Battle Ground XIX

I’ve survived and my mortal desire seems to be at the brink of my dreams which is dramatically becoming reality yet bliss is so far away. With Chaos Genesis, I believe that there is no halt in my tyranny… but “Contentment” might just be another definition of wishful thinking.

It has been really quiet lately; no late night fights, no blood stains in the night sky. Yes, it is suspicious. Serenity might be a commoners dream but right now, none of the gamers of Hiatus are considered as commoners no matter how average their life is. The remaining are already training how to grasp the ultimate mortality while I, simultaneously listened to my fading thoughts as consciousness leaves my soul tonight.

I was about to close my eyes when Grimm sighed and said “Master, do you mind if we go outside; Maybe for a short walk or a chat at the park?”

Since I had nothing to do but sleep, I agreed.

“Chaos Genesis, come with us.” I commanded.

“As you wish Frankenstein.” He answered.

“Genesis, why not pay respect to OUR master?” Grimm asked Chaos Genesis.

“For he is not my original owner, he is only my wielder which is the same as a scythe tooled by a different reaper.” Genesis answered promptly.

“Let him be Grimm, he is merely a substitute for MY Cross Apocalypse.” I voiced out.

“If you, my master, commanded to let him be disrespectful, then I shall let it pass.” Grimm said.

We walked by the 24/7 grocery stores, and of course, Genesis hid Grimm using his portal pouch.

As we were busy looking for something to grub at the park while having a manly chat, we noticed a little girl roaming around the wine section. She had a green Lolita dress as if she was cosplaying a frog. It was usual to see girls dress like her but dressing like a frog girl doesn't make sense, she really caught our attention.

We watched her go around, and she seems to know how to pick the right types of wines. She put it on her shopping cart, but obviously the employee at the counter won’t sell her those, she’s too young! So Genesis and I finally got our food and followed her to the counter, and unbelievably, she just shaped-shifted into a full grown male adult. I could not see any way possible to do that except for being a character in Hiatus, therefore, another chance to massacre an opponent.

When she got out of the store, she changed herself back to her original form then ran then suddenly jumped and climbed on to the nearby coverage tower.

“Grimm, is there a chance that you know how to fly?” I asked sarcastically.

“No, but a reaper does have a levitation skill, am I right Genesis?” Grimm asked.

Genesis nodded and after a few seconds, he bowed his head down… and then there was silence. He then faced up with his eyes closed and eventually made his wings visible. It was white as snow and as pure as a baby’s breath. I was, of course, shocked and yet Grimm did not say anything, I guess he knew all along that this kind of skill does exist.

Chaos Genesis then stretched his back releasing his wings as if they were kept hidden and unused for centuries. He held Grimm, and embraced my warm body then we flee far away from the corrupted soil of the terra.

Battle Ground XVIII

I, myself, witnessed Cross Apocalypse’s sorrowful tears as she slowly decays. She begged for a couple of times for my forgiveness, but I could not forget what she did; she made my one goal unreachable, her weakness and ignorance completely devoured everything I desired.

She was crawling to get closer to me because she could barely walk. And then after a moment, she gave up or maybe, death already came upon her.

After a moment of silence due to the sudden lost, the ‘other’ Reaper appeared out of nowhere. He directly came towards Cross Apocalypse and did not pay attention to me nor everything around him;

“Alas my beloved, please rest, it is all over.” He said, closed her eyes and carried her as if she was a goddess in slumber.

And then Clinton Greene walked in the scene;

“You see Frankenstein, do not blame the apocalyptic reaper for it was clearly not her fault, let us not be oblivious, and for an absurd fact, you were the real cause of, not her, but your defeat.” Greene told me.

“Be cautious Lord Greene, You are disrespecting my master. I may have to eliminate you myself.” Grimm defended me against the royal bastard.

“Oh of course! The scythe of Cross Apocalypse – the insanely powerful reaper, could certainly kill an average man like me… oh uhm, wait! Have you forgotten that only the reaper could wield you? Yes, I guess so.” Greene sarcastically replied, and damn, I was pissed.

“Indeed, but you cannot deny that Chaos Genesis is the successor of her twin sister, Cross Apocalypse, therefore, he might be able to harness my power.” Grimm said.

