Ties That Bind

Chapter 01

It is usually said that the worst thing about drinking is the hangover. Yet that is simply not the case. The worst thing about drinking is if you wake up the next morning there's a split second that you are under the impression that every God forsaken choice you ever made, every tragedy you've experienced, and every friend you couldn't save was all just a simple nightmare.

While only a second this moment could crush the resolve if weaker men. Yet this seemingly hung-over teen fought through that soul crushing moment and began to methodically bury all 212 passengers and 6 crew members of flight TW-83.

Clad in many layers that obscure his physical features the man worked at such a pace that indicated that the he had practice in this situation.

Before the teen knew it he buried 217 people. Each grave similar to the last. Each grave was marked with some kind of identifier as if to prove these people were at one time breathing. As the teen reached number 91 he heard a gasp of breath.

Rushing over to number 218. The man grew a bit more optimistic that he could save this one.

When he finally reached the body he let out an audible gasp.

"What the fuck."

Laid before the man was number 218. Yet what was occurring to that body should not be possible with a normal human.

The entrails of number 218, resided outside his body. His heart in hand steadily pumping away. The moment took a another turn as 218 began to speak.

"Sir, I nee-" a coughing fit then wracked the body of 218. When it ended he resumed talking. "I-I-I need your help."

"Of course old timer what do you need?" After looking over the man's body a question popped out of the young person's mouth. "How are you even alive old timer?"

218 took a deep breath, and simply replied "All will be explained if you hear me out. So please if you have time."

Smirking the teen sat down "Old timer I have nothing but time."

Smiling 218, after another brief coughing fit began his tale. "Thank you young man. My name isn't important and I won't beat around the bush so excuse me. But, I was sent to kill you." Turning his head towards the teen, Alexander expected a response if some kind and was relatively surprised to not find one. "Well. When I usually say that there's usually some kind of response"

The teen laughed. "When you're me you get used to people trying to kill you."

"Shame kid. I've seen what you just did for those people, no truly evil person would do that. What's your name kid? They never gave it to me."

"Damien Fiore. Pleasure" Extending his arm for a shake. Damien recoiled forgetting that Alexander's hands were indisposed.

Seeing his shock Alexander laughed. "It's quite all right boy." Alexander took a brief pause in order to catch his breath again. "I"m a part of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and I no we need your help." The man pushed out painfully

"Help? What could I possibly do for someone that was sent to kill me?." Damien commented before realizing something. "How are you even alive old timer?"

"Oh that's simple I'm using my magic to force my body to continue to function. That's why my heart is in my hand, I'm physically using every ounce of my magic into my heart in order to keep it pumping. And I'm simply telling you all this because I can sense the power you have I need you to use that power to protect my child."

The teen eyes widened as he looked down at the man. Questions racing around his head and only saying the one that seemed the most prevalent.

"Daughter? I'm not a babysitter old man"

"Please, I need you to do this. I've made many mistakes in my life I've made many enemies. Enemies that will target my daughter I just need you to protect her, and give her my journal." Alexander pleaded.

Damien stared at Alexander, and weighed the options presented to him. He could either move on enjoy life as he see fits, or be trapped babysitting.

After finally coming to an agreement within his mind. Damien finally answered.

"Why" Damien started "While I sympathize with you trying to protect your daughter. You are the one that made the mistakes that led to her being in danger not me. You can't always depend on others to fix your mistakes."

Seeing the look of helplessness on Alexander's face truly impacted Damien. Not enough to change his decision but impacted him nonetheless.

After a pause, Alexander began to chuckle darkly his eyes narrowing and an intense look crossing his face.

"You leave me little choice, demon" With that final statement Alexander plunged his hands directly into the chest of Damien.

Damien immediately started struggling attempting to rip Alexander's hands out of his chest but found that his strength was no longer there. 'What the heck is this!'

"Stop struggling Damien. The ritual will end quickly if you just quite struggling. I need you to protect my daughter, she's strong in her own right but she needs help she alone can't stop what's coming." Alexander said as he removed his arm from the demon's chest with a sickening plop.

Teeth barred, Damien attempted to get up and failed miserably. "What did you do to me old man"

"I did what I had to do. In order to protect what I love. This ritual will bind you to my daughter." Alexander answered

From the wound in his chest a flame consumed Damian's form. "RRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!"

"Feel that huh demon, the source of your power now resides within my daughter. The closer in proximity you are to my daughter the more of your strength will return to you. I'm sorry, you've pushed me to do this. I know you are not what you appear to be, a simple monster wouldn't bury all these people I know you'll make the right decision so please Damien, please protect my daughter."

With the last of his magic fading away and while listening to the screams of Damien in the background Alexander Vulcan, one of the leaders of the Golden Dawn died with a sadden expression on his face.

(Elsewhere)

100 miles off the coast of California sits the large island nation of Helike. While this particular island shares many similarities with other islands in the Pacific the main attraction of this tropical paradise is the city of Alexandria. A location which holds one of the most prestige boarding schools on the planet. A city supposedly dedicated to students. A truly wonderful place where knowledge of all kinds come to spread. Yet today for one student in this city of collective knowledge, an drastic event will occur which will tear her away from her destined path.

In a truly unremarkable apartment, in a truly unremarkable room, sat a young woman of apparent Asian heritage hunched over laptop. Her dark hair pushed up in a ponytail in order for it wouldn't distract her from her chosen object, her green eyes shining in the iridescent light of her computer. Gleaming in appreciation of her job.

Her application for an upcoming fighting tournament.

"Crap I forgot to do my homework" The girl said in a groggy voice before she banged her head against the keyboard. 'Oh God I'm so tired but I'm almost done."

Opening at her eyes the girl began to reach for a bottle of water next to her desk but realized she couldn't move her arm. Her brows furrowed as a concerned look crossed across her face. She attempted to try and move other parts of her body and found that she could not. And that's when it started.

The Pain.

The pain was truly unbearable. An intense heat set her nervous system aflame. Doubling over the girl felt the heat reach a peak on her left palm. Falling completely to the floor, only having the strength to lift up her hand the last thing the girl could see was a mark seemingly burning into her hand when it finally finished being etched unto her hand she finally gave herself to oblivion