| Chronicles of Heroes |
| This is a story of magic. Of gods and mortals, human and not. Of destiny, decision, and danger. However, most of all, this is a story about friendship, and love. The Chronicles of Heroes are the assembled stories of the long ago deeds of heroes. The very beginning of this story is unknown, so we begin part way through. That I truly regret, but most of the records were lost with the Tearing. However, that is another story... The vampire started to stare at Adrian's neck, licking her lips in obvious hunger, straining to hold herself against leaping at him immediately. "You have a beautiful neck," she hissed. "I can almost hear the blood pulsing inside of it. Lovely, luscious veins. Pulsing. Blood pulsing, red, red. Pulsing red blood. Red, pulsing…" she trails off, then licks her lips and continues to stare at his neck. Adrian is frozen with fear. He was sitting here in the middle of the clearing; quietly contemplating a bee perched on a flower, when this...this vampire suddenly appeared. He watches in horror, unable to move, as the vampire walks right up to him and traces his neck with a long black fingernail. “Warm, flowing, pulsing, red, red blood,” she sighs excitedly. “Warm in my mouth.” Just then, a creature hurries into the clearing. This creature was a demoness. Upon spotting the vampiress, she drops the bundle of flowers in her arms, and, in obvious panic, clutches at the twisted symbol hanging on a slender gold chain around her neck. This brings the vampires attention to her neck, and it seems for the moment she has forgotten about Adrian at the sight of the creature’s slender neck. She shakes her electric blue hair out of her face and licks her fangs in anticipation of the meal to come. Adrian, realising what is to come, jumps out in front of the vampire. “Leave her. Take me instead,” he says, trying to sound brave. “Don’t hurt her. She’s just a servant.” As an afterthought, seeing how un-affected the vampiress is, he adds, “Please.” The vampiress seemed amused and cackled wildly. “Men are so foolish when it comes to women,” she rasped. One minute her voice was a sibilant hiss, a snake’s hiss, and the next was like a handful of gravel being thrown onto a tile floor. “I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to her,” he said, his voice wavering. The creature seemed to consider Adrian, then walked up to him and traced his jugular with a long, black nail. While this was happening, the demoness standing on the edge of the clearing had seemed to regain a little of her composure, and asked in a small voice, “What’s happening? Master, who is this?” Turning around so he was between the creature and the girl, he shouted over his shoulder, “Sharabond, stay back.” Then, to the vampire, “Come on, get it over with. But just one thing. Promise me this, creature of darkness. Promise me that for whatever reason you want to kill me, you will not harm this innocent servant of mine. Promise me, on whatever honour you have that you will leave her alone.” “Alright,” she hisses. “If it meanssss I get to drink of your blood, then I promisssssse.” “Promise what, hellspawn?” He wanted to be sure no harm would be done to Sharabond. “I promisssssse,” the vampire whispered irritably, “not to harm thissssssss girl.” Sharabond, still at the edge of the clearing, had finally realised what was happening, and with a look of horror on her face, yelled out. “Nooooooo!” she screamed. “No, not Master!” “On my blood’s honour,” the vampire rasped, seeming not to hear Sharabond. Sharabond ran over to the pair and put herself in front of Adrian “No,” she growled at the creature before her. “You can’t take him. I am bound to serve him to death, and lay my life down before his. Bound by this symbol, and by my honour,” she said, holding her necklace. “You cannot take him.” The vampire sighed, as if at a mere fly buzzing round her head. She made a complicated guesture at Sharabond who was immediately doubled over, and chained to the ground. Adrian glanced down at Sharabond, then looked up at the vampiress. Straightening up, he said to her, “Before you drink of my blood, foul creature, know this…Know that I am Adrian Farenheight Tepes, son of Lord Dracula Tepes.” At this, the vampiress recoiled as if hit, a look of horror crossing her face. The chains holding Sharabond to the ground dispersed. “Thou are my Lord and Master,” she said, kneeling and bowing her head. “And I beg of Thou, forgive me for what I almost did to Thine.” Adrian continued, almost to himself, “I am only half human. My mother was human, and my father, Lord Dracula, is a vampire. I am the Prince of the Vampires” Sharabond also seemed to be talking to no one in particular. “And I am hell’s messenger.” The vampiress had been getting more and more appalled at what she had done. Finally, she threw her head back, baring her neck. “Take of my blood, Prince. Take of my foul blood, and punish me for my sin.” Suddenly, her eyes rolled back and she started shaking. She cried out softly, as if a puppy that has had it's tail stepped on. Adrian, seeming not to notice, pulls the vampiress up. “No need to bow.” The creature took no notice of Adrian’s words and guestures, and moaned softly. Then, she feinted. Her unconscious body starts shaking and she utters a high-pitched wailing. A moment later, a black mist-like object slowly de-attaches itself from her, and disappears. She slowly transforms… Where her skin was a dark blue, it turned pale peach, with a slight gold tint. Her formerly electric blue hair was now a golden blonde. Where she was once covered in a black dress that seemed to avoid reflecting any light, she now wore a long gown seemingly made of threads of pure gold, with long puffy sleeves and a considerably low décolletage. Small gold slippers peeked out under the hem of her gown, and a golden tiara adorned her elegant hairstyle. Everything about her spoke of nobility. She