The Howling Dark, Part 2

The Other Aaron smirked., "Oh Aaron... I pity you for living this small unremarkable life. You concern yourself with the lives of mere cattle when you carry the noble blood of Hunters and Kings. I have lived for thousands of years and I am still young but I have not been idle. I have learned many things. The help and knowledge I could offer you is inestimable my younger self."

"I don't understand.," Aaron mumbled uncertainly.

"Of course you don't... At least not yet but you will... In time."

Aaron still wasn't sure if The Being sitting in front of him was really his Future Self or not but if he could help him accomplish his goals that much sooner it didn't really matter to him if he was The Devil himself... A Soul was after all a small price to pay for what he stood to gain in return.

"I realize that this may be a bit overwhelming but I assure you that I only want to help. I can help you do in days what will take you years without my help. I will reveal every secret and shine a light on every unseen threat that is out there waiting for you."

Aaron was feeling stronger and he was close to accepting this mysterious being's offer., "Threats? What kind of Threats?"

"This World is rich with hidden wonders and treasures you can't even imagine yet but even for those of Power like ourselves there are still dangers especially for you Aaron. Right now you are young and still ****. With my guidance you will take the reigns of this World and all will bow before you in grateful submission."

"And what makes you think I care about any of that?," Aaron responded without pause.

"Come now Aaron. I know you better than you know yourself... I know very well The Darkness that dwells behind those eyes of ours. I know you crave vengeance on those that have made your life difficult. You wish to make them kneel before you and then crush them without mercy. Admit it!"

"Even if what you say is true... Vengeance is only a very small part of my plans and it is insignificant compared to My Family's Well-Being.," Aaron replied, straightening his back.

"Well-Being?!," The Other Aaron growled, a halo of bright orange flame taking shape a few inches above his head and his eyes were themselves on fire as he leaned forward in his chair., "You Dare Talk To ME About OUR Family's Well-Being When I Let HER DIE!!!"

Aaron could fell the heat from his Other Self's quite literally burning gaze as he spoke., "Let Who Die? Who Was It That Died?!," Asked Aaron frantically.

The Other Aaron slumped sadly back in his chair and stared at the floor as silvery yellow tears formed in his eyes., "She was so young and full of life. I promised...," The Other Aaron looked up with a bitter expression on his mature face., "... WE Promised to protect her and WE FAILED!"

Aaron tried to coax more information from his despondent counterpart but he just continued on as if he couldn't hear Aaron at all., "I can still hear her final screams... "Help Me Big Brother... HELP ME!" And then just like a candle being snuffed out she was gone and The World as I knew it ended that day."

Aaron wasn't sure what to make of the ramblings of his supposed Future Self but one thing was sure he felt like someone had just swung a sledgehammer with all their might at his chest and then dumped his dying body in a vat of ice water. Aaron felt like he was drowning as he gasped for air but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get enough air. Aaron struggled against his bonds as he screamed., "NO IT ISN'T TRUE! IT ISN'T...," Aaron sobbed., "... SHE'S ALIVE! MY SISTER IS STILL ALIVE!"

The Other Aaron waved a hand and Aaron instantly calmed down, falling back in his chair., "Enough of that Boy. My Sister is dead but yours is still alive. You can save her... with my help."

Aaron's face hardened., "How?!"

"I am the record of your struggles, the evidence of your resistance, and the reward for all your suffering. All you have to do is accept me and all your dreams and hopes for the future are assured."

Aaron's expression stiffened., "Those are not your words."

The Other Aaron's eye twitched., "I didn't say that."

"I've heard those words before but it wasn't you who spoke them nor these ears they were meant for."

The Other Aaron's face twisted horribly in rage., "I. Didn't. SAY THAT!"

The back of Aaron's neck tingled as he watched his Other Self grow increasing more and more angry. Aaron could feel his insides twist and churn at the frightening display of anger from his Other Self but just when he thought he might actually lose control of his own bodily functions a serene sense of calm settled on him like a comforting light from above.

