Shades of Grey [Original Fantasy][PG-13][UPDATED AS OF 5/1/2011]

[Infinitus]

To begin, I've released only a Prologue. I'd first like to see if anyone actually wants to read this story, and if memory serves, no one wanted to read my other ones, so I wonder if this will be any different. I will have no set times as to when I release chapters. This story isn't important enough to actually have a set time to release chapters. I will really only release chapters when I feel like it. Mostly because for those who like to read books, stories on the internet are like gas station stores; you go there on impulse and only when you have really no where else to go to buy the things you need. As for people who regularly read stories on this site, well, I'm still not an experienced writer, so for even avid readers at this site, this will be no different than a gas station store.

As for feedback, I'd really appreciate it if you guys either decided to nitpick at this story, or tell me what I'm doing very well at, so that I may repeat it in further chapters. Though I'd like it more if you decided on the former of the two. Just saying "You're story's good, keep it up!" doesn't always help. So I'd very much appreciate it if you could find something to tell me about the story, but if there really isn't anything to improve (which I [i]really[/i] doubt) then I suppose that's how it is.

Well, I suppose that concludes the pretentious author's notes, and with that, YCM, I present to you your local Seven Eleven.

[spoiler=Prologue]
“And so, brothers and sisters, I tell you that the Black Kingdom hunts you relentlessly! We shall become the great servants of the Righteous One! Gather your fortitude, for our hearts may waver like flimsy tree branches! Never lose sight of your inner power!”

Grand Master Arthur spoke in the chapel with courage and fire to the pupils, as the light from the ten foot high window directly behind him gave him a shimmering corona. His thin, bony arms were raised in the air as he spoke, with the golden lining on his long white robe shining brightly. His tall, ancient figure stood firm in front of the sacred altar. Beside him stood his faithful advisor, Harold, a former Templar, as his green eyes fixed upon something in the room. His stocky build has lost none of its strength, and his thick beard lost none of its color despite his old age. The Four White Wing badge on his gold and white robe signified his status as the Master’s advisor. This honor is lesser than none except that of the Badge of the Grand Master, a badge of six white wings.

The Grand Master continued his sermon to the masses of loyal warriors faithful to the Order.
“So I tell you, Templers, do not forget that you wield power. That power can be used to aid us, or to defy us. The darkness is cold and unforgiving. It will not help you. Do not let it persuade you.” he stoically stated. Throughout the sermon, Harold had been glaring at Captain Templar Donovan relentlessly.

“So you say, you ignorant, outdated ‘prophet’.” Donovan whispered in a quiet, hoarse voice. He knelt in his shimmering, silver armor, which protected his well toned body. Captain Templers wore their armor to sermons to display their prestigious status. He fiddled with a black and purple trinket in his hand; a sideways eye, in a black triangle with purple swirls on a string of black beads. He cared not that his long brown hair covered his face as he admired his forbidden pendant.

Harold’s brows knitted as his gaze remained fixed on Donovan. “Something’s clearly distracting him….” Harold murmured under his breath as he stepped down the carpeted steps towards the front row. Neither the Grand Master nor the crowds of loyal followers paid any mind to him as he approached the Captain Templar. He lightly tapped Donovan on his bulky, shimmering shoulder armor to attract his attention.

“May I speak with you in private?”
“Indeed you may, Grand Advisor.” Of course, the trinket had been swiftly concealed on Donovan’s person before Harold could even approach him, let alone get a look. The quickness of a Templar was well toned, as were all physical attributes of one. Donovan rose to his feet, and stood tall like an oak tree. The crest of Two White Wings was clearly visible on his breastplate and his shoulder armor, while his bulky, heavy, silver armor glittered in the light.

Harold walked to the side of the great masses of loyal Templers, kneeling and listening intently to the Grand Master’s oration. The great, white walls of the chapel towered over the congregation as the round, stain glass windows in those walls hovered over the masses. The two eventually exited out an open, oak wood door into a hardwood floored hallway with red carpeting, and walls strewn with hollow armor sets wielding shimmering, steel blades.

Harold glared at the Captain Templar continuously and wordlessly. Donovan raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the stout man. “What exactly is the reason you came to speak with me, Grand Advisor?”

Harold clenched his fists and knitted his brows. “You know all too well what I came out here to talk to you about, you traitorous bastard!”

“I’m afraid that whatever reason you have brought me out here is unbeknownst to me, Grand Advisor.”

