Fate's Emergence

•] XXXIII [•

"Once Upon A Time"

The mysterious figure began to walk from the shadows , its body hidden in a shroud of darkness . "Iniko , the sin of Envy , son to Inazara of The Three Wise Monkeys , I ask that you accompany me ." A feminine voice spoke .

'How does she know who I am ?' A lump grew in his throat whilst they inched closer together . Though he was scared , for some odd reason he was compelled to her .

"And go where ? Who are you ?" He interrogated , but with no surprise , her answers were a twist and turn to the truth .

"I am the rebirth and your aunts' wish to speak to you ." She slowly removed her hood leaving them face to face , he swiped his hand in front of this stranger . Causing the mist of darkness to flee , he could now see just who he had the pleasure of speaking with .

A woman with eyes like embers and feathers to match . The yellow shades of her bodice adorned her adumbral skin . She gripped his hand tightly causing him to misplace the darkness and allowing her to be covered yet again . "Never do that ." Her tone was ominous and her words were slow .

It struck a fear deep within him , he'd remember her words greatly . "Now if you're done , I'd like to be going now ." She said with a huff , her frame was gigantic compared to his own but her body was slender . As if death itself had paid him a visit .

"You envy the truth , you wish to tell me what you know about my Aunts , that you're lying ?" Iniko's voice traveled quickly to her ears . With a swift gale of breath , his envy couldn't take hold .

'What's going on here ? Who is she ?' With a wave of her hand , a dark portal emerged from a speck of dust in the still night air . "I'm done playing your games , we must go ." She commanded .

     "OutWorld waits for no man ." Knowing he'd never lay a finger on his opponent , Iniko stepped through the other side of the portal . 'Where are the dragons in all of this ? Can they not hear me ?'

Submerged in deep darkness , just like before , Iniko couldn't even make out his hand right in front of his face . "Welcome to sector zero of Other World ," the lady said with a smile , "the grand council will see you now ."

She ushered him in gently , allowing the portal to close behind her . Her pace was quick as she lead them through an unknown darkness . One that even Iniko couldn't manipulate . He snapped his fingers and a ball of pure light pooled into his hand .

"You won't be needing that once we reach our destination ." Her voice had changed , from scratchy to soothing in a mere breath . The shimmer of her shroud was the only light provided other than his own , he stumbled behind .

"Put that incongruous flicker of a light out , you're almost in the presence of the greats !" Her words traveled through the emptiness creating an echo .

Though she was making a mockery of his training he still found her way of speaking quite enamoring . He snapped his fingers once more , creating a wisp of light to float toward an unidentified room . He ran after it in curiosity , running right into massive unforeseen doors .

Iniko held his head in his hands , both hearing and feeling the intolerable throbbing of his veins . "What an embarrassment ." She muttered , striding past him to knock on the doors thrice in a rhythm .

The doors opened slowly with a heavy metal groan to accompany as fanfare . In the dimly lit room were nine empty pillars . They were so high above the ground it almost seemed improbable . Iniko stepped into the room , simultaneously stepping on a trigger .

     A great gong sounded , signaling for the High Council to assemble within the room . One by one enormous black dragons few to their places on the pillars . They were labeled in dragon tongue , Iniko peered up at them in an attempt to decipher .

     "Sajna , you may remove your cloak now ." The smallest female ordered . Sajna swiped her hand before her face , removing the cloud of darkness that encumbered it . Iniko could finally get a better look at her . In awe of her beauty , he stepped a bit closer .

     "Iniko Hansa , you have been summoned ! Your inability to control darkness has cost us greatly , how do you plead ?"  The largest one said , his voice booming throughout the hall .

     Iniko was taken aback by his words , he shook his head , confusion riddled his thoughts . "I'm sorry , I'm not understanding ?" He said , the dragon clicked and then spoke in an unusual tongue .

     "Well let us show you ." Another called . An orb glowed in the center of their pillars . Iniko walked into the circle to watch the crime he'd committed .

     He watched himself disperse a great darkness , one he'd remembered less than fondly . The darkness gathered around the other sins showing vulgar images . "I remember this , but Ensosin fixed it !" He said loudly .

     Sajna elbowed hun harshly causing him to grunt . "Just watch ." She mumbled , in the image Ensosin whipped her tail , flinging pure light at the beast Iniko created . A small part of the darkness detached from the greater amount .

     Fleeing into the tree line , then what appeared to look back . A vengeance so apparent even Iniko was speechless .

     His former body flung to the ground in pain , convulsing violently . The image cut short leaving his newfound questions unanswered . "So , what does this mean ?" Another series of images flicked in the orb .

     All consisted of Iniko and this darkness , but in each one the darkness grew and grew . It began to create a human-like form from the shadows .

     "Your recklessness has unleashed a powerful foe . Feeding from not only naturally occurring darkness but that of people . Your friends especially !" A dragon called from behind him .

     He turned to see each of their pillars , their once unintelligible labels flickered letters like a slot machine . From his left to right they read as follows : Na'Tiri , Gino , Apep , Sitree , Basilisk , Meigs , Bemora , Hendren , Tiamat .

     He stared in confusion at them , "Basilisk as in Ceres snake ? Tiamat as in mother of all Dragons !" His eyes began to flutter to the back of his head , nearly passing out .

     Sajna quickly grabbed his hand bringing him back to their presence . "All is well , just breathe ." She whispered in his ear , causing a chill to run down his spine . With a regained consciousness , his mind splintered off into a thousand questions .

"For your transgressions , you'll be sentenced to death , and your Dragon born anew ." They clicked and howled at his sentencing . His grip tightened , nearly cutting circulation from Sajna's hand .

A light hiss escaped her lips , and with a whisper , "We're leaving , now !" They inched closer and closer to the door as The Council argued over his punishment .

     "He'll receive capital punishment !" One yelled over the rest , they turned their attentions back toward where Iniko once stood . They shared looks of confusion and anger .

      He slipped between a crack in the door as they finally lowered their gaze once more .