A/N- It's been a while since my last chapter, so hopefully this will make up for it.

Chapter 21- Warriors of the Shadow

Pitch looked up at Viper Manor. It was the middle of the night yet there were still many lights on in the Manor. Pitch knew that even if people were awake, he wouldn't be able to meet General Viper until morning.

"We can't wait until morning. There's no telling how long the Angelus Errare will hold Dark Pitch within the other world." Pitch Black muttered to himself.

"Well, it looks like we don't have a choice, unless you wanna break into the Manor." Nikki said sarcastically.

"No way." grumbled Serge, "Breaking into that place once was enough for me."

Pitch looked at the gates which had been closed. He could easily shadow fade through them, but blatantly breaking in would only make it harder to get assistance. The night guards at the entrance had kept their eyes on Pitch and his group since they came into sight. Suddenly Pitch thought back to his first visit to the Manor, and remembered that he had met the daughter of General Viper, Lady Riddell. "I know a way we can get help." Pitch said calmly, "But I'm not going to wait until morning."

"So, we're busting in?" Asked Nikki, "I thought you said that it would only make it harder to get help if we did that."

"Well, we aren't doing anything. I am going to go alone, and I'm going to get us the help that we need. And I'll find a way to get all of you in as well." Pitch said with a weak smile, "At least that's my hope."

Pitch then slowly changed into his shadow form, and then quickly and silently, faded through the shadows near the gate, and then through the front door of the manor. The guards noticed Pitch disappearing but the dark night made it impossible to see his shadow fade. Harle sighed and then sat down on the side of the road, "Now we wait for Pitch to return."

Pitch returned to human form once he was inside the front door. He didn't want to risk being seen, but staying in shadow form too long was also a big risk. Pitch risked a glance down both hallways, and saw a guard posted at the end of each. Pitch quickly returned to shadow form and faded down the left hallway as a shadow sliding across the ceiling, out of the guards view. Pitch returned to human form at the bottom of the stairs, and breathed a sigh of relief that there were no guards posted. "Well, why should they post guards down here?" Pitch whispered top himself, "Only an idiot would try to attack the barracks of the Acacia Dragoons head on."

"I suppose that makes you an idiot then." Said voice behind Pitch and he then felt a blade at the side of his neck, "Stand up."

Pitch stood and turned, and smiled when he saw the young knight, Glenn. "Sir Glenn, it is a pleasure to meet you once more." Pitch said, and he glanced calmly at the Einlanzer that was pointed at his throat.

Glenn, was confused for a second and then he realized Pitch form the day he met him at the shrines in Termina. "I remember you. But what are you doing here?"

"I came here because I need to speak to General Viper. El Nido is in grave danger." Pitch said flatly, "I need to warn him, and I need help to stop the threat."

"We of the Acacia Dragoons are one of the strongest armies in the world, I highly doubt that there could be much threat. Much less one that you could defeat, that we couldn't. If anything threatens El Nido, we can stop it." Glenn said lowering the Einlanzer but still keeping it drawn.

"If you don't believe me," Pitch said with a hint of regret seeping into his voice, "Serge and several others are outside. They can tell you that what I've said is true. The other world El Nido has already been wiped out. Everyone is gone except the few that traveled with me."

Glenn was frozen with shock for several moment before regaining his composure. "That's impossible!" He growled, "No one could be strong enough to destroy the entire archipelago!"

"He didn't destroy it, I said that no one exists anymore. The world itself is physically unaffected, its just devoid of any human life." Pitch said regret heavy in his voice, "Please Glenn, believe me. Just go and bring my friends in and bring them to General Vipers office. I assure you that by the time you return I shall be waiting in his office."

Glenn didn't want to believe Pitch, but his eyes betrayed the deep sadness and regret that burned at his fragile soul. Glenn then sheathed the Einlanzer and shook his head, "I know I shouldn't do this," Glenn muttered, "But I believe you. I'll go to the front gate and bring them in. I don't know how you intend to speak to General Viper, but I'll trust you."

