the Dread-Bearers

Another group of unfortunate souls is the Dread-Bearers. Much like Mesmermania, Dread-Bearing is an ancient affliction. However, only a specially chosen few suffer from it. Ten, to be exact, at least until they all die out and a new team takes their place. It is the heavy duty of the Dread-Bearers to keep divinity in check, both good and evil. They are often called the Divine Police Force.

There are two different types of Dread-Bearers. Currently, the leading group is the Demon-Squad Dread-Bearers. These people can identify demons hidden throughout society. They must keep a close eye on them by Divine Duty. Dread-Bearers often play judge and jury if these blending demons get out of hand. On the other end of the spectrum, the Angel-Squad Dread-Bearers are quite similar. However, angels rarely take advantage of their station, so Angel-Squad’s time is usually spent protecting their D-Squad partners. On the A and D Squads there are representatives for the five important aspects of society which are Beliefs, Economics, Tribal, Technology, and, naturally, Realism. Dread-Bearers are also the only mortals who can ultimately kill a supernatural creature, so it is a serious responsibility.

Being chosen as a Dread-Bearer comes with a hefty price. It varies widely based on the Dread-Bearer’s personality. Dread-Bearers may have to live with terribly skewed versions of happiness or lifelong goals that never come to fruition. Unavoidable scandal is also another typical payment. Either way, there is never a dull moment in the life of a Dread-Bearer.

The AfterLife

Heaven, Hell, and Purgatoria are administrative places that reflect the current times. Contrary to popular belief, Heaven and Hell have agreed that one cannot exist without the other (at least until they are ready for their inevitable battle, which will proclaim an actual winner). Therefore, Angel-Squad and Demon-Squad have spent the past millennia peacefully building their armies. It works out well since the Demons tend to weed out impure people, so the Angels will not have to get their delicate hands dirty.

Currently, many of the top-ranking Demons are on a top-secret mission. The assignment is so mysterious that they do not even understand it initially. All they know is that they must meet and plan from the Full to New Moon cycles, not giving them much time to get their act together. The unlucky evil ones are Marapula, the Disruptor, a self-proclaimed professional drifter. Their fearless leader, Yala, the Harbinger, is a businessman by day and a filthy mutt by night. Pheneve, the Fount of Knowledge Unknown, is a succubus scientist. Donlere, the Edict Deliverer, is a jack of all trades, dabbling primarily in law enforcement, justice, and transportation. The flirty Chellam, the Grand Instigator, is in the entertainment and mass media fields. Charismatic Forace, the Great Manipulator, is an athletic icon and religious fraud. Mysterious Paige, the Crier, is a local Death Metal musician with a considerable following. Marapia, the Theorist, is a perpetual college student. Lastly, Hajithe, the Blackbird’s Eye, is a garden variety hobo.

Marapula, or Josh Buttons, is a demon who breaks the mold and the rules. Affectionately known as Rebel Kitty around Hell, he has reached celebrity status by thinking outside the box. Unfortunately for him, it has brought him loads of unwanted attention and conflict too.

Mesmermania

Mesmermania is an ancient affliction where the cursed individual has far too much hypnotic charisma for their own good. Up until recently, this curse only affected a chosen few. Nowadays, many people are suffering from the malady, creating a dangerous, world-changing dynamic. If too many people at once possess mind-melting persuasiveness, there would be a horrible clash of strong wills. It could lead up to the end of all days.

The primary marker of Mesmermania is a sparkly aura surrounding the afflicted that most people cannot see. These colors are black, gray, red, blue, green, gold, and platinum. The colors change in intensity with mood, from a bright glitter to a dark dullness.

A world-renowned, reclusive DNA Scientist named Doctor Oliver Vlakvanovich made the very first publicly documented case of Mesmermania. A sexy young woman named Ingrid Green came to his house, answering an employment ad about walking his giant pet dog. He immediately noticed her strange, ethereal glow and took her in as his Personal Assistant instead. Over time, he grew obsessed with her, studying her every color change compared to her moods from sunup to sundown.

People who are driven mad by Mesmermania have a constant rainbow aura. It is the job of the demonic or angelic agent known as the Disruptor to cleanse these people by any means before they become a hazard to the delicate balance of human nature. These rainbow-cursed people sometimes take an experimental prescription drug called Dysruptotrol, the Disruptor in medication form.