A hero returns.

Sky had been gone, unable to get back to Demigora for some time. How long had it actually been? So long that not even the planet could recognize it's once proud son. Or, at least, the son of the proud son Lexicali Khan. Sky had been banished by his father for reasons only they knew. His father had informed the shadow realm that Skyler was to never come home so long as Lex was alive. So here Skyler was, so it stood to reason that Lex was dead and gone.

He appeared within the shadow of a building, it's make unknown, for he had just appeared. His ashen shadow cloak fluttering lightly from his power being held within. His hood covered his eyes, yet slowly fell back as he stood to his full height of that of a 6'5'' man. His travels had brought him to the brink of his powers, eventually forcing him into his new, and hopefully, final state. He was humanoid, that was for sure. He looked completely human, a traight of his bloodline that he would never lose. Yet in a state of pure power loss, Sky had found a new demonic form. Not one that was of the horde, or of the stuff horrors and legends were made of. No, this form was beautiful. His skin had a slight reddish hue, yet seemed to glow with a seductive light. Along with being taller, he was also stronger, more agile, and tougher. His new skin could withstand the swing of a blade upon it without causing him notice. His demonic under armor had solidified, yet was in full control of himself. Yet it was his new blood auburn hair and golden eyes that had become the new stay for him. Yet he could still change his hair back to black, and the iris's of his eyes back to the human blue that he was still half.

The ashen cloaked vanished as he stretched out his full frame, his joints popping and cracking lightly. He breathed deeply, his eyes widening slowly. He looked about, his eye sight flashing golden as he looked around the area. There was no mistaking it. He was back on Demigora, and not only that, he was in Rivendell. How wonderful to be so close to home for him.

Sky took a few more steps forward, leaving the confines of the shadow he was in that kept his life force hidden. He couldn't help but smile wide. He was home at last.

"Well father, I give you credit, you kept me away for a long time. But while you rested and became lazy here, I grew stronger." He grinned, shaking his head. "Thank you for letting me kill you."

Sky adjusted his black dragon leather vest before moving on down the road, his special boots keeping his steps as silent as the night. He looked up at the dual moons, their light shining brightly down upon the returned prince. He couldn't help but have a smile upon his face.

"I am home," he whispered happily.

The houses were just as he remembered, basic design, yet strong with the woods of Demigora. Each house had it's own unique style, the yards and gardens making it easy to distinguish which species was staying were. Though many stayed within the same grouping, every now and again he would come across a street that was completely mixed. As children of the night life creatures played, not worrying about anything other then having fun and being children, the adults were busy with running their households. The night air was fresh with the scent of the sea, the arcane ribbons in the air floating like the clouds above them. His golden eyes shined brightly with his happiness. A few of the other species acknowledged his presence as he walked by, mostly cause they were of the demonic descent and knew one of their kind when in the area of another. None knew that he was Prince Skyler Khan, for he had been gone for such a long time. Even his appearance was different. But those few that knew of his power signature did know it was really him. Those that did know gave him a wide enough birth. And for good reason on their part.

Sky stopped, the light of Blood Moon outshining the smaller Cresent, casting him in the red hue that just made him look more demonic. As night merchants began to return home, for dawn was a few hours away, a sense of peace seemed to pass over the district. Guards kept the peace, soldiers inforced the laws that governed this beautiful city.

A group of young wood imps came bounding towards him, their focus upon the item they were passing between them. As they approached their attention quickly shifted.

"Hu'ja kiak vuup ka," (Look at this wanna be demon) cackled the tallest imp.

"Hu'ja yiap'ya uusk!" (Such a pretty demon) whistled another.

"Hu'ja yiap'ya!" (Pretty demon) spoke the group in chorus.

Sky couldn't help but smile at them. Imps were such curious creatures. He knelt down to their height, which was no taller then two feet, and raised one hand. Instantly a blackish-red fire appeared around his fingers, popping and hissing towards the group of imps, who just stared at the fire as if in a trance.

"Gurp hu'ava uusk," (Such simple-minded Imps) spoke Sky softly.

The fire vanished, allowing the imps to return to their own mind. They looked about one another, confused as to what just happened. The leader looked up at Sky, a slight smirk upon his impish face.

"Demon kin are you? Fire arcane not, no, no. Demon you. Yes. Yes."