"Thanks," said Pitch with a small smile, "Trust comes pretty hard these days. Having you say that means a lot to me." Pitch then turned into his shadow form and faded down the hall. Pitch faded past a room that led towards the dungeon, and into the next hallway. There were guards posted outside one of the rooms, Pitch guessed it was the treasure room, but it didn't matter to him. Pitch faded through the door at the end of the hallway returning to human form, only to find himself face-to-face with a woman he had met one other time.

"Luccia," Pitch said, trying to mask the annoyance in his voice, "It's a pleasure to meet you once more." he said and forced a weak smile, "Who knew that it would be in such an awkward fashion."

Luccia looked Pitch over for a second, and then remembered him, slightly, "Yes, vell, what are you doing here in the Manor so late into the night. If you are a robber, you should stay away from this floor. The Knights quarters are just down the other hallway."

"I'm no robber, I'm just trying to find my way. I need to speak to General Viper, but, lets just say I'm not gonna just waltz into his office and expect him to listen to me. I need someone else who will believe what I have to say and get them to get me into Vipers office to speak with him." Pitch said hoping Luccia might be willing to help him.

"Then I vish you luck in your search for someone. I cannot leave my work at the moment and in truth, someone who sneaks around the manor at night is going to be hard pressed to gain my trust." Luccia said turning to her desk and looking over notes.

"Well, thanks anyway, I'll be," Pitch said as something in the corner caught his eye, "What the hell is that?" He said glancing at something moving in the corner. Pitch thought it was a person, except it had blue skin.

"I-am-a-cyborg.Why-does-it-matter-what-I-am?" said the blue skinned cyborg.

"I was curious." Said Pitch not wanting to get into an argument with the cyborg, "But I'm leaving, maybe someplace else I can get a little respect from people."

"Grobyc-only-respects-those-who-are-stronger." Grobyc said flatly.

"He vas an assassin form Porre. After he vas defeated by Serge, he decided to stay around. He apparently feels at home here in my lab, and he doesn't disturb me, so I let him stay. You however are disturbing me. Please, leave and finish your business, elsewhere." Luccia said still not bothering to look at Pitch.

"Farewell." Pitch muttered as he faded back to shadow form and left the lab fading up the stair at the end of the hall, and down another hallway, finding himself back the entry hall for the manor. Pitch wasted no time before shadow fading towards the main hall, knowing full well, where he needed to look for answers.

"I'll be lucky if I'm only demoted." Glenn muttered to himself, "I let an intruder go and I'm not even reporting him." Glenn was heading towards the front Gate, to meet the companions Pitch said were waiting for him. "This could easily be considered treason. I'll be discharged and executed. I've brought dishonor to my family name." Glenn said as he neared the gate. He halfway expected no one to be there, Pitch was merely trying to escape by getting Glenn to leave him alone. But to Glenns shock there were people waiting for him. "I'll be damned, he was telling the truth. Perhaps there's also some truth behind the danger he mentioned."

As Glenn approached the gate he saw one of Pitchs companions arguing with the guards. A girl around 18, with long black hair, was arguing vehemently with one of the guards. Glenn thought she looked somehow familiar but he couldn't place it until he heard her voice.

"I told you we are merely waiting here til morning. We've done nothing wrong. You have no right to force us to leave. Zis is harrassment." Harle hissed at the guard who was trying to usher the group away.

Glenn could hardly believe what he was seeing. Harle was one of Pitchs companions. And more so she had completely changed her looks. Glenn shook his head as he remembered why he had come to the front gate in the first place. "I take it that you all are Pitchs companions?" Glenn asked as he approached them. Serge nodded an affirmative as Harle was still staring down the guard. "Follow me. I will take you to General Viper."

Pitch faded through the main hall, his shadow form remaining unseen by the guards. Pitch faded up to the second floor before resuming his human form, and slowly entering the small hallway. "Now I just need to find out which door it is." Pitch muttered to himself. He stepped towards one of the doors when movement out on the balcony caught his eyes. Even though it was the middle of the night, the full moon granted enough light for pitch to see who it was, and Pitch smiled. "Lady Riddell." he whispered before slowly making his way towards the balcony.

"Lady Riddell." Pitch said as he stepped out onto the balcony, drawing a gasp form Riddell, who pulled the robe she was wearing over her nightgown around herself tightly and before she could say anything pitch continued, and he knew he had to be fast, "I am sorry for startling you, But I urgently need to speak to you."

