The Horrorscope - Episode 26: The unkNown

Captain Wasa puts a bloddy cloth down. So, Telum was of no help. Sergent Ram, what do you think? He takes a moment to snap out of it as he looks at Telum. I think you are right. He seems mostly clueless, says Ram. Oh how the mighty have fallen, says Wasa as he closes up the duffle bag. Let’s go talk to N. Ram quickly interrupts him. Will he be okay? Wasa starts laughing. Yeah, don’t worry about it. Forget about all this morality stuff, he’s immortal. It’s not like he’ll die or anything. He probably saw it coming too. Didn’t you? He asks turning towards Telum. That’s what I thought, says Wasa as he turns towards Ram. Let’s go. I’m curious what you’ll make of N. Ram scratches his head as they leave the room. I don’t know, but you have built quite the character profile of him, says Ram. Oh, you haven’t the slightest clue what you got yourself into. The loneliest Virgo, the One Who Speaks Not, the Virgin Crier, he has had many names in this past 10 years. He became quite a legend in the first year or two, nowadays barely anyone remembers him or mentions his name. Some said they heard him cry 100 nights in a row. Some said he was laughing, some said he was humming, some said he’d read their minds. I think they were just bored… Now, let’s meet Mr. N.

A dark corridor and at the end a steel reinforced door. It looked like it was a stolen safe door from a bank. We stood at the end looking onwards, a chill ran down my spine, thought to himself Ram. Turn the light on, what are you doing? asks Wasa. Is that it? At the end of the corridor? asks Ram. What? No. That’s a safe door we needed for evidence. Get your head back in the game, man. It’s this one to your left, says Wasa as he pulls out his keys. Why would we hold in behind a safe door? asks Wasa as he opens the door. Darkness ahead and a cold breeze. This feels all so terrifying. I’ll see the man that killed a billion, thinks Ram. Sergent Ram? Have you thought about maybe turning on the light here too? Just saying… You could make yourself a bit useful today, says Wasa. I turn on the light, a face springs up behind the glass and I scream. Would you be fucking willing to act like a normal fucking person, Sergen Ram? asks Wasa in an aggravated tone. Yes. Sorry, says Ram. Do I have to explain to you what this room is or how this works? You’ve seen this in TV shows, right? asks Wasa as the face disappears quickly from the window. I’m going in. Sit here and pay attention…

As I get close to the window, I see captain Wasa putting down his bag by the door. My eyes start to wonder only to find a bookshelf, a TV, some chairs and quite the nicely lit room. And with the back to the captain was N. He was looking through the books on his shelf. I brought you something, says Wasa. I think you’ll like this trilogy. I’ve read them this past weekend, all of them. Can you believe that? asks Wasa as he sighs. You know I always gave you good shit to read, no matter how coy you play and try to ignore me, he says as he goes towards N. He puts his hand in his hair, clutches his hand into a fist and smashes N’s face into the bookshelf. Wasa pulls N back and trips him, N falling to the floor. As N tries to cover his face, Wasa starts kicking him. After a few minutes of stomping and kicking, Wasa goes to sit down in one of the chairs. Ten years, he sighs, you’ve said nothing. Ten years, I’ve brought you books, got you countless psychiatrists, got you this nice place, got you good food and nothing. You know that they’ll never have you leave this place, right? Which is infuriating. If you had told us what happened, we wouldn’t be here. You’ve got no one to blame, but yourself, says Wasa as he gets up from the chair.

Soulless Society - The Pilot Program 2021

In this world, we are born without a soul. For centuries they tried to artificially create souls and imbue them into people. Baptizing doesn’t work, prayer doesn’t work, science doesn’t work. Those with souls are said to become something more, as they are special. Which is why no one knows of their existence anymore. Sometime after the second world war, those that were special slowly disappeared from the public eye. Conspiracists still think they’re hidden somewhere inside the Pentagon, controlling the world. Yet, from what I understand, they were supposed to find themselves free after the war. Yet, with the Cold War they found themselves used again. Finding themselves in this situation, they fled. One by one escaped and were deemed the enemy of the public by both, the Soviets and the US. I don’t even understand how this whole thing works, in all honesty. From records it is said that some got a soul when they were born, some when they were teenagers and some only later in life. And that the one thing they all had in common was that they were exceptional people. Yet, we drove them all away into obscurity. We only discover them after their deaths. And only then we celebrate them.