“You are acting very strangely, Donovan.” Harold put his finger to the Captain Templar’s breastplate. “You are out taking ‘walks’ more often than you should be, Donovan. Did you know I found a demonic altar out in the woods a few hundred yards from the training grounds? I noticed you walking around those parts of the woods quite often recently. I can even feel the black, vile hatred and anger radiating from your very being!”

An expression of fear, worry, or of any emotion at all failed to cross Donovan’s face. “Everyone here believes that darkness has an obsession with power, and thus, too much power leads to darkness. However, that is not true. It is power that obsesses over darkness. Light inhibits, light restricts, and thus limits what you can achieve. I cannot blindly follow something that will not give me the power I rightly deserve for my efforts. Darkness gives power, darkness feeds power, and darkness will give me what I rightly deserve. The truth is that no one can have power without darkness, and all those with power have it.”

Harold’s face became as red as a tomato as he gritted his teeth. “The Dark One has brainwashed you! He has taken the sense from you and thrown it away! Can’t you see the fault in what you say?”

Donovan turned to a nearby hollow armor set and examined it. He began to run his steel clad hand along its gauntlet. “Your words reflect your ignorance. You speak as if there is a ‘Dark One’. ‘It’ is not a being, but a force of nature; one that reflects true power. The light does not trust its children. Light is weak simply because it follows laws. Although it may not be honorable to bring reinforcements to a gentlemen’s duel, you will most certainly be the victor. It is that empowering, destructive force, which gives me the power…..”

A sinister smirk sprawled across Donovan’s face as he snatched Harold by the collar. Harold’s face became pale and his eyes grew wide as Donovan drew the blade of the hollow armor set. “…..to do this.” Donovan shoved the blade through Harold’s body, as drops of blood dripped on the red carpeting. Donovan threw Harold’s corpse over his left shoulder and proceeded to exit the chapel.

“Since people are now beginning to suspect, I suppose it’s time to.” Donovan whispered under his breath as he made his way into the woods with the bloodstained steel blade and the corpse of the Grand Advisor, as the sky grew orange from the setting sun.
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=1]
The bright, yellow sun rose majestically over the eastern horizon. The skies turned orange as the sun made its way higher and higher over the forest horizon. The way of Templers was to wake as the world did, and to rise as the light did. Douglas’ vision blurred as he rose from his slumber. The young man wasted no precious moments rising from his bed and changing out of his sleeping clothes. He donned his trainee’s garb; a blank, white tabard, a pair of white, cloth pants, with a pair of steel, plate greaves that rise all the way to his knees, with an emblem at his knee resembling an iron fist. He also wore a pair of cold, steel gauntlets that seemed more like metal claws that reached to his elbow. The trainee’s outfit looked fitting of Douglas’ tall, lanky build. By the standards of a Templar and layman alike he was as close to skin and bone as one could get.

A Templar’s uniform often didn’t wear much armor, with the exception being the Captain Templar. There was one Captain for each of the twelve settlements of the Order, and in the event of an attack, it was his job to protect the secrets of the temple that the settlement surrounded. Douglas stared himself down in the mirror. He made no effort to groom his long, black hair, as it would soon be mangled by the end of the day.

“Very soon, very soon.” Douglas whispered under his breath as he exited his room in the trainee barracks. He proudly strode through the modest, white hallway as he exited the three story building. Douglas’ quarters were particularly close to the exit, and he was quite quick at getting himself dressed, so he would normally be the first out every morning.

Beside the entrance to the barracks, Captain Templar Donovan leaned against the wall, awaiting Douglas’ arrival. “Good morning, trainee.”

Douglas swiftly spun himself around to face the Captain Templar. “Good morning, Captain.” Douglas boldly stated.

“Tomorrow’s a big day for you, and many others. Are you prepared?” Donovan dramatically inquired.

“As prepared as I will ever be, sir.”

“Are you really?”

Douglas looked up and away into nothingness. He would prefer to avoid telling Captain that he broke his sword a few days before during training, and he has had to borrow swords for a while. Douglas hesitantly replied “Well, I had recently…..”

Douglas was abruptly interrupted. “I’m aware, Douglas. You didn’t think I would notice how often you’ve been borrowing swords?” Donovan strode to the side of the building, and returned with a lightly used blade and a sheath. “Here, I believe this might help you a little.” Donovan placed the long, broad blade in its hilt and handed it to Douglas.

“Thank you very much, sir!” Douglas firmly took hold of the leather grip of the large broad sword, and smiled brightly at his fatherly Captain. “You’ve been looking out for me for the longest time, Captain. I have you to thank for my successes tomorrow and every day onward.”

Donovan let out a hearty chuckle. “As well as your failures! The truth is, boy that the credit goes to you for your victories. Although support may go a long ways, but it is hollow without work being put in by the supported. Prepare yourself, lad, because you never know what may occur come tomorrow’s dawn.”

