I'm loving Declan, he isn't perfect and his overly opinionated personality is biting his ass...

Questions, should I give him an affinity? Or not? Nothing OP like the elements but still... thoughts? I can see Nyx using it to keep him loyal or at least encourage it.

Fun fact, in the newest book it is kind of confirmed that Erin is at least a little bisexual and a little in love with her Shaunee.

I don't know if any of you are artists, but I am hoping someone might help me design and draw a mark for Declan to be this stories pic...

Also, this story revolves around Declan but no one considers him a serious threat or player. They are trying to make him more faithful, he gets attention cause he is making ripples. The series was big about the neglect most students get otherwise... other then Zoey. It played it's part in Hunted...

The fact that a Journal and cute pen was on Declan's bed by the time he returned to his dorm, with a beautiful note written by Anastasia, made him want to cry.

"I hope this will one day be filled with the poems your heart holds.

Anastasia"

He felt something unfamiliar in his chest, a feeling he couldn't place but appreciated beyond measure. "Thank you... and how the hell did you get something here this quick? The walk from the Library or media center, whatever, is like five minutes even with my slow ass." Rolling his eyes at the oddity of the situation, he accepted the gift. The Journal was soft light brown leather, soft almost like moccasins. It had no details other then that, which he liked. He had never been one for pointless decorations, they annoyed him. The pen was a bit more ornate, being silver and definitely expensive.

"Mmmm... Maybe I shouldn't have lied. I haven't written a poem, and read the Sappho poems only caused I was forced... but I really do want to write poems... mm..."

Taking the pen, opened the journal and just started to write. The words came to him without thinking of it, and he enjoyed the simplicity of it.

A New start

Where we stand

Hearts open

With roots that move

Fresh, the first moves

In a dance that doesn't end

Down a new path

With a million cross roads

That not all can see

Even when they intertwine

Especially when they don't

Suddenly tired, Declan put the book aside and just lay back, soaking in the odd quiet in his head. He wished he could explain it to others, that weird emptiness that came with any kind of writing. The quiet of raging thoughts, numbed emotions. Nothing was quite like it.

He lay like that for a few minutes, maybe ten at the most, before he reached over and grabbed his phone and put on some music, then grabbed a book on magic. A guide beyond the mysticism of Magyck. It seemed the best place to start.

Damien was a little surprised to see his roommate reading a book on magic, especially as he seemed to be a third of the way through the book... odd since the Media center had been open for maybe an hour so he couldn't have been reading long. Watching him speed through three pages, and not at all seem confused in less then thirty seconds of watching him read did help a little, but not much.

"Hey, Roomie. Not that I don't find you adorable, I really do, but must you stare?" Damien, naturally, blushed and turned away. "Did you know that there are spells High Priestesses can't cast, like at all? Actually there are spells women in general can't cast, they draw on a force called the Divine Masculine, a natural opposite and balance to the Divine Feminine. Course, since this is a Vamp book, it doesn't go into more then the most basic of details on the Divine Masculine, just the Divine Feminine. Kind of annoying, but it proves my point I guess." He shrugged, putting the book down for a second, revealing overly excited eyes. "I got my mentor today! Her names Anastasia, she showed me a spell, reviving a bunch of plants. Pretty epic."

It took Damien a minute to unravel the vomit of speech launched at him before he could reply.

"Oh...uh... in order, no I didn't know that. Can I read that book, once your finished?" Once Declan nodded, Damien continued to answer. " I guess you might have a point on how guys are treated, but again I'd keep quiet for your own safety. You have to have noticed that people aren't taking it well? And lastly, Anastasia is awesome. I love Spells and Rituals, it's one of my favorite class. Sociology and Fencing are definitely the top for me, but that class is still amazing. She is a wonderful teacher, your lucky to have her... does... does she mind that your views aren't..." He wasn't sure how to express his question and not piss Declan off, so he held his breathe for a few seconds.

"Toeing the line with the rigid conditioning of Vampyre society?"

"Yeah, that."Sighing a little, he sat on his own bed, leaning forward and focusing on his roommate. "She is basically a High priestess in all but name, part of her class introduction talks about that. I can't imagine she'd be happy with your statements."

Declan turned smug, turning fully to Damien. "Actually, she liked that part of me. Free will is apparently important to Nyx, she is going to cast a summoning so I can chat with the Goddess about my thoughts." As if he hadn't just been talking about a monumental moment that left Damien's brain struggling to recharge, Declan lifted his book from his chest. "Did you know the Five Elements affect your soul and body based on your birthdate? I was born November the second, so I am affected by Water. According to the book... where is it... ah, here." He cleared his throat and spoke like a teacher would. "If you Change between September 1st and November 30th, you are influenced by water. A vampyre influenced by water elementology will tend to adapt easily to changing environments. They get thing done through the power of their emotional commitment, and are gifted with the ability to rechannel negative feelings and experiences into constructive activities. This affect can also be seen with people born around a similar date, tying in to the power of both the Date of Birth and the Date of Rebirth."

Damien, though excited to hear of something new ( adding the info to his mind for future research, wondering what element he was tied to), was stuck on the idea of summoning Nyx. "Do... do you think I could see her too?" He kept his tone low, ashamed of the thoughts that came spilling out. 'Maybe I can ask her why she let's people be so hateful to gays... even a lot of her children.' He turned away and sighed, feeling more shame as he admitted something. "I, I have a lot to ask her about..."

There was a clear, meaningful silence.

Declan nodded and nothing more was said, as the weight of the Ugliness of the world carried through the room. They both had seen so much of it, they didn't need to speak. They just knew...

"Is that Lavender?" A wistfulness overtook Declan as he took in the painfully familiar stench. His sister's face flashed before his mind's eye, leaving him near tears. 'Damn it, why am I so freaking emotional today?' Pouting a little, he stepped into the temple. It was beautiful, ornate to the point of being a little obnoxious. Still he could appreciate the sheer love that went into creating the temple. The glasses were etched with different interpretations of Nyx, statues of the women filled the room in different forms. Most were naked, which was unsurprising given the view of sexuality most Vamps and pagans had.

"Declan!" Sappho's cute voice drew him from his thoughts, in time to see her trot over to him. She embraced him, much to his shock. "I am glad you came. Have you written anything? Anastasia mentioned that she left you a journal."

"Yeah, one... uh... here. " Suddenly nervous, he handed her the journal he had been given. She cracked it open, and he held his breathe.

Then she gasped, smiling with something almost motherly. "My dear... you expressed how it feels to be a fledgling, and how the Change hit us all perfectly... "

Feeling a little pride, and a lightheadedness he couldn't explain, Declan took back his book. " Thanks, I... thanks." For once, he was immune to his normal bout of verbal vomit. He wasn't sure if he liked that... it gave away how affected he was too much for his liking.

Sappho, sweet girl that she was, smiled and grabbed his hand. " Come on, I'll take you to Anastasia. She is in prayer, she usually is before a ritual." As he followed her towards the back, Sappho began to showcase that she too was a victim of verbal vomit. "Now, there are many rituals that we cast. The Full moon and New Moon Rituals are some of the most prominent, but we also do these smaller rituals every weeks. They are pretty simple, mostly a general blessing on the school. We pray to Nyx, and the prayers are added to the ritual to help manifest them. Strengthening our connection to Nyx, and helping the Fledglings to fulfill the Change."

"Why doesn't it work then?" The lightheadedness vanished, anger taking it's place. "If she is so powerful, why do less then a third of Fledglings survive?" Fear flickered in his heart, and he felt the damn tears return and realized that he was definitely depressed. That his long, two week manic flood had faded leaving him open to his fears, sadness and apathy. "Why am I probably going to die...?"

Damn depression...

There was a moment of silence, a silence that apparently affected the other vamps puttering around setting up the temple. Many, he noticed through his haze, seemed distant and almost in mourning.

Then Anastasia's voice echoed through the temple, lifting him just enough out of his own fog to hear her. "Because even Nyx cannot stop Destiny and Death. They answer to no one."

"And why is it destiny for children, thousands of them, to drown in their own blood?"

She sighed, then smiled with an absent sadness that came with experiencing way too much death for her to fully care. "Life isn't fair, Death has to be... all people must die at some point. Now, there is a question you may ask Nyx when we cast the summoning." Turning to the side, she gestured for him. " Now, follow me and I'll show you how we get started."

He followed her, feeling a familiar apathy burn through him, searing away his cares and leaving him further in the pit of his depression.

Neferet wanted to cackle from her place at the entrance of the temple, she could see the effect of the boy's words clearly marking themselves on the priestesses of the temple. 'Oh, he must live for some time. This is rich, watching the oh so loyal children of Nyx sway even a little...'

Cloaking herself further in darkness, she moved to a corner and slit a tiny mark on her palm. 'Dark power come to me, so their emotions I can see.' The blood boiled away, consumed by the thin Darkness that was her aura. She felt a tiny glimmer of the True Darkness, a frustrating but glorious sensation that reminded her of her singular path.