Have you heard? I turn around to see a colleague looking at me with a big grin. He leans down to whisper. Your best friend might actually be special. I push him off and get up quickly looking for Adam. Yeah, he’s not here today, Dean. Supposedly he was almost hired as chairman and you know what that means, when one of us takes such a big leap forwards. I pick up my phone and get out to the stairs. I’m just telling you the truth, you don’t have to be such an asshole about it. I quickly call him. Straight to the voicemail. Damn. What is even happening? People usually exaggerate this stuff. So many were falsely accused of being soulful and had their lives ruined. Only to what then? Do nothing. They can’t even determine who has a soul or who doesn’t. They keep promoting less than stellar people to lead us because if he is capable, he might just have a soul and we don’t want that. These unremarkable, hateful, envious pieces of shit, I start kicking the wall in frustration. I need to go find Adam, I think to myself as I quickly make my way back to my desk to get my things. Where are you going? They’re looking for you, says the same colleague. In a panic, I pickup my things and run out.

Fuck this wicked world. Fuck these people. Fuck not putting any effort or being any good at something or you just might get lynched. These thoughts keep repeating in my head as I drive towards Adam’s place. I hope that moron was wrong and Adam is just out with a cold or something. Who was looking for me? Why would they want to have anything to do with me? I’m just a glorified secretary. Just as I arrive at Adam’s place I see police and a crowd gathered at his door. As I make my way towards the entrance to his apartment I hear people whisper that he is special and that they never knew they were so close to someone so dangerous. They bring Adam out and I can’t help but reach out. Is it true? Adam! He raises his head and turns around. Dean, no! I don’t know what’s happening. I haven’t done anything, I swear! Before I can say another word, I am hit over the head and fall down. I wake up later to a foul stench. Good, you are up. We have some questions about your friend. And, if you are good enough, you just might get to live and tell the tale of what happens with those that protect the soulful…

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The Horrorscope - Episode 25: Night of the Hunters

Have you ever hunted anything in your life, dear new member Mnmosyne? Asks Lelantos. Mnemosyne shakes his head. Well, not to worry. The one we are going after is called Carvaggio, a real scumbag. A mob boss that now pretends living in the woods is soothing and not something absolutely fucking insane. He puts his bag down and opens it. Here, this is yours, says Lelantos with a crossbow in his hand and a smile on his face. What? I thought you’d be more excited. It’s a crossbow, he says as he pulls out a shotgun and closes down the bag. I mean… That’s not why I joined this cause. I’m simply tired of living this horrible life. I didn’t think we’d hunt people for sport. Lelantos starts laughing at what Mnemosyne just said. I understand. But, we need to be swift and effective. Mnemosyne quickly stops him. Pretty sure, Z said that we should be discrete. Lelantos slaps him on the back. Potato, potato. If you move fast, act fast, get it done fast, it is going to be discrete as hell. Besides, we’re not the only ones doing such a thing. Pretty sure when we were young we’d shoot each other with guns and roleplay wars and stuff. Man, you must have had a boring life until now, says Lelantos looking at Mnemosyne’s disgusted face.

Selene, is this really the place we have to find Mary at? Asks Dione. Yes. Now please, lighten up a bit. Let’s have some fun. Remember who you are doing this for and for what reason. Dione nods as Selene holds her head into her hands. Good. Have you brought anything with you? Asks Selene as she shakes her bag. Yes, says Dione as she pulls out a small revolver. You are an adorable idiot. This is supposed to be discrete, remember? Dione starts giggling. And I thought you were a bit of a wild one. Selene looks at her with a confused expression on her face. I am… But that doesn’t mean I’m a dumbass. Damn, I really ought to spend more time with you all. Cause after twenty thousand years, y’all don’t seem to know me that well, says Selene as she opens her bag and takes out a paint gun. Here, take this. It’s light and should be fun. Does quite the damage too. Who knows, they might just faint from the pain and we’ll get her that way. Now dear, let’s open this baby up and let’s follow her into the sewers. From shit she was born, into shit she’ll forever return and live. Let’s give that pedo what she truly deserves. By the way, how come you decided to join me? Asks Selene. Well, I didn’t want to be a third wheel…

