My name is the Man in Black. Many years ago I was like you, weak and pathetic. But I advanced to the stage of Godhood, something I deserved. It wasn’t an easy journey and I did many things I am not proud of. Not to say I regret any of it, but merely it wasn’t an easy adventure. Back then I used to be a Warlord. I conquered nations, but my hunger for blood was not sated by wars. I entered tournaments and became a god of the arena. However, I knew one day I would get old and die. That is not something I wanted, so I sent out to find a way to become immortal. This is that story.

It started in a wheat field. I stood with my wife Elpis, on a warm summer night in the middle of a wheat field. The small obsidian dagger was firmly gripped in my hand. I knew what I had to do, but I don’t know how I could. Kill that which you love most. His voice was still hissing in my head. I loved this woman. But the price of immortality is high and it must be paid. But what is immortality if I lose my humanity in the process. For the first time that night I looked my wife in the eyes. She was smiling at me. For the first time in my life, someone pitied me.

Two Days earlier

I was covered in black rags and chainmail. My body is of athletic build and covered with a few scars I’ve happily earned over the years. The murmillo helmet I wore was covered in dents, scratches and blood. I kept it because it was a sign and reminder to me of all the times I should be dead. In my left hand, a shield. In my bloodied right hand, a gladius. He had managed to scar the top of my hand. It hurt, but the adrenaline was a glorious pain killer.

Across from me stood a larger man, Alcaeus, who proceeds me in both height and build. I was rather short and many people stood above me. But this man made me look like a small child. I grinned at the challenge. He wore next to nothing and was covered in hundreds of battle scars. His face was repulsive and disfigured. He wielded a large steel hammer. 

Alcaeus took a few steps forward and swung his larger hammer wildly. I ducked the blows and with a quick jab, stabbed Alcaeus in the thigh with my blade. Alcaeus screamed wildly and punted me in the face, knocking me back, and leaving the blade still sheathed in the man’s thigh.  Unarmed, I felt this is where the battle really began. I took of my shield, and with a spinning motion threw my shield at his face. It crashed against his skull hitting him in the eyes.

At this moment he started to swing his hammer wildly. I ducked and dodged them with ease. This battle was over and he knew it. He started to whimper and cry. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. This brute was scared of his oncoming death. What a pathetic wimp. I decided this was enough for the both of us. I withdrew my blade from his thigh, and quickly stabbed him in the throat. It’s the softest, weakest part of the human body. His body fell limp to the ground when I withdrew the blade. I had won.

The crowds of the citizens cheer, both nobles and peasants alike standing in merriment. Drinks and shirts are raised in praise. I raised my hands as the victor. I had, once again, beaten the odds. This victory marks my 50th win. From the stands I heard the Arena owner shout, “I present to you, your winner! Anaxagoras the Unstoppable!”

That night, while sitting naked on my bed, I had a moment of silence to think. I wanted more to life then riches and battle. I wanted a change of course. Everyday has become the same. I spent it with my friends and family, partying and drinking. Although personally I hate the taste of alcohol. I am forced to drink it due to the image it would put on me if I didn’t. It’s not that it makes me sick, I just don’t like the taste.

“Come back to bed with me Anaxagoras.” She started to stroke my back with one long elegant finger. She always knew that calmed me. 

“You have satisfied me thrice and yet you appear to still be up for more. You truly are an unstoppable force.” She bit my ear as she spoke the words.

“I am unstoppable, but for how long? I’ve long desired to be beaten by someone in the arena. I wish someone would step up to me. At least wound me so that I might come close to death. That is how I want to die. Not by old age. Become useless and hobble. The thought of it frustrates me.”

She stopped kissing me and held me tightly in her small arms. “My love, you think too much about these kind of things. Everyone dies, and we must accept that. There is nothing we can do about it and if there was, why would you want to. You are filled with hubris to think you can change that. Regardless, I love you and I support any decision you make. If you wish to contact the devils themselves and make a deal, then I will be there holding your hand.” She gave me a small kiss on the cheek then got up and walked to the bath. 

