Cole's Legacy --- Book 3 Prologue

Hey y'all. As you may have already guessed, I do not write this story in order. Like, at all. When I attempt to write in sequential format I tend to take reeeeaaally long breaks from the story. So.. I figured I'd make this more fun and leave it to you guys to piece it all together. Mwaahahaha. Anyways, leave positive feedback if you want more!

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She gazed at the circle, having a difficult time believing she was looking at a planet. Any quick glance in that direction should have had her mistaking the area for empty space. The hazy darkness of the planet had little distinction from the black space around it; the border between the two was arguable.

The Mispresence. That is what they call it, and she never knew why. They told her that the place gave you a feeling, a disbelief that it existed even when looking at it. Her mind depicted it as some kind of unsettling mirage, and she had to fight this feeling by reminding herself why she was here. What she did, what she created.

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And so you have come. Our master was correct as usual.

Her breathing quickened. She could not see the being, but could literally feel its breath. Crawling and shuffling sounds slowly swirled around her.

“Then you know why I am here?”

The creature drew slightly closer, making visible a long, black mass moving around.

We know only that you… require us. And we know of where you come from. I wouldn’t wear that with pride if I were you.

She glanced down at her necklace. The red emblem bejeweled with the eyes the color of a sun. What it actually represented was hardly common knowledge, so she thought she could wear it without fear. Obviously there were more who knew of her… group.

You and your little cult have tried something dangerous, haven’t you? We should have known keeping you pathetic idealists alive was a risk.

It said this with a threatening hiss of anger.

“Yes! Yes, we have tried something. Anything to stop the Avonis ruining our image; they take the values of their power and shape it with… with hopes of rebellion and conquership! Their actions do not reflect the old ways of destruction.”

She paused. “I have come here with both a secret and a question.”

The creature stopped moving, perhaps in interest. Once you pledge a secret to the Noir, you are bound to it. Remember this, and we will protect it for you.

She knew exactly what she was getting herself into. The Deal of the Noir. Once you arrive on the Mispresence, you make a deal with these creatures known as the Noir. You come knowing a secret, one that could potentially alter the universe if discovered. You give your secret to the Noir, who will protect it for you. If any person goes poking around for your secret, the Noir will see it through that they… disappear.

“I will ask my question first.” She demanded.

The Noir hissed. Very bold, Prophican. Very bold. But perhaps you should consider who you are speaking to.

She ignored this. “I want to know how the Avonis King was able to destroy the sword.”

The creature’s response came from a different direction this time, as if he is circling around her. Ah, now you are digging into matters beyond any of your control. You have no idea-

“I know what I am doing! By your rights as a Noir, you must answer the question!”

Very well. The Avonis King, Daruss, was made immortal, as you know. He was able to do this by having his people perform a Sen ritual; the forbidden practice of harnessing Sen energy to change the very fabrics of reality itself. He was giving a great power that condensed inside of him-

“Yes, this is all knowledge my group possesses. I need to know how he destroyed the sword.”

I was getting to that; your impatience is making me want you dead. Daruss became what you can consider a condensed being. So much energy remained dormant inside of him that he should have literally exploded. And he did, but at his own choice. Anything of Sen origin can be negated by another, and as you know the sword was also created from this very way. Now, girl, why do you ask this?

Still thinking through what she has been told, she replied, “If he holds the power to do something like that, then I need to know what we’re up against. You have confirmed to me that our plan can succeed.”

The creature leaned forward, closer than it has ever gotten before. What have you done?

She smiled. “Like you said. Anything of Sen origin can destroy another of the same origin. I have done another ritual.”