Chapter 1. A shadow in the night

Book Two

My Golden Hamartia

By. Fox Leif

It was dark atop the massive stone spire. An old lookout post from the days when the cities stretched this far and the fourth outer ring hadn't been breached during the war. The times before everything had gone wrong.

I sighed and stood from where I had been sleeping, my cloak flapping out behind me like a sail in the wind.

I walked to the edge of the tower and hopped up onto the battlements, feeling the emptiness beneath me as the tips of my boots hung out into the void. The strong gale whistled around me, sending my hair into a flutter of ebony strands, threatening to throw me backwards as it slammed into the tower and rolled up over the top.

I looked at the grassy field far below, patches of it were turning tan under the imminence of the first frost. I glanced down. My head began to swirl, images of my body broken and shattered, blood seeping into the grass far below.. [might make things easier.. one more step, and it's all over] a voice tugged at my mind. I teetered forwards for a moment, then stepped back. 'no.. no.. I can't.'

I slowly and carefully sat down, my legs dangling off the precipice, feeling heavy under my exhaustion. 'How long was I asleep? a couple hours?' I thought, wondering.

I gazed out across the plains over towards the massive cityscape beneath me. Lochburn.. home to the royal family of Aldlake. The 3 surviving ring walls loomed up, almost reaching the top of the tower at their highest point.

A beautiful palace sat at the top of the highest ring. Twisting turrets, ornate stained glass windows that depicted various scenes of history, flags flying the blue banner of the city flapping violently under the assault of the storm. Painted with a vaguely pink lime wash.

Overseeing the city and everything in the surrounding area, the castle was a bastion to the city's legacy and glory. The inside was even more lavish from what I remembered. Blue and gold weaved carpets, resonance lit and well maintained torches and lights keeping the place constantly as bright as if it were day, rooms after room of empty space gone to waste..

Gazing into the upper district, the fine houses and storefronts well lit by werelights and guarded by royal soldiers, the nobles slept peacefully, ignorant to the goings on of the building-cramped streets of the slums in the layer below it. The candle lit windows of the lower district reminded me of home a little.. it must have been some kind of holiday, the way they were all shining like a myriad of stars in the night sky. It had been long since I gave thought to those kinds of things.. holidays always made me feel more alone in Lenora and Varis.. I grimaced at that memory, cursing under my breath. 'Damn it, Elysian.. don't go reminding yourself again.." I chastised myself.

I looked up at the sky. The drifting colors of the split were quite vibrant tonight, what I could see through the dense cloud cover at least. I always loved this kind of view.. but the aurora was the worst of the holidays for my psyche as much as I enjoyed the sight..

My eyes drifted across the landscape, drawn to the flight of migrating birds in the distance, to the faint glimmer of the ocean far, far at the edge of the horizon, across the dark forest, the trees fighting phantom assailants as the gale buffered them about. Across the rows of destroyed buildings, partially ruined farms, and old battlements, slowly being claimed by the kudzu that coated almost everything. Then lastly, down towards the front gate, where a pair of waving torches were bobbing up from the forest, held close to armored bodies to protect them from the wind. 'That's probably the last watch. I'm lucky I woke up when I did.' I thought, rising to my feet, the wind catching my cloak and pressing it against my back as I turned on my heel and strode towards the old trap door leading down, dropping off the wall with a slight hop. When I reached it, I grasped the freezing iron ring and tugged at it. It popped open with a quiet whoosh as more of the gust escaped.

As I descended the stone steps, I got the occasional blast of icy wind from the slit windows along the walls. I shivered a bit, I didn't feel the cold much.. but it certainly was hard to ignore. Made me wish I had my old warm armor and fluffy winter cloak… a wish that I likely would never fulfill.. no matter how close I got.. I could never bring myself to return there..

'winter must be right around the corner..' I thought as I pulled my cloak a bit tighter around myself. 'not that it changes much.. Aldlake is always cold.'

