Lament of a Sin

by Gold Cog

Rating: mature
Tags: Adventure, Dark, Human, Sad
Length: 21162

Corpses walk free and the living flee, the end, the apocalypse, judgment day these are but a few terms people use as of June 12, 2025, only months after the vaccine for the most recent Flu mutation was distributed by the CDC.

[Humanized Characters: Magic and wings still present.]
Corpses walk free and the living flee, the end, the apocalypse, judgment day. These are but a few terms people use as of June 12, 2025, only months after the first cases were reported by the CDC everything we knew collapsed around us. When it first hit the major cities, no one though the infection could spread like this, and that is what lead to the collapse of very major city in the US in only a few short days.

-Survivor of the Atlanta outbreak.

Message Begin

"Attention, to anyone within range of this broadcast. I am Silas Clayton "19" I am with my dad Vincent Clayton "43" we are a part of a band of refugees from the initial Utah outbreak, we're settled in a safe zone open to all survivors. The area currently unable to host the virus, this area is located at the checkpoint camps of the Rocky Mountains. The current date is November 5, 2027 I am currently on a search and rescue for any survivors in the area if any one can hear this message go to the base of the mountains, we have patrols searching for you who can help they have food, water, and medical help… We hope you can hear us and we hope you can reach us. This message is set on loop follow it until you find us."

End of Message

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-07-27 08:02:04 UTC

Chapter 1: The Hierophant

The Hierophant

The smell of rotten meat and pus filled the air, the smell drawing my attention like a beacon. I stared at the mutilated corpse at my feet my scythe dripping with the putrid blood of the thing at my feet, a small grin split my face. After what felt like ages the sound of more corpses roused my senses again. Turning on my heel I faced the two shambling husks. I could feel my grin grow to new widths. Taking a few steps forward I charged into a sprint my weapon held over head. With a single swing I felt my blade meets it's target the sound of bone and brains being rend sounded like music. Pulling my scythe from it's skull I spin on my heel, my scythe flying long and cleaving the head clean from the second aggressor.

I stared with glee as the headless body fell to the ground blood poured from it's open wound. With morbid curiosity I dealt one more blow to the body's spine, then another and another giggling like mad I began to hack the corpses to nothing but chunks. By the end of it all my whole body was bathed in red, I looked over my work once more proud of it.

"Silas! Where are ya boy!?" A voice pierced through the quiet. I felt my smile turn to the source of the noise, a few moments later a tall tan skinned man stood in the door to the room I had made a slaughter house. He looked at the blood covering everything and my cloths new dye job.

"Ugh, did you remember to take your shots?" He asked, with a quick motion I withdrew and empty syringe from my pocket.

The man let out a sigh of relief. "Good I don't need you losin' it out here." He walked over and pat my shoulder.

"We've been doin' this a while now dad, I know how things work." I said, my father Vaughn Clayton always worried I would let my urges take over. Sometimes they would go a bit over board by normal standards... but I never really care for standards anyway.

The next moment I found myself following my dad through the rows of empty shelves of what had once been a supermarket now an almost empty shell. I could feel the familiar weight of canned goods and water in my backpack, we had just finished our scavenge and were heading back to to our tent village in the mountains. I let my eyes flow over the shelves making sure I had picked them clean for what could be used.

"Find anything good today?" Dad asked striking up conversation.

"Mostly food, and this." With a dramatic flourish I drew out an old .44 magnum revolver, the metal of the gun was still clean as if preserved. Dad smiled and pat my shoulder again, I couldn't help but examine the weapon revolvers being a personal favorite even a .357.

As we left the store I caught the darkened for that is my reflection in a broken mirror. My midnight black trench coat hung to the tops of my feet the sleeves cut at the shoulder showing my two well toned arms. A pair of black boots adorned my feet they were coated in the red stains of corpse blood. A white face mask covered my grim features from any onlookers. And last a short wide brimmed black hat covered my head the shadow keeping my eyes hidden from the world. My cloths were slightly torn at the edges but other wise still intact.

Outside the air was cold and the wind scratched at my face, the once nice town of whatever the hell it' called now lay a ghost town. Buildings covered in graffiti, windows busted out, corpses lining the streets, and cars lay abandoned and rusting. To most people this would be a sad image one of mourning and grief, to me, to me it looked liked an infinite opportunity to express my inner being. As well as the inner beings of others.

I climbed into the back of an old Dodge Ram my father climbing into the drivers side. I slide the window open and handed him the food we had collected, but kept the gun at my side.

"It should take us a few hours to get back to camp, go ahead and get some rest for now 'kay boy." Dad said from inside, I nodded and settled down against the side of the truck bed still twirling the gun on my finger. Soon I felt my mind settling down and not a minute later, fell into the wonderful land of dreams.

I could see images, memories of people, they we smiling and walking in what looked like a park the location was unfamiliar to me. With and empty gaze I watched as the family walked the path. The mother held the sons hand they were talking but their words fell on deaf ears. The father held a video camera, I knew these people the man was my father back when he was younger ad hearty, I was the small child smiling without a care in the world. The women... she was my mother I can't remember her, at all, nothing even pops into my mind as if she had been erased from my mind.

Everything went blurred and the scene changed. The next instant I was looking at a crime scene, my father sat next to me a blanket draped over me. Two stretchers carried two body bags into an ambulance, I looked at my own expression. I was the same one I had now, empty. The memory went out of focus again then it went black.

"Silas wake up." Dad was shaking my awake, opening my eyes I saw the concerned look on his face. "We got raiders." He said motioning to something on the other side of the cabin. Peaking over the truck I saw a camp a ways down the road.

