~It seems, I have placed my first step into my doom. One foot in the grave now - if I place the other foot forward, it's all over.~

Dark Discoveries

"Welcome to Esmonia, where every Fallen has something to rule over." Pain stretched his hand out to show the vast darkness of Esmonia under the moonlight. I see the red eyes of Fallen everywhere... all feasting on a catch from the Heavens. The soldiers of Light, being eaten alive... tortured to death. The houses were so dark, so gloomy, so desolate. It seems that they were just there for show, for everyone was roaming everywhere.

Seeing Pain, the Fallen stopped their activity, kneeling down on one knee to acknowledge one of their leaders. Pain seemed to reward them with strength, as they rose from their kneeling positions. The Fallen dispersed, some stealing glances at me. I saw their dark aura grow stronger as their gaze on me intensified.

They didn't like my presence at all, or rather, shocked to see me.

"They hate to see anyone with the Light being protected by one of their own... but they are restricting themselves because they also see you as one of them too. Just move on."

"Why are you being nice to me? Like I probably said before - I'm your enemy. Someone to take out. You still trust me?"

"Like Lord Xandor said... you'll never tell. If he says so, it shall be so." His confidence in his Master is astounding...

Is he what they say he is?

"We've arrived at the palace where Lord Xandor resides... go in and meet the person you always wanted to know about." I actually wanted to know more about Xandor?

This is ridiculous. I have never -

My foot took its first step into the palace grounds. The guards made way for my entrance, not budging to attack me.

Subconscious gotta be kidding me. I gave up trying to go back with the amount of mental pressure Pain had given me, and slowly made my way up the stairs to the main hall. The steps seemed to curl around my feet as I travelled, making me feel weak. Maybe due to the Light in me.

"Well, well. It seems Pain could bring you here. Come, Elise. I want to talk to you." Xandor's voice echoed from a speaker in the background.

"I don't need you to tell me what I should do, Dark Lord. I can find my way." Silence.

The walls of the main hall were filled with ancient armour, still holding an aura around them. Magnificent, I should say... the history in all these items are boundless.

The sight that greeted me at the throne at the end of the hall... was enough to immobilise me, push me to my knees almost immediately. Xandor's stare was unlike the other Fallen. It held within it, order and command, with a tinge of evil to it, on top of the slight victory, I assumed. His black robe enclosed his entire body, hiding whatever was beneath it. His cape extended to his shoulders, covering both the back and the front arms.

"So, you agreed to come here. What made you do that? The other side of you? The curiosity? The desire to discover? The desire for power? Or is it all of them?" His stare made no change; his voice a demanding one... that seemed to have no patience.

"Why I came here? I wanted to know why you were targeting me so badly, despite me being a part of the Light, my powers undeveloped. I'm of no use to you, Xandor. I'm no use to them either. I just follow them to know more about myself."

"They won't let you, Elise. All they do is send their best warriors to the front and let them bleed to death. They don't save the common folk living on our common soil, who are homeless, dying from the harsh treatment from the mother of us all." Xandor snapped.

"Don't you accuse them!" I retorted as Xandor slapped me across the cheek.

"I should say you not interrupt me and differ from my opinions in MY presence! Imbecile, do I need to gag you, tie you to a chair, even better... drug you, send you into a coma, or even the worst possible outcome that you dread the most - becoming the enemy?" Xandor's tone had become angered; his aura strengthened so much I'm trembling, burdened by an invisible weight, and falling face-flat on the floor because of it.

"Your energy is incredible. I would very much like to taste it." A dark black liquid made its way up my arms, sucking my life force from me. I felt myself getting weaker with every second.

How much I hated it.

"What is this I feel...?" Xandor questioned himself. He seems intrigued, so amazed.

"Jeanna and your father make a perfect match. Look at you. You're perfect for us." He sent me flying toward a wall, where I was chained and bound to it.

"Stop it, Xandor. Give her the freedom to choose." A figure stepped out from the shadows. The chrome mask...

Veil.

"Veil... I told you, she has no longer anything to do with you. You are now a Fallen of the High Court. She is the centre of everyone's universe. We will bring her into our company, and she will become a God for every Fallen." Xandor spoke, almost lost in his dream, now seeing what I could be...

"Elise... don't listen to him. Let him ask you to make a choice. Or if you want to leave..." He unchained me before continuing, "Go now."

Xandor was enraged by then, sending towards me a pulse of dark energy that consumed me. I could only see Veil fighting one - on - one with Xandor, only to be held by the neck, almost about to be killed.

"Don't fight with me, Veil. You should know very well the consequences. Know where you stand." He dropped Veil to the ground, Veil's chrome mask slightly cracked.

"Elise... save yourself." Why is he being so helpful?

"Don't believe a word my young, unruly and rebellious soldier says, halfbreed. Join me... and help make the perfect world for us all, starting with the destruction of the Light." The chains came back to me. A black liquid was shooting up my veins. My vision was being clouded. The red eyes of Xandor were soon becoming caring, signs of great leadership. My morals were changing.

"Xandor. Release her." Another one?

"So, you have risked coming here to save her. You have done your job poorly, Protector." A bruised and injured Michael stepped forward, holding up a hand to unchain me. His aura of Light started to grow.

"She has made a mistake coming here, that's all. Elise, come, let's go home." Michael held out a hand, and I quickly took it to save myself.

"Thank you, Michael." I looked back at Veil, whose mask had cracked such that I saw the confident eyes underneath.

They were so familiar, but they were now red.

***

"I should have stayed to accompany you, I'm sorry." Michael apologised.

"Nah, it's okay... everyone makes mistakes. However, what Xandor had said really disturbs me." Michael was silent.

"Centre of the universe... what keeps our world going. Who could be the one before you...?" He seemed to be racking his brain.

"Another person born from a Heaven and Fallen," Varus interjected, "It's happened onto Elise, it may have happened before, maybe until even the start of the universe."

"We always learn new things. It's amazing, how you are so special, that both sides want to know more about you. You're a wonder to us all." Michael placed a caring hard on my cheek, reminding me of how warm it was.

"I guess that I'm happy to be of help to you guys... Although I am really sad to be unable to balance the forces." I sort of felt regret. I had no training since I was young, and only now am I able to recognise this power of mine.

"Oh... Xandor said you all did not try to rescue the homeless... I don't believe it. However, it's getting increasingly difficult, isn't it?" Varus put a hand to Michael's mouth, and replied, "This is information not to be disclosed as this is a very important matter that you brought up. However, I agree with you that it is getting increasingly difficult, but rest assured we will try our best to accommodate everyone." Michael was released from being silenced, and I could only satisfy my curiosity with Varus' answer.

Oh, how I would like to see a normal day again and live that lonely life, instead of this risky journey... I thought to myself as Michael brought me to school in his sedan.

Author's Note

Whoop! March Hols, and I can finally get chapters done. Some inspiration flowing in! I really hope the current uploaded chapters and those to come can give you a great reading experience, I really do hope that way. For now, I would thank you for your support towards my book :D

Till the next chapter :)