Tethys, my dear, says Oceanus, let’s find this filth named Brutus. My horns ache for violence. She turns towards him. Well, darling, do I have the surprise for you. You’ll finally get to use these big, brawny, shiny, beautiful muscles. You’ll get your horns dirty and your release soon. I got you a match with Brutus. Oceanus with a big stupid grin on his face puts his arms on his shoulders. I see you are full on ready and excited just by the thought of it. My, my, what am I to do with you. Oceanus kneels down, puts his hands on Tethys’ shoulders and looks her in the eyes. My dear, we’ll bring this monster down, together. There’s no excuse for someone that takes those he doesn’t like and throws them in the ocean tied to rocks to lie there for thousands of years. And I promise you that after, you’ll have your release too. She looks down between his legs. Well, we still have quite a bit of time before the match and you seem ready and more than capable to fulfill that part right now. With a red face and the same grin on, he stands up. No, my dear. I must use this excitement in the fight. I must punish. I must crush him. And once I do, you’ll get yours. I promise. Now, where will this match be? She smiles. Here. They both start laughing.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 24.5: Criminal

I should do something with my life. I can’t find my purpose. I have yet to live it either. I’ve been stuck trying college after college, trade school after trade school, courses after courses and nothing. No spark, no idea, no inspiration or love for anything. I hate this life - Caius, 34322 years old. Crime: Human Trafficking. Number of victims: Unknown.

Nobody trusts me to do anything. I have no privacy, I have no way to show them that I mean well. And all they do is persecute me. Man, the things I’ve done are in the past. Why don’t they understand that? It was so long ago, I barely remember it anymore. - Marcus, 17743 years old. Crime: Money Laundering and Fraud. Number of victims: 124043.

Woooo! Nothing like some cocaine first thing in the morning to jolt you right up. I missed this stuff. Ten thousand years in prison does stuff to you, man. Believe me. I’ve seen some weird shit. If you think you have some weird of fucked up kink, you should try getting into a jail and see the shit that’s going on in there. Damn! It’s good to be outta there. - Bessus, 20233 years old. Crime: Rapist. Number of victims: Unknown.

It feels good to be king. This ring is all I have left. They don’t know me, nor do I want them to. All I care is that they let me fight. My body is aching. I can’t wait for the match tomorrow night. I’ll fucking rip him to shreds. I haven’t felt this excited in a long long time. - Brutus, 120345 years old. Crime: Attempted murder by drowning. Number of victims: 1504.

Ten thousand years and they still won’t let me have a decent fucking job. This is so degrading. The fuckers didn’t even make me any papers and they have me wear this stupid fucking tracker to see that I’ve been working. I am so fucking done with this. This is not how you treat a woman. - Mary, 47743 years old. Crime: Child abuse and distribution of child abusive material. Number of victims: 120.

I’ve done good both then and now. I’ve helped struggling communities, I’ve done my job for society. And… Now what? I am cast outside it to be forgotten. I’ve paid for my mistake and yet I can’t seem to integrate back as I’d like. They cut me off. They ruined me! - Verres, 42865 years old. Crime: Corruption, money laundering, frauds and scams. Number of victims: 125432089.

Life is never easy, but I am young. At least that’s what I told myself. Now where the hell did I hide that money? I know it is somewhere around here. I’ve been searching fucking years for this. Damn it! - Bonnie, 21002 years old. Crime: Multiple robberies and scams. Number of victims: 55000.

I haven’t eaten in over fifty five thousand years. Maybe things changed. What should I try first? Maybe a desert? Nah, I want something to satiate my hunger. - Cornelius, 130231 years old. Crime: Child abuse, distribution of child abusive materials, public indecency and public exposure. Number of victims: 3300.

Fuck! Why don’t the fucking drugs work anymore on me? Why can’t I even get drunk anymore? What piss poor joke is this? The only thing that brought me pleasure has now dried up. Fuck! - Gordon, 55005 years old. Crime: Multiple crimes against humanity including human trafficking and a slave trade. Number of victims: 1320405.

