Unknown Location

Inle and the Collector arrived at the familiar Dead of Winter council chamber. The enchanted snowflakes that fell at each corner of the room still mystified him, no matter how many times he had visited this chamber. It was empty today, but normally the chamber was occupied by eight members, including himself. Inle brushed his hand against each cool, stone chair before turning to meet the Collector’s gaze.

“You really didn’t need to escort me,” Inle said, “I can talk to him myself.”

“I am here to make sure he doesn’t kill you.” The yikahti gestured to a wall. Its stone bricks warped until it formed a tunnel. “This way.”

Inle followed the Collector through the mysterious passageway. He’d never seen this part of the chamber before. He knew of several other tunnels that led to armories, beds, or training rooms. Anything that a council member might find could be found at the end of one tunnel or another. This one was no different.

The path spilled into a large meditative chamber. Lit incense burners dotted the room billowing thin lines of smoke that wafted strong aromas into the air. Although there were no candles, a small light illuminated the room from no discernible source. A young and handsome man knelt at the center of the room. His hair was white, with hints of a silver sheen streaking through its strands. He was dressed in a fine black jacket and red gems accented his cuffs. A sort of mystical, shadowy fog flowed around him with every long breath that he would take. Hands morphed from the clouds to reach out to the vampiric Wraslyn, always close enough to touch, but it seemed that even these shadow creatures feared him.

The Collector pushed Inle forward. The shadow elf found his footing and shuffled into the imposing presence of the shadow master.

“Lord Wraslyn…” Inle struggled to find his voice. His words didn’t connect together in his mind. Everything seemed lost in the miasma of thoughts, and his mind was racing so fast that he

couldn’t catch what his own thoughts were. He knew he was frightened. He knew he needed to be there. But that’s all that he knew, the rest may have been lost to the wind.

“Lord Wraslyn... I... I-” Inle looked backed to see the Collector had abandoned him. He turned his attention back to Wraslyn, but found he was gone too. He spun around. The shadows snuffed out the little light there was. His shadow elven eyes were more evolved to cut through the darkness of underground caverns, however this was deeper darkness that came from evil magic. The type that birthed the Night. The type that mankind feared that would consume their pathetic world. It terrified Inle.

Inle reached and brandished his weapon against the unknown. He peered as hard as he could through the shadows until he saw an image. He ran to it, but stopped short as Elucard stared back at him. The elf dressed in his Black Rabbit attire reached out his hand.

“I’ve come to save you, Inle.” Elucard said, “Hurry we must leave!”

Inle’s eyes widened and he back pedaled until he was a sufficient distance from Elucard. “E-Elucard? You mustn't be here, it's too dangerous.”

“It is you who shouldn’t be here, Inle. Come, I’m here to bring you home!”

Inle searched deep within himself, but found the same conflicted thoughts. He wanted to leave with Elucard, but knew his duty was to destroy him.

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What if this is a test?

Could Wraslyn do something like this? Create an Elucard to test him? To tease him? If Elucard really was here, would he actually try to save Inle? Questions flooded his heart and mind. Rational thoughts faded away and his emotions slowly grew too much to handle.

Inle finally cracked, “Run, Elucard! Run!”

Elucard’s face went from caring and warming to cruel and cold in a heartbeat. “We can assassinate Wraslyn. Together, we can be free from his grasp.”

Inle’s eyes darted to the ground, he bit his lip and clenched his sword tighter.

This is a test. I know that now.

Inle allowed Elucard to step closer. With a face wrenched with anguish he sliced wide and fast, decapitating the shadow clone’s head. A flash of light banished the darkness, echoing a hiss as if it were being cooked from a sizzling fire. Wraslyn and the Collector appeared in front of Inle. Their faces glowed with amusement and pride.

“It seems I can trust you after all, young Inle.” Wraslyn’s voice was smooth as satin.

Inle looked into Wraslyn’s deep gold eyes, where he could see his reflection and be lost in the shimmering beauty of the eyes themselves. Looking into this vampire’s eyes only allowed him to fall into an infinite abyss. Inle quickly looked away. “Why didn’t you trust me?”

Wraslyn took Inle’s hand and kissed it. His lips soft like a feather, “I only trust those who’ve sworn unwavering allegiance to me.”

“I swear to you, Master. You can trust me,” Inle’s voice was more mechanical than natural.

The vampire rubbed his cheek on the elf’s shoulder, grazing his hands over the clown’s body.

Inle breathed heavy, sweat dripped down his warm face, “You can trust me, Master.” repeated Inle. He was locked in a euphoric trance. His body melted in Wraslyn’s arms, his legs gave way.

Wraslyn took hold of Inle and exposed Inle’s neck, “Who do you love more? Elucard or I?”

“You. I would die for you, my Master.”

The strange ecstasy that had waved over Inle’s mind drained away until he had control over it once more. Inle collapsed to his knees. “I need you.”

Wraslyn formed a thin smile. He bit his thumb, silently chuckling to himself. “I have many plans for you Inle, but you can no longer doubt my council members.” Wraslyn knelt down and lifted the elf’s chin. “Do you understand me?”

“I do,” said Inle, his breath still labored, Now grasping for that moment he felt just then. “The Collector tells me you wish to keep the Black Rabbits for yourself instead of using

them for a garden?”

“I-”

“I think it would be fine for you to take half. We could use them as Shadow Stalkers.” Wraslyn looked towards the Collector. “I will remove a share that I think is fair from the Fearmonger’s grip.”

The Collector bowed. “As you say, Lord Wraslyn.”

“Shadow Stalkers? What are they?” asked Inle.

“A gift for my Silent Master.” Wraslyn stood Inle up. “But you are not to unwrap your gifts until Wintertide.”

Inle smiled meekly.

“I believe you and the Collector still have work to do in Lost Dawns before you must meet up with Uther?”

“Yes, Master. We were just leaving.” The Collector pawed Inle’s shoulder and led him to the tunnel entrance. “Come, Inle.”

Inle turned back to the vampire shrouded in mystique.

Wintertide?