The lone spire shot up into the night sky, a strange monument on the edge of the Dragonspire mountain's. It's curving paths and peaks were obviously worked, but even with the aid of magic humanity would of been hard-pressed to create this architecteral masterpiece. As the rock face neared the summit of this spire the curves coelesced, forming into a long tail that draped down the edge of the mountain. Small spines led up this tail to a momentous body, even more massive than its real life counterpart. Crouched on legs made of gray and brown stone massive wings stretched to either side of the of the monument, looking paper-thin but actually as steady as the mountain beneath it. Perched on teh end of a long, carved neck was a giant head, larger than most dragons themselves in it's size, mouth opern in a silent, eternal roar. This place of myths and legends was Dragonmount, crafted not by human or dwarfen or elven hands but instead by the talons of a dragon. No one remains who knew the sculptor, or if it was a plethora of dragons or only a single one, one who had worked for millenia to complete his masterpiece. Their name was long gone, destroyed by the ravages of history. Only their work remained, forever and unchanging.

On this moon-lit night only one dragon of flesh and blood was near this monument. The shadow dragon was almost as beatiful as the statue to behold. Midnight black scales glimmered in the silvery light of the moon, huge muscles rippling over it's body. The large wings flapped silently, sending it soaring over the horns of that massive crafted head. Black talons curved around the horns of the monument. The shadow dragon was one of the largest dragons of it's time; legs thicker than the thickest trees, teeth as long as pillars, talons longer than lances and razor-sharp. It's tail wrapped down around the statue's neck as a solitary figure slipped from the back of it's head, dropping easily to the monument.

"You may go now, by friend..." The dragon nodded silently, yellow eyes locked onto the figure almost reverently before flying off into the peaks and valleys of it's ancient homeland, almost immediately disappearing into the shadows of the night. After it's hunger had been satisfied by the herds of mountain goats that lived in the mountains it would return to it's master. The figure watched it slip away into the darkness and smiled slightly. As he turned the tatters of a cloak surrounded him, trailing slightly behind him as he walked towards the farthest forward tip of the carve-dragon's head. He looked down from the top of it's snout, obviousl;y not afraid of the fall so long that anyone with the misfortune to experience it would be dead long before they hit the rocky ground. Instead he sat on the smooth stone, hands tracing over the small scales inscribed into the stone with loving detail. He was barely a speck of dust in comparison to this massive work, but he did not seem to mind.

Instead, Seele drew out a small flute made of black crystal from the interior of his robe. Putting the mouthpiece to his lips he began to plaw. A slow and haunting melody echoed across the Dragonspire mountains, sad and beautiful at the same time.

((sorry!! I almost forgot about this!!))

The inky black sky of the night almost seemed to be just a distraction as Meera soaked in the comforting quiet of the mountains. She sat there silently in a quiet sort of meditation. She had her knees hugged close to her chest and her wings wrapped comfortingly around her entire body. The soft white feathers were a good enough blanket for this cool night on the mountain peak. From here, she was right underneath the regal statue of the dragon. She sat in a little cove that the mountain had made. She was sheltered from above and the sides, but she could still look down the steep mountain slope. She had just recently found this place and realized how she could use it. There were always points in Meera's life where no matter how she felt that she needed the comfort of another being, privacy was the only way to acheive happiness within herself. There had been many spots in which Meera believed that no one would find her, yet someone always did. Now, was the only place that she was almost absolutely sure that no one would. As she slowly ended her deep thoughts, the distinct sound of wind beneath large wings, filled her ears. There was only one thing that could be up here with wings as big as those, a dragon's. She unfurled her own wings from around her and crawled out of her small cove. When she looked up, she realized that she was right. It was a dragon. Once the dragon was out of sight, she was about to get on her way and go down the mountainside back to her normal grounds.

That was when she heard the mournful let beautiful song played on a flute. There was another person here. She could not remember anyone she knew playing a flute, only Astalder played an insturment, but that was a harp. When she looked up at the lurking dragon carving she was almost awestruck with its beauty. The moonlight gave it a blue shine. The moonlight also allowed her to see the small figure that was next to the sculpture. Curiously, Meera pulled herself up onto the ledge that she used to climb up to the sculpture when she felt like just gazing at it. This person must be the one playing the flute. Indeed, the moon allowed some light to fall across the figure and he appeared to be holding something in his hands. For quick reassurance, Meera checked his alignment. -Evil?- she thought as her results showed themself. That was not something she expected from a flute player, but she could be stereotyping. Finally she allowed her curiosity get the best of her. She prepared herself with one hand on the hilt of her water sword. The other hand was across her body, just resting on her waist, relaxed. Her wings were relaxed as well, folded neatly upon her back. She finally walked towards him slowly just listening to his music for the moment. She didn't know what words would be proper to say so she just leaned against the dragon, listened to his music, and waited to be noticed.

((It's fine.))

Seele's eys did not open as the woman approached, instead pouring himself into his music. The lilting melody trilled high, sounding filled with joy for a brief moment, before spiraling downwards through the octaves to a not that resounded with finality. He lifted his pale lips from the mouthpiece as the last note echoed across the mountains. For a moment, he did not move, instead sensing his surroundings. There was someone there, of that he had no doubt. Her aura cgrated against his nerves, a constant irritation. Slowly, he opened his eyes to look at who had dared to distrub him.

As he had sensed she was obviously aligned with the powers of good. Wings of soft, white feathers trailed from her back like a cape, beautiful in their own way but another annoyance for the shadow sorceror. One of her hands was lightly resting on the hilt of a sword. So she comes with no apparent respect for solitude... The elf sighed and closed his eyes again, lifting the fine black crystal back to his lips.

