Rest

    The warrior stepped into his home. His head up, shoulders proud, and straight back. Though with following steps his stride became looser. Upon entering his room, he shed all armor and belongings. When he stretched his neck, cracks and pops filled the room. Free of any excess, he proceeded to his chamber, silence welcoming him. His proud posture melted as he walked to sit down, becoming jelly once seated. As silence embraced him, he embraced it back. His wound muscles relaxed into noodles. His head, once high, now hung like laundry and eyes that remained vigilant were now closed. The warrior sat in silence in his chamber. And rested.

Long-Standing Cloud

A dark cloud that not only blocks view of what is good, but warps it. As dense as a stormcloud and more obscuring than a dense fog. When your aware of it, you know it's wrapping everything around you. It makes the bad seem worse and the good insignificant, at best. At worst, it makes the good look nefarious. Like another scheme to drop your guard before the next hit... It seeks to grow and consume, though it is not more powerful than you... Though it's strength comes from warping you...

It is one of the only things that cannot be bested by yourself, for it is tireless and you are its only target. Which makes it a blight for the strong and lone wolves. Those who may not have needed or wanted others before that.

So lean on others or your faith when the cloud appears.

Get-Back

    A hooded man snuck into a hallway... Only to see it full of goons. A brief silence fell. 

    "This where the bathroom at?" The hooded man asked nonchalantly.

    "You're clearly in the wrong place," a goon said while getting into fighting stance. The hooded man smiled before raising his fists.

    "Nah."

    The first goon stepped to the hooded man and swiftly swung on him. The hooded man slipped his opponents jabs and countered with two body blows and a swift chin check, putting his opponent to sleep. He bounced on his toes a couple times before taunting the rest. They then rushed in like a wave. The hooded man slipped and countered several opponents, Dempsey rolling through the wave. He then came up with an uppercut against one, turning to face the next foe. Perfectly timed, as the next goon was mid swing. He redirected the swing away before chin checking this goon as well. He then heard a click coming from one of the bodies, and his eyes darted over to the sound. The next goon came at him with a knife, and he maintained distance. The goon went for a stab, but Hood weaved past it and landed a hard blow to the goon's kidney. The goon collapsed to the ground and threw up. Hood checked his surroundings for more goons, but he was the only one left standing. 

    "Flawless victory," Hood said to himself. A large goon then walked into the hallway and immediately noticed the others on the ground. He then looked at Hood. "Would you believe it's a group nap?" The larger goon slowly shook his head. "Eh, worth a shot." The large goon then charged at him. "Nope." At the last moment, Hood sidestepped the bulldozer. Though with his momentum, the large goon ran past him and slipped on the vomit of his ally. He landed right on his face. "Oof," Hood said while wincing. Though the large goon didn't get back up. Hood stepped a little closer and poked Bulldozer a couple times. Upon realizing he was out cold, Hood chuckled before bursting out laughing. After that moment, Hood continued on his mission.

(Can't Hold Me Down; Instrumental)

Alliteration: C

    Come one, come all to Camelot Cruise! I am Captain Cordell, cordially inviting you aboard. Our captivating courses created by certified chefs will charm your taste buds. And each culinary classic was carefully crafted by chief chef Cassandra Cordell, my eye-catching wife. Though if the food isn't enough to make you content. Be carefree for this chariot was constructed consciously and cautiously. Guaranteed to last a centennial. Enjoy our coastal circuit around the Caribbean and once again, welcome to Camelot Cruise.

One Weird Night

    It was early into my time being houseless (2017/2018). It was late at night and my mom and I needed to find an inconspicuous place to park. We landed at a Denny's. Initially, Ma and I stayed in the car for a bit. While in the car, we saw some strange sights.

    The first of which being a guy on the skateboard. He was fully clothed in black. It looked to be a button-down shirt and dress pants as well as a black hat. All this while also smoking a cigarette. Had my mom and I seen this at during daylight hours, it wouldn't have been so strange to us.

    Next was something not so strange, though one of my first times seeing it. After, the skater left our view, a party of five drove up. Four guys, and a girl. Though she was obviously drunk. Slurring words, no control of her volume, as well as her body movements. At this point, I had hardly seen someone that drunk before. (That or I've forgotten. It has been years and just these last few have been really eventful.)

