My lore book for my Immortalis Fides series is done and out today!

Download for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1610540

Collected in this lore book are the many events and details of the Catholic dark fantasy, post-future Immortalis Fides series. It contains summaries of kingdoms, mysteries, and other groups for those who want a simple starting point to get into the series and learn more about it.

Immortalis Fides: Other Lore Bits and Mysteries

The Ignited

There are walking skeletons, clothed in fire, whose screams destroy all around them that wander the world. It is said that they are the purest of souls who glimpsed God’s love for them at the end of their lives and were ignited by it to the point of being brought back to life to do His will one final time. The areas where these people appear are marked by large wastelands burned by fire and the ominous sound of screaming in the distance, a scream that much like the image of the Sacred Heart, is comforting to the innocent and terrifying to the guilty as it marks the imminent end of time and arrival of the Lord.

Pseudo-Poem about the Ignited. It’s an inspiration I had while in adoration.

In the silence, I hear the screaming. In it, I hear the wailing of the innocent, and beyond that, I hear the cries of children and infants who died and were abandoned by their parents and passersby. Further beyond that, I hear a terrifying scream of an approaching being. Its sound is full of fury, but not so much anger, but is that of someone who has been hurt. It reminds me of the scream of a parent racing to protect their child, a soldier sacrificing themself in battle, and a lover rushing to meet the one who has their heart.

The power and heat of it are such that it feels as if the one screaming can destroy reality and will be here any moment. The scream of the suffering lover echoes throughout space and time and is one of love, impending justice, and pain. Beware for that lover will be here soon and is screaming for you. For either good or ill, depends on the dispensation of your soul. So, unite your cries and pains with it, or you will face the vengeance of the lover you betrayed.

 

Lizardwomen

This type of beastmen is completely comprised of women and struggles the most with the vice of lust as their skin secretes a scent that attracts people to them. Because of this, these women typically live in seclusion and those that don’t are typically part of a bandit gang or prostitution ring that prey on those unable to control themselves. It’s rumored that there are lizardmen out there, but it’s also reported that these lizardmen can change between a man's and a woman’s form, so it’s assumed that the lizardmen are just women and that they can disguise themselves as lizardmen if they wish.

 

Speakers of God

These roaming monks are thought to be the wisest of all as they speak and teach truths that have the power to kill and make people go mad. Even a mere whisper from these Speakers can cause the wind to blow fiercely and stun a person in place. Many are warned to stay away from these wandering monks, though it is also said that if they seek a person they are looking for, they will eventually find them and leave them changed forever.

 

Moonlight Hunters

Certain people in Noctua may have the ability to turn into owlmen. These people are easily distinguishable because of how hairy they are compared to normal people, however, no one knows why certain people are able to do this, but at the same time, no one knows why Noctua is stuck in an eternal night. Because of the owlmen’s ability to fly, see in absolute darkness, and greater than normal strength, they are typically sought after by the army and given the highest roles to play, such as being the Pope’s guard.

 

Grace Starved

The people from Onocrotalus who refuse to repent from mortal sins become what are known as Grace Starved or vampires by most since they grow sharp teeth and drink the blood and eat the flesh of people. Those from Onocrotalus say that they do this in a vain attempt to regain the grace that they lost and also hunt them down if the crimson mist allows them to. In contrast to the crimson mist of Onocrotalus, the Grace Starved teleport around the world via an oily red mist that they control and is said to lead to a hidden, unreachable kingdom of their own. For the Grace Starved who repent, they must regularly make their teeth blunt and keep them from growing and struggle more than most in abstaining from sin. If they repent, the crimson mist returns to them and they are accepted in Onocrotalus.

 

Hands of Judgment

An order of monks whose bodies are particularly blessed by God in that their skin is like armor and their hands only harm those who deserve death while not being able to hurt the innocent and people God still has a purpose for. A random person can be blessed with similar strengths and abilities, but not know it until a situation arises that requires their use. The sound of a blessed person’s fists hitting their target rings out in the ears of the monks who search for the person and try to get them to join their order or at least train them so they know how to properly use their blessing.

 

Miscellus-mixed, Half-Breeds

People who are born from parents of different races obtain unique abilities and magic from both races but are not as proficient as a pure breed from either race, at least in the beginning. For example, a child of a parent from Canis and a parent from Matias can wield fire magic, wind magic, command animals, and bend the forces of nature to their will but is only able to use fire magic proficiently while having to train harder to wield the forces of nature. Half-breeds are accepted by most cultures though some detest them for appearing mutated and unnatural since their appearance carries aspects of the race of both their parents. Nevertheless, the most skilled of them are sought after by the militaries of every kingdom if they can fight and use the unique abilities and magics of their parents’ races.

 

One with Nature

Wood elves who die in a state of grace can be called upon for their intercession on Earth to protect their land or attack an enemy of the Church. If God allows this intercession, the deceased will form a body out of the ground or the wood of trees that will now have their original face and body. In this form, the deceased are indestructible and are more powerful than they were in life, but once their purpose has been served, their body immediately falls apart and becomes part of the Earth again.

