The Silver Prophet

All of this story belongs entirely to me. No stealing kiddies.

The Silver Prophet

~Within my distant memories, I hear their voices calling to me. Singing, wailing, cursing my wretched name that I had been titled with. That single word that should not be. That word that hath chained my soul enternally to the hell that my nature wrought as my cage. Bars of steel and blackened ice that sear the flesh and ensnare my hopes within thier unrelenting grasp. Forever am I to be consumed by that vile name given so proudly like a crown of thorns made of diamonds. Diamonds indeed. If only in my childhood I had not been so utterly damned by my own ingnorance of what truely was my life. True, ignorance is indeed a wonderous bliss for the fool who cannot see what torment others must face in the wake of said fool's passing. I was indeed that fool, and even still, after all of these unwanted lifetimes I remain forever locked into that role. That jeweled cage that hath no key nor windows to the light. Instead I must give into this terrible nature, this curse with which I have been blessed. Mercy had died the day I was born from the womb of that unfortunate whore who had the privilage of unleashing my glory unto this undeserving earth. And from that very first intake of air and mortal stench I knew my purpose. As the blood of innocence tainted the lips that would speak these words, for the first time, I surcumbed to my true nature and to the plan of the world to which I had been given. Takai, The Silver Prophet. ~

Golden warmth bathed the massive expanse of the ballroom, lights from hundreds of glistening chandilers providing the many guests that flooded the room with plenty of light with which to view everyone worth seeing. This light was only amplified by the pristeen silver that reflected the whirling dancers and set the entire area in a dreamlike state that could only be achieved so perfectly by one of a clever mind. Towering pillars of white marble held a magnificantly painted vaulted ceiling high above so that the many cherubs and thier heavenly compainions could gaze down upon the festivities in glee. Tapistries of great detail lined the walls that were not covered with mirrors, the colors of gold, silver, red and violet shining out over all others. Even the white marble that coated the floor held an unmasked iridescence that gave those who strode across it's smooth surface the illusion of flight. To each of the cardinal directions stood a massive aching set of glass doorways that opened up onto a large balcony that encircled the entire building it seemed. However, the doorway to the far east was not as the others. Hardly. This one was only reachable by the several flights of stairs that led to a second floor which encircled the main floor from above. The Eastern doorway remained closed to all and was far more ornate then the others with it's perfectly molded wooden carvings along the trim and the massive family crest that stood proudly above it. The second floor was also braced with marble collums however, these were decorated with fine velvet hangings of reds and golds, silvers and violets. And yet another floor stood above the second, this one finer then the others. Rather then the solid walls of stone and mirrors like the other two, this one was made entirely of glass, forming a dome of sorts above so that the night sky could peer into the impressive room. To the sides of the main floor were several long tables filled with the finest foods and richest wines for every taste. Fresh pheasents and boar, roasted lamb and baked salmon, all dresed to perfection. Cheeses and fruits of all sorts filled in between the many meats as well as breads lavished in honey and butter. Even for a King, this ball would be far too extravagaint. But, the host of this particular event was far more then a King.

The swelling melodies made by several finely tuned intruments coaxed the many guests that littered the room into graceful dance and brought even the clumsiest of attendants to thier toes. Only the finest gowns and suits were seen upon the frames of these ball goers, all fitted with thier best jewels and perfumes. Afterall, this was no ordinary night no not at all. It t'was the night of the Lunar eclipse. And not just any lunar eclipse. This was a rare eclipse, one that came only once every hundred years and lasted for seven days. And it was on this very night that all would be graced by his presence. Yes, that glorious host whom held this event every time the Lunari moon shone. One was very lucky to attend such an event. Afterall, the night that the moon and sun melded into pure gold was magical. Laughter and joy sprung freely from the smiling faces that were covered my intricate masks as the guests continued to arrive by carriage.The hour before midnight would soon arrive and then he who had summoned them there would make his appearance from the east. Of course not every guest was entirely as they appeared. Hardly. Among those many mortals were those of the gifted races, the elves, the unicorns, the dragons, and more. Only those who held the divine sight could truly see them for whom they were. Aside from being such a glorious holiday, this night was also held for a much darker purpose. A purpose that had attracted the followers of a very special race. A race that was guided by the Lunari moon and drawn like moths to the flame beneath the call of thier host.

