Chapter 350 - The Moonshadow Trading Company Short Stories: 5 - The Birth of Moonshadow Coven (I)

*Eldovian Era 1715, 3rd day of the 8th month*

The snow that fell lightly across the mountain top barely looked as if it made a dent in the thick white powder that already covered the peak of Shigeni Mountain. It was blisteringly cold up here, more so than far below where the lights of Moonshadow Trading Company dominated the side of the Mountain. Even with such colossal structures far below, no one would dare to suspect there was anything so high up.

And yet, a dark shadow reached up and seemed to delicately brush a layer of snow off the side, revealing the glass surface beneath. It did the same thing a few more times, revealing the cave below that had been furnished and made hospitable, the skylight above revealing the sky. On a clear night, the moonlight would shine down to light the entire room, but now, when the snow fell, the skies were covered in thick clouds that one would have to surpass to see the night sky. Winter in Eldovia rarely saw a clear day.

Directly below the skylight, lying on a stone bench in a relaxed position, his short, dark hair ruffled as if he had just woken up, Rassa watched the snowflakes fall, pulling his shadows back.

He'd spent much of the past two years building this place. His sanctuary. A place where he could look out over what he had built as well as dream of the night sky and moon high above that he so loved to admire. It had always been a place he could escape to.

Until two months ago when Ebony had discovered it.

She'd made it a point to check here first whenever he disappeared from his duties for too long. He detested the thought, but also knew that she could do a lot worse. Since she'd awakened, she'd become a formidable force. While she'd never win in a fight against him, Rassa never relished having arguments with her. Or with Iah for that matter.

He heard the flap of her wings now, even over the sound of the winds at this altitude. He sighed, his eyes straying to the cave entrance just as the door opened and she strolled in, closing the door behind her to shield the room from the onslaught of high winds and bone chilling snow.

"Thought I'd find you here," she said.

Rassa rolled his eyes and turned away, "I usually come here so that I'm not disturbed. You seem to have become a frequent unwanted visitor".

"Oh, boo hoo," she replied without a hint of remorse, "I thought you might like to know that they've all arrived".

Rassa sighed, "Alistair, Eon and Wil are not among them, yes?"

"You are correct," Ebony replied, "But it was their choice".

Rassa sat up, "I'm well aware, I just loath to see them grow old".

"It will happen," Ebony sighed, "We cannot prevent it if that is what they wish. And it is their wish".

Rassa turned to look at Ebony, "And Neva?"

Ebony nodded, "She is here. I am thankful for it considering you were only asking the Reapers beforehand".

Rassa rolled his eyes, "You could ask others too you know. So could Iah".

"I could, but I think it will be a few more years before we think of it considering how my first attempt ended so badly," Ebony stated.

Rassa stepped down from the stone slate he'd lain on and stepped over to Ebony, "He's got four months left on his sentence, from the contact I have had, I know he regrets it. Whether or not he will do something similar again is yet to be seen, but he won't try for at least another decade or two".

They were talking of Mathius of course, who was locked in the depths of the Mountain, only allowed to feed once a month when Rassa brought him a meal, and otherwise locked in Anthrite Chains. The punishment was one that Rassa knew from experience was quite unpleasant, and his hope that Mathius would learn from the experience was looking to be fulfilled.

"Still, it feels strange to have so many come to join us and to have him not present," said Ebony.

"That was his choice to make," Rassa stated as he walked towards the door, summoning his wings, "Come, I'll leave this place behind for now seeing as I likely won't get any peace and quiet for some time. Is everything prepared?"

Ebony followed him out, her own black-red wings sprouting as she joined him amongst the whistling wind. Her long thick braid whipping away, "It is".

"Then lead the way," Rassa stated. Ebony grinned and stepped to the ledge before she leant forward, and dropped spreading her wings a little to control her fall. Rassa smiled as she dove down, just a metre from the cliff-face before she spread her wings wide and levelling out a little. She'd been so terrified of heights before. Now, with her wings, she was the most daring out of them.

Rassa gave a half-hearted jump out from the ledge and plummeted down after her.

The Moonshadow Base he had built had become known as a Village to those who lived there. They simply referred to it as Moonshadow. It was not a village in the traditional sense however. Rassa would be the first to admit that he had taken some influence from the Jerrica Mines and carved Moonshadow into the side of Shigeni Mountain. Upon their first arrival, many of the new crafters and workers had deemed it far too large to accommodate just them, but it became clear in the months to follow that they had not been able to picture the scale of Moonshadow's operation, and of Rassa's vision.

From the outside, Moonshadow appeared almost like a castle, with spires carved nearly a third of the way up the colossal mountain side. There were three spires that rose above the bulk of Moonshadow, each with a different purpose. The Eastern-most Spire was the Administration Tower. Staff Records, Orders, as well as offices for those of higher authority were all placed here.