Pain flared in the next instant, and a swarm of emotion hit her.

'Pain, fear, hate... interesting... many loathe him, for stirring their doubts, many sympathize his fears... beautiful.' Smirking deeply, she shifted her focus and hit a wall. 'Gods damn him, his wall is stronger... but I sense depression, apathy, self hate beyond reason. Hmm, perhaps...' She focused on the thread of Darkness that she was bound too, down to her beloved Kalona. With all her strength, she sent a message. 'Could we harness this misery, to infect the rest? To make them more malleable?"

As per usual, there was no words spoken. His prison, though weakening, did not afford him enough room to speak without dreams. There was however enough room to send a pleased and curious wave of emotion. Clearly he was not sure, but saw the value. Another wave hit her, only with pleasure being it's main feel. She understood his thoughts well, through the wave.

'Please them, to pull them from Nyx, not depress them so they fall closer into her bosom... sigh...' Knowing he was right, she sent her own wave of pleasure in return then pushed away from the connection. 'Pity that I require him to do so much... otherwise I would shift my plans as I see fit. Soon though, with his rise, I will fully obtain my status as Queen Tsi Sigili and become immortal as is only right!'

Licking her wound to stem to flow of blood, she cast aside the veil of darkness and made her way through the temple. All greeted her with some shout, or declaration.

"Welcome, Priestess!"

"Good morning, Neferet!"

"It is wonderful to see you, High Priestess!"

It was fitting and right, that they acknowledged her as such. "Good morning all. I assume the temple is close to ready?"

The many acolytes, her 'Trainees' as it were, nodded. Taylor, her current apprentice, stepped forth. "Nearly so, my lady. We are in the final stages, mostly just putting the candles up and getting the herbs together. We have a fledgling, the boy Declan, here. I do believe Anastasia is hoping to use our rituals as a way to encourage his faith in Nyx."

Pulling on every ounce of her considerable will, she put on the most gracious of masks. "I noticed. He seems to be a remarkably bright child, with a need to experience to understand. His faith can only be gained through proof, seeing the power of our rituals will only help." A wave of discomfort hit her next. ' It would be a pity to lose his voice clouding their worship of Nyx... but I do believe he won't need me tampering with the rituals to stop his disbelief. Seeing her absence and distance will be more then enough for one like him.'

Satisfied, she cast the boy to the back of her mind and focused on maintaining her mask despite being surrounded in the disgusting power of Nyx. She hated the reminder of her inferiority to another women. It made her skin itch, but it was a necessary evil... one she loathed as much as she needed.

"It helps with drawing in powerful energy, right?" Anastasia smiled at the boy, happy to see the light dancing in his eyes. "The book said it was common place, especially once the Native Vampyres got in touch with their counterparts in the Old World."

"Quite, which book did you read?"

"Oh, A guide beyond the mysticism of Magyck." He smiled, looking back at the plants. "So, how do these have powers? I mean, these are dead?"

Unable to stop her chuckling, she pulled out a few clumps of sage feeling the familiar magic within. "It is like... coffee beans? Magic is the water, taking in the power of the plant and changing."

"Cool... and the candles?"

"A Visual focus, but in the case of these candles they are blessed. To be honest though, a lot of it is our faith in them. We associate the candles, and their colors, with the magic of each element so that is what our souls call towards."

He hummed, greedily taking in the knowledge despite the cloud of... something that covered him. "So... can these plants have permanent effects, or are they limited to short bursts?"

"Short bursts, but they can catalyze greater change."

"Also cool... okay, so what can I do to help? I mean, I want to learn magic so helping with the ritual seems to be a good idea."

Happy to teach, she tipped her head towards the herbs she had in her hand. "You can put these in the burning bags." She gestured to the bags next to the bowl of herbs. "A clump of sage to cleanse the air, a dash of sweetgrass to invoke powerful peaceful energy and a single pinch of Ajoite to invoke love and peace. We put these in the braziers just as the Students come in, it invokes powerful energy and keeps this place pure and loving as it should be." She handed him a bag and filled it just as she had described. " There, now, your turn."

"Okay... ummm, okay..."

It was cute, watching him delicately put each herb into the baggy. He was just so focused...

'Nyx... please, let him survive the Change.' It had been a while since she had asked for a such a thing, but at this moment... it felt right. She could only hope her Goddess would listen.

"""

Chapter End, Tell me what you think in the reviews.

I hope you enjoyed, I really did. It is fun showing a more childish, imperfect character. It's a fun challenge...

He is learning, challenging and is making an impression that feels organic.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.