 

As Dark As Night

Every kingdom in the world has its spy organization, but some are more subtle than most. The spy network of Abaddon is said to be the most subtle due to it being comprised of native dark elves who take advantage of their ability to become one with the shadows more than most. In fact, it said that these agents can become one with the light as well as the dark and only a trained eye would be able to notice them since they appear to be a slightly dark part of the light after becoming one with it. These agents work primarily for Evander to obtain information, objects, and people that interest him with rumored assassinations here and there.

 

Angelic elves

The Angelic elves are high elves who are the most advanced mages and wisest among the faithful of their race and have ascended into becoming beings of pure light. Not much is known about them nor are they often seen, but when they are, the light coming from them is so bright that it can blind an unrepentant sinner.  They are said to have lived for many centuries to obtain their ascended form and only appear where God needs them. Additionally, they can also appear out of the darkness and make the darkest of nights look like midday.

Necromancy-Controlling the dead

The vile practice of necromancy is outlawed across the world except in bandit kingdoms and places where the arms of the law cannot reach. To control a dead body, the necromancer must mark their body with satanic and blasphemous symbols and partake in various perverted rituals. After, they have to leave a piece of their skin in the body they want to control and consume a piece of the corpse to finally take full control of it. Using necromancy is just like controlling a puppet and takes a lot of concentration, lest the body simply slump over and do nothing.

 

Necromancy-Bringing back the dead

This form of necromancy isn’t called necromancy by those who practice it, but it is since the victim they want to control dies by the end of it. To use this type of dark art, the necromancer skins their victim alive and then places their remains into a doll that is marked with blasphemous symbols and goes through an extensive ritual. Once this is done, the dead body will be possessed by a demon who pretends to be the person whose body it now possesses and also pretends to listen and do the will of the necromancer while also luring the pitiable soul further into damnation.

 

Possessed

Demonic possession is common in those who continually sin and don’t care about right and wrong. The demon uses the holes left in the sinner’s soul as an entry point, and with God allowing it, possesses the person to do with as the demon pleases. The worst cases of demonic possession end in the sinner’s death and their cries from Hell being able to be heard from their possessed body. Demons can also mutate a person’s body to form a body that the demon prefers to better suit their purposes.

 

Caravan of Sinners

This mysterious caravan is a single horse-drawn carriage that contains a seemingly never-ending army of clowns who are soldiers. Just like the clowns it carts around, the horse is dressed like a clown and given the makeup of one of them. The armor of the clown soldiers and knights is also designed to be bright and colorful and the demeanor of the clowns is casual and light-hearted. These clowns typically appear from nowhere to help certain people in trouble and are even rumored to fight those who are demonically possessed and scare them off. It is said that the reason why they can scare off demons is because they don’t take themselves seriously and are some of the humblest people in the world. No one knows how to join them or why they do what they do, but their help is appreciated by all whom they come to the aid of.

 

Order of the Virtuous Oathbreakers

Appearing from a fiery, orange mist, these burning knights are those who forsook their earthly masters and chose to serve God instead at the cost of their lives. These honorable and faithful knights appear primarily to guards and soldiers who are just as honorably serving their duty and require desperate aid. Every knight in this order has burning eyes of fire and their weapons turn all their enemies to ash. Once their help is no longer needed, they retreat into the orange mist and are said to travel their own kingdom in it just like Onocrotalus where they live a new second life.

 

St. Dismas group, Thieves Guild

This is the Church’s private spy network comprised of the most talented agents and repentant criminals. The Church will recruit criminals from prisons and allow them to work for the guild as a way of paying off their debt and never having to go back to jail. If the criminal accepts, they are strictly watched by their superiors in their training and during several jobs until it is certain that the criminal has completely changed and is now an honest member of the guild. The Thieves Guild steal stolen property to give them back to their rightful owners, spy on enemies and allies alike, gather evidence to convict suspected people of crimes, and carry out lawful assassinations, if the target is dangerous enough and isn’t viewed as worthy enough for a jail cell. These honorable thieves keep the most powerful clergy, businessmen, and royals in line so that those in power serve the people who serve them.

Immortalis Fides Lore: The United Kingdoms of the Americas and Sea Kingdoms

The Far West

United Kingdoms of the Americas

“There is only true freedom when there is true order.”

According to its loyal citizens, this collection of nations under a single banner has lasted the longest out of every kingdom in the world. This is only true in that the nations comprising it have changed over its hundreds of thousands of years of existence. The greatest change to the Americas is that many of them have turned into beastmen and can use various kinds of magic that are also found on the other side of the world though they can’t change between beast and man like those in Draco. Their greatest claim to fame is that the nations all act and share as one with various points of view and governance to be part of the same one. Their laws are also typically looser than other kingdoms, but also, this focus on freedom has led to its worst aspect.

The Americas are home to the most bandit kingdoms and tribes all of which can competently hold land and take it. Each of the bandit groups claims what they are doing is right either by a skewed sense of faith in God, false faith in other gods, or an overabundance of faith in themselves. These bandits have also spread to other parts of the world to gain more land and to further legitimize themselves as rulers, however, none of them have been able to match the strength and size of any kingdom on Earth, so far. Meanwhile, the legitimate rulers of the Americas crush these bandit groups wherever they are while doing their best to keep in contact with the rest of the world despite the treacherous oceans that keep them isolated from it.

