Shadow’S Last Light

By Kyrian Night

Having been torn from mortal lives, and thrown into immortality, the Sgath brothers soon find themselves hunted.

Their eternity is on the line, as a twist of fate has them stalked by a malicious entity from the start of their eternal lives.

But Calhoun Sgath looks to lead the Sgaths through the chaos fate has cast them, using the perks of immortality, and they are plenty.
Fate can destroy you, but you learn to enjoy the good twists while you can. After all, fate is something written in actions, not stone.

And in this new side of existence they now lived in, if immortals were real, then what else was possible?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris NZ
• Release date: Apr 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781493193127

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Kyrian Night.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4931-9311-0

                eBook           978-1-4931-9312-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 04/08/2015

Xlibris

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter One Calhoun

Chapter Two Zexion

Chapter Three Riordan

Chapter Four Hunter

Chapter Five Killian

Chapter Six Calhoun

Chapter Seven Riordan

Chapter Eight Lilith

Chapter Nine Killian

Chapter Ten Hunter

Chapter Eleven Calhoun

Chapter Twelve Zexion

Chapter Thirteen Killian

Chapter Fourteen Calhoun

Chapter Fifteen Ember

Chapter Sixteen Calhoun

Chapter Seventeen Zexion

Chapter Eighteen Calhoun

Chapter Nineteen Hunter

Chapter Twenty Calhoun

Chapter Twenty One Riordan

Chapter Twenty Two Calhoun

Chapter Twenty Three Killian

Chapter Twenty Four Hunter

Chapter Twenty Five Riordan

Chapter Twenty Six Zexion

Chapter Twenty Seven Calhoun

Chapter Twenty Eight Hunter

Chapter Twenty Nine Calhoun

Chapter Thirty Killian

Prologue

As the Sgath brothers ran through the last of the twisted corridors of this great structure and dispatched the last of the guards, Calhoun’s mind raced along a dozen and one different tracks. Analysing what would have to be done in order to handle their current delicate situation, which was precarious at best. He knew that no matter what plan he used, it would require the utmost cunning to pull this off.

Calhoun slowed his pace slightly so that his brothers could keep up. Him and his four brothers had become immortal at varied times over the past month, Calhoun had been the first, then the twins, Zexion and Riordan, then Hunter and then Killian. Though Zexion and Riordan were not actually twins, they had both turned at the same time and had strongly connected elements, so the brothers referred to them as twins. They were all eternally frozen at the age of twenty-four, or at least as long as they weren’t slain. Unfortunately the brothers hadn’t had much time to enjoy their newfound immortality though. A mysterious, malevolent organization had been on their tails since Killian had turned. An upside to all this was that the Sgath brothers had the chance to test their abilities and find out how their bodies had been altered by this process.

Their bodies were not too far from human and yet obviously no longer entirely human, the immortality had shed their bodies of flaws and yet the brothers still resembled their original selves, at least partially. The most inhuman feature was that their ears had become those of a cat, and they had grown the tail of one as well. The colour of these new body parts was the same as that of their hair and eyes, which had also been altered due to the immortality. One thing that the brothers had only recently discovered was that each of them possessed control of a different element. Calhoun had mastery of darkness, Hunter could manipulate air, Killian was master of earth, Riordan controlled water and Zexion used fire as he willed. Zexion had determined that their colour; of hair, eyes, ears and tail, was caused by their element.

Since the immortality kicked in Calhoun’s eyes and hair, as well as his new ears and tail, had become a pure midnight black. Hunter’s were silver, while Killian’s features were gold. Riordan’s were royal blue and Zexion’s had turned blood red. The brothers agreed with Zexion’s theory that this was their element in effect.

Their bodies had been altered greatly on the outside, but had been altered even more internally. Each of them had gained abilities that no human could possibly possess, there were abilities they shared, they each possessed cat-like reflexes and senses, enhanced strength and speed, superior aim and more stamina than a human.

