How grammar and punctuation are used is only relative to your audience. There are a number of formats preferred for writing depending on your audience and many of these have conflicting rules on punctuation and grammar; because there is no exact science on the way we convey thought, no-matter how much there are those who would like to think they can control it. But, if authors wish to reach their widest reader base possible, their work should convey meaning as clearly as can be penned so all who read the work will understand. This requires punctuation to clarify thought. When it comes to creative writing in dialogue: very few people, if any, speak in proper grammar 100% of the time; thus slang contractions and sentence fragment are used and should be used, because it’s real. But, who of us here doesn’t see the need for “quotation marks” encasing your protagonist’s dialogue. Would there be clarity of thought of what’s happening, or who’s speaking if the quotation marks are left out? Will this limit your audience if they can’t see charity in the narration? Periods and capital letters add clarity to a break in thought in sentence structure. Ask yourself: How much will my readers truly understand if I remove all punctuation and capital letters. Are you truly conveying thought that will reach your widest audience? My friends, all of us here post because we want others to read our thoughts and written works-of-art. Hopefully we are also here to learn from each other.

“To me,— Good Writing,— Lives.”

The rolling hills, — green and ever-growing underneath the summer sun, — are perfect: — the place I reside, — yet — can’t help watching the world pass by as the sun fades and darkness consumes my surroundings. I lie with desire of morning dew awakening my course, — to feel the soft damp blades of dawn wrinkle under my toes and a light breeze filtering through my locks, — freeing my soul to write. My world spills forth landscapes with beautiful evenings of fiery skies, — clouds eclipsing; yet magnifying the dieing light in glory, —— truly indefinable by words as visions cry hope. Yes, — my longing :— a stylist painting wonder and imagery that tears within hearts, drawing emotion from the shell of existence because life means more. —— But, — pain is the perfect cell in-which to hide. I lie in my bed staring at my black painted ceiling and wonder, — is it possible to shed the husk of my making, — turning dreams into reality? Or in our torrid times, — is the darkness that whispers hypnotically insurmountable?

Life moves forward and so, —— I will —— too choose more.

Alright, thanks for checking out my list for the Top 10 Best Movies of 2018, and to treat you with my list for, what I believe, are the Bottom 5 Worst Movies of 2018. As much as there were plenty of movies that were good and I liked, I have to admit that 2018 was also a year of disappointment. So many other movies that I was really looking forward to see ended up letting me down. Well now’s the time to talk about the ones that left an awful stench after viewing them. It’s kinda of a Ying-Yang relationship here. If we gotta give praise to the best, we also gotta talk shit about the worst.

Like with my Best list, my rules for placement are simple:

1) This list was organized based on my personal thoughts of the movies. Again, these are just my opinions for the best. And the movies listed are all movies that I’ve seen. I haven’t seen every movie released this past year because I don’t want to spend my money on really shitty movies. So if you’re hoping that a movie like Fifty Shades Freed or Mortal Engines would be on this list, I’m sorry to say that I haven’t had the chance to see those movies yet (and I doubt I’ll ever review them anytime soon). Also, if you don’t agree with with my choices and listings, that’s fine. Everyone’s entitled to their opinions after all. If there’s a movie you feel that should be on this, fill free to make a mention in the comments, and feel free to create your own list of what you feel are the worst movies of 2018. I would be interested in reading your list.

2) In order to be placed on my Worst Movies list these movies must have received a D+ to an F on my grading scale, and have the hashtag ThisMovieSucks in the review.

3) These are not reviews. I’ve already reviewed these movies before, but I will give brief synopises of my final thoughts for each film. Links to these reviews will also be provided in case you ever want to read them again or you haven’t checked them out yet.

First, here are a couple of Dishonorable Mentions:

-Pacific Rim Uprising

-Fahrenheit 451

And just for addition, here a few anticipated movies that disappointed me:

-Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

-Pacific Rim Uprising

-Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

I know that Pacific Rim Uprising appeared twice, but that’s because I was so disappointed by how much it sucked. Alright, let's shit on this list with...

5. The Nun

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/232157/harry-situation-reviews-the-nun

Final Thoughts: The Nun was a dull horror film set before the incredible Conjuring series. It’s basically everything you’d expect from a horror film, including all the goddamn jumpscares. Seriously, it’s just jumpscare this, jumpscare that. Check your phone, jumpscare! Off to the store to get some milk, jumpscare! Jumpscare, bloody, jumpscare! I’ve had it with jumpscares! How about you?

4. The Titan

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/210545/harry-situation-reviews-the-titan

Final Thoughts: You know, I completely forgot that this movie existed. Seriously, I had to dig through all my reviews until I found this one and then remembered that I did watch and reviewed it. And then I also remembered that it sucked! To be fair about this movie it had a cool idea. Human experiments to turn them into an evolved species made to be habitable on another planet. But a cool idea does not make up for the lack of storytelling and depth, and for the fact that it was just uninteresting.

3. The Open House

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/200462/harry-situation-reviews-the-open-house

Final Thoughts: Ha, I just realized that the majority of the films on my list have the word ‘The’ in the title. So remember, if you’re a film student and you don’t want your movie to suck, leave out the word ‘The’. Any who, The Open House was one of the first films I reviewed in the beginning of 2018, and I’m ending it by labeling it as one of the worst films to ever come out in 2018. A Netflix suspense movie with zero suspense and even more generic than the last two entries listed.

2. Death Wish (2018)

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/220145/harry-situation-reviews-death-wish-2018

Final Thoughts: And the winner of pointless remake/reboot goes to... Death Wish (2018). Congradulations, movie, you suck. I mean seriously, this was just a totally pointless remake that didn’t need to be made. Eli Roth has done a good job proving why I don’t like him as a director. And Bruce Willis, what happened to him? All life, emotion, and giving a shit seemed to have been sucked dry from him. I’ve seen roadkill more alive than he was in this movie. The plot is generic as hell, the acting is stale, and in the end it just felt like a paycheck movie. You know the kind of movies that a director or actor doesn’t care if the movie does well as long as they can pay their rent? That’s this movie. Watch the original Charles Bronson movies because watching this one is a death wish.

1. The Predator

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/233090/harry-situation-reviews-the-predator

Final Thoughts: It was a tough choice trying to figure out which movie truly deserves the top of my shit list. I had to think long and hard which of these movies truly angered my the most while I was watching it. And then it hit me, The Predator! What the fuck was Shane Black thinking when he was making this movie?! How do you fuck up some as badass as the Predator?! Leave Rian Johnson and The Last Jedi alone! You people should be crucifying Shane Black for what he did to the Predator series! He turned an awesome, action-packed horror film series into a derpy comedy shitfest. Say what you want about The Last Jedi (although I much preferred if you didn’t because I’m sick as shit of hearing people shit all over instead of growing the fuck up and moving the fuck on), but you got to admit that there were at least 3 moments, 3 really good solid moments, that bared some resemblance to a Star Wars movie. The Predator had no moments. It had nothing that seemed like it was a Predator movie other than having the Predator in it. Shane Black is the guy that should never touch another franchise again! He already tried with Iron Man 3, and IT FAILED! Now he tried with The Predator, and IT FAILED! I know I gave this movie a D when I first reviewed it. But you know what, I was being too generous then. Fuck it, this movie pissed me off so much that I’m changing its grade to an F. Fuck it, it’s my list! I can do whatever I fucking want! Fuck this movie! It’s my number one pick for the worst movie of 2018.

