Chapter 2: Violet Eyed Stranger

January 5, 2598 | 5:49 p.m. Friday evening

After that night everything has been expeditious with the stranger. I have not been able to write since then, with trying to figure out what exactly needs to be done to keep everyone safe. Everything has revolved around the stranger in the alleyway, the man with the violet eyes. First, it is important to state what happened after he noticed me looking directly at him.

He stood there in the darkness of the alley for far too long before coming out of the shadows to confront me. I must say that it was a rather strange phenomenon to be at a standstill with someone who equivalently adheres to the shadows. After he decided to make himself known, I was greeted with a pair of deep violet eyes of a man who stands at 6'2" tall. There was a specific allure he held that I vaguely remember experiencing once before back at the facility. A creature with an ethereal allure, one of unfathomable beauty unlike any other supernatural creature in existence that I had ever known.

Of course I waited to introduce myself until he did. I wasn't going to risk this being some sort of trap from an unknown entity. He finally stated his name, Mors, then held out his hand to properly greet me. I couldn't do it. I couldn't take his hand whatsoever. Instead I stared at him trying to figure out if he were friend or foe.

No longer caring for the silence I had bestowed upon him, Mors tilted his had as he asked if I was alright. His voice was charming, disarming, and velvety. I have to admit that his voice alone was enthralling even to me. That in itself told me that he was powerful in some aspect. Or he just has more charisma than I have. Of course I wasn't going to lie to him and tell him I was alright. Instead I let him know that it was off-putting to meet someone with such a presence as what he was exuding.

"What are you writing?" The blackish-purple haired man leaned over Omnia as she halted her writing. There was a look of pure irritation on her face as she glanced up at him. Holding up his hands in defeat he took a step back letting out a chuckle. "Hey. It's okay. I was just curious."

With her free hand she pinched the bridge of her nose as her eyes squeezed shut for a brief moment. "Mors, if you must know what I am doing, I am documenting what transpired the past few days. Do you mind?" Unfortunately she already had a good guess that he did not mind at all, then go back to being nosey. After all she could tell that he had a rather childlike curiosity. "I would like to finish this entry."

Another short chuckle left Mors' lips while he gave a gentle nod. "Of course. Though you seem a wee bit rusty."

"Try being asleep for centuries to a thousand years, give or take, then tell me if you would be rusty at writing." Omnia let out a scoff as she waved him off. Her tone seemed rather calm even though her cadence showed she was annoyed with him. "We will talk more in a moment if necessary." Quickly she went back to focusing onto the journal, completely tuning him out.

January 5, 2598 | 5:51 p.m. Friday evening

Apparently interrupting is something Mors excels at. Anyway, where was I? Oh. That's right. The alleyway where we first officially met each other.

He seemed to enjoy that I was being honest with him, in fact he still seems enjoy my bluntness. Wish I could say that I enjoyed his nosiness as much as he enjoys honesty. In that moment he made sure to show his face completely instead of hiding. I think it was an attempt to show that he wasn't going to harm me or anyone else. Little did he know that I could already see and smell what he was. Or at least had a vague idea. Truth be told, I knew for a fact that he was not human. Though I wasn't sure of his species.

After some conversation he explained that he was here because he felt intense agony of some sort. His claim was that he couldn't pin point exactly where it was, but it was strong enough that he was attracted to the area. That's when he told me what his species was; sunronian. There was only one other that claimed to be of that species. At least according to the charts that I was able to see while I had the strength to astral project.

Mors was the second sunronian that I have been made aware of. Unlike the one in WDIRC, Mors had the domain of agony. Upon asking what exactly that entailed, he explained that to him it was unmitigated emotions of agony caused by trauma. According to what he was saying, there are three others that have domains that relate to his. Each one of them able to take, give, and control their specific domain. To say that having a creature who can control, devour, and distribute agony will be rather convenient to have in my corner when needed.

After coming to an understanding Mors and I made our way into my apartment. Unfortunately we were greeted by some of the tenants of the Stardust apartments. Their concern was rather valid. Turns out that Mors might be the person those enforcers had described. However, if he was with me, then they would trust him for the time being. Was not my intention to vouch for someone I had just met, though Mors hadn't and hasn't given me a reason to think his intentions were ill in any manner. Consequently he became my tenant as well as my problem if he is found out by anyone outside of the apartments. Safe to say it was a tight knitted community that the Stardust apartments harbors.

