Chapter One
A strange silence arose between the two, before Knives' eyes met Eclipse's. Ria, the servant which was behind Eclipse, made her way up and around him. A long black and flowing dress was held in her hand. It was strapless, and had a satin strip at the top where it would hold the dress on Knives' body, and keep it from slipping down. "This is what your father picked for you to wear." His soft voice once more broke the silence. He received a faint nod from his Lady, who stepped forward. Her gaze was averted to the dress. It was beautiful. It was one of the only dresses that had been given to her throughout her life.
Not a single word crosses Knives' lips, she was in a grave mood, but it was sure to lighten sooner or later. "I shall leave you to dress then, my lady." Eclipse spoke shortly before slowly turning and leaving the room. Ria stayed behind to dress Knives, and moved over to the soon-to-be Lady of the Abyss. "May I have the permission to clothe you, my lady?" the servant asked in a soft tone, her voice silent and modest. "Yes, you may." Knives answered softly, her voice monotone and bland. Ria nodded, moving closer. The young heir let the towel fall from her body, every inch of her body, her smooth, flawless, pale skin being looked upon by the twin moons, which still hung so menacingly in the midnight blue sky.
Her skin was illuminated by the bloody light of the moons, and Ria was put into awe at the magnificence of the young lady's body. The servant regained her composure, and silently made her way behind Knives. "Once I hold this down, I'd like you to step into it." the demonic young servant spoke softly, once more referring to the dress. Moments later, the servant had dropped near the ground, feeling her lady step into the dress. That was the signal to gently drag the dress up, over her ankles, calves, knees, thighs, up over her hips, stomach, then finally over her chest.
After having slipped it up all the way, she began to fasten the small, metal clips on the back of the dress, which started at her lower back, and traveled all the way up to just below her should blades. Then, Ria went to work on Knives' hair, running a brush through her ebony locks. The young lady's eyes were closed, and she was in a meditative state. The servant brushed out any knots in her lady's hair, and made sure that ever factor of her appearance was flawless. "You look breathtaking, my lady." Ria's voice cut through the air. They were in front of a large vanity mirror, and the servant could see herself from behind Knives.
Knives gazed at herself in the mirror for two long minutes, examining every curve of her body. She had truly never been this dolled up so much. "You clean up quite nicely, Knives." Eclipse's soft tone rang out in her direction, causing Knives to focus on him, behind herself since she was in front of a mirror. He was right behind her, dangerously close, though it didn't bring her any discomfort. The Royal Advisor ran his fingers through her hair, smiling a handsome, calm smile. "As beautiful and as charming as your Mother..." He murmured silently under his breath, "But as dangerous, elegant, and as powerful as your Father..." His smile lingered, before his expression faded back into that of tranquility and calmness.
"Now, is the time for you to rise to your proper place. I knew it all along my dear. I have been waiting for this day for decades." He spoke as if he was her father himself, a certain proudness was audible in his tone. After all, he was the one who basically raised her from birth. 'It is a shame that Raenef had to go off and kill Natalia. She didn't deserve to die.' This thought lingered in Eclipse's mind as he let Knives' raven locks slip from his fingers and fall back into place. "Well, m'dear, we should be making our way to the temple right about now." A pleasant smile graced the Royal Advisor's lips as he looked down upon Knives.
"Of course." Knives cooed softly. She had always loved Eclipse as a daughter would a Father. He was more of a Father than her biological father himself was. She turned slowly and gracefully on her heel, before stepping into a pair of black, tie-up sandal-like shoes. She strands which held the sandals on criss-crossed up her shin. They were made of silk, and were cool against her skin. She pulled up her dress a bit and set some of it on her knee. Then, she bent down to fasten the silken straps across her shin, and over her shapely, muscular calves.
Eclipse had long been in the Kingdom of Solaris, well over countless centuries had passed, leaving Eclipse as old as time itself. As far as anyone knew, he was immortal. Though all knew that he was by Raenef's side in the Apocalyptic Hagmata War. He and Raenef were Historic Warlords. Merciless both on the battlefield and off. Eclipse was a strange type of demon, and had no specific class, though he was most definitely vampiric. It was rare in these times to have a Vampire/Demon, and it was however, not frowned upon. Infact, many Overlords sought to have Vampiric power themselves.
She stood up and looked up at Eclipse, who stood at least a foot or two higher than she. Eclipse offered her his hand, and she gratefully took it. She stood herself up. "Are you ready, m'lady?" he asked silently as he looked down at Knives, who looked up at him calmly. "Yes, of course." Her voice sounded softly. Her expression was more tranquil now. She had calmed herself in the wake of Eclipse. He had always brought her a certain comfort, which she couldn't explain; it was something that allowed her to relax when he was near.
They began to make their way out of the bedroom, then into the hallways and corridors, where they kept a slow but steady pace. They were on their way to the Temple of Verexiz (Vare-eggz-eez) (Translation: Temple of Blood), where only ancient ceremonies were held. The temple was made of stone, a flight of downward stairs meeting you at its mouth. The stairs took you deep, deep down below ground, into a crypt-like room. Beyond the room was a large ceremonial chamber, benches where the Elders sat, as well as a large glyph in the very center. The floor beneath was a rare form of Obsidian-Marble, which was a practically unbreakable substance because of how it was created.
The temple itself had been around for eons, and still stood sturdy as it had all the years before that day.
Eclipse had creamy, pale skin, and pitch black hair, that traveled all the way down to his behind. It complimented his skin quite nicely. His hair was also as silken as Knives', and as taken care of as hers as well. His eyes were Ruby, as deep as any fiery pit of Hell. Each and every time he would look at someone, it was as if he was boring holes straight into them and into their soul. His gaze was intense, and few people could withstand the ferocity of it. Knives however, had become accustomed to it. Infact, she was absolutely fascinated with those eyes of his.
He was clad in a gun-metal grey robe, which flowed behind him as he walked. An earring of Gold dangled from each of his ears. This was something he always wore. Knives also had a golden earring of her own, personally gifted to her from Eclipse himself. The only difference was she had only one, which hung from her left earlobe. It was a thin golden bar, which dangled down, which at the bottom a golden cresant moon hung from. On the bar were engravings in the ancient Abyssal language. Knives was taught how to speak, as well as write in it fluently. However, the letters engraved upon that bar of hers, she did not know what they were. Eclipse hadn't taught her anything about these type of symbols and phrases. When she asked him to tell, he never did. He always just smirked playfully and said, "I'll tell you when the time is right." It was always the same answer, and it bothered young Knives to no end.
After about ten minutes had passed, they arrived at the back palace gates, which led to the dangerous and menacing forests of the abyssal city, Solaris. For a quick arrival to the temple, Eclipse used a form of transportation that he called 'Flitting.' He took hold of Knives' hand and smiled charmingly at her, before a pushing sensation held them both in place for about two seconds. Once it stopped, Knives' hair fell back down onto her shoulders. Their bodies had disappeared, and then reappeared a few feet away from the temple's entrance. Knives looked up at the stone entryway of the temple, not really impressed at its bland appearance.
The Royal Advisor looked down fondly at Knives, his expression calm, and his eyes to match. His soul was at unrest, though he didn't know why. He once more took Knives' hand in his, and wordlessly led her down to the very depths of the Earth.
