Continuation of my Darkness series, if you haven't read the first stories you will be lost however if you enjoy coming into the middle of an adventure feel free to continue reading :) (this installment takes place after Chaos) Sorry for the late update due to weather my computer was down…anyway enjoy :)

(Burgess)

The small town slept on, the people within lulled by sounds of the night. Insects hummed and chirred as they took advantage of the darkness to eat and play. Eerie calls of owls echoed in the quiet night as these birds of prey searched for small mammals that had the misfortune of being out and about.

Inside the home of the Bennett family they were not listening to the sounds of nature that normally would offer a sense of calm. Those within too busy trying to handle the turmoil that had hit their family.

Upstairs in her room Rashana lay still as stone, the woman's skin had turned a pale white. Her once vibrant hair now a dull sheen of its former glory. Rashana's chest rose and fell sporadically, the poor woman struggling to take breath, a shiver violently shook Rashana as her body tried valiantly to stave off the cold that was seeping in.

While Rashana struggled to draw breath, downstairs her brother Abyss was reeling from the injuries he had obtained while trying to help protect his nephews.

The Divine lay sprawled on his stomach upon the empty Livingroom floor, crimson spreading out from the deep wound in his side where the Arc Demon Torment had stabbed him.

Black wings fell limply on either side of Abyss's body, the appendages echoing fatigued felt by the man they belonged to. Bright red gushed from Abyss's back where one of his wings had been erased from existence by the Sotai Needles welded by the death queen Stitcher.

Soft footsteps echoed suddenly as Jamie reentered the room, the young boy's arms full of towels and rolls of gauze and other medical supplies.

"Man, I should become a doctor with all the injuries my family get." Jamie mused as he hurried to his uncle's side. The boy quickly knelt and laid all he held to the side, "Uncle Abyss…" Jamie gently shook the spirit's shoulder, "Uncle Abyss I need you to wake up."

A groan echoed as Abyss stirred, Jamie's voice pulling him from the darkness that had overtaken his mind, "Ja…Jamie? Where am I?" the Void Keeper lifted his head trying to gather his wits, the pounding headache that had erupted interrupting his thinking.

"You're in Burgess." Jamie offered the spirit a smile, the boy knowing that his uncle was still disoriented despite being told the same thing earlier. Hazel eyes glanced at the red stained carpet underneath the man, "Currently bleeding all over mom's carpet."

Abyss forced a smile as he laid his head back down, "Rashana's going to kill me." The spirit's body shuddered, his brain now fully aware of the pain cascading through his body, "Once I get back from retrieving your moronic brothers out of the Vaults I'll help remedy the damage."

Hazel eyes rolled, "I don't think you're going to be able to go anywhere Uncle Abyss."

"And why not?" Abyss's voice held a questioning tone

"Because…" Jamie reached and grabbed a towel from his pile of supplies, "You have a gaping hole in your side and in your back."

"Bah!" Abyss waved a hand in dismissal, "I've been in worse shape before…"

Jamie rolled his eyes, why was all his family so stubborn when it came to their own health?

An involuntary hiss escaped Abyss when Jamie pressed the towel to his skin, "Must you be so rough?"

"I'm sorry Uncle Abyss." Jamie snorted as he held the fabric against the wound, "I'll be gentler about trying to keep you from bleeding out."

Abyss flinched as Jamie applied more pressure, he grit his teeth against the pain now radiating off the wound. "Well excuse me for inquiring why it feels like you are scouring the wound with sandpaper."

"I'm sorry…" Jamie spoke quietly as he held the towel tight against the horrid wound, "I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Amber eyes gleamed slightly, the Divine could tell his nephew was upset with more than just his complaining.

"Jamie…what's wrong?"

Jamie paused for moment then he let out a sigh "It's just that…it's just that I'm worried about mom." The boy quickly held back the sob that threatened to escape, "She looks so pale Uncle Abyss…and she can't seem to breath…"

"Oh nephew…" The Divine quickly forced a smile when he caught the distressed look on the boy's face, "Rashana is strong enough to pull through this."