I got up and started to walk around my villa. I never remember it being this big. What my wife said was true though. She knew how to calm me. She was always a smart girl. It’s the reason I married her. She was a beautiful petite woman nearly half my age, and not afraid to speak her mind. I don’t think she is afraid of me. I don’t know if that  makes me happy or sad. While in the middle of my thoughts, one of my slave boys stopped me. “Lord Anaxagoras, you have a visitor.”

“It’s the middle of the night, who would be visiting me so late.”

“He says he has something that might be of interest to you.” He was afraid to upset me. It made me laugh.

“I will meet him.”                                     

Standing at my door step stood a man, dressed in black robes. He wore a white mask that resembled that of a smiling man. I tried to stand straight and buff out my chest. I knew the best way to get what I wanted for cheap was by intimidating him. However with that fucking mask I couldn’t tell.

“I have found what you seek” he whispered.

“And what that might be?” I stated firmly.

“A way for you to be immortal.”

“Excuse me what did you say your name was?”

“Call me Lucifer.”

“Strange name for a strange man. How am I supposed to believe you.”

“Give me your hand and I will show you.”

I paused and eyed him up and down. He must be insane.

“What did you say this item was?”

“It is a key to the hold of the godsUrand Gamma.” He stated in a emotionless voice.

“There’s no such thing.” I chuckled.

“Oh it is VERY real. You know it in your heart to be true. Give me your hand and I’ll show you.”

I reached my hand out. He grabbed it with his gloved hands and started to whisper. In the blink of an eye, a surging pain ran up my arm. I saw the future. Flying steel dragons, buildings that touched the stars, a legion of worshippers, worshipping me. There were thousands of people, dressed in black, praising me as their god. It was glorious. And then I saw a woman, more beautiful then any I have ever seen. She was human, but had small antlers on her forehead, with long pointed ears. Her hair was buzzed short. I saw her kissing me. I could feel her soft lips touching mine. And then it stopped. I opened my eyes and I was back at my villa.

“I want it. Whatever it is.” I muttered.

The man in black said nothing but took out a dagger. It was an obsidian blade with an ivory handle. He handed it to me.

“What do I do with it?”

“Kill that which you love most. Only then will you prove that you worthy for the blade.” He spoke in his monotone voice.

“And after?” I asked quickly.

“You will know the way.” After speaking this, he turned to dust. His clothes fell to the ground, and he was gone. Holding this blade in my hand, I felt compelled to find this place. If I could unlock the gods, I could become one. Ultimate power was in my grasps and all I had to do was…No. I couldn’t. My wife? I loved her. But I am so close! I needed to sleep on it.

That night I dreamed about the future, my future. I saw the girl again. And I saw what lay before me. All those people worshipping me. I couldn’t let something like morals get in the way of my destiny. Besides, I would find love again. What was one death to a lifetime of glory. I told my wife Elpis to meet me in our wheat fields the next night.

As I stood there in the fields, I realized I didn’t have to do this. I could just ignore that messenger. What was immortality to love. I am filled with hubris and I can do nothing. Lost in thought a hand touched my shoulder.

“What have you called me out her for my love?” she said softly.

I turned around, refusing to look her in the eyes. She tried to kiss me but I stepped back.

“What is wrong my love?” She put her soft hand in mine.

“What if I told you I could be truly unstoppable. Immortal even.”

She laughed softly to herself, “Nothing is unstoppable my love. Not even you.”

“But what if I could be.”

“You know I was joking about the deal with the devils right?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but could say nothing. She stroked my face with her silk skinned hands.

“What if I could be unstoppable but I had to do something awful?”

“You fight and slaughter men weekly. What more of an atrocity could you commit my love?”

“Do you remember the story of the Gods Ur and Gamma? How they were locked up and a single key could save them. I found that key.”

From my robe I took out the blade.

“You can’t be serious Anaxagoras.” her voice rose.

“I am.” I said quietly.

“Anaxagoras what you speak of will damn you for a thousand lives over in the foulest pit of hell! Discard that blade in the deepest depths! It will only bring us death and sorrow!”

I said nothing to her. I just continued to grip the cold blade in my hand.

