The First Step

The waves clashed against the galleons. The sailors rushed around the boat. The sea was filled with people shouting. It was a miracle that they made it back to Golden Gate. They were welcomed by the King and escorted to the barracks. Commander Sephtis Mabuz met with Krimson, and the knights went back to where they originally came from. Sephtis presented the purple liquid and journal to Krimson. Krimson looked at the bottle and frowned.

"I don't think I'm familiar with this liquid..." he said

"We found this in someone's house. We believe it belongs to the Shard's Doctor. The journal says it was once used on Clover, the late king." Sephtis explained

"Ah. Well, what does it do?" Krimson asked

"We don't really know." Sephtis said

"You can take your mask off, Darkness." Krimson said, "Your voice is muffled."

"Sorry." Darkness said, taking the mask and cloaks off.

"Anything else?" Krimson asked

"You already knew that the portal was destroyed, the number of monsters is dwindling, and Lavernius is alive." Darkness reported

"Did you see him?" Krimson asked

"No, but his party that he was traveling with told us. I confirmed that there was a boat on the south shore. I could see the divot it made in the sand. He's heading south." Darkness said

"He'll die. Who knows what condition that kingdom is in." Krimson said

"The boy, David, I think there is something special about him. I could smell it in his blood." Darkness said

"What was the color of his eyes?" Krimson asked

"Electrum." Darkness said

Krimson stood motionless for a minute and then walked over to the window. He stuck his arm out to feel the wind. It was cold. The sky was cloudy and dark. There was a strange mist in the air. He turned to Darkness.

"Interesting. Let's step back for a moment. The Shard's Doctor, is he alive? And why was his house at Crow?" Krimson asked

"The status of the Doctor is unknown. I heard he lived in all kingdoms, but only served Clover Shard." Darkness said

With visible stress and frustration, Krimson sat down on his throne. The throne was made of silver and gilded with gold. Darkness stood and watched Krimson rub his forehead. He pointed at the wall, Darkness played along and turned to look at where his king was pointing.

"South?" Darkness said confused.

"That is where our enemies lie. Also it is where Crow is, kind of." Krimson said

Krimson pointed again. This time with a blank face.

"North?" Darkness asked, "What's special up there?"

"Open land, forests, mountains, monsters. I was thinking ma-" Krimson began to speak but was derailed by another thought.

"Are you saying Crow Tower is too far?" Darkness asked

"Does anyone else know?" Krimson asked

"Know what?" Darkness asked

"About our expedition." Krimson said

"No, we went by sea so we wouldn't have been seen." Darkness said

Krimson slowly stood out of his thorne. His eyes were full of wonder. He began to count on his hands for a few moments. Then he walked around the room and stopped in the center. Darkness stared at him, confused and intrigued.

"I lost it." Krimson said disappointed

"What were you thinking about?" Darkness asked

"I..." Krimson said, turning to Darkness.

The wonder turned to madness quickly. He stood tall and proud. He clenched his fists and with a smirk he spoke again.

"I'd rather see my kingdom fall," Krimson Reagon said, "I want it all or none."

"What do you mean?" Darkness asked

"Power. I want all the power." Krimson said

"You have the rings, just follow His instructions." Darkness said

"SCREW HIM!" Krimson yelled, "He is taking too LONG!"

"Calm down, trust in the process." Darkness said

"No, I won't. I don't need you any more." Krimson said

"What do-" Darkness started to say.

With a straight face, Krimson shot a beam of fire Energy. Darkness was consumed by the flames. Krimson stood silently. After a few seconds, he lowered his head and looked at the floor. He took a deep breath and exhaled. He was completely calm.

"I'm sorry, Darkness." Krimson said, "You were only a splinter, and a pawn. Now I can really get started without Him looking at me all the time. Where should I begin?"

Krimson walked around the throne room and began to pick up papers and other items from the desk. He sorted them into piles. He got a leather pouch from the shelf and pulled out four rings. He put the first ring on his finger. With a smile, he placed the second ring on his other hand. He picked up another ring and slipped it onto his thumb. With the last ring, he put it on his ring finger. The rings glowed and power was surging into him.

"Ah!" Krimson exclaimed, "Now I am ready. I will kill Jack Shard. No matter the cost."

As Krimson turned to leave, he paused in front of the door. He turned back around. He looked to where Darkness was standing, there were no remains of him. His soul went back to his creator. Krimson continued to walk towards the door, and then through it.

Krimson opened a portal. It glowed bright and was loud. He took a step back as he watched a monster step through. A giant smirk covered Krimson's face.

"Leviathan, Welcome." Krimson said, "I have a plan."

"It's been a while. I'm assuming you got rid of it." Leviathan said

"Yes, He probably got stronger now that the splinter rejoined Him." Krimson said

"What's your plan?" Leviathan asked

"There's an Electrum in Azalea Village. Imagine the power you will gain if you eat him." Krimson said

"What's in it for you? You must get something out of his death." Leviathan said

"I get him out of the picture. He's young. He probably doesn't even know how special and powerful he truly is. I want him dead before he realizes." Krimson said

"What is with the rings?" Leviathan asked

"They have power stones in them. They only work if you have all four. With them I should be able to kill Lavernius Bear if I see him." Krimson said

"He's just a mortal." Leviathan said

"No, he is much more than a mere mortal." Krimson said