Antael

“You called, Umbrarch Horcus?”

Antael knelt before the large altar in the center of the temple. His black hair fell in front of his face as he bowed his head.

“I did, yes. Please, rise.”

Antael did as asked. As he raised his head, he came almost face to face with the hulking beast that sat besides Umbrach Horcus’ throne. The beast’s form flickered like shadows cast by a fire, yet the eyes and teeth were ever present. Ever hungry.

Umbrarch Horcus stood up from his throne to address Antael. His age had started to show, yet he was as strong as ever, if not more. He’d held the position of Umbrarch for as long as Antael had been here. His charms as the grandfather of the temple along with the fear his summons of shadow inspired made it so no one would even think of usurping.

“It is time for you to truly prove you are a part of our family, Antael.”

Antael tried his best to keep a monotone face, even as the words stung. He had only spent the last 20 years here. Umbrach Horcus conjured forth the image of a young man, a few years younger than Antael himself. His skin grey, hair white and eyes bright ember.

“We have found someone we thought lost for many years. This young man here was… stolen from us, almost as many years ago as when you joined us. But now, we have found him. And we need you to convince him to come back here. Back to us.”

Antael looked at the image. The man looked oddly familiar, yet Antael couldn’t quite figure out why. Yet, he tried to shake the feeling.

“And if he won’t come with me?”

With a flick of his fingers, the image of the young man changed to the Fallen Kingdom. The image moved down into the Himari Kingdom, to a small farm, where a man and woman worked.

“Then you make sure he has incentive to come back here anyways,” Umbrarch Horcus said, a smile hiding the devious look in his eyes.

“Consider it done,” Antael said, and turned to walk.

“Oh, and Antael?”

Antael stopped, and looked back towards Umbrarch Horcus

“Remember who your true family is. Do this, and you will truly be a member of the Visilis family.”

Wordlessly, Antael turned back towards the door, and headed out. As he got outside, he mounted his horse, and rode off. Still, as he rode, he couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity.