Author's Note: This chapter is actually a precursor/prelude to events in Chapter 21 (a major chapter by the way!). Even though this chapter is short, I hope you will read and review it, especially if you like Mathias :) Mathias never seems to get a lot of attention from fanfic authors, even though his character has a lot of potential. I deliberately changed the LoI idea of the Crimson Stone making Mathias lose his humanity. I just didn't think it made sense for a stone to turn someone into a vampire. Since Mathias' meeting/arrangement with Walter was never explained in detail, I decided that Walter should turn him. I liked the idea of Mathias choosing to offer up his humanity to Walter, in exchange for a powerful adversary (Leon).
Also, since LoI never explained how Mathias obtained the Crimson Stone, it might have been passed down in his family (like the alchemy book). You can safely assume that he already has the Crimson Stone, hence the abnormally fast development of his vampiric powers. In my story, the only way he could command the Stone's power was by becoming a vampire. I hope all of that makes sense. :)
Mathias is a great manipulator, which you will hopefully see in this chapter.
*Sub note: FYI, The telescope room actually exists in the LoI game on the 3f of the Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab, in case you are wondering.*
Special Thanks
As always, thank you for reading this story and following it. If you like it (or don't?), I would really like to hear from you! :) I think some authors discontinue their stories because they aren't motivated and think people are not reading it. Reviews help motivate me to update often since I love hearing what people think.
Also, if you like this fic, don't forget to favorite it ;)
Chapter XX
The castle was quiet. Walter led the way over the drawbridge and into the entranceway. "Here at last!" The vampire declared, his voice echoing through the room. "Bring that human to our guest. He will have awakened and require blood."
"As you wish." For once, he did not object to his lord's instructions.
Walter looked at him for a long moment, his dark eyes glinting in the torchlight. The castle's shadowy atmosphere made his skin seem even paler, whilst the seriousness upon his eloquent visage gave way to a warm, congenial smile. Despite his beauty, Joachim found the expression somewhat unnerving, for it was rare for his lord to be so pleased. "You did well tonight, Joachim." The compliment made the iciness in the young man's eyes waver. Walter ascended the steps to his tower and paused on the middle of the staircase as if he had just considered something rather amusing. His great, armored frame turned round to face the youth again. Without hesitating, he bowed his head, the coils of his thick, blood red hair splaying against the high collar of his armor. "I would be honored if you would join me tonight. Though your tenacity is amusing, I know that is not all you are capable of displaying in my presence, Lord Armster."
The young man's pale eyes locked with his lord's whilst he returned the invitation with a gentle, suspicious smile. He could not deny the fact that Walter was persuasive. However, he remembered that his lord was as cunning as he was gracious – especially when he wanted something. "I am honored to accept," he replied, though he could not resist adding. "However, if your civility is some sort of ploy, Walter, I would be glad to show you my other capabilities."
"I am certain you would be," Walter's eyes flickered. "Though I assure you, it would be unwise. For once, Joachim, I would like to see you in an agreeable mood. If that is not too difficult, our evening shall be pleasant."
"For you, perhaps." Walter's eyes abruptly narrowed and his lower lip curled, fully prepared to challenge the young man's discourtesy. If he did not soften his tone, he was certain his lord would quickly withdraw the amicable offer. Unwilling to go that far, the pale youth released a sigh, for yet again he found himself unable to refuse. Like a moth to a flame, Walter drew him like no other. Against his will, Joachim felt his cheeks grow hot whilst he replied, his voice softening under the passion appearing within his lord's starlit eyes. "If my presence pleases you, so be it."
"I am hopeful that you will, eventually, learn to accept me." The red-haired vampire chuckled, whilst continuing up the steps. His long, black cape fluttered behind him in an almost playful fashion. Joachim could not lift his gaze away from his lord's elegance, for Walter moved with the grace of a king. The demon's beautiful countenance looked over his broad, armored shoulder at Joachim's transfixed expression. His ghostly white lips formed a smirk. "I will wait for you in the throne room." Like a shadow, the red-haired vampire disappeared beyond the tower entrance.
