[Ashurato]

Issue#2 -Darberus: "Wolf Moon"

It was like any other night in the Corrupt Encampment. The moon's light was bitterly cold and the wind was razor-sharp upon the solitary Gatekeeper.

These days, it seemed a rare occasion that Darberus was without visitors. Few would be so foolish to remain solitary in a world torn by war. Yet this night, no soul but the most foolhardy would dare seek his company.

The harsh, yet ethereally beautiful moon was full that day.

Darberus sighed as he turned pained eyes upon his tormentor in the sky, thankfully still obstructed by thick, dark clouds from shining upon him. His breath came short and misty in the frozen air. It was almost time. And like always, he was torn between annoyance and relief at his situation. But this particular night, despite clear warnings to leave him be, he was surprised to sense that he was not alone.

After all, there were very few beings suicidal enough to intrude upon his solitude at this time.

"Dear Asura, what are you doing up there?" asked Darberus as hint of exasperation tainted his voice.

Asura smiled down upon him with closed eyes from her perch atop the gates. Her pale skin and white clothes blazed like a beacon in the darkness. In a rare moment, her blades were sheathed. But she was never one to worry about enemies noticing her from afar--she welcomed it. "Good evening, Gatekeeper. How are you doing this fine evening?"

"I'm quite certain that General Zephyr had given strict warning about the dangers of being outside the gates tonight," said Darberus, ignoring the greeting and pointing his left lance towards Zephyr's tent. "You were present at the briefing this morning, so do not tell me you have forgotten."

"Oh, was I now?" Asura's smile widened. "I must have missed the part where it was supposed to apply to Captains as well."

"You should leave. Everyone knows that I am not myself tonight." Darberus tightened his grip on his lances when he saw three winged Divines approach from the edge of his vision. He let out a soft growl and turned his back on Asura to face the intruders. "Why are there Divines here at this time of night? Such horrible timing."

"It is because you are not yourself that I am here," whispered Asura to herself as she settled more comfortably on the gates and turned her face towards the sky. She knew that her interference was unnecessary. The look on her face turned positively gleeful as the clouds drifted off to reveal the moon in all its brilliance. Her eyes opened slightly to show the thinnest sliver of crimson. “What a marvelous show.”

It was extremely rare for Divines to attack in the middle of the night, especially for three of them to actually reach as far as Darberus’ gates. That they would attack on that particular day was even more suspicious. He was about to voice his thoughts, but as he turned to face his fellow captain, his words were stilled by the knowing look on Asura’s face and the brightening sphere in the heavens.

Darberus hissed as he felt his insides churn and his hackles rise. The lances slipped from rigid hands and he quickly fell to his knees, gasping for breath. He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood as he vainly tried to keep the damning sound from erupting. But as his eyes began to glow, he was able to address Asura one last time. "Lady, did you have a hand in this?"

Asura's tone was light and her face remained serene, but her aura was deadly as she fully opened her eyes. "Ha ha... I wonder..."

The strident howl of a wild animal pierced the silent night, followed by a wind that bore the scent of freshly spilled blood.

-----

Darberus...

"In this filthy world, it is only the memory of your face that keeps me sane," mourned Darberus as he leaned upon the gate, cradled his lances on his lap, and bowed his head. He was finally alone, but the sun had already begun to peek over the horizon, painting the black sky the same vibrant red upon his hands. "What would you say if you can see how tainted I have become?"

Three bodies lay before him, torn so utterly asunder that one could hardly think that they were ever alive. This was the result of his immortal sin, his warranted punishment.

And yet it was also just another day, just another full moon, and just another kill.

“Salvation… seems so far away.”

Fin
5/19/11