The other imps bowed to Sky. They knew they were in the presence of one that had the blood of their masters.

Sky slowly stood up and turned his gaze back to the moon. This allowed the imps to bound off away from him without causing any mischief. He sighed once they were out of sight, shaking his head.

"Nice to see things haven't changed too much. Once a slave race, always a slave race. How sad."

Following the path, Sarani comes into an area where several buildings were close together and rather small. There were various plants around, making each one unique and beautiful. She pulls her ragged dress closer as the night air contains a slight chill. She looks up at the moon and sees its redish hue. Taking in a deep breath of crisp cool air, she closes her eyes and exhales. A slight breeze picks up, her hair flowing with the wind's fingertips running through it. She shivers and makes her way to a home that has a small fire outside. She looks about, seeing no one, and moves closer to the fire to warm her bones. The fire is very hot and she only moves a few meters away. She smiles at its warmth, as she had missed power such as that. She looks up to the sky, up to the stars and a small tear falls down her cheek without her notice. How her heart longed for them once more. She brushes back her raven black hair and moves closer to the fire. She was drawn to its warmth, to its power. She sits next to it, placing her head in her hands as she mourns for her friends. The night's cold chill does not touch her as she is warmed by the fire.
If only she had not fallen, if only she had paid attention when she needed to. If only thoughts run through her mind, and all she can do is mourn her actions.
She hears something in the distance, taunting and talking. She listens quietly as there are 4 voices. She wipes her eyes and takes a deep breath. As the figure turns around, she sees a dark shadow about him and a reddishe hue. She smiles at something about him, never seeing hair such as his, nor the eyes of gold. She continues to stare but when he turns, she looks away into the fire, staring into as if trying to lose herself in it, but her mind keeps looking back. Why does she do this? Perhaps even the Gods of the stars don't even know.

Sky continued to stare at the moon, his steps slowly taking him back down the road slowly, his hands in his long short's pockets. He was home, which made him be very relaxed. However him being relaxed made it to where he started to glow with his corrupt divine demonic light. He could see that the light around him would actually get crimson the more he let himself let go of stress. This caused him to chuckled slightly, the goings on of the others around him slightly noticeable to him yet not concerning.

The fire caught his eye finally. Not because he didn't see it before, for he had taken notice of everything once he arrived, it was just that his focus was upon the moon. It pulled at his heart, which made him think of the lycans and werewolves of not only his home world here, but of so many others across countless universes. It was nice to see that no matter how far from home he went, reminders were everywhere if one paid close enough attention. But it was the pull of the moon that was his prime focus until he saw the fire with his eyes. The few creatures that were there didn't cause him any curiousity, he just knew that the fire could bring him to the power level he was use too. He had yet to find a fire to bring back his full power. Maybe being home would help?

Walking up to the fire, his own clothes fluttering lightly from his power output, he knelt down before and held out his hands. They were so close to the flame that the sparks easily touched his skin. A slight smile was upon his face as he focused on gaining proper control. He sighed happily, finally sitting down with his legs outstretched towards the fire as well. He looked back up at the duel moons, unable to control how happy he was.

"There is no place like home," he whispered, his glow increasing in intensity.

Seeing him move closer, the gait, the way that the slight breeze flutters through his coat reminded her of someone from long ago. However, seeing from this point of view was different. The aura around him burned a brighter crimson and the second moon comes from out of hiding as he makes his way to the fire and sits down to warm himself. Sarani watches the flames shoot out towards him, as if he calls them to him. She knows who he is, even from the distance of him walking. She remains silent as he sits down close to the fire.
laei'ori oril'le Khan. (welcome home prince khan). She bows her head n reverence for him, yet knowing a dark side of him resides within. she smiles as she offers him a place to sit, yet does not make eye contact. She reaches once more to the fire, letting its flames touch her sould deeply.

He wasn't surprised someone would know him or address him as the prince he was. It was an unusual honor to have, after being gone for so long and him dropping the 'prince' title from his introduction to others. He had to remember that he was indeed the prince of this very continent. Though, he was sure that one of his kids or grand kids, or even great grand kids could be the ruler of this land. Or his mother? Could she give away her throne, even to one of her kids? She never let Lex take full control, for her word was final law. She was, after all, the demon monarch, not Lex.