Where should I go next? I’ve camped all around these woods and they’re absolutely fascinating. Maybe I should find my way to the sea or to an ocean. I haven’t smelled that ocean breeze in many years. Right, that’s what I’ll do next. - Carvaggio, 66054 years old. Head of a criminal enterprise. Number of victims: 250776.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 24: Worst of the Worst

These are the ten people I have found. The first one’s in the greater New York area. Who wants him? Asks Lelantos. We want him, say Crius and Eurybia. I’ll come help you too, says Dione. The rest groan and moan. Fine, we won’t go through with each one of them. Here’s the list, do as you please. But, be careful. They are dangerous. History may have forgotten their names, but not their acts of terror. These are some of the worst of the worst. It’s been thousands of years since they committed their crimes and yet, they are still outside of society. They aren’t normal, they are criminals, Lelantos finishes his passionate speech. I don’t understand, says Themis. How? How in a world where murder and drugs are legal, can anyone be a criminal? Themis slams his fist on the table. Darling, you can still steal and do other horrible stuff, says Selene. But WHY? Why would you steal? You don’t need to eat food, you barely need water, so why would anyone steal anything? Selene shrugs and silence sets before Themis starts ranting again. Just look at these ten idiots, Rapists, pedophiles, frauds, heists and other countless petty and hateful crimes. I don’t get it! Screams Themis. Now, now. Calm down, says Lelantos. You all decided on who you want? They all nod. Good, now let’s see who we will work with…

I told you to sit still. But you had to flail like a moron and suffer, says Perses. The door to his lab opens. Oh, Z. What a pleasure to have you with me today. To what do I owe you the visit? Asks Perses as he bows before him. I wanted to see your progress firsthand. Perses raises his head and turns towards the hospital bed. Well, as you can see… I have managed to at least put him to sleep with this, he says while handing out Z a can of something. Z starts to laugh at him. Is this what you worked on for over twenty thousand years with me? Sleeping pills? Dejected Perses snaches the can from Z’s hand and twists its two halves. The can starts to glow as it hovers over the person in the bad and pulls them into the air. See? Asks Perses as the can and the person both fall down. These aren’t sleeping pills. It drains them of their energy, basically exhausting him and putting him to sleep. I believe that if I can manage to create something stronger than this, I might be able to finally do it! Z sits down to ponder. I see my trust in you wasn’t misplaced. Thank you.

I have a gift for you. Another subject. He’s a bit headless, but, you can work with him, right? Perses nods with a big smile on his face. Good. The rest are also working to get you ten more samples for your tests. So you can have one of each zodiac sign. I think that’s what you requested last time we talked, right? Perses once again nods with excitement. Good. Now, how long do you think you’ll need for this to work properly? Perses starts to pace around his lab. I don’t know. I need to find a way to make this more powerful. We’re fighting nature. We’re revolutionizing. We’re creating something unholy. We’re creating death for all. Equality and equity for all. We’re giving them a purpose to live, to develop, to evolve, to grow beyond this. I’d like to tell you that maybe by tomorrow I’ll figure something out. But, I’m alone. One head can only take you so far. And no, I wouldn’t like someone else to help. Not now. This is my child. This is all my work. I don't want anyone else near it. I made this. Do you understand me? Z gets up with a big smile on his face and his fangs sticking out. Yes, I do. You have grown, dear Perses. You’ve become someone wonderful. And I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with the rest of your life. Oh, before I forget, there is one more thing I’d like to talk to you.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 23: The Law And Lawlessness In Our Blood

Twenty thousand years in the shadows. Twenty thousand years of being nobodies, he rubs his eyelids with his fingers. I thought I could do it myself, and the world said no. So I brought them on and things moved. But now it’s them who are trying to ruin me. Well, luckily no one knows who I really am. Being this old has its little perks. No marriage, child, child of a child, father and father of a father’s father really knows who I am, where I’ve been or what I am. And if all this goes down, I’ll take Perses with me and let them all burn down and turn to ash. All just so I can rebuild again. Twenty thousand years and it all feels like it started yesterday. He takes a deep breath. It doesn’t matter. Nothing is going to change. It didn’t change back then, it didn’t change ten years ago, it wont’ change twenty thousand years into the future. Time is on my side because I have purpose. I have my place in this world and I’ll have my rightful place in history. I’ll give them all the privilege of living a fulfilling life. He slams his hands on the table in front of him as he takes another deep breath. Now, let’s go to work, he says with a smile as he looks at his uniform.

