AN: By a score of 80%-20%, the one year skip storyline won. This will follow the same format as 'Darkness Falls' with subtle changes like the amount of chapters making up an episode, which will now be 4-5. Again, each chapter, except the prologue, will be at least 2,000 words in length and will be updated most likely once a week due to my Muay Thai classes. I will also be posting some of what I learned on Tumblr and Blogger to share what I have learned the hard way. Links are on my author page so feel free to drop by with questions or comments.

So, without further adieu, enjoy!

Prologue

April 15

Brazil-Central Amazon River

23:07 UTC

Through the dense darkened jungle of Brazil, heavy footsteps ran over rain saturated ground as the body they carried breathed heavily. Blood dripped onto the ground as the booted feet dashed over rock and mud. Branches were hit aside as were large leaves and vines, which caused more of the rain to splash onto the figure running for their life.

"Here! Over here!" a voice shouted from somewhere behind the figure.

"Do not let him escape! He must be sacrificed!" another voice shouted.

Slipping on a few loose leaves, the figure landed face first in the mud. A red skinned hand quickly cleaned the sediment off as the fleeing individual got back up and continued to run when the loud crack of a rifle echoed around him. The bullet came close to striking his arm and ricochet off a stone. Having to ignore the near death, the figure continued onward as the jungle behind him seemed to come alive.

Trees shook as a large mass of people flanked the figure on three sides, leaving only one direction for him to go. Voices carried over the jungle as a ritual chant began the closer they got to their target. The sound of blades unsheathing could be heard with the rain and thunder occurring around them. Another shot rang out, this one striking the fleeing person in the leg, sending them tumbling down a shallow hill lined with rocks where they stopped just shy of falling off a steep cliff to the Amazon basin some miles below.

Grunting, the individual fought to get back to their feet when a pair of boots appeared before them.

"Congratulations," the standing figure said. "You have afforded myself and my men a sporting hunt, but it has to come to an end, devil child."

Crawling forward, the one being pursued gasped to catch his breath as he flipped long strands of white hair out of his face. "You...you won't get away with this. Blue Devil knows where I'm at and he-gak!"

"Will be dealt the same fate as you." Standing over the injured man, the figure had a boot over his throat. "Tell me, if your partner indeed cares about you, than where is he? He ran off without you, left you behind, gave your life to us while fleeing with the girl, and now, now we will take your life and please he who brings darkness to light."

A loud thunder clap filed the air as lighting lit up the sky. What looked like a monster being pinned to the ground was a mess. His black pants were torn with a hole from the bullet earlier pouring blood onto the mud underneath him. Red skin with patches of mud on it was slashed from blades finding their mark and where he once had two horns, he now had one as the other was cut off.

"Rest assured, we will find and sacrifice your partner as well as the girl. You two are the perfect ones to give your lives for the one who will bring an everlasting darkness to our world and she will serve as a...bonus sacrifice. For life is only temporary, but his rule is forever."

Reaching into his red and gold cloak, the figure pulled out a three pronged dagger with the blades situated in a triangle. He then signaled for four of his followers to hold the devil man down. Once they had him with his arms and legs stretched out, the first figure rose the dagger above his head.

"Oh lord, I give this life to you! May it hasten your arrival to us and bring upon your everlasting rule!"

Thunder and lightning filled the sky again as the rain increased in intensity.

"Please!" he devil looking person yelled. "Please, don't do this!"

"I am your right hand, my lord! Guide me in bringing your darkness into the light to bless your followers!"

In one swift motion, the man brought the tri-bladed dagger down, silencing the devil kid's words forever.

"Master," one of the followers said with their hooded head down.

"I know what you are going to ask, brother," the leader said as he replaced his dagger under his cloak. "We are close to welcoming our lord to this realm and need two more sacrifices. Tomorrow, I will dispatch our top agents to find those suitable to have their souls sent to our high and mighty. For now, we will bathe in the crimson life of our sacrifices including this pathetic wretch in front of us. In the meantime, I want the blue devil found and brought to me as well as the girl. Their sacrifices will be most welcome."

Turning to his other followers, he saw them all raise torches above their heads as they began chanting. "My brothers! Lift your voices high into the night air! Let your fire burn brightly! Give yourselves, mind, body, and soul to the Church of Blood and you will be saved! So says Brother Blood, so says Lord Trigon!"

The chanting grew louder as more and more torches were lit. If one were above the area, one would see hundreds of individual fires being lit as the rain, thunder, and lightning continued to fall.

Away from the chanting sea of people, a set of brown eyes watched from the safety of thick foliage. Dirty, dainty dark skinned hands shook from fear as the girl the cloak wearing pursuers were hunting moved back into the darkness she used as a temporary sanctuary of safety. Her white dress was stained with mud with her hair pressed down to her head from the downpour. Beside her lay a large blue skinned individual with twin horns on his brow. Blood seeped from light wounds with large bruises covering his torso and face.

Not being able to move, out of fear of being discovered, the young woman moved back beside the blue devil man and tended to his wounds as best she could. Her eyes never strayed from the cliff for too long, should the large group decide to continue their search for her. She only hoped the ones the other, smaller one was safe and the friends they spoke of would find them.

AN2: Keep an eye out for another update today since this first chap was so short.