an arm wrap around both of her upper arms and loaded her gun to kill some beasts. Laran was fighting while his lackeys cheered for him but now Laran was surrounded by so many that it was too overwhelming. He didn't know he was going to get out of this mess. One Wendigo crashed down. It was swaying back and forth like crazy before it passed out. 

The Wendigo looked up as it saw Ophelia, who looked down at him, saying: "Now you know how I feel, bub." She put a gun to his head and then shoves his corpse so hard to the others who fell sideways--Much to Laran's surprise. He was shocked to see an enraged Ophelia exclaiming like a banshee: "That was for calling me 'prissy'!" Then she took her gun and shot at the Wendigos that were coming from above and falling like flies. "And that's for saying I was a girl to fight!" Ophelia bellowed. A Wendigo tried to sneak attack her, but Ophelia knocked him with her fist without turning around. She took the lifeless body and threw at Laran's lackeys, who fell down in a heap. Ophelia twirled her gun and tucked it back in its case. "And THAT'S FOR YOUR PERVERY LACKEYS!!!!!" She cried out. "Did you have to go and yell like that?" One of the lackeys asked. "I can make you deaf if you prefer, want that?!" proclaim Ophelia, her eye was twitching but she looked like she calmed down. However; Ophelia laughs cynically and weakly, "So let me see if I got this right....." She said. Then she looks at Laran with a glare, "I'm a prissy, girlie girl who is afraid I'll break a nail? Hello, did you see me whoop those guys asses? What? Is that not good enough for ya, brotha? Are you satisfied? are you blind as a bat? Or are you just a sexist?" She ranted. Laran smirks, amused at her anger. "Oh no, I see how it is and I am NOT going to accept that." Ophelia storms over to him as she continued to fulminate, "I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU SO SHUT UP!!!!!!!!" The lackeys screamed like girls and hid, Laran was amazed by this. He turns to Ophelia, "You just scared my boys with your....guts...." said Laran. "My brother doesn't call me Miss Sass-a-Phrass for nothing, PAL!!!!" said Ophelia with a sassy tone. Laran looked surprised, not scared at all, then he smirks. 

"Funny." was his response and walks away. Ophelia looked at him in disbelief, "What? You should be scared!" She cried, following him. He let out a low chuckle, "I don't do fear." said Laran. Ophelia gave him a weird look, "Oh come on!!!! The scary ones are afraid too!" She protested. Laran turned to her, "Well that doesn't scare me at all." He stopped smiling, "I do have one fear...." He said. Ophelia looks at him with disbelief, "Like what?" She asked. "Rejection." replied Laran. "Really? From what? Your family? Friends?" inquired Ophelia. "I don't want to talk about family." replied Laran. He walked away but turns back and says to her, "There is one thing though. There's this bastard name Sapredon and he is being overthrown by me. But there's something you need to know...." Ophelia looks at him, "What?" Laran turn werewolf and growled, "Leave the son of the bitch to me!" "Gotcha." replied Ophelia. Once Laran pounced away from her in his werewolf form; Ophelia smiled and squeal, "WOW. He sounded so intense. That was awesome!" But she had to wonder about Sarpedon so she used the Moneta, as she learned how much of a jerk he is to his son in the past; leaving him alone for so long. Ophelia was upset to see this as she thought of her own past. She learned that he is offered in the Wendigo project. She couldn't believe, she had to stop this and she does. But the problem was she didn't tell Laran. But one person knew she was going and that was Roland. When Roland learned where she was going, he rushed to Laran for help. 

Ophelia head over to Sarpedon and took down the Wendigos but saw someone that looked like an older version of Laran! The only difference is he had a more monstrosity look in his eyes. This was Sarpedon, he became a werewolf and dodged inside a dark cavern looking lair. Ophelia tailed behind him, while fighting the other Wendigos. Finally defeating them, Ophelia got the rifle ready and calls out, "I took down your creeps, Sarpedon. Now it's just you and me. So why not come out and fight girl to dog?" She waited until she heard a low chuckle, it sounded like Laran's laugh sort of. But deeper, demonic sounding to it. "'Dog'? Like I never heard that before." said a deep voice. Ophelia was shaken by this voice but managed to stand tall. "Is that how you do? Scare your son? You abandoned him, you made him feel like he was worthless?" She called out to him. "He was not in full bloom of his power. He couldn't control it, who wants to train him? A stubborn, mild piece of crappy work?" said Sarpedon. "You're a jerk, a fricking jerk. What kind of father are you that does that to his own son?!" shouted Ophelia. This was a familiar rage, it reminded her of herself with her own father. She remembered how her father called and left a message, "You can all go to hell..." She laughed along with her family but deep down she too was hurt like them. Sarpedon thought she was getting closer and closer to her. Ophelia is aware as she moves away swiftly. Sarpedon wasn't aware of that and he was still looking. Ophelia used the rifle and tried to shoot him but Sarpedon learned what was going on. He then cornered Ophelia, it look like this was it for her! Sarpedon was about to attack, Ophelia was so scared. Just then, a flash of light appeared. Laran pounced his father to the ground, it was like two dogs were raging at one another. Ophelia didn't want to watch but she didn't want to look away. Eventually, Laran pulled away, glaring at his father who looked at him in amazement. "You've gotten stronger, Laran." said Sarpedon. 

