THE ETERNALIA SERIES: Transcendence/Keena

CHAPTER 1. - EXPOSITION

When this all began, I must admit, I was pretty compelled. I mean, I just HAD to see where all this was going; a solar system where all the planets are inhabited, magic, swords, magical swords, sex – aww man, the sex! Hell of a pitch if you ask me. But then you get the shit like demons, this ridiculous alien warrior race we're STILL fighting, evil bastards, darker-than-dark secrets, moral ambiguity, and worst of all: Politics. Hell of an anti-pitch. I guess there has to be balance in everything, but... I don't know if I can handle all this. But like I said: 'I was pretty compelled'.

Now though... now I'm afraid. Afraid of what Unknown and Eterna have been keeping from me, which up until this point, I hadn't really given much thought or cared about. That's my fault though, with them being the 'don't ask, don't tell' type. All of 'em are like that. However, after a few crazy adventures and more than a few second thoughts, I feel like it's finally time: Time for me to know; to learn about the other side of the coin... the truth about what happened before I came-to that day. And even before they brought me here to our Cave of Secrets or whatever (which alone rang a few warning bells), their faces... their body language... that said it all. That said what they themselves apparently just didn't have the heart to actually tell me: "You're going to regret this, myKeena. Forever."

CHAPTER 1. – EXPOSITION

"Ugh..." he growled in a weakened voice.

A slight echo could be heard in the atmosphere. He opened his eyes to a pitch black, empty space. He stood himself up, feeling slightly groggy.

"Welcome back" said a pleasant voice, a slight reverb in its tone.

The boy stood and looked around, seeing nothing but darkness; an endless void. Oddly enough, he could see himself as if a spotlight shined on him from above. He wore an attire he couldn't recollect: An all-black outfit consisting of decorative jeans with an abundance of chains all around, a t-shirt, sneakers, and a long overcoat with many pockets all over it. In addition to his clothing, his black hair was incredibly long, straight, and shiny. His fingernails were black, lengthy, and sharp as well.

"What the hell?!" he exclaimed.

He looked up and saw a small orb of light hovering above him. The orb descended and flew all around the boy, as if examining him.

"Who are you?" the boy asked.

"Much appreciation for applying the word 'who' in substitute of 'what'"

"I am designate Exposition"

A puzzled look came to the boy's face.

"Is that really your name?" he asked.

"Affirmative" said Exposition.

The boy didn't know what to make of this. Feeling he already had enough questions to ask, he figured taking things step-by-step was more appropriate.

"You know my name by any chance?" he asked anxiously.

"You are designate Keena" said Exposition.

Keena felt his stomach turn as mixed feelings made his head rush. He took a deep breath and regained his composure.

Is it really? Keena thought to himself.

Clear as day, he heard those very words aloud as if he had spoken them through a microphone.

"Hm?" Keena grunted.

"That is your name. One would hope one's own name would be familiar to one's self, should it not?" asked Exposition.