Note: You should already know about the only two characters I claim. Well now there's another. Elli's father, although he isn't a major part of the story. For the Tori Amos fans, there's a line from one of her songs in this chapter. There might be more that are hidden from even me. And Sydney is in this chapter! Have fun reading.

Chapter 2

The dead rise for the immortal fear. The dark revives its long lost servant from his ancient slumber. The light cries for the dark's mercy.

How often had her repeated this to him? How long did her burn it into Riot's brain?

Riot couldn't remember. Only that the words remained as a reminder of that week so long lost.

Sydney had done everything he could to ensure the safety of Lea Monde. This city was so precious to him because of his father.

Now he would be returning to his beloved city. But what else would be following? The creature? There were so many that could hold that title.

"The years have treated you well, Riskbreaker. Too bad your talents have faltered."

"Sydney." Riot whispers.

"Right you are, Ashley."

Riot turns to see Sydney standing a few feet away. His appearance had changed. His arms are now flesh with slight muscle.

"Did you truly believe I would remain in the form I had in life? In death you become the person you dreamed in life. And dreams, Riskbreaker, Dreams are what drive this world.

"How is it that you have failed in preventing what will soon come to pass?" Sydney paced as he spoke. His movements were that of a black panther, lithe and sinuous. They hid a beauty that had somehow flowered in this beautiful yet terrifying man.

"You do not answer. Is it because you have become fascinated with the young intruder? I must admit; her attraction to this old city intrigues me. She has dance with the very woman you were supposed to protect. She has spoken with so many spirits here that nearly all of them have grown to love her."

"And you?"

Sydney paused. Had the Riskbreaker grown wiser in his many years, her wondered?

"In a sense." Sydney finally answered.

"I am surprised with you, Sydney. You've never hesitated like you did just now. Is there something you're hiding? Or are you trying to throw me off?"

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that she wears the necklace and soon he will rise to take her life. It draws him like a beacon and it is your duty to find him. You had better start now."

Sydney had started to walk away when Riot asked, "And your duty?"

Sydney paused. Did Riot think he had lost sight of his own mission? He knew his roll in this story, though it was clouded to the Riskbreaker, had he not seen it in his life before?

"She is my duty." Sydney spoke over his shoulder and walked off into the darkness.

Elli and Erick arrived at her home, a small trailer, which housed her and her drunken father. There was a picket fence that had once been white. It was now spotted a gray-brown from the missing chips of paint. What had once been a nice green-grassed yard was now mostly dirt with patches of dying grass. The trailer itself was no better. The light-blue paint was pealing, one window, which had been broken, was boarded up. The place shouldn't have held residents, but did.

Elli looked at the ground, ashamed that Erick was seeing her house when he lived in a beautiful manor that still held the essence of days long since passed.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the library." Elli quickly said as she dashed through the open gate and towards the door.

"Elli, wait!" Erick called, making her stop. "About what happened… at the ruins."

"Nothing happened, Erick. It was just our imaginations. Good-night."

"I know you don't believe that." Erick grumbled.

Elli quickly spun to face him a growled, "Your suspicion turns everything into a tool or home of evil. For once, believe what I say."

Erick was shocked. She had never seemed angry with him before. What had the dark city done to her?

"I'm sorry." Erick whispered. "Good-night."

Elli watched as Erick walked away. His head hanging low like a puppy's after it has been reprimanded. She wanted to apologize to him, tell him that she didn't mean it, that she was scared. But it was too late. He was gone.

She looked to the horizon to see the sky turning a scarlet hue. The sun was rising; she would have no time to sleep. It was nothing new to her; sleep seemed to be only a memory to her, though she couldn't remember the last night she had slept for more than three hours.

Silently, as a sneaking mouse, she opened the door and slipped through. The couch, which was directly across from the door, held her sleeping father. Even in his sleep he looked troubled, a result of her mother's death.

After carefully closing the door, she crept towards the kitchenette and through the door to her room. There was hardly anything she could call valuable, except for the few gifts from Erick, which was mostly jewelry. And what few weapons she had found in Lea Monde. The weapons covered her walls, reminding her of the ancient city.

Maybe she would try to sleep. She wouldn't have to get her father up on another three hours. She could sleep for a couple hours and have time to fix some eggs for her father's breakfast. Then she could meet Erick at the library and help him with the new books.