" Mistress Havven, how lovely it is to lay these weary eyes upon your beauty again." Came a smooth almost magical voice from a now bowing man who looked barely over the age of thirty. The woman whom he had addressed turned her ebony gaze upon him with an almost affectionate smile. This lady was far more then the ruby lipped noble that she appeared. Her very form held a grace and a wisdom that broke up the image of youth that she presented and cast her in a light of power unlike many of the others in the room. " Ah, dear Moisuer Bynre, as charming and velvet tongued as ever." She replied in a thick french accent that only added to her sophisticasion. A soft chuckle escaped the darkly tanned man as he placed a light kiss to the back of her black gloved hand. The woman flashed him a knowing smile, her pearly white teeth holding slight points that had one not been looking, one would not have noticed. Her thick mane of rich auburn had been secured neatly up in a ornate braid that was decorated with rubies and gold that went perfectly with her nearly skin tight dress of the same shades. The bodice seemed to glint in the light as a fire would dance in a hearth and though her eyes seemed blacker then the night itself, a simmering of embers danced beneath their glassy surface. " And as long as it is just your eyes that lay upon my beauty, we shall have no quarrel this evening." She added, raising a delicate eyebrow. The man chuckled heartily at her remark as he righted himself, running a large hand through his sandy hair that was slicked back against his skull. He, himself was nearly as beautiful as she in a masculine sense with his broad shoulders, finely etched face, and gentle blue eyes.

"Why, Mistress, your words wound my fragile heart. I would not think to lay nothing more then the most gentlemanly of touches upon a lady such as yourself." He responded with a bit of mock pain in his voice as he dramatically clutched at his chest. " Now, now, James, you and I both know all too well that a gentleman you are not." Mistress Havven stated mirthfully. " Oh, dear me, it hurts my soul so deeply to hear that you think so lowly of me dear Felicia." The man sighed as he gave the dragoness a very less then proper look. " Do, shutup with your little games, Kitten and ask me to dance before I decide to make you spend this evening without my company." She retorted with a bit of a huff, which only earned a preditorial smirk from him. " As you wish, m'lady." James replied as he led her out onto the floor to join with the many other couples. " So tell me, have you seen any of the others yet?" Felicia asked as the two of them glided about in thier much more secluded little bubble. " Yes, actually. William and his lovely mate Silvia are here and I believe that I saw our old friend Wyvin with the twins on my way inside." James answered, dropping the pleasentries. Felicia's dark eyes scanned the room carefully for others that she was familiar with as she let out a delighted purr.

" It's so good to know that Silvia has finally given into William. Those two have been such a bother with thier constant denial." She murmured, spotting the duo at a nearby table. " I agree. You have no idea of how boring Will's whining was becoming. Every single time that vixin would shoot him down, who does he come to? Me! Always me! Elves! I swear!" The cat retorted with a snort. It had been a long while since the group had been reunited, nearly thirty years to be exact. And aside from their host and five others, they had all shown up. "I know what is troubling you, love. Don't worry, Shea will be here. You know that stubborn nag wouldn't miss this night. " Apparently the man had hit upon a nerve because Felicia's confidant facade faltered slightly. Felicia had had her heart set on Shea for centuries, much to James' ire. However, the cat was fine with playing the part of the lovely dragoness' plaything in the meantime. Afterall, being a Mau demon made him very content with being a bit of a harem man. And as if on cue a soft whisper stole through the swirling crowd of dancers, stealing away the breath of the fire dragon, who's eyes widened dramatically. " And that is my hint to find another willing female or two to join me this evening." James muttered with a pout. Felicia gave the cat a warm smile and placed a light kiss upon one of his cheeks. " Thankyou, dear James." She murmured, earning a blush from him. The dragoness turned her gaze to a tall, pale figure that was dressed perfectly in black and red, a match to her own attire she noted. He bowed at the waist before her and opened a hand invitingly, his pupiless wihite eyes locked on her now radiant smile. Shyly the young woman placed her hand in his and inhaled sharply beneath the cool wave of energy that wove around her now trembling frame. " I've missed you, Shea." She murmured softly as the dark haired man pulled her against his broad chest. " And I you, my ruby goddess." He whispered in that deep baritone that sent chills down her spine and caused flames to errupt within her soul.

