Magna Maquina 0.1 The Mall

By K.R. Columbus

Segis wakes up in a computer shop with no memory of his past. But when he is confronted by a giant talking frog urging him to run he realizes something is horribly wrong. Segis' world was taken over by an entity named The Vacanty and what is left of the world is a never-ending shopping mall inhabited by marionettes; foul creatures made from products that roam the mall in search of Segis.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.R. Columbus
• Release date: May 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465716170

K.R. Columbus

Born August 4, 1982 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, K.R.Columbus [Kemuel Ríos Colón] is a prolific Puerto Rican Science Fiction and Fantasy author, with more than twenty novels, and young adult books sold all around the world. With novels that have reached the top 50 charts in England and Australia. Before becoming a writer, he trained to be a sumo wrestler for four years. Currently lives in Puerto Rico reading good books, drinking coffee, enjoying rare music, and obscure Cinema. To contact the author – [e-mail]

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Magna Maquina

1 – The Mall

By K.R.Columbus

Copyright 2011 K.R.Columbus

Smashwords Edition

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Antiquarian Age Books

By K.R.Columbus

(Release dates and titles can change at any time…)

………….

(G) - Contains Gay Characters

(S) - Contains Strong Sexual Content

(M) - Contains Medium Sexual Content

(L) - Contains Light Sexual Content

(D) - Contains Disturbing Situations

(Ω) - Contains Speculative Religious Themes

-We Shall be as Gods Series- (L) - (D) - (G) - (Ω)

1st Testament - Vestigial Dream

2nd Testament - The Weaver and the Herder

3rd Testament - Shadows of Me

4th Testament - Children of Exile

5th Testament - Beyond Destiny (2012)

-Sodom’s X Duology- (M) - (D) - (Ω) - (G)

A Song for the End

The World Ends for You

Complete Duology Set (Also Available)

-Hyper Speed Inertia Series- (D) - (G)

-Yamato Trilogy-

Battle-Submarine Yamato

The Fires of Kawaita (2013)

-MAGNA MAQUINA Series- (G)

The Mall

The Greatest Machine of All

Simulation Earth (2013)

-YAKUZA RONDO Series- (M) - (D) - (G)

KUMA/GORO

-NOVELS- (Not part of a Series)

-Hall of the Mountain King- (S) - (G)

-StrayLand- (M) (2013)

-Atollon- (D) (2013)

-The Last Southern Mountain- (G) (2013)

-Young Adult Fiction-

-The Columns of the Universe Trilogy-

The Crown of Orion (2013)

-The Treasures of Shamarkand Series- (G)

Wanderers to Shamarkand

Daughter of the Gods

Carnival of Shadows

The Mechanical Labyrinth

The Mirror Tower (2012)

-Totemic Haven Series- (G)

Totemic Haven

WildChild

Father Sun, Mother Moon (2013)

-Young Adult Fiction- (Not part of a Series)

-Dirty Paws- (Winter 2012)

By K.R.Columbus

………

To exist is to stand out, away from the background; you aren’t thinking or really existing unless you're willing to risk even your own sanity in the judgment of your existence.

The Preacher, Frank Herbert - Children of Dune

………

Chapter 0.1

-Up with the Lights -

(Out of this pool of vacant will I was called forth from an impenetrable abyss that I must follow to an end, almost like becoming aware, I came back from the ever ending to what was still but in the inert beauty of what may come to be.)

Segis slept unaware of his surroundings, surrounded by a veil of artificial stars that shine in pale beauty, stars that were nothing more than the artificial residues of the many lights that surround his laying place with a myriad of color. His chubby body was naked and very pale against the dark background.

(I felt a presence in the pool of knowledge that I call myself, it wasn’t what I called me, but it was ever present, and watching. It willed me to open my eyes, but my body felt heavy begged to be left unmoved. Yet, thinking about it gave me an urge to move, and try to open my eyes to see where I was. Some time went by, and I felt hunger swell in the depths of my stomach, like a snake being twisted slowly; adding this to the cold that had been taking over my limbs.)