    After those couple sights and some more time in the car, we went in for food. No further events that night.

Lethal Images (P)

     False scenarios my brain is convinced are true.  Inevitable situations that are destined to happen given a simple trigger...

    I can't forget the wrong that's been done... And worse, I know more wrong will be done. That's just who they are... They know what they do is wrong. Everyone tells them they're wrong, but they don't care... I shouldn't follow the images. I know they're wrong...

    The funniest thing is that these images were implanted by them... The greatest threat to themselves was created by them... Injected by their venomous ignorance and violence. Though, I won't enact the images. I will not bring them to fruition. I will be the better man...

    I will remain the better man.

Shadow

    The reflection of yourself you don't want to see let alone admit exists. It could be your anger which leads you to be destructive. It could be something you feel ashamed by, as you think others will judge you for it. Though you cannot be whole denying a part of yourself. Going about life with only parts of yourself means you're not fully living.

Loss of Innocence (Update)

     As I grow older, take more responsibility of my life, and deepen my understanding, I question if losing your innocence, losing some of your light, has to be a part of growing up. Yes, life has shades of gray, though I believe some let themselves become colorblind. Seeing some shades lighter than they are... I've had several events in my life, recent events, that threatened to make see more shades of gray than there are... I noticed more often than not people only start seeing more shades of gray because of pain. The pain of surviving, but not living. The pain of trauma, of loss. And a decision, conscious or otherwise, to do something about it, that might not be for the best...

    I view it as the responsibility of everyone to not let their own pain change or mold them into someone that would continue or spread that pain. And on those days that it can't be helped, to give grace as you would want grace...

    Admittedly, this post is because I don't have a short story ready right now. I haven't gotten a handle on my current life yet. I have a new job, with tasks and responsibilities I'm learning. I'm getting older, gaining a deeper perspective on life. And I'm enacting changes to better my future. (While hearing the news and grappling with the current state of things.) Though nonetheless, I will continue, because I love writing. I'll continue to post every Friday. Though instead of a fictional scene, it may be whatever I'm pondering at the time. For those who have stuck with me through  hiatuses, thank you. If your new, thanks for stopping by. Stay awhile. I'll be here every Friday.

Last Stand

    A symphony of breaths echoed across the battlefield. Though only one was human. A lone man stood amidst dozens of demons, with dozens more dead on the ground. The man pumped oxygen with each breath and his clothes were tattered. Though his spirit was not. In his eyes, you could see the flames of his spirit burn bright. The demons around him hissed and snapped their jaws, seeing him weakened, but knowing the fight wasn't over.

    The man then conjured a spear of light in his hand and the demons charged in. He darted the spear through a demon's head, instantly taking it out. He quickly created another spear and darted it at another demon. He repeated this, taking out multiple demons before they got within range. Once within his range, he cut down those who got to close. He would cut whatever they left open and launch the spears at those too cowardly to get close. Again and again, he took out demons, but the numbers seemed endless. In the midst of battle, annoyed with the advancement and tired of this drawn out battle, he conjured a row of spears around him and launched them at the closest demons. He did this till his energy ran low. He then made one last spear and started dashing through their ranks. Some of the creatures were triple his size, though he maneuvered around and onto them gracefully. He slashed every vital point open to him, while remaining untouched.

    Soon the numbers became too much and his stamina couldn't last any longer. He fell to his knees and his spear of light dissipated. The demons then stalked towards him, though he seemed unfazed. He raised his face to the sky and raised his palms.

"Fall."

    He then clapped his hands and suddenly a storm of spears fell. rained down upon the demons, leaving no gaps or room for mercy.

   The sun rose over the horizon, illuminating the battlefield, showing the immeasurable odds he faced. Hundreds of fallen demons. So many you could hardly see the ground. A group of people made their way over to the battlefield. Most of the group was in disbelief seeing the aftermath. The hero saw the familiar faces and grew a gentle smile. The group then spotted him, still kneeling in the ground. As they made their way to him, he collapsed.

(Trap Royalty)

Spiral

A million things to do. A million memories violently swirling in my mind, obstructing peace and order. The sounds of every experience violently echoing and fighting to be heard. Let alone, the million expectations fighting for dominance.

