Lament of a Sin

Blood Rite

---Deep Everfree Territory---

Sitting on a tall onyx thrown covered in velvet sheets, a midnight black alicorn sat staring over the expanse of the Everfree. A knight in a more sinister version of the Canterlot Guard was kneeling before her.

"And you're sure?" The alicorn asked.

"Yes mistress, the beholders saw the entity emerge from the town after conversing with one of the locals." The knight said it's voice distorted by it's helmet.

The alicorn began to laugh. "Perfect!" She turns to her knife handing him a single arrow, the tips glowing a bright green. "That is changeling venom, one dose should put the contacted asleep for more than enough time for you to capture him." The knight took the arrow and placed it into a quiver on his back.

The knight nodded and bled into the darkness in the room. The alicorn walked to the edge of her balcony and leaned over looking towards the town of Hallow Shades.

"Only a little longer." She chuckled.

---Hallow Shades, 8:23 AM, Silas---

Slowly I felt my head clear as I awoke. My limbs felt loose and rested despite having spent the entire night on the floor. I stretched each of my limbs popping the bone. Letting out a yawn I felt something dangle out of my sleeve.  Drearily looking at my sleeve I saw a small black tendril hanging from it.

\*Yawn\* What'd I miss? Wrath's voice echoed in my head.

"Wrath what the fuck is this?" I asked him, I felt a slight pressure in the front of my head.

If that potion you drank was what I think it was than you now have more control over your other side. He explained. That or you just got the best porno prop ever.

I let out a sigh. "Fucked up humor aside, what is this thing."

As I moved my arm the tendril limply followed the motion.

Well to be frank it's concentrated evil.

...

...

"Okay." That's not something I don't think I'll ever know how to respond to.

Look try focusing on it and give it a few swings. I felt Wrath's presence regress into my mind once more.

I looked at the sagging limb, I concentrating on the base to the tip it slowly began to feel more like a part of me and not just dead weight. I spotted a small wooden statue on the night stand by the inn bed, I looked at it and then to my new weapon. Pulling my arm back I focused on solidifying the tendril.

*Chuck*

With a swift blow the statue fell in two the tendril having executed it's purpose flawlessly. On the top and base of the statue where it had been cut a slick black resin slowly bubbled before dissipating. I felt a grin creep slightly onto my face, focusing on it again I molded the tendril into my sleeve and wrapped around my arm.

Whatever that dame gave you, you need to get some more. I saw flickering images of myself covered in dark fog and numerous shadow figures swarming around me. No doubt bigger members are coming into play, I know we don't get along very well but for the sake of power and entertainment, I'm willing to lend a hand.

I looked down at my hand thinking about everything this world had to offer, and what else it had for me to take.

"Deal, we find dad first though." I told Wrath.

Alright, then get your ass moving.

I didn't bother with a response, I instead opted to leap from the window and off towards the city of Manehatten.

---Silas' Journal---

Entry Number 1

This place, Equestria, is so much more simple than earth. This is my second day after having left Hallow Shades, still I have continued to practice my control over my new appendage and the perks it brought along. the first being that I could mold it to my scythe making it able to cut through boulders and armor. Second was that it could act like a third arm, it could grab things and push things, it was also able to stretch from shadow to shadow which would no doubt come in handy. It can serve as a grappling hook as nothing so far has been able to tear it only slightly bend it. The other day I was attack by a pack of wolves, they tried to bite it but they couldn't get any kind of grip on it. This is also where the last perk comes to play, the resin the tendril leaves after cutting something, it acts like a parasite. After I had killed the wolves the resin spread along the skin and meat of the wolves leaving them all but fur and bone all the while I felt my own body felt refreshed. I would definitely be using it more in the future.

End of Entry 1

---20 Miles from Manehatten, 5:00 PM, Silas, Day 3---

Swinging from the few trees that dotted the road I flexed the abilities of my Shadow Arm as best I could making sure I had total control. Using my scope I had spotted the edge of a suburban area as well as a few skyscrapers in the distance, this place was no doubt Manehatten. The plains outside the city were vast and open save for the tall grass. I had kept to the road but after a pack of wolves and a highwayman I had decided to travel in the trees whenever possible, but ever since I left the woods there had been only trees dotted around the area every so often that it was only ever so little I was safely off the ground.

