Chapter One
Rise Of Darkness

      One night at supper, Cartolas, Lilian, and the children all seem more quiet than usual. The only noises were the sound of the iron flatware on the glass plates and the servitors in the kitchen preparing the second dish, clanking metal and sizzling pans. Alexander sits between his brothers. He fiddles with the food on his plate, uninterested in the meal. Alex puts his elbow on the table and rests his cheek on his palm. From the foot of the table, Lilian speaks without looking up. “Elbows off the table, Alexander.” Alex straightens up and corrects his posture, taking his elbow off the table. “Yes, mother, sorry.” As the servitors bring the second course, clearing the remainder of the first, they set a fine wine in front of the family.

Still uninterested in the meal, Alex sighs and slouches. Looking at the wine being served in fine glasses, he motions for the servitor to give him the entire bottle. While taking a long drink from the bottle, his father gives him a disapproving look. “It is not proper to drink from a bottle. If you are going to drink to excess, pour it into the glass.” Alex ignores it, then lights his fingers with a flame and belches past his fingers, creating a large flare. He laughs, while Ferrous simply shakes his head. Cartolas stands, forcing his chair out with a squawk.

In a firm tone, Cartolas addresses Alex. “Alexander! You will stand and walk with me.” Alex stands, grabs a pork leg and walks with his father, taking a large bite from the leg. Cartolas leads Alex into the hall, and onto the balcony. For a few minutes, while Alex eats, Cartolas is silent, looking out over the city, due to the mansion being on a hill. “You disappoint me, son. The dining hall is no place to act like a fool. I understand that you are not interested in taking my place as Lord of the land, I don’t expect you to. You have two brothers, one of them will become lord. But I still expect you to act properly. Even now, you eat like a commoner.” Alex swallows and throws the bone as far as he can, landing it outside of the front gate.

Cartolas puts his hand over his eyes. “Alexander, are you listening?” Alex turns around and leans against the railing. “Yes, my lord. I understand your lecture and I shall change my way.” Cartolas turns away and looks up at the moon. “Why do you mock me? I am trying to help you. We are a distinguished family, and I expect you to act as such.” Alex scoffs. “If we’re so distinguished, why do you expect me to be what my brothers are. I wanna do something else. I don’t want to be a fancy ambassador for the country.” Cartolas puts his hands on the railing. “You will be what you need to be, but for now, we do not know what that is, so I expect you to act properly. We have an image to maintain.”

Exasperated, Alex looks down at the well cared for lawn. “Whatever, I’ll straighten up, but don’t treat me like a child.” Cartolas puts his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I would not treat you as a child if you did not act as such.” Cartolas pats his shoulder then turns to walk into the hall. “But very well, if you want to be an adult you can accompany your mother and sister to the market to procure more food, drink, and wares.” Alex follows, putting his hands in the pockets of his tunic. “Yeah, I’ll go.” The two proceed back to the dining hall. Meanwhile outside the gate, a black mist gathers, then forms into a hooded figure. The figure faces away from the gate and another figure steps into the moonlight from the shadows. “Why have you brought me here, my lord?” The second figure bows. The hooded figure looks at him with luminescent red eyes and speaks in a deep, powerful voice. “I have brought you here to task you, count Zarrov.  I need you to establish my empire. I could destroy all, but it would attract the elder gods. I need followers to fight Gadray again. Now go and serve me.” Zarrov bows again. “Yes, Lord Decosa.” The Lord of Darkness becomes a dark mist again and quickly flies away.

~~~~~Next Day

Alex awakens from the sun shining across his face when his sister Felicity pulls the curtains back. Alex lets out a groan. “Why are you torturing me? I’d Rather a little push.” As he sits up on his bed blinking while his eyes adjust, Felicity picks out a nice outfit. “Because you told our father you go with our mother and I to the market to shop. Also, I’ve tried to push you, but it burned my hand, you get hot when you sleep, I don’t know how you haven’t singed your sheets.” As she turns to set down Alex’s nice boots, he takes off his sleeping tunic. “Get out, I’m not ten I'm older than you.” Felicity rolls her eyes. “Oh please, you’re older by eight months, besides, we had to take baths together when we were little. That’s nothing I haven’t seen before. You’re well endowed and you’ll make a great father. Besides, mother wanted me to make sure you actually got ready on time”

Felicity leans on Alex’ dresser. Alex hides his face in embarrassment. “Felicity, please stop. I don’t think my endowment is something to talk about with my sister.” She shrugs and puts up her hands in confusion. “I don’t understand what the big deal is, you’re a handsome man. I’m attracted to guys, but you’re my brother, acting on those feelings would be awkward and disgusting.” Alex’s face starts to become pink, draining his normal red color. “Stop, please just stop. I’m ready.” Alex sits on the bed and slides on his boots. “I won’t continue with this conversation.” Felicity stops leaning and crosses her arms. “Are you a queer? I can tell you I know you are physically attracted to our maids, and myself. But you feel the same, those feelings are irresponsible and disgusting.”

