Chapter 6: Agony of Mors

January 19, 2598 | 12:19 a.m. Friday early morning

Deep in the foggy visage of the stream, beneath the safety of the weeping willow, Mors and I sat together for a few hours. In that moment he was unable to shift from the "monstrous" form into his human form. Our argument triggered an excess of agony within his very being. There is much even he does not understand about his own abilities and how they work.

As we sat there talking, Mors mentioned that he was astonished on how I managed to walk through his aura of agony. Or at least that is what he perceived it to be. If I am being honest, I find it rather perplexing that I was able to make it to him with that amount of anguish flowing into my soul. Then again, it was no different than the pain I had felt when I lost Nen, or every single betrayal I had experienced. I do not have a satisfactory answer for either one of us. Instead, I put it rather simply. I was not going to stop at anything to make sure he was alright.

I could tell that part of him did not completely accept what I was trying to convey. Though I do believe that he knew I was trying to be empathetic towards him. It was a struggle to empathize. I didn't know exactly what he needed, nor how I was supposed to feel. All I knew is that in the moment he needed me, which gave me the reason to attempt. I felt as if I could not bare to part with someone who was truly kind hearted either. It frightened me to my very core.

After I confided about how much it frightened me to be without him, he had the audacity to chuckle in that deep demonic voice of his. I must admit that it was interesting to hear the difference between his human form and the one before me.

He stated that I was his connection to this world. That it is his choice to remain by my side, however, he didn't like how I snapped at him. That was indeed a low point for me. He fed me. Yet I snapped. He made sure I was safe, protected, and clothed. Then I repay him by snapping out of anger and frustration.

Before you even ask, Reader, I did apologize for my actions.

It didn't take long for one of the leaders to come out and check on their newest members. It was Lorcan. That large muscular build and scent were hard to mistake for anyone else. The closer he came, the harder it was for him to continue walking. This was something that Mors stated that he struggles with in his true form, the agony radiating from him.

Lorcan was worried that we had attempted to run, until he saw Mors that was. It wasn't until after Mors was able to revert back into his humanoid form that we walked back to the lodge.

Sitting around the massive fireplace that had vines growing on the stone was the other leaders. Valo sitting slightly to the side of Sorina, his head in her lap. Sorina was sitting across from Noe with a few more spaces for Lorcan, Mors, and myself. Or so I assumed. Once more I apologized for the scene I had caused. I was responsible for all of it. I wasn't going to let Mors take the fall for any of it when I was in the wrong.

The touch to her shoulder was more gentle than Mors' usual touch. Something had changed after they returned from their conversation beneath the ancient weeping willow tree. There was a warmth radiating from Mors that cascaded from his soul into those around him. It was the reverse of what he had done earlier near the stream. Instead of an aura of agony, he was taking it.

She had begun to wonder if he was doing it because he felt remorse for causing her frustration, or perhaps because of something else. There was no way of telling. Not unless she asked, which she was not going to pry. Instead, she looked up at him with a meek smile painted on her lips. She no longer could deny that Mors had become a friend in the short time they had been together. Was it the late night talks? Or was it how he always seemed to force himself into her thoughts? No matter what, he was there by her side.

Lifting up her left hand to the hand he had on her shoulder, Omnia gently patted his hand instead of the usual of removing his hand. For a moment she thought about asking Mors a question that had been weighing on her mind, unfortunately that chance passed as Noe walked over to them.

Though Omnia knew Noe did not mean to sound harsh, there was still a rather aggressive cadence to her speech. "Mors. Omnia. You need to come with me. We are discussing what to do with you." Without waiting for them to reply or to follow, she turned on her heels taking off to where Mors and Omnia had first seen them sitting.

"Omnia, it's fine. No matter what happens, I have your back. Okay?" Mors' attempt was admirable, alas Omnia had a feeling they would be forced to sever ties with the resistance.

She wasn't about to shatter his hopes with trying to give her an ounce of hope. If he stated it was 'fine' then she would attempt to believe him, no matter her true feelings. No words came from her lips as she walked with him. No response to what he had stated, just a deafening silence that was broken by the words of the group before them.

As they approached, it was Lorcan who had been speaking. It sounded rather heated to Omnia. Lorcan stating that with the way things were no one would be able to broadcast anything. Of course Omnia began to think of a solution while Sorina piped up.

"There is always a way to broadcast. Lorcan, we all know there is that group of hackers who can gain access." Her words were a contrast to the delicate tone of her voice. "Censorship may be strong, but the people are stronger. Just because there is seems to be no way forward, doesn't mean a path isn't able to be cleared."

