Chapter 3:

Kalona

He knew in his heart that helping Zoey he was ultimately helping himself. He didn't want to admit it to her, or anyone else, that he wanted to serve his goddess more than anything, but she didn't want him. He wanted her by his side once again.

Kalona found himself at the nearest tower from the tunnels. He perched himself at the very top, nearest to the sky, and fell into a deep sleep.

"Kalona? Kalona. Where are you?" She laughed. Her laugh was so sweet it made him smile. No wonder she was a goddess.

"My lady, I'm right here." He poked his head out of his sleeping quarters. He fisted his hand over his heart and bowed respectfully. His wavy black hair contrasted with his flawless white wings.

"I have been looking everywhere for you. You and Erebus have been requested to meet on my behalf." She said formally.

"And why is that?" Kalona asked moving closer to her.

"You will find out later." She smiled again. This time he leaned in so close he stole a kiss. "Later, my warrior. Later" She repeated and walked away.

Kalona started towards the meadow where Erebus was already standing. His magnificent golden wings were folded neatly behind his back. Nyx was standing next to him. Waiting.

Her beauty was beyond what Kalona could describe. Her face was flawless, and her beautiful tattoos swept along her face in intricate patterns and lines. The closer he came to her the more he found himself smiling.

"Why have you called this meeting upon Erebus and myself?" Kalona asked the goddess.

"I have a gift for one of you, but I shall give it to the one whom I find worthy."

"Of what sorts?" Kalona asked, more intrigued now.

"a sword." Erebus stated. Kalona laughed a little, for he already had a sword he did not need another one. Nyx spoke as if she was listening to Kalona's thoughts.

"This is not any other sword. This sword has been blessed with great power. But the power only is released when it is being use for true goodness. So I must choose one of you to with hold this magnificent weapon." She said more seriously now.

So then it started, Nyx put her hand on Erebus's strong shoulder, and she looked into his future. If there was one strike of darkness the sword would not work, therefore he would not receive it.

She closed her eyes and he mimicked her actions. She smiled, seeming to approve of his future. Nyx moved on from Erebus to Kalona.

Kalona waited, and when she walked to him he smiled, but she did not smile back. Her face was completely serious. She repeated her actions and put her hand on his muscular shoulder. This time she did not approve of his future. He watched her closed eyes flutter as she was watching the scene in front of her. First she gasped and then she immediately opened her eyes. She jerked her hand away from Kalona's shoulder like she received a shock from his touch. The goddess looked from him to Erebus.

"the sword must go to Erebus." She said softly but quickly.

"but I am your warrior! You need my protection!" Kalona spoke out.

"and he is my consort." She said calmly. Kalona couldn't believe what he had heard. Her consort? How could that be? She loved Kalona, not Erebus!

She handed the sword to Erebus and he knelt and received the honor of having a weapon with such great power.

Kalona felt a cold presence run over his body, like an inky shadow that seeped into his skin giving him a tremendous amount of power. At first he didn't want to accept this presence, but it seemed to fuel him. It pulsed all around him. Anger and jealousy from deep inside him boiled.

"Nyx! I am your warrior; therefore I must posses the sword in order to protect you from darkness!" He yelled.

"I am sorry. If you cannot see it now, then you never will. You are being tainted by darkness, so I cannot give you this gift." She motioned toward the sword in Erebus's hand. "And… as long as you are infected with darkness… you cannot live in this realm." She stated sternly.

Kalona could not believe what he was hearing. He was being forced out? Kalona started to weep softly.

"Please do not do this, my Goddess!" he begged on his knees.

"I do nothing, Kalona. You have a choice in this. I even give my warriors free will, though I do not require them to use it wisely." She said coldly.

"I cannot help myself. I was created to feel this. It is not free will. It is preordination."

"Yet as your goddess I will tell you what you are is not preordained. Your will has fashioned you."

"I cannot help how I feel! I cannot help what I am!" he shouted, tears streaking down his face now.

"You, my Warrior, are mistaken; therefore, you must pay the consequences of your mistake." She finished. Kalona looked at Erebus and he felt the darkness around him heat up and trickle into his body more and more. A jealous rage was produced from his goddess and her consort.

Then with one perfect flick of her finger, the goddess banished Kalona, and he fell.

Kalona woke up covered in sweat and gasping for air. He took his arm and wiped the sweat off of his forehead.

He knew what he had to do. Somehow he had to obtain the sword from Erebus, but he could not use its true powers. No matter how much he hated it, he could never use it; he was tainted by darkness. He can't use the sword's powers, but he needed to; it was the only thing that could kill an immortal, so it must be in the right hands. Neither Nyx nor Erebus would ever give it to Kalona, but they would give it to a trustful warrior; maybe even a Guardian.

One name came across his mind.

Stark.


i am so happy you guys are liking the story! keep on reviewing!

*NOTE*

i did use specific quotations (near the end of the dream) from a scene in tempted. i only used them to make the flashback seem more realistic from when kalona showed zoey his past when he fell. so, i do not take credit for that dialogue. no copyright intended!

ALSO if you want more HoN goodness please check out my blog on tumblr: houseofnightfanclub

Blessed Be