He was simple to look at with his shoulder length ash black hair and clean shaven face, but it was his presance that spoke volumes of whom he was. An odd tattoo wound it's way around his neck in twisting vines of black, before disappearing beneath his collar. For so long Felicia had longed to see just how much of the man was covered by that intricate design. He held no true emotion on his beautiful face, but rather, a coldness that only she and a few others could read. Shea was her reason for coming to this event. Afterall, it was in his blood to come and she would do anything to be near him. Even if it ment him not chosing her as his mate. In fact, now that she thought on it, Shea had never chosen a mate. It was a curious fact that had been nibbling away at her for years. "You look so beautiful, Felicia." He breathed, even though his blind eyes could not see. He knew how she looked and could envision every detail of her perfectly within his mind. "Shea..." Was the only word that managed to escape her rapidly closing throat. Gods she hated this man so much. And it was at that moment that the orchestra ceased it's playing. Every eye in the room turned toward the eastern doors expectantly. Slowly they swung open without a sound other then the steady footsteps of a tall man who strode through them. He was in a single word Angelic. No, Godly. Perfect beyond any other in the room, even those of his own kind. He stood at a towering six foot seven inches, broad shouldered and dressed in pristeen white that nearly blended with his marble like skin. His hair was his most noticable feature once one moved past his sheer size. It was a glistening metallic mane of pure silver that was bound neatly at his waist by a metal clasp. Goldenrod eyes so intense that none could easily meet them swept the room as he came to a stop atop the stars. His lean form was heavily muscled, a fact that one could see clearly even through the layers of thick cloth. Everything about him radiated an aura that belittled the very stars in the sky. He stood perfectly still in his full glory, allowing the privillaged creatures who filled the room the gift of seeing him. But, there was something dark about him, something that made the skin crawl and the weak to fall to thier knees in fear. His very pressence filled the room in it's entirety, feeling every single person with it's cold touch.

" Welcome, Friends." Two words that poured from his pale lips like honey from a crystaline glass. " I am so very glad that so many have arrived on so special a night as this. Please, continue in your merriment, for the hour draws ever closer." He added in that resonating voice that caused many a heart to falter. With only the slightest motion of a hand the musicians resumed thier playing and the dancers reluctantly pried thier attention from thier god-like host. A very faint smile graced his lips as his eyes glided from one familiar face to another, making eye contact with only those whom shared his dark gift. Every single one met his gaze without hesitation, and all but one held that same amber hue. They strategically moved closer to thier beautiful host, all seventy four of them. None had hair such as him despite the similarities that all of them shared, niether did any have such a towering stature, though some came close. He was everything to them and more. They lived solely for the chance to be caressed by his hand and to make those infinant eyes glisten with approval. The first that the man greeted was another male, smaller in form and more feminine. The younger male was not built for the strength that the other posessed, but rather, agility and speed. His golden eyes were shades lighter then most and large, filled with mischief. In a gesture that could only be seen as playful, the silver haired giant ruffled the other's tawny locks and his smile grew slightly.