"You…you promise?" Jamie whimpered slightly, the boy needing to hear the assurance again from his uncle that his mother was going to make it…since there was a nagging in the back of his mind that screamed otherwise.

"Jamie…" Amber eyes fixed on Jamie's hazel ones, "I swear to you upon my honor as a son of Eon, that I will save your mother, your brothers…" the spirit spoke under his breath, "and your father."

Jamie didn't hear his uncles whisper, Jamie just happy to hear that his uncle was promising to help his family "Thank you Uncle Abyss." Hazel eyes glanced back down at the towel he held, a sigh of relief escaped as he lifted the towel and noticed that the flow of blood had slowed again, "Ok I know it might hurt but could you sit up? I can't really get the bandage around this with you laying down."

"You know Jamie," Abyss bit his lip as he pushed himself up "you are handling all of this quite well."

"I guess I've gotten used to having family who tend to get into dangerous situations." Jamie watched in awe as the spirit's wings rose upwards, Abyss obviously stretching them.

"That statement is all too true." Abyss chuckled as he lowered his wings, the spirit content that he could still use them. "And unfortunately, they will never learn."

"I was afraid of that." Jamie sighed as he gently wrapped the gauze around Abyss's torso, he glanced at his uncle as he fixed the end of the wrap, "Is that too tight?"

"No, it's fine." Abyss shook his head as he started to get up, he stopped when he felt the boy grab his arm

"Whoa whoa, you shouldn't move." Jamie's eyes were full of concern, "You need to give your body time to seal that wound…or else it will start bleeding again."

Abyss smiled slightly, "I will be fine Jamie…" the Void Keeper winced as he forced himself up to his feet, "I can't stay here while Pitch and Jack are fighting for their lives in the Vaults."

"You never said who Pitch and Jack are fighting…" Jamie's voice held a questioning tone

"Ummmm…" Abyss chewed his lip, he really didn't want to answer the boy now looking at him with wide eyes…how could he tell the child that his own father was trying to kill his brothers? The Void Keeper sighed, he 'could' tell Jamie the truth…which would hurt Chand more than any wound inflicted upon the spirit…or he could speak the truth without revealing it all. Abyss decided on this option…not for Chand's sake but for Jamie's. If only to preserve the boy's faith in his father.

Abyss inhaled, his wings rising slightly with the action, "Jamie…your brothers are fighting a being who has been lost to a darkness that dwells within their soul. This person has fought to keep this darkness from surfacing, unfortunately due to circumstances that was beyond their control… they have failed."

Jamie startled when his uncle lifted his chin, making him look into caring amber eyes

"But I promise you Jamie that I will do everything within my power to help this poor soul climb back out of the darkness." Abyss stepped back, "As well as bring your brother's back safe."

"You're not going to try and fly there are you?" Jamie frowned as he watched Abyss take a shaky step towards the door, "You…you're missing a wing…" hazel eyes went to the obvious gap between the man's others.

Abyss winced as he moved his shoulder, a sharp spark of pain snaked upwards with the movement.

"You could just use a Travelers Stone to get there…" Jamie's voice held a note of concern, "I doubt it'd be a good idea for you to try and fly anyway with those injuries."

Jamie watched a thoughtful look come to Abyss's face

"That would be better than pushing myself…however I do not have a Travelers Stone, nor do I know where to find one." Abyss shook his head "and I don't think your siblings have the luxury of me taking my time to find one." A forced smile came to his face, "So despite the damage I may cause myself I can not afford to tarry any longer."

"Bu…" Jamie started to protest when the sudden sound of thundering steps shook the wall.

"Uncle Angel! Uncle Angel!"

