Original X-roads-2003

    Sertoff stopped when we reached the edge of the force field, he stood straight and still. His hands rested at his side, eyes straight ahead, legs slightly apart.
    I leaned on my right leg and crossed my arms as I saw two soldiers approach.
    Dressed in grey armor from head to toe, no insignias, no crest, no anything to prove whom they worked for. They saluted Sertoff in silent motions, then the barrier in front of us vanished. I walked in through the force field after Sertoff, my eyes ached from the greenish hue that was cast upon everything. Sertoff walked around the side of the castle to the front gate, where once again he stood motionless.
    Two more soldiers appeared, this time above us studying us closely from the top of the wall. The gate slowly started to rise upward, a definite feeling of blackness filled me. I braced myself as my insides began to feel as if they were fading away into blackness. When the gates were fully raised I closed my eyes and swayed slightly from the Dark Power inside the walls. This is Power, maybe not in it’s blackest form but really close to it. Inside the castle walls were at least a thousand soldiers training. Swords out, they moved silently in unison, slowly to the right, then to the left, up, down, it was almost hypnotic watching them. Their pattern repeating itself over and over, never missing a beat, not a single solider out of place or out of time. I couldn’t feel their movements, nor hear them, all I felt was the Blackness. All I heard was Silence, but not a deafening silence a sort of Dark silence. One you would expect from this place, Dulled and senseless never letting you take your guard down. Suddenly they stopped in one complete motion and saluted Sertoff.
    Sertoff walked through the center of the block and entered the castle.
    I watched them stand perfectly still as we walked through them. This Silence and Blackness, it radiated from them, not all of it, just the bulk of it. I felt safe enough, though their thoughts and actions were cloaked in thoughts and deeds of Black.
    As we reached the Castle doors they opened automatically, I turned once more to the saluting soldiers. I was more than happy to go inside the dark walls of the castle, because the Darkness in their felt different than the Darkness out here. It was more of an Erotic blackness inside, easier to deal with than the Blank Darkness outside. As soon as Sertoff passed through the doors the soldiers turned in silence began again, as if he had never been there. I bit my lip as I watched for a second longer, normally I would feel something from the movement. But I feel nothing here.
    We walked through countless barren hallways, through unfurnished and undecorated rooms, until finally we stood in front of double doors. Slowly the heavy wooden doors parted and gave way to long room. A scarlet carpet stretched all the way to the throne, a row of soldiers stood on either side of the carpet. Armed to the hilt they stood motionless, at attention. We walked past them slowly, on the throne sat a man dressed in a plain, grey robe. His hair and beard were a blinding white, there was no crown on his head. His eyes were a deep rich purple, but hidden behind them was a strange force. Sertoff knelt to him, the Emperor watched him as he fell to one knee and bowed his head. Then his eyes turned slowly to me, I felt as if the soldiers were moving slightly behind me. I had a hold of the Darkness now, it was easier to feel things, though I still felt things eerie.
    I straightened myself a little as I stood in front of him. This was the source of the Erotic Darkness, I wont kneel to him, he’s not my superior. And I’m not employed by him either, which wouldn’t make a difference.
    He studied me closely then turned back to Sertoff, “Your companion lacks humility.”
    Sertoff slowly rose from his position, and stood silently. His hands behind his back, he stood straight like a perfect little soldier.
    The Emperor sat back in chair, “What news do you bring me General.”
    “Jonothan D’Brau has arrived.” he stared straight ahead.
    The Emperor waved him off in a dismissal motion, “This I know.” his voice irritated slightly. “He waits on Drakin for my forces to attack. An attack to be led by YOU General.” he narrowed his eyes at Sertoff in anger.
    Sertoffs movements indicated that this wasn’t in his plans.
    I shifted my gaze to Sertoff.
    “I have come on business for the Triblician Army.” Sertoff started to explain.
    I turned back to the Emperor.
    “Then they shall work for me as well.” his tone slithering, like a snakes.
    “And if they refuse?” I replied in a up-lifted tone. I studied him carefully, I won’t have Sertoff volunteering me for anything, me or my friends.
    His eyes flashed with anger towards me.
    Sertoff held the edge of his sword on my throat, “Any questions?” he seethed.
    I stepped back and glared at him, I didn’t even hear him draw.