I could all ready feel my scythe cleaving them apart. Leaving the truck behind I flanked to the left of camp dad went right. I must have slept for some time as the moonless sky gave us the perfect shroud. As we came closer to the camp we could see men sharpening crude knives and pounding nails through wooden bats and boards. I looked across the camp to see dad taking point in the top of a tree his hunting rifle trained on one of the raiders. By this point we knew how to take care of guys like this.

With tempered skill I silently walked up behind one of the men a rail spike in hand., he was looking over a skull still covered in blood. I felt no sympathy for anyone, but raiders just give me an excuse to kill them. I cupped my hand over his mouth and before he could struggle I rammed the spike through his throat blood flowed down his chest. Silently I withdrew my weapon and laid him on the ground. I heard the small pump of dad's rifle and heard a body fall a short ways to my left. Looking around from behind cover I saw we had yet to be noticed. I moved away from the light of the many camp fires and circled around.

As I a got to the other end of the camp I saw a cage, inside were dogs infected ones, the fur was missing and bits of flesh had been scrapped off. They were barking and bouncing inside their cages creating plenty of noise, taking advantage of this I got closer to the men. I could see their leader sitting on a throne made from junk and topped with skulls, your classic raider asshole. In total 8 men sat around the bonfire, all of them were armed with automatic weapons and blades. It was gonna be a fun night.

Keeping to the shadows I stalked to the nearest raider stopping a few feet behind him, and like his friends he was drinking beer and laughing at bad jokes. He was in sight of everyone if I killed him the others would notice in an instant. Thinking a bit I flipped the spike so the sharp end was in my finger. I took a deep breath and measured the distance between me the raider and the leader. Cocking my arm back I let the spike fly high, I went out of sight for a moment.

I could hear the sound of the leaders skull caving in, the sound silenced the raiders. They watched as the corpse of their boss slid off his chair and into the fire the spike still in the very crown of his head. Again I heard dad's rifle and the raider opposite of me fell, once they looked towards their fallen ally I silenced mine by grabbing his jaw and turning his head in a complete 180. Taking refuge in the darkness once again the remaining five raiders went back to back guns shifting looking for their assailants. I was now behind the throne looking through a hole at the group fear present on their faces.

Taking a moment to think I knew 2 things, dad couldn't shoot unless he gave his position away and that I had to make the first move. I drew another spike from my coat, as quickly as I could move I let it fly. A second later I hear one of them scream in pain but not of death. I rolled from the chair and behind a tree the throne now being riddled in bullet holes. Again dad fire taking down another raider, leaving 2 standing and one wounded badly. I sprinted around them again making little noise. Taking out my last spike I threw it at the men, with dead eye accuracy it punctured ones head leaving only one man standing. Quickly dad took him down leaving the last on the ground struggling to breath my stake having punctured his lung.

Leaving the shadows I walked up to him, he tried to raise him gun, I kicked it out of his hands and away. He looked dead into my masked eyes, I pulled my scythe from its holster and raised it above my head.

"We all gotta go sometime, you're going now." I said, and swung.

---[Error Location Not Found]---

"You sure we should send this one?" ??? spoke up, the four other beings watched as the human finished cleaning the blood from his scythe.

"Of course, he's still breathing, he's evil enough to kill but good enough to kill the right things." One said looking down at the teen with increasing satisfaction.

"I agree he's simply precious. He's so strong and brave, and just look at his nice long blade." Said the third figure, with a different manner of satisfaction.

"I think I'm gonna need another drink after this." A the fourth said tossing a large mug into an increasing pile. "I agree he's capable but how do we know his mind won't break if we tear him from this reality and chunk him into another?" The being said pulling another flask from no where.

"We'll just have to make do, he is the only one immune to our little plague meaning he is the only one able to be sent through realities an not be torn apart." The first said, the others went silent and continued to look as the boy sped down a street in the back of an old truck.

---Earth, 5 miles from Rocky Mountains: Camp 1, Midnight---

I smiled with grim satisfaction as I looked at the rewards from me and dads job, I had 5 different guns inside my duffle bag another bag filled with ammo. We had scavenged everything useful from the raider camp and the pay was very much worth the effort. Me and dad took almost half and hour sorting out the weapons and food we had gotten, I was still giddy from the fight the loot was just icing on the cake.

Now I sat in the truck bed once more, this time surrounded with a good days pay. I heard a tap on the window, opening it I looked inside. "Yeah dad?" I asked.

"We're gonna have to stop for tonight the truck ain't soundin' too good." Dad responded, this wasn't good. If we passed a horse they surely would have heard us. If the truck broke down before we could fine shelter or get back to camp we're as good as dead. Feel the adrenalin pump into my veins I looked around us, we were still moving but dad was right the truck was making a bad rattling sound.

Not taking chances I checked my .44 magnum then slung a m16 from the bag across my back. I like guns they were good for keeping the walkers away, but I had nothing against getting up close with my scythe it was just that much more of a challenge.

I felt the truck slow down, dad turned a corner and parked in front of an abandoned gas station. He jumped out of the truck his bags in tow. "Grab your things we need to get higher." He ordered, with no word I grabbed my weapons and food. We ran across the parking lot to the back of the station, seeing the latter I jumped up and pulled it down. I motioned dad up keeping cover below him.

Looking over the wooded area around us I saw motion and could easily hear the sound of both infected and walkers. As soon as dad was up I jumped on the ladder and hurried to the top, as soon as I was up I raised the lower part again making sure infected wouldn't climb up after us. Finally safe I slumped against an old A/C unit steadying my breaths. I felt a soft blanket fall over me, looking up I saw dad's smiling face he took a spot next to me pulling up his own blanket.

"Get some sleep we got a few miles to cover tomorrow before we get back to camp." With that dad rested his head on his jacket and was out. I took a moment to look over the tree line and the night sky almost missing the moonlight. With a tried sigh I crossed my arms under my head and quickly succumbed to sleep once more.

