Divination

Somewhere, Sometime

It is on that hill, that two figures fought, locked in eternal combat, their blades echoing throughout the eons of time.

When one falls, the other stands victorious, but not for long; for these two are grand actors on an epic stage.

Soon, one will rise again, and their battle shall continue. Blade on blade, blood on blood, ash on ash, they fight, a never ending show to the gods.

One knight clad in shadowy armor, his horns protruding from his head in defiance. He is shadow, for his movements are mysterious and hidden, a cloud of darkness smothering him, so that non may see his face. He raises his sword, clashing endlessly with the other.

One knight clad in brimming silver, wings spread out in exuberance. She is light, her movements proud and radiant. A grand eminence comes from her, so that non may gaze upon her face. She raises her sword, clashing endlessly with the other.

And so it was, for time immemorial.

Until one day, it wasn't.

Episode 1: Echoes Part I

Blood. Blood seeped into the streets like a fine wine, a wine for the rats. The people glanced, but they did not stop to spectate, nor did they particularly care for the body that lay before them, like water flowing, they avoided it as if it were a pebble that barred their way.

It was a whole day or so before any person stopped to look in shock. That person was a particular red headed girl, who covered her mouth in horror.

The body was stripped of any clothing, its throat cut wide open. Its mouth gaped, and its eyes sagged to the back of its head.

The girl pulled it aside,for it was at the center of the street. .

"Brave of you." A disembodied voice chuckled.

"Who would do such a thing?" She gritted her teeth, averting her eyes from it.

"Seems to be a spirit's doing. Doesn't seem like anyone can see it." The voice replied, still amused.

"But they avoid it, they feel the Decay."

The girl went away. She returned hours later with a larger group. They picked up the body and took it away, all the while having to push through the crowd that had formed to watch them work.

"A rogue spirit user, free from the Order?" An older looking man mumbled as they walked, the red headed girl following closely behind.

"Lynn, say nothing of what you saw here." He turned toward the red haired girl.

"But Master, to not speak..."

"The man was murdered by Fae, we cannot let hysteria spread in the city."

She nodded, not fully understanding his reluctance.

Echoes Part II

The Imperium stretches out into the heavens; a mighty beacon, it is a tower seen from miles away. Its stained windows glimmer with radiance, images of famous battles fought throughout history.

It is at its base, near its entrance, where one may find two familiar images engraved into the very gray stone of the structure, that of a knight of darkness, and that of a knight of light.

***

"So is it true?" A black haired, strong looking girl bounded toward Lynn with glee. "Did you really run into a Decaying body?"

"You're way too excited." Lynn shook her head in half disbelief, half expectation.

"So is it? Or did Sarah lie to me? Which do you think is more likely?"

"It's true, it's true. It was right in the middle of the street."

"That's creepy."

"The creepy part is everyone just walked around it like it wasn't there."

"So that's the effect of Decay huh?" The black hair girl pondered, before her face lit up, "Did Mr. Spirit say anything about it?"

"Mr. Spirit?" The disembodied voice let out.

Lynn shook her head.

"Oh, disappointing, but expected."

"What's that suppose to mean?" The spirit asked.

"So, what do you think happened?" The girl changed the subject.

"What do you mean what do I think happened? There was a murder."

"You're so boring. I mean, why he got murdered. Maybe he cheated on his wife, or he stole something he shouldn't have, that kind of thing."

"But to get killed by a spirit..."

"Hey Lynn, Mel!" A voice called to them from across the courtyard.

It was a blonde haired girl, who approached the two, her gait elegant and balanced, much like a noble.

"If it isn't Miss Honesty." The girl named Mel turned with a teasing look on her face.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Sarah tilted her head in confusion.

"How you can't tell a lie to save your life."

"I'm sorry if I wasn't raised to be delinquent like yourself."

"So honest it hurts... wait i'm not a delinquent!"

"They're completely off track..." The spirit muttered.

"Did you need something?" Lynn finally interrupted their bickering.

"Oh yes, that's right. Master Stroheim called you to the Imperium. I believe they want to question you over that body you ran into."

"Got it. I'll head over there now."

"Good luck." Mel waved.

Lynn waved back at the two as she walked off toward that great tower.