The Central Spire was primarily for meetings. It was also where the main communication Charm was located. At the top of this tower was also Ebony's personal quarters. Technically, it had originally been Rassa's. But since Rassa had taken up residence at the mountain peak, he'd happily handed his rooms to Ebony. She hadn't been one to complain.

The final tower, located on the Western Side, was built for Research and Development. It was where Kit and Olly spent most of their time. In fact, Rassa had had to build their quarters there considering they often ended up sleeping there overnight because it was too far to go to the actual staff quarters.

Below the Towers sat the main buildings. These were built further back into the mountain, so despite them appearing quite small on the outside, they were many times larger than they appeared. It was an average of six floors high, though it differed based on the Towers above it. The Eastern Wing tended to be where storage was for all materials as well as the main Vault for funds. Each Staff member had their own account here that they could deposit and withdraw from. Far easier than making their own way to other banks. Beneath the central Spire was the largest area. This was also the area that had earned Moonshadow it's Village status. The large opening at the entrance was twice as wide as a city gate, and down either side of the long, cavernous hallway beyond it was a stretch of supply stores and accommodations that were arranged to look like a traditional village or city street. Those under the employ of Moonshadow had been able to bring their families, and this space was large enough to accommodate them all. Only those under contract with Moonshadow were allowed to go beyond Moonshadow Village though, and security was very tight.

In the Western Wing was where most of the Crafting took place. Separate warehouses for different types of crafting, whether metal work, leather work or the charms themselves, but all of them were well respected and valued at Moonshadow.

All in all, since Moonshadow's inception, it had grown to become quite the busy place, and had drawn attention from outside parties as well. Of course, Ebony had allowed outside parties to visit. But they had to have a Transport, Trading or Visitors pass, and they were heavily monitored once inside. It was not an exaggeration to say that Moonshadow was the most secure place in Eldovia.

Ebony broke her fall by spreading her wings wide, the thump of them catching the wind resounded enough for Rassa to hear high above her, and he did the same. He glided down after her, both of them circling towards the main balcony just below the top of the central tower.

Iah waited there for them. A warm smile on her face as always. Even after she'd been Unsealed just a few months before, she'd managed to keep her warmth. Or, more accurately, learned to balance it with her darker impulses. Rassa had never been around her for longer than a month at a time, but he'd been around long enough to know that she was perhaps the scariest among them because her anger was always calm. She did not shout or scream. She expressed her disappointment, then acted before protests could be heard.

Iah approached Rassa as he landed and drew in his wings. She nodded her head in greeting.

"It's nice to see you again, Iah, I trust the journey was not too taxing?" asked Rassa.

Iah shook her head, "The brief flight allowed me to clear my head. That Priestess is getting rather bold".

Rassa sighed. Ever since he'd denied any meetings with Devina Lightbringer, the young Priestess had been intent on earning the trust of both himself and his coven. She'd brought together a group of followers whom she trained. For what exactly, Rassa wasn't entirely sure, but he knew it was not malicious in nature.

Still, there were times he had to question her sanity, and he often left Iah to deal with it seeing as the Priestess and her following were based on Rouke. Iah, frankly, was sick of them.

"Perhaps it's time I deal with her then, but not now. We have things to celebrate for now," Rassa stated.

"Agreed," Iah stated.

"Is everything prepared?"

Iah nodded as they stepped inside, "Fifty Prisoners gathered from various places across the continent. All under the Allure".

Rassa nodded, "Good".

He entered the main room. It was the largest meeting room they had. Usually there were several tables inside, but they'd all been removed for the time being. Instead, all that remained in the room almost the size of a city's plaza, was a plain but imposing chair on the far wall that was where Rassa's table was usually situated. He'd been somewhat annoyed when Ebony had insisted on such a design, especially seeing as the room's floor was designed with the Moonshadow symbol in mind. A crescent moon shape around the outside, at the widest part of which was where Rassa's table usually was, and the rest of the floor sunken down two steps. This lower part of the room was where Sel, Neva, Talo and Layton waited. All, even Sel, appearing somewhat nervous.

Rassa entered from where wide windows were spread along the top of the moon shape, the main entrance of the room situated opposite Rassa's chair. This was mainly why he hated the room. He disliked it's 'throne room' air. Rassa had no need for such things.

Rassa ignored the chair and smiled at his guests, "Welcome".

The four bowed their heads in greeting as Rassa approached, Ebony and Iah flanking him.

"You have come here on this night because you have been invited to join the Moonshadow Coven. A process that will inevitably involve you joining the Gluttony Path of Chaos. You have all been made aware of this, and would not have accepted the invitation if you hadn't known the risks, still, I feel I must stress the gravity of this choice one final time".

