On Monday I visited an exhibition at Parkview Museum with my fiancee. Titled Challenging Beauty, it is features Italian contemporary art pieces taken from the private collection of the late George Wong, founder of the Museum. True to its name, the exhibition challenged beauty by presenting its exact opposite. The fancy verbiage is merely obfuscation. The […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 10
“You look worse every time I see you,” de Avaram remarked. Beringer could not disagree. His face was a mess, his broken finger splinted. Even now there was still a slight buzzing in his ears. Beringer rubbed his tired eyes and said, “It is done.” “You found the target?” “He’s done.” “Done?” Behind his table […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 9
The place used to be a boiler room. Ancient machinery rusted away along the walls, leaving a central space. In a far corner, obscured by a collection of pipes, a group of naked women whimpered. In between him and them was Simon. “Sure took your time, eh?” Simon said. “Let the women go,” Beringer said. […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 8
Beringer took stock of his weapons and ammunition. One pistol. Two spare magazines. Two large blocks of aetherium, one in each pants pocket. Four smaller ones in his shoulder holsters. That was all. Note to self: next time, always carry a long gun on your person or nearby. “What’s the plan?” she asked. “First we […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 7
Exactly thirty minutes later, Kentaris stepped out of the taxi in front of the cafe. Getting the right clothes was a bitch. She didn’t have anything that fit the description at such short notice. She just threw on her most practical outfit and backpack, and tossed on her robe over them. With the hood down […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 6
The Church taught that the Creator granted to the people the use of aether to work wonders in his name, and to do battle against the forces of the Void. But the Voidspawn adapted, learning to take on human form. To detect and defeat them, the Church granted to a select few who kept the […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 5
Back in his hotel, Beringer indulged himself in a long, hot shower. He scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed but could not wash off the taint of the Void. At least he didn’t hear the voices any more. He staggered out, just in time for the sunrise. Blinked. Blinked again. Yawned, shuffled back into the bathroom […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 4
Voidguards are all the same. Kentaris stepped back, snapping her knife up. “What do you mean, exactly?” The Voidguard’s face was a solemn mask. “By the Covenant of the Church of Creation, within the Holy City of Amarantopolis I cannot permit a witch to live.” He pressed his lips together. “Leave now, and I shall […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 3
Beringer blinked. The demon zipped to the next target and fired a black spike, smashing clean through her chest. The spike retracted just as fast, creating a vortex of soul energy that disappeared into the Void. The third witch spun around, popping off rounds at it. The demon laughed, appeared next to him and spiked […]
A Blade for Monsters Part 2
Modern technology was a wonderful thing. During the daylight hours Beringer planted tiny glasses around the necropolis, rigging them to alert him when they spotted motion. As the necropolis closed, he hid himself away inside an unused mausoleum and waited for nightfall. The taint of the Void was upon this place. Flowers lay scattered on […]