Hello, everybody! From the avalanche of reviews I've been getting, you're obviously all desperate to hear what's happening with Leo, particularly after what just happened in Solace. So, here's the prologue to Meridian Part Four, Pandora's Box - more chapters coming as soon as I write them! This one's creepy, guys - you've been warned...

Don't own no turtles. Hang on, double negative…

Prologue: The Divine Invasion

The sound of a child's sobbing rang through the dark room. 'I did not want this to happen! You did not tell me of the vampire's host! Blue was at his breaking point already, and now we have caused irreparable damage!'

A deep, rasping breath followed this, then a voice that seemed to be quiet and yet deafening at the same time. 'You are becoming weak, Knife. Weak and sentimental. Blue requires us in order to live now. His judgement was impaired. I only asked of you what was necessary for our survival.'

As the torches flared higher, the speaker was revealed to be an old man, sitting on a metal throne with runes shifting around its curves. The hood of his grey robes was pulled up over his head, but his attention was focused on a small child kneeling on the floor in front of him. The child was androgynous in appearance, having the slightly sturdier features of a young boy, but its shining white hair was long and unkempt, hiding its face. Its white shirt and trousers hung loosely off its slender frame, and its eyes were two pale golden orbs. A slight glow seemed to emanate from it, as if it were a light bulb or a firefly.

The old man coughed hoarsely and spoke again. 'The foreign matter in Blue's gene spiral separated us and gave us power we have never known before. You must not let your reservations about the use of that power become your downfall.'

'But, Ophidian-'

'Questions will get you nowhere, Knife.'

The child lowered its head, submissive, 'Yes, Ophidian.'

There was a silence.

Then the old man spoke again. 'The vampire's host is undoubtedly important to Blue – the act has finally shattered his already-fragile mind and allowed his doubts and fears to free the Third.'

The child gasped, its golden eyes widening in horror. 'Reaper?'

'He was awakened and now he is coming to take control. You must hide, Knife. Hide until you are strong enough to defeat him and give up the darkness to Blue. I cannot help you anymore – he has grown too powerful, and when the balance tips too far, I cannot survive. I am sorry, Knife. You will not see me again.'

'But Ophidian, you cannot-'

'Enough, Knife! You must go now, before he comes! Find your true strength and courage and defeat Reaper before he causes too much pain! Go!'

And the child ran, stumbling over the rough stones of the labyrinth floor, into the twisting corridors and out of sight. The old man sighed as he watched it go and whispered, 'All luck go with you, little one. Goodbye.'

He bowed his cloaked head and faded out of existence, a fine, shining dust falling to the ground. It lay there in a small, sparkling pile until a quiet breeze rose up and swept it away.

The room was silent for several minutes.

Then a dark, almost liquid figure came speeding down one of the halls, stopping in front of the throne. An angry growl issued from it as it beheld an empty room. 'So, the old man wished to believe that I could be balanced out, eh? Well, Knife is too much of a coward to challenge me, and Blue does not deserve to be in control!'

And a terrifying laugh resonated through the twisted maze.

More coming soon! Have patience! It will be worth it and scare the living shell out of you!