The Face of Evil


This was getting old.

The swirling dark clouds above, the monsters screaming at him below and the six, formerly seven pairs of red eyes staring him down. None of this was new.

He still remembered the dream he had two years ago, after they had returned from the Moon. No one but Daniel knew about it. There was no reason to worry everyone over what might have just been a dream.

Now, two years later, he was having the same dream again. A seventh fading in and out of existence; eyes flickering between two colors, a malevolent red and the warm, familiar pink he had known since the day he arrived at the Tower.

But unlike the last time, this figure didn't attempt to attack him. As a matter of fact, every Herald, both the ones he recognized and the ones he didn't shrank back, fear written all over their faces and body language. Only the figure at the center stood where they were.

For the first time, Aro dared to move closer. He ignored the abominations under his feet, trying to focus through his fear. Maybe, just maybe if he could get closer, he could finally find out who they were. Who was it that was controlling the Heralds' actions? Who was it that forced Greed to try and kill Tarlowe? Who was there with him when all of this began?

He began running. One by one, as he got closer, the other Heralds disappeared. The familiar pink eyed one first, then the one black silhouette that he assumed to be Envy. Then Wrath(K), Greed, Lust and Sloth until only the last was left.

The figure had its back turned to him, facing the swirling darkness in the sky. Aro slowed to a cautious walk, ignoring the twisting sickness in his stomach that got worse as he got closer. He lifted a shaky hand and placed it tentatively on the person's shoulder.

The head slowly twisted around to face him…

And Aro woke up with startled yell.

Before he had time to regain his bearings, he was roughly pushed from the bed. He picked himself off the floor and looked over the bed to see Daniel run into the bathroom with something bright in his hands and knock several things over. After about a minute of banging and cursing, Daniel trudged out of the bathroom with something black and dripping wet in his hands.

"Bad dream?" he asked, tossing the object on the ground. It was Aro's pillow. It had burst into flames right under his head and by the look of Daniel's open palm, he had burned himself trying to get rid of it.

Aro swallowed and sank back down to the ground, "Your arm-"

"Nothing to worry about," he said, giving a reassuring smile. The burns already healing over, "I've fought with enough Warlocks and Hunters to know what a real burn looks like. This is nothing. First degree at most."

"I-I...shit, I'm sorry." Aro head fell into his hands as he attempted to calm down.

After a few seconds, Daniel slowly dropped down on the ground next to him, "The last time a nightmare even nearly that bad was two year ago. Was it the same one?"

Aro shook his head, "I was just caught...off guard."

"Saw something you didn't expect to see?"

"Saw something I hoped I wouldn't," he replied.

Daniel exhaled and ran a hand through his own messy black hair, 'Do you want to talk about it?"

When Aro didn't answer, he sighed and gently grabbed his arm and helped him stand up on shaky legs. Aro was pulled back into the bed and wrapped in Daniel's arms. Before Aro could get comfortable, he started pulling back.

"What, what is it?" Daniel asked, disappointment crossing his face.

"Maybe it's better if I...sleep alone. In case I have another dream." Aro said, looking away.

Daniel's grip tightened, "I don't care about that," he said roughly.

Aro gave him an incredulous look, "The last thing my head was on burst into flames. I'm not doing that to you."

"No, you're not." Daniel agreed, bringing himself up on his knees, a soft smile on his face, "I trust you."

Aro opened his mouth to reply but nothing came out. He sighed and slowly fell back onto Daniel's chest. Daniel's arms wrapped tightly around him and his hands ran slowly up and down Aro's back, tiny sparks of Arc energy emanating from his hand, just the way he knew Aro liked. The rough hand slid to the base of his back and went lower…

"Daniel?"

"Mmm, commando."

"Daniel."

"Sorry," he lied with a smile in his voice.

Aro listened to the heart beating under his head. He focused on it, blocking all other sounds and sensations out. Slowly, he could feel the fear and apprehension leave him.


"Sleep well?" Crona asked, leaving her room.

Aro sighed and ran a hand over his face, "Not very. Come on, we need to talk."

"Alright. Should I go get Asura?"

