Ugh… Every time I want to write something just pops up! My excuse this time? Trigonometry is not fun! I got grounded off the computer for a 'D' in the class and just now was able to bring it up to a wonderful, wonderful 71 'C'. Yay! But a 'B' would be even better… Anywho, here's chapter 17, a part one of two.
WARNING: A WHOLE LOT OF S**T GOES ON IN THIS CHAPTER SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE MENTALLY PREPARED AND HAVE SOME FOOD BESIDE YOU JUST IN CASE OF THE JITTERS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
*Chapter 17: Tendrils of Darkness Part 1*
"Oh I am so excited to go into town to go wedding shopping!" Rachel exclaimed as she quickly grabbed a flowery hat.
"I am excited for the dress shopping." Kurt said grinning widely in anticipation and happiness for his friend. "We have to find something like you. An a-line ball gown with a bateau neckline and jewels and perhaps a sash or two. Oh! And the train has to be long to match your princess-like personality Rachel, anything too short will just be an insult to you! And oh, oh! The jewelry and the shoes and the—"
"Kurt honey." Mercedes giggled as she linked her arm with the shifter's. "I love the fact that you are so into the preparation, but calm it down; you'll pass out, seeing how you got back home so late last night."
Kurt remembered the events of last night and what led up to it. He had gotten so mad at Blaine that he had to leave, he had no choice and he went to the only person he knew that could help him, Karofsky. The trip itself took a long time to reach the Karofsky estate and it did not help that he had spent a good three hours into the black night talking with both Karofsky and Sam. Kurt refrained himself from smiling at the memory of the two. It was obvious that both males had an attraction to each other but each were too oblivious to see the truth, even in their light flirting that arose in the undertone of each sentence they spoke to each other. Kurt himself could have stayed all night watching the two interact but as he promised Blaine he would be back as soon as he 'humanly' could so since his problems were already resolved thanks in part to Karofsky, he eventually had to leave to take yet another long ride to the Anderson estate. Scarlota was extremely tired the poor unicorn and Kurt himself was far too tired to even make it inside the house so he ended up sleeping beside his dear friend Scarlota until one of the guards opened the stall door in the early morning and rushed Kurt out. Blaine had become extremely worried about him, which caused Kurt some guilt but he simply let that go.
Wes spoke up then, destroying the silence which had spread due to Kurt's impending silence. "I don't mean to drive you all out but we do need to go. I believe I see Artie waiting for us outside."
The women, shifter and Wes started to move out. Finn looked up towards the stairs. "I'll go see what's taking Blaine." Finn climbed up only half the stairs until he saw Blaine with Doyle and Antoni. They, meaning Blaine and Doyle, were talking, about business no doubt, as they walked to the stairs. Finn reluctantly spoke up. "Blaine, the others are waiting outside."
Blaine looked at Finn and smiled faintly. "All right Finn. We will be out in a moment."
"'We' Blaine?"
"Yes, it would seem Mr. Sarver is going out to town as well today so he will be behind us."
"Oh… I see." Finn nodded slowly. "Kurt will not at all enjoy this." Finn added under his breath before turning and walking back down the stairs.
Outside, the three humans and shifter entered the carriage, Kurt taking his spot beside Artie. "Hello Artie." Kurt greeted.
"Hello Kurt. How are things?"
Kurt sighed softly and decided to lie to the human. "Everything is just fine, just tiring lately with the wedding planning and whatnot." Kurt paused. "What about you? How goes you?"
"Fine, fine. Still very much in love with a woman that will never love me."
"Ah yes, Brittany Peirce." Kurt said with a longing to see his bond sister. "Well you never know Artie, Brittany is a good soul and I find it hard that she might not love you. You are such a good person. I'm sure that if you were to tell her that she would not turn you down, she would at least give you a chance."
Kurt's eyes widened and he turned to look at Artie, eyes also wide. "Kurt… You speak of her as if you know her… You haven't met her before have you?"
Kurt breathed in heavily. "Yes." He said simply at first but then decided to elaborate to his human friend. "I am her bond brother as she is my bond sister. We have a connection together since we shared her mother in the breeding facility in California." Artie raised a brow in silent inquisition though a smile had grown on his face when he found out that Kurt and Brittany and bond siblings. "My mother died after a while from mistreatment and such…" Kurt answered slowly. "Since shifters are alike no matter what breed, I was paired with Brittany and raised as her brother."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Artie said immediately.