Eventually I reached the bottom, an unlit lantern swung softly in the breeze that could make it this far.

I tugged on the door.. but it didn't budge. I cursed and pulled harder. It flew open, the tempest howling in after it, wrenching the handle from my hand, rather painfully.

I staggered a couple steps under the force. Righting myself, I started trudging my way down the hill towards the torches of the guard post.

I lowered my hood over my face as I approached the nearest guard. I found myself missing my helmet once more. It kept the cold out, and covered my features better.

The soldier wore standard issue basic plate armor with an open visored helmet, the royal family crest emblazoned upon his azure blue and white surcoat. A gold leaf dove sitting in a nest within a crown, a flower in its beak, the same sigil that sat on every coin. He had a simple shortsword at his left side, a shield on the same arm, which he was drumming his fingers on lazily as he watched me. When I reached him he rested his hand on the pommel of his sword and held out his other. "you're cutting it pretty fine, traveler. ID and papers." he snarled.

I pulled my guild tag from around my neck, and a small collection of papers from a dedicated waterproof pouch at my side. A licence to kill as a mercenary, a permit to travel, and a guild statement showing that the other two were real and valid.

I offered what he'd asked for, the small iron tag swaying like a hypnotist's ring. "Vicci Redboot, third tier contracted mercenary." it read. A fake identity. A necessity given my predicament.

He poured over my paperwork and tag "keep your nose clean, venal." he growled, handing my things back to me and turning to the gate. "Oi! Open up, fukin' freezing out here, damn it!" he shouted.

An insult like that would have rewarded the guard with a fresh black eye a few years ago.. but now.. I was so used to it I just stood and waited.

A second guard popped his head out of the wall and surveyed the situation before disappearing again. After a few seconds the drawbridge began clanking down towards me.

I stepped up onto it as it slammed down onto the road at my feet and began walking across. Once I was inside it thudded back closed as the guard followed me in, muttering under his breath.

Looking up from under my hood, I saw the staircase up to the market square was closed off by a massive intricate iron gate. I sighed, 'looks like I'll have to find a place to stay for the night.' I thought, beginning to look around for something. I turned the corner near the stairs, spotting a wooden sign hanging over a building. "Singing oak, inn and tavern." It read.

I started towards the door, only to nearly be thrown back out onto the cobbles as it burst open. A young looking man flew out, landing face first in the street with a sickening crack. I stared out at him in surprise.

I quickly looked back at the door where a hulking figure was dusting his palms as if he'd just taken out the trash. His left arm was tattooed with a dragon wrapping around it, his face scarred as if he had been in many battles. He wore a white sleeveless tunic and brown trousers, a cutlass sheathed at his side. Quite pirate-like, I thought.

He yelled out at the man, "And don't 'cha come back, ye lousy teabag!" Just then he noticed me, "ah, my apologies sir. Please, do come in." His tone switched very quickly to a customer service voice.

He stepped out of the way to allow me to pass. I slipped inside, hearing the door close behind me. The room was rather cozy, half a dozen tables filled the space, a few people of odd dress sitting at a couple of them. A crackling fire against the far wall provided the room with a warm orange glow. There was also a bar at the opposite wall, a line of kegs sitting behind it.

The man pointed at the bar where a four armed automaton was standing. He wore a butler's uniform, two falchions sheathed on his back and a second pair at his sides. "Welcome to the singing oak. My brother will take your order whenever you're ready." The man said, his voice gruff yet friendly.

I nodded and walked up to the automaton, who quickly placed a menu in front of me. His single yellow eye that took up most of his face flashing slightly in the firelight. The thing creeped me out a bit.. so.. human-like, yet not.. the way it sat perfectly still and then suddenly flashed into motion. I shivered a bit and looked back down at the menu.

I peered at my options, eventually pointing to a vegetable curry and a tea made out of something called dragon fruit. The automaton whisked the menu away with one hand, grabbing a mug and beginning to fill it with a steaming red liquid with another pair.