The Other Aaron's form distorted as did the space around him, behaving like a wavy mist while the air crackled with electricity and the booming of thunder could be heard like the heart beat of some Wrathful God drawing closer.

Aaron could feel the non-existent ground beneath him shake but the more ominous his surroundings became the more calm he appeared to become. Strangely enough Aaron felt bored, like this was something he had seen a thousand times and maybe he had. Given recent events he had reason to doubt his otherwise impeccable memory.

Finally reaching the breaking point of his Rage The Other Aaron lounged forward and flew out of his chair, the still frozen Dr. Elkhurst dispersing like a wisp of smoke as The Other Aaron sunk his clawed fingers into Aaron's shoulders eliciting a wince of pain as his blood began to flow.

"YOU DARE!... I Won't Lose Her Again!," The Other Aaron screeched in a booming whisper., "YOU WILL ACCEPT MY HELP AARON YOU HAVE ****!!"

"I think not Brother.," A soft yet stern voice spoke as several forms took shape and stepped out of the churning shadows behind Aaron.

There were four people, three Men and a Woman. One of the Men was dressed like a Priest but he eyes glowed in the same yellowish golden hue as Aaron's while his dark hair made the darkness around him seem to shine and his skin while even paler than Aaron's seemed to give off an almost golden glow in the dimly lit room. The other Man was a rather Flamboyantly Dressed Pirate Captain whose spotless uniform consisted of a heavy-looking double-breasted Blue coat trimmed in Gold with oversized Gold inlaid Silver Buttons, white trousers and knee high black boots. He also wore a Black Hat with Red and White Feathers protruding from the back. He also bore the same pale skin and faintly glowing eyes as Aaron and The Priest except his hair was long and white while his face was sunken around his lips as if he had been partially mummified or drained of life. Standing off to the side was perhaps the second strangest of the group as well as the youngest of the four people gathering behind Aaron. He was shorter than Aaron but not by much and from the way he was dressed he looked like he had just stepped out of a Harry Potter Novel. The Young Man was handsome though he gave off a foreboding air. His eyes to glowed softly in a golden hue and his skin was frightfully pale except for the long dark scar on the left side of his face and his lips which were a blackish blue. Another thing about the young Man that made him stand out was his slicked back hair which was white and glinted like Silver with hints of blue where the dim light touched it.

The final member of this peculiar quartet was the only Woman among the four and she was by far the most unusual of the bunch. That is not to say that she was ugly or anything. In fact, She was beautiful... More than that she was mesmerizing. She wore an elegant form-fitting white dress which barely contained her bountiful bust. She carried herself in a proud, aristocratic manner as she approached Aaron from behind, her thick, wavy calf-length white hair swooshing from side to side as she walked. Her smooth velvety skin conjured images of some Godly Beauty bathing in pure milk chocolate. Anyone laying eyes on her could feel a heavenly sweetness tease their tongue while the soothing fragrance of roses made it difficult to remain awake.

Despite the heaven-defying beauty of this Earthen Goddess, She was by far the most frightening of the four. Her face gave the impression of having been shaped by the hands of a master sculptor, The very Personification of Perfection itself but it was her eyes that sent a chill down the spine of The World. They were large, conveying knowledge and wisdom beyond the age of The World. The whites were solid black except for the occasional star bathing in the infinite black and her irises were a deep, angry red. They carried the passion and the pride of countless generations, and they made all who gazed upon them desire and despair.

Aaron's insides felt like they were on fire as The Other Aaron's clawed fingers dug deeper into his flesh, tearing muscle and splintering bone.

"HaHaHa!," The Other Aaron cackled., "You Will Give Me What I Want Either Now or Later But You Will Give It To Me... It Is INEVITABLE!!"

"Not So Fast!," The youngest of the four standing behind Aaron shouted.

