Chapter One: The Runaway Aries
Night fell upon the land as the sun set below the horizon.. A sense of anticipation filled the air.. I could hear the sounds of restless animals stirring in the distance. As the graceful dance of fireflies lit up the darkness. It was as if nature itself was bracing for the oncoming storm. And then, with a deafening crack of thunder, lightning illuminated the skies above.
Pentagram Valley looked hellish in the heavy rain, nestled on the outskirts of the valley at the very end was a sprawling and grand country manor. It held an air of elegance and sophistication, however it seemed to lack the warmth and vitality of a human pressence. Its cool marbled floors and high arching cellings gave way to crystalized chandiliers which only amplified the coldness of its grandeur. Despite its magnicant appearance.
This particular, manor seemed isolated and remote. The silence crept on as the midnight hour grew. The sallow glow of the cresent moon filters in through arching windows bathing the darkened corriors in a bone-white raidance. Illuminating the desolate halls.
As a young girl crouches on the spiraling staircase, the pale light shining upon her golden hair and glistening off her onyx horns that jutted out of her head as she stares through the iron-wrought bars, her eyes clouded with thought. This luxurious mansion was a prison to her. Cold and depraved, it had once been a place of beauty and grandeur, but now was a façade of forgotten memories and neglected upkeep. The once ornate furnishings and marble floors were now covered in a thick layer of dust and spiderwebs, a testament to the solitude and abandonment that had claimed this once great home.
A family portrait hangs in the anteroom the grim grainy glow of giant crystallized chandeliers gave a false warmth to the the gloomy estate. Belonging to a crude, cut-throat nobleman and and his estranged daughter.
But this was much more than a simple portrait; it was a reflection of their fractured relationship. The nobleman stood tall, his dark, his piercing gaze revealing the power he held over his aging estate. Beside him stood his estranged daughter, her eyes downcast and her posture tense as if eager to escape the confines of her father's shadow.
The painting captured the contrast in their personalities as well as their shared addiction to the power and wealth that their family held- and the longing to escape it. Ruby was completely bewildered as to why her mother had left her. Why she never returned her phone calls or letters written in desperation. The rift between her parents never healed and she was left to contemplate if she was the reason why they were no longer together.
Had she done something in incur her father's wrath?. Was she not a dutiful daughter?. Nights were the worst, it was in those damning hours of the night, that haunted her the most. Echoes of childish innocence, taunted her. While her father remained cold and distant. For Fourteen long and blissful years the demonic Lord, had sheltered his daughter away- from the prying eyes of the outside world. He did his best, to keep his daughter happy, or at least that's what he wanted everyone to believe on the surface. The Aries Lord was a cold and calloused man. The Auburn haired nobleman had every intention on marrying off his daughter to any Illegible suitor as it was custom to. Besides, Dante could feel his father's influence. Not only would Ruby's life be secure but he would be strengthening his dying bloodline
Which meant bad news, for the young eccentric Aries Princess, who was the heiress to her father's estate. She was still having trouble controlling her powers. Every time she tried to use them, they would manifest in another form. A fireball here, a shard of ice there. it was if her powers were being manipulated by someone else. she felt helpless and alone. Time was running out, she was fourteen now. And, she was beginning to open her eyes to the fact that her father was manipulating her. She started testing him, here and there. And her father was not happy about it. He got very angry would punish her. It was when he started to get violent with her that she began to suspect he was up to something. She began to investigate her own father. But it never really amounted to very much.
Her presence was a nuisance to him, grating on the nobleman's nerves. She was a constant reminder of Lisa. Which he had to swallow a lump that was forming in his throat at the reminder of the cold- betrayal of his wife.
Ruby had often gone to bed hungry, finding that he bedroom door had been locked. If somehow she got on his bad side, he'd backhand her. She learned to keep her mouth shut. Then one day, Ruby found herself questioning her mother's love. If she was ever coming back for her. Her father was a harsh man, but he was a good father. he was there when she wasn't. And, her heart sank as she realized that her mother had abandoned her. Leaving her daughter in a precautious position with her father.
If Dante was feeling a particular mood, he would storm into his daughter's room: and backhand her hard. He'd do it just to make her cry. He'd do it to punish her. but she could see the anger and anguish in his eyes and knew, he was reliving the past, when Lisa left him. She had begged and pleaded, blood dripping down a busted lip. But the next day, he acted as if nothing had ever happened. Which scared her even more.
By now, she was used to the the relentless beatings, But still she wondered why her mother had left her behind. She was talked down, and hamulated on live national TV, by none other then Kattie-Killjoy: a spindly spider like anchorwoman with a wicked sense of humor unafraid to delve deep and ask the really harsh questions. It was apparent to the young Aries, that the anchorwoman was flirting with her father. As Dante continued using back-handed comments. He glowered at Kattie at the mention of his wife.