Memories, thoughts; mental machinations that distract, disturb the process. Everything telling you, "Keeping moving, don't stop. You don't have time to stop."

The process overall only leading to one of two outcomes: burning out or growing out. Burning out, crashing, no longer having the energy to simply live. Or growing out of the chaos. Realizing you ultimately have the control, the power, and stopping the spiral from continuing. Creating the space for stillness. Creating the space for yourself. 

(Dialtone Circus)

Alliteration: B

    "Blustering buffoons baffle me. Belligerent in their babbling. Badgering with a broken bandwidth without balance. Bombarding others with half-baked beliefs. Beliefs backed by bandwagon brains bound by barren backgrounds. Bringing baggage that long should have been banished... Bumbling about as if they know best... Basic in brain power..." the bitter brainiac belittled.

Flowing Time

    An endless desert as far as the eye can see. Within a mound, a baby boy is born. Molded from the sand and coming into form. The baby soon crawls before walking. Then starts talking. He soon grows into a young man, helping those around him and doing for himself. He continues growing in both age and experience. The young man then notices the flow of time, the sands moving past him faster than before. He becomes obsessed. He tries to grab hold of the sand, though it just slips through his fingers. He continues his pursuit, futilely grasping at the sand. Though upon becoming an elder, he looks to the sand behind him and sees what's most important. He takes a seat in the sand, closing his eyes and focusing on his breath. Slowly a smile rises on his face and he fades with the flowing sand.

(Rouet - Claudio Constantini)

Rebirth

I am a Phoenix.

Born from the ashes of my past self,

through the fires of my trauma and pain.

Though with that fire,

I take flight,

my inner fire shining brighter.

No longer held back by the trauma and experiences of my past.

Reborn anew.

I am a Phoenix.

And nothing shall stop my flight.

Return

    Screeching and otherworldly howling echoed across the canyon as battle took place on a bridge. Three adventurers clashed with infernal beasts, clothes tattered and their spirits matching. All three fought for breath as well as their lives.

    "How long is this gonna be?" the dual knife wielding rogue asked as he opened the throats of two monsters.

    "Till we can fight no more," the paladin answered. A spellcaster fired lightning from their fingers, piercing several monsters.

    "Less talking, more slaying!" The spellcaster commanded.

     The party fought on and on, no end in sight. The dual knife wielder looked into the sky, looking to a deity - any deity - for hope. Upon searching the sky, he saw a bright light. "Hey Paladin... Did you ask your god for a sign?"

    "What?" He then looked at the rogue before following his gaze. The shining light grew brighter, no, closer. This drew the attention of the rest as they looked to the sky. 

    The shining light crashed by the battle, kicking up a cloud of dust. As the dust cleared, a figure could be seen. The figure swung their arm, clearing the rest of the dust and revealing themselves.

    "Sorry... Did I interrupt something?" The man stated with a grand smile. Shock washed over the faces of the party before they smiled in unison.

    "You bastard!" The rogue stated while laughing. The paladin gave an approving nod right before bisecting one of the demons.

    "You're right on time," the paladin replied. Violence erupted, though the adventurers gained a second wind with their reunion. The spellcaster hung in the backline, charging a powerful spell. The rogue charged in, slipping through the demons' defenses and landing critical cuts. The paladin drew the attention of multiple the demons while slaying them with little effort. The hero drew the attention of most of the demons as he dispatched them with his focused light. A single beam piercing through two or three demons.

    Though through this controlled chaos, embers could be seen flying through the air to the spellcaster, who had finished their chant.

    "Scatter!" The spellcaster shouted. The rogue dove off the side of the bridge while the hero pulled the paladin off the bridge. The demons were confused by the sudden retreat and realized their fate too late. The embers gathered into a mighty inferno. "Dragon's Breath!" The flames swept through the bridge, incinerating every demon in its path. Once the flames died down, nothing remained but scorch marks.

    The rogue climbed up the side of bridge while the hero levitated back up from under the bridge with the paladin. "Great plan. Worst location," the rogue quipped.

    "Isn't that why you always carry rope?" the hero quipped back. The group let out some laughter that grew with their excitement. They had just fought a demon swarm. And won! Their friend was back from the dead! They celebrated as they continued down the bridge, continuing their adventure.