Alexander Collas's Blog - Posts Tagged "lgbtq"
Journal of a Deadman: Violence is out
Here continues the journals of Keith Aderwilde, the soul consigned to chronical his travels through Hell. In these entries we will visit the Planes of Blasphemy and Violence as well as the Creations discarded by The Father to the Void. Keith's travels have revealed to him the secrets The Host wished to hide. How their distain for the living since The Father's disappearance has festered until only a few of the trillions of souls who die are ever allowed to enter The Eternal City. How most, regardless of their devotion, fall prey to the contradictory rules set by The Host thus dooming them to an eternity as the playthings of Hells Demons and Damned. Keith is now forced into making hard decisions as he prepares to rescue his lover Usis from the clutches of the Overlord of Violence. With his travel companions and advisors, Keith must devise a way to confront one of Lucifer's most vicious Generals, Leviathan, on his own plane where eternal war is the reward for souls whose lives traveled the highways of brutality and hate. Keith, by orders of Lucifer, cannot deviate from his duties as Hell's journalist and therefore must first complete his visit of the Plane of Blasphemy before he can move on to rescue his companion. On Blasphemy he will encounter the avatars of Death and Life. He will learn what becomes of those who forsake The Father's gift of a flesh and blood for that of technology.
Here begins the conclusion of the widely successful series Journal of a Deadman. We welcome you again into the realms of The Dark Lord to experience Hell through the eyes of a simple mortal who has been thrust into the politics of Eternity where both Hell and The Host are in constant conflict over the dominion of the nine Creations.
This is Alexander Collas ninth novel. Both his series, Journal of a Deadman and The Family Morningstar, have received both adulation and infamy for taking on the subjects of God, Lucifer and Eternity from a different point of view and bringing into question the accepted paradigms handed down over the last two thousand years. These books are graphic, controversial and deal in topics often skirted by other authors.
Here begins the conclusion of the widely successful series Journal of a Deadman. We welcome you again into the realms of The Dark Lord to experience Hell through the eyes of a simple mortal who has been thrust into the politics of Eternity where both Hell and The Host are in constant conflict over the dominion of the nine Creations.
This is Alexander Collas ninth novel. Both his series, Journal of a Deadman and The Family Morningstar, have received both adulation and infamy for taking on the subjects of God, Lucifer and Eternity from a different point of view and bringing into question the accepted paradigms handed down over the last two thousand years. These books are graphic, controversial and deal in topics often skirted by other authors.
Into the Wild - Chapter 6
Eluard leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “The how is simple. You agree to take the journey, then we approach your friend and see what his feelings on the matter are.”
“What? You’re just going to walk up to Devon and say, ’So want to move to a new world that has magic?’”
The old man laughed as he took a drink from his goblet. “Not exactly, but close. We’ll approach him, in the same manner, we approached you, in his dreams. Once he’s shown interest, and we are certain he is, in fact, interested, we’ll up the intensity until he confides in you about the dreams. If that doesn’t work, we’ll let you broach the subject with him. We’ll play that part by ear. You then can break the news and let him know an offer is on the table. If I must, I’ll send him to you myself. I’ll appear in his dreams and instruct him to seek you out. Once he does, we will together get the final commitment.”
“Then poof, we’re transported?”
“There’s a little bit more preparation than that. With you traveling to a world with a wider variety of species, you will have the opportunity to change your physical appearance. We’ll also coach you on the different skills, in this case, professional and magical, you’ll need after you decide which you’re interested in. Then once all the details are hammered out, you’ll both go to bed and wake in your new home.”
“What happens once we get there, to this new place?”
“That’s entirely up to you. We’ll provide you with training specific to your race and new skill sets. We’ve found the best way to explain your new abilities is by level, as in your world’s video games. We’ll not send you in as a first level but more mid to upper range, based upon the challenges of your new world.”
Eluard looked thoughtful and turned serious. “When you wake, you’ll have all your knowledge already. Think of it like a skill you’ve not practiced for a while. Since you’ll have no practical experience, only memories, we encourage you to spend some time ‘remembering’ what you already know. We typically suggest you take a minimum of a few days and play with your abilities. You’ll wake up a short journey from one of the world’s towns in a secluded area so you can acclimate yourself. Also, and this is critical, once you wake up, we’re no longer in the picture. You’ll live or die based upon your skills.”
“So that’s all you’ll do for us?”
The old man shrugged. “We’ll give you money, clothing, a good set of weapons and things like that. Understand, however, that for a few days or weeks, based on how much time you take to practice, you’ll be rusty with everything, both physical and magical skills.”
