My name is Plunk. I'm a Pixan standing at six inches with one inch wings sprouting from my back. I've lived around fifty thousand years, most of which was spent wandering the planet of my birth, Oym, and exploring the varied locals of this, the most inspiring of worlds. As a whole, I'm quite unremarkable. The only object of note, for which I am writing these correspondence, is the fact that my best friend is a god.
His name is Ramza and he is the Deity of Unluck. A rather unremarkable moniker, for sure, but the Deity himself is the greatest being I have ever met. Compassion given form, Ramza's love for life made him a benevolent god to us folks on Oym; not that his father, the Ancient, my creator, was malevolent. His hatred of violence did indeed extend to his son, but where his philosophy often kept the Ancient in a state of inaction, Ramza would step forward to be the strong, steady arm of virtue. As he once stated to me, "There's a time for peace and a time for confrontation," meaning he held no compulsion to sit idle as those around him suffer. His godly powers would manifest and work wonders in the preservation of life.
Having first encountered my future friend close to twenty thousand years ago as of this writing, I could fill transcript after transcript of Ramza's exploits. Some I will skip, for as they are important in their illumination of a Deity's actions and thought processes when it comes to us mortals, they fail to capture the true nature of the one Deity I place in the highest regard and of whom is the subject of my writing. One such recount that springs to memory would be the event which I wouldn't know would be named such a straight forward title as 'the Arrival' until centuries later. This one incident, I believe, clearly demonstrates the qualities I stated earlier, while also explaining the outstanding situation we found ourselves in.
We were, Ramza and I, entertaining the Sandmen of Beaith, who were known for their strict adherence to order at all times. We were trying to introduce the concept of fun; something completely alien to the sentient sand folk. Ramza thought the feeling of flight would do no harm to them since both he and I love the ability. Something else I'm quite fond of is my pixie dust; it can work wonders. We used this to give the Sandmen wings. Unfortunately, this led to many a mid-air collision and sand raining on a poor Gnomini village's food crop.
The sudden boom of a lightning strike scared me half out my wits. It was the Ancient, dark eyes clouded over by long grey hair billowing in the breeze. I felt sweat collect on my forehead, sparing a glance at my friend. Ramza was all smiles as he explained to his father his concept of fun. "It's like this," my friend began. "Life without fun is akin to a desert without sand. An empty existence."
The Ancient merely stared at his son while stroking his waist long beard. He stood at least a foot taller then Ramza, his dark robes made him appear somehow sinister. A smile played across his face and he laughed. "My son, you have a lot to learn of life." The elder looking Deity exclaimed. "Fun for one is not always fun for all."
Ramza was about to retort when the sky suddenly darkened, an impossibility given Oym's twin suns. I heard Ramza ask his father what was happening before the ground shook around us in a manner I have never experienced before. Our twin suns, Rumas and Ramus, were gone in streaks of light. To our astonishment, other stars followed suit, millions of bright white lines filling the now midnight sky. I could feel the air vibrate around my body and Ramza lost his footing, landing on his backside. The Ancient, however, had taken to the air, ascending almost as fast as he descended earlier, and was gone from my sight faster then my poor addled brain could comprehend he had even left.
The planet quakes lessened in intensity, which I believed at the time was the Ancient's doing. He later denied this was the case, saying he was trying to stop or reverse what was happening only to fail at every attempt. It didn't make me feel all that great at knowing my creator was as helpless as his creations, but Ramza, once he regained his footing, took off as well. When Ramza wants to move, he can really go, much faster than any being on Oym, save for maybe his father. Even if I tried to follow, there was no way of knowing where my friend went, so I merely float in place, shock, fear, and uncertainty keeping me from moving. The Sandmen were also huddled together in awe of the spectacle.
The quakes ended up lasting several hours and it was soon after they stopped altogether that I saw father and son again. Ramza came back first, looking no less tired then when he left. I knew he had been off helping any who needed it around the world without having to voice the question. When the Ancient returned, teleporting directly to his son's side, he held a look of worry that was absent from his offspring's features.
