A Note From the Author

One of the reasons why I haven’t been updating is that I’m not at all satisfied with the progress.

I find First Person perspective to be rather challenging and thought I could work with how Ivanov wanted it. However, the two of us have made a compromise.

I will start from the beginning. In my comfort zone.

This way, I can give you more perspective on what other characters are doing and not just what is going on in Ivanov’s mind.

Thank you for your understanding.

AU Post - In Memory

This is dedicated to the children and adults that lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary today.

This is not a chapter of Kosxmar but I was compelled to write something.

~~~~~~~

A note from the author:

I’ve resumed writing.

So expect to see more from me.

Thank you for your dedication and your patience.

waifunari:

VNV Nation - Sentinel

Can we say that we are free?
Our hands are bound and voices silent.
I’m sure it’s not a dream,
I am awake, my eyes are open.

I can’t accept and won’t concede,
In aftermath we find redemption.
The causes that are seized,
And disguised as revolution.

Quell the rage that deeply seethes,
The extremes of these devotions.
Dismantle the machine,
The device of their creation.

I can’t accept and won’t concede,
That this is who we are.
The conflict that is seized,
And disguised as greater notions.

To the songs that sing of glory and the brave,
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades,
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
On the day,
The storm has just begun,
I will still hope,
There are better days to come.

In the face of what I say,
My words would turn to anger,
Malevolence in need,
Cannot provide direction.

I won’t accept this thought,
That this is who we are.
Positions never change,
Losing all forward motion.

Harbour that which deeply seethes,
Temper your devotion,
Dismantle the machine,
The device of your convictions.

I can’t accept and won’t concede,
That this is who we are.
The conflict that is seized,
And disguised as greater notions.

To the songs that sing of glory and the brave,
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades,
Celebrate the day a better world was won?

To the songs that sing of glory and the brave,
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades,
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
On the day,
The storm has just begun,
I will still hope,
There are better days to come.

On the day,
The storm has just begun,
I will still hope,
There are better days to come.

Crucifixion

Because I want to drive the point home about just how much pain Arik had to be in even the brief span he was on that cross. The entire process is meant to cause agony and a slow, painful death. Some survive as long as nine days and some as little as a day. It is a means of torture as well as deterrent and an execution and is outlawed by the Geneva Convention but it still does occur in the world today.

Hands - The way the Russians nailed the hands in my story is much the same as the way the Romans did. Though the palm of the hand. However, if done incorrectly, the nail will just tear through the tissue and the person will fall. There is a space in the bones of your hand that would do nicely. There is a median nerve going through that area which means pain from this alone. The Russians would have also tied Arik’s wrists to the cross to make sure.
Feet - Arik’s feet are stacked before the nail is driven through. You have many nerves in your feet which are then irritated and stimulated. He has no footrest. The flats of his feet are even with the rough wood.
Scourging wounds - He was whipped earlier and every time he lifts his body up to breath, he is re-opening those wounds. Causing more bleeding and irritation to those nerves in the back.
Starvation/dehydration - Arik was not permitted to eat or drink for three days during his interrogation. And when they did bring him water, he refused it not knowing if it was drugged or poisoned.
Difficulty breathing - The chest is fully expanded, compressing the lungs. The victim has to decompress his chest to breathe. He’d have pain in his feet and legs but have lessened pain in his hands and shoulders. When lowering himself back down, the pain in his legs and feet would lessen but the pain in his hands and shoulders would renew.

Had Ivanov not acted, Arik would likely have died within a day of asphyxiation/starvation and dehydration/blood loss. And he would have been a martyr to be rallied behind.

Arik was used as an example to both the rebels fighting for him and the mutants who believe in him. They hoped to quash any further rebellion but Ivanov would use this against the former regime.

Ivanov does not use this method and he expressly forbids Maxim and Konstantin from using it.

Konstantin Zharov

Name: Konstantin Zharov
Alias(es): Minister of War, Silver Tongue
Age: 34

Family: Unknown

Abilities/Mutations: Pyrokinesis -Manipulation and creation of fire. Does not need it to be present to function.
Charisma - Can persuade people who hear him to do whatever he wants. Even going against their nature.

Identifying Markings: None. The red tips to his braids are rather distinctive. As well as his facial bone structure.

Personality: Power hungry sadist. He starts out as rather compassionate however, once Ivanov gives him a taste of power, he’s quick to comply for more.

Orientation: Heterosexual
Gender: Male

Chapter 5 Camerlengo Angelico Moretti

Name: Angelico Moretti
Alias(es): Camerlengo, Padre
Age: 35

Race: Human
Occupation: Camerlengo to the current Pope

Family:
Mother: Rosa Moretti
Father: Lorenzo Moretti
Son: Arik Crimsonrose (Adoptive)

Personality: Angelico cares for his adoptive son a great deal. He can come off as overprotective at times but he has the best of intentions. He’s devout in his beliefs as a Catholic. Believes Arik is something more if he can survive crucifixion.

Gender: Male
Orientation: Celibate as per his Vows to the Church