Lament of a Sin

Remembrance

Even as I sat under the over hanging roof of the warehouse under the dim light of a streetlight. I barely noticed the time pass us by as we talked, we had told each other about what had occurred in the time we'd been separated. Apparently dad had awoken on a barge that was owned by the man who had later offered him a job and a place to stay. Dad had been saving money for travel so he could find me, but his job gave him very little in return for the amount of work he does. But what had grabbed my attention was that he also had been approached by a strange entity. Unlike the women whom I had been meeting, dad was followed by a man. He described him to be very refined looking and wealth obsessed. Dad had not been given the flask as I had been given, instead he was given a sword but as far as we could tell there was nothing abnormal about it.

"Call it the madness this place brings around sometimes this is by far one of the most odd." Dad said examining a small shadow I held out.

"Strange as they are, their useful." I said using the shadow to draw the magnum. "They also seemed to only listen to me."

"Well as long as you know what you're doing." Dad said using a hand stone to sharpen the sword.

We spent the next few hours deciding what to do, we had little money and no weight to our names. But soon we had an idea. Dad knew a few apartments around the city that where open and we could easily set up in one once we get a steady income. He had his job at the warehouse as a mover, he gave me the suggestion for me to work as a guard which was the job I had back in our settlement back home. I told him I would look around to see if any of the guard towers where open for recruits. Although I would rather work independently I knew that wasn't an option. For now we had decided to stay in the warehouse bunks for now, well he would I found sleeping in the shadows was rather comfortable. Finally having a set plan we moved back into the bunks finding the other workers still asleep.

Dad gave a smiling nod before climbing into his bunk, I returned it and sank into the cool black void.

---Wrath's Domain---

I let out a tired sigh as I fell back into the silk chair letting all the stress and worry out in a single breath. Opening my eyes I saw Wrath holding out a glass of wine towards me, this time I accepted it staring into the fire as he did. There were no words that needed to be spoken, we had managed to reach an equilibrium of sorts. I would stay with dad and either work as a guard or mercenary, dad would work his way up in the warehouse or move to greener pastures, and Wrath would be able to see and experience this new place. I knew that even though things seemed good now I would have to stay alert for anything as it was obvious settling down wasn't what I was brought here to do.

We sat there for a while before Wrath struck up a conversation. "So which way you gonna take your upcoming job? You going with the path of a righteous guard, or back to being a gun for hire?" He asked taking a sip from his never ending glass.

"I don't really know, depends on whatever find me first I guess." I answered. "I would prefer to move around and see what this place has to give, so a hired-gun is most likely what I'll end up turning to." I told him.

"If you're looking for the opportunity why not see if you can get in touch with that one merc Subtle Rose, she did offer you a place." Wrath said.

I felt my fingers touch the coin Rose had given me when we parted ways in the Hollows. It was the best choice for a job and I would already be familiar with the people I'd be working with. Pulling the coin I saw it was devoid of any marks due to this being a simple dream.

"Look around the city see if you can find anyone who knows what the coin is or see if you can find building with any similar marks." Wrath suggested, he finished his glass of wine setting it aside. "Now before you get any second doubts or better ideas, you should get a move on." He said opening the lone door.

Setting my own glass aside I moved to leave, but before I could exit the room he held up his hand again.

"Also you have a bottle." And with that he pushed me out.

---Manehatten Shipping Warehouse, 10:43 AM.---

As I slumped from the shadows in the corner of the bunk room I gave me limbs a stretch. Upon opening my eyes I saw all the workers and dad had left to their jobs. I look over to dads bed and the nightstand next to it, a single photo rested on the shelf. Crouching down I looked at the three figures that stood facing the camera, to smiling one hiding his face. As I stared at the image I felt the dusty unused strings tighten around my heart sending a single emotion, the very one I repressed and smothered, grief. All my life I had tried to burn, stab, and beat every inch of it out of me, yet even all these years later it still had a grip on me no matter how I carved and tore at it.

The photo was an old family heirloom the figure in the center was me when I was 8 and even then I was still a loner. The one on the right was dad back when he didn't try and drowned the angel and demon on his shoulders. That left the women on the left, and she was my mother...

I barely thought about her anymore, dad never brought her up. She died a few weeks after this photo was taken, and this was the only remaining photo we had that was of all three of us. It was this photo that pulled the few strings I still had, and I hated it for that. I wanted to burn the photo and bury every thought about it to the crushing depths of my mind so I would never have to feel them again. Every time I looked at it I felt the burning anger in the back of my skull wanting to bring down the world around me to the depths of hell. Yet I could never bring myself to do it, no matter how much I wanted to.

I shook my head tearing my gaze away from the cursed object. I quickly fazed into the blackness and fled the room the burning pain surfacing again, and I knew I had to let it out before it took over every inch of my mind.

---Everfree Castle---

Nightmare sat upon her throne multiple thoughts running through her head, the new addition of a father figure into her plans. She had thought the boy to be alone, yet here was an unexpected turn of events. She turned away thoughts of doubt knowing she would simply have to adjust her plans to operate around the man. As a dark glow surrounded her hand a pane of glass drifted into her few the surface shifting to show her the one she sought after. A sharp toothed grin spread on her face as she saw the child wandering through the streets of Manehatten, his body still obscured by his dark clothing.

Standing from her throne vision in town she walked to her balcony. Upon leaving the cover of the castle roof the gentle rays of moonlight shown down against her dark skin. Her blue and silver armor glinting in the light. She looked back to the glass seeing the boy still on his course out of town.

---Silas---

I felt the shadows inside my coat going crazy, lashing side to side slightly ruffling my clothes. I was sitting along the shore of the ocean a ways outside the city, being so early most people where either going to their jobs, in schools, or otherwise occupied. This meant I was alone and left to only my thoughts and Wrath's comments. The early morning sunlight glistened along the watery horizon giving the scene a more peaceful aura. Used a single tendril to skip shells along the motionless water, the patterns repeating in twos and threes. But in the end it was all pointless to me, just a distraction from a truth that hurt more than any physical wound could ever. Wrath was silent either thinking over his own mortality or simply being generous enough to leave me be.

Fragmented memories and images would slip in and out of my mind but none more so than that despicable picture. Every time it came back I felt my anger rise. I put my hands over my face trying to slow my breathing the entire time, eventually my hands stopped shaking and the shadows slowly became still. Moving them away I looked down at my hands, they were rough and covered in scars. My breath finally reigning in I picked my mask up from the ground and set it back on my face. Standing up I dusted the sand from my legs, I turned to leave hoping to find a way to contact Rose. But things are never that simple.

By the treeline, she's been watching for a few minutes as far as I can tell. Wrath warned.

Shifting my feet I turned to face her my mask once more giving it's unending gaze. I drew my scythe the glistening steel becoming infused with shadows making it radiate a dull black glow. The women knowing she was seen stepped from the cover of the trees.

I was taken aback at first by her appearance alone. Her skin was an unnaturally dark black and seemed to reflect no light at all. Her hair ethereal hair drifted behind her in an nonexistent wind, the constellations of the night sky hung within it. What caught my interests the most was the fact that she had both tattoos of a caster and wings. In my mind I knew of the two princesses Celestia and Luna, as well as Twilight but this women matched none of the descriptions I had heard.

I took a defensive stance unsure of what powers she held. This must have amused her as she gave small giggle, she then held her hands up in a calming gesture.

"Calm thyself child, we mean you no harm." She said.

We. Wrath said.

"You need not be afraid, we share more in common than thou assume." She said, a small shadowy flame igniting her hand. "We wish to speak with you, away from prying eyes and ears." She steps forward swaying her hips.

I gave a few steps back. "You can talk from there, now what do you want?" She sighed before crossing her arms.

"I understand you're in a difficult situation, financially." She said, she held out a hand and it quickly was piled with gold coins. "And I just happen to need your help."

I know you don't need me to tell you this but, it's defiantly a trap. Wrath intervened, and he was right on both accounts.

I slung my scythe on my back and turned away to leave. I saw a deep blue glow surround me holding me in place, I felt it turn me back around to face the women. She laughed as she stalked closer a silver rapier materializing into her hand, she held it to my neck.

"Perhaps you need more of an incentive." She gave a sharp whistle, multiple figures emerged from the trees each wearing a black and blue set of armor. One stepped forward it was obvious of her gender, but any other features where noticeable through the armor.

The women turned to face me, and as she spoke I felt my mind begin to crack. "How ya been Silas?"

I felt my muscles straining against the women's magic reaching for my gun or scythe but to no avail. I knew her voice I didn't need to even see her face again, it was the leader of the mercenaries I met, Subtle Rose. I felt Wrath's influence over my mind live up to it's name. I wanted nothing more than to carve her with a rusted knife and bleed her like a pig.

"What, no hello?" Rose mocked. "I know you must have a few questions, and I also still have a standing offer for you to come along with us." I noticed her armor bore a symbol of a waxing moon as did a few others, these where no doubt the mercs I had traveled with back in the Hollows.

I barely trusted my mouth not wanting to say anything, I wanted to kill everyone of them. This was the reason I never made friends back on earth, they always managed t stab me in the back. Rose lifted the grate to her helmet giving me a pouting look.

"Come on Silas, I know things look confusing but I promise this can be fun." She walked close to me wrapping her arms around my neck, I thought of biting her throat but knew I wouldn't live long if I did. "Come on, you need the money and we need a hand. All we want is one job, a simple heist." She moved back letting the shadow of a women step up.

"Well how about it?" She released her magic and I felt my muscles were once again under my control.

I wanted to draw the gun or wield my scythe but both would be a death sentence no matter if Wrath was in control. I knew how strong the soldiers under Rose's command where but none of the others. I let out a sigh clearing my mind.

"What do want me to do?" I said hissed.