“That is quite right, and yes, I cannot deny that.” Greene replied.

We shortly stared at the Chaos Genesis as he agonizingly weeps for his sister’s death. Then Greene shattered our silence;

“I have a proposal for you Frankenstein, and I know you’re going to love this.” He told me. I only stared at him as a reply because I am really curious. “We could exchange characters.” He proposed.

“Is that even legal?” I asked.

“Have you read the terms, rules and regulations of the game we are currently all in, Hiatus?” Greene replied with such a stupid question.

“No, I haven’t because there is none. Hiatus does not state any regulations at all when playing the game, as long as you survive, it does not matter how. You may cheat, you may kill, you may run… do whatever it takes to not be obliterated… Play and survive; no conditions, no rules.” I answered and of course that made me realize that a character exchange is legal. “Of course, I shall grant your proposal.” I added. Yet it made me wonder what he could possibly do with the corpse of Cross Apocalypse, maybe revive it, but it might not have a chance against Chaos Genesis because she lost to a lower ranked character but I didn't mind asking, it might just cancel the deal off. This is my only chance to win; therefore, I will certainly take this opportunity.

“Then it is a deal.” Greene held my hand and added “Good luck.”

“Chaos Genesis, Frankenstein will be your new master, and I will be the care taker of your beloved’s corpse.” He directly told his character.

“Yes master.” Chaos Genesis replied without blinking as if he doesn't mind the exchange at all.

“As you can see Frankenstein, Chaos Genesis is very obedient, loyal and definitely devoted to his master. Please do take good care of him. And I thank you for letting me keep this marvelous corpse.” Greene voiced out.

“It’s useless. I would just throw it if I were you.” I told him.

“How could a reaper’s corpse be worthless? You must be delusional Frankenstein.” He replied.

He carried the lifeless body with him and set off. As for me, now I must go home with my new character… he is far more powerful than Cross Apocalypse yet I am hoping that he is not as blood lust as his sister.

“C’mon Chaos Genesis, carry Grimm with you, I do not like wasting time.” I commanded.

“Yes master.” The ‘other’ reaper replied.

Battle Ground XVII

A skill to manipulate the rain explains the heavy down pour that night, and yet I feel this eerie shiver inside my veins as if it was Hades himself trying to halt my circulation. Whenever an opponent walks inside my battleground, I feel like dying; fear, indeed, is the poison that was about to end my damn life.

Cross Apocalypse raised her scythe – the Grimm, and then calmly, she spoke;

“Please make sure you are willing to gamble your life.” with an evil smirk by her luscious lips.

“I bet when you turn older, you’ll be more of a woman than I am… well, that is if you survive.” replied Vaile.

“Do not be vain, for over confidence might just be the right tool for a suicide.” Cross told her then immediately disappeared.

From that point on, they only exchanged impacts physically but both of them never seemed to get tired. One attacks, the other dodges… It was a plain pattern. After the downfall a million of rain drops, Vaile was at the brink of her life, and so she decided to finally use her skill, not to win, but to survive Apocalypse’s wrath.

“Finish her already.” I commanded Cross. She was my weak marionette who obeys my every command for she fears me. I forced her to kill Vaile quickly because I’m scared that someone might beat us. Yes, I do have confidence but this time, I was a bit paranoid… but I have no idea why. My fear was discreetly devouring my consciousness.

“Cease!” Vaile screamed for herself. Then the rain stopped pouring and she bowed her head after, and slowly said “Freeze.” Every drop of rain turned to ice… she tilts her head up and then looked at Cross Apocalypse with such coldness… Quickly, the ices were like little knives scraping her skin cell by cell.

Cross Apocalypse could barely make a move after Vaile used her dreadful skill.

“You bitch! Stand up! I can’t afford to lose!” I shouted with such rage.

“I am sorry master.” She apologized then slowly stood up.

She kept fighting Vaile though she could not stand anymore. She raised her scythe once again but more ice kept on slaughtering her.

The Drips and drops that I heard were not the whining of the rain but Cross Apocalypse’s blood running down her puny body.

“You’re frickin’ hopeless!” I shouted.