Both turned to the stairs where Sophie's excited voice echoed

"I told her to keep quiet." Jamie exhaled at how his little sister had forgotten to be silent

Abyss chuckled when Sophie shouted for him again, "Come now Jamie your sister is just exci…"

"What's wrong?" Jamie watched in confusion when the smile fled from the Void Keeper's face and was instantly replaced with a look of fear and anger.

Abyss didn't answer him, instead the man rushed forward to the stairs where Sophie had just made it to the end of.

"Sophie put that foul creature down this instant!"

Jamie hurried over just in time to see his sister hold something to her chest, her little fingers hiding whatever it was from their obviously upset uncle.

"Rage is not a bird." Sophie huffed as she met her uncle's amber eyes with her own, "And I won't drop him…that'd be mean."

Black wings rustled echoing the anger the Void Keeper was trying to hold back, "Being dropped is the least that creature deserves." Abyss motioned with his hand, "Now hand that evil thing to me this instant."

Sophie pursed her lips together, the little girl not missing the veiled anger in the man's voice.

Both Jamie and Abyss startled when a loud thud echoed as Sophie stomped her foot

"No!" Sophie's eyes gleamed as she glared at her uncle "You are going to hurt him!" a tiny squeak escaped her hands when she held whatever was in her palms closer, "And I won't let you do that! Rage is my friend."

Abyss blinked slightly, not sure he had heard his little niece correctly, "Your…friend." The Void Keeper's voice was strained, "A monster that came from the depths of Hell itself is your friend?"

Sophie grinned, not catching the tone in Abyss's words, "Yes." Her green eyes sparkled, "And if you promise to be nice Uncle Angel, I will let you and Jami meet him."

"Ok Soph." Jamie spoke quickly before Abyss said anything that would change his sister's mind, "We promise not to hurt your new friend."

"I make no su…ummph!" Abyss glared at Jamie who elbowed him in the stomach.

Sophie grinned, missing the exchange, "Here he is! Rage!" she excitably held out her hands, "See! Isn't he cute?"

Jamie stared with wide eyes at the creature his sister thought to be 'cute'.

Standing in her palm was a demon, who despite being the size of a small soda can, was glowering at Abyss with every ounce of hate the tiny being could muster. Tiny horns spiraled upwards on either side of the creature's head, their tips gleaming with a silver color. Wings that seemed to be over sized for a being of his size, flared outwards as the demon steadied himself against Sophie's movements.

"Oh wow…" Jamie couldn't help the excitement in his voice as he moved to get a better look at the being noticing now that the demon's skin was a rippling ocean of obsidian sand, "He looks like one of the things Pitch creates…"

"Child of Creation is very observant."

Jamie watched as the demon took an unsteady bow

"Rage is very much like that sand because Rage is the sand." A proud look came to the demon's face, "Rage's very being is fused with the grains."

"Is that how you survived! Latching yourself like a parasite onto Pitch's soul!" Abyss clenched his fist, the Void Keeper trying to keep himself calm and not snatch the demon from his niece's hand.

"Rage is not parasite!" the demon's head snapped to Abyss a growl rumbling from his throat "Rage is protector!"

"Protector?" Abyss scoffed as he folded his arms, "You are nothing more than Hellfire scum. Demon filth so rancid even other devils refuse to acknowledge your kinds existence."

A jagged smile curled the demon's lips as he plopped down cross-legged, "That is due to Hellfire's superiority as well as fact Hellfire's stayed true to rightful king of Throne." Rage smirked, "Also other demons hate Hellfires due to fact our King chose us as his Guard."

"I knew it! Rage is cute bufferfly guardin!" Sophie squealed, the little girl grinning from ear to ear, "And he is going to play paydou wit me!"

Abyss stared in confusion as the demon's face turned red

"Yes…Rage will play with Child of Life." The demon glanced at Abyss, "But first Rage must ask Divine for truce."

"A what?" Abyss stared at the demon not sure he had heard correctly

"A truce." Rage spoke again, his spiked tail whipping back and forth in the air, "Rage would like for moment of none fighting to save Raze and his heirs."