The abilities they didn’t share were even more of an asset than these mighty powers, each brother had their own. They believed their unique abilities were dictated by their personalities, they each worked well alone due to these great powers but when put together they became a relentless force to be reckoned with. Despite this fact, the brothers were still having a hard time handling this huge organization together. The brothers were forced to test their new physical specialisations to the limit; each of them excelling in a different area. Calhoun being more fast and agile than any mortal could ever be, Hunter having endurance and stamina beyond measure, Killian had enough strength and power to out-muscle anybody, Riordan had enough accuracy and range that he could shoot further and more precisely than should be physically possible and Zexion had ferocity and dexterity far exceeding that of any living creature. This scenario was going to test the immortals to their limit, a limit to which no mortal could possibly amount to, and they could well be fighting for their eternity.

All these supernatural abilities alone would not ensure their success, they had to be wise in order to stop their mysterious enemies from carrying out whatever twisted intentions they had in mind, and save their own tails in the process. But for the moment they had to work on killing the organizations leaders, a group of twenty master assassins, which had fled and left them with several groups of guards to dispatch.

Now that the guards were desolated by the brothers, Calhoun was using his knowledge of the fortress which he had memorized, to plan how to stop the twenty assassins from escaping to the lower levels. If the leaders reached the lower levels it would be impossible to follow them, since the hidden elevator the leaders were taking from the great hall was the only entrance and was nigh impregnable. For this reason Calhoun was planning carefully, and he had now decided on a plan, but it required timing, though he was sure that this wouldn’t be a problem.

They finally reached the great hall, and their timing couldn’t have been more perfect, just as they entered they glimpsed the top of the leaders’ charcoal hoods disappear below the floor. Such perfect timing. Calhoun’s plan had to be swift and carried out exactly. Time to lead, to carry out the plan and make sure it went well. Calhoun took a moment to set everything straight, the timing would continue to be absolutely perfect.

Calhoun spun around silently, his black leather trench coat, with the Sgath insignia of a winged ankh on the collar, flew out around him. His clothes were entirely pure black, like his immortal features, he wore a black dress shirt beneath his trench coat, black jeans, motorcycle boots, leather gloves and a half face ninja mask, which started just below his eyes and finished at the base of his neck, his hair covered most of the top half of his face and ended at the base of his spine. Entirely darkness, every inch of skin completely coverable. For all arcane intents and purposes Calhoun could disappear into the shadows at any time he willed it.

As Calhoun looked at his brothers he took in their appearances; Riordan and Zexion, the twins, were both garbed in their robes, the robes of an assassin, their hoods which were usually pulled up, were thrown back, showing their unnatural coloured shaggy hair and eyes, as well as their feline ears. The Sgath insignia was visible on the buckle of Riordan’s belt but Zexion’s was out of sight, on the back of his hood. They both wore black robes, with black boots, their cloaks, belts and hoods, however, were of different colours, Riordan’s were royal blue whereas Zexion’s were blood red. Zexion also wore a pair of spiked gloves, and had a hidden blade in the toe of each boot, his special weaponry. Riordan had a pair of retractable gun holders on his wrists that slid out into his leather gloved hands to allow for faster and more accurate shooting, like he needed the extra accuracy.

Killian wore a brilliantly bright golden trench coat; styled like Calhoun’s, though without an insignia and no sleeves past the elbow, a black singlet was worn beneath it, along with black jeans and a pair of black Chuck Taylors with golden streaks. He wore a golden sash around his head that bore the Sgath insignia, holding back his blond hair that fell to his shoulders. His golden battle bracers he wore on his forearms also bore the insignia. Hunter donned a black and silver tribal patterned trench coat though his had a hood that failed to conceal his silver hair falling over his eyes and down the sides of his neck, he wore a silver shirt beneath the coat, black leather pants, and spike tipped boots. He also had a silver ring on his right index finger over his elbow length black leather gloves, which bore the insignia of the Sgaths.

All of the Sgath brothers bore a pentacle around their neck when they awoke immortal, despite their differing clothes. They all had a different gem in their pentacles, Calhoun had obsidian, Zexion had ruby, Riordan had sapphire, Killian had topaz and Hunter had diamond. Calhoun believed this to be a sign of their power, their magical abilities and elemental control.

Calhoun pulled himself back to the situation as enough time had passed and the floor was sliding closed to conceal the elevator shaft. He initiated the plan, making sure to order specifically to his brothers’ talents.

Killian, grab those panels, keep the entrance open! Killian could hold the panels open for as long as needed due to his insane amount of strength, which, along with the fact that his immortal gift of impenetrable skin meant he wouldn’t get harmed if the leaders noticed, made him perfect for the job.