Once the agreement was in place between Mors, myself, and the tenants we were able to focus for the next day or so with getting Mors acclimated. That time was complete with a visitation from Treva Bane.

Her visit left more questions that answers. Turns out that she heard from someone in the market that this mysterious figure they were looking for had taken something. Mors looked absolutely clueless to what it was that he supposedly had taken. Treva had no idea either. She simply heard the rumor, which led her to worry about me. I have done nothing to warrant anyone to look for me, or to put the people of Stardust apartments in harms way.

I'll be honest with you, Reader. I left something out in my first entry. Probably something important. When I first came to the Stardust apartments I was starving for a decent meal that people would have died for me to achieve some sort of satisfaction. As luck would have it there were some sort of aggressors that were not warranted. In a fit of blood-rage I managed to dispatch them all. I was able to save the tenants and sate my hunger all in one single moment. At least sate the hunger for the time being. That is why they protect me, because I saved them from the dangerous individuals that wished them harm.

Feeling eyes bore into the back of her skull Omnia put the journal along with putting the pen away, completely giving up on writing anymore at that moment. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she stared down at her hands while she spoke. "Did you finish reading what I was writing, Mors?"

"Yup. I did. So you saved them all? What are all the questions you had? Are you completely done writing for the day? Why do you put the time as well as the date?" Mors' questions were grating on her nerves, yet Omnia knew it was simple curiosity on his part, considering he wasn't around a world such as this particular one.

For a moment silence fell over the duo. It had become habit for them, all because she took great care in what words she used. In her mind there was no sense in wasting words. Each one mattered. Especially when it came to Verity's function, which simply made it a habit for her. Mors, however, was still not used to it. There was a look of worry painted on his delicate face as Omnia kept searching for the right words she desired to use.

Turning around, she faced Mors just to let out a giggle as she was greeted by a worried angelic face. "Well, I did not expect you to look so concerned." Not waiting for him to make a statement on what she had stated, Omnia continued on talking. "Now, let's tackle all those questions of yours. That first one. Did I save them? Technically I did. One got hurt in the fray. He is fine now. Second question of what questions I have. Correct?"

She watched as he gave a nod, which she replied with a nod right back. "Alright. The things that Treva has told me before you as well as what you heard yesterday. I am curious to how much is true, what you supposedly took, and what else is hiding. A total of 16 years to a future as horrible as this one? Something else is going on besides your typical dictator. Moving on."

"Your third question. I do plan on writing more today after we go to a bookstore or a café. I need to find out which one is going to have a computer for us to use. As far as why I put the time along side the date on every entry. Well that is simple. I want to make sure that if these journals are ever found, then they know roughly what time of day it was when I made that entry. I know it sounds silly, yet it works for me. It helps with my memory too." With a soft look in her eyes, she studied him closely to see what Mors' reaction to her answers could be.

Mors knelt down to be eye level with Omnia's small stature giving off the same studious gaze she had. It was almost like a stand off between the unearthly beings. Only the sound of the dripping faucet from the bathroom could be heard as they stared into one another. As she thought to herself, she couldn't figure out if he was just childlike or if he was genuinely that vexatious. Part of her thought that perhaps she was being too harsh on him since he had just come into her life. Even she had been vexing when she had first been taken in by her maker, Nen.

Finally there was a break in the deafening silence with Mors' velvety voice. "Omnia, I think I saw a bookstore a few miles from here. I could take you. If you want that is." There was something rather disarming in the way his lips curled into a soft smile that even reached his eyes.

January 5, 2598 | 8:42 p.m. Friday evening

What is it about him that is so disarming to me? Perhaps it is the way Mors smiles or even the tone of his voice. Either way, I find it rather off-putting to say the least. Only one person was able to disarm me in that manner, and I assure you it was not Mors. I just met him. How vexing.

Anyway, that is not why I am presently writing. The reason for this entry is the game plan for going to the book store. In which I verified the validity of Mors' information with Treva, Dashiel Cloven, Orion Blackwell, the apartment's super, and his wife Damaris Blackwell. Come to find out there is a bookstore that still operates with all the bans and censorship laws. According to Orion the owner of Plotbound, Allard Denholm, manages to have the present restricted materials on a computer in the very back. Not to mention that Mr. Denholm also has a multitude of books hiding with said computer when someone needs, or wants, to read them.

