AN: Hello everyone! I'm posting for the first time here- trying to get some feedback. This is a work in progress, and I hope that this gets good reviews. Not much else for me to say for now, I guess just read and enjoy!

The Curator

Prologue:

Nobody knows exactly who started the War. Some say that it was the angry hunger that the United States had. Others say that Japan got too cocky. But nobody places blame anymore.

The War left little of the old splendor of the world intact. The Americas, Russia, England and France were all devastated. Some parts of Japan, Australia, Iceland, and the Poles survived the annihilation that ravaged the planet in those fateful sixteen weeks. The remaining populations settled in a settlement in the south of Africa and some protected areas in the United States until America’s coveted space-station could be completed.

Some people say that the United States saw it coming. Others complain that they were prepared to save their own and nobody else. But now the world is allied under one rule- The United Empire under the direction of the Lord Emperor…the Chanel of God. His position as the President of the United States granted him enormous power, and he took over with the promise of harnessing the powers of the Ignotus- a clan of people endowed with the gift of harboring the forces of space, time, nature, and energy. They had always been there, waiting and biding their time for the proper time to reveal themselves. To the world, they are a Godsend. To the Ignotus, this revelation of their presence has been their downfall. People suspect that the United States had discovered them earlier and used them in the War.

But either way- life is not what it used to be, and the people are scared. Scared of their governments. Scared of their environment. Scared of themselves. Their only solace is the hope that the Ignotus will be able to answer their prayers.

Now, the people wait. Some are waiting for the day when their lives will feel normal again. Some are waiting for the Emperor to snap. Others are waiting for something to happen- when a young couple will declare independence, and fall into an ancient prophecy long believed to be false. They wait for the Devoveo- the sacrifice for mankind.

Chapter One: The Exchange

The air was cold as he walked into the sterile room. With steady tanned hands he smoothed his black uniform pants, his own nervous habit, and listened as the door closed quietly behind him with a hydraulic hiss.

White walls spelled out where he was- to everyone except his specimen of course. He was in the White Room, where the Ignoti were held for Investigation- or as Chael liked to put it- torture. As Commander of the Holy Empire’s Cooperative, it was his job to determine what use the Ignoti could have to the Holy Empire. The title he was given was not really by his choice, but what was one supposed to do in the years following the Break?

He ran a hand through his brunette locks and stared ahead at the woman on the table- her body lean and clothed only in a thin white gown much like a summer dress. Her black hair was draped like a veil on her shoulders and over the table, and the 21 year old found himself slightly dizzy as he stared at her. She’s just an Ignotus- don’t pay her any attention. Stay focused.

“Ah, Commander Andrews…” an icy voice called, pulling Chael’s attention from the mysteriously dangerous girl in front of him with a vicious tug. “So nice to have you here. Are your men waiting outside as I instructed?”

“Yes Excellency.” He responded, taking a short bow and bearing the back of his neck to the Lord Emperor as a sign of respect and subservience. “I have done as you have asked. May I inquire as to whether this is the Ignotus in question?”

“Yes, Chael, you’re right.” He responded, pulling the boy’s face towards his with spidery fingers wrapped around a strong jaw. “This is Yoku. She’s…rather important, you see.”

Chael couldn’t help but maintain eye contact- his amber orbs locking with the pitch ones in front of him. He sensed the pull of power in the depths of his chest and he knew that there would be no way to release himself until the Emperor deemed it his will. “How is she important, Lord Excellency, other than being an Ignotus? I realize that they’re powerful, but my Lord, you channel the Heavens- how can-”

“Chael, you get ahead of yourself. Relax, son.” He smiled slightly as the younger man shuddered under him. He placed a hand deliberately on Chael’s shoulder and let his energy flow from his hands into the brunettes body to persuade him…draw him in further…as his savior… the man thought, continuing his actions fearlessly. “She’s the Devoveo. It’s our job to keep her from her Curator, isn’t it?” he whispered, touching a lock of the man’s brunette hair that had fallen into his face. “We will break her. But it will take…”

The skeletal Emperor stopped short, his persuasion stopping short at a block in the young man’s mind. He pushed harder, sending more of his psyche into the efforts, but was met again by the block- almost like a wall. No- it’s impossible! He can’t be an Ignotus! I would have seen it sooner! I would have recognized this! The Seer would have seen it. That’s it- maybe she did! He paused in his mental tirade and called out to the woman that he knew was sitting at a desk in his personal chambers, away from prying eyes, her flowing black hair draped along her back. Seer…Did you See that this boy would be one of you?

