The Dance ~ By Dean Ross

A hazy mind, on a dark foggy night
Nefarious minion, far out of sight
Wandering aimlessly, throughout the streets
Imagining horrors, we’re sure to meet

Over our shoulders, we continuously look
Nervous and scared, skittish like crooks
Sometimes we walked, and at others we ran
Sometimes we stopped, then the talking began

We talked of tomorrow, and all that we planned
There would be peace and harmony, across all the lands
We talked of the present, and the girls that we like
There was mention of cars, and of course his new bike

Then a sound would occur, off in the fog
A footstep, a door closing, perhaps just a dog
We would both fall so silent, and perfectly still
Hearts beating fast, and feeling quite ill

We knew we must move, no place was safe long
Through yards we cut, until our lead was strong
We wouldn’t go back, of this we were sure
They asked of us far more, than we could endure

We traveled all night, through thicket and field
Down roads, alleys and some streets that weren’t real
We lost our pursuer, and by some stroke of chance
We made it back, for the end of the dance

A Voice ~ By Dean Ross

I have a voice it must be heard,
A whisper, a shout, a trembling word.
I have a choice, it must be mine,
Peace and freedom sure feel fine.
War, enslavement, sacrifice,
Disease, pollution and melting ice.
The modern world will surely die,
If we don't recognize the lie.
I have a voice it must be heard,
A whisper, a shout, a trembling word.

Flame of Splendor Barakiel (Lineage 2)

    We began to gather, like bees around a hive. ... Some clearly buzzing with more gusto then others. We gathered to send one of our own into the realm of Nobility. Flame of Splendor Barakiel had stood many days mocking the mighty Vedileth, who's patience was evaporating like the water does in this accursed Valley of Saints. Angels stood before Ved mocking him with their partially clad bodies. Patience at an end Ved sent a message through the ether. No longer would he wait meekly for his destiny to arrive. He would gather the companions he had made over a lifetime and forge his own destiny. Our priest Codef called down the blessings of his God and immense power began to flow through our limbs. Silos, myself and Ved himself cast other helpful magics where we thought it best.

    We smelled the scent of death in the air. We could not leave, each of us had suffered in some small way. It was time ... Either them or us, no other ending could there be. Hellraizer, a Destroyer from a far away mountainous land led the attack. Swinging his mighty sword "DjavulClo". Gruntal quickly followed wielding another mighty weapon called "Starbuster". Both Orcs were like madmen in their frenzy. Striking with no apparent rhythm or reason. Our squad of fighters Tad, Deviant, Hiryu and Augustmoon leap to the attack only moments after. Working together to best protect each other and do as much damage to the enemy as they could. Spells began pelting Barakiel, who seemed to shrug them off like water after a shower. The Damage Hellraizer took in those first few moments of battle shook the very foundations of the temple we were in. If not for the Celestial healing powers of Acidreflex, Herz and Ved himself we surely would have perished in those first few moments. I could see that they grew tired and the drain on their mystical energies was immense. So I began doing what I was there for. I poured my energies into those that needed it.

    One by one Barakiels minions fell to the mighty power we had unleashed. As the last fell another wandering clan-less Orc joined us in our fight. Brandish he was called and his fame was know across the land. He carried a pole casually across the front of his body. He towered over the tallest of us and the flexing of his muscles sent shock waves through the air. Several times Barakiel attempted to emulate the style our Orcish fighters displayed by going berserk and hitting random targets. But is was a pale copy of the chaotic behavior our warriors presented. In desperation Barakiel gave a part of herself to re-summon the minions that had already failed her once this day. A new hope flared inside us, a minion of the heavens themselves trembles in our unified might. Barakiel ordered her minions to attack the casters and holy men, while she occupied the fighters. At first this seemed to work as Acidreflex tumbled to the ground his body twisted and ripped apart. Next they attacked Codef hoping to interrupt his communion with his God. But it was already far too late. We did not bring amateur healers to fight an Angel. One healer kept the holy man alive and the other brought back Acidreflex from the grip of death himself. Our Orcs stayed on Barakiel as our other fighters moved to kill off her minions. Once again they fell to our combined might.

    The fear was plain on Barakiels face as her minions were dispatched for the second time in only a few moments. True madness filled her eyes as realization struck her as hard as one of our Orcs might blows. She was going to die and not even the Gods would help her. She began truly copying our Orc warriors striking out at everything and nothing. Switching targets, running a short distance away, she even tried to fly off once but her wings were torn and bleeding and would not work. Once pristine in her whiteness she was now covered in blood. Her eyes began seeping fluid as freely as her wounds. Her eyes locked with mine and I knew she realized why these mere mortals were not tiring and weakening. She had ignored me during the fight because I presented no apparent attack. Her eyes began to glow red as the love inside her turned to molten hatred. A strange calmness seemed to envelope her and she walked straight to me ignoring the blows that continued to rain down on her like a tropical storm. She lifted her weapon and struck out at me. I stood and took the blow in complete faith that the Divine protection that Codef had called down would protect me. It nearly didn't and our healers had a moment of panic that they might not be able to keep me alive. They poured life energy into me as I poured mystical energy into them. Our fighters moved to attack Barakiels unprotected back as she focused her attacks on me. Again she struck me and again I would have perished if not for our healers. Again and again the blows struck. each one would leave a scar, any of them should have ended me, but they didn't.

    She died quietly, sinking slowly and gently to the sands, mocking the chaos of a moment before. We stood panting breathlessly, watching as her body slowly faded from this plane of existence. Like lightning Hellraizer bent over and grasped several items off the body before it faded completely. We gathered our parties closely together and with a combination of scrolls and spells we transported ourselves back to the civilized part of the world. A little township called Rune was our destination. As we materialized in the village market, a crowd of people began to gather around. I found myself placed on the back of an old run down cart and a crowd of eager townsfolk and adventurers looking up at me expectantly. I cleared my throat and began ....

    We began to gather, like bees around a hive. ...

Always Keep Fighting

Always Keep Fighting 

Written by Dean RossInspired by Jared Padalecki A.K.A. Sam Winchester on Supernatural, T-Shirt campaign
benefiting "To Write Love on Her Arms", a nonprofit organization that supports people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.

I don't understand
There is no way that I could
I'd lend a hand
I don't know how I should

I want to reach out
And cuddle you close
Assure you it's all right
Bust all of your ghosts

Slay all of your demons
Show vampires the light
Bury all of your worries
In waves of delight

The life of a hunter
A protector a knight
Creating the illusion
That everything's right

There's nothing to fear
But who gives a damn
These are mere words
Who's meaning is bland

Myriads of millions
People without count
Sharing their stories
Just trying to help out

It lifts up the heart
It's the first of the stairs
Always keep fighting
Until all the world cares