Nathan’s eyes were fixated on Sophie. He had been training with her for weeks and her skill had vastly improved since their first session. The raven haired beauty weaved her sword through the air in a complex pattern. Running through different poses that Nathan had taught her.

“What’s up with Jake?” she asked, being careful not to screw up her routine.

Nathan shrugged. His best friend had been withdrawing over the past few weeks and Nathan believed it was to do with his problems discovering Kagami. “He’s probably just tired,” Nathan offered though he knew deep down that was a lie.

Sophie knew it too, braking her rhythm to throw Nathan a disbelieving look.

Nathan threw up his hands, “Fine. I don’t know what is up with Jake. I think he is having problems with Kagami.”

Sophie let her sword arm drop, “Why don’t you help him with it?” she asked, knowing he was well read in each of the swords and would have a loose idea on where to point Jake.

Nathan sighed frustrated, “I offered but he is too stubborn. He turned me away.”

Sophie’s lips tugged down and the expression hit Nathan hard. “He will be ok,” Nathan offered, stepping closer to her. She smelt like jasmine he realized, her scent filling his nostrils, he breathed in deeply.

“I know,” Sophie smiled softly her emerald eyes flickering up to his.

They stared at each other intently and Nathan felt the world disappear. His hand twitched and he found it rising of its own accord to sweep gently across her cheek. Sophie’s eyes widened and her lips parted with her breath. There was a moment of indecision before he bent forward to drop a delicate kiss. Moments before their lips touched, a mirror on the wall shattered with a loud crash. Sophie pulled away as shards of broken glass scattered across the floor.

“I’ll grab a broom,” She said automatically, practically running from the room.

Nathan sighed, watching Sophie glide out of the room before turning back to the mess. “Damn!” he growled, kicking a shard of broken mirror, taking no satisfaction in the tinkling as it of shattered against the wall.

He waited patiently for Sophie’s return. Minutes passed causing Nathan to check his watch impatiently.

“Nathan,” came a soft whisper.

His head shot up. A dark figure with the silhouette of a woman stood in the doorway. “Sophie?” Nathan asked tentatively, taking a step forwards.

No reply.

He stepped forward, and was a meter away before the figure broke off into a sprint.

“Wait!” Nathan called, running after her. She was too far ahead however, losing him as she glided down a series of hallways.

“Come Nathan,” the female voice called, the figure flitting through the complex hallways.

Doors flew past in a blur. “Come back!” he cried as the figure disappeared, leaving him lost in the maze of hallways.

“Nathan…” she whispered once more, taunting and teasing him. “Find me Nathan Cross...” her whispered words curling about his ears.

“Show yourself!” he demanded but the halls remained silent.

“Find us,” she whispered before finally fading away.

“Damn it!” he screamed, throwing his fist into the wall. His sense of direction had truly become tested in this complex maze of hallways. Taking in his surroundings he could see no familiar doors. He tried to retrace his steps, jogging lightly down the corridors. There was a flash of movement and a billowing cloak of white tore through an intersection of hallways in front of him. Nathan, not bothering to call out ran for the figure tearing down the hallway, rounding the corner just to catch the white figure enter a room, the door clicking shut behind it.

“Hello?” Nathan called softly, gently pushing the door open. A white robed figure knelt at the base of a golden Angel where unknown to Nathan, this was the room where the other had collected their blades.

“Nathan,” came the whisper once again causing Nathan to jerk his attention back to the stranger in the room but they had gone. Nathan blinked in confusion as he stood at the only exit.

“Hello?” he called again, stepping closer to the great angel, his eyes sweeping the dim room for the white robes.

“Nathan, you found me,” came the whispers. Nathan peered closely at the angel. She was stock still, eyes still gazing upward. Looking around quickly scanning the room for the figure, he pulled himself up with the statue. Face to face with the stunning angel he could see the tops of her palms, on hands that looked ready to receive a gift. They were glowing lightly, and two holes like the ones dotted around the base were carved into the center.

Acting purely on instinct he took the angels hands.

It was pure agony.

Golden cords wrapped violently about his hands and Nathan screamed in pain as a beam of pure light burst from the angel’s right hand engulfing his arm in its bright light. The angel’s left hand exploded too but it wasn’t light that shot from her palm but a dark purple smoke that wrapped around Nathan’s arm greedily.

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“Help!” Nathan screamed as two forces wrenched at his body and soul. He felt as if a battle was waging within him and wasn’t sure how much longer he could last. Seconds passed in what seemed like hours. Pure energy filled and flooded Nathan, tearing him up, carving room for more power.

Held in the angels iron grip he stared terrified as the angel moved. Her golden head turned to face him. Sightless golden eyes trained on him. “You have been chosen Nathan,” she whispered as his world became black.

The stone floor never felt so good. Nathan’s eyes opened blearily to the sounds of two people arguing.

“Do not lay a finger on him Vex or I shall remove your hand,” Came a deep melodic voice.

There was a burst of girlish giggles, “As if I would dream of harming the Keeper, Julian. Shame on you for thinking such a thing.”

There was a swish of movement. “I was merely seeing if our new Keeper was waking any time soon. I do hate it in this room. Too many angels for my liking. I would like to see the world again before we are lost for another millennia.”

It was quiet for a moment.

“This one is different Vex. Can you not sense it?” Julian’s deep voice soothed Nathan.

There was a scoff, “He is only a boy… However, he did survive the initiation. I do prefer it more when they don’t though…”

“As sadistic as ever I see Vex,” Julian muttered.

“I am just teasing. He is a delicious looking boy, do you think he will like me, in the same way the last keeper did?”

Nathan felt an evil presence approach him, “I just hope he doesn’t burn out too quickly… Like the rest of them.”