Joachim stared after him for a long time. He sensed that, despite Walter's confidence, his lord longed for his surrender. Everything had to be challenging in order to retain its fascination. He despised the idea of becoming another 'challenge' or 'game' like many humans drawn to Eternal Night. Yet, he suspected Walter thought better of him than that – as long as he was the one in power. The thought made his eyes widen for fear that he would reciprocate. He tried to block it from his mind as he drifted toward the small sanctuary, seeking refuge from the dangerous emotions when he thought of his lord. He floated into the corridor beyond the entranceway and placed his ear against the blue door, listening for the sound of Mathias' anguished screams. When nothing came of it, he waved it open. To his surprise, the knight was nowhere to be found. Joachim's lips curled as he returned to the corridor. It irked him that he would have to explore the castle in search of him. This is not my responsibility! Walter should take care of his own guests. He folded his arms across his chest whilst his hand brushed away strands of his pearly white hair. The body of the human man floated beside him under his telekinetic control. Although his abilities were improving, it took a great deal of energy to support the body. A growing suspicion prompted him to try the laboratory, first. A newly turned vampire would have no trouble wandering through its corridors since zombies were easy to kill. Without delay, he began the long trek, commanding the body to float behind him. The young man ignored the trail of blood speckling the floor from his swords as he went.
Death and violence were slowly becoming a normal facet of Eternal Night. Thus far, he had managed to avoid drinking the blood of his victims. However, it was not without a price…for he was growing weak again. The hunger was beginning to rage against him like a caged beast. It would be almost impossible for him to seek out his lord's blood, knowing that Walter would discover him instantly. Am I turning into a monster? I could never be like Walter… Yet, he remembered it was in his nature to kill. A part of him admired the calculating look in Walter's eyes whilst he snuffed out their lives – thoughtlessly, mercilessly, and without regret. How I envy you, Walter! Tis' so very effortless for you…nothing is beyond your reach. It seems, not even me… A small smirk crossed his fine, pale lips whilst his eyes flickered. You cannot keep everything from me. That stone is important to you. If only I knew why…
"I see you have changed…" Joachim commented when Mathias looked up and whirled to face him.
Merely hours after being tainted, the former human was able to float in the air. The knight's black robes billowed around his form, whilst his chestnut colored eyes fell upon the young man curiously. "Welcome, Lord Armster. The transformation was difficult, though it matters little, now. The powers I have acquired as a vampire are magnificent. I would not exchange this gift for a thousand lifetimes as a mortal."
"What if your wife was alive? What would she say if she saw you…like this?" Joachim looked up at him boldly, ignoring the confidence reflecting within the knight's eyes. A lifetime of human memories was suddenly washed away by the vampire's bite. Joachim scowled at Mathias' unmoved expression. Though the knight tried to conceal it, he sensed a wavering within him.
Mathias' eyes diverted to the table scattered with books, feigning disinterest in the young man's inquiry when he answered softly. "Elisabetha…is the reason why I rejected God, for her soul is departed, and she shall not see me. I pray she does not."
Despite the tactician's subdued manner, Joachim despised looking at him. To him, the man's blackened soul may well have been visible, for he saw nothing except contempt within his eyes. A burning hatred for the injustice of life, and more so, for the silence of a God who perpetuated suffering. Despite the Church's philosophy, both he and Mathias found no comfort in the concept of heaven. How could he believe in a place that rich, greedy, soulless men sought to enter with gold? A quiet sigh parted through his lips whilst he silently looked on at the knight.
A faint smile spread across the tactician's lips as he floated toward the ground, his long, dark brown hair flowing gracefully around his shoulders and back. With barely a sound, his boots touched the floor, and he gave the youth a scrutinizing look. "I know you suffer as much as I."
Joachim recoiled from the man, his lips curling into a sneer. "That is none of your concern. I came here to bring you a gift from Walter. Take it. I'm tired of dragging this thing with me everywhere." He ushered to the body of the man floating next to him and let it drop onto the floor with a loud, resounding thump. The man had been dead for hours and the corpse was stiff. He could not imagine drinking its blood, for it would have since gone congealed and gone cold. The young vampire's hard, pale eyes glanced from the corpse to Mathias' expression.
To his surprise, the tactician looked at the body with disinterest. As if he had drunk blood a hundred times before, Mathias walked toward the corpse and kneeled next to it, curtaining his smooth visage behind a veil of dark brown hair. "It is so simple to take life." He murmured. "Humanity is so very fragile. Unless we grant ourselves the power to defy it, our lives are at the mercy of God's will." Mathias shook his head and allowed tendrils of his long dark russet colored hair to fall around his shoulders in silken waves. "It is too late for reconciliation. This is what I have longed for. It eludes me why you could not wish for eternity. There is no need for you to remain in servitude."