So those are my picks for the Bottom 5 Worst Movies of 2018. Have you seen any of these movies or checked out my reviews for them? Which films caused you the most pain? Which ones did you agree with? Which films should have been added? As usual, please be kind, leave a like and comment. Thank you all again for following me and reading my reviews throughout the year of 2018. I do hope to continue again in 2019. The future is a bright one. And, if you haven’t already, check out my list for the Top 10 Best Movies of 2018.

Thank you all, and have a Happy New Year!

#harrysituationreviews #thismoviesucks #worst #film #opinion #garbage #2018

The new year is coming!

I've seen a lot of films this year. Last year I listed my personal picks of the best movies released in 2017, and I figured I should make this an annual tradition by listing off my picks for the Top 10 Best Movies of 2018.

My rules for placement are simple:

1) This list was organized based on my personal thoughts of the movies. Again, these are just my opinions for the best. And the movies listed are all movies that I’ve seen. So if you’re hoping that a movie like A Quiet Place or Mission Impossible 5 would be on this list, I’m sorry to say that I haven’t had the chance to see those movies yet. Maybe one day I'll see them and do reviews with them. But for now, I'm just focusing on the ones I reviewed. Also, if you don't agree with with my choices and listings, that's fine. Everyone's entitled to their opinions after all. If there's a movie you feel that should be on this, fill free to make a mention in the comments, and feel free to create your own list of what you feel are the best movies of 2018. I would be interested in reading your list.

2) In order to be placed on my Best Movies list these movies must have received a A- to A+ on my grading scale, and have the hashtag AGrade with the review.

3) These are not reviews. I've already reviewed these movies before, but I will give brief synopises of my final thoughts for each film. Links to these reviews will also be provided in case you ever want to read them again or you haven’t checked them out yet.

First thing I would like to do before addressing my list, let me list off some honorable mentions:

-Constantine: City of Demons

-Ready Player One

-Overlord

Alright, onto the list, starting with...

10. The Christmas Chronicles

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/243813/harry-situation-reviews-the-christmas-chronicles

Final Thoughts: Starting off with Number 10 is a film that already you folks reading this is going to have mixed feelings about what I’ve got listed for my Top 10 Best Movies list. But that’s okay. To each their own, right? But my first pick is The Christmas Chronicles. You know, the movie with Kurt Russell as Santa Claus, or as I call him Snake Nick. This is one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen on Netflix so far. I didn't expect to actually like this movie, but I cannot escape how much fun I have while watching it. Kurt Russell was great as Santa Claus, the two young leads were likeable, and it's just pure holiday fun. Might just make it a holiday tradition to watch this each year from now on.

9. Bumblebee

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/248336/harry-situation-reviews-bumblebee

Final Thoughts: I bet no one would have thought to see the day that a Transformers movie would make anyone’s Top 10 list, other than a Top 10 Worst list. But Bumblebee was the one film that actually felt like it did the Transformers series some justice. The human characters are portrayed like real characters instead of objects, the transformers feel like characters instead of CGI background. The point I'm trying to make is that without Michael Bay, it's got the touch... it's got the power!

8. Christopher Robin

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/226954/harry-situation-reviews-christopher-robin

Final Thoughts: This is the most feel good movies of 2018, and we definitely need one of those movies. If you've enjoyed Winnie the Pooh and Hook, this film's a good combination of both. Ewan McGregor was great as an adult Christopher Robin, and seeing Pooh and friends in live-action form was a nice treat. But what I liked most about this film was how it kept to the formula that we're all familiar with Winnie the Pooh while adding something new. Can't ask for anything more than that. Silly old bear.

7. Black Panther

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/203826/harry-situation-reviews-black-panther

Final Thoughts: One of my favorite Marvel characters finally gets his own film adaptation, and it was marvelous (see what I did there?). What I think is really awesome about this movie is how many records this film has broken and is still breaking today. It reached over a billion dollars in the box office in just three weeks, remained the number one movie for eight straight weeks upon release, has the highest score on the tomatoe meter on Rotten Tomatoes (beating out The Dark Knight), and is the first superhero film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Golden Globes, and it may have a shot of being the first superhero film to be nominated Best Picture at the Academy Awards. And once you see this film, it’s not hard to understand why.

6. Halloween (2018)

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/238045/harry-situation-reviews-halloween-2018

Final Thoughts: Last year I had the horror movie IT on my Best Movies list, and now, this year, I have Halloween (2018) on my list of Best Movies. Halloween (2018) felt like a return to form for the Halloween franchise. Michael Myers was just as terrifying as he ever was. Jamie Lee Curtis was spectacular as Laurie Strode. Not to mention that reinventing the whole Halloween timeline and franchise was a bold move yet it worked in this film's favor. Both critics and audiences loved this movie, it broke box office records, and it's been greenlit for a sequel. This film might have jumpstarted the slasher film genre again. Take that as either good or bad. Bottom line, I absolutely loved this movie and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Doo-do-do-do-doo-do-do-do-da! Doo-do-do-do-doo-do-do-do-da!

Side Note: Just a quick spoiler. The next four films on my list are all superhero movies. It just happened like that. It wasn’t anything intentional, I swear.

5. Incredibles 2

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/220268/harry-situation-reviews-incredibles-2

Final Thoughts: This is a Pixar sequel that I (and many others) have been wanting to see for a long time now. I DID MY WAITING! 12 YEARS OF IT IN AZKABAN! Ten points to anyone who gets that reference. Any who, yeah, Incredibles 2 is the animated sequel that I've been waiting to see, and it did not disappoint. There's much more focus on the other family members, it's an action-packed family adventure, and it's a very well animated film. Loved the original, love this Pixar? This one's for you!

4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/246939/harry-situation-reviews-spider-man-into-the-spider-verse

Final Thoughts: Sadly, I feel that any animated film I see after this one is going to be subpar compared to this one. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a gorgeously animated film and it is a spectacular homage to all that is Spider-Man. I loved each of the Spider characters represented, I loved the action, I loved the story, I loved everything about it. Whether you're a fan of the OG Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, this film has it all and more.

