The Flames in the Horizon

7

Azriel's surroundings come in the form of a stone structure erect around him. He snarls, moving away from Elsie and pulling Truth-Teller free, brandishing the intimidating blade before the old fae.

"There is no need for violence, shadowsinger. I mean you no harm." Elsie says, her voice calm as she laces her hands together in front of her.

"Is that why you kidnap me in the midst of chaos?" Azriel counters, his voice unfriendly.

"It was the only way to get you alone."

Azriel does not appreciate such an answer and raises his dagger, his face uncaring of threatening such an old and seeing fae.

"What do you want from me?" He demands, moving slowly to circle the female who has an unimpressed smile upon her face. It unnerves Azriel, the subtly this fae has in the face of threats of death. "Answer quickly, and I may spare you."

Elsie gives a soft laugh, the sound tainted with age. "You may find it to be quite the challenge to rid yourself of me."

"Do not think so highly of yourself, everything can die. I'd be happy to make a demonstration of you." Azriel snarls, and again the female does not seem phased by his vague threats.

"You will listen, Azriel of Night, shadowsinger,  last of your kind. Your destiny has been written in the stars, and my sisters and I have been tasked to enlighten you to your power. Shadows of night and light of day are destined to write history."

Azriel makes a soft sound, not unlike choking. Maybe this is it, he has finally reached the Mother. His throat tightens with each word Elsie speaks, her voice otherworldly and her tone steady. "What does it mean?" Azriel asks, his knuckles white as his hand tightens around the hilt of his knife.

"You, Azriel, darkness, and the other, light, are destined for greatness. But only can you fulfill the Mother's call if you unlock your full potential. You have been denied of your true nature, and it is only through your fears that you may overcome such. There is temptation all around you, but you mustn't stray, for if you do you will be lost forever. Find your strength, loyalty, and power. Then, and only then, can you complete your destiny."

"My destiny?" Azriel echoes, walking forward to better see the fae as a sudden darkness peaks at the corner of his eyes, obscuring his vision.

His shadows become restless, and all at once begin to shout in Azriel's head but he can't hear a singular voice. None ring loud enough to distract the shadowsinger. It's as if he's in a trance, pulled forward to follow the elder as she disappears further into the temple, into the dark. Shadows pull at his wrists, trying to stop his advance and scream in warning as Truth-Teller slips through his numb fingers. It clatters to the ground but does not resonate through his mind.

Soon he's alone, surrounded entirely by darkness. His shadows are quiet—no, they are gone. Azriel can't seem to find it in himself to feel concern, to feel fear. There's nothing but quiet peace. Then suddenly the floor falls out, and he's breaking through cold water, crashing through the surface into another world. He comes out wet, water dripping down his face as he walks through a world of darkness. He walks for miles, unfeeling and unafraid. There's a light ahead. Something that calls to him so Azriel continues forward. As he moves through the emptiness, he stops a few feet away. A door stands in front of him. It's a particular thing, red and decorated with chains, locks, and bolts. There's a purple haze, smoke like shadow that slithers on the ground at the foot of the door.

A sudden pounding on the other side sends Azriel falling. He lays on his back, elbows propping him up, caution bleeding into his mind. He can see all the way around the door, and yet there is something trying to get through. He slowly gets to his feet, startling again when the door handle rattles. As he steps forth, a golden glow illuminates the cracks in the door. Some kind of force stands on the other side. Azriel can feel it, the electric power. He reaches a tentative hand out, hovering over the knob. He gasps out, falling onto his back once more as the pounding picks up, the handle rattles violently, the door shaking from the force of whatever is on the other side. A thousand voices start shouting, their screams so loud it echoes in Azriel's head and he cries out as they get louder, louder, louder—