{"submission_id":"2447303","keywords":[{"keyword_id":"128482","keyword_name":"cas","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"29"},{"keyword_id":"2193","keyword_name":"fantasy","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"17669"},{"keyword_id":"165","keyword_name":"male","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"885921"},{"keyword_id":"593647","keyword_name":"mr bell","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1"},{"keyword_id":"948","keyword_name":"story","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"10044"},{"keyword_id":"545308","keyword_name":"twerpishimp","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"273"},{"keyword_id":"593646","keyword_name":"unknown entry","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1"},{"keyword_id":"13849","keyword_name":"writing","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"943"}],"hidden":"f","scraps":"f","favorite":"f","favorites_count":"0","create_datetime":"2021-05-19 10:16:46.943487+02","create_datetime_usertime":"19 May 2021 10:16 CEST","last_file_update_datetime":"2021-05-19 10:13:13.515564+02","last_file_update_datetime_usertime":"19 May 2021 10:13 CEST","username":"twerpishimp","user_id":"725373","user_icon_file_name":"217316_twerpishimp_dumb_moment.jpg","user_icon_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/217/217316_twerpishimp_dumb_moment.jpg","user_icon_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/217/217316_twerpishimp_dumb_moment.jpg","user_icon_url_small":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/217/217316_twerpishimp_dumb_moment.jpg","file_name":"3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3589/3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3589/3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3589/3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","files":[{"file_id":"3589394","file_name":"3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3589/3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3589/3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3589/3589394_twerpishimp_chapter_1_-_no_man_s_land.doc","mimetype":"application/msword","submission_id":"2447303","user_id":"725373","submission_file_order":"0","full_size_x":null,"full_size_y":null,"screen_size_x":null,"screen_size_y":null,"preview_size_x":null,"preview_size_y":null,"initial_file_md5":"876f1d9905997c678cd68acc8c7b0452","full_file_md5":"876f1d9905997c678cd68acc8c7b0452","large_file_md5":"","small_file_md5":"","thumbnail_md5":"","deleted":"f","create_datetime":"2021-05-19 10:13:13.515564+02","create_datetime_usertime":"19 May 2021 10:13 CEST"}],"pools":[{"pool_id":"71968","name":"Unknown Entry","description":"A story following our protagonist Cas","count":"1"}],"description":"This is a concept I have been racking in my head. If you guys like it i'll write more for it. So I guess this is considered the pilot episode of the Unknown Entry Saga. Where we follow our... 'hero' Cas on an adventure to find out the question a deity has asked him. \n\nI want it to be like, a mystery with beautiful scenery and good fight scenes. But also about someone falling in love... I don't want to spoil too much.\n\nWhat do you think?","description_bbcode_parsed":"This is a concept I have been racking in my head. If you guys like it i'll write more for it. So I guess this is considered the pilot episode of the Unknown Entry Saga. Where we follow our... 'hero' Cas on an adventure to find out the question a deity has asked him.
I want it to be like, a mystery with beautiful scenery and good fight scenes. But also about someone falling in love... I don't want to spoil too much.
What do you think?","writing":"Chapter 1: No Man's Land\n\n\tDarkness. The only thing that could be seen was the blanket of darkness that covered it. Pitch black to the point that not even a silhouette could be seen. There was no sensation, nothing could be felt or seen. No emotion came to be, no fear, nothing. A thought was the only thing that was able to form in its head. \n\nWhere am I? Who am I? What am I?\n\nQuestions, too many came to be. The idea of self was hard to grasp in this state. The idea of preservation was not even considered, nor hunger, nor thirst. There was no fear, nor dread. Only questions with meaningless answers. The mind started to go blank, and the questions started to die down. Floating in the abyss, stranded and relaxed. It felt at peace, yet uneasy. This being could not describe what he was feeling. It only existed, but did not. \n\nWhat is this place? It seems familiar somehow...