"We have stopped moving. I don't know where we are but there were other worlds here, with more arriving by the moment. I count ten so far."
Ramza rose into the air but his father called out. "Hold, Ramza. I have calmed the scared minds of those planets inhabitants. They are in no further need of assistance."
"How can you be so sure, father," Ramza responded in a calm, measured tone. "They could have suffered the same planet quakes we did, with greater severity. Calming them is adequate, but any mortals trapped in collapsed structures need help now. I must go."
I knew Ramza as well as the Ancient and knew there was no quelling his need to help. I spoke up then, vowing to look after a being who needed no looking after, before the Ancient nodded. As I flew up to my smiling friend and cling to his golden hair, the Ancient spoke again.
"If you encounter any being who appears to be on the same level of power as yourself, retrieve me at once. Do not confront. You may be powerful, but you are far from invulnerable."
"I have no interest in fighting, father," my friend said, then we were headed to the edge of Oym's atmosphere.
It was moments like those that made me fortunate to know this Deity, who held the well being of all in high regard. That no matter who was responsible, Ramza would protect the lives of those unable to protect themselves. That is why, to this day, I still cannot comprehend how and why the Coalition Carnage Competition existed in the first place. Or why, after almost a thousand years and ninety-eight competitions, that Ramza would insist on being Oym's Superstar. His first attempt ended in the Finals at the hands of a powerful mage, but after ascending to Tier Beta, his participation in the 100th competition was practically cheating.
I must admit, when the Ancient invited me to watch the competition in his company, my pride filled to overflow. Me, an ordinary Pixan, rubbing elbows with the god who gave me life. His home was in the clouds, an absurd notion to us mortals, to be sure, yet it also somehow fits a being who not only wants privacy, but to be close to his creations. The structure that sat on a bank of clouds looked to be composed of ivory, like those that grow on the backs of hippophants in Oym's flatlands. It held the faintest of violet from the star's light.
Inside was simple yet elegant in its setup, furniture made of white or dark clouds; very comfortable. Refreshments sat on clouds all around when I first arrived in time for Ramza's encounter. The Ancient sat in a gray chair of clouds, feet propped on similar material. He held a glass of some liquid, which he held up in greeting at my entrance.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Plunk the Pixan," my god had a wide smile, but his eyes never left the view of a female Tilris displayed on whiffs of fog. "Make yourself at home. You must try the hykinberry wine I just created. Out did myself, I did."
The sight and sound of all this had me speechless. A supreme being acting like a common mortal from an undeveloped society. I never seen such a look on his face, that of excitement. I took a seat just my size to the Ancient's left and a drink magically appeared in my hand. I glanced toward him as he took another sip, his gaze fixated on the massive image before us, which now held the visage of Ramza. His heroic pose was something I suggested at the previous competition; it looked a bit ridiculous in person but on the fog before me, he appeared quite remarkable, a hero of the people. My smile joins the Ancient's as our favorite deity was going out to show how much he has improved.
Rather predictably, Ramza slips and falls off the cliff on which he was heroically posing. I wondered briefly if he would remember he could fly, before the thought is banished by the sound of Ramza hitting the snowy ground. We both grimace and Ramza pops to his feet, obviously unhurt and not a hint of embarrassment on display. Unfortunately, his unluck worked against himself as much, if not more, than those around him. I can attest to being put in danger by it thousands of times, only for my friend to save me at the last second. Yet the number of times I've seen him trip over something or break someone's priceless heirloom on accident far outweighs the number of dangerous predicaments he has rescued me from.
The site chosen for this confrontation was known as the Battle of Souls by most who I've ever heard speak of the place. It doesn't seem that hospitable, with its grayish snow and dark skies. I'm not much for Mirrgrif history, but, supposedly, it was ground zero of some cataclysmic bomb, taking the lives of millions of Mirrgrif's inhabitants some centuries back. The light and the heat of the Papuru Star is blotted by the black clouds that send down ash colored snow that cover the plains. Crumbling structures stood out here and there, along with the husk of dead trees.
