Shades of Shadows
From the Ashes. We hope.
After so long alone, after the death of all he loved, really is it any wonder that he chose his path.
Staring down into the fresh graves where his wife and son were to be buried in effigy, their bodies lost to the desolation of war, he broke away from the world. It was nothing to him any more, nothing. And yet, in his aimless wanderings, he found new purpose.
Fueled by the world's appetite for narcotics, he built an empire hidden from all who might seek to find him. Gathered to himself loyal followers from the groups his new cartel saved from the ravages of common gangsters. But still more was needed.
It is the threat of atomic annihilation that keeps the fragile balance. Yet, as he had raised the station of those under his dominion, could he not also raise the world? Nuclear threat removed, the world would shake itself to pieces through the ensuing violence. But was that not better?
Was it not better that he should use his power and wealth to force the world to reshape itself?
After the first strikes against the old ways, he watched the pundits and politicians frantically try to project calm. Maintain their perfect, peaceful lie. Let war come to them, let the powers of the just triumph over the tyranny of the few. An end to totalitarianism. A new order to step over the corpse of the old into the future.
He announced himself to the world following his first destruction of nuclear capacity. When the world teetered at the abyss of fire from which a new one will rise. He can only hope that good, this time, will triumph.
"I'm the villain in your fairy tale now," he said to the camera, face hidden. "And I am inevitable."
About the Creator
Alexander McEvoy
Writing has been a hobby of mine for years, so I'm just thrilled to be here! As for me, I love writing, dogs, and travel (only 1 continent left! Australia-.-)
"The man of many series" - Donna Fox
I hope you enjoy my madness
AI is not real art!
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The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
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Comments (14)
Upending the existing norms lead to a bunch of unexpected and unanticipated. So a great place to start.
Villains and superheroes are born everyday...always one to replace another. No nukes and destruction would be great though. Interesting storyline. It does read as a continuation. Congrats.
This is a splendid bit of micro fiction that could be furthered in so many directions. Love your concept. Congratulations on the Top Story, too.
I am sure this could be a successful TV series. I’d like to branch out his history with his deceased wife and child, and what led up to that horrible tragedy
Fascinating concept. No more nukes making things worse. I can see it happening though, once the deterrent is gone. Great story, Alex. Congrats on the TS.
A gripping read that explores a tragic figure reshaping the world through chaos. The blend of personal loss and grand ambition makes for a chilling narrative, with a striking conclusion that blurs the lines between hero and villain. A powerful reminder of how the quest for change can spiral into something unsettling.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Woooohooo!! Look at this Top Story Machine here!!! Congrats buddy!!
Ooooh chanelling Thanos there!
Love it. I was shaping something in my mind along these lines, but I think yours may put mine in the shade!
Whoaaaa, that was like watching a movie in my head! Soooo intense and impactful! Gotta agree with Donna, this does feel like a first chapter!
Alex!!! That final line was just bone-chilling!! I love the way this feels so nonchalantly epic, like the first chapter in a cartable origin story!! Also.... where the F do you get a vocabulary like this?? Like I can barely spell my own name/ buy a vowel on a good day, meanwhile you're here tossing out pundits and things like it's in everyone's dictionary!
I think that’s a really interesting concept, that in removing the nuclear threat, it would actually make things worse. Great job!
I think you meant something else with this sentence: “And end to totalitarianism.”Maybe “An end to totalitarianism.” Anyways, this is an excellent story overall and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Well done.