Now from my current perch I saw only a few trees dotted away from my path and none more towards Manehatten, I would have to walk. Jumping from the tree I slammed into the dirt sending shadows and dirt up in a small huff. What ever my tendrils where made form had changed me in more ways than I could see, a very useful and interesting way is my ability to divert my force from a long fall into a pulse around me saving me from a fall of any height. I stood up dusting my coat, before scanning the field around myself. Nothing was out of the ordinary but I had learned the hard way that things in this world are far more twisted than you may think.

Content with my surroundings I began to move forwards again. The only sounds to keep me company was the calm wind blowing the tall grass and the rhythmic thump of my boots on the dirt road. Wrath had been quite mostly telling me if I was unable to use a certain technique and how to correct myself. Thankfully he was keeping his snide attitude on the low, he had been ever since meeting that woman. I knew he wouldn't answer me if I asked him directly why that woman was so special, I'd have to wait for him to tell me or find a way to make him tell me.

Hey snap out of it.

Pulling my attention back to the area around me, I felt something was off.

"Any idea what's nearby?" I thought.

Undead, although these ones seem... different. Wrath told me.

I drew my scythe the handle and edge of the blade covered in shadows. I felt the wind die down, yet the grass still swayed and ruffled. My pace had slowed my ears attuned to all disturbances.

"Wrath what are you talking about."

"Lonely"

*CRACK*

The sound of the .44 silence the area. I felt the shadows along my arm boil as serrated spines branched from the sides of my arm and scythe. As I built up the shadows into a layer of armor I noticed the entire field had become completely silenced.

Duck!

Slamming into the ground a rotted figure flew over me, on landing the corpse caught itself with an unexpected skill. On all fours it launched towards me again. I drove my fist forward the necrotic shadows on my arm cleaving it's let arm and torso from it's body. This time the corpse skid to a stop before righting it's self. It charged again flailing it's remaining limb, I grabbed it's arm and using it's weight and momentum flipped the corpse end over end and onto it's back. Before it cloud spring to it's feet I rammed the blade of my scythe through it's skull. Decayed chunks of flesh and bone splattered from the wound.

Standing over the empty husk the shadows slowly crept over the gore that had covered me and onto the undead being devouring what was left. I felt my own body grow more dense with muscle and my stamina steadily grow. A few moments later I felt better than before, my shadows solidify as their black tint becoming less transparent. A subtle yet twisted grin spread along my cheeks. I looked around the field this time more aware of the sounds that shouldn't be. I could count at least two more in the grass both unaware of my presence. Listening two the two corpses I determined which was closest, with a crooked grin on my face I lowered myself and darted into the grass.

I felt my eyes burn with a strange painless heat, and as all color bled from the world I saw the pale outline of the next corpse a few yards ahead. It seemed to have heard me but it couldn't get a fix on me. I brought my scythe behind me primed to strike. arcing wide the scythe's dark stained blade impaled into the spine of the creature. It let out a low gurgling moan, it tried t turn around swinging it's arms from side to side unable to move. I drove my arm into the base of it's neck pouring shadows into it's veins, it's body twitched and writhed as the shadows ate their way from the inside out. It's limbs slowly corroded into black flakes and were taken into the shadowy mass.

Again the euphoric sense took over, I let out a deep chuckle. Using my sight once more I saw the last figure standing a fair bit away. It didn't matter though, I glided over the ground but as I dew closer my pace slowed. No more than a couple yards from the last figure did I stop. Through the colorless void I saw through I made out the smallest of the three creatures. It was a young girl from what I could make out, one her back was a pair of small wings their color lost through my sight. The small girl's corpse shambled through the grass simply trying to be. It had no purpose this I knew, and from what I has seen in this world I doubt that this was the worst fate one could succumb to. Even though I had see this for most of my remembered life that didn't stop it from hurting, it was this feeling that had been with me sense I could remember. I had always known of the void that came after death and the cruel twists of fate that plagued the world of the living. But even after everything I have seen, the only thing that reminded me of my own mortality was seeing something so innocent and undeserving of such a fate be turned into something from a nightmare.

