Runners of the Underground

Twenty-Two years ago she was born.

Twenty-Two days ago, she found out who she was.

And why she was born.

Antoinette was born into a family of angels. Her mother kept her hidden in a cottage outside of the city until she turned twenty-two years old. She was raised knowing of the London streets, and what lurked under them. She was raised to be terrified of the rampant beasts that loomed under the broken man-holes of the city. The stories her mother told her haunted her. During the day, in her nightmares. She was always looking over her shoulder.

Her fears became much more potent on her birthday. When her mother decided to sit her down and tell her who she truly is. The angel that will finally return freewill to the city. She was the chosen one, the angel the prophecy depicted.

After the story of who she was got dropped into her lap. As well, as after the shock of her upcoming future had left her. Her life was thrown into full steam.

She was thrown into a city she was taught to be petrified of. She was left with nothing but a map of the city, a small bag of clothes, and a necklace with a compass that had a tiny rune engraved on the inside lid.

In such a small amount of time, with little breath to spare. She had one goal now. Infiltrate the underground, discover the leader, tear him down. No matter the cost, no matter what it took. She was to win.

-

Oil boys were lighting the street lamps as the sun slowly began to set. There was still a hustle and bustle as the city was still alive. No matter the time of day, the streets were always packed in this city. Antionette kept her head down as her feet scuffled across the bricked pavement. Of course she was fearful of everything going on around her. She was able to hear the snarling, salivating, and stomping of the demons below her feet. Even a few demons happened to swiftly walk past her.

If it wasn't for the rune etched into the compass around her neck, she would already be dead. She took her precautions, protection spells, runes, scent coverings. Anything she was able to muster together, she did.

Once the sun had set, and the darkness of the night flooded the streets. The light of a tavern drew her in. A hearty scent of mulled wine mixed with ale and brandy filled her nostrils. Sounds of conversation between lovers or friends funneled in ear and out the other.

"You aren't from around here." A deep voice was directed at her.

Her eyes followed the sound of the voice. Spotting a man behind the bar filling a glass with a dark red liquid. She cocked her head looking at the man staring at her.

"You looking for someone, or something?" He spoke out again, filling up another glass.

She made a small fist with her hand. Digging her nails into her palm. She eyed the man holding up the glass, pushing it out towards her. She was cautious of course. Knowing what she knew of the people in this town. This man seemed kind though, his eyes were soft. His smile was sincere. Her gut told her this situation was fine, and her mother always told her to follow her gut. She had pretty helpful instinct's.

Sitting in the empty stool at the bar she took the glass sitting in front of her. Taking a small sip from the glass. The wine was bitter, with a trace of sweetness following the initial starkness of the liquid.

She nodded at the man, "Merci sir."

"Are you coming from France?" He scoffed.

"No, just learning. My mother is from France."

"Be careful with that, most folks in here aren't a fan of the French." He explained to her.

She was confused, never hearing of any of the problems involving the French. Accepting the sentiment he offered, she took another sip of the wine.

"Appreciated. Any other news to offer of the patrons wandering in and out of here?" She asked him. Hoping to hear some of the drama of the city that could aid in her journey.

"I may spill an abundance of wine ma'am but I don't spill anything on my customers." He said, rubbing a cloth on the inside of a beer stein.

There was a moment of heavy silence between them. She just continued to look around, and sip on her wine. Wondering where to go from here. Curious of even where she is to begin. There was a sound of the bar keep clearing his throat. He leaned on the counter in front of him, placing himself closer to her seat.

"You never answered my question, but I think I may know the response." He whispered.

She coughed on the wine in her mouth, "Excuse me, what?"

"I know why you're here darling. I know who you are."

"I - I don't know what you mean sir?"

"Darling, calm down. I mean no harm. There is a network, we speak to each other, we all know who you are. In fact we have been waiting for you."

"Again, I'm not sure what you mean?"

"We can't speak here. Meet me outside in fifteen minutes, I know somewhere we can speak."

The man leaned up from the counter, moving to the side of the bar to speak to another person. Turning his head to nod at her one more time before completely ignoring her.

Her mind was wracked with thoughts. Trying to figure out anything this man just told her. Was her gut feeling wrong, was this man going to hurt her? Should she leave now, run out of the doors? Even though all of this seemed it could end terribly, something was telling her to stay. Something was telling her to listen to what this man had to say.