" Hello Noah, I am pleased to see that you are still amongst the living." The larger man stated warmly as Noah attempted to right his disarrayed hair with a pout on his boyish face. " Uncle Takai, I just finally got it to lay flat and now look what you've gone and done!" The boy whined. He looked barely over the age of sixteen, but his aura stated differently. The youth had actually seen just over four hundred years recently. Takai chuckled deeply and patted the other's shoulder sympathetically. " I know, that is why I felt the need to fix it for you. Without it jutting out everywhich way, I almost didn't recognize you." Takai sighed dramatically. Noah could not keep the grin from his face any longer and gently pulled a young woman forward, who's hand he held. The silver haired man's eyes lit up with approval as he studied the odd looking woman. She was dark skinned, nearly the color of rich chocolate with startling hair of a violent pink shade. It was piled neatly atop her head in various loops before falling down about her shoulders in curling waves. Her golden eyes held a glorious shine to them that nothing in the world could seem to diminish. " Sweet Fayth, I see that Noah has finally found someone to match him." Takai stated smoothly, earning a blinding smile from the young woman. " Why yes, he has, Master Takai. He finally admitted that he could not defeat me and so he had no choice but to court me." She laughed, earning a sheepish look from Noah and a chuckle from those within earshot. " T-tell me Uncle, do you approve? What do you see for us?" Noah asked excitedly, wrapping an arm around her tightly. The tall man's smile dimished momentarily and he closed his eyes against the room. Slowly every sight every sound and every smell of the room vanished from his senses aside from the pair before him. Time stilled entirely as his once gold eyes opened to reveil pure silver and he viewed the world in an entirely different fasion. Lines of energy interlaced with one another, weaving intricate patterns and designs and all joining in various places. It took him a few moments to orrient himself to the change and to root out the specific lines that he sought. Two golden strands that twined tightly around each other and continued onward for a great distance. Takai followed those two, witnessed several other golden threads break off from the two periodically and watched as they encountered tangles occasionally. It seemed a long time that they carried on like this, perfectly together and perfectly balanced. Until a sharp red pain struck the silver eyed man and he inhaled sharply. Blood everywhere. Death. Destruction. The cries of a broken young woman with dulled golden eyes and fading pink hair.

And then it was over, and Takai drew in a breath. He had reverted back into the present and blinked a few times to focus on the worried faces of those who stood before him. A wide smile morphed his handsome features and the young couple let out joyful laughs. " Thankyou so much Uncle, your blessing means so much to us!" Noah exclaimed. Takai nodded once and ruffled the younger male's hair again playfully. " Just make sure you name one of your cubs after me." The silver laughed, earning a blush from the two. He watched somberly as they glided away to join with the other dancing couples, pain stabbing at his soul for them. " That bad is it?" Came a nearly inaudiable question from behind him. Takai turned his gaze to Shea, another of his kind. Shea was one of the few who could read the silver haired god like an open book. " They will be very happy together for at least a thousand years. They will also have a very powerful daughter who will one day hold an important role in this world...However...Not all good things shall last and I fear for that little girl with all of my heart." The larger man whispered. Shea lowered his face sadly at the news. " You on the other hand, had best claim that dragon of yours before someone steals her right out from under you." The silver added ruefully, and though he did not show it, the blind man tensed slightly. " I cannot...to do so would kill her, M'lord." Shea sighed. A deep laugh echoed from Takai and he glanced over at the red haired woman who was currently speaking with a small group of other women. " She is far stronger then you believe, my blind friend. You must remember that Red dragons are not the frail woman that humans are. Felicia has been waiting so long for you and she deserves you more then any other. Besides...something very important will come from this union."