Ten people, he says. It’s going to be easy, he says. We should be discrete, he says. There are ten billion people on this god forsaken planet. How are we supposed to find someone unloved, unhappy and without any sort of company? Asks Hyperion. Don’t you worry to much, says Thea. The rest of 28 starts talking one over the other. Dione screams over them as they slowly go silent. It is fairly easy, says Lelantos. We the outcasts. The bad guys. The scum of the scum. They all look confused. And where do you find them? Asks Metis. Under what rock did you guys live until now? Asks Lelantos. Listen, dear. We don’t all care much for what happens in this world. It is irrelevant, it’s plain, boring and nothing short of insufferable, says Eos. She’s right. Our focus has been on this. To gather our funds. To strengthen our bonds. Especially after what happened ten years ago, says Astraeus. Lelantos sighs. Well then… About a hundred thousand years ago, there was a law passed regarding all criminal activity. Fifty thousand years ago, it was amended to include solutions for those crimes and how to change the behavior of those criminals. And ten thousand years ago, it had its definite version passed into law. A law we still abide by today because we can’t change the fundamentals of our DNA and our personalities…

The twenty nine now are all a murmur as they discuss trying to figure out what Lelantos was talking about. Okay, but what is exactly your plan? And what is this law you are speaking of? Asks Crius. Lelantos starts smiling from ear to ear. It’s the literal law of equivalency. Why do you think the police, be it secret or not, even still exist? Why do you think we still have something so ridiculous as armies or borders? We can’t fundamentally change who we are. This law proves the need for all those services. Why? Because that means that no matter how many times you smash the brains of a man, woman or child, they’ll still grow up to be the same type of being. That’s what I am suggesting, to go after those criminals, those that give us the need for this law. The pedophiles, the rapists, the murderers and the psychopaths of this world. Sure, they can look like they live normal lives, but you can never know what they hide inside their sick minds.. Those are the people abandoned by friends, by family, by any sort of hope. How do we find them? Easy. There’s a public registry with each and every single one of their names and addresses. Now, each choose one. Follow them. See what they do. Who they work with. And if it’s safe. We’ll snatch them.

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The Horrorscope - Episode 22.5: 30 for 30

Asteria

Nothing like living on an island between islands of fools getting drunk and getting lost. Even better they sometimes was ashore my beaches. This will be easy. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Z has something for me. Glad my husband is important enough to keep him at bay. Hah, I’m hysterical today.

Astraeus & Eos

My dear, my beauty. It is our duty to help Z and fulfill our dreams. Use your beauty to suffocate them and bring them to us. As she cleans her horns, she smiles. I’ll do you one better, I’ll have them beg.

Atlas

I’m going to kill him for what he did to my brother. He wishes for death, I shall give him that.

Iapetus & Clymene

That fool. To tarnish my name, my history like that. After what I’ve done for him, cries Iapetus. Clymene, dear, we need to make this up somehow. Find those twelve people. She looks at him with love. For you darling, anything. He smiles. Then, we’re going to sell you to get those twelve, one by one. What do you say? She smiles and nods.

Coeus & Phoebe

My sister, my love. Use your wisdom to guide us and find those twelve retched people. She looks at him as she opens her arms to welcome him. You know I can. I’m the smartest you know and I will get us there… He sighs of relief. You truly are my moon and my everything.

Crius & Eurybia

I do not care much about this or how it should be achieved, says Eurybia. I know. You just sit tight and don’t worry. I am going to handle this. Twelve for you, twelve for me.

Cronus & Rhea

How did we get here? How is he the one leading the way? What happened to us? She looks at him. Change happened. But don’t worry. When this succeeds, we will get back in our rightful place.

