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Azrael Erebus · (10-22-2019)

The spaceman. A being that's traveled across galaxies, explored distant planets and mysterious, foreboding realms, ventured to other dimensions and breached the very boundaries of reality. Savior of the universe. Smirking in the face of danger and defying the odds at every and any chance he could get... sometimes just for laughs but mostly to do what he did best - be the hero.

The ever vigilant and valiant warrior, fearlessly striding into battle. He would rise to the occasion; time and time again, nothing could stop him, especially when he was determined, not even death's cold embrace could cease his course of action. Well... not for long anyway, if anything it was a mere moratorium at best. Still, even with that being the case, pity the entity or creature that's fated to find themselves in the path of Azrael, after they carried out that act and successfully suspended his life. Expressly those that make it known that they have intentions of being a threat to the ones that he cares for immensely. Why only the exceptionally daft and clinically insane would ever commit such a tragic mistake, for not even the suicidal would wish for such a predestination. Tis better to bite the bullet on your own terms, than run the risk of the spaceman's wrath.

This way of life was fueled by impulsiveness and a spontaneous passion that knew no limits or restrictions but then again, why would it? Being bestowed with gifts that only increased with time, didn't dwell below the definition of restraint. At the most it bore the promise of conversion, adaptation or reconstruction, a part of the deal and unspoken bond of a union. Conditions that came with the merging of two entities into one, single, sole essence and where his powers were derived. Yet the change wouldn't primarily be provided from an entity that would do all it could to survive. No. Another source would come from experience. Take into consideration and imagine things from his perspective, if only for a moment. Picture if you walked in the shoes of Azrael Erebus, over the duration of his incredibly long life span, witnessing everything that he has ever encountered and surviving the incalculable amount of adventures that he experienced. Coming in contact with the magical and marvelous, breathtakingly wondrous and profoundly impossible, can one really say they would remain unaltered or transformed by it all?

In a way, after awhile, one might even go a little mad.

Perhaps they would develop a 'god complex' and start to acquire a sense of otherworldly omnipotence. Maybe things would start to lose their sheen, that glimmer you once viewed all the strange and frighteningly beautiful aspects of your peculiar existence, might start to fade and become dull. An ancient alien's eyes that's observed a near infinite stream of amazing oddities and watched the sun set and rise, for well over a thousand years, could slowly start to become blind to it all. When the unbelievable and phenomenal sights and events, begin to seem like old hat. It's a hard thing to imagine; however, when you've lived as long as Azrael Erebus and have been exposed to his way of life, is it really that illogical or inconceivable for you to process?

When does the adventure lose its thunder and the journey begin to become boring? Is there a way to learn that answer, could one simply ask Azrael and would he honestly respond? Risking the reaction of the masses who could never really understand things from his lone perspective? There are many questions raised when it comes to the spaceman and for the most part, it seems he shall always remain an enigma. Still it should be noted that if this man from the stars' outlook has started to shift and become jaded, he does one heck of a job hiding it as he saunters his way from one destination to the next. Endlessly enthralled about the escapade ahead. Appearing out of thin air, with a clever remark and eyes that hold the smoldering, lingering kiss of fire. A flame that never seemed to extinguish, even when he wasn't particularly enraged, excited or amused. The impossible man, perpetually in on the punchline to a joke, that hasn't been told yet.

It shall be a truly woeful, heartbreaking day, should that be subject to change.

Although, nothing can last forever...

...or could it?

"Dude! What the actual fuck?!?! You need to start calling ahead of time! You can't just appear like that!"

When the spaceman was last seen he was making his classic entrance. Stepping out of nowhere and everywhere, all at once. Only to interrupt a moment of intimacy shared between Corey and Rox as they laid on the filth covered floor of a disgusting, dilapidated and (for the most part) abandoned factory, that was literally crumbling apart around them. Nothing says romance, like the possibility of falling through a deteriorating floor to your doom, right? Azrael averted his gaze away from the thrill seeking, love birds after he ambushed their adrenaline fueled "alone time" and instantly found himself overtaken with laughter. He couldn't help himself. The sensation of awkward embarrassment, melted away and now, it was just funny. To Azrael anyway. Not so much to Corey and Rox. Seriously Rox-Core was not amused.