A piece of metal twice as long as Ramza is tall, came from the ruins of a building directly ahead of him. It looked to be composed of multiple metal fragments and sharp enough to pierce even Ramza's steel like body. I felt no fear of his safety, for I have seen my friend evade much swifter attacks, this one, however, Ramza evaded not. Instead, he raised his right hand and energy sprang forth so quick I did not see it travers the distance to the would be spear, which exploded in a shower of shards. The shrapnel froze in mid air, to my astonishment , and came in at Ramza striking his still form at every angle. My friend smiled and a piece of metal bounced off his snow white teeth.
"We have done this before, Nor of Magnetism," Ramza's voice issued from all around the Ancient and I as he spoke to his hidden assailant. "You had no luck then and you certainly will not now. Give up so this farce of a contest may end with both our dignity intact."
In response to his declaration, the ground shook violently and I cover my eyes for I knew Ramza would be on the ground in a second. When I reopen them, he was getting to his feet as twin sections of that very ground broke free of the rest. They each had to weigh at least sixteen wignets, (that's about thirty-five tons, respectively,) meaning my friend's assailant was powerful indeed.
"Ho! Ho! Superstar Nor has grown in power as well. Or is it the cold that's helping him."
At the time, I couldn't recall who Nor was except that he competed in the previous competition, in which he and Ramza battled once. Since I wasn't recording his anecdotes at the time and he had sixteen battles that year with a 14-2 winning record, Nor's losing effort never stuck in my mind.
Snow whisked off the mini mountains as they came at Ramza, their size making them appear to move slower then I'm sure they actually were. My friend tensed his muscles before meeting one of the objects in the air and disappeared inside. He didn't emerge from the other side, opting to blow the thing from within. The smaller chunks rainbowed the area with some even homing in on Ramza's glowing figure floating fifty feet above the snowy landscape. They smashed harmlessly against him as well. The second massive boulder came on anyway, with Ramza's hands raised towards it.
I believed he would shoot some blast to rid himself of it, not try to slow its progress. But slow it he did as he came down lightly on his toes, holding a piece of land tens of thousands of times his size. He was showing his opponent and all watching that he was to be taken seriously. An object came at him from behind, passing him without seeming to touch him. His arms lowered and he vanished beneath the weight of his load. He exited from the top, scanning the area.
A creature rode on a slab of metal, it's grotesque appearance jolted the faded memory I had of the Ninshu from planet Myst. He or she, (I'm never sure when it comes to the Ninshu) used a power style based around magnetism. His thin, wiry body was clothed in combat attire adorned with expensive looking jewelry. This contrasted its nightmarish face with its mouth full of inch long teeth and five inch long claws. Its smile sent shivers through my wings and its voice was as cold as their battleground.
"Bet you felt that, god," it held up its claw. "All I need is a small nick and I will win."
Ramza floated in place while Nor zipped about, looking for an opening. Ramza placed his hands on his hips. "You will have to try again, Nor of Magnetism," my friend said with a smile and booming voice. "For the only nick you received was from my clothing."
"Damn, you're right," Nor said with a heavy sigh. He lands, disembarking his crude metallic ride. "It's no use."
Ramza nodded approvingly and floated down to where Nor stood. "So, you concede?"
The Ninshu nodded its craggy head. And my friend, prone to form, smiled wide as he landed and strolled toward him. I felt the Ancient bristle on his cloud next to me. "My son always lets his guard down."
"Because he is not a fighter," I respond with the shake of my head. The Ancient didn't respond as his son suddenly had over a dozen thin needles sticking from his body. Ramza's smile faded once he noticed.
"Small sharp objects, if moving fast enough, can pierce the toughest of hides, unlucky god," Nor said with a hint of delight. "Those are poisoned, by the way."
The Ancient shook his head. "I told him he was not invulnerable."