After fifteen minutes had passed, she was already outside of the dimly lit tavern. It had gotten colder outside. The wind was brisk, biting at her cheeks. She kept her eyes wide, keeping watch on the tavern door for the bar keep. She watched a man roam around from the back of the tavern, his head was low. He had a hat low over his eyes, covering most of his face. She stepped back towards the tavern doors, ready to head back in to the crowd of people.

"Not to worry darling, it is just me." The man said, it was the bar keep. He had put on a few extra layers, he also walked with more of a hunch. His presence was much more daunting in the darkness, his voice seemed deeper, much more illusive. Possessive even.

"Come with me, we must talk." He said. His arm bent at the elbow to allow her to hang on to him. She did so willingly, passing her arm through his.

Her gut still told her this was right. That she was supposed to be walking with this man towards such an unknown location. Whatever it was, something was telling her this was the right choice. Her loose hand help on to the compass around her neck. She grasped it so tightly her knuckles began to turn white.

After a few minutes of silent walking they had reached a small alley way. It was dark, only one small street lamp a few meters away from them lent them any light. The man tugged on her arm, pulling her down the alley way. The only sound emanating from the darkness was their footsteps on the bricks below them.

The end of the alley held nothing but a brick wall, a few wooden boxes, and scattered rubbish. The man released her hand, motioning her to stay where she stood. He walked forward a few steps, leaving his back towards her. She watched as he shuffled slightly, removing his hat from his head. He coughed a few times, clearing his throat. After a few moments, and a few words whispered.

There was a light.

A small light shone through the bottom of the wall, the bricks of the wall lifted. Revealing a small staircase inside the wall. She clutched her compass even tighter in complete aw. Holding her breath at the reveal of something so, so mesmerizing. Once the bricks had stopped moving, the man turned, throwing his hand out in front of him.

"Come darling, as I said before, we have much to speak of."

She grabbed his hand. Following his quick footsteps up the staircase. Once they were both inside the wall, the brick door closed behind them. She winced at the sound of the clattering bricks, squeezing the mans hand a bit tighter.

Once the stairs had ended, they walked through a long hallway. Drenched in red and white silk. Sconces on the wall held red and white candles, their flames were low, but burned brightly. There was a scent of rosemary, lavender and honey in the air. She felt soothed, it had reminded her of her home. For her mother grew lavender in all four corners of their cottage.

At the end of the hallway, they stopped in a large room. More red and white silk lined the walls, it hung from the ceilings, even draped over some of the furniture. The room was filled with smoke, the smell of lavender and incense filled her nose. She felt at peace, as if the world had no problems here. She was comforted, calm, and purely sedated. A large breath was released from her lungs, one she hadn't realized she was holding in.

She hadn't even realized the man who led her into the room was now sitting on a couch in front of her. His hat was tucked under his arm, he had leaned back against the couch, making himself comfortable.

"Antoinette, please take a seat. You are safe here." He stated.

She stared at him, "How do you know my name? I never told you."

"I already told you, I know who you are. We all do."

"We?" She questioned.

"There is a network of us, angels. You are one of the most powerful amongst us, as most of us went into hiding years ago. I only came out of hiding a few days ago in fact. Once I heard you were coming to the city."

"You knew I was coming? Who told you? It was meant to be a secret, no one was to know who I am."

"Your mother raised you well Antionette, but she didn't teach you everything, she entrusted me with that. She did many years ago."

She paused, blinking at him a few times, "You - You know my mother?"

He chuckled, "She truly was quite about everything that one was, even as a child. Your grandmother could never get a secret out of her, nor could I. When you were born I gave your mother a gift, one you still posses to this day."

"Who are you?" She asked plainly.

"Ah, I see you still have yet to add that up." He stood from his seat, putting his hand out in front him him. "It's very nice to meet you, officially, I might say. My name is Edgar, Edgar Welton. I am your uncle."

There was a moment of silence. Shock ran through her. She was at a loss for words. Her mother had told her she had no family, it was only the two of them. She had asked for years what had happened to her family, or who her family even was. Every time her mother ignored the question, always moving on to something else. Eventually she just accepted the fact that it was always just going to be her and her mother. She had no need for any other family, her mother was her rock. That was all that mattered to her.

"Are you okay there darling?" Edgar voiced.

She blinked herself back into reality. "Ye-Yes, Yes. I'm okay. Mother had told me we had no other family. I apologize, I am just quite shocked. I never expected any of this, even the thought of who I am is still new."

