The Ever War: Chapter 2.5

A lone figure walked an empty road, a cloak clinging to her. She made her way up a mountain. Darkness swirled above, and a chaotic wind whirled about. The cloak billowed and threatened to fly off, but a strong hand clutched it tightly.

A cave loomed ahead, and the figure made her way towards it. Stepping into the entrance, she lowered her hood and long tresses of black hair fell past her shoulders. Gold eyes surveyed the surroundings with mild disinterest, their light blue flecks glinting in the light. She stepped carefully and quietly further into the cavern. She froze at the sound of an icy voice.

"You disappoint me, my pet." A woman stepped out from behind a curtain. She wore a flowing green garment that accentuated her very much feminine figure. Golden hair fell down, almost to the floor, while emerald eyes surveyed the newcomer. To say that she was beautiful was an understatement many failed to make. She stepped forward and grabbed the girl by her neck, lifting her bodily off the ground until her feet dangled a foot above the ground. The woman threw her against a wall, where she lay gasping for air. "I specifically told you that you were to retrieve the Sage. So where is she?" She sneered.

The girl struggled to her knees and bowed before her. "I failed, my Mistress. The Wander..." She was cut off.

"The Wanderer?!" The woman exclaimed. She rushed to the girl and helped her with what could almost be called affection. But the girl wasn't fooled. She was a tool, a weapon, nothing more. "What was the Wanderer doing there?! And so soon!"

"My Mistress, he grew up with her." She hesitated. "He isn't like his predecessors. He has a strength I have never seen before. He killed the dragon Lord Saevio entrusted me with."

The woman caressed her face. "You have done well by bringing me this news, Echo. Go rest. You have much to do." The girl obediently got to her feet and made her way to her chamber. "Oh, and Echo." The girl turned. "Be sure not to fail me again. You know what I am like when I am displeased." The girl hurried off. The woman paced, lost in her thoughts.

"Are you troubled, my sister?" A sinister voice asked. "Is the lovely Lilith troubling her head over some young upstart?"

She whirled about. "He is more than just some upstart, Avar!" Avar snorted.

"He will share the same fate as the rest of his kind. Extinguishing. We will snuff him out like the others." His response was a sneer. He was dressed in gold trimmed clothing, his shirt was adorned with gems of all kinds. His blond hair was encircled by a gold, jaded circlet. Azul eyes studied his sister.

Lilith frowned and snarled at him. "He is more than an upstart. He slew one of Saevio's prized dragons!"

Avar raised an eyebrow. "Did he now? Odd...the others weren't nearly that strong, nor were their powers that developed at his age." He paused and what could pass as worry flashed across his face. "You don't suppose..."

"...that he is the one? Of course it's crossed my mind!" She growled. "It has crossed all our minds!"

"And what of the Keeper? Any sign of her?" Avar asked. He surveyed his surroundings with disdain. His sister had always preferred simple, pleasurable decoration. She always said that it made her men feel more comfortable.

"You know as well as I do that there has been no real sign of her in at least a century. She is up to something. And there is no way of knowing what." Lilith sighed, sinking down into one of her cushions. "What have the others been up to?"

Avar rolled his eyes and sat opposite her. "So far, they have not at all been that concerned. Saevio is determined to slaughter an entire world, but Gula Gula wants to keep it because of their exquisite meals as he puts it. Vanagloria keeps saying she's going to visit you, but she can't figure out which outfits to where." He sighed. "Whatever has happened to us? We were once rulers of entire worlds, and now look how far you have fallen."

"Then the time has finally come for us to reclaim what should be ours, my faithful one." A malicious voice filled the room, resounding throughout. The two Generals lept to their feet. Awe filled their faces, and they knelt as a Shadow of Shadows formed before them. "The time has come for us to make our move. Lilith, send in your minion. Have her strike at the very heart of them. Our patience will finally be rewarded."

"Yes, my Lord." Her eyes shone in twisted adoration. Her eyes gleamed hopeful.

"Shall we move out? It has been so long since I have had my fill of..."

Avar cut her off. "When do we attack? It has been long since my sword has spilled any blood." He ignored his sister's glare. The Shadow laughed, the room booming with the sound of it.

"You both shall have your desires soon enough. For now, send the girl to Hayat. Use the Ancient Way; they have not been guarding it as much as they have. I shall summon the others and then discuss what we shall do. Now, go back to your duties. We have much to prepare for." He vanished in the manor that he came. Avar and Lilith exchanged a glance and smiled. Lilith turned to Echo's room and laughed. "Echo, COME! I have a new task for you." Avar stood at the cave's mouth. A smile twisted into a smirk, his eyes briefly flashing black. He stood and looked out on a world that would soon be his.