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Chapter 1: Summation of Sin

Bastion was curled up in the arms of his favorite recliner, nuzzling against the soft velvet as his dreams carried him out of this dispicable forest. Images of the ocean, gleaned through the few books the town had left passed through his mind, near huge cities that bustled with an almost hysterical urgency. That was what he wanted. A life away from this endless forest, away from the nightly fear of being carried off in the night and devoured by the ravening creatures lurking outside the gates.
He was awakened as the door was swung open forcefully enough to punch a small indention in the oak wall. Heavy footsteps filled his ears as he sat upright, his knee length hair like a veil in front of his violet eyes. He pushed it back with one hand as he tried to stand.
"Lord Halcyon," a deep voice resonated through his head, fully awakening him. As his vision became clearer he saw Ignus kneeling before him. He was the perfect image of a resplendant knight. Highly burnished armor, square jaw, short spiked hair, and a large broadsword merely emphasized the aura surrounding him. Even when He wasn't wearing his gear it would be impossible to think he was anything other that a knight. Standing before him, Bastion felt inadequately dressid, in only a nightshirt and pants. Clearing his throat, he urged Ignus on with a "Yes?" and braced himself for bad news.
Ignus looked furious, so it had to be horrible. "My lord, we were infiltrated last night by the enemy. They managed to infect two young men before we killed them. They were given the antidote, but we think it was too late. We're keeping men posted double in all outposts, and a patrol on duty at all times."
The shock swept over Bastion like a wave. "What do you mean infiltrated? They shouldn't be able to get past the walls."
Ignus's face grew even darker. "Our wizards say the enchantments are wearing down. They have been in place for a thousand years, so it's only natural they would begin to erode."
"Well get the wizards to renew them," Bastion shouted, his anger getting the better of him. "We can't allow any more of those things to get in!"
"Unfortunately, they have no idea how this wall was created, so they don't know where to begin in the reconstruction. We have no way to strengthen them. They suggest.." He was interupted by a soldier running into the room. "Sir," he said with a salute, the panic clear in his voice. "There's another intruder in the town square."
Ignus looked at him sharply.. "Then kill it like all the others. Why are you interupting me to tell me this?"
The soldier shook visibly. "Sir, th-this one isn't one of the monsters."
"What!" Bastion gasped. "What do you mean?"
The soldier dropped to his knees, shaken to the core. "It just flew over the wall. I-It's an angel. A damn angel." The soldier collapsed, the shock rendering him unconscious. Ignus and Bastion looked at each other for a moment, then sprinted to the square.
They had to push through a crowd that had gathered, pointing and whispering in awed voices. They reached the front and stood just as much in shock as the rest of them, if for a different reason. The creature was beautiful, emitting a strange glow that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. He had wings black as a raven's, stretching from his back over his shoulders, His armor was such a bright silver it reflected clearer than a mirror But what shocked many of the lookers more than the fact that an angel was standing before them was the fact that it looked just like Bastion. It had the same black hair that fell to the knees, the same violet eyes, te same facial features. It was like Bastion was looking into an enchanted mirror that made him a creature of the heavens. He spoke in a voice that was clear as the morning sky and precise as the head of a needle. "Hello, my brother. Good to see you again."