The response came swiftly sounding of velvet- crushed velvet. Yes. I did. But the Sight was unclear as to which one of the duo it was. And you wouldn’t let me close enough to figure it out. If you would let me near him-

Angrily, he responded No. You’ll just try to find the damn Curator again. You’ll channel him. I know you will. To save your damn sister. I’m going to break her, Seer- and this one is mine. He’s going to help me.

Turning his attention back to the young man in his grasp, he smiled. “You’re powerful, Chael. I knew this that day when I took you into my home.”

Chael’s eyes turned away then, closed. “Thank you for your praise, Lord Emperor.”

“Oh, son…Relax. You stress too much.”

“I feel so empty- all the time. Like my- soul- is trying to find something. I know that this doesn’t make sense, because my soul should be happy- but…”he stopped, his voice soft and choked.

“My son…Relax.” He said softly but authoritatively. “Do you mourn your family from Earth? There’s nothing that you can do now to save them, Chael. They’re gone. I’m your family now. And you serve the Empire. You live a full and happy life. You no longer need them. They served their purpose- and an important one at that. They brought you to me. And I took care of you.”

“Yes. You did. I still just feel…” he stopped short, realizing that what he was about to say was untrue. Staring at the young woman on the table, he suddenly felt…

“You’re doing a fine job of adjusting to your life, Chael. Just let things happen as they’ll happen. I’ll take care of you. And you’ll help me in return, yes?”he asked, bringing the conversation back where he intended it.

“ Yes, my Lord. What would you have me do?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Break her. She can bring prosperity to us forever, Chael. To the whole Empire.” He smiled down at the man he raised for the past 11 years. “You’ll do this for me. For us.”

“She’s the Devoveo…Incredible. All these years of searching and…”

“I’ve finally found her…the exquisite creature that she is. And she will be mine. Her sister Saw it.” He added, dropping a subtle hint, knowing that the young man would take to it.

“The Seer? The Holy Seer? Incredible.” He whispered, still staring at the woman laying on the cross-like table, her arms and legs tied down and head to the sky, offered up like a lamb in sacrifice. Perhaps that’s what she really is…

“You see, Chael. We’re helping her.” He said, turning the young man towards the woman on the table. “Do it. Your men may assist. Grove is the only other that is permitted to know details. Keep him quiet though. And be in your chambers by Midnight. None of this flying out on your motorcycle at insane speeds. I won’t have it after having to heal you last time.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Oh, and Chael?” he called, walking towards and stopping in the doorway. “You will do well to follow the protocol only, this time, yes?”

“Yes Father.” He whispered.

With a raised eyebrow and a small smirk of a smile, he left, his leather boots clicking almost silently on the ground as he glided away and past Chael’s men.

.:.

Chael stared ahead at the woman, allowing his feet to carry him closer to her. She slept under a light anesthetic, so he placed his face close to the Permissory Scan and allowed the computer to read his iris. He knew that everyone in the room was watching him, but he couldn’t find himself to care.

“Commander Andrews. Welcome. Commands, please?” the female computer voice called to him. It was a small white box that hovered over the fair woman’s head, ready to send signal alarms, messages that more IV fluid was needed, or that the patient was awake.

“Cease anesthetic flow.” He demanded, using his hand to slowly and delicately shift the box’s position to a few feet away.

“Anesthetic flow ceased. Anything else?” the machine asked, now hovering in the place Chael put it.

“No. Sleep Mode, Alarms off.” He demanded again, his attention focusing fully on the still sleeping woman. He placed a hand on her soft skin with his calloused fingers and felt a static charge between them as their bodies touched, even just in that small moment. He smiled and laughed slightly, not knowing what else to do. His chest swelled, a guffawing laugh erupting from the depth of his soul, as if it were singing, then …

She opened her eyes…

He gasped. Bright green orbs framed by a fragile looking porcelain face and flowing black silk for hair looked up at him, and he smiled bigger and took her hand into his, wanting more contact.

“Curator- it’s you.” He noticed that her skin blushed a little, and she sighed, turning her head towards him slightly. “Finally. We have to get out of here. Can we go?” she asked, her words breathy and quiet.

“Chael? What the hell is going on here?” Grove asked, touching a hand to his friend’s shoulder carefully.