Chapter 2: The Magician

The Magician

Blood, it's scent and taste filled my nose and mouth. My brain felt as though it was pounding against the inside of my skull, my blood felt like fire in my veins, and my skin felt as if it was being torn from my bones. I tried to scream but only for my voice to fall short in my throat, my eyes began to sting as the endless shades of gray swirled and flowed in front of me. I screamed and screamed but nothing came out, I wanted to struggle to  find water and quench the fire inside. But I couldn't do anything as if I was only but an entity without it's body.

Finally

After what I could only think to be hours it all stopped as suddenly as it had began. I felt the pleasant sensation of cold winds, I let out a sigh of relief. Taking in my current situation I felt grass under me, I could hear the wind whistling around me. Slowly I opened my eyes, an open field of tall grass surrounded me. Pushing myself to sit up I looked around, the moon was slowly falling behind the mountain tipped horizon the sun slowly taking it's place in the sky. Looking around I saw my scythe stuck in the ground, my supply bag resting a few feet away. My eyes widen when I realized I had been sleeping face down, I pulled my coat open looking into the inner pockets. I gave a sigh, inside my pocket was 2 empty needles the 3rd was filled with a thin green liquid. Closing my coat I got to my feet and retrieved my weapons and gear, taking a breath I noticed how clean the air was. Everything felt clean and unpolluted, it also felt very cold. Pulling my coat tighter I began to walk east following the sun.

As the sun rose higher I felt the air grow slightly warmer. Growing agitated at wandering I pulled a telescope from my bag, extending the item I looked around for anything. The field seemed to go on for miles in all but one direction, it seemed to be a drop off. Finding no other options I headed towards it the cliff. As I got closer I saw just how high I real was, beyond the overlook I saw the most incredible mountain range I had ever seen. Cloud high mountains that dropped into a valley miles bellow, I couldn't help but gaze at the sight for a while my normal malice filled mind finding a subtle peace. As I sat on the cliff my feet hanging over the side I used my telescope to get a better lay of the land. In the distance I saw yet another sight that put my jaw on the ground, a grand looking city sat built against the side of the mountain. Having found my landmark I looked around again, I had spotted a path I could follow towards the city.

Looking into my supplies I took a quick inventory I found I had a few days worth of food and a bit more water. For the first time in a while I felt content that things may not end that badly.

---[Error Location Not Found]---

"Well if I'm honest I'm a bit disappointed he explode." The largest figure said watching as Silas walked along the edge of the mountain side.

"Well what can you expect from such a strong man." The slender figure said ogling the boy.

"Personal thoughts aside it seems we were correct,this boy will carry out his duties when the time comes, all we can do now is wait and see which path he follows." As the image of Silas began to fade as did the entities.

--- Equis Mountain Range 5 days after arrival.---

5 days, it had been that long and I was still a whole mountain side away from the city. While it was still pretty far away using my scope I could see just how breathtaking it was, the buildings where lined with gold and wall made from the finest cut marble. the city looked like a fortress of paradise. On my trek from my starting cliff I had seen many things that would drive the average person insane. I had seen strange birds with blue and black feathers tall as a small shack and with claws sharper than my scythe. I had seen a manticore, yes a manticore, and one of these bird fight over a dead deer. The bird simply swung a single claw and had cleaved the manticore's head from it's body the promptly devoured both the deer and the beast.

I had never felt like prey before but here I wasn't a hunter, I was a survivor now. Strange encounters aside I continued to make my way towards the city. I kept my scythe in it's holster on my back not wanting to come off as hostile to the denizens of the city. I was sure I wasn't on Earth anymore the wild life had assured me of that. As I continued on my way I couldn't help but look at the plants and animals, there were things like birds and squirrels but then I would see something I couldn't classify like the strong stone crocodiles I had seen a ways back sleeping in the sun. There were also new plants, some like apple trees and oak were present but there were again strange fruits and foliage I didn't too much feel like trying out.

As I was lost in my own thoughts I fail to notice a broken down wagon a way ahead until I was only a few feet from it. Looking on either side I saw no one, I also saw that one of the wheels had broken. Taking a closer look I saw the spokes on the wheel had snapped from the axle. As I went to adjust it I felt a blade press against my neck, I froze instantly.

"Make another move and Trixie shall show you what she does to bandits." A female voice said from behind me. "Now stand up and turn around."

Slowly I got to my feet and turned. Standing a few feet away was a tall olive skinned women, she wore a blue full body suit and a matching star speckled cape and magician hat. She also had two feet of iron pressed against my neck.

"Explain yourself!" She ordered pressing the blade enough to draw blood.

Taking a breath trying to calm down I spoke up. "I'm sorry I startled you, I was passing through and saw your wagon was broken though I might lend a hand." She looked skeptically at my mask then into my eyes.

"Then why are you carrying a bag, baring a scythe, and wearing a mask?" She asked backing up a few feet.

"The bag is simply my supplies for traveling, the scythe is for protection, and the mask has it's own reasons." I opened my back to show it held only food and water, or what little was left.

Trixie, sheathed her sword and held out a hand. "Sorry, Trixie has had bad luck with the local bandits as of late, and as I have said my name is The Great and Powerful Trixie."

I wasn't sure whether she was just pretentious or really was powerful and in this world I wasn't about to question it, shaking her hand I gave a light nod. "My name is Silas Clayton, I've been traveling for a while now towards that city." I said pointing towards the castle.

"You mean Canterlot, ironic Trixie was heading their as well to preform her show. But after another attack from bandits the wagon only lasted long enough to escape." She walk past me and bent over to observe the broken wheel, I knelt next to her.

"Why not just used either metal or synthetic tubing as make ship spokes." I suggested, Trixie thought it over for a second.

"It would work but nothing in the wagon would fit." She said. "Trixie would just be better off walking to Canterlot, once there someone should be able to help."

