Prologue: A troubling Breeze

In the quiet village of Kalay…the town settled as the sun slowly fell illuminating the sky with fiery colors of its last gift. The eager children began to come inside bidding their friends a tired farewell. The watchful Mothers called in the straddlers, biding them to hurry or no playing with their peers in the morrow. The residents began to close the flapping windows, tired men and woman dragged themselves inside from sore work. To be warmly greeted by their wriggling little ones; who would tackle them with their playful love. Then be kissed softly by their precious one, whose smile could instantly soothe their sore muscles. The quiet residents dimmed the street lanterns. Soon smells of home cooked meals wafted in the streets; small spots of laughter arose from slightly opened windows. The venders closed their shops; packing away their wares in hidden places. The Inn became almost still when weary travelers fell into their soft beds. The moon shone full upon the town overshadowing them with a soft, calm feeling of release; as the fireflies slowly awoke the still streets with their blinking lights.

*Tip Tap* A pair of soft footsteps broke the silence of the night, he moved almost in tune with the winds. Ivan wore a heavy stare. He had tussled dirty blond hair, tied loosely in a ponytail. His eyes were the deepest yet softest lilac only slightly darker. He wore a youth's face but had scars of a veteran's. He was clothed in a dark pine turtle-neck sweater; jacketed with a plain brown vest. His trousers were navy blue tight yet loose to breathe in. He stopped,

*Sniff* Ivan's breathing went irregular. He looked up as tears streamed down. The silent moon was reflecting in his grief-stricken eyes.

"Noleen…" Ivan removed his black arm-length glove. A golden promise bound to his ring-finger. A ghostly seducing voice called from the depths of his memory.

"Ivan…"He shivered her voice still made him long, long for all his time. He removed the cold ring pressing it in his palm; silent tears burned his cold cheeks. He brought the ring to his face,

"I…still…miss…you." Ivan mouthed he kissed the ring softly, he could almost: taste her warm smile, contagious giggles, see her twinkling eyes, feel her soft fingers entwining with his…almost. He shook his head it was too hard to remember but impossible to forget. He put the ring away eyes dull from weeping. He listened to the wind easing his shattered soul.

"Noleen…come back…t-to me…p-p-please—"Ivan's voice broke as he shuddered sobbing.

*Skritch tat tap* Ivan's ears perked up tuning in to the sudden disturbance; something in the near distance. The running grew louder—closer. Ivan stood tuning the sound waves vibrating in his delicate ears. He began to sort the information: a lighter step—female, swift pace—in a hurry, heavy breathing –been running for a while.

It stopped about ten feet away; hidden away by night's cloak. Even from the street lanterns glow.

"Who's there!?" he said. Two delicate eyes opened, the heavy breathing suddenly stopped. Ivan laughed relieved,

"Oh Karis, I thought, well Sol knows, what I thought. Whew, that was awful; I am far too old to play this childish game." He laughed harder amused.

"Sorry for dragging my feet dear, I had heavy thoughts tonight and lost track of—"He looked up the eyes had vanished.

"Karis? Honey, where did you go—"The street lamps flickered once…twice…

*Whoosh* the warm glow of the tiny flames; was stolen away as night instantly rushed in…

"K-karis, that's enough! It's not amusing anymore!" He heard a deep bellow from behind him, he turned swiftly.

"Whose there? Heekee tis tis ke." A distorted voice mimicked. Ivan slowly raised his hands, blood draining from his face. He heard a long scraping on a distant wall.

*Scraaaaaaaaaaaaaape* It ended abruptly…Ivan could feel his heart in his throat.

"Hekehekecessss." Ivan had enough he raised his hand.

"FIREBALL!" A fiery orb appeared in his palm. Ivan tossed one at the street lantern swinging softly on the Inn's sign. The wick sizzled and lighted up the small corner. Ivan walked into the fierce glow. He backed his back slowly inside the door space, hand reaching up the oak door. He jiggled the doorknob—locked.

"Sol!" Ivan muttered under his breath. Scuffling outside the lighted area he heard disrupted snorts.

"Viiiiiiii a ti a ti. Kee heeheeheee."Ivan heard to his right, he glanced the realized his error.

"KEH!"A sudden blur of white, Ivan ducked. The creatures hand knocked hard into his chest. By reflex Ivan twisted the creature arm violently the wrong way.

*CRUNCH!*Ivan felt its bone snap in his grip. He repulse-singly let go and shivered at his own strength.

"CREEEKKVII AHH OHHGGKK HIISSSSSS!"The creature howled; Ivan dodged its swipe with its good hand. Miscalculating his step he tripped over a loose brick. He tumbled on his rear; he instantly reacted pulling himself up. He kicked up and returned to fighting stance psynergy and Djinn on standby.

He observed the creature while it cradled its broken arm…It was an arm.

"What the—"

"Kehhhh Hehe he heh." Ivan shivered at its cold laugh, he began backing up, and the creature turned its head.

"What are you?" Ivan breathed.

The way it looked at him, the malice it held against him…scared Ivan more fiercely than it should.

"…Stay away!" Ivan took one step forward. The monster grunted into submission.

Ivan turned his back to it; he threw one last frown still very shaken.

"And you better not let me see you again. "Ivan said and slowly walked off. The monster growled as it watched him walk off. It watched the old lantern swing back and forth in the sudden fierce wind. And as Ivan casted his last glance in the creature's direction, he knew it wasn't over. For under the old lantern lay nothing and Ivan shivered as he heard a faraway howl.

XxX

Somewhere far away in a place so dark so cold…it wasn't even named.

*Flutter* A pair of swirling dark blood red, mutilated dark purple, and black as charcoal eyes slid open suddenly. They were bloodshot and dull but still aware. A sudden energy whipped around the figure…the eyes tired and shut then wearily opened again. The bloodshot eyes slowly regained its sharp look. Its look of edge, terrible beauty, and cold ambition the eyes looked around; carefully taking in its surroundings. A golden orb appeared from the whistling wind. It slowly floated over to the eyes. Its eyes filled with the golden glow. The orb filled with colors sorting into a distorted picture.

"So…they're finally all awake…excellent." Said a stirring voice; the orb faded to black, stilling, it fell to the ground.

*Crack…Whoosh*

Another gust of trapped energy blasted out. Along the sound of shattering glass, a black dagger glowing golden black, lay among the warm shards. The eyes swirled with anticipation then closed.

*Swoosh* the dagger sudden darkened and cooled. A finger timidly tapped it waiting to see if still hot.

*Clang clang* the cool unweyardly metal confirmed touchable. It vanished instantly, as it all went still again.

But it was far from over…it was just the beginning.

-Thank you-

SuperRed ('-