Nothing At All

   "No! I can still feel your presence, Student." The Master was growing impatient with his student's lack of progression. "Visually, I know your hidden. But your Chi, Student, still screams in my ear!" The Student stepped out from his hiding space, frowning, "I'm sorry, Master. I know its a simple enough technique to learn, but I've been having trouble getting my head around the idea of being on the same Chi plane as trees, rocks, and even shadows! I'm not giving up, Master. Not at all. I just need to become more open minded."
   At this, the Master raised an eyebrow and thought a moment. "Open your mind? Are you looking for the answers to the universe's questions or simply trying to learn a little more about the world around you? When you open your mind, it becomes a door. Anything, my Student, can walk though a door." The Master walked away, leaving the Student with his words. The Student did nothing but sit where he once stood and thought on his Master's words.
   After a few moments, the Student rose from his seat and closed his eyes. His Master's words rang in his ears like a bell tower, being relentlessly made to toll again and again. But this didn't bother the student. He focused on the whispers. The whispers of the Universe. The Student drew in a breath and exhaled, feeling the Earth move beneath his feet. Faster and faster, ready to throw his into the great unknown. He drew in another breath and opened his eyes. He had not stepped a single foot, yet he wasn't where he once stood. The confused Student looked around and finally uttered the phase, "Where am I?"
   "You are where people like you come. The Mind of the Universe." The Student spun around, bewildered. When his eyes found the source of the voice, he was frozen with fear. Before him stood a being so tall, the Student dare not guess his height, as to not offend the great being. "You need not be afraid, young Student. You are in the company of a Guardian." The Student suddenly found his voice, jumping slightly at the sound of it, "A Guardian? The Guardian of what, if I may ask?" "The Guardian of the Universe." The Student fell back at this. He was in the Universe. At this, the Guardian chuckled, "Yes, you are in the Universe. Many have the chance to actually see this place, or even fathom its existence, in their lifetime. Now tell me, young Student. What brings you here?" The Guardian lowered and sat on the ground, as a sign of courtesy for his height challenged visitor. "I wanted to open my mind. Become more understanding of the world around me. It seems I've done a great deal more then that." As the Student stopped, he looked around, getting a feel for his surroundings.
   "Ah, I see. Your here to see The Man with Two Minds." The Guardian scratched his head, making him look like an oversized neanderthal. "The Man with Two Minds? I didn't know that was even possible." "Its not. But somehow, he pulled it off," said the Guardian. As the Student pondered how a single being could have two minds, he realized something. Quickly, he drew his blade and bounded up the torso of the Guardian. "Why did you call me 'Student'? Only my master calls me that and I've only known him my entire life. Tell me just who you are." At this, the Guardian chuckled, "Come now, don't be so hostile," he then picked up the Student by the back of his tunic and held him in the air as he spoke. "I am, young Student, a part of you." As the Guardian gave the Student a moment for this to sink in, he leaned against a mountain, "Sorry. I have a sore back."
   The Student accepted the fact that this Guardian was a part of him, asking to be put down. Once on the ground, the Student began to stare at the hulking giant before him. "If your a part of me... Then this whole place isn't the Mind of the Universe. Its my own find." The Guardian raised an eyebrow and leaned forward, speaking very seriously, "Whats to say that the Universe isn't in the mind of every living being? That everyone is connected? There are multiple answers, but the true one is only known by one of The Eight." "The Eight?" "Yes. The Eight are an order celestial beings who made the Universe. They can surely answer any questions you have."
   With the echo of the Guardian's words fading, the Student walked past and began his journey, only looking back once to find the Guardian had changed. He now looked like the Student and was smiling. "Go now, Student. And begin your journey." A strong wind blew from the mouth of the Guardian and the Student rode it, beginning his quest for answers.

And from the ashes!

   Sorry for the lack in posts, reader. I've been rather busy with other worldly affairs, but still, I apologize. So, I must ask. Did you miss me? I'm joking, but its always nice to know that a writer is missed by his readers. Imagine how Shakespeare would have felt if he disappeared for a month and people didn't even notice. And he was a smart cookie. But, I digress. Onto our topic for today!
   As most of you know, it is the holiday season. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. Even though this year hasn't gone particularly well for me, I still feel all warm inside when I enter my home and find my Christmas tree up and lit up like Time Square. But, the focus of this post is, in fact, the many beliefs that come with the holiday season
   I, for one, feel that if a person wants to believe a certain belief, more power to him or her. But nothing ruins my holly jolly mood more than an arrogant pigheaded person who believes that what they believe is the one true truth. Why must people fight over words as stories that were passed down from ages ago? They are just stories. If a person chooses to believe in them, why should it bother you? To each his own, I say.
   My main point is that even if you have a strong belief in something, don't force it upon a fellow man. In fact, be thankful. Be thankful that your being shown a different approach and a glimpse into another person's culture. And with that, I close.