"If you're headed that way do you mind if I tag along, it would be safer than traveling separately." I said nodding towards my scythe.

"Very well, just try not to slow Trixie down." She huffed. After gathering her things from the wagon the two of us made our way down the cobblestone road. For the most part the trip was uneventful and we simply talked about this and that, and while it was calm I could feel the other side of my mind aching for a fight. I couldn't use the sedative I had as it was my last one and I needed to safe it until we made it into town. As we walked I tried to meditate on my current surroundings trying desperately to not begin yelling and cutting down anyone who got in front of me. I was thankful Trixie didn't talk to me much it had made the trip a bit easier.

It had been a few hours now on the road and I had finally managed to calm down, as I did I thought of dad and about if he was safe and if he worried about me. I frowned at the thought of never seeing dad or our settlement again, but Trixie couldn't see my expression through my mask. As we pressed on I began to feel watched, this wasn't an uncommon thing for me but I knew when I was being paranoid and when there really was something in the shadows. I reached into my coat and took my scavenged magnum and put it into my front pocket.

I walked closer to Trixie before leaning close. "Keep walking as soon as I give the signal run as fast as you can." I whispered, Trixie didn't respond but I could see her eyes glaze over the road ahead.

Falling a few steps behind I focused on the noise around us, I could hear trees bowing in the wind, the sound of small animals moving off the path, and finally I heard the sound of something heavy moving just out of sight. I could hear their feet crunching twigs an leaves, I hear the sound of cloth rubbing against cloth. There where more than 4 but I couldn't get an exact number. As the sounds became more and more noticeable I was able to get a fix on one of them.

1.

2.

3!

I whipped the magnum towards the hidden figure. The crack of the gun signaled Trixie to run, the bullet had found it's target as the sound of a death cry rang out. I darted after Trixie, I watched with curiosity as her hands began to shimmer with a faded pink light. An arc of lightning shot from her hand striking another bandit a shower of blood covered a near by tree.

I brought my scythe out holstering the magnum, I ran behind Trixie as she fire arc after arc of energy. By now the bandits had come out from hiding, each bearing swords a few had wings and some seemed to have similar abilities to Trixie. As we ran elements of all kinds hurled past us. Drawing the .44 I started running backwards, I watched as one of the caster took a bullet to his forehead his body seemed to go into meltdown he exploded into a sickly red gel. As the gel covered his allies it acted like an acid and began to corrode their skin. The remaining casters and flyers moved farther apart, finding the casters weakness I turned back around and caught up with Trixie. She was panting and was slowing down, there were still more bandits and I didn't want to fight people who could throw fireballs. We wouldn't make it much farther, I felt my own lungs and legs burn.

It was only a moment later, Trixie simply collapsed to the ground. I stopped and crouched next to her gun aimed at the approaching gang, the casters glowed with energy as the flyers drew their swords.

"I call his scythe." I heard one say.

"I call his whore."

...

...

...

You crossed a line you stupid son of a bitch. I felt my blood boil, a red haze filled my mind.

Let me go. A small whisper sounded in the back of my head. The same voice that make's me inject that poison into my vein, he's the reason I had the mask, he... he was the reason dad was all I had left.

... You're free... but if you hurt her I'll kill us both, a bullet to the brain. I told him, I could hear him laughing. Soon I watched the world through his point of view and felt my control over my own body slip away.

---3rd POV---

As the bandits drew closer Trixie looked to Silas for intervention, but only saw a sinister grin on his face his hand gripping his scythe. As the lead caster walked up to Trixie he took her head in hand and looked into her eyes.

"Gotta say you little lady have been givin' me and my boys a fair bit of trouble these past few days." He said his dagger slowly making it's way down her shirt. "But it's alright cause, we'll get what we want from you now." The caster's followers chuckled and enclosed her.

"NO! Unhand me you cretins!" Trixie protested only earning a blow to the back of her head.

"Ain't no one gonna help you now girly." One of the bigger men said.

"No no no! Silas!" Trixie called out, the bandits laughed cutting her clothes to ribbons.

As they tried to bound the struggling magician they fail to notice the sound of boots crunching the dry grass. As the boy drew closer one of the men turned to face him.

"Heh, you really should have run boy." The man said fire spreading over his arms, the others notice their companions interruption still holding Trixie. They laughed at the lone boy as his head hung low scythe dragged behind him.

"Hey boy you even listening to me! I said- *gah*" He never finished his sentence. The scythe had meet no resistance as his head was cleaved in two. Trixie forgotten the bandits raised their weapons, as their friends corpse collapsed no meltdown as before. As Trixie looked at her savior she took in his new look.

Silas' hair was midnight black, his coat seemed to be even more damaged than before, his skin had turned a sickly pale, and his mask now was a grinning devil's mask with two black eyes. The bandit's moved back unsure of the new being before them

"I was beginning to forget what it was like to do that." Silas spoke his voice carrying a mischievous tone that contradicted his previous monotone. He turned to the remaining bandits each bore looks of anger, they saw only another man with magic, but this was not the case.

The sound of a breaking twig ended the silence, the caster pour all they had towards him. Silas made no motion towards moving, he only hefted his scythe and walked into the flurry of magic. As he drew closer the casters doubled their efforts but held no results. Only a few feet away Silas swung, the blade carving the casters chest open blood streamed from the wound. The caster shakily raised his arm, Silas calmly took the man's arm and with a single tug pulled it from his torso. As the man fell to his knees Silas' grin was now a full wicked toothed smile, taking the man's head he snapped it back.

As Silas finished the last caster only two flyers remained of the initial group. Where flying above the ground raining arrows from above. Hanging the scythe on his back Silas once more drew his magnum, loading two rounds into the chamber he took aim, and with two cracks of igniting gunpowder the two flyers fell. One had died on impact with the ground the other barely clung to life, his breath was ragged as he watched the demon walk closer the devil's mask seemed to grin wider.