"Wait…my dad is there too?" Jamie spoke up, the boy having heard that name used in place of his fathers before, "What is he doing there?"

Rage frowned, the demon not understanding why Abyss had not explained to Chand's own child what was happening, "Rage is sorry if he has upset Raze's heir…Rage did not know that you had not been told."

Hazel eye turned to Abyss who desperately tried to avoid them, "What is going on Uncle Abyss?"

"Do not fret Child with Mind's Eye." Rage spoke quickly, the demon trying to undo the damage he had unknowingly done, "Raze simply went to Vaults to…to save your siblings."

Abyss bit his tongue, as much as he despised lying this deceit was necessary to keep Chand's secret safe.

"Raze heard they were…they were fighting Stitcher and…and went to help." Rage continued, the little Hellfire not at all opposed to lying, "But even Raze needs help against her so that is why Divine and I must return to help."

Jamie frowned, not quite buying the story…however he didn't want to delay his uncle any longer by saying so.

"That makes sense." Jamie faked a sigh a relief, though inside his stomach was in knots.

"Of course, it does. Your father loves his family and would do anything to protect them." Abyss smiled at his nephew for a moment then his attention went back to Rage, "All right demon, I agree to your truce for the sake of saving my nephews."

"And Raze." Rage growled under his breath as he stood to his feet

Abyss rolled his eyes as he held out his hand for the demon to cross onto, "Yes yes, him to."

"Can I come too?" Sophie pouted as the little demon launched himself from her hand to Abyss's, "I could be helful."

Abyss smiled at his niece "I know you could Sophie, but it's too dan…"

"Pleasssssssse!" bright green eyes widened as Sophie clasped her hands together, "I know I can helf!"

"I…well its jus…" Abyss stumbled over his words as the little girl blinked back hopeful tears, thankfully Jamie came to his rescue

"You can't go Soph. I thought you and I were going to play with play dough?"

Green eyes sparked with excitement, "Oh I forgot about that!" she squealed as she pushed past Abyss and raced into the Livingroom.

"Thank you Jamie." Abyss exhaled as Sophie disappeared, "If she had looked at me any longer with those eyes of hers I'd have caved."

Jamie smirked, "I know…she has been a pain to live with ever since Jack taught her that trick." Jamie then glanced at the little sand demon staring at him from the Void Keeper's palm, "Can I count on you Rage to keep my uncle safe?"

"Very well." Rage puffed slightly as it what he was saying was painful, "Rage will keep Divine safe and not let him die a horrible death by being covered in magma after falling from tall cliff."

"That's a very specific way to go." Abyss glared at the demon now sneering up at him, "Sounds almost like you had it planned out already."

The demon shrugged, "Maybe…" a sigh left the creature, "However now Rage has made promise so Rage cannot keep plan…if he had made one that is."

Abyss rolled his eyes, "Just take us back to the Vaults demon."

Rage huffed as he began to crumble, "Rage does not take orders from stupid Divine…" the demon's words shifted to bare whispers as the creature's body completely crumbled into a pile of sand.

"Jamie please don't worry." Abyss held still as the grains slithered down his arm and to the floor, "I will be back soon."

Jamie watched in fascination as the grains of sand seemed to latch onto the shadow of the wall, "Just be careful ok." The boy stepped back as the sand seemed to pull the blackness outwards creating a pulsing vortex.

Abyss only nodded as he stepped to the opening the Hellfire had created within the shadows, then he walked over the vortex his body shivered slightly as the dark shadows pulled him into them. The Void Keeper wasn't thinking however of the pricks of pain that hit his body as the darkness bit into him, all that was on Abyss's mind was whether he would be too late…

And so, the next part of the story begins! There will be laughter, tears, and truths revealed that will shatter our favorite winter spirit's world. Hold onto your butts for a wild roller coaster ride ;) buckle up. Till next time.