Once the mug was full he set it in front of me and started off towards a curtained off room. I sniffed dubiously at the drink in front of me, it smelled offely sweet..

I took a tentative sip, my eyes widening. It was delicious, certainly sweet yet not overly so. It had a nice mixture of flavors as well.

I drained the entire cup, licking my lips, satisfied. As I slammed the mug down a metal hand snatched it off the table, replacing it with a plate before I could even blink, making me flinch. The damn thing was so fast.. but it didn't seem to want to cause me any harm.. so I tried to ignore my worries. The food looked amazing too, red curry on top of rice, a vegetable stir fry on the side.

I dug in. It didn't last much longer than the tea had. I sat back, sighing. 'How long has it been since I've eaten this well? 4? No 5 years?'

When I looked back down the plate was gone as well. I looked up at the automaton "I need a room for the night." I said hesitantly. 'Can it even hear me?'

He rifled through a box of cards on the bar and placed one in front of me. "80M, Sir."

I stared down at the note 'gods that's expensive.. I'll have to run some extra jobs at the guild…' I thought, pulling the small gold coin out of my belt pouch.

I set it in his hand. As I did, immediately a small iron key was slammed in front of me, once again causing me to jump. The number 3 was carved into the top, painted with white inlay.

The automaton pointed to a staircase nearby that I hadn't noticed before.

I rose to my feet, walking towards the steps.

As I went up them I saw a short hall, 3 doors either side and one on the end with a bathroom sign. I looked at the door to my right, the number 1 was painted in white in the middle of it. On my left was 2.

I approached the one with a 3 and inserted the key into the lock. The room was plain, but just like the diner, it was cozy. Across from me was a desk beneath a shuttered window, a corked ink pot, metal quill-looking pen, and pad of heavy paper neatly sitting on it. To the right of that crammed into the corner was the bed, a dark wooden frame with a fluffy looking mattress and green woolen blanket with white under lining.

I walked inside and closed the door behind me. I sighed, pulling my hood back. I ran my fingers through my oily black hair, shifting my bangs out of my eyes. I slung my cloak off my shoulders, draping it over the bed frame. Next I removed my beaten brown leather satchel and battered curved sword, setting the satchel on the desk and leaning the sword against the side of the bed, within easy reach.

Finally I lay down, letting out a deep breath as I sank into the mattress. It seemed to be filled with feathers or cotton rather than straw. A nice change of pace from the hard forest ground or the occasional stable bale of hay that I had been sleeping on. But.. I bet my bed back home would feel even better. 'soon..' I thought.

I sighed and turned in the bed, curling up into a ball. I lay awake for a while, staring up at the wooden beams of the ceiling. I closed my eyes, keeping my mind as clear as possible and taking long, deep breaths to quell the nightmares that came with the release of sleep.

It helped a little bit. I was in a new place, nothing to trigger me. The soft bed bringing comfort and a sense of safety. I found myself quickly drifting off. Breathing in 'one.. two.. three.. four.. five.. hold..' breathing out 'one.. two.. three.. four.. five..' in and out, in and out. My muscles relaxed, one by one. But as I started drifting off, I felt like I was falling, flinching awake again, a deep rooted panic making my chest tight. I squeezed my eyes shut again, trying once more. 'one.. two.. three.. four.. five..' I slowly came closer to sleep again. I ignored the panicked feeling. 'everything is fine.. I don't.. have to worry here.. let me sleep, stupid brain.' I thought at myself. I steadily got more tired. Feeling my consciousness slip further and further. Until finally..

Dark clouds loomed overhead. Violent cracks of lightning splitting the sky, thunder booming so loud it seemed to shake the ground. Asterin stood before me, his back to the cliff's edge. The waves were violent enough for the salty sea spray to reach the top of the cliffs, splashing around us, drenching my hair with gritty water.

I raised my sword, leveling the point with Asterin's throat. The air dramatically darkened around me, charged with pure resonance energy. "this is the end, Asterin, it's over!" I yelled over the loud storm.

