Beloved of Darkness

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Aha! It\'s finally happened! The sequel is here and I hope it\'s just as good as the first. I\'d like to thank everyone for their reviews on the end chapter of \'My Beloved Shadow\', and for the large numbered views.
Anyways, without further ado, I give you \'Beloved of Darkness\'.
**

It had been a long time since Athan had come to earth, forty years by earth standards, though it had been less time for him. It always felt different for him here, peaceful, yet with an underlying of corruption. He’s seen the things that human’s do to themselves, fighting amongst themselves. The gods feared what other creatures would do to them, what the Dark Divine would do to them, what they should fear is what the human’s will do to themselves.

If they would only seek the protection of those more powerful than themselves, instead of turning away from their Guardians, they would not of suffered as much as they have. They are a very stubborn and proud race, but at the same time, that is the reason why Athan loves them. Even after the Great War he has held no animosity towards humans.

He will start his search with Nick, tracing back to his grandmother, on his father’s side. He will discover first whether his intuition was right and Nick is of his blood, from there he will seek out the three other women he had impregnated.

It’s been longer than he can remember since the Great War, since the gods cursed him for his part in it. His red hair and eyes a testament to all those he had killed, all those of his own blood. At the behest of his king, a man lost in his own lusts, controlled by the demon offspring of the Dark Divine, he had killed any race that stood in the way of the Dark Divine.

When Tsion had returned, strong enough to dethrone his father, Athan had stepped aside to let him through. Out of everything he had done, the centuries of service to his king, when his life had truly been threatened he had simply stepped away and let death seal his king’s fate.

Athan moves away from the window of the motel room he had taken the night before. He pulls his hair back and ties it in place with a red elastic band, close enough to the color of his hair that it disappears. He pulls on a plain white, cotton, t-shirt and turns to the contact case sitting on the dresser. He really should worry about washing his hands before handling the delicate materials, after all the instructions call for it, but he doesn’t really care.

He will only need them for as long as he is on earth. His eyes take to the bright green on the lenses, after a few moments of intense and aggravated concentrated efforts to get them on, making him seem more human. He doesn’t have the necessary powers to change his eyes, illusion was never one of his abilities. Killing and moving from place to place, planet to planet, and he has sworn never to touch a sword again, never to take another life.

There is only two things he is of use for his new king, teleporting, which isn’t anything special, and the ability to create life for their dying race. If he can prove that Nick is his, and possibly more, then he will of served his king to the fullest of his ability.

****

The ceremony was beautiful, the couple radiant. They stared into each other’s eyes as they repeated the words that they had memorized. Their god stood over the proceedings, blessing their union. Hands were clasped closely, fingers entwined. They wore robes of deep blue with golden trim, traditional robes.

Neither robes discriminated who was whom, they placed the couple equal to each other. As the last words echo through the crowd they turn to face everyone. The peacefulness of the moment is broken suddenly by a mournful cry. Every head turns in the direction of the cry.

One of the couple, a man who has light blond hair, his skin is tanned from long hours out in the sun. He is somewhat lanky, but is filled out with muscles and a soft stomach. His dark blue eyes light up as he walks over to a woman who is dark in hair and skin and whom is several inches short than him.

In her arms is a baby, one with a full head of black hair, and is trying unsuccessfully to quiet the baby’s cries. He holds his arms out and she thankfully hands him the baby. The other half of the couple, with dark brown hair that hangs a little long. He rolls his hazel eyes as he walks over to the two, his height puts him shorter than the other man, but slightly taller than the woman.

“His mouth is just as big as yours, and his timing is even worse.”

Jason glared at Norris a moment before grinning when the baby stopped crying.

“He just wanted his daddy, is all. Orpheus loves his daddy, don’t you Orphy?”

Norris rolls his eyes again but hugs Jason. This day is just too perfect for him to really care about a spoiled child. Besides, it’s not like he doesn’t plan to do the same to his child in another month.

It’s been a year since they had come to this strange new world, a year since they had be assigned homes with women to care for, and impregnate. They had been through so much, but the thing that had really turned their lives for the better hadn’t been long after Nick and Tsion publicly completed the Zorey ceremony. They had spent the last few months working up to this day, the day they completed the ceremony as well.

