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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE GOLDEN PACK (ELITE LYCAN SOLDIERS UNDER THE OF SERVICE OF THE HALL OF WIZARDS)

General Kekko, we finally have him! Careful men, he's a Ja-aanite necromancer! So whatever you do...don't let him wave his hands! Should we wait for Master Marhos?

He is away on a mission, but I've already informed Master Ang-Nath, we just need to--You think a mangy bunch of mutts could stop me?! You don't know what you are up

Against! So what's that gotta do with you breaking into our Coven, huh? I'm merely taking back what's ours--what your Order had stolen from us! What's he talking about?

No idea...but whatever he meant...he's not leaving this place with it! Men, on my signal, "Bark at the Moon!" (A powerful Lycan spell) Ha, do you think you c--Now! (Wolf Howling)

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TALES FROM THE VALLEY CITY - AZRUN AND XEVRAN RETURNING HOME AFTER ATTENDING A HEAVY METAL CONCERT

Well at least I'm glad some things from my past had survived this long...though I never really liked death metal when I was a kid, heheh! Yeah, well my Dad's really into this

I mean you should hear all those loud riffs he wrote at home whenever he got the time, heheh! Yeah but your Dad was a totally different person back then, goofy, loved

To joke around and the life of the party, literally! Whoa, cool...! Nowadays my Dad, he's only interested in making me happy but sometimes...! (Sigh) I wish he could cheer up

A bit...! Yeah, I guess the death of G.I. The Cool really changed him...! And now he has to solve yet another one of those riddles, I hope nobody important has to die again this time, Azrun...! Yeah, I hope so too Xevran...!

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LAMENT OF A DREAMER - HUMOGA AFTER RECEIVING THE SECOND RIDDLE OF THE STIPUSEE KAQK-ZU

So maybe I was wrong to have protested so much, but why must the President sacrifice himself so I can solve this riddle? I must admit he was more than a mentor to me

He reminded me more of my earthly father and my late Uncle Xery in one! How can I stand to lose another important person in my life when even I can't understand what's

Going on? How--Thats how I would feel after every arguments we had, Humoga; so lost, confused and blaming myself for everything! Huh, Dad? Why, why are you here on Triakis?

(Silence) You've known about that second riddle, haven't you? Humoga I know we've had our differences before but this riddle is meant for both of us to solve! (Silence) And I'm willing to try...if you're willing to let me...!

Shigeru Onishi. Untitled, ca. 1950.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RARE EARTH MINERS HARD AT WORK ON SOME DISTANT PLANET IN THE MILKY WAY

(Sigh) This is seriously not what I signed up for, Doog...! Well until we find out who had wrecked the alluvial gel strainer yesterday we have to strain the Klombeit silt by hand

Our Boss was awfully pissed because he just repaired it and...! (Sigh) Just try and keep up with me will you, human? We have two more acres to go...! Man, can't believe that the

Alluvial gel strainer rig can sift through ten acres within an hour, and we barely able to finished two! But seriously, Doog...who's the stupid, goddamned, sonofabitch, that took

The rig for a joyride last night?! Don't look at me human--I'm still hungover from last night! Damn that Lep-Omarchian guy can really drink! Heheh...! Yeah, remind me never to bet against him again Doog, heheheh...!

Welcome to Titan, moon of Saturn, painted by Ron Miller, featured in Future Life, November 1978.

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GUARDIAN HUMOGA MEETING WITH THE RIDDLE MISTRESS INSIDE THE DERELICT SPACE STATION TO RECEIVE HIS SECOND RIDDLE OF THE STIPUSEE KAQK-ZU

Fair days eternal, Great Keeper! And to you too, Guardian Humoga! It's been awhile since we last talked...! Yes, if only you're not so hard to find I would've been here sooner...!

(Sigh) Forsooth we're living in interesting times, Humoga; as heaven is wont to mix joy and sorrow together of late...! So are you ready to--Isn't there any way to stop with

This damned riddle thing, Keeper? Why Humoga, so the President he told you of his plans I reckon? Yes, and I'm sick of this death and dying thing! Can't we just...summon the

Damned Stipusee Kaqk-Zu thing into the universe already? It doesn't work that way, Humoga! But take heart, for if you successfully answered this next one, a gift awaits you! Yeah, yeah, let's do it already...!