sighed softly, and opened her eyes. They too were golden, while only moments before they were black pools of darkness that seemed to swallow light. She brushed of her gown, and, adjusting her tiara, looked up at Adrian. “Good sir, may I ask of you what has happened?” she said, ever so politely. “Well madam,” Adrian said slowly, “let me first introduce myself. I am Adrian Farenheight Tepes, son of Lord Dracula Tepes. Who might you be, fair golden maiden?” he said, bowing to the girl. “My simple name,” the girl replied, “ is Alaya. However, I fear my full name and title is much longer. Mistress Valen, my tutor, would have my hide for it, but I will give you a shortened version of my title. I am Alaya al’Drayenar, Princess of the Golden Tower.” “Very pleased to meet you.” Adrian said with another bow, then he pulled his cape over his face. “The same to you, good sir,” the maiden replied with an elegant curtsy. “Now,” said Adrian, “to explain what happened to thine.” “Pardon,” interrupted Alaya, “ but may I ask why you hide your face? You should not fear me, as son of Lord Dracula.” Adrian, a little embarrassed, quickly pulled his hood back. “Sorry madam. I am not afraid…” He trailed off as Alaya blinked those strange golden eyes, but continued when she did not speak. “I feel as a mere beast, not a man. I have the cursed blood of my father running through my veins. Now to explain what has happened. Madam, hast thou been bestowed upon with the bite of a vampiric creature of some sort?” The Princess gasped, then thought about it for a moment and slowly replied, “Nay good sir. The last I remember, I was sitting in the middle of a field of golden flowers, when I spotted this one flower standing all alone. This flower was…black. The stem, the leaves, the petals…everything about it was black. It even radiated a sort of odd black aura. I… I felt… sort of… mesmerised. I reached out to pick it, and pricked myself on a thorn. The very last thing I remember seeing is Aalicreen, my noble steed, grazing off to the side a ways. Wait, where is Aalicreen?” She jumps up and frantically begins looking around. “I must find Aalicreen!” “Wait madam,” Adrian said. “Let me explain what has happened to you.” Alaya slowly sits down, still anxiously looking around. “Alright good sir, I will listen, but you must help me find Aalicreen.” “Well fair maiden, you have been cursed with the poison of the Rose of Vlad. At that, Alaya gasps. “Mistress Valen has told me about such a rose.” “At night you will become a vampiric creature.” Alaya gasps again, and this time moaned, “ No.” “Only one man knows the cure,” Adrian continued grimly. “I am confused. This should not be. Moments after I was born, Magician Forl set wards on me, so that I cannot be harmed magically. Warder Lan taught me the art of weapons, which took care of the physical aspect of attack on my person. Still, Magician Forl is the strongest Magician known! Surely his wards would not fail?” “The Rose,” continued Adrian, “penetrates anything, for it is a magical artefact of my father. “Your father?” “Count Dracula.” “How could such a man produce such a noble son?” “If you would like to know, I will tell you. Would thine be interested in mine story of birth?" Alaya seemed not to hear him. “I cannot live with myself if I am to transform to some evil creature every time it gets dark. Who knows what horrible acts I will commit under the stars?” She unsheathes her dagger and holds it hilt first towards Adrian. “You must destroy me.” She kneels, looking up at Adrian. Please.” “Listen to me first young one.” Alaya mutters something softly under her breath, what sounds like, “Young one…if only you knew.” She looks up at him, gold eyes shadowed “I will listen, good sir, but I fear nothing will change my decision. You must destroy me. “I need to reveal things of Dracula which should not be knownst by mortals.” “That is as well, for I am not. Mortal that is. ‘Tis my father’s legacy. I do not wish to name him, for that may bring his wrath down on my head. He is powerful. He is also ashamed of me, because it should not be widely know he can produce, and has, with a mortal no less, no matter that she is a queen.” “My father. He was in love with a mortal woman. They had a child, who was half human and half vampire. This child was born close to 400 years ago. That child is me.” “I had guessed as much. Now, I will tell you a story.” “Wait. Before that…” A quiet but firm voice came from behind Alaya, “Adrian, why do you sound so ashamed of this?” Alaya had forgotten about Sharabond, and very nearly whirled around to throw her golden dagger at her when she heard her voice. It was only Adrian’s easy stance that calmed her. He would not be so at ease if there were danger behind her. “It is hard,” she explained to the demoness behind her, “for powerful immortals to have offspring, especially by a mortal woman. This I should know,” she said with a tight smile. “My father…Dracula…he knows the cure to the taint of a thorn of the Rose of Vlad.” Alaya looks up at Adrian, new hope making her eyes shine like polished gold. “Then you must take me to him. But first, a story.” Adrian looked past Alaya to Sharabond. “My father is the ruler of hell. I am ashamed to be his child.” “That I know,” murmured Sharabond. “But why?” “He has killed so many. And plagued the life of so many others. I am, as he is, an evil being from hell. It does not shame me.” “If I may” enquired Alaya, “I would begin my story.” “Oh, excuse our rudeness milady,” Adrian said with a bow. “I sense no rudeness. After all, we have been excluding this dark angel from our conversation.” “Yes.” “But may I begin?” “Yes, if it is alright with the angel of dark.” “Of course,” Sharabond said. “I tell you a story of Zeus, ruler of the heavens and earth.” Alaya began. She did not notice the shudder that went down Sharabond’s spine at the mention of heaven. “Zeus looks down upon the happening of