Demonheart: Book 2: Walkers From Another Dimension

by J. J. Egosi

  “You don’t have to be so mean,” Ursula replied, pouting.

  “She’s right. Let’s go!” Michael rushed towards the entrance as the others followed him in.

  They walked into the shop, then noticed a well-kept young man in his thirties sitting behind the counter.

  “What can I do for you?” the man asked with a warm smile.

  “We’d like something that cures memory loss. Also, if you have something that combats a drinking addiction, that would be great,” said Isabella.

  “Sounds like two sides of the same coin,” the man said with a joking smile.

  “Do you have it or not?” Alexa asked.

  “Don’t be rude,” Ursula whispered.

  “I’m not sure,” the man said with a pensive glare. “I’ll have to take a look, but we rarely have anything like that in stock.”

  The man rifled through the shelves behind him before moving towards the ones under the desk. He opened each compartment, checking the flasks and bottles within each one, but found nothing.

  “Doesn’t look like we have it. Apologies.” The man looked up with a smile.

  Alexa scowled. “Money is no object and we plan on becoming regular buyers of said potions.”

  The man’s face lit up. “In that case, I think there might be something in the back.”

  “Excellent. See to it that these potions meet our exact needs,” said Julianna.

  “Oh, that won’t be a problem. No problem at all.”

  The man entered the back room and closed the door behind him. Michael and the girls looked at each other, shrugging off his peculiar behavior as they waited for him to return with the potion.

  He navigated through an isle of shelves and pushed another door that led him into a dust-ridden room with several men seated around a table. The table had a scatter of cards, gold, and blades.

  “Hey, it’s that pretty boy with the white hair,” said the man from the counter.

  “You mean the guy with those two girls?” The man nearest to him placed his cards down beside his dagger and pile of silver coins. “Didn’t he learn his lesson the last time we chased him out?”

  “Apparently not,” the first man began. “Because this time, he has four girls. All of which are demons.”

  Their eyes widened. They sprang up from their chairs. The scratching of wood against the stone floor filled the room.

  “Is this some sort of joke? Doesn’t that fool realize how offensive this behavior is in the name of the church?” another of the men asked.

  “Dark lovers,” the largest man at the table grunted under his breath. “Cretans from the enemy realm. And a fellow light lover. To think one of our own would betray us in such a manner. In the presence of the church.”

  “What should we do?” the man hardly half his size beside him asked with a squeaky tone of voice.

  “At this rate, he’ll utterly ruin Ruksmounth’s reputation as one of the light realm’s holiest cities,” said another man.

  “Not unless we dispose of him. That just takes the right potion,” the first man began.

  The other men looked at one another. Nefarious grins slowly formed across their faces.

  So, what sort of potion do you think will do the trick? How best can we teach this kid those demons don’t belong here?” another man inquired.

  The first man grinned and grabbed a blackened potion from the top shelf. “You just leave that to me.”

  Michael and the girls helped themselves to the seats in the shop. Michael sighed as the minutes continued to pass without a sign of the shop owner.

  “What’s taking so long?”

  “Who knows? I just hope he’s got something that can help you,” said Ursula.

  “As do I.” Michael nodded.

  The door then opened, and the man came back holding a black potion in his hand. “My apologies. Here’s your potion, as requested. It retrieves memories and helps combat addiction. A rare specimen. Usually two hundred gold, but for you, I’ll do one hundred and fifty.”

  “Rather pricey, but if it’s a two in one, sure,” Isabella replied, putting the money on the counter.

  “Great! Thanks for doing business with me,” the man said.

  “Thank you!” Ursula replied, waving as they walked out of the shop.

  Fools. The man thought, snickering.

  The sun began to set as the five of them completed their journey back to their campsite. Michael looked down at the bottle in his hands. The dark-colored brooding miasma seeping from the top gave him a sinking feeling.

  “So, are you going to try it out?” asked Alexa.

  “Yes, that was expensive, so it better work,” Isabella said.

  “Alright. I’ll give it a try,” Michael agreed.

  Michael took a deep breath and then swallowed a heavy gulp from the bottle. He waited a moment for the effects to kick in. He stood there in silence, staring at the bottle with relief. Confusion and disappointment seeped in.

  “I guess it doesn’t work. Sorry.”

  “Are you serious? You don’t feel anything at all?” Isabella asked.

  “Nothing,” Michael replied.

  “Maybe you need to drink the entire thing for it to work,” Ursula suggested.

  “Yes, that man was oddly unspecific regarding the proper intake,” said Julianna.

  “Do you think it’ll be fine?” he asked.

  “What do you think will happen?” Isabella asked back. Cold sweat rolled down her neck.

  Michael looked down at the bottle again. He swore he could see something festering within…screaming at him.

  I need to do this, he said to himself. I need to get better. Otherwise, I won’t be the person I need to be for them. Or able to stop Lucifer.

  He confidently nodded before downing the rest of the bottle. He waited, letting the rest of the bottle sink in. Still, he felt no change at all.

  “That’s strange. I still can’t feel anything”—

  A sudden pain spread across his body. He grunted helplessly before storming off to his tent, swiftly shutting himself in.

