X-TERMS

Prologue

Foxe hung limply from the stone wall, struggling to breathe in short quick breathes. His head hung, chin to his and his eyes glues to the blade sticking out of his torso and the blood sliding out and onto. He closed his eyes and focused on staying alive until help help came, he didn't want to black out or worse..died.

"FOXE!" yelled a familiar voice.

Eyes flashing open to the sight of the clouded night sky and the centuries old stone of the clock tower he sat in. Casting his eyes down there stood his animal companion, Genovia. Genovia, who had been with him since a child, was a beautiful and shining black furred cat with amazing emerald colored eyes.

With a deep sigh of relief Foxe stood up and felt his body for signs of the bloody weapon that had been inside him moments ago..and found nothing. Just his usual black shirt and leather coat.

'So, I am having visions again like when I was young, damn.' Foxe thought to himself.

He walked slowly to edge of the clock tower and leaned against the old weathered brick archway and stared down at the moving shapes of the people and animals below. Genovia padded up to him and wrapped herself around his legs and purred.

"Why must you always insist on the highest places for your nap? One day it will hurt you or kill you"

Foxe chuckled to himself, "Well why must you insist on always waking me?"

He leaned down and gave her head a pat and then poked her nose. Straightening he turned and walked to the mirror he placed up here and fussed over his wild black hair pulling and tugging until it finally sat flat over his ears and forehead. He then stared into his own eyes, the bright shining violet being his mark as an X-Term. His mark of power over shadows and darkness.

The mark of X-Terms, humanities only defenders against the monsters of the world, monsters some sick bastards had created and set loose on the world. No one could seem to find out who it was and there was never any kind of mark found.

"Well Novia I hope you're ready because it's time," Foxe smirked.

As he ran for the clock tower's edge he scooped up Genovia with one hand and curled her up against his chest and jumped at the same time. As Genovia screamed her poor tail off Foxe just closed his eyes and laughed and laughed, mere seconds before slamming head first into the asphalt he snapped his fingers and they slid into the shadows as if it had been fluid and suddenly they were standing in front of The Underbridge.

"You asshole! You know I hate it when you pull those kinds of stunts without telling!" Yelled Genovia.

Foxe just continued to laugh as held Genovia at arms length while she tried to claw at his face. When she had finally calmed down enough they walked through the doorway of The Underbridge. The Underbridge, as it's name says its simply a bar built under one of many bridges that lead into the city of Astos. It was built the by Foxe's beautiful and trusted friend Alex Grey.

Almost immediately Alex came running up to where Foxe sat her long brown hair tied back and her brown eyes flashing brightly as she smiled at him.

"Finally my favorite duo shows their faces!" She exclaimed leaning over the bar to pat Genovia's head," Foxe and Miss Genovia!"

Genovia purred happily asking," How are you Alex?"

"Well Genovia, I'm great now that you're here! But you coulda left Violet eyes at home!"Alex winked at Foxe.

"Well if you like my cat more than me take her home from now on,"said Foxe playfully.

Genovia growled and opened her mouth to reply, as scream rang out over the laughing and revelry inside the bar everyone's eyes moved to the doorway. Within seconds the entire wall of The Underbridge came crashing in the door and windows shattering and an enormous Salamander rose from the dust. Sighing and polishing off an unattended glass of vodka, Foxe stood and one swift movement grabbed the Salamander's tail and pulled as hard as he could. The Salamander howled in frustration biting and snapping at its tail.

"Take it OUTSIDE!"Yelled Foxe as he pulled the creature out of the bar.

Once he reached a safe distance Foxe let go of the tail and backed away from the creature, quickly taking off his coat to reveal a pole strapped to the middle of his back and two revolvers holstered to his lower back. He popped the pole from his back and pushed a button on its side, a shining metal blade shooting out of one end to form an enormous scythe.

"You ruined my favorite bar,"growled Foxe," I am Foxe Leonard part of the X-Term, and I am the thing that kills your kind. I am the thing that bumps in the night! Allow me to show you why I am coded The Nightmare!"

Catching the Salamder's eye, black poisonous smoke spewed from the monsters mouth and nostrils and released a plume of fire at Foxe. Smiling Foxe backed back into his and vanished before the flames touched him. Confused the Salamander roared and pounded it's great scaled tail against the asphalt.

"Up here dumbass!"yelled Foxe

Letting of the bridge he fell towards the lizard who had looked up at his voice and had leapt towards the bridge. It seemed as though time had slowed as a bright flash of lightning lit up the scene of Foxe falling toward the gaping maw of a Salamander, Foxe deftly landed with a foot on the top and bottom jaw of the Salamander.

"I am your Death,"whispered Foxe raising the scythe above his head.

He stepped of the jaws and slid down the creatures back sliding the blade down the middle of the entire thing slicing it completely in two and landing on his feet. Spinning the scythe to remove the blood, he deftly tapped the button again and the blade retracted and he placed the pole onto his back again and walked away from the dead creature as it's body melted away.

"Job finished,"sighed Foxe.