Chapter Two

The Lord Marshall stood on the black stairs of his royal ship, admiring his work on the planet Argon. The planet was once a fountain of sunlight and carried various peoples that created bastard half breeds they called children. But now it was a dark crevice with a sea of corpses. A grin of satisfaction spread across his lordly face as he watched his armada bring in new blood that would replenish his ranks of Necromongers. He slightly turned his head to see the full Necromongers travel down the steps and whisper among themselves like spectators at a game. His commanders stood at ready behind him with their obedient wives, the Purifier and his silent assistants trailed behind them, last came the Lord Marshall's insipid handmaidens.

"Purifier," he called his right hand man. The younger Necromonger was thin, wearing the official robes and jewels of the Purifiers and to the Lord Marshall's satisfaction, his eyes were a haunting blue. The Purifier bowed his head in formal respect.

"I've been told the people of Argon are headstrong and will not submit to foreigners." The Lord Marshall stated. "Can they be broken?"

"All men can be corrected in His eyes." The Purifier automatically replied. "The question is, how?"

The Lord Marshall grinned and turned on his heel to enter his ship and break another proud race under his dark banner.

Liam felt a strange sense of familiarity as the doors to Necropolis closed behind him. He shook his head, the only thing that could set off his mental abilities would have to be—he stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide. One of his assistants noticed his faltering steps. "My lord, is there something wrong?"

"Show me the footage of the prisoners." He ordered. The assistant gave a humble nod and led him to the podium just above the converting machinery. Liam leaned over the glowing sphere that captured the security footage. He gripped the sides of the podium as pain shot through his eyes and mind when the misty tendrils reached for him. He was accustomed to the pain, but it was the footage that disturbed him. He watched it as if he had been standing right in front of the prisoners as they were forced into Necropolis. But he wasn't searching for the people exactly, he searched for red hair. He gripped the podium tighter as he willed the footage to close in on the red headed woman who was being led away from the converting machinery and to the Quasi-deads. No. He knew exactly who the red hair belonged to. Aeon was on the planet Argon all this time, and now she was captured by the Lord Marshall and her mind would be prodded and tortured by the Quasi-deads.

"My lord, are you alright?" the assistant put a hand on Liam's shoulder, but he pushed it away.

"I'm fine. Go back to the ranks." He ordered. The assistant bowed his head once more then left Liam to confirm his worst fears.

He sped past the Necromonger citizens that were bustling and conversing about Argon and past a few commanders, but they didn't see him. He came to the doors of the Quasi-deads and thankfully no one was inside, so that meant she was locked up somewhere while the Lord Marshall decided what to with her.

"Purifier," an unfortunate familiar voice called him. It was Vaako, one of the Lord Marshall's commanders. "The Lord Marshall wishes you to see this new prisoner. She put up a fight as she was brought here. The Lord Marshall enjoys that sort of thing."

"What does he want with me?" Liam asked curiously.

"Purify her." Vaako answered simply. "She has fight in her, but the Lord Marshall likes a challenge. Break her faith, and then give her to the Quasi-deads. She is to be converted if the Quasi-deads find her a suitable breeder." Vaako started to walk away when something passed through Liam's mind.

"What will you do if she is not?" He asked.

Vaako just smirked and walked away, slightly raising the weapon in his hands to get the message across.

Liam felt sick. Sadistic bastard. Liam thought. He stood in front of the jail doors, not knowing what to do. She most likely thought him to be dead for these five years. She would not be happy to see what he had become. For a second he thought of getting one of his assistants to do it, but he shoved the though right out of his mind. He missed Aeon for five years straight and he still loved her with the same intensity since then. Whatever she thought of him didn't matter; he pushed open the doors and walked into the dark cell.

The moment he set foot into the cell, a cold blade was pressed against his throat.

"I see you stole that blade from my assistant." He said as he saw the bloody corpse on the floor.

"You'll end up the same way if you don't release me." Aeon threatened from behind him. She didn't know it was him yet.

Liam held back a grin; she was still the same old Aeon. "That's not possible." He could feel the dagger press harder against his throat.

"Too bad for you then." Aeon hissed. He could feel her arm move an inch, ready to cut his throat, but he was ready for that and put his hand over hers.

Go ahead. You've done it before, why should now be different? He spoke in her mind, teasing her.

There was a delayed reaction from her. Liam? She replied, she released her grip on the blade, but as much as he wanted to see her face, they were being watched. He still held on to her hand. Keep your hand here. We're being watched.

Liam, is that truly you? She replied again.

I wish I could talk to you with words, but if they find out I know you, they will have the both of us killed. He started to link his fingers with hers.

What do I do? I'm not going to kill you.

They will take you to the Quasi-deads. But they won't convert you until I give the okay.

Quasi-dead? What is th-?

Not now, Aeon. I've missed you for so long, but now isn't the time. The Lord Marshall wants you converted.

I'd rather die.

It's too late for death now. He released her hand. I have to leave,

No!

But I'll return after the Quasi-deads evaluate you.

Don't leave.

I have to. They're coming to get you.

Forcing himself not look to at her, he left the cell. Outside were the Lord Marshall, Vaako, and Toal. "Is everything ready?" The Lord Marshall asked.

Liam bowed his head in submission. "Yes, my lord."

"Good, Vaako, escort her to the Quasi-deads. Purifier, you know your job."

Liam gave a curt nod and went to his post in the Quasi-dead chambers.