The women clasped her hands together a wide smile on her lips. "Wonderful! I have feeling you'll see things differently very soon, but don't worry I promise you'll also get your reward... in fact." Snapping her fingers a small pouch fell in front of me. "Consider it taste of what you can have." She gave another whistle and the soldiers faded into the trees, all but Rose.

"Sorry to drop the hammer like this, but I hope we can still be friends when this is over." She said before she to disappeared into the woods.

I looked at the women again, she held a small letter out to me. "This has the briefing of your task, follow the instructions piece by piece or you won't succeed." She turned to leave into the trees.

"What's your name?" I called.

She turned back to me with a sharp tooth smile. "I am you're new mistress, Nightmare Moon." As she laughed she seemed to flicker and disappeared.

What did you get us into.

I ignored Wrath's comment instead I looked down at the orders I had been given. I knew if I opened the letter I would be putting me, Wrath, and dad in a possibly deadly spot. But, it was our best option and it wasn't anything we weren't use to. Using my shadows I cut the top of the envelope off unfolding the letter inside.

`Return to shipping warehouse you're father has been staying at, Silent Rose will be waiting for you, you will follow her and upon arrival to your destination she shall instruct you on your task and how you shall carry it out. You're main objective is retrieve an item of value a picture of the item is imprinted on the back of the letter. The item will no doubt be guarded and rather difficult to find, this is why I am sending Rose with you as she is a top of the line infiltrator and your new teacher.

Wishing you luck NMM.`

At least she's direct in her orders. Wrath said,

I flipped the paper over to see what I was to take. Sketched on the back of the letter was a vase, it had a deep blue base color and was lined with silver strips. The image lacked any details as to it's purpose, but I guessed I didn't really need to know. I folded the letter and tucked it into my pocket.

*Any idea why she needs us?* I asked to Wrath.

Not really, don't really know who she is either. Well other than what could be a massive pain in the ass, she tried to get into your head a few times but I did a good job at keeping her out. He said.

I made my way back into the city, I had sent a note ahead to dad with a shadows. I made my way to meet with Rose I had an idea as to where she was. The walk through the city was dull as no one paid any attention to anyone but themselves. I organized what remained of my ammo and constantly reinforced the shadows that protected me under my cloths and mask.

I don't trust any of this. Wrath said for the tenth time.

*neither do I but it's all we have.* I responded.

Soon enough we arrived back at the warehouses dad stayed at. I spotted the red eyed women sitting along the edge of the dock her feet hanging above the water. She wore a leather jacket matched wit a pair of thin black pants her grey hair hung at her shoulders, her appearance had changed since I had seen her at the Hallows. I approached her my steps silent yet she turned to greet me as a neared her.

"Guess I owe the lieutenant a drink, I didn't think you'd really agree to work for the Mistress." I noticed two flintlock like weapons where tucked into pockets inside her jacket along with a pair of daggers.

"You'd be surprised what someone who needs money is willing to do." I said.

"Oh by do I know." She grinned walking closer. "I take it you already know what your job is so I won't ask, Mistress sent me to give you a bit of help since this is your first job." She pulled map from her jacket. "The building we need to get into to get the designated item is located right here in Manehatten." She pointed to a marked building on the map, it was labeled the Museum of Ancient History. "The vase is located in the 100-200 years A.B (After Banishment) section of the displays. It's said to be a replicated piece of the Nightmare that our mistress was born from." She told me.

So where collecting pure darkness in a vase, great! Wrath scoffed obviously not comfortable with the plan, to be honest I didn't trust anything, but I've always been like that.

Rose held a small ring out to me, it was silver with an onyx winding around it.

"You'll want to wear this when you grab the vase, you don't want to know what happens if you don't" I plucked the ring from her hand looking over the shined ores. It had no runes or words it was either enchanted or the minerals themselves held other properties, I would find out either way.

"When do we head out?" I asked her.

"When you're ready, the museum that houses the artifact is having a celebration of some kind and entry is free for the whole day. Once where inside I'll let you take over and give you help if you need it." I noticed a small gun like item was tucked into her pant leg, she was ready for any outcome.

"Then let's get moving the if we grab it while it's business is peaking there's less chance of us being noticed, once we're inside I'll need you to lead me to the display. I'll make a diversion and while the onlookers are occupied I'll use the shadows to grab the vase. After that we slit up and take separate routes back here." I told her, she nodded as I talked thinking about the little details.

"If one of us for some reason is brought in for questioning what do we say?" She asked.

"If they catch you leaving say you where trying to get away from the panic." I told her.

Once again she looked deep in thought. "Alright as long as we take care of any witnesses and smaller details this plan should work. Just make sure that no one sees you grab the artifact or they can track you." She told me, I gave her a simple nod.

"Alright let's get this over with. The sooner we part way the better." As I stood I shrouded every weapon I had in shadows making them invisible to the naked eye.

"Follow me, we need to get the Equestrian Museum of National History." With silent steps the two of us made our way into the city.