The Black Hand

"Zariel!" A cruel snarl of Elder Castian reached over the horizon, dragging his aged body over the clouds. A vicious expression touched his face. "For the Temporal Brotherhood!" He wailed, parting the clouds and shattering the Redwoods beneath his feet.

He wasted no time and bent his knee with such Arcana. Space started to distort. Shaking and twisting, unable to handle the Arcana being generated, beneath Castians feet, a flash of inhuman light tore towards Zariel.

"Die!" Howled the Elder, wishing to plunge his arm throw Zariels chest.

Trailing his eyes over to the Immortal, indifference mixed with contempt and disgust washed over Zariels mighty eyes. He had long understood he had one chance to make an impression. The Silver Devil willed the Weave to fill his sights.

'Two times is all I can do.' He thought, narrowing his sterling eyes, a single word left his lips, the instant Castian touched upon his chest. "Chaos."

A hollow grunt escaped Cassian's lips as he looked down at the small child, whom he wished nothing more than to peel alive. He could still recall the screams, the tormented cries of their bodies breaking down.

Back then, how many could have said so? Only those who were close to the peak of the second stage of power and higher were able to escape Zariels mark. Within the first second, their bodies began to curl into inhuman abominations, twisting in such ways their very bones clawed their way through the flesh. It was then their Soul Flame began to burn, leading those under the horrid power of Zariels Order to bellow in laughter and tears. Locked in an endless nightmare, the loved ones of those powerful enough to survive were forced to watch, unable to help. The next moment after what seemed like a lifetime, their bodies would fade off into a sheet of silver essence—leaving nothing behind but the hollow cries.

Shaking uncontrollably, Castian paled and staggered back. He touched his chest and looked down at his fingers that had already begun to twist, revealing his white bones. "The Temporal Brotherhood still lives!" He helplessly muttered, plummeting from the skies—his cries ringing over the desolate darkness.

"I have never heard of the Temporal Brotherhood, but like you, they to shall die." Said Zariel callously, dusting his chest off where Castian touched. " Now, if you all will excuse me, I have a disciple that needs me." He claimed, piercing through the air northwest towards the Tower of Sorrow.

Hiding the paleness, Zariel dared not show weakness. Distorting the Weave around anyone used one of the two charges he had within him.

Bitting the tip of his tongue to hold focus, a lone stone tower appeared before his eyes in a matter of seconds. Glancing to his rear, Zariel could not help but notice the rising presence growing by the number. He returned his gaze to the Tower of Sorrow. Frowning at the unbelievably powerful warding, he clitted his swollen tongue.

"What the hell is this place?"Said Zariel solemnly. "There is only one entrance. But Aurelia seems to be at the top; how did she get there if she just entered?"

Skimming his eyes for any weakness with the help of the Weave, he landed over the top of the power and pierced severance through one of the warding runes hidden from sight. Twisting his blade without hesitation, a surge of darkness rushed over his body, swallowing him before any were the wiser.

Appearing like a ghost from out of the shadows of the void, Dearil, the Lord of Ash, frowned. "That damn child has gone and done it. After this, there will be no more doubt." Said the Lord of Ash gravely. He then smiled half heartily and shook his head, "The Chaos Lords will not be too happy about your return. Father, may even return once he learns of your survival. Good Luck, my boy."

---

"WHAT!" Titus, the Heavenly Battle King of the Imperial Kindom of Iliah, thundered. Howling from his Blackened Crystal Throne, his breathing grew long and ragged like a furious dragon. "WHAT THE HELL IS DEARIL DOING!"

"Calm yourself, my Lord," Said Iron Blood, Aldwyn calmly on one knee. "You should not be surprised we were warned that Zariel stilled lives; this should not be a surprise."

Titus growled and rested his chin over his hand. "Send an army to the Redwoods of Zyphis. We cannot look like we are helping Zariel. That blasted son of mine will be the death of us all."

"But of course," said Aldwyn, glancing up with scarlet, green eyes that swirled, revealing a strange glint in his eyes. "however, Lord Dearil will not be pleased. You may be king, but he is one of the Three of the Imperial Tribunal. If you wish to out rule him, you must seek their approval."

"Find a way then, Aldwyn!" Said Titus harshly, baring his fangs, "I appointed two of those fuckers. Blackmail if you must, but there will be an army on their way to Zyphis by day's end."

Hesitant, Aldwyn lowered his head for but a moment. "My lord, the Tribunal is without a doubt one of our greatest powers. It goes without saying Lord Dearil could easily slaughter any army you send with his own. But to challenge the other Lords of the Tribunal would be most unwise. Zariel was smart about this. He knows how Lawful Dearil is. He will not compromise this Trial, not even if the greatest murderer the Twelve Realms have ever seen takes part once more. Zariel is still a member of the imperial family and of age to join."

"A cursed bastard if I ever had one!" Titus remarked, clenching his fist. He rose from his Blackened Crystal Throne, said to be molded by One of the Seven Greater Power of Creation, and anointed, The Throne of War by his Lord Father, the Seventh King of Iliah. "Send word to The Black Hands. They are to find Zariel Snow and take his head. Same for those by his side. I want all those who had the pleasure of creating karma with him dead."

"It will be expensive," Aldwyn warned, not so much bothered by the price he knew that Black Hand would charge but felt it was his obligation to inform his lord the king.

"Then charge it to Dearil. It was he who dared allow that cursed seed to live." Titus coldly remarked.

Finding a slight smile, Aldwyn nodded, "But of course, also. There has been no news regarding that Golden Blade. The Seers, however, are bleeding from their eyes. Repeating a single word over and over."

Letting out an involuntary scuff, Titus spoke, "Useless the lot of them. What is this word?"

"Morningstar"