I stepped from the grass and released the shadows from my eyes. I felt the sensation of remorse and disgust for having done to those people, I was no better than them if this is what I had to resort to. The girl couldn't have been any old than 6 yet here she stood caked in blood her eyes devoid of any life or meaning. She turned to face me, and slowly shambled closer, around her neck was a small locket. I felt the weight of grief grow on my shoulders as my mind finally pieced together what had happened before I had come. This girl was a daughter to a loving mother and father, until one was bit. They didn't want to leave their kin behind, and their final act as a family had cost them their lives. I was only a tool that added a much more grim and melancholy feel to an already bitter end. I looked at the shadows that swayed in an ethereal breeze, they clung to my arms like vines.

Focusing I pulled them into my coat and out of my sight. The girl was only a few feet away now, her bloody dress hanging loose in the wind as she stumbled along the torn edges. With a stuttered breath I moved forward, and slowly wrapped my arms around her. I felt her try to bite through my coat but her teeth had long since fallen out, and now she simply squirmed in my arms.

"Forgive me." I whispered.

*CRACK*

---??? Perspective---

The knight watched as Silas pulled the trigger ending the misery of the creature, as the corpse fell to the ground he watched as Silas plucked the locket from it's fallen form. Silently the knight watched the events unfold, he to having made sense of the tragedy. Although he was nothing more than a construct of magic and metal, he to was once a living being and he to still knew the pain of watching a victim fall to the cruel hands of fate for no reason other than simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. While he gave his thoughts to the departed family, he knew he still had a mission. Carefully he raised his crossbow, the poisoned dart glistening in the afternoon light.

With a silent whistle the bolt hit it's mark and pierced into Silas' side. With a cry the boy was on his feet scythe drawn and blot removed by the shadows that now surrounded him.

"Get out here so I can tear you apart!" Silas shouted.

The knight's mind a buzz with distress. the bolt should have rendered the target unconscious within seconds, yet this was not the case. Seeing no other way out the knight rose to his full height well above the tops of the grass and drew his sword.

"Child, you will come with me!" He ordered. "My Lady Nightmare Moon has demanded your presence, and her demands shall be met!"

The shadows began to move faster fueled by Silas' building anger.

"Your lady can burn in the ninth ring of hell." He raised his scythe shadows swarming the razor like edge. "But I'll be sure to send you first."

Bloodshed inevitable the two opponents charged one another, each with a purpose to push them forward.

---Everfree Castle---

Looking through a large glass Nightmare watched the events unfold, her two pawns clashing steel against steel. Regardless of who should win, she had gotten all the she needed for the encounter and had plenty of souls to send.

"You can run and fight child, but you will be at my side soon enough." She could't help but giggle as she filled with mirth knowing her plans where finally coming into motion, and progressing far better than she could have hoped for.

---Silas---

With a heavy swing I drove my scythe into the arm of the knight, the metal of his body unable to withstand steel and shadow. In return he rammed the hilt of his sword into my chin jerking my head back and shoving me to the ground. Taking a stance I threw a tendril out wrapping around his arm, with a tug I pulled him off balance and myself towards him. I punched his shoulder guard rending the metal from the it and severing his connection to his arm leaving it limp and useless. He swung again but slower with one hand, I ducked under it kicked his chest plate denting the ribs. Before I could recover he gave another swing this time catching my thigh, a stream of blood poured from the wound my shadows moving my most coat to mend my leg.

After they moved I knew my stomach was now vulnerable, I moved farther back from him. Seeing an opening the knight's energy formed body brightened. his mouth guard opening a gout of blue flame washed over the field setting the grass ablaze. I moved into a more open area the fire forming a ring around us slowly closing in.

"Surrender child, my lady wants you alive but she can always bring you back if need be." I watched as his limbs slowly melded back together. My own scratches and bruises where healing but far slower than his. I felt my breathing grow ragged, the last rays of sunlight the glinting of my scythe and his armor.

"I told you... before... you and her can burn in hell!" I gasped as the smoke and fires closed in driving away the darkness as well as the last few breaths I could draw.

