Roll of the Dice

Chapter 3

That same night, at eleven-thirty, at the Scarborough Bluffs, everything was calm and empty. A lone couple walked their dog one last time through the park. The darkened rock peaks looking like sleeping giants towering above the landscape. The sound of water splashing gently on the rocky beaches could be heard below. In the distance, the wind kissed the branches of the trees.

Subtly, at first, the wind picked up. As the minutes passed it kicked up more and more dust and rocks eventually threatening to bring down the trees. The couple raised their hands, protecting their faces from the flying debris. As they called for their dog in the growing darkness, small flecks of coloured lights began to swirl in the distance. The dog picked up its head, its ears twitching. It ran into the bushes, which led further into the park, barking at the swirling lights. Slowly, the lights congregated to form what appeared to be a small portal. The dog gave a low growl and crouched.

As the portal opened wider, all sound ceased. No rustling of leaves, no crickets, no waves splashing. It was as if time stopped. A portal opened to about the size that a human might walk through. A shadowy hand appeared at the edge followed by a shadowy figure stepping out. The dog backed up. The shadow paused, looking down at the dog. The dog gave one last bark before the thing growled back, swiping at it. The dog gave a terrified yelp, turned and fled back towards its owners.

The shadow watched in silence as the dog disappeared before stepping out onto the grass. As it did so, the shadow's form solidified. The creature became a man. A beautiful man, his skin pale and unblemished, his long hair black as night, his almond eyes a deep emerald green. He wore a simple crimson tunic and black pants. Behind him a pair of transparent, butterfly-like wings, also black, were folded neatly behind him.

As he stepped further into the park, other shadows began to emerge from the portal, until a great horde had collected in the open space. The man looked at the horde in silence. Finally, he turned to face the portal and bowed.

"Master, we have made it through the portal, what would you have us do now?" He asked.

"Amadan, I need you to find the list of ingredients and set me free," replied an invisible voice, smooth as silk. "I must have the souls of the innocent to sacrifice, sage, black candles and black paint. You also need to find the book of spells, the Acranorum. I can sense its power here. Once you have collected it all, I need you to create a pentagram. Big enough to release me."

"Yes Master, I understand," replied Amadan. He turned back to the horde. "You heard the Master!" He snapped. "Once you have fed, we shall return here and find the ingredients needed to set the Master free! Now go!"

The horde gave a cheer. As they turned to go, Amadan raised his hand and stopped two of the figures. "You two, stay here and protect the portal. Nothing approaches, do you understand me?" He instructed.

"Yes sir," growled the two figures. The two burly creatures crouched in front of the portal.

"Good." Amadan watched in silence as the rest of the horde dispersed.

Amadan watched as the creatures shifted. Limbs elongated and bones cracked as each group became something different. The creatures snarled and hissed before leaving. It wasn't until the area was clear that Amadan left himself, his head staring blankly ahead. When he reached the edge of the park, he paused, staring, seemingly confused at his new surroundings. There were houses everywhere. Some of them were dark, while others had lights like fire shining through the windows. Outside of many houses were giant, metal objects sitting silently. He blinked and placed a hand on one of the metal objects. It suddenly sprang to life, making a horrid screeching. He jumped back in alarm, taking himself to the air. He flew off, hiding behind a nearby tree. The door of a nearby house opened, a human stepped onto the porch. The man raised his hand and, like magic, turned off the metal monster. Amadan's eyes widened.

What a strange world the portal had sent them to. When the door closed Amadan took to the sky. The world certainly wasn't home. But home wasn't really home anymore. It hadn't been home for centuries. He sighed and looked down at the passing ground. But that's why they were in this strange realm. So that they could get their home back. That's why Amadan had joined the fight. Or that was what he was told to believe.

He sighed again. How long had he been fighting now? It must be a year now. He wouldn't have it any differently. He owed everything to the Master. When the Master first found him, Amadan was nothing more than an injured husk, at the very edge of death. The Master had healed him and he must have blacked out after that because the next thing he remembered he was fighting alongside the Master. There was something else that he constantly tried to remember. But he couldn't seem to bring himself to recover those memories.

He shook his head, bringing his mind back to the present. In silence, he flew over the new world, taking in the sites. These sights were more shocking than the ones he had previously seen. Buildings as tall as the sky, lights dotted the ground like fireflies, the metal objects he had previously seen now awake and moving—monsters. And despite this ungodly hour, humans hurried along like ants. On top of that, everything smelled. Even in the air he could smell the pollution. He snubbed his nose in disgust. How was this place pure? The humans that inhabited this world had destroyed it. They deserved their fate.

When he was satisfied that it was safe, Amadan landed in a darkened alley. He remained at the entrance to the alley for several minutes observing the humans. If he was going to be part of this world, he had to look like them. He snapped his fingers. The tunic, pants and wings disappeared, to be replaced with a casual white shirt, its sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a pair of black dress pants and a pair of leather dress shoes. His black hair was still tied into a low hanging ponytail. A leather bag hanging off his shoulder. He rolled his shoulders, stretching the kinks from his body. Soon, he stepped out onto the street and joined the throng of people.

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"Don't worry Sebastian," A voice said sweetly.

He listened as steps slowly walked around him. By now his legs had become numb from sitting on his knees; his wrists sore and swollen from the rope bindings. A finger softly traced his cheek and down, along, his chin. Sebastian shivered and pulled his head away. Strands of black hair fell across his face and stuck to his sweaty cheek.

How long had he been since his Uncle, the Steward, had placed the strange black orb into his neck and his mind split? It felt like an eternity. However long it had been Sebastian had been stuck fighting an internal struggle with his counterpart on who would control his mind. And, so far, his counterpart seemed to be winning. He looked up at his clone. His opposite—known as the Master--gave him a smile and knelt across from him.

"What's wrong sweet prince?" The Master asked. "You're doing what you wanted. You're saving your people." He laughed.

Sebastian gritted his teeth and lunged at the other. A sharp, tingling sensation ran through both legs, forcing him back to the ground. He landed with a thud on the ground. Slowly, the Master got to his feet and chuckled, casually crossing his arms across his chest. Gently, he placed a foot on Sebastian's face pushing his face closer to the ground.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Sebastian, I am not impressed with your behaviour. I thought this is what you wanted," the Master said.

"I never wanted this...to take over the innocent," Sebastian replied.

"That's the problem with you Sebastian," the Master began. He leaned over and pulled Sebastian's head back, watching the young prince wince. "You're too soft hearted. Nothing ever gets done if one never acts. I'm just doing what you were too scared to do."

The Master dropped Sebastian and kicked him in the stomach. Sebastian coughed and curled up. The Master gave another laugh and walked away, leaving the Prince where he was.