"I am not a servant!" Joachim scoffed, his lower lip curling at the thought. No one would call him Walter's slave and get away with it. Nearly boiling in rage, his hand clenched into it a fist whilst his blackened fingernails dug into his palm. He pointed at the knight with his other hand, his index finger directed at the knight's solemn visage. "I serve no one except myself. Once I discover the secret to Walter's power, I will free myself from this accursed life."
"Power comes in infinite forms. Walter has the build of one who prefers to use physical force, however, I sense that you have a greater mind than he." Mathias' words silenced him for a moment, and Joachim observed him as much as he found he was being observed in return. "Those five symbiotic swords surrounding you…" The tactician continued whilst his eyes drifted to the five, bloody swords aligned behind the youth's back. "You have great power. Yet, great power is meaningless unless one understands it. My company has defeated vast armies simply because I discovered when and where t'was necessary to attack. If you learn to understand your opponent, you will be able to defeat them, even if their powers are greater than your own." For a moment, his eyes gazed expressionlessly at the dead figure he held as he lowered his face toward his neck. The tactician's sharp, gleaming fangs punctured the flesh. Joachim watched the red liquid trickle down the human's neck, but the other vampire took no notice and quietly finished his meal. Without another glance he set the shriveled body of the human aside on the floor and rose to his feet.
"Well?" Joachim inquired, the sharpness in his voice shattering the silence. "Do you feel nothing at all?"
Mathias levitated with his back to him, though he slowly turned and faced him once again with the same solemn expression. "You are wounded. To wander untreated will decrease your body's ability to heal itself quickly." Before he could even pull away, the knight reached out and ran his fingers across the puncture wound in his shoulder.
Joachim shoved him away, glaring at him suspiciously. "Don't touch me! I am fine, it was just an arrow – nothing that an immortal should fear."
"Vampires can heal very rapidly but that does not mean we are invincible."
Joachim paused when Mathis' gaze did not divert from his wounded shoulder. He moved his arm to flex it, but a searing pain shot through so quickly that he covered it with his hand, hissing in pain. The arrow had lodged itself deeper inside his skin than he expected. Blood seeped out of the open wound, staining his robes, whilst he staggered back against the table. Dull, aching pain flooded through him when he attempted to stop the bleeding. In spite of feeling lightheaded, he continued to sneer at the knight, ignoring his concern. No one will touch me…! Except…Walter… A gasp fled his lips as he attempted to hide his disgust and he fell back into the chair near the table. His thoughts began to race whilst his pale optics widened. What is happening to me?
Mathias shook his head and stepped forward persistently. The calm sound of his voice eased the pale youth somewhat. There was not even a flicker of hesitation upon the knight's face. Although the five swords behind Joachim's back were capable of cutting him into pieces, he did not seem concerned in the least. "Allow me to assist you, Lord Armster. It is the least I can do to repay you." He bowed his head, the long, silky locks of his chestnut hair splaying across his shoulders. The graceful manner in which he carried himself captured the young man's complete attention, for here was not an ounce of disrespect to contravene his offer.
Joachim gave the man a reluctant nod. Without delay, the knight ushered to his armor. Up close Joachim realized just how pale the former man had become. The tactician's skin was so pallid it gave the illusion of being transparent. "Please, you will have to remove that. I am going to clean your wound. I have spent the majority of my life on the battlefield…and have witnessed many horrors. I assure you, this is nothing by comparison." One by one, the strings came loose, until the tactician gently slid it off his back. Without speaking, the knight touched the wound with the tips of his cold, pale fingers and nodded grimly. "For one to have never experienced the brutality of war is a blessing. War relinquishes innocence, and replaces it with images of death and suffering." A slight twitch fainted across Mathias' smooth lips. With a quiet sigh, he withdrew a vial containing a translucent blue liquid from the pocket of his robe. Joachim eyed it suspiciously, until Mathias added, "Alchemy has given me knowledge of how to heal wounds. I made this potion myself, as a precaution…though, it seems, you require it more than I. Remain still." The tactician's cold, slender hand tipped the vial until its contents drained upon the open wound. Joachim hissed, feeling a dull, numbing pain – though it disappeared quickly. The lifeless, white flesh surrounding the punctured area began to heal at a rapid rate. Broken tissue and blood vessels regenerated. The tactician's cold eyes stared at the disappearing wound meticulously. "A student of mine learned how to concoct this healing potion as well. It seems, he lives here now, trying to help those who play Walter's game. Your lord has made many enemies."
