Oblivion…a quiet place, empty of all but lost, wondering souls, a bleak world of nothing but gray. He stands above them, watching from the tall, dark gray mountains, the breeze of despair rustling through his long, golden brown hair…a splash of color in an otherwise bland scenery. He can control them, bending them to his will with no effort on his part. These are the souls of the broken, wraiths without dreams, their will obliterated, their minds nothing more then shattered shards of bitter memories. They do not know despair or sorrow, love or hope, need or dreams, hatred…or even pain. Their will is nothing more then a ghost of a memory, their desire an intangible wisp of wind. He can torment them, torture them, rip them apart…and they do nothing, no screams of agony, no pleading cries, and no hopeless sobs. This is the realm where all those broken by life are sent, all within them destroyed, leaving nothing more then fading energy. Obliterating them does not end their torment, for they know none, it does not bring despair to those who yet survive for they have no life, it does not cause ripples of fear…for they have no hearts. They don’t even utter a single cry…these silent wisps of nothing.
Pure h*ll for one such as he, one who feeds of the emotions of others, whose abilities are matched by few, whose power is untold. Who would have thought he’d have ever come to be here, this bleak plane of existence. However, it’s a one-way ticket to this world, none who are sent here ever leaving. Unless…unless one can gather the power, the raw energy necessary to break the binding constraints of the world. It has never been done, for the wraiths have no desire to leave…if they are even aware of where they are. That he came to be here was a fluke, a freak happening, and a mistake of unbelievable magnitude…one he has every intention of correcting. Unlike his companions he is far from being hopeless, his aspiration, his will still indomitable, his dreams still tangible…and his desire to leave this place ever growing. He’s only been here the blink of an eye when compared to the years he has lived, but it seems like an eternity…one he is determined to see cut short. As trapped as they by the binding constraints, he may be, but he has found a way…and with it the driving need to free himself of this place for all eternity.
Turning his back to them, he begins to wander aimlessly, his hands casually clamped behind his back, his head held high, hope shining brightly in the swirling depths of his eyes. No, he cannot leave this world…not physically, but there is nothing to prevent his mind from going where it will. Why should there be? None here, beyond himself, have the ability to do so, much less the desire or need. It is through that gap in the impenetrable shields protecting this plan that he shall gain his freedom. And, once he has gained that freedom…it is here he shall condemn those who banished him to this forsaken realm to begin with. As timeless, as ageless as he is, the dark despair of this place has begun to wear thin on him…what hope do mortals have in such a place? None. Where now it is his prison…soon it will be theirs! And, he knows exactly how to return to the tiny blue and green orb that defied him…through the betrayal of one of it’s own kind.
She saunters down the vast halls, her fingers caressing the dark silken mahogany paneling, a faint smile playing across her full, luscious lips, her rich burgundy hair swaying gently from side to side. Her keen senses alert, drinking in the lavish luxury surrounding her, she is aware of all…all but him, gliding quietly behind her, watching her every move, following her every thought. Here he has full access to her mind, her deepest desires, her wildest dreams, and her darkest secrets…without alerting her to anything.
For now he is content just to watch her, to follow her whirling thoughts. She has, upon occasion, wondered how it is she came to be here, but it is not something she concerns herself with overly. After all, to her way of thinking, this is where she belongs, and is everything she has ever dreamed of. She’s a queen, an empress, a Goddess overlooking her realm, looking down her nose at those below her, her subjects. She decides their fates with a gentle flick of her elegant finger, ending their life with a subtle touch, delivering death in a darkly seductive manner. He smiles, aware of the darkness growing within her, expanding, needing only to be nurtured, to by molded…waiting only for him.
She pauses before a set of double doors, the dark mahogany polished to a gleaming shine, the surface cool and smooth. Beyond it she feels a heartbeat, a pulse of dark power humming to her, drawing her, calling her name in a soft, tantalizing whisper. She falters for only a moment, the darkness beyond the doors giving even her pause, but then, gathering her courage about her like a shield, her lithe fingers wrap around the handle, opening the doors to the unknown. Stepping in she sighs in wonder, slowly gliding to the center of the immense room, her eyes wide with awe. Her sparkling brown eyes fall across the enormous bed dominating one wall, the shadowy depths hidden by glittering gauzy curtains, her mind easily imagining cool black silk sheets, soft downy pillows, and satiny comforters. Turning slightly she studies the fireplace along another wall, a warm fire blazing within, the mantle and hearth made of black marble. Centered before the fireplace are two chairs of exquisite quality, designed for comfort, the luxury seductively calling her.
Behind her the massive doors close, a deep thud echoing throughout the mansion, sending icy chills up her spine as she becomes aware of his presence. Stifling a startled gasp she spins around, searching for the one she knows to be there, her eyes squinting with the effort to pierce the unnatural darkness clinging to the doors. His smile deepening, he steps forward, the inky darkness fading away, revealing him to her, his swirling golden gaze capturing hers. Now she knows fear, waves of it washing off over her, caressing him lovingly. Realizing too late the trap she so blindly walked into she takes a hesitant step back, knowing already that there is no escape. She knows without trying that she does not have a hope of outmaneuvering him, and will not embarrass herself by attempting it…or maneuver herself into yet another trap.
“Takara Verin,” he whispers, his voice soft, dark silk. “A fitting name for an angel such as yourself,” he continues, his eyes sparkling with an unspoken promise. Without warning he disappears before her very eyes, only a trace of dark tendrils remaining where he once stood. Then, she becomes aware of him. His breath skitters across the back of her neck, an enticing mixture of warm caresses and icy chills. He moves closer, his lips drawing so close to her ear she swears she can feel the tender flesh brushing across her skin tantalizingly, he adds, “A dark angel.”
Swallowing her fear, she turns to face him, refusing to step back despite finding herself so close to him she doubts a millimeter stands between them. “Who are you? What do you want?”
“More to the point, Takara, what do you want?” he whispers, his hands sliding across her waist, drawing him up against her, his gaze never leaving hers, imprisoning her in the swirling depths. His tone softening to a gentle whisper, he trails a finger along her jaw line, savoring her silky skin. “And, just what are you willing to do to gain it?”
Takara steals herself against his skillful seduction, forcing her eyes closed to escape that ensnaring gaze of his. “What game are you playing at?” she demands, managing a hard edge in her voice.
“Game?” he repeats softly, gliding around behind her, his fingers tracing a dark trail across her waist. Moving in again from behind, his head a breath away from hers, he smiles darkly. “One you are guaranteed to win. I hold within my power the ability to give you everything you want, all that you’ve ever desired,” he promises. Slowly shifting to the other side, just as close, just as enticing, just as intimidating, he continues his seduction. “Your deepest desires…” Gliding back, his lips brushing across the back of her neck, he thrills at the shivers racing down her spine. “You wildest dreams…” he teases, slowly making his way back around her, lifting her beautifully shaped chin with the tip of a finger, her eyes flaring open to meet his, her breathing heavy, labored, her heart skittering wildly at every touch. “Anything you desire…it shall be yours…” he promises, stepping back away from her, his finger trailing a burning path under her chin…Takara unable to stifle the tremor that wracks her petite frame as his breaks contact.
Daring to stare into his eyes, trying not to fall prey to the dizzying effects of the swirling orbs, she forces herself to ask him what she wants to know most. “Who are you?”
His smile deepens, his eyes beginning to swirl more rapidly, drawing Takara in as if falling under his powerful spell, weak against his indomitable will. Releasing her from the dream he woven around her, his final words for her a whisper carried into the waking world…’LeSair…’