3. Deadpool 2

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/216469/harry-situation-reviews-deadpool-2

Final Thoughts: No shock to find Deadpool 2 has made it to my list, I know. But Deadpool 2 is just what I wanted to see in a Deadpool sequel. Comedy, action, blood and gore, uncomfortable nudity, and simply Deadpool being Deadpool. I don't know if they're going to do more with the character or this franchise or not since Fox has been bought out by Disney, but we'll wait and see. Just as long as they don't make Deadpool 3 PG-13.

2. Avengers: Infinity War

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/213526/harry-situation-reviews-avengers-infinity-war

Final Thoughts: Oh you knew this was going to be on the list. Infinity War gave me everything I could as for. Even if you're some hipster that's not into superhero movies, you have to admit that this film and all of the MCU have done what other films never could do before, and are having a hard time trying to accomplish. Everything that each of the previously established Marvel films have all been leading up to this moment and it delivered in stars. All your favorite Marvel characters are here, and Thanos was an amazing villain. The best part of this film is that I honestly have no idea what is going to go down in its sequel, Avengers: Endgame. The possibilites are endless. But you can bet that I'll be there to see my favorite heroes together on the big screen once more.

1. A Star Is Born

Link to Review: https://theprose.com/post/242050/harry-situation-reviews-a-star-is-born

Final Thoughts: This was honestly a tough call between this and Avengers: Infinity War. As much as Avengers: Infinity War could give me all that I could ask for from a movie (much less a superhero/Marvel movie), A Star Is Born was the one film that truly surprised me. I had no idea what I was getting into with this movie, and when I was done, I was absolutely blown away by it. The performances were amazing. The directing and editing was amazing. The music was amazing. This film was just amazing that I've seen it twice already. This film serves as a perfect romantic film to watch, as well as an exploration into the rise and decline of a celebrity, and I think that's the kind of film we need to see more of these days. I still don't know about any of the other adaptations of this film, but I doubt that they compare to how well this film was made. I can guarantee you that this film's going to win big at the Oscars and it deserves to do so, particularly with Lady Gaga's incredible acting. And that's why A Star Is Born is my pick for the Best Movie of 2018.

So those are my picks for the Top 10 Best Movies of 2018. Have you seen any of these movies or checked out my reviews for them? Which ones did you agree with? Which films should have been added? As usual, please be kind, leave a like and comment. Thank you all again for following me and reading my reviews throughout the year of 2018. I do hope to continue again in 2019. The future is a bright one. And check out my list for the Bottom 5 Worst Movies of 2018.

#harrysituationreviews #AGrade #best #film #opinion #winners #2018

A Transformers movie? And it’s actually good?

It’s a Christmas miracle!

Bumblebee is another Transformers movie, this time not directed by Michael Bay, so it’s already got its first positive. It features the popular, voiceless Autobot in his own feature film. The film is set during the 1980s, long before the other Transformers come to earth, and it focuses on a teenage girl (played by Hailee Steinfeld) who discovers the 1967 Volkswagen Beetle is actually a transforming robotic organism called Bumblebee. The two develop a remarkable friendship and must work together to stop the Decepticons from invading their world.

Honestly, I thought I was done with Transformers movies. I even told myself that I was done with Transformers movies. After last year’s shitstorm of shittiness Transformers: The Last Knight and they were going to be making spin-off films like this one, I had it and I was never going to watch another one ever again. But then I heard about the buzz (ha, see what I did there?). 94% on Rotten Tomatoes? That officially makes this movie the first film in the franchise to have to have a fresh rating. Okay, I had to see this movie. And, oh my god, it’s all true.

The first big positive that this film has that the other Tranformers movie don’t is character. This is a very character driven film, and it works because Hailee Steinfeld and Bumblebee work so well together. They do develop a connection that feels real and believable, even though you’re staring at something that’s completely computer generated. There’s much more character emotions that helps you connect with each other the characters in this film. Let me highlight that word for everyone: characters. There’s no annoying side characters, there’s no over-sexualized young women, there’s no Shia LaBeouf making weird faces, there’s no dogs humping each other, there’s no Transformers testicles, it’s got none of Michael Bay’s bullshit that he put into his films. It feels like a breath of fresh air. Sure there are a few human characters that act cartoony like John Cena and this government scientist character in this movie, but they’re by no means obnoxious. They’re actually really enjoyable.

Hailee Steinfeld is really proving herself to be an incredible actress, and she develops a much better connection to Bumblebee than Shia LaBeouf ever did in the first three films. And she does it miraculously. Her character is also portrayed as an outcast from school and home, which makes her all the more relatable.

And Bumblebee is really cool in this movie too. He’s got some good funny moments and he can be a total badass all at once.

The action looks and feels much better than the previous films. The first 5-10 minutes into this movie featured the War of Cybertron, and as a fan of Transformers, it was great watching it on the big screen.

Yet I cannot shake the feeling while watching this movie that the direction and story seem to coincide with other films. I think the one that sticks out the most is E.T. I mean it’s a movie about a child that lost their father and then said child meets an alien with incredible abilities, and the government is trying to hunt him down and... you get the idea. And there’s also a sequence where the alien is left alone at home and makes a complete mess of the house. It’s not a rip-off of E.T. by no means, and it’s not copying and pasting the plot of E.T. I mean, it’s not Mac & Me, oh god no. It’s much like how Star Wars: The Force Awakens borrows some plot elements from Star Wars: A New Hope just to play it safe, but it still manages to introduce new elements that make it fresh, nostalgic, and fun. That’s the best way to compare this film, and I’m glad it works. After the garbage we the audience had to sit through in the last installments, playing it safe is the best route to take.

This film is 10,000 leagues above any of the Bay-Formers movies. To me, this films more like a soft reboot for the franchise instead of a prequel. It that’s what the studio was going for then I’m all for it. If another film like this is made, I won’t mind going in seeing it, just as long as it’s as enjoyable as this one is.

Side note: this film also features Optimus Prime (voiced again by Peter Cullen) in his original Transformers look, which is always a positive.

Positives:

-Actual character moments & development

-Hailee Steinfeld

-Bumblebee

-Fun robot action

-Great CGI

-No Michael Bay bullshit

-Very down to earth and heartwarming

Negatives:

-Very familiar plot and direction

-Some cartoon humans

Final Grade: A-

So there’s my review for Bumblebee. I was honestly thinking of giving this movie a B just as a reference for this film, but this film was much better than that. Have you seen it? What were your thoughts? Which Transformers robot was your favorite? Please be kind, leave a like and comment, and check out more reviews before this year is over!

Best Quote:

Agent Burns: “He’s just a machine.”

Charlie Watson: “He’s more human than you’ll ever be.”

#harrysituationreviews #transformers #film #opinion #robots #action #AGrade

This is where the ‘Aquman is lame’ jokes come to die!

