The Tale Of Pandora's Box Begins. . .

-Fade

Fade
I felt Vigil's voice take hold of me right before his mind receded from mind.
The woman before me moved with preternatural swiftness, charging me in the instant I lost focus, and before I could raise my blade to parry she shifted and moved passed me, rushing a voice that had suddenly made itself known.
How had I not sensed it??
I spun lightning quick, desperation spurring me forward, expecting to find her lashing out at Vigil but instead she stood between him and my line of sight to our unexpected visitor.
Looking down, I went cold.
Blood stained the ground under Vigil who lay face down, unmoving.
Something dark and primal rose up within me, demanding retribution against any that would dare lay a hand on Vigil.
Mine.
Instinct gripped me and before I realized what I was doing, my hands began to weave symbols of their own accord, practiced hands that had cast such a spell time and time again.
"Verses of Destruction 1-6... Oh void from which all life stems, take back that which has been freely given!"
Darkness exploded from the earth beneath me forming itself into a glaive comprised of midnight itself, that then launched itself forward unerringly at the man licking his lips.
Blood alone would not satisfy me, I wanted to drink in his agony.

Richter stopped his advance the white haired man seemed to be having some sort of attack. Before he knew it he hit the floor collapsing. "Oh no is he ok!" Richter thought to himself. Before he could even attempt to go check he heard the voice of another man "No matter I can clean that up for you". Richter spotted where the voice came from in the distance was a pale man with long black hair. He had dashing qualities but something about him wasn't all there. The woman had now focused her attention towards the weird man. Next thing Richter knew she was charging at him and the other dark haired man was already forming into a battle stance.

Richter didn't know what was going on. He felt like he just kept stumbleling from one mess to another. He would keep his distance for now. He didn't know what these people were capable of and they didn't know what he could be capable of. For now he would watch and see how things play out. He felt bad just leaving the white haired man lying there though. While the three were distracted he quickly made his way towards him and flipped him over on his back. That would would at least be more comfortable then laying face down. He then proceeded to move back and keep his distance.

-Fade


Anger poured through me and I reveled in it, wanting it to flood my senses and to become power itself.
Nothing would stop me.
Void magick was savage and always hungry, always drawing the universe into its depths, I would be a catalyst for that.
I extended my arm outward, fingers splayed and palm down before slowly drawing it into a fist, the ether heeding my call.

"Verses of Order 4-6...Ripples of destiny collide! Celestial lamentations bear down upon their spirits!"

Gravity amplified itself directly around Dorion and sent him hurtling to the earth once more chained to the land. I fell to one knee in exertion, but still I kneeled over Vigil defensively, maintaining my grip upon the arcane threads of the spell i'd woven was draining me, but i refused to relent.
I extended both arms outward at my sides and drew in the energy around me.

"Verses of destruction 1-1... Cast off worldly constraints and give way to power! Heaven's testimony make your presence known!"

Lightning struck me from the sky above and I used void magick to redirect its path and sent it arcing towards Dorion with wild abandon, scouring the land around us in its wake.

Richter stared in awe as a raging battle now commenced. Lightning and flames flew every where. He couldn't even really tell who was winning or if anyone was winning. The field was empty no where to really hide or keep himself safe. Richter started to feel weird. He felt emotions that didn't even feel like his own. This urging feeling to just set everything on fire especially these very people. He looked at his hands which were now ablaze. "What's going on I have to calm down. This isn't like me at all..." Richter said to himself. He closed his eyes and tried to push the feelings away. This was much harder then usual something about these feelings were comforting...The very idea of setting this world on fire those stupid people who despised him for being a demon child. Richter fell to his knees and held his head. "No stop this isn't me....!" he said in his head

"You have no one anyways. Lann wouldn't be able to protect you from those angry people who wish you harm so why not just burn them to ash? Save Lann the trouble of having to protect you. Death is such a sweet release after all." a voice which sounded like that of his own whispered. Richter ignored the voice and got up softly. He had no idea what that was about but it was the first time he had experienced such an attack of emotions like that. Was this a sign...? He looked at his hands again and the fire was gone but for how long?

