Ch 1. Death Is Only The Beginning

I chuckle as I look over the sheep gathered to witness my death. None could come close to what I have done. No matter, my followers will continue my will. Blessed Be.

A catholic priest stands to the side, his cross gleaming. The pompous hypocrite comes before me. He and his ilk are just jealous that more came to my orgies then to their dry repetitions to an outdated God. My Will Be Done, Blessed Be.

"Victor Silvano, you've done horrible things. But even now God will give you mercy if you repent. Do you have any last words?"

I laugh in his face, "Father, I regret nothing. All my actions are of my own free will, all those of my followers are of their own free will. I ask nor expect any mercy. But one last bit of Prophecy for you padre, All those in this room will die as I have died. This is my will, my will be done. Blessed Be."

Sighing the priest falls back among the other animals. Animals unaware that the Judas goat has already performed its duty. Preparing the sheep for the shearing and the slaughter. Thus is readied my final send-off. My Will Be Done, Blessed Be.

The helmet comes down, the sponge atop my head wet and cold. A robot dressed as a cop throws the switch. The wannabe authority figure playing his role to the last. I jerk as One Thousand Volts Hum through my body. I smile as I hear the first of the thumps. I am glad that my last orders were carried out. So easy to conceal conductive material under white floors. Especially when one has such devout followers. I will miss them. As all goes black, I prepare myself for hell. The Devil's torment shall be my only reward for my works in this world. As is just.

My Will Be Done. Blessed Be.

________________________________

Darkness and warmth, a voice crying for salvation.

"Please, I need help. I can't do this on my own," a female voice, desperate.

The best kind, people justify all kinds of things when they are desperate.

Fingers fall from me and I look over a large room. I drop to nestle between her breasts, a chain holding me around her neck. It seems that providence has more work for me to do and a sense of humor. Far be it for me to keep a lady waiting.

"How may I be of service?" I inquire, "Tell me of your desires."

A deep intake of breath as the room rises and falls, "My lands are occupied, my family are all dead. The third high prince seeks to force me into marriage so that his family's rule of my lands will be legitimized. I doubt I will survive providing him a child to do so. Please, I need power. I only know a few tricks of magic. I was never as strong as my sisters. I am the youngest and the weakest."

"Only a few tricks?" I reassure her, "Those are the best kind, as long as one knows where to place the knife."

"I don't even know that," She sobs, "I was never meant to inherit, so I learned to entertain and inspire the crowds. Not fight. I was to be a diplomat, nothing more."

"Well it's good you're under my protection is it not?"

"Oh thank you!" She exclaims, her joyous motions bouncing me on her chest.

I chuckle, this innocent one will be fun. I will enjoy seeing what power will do to her.

Her gratitude is halted by a pounding on the door. Damn it we were having a moment.

"Princess Elvie, by order of High Prince Braytree. We are to make you ready for your wedding."

"Elvie what a lovely name," I charm as I stretch my mind within the necklace, "Why don't we see how I can help?"

A screen appears before me, my stats if I remember the term correctly. It has been such a long time since I had the opportunity for RPGs Mostly I stayed within the Old World Of Darkness, I had very little time for others. When one is faking a mission for God it does so eliminate free time.

[Necklace of Asura]

[Perception: 5]

[Intelligence: 5]

[Wits: 5]

[Charisma: 5]

[Manipulation: 5]

[Skills:]

[Alertness: 5] [Larceny: 5] [Bureaucracy: 5]

[Athletics: 5] [Leadership: 5] [Enigmas: 5]

[Awareness: 5] [Meditation: 5] [Investigation: 5]

[Brawl: 5] [Melee: 5] [Medicine: 5]

[Persuasion: 5] [Stealth: 5] [Occult: 5]

[Thorns:]

[Pact Of Doom]

[Shadow Familiar]

[Escape]

[Arcanoi: Locked]

[Dark Arcanoi: Locked]

[Pathos: 5]

[Angst: 5]

[Willpower: 3]

I smile to myself, I'm well acquainted with the Wraith: The Oblivion System. My favorite character was a Risen. I had such a merry time playing that character. Perhaps I shall do a repeat of that performance.