"No, don't be. I knew my mother long enough to form a connection with her that cannot be broken by death."
"Well still Kurt, I am sorry. It must have been hard the first few years of your life."
"Yes but it is in the past now." Kurt turned then and looked straight ahead, silently ending all conversation between the two of them. Artie said nothing else in understanding.
The front door to the manner opened then just as the Fafnir dragon with the whole train behind it, including the four shifters, appeared behind the comparably small horse drawn carriage. The shifter tensed and stared at the door to see Finn come out first and head to his lone horse tied by the manor. Then Blaine came out, being followed by Doyle and Antoni. Kurt breathed in sharply and glared at the two as they walking to their own carriage, not even offering a glance in the shifter's direction. Kurt snorted in response. As Blaine started to wordlessly climb into the carriage Kurt stopped him with his voice.
"Are they leaving Blaine?" The shifter asked the entrepreneur in a clipped voice.
Blaine looked up at the shifter, his eyes and face giving off a mix of emotions. "Most likely not Kurt. We are not finished with the business propositions."
"I thought so." With that Kurt straightened in the carriage seat.
Blaine sighed and looked around the edge of the carriage to look at the Mystic. "Kurt, please tell me, please tell me what I can do to fix what is between us."
Kurt, without glancing at the human, said "Get him out."
The human sighed again and heaved himself into the carriage, closing the door behind him. Artie glanced between the shifter beside him and at the carriage behind him. Artie too sighed and snapped the reigns, following Finn as he rode down the Anderson driveway. Artie did not even need to glance back to know that the Fafnir dragon started to follow him.
*Chronicle of the Mystics*
In Lima the group parked before the castle besides the courtyard. "All right people," Finn started, "Wes, Blaine and I will be heading to the pavilion in the castle to ask for any days in the spring to hold a wedding. The ladies and Kurt will be out shopping for wedding stuff. Then we'll all meet back at the Pub before we head back to our respective homes. Sounds like a plan?"
"Yes it does Finn." Wes agreed. He then looked up to Artie. "Do you think you can stay and wait here for us in the meanwhile?"
"Of course Wes." Artie answered. "Of course I will charge for the full day."
"Quite right, quite right." Wes chuckled. Looking back to the other he added "We will see you all later." The men went off towards the castle, Blaine reluctant to go.
Kurt on the other hand started to walk in the direction of Doyle's train. When Doyle came out of the carriage Kurt was there waiting for him. "And what about you Mr. Sarver?" Kurt asked crossing his arms over his chest. "What will you be doing in the city today?"
Doyle smiled faintly at the shifter. "I believe that is none of your concern shifter." As if on emphasis, Antoni materialized behind Kurt.
The shifter looked back at the vampire and his arms fells to his side. "Just know Sarver…" Kurt said as he turned his head to look at Doyle, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "I know what I'm supposed to do."
Doyle narrowed his eyes at the shifter and finally stepped away from the carriage. Seemingly ignoring the statement Kurt had said he called for the vampire. "Antoni, come. We have some sightseeing to do."
Kurt narrowed his eyes after the two as they left the train otherwise unattended but in good hands because of the dragon. The said dragon turned his head and looked down at the shifter breathing out faintly. Kurt glanced up at the dragon and opened his mouth to speak but was pulled away by Rachel. "Okay my friend, stop trying to pick a fight and let's go. We need all the time this day has to offer."
Kurt allowed himself to be pulled away as Mercedes started to talk, agreeing with Rachel. "Yes. I think we should definitely go dress shopping first since it is the most difficult. Or would we rather get the easy things out of the way like decorations and invitations and such?"
"I think we should just get the small stuff out of the way." Rachel said. "We can always wake up extremely early one day and come to Lima just as the stores open for more time. Then if anything we can…"
The women's conversation started to drift off from Kurt's conscious as he started to feel tension grow in the air around him.
*Chronicle of the Mystics*
Meanwhile Doyle followed Antoni as the vampire led them through the shadows of the castle. "Now Antoni," Doyle warned softly, "be mindful of the humans."
