The machine that I’ve been thinking of for quite some time is a transportation device.” The Green Wizard materializes as he sits at the table across from Ted. “This transportation device will open the world in a way never imagined by anyone. I will build it for you to use in anyway you like so my debt will be paid in full.” The demon fidgets,” the idea of such a pointless machine pisses me off. Why would I have a need for a transportation device? I can be anywhere in the world almost instantaneously.” The demon’s sentence was interrupted by Ted Copper Steelman’s palm striking the antique wooden table.

“This is not just a planetary device you narrow-minded fool. I am talking about this planet and beyond. Your limited knowledge would change in an instant. You’d see the world as just a smaller piece in a large puzzle. That has to appeal to even a demon like you!”

I only wish to murder and kill. Build me a Doomsday Machine. Or better yet a gate to the other side.” The demon grins in a very sinister way when he comes up with the idea. Ted rubs his palm over the smooth polish finish. I will build you a gate if you like. Are you going to bring more monsters into this world? Ted Copper Steelman waited as the demon rubbed the table in a very similar manner. “No. Such monsters coming here would only make my significance here diminish. I am going to force humanity inside the gate. I will condemn them to the living hell in which my father condemned me.” The wicked voice trailed off as Steelman stood up and began to walk away.

“I won’t be privy to mass murder. I am the last of my race. I can’t let the legacy of the Thygearist live in infamy.” The Green Wizard hysterically cackles as the candlelight flickers even brighter. “No matter what I ask you to build you will build it. Thygearists are known for their great honor. That’s what I’ve heard anyway.”

Ted Copper Steelman stops in the center of the great hall. “Surely on the other side, you’ve seen the spirits of the Thygearian race! Red sky took everyone on that day save me.” The Green Prince disappeared sinking into the floor. His voice was echoing through the cobblestone walls. “Ted even now I can not reach your family and friends because...they are NOT in either heaven or hell. Further, Red Sky was no freak accident. I know that because Master Adder is screaming to you from hell even now.”

‘You can hear it too...it should be very vague to your ears though.” After The Green Prince Vosce says this, Ted starts puking uncontrollably. The demons murderous intent, words and very essence had taken its toll on the man.

I will tell you the fate of your race Ted Copper Steelman,...after you construct the gate to the other side. I’ll give you some time to compose your self.

The Thygearist picks himself up and wipes his mouth. “I will build the gate....Master Adder! Did I really just hear you scream just then?

Several miles away from Vosce: The City of the Dead inside the great island forest, Franker Moon and his men marched patiently following the light voice of the black-leather clad specter known as Truth.

The layers of this great wood were heavily marked with all sorts of satanic symbols. There were trails of fresh blood on the grass and trees also as the men passed by even more huge boulders. As the men ventured even deeper the incantations surfaced more and more making them all a little uneasy.

In this tropical climate, the men’s heavy armor seemed to make them sweat a little more that usual. The fresh culmination of moisture may have also been caused by the ritualistic way in which the forest had been cut up.

Franker was in the lead of this game of follow the voice. He carried his mighty axe exposed chopping down any protruding vines or killing any fiendish beast that might hinder their traveling. Besides the axe, he’s also carrying many daggers and two short swords as well. The man who had won countless wars was beginning to think that his alliance with Truth was perhaps the most dangerous thing he had ever done.

The men still marched. They never got close to the trailing voice begging them to come deeper. The more they traversed the more blood and markings they found. At times the men found themselves encountering the same markings over and over again. This made even the General wonder if they were indeed being led to the slaughter.

With that last though, the men collapsed listening to the melodic hymns of Truth. Almost like a mother singing his children to sleep, the men passed out in the middle of the forest as the sky darkened around them. They never made it to the voice’s trail as they all lay asleep on the sandy path leading no where.

Night came quicker than expected. The dark figure with the flailing green scarf appeared with the moonlight.

“If you can hear me General Franker Moon, I’m very sorry to do this to you. When I said I needed you, I mean I only needed the shell of your body. I am going to hollow you and your men out like pumpkin and cast a grand multiplier spell on you. You won’t even be aware of it. But you will no longer be Goths after I’m done with you. You will all be servants of Truth.” The black specter walks over to the men and notices that there are only six of them and not seven.

The huge looming Goth leaps out of a tree at almost the exact stroke of midnight, laying blows onto Truth with the huge war axe. General Franker Moon struck with intense purpose and unfathomable strength for the sake of both himself and his men.