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NIGHTFALL OF NEW HAVEN - CHANCELLOR RIGEL EXCELSIOR IV RUMINATING BEFORE A LIFELIKE SCULPTURE OF A DECEASED OLD FRIEND

Two weeks...and I'm already running out of ideas, old friend! By now every Tom, Dick and Harry of New Haven have heard rumors about our otherworldly guests, the longer

They stayed in Kryutopia Central the more curious everybody becomes! (Sigh) They're not ready yet, not ready to know that they live in a very tiny world! Mater Draconis if

We keep on eluding all of their questions then...! Already that rebellion in Shen-Hwa had begun to simmer again, I shudder to think what will happen if the truth gets out

How will this affects their lives? Patriarch, I hope you'd find means to take those two off of our world as soon as possible or else...! (Sigh) And thanks for listening to all of my ramblings, old friend! Really appreciate it...!

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LOST COVENS - A TALE OF THE ORDER OF THE FIVE WINDS OF CREATION (MAGICKAL HEALING ORDER)

It's good to see you again, Cousin Proscotra! Yeah, likewise, Cousin Flistra; what with all that I've been through lately, connecting with long lost relatives is the least on my mind...! So what are you doing here in these parts? Oh, I'm just...on my way to visit the Golden Valley, the birthplace of our healing order...! You mean the Kenemarian Kpilz? But

I thought you needed to sign twenty-seven local and federal documents just to set foot in there? (Planet Pib is mostly arid, so oases and forests are protected national treasures) Yeah, well it's a good thing I was part of the late Stanley Chan's squad (the human who defeated Shaik the Fallen One), it's high time I cashed in my hero cheques don't you think?

Huh, I can't get even a kilometer near there with my title (Flistra's a Union Elite Medical Practitioner) so--You can come along if you want to...you're a Healer after all! You...mean that? Yeah, it's high time you delve deeper into our ancient profession, maybe it can help you with whatever you're gonna do up there...! (Proscotra knows he's a Guardian)

So you're implying that our Order and the one on XNROE might be connected? Could be, but if you remember everything that my father taught you our abilities aren't exactly natural! Well, I've been wondering about that from time to time...! Great! First let me tell those government reps you're coming with me...! Alright, and I'm gonna tell Humoga I'm going on a personal mission! Later, Cousin...!

— Bernie Wrightson

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A SCENE FROM A RECENTLY OPERATIONAL, ORBITAL RELAY STATION ABOVE A NON-ALIGNED WORLD SOMEWHERE IN THE BETA QUADRANT

Hey Manfred, look! No hands! Heheh! (Sigh) At least he's making jokes now, that poor kid! I remember his Dad always took him to work every Friday, that Pibian boy he's all smiles

And curious eyes, he never stopped telling everybody on the station he wanted to be an engineer like his Dad! We watched him grew up to held his first wrench with pride, heck!

Even saved this entire facility from exploding with his quick thinking once! I can't believe it's been two years since that day, how our beloved city Greduan Spunza got wiped out

By The Faceless Horde as we're working in space, that look on his face as he...! (Sigh) I promise you kid, you'll never be alone again! We're gonna make it...together! Just you and me...! Alright...show time's over, Xenstra...!

Extended Arm Vehicle by John Wallin Liberto

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THE DARK QUEST - CHIEF NECROMANCER MARHOS KEPULOUS AND HIS SEARCH FOR THE SECRET NAME OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SWORD

Now that the trial is over I can now begin my search for the Sword Of Wisdom's secret name...a futile attempt, albeit it's better than waiting for Akephalos to make his move! For this I must do the unthinkable: I must brave the chaotic Wild Frontier this time! (The unstable borderlands between reality and virtual reality) I have earlier exhausted my

Search within the nether realm hence I must try my luck with its binary version this time! Once again Brother Tervlen has been kind enough to give me some magickal devices needed for my travel, and also knowledge of the many dangers inside that psychotic realm! (Great Shairo nearly lost his life in there) He begged me to reconsider going in

But alas! The Virtual Universe is the only part of Creation where Akephalos has absolutely no knowledge of (The Virtual Universe was created much later than the actual Universe) hence an answer might be found there! I must admit that a part of me is apprehensive still about my chances, but a part of me is curious on learning how the nether realm

In the virtual universe looks like! So here I am at the threshold of the Wild Frontier, The Mage Killer (his magickal sword) in one hand and hope in the other, and nothing but prayers for strength and protection! (Sigh) All devices primed and powered up, no hostile forces in sight, and the portal now opens! "The Truth Prevails, Even Beyond Death!" (Rede of the Necromancy Order)

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VOICES OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE - PEOPLE FROM A BATTERED ICY MINING PLANET PICKING UP THE PIECES AFTER THE FAILED KLTUA-LYMONZS INVASION

Nobody remembered what it's like before the invasion, before massive alien engines came from beyond spreading ungodly destruction! Nobody knew what is what anymore, to live

A good life albeit always under the mercy of the elements, to propose a toast every night for another fruitful day at work, both in the rare earth mines and the cryoponic farms...!

