in times of turbulence

[upcoming duels.]

[Duel: Sons of the Mayan Sun Vs. Rabies Tuesday.]

[Duel: Morality&Justice Vs. Second Rate Bad Guys.]

[Duel: Our Name Sucks Vs. the Happy Face Cult.]

[Duel: Good Boring Guys Vs. Western Legends.]

[Duel: Coffee Saves lives Vs. Little Dead Creatures.]

[Duel: Stranger to Danger Vs. Civilized Citizen.]

somewhere on the City:

Bird-E is walking on the streets. there are some colorful figures out there. no one interesting enough to remember. he is absolutely by himself.

even for a man like him. there are times in which is easier to breath when alone. the world is too big to care. the humans are too selfish to put attention. all you can see is the blue sky above you.

it is easier to dream with what is above, than to appreciate was is bellow us. the sky, the clouds, the stars, it is all too dreamy. jet there is no appreciation for the grass, insects, the meadow, the valley, the nature. true beauty is found on the places you see, or dream about. it doesn't need to be one specific thing.

Bird-E sold his soul to the first Devil who made an offer. was it right? or not. who cares. you can judge a man, as much as you can know his real motives. to understand the devil's actions. first, you need to be like the devil.

Bird-E takes a minute to appreciate what he has. a tear falls from his face. he keeps walking without turning back. he isn't giving up on his actual life. he work so hard to be where he is standing right now. there is only walking forward.

there is a familiar voice. he stops moving. Bigotes is in front of him. he walks forward. there are no emotions, nor facial expression on his face. his eyes like knifes stares. Bigotes gives another step forward.

Bird-E fears his former friend will hit him, or attack him with a weapon. Bigotes hugs him with his eyes close. Bird-E pushes away his friend.

"I came to say four things. one, I forgive you. you were like a brother to me. two, I am with another group right now. they are on the Hero side. three, if we see each other on a mission or task. I won't hesitate to kill you. four, good luck."

"wait. before you leave. I am sorry. I fucked up. it wasn't easy for me to make a choice. now I am one of the bad guys, and you are my enemy. if we ever escape from this shit hole, let's go for some beers."

"that sounds great. you pay for the first and second round."

Bigotes laughs. he then keeps walking. he goes on a different path. he has a different destiny than Bird-E. they may never see each other ever again. Bigotes feels bad as he says goodbye to his past, to a good old friend.

Bird-E keeps walking. he gets inside of a bar. he orders two beers. he takes one beer. Goldy-Shot sits next to him. she takes the other beer.

their eyes meet. there are things to be said. none has the energy to say it. Goldy-shot is an excellent sniper. Rotto Mentalita was the one who found her. he took her under his wing and he choose to introduce her talent. he knew how especial she could become.

Bird-E can't trust her. she isn't dangerous like Rotto, nor unstable like some. she doesn't show any empathy. she is cold and smart. she can do much more by herself. she is loyal but her emotionless attitude can be a problem. to everyone.

Bird-E drinks the beer slowly. he thinks about the life he lose. he thinks about the life he had outside. the things he lose. the things he didn't appreciate then. the things that have so much value on his heart. the past in general.

Goldy-Shot has a past, one that is unclear like the mist. a past that is thick as the fog. a past that was then, and doesn't work any more. a past to complete her identity. a past that belongs on the sea, to die on every sea wave.

madness, is to cling to something that was and will never be again. insanity, is to refuse to accept things the way they are. stupidity, is to ignore what is true and to take the impossible as an actual fact. irrational, is to be human on a world of Gods.

Bird-E stops drinking. he stands up. most of the people on the bar work with him. only few are part of another guild. most of them are Fallen Heroes. Bird-E takes the beer. he looks at everyone as he asks for a celebration. to celebrate that they are alive.

Goldy-Shot keeps drinking. there is nothing to celebrate. nothing of great importance. in some days half of them will be either dead, or gone. making friends is a waste of time. the best thing to do, is to stay alive. to fight till the end.

Bird-E sits down. he breaths slowly. the more time he spends here, the more meaningless his life seems. just like the wind it will be gone soon. all will be gone. and nothing could have any kind of meaning. not even his existence.

"I don't care about any of you. you all are already dead. don't take it too personal."

"I can relate to that. I feel the same way. well drink well. the day is bright, and the night haven't come jet."

the day is bright like a newborn star, the night stealthily awaits for its time to shine on darkness, on the darkness of our hearts. bright are the eyes of the beast that protects us from the reality. dark is our desire to find the truth about ourselves.