"No, let him sleep. I don't think he should hear this anyway."

A slightly worried look crossed her face, "Okay."

They walked towards the mess hall of the Vestian Outpost. It was slightly crowded, full of soldiers and military officers, mostly female. A few of them fell silent when they got a glimpse of the Human walking into the mess hall. Then the whispers started.

Aro could do without the whispers but the food looked decent. He wondered where they even got it, out here in the Asteroid Belt.

"So what's the big secret?" Crona asked, mouth already full of food.

"I had this nightmare-"

"Nothing new." Crona said, waving her hand dismissively.

"Yes and no."

She frowned, "I don't get it."

"It was the same as it always is, yes, but there were some differences. Gluttony's face and form are gone. But they've been replaced."

She stopped, "Do you know who?"

"Someone…someone with pink eyes. And some sort of blade."

She seemed to think over who it could possibly be. He could tell when she reached a conclusion.

"Shit," she cursed, "Aro, are you sure?!"

"I'm positive."

"No…no, it makes no sense. Neither Asura-" she lowered her voice, "Neither Asura nor Wrath(A) would join the Heralds!"

"That's why it makes no sense!"

She let out a long sigh, "Anything else?"

"I…I was able to move. I got close to who I figured to be Pride and turned him around so I could see his face."

"Well did you?!"

"He turned around and I saw myself, Crona. My face!" The memory was just as jarring as the experience.

"Your face? Exactly the same?"

"A few more scars. And it looked…I don't know, angry and malicious. But it was my face."

She was silent for a long time, "What do you think that means?"

"I wasn't sure before," he answered, "But what if the situation is the same as Asura's? What if, this whole time, I'm the one they've been talking about? What if I really am Pride?"

"Aro-"

"I'm serious, Crona!" he said, a bit louder than planned, "What if it's just a latent personality that someone is trying to bring out of me? What if that was what Toland helped me awaken on the Moon?" He didn't believe the last suggestion. But what could he believe at this point?

"I understand your concern but I really feel you're reaching, Aro," she stood.

"But do you admit it would make sense?" he asked, "Do you admit it would explain everything?"

"Not everything. But…yes, I guess I have to."

After a few seconds, she started to walk away from the table before Aro called her name.

He looked her in the eye, "Do not tell Asura. He's got enough to think about."

"…Of course."


"Good…is it dark? What time is it?" Daniel asked his little sister.

"Umm, three…in the morning?" Maya answered, twisting her hair.

"Don't you have school tomorrow?"

"…Yes."

"You shouldn't be messing around on the computer at this time!"

"But you're the one who called me!" She quickly reminded him.

He was about to shoot something back until he realized he was arguing with a thirteen year old. And losing. He fell back in his chair and sighed.

"So how's the Reef?" she asked, smug.

"Purple." He answered flatly, "And the showers are impossible here. I had to ask Aro to come heat up the water. Of course, the egghead figured it out within a few minutes…"

"Just because you're missing a few screws doesn't mean everyone else is a genius."

"I…did I do something? Why are you so mean?"

She smiled, "Nope! Anyway, anything interesting happen yet?"

"Nothing yet. You know why I'm here. I'm not looking for excitement."

"I understand. So I was thinking…do Guardians have some kind of, I don't know, a salute or something?"

"Fist to the heart. That's it really."

"What about clans specifically?"

"A few but it's not common. Why?"

"I was wondering, wouldn't it be cool if Will of Light had their own?"

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"No really! Something like this!" She raised her hand to the screen. It was balled into a fist with the thumb, pointer and middle fingers sticking outwards.

Daniel held the same three fingers up, "Why three fingers?" he asked, laughing.

She shrugged, " I don't know. Three classes? Five groups of three? Three elements? Guardians seem to like the number three."

Daniel started laughing even harder, "I'm telling the others; this is gold."

"No! Please don't!"

"Why not?"

Maya sank into her chair, "I just don't want them to make fun of me. I know I'm not going to be an actual Guardian for a long time but…but it's nice; to feel like I'm already apart of something big and I guess I'm just a bit excited."