"Your student was Rinaldo?" The young man drew his head back, blinking in amazement. I underestimated that old man…
"Evidently, you have met him already. T'was years ago, that I passed a few secrets unto him. I know his heart is full of hatred for your lord. Men would not fall, if only God chose to catch them…" He placed a hand over his chest and revealed an ornate silver cross attached by a beaded necklace. He wrapped his hand around the object as it burned against his ashen flesh. A dull, hissing noise filled the air when smoke began to drift from the smoldering cross. Fierce, unyielding hatred ignited within the knight's eyes as his smooth lips curled into sneer. "I curse God for what he did! I fought and killed in his name. Only to return home and find my wife…" The silver cross formed into a puddle of shimmering gray dripping from of his enclosed fist. With a huff, the knight flicked the remnants of the cross onto the floor.
"Why did you help me?" The white-haired vampire attempted to change the subject.
Mathias' expression calmed whilst his eyes narrowed derisively. "Walter is dependent upon the Ebony Stone. Without its aid, he would have little influence over the night."
"You know about the Ebony Stone?" Joachim floated out of his chair. Finally, the knight had caught his immediate and undivided attention. His pale blue eyes glinted hungrily, seeking out the thoughts concealed behind the other vampire's dead gaze.
"I know a great deal." Mathias ushered to the eyepiece of the telescope high above the ground. "Though, power exists beyond alchemy. Look upon the stars, for example." He extended his pasty white hand to the twinkling lights in the blackness beyond the hole in the wall. "Consistency is found within the stars. For centuries, humans understood the universe by looking at the night sky. Constellations allow us to chart the heavens and know its secrets. The night is beautiful and powerful. To spend eternity looking upon the stars is greater than heaven itself."
He watched the tactician levitate into the air and float toward the telescope's eyepiece. Though the instrument appeared to be centuries old, the knight peered through it and ushered for the white-haired youth to join him. A tiny smirk crept across Joachim's lips whilst he floated toward the massive object. Mathias moved aside, allowing him to glimpse through the eyepiece at the stars. The moment he looked through it, thousands of stars filled the black abyss. Never before had he seen so many stars, not even on the clearest nights in Creightel. The telescope's magnification made it feel as if he were viewing the sky from the heavens. He wished he could lose himself among the faint, twinkling lights. As a vampire, there was more to admire about the darkness than the light. He withdrew his gaze upon hearing the knight continue quietly. "If mastered to its full potential, the power you can wield with your mind will be unstoppable."
Joachim looked from Mathias to his swords. One after another, the blades orbited around his body in an array of glowing steel. Though he was not fully conscious of his thoughts, the swords broke away and slashed rapidly at the air, their blades angling sideways. The weapons' destructive potential was obvious. The swords were custom made, for their hilts were designed to look like bats. Only a skilled blacksmith or artisan could fashion such a unique design, though he could not tell their age or maker, despite his familiarity with the craft. In spite of the swords' mysterious origins, they were far more powerful and resilient than human-made weapons. A faint smile crept across his lips whilst he wondered how many humans had lost their lives to the five, cruel blades encircling around him. The swords were devoted to his every whim. They protected him and obeyed him, for his body was vulnerable, even after being turned. His gaze lingered upon his exquisite steel swords, admiring the blood caked upon them, and longing to taste it. With a low chuckle, he sent them away again, watching their glowing forms slash rapidly at the air, one after another, unrelenting in their desire to please him. Yet, he knew his power was still unfocused. He simply commanded them to stab or slash, without honing his mental capacities enough to see what they were truly capable of doing. Thus, he was unsurprised by the fact that the tactician next to him noticed his lacking precision.
"A very fine attempt." Mathias remarked, his dark eyes observing the blades when they returned to protect their master. "Now, focus your energy – all of it. Use your hatred to make your swords more powerful."
Joachim concentrated his thoughts upon his swords. He had already expended a great deal of energy during his outing to Dalwood. "I…don't think I can…"
Mathias' cold encouragement silenced his complaint. "Doubt leads to defeat. Choose a target and attack."
Joachim began to delve into his thoughts in order to break the barrier blocking his mind. Minutes passed until his eyes glowed crimson. He divided his power within himself and allowed it to build to a colossal state. A strange energy emanated around his body as his mind formed his thoughts and energy into visible, bluish colored orbs. "Astounding…" Mathias whispered, evidently, unable to withhold his awe of the young man's power. It took most of his strength to form his energy into spherical shapes. Yet, doing so seemed to enhance his psychic abilities. As he struggled to command the orbs to sustain the barrier around him, the greenish glow around his five whirling swords intensified. However, the force shielding him was somewhat weak. It was not enough to command his swords – he wished to merge his very existence with them. It was a risky maneuver. The frail, blue orbs of light floated around the room, unprotected. If all of them were somehow broken, his telekinetic focus would shatter, leaving him weak and defenseless against his opponents. Such a strategy would require a great deal of consideration and planning. The mental strength it required alone was exhausting. His frame swayed forward in the air whilst a headache building inside his mind threatened to let him fall. He could no longer sustain his ability to float as his mind began to lose focus.