\n\nSomething began to form in the direction it stared at. It was small, smaller than a dot from a pen. It was bright, very bright. It glowed like amber, and started to get closer. As it drew closer, it dripped off of this being, and finally a sensation was felt. It did not burn, but it felt like a water drop dripping down it's face. Then another came down, the same feeling came across it's skin. It was a shock that jolted across it, but somehow it was a pleasant feeling. Soon more and more amber lit water drops started coming down and landing all around it. \n\nAnother sensation came to be, sound. The sound of rain drops hitting the ground formed in this void. The sudden sound made it's ears ring in pain, it reached to cover it's ears and noticed the amber lit rain began to form around it. It's skin was that of a human, and through observation it understood that it was a he. He stood on the ground which was lit by the amber rain, and began to look around only to notice that things seemed to be frozen in time. Buildings seem to float in the air, and there were trees that were uprooted, but not moving. He looked around in bewilderment as everything started to form back. \n\nPanic formed, and fear soon followed. But he calmed himself down by breathing, then he realized he could breath! The air was fresh, the scent of a damp forest rushed through his nostrils. Everything started to come back to him, slowly at first, but then a memory formed. He was dead, or maybe not. But the sharp pain in his chest caused him to reflexively touch it, and when he looked at his hand there was blood, looking at his chest he noticed there was a hole. Placing his hand over it he stared out into the distance and started to remember that he was killed. But he was not the only one. \n\nHis partner was too. A memory flashed before his eyes, his partner was killed because he wasn't the same race as his clan. No... He was killed because his species was considered the enemy. He was killed soon there after, for betrayal of the clan. For finding love in the thing his people despised, he was betrayed, for betraying his clan. The idea made him chuckle, but it caused tears to form in his eyes. Slowly rolling down his cheek he wiped them off of his face. That feeling of dread sank deep into his mind, but shook off the feeling trying to figure out what to do. \n\nWhat now? He thought to himself. Am I dead, or not? \n\nA raspy chuckle came out of no where which caused his attention to snap to the direction it came from. A pair of glowing orange ovals with a wide white tooth grin formed in the darkness. The being stepped out of the shadows until he was in full view, and to his surprise it was a well dressed man. A top hat, with a matching suit, holding a cane with both of his hands in front of him. His tea shades gave him a sinister aura, but his presence came off as peaceful. \n\n``That's the question isn't? Dead or alive? Where to go from here.`` The raspy voice didn't fit the man who was presented, and it caught the being off guard which made him take a step back. The gentleman reached out his hand and his smile widened even more. ``Forgive me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Thomas T. Bell. But please call me Mr Bell. That just rings better in my ear'' He chuckled at his joke, and the other man couldn't help but chuckle as well.\n\nWhat sort of madness have I come across? He reached his hand out and grasped and shook it. But as he did a light engulfed him and gave him a body. It was fit, not too muscular, but toned enough. His blonde hair dangled down to his lower back, and his wond on his chest sealed up. He let go of the mans hand and touched his chest. His sensations where fully back, he could feel everything. Clothes began to form around him, basic casual wear, shirt, pants, shoes. Nothing fantastic, but better than nothing at all. \n\n``T-Thank you'' He covered his mouth, his voice surprising him even more. He cleared his throat, and bowed ``Thank you Mr. Bell. But... What is..'' he was cut off by Mr Bell raising his hand and stopping him from talking. \n\n``This is a lot to get used to. What came natural in the world of living is foreign once you pass, so getting used to this world will take time. T But this place has no time, as you can plainly see...'' He gestured his hands towards the motionless buildings and trees. ``... It doesn't move here. This place, well... I call it No Man's Land. Only the dead tread on these grounds. However, you my friend will be a special case.'' \n\nThe man looked at Mr. Bell with a raised eyebrow ``A special case? What do you mean?'' He asked. \n\n``What happened to you, brought a familiar feeling to my heart. Betrayed by your own kind, for what? Nothing short of falling in love with an enemy tribe. What is an enemy? Nothing more than something dictated by your leader. Trivial don't you think?'' His smile never fading. ``It's a cruel joke, they didn't have anything your clan could of used. To live under a rule, to be dictated on who you can and cannot love. It's strange. But your clan must fall. For it made two mistakes Cas. That's your name, in case you forgot'' Mr. Bell's smile never faded. \n\nCas stood there for a moment. The pain in his chest burning more at the memories that flooded his mind. ``What they did to him... was...'' \n\n``Barbaric?'' Mr. Bell said, Cas only nodded. ``Well, on one hand yes, but brutality is what made the Alabastations famous in the first place. But their brutality isn't the issue, life in itself is... brutal. But more over, what they did and who they did it to. That is the problem. Celestial is a tribe of peace makers who only seek knowledge. They never once killed or hurt anyone. When you fell in love with Lotty you were trying to bring peace to the clan. To stop needless bloodshed. Their finest solider trying to end the madness. But the mad leader turned on you.''