The Wraith Tail

He knew Adonis would accept the offer, you would have to be a sane man to refuse such an offer. Considering Adonis’ current lifestyle he had everything a person would want and need, high status, money. If he had been sane he would never even consider taking the deal, but anyone from Eradonia was not sane, all Eradonians were born in a state of insanity.

He was fortunate the streets were sparsely populated, or he might have missed the extremely subtle presence of someone tailing him, someone of immense power he had rarely sensed before. It would be interesting to find out who it was, or what it was, and judging by the proximity of this spy, he was unaware Dominic had detected him.

This city of Athens was quite beautiful he had to admit to himself, phenomenal if not unimaginative architecture, some houses were adorned with beautiful golden and ruby inscriptions that announced the high status of the resident within it.

This was a sophisticated military society, if not overly sophisticated. In his experience it was better simply to have a settlement that could be easily abandoned without regret, the bare minimum requirements because any conquering society had to be on the move at all times, ready to oppose even the smallest uprising right at the beginning.

No society was perfect he supposed, what they lacked in manoeuverability they excelled in the control of the people, with their classing system of ranks and blood lineage, pleasing the people with means of entertainment such as fights and festivities, pampering them with all the luxuries they didn’t need.

Turning into a small alley that he knew for a fact had a dead end he kept walking, posing as the lost tourist, awaiting for his wraith tail to get close enough for him to... without a second’s warning he turned swiftly, hitting the stalker across the face, sending him sprawling against the smooth marble wall.

Before the stalker could react he punched him in the gut and with the other hand lifted him by the throat, " Hallo wraith, did you really think you’d gone unnoticed from me for so long? Why don’t you do us both a favour and simply render yourself visible, makes it easier to have a conversation."

Following a quiet chuckle the mysterious stalker went into a visible state, standing an astounding six feet tall he looked straight into his eyes with his own ocean blue eyes, he had a royal build to his face and body.

Looking over his two short swords placed in diagonal scabbards on his sides the wraith answered, " Aye, wraith be a good name as any. I suppose I am not accustomed to having people of your level of power, you do have a strange aura about you, where are you from?"

Dropping him to the ground they walked out of the alley unto the street, " Lets just say I’m not from around here, its driving me mad how much power is in the air and the intense level its in, but I do not see any wizard’s guilds or any magic period."

Picking an apple from a stand he took a large bite, " So what can I call you, sharp ears? Magic maestro? I have many names but wraith is a new one indeed, one I like very much in contrast to freak, the monster, the life drainer."

Smiling at that Dominic took another bite from the apple, nodding at a beautiful woman that walked by him, giving him a back glance. " Life drainer, I like the sound of that, but wraith has a better ring to it, you are right there. Call me sharp ears I suppose, why are you spying on Adonis?"

Dominic passed the half eaten apple into wraith’s hands, as he fumbled with it he took a bite in it as well, " Good apple sharp ears, I really don’t know why I am to spy on Adonis, I get paid to spy on him and relay all Intel, so I do. Unless I get paid more..."

Stopping at the entrance of an inn Dominic turned to Wraith, "Now you will need to relay something to your employers at the senate, tell them they are wasting their time, Adonis is as loyal as Greek soldiers get and they should be ashamed for doubting him."

Before turning Wraith asked, " And is there anything going on here? Why does one of your power talk to a simpleton such as him? Whatever the reason is, I will report you to the Senate. Unless..."

A smile came as his lip curved slightly at the ends, not bothering to say anything he felt his belt for a familiar small pouch that he had received from Adonis on the first day they’d met and dropped it into his hands. Adonis had been paying him to talk, Dominic was paying Wraith to keep quiet and possibly, join them.

He knew an ally when he seen one, they may be from different worlds and races, but Wraith and himself were one of a kind. Sly, arrogant, powerful and highly susceptible to magic. They both used different magic but the principal was the same. Not waiting for a response he simply walked into the inn.

Wraith weighed the bag down, it was surprisingly heavy which meant it evidently was not the typical Greek currency. Opening the bag a bit he was shocked to see a million small pearls of pure gold, gleaming with the little light there was coming down he looked up at Dominic who was already gone. He doubted anyone could pay more than that, turning around he smiled, thinking of what story he would have to fabricate.

***

The senate consisted of twelve appointed nobles, six men and six women representing the Olympian gods themselves. They held the most power in the Empire other than the Emperor himself. Sitting in a large ring, in the middle was the stand where Wraith now stood, head bowed to chest in respect.

He held no respect for these people, but it was important to at least put a semblance of respect on his face and behaviour. The leader of the senate, representative of Zeus rose to his feet, his voice echoing through the Senate chamber, " Spy, you were on a mission to watch Adonis and relay any suspicious activity, what have you discovered?"

He considered his next words with great care, " Nothing of remarkable importance to be quite honest your honours. He is utterly dull, even in military standards. Reading his books on Greece, sword drills and such activities."

The Zeus representative was about to speak they all suddenly went silent with fearful reverence, looking at the entrance of the Senate chamber. Chuckling at the sight of a bunch of old men and women’s gasping Wraith turned to see what the commotion was about, grin dropping from his face immediately at the sight of the new arrival.