“Miss…I think that you are mistaken. I am not an ignotus. Therefore I cannot possibly be your Curator. Just relax.” He said, his breath was speeding up to insane speeds, and he found himself more scared than ever. Damn it Chael…you don’t do these things. Just relax…

“Chael- really, you’re freaking me out just a little bit. What is going on?” he asked again, tightening his grip. “What is she talking about?”

“No, it’s you. Look. Watch.” Yoku spoke matter of factly, as if this was known information to the masses. She took a slender hand and gripped his wrist lightly, and an electric volt shivered up his arm not unlike the feeling of a numbness suddenly gone. He gasped, staring down at the juncture between his wrist and her hand, and found white light glowing from him. She removed her hand with a smile and looked up into his eyes while he stared at the scar that now adorned his skin. In the shape of a small crescent backdropping an ancient symbol, the scar held the look of something that had been hidden all along and had simply risen to the surface. “You see- it was there all along. Your mother hid it for you. Like she hid your sisters too.”

“What? No- that’s impossible. Mom never...she wasn’t…I can’t…No.” He stumbled, ignoring all others in the room still and staring now at the woman in front of him. “No.”

“Chael, this is her power, we were told that she was dangerous. Let us leave her be. Put her back to sleep Chael.” Grove demanded, whipping his friend around now and immediately realizing that his lifelong friend was not in a trance as he had thought. He’s coherent. She’s not hypnotizing him. Oh God…

“What if it’s real Grove? I have to see this through. Father never told me what happened exactly to my mother that day, he just took me in. that’s all I know . I don’t know anything about myself. I don’t even know my real dad’s name. He disappeared in the Break, and I can’t allow myself to even think of him because when I do, I feel like I’m betraying Father- the Emperor. There is no way that I can sort all of this out. I can only go based off of what I feel. And…this feels right. Very right. Grove, I have felt empty for so long. Do you know what that feels like? Honestly, I don’t know what to tell you or what to do about what I’m feeling.” Chael panted, the run-on sentences said all in one breath.

“Chael, look at me.” The woman spoke again, gripping his shaking hand in hers once more. “This is real. You are powerful. And your mother knew what she was doing. You’re alright. I promise. Just breathe. Please don’t panic. That is not going to get you anywhere.” She stared up at him, waiting for him to meet her eyes until he finally did when he felt the pull.

“This is real.” He asked.

“Yes.” She answered simply with a sad smile. Her eyes slid closed, and she lifted her eyes to the ceiling of the building, succumbing to a spike of pain that just barely reached her eyes.

“Chael. I’m taking control here. You don’t need this right now. Really, you don’t.” Grove walked over to the Permissory Scan, turning it back towards the ignotus on the table and turning it on once more. “Administer anesthetic.” He spoke quietly, watching as the green orbs slid closed and the hand holding Chael’s went limp. “it’s time for us to leave, Chael. Let’s go back and sort this out.” He waved an arm at the other two men in the room and shooed them out of the room.

Chael stared down at the young woman and clenched his eyes shut, willing himself to understand what had just been shared with him. There has to be a way that this is explained. How would Father tell me to deal with this?

He opened his eyes again, looking pained as he allowed himself to be led out of the room followed by the hydraulic hiss that designated the closing of the door. Grove punched in a couple of numbers on the keypad, then slid his thumb across the sensor to administer the lock. As Grove marched him down the long hallway, he found that he wasn’t really paying attention to what he was doing or where he was going. The only thing that he felt was a dull ache in his chest and the instinct to go running back into the room that they had just come from. But he couldn’t. because Father would be displeased.

Then, a voice filled his head with quiet legato tones. “Curator- you have to be careful. Do not speak to the Emperor. He cannot be trusted. Do not respond to my words, as he will be able to hear any contact that you make with me. Just listen.” Chael allowed himself to be led into the transportation shield, his wrist still held uncomfortably by Groves tight grip. “There is no way out of this without a cunning plan. You must leave the Empire. You have to go back to Earth. I know that Emperor has said that his was the only Collective that survived, but that is not the case. There was another- another collective that was formed after the emperor left the Ignoti on Earth. There, you will find people that will help you. But you must save my sister, because Yoku is ultimately the one that must restore the Earth’s lifeforce, just as prophecy states. Be careful. Go back to your chamber. When the Emperor turns in for the night, I will speak to you again. Go well and with peace, Curator.”

