"Living Dead Girl" A Side

Night falling. A fog-shrouded city. A door opens. A skeleton walks out carrying a pick axe. Another day in the mines. Another door opens a zombie shambles out. It lifts a bag of turnips over its shoulder to head to market. Another door opens. An ancient hag cackles and walks out. She walks to her cart and loads it with small satchels. Her latest harvest of herbs should sell well at the Night Market. In the fog two shapes appear, both covered in spikes and leather. One a black and silver werewolf with prominent fangs and claws, the other a tall and threatening chimera. Their vicious appearances countered by the kytheras they had strapped to their backs. The werewolf stopped before yelling "HHEELLOO TORAQ ASU!!" Her voice echoed through the streets. The denizens turned to look at the two. The chimera froze in fear as the werewolf looked around seemingly so proud of herself. "Eddie...they're staring...like really staring..." The denizens continued to stare for a long moment...before moving about their business "C'mon Gerry, don't be a scaredy cat! See they just don't know us yet." "Eddie...one guy's eye was hanging out...and on the road we saw a knight riding around on a flaming horse holding his own head.." Edea kept walking. "That's how the Undying are. That guy was just keeping the road safe...he even waved to us!" Gerry looked at her friend, not sure if this was confidence or stupidity. "You know we're two of the very few living beings here...right?" "Yeah." "They can also tell we're not from around here." "Oh come on! They know what's up! We're just dressing the part! When in Harmonia, do as the Harmonians do! That's why we're dressed like this! Two fierce beasts that inspire fear!" "Yeah, you know they can tell we're not..." "It doesn't matter! The great gods Mayvin, Ereshkigal, Masako, Maxine...and Namazu...almost forgot did that very thing! Don't you wanna be that cool to?!" "Well yeah..." "Trust me! I got this figured out. We're gonna play at the local bars and square. Get a feel for the place. Take in the atmosphere!" Edea said as she zipped up the street. "This is where Steel Stinger gets its start!" "Eddie..." "Hey! Don't forget! I'm the Steel Wolf! and you're the Prideful King! We're music stars! Let's act like it!" she cut her off. Gerry sighed in resignation before perking up, "Okay, but let's get some food and a place to sleep. I hope these guys eat regular food..."
 
Night was beginning to fall over once again over the nation of Amaranthine. Edea and Gerry found themselves strumming along to "Defy and Disturbance" and the new Ballad of Steel Stinger. They wrapped up their last song to a near empty bar, the one patron a zombie sulking in the corner. "Thank you! You guys have been awesome!" They went to the corner to count their take. Gerry counted out the stack one at a time...a very small stack. "That's...20 silver..." "Hey! 20 for..." "BOTH of us!" Gerry cut Edea off. "So we had a slow night!" she piped up. "That's gonna happen! Shale's even more famous for playing empty dive bars at her start!" "Hey, I love Shale too but that was her. She still had to figure out how to make more...and so do we..." said Gerry. Edea stopped and looked down. She looked over to the bottle of local hooch, she grabbed it and took a long swig. "Eddie, take it easy." "This is my thinking hooch!" "It's a spare bottle the revenant bar keep gave us as advance payment......I still don't know how you drink that stuff..." "Ugh.....we need......something new..." "Hey, ladies!" came a scraggly voice from the bar They looked to the revenant barkeep rubbing a glass. "If ya wan' my advice take a stroll around town, clear your heads. You been playin' but they ain't comin'. You should go hear some other musicians." The two looked at each other. "Trust me. I' been aroun' forever...literally. I see all sorts of artsy types like yourselves and it's always the same. Go listen to some others, ya never know," said the barkeep. "...yeah," said Edea, "That's a good point, Cedric. Thanks for that and putting us up." "Hey, just think of old Cedric as your first fan when you hit it big!" "We will," said Gerry, "I haven't seen a lot of other musicians around here. Where should we start." "I hear there's another one causing a real stir over at the Marrow! I hear she's something else...and you can hear her strings sing in the dead of night..."
 
As the words were spoken, an intense melody carried over the air. The notes were so beautiful and melodic but at the same time, so hard core. "Speak of...I think that's it! Girls! Get going! Find that musician!" "Gerry, you heard him! Let's go!" The two ran off into the night, following the sound. They ran through street, alley and square. In the middle of the square sat a hangman's gallows. Atop the platform stood a grey skinned woman, eyes glowing with yellow fire, clad in a sleek grey dress. In her hands she held a lute pulsing with magical power. She looks to the audience and yells out. "I am Santanica Avernus! Here to rock you to your marrow!" The crowd of zombies, skeletons, lycanthropes, and other various monsters cheered, throwing the horns up and screaming. "LET ME HEAR YOU!!!" she yelled again. And again the crowd yelled back. "HELL YEAH! THIS ONE'S CALLED 'BREAKING SOME BONES'!" she screamed as she began to shred her lute. Gerry and Edea stood in awe and listened. "Gerry...holy shit...she's awesome..." "And she's way better than..." "GONNA BE OUR NEXT MEMBER!"
 
to be continued