Mathias caught him with the speed of a hawk, refusing to allow the young man to fall. The other vampire's grasp was as cold as ice – lacking any of the human warmth it may have had before he was turned. "You have done well." He lowered the weakened young man toward the ground. "With practice, you shall improve. Eternity has the advantage of time. You best use it well."
"Tell me about the Ebony Stone." Joachim attempted to clear his head of the throbbing pain. "Since we have time, as you said."
A coy grin creased the corners of the tactician's mouth as though he had anticipated the question. With a slow, easeful motion, his hand reached into the pocket of his robes and withdrew a small book bound in a black leather cover. The book's pages were yellowed with age and its cover was stained and ripped. Mathias clutched the book in his hand whilst giving him a discerning look. "My family has practiced alchemy for generations." He began, his robes sweeping with his steps as he paced across the room, his long brown hair swaying with his graceful movements. A growing darkness appeared within his eyes. "The Ebony Stone is said to grant the one who possesses it unimaginable power. For centuries, its existence remained unknown…until now."
Joachim did his best to avoid scowling at the other vampire's explanation. Since he could remember, alchemy was a forbidden art. The man must have been clever to conceal his family's secrets from the church. "Is the Stone in Walter's possession?"
The answer to his question became suddenly obvious when the tactician's eyes glinted. With a curt nod, he opened the book and ran his index finger across its tattered pages. "It is my belief that it is. The stone he wears is proof of his authority over the Night. As long as it is within his grasp, no one – human or vampire – will be able to defeat him. Nevertheless, power is a fickle thing…"
"How did he obtain it?"
"That I know not." The tactician shrugged, for his interest in Walter did not seem to match the red-haired lord's servant. He walked toward the room's elaborate hearth and stood before it. The man did not even move when he created a small spark within it, which burst into an array of dazzling flames. The fire's dim, orangey light shadowed half of his face in darkness, whilst the pallid half Joachim could see glowed eerily. A flicker of malice refracted within the tactician's eyes as he stood, looking into the flames, his voice falling quiet as he fed the youth's growing curiosity like a master tossing a piece of meat to a hungry dog. Joachim could feel the tactician's powers make the stonework tremble. "If you desire to obtain the Ebony Stone, you must understand that two others like it exist as well. All three are treasured by vampires…especially the Crimson Stone."
"Crimson Stone?" Joachim repeated the words to himself. His eyes narrowed, for he had no knowledge of alchemy or the dark arts. Such things would have immediately sent him to pyre. It was problematic enough to cope with his albinism, let alone concern himself with dangerous hobbies when he was human. "I have never heard of it. The Church forbade such talk. To them, no power exists beyond God."
An amused chuckle escaped the tactician's throat as he shook his head. "There are powers even greater than God. Those who wish to control death covet the Crimson Stone. Walter, though powerful, is incomplete without it."
Incomplete. The word echoed through his mind as he watched the tactician turn away from the flames to face him. The man's powers were developing at a rapid rate – far more rapid than his own. Though he did not know for certain, he suspected that it was unnatural for newly turned vampires to become so powerful, so quickly. Mathias' powers were uncontrollable – he could sense it as he stood there, watching him, his pale eyes flitting between his whirling swords and the creature standing by the hearth. A growing dread filled him the longer he looked at the knight's calm, serious expression. Not a flicker of doubt clouded Mathias' intentions – whatever they were. Though Joachim refrained from addressing the knight's unusual strength, he did not hesitate to observe silkily. "So, it seems the Ebony Stone has caught your attention." He smiled to himself when he noticed Mathias' lips twitch under his penetrating gaze. "You need not worry, Lord Cronqvist. If power can be gained, it can also be lost. Once the Ebony Stone is under my control, I will have no use for Walter."
"A soul – even a vampire's – has its uses. Do not rush to conclusions, Lord Armster." The knight ignored the youth's sharpening tone. "The Ebony Stone is only as powerful as its master."
