Starcrossed.
Chapter 9: The balance
When morning came Narissa was the first to wake up. Sun was shining, birds were singing, and things just seemed a bit brighter. She let out a yawn, then looked over to check on our hero. Dragonbane was still fast asleep. Not once had he woken up in shock from a nightmare. She smiled at him, knowing that it was because she stayed close to him. He moment was interrupted by a gurgling sound coming from the region of her stomach. So, carefully as she could as not to disturb Dragonbane, she slowly got up. Using her tail to carefully lower him to the ground. Once he was secure, Narissa went off in search of breakfast. If she remembered correctly there was a river near-by that was filled with the biggest and tastiest salmon in that part of the world.
About ten minutes later, Dragonbane woke up with a smile on his face. For as long as he could remember, he never had a night without fear, but now. He wanted to thank Narissa for what she had done for him, but she was gone. He remembered that last night she had said she didn't have anything to eat that day. So he just left it to she went to get food. He knew he could track her down if she was gone for too long. He got his armor back on, but left the helmet in his satchel. He saw the fire was still burning and groaned a little. "Ah, you'd think she would at least remember to douse the flame before she left."
An eerily calm voice came from behind him. "We wouldn't want that now, would we Mr. Dragonbane?"
Our hero turned to face the source of this new voice. It was a man about an inch or so taller than him. He was the same build as dragon bane, slim, muscular, with broad shoulders, like a true athlete. He wore some kind of full body tights, with a mask that hid his entire face. The colors were split down the middle, Black on his left and white on his right. Where the eyes should be, were an image of a yellow star on the black side and a black circle on the white side. Nine red bands, two on each arm, two on each ankle and one around the collar. On his chest was the Chinese symbol of yin and yang.
Dragonbane got defensive. "Who are you? How in the world do you know my name?"
The man stayed perfectly calm at the outburst, hands behind his back. "My name, good sir, is Equinox. Well, I don't suppose good really suits you does it?"\
Dragonbane was perplexed to say the least. "What d you mean?"
Equinox stood like a statue. "Well, I think it's obviouse. It stands to reason that you are a contradiction to the ages." He started walking, Dragonbane did the same. The two kept on in a perfect circle for some time. "Your ferocity is rivaled only by your gentle touch, Your intense greed by your absolute willingness to throw your life on the line for others, Your hatred of society by your want for companionship."
Dragonbane's eyes widened. "That's what you meant when you commented on dousing the flame. You think I'm...with her?"
Equinox showed no emotion. "It's easy to see Mr. Dragonbane. Fezziwig saw it well enough."
Our hero got a little agitated. "Exactly how long have you been following me?"
The specter answered. "For quite some time now. You see, we are of a rare breed you and I. Besides the two of us their is only one other. A being of perfect balance, much like we are."
Dragonbane raised an eye-brow. "Balance?"
Equinox explained. "Darkness and light, order and chaos, good and evil, yin and yang. I was created to be one that kept these two parts in perfect sync with myself. My powers reflect that. I sought to ensure that balance was ensured throughout the world. One good life in exchange for an evil one, one city destroyed in return for another. It got to the point where my want for balance flung me into chaos. It took the actions of the other to help me regain my balance. I've become a being that exists out side of time and space, interjecting where I see fit."
Our hero stopped and so did Equinox. "What does this have to do with me?" Dragonbane asked.
"Equinox was silent for a moment. "...That day,I learned that those of us in balance, must be careful. Less we accidentaly tip the scales in the wrong direction."
Our hero was getting angry. "Get to the point!"
Equinox almost showed tension in his voice, but kept it hidden. "The point is that we are doomed unless we choose to tip the scales. It is our fate to choose which side we walk, before they rip us apart." He started to walk away. "She really is quite spectacular Dragonbane. If I found my self in your position, I would hold on to her and never let her go."
Dragonbane had one last question. "Why tell me all this? What difference is it to you how I live my life?"
Equinox stopped. "Because, if you can willingly tip the scales and make your life work, then maybe there is hope for me." With that, he vanished into fin air.
Dragonbane couldn't believe his eyes. What was Equinox? More importantly was he right? Narissa was something of a miracle worker. His nightmares went away because he was with her. He never laughed as hard when he was with her. Just how well were they getting along. He didn't want to put too much thought into it. After all, he could be wrong, and this Equinox fellow could just be another lunatic.
Either way Dragonbane decided it would be best if he caught up with Narissa. She would be where the food is and he hadn't eaten in a while either. He started off on this new day, with a new skip in his step and some thinking to do.
Equinox levitated high above the trees, watching Dragonbane navigate the forest. Then for the first time in all his life, he laughed. "Hmhmhmhm, That boy doesn't let anything get him down does he? Just picks up and moves on to the next event. Doesn't sound like a bad idea actually." He waved a hand in the air and a mystic vortex opened before him. "If we don't meet again, then this encounter was well met." He entered the vortex and disappeared without a trace.