Bird-E stops drinking. he goes outside for some air. he contemplates the unique beauty of the blue sky. Bird-E sighs.

somewhere else on this dark city:

Federico Covarrubias is walking in front of a skyscraper. he is stop by two guards. they look at him with anger. one of them calls his boss. Federico smiles at them. he asks for a cup of tea. they seem to dislike him the more he speaks.

they allow him to get inside. Federico walks slowly. in every step he takes, he feels like if he is about to enter hell. there is someone awaiting for him on the top. he keeps walking until he stops in front of the elevator. it opens. he gets inside.

the elevator goes up. Federico is trembling. he is sweating from the forehead. he thinks about the first thing he has to say. he gets some flowers from his inventory. he also takes some chocolates. he is ready now. he is about to face his greatest fear.

Federico is about to speak with Pandora. he came to her tower. he came to see her. he is about to face her. it is now that he starts to think about his decisions. he will see her. the doors of the elevator open. he gets out.

Federico starts to walk. every step is slow and firm. every step takes him closer to the lady of his dreams. after every step he is more sure of what he is doing. he may be throwing away his life. but who cares, he has to see her. his loving Pandora.

he is finally in front of the door. the door to her office. he knocks on the door. a sweet, soft and gentle voice answers. he asks to see her. to speak to her. the doors are slowly open by two guards. Federico stays outside for a second. he then takes a step inside.

Federico opens his mouth. he is left mute after seen her. her lovely, angelical smile. he trembles as he keeps walking forward. he sits down on an old sofa. Pandora refuses to look at him. she is looking away. a tear falls from Federico's face.

"I am sorry. I know my words have zero value to you. I know I am the murderer of your closes friend. I wanted to see you before. I didn't had the guts to face you. I don't want to hurt you more of the damage I had already caused to you."

"if you know so well how much you hurt me then. and how painful is to see you now. then what are you doing here?"

"I came to sincerely apologize to you. I also want to remind you of how much I love you. I know I fucked it then. I know I am the worst, most pathetic, selfish son of gun. but I am so fucking in love. there is no day I don't think about you. there is no day I don't ask myself. why? why did I had to destroy what we had. everything was so fucking perfect."

"then you are here for me? you are here to win over my heart? do you expect me to believe that bullshit, really? you want me to hug you, and kiss you. do you want me to say I love you baby?"

"no, it is not like that. I love you, but I hurt you. I hurt those close to you. I came to say goodbye to the woman I love the most. I came to say that I regret it. I wish I could go back on time and change my mistake. I came to say what is on this fuck up heart of mine. I hope you can find someone better than me. someone who can value you more than anything on the world. by my love."

Pandora crying comes closer to him. she slaps him. he looks at her with teary eyes. she slaps him harder. he doesn't move. she slaps him harder. he falls on the floor. he gets up to be slap again, and again. she keeps slapping him until he bleeds.

with teary eyes he stays on the same spot. he doesn't say anything. he doesn't move. he doesn't try to protect himself. he lets her hit him as much as she wants. she gets tired of hitting him. Pandora takes a handkerchief from a desk. she cleans the blood from her hands. she looks at Federico.

"if you are done. you can leave now."

"I love you, I know is selfish of me.... I can't go against my nature. and I will keep saying it till the day I die, because I love you with all my might."

"just get the hell out of here Federico. you are the greatest pain of my life. loving you is like loving the underworld. your love is like standing on a never ending fire. is poison."

"I am sorry. I am so sorry. I hope you can find eternal happiness. I hope that someone on his arms can bring you warmth and peace. I hope you will never cry ever again. at least not for someone like me. and if you ever cry, I hope it is for happiness."

"the door is there. make sure to close both. the door to my heart and that one. I don't want to waste another tear. at least not for you."

Federico leaves. he walks with a cold smile. he closes the doors. he starts crying as he walks towards the elevator. he gets inside of the elevator. he cries as hard as is humanly possible. he cries with all his strength. he cries like there is no tomorrow, because for him there is no tomorrow. there is nothing left but sorrow.

Federico leaves the building. as he keeps walking he notice someone following him. he expected to be a guard, or someone with a grudge. Federico asks to that person to reveal themselves.

a man wearing a blue coat comes forward. he seems to be on his late thirties. he has short light brown hair. he has a light beard and mustache. he is wearing sunglasses hiding his black eyes. he has a mole under his left eye. he is as white as milk.

the man shows a badge. Federico recognized it. it is from the Morality&Justice Guild. one of the most 'righteous' Hero guilds. the man presents himself as a representative, he is one of the major faces of that guild. he reveals his username, Detective Blue.

Detective Blue wants to talk with Joaquin. he asks Federico for his help. Federico seems something strange about that man. he looks down and he nods. "follow me." whispers Federico on a hoarse tone of voice. the two men are part of the night.