Richter dazed out into his hands for a bit. He suddenly felt a sudden sting on both his shoulders. Digging into his shoulders were two darts. He winced in pain as he pulled them out. He suddenly felt dizzy "What is this...poison? I feel so...weak...Am I dying..." Everything started to spin the battle felt so far away. His legs felt weak before he knew it he was on his back looking at the sky. "I cant die... not like this...Mom,Dad, Emille..." Richter closed his eyes allowing darkness to consume him.
***
Ifrit yawned "Finally I get to play and show these pathetic little ants true power. Dont worry kid you and me want the same thing the death of that pathetic Goddess. I'm just going to borrow you're body for a little bit"
***
Richter's body lit up in flames. He slowly started to levitate in the air completely set a blazed. "Ha ha thanks kid you just rest I'll handle things from here!" A twisted smile formed across "Richter's" face. Ifrit knew he had to hurry. The poison was a small doze but Richter was still a child. The poison would be nothing for an adult but he was still a child. If Richter died so would Ifrit which could not be allowed. "Tsk Tsk look at me late to the party and I didn't even bring a gift how rude of me! Guess I have to change that!" Ifrit could only use a minuscule of his power since he was still trapped inside Richter. A minuscule however was all he would need for this. He snapped his fingers and out of the air appeared meteors. "This party is about to get HOT bahahaha!" Ifrit pointed towards the group fighting and sent down the medium sized meteors towards them.

"Ah so sad that I'm not free these meteors would destroy this delusional world in a matter of seconds. While the meteors we're rushing toward's there target, Ifrit levitated back down to the ground. With a wave of his hand he conjured up a wall of fire and sent it straight towards the mysterious bunch giving them even more obstacles to dodge. He felt his grasp on Richter's body weakening. "Dammit kid you never let me have fun well I guess they got to see a glimpse of my power that should be fine... I need to get us out of here though or you're going to die and we cant have that now can we." Ifrit rose up into the sky again "I'm sure I'll see you all again until next time hahahahaha!!" Ifrit flew off into the distance enjoying the sounds of crashing meteors and destructive fire.

-Vigil


I was calm, no pain, no anguish, the world around me was beautiful and full of life.
I was dreaming again.
This dreamscape was mine alone, whenever I would meditate I would envision this place, or on those early days when I wanted to escape it all, this garden was my refuge.
Seven waterfalls cascaded down around the plateau I stood upon, the scintillating mist diffusing the light into a kaleidoscope of colors and leaving the air cool and crisp, untainted by blood and pollution.
To my right was my favorite tree, its long branches challenging the sky and inviting me to sleep beneath its chandelier of leaves.
I pressed my back to the ancient bark and let my fingers slide through the verdant blades of grass beneath me, flowers of every variety springing up at my discretion.
I could stay here forever...
"What is this place?"
I blinked, how was somebody here??
I looked towards the voice on my right and found Fade tugging at an apple from the tree and biting in to it.
"Wow, sweetest apple i've ever tasted."
He handed it to me and I stared in confusion.
"How did you get [i[here[/i]??"
"I'm always with you, i'm your servant remember, ever the shadow."
"This place doesnt exist Fade... only in my fantasies."
"What do you mean in your fantasy?" He scoffed.
I bit into the apple he had offered to me, showed it to him, then ran my fingers over it and showed it to him again.
The apple was as immaculate as it had been before it was picked.
"Did we die during the battle?"
I couldn't tell if Fade was happy about the prospect, or lamentable, but why would he be happy about such a thing?
"You sound almost happy about us dying," I chuckled, "You're not that old yet Fade."
"If we were dead right now, then it would never end..."
I arched a brow, "What wouldn't?"
Fade took a seat beside me, shoulders slumped like a great weight was tying him down.
"Vigil I-"
Distant echoes of familiar voices rang throughout my world and I scanned about searching for the origin.
"Did you hear that?"
He gave me a dark look.
"Sorry, you were saying?"
Fade stood and brushed off his pants, "I was saying, Vigil I think we need to go back, even in this world we still have the brands."
He was right, my hand was still marked by Odin, almost as if to deny me such peaceful rest.
I pictured it and a great door appeared in the space before us, my representation of my inner world and the world I had to return to.
As i opened it, my world began to fade as I felt my physical body stirring.
Behind me Fade cast his eyes downward.
"Vigil, this world, can we-"
His voice was drowned out as I began to wake from the dream, and although I reached for him, i could only watch as Fade faded from my mind.
Deep down, some part of me knew that I would forever regret not hearing those words.
They were important.

