The Fall 2

    She felt a sudden pang of guilt as she left the confines of the hut. The blizzard relentlessly pelted her with its shards of stinging diamond dust, her eyes being barely covered by her arm. Instantly the cold became the first issue and she blotted out all thought of Valtieri's words, though her heart grew heavier doing so.

   Its not like I'm going to be dying or something... The thought seemed to strike her at her very core. Even the slightest notion of death frightened her very soul and she immediately pushed it away. The barrier surrounding her cloak activated, a sigh of relief escaping her as she found some relief from the relentless cold. Almost blindly she stumbled about, her eyes never seeming to penetrate through the blizzard's onslaught. Before she took a moment to pass through the threshold of the Northern District into the Main Square, she was halted by a sudden urge to turn back.

    Her mind assaulted her with possibilities of the strangeness behind Valtieri's behavior. Vaguely, the vampire's action seemed halfheartedly apologetic and full of grief. Remembering the tone of the hammer, usually full of life, rung to her like a sad ringing of the Citadel's bell. Patients taken into the massive tower never return, no matter how strong the magic of Accalia and her Council of Mages can be. Her azure gaze fell onto the rising dark tower amidst the white landscape. Even as clouds of breath left her bosom, the feeling of returning to the safety of the hut couldn't be shaken. Legs now made of jello plagued her very core.

    She felt the guilt settle stronger onto her shoulders.

   “Sometimes the enemy is the one who needs your aid the most...”

    His words shook her strangely. Albeit her strength emerged from his teachings, most of the techniques she learned were taught of her natural ability. Slowly her mind attempted to wrap itself around the phrase as she trudged on finally. A sense of uneasiness now settled into the back of her mind.

   I hope I wasn't so rash towards him... He seemed...odd.

    Arden blinked. A pair of shapes rushed toward her, the cloak's barrier dissipating. Her eyes widened as agonizing pain shot through her entire body and her visage met the snow head on. Slowly she rose to her feet.

    Emblazoned on their chests was the rising tower of the Citadel, looming over the Main Square with a sense of dignity and pride.

    “You there! State your business here!” The command came from the shape on her left.

    “I will not answer to you, my business is with the Sanguine Overlord!” Instinctively she reached for Solstice, but her eyes widened. The scabbard bearing the holy blade was held by the one on the right, who's azure gaze pierced through her, despite the fog caused by the blizzard.

    “You come armed with an impressive blade. We will see what Overlord Ovelia thinks when we present her with this. You're coming with us.” In anger her visage contorted, but only for an instant, as the command now reached her.

    “It was for protection, you know that vampires attack people at random to prove their power! I need that sword!”

    At this, she was thrust to the ground by a third from behind. All fell into darkness.

   Images began to swim in the expanse of the blackness. Her azure eyes glowed softly as she opened them, her body seeming to react dully to the environment around her.

    Where is this place...?

   The first thought was thrust from her mind immediately before she took a moment to allow another to pass through her. A little lantern fell over when she attempted to explore the abyss and she leaned down gently to lift it from the ground. Turning a small knob, her eyes slowly adjusted for an instant.

    ...There's nothing for as long as I can see.

   Her eyes began to widen. In the darkness, maws could be seen drooling as they devoured the meat of the innocent around them. Their scarlet gaze fixated on the only light source and cringed, beginning to back away when she began to near them. Familiar shapes within the darkness took shape now.

   A soft, caring face was marred by the blood which poured from open wounds along her neck. Barely alive, the visage began to smile at the sight of the young girl. Tears from both beings flowed endlessly as they joined hands, the ever present menaces lurking elsewhere in the darkness.

   “...My little...Arden...” The voice was weak, but still barely audible. “...Oh, my little girl...”

   “Mother...” Her visage struck with shock, she clutched her hands in her's.

   “What...What's going on?”

   “We were attacked...by Vampires... I think they're...nearby. Y-You...you have to get out of here while you have the light...” Blood spurted from a violent cough and her intense gaze filled Arden's already overwhelming emotions. “Run... Run, you cannot fight them.”

   “I can...! I can fight, don't you worry, Mother. I will avenge you, I swear it. They will fear my name...in your stead, I will crush them! Please, just live a little longer...please!” Her attention now was drawn to the heavens. “Please, Lord! Sanctuary! Anyone! Please...hear me! Let her live, I'm begging you! I don't want to be alone!”

   Suddenly, the faint pulse within her mother's palms faded. Snow drifted along the winds, overwhelming her body with a rush of cold air. Looking now to the Citadel looming in the distance, the clouds covered the rising tower with a malevolent cloak. Arden slowly began to rise, her azure gaze burning with hatred. Spotting several Vampires already closing in, her right hand began to burn. Flames hissed as the snow doused the growing blaze; Arden's hand balled into a fist. The darkness encroached upon her as she slowly exited the safety of the lantern.

   Rage filled her body with an engrossing energy, her mind focused on a single action. An outrageous cry escaped her and she rushed forward blindly. Instantly she was caught by a pair of hands. In vain she struggled. Protesting with all her might, her deeds revealed no results.

   Incantations escaped the being's lips. Bright blonde hair flowed in the gusts of wind as the vampires began to close in on them. Spikes from the ground tore through them in seconds. Their bodies were impaled by the gargantuan spines, slowly being sliced through as the spikes separated themselves. Blood poured profusely from the grievous wounds and their screams sent chills through Arden's petite frame.

   “...A soul as powerful as yours is able to conjure flames during even the coldest nights.” The voice was soft, caring, like a parent speaking to their child. Slowly Arden was set down onto the snow and the being knelt before her, their eyes becoming level with one another. A set of pearlescent gray eyes tore through her. She instinctively flinched as the being set a pair of soft hands onto her tiny shoulders. “I am Ovelia...part of the Szene, as you are. Although you are of a lesser, polluted bloodline than I, we share the same family. You were housed by the Dwyns, correct?”

   Slowly Arden nodded.

   “Lets get you home. It was lucky I caught you before you slaughtered them all.” Arden's eyes widened and she was taken by the hand, guided away into the depths of Sanctuary.

   “What about...my mother?”

   “She is gone. Her blood is now polluted beyond belief from the vampire's and her own. Eventually Sanctuary will claim her body and use it as the stones we walk on this very day.” Ovelia's caring demeanor took Arden by surprise. The malevolent armor which encumbered her frame, the leather underneath her gauntlets seemed to fight against and work with her fingers. Her body was slim and fit, but she ascended no more than five feet in height. Her olive skin was almost dull in the dimmed blizzard's light, the diamond dust burning her cheeks.

   “Why is this winter going on for so long?”

   “Some say that there is a sorceress who wishes to oppress the vampires with her magic...but I suspect its not just them any longer.” Ovelia spoke softly and truthfully.

   Arden's azure gaze fell to the snow and they walked together in silence, the cold seeming to quiet all of Sanctuary.

    Blood spattered against the marble floors as Arden was thrust down. In vain she struggled to gain her footing, her eyes burrowing into the Sanguine Overlord who sat upon the Eternal Throne. A coliseum-like room filled her gaze and she drank in the fabled Council Chambers. Rows upon rows of marble benches lined the room, her eyes following the seats filled with the members of the Council, who all murmured at the sight of her. She grimaced and felt a jarring pain shoot through her body.

    “Arden...caught again with that vampire, Valtieri. He may be a smith, but he is no friend to us. Have I not told you to stay away from him?” Ovelia's words burned through the younger maiden and she lifted herself upright against the strength behind the two men who held her down.

    “So, I knew it was you who ordered them against me. Why would you do such a thing?! You know that I have no power of my own. I chose to withdraw from the Szene line!” Without a moments notice, her eyes widened as the other woman stood upright from her throne. Slowly she walked to the angered woman before her. She was thrust down again by Ovelia's boot.

    “Your throw away your gifts to be a smith. You should be training day and night to be the best of the best, as the Szene are known for. We are the elite of the elite, stronger than even the strongest. Which is why these two from the Dwyn family are unable to hold you. Go, everyone...leave this place. This is for Arden and I to discuss.” With a wave of her hand, the entire chamber emptied itself of personnel within seconds. Lifting the scabbard of Solstice in her hand, she felt a sensation quake her soul to its very core. The blade felt heavy in her hands and she nearly dropped it to the stone floor. Her eyes widened for an instant but she immediately handed it over to Arden, who snatched it away angrily.

    “...Valtieri accepted me. He knew who I was and vowed to keep it a secret. He taught me how to imbue magic, how to conjure up skeletons. He taught me how life forces work, how fire can be used without incantations. He knew more about magic than you did and you know it!” Childishly Arden clung to her sword and her eyes appeared to release little tears from within their ducts. “Why should I bow to you when I know how quickly I am growing in power...and how afraid of me you are!”

    “Enough!” Ovelia raised her right hand and a wave of flame singed the tip of Arden's hair. “...You will do as I command. Whether as a Szene or a citizen of Sanctuary, you will bow to my rule. The Academy is where you belong. Learn to fight, defend yourself.”

    Her eyes widened as Arden drew the holy blade from its scabbard and rushed toward her. Magic coursed through her right hand and she brushed aside the blade to avoid being impaled by the pearlescent virgin edge. Fury coursed through the younger maiden's body and she grimaced.

    “...What are you doing?!”

     “Best me...and I will do as you say. Don't and I'll destroy you!”