He finally realized that he had been moving this entire time in a small pod that was moving with lightning fast speeds towards the residence halls of the Empire. They whipped past the civilian homes and slowed at more regal housing, where they lived. Grove didn’t necessarily ‘live’ there, but he spent all of his time with Chael.

“Chael, are you okay? You’ve really been worrying me these past few moments. What is going on?” Grove demanded, turning his friend to face him with the quick thrust of his arm. “I don’t know what got into you back there. But I didn’t like it. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

He looked forward at the young man in front of him and laughed a little, realizing that there was no way that he would be able to put any of what he was feeling into words. “It’s complicated, Grove. I really don’t know what to tell you.” He pulled his arm out of reach and gripped the coarse fabric of his uniform right above his heart, pressing into his chest to try and fill the void unconsciously. “I really- she just…it all feels right, somehow. I really can’t explain that to you if you haven’t experienced it for yourself. I want to believe that my birth mother wasn’t an Ignotus, but what if she was, Grove? What if she was? I don’t know how to deal with that! And then there is everything that the Seer is telling me in my head, and I just can’t believe that she would lie. I mean, isn’t that impossible? Can’t Seers not lie when they are prophecying? I-“

“The Seer? As in- the Holy Seer? You’re talking to her in your head?” Grove grabbed Chael again, this time by both shoulders and he shook him slightly. “Are you insane? You can’t just run around saying things like that Chael, people can hear you, and you should know better than most! Come on, man- think!” His eyes penetrated the confused man in front of him, and he felt himself stiffen as the pod stopped and the door opened, revealing the Holy Emperor- Chael’s father.

“Well, you two boys seem to be having quite a bit of fun.” The man, quirking an eyebrow at the sight of his son being gripped tightly by his childhood friend. He examined the situation again, and realized that his son was on the verge of a breakdown, and he looked very strained. “Chael, go inside. I’ll be right there.”

Grove saluted him quietly, releasing Chael from his grip as he did so. He dipped into a low bow, and then watched as Chael made his way into the apartment that they had reached. “Evening, Majesty.”

“Good evening to you to, Mr. Malsund. Why don’t you exit the Pod so that it can go to its next destination. Follow me, please.” He commanded, knowing that there was to be no room for argument. Especially not in the High Palace, which accommodated the small royal family and a few select others that worked to support them.

The much younger man followed him out and into the Gardens, where there was an artificial sky that displayed whatever they wished. Right now, it was reflecting bright blue skies, with rolling white cotton clouds.

“Mr. Malsund…Grove. May I ask what happened back there with my son? I do believe it has been some time since he has been reduced to tears. I would like to know what was said.”

“Your Highness, I would never dream of hurting Chael. Something happened back there with that woman. She woke for him. And said- she said things that didn’t make any sense, and I don’t really know what happened because part of the conversation was not able to be heard by me, or any of the others in the room. I don’t know if that was her doing or his, though. You know how he is about his privacy.”

Relaxing some now that he knew his son wasn’t being battered by his friends, he turned to a new issue. “What was said? What do you remember?”

Thinking now, he realized that he really didn’t think that it was a good idea to share every thought that he had with this man. God incarnate or not…he’s still scary. “I don’t really know specifics, but I do know that they were talking about the fact that he might be…” he paused, drawing in a breath.

“What might he be, Grove?” Glen Andrews said, stopping in his tracks and turning to face the boy.

“An Ignotus.” He said quietly. “I know that it sounds crazy. But will you protect him? You can’t give him up- he’s your son! You just can’t, okay? You-“

“Child, you forget your place.” Glen said sternly holding the boy’s gaze with that whispering pull that he controlled. “I know about my son. He is special. But he is no Ignotus. Make no mention of that word and my son’s name in the same conversation again, or I will make sure that everything that you hold dear is taken from you- including Chael. I love my son, but the Empire comes first. Know that. You are dismissed.”

“Yes, your majesty. May I see-”

“I believe that you and Chael have spent quite a bit of time together this day. You two will see each other tonight. You are dismissed.” He repeated, leaving towards the entrance to the Palace.

.:.

Seer- how volatile is the boy right now? How much does he know? Glen asked as he made his way to his son’s chambers.

Not very, and not very much. But I would still advise safety precautions. Just comfort the boy. He is very confused right now and it has been a long day for him.