"Riol'loe aven'nio," (Thank you very much) he spoke softly, his body still stretched out before the fire. His power reserve was filling back up, as it did his aura began to lessen. He didn't notice, for he was so focused on the fire. He took another deep breath, closing his glowing golden eyes. When they opened back up they were normal human eyes with shining blue irises reflecting the fire.

He moved his hand into the fire itself, letting the flames bathe his skin in the heat and radiation it generated for him. He sighed heavily, letting the fire slowly travel up his arm. He couldn't help but laugh, noticing the few facial features of the others watching him. More creatures came to sit by the fire, the light and heat a beacon for others. Already he knew that winter was close at hand. The light from so many fires could be easily made out if one looked hard enough. The city was prepairing itself for the coming winter storms. He had come home at the right time.

As the creatures come closer to the fire, Sarani looks about. Looking at the stars, she sees' the wanning moon "smile" overhead, as to reassure her that she would return soon enough. She looks back at the prince and smiles, noting the fire moves up his arm. She knew this trick from the years she had watched him, only it was a good feeling to see him up close. She was not as excited to see him, however, as if she would have been young. She knew his mannerisms, the day he killed his father, the control his mother had over his father, Lex. She moves closer to the fire as the night air gets closer. Her eyes stare into the flames as her mind reverts back to her past and memories, a sly smile crosses her face momentarily.

He slowly removed his hand, stretching once more. He looked up to the moons and sighed. "Oh father," he whispered, "why have you been so difficult?" He looked back to the fire, shaking his head. Killing his father had never been a problem. He'd done it since the time he was seven. Of course the first time he did it he ran to his mother crying. It was only after she had rocked him to sleep that Lex had returned, unscathed, and beaming with pride. But Sky figured that was the begining of the end. Sky had used his natural ability, not arcane or divine power, to take him out. Since that moment he had began to sense the resentment from his father. It only got worse after his sister was born, when Sky had to take care of her when Lex left to find out how to save her soul. His return, and Kat's distance towards her father, had caused Lex to hate Sky even more. He always knew that.

Coming into his full power, his ability to sense emotions from others had actually increased. He turned to the young woman who had addressed him before and smiled softly to her. She seemed lost and sad. Why was that he wondered.

Shaking the thoughts from his head, he slowly got back to his feet. He stretched again, his divine glow almost completely gone. He was half tempted to go to Necros Tower to see his father, but knew that would be a major mistake. He'd just destroyed his reserection seal. Sky remembered how painful it was to have it put on one's soul. Lex had to apply it to himself. Something he rarely talked about cause of how difficult it was to do without killing one's self.

"I better be careful. Once my dad returns, I'm sure he's gonna come hunting for my ass," he spoke softly, almost laughing. "He wanted a fight, I gave him a fight. But maybe I did go too far?"

Watching the Prince and hearing his thoughts and words, she simply smiles at him. Suddenly, the stars in the sky disappear as dark clouds begin to cover the sky. Sarani stands up, staring at the sky and begins to walk away from the fire. Her tattered dress does not keep out the chilll nore does she not attempt to cover herself from the cold wind's bite. She hears something in the distance that sounds like a moaning, rapturing her attention and yet she walks past the others as if she were the only one present, her eyes still gazing at the sky, wondering where the others had disappeared to. Her face is expressionless as she gazes into the darkness and seems to float away.

He watched the girl go. It was interesting, how looking at her brought about peace of mind. He blinked a few times before jumping up and following her. He couldn't sense what she was, which was unusual for him. She looked human but didn't feel it. Why he hadn't caught on before was somewhat perplexing. He didn't mean to be rude, but he had to know. Natural curiousity was not his nature, but this was bothering him.

"Excuse me," he spoke softly, catching up to her. "I'm sorry for bothering you, but...And don't take this the wrong way, but what are you?"

He stopped, looking up at the night sky. There was a storm fast approaching, but it wasn't the system that was converging to the city. He frowned. "Lex." His father was fully alive now. He looked down, shaking his head. He could see his father replacing the seal he had broken not but a few days ago. Lex was back to his old self. "Damnit."