Honestly this is more than I could possibly hope for. It would be a struggle to get there, however. Mostly because I do not have the best relationship with the sunlight. Granted, I will not perish if I am in the sun for a small fraction of time. Although that may be the case, I prefer to limit my exposure to the rays of sunshine if at all possible. Timing was going to be everything for an excursion such as this one.

It took some time to decide on when to leave for Plotbound. Around eleven we will venture out to plead our case to Allard Denholm. To assist in our endeavor Orion did get me a letter to hand to Mr. Denholm. He stated that it will hopefully show that I am trustworthy enough for him to let me into the backroom. Thinking on it, it makes sense why he wouldn't trust me without someone else's word. These humans are in a political climate that puts everyone against each other. Divided we all fall. Not very logical or prudent for any sort of government system to operate.

I digress. The next thing on our agenda to prepare for our short journey was some sort of hood for me to wear. Less attention the better. Unfortunate enough for me, Treva Bane had to come in and assist. She and I are about the same size, give or take. She provided me a pastel pink hoodie. It was the only thing she had that would be able to hide my hair. Begrudgingly I took it from her and put it on. It was safely under my black jean jacket, where only the hood would be seen. I was not going to have something so pink showing more than it has to.

After journaling for a bit Omnia made more preparations before the clock struck 11 p.m. signaling it was time for them to head out. Not only was it better for Omnia to head out when the sun was down, it was also better to travel at night anyway. It was all due to the new laws that President Morganite had put into place. Simply put, it solved both issues for Omnia which she absolutely loved.

It didn't take long for Omnia to slip on the hoodie she borrowed. There was an audible snicker that could be heard from Mors that seemed to give off the 'you are adorable' statement. Safe to say, Omnia was not amused in the slightest.

The moment she was ready to take off she looked over to Mors, who was double checking his hair to make sure none of it was showing with the hood up. "Mors." Her voice was calm but the cadence showed slight urgency. "Are you good to go, or do we need more time?"

"I'm good. Promise. I just don't want to cause you more issues. Between your kindness and everyone else giving me a chance, I don't wish to do any thing that will jeopardize that. " No matter how hard she attempted to fight it, his words coerced a sweet smile out of her. In turn Mors smiled right back at her. "I will protect you as long as your protect me. Okay? We can go at this as if we are a team."

Without a word Omnia headed down the stairs to start the excursion to Plotbound. Mors let out a groan of irritation which could have been the fact she didn't agree, or disagree for that matter. Quickly he took off after her. It was almost like she took pleasure in his frustration towards her. A smirk played on her lips as if to state that she turned the tables on him all the while she continued down the sidewalk to a back alley. It took a couple of seconds once she reached the alleyway for Mors to officially catch up.

"That was rude. Especially for you." His hands were squished into the pockets of his tight pants as he looked down at her from behind.

There was no need for her to turn around, in fact, there was no need for her to even look at him. She simply responded with a scoff followed by her carefully chosen words. "I had nothing to say. I had nothing to contribute to what little banter you were attempting to have with me." It was utterly lost on her that he was attempting to be friendly, then again she knew that. The case was simple, she didn't understand how to feel anymore. Wasn't for a lack of trying. "Can we focus on getting to the bookstore without incident. Or is that going to be difficult?"

Walking along the shadows of the buildings Omnia carefully observing each corner before darting to another alley, Mors trailing behind her. After about three block from Stardust apartments she spots a group of people patrolling the street ahead. A worried look came over her face as she held up her hand as a single to Mors. Both come to a stop, dunking into an open door in one of the near by buildings.

"I could hear about three heart beats. That doesn't mean there is only three there." She had quickly whispered as not to alert anyone to their location while she glanced around their immediate area. Omnia knew for a fact that she could take on most of the people in their path. However, the thing was that she was curious to see one of two things happen. One, Mors takes action, showing what he can do. Then there was two, did those people mean any harm in the first place?