  “Michael, are you alright?” Isabella asked, standing outside of the tent.

  “I’m fine, I mean, I’m fine,” said Michael, in a series of unusual voices.

  “You don’t sound fine. Let me see what’s going on,” Alexa said, as she unzipped the tent entrance. The girls froze in shock. Michael had transformed into a woman!

  “Unholy shit!” said Ursula.

  Michael covered himself up with a handful of blankets, embarrassed.

  “Don’t look at me,” he announced, trying to disguise his new feminine tonality with a masculine undertone. His mind struggled to wrap around what was happening to him. That, plus the girls talking over each other, turned his panic into a meltdown.

  “Your face. Your hair. Are those boobs?” Julianna asked, getting a closer look.

  Tears rolled down his face as his transformation became too much to handle.

  “That fucking snake of a salesman,” said Alexa.

  “He’s kind of cute, though, if that helps,” Ursula commented on Michael’s new state.

  “That’s not the point,” said Alexa.

  “Sorry.” Ursula whimpered with a downhearted glare.

  “This is unacceptable what happened. We’re marching back to that shop right now. And Michael, you’re coming with us.”

  “I can’t!” said Michael, covering his face with his now much longer hair.

  “You can and you will!” said Alexa.

  “But, why do you need me? I’m sure they already know they gave me this potion to take. It was probably out of spite,” said Michael.

  “Exactly. That is why we want you to come along. We want them to see what that little joke of theirs did to you and we want you to see what happens to people who get on our wrong side,” Alexa said, grinning.

  Michael reluctantly nodded.

  “Oh, but you can’t wear that,” Isabella said, referring to the outfit he pu
t on.

  “Why not?” Michael said, confused.

  “Because it’s too boyish. You need more ladylike clothing like dresses and skirts and jewelry,” said Isabella.

  “Don’t force him. This is already difficult enough for him,” said Alexa.

  “I knew the church fancied degrading people, but their belief that turning a man into a woman is supposed to be some sort of trick is offensive on countless levels. I’m not even sure where to begin.” Julianna’s face turned as red as her hair.

  “It’s alright,” Michael began.

  Their eyes widened in unison.

  “Are you sure? You really don’t have”—

  “I don’t mind.” Michael took a deep breath. “Those people can insult me all they want, but I won’t let them pull such a tasteless prank and get the last laugh.”

  Julianna smiled. “Good. Let’s be on our way soon then.”

  “You get him changed and we’ll get our things ready,” said Alexa.

  “Got it!” said Isabella.

  The girls walked out of the tent. Michael tossed and turned as Isabella helped him get dressed.

  Isabella stepped out of the tent and said, “We’re all done!” The girls looked back around, curious to see what she had prepared for him. “Come on out.”

  With a nervous gulp, Michael shambled out of the tent. He stood in front of them in a long flowing white dress with a small gold necklace and earrings to match, and slippers. He looked the other way, brushing the hair out of his face. The girls looked at him, wide-eyed.

  “Meet Michelle. A simple artisan who seeks to make it big in the light realm by sewing handbags. What do you think?” said Isabella.

  “I think it’ll do,” Alexa said with a smile.

  “…and may I say; I’m impressed by your openness to the idea,” Julianna said.

  “Well, I didn’t expect I’d be wearing something this feminine.” Michael blushed, feeling the outlines of his undergarments press under his dress.

  “You look beautiful!” Ursula commented.

  “You think so?” Michael asked.

  “Yes, you’re very pretty. Now, let’s go.” Alexa placed her hand on his back and gave him a gentle push to get going. The rest of the girls followed. With a blush, Michael nodded and started the walk, determined to face the man who played the trick on him.

  The leering men on the village streets only made Michael feel worse this time.

  “These creepy looks are so much worse when they’re directed at me. I have no idea how you girls do it.”

  “You’re about to see how,” Julianna said as they walked back into the potion shop. “You, sir!” She pointed directly at the man at the counter.

  The man looked up with amusement. The look on his face silently screamed, ‘It worked!’ He asked, “Something I can help you with?”

  Julianna ran up to the counter and grabbed him by the tie of his vest. She slammed his face against the wooden table, scattering blood from his mouth. The whimpering man looked up at her in horror.

  “Don’t get fucking smart with me. You just couldn’t handle the fact that our friend associates himself with demons, now could you?” Juliann shouted, “So, you turned him into a woman. For what? To get a good laugh? Well, the joke’s on you!”

  Julianna looked at the terrified salesperson. “Now, you’re going to give me an antidote and a refund or I’ll burn this fucking place to the ground.”

  The man grinned. “Go ahead and make your threats. Even if you dare to follow through, a woman like you would never last in prison.”

  Julianna scoffed with derision. “That’s assuming they can catch me.”

  The man looked at her, wide-eyed.

  She turned around at the group. “Everyone, get out or burn alive!” Michael and the girls scampered out of the shop. The occasional patron joined them in exit while most others in the shop hanged around with doubtful looks on their faces.

  “You’re bluffing!” said the man.

