Day and Night

Chapter One.......

Alone.  Darkness.  The everlasting tinge of a great night, just the way I like it.  No sounds other than my own shallow breathing.......  Suddenly a light shines directly into my eyes.  I can't see... I don't know who is here, or what is happening.  I hear a voice.

"N...”
"Ne..."
"Ner...."
"Nero....."

The voice is angelic.  Like a beautiful girl calling to me.

"NERO, WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!"

Well that ended quickly.  Looking up at the harpy that just screamed in my ears, I realize I fell asleep in class yet again.  Huh, look at the board, a math problem I still don't care about.  Oh......the horrible screeching noise you heard about two seconds ago.  That is my teacher Rebecca Delavero.  That woman can wake the dead with her horrible screech.

"I am glad you think so highly of me Mr. Nocteum."  Mrs. Delavero said quite suddenly. 

Oh yeah the old hag can read minds.

"OLD!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!??!!?!?!??!?!!?!? I AM ONLY 26!!!!!"

"Yeah and I am only 17 but you don't see me calling myself young."  I reply.

"Mr. Nocteum, I am afraid you get another detention."  She tells me.  That seems to be her favorite word now.  I hear detention hundreds of times a week from this woman.  Doesn't really matter though.  I never go.  It’s fun pissing this lady off because it’s so easy.  Here watch.

"I am so sorry Mrs. Delavero.  I apologize, you are soooooo young and that the only problem you have with the world is that you have students like me to deal with every day."

"Why thank you Nero.  Class you could learn a thing or two from him."

"Yeah too bad we never learn a thing from you."

"MR. NOCTEUM STAY AFTER CLASS WHEN THE BELL RINGS!!!"  She yells at me.  See, what did I tell you?  It is easy to piss her off.  Oh well this is the last class of the day anyways.  Guess I can hang around for a few minutes.

"Nero this is the fifth time this week you have gotten in trouble and its only Tuesday.  Please stay out of trouble for me."  A voice comes from right next to me.  This is my angel.  Rose Diem.  My girlfriend.  I love her with my heart.  Try to get in between us and you may lose your head.  Just warning you now.

"Okay Rose.  I will stay out of trouble for you.  You and only you."

The bell rings.  Time for Mrs. Delavero to do what she does best.  Yell, scream and the sorts.  Oh well.

"I will be by the car."  Rose tells me.          

"Mr. Nocteum...." She begins, "I am aware that you housing situation is a bit...limiting for a young man like yourself.

Limiting..........right.  What does she mean by that?

"Never the less...I don't see why you must act out in order for people to like you.  I know having two parents in the war can be a big burden on your mind but there is no need to act out and make a fool of yourself."

"Act a fool of myself?  First I don't act out to get attention.  This is the way I am... So if you can't deal with it I suggest you find another way to deal with me.  Unless it’s such a burden to you.  Then just step off.  Secondly, do not speak ill of my parents.  Mom and dad are helping maintain peace.  You find a better healer than my mom or a better mage than my dad and then talk to me about it.  Lastly, my housing situation is perfect for me.  My girlfriend loves me and her brothers are amazing.  They treat me the way I need to be treated.  So I suggest that you treat me the same as everybody else."

Mrs. Delavero looks taken aback.  I guess she should, that is the first time I have snapped like that at her.  No one talks that way about my parents.

My mom is Natasha Nocteum.  She is the greatest healer you will ever find.  She has on multiple occasions brought people back from death.  My dad is Zachary Nocteum.  This man can hit a fly, through the forest, over a mile away with a fireball and not damage anything but the fly.

Then there's me.  No powers, no magic, nothing.  Sad, sad me.  Seventeen and have not developed anything but a bad attitude towards school.  I look the part of a delinquent as well.  My hair is different.  Long unkempt black hair on one side. Short straight white hair on the other.  Black clothing, Belts all down the front of my pants, chains.  Even a couple of piercings.  This is the way I am.  No need to change for anyone.

I walked straight out of that classroom and straight to my car.  Oh yeah did I mention I have an amazing car?  Black Mustang Convertible.  Best. Car.  Ever. Rose's older brother Shane is a mechanic and he's super smart.  He graduated from an Ivy League school at 16... 16!!!!!!!! I mean I'm seventeen and still in high school.  What does that tell you about him?

Rose, my little angel, is waiting patiently in the car listening to her music.  She sees me approach and turns the music down.

"How was your conversation?"

"She brought up mom and dad..."