Without looking away from the sky, as if she were reading, she barely answers. "I am them." Her brow furrows as she sees the clouds moving and swirling, the stars playing out a scene before her eyes that only she could see. Her face contorts in horror as she is unable to look away. The scene that plays before her eyes places a lump in her throat and her heart feel as if it were stone. Only one word escapes her lips, "Danger." She tears her eyes away from the sky with a scream and curls herself down to the floor as a child hiding in the corner when a stranger enters from the shadows at night.

Though he could sense her emotional state, he couldn't sense anything wrong about the world, other then his father rising. But that was never any cause for concern. His father had been an evil man for so many centuries, but ever since he'd had his family, Lex was more tame and mellow, if not a bit more moody.

He knelt down, unsure how to help her. He didn't know what she had meant when she said she was them. Angels talked like that, for they were a slave race, but he could sense them from worlds away. She was no angel. Something about her was completely different then any other creature he'd come across.

Her scream actually caused him pain. He brought his hands to his ears, trying to block the sound. No where had he ever encountered this, and as she continued to scream the pain increased. He couldn't block her out. He fell back, pushing the atoms of the air away from his body so that the vibrations of her pain couldn't reach him. He took a deep breath, the last of the air around him going into his lungs, watching her. He could hold his breath for ten minutes. If she didn't stop, he would have to suffer her scream to get more air.

The scream was but a moment for Sarani, yet it seemed longer for others. The scene of danger, shown in the dance by her sisters and brothers in the velvety black sky above was becoming colored by thick, billowing clouds that slowly rolled in as if something ominous was going to come to pass. She stood up and stared back at the sky. She then broke her gaze and looked into the prince's eyes, locking onto them. "Your grace, you are in danger. There is a darkness following you, I do not understand, yet a battle will ensue. You will need all you can come together to fight, if you do not, you may not wake from the nightmare that you live. All that you know, care about, and want will be taken if you lose."
Her eyse as she says this become black and her voice became hollow, yet echoed off the winds. Her heart felt heavy, as if it had turned to stone once more and this time sunk into the pits of her stomach. She didn't know why she felt this way and as she spoke, it was as if she were outside of herself, watching herself. She watches as a single tear falls from her eye, a slight glow eminating from it. What was it about this prince that would make her weep for his future? Was it because she had seen his end? Or that fact that she knew another was to take his place?

The scream was something he'd never heard before, from any creature. It turned his blood cold the way she just broke down. How could something so small have such a powerful scream. He had to put his hands to his ears, yet nothing he did could stop the noise. Not even when he broke the contact of molecules between himself and the air letting the vibrations through. It was as if her scream came not from her but from the depths of his very soul.

At long last it ended and was replaced by her voice. It was as if she didn't have to speak, for the words were inside his very soul. He sighed, returning the molecules back from the void he had created. He listened to her, unsure of how to react. He'd always felt that there was a darkness following himself. Usually it was his own self that was the darkness to himself. But he was in his true form and so had not even thought about what could happen to himself. Sure, there was his father, but they had fought countless battles against one another. Sure, he had a slight advantage in kills over him, but they both had always come back to take each other on again. What could possibly hurt him that his father hadn't already done before?

He waited until she was done speaking before placing a hand upon her shoulder to hopefully calm her down. "You need not worry about me. I am a demonic prince. Darkness should follow me everywhere. I embrace it more so then ever before. Please, have no fear for me."

Though he spoke with confidence, something about the way she looked at him made him almost doubt himself. What could she possibly know that he didn't? Was she an oracle? A profit? What was she that made her so sad to look upon him?

"I am not what you think your highness. I have watched you grow up, I have watched the night you were born. I have watched the division between father and son that soon turned to hate upon each other as you pursue the greater of the two. Only one will live, and I fear there is much to learn on your side young Prince Khan. And I know your secret, the reason that stands between your father and you. Be wary of the cold winter bones that even send the spirits to freeze, where not even Hades can warm in its inferno. If you can withstand the storm, you may survive, or another shall take your place." She looks at him, knowing his past without his telling. She looks back up at the sky, "I have watched your life, your loves and your lost. I have seen the wars within your family, the blessings and the curses that follow you. You must take heed of the signs you will be shown sooner than you think. We are the nightwatchers of the sky, yet the mortals here have seemed to deem us as . . stars." She stops talking and turns and looks as him as she seems to be coming out of a trance she had been in for a while.
Her voice nervous suddenly, she blushes and curtsies "I'm sorry, can I help you? I was just wandering here, where I seemed to have fallen."