“You know Frankenstein, if you didn't pushed your character your character too much, she would’ve won. She lost track of her own strategies due to your worthless commands.” Vaile told me then stood up.

Lionel Henri Hilliard didn’t gave a shit about what happened as if he knew I was about to mess up this battle for Cross Apocalypse. I do feel the guilt yet the reaper is to take the blame for her weak attacks.

Our opponents just walked away like nothing happened. Though Vaile did admit that she would have lost, I was still not satisfied with our loss.

Cross Apocalypse was just lying on the ground like a corpse, so I perpetually kicked her ‘til she wakes up.

“Wake up!” I shouted.

Then she slowly opened her eyes which were bursting with tears.

“Please don’t get rid of me master, I promise this would not happen again, I beg of you master, please don’t leave me!” she was a mere helpless dog begging for mercy but I still could not forgive her.

She knelt before me and said;

“Please, I will do anything for your forgiveness master.”

Battle Ground XVI

Revelation – a noun used to name an unknown fact that was dramatically unveiled; and is the right word to define what just happened back there about the Alpha and Omega.

I refused Greene’s plan so that revelation was pretty irrelevant. But I know for a fact that my reaper is the one that’s going to be on top of this retched game, with or without her brother, I am confident that she will be the key to my victory.

“You ready master?” we we’re still inside my room when Apocalypse asked.

“Yes, let me just put on my coat.”

We were about to go outside to search for a new opponent because rumors were spreading that only 5 players are left… so I was one of them, Greene is included in the count too… So I guess we have to obliterate the remaining 3.

“Ooohh... Master, it’s raining outside!” she childishly voiced out.

“Bring an umbrella for me.”

“Yes master.”

“We might have to be careful sir, I feel a strange aura within the rain, and it must be the cause of another opponent.” Grim said.

“Well, that’s great. We don’t have to find the prey because it’s looking for us already.” I replied calmly.

And when we got outside, Cross won’t shut up about the rain;

“Grim! Look! The rain is so pretty!” she shouted over and over again.

“Yes dear reaper isn’t the human world wonderful?” said Grimm.

“Yes Grimm, it is. Oh I wish I could stay here forever, grow old and have a man which they call a ‘husband’! Wouldn’t that be so delightful?”

“Yes dear reaper, it would.”

“Shut up you two and bring the umbrella near me.” I commanded. But Apocalypse, with Grimm on her hands, shared my umbrella, so I pushed her. “Get away! If I don’t get enough shade, I might get sick, and with me having a fever, you two are worthless!” I shouted.

Finally, as the opponent and I sought for each other, we found ourselves under an overpass near the expressway.

“Lionel, could you believe the fabled Frankenstein is just boy? Hahahaha.” A seductive woman wearing lingerie shouted. She had big bosoms and had an extremely beautiful curve; indeed, she captured my shallow lust.

“Oh, how rude of me – “a fine man spoke, “I am Lionel Henri Hilliard, and this is my character, Vaile Gwynevere, who alters the atmosphere’s condensation, or as you low lives call it, RAIN.”

Battle Ground XV

Moments passed by and I finally noticed Chaos Genesis’s wounds, I caught a glimpse of his scars, though abrupt and obscure, I saw how deep each of his wounds were.

“May I ask something Greene?” I humbly questioned.

“Yes, you can. What is it lad?”

“Those wounds, I was wondering why you gave it to him.”

“Oh dear Frankenstein, it is merely how I train him.”

“It seems like he has been punished a lot.”

“It was definitely not my fault that he won’t show his full potential in battle.”

I could not answer anything anymore, not even a word nor was a sigh for it extremely cruel. Yet if I think about it clearly, he and Chaos Genesis survived ‘til now, it obviously means his character has the skill to steal my victory. If I train Cross Apocalypse the way he does with Chaos Genesis, maybe they wouldn’t even dare to get close to me.

“Anyway, why did you invite us here?” I asked Clinton Greene.

“Why ask me when Grimm can answer your question?” he said then smirked.

“Grimm, spit it.” I commanded.

