Shadows of the Past

My eyes fluttered open and I saw Mara's head resting against my chest, her white hair splayed about. Her hand was tightly clutching my shirt as her breaths came out steady and in an almost hypnotic rhythm. My brows furrowed and I went to tap her on the shoulder to wake her, but I had a sudden flashback.

I was laying on a couch with the same beautiful, brown haired woman sleeping on my chest. I blinked a few times in surprise before looking around the room. I was inside of a wooden cabin, and a rather spacious one at that. I looked back at the woman to find her staring up at me, and I could feel the love contained within her gaze.

The woman smiled and whispered "It's okay, Lucifer, you can go back to sleep now. I told you that I'd be fine..." I felt my eyes begin to burn as I slowly reached my hand out toward her, but I soon found myself reaching out toward Mara's smiling face. I pulled my hand back and cleared my throat before saying "Sorry about that..." in a low voice.

Mara giggled and stretched languidly before settling back down on my chest and saying "Don't worry about it. Just go back to sleep so I can watch the cute faces you make when you dream..." I felt my cheeks become warm as I sighed and muttered "Is this some kind of punishment...?" Mara looked up at me and tilted her head before asking "What, am I not attractive to you? I have a few other women who you might like..." I felt a wry smile plaster itself across my face as I though 'Hell, I'd prefer Sayuri and Amelia over this stupidly cute woman's teasing...'

Mara began to pout as she pinched my cheek and said "I can tell that you're thinking of other women. I was joking..." I had to admit, even though her antics made my heart feel like it was getting ripped to shreds, they also helped me out more than anything else during rough times. Mara plopped her head back down and let out a tired sigh before muttering "I don't wanna go back to all of that paperwork..." as she drew circles on my chest with her finger. I looked up at the ceiling and tried to think about what would cause a flashback like the one earlier. I needed to know the cause...

Mara sighed once more and lazily climbed off of me and stood up before stretching once more. I stood up as well and went to pop my neck, but Mara suddenly wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into her embrace as she said "I know that you might not fully trust me yet...but I really do want nothing but the best for you. I just have this feeling that you're going to change history for the better...I just know that you can do all kinds of amazing things, so I wanted to be there for you and help you every step of the way...I want to see you truly smile as you realize that you're not a threat to your friends and especially when you see them again..."

I blinked my eyes in surprise as a strange feeling of gratitude gripped my heart. I let out a sigh through my nose and returned her embrace before saying "Thank you, Mara. You've helped me in more ways than I can count, and I'm truly thankful for that." I pulled away and noticed Mara's face had become slightly red as she had a somewhat goofy smile on her face.

I shook my head in exasperation before turning and walking over toward a table with all kinds of things splayed out over it before asking "Want some coffee? I could use some coffee right now..." I heard Mara laugh and say "My, look at you being such a gentleman all of a sudden. Sure, load it up with sugar please..."

---

I was crouched down on a large rock as I peeked over the edge and watched three Hive Wizards casually float around Thieves' Landing, a place in the Tangled Shore. These Wizards were no ordinary Wizards, they wore crimson red robes and looked to be of Noble blood.

I clicked my tongue and dropped down to the ground next to an Awoken male with long, flowing red hair and glowing cyan eyes. This man was one of the few people who actually welcomed my presence besides Mara, and his name is Caarjin Voj, one of the most talented fighters in the Dreaming City.

Caarjin looked at me and asked "What do you think they're planning?" as he moved to look at the Wizards. I shrugged my shoulders and said "Hell if I know. According to the Queen, there haven't been sightings of the Hive on the Tangled Shore in years." Caarjin nodded his head as he continued to watch the three Wizards and said "Yes, that is true for the most part..." before trailing his words.

I moved over toward him and peeked over his shoulder. I saw the Wizards chanting in their shrill voices, likely conjuring a portal for more Hive. I clicked my tongue and grabbed Sol's scabbard before patting Caarjin's shoulder and saying "It's your time to shine my friend. Let's see who can kill the most!" I leapt down from the small cliff we were on and drew Sol, it's fiery blade burning brightly.

I sent out a line of fire toward the nearest Wizard, causing its shield to explode on impact. I rushed forward with a small smile on my face as Caarjin landed next to me with his sword and dagger drawn. We leapt toward the Wizards as a large green portal burst to life. We were forced to dodge the various projectiles shot at us as Knights and Acolytes began to flood out of the portal.

