Dark Fall (3rd Book)

Chapter 30: The Rogue and The Mistress

He was the recent Rogue Shadow---though he styled it more as the Dark Rogue, giving it a more awesome air, as he had pondered on and on for about an hour now. He was once the Shadow Master of the Silent Ones, taking up the mantle when his predecessor, the still-breathing Fendrel, handed it to him. And he was graced (or cursed, he still can't ascertain which) with the title of Summoner, Champion of Shadowy Death, and thus bestowed vast power and skill, most of which would have rivaled that of the gods and goddesses themselves, those of whom perched on the highest of the cloud kingdom of Luscix, watching and doing nothing.

But for all his power, all his strength, and the intimidation he obviously instilled, he could do nothing but watch as this pale shadow, this woman who called herself the Shadowqueen, smiled at him through a faceless mask, gesturing for him to come with ghostly fingers. Grey shadows danced and lurched behind her, visible in an otherwise imperceptible fog. Behind him still raged the fiery chasms of Merec's will, and though he much rather preferred the silent, but gloomy calm of Selena's half-world, he still found himself staring back at it, eyes seemingly full of emotion. 

What is this? He asked himself countless times, being led by the hand of a goddess, a titan, he didn't know what to call her. Questions buzzed like busy bees in his already convoluted thoughts that pain started to pound in his head, and he groaned silently. Who is she. What is she. And why do I feel... why do I feel empty? 

Indeed it was the truth for him. Ever since he made mention of his final decision, a void had started to form in his chest, as if his black heart was sending him a message, a rather unclear one. Was my choice the right one? He mulled over it as he was led through foggy fields and trees to a strange grove. Immediately, he noticed something amiss.

"What's with the fog? Why is it not covering this spot?" He asked, looking around. Grey trees, a grey sky, a bleak and dead ground, it all amounted to a grim feeling of desolation in Althalos, and he thought that he didn't want to be in here for long. "And why is everything grey? For this aspect of darkness, you truly are one to pick a lighter shade?"

"It is mere coincidence, Althalos." Her voice came to his ears in a soothing whisper, and he relaxed to it. He sat down, leaning himself on a tree trunk, putting his hands behind his head. "Your arrival here has stirred most of my friends and allies, young one."

"Friends?" He now questioned her. "Allies? Care to name all of them for me? And your words that I was your "only hope?""

"I was not lying, Dark Rogue." This grin widened and pearl-white teeth shone slightly. Amused, she continued slowly, so as to watch her tongue, an act that Althalos appreciated. "You are my only hope for Magnus. Even now, Merec is mobilizing his forces, and I've heard from my spies that Narzavys has arisen from the deep."

At last her face was revealed, holding a concerned expression. "Troubling news."

Althalos was too distracted by this goddess who now revealed her face, showing a mark circling her eyes, intricate and flowing with a purple hue. Her eyes were silver, her lips were rubies, her cheeks, rosy, and her nose, sharp. It was as if she had concealed herself before, he concluded, when he saw the changes wrought to her whole body now, from the sword scabbards exposed on her back, a dress and armor combined for an outfit that looked lightweight and easy to move in, but hard and able to defend thewearer.

Her skin was dark, and a smile was always there, teasing the curve of her lips. Feathery wings of black were partially visible as she faced him, a brow raised. They were retracted, but he can only imagine the beauty it would show had it been released. 

"Surprised at what you see?" She joked lightly, and Althalos mustered a nod, although he had no wish to answer. "I've been suspecting of your wanting to see me for who I am, and here you are, mortal. I am Selena the Shadowqueen in full form, nothing hidden away."