Brethren had predicted this day from the moment the war had started. He'd been having his fun with the Lights - and even the mortals, who had foolishly decided to fight for their homes instead of wisely staying out of it - for two years now, and so far the fun had been quite worth it. It was exhilarating to battle head-to-head against the feisty Lights, and it was just pure joy to watch the mortals feebly attempt to take back their world. It was especially enjoyable when Brethren went up against that killjoy Caynen, who put up such a fight that Brethren pitied the man - but only a minuscule amount. Brethren knew that the Lights were fighting for a reason, and that reason was coming quickly. But Brethren wasn't ready for the day to come, and he was going to do everything in his power to prevent it. 

As much as it annoyed him, Brethren knew that somehow, they had figured it out. When Brethren and several other Darks had raided one of their camps, the Lights had fought back with such determination and confidence that it was obvious that they were up to something. It hadn't taken Brethren long to figure that something out. 

After Brethren had climbed out of the Abyss hundreds of years ago, he'd realized that there was no connection between Earth - the Light's domain - and the separate, Dark world. He was the only thing that kept them from breaking apart and drifting into the blank nothingness of realities between worlds. Brethren was able to jump from the Abyss to Earth whenever he wanted, but all of the Darks that were born and raised in the Dark Realm were trapped there. Annoyed by this fact, Brethren had formed a key that allowed the Darks of the Earth to unlock the gates of the Abyss. After Turning several mortals to Darks or Shadowbeasts, Brethren had gathered his army and begun the war.

Even before the Dark War, the Lights had realized that Brethren was slowly "losing his mind", in their terms. Brethren wasn't human, but he was smart enough to know that he'd never gone insane. He'd always been this way, and he'd finally grown tired of succumbing to the wishes of the flippant, annoyingly joyful Lights. Brethren had found out that everyone said that the Lights and Darks worked together in harmony - really, it had been the Lights passive aggressively commanding the Darks to keep the peace. After the war had started, it hadn't been long before the Lights were standing in Brethren's way. 

When the Lights had stepped into the war, Brethren had known that they were going to use the Abyss against him. The war had already lasted two years, which had given Brethren some confidence that the Lights wouldn't find where he'd hidden the key. Unfortunately, they seemed to have either found the location, or they had the gemstone with them and were waiting for the right moment. 

It angered Brethren that they had found out how to lock him in the Abyss. Because the key was made from Darkness, Brethren knew that the Lights would have troubling time trying to seal him away. But he knew, because their magic was strong and the opposite of his, it was possible. If they sent Brethren and the Darks back to the Abyss, there would be no Darks on Earth to bring them back. 

Brethren didn't want to spend the rest of eternity in the Dark Realm, even if it was his domain. Toying with the weary Lights and the pathetic mortals was more enjoyable than a vast world of Darkness. Yes, Brethren ruled everyone in the Abyss, but it was more fun to play around with the humans. 

So when his commander had informed him that a Light was waiting outside the camp, Brethren's anger had soared. 

For most of the day, Brethren had been content - true joy was not a capable emotion for him anymore. After his wife - the only thing that actually gave him a deep sense of happiness, even if she was a rebellious pain in the side sometimes - had died shortly after the war had started, there was no such thing has real joy for Brethren. Not that it mattered - he gained fleeting enjoyment in the battles and captives that the Darks held. 

Brethren had been eating a small meal, even though it wasn't in the least bit necessary for him, when his commander had, as usual, barged into the tent unannounced. He had halted in front of Brethren and tilted his head downward, a toothy grin spreading across his face. Being a Shadow without a body to inhabit, the commander took the form a beast-like creature with claws, teeth, and wings - which were curled over his back carelessly. 

Annoyed, Brethren had raised himself to his feet and crossed his arms. Because he could change his form to whatever he wanted, Brethren had given himself the height advantage that most people wanted. Though his commander stood at 6'3 in his beast form, Brethren's usual, mortal-based form was 6'8. 

"What is it?" Brethren had asked with a short tilt of his head, forcing nonchalance to cover up his slight annoyance. Though his commander was a fierce fighter and harsh leader, his personality was more annoying than any other that Brethren had ever met. 

"Aww, no warm greeting for your friend?" the commander had said with a playful pout, crossing his arms and huffing. "Now that's just hurtful." 