Shea let out yet another sigh at that statement. He should have known that his old friend had alterior motives behind this. It was true however, that Shea cared for the woman more then any other. " Mark my words, Takai Serinos...If this harms her...I shall not rest until I see you dead at my feet." The cold man stated after a moment before abruptly striding off, leaving behind a highly amused host. The silver haired man continued to greet his kin throughout the hour, all confiding in his strength and seeking his approval. This was only the first of a long week of celebration. This first night was the dance, sort of an opening for the remainder of the eclipse. During this ball, partners were chosen and only if approved by the Silver One, were they permitted. The second day was the first of three days of courtship in which bonds were formed among partners and family ties renewed. Trials of the weak came on the fifth day; one of the most important days of the eclipse. And then on the sixth came the Joining and Markings. The seventh and final day was one reserved solely for those of the Lunari clan and thier families. This day was made to rejoyce in the glory of the Lunari moon and to restablish the unbreakable bonds that stood between them. Such importance was this festival. Not a single thing could ruin it. Takai had been reluctant to accept the role of host for these gatherings, mainly because he was not exactly the most active member of the Lunari clan. Infact he was quite lazy and wanted nothing more then to live out his days meddling with the futures of the world around him in peace. Unfortunately for him, the fates had decided otherwise. In other words, he was threatened by the majority of the clan. Thus was his existance. He was still fairly young as far as Lunari standards went, but he was considered far wiser and more powerful then even the ancients themselves. How utterly irritating. After making his rounds and reaquianting himself with several old allies, the host moved out into the calm stillness of the northern balcony. He sighed heavily and leaned against the well crafted railing. Such a burden filled existance he led. The man’s intense gaze moved out across his lands that surrounded the building, roaming over the endless gardens and to the forest that overlooked it with it’s dark elegance. And then to the east lay the ocean, it’s gentle music as it lapped at sand and stone whispering softly to him of storms at sea and it’s greatness. Only one such as he could hear and fully understand the song, for his ears had been honed to that beautiful voice. A fine mist had gathered over his lands, the surreal light from the eclipse casting everything in a reddish violet hue that gave even the dullest of things an undeniable iridescence. The silvery god tilted his head back to observe the night sky that played out overhead and he felt a familiar surge of warmth fill his cold form. Takai inhaled sharply as his golden gaze took in the sheer beauty of the spectical. The heavens were ablaze with thousands upon thousands of stars, all the color of molten gold. Violet and magenta clouded the black exspance and in the very heart of it all stood the moon. It was slowly moving into allignment with several other glowing spheres that were most certainly the other planets. In five days time, the moon would slide into place and the eclipse would be complete, basking the entire world in it’s silver glow. And then, the Lunari would shed their guises and praise mother Luna without regard for the rest of the universe. This was their week.

Takai allowed a soft smile to curve his generous mouth as the wind caressed his still form. He had always anticipated the coming of the eclipse, for it meant the possibility of ending his cursed loneliness. However, each time he had not been satisfied with the females and males that gathered. The man was waiting for someone. Someone that he had dreamt of every night since his birth. A beauty with golden hair and skin the shade of the moon’s glow. The person was so magnificent, so perfect. She even rivaled his own godliness. It was as though he were waiting for his opposite. The silver man was tall, dark, and handsome, while she was petite, light, and angelic. Takai sighed softly as he allowed himself to slip into his mind, his eyes shifting once again from the deep honey shade to that metallic silver. Eyes that were far brighter then any he had seen before gazed up at him, their golden depths holding a hint of crimson about their irises. Greens and hues of violet also mingled with the dominant amber, and as Takai stared deeply into their depths, he could have sworn that stars and the outlines of planets shifted within. Skin of pure ivory practically radiated light beneath the eclipse’s glow, not a single flaw marring it. Tendrils of shimmering gold fell in curling waves about the petite figure and the silver man felt the stinging of tears that rushed to his eyes beneath the weight of the being’s sheer beauty. A pair of full lips curved upward slightly in a small smile as those eyes continued to stare up at him. His own mouth was graced with a gentle smile in return as he hesitantly reached out to cup the angel’s cheek in his large palm. However, before he could even feel her skin beneath his fingertips she was gone.

“ Milord?” Came a curious voice as another of his kind stepped forward timidly. The silver haired man turned to face the smaller Lunari, his still silver eyes holding a confused expression. He could not properly make out the familiar woman’s features, his vision blurred by gathering tears that slipped unbidden from his lids. Takai felt as though his very soul had been ripped away from him. NEVER had the man cried. Not even in his troubled youth. He needed her. Needed his golden angel. A hand on his face jerked him back to reality and he let out a pained gasp before focusing on the familiar face of Fayth. She gently wiped away his tears with a worried expression. “ Are you alright, Milord?” She asked softly. The man nodded slightly and stepped back with a small smile.

“ I am fine, Fayth. I am fine.”