"It's not funny."

The shuffling sound of clothes being adjusted and pulled into place could be heard. As well as bodies rising to their feet.

"Maybe not to you but from my perspective, it's hilarious. All the powers I have and I still manage to appear during this type of scenario. Talk about bad timing and considering the fact that I'm a time traveler, seeking the audience of another fellow time traveler... well that just puts the set of circumstances over the top. After all the upgrades and ascensions that I've been through, I'm still making this kind of a mistake. I have no words to explain this faux pas. This is max capacity, core reactor meltdown, nuclear explosion type stuff. Sorry I defused the situation 'Core'... you know, before an actual, real 'explosion' could occur."

"You're a real riot spaceman, a real riot."

Corey and Rox approached Azrael, although only Corey made direct eye contact.

"What is this even all about? What was so urgent that you couldn't make a phone call or shoot a text message and had to appear out of nowhere?"

Now fully composed, Azrael ran a hand back through his hair as he raised an apologetic brow.

"Apologies. Sincerely. I didn't mean to interrupt you in the throes of passion. I was looking for Lux, I had something that I wanted to discuss with her and... I should have called first but in my defense, nothing about this location screams 'destination spot' when it comes to sex. Seriously, there's a mountain of dead rats in the corner over there."

Azrael pointed towards a corner in the far right of the room.

"They're all shred up into pieces. I think something has been hunting, killing and feasting upon their carcasses, before discarding the less appealing remnants over in that pile, if that's even possible to decipher or determine. Pretty sure there's some type of mutated life form running about in here. Safe bet, it's the thing that's murdering and devouring rats. For some strange reason, mutants always seem to enjoy the taste of vermin, it's their 'go to' food of choice, so to speak."

Turning his attention to the area that Azrael identified, Corey squinted in the darkness and shrugged.

"I just see a mound of trash and rags. It's fairly dark in here though."

"Oh well, trust me, it's neither of those things. I have better eyesight, it became adapted over the years, allowing me to see far more keenly in the dark."

"So that means when you appeared..."

"I seen everything."

"Fantastic."

"How about we leave the former slave labor, house of horrors behind and move this discussion, elsewhere. Unless there was something in particular that you were looking for in this factory of nightmares and sin? Perchance, were you trying to locate answers or uncover the corpse of a supernatural creature, that put a curse on you?"

"He was attempting to find BourbCo."

With a toss of her hands in the air, Rox rolled her eyes and shook her head. It was a gesture that Azrael gave a slight nod in response to as he scanned the surrounding area of the room.

"Were you successful in your endeavors?"

"Somewhat. Yes. I didn't learn anything good but I now know more than I did before and the truth is terrifying."

Look of fright accompanied with a hushed tone.

"Terrifying."

"Yeah, I think it's about time, we get the fuck out of here. A word of advice, you may want to hold onto your hats, this can be a tad overwhelming for first time, travelers."

"Wait. What? What's about to happen?"

Questions that weren't answered, Azrael snapped his fingers and the trio vanished into thin air. Instantly reappearing on a random sofa. Burgundy and quite comfortable, this sofa was situated within a lavish living room, equipped with a large flat screen television, several video game systems, two black leather recliners, jukebox and a pair of massive, cherry oak bookcases, fit with doors, ornate glass windows and wrought iron handles. However, none of these items managed to overshadow the huge painting of Dexter Bright - The Engineer. A very lifelike and accurate portrait, depicting Engy with a great, big, smile on his face. It stretched practically from ear to ear! While unnerving and extremely eerie, to say the least, this was not the most disturbing aspect.

No, the fact that he was holding the severed head of Robert Main, now that's what really did the trick and made it creepy. Robert's head was bloated, discolored in pale shades of blue and grey and the tongue stuck out of the side of his mouth. Just sort of loosely hanging there. Limp, with a little bit of drool, trickling off of the tip. Also the eyes were covered with giant, black X's. It was utterly horrifying and The Engineer's elated expression coupled with the sheer joy in his eyes, made it the haunting depiction of a surrealist's drug induced, fever dream. For several seconds, all eyes were fixated on the painting as Rox, Corey and Azrael sat in silent shock.

