Night's Children: Nox Noctis
By: Nymbis
Summary: Riley's nightmares of fire are rapidly becoming worse. She can't sleep, and is on the constant edge. She has suspicions that someone is out to get her, and she very well maybe right. But what happens when the only one who can help her is a Follower himself?
Author's Note: Book Two! Yay! I realize that the ending to Night's Children: Aliena Misericordia may have been too abrupt, but to be honest, I was tired of writing it. This one will explain what happens between the two books eventually, so I'm just asking for a little patience : ) thank you again to all the lovely reviewers!
Prologue: Orpheus and Eurydice.
Long ago, there was a brilliant musician by the name of Orpheus. Stated to be the son of the Muse of Epics, Calliope, he was the greatest mortal musician of all time. One note from his lyre, or one sung song, and animals would come to him, mountains would move, and savage beasts would sleep. He was revered and adored by all.
One day, Orpheus met and fell in love with a beautiful Dryad, or wood, nymph by the name of Eurydice. Eurydice was also a loved being, and it seemed almost natural that the two were destined for each other.
There were many obstacles in the pair's way however, foremost was that Eurydice's father found Orpheus to be unworthy of his daughter. He sent him with the near impossible task to get the fleece of the golden ram, to prove his ability.
However, the fleece was guarded by one of the fiercest dragons, one that had killed many men before.
Yet, Orpheus was able to use his ability of song to lull the monster to sleep, and removed the fleece while it rested.
Upon his return with the fleece, Orpheus and Eurydice were married, but it didn't necessarily equal a happy ending.
While out for a walk in the woods, Eurydice met and was pursued by a terrible and lustful demi-god. Trying to escape from him, she accidentally trod on a snake that bit and poisoned her, and she was immediately cast into the Underworld of Hades.
Orpheus was devastated. His heart had broken, but he solemnly swore to rescue his love from the perils of Hades. He slowly made his way to the entrance of the Underworld, where he passed the guardians with ease. With the three-headed beast Cerebrus, that protected the entrance, he once again used the power of his voice to bring it sleep. Once he had entered the Underworld, he sought an audience with its rulers, King Hades, and Queen Persephone.
Both the leaders, hard and cold towards any feeling, were unmoved by his first pleas to bring back Eurydice. It had not been the first time that a lover had wanted his wife back, and both saw no need to return Eurydice's soul, or shade as it was called, back to the mortal world.
But Orpheus was persistent, and he began to sing a heart-felt song about the love Eurydice and he had shared.
The raw emotion that he had placed into his song broke the two of them, and they wept for and pitied Orpheus. Even Persephone, hardened by her kidnapping from the world of light, did not protest as a single tear fell down her face.
Seeing that his motives were pure, King Hades made a deal with Orpheus. He promised him that he would have the shade of Eurydice follow him up to the surface. If he did not look back at, or speak to her until they reached the world of light, she would became alive again.
Orpheus readily agreed, and slowly started back to the surface. Eurydice's shade followed him closely and silently, as a shade makes no noise, behind.
But you see, Orpheus was starting to feel panic. All mortals knew that if one entered the Underworld one way and left, they would not be able to return a second time. He began to fear the Hades had tricked him, and that Eurydice was not truly behind him. The mix of panic and anxiety to see Eurydice again made him turn around to see if she were really behind him.
Their eyes met for a brief moment before Eurydice disappeared, returning to the Underworld for all eternity.
