Chapter 6

The Solem castle was abuzz with people, moving about and preparing for the Autumnal Equinox. Usually, it was a time for rejoice and celebration. Fall was one of my favorite seasons, with its beautifully colored leaves and moderately chill weather. However, recently Mom and the other Solem Council leaders were nervous about the equinox. I assumed their fear had to do with Tenebris...I walked around the bright castle halls, admiring the new scenery and warmth of the sun that was shining through the large windows that expanded the walls. I stopped behind two of my older brothers, who were hanging up a new tapestry.

"Solis!" I called, "Lucidus! I'm back!" My brothers turned around, smiled, and hugged me tight.

"We've been worried sick about you, little bro!" Said Solis as he squeezed me with love. Solis was a very tall guy with large muscles and adonis features, but he also had the warmest and biggest heart of all the Solem people. Lucidus was also taller than me, but only by a few inches. He was skinny and lean, but he had bright and beautiful green eyes. He shared that with Solis. Both he and Solis shared my dark brown hair, but that was the only feature we shared.

"Are you okay?" Asked Lucidus. "Did the Nocte creature hurt you?"

"No," I said giggling, "I'm fine. He didn't hurt me."

"He?" Chimed in Solis. I nodded.

"Yes! It is a he and he has a name! Isn't that the most fascinating thing you've ever heard?!" Solis and Lucidus looked at me like I was insane.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Why are you both looking at me like that?" Solis put his hand on my shoulder.

"Little buddy," he said, "you haven't been...getting close to this creature...have you?" I looked at Lucidus, who looked just as concerned as Solis. I got the impression that they weren't the ones I should share my discoveries with.

"No," I lied, "well, okay yes. But it's not what you think!"

"Lux," whispered Lucidus, "do you realize that you could be tried for treason! The Nocte are evil!"

"I know that!" I whispered back, "I'm not getting close for the reason you think."

"Oh really?" Said Solis, "Explain then." I grunted in frustration and thought quickly of an excuse. I couldn't stand lying to my brothers, it went against all of my morals, but I had to.

"Mom sent me on a special mission to eliminate the Nocte creature."

"Tell us something we don't know, Lux."

"I'm getting to that! So, the reason I'm getting close to it is to gain its trust. Then, when the time is right, I'll get rid of it once and for all!" Solis and Lucidus looked pleased with my story.

"I didn't know you had it in you, little buddy!" Said Solis as he patted my back with pride.

"Yeah," added Lucidus, "I thought you were all rainbows and lollipops." I lowered my eyebrows at him. Lucidus would always pick on me for my "overloving" nature.

"That's not funny." I said seriously.

"Don't listen to him, Lux." Said Solis, "He wishes he was in the position you were. I mean, who wouldn't wanna take down an evil Nocte?" I smiled and chuckled nervously.

"Hehe yeah...Living the dream! Anyway, have you guys seen Mom? I need to ask her a few questions that might aid me in my mission." Solis and Lucidus nodded.

"She's in the conference room with the Elder Caelum discussing some preparations for the Autumnal Equinox. But I'm not sure if y-"

"Thanks guys!" I hugged both of my brothers one last time and skipped along. "See you later!" I skipped down the hallway to the conference room, waving hello to anyone who passed me. I knocked on the conference room and slowly opened it up. Inside I saw Mom and Elder Caelum staring in my direction.

"Oh Lux!" Said Mom. "You've returned!" She looked at Elder Caelum with a smile. "I told you he could handle it!" I blushed, closed the door behind me, and moved closer to Mom and Elder Caelum.

"Mom," I said, "thank you for the warm welcome, but I haven't done what you asked me yet..."

"So the beast still lives?" Elder Caelum was tall, dark, and mysterious. His voice was deep and quite frightening, like thunder. His hair was long and silver with age. His eyes had no color in them and his skin was wrinkled and looked smooth. He wore a long black robe that was dusty and torn after years of being worn. But the most memorable thing about Elder Caelum was his scar. Elder Caelum's scar ran down from his forehead, through his right eye, and down his right cheek. I gulped and nodded quickly.

"Y-Yes sir, it does. I ju-"

"If the creature lives," continued Elder Caelum, "than why are you here, boy? Do you not understand that time is of the essence?"

"Well, I-I just had some questions whose answers are crucial to me completing my task." Elder Caelum rolled his eyes and looked at Mom.

"Did you not tell him of how time is an important factor in his mission? Because right now he is wasting it!"

"Please Elder Caelum, I'm sure it will be quick." Mom gave me a stern look. "Lux, what are these questions you need to ask?" I reached into the basket I was carrying with me and pulled out the piece of stained glass I got from Tenebris's castle.

"I need to know who these people are and what happened to them." Mom gasped as she and Elder Caelum got view of the glass. Elder Caelum took the glass from me, examining it thoroughly.

"Lux," said Mom in shock, "you got this from the Castle of Nocte, didn't you?"

"Well...yeah...but..."

"Why did you go there?!"

"Didn't you ask me to?"

"No!" I jumped back in surprise. Mom never rose her voice like that to me before. "I asked you to take care of the beast, not go into its lair! That's where it's most powerful! Do you know what could've happened to you?!" Mom ran up to me and hugged me tight. "I don't know what'd I do if that creature took you away from me!" I patted Mom's back gently.

"I'm sorry I worried you, but I'm fine. And Mom, you won't believe it, but he let me into his castle! He brought me there and we talked!"

"He?" Elder Caelum raised his scarred eyebrow at me.

"Yeah! His name is Tenebris and he was so kind! Granted he does have a bit of a temper, but he can do these amazing things like-"

"Lux that's enough!" Mom made me jump back a little in fear. "That creature is incapable of kindness. It's trying to trick you! If you don't kill it soon...we won't have any power to stop it..." I tilted my head in confusion.

"M-Mom? Is there something you're not telling me?" Mom sighed, but before she could speak, Elder Caelum interrupted her.

"Child, you say the creature let you into its home?" I nodded. "And...it didn't try to harm you?"

"Well, at first he had the shadows wrap me up, but then he told them I was okay." Elder Caelum looked once again at the stained glass piece.

"You wish to learn about these creatures?" I nodded.

"Yes very much! It'll help me better to understand Tene-...I mean...my enemy, sir."

"Hmmm...Come with me. I will tell you all that I know about these Nocte, if you tell me all that you know about the one that plagues Gemina. Do we have a deal?" Mom moved in front of me.

"Elder Caelum what do you think you're d-"

"Silence! I am talking to the boy." Mom backed away sheepishly and Elder Caelum looked at me. "What do you say, boy? Do we have a deal?" I looked at my mom, who nodded, then I looked back at Elder Caelum.

"If I tell you what I know...can you promise me you won't bring any harm to the creature?" Elder Caelum chuckled.

"That's your job, isn't it?" I fake smiled.

"Yes sir. Don't want anyone stealing my thunder. Hehe..." Elder Caelum smirked.

"I like you, boy. Very well, no harm will come to it at my hands." I smiled a little bit, this time genuinely. I followed closely behind Elder Caelum as he lead me to a room in the deepest and darkest part of the castle.