“God said himself that he is the beginning and the end, he himself is the alpha and omega. I’ve concluded that maybe when brought closer and fought as one, maybe, just maybe, they could achieve a Godlike prowess. But of course, I know both of you won’t give up your own character for there is too much at stake. Still, I am quite awfully interested if my theory might be right.” He explained.

“So, what you’re saying is, we should work together?” Greene asked.

“Quite an exquisite idea Lord Greene. May you?” Grimm replied.

“Well – “Greene was about to say something, but I interrupted.

“I definitely refuse. If some douche will achieve that victory, it would be me, only me.”

“But Frankenstein, don’t think so hastily. We could obliterate the remaining players, and when there is the only the two of us standing, we could finally kill each other, whoever wins will have both of our characters and of course, own Xenos and finally grab everything he lusts.” Greene contradicted.

At that point, I was finally going to change my mind but what if Greene out smarted me. Damn, I’m at the brink of my nightmare yet I can’t finish it just by agreeing. And finally, I replied;

“I refuse.”

Battle Ground XIV

“Sir, Good morning. I've arrange an appointment with another gamer.” Grimm told me.

“Gamer? Who?” I was confused.

It was early that morning when the scythe woke me up. It must be something important if he single handedly bothered me.

“The gamer who owns Cross Apocalypse’s brother – Chaos Genesis, Clinton Greene.” It answered.

“Another battle?”

“No sir, just a formal appointment.”

“You dare bother me for a ‘formal’ appointment? You damn--”

“Sir…” it interrupted, “This is an important revelation for our dear reaper. It might uncover more skills or a gain of prowess for her.”

I agreed.

“Okay, we must take Cross Apocalypse with us. You must be properly groomed later 4:30 pm. We will meet Lord Greene at the old abandoned building near north.” Grimm instructed us.

I wonder what the appointment is all about. Why would Grimm think of such? I guess this must be relevant and interesting for it. To meet an opponent, but the whole play’s goal is to not kill him; quite unbearable, especially for Cross Apocalypse.

It was breezy that afternoon when the three of us left the house.

“Where are we going?” Cross Apocalypse asked.

“I don’t know, ask Grimm.”

“Hey Grimm! Are we going to the carnival I saw on TV?” she asked again.

“Our destination is a lot more delightful than a puny carnival dear reaper.” Grimm answered.

After a while, we finally entered the ghost structure. As we entered, an eerie chill ran down through my spine.

“Welcome Frankenstein.” A voice spoke.

I got pissed and shouted “The name’s Frank N. Stein, asshole.”

“Relax dude.” And then he came down. “I am Clinton Greene, Chaos Genesis, show yourself.”

And slowly, another reaper came out of the darkness; he was the so called Chaos Genesis. This reaper had a dark red hair; the color of his eyes is deep crimson, if deceives all that stares upon it as if it was painted with mystery. He is a beautiful young man. He was wearing a fine uniform that matches Cross Apocalypse’s. And alas, I’ve remembered, he is her brother.

He calmly came forward and looked at Clinton Greene.

“Yes Chaos Genesis, you may talk to your beloved sister.” Greene told him.

Chaos Genesis calmly walked towards Cross Apocalypse. Then, when they came face to face, he gently played with her soft pink hair and said “Apocalypse my dear, have you forgotten who I am?”

“You are my opponent; therefore I shall reveal no information unless commanded by my master.” She replied.

“I honestly don’t give a damn.” He, again, touched her hair and gently felt her angelic face and added “I am Alpha, and you are Omega, we are one” then kissed her forehead.

Battle Ground XIII

The reaper knows no sleep. Night by night she stumbles upon the weak to satisfy her blood lust. But before she goes hunting, she asks me if she could attack, and yes, I permit her to do so.

“I’m losing patience, when will all this be over?” I asked Cross and Grimm.

“When you've become the last one breathing.” Grimm answered.

“You know I hate waiting, right?” I told them.

“Then I will eliminate all as soon as possible.” Said Cross as she bowed down.

“I’m getting bored.” I replied.

“Yes sir, we know you are, and we are sincerely sorry for taking a lot of time.” Voiced out by Grimm.

“Don’t worry master; I will slaughter all that exist in the game… You will own everything soon enough, all we need is a little bit more time!” Cross cheerfully shouted with a juvenile smile.