It wasn't that he wasn't use to people slipping in and out from one reality to another, or one personality to another, but how this sweet innocent looking girl seemed to reach into his very soul when she did so was most disturbing. So she was a star? He didn't think that possible. He'd been to plenty of star systems and gotten close to the suns that they were. For her to claim she was known as a star was rather bizzar. But he couldn't refute her. It wasn't possible for him to do, for he didn't know her. But somehow she knew him.

"You have fallen. Seems like a theme around this world. Something tells me you arne't any ordinary fallen creature. And you aren't an angel, this I can tell." He scanned her with his demonic sight. He couldn't sense what she really was. Hell, he couldn't even sense her life force. Were it not for her physicallity, he would have sworn she was...nothing. Even spirits had some kind of life force, even if their mortality was long dead. What was she?

"Maybe I can help you," he spoke slowly, unsure of himself.

She looks at his face curiously, a sly smile upon hers. "Why the confusion in your eyes? I am telling you true. Not everything is for your understanding, I am what I say I am. I am a young star, but I have grown up watching your royal family; your ups, your downs, your ins and your outs. I have seen the love that once was in your eyes, and the hate that replaced its being." She nods when he offers to help her. "If you think that you have the power to help me, then you may surely try. However, I feel it is you that needs the help." She shudders as she says this and moves closer. "Come, lets get out of this cold."

He couldn't really understand what she was talking about. A young star? How odd. But he wasn't going to question it. He sighed, listening to her. It was true, hatred had replaced his deeper being, no thanks to his father. But he wasn't inclined to hate his father for the sake of it. Lex had done the things he did for his own goals. That was his father's downfall.

He smiled slightly, shaking his head. He wasn't cold, for his internal fire burned hotter then most suns. But if she could help him, and him her, why not try it? "Alright. Wherever you wish to go, let us. The storm coming should put out plenty of unsheltered fires, but it will never dampen mine."

He looked about, wondering which way to go. There were so many options. He knew where he needed to go, but that could wait. Home wasn't going anywhere, nor was the place he needed to go after. Haldain would be fine without him, and home was secure with his family still there. Of course, what would it be like once he returned? Lex never said if he was able to cure Kat. That was a fight he didn't want to have. Not with Kat, but with his mother and how she hated how they got demonically wed. He shivered slightly, thinking of what those two would do with him home. His family needed to stop fighting, that included his father's attempts on making him stronger.

She smiles at him as he makes his comment about his fire. He was correct that the wind could not put out his fire, as it was strong in his heart. She sensed his darkened feelings inside, and knew that the upcoming battle would more than likely wear him down. If she knew how he could help her, perhaps she could help him. She just wanted to go home, but she knew that this fight he could not do alone. "She will be fine, the love in your heart will keep her well." She knew that he dreaded this fight, and deep down she did as well. The fire in him, she felt it strong within her, which was strange. She never felt anything from others. What tie was this with him? She watched him grow up, but she watched many grow up, learned what they learned, felt what they felt, but never like this. She backs away slightly to break that tie, to regain herself and to think . . . however, when she did so, her mind was a blank as if all she knew was nothing but a script in someone else's play.
She begins to walk towards town, away from the reclusive looks of the housing district where only the homeless and rebels were now coming out, making it an unsavory sight in the light of the moon and the cover of the darkened clouds. Her stomach was rumbling and she attributed this to perhaps a type of hunger as she had heard mortals speak of. She starts to look for a place to eat and rest for the both of them. She stops and turns to see if he is following or if he was lost in his own thoughts as she had seen him do often as they spoke.

Who did she mean when she spoke? His mother? His sister? Someone else all together? Her words seem cryptic, yet plain to understand. He could only smile at her and follow as she walked away. He could sense she needed something, and so when he heard the growl from her stomach, he knew all to well that she needed food. "Well that explains it. You've never eaten, being a star, now have you? I know this place well enough, though I am sure you have watched it for a long time. Come with me, I will take you to the best eating place around." He wrapped his arm around her own, leading her down the path towards town. "And do not worry about those unsavory people around. Only fools would dare attack me or those around me."