With her mind made up, she set the alarm on her old clock and went to bed, not bothering with any nightclothes since she didn't own any.

As she fell asleep, a cold breeze wafted through her room, forcing her to pull her covers closer. She often left the window open for in case she would be using it to sneak back in.

A lone man stood outside her window, watching over her as she slept. His light blond hair swayed with the breeze, covering his bright blue eyes every once in a while.

"She has the look of the inquisitor." He whispered. "But the soul of Mullenkamp. I understand, now, the reason I was chosen."

He disappeared from outside her window and reappeared in her room. He gently brushed her cheek with the backside of his hand. She appeared so innocent to him, much like he had been as a boy. But such an innocence had faded from him as he grew to manhood.

His eyes drifted to the wall holding the weapons, lighting on a single sword, his own sword.

Looking back to her, he wondered why, when the days she lived in held weapons of more strength, did she cling to the weapons of old?

Of course he knew what changes were now in the world, the many wars fought, the many inventions, but this girl, Elli, didn't seem to belong in such a world. What forced her to long for the past, he wondered?

As he looked upon her peaceful, sleeping, face, he realized her fate. It was a fate that would save Mullenkamp and the dark, but not her. Could he damn another soul?

He would ponder this later, for now he would leave her to sleep. He faded into the darkness, leaving no trace except for a few words in Elli's mind. Live your life with knowledge, for the darkness draws near.

Sydney remained within sight of the ruined trailer, his thoughts continually flying back to the sleeping girl. He had no idea as to why he had gone to her, only that he had.

She is a fallen princess, he thought. But would she ever be lifted from her fall? Would she be freed of the prison that is her father's pain? Only a prince could do this.

"But you are a prince, precious prophet. Will you do nothing to save her?"

"Nay, lady Mullenkamp. I am not the prince to do such a courageous deed. Her prince is the boy, Erick."

"Did you not look into the future of the boy? Did you not look into his past? Only one of the dark will save her. Only one of the Bardorba line."

Sydney was silent, listening to the soft jingling of coins.

"Hearts search for love and find pain. Search for a heart which beats to the same rhythm as your own and love is found."

The jingling stopped and Sydney knew he was alone once again.

He knew what she had meant, but knew it could be directed to another.

Mullenkamp's words slowly sank farther into Sydney's mind. Perhaps it was time for him to do what he should have done years before. A warning could wait no longer than it had.

"Where am I?" Elli asked as she stumbled through the darkness. "Why is it so dark?"

"It is through darkness that your soul walks." A voice answered.

Elli stopped. Why did the voice seem so familiar? Why did she feel like this had happened before?

"Do you not recognize this darkness? It is the darkness of your own heart. Your soul has wondered it for years. What was the cause of such?"

"Who are you?" Elli called, her voice growing shaky.

"Was it a death? Or perhaps a life?"

"Answer me!" She screamed.

Elli turned to see a man with pale skin walking towards her. She could hear the swishing of the cape at his waist.

"You ask who I am, now I shall answer. I am the forgotten son of Duke Bardorba. I am the soul you longed to hear. I have come to you to give you a warning." He spoke as he slowly walked towards her.

"And the warning is?" Elli asked while trying to mask her fear.

He suddenly disappeared from her sight. She frantically looked around until she heard him behind her.

"There is no need to fear me." He whispered. "Save your fear for the creature that hunts you now. He shows no mercy, no love." He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer. "Seek me out after you have woken. I will be waiting for you with the descendent of my brother."

Elli, suddenly being reminded of a song, spoke, "And if there is a way to find you, I will find you."

He smiled and moved closer to her to whisper, "Wake now."

Elli opened her eyes. The dream was now a blur to her. Not even the man's face was clear to her, only his bright blue eyes. They seemed to burn as he spoke.

But what had he said? She asked herself. She could remember none of it, only that she had responded with the lone of a song. But what was the song?

Her father's voice sounded outside her door, bringing her from her thoughts.

She quickly jumped out of bed and ran to take care of her father before he left for work. She would worry about the dream later.

Sydney looked to the trailer. She would know as soon as he spoke the words she had given him. How long would he allow her to drift in the darkness of her heart?

She was too important for him to loose, he knew. But she was also the only chance he had. He would bring back her memory when the time was right. He song would clear her heart and damn them both.

Note: The third chapter is in progress. Actually, I'm almost done with it. Reviews are deffinately welcome.