Chapter 5

Something moved. Something, somewhere in the narrow corner of the room moved, Tristan was certain of that much. But what had moved and why he had no idea. Suddenly highly alert, he positioned himself close to Damon, hoping to protect the infant from whatever silent threat lay in wait. An endless amount of still minutes rolled by and there was nothing. Not willing to let his guard down just yet, however, Tristan decided it would be best if he were to examine the room in detail.

He felt a little like an idiot jumping at shadows on the wall doing it, but he didn't care. He had to be certain Damon was safe, nothing else mattered to him but that. The examination of the room turned up nothing and warily Tristan returned to his original spot of guarding. Something in him began to wonder if his half-sleepful state had been imagining things, when he saw the flicker of movement again.

This time he was determined to find out what it was. Moving cautiously forward to the spot the movement had come from; he slowly looked round, keeping his eyes focused and all his senses sharp.

'I know you're in here,' he kept his voice low but confident, 'and if you're foolish enough to even think about taking this child, I'll have you know I'm the most powerful being in the multiverse right now.'

'Liar,' a voice, his voice, sounded out of nowhere. 'You may be one of the most powerful, but you're not the most powerful. At least, not anymore. Not for a long time.'

'What are you talking about?'

'Chaos and Order. The Heirs to Light. Even their children will be more powerful than you are now.'

'So? I'm still more powerful than you,' he gritted his teeth, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

'Maybe you are,' his voice again sounded from the darkness, 'maybe you're not. After all, my powers are limitless and you are just ultimately powerful.'

'At least in that statement you've proven you're not me.'

'When did I ever say I was?'

'You're using my voice.'

The voice chuckled lightly at his statement, as though it found something about it highly amusing.

'Didn't anybody ever teach you that it's wrong to assume things? You should never assume you know what's best, because you'll always be left with egg on your face; don't you know that?'

'Assuming things isn't always a bad you know,' Tristan shook his head. 'Sometimes that's the only thing you have to keep you one step ahead.'

'Are you thinking in the sense of the business world or the world of magic; because in the latter I've never found assuming that great.'

'Who are you?'

'Who am I,' the voice chuckled again, 'that is a good question. There's been many a time where I've asked myself exactly who I am and I've never turned up a good answer. Sometimes I really think I'm not sure I know who I am.'

'You must know who you are. Even the Nameless have some sense of self.'

'I never said I have no sense of self, but my life is very complicated and my sense of self is a little… diluted right now.'

'Diluted…? I'm not sure I understand.'

'Good I should hope not. If you understood what I mean that could be a problem for me and the gods know I have more than enough of those already.'

'Problems like what exactly?'

'Too many to get into right now.'

'Do they have anything to you being Power Limitless; I mean, you are Power Limitless, aren't you?'

'I am. So, yes, I face the problem all limitless creatures face; those who wish to discredit me to stop me from becoming a threat.'

For a few moments Tristan was thoughtfully silent. There was something about the way the voice spoke which was almost familiar. Okay, yes it was definitely his voice and maybe that was throwing him off a little but… he felt as though he knew this person somehow, but he just couldn't think how or why he knew them.

'Are you one of the restless?' Tristan gave an almost nervous sounding cough.

'Ah, a question I know how to answer.'

'So… you'll answer it then?'

'I will, when I feel the answer is needed.'

'What,' Tristan couldn't help but gawk, 'surely it's needed now. I mean,' he indicated towards Damon, 'I have his safety to think of.'

'I know.'

'Then surely you should be able to tell me if I should be fighting you or thanking you for your help.'

'Right now neither would apply.'

'Why not?'

'Right now I am neither your friend nor your enemy.'

'But you are the shadow who has been stalking the grounds?'

'No,' the voice was sharp but plain, 'but the shadow who has been stalking the grounds is why I'm here.'

'You plan to stop it?'

'No, I need to follow it and I've already been distracted from that enough today.'

'What do you mean distracted from it?'

'Well… when I say distracted… I guess I mean I've been procrastinating a little. But only because I know how your little visitor would act.'

'And how did you know that?'

'I've been watching her for a while. I've been watching you all for a while.'

'Why?'

'Because I find you fascinating.'

'I see.'

'No, I don't think you do Tristan.'

'I guess I shouldn't be surprised you know my name.'

'Surprise would seem foolish on your part,' the voice had a smirk-like tone to it. 'However I would not blame you for it.'

'Why not?'

'It is only human to be surprised by the inexplicable and you are only human.'

'Really?'

'Yes, really.'

'Funny that,' Tristan sighed, 'sometimes I feel like so much more.'