Many see Ramza as, not only too friendly, but overly naive. I don't share this sentiment, but understand why it could be applicable. For instance, back during the Arrival event, Ramza and I returned to Oym after journeying to the other sixteen planets in this newly formed solar system. The thrill of visiting other worlds for the first time in my long life, I cannot fully explain with ink and parchment. Having never seen snow nor experience cold, Ja'ir held our attention long enough for us to encounter one of its natives. The white fur of the quadruped helped it blend into the icy terrain before it sprang its trap on us. We, or rather, Ramza easily subdued the husky, hulking beast. Only it wasn't a beast, for it spoke to us in a language we didn't understand right into our heads. In fact, nearly every species we encountered spoke an alien tongue, limiting communication to the point we felt we had to return to the Ancient.
We found him exiting a chamber with a red door within his castle. This was the first time I witnessed the mysterious red door which, unbeknownst to me at the time, would play an extraordinary purpose in future events. Since the only striking feature was its color amidst the white clouds and golden trim, it held my attention for only a moment before I focused on what my friend was relaying to his father.
"Two of the alien species spoke our language," he was saying. "One even look like us, father. They are called Braloorians and their world Braloor. The other held people that resemble the reptiloks on Mount Cedir. They used some type of metal object to communicate. They said only the name of their world, Prees, before asking non-stop questions about that purple star in the distance. What do you make of it, father?"
"That for the first time in your life, my son, you will have to resort to violence."
This drew an audible gasp from me as well as Ramza. The 'no violence ' rule of Oym was adhered to even by wild animals. Oym is a world of herbivores for anyone who has never heard of us. Which is why Ramza, who never used his great power to harm even an insect, objected so adamantly.
"I don't understand. Violence is for lesser mortals who are not smart or brave enough to use other solutions."
"Normally, I would agree. But those responsible for a feat such as this," the Ancient paused, staring hard into his son's eyes. "Not even I could accomplish this. For the last several hours, I have been attempting to reverse it, if only for this planet, to no success."
I felt a cold chill flow through my nervous system. I don't know how I knew, but I just knew he was afraid. He turned to point up at the sun that took on a light violet hue at that distance. "The power that bought us here and holding us here is that. I don't know what type of energy that is nor how such a celestial came to be."
He turned back to us now, face a grim mask. "But it's not natural, that I can be sure. Which means the intelligence behind it has a purpose. We must prepare for the fruition of that purpose."
"And we will, by learning all we can about that star and how it works. I'm not a scholar, but me and Plunk know a few Pixans who may be smart enough-"
"Ramza," the Ancient interrupted softly, despite the stern look he held. "I love all my creations and will possibly have to give my life for them. But this is beyond the capabilities of wish fulfillers, no matter how clever. You must accept the fact that the time of peace is approaching an end; if you have visited the other planets, then you know I speak truth."
Images of the Ja'ir ambush came to mind, followed by terrifying visuals of Myst, planet of monsters. If I ever get the courage to recall those adventures for documentation, I must be sure not to antagonize the Sandmen, so they can take away the accompanying nightmares. Ramza's response revealed to me his thoughts paralleled mind.
"I admit, it looked a little scary out there. But they pose no danger as long as they stay contained to their worlds. As for those who are responsible, they can be reasoned with once we know what they want."
"The more powerful the being, sometimes can be the most unreasonable. I understand your stance on the subject, but it will soon be out of your hands. It will be a time of war."
"And I will be there to prevent it." The look in Ramza's eyes frightened me then, not that I haven't seen it before, it was because he was looking at his father. It meant he would do what he wanted, even if it drew ire from the being who gave him life. Without another word, he turned and flew through the ceiling of the chamber, passing through the clouds without blemish. I follow as quickly as I could, knowing he'd be long gone, but I didn't feel right crowding my Lord in that stressing time.
The look the Ancient held then was not too dissimilar to the look he had now as he gazed at the image of his son picking out thin nails from his arm. Radiant light issued from the punctures, shocking me from my silence.