The vampire nodded briefly and his pace quickened, Doyle keeping up easily with the vampire. Within moments Antoni found an area completely engulfed by shadows. Wrapping an arm around his master's waist the vampire's nails extended and the vampire started to easily climb the wall with only one hand. At the first window the vampire jumped in and set down his master. From that moment Doyle took the lead, Antoni close behind him. Doyle muttered a phrase under his breath and held out his hand. Dark tendrils appeared from his hand and were slinking through the halls of the castle, leading the two deeper into the castle. Along the way they ran into a human guard. Without saying a word to the vampire, Antoni rushed before Doyle and sunk his nails deep into the human's throat. While the human gasped Antoni bit the other side of the human's neck and started to drain the blood from his body. After Antoni had his fill he continued after Doyle. The two came to a stop in front of the same statue of the two birds that Kurt and Quinn knocked into the night of the Christmas Gala. The tendrils wrapped themselves around the statue and Doyle rolled his eyes at the simplicity of it all.
"How typical." Doyle muttered as he pushed the statue back. The staircase opened with ease and Doyle went in first. The door closed behind Antoni and the lamps turned on, lighting the way up the stairs. When the two reached the top of the stairs Doyle read aloud the inscription. "Els que entren, entren per la Pau."He snickered in response. "We will see about that." Doyle placed his hand on the door and the darkness tendrils erupted from his hands and onto the door, easily knocking the door off its hinges and onto the floor inside the secret room with a loud thud.
The woman stood up from her chair with shock and turned to look at the door. She gasped at the sight of Doyle and Antoni. "You…"
Doyle chuckled and quickly rushed out to the woman, taking her arm roughly in his hand. "Yes, it is me." The woman shrunk under the grip of Doyle as he turned back and ordered Antoni. "Get us to the roof." Antoni nodded and rushed out of the room, Doyle following while he dragged the woman behind him.
"Release me Son of Darkness! You do not know what you are challenging!" The woman yelled as she is finally dragged out into the hallway.
"Oh I know exactly what I am challenging your Ladyship." Doyle replied, not offering her a glance. "I am challenging Light, hope, and above all oppression."
"This will be the fall of you, you cannot defeat—"
"Do not tell me what I can or cannot defeat your Ladyship." Doyle said as he yanked her to a stop and glared at her, Antoni automatically stopping to wait for his master. "You are nothing but a human female with divine love. You have no power!"
"I have power with Light."
"You have nothing! You once used to be The Great Lady, wife and mate to a God himself, but no longer, that bond is old, broken, and you have no power Lady Brooke." Lady Brooke breathed in deeply and held her head high, as if to disprove all that Doyle had just told her. Antoni turned suddenly and saw five guards rushing towards them. "Take care of them Antoni." Doyle commanded.
Antoni hissed, revealing his enlarged canines. He charged at them, his claws ripping through flesh and bone, and his teeth, biting through shin, eventually draining each of the guards' blood, growing more powerful with every drop of blood he steals. "Master, we must hurry." Antoni soon said, blood dripping from his mouth, chin, and hands.
Doyle started to move and with that Antoni started to lead them once again to the roof. In no time the three erupted onto the roof and they rushed to the front of the castle that looked upon the courtyard. Doyle threw Lady Brooke to Antoni and Doyle stepped up onto the ledge. Doyle started to chuckle as he looked upon the city.
"What now master?" Antoni asked as he watched his master on the ledge.
"Now Antoni is when it begins." Doyle's laughter grew louder and deeper as the tendrils from before stretched out from him and towards the sky, creating dark clouds above him. Some of the tendrils wrapped around him, hugging him and increasing his power. As his power grew his brown eyes shifted to a deep red and deep, black wings extended from his back. He continued to laugh as his true power, his true potential expanded. Below the being, humans and Mystics alike began to look up in fear as the dark clouds grew. "Too long have I sat back and did nothing." Doyle started, his voice echoing loudly in the county of Lima. "Too long have I waited in the shadows to continue my father's plans, his dreams... Too long! But not now. Now the son of the Mystic God of Darkness, Kieron, will now command and rule over all." Doyle paused, allowing the information to sink in. "Now…" Doyle then started to recite.
"Darkness spread across the land,
Taint all those with Hatred,
Let these tendrils of Darkness,
Make them all fall before me,
And worship me as their God,
May all Light be extinguished,
And all hope snuffed,
Darkness spread across the land,
Let the Hour of Chaos come!"