Looking grave, Matt poured another drink. “You’re telling me this is a one-way trip, and there’s no turning back.”
“Correct. That’s the most important thing you need to get through your head. Once you’re there, no amount of begging will bring you back. Any other questions?”
“I’m not sure. Can we ask more questions once Devon is in on this?”
“Of course, this is just the setup. After Devon has been contacted, and if you two agree to take the journey, then you’ll be brought together to work on your new look and professions.” Looking down at his watch, the old man commented, “It’s getting late. Devon will be going to bed soon. Have you made your decision?”
Finishing off his goblet of wine, Matt set it down on the small table. “I’ve nothing keeping me here. If I turned down the opportunity to live a life I’d always dreamed of, I’d never forgive myself.”
Smiling, Eluard prompted him, “I need you to say ’I accept your offer, Eluard’.”
Looking across at the old man, Matt repeated the words deliberately. “I accept your offer, Eluard.”
“We will contact you once Devon has agreed in his mind so you can approach him. Don’t say anything beforehand.”
As the old man finished his warning, Matt saw a bright light and was again sitting on the end of his bed. He looked down he discovered he was still holding the coin.
“What? You’re just going to walk up to Devon and say, ’So want to move to a new world that has magic?’”
The old man laughed as he took a drink from his goblet. “Not exactly, but close. We’ll approach him, in the same manner, we approached you, in his dreams. Once he’s shown interest, and we are certain he is, in fact, interested, we’ll up the intensity until he confides in you about the dreams. If that doesn’t work, we’ll let you broach the subject with him. We’ll play that part by ear. You then can break the news and let him know an offer is on the table. If I must, I’ll send him to you myself. I’ll appear in his dreams and instruct him to seek you out. Once he does, we will together get the final commitment.”
“Then poof, we’re transported?”
“There’s a little bit more preparation than that. With you traveling to a world with a wider variety of species, you will have the opportunity to change your physical appearance. We’ll also coach you on the different skills, in this case, professional and magical, you’ll need after you decide which you’re interested in. Then once all the details are hammered out, you’ll both go to bed and wake in your new home.”
“What happens once we get there, to this new place?”
“That’s entirely up to you. We’ll provide you with training specific to your race and new skill sets. We’ve found the best way to explain your new abilities is by level, as in your world’s video games. We’ll not send you in as a first level but more mid to upper range, based upon the challenges of your new world.”
Eluard looked thoughtful and turned serious. “When you wake, you’ll have all your knowledge already. Think of it like a skill you’ve not practiced for a while. Since you’ll have no practical experience, only memories, we encourage you to spend some time ‘remembering’ what you already know. We typically suggest you take a minimum of a few days and play with your abilities. You’ll wake up a short journey from one of the world’s towns in a secluded area so you can acclimate yourself. Also, and this is critical, once you wake up, we’re no longer in the picture. You’ll live or die based upon your skills.”
“So that’s all you’ll do for us?”
The old man shrugged. “We’ll give you money, clothing, a good set of weapons and things like that. Understand, however, that for a few days or weeks, based on how much time you take to practice, you’ll be rusty with everything, both physical and magical skills.”
Looking grave, Matt poured another drink. “You’re telling me this is a one-way trip, and there’s no turning back.”
“Correct. That’s the most important thing you need to get through your head. Once you’re there, no amount of begging will bring you back. Any other questions?”
“I’m not sure. Can we ask more questions once Devon is in on this?”
“Of course, this is just the setup. After Devon has been contacted, and if you two agree to take the journey, then you’ll be brought together to work on your new look and professions.” Looking down at his watch, the old man commented, “It’s getting late. Devon will be going to bed soon. Have you made your decision?”
Finishing off his goblet of wine, Matt set it down on the small table. “I’ve nothing keeping me here. If I turned down the opportunity to live a life I’d always dreamed of, I’d never forgive myself.”
Smiling, Eluard prompted him, “I need you to say ’I accept your offer, Eluard’.”
Looking across at the old man, Matt repeated the words deliberately. “I accept your offer, Eluard.”
“We will contact you once Devon has agreed in his mind so you can approach him. Don’t say anything beforehand.”
As the old man finished his warning, Matt saw a bright light and was again sitting on the end of his bed. He looked down he discovered he was still holding the coin.
Into the Wild - Chapter 8
“It’s real, Devon,” said Matt, smiling. “Well, it’s as true for me as it is for you. I met with Eluard. We talked, and I picked you, which is who they already had in mind.”
“So, it’s real?” said Devon with a look of hopeful disbelief. Then his eyebrow lifted, and he tilted his head slightly, “You’re willing to leave everything behind and take this on faith?”
