Lust of the Light

Draven

Screams echoed throughout the castle.  Lillith pushed once more willing the child to come out of her.  She squeezed her husband’s hand as the pain increased, “Zagan! Get this thing out of me now!”  “You are almost done, push again!”  She took a big breath and pushed once more until she heard a child cry.  The baby was wrapped in a black blanket and placed in her arms.  Lillith smiled at the child, “Oh my, what a beautiful boy.”  “Yes, he will do nicely for what we require,” Zagan smiled wickedly at the baby.  Footsteps echoed as they came closer to the room.  They were loud like boots on a hard floor and a scepter hitting with each step.  He came in with his long black hair, pale skin, and black eyes.  He wore a floor length black robe with a black cape.  His eyes found the child. “My Lord,” they said in unison.  He held his arms out to take the child.  “This child, this is the child who will bring darkness to the world, he will end what is good in the human race.  His spawn shall be our warrior of darkness on the earth.  We shall raise him to be ruthless and evil, taking light out of the hearts of those who are good and pure.  He will destroy and we will win.  The Children of the Darkness will finally reign again.   . Draven, child of the shadows, you will be our dark savior.”

            Draven was practicing his fighting with his friend Nero.  He swung as Nero lunged forward.  His spun as Nero kicked his foot out from underneath him.  He landed on his back as Nero got on top to pin him, but he quickly got on top and pinned Nero.  “Ah, best three out of five brother?”  The boys laughed as Zagan walked into the room.  “Draven, the Dark Lord has summoned you, you are needed right away.”  Draven nodded and followed his father down the long dark corridor.  There was always darkness here, never any sunshine only clouds.  Candles burned lighting the hallway and Draven thought if he was ever in true sunlight his eyes may burn completely out. 

            He followed his father into the throne room.  All of the walls were red and the floor was a dark red.  In the middle of the room sat a large black throne with the Dark Lord on it and a woman on each side.  “My Lord,” both men said as they bowed to the Dark Lord. 

            “The time has come Draven, the day we have waited for has arrived.  I have activated the plan to start the end of the human race.  I am sending you up to the earth among the humans.  I am placing you in a place where darkness abounds.  I have a station where the children of the darkness are keeping a watch on things.  I need you to take over and begin your reign as the Bringer of the Darkness.” 

            Draven nodded, “I have prepared for this my whole life my lord.  My parents have trained me well for this day.  I know I will serve you well on this mission.”  “You will or your family and those you care for will suffer.  I will torture them for all of eternity and I will make you watch,” the Dark Lord threatened. 

            Draven nodded in understanding, he did not care for much, but he would not let those he did care for suffer.  “What is my first assignment my Lord?”  “The bringer of Light will come shortly after you, she is coming to save the human race and destroy us.  You must make her think you are her ally, do whatever you have to to gain her trust."

    “I will not fail you my Lord, I will bring honor to the children of the darkness.”  “You will or you will pay.  You are dismissed, you leave in the morning. Your father will brief you on what you are to do.”

            His father followed him down the hallway.  They had never had a close emotional bond, but he was his father.  He was very harsh on him and had hurt him in many ways to make him tough, but he knew he was only preparing him for what was to come.  No one in the Underworld was very loving, but they were all loyal to each other and the cause.  They all knew Draven would be the Prince one day.  The lord of darkness did not have children of his own so he had looked into the future to determine which child would be the most powerful and successful.  He deeply admired Draven as his own son and knew he would take his place one day.

            “You know what you have to do correct?”  He looked at his father and shook his head.  “You have to make her fall in love with you.  Her light will be drawn to your darkness and she will want to heal you.  You cannot allow her to pull you into her darkness.  The light is a powerful thing, I myself was almost pulled into it once before I met your mother.  I met a beautiful angel of light when we were still allowed to surface among the humans.  I truly cared for her, but the lord reminded me of who I was.  He tortured me and left me in the dungeon until the kindness was gone from my soul.  He told me I was destined to give him his Prince and I could not stray from my destiny.  I knew I had a duty to our people so I forgot about her and shortly after I met your mother.”

            Draven was shocked to hear this from his father, he had never been an open person.  He never shared stories from his past.  He always felt like his father didn’t want anyone to know him.  “Father, you loved an angel of the light?”  “I did Son and I would have ran away and married her.  That is why I am telling you that I know how strong the pull of the light can be.  You have a destiny to fulfill too and we cannot rule without you.  You cannot let this girl deter you from what you are meant to do.”

            “I would never allow that to happen Father.  There are women everywhere to be had why would I care so much for this one?  I care for no woman and I do not think an angel will cause me to leave my life behind. Who is this woman I am to find?”

            His father looked at his cautiously as he pulled a picture from his pocket.  Draven took the photo and looked at the girl with the blue eyes.  He felt a brief flicker of something when he saw her, but quickly shook it off.  “What is this girl’s name?”  “Alora, daughter of Gabriel and Helena.”