Where sharp ears had a black aura, which signified great power this new arrival emanated a strange aura that fluctuated from blood red to jet black, swirling in patterns that reminded him of all the most savage storms put together in one host. This could be no one else but the Emperor he presumed.

Dressed in a dark chrome plated armour, shoulders formed as two bellowing king cobras with ruby red eyes. Upon the chrome’s front two cobras twirled around a sword like vines, on the pommel of the sword; a golden eye. Although he did not need it, he walked with a beautiful sceptre made of emerald and diamond, with the head of a King cobra.

So many things had occurred twelve years ago, the year the Emperor was overthrown by a newcomer from Eradonia, this new figure had taken seat as Emperor and no one had fought to say otherwise. His face was like that of a statue from the temple, flawless as though time itself could not overcome him.

Brushing his long jet black hair out of his face the most remarkable feature of all was seen, his eyes shone a yellow so bright and powerful it nearly matched the sun’s might. When he spoke even Wraith felt a shiver go down his spine, " You lie, a good liar you make indeed Wraith, but I am the Emperor. Next words that come out of your mouth that are not truthful will be your last words."

Wraith was usually the one to ensue fear into others, even the senate feared him to a certain degree. He’d seen the look that was in his very own eyes in his victims, of pure terror realising one’s life could end at a second’s notice and there was nothing he could do about it. " Who contacted Adonis?"

His thoughts were erratic, heart going a million beats a second. He could try to lie again, use every ounce of deception in his body and make the perfect lie, but even under the best circumstances that would be a hard task, in this frazzled condition it would be even less possible.

"I know not his name, he bore black armour with an emblem much like the ones you have yourself, he had sharp ears and was of great power judging by his black aura. He came out of Adonis’ house, although I am uncertain what they discussed, I trailed him and was paid to lie."

The Emperor walked closer, the aura extending to him like a dark sinister hand with the clammy feel of death itself. " And you accepted the bribe, and you failed to lie. You will be punished for failing, now keep an extremely close watch on Adonis and sharp ears."

Sighing in relief he thought he was safe of a punishment, however even as he walked by the Emperor he was suddenly frozen in mid step, the pain lasted less than one second but it was the worse moment in his laugh. It was not a physical pain, but his mind was assaulted by a powerful jolt that would affect him for the rest of his life.

The feeling began as small, but it soon grew until it felt as though his bones were set on fire. Ignoring the pain he walked out of the room, this time he would stick with his mission. However, if he played his cards right he might be able to use sharp ears to his own advantage.

***

If he played his cards right he might be able to use wraith to his own advantage, he knew one way or the other that two timing assassin would cave in, although he was uncertain how, it was a gut feeling he had. Adonis would not contact him until the end of the week, if Tyronis was right on his prediction, Dominic had his doubts regarding him.

He had integrated into society far too well, even Mal and Jacob had not joined the Greek or any other civilisation in that manner. From what he’d learnt they had been floating on the ocean for over a month, no more food left when they were picked up by pirates. Saving their lives they dedicated their lives to piracy. Everyone else was reunited in their future home, it had taken much magic but although surrounded by badlands, they were in a virtual paradise.

Luscious vegetation, beautiful crystal clear spring running through making marvellous waterfalls. And yet Tyronis had made his prediction from the safety of New Eradonia, Dominic was in the mouth of the beast itself risking his ass on a hunch made by a hybrid angel he didn’t even like himself.

At least he had the comfort of knowing if anything went wrong Loki could come in as backup, this wraith was something completely different however. He was not of them, and yet he was using potent magic that Dominic had never heard of. By now Wraith would be back with Adonis, watching his every move.

It would be one thing to smuggle Adonis out of Athens, but how would they ever manage to smuggle an entire army and their families out as well. As much as he wanted to deny it, he knew if they wanted soldiers they would have to bring their families, how else would they repopulate New Eradonia.

Pulling out a small rock from his pocket he muttered the key word, the smooth rock surface replaced by the face of Loki with the background of a sunset behind him. " Loki, come in right now. Lay low and keep a close eye on Adonis, but keep your distance, do not make any direct contact."

Loki sighed, " Why do we need the little corn ball anyway? There are many ways to get a bloody army, for fuck sake. Just Because Tyro tells you to roll your going to roll? I’ll do it, but if things go wrong don’t count on me to save you."

The rock returned to its normal opaque colour, dropping the rock in his pouch he smiled at a thought that came into his mind. A Greek tale of how a band of outlaws, bound by friendship and honour freed their people of a dictatorship and led the people to freedom.

The Eradonian equivalent had been the Coronian Empire, bound by blood oaths and death omens freeing their people of one dictatorship and leading them to another. And now he was part of a story as well, here they were plotting to create a civilisation. What would be told of the founders of New Eradonia, not even able to trust each other.

Going to sleep he laughed at that idea, at Loki’s last statement. If things go wrong don’t count on me to save you, he knew despite those words if trouble did come Loki would come and save him because when it came down to it, they would all risk their lives for each other, they were all that was left of Eradonia, they had to stick together.