The Sword of Darkness

6 Rebirth

Far away in another world there was a large lake. The lake was surrounded by a sandy hilled desert. Palms circled the lake. The sound of fish hopping out of the water to catch flies. There was a hissing noise from the wind that shifted the sands. In the center of the clear lake, that reflect the sky like a mirror, there was a tower. The Tower winded back and forth reaching into the clouds. The cobblestone was rough and choked by ivy. There were four windows the same height as a man.

In the highest room of the tower the lighting in room came from the torches hanging off the walls. There was a blood colored metallic throne at the east facing wall. The chair was full of swooping curves and gothic spikes at the top of the chair. A man sat watching intently at a floating mirror. The frame of the mirror was red like the throne. But it didn't reflect back but showed another world. The man had a square jaw and dazzling eyes, but the iris was a single black circle with a solid black triangle in the middle. The color wasn't white but red. Black thick course hair fell across his face in strands. He brushed the hair out of his eyes and continued to watch. He wore a black robe that ended below the knees; it had no pockets or other colors. He leaned back in his chair.

The mirror showed Itazuki pulling his sword out of a boy. Chishiro smiled at that, watching his older brother return to his former ways. He didn't want Itazuki to achieve any measure of happiness. The scene continued on but then there was an interruption. Karatsu, Chishiro's first in command, barged through the door and knelt down part of his face was bandages wrapped around. "My lord." Karatsu's voice was deep and thunderous. Chishiro voice was easy sounding like he was forgiving Karatsu. "Yes? And you can stand up." Karatsu did so, his swollen muscles bulging almost tearing through his robe. "Sol was captured by the humans and is dead." "Oh really..." Chishiro said unsympathetically. Karatsu asked, "What should we do?" Chishiro snickered and said. "What do you mean, we?" Chishiro stood up from his throne and took several steps toward Karatsu. He held his head up high with his hands held behind him. "We do nothing." He yelled. "Shindaru!"

Next to Chishiro's throne, there was a man taller than Karatsu. He had been standing still like a statue. He wore no shirt, but there was a single strap that wrapped around his muscly bulk of a body. On his back was an axe almost as tall as he was. He wore a mask, made out of bone, it had the mouth piece cut away and at the top of the mask had two horns that curved back diagonally. There were holes in the mask for his eyes but visibly no eyes could be seen. The mask had the scent of rotting body. Shindaru said. "Yes Master."

"Shindaru! Oh you were right there. Wow you are quiet." Chishiro said partially startled. Then he squinted while taking in the pungent smell. He continued. "Go to earth, we have another for you." A sinister grin drew across Shindaru's face. His small pointy teeth revealed. "I'll go add Sol to my collection." He spoke with a burning desire. Blood slithered out from Chishiro's hand and formed a circle on the floor. Shindaru marched like a soldier and dropped in it. The portal closed behind him with a slurping sound. Chishiro stood hesitantly for a moment but then left the room. Karatsu remained behind walking to the single window looking out at the lake below.

In the tower there was one chamber, with a window. Sunlight came in a single spot in the shadowy place. The musk of dried sweat, blood and torture permeated the cell room. In the far corner of the room Oreana lied chained and defenseless. She woke up several hours earlier. Lost and confused. The floor was cold and hard. The only company she had was a spider making its web in the window sill. Oreana made a struggle to break free but the tight lock of the chains bruised and grinded against her wrists. She looked, searching for anything to help but it was baron in here. Am I going to die, she thought. Hope seemed lost but then she remembered Rylan. He was strong; he would come. She knew he would. How long could she wait though, forever?

Fear snatched her breath as she looked up, not being alone anymore. "Hey." Chishiro said with charm. Oreana was about to speak but Chishiro interjected holding out a steaming plate of food. "Here, I'm sure you're hungry." He neared her and placed the plate next to her then stood away quickly. Oreana's chains had enough slack to reach the baked chicken. She broke off a leg and took a bite. The warm gush of the meat soothed, despite her situation. Oreana looked up with a mouthful of chicken. Chishiro was staring at her. His eyes wide. A chill ran down her spine. She stopped eating. His viewing was cut out when Oreana's phone began ringing. A generic Bing, Bing, Bing. It paused, Oreana said. "Wait...How do I have reception here?" Chishiro ignored the question, she started to reached for her phone when.