"But, how did you…" Riddell started but was quickly cut off by Pitch.

"Long story, but basically I shadow faded in. But that's not the point." Pitch said quickly trying to get to the point of his intrusion. "El Nido is in grave danger."

"What?" said Riddell in shock, "What do you mean?"

"There is a being with immeasurable power who, if he is not stopped will wipe all life from all of El Nido." Pitch said calmly, "I need to speak to your father."

"Then why come to me? Why not go directly to my father?" Riddell asked as she tied up the front of her robe.

Pitch weakly smiled, "I've entered under unknown circumstances, evaded guards and have news of someone powerful enough to wipe the whole archipelago single handedly." Pitch said waiting a moment for it to sick in, "I appear out of nowhere and tell you this, are you going to trust me?" Riddell narrowed her eyes at him and Pitch then realized that was exactly what he had just done. "Lady Riddell, I beg of you, please trust me. I may be able to save El Nido, but not without help."

Riddel stepped forward and started into Pitchs eyes. She could see the truth in the words he spoke, but she also saw his own inner struggles of his hope against his overwhelming despair. "I trust you, Pitch Black. But I'm not sure that I alone can get my father to trust you."

"Then perhaps the two of us can." Said Glenn who walked up behind them followed By Harle, Serge, and Nikki. "If his own daughter and a high ranking knight can't convince him, then nothing will."

Riddell nodded and swiftly led the group down the hall to her fathers office. "I'll go in first and try to explain the situation, then I'll bring you all in."

"We all go in at the same time." Pitch said flatly, "We don't have time for subtlety. There's no telling how long it is before Dark Pitch gets through the gate."

Riddell bit her lip in slight worry, but she could tell that it would be pointless to argue, so he opened the door and the entire group filed into General Vipers office. Viper was to say the least shocked at the sudden intrusion into his office so late into the night more so that it included not only one his best knights but his own daughter. "Riddell, Glenn, what is the meaning of this?"

"General, this young man, Pitch Black brings grave news." Glenn said bowing towards Viper. "He says that all of El Nido is in danger."

"Glenn," Viper said his gaze like steel, "You are knight of the worlds strongest army, and you believe a stranger that claims El Nido is in danger?" Viper slammed his fist down on his desk, "Are you a fool? If there was a threat powerful enough to threaten the entire archipelago, there is no chance that it could defeat the Acacia dragoons."

"Father he is telling the truth!" Riddell said raising her voice forcefully, "You don't even consider the possibility that there may be a threat that you're knights can't defeat. The dragoons are not invincible father. Please, at least listen to what this young man has to say." Riddel finished calmly, slightly shocked that she rose her voice in such a manner and said such things to her own father.

Viper turned his gaze to Pitch Black. The boy truly looked like he had seen a fair amount of trouble. His shirts had several rips and tears in it, the boy also had several cuts, scrape and bruises. "Very well," Viper said willing to trust his daughter enough to at least hear the young man out, "What is this great danger that threatens El Nido."

"It is a person who is the very embodiment of darkness and shadows. He is a mirror image of myself. Dark Pitch." Pitch stated hoping that his words would not cause the small amount of trust he had gained to be lost. "He is the embodiment of my darker side. He was purged form my body and took on a physical form. And is trying to cover the world in darkness, starting with El Nido."

"What makes you think that this Dark Pitch is capable of doing so. If he is a copy of you, shouldn't your strength alone be enough to destroy him." General Viper said calmly, yet eyeing Pitch with a small bit of suspicion.

"That's what I had believed as well, but his strength is far superior to mine. And I know that he can destroy El Nido," Pitch said with sadness slipping through in his voice, "Because he already has." Pitch took a moment to compose himself and continued before anyone could say anything. "The other world has been totally wiped out. Not a single soul exists. Serge and Nikki can vouch for this, as well as Harle."

"Harle!" Said Viper quickly rising to his feet, "Are you in league with Lynx?"