"Enough, Thorn," Brethren had snapped sharply, curling his lip in annoyance at the Shadow. His heavily accented voice rumbled lowly in his throat. "Do you have news, or are you just here to annoy me? Preferably the former. You are aware that my patience is thin." 

Thorn had chuckled and nodded, uncrossing his arms to show a surrender gesture. "Yes, yes, I know. Believe me, I know when to shut up."

Brethren had rolled his eyes, because even the lower Darks knew that Thorn didn't know when to shut up. "Spit it out, Shadow," Brethren had said with an annoyed sigh. 

"There's a lone Light waiting outside the camp," Thorn had informed Brethren, shrugging his shoulders when he was given a confused look. "I don't know why he's there, but he's injured every Dark that gets near him. He claims that he won't leave until he speaks with you." 

That was when Brethren had realized that today was the day that he was going to fight harder than he ever had to stay on Earth. It would be hard and angering, but if he managed to succeed and finally kill all of the Lights... There would be no stopping him. 

Earth would be his. 

As Brethren made his way to the borders of the camp, a slow smirk made its way to his face. If there was only one Light, it was almost certain that Brethren would be the one to walk away with the victory. 

"Sir," a voice to his right said, and Brethren halted to find one of his lieutenants standing near him with her arms crossed over her chest. Her silver white eyes were locked on his face, and her expression was more serious than he'd ever seen it. Normally, she was grinning madly in a way that Brethren found enjoyable. 

"Yes, lieutenant?" Brethren replied, tilting his head down at the woman. 

She looked him up and down for a moment, her gaze icy. "Try not to bring the whole world down in flames." 

Brethren chuckled and shook his head. "If I did that, Moon, what world would there be to rule?" 

Moon harrumphed, but her sly smile was back on her face, almost to Brethren's relief. "Well, then," she said coolly. "Good luck." She turned and walked away, her pitch black waves swaying behind her. 

Brethren chuckled a bit to himself as he continued walking. He knew what the lieutenant meant, and who she was trying to protect from harm; but there was no assuring her that the girl she cared for would go unscathed. 

When Brethren reached the entrance to the encampment, he immediately broke into cackling laughter. Standing calmly a few paces away was the fierce Light general, Caynen Edmonds. The general and Brethren had fought head-to-head many times before, and though Caynen was a dangerous fighter, it was normally him that walked away with the most injuries. It often made Brethren wonder if this man had death wish; but it was fun to toy with the war-worn general. 

"You Lights," Brethren laughed, "had to have reached the lowest point of desperation of your people decided to sent you." He halted several paces away from Caynen, grinning crookedly at the general. "You do realize that this time, I might not be so merciful as to let you go." 

General Caynen didn't blink. "You said that last time, and yet I'm still here." He spoke calmly and slowly, and his dazzling blue eyes stayed locked with Brethren's. 

Even from several yards away, Brethren could feel the Light Magic swirling inside the general. It was obvious that the man was holding himself back, despite how angry he evidently was, but for what purpose? Normally, the two would clash without so much as one word, though Brethren did like to taunt the aging man during their battles. 

But, Brethren noticed, Caynen didn't possess the key. His hands were empty at his sides, and there was a bit of Light sparks dancing around his fingers; but there was no sign of the Dark gemstone. 

"What's the catch, Edmonds?" asked Brethren with a grin, tilting his head curiously at the Light. "You're clearly not here on your own. You may be an idiot, but you're not stupid." 

Caynen tilted his head right back, but his expression remained the same. "There's no catch, Brethren. It's just you and I." 

Brethren laughed again. "You really do want to die, don't you? Don't worry. This time, I'll give you your wish!" At the end of his sentence, Brethren launched himself forward, allowing shadowy wings to unfurl from his back and carry him across the space between him and the Light. 

Caynen was expecting the attack, and he spun sideways and ducked low to avoid the sharp tips of Brethren's wings. 

Brethren whipped back around again, growling low in his throat. Through the two years of fighting against the general, Brethren had learned never to turn his back on Caynen for too long. If anyone even let the Light out of their sight for more than a few seconds, a new injury would seem to appear out of nowhere. 

As Caynen skidded to a stop and straightened again with Light Magic swirling around him, Brethren allowed his own magic to rise within him. Though it had been fun to torture and taunt the aging general for two years, it was time to end this. Brethren wasn't sure where the key was or how Caynen would use it, but he was going to make sure that the general didn't live to see victory. 