Alex grabs his belt from the rack and equips his dagger, hiding it in an inner sleeve in his tunic. “You’re psycho so I can’t argue with you, it’s true I like the female form, but I will not think of my sisters like that. I will also have you know I am bisexual, but I prefer women.” Felicity walks out the door when Alex opens it. “Psychic, not phycho, you idiot. I know you like women, I can sense your emotions, but you know I am bisexual?” Alex shakes his head after locking his door and slipping the key in his pocket. “No I did not, Felicity. I’m begging you, let’s drop the subject.” Felicity grins and pokes his shoulder. “Fine, I’ll drop it. I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.” Alex starts walking towards the atrium “I’ll keep my mouth shut, but it doesn’t help you know all my secrets anyway.” 

Felicity laughs and puts her hand to her chest. “Of course I know, I’m psychic.” Felicity follows Alex and purposefully steps on his tail. Alex cringes and grabs his tail. “Please don’t walk that close. I don’t step on your tail, do I?” Felicity grins and plucks a feather from his wing. “I like messing with you. It makes you frustrated. Besides I keep my tail tied under my dress.” Alex fluffs his wing and keeps walking. “Doesn’t that hurt? It hurts if I bend my tail too far.” Felicity adjusts her hair tie. “It did the first few times, but I have increased the flexibility of my tail since then. Also since I tie it in a double loop with a tie band, it is easier. It is kind of like tying my hair.” The siblings finally reach the outside and the wagon is already prepared with Lilliana sitting on one of the rear benches.

Alex jumps over the side over the wheel and plops down on the bench. Felicity steps up the short ladder and sits beside her mother. Alex puts his arms over the side as he leans back. The wagon shortly sets off as the servant shouts to the bisen, whipping the reins. Alex turns to his mother, “What exactly are we going to get?” Lilliana reaches into her satchel and pulls out a small sack of money and gives it to Alex. “I plan on simply getting my special wines, but I will allow you to purchase whatever you like.” Lilliana gives Felicity a small sack of money the same size as Alex’s. “Your allowances are 200 shils. I am going to go to the carriage yard to get another carriage first, this one is old and rickety. After that I’ll get my wine”

Alex ties the sack to his belt as the wagon runs over a soft spot in the gravel, bouncing slightly. Felicity moves to the front near the driver to look at the shops that pass. “Alex, when we get to the stables, I want you to go with me to some of these shops.” Alex sits up as they come to a courtyard and round the fountain to the stables. “Fine, but that means, you have to come with me to the forge. I have to get my dagger sharpened.” Felicity stands and walks to the back of the wagon and steps down the ladder as the driver gets off and pays to rent the stables for the day. Lilliana follows, Alex jumps off the side. When he lands, his money sack jingles.

Alex dusts off and starts walking with Felicity. “Which shops did you have in mind.” Lilliana gives the driver money to spend. “Meet us here this evening.” Felicity brushes off her brother’s shoulder. First we’ll have breakfast, then we will go to the apparel shops, after we meet mother in the courtyard to go home.” Alex opens the door to a restaurant, letting Felicity in. “Find, but I’m keeping the old wagon for myself.” Felicity finds a nice table near the window and Alex pulls her chair out.

Soon after they are served, Alex focuses on eating as Felicity goes on about dress sizes and the reason she doesn’t like long dresses. Alex finishes his food and pays, waiting on a chatty sister. “We can talk about this later, you know.” Felicity waves him off and takes another bite of her food. “I know, I know, your dagger was dull during the hunt. It wouldn’t happen if you would stop carving wood figures with it.” She rolls her eyes as she senses his thoughts. “Fine I’ll hurry up. Hey, I am not obese! I am well fed. Well I’m sorry you’re so easy to read, that is not my fault!” She gasps at him. “You take that back!” Alex raises his hands and surrenders to his sister. “Alright, alright, I take it back. I didn’t say it aloud,it’s easy to hold my tongue but not my thoughts. Please remember that, I am sorry.” Felicity finishes then puts a tip on the table. 