Dione

Well, maybe if I do this for him. He’ll take me back. I was his first wife, and I will not let him escape that easily. Now to just get my hands on twelve people.

Prometheus & Epimetheus

This isn’t going to end well for Z, says Prometheus. Nonsense, that’s the point of all of this, isn’t it? An end to it all, says Epimetheus. Prometheus sighs. I mean, I guess… But that’s not what I meant…

Eurynome & Ophion

I don’t know why I got involved with this. I don’t know why Z asked me to. But then again, he asked his first wife too. So stupid with these names too, when a few of us clearly know each other. Ophion stands up. You all are foolish and so young. Can’t wait for it all to end. I’ve lived enough…

Hyperion & Thea

I have a bad feeling about all this. As much as I love the idea of it all, the fact that it is a family and friends lead matter is worrying. She nods in agreement. Who knows how many hate him or despise Z for all he’s done. He goes to kiss her. You are so bright, my dear.

Lelantos

This is easy for me. They deserve what’s coming to them, they never saw what I saw, nor did they ever think to listen to what I had to say… So let them die…

Menoetius

Hello, sir. My name is… Z interrupts him. I don’t want to know your name. From now on, you’ll be known as the new Menoetius. You’ve served us well until now, so I expect more of the same. He scratches his head. But what happened to the old Menoetius? Z raises his hand and his claws pop up. What will happen to you too if you betray me…

Metis

I fell for it again. I believed him. I hate myself and it’s all his fault. And I hope this works, cause I’d love to see him die.

Mnemosyne

I wish I could tell my daughters about this. But, knowing them, they might already know about it. They can read anyone like an open book. I just hope they won’t hate me or their father for it all.

Oceanus & Tethys

My bull horns ache and they ache for release. Tethys comes to his side and starts to brush his hair. With time, this will come to an end. A beautiful end at that. Together we can stop the suffering.

Pallas & Styx

What privilege to be part of history. To mark a new era, a new beginning to this empty and depressing world. She turns towards him. You are right. They don’t even know what they are in for. It will be wonderful…

Selene

Who needs prudence when there’s the cover of the night giving us ample sacrifices to choose from. No sane man walks the night, no loved man walks alone. This is going to be wonderful.

Themis

They ruined this country. They perverted my laws, my work and everything I have ever done for these people. They are nothing but ungrateful scum and they will meet their end.

Perses

You’ll amount to nothing, all you do is destroy. Well, this feels a bit ironic now, doesn’t it. Come on now, don’t you scream anymore, it is just annoying. It is for your own good, trust me.

Hope you liked this introduction of the 30 and the extra chapter of The Horrorscope. If you want to help keep the short stories free you can always donate at https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO

The Horrorscope - Episode 22: Carpe Diem

Life is worthless. An infinity of chances, choices, days and these mindless meat sacks spend it on nothing. Fish die, cats die, dogs die, plants die, yet somehow we don’t. Now imagine if we only had like fifty or eighty or a hundred years to live. A limited lifespan. Life would have meaning again. People would start searching for their purpose in life. They’d be free to live and then die. Pass on… Let someone else come. And then we’d evolve as a society. We’d get better at… Everything. Or as we’d say it in old speak Carpe Diem. A life where every moment is fleeting yet precious. Well, that’s not all… Our prisons would suddenly be less crowded with assholes that refuse to learn their lesson. Why? Because they’ll fucking die. That’s why. It feels good to finally say these things. I’ve bottled up all this negativity, spite and hatred and now, I am able to let it all out. And luckily, I’m not alone in thinking like this anymore. Who would’ve thought that someone so powerful would think alike? Who would have thought that there are hundreds of thousands of us?