And so, the “slaughter” that her seductive lips were talking about finally happened. Kill after another, she craved for more; I was so proud of her. Finally, I will be on the top of this absurd play.

Cross exposed herself to the young night sky; she went out seeking for another prey. As I was in my lonesome, I though - Alas, reality is at my side. To dream or not, this is the most wonderful nightmare I ever had. Cross Apocalypse – a nightmare that brought this vague life bliss.

Finally, I knew how to love reality. It was so cruel for some, but for me, for the first time, I loved it. No one could stop my reign with Cross Apocalypse at my side.

Vain I was for I was confident that everything will be mine. Reality loved me, and I loved it back. Everything I ever wanted but never had, will finally be mine… all of it. Pardon me for being redundant but this is all I ever desired, to conquer.

It was a nightmare I wouldn't mind if I never woke up from. Please absurd reality, if you are only playing with me, altering me as you give me these vague delusions, please do end this sorrowful damnation. Call me insane, I don’t care, I only lust for victory, that’s all.

It was about four in the morning when the reaper knocked on my window pane.

“Give me a one good reason why should I let you in?” I asked her.

“It’s so cold outside master, it’s beginning to freeze here.” She answered. “Please do let me in.” she begged.

“I gave you a command, now think!” I shouted.

“There are only three puny souls left master, please let me rest.” She begged over and over again.

“I am annoyed. Sleep outside.” I commanded her.

“But –“I knew she was about to say an excuse so I interrupted her.

“That’s your punishment, I’m losing my patience with you worthless bitch!”

“I am truly grateful for such a shallow punishment master...” Her hair might have covered her face, but I could clearly see her tears.

Battle Ground XII

That same night, as Cross Apocalypse was already taking a deep rest, I went infront of the computer just to find out what exactly is her background. 98 lives that vanished within three days sound unbelievable, especially if the one who did it was her. Who… or better yet ask, what the damn hell is she?

“You’ve been infront of the computer for almost five hours now, don’t you want to get some rest?” the talking scythe actually talked directly to me this time.

“If I could only find out her skills, abilities and limitations, I could finally unlock her real potential.”

“May I help you, master?” Grimm asked.

“Yes, certainly.” I replied.

“Go to the Hiatus site, type ‘Chaos Genesis’ and hit search.” It instructed.

“That’s insane, ‘Chaos Genesis’ is almost the exact opposite of ‘Cross Apocalypse’!”

“Master, do you wish to know what lies behind her innocent smiles?”

“Yes, I do but –“

“With all due respect master, just do it.”

I found only one profile and as I read the page of Chaos Genesis, he is obviously a character. He has skills of an arc angel, which must mean he alters the element of light. The profile says he has a twin sister named… Cross Apocalypse?!

“Continue reading master…”

And I read it out loud; “Chaos Genesis has a twin sister named Cross Apocalypse which is his exact opposite.”

Exact opposite. So if Chaos Genesis is described as heavenly, then, my character, Cross Apocalypse is obviously a demon. But titles doesn’t matter, at least now, I have a hint to know her background. I guess her skills are based on darkness, and the most impressive part is she could really make bloodshed out of any living soul.

“What should I do now Grimm?”

“Easy. Don’t say a word about what you’ve found out.”

“But – “

“It may confuse Apocalypse.”

I honestly don’t understand, he has a twin brother who she doesn’t know about. But it really doesn’t matter, as long as I already know what she could do. Based on what Antoinette told me, she shows impressive agility in killing her opponents.

I made a breakthrough on her background yet it’s just another confusing discovery leading to another unsolvable puzzle – Apocalypse’s identity.

Battle Ground XI

Not an hour, but only minutes passed since the last time I saw Slark and Antoinette… breathing.

I marveled Cross Apocalypse’s grace as her scythe feed on its prey – the weak and puny souls. I do sympathize their deaths but I could not do anything but to continue to quench the reaper’s thirst of blood, since I will get something from it, and so let it be.

I could not stop by simply owning Xenos, I will conquer all. With a death reaper by my side, nothing shall be impossible.

“Cross, I command you to clean up this mess.”

“My pleasure, master.”