"But why are my Arcanoi and Dark Arcanoi Locked?" I inquired silently.

[Dark Arcanoi and Arcanoi must be unlocked by attaining higher Willpower]

[Dark Arcanoi unlocked at 4]

[Arcanoi unlocked at 5]

"And Why is my Will so low?" I demand, "I've bent others to my will my entire life!"

[Will is based inversely on Will of host]

My grin would split my face if I still had one. That is the best news I've had in months. If I have a Willpower of three, she must have a Willpower of seven. More than enough to handle the travails ahead. It does inconvenience me a tad. I'll have to find my own body to regain my physicality.

"Dear Elvie, I can help you escape. But I need you to tell me where to take you. Both of us need to get stronger. My strength is only proportional to yours after all."

Inversely proportional but she does not need to know that.

Elvie thinks a moment, "Take me to Lake Mariett. It is the only secret place my family has left."

"As You Wish."

[Thorn: Escape]

A flash of darkness and we're gone.

____________________

Stumbling unto the shoreline, my darling Elvie shakes.

"What was that?" She stutters.

"I have the power to get my wearer out of danger. It only works as an Escape though and I can only take my wearer. We merely both have to agree on a destination."

[+3 Pathos]

[+3 Angst]

"That is handy," looking over the vast lake she sighs, "I can get us the rest of the way. No one knows about this place. It was the secret retreat of my people. Whenever the court got too much or any kind of threat arose, this refuge was were my family recovered."

"Are you sure?" I caution, "Someone must do the sweeping up after all."

Elsie shakes her head, "My family has always been strong in the craft. The whole place was constructed and is run by Golems. Golems created by my bloodline. They can no more disobey or betray me then they can unmake themselves. I just need to find the entrance, I haven't been here since I was a child. The occupation took us completely by surprise."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance again?" I offer.

"Please," Elvie requests, "I could use all the help I can get."

Oh, Dear sweet Elvie I want to give you all that help. So much better to be the voice in your ear.

"Of course," I smile, "I exist to serve."

[Thorn: Shadow Familiar]

Extending my will outside myself, I call out to the darkness within all things. Shadows twist and gather into a Raven that settles onto Elsie's shoulder.

"This is my familiar, I will happily put it at your disposal till you find the entrance."

"What's her name?" Elvie inquires.

"Her name is Nevermore," I reply.

Elvie smiles as she strokes Nevermore's breast feathers, "She's gorgeous."

"You ain't half bad yourself, Kid," Nevermore caws, "Tell me what you need to find, then sit back and let me do the searching."

Elvie starts, giving Nevermore and me a giggle. Shaking herself, she Removes a piece of yellow metal from the depths of her dress, she displays it to Nevermore. An Ouroboros resplendent with an all-seeing eye contained within the center shown on it.

"I need you to find a rock that bears this crest," Elvie asks, "That will be the doorway. My presence here is enough to make it visible. My touch will be enough to unlock it."

"Oh?" I ask, "Nothing more than that?"

Elsie scoffs, "What did you expect, a door that only opens once a year? A riddle inscribed entrance? You've read to many fairy tales. Who would have use for such a thing?"

Well, it seems the princess in need of rescue has teeth, I like her. I think that after I get my body I will continue to serve her. Perhaps more.

As Nevermore takes flight, my vision fades as information is fed directly to me. The Black Winged Raven circles the area, closing her radius as she narrows her search. Within moments Nevermore has located what we search for. Descending upon an outcropping of rock, my familiar relays to me the location.

"Come, Elvie I shall guide you to your destination," I declare, "Nevermore has located it."

Perhaps with too much reliability, I think I will be careful about using Nevermore in the future.

Guiding the princess by subtle shifts against her neck, I lead her onward. I am so fortunate to have such a trusting soul to depend on, I will definitely have to keep her. My Will Be Done, Blessed Be.