Douglas’ smile was swept from his face. His expression became stoic and firm. “I understand, Captain, and I will make sure that your support is not in vain.”

Donovan let out another hearty laugh. “Oh, please, Douglas. I’m only kidding you, I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’re a determined boy, you’re loyal to the faith and will go wherever it goes, no matter where that may be.” Donovan laid his hand on Douglas’ shoulder. “You will make a fine Templar, and tomorrow it shall be made known. I’m sure of it. However, there are some things that you should know.”

Donovan and Douglas quietly walked through the thick forest, not far from the training grounds. The trees stretched towards the sky endlessly, so it seemed. The cool, summer breeze made the trees and leaves dance. Neither of the two men said a word to each other as of yet, and finally, Donovan had begun to speak.
“Do you know what a Templar is, exactly?”

Douglas took a long, deep sigh. “Well, isn’t a Templar a warrior who connects with his inner light, and harnesses it?”

Donovan raised an eyebrow. “Although that may be the definition of a Templar, but do you know what they do?”

“Well, don’t they protect the secrets that lie within the twelve temples, and battle the darkness?”

Donovan placed a hand on Douglas’ shoulder, as the sun finally began to turn a light blue after the sunrise had ended. “Well, yes, they do. However, there is quite the lengthy legend behind all of these things. Come, sit here.” Donovan motioned his hand toward two serendipitous tree stumps. Donovan took a seat on one, while Douglas took a seat on the other, facing him directly. “You see, the temples are known as the Stitches. These temples are believed to hold the world together.”

Douglas knitted his eyebrows quizzically. “I don’t seem to understand, how could the world simply fall apart because a few structures are knocked down? As tall and great as the temples are, in comparison to the rest of the planet, the temples are miniscule!”

“Why, yes, they are miniscule. However, can you tell me, Douglas, what lies beyond this planet? What would you see if you went outside of this world?” Donovan’s face was stoic, still as a statue.

Douglas hesitated, and took a long, awkward pause before he replied. “Well, outside of this world is…… darkness.”

Donovan smiled warmly. “Why, yes, there is. The Order believes that if the temples were to be destroyed, that the darkness outside the planet would rip this world apart, leaving the ancient light within this earth to be exposed, and destroyed.”

“I still don’t quite understand, the sun and the stars would still be there as well, wouldn’t they?”

Donovan shook his head. “I’m afraid it wouldn’t be enough. Beyond this world, the darkness is greater than the light. The darkness would swallow the light without the help of these temples holding the ancient light together. That light is the source of power for all light. It is the fire that lights our souls, it is the fuel of faith, and it is the harbinger of hope. It is what we live for, Douglas.”

Douglas’ voice had become timid, and he began to stutter. All his life at this encampment, he believed that darkness would always conquer light, and that the darkness was subversive, hiding, waiting to be struck down. To be told that the world could be ripped apart by the forces of darkness made Douglas’ face grow pale. “What would happen if…….. the temple here…. w-were destroyed?”

Donovan took a long sigh, as his face become distraught, strewn with worry and fear. “I cannot tell, nor would I like to know.”

Douglas hung his head for a long time. He could not fathom the idea of his home being taken over and destroyed for unholy purposes.

Donovan stood upright, and put both hands on Douglas’ shoulders. Douglas’ head rose from deep thought and stared into Donovan’s deep, calm eyes. “The most important of the things I must tell you, is that we have an enemy. Yes, of course, the darkness, but that is abstract and formless.” Donovan opened his mouth as if to continue, but didn’t, as if he dare not to utter who he speaks of.

Douglas’ eyes widened as he saw something that he never saw in his father figure: fear. “What is it?”

“Harbingers. They access the darkest depths of their souls to forge weapons of destruction, just as we forge our weapons of retribution. Who they work for, or what sort of organization they have I do not know, nor does anyone here. They carry cursed charms of an eye. What it could symbolize, I do not know. They use the darkness like a limb; it stretches, it clenches, it infects, it spreads, the darkness is a force that does not stop unless something, or someone, makes it stop.”

Donovan stared into Douglas’ eyes for a long time, neither one exchanging any words as Douglas began to realize something; the darkness is not figurative. He had always believed that he would simply be a protector, as well as a traveler who upheld law and order (which Templers were also told they did) resisting temptation, and above all, slaying worshippers of darkness. Now he knew that just as he would soon wield light as a weapon, others wield the darkness as a weapon.

“Rise, pupil.” Donovan barked, and with that, Douglas had risen without question or hesitation.

