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Shadows Returning

Preface

By: Taiku Altergrund

Welcome to the story of the decent into, ascension from, and conquering of the shadows in the hearts of people, and just what people tend to feel in their subconscious. Deep within we all have shadows of desires that we refuse to let see that light of day, and for many they are stronger. They manifest in the dreams we have, our Freudian slips, and our darkest moments. Pride, Lust, Sloth, Gluttony, Wrath, Greed, and Envy are present in all beings, but do they rule you or do you rule them? Do Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility take prevalence in your life or are they back burner thoughts?

The discord of one's mind can cloud the truth and cause one to commit terrible acts, but even in the darkest moments, a song still plays in the deepest parts of our mind. It is this harmony that guides people to or away from virtue. The world is full of suffering, and that makes people doubt and fear, but there are those who see through the pain and oppression of the masses. These grand folks find balance in the world. Men and women alike fight constantly to find this balance between these two states of mind, and as such find 'The Harmony in Discord' and the din in perfection.

For Taiku Altergrund, this imbalance of emotion as real and powerful as he was. Many years ago, Taiku had survived the genocide of the Alchemists in the 'Siege of Marketh' and as such was given memories of the atrocities of that day. Throughout his youth he was plagued by rage and pain, which preserved themselves in form of a powerful demon which came to be named "Nivek". Nivek would gain control of the body in times of extreme stress or weakness. And with each possession he grew stronger to the point that, Taiku made a bargain that by the time he became 22 every person involved in the genocide of the alchemists would be dead. In exchange for this, Nivek was to never show himself again, and was sealed away deep within the recesses of Taiku's mind and body.

Over the years Taiku had built up a good number of friends and a substantial number of the people involved in the 'Siege of Marketh' perished of age or persecution. As such Nivek, was pleased for most of the time. As Taiku graduated from High School, Nivek grew anxious. Skip ahead to present day, we find Taiku, running his own home business and making a rather lucrative living on it. For he is unaware f the perils about to unfold, and the horrors Nivek with reap upon the world.

Taiku has often times forgotten about Nivek, instead preferring to craft potions and teach alchemy to the underground societies. His friends, Victoria, Benjamin, Author, Ludwig, Sue, Tracy, and Lefty all unaware of the pains about to befall them, and the journey they will soon have to take, pace their lives together so they may hand out often. Going to the part to play tennis, bowling at the alley, or even seeing movies and eating out.

And So out Story will begin on a day much like any other, weeks before Taiku's 22nd birthday....