Jason looks down at his baby, his baby! He can’t help but feel a certain sense of pride, and love, at the tiny creature in his arms. It had been a long ride when Maera got pregnant, the mood swings and appetite. Now they have to go through it again with Nea and Bri. Nea’s baby, a boy like Maera’s, had been born a month after little Orpheus. Little Marion is just as dark haired as his brother, but his eyes are a blue that Orpheus doesn’t have.

They had learned six months back that Calisto, one of the women living with Norris, was pregnant. About the same time that Bri had become pregnant. Pretty soon the place will be over run with babies. And yet, as proud and happy as Jason is and Norris is becoming, Tsion is the happiest out of everyone.

After all his years of trying, of working hard to preserve his people, it’s finally paying off. He loved to hear the sounds of Orpheus cry, and the knowledge that in about three more months there will be many more cries. The urge to have a child of his own is well saited at the sight of Orpheus and his brother, who is being brought over by Nea.

Nick urges Tsion forward and they go to greet the new couple. Nick had been excited about Orpheus the moment he had seen the tiny infant right after birth. He’s discovered that he has a bit of a soft side when it comes to children because he feels the same excited feeling, caring, with Marion.

After Marion had been born Tsion had come upon Nick holding the baby, looking at it with something akin to longing. He had slipped an arm around his waist and looked down at the baby.

“He is so beautiful, the second to be born in so many years, and seemingly not the last. Do you wish for a child, Nick?”

Nick had turned to look at him, forcing himself to smile and to push away the look in his eyes. One of the things he had given up when he finished the ceremony with Tsion had been the loss of having any children. He couldn’t find it in him to do as Jason and Norris had, he’s found that he does not desire women in any way. He’s content, though, to simply be allowed to hold a baby and to know that in a way it is his. Because he is with Tsion all of Tsion’s people are his.

But there are times when he finds himself wishing that he could have a child of his own, one to show love to like his father had never done.

“No, it is enough to see Jason and Norris’ children. I have a feeling that we will have more than we want with them.”

Tsion had let it go, but he knew the truth and could feel it in Nick’s heart. He can’t say as he’s become a different man since he and Nick completed the ceremony, though he has become a little softer. They’ve become in tune with each other and with each passing day Tsion finds himself caring more and more about Nick. He fears that soon he may come to love the other, though his heart sings at the thought.

He feels the same desire as Nick, to have his own child, but as a god some things are denied him. Because, to have a child would be to create an heir and he desires no woman enough to produce an heir by her. So, it seems as if they are stuck as they are, with only the children of their people to comfort them.

****

“Davin! Divino!”

An old woman stands just outside the door of her small and simple home. Her pure white hair is pulled up in a stern bun, her bright, intelligent, eyes shinning out from a wrinkled, pale, and friendly face. She’s wearing a plain dark blue dress with a white apron over it.

“Coming grandmother!” Said a tall boy with stunning red hair and bright green eyes, emeralds that match the old woman. He is running beside another boy, one who’s slightly shorter than he is, and is the opposite of him. The second boy is deep chocolate in complexion, with hair so black it seems purple and eyes just as black.

They run up to the house, stopping only when they are several feet away from the old woman and bow to her.

“Greetings, Amorette, you have called to us and we have come running.”

She laughs and slaps the arm of the dark haired one, both boys stand at least a foot taller than her, but it does not lessen the respect they hold in their eyes for her.

“You do not have to be so formal, Davin. How have you been? Is your mother doing well?”

Davin bows again, “Thank you, my mother is doing well though I fear she gains a new gray hair with each passing day that I do not seek the path she has chosen for me.”

The old woman nods her head in understanding as she turns to the taller of the two, her expression softening even more.

“Here, now, is that how you greet your grandmother?”

Divino rolls his eyes but leans down to kiss her cheek.

“I just saw you this morning, grandmother. It’s not as if I have been gone for years.”

And suddenly her eyes darken, her expression becoming grim. She motions for the boys to come inside and makes her way back in. They turn and share puzzled expressions before following her inside.

“What is wrong, grandmother?”

“I have had a premonition, Divino…”

The living room is simple with a couch and table dried herbs hand from the ceiling and strange objects hang from the walls. So many different things, yet Divino knows the use of everyone. His parents died when he was just an infant and he was raised under the tender care of his grandmother, who is the witch for Davin’s tribe.