A glance up to check what they’ll need. Hunter, try to make the gap wider, we need it open almost all the way. Just stay behind Killian, we don’t want you getting injured. Hunter’s unnatural level of endurance and stamina meant that he would keep pushing without pause, a great addition to the scheme at hand. His sword also played a big part in the plan.

Zex, use your kunai and give me some handholds to the roof, make it quick. But don’t make the path too easy, I want to test myself. Zexion’s ferocity meant he could throw the kunai far enough into the wall that it would stay and enough dexterity that he would make a path quick enough to keep up with Calhoun.

Riordan, shoot out those four chains, but leave the main one in the middle. The four chains Calhoun indicated were crucial to the plan. Riordan drew his royal blue dual revolvers and attached them to the holders as they shot out into the palms of his hands, ready to go, his accuracy meant he simply wouldn’t miss, he never did. Then both you twins help open the entrance further, and Zexion make sure they don’t see any of you, use your illusions. Zexion’s illusions were an invaluable asset to the group; he could conjure an illusion to cover up or create something at will.

Calhoun’s brothers listened intently to their orders, though said nothing. They didn’t speak a word of confirmation, but merely nodded and set to their tasks, knowing that each part was crucial. Calhoun didn’t mess around during a mission, they trusted him.

Once Zexion had started throwing the first kunai, Calhoun set to work on getting to the roof, within two seconds there were four gunshots, the tinkle of loose chains, a slight grunt of effort from Killian, and a line of six wide spread kunai from floor to ceiling in the ten-storey high great hall. Calhoun was fast and graceful so Zexion didn’t worry about spacing; he knew time was on their side and that Calhoun would be able to handle it. The smartest of the group was Zexion; he most likely already knew what their leader had planned. If ever Calhoun had no solution, or required someone to step in and lead, it was Zexion.

Calhoun ran up the wall, taking five vertical steps to reach the first kunai; already demonstrating his inhuman agility. He then swung all of his weight on one arm so that he spun around the kunai and back flipped to the second, landing with the toes of both feet on the handle of the second kunai and swiftly launched himself up and backwards without pause, trusting his instincts. He caught the third kunai by the hilt and swung himself over to land with his feet on the fourth kunai, flinging himself forward and up with sheer leg strength and caught the fifth blade in both hands, twisted around and flung himself back in the direction he came, throwing himself up to the sixth kunai, which was roughly eleven meters directly above the fourth kunai. He landed with both feet on the hilt. He made it up the wall in a matter of seconds.

He then proceeded to run across the wall for roughly ten meters, his trench coat fanning out behind him as he ran, and then flung himself toward the centre of the room. Falling from here would kill a mortal but would merely injure Calhoun’s leg for a few seconds before it healed. He landed nimbly on the edge of the great chandelier that hung in the centre of the hall, the four chains Riordan had shot rattled at the edges. Below him was the entrance to the elevator, which his brothers had managed to open fully. The leaders only noticed the opened shaft then, no doubt curious as to why the floor hadn’t closed. Perfect.

Release the doors as soon as I pass through them! Calhoun yelled to his brothers, they nodded in unison. Hunter, leave the panel to them, after I pass through, throw your sword into the centre of the panel! We don’t want that thing closing! Hunter released the panel and drew his two handed shadowblade, which glinted with a luminous shade of silver as it left its casing with a hiss.

Calhoun then drew his blade from across his back, a single-handed shadowblade, which was as black as the midnight sky, both hilt and blade. This was the pinnacle of the plan; he raised the blade above his head and brought it down in an arc that sliced through the chain as if it were naught but thread. Calhoun crouched and grabbed the chandelier beneath his feet with one hand just as it suddenly dropped.

As the chandelier passed the panels the Sgaths released them, perfectly executing their orders, and Hunter threw his blade across the gap, the blade buried its tip in the edge of one panel. The panels continued to close until the opposite panel reached the pommel of Hunter’s blade and shuddered to a stop. Since an immortal weapon was indestructible it held under the pressure.

As the panels stopped Calhoun threw himself upwards and back flipped onto the flat of Hunter’s blade, leaving the chandelier to descend upon the elevator.