Atlantic and Pacific Kingdoms of the Seas

“God makes His home in peaceful hearts”

During the final war at the future’s end, many of the warring ships in the sky landed in Earth’s oceans. Despite the wideness of the ocean, these ships mostly fell near each other and the ships ended up sticking to one another as if God forced them together through the sea. A firefight with small arms ensued for a week since the canons and guns on the ships were all broken, and by the end of the week, both sides were exhausted from fighting. One side was determined to make peace with the others while the other side wanted to continue fighting until the other was dead. The majority ended up overriding the minority and peace was established and those who wanted to continue fighting were forcefully exiled from the island of ships.

In time, the Catholics managed to convert the non-Catholics and the island of ships became their home. After fifty years, the people on the ships mutated, obtaining gills, the ability to swim into the deepest parts of the ocean, and to communicate and control sea life. This was considered by all to be a blessing from God and a sign that converted the last of the non-Catholics to the Catholic side. Many more broken isolated ships were found at sea, all of which became part of the larger sea kingdom. Those who managed to make it to land reported back to the people on land that the world was still in a state of conflict with one another and decided to stay isolated.

Both the people stranded on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans made contact with one another and found that they both had mutated into fish people and made peace with former enemies. They also decided since both were peaceful and done with war that they’d only help each other out, passing travelers, and never involve themselves with the affairs and conflicts on land. Those who tried to disturb this peace were either killed or exiled from the islands of ships depending on how the peace was disturbed and the people from the land who tried to convince them to join them were sent on their way after being given enough food and clean water to survive on their way back. Even after centuries of war and conflict on the land, the fish people of the Pacific and Atlantic continue to enjoy their peace in the ocean.

Immortalis Fides Lore: The Two Great Eastern Kingdoms

Draco-Dragon

“Freedom in Due Order”

What was once known as China and many other names is the largest and ever-expanding kingdom of the Far East. Everyone from here is able to turn into a particular animal from the Ancient Chinese Zodiac based on the month, year, and parents they were born. Those who are born dragons are typically royals and turn out to be leaders, people who turn into rats are usually spies, and those who can turn into tigers are vicious warriors just to name a few. Their armor can change to fit their animal form and weapons can rival those made in Bernhard, Canis, and Leo. Because of their abilities and old machinery from the past that make their weapons and armor, they impose their will throughout the Far East.

Every culture on the East side of the world has been organized into Asiatic States who have little independence and must do everything their Draco lord commands of them. The Asiatic States are allowed to celebrate and hold the holidays dear to them, but they must also celebrate Draco’s holidays and say they are a citizen of Draco more than the state. This tension between cultures has ignited rebellions for independence, all of which have ended in failure and the people of each state suffer greater taxes as a result. On Draco’s side, they see the rebellions of the Asiatic States as nothing more than them being unappreciative children since Draco has protected them from Vicar Sylvatic’s ratmen, bandits of all kinds, and beastmen from the Far West. The people of the Asiatic states are mostly normal humans that would be found in kingdoms such as Serpentis and Leo with few from Draco and Phasianus.

Despite being secluded from the rest of the world during Vicar Sylvatic’s tyranny, they sneak influencers in the West, Far West, and travel the oceans to gain knowledge and allies. Through their charity, they help the refugees of conflict and take advantage of those they help to act as their spies and advocates in foreign kingdoms. Additionally, their Odollam group acts as their version of the Church’s St. Dismas thieves' guild to show their superiority, learn the secrets of their rivals and enemies, and assassinate those they view as threats. Their overall goal hasn’t changed for thousands of years as they want to be God and the Church’s best hope for humanity and enforcer of order.

 

Phasianus

“Order in Just Freedom”

The only other independent in the Far East, Phasianus controls the territory in what was once known as Japan for one of its many names. As in its history, they are typically honorable warriors who are not afraid to throw themselves into battles they know they can’t win as long as they know they’re fighting for the right cause. They are able to mutate parts of their arms, face, legs, and body into weapons such as shields, swords, axes, and so on, and can even shoot arrows out of their mouth, eyes, or hands. Because of this, they have little need for the materials used to make weapons and use them to sell to other kingdoms, make their siege weapons, and build up the strength of their walls and buildings. It is also because of their ability to mutate themselves into living weapons that Draco wasn’t able to assimilate them into their ever-expanding empire of the East and keep their independence.

Still, Phasianus’ deal with Draco means that their soldiers guard the cities of Draco, serve in their army, and the emperor of Phasianus is chosen by the emperor and lords of Draco. Their citizens also work for Draco and the kingdom must contribute more to their neighboring kingdom than the others. Because of this, many people of Phasianus have harsh feelings towards Draco, to say the least, and many rebellions and movements to obtain greater independence from Draco, most of which have failed, but have done damage to both sides and tightened the laws and taxes on the people of Phasianus.

My latest big story in my Immortalis Fides series is done and out today!

Download for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1608896

Every day is filled with happiness for Cystitis until he comes across a dark light that reveals he has been living in a dream reality controlled by Evander, the king of elves and the oldest man alive, and his allies. Evander will try to convince Cystitis that this eternal dream is the best to keep the world peaceful and faithful to God despite it doing so against its will.

