Return of the Shadow X-Men Evo Story 2 Chapter 1: Prologue

Wind howled across the fields. Dead blades of grass dropped mournfully and withering trees bend dangerously in the gale. A flash of lightning lit the air, followed by a thunderous boom. The lightning struck a tree and split it in twain. As the rain continued to pour, the castle atop the nearby hill flashed into view. The lightning cast into sharp view a huge ballroom with a magnificent crystal chandelier. Dust had long since settled upon the beautiful piano and over the once polished marble floor. The huge double doors suddenly swung open, their hinges creaking loudly. A lone figure, cloaked in shadow stepped into the room. Even in the darkness, his crimson eyes shone clearly under his hood. His black boots clicked as he slowly toured the room. Finding nothing, he walked briskly out, closing the doors behind him with a thud. He continued his walk down a large corridor lined with paintings. Most depicted a tall and statuesque woman, mostly dressed in a deep red. She had a perfect body and was easily one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. He continued his gaze up her body but stopped when he reached her face. Sharp, angular beauty but there was something else. A fierce, almost predatory leer that could not hide her oddly long canines. Her eyes were a bright red that matched her gown and held a mixture of cunning, greed and the knowledge that she was powerful. He gazed at a small plaque at the base of the painting.

"Lady Carmilla." The hooded man continued onward. He stopped again at a much older portrait, this one of a man dressed in the Victorian style. He stood proudly, standing straight backed with an air of heady arrogance. He had the face of a man in his late fifties, his hair only graying at the temples. He too wore a wide smile, one much softer but with the same long teeth. His crimson eyes bespoke virtue and wisdom. His kind smile promised a certain benediction. The man removed his hood and allowed his long, unbound raven black hair to fall down to the back of his knees. He gazed once again at the plaque. A single tear dripped from his crimson eyes, so like the ones of the man in the painting.

"Father."