"Lynx is gone." Pitch said narrowing his eyes, his right hand reaching for hia halberd, "He was the first victim of Dark Pitch. Harle no longer has any ties to Lynx. He was trying to atone for his sins, and he saved my life several times. Our enemy now is Dark Pitch. Help me or not, its your decision, Now is the time to prove how much El Nido really means to you, General Viper." Pitch then turned preparing to leave feeling like he had lost any hope of help from Viper. Pitch then stopped short when he heard the sword of a sword being drawn.

"Don't turn your back on me." Viper said, the triple-bladed sword Vipers Venom gripped tightly in his hands. Vipers face was a stone mask, but when pitch turned to look at him a small smile crossed his face. "You should be able to look your allies in the face. Glenn, rouse the Knights, we have a monster to destroy." Pitch started to speak but Viper cut him off, as Glenn quickly left, "Your words alone are hard to believe, but to grain the trust not only of Glenn and my daughter, but of Serge as well, I have no choice but to believe you." Viper stepped around his desk to stand right in front of Pitch, "I love this land and will die to defend it Pitch. The Acacia Dragoons fight alongside you."

"I shall stand right at your side Pitch Black." Said Glenn who had returned, "If General Viper will permit it, I shall fight right alongside you."

"I would be honored if you would Sir Glenn." Pitch said a small smile crossing his face. "General, might I ask about the three strongest knights of the Acacia Dragoons. The Devas, they will be joining us correct?"

"Of course, I sent a knight to contact them when I roused the others." Said Glenn quietly, "I know I had no orders to do such a thing but…"

"Glenn, "Said Pitch calmly, "Nobody cares about that right now. We need to get ready. In fact we should go check the distortion, and make sure Dark Pitch hasn't broken through yet."

The Dimensional distortion at Opassa Beach, fluctuated wildly, the barrier between the two worlds was being forced through. Suddenly in a flash a very weakened Dark Pitch appeared on the beach. He had spent hours trying, and finally succeeded in forcing his way through the distortion even without on object to open such as Pitch Black and Serge. Dark Pitch despite his momentary weakness smiled. "The time draws near Pitch Black, we shall soon meet once more in combat." Dark Pitch then got to his feet and shadow faded away to find his alter ego, prepared to end their fight.

In a flash of darkness Pitch along with Harle, Serge, Nikki and now Glenn, appeared on Opassa Beach. The beach was now calm and gentle and the dimensional distortion resonation slightly as it always had.

"It appears we had nothing to worry about. There is no sign that the gate has oepend recently or that anyone had even been here." Said Glenn calmly, "We should get back to Viper Manor. There is still much to do."

Pitch glared at the portal and turned to face him comrades his face grave, "The manor is already gone. We were too late. Dark pitch has already broken through. Our enemy is now in this world along with us." Pitch then pointed to a single set of footprints next to the distortion. "He's here and most likely his first target was the manor."

"Then we must return to see if…" Glen started but was cut off by Pitch.

"There will be no one left. I'm sorry Glenn, but there is no time for us to greive. We must finish gathering strength. And then We confront Dark Pitch. We then take our vengeance." Pitch said his own anger reaching its boiling point, though he held it in, not letting it show. "Glenn, where would the Devas be right now. We can at least hope that they are still around."

"They were all in different places." Glenn said struggling to maintain his composure, "Sir Karsh was in the shadow forest, Lady Marcy was in Termina, and Sir Zoah was at The Hydra marshes the last I heard."

"Hydra marshes are the closest." Pitch said as the group moved in closer to be shadow faded. "Sir Glenn," Pitch said looking to the young knight, "Do not greive, for all is not lost. As long as one knight remains the Acacia Dragoons have not been beaten. You shall carry their honor into battle, and you shall wield your blade with their strength behind you." Glenn then regained his composure and nodded The Pitch who then Shadow faded the group to the Hyrda Marshes.

Dark pitch brought his halberd down in a wide arc only to have it deflected by an axe. He had already wiped out Viper Manor and was working his way through the remaining knights. He had easily picked of a lone knight who was most likely a courier sent to retrieve the one Dark Pitch was facing. Dark pitch hadn't realized it until the fight started but he was facing one of the 3 remaining Devas. It didn't matter to him who he was facing, but the skill of his opponent was making the fight drag on too long.

"Listen punk, I don't know why the hell you're attacking me, but you should know who I am before this goes on any longer." Said the axe wielding warrior.