Glen Andrews was a relatively patient man, by his standards anyway. He realized that he shouldn’t be concerned with what his son knew and didn’t know, because he was going to erase his memory anyway, but what concerned him was the idea that his son may just realize things with his heart- and then he wouldn’t be able to take anything away from him. As he reached his son’s door he sighed, gathering himself before he pushed the door open to reveal his son staring at the ceiling, petting his cat that lye on his chest as he lay on his bed. “Chael. Talk to me.” He demanded softly, sitting next to him on the bed. He too reached out to scratch at the feline’s ears, smirking as she pulled her head into his touch more.

“I heard things, father. Things that didn’t make me very happy. I’m worried, actually. Was my mother an ignotus?” he asked, not looking at his father.

“Yes. She was.” Came the simple reply.

“And you knew.”

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t tell me.”

“You didn’t need to know.” He replied, almost so light that Chael didn’t hear him.

“I didn’t need to know. Hmmmm…” he sat up, feeling his anger swell in his chest. He didn’t notice his cat jump off him with a ring, he didn’t notice his father stiffen- all he felt was confusion. Pure rage. Betrayal.

Sensing that he was in danger, Glen tried to calm his son with a hand on his chest, but Chael’s shields were up in an instant and he lashed out with a feral growl that set the older man on his feet. “Chael, this is an inappropriate use of your time. Calm yourself. Now.” He demanded, his frown not quite erasing the slight unease in his eyes.

His son too rose to his feet and stepped forward deliberately, meeting his father in the middle of the room. “Stop trying to control me.” He snarled, feeling the pulling tendrils of his father’s power once again attacking his mind. “STOP!” Lashing out physically this time, he grabbed his father’s face and screwed his eyes shut, tears leaking out now from pain.

“I’m trying to make you forget, Chael…Let me in, son. I can make this better.” The man said, touching his son’s face lightly with the pads of his fingers. “Let me help.”

This had the opposite effect from what he had been expecting. Chael screamed, throwing his father into the wall. “How many times have you made me forget?!” he demanded. At the chuckle that he received in return, he repeated the question again, this time sinking to his knees as he looked at his father kneeling a few feet in front of him.

“Chael. Stop trying to be the adult here. Let me take care of you.” He stood, realizing that his son was more scared now than angry. He lifted the younger man easily to his feet and guided him by the shoulders to his bed. “Relax. Sleep. Let me take care of you. Let me love you.” He caressed his cheek again as Chael lay numb on his bed, not even noticing when his cat curled under his arm. “Relax. Sleep. Go well and with peace, my son. Relax. Sleep.” He allowed himself to slip out of the room quietly, releasing his son from his tight hold.

He felt the door slide under his hand quietly and shut with a slight click. He sighed, wondering what had happened to cause his son to act this way. He sighed, stalking away from the room with his hands in his pockets. Seer he called What caused this disruption? What has happened to my son? What has changed? I don’t know what you have allowed to happen, but I want him to forget. Tell me how to fix this. I will not have him tainted with the blood of his mother. If I have to I will perform the Exchange myself!

That will accomplish nothing, Sire. He is the Curator, and there is nothing that you can do now to stop him. The voice was smoother this time, as if someone had pressed a soft hand to the velvet. Smug, too. I suggest you let the boy go. He will overpower you. He has found my sister. You can’t do much now.

He stopped now in the hall, facing the Room that he had built specifically for the exact process that he had just mentioned. Ancient texts had described it- thick black walls of onyx and a chair of crystal…

And a dagger.

A servant passed him as he stood in front of that door, and bowed deeply while murmuring offers for assistance, but Glen ignored him. His mind was not capable of dealing with the man standing beside him and eventually he left with a murmured offer for future service. He wasn’t paying attention.

“Will I really have to do that to him?” he said aloud, wondering if he would truly have to subject his son to such torture. “I need him to deal with the girl. There is no other way. Maybe he doesn’t know for sure that he is the Curator. Maybe I can –convince him- that there is no need for this behavior.” He smiled to himself, pulling his hands out of his pockets and sighing in relief. Partial relief anyway.

.:.

Chael stared at his ceiling, absorbing what he had just witnessed. My father was going to erase my memory. He paused his ministrations on his cat, ignoring her as she nudged him with her nose. He was going to make me forget. And he knew that I was an ignotus and he didn’t do anything! DAMN him…there is NO way that I am allowing myself to fall prey to that.

He sat up, looking at the scuff on the hard wood floor from where his father’s boots scuffed the floor of his room. He sighed, knowing that he shouldn’t have lost his temper.

