In the name of her father

Truth can be hard to bear, so be ready to face it.

Lila had been roaming the streets of the free city Munthart. She was lost in her own mind and couldn't stop thinking about the woman she murdered. She had walked away from the Rebels that same night and hadn't stopped since that moment. She just couldn't believe she had defiled her father's rule, which had always been her guiding force. When she passed a dark alley, her eyes crossed those of a bear in despair. Turning back out of curiosity, she noticed a young bear, trapped by a reaper who was raising his large axe. It was enormous and had the shape of a new moon. Though it looked heavy, - it was elegant and he wielded it as if it was made out of feathers - he didn't seem to be ready to strike. The young bear was obviously still a child.

Even though Lila did not understand the situation, she refused to walk away. Her magic was weak, since she hadn't released any souls in a while, but her eyes gathered strength and a lilac glow from her self hatred. With an absent gaze, Lila dropped her necklace. The reaper turned around, which gave the encouraged bear a chance to escape. He looked at Lila in disbelief and lowered his axe. He started leaving and as he passed her, he addressed her in a cynical tone.
"Thanks... That was one of the Soulless' mice. They always carry useful info around."
"His mice..."
She watched him walking away. She hadn't only been blinded by power, but she had been fighting for a monster too. She grabbed her necklace and ran after him because she couldn't afford to lose her chance for reconciliation with her father's rule.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 17 of the web story)

How much rice did you consume in 2012?

Rice consumption worldwide, it's an infographic, a Social Object!

It's funny how Asia seems to have a monopoly going... The major domestic consumers are Asian countries, as well as biggest exporting ones. I know I eat my rice, and thus add to my share in Europe ^^

I made this for school... It was lovely to practice some skills again.

Sources:
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
http://www.adb.org/features/12-things-know-2012-rice
Publication by IRRI

Dragon's Eye reading

No new episode this week, as I'm still plotting out some things and working on school assignments. It's a mad world indeed.

We learned how to create social objects though and this resulted in a "remastered" version of the very first episode of Syringa Cross!

Written by Ken De Pooter

Read by Jamie Stone

Music by Tim De Pooter

Fear's friend

Another chance in yet another battle. Lila's morale was low, but her will to live topped everything. She had been floundering through the mud, trying to hop over corpses and enhancing bear strength in the worst circumstances. The battle had been raging on for hours and the odds finally started to turn in their favor. It was just when the generals were about to enter the city when it struck her. She would never be allowed to regain her title and power by just surviving.

Lila rushed through the gate to follow in the footsteps of her victorious friends. She inspected the conquered citizens and saw the fear in their eyes, fear for her leaders. At a moment when no one was paying attention, she charged a woman who was standing next to a trading cart near the procession. She was wielding a meat cleaver and could just as well have been hiding. Lila raised her short sword and cut a deep wound into the woman's chest. She came to a halt between the dying woman and her leaders, who thanked her gratefully. She couldn't hear their voices but could only think about the butcher's wife she had just killed. Her body seemed to be paralyzed and only one thought raged on: Did she just murder an innocent woman?

- Fear your friends and even yourself, but never fear your enemy. - 

Mennor, leader of the 4th Rebel cohort.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 16 of the web story)

Victory of life

Like every gift, life comes with a price.

The feast was great but Lila felt uneasy. Her eyes wandered around, keeping an eye on her four surviving officers. If they would mention their retreat, she didn't know what the others would do to them and her. They seemed to feel the same about her, as their eyes crossed more than once. She tried to ignore the empty seats at another table. It was common to save the seats of brethren who had fallen trying to prevent a defeat. After a great meal, of which Lila had only had a nibble, the Soulless entered the hall. A devious smile masked some of the fat on his cheeks.

"My dear Rebels! Yesterday was a great day! We conquered the Necromancer city Ferinta and the Human mage's castle of Oocklace Peak! We will quarantine the people inside and make sure the threat remains contained."
He paused mysteriously and looked at Lila's table. Her officers looked away. Her dreamy gaze, on the other hand, was captured by the Soulless' piercing eyes.
"Aside from those great victories, we lost two other battles. May the souls of our dear Brethren roam alongside our ancestors forever!"
Another pause.
"I would also like to mention Lila. One of my little mice told me about her retreat two days ago. She will fight alongside the common soldiers in a victorious battle next time, or die there. I will not vouch for her until she has done so."
His words hadn't left the hall yet, or most of the attending Rebels started moving closer. They saw Lila as a disgrace to their race and wanted to punish her for her cowardice. She decided she would accept her fate, but her officers wouldn't let her. They understood the meaning of life now, and were thankful for the second chance she had given them. Lila saw the determination in their eyes and hers started emitting a lilac glow. The four Rebels turned into massive black bears, bigger then she had ever seen. Their eyes fiery red and their muzzles salivating, hungry for blood. Their will to live proved to be a great catalyst for her powers. She felt better than ever before and drew her own sword too. The Soulless was watching the display of power with an honest smile on his face. He turned to the doors and as he was leaving:
"Enough..."