  “Assassins don’t bluff about these sorts of things. It’s your funeral,” Julianna said, grinning.

  A harsh orange glow broke in through the window along with the smell of smoke. A crackling sound caught the man’s attention as the fire began catching from the canopy outside the shop.

  “What’s this?”

  He walked towards the flame to investigate. The fire spread to the walls and ceiling too. The remaining patrons rushed out with screams of terror.

  This can’t be, he thought. Those damn demons.

  The inferno grew into chaos, claiming everything in its way as it traveled onto the bookshop and wand shop on either side.

  Julianna walked through the debris, unscratched, hurling gas lamps to feed the fire on her way out.

  “Not very subtle for an assassin.” Alexa looked around, watching the city collapse under the fire of Julianna’s vendetta.

  “There’ll be no evidence once the bodies are burnt to ash,” Julianna replied.

  She then handed Michael a potion.

  “Take this.”

  “What is it?” Michael asked.

  “It’s a nullify potion. As it suggests, it undoes any potion you took within the last twenty-four hours,” said Julianna.

  “That’s gotta be expensive!” said Michael.

  “Yes, usually five hundred gold. This one’s on me. Well, technically on the store, since I stole it at the last second,” Julianna said, as the fire burst in size, roaring as the melted flesh of the shop owner peered through the crumbled wood remains.

  “Glad I’m not that bastard.” Michael thought.

  The potions within the shop spilled from their shattered casings, forming pools of runoff in the alleyways. Slowly, the effects of all the potions from the shop began to take effect on the village: humans turned to frogs, water turned to blood, what remained of the townspeople killed each other in a psychotic rage, and the village became plagued with cattle and bears. All this while fire and ice rained from the sky.

  Michael and the girls marveled at the disarray filling the streets. They huddled up to shield themselves from getting infected.

  “One more thing. You should take it when you get home,” said Julianna.

  A mess of giant black-bear-wolf hybrids covered in blood ran through the town. Flying books, blades, and other objects followed, each coming from various directions, as minuscule vegetation protruded from the ground.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Michael said, noticing his skin turn purple and green as boils formed on it. The side effects of the many potions spilling through the streets sank in. His heart thundered out of control.

  “Let’s make it quick before he gets worse,” said Isabella.

  The group ran back to their campsite, arriving just as the moon began to hang in the sky by itself, leaving the village in its carnivalesque and catastrophic state behind.

  Thirty minutes passed before they sat around the table, looking at the strangest Michael they’d ever seen: morphed skin, a whole different gender, and animal-like features.

  “Whenever you’re ready, Michael,” Ursula said.

  “I’m not sure I can reach,” he replied through swollen cheeks, as the thick boils and fur around his arms kept his arms from bending towards him.

  “Apologies. Let me help.”

  Julianna emptied the flask down Michael’s mouth. A massive burst of light covered him the moment Michael gulped the last of it, blinding the girls for a moment before revealing him in his original state.

  “You’re back!” Isabella said before jumping into a tight embrace with him. “And you’re still wearing those clothes.”

  “I’ll be sure to change. Into my old clothes, I mean,” Michael said with a nervous laugh. “Though, I must say; they’re rather comfortable. Rather, they were when my body better fit them.”

  He crossed his legs with embarrassment.

  “You really are strange.” Ursula laughed.

  “Coming from someone who sniffs people,” said Juliann
a.

  “It’s how we say hello in the first dimension,” Ursula insisted.

  “That aside, it’s strange none of us was affected by any other potions,” said Isabella.

  “I’ve heard rumors of a potion on the black market that absorbs the effects of any other potions once someone drinks it. It prevents any others from getting ill. They call it the black sheep potion,” said Julianna.

  “How fitting for me.” Michael smiled.

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Said Ursula. “And that you’re able to keep that sense of humor through all this.”

  “Of course. So long as I’ve got you guys and the shop owner is burning away, what is there to be bitter about?” Michael replied.

  The girls shared a laugh.

  “Feeling ready to quit drinking and focus on regaining your memories now?” Alexa asked.

  Michael looked back at the four of them and smiled back.

  “I sure am.”

  Chapter 6

  Dragged Down Memory Lane

  A

  n expanse of darkness surrounded Michael. It was devoid of sound, but for the howling wind past him and his heightened heartbeat. Michael looked around the entrapment of endless blackness. He waved his hand forward to ensure there were no obstacles and took a cautious step forward before walking on. He moved aimlessly into what seemed to be eternal nothingness when the sound of disembodied murmurs faded into his ears.

  “Become the real you,” a voice whispered.

  “Leave this you behind and embrace the true you,” said another voice.

  The haunting whispers with a common message grew into torturous distortion. Michael didn’t even realize his cautious walk had turned into a frenzied sprint for his safety, fighting to escape the torturing howls in his mind.

  “Shut up. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m me. Michael. That’s it.” He covered his ears as he ran, hoping to block out the voices.

  “No, Michael. You’re not who you think you are, but another person, entirely,” said another voice.

  “I have no idea what that even means. Fuck off! Just leave me alone!” Michael shouted.