Nowadays we the people of Untaria 5-41B just have to make do with whatever we could find, hoping to last in between Union's relief missions, hoping those desperate nearby

Colonists wouldn't raid our cities again despite the Union's protection! So please, whomever it is up there, if You really do exist, please let us wake up from this nightmare?

Warm light in a cold world by Jan Ditlev

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A SCENE FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE MIGHTY EARTH ALLIANCE MILITARY

(Sigh) I'm a bad, bad person, you guys! My girlfriend's sad that her father disowned her and I can't even--By Guma lamenting on it won't help anyone, Windmill! Tevork-Chi's

Right! The best thing to do is to always be by Semelix's side, assuring her that not all is lost...! Why Toothless...dispensing love advice I see? Heheh, well somebody here has to say

Something, General--I mean--Paladin! Yeah we all know what it's like to find somebody who loved you they suddenly stopped loving you...! Speaking from experience, Leviathan?

Why don't you say it again closer, Jared? See if there's anymore teeth left in your mouth! No, you don't understand! I felt dirty...like...I betrayed her trust! By Guma what do you--I made love to her while she's crying! (Silence)

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ELDER PROBLEMS - THE ORIGINAL FIRST WIZARD TALKING TO PRESIDENT SAIF MINTAKA INSIDE A MYSTERIOUS SPACETIME CONTINUUM

...You're being way too hard on that kid, Mr President! (Sigh) Forsooth if one is to answer this next riddle of the Stipusee Kaqk-Zu, one requires "two minds and two hearts" or else

The answer will forever eludes us! But Kevga is still a kid, and it doesn't help that his son is also the same age, Mr President! We've all been there before my friend, but after that

Akephalos managed to sneak into XNROE time is now of the essence! Are you really that hell-bent in throwing your life away? Humoga looked up to you and--I've made up

My mind; Akephalos can never be destroyed if I don't sacrifice myself! Dear God, can't I convince you otherwise, Mr President? No, I'm afraid you can't, Mr First Wizard...! (Sigh)

A hibiscus flower under ultraviolet light, shining for the polinators.

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ELDER PROBLEMS - THE FIRST WIZARD DISCLOSING THE HOLY ESTATE'S RECENTLY CONCLUDED, HIGH-PROFILE TRIAL TO THE MASKED POLITICIAN

...If only he hadn't saved me so many times (the Kltua-Lymonzs invasion) then I wouldn't hesitate to throw him the book! Well I mean he--Forsooth the apple fell far from the tree, Master Kevga...! What, do you--You're that eager to punish your only family when rules and regulations suited you best? Alas that's not what the old First Wizard would have

Done! But I only did this for--You know very well why Brother Jargeil did what he did; he'd rather die than to disappoint you or have you forgotten about his past already? (Silence) Forsooth you are that close to transgression if you ever gave him the death sentence, Master Kevga! And will send you back to that stony prison myself if you

Ever did that! (Silence) I can't believe you could be such a pigheaded child! Haven't these past six years taught you anything?! For sure it's plain to see why your Humoga regretted trading his best friend's life for yours...! (Sniffle) Oh, cease these worthless tears Kevga! You know why I said what I said! And did you--All these while I wondered why

Humoga acted this way when I...can't believe you could be so heartless...! (Sniffle) All I ever wanted in life was for somebody to say...I did the right thing...but always...I was made to, to feel...small...so...worthless! I...I can't take this anymore!!! Can somebody...please...for once...tell me...I did good!? Is that too much to ask?! Why am I always...being made...to feel like this, God?! Why?! (Silence) Kevga...!