(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 15 of the web story)

Bloody platter of siege

Seize each and every opportunity, for it may be your last.

Lila had never been in a battle of this scale before. Her heart was pounding in her chest as enemies and allies alike dropped dead around her. Her clothes where covered in blood and she didn't even know if they were winning.  She and her officers were stationed not too far from the enemy wall, but just far enough to avoid being pierced by arrows. Not long into the battle, the news came that they were greatly outnumbered and defeat was imminent. It was an ill prepared siege and the defending forces had received reinforcements just before the attack. Lila had no overview whatsoever and didn't even know her officers by name. They despised her, they didn't like her orders and even laughed at her when she proposed a retreat. Apparently, Rebels do not retreat in the face of danger. Ever. 

In this case though, Lila saw no danger, only failure. She sighed. One of the officers had enough of her attitude. He walked up to her to show her what it was like to be a Rebel and raised his sword. Lila saw no danger again and her eyes gathered a lilac glow. At that moment, a spear pierced the officer's heart. Immediately after, another one joined him in death. About thirty men had made it to her band of six officers. The lilac glow was already empowering her soul and she smiled. The officers turned into gigantic black bears because of her magic and their berserk mode defended her and her pride. Skin was torn, limbs snatched off and heads smashed to bloody pieces. Some bears wouldn't make the retreat, but the ones that did, would survive the day. She'd rather be a living coward, able to prove herself another day, than an heroic corpse, lying in the mud.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 14 of the web story)

The enemy of my enemy

When a treachery proposal is the only possible one, it becomes considerable.

The fatty man sat down on a strong chair made out of stone. He smiled mysteriously.
"My little mice tell me your powers are without limits. Tell me more about them, child."
Lila grinned.
"Well, I am a Reaper and the souls I collect grant me my powers. With those, I can control people's actions. Necromancers and other Reapers are the exception, as they pay their own souls to Death in order to be able to release others. The sad thing is that every power is limited. If I don't free souls, then my powers diminish."
The Soulless rose and slapped her in the face and continued with contempt.
"You things do not free souls. You enslave and kill them. They are a natural element in this world."
Lila rubbed her sore cheek and eye before she answered.
"How can you be sure? I believe something else."
He grabbed her throat and looked her in the eye.
"I think you don't even have a clue what you're talking about and I should kill you on the spot."
Lila pushed away his hand and rose too. She started walking back to her prison cell until the Soulless pushed her against the wall. He came very close, which gave Lila a close-up of his fat face. She was clearly disgusted by it, which the Soulless seemed to take as a compliment. He smiled.
"Still, I know you only have enemies. And those happen to be my enemies too. I heard you're able to enhance Rebel bears' strength. I'll get you the necessary feed, and in return, you help me to create a safe place for the souls. You command and strengthen my warriors. I could use your powers and you could be mighty. "
"You want me to kill my own kind and become a master of your army?"
He pushed her back into the cell.
"Think about the power."

Lila's portrait

'I will always remember everything you taught me,

but please forgive me for the mistakes I'm about to make.'

Lila Syringa

My greatest gratitude for making this awesome artwork goes to Nejoka! Don't forget to visit her Deviant Art profile!

The ally of my ally

Betrayal puts his knife in the back of Trust.

