Shattering The Night Chapter 10: Long Lost Innocence

"Are you ready, for the beginning of your end?"

The words hung limply in the uneasy silence. In the night sky, the moon had only barely poked its frightful face over the horizon, as if it were frightened of the looming battle. She stood lamely at Dark's side, unsure of what to do. Should she run? Should she stay? Neither option seemed satisfactory. She could not bear to leave, yet she was endangering herself and Dark by staying. A bone-chilling feeling rose in her body with each word spoken by dear little Shaji. What had happened to that sweet boy she used to know?

It wasn't long ago that she remembered him as a cheerful, rosy-cheeked child full of life and energy. There wasn't one time that she had ever seen him sad or angry. Even at formal parties, occasions that she had been forced to attend because of her father's status, her disdain for her surroundings was always softened by his bright smile. She could tell he was no happier than she to be shoved in the guests' faces like a new toy, and yet he always seemed to make the best out of it. He once told her in a secretive tone, that it didn't matter to him what he was asked to do, so long as it made the people he cared about happy. If his father was pleased by displaying him, then Shaji was pleased to be displayed. She always admired that about him most, his willingness to sacrifice for others. A trait which now proved to be his downfall.

"Shaji," she gasped reaching out her gloved hand to the young boy, her soft eyes pleading. "please stop this. This is not like you. You are not bad. Do you not remember how you were before?"

His icy eyes turned toward her, a strange glint reflecting off of them. In his almost angelic state the words flowed off his lips like a well rehearsed script of a tragic play.

"I am not who I was before, nor will I ever be again. This is my destiny, and so I shall fulfill it."

"I do not understand," her voice was shaky. "What happened to you?"

"He was transformed," came the voice of the cold woman standing beside Shaji. Her hands lifted to the sky, her voice rising to an exhilarated level. "He has been given the strength of the Gods. He is more powerful than any man alive. Who would not be glad to embrace a destiny filled with power and glory?"

"His destiny of course," Dark broke into Satsuki's embellished speech. "is to be consumed by a murderous entity. Do you think that is glorious? He won't even be himself when Krad is finished with him!"

"Life is full of sacrifices. Shaji's will be a noble one. Your destruction is more than worth his life. After all the centuries my family has had to endure you, I should think your death is worth many lives!"

"But not yours?"

Satsuki paused, her head lowered and her sapphire eyes narrowed.

"If you are so noble and righteous, why are you sacrificing your life?"

"I, my dear Mr. Mousey, am not Krad. Therefore it is impossible for me to do anything to you that will have lasting effects."

"How can you speak of this so calmly?"

Satsuki's head turned toward her. Dark released her from his firm grasp. Her soft eyes filled with tears.

"He is just a child, he is your brother, and yet, you are willing to, to, to kill him? How can you say that? How can you be human and say that?"

"He doesn't seem to mind," Satsuki gestured to the entranced Shaji. "Do you, dear little brother? You don't mind giving your life for the sake of our family. Tell them."

"I…I," for the first time, there seemed to be hesitation in Shaji's voice, as if he were not sure of his answer. His voice rang true, but his eyes betrayed his stern expression. Seated deep in that vast blue ocean were a countless number of tears. "I, I am willing. Willing to give my, my life."

She turned to Dark, boring her gentle eyes into his. She saw nothing, not even one grain of sorrow rooted in those deep, dark eyes. And for the first time, she felt completely alone. Could no one feel her pain for Shaji? No, they were all too consumed with their own desires to care.

"Dark," she urged quietly. "Dark, do something, you must. Do something Dark."

"He is a monster," he replied keeping his eyes fixed on Shaji. "He deserves no better than a creature from the pits of hell."

"He is a boy. Dark, you must help him."

"You don't know Krad like I do, that isn't an innocent boy anymore. He is a creature of destruction."

"Stop it." Her voice remained as calm and stern as she could keep it. "Just stop it. Leave him be, you must not hurt him, he has done nothing wrong."

"Stay out of this Rika," he cried shoving her out of the way. He lunged at Shaji, grabbing the black feather from his jacket. Shaji merely stood his ground, his head bowed slightly as his body remained limp and motionless. She let loose a scream as Dark raised his arm to strike. His arm swept downward and hit nothing but air. Shaji was behind him, his body floating several inches off the ground. An eerie glow filled the dark street as golden light emoted from Shaji. His head raised and his eyes snapped open. In a flash they changed from a light blue to a burning yellow and a voice that was no longer his own echoed from his lips.

"Now, Dark. This is where you will die. You and all Niwas. "

Disclaimer- I do not own DNA, but I could in another life….

Destiny's Quill- I am terribly sorry for such a long hiatus. It is truly difficult to write and do other things at once, but it seems now I might actually have more time. As always, your comments are appreciated. Sadly, I feel this story drawing to a close, but on the flipside, that leaves me free to work on other projects.