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TALES FROM THE VALLEY CITY - HEAD OF THE VIRTUAL ORDER MEETING HIS GUARDIAN FRIEND DURING OFF HOURS

Yeah he tried too hard, Humoga; I could've sympathized with him a while back but...! (Tervlen had to choose between dispatching his ancestor/founder and banishing him off world) He's lucky we didn't find him guilty of high treason! Whoa, he actually got hold of a Qlippoth, an Anti-Creation essence that could deconstruct every building blocks of

Creation? That little guy was braver than I thought, heheh! You're joking, right? Yeah I know he could've destroyed us all but, man! He's in love with Lilith, the rogue demoness? Yeah, what did Brother Jargeil saw in her, anyway? Well I may not be straight like you but Shairo's aunt is smoldering hot--even in her true form, heheh! (Snicker) Yeah but I

Prefer Senoha better...! So...I heard you and Senoha had gone off to second base? Huh, that's the last time we'd make out in there...! Hey, you're the man Tervlen; you two guys are nearly there, you know? You think so??? Yeah, it means somebody gets to share a future with you! Hey, thanks! But what about you, Humoga? I heard you and that werewolf

(General Kevyuri "Kekko" Samawi) nearly hit it off back th--He's a Lycan, not a werewolf...! Sorry...! Yeah it wouldn't work, but I've gotten over it since; my jobs and my son always comes first, period! So erm, so now...you're gonna go and solve that second riddle to the Stipusee Kaqk-Zu, right? Master Kevga told me that...! Yep, and here we go again! (Scoff)

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BOULEVARD OF RUMINATION - STEEL MAGE JARGEIL KORUNDUS TAKING A WALK AFTER A STRING OF EVENTS

There goes Master Kevga's trust...! But...but at least...! (Shudder) Things could've gotten worst--my neck could've been underneath Brother Marhos' blade! (The Mage Killer

The only weapon able to kill all mages and wizards) Thank God I was able to present my case to Master Kevga (Jargeil had used the Qlippoth to finally extinguish the ensorcelled

Forest fires) oh the lecture he gave me! Alas I knew this would happen, but if it's the only way to make that damned General Kurivian to shut up and do as I say I'll...! (Sigh) At least

The Dance Of Life is back on track again, albeit I'll forever be under the gaze of Brother Marhos it's...it's a small price to pay...! Now I need to pay Lilith a visit again...to return the Anti-Creation essence I borrowed...! (Sniffle)

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TALES FROM THE ORDER OF DARK WISDOM - CHIEF NECROMANCER MARHOS KEPULOUS DONNING HIS OFFICIAL HEAD OF ORDER'S REGALIA

Wow that really looks good on you, brother! My dear sweet Ageon (Fayerina's husband) would throw a fit if he ever sees you like this, heheh! (Wearing the official fatigue in front

Of their arch rival the undertakers is akin to declaring a war in antiquity) I guess I better get used to it comes the Dance Of Life...and then some! (The Chief Necromancer has a

Darker more sinister role in the Holy Estate: dispenser of punishments to treasonous wizards and mages) So those rumors were true? Brother Jargeil had aquired a Qlippoth?

Hence the reason why I was called to attend this secret board meeting--and also on my wearing this accursed suit for the first time! (Sigh) I can't believe he did that, brother...!

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SINS OF THE FATHER - GUARDIAN MAIKA BROUGHT SEMELIX AND FLELLNIA TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME

What...is the meaning of this? Unhand me now, Guardian! (Gasp) Dad! Dad, I thought I lost you--Who are you calling Dad?! But Dad, I'm Semelix your daughter...! Don't you...don't you recognize me? (Scoff) You! You're only as useful to me until I can avenge myself! But since that failed, I've no further use of you...! (Sniffle) Dad, why are you doing this to me?

Are you really dumb, or just in denial? Dad, why--I'd sell my soul to Shaik The Fallen One just to be the best hacker but that cunning bastard had other plans! In return for serving him loyally he gave me one of his blasted creations--you're supposed to destroy me should I betray him or when I'm no longer wanted! But that idiotic Flellnia fell in love

With her, doted on her like his own begotten offspring! And after he got what he wanted he disposed of me like garbage! But oh, even in death I found no solace--the Ancient Ones tore me off of my slumber and had their vile way with me next! I swear that I will have my revenge one day, but you're too stupid not to get out of my way! But Dad...I thought...you

Love me? Love?! You see what this Love has done to me, Semelix?! Love is just an excuse for anyone to use you, to own you until they don't want you! (Sniffle) Great Maika, please save my...! (Sigh) I'm sorry Semelix, but this is who your father really is! So are we done? Now release me and never bother me again! No, Dad, please! Don't go! I love you...! DAD!

Enemy - The Clayshaper, after William Adolphe Bouguereau.