A black eye decorated Corll's happy face as he was leading Lila through a desert. They entered a gray but lively castle not much later. Any guard could see anything arriving from miles away and a welcome party had been arranged to take them to see their leader. Lila was pleased to know Corll was important enough to be brought to there upon entering. When they entered though, things changed. Corll walked up to the ugly, fat and pretentious man who was sitting in the big chair.
'My great leader. I bring you the soul abuser who was the reason your son got killed!' He shouted.
Lila couldn't believe what she heard and before she could protest, two guards seized her. Corll continued:
'Watch out for this one, my friends. She can mess with your mind.'
The fatty rose to his feet, but didn't seem to be slowed down by his weight. He was three times as big as Corll and the fat was everywhere.
'Why should I trust you? You're only human. Who knows where your fealty lies.'
Corll seemed desperate and dropped to his knees.
'Please, great Master Morpher, I did everything I could to save your son's life!'
'Did you now? My little mice did tell me a different story to be honest. You're slow, and using runes to channel some magic isn't real power.' He gestured to two other guards and they took Corll and Lila to a dungeon. Before they left, the Soulless uttered a last warning.
'Stay away from the girl's cell, my friends. She does mess with your mind.' He smiled.
Four long days passed, while the only moment she saw some light was when they opened a small lid to shove her some rotten food. The screams and shouting was everywhere and Lila tried to keep her spirits up. On the fifth day, heavy footsteps arrived near her cell door. It was opened and the light revealed the fat contours of the Soulless. A guard took her by her arm violently. Lila knew the Soulless was not to be commanded by her magic.
'I'll have some questions for you now, girl.'


(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 12 of the web story)

Bar at war

Crossing boundaries ignites distrust and controversy.

The man's name was Corll. He told Lila he would not forget what she did for his leader's son and insisted she'd meet him as soon as possible. She had nowhere to go, so she agreed and they left Ferinta, the city of Necromancers. Corll helped her to understand her world better and told about how Necromancers had been the first 'releasers' to interfere with the existence of souls and how the Reapers came to the lands with their own beliefs and powers. Lila was obviously a reaper, using the power of souls to channel magic skills. Corll most vividly told about the youngest faction, the Rebels. He himself was one, and his leader was called the Soulless. He was a Rebel whose soul had been stolen in an extraordinary extraction performed by a legendary Necromancer. It had lifted all limits to his morphing powers, allowing him to become the most feared warrior in their modern history and king of all Rebels, uniting them in their quest to save the souls. By nightfall, they had reached the border to the Soulless' lands, but Corll insisted they would rest at an interesting bar and inn. Lila smiled as they entered. There were both Necromancers and Reapers sitting at the tables, though never at the same ones. Corll smiled at her and talked out loud.
"Now look here, Lila. These releasers are lurking around near our border to fight against the forces of our Soulless leader."
The whole bar was in awe, as there was obviously an alliance between a Rebel and a Reaper. None of these releasers was fond of the Rebel entering. Add to that the old grudge between them making the Necromancers distrust their like-minded Reaper allies and tensions rose. When one of the Necromancers started insulting Lila, and Reapers in general, all hell broke loose. Lila smiled, for she did not bother engaging the enemy without restraint. She just didn't grow tired of testing the limits of her powers. She fought Necromancers and opposing Reapers. She fought alongside Corll, without having to use her magic on him. She dodged and punched, enhanced his powers and supported him. Everyone seemed to want everyone else dead. Lila laughed aloud as she knew the night was young and this bar was a miniature of her new found war.



(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 11 of the web story)

A blood red square

When you can't go on or back, stand tall and fight with the weapons you possess.

She started running without hesitation, but some black bears stood in her way very quickly. The lilac glow filled her eyes. The bears did not know what happened to them and they started fighting among each other. As she looked around, some soul enslaving Necromancers started to advance towards her. She sighed. The two bears charged them and fought viciously. The square was filled with confusion and chaos. A band of soldiers came rushing towards the fight and turned against the Necromancers too. They were no ordinary ones though, as their army of souls was massive and easily cut through her converted bears and humans. Blood colored the streets and the smell of death was everywhere. Another few Necromancers joined the fight, and that's when the man from before joined the battle. He took Lila by her arm and created a magical shield around them, deflecting every projectile swung at them. Her eyes brightened and she turned her magic towards the man. His magic exploded and the whole square was hit by the huge shockwave this created. Souls incinerated, people were thrown in the air and windows shattered. Lila took the surprised man by his hand and together they ran towards the house. There, Lila realized she was too late. The mistress of the house, who was still under the remnants of Lila's spell, was sitting on the ground, weeping over the recently murdered boy. Lila walked closer and put her hand on the woman's head. She let hers down quietly.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 10 of the web story)

A birthday and festvity

Thou shalt not steal... in an better world.

The city was filled with markets and festivity. Parades and spectators marched through the streets while Lila was looking for some food. She carried along a small basket and stole some vegetables at different stands. One of the merchants caught her and tried to grab her by the arm. She managed to escape and ran off with a smile on her face. A soldier had witnessed the commotion and chased her. At another square, she came across a parade with an elephant. Lila used her magic on the animal, it left its route and stood between the two. The lonely soldier quaked with fear as the elephant threatened to charge towards him. Lila smirked and walked up to the soldier.
"There's no need to worry, sir. Just let me go cook for a sick child on my birthday."
The soldier backed off but kept staring at the elephant. Lila walked away carefully, but did not help to change the situation. As she was roaming the streets happily, she heard a voice behind her.
"How is the child?"