"Oh." She said a little saddened, "I see.  Well you can't really blame her she doesn’t understand.  You live with me and my brothers.  I think she doesn't fully understand what your situation is."

"Can we not talk about this now?  I think we should get home before Shane gets worried."

We have to drive at least 10 minutes to get home.  You can tell which our house is.  Brightly colored walls, windows, even cars.  There are three vehicles in the driveway, about to be four.  Shane's blue car, Michael's, another of rose's older brothers, red car, and my other baby.  My motorcycle.

I am not officially allowed to ride it until I turn eighteen: three months, two days, five hours, six minutes and twenty three seconds, from now, but who's counting? 

Shane seems to be working on his car again.  Michael is outside doing what he does best, Kickboxing.  Remind me to challenge him to a match sometime.  I myself practice Greavedge; you know fighting with your feet.  I am pretty good, not as good as Michael though.

"Why are you late today?" boomed that questioning tone of voice from Shane.  His voice could scare a man who is not afraid of anything.

"I had to talk to the teacher....again."

"Oh.  Is she still ignorant about your situation?" 

Aww he can be affectionate when he wants to be.  Isn't that cute?  Don't tell him I said that though.  I nod my head and go inside.  Yes I know what you are thinking.  Why am I living with my girlfriend and her brothers?  Wait...You weren't...Well too bad because I'm going to tell you anyways.

My parents were close to their parents all their lives.  That’s how I met Rose.  We have been best friend since we were born.  Then one thing led to another and now we are going out......Wait what was I saying?  Oh yeah.  When war was declared her parents and my parents were called and I ended up without a guardian.  Now Shane is 25 and Michael is 21 so they are allowed to take care of me and Rose.  Thank God because I will not go to one of those foster homes for war children.

But the homes are a story for a different time.  Now is time I went to my room.  My room is no different than how I dress. White walls with random colors splattered everywhere along the walls.  A black light and a regular light, both activatable by a flip of the switch.  Posters of some of my favorite bands.  The ceiling is the only thing that is different.  It has been painted with a night sky.  A night that is stormy.  Don't walk into my closet unless you are ready for surprises.  My closet is the size of a normal room.  But the funny thing is.  Half of it is black and the other half is pink.  Why?  Because I share my room with Rose.  Cool huh?  My half is full of my chains on one wall, my clothes, belts and shoes.  An interesting thing is that a section of the wall pops out to reveal all my rods and rings.  I have a lot of piercings.  Lip pierced twice, Tongue, and five in my right eyebrow, my entire right ear is pierced from the bottom to the top.  Last count there were like fourteen in my ear.  All of my piercings together equals twenty four. But I'm not going to tell you where the other two are.

The other half is all Rose's clothes.  Pink, pink and more pink.  It’s funny when you see us together.  Pink and a cheerleader.  Black and a delinquent.  Never saw that coming did you?  Yeah not many people do.  You should see us in the mall.  She walks with me into Hot Topic with her pink skirt and shirt on, and me you never saw so many girls freak out when I go into a Pac Sun with her.  It's actually quite funny.  Although we can't really go to the mall right now.  Banned for a month.  Ends tomorrow, so we might be going there after school.

Why were we banned?  Sent a guy to the hospital.  Yeah he won't be talking crap about me or Rose for a while.  I'm pretty sure he's not talking much now.  Now I am not a violent person.  Don't let the way I look fool you.  I just don't like people talking crap about me or my loved ones.

Anyways.....What was I talking about?  Yeah... Rose and my room.  Our room is here and don't worry too much about it anymore.  I need to go find Michael.  Time for a battle.

"MICHAEL!!!!! Time for a battle."

"Now?????" Michael's voice can be heard from downstairs.

"Yes now!"
 
"Fine. Sparing field, five minutes!" Michael yelled at me.

Grinning from ear to ear, I have to go get ready. I wonder if any weapons are allowed. As I head back into my room, I hear the sweetest voice ever, again.

"Are you going to fight Michael?" Rose asked me.
"Yes, Don't worry I'll be fine."

"I know just get out there and kick his ass!"

Whoa, kitty got some claws doesn't she?

"I need to prepare. Love you."

“Love you too." I watch as Rose goes back downstairs. Man she looks good in those hip huggers.  Wait…….. Battle Now, Focus.

Now, what weapons should I take? Oh, the possibilities. I know. To the projectiles and pointy objects room.

Yes I just called it the 'projectiles and pointy objects room.' Got a problem with it?

