Joseph Stephens and the Hallows End part 4 of 4

    Joseph Stephens, Jaye Williams, Bob the skeleton and Lynara the magic user all stood staring up at Gujia Ironspine, the boss of the Devil’s casino in Hallows End. Gujia held his giant iron club out, ready to strike the group. Lynara was preparing her next spell and Joseph was trying to come up with a plan on the spot.

    Jaye began to chug his bottle of maple syrup. He then pulled out his claw hammer and stood ready to fight. Jaye eyed the situation and Gujia. The large skeleton boss was so big that the four friends were child sized in comparison. Any melee attacks would only reach Gujia’s hip at best. Jaye decided to act first and charged forward.

    Gujia was preparing to swing his large club. He moved into a sweeping motion, hoping to take out the whole group in one shot. Jaye jumped over the giant club and tumbled forward, closing the gap between them. Joseph jumped backward, barely missing the end of the club. Lynara grabbed Bob the skeleton and floated up above the strike. “Bob, go get help. We are outmatched. We both know a fight in the streets won't get much attention in this town unless we give them a reason to care” Lynara said then launched Bob with her magic. Bob went soaring down the road and crashed through the eye window of the Grinning Jack Inn.

    Lynara dropped from the air and launched shadowy fireballs at Gujia. Each flame burst into smaller flames upon impact. Gujia took a step back as he tried to pat out the flames. Jaye took this opportunity to attack. He swung his claw hammer and struck Gujia’s bulky kneecap on his right leg. Joseph Moved quickly towards Gujia as he recoiled from the attacks. Joseph brough his sword up and went in for the strike but before he could blue energy erupted from Gujia’s body.

    The bluish green aura exploded outward, which pushed Joseph backwards and threw Jaye several feet. Gujia charged forward and slammed his club down at Joseph. Joseph narrowly rolled out of the way as the giant iron kanabo club struck the earth. Gujia then stomped his giant foot down at Jaye. Jaye had enough time to stand up then swung his claw hammer at the giant foot. The hammer struck and knocked off a chunk of Gujia’s middle toe. The large oni skeleton reared back in pain. His anger surged causing flames to spring up from all around him.

    “I think we are a little out of our depths with this one” Said Joseph as he pumpkin sword transformed into steel armor with a pumpkin look to it. Jaye pulled out a handful of autumn leaves and looked down at them with nostalgia then put them back into his ratty, green hooded sweatshirt. Jaye then took his claw hammer and chucked it. The hammer went soaring through the air and lodged itself into Gujia’s eyehole.

    The giant skeleton recoiled in pain as he tried to unhook the clawed hammer from his eye socket. Lynara used the opportunity to caste her biggest and most exhausting spell to use. She closed her eyes and stretched out her arms. In her left hand she held a wand with a pumpkin on the bottom and her right hand was stretched into an open palm. She moved her right hand through the air, drawing invisible symbols with each strike of her palm. The end of the pumpkin wand bounced up and down in a playful manner. Once the spell was finished, Lynara’s eyes shot open then changed shadowy purple and black. A dark portal to another world opened up in the ground by Gujia’s feet. Long purple tentacles sprung out from the shadows. Each tentacle hooked into the ground and a large spherical creature pulled itself from the depths. This all took place in a matter of moments and by the time Gujia realized what was happening, it was already too late.

    The orb like tentacle monster grappled onto Gujia and attempted to wrestle the club from his hands. The two monsters wrestled for control of the weapon as Joseph and his friends were given a slight reprieve. “How did you do that?!” Joseph shouted in amazement. Lynara couldn’t move or respond, she was frozen in place as the shadow monster fought with the giant skeleton boss. “New plan we run and let the monsters deal with their crap” Jaye said clearly tired of cleaning up after others. “No, we promised Bob we would stay” Joseph retorted. “Bob is gone just like we should be. This skeleton guy is no joke” Jaye replied.

    Bob could be seen running back towards the battle just as the two friends conversation became more and more heightened. “I am back, my friends!” Bob replied. He ran clumsily along the road then tripped over a rock in his path, causing him to fall on his face. When he stood back up his mustache was stuck to the road. He quickly picked it up and stuck it back on, luckily for him no one had even noticed his arrival or his de-mustaching.

    Joseph and Jaye turned to see Bob standing ten feet away petting his mustache and whispering. Behind Bob was a whole group of monsters from town. Pumpkin Jack lead the charge of angry townsfolk. Each monster from town had weapons drawn, teeth bared and claws out.
    Lynara began to struggle with her magic as her shadowy avatar pried the Kanabo club away from the mad skeleton boss. The shadow monster began to flicker like static as Lynara’s legs began to tremble. Gujia was pushed back and separated from his weapon just as the shadowy tentacle monster blinked from reality. Lynara regained consciousness as he eyes returned to normal. She stumbled and fell backwards completely out of strength.

Once the shadow beast vanished Gujia was free to reclaim his weapon. Lynara had stalled the skeleton boss just long enough for  half of the town to show up to the fight. The angry mob arrived right before Gujia could claim his precious kanabo club shaped like a spine.
“Gujia! You have some crimes to answer for! Bob here told us all about your plans. Then we were able to extract a similar story out of a skeleton henchman who works for you” Pumpkin Jack shouted. The scarred man was brandishing a long, jagged cutlass. The sword that had slain the Necromancer of the Haunted forest.  Next to him were the Czars of Halloween, two humans from the Autumn Forest who loved Halloween so much that they fight the dangerous Lich to save the town and then moved into the town as heroes. These heroes were backed by werewolves, ogres, ghosts, trolls, zombies, banshees, witches, grizzled veterans of the Haunted Forest and worst of all Bob the skeleton. Bob was still singing a sweet, soft lullaby to his mustache.
Gujia turned to the group. “This is personal business. I am not involving the town” Gujia lied. “You are trying to take over the town with an army of skeletons. We arent dumb” Rebuked The deadly Pumpkin Jack. “You corrupted skeletons with greed and false promises!” Lynara added as she slowly gathered her strength.
Gujia stopped walking towards his weapon and put his hands in the air. “Alright, so now what? Is this a fight to the death?” Gujia asked, a threating challenge in his tone. “No, because we would clearly win. You need to leave Hallows End and cause no trouble. Your casino goes to Bob the skeleton. It will be converted into a club hall and community center” Jack shouted back.
One of the Czars whispered something into Jack’s ear. “We will keep the black jack and poker tables” Jack added. The town cheered.

    Gujia was forced from town. He claimed his weapon and headed off into the densest part of the Haunted Forest. The town cheered then dispersed to get drunk.

Lynara smiled at a job well done then turned to leave. “Wait, aren’t you going to say goodbye?” Joseph called out as he ran to catch up with her. “I think you are incredible and I know you probably aren’t interested in me but if you are, I’d really like to go out for coffee or something” Joseph said, immediately nervous about how she would reply. Lynara chuckled. “I am interested, at least a little” She said with a wink. “But you barely know me. I’m also not even human” She explained. “I figured you were some kind of witch or something. But I don't mind. And we can get to know each other over coffee” Joseph replied. Lynara let out a long drawn out sigh. Then snapped her fingers. Her human form changed in a puff of violet smoke. A second later the true form of Lynara stood before Joseph. She was a female, magic user, skeleton in black robes. “I’m a skeleton who can use magic and illusions. I didn’t mean to trick you but I was worried that whoever was changing skeletons bad would go after me. So I hid my identity. I assumed you would have figured it out though, why else would I want to help skeleton kind so much?” Lynara explained.

Joseph’s expression never changed. “I am still very interested in coffee, regardless if you are a human, a witch, skeleton warrior or even a skeleton magic user” He told her as he grasped his hand gently over her skeletal hand. “You really are persistent” Lynara said with a laugh that echoed into her skull.

“Well since we saved the day, maybe we can collect that reward and do a little sight seeing!” Jaye said. Then looked at Bob. “OH! Yes of course. I have your rewards. Magical potions that the old hag of the forest made. They let you transport to any realm of your choosing! Just drink the stuff and you will have the power to realm jump. Also the Czars of Halloween have agreed to show you around town” Bob explained as he handed Jaye the two bottles of realm jump potion.
The two friends had once again saved the day and were rewarded with new powers and a wonderful Halloween. The whole group celebrated at Hallows End through the rest of October.
The town slowly returned to normal. Bob was put in charge of the newly remodeled casino/skeleton club center/town community center. He was truly an expert organizer and the community center was the best run organization in Hallows End.

Joseph and Jaye eventually returned to their normal lives and decided to give the adventuring a break for a little while. Joseph and Lynara started a relationship together, whether she was a skeleton or was in human form, he loved and cherished their time together.

The moon hung up high in the night sky. Peace drifted over the land and ever so faintly the sound of laughing could be heard. The sound of the laughing pumpkin echoed over Joseph’s quiet home.

Joseph Stephens and the Hallows End part 3 of 4

The boss of the casino sat at a towering fifteen feet tall, he was the largest one in the room, he was dressed in expensive clothes and had guards surrounding Joseph and his friends. The only hope for the group was Bob the skeleton. Joseph was already thinking of a plan B.