Has anyone heard from Z? Someone else chimes in. Or Perses? Silence feels the atmosphere. Menoetius? Asks Iapetus. He slams his fist on the table. Why me? Why do you suspect me? You think I would have just killed someone randomly? You really think so little of me that I’d steal Perses’ invention just so I could have some sick satisfaction? They all sit silently. You are all fucking hypocrites. He takes a deep breath and stops moving. They all look terrified at their screens as a hand wraps around Menoetius’ neck. He tries to claw his way out, but before he can, a snap is heard. Blood splatters all over the camera and fleshy noises are heard. After a few seconds, the hand with just the head and spinal cord can be seen on the screens. Disobey me and I will come for you. Betray me, and I will make your eternal life a living hell. They all remain petrified in their seats. We might be immortal, yet the pain we feel is real. So, I’d advise any of you that ever thought of doing what Menoetius did to reconsider. I am going to find you. We are supposed to be what’s left, the better side of society. This is unacceptable…

The first test was a total failure. Says the man with the bloody hand as he cleans the camera with a rag. From what Perses told us, he died. But this is unacceptable! It was a mistake! From now on, all tests are to be done only be Perses. We need to be more discrete. Each of you, twenty nine, for now, go get one person of each zodiac sign. Should be simple, you are twenty nine, we need ten more. Make sure they don’t have contact with family or friends first. Ideally, they won’t have either. Make sure that they’re someone no one will look for. I already have a subject for you here. Whoever wants to have him, can have him. Did we understand each other? They all look into their camera visibly shaken. Yes, Z., they all shout in unison. Be quick. We need to move before they start catching on. Here’s the list of ten zodiac signs we still need. Do it right and maybe, the next time we will talk, will be the last time. Someone interrupts him. Where is Perses? They await an answer silently. Busy, hopefully…. Screams are heard as someone struggles on a table. Now, don’t make this anymore painful than it should be. I’m just giving your life meaning… You should be happy about this. You’ll have purpose again…

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The Horrorscope - Episode 21: It's Out and Over

I need to find Kei. But where do I even start? Bala said his phone was at home, but his apartment was burnt to a crisp. Which means, I can’t track him. I can’t trust anyone there and I’m pretty sure that Telum isn’t the only one behind this. But why just Bala and not me? A person taps Ken on the shoulder. Excuse me, sir. Can I bring you something else? Ken surprised looks at her. Ah, no. Thank you. Just the bill, please. I completely forgot where I was for a second, he thought to himself. Do you mind if I sit here? Ken doesn’t even turn to look towards the man. No. Suit yourself. The man drags the chair and sits down. Fidora Ken, lieutenant for about how many years now? Twenty? That’s a long time spent not advancing, why? Ken tries to turn. Don’t. Just look ahead and behave yourself nicely, okay? He says as he gets his claws out. You should be with your colleagues, Telum is in a cell now and yet where are you and what are you doing here? Telum slams his crab arm into the wooden bar. No need to get aggressive, if you don’t want to regrow your arms. I need you, alive and unharmed. Come with me and don’t worry about your tab, it’s paid…

I guess we have to have this gamble. There’s nothing I can say or reproach, which means that we’ll have to work. Before we start, is there anyone confused about what happened? You all know what Telum and the others were working on right? They nod. Good. Ten years ago, a billion Virgos suddenly died. There was never an official reason given as to why or how. You all can probably remember the riots that happened after and the destruction that followed. In an official capacity, we have no reason and we are still investigating the bizarre matter. Now, in an unofficial capacity, we have a suspicion, we have a witness named N. The reason we won’t go public? Fear of more mayhem. Well, in all honesty, we have no clue. But, we do not want to make this harder by having more fake news and conspiracy theories thrown at us. The suspect, N, never talked. We tried truth serums, the normal procedures and nothing. We have a suspicion that he must have micro-dosed or is simply imune to the serum and drugs in general. But he doesn’t seem to be dumb by any stretch of the imagination. I would say we have his full name, but he is in fact so old, we don’t even know if the name we have is the real one. Which means he can cross reference anything. And that’s all we know about N.

This is just the tip of our problems. With the witness not talking, our suspicion is as vague as it can be. Mass murder, mass genocide, all that good jazz. How we got him? He was the only living Virgo left after the whole ordeal, ten years ago. Or so say whatever records we have of his. We don’t have a murder weapon, but we have to be certain for a fact that he is not working alone on this. When we found him, he was naked, crying and holding onto a small few inch tube thing. We still do not know what it is, besides the fact that it seems to be some metalic contraption. Why? Cause we can’t open it up. Could we break it, probably. But that won’t tell us much about how it works. Regarding Telum I still have to interrogate him and see what he found out. Now, the two detectives, Mary and Pincer, I need you to go to the two fires that broke out in town. See if you can find me anything and if it’s tied to this or if it’s just a coincidence. Officer Hull, I need you here on the premise, hope you have a good ear, because I am going to need you to get us anything intel you can gather. Sergent Ram, you come with me to interogate Telum. Take that big black bag with you. Be careful, it’s heavy. Let’s go. And whatever you do… Never leave this place. Understood? They all salute as they get out the door.