Her scythe spitted fire on the bodies which is quite impressive yet shocking;

“How did you do that?”

“Grimm did it!”

“Who the hell is Grimm?”

“Me.”

Oh damn! The scythe suddenly spoke. Some weird characters huh? After burning the corpses, she let “Grimm” hide and we went home. We were acting normal yet every man we pass glanced at Cross Apocalypse. In all honesty, I was quite nervous that some blood might splattered to her face and she forgot to clean it off, but when I looked at her, her little white dress is purely clean… no blood. And again, in all honesty, she’s pretty cute for a death reaper. How ironic; when we mortals say “death reaper” it means someone that lives in hell and punishes the evil, it would have an absurdly crooked scythe to reap out the souls out of one’s worldly shell, his or her body. Yet this death reaper has a pink hair! This is just plainly an epic fail. And therefore I conclude… but it’s more or less like a lesson; I can’t blame guys looking at her, she’s really cute especially when she doesn’t carry her scythe with her.

“Master, may I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Why are you blankly staring at me? Would you like me to do something?”

“No.”

“I am sorry, master, but it is necessary to attend your needs because I am your humble servant.”

Since she already noticed it, I had to stop looking at her fine powdered cheeks and her gentle red eyes.

Battle Ground X

"You poor insolent souls, I pity you, therefore, I shall end your suffering.” he said. Headphones were covering his ears, and he was carrying his guitar case. He was not as odd as the other characters; in fact, he could be mistaken as normal teenager.

He took out his guitar and said “You are quite adorable Cross Apocalypse, mind jamming with me?”

“With your permission master, I shall eliminate them both.” Cross asked me.

“Yeah, sure.” I was still in shock but to be able to reach victory; killing is the only choice I had.

“But before we start the kill, please let us introduce ourselves.” The blonde woman voiced out. “I am Antoinette Lemaître, and my character, Xavier Slark.”

“Uhmm... I’m – “ But before I finished my words, Cross has already summoned Grimm, her scythe, and attacked Slark. At that same second, Slark pulled out his devilishly astonishing guitar and used it as a sponge to soak up Cross’s impacts. Slark has music waves that perpetually damaged Cross’s scythe. Both of them simultaneously beat the crap out of their opponent… seconds split whenever the edges of their massive weapons meet.

As our character hustled to end each other’s lives, Antoinette started a conversation out of the blue;

“What are your desires?” she asked.

“Desires?” Honestly, I don’t have a single idea what is she talking about.

“Y’know… Why do you want to conquer Hiatus?”

“Simply because I lust victory.”

“Haha. You are ridiculous! Your character already killed half of the plurality and yet you still have no idea what prices are at stake!”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh how I pity you little boy. There are no consolation prizes such as those ignorant worldly competitions have, but the prize is surely you’ll desire to win even if it means gambling your own soul.”

“If so, please do explain.”

“Only one character must survive Hiatus, and that certain character will become a real yet it will still possess massive skills, auras and prowess. But of course it will forever serve the gamer. And it is up to him or her how will the character be used, it could be either assassinations for a better and powerful position, thievery or gaining prowess, whatever the gamer’s desire is.”

I never expected that this could be the price; I wouldn’t just own the whole Xenos Corporation, I could be the tyrant of this wrecked civilization if I wanted to… I bet no type of army nor can weapon withstand a Hiatus character. To gain everything I ever wanted using an eternal slave. Fame, fortune and power - I will have it all once I win this game.

I spaced out after Antoinette explained the prize of Hiatus that I hardly noticed Cross and Slark’s battle.

After a lot more exchanges of their hits, Cross bowed down.

“You tired? Givin’ up?” asked Slark.

Quietly, Cross just stood there;

“You damn bitch! Wake up! Kill him! You worthless slut! Damn you! Damn!” I blurred out. I was in rage, I didn’t think how my words will affect her, as long as these lines will get her sorry ass to kill him, and then my words shall continue its rampage.

She slowly raised her head as she was uttering words that none of us in the battlefield understood. After a moment of silence, “My master ordered me to kill you… and so… I shall.”

And with two turns of her scythe, blood splattered all over the battle ground, not only one corpse was dead but two souls departed.