Daniel's smiled softly, "They'd never make fun of you. You know that," he shrugged, "But if you don't want me to tell them, I won't say a thing."

She smiled back, "Thanks."

He headed Aro's familiar heavy footsteps coming towards the door, "Go to bed, kid. Don't let me hear about you falling asleep in class," he ordered before cutting the transmission.


The halls hadn't changed since the last time Erek had walked them.

Or had they? He rarely bothered to look around when he was there. If he wasn't busy "serving from the shadows", he was thinking about a girl like the love struck teenager he was never allowed to be.

He felt the footsteps in the ground before heard them. Someone was coming. He could tell they were alone so it wasn't his sister. A bit too light to be Uldren. He had to resist the urge to cloak himself.

Petra turned the corner, eyes in a tablet, not watching where she was going. Some things never changed.

He called her name and she jumped at the sudden sound of his voice, "My Prince, may I help you?"

He sighed, "It's Erek, Petra. Just Erek."

"Of…of course," she replied hesitantly.

"And it's nothing. I'm just looking around."

"Would you like company?"

"If you want."

He walked with her towards where he remembered one of the outpost's many control rooms were. This stupid Ketch had no business being this big.

"So…you're a Guardian now?" Petra asked in an attempt to break the silence.

"Have been for some time. A Hunter," he replied, trying to keep the irritation from his voice. He wasn't angry at her. As a matter of fact, she was always a good friend. But just being back here was driving him mad.

"A Hunter, yes, I recognize the symbols. I spent some time as the Queen's ambassador to Earth. I never saw you."

"From what a friend of mine told me, it was a year before my Ghost claimed me."

"There are specific ages you are claimed?" She asked, seeming genuinely interested.

"Twenty one years old. The rule was put in place due to claimed teenagers losing regard for their own mortality. Or lack of."

She laughed, "That makes sense."

Another few seconds of silence before she asked, "I saw two of your teammates. A blue colored Exo and a dark skinned together. Is the girl Earthborn?"

"Crona? Yes. Her father is the Commander."

"Ah, yes. Zavala. He left the Reef when his Ghost came here and found him, correct?"

"That's what I was told."

"Mmm, anyway, I saw a mark on her right shoulder. And a matching one on the left forearm of a blue Exo I ran into later on. Is that your clan mark?"

"Yes, it is." Her random questions told him she was trying to work her way towards another question. He's sure he knew what it was. He hoped he was wrong.

"Do you have one? And all the others?"

"Yeah, we all have one. Mine is right here," he said, placing his hand on his left pectoral. Just as he answered, his Ghost popped out between the two, flying ahead and inspecting the Ketch.

"I've never been inside one of these before," it said, looking back at Erek and Petra, "Well except the one on Venus during that scouting mission."

"Is this your Ghost?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered flatly.

"What's it's name?" She laughed slightly as it returned and flew around her.

"Eren."

She stopped laughing.

After a few seconds, she asked softly, "How is she?"

He didn't answer.

She turned around and asked again, thinking he hadn't heard her perfectly.

"Erek…did something happen?" She asked softly, usually hard eyes becoming soft and pleading.

"…Did you hear about Dredgen Yor?"

"The rogue Guardian. Yes, what about-" she stopped right there. They had both stopped outside the door of the control room. He refused to look at her.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way," he finally said.

"It's fine," the slight waver in her voice said otherwise, "As silly as it may seem, I held out hope I'd see her again. It never occurred to me…"

Her hand was about to wave the door open but he stopped her, "I'll be heading back to my room now. It was nice talking to you again," he turned and slowly started to walk away.

"Of course. Same to you."

He stopped and turned slightly, "My leader will give you this information later but I'll tell you now. One of the "Dark Guardians" I'm sure my brother has informed you about is Dredgen Yor."

Her face hardened immediately, "Is that so?" She said venomously, "If that's the case, we better get to work. I'd love for the chance to get my hands on him."

"You and me both," and without another word, he turned and walked away.

She watched him go before adjusting herself, pushing down the grief and anger that begged for release and striding into the control room.


I love fillers

Writing them, not watching or reading. I like making you read them though.