Catalyst

Either it was completely dark, or I was blind. Sadly I couldn't remember. Not my name, not my face, not anything. Still, I had this feeling of nostalgia that made me smile. At least I thought it was nostalgia. Feeling a soft material beneath my hands I closed my fingers around it. It was a velvety texture, smooth and somewhat numbing the tips of my fingers as I rubbed it. My body felt weak and powerless as if made of still air. A light appeared in the distance growing in intensity until it resembled a star in the sky of extraordinary brilliance. My eyes widened as I tried desperately to reach for it. I wanted to stand up and walk towards it, but no strength came. For some reason it was a relief to have no strength to fight with. To have no power, no control. Oddly, the word "Finally" came into my mind almost forming on my lips. It was an exasperated tone that sounded in my mind as if I'd been waiting for a long time for this. The light grew brighter, closer. Was it coming for me. Excitement built in my chest coursing through my arms and heating the flesh beneath my skin. An anticipating sigh escaped my through as it approached. Finally, it's warmth reached me. It was so inviting and calm and loving. I couldn't look away. A voice called a name in the distance, but I barely felt it. It made no difference; this light was so gorgeous...
Only now that I was helpless to pull myself away did I feel that fading into this warmth was horribly, terribly wrong. I closed my eyes unable to do anything else, unable to want anything else, and allowed the light to take me.


Be it thy will, let it be done
Chapter 1

"Oh Light Father, we beseech thy wisdom to help us aid our allies and understand our enemies. We beseech thy power to safeguard our loved ones and defeat our attackers. We beseech thy compassion to love our fellow man and forgive those who despise us. Be it thy will, let it be done." The prayer rang out throughout the room.
The room was large and brightly lit as was the preference of the Light Father. Candles about two to four times the size of home use candles lined the walls and the alter on the north side of the room. Behind it all, but towering high nearly to the ceiling was a large slab of crystal that glittered with it's near perfect composition. It stood about two fifteen feet tall with the top of it cut into a perfect point. Upon the great crystal were carefully crafted scriptures and prayers inscribed with great care and detail from top to bottom. The long wooden pews were filled with people. At the front were white robed hooded men and women. At the very back stood black robed hoods. Aside from the hoods everyone was kneeling humbly with eyes closed and heads bowed. A man stood in front of the great crystal with arms raised staring up into the light that came down from the window which was on the ceiling. He wore white outer robes with those underneath rich black. The lines in his face and spectacles showed his age along with the gray hairs in his beard. The crowd repeated the final sentence after he recited it. Everyone stood at once. The hoods turned to the large double doors that served as the entrance. The crowd of people began exiting slowly and orderly as two of the black hoods opened the great doors letting in the bright sunlight. The crowd was chattering now that the service had ended. The people smiled and talked about the blessings they'd received that week or the dinner they'd be making that night. Some discussed who was coming to the night service or perhaps why they weren't.
Heading inside came a man just below six feet tall. He had black hair and tan skin. His eyes were a silver gray color with a hint of blue, but there was a glow to them that seemed unnatural, yet undeniably attractive. He had a small scar that ran down his left cheek. He wore a white jacket that trailed into a tail that split down the middle reaching about a foot above the floor. Underneath the jacket appeared to be thick studded X-pattern leather straps which covered a black undershirt and attached to a thick leather belt. He a had a katana on his side and wore a pair of black pants and leather boots. There was a travel bag slung over his right shoulder which had the words "Aht fidea" written on it. As he walked in he moved smoothly past the exiting crowd seeming particularly careful not to touch anyone. He was in his twenties and had a clean shaven face and well developed physique.
"Minister Olvan," he called out. His voice was mature, yet modest in some sense and very serious. A few of the people looked at him suspiciously as they exited the cathedral. Staring straight ahead, this mysterious man was impossible to read. He almost looked spaced out. The man in front of the crystal turned toward him and smiled,
"How can I help you son?" he called back. The man took the travel bag off of his shoulder pausing for a minute as if something the minister said had puzzled him. He continued anyway,
"I am Aizik. I've come here...for the Tom." The minister looked down at him with his brows arched in confusion. Aizik's face didn't shift in least. The stoic stare on his face staid steady right into the shining rims of the minister's glasses. "The Tom, Minister Olvan. I've come for the Tom." The minister's face very clearly held the question "What the hell are you talking about?" but as a holy man it would have been far from appropriate for him to say that.