Edgar took his place back on the couch after realizing a hand shake might have been an odd offer. "I can understand that my dear. You have learned quite a bit of information in such little time." He nodded his head a few more times, tutting his tongue.

There was a brief moment of silence, while both parties collected their thoughts on the matter.

"You said you gifted me something?' Antoinette asked, breaking the silence. 'What was it?"

Edgar smiled, "That very compass around your neck dear. I was the one who carved the rune into the metal there. When your mother activated the rune, I knew you were coming into town. It was almost similar to a beacon, a calling card, a telegram if you will."

She looked at the compass in her hand. Pressing the small button to pop it open. She was yet to open it since she had entered the city, as she never felt the need. When she opened it, her breath hitched. The small rune carved into the metal, glowed. It had lit up ever so slightly.

"You see it now, don't you? The glow? Here let me show you something." He pulled on his pocket watch chain, yanking a pocket watch from his vest pocket. He shook the watch in front of her ever so slightly. Then pressed the small button, opening it up. There, just like the compass in her hand, was a small glow coming from the metal. He handed her the watch, she took it in her other hand.

"You see, when activated, the runes will glow. I knew you were coming the second that rune lit up. Even better, it lead me right to you."

"How did it do that?" She asked.

"Allow me to show you." Edgar stated with a soft smile.

He took the pocket watch back from her palm, placing it in his own. Once he had it, he stepped back a few paces. Closing his eyes, he uttered a single word, "Taracet."

Suddenly, a thin golden line connected the pocket watch and the compass.

"We are connected through these runes. This is an untraceable connection, no matter where you are, if you activate the rune, I will be able to find you."

She had a wide smile grow on her face, "This is amazing. No wonder mother was so insistent on me bringing this compass. It makes sense now."

"These runes connect us through time,' Edgar pointed at the pocket watch. 'And location." He then pointed at the compass.

Antoinette smiled, knowing she now had help. Now had someone she was able to call in need of trouble, someone to help her along this journey.

"Will I be able to activate it?" She asked her uncle.

Edgar smiled, "Of course darling, you will have to be trained of course, but once you know what you're doing,' He paused momentarily to end the tracing spell, and return his pocket watch back to his vest. 'You will be one of the most powerful angels there is. You may even bring back the freewill. That's the goal anyway darling."

There was a heavy sigh, "That's what I've been told." Antoinette closed her compass, allowing it to settle back on her chest.

"I believe that is all you have been told,' Edgar laughed. 'There is much more you are going to be learning. Runes, magic, family. If you thought the past few days were filled with new things, just wait darling. There is a whole new world waiting for you."

"Sounds fascinating, when shall we begin?" She asked.

"This very moment. Follow me!" Edgar said ecstatically.

He moved his way around the room, before landing in front of one of the red silk curtains lining the wall. Pushing the curtain to the side, he tapped his knuckle on the wall three times. A line in the wall formed from the bottom of the wall, across the top, and down the other side. Placing his hand right in the center of the now broken wall, he pushed. Sending a section of the wall in on itself.

Edgar turned his head, motioning for her to come follow him through. They both wandered into the opening in the wall, heading to the left. Once inside, the wall slammed shut.

"You'll get used to the loud slamming of walls and bricks eventually." Edgar laughed out after feeling her jump behind him.

She laughed at the sentiment, staying close in line with her newly found uncle.

After wandering down another small hallway, they entered into another large room. Still being covered in red and white drapes, as well as matching candles. There were hundred of shelves of books. They two of them wandered into the magnificent library. The smoke of incense and lavender still lingered in the room. A small fire burned in the corner of the room. Keeping the whole library nice and warm.

The amount of books, maps, and parchments startled Antoinette. She had never seen anything more beautiful in her entire life. All her and her mother ever did was read. Learning and books were her passion. She stumbled around the gigantic library trying to take in as much as she could. Every inch of the room fascinated her. She couldn't drink in enough of it.

"Th-This is beautiful." She uttered. Stumbling on her own thoughts.

"Well, if you are anything like your mother, or grandmother, I may never see you again. You'll be lost in the books." Edgar laughed.

Antoinette nodded in agreement.

"Well, shall we get studying?" Edgar offered with a clap of his hands.

"Now seems like a better time then ever." Antoinette said.

-

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Hi everyone! Thanks for reading part one of my story!

Part two should be out next week some time! I hope are ready for it because I'm very excited to write it!