Davin is a Were, he himself is of a rare breed and able to become any animal he wishes, though the rest of his tribe are all cats. Sometimes the gods choose to bless a person. Because of his unique ability, his mother and the rest of his tribe do not believe it good for him to associate with Divino, even though he will be their witch, their healer, when his grandmother passes on.

“What sort of premonition, grandmother?”

He needn’t ask, though, it was written all over her face, over the way she nervously sat down on the couch and picked up her tea cup. The way her hands shook as she raised the cup to her lips and took a sip.

“There is something I never told you, Divino, or even you, Davin. Take a seat, one on either side of me, and I will explain how you came to be, and the disturbing premonition I have had just this hour.”

Dread and confusion filling both boys, they sit down, one on either side of Amorette, and wait for her to begin speaking.

“Many years ago, when I was still a young woman, a demon came to me as I was out picking berries. He seduced me and nine months later I bore a child, your father, Divino. Because of the strangeness surrounding my pregnancy, I was forced to leave my family, finding myself here.

I lied about your grandfather dying before your father was born, I did not want anyone to know the real truth.”

“What are you trying to say?”

She smiled softly, placing a hand on her grandson’s leg. She has never once regretted what happened. Though it had been a demon who had come to her, she had been given a child and an even wonderful grandchild. Another secret that she had never told Divino, and would never tell him, was the fact that his father had suddenly lost his mind and killed himself and his young wife.

“Your father was given to me by a demon, and you from your father. The blood of that demon runs deeply in you, my child. Your red hair marks you as such, the demon that is truly your grandfather had hair just as red as yours. The color of fresh blood.”

“What about Davin?”

She turns to look at Davin, giving him the same expression she had given Divino.

“Your grandmother, as well, was seduced by a demon. A demon I believe to be the same as the one who seduced me. She came to me one day and confessed, Divino looks so much like him that she had confused the two for a moment and feared his return.

I, too, have spent many years in fear of his return. I had thought he would come and take my child away from me, but when he never reappeared, I drew lax. The premonition I had today warned me that he will return very soon, and he will want both of you. He comes to take you away to his world.”

“Is there nothing we can do? I won’t leave you, grandmother, I won’t!”

Divino stood, fully shaken by the words his grandmother had spoken. Not merely because he’s just learned that he isn’t merely human or witch, but that he is also part demon, but the fact that he and Davin are related and so closely.

Davin feels like crying, though the warrior that he is will not allow such weakness.

“Grandmother…?”

She shakes her head, “There is nothing that I can do, he is too powerful for me. But the gods have spoken to me as well and say that he will not harm you. You must go with him, boys, when he comes you must follow him.

I did not want to worry either of you, but whispers have been going around. The tribe leader does not like how close you two are, they speak of sending us out, or destroying us.”

Divino turns around at that, staring at his grandmother with wide eyes.

“No, they cannot! We’ve done so much for them? What does a little friendship matter?”

His grandmother gives him a knowing smile, “Do not think me old, and a fool, child. There is nothing that you do that you can hide from me, no amount of magic that you use will ever disillusion the truth from my eyes.”

Divino looks at Davin who has the hint of fear in his eyes, “Are we so wrong, then, grandmother? Even now, we discover that we’re related.”

“You have the same grandfather, yes, but your bloodlines have split. Besides, who am I to stand in the way of love, or to shoot at it?”




**
What do you think?
All right, before anyone gets huffy about this, \'Witch\' here is a term applied to male or female that are apart of a race that is very powerful. They are more than what we know as a witch. And with them, as the humans were cut down to so few, Witches are feared by the Dark Divine and were hunted to near extinction. Only a few remain, and those who do hide the truth of their race for fear that they will be killed.
I believe I covered everyone here, and a little extra. The part of Nick and Tsion introduces something I will do later in the story. *smiles* I\'ve decided to give them a child, though not in the way you think. I\'ve all ready said that with this story there won\'t be any mpregs. They\'re cool and everything, but I just cannot imgine Nick or Tsion as the \'mommy\'.
No, you\'ll just have to wait and find out how I decide to give them a child.
Speaking of children, aren\'t Orpheus and Marion cute?lol
As a side note, the n/c won\'t be till much later in the story.
Well, that\'s it for now, later on I\'ll post up how everyone looks, adding small updates like the fact that Norris let his hair grow out. *smile*
Oh, and don\'t forget to give me some reviews, I need to know that you liked this, or not!