NationStates Jolt Archive


Shrine of the Unholy Ghost

Pyschotika
26-05-2007, 07:55
Prologue

He sat motionless by the rock-side as the innocent flashings of flares went throughout the night sky, and as the aimless bullets took crash course into which lay in their path. The only sound that could be heard anymore was the not the thundering of the artillery, yet the hammering thud of your own heart. Perhaps, if you were lucky, you could hear the heart of the ones around you. Vision was limited, and so was a good choice of targets. The only thing you had going for you in this sort of a situation is your coverage, and a false sense of security from whichever god or idol you wished to follow.

"Ichi, grab a grenade and follow me." this had been the first clear voice in what had seemed to be ages of sweat and fear. The young soldier, with hands fumbling and eyes darting, grabbed at his grenade belt and began to follow his superior, Sergeant Hibiki.

"You see that shrub-line over there?" came again that voice so clear. "I want you to toss your grenade just behind it, over where you see that ditch. I'll keep you covered, now hurry before one of their sharpshooters spot us." as sharp as his voice was clear, Ichi reached for the pin of his Mark II Frag Grenade and slipped it out carefully. Despite his racing thoughts, his physical being was making an effort to remain calm. Just below them, by a few meters it seemed, was a small nest of riflemen and a machinegunner. This nest is what has been keeping Ichi, and about twenty others, pinned behind rocks and dirt for nearly two hours now.

"What are you waiting for, throw it!" the voice was quiet, but it was strong enough to bring Ichi's thoughts to a snail's crawl. He breathed in, and out..slowly, steadily. He let his eyes adjust in the dimming light from the previous flare barrage, and felt a lip with a lick of the tongue. Pushing down the small rod, which would ignite the fuse, he threw it. He threw it as if it was something that has always haunted him, threw it with all his anger but enough control to make it precise. All in a flash, it seemed that the war would be over. Hibiki's hand patted the young Ichi on his sore, damp back and his feet could be heard climbing down off the little perch of rocky soil.

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Shrine of the Unholy Ghost; Part One - Act One

Dim candle light licked about in the cool, humid air. The faces of the unknown lurked side-by-side, eye-by-eye. He lay down in a large bed, engrossed with pillows and plush-silk quilting. His frail, dying body unable to act for it's own self other than the stroke of lip. One-by-one the faces disappeared, some puffy with tears. It seemed almost an eternity until he realized that one had remained, one that was not so unfamiliar as before. The dying, aging man smiled..and spoke.

"Oh..it is you..it is you who has sent me these pretty things." He said, with a slight cackle.

"Oh these wonderful things, all these pretty..pretty things.." He was already in his personal heaven, which was enough assurance that wherever he may go in his after-life would be all too better a place.

"Yes, Grandfather..but I was not the only one, no..there are others, we are all here for you..all here to see you, just of course no one seems to have the same conviction as I." This voice was followed with a slight grin.

With a poised look, and a fainting smile he followed.. "Have I ever told you about the war?" He looked into the young man's eyes directly, rather than just around the room but directly.

The young man smiled, infact chuckled slightly, and he answered.. "Yes, many times as a boy infact...many times." but this was not exactly what the aging man had meant.

"No..." he coughed.. "No, no...not like the old stories from when you were a boy...not the heroic ones, I mean...I mean..." he began to cough, and continued to do so until a nurse came into the room to aid him. She looked into the young man's eyes and spoke.. "I'm sorry, sir, but you will have to leave now. Please, it's only regulation..but you are very much welcomed tommorow." She was a pretty girl, the young man noticed this and took comfort in her words.

"Yes, and I shall." He stood, and slightly bowed his head to his grandfather. Leaving the room, he wondered to himself...

"Heroic?"

OOC - Just a random project I'm starting up...if you have anything to say, TG it rather than post. Thanks for reading, will post Act Two and possibly Three tommorow.