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 9 of the web story)

Tearful eyes

When life escalates, responsability becomes a burden to bear.

The boy was in bad shape and Lila had no other choice than to to take care of him. He was the only one who could tell her what was going on. She carried him towards a small house adjacent to a church. An old man opened the door. When he didn't want to let an exhausted looking girl carrying an unconscious boy in, Lila did not hesitate to use her magic to change his mind. But her lilac glow only made him grab a large dagger and summon a bloodred soul to charge Lila. It grew a lion's head and left paw. Lila dropped the boy and dodged an attack. She charged the old man and disarmed him quickly. She tried to dodge another attack dealt by the soul, but it slashed a deep wound into her upper arm. Turning in pain, she saw an opportunity to cut the soul aggressively. In the heat of the moment, she kept going and stabbed the old man, mortally wounding him. As he collapsed, Lila noticed his wife had seen everything. She stood there frozen to the ground, carrying a meatcleaver, ready to help her husband. After a dreadful stare, she used her lilac glow on her, soothing her tearful eyes. Lila carried the boy inside and sat down next to the woman. She put her hand on her shoulder and knew she had won nothing that night...

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 8 of the web story)

The courage you need

You possess the strength you need, now find the courage to use it.

In the town of Ferinta, Lila would surely find answers as some members of the League had been seen there. Her face brightened up as she walked through the gate. There were lights everywhere, the buildings seemed to reach the sky and all sorts of pleasant noises teased her ears. She was walking through a desolate alley when a boy passed her in a hurry. A big man seemed to be chasing him. Lila followed them from afar as the agile boy leaped over a wall and climbed over a fence. At that point, the man shifted into a black bear and ripped the fence apart. The boy tripped over some stairs as he tried to look back. When the bear creeped closer towards its quivering victim, Lila called for its attention. It turned around and immediately started coming for her first. She grinned as her lilac glow blinded the bear, but had no effect on it. The boy on the other hand rose to his feet and charged the bear. As he jumped up to grab its neck, he himself turned into a big black scorpion. His stinger pierced the bear's skull, but before his claws could get a grip, Lila backed down. The scorpion turned back into a boy who then fell down unconscious. Lila looked at him, eyes wide open. She had no words for what had just happened. Shapeshifting enemies?

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 7 of the web story)

Lost in souls

You don't stop a train of thought without facing the consequences.

She transcended, that's what her father had always told her. She had escaped the boring life as a mere human being to become a Reaper. Her father had taught her everything about being there for the lost souls of Men. Every freed soul would grant her more power. But she should never kill to be able to claim those souls. As she was thinking, she crossed a bridge. At both sides, a man came walking up to her. One of them smirked at her and pulled out a knife. They had noticed the golden necklace around her neck. But when they were within reach, they had a change of heart. Lila used her magic to such great level that the two men walked up to each other and stabbed one another to death for her. She smiled as she hesitated to collect their souls alongside those of their previous victims. Her hand caressed the souls, collecting them slowly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
More souls found peace that day.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 6 of the web story)

Another question unanswered

When guilt meets doubt...

Lila's eyes were filled with regret as she gazed upon the blood and flesh hanging from the girl's scratched bones. The black bear's rage did not end just yet as he turned his massive body towards Lila. The lilac glow she emitted took him by surprise. He sat down like a pup, let down his head and slowly turned into a young man. Lila had heard of a movement of people who fought against the ones who collect souls. They possessed the ability to shapeshift and were known to fight for their freedom. All Lila knew was that she set those poor souls free, and that's why they granted her a fraction of their powers to enhance her magic. After a moment of thought, she walked away from the youngster and squatted near the corpse. There was no soul lingering around, nothing to collect and not even a thing to remind her of the girl she chased to her death. She rose back to her feet and started walking South. Away from the forest, with only more sadness and questions roaming her head.
She knew she had to know.



The new Two Steps from Hell album!




(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 5 of the web story)

Friend or savior

How will you achieve absolute freedom?