As she went to look at Mors, she noticed that he was no longer with her. Stepping out of the building she glanced around hoping to catch a glimpse of where he went. There he was, a massive creature moving silently towards the group patrolling ahead. His violet eyes shimmered in the twilight. Focusing her vision on him, she noticed that his fingers were elongated, boney, bare, while his body seemed to have less muscle than before. His hair was shorter in the front while longer in the back, it was stringier, not to mention covering more of his face. The skin tone almost had a lavender hue on his face, with his ears being pointed. Coming off his back and sides were bone-like appendages.

If she had not seen far more fearsome creatures before now, Omnia would have made herself scarce. However, that was not the case. She watched as Mors' hand extended towards one as he began to dispatch them one by one, making sure no one uttered a syllable. Omnia was in awe of what she had witnessed. On the one hand she had watched the man she had just met turn into a vicious monster. On the other hand, she didn't have to lift a finger. Either way she couldn't help herself, her hand moving faster than her brain to grab the journal that was in a messenger bag to her left.

Moving with a hastened pace she made her way past Mors and the carnage he add created. She forced herself to ignore the metallic scent as she pressed on. The only thing on her mind was to make a sketch then record what had transpired. The moment she passed the scene she came to a halt. To her right was a young woman and a dying man. Upon seeing them, Omnia placed the journal back into the messenger bag.

As far as emotions went, Omnia felt nothing for them, yet she was compelled to ask if there was anything she could do. Her head tilted ever so slightly as she knelt down to the woman. "Hello there. Are you alright?"

"No." The one little word held so much pain a the woman held the dying man close to her chest, his ear to where her heart would have been. "There is nothing that can be done." Looking up at Omnia, the woman let out a short whimper. "Unless you are God, there is nothing you can do for us."

Behind Omnia a soft sigh could be heard. Turning around slowly Omnia saw Mors standing there. His voice was still as velvety as ever, yet there was something else laced beneath it. "Which one?"

The woman's voice grew agitated and haughty. "The only god. The maker of everything."

"That's all well and good. But let's be clear on something." Mors moved to the side of Omnia, kneeling down to the woman along with the dying man. "There are always things in life that you will not understand. Not all of them are your god. Some are from mine." Gently he touched the man's arm. With a soft inhale then exhale from Mors, they all saw the man smile one last time before passing away peacefully. "He will no longer be in agony."

Looking into the woman's eyes Omnia could tell that she wanted to object. It was a common thing she had seen over the centuries, which she had gotten used to. However, Mors did something she didn't expect. As she followed his movements, Mors gently hugged the woman which was something she would have done when she was much younger.

"Thank you." The grieving woman clung to Mors for dear life as she wept. "You. You gave my husband peace."

Mors gave the softest nod as he held her close in the hug. "Please feel at peace and continue on. Live on with his memory." The interaction ended shortly after. Mors quickly took Omnia into a dark alleyway. "You okay?"

January 5, 2598 | 11:59 p.m. Friday night

The journey from Stardust to Plotbound may not have been a long journey, though it did turn out to be a rather informative one. From seeing the truth of my new companion's form, finding out a little on patrol group numbers, to the compassion of those around me. I do believe Nen would have liked Mors, even if it was just a microscopic bit.

I was happily surprised when Mors took care of the patrol. After we made it to an alley, about a block from Plotbound, he stated that the form I saw was his true form. He stated he felt more powerful taking it on, not to mention it made it easier for him to take care of them. I found it to be magnificent.

The second incident was the woman and her husband. Mors was so respectful and diligent. He stated that he gave plenty of agony to the patrol group that it was only fair to take what he had spent. Replenish his energy in a sense. Much like a vampire consuming blood, or a human eating food or drinking water. Do not forget to hydrate, Reader. If you are human that is. I digress. He let the man die in peace, then made sure the woman knew a similar peace. Making sure she could continue own with only a small fraction of the grief.

Mors explained everything after pulling me into the alley. However, his explanation doesn't contribute to the level of compassion he displayed. Not that I'm complaining in the slightest about his compassion. Someone has to show that and empathy when I struggle with it. He is becoming a reasonable companion in such a short amount of time. However, I still do not trust him fully.

"Omnia. Omnia!" Glaring daggers Omnia turned to find Mors accompanied by a elderly man with pure white hair. "I found the owner. He is ready to speak to you." Slowly Omnia rose from the chair that was sitting just inside the entrance of Plotbound.