Aquaman is the new superhero movie featuring DC’s titular, aquatic superhero Aquaman aka Arthur Curry (reprised by the awesome Jason Momoa). While continuing to protect the world as one of its saviors, he is informed by an Atlantean named Mera (played by Amber Heard) that his half-brother Prince Orm aka Oceanmaster (played by Patrick Wilson) is going to unite the people of Atlantis to wage a war against the surface world. In order to stop this war, he must accept his true destiny and take his rightful place as the king, as well as become a hero for both worlds. The film also stars Nicole Kidman as Arthur’s mother, Temuera Morrison as Arthur’s father, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the ruthless Black Manta, and William DaFoe as Arthur’s teacher and royal advisor. The film is also directed by James Wan, best known as the director of The Conjuring series and arguably the best movie in the Fast and Furious franchise.

And if anyone is so bold to make an ‘Aquaman is lame’ joke, let me remind you something about this true badass. Aquaman is one of the strongest superheroes in the DC Universe. He is the king of Atlantis, whose domain makes up 70% of the planet. He is super strong, super fast, is bulletproof, his main weapon is a trident, can command legions of armies (both Atlanteans and sea creatures), can go toe-to-toe with Superman and still hold his own. Let’s not forget that this guy can also summon and control Cthulhu. And that’s why you don’t ever make fun of Aquaman.

Does this movie sink or swim? I’m gonna say it definitely swims incredibly well.

Obviously the biggest positive is Jason Momoa as the titular superhero. He was my favorite character from Justice League and it’s great seeing him again in his own movie. He’s badass, he’s funny, he’s just awesome. And what I liked most about his character in this film is that despite having all these powers he’s portrayed more as a simple person. He’s just a guy. He doesn’t really want to be king nor does he feel like he is worthy of being king. But when he realizes that both his worlds need him to rise, he does it. That’s Aquaman, right there! They nailed it!

I also liked Amber Heard as Mera, and I liked the chemistry between them. Unlike with Lois and Superman, the relationship between Mera and Aquaman had to actually build. At first, they can’t stand each other but the more they’re together they realize that they do share the same feelings.

And out of all the DCEU movies, this is the best looking one to date. There’s no way that a film where majority of the setting takes place underwater was going to look as well as it did like ten or twenty years ago. Of course the majority of it was going to be CG, you cannot escape that. But the CG really makes the ocean world look very colorful and alive. Atlantis is just this beautiful looking cityscape that it definitely looks and feels real. There were several moments that got me whispering ‘wow’ whenever I was looking at something in this movie. James Wan’s direction of action is top notch. When we first see Aquaman himself in action in the first five minutes, I was like damn if that’s what we’re in for, I’m ready as SpongeBob SquarePants. Everything was shot in widescreen so you could see everything that was happening, and it all looked great. Especially with all the fight scenes that take place underwater, it all looked incredible. And holy crap, that huge battle at the climax, fucking amazing. I was grinning like an idiot, and again, if a film can do that to me, that’s a win in my book.

I also do enjoy the two villains, Oceanmaster and Black Manta, in this film too. However they do range from over-the-top (Oceanmaster) to underdeveloped (Black Manta). But nevertheless, when they’re on screen they do provide enough entertainment. If I had to choose which villain I enjoyed more it would be Black Manta because of how badass he looks, and I feel that you could understand his motivation and his hatred toward Aquaman more. Heck, even Aquaman understands later in the movie that because he didn’t do this one thing that involved Black Manta, he ultimately created an adversary. Also, I cannot help but chuckle during the movie when Jason Momoa (39) calls Patrick Wilson (45) little brother.

But what really hits this film the most is its clunky storytelling. Throughout the film it felt like it was trying to tell a few different Aquaman stories. It’s like one part superhero/comic book movie, then it becomes one part treasure hunting movie, and then it becomes Lord of the Rings in the end. It also jumps around from being serious to being silly, and that may feel like a turn off for some audiences, which I can completely understand. Not to mention, the exposition dropping in this film is just as clunky as well. There’s a whole dialogue between Oceanmaster and this other character where he explains every single detail about what happens when he becomes king and how he becomes king, and I’m like uuuuugggghh!!!

In the end, Aquaman is ultimately fun and outrageous. Despite having a clunky story, there’s still plenty of moments where you can really get into it. Overall, a good superhero movie, as well as just a good movie in general, in my opinion.

Positives:

-Jason Momoa as Aquaman

-Mera & Aquaman chemistry

-Beautiful visuals and settings

-The villains

-Outrageously fun action

Negatives:

-Clunky story

-Some underdevelopment with characters

Final Grade: B

So those are my thoughts on Aquaman. I sure hope it puts an end to all the ‘Aquaman is Lame’ jokes. Have you seen it? What are your thoughts? Please be kind, leave a like and comment, and check out more reviews here on Prose!

Best Quote:

Mera: “Atlantis has always had a king. Now it needs something more.”

Arthur Curry: “Well, what could be greater than a king?”

Queen Atlanta: “A hero. A king fights only for his nation. You fight for everyone.”

#harrysituationreviews #DC #film #opinion #superheroes #comics #action

Chapter Thirty-three

Campaign

Retrospect

“ Numerical superiority is of no consequence.

In battle, victory will go to the best tactician.”

George Custer (1839-1876)

* * *

Dawn came early as the troop broke camp on the slow trail to The Hollows. The winds of an early winter rustled the surrounding trees, high up on the valley’s ridge. The weather pattern was changing with the rising sun; but on the valley floor, shielded behind a blanket of early morning fog, the men were quiet as they continued their duties on empty stomachs. The camps gray surroundings looked ominous, an omen,— gloomy as the desperation the men felt packing their animals without even benefit of coffee,— their remaining meager supplies, after an accident, had dwindled out the previous day. The company’s scouts never returned from the last night’s reconnaissance, perhaps abandoning them to a fate of starvation, lost among the rocky hills of this empty wilderness.

Late for their rendezvous and without escort, the commander was determined to valiantly continue the journey, but unfamiliar with the territory and without the benefit of a guide, the Captain was in a precarious position.

The Gatling gun they were moving was awkward for the hilly terrain; a .30 caliber ten barrel design, that could shoot up to 1200 times a minute, won the approval of the Ordnance Department in 1866 as a weapon of promise,— an improvement over Dr. Richard Gatling’s 1862 model,— a .58 caliber hand crank machine gun that had only six revolving barrels and fired on average, about 400 rounds a minute. The earlier version never won acquisition by the U.S. Government because of numerous problems; but in the post war era, Richard’s later achievement was adopted officially and deemed a valuable asset in the continuingly, increasing conflicts with hostile Native Americans.

Captain Jenkins was a man of moderate temperament and a stiff manner of control that held an unnerving power over the men under his command. He was under strict orders to move into the Northwestern region with his small contingent and support the failing efforts of the cavalry to suppress the escalating skirmishes.

The Gatling was the pride of his company, but after a week of pulling the weapon over the rocky terrain, limiting their advancement to a mere 20 miles a day, the men longed to dump the wagon wheeled monstrosity,— wishing they had dropped it over the narrow gorge where they lost the chuck wagon the previous week.