Chael knew that he could probably contact the Holy Seer if he so chose, and he knew that he wanted to speak to her but he didn’t know what the consequences for her would be if he went through with his idea to open the connection that he had only recently discovered.

He stood, hearing that familiar ring of his cat mewing as she jumped off the bed. He whirled around to stare out the window, which showed the High Gardens. He smiled, allowing himself to be calmed by the scene that was portrayed before him. The sun was setting now. How has that much time gone by?

He made his decision. This was urgent. ‘Seer?’ he began hesitantly. ‘Can you hear me?’

‘Yes, Curator.’ Came the reply with a hint of trepidation in her voice. ‘I can. What is wrong?’

‘I’m really an Ignotus. And you think that I’m the Curator?’ he asked, his feet starting to pace around his long room- back and forth, back and forth…

‘Yes, you are. I’m truly sorry that nobody had told you before now. I am sorry that the Emperor had such a tight hold on me that I couldn’t do anything to help you. But my mind has been bound to his since he found me. But now I know where you are, and I can help you. Are you ready for me to tell you what you must do?’

‘Yes. I mean- can I ask a question first?’

Chael could almost feel her smirking at him through the connection. ‘You already have. But you may ask another.’

‘Where did my father find you?’ Chael was cautious here- knowing that the separation of any Ignotus from their family would not have been a joyous event- for often it was one in the family- or if it was the mother, all the children would receive the trait. Or so the Empire assumed. “For the best”, he said out loud, more to himself and he noticed how full of disgust his voice was. Children as young as the age of 13 days old- being ripped from their families.

‘On Earth. I am much older than my sister. I was the first that he found. As a Seer, I could provide information that he did not have. He took me from my family. Yoku was not born yet. This was before the idea of an Ignotus was discovered. Well, rather before the rest of the world was aware. This was in the times when the United States was plotting their initial attacks. When our Emperor was underground. Special Services. It was little more than a kidnapping. But none of this is of consequence. You have to get back to the White Room. I’m not sure how much longer my sister has until the Emperor tries to break her. I know his mind. He strikes tomorrow. You must leave tonight.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘I’m sure’

‘No other way?’

‘No.’

He could feel the smile now and he opened his closet to grab a duffle bag and started filling it with various items of clothing and set it on his bed.

‘There is a woman on duty in the Kitchens on the first floor. Her name is Karla. She can provide you with a water filter. She won’t ask questions. Grab the first aid generator in the cabinet of your Training Room. Don’t take a Pod, you’ll need to walk. Take one of the Exploratory Ships to Earth, and’

Chael deadpanned now, staring at his door with a dubious expression. ‘Earth? Are you mad? That planet has been destroyed.’

‘No. Wrong again.’ There was a smirk now. ‘You will go to Earth. There you will find a small amount of life in the south of North America where permanent shields were placed to protect the citizens. Find a patch of unmarred Wilderness- or as close to that as you can get. From here, my sister should be able to do the rest.’

‘What will happen to you?’ he asked, genuinely curious as he left the room for the training room to grab the first aid kit.

There was a slight pause in the response, but it came anyway. ‘I’m not sure. But that is of little importance right now. You two must be safe. And I cannot monitor the Emperor any longer. He has- blocked me. But…Go well and with peace, Curator.’

Chael opened the door to the training room, his breath strangely calm for such a high intensity situation. This was the stuff that he was trained for. He and his unit alone- the ones trained for an uprising. I’ll bet my father never saw this coming though. He thought silently, opening a cupboard to his left in the dark and removing a small box that he shoved into his bag. He raced back to his room to grab his most valued possession- a picture of his little sister Lydian. For a school photo, it wasn’t completely horrendous, but there was a clear mud clump on her shirt. “That girl was always so hyperactive.” He remembered fondly.

Suddenly, the mood switched. He heard the door open once again, and when he turned to see who was there, he found his father, standing with his arm in the doorway. “Hello Chael. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

“I wasn’t tired. Not anymore. I feel better. I was thinking of going to see Grove, actually. Didn’t want to wake you.” Chael recovered his heart beat, letting himself fall back into his relationship with his father, if only temporarily.

“Ah, avoiding curfew. I suppose that’s alright, as long as you’re just going to see Grove.” He sighed, realizing now that it was a good thing that he had come to check on his son. “Well, if that’s the case, I have something that I want to show you before you leave. Do you have a moment? This should only take a minute.” He stepped out of the doorway, the clicking of his boots on the hardwood floor only making it harder for Chael to relax.