"Can its power be transferred to another?" The details of the stone did not interest him as much as how to acquire its power. Walter coveted the stone. Since the night he met the vampire, he had never seen the red-haired lord without it. Nevertheless, the tactician's knowledge of alchemy impressed him to the point that the question was inevitable. Although he did not understand Mathias' talk about souls, the confirmation piqued his interest. Somehow, the former human knew too much about the stones...
With a graceful bow, the knight outstretched his hand, offering him the book. His voice, though soft, seemed to have a twinge of malice within it. Yet, his congenial expression gave no hint to the thoughts coursing within his mind. "Whoever possesses the Stone, possesses its power." A returned, almost mocking, smile formed upon his lips. "Take this. It is a copy of the original belonging to my family. Show it to no one."
"Why are you giving it to me?" Joachim inquired, though he took the book, even when the knight's mysterious smile broadened.
"Why not?" The tactician's chestnut eyes glinted in the firelight. Although it was an eerie sight, his gracefulness contrasted with it. "Knowledge is empowering. Everything you need to know about the Ebony Stone is contained in that book. Though…tis' meaningless to learn how to use the Stone when it is not yours. I doubt you shall ever get that far, for you are merely Lord Bernhard's servant."
The cruelty of his words stung the young man like a thousand bees. Before Joachim could contain himself, his eyes narrowed and he sent one of his swords away at the knight. Fortunately, his mind called the blade back as its razor-sharp edge came within inches of Mathias' vulnerable jugular. The tactician did not even move to avoid it. Does he truly fear nothing? Joachim gasped, whilst his surprise faded into anger. "I belong to no one!" he hissed, ignoring the malicious glint appearing within Mathias' eyes. "Think what you want, Lord Cronqvist. Even if I must kill Walter, that Stone will be mine!"
"I admire your determination." The knight replied, his voice returning to its formerly polite tone. "However, I doubt Lord Bernhard will admire it as much as I, if you succeed. Unbelievable power could be yours. This castle, this forest, and the Ebony Stone – all yours, if you are daring enough to take it."
The smirk returned across Joachim's lips. He licked them, his pale eyes glinting whilst he tossed his head, allowing his pearly white locks to cascade against his shoulders and cheeks. With a loud huff, he folded his arms across his chest and straightened his posture. "Of course I am. I will take all of it. It is about time I repaid my debt to Walter. I look forward to it…"
Without looking at him again, the knight bowed and returned his attention to the fireplace. Mathias' long, flowing robes and hair emanated a graceful but ghostly image. A shell of a man, whose heart was blackened by hatred and despair. Like Judas, the knight was prepared to betray everything he had ever known. Rather than receive a reward of silver, his would be red. Blood would stain him forever and engrain itself within his soul until nothing of his former self remained. Perhaps, the woman he loved enough to damn himself would be lost in the darkness consuming his heart.
Joachim shuddered to himself. Even with his willpower, it took great effort to avoid consuming blood. He touched the graceful curves of his cheek with his hand, feeling his own cold, lifeless flesh against his fingertips. With a heavy sigh, the corners of his lips curved downward. He barely remembered what it felt like when he smiled out of happiness. Secretly, he wondered on his fate, and of his lord's. Centuries of life made Walter enlightened as well as bored. He could see it behind the veil of delight in the vampire's dark, glittering eyes. A deadness, which was incomprehensible at first, yet now seemed noticeable. Killing was an excuse to break the monotony of eternity. It was no wonder why immortal gods sought human contact. Life in the heavens was hollow. Mortals, on the other hand, lived as the Gods wished they could. Whereas he had drunk life from the bottle, Walter sipped it from a glass – slowly and deliberately, since it never emptied.
What would become of him, now? Protected forever by the forest of Eternal Night, behind the castle's cold walls, and forever bound to the darkness. He suspected that, one day, the night he treasured would become the black abyss. The stars would no longer glint beautifully, for their dim lights would mock him. The wind, once cool and whispering, would sear his flesh like fire and hiss in his ears. Human society would change but he would not. Nothing in Eternal Night would ever change. Walter might find a different game but would still be consumed by a hopeless desire to free himself from the invisible, powerful grip of eternity. Perhaps, God created the angels in heaven to the break the loneliness, the solitude, and the endlessness of existing.
Walter, you need me to comfort you, so you know you are not alone. I am here, with you, forever. Forever yours…to own, love, and cherish. Only I am worthy of you. Yet, you do not realize…
…Angels rebelled, and fell from grace…
…gods defied Zeus, and were cast out of Elysium…
Only time will tell if you will damn me…or love me enough to save me…