"Whatever is this 'Tom' you speak of my child?" he asked trying to smile again, but finding it more difficult under the pressuring stare.
"I am not your child Minister. If my research is correct, your children include Mary Olvan-Kisik, age 24 married to Henry Kisik age 30, and Chelsea Olvan age 17. Your wife -Linda Olvan's- first attempt at birth would have been Jonathan Olvan who would be 28 today had he survived." recited Aizik with ease, "I don't believe I'm on that list." Minister Olvan's eyes widened and he couldn't hide the change in demeanor. "I didn't mean to make you defensive minister."
"Just who are you son?" asked Olvan clearly defensive in spite of Aizik's wishes through trying to hold on to his dignity. The double doors closed leaving only the minister, the hooded men, and Aizik who looked puzzled again,
"Minister, you don't have a living son. I'm Aizik-" The doors creaked open again,
"He memorized your children in case he had to kill you." came another voice. It was significantly less masculine, but had a macho attitude behind it. Just slipping through the doors was a much shorter slim young man with thin smooth almost feminine features. He wore similar clothes to those of Aizik, but without the sword and with a red jacket instead of white. He had thick straight brown hair that reached his chin in length. His eyes were a yellow bronze color that looked as unnaturally beautiful as Aizik's. The comment he made turned all the heads of the hoods toward him. Each reaching under the capes of their robes to grab the handles of their so-far sheathed swords.
"Excuse me?" asked the minister still trying to keep his cool. The shorter man smiled and looked up at him standing next to Aizik.
"My name is Cavan Reiner and this man has already introduced himself. Aizik makes sure to study up on all the people he'll have dealings with in case it comes to blows and he has to kill them. That way he knows who to send his condolences to." explained Cavan, "But he does that with everybody. It's no sign of ill intent minister I assure you." The minister looked at one of the white hoods and then back at the delicate looking man and again at Aizik.
"So then what in the world is this 'Tom' he's talking about?" he asked cautiously. Cavan looked at Aizik for a moment,
"Ai, I told you a million time it's Tome not Tom!" he growled. The hooded men looked around amongst one another. Aizik's face finally changed drastically. He looked surprised and embarrassed. He quickly dug in his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper looking at it thoroughly,
"No! This clearly reads Tom!" he shouted. Cavan's face changed into an irritated scowl as he looked over at the paper. He eyes widened, but his irritation only increased,
"Move your DAMN thumb your moron!" he roared. Aizik glared at Cavan for a moment then back at the paper. He shifted his thumb slightly to the right and immediately blushed heavily and hung his head,
"I'm sorry..." he said in a low voice. Cavan threw his hands up in the air and growled loudly,
"Ugh!!! We're never going to make a cool entrance and be taken seriously if you can't do something so simple! Dammit Ai!" he cried grabbing Aizik's leather straps and shaking the bigger man back and froth in frustration. Minister Olvan cleared his throat loudly. Aizik and Cavan looked up at him. He took a breath and looked back down at them seriously,
"It's to my understanding that you've come here for the Tome of Zoran. Is that correct?" he asked pushing his glasses up on his face.
"Well, it's not that simple, but yeah." Cavan replied. The minister smiled,
"My apologies, but that Tome isn't here. The Alium Cathedral isn't quite fit to hold such a relic even if we could find it. Not to mention we wouldn't have the resources to look for it even if it existed. I'm sorry boys, but I think your search is in vain." he said regretfully. "However, if it turns out it's out there somewhere I hope your search leads you to it. Know this, if it is the will of our Light Father then it shall be." Cavan glared back for a moment,
"Aihei enet excessus," he recited. Olvan's eyes immediately widened almost growing beyond the rims of his glasses. His face flushed filling with red faster than a wine glass.
"You speak Edenian? Who are you people?!" he shouted. Cavan smirked confidently,
"That got your attention didn't it old man? Where is the Tome?" demanded the man standing only at about 5'7". A cold silence passed for the next few seconds before the minister stepped from the alter and walked up to the two mysterious travelers.