“I will be direct, as you seem to be a businessman like myself and we both know how things go around here” Said the skeleton boss. Bob nodded his skull with such forceful agreement that his mustache almost fell off. Bob stood a menacing five feet tall, he wore an old suit he found in the forest years ago and his ‘bodyguards’ were a couple of friends from the human world. Bob felt a little out of his depths but played along anyway.

“Your employees said that you had an offer for me. I am interested to hear it. But first, My name is Bob, nice to meet you. I run many very successful skeleton related clubs and I used to be an accountant for a tavern in the Autumn Forest” Bob told the monstrous skeleton. The skeleton boss nodded “Yes, I have heard of you. I do my best to keep track of all the skeletons in the Haunted Forest. In case you were not aware, my name is Gujia Ironspine. I own this casino. I also like to watch over my skeleton brothers and sisters. We have such a negative reputation that most skeletons do not have a voice in this town and even less so outside the Haunted Forest” Gujia explained. “THANK YOU! This is what I’ve been saying!” Bob declared. He was so happy to have someone agree with him and his cause that he completely forgot that they were in danger. “Hmm, well yes. So as you were saying. You had an offer for me? As we are so like minded, I am very interested” Bob said as he straightened his suit and tie.

Gujia gently places his hands together as he spoke. “I don’t ask for much more than what you are already doing. I want you to go out and champion the cause of skeletons. With my resources and your specific skill set. I believe we can make a difference in this town” Gujia said in a sweet and calm voice. Bob really liked the sound of all of this. “Uh, excuse me. SIR. Maybe we should find out exactly what Gujia wants” Joseph whispered to Bob. This snapped Bob back to reality. The Mustachioed skeleton raised a single finger bone. “This all sounds wonderful Mr.Ironspine. But how exactly am I supposed to help?” Bob asked.

The skeleton boss adjusted his large frame in his equally large chair. Then calmly took his hat off and placed it on his desk. When Gujia removed his hat he revealed two horns that grew from the top of his forehead and curved upward. His horns were six inches long and easily concealed by a wide brimmed hat. “You are very direct. I respect that. I need you to go out into town and recruit more skeletons. I want you to bring them here so that I might offer them jobs as well. If my men approach the skeletons it might look suspicious but if you do it, people will assume it is club related. We need every skeleton in the Haunted Forest to band together and you bringing them here will hasten this goal” Gujia explained. “What exactly IS the goal?” Asked Bob as his excitement began to faulter. “The goal is to take over the town and establish skeletons as the dominant citizens” Gujia said very bluntly.
Lynara was still invisible and had been sneaking around the room as the skeletons spoke. She pickpocketed the guards, she looked for possible exits and made a startling discovery. When Lynara walked behind Gujia’s desk, she spotted an iron Kanabo club. This club was made of solid iron, it was in the shape of a spine and was as long as Gujia was tall. It looked massively heavy and dangerous. Lynara quickly and quietly made her way back to Joseph and Jaye to warn them of what she had seen. Lynara realized that Gujia must have been an undead Oni by his size, horns and weapon of choice. Oni were incredibly dangerous, they had the size of an ogre but larger and with the powers of a demon.

Lynara whispered in Joseph and Jayes ears and told them of the danger. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to tell Bob before he blurted out the first stupid thought he had. “You can’t take over the town! Thats wrong! I think we both agree on wanting to empower skeletons but we disagree on the method. I do appreciate the opportunity but I am sorry, I must decline” Bob said with a respectful tone. Gujia twisted his head sideways which made a series of cracking sounds all down his back. He pushed his table forward and stood up, revealing that his sitting height was fifteen feet but his standing height was even bigger. “By this point in the conversation, this wasn’t really an offer you could refuse” Gujia said his voice turned cold and bitter with each word.

“Time to run” Jaye loudly declared as he grabbed Bob by the back of his collar and made a break for the door. The casino bouncer, Handsome Johnny, stepped in to prevent Jaye’s escape. “Clawwww Hammmaaahh” Jaye shouted as he brought trusty hammer down on Handsome Johnny’s face. The Handsome skeleton was now less handsome with a cracked skull. The bouncer collapsed to the ground and Jaye darted through the door with Bob.

Joseph ducked under the skeleton ogre bouncer and then used his pumpkin sword to slash across the bouncers legs. The pumpkin delivered an attack that cracked the ogre’s leg bones. The ogre skeleton stumbled as he slammed his bone hands down to crush Joseph. Dark tendrils tore out through the fabric of reality, ripped up through the floor and began to assault the dozen skeleton guards inside Gujia’s room. Joseph looked over and saw a half invisible Lynara focusing on her spell. “Run idiot!” Lynara snapped. Joseph was in love.

Joseph ran for the door. Once everyone was out Lynara turned invisible and made her escape. The dark tendrils vanished the moment Lynara dropped her focus. Gujia had picked up his Kanabo club and turned to attack with it but in a matter of seconds everyone was gone and his guards were dazed by the sudden magic tendril attack. “Worthless!” Gujia roared as he swung his club in a sweeping motion. Half of his guards exploded into piles of broken bones upon impact with his iron club.
Gujia walked to the back of his office and opened a hidden door that revealed a giant doorway to Hallows End. The skeleton boss exited out to the back of his casino, he loosened his tie, unbuttoned his dress shirt and removed his expensive suit jacket. Blue and green flames began to swell within his skull as he took off into a sprint in pursuit of his prey.

Joseph and Jaye huffed and puffed as they ran. “We are out of shape” Joseph said between breaths. “Maybe YOU are!” Jaye replied equally out of breath. “Shouldn't we be in better shape after all the fighting we do?” Joseph added. “Maybe YOU are” Jaye repeated. Bob ran alongside his new friends but didn't have breath and could run indefinitely.

The group made it past the bright lights, slot machines, shady dealers and skeleton bouncers. They burst out of the casino sweating, out of breath and shouting about Oni. The people on the street didn’t pay attention and continued walking. Joseph stopped to catch his breath.  “I think we made it” Jaye said between gasps. Gujia appeared from behind the casino just as Jaye finished speaking. “Please never say ‘I think we made it’ or ‘what's the worst that could happen’” Lynara said the only part of her that was visible was her frustrated expression.

“What's the worst that could happen?!” Jaye shouted as he turned to see Gujia fast approaching.
    “Don’t you guys have magic weapons and armor from the Autumn Forest?” Bob said in a panic. “No! We did at one point but when you summoned us all of our stuff was left in the Autumn Forest. All I have left is the pumpkin sword and Jaye has his claw hammer” Joseph rebuked as he readied his sword for a fight.

    Gujia charged at the group like a runaway train barreling down the tracks. He was quickly within range to use his fifteen foot club. He swung it down at the group with immense force, Bob and Jaye were able to dodge the attack but Joseph wasn’t quick enough. The club came hammering down on top of him. He braced himself only to realize that the club never struck. He looked up to see the oni club had struck a magical shield above him. Lynara had once again broken her invisibility to use a spell. She held the shield in place, her face strained as she if she had been holding the club with her bare hands. “Please get out of the way now” Lynara said. Joseph nodded and quickly scrambled out of the way.

    Gujia was furious that his first attack was blocked by such a small witch. He reared back, lifted his club and slammed it down again. At this point Joseph was out of the way and Lynara had dropped the shield. The club came down threatening to crush Lynara but just before it struck, she blinked out of this world with a little flash of light. She then reappeared next to Joseph and Jaye with a casual expression on her face. “If you were hoping I was stronger than this guy, you are incorrect. If I were stronger, I wouldn't have tried to recruit you guys to help me come to the casino. So you really need to come up with a plan” Lynara said frankly.

    The battle with Gujia Ironspine had arrived and Joseph felt woefully unprepared. Lynara stood with the group, an annoyed expression on her face and Joseph couldn’t decide which emotion he felt stronger, fear of Gujia or love for Lynara.

Bob was worried.

Jaye was eating.

Joseph Stephens and the Hallows End part 2 of 4

Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams stared in amazement at the town before them. The mustached skeleton, Bob, had led them to Hallows End, the town dedicated to Halloween and misfits. “This is totally worth almost dying” Joseph said as his eyes were alight. Jaye’s excitement matched Joseph but he kept a watchful eye on his surroundings. His expression was guarded as he examined every monstrous villagers. “Where do you want to go first?” Asked Joseph with child like glee. Jaye’s serious expression melted away to form a silly grin “Anywhere that looks like the most fun” Jaye exclaimed.

Bob led the two friends down the main street. Along the street were the townsfolk, they ranged from skeletons, ogres, trolls, ghosts, imps and vampires to name a few. Joseph also saw a number of creatures that he couldn’t name. The creature whose body was made of ooze, with a snake-like tail for legs, five long tendrils instead of arms and a head with five screaming faces, was a new sight to Joseph.