Captain Jenkins was of a different mindset and ordered the riggings set for another day when a call went out, and a panic erupted throughout the camp. Two men on horses thundered into the site yelling, “They’re dead,— they got um... they’re dead.”

At first, because of the fog, it could not even be determined where the riders were coming from. Men scrambled to their horses not sure if the enemy was advancing, when Captain Jenkins’ strong voice of authority resounded over the chaos, assembling the men in a large circle: a man about every ten yards apart, each with his animal by his side. A crew of four men wheeled the Gatling to the center on the higher ground, and prepared the magazine.

The riders broke the line, turning the heads of the nearby linemen and dismounted by the captain; their horses agitated and lathered, pulling at the reins wanting to continue their flight. With a quick salute, both men spoke at the same time in a panic, struggling to control their mounts.

“Gentlemen! One at a time,” exclaimed Jenkins. “One at a time.”

Corporal Sandgum, a small mouse of a man looked at his companion and nodded, quelling his excitement as best he could and reported: “Sir... we found the scouts on our recognizance this morning not a mile from here.” Sandgum took a deep breath and expelled it quickly. “Someone skinned them,— Sir.”

“What!” the commander barked in disbelief.

“Kettle and Oggal are hanging in a tree just over the next set of ridges dressed out like a shot deer,” squeaked the man, pointing in the direction they had just come from.

“Was it hostiles?”

“Sir,— I’m not a tracker. We found them fellers and broke it fer here.”

Suddenly, all the horses in the configuration spooked. Their charges, distracted by the confusion, broke formation when a crack like thunder erupted; and one of the men at the Gatling slumped over the axle.

“Corporal, man the gun!” The Captain directed, while placing his left hand on his saber. Turning his attention to his command, he paced the top of the ridge and yelled, “Mount up.”

A second crack dropped a horse soldier.

“Watch the left flank,” Jenkins barked in a manner of full control while drawing his sword.

Sandgum and his crew spun the weapon preparing for a charge.

“Blanket that pocket Corporal!”

The Gatling exploded into operation, showering lead over the left bank as an almost white flame whistled from the opposite side dropping another warrior.

“We’re surrounded men,— fire at will!”

Carbines spit and popped, but the fog limited even the simplest sighting of their attackers.

Two more soldiers were cut down by streaks of white lightning when the silhouette of a giant slammed through the lines and a private’s head spun to the ground at the commander’s feet. The ghostly form faded in and out with wisps of fog, rendering death in its wake.

The captain tried to understand the nature of the attack. In disbelief, he watched as a second phantom breached his left flank amid the hand-cranked, rapid fire of his company’s pride.

The outlined form that appeared without substance danced along the borders of the cavalry’s resistance,— then disappeared completely, only to spring back into view as the heavy moisture of the lowland cloud seemed to condensate about the specter’s features. The captain drew his pistol and fired instantaneously at the seemingly substance-less form which sprung lightly away, only to reappear behind Corporal Sandgum. The little man never knew what hit him as he slumped over the revolving barrels and was thrown into the spokes of the wooden wheels of the weapon. Horses bolted from their dead charges as the Gatling went quiet.

The captain called for his men to regroup, but an eerie silence dispelled any hope as the commander walked along the top ridge of his last stand. An unknown enemy had leveled his forces in mere seconds; and now he stood alone amid an invisible death that appeared to haunt this wilderness like a ghostly pack of ravenousness demons, bent on war with flesh-and-blood. Could these wraiths even be killed?

“Show yourselves you bastards!” The captain screamed as he stumbled over his fallen. “Cowards,— show yourselves!”

Jenkins spun as a glimmer of movement raked his right field of vision. He raised his sword and parried a savage blow. The clashing of metal resounded over the lonely hill; but the man could see no physical form, only the empty shadow of an outlined embodiment. Strange that a ghost could exert such force against a steel blade.

The captain raised his pistol — shooting center of the shape and the specter lurched backward with the impact of the bullet; but immediately sprang to its feet apparently unharmed. The silhouette crackled, as a blue web of netted light, etched around its giant frame and in a twinkling of an eye the monster appeared,— dressed in what the officer guessed was battle armor. Bulging eyes with a deep red glow, burned behind the stone features of the insect shaped head. Curved horns pointed at the officer like Lucifer himself selecting a soul for special torment.

“What manner of demon are you?” screamed the captain taking a savage swing with his saber.

The beast jumped to the side and deflected the blow against a stout gauntlet with multiple blades that extended, forming hooks down its entire forearm. As it spun, it twisted sideways, backhanding as it moved.

The punch went wide as the officer ducked the sweeping swing, and locating a gap in the armor of his enemy lifted his colt and shot.

His opponent reeled under the impact, as a purple phosphorous fluid splattered from the wound and the creature howled in pain.

Captain Jenkins stabbed at the beast with his sword, but his antagonist easily rolled away and sprang back to its feet.

Two more of the creatures appeared as spectators around the life and death match, standing like chiseled forms of stone.

The commander was startled by their appearance and staggered backward to brace himself for a charge, but the enemy just looked on. The captain raised his pistol when his wounded enemy’s forehead lit up with a small red light and the horns on the creature’s head sprang to life spitting a streak of white flame that struck the commander’s left hand taking it off at the wrist; his pistol dropping to the ground a few yards away.

In shock, the captain stared at his injury when the beast unexpectedly charged, swinging a brutal blow with its strange bladed arm. Jenkins, with the grace of a skilled swordsmen, parried the strike which deflected off to his right, dropped to one knee and plunged his saber into the soft tissue of the creature’s left thigh, just behind its armor. Howling his enemy spun and swung again, but the captain stepped back as he pulled his sword free and easily dodged the mindless attack, again stabbing his enemy in a gap of its armor at its right side.

Bewildered, the creature paused with some distance between his opponent — seeming to examine its wounds as its pasty phosphorous blood flowed over its battle garb.

The captain took advantage of the break and looked at his own injury. It was strange to him. The initial impact felt like a hammer had smashed his hand, but now there was no pain or blood. In fact the captain wasn’t even sure if the events happening were real because it still seemed like the appendage was there,— just invisible and he was controlling and moving his fingers at will.

Noise interrupted the commander’s inspection as he raised his eyes back to his assailant. The creature was lifting off its headpiece, amid hissing gas, and dropped the mask unceremoniously to the ground. The giant was the ugliest thing the captain had ever seen. Wiry locks of stiff black rope that looked like a tangled weave of disjointed black widow legs. The matted and twisted jumble draped the contours of the small head exaggerating the appearance of the limited forehead. Its eyes were unusually large under the deep brow of a steep ridge that conveyed the thought of evil to the mind of Jenkins. But the most unnerving thing about the creature’s appearance was the tusks that lanced downward from the beast’s mouth. Like a saber tooth tiger’s fangs, the dagger like appendages, dripping with foam, — seemed to salivated like a disembodied soul hungry for blood.

