original

Midnight Steed

Autor: KathyL

Prologue

"What?!" a burly man thundered in rage, his lavish fur coat ripping violently. "You failed? Even after all the resources we have provided you, you somehow managed to screw up the assassination of a little boy!"

Overhead, lightning flashed in agreement, and the rumble of thunder seemed to boom across the world.

"I—I...," stammered the man in black, his usual calm composure nowhere to be seen. "I'll definitely kill him next time! He only got away because of his good luck! Father, please, give me a second chance!"

"Stop!" the giant man bellowed, his face reddening in fury. "You've already failed twice, and you still dare to show your face around here? Give up, and just go marry that hideous Ms. Ling Ling!"

"No!" he cried desperately. The man threw his thin frame to the ground, begging his father with all his might. "I can't! Perla and I are already engaged! Please let me off Father, just this once. I really love her!"

His father froze at his words, an unreadable expression covering his face momentarily. "You... love her?" he asked, his voice unnaturally quiet. His son peered up hopefully.

"Yes! Yes, I do!" he answered immediately, his voice trembling slightly.

"Get out!" his father roared, enraged. "There is no need to consider yourself a part of this family any longer! Go and see if that silly Perla will support you now that you have lost your worth!"

"Yes, yes, Father. Thank you for your mercy." The sorry figure on the floor thanked him immediately, before rushing out the door hurriedly. A few moments later, the figure of a slim boy crept out from behind the huge man's throne.

"You sure are merciful," he remarked quietly. "Who knew that the famous Master Bile had a soft spot for his third son?"

Bile sighed, his enormous chest heaving with the effort, and he turned towards the small figure with tired eyes.

"Lind, my nephew, we both know that I don't have long to live, so I might as well try to pave the way for you while I still can." He hesitated slightly, before adding on, "If it's possible, please do try to kill as few of your cousins as possible. They're all good kids."

Lind chuckled mysteriously. "Good kids indeed," he murmured thoughtfully. But Bile didn't notice the strangeness of his words and had already risen from his seat. In long, powerful strides, he made his way leisurely to the long window on his left and calmly touched the glass with his rough fingers, tracing outlines of the starry sky.

"Beautiful," he murmured in a hushed tone, lost in thought. Memories of his innocent young daughter came to mind, and a tear trailed silently down his cheek.

"Uncle," Lind interrupted. "Although Sin is gone, her little brother still lives." After a momentary pause, he added, "He's been living as a poor beggar for 3 years now, ever since his half-sister's death, and he still mourns every year. He turns 14 in five days. Would you like to invite him to the annual summoning event?"

"Just do it," Bile answered gruffly. Lind smiled knowingly, his eyes dark as midnight, and turned away silently, heading to his office. Sighing, Bile peered at the midnight sky once more, his thoughts preoccupied with his beloved dead daughter.

"Why?" he whispered sadly. "Why were you chosen as Heaven's child? Why didn't you just come to me and run away from those religious fanatics?" But in truth, deep down, he already knew the answer.