He glanced about, keeping an eye upon those that had the intent but not the power. He winked at a few leaders, who just scowled and vanished back into the darkness. He shook his head, sighing a bit. "At least I was able to get that lot out of my families lands before I left. One good thing I was able to do before leaving."

She jumps, startled, when he puts his arm around her to guide her to this eating spot. She had watched the mortals and their animals consume things, but when she was at home, she simply absorbed energy to keep her light. She looked down at her stomach when it rumbled and looked back at him, her cheeks red with blush, embarrassed. She tried not to look at some of the people standing around as they seemed to have a growing hate within them that she could also feel, next to the intense heat that was eminating from him. This warmth, she felt powerful around him. It was a reason that he has had the life that he has had, why the women seemed drawn to him. She had watched them flock about him, lost in his universe. As they walked to this place of . .eating, she relaxes into his arms, as if the warmth had melted her into him.

Her emotions and thoughts seemed to flow into his own mind like water into a dry pool. He couldn't help but chuckle as her thoughts went to that of cooing women. Yes, it was true, women seemed to flock to him rather easily. It wasn't his fault that they were attracted to his estetic. Of course it also could be that he was powerful, rich, royalty, and a charmer, though he didn't try to be. It was his royal charms that came out when he was around people. As much as he had killed in his life time, he still had the upbringing of a royal to be polite and curtious.

As they rounded the next street, a particular smell began to mix with the air. He breathed deep, his eyes shining brightly. He had to admit, being in his demon form had increased his appetite. It was all the power that was radiating out from him. Maybe that was why she felt warm? He was just being polite, as usual. And dinner was going to be on him, since he was sure that she didn't have any money. As they reached the end of the street he was able to spot it. A large black building with mirror glass windows. There was a line waiting outside to get in. A rather large line.

She smiles as they round the corner towards the smell. Liking his warmth againt the cold night air, she presses more into him. The smells get stronger as they come closer to the tavern. Her eyes widen as she sees all the many people standing in line and she looks up at him, as if asking if this was the place. With the smell becoming stronger, her stomach rumbles more, and she looks down embarrassed. She wondered if she would have to stand outside or if the line would faster. Would the place be filled inide? She peer forward out of curiousity, though some of those before them had and aire of intimidation and she draws back into him.

He wasted no time and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a handful of gold coins and tossed them at the waiting crowd, which quickly took to gathering up the coins. He tossed a few more coins at those waiting, having the line disperse completely as they reached the doors. As those picking up the coins looked to see him and Sarani moving to the front of the line, many started to complain and confront them. He just held out his hand, gold coins spilling from his fingers. Many of those that had waited could now afford the high end prices of the more established restaurants, and so left the tavern site. Soon the only ones left where the truly hungry and poor, though the gold they got from him was sure enough to feed them for months. They were just too tired and weak to move on to better places in the city.

At long last the doors opened, the smoke and smells of the tavern moving out with a small crowd of happy people. The doorman nodded to Sky, letting them pass inside along with about four others. The place was packed and busy with the sites and sounds of a world full of diversity. Serving girls moved about quickly with food and drink, patrons were either dancing, gambling, drinking, or telling stories. There were two seats up at the bar that Sky lead Sarani to. He took a seat and smiled as a large giant of a man turned to them. "Wha will ya...Sky! Blimy kiddo, wha are you doing back here? It's been ages! How are ya lad?" Sky smiled, reaching out and taking the large man by the arm, and him vice versa. "Vrok, it is good to see you old man. How have you been?" Vrok laughed, squeezing Sky's arm with all of his might, unable to move it in any direction. "I see you got stronger boy, that is what I like to see." Sky let him go, laughing as well. "I have a friend here, Sarani, who is unique to this world. She deserves the finest meal this establisment has. And I'll take my usual drink." He turned to Sarani, "Do you want anything particular to drink? Or something else dear?" Vrok laughed, bringing out Sky's hydra tear tea, waiting for her answer.

Sarani's eyes widened as the people hurried for the gold that seem to spring from the river Sky held in his hands. As they drew nearer and went into the tavern of many sights, smells and sounds, she buried her face into him. They make their way to the back to the empty seats and she sits down. She jumps at the loud voice of the giant man as he speaks to Sky. When asked what she want to eat or drink, she shrugs. "What do you think is good? I trust you Sky."