Along the Road there were many kinds of structures, some were simple brick buildings with strings of lights along their exterior while others were large, brightly lit and in the shape of pumpkins, skulls, bats and trees. The one casino in town was in the shape of a devil’s head, with windows for eyes and a large mouth for a doorway. The entrance was covered in sharp ‘teeth’ and bright yellow lights shined from the ‘eyes’ of the building. Two large horns jutted up from the top of the casino, each horn was over fifteen feet high. Joseph immediately walked towards the casino but was stopped short by Jaye. “We could win so much money, I just know it!” Joseph protested. “Or lose our heads in the process”

Bob had continued to obliviously march down the street. Joseph and Jaye quickly caught up to the skeleton before he even noticed they had left. Ahead of them was the popular tavern, “The Grinning Jack”, a structure in the shape of a Jack-O-Lantern, with a large crooked grind carved into it. The eyes, nose and mouth had sharp edges and light poured from each hole. The tavern was both eerie and welcoming at the same time, which was how most of Hallows End felt.

“This town is really well lit for a town full of monsters” Joseph commented. Bob coughed, or made a coughing noise to signal his displeasure. Skeletons can’t cough. Or grow mustaches. “That is racially insensitive, not all monsters lurk in dungeons and caves. Some do, and we actually have a part of town where lights are banned, but still. Please do not assume things” Bob lectured. “Ok, ok. Sorry. Jaye and I have fought our share of aggressive beasts and are used to a certain atmosphere. But this place really shows that everyone can live together in peace” Joseph said. “Well almost everyone. We are here because of unruly skeletons right?” Jaye added. “Yeah, thats true. Apparently not skeletons” Joseph commented. “Not all skeletons, ok? Not all skeletons, just some are unruly” Bob shot back.
The troop entered the Grinning Jack tavern, inside was decorated with orange and black, it was rustic and had strings of lights along the ceiling and around the stairway railing. The bottom floor was an open room with a bar, bar stools, tables, chairs and a more private corner with a booth. The upstairs was reserved for rooms for staying the night. The door to each room was partially visible from the bottom floor and was decorated with a pumpkin and each pumpkin had the room number printed on it.

Bob led the group to the bar. “This is the best place to start. Everyone is very chatty when they drink. Also the bartender is a nice guy” Bob explained. Behind the bar stood a man with an orange cloak, a green and black shirt, black pants and a jagged looking sword on his belt. His face was covered in scars and scars that ran along both sides of his mouth and around his eyes made him look like a human Jack-O-Lantern. “Names, Pumpkin Jack. how can I help you?” Asked Jack. The two looked at eachother “Well do you have pumpkin beer? Or would that be an insulting generalization?” Asked Joseph. Jack laughed “No, we do have pumpkin beer, thats the theme after all” He shrugged and poured two pumpkin beers.

“We also are looking into this skeleton problem. I guess all the skeletons are acting up and committing crimes?” Jaye told Jack. “Not ALL skeletons” Bob piped up. “Yeah, some skeletons have been breaking laws but this is a town of monsters and criminals, we arent worried about a few skeletons. I can assure you I’ve faced worse” Jack replied as he traced the scars on his face with his index finger.

Joseph turned to Bob. “Are we here to save the day or are we just running errands?” Joseph said, his tone turing less friendly. Bob was startled by this shift in his new friend. “Many townsfolk dont take it seriously but I am worried that this is a sign. The skeletons were peaceful and now most of them have gone and started attacking people and stealing things. I am not only worried about skeleton reputation but ALSO worried that the dreaded Necromancer is returning to power. He is the only one who has such sway over the undead” Bob stammered. Jack rolled his eyes and went about his business.

    Joseph and Jaye considered what Bob said but before either of them could speak, a female voice chimed in. “It has grown worse. Your friend with the fake mustache is correct to be afraid” The group turned and saw a woman with raven hair and pale skin approach the group. Her piercing green and blue eyes looked over the group as she spoke. “I have heard that skeletons who go to the casino come out in a frenzy and no longer care for the laws and rules of Hallows End” She added.
    “My mustache is actually real. Skeletons can grow mustaches, its a real mustache” Bob protested. Joseph was not only enraptured by the beauty of this stranger but also excited that they now had a reason to visit the casino. “SO, I guess we are heading to the casino!” Joseph said. Jaye was about to protest but decided to quietly go along with it. He took a healthy swig of maple syrup and readied his claw hammer for the inevitable trouble they would find themselves in.

    Joseph began to leave the tavern but stopped short. “I’m Joseph by the way. It is a pleasure to meet you. What is your name?” Joseph asked the raven haired woman with his most charming smile. “My name is Lynara. It is very nice to meet you, Joseph” She said with a smile. When she smiled her mouth moved but her eyes stayed intense and concerned. “I could help you if you wish. I know a little magic and am also concerned about the threat to this town” She added. “Of course! The more the merrier!” Joseph replied without discussing it first. Without another word Joseph raced towards the casino with the new girl in tow, Jaye following cautiously behind and Bob scrambling to keep up.
    The group raced to the casino, Lynara’s long hair and dark black and purple robes blew in the wind as they ran. She had a black, leather belt tied around her robes and tucked into the belt was a magical talisman, Joseph hadn’t noticed any of this.

    The group arrived at the casino shaped like a devils head and Joseph quickly walked in. The inside was awash with bright lights, sounds and smells. Food and drink flowed from table to table, the games and tables were decorated with flashing lights and buzz words like “Winner” and “Cash”. “Time to investigate” Joseph declared with a determined look in his eye. The group made its way through the busy casino. Joseph kept a watchful eye out for a skeleton of any kind. His keen eyes scanned the room for skeletons. He completely forgot Bob was a skeleton.

    “I don’t know if I should be in here. What if the evil magic of this place turns me into a lawbreaker?!” Bob said nervously as he rubbed the ends of his boney fingers together. “Oh, that is a good point! We could use Bob as a guinea pig” Jaye suggested. “T-that wasn’t the point I was trying to make” Bob protested. “Just sit down and play one of the cheap slot machines and we will watch. If you start to change we will stop you” Joseph assured the mustached skeleton. “Yeah, by force if we have to” Jaye said clutching his claw hammer. Bob returned to being nervous.
Bob sauntered over to a slot machine and sat down. Put a coin in and began to play. He lost. Then he tried again. Then he lost again. With each loss he looked at the two friends with a pleading expression. Then on the third try he won, coins began to spill out of the machine and lights flashed from the machine. “Ahh! I broke it!” Bob cried. “No, I think you won” Joseph replied. “OH! Right! Of course I did. I am of course a very successful business skeleton” Bob retorted as he groomed his mustache with confidence. Jaye scooped up the coins and dumped them into a large cup, then handed it to Bob.  “Do you feel evil yet?” Jaye asked. Bob gave the question some serious thought. Then replied “No, I feel the same”

As Bob played the slots a pair of casino bouncers appeared from the shadows. Both were skeletons, one was the skeleton of an ogre and one was a human skeleton. Both wore flashy suits and carried clubs. “Greetings, friend” Said the human sized skeleton. “My name is Handsome Johnny and this is my associate Grux” Replied John the handsome skeleton. “SO Handsome!” Jaye said with a smirk. If Johnny had a face he would be scowling.

“We have a very special offer for you. Something to seriously consider” Johnny told Bob. Bob was sceptical but nodded “Alright, I will listen to your offer. I am after all a very good business skeleton” Bob replied. Johnny nodded “right, right. So, who are these humans. Are they your servants or something?” Handsome Johnny asked. Joseph and Jaye looked at eachother then Bob spoke up quickly. “Yes! Of course. So if you want to offer me anything, I will be bringing my SERVANTS” Bob replied looking at Joseph and Jaye. “As you wish, sir” Joseph and Jaye said reluctantly. The two friends didn’t want to get separated from Bob at a time like this.
Lynara at this time was watching from the back. Her form was translucent as she moved and the skeleton bouncers never once noticed her presence. Even Joseph had a hard time keeping an eye on her lovely figure.

The skeleton bouncers then escorted Bob and the group away from the slot machines and through the casino. They walked past the loud, blaring machines, the cheers of winners and the sobbing of losers. They finally arrived at a red door marked private. They pushed the door open. The doorway led to a very swanky hallway that was somehow even more expensive looking than the rest of the casino. The hallway had several doors on the right and left but the bouncers continued down straight until they reached a golden. They pushed open the door and led the group into a large room where the owner of the casino sat.

A large skeleton sat behind a very expensive desk. The casino boss was almost fifteen feet tall and towered over his skeleton ogre henchmen. This monstrous skeleton wore a tailor fitted suit and fedora. The room, his chair and desk were all large enough to accommodate his size. Joseph, Jaye, Bob and invisible Lynara were now all faced with a room full of thugs and a giant skeleton in a suit. The threat to their safety was rising and they had to rely on Bob to talk them out of this situation.
Lynara was concerned, Joseph was worried and Jaye was eating.

Joseph Stephens and the Hallows End part 1 of 4

               The evening was cool and damp, trees rustled in the wind and the full moon hung up high in the sky. Joseph Stephens and his best friend Jaye Williams layed on the cold earth, sprawled out and surrounded by piles of fallen leaves.

