A Devotion Of Blood And Shadows

P R O L O U G E

The clock's ticking was loud. The girl's heartbeat was even louder.

Friends. Foe. Family.

Blood.

A fine line it was. Friends who became foes. Friends who became family. Foes who became friends and family. The interrelation was deep and dwelt on a fine line.

The girl traced a long slender finger down the tapestry. The boy with dark hair and silver eyes. His face was portrayed as a calm mask. As if he was uncaring towards the whips that cracked his skin at once. Or the cruel stare of those who sneered and watched. No. He wasn't looking at them. Her fingers reached the other end and a small smile graced her face.

The manifestation of Darkness. A night flower blooming out from the mountains, covering the lakes, staining the sky. His hope. His family. His power. She laughed as she looked at cold lifeless eyes of the boy in the painting.

"Your friend. Your family. Your power. You'll come back to me soon, dearest. Till then, enjoy every gift I send you."

Her laughter resonated within the walls of her prison. The walls of the other girl's soul as she retreated into her slumber, letting the other girl breathe for a while.

Letting her believe she could put her into deep slumber as they both saw the reflection in the mirror. The eyes retreating from a cold silver to a color of warmth.

The girl didn't recall her nightmare as she awoke in sheets of sweat. Tears stained her eyes for reasons unknown. She looked at the dark corner of the room as she tried to sleep. Hollow laughter echoed in her ears as she fell asleep to the thoughts of a silver so cold. It made the humid night seem like frost against her skin.

Somewhere in shadows and mist, silver eyes assessed his belongings as he dismounted his ride. His gaze was cold and calculating and held no remorse as his sword sliced through three bodies in a swing. Another shadow taking form beside him as the words were spoken.

The walls had collapsed. The chasm now had a bridge. An open link. Three more lost their head. One job, he thought bitterly. One job. Poor pathetic saps. He walked along the invisible shield of Darkness that separated the world. Well, he walked along where it should be. The damage to the so called invincible wall was grave. Shattered completely. His darkness moved towards it, tugging to be unleashed to the other side. His eyes flicked black. Such power to have cracked the worlds border. His lips tugged.

"Walls don't build themselves," his voice finally rose above the distant murmur of his men. "We have two worlds to keep apart. The shadows help us, if there are more."