The knight huffed. "So be it."  He marched closer the fires having no effect on him, he raised his sword high but before he brought it down time seemed to slow before coming to halt.

You really gonna go out like this kid. Wrath's voice rang out, sounding like a parent disappointed in their child for making a wrong choice. You still gotta whole other world to see, you still have to find your dad, and find that woman and her associates. As I listened to him I only thought about how much I didn't have to do those things, I had no real purpose not now, not ever.

*Just go away, I'm tired alright. This is the only time I will be able to die a death that isn't meaningless or at least boring.* I swear I heard him smack his face.

Listen here kid! I haven't stuck with you all this time just to watch you die without knowing shit about a whole other world, hell a world with magic and monsters. After we survived hell on earth and made it to a place like this I am not just going to let you throw all that away. Now, get up and act like a fucking man for once in your life! I felt my fists clench. Looking up I saw the knight still caught in time. I pushed myself to the side slowly as time began to regain it's pace. His sword dug into the ground, seeing his side open I swung again my scythe taking his left arm off completely. Before he could pull it out I set a volley of shadows into the energy that held him together.

I felt them slowly drain him, as my own body was repaired. The shadows while they wouldn't kill him had stopped his regenerative properties. Both of us stool our full height the field evened, I saw his arm begin to ignite in flame. I drew the .44 sending shadows into the heads of the bullets. I readied my scythe and dashed forward, the knight charged in return. He lunged with his sword out, I pulled left firing a round into his helmet. Punching clean through the bullet made him grab his head in pain. I grabbed his arm sending more shadows into him. He grabbed his fist into my gut knocking the air out of my lungs, he swung his sword at my chest. My shadows took the brunt of the force but I still felt a few ribs crack. firing two more rounds into his chest I saw parts of a glowing crystal sheltered by his armor.

He took a more defensive stance his one arm holding his sword in front of his chest. Using the shadows to load the chamber of the .44 I took notice of how few I had left, I could count at least two more full chambers before I was out. I holstered he magnum instead sending shadow spikes along my arm. Opening his mouth he sent out more flame forcing me to move, the fire now only left us a couple yards from the center leaving us to only have a few feet to dodge. I moved quickly to his left whipping his side with a tendril, he cleaved the shadow only for it to reform. Throwing my scythe into his shoulder I pressed my feet into his side. He writhed trying to throw me off, I slowly pried his arm from his chest. With a loud clang his last means of defense fell, he was done.

He stumbled back as I took my stance again. He looked to his missing limbs, accepting his fate he sunk to his knees. I slung my scythe on my back no more need of it. As I walked to him I heard him sigh.

"Before the end, may I have the name of my opponent?" He asked calmly.

I reach through the gap in his armor and gripped the crystal.

"Silas Clayton, and you." I sent my shadows along my arm.

"Cataclysm." His crystal became a dark purple, cracks spread along it's surface, and then it broke. Without a catalyst for the energy the fire in his armor flicked out like a candle and his armor collapsed into a heap of metal. As I stood I felt the cold touch of a few droplets of water pour down from a quickly gathering storm.

"Hey down there!" I looked up to see a group of flyers punching clouds causing theme to release a heavy down pour which quickly doused the flames. I quickly sent my shadows into my cloths, two of the flyers landed a few feet in front of me. "Hey are you okay kid, we say the fire from the city?" He asked worried.

"I'm fine, the cause has been dealt with." I said, I glanced over to see the pile of armor now reduced to scraps by the shadows that chewed away at it.

The man looked skeptical but his suspicion turned to worry at the sight of the burns and scratches on my arms and coat. After explaining to him I was fine we reach a compromise of me following him into medical chariot. While I wouldn't need any medical aid my eyes felt tired from the trip and the strain I put on my powers and my body. Before I knew it I had fallen asleep in one of the cots, my mind fading out as soon as my head rested on the pillow.

---Wrath's Domain---

I was pleasantly surprised that Wrath had changed his taste in music. I took my seat across from him finally giving my mind a moment to rest. I saw Wrath sitting in his chair still drinking his glass of wine, his eyes were closed his ears simply taking into the sounds of the music. I followed his lead and simply let everything in my world be.