Tyranny of the Blessed Race: Chapter 5 – The More Things Change…

Chapter 5 – The More Things Change…

“This will show what God wants without a shadow of a doubt, Cystitis. Let our light clash and whoever wins is the one who is right,” Evander says.

Seeing as how there is no walk to talk Evander out of this, I accept and ready my dark light while he charges his golden light. We then allow our lights to clash in beams that push against each other. As this is happening, I close my eyes and place in trust in God, and before I know it, I hear Evander scream out and the dream shatters around me. Soon, I find myself in a room with strange, recently broken machinery that Evander and all his allies are linked up to with tubes and wires, though for some reason, I don’t see Priscilla anywhere. I am in my disgusting ratman form, but my true form, nevertheless, and thank God for my victory, even as my old temptations settle back into my mind.

“Are you happy? You got what you wanted,” Evander says in a pained voice.

“There’s more to life than being happy,” I say.

“You’re right and you’ve been right. If anything, I hope you try to move past your sinful ways and find some kind of peace and happiness in this broken world.”

“And I’ll pray for you that you see your family in Heaven.”

“Oh, I see them. I’ve already said my confession to God, but it’ll be a little while before I truly join them. Purgatory must cleanse my rotten soul first.”

“At least you’ll be able to experience true happiness and peace. Pray for me when you get to Heaven. I’ll need it.”

Evander smiles for the first time in a while and this smile seems more genuine than his other ones before his head drops and he dies. Looking around the room, I see other people waking up from the dream, and in the crowd, I see Priscilla running away with a few of her allies. I go after her with my thoughts going from pure to rotten. She heads out into the city streets where people are waking up and wondering if what they were dreaming actually happened. By the time I reach Priscilla, she’s boarded a boat with her allies and is about to set sail.

“Priscilla, where are you going?” I ask.

“I’m going back to the Americas, my home, to do penance for what I’ve done. I’ve done enough damage to the people here and the world. Don’t follow me, Cystitis,” Priscilla says.

I watch from the docks as Priscilla sails away without looking back at me. It’s then my temptations overtake me even more and I start to crave something to satisfy them. Knowing I’m a threat to everyone around me, I escape the city and wander the wilderness. I survive on basic water and the raw meat of animals for a few days until I’m no longer able to hold myself back from my old habits. There’s an undertown around here that I’m thankful is still operating once I enter it. It’s as if the dream reality we were all in never happened as the people here indulge in every forbidden desire even as the slaves cry out and feebly try to fight back. Since the people here know me, I am given the finest fruits here and indulge myself in the pleasures as if this is my first time doing so.

A week passes before my conscience wakes up in the worst way possible. While having my way with two boys, I’m reminded of my kids from the dream reality when I see their faces on theirs. I immediately stop what I’m doing and look at myself in the mirror as if waking up from a nightmare. In a panic, I grab a nearby cloak and run as far away from the undercity as possible. By the time I need to catch my breath, I find myself near a lake. I rip apart the dress I’m wearing, tear off my fake eyelashes, break my fake nails, throw aside my cloak, and dive into the lake to wash the makeup off my face.

Priscilla should’ve killed me as I told her to. It would’ve been better than falling back into my old habits and feeling guilty about it afterward. How dare she leave without giving me a taste of her sweet flesh and experiencing the pleasures of her body-no! Perhaps I should just drown myself-no! No! Control yourself, Cystitis, you worthless scum! Great, now it’s raining. At least the cold chills my nerves and helps me control myself.

I put my cloak back on and wander the land in search of shelter. Now, I’m wondering if God used me for His purposes and threw me away once I outlived my usefulness. I crave the control of my mind and emotions more than any drug or bodily pleasure. More than that, I’d like to have the family I once had and the assurance that I’m loved by someone. In the distance, I see a somewhat damaged church. It’s something, I guess. The roof doesn’t look damaged so at least it’ll be dry.

When I enter the church, I see a priest kneeling and praying at the altar with a blindfold around his eyes. Looking around, there doesn’t seem to be anyone else here, though I do hear a few people coughing in the back rooms. The priest must’ve heard me entering since he is getting up and approaching me.

“Ah, who are you? I didn’t think our shipment of food and water would come so soon,” he says in a kindly voice.

“I’m not here to deliver you anything,” I say.

“Hmm. Given the sound of your footsteps and voice, I sense that you’re a man and a ratman at that.”

“I’m less than a man because my body was changed into the sex that it wasn’t born into and less than human because of my many sins.”

“I can relate to being less than human because of our sins. You are among friends then.”

“I’m not a holy man like you are. I’m a monster, a devil even.”

“Monsters and devils aren’t humble.”

I grumble, admit he is right, and then ask, “May I stay here for the night?”

“You can stay here for as long as you like. None of us here are able to force you to leave anyway. As you can see, I cannot and my friends from the town not too far from here are sick as well. They usually take care of me and the church, but they’ve suddenly fallen ill. I do my best to help them, but I can only do so much.”

“I’ll help you and your friends as payment for your kindness. Do you truly trust me? I could take advantage of you while you sleep and eat you alive as ratmen typically do.”

