Brave New Era, Prologue: Pact

The night was calm and dark as the new moon sat in the sky, the stars holding a silent vigil over the land. In an old ruin of a once mighty fort, abandoned for centuries and left to fall into disrepair, several people gathered. Their bodies clad in cloaks which covered and hid all features, they stood in the central chamber where once a full contingent of over five hundred men would receive their orders on a daily basis.

Even if here was but only six of them where once stood hundreds, their combined might would have easily overpowered those who once occupied this place ten times over.

A series of torches lined the walls of the chamber, giving them just enough light to see one another as they stood in a circle while the broken, rough features of the stone work, worn down by the centuries of neglect cast shadows as they stood in silence, as if awaiting something, or somebody.

They did not have to wait long, for finally a seventh stepped into the chamber and joined the others. They made room for the newest member who, like the others, was clad in a cloak.

Joining their circle, the new comer spoke;

"I have received word; Scorpio has been found. The eighth is on his way to retrieve it."

The voice was masculine and rough, aged. If one had to guess, the man had to be in his early forties.

"There is only three left now... the time for the awakening is coming close."

Another spoke, the voice feminine and gentle.

"But even so, there is one more thing that must be done before the Angel of Blood will awakening once more."

Yet another voice came, this one also male but it was much younger sounding.

"Yes... we must begin it again."

The seventh member, and the first who had spoke joined in once more, his voice taking on a serious tone.

Silently, and all at once the seven came together in a tight circle, each with a hand outstretched toward the center. Coming close enough to touch, they placed their hands in the center, one on top of the other. while the seventh removed a dagger from his cloak.

Taking a firm grip on its handle, he dangled the long, nearly one and a half foot blade just above the joined hands.

"We swear on this day that we will make it our mission to bring about the glorious return of the Angel of Blood, the High Seraph, back to this world. Let none stand in our way."

"For the glory of the High Seraph, we shall stain this world red."

The group spoke as one, their voices intermixed with a unity that few could ever hope to meet. It was at that moment, as they swore with their words that the seventh drove his blade down with strength and force that seemed so inhuman, piercing each and every single hand until the tip protruded from the bottom most one. Just as the blood on the dagger, heir free flowing blood combined before dripping to the ground, mixing together in a small pool below them, covering a worn crest that was hidden under the dust and debris of the centuries.

Their pact was sealed with their blood, and just as they had done to the crest from a long forgotten time, so too would they do to the world.

This, they swore.