"God is dead? I believe not, but if you speak ancient Edenian you must be one of them. If that's the case..." he stopped speaking as he looked the two up and down sizing them up. Aizik's face began to look worried. The minister turned and headed back up to the alter. He held up his right hand. The hoods surrounded the two. Aizik's face flushed,
"Wait! Minister, I beg you please, don't make me your enemy!" he shouted. Cavan closed his eyes and placed his hand on Aizik's shoulder comfortingly.
"Do not beg for you life now filthy heretics! If you are one of them I have no choice. I cannot let you leave here alive. Goodbye Aizik, and Cavan." he lowered his hand and the hoods drew their swords and began coming forward. Aizik grabbed the handle of his katana and lowered his stance. The tails of his jacket flared up as if a great wind had just pulsed from his body. A red gleam flashed in his eyes. The hoods stopped when they felt the tremor come from him.
"Please! Do not...make me your enemy!" he shouted again. His hands shook and his voice had taken on a deep menacing quality. His body seemed to be trembling. The minister smirked not feeling the tremor,
"Afraid to die are you? Don't worry, our Light Father sees and forgives all. I'll allow you a moment to repent before you are slain." he said holding his hand up again. Cavan opened his eyes,
"Minister Olvan. I beg you to reconsider your course of action. You see Aizik isn't trembling out of fear. He's a Reader of Soul. The trembling you see his desperate attempt at sparing your life." he explained unflinching. The words seemed to worry the minister, "Ready to change your mind now?"
"A...Reader?" he stammered. Taking a deep breath he turned his head to look at them over his shoulder. His eyes trailed over to Aizik. He knew he couldn't let the, leave, but...
"If you don't have the Tome then we have no reason to be here. Call off your guards and allow me to spare you." Aizik growled. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. If one could see from the perspective of the hoods in the room they were perplexed by what they saw. Due to their rigorous training which had taken up ten years of their lives intimidation was not something they could submit to. Still, each would attest to the fact that Aizik was glaring directly at him although they each knew he was clearly facing the minister. Not to mention the steady pulse of some frightening energy from his body like the tension in a room that lingers after a heated disagreement if it was set ablaze. The minister looked away back at the great crystal again. He knew he had to do something, but trying to fight a Reader and presumably a Speaker like this with no advantages was foolish.
"I will let you go, but remember this...it was you who was spared today." he said. The tension was sucked out of the room instantly as Aizik released his grip on the sword. He stood and bowed while Cavan glared. Aizik exhaled a sigh or relief,
"Thank you. A wise decision Minister Olvan. Your youngest deserves to grow up with her father around." he said gratefully with his voice back to normal.
"Yeah whatever. I knew this place would be a bust." Cavan sneered rolling his honey colored eyes and whirling around in a hurry. "C'mon Ai, let get out of here. God's True Sanctuary my ass." Aizik turned and walked toward the doors with Cavan. They passed the black hoods on the way to the doors and suddenly Caven's eyes widened. A rush of malevolence assailed his senses. He stood up straight as if caught by a wicked chill and red flushed his face. He turned his head in a quick whip to see the silver gleams of six drawn blades wielded by the hoods. Minister Olvan's hand was lowered -presumably just as they'd passed- to signal a surprise attack. "You ASSHOLE!" he cried. Aizik had already turned with hand on hilt. A burning rage coursed through his eyes turning their former calm steel color into a bloody red. The building shook and papers blew around like debris in a storm. Every candle in the room went out instantly.
"Fool!" he roared as the blade flashed from it's sheath.

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Alium City, outside the Cathedral
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The bright sunlight blasted in through their window. The curtains freshly drawn back, a shirtless man stood in it's view squinting his teal colored eyes. He had black hair that was short and well kempt cut in thick layers. His face was smooth and easy to look at with his thin sharp eyes shimmering in the sun. He had an ornate tattoo on his back that had two spiked rings between his shoulder blades linked to a third in the enter just below them. Two black lines dripped from the bottom one and swirled together to form a barbed tail down his spine. On the sides of the rings were two folded angelic wings. Lowering his hand from his brow as his vision adjusted to the light he stared out at the Alium Cathedral. The people poured out after service as usual. There was something odd this time though. A strange looking traveler followed by what appeared to be a young man or woman walking behind him went against the flow of the crowd heading into the building. The man in the window smirked,
"I smell another plaything." he purred eyeing the tall man. Closing the curtains again he turned about facing his bed and the naked, panting woman who lie waiting atop it. Her skin glistened even in the low light. There was a puddle of her own ecstasy below her lower region surely staining the burgundy quilt she lay on. Her legs were quivering as she shifted her feet back and forth slowly on it. Her hands were bound above her head by rope yet she didn't seem to be there too much against her will. Her bare breast heaved with pink nipples erect. Her brown eyes looked exhausted, but anxious. Her long dark hair was matted on her forehead and strewn about the area behind her head. Waiting for him a soft whimper escaped her throat,
"Seiru..." she whispered longingly.