mortals, and subtly guides their decisions and actions, in doing so trying to maintain peace. One mortal woman caught His eye. Her name was Freinia. She was Princess of the Golden Tower, daughter of Galorie al’Drayenar, Queen of the Golden Tower. This mortal woman was by far the most beautiful Zeus had ever seen, and He had seen millions over His reign. Zeus descended from the heavens in a chariot of golden fire, drawn by a team of eight beautiful, prancing golden horses. He disguised Himself as a prince from a foreign land, and so managed to obtain an audience with the Princess. He impressed her so much that she begged her mother, the Queen, to allow this strange prince to stay in the Tower for awhile. Zeus, still disguised as a foreign prince, managed to woo the princess, and had one night in her bed. He did not know it, but He was capable of producing offspring. Nine months later, Freinia birthed a healthy daughter. She named the child Alaya. She has never seen Zeus to this day. All that is known is that He renounced me at birth and retreated into His palace in the heavens. This, good sir, is my story.” “You? You! You are the daughter of the heavenly god Zeus? Formed from a bonding between a mortal woman and a god. I doth hast noticed thine strange aura. Thine had the aura light. The light of a god. ‘Tis strange that such a powerful man could create offspring with a mortal.” “That is why he renounced me at birth. If it becomes widely known that the most powerful god has half-human offspring, then He will surely be destroyed. Even the smaller ever-warring gods would ally to bring down a god who showed such a weakness.” “I see…” Alaya blinked her gold eyes, seemingly holding back tears. “You must not tell a soul. Though I have never met Zeus, He is still my father. You cannot breathe a word of this, or Zeus will be pulled off the Throne of Light and a million smaller gods, forever bickering amongst themselves, will rise in his stead. This will surely create havoc and despair in the mortal realm. “Worry thine not. I will not telleth a soul of the story which thou has bestoweth upon me.” He paused, then beckoned to Sharabond. “Angel, you must contact my father.” “Yes master. What shall I tell him?” “Ask him for the cure for the thorn of the Rose of Vlad. Tell him I hast sent you. “Aye, it shall be done.” “Godspeed, Angel of Dark.” Sharabond disappears with a fiery flash, and, moments later, reappears in a battered, weak state. She falls to the ground. “I…I have done what you asked,” she says to Adrian, who immediately runs over to her, followed closely by Alaya. “What hast he done to you?” he demanded. “I…He was not happy that I have been in the presence of a heavenly creature. It displeased Him immensely, but He did give me the cure…” Alaya waves a hand, and the air suddenly shimmers around it, solidifying into a golden cup filled with a clear liquid. “Drink this,” she tells Sharabond. “It will rejuvenate you.” Sharabond drinks it and smiles at the princess. “Thank you.” “I will return,” Adrian says, and suddenly vanishes. Alaya starts to feel…dark…somehow, and Sharabond watches as her eyes slowly turn from the shining gold, to dark pools of blackness. “Hurry angel, for it is darkening. What is the cure?” “I…I gave the parchment on which Lord Dracula wrote the cure to Adrian.” “Light, let us hope he returns quickly,” Alaya said slowly, calmly watching her gold nails grow long, sharp, and turn black. “Do not worry, in your demonic state you will not harm me, for I am, as it is, a demoness of hell.” “Be that as it may, I do not look forward to being a vampire, even for a short while,” Alaya said, speaking the last few words with a lisp as her teeth grew into fangs. “It’s not as bad as you think,” Sharabon said with a half smile. Even as she says this, Adrian reappears. “I have collected all the ingredients…” Alaya’s skin starts to get darker, and she hisses at Adrian, then looks horrified at what she did. Adrian hands her a plain cup filled with a murky looking liquid. “Drink it and you shall be pure again.” “Prince, you do know that you may be severely punished for your actions, do you not?” Sharabond says anxiously, biting her lip. “Yes, I knoweth,” Adrian says gravely. “Father could not stop me anyway.” Alaya holds out her black hands and takes the cup, long black fingernails clicking against it. She stares at it, quietly growling. “Prince, will you promise me something?” Sharabond asks. At Adrian’s nod, she continues. “Promise me that if he does go into a state of fiery rage, that you will tell him that it was all my doing? The world needs you. I am but a hellish demon. I have no significance to the world. I am not needed. Please, do as I ask.” “I…cannot…drink it…something… holds… me…. back,” Alaya manages to whisper between the spasms that wrack her body. “I shall help,” Adrian says, grabbing the maiden as she strains to bring the cup up to her lips. He takes the cup from her and forces the contents down her throat. Alaya howls fearfully and spits it out, growling at Adrian. By now, she has fully transformed into the creature she was before, practically oozing evil. She cackles wildly, staring at Adrian. “What a pretty neck you have.” She says, smiling evilly. “I fear we are too late,” Adrian pronounces sadly. “Wait, there is one thing…” he trails off, and, grabbing the creature, bites her in the neck. The creature howls and returns the body over to Alaya. She shudders and whispers slowly, “ That was horrible.” A sudden spasm wracks her body, and she reverts to the vampiress. “You fool!” she shrieks. She begins to flicker back and forth, barely managing to gasp a few words before switching identities. “Help me!” “The pain!” “It tears inside!” “It burnsssssss!” “I… can… hold… it…back for… a bit… but it… it’s too… strong.” She says, holding the golden form for awhile. She falls down on the ground, kneeling in front of Adrian. Moaning, she