"So what's the plan after we find your dad." Wrath spoke, eyes still closed.

"Don't know, try and find a way to bring the rest of the settlement here. Settle down and find a nice girl maybe, finally be a real family. Maybe just end it all knowing we managed to escape hell and find a paradise." I simply listed off a few thoughts.

"What about the broad you met at the bar?" He asked

"Little quick to judge her so harshly there. But I don't really care about her or her employers plans." I said, Wrath seemed to be in thought on something.

"I could tell right off he was kinda like you and me, a voice in another body. Only thing is her voice took her body whole." He said, I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Your kind can do that?" I asked cautioned as to how close I was to him.

"Only if our host has a weak mind, so you ain't got nothing to worry about." His unintentional complement was reassuring but I was still going to be on my guard. "But back on topic, there was something... off about her. It was like she could read you, and for all we know she was. I saw her eyes moving all over you like a dog to a chunk a meat." He leaned forward looking into the rooms fireplace.

"You said she as like us, having two entities in one body. Just a thought but maybe her employers are like us as well." This statement seemed to trouble him more.

"As much as I hate saying this, I don't know. For all we know her employers could be like us, or something much, much worse." He sat back finishing his drink. "Well I think on it a bit more, for now you gotta wake up. Also be careful, I have no doubt more trouble is gonna find you pretty quickly from now on."

Standing up I turned around and left the room.

---Manehatten Coastal Medical Facility 7:23PM, Thursday---

Light slipped through the cracks in the curtains slightly lightening the room. Lifting my head I looked around to see an IV drip attached to my arm, but little else. I also happily noticed I still had my clothes and mask on. I pushed my self into a sitting position letting my head head adjust. I saw the time on a small clock on the wall.

*Damn how long was I out?*

For quite a bit there, don't know how long exactly. Wrath's voice rang out. You'll want to get moving, I feel something off about this place.

*Off how?* I asked

I can feel something very strong close by, the reason this is getting to me is because I haven't felt another life force other than yours, yet I can feel this one clear as day. He told me.

I knew something was off when it worried the voice in my head. With a slight haste I gathered all my gear which had been set aside to a corner. Carefully I pushed the door to the hall open, looking both ways I saw a few doctors and nurses at the very end. I walked to them and as I drew closer a nurse spotted me. With a light smile she picked up a small clipboard and glided over, and I mean that literally, on her back was a pair of dull white wings.

"Hello sir, I take it you're feeling well?" She asked checking a few things on the board.

"Yes I am, may I ask where I am?" She looked puzzled for a moment.

"Ah yes you're the one who was brought in from the fire outside of town. Well sir you are in the Manehatten Coastal Hospital, you were admitted here after a few of the local firefighters found you in the middle of a fire that covered a large section of the fields." She glanced at the clipboard. "We tried to help as best we could but we couldn't get your magic to let us help you, it would lash out when any of the doctors tried to remove any clothing."

"That's normal," It was a lie but I wasn't about to tell her the truth. "It's was healing me and must have thought you wanted to do the opposite, in regards to medical treatment I take it I'll be needing to sign a few things."

She smiled and shook her head. "Nope, the man who brought you here signed you off so your free to go." Another doctor down the hall called for her. "I have to go, the exit is down the hall and to the right." She flew past to aid her associate.

I wondered if I had to pay any kind of bill but she didn't say so, and I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. So instead I followed her directions and left the facility. Outside a light rain washed over the city, while the sun shown through in small patches but those where soon covered by clouds. No one walked the streets except those inside their cars. It was strange to see a remade version of the old Ford T-Models, they had now engine compartments only sleek designs that gave them a flowing and subtle design. As I walked through town I saw people giving me looks from the windows, my pale mask constantly glaring back. I saw a sign a ways down the street, it was a simple hotel but it would do. I looked at the street next, while there where no people walking the street was a buzz with cars and freight trucks.

You're kinda slow on using your powers, just grab a lamp and sling across. Wrath said, patience obviously no existent.

"I may not know a lot about how those casters work but their magic and my powers seem to work quite differently, also I'd rather not drag any attention to myself." I said aloud.

