The stone bench was a bit cold to the touch , reminding her of a lifeless corpse , cold ,discolored and devoid of life.Just like the night she murdered her parents.Leaning her back against the wall , she closed her eyes , remembering that exact moment and turning point in her life.
It was winter , a month in ,to be exact.Aeon's parents had been gone for a tenday.Where? She could care less.Taking care of herself now, was a skill she learned fast from being left alone so many times in her youth.Now a teenager , she fended for herself,taking what she wanted , thieving and robbing helpless others in the cold night.Killing was one task she never had to deal with , her eyes gave away to any ,not to cross her.Willingly those that were robbed in the streets or dark alleyways of Zhentil Keep , would quickly give her what she demanded.
After another night of successful looting , Aeon returned home to find a dim light glowing within her home.She thought to herself that her parents must be home finally.
Creeping silently up to the window , she eased her head up slowly to gaze inside , just to be sure it was her parents and not a rival thief of some sort.Her first assumption was correct , parents.She let out sigh and continued to the front door.Upon reaching the oaken wood door , the tell tale sound of arguing reached her ears,though muffled by the sturdy , thick wood of the door , she knew something was going on."What in hells could they possibly be arguing about?"She whispered to herself.Her parents were rarely sociable with one another unless it was business related.She also heard a third voice , one that was ominous of tone and unrecognizable. Harboring no love whatsoever for her parents , so worrying for them was not the feeling she was experiencing.It was more like, intrigue.Who was this man?Why is he here and what in hells does he want?
Standing outside the door was not getting her questions answered.Moving to the backside of the house,she climbed the deteriorating stone work of the back wall of their dwelling.More than once she almost fell and lost her grip on the unstable wall.With much effort the window to her room was finally reached.Slipping in as quietly as possible , she moved through her room and out into the lofted hallway overlooking the main room where her parents and the man with the ominous voice were having their heated discussion.Easing her way to the banister ,low crawling on her stomach,she peered through the bars down into the main room.The man with the voice wore a black robe trimmed in gold and a hood which was also black , leaving his face hidden to Aeon's view.Her parents stood about 10 paces away from the man , a look of discomfort and fear was easily apparent in their eyes."Now that's a look I've never seen them portray."She thought to herself.
The black robed man spoke."This is the last time your failures will go unpunished.I have been following both of you for the last 3 tenday and have seen your failures firsthand!!Stealing our proceeds , those which were to be fully intact and all of it brought before your superiors as which was ordered!!You both will be brought before Lord Manshoon himself for punishment and pray he shows mercy by letting you live,which this time , is highly doubtful."The look of pure dread and fear splayed across Aeon's parent's face.They would draw their blades against the robed man , she knew it. He also knew they would be foolish enough to do so.In a blink of an eye , their weapons were in hand , but a blink was not fast enough.The robed man quickly chanted a spell with ease and both parents froze in mid swing."Hahaha , you both are as foolish as I thought!! You thought to strike me down so easily!!??"He paced around them slowly while speaking to them.They both could hear every word in their helpless state and knew they were doomed."Did you think the Chosen would send a mere whelp to detain you?I could implode your organs in a single word you fools!!"
Aeon watched on from her spot above them as the robed man paced around them boasting of his superior power.She hated her parents and almost enjoyed watching them in their doomed state of paralysis.At that moment it occurred to her that opportunity was knocking.She stood up and cleared her throat..."Ahem , may I have a word with you before you take my parents away to whatever fate awaits them?"The robed figure turned to her as if he knew she was there all along."Little Aeon Darkane , it pleases me to know that you have been here watching."A look of confusion is easily read upon her smooth features.The robe figure smiles behind his hooded mask."Don't look so confused , I've been watching you also girl.We have seen more promise in you, turning his gaze to her parents , than these two failures and mockery of our dark lord."
Suddenly,the robed man pauses before speaking again ,as if in some sort of concentration."Of course my lord , it shall be done."The sending spell coming to an end , he focuses once again on Aeon."Tell me ,young and most promising girl , do you have what it takes to serve our lord and reap the rewards of such unmoving will of faith?"She nods her head responding to the question with a plainly spoken ,"Of course."Pacing once more around her parents , he brandishes an ornamental looking dagger.The blade razor sharp and the pommel encrusted with emeralds."The lord calls for blood this night." Pointing with the dagger at her parents."Their blood.It is now your time Aeon,to take their place and for you to cleanse your name of their failures.Do you understand?
At that moment she thought of all the lonely nights as a child,the beatings,and her hatred for them.It was now her time to shine ,to take of the reigns and become a success where her parents became failure.Hatred and frustration welled up inside her like a boiling cauldron on the verge of overflowing."Now its my turn to be the punisher."She whispered to herself."Give me the blade and it shall be done..In the name of Bane."The robed man moved to her side,handing her the dagger."Excellent , you shall be rewarded for your deeds this night,child.Give them to Bane , be rid of them forever and cleanse your name of their filth!!"
Dagger in hand , her mind was made up.She looked both of her parents in the eyes.They feared her now , they feared the wrath of the Dark Lord.She could see the pleas within their eyes also,silently begging for mercy.But the memories of being alone , of their neglect and thorough punishments for simple wrongs were her strength.Bane gave her strength now and extended his black appendages around her heart making it impenetrable to any emotions.Raising the blade high above her,she plunged it into the heart of her father.Biting deep it penetrated the flesh with ease tasting his black soul.He fell to the floor with a thud , leaking his life into a dark puddle at her feet.Retrieving the blade from his chest cavity , she stood in front of her mother ,emotionless,waiting to sate her black heart with her mother's blood.Just standing there in front of her with the blade in hand , she knew it was like torture."Goodbye mother."The last words she would say to her parent before she watched the light extinguish from her lifeless corpse.The blade came down and it was over.
The robed man spoke one last time before leaving . "You have done well child,dispose of the bodies and your deeds shall be rewarded as promised."He left her there and she never saw the man again.She remained at home for the next two days before disposing of her parents corpses.She went over in her mind all that transpired , how quickly it all had happened.Within the next week , she received her reward and also induction into the ranks of the Zhentarim.A servant now...A soldier of Bane..With the blackest of hearts!!