"Worry not. I'm not quite finished with you yet," said Seiru with a wicked smirk on his face. He was already naked with penis in hand. Giving it one stroke for good measure he seemed to hide it from the woman's vision by standing at the foot of the bed just below her. It was of considerable length and girth throbbing with excitement of the good time ahead of it. Each vein pumped blood throughout the hard cock to keep it in business. Seiru climbed into the bed resting on his knees and grabbing the backs of the woman's thighs. She moaned and panted harder in anticipation. Seiru's smirk turned into a full smile tainted with a touch of darkness just deep enough to worry most of bad intent. With her knees pushed apart her soaking pink pussy was fully revealed and exposed now. Wasting no time Seiru's penis rammed the head just inside the entrance. Just that was enough to get a loud emotive sigh out of the woman. Seiru cocked his head to the side, "Been waiting for this have you my toy?" he asked just before his evil smile returned. His eyes looked both fascinated and animalistic in their hunger as he thrust full on. The throbbing cock slid against the walls of the vagina until there was none left to give. A wet noise complimented the woman's cry of pleasure. More liquid melted from her as Seiru pulled out about halfway and then thrust back in again making another cry. He continued relentlessly pounding away and tightening his grip on her thighs. Throwing her head back revealed the dog collar the woman was wearing on her neck. The tag read "Natasha". She cried out louder amidst the wet thumps inside her pussy and the low grunts of effort from Seiru. His penis slid back and forth again and again giving her just enough penetration to drive her mad.
"Oh Seiru! Oh-!" Suddenly he grabbed the front of the collar and pulled her forward as far as the rope on her hands would let her go bringing her face close to his and his penis continued to rail in and out of her wet vagina.
"What do you call me Reader of Soul?" he asked in a low growl of a voice completely unfamiliar to his normal one. Natasha's eyes widened as she tried to ask between heaving breaths, "WHAT DO YOU CALL ME!?"
"Master!" she screamed as he pushed all the way inside her again. An exhausted smiled had formed on her face as she threw her head back again. Her thighs shook. She was coming, "Master!!!" she screamed again. His hard cock railing her body to the point of climax Seiru's grin sharpened as he pushed her legs further up and pulled his cock out while it was still dripping wet.
"I can feel your pleasure..." Not wasting a moment it plunged slipping and sliding into her tight anus. A loud slurp sounded with the penis's dive. Natasha's toes curled as she screamed in ecstasy. "Can you feel mine!?"

Outside the door was the rest of the second floor of the Light's Arms Inn and one of the housekeeping attendants holding a clean rag up to her mouth and leaning against the wall across from the seemingly screaming door.
"Oh yes I can feel it master! I can feel it!" screamed Natasha behind it. The young lady had blond hair down to her chin in length. Her blue eyes were shut tight on her bright red face. However, she didn't look embarrassed or shy as most would in that situation. Her face clearly showed extreme discomfort. It was and had been for a long time very clear to Eira that the in was a rough job for someone who was terrified of sex. She wore a simple tan dress with brown pants underneath. Overall she had a decently pretty face if she didn't keep her hair partially in it to hide it, and the proportion of her body was...preferred. Large breasts, a relatively slim waist, and curvy hips that complimented a nice round butt built up her figure, but her clothes refused to show that off. Standing up straight she quickly headed back downstairs and rushed past the front desk where the manager of the inn -Randall- shouted at her,
"Hey! Eira what are you-?"
"Fresh air!" she shouted without waiting and bolted out the front door. Randall rolled his eyes looking up at the ceiling between he and the second floor. Faint screams and roars of triumph could be heard,
"Dammit girl. It's nothing to be afraid of."