      Previously Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams had an adventure to save the magical Autumn Forest from the destruction caused by the ice and fire brothers, Ignitious and Glacius. They accomplished their task and set out to return home but before they could go home, they were whisked away by a mysterious force. The two friends vanished in a gust of wind and brightly colored leaves.
Joseph and Jaye found themselves on the outskirts of the brightly colored Autumn Forest and on the border of the sickly gray and green colored Haunted forest. The Haunted Forest came to be when a necromancer used his foul magic to in an attempt to become immortal. The evil magic cursed the surrounding section of Autumn forest, changing it into the dangerous Haunted Forest.
Joseph stood up and brushed the dirt from his pants. Jaye stayed on the ground and stared up at the break in trees that separated the beautiful Fall foliage and the reaching, menacing branches of the Haunted forest. “Two very IN tourist destinations. But which to choose?” Smirked Jaye as he moved his arms and legs to make snow angels in the dense layer of leaves on the ground.
“Well I’d say we could go back to the Autumn Forest but this spooky looking forest looks neat” Joseph said as he stretched out his back. “Yeah and maybe I’ll get lucky and you will die from a monster attack” Jaye said smiling and still laying in the leaves. “Luckily for me, you aren’t lucky” Joseph said giving Jaye the side eye.

     The two friends began to investigate the edge of the Haunted Forest. Joseph was looking at the gnarled trees, each one had bark so twisted that it looked like a screaming face. Jaye was filling his pockets with leaves from the Autumn Forest.

    As each friend carried on their somewhat important tasks, a figure emerged from the Haunted Forest. The figure approached Joseph and Jaye with a brisk stride. Joseph turned around to see a skeleton with a mustache, wearing a suit.

   “Don’t be scared, I come in peace” The skeleton quickly declared. Joseph stood unflintching. “I’m not scared, you aren’t very intimidating. You are also shorter than me and are wearing a fake mustache” Joseph pointed at the skeletons face. “It’s real! Ok, it is a real mustache. Skeletons can grow mustaches, I shouldn’t have to keep explaining this” the skeleton replied suddenly flustered. The skeleton then collected himself, straightened his suit and tie, rubbed his skeletal hands together and decided to start over.

   “Hello, my name is Bob. I am a skeleton, I live in the Haunted Forest. I run many very successful skeleton related clubs and I used to be an accountant for a successful tavern in the Autumn Forest. I am also responsible for summoning the two of you here, and I apologies” Said Bob the long winded skeleton. Joseph sighed “I need to get a second phone dedicated to all the magical creatures, elementals, seasonal entities and humans that need my help on a regular basis. Right Jaye?” Joseph said then called over to Jaye Williams.

   At this point Jaye was very busy not paying attention. Instead he was crushing Autumn Forest leaves into a powder. He then used the end of a knife to form lines of crushed leaf powder and proceeded to snort each line of autumn leaf powder. Jaye’s head shot back “Ohhh, shhhhii...Ok, ok ok” He muttered then reached into his bag and pulled out an amber colored glass jug of pure uncut maple syrup. Jaye took a long healthy swig of his maple syrup jug, then closed it back up and stashed it away.

   Joseph sighed “are we ready yet?”. Jaye bobbed his head and fidgeted with his clothes. “Yeah, yeah yeah, lets do this” He said, not knowing or caring what he agreed to. Bob was horrified.
“So whats the problem Bobert” Joseph asked casually. “Just Bob if you please” Bob said as he absent mindedly touched his mustache then straightened his tie.
“So, I heard you helped Patches with a band of ruffians and now I need you to help me. This is a nasty band of skeleton thugs that don’t care about rule OR order! I can reward you for your efforts of course” Bob explained as the thought of disorderly skeletons gave him a nervous fit.
Joseph Stephens reached into his bag and pulled from it a sword with a pumpkin on the pommel. “Just point the way and we will instill law and order”. “At least as long as its fun” Jaye commented. “Yes, as long as its fun” Joseph agreed. Bob’s concern grew.
“Ok, well. Follow me gentlemen…” Bob trailed off as he watched Jaye wipe crushed leaf powder from his nose. “Follow me, uh, comrades” Bob walked forward into the Haunted Forest with Joseph and Jaye in tow.

   The forest was dense and gray, twisted branches grew together, blocking out the sunlight above. Skeletons could see in the dark but Joseph and Jaye needed to light a torch.
The forest floor was made of dark gray and black dirt, green moss and pieces of previously alive creatures. Tree branches slowly reached out to grab Joseph and Jaye as they walked. One branch snagged Joseph, so he retaliated with a slice from his sword. “I forgot to mention, the Haunted Forest is super dangerous to anyone who isn’t already dead. A safe path opens on the eve of Halloween, but it isn’t Halloween yet so stay close and hopefully the forest will leave you alone” Bob said calmly.
“We should have asked for half of our reward up front” Joseph muttered.

   The route was covered in blocked passages, improvised short cuts, walking in circles and the occasional near death experience. As they walked they came across a Jack-o-Lantern sitting on a rock. A warm glow was emtted from the holes carved in the shape of a face. Joseph’s first reaction was to touch it and admire. Bob turned around and saw his new companions interacting with the mysterious pumpkin. “Please don’t touch that!” Bob shouted.

   Joseph touched the Jack-o-Lantern and nothing happened at first. “It’s just a pumpkin” Joseph said. “This is the Haunted Forest. Everything is Haunted, nothing is safe” Bob explained. Just as he finished speaking the Jack-o-Lantern’s light began to glow brighter and brighter. The light changed a sickly green and howling laughter could be heard echoing through the air. Then the laughing suddenly stopped and the light from the pumpkin went completely dark.
Joseph and Jaye stared at each other in silence as the now lifeless, Jack-o-Lantern sat. “Lets try not to think about that too much” Joseph said. “I am pretty sure you’re cursed for life now” Jaye said. “More cursed than your normal bad luck” He added.
After an hour of walking and great effort to forget about the laughing Jack-o-Lantern, the group finally arrived at Hallows End. This was a town for monsters, humans, undead and any creature who didn’t fit in anywhere else. It was also the number one best place for a Halloween party and at that moment was being plagued with a crime wave from unruly skeletons.

  Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams looked in awe at the wonderfully spooky town before them. It was here that their adventure began.

The Crimson Hand on Halloween part 1 of 2

 

“Travels beware, if you visit Hallows End on Halloween, don’t journey any deeper into the Haunted forest. If you go any deeper into the forest you will find only Death” – Wisdom from the Autumn Forest residence.

            The clock struck midnight and Halloween had arrived. The entrance to the Haunted Forest would be revealed and any who dared travel the path would find Hallows End. Samantha and Rumford stood in front of the forest as flickers of light began to dance at the edge of the forest. Blue wisps danced and spun around the large, dead husks of trees. The air trembled, the moon shone down brighter and the trees began to move. The husks uprooted themselves and crawled backward with unnatural motion. A path was made, stretching on into the darkness. Samantha and Rumford had seen the Haunted woods path open many times.

            The moment stood in time, drawn and framed like an art show of memories. The hundredth time that Samantha and Rumford watched the Haunted Forest open on Halloween night, one hundred Halloweens together. Ninety of those Halloweens we spent looking for revenge, but the ten good years they had together were the best years they had in the entirety of their unnaturally long lifespan.

            The couple entered the Haunted Forest, the full moon hung over head and as Samantha entered the forest for the hundredth time she looked up and saw the moon had a large grinning face. This unpleasant smile was only visible for a second before the pair entered the forest. The forest was thick with tangled husk like branches, which blocked out the sky and obscured the sight of any smiling moon. Samantha decided to not read into this as an ill omen and continued walking. Blue spirit wisps danced around the trees lighting the way to Hallows End. If Samantha didn’t know better she might be fooled into thinking the wisps were friendly or happy. The truth was the spirits of the forest wanted to seem friendly on Halloween so visitors would leave the path. The only safety assured was on the path, leaving the path for any reason was almost certain death.

            As Rumford walked along he pulled his cloak tightly around his chest. He didn’t like being reminded that the green flame in his chest was just his wisp bound to his body and without Samantha’s crimson hand, Rumford would have been a dancing wisp like the ones in the forest. Samantha tucked herself under Rumford’s arm, showing a strange level of affection that she had not shown in almost eighty years. “I love you Rumford” Samantha cooed. Rumford stopped walking. He might have been a literal heartless monster but his soul could still feel and her sudden warmth made him pause. “I love you too, Samantha” He muttered back, then quickly added “This isn’t the end for us, you know that right?” Samantha smiled “I know. We will get revenge. I just realized that I’ve been on such a tireless hunt for your killer that I forgot to appreciate that I still have you around in some capacity” Samantha replied, her voice filled with sorrow. “I know what you mean. When you don’t age its easy to let decades fly by without even holding hands. I’m not even a person anymore” Rumford replied. Samantha looked sad and held Rumford tighter and the two continued to walk.