Asterin finally raised his own weapon. The comically oversized claymore nearly off balanced him as he did so. For some reason he was trying to hold it one handed, his other was in a pouch at his side. He grimaced "Ellie, you have to see it, I've saved you!"

I narrowed my eyes. "Saved me!? Saved me from what!? My fucking family!? What the hell do you mean, you saved me, Asterin!" I jabbed my arm back, pointing to the temple. "everything i had left, is now a burning pile of ash thanks to you! Is this is what saving me is, you should have left me to rot!"

Asterin took a step back, the cliff crumbling out from beneath his boots "they took you! They forced you into a life of fighting and danger! They weren't your family, they were using you!"

I lowered my head, glaring at him. "so what!? I don't care.. even if they were.. they gave me a life, Asterin. A purpose again." I took another step forward. "And now thanks to you.. I've lost everything.. everyone.. I was fine! We were fine! They treated you like a brother, and you fucking killed them!"

"you're one to talk!" He fired back. "You always do more harm than good! You kill more innocent people than actual threats! Do you realize how many people you've left suffering because you destroyed their lives!" He was mad now.

I glared at him through my hair. "I know what I've done, but that doesn't change the fact that you're making the same mistakes I did.." I started walking towards him "were both killers, we've both messed up.. but you've taken away both the protectors of the people.. and everyone I ever loved.. Do you have any idea what you've really done here!?" I advanced forwards more. "I'm going.. to kill you.. here and now.. i'll avenge them all.." I said, more to myself than to Asterin.

"Ellie w-wait! If you kill me now the whole of Aldlake will be in danger!" He fumbled as he tried to grab at something behind him again.

"The whole of Aldlake..? You're giving yourself too much cred-"

Suddenly, as my boot came down on the grass, a glowing archaic sigil appeared under my foot. I tried to jump away, but it was like I was glued to the floor.

At that moment, Asterin flew forward, something in his hand glinting as the sun shone through the clouds. He slammed whatever he was holding onto my face, my vision momentarily going black.

I staggered backward, the rune fading. I reached up to my face, my fingers met by ice-cold metal. I tried to pull it off but it just became colder, melding to my skin. My mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out.

I fell to one knee as a searing hot pain shot through my chest, glaring up at Asterin. I raised my hand 'damn it!' I thought, attempting to call the shadows around me.

But nothing happened.. I tried again.. nothing… Asterin took a couple of steps forward "don't bother, your core is gone."

As he drew nearer I could feel my strength quickly leaving me, the mask was now so cold it felt hot. I raised my sword and swung it at him weakly, but his claymore cracked over my sword, the rainbow blade cracking in half, the center scattering into a million pieces, shimmering in the air for a moment like stars in the sky, leaving nothing but the hilt and a stub of blade barely longer than a knife in my hand, the broken piece stabbing into the ground beside me. I stared at the falling shards. "No.." I said, the words making no noise. My hands fell to my knees. I stared at the blade. The once lively shifting colors were now dull and dead. I felt like a piece of me had just been ripped out of me.

Asterin placed a boot on my chest. I couldn't do anything to stop him. All I could do was stare. At him.. at my sword "Laelynn.. no.." i tried to say.. but once again the mask seemed to mute my words.

"You'll thank me for this some day, Ellie, I didn't want it to come to this.. but i cant afford for you to stop me.. I'll make you see the type of people the Ansels really are."

Then.. he kicked me, sending me flying backwards. As I fell, I saw him staring after me, sadness on his face. Then my view was replaced by the side of the cliff as gravity took control.

The wind whistled by my ears as I plummeted towards the jagged rocks and raging ocean far below. I tumbled through the sky, my world becoming a whirl of gray stone and foaming blue sea. The next thing I heard was a splash, a sharp pain on my face and then everything went black. A faint jingle of.. bells? Filled my mind as the sounds of bubbles rushed around me, my back aching from the impact.