webnovel

A Single Crow

The most dangerous individuals are those who only view the world in black and white. For example, an individual who steals will be labeled as wrong and evil without a second thought, and a hero who fights to protect will be labeled as right and just. However, if said individual who steals does so to survive, is he/she not right in wanting to live, and if a hero fights to protect and kills, does that not make him/her a killer. Marcus treads a fine line that leaves him asking himself these questions almost too often. In a mystical world known as Terra, home to humans, elves, dwarves, demons and so many more creatures, he’s often overwhelmed by his own emotions and the many dangers that live within Terra. Being a son of two war heroes afforded him some reprieve but this did not last long due to…’unfortunate circumstances’… As such Marcus finds himself alone in a world that cares little for his background and would much rather see him crushed and destroyed. Will he be able to overcome the cold and callousness of the world as his parents did or will he be crushed beneath its foot before ever gaining a chance to fight. A certain god may be able to offer his assistance…. for a price of course.

shmackShmackk · Fantasy
Not enough ratings
132 Chs

Out of Sight Out of Mind

While Marcus was running and fighting for his life, three individuals sat in a space of utter darkness. The three individuals were formless and unseen, but at the same time would grab the attention of any who could see them. They're presence was both disturbing and at the same time tranquil, and these things made the dichotomy of their characteristics so... strange.

"Lucian, Lunaria. What brings the two of you to my humble abode?" one of the beings spoke to the other two individuals across from it.

For a moment, the two beings known as Lucian and Lunaria didn't speak as if trying to think carefully before voicing their thoughts. Eventually though, the being known as Lucian spoke.

"It would do you well to not act as if we are some nescient simpletons. After all, you no longer possess the power you once-"

Before the being known as Lucian could finish his statement, the surrounding darkness... changed.

It became more suffocating and encroached upon the two beings that sat opposite the third individual.

You could tell that the being known as Lucian didn't react much to the other's show of power as only a scoff was heard to respond to the intruding darkness. Immediately after this, light started to emit from the being known as Lucian.

The light that he emitted combatted the darkness that was approaching and a faint glow surrounded both Lucian and Lunaria. The light was steady and smooth, as the shape of a dome took form.

To this, the being who seemed to be wielding the darkness scoffed at Lucian's pretentious actions. The earlier statement that Lucian was going to make may have been true, but within the domain of darkness, the unknown entity was king, not Lucian.

Just as the darkness was about to prove this fact, a soft and sonorous voice stopped any further actions from being taken.

"Brother that's enough. Please."

As the woman spoke this, the barrier of light vanished and darkness immediately repopulated the space that was originally polluted by light.

Lucian let out another scoff at the turn of events, but didn't argue with the voice that had called him brother, and the other unidentified being did not pursue the matter either as a silence took hold of the surroundings.

"Haah. I apologize on behalf of my brother. We mean you no harm and only wanted to-"

"Neither you nor your brother are capable of harming me here Lunaria," the unidentified being spoke in a firm tone that left no room for argument.

Lunaria didn't comment on this and neither did Lucian, even though it was clear the later had something to say about this. This was because the darkness around Lucian seemed to tremble slightly at his presence, which indicated his discontent with the previous statement.

However, that was all that happened, as the darkness only trembled and did not retreat like earlier.

Lunaria and Lucius both noticed the subtle change but it was Lunaria that spoke to change the subject.

"Ehem... The reason for our visit is to inquire about the whereabouts of your sister."

When Lunaria spoke those words, the unknown being caused the surroundings to tremble violently. Lunaria and Lucius seemed to expect this though and only waited for it to end.

It was hard to tell just how long the space of darkness trembled, but after it finished, a voice full of barely concealed rage came out.

"You dare mention her to me after everything you all did."

The trembling space had calmed down but now a feeling of utter peril took hold within the atmosphere. It was almost as if the surroundings were alive and wanted nothing more than to extinguish all signs of foreign lifeforms within it, those being Lunaria and Lucian.

Even Lucian didn't dare to speak on the matter at hand. It seemed he was well aware of the topic being discussed and had no intentions of opening that can of worms, but despite this, the surroundings only seemed to become more dangerous.

Lucian couldn't explain this feeling, but he knew even a being like himself wouldn't want to be here much longer if things continued like this.

Almost as if to soothe his worries though, once again a soft and sweet voice was spoken to appease the unknown individuals anger.

"I'm sorry."

It wasn't known why this single statement calmed down the individual's anger, but it succeeded and the being spoke.

"Lucian, get out."

Right after this, the being known as Lucian was gone and only two presences remained.

It was unknown whether Lucian had left of his own free will or if he was forced out, but it was inconsequential. Only Lunaria remained with the mysterious being and a sigh escaped the latter's mouth.

"Luna."

The name was spoken with a surprising amount of emotion that was the completely contradictory to the being's earlier actions and would have caught Lucian off guard had he heard it, however, Lunaria, whom the individual was referring to, showed no visible reaction to the pet name spoken to her.

Instead, she only remained silent as the mysterious existence continued to speak.

"I know what it is you wish to ask, but I can not answer your question."

"Can not, or will not?"

The unknown being's presence seemed to fluctuate a bit at the question and its thoughts were unknown.

"You're not using that ability of yours?"

"Do you want me to?"

The being didn't reply and the surrounding darkness seemed to become more... peaceful? Lunaria seemed to be aware of this and didn't push the being about the question and chose to return to the earlier topic at hand.

"I know you don't wish to speak of this, but the others are growing restless."

The being scoffed at this, but Lunaria continued.

"They detected her presence, and they think you know something."

"What do you think?"

"I don't know, and quite honestly I don't want to. The only reason my brother and I were sent-"

"Because they are afraid," the being finished Lunaria's sentence before she could finish.

"...And because of that we were asked to find out."

Lunaria exhaled a long breath and a temporary silence took hold, but she eventually spoke somewhat hesitantly.

"....Is she still alive Niko? Is Nyx still out there?"

The unknown being, Nekros or Niko as Lunaria had called him, exhaled a breath of his own and responded in a despondent voice.

"I don't know Luna... I don't know."