Читаю тут книгу на английском - третья книга из серии Kamigawa Cycle (новеллы по соответствующему сету Magic: the Gathering). Первые две я не читал, но знания мира мне было достаточно (да и сам автор вводит читателя в курс дела).
События цикла - в первую очередь про нападения мира духов на мир людей и возникшего из-за этого хаоса. Протагонист - ронин Тоширо Умедзава - идеально походит под описание Алекса. В чем-то он походит на Гаррета, будучи обаятельным эгоистичным засранцем, волею судеб сражающийся против мегаломаньячных эгоистичных ублюдков.
Даже не поленюсь привести отрывок из книги, настолько он замечательный
(Тоши заснул и оказался в неизвестном месте, где раньше не был)
Uh, he said, Taken One? Spirit in the stone disk? Have you brought me here? Toshi spun around, trying to see in all directions. Where is here, anyway?
The wind rose. Over the rustling howl in his ears, Toshi heard a cold, callow voice say, You are where you should be. You have died, Toshi Umezawa, and all that remains is to determine which hell claims your soul.
Toshi blinked. I dont feel dead. But then again, I wouldnt know.
The voice seemed thrown, but it soon spoke again with the same eerie authority. This place asks the same question of all who pass through it. Your answer will determine your status in the next world. Are you ready?
No, Toshi said. Absolutely not.
Nonetheless, I must ask. The disembodied voice paused, then said, What have you done to deserve your reward?
Toshi kept shuffling his feet, turning in tight circles as he scanned the horizon. How long can I think about it?
Do not toy with this place. Your answer, now.
But I dont understand the question.
After a pause, Toshi guessed the voice would not be drawn into further debate. He sighed and said, Okay. I have tried to lead a virtuous life. I paid my debts on time. I honored the promises I made, each to the letter. I avoided material pleasures well, I didnt take more than my share of material pleasures. Actually, lets move on from material pleasures. In general, he said with a flourish, I meant well.
And you have nothing to recant? Nothing to regret or set to rights?
Nope, Toshi said. I mean, obviously, mistakes were made. But in all, Im quite satisfied with me.
You are a liar, the voice said calmly. You are a thief and a thug. You have committed violence for monetary gain and for its own sake. You have blasphemed the spirits and broken the laws of man. I name you villain, outlaw, oath-breaker, and murderer.
Toshi pursed his lips. Is that you, mom? I wondered where you ended up.
Silence. Look upon the victims of your crimes and laugh, if you can.
The wind swirled and became visible, white streams of force curling and breaking like a wave. A blinding glare filled Toshis view of the barren world, and when it faded, a long line of people stood before him.
Boss Uramon was the first, with her sallow eyes and motionless face. You swore to serve me, she said. Instead, you betrayed me. You broke your oath to my reckoners. You abandoned your comrades in arms and cowardly refused to fight. You stole the power of the Shadow Gate from me. And when you were done, you killed me and scores of my loyal servants.
I didnt kill you, Toshi said. Kiku did.
A sneer flickered across Uramons lip as the boss walked past Toshi and vanished in the wind.
Godo was next. Though Toshi had never met the sanzoku bandit king, it was no challenge to recognize him. Godo was huge and brawny, almost seven feet tall and powerfully built. He carried a massive spiked log on a chain.
You cursed me with the yuki-onna, Godo said. Sweat steamed from his bald head. Though he spoke angrily, his face was solemn. You offered her as a weapon against Konda, but you knew she would turn and consume my people as well. Hundreds have died in the cold, thanks to you.
I underestimated her influence, Toshi admitted. But its my problem, too. Im the one who took her power upon himself. Besides, I only gave the kanji to Hidetsugu. The o-bakemono convinced you to break it and let her out in your territory.
Godo spat on the cold dry rocks and stormed past Toshi.
A young man in Minamo robes came forward. He had spiked, snow-white hair, and his eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Toshi.
You killed me, Choryu said. You sent me to the ogre so that he would torture me. After weeks of indescribable agony, you returned and murdered me as an afterthought.
Toshi looked unflinchingly into Choryus eyes. And?
The white-haired wizard continued to glare until Toshi waved him off with an impatient flutter of fingers. Choryu shuffled forward and disappeared.
The next figure was small, dark, and covered in coarse hair. For the first time Toshi felt his throat close and an uncomfortable feeling rise from his stomach.
Marrow-Gnawer extended his left arm, which ended in a ragged, bleeding stump. The nezumi shook his head sadly. You used me, he said. You led me into danger so that you wouldnt have to face it. You admitted me into your gang only to sacrifice me when it came time to fight the ogre. And when you had done that, he waved his bleeding stump again, it still wasnt enough. You maimed me and murdered me so you wouldnt have to watch me suffer.
This is a dream, Toshi said. The cold, numbing sensation in his stomach faded as he realized the truth. None of you actually talked like this. Im having a nightmare brought on by stress and too much healing magic. Either that, or someones playing a game with me.
The glare rose again, eclipsing the field of stone and the line of accusers. The cold, disembodied voice said, You will be back soon, ochimusha. When that time comes, you will be made to answer for your crimes.
Do me a favor, Toshi shot back. Stand on one foot while youre waiting.
Then he fell into a blinding storm of white light where the only sound was the rising wind in his ears.
