Story Debate

*** The sun low in the sky, Konrad was finally out of steam and adrenaline. Even though he knew that slowing down meant death, Konrad's muscles and lungs and brain would stop working if he kept on going at such a fast pace. He was very, vey lucky that he hadn't come across a ravine, or a cliff, or other impassible terrain. Panting, he looked behind him. Nothing strange to see; nothing bizarre to listen to. Just the forest and it's typical goings on. Konrad wasn't conforted, but was made all the more jittery. He went on, conserving his energy. A little while later, near the very end of the day and almost time for sunset, he was blessed. Or was it cursed? In any case, he came upon a little town, not unlike the one that Konrad started out in. It looked peaceful, undisturbed. The few people there seemed even to be in a happier state of post-apocalyptic malaise. However, as the sky darkened and the people in the town shuttered up for the night, if he was going by experience with small, wary hamlets and outsiders, then he would not have any chance at all to be at least housed in their community. But trying not to be rejected was a far better option than trying to face his hunters. Almost everyone was now hunkered down for the night, except for one woman. Not dallying any longer, Konrad went around the town, towards the woman in question. He noticed that the woman, who had black skin and long hair, was holding a deadly-looking rifle. She was a guard; that's why she was standing out in the town at sunset. However, Konrad swollowed hard and summoned up his... "Who are you?" The female guard had cought sight of him. "I repeat, who are you?" If anything, she sounded desperate. "I'm a man by the name of Konrad Rask. Who..." "What do you want?" "I want to stay for the night." "How do I know that you aren't going to stay for longer?" "You can throw me out if I stay." "Why are you here?" Konrad sighed. Lying wasn't going to help him here, and neither would telling the truth. Might as well be honest. "My town was destroyed. I travelled all day thinking that I was being followed. I don't know if I am or not, but I think that it would be probable. I need rest. Maybe I'll act as a forewarning, at least." The woman looked contemplative. Konrad knew that it was hard living as is, and sympathy was hard to come by. There was no chance in the world that he would have a place to sleep here; he was probably going to be seen as a bad omen of some sort. Unless the impossible happened. "It's going to get me killed, but I'll let you sleep here tonight." Konrad was delighted. "Thank you." The woman ushered Konrad into her hovel without sound. At that same time, there was a presence in the town that Konrad had flown from. In it were the corpses of those who were massacred, going into rigor mortis. Eva the angel was above them. She was harvesting their souls, fresh, high quality souls. She was going to need them later. She turned to the angel of death and his undead army. She smiled. The next morning, Konrad woke up on the floor of the guard's home. She had left the door slightly open.Outside was a throng of people in the bright light. Konrad stood himself up, even though he pained badly and had a massive headache. The small crowd outside was whispering among itself. At it's center... Konrad couldn't tell. He moved closer to the door to try to discern who was in the mass of people, but then remembered that he was not a welcome visitor. He stayed back. A voice came through. "Yes, people of this establishment, there is a monster out there." A voice that was familiar with Konrad. "It is branded with the devil's number, six hundred sixty six. It is out there to bring the end of the world as we know it." A voice that Konrad knew for a long, long time. "Nevermore has there been a threat to all of humanity as this beast. And I am here to destroy it." A voice that Konrad first heard when he offered the person that owned it gummy worms in kindergarten. "All I ask you is for hospitality while we prepare for it's arrival." And Konrad did not know why it was making baseless promises like a politician. A person moved and Konrad could clearly see Axel clearly. Something was different about him--maybe it was the light, but Konrad seemed better rested, well-kept, and better looking. Beside him was a woman with pale skin almost to the point of whiteness with delicate features with lapis lazuli blue eyes that were flanked by red-orange hair. She was smiling, standing proudly next to Axel like she is the first lady to his president. Konrad has absolutely no idea who this pristine projection is. A man apparently has many of the same questions that Konrad has. "Why are YOU the one that is going to save us all?" "Good question, sir," replied the new Axel. He pulled out a sword. Konrad at first was quizzical, because he had never even seen Axel and a sword in the same room; his mood turned to shocked when his blue blade of a sword started cackling with electricity. "This, kind sir, is the only weapon that can slay such a beast. Are you in possession of such?" Although Konrad couldn't see it, the silence suggested that he was shaking his head. "Certainly not. You may depart" After the crowd broke up, the female guard emerges from the throng and comes back to where Konrad is sitting. She looks bewildered. "Who IS this guy, and who do he think he is?" "I know him. His name is Axel Ahlstrom. He's quite normally a shy guy." "Doesn't seem like it." "Something's changed." "Did he come from the same..." "Yes." "Then whatever destroyed yours must be coming soon. But I doubt that they would listen to me if I revealed that I was harbored a freeloader. Do you think that it would be the same thing?" "I doubt it. I fought an army of undead, not a single beast." "So we are in a whole lot of trouble." Konrad shrugged. "Not... that this is relevant, but what's your name?' "Viola." After the sun went down, Konrad decided that he was going to reunite with his old friend. He sneaked out of Viola's house into the night. Suprisingly, Konrad found Axel and his angel counterpart quickly. The angel was illuminating the light around herself like a ethereal orb. Before Konrad let himself be seen, he watched the pair intently. From what he could see, the angel was teaching Axel fighting techniques to be used against the beast. She seemed to be an excellent teacher, but of course Konrad had never seen anybody teach sword fighting. After a while, Konrad stepped out from behind the tree he was hiding behind. Axel spotted him immediately. "Konrad!" he said, as he exuded exuberance all over the man who he was addressing. Quite unlike the normal Axel. He bear-hugged Konrad much tighter than he realized, making Konrad aware of his newfound super-strength even before the owner of the strength really knew it. Eva, who Konrad finally learned the name of, looked on and smiled quaintly as Konrad and Axel talked about the last couple of days. Axel was really excited to see his old buddy alive and well. Konrad was worried about his friend's sudden change in personality, although he never mentioned this to Axel. Konrad left the conversation deeply troubled, like something was little by little brainwashing his compadre. And, indeed, something was. Axel turned back to Eva. Eva said, in her perfect voice, "I think that's enough sword fighting for now; I have something to present to you. It's a very powerful angelic relic that will become one of your most powerful weapons against the beast." Axel's eyes lit up, and Eva beckoned Axel further into the forest. One there, Eva gave Axel a wolf-fur belt with a gossamer sheen. Eva gave it to Axel, warning: "Whoever puts this on becomes a supremely powerful entity. Use it wisely." Axel put it on, and Eva marveled at her creation, and at the magic a belt made out of souls could do. She didn't let him have it long, for fear of her secret plans being exposed.