Darker Days

Chapter 1

It was dark. The clouds were gathering rapidly, enveloping the skies and shrouding the fall afternoon in misery. Now it was cold. The rain started in tiny droplets; that quickly changed...

"Damn.."

It was pouring. All the animals had long since gone into hiding. I stood underneath a tall sycamore, thinking.

"Zane!-"

"..."

"Zane! Come on, let's go!" She rushed to me.
"We haven't got time for you to get sick. Let's go already."

I just stood there. I couldn't move- I was too deep in thought. Shed tried pushing and pulling me, but my body seemed glued to the muddy ground. I wouldn't go anywhere until I was finished thinking.

"Leave Artisa, I'll come soon."

She stopped dead. I opened my eyes to find hers wide and dilated with fear and shock- that's when I sensed it. I knew a Denizen was standing a few feet behind me.

~How had I not sensed his apparition?~

~You were too deep in thought, Zane~ she noted telepathically.

At that moment, a seal was raised. It wasn't mine, or Artisa's either, but I think we both knew whose it was.

~Dorian?~ she questioned.

~Yup~

I turned and faced the Denizen whose deadly glare had no intimidation factor on me. Then it lashed at me. Dorian had run up with Jezreal. I swiped my Kye from its sheath and sent a blaze of lightning flowing from the end of my sword. Right as it slashed through its chest, an entire group had begun to apparates into the fight.
Dorian, Jezreal and Artisa each took on a Denizen. Although my blow had slashed a large wound, large enough that its heart was visible beneath an armour of gray bone, he was still fighting.

"What the hell?! He should be dead by now!"

"Hey-" Dorian strode to me hastily and ripped it to shreads with his chain magic.
"-Idiot, don't stand there and bitch about it before you get killed."

He stormed off in a killing rage, then stood in the centre and crouched down. The ground then started to rumble. Everyone stopped fighting. Dorian shot into the air, leaving a huge crack in the blackened concrete, and lashed his chains around each Denizens' neck, tearing each one's head clean off its shoulders. He then carefully floated down to the centre of the crack in the ground and released his seal.

"Whoa", said Jezreal.

"Right", agreed Artisa.
"but don't forget Zane's more than capable of of more damage than all of us combined at full strength."

Jez, thought for a moment ~damn right~.

--------

They both walked away, meeting up with James on the way.

"Guys, did you see how badass Dorian was out there?" He asked approaching the two.

"Yeah-"

"-He shouldn't use his essence so hugely for one battle" declared Artisa, stubbornly. Jezreal, although pissed at being cut off, let the matter go knowing Artisa would never let it and if he pestered.

"Agreed" said Zane, approaching the plethora of heroes.
"Who know what side effects consuming that much of his seal could inflict."

"Personally, I think Dorian is simply jealous of Zane's capability to use so much power. I mean, why else would he increase-"

"Increase what, Artisa?" Said Dorian, a smug grin on his face, dismay showing, his features slightly sagging.
"Surely you don't mean what I think you do?"

Flames suddenly enveloped Artisa, licking her body, yet not injuring her, as she embraced her seal power. Dorian had not removed his; the chain whips he used for his deeds hung around his neck.

"Whoa, now" said Zane, his deep voice booming.
"Let's not get too antsy, eh? Come here, Dorian, I need to check your health and-"

"NO!" Dorian roared, not at Zane. Then he addressed him.
"I don't want any of your fucking help!"

Seals were equipped on all five party members, now and nobody was sure what the next move would be. Everyone was silent, the possibility of an impending nbattle was too close for respite. Two minutes passed before anything else happened. Zane spoke again.

"Listen. Everybody take off your seals, slowly, so we can resolve this in a better manner. Good, thank you Artisa. Jezreal? Thanks." He looked at Dorian. Dorian's eyes were full of fear and hate and cowardice.
"Dorian?"
He refused, clutching his seal desperately. Any more, and the power would overwhelm him. ~Who could want to use that much power other than a demon? Were the seal's effects already...?~ That was it. The thoughts clicked. His hateful eyes, refusal, his fear..

"Shit." Said Zane.

It all happened so fast

--------

James lowered his black universe seal and strode forward.

"Just let it go, Zane."

"Look at his eyes, James" -he did so.

"..no"

"Yes, we must keep an eye on him. If we don't-"

James cut him off with a quick nod before he strode off to Dorian.

"Hey- whoa you little shit! Get off!!" Shouted Dorian, but was too late. James had sucked him into a black hole sphere.

•////////•