COMMENTARY

The City

Christian's life lacks purpose and motivation, he's not sure what he's doing or where he's going. He feels that he's become 'part of the machine' and that those around him are as trapped as he is.The most powerful thing in his life is Frustration which touches everything he thinks and does, like a dark shadow constantly following him around.

In his dream, a knight called Grace fights and overcomes a dragon called Law. In the book he finds, Christian sees that his world is governed by dark and sinister forces that trap an unknowing and uncaring population. He is given a glimpse of the end of the world and discovers at the end of life Consequence and Destruction await all that haven't passed the test. A huge Crow like creature falls upon Christian and with it comes the realisation that at the end of his life, the presence of this creature (Burden) will ensure that he fails.

Christian doesn't really understand the book or the dream but he knows that only by destroying Burden can he ever be free and able to stand before the judge. He also sees that the book points the way to life with direction and purpose. The book tells him about a weapon which he can use to kill Frustration the murderous spirit that haunts his life.

He wants to know more and understand what the book is offering, and he is alarmed by what it says are the consequences of ignoring it.

When he tries to warn his family and friends however, they are hostile. The book he has found is dangerous, many terrible secrets and tales lie within it's pages. Most people steer well clear of it and won't risk reading it. But Christian has discovered that the book, as well as containing dire warnings, offers hope. Unfortunately because the book has such a bad reputation, nobody will listen to him.

Then Christian comes across a Busker who is singing about the book, the busker (Pathfinder) has read the book and understands many of it's secrets. He is unable to kill Burden himself but he gives Christian direction to somebody that can. He also gives him a loyalty card and a key, and tells him that he must stay on the path

As Christian sets off, he runs into a group of his friends, two of them (Obstinate and Pliable) follow him and try to persuade him to stay in the city. He tells them about the book's promises and urges them to come with him. Obstinate refuses but Pliable decides to go with Christian.

The Military Graveyard

The path leads leads through a seemingly deserted military graveyard, many strange things have happened here and all the locals avoid it. Pliable wants to take a short cut but Christian tells him that they have to follow the path. A huge armoured Giant called Fear stops them and tells them that they cannot pass. Rather than confronting him, they go back to the short cut.

The swamp of Despond

The short cut however, leads to a swamp. They begin to press through it but it becomes increasingly difficult. Pliable soon gets fed up and returns to the city, leaving Christian to carry on alone.

As Christian gets deeper into the swamp, Burden becomes more and more aggressive and begins to attack him. Christian loses his footing and begins to sink but he is rescued by Hope.

Hope pulls him free of the swamp and tells him that Burden's is the product of all that is bad in Christian's life and character, the creature is a reflection of the darker side of Christian's soul (which is why Christian alone, cannot drive it away). This swamp is it's home and as well as Sin, three terrible ghosts (Condemnation, Guilt and Dread) haunt the area.

Hope gives Christian a dagger and leads him back to the Giant telling him that he must confront it.

Military Graveyard(2)

Christian reluctantly follows Hope back to the giant.

They confront giant Fear by climbing above it, they soon find that inside the armour is an old dwarf who begs them not to hurt him.

Hope casts him aside and explains to Christian that fear is rarely as big as he appears to be.

Smartarse/Legality

Smartarse is the next person to meet Christian, he tells him that Pathfinder isn't really an expert and that his own sister (Legality) knows all about the book and she can free him from Burden.

Smartarse leads Christian to her house (and away from the path) and explains that the book is far too complicated for the likes of him. He tells him that Legality can show him how to get what the book offers and get rid of Burden, without the need for Christian having to confront the creature. Rather than having to confront and deal with Burden. Legality will offer Christian a way of hiding it. That way Christian will appear to have dealt with it (when in fact Burden will be free to grow in size and strength away from view).

When Christian meets Legality he finds to his amazement that she is hollow, worse, her home is on the base of an active volcano. Whilst Smartarse and Legality discuss wedding arrangements (Christian needs to marry Legality in-order for her to hide Burden) Christian climbs out of a window and legs it.

The Pier

Christian flees Legality's house and because he's strayed from the path he discovers that he's lost. He comes to the coast and a pier and is drawn to a club (Pressure) which is near it's end.

He meets a mysterious woman (Fix) who won't tell him her name, she removes Burden in an instant by taking Christian to a strange and unreal garden, Christian however soon discovers that he has walked into a trap.

Fix's Lair

Christian discovers that the woman is actually a monster, she mocks and bruises Christian as he struggles to get free from her web, all around him are thousands of her victims, living-dead that writhe and struggle hopelessly in her trap, huge creatures patrol the web ensuring that none escape and feeding on the helpless victims. The woman tells Christian that her name is Fix and that he will never be able to escape her. From the moment she touched his arm in the garden her poison entered his system, shocked and disoriented Christian is unable to fight back until he remembers the dagger that Hope gave him. Christian slashes her with it and runs, he is finally able to escape when he calls for help and Grace and Pathfinder pull him free.

The Crows Nest

Pathfinder takes Christian to a pub called the Crows Nest, here he shows him the pathetic figure of Binge who is forced to repeat his death every night for eternity.

The Gate

Pathfinder puts Christian back on the path and he soon reaches the gate, here he finds a small army of soldiers locked in battle with an unseen enemy. The Gatekeeper tells Christian that he will find rest and shelter at the Interpreters house. Christian sets off for it but is attacked on the way by a ghostly creature called Guilt, it's attack drives him backwards until a soldier in the wood sees Christians struggle and comes to his aid, killing the creature.

The Interpreters House

When he finally reaches her house, the Interpreter begins to explain the book to him. He realises that there is a name, one particular name that, if he discovers it, will cause Burden to perish

The Rubbish Dump

Christian follows the Interpreters directions and comes to a rubbish dump, he climbs a hill at its centre and here he discovers the name, Burden dies and falls from his shoulders. Pathfinder meets him and explains that mankind doesn't have the sense or wisdom to rule and govern itself justly. The only way to escape the inevitable consequence of a self centered life is to surrender it to the only one that will rule and govern with justice and equality. Christian realises that his path has brought him to a crossroads. He can return to all he was and had before, or he can begin again and fight to follow the one who set him free.