\n\nCas swallowed hard, his lips quivered as he remembered what they did to them. The fear isn't what made him shake, but the sorrow of being forced to watch as his own people disemboweled the one person he cared for. They strung him up by his organs who soon turned their attention to Cas. Which lead to him being stabbed multiple times. The memory was vivid, his feeling's turning into anger. He shook out of frustration, not being able to fight back, and unable to protect. He was a fallen solider now. His pride shattered and his heart torn. His rank stripped from him and his life taken by force. \n\n``Good, keep that feeling strong in you. Remember that feeling. You will need it. You see Cas... I have a mission for you. Rather, a task. I want to make a deal with you, but I don't think you would refuse even if it was one sided.``\n\nCas's eyes had a fire in them, and his attention was now on the well dressed man. ``Why me? Why not any of the other tortured souls?'' His question seemed to come off as condescending, but Mr Bell only Chuckled. \n\n``Because you think of others, not just yourself. It's a rare thing to have these day's. But as for your sake, you're not too far gone. Your body is still alive, which is why you can still feel sensations.'' Mr bell tapped his cane on the ground which caused a map of the world to form around them. Cas looked down at it and recognized the places it covered. ``Do you want a second chance Cas?''\n\nCas nodded. He didn't need to think about it. He knew one of the things he had to do. Mr Bell pointed his cane at the Alabastion Territory. \n\n``You're clan has outlived it's purpose, it must be destroyed. The mad king is too far gone, and with his recent actions I believe even you can see why. But don't think I am doing this is out of passion for you, there is a motive to it. With the main big bad guy out of the way, peace and start to form. But as you can imagine, once one leader is out of the way another one will take his place. You're job is to keep it balanced. But there is a catch.'' \n\n``What's that?'' Cas kept his eyes on the map planning what territory to cover once everything is said and done. Mr Bell cleared his throat.\n\n``You will not die. I am going to make you immortal. Not a god, you can still get hurt and things will take time to heal. But your wounds will regenerate and you will keep fighting. This may sound like a gift, but as you can imagine it is more like a curse.``\n\n``I'd outlive all the loved ones.'' Cas added. \n\n``Yes, and you will feel all the pain that comes with those wounds as well. I need you to remember that you are human. Though you cannot die, you still have limits. But, in order to give you purpose, a goal, I'll make you a deal. I grant you three wishes if you can find the answer to my question.'' \n\n``Which is?''\n\n``Why?'' Mr. Bell Smiled ``I have to make it vague, and as you journey it will start to make sense. Answer that question and I'll make it worth your while. I hate to break it to you kid, but you work for me. There will be a lot of perks that comes with it, but a price too.''\n\n``If I refuse?'' Cas felt something inside of him. Disappointment? No... something worse.\n\n``You can, but... I wouldn't advise it. It's a second chance, and you get to be a hero you always wanted to be. You'll find love again but you have to destroy the one place you once called home. Any help you need I will do my best to help where I can. Even I have restrictions. Do you understand?''\n\nCas nodded. He wasn't sure what to feel at this point. Mixed emotions swayed his heart. Being a solider had taught him how to fight and survive, but it also taught him how to love his clan. To destroy it over selfish desires goes against his code.\n\nThen again he thought to himself. By all accounts I am already a fallen solider. Hence... the death penalty. \n\nMr Bell kept both of his hands on the top of his cane. His smile never fading, and his eye ever glowing its amber lit gaze. Cas rubbed his head, and smirked. He thought to himself, thinking this all had to be a dream. But all of his dreams were never this vivid, or detailed. His energy was starting to fade, and he had to sit on the ground because his muscles felt to heavy. \n\n``What do I do... after I destroy Alabasta?'' Cas asked, his eyes growing heavier by the second. Mr Bell chuckled, and when he tapped his cane on the ground, the world around Cas started to fade, his head hitting the ground gently. The blackness started to surround him again, suffocating him in it's tight grip. The only thing he could hear was Mr. Bell's last words to him. \n\n``Live on''. \n\nWith that, the gentle embrace of slumber soon took over him. \n\n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"Chapter 1: No Man's Land
\tDarkness. The only thing that could be seen was the blanket of darkness that covered it. Pitch black to the point that not even a silhouette could be seen. There was no sensation, nothing could be felt or seen. No emotion came to be, no fear, nothing. A thought was the only thing that was able to form in its head.
Where am I? Who am I? What am I?
Questions, too many came to be. The idea of self was hard to grasp in this state. The idea of preservation was not even considered, nor hunger, nor thirst. There was no fear, nor dread. Only questions with meaningless answers. The mind started to go blank, and the questions started to die down. Floating in the abyss, stranded and relaxed. It felt at peace, yet uneasy. This being could not describe what he was feeling. It only existed, but did not.
