For some reason the fanfiction site wouldn't let me add a new chapter onto the story so I had to create a new story to put this in. Anyway, the first part is the same as my previous story "Tears Of A Scarlet Reign," though I have changed the story quite a bit. So, the first chapter is similar / the same, but the story is taking a different turn and the second chapter is completely different. I hope you enjoy :)

A Black Soul's Omen
~~o~~

Nails reddened by blood and murder,
The deaths not committed by any sword or dagger,
But by a command, wielded by the viper's tongue,
Without a trace of remorse or regret.

Be brethren, traitor or foe,
Neither one does a wraith Queen care,
Her very eyes dark without soul,
Without compassion or mercy.

Manipulative, sinister and cunning,
Feel pity for those who cross her path,
For by her tongue alone they are surely doomed,
But by her hand, there is no escape.

~ Unknown Wraith Survivor

~~o~~

Chapter I: Queens Amongst Queens

Loyalty could lead to deceit. Trust could lead to lies. Dependency could lead to death. That was what most Wraith queens knew. That was what we were taught. From the very moment we were born, to the very day we died, be it after a long reign or a short life. That was one of the principles we had to abide by. To never be forgotten. And, soon, I would have to remember that above all else.

The distant echo of whispers from my brethren brought me out of my thoughts. Though, there were no footsteps, nor were there broad-shouldered or coal-cloaked figures around. I was alone, for once. The echoes must have been for another, and so I closed my mind from them and lay back against the wall with closed eyes.

The chill of the air against my skin was a welcomed change. I could feel my torpid, tired breaths against my hand as it slid down my face. It had been a long time since I rested. In fact, I could not quite remember when I did last allow myself to rest without either a bone-masked warrior drone or the Commander himself to drag me to do some pointless task. If only I had the authority to order them to leave me alone. Sadly, I did not have that power at that present moment.

Soon, I thought. Soon I will.

Though, I secretly feared the position as Queen, even if it was my fate to be one. I could not tell any other Wraith about that and especially not my mother. How they would laugh, or maybe even exile me from the Hive because of it. I knew it was foolish to believe they would do such a thing, but the Hive and its residents had changed since I came of age. I was no longer guided. Instead I was made to lead. To guide them instead, something that never quite worked as they expected it to.

A series of shapes and colours flashed through my mind, all to mean the name the Queen had given me, which was in the common tongue 'Deathbell.' How she came up with such a name was beyond me, but it was a name only few knew. I actually preferred to be called by a name a human once gave me, 'Dahilia' but the Commander never accepted it.

"You must come to the throne room at once. You are expected," the Commander said. His voice resonated through my mind like sound within a river or sea. It slowly became fainter and fainter with each word that was spoken.

I knew better than to refuse, though I was in the mood to do so, and tiredly wandered through the long passages that stretched ahead of me.

It felt darker than most days, or perhaps it was nights. I wasn't too sure. It had been a while since I stepped on a planet. It was difficult to see were one passage ended and another began. Even with my enhanced senses. Tall, organic walls that used to be covered in traceable amber veins were no longer apparent. In fact, their dimness only added to the newly risen gloom. I remembered a time when they flickered like fireflies at dusk or just before dawn. Though, I doubted I would ever see such a sight again.

It only took a moment before I was in the company of my brethren. The white-haired males ghosted through the halls with intent and purpose. They never strayed too far from their task and barely faltered in their strides, for to do so could arouse unwanted attention from either a superior, or worse the Commander.

I brought my eyes to a webbed archway, only slightly taller than myself. The warrior drones lifted their heads as I halted beside them. Their gaze drifted along my form and then returned to the area around them.

I let out a brief sigh and looked down. The colour had drained from my hand. It was a cold comparison to what it had been. My fingers curled into a fist. The nails dug into my palm, but the pain was nothing compared to the nerves that threatened to take control.

Do not show weakness. It will be fine, I thought.

The sealed doorway was a normal occurrence, though the risen voices inside were not. Even from where I stood, I could sense the anger and fear. The doorway crawled back into the walls. I hesitated.

The Commander stood by the edge of the bone, emerald throne. His nails rigorously tapped the edge as he leaned forward, ready to strike if the wraith in question dared to move.