It had been a long time since a sparkle appeared in Omnia's eyes. As she heard Sorina command her captive audience, Omnia felt as if she had been transported back to when they first met. It had been a similar situation. Perhaps not in such extremes. Sorina was kind, advantageous, horrendously sweet, soft spoken, and very much out going. This woman had not changed one bit in Omnia's eyes.

When Lorcan slammed his hands on the table directly below him as he leaned forward just a little. "YOU THINK WE CAN JUST SNEAK AROUND?!"

"It isn't about sneaking. It is about figuring a work around to make sure you four can cause a revolution for those who desire friends." Taking a deep breath, Omnia stepped forward with her words directed at all four of them. "Sorina already understands that a passive attack can be more beneficial. You cannot go in with guns blazing. This is war. This has always been war." She held up her index finger as she looked directly to Lorcan. "One, you are trying to build a force. Two, you have already made Andromeda believe the resistance is dead. Now it is time to give the people hope." Stepping closer, she positioned herself near Sorina. "11 years ago you told Andromeda, along with the people you were fighting for, that you were gone. Deceased even. Now," her words flowed as she held up a clenched fist.

"Now is the time to show everyone that you were not defeated. You were planning. You were preparing for a take down. Yet you stand together as a divided house. How can you inspire the masses to fight along side you if they do not believe in your cause?" Her hands moved along with her words, as if weaving a magnificent spell. "I know I am not helping in the way you want, but I can make sure you get your broadcast. Hackers not included." With that, Omnia gave Sorina a knowing look before she walked off. Of course Mors followed like a loyal puppy.

January 19, 2598 | 5:55 a.m. Friday early morning

How much agony must one endure before it is too much? That is something I ask myself when I look at human beings. Granted I used to be a human, but I have not been one in a long time.

Their time is fleeting, while mine is long. Too long.

Their lives have meaning, while mine just endures.

What is important about a human life? What gives them merit to continue on? Are they worth saving? Humans kill anything that's different, doesn't even matter if it is their own species. While they have meaning, why do they choose to throw that meaning away? The hatred baffles me.

I digress. I am supposed to detail why I used Verity. Or something to that affect. I guess I was offended in some manner with some of the things Lorcan said after I left to use my ability. He told the other leaders that "the rare bloodsucker is finally being useful. Now if only the purple freak would be useful." Vile creature.

Now, I am not one to be cruel to another species. There are many lycanthropes that I consider my friend. I can assure you he is not one of them. The fact that Noe, Valo, and Sorina loved my little speech about hope, just to gave him berate me. Then, he had the audacity to attack Mors. He is no better than a human. Small minded creature.

Though he was cruel and an absolute fool, I still decided to use Verity. All I did was write into existence that their videos would be able to broadcast without fail, along with not being traceable. After it was all said and done, Mors stood by me to make sure I was fed. He made sure I was taken care of no matter what the case was. In all the chaos of that moment with Lorcan being unruly, with more news coming in from the city; Mors was the light.

Perhaps his species isn't all about their domain.

Perhaps his domain being agony isn't to cause it, but to help others manage. There is beauty in agony. As extreme as it is. As horrible as it is. I honestly think that it is a lesson. Life will always give you heartache, agony, and so much negativity that it is overwhelming.

There is still so much I do not understand about his species, especially with each one being so vastly different. As for right this moment, having him around is an asset.

After putting everything away, Omnia rubbed her face with both hands as if trying to wake herself up. There was still more she wanted to say, yet the words refused to flow out onto the paper in the way she desired. She was both frustrated and infuriated with that particular development. The next question that came to mind was how long she and Mors would remain with Sorina. That question got her to start moving.

Standing up from the small desk she glanced out the window that had a sheer lace curtain over the pane. Though small the window provided a nice view along with a tolerant amount of sunlight. At that point in time the sun was only beginning to peek through the thick canopy. Letting her gaze leave the window, she returned to the main room looking for Sorina.

Past the old wooden archways, to the large platform, Sorina was sitting with an open book in hand. Slowly she glanced up at Omnia, seeing a perplexed look on her old friend's delicate face. "Somniare? What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Her head shook shyly as she walked closer to Sorina. "There is just a lot on my mind. I will admit that I am curious to what you four will decide to do with us." There was a crease in her brow showing that there was more than one little question she desired to address.