Matt shrugged. “Isn’t that all we have in the planning of our future, faith? In ourselves, in what we know, and those around us that we trust? I don’t have anything left here. Moreover, if this is genuine and really does happen, it sounds like the life you and I have both always wanted. It’d be a life full of adventure. Even if we die because of that adventure, at least we got to live it. I’d prefer to die doing something I’ve always dreamed of rather than just sitting here the rest of my life waiting for that day to come.”
“He said we would have powers?”
“Yes, as he explained it to me, we’d have a set of new skills. He said it’d be like D&D in that sense. That we’d come in mid-level, not start at the beginning. Anyway, he can answer this a lot better than I can. I need you to say you formally accept his offer, and then we both will see where it goes from there.”
“I already did. Hell yes, I’ll do it.”
“Then, please join me,” they heard a male voice call from the other room. “Bring the fries, I don’t get fries often,” he added. They walked around the kitchen corner, and Devon froze just inside the door. There was the man from his dreams, sitting on the couch.
Matt turned to his friend. “Devon, this is Eluard. Eluard, this is Devon.”
The old man leaned forward and filled the three crystal goblets sitting on the table from a dusty, old bottle. Both the tray and glasses were all far older and ornate than anything Matt owned.
Handing one to Devon, Eluard said, “So you’ve accepted. Good. I think the two of you will offset each other well. Here is what will happen now. Over the next few days, you both will need to get your affairs in order. As I’ve said before, nothing will be going with you. You’re also not allowed to leave any notes or other indications as to what has happened to you. This world must think you just vanished.”
“But what about my family?” asked Devon.
“They’ll think you’ve moved away. We will plant a story that should ensure they don’t suffer unduly. In about four days we’ll return to each of you individually and work on your transition. That night after we’ve finished with the preparations, you’ll go to bed, like normal, and when you awake, you’ll be on Dystopia.”
Standing, Eluard finished his wine and took a hand full of fries, saying, “I’ve left you several bottles of wine. Enjoy yourselves and come to terms with your future. Friday night, four days from now, I’ll visit you, Matsugo, and Narod will visit you, Devon. Until then do what is needed to separate yourself from this world and your current life.”
“So, it’s real?” said Devon with a look of hopeful disbelief. Then his eyebrow lifted, and he tilted his head slightly, “You’re willing to leave everything behind and take this on faith?”
Matt shrugged. “Isn’t that all we have in the planning of our future, faith? In ourselves, in what we know, and those around us that we trust? I don’t have anything left here. Moreover, if this is genuine and really does happen, it sounds like the life you and I have both always wanted. It’d be a life full of adventure. Even if we die because of that adventure, at least we got to live it. I’d prefer to die doing something I’ve always dreamed of rather than just sitting here the rest of my life waiting for that day to come.”
“He said we would have powers?”
“Yes, as he explained it to me, we’d have a set of new skills. He said it’d be like D&D in that sense. That we’d come in mid-level, not start at the beginning. Anyway, he can answer this a lot better than I can. I need you to say you formally accept his offer, and then we both will see where it goes from there.”
“I already did. Hell yes, I’ll do it.”
“Then, please join me,” they heard a male voice call from the other room. “Bring the fries, I don’t get fries often,” he added. They walked around the kitchen corner, and Devon froze just inside the door. There was the man from his dreams, sitting on the couch.
Matt turned to his friend. “Devon, this is Eluard. Eluard, this is Devon.”
The old man leaned forward and filled the three crystal goblets sitting on the table from a dusty, old bottle. Both the tray and glasses were all far older and ornate than anything Matt owned.
Handing one to Devon, Eluard said, “So you’ve accepted. Good. I think the two of you will offset each other well. Here is what will happen now. Over the next few days, you both will need to get your affairs in order. As I’ve said before, nothing will be going with you. You’re also not allowed to leave any notes or other indications as to what has happened to you. This world must think you just vanished.”
“But what about my family?” asked Devon.
“They’ll think you’ve moved away. We will plant a story that should ensure they don’t suffer unduly. In about four days we’ll return to each of you individually and work on your transition. That night after we’ve finished with the preparations, you’ll go to bed, like normal, and when you awake, you’ll be on Dystopia.”
Standing, Eluard finished his wine and took a hand full of fries, saying, “I’ve left you several bottles of wine. Enjoy yourselves and come to terms with your future. Friday night, four days from now, I’ll visit you, Matsugo, and Narod will visit you, Devon. Until then do what is needed to separate yourself from this world and your current life.”
