Interlude

In a place at the edge of the heavens, beyond the realms of mortals and gods, there stretched a dark and foreboding forest. A woman walked through this forest, making her way to the huge structure that barely reached above the tops of the great trees. She had shed the acolyte's robe she had disguised herself with and was back in her usual attire. One hand on her sword as she walked, she kept her guard up at all times despite her unusually good mood. She smiled faintly as she recalled all she had just witnessed. Such power and skill at such a young age. That librarian would be the one, she had to be the one. She could be trusted with safeguarding the Emissary until the time was right. Or so she hoped. Nothing was set in stone, after all.

Her smile faded and she renewed her pace towards her destination. Her master would want a full report on what had transpired.

She entered the structure through it's only entrance, and as the door closed behind her, she was greeted with a familiar room, dimly lit by several candles. Her master wasn't in, it seemed. No matter. She would just have to summon him.

She walked over to a black throne set against one of the walls. The throne was oddly shaped, it was far too wide for any normal person. If it weren't for the massive back, it would easily be mistaken for a bed.

The woman knelt before the throne, and drew several magic circles around her. Then she began her incantation.

"He who is the Fangs of the Night, he of the Eternal Shadow, the Endless Hunger, and the Darkest Void! Your herald calls you! I beseech thee, grace your servant with your almighty presence!"

A pulse of magic hummed in the air as she finished her spell, and nothing happened for several moments. Then, every candle suddenly went out at once. There were no windows in that room, and it became a pitch black space. Darkness surrounding her, she felt a presence manifest itself in front of her on the throne she could no longer see.

It was an overbearing presence. One that would fill even the mightiest gods with fear and dread. Even she felt a slight unease despite having experienced it countless times before. This presence made the dark aura given off by the God of Death seem like a stiff breeze in comparison. Lesser gods would undoubtedly fall unconscious in her master's presence, and mortals would likely be slain outright.

"Well, most mortals," she thought.

"RISE," her master commanded.

She lifted her head, and looked into a pair of dark red eyes, the only things visible in the throne room.

"WHY HAVE YOU CALLED ME?"

"Master, I have observed Death's movements as you ordered. He has once again clashed with the Agent."

"THE RESULT?"

"Death grows stronger by the day, but the Agent grows with him. A stalemate. However, Death is ignorant of his nature, while the Agent is not. This will surely cost him victory in any future battle."

"INDEED."

Her master remained silent for a moment, contemplating what she had told him.

"WHAT OF THE EMISSARY?"

"Born, but still a child. Unknown to all but her mother. And one other."

Her master's eyes narrowed. "YOU HAVE FOUND A GUIDE?"

"I believe so, master."

"EXCELLENT WORK."

"I thank you, master."

"CONTINUE OBSERVING DEATH'S MOVEMENTS. SHOULD HE REMAIN UNAWARE OF HIS NATURE, WE WILL NEED TO INTERVENE."

"I understand, master."

"SHOULD THE AGENT EXTINGUISH LIFE, AS IT WAS IN THE PAST, I WILL LEAVE THE EMISSARY TO YOU."

"Of course."

"THAT IS ALL. YOU ARE DISMISSED."

"As you command, master."

Her master disappeared, and the room was once again lit by the dim light of the candles. The woman stood and headed for the exit, determined to carry out her master's orders. She left the throne room and began her trek back through the forest, her red cape fluttering in the wind.