“What manner of demon are you?” Jenkins spat with disgust.

“What manner of demon are you?” echoed back from the creature’s position, mimicking exactly the captain’s voice, followed by an eerie clicking and chirping.

Jenkins snarled and readied himself for attack. “Let’s finish this!”

The monster raised its left hand as the second gauntlet’s set of blades engaged with the grating sound of metal on metal. Then the creature paused crossing his weapon bearing arms over his chest and then dropped them to his side.

“Let’s finish this!” Repeated the captain’s words from the creature’s position and the demon charged.

The captain backed up gracefully dodging and parrying every blow even catching his enemy twice more with stabs in the right arm and left abdomen, but the creature seemed unaffected by the injuries and kept up its onslaught of blows in a mastery of a controlled attack. The commander was quickly learning his opponent’s moves, gauging his strikes and understanding his defenses when he tripped over the body of one of his fallen men. The blunder was disastrous. The creature jumped in for a final strike. The captain was able to jab his saber into the back of his enemies left ankle severing its large tendon, but as the demon fell it pinned the commander’s sword arm to the ground and plunged its right forearm into the man’s chest.

Captain Jenkins lurched foreword staring at his conqueror for but a moment,— spit in the demon’s face,— then fell back weakened and gasping for air.

The giant then peeled the vanquished’s flesh under the agonizing screams of the torture. The fiendish mouth seemed to revel in the atrocity. The demon’s fangs dripped of froth, as if salivating in the helpless terror of the dying man’s eyes.

Chapter Twenty

A Lost Son

The young man staggered, inhaling wildly. Stumbling over an exposed root,— he fell,— catching himself on a low branch but dropped his spear. Blood flowed from a gaping wound,— laid open across the side of his abdomen to his backbone:— painting his lower extremities, and staining the heavy woven-wool garment belted to his waist.

Panicking, the man looked over his shoulder. The top, left side of his face was laid open from above the eye and across his hairline to below the ear. The skin hung,— torn free of the skull;— the bone standing out in stark contrast to the dirty flap of loose hide on the man’s cheek. His unfractured cranium almost glowed in the soft light filtering through the upper terraces of the forest. With each racing pulse of the man’s heart, his life’s fluid dribbled from his still attached scalp and streaked down the white expanse, mixing with sweat and grease, draining into his eyes. He dropped to his knees blindly feeling for his javelin,— hurriedly raking the soil with both hands until his right made contact with the smooth shaft. Clutching it to his chest he used the blunt end as a crutch and staggered to his feet.

A heavy thud hit the ground behind and the man turned presenting his spear in defense. Void of pursuit he scanned the trail. Madly he tried to wipe the excessive moisture from his blurred vision,— then froze. A massive form stepped from behind the large conifer, lifting a broad bladed war axe.

* * *

Tawque stepped in close behind Haiwi, wrapping his right arm around her small waist and placing his left on her hip, turning her body slightly. Nudging her ankle with his foot he whispered softly, “Spread your legs about shoulder width apart.”

She stepped out lightly with his touch and raised her left arm.— While firmly holding the center grip,— she extended it full as she drew the bowstring back with her right hand.

“Draw the arrow complete to the first painted ring, resting the knuckle of your thumb just under your eye.”

The wood creaked as its shapely contours bent under the strain of tension exerted on the sinew cable. The fletching brushed by Haiwi’s lashes as she positioned for sight.

“Look down the shaft, but do not focus on the tip. Rather, focus on one specific point on the target. With time you will know right where the arrow will strike.”

Haiwi’s field of vision tunneled down the feathered rod to a distant mound of piled dirt. Spent arrows riddled the area, half a dozen holding a nice pattern in the small hill.

“Your whole body is the instrument and you must repeat the exact same form each time you draw. If you must turn,— your whole upper body must pivot. No change to the extension in your arm, no difference to the point where you extend the bow.”

Haiwi felt his warm breath caressing her cheek,— the soft restraint of his hand and gentle touch.

“Focus,——allow nothing to distract you. Take a deep breath.——And as you exhale slowly;—when you feel the target,—— release.”

Like a feathered missile, the flint tipped point cut the air, striking the pile center of the grouping.

“Very good,” Tawque said as he stepped back from Haiwi.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled at her instructor.

“Gather the arrows that are close together in your quiver. The rest we bundle. Those that went right give to Bobby. Those that flew left give to the others.”

Haiwi almost skipped down to the hill grabbing the shafts holding the pattern and placed them in her quiver. Turning around she noticed Tawque had stopped short of following her and was examining the ground. “What is the matter? I don’t think one landed over there.”

Tawque was silent and kneeled, touching the earth.

Haiwi approached, leaving the excess arrows that were scattered about. “What is it?” she asked, more emphatically.

“It’s a blood trail.” Tawque stood, totally focused on the area before him.

“Perhaps an animal was hurt.”

Tawque shook his head, “This was left by a man and he’s cut up pretty bad.”

“There is no one here. Could one of our people been hurt?” Haiwi paused, spotting an elephant leaf, heavily covered in blood.

“The moccasin isn’t right.” His expression was one of deep concern as he met Haiwi’s eyes. “We have company.”

Haiwi fidgeted and pulling an arrow from her quiver she stood ready scanning the jungle, “We must leave now! All,— are enemies to us.” She notched the arrow to the sinew and flexed it slightly and eased off, reading the weapon in front of her. “Even my people are a danger to us.” Her eyes turned pleading, “Let’s warn the others and break camp. We can push west.”

Tawque whispered, placing one finger over his mouth for her to lower her voice, “One does not run blindly from an enemy. You might walk right into his camp.” He moved silently to a new point on the trail.

Haiwi stepped up beside him,— weapon ready, “What should we do?”

“We follow the trail.”

“Could we walk right into a trap? Would it not be better just to leave?”

“We need to know if there are more.” And placing his hand into a new print, he carefully examined the instep, “Where their camp is. If they pose a threat.” He made eye contact with Haiwi, “This track was made by a different man.”

“There’s more than one?”

Tawque spent a few minutes studying the trail and surrounding area while Haiwi nervously kept watch. After a thorough search, he came back, “There’s at least three. They’re injured and ran that way,” pointing.

“Well,— let’s go that way,” Haiwi motioned the opposite direction with her right thumb.

“Just because they went that way doesn’t mean they won’t circle back.” Tawque’s attention was suddenly focused a short distance away. He spotted an anomaly about thirty feet from the trail on the break of a small ridge and left the path.

“What is it?”

“Our men are being followed,” and ducking low he worked his way over to a couple skid marks. The displaced pine needles revealed a scar of bare earth. Something had stepped on the loose debris, lost its footing and slid down the short incline. Tawque moved quietly to the ravine below the scuffs with Haiwi at his heels. At the landing point he found in the damp soil of the wash several footprints. They looked human, but huge. By the trunk of a tree next to the ravine he found more. Wedged in the bark of a branch, he pulled free a tuft of hair: stiff and coarse, about 3 inches long and quite pungent.

