Part I

The young girl shot up into a sitting position on the cold marble slab. Her pale blue eyes darted from the cavern of stone surrounding her to her pale body still clad in the red silk of her peplos. A cold air swept through the room, freezing the girl where she sat; only her gaze moving to the guest who had arrived.

"You're awake then," the woman spoke, her tone and look easily displaying her criticises of the girl.

"You needn't have bothered asking Cousin Marack to have woken me. Whatever it is you want of me I shall not do it," spat the young girl, glaring at the only other occupant of the room whom appeared bored of the younger woman's behaviour.

"Enough of the antics," she rolled her eyes and then another breeze filled the air, dissipating with the appearance of a young man with swarthy skin and long, dark hair. "Remember what your disobedience cost the last time."

"Rius," whispered the girl in shock, tears shimmering in her blue eyes. "What is it you would have me do?" she continued in a low voice, her eyes shut to prevent the tears from falling; never again would she shed a tear before her.

"There is a place in the Americas known as Mystic Falls. You are to travel there and prevent any witch, wolf or vampire from breaking the curse of the sun and moon. Do this and he shall be returned from whence he came."

The girl, with her head bowed in silent submission, agrees to the woman's terms and with the agreement the cold blonde disappeared as suddenly as she had appeared, leaving not a trace of her having ever been in the room. A sudden cracking filled the silence as part of the wall shifted out of place producing a small opening. Through the space the bright burning sun filtered through, flooding the small room with light. The girl blinked against the sudden light, raising her hand to shield her face, before shuffling off of the dais and carefully edging out of the tomb that had been her prison for so many years.

Upon exiting the room she found herself surrounded by a number of men in dark suits, but she ignored them all for the sight of the crystal blue ocean behind them. She was silent as she watched the waves crest over the distant beach and crash against the cliff she stood upon. With her arms stretched out, her eyes shut and a peaceful smile playing on her pale lips, she breathed in the scent of the salt water, the grass beneath her feet and the men gathered around her.

"My Lady, I am the Voice," a hesitant voice said from behind her, drawing her from her moment of tranquillity.

"If you are the Voice, then you know I am no lady," she replied in a brittle tone, turning to face the men whom appeared nervous around her, despite them all carrying weapons and being larger in stature than she herself was. "You need not fear me gentlemen, I will bring no harm to you or yours. And you may call me Aibie."

"Yes my la- I mean Aibie. If it would not offend though, might we converse in English as several of our younger members are not as fluent in the ancient tongue?"

"It is no offense to speak using the language you are most comfortable with," replied Aibie with a small smile, easily switching from Latin to English.

"It is most appreciated. If you would, we have a house nearby where you may bathe, eat and rest."

"I have had many centuries of rest; I need no more right now. But I would not say no to a decent wash, some food and perhaps some more suitable attire. From what Marack chose to share with my mind I see that the world has progressed a great deal since I last walked amongst you."

"That it has and it would be no trouble to clothe you in whatever you wish."

"Please, you are not here to cater to my every whim and fancy. You are here to guard my body when in stasis and help provide me with assistance for whatever I am needed for. Nothing more and nothing less."

"Of course my lad…apologies, Aibie. If you would follow me."

A/N: Please let me know what you think. More to come tonight and tomorrow.