The sky erupted with thunder as the clouds grew quickly above the castle. Tendrils then came down from the clouds and started to wrap themselves around those with the darkest of souls. Chaos did come as all screamed and ran from the tendrils. Those caught by the tendrils would have their soul turn pitch black and have but one goal in mind, kill all those following Light. Neither human nor Mystic was safe as the tendrils spread across the county.
*Chronicle of the Mystics*
Kurt stood before Mercedes and Rachel. "Oh my God!" The women screamed.
Kurt stared up at the clouds, at Doyle, no, not Doyle. Kurt fixed instantly. "Sarver." Kurt all but growled aloud. Turning around to look at his best friends he finally understood everything, his destiny, what he was supposed to do. It was something he had known from the beginning of his life, the same thing his great grandparents knew and their children knew, all up to his mother. They knew and so they passed on their thoughts, memories and faith. Faith in the God of Light and faith in him. "You two go into the Mystic Woods."
"What?" The women asked in shock.
"You heard me go!"
"But Kurt, the Mystic Woods are behind the castle, behind that!" Mercedes tried to reason.
The shifter rolled his eyes and grabbed the women's wrists in his hands. He ran off towards the castle, pulling his friends with him. On the way he ran right into the people he was looking for. "Guys!" He called out as he literally threw the women into their respective men's hands. "Go to the Woods with them, leave them in a safe place and stay there!"
"What?" Wes yelled. "What the hell is going on?"
"Kurt, what's wrong?" Finn asked.
"Sarver is just what I thought he was. Pure Darkness. He is the son of Kieron and he's trying to take over the world."
"How do you—" Blaine started but was interrupted by Kurt.
"I know his plan because that is what his father tried to do but failed. Though this time there is no God of Light to protect us." Kurt paused and watched in horror as a Minotaur ran over a man and started to devour his skin. "I need you to run and hide."
"And miss a fight?" Finn asked. "If what you're saying is true then a war is upon us."
"It already is here!" Kurt said. "By Sarver disrupting the balance of Light and Darkness he picked a war with nature itself and nature is made up of humans and Mystics."
"Then we'll fight!" Wes said. "We won't run."
"Do we have a say in this?" Rachel asked.
"No." All the males answered at once.
"Do what you want." Kurt said quickly, his restlessness overcoming him. "Just get these two to safety first."
"Are you sure the Woods are safe?" Blaine asked.
"They'll be the only place left in the world." Kurt asked with complete and absolute knowing.
"All right then." Wes said. "We will be back. Come Mercedes, Rachel."
"But, but—"The women started but were stopped as they were being pulled away.
"Kurt!" Blaine yelled as Kurt was turning to run off somewhere.
"Where's Artie?" Kurt said in response.
"I don't know Kurt could you just listen for a few seconds?" Blaine asked in desperation.
"Blaine we are at the beginning of a war I can't—"
"Kurt I love you!" Blaine said quickly. "I just want to know if you still hate me."
"I never hated you…" Kurt said slowly. "You just didn't listen to my warning and now look." Kurt motioned to the rooftop of the castle.
"I know!" Blaine exploded. "I know…" He repeated softly. "I should have listened to you and I am sorry. But please, is there anything you want me to do?"
Kurt thought about it for a moment. "I need your permission to release the Mystics in the barn."
"What?"
"Blaine we can't do this now! Give me permission!"
"Okay you have my permission."
"Thank you Blaine. I have to go."
"Wait Kurt!" Blaine yelled once more and he grabbed Kurt's wrist and pulled him close and kissed him desperately and passionately. "I will fight with you."
Kurt was about to say no but then nodded his head. "I love you Blaine." Kurt pulled away and shifted into Pegasus, his clothing being torn by the shift. Kurt flew up into the sky and Blaine watched for a moment before he rushed towards the nearest blacksmith store.