Nothing will come of being here… Something croaked.

Who? Who’s there?

No, no personality yet…just wake up, and then you can name me if you want.

Name you? So you don’t have a name, is that it?

I’ve no use for names, being I the only me that exists here, but you Segis; Segis is your name for others like you exist, and that gives you and the ones like you a reason to call for a unique personality along with your names.

Is that so? So individuality calls for names. That means that once I wake up, and I give you a name others like you will be born?

I’m not sure, but the possibilities are that there will be once that comes to be. I can’t wait.

Segis felt a surge of sudden happiness; coming from the croaked voice.

I don’t understand what’s so important that I must wake up to see, and find out?

Something. But I can’t tell you what it is. I’m being bonded, and willed not to. For if I tell you what you must do, and find out; I might be taken away and your existence taken care of along with me.

So, there’s something I must find out there…

Yes…you must, and once you open your eyes I can tell you something else, and maybe start moving for the sake of reason and pace.

I’ll be moving for other reasons…I’m hungry, and my belly hurts badly every time I think of food.

Opening his eyes slowly Segis was suddenly met by a flare of intense light that as he became accustomed it banished and became part of his surroundings. He felt a spasm of pain all over his back that made him groan in pain, and twisted fury; to the point that he fell to the cold floor. With that he came to the world in a sudden purge.

What’s happening to me? He gasped, while looking at the dark surroundings that seemed to move and shift as he did.

His dark pointy hair shifted in shades, and hues as the bright light of the neon bulbs graced its surface. Against his pale face all looked still, and unshifting. Breathing deeply with his back against the cold tiles of the floor, Segis opened his eyes wide while trying to figure out where he was, and why.

I’m not sure why, but this place reminds me of the storeroom of a store…I seem to remember something about a storeroom like this one; but it eludes me badly. Even as I close my eyes in pain there’s still something familiar about the place and I can’t shake it away. This place must be a computer repair shop because I’m surrounded by computer parts, motherboards, screws, monitors, and so on.

So, you’re awake… Segis heard the croaked voice from before and as he did he looked for its source.

Shifting from one side of his back to the other, Segis looked from one side of the room to the next, at first he saw a door, and in the center of the room a table; the table he had been sleeping on. One shift to the left, and another to the right, and right there on his chest he saw the figure that had spoken moments before. The voice came from a type of green frog with small eyes. At once Segis accommodated himself on his knees, letting the frog jump to the floor next to him. He looked at the frog as if transfixed for the longest time before doing anything. Segis lowered his body to face the foot long frog that steadily looked at him as if very bored.

Well, are you going to name me, or not?

Segis blinked once and then twice before leaving his mouth hanging. What? You’re a frog, and yet; you can speak. I must be still sleeping. He placed a hand on his forehead as if something were wrong with his head.

Rather intelligent are you? I see you can actually tell that a frog can’t speak, yet; I’m something else. The frog croaked while speaking, and then jumped closer to Segis that was still looking at the frog in disbelief.

If not a frog, then what’re you? To me you look like a frog…a big frog. He pondered with his index finger close to his mouth. I’m sure there must be frogs of your size somewhere, but still; I’ve never seen one as big as you. Still looking at the frog, Segis chewed on the tip of his index finger.

In disbelieve the frog closed its small eyes for the longest time, and then scratched its green face; trying to look for words. On the other hand Segis began to smile. The frog opened one eye, and looked at Segis’ smile, and noticed his goofy face expression, and wondered what was happening in his mind. The truth, Segis was suffering from an ultimate cuteness attack, something humans seem to be prone to when looking at most animals in general, and in some cases to other humans.

Awww, so cute… you seem to remind me of something I can’t fully place, but it makes me feel all warm inside.

The frog glared at Segis. Look boy, I’m here to help you, to help you find what you forgot in order for you to escape this place. The frog explained, and then jumped off top of the nearest table.