What is this place? It seems familiar somehow...
Something began to form in the direction it stared at. It was small, smaller than a dot from a pen. It was bright, very bright. It glowed like amber, and started to get closer. As it drew closer, it dripped off of this being, and finally a sensation was felt. It did not burn, but it felt like a water drop dripping down it's face. Then another came down, the same feeling came across it's skin. It was a shock that jolted across it, but somehow it was a pleasant feeling. Soon more and more amber lit water drops started coming down and landing all around it.
Another sensation came to be, sound. The sound of rain drops hitting the ground formed in this void. The sudden sound made it's ears ring in pain, it reached to cover it's ears and noticed the amber lit rain began to form around it. It's skin was that of a human, and through observation it understood that it was a he. He stood on the ground which was lit by the amber rain, and began to look around only to notice that things seemed to be frozen in time. Buildings seem to float in the air, and there were trees that were uprooted, but not moving. He looked around in bewilderment as everything started to form back.
Panic formed, and fear soon followed. But he calmed himself down by breathing, then he realized he could breath! The air was fresh, the scent of a damp forest rushed through his nostrils. Everything started to come back to him, slowly at first, but then a memory formed. He was dead, or maybe not. But the sharp pain in his chest caused him to reflexively touch it, and when he looked at his hand there was blood, looking at his chest he noticed there was a hole. Placing his hand over it he stared out into the distance and started to remember that he was killed. But he was not the only one.
His partner was too. A memory flashed before his eyes, his partner was killed because he wasn't the same race as his clan. No... He was killed because his species was considered the enemy. He was killed soon there after, for betrayal of the clan. For finding love in the thing his people despised, he was betrayed, for betraying his clan. The idea made him chuckle, but it caused tears to form in his eyes. Slowly rolling down his cheek he wiped them off of his face. That feeling of dread sank deep into his mind, but shook off the feeling trying to figure out what to do.
What now? He thought to himself. Am I dead, or not?
A raspy chuckle came out of no where which caused his attention to snap to the direction it came from. A pair of glowing orange ovals with a wide white tooth grin formed in the darkness. The being stepped out of the shadows until he was in full view, and to his surprise it was a well dressed man. A top hat, with a matching suit, holding a cane with both of his hands in front of him. His tea shades gave him a sinister aura, but his presence came off as peaceful.
``That's the question isn't? Dead or alive? Where to go from here.`` The raspy voice didn't fit the man who was presented, and it caught the being off guard which made him take a step back. The gentleman reached out his hand and his smile widened even more. ``Forgive me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Thomas T. Bell. But please call me Mr Bell. That just rings better in my ear'' He chuckled at his joke, and the other man couldn't help but chuckle as well.
What sort of madness have I come across? He reached his hand out and grasped and shook it. But as he did a light engulfed him and gave him a body. It was fit, not too muscular, but toned enough. His blonde hair dangled down to his lower back, and his wond on his chest sealed up. He let go of the mans hand and touched his chest. His sensations where fully back, he could feel everything. Clothes began to form around him, basic casual wear, shirt, pants, shoes. Nothing fantastic, but better than nothing at all.
``T-Thank you'' He covered his mouth, his voice surprising him even more. He cleared his throat, and bowed ``Thank you Mr. Bell. But... What is..'' he was cut off by Mr Bell raising his hand and stopping him from talking.
``This is a lot to get used to. What came natural in the world of living is foreign once you pass, so getting used to this world will take time. T But this place has no time, as you can plainly see...'' He gestured his hands towards the motionless buildings and trees. ``... It doesn't move here. This place, well... I call it No Man's Land. Only the dead tread on these grounds. However, you my friend will be a special case.''
The man looked at Mr. Bell with a raised eyebrow ``A special case? What do you mean?'' He asked.
``What happened to you, brought a familiar feeling to my heart. Betrayed by your own kind, for what? Nothing short of falling in love with an enemy tribe. What is an enemy? Nothing more than something dictated by your leader. Trivial don't you think?'' His smile never fading. ``It's a cruel joke, they didn't have anything your clan could of used. To live under a rule, to be dictated on who you can and cannot love. It's strange. But your clan must fall. For it made two mistakes Cas. That's your name, in case you forgot'' Mr. Bell's smile never faded.