The two rushed at each other again, this time clashing - magic against magic. Subtle and aching pain sailed through Brethren's body, but he knew that what Caynen felt was worse. The general, though he gritted his teeth in pain, twisted sideways and kicked Brethren in the side harshly. When Brethren grunted and stumbled sideways, Caynen appeared behind Brethren and threw him down to his knees, pulling him into a chokehold. 

As their opposite magics swarmed around them like a thick whirlwind, Brethren beat his wings into Caynen time and time again. He could hear the impact more than see it, but the Light's grip didn't loosen. It was miraculous that the aging man was still going, especially after all the crippling injuries he'd been given throughout the two years.

Though Brethren didn't exactly need to breathe, the hold on his neck was annoying and painful. Caynen was strong, but Brethren was stronger - which allowed him to rise again to his feet, dragging Caynen up with him. 

The pressure on Brethren's neck vanished for a split second, but not a moment later, it returned with more force. This time, his legs were knocked out from under him, causing him to fall backward. Although Caynen had succeeded in taking Brethren to the ground and holding him there, it wasn't hard to hear the general's shout of pain as he landed underneath Brethren. 

Brethren's wings were stuck between him and Caynen, curled uncomfortably against his back. One of the points was stabbing Brethren's hip, and when Brethren jerked slightly, he realized that a few of the tips were lodged in Caynen's legs. 

Before Brethren could jerk free using his arms and legs, Light bands wrapped like tentacles around his limbs. He could feel Caynen using his magic to keep Brethren from teleporting as well, which meant that the general had successfully taken The Dark Lord down. 

But not for long, Brethren told himself. 

"Shin, now!" Caynen suddenly called, and surprise and anger darted through Brethren's veins. 

Suddenly, a young boy who couldn't have been more than fourteen or fifteen appeared above Brethren. His yellow eyes burned with fury and satisfaction as he looked down at The Dark Lord. His mouth was curled in angry distaste, but as he assessed the situation, it slowly turned into a triumphant smirk. 

Brethren's rage and shock boiled over, and he began cackling uncontrollably. Even though this boy had bleached his hair white, even though his magic was somehow different, Brethren knew exactly who the teenager was. 

"Of course you aren't dead," Brethren laughed, grinning madly up at the boy. "You just wiped yourself off the map and betrayed everyone you knew." 

"I didn't betray you," the boy spat. "My loyalty was never for you, Brethren. I just decided to do something about it, instead of cower underneath your pathetic attempts to scare me into obeying." 

"But those attempts worked," Brethren said with another laughed. "You did everything I told you to do, just because you were-" 

Sharp pain suddenly exploded in his jaw as the boy kicked him in the head with all his force. 

"Shut up," the boy hissed. "Shut up and die already." 

A metallic taste filled Brethren's mouth, and he spat the blood out to the side. He turned back to the boy and continued to grin up at him. "You and I both know that I cannot die. There is no use in trying to kill me, boy." 

The boy lifted his arm above Brethren's chest. Clenched in his fist was the Dark key, crackling with magic that didn't seem to affect the young boy. Though the Dark Magic was curling around his fingers and arm, his own Light Magic - the magic that he somehow had gained, probably from Caynen - was swirling around him stronger and faster than the Dark Magic from the key. 

Brethren had never felt fear before, but here it was, causing his heart to stumble. Though most of the emotion he was feeling was annoyance and anger that this boy was defeating him, there was a twinge of fear that Brethren was surprised to feel. When the boy spoke again, it climbed to a higher level.

"You will never step foot on this Earth again," Shintaro seethed down at The Dark Lord. 

And he dropped the key onto Brethren's chest.

~

HERE IT IS!!

THE SECOND AU BOOK!!

I'm glad I divided it up, because it would probably be over 100 chapters if I didn't...

BUT I DID

AND I'M EXCITED FOR IT

Also, DID YOU LIKE WHAT I DID WITH THE PROLOGUE??

BRETHREN'S PERSPECTIVE-

AND ALL THAT WAS HAPPENING-

THE END OF THE WAR-

AHGHALKJSH

FREAKING AWESOME-

Anyway, thanks for reading! 

P3ac3!!!~~~