“Is it cats?” Haiwi asked, putting a hand on Tawque’s back, trying to look around him.

“No, it’s something worse.”

Haiwi stepped around and saw the print. It looked human, but it was massive. She saw the dark fur in Tawque’s hand and shrunk back at the revelation. “Nephraceetan! We must go. Death is walking in this forest.”

“A few men we can handle,” Tawque replied with a grim smile, “even if they are big.”

“Not the Nephraceetan,—— no man has ever survived an encounter,— and no woman would want to survive if caught. They’re devils.— Children of the gods and they usually hunt in packs.”

“That would explain the blood on the trail, but we still need to follow. I don’t want to be wandering around this forest and not know where my enemy is. Following their trail gives us the advantage. Besides, if a whole tribe has moved in, we’re in trouble.”

“Please, I really want to leave.”

Tawque placed a hand gently on Haiwi’s cheek and spoke soothingly, “Trust me, I would never let anything happen to you, but we must do this.” His hand slipped down to her shoulder as he turned, looking up the ravine. “Better to face a few than a whole tribe,” and with a nod of the head started up the trail.

Haiwi followed cautiously ever alert. An arrow resting notched and ready. Her muscles tense.

Tawque picked up speed. How swift and silent he can move, she thought to herself as she slipped behind. She knew if she tried to keep up the enemy would hear them both approaching. Better for the Hand-of-the-Great-One to come upon them with surprise.

Within minutes Tawque disappeared in a denser mass of the tangled forest, leaving Haiwi in the shallow ravine far behind.

In a small clearing Tawque came upon two dead men,— one headless. Dressed in woven wool skirts and an array of arm bands and chokers,— jewelry of ivory and gold; their bodies were brutalized and bloody from numerous mortal wounds from battle. Tawque’s careful eye was scanning every detail to determine the weapons used, when a war-cry echoed over a narrow ridge ahead. The clashing of wood and grunts of battle carried through the woven maze of trees and brush.

Stealth and speed are the gifts granted the hunter. To the Blackfoot they were necessary attributes in life. Tawque was raised in a world fraught with danger. Tactics and warfare were taught from infancy. This day the gifts served him well. Within seconds he hit the top of the next ridge as silently as a shadow. From the cover of a large pine he watched the drama below.

Another man dressed in a woven wool skirt was battling with a massive figure. The hairy brute was accompanied by two other muscular foes. No taller than the man, but their hulk cast them as giants. The spectators, virtual colossi, seemed intent on just watching their comrade toy with his victim.

“Nephraceetan,” Tawque whispered as he thought of Haiwi’s words. Were these huge creatures of myth,— or men?

The engaged monster was hefting a double bladed war axe which the smaller man was fending off with only a spear. The weapon of the giant denoted intelligence, but the devilish ghoul looked more animal. Friend or foe to Tawque, the smaller man was going to die if the Blackfoot did nothing. According to Haiwi, the huge adversary was an enemy held in common. As swift as a·ah·rah,— lightning itself,— Tawque fitted a shaft and let it fly. The feathered missile struck deep, buried to the fletching, through the heart. The giant stiffened and turned when the smaller man drove his spear into the creature’s throat.

The man-beast backhanded the warrior, wrenching the lance from its neck as the gold and ivory clad soldier fell backwards, almost unconscious.

Tawque unleashed a second messenger of death as the flint punched through the base of the skull,— as the once spectators charged the Blackfoot’s position.

For the first time in Tawque’s life doubt and disbelief gripped him. He had pumped two arrows into one of the beasts and a war lance had severed part of the creature’s throat and still it turned with a fierce battle cry ready to attack. Two other demons were almost on him, but he stood his ground. With unflinching precision he buried another feathered shaft in the forehead of a new attacker. The wound slowed the beast but a moment. Then, from his right Tawque saw an arrow strike the other in the chest. He turned to see Haiwi fitting another in her bow. “Run!” he screamed, but Haiwi let a second flint point fly.

The creature turned on Haiwi as Tawque’s own assailant regained its footing. Without pause, Tawque, ignoring the danger to himself, unleashed a fletched missile at Haiwi’s antagonist, striking it in the groin.

The beast went down.

The arc of a double bladed war-axe grazed Tawque’s scalp as the warrior ducked the blow and turned, shifting his bow in his grip. With a mighty swing, Tawque severed the Nephraceetan’s leg just above the calf. Purple blood spewed forth as the creature fell, catching itself with its left hand; but the demon still tried to bury the axe in Tawque’s side.

The warrior pivoted, dodging the steel and spinning, took off the demon’s hand at the wrist. The big blade dropped to the forest floor as Tawque jumped and turned with a powerful swing. The ghoul’s head flopped forward, then rolled free as the body dropped, shaking uncontrollably, prone on the earth.

With a quick glance Tawque saw Haiwi, dancing around the injured devil, pummeling its body with arrows. The groin shot had apparently disabled the swifter movements of the thing, but the beast was still waving his axe in an attempt to kill its tormenter. Tawque approached, burying two more arrows into the creature’s back, through its heart. The Nephraceetan turned and Tawque took its head with a swing of his bow.

Looking down from the ridge, the man clad in gold and ivory was standing over the inert body of the last Nephraceetan. Haiwi saw the injured man and ran to Tawque, “We must go.”

“He’s hurt bad, he’s no threat. Do you know where he’s from?”

“He’s a free clansman of my city,— a hunter and trader. He mustn’t see me.” Haiwi tugged at Tawque’s arm. “Let us run from here, NOW!”

“If he’s from your city, isn’t he a friend?” Tawque watched the man collapse. Pulling his arm free he stared, distressed and disappointed at Haiwi, “In a dangerous place friends are hard to come by. This man will be a friend now.”

Haiwi bowed her head, “You are right,” she mumbled. Lifting her head, almost pleading, she looked deep into Tawque’s eyes, “But he poses great danger to us.”

* * *

https://theprose.com/post/135294/the-golden-city-i-posted-the-first-300-words-for-a-contest-but-i-thought-for-any-that-wanted-to-continue-i-would-post-the-full-prologue

Chapter 1

https://theprose.com/post/135238/the-golden-city-chapter-one-prison-bonds

Chapter 5

https://theprose.com/post/155256/the-golden-city

Chapter 8

https://theprose.com/post/136480/the-golden-city

Chapter 12

https://theprose.com/post/246382/the-golden-city

Chapter 38

https://theprose.com/post/165305/the-golden-city-chapter-thirty-eight

Chapter 52

https://theprose.com/post/136801/the-golden-city-chapter-fifty-two

Chapter Twelve

The King

Two men sat whispering by the glowing embers of the chamber fire. One on a beautiful crafted chair laced with animal skins and gracefully contoured ivory armrests carved with scenes of men on the march and animals running from the hunt.