Wandering through a cold forest for days had frozen up her blood and bones. Lila was determined to find the girl she had met at the village some nights ago. She arrived at a small camp that was obviously abandoned in a rush. She looked how the girl that had run away was reaching out to two wandering souls. She touched them and they changed colors. From white to red. Lila couldn't believe her eyes. What had happened to those poor souls? A loud roar stopped her from advancing. Two big black bears came charging towards the girl. The floating souls charged back at them, obviously commanded by the girl. One of the souls grew arms with claws, the other one an undead unicorn head. They fought viciously and managed to keep one of the bears at bay. The other one was obviously too strong for the girl. Lila ran over and raised her arms while jumping between them. Even though she feared failure, she took a big risk. The bear's eyes were filled with anger, but softened as they gazed upon Lila's aura. As the bear backed down slowly and let down its massive claw, Lila watched how the red souls had slaughtered the other bear and were returning to their master. She closed her eyes and walked away, allowing the bear to strike down the girl she first wanted to protect. As the girl screamed in agony, Lila freed her slave souls. 

She knew they would be free forever now.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 5 of the web story)

Life in all its beauty

This lyrics I wrote for my brother were too poetic. So I decided to here them with you all here.

I sure do hope you like them as a poem!

I

The world in all its beauty

Had never been this empty

When stripped of all its colors

Coated in white covers

When seasons skipped each other

Spring wouldn't even bother

The sun will parch the Earth 

And vaporize the snow

Autumn would cool it down

But all had been burned

I wonder if there will ever 

be another summer?

II

particle accelerator

from lover to hater

atoms shake and shiver

just like our heart's desire

Sudden end to combination

Bring forth a fusion

To the death for one

Another truth undone

Elements together

The beast is bound by tether

Birth of another couple

Evolution is subtle

III

Suddenly heavy rain pours

a strong gust spreads the spores

It's all unpredictable

Yet we think we are able

Rain turning to ice

Heaven is a place of lies

We ask ourselves why

Flowers wither and die

Sunny heat embracing us

evaporating fallen rain

accelerating our decay

Death only knows one way
 

(refr)

Let it rain

Let it shine

Let the world

Keep turning

Let it snow

Let it burn

Let the seasons

Come and go

Let me know

Let me go

Let your life

Be happy now

IV

Let me go

Remember me

My life is yours

To keep

Village of the dead

All the magic you need is inside you.

An abandoned market square in an empty village at night. The souls of the dead linger, mourning over their own death as there's no one left to do it for them. She smiled from afar and saw a great opportunity. As fast as her feet could carry her, she ran towards the square. Those lost souls would find comfort with her, but for the first time something was stopping her from collecting them. She could find no anomaly by inspecting them. Suddenly, a blunt object hit her in the back of her head. She fell to the ground and looked around with hazy eyes. A young woman raised her sword, ready to strike. The girl with the lilac eyes looked at her attacker in fear. No living soul had ever snuck up on her. The lilac magic could not move her opponent, who kept looking in her eyes. When she closed them, the sword went down but missed its target by far. After a minute, the young woman dropped her weapon and ran away. The girl with the lilac eyes did not collect any souls that day, she only shouted: Lila! My name is Lila...

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 4 of the web story)

When Death comes.

There's a time to live and there's the moment you die.

He came at night, a black cloak floating in the void. His scythe shimmering in the moonlight, his breath cold as ice. She felt his boney, invisible hand on her shoulder. Facing him, she could only whisper his name: Death. He raised his scythe as to collect her soul. The lilac glow in her eyes could not move the One without a soul. He cut her flesh violently, but she did not vanish like the rest of his victims. Instead, a young spirit walked out of her and vanished for her. Another two walked out, protecting her from Death's violent rage. One after the other, they disappeared. Souls ready to protect their savior, their bringer of rest and peace. When Death finally came to a stop, another one hundred souls were ready for him. The girl with the lilac glow looked at him with pity as he stepped back and dissolved into the mist around him. She smiled because she knew her soul would be hers forever.

A soul a day keeps Death away.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 3 of the web story)

A man's sins

The blood on your hands can't hide who you really are.

Her eyes were filled with fear as she held on to the ledge, her feet desperately trying to find solid ground. The man on the ledge was wearing a dark fur coat and a big scar hid the fact that he was in serious doubt. He raised his sword, ready to strike. But the lilac glow in her eyes made him reach out his hand instead. She took it and pulled him down as hard as she could, risking her own life. The man lost his balance and fell down into the chasms. His scream pierced the mountain itself, but her smile was full of self esteem. The man who fell down the ledge had paid for his crimes and murders. His victim's souls would be hers forever.

(Sequel to my short writing exercise thanks to Two steps from Hell)
(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 2 of the web story)