Darkness (Prologue)

This is my first attempt at a fanfic - I write in my spare time between university lectures so chapters may not appear regularly but I will do my best as far as my studies allow - I'd appreciate any constructive feedback you can give so please read and review but most importantly enjoy


Hidden deep amongst the valleys of Europe sat an ancient castle. For over as long as their history recorded the locals had believed the crumbling citadel had lain abandoned but in truth, for over a millennia, the Degener had occupied the site as their headquarters. In a windowless room deep within the bowls of the stronghold the Erus sat upon a small pile rubble. He was waiting for the arrival of his council and spent the time reflecting upon his bloody ascension to Erus.

It had been a long and bitter struggle and the many conflicts involved were reflected in his battle scarred face. As far as the world knew he had died nearly a thousand years earlier. As far as the Erus was concerned, that was the day he was born.

He had spent that time learning the craft of the Degener, rising through their ranks before abruptly and violently wresting control and defeating his predecessor nearly fifty years ago. Now that he had gained ascendancy he had to move quickly to prove himself and assert his authority before one of his minions began to have misguided aspirations. A noise at the far end of the room attracted the Erus's attention.

The ancient doors had opened as his inner circle entered; their dark purple robes moving smoothly around their bodies obviously having been spelled into silence. It was noticeable that they were all vying to garner the least attention, lest they attract his displeasure. He smile inwardly, fear is a good thing and he would have to ensure they had a healthy level of it at all times. The roar of flames announced the arrival of those who could not appear in person, their ghostly forms wrapped in a cocoon of slow moving blue fire.

He shifted his gaze taking in the unfurnished chamber. He liked things simple and felt that the emptiness of the room let his minions know that there was nowhere to hide in his presence. He watch carefully as the twenty robed figures formed a semi circle in front of him. He listened to the subtle sound of the feet shuffling on the ancient stone floor; a tell tale sign of their anxiousness. 'Good' he thought.

As the last one assembled he initiated the council

"Adsecula of Degener Eumenes you have a report" he called

A short swarthy man with an olive complexion stepped forward. "Yes my liege…" the nervousness of the Grecian man was evident in his hesitance to continue "… It is my duty to report that due to circumstances beyond my control our initial strategy has failed"

"Our strategy!" bellowed the Erus "Our! I believe this is your failure!" he lashed out with his hand a bright yellow light whipping across the man's chest ripping open his robe and tearing into the flesh beneath "How dare you Eumenes! How dare you try to shovel your blame towards me!"

Falling to his knees and clutching his chest the Greek rasped "I misspoke, I take full responsibility"

Snickering could be heard from those assembled, they were all aware of how this statement would be handled

"Of course you will!" the Erus raged his yellow whip making three more strikes. "Now what are these 'circumstances' that have caused you to fail me AGAIN!" this was the second time this cretin had made him look like a fool.

Eumenes whimpered "I'm sorry my liege but it appears that a 'Chosen One' has emerged"

… … … … Everyone present went quiet and very still. They could feel the power and anger radiating out of their leader and knew that any mistake or noise on their part would be almost certain death.

"What did you do?" the Erus may have said this quietly but nobody missed the underlying rage

the Grecians breath was now coming out in ragged spurts, sweat was running down the man's face and blood slowly splattering the floor "Sire?"

The Erus rounded on his servant his dark eyes narrowing as he focused on making the example he wanted. He grabbed a hold of the robes of the man before him, dragging him up to his face "What did you do? The Antiquitas would never interfere like this! What are you not telling me!"

"I don't…"

He threw the man down onto the ground conjuring his whip again, striking the cringing mass before him

"Nothing…"

The whip struck repeatedly. The other council members had not even reacted to the use of the weapon at first but now even the most stoic of them twitched as the white gleam of bone became visible and the man's back was systematically slashed leaving his ribs exposed "Lies! Tell me what I need to know!"

As a pool of blood seeped out beneath him the Grecian realised that any hope of surviving this encounter was quickly disappearing. Knowing that withholding the information would only lead to more torture he managed to rasp "There was a prophecy sire…"

The Erus stood over him, his breathing returning to normal as he stared down contemplating what he was just told. "A prophecy…. I see…. So the fates interfered… I understand now" this statement was made calmly. Subconsciously the witnesses tried to withdraw as far as possible from their Erus and the pathetic mass he was standing over. All were aware that the calm of his voice belayed the cold cruelty of his mind.

Obviously the pain in the man's body had dulled his wits as he began pleading "Thank you sire, thank you for your mercy"

Knowing what was about to happen, almost everyone but the Erus averted their eyes "Mercy! No you pathetic wretch! Your arrogance, your stupidity allowed you to tempt the fates!" the Lord levitated the man's body up by the ankles coming face to face with him again, blood from his victims injuries ran down the man's face. Suddenly the man's body convulses as the cruciatus curse burns away inside him. "Now their champion has defeated your precious Voldemort costing us valuable resources and wasting my time!" spat the Erus "Would you have me look like a fool Eumenes?"

The cruciatus curse surged through the spasming body once again before being dropped unceremoniously to the floor. The Lord beckoned to one of his followers. The woman in question didn't hesitate in coming forward pulling back her hood revealing the long brown hair that disappeared beneath the neck of her robes. Her dark brown eyes had never left her master as they studied him intently "Yes sire"

"My Lover, it is time someone took a more active role in our endeavours" his eyes boring into hers as if to test her resolve

She returned his gaze unflinchingly "As you wish sire"

Placing his hand on her shoulder the Lord gazed around the rest of the assembly "I am tired of dealing with incompetence, you have been warned! Now go, we shall reconvene tomorrow and decide how to fix this fiasco"

The council retreated down towards the door; those whose fiery ghosts were present quickly vanished. The Lord looked at his lover, he had chosen well. She was fanatical, loyal, skilled, and fearless, her body was enticing and above all she was vicious. He felt no real love for her but he loved having her around as she was a wonder to watch.

He walked towards the door stepping over the still form of Eumenes "dispose of this" he commanded as he left the room. The woman looked down on the quivering mass before her, placing her hand on him he began screaming. The fire which had ignited inside his body issued from his orifices, his soul wrenching scream dying quickly as his body was reduced to ashes by the intense inferno.

Walking down the hallway the Erus smiled as he heard the screaming behind him. She was perfect for the job. He was determined to wreak his vengeance upon Briton, that accursed nation had turned against him and when he unleashed her she was going to bring it to its knees.