Escape? I don’t get it.

This building, no matter how long and far you walk in any direction you won’t find your way anywhere; unless you gather what you lost, and only then will you be able to advance out of this building.

I still don’t understand, this place seems to be a store room, and as things go beyond that door I can get to the store, and after a while I’m sure I’ll reach the outside. At most it will be a mall…

You don’t understand Segis…you’re trapped here, and if you don’t escape this mall, you’ll die…maybe not now, but soon. The frog spoke while looking at his surroundings.

How do you know I’ll die? And how do you know me? Segis said; suddenly feeling scared.

Segis felt so many feelings in the frog’s voice, things that he saw as familiar and others he seemed to know in other levels of understanding.

It was almost as if all of the sudden his surroundings had taken a life of their own, the very lights seemed to be pulsating against the overflowing darkness, like a living being; so beautiful, yet so strange.

I was sent here by a friend, to get you out so you can do what you came here to do.

I don’t remember you? And what’s this thing I’ve to do? You seem to know it, then, tell me. Segis pressed on while looking deep into the frog’s eyes.

The frog rolled its eyes around, looking at the many lights in the room, and then towards the door, almost as if being watched. After this it placed its eyes on Segis; that with care was covering his crotch area with both hands.

I can’t tell you even if I do know. This whole world is being taken over by the Vacanty, and what are left are barely traces of what it once had been. If I were to say what I’ve in my consciousness, what you’ve to do will be torn asunder along with you, and the dreams of many, including your dormant self.

I’m not sure if I understand, but since I don’t have much to rely on in my mind, I guess I must follow you, and see if what you say is true. I don’t have much of a choice. Segis said while trying to stand up from the cold floor.

Good Segis, I’ll help you in all that I can. Do you’ve a name for me yet?

I, I…there’s a word that erupted in my head since I saw you, yet; I don’t know if it’ll be a good name for you.

Name it…

Orion The name echoed in the room, and at once Segis felt a change in the dormant atmosphere of the room.

It commenced… The frog croaked, looking straight at Segis while the room changed slightly in atmosphere and lighting.

It was almost as if something that had been asleep had suddenly awakened, for before them the very walls began to buzz wildly, and jitter from time to time. Loosing his footing Segis fell to the floor backwards on top of a box, that under his weight gave away in instants.

Segis yelled in pain while rubbing his sore back.

Be quiet, and listen. The frog informed, while raising slightly its head to hear as the trembling ended.

At first Segis was in pain, but soon after he forgot about that pain when he heard a terrible hissing sound coming from the other side of the only door in the room; it sounded like something dragging a heavy object while hissing.

Quick Segis dress yourself with one of those jumpsuit overalls that are under you, we must leave this place as fast as we can; the Vacanty is aware of our presence.

What?

Look, under you; in the box. I know you’re thinking it won’t fit you, but believe me, it will. The frog jumped nearer to the door, to listen to the approaching hissing sounds.

Standing up, Segis took a dark blue overall suit with red overtones from the pile, and began to dress; using one of the walls in the room for support. Opening the overalls from behind while laying his back on the wall, he let his left leg enter the overall, and then the right one. With half of his body inside the overalls Segis moved his eyes towards the left, and looked at the frog with fearful eyes bordering panic.

What’s happening? He’s more than a little concerned for the sounds coming from the outside.

Would you believe me if I told you that I’m a magical frog that can grant you especial powers to fight the Vacanty?

But, but, Orion didn’t you said earlier that you weren’t a frog? And anyways, what’s the Vacanty? Segis talked while feeling the inside of the overall sleeves; the soft fabric against his cold skin.

Imagine a being capable of controlling the whole universe in such a way that it can control everything, your life…and everyone, and everything in it. That’s the Vacanty, and at this very moment it controls this place, and is seeing all we’re doing.

An all powerful being, is it the one holding my memories?

"In some ways, yes…but it can’t see into them just yet; for that’s one of the few things it can’t do.