"Tonight, I have no wish to kill you..." His voice was soft and smooth, yet despite how quietly he spoke it carried well through the air. A note of power was intertwined with that voice, dark and malevolent. "So you can take your hand from that sword before I cut it off..." A small smile crossed his lips as he began to play again. This time the music was quieter, slow notes surrounding him and the trespasser. But their diminished volume did not diminish their beauty in any way.

Meera's eyes stayed steadily on him as he obviously studied her. He did not appear to make any aggressive moves towards her so she made no move to tighten her grip on her sword. She didn't make any move to loosen it either. She knew too many deceptive people to be swayed just by interpretations and/or looks. That moment of still silence had Meera waiting tensley for what he would do. She found herself somewhat confused as he still didn't make any agressive moves towards her, or let on to any fact that he may decide to surprise her with an attack. Meera raised her eyebrow curiously as he said that he did not wish to kill her. She let out a short laugh and couldn't help but keep a half smile on her face. As he spoke about it, she looked down at her hand that was resting on the hilt of her sword. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly took it off and folded her arms across her chest appraising the man. When he began to play again, she thought about it for a second, then leaned against the dragon sculpture. She didn't trust this man, but yet she felt that tonight the only person who would start the fight would be her. That was not what Meera had intended for tonight.

Her gaze was drawn away from the man for a second as she looked out at the inky black sky that was night. She then gazed back down the slope to the distant land below. She sighed and brought her sight back to the man. She really had nothing to say to him. Just the comfort of knowing that someone else was here made her feel better. No matter wether it was a friend or foe. There was something about living beings that Meera needed. It was almost like a disease. She found it very depressing to be alone for a long period of time. Some would call it a weakness, but others would just note it for normal. Slowly, her eyes narrowed and she studied the man. Peculiar he was. He spoke as if he knew something very powerful that she didn't. Nothing could point her towards what it was, even in general, but she just knew that this character was more than met the eye. She made a mental note to be aware of any surprises, but yet she didn't expect any just yet. She said to him, in an attempt to show that she was trying to be friendly, "I'm Meera". In a way, she didn't expect a response, but at least it created a momentary connection between the two people.

With a slow slide down the notes Seele let his song fade away again, again lowering the flute. This time the instrument disappeared into his cloak, black crystal sparkling for a moment in the moonlight as he whisked it away. Seele's eyes opened and once again looked at this woman. Meera, she said. His golden eyes glowed slightly as he looked her up and down, taking more time to evalutate her this time around. As he had first guessed, she was his opposite in the alignment; an Angelic Infused. Seele himself was a Demonic Infused, although he hid it well. It was one card he did not show until absolutely nesecary. "My name is Seele, Meera. Remeber it, for one day soon it shall be on the lips of every mortal..." A small smile, slightly crazed, grew on his face. "Only one other shall be above me..."

Without any explanation for this cryptic statement he thrust one hand out to the side, away from Meera. "What brings you here tonight? At a time where only the darkness can thrive..." The night around his hands began to twist as he sunk his fingers deep into their shadows, calling out to his pet and mount. THis action was answered by a load, ferocious roar from somewhere deep in the shadows of the mountains. Out of this darkness the Sahdow Dragon appeared, the black sliding off of its supple body like water. WIth a few quick flaps of the leathery wings it had once again reached the summit of the monument, hovering above the ground for a moment. Its yellow eyes seemed impossibly large as they glared at Meera, hatred for her light in the intelligent gaze. Seele tore his hand back out of the shadows and waved the dragon down, the motion leaving no room for argument. With a low grumble that shook the rocs beneath their feet the dragon curled up behind Seele, unusually big for even this most ancient of species. Black drool spilled from the coners of its mouth, the thick substance hissing as it struck the ground and began to dissolve the rock there. But the dragon did not attack Meera, only watched her through reptilian eyes. It was Seele who stepped closer to her, his hand once again falling beneath the tatters of his cloak. No part of his body could be seen except for his pale face, wreathed in shadows, and those glowing gold eyes.

"You are not of the dark..."

She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his statement. It seems that everyone wants to rule the world. This man was no different. Just one of the many who chose to conquer with fear rather than justice and good intentions for his fellow man. She didn't have any response to that statement. Anything she would have said would have been sarcastic and possibly offensive to the man. She wasn't sure, but he sounded somewhat unstable and she didn't know how he would react to a statement like the one that was on the tip of her tongue. She also kept her gaze away from his own penetrating one. After getting over his statement about ruling the world, she then remembered his latest one. -Only one should be above him?- She wondered what that meant. Possibly one of his friends or allies who came up with the idea and she shrugged. When he asked her what she was doing out here in the night, she was slightly offended. She said "Darkness is only an attribute of the night. Not only those who embrace darkness can thrive in the evening. And what I am doing out here tonight could possibly be a private reason. You are lucky that it is not and I will not attack you for asking such an obtrusive question." She couldn't help but snap the last part. Knowing that he was evil had her on her toes. She was still wary of every statement that came out of her mouth, but that was she was unable to hold back.

She closed her eyes for a second to calm her suddenly flared anger down. When she opened them again, she saw that he had called forth his farmilliars. She also could not help being impressed that he had a dragon. She was still not intimidated though. She had many of her own farmilliars, but if there was to be any fighting, she would only call her gryphon to carry her away. She was not in the mood to battle. If he were to follow her, she would fight, but only at last resort. A face of disgust set over her face as she watched the almost acidic drool fall slowly to the ground and sizzle as it hit. She smiled as he noted her not being one of the dark. She was surprised that he hadn't noted that earlier. She replied "and might I add for a fact that you are not one of the light either." A short laugh escaped her lips as a coy smile replaced the amused one earlier. Whatever happened now should be interesting. She nodded towards his dragon then said "Interesting dragon you have there." She was truly surprised that this dragon was this large. The species was notoriously big, but this was one huge dragon. As she stepped forwards and away from the large dragon sculpture. Unconcerned, she crossed her arms across her chest and waited for any reply that would come from the man.

it is a rather impressive specimen, I must admit..." Seele looked over his shoulder at the dragon with a strange exression. It almost looked caring, but such a thing was almost impossible for the Shadow Sorceror. "However, I must apologize for its rudeness..." The elf smiled slightly, and the genuine emotion reached all of the way to his golden eyes. "It finds the presence of one who is good aligned grating, but it shall not harm you tonight..."

Seele turned towards his mount and held out one hand palm up, whispering softly to the beast. Even if Meera could hear the words he doubted she could understand him, unless she also spoke the rasping draconic language. The dragon's large yellow eyes seemed to cut through Seele for a moment before it slowly nodded its massive head. almost immediately it began to shrink, quickly only the size of a small house, then a shed, then a horse, eventually no bigger than a cat. It continued to get smaller as the scales melted together. Its head stretched out to meet the tip of its tale as it floated in front of Seele. Within a few moments of the first changes the dragon had transformed into a small, midnight black ring. Seele lifted his left hand and easily slipped his thin fingers through the dark material, the ring automaticaly tightening to fit perfectly on the digit.

"Relax, Meera... I do not feel like a fight tonight either." He seemed toa ccept that she did not want a fight without any proof, although his eyes had never once left her face, almost as if her emotions were an open book to the former scholar. "I, too, wish only to revel in the twilight..." His voice faded to a whisper as he said this, barely audible in the night air. His golden eyes left the Infused's face for the first time since he had stopped playing and stared over the mountain range, face unreadable.

"After all, the twilight is like the shadows... made of both light and darkness..."

Meera found it odd that he kept adding "tonight" whenever he spoke. She began to suspicious that he was actually planning to do something some other time and was suggesting that he might be fighting her at another time. She thought about that for a second, then decided that it did not matter so much right now. If it truly was an important matter, she could think it over later. She watched him carefully as he spoke towards the dragon. She couldn't understand him, but she just wanted to watch and make sure he wasn't going to cast any spells. Despite what he said, she still didn't trust him and kept her guard up. She knew that she was stereotyping in a way, but she had dark friends so she knew what they could be like before they met someone. When she saw the dragon nod his head and begin to shrink, she couldn't help but feel relieved. No matter what she felt about Seele, she didn't know what the dragon would do. At least she knew about humans more than she did about dragons. As it slowly turned into the ring, she raised her eyebrows, impressed and said "Conventional". The dragon could be worn as just a small ring and not raise any suspicion at all. Her arms slowly uncrossed as she realized how tiring it was watching his every move and contemplating wether it could be twisted into an attack. She realized that she would just have to take his word for it and trust him.

Her gaze pulled away from the man and back towards the mountain chain. She backed up against the dragon sculpture again and slowly slid down it until she was in a sitting position and her knees were pulled up against her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs and sigh contentedly. With his comment about the twilight, she nodded her head and said "Neither can be without the other's existence." That was the truth. Even if people chose to ignore it, she believed that there was a certain balance in the world of light and dark. If one completely banished the other, she didn't know what would happen, but there was no doubt in her mind that the balance would not be right again. Suddenly, she realized that her curiosity earlier couldn't hurt her now, she asked "Who is the one that would be above you, when you conquer the world?" Her face turned back towards him and her eyes scanned his face to see what he felt as she asked her question to him. Even though she didn't believe that he actually would complete his goal, but it would not help her find the answer by arguing with him that his dream was extremely likely not to come true.

"oh, they can exist without each other... but this in-between place, where they meet, would be lost to the world..." Seele's eyes glittered as he glanced over his shoulder at Meera. In that glitter was a dangerous combination of intelligence, magic, and madness. But he still made no moves that could be conceived as threats. "But be careful, Meera... for curiosity would be the death of you, if you are not careful..."

Seele spun away from the edge of the cliff, his tattered cloak swirling around him like a nebulous storm as he also moved to the statue of the dragon. He did, however, keep a certain distance away from the Infused. She would probably not like to be too near the elf. As he leaned against the wall his golden eyes scrutinized her with an almost unreadable look. Hm... she appears to have some inner strength... but she is not too much of a threat, for the coming days... but I suppose I should keep an eye on her all the same.

"And whoever said I would conquer the world? Although fame comes with being a tyrant, holding fame across Imythess does not mean I also rule over it..." The elf smiled slightly. "For all I know, you have more intention of ruling this pathetic ball of rock than I do..."

At his challenge to her comment, she let it slide. She wasn't in the mood for arguing about things that were clearly opinionated and they both seemed to see as either black or white. When she turned back to look at him, she noticed the dangerous glitter in his eyes. It was almost confusing, it showed that there was more depth to this man than met the eye. Meera almost began to wonder what his closest friend knew about him and how he was like around them. Realizing that she was wondering more about him, she came to an abrupt halt in her thoughts and took a fork directing them down a different path. As he cautioned her about her curiousity, she thought about that for a split-second then brushed that aside as well. His words were wise, but her curiousity hadn't gotten her into trouble....yet. When he answered her question, she had to admit that he did have a point, he had never stated that he was going to rule the world. She had just assumed that being the person he was, he would acheive fame by some horrendous crime or by ruling Imythess. She nodded her head simply and shrugged. She also noted how he dodged her question. That was one of the things she saw in his eyes, some unseen wisdom that remained subtle.

A half smile set on her face when she commented, "you indeed have a point, fame does not only come from ruling. Please excuse my assumption that you would be doing this. You never answered my question though. No matter if you plan to rule the world or not, you spoke of one that would remain above you. I am still curious as to whom that might be. I would only like to know the answer if my curiousity won't be the death of me." A full smile brightened her face at her own jest towards his comment. Slowly, she unwrapped her arms from around her legs and folded them neatly between her stomach and thighs. Even while she did this, her eyes stayed around the general area where Seele stood. Her guard was down, but she still did not trust this man. With good reason too. Her gaze momentarily drifted down to the ring on his finger that had once been a dragon, but then it came back up to rest on his face expectantly. She hoped he would not dodge her question again because her patience was slowly wearing and she was tiring of his little games.

Seele pressed the tips of his fingers together, resting his chin on his wrists. A mischevious spark started deep in his eyes, but he extinguished it quickly. It would not do any good for this woman to know he was playing with her. "Well, if I do not rule the world, my fame will still come..." He paused momentarily. "As will yours, no doubt... any power in the land will become a part of the legend, of the intricate weave that will never end... isn't it humorous, Meera?" His was soft and almost reflective. In it echoed a grain of wisdom that had been bred from years of living and observing, reflecting and forgetting, fighting and weeping. "That one day, we too... will be naught but legend?" Seele's sounded old and weary for a mere moment before he gained control over himself again.

"But, you do not need to know the name, little one..." His voice grew even softer, soft enough it was barely audible in the clear mountain air. "For it cannot be uttered by one such as yourself, and by that I mean no offense." He tilted the hat downwards more so that his entire face was shaded from the silvery light of the moon. "For one such as yourself to speak it, to hear it, to feel it rolling through your mind and body... well, let us say that this particular name holds no kindness for those who walk the path of light. To tell it to you would not be... pleasant. I retain the information for your sake..." At this he grinned, knowing she could not see it due to his hat.

"Of course, if you were to turn away from the light... I am sure I could reveal the name..."

She was momentarily confused when he added to his statement that her name and legend might come as well. She didn't quite know what he meant or was suggesting possibly could happen. Something told her that even if she asked the question, he would likely brush it aside or dodge it effortlessly like the other questions that he seemed to feel went too deep. She didn't feel that that comment was very humorous, but for his sake, she let out a soft snort of amusement. She quirked her brow at him and waited patiently for him to answer her question, he still seemed to be contemplating the answer he would give her. Meera expected no less than either a message that she would have to interpret for herself, or another dodge of his to stall for time, hoping she would forget about it. Meera's face gave him an aghast look. -little one?- she thought. Where would he get that, and who's he calling little? She was very annoyed for a second, then decided that it wasn't worth her breath and shook her head, dismissing once again his voice in her mind. She sighed when he avoided her question once again, saying that she was not worthy of hearing the name simply because she was one of the light. She, in fact, was friends with none other than the former goddess of dark ((I'm rping that she doesn't know Rae was Reinstated)). In her heart she fetl that she knew the dark at least a little better than some of her kin of the light.

She felt that she could handle whatever that name meant to him. No matter the truth or fiction, she felt herself a strong person. To his last statement, she was appalled. Her mouth hung agape surprised that he would even suggest that sort of thing. She thought about that statement for a second, and that was all it took. From the core of her mind a harsh, yet almost lulling beckon called her. The darkness that had been sitting in the back of her mind was just know brought forth by even the thought of breaking away from the light that she had been in for so long. It almost seemed to be drawing her in, when a searing light flashed through within herself. The light brought her back to her senses. She was frightened at how close she had come to the darkness and thanked the gods that she was brought back by that mysterious light. Then, she realized that if the darkness had been sitting in the back of her mind, then none other than the infused celestial within her could have banished it back there. Just the thought brought a smile to her face. She felt almost stronger that she knew how powerful her celestial was and how much it was helping her maintain the light that she had nurtured inside herself for many years. With renewed strength she said "I don't think so" and gave him a smirk.

Seele laughed softly, leaning his head back against the cool rocks. "I didn't think so. Someone so weak-minded would be useless. Great disasters could have been avoided if only a few others had been as strong-willed as yourself..." The elf shrugged, thinking. This Meera was indeed an interesting one. He had sensed a change in her as soon as an alternative path had been suggested. This alone proved that her faith in the light was not complete. In fact, if his comment (which was truthfully made in jest) could effect her, why, with a little more persuasion she could easily be turned to the dark. But what truly intrigued Seele was that she had managed to resist in the first place. Darkness was not like Light; it held on desperately to whatever it could grab until forced to hide away. It had obviosuly grabbed ahold of Meera, but something had kept it from engulfing her completely. Something either in herself or in the soul of the Cestial that lent her its powers. Interesting. He wondered if the demonic soul he had conquered would do the same, if he was ever tempted by the light. He almost snorted with mirth at the possibility, but anything was possible.

"However..." That single world carried the same tone an Executioner used when he was about to sever a person's head from their body. "You yourself intrigue me..." He smiled and waved one plae hand in midair. Arcane symbols sribbled themselves on his hand as he called upon his shadow magic. Globe of Darkness! The darkness around Meera pulsed until it enveloped her completely, a globe of pure darkness. Only with the help of an Ebon Eyes or similar spell could she see through that darkness; and the elf doubted that she had such a spell in her possession. After all, Ebon Eyes was a dark spell in itself, and Meera had not yet abandoned the path of light.

Yet.

Seele stood slowly, stretching leisurely. His voice echoed in Meer's ears, making it all but impossible to trace where he was. "Little one... for you are indeed little when it comes to study of the world..." The former scholar meant no offense; he spoke the truth. Spending a century of his life studying everything and anything had made him more well-read than any other being alive. "The darkness beckons... all you have to do is take its hand..."

Seele stepped into the Globe of Darkness he had created. He manipulated the magic so that all she could see would be himself. But she would not see that at all; Seele called upon the power of the Kyonis demon within him. His face was blurred by swirling lines of demonic power that slowly covered his entire body. When they faded Seele looked exactly like the one Meera loved the most. One of the deadlier arts of the Demonic Infused, Seele had rarely been forced to utilize this ability. But now it would serve his purposes well. He held out a hand towards her, a smile spreading across his face.

"Come with me Meera..."

((OOC: So, Seele looks like whoever you love the most. Have fun with that! ^_^))

Meera's eyes narrowed as he insulted her yet again. She was slowly growing tired of his jokes. He had told far too many of them for her to be amused again. She now grew only weary from them. She cast her eyes downwards, showing her disinterest in his current speech. When he spoke that she intrigued him, she began to become confused once again. Her eyes flashed back up at him before she was engulfed in the globe of darkness. Her mouth opened in shock for a second before she realized what it was. Then she remembered one spell of the dark that she had recently learned. She was almost ashamed that she had learned it, but it was not like some other darkness spells. Quickly, she closed her eyes and spoke the words aloud to cast Ebon eyes. Almost immedietly after she spoke the incantation, she was able to see through the magical darkness and through to Seele. Now, she had him angry. She was mad and was not going to let him get away so easily. Her brain effortlessly ignored Seele's speech in her ears. He was an intelligent person, yes that was true, but he had costly underestimated her. There was much that he did not know about her. He would learn how much that mistake would cost him. With her teeth gritted, she began to make her way towards him. Even though the globe of darkness was dark, she was able to see through it, it was still magic though and it was not willing to let her go so easily. Finally, Seele made himself visible, even if she hadn't been able to see through the darkness. She called out "I can't believe you! You...." but trailed off as she noticed him changing.

A look of shock surpassed her face as she saw Eden before her. She brought her hands up to her open mouth as she saw the man she loved standing before her. It brought tears to her eyes. It had been so long since she had seen him, yet how could this be true? A moment before, Seele was there, but now Eden? She didn't know what to do. Her heart yearned for him, but yet her brain was still trying to comprehend how this could have happened. Eden was one of the light, but yet he seemingly beckoned her to open up her mind to the darkness. Meera was torn. Her heart longed to reach out and just touch him, but her brain warned her against it. So instead, she just stood there. Her brain cleared somewhat and she was able to focus once again within herself. One of her celestial abilities was to detect lies. Most thought of lies as the spoken ones, but not all were verbal. She instead felt inside of her that still, something was not quite right. Eden would not force her to make this decision, Eden was as, if not more, dedicated to the light than she, why would he open up to the darkness himself? Her heart still had that burning desire to go to his beckoning arms, but now Meera knew that this was not true. After thinking for a second more, Meera finally walked towards Eden with a look of utter devotion. As soon as she got close enough, her face was contorted into a rage and she unsheathed her sword taking a slash at him. She felt as if nothing could stop her. How dare Seele impersonate her loved one and dear friend. How could he do this to her! He would regret his move very soon. With grim determination she set forth to express her rage.

Eden's eyes opened in shock as her sword carved through his chest. He coughed as blood spurted from the large wound, streaming out to splash again the cold stone of the mountain. He tried to talk, but somehow had lost his voice. All he could do was clutch at the mortal wound in his chest as he first fell to his knees, and then back so his head slammed against the ground. Hsi breath rattled in his chest, every lungful of air a burden that he could barely handle. The once clear eyes were clouded with pain and confusion. He reached one hand up towards Meera, a hand covered in his own blood. "Meera... Meera!' His hand shuddered as his body convulsed, rebelling against his mind. A trickle of blood dribbled from either side of his mouth. "... w-w-why...?" With a look of absolute love and trust he suddenly stopped breathing. The pain and confusion that had twisted his features faded away, leaving him looking calm and peaceful, as if he were simply asleep. But his clothes were ripped open still, revealing the wound that no healing magic could havehealed in time to save him.

Eden was dead.

Seele himself was shrouded in so many cloaks of dark magic that Meera would only be able to see him as a dark haze. He was about twenty feet high, standing sideways on the dragon statue. This was made possible by the chains he had revealed; forged of dark magic and demon blood, they were all but indestructible by mortal means and almost like limbs to Seele. Three of the thick chains trailed from his body now, the twisted pieces of metal at the end embedded into the statue in order to keep him suspended. A small smirk was fixed on his face as we watched the drama unfolding below. After she had recognized who her true love would be, it was a simple matter to mix that image with an illusion spell. For all Meera could tell and see, she had just slayed her beloved. Such a thing could shatter even the strongest of wills. Seele knew that from experience. And afterwords,whoever was left to pick up the pieces could shape that mind to their liking...

Even though Meera had meant every second of that graceful arc of her sword, she was still unprepared for what would happen. All she knew was that he wasn't real. No matter how many times she continued to tell herself that, the words seemed to fade as soon as they entered her mind. Pulling the sword out of its arc after a sucessful contact, Meera dropped the bloodied sword to the ground. The determined grimmace on her face began to lessen its menace as she realized what she had done. Almost immedietly, a look of horror creased her face. She gasped and her hands flew up to her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes. What had she done? When his hand reached up, calling out her name, she slowly reached out to hold one. Salty tears swam freely down her face as she wondered how this was possible and if it was real. She had thought that Seele had simply created an illusion of her loved one but now, more confusion wracked her brain as she was desperate in some way to convince herself that this had never happened. As he asked her the dreaded question, she could not look at his pain creased face. -why?- he had whispered, and in truth, Meera still didn't know quite what she had done. As if in slow motion, she fell to her knees with a mixed look of horror, sadness, and confusion covering her features. Suddenly, as if a swift kick in the stomach, she realized that he was dead. Crying out in anguish, she leaned forwards cupping her hands to his cheeks. She softly brushed away some of the blood that had dribbled from his mouth and whiped it off on her own clothing. She had killed him. She had done it out of pure stupidity. She would never be able to forgive herself. Why...why....why?

Softly, she lay her head on his dead and unmoving chest, carless of the gaping wound that she had left across his torso. Her gaze was at first trained without thoughts on the mountainside, but as she began to think about what she was seeing, Meera's gaze moved upwards. It was then that she began to take notice of an odd dark haze. Her ebon eyes spell was still in effect, but it seemed as if someone had gone to great lengths to not be seen. At first, Meera had no clue who it could be, but then, as if she had forgotten all of the earlier events came slamming back into her mind jolting her away from her mournful sadness to righteus anger. Her head began to lift of Eden's deceased chest and blind rage took its place in her eyes. It flickered for a second though. Who was the true one to blame. She believed that Seele had made an illusion and had gone slashing through, only to find the one that she loved most. She was the true one who had killed him, who was really to blame? Meera's mind slowly drifted from the unbridled rage back to her mourning. She looked witheringly back up to the figure and whispered "why?" As tears streamed once again down her face. She brushed some of Eden's blood matted hair away from his sweaty face tenderly, almost as if she still believed him to be alive. She now looked a mess, but did not care. Her hair was freed from her ponytail, and blood was smeared almost everywhere across her front. Tear lines ran down her reddened face and sweat was formed at her brow. She had almost forgotten about Seele since that huge trauma......almost...

Seele's smile grew in width and madness as he watched her draped over the man she had loved. the man she still loved, as a matter of fact. The man she still loved who was still alive somewhere. Of course, she couldn't know that, but it worked well for Seele. She was breaking down, that much was evident. Her eyes were grimy with tears, the line of salty water on her cheeks marring her pale beauty. Her black hair was matted with blood, as was the hair of the illusion. Seele could not help but admire his own handiwork in creating that illusion. It was a complex magic, one that was a constant drain on his magical powers in order to keep Eden looking real and blood dripping from his clothes.

Seele's whispery voice was swallowed by his shadow cloak enchantment as he began a new spell at the same time he maintained the shadow cloaks and major illusion. Summon Demonic Being... A intricate magical sign flashed, but Seele made sure to boost the power of his Shadow Cloak in order to hide the dark light and surge of corrupted power. From the symbol a shape began to take form. Inhumanly thin, the humanoid figure was only the size of a small child and appeared feminine. However, its hair cascaded down its black, the deepest violet color that shimmered int he moonlight. The ears that poked out fromt he strands of hair were thin and delicate, as pale as the almost transclucent face. The eyes were pure black, no iris or pupil evident. For clothes the demon was draped ina single long robe, made of the softest black velvet. From each shoulder blade extended a small, feathery wing; on one the feathers were raven black, the other pure white.

Seele did not need to speak to let the demon know what he wished. The demon nodded and floated down out of the Shadow Cloak spells. It made no noise when it landed, walking steadily towards Meera and the illusionary corpse.

Step back now Child... the servants of Darkness shall be remembered... The demon reached out with one arm, the soft material of the robe slipping off of her hand. But no flesh graced those fingers; they were long and bony, held together only by threads of black power.

Lovingly, she still stroked Eden's cheeks as if she still believed that her love could bring him back. She just didn't know what to do with herself. Her life seemed to have fallen down into a ditch. It almost seemed like she didn't know who she was anymore. Her sobbing slowly decreased, as she realized that this was it. He was dead and there was nothing she could do about it. The tears, she couldn't stop, but her crying was not so loud anymore and she sat up. Her hand still stroked his cheeks, but now, she was not blind with the sorrow. Instead, she was actually able to comprehend what she had done. She slowly turned her head so she could gaze upon the sword that she had used to cut Eden. Disgust started from the pit of her stomach and slowly bubbled up so she could almost taste it. She looked away in distaste and looked once more upon his lifeless body. In her sadness, she almost didn't notice the demon. Out of the corner of her eye though, she saw a form moving towards her. She lay herself over Eden's body protectively, not even thinking that the thing could be coming to demolish her. Her green eyes followed the figure warily until it got close enough for her to see what it was. She was even more surprised. It all was happening to quickly. She didn't know what to do. It was obviously a demonic being, but she was not able to fight like this. Her heart was broken and she was just about ready to go herself. The only thing that kept her living was the fact that she had many friends and she did not want to hurt them with the fact of her passing. She at least wanted to bury the body of Eden respectfully. If anything should happen to his body, even though he was dead, she would never forgive herself.

The being finally spoke to her, and Meera was taken aback, once again in confusion. -Servents of Darkness?- She thought. Then, all at once it clicked into place. She gasped in shock and almost lost her balance. New tears sprung to her eyes at the horror that she had comitted. She was blinded in stupidity. Eden had not been one of the dark. She had just merely assumed that fact. Her judgement was as horrible as the dark one himself. She stood up and backed away, only half aware of what she was doing. Finally she stopped, with her hand still up to her paled face covering her mouth. Her mind spun with the thought of what she had become. A servent of the dark in the mind for now at least. The horrendous crime she had comitted against one of her kin of the light. She attempted to blink back more of the tears that sprung to her eyes at the fact. Her eyes followed the demonic being warily, still wondering what she was doing and horrified at how she looked. No matter how hard Meera tried, she could not console herself and convince herself that what had happened was merely a horrendous accident. Her mind fought back though, repeating over and over again that she had killed him and had in that way served the darkness. She winced in the mental pain and removed her hands from her agape mouth to brush away more tears. She took a couple more steps towards the dark being to attempt to ask her questions, but when she opened her mouth again, no words would come out. Her physical body was still in shock at what she had done as well. Quickly shutting her mouth, she once again watched the demonic being carefully, only then beginning to wonder where it came from and why it was here.

The demonic form looked up at Meera with an infinite age and wisdom in its eyes. It (or she, in the form she currently held) had witnessed the birth of many lands, the death of many stars, the emptiness of several abysses. That was all reflected in her eyes, eyes that seemed to be holes in the fabric of time that would suck Meera in if she wasn't careful. The being glided over to Eden's prone form, ignoring Meera as it passed. Even if she had attempted to strike down the demon, only the hand of a god could accomplish such a task easily. With age came respect and power when one lived in the darkest of shadows. She knelt by Eden's form, the skeletal hand reaching out to caress his cheeks in a way that was creepily to Meera's gestures a few moments earlier.

Fade now, into the darkness that gave you birth and life, and be remembered... The voice was not dripping wiht contempt and madness as were the words of other demons; her voice was crystal clear and beautiful in a dark way, alsmot sounding sad. Where the pale bones touched his skin the color faded from his flesh. She did not move her arm as all of the color in his body was removed, a white husk laying on the ground. This in itself had changed the demon; her skin was rosy with life, the bony hand covered by flesh and the wings beating steadily with a new vibrancy. She stood, looking down at the body. She did not seem to notice Meera, and if she did she payed noa ttention to the woman. Fade... At this command the body began to do just that. Eden's corpse faded into nothingness, being swallowed by a darkness that disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

This done, the demon turned around and stared straight at the Infused. The colorless eyes looked strangely out-of-place, black holes that seemed to suck the life out of everything around. I can take you too, if you wish... The hand was extended once again, this time towards Meera. As the woman watched the flesh on the hand shriveled up, sucked into the ghastly bones. The color faded from the face, leaving it a sallow mask framed in violet hair. The wings were still as beautiful before, but now they beat only weakly and at random intervals. After all, you did the work of the dark today, be it willingly or not... but be warned...

The eyes narrowed slightly, the first emotion they had shown. Seele smiled from his shadowy corner, knowing what would come next.

Once you follow me into that Darkness... and him too... you can never come back to the light...

Meera reached her hand up to brush some of her tears away as she watched the demon. Her sad frown changed to her gritting her teeth. She couldn't help but emit a displeased growl as she watched the demon stroke Eden's cheeks. It took all of her willpower not to go over there and rip the demon's hands from him and take her place. All she wanted was for Eden to be alive. Her mournful mind quickly went back to the fact that he was dead. More tears came as she remembered whos fault it was. She was stupidly decieved and believed Eden to be an apparation. She would never be able to forgive herself. She didn't know what she would do from here. She now feared herself to be death's servent. Her heart did not have any more will to claim to be one of the light. She felt she had deserted everyone and everything that had once loved her. She didn't, nor did she want to, know how everyone would react to the information. No one would beleive her, she thought. There was no way that an accident such as this could be pushed back into the past where it belonged. She watched longingly as his dead body faded into the world of the dead. She only wished that she could go with him. That was what she felt she deserved after this. Her eyes followed the demon cautiously as she turned back towards her. Through teary eyes, Meera listened intently. She was not surpised that she would be welcomed to the dark. Once one did a dark deed, they were labled for life and could never erase anything from their past.

Slowly, Meera began her answer. She said "I-" before she was cut off by the most pain she had ever felt in her life. A searing pain went up her back, causing her to arch her spine and cry out in agony. She had no clue what was causing this. The pain eventually increased to where it felt like she was being split in two from the inside. She continued to cry out in pain and gasp ragged breaths, but it faded when she heard something. In her mind, a voice started. It whispered "do you know what you were about to do? Lies, they're all lies. You believed them. This man, he is a lie. Deception is darkness' ally. Do not beleive the lies. You can vanquish this evil. You now have the knowledge to counter this. The rest is up to you. I have helped you more than you know..." It slowly faded away and left her with just a dull thud of pain in her back. She just stood there for a few seconds, contemplating the speech. For a moment, she was confused on the meaning, but as it came to her, her eyes narrowed at the demon and a grimmace set upon her face. She growled "A deception, that is what you did to me." Then took a step towards her. "One of the dark, you made me beleive I was." Taking another step towards her. Her last step right into the demons face was "Your lies mean nothing to me" and spat on the ground to her right. Closing her eyes, she held her hands up in front of her, calling upon the magic of the light. A soft white glow began to circle her hands. Finally casting forth it's magic, she called an angelic being to come to her aid. When the spell was cast, she opened her eyes to find a glowing white being at her side, already eyeing down the demon. Meera smiled once again. She knew who had done this. She didn't know where he was, but she hoped he could hear her. "Seele, won't you come down and see what you almost created. Darkness has touched me in a way that I won't soon forget. Unlucky for you though, you underestimated the power of the light within me."

Seele laughed softly, mocking and arrogant. "Oh, you think you have it all figured out" The shadows around him blurred as his golden eyes glowed with a fierce intenisty, banishing the concealing spells instantly. The chains slid back under his robes with a hissing sound similar to a snake slithering, allowing him to fall down. He landed with ease and a small, knowing smile on his pale face. "Underestimated? No, no, no, I think not... it only gets better from here. For me, that is." He smirked and suddenly a long scythe had appeared in his hand. It had been crafted with a skill few possessed, a long metal haft ending in a wicked curved blade. The metal gleaming silvery-blue, a blur as he nimbly spun it around his body. He stepped closer to Meera until he was only a few meters away from the woman. "All according to plan..."

The female demon looked at her angelic counterpart with an almost apathetic glance before disappearing in a storm of shadows and dark magic. She reappeared besides Seele, a twisted and corrupted mockery of the image Meera and her angel presented. The demon's face remained as impassive as ever, but it held up one skeletal hand. The fingers lengthened, bone melting into a new shape. Wicked claws grew, long and hooked in unnatural ways made for ripping living flesh from bone. The negative power that crackled throughout the demon intensified, a tangible presence in the air as its wings doubled in size until they dwarfed the demon (who was still only as tall as a child.) The pure black eyes narrowed menacingly, bony claws clinking against each other as the demon took a stance with the practiced ease of a fighter.

"After all, darkness is not the opposite of light..." Seele grinned. "Only its absence. Do not fear its passing..." He stopped the spinning of the scythe, slamming the haft against his forearm with a loud crack while jabbing his index finger at Meera. Enervation!!! A crackling bolt of negative energy shot towards the Infused, ready to tear into her flesh and drain her very life force.

Her green eyes burned with feirce determination as she eyed him down as soon as he took down the concealments. Her humor was long past gone, she was not in the mood for any of his sly jests or comments. Anything he did only brought on more of her lethal rage. He boasted of his powers, but cockiness would get him no where. Despite what he said, there was still much behind Meera that he did not and would never know for as long as he lived, which might just even be ended on this night. He stated that "everything was according to plan," but little did he know just how unpredictable Meera could be when she wanted to. As he pulled out the scythe, she did not just yet make a move for her own weapon. She knew that he was more dominant with his magic and likely to use that first before any melee combat. She watched the demon disapear and as she reappeared next to Seele, Meera's gaze fell for an instant on that of her own Angelic being. The Angel paid her no heed for its gaze was trained intently, as it seemed, on the demon. The angel's stance gave no clues as to what it was thinking but with trained grace, its wings streched out warningly. If it was possible for Meera to feel more sure of herself, she did. Her gaze strengthened as it locked on Seele's once again. Unimpressed, she watched him spin the scythe. -Just get on with it- she found herself thinking. The arenaline pumping through her veins was not sickening as it was for some, but more comforting to her.

Just as she suspected, she watched as Seele stopped the spinning of his scythe and thrust his finger in her direction. Luckily for her, Seele was not good with hiding his casting of spells and it allowed her a few more milliseconds to decide on how she would dodge it. Almost like a reflex, she whispered the words to polymorph and the elven figure was gone. In Meera's place sat a lynx. Her glaring eyes were yellow now, but had not lost the intensity that Meera had placed in them early on. She let out a cat growl as if teasing Seele and began to walk back and forth. She did not care where his spell had gone, as long as it wasn't into her. Her mind began to race, thinking of what she could send back at Seele. Nothing came to mind immedietly that was enough to at least make her feel satisfied. So instead, she figured on playing it safe and dodging all his attacks. She hoped to frustrate him into making a mistake. For now she would play defensively and still think of an agression she could commit towards him. When she had the right one, she would use it, but not now. Now there was a different game to play and she was ready for whatever Seele beleived he could dish out to her.

Seele watched her transformation into a lynx with a mixture of amusement and cruelty. His enervation spell crackled above the lithe form, shooting off into the night. "Well, that's rather annoying." He set the end of the scythe on the ground, leaning on the metal pole in a casual manner that suggested he felt no threat at all. And it wasn't like he did. She was no threat in her present form, and the Angelic being sdeemed content to just sit and stare. Silly Angels. Never seemed to know when to strike. Kind of bugged the elf.

Seele crouched, still holding the haft of the scythe up, and laid one palm flat on the ground. His tattered cloak rustled loudly, moving as if it had a life of its own. Which, it kind of did. Funny story, actually. But anyway, the cloak rustled as midnight black chains shot out of it. Of every length and width, the twisted links were all pure black, almost invisible in the night. They shot across the stone like metallic snakes, silent and quick. At their edges twisted scraps of metal had been welded to the demonic chains, making each individual length a deadly weapon. They slithered towards the lynx, attempting to twist around the creature and capture it.

The demon simply mirrored its angelic counterpart, eyes watching the other being's face. It was not in her nature to strike first; she was the one who killed those who attacked her. She no longer felt the need for blood that younder demons did, not did she find any pleasure in cruelty. The skeletal claws were perfectly still, barely visible past the black sleeves.