To all who read this, Have a merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Kwanzaa.

-Kristopher

Adventures of the Vengeful Angel: Azbogah, the Angel of Judgment Part 3

   After walking for a few days, Nemamiah stopped in his tracks. “Oy, I think we’re being followed.” “What makes you say that?” “Just a feeling. Trust me” And before Azbogah could blink, Nemamiah whipped around and shot an arrow into a far off bush, about two hundred feet back, and it appeared that bush had screamed. “Told you.” And with a smirk, Nemamiah ran to the bush and checked to see what he had hit. “It’s a bandit!” As Azbogah ran to the wounded man, he saw that the arrow was lodged in his side and was fatal. “Why were you following use, bandit?” “Its nothin’ personal. I’m just hungry and needed something to sell.” “You aren’t gonna be eating anything anytime soon with that wound. You’ll be dead before you get to the next town” said the marksman, proud of his skilled shot. “We must help him. Quickly! He may know some valuable information we could use against The Rogue.” The bandit jumped at the name. “The Rogue?! Are you daft?!” “That’s what I said!” After shooting a dirty look at Nemamiah, Azbogah helped the bandit up and started to carry him to the road. “Oh Great Lord, help this poor soul and show him the mercy of the heavens. I shall personally look after him if he is healed.” After those final words, a pearly white light surrounded the bandit and the arrow became dislodged from his side. 
   Azbogah helped the healed man up. “What is you name, young man?” “Who wants to know?” “He does, bandit!” said Nemamiah, aiming his bow at the scared criminal. “Fine! I’ll tell you my name, just don’t kill me!” “Alright, out with it then.” “My name is Unsicher Übel. I live in a camp not far from here. If you want, you can follow me and rest there.” Nemamiah lowered his bow and squinted at him. “How do we know you won’t just try to kill us?” “How do I know you won’t kill me? I’m just a bandit and you’ll be walking behind me. With my offer, I’m trusting you far more then your trusting me.” 
   So, the three set off into the woods, completely unaware that The Rogue was watching their every move. “So, the finest angel warriors of The Heavens and an ex-angel who is good with a bow have joined forces. And they have met another possible ally. Azbogah already has one ally to many, for my liking. Sousson-Pannan! Come hither!” An old man, covered in a black robe that seemed to shine in the light appeared out of a small glass sphere set on a windowsill. “What do you be needin’, master?” “I need you to take care of a little problem for me” And with a grin, he look down again unto Azbogah and company. “Consider it done, master.”

“Are we almost there, Übel?” complained Nemamiah, who kept alert at all times, still not trusting the bandit. “About another mile. Can’t be to careful, with distance from towns and all, right?” He shot a grin at Nemamiah, who decided he was right and trudged on. “So, what origin is Übel? It doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard before.” “Well, it all goes back to my-” “Yes?” And as Azbogah noticed that Übel had stopped talking, he also saw that a dark aura had surrounded the bandit and a chill was in the air. “Unsicher? Are you ok? Does your wound hurt again?” What the angelic warrior didn’t know was that Unsicher Übel was no longer himself, but possessed by The Rogue’s voodoo shaman, Sousson-Pannan. 
   “Fools. The Rogue was watchin’ you the whole time. And you kept talkin’ about your plans to rid Dion of his grip. Such fools.” With that, Nemamiah let loose an arrow right at the possessed bandit, only to have it stop right in front of his face. “Oy! How you doing that?!” “I’ll make a deal with you, fools. If you can kill me, I’ll tell you anything you need to know about The Rogue.” At that, The Rogue listening, he watched more closely to make sure his shaman didn’t die, for if he did, nothing good would come of it. “If that is your choice, then so be it!” Azbogah got on his knees and began to pray. “Oh Great Lord, grant me my power. Give me my sword and shield. Give me my holiness. Give me strength!” A single blinding beam came down from The Heavens and materialized a sword made of the finest metal and a shield as strong as a dragon’s scales. The beam slowly moved closer to the angelic warrior and as it did, he gained power. When the beam vanished, Azbogah was in golden armor and had grown his wings through prayer. “Nemamiah, ready your bow!” The marksman did so and as he did, he noticed it was glowing with a white light. “Fire!” Nemamiah let loose the arrow and it whipped past trees and branches to hit the bandit, but it did not. It sailed past the bandit and struck the heart of Sousson-Pannan. 
   As Übel fell on his back, Azbogah walked over to Sousson-Pannan. “I do not need your knowledge, for it is tainted. Begone and burn in hell, demon!” He then thrust his sword down into the chest of the shaman and his body shriveled into nothing, only leaving an amulet with a strange symbol on it, one of which The Heavens knew not of and angels knew everything that was created. “Are you ok, Unsicher?” “Aye, I think so, but what happened?” “Something that you are not meant to remember.” And with that bit of confusion, Übel left it at that and continued to guide them to his camp.