Calculative eyes barely left the wraith's form, but the Commander did not need to look to know I was there. He rolled his shoulders back and gestured for me to enter with a false smile.

"My Queen," he said, but refused to allow the other Wraith to hear, and took a step forward. He knew I was not yet a Queen, but calling me by the title helped to get used to it.

I raised my head. "Yes?"

I could feel the stare of the Wraith beside him, but I did not dare to move. He was a distraction. He was not important.

"It is time," the Commander whispered. There was a hint of sadness in his tone, but like any emotion it was soon forgotten.

I frowned. "I do not understand."

"We will be arriving at the Primary's Hive soon enough. We need to make a few more preparations but we are not far."

I blinked. "We are... close?"

"Yes."

"But I-" I faltered.

I did not understand. I was told that I would have longer on the Hive. I was told that that my lectures had not yet been completed. I needed time. I was not ready for such a responsibility.

"If I may respectfully decline, I do not think that I am ready for such a commitment," I said.

"You decline?" he echoed accusingly.

"I simply do not feel that it is the best decision for me right now. I still have much to learn. I need more time. Surely the Primary can wait."

"We cannot simply neglect a summoning with the Primary. Whether you are ready or not is irrelevant. We cannot delay."

With a flick of his hand, the Commander gestured for the stranger Wraith to leave. The Wraith bowed his head, though there was a noticeable scowl on his face, and left.

Once the door sealed behind him, the Commander let out a heavy sigh and leaned back against the throne. "What am I to do with you?"

I gave a brief smile. "I never agreed to any of this. You of all Wraiths know this."

"Yes. That I do. Your mother would not think lightly of such matters, however."

"She is not here."

"No, but she will hear, either from you or an underling," the Commander replied and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "If our suspicions are correct about the Primary then you will have nothing to fear. The truth is that we are having trouble creating a new Hive and need one that has already lost their Queen. The Primary is the only chance we have."

I shook my head.

"It gives me no pleasure to see you leave," he said. "But I am sure you will become a fine queen."

"You place your confidence in me too easily. I have not had the chance to prove you right, nor wrong. Why would you think so highly of me?"

The Commander gave a small smirk, a rarely seen expression amongst others of my kind, and lowered his head. "One had to raise your mother, did they not? I have seen few Queens in my lifetime, but it is enough to have an inkling of who will survive and who will not. Some have fallen due to idiocy. Some have simply not gotten that far. You are strong, whether you realise it or not. Embrace your heritage. Your instincts will not fail you."

"I still do not think that-"

He made a dismissive gesture with his hand and turned his back to me. "Your mother wished to give you this before your departure."

The Commander strode over to a crate positioned on top of a stand, covered in fleshy material. An object was taken out and given to me.

I frowned at the strange oval-shape that was little larger than my hand. It was rough and solid, like a stone but was darker in colour. "What is it?"

"An Iratus egg," he replied.

It took all of my willpower not to drop it instantly. How he could even think of giving me such a thing when he knew what it could do was a surprise. "An Iratus egg? Have you gone mad? Has my mother?"

The Commander tried his best not to laugh at my outburst, but failed when my frown deepened. "Captive Iratus' are not dangerous once they are hatched. Once this creature meets you, it will see you only as its mother and will not attack. This I assure you."

"Why give this to me?"

The Commander turned to pace from one end of the room to the other. Each stride was slower than the last. "Our species evolved from the Iratus insect and so we are bonded. Having such a creature with you may make you feel more comfortable within your new Hive. Perhaps even feel less solitary."

"You mean that this... thing may become a companion?"

He nodded.

I rolled the egg about in my palm, careful not to let it go. It was such a tiny thing. How it could grow into a killer was a mystery. "I am grateful."

The Commander placed his hands over mine and enclosed them. "Just do not misplace it. Those are not easy to find."

"I won't," I said and kept it close.

"Good," he smiled and took a step back. "We will be nearing the Hive soon. Make your way to the dart bay. A cruiser is waiting for you."

"And you will be there?"

"I will not leave you alone with the Primary, I assure you. We need each other in order to make this plan a success."