Into the Darkness

[Nox]

The hoard grew closer. The darkness threatened to overwhelm him. The hunger. The thirst to kill. The need to... Nox pushed the feelings down. He had to remember who he was. And they didn't respond. He felt them, but they didn't feel him. Maybe it was his own darkness, his own... No. Nox reminded himself he was human.

The Ascendancy made his presence known. The Atharim reacted in kind. Nox felt the power flood back into his mind and he felt the hoard grow still. But they still advanced -- faster. And more had joined them in his absense. Nox pulled at the power inside -- reaching through the sludge and grasped the dark light. It bent to his will and a wall of air three feet thick sprang into being between the Atharim and the other two. Nox tried not to snarl as he answered the Ascendancy in a hushed voice. Though Nox knew they wouldn't hear through the wall. It wasn't a ward -- he never perfected them, but sound was no stronger than a bullet when it came to three feet of solid air.

Allan started spewing his nonsense again when Nox's wallet jingled a happy little note. A slow smile spread across his lips. And Nox remembered who he was. He took a deep breath and focused on the incoming message. Raffe... That was his home. His happy place.

I know you'll do what needs to be done to keep everyone safe. Please be careful. My phone is with me, I'll be waiting for when you get back. I love you, Nox.

A rock struck his thigh and Nox looked up. Fury was in Allan's eyes.

Nox ignored him to tap out a quick message.

I love you too. See you soon."

Nox returned his attention to the drama unfolding. One of the intruding Atharim was pounding on the wall again. Nox rolled his eyes. "The more Atharim like us. The more chance we have of changing the fucking organization. I help him. Maybe he'll stop hunting me. No one here is outside their radar. No one. Help him. Maybe an inquisitor can help get the Atharim on our side instead of hunting us for sport." Nox looked at Jer and frowned. "Don't make me regret this more than I already do. Someone here should know how to get you to touch the power inside. Once you touch it. You won't die. But it has to be willingly and knowingly. None of that accidental shit. It causes a block you have to break through, so learn to do it. Don't flounder."

Nox looked at the Ascendancy. "The hoard is larger, and some of them aren't slowing at my command now that I have them again. Decide what you are going to do with them because we might need to run that way."