"Next time you hurt a girl, you'll be dealing with me." threatened Laran, he kicked his dad and walked out. Ophelia followed him, Laran didn't say anything to her. But he said one thing: "I need you to wait for me at the inn. Don't do anything until I get back, got it?" Ophelia nodded, "OK." and she obeyed to this, she knew she was in big trouble. Later on; Laran walks over to the guilty Ophelia, who didn't look up at him. Laran sat next to her but not too close. Ophelia didn't want to look at him. It was quiet for a moment. But silence wasn't too long. "Do you know why I'm here?" Laran asked. Ophelia still didn't look up, "Yes." She said. "What am I here for?" questioned Laran in a strained voice. Ophelia was silent for a moment before she answered, "Because I went on a rampage against your father. And I didn't tell you." "Why didn't you tell me?" demanded Laran. Ophelia shrugged, "I don't know, I was pissed." She said. Ophelia looked up but not at him. "Are you mad?" asked Ophelia. Laran nodded, "I'm pissed." He replied. Ophelia squeezed her eyes shut. "Knew it." She muttered. "I am. Were you trying to kill the son of a bitch? I told you to leave him to me!" said Laran. "I know. But I was filled with anger." Ophelia protested. "At what?" Laran asked. "The way he abandoned you. How hurt you were but you know what pissed me off? He made fun of you, calling you a disgraceful outcast that I'm ashamed to call him my son. He said you were a brat that was spoiled. And how he was betrayed by how much of a brat." ranted Ophelia. She was out of breath and waited for Laran to say something. "You know that's not true." He finally said. "I know, I took out his lies on him. I kicked the crap out of him." Ophelia said. 

"You can't changed people, you solve other people's problems. And you can't make every thing all right." Laran said in a hard tone to his voice. Ophelia hugged her knees, "I know what it's like." She mumbled. "What?" asked Laran. "Nothing." said Ophelia, still not looking at him. "Look at me." Laran commanded. "I can't." said Ophelia, "I've already looked at you, I only got you in my head." Laran was annoyed, "Don't make excuses, I just don't get why you're so selfish and how you can go on and be like you are." He said. Ophelia turned to meet his gaze and she then said something, "Did you think I can't feel? Huh? You know why I did it? Your father was a jerk, he was a jerk just like my dad was!" Laran gaped at her in shock, Ophelia continued. "Where were you when he spanked me and yelled at me whenever I get trouble at school? Where were you when I was bullied and betrayed in middle school by horrible people you thought they were friends because they were nice and could see how much of a freak you were?! Where were you when my father called me a 'Fat Ass' when I was overweight and eating so fast because of a stupid meds made me that way? Where were you when I had to cover my ears during a movie in class? Where were you when my mother was depressed? You think you know me? YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME!!!!" ranted Ophelia with such emotion. She took a breath before admitting, "I can't keep my mind on things for long, I can't feel anything or be myself. I really hope this is worth it. I don't feel like I can change, I'm starting to open up when I've been silent my whole life. I don't want to show any weaknesses I have, I'm so overwhelmed with sadness, I feel like I can't yell loud enough! I feel like I'm not worthy enough to have friends, or any lovers. Because I'll hurt them in the end, and I don't want them to think I'm so greedy. I feel so empty; no matter how far I'll go, I'm not satisfied. I'm always searching for more and wondering why I can't be happy with what I have." She stop for a moment and bowed her head as her hair dropped down and hid her face. 

"I'm a temperamental person with an inflated view of my own talent and importance. I want everything, I need everything." She continued. Ophelia sniffed, she sounded like she's crying just a little. Then she managed to gasp out, "I wish I was a blonde. I had a rough time and didn't do anything to deserve it. I wish I could go back to my teen years, where I can worry about pretty things and not be rebellious. I wish I wasn't such a bad girl, because I missed out out on a lot of fun.  I don't want to be considered an angel because I never was like that all the time. I'm afraid...Afraid of dying alone. I was incredibly disoriented. I didn't know how to enjoy my teen years, I was supposed to test my limits but honestly, I didn't accomplish that. I regret on doing stupid things, youth is supposed to be a carefree time of happiness and full of friends right? I wish I was respected, invited to cool parties. I wish I was popular enough to be voted prom queen. All my years were wasted away, because I didn't make anything out of it. I lied saying that how my life was sweeter, nicer but it was all a big, dramatic fib." She weep a little but felt a comforting hand on her shoulder, she could hear Laran saying to her: "Well....Here you are, all of this gives you a good sense of how it feels to be alive. Even though you didn't change so much as the way you wanted, You wanted to died as a minor but afterwards you suddenly realize you're alive."

Ophelia looked up and smiles at him, somehow maybe this guy wasn't so bad once she got to know him a lot better. She and Laran made up as Ophelia then remembered something: "Hey, can I ask you one thing?" She asked. "Anything." Laran. "Do you know anyone by the name Nuada Chronos?" inquired Ophelia. Laran looked at her, "I do know him." He said finally. He looked scared, Ophelia is told that Nuada Chronos was the most fearsome warrior of not only one of his eyes are a different color but how much of a blood thirsty sadist he was. Ophelia was surprised so she ask him, "Can you help me--I mean, us?" Laran looked at her and then he said with a nod, "I will."