            The darkness of the path gave way to warm flickering lights in the distance. Hallows End was just ahead and set to accept visitors. The town of monsters was a sight to behold, creatures of different sizes lived and worked in harmony, the houses were built by the residence and made to fit the needs of the occupant. Some homes were one giant room and made of fire resistant wood, some looked like more traditional multi-room, average sized homes and some were small with hundreds of rooms. Mouse sized creatures lived in apartments in one of the first ever apartment buildings. There was a tavern near the center of town that was shaped like a giant pumpkin and painted orange, adorned with colorful lights and streamers for the upcoming festival. The entrance of town had a giant wooden sign that read “Welcome to Hallows End” the letters were written in red paint but the color could be confused for blood. The monsters in the town painted the buildings with orange, red, purple, lime green and black paint and some of the fancier buildings had designs of black roses, bones, or haunted trees. The home of Yarkov the giant had a picture of a dog on it, Yarkov loved dogs but never found one so deep in the forest.

           

            Samantha and Rumford had been to the town many times in the past hundred years and every year the town added a new structure, it could have been a new house, a shop, a bench, a statue or even planted some new trees. The town was ever changing, which was part of its charm. This year Samantha and Rumford arrived with a mission, it wasn’t a year of festivals, study or vacation, it was a year of revenge. Samantha marched toward the center of town with purpose and navigated the town with the familiarity of a resident of Hallows End. At the center of town was a giant Jack-O-Lantern with a smiling face, sharp features and a flame burning brightly inside it. The pumpkin was a real pumpkin but it never wilted or died, the flame was real but it never burned out. The Hallows End pumpkin grew from a seed dropped by a necromancer and when the pumpkin grew it absorbed all the magic of the surrounding area. This magical Jack-O-Lantern had been a source of magic, protection, light and pride for the inhabitants of Hallows End.

            Samantha reached into her back and pulled out the ancient stone pumpkin that she bought of the ship captain in Mist Harbor. The air shifted and the wind began to pick up. Fallen leaves rustled against the dark gray stone of the towns square and the residence all felt a change. Samantha hadn’t done anything yet but the town was already reacting to the stones power. The stone began to glow and would get brighter the closer it was to the Hallows End pumpkin.

            Rumford and Samantha looked at each other one final time before touching the stone against the pumpkin. The stone reacted to the stored magic of Hallows End and was lifted out of Samantha’s hand. The stone slammed down into the ground and melted into the black and gray stone floor beneath them. Samantha started to see the face of Rumford’s murderer flash in her eyes. Then it was all she could think about, soon it was all she could see with her eyes. The world spun, the night sky sank into the ocean, the Haunted Forest trees melted away and soon all was dark. Emptiness replaced reality as Samantha drifted off into the endless void.

            It was ninety years ago when Rumford lost his life. Samantha and Rumford had been married for nine years, they enjoyed traveling, going to Hallows End for parties, Rumford enjoyed studying monsters and Samantha started to see the appeal of it as well. The two didn’t own a house and they never settled into a single town. Rumford was used to traveling as a scholar and Samantha made up her mind many years ago that she wanted to travel the world.

            One day in the village of New Leaf, Samantha and Rumford were having lunch under a tall maple tree. They had been visiting the outer lands, places that experienced all four seasons throughout the year instead of just one. It was Fall in these lands and the colors of the turning maple made Samantha feel at home.

As the two ate they started hearing screams coming from the other side of the village. Samantha stood up but Rumford grabbed her arm “Honey, what could we possibly do to help?” Rumford asked. From his viewpoint, he was an outsider and lacked any special ability to help anyone. He also was terrified at the mere thought of Samantha being harmed in any way.

            “Coward, we have to help!” Samantha chided as she pulled her arm away, then ran off to help the villagers. Rumford hung his head as he got up to run after his wife. Rumford was cowardly when it came to fighting and any kind of serious danger and wished that Samantha was a little smarter about the dangers of the land.

           

            When the two arrived they saw that bandits had begun to raid the town. These men and women were dressed in skulls and wore purple bandanas. They were the most organized and aggressive group of bandits that Samantha had ever seen. The bandit lord, who went by the name Joroth, was the meanest of the group, he wore a helmet made of broken bones and carried a large two handed axe with jagged and bloodied edges. The bandits called themselves the “Sweeping Death” and weren’t interested in survivors.

            Samantha wasn’t a warrior but she knew how to use a sword and a bow. She snuck through the village with Rumford behind her. The two easily evaded the mob of bandits and found Joroth.  The bandit king was drinking wine straight out of the cask. His two massive hands wrapped around the barrel like gorilla mitts as he lifted the cask and drank. Wine poured out of an axe shaped hole in the top.

            Samantha drew her bow, her delicate red hair blew in the breeze, her long hair would give her an indication of the winds direction allowing for a better shot. Samantha fired the arrow and it found its mark straight into the bandit leaders chest. Joroth dropped his wine and stumbled backward but stayed on his feet. “Find the lil’shits that did this” He uttered. The bandits swarmed the area, it wouldn’t be long before Samantha was caught. Thinking fast she grabbed Rumford’s hand and the two of them ran, heading for the edge of town. Just as the two were about to reach the edge of town they ran into one of the bandits.

            Without hesitation Samantha drew her sword and lunged, stabbing the bandit through the lungs before he could call for help. “ok lets leave, please” Rumford pleaded. Before they could get away a giant axe came twirling past them and hit a tree, splitting the tree in half. “I’m not letting a single soul escape” Yelled the bandit leader. Joroth had caught up with them and was now charging forward. Samantha readied her sword and lunged just as Joroth was close. The experienced bandit leader sidestepped the sword attack, grabbed Samantha’s hand and cuffed her across the face. Samantha was sent backwards from the force of the attack.

            Rumford found his courage at this moment, he took off his baggy cloak and grabbed the sword Samantha dropped. The scholar charged with his sword, stabbing the bandit leader in the side. This did not kill Joroth, who seemed to have supernatural strength. Joroth roared and punched Rumford. He grabbed the sword that Rumford dropped and walked towards the fallen scholar. “No survivors” The bandit muttered insanely. Instead of running away, which is what he wanted to do, Rumford stayed to fight. He couldn’t risk Samantha being killed because he was a coward. Rumford reached into his bag and pulled out a flame crystal. This magical artifact was so rare that scholars refused to use them, in case the crystal was ever damaged.

            Rumford decided that protecting his wife was more important than any rare artifact. He lifted the crystal and hurled the fire gem at the Bandit leader. The crystal exploded and engulfed the bandit in flames. The explosion was bigger than Rumford anticipated and was also swallowed by the flames. The burned and half dead bandit continued to charge forward and stabbed Rumford through the heart. The bandit collapsed to the ground as did Rumford.

            Though Joroth appeared very dead, he was not. He held a mystical artifact that always kept him on the verge of death but could never die.

            Samantha opened her eyes in present day. The Hallows End Magic had worked. The Crimson Hand and her undead lover had finally found the crypt of Joroth the undying.

            The two stood underground in the crypt made to house the most vicious man in the land. Lights flickered on and the ground rumbled. Joroth the undying rose from his giant coffin like a lumbering beast. His skin was missing in pieces and the skin he did have was still blacked from Rumford’s fire bomb. The time had arrived, time to kill Joroth the Undying.

((Side note, The details explaining how Rumford was brought back to life and Samantha’s Crimson hand will be explained in Crimson hand Origin 2. for now, I want to finish this Halloween themed story before finishing back story))

Crimson Hand Origin

Rain fell from the sky, beating the ground like fingers tapping on a drum. Samantha and Rumford Gould had left Mist Harbor but the rain followed them. “No one enjoys our company as much as the rain” Rumford joked.

A chilled breeze blew through and rustled their cloaks. Samantha wore her cloak with her hood up and her black leather gloves. She wore a sleeveless tunic and black pants. She wasn’t bothered by the chill in the air but had to keep her appearance and her hand covered at all times. Rumford looked like he was preparing for a blizzard with all of his layers of clothes. He wore enough clothes to cover any trace of bone or hint of green glow from the flame in his chest. The only spots visible were his eyes and the skin around the eyes. Rumford didn’t feel hot or cold, he didn’t get tired or need to eat or drink, so he carried all the extra clothes, watched over Samantha when she slept and remained covered as often as possible.

The two approached the Autumn Forest, the forest of autumn colors, honey, apples and maple. The air was always cooler there but it never snowed. Leaves fell from the trees and blew in the breeze but the trees were never bare. The Autumn Forest was a beautiful sight for most but not for Samantha.

Samantha was born in the small village of Honeydew, her life was quiet, peaceful and boring. Every day was greeted with beautiful fall colors and a cool breeze to temper the midday sun.

            When Samantha turned nineteen, she decided to leave her village in search of adventure. Her journey started on a clear and sunny day when the sky was a bright blue and the air was crisp. She was a spunky youth with a sharp tongue, a warming smile and plans for adventure. She knew how to plant and harvest crops and orchards, she could chop wood, hunt and ride horses. Samantha was prepared for the long road ahead and understood that life wouldn’t always be fair or kind outside of her village.