The Other Aaron's jaws dislocated like a snake preparing to swallow its prey whole... a disturbing sight indeed.. but before he could move even an inch closer to Aaron two of the Men standing behind him, The one dressed as a Priest and a Captain stepped forward and threw out their hands, causing Aaron's Doppelganger to be sent flying, smashing through his own chair and bouncing off the floor several times before landing rather unceremoniously in an undignified heap.

Not a second later, The Other Aaron stood up and straightened his blood red tie and smoothed out his jacket, all the while smiling.

Aaron was even more confused than before and while he couldn't see the four individuals standing behind him he was aware of their presence and that they were apparently on his side... He hoped.

"What Right Have You To INTERFERE!?!," The Other Aaron demanded, His face twisting horribly., “This Does Not Concern You, Trespassers! Just Who Do You Think YOU ARE?”

"You know very well Who We Are!," The Priest stated in a biting tone.

The Ebony Goddess added in a Siren's melodious voice as she stepped forward and placed a hand on the back of Aaron's chair., "Don't forget Brother this is The Howling Dark... We are all equal here."

The Other Aaron's smile widened then without warning he began to laugh like a Mad Man., "Are We? It Seems you've forgotten What I Am!"

"You've been corrupted by The Wanderer! You Have No Say Here!," The handsome but stern looking Pirate Captain said as he stepped forward and placed his hand on the other side of Aaron's chair.

The Other Aaron abruptly stopped laughing, his eyes flashing with cold fury as he spoke., "No Say! I HAVE NO SAY?!!"

The entire space trembled and the four behind Aaron gritted their teeth.

"He Is Me and I Am Him! I Have EVERY RIGHT!!," The space seemed ready to burst as wave upon wave of flame rippled through the air, sparks flying, and electricity crackling.

The Younger Man in school robes with the slicked back white hair stepped forward and thrust his hands into the air and an instant later Aaron, himself and the other three with him were enveloped in a nearly transparent dome of light which seemed to protect all those inside from the howling maelstrom that was forming outside.

The Dark-skinned Goddess wore a determined look as she stared down The Other Aaron., "He May Become You Some Day... If That Is His Fate then so be it But... He IS NOT YOU NOW!"

"You Know Our Laws...," Added The Young Man who was under visible strain trying to maintain the protective shield around him and his group.

**** to return his focus to maintaining the shield, The Captain finished for his strained comrade., "... To Harm One of Us... Is To Harm US ALL!"

"So You Really Intend To Stand Against Me?!," Aaron's Doppelganger roared., "AGAINST MEEEEEEEEE!!"

The Other Aaron was standing in the eye of a fiery whirlwind and smiling like The Devil himself as the fierce winds swirling around him lashed out like the fists of some gargantuan beast, causing the shield protecting Aaron and his protectors to ripple and deform.

When it looked like the white haired youth would collapse under the strain of maintaining the shield, The Priest stepped out from behind Aaron and stood in front of him.

"R̴̯̩͓̖͌ò̵̦̯̹̖͂̕k̵̳̘̝͎̄̃̂͆ḛ̸̡͉̋͘͜g̶̩̜͔͍͑ Don't!... He's Too Powerful!," The Chocolate-skinned Beauty yelled in a worried but still Angelic tone.

The Priest turned slightly and gave her a charming smile and a wink before turning back to face Aaron's Doppelganger.

"As a Man of Peace I prefer to settle these kinds of affairs without bloodshed but somehow I don't think you're going to allow that... Are You, Brother?," The Priest asked in a soft but clear voice.

"You understand exactly, Priest!," The Other Aaron growled, practically spitting the final word.

"Very well if that is how you feel then I will do what I must.," The Priest stated in a solemn tone as he closed his eyes and lowered his head before making the sign of the cross.

"And So Will I Priest... So. Will. I.," The Other Aaron stated with a sinister grin, his eyes twirling in their sockets like a couple of spinning tops as the shadows all around him began to writhe and squirm.