Black Diamond

PART 1

Scanning the floor, the faces looked as if they were only sleeping, before rich, crimson blood began to pool. Being use to bloodshed now, the sight hardly fazed them. Dashing up the stairs, Harmony swore, her heart was pounding louder than their footsteps.

Harmony bolted to the right, but as she reached the end of the hall, she realized that Glade was not near her. Glade stood before a mahogany door, staring blankly at it. Something was beckoning her to go inside. Before Harmony had a chance to question why she had stopped, Glade booted open the door with one swift move. Her leg trembled as she took a step into the room. It's in here. I know it.

Rummaging through the cluttered room, it appeared to be Maximus' bed chamber. Something about being in there felt dirty, and Harmony didn't like it.

Beneath all the mess, something stood out to her. The corner of a small chest. Lifting it, it was made of ebony, and decorated with gold accents. Harmony swept her hand across it lightly, admiring the intricate designs. She unclasped it, lifted the top, and gasped at what she saw. There lay a long black diamond, that seemed to be glowing from what little light shown down upon it. But when she touched it, her fingers burned from the coldness. Its as cold as ice....

"Is this it?" The words fell out of her mouth, louder, and more urgent than she had anticipated. "The Twilight Stone?" Whipping around to face her, Glades mouth hung half way open. She flew forward, and didn't hesitate to snatch it right out of the box.

"Yes...." Glade answered slowly, holding it firmly in both hands.

"Okay, good. Now, you watch the door. I'm going to keep looking around here. Perhaps we can get our hands on some military plans, or something while we're here." Harmony spoke somewhat in a hurried manner, continuing to search the room, before catching onto Glades strange behavior. Glade hadn't responded at all, and was still frozen in the same position, staring down at the Twilight Stone.

"Glade?" Harmony uttered in a concerning way. Upon seeing Glades face, it felt like her breath was taken right out of her. Glades eyes were a deep wine red, and she didn't blink. It seemed as if she was stuck in some sort of trance. "Glade!" Harmony repeated more intensely, gripping her shoulder tightly.

Ripping her gaze away from the Twilight Stone, Glade blinked back into reality. "I'm fine." She said quickly. "Let's get out of here before Maximus comes back." With that, she shoved the Twilight Stone into her pocket, and spun around to face the door.

Right then, Maximus appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. His burnt umber eyes wide with shock, but somehow still fierce as they've ever been.

"You!" He growled, eyeing Glade. "How did you get in here?" They both stood perfectly still, and did not break eye contact.

Glade retorted, tilting her head, letting locks of brown hair cover one eye. "Your men aren't exactly the most loyal."

Lord Maximus tittered mockingly, as if he didn't know quite how to respond. At last his eyes wandered away from Glades. That's when he noticed Harmony standing behind her. His face turned slightly softer, as if she were an old friend, or something more.

"Harmony?" he began, raising an eyebrow at her, like he couldn't believe his eyes. "It's been a long time...."

Glade took a step back, glancing at Harmony, then focusing her glare back on Maximus.

Harmony replied after a brief pause, speaking smoothly, though she looked terrified. "Indeed it has, brother."