The Uninvited Guest

The snow was soft and glistened in the sunlight. The market was full of life and very loud. Knights patrolled regularly and everyone was minding their own business. But when he passed by, everyone looked and stared. He was wearing a black cloak with a silver mask that covered his eyes but had his nose and mouth exposed.

"Excuse me, sir." he said, "Do you know if the Shard's doctor is here?"

"Yeah, I think he lives on the west side." the Knight said

"Thank you." he said bowing

"Sure." the Knight said

The mysterious man walked away and headed west. He came across an old looking building. It was probably built before the great expansion and was never remodeled. The door was closed, but it wasn't locked. He opened it and stepped inside.

A man sat behind a desk, with books and papers scattered everywhere. There was a large table in the middle of the room.

"Who might you be?" the Doctor asked, rising from his chair.

"You are still alive." he said, walking up to the desk and pulling out a bag that was hidden.

"What's that?" the Doctor asked

"We- I found this while wandering Crow Tower." he said

Inside the bag was a capsule with purple liquid and a journal written by the Doctor himself.

"What does this do? It was used on Clover, wasn't it?" he asked

"Yes, it gives power to whoever uses it. It cannot fall into the hands of an evil person. Especially Krimson Reagon, he is bad news." the Doctor

"Why?" the man said, with a sinister smile.

"It would give him too much power. You may not know his secret, but I do. He is a demi-god." The Doctor said

"Did you tell anyone?" he said

"No, It was written in a letter by a general, who was killed by him." the Doctor said

"Ah, yes. I remember." he said, removing the cloak and mask

"No- It can't be." the Doctor said

"Thank you for this very valuable information." Krimson Reagon said

"Someone he-" the Doctor tried to yell, but Krimson crushed his head with gravity Energy.

Blood spattered all over the room. Krimson picked up the vial and injected it into his arm. The fluid filled his veins and circulated throughout his body. He groaned as the power surged in him.

As soon as he calmed down, he put the cloak and mask back on and left the building. He walked towards an inn. The inn was close to the main palace. He entered the building and was stopped by the Innkeeper.

"What's with the mask, Stranger?" he said

"I have strange eyes. I'm afraid of people making fun of them." Krimson said

"It looks cool. I'm Todd." he said

"I'm Kamrin." Krimson said

"You new here?" Todd asked

"Yeah." Krimson said

"Any questions?" Todd asked

"Yeah, I have one. Is the palace open to anyone?" Krimson said

"Yes, but you can't go past the throne room. You will be stopped by guards." Todd said

"Thanks, I think I'll go tomorrow." Krimson said, "Can I get a room for a night?"

"Sure." Todd said

Krimson paid for the room and took the key. He headed up to the room and got comfortable. He opened the window and listened to the people. The air was cold and snow fell from above. The citizens sounded so happy. It made Krimson's blood boil. His face was full of rage. All he was thinking about was killing Jack and conquering Dusk.

Before the sun had completely risen above the horizon, Krimson walked towards the palace. Knights were in every corner. While he was entering the throne room, the sun pierced through the windows. The room was empty, besides the two knights guarding the throne. Krimson walked around, while the Knights watched him in silence. The guards were watching him closely because of his mask and cloak. He placed his hand on the cold metal throne.

"Where is your king?" Krimson asked

"Not here." a Knight said

"I see that. Will he be down?" he asked

"No." the Knight said

"I see." Krimson said

"Who are you? Do you live here?" the other Knight asked

"No, not really. Just visiting." Krimson said

"Sorry to disappoint you, sir." the Knight said

"I guess it is alright." Krimson said

Krimson walked around until he was behind the throne, out of view. The Knight walked over to where Krimson was, but he was gone. The Knight ran back and shouted, "He's gone!" A bell started ringing within the castle. Knights were frantically running around trying to find the man. Hours passed, and they couldn't find any trace of him. They weren't sure if he had left the palace or was hiding somewhere inside.

Jack and Evelyn were escorted into a family room that was on a higher level. Two Knights stood outside and two others patrolled the hallways. Jack sat next to Evelyn and looked at her. She was wearing the dress she always wore when they went out together. Her hair was also tied up.

"It's going to be okay." Jack said

"I'm scared, Daddy." Evelyn said

Suddenly all the candles went out and the windows closed. The only thing still lit was a small fire in the corner of the room for heat. Jack scanned the room constantly, but some areas were too dark to see in. He opened his mouth to call in a guard, but a voice began to speak. A very familiar voice.

"That would be a bad idea, Jack Shard." the voice said from the shadows.

"Krimson Reagon." Jack said, with anger.

"Sorry it took me a while to find you, I don't have my searcher anymore." He said, stepping out of the shadows.

His wine red eyes glowed in the darkness and struck fear into both of the Shards. He casually sat down in a chair in front of them and pulled out a dagger.

"I paid your doctor a visit, but he won't be seeing anyone else." Krimson said

"Why are you here?" Jack asked

"I was wondering that, too. I want to believe I am doing this because of my own free will, but I also believe I am just following His instructions. I can't break free from Him" Krimson said

"Your father?" Jack asked

"Yeah." Krimson said

"If he wants us dead, why does he use you?" Jack asked

"I don't know. Maybe because he would get carried away and destroy the entire kingdom." Krimson said

"Are you going to kill us?" Jack asked

"I don't know. I came here to talk, if we get through what I want to say, I may forget about the killing part." Krimson said

"What do you want to talk about?" Jack asked

"Lavernius Bear. Remember him? Of course you do. He is dangerous and extremely powerful. I sent Leviathan to stop him. Lavernius should be arriving at Light in the next hour or so. He is going after the artifacts. If he defeats my brother, then I will destroy him before he enters the portal." Krimson said

"Portal? The one your brother crawled out of?" Jack asked

"Yeah, it leads to the world of gods. I hope Lavernius dies before reaching the Atlas. He already knows where the Illuminati is. I had a dream. In this dream you were invited by an old acquaintance to go and fight Lavernius and follow him through the portal. This means I fail and that I am killed by Lavernius. Which makes sense, since he would have the power of both artifacts. With this man were three kids." Krimson said

"You had a dream where you were already dead?" Jack asked

"I don't understand it either. I could kill you, but then you wouldn't be able to help defeat him if I fail." Krimson said

"Why did you sneak in?" Jack asked

"Would you have listened to me if I didn't have you at knife point?" Krimson asked

"Maybe not." Jack said

"I have warned you." Krimson said, "Goodbye."

Krimson stood up and walked into the shadows. Once he vanished, the candles lit up and the windows opened. Jack held Evelyn close. He called the guards in and told them that he must have left the castle. The guards agreed and the security loosened. Jack stared out the window into the open blue sky.