1 Those Who Command the Noctems

"Greetings."

Its serene and warm voice rippled on this sea of darkness that I've called home. I've been sinking in this cold hole to the point that my body knew nothing except for this desire to sing a certain song that I have long forgotten.

"Who are you?" I replied with my voice trembling.

"Does it matter?" It replied as soon as I finished uttering my words. I didn't know how to respond so I just bit my tongue to let the silence run its course.

"I am a being that does not possess a true name," it followed. "I am the half of who you are, half of what you blame and my whole entirety is what you now need, and desire."

"I—"

"I am here to offer you a choice," it said.

I knitted my brows as a flash of memory dawned upon me. It was as if this sea of void that never noticed me now created a torrent that tore through my flesh until I found myself smiling. I groaned, then I growled and finally, I let out a feral scream until silence consumed me.

"Lay here, let your consciousness drift to nothingness once more or…"

"Or?" I followed, unnerved as that voice became distant.

"Traverse through the land of the living as my herald to sate your desire and ultimately for the sake of my name."

"But… who are you?" I said with a hint of hesitation behind my words.

"You already know who I am and those lambs too will utter my name if they ever see you fulfill what you want, now tell me…" The sense of reverence that flowed through its voice was stopped. It took a pause as if it swallowed its own words and what returned to me was breath in my ear. A short phrase that was uttered by a slow bristly tone that sounded twisted as it followed, "...what do you desire?"

My heart that has been silenced for so long regained its beat. I then felt the warmth raking through my body and it wasn't long before I was able to breathe. I opened my eyes and I found myself kneeling as I gazed at the full moon piercing through the thin sheet of clouds that tried to keep me away from its grace.

Beneath me was the field of tall grass that caressed my pale skin along with the cold brash wind of the night and over it was a swarm of black creatures taking their form as if they're being birthed by the darkness itself. Their shape had a semblance of a man but with a hind leg of a beast. All of them were armed by sharp claws and teeth but what separates them from the others was the varying sizes of their horns.

Some were thick, some were thin but long and some had theirs arching to their sides as if they were antlers. I touched my forehead too by instinct and mine felt bigger and stronger than those beings who were now glaring at me as if they were waiting for something.

Then I remembered. I was given death that was unfit for who I am.

I laughed with my mouth wide open as I raised my hands in the air in full surrender. I then lowered my head and gritted my teeth with one corner of my mouth turned upwards to form a satisfied grin. After a moment, I let out a slow breath through my nose and answered, "What I desire is for that kingdom to turn into ash upon my return."

"Very well… your choice has been made." The voice resounded once again, assuming a tone that seemed to be filled with a grim maniacal glee as it followed with a sweet heavy whisper in my ear saying, "Now, my herald. Command thy army, march towards your beloved kingdom to massacre your people and let my name be known."

"Then lord, I'll make you hear a lively song sang by my own people!" I clenched my fist and smiled. "It will be a grand stage lit by a sea of bright red flames fit to welcome you, my liege, the king all of all who are righteous!"