"I didn't acquire that of my own volition. A fan did an artistic rendering in honor of my dad. It's freaky, I know but it was a gift and I didn't want to be rude. So I kept it."

Joachim Bright's voice cut through the silence, drawing everyone's focus to his presence, as he walked into the room.

"I can't tell you how many nightmares this thing gave me and when I'm awake, I find myself purposefully avoiding this room cause it feels like my dad's eyes are following and watching me, no matter where I go or sit. Yet I can't seem to throw it away. Weird, right?"

"Noooo... you suffered a great loss, it makes sense that you'd want to keep something to remind you of your father. Even if it's the very embodiment of evil and fear. It also signifies something else."

"What?!?!"

The inquiry came with the force of a fist, punching someone in the back of the head, out of the clear blue but to be fair, the painting could make someone's blood run cold with fear upon sight.

"Triumph over adversity. Anyway, switching topics, I'm here because I wanted to talk to you, Jo."

"Thought you wanted to speak with Lux."

"I would like to speak with her as well."

"Alright. What precisely is this all about?"

Voice pattern and demeanor swiftly changed, it was apparent that Lux had taken the proverbial reigns. Crossing one leg over the other, she settled back into the sofa and placed her attention solely on Azrael. While Joachim took a seat in one of the black, leather recliners.

"Yeah, what's going on, Azzy?"

Their quick interest caused a smile to flash across Azrael's face.

"I've decided to take a trip and I wanted to know if you'd like to join me?"

"Come again? Take a trip? To where exactly?"

"Purgatory."

"Why on Earth would we ever... oh wait, nevermind I figured it out, you want to see the Engineer and you think he's stuck inside some big waiting room, where he's anticipating judgement."

"That's undoubtedly, where he's at. I know, for a fact, that he is stationed there. It's the only thing that makes sense. Based on this planet and its spiritual rules that govern it. The only problem is specifically locating the precise area of purgatory. It's a big place. Plus when you do, there are always these hoops that you need to jump through, in order to speak with the person that you're looking for. In certain parts they are actual, physical hoops. Why? Who knows? It's like a video game for no particular reason, there's no evident explanation, whatsoever. Other than Sonic the Hedgehog rules that part of purgatory. All this is besides the point. The point is this, I want to help him move from point A, to point B and get the fuck out of limbo. Do you realize how long processing takes there? He doesn't deserve to suffer in that torment, I don't care what crimes he's guilty of committing, that's just cruel and unnatural punishment and I'm not simply saying that because he's my friend, no one needs to endure that type of torture. It's like being perpetually trapped in the dmv. Complete and total rubbish. I won't have it, I tell you and neither of you should accept it either. So what do you say? Will you join me in my plight?"

"If you can help my dad, then yes, I'm down."

"Of course, I'll come with."

Deep sigh.

"I couldn't in good conscious, do anything besides go with you guys. A young boy and an elderly gentleman that likes to travel the cosmos and occasionally fancies himself an inventor going on an adventure, quite frankly, screams disaster. Like a reenactment of an episode of Rick and Morty."

"Elderly gentleman?"

"Young boy?"

"Relax Joachim, I'm only teasing and Az, you're over a thousand years old. You're one of the oldest beings on Earth, that's still alive and not taking up room within a display case in some sort of museum. I think it's finally time for you to face the facts, you're old."

"Ouch. Harsh."

Lux shrugged.

"The truth can be brutal."

The eye roll to end all eye rolls, Azrael sighed and chose to drop it.

"I assume you have a plan."

"Naturally, I always have a plan. Except on the occasions when I don't, then I merely improvise and hope for the best, while simultaneously acting like I have it all sorted out. Not to worry though. Things usually work out in the end when that happens."

"So which is it?"

"Which is what?"

"Do you have this all figured out or don't you?"

"I can honestly say, it's one of the two."

Before another question could be uttered, Azrael snapped his fingers and Joachim, Lux and the man from the stars, disappeared. Next stop... purgatory!