I need things to combat his speed. I know. Mouth embers, senbon, and spikes.

As for the pointy objects. I am good at most close quarters combat. Some ranged but not much. Katana, Iron Rod, and maybe a bow.  Yes I realize that an Iron Rod isn’t pointy or a projectile.  Shut up already.  Oh wait I need my greaves.

Anyways, time to go to the fight. What? Why aren't I changing? In a real fight you won't be given time to change clothes.  For that matter you aren’t allowed time to get weapons either. So I'm gonna go fight him chains and all. Hell, maybe he'll trip over them. That's a funny thought. Michael tripping.

Out on the field I stand and wait, and wait. Still waiting. God, didn't he say five minutes? STILL WAITING...... Oh wait it’s only been three minutes. Whoops guess I’m a little excited.

I can see Michael now. I spy a Bo staff and broadsword on him. Hmm..... guess weapons are allowed. Now we can start.

Shane kicks off the fights as usual.

"Fighters ready?" Shane's voice booms out. Yes it boomed out. Didn’t I mention it earlier? Shane can control sound waves and voice patterns. I didn't????? Well now you know. Since we are on the subject of Rose's brothers, Michael over there is a master of all martial arts, including weapons, and can control a virtual life force of the weapons. Meaning, Each of his weapons is a living sentient thing.

"Fighters, Begin!"

All right. Go time. Wait.......where did Michael go? Damn his speed. Oh well focus. Suddenly a strike comes from behind me. Like two giant palms in my back.

"Two palms force" Michael screams. The force of this blow actually sends me across the field but not out of the ring.

My turn... I bite in to a couple of embers, and blow. Fire surrounds him in a wide circle. My strike, Crane strikes Pluto! I dig both hands deeply into Michael’s sides.

"You rotten bastard!!" Michael cries right before he goes down.

Humph. Victory in one strike. Wait something’s not right. I reach for my katana and realize that it is not there. I notice it dancing near my about five feet away.

"I'm the bastard? You agreed no powers because I don't have any."

"Who said I agreed to anything?" Michael smirks.

I look to the sky for an answer and notice something weird. The full moon is out. There are two things that are wrong with that picture. One: The full moon is not scheduled for two more weeks. Second: It’s five in the afternoon.

I notice Shane furiously typing on his laptop. Must be trying to figure it out. Wait.... I'm glowing. Could it be because of the full moon? I hear a voice in my head.

"Call me by my name and I will appear."

I think to him/her/it 'What is your name?'

All I hear is a single word. "Night"

"NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

At the calling of Night my life changed. Whoa look at my clothes. I know I was wearing jeans with chains, boots and a tee. This garb is all mysticy. Yes I said 'Mysticy' get over it. The robe is covered in stars and moons. Weird. Wait...........Why are my chains floating? Wait I have a better question.

WHY AM I FLOATING???????? It’s kinda fun. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! Oh yeah floating not normal.

I feel a power that I have never felt before surging through my veins. Like a watery feeling. I mean I've been told I had ice water in my veins but, wow this is trippy. Somehow I know that I can take Michael now.

"Michael...... Let’s finish this."

"B...b....b...bring it." Obvious fear in his voice.

"DROWNING WATERFALL"

A waterfall suddenly burst from my hands, no wait, my pores?

Michael jumps to dodge but still gets caught up in the waterfall.

"CHAINS OF MIGHT"

Each chain now tipped with a spearhead, surge forward and bit into his skin.

"MATCH OVER" Shane screams. I don't listen though. I finally know what it is like to have power. I know what it is like to cause pain, and not pain with just a fist either. I know what its like to be on a different level of fighting.

"I SAID MATCH OVER" Shane bellows. This time though the scream causes me to fly back and everything just stops. Back in my old clothes, chains wrapped around my body, not levitating.

"We are going to call the match a tie" Shane calls, "Decision final"

I run off to my room to try to sort this all out.

'Who are you?'

"I am essentially you, only I am the hidden potential that you contain."

'So, you are my powers?'

No answer. Typical not even my own powers want to talk to me.

Hmmmm I need to figure out what I can do.

Maybe I'll try to talk to them again.

'Hello!!!!!!!!!! Powers!!!!!!!!! NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TALK TO ME DAMMIT!!!!!!!'

Great even my own powers don’t want to talk to me.  Should have known.  Now is the time to get to the bottom of this. Out to the holo-deck.

“What is going on my sweet prince?” that angelic voice I love asks.

“Nothing you need to worry about.”