            The sunlight danced through the swaying leave of the forest and speckled the ground in golden rays. Samantha’s horse trotted along the well-treaded path from the Autumn Forest to Bright Harbor. Samantha spotted a dark haired traveler on the path. He had olive skin, black hair, brown eyes and wore layers of robes. Samantha rode up next to the man as he walked along the dirt road, his robes kicking up dust as he went. “I rarely see travelers on these roads” Samantha called to the man. The robed man flinched in surprise as he turned quickly. “H-hello. Yes, I’m traveling” The man said nervously. Samantha gave a suspicious look at the nervous man. “Is everything alright?” Samantha asked as she slowed down. The man’s face started to relax “Yes, thank you. I just need to get to Hallows End before the Halloween festival is over.

            “You are going the wrong way for that. If you want, I can take you” Samantha said. She planned on going to Bright Harbor but a spooky town of monsters all celebrating at once could be fun as well. “My name is Samantha, whats your name?” Samantha asked as she helped the man onto the horse. “Rumford” Replied the man with a big smile.

            Hallows End was a town deep in the Haunted Forest, a forest so dangerous that no one had ever returned from the forest once they entered it. Once a year the forest would magically open into a straight path leading to Hallows End. The bravest residence of the Autumn Forest and some tourists would go to Hallows End every year to celebrate Halloween. While the Haunted Forest was extremely dangerous, the town of Hallows End was one of the safest places in the world. Large monsters kept the peace and the town was founded on peace with all who enter as friends.

            Samantha knew where the path would open and knew when it would open. She road her horse to the entrance of the Haunted forest on the night before Halloween. The two arrived at the edge of the forest and set up a small camp. There was a visible line where the curse of the Haunted forest ended and the start of the healthy Autumn Forest began. there was no noticeable entrance of any kind but Rumford was an outsider and had to trust Samantha knew what she was doing.

            Rumford was slow to open up, he huddled into his robes like a turtle in his shell but as the night went on he loosened up. Samantha turned on her charms, she was witty and sarcastic and this connected with Rumford’s dry sense of humor and love of sarcasm. The difference was Samantha seemed fearless and Rumford was more timid.

            The cool night air blew through the Autumn Forest and swept over Samantha’s camp. The wind made the flames dance. The fire danced to the song of the wind, spreading light and heat out into the cold dark night, the flames spat little embers up into the air like a dancer throwing confetti. The embers popped and sizzled before burning out and drifting down to the earth as harmless ash. Rumford shyly laughed and smiled as Samantha told stories about the Autumn Forest and her small adventures she had so far. Rumford couldn’t take his eyes off the red haired woman from the Autumn forest. He stared at her pale face through the crackling flames, her green eyes were fierce and pushed back the darkness of night just as much as the roaring flames did. He saw a heroic woman who just started her journey, a conqueror of lands and a force to be reckoned with.

            Samantha tried her best to tell her boring stories to pass the time, she looked at her new traveling companion and realized that there was a cute and funny guy hidden in that pile of hair and robes. Samantha didn’t think her stories were very interesting but Rumford hung on her every word. Stories of scaring bears away from the fish she just caught, or shooting an arrow at a bandit who tried to run off with and old ladies money. These weren’t big battles between wizards and demons but a shut in like Rumford was enthralled.

            “So enough about my stories, what about you?” Samantha asked, as the light from the campfire glinted in her eyes.  “I study monsters, supernatural events and magic. I wanted to study Hallows end for the longest time but had to wait till the right time when the path opened. I also had to wait till the head scholar approved of my journey” Rumford explained. “So…” Samantha muttered but trailed off as she chose her next words. “what you are saying is, while everyone is partying on Halloween you are using it as a chance to study?” Samantha asked with a sly smile. “Yes” Rumford replied innocently. “NERD!” Samantha shouted then burst into laughter. She playfully threw her pillow at him and continued to laugh. This kind of remark would usually annoy Rumford but somehow when the words came from Samantha he didn’t mind at all. He smiled and felt embarrassed but also happy that something he did made her laugh.

            The two met on that day, the night before Halloween, one hundred years ago. Present day, Samantha and Rumford Gould, husband and wife, Crimson hand and Ghoulish bodyguard, road to the entrance of the Haunted forest. Rumford turned to his wife as the approached “Remember when we first met? All I wanted to do was study monsters” Rumford joked. “NERD!” Samantha shouted with a big smile then punched Rumford’s arm. She heard the sound of his shoulder bone crack as the joint popped out of place. The air went dead and the two were silent. “Its fine, I’ll fix it later. Ya know, I used to love monsters and now I AM one” Rumford tried to joke. Samantha winced and looked like she was going to cry. “You will never be a monster to me” Samantha said, looking Rumford in the eyes. Rumford had a flash back to that first night they met. The dark of night, the cold wind, Samantha’s pale beautiful face and her tender look, it was all just like that night, so much so that he could imagine the flames crackling and he could see the flaming glint in her eyes.

            “We will get revenge” Samantha said. Her whispered voice floated away like a hushed wind.

Virtus the Indomitable

            “I have always been efficient and always on schedule. I need you to know this, so when tell you I have only failed once, you will understand the significance”

            In the ancient times great kings would have their warriors compete for glory and honor. The best warriors of the land would strive for victory in single combat. These fights were not always to the death, but they were still brutal. One combatant stood out for his sheer force of will and indomitable spirit. This warrior was named Virtus.

            Virtus fought for glory and honor like the other warriors but he also fought with a goal and determination to reach that goal. Virtus was from a small village, a village that was always plagued by bandits and raiders. The poor villagers did not have much to spare even before the bandits attacked. So Virtus grew up fighting, trying to protect his village. He felt responsible for the entire village even as a youth, so he would fight the raiders and even though he lost more than he won, he still fought on to show the human vultures of that land that his village was not easy prey. Virtus spent his life as the guardian of the village and as the years passed he grew up tall and strong. By the time he was a full-grown man he had as many scars on his body as he had muscles. The elder of the village told Virtus to leave and find a future for himself, as many of the villagers worried that protecting a few cattle and some grain would be his entire life. While everyone in the village felt blessed to have Virtus they knew it wouldn’t be right to let him shoulder the burden of the whole village by himself. So with a heavy heart the Elder of the village forced Virtus to leave. It wasn’t banishment but it was pretty close.

            It didn’t take long for Virtus to discover the capital city and its giant gladiator arena that hosted fights every day and drew in crowds from all across the land. Once Virtus heard about the fame and gold that could be earned in the arena he made a promise to himself that he would become the champion of the arena and return to his village with enough gold to hire soldiers and repair the homes and farms. Virtus had once again put the people of his village back onto his shoulders and was determined to carry them to prosperity. Virtus was an orphan and when no one would care for him, it was the village and the elder that took him in when he was a small boy wondering the desert by himself.

            Virtus fought with the ferocity of a lion during his time in the arena. As his number of victories grew he also accumulated nicknames and titles such as Indomitable Virtus and the Iron demon. He was called Iron demon because Iron was the strongest metal available and Virtus seemed un-killable like a demon would be.

            Virtus roared with each swing of his sword, he swung his weapon wildly to throw his opponent off balance then rammed hard with his shield. The force of the strike broke the ribs of the enemy gladiator and the poor soul collapsed on the ground. Virtus yelled a guttural roar as the crowd cheered. Most fights would end quickly with the result always the same. Virtus standing victorious as his opponent lay dead or injured in the dust and sand. When Virtus did fight a powerful enemy the fights would last much longer, sometimes going on for hours until Virtus opponent collapsed from exhaustion. Whenever Virtus lost his breath, sustained injuries or was bleeding all over the arena, his inner drive would push him to continue. He would never back down and he would never fall to anyone.

            Virtus was indomitable, fierce, strong willed and some believed he could not be killed, but he was a mortal despite what the arena patrons thought. Virtus died at the age of one hundred and twenty seven. He died while severing the king’s head from his shoulders. Virtus was mid-stroke with his sword, he had cleaved the King’s head straight off when a spear was driven through Virtus back, impaling him and going through his torso. This spear impaling was the final blow that killed him, but he had already sustained injuries from sword cuts and stab wounds and  burns from a flaming arrow that struck his shoulder.

            The castle was in chaos as Virtus let out his last breath and fell to the stone floor next to the headless king. Virtus spirit stood above his body and watched as the soldiers continued to fight against the rebels that were led by Virtus. The show was interrupted for Virtus when a black-cloaked figure glided into the room. The world of the living melted away and only darkness remained. Death stood before Virtus and lifted a skeletal hand. “You have brought so much death that even I am impressed with your skills, but your time is over. Come with me” Echoed the voice of death. Virtus gritted his teeth “I follow no one!” Virtus shouted and charged at the grim reaper.

            The spirit of Virtus grappled with the spirit of death itself. Virtus inner strength and will counted for just as much in the spirit world as it did in the mortal world. The Grim reaper was the master of death but struggled to keep Virtus at bay. The indomitable spirit fought Death for decades. Since time did not pass in the spirit would a decade of fighting would not have affected the mortal realm. The battle ended when Virtus wrestled Death’s scythe from the clutches of Death. Virtus struck the Grim reaper with its own weapon and send the spirit of Death to the afterlife. Death was banished from that realm in between the mortal world and the afterlife. The spirit world or Limbo was now the domain of Virtus.