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Hafhorn - A Forger Elf

Wake up, boy! It’s 4 AM, time for work. My head thumping with a headache as he keeps shouting. I shouldn’t have stayed up and read all night about tales of magic and miracles. And then you wonder why I’d want to leave this hell. He starts laughing. This is heaven, my boy. You wake up erry mornin’ to work and that’s how it always been for us elves. Be it dark, blood, fairy or human elf, we all work wherever we are. That’s how they respect us. We are immortal beings that can do more than anyone. Unlike dwarves that sit on the top of their mountains smoking pipe and making laws, we have to do what is needed for this world to be the way it is. I sigh as his morning routine as he likes to remind me of our ways for forever. All I hear is that you don’t know better, which makes this hell. As I put my pants on he comes grabs me by the silk shirt and pull me to his eye level. We live forever. We’re old as the dirt we step on. We know everything that ever was and we make everything that will ever be. It is a privilege no one else has. Not the goblins, not the sapiens, or any other race on this face or under it that can do what we do. He gently lets me back down. Be grateful. You could be dying fighting stupid wars or dying of old age and achieving nothing. You’re the smartest elf I met, and I can’t believe you’re also my son. So quit your yappin’ and let’s get working. We got a big one today…

Manorn, Hafhorn, y’all are late. Why do they all love screaming so much? The goblin nobility sent us a letter with a request, he says as hands it to me. Hafhorn, read it. What do they want? I sigh as my eyes gloss over the paper. They want us to make for them farming equipment. 100 plows and 100 cultivators, whatever that means. If we want the job, we need to send back word with however much gold we want for the job. They say here that if we accept, they’ll send half the gold we ask for with some nomad sapiens. Father starts laughing as he yanks the letter from my hands. Botin, what do you think? Two hundred complex machines for the goblin royalty and their settlement. How much work and gold we gonna need for this? Botin scratches his head. We’ll have to check whatever iron ore, coal and rest of the stuff we have. We might need to order some from one of the fairies and their mines. So, I’ll go check on that. Hafhorn, better be prepared to write that letter back, he says as he leaves laughing. I hate you for giving me this name. Father starts laughing. Why couldn’t you give me another name? Like Walkorn, Writhorn, Workorn, why Hafhorn? He continues to laugh. Because you’re no a Fulhorn like your grandpa used to be, and you’re not manly enough to be like your father. You’re Hafhorn, your own wonderful being. Now let’s go… We have work to do. The forges don’t light themselves up on their own.

There’s only a handful of us, fully literate elves and they call us engineers. Which means that the rest are what the dwarves call functionally illiterate. And that makes me wish I was somewhere else doing something else. Whether it would be learning magic of any kind, philosophy with the dwarves on top a mountain or roaming the earth with the sapiens, living as a nomadic species. It all feels so wasteful when you are immortal to do the same thing over and over again without an end in sight. Just as that thought flies through my brain one of the forges explodes. The screams of terrified elves echo through the forests as I rush through the trees from one for to the one that went up in flames. Under molten steel, burnt elves now died after millennia of living. Were lucky enough to escape the steel only to be cut in twain by pieces of metal flung from the furnace. They let the pressure build up too much and I had warned them about this. Botin, what happened? He looks at me. Hafhorn, you are here? Then that means your father… I look across the facility, on a wall pinned by a piece of metal through his head. Father! Botin holds me back. There’s nothing you can do! You can’t bring him back. There’s no potion that heals anything like that. I push him off. No! But there’s magic! Necromancy. I’mma learn it and I’mma bring him and those you can salvage back to life! So, don’t burry ‘em! I hate being right…

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