“If something is wrong with you then something is wrong with me.”

“I SAID DON’T WORRY!”

As I walk away I notice her start to cry.  Damn, now I feel worse.  Didn’t mean to make her cry but I need to figure this all out for myself.  Maybe after I figure it out I’ll let her know what’s going on.

The holo-deck is my favorite place in this house, next to my bed at night.  I’m not talking about what you are probably thinking.  You can go anywhere imaginable here.  I know just the place to go to.  I have set up a program that connects me to my training area.  But now, however, I think I’ll change the time of day.  I always practice during the day. 

“Run Hologram 133-290, Shift to Full moon mode. Pass code is 1309-Rose.”

The Holo-deck recognizes the command in a heartbeat.  Now imagine anything you want the holo-deck can make it a reality.  My imagination has given me the ability to produce the ultimate training area.  A plain out in a mountainous area.  Dummies set up everywhere. 

Now why a full moon?  Were you paying attention?  Ummm…….Power is night.  Night=Full moon.  Get the picture? NO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!!?!?!?! God, do I have to draw you a map?  MY power is linked to night, which means it is linked to the full moon.  If I practice during full moon, power comes to me.  Put two and to together and you get………..Four.  So trust me, I know what I’m doing…I think.

Now since the full moon is out. Let’s try this again. 

“BY CALLING OUT YOUR NAME I ASK FOR YOUR POWER TO ASSIST ME!!  COME TO ME SILENT ABYSS!!!!! NIGHT!!!!!!!”

“Finally a proper summoning.” 

I feel ice water in my veins again.  It must have worked.  Here we go again. I’m floating again.  Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  I need to get over this feeling of levitating……..But its so much fun. And the mysticy garb of doom.  DOOOOOOOOM!!!!!

Can you tell I’m having fun yet?  Cause I am. 

“Now let’s see what you can do.”

DROWNING WATERFALL

As expected water gushes from every pore of my body.  Hmm, I feel cold. Oh well…I guess this is expected.  I wonder what else is possible for me.  Hmmmmmmmmm…….. I recall one thing I did to Michael.  I wonder if it would work now. 

CHAINS OF MIGHT

As expected the chains on my body surged toward the practice dummy.    Wait……………I don’t have any chains on my body.  Okay, this is freaky.  I came in a simple tee and jeans.  No chains and no robe.  Now look at me a black robe with stars and the full moon on it, and crimson red chains.  Something about this is definitely not normal and I think I like it.

I wonder what else I can do.  Think deep into my own mind.  Focus……… 

“The eternal night is calling me as I stare into the unknown.”

Wow…..where did that come from?  I wonder what that means.

“DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Nero I did it! I’m just like you.”

What was that?  I just got some image that seemed like my angel doing the exact same thing as I did.  Does that mean she has powers too?  I mean she is in the same boat as me.  Powerful parents, even powerful brothers, but no power herself.  If that vision is true, however, does that mean that I could see into the future?  ‘Maybe that whole stare into the unknown thing’ was what that meant.  Wow……I can see the future.  Or at least hear it. 

Maybe this is a good thing.  I mean I am getting a chance to be just like my parents.  To have parents.  Maybe I’ll get to see them.  I am close to the age of being able to join the war.  Its only three months, two days, one hour, thirty-five minutes, and sixteen seconds from now, but hey, I could easily pass for eighteen now. 

It may not be entirely wise right now to do it, but I could.  I might just get to know my powers first then maybe I will figure out what I’m going to do. 

“Nero, are you down here?”  That voice breaks me out of whatever trance I am in. I mean who else’s voice would break me out of it? Well maybe Mrs. Delavero’s, but if she was in my house I would freak.  I mean just thinking of her now makes me freak. 

         “Yeah, I’m down here.” I breathed with little to no breath left in me.  I must continue to make her believe nothing is wrong, even though she knows different.

         “What’s wrong?”

         “Nothing.”

         “I know differently………………What is wrong?”

         “When I find out I will let you know.  Has any weird voices been talking to you?”

         “Nero, you are acting strange.  Are you sure you’re okay?”

         “I’m fine Rose, now answer my question.  Have any weird-“
         
         “I heard you the first time, and no. I haven’t heard any weird voices talk to me besides my boyfriend’s serious voice.”

Very funny.  I mean seriously I’m laughing on the inside right now.  Oh well I guess I deserve it.  Lighten up and go upstairs.

         “Come on,” she said after awhile, “Dinner’s ready.”