            Death’s scythe vanished in a cloud of black smoke seconds after Death was thrown from this plane of existence. Death had no trouble navigating the afterlife and finding his way back to Limbo. When Death returned to the spirit world Virtus was gone, he had escaped back into the mortal realm and was reborn into the world as a baby of a merchant’s wife.

            Virtus lived as a son of a merchant unaware of his past life as a gladiator or his battle with Death. Virtus didn’t even know his original name and when he was born back into the world he was given the name William Merchant. William grew into a strapping young man who had more strength and determination than anyone else in town. William had a nice childhood and had no reason to have an unshakable will and the urge to fulfill his goals, but he had the spirit of Virtus and while he had no memory of his former life, his past was permanently marked on his soul and every incarnation of Virtus would have the same Indomitable will as the original Virtus. Some incarnations were more violent while others were more peaceful

            William Merchant grew up to be a successful sailor and merchant and when his ship was taken by the king for unpaid taxes, William became a pirate who targeted the kings royal ships and any merchant who vowed loyalty to the king. William wasn’t just any pirate, he became the most feared and successful pirate who had ever lived. He eventually died when he ship in a head on collision with the King’s military flagship. William had left his entire crew back at town and sailed the ship himself with hull full of gunpowder and dynamite. When William’s ship collided with the King’s flagship the gunpowder was ignited torches lit directly above the gunpowder barrels. The explosion killed the top general and his best men as well as destroyed the front half of the flagship.

            Virtus’ spirit evaded the Grim Reapers grasp every time one of his incarnations died. Virtus spirit lived on through dozens of humans over the ages.

“It was the only time I ever failed. Virtus was the only soul I never collected” Explained Death. The grim reaper stood looming over a fourteen-year-old boy, Death’s voice boomed and echoed through the air. “ Why are you telling me this?” John Pharris the boy who survived the grave wagon attack and the only human who could walk freely through the haunted forest. “I am telling you this because Virtus’ spirit fuels the Grave Wagon, and I cannot stop it” Explained Death. John’s eyes went wide and he felt like he had been kicked in the stomach, he took a step backward and fell backward landing on his butt. The ground was cold and hard, the dark green grass prickled at him through his pants. Death over John, they both were in the deepest and darkest part of the Haunted forest, a second of the forest that was reserved for Death and no mortal or monster had ever entered. “If you can’t beat him, how am I supposed to beat him? How is anyone supposed to beat him?” Asked John is disbelief.

            Death crouched down and sat on a tree stump. “You need to face the Indomitable will with your own equally unwavering spirit. Use the magic that the Grave Wagon gave you” Death explained.

            John looked up at Death “where does this magic come from?” He asked as he touched the shadowy side of his face. “I’ll tell you but it will be another long story” Death replied.

Note: Thanks for reading!! I hope to finish my Halloween series by Halloween night. I hope everyone is enjoying the grave wagon stories. I also plan to write stand alone stories about Virtus life and William Merchants life, as I thought they were really interesting after I wrote them but had to gloss over their lives to tell the larger story.

Skeleton Picnic

Deep in the Haunted forest, on a cold night in October, thin shambling shapes traveled to a clearing of dead grass and one large table. The table was a giant tree stump that was carved into the shape of a table and was in fact still rooted into the ground by the massive roots that once fed a mighty tree. The stump was once a giant tree but now it served as a permanent table in this clearing. The clearing could only be found by those who already knew were it was and anyone traveling through the Haunted Forest would never find it by accident.

 

            The Haunted forest liked to trick travelers and lead them to their doom. The Haunted Forest let people safely travel to the Halloween village of Hallows End, but they were only guaranteed safety on Halloween day and the morning after. This strange clearing with its equally strange root table was so private that it must be host to the most evil and gruesome of events. On this chilly October night, the clearing had become the grounds for the Skeleton Picnic.

 

            Spooky skeletons shambled through the Haunted Forest unhindered by its trickery and curses. The clearing soon filled with undead figures, each dragging large heavy bags. Their bones rattled as they walked, the sounds of uneven foot steps echoed through the area as an army of skeletons shuffled and staggered over the dead grass. They all made their way to the center table with their bags. Each bag was hoisted up and dropped hard on the root table.

 

            Each of the bags spilled open when they hit the table revealing plates, cups, lanterns, miniature pumpkins and many jars of red beans. The skeletons got to work setting up lanterns in the clearing, the dark of night was pushed back into the depths of the forests by the small lights of a dozen lanterns hung up on metal rods. Each rod was stabbed deep into the ground and had a small hook on the top. The lanterns were hung from the hooks and would sway slowly in the cold October wind.

 

            The Skeletons set up the dishes in a big circle around the table and placed bottles of wine scattered through the center. Large jars of red beans were poured into oversized wooden bowls. The skeletons all sat on the ground in a circle around the wooden stump table, once they were all positioned they remained silent and motionless.

 

            A skeleton wearing a black vest, brown coat and brown pants, stood up and began to speak. “Greetings everyone, I am glad to see everyone was able to join us. Well, everyone except that Steve…” The Suit wearing Skeleton paused mid announcement and muttered curse words under his breath about Steve the skeleton. “Everyone who takes this picnic seriously made it, and for that I am grateful. As most of you know, I am Bob the treasurer of the “skeletons for the banning of dogs” club and also in my past life was an accountant for a promising tavern in the Autumn forest” Bob the Skeleton announced. “Yeah, accountant and a skeleton with a totally real mustache that isn’t fake” shouted a skeleton wearing torn jeans and a t-shirt. Several skeletons laughed and elbowed each other in the rib bones. Bob stared at the t-shirt wearing skeleton for several seconds, if he had a face his eyebrows would be furrowed. “Yes, it is totally real, So I am not sure why you said it like that” Bob said as he straightened the mustache on his face.

            Bob began again with his announcement “For those of you who are new here, Welcome and I hope you make it a tradition to join us every year. We are here to enjoy the company of our fellow Skele-brothers and sisters and talk about issues we skeletons face. Now before we get to all of that lets enjoy our traditional meal of red beans and wine” Bob announced as he adjusted the collar of his coat.

 

            The skeletons each took turns pouring red beans into their bowls and wine into their cups. The Wine and red beans had been a tradition of the skeleton picnic for over a hundred years and no one could remember why they even served food and drink at all. Many of the skeletons just assumed it was left over habits from being alive.

 

            The skeletons all started eating and drinking, immediately staining their torn clothes and the ground below them with red wine and bean paste mashed. The skeleton group ignored the wine and beans falling through their ribcages and onto the floor and pretended to have taste buds and stomachs. While many skeletons made fun of Bob for his totally real/not real mustache, every skeleton did some amount of pretending at one point or another.

 

            Bob stood up looking official as he straightened his red stained clothes and made a noise that resembled a human clearing their throat. “I have a few announcements, this is news that is relevant to all skeletons but I will have to settle for informing the skeletons who actually showed up at this meeting. First. The Grave Wagon has been active again. Every year this giant machine appears from the fog and decimates human cities. Normally that would not be a skeleton problem but many are saying that skeletons are involved. I refuse to believe this but I must mention it anyway. Humans and the monsters of Hallows End are whispering about skeletons and possessed humans being the culprits. Even if this is false, the fact that others believe it to be true will make our travels harder. So for now I urge skeletons to stay in the haunted forest and if any skeleton IS responsible for this destruction they need to step forward and take ownership of this carnage so that the rest of us wont be dragged down by his or her actions” Bob announced in a serious tone. Whispers and muttering was heard among the skeletons. Most seemed genuinely upset by this news but some cheered at the thought of humans being destroyed.

 

            “Secondly some goblin scientists have found that bone can grow hair and that it IS possible for skeletons to have some hair on their head or face” Bob said with conviction. “Your MUSTACHE is FAKE!” Shouted a skeleton in a blue hooded sweatshirt, his boney hands forming a cone in front of his mouth as to echo the words further across the table. “ITS REAL!” Bob Shouted back, his neatly pressed clothes becoming as ruffled as Bob’s nerves were. Bob touched his mustache to make sure it was on tightly, he did this as a reflex and didn’t realize he was even doing it.

 

            “Last bit of news Nyx and Poe, the self proclaimed Czars of Halloween have asked me and many skeletons to help with this years Halloween party. They say it will be important for skeletons and will be lots of fun. I don’t always agree with humans having such leverage in Hallows End but if they make a party that shows how fun and helpful skeletons are, maybe it will combat the bad press bestowed on us by this dreadful Grave Wagon” Bob explained to the group. More muttering could be heard. Many of the skeletons liked the sound of a skeleton themed Halloween party and were more concerned with the fun it could provide than the positive reputation that Bob was so worried about.

 

            The party continued on after the announcements. The cold October wind blew through the dark Haunted forest but the skeletons didn’t have skin and didn’t feel the cold. The talked and ate red beans unfazed by the cold Autumn air. The night lingered on and fog drifted into the clearing from the surrounding forest. The skeleton picnic was on its one hundred and eleventh year and the members of the picnic had been undead for a range of years. Bob had been a skeleton for almost fifty years and though he was in charge of the meetings he wasn’t the founder.