Cas stood there for a moment. The pain in his chest burning more at the memories that flooded his mind. ``What they did to him... was...''
``Barbaric?'' Mr. Bell said, Cas only nodded. ``Well, on one hand yes, but brutality is what made the Alabastations famous in the first place. But their brutality isn't the issue, life in itself is... brutal. But more over, what they did and who they did it to. That is the problem. Celestial is a tribe of peace makers who only seek knowledge. They never once killed or hurt anyone. When you fell in love with Lotty you were trying to bring peace to the clan. To stop needless bloodshed. Their finest solider trying to end the madness. But the mad leader turned on you.''
Cas swallowed hard, his lips quivered as he remembered what they did to them. The fear isn't what made him shake, but the sorrow of being forced to watch as his own people disemboweled the one person he cared for. They strung him up by his organs who soon turned their attention to Cas. Which lead to him being stabbed multiple times. The memory was vivid, his feeling's turning into anger. He shook out of frustration, not being able to fight back, and unable to protect. He was a fallen solider now. His pride shattered and his heart torn. His rank stripped from him and his life taken by force.
``Good, keep that feeling strong in you. Remember that feeling. You will need it. You see Cas... I have a mission for you. Rather, a task. I want to make a deal with you, but I don't think you would refuse even if it was one sided.``
Cas's eyes had a fire in them, and his attention was now on the well dressed man. ``Why me? Why not any of the other tortured souls?'' His question seemed to come off as condescending, but Mr Bell only Chuckled.
``Because you think of others, not just yourself. It's a rare thing to have these day's. But as for your sake, you're not too far gone. Your body is still alive, which is why you can still feel sensations.'' Mr bell tapped his cane on the ground which caused a map of the world to form around them. Cas looked down at it and recognized the places it covered. ``Do you want a second chance Cas?''
Cas nodded. He didn't need to think about it. He knew one of the things he had to do. Mr Bell pointed his cane at the Alabastion Territory.
``You're clan has outlived it's purpose, it must be destroyed. The mad king is too far gone, and with his recent actions I believe even you can see why. But don't think I am doing this is out of passion for you, there is a motive to it. With the main big bad guy out of the way, peace and start to form. But as you can imagine, once one leader is out of the way another one will take his place. You're job is to keep it balanced. But there is a catch.''
``What's that?'' Cas kept his eyes on the map planning what territory to cover once everything is said and done. Mr Bell cleared his throat.
``You will not die. I am going to make you immortal. Not a god, you can still get hurt and things will take time to heal. But your wounds will regenerate and you will keep fighting. This may sound like a gift, but as you can imagine it is more like a curse.``
``I'd outlive all the loved ones.'' Cas added.
``Yes, and you will feel all the pain that comes with those wounds as well. I need you to remember that you are human. Though you cannot die, you still have limits. But, in order to give you purpose, a goal, I'll make you a deal. I grant you three wishes if you can find the answer to my question.''
``Which is?''
``Why?'' Mr. Bell Smiled ``I have to make it vague, and as you journey it will start to make sense. Answer that question and I'll make it worth your while. I hate to break it to you kid, but you work for me. There will be a lot of perks that comes with it, but a price too.''
``If I refuse?'' Cas felt something inside of him. Disappointment? No... something worse.
``You can, but... I wouldn't advise it. It's a second chance, and you get to be a hero you always wanted to be. You'll find love again but you have to destroy the one place you once called home. Any help you need I will do my best to help where I can. Even I have restrictions. Do you understand?''
Cas nodded. He wasn't sure what to feel at this point. Mixed emotions swayed his heart. Being a solider had taught him how to fight and survive, but it also taught him how to love his clan. To destroy it over selfish desires goes against his code.
Then again he thought to himself. By all accounts I am already a fallen solider. Hence... the death penalty.
Mr Bell kept both of his hands on the top of his cane. His smile never fading, and his eye ever glowing its amber lit gaze. Cas rubbed his head, and smirked. He thought to himself, thinking this all had to be a dream. But all of his dreams were never this vivid, or detailed. His energy was starting to fade, and he had to sit on the ground because his muscles felt to heavy.
``What do I do... after I destroy Alabasta?'' Cas asked, his eyes growing heavier by the second. Mr Bell chuckled, and when he tapped his cane on the ground, the world around Cas started to fade, his head hitting the ground gently. The blackness started to surround him again, suffocating him in it's tight grip. The only thing he could hear was Mr. Bell's last words to him.
``Live on''.
With that, the gentle embrace of slumber soon took over him.
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