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)

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)

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)

Dragon's eye

Even a dragon can be in awe of a great miracle.

The dragon opened his remaining eye in search of his victim. He rose and spotted her rolled up in a defensive position, covering her head with her arms. He opened his mouth and ignited his venom as it charged its target. The girl's body emitted a beautiful lilac light. The fire touched her skin but was unable to burn any of it. She was lying there, waiting to die. Upon witnessing this miracle, the dragon stopped breathing fire and inspected her carefully. Her skin was still as soft as it had always been. The dragon growled and bowed down his head towards her. She opened her eyes very slowly. As she saw the dragon bow down to her, she grabbed her sword and cut off his head. His soul would now be hers forever.

(short writing exercise took me 5 mins thanks to Two steps from Hell)
(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 1 of the web story)