No one saw him for who he truly was and if they did, they turned a blind eye. Tonight, she was left alone with her thoughts. She let out a shuddering breath before curling up in bed, brining her black satin sheets as well as her Nightmare Before Christmas duvet around her. Flicking on a small: pencil thin flashlight she peers down into her mother's face. A young vibrant woman stared back at her: it was her mother when she was fourteen. And Ruby, was taken aback at just how beautiful she was. She missed her, oh Lucifer, how she missed her. Even though at times she found herself cursing her mother's name. She misses the sound of her voice, the warmth of her touch. yet, she was never good enough. she was the reason why Lisa left, why, Dante was so miserable. it was her fault that she was in this mess to begin with. Ruby could feel, hope peeling away, she had lost track of time and spent most of the night crying in her room. While below her, Dante sat on his throne, made of ivory satin and rich mahogany wood. Swirling his manicured nail into a canter of crimson wine. Golden eyes flicker as he stewed in thought his eyes locked onto the family portrait his lips curling into a sneer. The unfaithful harlot was gone. Yet his mind raced, back to the night of her betrayal. The night everything came crashing down. Lisa Devil was a superficial woman: caught up in the limelight and the glamor of stardom. She was willing to put her past behind her. Risking everything for her claim to fame. She had managed to get a foot in with the greedy Mammon, and start up a new life within the glitzy lights of entertainment. In the process she lost sight of what really matters abandoning her daughter and leaving her in the care of her manipulative husband.
But Mammon had left her with no choice, she didn't want t her image being smeared upon. She to stay away, it was for Ruby's sake, she did so. But even apart, she had her ways of keeping an eye on her daughter: through a scrying mirror. Not even the Aries Lord could keep her away. Even though she was gone and forbidden to return. She knew one day, she'd get to see her daughter once again.
Dante was facing down the hard truth, his daughter was coming of age. Her Aries powers were flaring and unpredictable. She was reckless and far too obtuse to handle. The Nobleman needed to cultivate her abilities and put her mind to other matters: like strengthening their bloodline and marrying a nice noble that would treat her as justly as he does. But who? was the question. he had to choose carefully. Slvithin Von Eldritch was prestigious enough but, personally Dante couldn't stand the Baron and the Baroness.. for any longer then he had to. Prince Stolas of the Ares Goeita: a flighty noble at best, who was already betrothed to a devil woman of his own. not to mention he had already fathered a child of his own. Princess Charlie... he thought to himself, while drumming his fingers. "Lucifer no, that was a bad idea. The Aries Lord had no death-wish, nor did he wish to incur the King's wrath. But there had to be a superior if not equal bloodline he could tether his daughter to?.
Meanwhile back upstairs as Ruby wiped the tears from her eyes, a chilling resolve to reclaim her life settles over her in cold resolution. She could no longer sit back and let her father continue.
She wasn't her mother. She had done nothing to her father to incur his wrath. But she knew she had to do this, she has no choice but to leave. She began packing her army- green backpack. She swallows a growing lump in throat and continues shoving articles of clothing into a knapsack. There was no time for doubt, her father was distracted for now. but for how long she was unsure. She had act fast she told herself, shoving another item in. This was her chance at freedom. "No!, for once in you life Ruby get a hold of yourself, this might be your only chance to escape!, and your not out of the woods yet." she said to herself, staring out at the thicket of woods in her backyard. A perfect hiding place, she knew of an abandoned cabin not far from here where she could stay until she collected her thoughts. But she had to make it past Edgar, her father's familiar who was always lurking nearby. She finished packing, everything she needed fitted nicely in her large backpack. A knapsack slung over her middle. Reaching over she pockets the last of it before she makes her way to the door.
A pair of glowing golden-yellow eyes watch her every movement from the the feather-drawn bed. A long slinky and slender form moves between her legs. Ruby shrieks quickly muffling her startled cries. her eyes widened "Kali!" she exclaims breathing out a sigh of relief. knowing her faithful companion wouldn't let her go without her.
The Shape-shifting familiar growls, insisting that the young heiress rethink this through. The large feline was fiercely protective over the princess, and vowed to let no harm come of her. But failed, numerous times, when it came to protecting her against Dante. The Aries Lord was too strong for the shadow-like feline. Kali detested Dante's familiar, Edgar: a hybrid: a cross between a raven and a Crow. she loathed him always looking for a way to get her maw around the bird's head so she could silence him once and for all. "You win" Ruby concedes, petting her head and rubbing her ears. "Let's go" say the Aries princess in a hushed voice. while slipping her way out of her room and making her way down the spiral-staircase her heart hammering with each step, pounding in her chest: with the fear of getting caught. A sheen of sweat: like ice coated her skin as she continues with every step she takes, fear bubbles in her chest the hairs on the back of her neck stand on edge.
It wasn't until they neared the threshold of the massive door, that Edgar spotted them. He was perched upon an old grandfather clock. His sharp marbled eyes watching the Heiress turn the brass doorknob. Kali hisses slowly slinking her way up to him catching Edgar's face in her mouth and sinking her sharp fang into on of his eyes. The fowl, let out an inhuman screech. before digging his beak into Kali's fur, the panther: let out a feral hiss. as Kalli snapped her jaws around his feathery neck. Ruby turned her head, a shocked horrified expression on her face but as the large calico cat spat out the crow Ruby fled into the inky night. Kali darting out after her... They fled deep into the wooded thicket. A figure looms in the doorway, a displeased look on his face as he frowns at his familiar. "will get her back my liege" spoke the frantic bird.