There was a great crash as the chandelier reached the elevator and killed eight of the leaders. The rest had managed to dodge the destructive chandelier. Now, time for the rest, now that the odds were more favourable.

Hunter drew his silver bow and summoned two arrows, Riordan readied his revolvers, Calhoun and Zexion secured their weapons and clambered onto Killian’s back, each behind one of his wide shoulders. Killian let out a sigh, and then jumped into the hole, dropping two hundred feet to the floor of the elevator while shuriken bounced off Killian’s impenetrable skin. As they reached twenty meters above the elevator Calhoun and Zexion launched off either side, reached the wall and bounded off the wall towards the elevator floor. As the three descended, Hunter’s two arrows whizzed past and lodged themselves in two leaders’ throats, killing them instantly.

Ten left. This was followed by three gunshots. As the three immortals landed, three leaders crumpled to the floor with bullet holes in their foreheads. The bodies of the dead assassins burst into ashes and blew away, something that hadn’t happened to the guards. New developments to handle later. But thanks to Riordan’s accuracy that was another three down.

Seven left. Upon landing Zexion drew his blood red flamberge and swung it across the legs of two leaders, they fell forwards, still trying to injure Zexion in their final moment of life with wild swings of their swords. Zexion parried their flailing strikes and followed it up with a sweeping strike across their throats, ending their lives instantly. Two more down.

Five left. As soon as Calhoun touched the ground, he drew his midnight blade and his whip which was as a streak of pure deadly darkness. With a step forward he sliced along the length of the attacking arm of the first assassin with his blade as he passed them; stopping them from striking, then brought the blade back, straight through their spine and out through their chest. He then followed through with the momentum with a step and spin, unfurling his whip as he spun. Spinning, he lashed out with his whip, which wrapped around the leaders throat until its spiked tip buried itself in the victim’s throat. The assassin stopped instantly, a swift and exact death. Calhoun pulled on the whip and caught the tip. He rolled the whip up and replaced it on his belt; the whip was away before the bodies had even fallen. Another two crumple to the floor dead.

Three left. When Killian reached the elevator he grabbed two leaders by the heads, letting out a barbaric guffaw as their swords shattered against his hands, and then threw them both at the final leader. As they flew through the air Killian drew his golden great sword, which no mortal could lift, and threw it hilt over blade towards the leaders he had just thrown away like rag dolls. The blade punctured the thrown leaders and then continued on to go through the final leader, skewering the three and pinning them to the wall as their last breaths escaped them. The ashes fluttered down the wall looking like a sad grey waterfall, as they died.

None left, all dead.

As the three on the elevator evaluated their swift work and put away their weapons, Riordan teleported down to the elevator while Hunter flew down, demonstrating their unique abilities among the group. They regrouped on the elevator and waited for it to reach the end of its trip.

Within moments, the elevator reached its final destination.

There was tech everywhere; giant computer screens covered the far wall, at least several hundred meters away. The lift took up the wall behind them, but the most worrying feature was that the two other walls that ran the several hundred meter length of the room were lined with cryostasis pods. And each one had an identical person in it, which was dressed in charcoal robes with an insignia of an intertwining pair of S’s. They were identical to the assassins they had just slain on the elevator.

Calhoun went back to the first pod and looked at the top of the pod, in small grey letters across the top of each pod was written;

The Shadow Stalkers

Chapter One

Calhoun

Being the leader and eldest of the Sgath brothers is a heavy responsibility I bear with pride as Calhoun Sgath. I’m the stealth specialist of the group, since my element is darkness. My weapons are the shadowblade, single handed, and a whip. My immortal gift, I hadn’t discovered one.

And we are in trouble. We had just found out that our mystery organization’s name was in fact the Shadow Stalkers, their files told us as much, along with why they were tailing us, but it wasn’t comforting news. They were looking for the secret to immortality, even worse than we had thought; we had thought they were merely hunting us for not being quite human. This news however, was cause for worry, this could cost us our eternity, not something that we would ever let be taken from us.

The fact that the ‘leaders’ we had killed had in fact been part of some sort of cloning process was very disconcerting news. We had dispatched the clones easily enough, but they had enough in their underground base for a small army! Not good news at all. Also we spent approximately an hour looking over their paperwork and files; Zexion had cast an illusion