 

            Autumn was in full swing and Halloween approached slowly and steadily. It was in October that the Haunted forest and surrounding area would be more exciting than any other time of the year. The bravest of mortals might seek such excitement and if they were careful and wise they would not only find excitement but would also find that they still had breath in their lungs on November 1st.

Where my Dreams take me - part 4 (out of 6) Awake

            Jack sat in the ‘Lousy Dame” Bar. With his Chicken fingers and fries getting cold and his beer and whiskey getting warm. He remembered it all, his work as an enforcer for the Organization, the organized crime in Dark city, his meeting Isabelle, their happy moments together, the life and promise of a future and one shotgun blast that ruined it all. Jack couldn’t remember what he did after Isabelle was murdered. He remembered he lived in the mountains, led a peaceful life growing pumpkins and raising an stray cat but he couldn’t remember how he got there. Everything between that night his love died and waking up one morning in a cabin was a blur.

            Jack clutched his head tightly with his hands. He tried to imagine what he did. Did he run home and drunk, did he murder everyone in the Organization, did he move to the mountains right away and build a cabin from wood he chopped down himself? None of it seemed real, he couldn’t remember doing any of those things. Just as Jack was in the middle of his crisis a tall thin man walked into the bar. The man was dressed in all black and wore a black cloak over his shoulders. His hood was down and besides the cloak he was wearing modern clothing. “Jack, you need to wake up” said the man. Jack looked up and saw the man. the bar was empty, not even Old Carl was there. The place was quiet, no music, no clattering in the kitchen, only silence. “Who are you?” Jack asked slowly.

“Death” Replied Death. ‘Death’ was a tall, pale, thin man in his early thirties wearing modern clothes, with white hair and pale gray eyes. “Yeah, sure. As far as everyone tells me I am death, not you” Jack replied. The man smiled and closed his eyes, then vanished.

            It began to rain again outside. Not the harsh pouring rain from before, but the light misty rain that somehow makes everything look nicer. Even Dark city at night seemed a little friendlier with this rain. Gentle rain pattered against the window. Mist drifted through the air. All was still and quiet except for the rain outside. Jack sat in silence as he listened to the rain outside. The quiet drops rhythmically hitting the street as the light of the city reflected off of the mist in the air.

            “What did you do that night?” Death asked. Its voice echoed through the room. Jack felt a pull on his heart as he started to remember. “I went back to the apartment. I was filled with rage and pain, I didn’t know what to do with myself so I drank until I passed out” Jack replied as his eyes began to tear up. “Then what?” Asked the voice again. “I kept doing that. I didn’t go to work and I barely left the apartment. No one came looking for me and I was too broken up to get revenge” Jack replied.  “Then one night you went Isabelle’s grave stone. You were drunk, you cried and you fell asleep. Then you dreamed of a happy life away from pain and suffering. You blocked out the pain and moved to a mountain top. That is where you are now, asleep in a graveyard. All of your memories of Dark city are real. But you never did move away, you stayed in the city you grew to hate and you let it grind you down. Maple town, the autumn forest and even that black cat all exist in real life. I gave you that dream. You dreams were just painful memories until I planted fiction into them. To give you hope. You can live that dream, peace and quiet far away from this Dark city. I can help you…but you must help me” Death said, its voice soft and reassuring at first but grew darker as it spoke.

            Jack woke up in a graveyard. He took a deep breath in and began to move. Gentle rain drifted down onto the graveyard, it was still night. Jack had tears in his eyes and his clothes were drenched from falling asleep in the rain. He remembered every second of his dream and the last words he heard from the voice of death. “What do you need me to do?” Jack asked in a shaky voice. “Kill” Said the voice of Death. Jack showed an evil smile and then lifted himself up. He looked down and realized he was leaning on Isabelle’s gravestone for support. “You are always helping me” Jack said allowing himself one last moment of sadness.

            Jack wore a green trench coat with the buckles undone, a gray long sleeve shirt, black jeans, black combat boots and black leather gloves. His dark brown hair was wet from the rain so Jack ran his hand through his hair to dry it. Jack’s hair was long and pushed back making him look like a maniac.  His green eyes shone bright with determination.  Jack picked up his hammer from the ground and held it in his hands. He was ready for revenge.

            Jack left the cemetery with a quick pace. He was headed downtown to the Boss’ main base of operations. As he walked down the street he kept noticing a face floating over his shoulder. It was the face of death, with a skeleton head and black holes for eyes. If you stared into the eyes of death you could lose your soul right there. Jack only saw this face in the corner of his eye and when he looked the face was gone. He knew Death was following him though. He couldn’t decide if that made him emboldened or nervous.

            “why are you helping me? You promise a future for me like in my dreams and the price is for me to kill the Organization boss and take revenge. That’s everything I want, what do you get out of this?” Jack asked as he continued his pace with his hammer held firmly in hand. The few people out on the street that night parted or crossed the street when they saw Jack walking through. “Your former boss is more than he seems. He is a devil who feeds off of the pain and suffering of men. I don’t get involved in the affairs of men but this needs my attention. Unfortunately if I wanted to fight him myself I would have to kill everyone around him. I am not allowed to take humans lives before their time. If their time runs out or another human cuts their time short, I take them then, not before” Death replied though its voice was calm, Jack felt a chill down his spine as Death spoke.

            “How am I supposed to fight a demon?” Asked Jack, wondering if he got in over his head. “Some demons are stronger than humans, some are not. Your boss is not. He is a lesser demon, with the strength of a human. He relies on guns and human weapons to fight. Do not let your guard down though. He might have a trick up his sleeve if cornered” Death replied.

            Jack walked quickly down the street as rain fell onto the city below. Thoughts of revenge, demons, death and Isabelle stole his focus. As he neared downtown he saw glowing orbs floating in the distance. Orange glowing orbs bobbed up and down by the edge of the city then floated off. Jack wanted to go follow them, they had a strange alluring nature. “Stop! You still need revenge, I cannot let you go dying now. Those lights lead people into the Haunted Forest every year. The closer it comes to Halloween the worse it gets” Death’s voice said. Jack stopped walking and shook his head. “I feel like I would know that. I did grow up here” Jack replied.

Jack’s memory was still fuzzy, probably because he was still drunk. Jack felt like he was still walking in a dream though. He was awake but he kept thinking back to his cabin in the mountains, it all seemed so real and the Dark city seemed like a bad nightmare that wouldn’t go away. “Will I ever see the cabin in the mountains again? Will I actually have that life?” Asked Jack. “Yes, rid the world of this demon you call ‘boss’ and I will make sure you get your cabin” Said Death.

Jack finally reached the base of operations for the Organization. It looked like an abandoned factory on the outside. Jack looked up at the top floor where he knew the Boss would be waiting. “Do I deserve a quiet life if I just keep killing? I would do anything for Isabelle but does killing in her name settle anything? Will it bring her back?” Jack said out loud. He wasn’t really asking anyone and knew she wouldn’t come back but he had grown tired of killing and yearned for the life of peace that he had in his dreams. “Your old boss is a demon. A literal demon and I choose you to kill him. If you walk away he will continue hurting people, making more victims and causing more pain. Your soul is stained from killing but that demon boss of yours raised you and put you on the path. So you are one of his victims just like all of the people you killed are victims of yours. I don’t need someone to think about this problem. I need a hammer, blunt crushing force. Now go!” Death explained. Death’s voice boomed when it said “Go”

Jack steeled his nerves. Now wasn’t the time for doubt or thoughts of warm beds and autumn days. Now was the time for revenge. Jack was an assassin, a hitman, an enforcer and all around psycho in his past life. Jack new it was time to bring that all back one last time. Jack kicked open the front door and broke off one of the door’s hinges.

Jack walked into main room, which looked like an empty factory, this was also part of the disguise. The main factory room was dark, the only light was from the street lights outside that came in through the large factory windows. The sound of rain echoed outside. the rain began to beat down harder, thousands of drops pelted the building and the strong winds shook the fragile windows.

Jack walked across the room to an old wooden door that looked like it led to an office or storage. The door opened and a guard wearing a suit and tie emerged from the doorway. He was sent to investigate the noise and found Jack standing before him.

The guard was shocked, he looked as if he had seen a ghost or maybe he was scared because he knew he was about to die. The guard saw Jack, standing tall with an insane grin and a fierce look of murder in his eyes. Jack had his hammer raised over his head and the guard pulled out a gun to shoot. Before a shot could be fired Jack slammed his hammer down onto the guards skull, smashing him into the cold concrete floor.

Jack walked into the base through the old wooden door. The inside of the base was all decked out with new furniture, metal doors, reinforced walls and stylish gold and marble statues. The first room had guards all with guns. Jack slammed his hammer down on the first guard that was by the door then threw his hammer at the guard across the room. A third guard drew his gun but Jack was able to grab a gun from the first guard and fire at the third. Jack’s hammer was lightweight enough that it could be thrown and swung quickly. Jack was an agile person and carried his hammer around ever day, so the crushing weight that it did have never slowed him down.

Jack had made it into the base of the Organization. His path for revenge wasn’t over yet. Jack readied himself for the battle ahead.