“I know, I was giving you a hard time, Alex.” Alex stands and walks to the door, thanking the host as he leaves, followed by a continued stream of nonsensical fashionista’s tips. He stops by the town’s fountain square and looks around, spotting his destination. He waves for his sister to follow as he starts to walk towards it. As they get close, Felicity sees the blacksmith, a very attractive woman, seemingly the same age as her brother. Felicity giggles and hurries in with Alex, planning on causing some trouble. Alex takes about five minutes to look around at the weapons, he notices that all the weapons are hand made and very well crafted. A certain red bladed sword with an onyx handle and hand stitched grip with a white jewel in the hilt catches his eye.

He draws the sword from the display, feeling it in his hand. A strange feeling runs over him, like he had used this sword before. But he realises how impossible that is, he had never owned anything more than a dagger. Maybe in a dream or a vision; either way, he felt that this sword called to him. He grabbed the sword’s sheath and walked to the counter, pulling out his dagger and untying his money pouch. When he looks up, he looks into the deep purple eyes of a grey demon with jet black hair. “What do you need, friend?” For a few seconds, Alex was speechless; awestruck by her beauty. Felicity walks up beside him and taps Alex’s head. “Are you alive?” As Alex shakes his head and stammers for a second, Felicity spots a hidden blade on the wall across the room and goes to check it out. Alex stops stammering and clears his throat. “Yes, I would like to buy the sword and I need the dagger sharpened.” The blacksmith smiles and grabs the dagger. “Not a problem, The dagger will take an hour, the price for the sword is 85 shils, the sharpening will cost 3 shils and 50 bits.” As she heads towards the back and sits at her sharpener, Alex puts 90 shils on the counter and watches the blacksmith work. Felicity walks up beside her brother. “I’m sure you could get her to do that after a few dates, why don’t you ask her.” Alex looks at Felicity, embarrassed at his own dirty thoughts. 

Felicity rolls her eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, it is normal to feel sexual attraction. Ask her on a date, or least you could ask her name.” Felicity sets the hidden blade on the counter and calls to the blacksmith. “How much is the hidden blade with the wrist strap?” The blacksmith continues working and turns her head. “25 shils, It’s on sale.” Felicity adds another 25 to the 90 already on the counter, then slides up her sleeve and straps the blade onto her arm, then covers the blade with her sleeve. “Elegant, yet deadly.” She activates the blade and it springs from under her wrist, stopping a few inches past her hand. “It’s longer than I thought.”

Alex takes a few minutes to strap his new sword to his belt, Felicity retracts her blade and pushes the bottom of Alex’s sword sheath with her foot. “It may be easier to carry as a back strap.” Alex looks down and sees the long sword hovering only a couple inches above the ground, he detaches it from is belt and attaches it to the back of his tunic’s leather strapping. Felicity sits on a bench against one of the ceiling posts, she pulls out her book and starts reading. Alex unsheathes his sword and holds it in front of him with both hands. He sees something move in the reflection on the blade and suddenly it felt like he was in a different place, he looked around and the blade was gone, all he could see was he was standing in a dark crater with thick smoke around him.

The smoke slowly starts to clear and he sees something stuck in the ground, he moves closer and it glints red. It was his sword, but it was damaged, he could not tell how damaged it was, but it was stuck more than half way in the ground and what he could see shocked him. The blade was dented and nicked, and cracked on one side, the handle’s stitching was torn and two of the laces blew in the wind. The jewel in the end was shattered and partially missing. Alex bent down to pick in up, but was stopped by a sudden blast of heat and heaviness, he turns around to face someone in the haze with black flames for eyes, holding a black fireball. Another black fireball appears in the figure’s other hand before it ignites it’s entire body into a black bonfire of a person.

Alex realises he’s holding the blade in the forge with the blacksmith standing beside him with the dagger. “Are you okay?” Alex looks at the sword, seeing the fine edge and perfect sheen. This blade had never seen a battle. He sheaths the blade and takes the dagger. “I’m okay. What’s your name?” The Blacksmith smiles. “My name is Moon Shadow, also thank you for the tip.” Alex puts his dagger in his tunic then Felicity kicks his leg and motions towards Moon. Alex looks at his sister and back to Moon, then swallows. “I would like to ask you a question, Ms. Moon. Would you possibly come to dinner tonight?” Moon looks at him, interested. “I would actually like a dinner, business has been slow lately. I’ve only been able to afford a lunch most days.” Alex grins. “Great! We will come back to get you before we leave. We’re going back this evening.”