“This won’t work Franker.” Truth hollered while the ax blows bounced off of his body like he was made up of rubber. Your life was mine the minute you made that agreement with me. Do not fight with me. You don’t stand a chance against me Goth General Moon.”

Franker let out a frantic war scream and went back to a defensive stance against Truth. “You never had any intention of giving me the Metal Mage.” The General breathed heavy now, the air around him became very thin by the wave of Truth’s hand. “Do you think I am a fool and know nothing? I know well why you need the Thygearist back. Franker breathed harder as Truth went on. “He constructed a doomsday machine for you. Then he left one night and took the key with him. There is nothing I don’t know. The Thygearist’s powers are not to be used by mere humans. They can barely comprehend its complexities.”

“If the Mage finishes such a device, the world might have a chance of coming together as a whole. We Goths could unite all the countries under one ruler and wars would cease to exist as a result. Even a creature like you has to understand something like that.”

Pacing now in the forest around the unconscious Goth soldiers and in front of Moon, Truth gave his biting retort. “You think that war machines will end wars. How stupid does that sound? The Thygearist is dangerous because his powers highly encourage wars. Wars will inevitably lead to the end of this world unless I put an end to him. Do you understand that no mortal can control the course of things. That should be left by someone like me.”

“And who made you...”Franker prepared another ax onslaught, “...the regulator of humanity. Franker’s axe blows once again bounce off the specter and force him to retreat to a safe distance again.” The Goth army will never let this go unchallenged Truth. You will be an enemy of the greatest legion of all time.”

“I don’t care about that.” Truth became very impatient and raised his left arm high into the air. Hundreds of tendrils drop out of the sky and leech themselves to the general. “This world cannot sustain itself. The Thygearian legacy will end and I will be the one who ends it.”

General Franker Moon’s ax starts glowing and the tendrils fly off of his body. On his sweaty tired face ,a skull appears. “You don’t know do you. I have read the scriptures in great detail. I understand your purpose in the world. But I don’t care about that either.” Franker’s eyes glowed with a yellow ambiance and lit up the silhouettes of the two massive figures. “Goths have been chosen by God, Truth. We are the ones who dictate the world’s affairs. No deity will ever be as powerful as the Goth Empire. Truth, you work through fear and memory. That is a weak and cowardly trait. We work through conquest and have a purpose. You were just summoned here.”

Truth glares at the Goth General through the thick green scarf. “What did you just say Goth? “Truth leans up against a tree and pulls out his two longest swords. “I saw the markings on the tree back in Lavi Sorraha. You were summoned by some sort of regeneration technique. Though I don’t know the details, I assume that because you seal yourself inside trees during the day that you need to recharge your dark powers. You are temporary monster.” Franker gloats as his strokes his huge glowing battle ax. “You will never know the freedom of being alive or the honor of dying. You are simply a specter waiting to disappear.”

Franker runs at the huge leather clad figure again. The ax swings were a lot fiercer this time. Truth blocks with his two swords looking into the eyes of a different type of monster. General Franker Moon and Truth were entwined in a very weird dance that was graceful and horrifying all at the same time.

“Guess what? Franker glared at Truth as their weapons clashed yet again. “I am just toying with you monster. I am going to fight you until sunrise. Then I will chop down whatever tree you seal yourself up in.” Three more clashes follow and then the two beings stand off again.

Truth pulls out two new swords and goes for the Goth Soldiers this time. The speed at which the creature moved made it impossible for the panting Goth General to make it in time. Truth blurred all the way up to the unconscious men and stopped suddenly. He slid his swords deep into their flesh. A thick green mist surrounded these men as Franker Moon stared in amazement.

“You see, Franker? What you saw back there with the dead birds, is the same thing I’m going to do to you and your men.” Truth glared through his green scarf. “It’s true that I have to regenerate once everyday. But what you don’t know is that my environmental seal is not a weak spot in design.” Franker parts his lips to protest but just grips his axe a lot tighter. “There is no way you can win against me mortal.” Franker tosses his axe at the thickening green mist. A grayed hand reaches out and grabs it.

“You see. I’m building an army of my own. You glory will be remembered Franker. I won’t let you become a total monster. You will keep your free will after I turn you.” Truth shoots tendrils out of his cloak and at Franker Moon. Franker dives and barely misses the attack. For the first time since he was a young man, General Moon runs for his life.