I heard Wrath sigh. Walk into the alley behind ya, I'll show you a neat trick.

Following his instructions I walked into the shaded alley nothing but the vague outlines of trash could be seen. "And now." I said the scent of wet trash making me feel sick.

Think about the ally next to the bar and close your eyes.

Upon closing my eyes I felt the familiar silk touch of the shadows. I felt them pull me but I didn't know where, I felt everything around me fade before settling. Opening my eyes it was still too dark to see but the smell of trash was gone, instead the smell of alcohol took it's place.

Wow that worked, I half expected you to get dragged under. Wrath said, I chose to instead ignore him. I walked from the alley the rain pelting the glowing sign above the entrance. I made my way in the warmth of the bar, inside the air was heavy with alcohol and sweat. Looking around I saw many types of people, flyers, mages or caster, sphinxes, minotaurs, and a few new races. But I wasn't here on a social call. I walked to the bar counter taking a seat at the far end, I tapped on the bar a couple times getting the bartenders attention.

"Yes sir what can I get for you?" He asked with a friendly tone.

"Something strong, also I was wondering if you've seen this man." Taking out a few bits and an old photo from my pocket the man took both.

He looked at the photo for a few seconds before grinning like a madman. "This fuckin' guy. Hehe, ya i saw him. He came in a few nights ago, looked like he took on a manticore bare handed. He was fine but boy was he tired. He nearly fell asleep in his chair, but after a few drinks he gave everyone in here that night a pretty interesting story." He took a bottle from off of a shelf and handed it to me. "He said he was lost and that he wasn't from here, he talked about some kinda outbreak and how him and his boy, whom I guessin' is you, where fighting through it and that you two got split up."

It felt like I'd been wearing a lead vest, but if what this man said was true than I wasn't far behind from finding him.

"Do you happen to know where he is now?" I asked taking a swig of the drink, I could feel Wrath try to grab my attention but I suppressed him needing to here what the man had to say.

"If he's still there I think he went to the community bunks by the port, said he'd be gathering a few bits and heading out looking for his boy." He pointed to a spot on a map on the wall, on it was a large warehouse. "If you wanna catch him you're going to want to get a move on."

Thanking the man I all but sprinted from the bar. Wasting no time I had my shadows pulling me to the roof tops.

About time you let me get a word in. Wrath spoke up.

*Shut up, we're this close and if anything happens I'm taking it out on you.* I hissed back.

I check the airspace to find it void of any flyers and the rooftops where mostly slanted and no one was on them. I spotted the port a few blocks east, I took haste in using the shadows to propel me across the gaps between roofs and over brick chimneys. I tried to avoid and lights or open areas as best I could the clouds and rain making sight for any onlookers near impossible.

Listen kid I sure as hell am liking the peace and quite right now but something isn't right you have to take a step back, and I know you know all this is just leading to some bullshit twist. Wrath sighed frustration coating his tone, I felt his grasp on my mind tense forcing me to slow down. I know you want to find your dad, but take a moment and not just charge in like we do every time for everything else.

I halted my advance on the top of a bare chimney.

"How can I stop now.?" I hissed. "I know this looks wrong in all angles but this is our first real lead trap or not." I looked to the docks, they were only a few buildings and jumps away.

I know the connection you and your old man have to Manhattan, cheap knock of or the original, but this is too perfect in timing. I mean what are the odds of you spit balling a location to head to and the first shady bartender says he knows your dad is the first guy we meet? Fuck, I thought you had more than just grey matter in that thing you call a skull. Wrath finished his rant almost panting even though he was in my head.

I tried to tell myself he was wrong and that for once in our life we managed to not get the half ass end of the deal, but the more I thought about it the more right he seemed. I wanted to beat my head against a wall for being so dumb,

"Than what!?!" I growled. "Is there a way to know if my dad is in the city? If so you had better tell me." I gripped the handle of the magnum. But as quickly as I had I let it go, with no control Wrath took control and grabbed my neck.

Calm down you psychotic little maniac! He barked, I felt control slip back and took my hand of my neck gasping for air. No I don't know how to check if he is really here. But you do.

