Crowds gathered around the courtyard just outside the palace as a shrill cry would carry over the winds, thus it appeared. An alar creature, soaring through the sky as it descends to the ground below, the piercing shriek of the wyvern would echo throughout the kingdom as it looks upon the crowd standing in awe of its presence. Haze from the wyverns mouth would recede as it allures a vehement hiss, its bloody red eyes looking upon the people surrounding it, now avoiding its sinister gaze.

A hooded figure dismounts, adorn in a cloche of black it looks upon the crowd with a wicked stare, its gleaming purple eyes would flicker from beneath its helm. Beneath the cloche, a suit of clad black armour would press itself against the figures tall frame, etched into its obscure armour; skulls of horrendous sorts would array themselves over its shell. Resting on its back, a large barbed broadsword would glimmer in the suns radiant hues, emanating a deep purple characteristic. The figure discharged a dark aura from within its being as it stepped forth as it began to detach its helm, revealing its features.

Pushing through the crowd of guards and merchants, Elaine would look upon the man whom had obtruded the kingdoms domain, her eyes widening as she realizes the dark being before her, was once her beloved. Slowly, she approached the gloomy figure a look of dismay upon her face.

“I…Is that you…Aeacus?...” She spoke softly as she looked up at the man before her. His grey hair lazily hanging over his pale, seemingly lifeless face, his eyes avoid of life, lost in a turmoil of suffering.

“E…Elaine…” The figure spoke as he raised his hand, gently placing it on her cheek as he looked into her eyes, his eyes now agape with shock. “I never…Thought I would see you again…”

“What happened to you…” Elaine spoke, a tear rolling down her flushed cheek as she looks up at Aeacus, gently placing her hand on his.

“I…Went in search of immortality for the king…But alas…I was the one whom received the curse of eternal life…In exchange for mine…I have received damnation…A livid nightmare of which I shall never awaken…” Aeacus spoke gently as he looked at Elaine, his voice ever so gentle, yet full of sorrow and agony.

“W…What are you talking about?...” Elaine placed her hand upon the chest plate of his armour, her expression was confused...distressed, she couldn’t comprehend what he had said.

“It means he is immortal, he is tainted by a darkness ever so fowl that he will never recover…He is beyond saving…” Areyth spoke softly as she approached the two. Wearing a suit of silver armour, the shiny chest plate covering her curvy bust, her long elegant black hair flowing in the gentle breeze as she grabs the sheath of a katana strapped to her thigh, slowly unsheathing it.

“Elaine…Get away from him…He isn’t human…” She spoke softly as she points her blade at Aeacus, her hands trembling as she grits her teeth “What are you…What happened to the Aeacus I knew…He would never descend into darkness…”

“You all look to darkness as if it were a burden…An abnormality…Yet you seek perfection…In order to achieve that you must also accept the natural form of chaos…I learned that myself…But, a goal such as that only leads to ruin…Just look at me…I know what I’ve become, and I will never find peace in this state…Do you think I wanted this?...It was forced upon me, a burden that I shall carry for eternity…” Aeacus spoke gently as he kneels down, putting his arm around Elaine gently, holding her. “I’m sorry Elaine…If only I could ever atone for my sins…Maybe then I would finally be at peace…”

“Don’t you touch her you bastard…I know what you are…You’re a monster…” Areyth looked upon Aeacus, her sword drawn and ready to strike. But alas, she could not bring herself to do so, lowering her blade as she re-sheathes it. “Dammit…Why did this have to happen…”

Elaine put her arms around Aeacus, holding onto him gently as she rests her head on his chest, tears rolling down her cheek as she spoke softly “I…I thought you died…I was so worried…After father passed I thought you too had left me…”

“Tell me…How did this happen, Aeacus?” Areyth spoke softly as she approached him, still shocked at what had become of the man before her.

“I…Confronted Him…The forsaken king Susano’O…He slain my entire troop…In an act of vengeance I perused him…I knew I was no match for such a being…I thought he was going to destroy me, yet he spared me, and cursed me with eternal life…He merged with me, tainting my soul with his darkness…Thus, I was forced under his accursed contract, never to escape it…” Aeacus spoke softly as he stood up, resting his hand on Elaine’s head tenderly.

“Contract? And what would the purpose of this contract be?...”Areyth replied, raising an eyebrow as she spoke softly.

“I have one purpose under this new contract…To slay Thanatos, and take vengeance upon him for his ill-doings. He has thrown this would into disarray, and shifted the balance…In consequence, Susano’O has chosen to cast judgment upon him…” He spoke gently as he looks at Areyth, not a single emotion crossed his pale face.

“Kill Thanatos? Are you crazy? He can’t die, he is death itself…How could you possibly achieve such a thing?” She replied, stunned by what he had just said.

“You forget the power I know possess…Maybe now, Humanity can finally free itself from its confides of fear…And finally live in peace…” Aeacus spoke softly as he looked up to the sky, the sun writhing across the horizon, slowly descending as night-time arises yet again.