“If that is the way I must die, then I deserve it. A sinner like me doesn’t deserve a good death or to live happily until I die of old age.”

“I…I agree with that. Men like us don’t deserve happiness.”

“And yet, the good Lord has mercy on us with moments of it such as this one. It’s been a pleasure speaking to you, friend.”

“The pleasure’s been mine…friend.”

The priest directs me to the food, water, and medication to give to his friends, who don’t care that I’m giving it to them since they overheard our conversation. In the morning, the storm clears up though it is still cloudy outside with few rays of sunshine being able to be seen through it. While eating breakfast with my new friends, I think that I’ve found my new place in life. It seems that God hasn’t abandoned this worthless sinner yet.

The End

Tyranny of the Blessed Race: Chapter 4 – The Alternative and Reality

Chapter 4 – The Alternative and Reality

The typically soft golden light around us turns into a dirty gold and a dark void seems to form around Evander’s whose eyes are now green, red, and gold with blood tears coming from them. Evander opens up his chest and it feels like my mind is sucked into it. When I open my eyes, I see a destroyed town around me with civilians and soldiers alike slaughtered.

“Behold the average day in the world, Cystitis. Scenes of death such as this are commonplace, especially since humanity has a habit of being in a state of war and temporary peace,” Evander says.

“I know. In the past, I profited off both states of the world, something that I recall you not taking too much part in,” I say.

“I helped here and there because I was focusing on gathering the materials and people needed for the dream reality spell, and as you know, both states of the world are filled with violence and corruption. Even when things are mostly peaceful, a thief is looking to steal from a poor family. Politicians will stoke people’s fears and worries to gain power and pass their policies to aid their agendas. Rapists and slavers will kidnap people to sell and have their way with them. There’s only so much I could do to help, and even if I did focus all my efforts on making the world peaceful without the dream, it would be a temporary one and someone outside and inside of my reach would still unnecessarily suffer or die.”

“I get it. I really do, but what you’re forgetting is that God is the only one who will create eternal peace or did you forget the scriptures?”

“The scriptures of the end times can be vague and who to say the events of Revelations haven’t already happened and this is what God wants for the world?”

“I wouldn’t know what they’re supposed to look like, but I do know it’s wrong to force people to love God. That is why this spell that you have over humanity is only hurting it.”

“You keep saying that point repeatedly as if it’ll change my mind.”

“Some people have to hear the truth multiple times, sometimes in the same way before they finally get it.”

“How about this then?” The scene around us changes to that of one of the undertowns I used to run filled with addicts of all kinds and the worst of humanity. “Say that I cease casting the spell. I would die along with many of my closest friends because that’s how connected we are to it and dedicated we are to keeping it alive. Humanity can choose to love God or continue their life as normal as if the last century or so of dreaming was just a normal dream. What then? You know most will just fall into their old habits, maybe even shake off the bits of virtue they found while in the dream, and then go back to killing, raping, corrupting, and stealing from one another.”

“That’s what has to happen then.”

“You heard it there, Priscilla. Cystitis would rather humanity live in suffering than it to live peacefully for all eternity.”

Priscilla, who has been quietly listening to Evander this whole time, simply looks at the ground as if she didn’t hear what Evander said.

“It’s what God has allowed for all human history and you don’t have the right to force peace upon the world under the assumption it’s what you think He wants.”

“Truth and love Himself is the reason why I was able to force this peace upon the world. Nothing happens without Him willing or allowing it.”

“You’re right. He allows all the atrocities people like me commit, but there’s a difference between Him willing and allowing it and a difference between true love and false. True love requires the entire will while false love involves only part of the heart being involved.”

“He’s right,” Priscilla says.

“No, he’s not. He doesn’t understand the nuance of this situation and what we had to suffer to get what we deserve and to bring true peace to the world, despite living through my core memories.”

“He knows something we overlooked either willfully or as a result of our centuries of struggle. Have we let ourselves become numb to right and wrong or ignorant to get the happiness and peace for the world that we want?”

Evander’s face is even more upset than he was as he struggles to come up with something to say to Priscilla. We must finally be getting through to him.

“No, no, no! We’ve been building this dream for centuries! I will not allow it to end just because neither of you doesn’t understand that this is it! This is humanity’s true end and the end of sin and never-ending wars!”

The scene around us changes to a gallery of what appear to be places in the true reality kept in prison cells.

“Look at all these people stuck in tragic circumstances,” Evander says while pointing at each one. “Here, is a situation familiar to you, Cystitis. This woman will give birth to ratmen moments after the dream ends and she’ll suffer a horrible death. This man is starving to death in the streets and will die of a painful disease he was born with. These children here are wandering through the lands and will be eaten alive by wild animals. Right here, you see this woman will suffer a slow and painful death as a perverted woman’s plaything.”

“I know it sounds evil, but we can’t allow our sympathy for people to stop us from doing what is right and releasing them from the dream. These people will die and suffer greatly and there’s nothing we can do about it except pray that they go to Heaven. Heaven is our only true paradise after all and where real eternal happiness is found.”

Now I’ve gotten him really mad. Evander gnashes his teeth and erases everything around us. There is no trace of light here anymore. In its place, a void of darkness surrounds us and I can hardly see Evander and Priscilla even though they’re right in front of me.