*Chronicle of the Mystics*
Kurt reached the Anderson estate and the barn in record time. He crashed into the closed doors, stumbling on his fours slightly before charging towards the head guard of the barn. Kurt neighed and knocked the man down, hitting him slightly, only to cause unconsciousness. The other three guards came to him to attack but Kurt had no time. He shifted back, his clothing from before shifting back with him though there was a lot less fabric but he was otherwise covered, and pulled the keys off the guard and quickly moved to Scarlota's stall. He tore open the door, struggling as the guards tried to restrain him. He did not even try to speak to them, there was no time. Once the door was open Scarlota charged out and kicked and bucked at the other guards, causing them all to go unconscious. Kurt thanked her and unlocked the lock around the base of her horn. She neighed loudly as her magic started to rush out, almost instantly making her coat shiny and making everything about her glow with a faint white glow. Kurt got sidetracked for a moment by the beauty of his unicorn friend but shook it off.
"Scarlota, there's no time to explain twice the matters of urgency, free everyone in the barn." She neighed questionably but no doubt collected her magic and soon the locks of both the stalls and the Mystics' repellents and locks clicked off. The Mystics came out of their stalls tentatively and Kurt took this opportunity to stand before them and speak.
"My fellow Mystics!" Kurt called out. "Darkness is upon us! Doyle Sarver, son of Kieron has risen and started to take over the county of Lima." The Mystics sounded off in fear. "Please don't run and listen to me!" He yelled as he saw some Mystics try to make a run from it because of their newfound freedom. "I need your help! I need and army, I need you to help me defeat Sarver!"
"I per què podem ajudar?" Asked a centaur in Mystic.
"You should help me because if Sarver wins all followers of Light will be destroyed."
"And how do you know we all follow the God of Light?" An ogre asked, crossing his arms before his wide chest.
Kurt looked at him and smiled faintly. "Because if you did the moment I that Sarver was the son of Kieron you wouldn't have reacted with fear."
There was some commotion between the other Mystics as the talked about the shifter's plea. Scarlota shook her head and the tip of her horn shone with a white light. "Are you all idiots?" She spoke. "If you do not fight you will be killed, if you do fight you will also, probably, be killed but at least you did not die a coward, you died protecting your freedom, your belief, your hope for equality!"
"La igualtat?" The centaur scoffed.
"Sí la igualtat!" Scarlota spoke in Mystic towards the fellow equestrian.
That seemed to be all Scarlota needed to say as the ogre once again spoke up. "What is it you want us to do Kurt?"
Kurt smiled and glanced at the unicorn beside him, sending her a silent 'thank you' as he turned back towards the others. "I just need you to fight, to protect those on the side of Light, human and Mystic alike." The Mystics nodded and Kurt turned towards Scarlota. "But for you, and I apologize for this, I need much more." Scarlota bowed her head at him. "I need you to free all of the Royal State while sending a missatge en el vent." Scarlota neighed at the amount of work. "I know it is a lot but we need it. And i just need the state. If it is shown that the Mystics are freed in one state to fight then a domino effect will be executed. Please Scarlota..."
Scarlota neighed annoyingly but bowed her head once more. She rushed outside through the crowd of waiting Mystics, Kurt following her and then later followed by the other Mystics, and once outside she began. She spaced her legs out to give her the best footing and stability and she then started to collect her magic in her horn. All of the glow around her body moved up to her horn and it glowed brightly, so brightly in fact that the shifter had to look away to protect his eyes. She neighed loudly and reared as the power of the spells shook her body. The light exploded and spread throughout the state while the wind picked up and blew out from her current position. Kurt breathed in the wind and the message was transmited from the wind to his soul.
"All Mystics, a war is upon us. Doyle Sarver, son of Keiron, has risen and started another Great War. The side of Light and truth need your help, side with us and fight. Fight for light, love, passion and freedom, fight for everything our God of Light stands for!"
Kurt sighed. "That was a good message in the wind. Good job Scarlota." The unicorn breathed heavily and groaned. "Now it is time to fight." Scarlota groaned again eliciting a laugh from the shifter. "Sorry Scarlota." With that he shifted back into a Pegasus and he stepped out before the others. The water based Mystics pulled themselves onto the land Mystics and his small army started to prepare themselves. Once they were ready Kurt turned and stared off towards Lima. With one last calming breath Kurt reared and neighed loudly, his army behind him sounding their own cries, before he ran and flew up into the sky, the others following him straight into the first battle of the Second Great War.
I told you a lot of s**t will go down. Next chapter we kind of rewind for a bit and see what happened to the others that did not appear in this chapter, ex: Brittany, Puck, Karofsky and Sam, etc.
Please review or else Sarver will take over the world!