I was confused. "How, I can barely control the shadows with you and we don't have any other means to contact him?" I asked

I felt a sense of comprehension inside my head. You know your old man better than anyone alive here or back home. Instead of looking at people life look at their personalities.

If I could hit him without hurting myself I would for not giving me a straight answer. I thought about what he said for a while, thinking about dad and what he was like not understanding how this could have helped me.

*Wait, look at their personalities.*

Standing straight, I closed my eyes. As they opened I saw the shining lights of souls even through walls, looking in every direction I saw a the sparks that indicated the burning soul of a person or animal. I saw a lone spark sitting in a building to my left, the light was a plain silver as all of them where. I stared at it for a long time focusing on not just it as another soul but as an individual, a person with thoughts and emotions. Barely noticing the change the silver light then took a soft yellow glow, looking at it I could feel a sense of wisdom and strength of will.

Took you long enough. Wrath said breaking the silence.

Letting go of the power I saw through a window the person I had seen was an middle aged man, he sat in a thick coated chair a single book in hand and a small lamp his source of light in an otherwise dimly lit room. I remembered knowing not just who he was but what he was like. His name was Professor Star Sparkle, an astronomer here researching the local night sky constellations. He had a wife, a son, and a daughter whose names where unreachable. He was a smart man with four degrees in varying fields, he was also a family man and respected by the community.

Now that you seem to have this down pat, try narrowing you search to anything you  can think of that reminds you of you dad. Wrath instructed.

I let memories of dad as far back as I could remember drift though my head. Slowly I saw sparks fade away as only the ones that matched my memories brightened. I turned my gaze towards the docks, along the waterfront only 4 lights stood out. Two dots where out at sea the other two rested inside of a large warehouse.

If it is your dad in there than this has to be a trap, Wrath said.

"What do we do then, if they have him then they either know us or dad's already managed to get into something pretty deep?" I looked at the outside of the building. The walls where made from what looked like iron supported by iron beams. I jumped across the last few buildings until I look down on the large door that was wide open showing the surprisingly bright interior. Fading in and out I stood by the edge of the door the low outside light and rain my only cover.

Once where in there the only shadows that will have your back are the ones on your back. Wrath warned, I glanced around the door looking for any shadows only finding small pockets that wouldn't hold me.

"I just have to be quick about this then." using the shadows inside my coat I formed sharp claws at the tips of my fingers. Digging them into the walls I made two more on my boots, digging them in next. Slowly I scaled the wall until I was on the roof, I made my way towards the light. Releasing the shadows from my eyes I was a single door below me leading to the room. Dropping down I made a cushion below muffling any sound. Slowly fading through the cracks in the door I appeared inside.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck raise as I saw a the single soul shine above the many others in the room. I let my vision fall, I saw a few other workers also asleep in the room. But I look towards the one who's figure was shrouded by blankets. Slowly I walked towards him. I kept my shadows at the ready, the entire set up was too perfect. I soon was crouching next to the bed, sending one of the shadows to grab the covers and peeled them back.

My breath caught in my throat, even Wrath was dead silent. Laying on the cot was the man who had taught me all I knew and kept me from falling apart, on the cot was my father. His breathing was calm and collect a sense of calm seemed to surround him. With twitching hands I gentle nudged his shoulder drawing no reaction. I gave him a light shake, he mumble but remained asleep. I shook him once more but slightly harder. This woke him as he gave a tiered yawn, eyes not fully open.

"Christ whoever you are you better walk right back outta here, I know work doesn't start this early." He says quietly almost falling back asleep.

"Would your own son be an exception." I said.

His eyes snapped open as he quickly sat up on his bed, he blinked a few times finally seeing me. His lower lip trembled as he slowly reached his hand out, he pat my shoulder unsure if I was real.

"S-Silas, boy is that you?" He said shakily.

I placed my hands on the mask slowly pulling it to the top of my head, revealing my scarred

"Yeah, it's really me." Without another word he pulled my to his chest wrapping his arms around me.

"Thank god." He said I could feel his tears fall onto my coat.

Nice job kid. Wrath said as I felt his presence slip deep into my mind.

I had done it, I'd found him and we we're alive and better than either of us would have ever thought.