“Priscilla,” Evander says.

“It’s true. It’s better to allow the world to continue in its self-destructive and horrible ways than to live in this fantasy that we were in control of. That’s all it ever was.” Evander doesn’t respond. “Please, make this easier for all of us and end it.”

There’s a deafening silence about this situation that is tempting me to use the dark light magic I have, however, isn’t activating as if it’s giving Evander ample time to make his decision.

“Wait, stop-” Priscilla says.

Looking around for her, I can’t manage to find her as if she was swallowed by the darkness. The same thing almost happens to me as I feel hands reach out to me in the darkness that I banish with the dark light magic that also brightens up the area around me, revealing Evander’s new horrific appearance. His eyes are now completely red including three eyes in the center of his two. Additionally, his body is marked with a strange red cross, a bloody M on both of his hands, and six wings in place of the lower half of his body.

“This is it. I’ve tried to be nice and understanding, but you pushed me to do this. You will fall under the dream and humanity will stay asleep in its everlasting dream whether you want it to or not,” Evander says in a distorted voice.

Lord, give me the strength to overcome this last challenge.

Tyranny of the Blessed Race: Chapter 3 – Another Broken Soul

Chapter 3 – Another Broken Soul

I am brought to a farm that doesn’t sit too far outside a town that doesn’t look too dissimilar from the one I lived in. This farm has a woman with black and red hair, yellow eyes, wearing a gold shawl, a red shirt, black boots, and a gold skirt. Next to her is a man with a scar on his right eye, brown hair, blue eyes, a brown shirt, black boots, and blue pants. They seem to be a couple, a fact that I confirm once I get closer and see the wedding rings on their fingers. Two children, one boy and one girl who are dressed like their parents show them what they picked and then run off to fill the baskets on a carriage all the while being escorted by a dog that seems to be their protector.

“The woman is Priscilla, my most trusted friend and ally,” Evander says.

“She’s human. After all these centuries, I would’ve thought an elf like you would’ve been the one you trusted the most,” I say.

“She’s gone through many experiments to extend her lifespan. Believe it or not, she’s a few centuries old or so despite keeping the look she had when I first met her. Do be nice to her. I’ll be watching.”

Priscilla finally seems to notice me in front of her and seems startled for a second.

“I’m sorry I didn’t see you there,” Priscilla says before putting a smile back on her face. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“My name is Cystitis. Evander brought me here to listen to you talk about this dream reality we’re in,” I say.

Her eyes narrow and there looks to be a danger in them.

“Ah! That explains why I didn’t see you. You must’ve just appeared here thanks to him. Let’s talk in private. I’ll be back in a few minutes, Dominic.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Dominic asks.

“Yes, I’m sure. I won’t be gone for long.”

Priscilla kisses Dominic on the lips before walking towards her house. I follow her until I feel something wrong in the air around me. Looking back at Dominic, I see him and the children frozen in their work.

“What problem do you have with the paradise we live in?” Priscilla asks while turning around to look at me, her eyes even more hostile than the first time.

“It’s…wrong. When I left the dream’s light, I was no different than I was when it first took my mind, meaning that my heart isn’t totally devoted to God and won’t be saved,” I say.

“How did you even break free? I know who you are, Cystitis. I was the one who Evander sent out to retrieve you and you had no magical abilities when I fought you.”

“I broke free with this dark light magic that I found,” I say with it in my hands, “It dispelled the dream and revealed to me the truth, but I don’t have much control of it.”

“Hmm. It is strange. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t lose it and you’re wrong in thinking that you won’t be saved. I’m sure Evander has shown and told you why. You’re one of many who tried breaking free and failed and will fail, so why don’t you accept the happiness that Evander has given you and the salvation of God?”

“Why would I accept this happiness when it’s false? Even if I forget that it’s fake, I won’t be saved.”

“Look at my life. I’m happily married to the husband I’ve always wanted, two children, and a quiet life free from the horrors of the world.”

“I…know who your husband is. Residuals of Evander’s memories tell me that Dominic was a close friend of yours. Wasn’t he married to another woman named Persephone and had a family with her?”

“Yes, he was.”

I think I accidentally hit a nerve. Priscilla looks more irritated now.

“From what I remember, he never divorced her and one of his descendants became Pope.”

“You’re right.”

I wait for Priscilla to say something else, but since she doesn’t, I continue, “So, why is he married to you?”

“I’ve had many husbands over the years to replace him thinking that since God brought Persephone and Dominic together then he wasn’t meant for me, however, none of the husbands I’ve been with have made me happy nor did they make me feel the way Dominic did. I wasn’t even able to conceive of any children in the real reality.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Then you should be happy for me to have my dreams come true here. Evander has let me know that you have a happy family of your own here, one that you should’ve had to begin with.”

“My family in this dream did make me happy while I was with them. Still, I…I can’t let my happiness blind me to the fact that they’re fake. Dominic isn’t your real husband and your children here aren’t real-”

“Shut up! You don’t know how much I’ve gone through to get this dream that I couldn’t get in reality!”

“I do. Evander’s memories have-”

“I said shut up! You don’t know anything about true virtue and suffering.  You’re even not yourself.”

