Pain Purity and Apocalypse

Chapter 2: Through the Eyes of Lok Magnus

Friday, May 4, 1993
(Location: Asherwood/ Rome)

    The sun had just risen over dry, sandy hills. Sticking out of the ground below were red and yellow flags, markers of the perished among RORO fleets who dared to infiltrate our city. I stood on the edge of the colossal, circular wall that protects us. Asherwood, once called Rome, now belongs to Jude Grail. The home of AOME, a floating utopia above the ground we ripped from the soil, and ascended to the air.

My wings spread out behind me as I, adorned in my well fit, white suit, dove off the top of the fifty foot wall. I felt the warm wind rush beneath my feathers as my fleet soared into the scarlet sky. I was so proud to be part of AOME, the cult organization whose values I grew up with. The moment I got the address of the area we were to 'cleans', we headed for Northern Italy. Our policy at, AOME, is to: 'Destroy what you are ordered, and if other beings get in the way, teach them who's stronger. If you lose, don't bother coming back.'
It is not my fault that Norman Augustine died two days ago. My customs, religion, and charismatic leader turned immoral... Into normality.

It was not my choice to join the army, it was my birth fate. Any man, woman, or other who turns eighteen, must enlist in the army. My father is the General of AOME, not only was the military a necessity, it was expected of me. The moment I began training, full pressure was put on me to succeed, so much so that I felt I would be disowned if I didn't make it to the Elite soldiers division. I did— I— have.

I sit on the curb of my street. All around me stand large white buildings, some tinted rust red, others are tinted with yellow. Each are decorated with beautifully carved ledges and many many, rectangular windows in rows. They line up perfectly in a crescent moon shape. Every one of the housing units looks identical to the one next to it, perfectly symmetrical. In the centre of the circular street, through a patch of trees, a tall, porcelain-white statue stands, surrounded by lime green bushes with rippling blue water brushing up against the smooth marble. Every feature of the righteous, old man is undeniably crafted to make Jude Grail appear stronger, and more intimidating than he truly is. Not once has he shown his face on a public stage before his people. But I have seen him, that wrinkled, old badger with his perfectly gelled hair; Curled handlebar moustache; And blindingly white suit with the red letters: AOME, printed above his breast. I see him briefly everyday, when my training begins early in the morning.

After last night's revelations, I honestly don't think I can ever go back to that life again— this life of boring meandering around town, attending training, learning to perform war crimes against a population of beings that have done nothing but worship Angels. We weren't supposed to visit the Reaper Nation, but after the first fleet destroyed a sector on Saturday, my fleet decided to follow suit.

Sighing, resting my head on my right palm, I stare out at the white road; Under my white shoes; While wearing my white suit with slits at the back for my white, feathered wings to fit through. My white hair hangs in a white ponytail, the only difference is the red ribbon that holds it in place. As you can see, Angels live and breathe white, the only pure colour, according to the oh so manipulative opinion of Jude Grail.

"Hey, Lok, whatcha doin out here? I thought you would have come to the celebration of the recent successes, you know, the destruction of the Reaper Nation."

Hearing the bratty, annoying voice makes me want to dive off the top of the wall that looms behind me. Asherwood may be small, but the wall, from one direction, looks like it never ends. I look up to see the tall, slim figure of Xander Grail, bounding towards me from down the sidewalk. His short hair is dyed a deep red, and lays in tight curls down his face. His smile is wide, toothy, and arrogant as ever. He wears a fancier, white suit, but unlike mine, his suit displays the letters reading: AOME.