"Like the times before creation, another angel falls." The bandit watched as the magnum was leveled with his forehead. "And is sent to damnation." With one last crack of gunpowder it was over, the trail once again silent with the exception of Trixie's heavy breathing. As the last sparks of life flickered from the bandit's eyes, Silas turned his mask covered face towards Trixie. Never in her life had Trixie seen someone kill as mercilessly as the man in front of her. As Silas walked towards her scythe in hand she tried to crawl away but didn't get far before he crouched in front of her.

"If it wasn't for my other scratching at the back of my mind I would love to have a new toy as nice as you," Silas said tracing a finger under her chin. "but I don't want to die especially not by my own hand." Silas stood and turned away. "You can have your friend back now." Trixie's mind was a hive of confusion, she watched as Silas' body shook and twitched for a moment before he turned back to her the mask once again blank. The two stared at each other for a while, Silas put his scythe on his back once more and walked away towards the city. He didn't say a word, nothing could be said from either side.

Trixie sat on the dirt road as she watched the man walk still covered in blood and his weapons still coated in gore, she watched until he was out of sight. She couldn't find even the simplest of thoughts, she looked back to the mangled mess that had once been a group of bandits. Finally gaining her senses she stood her legs shaking, not from pain or cold, but fear of the man she had seen and the monster she had so foolishly followed. Grabbing her sword and what little she could to cover herself she to followed Silas' footsteps to Canterlot but made sure she wouldn't catch up to him.

---Silas POV four miles from Canterlot---

The sun was begging to touch the western horizon, I slightly quickened my pace not wanting to spend another night outside. As I walked I tried to wipe the memories of what He had done and if Trixie was okay, I didn't want Trixie anywhere near me I was barely holding control of my own mind He had not been satisfied by the bandits and still hungered for slaughter whether he spilled innocent of sinful blood he hungered for it. I had to keep my hands in my pocket to keep them from taking the scythe, I had used my last sedative after I left Trixie but it had done little to calm me down. I saw the gates of the city only three more miles in front of me, I couldn't take it I fell to my knees my hands gripping my head.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" I slammed my fist into the side of my head again an again. "GET OUT! GET OUT!" Punch after punch I writhed on the ground only able to listen to Him laugh and force his way out. Pulling out the magnum I jammed the barrel against my head. I heard him scoff as he tried to take control.

Do it. He taunted slowly gripping on the edges of my mind. You never have and never will, admit it you fear death just like your mother. I felt my conscious slip away, I couldn't take it any more.

"Fuck you." I spat and pulled the trigger.

Chapter 3: The Fool

The Fool

---3rd POV---

"The sound came from over here!" A gold clad guard flew above the area a couple miles from Canterlot, the sound of the blast had been unsettling to the local guards. As the guard flew above he spotted something that didn't belong, a person laying in the grass the area around him stained faintly red. Determination filled the guard as he flew down to help whoever this man was, but as he drew closer his determination slowly turned into disgust. The teenager was only a couple years younger than he and on his back he carried a large bloodied scythe, the blood still fresh, and his clothes where covered in things he'd rather not think about.

"Captain! Over here!" The guard called, he knelt next to the sprawled form inspecting the damage. The stranger had a large wound in his shoulder a strange looking weapon still clutched in his hand, as the guard put his finger to the strangers neck he waited. Then a moment later he was rewarded with a faint and slow pulse. He heard the sound of his companions rushing to him, as they drew closer two casters teleported to his side there hands shinning with magic as they tended to the stranger's wounds. Soon her was breathing again his chest rising and falling slowly, but he did not awaken.

"Get him into a chariot now." The Captain ordered, his subordinates carried the stranger into one of the chariots gently laying him propped against the front.

"Captain Armor, we found these in his possession." The first guard said showing the Captain the bag of food, the scythe, and the smaller device that had not doubt cause the wound.

"Bring the bag and scythe to the hospital and leave them with the doctors, keep two guards by his door. As for this thing... give it to Princess Twilight she would know more about it than me." He said as his soldiers went about their orders.

---Silas---

The smell of a wax candle filled my nose, the sound of crackling fire illuminating the room in an amber light, and old gramophone was playing a smooth jazz beat. I was sitting in a fine crafted chair my clothes clean and undamaged, sitting across from me was me. The doppelganger tapped his foot to the music a glass of wine in his hand, the entire scene made complete by the fluffy white cat in his lap.

This was my mind, or better yet his domain. The ganger grinning at me was what I was, he was anger, hate, and the part of me that would bathe in the blood of entire cities if given the option. He took a sip of the wine before speaking in a deep, calm, but malice filled tone.

"Don't look at me like that, you said to kill with the exception of the girl. You really should word you sentences more carefully." He chuckled scratching the cat's ears.

"You knew what I meant, as soon as we wake up I'll make sure I don't miss again." I said, his grin never failing closed his eyes and leaned hi head back.

"You might not want to do that, try looking around a bit before you square us both away. You saw those guy throwing lightning, I'm curious as to what else this place is like." He said, I couldn't disagree this place was interesting and wasn't short on dangerous people. I also needed to make sure dad is okay, I didn't know if he was taken with me. Dad rarely panicked but if I went missing for a long time and he had no idea why, he might be worried.

"I ain't asking much just a look around then, bang, a bullet to the brain. I'm in no condition to try and take control back so you won't have to worry while you play tourist." He said, I sighed my own curiosity of this place proving too much.

"If you even poke at the door I'll end it." As I rose from the chair the ganger raised a finger.

"Before you leave, have you finally thought up a name for me?" He asked childishly completing the act with an attempt at puppy eyes.

"Why do you care, no one will know it but me?" I sighed back to the rooms one door.