"What sorcery is this," I demanded with more volume than I originally intended.
"Deities do not bleed, Plunk. Not liquid, at least." He didn't seem fearful for his son at all. "I don't think Ramza has been hurt before, even the three losses the previous decade left him without injury. This Nor has learned much since then. The ingenuity of mortals."
I wasn't holding this particular mortal in high esteem as he laughed rising into the air. Ramza brushed the rest of the needles off, light now replacing them to disappear out of the view of the cloud display. For a moment, he looked a bit comical, especially when he posed and suddenly burst into a fit of laughter.
"So this is pain. Not too bad a sensation. Tingly."
"That's the poison. As you lose feeling, it will return with the sensation of fire, before your heart explodes." He laughed again.
"What happens if I don't have one?"
"What?"
"A heart."
"Everyone has a heart, idiot!" The Ninshu was beginning to appear agitated. "If it bleeds it has a heart."
Even as Nor spoke, the light beaming from Ramza's wounds fade to nothing. Ramza still in his heroic pose.
"I don't have blood or any wounds now. Also, poison doesn't work on me. Care to give up?"
The Ninshu fell to its knees, a look of despair made its face even more demonic. "It's no use," it cried. " I've tried everything. It's not fair you get to compete again!" Its howls drew a look of pity from my godly friend, who walked up to his defeated foe.
"It's not the end of the world, Nor of Magnetism. You can believe me when I say this will be your last time having to compete in such a barbaric contest."
"Your going to kill me!?" Its eyes grew as big as dinner plates. It raised its arms to plead.
"No no," Ramza said hurriedly. He approached more slowly, the Ninshu held out its hands as if to ward off a blow. "I mean when I win, I will abolish -"
Wavy energy sprung from its palms into my friend, who jumps back in surprise. He looks at his hand, arms, then all over as the near invisible energy washed over him. "What is this," he asked, curiously.
"Reverse polarity magnetic pulse." The ground erupts under Nor and he was now airborne, riding a piece of rock. "Magnetized your godly self to attract every piece of metal inside the geodome."
Twisted steel beams from crumpled buildings streak into view, alongside broken earth beneath Ramza. Only Nor and the ore he rode on were unaffected. My friend was soon buried under tons of metal fragments that formed a sphere around him.
"Hey, Roxy," Nor was yelling at the hologram woman who was in the middle of a play by play. "Get to counting."
She didn't get half way before the ball of metal exploded in a rain of shrapnel, which itself was overshadowed by the rays of light coming from Ramza's fingertips. One finger seemed to produce half a dozen streams, the energy playing across the area, leaving pure destruction in its wake. When it splashed against the geodome, it came back to add to the mayhem. When Ramza lowered his arms, he was breathing hard. I knew his fear of dark, enclosed spaces was the basis for such a display of power.
But my friend recovered quickly and was next to a downed Nor, who had fallen at some point and was rising to its lavishly booted feet. He grabbed the lapels of Nor's tunic and picked him up, all smiles again.
"I give up," was Nor's reply. "For real this time."
"And there you have it," Roxy Boss's holographic image took over the visual, smiling in a most exotic fashion. "Sometimes a show of strength is all it takes. The winner: Superstar Ramza!"
I cheer my friend as his father rose off his cloud. "Show of strength, indeed." I wasn't sure what he meant by the comment. That show was called claustrophobia and it caused the Deity to lash out in a panic. My creator sighed heavily. "Now I have to relocate another geodome."
"I didn't think Ramza capable," I said. He had always been powerful, but rarely relied on such levels of destruction, him being a pacifist. "I have been meaning to ask, my lord, how did you ever change his mind about fighting?"
"I didn't," the Ancient responded casually. "He came to me on his own twelve years ago and said he would be Superstar from now on. So I let him."
With that, my god walked out of the room, the fact he walked on clouds not the reason for the bounce in his step. A look back at the screen revealed Roxy flashing that brilliant smile again as she announced the end of Day One of the Coalition Carnage Competition.
End chapter