Chapter Twenty-One: Elsewhere to Be, Yet Nowhere Found

Eckhart sat on a large branch leaning his back against the trunk of the sturdy tree. It has been two days since he parted ways with Hawkeye and his crew. And he felt restless and slightly lost. He had been so busy with heading off and doing whatever that called his attention that now that he was resting... he was bored.

"Eckhart what are we waiting for?" Umbra questioned sitting on another branch near to him.

"A sign or a Black Wing to show up so I can steal those Crystals," Eckhart replied evenly staring down at the ground and the people walking by without a clue to his presence.

"Those Dark Crystals and Dream Stones?"

"Yeah," Eckhart muttered grinning widely, "I think the Dream Stones might help the Empress. Not to mention, perhaps it's time to visit the Empress again to see how she is. And to see if they need any type of information that I could look for."

Eckhart lifted his hand to stop Umbra from speaking. He motioned towards a suspicious looking person who was constantly looking over their shoulders. Umbra nodded before flickering into darkness. Eckhart smirked allowing darkness to engulf him slipping down tin he tree's shadow before hopping from one shadow to the next following after the person.

It was a strange path that the person took. Zig zagging along and through alleyways and up levels before knocking on a non-descriptive door. It opened enough for the person to slink through before the door promptly closed behind them.

"Here are the stones you requested," the person stated pulling a canvas bag out of their side bag.

"Allow me to check before you get your payment," Captain Alb replied taking the bag and opening it.

Eckhart slithered to Captain Alb's shadow. He could slit the man's throat and be done with him. Keep the Empress safe.

"Fantastic," he marveled as he took the Dream stones out of the bag staring at each one with heated intensity, "these shall be perfect for the next attempt. However, it's such a pity."

Eckhart blinked in surprise watching in horror as Captain Alb stabbed the other person without any hesitation. That was a sharp reminder that the Black Wings were not people that had morals to hold them back. Captain Alb walked off leaving the dying person on the ground.

"Captain Alb, are you starting your next attempt?" a voice crackled over a radio that was resting on a table nearby.

"Oh if it isn't little Ryan," Captain Alb greeted sing-song, "perhaps, how goes your experiments?"

"Hmm?" A brief pause, "it is going. I heard you had a run-in with Eckhart. How did that go? Is he dead?"

"No. Unfortunately, next time, I'll make sure to kill him," Captain Alb stated putting the Dream stones down on the table and pulling out different vials and chalk.

"You underestimate him and it will be your downfall. In any case, I'll be unreachable for the foreseeable future. Thought I'd give you the courtesy and inform you."

"Hmm."

Eckhart frowned hearing Ryan's voice. The boy really was working for the Black Wings now? He betrayed his childhood friend for what? Eckhart couldn't understand it. Why would he? What does he gain from all of that?

In any case, Eckhart should really kill him and grab the stones. It's not like the Captain has noticed him so why is he hesitating? When the Captain walked around to the other side of the cabinets to gather some supplies, Eckhart stayed in the table's shadow. He reached his hand out of the shadow and grabbed the stones before disappearing back into the shadows. He traveled within the shadows sneaking his way around the base looking at different files before disappearing completely hearing the last bit of Captain Alb screaming out in anger at the lost stones.

Eckhart reappeared outside of the little town smirking underneath his mask. Perhaps, another time he'd slit that man's throat but he might need to use him for information in the future. He kept walking towards the station that had a ship that would take him to Ereve.

Umbra kept his silence. His attention was on their surroundings.

Eckhart made his way quickly through the town. Once he was on the ship that would take him to Ereve, perhaps he could rest his weary soul for a bit.

Eckhart sat back against a crate inside the ship's hull. He closed his eyes falling into a meditative state. Umbra kept vigilant watch as Eckhart rested.

The cool air felt different than before. Eckhart opened his eyes slowly staring at the familiar scenery. The ruins and the blood soaked earth. He pushed himself up slowly looking around the area.

"Zeru!"

Zeru materialized, shimmering into place a few feet away from Eckhart. His dark eyes sad and bleeding.

"You've returned though not on your own accord," Zeru whispered as the stale wind carried it over to Eckhart's ears, "Do you have questions?"

"What were you trying to tell me that one time, before Master Alec opened the door?" Eckhart questioned evenly crossing his arms as he stood on the blood soaked earth.

Zeru blinked before sighing, "Only that you've grown up, little tyke."

"You knew me?" Eckhart inquired feeling his arms drop to his sides tilting his head in confusion.

"I remember passing moments. I remember the day this land fell to ruins. I remember your escape with the little one. A baby being taken care of by a little tyke," Zeru replied calmly floating past Eckhart towards one of the big ruins, "I remember the screams and the silent tears shed in fear and horror. I remember the painting of human blood of fellow Children of Darkness. I remember the smell of burnt flesh."

"Who am I? How did I end up in Kerning City?" Eckhart inquired watching as Zeru walked around.

"You are who you are," Zeru answered turning to look at him, "You are a Child of Darkness. The descendant of Darkness. You are important."

"That...," Eckhart sighed at the not answers. Zeru was going to keep talking cryptically around him.

"Once a upon a time, I watched you grow up. Once a upon a time, I taught you the daggers. Once a upon a time, I showed you how to hide. Once a upon a time, I turned my back on you," Zeru whispered pained before releasing a long breath, "Once a upon a time, all of us were alive and happy. Now there are few and we are scattered like leaves in the wind."

Eckhart furrowed his brows at the words glancing down at the bloody ground. Why? What happened in this place? Eckhart massaged his temples in frustration. Why won't Zeru tell him what he has to do? Why does the man speak in riddles instead of saying what he means?

"Eckhart... may the Darkness protect you in your time of need," Zeru whispered putting a finger on Eckhart's forehead, "until you fully must understand... I hope you figure it all out beforehand."

"W-wait!" Eckhart screamed out jolting out of the dream and back on the ship with his hand outreached breathing laboredly.

"Eckhart, are you alright?" Umbra's concerned voice reached his ears.

"That...," Eckhart took a calming breath in order to not get to agitated at Zeru for kicking him out, "I'm alright. Just a bit of a rude awakening that's all. Do you know how long until we reach Ereve?"

"We should be docking soon. Perhaps, you should rest a bit longer once we reach the island. We have been going nonstop for quite some time," Umbra suggested gently glancing over his shoulder.

"Yeah..., that sounds nice... perhaps the Empress will spare me a place... otherwise we'll go looking for a secluded place on the island," Eckhart replied lifting up his mask a bit to rub at his eyes tiredly.