Awwwww yus the plot thickens! Action fight scenes enter! Romance! Stuff! Yeah-!

[1st Person POV: Adelia]

Heart pounding I ran. I ran like all that I was depended on it. Like the world would vanish if I slowed even by a millisecond. In my arms I held a dying light, noticing the glow fade as I booked it through the bleak and gloomy halls. He was breathing by some miracle and seemed to regain strength in the small slits of light that leaked through the dark. While that was a note to rejoice over the creeping death from the rooms of nightmares continued to slink after us. They were even more vicious since I denied them a "meal". Hungrily they drug across the uneven stone, not letting up on the chase. So, even with my bones aching and my limbs feeling like lead, I ran.

Turning down another hallway I heard what sounded like footsteps approaching. With it came something that dazzled and made my heart leap: light! It was brilliant and pure, illuminating the shadows and blanketing the grim environment. As I was going to run forward though it looked like it turned away from us, causing my heart to sink. This had to be the Guardian of Life. It had to be! I tried to fight back the despair that crept into my voice as I began shouting and calling relentlessly for help. The light came back as soon as I did. Happily I kept it up until a chill sunk through all and darkness blotted it out.

Panic rose and I went forward more, peaking around a corner to see what happened. Before me close to half way down this path was Kuroi in a form I never wanted to see or know exists. This monolith of death that stood before me was the truest form of evil. I could almost feel the souls of the dead that comprised the grotesque body. Even from behind the beast eyes bored into my own, sending shivers coursing through my spine. Yet as they gazed upon me I was not their main focus. No, the point of interest was a head and as the voice rang clear my dread only worsened. Why? Why him? Oh god why?

[1st Person POV: Autumn]

Dazedly I got to my feet, shaking my head to clear the ringing. My vision swam back into focus quickly and I gazed up at the destruction that Kuroi and I had created. What had once been an underground hidden lair was now a gouged open valley in the cold ground. The brass cages had splintered and chunks had flown everywhere, lodging solidly into their random targets. The Guardian of Death was riddled with the shining bits of metal, giving the fiend a strange glow as the soft rays of moonlight shined down on him. Yet that horrible sight gave me plenty of joy as I caught a glimpse of movement from behind him. To my delight Adelia and Garret were alive and wearily trying to sneak out while Kuroi wasn't looking. Silently the two took their staffs out of the remains of a wrecked cage and began climbing silently.

My determination renewed at this and I got back to my feet, facing the blot that loomed in front of me. From what I could tell the being of death and darkness was just as knocked back as I was. He lurched back to his feet, using his scythe to assist him. Only after all his irises were back and frontward did he seem to gain his footing. Kuroi, aware and steady, gave me a long icy glare as if he was questioning how to fight me. I'll admit I was asking the same thing, especially if our clashes lead to such ruin as that.

"You're much stronger than I predicted. Curiously so as you were never so in life or your time as a Guardian." He wheezed out.

Hoping to buy time for my friends I played along, replying, "What do you mean 'in life'? And why do you and some others call me Automne?"

This seemed to cause him to pause a second, confused I'm sure. But he composed himself and answered, "Automne is the name you had while alive. You have never remembered yourself have you?"

"I think that much is obvious Kuroi. …Did you know me? When I was human of course?... When you were human…before all of this happened?"

"Why do you care? You'll be dead soon enough. Me telling you won't save any one or thing, so why should I waste my breath?"

Now I took a pause, trying to conjure up a reason. Then I just realized I could simply turn his words on him. I said calmly, "Because why shouldn't you? If I really am going to pass wouldn't you relish it more if I fully knew who I was? How I died? I'm surprised you didn't blurt it out."

"You truly wish to know your own death before you perish again? Ha! Very well you foolish child. I, Nox, will grant you your last request!" He shouted proudly before encasing all in darkness.

[1st Person POV: Garret]

Wearily Adelia and I sat at the top of the blown out valley. Every part of me howled in pain and protest except my heart, which beat rapidly and with vigor after nearly passing. I had come around in Adelia's arms after what felt like a boom of life surged through me. We both saw that Kuroi was busy and so decided to escape instead of get in the way. It was as we reached the top, after finding our staffs and climbing, that we saw Autumn down there talking with the embodiment of death. I was about to say something when the fiend laughed and spoke loudly.

"You truly wish to know your own death before you perish again? Ha! Very well you foolish child. I, Nox, will grant you your last request." Kuroi stated with pride before cloaking the bottom of the valley in shadows.