Moon smiles. “I could actually close now, I’ve gotten caught up with my work, and those clients won’t be back for another few days.” Alex steps out of the forge and onto the gravel. “You can help my sister shop for her clothes then, she could use a female companion, I don’t have a sense of fashion as Felicity would have you know.” Felicity rolls her eyes and walks along behind the two. “A white tunic does not go with brown straps and black holsters. The colors do not flow, you need black straps.” Moon nods, stepping up beside Alex. “I agree, it's a strange combination of colors. Perhaps a crimson silk with black stitching, and a gold hem.”

Felicity points at their next destination, a dress shop with pastel colors in the windows. Alex rolls his eyes and Felicity laughs. “Moon, are you sure you want to shop for dresses with two wealthy strangers?” Moon steps up onto the step in front of them. “I got two words for you; free stuff. Business isn’t exactly booming for me in the forge since we live in a safe city, if you offer me free food, I will definitely take off to avoid spending money of my own.” Felicity raises an eyebrow “So you’re using us?” Moon shugs.”Eh, call it what you want.” Felicity laughs walks past her into the shop. “Well you’ll need a nice dress so our father will approve, come on and pick something out.” Alex holds the door for Moon. “Yeah, neither of us mind sharing our wealth, though our father may not approve”

For the next few hours, Alex follows the girls to different shops, secretly approving of almost everything Moon tries on, he had never seen someone so beautiful, charming, strong and intelligent all at once. So much woman, Alex wasn’t sure he was even good enough for her. As they leave the last shop, the sun in setting on the horizon and they start down the street, toward the square where their mother was waiting with the new carriage. A gang of shadowy figures emerge from the dark alleys and surround the three. One figure steps forward and throws his hood back. “Quite the spenders, eh? Only wealthy landowners could spend so much so freely. It’s sad that your greed sends these people to the slums.” The charcoal colored demon grins and draws a weapon, as do the rest of the gang members.

“I am Zarrov Blye, and this is the end of your greed.” Alex draws his new sword. As a primal instinct he knows how to use it, even if he lacks the training. Felicity draws her hidden blade and steps closer to Alex. “I don’t think my blade will be much of a match for this many, Alex.” Moon sets her bags down and draws two long daggers and puts her back against the other two. “I’m not quite defenseless, but I am not prepared for a full ambush.” Alex stays focused on Zarrov. Alex’s body heats up and his eyes go from a deep crimson to a shining gold. Alex lets out a huff and smoke comes out of his mouth. “You seem to think you have the advantage, scaring girls. You don’t scare me, and neither does your posse. In fact you may just want to leave now.” Alex looks over his shoulder. “Step back girls, I may get too hot.” Zarrov laughs and points his morning star at him. “Get them, kill them, rape them or whatever you want. Leave the flame headed freak to me.”

Alex leans forward after a deep breath and releases a massive flamethrower from his mouth that quickly dissipates and causes Alex to sputter and cough, finally hacking up a black ring of smoke. He tries to speak, though his voice now hoarse. “Well that didn’t work. I guess I need practice.” The crowd starts to close in and Zarrov steps toward Alex. Lillianna sees the trouble from a distance and calmly makes her way over close to the crowd and puts her palms together, closing her eyes. After a short chant, she opens her eyes and they glow a sharp and bright indigo. She holds out one hand and snaps her fingers, then like a cascade, the crowd’s eyes start glowing a dim magenta and they all stop, dropping their weapons.

From inside Zarrov is dumbfounded as he looks around at the sudden change. Felicity withdraws her blade and turns to Zarrov. “You’re in trouble now.” Alex still stands ready for his opponent as the crowd behind them part, revealing Lilliana, her body radiant with an indigo light. “Alex, I implore you to defend yourself against the dark one’s minion.” Lilliana snaps her fingers again, releasing the crowd. “You will all go home, if economics are your concern, I will speak to your city council. Please return to your homes or make way.” Alex keeps his eyes on Zarrov as he slams his morningstar into the ground. “How could you possibly  have known my association with Lord Decosa?” Liliana raises an eyebrow as her glowing aura dissipates. “I am one of the few remaining psychic demons. My son is the most powerful of the fire demons. I warn you, he will be a very harsh opponent.”  Zarrov becomes extremely furious and the remaining few people who stayed to watch all step back against the walls along the storefronts.