starts to radiate a gold aura, sparks shooting from her fingertips. “I ...must …use …the …powers …I …re …ceived …from …my …father.” She moans while bowing her head and gritting her teeth against the pain. Suddenly, she throws her head back and lets out a long, piercing scream. Convulsing, she collapses and lays still. Adrian feels a sudden burst of force and is thrown across the clearing, landing against a tree. Alaya whispers, barely audible. “Now in this dark time as I fight death I pray.” She started whispering, “I pray to the Light that my soul will be saved.” She convulses again, and screams, “I Pray to the Light!” She howls, long and drawn out, then abruptly stops, shuddering. She throws her head back and her arms out, eyes closed, as Adrian is thrown back by another burst of powerful energy, landing up against the same tree. He runs back over to the maiden, touching her cheek. He recoils at the touch, sucking painfully on a finger. Her cheeks were like fire, burning his finger instantly. “I cannot last much longer,” Alaya gasps. “My soul burns…the...evil presence...it's almost gone but it’s still far too strong. The pain is too much. It tears at my soul, burning my mind.” She screams as if dying. Then, golden light bursts forth from her fingers, bathing the forest and blinding Adrian and Sharabond. Then the light slowly fades… Adrian lies on the ground, arms and legs tangled and looking very much like a rag doll. The dark angel sits on the ground next to Adrian, weeping. The maiden is standing in the middle of the field, glowing with a golden aura. “What happened?” she asks no one in particular. Then, to Sharabond, “He will survive. But I fear it will take far more explaining to still your heart” “Sharabond…remember this…Remember that...I…love you,” he says, closing his eyes. “I fear,” Alaya murmurs, “I fear that Zeus found out and used me as a channel for his power.” “What does this mean maiden?” Alaya tentatively reaches a hand out to place it on Adrian’s brow, and uses the golden Light to Heal him. “It means,” she breathes, “ that my father is not ashamed anymore.” She holds her head high and looks even more the princess. “He has accepted me as his daughter. I used my power to Heal your prince. He will live. Far better than that, he has been Healed.” “Healed? You mean he’s not injured anymore?” “Better than that, my dear. He is evil no more.” “I am glad of this,” Sharabond murmurs, cradling Adrian’s head in her lap. Alaya pulls his cloak aside to reveal a golden rose burnt into his shoulder. “But he will always carry that mark.” She pulls his shirt down to reveal a white dove on his chest. “That one also. For I fear those are the marks I leave on the ones I Heal. ” Adrian stirs, muttering to himself. He opens his eyes and fixes them on Sharabond. “What…dost…it…mean…? “My father has given me the powers fit for a goddess.” Alaya replies. “And since I am a demigoddess, the powers were too much. My body and soul had to adapt. That is in what you were caught. And for that, I am truly sorry.” “I…cannot…” he mutters, “Father…he…will…” he closes his eyes. “No he won’t” Sharabond whispers fervently. “I swear, it was my doing, my prince. Swear to me that you will tell him this. Swear that you will not take on this burden yourself.” “Angel,” he murmurs, “it was not your doing…” Alaya cocks her head to the side, as if listening to an inner voice. Her eyebrows go up as her eyes widen, and she stares, open-mouthed, into the distance. “There is no need for all this. My father has just contacted me, because Adrian’s father contacted him.” She says, looking troubled. “But maiden, his father, he will not be pleased about any of this.” “What did the beast tell him?” Adrian asks anxiously, half trying to sit up. “Dost he dare trouble my mother’s soul?” “Nay.” Alaya tells him. “For he hast done it much before.” “Nay, he says he is through with troubling your mother, for he has other, more important things to do,” Alaya says with a little half smile. “He has been banished from this world much, yet every century he returns.” Alaya again seems to listen to a voice inside her, then sighs, and addresses Adrian and Sharabond. “Forgive me, but I must leave for a minute. My father requests an audience with me.” “Ok,” Adrian tells her, eyes locked with those of Sharabond. Alaya shakes her head, muttering to herself. “Zeus himself, requesting an audience with me. Requesting! What hath this world come to?” She disappears. “Angel, why are you called Sharabond?” Adrian asks. “Because my true name is not fit for a demon of hell,” Sharabond replies. “Might I ask what your true name is?” Sharabond looks down at him, and says softly, “I am Selphie. More, I was Selphie. Now I am but an insignificant demon of hell. I am now no different from…from…him.” “Yet you contain beauty and a soul.” “But I do not. What you see is only a servant’s loyalty to her prince, for whom she has great feelings. I have no soul, and I never will.” Just then, Alaya reappears, golden eyes troubled. “What hast happened, princess?” Adrian asks of her. “I have been blessed by the mightiest of all gods. Why me?” Alaya asks in return. “You are the daughter of Zeus. That should be explanation enough.” Adrian turns to Sharabond, handing her a cup of blood. “Drink it,” he tells her. “That is an order,” he adds. Sharabond bows her head. “I will do as you ask,” she tells him humbly, taking the cup. She swallows it all with a gulp, grimacing at the sharp, metallic taste of the blood. “Do not order the one you love, Adrian. It creates mischief.” Alaya admonishes him. “I am but a servant for him, fair maiden. His orders I shall obey without question.” “Kneel before me angel,” Adrian commands, and Sharabond kneels before her prince. “Now thou hast been bestowed upon with purity. You are once again human.” He looks away. “For now until eternity you will be your own creature. Sharabond, you no longer serve me. You