Out of fear I jumped back, groaning from my sore self, and waited to see what was next. To my surprise a soft light began to emit from the depths below. I crawled back over and watched as this anomaly of swirls of light and dark created a dome down there. Adelia looked to me, worry clear as day, and then back at what was occurring.

"What do we do?" She asked, voice shaking only a sliver.

"We call the others. They might know what to make of this…I hope." Was the only answer my exhausted mind could conjure up.

[1st Person POV: Autumn]

All was dark for a good long moment. Then, as I gazed into the darkness, a light made itself known, shedding more and more of its brilliance. Yet I drew closer and soon discovered that this was not daylight or moonlight but firelight instead. Curiously I went forward and soon found myself in what looked like an old English town, probably about 16th century. At the center of this place was a small church with what turned out to be an orphanage attached to it. And at the doors to the holy building was a mob of disgruntled townsfolk, all shouting at the person in the doorway. Lost as to what was going on I went closer, as close as I could.

Squinting through the torches I saw it was a man, a beautiful one, in the robes of a priest blocking the entrance from the hoard. He spoke to them calmly, stating, "Please my good people. I know many of us are distraught over the recent incidents but there is no need to resort to such claims as witch craft. None of the children or holy people in these walls would dare to wander near anything of the sorts. Please return to your homes; your families miss you and are worried I'm sure."

At this the crowd shouted more, not buying what he said at all and tried to push through. It was only until guards made it to the scene that the enraged mob was broken up and sent away. The head of the group went to greet the priest, quietly saying, "Look Nox, I am sure you are being honest but I would suggest leaving town. Or maybe give over the boy; even I will admit he is beyond unnatural, especially with his odd habits."

Giving the guard a worn yet determined look he shook his head once and firmly replied with, "I will not abandon an innocent child to death all because he is different. Automne is not like everyone else but that does not give people the right to place blame on him. He is faithful and true to the Lord. Besides, I promised my friend I would watch his daughter while he was away. I cannot and will not betray either of them. Also, who would watch the church and the orphanage if I left? Forgive me my friend but I simply cannot leave. Thank you for caring though."

"Eh, it was worth a shot. Look just have you and Seraphina keep a close watch tonight okay? I'd hate to see anything happen to you two or anybody else, especially little Hilaria. The poor girl."

"I will keep my vigilance up as I know you all will. Goodnight and may God be with you." The priest, Nox, said as he gracefully bowed his head and went back inside.

Shocked I ran into the building and followed him until he found a young man starring out a window at the town. Nox approached him and sat down on the other side of the window legde.

The red haired teen looked over, gray eyes full of guilt, and he gloomily asked, "They came back for me again didn't they?"

With a sigh Nox answered, "Yes Automne but they were sent away, again. You are safe here my child."

"For how long though? How much longer will you keep the wolves at bay with only a book and kind words? You have seen the rage in their eyes father; they will turn on you soon and rip out all our throats in our sleep simply because you house me. It would have been better if you had never found me."

"Automne please. Have faith and know that it would take a great force of evil for anyone to take you from Seraphina and I. Also, please remember that I was very happy when I found you. It was a miracle you made it and life has blessed you to live in spite of everything. This will pass my dear child so please do not give up so easily."

Automne/I looked up to Nox and gave a wan smile. We embraced in a tight hug before I left to go to sleep. At that a familiar hooded figure materialized next to me, watching the two go their separate ways, Nox being greeted halfway down the hall by a lovely lady. She gave his a small kiss and walked with him the rest of the way, one hand rubbing his back smoothly and the other holding a candle. It was when the small light disappeared behind a corner that Kuroi coughed out a laugh and went to the window.

"So sweet and touching…it makes me sick. How are you enjoying things my boy?" He asked snidely.

Biting back a sarcastic response I strode up next to him and gazed outside. Carefully I calmly replied, "Actually I am enjoying this quite a bit…Nox." He flinched as I said his true name and grunted in displeasure. "Yes, even though I'm positive things are going to end terribly and probably sadly without the villains being caught, I am happy to see what my life was before. What the lives of others were once. Kozmotis was your friend, I was an orphan you found and loved against all odds, and you had such a giving heart. I also have known for a long time my feelings for Hilaria and I'm sure they were the same here."

