The Demon's Kingdom

Relan

There was not a day that went by that I didn't think of that time. How stunned Relan was. How stunned I was. What I had down in retrieving his soul. The cost of it. The dark power I felt then... it's the same as what I feel now. How? It's almost been five years.

More importantly, what does it want? What about my body and soul? To steal my soul? To take charge and controll my body?

There's a knock at my door, and I pull myself together enough to go to it. Relan motions the guards outside to fall back, and steps inside as soon as I open the door.

"Are you hurt?" The concern in his voice is endearing, and I pull him into a hug. "Oh Relan, it was aweful. It took ahold of Trisscull's body. I'm not sure what we should do."

He embraces me tightly. "I could feel it, I could feel your fear, your dread. Then the relief flooding you." I held him a few moments more, relishing his warmth, knowing all too soon he won't be around anymore.

As I pull away, I look at my warrior. "We need to figure out how to capture or... kill something that's not of the magic we know. I'm not sure how we go about doing that. I'll look through the ancient texts that we have. I've felt this same power before, back when I was in the abyss. Maybe it followed me here? I'm not sure.."

He leans against the door, brushing the strands off of his forehead, sweat sticking some of them to his skin. He must have ran here to get to me.

"If it's from the abyssal land I doubt we have any scrolls here related to that." He says, worry and sleeplessness edge his face.

"Do you think the priest would have some in his catacombs? As the bridge between the abyssal world and ours, think they might have something?" I ask. They are the ones who bring gods and goddesses to life. Everyone is so secretive about what happens to make a regular human turn devine. I asked Trisscull on my twentieth birthday about how she became devine but she wouldn't say anything. She told me it was over 400 years ago and she couldn't remember." I straightened my night throw around my shoulders. "If there are possibly spells that turn humans devine, then maybe there are other spells or texts we need to know."

His face contorted. "You know how the priest are. You won't get ten feet into their castle without them knowing. Unless Trisscull's power dies and they tell you to come before them to become the next Goddess, you won't be allowed in."

"Maybe Joel would look for me, so that way I'm not actual sneaking in." I suggest.

Relans chin pushes up. "Joel hasn't been himself recently. He's just... off. The priests must be feeling the power dwindle from Trisscull... we may be loosing her soon. If that's the case.."
His eyes shoot to mine, a mixture of emotions on his face. I could feel her power lose it's grip on our kingdom. Considering her age though, I wasn't sure how long it takes for the power exchange to happen. I figure in the next couple of years I would be brought before the priests to become the next Goddess.

"Well, priest Joel will be here the day of my coming of age ball. I will try and corner him, see if I can at least gain some insight. Maybe tell him what happened?"

Relan's eyes grew wide. "No, you must not tell him. He would call you a demon for looking into the forbidden texts and actually being able to use them.. not to mention bringing back the dead. He would call you a... necromancer or something." He slowly steps forward and grasp my hand, squeezing it softly. As he looks at me, I watch as his little dark curls bounce as he shakes his head. "No. Don't trust him that much Ava, I'm begging you. I would hate to have -priest killer- attached to my name, but if he came after you..." Relan stretches his shoulders as he lets go of my hand. "I'd gladly kill him if it came down to it."

I sigh. I want to think I could trust Joel. We have been so close, even as kids. We fell apart the last few years with all the battles I've went to. It's hard to keep in touch with everyone. It felt like he was rather in a rush when he came to check on my father.. what a shame if I can't count on him. Relan's right though. Joel has become rather.. a stickler for the priest title. More in tune with the way they believe. If that's the case I definitely won't be welcomed.

"Well then. What do we do?" I look to Relan for an answer. He stills for a second. "We could.. go back to the abysal world?" I shudder. "No." I say sternly. " I will not go back there, its... so frightening." I say, huddling my arm closer together in front of me. "Have you even tried to use your magic on it?  Maybe it'll work. Just because you can feel it isn't made of magic, doesn't mean magic doesn't have an effect on it. I would try it next time."

I sigh again, the pain in my head becoming stronger. "I'll probably be alone again next time too. If I anger him he may try to lay claim to me right then and there."

"Then I guess I'll have to do a better job protecting you. Can I use the room adjacent to yours? I will be closest to your father's room as well." I tossed my hand up. "Do as you see fit. I've got a staggering head ache and I need to rest." I slide my overthrow off my shoulders and hung it up.

Relan bows and turns to leave. "Relan. I'll try.. I'll try and use my magic. Please keep me up to date on your coming and going. If I know you are close, I'll try and capture him or kill him."

"Very good Ava, have a pleasant rest, I will be sleeping in the next room should you have need of me."