Adventures of the Vengeful Angel: Azbogah, the Angel of Judgment Part 2

   Once on Dion, Azbogah jumped to fly to The Rogue, to end it once and for all, only to fall flat on his face. When he wiped the dirt from his eyes, he noticed that his angel wings were gone. “What is this nonsense?!” “When you left the heavens, you left all of your physical angelic attributes behind as well” After mumbling about having to walk, Azbogah set out on his first day on Dion and the beginning of his adventure. It wasn’t before long that Azbogah noticed that he was in the middle of a large field, walking to who knows where and while walking in what Azbogah thought was east, he found a dirt road. Looking down the road both ways and seeing nothing, he gave a long sigh and went down the road. Slowly, the smell of fresh bread filled his nostrils and he followed it until he found what it was. “Oh, Great Lord, thank you!” As he went to take the fresh, warm bread, the owner of the farm, Nemamiah Sampson, aimed his bow at Azbogah. “Drop it. Now!” Slowly, he put down the bread, smiled, for he knew who’s voice that was, and turned to his assailant. 
   “Azbogah! What are you doing here?!” Nemamiah lowered his bow and embraced him. “Is there something wrong in the heavens? I mean, I know I’m not an angel anymore, but I can still care, can’t I?” “No one said you couldn’t, my dear friend” They both gave a hardy laugh and retired to Nemamiah’s small but cozy home. “Having a farm, you would think I’d have a bigger home, but alas, no one will buy from me. Not since that accident with that lady and the pig. Now what happened was tha-” Seeing that Azbogah really didn’t want to hear the rest of that ordeal, he changed the subject. “So, what is so important that the Great Lord would send his finest soldier down to Dion?” As Nemamiah said that, a very grave look feel upon the face of Azbogah. “I requested to come down to your world to rid Dion of The Rogue.” Quickly, Nemamiah jumped up and locked his door and windows. “Are you daft?! You mustn’t say such things! The Rogue has spies all over Dion. If he suspects anyone of opposing him, he’ll have them killed! I don’t want to risk my life, Azbogah!” Now, Nemamiah is not a very strong man, but a master of the bow. He could shot an arrow in the thickest of forests, having it whip through branches and leaves and hit his target right between the eyes. 
   After killing his son by accident while hunting for food, he has not fired an arrow since, but merely uses his bow as a threat. “I didn’t ask you to! I just need help and I was lucky enough to find you.” Azbogah hung his head in shame for not thinking out his plan completely through. “Well, since I used to be an angel and you’re an old friend, I’ll help you in any way I can!” And so, the Marksmen and the Angel Warrior joined forces to find and rid Dion of The Rogue.