“Yes Father.” He set the photograph down on the top of the pile in his bag and followed his father, smoothing his shirt and pants as he did so. They went down the long hallway in the middle of the top floor of the High Palace, and all the way down to a room that he had never even seen before. Perhaps that was the point, because the portrait that was there three days prior was moved to the side, now revealing a door. “Father, what is in here?”

“Oh, it’s just a room that the Servants don’t need to be exploring, if you understand my meaning.” He grew grim, realizing that his son had no idea what was about to happen to him. ‘Seer, you didn’t help him as much as you thought. The boy isn’t even strong enough to sense-

“Father, do I have to go in there? It feels-” Chael stopped himself, feeling the immediate pull on the core of his chest.

Then several things happened in quick succession. His father pulled him into the room, slammed the door shut, and then his eyes went black- completely. The whites gave way to pitch and a slight glow emanated from his father’s hand. And that was when Chael realized that there were no windows- and no doorknob.

His father rounded on him, and smiled. The man’s wardrobe and eyes matched the black onyx of the walls, floor, and ceiling. The lighting was dim, except for the ethereal glow coming from a reclined chaise of crystal in the center of the room. “Chael, please take a seat.”

“I don’t want to. What is this place? I don’t like it.” He stood firm and slipped into a defensive posture with both hands up and balled in fists at the ready. “Father, unlock the door.”

“You feel the drain on your core, yes? It is pulling at the pure part of your core. And I don’t mean the human part of your core, I’m speaking of the greater part. Sit in the chair, Chael. Sit in the chair, and the feeling will go away.” He said, his voice and smile dripping with sincerity.

The pull and tug in every direction was worsening the longer that Chael was in the room. He slipped to his knees and found that his breath was coming in gasps. “I …c-can’t…” the mark on his wrist was burning, and he now was leaning on his hands, his eyes slipping closed and breath slowing. “Help.” He whispered as his hands slid out from under him and his chest came in contact with the unforgiving stone beneath him. Chael barely understood what his father was explaining to him- but it was a crude process that few knew about and even less people understood.

“The pull you feel is the Exchange beginning Chael. All the- shall we say- power that you have will be bled into these walls, stored forever until someone calls on it. This room is dangerous for people like you Chael. I am not affected because I am of a more- powerful sort of power. This room is dangerous for people like you and your friend- Yoku, is her name, I believe. Just the two of you, actually. But I will save you Chael. I will save you both. Maybe the two of you could begin a sort of courtship when this is over.” He said with a light chuckle. “This fiasco will end.”

Chael couldn’t move now, his entire body ached with a pain that he didn’t think could exist so thoroughly and he only heard the irregular beat of his own heart and the slow clicking of his father’s boots on the floor. He felt strong arms lift him from the ground and he hissed, the feel of anyone touching him a pain worse than death. The next thing that he was aware of was being placed on another hard surface, and the pain temporarily dulled, and then increased tenfold as he felt a sharp piercing at his wrist, and it was being dragged up his arm, almost like poison…

He screamed and the guttural and pained sound was foreign to him. It didn’t sound right coming from a human body. He felt the muscles in his throat closing up and he gasped a breath and tried to move, but he found that he was held by his father’s power.

His screaming stopped, but only because he was physically unable to continue. The poison feeling continued up both his arms, but had stopped moving now, so Chael opened his pained eyes to find his father standing with a blade covered in his blood.

Then a voice broke the silence. “This isn’t over, Chael. I will save you from the blood of your mother. But the pain will be over soon, I promise. The Exchange won’t last that much longer. And then you’ll be normal again. I can take the pain away from you Chael. Let me help you. Let me help you forget.”

“No.” he whispered back, the sound harsh and ragged. He felt like sobbing, but didn’t think that his body would allow him.

“I will help you Chael. You’ll be normal again. Normal. My son. Not hers. Not ever hers.”

“Please…”

The older man stepped back from his son, heading towards the door that he had locked. “I have a short order of business to take care of for a while Chael. Don’t fight the Exchange. It’s much easier if you just let it take you.”

And Glen Andrews slipped from the room, blade in tow, leaving his son to try and survive the Exchange.

AN: So...what did you all think? I hope it was good. Please let me know what you think and what can be improved...
and don't forget to review...please?