The other man was older, resting a hand on his knee while holding a beautifully carved, ivory medicine staff; its butt planted firmly against the ground. The older leaned in on his perch,— a stool that matched the throne in splendor but not stature.

The flickering light danced across their countenances’,— revealing the comforting counsel from the kind face of the one sitting on the footrest and the anxiety written on the other’s.

“My Lord,” replied the older, trusted advisor, “Your fears are unfounded. Your daughter lives.”

“A·Qutue, how can you be so sure? She has been gone for over a moon and I have heard nothing but rumors.” The grief stricken man sighed as he fell back into the deep cushions of the large seat; cradling his head on his posted right hand as if only by the support could the weight of his thoughts be held aloft. Tears welled in the father’s eyes. “The eastern kingdom celebrated a great sacrifice with a woman of our land as the gift.” His head dropped into both his hands as he shook. “I have heard the talk of the servants.”

“My King,” A·Qu·tue placed his palm on the king’s knee. “I have heard those rumors too; but the eastern heathens’ ritual was thwarted and the woman was said to have escaped. Besides, I dreamed last night. Your daughter is under the protection of a mystic warrior. The gods themselves are watching over Haiwi for her safe return.”

“I truly hope you are right my friend, but I fear for her as I fear for our kingdom.”

“She will return. I have seen it.”

The monarch leaned in close to his most trusted advisor, his features pleading yet clothed in sorrow, “Please my friend,— if you have dreamed such comforting thoughts,— talk with the Great-One now and share with me the truth of this confidence.”

A·Qu·tue stood and pushed a lone coal back into the pit with the butt of his staff. Reaching for a pouch at his side, he pulled the leather bag from his hip and sprinkled some of its contents over the flames. A green smoke sputtered up from the fire and a strong aroma filled the chamber. The older man closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then hummed as he fell into the trance. Dark clouds hid the details of his thoughts as haunting forms drifted in an endless void amid the odor of the burning incense. The seer could hear voices, but the words were garbled. The image of a young woman reached out of the mist to A·Qu·tue — smiling, but the form wavered then disappeared as another,—a man floated by prone, with a flint blade in his ribs. A little pale-skinned stranger cried out. Then A·Qu·tue was standing before the temple. The beautiful ivory throne of his king fell from the sky and at the very sanctuary; it burst upon the ground and crumbled into dust. A·Qu·tue took the powder into his hand slowly letting it sift as the wind blew the particles into a whirlwind. A small child cooed and a young woman giggled. The mystic warrior of his previous visions appeared suddenly taking the priests wrist and blew the remaining dust of the throne from the seer’s hand. The powder turned to smoke and the awful fanged features of a Nephraceetan came out of the cloud, purging A·Qu·tue from the trance.

The king watched in earnest what was but a moment as A·Qu·tue awoke, frowning and fell back onto his stool, exhausted.

“She will come back soon? Tell me.— What do the spirits say?”

“She will come, but…” The old man drifted off.

“But, but,—but what.”

“She comes,” but tragedy marks her return. How can I tell you of the danger?

“Yes,—yes, Haiwi will return soon, then will she marry Ca·roo·a·too as I have promised and they will have a son?”

A·Qu·tue shook his head, “I believe Ca·roo·a·too is the reason why the princess is missing.”

“Nonsense,— he would have nothing to gain by harming her,” but a wrinkled brow and a hand rubbing the face and brushing the graying hair from the weathered forehead belied the king’s confidence.

“You are possibly right; but perhaps her disappearance wasn’t by his hand, but because of his hand.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“You know how she expressed her displeasure at your choice for Ca·roo·a·too as a husband.”

“Yes, but he would make a good husband and ruler.”

“But I fear, my King, that his longing for power reveals a darker side that Haiwi herself brought to my attention.”

The king smiled a sly crooked grin, “You and my daughter are conspiring together against me,—— my old friend?”

The old priest became blustered, waving his hands in dismay, “Never,—my Lord. I would never betray you or the kingdom, but your daughter has confided with me often. She is wise for her years and even she sees the truth.”

“Why would you say such a thing?”

“Have you not seen his grandiose ploys before the people and…”

“Stop this now. You are my most trusted friend, but you are wrong. Ca·roo·a·too has been like a son to me, especially since the disappearance of my daughter. And did he not lead the search party through the perilous Dark Forest in search of her? How many men did he lose in that endeavor? Fifteen? — And even now he is training an army to avenge us against the Yak·a·taw·wee·kee·tuo.”

“Yes my Lord. He is a brave man, but he can also be ruthless.”

“A ruler must be able to execute justice,— on his enemies, or — he’s not much fit for the position.— Ca·roo·a·too is of noble birth and has been raised as such.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Are you alright?”

The older man’s head dropped and his eyes closed as he ran his hand over his face. “Yes,—but the vision,— it took a lot out of me.” He leaned hard on his staff. “I need to retire.”

“Yes, my good friend. You retire and maybe your dreams will reveal more and better news.”

A·Qu·tue stumbled from the chamber, deep in thought. This vision was new. He needed to ascertain its meaning, but the quest had drained him more than normal.—— And the darkness he felt — troubled him.

* * *

https://theprose.com/post/135294/the-golden-city-i-posted-the-first-300-words-for-a-contest-but-i-thought-for-any-that-wanted-to-continue-i-would-post-the-full-prologue

Chapter 1

https://theprose.com/post/135238/the-golden-city-chapter-one-prison-bonds

Chapter 5

https://theprose.com/post/155256/the-golden-city

Chapter 8

https://theprose.com/post/136480/the-golden-city

Chapter 20

https://theprose.com/post/246680/the-golden-city

Chapter 38

https://theprose.com/post/165305/the-golden-city-chapter-thirty-eight

Chapter 52

https://theprose.com/post/136801/the-golden-city-chapter-fifty-two

It's been said that one man's - woman's! - trash is another person's treasure, so I thank all of you, my followers, for treasuring those works which I often think of as trash. Even when I've called my stuff "ca-ca" (*cough*) shortly after posting something, you guys - gals! - come out of the wordwork to applaud me and pass my words on, thereby warming the cockles of my heart. When I think I'm just a hopeless wreck who should never again dare to pick up a keyboard, pen, pencil, crayon, you go out of your way to assure me that I should, in fact, pick up a crayon - or even a keyboard, on my really good days! - again, and I am so thankful for that.

So thank you, one and all, my reliable quicker picker-uppers for lifting me when I need it most, for not pointing out my nakedness when I have bared myself to you, for not telling me to get a life. Because writing IS my life, and I am so grateful to you all for breathing along with me.

I'll also grudgingly add that I'm "thankful" for when you've called me on it when I've put my less than best foot forward on something. I wouldn't be getting better without you.

P.S. I know I haven't been as present as I have been in the past, but rest assured, I am around, and I do still care and love you all.