Rassa paced along the line as he stared back and forth between them, "On this path, you will receive many abilities that are unachievable in the paths of Order. Great Strength and Speed, Incredible Regeneration, Heightened Senses, stronger physical forms, and, upon the maturation and acceptance of your path, the mind-bending Allure, wings for flight, and varying degrees of control over Shadow and Blood Magic. These abilities are abundant, but they come at a cost".

Rassa paused once more, "Until the end of time, you will hunger for blood. This hunger will be insatiable. Over time you may learn to control it, to know when it is the hunger you feel and when you are truly starving. But this will take time, and you will come to be known by many as a Monster for mistakes that you will inevitably make. This path is one of Chaos, but like all things in this world, balance is essential to your survival".

"It will be painful, excruciatingly so, and you will need to resolve your will more than once in the span of forever," Rassa stated, "So, in knowing all this, do you still wish to take this path?"

There was no hesitation in Sel's eyes as he stepped forward, "I do".

After a moment, Talo stepped forward to join him, "I wouldn't have come had I wanted otherwise".

Layton grinned as he stepped up beside Sel, "A little Chaos never seemed so bad to me".

Neva stepped forward last, "I am more than willing to accept this offer from you, Lord Moonshadow".

Rassa smirked at the term. People rarely called him such to his face, but it was growing more common. As if his existence had gone beyond a mere innovative businessman. Perhaps it was why Ebony had insisted on the 'throne room'.

"Very well," Rassa stated, "The process is quite taxing, so I may only turn one of you per night as I need time to recover, as will you. Ebony and Iah will aid you when I cannot. Are there any volunteers to go first?"

Sel went to step forward, but Neva placed a hand on his arm. He turned to her, then, upon meeting her gaze, nodded and stepped back.

"I will volunteer," she said.

Rassa nodded, holding out his hand, "Then come".

"They have taken to naming you Goldmen in Lovolon, have they not?" asked Rassa.

Neva blushed, "They have".

Rassa smiled, "It is nothing to be embarrassed of. Names are powerful things, and I see no shame in yours".

Neva nodded, "Thank you for saying so".

Rassa's eyes took on a Crimson shade as she met his gaze, "Whatever happens, Neva Goldmen, you must endure it. You have indicated your will and resolve, now, you must show me".

Neva's gaze seemed terrified for a split second before she nodded, "I'm ready".

Rassa tilted her head to the side and swept her braid away, exposing her neck, "So be it".

Rassa opened his mouth, and sunk his fangs deep.

Rassa drank slowly, taking in each mouthful with care as Neva stilled and lost feeling in her body. He heard her screams plain as day, allowing her to release them as he drained her. It pained him that he could not relieve what he knew to be excruciating, but to do so would interfere with the change.

He lowered her to the ground with him, cradling her as he drank. Her screams became cries, then whimpers as she lost strength. Eventually, Rassa felt the instinct drawing him to finish her off. To take the last sip. He withdrew, l.i.c.k.i.n.g her neck then turning to bite his own wrist which he placed at her mouth. He allowed his own blood to drip down her throat, and after a moment, a slow, painful swallow came from Neva.

"That's it, keep going".

He encouraged her, and she took a few more tentative swallows before he heard her m.o.a.n, and her arms sprung up to clutch his wrist to her mouth. She began to drink more gluttonously, and she appeared to become more desperate with every swallow until she suddenly pulled away.

Her mouth filled with blood and her lips and chin smeared with it, she looked at him in shock for a moment before her eyes rolled back into her head and she screamed once more.

She thrashed violently, rolling away from his l.a.p. Rassa watched on, a small smile on his lips as she endured the pain of her Life Lines burning into her skin. Of her body changing and evolving. He felt it too. He felt the connection between them snap into place as her wings burst from her back, tearing her skin and dress to shreds and leaving a bloody mess in the centre of the hall as she finally stilled. Her screams died, and she breathed heavily for a moment as her wings drooped, then her consciousness faded, and her wings vanished.

Rassa stood, removing his coat and walking over to her. He tore the rest of the dress away from her, there was not much left of it anyway, then dr.a.p.ed his coat over her and picked her up in his arms. She was much taller than Iah and Ebony who were both quite petite in stature, but she still appeared so fragile in his arms. Rassa equated her to a newborn babe as he crossed the room taking the stairs down to the room that she'd been given by Ebony. Ebony waited there now, ten of the Allured Prisoners kneeling silently in the corner. Ebony smiled as he walked in, helping him to pull back the covers on the bed and lie Neva down.

Rassa then stepped back with a sigh, "She won't wake until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest, probably in the evening. I shall be resting".

Ebony nodded, then pointed to the Allured Prisoners, "Half are for you".

Rassa nodded, his eyes flashing at them. Five of them stood and plodded after Rassa.