are free.” “But…why?” Sharabond asks him, looking up at him with round, disbelieving eyes. Adrian looks back, and, ever so softly, tells her, “Because I love you.” “You…love me? But…how can this be?” Sharabond asks, eyes confused but shining. “It is love,” Alaya announces, staring at one, then the other. She seems to see right through each of them, reading their minds. She lays a hand on Sharabond’s head. “Sharabond, I, daughter of Zeus, Bless you.” Sharabond looks up at Alaya, eyes shining. “Why do you do this for me?” she asks. “I have cause so much pain to the people of this world.” “I do it for I see a good soul in you.” “I do not deserve your gifts.” Adrian stares at Sharabond, eyes glimmering with her beauty. Sharabond returns her gaze to Adrian’s eyes, gazing into them. “And I can tell you will walk in the Light, and love this man eternity and beyond,” she says this with a smile that seemed tighter than usual, and her eyes seem darker than their normal bright gold. “I love you because I know that you were not always like that.” Adrian says, still gazing into Sharabond’s eyes “I had a soul once,” Sharabond says, gazing off into the distance. "But…I wasn’t really any better. I was a cruel and selfish human.” “But deep inside,” Adrian insists, “ you wanted to love.” “I…I don’t know what to say…” Sharabond murmurs, gazing deeply into Adrian’s eyes. “Tell him the truth,” Alaya whispers. “I…” Sharabond begins, “ But how am I to live without being in the presence of my prince? It is all I know, and…” “You will live with me,” Adrian told her gently. “Not as a slave, but as a wife.” “You will never be without the presence of Adrian unless you chose to be,” Alaya assures Sharabond. “And do not call him your prince, for he is not anymore. Husband, true love, soul mate perhaps. Never master. Now, tell him.” Sharabond looks at Adrian. “Do…do you mean this?” “Yes I do. I love you.” Alaya smiles gently and whispers, “Tell him, Selphie.” Neither Sharabond nor Adrian seems to notice the fact that Alaya used Sharabond’s true name. Adrian was still gazing at Sharabond, whose eyes lit up as she returned his gaze. “I love you,” she tells him, and they hug, smiling happily. Alaya whispers to herself, “Duty is heavier than a mountain.” Taking a deep breath, she stands up, Princess every inch. “Kneel before me,” she says. As Adrian and Sharabond kneel before her, she places a hand on each head. “Kneeled before me are Adrian Farenheight Tepes, son of Lord Dracula Tepes, and Sharabond, Dark Angel and Messenger of Hell. “I am Alaya al’Drayenar, Princess of the Golden Tower,” she intones formally. “Daughter of Freinia al’Drayenar, Queen of the Golden Tower. Granddaughter of Galorie al’Drayenar, Mother of the Tower. Child of Zeus, ruler of Heaven and Earth and mightiest of gods. Maiden Rider of Aalicreen, of Aalicorn, the sept and mare, last of the Pegacorns. Bearer of the Golden Rose. Under the flag of the White Dove. Aes Sedai by custom, nature, ability and law. “I hereby unite and bond these two before me, and only through death may this bond be broken. Rise, as Adrian and Selphie, bonded. The Light witness this and bless these lovers.” Alaya waits until they both stand up, then says, “Now, Adrian and Selphie, you may have your first kiss as Bonded, as two halves making a whole, sharing your heart and soul with each other.” Adrian and Selphie kiss, and Alaya smiles coldly, regally, and sits down on a throne that appears behind her. “As of this moment, you are united as equals, and shall stay as equals united till death do you part. May the Light send that that day lays far into the future.” Adrian and Selphie sit down, eyes only for each other. Alaya smiles at them, and tells them with less ceremony and much less regally. “Now that you two are bonded, you must know a few things… “First, both of you are as equals. Whatever stood before the bonding is now obsolete. Selphie, you are Adrian’s Princess, his equal. Servant no more.” “Oh…” Selphie says softly, eyes wide with wonder. “Second,” Alaya continues, “if ever you two are separated, and wish to find the other, you may. Simply close your eyes and listen to your heart. It will guide you. Follow it, and you will find each other. “Third, if one of you dies while you are separated, and may the Light send that never happens, the other will know it. It shall feel as if part of your soul has died, which is partially what would happen. This I speak, and what I speak is only the truth.” Adrian gives a start, and stands up, bowing to Alaya. “Excuse me fair maiden, but I must go tell my father of the event of my bonding.” Selphie looks up at Adrian, worry clouding her bright eyes over. “Will…will he accept me?” “If he does not, Selphie, he cannot do a thing.” Adrian looks at Selphie. “Do not worry,” he soothes her. “I cannot help it.” “The only way to null a Bonding,” Alaya assures Selphie, “is when both of the Bonded to recite an incantation stating they do not love their Bonded half anymore. Either that or for one of the Bonded to fall out of love with his or her half, and fall deeply in love with another person.” “I care not of his opinions anyway. I shalt return,” Adrian says, caressing Selphie’s cheek. He swirls his cloak around him, and disappears. “Do not worry Selphie, he shall be alright.” “I do hope so.” “His father does understand about love…Adrian himself is proof of that.” Selphie kneels on the floor, surrounded by the flowing skit of her pale green silk dress. “It is not that which concerns me.” Alaya stands up, and, waving her throne into non-existence kneels down on the ground next to Selphie. “It is the fact that his only son is now bonded with a former servant that has to anger him.” Alaya jumps up, and spots of anger colour her face. She shouts, “Servant no more! You two are as equals. Never forget that Selphie. Never!" Selphie is taken aback by Alaya’s sudden show of anger, and meekly tells her, “I