Playlist: Music for a King — Song #1 Dead is the New Alive
When I began writing Bringer of Chaos I knew the main character would be facing the deepest, most horrific betrayal of his immortal life. When I feed the muse in order to write, I use music, and creating the story of Pietas was no exception. I have thousands of songs on iTunes, so I scrolled through the lists, seeking inspiration. I wanted dark songs of pain, but not unrequited love. Pietas was facing a physical trial and his core beliefs about himself would be tested in a crucible. Yet out of that would come the most profound and endearing friendship of his life. This blog post series will describe the songs I listened to while I wrote the book. I’ll give an explanation as to why I chose each one for Pietas, and give you a link to hear them. The songs run the gamut of genres.
The title of Dead is the New Alive and its message of despair and pain amidst the riot of life is especially suitable for Pietas. Because he is immortal, when he dies he always comes back to life. His capture and ordeal mirror the words in Dead is the New Alive.
Here’s a snippet from the book to illustrate it. Pietas, leader of immortals dubbed Ultras, has been imprisoned inside a steel and copper stasis pod, but denied cryogenic sleep. Six, the guard assigned to him, discovers this but is unable to release him. Six does everything in his power to keep Pietas sane. They can’t see one another, and their voices are muffled, so Six stays close to the stasis pod. In this scene, Pietas asks how long until they reach Sempervia, where he will be exiled. He can only say one or two words at a time, because his captors limit his air.
***
Six cleared his throat. “Listen… maybe it’s better you–”
“Say.”
Another pause. “Look, you sure you–”
“Say!”
“The ship’s still in station. It hasn’t even left Enderium Six.”
Still in station? Still in station! He’d thought they’d be halfway there by now. “Long?”
“How long have you been here? Three Terran solar months today. The trip doesn’t start until next week. Supposed to take a year.”
A year!
A year in this netherworld, with no food, no water? Four times longer than he’d already suffered. Every time he died his cells burst and renewed themselves, searing his entire body from the inside out. He’d suffocate in a coffin full of dead cells.
The Ultra metabolism was proof humans had no mercy. Mortal death could never terminate his life. No matter how much he might want it.
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Free on KindleUnlimited
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Dead is the New Alive – Emilie Autumn
Song: Dead is the New Alive
Artist: Emilie Autumn
Album: Opheliac (The Deluxe Edition)
Copyright 2009 The End Records
Giveaways – Free Downloads
Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. This drawing is to scale. Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf