Shadows of the Balance

The Tales of Dark Damien: Chapter 1

by Elric James Colvill

He strolls along the streets in twilight amongst folding shadows of the delapidated buildings about him. He hunts, hunts for those who reek of the black and red aura, the sign of evil. The supernatural glow of one's spirit is invisible to most, but not to he who navigates the flowing darkness.

Those who will never reform and turn to the light, those whose souls are twisted and vile shall fall under his hand. His is not a merciful one.

They call him Death, but he is truly known as Damien by those who serve him now, innocents who acquired his aid by chance or by choice. Cold and merciless in his own right, Damien is beyond any evil a human might know. He has the power to tear the spirit from a man or beast or to crush a wall of brick with but a single jab. His strengths are great, but his guile even more so.

His purpose is not for mortals to know, only to fear and respect. Respect must fall to one whose body cannot be harmed by any convoluted weapon of mortal make.

Now ride upon the soul of this dark guardian, and hear his tales be told...

Deep into the night, Damien was like a shadow flowing upon darkness, harder sometimes to see than the wind. Even in the light he was but a black silhouette, seven feet tall. The form there was all the more menacing for it was hidden, topped by a sleek hat, draped in a long trench coat, the hands in leather gloves and the feet shielded by steely boots. His eyes saw all, though they were unseen, invisible behind dark glasses.

A small, lithe woman in green robes travelled the same path as Damien. The sound of their footsteps mingled, but no unison was in this pavement rhythm for the softer drum was always a beat ahead or behind. It was not Damien who did the following this night; however, his steps stayed slow and unconcerned.

Then the woman's pace increased until soon she could nearly touch the dark one. No being dared approach Damien without purpose and consent, however. He stopped and spun around. The black glasses upon his cold, bloodless face could not block out the glowing red embers beneath. His countenance was that of an enraged beast, his mouth a twisted, sullen line.

Damien's low voice rumbled, "You will end your pursuit now, if you are wise." Anger flowed from him. Blazing blue sparks of electricity danced about his features, a show of supernatural power.

The woman in green did not turn. Instead, she calmly lifted her hood to reveal a lean and pale face, still strangely beautiful though accented with sharp eyebrows and pointed ears. Confidence was there, in the lips and in the eyes.

"I, Fenara, shall not desist, Guardian," spoke the woman, "and I shall not be moved. I am here for a reason, and I will follow you until it is in motion." She stood stern and still.

Damien wanted no business with this meddling stranger. He smirked. "Oh, what an unfortunate, yet easily correctable problem." His hand was already filling with terrible energy. The streets were clear and trafficless. All that existed in the open was the dark man and the green robed woman.

"Do not threaten me, Damien," chided Fenara. "You cannot harm me. I shall finish my business later." From her robe she pulled a black cat. The woman continued, "Until then..." and tossed the yowling feline to Damien. Fenara vanished, and the cat stared Damien in the face as he held the animal before him. Then it did something rather unusual.

"Hey, when's dinner, I'm famished," it said.

Damien sighed and almost smiled. "Somehow I should have expected that. You wouldn't mind telling me what's going on, would you?" Damien was familiar with the strange powers, but he wasn't counting on a talking feline.

The cat grinned. "Sure boss, but let's go, I'm hungry."

Damien himself made a half grin and dropped the cat. It protested but was unsuccesful. "You're walking," Damien stated plainly.

The cat growled and shook it off. "Fine, but you better get used to me because Fenara has more in store for you."

Damien didn't feel like speaking; he just ignored the feline who kept on talking. In spite of this, he learned that it prefered to be referred to as Shadow. Later, he paid no attention at all.

For a day, Damien went about business almost as usual. Then the green robed woman, Fenara, returned...

Chapter 2