Adventures of the Vengeful Angel: Azbogah, the Angel of Judgment

   After a bit of research, I found this particular angel very appealing for a series of short stories. It is a recognized angel, title and all. I hope you find it enthralling. Enjoy

-Kristopher


   In the legends of yore, a world, before our own, is mentioned. The wondrous world of Dion. The land was plentiful and the people were pure. Nothing could have been more beautiful. But when the great nation of Nazon attacked the villages, people gave into their power. The leader, simply known as The Rogue, didn’t waste time taking out the king of Dion, Lord Tralu. As custom in Dion, when the king dies, other then by natural sources, the one responsible is the new leader. After the murder of Lord Tralu, nothing was the same. Schools were made into warrior training camps, crops were neglected and died, and everything belonged to The Rogue.
As time passed, the heavens grew darker and darker with anger against The Rogue and his crimes. The head angel of the heavens army, Azbogah, would not stand for this. He went right up to the leader of the heavens and made his plea to rid the world of Dion of its evil. “Please, oh great and powerful Lord, may I descend from the heavens to loosen, if not rid, the grip of The Rogue on Dion?” The great Lord thought about this with great caution, for he knew of the power Azbogah possessed. Then, on the third day of thinking, he called Azbogah to his throne room for his answer. “I have thought long and hard about this matter, Azbogah, and I have come to a decision.” While kneeling, Azbogah slowly raised his head to look upon the Great Lord with his answer. “What is you decision, oh Great Lord?” As the Great Lord looked upon his best angel warrior, he said, “You may go to Dion and rid the land of The Rogue’s wrong doing!” “Oh thank you, my Lord!” As Azbogah got up to leave, the Great Lord stopped him. “But wait! There is one condition.” “And what is that, my Lord?” “You may not return to the heavens until The Rogue is killed.” “Understood, my Lord.” The Great Lord looked at him in surprise, “You do know that you will be down on Dion for a while, right?” “Of course, my Lord” The Great Lord looked at Azbogah with the look of a father proud of his son. “Then be off, Azbogah! And good luck!” And with that, Azbogah descend to Dion and his adventures began.

My Name Is Vinny Part 2

   Later that night, Pauly sat me down and talked to me. That enough was enough to scare me. “Vinny… Oh, Vinny…” All I could do was stare at my feet and not say a word, not that I had the nerve to talk to him while he was mad at me. “You did good, kid. I didn’t think you had it in you.” “I did… good? What you mean, Pauly?” “I didn’t think you would go after the Principal until you senior year in high school. Your only a freshman! You gotta have balls to try and pull something like that. You did good, my son.” “Son?” This was a subject that we had been talking about for a while. I heard him saying something about adobting me, but nothing official happened yet. “You serious? You did it?” “I did. You are now officially my son.” He patted me on the head and looked me right in the eye. “Welcome to the family, Vinny.” I was welling up inside. I could feel it. “Thanks, pop!” Before I could talk myself out of it, I jumped up and hugged him. He chuckled and hugged me back. “Alright, enough of this sappy shit. I got work to do. What you want for supper?” “Steaks sound good? Or lasagna? Yea, lasagna.” “You got it, kid. I’ll be back later.” He gave me a caring smirk and walked off down the hall. “Charley! Lets go! We gotta pick up some food for Vinny!” “Gimme a minute, you big jerk.” “Ahh, whateva! I’ll be in the car!” “Alright, I’ll be down in a minute.” 
   He walked outside and I watched from the window. He must have felt me watching, because he looked right at me and winked. I smiled back and thought, “That’s my pop out there. Thank you, God, for a pop like that.” Its moments like this I miss him the most. He opened the car door and sat there, waiting for Charley. I went up to my room a few minutes later and heard a huge explosion. “No…” I whispered. I ran down the stairs and out the door to see Pauly’s car in flames and parts all over the driveway. I just gained a father and lost him in the same five minutes. Pauly’s pop, Papa, came out and held me close. “Look away, kid. Look away! I know your angry, but hold onto that! Killing just anyone won’t do anything. I’ll have my men look into this and when we find out who did this, you’ll pull the trigger. You, Vinny, will kill the man who killed Pauly.”

