Celestial Storm: Blazing Eye

Epilogue

Ixion flew across the dusky sky on the back of his kraken. The wind tugged at his hair and coattails as he rode through the darkening sky. The ocean was far below him, but he wasn't concerned about the ocean. He was watching the ocean on the horizon looking for a familiar shape. His kraken took him through the occasional cloud bank. He finally saw the silhouette of an island in the distance.

Ixion's kraken went through a couple more cloud banks before landing on the island. Ixion climbed down off his kraken and then dismissed the beast. He walked into the thick woods beyond the beach. He walked for several minutes until he was in very dim light.

"So, I was not the only one who was called here," a voice said to his left.

A tall slim man with a feminine face and long white hair with black swirls in it came walking out of the bushes. A long black coat made the rest of his body seem to be perpetually in shadow.

"Ah, Starkadhr, I haven't seen you in a few years. What have you been up to?"

"Ah, the usual," said Starkadhr with a playful sort of laugh, "Being trapped inside of your younger brothers, I suppose you get used to that sort of thing."

"Hmm, I see. And you did get the corpse that they stole back?" Ixion said inquisitively.

"Oh no. But I did get another one. It's even better than the one they stole from me," Starkadhr replied.

"I see," said Ixion coldly.

"Ah, yes, it was more beautiful than the last one considering how hideous they are," Starkadhr said playfully.

"Let me guess. You were imprisoned because you played with your prey to much?" Ixion asked.

"You make me sound irresponsible," said Starkadhr sounding faintly indignant.

"That's because you are," Ixion said.

"Now, now. Zorganix is a forgiving man, so he showed me some needed mercy," Starkadhr said soothingly.

"That's a surprise since Zorganix usually tortures people to death for failure," Ixion said raising a eyebrow slightly.

"But I am not a "people". I am a vampire," Starkadhr said.

"Don't get wise with me, Starkadhr," Ixion said gratingly.

"Well, I need to be wise. It's how I survived all these years," Starkadhr said.

Ixion's response was a simple snort. He was no longer looking at Starkadhr. He was looking to his right at a second figure, who was slightly further up the path. The vague outline of a human was ahead of them on the path.

"I see that you two have made it," the figure said calmly.

Starkadhr and Ixion immediately set one of their knees on the ground and bowed before the figure.

"So, how did the expedition go with Mummy Dust, Ixion?" the figure asked.

"Everything went perfectly, my lord," Ixion replied, "The first sacrificial guild has been carved."

"I am pleased to hear that. And you retrieved the Orb of the dawn ancients as I requested?" the figure said.

"Yes, I have it with me," Ixion replied.

"Excellent," the dark figure said holding out his hand, "Give it to me."

Ixion pulled it from his pocket and presented it to the dark figure with his head bowed. The dark figure stepped forward and took it. The dark figure let out a happy chuckle.

"Excellent. Everything is going perfectly. I just love it," he said, "I have your new orders Ixion. I want you to go to the cult that worships Velcônar. I want them to dominate the island of Irfaemia. That trading port has another vital ingredient that I need. You know the one."

"I do, my lord," Ixion said, "I shall be on my way."

Ixion shot up into the air. A gigantic air ship appeared beneath him. He landed on the deck and the ship took off.

"He's always quick to leave" Starkadhr said playfully.

"That he is. He is quite a faithful servant along with you," the figure said.

"Oh, I am honored Dark Mage," Starkadhr said pretending to blush.

"I have a task for you too, which is why you are here," the Dark Mage said.

"Oh, really, my lord? And here I thought you had just called me here for a simple chit-chat," Starkadhr said playfully.

The Dark Mage chuckled as though he found this amusing.

"I have a job for you that you might consider to be in your favorite category. There is a supreme senator by the name of Runkelt Ifanion. Pay him a little visit. I want no evidence left behind when you are finished," the Dark Mage instructed.

Starkadhr laughed with joy.

"How marvelous! At last I can sink my teeth into someone's flesh! The sound of their heart beating in the last moments before they die...! I think I'm already in a state of ecstasy. I shall do it at once, my lord!" Starkadhr cried in joy.

He jumped up into the air and conjured a dark cloud in the shape of a surf board beneath him. He rode the dark cloud off into the sky.

The Dark Mage watched Starkadhr disappear into the distance. He stood there for awhile under the rapidly blackening sky.

"The Celestial Storm mages... Zorganix, you did an excellent job finding the perfect sacrifices. Even I could not have done better."

He smiled to himself.

"And among them is a very fine trophy. The perfect diamond. And all I have to do is wait."

The Dark Mage turned into the woods andwalked down the path, before he disappeared.