Pisces - Awaken, my Child
Jun 24 00:43:42 2002

'Th, thump. Th, thump. Th, th...'

A sharp gasp rent the air with its chilling whine. A hollow clunk, metallic, gave rise to a
cacophany of hisses and whirs. A groan sounded from within a deep box. From this
container came yet another moan, this time though of machinery long dormant finally
rising from its slumber.

A figure, but a darker patch amid the blackness, slowly arose from the coffin-like
apparatus. Holding tight to the edges of the box, the figure, of human shape, finally
made to stand, taking to its feet shakily. It stepped from the box, almost losing it
precious balance in the process. As its feet, one after the other with careful precision,
found ground, a soft sound of suction filled the still mass of blackness consuming.

With a stumble ungraceful, the figure made its way through the lightlessness,
moving without apparent aim, without obvious direction. It managed, though, to come
with mishap to what could only be a wall, a nigh endless impassable block. With efforts
weak, it pounded at various points on the wall, eventually finding something of interest.

There was a click, a beep, and many other near inaudible sounds of technological life,
and then, with a great whoosh and a whir, doors almost five times as high as the figure
spread apart. The light spilling out from the room into which the doorway lead was
blinding, causing the figure to raise up arms in defense from its attack.

'Th, th... grg..le...'

The figure collapsed nearly double, an swift intake of breath... 'I breath...?'... to rival the
first. Blood... 'I bleed...?'..., rich red and shining in the light, spurt from its chest, from its
arms, its eyes. It fell completely to the ground, hands holding it up from the ground,
knees taking the remainder of the weight. Looking to the ground, one could see a pool of
evergrowing crimson, spreading endlessly, into the vast black of nothingness, ever and
ever and forever. It climbed mountains, traversed vallies, sailed among the seas, and
flew high into the air. It touched stars lightyears away, covering entire suns in its
redness, swallowing whole galaxies and lives innumerable.

"Awaken, my child."

The blood receded, pulling back its lifeless tendrils and tentacles, giving respite the
countless souls it had consumed. 'I... die...?'

"Awaken, my child. Discover, and be discovered!"

The thick red liquid flew back into the figure, sending it to its feet in a rush of
energy and life. 'I... I... am...?'

'Th, thump. Th, thump. Th, thump.'

He filled his lungs as they full as they could, in as little time as he could in a gasp sharp
and high.

... -OMPLETE.

A hollow clunk, metallic, gave rise to a cacophany of hisses and whirs, great geysers of
steam and heat pent up releasing about him. He groaned, struggling to look about him
from deep within the confined cavern he found himself in. The box gave a moan, the
machinery within coming finally to life. And he felt he could move.

'I am.'

"Awakened. Now, go!"