know. That is why I said former servant.” Just as Alaya starts to kneel back down, Adrian reappears. She straightens, and inclines her head towards him. “Welcome, Prince.” “Welcome my Pr… my love,” Selphie says with a caress in her voice. “He was quite happy,” Adrian says, looking surprised by the news. “Really? He was not at all angered?” Selphie asks him incredulously. “No, he was not angered,” Adrian assures her. “I still can’t help but worry…” “Do not worry my love. He will not challenge me.” “Are you sure of this?” “Let me tell you a story. Despite my young looks, I am really about 400 years old. 200 years ago, I had a fight with my father. He tried to destroy the world. I was the only one who could stop him. Hath I not stopped him, he would have destroyed the entire mortal realm. If you did not know, he was killed that day. I was forced to kill mine own father. Every 100 years yet he comes back. Since that first time I defeated him he hath not challenged me, nor dared to attack the world again.” “I…almost remember,” Alaya begins uncertainly, “something about 200 years ago…” Selphie quickly gets to her feet, ignoring the dirt on her dress and running over to Adrian. She embraces him and tells him, “You are no prince of dark, you are an angel. An angel to whom all the inhabitants of this world owe their lives.” “Yes,” Alaya agrees. “You are at that.” She gets up, brushing her gold dress off. “Nay,” Adrian says, shaking his head, “I only did what I had to do.” “I…I had no idea that was how it was! What you did saved millions of lives, plus all the generations after them.” “Had you been as evil as I thought,” Alaya tells him softly, placing a hand on his arm, “you would not have thought that what you did was what you had to do.” She shook her head, taking her hand away. “Light, I confuse myself.” “I am only Prince of Dark because I am son of Dracula.” “I was evil…I was very evil…oh I am so ashamed of myself.” “Do not be ashamed, my love,” Adrian says, embracing Selphie. “Once again, I cannot help it, I brought a lot of pain and suffering to this world.” “Many years ago,” Alaya says partially to herself, partially to Adrian, “I heard of the birth of the Prince of Darkness. It was whispered in dark corners that his coming was the dawning of a new Age of pain and suffering. This new Age did not come about, and your story proves this was nothing but a story to frighten little children into obedience. “Selphie, when I bonded you with Adrian, I cleansed you of your sins and bonded you as clean souls. Otherwise it would not have worked.” Alaya conjures a throne of pure gold for herself, and a silver one for Selphie. After a pause, she conjures a blood red one for Adrian. “Sit,” she tells them, gesturing to the thrones. “Let me explain why I have a pure heart,” Adrian says, seating himself on the blood red cushioned throne. “My mother was a kind soul. The only woman to win the love of Dracula. Would you like to know why I don't hate humans?" “Why is that?” Selphie asks him. “Of course,” Alaya assures him. “‘Twas a wish from my mother.” “She would be ashamed of me as well, even if I am cleansed. I, and the people who lost loved ones to my wickedness, still have memories…” “If I could, child, I would cleanse you and them of those memories,” Alaya assures her. Adrian continues, as if he doesn’t hear Selphie and Alaya, “My mother was burnt at the stake, mistaken for a witch. Just because she was making medicine for the sick and diseased to heal them. I was present at her death. Her last words still echo in my mind and haunt me in my dreams. She said ‘Adrian, do not hate humans. If you cannot live with them at least do them no harm. For their lives are already so hard. Help them in whatever ways you can. Then she told me to tell my father she would love him forever." Alaya sighs sadly, and speaks softly, “It seems this world is filled with pain and sorrow…” “Yes.” Selphie agrees with her. “So I must try harder to bring the Light into people’s lives. I must.” “Families, the few precious people of related blood…so special, so caring…” Selphie mutters. “I hath a feeling I must do it again,” Adrian says. “Do what prince?” Alaya asks him. “Oh please, do not be speaking of what I think…” “Destroy Dracula,” Adrian tells her. “I will be by your side,” Selphie assures him. Alaya sighs sadly. “And I,” she tells Adrian, lifting her chin and fiercely glaring at him, daring him to tell her otherwise. “This will be his last time. This time…I will banish him to the depths of hell, never to return. I must gather my equipment…” “Adrian,” Alaya says, “I have many friends who can help…” “Nay fair maiden, I must do this alone.” “No,” Selphie firmly tells him. “I am coming with you.” Alaya smiles secretively at Adrian, “These friends will be quite willing to help. As she says this, a lion suddenly appears before her, and she pats its head. “Like Aslan here.” She points at the giant white hawk perched on her shoulder, which wasn’t there a minute ago. “And Muir.” “I must go alone. ‘Tis my duty,” Adrian insists. “I will be there with you this time. I will not meekly sit here and wait for you to die. I will not let you do this alone.” “Your father has been gaining strength over the last century. If you go alone he will surely destroy you,” Alaya assures him. “Only moments ago I spoke of family,” Selphie begins. “Up until this day, I have had no family. You are my family now Adrian.” Adrian grabs Selphie’s hand. “I promise you, I will not perish. I will not let you go.” Alaya’s eyes light with a dangerous fire. “Adrian, that is a promise all too easily broken unless we go with you. Please, do not play the stubborn fool.” Adrian draws his mother’s heirloom sword. He picks up his family’s shield, and equips his armour. Alaya draws her dagger and smiles at the blade, seemingly formed of pure golden Light. Adrian looks at her. She twitches a finger and is suddenly dressed head to toe in