“I see you have already made your decision on what you shall do with the blade.”

She smiled and kissed me.

“I’m sorry Elpis. You must hate me. But the power is too much for even me to turn back on.”

“I don’t hate you my love. I just want to save you while there’s still something left to save.”

“I’m a monster.” I feel the urge to cry, but I don’t.

“You’re not a monster. You are human who has the been given the gift of being a death dealer. Any man in your shoes would do the same. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

For the first time that night I looked her in the eye. She was smiling at me. She knew what was going to happen, and she accepted it.

With a single tear running down my face and held her closely. I gripped the blade tightly in hand and dug it deep into her gut. She let out a last breathe. And she fell cold and limp she whispered in my ear, “I don’t hate you my lo-.” And with that last word, she died.  

I buried her in the dirt there, in the middle of the field.

I remember the breeze extra strong that night. The wind was blowing so hard it rattled the windows. Even though it was cold outside, I knew it would be better then being inside here, with him. My step-father was a rough man who loved to take out his anger out on me. It’s not as if I’m built for this kind of thing. I’m a small framed, 20 year old woman. My skin is fair and my wings are brittle. I’m forbidden from flying in my household, so my wings have become rather weak. In the brief moments when I walk back from school, I look to hover ever so briefly above the ground, just to get a glimpse of what flying would be.

The thing I hate the most about these fun events when my step father likes to take out his anger is how my mascara always runs. It’s so hard to clean up, and I always forget to invest in the water proof type. If I seem like I’m trying to make a joke, it’s cause I always try to make the best of each situation. My mom, while she was still alive, always used to tell me that there is a silver lining to every cloud. I never really knew what that meant, but I assume the moral is to always look on the bright side of things.

After he was done beating me, whether because he was too tired to go on, or because I stopped moving I’ll never know, he went to his usual spot on the couch. He turned on the family feud, popped open a beer and relaxed. I was thinking of going into the kitchen, taking the largest, sharpest knife, and burying it into his neck. He would never see it coming. And I bet it would take a while for him to bleed it. I decided against it. I’m not a murderer, no matter how bad I wish I was.

 My next option is to runaway. I decide that is the best option because what do I have to lose. He probably won’t even notice if I left and never came back. And if he did worry, it serves him right. He was never a good father, even when my mother was alive. He always ignored me, and hated me. Just because he wasn’t my real father. From what my mom told me, my father was a great member of the Syn Agency. He was notorious for being the big tough guy in the company. My mother fell for him when she was young, and the rest was history. It makes me wonder what kind of woman my mother truly was. I’ve never been intimate with someone, mostly because people think I’m damaged goods. They are probably right.

That night I packed my clothes into the biggest purse I had and left. I slipped out the backdoor when he fell asleep. Once I was out on the sidewalk, I just felt like running. I ran until my feet were sore, and then I continued to run. I don’t know how or why, I just did. And then I found a light house. It overlooked a beautiful cliff and I had no choice but to go to the edge and look down. It was a long drop and I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to fall. The darkness hid the true length of how far the fall was.

The wind kept catching my wings and they would flutter at each gust that swept by me. I decided that I would jump. I would either fly, or suffer a death that could only be imagined as glorious. I stepped up onto the edge of the guard rail. I closed my eyes and started to lean forward. This was it.

I am going to state what the story is about, but before I do, I should let you know that this story is an epic tale. Approximately 10 books, and many many smaller stories. I started writing the series by writing a small story in my 10th grade (5 years ago) english class. It followed the story of a young boy who moved to the mountains and discovered a world of fairy tale creatures. Seems cliche’, and yes it’s been done before, but I always like to say it’s not WHAT you do, but HOW you do it. Ever since then, I have expanded on growing this character and his story. The setting of this world takes place in modern times, but with fairy tale beings. It came to me in a dream where I saw an Orc wearing a lakers jersey (strange, I know). Without giving too much away, the story follows the boy and his attempt to save the world of evil. He meets many strange and interesting people and joins the organization know as the Department for Paranormal Defense (DPD). I will probably be posting short stories and character bios on here.