Agapetus stood to the side as the workers toiled, building the container for the ashes of the Kiln of the First Flame. It was a massive room made of black iron, built in the lowest chamber of his castle. He glanced out, noticing the sun's rays penetrating into the room. The sun was growing stronger, which meant his plan was working.
The Age of Dark was stalling.
He grinned, turning to the shadows where the stranger lived. "Are you pleased stranger? To see your plans destroyed in front of you? Behold the wonder of Lordran, the eternal kingdom of heaven."
The stranger chuckled, though its voice held undeniable malice. "Kingdom of heaven? Mere mortals shouldn't intrude upon the land of the gods."
Agapetus smirked wide. "That's the thing though. This is the kingdom of heaven, and only I deserve to be seated here. With me as the head, I will cast the greatest insult to this cycle of reincarnation that has been placed before me: to be ignored."
"Your belief in this simple device is admirable, albeit naïve," spoke the stranger. "Do you really think you can stop the Age of Dark with just a simple room and a few ashes? You haven't had made enough bodies to reach that kingdom of heaven."
"See for yourself. The sun is growing brighter. The stars are coming back into the sky. You've lost stranger."
Agapetus turned, his grin immense. "Now, time to eliminate the other key players. True Toxic, step forward."
Thaddeus of Vinheim appeared, his arms wrapped in bandages. "My Lord…I grow nervous. I thought the Age of Darkness was the age of mankind, and yet, you're forestalling it as best you can. What are you planning?"
The Lord of Lordran tightened his fists, but resisted blasting the cretin off the earth. He put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "My friend, it is simple. The Age of Dark is not the age of mankind. It is the next step in this endless cycle of reincarnation. By stopping it, we allow mankind to rise above and not be restarted like it has been countless times. Do you understand?"
"…a little my Lord, but I trust your judgment. I am your weapon, to be wielded as you see fit."
True Toxic sank to a knee, his head bowed. "So how will I be wielded today, my Lord?"
Agapetus grinned, so pleased he could manipulate his pawn in such a way. "Eliminate every country leader immediately."
Ingward stepped in, his eyes wide. "But my Lord! That would cause chaos everywhere! What about our allies, the Great Swamp and Zena? Surely they do not deserve death!"
"…perhaps not," admitted Agapetus. "Spare them. But everyone else I want dead. Anyone who does not stand by me will be killed, no exceptions. For by standing by me…"
He stared into the sky, his smile shining in the light. "I will stand on the corpses of my enemies, and touch the kingdom of heaven that mankind so desires."
Governor Festus sighed, walking towards the balcony slowly. "I am so grateful we managed to stop Catarina from continuing our war. I hate to waste lives on such a simple misunderstanding."
He glanced out at the sun, smiling softly. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it? A perfect day for peace."
He basked in the sunlight for a moment, warming his skin. "I have so many plans for Astora. I want to create a new and bright future for it, hopefully with Catarina by my side. As governor of the largest province, I am in charge of that future."
He walked onto the balcony, noting the assembly before him. It was the majority of the town around him, gathered to hear his speech. They seemed excited, their faces covered in smiles.
He stretched out his arms, offering his own smile. "My people…"
He paused, his heart stopping in his chest. He gasped loudly, trying to breathe with no air.
He fell off the balcony slowly, his mind perfectly intact to see the ground approaching.
"Is this it? Is this where I die?" he thought. "But…what will be of my people? I…I can't die here! I have to protect them! It's my responsibility! I…!"
Governor Festus died on a Sunday, in front of all his people.
Siegedolor sat at his evening table, eating quietly with his immediate family. He was very happy that his war with Astora had been settled, now planning on moving on with their alliance. He was thinking critically as well, thoughts dawning on his mind.
"Siegesolis wouldn't just offer herself to him…" he mused to himself, the rest of his family talking amongst themselves. "Even if she isn't as pure as I thought, she hates men like Festus. She was not drugged, or blackmailed. So what could cause it?"
He chomped on a turkey leg. "Perhaps it is that Dark Lord nonsense I heard about. Could one of them done something to her? But who would do that?"
He gasped, feeling something not go down his throat. He began to choke, trying to puke out the obstruction in his throat.
His family reacted rapidly, only to find they too were choking. Siegesolis hit the floor first, her face blue from lack of oxygen.
SIegedolor tried to call her name, but his mind was slowly going black. He spat blood from the sharp bone caught in his throat, splattering it onto the floor.
He sank to his knees, staring at the blood. He could see something in it, a face not his own.
It was the face of Agapetus, the man he had met so long ago. He was grinning widely, amused by the death of the Catarina man.
"So…it was you…" he whispered a moment before darkness took him. "I…knew it…"
Shiva of the East sat in his bedchambers, slowly sharpening his sword. He had unusual calmness about him, like the sharpening was enlightening him. His blank eyes studied the blade, noting its long curve and sharp edge.
He raised it up, catching the light and his reflection. Then it changed suddenly, showing a different man.
He dropped the sword, startled. He glanced back at the blade, noticing how his reflection was his own again.
"…I must be tired," he reasoned. "I am imaging things."
"But are you really Shiva?"
He whirled around, picking up his blade. "Who is there? Come out and I might spare you."
"Out? That's interesting, considering my position. If you want to see me, go to your mirror."
Shiva cautiously walked to his mirror, glancing at the glass slowly. In it was the reflection of another man, wrapped in brown cloth.
"…who are you?" asked Shiva. "Is this sorcery?"
"No," answered his new reflection simply. "It's a bit…darker…"
The man ripped off the cloth, revealing his youthful face. It was Sebastian of Zena, still possessing his Dark Eyes. "You see…I got a new power with my eyes when your Lord took my first one. I can inhabit other's bodies. Including yours. Death is no longer stopping me."
Shiva punched the mirror, shattering it into pieces. "I won't let you take control of me Solemn Shade! I am Shiva of the East, and…!"
He gasped, his own hands grasping at his throat. He felt his brain begin to shut down, his eyes darkening.
"Go to sleep Shiva," spoke Sebastian's voice in his head, taunting him. "When you awake, I will be in control."