Lilliana grabs Moon and Felicity and pulls them onto a doorstep close by as Zarrov points his morningstar at an unflinching fire demon with a strange red sword. Alex focuses on his target as Zarrov starts to monologue. “Are you going to do the dark lord’s work or just talk at me?” Zarrov becomes enraged and charges him, to which Alex flourishes around Zarrov and causes him to stumble. Zarrov turns back around and charges again, this time landing a blow directly into Alex’s back, in between his wings. Alex loses his breath and drops his sword, Zarrov gains the upper hand and tackles Alex. Zarrov jumps to his feet and raises his morningstar over his head, ready to crush Alex. Zarrov slams his morningstar between Alex’s legs and alex lets out a relieved sigh before stumbling backwards towards his sword. He tries to grab for it, but Zarrov changes his tactics and steps behind alex, putting the handle of his morningstar around Alex’s neck, pulling him backward.

Once Zarrov has him here he pulls Alex against his chest, in an attempt to crush his throat. Moon watches closely, and shouts to Alex. “Use your dagger!” Alex hears her and remembers his Dagger in his tunic pocket, he pulls it out and sinks it into Zarrov’s leg. Zarrrov yells in pain and lets Alex go, who is trying desperately to catch his breath. Zarrov throws down his morningstar and takes a step back, grabbing at the dagger in his leg, he pulls it out with a yell and starts toward Alex again, when Zarrov raises the dagger, his blood on the blade flies off in droplets, one landing directly in the center of the red blade of Alex’s sword. As Alex turns to face Zarrov, the red blade starts to glow and slides it’s way into Alex’s hand. Before Alex realises anything, the blade of the sword has swung has seemingly swung itself, causing Zarrov to stumble backwards again. Felicity is breathing quickly as she watches, scared for the outcome of the battle.

Zarrov manages to dodge the second swing and dashes forward. Alex narrowly evades the dagger, and manages to disarm Zarrov by slicing off the hand holding it. Alex grabs the blade as Zarrov stumble around, screaming in shock and pain. Alex puts the blade into Zarrov’s chest to the hilt. Zarrov gasps and stumble backwards, turning to fall on his knees, Alex sees the bloody tip of the dagger sticking out of Zarrov’s back.  Alex walks around to face him. “If you thought you’d live after threatening my family or friends, you were mistaken.” Alex removes the dagger and crosses his blades around Zarrov’s neck. He brings the blades across each other, with a shearing sound of metal, Zarrov’s head separates from his body and screaming can be heard from the crowd as they start running.
 

Felicity gasps and Lilliana holds a hand over her mouth. Moon shouts and jumps up in excitement. Alex feels a stinging in his hand holding his sword. He looks down and the red blade covered in blood starts glowing a deep red and the blood is quickly absorbed, the clear crystal on the hilt shines and becomes a deep crimson. As Alex holds it, he wants to let go, but something kept his grip firm, as a voice spoke in his head. “I will not let you go! You are my toy now, bloodless one!” He is brought out of his trance by Moon’s hand on his shoulder. “Wake up, flame boy. Time for you to feed me.” Alex looks at her and back down at his sword, the crystal on the hilt was white again. He shook his head and stood up, holstering his weapons. He looks down at himself covered in Zarrov’s blood. “Maybe I should get a bucket of water from the fountain.” As he turns to walk towards the fountain, Felicity splashes him with a bucket of water, rinsing him of most of the blood. 

The water starts to steam quickly and Alex brushes some water off of his eyes. “Thank you sister. I was thinking the same.” Felicity remains awkwardly quiet, Lilliana hugs Alex. “I cannot explain my feelings, my son. I don’t know that your father will be very happy with you.” She turns and points towards the new carriage. “Let us go, Alvus has our new closed cabin Carriage.” Moon finds herself hanging on Alex’s arm, quite a bit infatuated with his display. “That was kind of sexy you know. Show no mercy! Whoo!” She laughs and Alex can’t help smirking a bit. Alex cannot seem to get over the anger he feels about Zarrov threatening his sister and friend. Alex thinks about it and realises he does not regret killing him, Zarrov had no family or friends, simply extremist followers. If he had another chance, he would stab Zarrov in the chest as many times as his stamina would allow.

As they all ride in the carriage with their bags, Moon, Lilliana and Alex all chat happily as Felicity watches out of the window as everything passes, still quiet. The voice she had heard speaking to Alex was unexplainable, let alone the sword blade glowing and absorbing the blood of it’s enemy. She knows that Moon’s forging is above the normal spectrum, but this was beyond even an alchemist’s abilities. Like something had controlled Moon at the time she was forging the strange blade. With all this though, Felicity sits back and realises that they were entering the gate at home.  She reaches over and hugs her brother. “Thank you, Alex. He would have done terrible things to us.” Alex, a little stunned by her sudden affection hugs her as well. “Not a problem sis, I’ll always protect my family.”