"Names have power, yet here I am, one of the most powerful entities you could think of withering away in this room with not but these clothes." He said with fake woe.

"No, I haven't thought of one. Just give your self one if it matters that much." As I went to open the door he spoke up.

"How about... Wrath." It wasn't a question more of his way of tasting the word.

"Fine,Wrath. Now shut up." I turned the door handle and left him to our thoughts.

---Canterlot Hospital, Lunar Wing, 9:47 AM---

I let out a sigh my body felt refreshed and mended. Opening my eyes I knew I was in either a hospital or an asylum, most likely the first option. Looking around the room I saw my clothes sitting on a table having been cleaned, my mask lay on top of them. Reaching up I moved my hand over the scars that covered my face, there presence insuring I remembered who I was. Rising from the bed I noticed I wore nothing at all, not even gown was given to me. Standing up I walked over to a mirror that was hung against a wall, I looked at the numerous scars the covered most of my body. Some cuts from blades, burns from fire, spots from bullets, and finally the branded letters on my chest.

The letters spelled, BM Co.

It had barely been a few months after the outbreaks for everyone to loose their already fragile minds, and the large criminal organizations took this opportunity to show their colors. One of the larger organizations had been an enterprise of slave traders lead by one man, Boris Macchico. Before the outbreaks his name was everywhere from wanted lists to news reports. As it would happen one of his larger set ups was in Utah, I don't think it needs to be said what happened to me and my father. We were taken by swift unrelenting force, we where worked to the bone and barely clung to life by the end of the day. But it wasn't being taken and turned into a slave that made me who I was, no I was similar to how I am now back then just less on the homicidal side. But after two months being treated like an animal I gave them what they wanted, a monster.

During the night me, dad, and a group of slaves broke free from our cages, like the dead that walked outside our prison we moved silently but we had purpose to our silence. After arming ourselves we began freeing slave slitting the throats of sleeping guards, and stabbing the backs of those who turned their backs to us. By midnight we had free the majority of the camp, soon the slaves had taken up arms and as forceful as our captors we turned the tables. Slavers where gunned down by the dozen their blood paving our path their corpses laying the foundations of our fortune. In two hours after our initial escape the whole camp save for the center most guard tower was under our control.

Personally I had lead the people whom would later come to be like family to me into the tower. One by one we shot down those who shot back, we tied those who surrendered and finally we entered the control room of the tower. The man who had been place in charge of our camp stared at us fear in his eyes, it was the same fear I had seen in the eyes of everyone who I had killed and would kill. It took no time to knock him out, tie him up, and hang hi by his feet from the top of the tower with his allies. I remember all of the slaves were standing with me as we watched out captors individually get set ablaze by our flare guns, we watched in silence as they screamed and begged. No one smiled, grimaced, or even blinked as they burned, it was as if everyone had knew of our one intent, and that was to make them pay.

Having all fulfilled our parts we went out separate ways, some banded together others took their chances on their own. This was how me and dad had found our home in the Rocky Mountains. I knew after that day, of our self obtained freedom we would never let something like that happen to our own, ever again.

A small sigh escaped me as I looked at my reflection in a mirror. My mask seemed to have been polished up and cleaned, my clothes had been restored and washed, I also felt as if I had taken a bath this was also a bit strange as it meant someone washed me.

Shaking my head I took notice of two figures behind the blinds of my rooms door, they where talking one male the other female. I knew this by their tone, but I couldn't make out any words. It was only a moment before two people entered my room. The first was a tall man, his face and body where covered by gold and silver colored armor, a symbol of an intertwined sun and moon printed on his chest plate. The women who was holding a clipboard with her magic was my doctor. They both stared at me as I stood only about 5 feet from them.

The doctor was the first to speak. "It's good to see you awake sir." She said looking down at the clipboard. "You're a very lucky person, you lost more blood than I thought possible yet here you are a day later back on your feet." She walked over to me looking me over and noticing my bandages had been removed yet no blood was pouring out of me. "You are a real piece of work you know that." She wrote something down before stepping to the side.

"This is the Captain of the Royal Guard and Prince of the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor." The metal clad man stepped forward and raised a hand.

"I'm glad to see you're alright, you were beat up pretty bad when my men found you." I took his hand and gave it a shake.

"Thanks for the help, firefights can be pretty brutal." I decided not to tell him why I had a hole in my chest.

"Didn't look much like a burn but it doesn't matter, if you're feeling better I wanted to ask you a few questions." He said, taking his helmet off. His hair was two shades of blue, one being dark the other light.

I crossed my arms. "If you give me my things back I'll tell you what I can." Armor looked hesitant but nodded.

"I may not know you but you seem like an alright kid, I'll send word to have your things brought in. But, you are not to draw or even reach for any or your weapons within the city, am I understood?" He said, I simply nodded.

He tried to ask me a few questions as the Doctor went to retrieved my gear but I stayed silent and still holding to what I said, he kept a straight face the whole time but the slight twitching and fidgeting in his expression told me he was getting irritated. A few minutes later the doctor walked in my scythe on her back and my bag in her hands. Passing them to me I gave the scythe a quick twirl and slung it on my back happy to feel the tempered steel's weight, after a quick scan of the bag's contents I noticed the magnum was missing. I wasn't really surprised that they would not have given it back, as the Captain and other guards had at best crossbows so they were most likely studying it. But I needed it more than they did.

Looking towards the Captain I said. "I asked for all my possessions, Captain Armor." The doctor looked confused, Armor took on a pensive look.

"When we found you there was a massive hole in your chest that had almost destroyed your heart, there was no firefight so tell me what you were doing with that weapon you had in you own hand." He said sternly, I glared at him under my mask I could already feel my hands around his neck.