“Then you know I’m not truly saved. You know that this is all fake and does nothing for the world than keep it in an eternal slumber.”

Feeling compelled to use the dark light magic I have, I project my will through it, dispelling the dream and erasing everything around Priscilla and me. My appearance changes to its real one while Priscilla stays mostly the same except, she is wearing brown, elven-made leather armor. We stand in a gold and black void with holes that reveal the real reality.

“Look at the disgusting thing you are in reality. Is this truly who you want to be?” Priscilla asks.

“It’s who I must embrace as being me, so that I may repent from it,” I say while struggling to hold back my temptations.

Priscilla looks more desirable with my real eyes and would be a unique pleasure to experience-no! Stay in control!

“People like you don’t easily change. Let’s say you manage to break free from the dream and don’t repent. What then?”

“Then I ask that you kill me and pray that I may truly embrace God’s love so that I may be saved, despite being unworthy of it.”

Priscilla looks at me as if surprised by my answer. My temptations begin to take hold of me as I run at her but am stopped by Evander appearing and putting us back in Priscilla’s dream.

“Priscilla, are you okay?” Evander asks.

“Yes…I’m fine,” Priscilla says.

I walk away from Priscilla while saying, “I’m sorry. Despite my giving in to my temptations, I know that you know what I said was true. You both do,” I say.

“You do have the faintness of virtue, but that only proves that my dream reality works.”

“Yeah…”

“Priscilla?” Evander says. “What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing…”

“I sense doubt in your voice. You know you can’t hide anything from me and I know how you are. What’s the matter? Has this ratman somehow convinced you of his perspective?”

“It…does have merit to it.”

“It has the appearance of it but lacks an understanding of the world and the alternative. Let us all go see my other friends.”

Priscilla and I are taken to see many other dreams and the people that inhabit them, most of which are high elves, as I expected, though there are many others from different races. They all share the same sentiment in that they’ve lived hard painful lives, been faithful to God, are done dealing with the worst of the world, and just want to live in peace. I give them the same response I gave Priscilla to which they either dismiss me, angrily yell at me, or say I have a point but say the dream is the better option for humanity. By the end of it, my mind hasn’t changed much to Evander’s frustration.

“I see that you’re more stubborn than most, Cystitis. Priscilla. Your mood doesn’t seem to have changed. Will you tell me what’s wrong yet? You know you can say anything to me and I will never get mad or push your concerns away,” Evander says.

“…it’s just that Cystitis reminds me of Dominic in a strange way,” Priscilla admits.

“In what way?”

“He’s willing to do what God wants even if he doesn’t really want to. Dominic didn’t want to be with Persephone at first but did it anyway because it’s what God wanted and Cystitis doesn’t really want to break from the dream but wants to because he thinks it’s what God wants.”

“Hmm. I see. Very well then. I’ll have to show both of you the horrors that I protect you from.”

“Evander, you don’t have to bring me along.”

“I do because it seems like I’m losing your support. Don’t worry. It’ll be quick.”

Do I really remind Priscilla of Dominic? It must be a good thing, and if anything, means that I’m doing well and God is truly with me, helping me get through this. Evander seems to be getting frustrated and running out of ideas to get me to submit to his dream. Hopefully, it’ll all be over soon.

Tyranny of the Blessed Race: Chapter 2 – A Tyrant’s Dream

Chapter 2 – A Tyrant’s Dream

Waking up on Sunday, I go about my daily routine, getting my little sister up, getting dressed, and praying the morning prayers with my family. My parents, my sister, and I get in our flying car and get to mass, celebrate it, and then fly off to eat breakfast at our typical restaurant. My parents talk about work and maximizing the time spent having fun today so they can deal with whatever they do in the government. To be honest, I never really cared about that. My sister and I are always thinking about what park to go to next or beauty of the world to see. Today, we aren’t able to do any of it as an alarm rings throughout the city and the guns on top of the churches and buildings start firing at the ships in the sky who fire back at us.

What happens next is a blur of chaos, yelling, crying, and holding onto my father’s and sister’s hands as we try to get to safety. By the time it gets quiet and I think we’re safe, I see that I’m holding the dismembered hand of my little sister who is in pieces while my parents were crushed by falling debris. At that time, my entire world was destroyed, so all I did was cry while still holding onto my little sister’s hand. Even when the authorities arrived, they had to carry me away because I didn’t want to leave my family’s bodies, let go of my sister’s hand, or continue living.

“Let me hold her hand! I promised I would never let her go!” I yelled out at the authorities.

It took me a good month of getting help from surviving priests before I wanted to continue living, and even then, I didn’t want to do much other than sulk and wish the strange condition that sharpened my ears and made my skin slightly yellow would kill me.

Huh? What was I just remembering a moment ago? I wasn’t myself, and yet, I felt that I was the person reliving memories.

“That was another part of my magic, Cystitis,” Evander says. “I can alter your memories as I said, and also make you live through the memories I want you to.”

Evander and I are in a void of light where I see thousands of his memories. He is truly powerful and scary because of it.

“You must’ve lived for a thousand or so years,” I say.