Caarjin chuckled and I cocked my brow at him, prompting him to speak. Caarjin had an amused smile on his face as he mused "Maybe I can get Mara's attention if I kill the most Hive..." I tried to hold back my laughter as I said "Ahaha, go ahead and try bud, but we both know that she's hopelessly attached to me." Caarjin's face twisted into one of mock sadness as he said "Alas, my love has gone to waste!"

We were forced to stop joking around as we dodged and deflected the Hive's attacks. I sent out a large wave of Darkness infused flames, scorching most of the first wave. A massive amount of Thralls began to swarm out of the portal, confusing me for a second. Why would they send their strongest units out first and then the cannon fodder?

I worked my blade through the rotting flesh of the Thralls faster than most could react to while keeping an eye on the Wizards, who were floating off to the side with grotesque smiles. My eyes widened as I turned to Caarjin and yelled "RUN!" as the Thralls began to glow a menacing dark red.

I ran over to Caarjin and threw up a barrier of Darkness. Sounds of explosions rang out and left my ears ringing as the ground shook violently. The surroundings calmed down and the bowling's of the Wizards soon began to grow closer. I conjured a wall of Darkness infused ice and pushed it toward the ravenous Wizards before grabbing Caarjin by the arm and pulling him forward.

We began to run as fast as we could until we had gained a reasonable amount of ground. We stopped and I spun around before sticking my palms out and gathering as much Darkness infused fire as I could before firing it down at the Wizards. The black fireball burst into a shower of flames, covering the Wizards and disintegrating their bodies in a mere thirty seconds.

I breathed a sigh of relief as Caarjin sputtered and said "Damn, leave it up to the grand Lucifer Blake to destroy three Duskbreakers...I'm not even surprised anymore..." in an amused voice. I laughed and awkwardly rubbed the back of my head before saying "Sorry, I guess...?"

Caarjin released an over dramatic sigh before saying "Alas, I shall never be able to compete with you for my sweet Mara...oh the agony!" I smiled at the man's actions and pat his shoulder before saying "You're already engaged man, give it a rest..." Caarjin waved his hand in a dismissive gesture before turning and walking back toward his ship.

I shrugged and followed after him as I glanced back at the rather large pile of ashes smoldering in the distance. We soon reached out ships and I made haste climbing in to mine and taking off. I had a few places I wanted to visit before heading back to the Dreaming City.

I flew around the various asteroids and ship parts as I made my way over to the large planet of Jupiter. I arrived in a few minutes and dove into the stormy atmosphere of the strange orange and white planet. I had found a 'safe' spot to land and stepped out onto the planet's sandy ground.

It was like Jupiter was covered in a constant sandstorm as lightning crackled above and sand flew about all over the place. I began to move toward a place I had deemed noteworthy and soon came across what I was looking for.

There was a massive Hive structure that stretched as far as I could see with a multitude of hideous green-orange spires sticking far up into the sky. I knew those Hive I had encountered were somehow different than the others...

I hurried back to my ship and took off back toward the Dreaming City to report my findings.

---

A large Knight with bluish-white chitin plate-like skin watched Lucifer's ship take off and began to chuckle to itself sinisterly. The Knight got up from its throne of bones and gestured to the three Hive standing behind it. They stepped up and kneeled before the Knight, keeping their heads down, as it spoke, saying "Now, my children. It is our time to begin, is it not?"

The three kneeling, one a massive, crimson colored Knight with two, dark red wings folded behind its back, one a female Knight with a large broadsword strapped to her back, and the other was a Wizard with a long, oval shaped head and long, flowing crimson robes, looked up at the large Knight and said "Yes, Father!" in unison.

The Knight smiled and said "Yes, good, good! I will give you three this important task, so be sure to win, no matter the cost!" The Knight's three children nodded their heads and stood up before walking out of the room, leaving the Knight alone as it walked up to a balcony and stared out at the large city of Hive below.

There were all kinds of markets, businesses, as well as families walking around on the streets, completely ignorant toward the growing threats of the outside. The Knight sighed and muttered "If only I could find a way to talk some peace into those damn warmongers...all we ever wanted was true peace, but we were forced to take it by force..."