"Until I have all of my things returned, you aren't getting shit." I leaned against the bed post staring back at the captain, by now his emotions were on his sleeve.

"Fine, if your well enough we can check you out and retrieve your weapon from my sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle." I cracked my neck and back before nodding. "Alright lets go."

As we left the hospital the Doctor had given us a form to fill out, I was pleased to find this place had free healthcare even for a foreigner. Leaving the building I took in the sights of the city, buildings where made from mostly stone, they were trimmed with gold and colorful banners hung from them. As we walked I had felt safer in the moment then I had been in a long time, even though the the man I was following may hold a small grudge on me I didn't feel like I was about to be torn to bits or stabbed in the back. It was strange to me but I actually felt... nice.

A while passed as we walked down the main street people passing us by, until we reached the main castle. The view was unlike anything I had ever seen on Earth. The castle towers stood over the city like a benevolent overseer protecting the city from harm, the high walls giving the castle a sense of protection while the structure itself gave of a very welcoming feel. The inside was equally stunning with fine rugs and paintings, numerous vases and sculptures dotted the walls.

A few feet inside I felt Shining Armor's armored hand stop me. "When you meet the princess you will show her respect and you will behave." His voice was cold and demanding.

I moved his hand down. "I am not a child captain. I will say to whom I pay my respect to, not you or anyone else." Armor was grinding his teeth but moved on. We didn't have to go far until we reached a tall door with a dark pink star carved into the center, Shining raised his fist and knocked the sound echoing through the halls. I could hear light footsteps on the other side, they stopped before the door I hear a lock unlatch.

As the door opened it reviled a thin purple hair girl, her wings where a bright but plain lavender, she had a pointed purple crown on her head and was dressed in expensive looking robes. As she saw me I noticed a small tattoo moving atop her forehead, I knew she was a caster. She didn't acknowledge her brother or the other guards that had followed us. Her hand shimmered with magic as she raised it to my head. I stepped back and gripped my scythe, she stopped and shook her head.

"U-um, sorry I got a bit ahead of my self." She shied away with a sheepish grin, she looked back up at me a gentle smile on her face. "It's nice to meet you sir, my name is Twilight Sparkle Princess of Equestria's International Affairs." She gave curtsey.

I returned a small bow. "I'm Silas Clayton." I saw my magnum inside a small glass case on a table a few feet into the room.

Twilight noticed my glance at it and motioned for us to enter. Armor and I entered the room but the rest of the guards went to their own jobs as two remained at the door. As the door closed Twilight turned her attention to Armor. "I studied the weapon like you asked Shiny." Armor seemed to go red at the pet name. "It's not actually as special as you made it seem." Picking the weapon up she spun the gun by the trigger subconsciously , I can't say it wasn't impressive. "It looks like a griffon combustion rifle, just more compact and much more lethal." Catching the revolver by the barrel she handed it back to me. "If you don't mind I would like to study the weapon a bit more while your in town?" She asked giving my a pleading smile.

I holstered the gun, her face dropping. "No I'd rather not part with it again." Her face fell as she sighed. "But I can give you this." I pulled one of my many gun magazines, it was an issue on pistol mechanics and maintenance. Her face beamed at the sight of the issue and levitated the paper from my grasp.

She threw her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. "Ohthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" She jumped around the room before landing in front of me again. Armor looked amused by his sisters antics, Twilight just sat in a large chair already tearing into the magazine. I just stood their my mind trying to make sense of what the hell just happened. Shining motioned me to follow a smile on his face.

As we left the room he closed the door. "She'll be occupied for a while," He chuckled before turning to me. "also sorry if I gave you a hard time things have been rough around lately." He held out a hand. "Let's start over."

I thought for a moment before taking his hand and giving it a shake. "Sorry for being difficult, where I grew up made me a bit edgy about others taking my things." If Armor hadn't been any other person I would have torn his head off with my own hands for touching anything of mine.

"Glad to get passed it. By the way where you planning on staying in Canterlot for long?" He asked. His question made me think about that deeply for the first time. I had no way of getting back to dad at the moment, and I wasn't in a hurry to fight against more bandits. I had also told the voice in my head, Wrath, I would take a look around this place before deciding if I would put a .44 through my skull.

"I guess so, don't really have anywhere I need to go at the moment." I said, he nodded and motioned me to follow him.

"I keep track of the people in this city, so I can safely say I haven't seen you around." It was a bit strange he knew the countless people in this city. "So I'm gonna go out on a limb and say your not from around here." I just nodded sarcastic comments filling my head. "Well we didn't find any form of currency on you, so I assume you need a place to stay." I nodded again, a thought also crossed my mind.

I'm broke here, hell my wallets been empty of anything but a few photos and dust. I had to find someway of making money. I listed a few things in my head.

"Well seeing as your in need of a hand how about you stay here for a while," I looked at him curiously but my expression blocked by the mask. "it is after all the least I can do."

This guy is either the most generous and slightly influential person I've met so far, or he has other plans than just charity. I wanted to take him up on his offer and finally be able to rest, but I couldn't knowing dad was somewhere out there and most likely he was close by. "Sorry Captain but I have to decline, there's someone I need to find and I can't spare a second knowing his life could be in danger."

The Captain looked surprised for a moment. "Most people leap for a chance to stay in the castle, but if you have to do something you have to do it. Just know that the gates are always open if you find yourself in the area." He dug in his armor and pulled out a generously sized bag, I could hear the coins jingling inside. "You're going to need these more than I do, I'll be fine  seeing as this is my bonus salary for a bit of work earlier." He explained.

I opened that bag, inside it was filled with gold, silver, and copper coins, I noticed a few of the gold coins had gemstones in them making them much more valuable. "Thank you, I'll make sure I pay you back." I tucked the pouch into my bag.

The Captain smiled. "It's no problem, I'll see you out but after that I have to get back to my duties."