“People do call me the oldest man to live since I’ve lived since the end of humanity’s futuristic age. After the event you witnessed, I eventually picked myself up, became a politician like my parents, and then king of the elves once the people of the Holy Land mutated along with me and the complete destruction of the technology of the past.”

“That memory…I know you relieve it a lot. You’ve changed it for yourself multiple times to see what your life would’ve been like if nothing happened or if your family survived and ruled alongside you, just to name two out of hundreds of times you relived it.”

“And? I can enjoy a good dream from time to time so I can rest while my allies maintain this dream.”

“You’re stuck in that moment. You haven’t grown up despite all the centuries you’ve lived, so you’re trying to make your life as good as you thought the past was.”

“My motives for putting the world in a dream reality aren’t so selfish. Witness what I have for proof.”

Since everyone else in the Holy Land has been mutated into elves and are magic wielders, I no longer feel as special as I once did, but at least, I don’t need to be kept in the shadows for my safety and guarded twenty-four-seven. After a particularly hard battle against Vicar Sylvatic’s ratmen that I helped out in, I heal the wounded and pay for the funeral of those that died during it and the many battles before it. Seeing battle and the damage caused by the evil men in this world propels me to aid charities and do more work on the frontlines.

“Sir, shouldn’t you let others do the work? You are the king,” a personal guard of mine asks.

  “Exactly. It’s the reason why I should be out here helping rather than legislating and enjoying my luxuries at home. I can do more good out here than in a conference room, and if someone needs to speak to me or decide on a matter, then they can conjure a messenger bird or come out here,” I say.

I have outlived everyone and their children’s children who suppressed me from using my magic to help the world. Now, I will no longer allow that to happen and put these powers that God gave me to proper use. My parents always told my sister and me that we would accomplish great things and make them proud, and I intend to not make them look like they overestimated me.

“If that is so, then what of this dark light magic that I hold in my hand?” I say and use while using said magic to regain control of my mind.

“It’s a strange thing. I would’ve guessed that it’s hex magic, but because of the cross in the center rules out that possibility. Also, those who are powerful hex and curse magic users under the dream spell aren’t able to do the things you can, meaning that this must be magic God is allowing you to use,” Evander says.

“Then why doubt that it is God’s will that this dream be lifted from the world?”

“Because of how long it’s been going on and the results that I have produced such as your conversion. You can’t say that the world isn’t better like this living comfortably and peacefully in a dream reality where they live faithfully for God. Look at your reflection, remember how easy it was to fall back into those terrible sins of yours once the veil was lifted.”

I look at my reflection in the mirror that Evander has conjured. I see my blue eyes, beige skin, long grey hair, and basic grey shirt and pants that I’ve typically worn in this dream. The image then shifts to my actual self which appears more unnatural to me and uncomfortable to look at. In fact, looking at it makes me want to erase it forever, and replace it with the look I have now.

“You have the right idea,” Evander says. “This is your true self as God sees it. Live the life you were meant to and I’ll let you forget all about what happened here and allow you to only remember the parts you need to, so you don’t have to relearn the lesson or accidentally use the dark light magic you discovered.”

I seriously consider the idea, however, knowing that I easily fell for the temptations embedded in my soul means that my heart isn’t totally dedicated to the Lord, therefore meaning that if I were to somehow die and be brought to judgment, God would find no true love of Him in my heart and damn me to Hell. Bringing up this point to Evander, he looks at me oddly for a few seconds as he seems confused and struggles to think of a response.

“I see your point, however, this dream reality is what it is, part dream, part reality. Because of this, when you love God, part of your heart will be His and you will be saved,” he argues.

“God wants our whole heart, not just part of it,” I say.

“He will have all of it when He has part of it.”

“You know that’s not true. Even if it were, we’re loving God under this illusion of your spell, and forced love is not love at all.”

“Let me show you what love is then and how I have loved.”

Flashes of memories of Evander being with friends and enjoying time alone come into my mind along with times were he prayed and meditated on his course of actions in an adoration chapel before acting upon them, one such time was before he cast his spell over the entire world with his allies who he meditated with. My dark light magic dispels these memories even though I hardly concentrate on using it.

“You’re making this harder when you refuse to see things from my point of view,” Evander says.

“This magic is doing it on its own. I can’t really control what it does nor do I know how to,” I say. “Besides, if I kept seeing things from your perspective, feeling the things you felt, and thinking your thoughts, I wouldn’t be able to see the flaws in your ways. Are you trying to force me to be like you or convince me?”

“Convince.”

“Then why do you keep pushing your thoughts and memories into mine? Again, forced love is not love at all.”

“All right, I see what you mean and what I must do to properly convince you to my side. I will now bring you to those I have convinced that haven’t been affected by my magic.”

I ready my mind and soul for the next challenge ahead by breathing in and out and thanking God for allowing me to conquer this latest one. If anything, I hope this next one is easier because Evander will not play around with my thoughts, memories, and emotions.

Last deck for now (maybe)

Love of the Gamble - https://ygoprodeck.com/deck/love-of-the-gamble-523655

Two decks I felt compelled/challenged to make

Waifu Deck - https://ygoprodeck.com/deck/waifu-spellcasters-522674

Prediction Princess, the World, and Dice Jar Troll- https://ygoprodeck.com/deck/flipping-off-522682