[RPG] [Ata][MI] Balance

[Anthony Anderson]

    It had taken him over a week to pour over the entire contents of the
packages Tenebrae had delivered. Barely taking time to sleep or eat, Azrael
immersed himself in the manuscripts of the Aenil.
    To the best of his knowledge, his aunt had done nearly all that she
could do. Somehow the religion in the Far East had never come to fruition.
It was that troubling fact that kept Azrael digging deeper and deeper. What
had she missed? What had they all overlooked?
    Over time, the studies became less and less just ancient texts and
stories. They began to take on a life of their own. The skepticism in his
heart that had guarded himself against all religions slowly softened away
and some small truths began to take root.
    And then it all fell into place.
    On the eve of the ninth day of his vigil, Azrael finally understood what
was necessary to return the Aenil's religion to its former glory of years
long past. Such was his excitement that he rushed out of his temporary
chambers in York, face scraggly, hair unkempt, but a glow in his eyes unlike
any had seen from the Count before.
    Not even thinking about the late hour, he rushed to where Tenebrae was
staying and pounded on the door.
    "I've found it!"
    She jumped as Azrael entered the door. She was up reading over Helios's
papers while Alex watched.
    "Found what?" she asked, somewhat confused and concerned by the sudden
change in his behavior...
    She was surprised to see Azrael out of his room. He had not left it in 9
days was it? She had taken him food and drink and read with him most of the
days. She wasn't even sure if he had noticed she was there... this was quite
a surprise.
    "What was it we've been learning the Aenil value most? The thing that my
aunt spent her last years trying to establish?"
    He waited, hoping it would slowly sink in.
    "At first, it was believed they were to lead others into the path by
conquest. Over time, they learned that true converts were persuaded, not
forced. So missions to exact justice and ensure goodness prevailed were
undertaken. But the realm became lopsided. The records spoke of other realms
turning against the Vandaenil because they were too noble and just."
    A small glimmer of understanding was beginning to register in the young
woman. And Azrael was just getting started.
    "You remember, don't you? And when Arella disappeared for a time. I
don't know if she really became one of the Aenil or not, but ohh, she almost
nailed it upon her return. It wasn't about making the world wholly pure.
Without the darkness, there is nothing to hold up a light against. Without
some evil, purity becomes the mundane, not the exception.
    "Light and darkness. Good and evil. They both must exist for either to
exist. The Aenil never had an agenda to bring about one or the other. All
along, they were seeking..."
    Azrael trailed off, hoping she would continue his line of thought. If he
was right, (and he hoped he was), Tenebrae would know exactly where he was
leading.
    "Balance..." She whispered. "They were seeking balance!"
    She ran over and hugged Azrael. "That's great!"
    Azrael welcomed her embrace warmly, then thinking better of it, stepped
back to continue.
    "They knew all that. So I was still stuck on how did they fail? And
finally, once I was able to wrap my mind around it, I realized it was my
Aunt Arella after all who failed her people. Everyone around her was
following the teachings. Finally. But she who lead the people had overlooked
one simple, but altogether meaningful aspect that the Aenil found most
beautiful among humans."
    He looked deeply into her eyes, attempting to ascertain just what was
inside.
    "She was but one, with no counterpart."
    "But Helios was always there with her!" She protested, looking back up
at him she realized what he meant and blushed. "Oh..."
    Slowly, the Count took her by the hand, leading her to the window. The
faintest light of the sun's rays were beginning to pierce the darkness.
    "The texts were finally beginning to make sense. But it looks as if
we've reached another dead end. I'm a million times less qualified than
Arella, and have the same glaring hole that she had. To dig any deeper- to
try one more time and revive these practices- it would be futile and most
likely dangerous."
    With a resigned sigh, he added, "I guess our quest ends here."
    She rested her head on his shoulder... "I am no Helios either. He was
well... Helios... one of the most renown warriors on the East Continent."
    She closed her eyes. So here they were... their kin both failed in the
quest.
    Tenebrae shivered with a cold breeze from the window and Azrael moved
his arm around her to keep her warm. She smiled and pondered some more...
    Her eyes opened and she smirked as she looked up at Azrael. "We are
right we aren't our kin. We are Azrael and Tenebrae... I think we could make
the Aenil happy..."
    It was his turn to complete her thoughts or boy would he be sorry...
    The man cocked his head to one side as if she had spoken in a foreign
tongue. As the realization of what she was saying hit him, all his fears,
doubts, and worries melted away.
    In their deaths, both Arella and Helios had still somehow found a way to
preserve the ancient ways of the Aenil. It only took a few more years and a
not-so-chance meeting.
    A wave of emotion washed over Azrael. This was indeed what he had been
lead to these last few years. And he would be damned if he let another
opportunity slip away. He leaned in for the smallest of kisses. As their
lips came together, the sun's rays brightened as it peeked higher over the
horizon.
    "Where two become one," he whispered. "There can be no greater balance."
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