gold armour. “Wait. It is now my turn to tell a story,” Selphie says. “Alright love, tell your story,” Adrian tells her softly. He gives Alaya an evil look. Alaya flicks her dagger blade, which becomes a war sword. “If looks could kill, then I’d be dead Adrian, but thankfully they don’t,” She says, turning to Selphie. “I do not know how long I have been a prisoner of hell. Goodness knows how long ago, before that, when I was a child, my memories of this time are so clear.” Alaya conjures a gold shield while listening. “I was a good, decent child. I obeyed my mother like all little girls should, and I helped where needed. One day, I was going to the market to fetch my mother some flour. On the way there, I met a man. He was quite peculiarly looking, dressed in a dark cloak. He beckoned for me to follow him into the woods. I, being the curious young girl that I was, followed him without question or hesitation. What I saw under those trees I will never forget. I saw a portal that passes between this world and hell. Just then, an evil spirit suddenly flew out of the portal, right at me. I was horrified. I could not move, I just stood there as the creature let out a piercing cry and flew right into me. It took my body over as if it was it’s plaything, it’s own toy. That was when I became what I have been for so long. After that, I was a dark child. I kept to myself and seldomly spoke. One day, my mother and father had a talk with me. They kept asking me if anything was wrong. They wouldn't leave me alone, and kept going at it. I...I had no choice...the evil being inside me forced me to...to...I killed them. I killed my own family. I was six years old. So you see, I cannot stand loosing you to something so evil. Alaya let out a loud, piercing whistle. Out of thin air, a creature came galloping. This being was of the purest white, and had the basic shape of a horse. It had a tail like a lion, and a shining gold horn protruded from under its forelock. Its hooves were feathered with long, silky gold fur. From it’s powerful shoulder blades sprouted two beautiful wings, sleek gold feathers catching the light. This creature’s eyes were black, contrasting with its white coat and gold mane, tail, hooves and wings. This could only be a legendary Pegacorn. Alaya mounted the prancing beast. Snapping her fingers, pegacorn, lion and hawk were decked out in gold armour. She fixed sharp, deadly gold claws over the hawk’s claws. Adrian had been watching these goings-on with anger in his eyes. “Now listen both of you. Neither of you can come with me… Alaya blinked at him, and suddenly him, Selphie, the creatures and Alaya herself all glowed with a golden aura. “A Healing aura,” she murmured. “Stop preparing Alaya. You cannot come.” “Adrian, this war had been going on for centuries before you were born. You cannot control it. Just as you cannot hold me back.” “Nay, I cannot hold you back. But you cannot come. My father is in the deepest recesses of hell. You cannot gain access. Only those with the darkest of souls, or those authorised, can go.” “I have a…guide…if you will call him that. His name is Ishmael. He is one of the nine Forsaken, and bound to the Lord of Darkness. I have made a…deal…with him.” “Ishmael is not a Forsaken. I know that fool.” “You speak of Ishma’el. I agree that this man is a fool, but you are mistaken. The Ishmael who will guide me is far more powerful. 'Tis a long story, and of no interest to you." “You cannot go with me!” Adrian shouts. “There is no need to raise your voice, prince, I heard you the first time.” “I swear to you, Selphie, that I will return to you, alive.” Adrian says, ignoring Alaya’s snide comment. “Adrian wait,” Alaya says urgently. “ I must tell you something vitally important. I cannot believe I have forgotten to mention this to you before.” “What?” Adrian demands irritably. “If one Bonded enters the deepest part of hell without the other…the one left behind dies a slow and painful death. You cannot go without Selphie, unless doing so you destroy her. This I swear to you.” Adrian sighs in resignation. “You can go with me, under one condition.” “What is it, my love?” Selphie asks him, as Alaya turns her glowing gold eyes on him. “You must not fight.” “I will do this, but if I feel the dire need, I will disobey you.” “‘Tis time to go,” Adrian says. He gestures and suddenly a portal appears. “We shall follow after you, Adrian, so you can make sure the way is clear.” Alaya tells him, inclining her head. She walks Aalicreen up to the portal and pauses, waiting for Adrian to go through. Selphie steps up to stand beside Aslan, the lion. Adrian steps through the shining blue portal, and a moment later Alaya goes after him, closely followed by Selphie, and her animal friends. The scene that greeted them was of pure darkness, broken by the occasional bright flame, or a pair of glowing red eyes peering out at them from the shadows. Alaya snaps her fingers again, and a golden falcon appears on her armoured forearm. She lifts her arm a bit and the falcon leaps off, flies over to Selphie and perches on her shoulder. “To guard you,” she murmurs. “Your time hath come, father,” Adrian says into the surrounding darkness, boldly stepping forward. “You two stay alive,” he says over his shoulder. “I promise I will return. Alaya, I entrust my love to you. Take care of her” “I will, I swear.” Adrian bows and gives Selphie a meaningful glance. “I shalt return.” Adrian departs into the darkness, some of the red eyes following him, but most staying behind to watch Selphie and Alaya. Selphie glares around her at the eyes, and Alaya gives an amused smile. “If looks could kill…” she whispers to herself. It was only a few minutes, but to Alaya and Selphie, the darkness that seemed to come in closer, and the fearful red eyes menacing from every side made it seem like an eternity. Finally, Adrian reappears, battered, torn and bleeding. “I told you I would