“How exactly does the order go about dealing with this threat?”

“The Order deals with them as if they were criminals. They hear rumors of small hideouts or maybe camps from villages across the continent, and Templers are sent to destroy them. However, their numbers grow, and it is up to the Order to grow as they do, or else the followers of darkness will become more than an underground organization, and may even become prominent enough to be out in the open.”

Douglas was filled with a new resolve, a new reason to be a Templar. “These people are full of anguish, hate, and are used for nothing but destruction. The Order must defend the temple at all costs from the forces of darkness.” Douglas was now determined to face this threat, however fearful of it he may be.

Donovan’s face grew happy and merry, as he began to grin from ear to ear. “I’m sure you may still be somewhat confused as to how you will go about your duty. Here at the Ardent Forest Encampment, we focus more on the faith, and you find more information on the inner workings of the Order through experience. It will all be made clear tomorrow.” Donovan walked past Douglas, and put a firm hand on his shoulder as he walked by. Douglas could feel something as he put his hand on his shoulder. What it was, he couldn’t know. It was a warm, almost burning feeling, and felt like it sunk into him. The spot where Donovan had put his hand tingled and itched, as if a parasite had squirmed its way into his very being. Donovan left the boy by himself with a wide, sinister grin on his face, unbeknownst to Douglas.

Douglas put his hand on his shoulder, groping around his collarbone and arm, looking for something. “What was…..” he murmured under his breath as the sun shined in the clear, cloudless sky. The cool summer breeze continued to blow, and Douglas enjoyed the relaxation for a few more moments. He had spent years preparing for what was going to happen tomorrow. Douglas began to grin from ear to ear, as his entire body became tense. He vigorously ran out of the thick, tall woods towards the training grounds, as tree after tree rushed past him.

That night, deep into the woods, Captain Templar Donovan kneeled before a black, sinister altar, lined with dark red and violet colors. Demonic bat wings sprang from the back, and his prized charm rested on a black, stone pedestal. A dark aura grew around the Captain Templar, as his greed, anger, and lust for power was concentrated to the forefront of his mind. His baleful smile was sprawled across his face, as he thought about his plans coming to fruition the next morning.

“Everything is in place, and I will spend the rest of my life worshipped. I will be known as the man who single handedly released the most destructive force that has ever been created. I will be the leader of a movement to end all movements, to cover the world in darkness, and it will all be at my command. Who knows, I might bring someone along for the ride…..”

Donovan could hardly contain himself as he breathed heavily, as he worshipped the fell altar with a sinister grin and wide eyes. “I will be a god to them; I will not be a Harbinger…. I will be the Harbinger!”

Donovan carefully and gingerly took hold of his precious charm and fiddled with it, as he stared at it intently. “Very soon, very soon.”
[/spoiler]

[Twig]

Excellent prologue. This is unexpected from YCM. It's way above its standards. One thing I don't understand though...

[i]"the trinket had been swiftly concealed on [b]Donovan’s person..."[/b][/i]

What is Donovan's person?

[Infinitus]

When someone is in possession of something. If I were to say I had a gun on my person, that means I had a gun.

[Infinitus]

Well, I'll be adding the new chapter up in a few minutes. Need to keep this topic moderately relevant until it gets avid readers so it doesn't die.

[Twig]

Quite sad that the bad fanfics always gets the comments since hating is so much easier than complimenting and criticizing. Although, I may be judging too early.

Anyways, hopefully, I'll finish reading the first chapter by tomorrow with my comment and such. It's time for me to go to bed. >.<

[DARKPLANT RISING]

Felt like coming because (a) your quite cool username intrigued me and ([color="#696969"]b[color="#696969"])[/color][/color] you commented on mine.

Well, I have this limit on YCM time so today I only got to look at the prologue. Even so I can say this is quite a good read; the plot device clearly stated ("the Dark One", is it? Even though a 5-star member here also has the same username, pretty nice). Grand Master Arthur's "imma gud noble" tone and Donovan's "imma pozesed" tone seem nice. Someone dying in the first chapter/prologue to secure someone's evil can be a bit orthodox, but still very useful. I see nothing wrong with the overall structure, though I might advice miniscule changes in places such as "The quickness of a Templar was well toned, as were all physical attributes of a Templar" to "...as were all physical attributes of one". And since making someone evil abbriviate nothing makes him look better overall, maybe the last line of Donovan can be better as "I suppose it is time to".

Other than that, awesome.

[Infinitus]

Thank you very much for your advice, which I took.

I suppose since this could be a decent concept, I'll continue with this project.