"Well since you seem to know so much I guess I needn't show you mo-"

"Now hold on dear Nox, I never said I knew that all. It's simply a guess. One I will see the truth of." I stated simply as I turned to him. He looked at me in bewilderment and what turned out to be fear. With a loud cackle like I used to do I smiled and put my hands on his shoulders, adding, "You, my dear friend death, cannot stop me. So let us see where life and death meet for all of these people."

From there I focused my strength and mind on taking hold of this flashback, concentrating on what I knew and drawing energy from Kuroi. He howled and screamed as he lost control, cursing to high heavens and yelling atrocities at me. I kept going though, speeding the world around us we were pretty much glued together in a power battle for the ages. Just as I felt like I would burn up in the heat of the light I heard Kuroi vehemently shout out "NO" and fall back. The sudden disconnect sent my head spinning and I was woozy for a good moment. I was not disappointed however as I soon saw that we were on a hill in the dark of the night, not far from an angry loud crowd.

Breathing heavily I looked down at Kuroi, seeing clearly he lost to me. He was lying on the grass, cringing as the darkness peeled back and off of him, revealing the human form underneath. The pale hair, almost white, shined through the weakening layer of shadows and his skin was returning to its natural color. Fighting against my own fast setting exhaustion and pain I limped over and took hold of his arm carefully. Still he cried out and weakly tried to fight me as I lifted him up, draping said arm over my own shoulders. Then, wrapping my other arm around his waist I began to drag the two of us up the rest of the hill.

In a pained slur he asked, "Where are we going you insufferable nuisance?"

"To see this to the end my dear lost friend…an end we both need to see." I answered with a huff.

Quickly we reached the top and went through the mob to the front. There, tied to a pyre, was me beaten and bloodied, begging the crowd to let Nox and the others live, to leave everyone alone. Most importantly I was spewing every tear-filled apology I could to Nox who was pleading with everyone there as he fought against the men restraining him. I was being accused of witchcraft and invading and corrupting a house of God. Then I was set a flame for my sins, but not before I could shout to Nox a thank you for all he'd done for me. Yet that was not enough for the hoard. No they turned to the distraught priest, accused him of housing evil, and made him watch from afar as the church and orphanage was burned down to the ground. The screams and wails of those trapped inside carried on the wind to us. Finally, only after all he loved was killed, was Nox granted the escape of death. But as he was left out on the hill alone, with the moon shining down on him, I watched as he was chosen for his role. He was to be the protector of death and darkness. In anguish, he yelled at the sky and broke even further in his pain, calling out for his loved ones and screaming "Why me?". Sadly I watched as the once strong man raised his head to the stars again and spoke to them solemnly.

"You took away my chance to ever be with my family again. You didn't even ask. So fine man in the moon. I will take my place in your sick game and I will do all I can to make sure you meet just as grim a death as mine. For me…for them.", Nox vowed as shadows began to cloak him and hide all he was. Then he disappeared into the night.

At this Kuroi pulled away from me and staggered towards the remains of the pyre and myself. He was shaking, from anger I'm sure, but also shock. It looked as if this was the first time he had fully revisited what had happened to himself all that time ago. Slowly I walked over and watched as he helplessly stared at my charred corpse.

"…Why? Why did you do this? Are you happy!? Now you know how I came to be. Are you finally pleased you fiend!?" He yelled at me, pain and heartbreak laced into every word.

"No, I am not happy. I'm not pleased. If anything I'm sad. But you and I both need this; the truth. Look, the sun is rising." I answered, looking to the light.

He was caught off guard by my answer and also turned to the rising light. He watched as the first rays peaked over the hills and hit us. How it began healing all of the burnt skin of the body on the pyre. Soon orange hair grew in, and the purple eyes open. My clothes were remade as best as they could be and my staff was drawn from a nearby fall tree. In a confused daze I looked at the sun, speaking with her, asking who I was. Then, with a firm nod and a smile I left of the warm autumn breeze. Off in the distant city you could watch as I met up with Hilaria, sparking a friendship that would last centuries.

Kuroi watched the whole thing, his mouth agape and eyes almost going back to normal. Tears were on the verge of spilling as he saw two of his children from the orphanage turn into protectors of childhood. He was breathing rapidly as he fell to his knees, a look of agony and disgust on his face. Quietly he just asked over and over, "why?". With him finally subdued I pulled us both out of the flashback. It was time to fix all of this.

Well it is 4 am and I has almost finished the story. One chapter left folks. Gosh what a ride.