be back,” he says, collapsing. “‘Twas a hard battle…but I won. I told you I would not die. Alaya frowns at Adrian’s wounds for a second, then her face clears. She pulls herself up, gold eyes shining, and points a finger at Adrian. “I Heal you,” she intones formally as a shaft of golden light bursts from the tip of her finger and bathes Adrian in the Light. “Thus is the power a god can bestow upon a demigoddess,” she smiles as Adrian’s wounds are healed instantaneously. “And thus is the power I use on you.” “I hath banished him,” Adrian says, staring at his once slashed forearm, now covered in new pink skin. “He shalt never return. Let…let us…return.” Alaya nods in agreement, and dismounts from Aalicreen. She waves a hand around, and mount, lion, hawk, falcon, armour and weapons all disappear. She sheathes her dagger, formerly a sword, and steps through the portal. Adrian stumbles to his feet and bows to Selphie. “After you, milady…” “I thank you my good sir,” Selphie says, curtsying and stepping through after Alaya. Adrian stands for a moment, alone in the darkness. He looks around at the red eyes, somehow looking sad instead of their former malevolence. He lifts a hand, and shoots a shaft of light into the depths of the dark. He smiles, and steps through the portal, closing it behind himself. “No longer am I prince of dark,” he announces upon stepping through.” Alaya shudders delicately. “I felt Power used, just a moment ago. She looks at Adrian. “What did you do?” “You wish to know?” he asks her, smiling happily. At her nod, her tells her happily, “Well, I banished hell to eternity space, a confined place that no one can enter. That is where I put my father.” Alaya’s eyes widen. “You banished hell?” she asks incredulously, her composure cracking for a second. “I know you had power, but…but I had no inkling it was almost equal to my own.” Adrian seemed to wave away Alaya’s comments. “I no longer bear the title of prince of dark.” “What do you wish to be called?” Alaya asked him, her composure returned. “For my power is as such that I can rename you.” “Hmmm…what would be a fitting title?” “Avenger of Light…” Alaya mused. “What would Selphie be?” “Princess of light? Lady Selphie, of the Light.” “I would have to be prince of light then…” “Lord Adrian, of the Light, and his Lady Selphie, of the Light,” Alaya suggests. “Ah, that’s a nice title. Light sounds so good.” “Yes, it does,” Selphie agrees. “For you are truly a lord of the Light, and your name shall go down in the Chronicles of Heroes as the saviour of man and the avenger of Light. The one who banished Hell.” “Would you like to know why I did this?” “For a woman?” Alaya guesses with a smile. “It ‘twas my mother’s wish. I did it also for Selphie. My mother wished for the world to be purged of evil. For me to live in a world of light.” He looks up at Alaya. “Recall these words as the last words of Dracula. He said to me, my son, why do you destroy me? I told him that he was a soulless wretch, hell bent on world domination. His reply was soulless? Not true. I said you lost your life and soul when you lost the ability to love.” “I am sorry for interrupting this, Adrian,” Alaya breaks in. “But my father has just contacted me…for some reason, he wishes to speak to Selphie.” “Oh dear,” Selphie says. Alaya turns to her. “Kneel Selphie.” She waits for Selphie to kneel, then unsheathes her dagger and lays it on her head. “And rise Lady Selphie, of the Light.” She taps Selphie twice on the head with the flat of the dagger, then sheathes it. Selphie stands up and curtsies to Alaya, who inclines her head in return. “Now kneel Adrian,” Alaya says as Selphie disappears. Once Adrian is kneeling in front of her, she unsheathes her dagger once more and lays it flat on Adrian’s head. “And rise Lord Adrian, of the Light.” She taps the dagger twice on Adrian’s head and sheathes it with a flourish. Adrian roses and bows to Alaya, who once more inclines her head in return. “I bring you into a new life, with a new title. Now you protect the Light with your life. There may be nothing to defend against now, thanks to you, but never forget your obligation. For I fear Hell may break loose sometime in the future. The Light send that that day is far into the future.” “Never fear, I am immortal so I shall hold my oath for all eternity. Now, may I finish my father’s last words?” “Yes, of course.” “He smiled sadly at me, and said ‘To what profit is it, when a man gains the world but loses his own soul.’ Matthew 16:26 I believe. Then he asked what my mother’s last words were. I told him and he said ‘Lisa, forgive me and I will always love you.’ Then he bid me farewell. Alaya?” “Yes Adrian?” “I was shocked to know that my father knew a verse of the bible.” “Sometimes you discover that what you thought was pure black is after all only dark shades of grey.” “Such an enigmatic reply, but I agree.” Alaya smiles brightly at him, and he looked down at the ground. “Alaya, I have something to tell you.” “Yes Adrian?” Alaya says, anxiously looking into Adrian’s downcast eyes for some sign of his news. “This is sort of hard to believe…But I don’t think I love Selphie anymore. I am not sure if I loved her to start with. I may have wanted to have someone to love so much that I latched onto her when she came along.” Alaya nods sadly, gold eyes casting a muted glow. “‘Tis so sad when a Bond does not work out. “There is more.” “Oh?” “I do not wish to put our entire friendship on the line, and possibly lose a great friend, but I feel that I should not keep this from you. I…” he takes a deep breath. “I think I have fallen in love with you” He looks up into her gold eyes, his own grey ones reflecting his inner turmoil. “You sweet fool,” Alaya says with a happy little smile. “I love you.” She walks over to him, wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him. |
| And of course, this is my original work and copyrighted to my name. |