Without a moment of hesitation Sorina put her book to the side, making sure she placed the bookmark in first, then turned fully to face Omnia. "You were never a good liar. Even now you still suck with lying directly to someone. Let alone someone you actually like. Somniare Omnia, the daydreamer. That is what he always called you. He even named you loosely on daydream everything if I am not mistaken." Omnia couldn't help but let a smile onto her face as Sorina brought up fond memories.

"Someone had to name me something. Slave wasn't going to be the best choice. Nor was girl." A sadness overtook the smile she wore, making it fall ever so slightly. "You're right though. There is too much I wish to ask you. So much I need and desire to know."

"The feeling is mutual." Gesturing to the seat next to her, Sorina let out a light little chuckle. "I will ask you something first. What happened to you? I heard you and Nen met a new human. Then I heard nothing else. What all did you do with your life?"

Omnia stared down at her hands as they interlaced one another while she took her seat next to Sorina. "Where do I even begin?"

January 19, 2598 | 7:58 p.m. Friday evening

When I lost Nen, life was meaningless, to say the least. I watched wasted years of humans struggling, thinking to myself that if Nen were still alive he would know what to do. As the years turned into centuries I began to convert my loss into a code. If Nen isn't here, how can I fix this as if he would?

Yeah. The most intimidating man I knew turned into a code that I lived by for so long. Still do. Though I wonder what he would have said if he saw W.D.I.R.C. that I had founded, that would go on to have several hundred facilities all over the world. What would he say if he knew that the humans, once again, betrayed me. Including the one I raised myself.

Of course I told Sorina everything. How Nen was taken from me, then how I traveled for utterly too long before I settled down to open a research center. It was in hopes to better humanity. In turn it was only used to harm those that couldn't do anything more than be themselves. It was a shame that I will forever carry with me. She seemed to understand, until she began to ask more about the facilities and what they did in particular. Who was I to ignore those questions?

So, I told her everything.

I found out that those facilities, although they are gone, the research they did was never forgotten. There were sections of Morganite's regime that used research from my facility that made her elite guard that much harder to deal with. Granted, the rest of her forces seem to be less than powerful. Come to think about it, that makes sense to me. At least partially.

Unfortunately Sorina was not too pleased to know that I was the founder of such vile technologies and creatures. I don't blame her, however, I did state that I tried to bring everything back to the way it was supposed to be. I tried to reign in their ignorance and vile was. Yet they all decided that it was in their best interest to trap me in a horrendous slumber. Keeping me sedated for so long. Starving me in hopes it would kill me.

Truly, I wish that had not softened her heart. I wish it had not let her feel compassion for me in the slightest. Yet there she was, in tears. Blood streaking down her face, showing her specific bloodline. Those tears should not be shed over someone like me. I didn't mean to have everything go so wrong, yet it did. I deserve her hatred, her anger. I don't deserve her empathy or the hug she gave me.

Later on in the day, she finally answered my questions. Apparently she went on to find new joys in life. She would help out whenever disaster struck, then she met Valo. He was an experiment from one of my facilities. Or at least a product of one. It was no wonder she has such a visceral reaction to learning I was the founder. Turns out he was a part of a program to destroy more dangerous creatures. However, he was to be terminated by a young man by the name of Arius Darkmore.

Hearing that name made my blood run cold. Once more he was haunting me. Without hesitation I probed for more information. Before she could provide anything else Valo had come in to let her know that they were able to send out their first broadcast in 11 years. It was not able to be shut down as I had deemed it.

Currently everyone is celebrating with some poorly made alcohol. I can smell it from where I am sitting, beneath the weeping willow.

Mors isn't here though. It is lonely without him. He took off for a bit. The hours feeling like centuries without him. Perhaps I longed for a companion, which I found in him. I hope he returns soon. Mostly to save me from the horrible singing from that lycanthrope and some of the other humans with him. Very loud. Very off-key.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring for any of us. All I know is that tonight, they should be drinking that horrible creation and singing off-key. We all must enjoy the small wins that life brings us. Even if it is brief.

"I do agree that the small wins are important, Omnia." The voice hit her like a freight train as she quickly turned towards it, seeing a smiling Mors standing there.

Her head tilted a bit as she saw a few strangers behind him. "Who are your friends, Mors?" She was curious as well as a little cautious with newcomers. It was slightly too foggy for her to see them with her impeccable eyesight.

"I am so glad you asked. This is Odium, Esca, and Onus." His hand gestured towards the three figures, each one slowly stepping forward as Mors spoke. "Most call us the trauma squad. Abuse, S.A., Trauma itself, and myself, Agony."