She stood outside the inn taking in a few deep breaths, "Oh Light Father help me. I know I shouldn't be so afraid, but..." Her mind went to her sanctuary. The cathedral is always where she went when she was having trouble. She didn't have time to read anything or draw, but her first sanctuary was always there. She looked over at the Cathedral considering heading over for a few moments. Several people were starting to gather outside of it. Curious, Eira walked a little closer and slightly above the murmurs of the crowd she could hear the sounds of men screaming and metal clashing against metal. Her eyes widened as she quickened her pace. The thick stone walls of the entire building seemed to be trembling a bit. Eira quickly moved up towards the door, "What the hell is going on in there?!" she shouted. Several men grabbed her shoulders to stop her,
"Are you crazy?"
"Don't go in there!"
"Stay back!"
Eira threw off their grips and glared back into the astonished eyes of the one of the men,
"You cowards! People may be dying in there! Give me a weapon or stay the hell out of my way!!!" she cried taking a step forward. Just as she did she noticed something odd. The doors were...coming towards her? Reacting before thinking she leapt backward onto the ground and threw her arms up to shield herself. Dust washed over her as the giant double doors fell just short of her feet. The sight ahead was something Eira had never feared seeing in her darkest nightmares. Split from shoulder to hip was an unhooded young man in a black robe she'd known as Kanus lying out on top of the fallen doors covered in blood. His head was thrown back and his mouth hanging open as if struggling for his last breath. Just inside the threshold was Aizik, but to her it was just a dark haired murderer in a blood stained jacket. The katana he held in his hand dripped with the blood of the fallen man. His eyes were a devil's red that slowly faded to gray as he breathed heavily and raggedly. Behind him was Cavan who was also covered in blood and staring up at the great crystal in the back of the cathedral. He seemed to be saying a prayer. Atop the great crystal's point impaled back first was Minister Olvan bleeding all the way down the sacred scriptures on the crystal. Scattered around the pews and floor were dead Light Keepers and Dark Guards like Kanus. Some whole, some in pieces.
Eira heard the armored boots of the guards approaching, but the sound faded out against the furious pounding in her skull. Her crashing heartbeat was in her ears with the blood rushing hot throughout her entire body, Eira saw red. Aizik looked up at her. Even in her fury something about his eyes was too beautiful to ignore, but at the moment that only made things worse because now she could never forget him. Quickly scrambling to her feet she snatched up Kanus's sword and took a stance with blade in front of her wielded one handed. Without her shield she'd be less effective, but the anger welled up in her chest like magma exploding from her volcanic mouth, "You BASTARDS!" she cried. Aizik's eyes widened and lips parted as if realizing something horrible,
"Cavan I can't..." he said as Eira dashed forward. She raised the sword over her head preparing an arching slash. She would split his skull and spill his life all over the ground like he'd spilled that of everyone in the cathedral. She'd ruin him like he'd ruined the minister and this holy place. The only holy place she'd ever known. The one place in the world that would ever be her sanctuary. Tears formed in her eyes mid slash, but something happened as the blade -fully intent on its target- came nearly to its destination. Her enemy, this impious murderer; dropped his blade. On purpose. Pivoting her toe at the last second Eira missed him purposely. The smaller man looked up and suddenly freaked out,
"Ai what the fuck are you doing!?" he shouted. Now, everyone outside the cathedral was running and screaming for the guards. Cavan slipped between Aizik and Eira, "What do you mean you can't? You have to defend yourself no matter what!" yelled the smaller man angrily. He looked worriedly at the furious Eira. How badly she wanted to take their lives, but...
Her eyes went to the sword on the ground and back up at Aizik. Her arms tensed. Maybe she could manage another swing before she had time to think about it. Before any of those alerts in her soft heart told her she wasn't a killer could go off.
"I'm sorry. I begged them not to fight me. I'm so sorry..." he said. Eira gasped a little. Sorry? Suddenly the guards surrounded the two pushing her back,
"Damn. This is just great..." Cavan scoffed holding his hands up as did Aizik who sighed. The guards shouted at them barking orders to get on the ground and kicking them when they got there.
"Sorry...?" Eira said to herself still dumbfounded by what had just unfolded, "Don't tell me you're sorry..." her gaze shifted over to Kanus's corpse, "when you have no idea what you've done."