True to his word Shining Armor lead me to the front gates of Canterlot, he had also given me information as to where some of the nearby settlements where as well as some misc information and supplies.

"Good luck out there Silas, also if you happen to wander close to the Everfree Forest I would advise against going as there been some unsettling rumors going around." With a pat on the back the Captain took his leave and the large gates slowly drew close behind him.

I looked out over the view, large areas of plains and forest covered almost every inch of the land no large cities or factories polluted the air or ground. Taking out my map I saw a  large city called Manehatten I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and nostalgia, before the infection Manhattan had been common place me and dad had gone to visit family for holidays or for whatever reason. If dad was anywhere in this world it would be there I was sure of it.

Checking the route to the city on my map I dotted  few point on the map of places I would need to stop off at to rest and get supplies. Location marked, I headed away from Canterlot and towards my first destination.

---5 day after departure from Canterlot.---

Hollow Shades, a moderately sized settlement north east of Canterlot according to my map. After my leave from Canterlot It had walked along the trails and roads, the scenery ever changing. It had been an uneventful trip, only one thing had happened along the road. It was my second day on the trail when a traveling caravan and me had crossed paths, once I talked with the man in charge and found we where both heading on the same route he offered a place as a guard for the caravan pay and all. Needless to say I had accepted, along the road I had familiarized myself with my fellow guards.

The guards were a loud but honorable bunch. The leader was the only one I really talked to though, her name was Subtle Rose, although her fighting style is the only thing subtle about her. She was loud and rough but an expert fighter when sparing, I could easily understand how she manage to keep her loud mouthed crew together. But the gambling and sparing aside nothing happened for the next three days on the road.

Eventually we arrived at a smaller town inside a forest, after learning the towns name the caravan leader gave us all our payments and went to do whatever he was doing.

"Oi, Silas!" turning around I found Rose standing a few feet behind me. Her hair was a deep red tattoos on her forehead indicated she was a caster.

"Yes." I responded.

"Me and the boys wanted to invite you to join us." She said, I glanced behind her where her men were rough housing.

"As much fun as it would be, I still have to find my dad." I had told her why I was traveling, she told me a similar story but the roleser voice  were reversed.

"I know, still thought I should ask." She took a small coin from her pouch, on it was her groups emblem. "If you ever need help from one of our branches show them this." I took the coin and placed it in my pocket.

"Thanks, glad to know someone has my back. If we meet up again don't hesitate to ask for help as well." We shook hands and she left to go back to their own city, a place called Stalliongrad.

Turning my attention back to the small settlement I spotted a large Yurt of the the side of the road, a sign with two mugs of beer hung out front. I checked my bag to find I had a pleasing amount of gold, silver, and copper coins. Walking under the cloth roof I took a seat along the edge. The calm atmosphere and the music let a gentle peace wash over me, it was here that I began to write in a small journal I had picked up from the caravan. I simply jotted down my thoughts and happenings, I listen to Wrath as he told me to simply write down a few things I forgot or that he thought important. This wasn't the first time Wrath had been something of a bystander to converse with but it was the first time the subjects of discussion were something not completely unpleasant, he had managed to not talk about violence or hatred of something.

I hadn't noticed that I had written so much in only a few minutes, it was only when one of the waitresses walked over to me that I snapped out of my trance. She pulled the chair opposite me, she rested her head on her hands as she looked at me with half lidded eyes. We stared at one another for a few minutes.

"Can I help you?" I asked closing the journal.

"Oh you have no idea." She said, her voice made my skin crawl. Narrowing my eyes she just looked more and more entranced.

I drew my magnum and aim it at her under the table. "Talk or get out of my face." I clicked the hammer of the gun.

She gave a disappointed sigh. "Fine." Reaching into her shirt she drew a small glass bottle, gold vines wrapped around it. "Me and a group of others who would rather you not die so soon would like you to have this."

Setting the bottle in the center of the table she leaned back. "And who are you, and how the hell do you know me?"

She  stretched her arms making her chest more pronounced. "I'm no one, really. All you need to know is that me and my friends want to make sure you don't go keeling over before you do what you need to do." Standing up she walked close to me and leaned next to me ear. "And if a few of us want to lend a hand every now and again then we can." With a peck on my check she faded into a cloud of ash. None of the other patrons seemed to have taken notice of her disappearance. My gaze went to the small glowing bottle in front of me. The bottle was filled with a pink liquid the outside was wrapped in vine looking gold strands. I gently stored it inside my bag for safe keeping.

---2 hours later---

After a writing a bit more and a few drinks I saunter over to the inn I had seen on my way into town. Pushing the door open felt the warm air inside wash over me. I paid for my room the man at the counter giving me the key.

Inside I let my bag drop to the floor the top part opening revealing the bottle. With a sigh I pulled the bottle out, I sat on the large bed leaning against the wall. I stared into it wondering if it where was worth the risk.

*Drink it, that girl is like us. I could here the other in her head talkin' to her* Wrath said.

I had never ever heard Wrath say something as informative as that, although I was more expecting Wrath to make a comment more on her body than her head. Taking a moment to think I pulled the cork from the bottle. From the top a sweet candy like smell wafted from the contents.

"You'd better be telling the truth." I said and downed the bottle.

The drink tasted like saltwater taffy, a pleasant surprise as it was my favorite candy as a kid. I sat there for a few minutes slowly feeling a warm haze fill my mind.

*Who ever that broad was she sure had some good shit.* Wrath's voice sounded slurred and echoed in my head. My hands and chest felt as though they where left in front of a fire. I couldn't see straight, and as my eyes got more and more blurred I lost all sense of self awareness. In the next few seconds I barely noticed my head falling on the pillow.

"Night night sweet heart."

Chapter 4: The Emperor

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.

Chapter 5: Remembrance

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.