"I know who you are." Dark Pitch said as he lashed out with a horizontal strike, narrowly missing cleaving the warrior in half. "You are Karsh of the Four Devas. I know who you are, and that is why I mean to kill you. Or least take your strength as my own." Dark Pitch said as a sick smile spread across his face. "Just like I did with everyone at the Manor. All the knights, General Viper, and even the lovely Riddell."

At The dark mans final words, Karsh rushed him blinded by hatred. Dark pitch knew his trick had worked, Karsh was now fighting wildly and not using his head. It was almost too easy to defeat him. Karsh Leapt at Dark pitch bringing his axe down hoping the crush the skull of the young man. Dark pitch stood merely waiting and right before Karsh landed his blow, Dark Pitch pulled out the black orb and thrust it outward striking Karsh in the center of his chest. Karsh was frozen for a second, before the orb pulled him in adding his strength and abilities to Dark Pitchs own. Dark Pitch realized that there were still two more Devas left to get rid of. He had heard from the courier, that the physically strongest of the Devas, Zoah, was in the Hydra Marshes. "I guess I'm due for a little hike. Well, it's not like a lot of people visit the marshes, it shouldn't be too hard to find him once I get there."

"WHAT?" Zoah said in shock when the group told him of what had transpired. "IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS NO WAY ONE MAN COULD DEFEAT THE ACACIA DRAGOONS."

"He didn't fight them. He attacked the manor directly and they never knew what hit them." Pitch said calmly, "This isn't a matter of whether not it happened. It did happen and now we have to stop the one who is responsible. Join us and you can avenge your comrades."

"I SHALL JOIN YOU." Said the brawny Deva, "LET US SEEK OUT KARSH AND MARCY. THEY WILL ALSO WISH TO KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED, AND I AM SURE THAT THEY SHALL JOIN OUR CAUSE."

Pitch then tensed up for a second, "Too late. Karsh was just taken out." Pitch said not quite sure how he knew. Somehow he knew that Karsh had just been absorbed. The other all stored at him confused as to how he knew. "Just trust me. We need to get out of here. Zoah will most likely be his next target."

"Pitch is right we should make our way to Termina. Marcy needs to be informed, as I shall also need to inform Zappa of what has happened. If need be we can make our final stand there." Glenn said remaining calm as best he could after hearing that one of the strongest dragoons was taken down.

Pitch then focused how dark energies extending them out to engulf the slowly growing army. Then is an instant the shadow of the group disappeared. Then only a few seconds after that, another shadow form faded into the Hyrda Marshes. Dark pitch was determined to find the Deva called Zoah, his strength would certainly prove useful.

"Ye can't be serious!" bellowed Zappa at the group, shock disbeleif and fury etched on his face, His wife Zippa simply broke down into tears when the words reached her. There was simply no way their son could be gone.

"Zoah, this like can't be true." Said Marcy simply, "Karsh is like too damn stubborn to be defeated."

"It's your choice, whether or not you believe it." Said Pitch interrupting, "But I assure you, it's true."

"Who did this?" Zappa growled through clenched teeth, "I shall make them pay!"

"Dark Pitch, he's the embodiment of my darker emotions from when I was still a shadow." Pitch whispered out, finally revealing what exactly Dark Pitch was. "And you can't defeat him alone. If you try, you will only share your sons fate. Fight with us, and you can avenge him."

"I hear ye lad. I'll fight with ye." Zappa growled as he hefted his hammer, "When you fight 'im, I'll be with ye. I promise ye that."

"Well, how do we like, find him?" Marcy said annoyed tapping her foot, "Or are we just gonna like let him destroy everything else until he gets to us?"

"We don't find him." Pitch said flatly, "he knows we're here and he's searching for us. All we can do is let him find us. And believe me he will. He knows that I want to fight him. He knows and he's going to face me one on one." Pitch tightened his grip on the Noctem Aternus, and this growled through clenched teeth, "I shall show him the true meaning of darkness."

Then from outside the shop, and explosion was heard and Pitch glared out the window, "And so it begins."

A/N- Damn, this chapter took me a while to write. Anyway, the next chapter is the beginning of the end. Chapter 22-Noctem Aeternus.