“You go too far Vex,” came a stern warning, but it was obviously ignored.

Soft skin brushed against Nathan’s cheek and he moaned at the deathly chilling touch, “Wakey wakey…” came a soft cooing.

Nathan’s eyes fluttered open to a pair of black boots. His eyes slowly scanned up her legs, the boots did not seem to end. “Oh goody! He’s awake… Now the fun and games begin,” black scaly hands clapped together in delight and Nathan stared confusedly up into two faces.

The woman was creepily stunning. Long ebony hair, blacker than night tumbled in soft waves to her waist and her dark eyes were filled with mischief. She was dressed in black, shining scale-like armor plates, layered across her skin, dipping low across her chest and sucking in at her waist and showing off her ample curves. With each step of her long legs the scales moved sinuously, flowing with her bodies movements seamlessly, reminding Nathan of a snake. Her long black hair draped over her face, but failed to block the sight that made Nathan’s blood run cold. Her wide smile. Her very cheeks were split up to her ears, rows of razor sharp fangs filled a horrific and terrifying mouth. She seemed to emit power that called to him strongly. A dark, seductive, devastating power that jumped in his veins.

The male however was her opposite. His hair was light blonde, blinding next to his companions. He was garbed in white robes and large titanium colored plate armor. He had kind blue eyes that stared with concern. His power was soothing and calm but no less impressive. It smothered Nathan like a blanket, its magnitude; enormous.

“What is your name?” he asked kindly in a rich baritone.

Nathan stared at the two from the floor, “Nathan… Nathan Cross,” he groaned, maneuvering into a sitting position.

A cool arm slipped beneath his arms and within seconds Nathan was on his feet. “Nathan I can work with!” purred Vex, who had yanked him up. She slipped her arms down his sides trailing her hand across his stomach seductively.

“I’m warning you Vex,” growled Julian through gritted teeth.

But Vex laughed delicately, “Oh come now Julian.” she scoffed, “I haven’t harmed the boy. If I was to lay a hand upon Nathan Cross, it wouldn’t be to hurt him if you know what I mean. Unless of course he was in to that.” she laughed, reaching to trail her fingers across Nathan’s shoulders.

The Angel moved with blinding speed and gripped Vex’s wrist tightly. “I said enough!” Julian growled.

Vex hissed, wrenching her hand away, “You will regret that angel scum!” she spat, staring daggers at Julian, her black eyes deep pools of hatred.

Nathan watched in horror as the dark haired woman leapt at the angel, dark leathery wings bursting from her back, carrying her through the air. Her teeth had lengthened into razor sharp points. Balls of fire rested in the palms of her hand, an awful wail escaping her throat. She was terrifying. A stream of black fire blasted towards the angel, but Julian raised up what seemed to be an invisible shield forcing the fire around him. Continuing her onslaught, she barreled into him, teeth snapping within her large, powerful jaw. Julian got a good hold on her throat and flipped the demon on her back. She snapped her fist up to connect with his face, causing an awkward crunch, leaving Julian with a bent nose. Unflinching, he threw the woman across the room and she slammed into the wall with a thud.

“Nathan! The swords!” Julian barked, eyes not leaving the dark haired woman, returning to her feet. White wings burst forth from Julian’s back as the two flew at each other, meeting in a flurry of feathers and blood. Punches were exchanged followed by kicks. Each blow shaking the small room.

“Now Nathan!” Julian roared.

Nathan tore his eyes from the fighting pair. At his feet were two swords. Both styled after the samurai sword. Perfectly crafted, ancient runes inscribed up their length. One was pure white, shining brightly as the sun. The strangest feature was a golden halo, hovering around, where the hand guard usually was. The other was as dark as a moonless night, and instead of a halo, it had a ring of black flames. Nathan couldn’t understand how the rings stayed where they were, as they didn’t seem to be physically attached to the swords. As he quickly collected them from the floor, he felt an answering call within his blood. It sang with power as he lifted the two swords skyward.

“Enough!” he called, the pair immediately ceasing their battle. Vex was panting with effort, blood spotting her dark skin.

“If I don’t?” she challenged softly.

Nathan stared at the dark haired woman, “Then I will make you,” he spoke, listening only to the power drumming through his veins. He stepped forward laying the dark sword lightly against Vex’s pale skin.

Her eyes narrowed, “You shall banish me so soon, Nathan Cross?”

Nathan nodded.

Vex’s eyes flashed with rage before she got control of her emotions, “As you wish. Please remember me when you realize I am your only hope to controlling your power. You are right Julian, this one is different.” And with that she grasped the black sword and pulled herself swiftly on to the point. The metal pierced her abdomen but she didn’t scream. Her dark eyes watched Nathan intently as she was slowly absorbed by the sword.

Nathan walked up to Julian who was also recovering from the fight, “Who are you two? Why did you lure me down here?”

Julian clicked his nose back into place, “We did not lure you here… You summoned us…”

“But who are you?” Nathan asked, Julian’s giant size becoming apparent as he stood up. He must have been at least eight foot, and Vex had been a similar size. Nathan felt tiny.

Julian took Nathan’s swords, “These two swords are the Sword of Light, and the Sword of Darkness. I think they were last called Akarui,” he said holding up the white sword, “and Yami,” the black sword also raised.

“Wait, I read about these swords, they are the legendary two…” Nathan was beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.

“They are yours now, Divine Saint. Vex and myself are at your service. But a word of warning, do not trust the darkness.” With his final words, Julian touched the tip of Akarui against his giant breastplate, vanishing within moments.

The two swords clattered to the ground, a dark and light aura steaming off the blades.

Nathan stood alone in the dark room, staring aimlessly up at the golden statue, “What on earth just happened?”