   To this day, I remember everything Pauly did for me. Lucky for me, he was going to be avenged sooner then I thought.
About 3 years later, in my senior year of high school, there was a new kid in my school. I had no idea, at the time, that he was Pauly’s murderers son. “Hey, you’re the new kid, right?” “Uhh, yea. Whats it to ya?” “Its about ten bucks, that’s what.” “Ten bucks, huh? Try and take it form me, asshole.” He smirked at me the same way Pauly did and that set me off. “Don’t you ever fucking smirk at me, bitch!” I swung at him and he went down with one punch. A few days later, he was back in school and looking for me. I made sure that he couldn’t find me, though. I’m not usually the “Hider”, I’m the “Finder”. The night after I beat up the new kid, I heard Charley say that his son got beat up and was gonna be out for a few days. I made sure he couldn’t find me so that Charley wouldn’t know it was me. When I got back to the house, Charley was giving me some strange looks. I must have been jumpy or something, I can’t remember. 
   A couple of days later, I ran into the new kid… at the house! I kind of half screamed, half coughed, because he took me by surprise. “What are you doing here, new kid? By the way, what’s your name? Calling you new kid is getting kinda annoying.” “I’m Lenny. But what are you doing here?” “I live here, you turd!” I was ready to fight, but he had to make the first move. I didn’t want to be known for beating up a hurt guy, you know? “Turd?! You wanna go again?!” He swung at me, but I couldn’t swing back. I just couldn’t hurt Charley’s kid. “Stop. I’m sorry, ok? I didn’t know you were Charley’s son. I’m sorry, ok?” I held out my hand and it looked like he was going to shack it. He punched me in the face, instead. When I came to, he shook my hand. “Apology accepted.” We’ve been friends ever since.

My Name Is Vinny

   This is a shorty story I started when I first discovered The Godfather. I was inspired and wanted to create my own alternative universe of the same liking. Its a little more edgier then my other posts, but I think it will appeal to some people. Enjoy.


-Kristopher




   My name is Vinny. Vinny Kastapalo. I’m not your average man. I live in a huge house with my family, I own four cars, have a beautiful wife and kids, but not a dollar to my name. How do I have this amazing life, you ask? Don’t ask! Its none of you friggin’ business! I’m just kidding, kid. Follow my lifestyle and you’ll live like me, or better, who knows?
   It started when I was a kid. I watched my old man get whacked by the man who helped raise me. I ran for my life, not looking back. That’s when Pauly found me. Pauly Reckweacro. I knew I was on the wrong side of town when I ran into him. I looked up at him from the ground and just knew that he was a gangster. But he saw something in me that night. He picked me up and said, “Don’t worry kid. You’re protected now. What happened?” “My uncle. Vinny Kastapalo… killed my father!” “Don’t worry, kid. We’ll take care of him.” And with those words, I knew I was protected for the time being. “Hop in, kid.” He gestured toward his car and I got in the back seat. “What’s your name, kid?” “Vinny. Vinny Kastapalo” “I thought that was your uncle’s name.” I looked away, out the window, ashamed of my name. “It is. I was named after him by my father.” “Its ok, kid. Charley! Make sure little Vinny here gets a nice room and whatever he wants to eat for supper. He is our guest of honor.” It took me a minute to realize that we had arrived at a very large house. Then, with a wink, he walked off, behind closed doors. Being very young, I wondered what was behind those doors. I slowly crept up to the door and peaked through the crack. 
   “Papa, I have a request of you.” “What is it, my son?” “I found this kid and he’s in rough shape. He watched his father get whacked by the man he’s named after. Can I look after him, like a father figure, so he doesn’t go down the wrong path?” “I suppose. But he has to be of use to me when he’s older or he’s gone. Capice?!” “I understand, Papa. Thank you.” He started toward the door and I darted back to my room. I think he saw me, ‘cause when I turned the corner, I distinctly heard a chuckle and “Good night, kid. You’ve got a bright future”

   Now, that was a long time ago. I’m surprised I remembered that much, actually. Anyway, a couple years later, I learned to “influence” people to do stuff for me. Paying off kids to do my homework, bribing the teachers with something my connections could do, you get the picture. I thought I had it made. It wasn’t until I decided to go after the principal that I knew I had more to learn. Much more. “Hey Principal Mancha, can I talk to you in your office? In private?” “Of course, Vinny” We walked into his office and I got comfortable, thinking I had all the power in the room. “What can I do for you, son?” “Well, I’m not doing so well in some of my classes. Do you think you could help me get by?” I then got myself in some deep shit when I put a twenty dollar bill on his desk. “What is this?! Are you trying to bribe me to make you pass?!” He went to his door and checked to make sure no one was around, then he locked the door. “Pauly already pays me to make sure you pass. Once he hears about his, he’s gonna make sure you don’t try to pull this shit again.” I must have went white, because a slight smirk appeared on his face. “Wait! I didn’t know! Please don’t tell Pauly! He’ll friggin’ kill me!” “I’m sorry, kid. He told me to notify him if anyone tried to bribe me that wasn’t him. And you’re not him, last time I checked.” I knew I was in deep shit when I got back to the house.