"The Motherfuckers! Robbie Bourbon and Bearded War Pig! Here to make waves and cause a controversy. All in the name of reclaiming the glory they once knew. To feel the scorch of the spotlight and stand in the sights of the adoring masses. Sadly, they shall not accomplish this goal on the October twenty-third edition of Warfare, well sad for them, not so much for me. Mostly due to the fact that I find it utterly hilarious."

"Thinking they could step up and do anything besides fail. Yeah, I hate to break it to you fellows... wait a minute, I'd love to break it to you and right before I get to literally break you in the ring too. Lucky me. Here goes. You don't actually stand a chance. If you thought this match was going to be your saving grace, that rung on the ladder to help lift you back to greatness, you're only lying to yourselves. You need to walk before you can crawl and if you attempt to soar with eagles, you will fall. Lets look at the facts, shall we?"

"BWP. You're a veteran. Me too. Except unlike you, I've fought in countless wars throughout the centuries, I've liberated entire planets, including my own homeworld and I didn't have any powers when that last bit happened. I was just a scared kid, forced to fight. Still, I managed to prevail and eventually, I earned the title - savior of the universe. From being the forever kind of warrior, fighting for a better future. I've been blown up, drawn and quartered, hung, placed in front of a firing squad and literally gutted, yet here I stand. Strong and always ready for battle."

"Tell me human, can you say the same? Can you look me in the eye and say that you have always been prepared to fight or have you fallen short and failed to perform lately? Shit the bed, so to speak? Left a dense, heavy fog of inadequacy in your wake accompanied by the foul stink of failure, thick and ripe in the air? From what I can recall, it's the latter but at least you can find satisfaction in the fact that you aren't the most worthless, sack of shit on your team."

"No, that pristine honor would have to go to Robbie Bourbon, at least you could get some sympathy and maybe a little leeway by claiming that you have PTSD but Bourbon doesn't wield that 'get out of jail free' card in his hand. Robbie Bourbon is just the fat dude stuck in a revolving door that can't decide if he's coming or going. Round and round, he spins, forever stuck in the motion of a carousel. Here's the thing about merry-go-rounds, they don't go anywhere. They stay in an endless loop. A lesson that Robbie hasn't learned yet."

"He thinks if he stays active in this manner, he'll really go places and maybe, there were moments in the sun. However, he'll never achieve what I have already accomplished, not in this lifetime or a million others that follow. Nor will he ever overshadow Lux. Thinking that sort of nonsense isn't merely dreaming big or setting high expectations, it's delusional and should be enough to send him straight to the sanitarium. The same way a nut job on a ledge that's attempting to fly should be carted off to the psychiatric ward. The man should be occupying a padded cell. Stuffed inside a rubber room. Instead he's free to roam and stumble around, like a bumbling idiot. Tripping over himself and playing on twitter. Nothing like a wrestler that's famous for their social media posts, since that is what is truly important when it comes to wrestling."

"Once again, you failed Pig, when you attached your pony to Bourbon's wagon but don't fret, I fully intend on unplugging the carousel. You can either leave after that, attempt to salvage some dignity and self respect by slinking back into the shadows and fade away gracefully or you can stick around and sink further into the shit. Dive right into that latrine, you dug yourself and drown in the overflowing fecal matter. No matter what you choose, it makes no difference to me."

"Your fate is of no consequence. You're irrelevant, a false icon that's faded and barely a blip on my radar. After our fight, you get to go back to being nothing and a punchline to a joke that everyone is already tired of hearing. While I stay on top, the longest reigning champion in the company, to date. My record still hasn't been broken, by anyone. I don't even have to do anything. My past is still better than everyone else's and I reign supreme. If I'm incorrect in my assessment, then why hasn't anyone proved it yet, by doing better? Why hasn't anyone surpassed my record? Why am I still king of the mountain?"

"I'm certain you and Robbie will come up with all kinds of theories and that's fine, it is your right to be wrong. Please. Doubt me and come at me with everything you've got. It'll make the fight more entertaining, for Lux and I. We'll be able to cherish the look of surprise on your faces. That is so much better than defeat that's accepted, right off the bat because it's usually followed quite closely by the broken spirit and as I mentioned earlier, I plan on breaking the both of you. Now that's a satisfaction like no other, so glad I get to experience it with a friend."

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