Richter landed on the floor face down. Ifrit had made himself known and it seemed his time using Richter's body was up. Richter turned around looking at the sky. The poison was really giving him a tough fight. "Am I going to die here...I didn't even get my answers..."

"Foolish child you shouldn't have just stood there those aren't normal people. That stupid goddess has me sealed so my powers aren't as strong. Unless you work with me and let me take full control over you're body." Ifrit said in a annoyed tone

"I...cant you're....dangerous....destroying village taking lives.... at least if I do die I have one answer why I have this power..."

"Hmph you humans make me sick. Don't worry one day you're going to weaken that strong will of yours and I will be waiting. Then this world will burn in a eternal inferno. I will rule it and decide who can stay and who will perish through my flames of judgement. Until then you have to stay alive you and me both have things we have to take care of with Odin and that puny little goddess wench."

Richter was going to respond back but he just felt too weak. He started to lose his eye sight darkness now filling the world around him. "I'll see you soon Mom...Dad.....Em..."

"Dammit kid don't close your eyes....HEY KID!"
Ifrit's voice sounded farther and farther away.

-Vigil

"I'm sure there's a cave or glade in the woods that can act as a haven for us, can either you carry either of our unconscious comrades?" she said.
If Fade were awake he would have scoffed at the word comrades.
I knelt down beside him and used a fireman carry to lift him on to my back.
Fade was hurt because of me, because of my carelessness, and I didn't know if I could trust the woman yet, and I definitely didn't trust the vampire.
"Please take us to the cave, I need to tend to Fade's injuries as soon as possible, our battle was sure to attract attention around here, any number of creatures could descend on us, we need to rally together, we can save introductions for later."
I could feel Fade's heartbeat slowing and the warmth pressed against me beginning to chill.
If he'd been any normal human he would have been dead by now, but even his resilience would prove futile against a vampire of such magnitude before long.
"Once there, I know of a spell that will help us locate the boy, its experimental as I'll need to channel Fade's dark magick along with the two of yours, but I have confidence that I can do it.
Somehow Fade had entered my dream, our connection was growing stronger.
"You can't die on me just yet..."

-Vigil

"Not good, the poison has spread quicker than I had hoped."
I swiftly drew a summoning circle with practiced and precise lines, and then opened my connection to the other side.
"Oh holy light that encompasses all things...Covenant of Angels I invoke thee! Seraph!"
Brilliant white light flooded the cave as the spirits power infused me.
I removed the pinions from Fade's body, the blood running black, thick with poison, and I grimaced.
Holding my hands poised above him, I allowed my life force to flow through my stomach, up through my heart, then down through my hands and into him.
Sweat beaded at my brow, I was still drained from using Chronos' power and I'd yet to give myself time to recover, but I pushed that all aside, concentrating on Fade's wounds.
First I purged his body of the poison, then set about restoring his energy, and finally amplifying his metabolism to close the wounds.
It had taken the last of my reserves to heal him and Seraph's power faded.
I slumped to the floor, staring up at the ceiling trying to fight off the nausea roiling through me, and not all of it was from my dizziness, but from my next words.
"We're going to need some of your blood, vampire...and you're going to have to bite us, my name is Vigil by the way, I like to tell people my name first before they sink their teeth in me."

-Vigil


My skin still crawled from where he had touched me, but i shouldered on.
"This is the quickest way for us to attune ourselves to one another and to use the spell. Vampires run off of dark magick, their blood is charged with it. By bearing the mark of a vampire, we form a weak psychic link to him, and with an exchange of blood between the source and ourselves, our magick will be temporarily tied. I don't have dark magick myself, but by channeling Dorion and Fade it will suffice, we could attune ourselves in other ways but it would take too much time, something that we don't have."
After you bite Wolffstar, we'll need to ingest some of your blood Dorion."
The thought of drinking down his blood...
I pressed a hand over my mouth to stop from wretching.
"I'll start drawing the circle while you two complete the blood bond."