Empire of Shadows

Chapter 15: Rasmus

The dark sky and starless night stretched out in front of the residence of Clan Leader Dark. A gloomy fog fell on the palace, hiding Rasmus's evil ambitions and intentions. Sitting alone in the dimly red-lit throne room with the shadows of gargoyles and dragons dancing on the walls, Master Dark rubbed the arms of the ebony wood carved throne in anticipation. Soon our clan will get the desired power. No one will question our authority and status. This is just the beginning. I will make them all knell before us. Before me. Luoyang must help me rise to power. Although, a trickster he is a faithful servant to me. He shall prove himself tonight and if he succeeds, then I'll make him my Hand. This person is useful and resourceful. It would be a shame to lose his support.

A loud door creaking sound distracted Rasmus from his thoughts. Turning his head, the man saw Felicia walking in the front with both his sons behind her back. A wicked smile sprawled onto her lips when she made eye contact with her husband. She was as excited and eager as Clan Leader Dark to see how the seal would show itself.

"Close the doors, don't let anyone in while we're here. Don't come in or disturb us yourselves, if the emergency happens go to the elders of the clan," commanded Madam Dark to the guards.

As loyal dogs they were, the wards hit the ground with spears and in unison minted: "We obey, our Lady!"

After that they quickly and noiselessly left the royal family alone. The heavy wooden doors behind them closed with a thud, causing the red lights in the throne room to shudder. Felicia pushed Philip forth and he proudly bended the knee.

"Hello, father," the older sibling straightened up, looking all too cocky.

Rasmus inclined his head, remaining sat on the throne. Caressing his beard, the man shifted his eyes onto Philip's neck. "I see you retained my gift well enough."

"I could not disappoint Clan Leader," the dark- haired youth smirked, continuing, "mother told me tonight we'll unite the seal pieces and I would want to see the other one before we start."

"That's not possible for now," dispersed the question Rasmus, "because I don't have it with me."

"What's the meaning of this?" the successor of Dark Clan was dumfounded.

"You're not the only ones who know about the seal," Master Dark addressed both Philip and Isaac, "finding the other piece ourselves would be quite...problematic, so I decided to hand this task to a more skillful and reserved person who won't draw much attention."

"May I ask who is it?" with discontent spread over his face grumbled the older Dark brother.

"You may not only ask, but witness as well," chuckled Clan Leader with a raspy voice. "He has just arrived."

Right after Rasmus's words the throne room's energy shifted. Each could feel it with their magic cores. The eerie, gloomy and sinister sensations overwhelmed the chambers. "Look," observed Isaac, pointing to the right.

There, in the air, space started to twist, eventually forming a breach. "No, it can't be the space distortion, it's nearly impossible to practice," gasped Philip, staggering.

"The mage council banned the use of this technique, it destroys the magic core and violates the laws of nature," furrowed his brows incredulously the younger Dark sibling.

And with the sound of a knife cutting flesh, the gap opened revealing a mysterious figure with indigo hood on. "Only if used incorrectly, child," the intruder mocked.

"Just on time, Luoyang," smiled Rasmus, getting up from his throne.

"Good evening, Master Dark," the person bowed with a bit of a self-satisfaction, "see you brought a family for this one."