by Ross Turner
The truth of the answer was painfully obvious, but still Cole did not reply. Thorn continued.
“How will killing me achieve what you so desire? You must raise more demons Cole, for with your power, you could rule Tamarack, and surely countless other worlds too.” And there it was - the demonic desire, and that of the lost souls, combined.
Cole looked pensive for a moment, as if, even, he was contemplating the thought. The ghostly silence hung desperately on his response. Eventually he spoke.
“I have always wanted more…” He began. His parents’ eyes shot to him in horror, but he continued obliviously. “I know there is something that I must do. I do not yet know what it is, but it is certainly not to make extinct the human race. Your extinction, however, I could live with.” Thorn sneered and, before any of them could react, he sent out a rippling wave of energy.
They all recoiled in defence, expecting the worst. Cole instinctively widened his powerful defence, though he did so instinctively rather than out of conscious choice. He wrapped it around his parents and his stunned Rose, who had been knocked to the ground by the unexpected strike. But it was not an attack meant to kill, only distract, and within that moment of confusion, Thorn was renewed, and stormed once more for the shoreline.
Zanriath was the only one not to recoil, since a demonic attack had been the only thing in Thorn’s arsenal. And so, just as quickly as Thorn took off, Zanriath called forth his elemental abilities with all their wrath and might, and set him dreadfully alight.
For several long painful moments, Thorn screamed and shrieked in terrible agony as the skin and flesh melted off his bones, dripping to the floor as he ran, and the flames wholly consumed him. His agile form did little to aid him. His legs, his very bones even, smouldered and liquefied in the intense heat and buckled beneath what remained of his weight.
Collapsing but a few feet from the shore, his only recourse was to crawl agonisingly into the untouched waters of the ocean, the salt only worsening his suffering as he disappeared beneath the surface in a sizzling, bubbling and steaming pool of superheated water.
Following on horseback now, having quickly mounted, Isabel and Zanriath, and Cole, atop Rose, reached the misty shoreline and cursed foully as they waited for Thorn to resurface.
But when he eventually did, they could do nothing but look on helplessly after him.
Sensing his movements, further out at sea now amidst the fog, Isabel, Cole and Rose watched powerlessly as, now in an amphibious form, Thorn darted through the currents and waves of the water, fulfilled and surrounded and replenished by the very souls that festered in his thoughts. They increased his strength tenfold, his horrific wounds healing even before their very eyes.
It was too late. Though they had stretched themselves so greatly to stop Thorn, there had, quite simply, not been enough time, and now Isabel’s suspicions, and horrors, were all but confirmed.
He was gone, and now, that which had at first loomed as a dangerous and frightening possibility, had become a terrifying inevitability.
It seemed that the demons would once again infect Tamarack, and this time, the wills of the Souls of the Ocean would be behind them, and their combined wrath would be great - more devastating than ever before.
17
Moving southwest, back towards Kalaris, the four travelled in a gloomy but determined silence. Zanriath and Isabel rode side by side, the pace of their mounts matched perfectly. Cole and Rose were slightly ahead. Cole sat quietly on Rose’s back as she slightly outpaced Isabel and Zanriath’s cantering horses, moving still only at a steady lope.
She too was frustrated; wishing she had finished Thorn off with her attack, rather than waiting for Isabel, though she knew it would not have been enough to kill him physically. That simply would not have stopped what was happening. This situation required something decidedly more permanent.
The horses were tired and needed rest. Their pace reduced further with every new mile and evening was fast approaching. Before long the four of them came across a small clump of trees, sheltering them from at least some of the cold wind, and began to set up camp for the night.
Cole and Zanriath tended to the horses and Isabel delved into their packs to prepare dinner. Unusually, for a few minutes while her son and husband were occupied, Isabel found herself in the private company of Rose, who watched her movements with great interest.
Rose lay supported, propped up on her elbows, with her front legs outstretched, looking around almost casually, watching Isabel as she worked. Isabel could not help but be drawn to the strange creature.
Instinctively, Rose was her enemy. But this demon had not been created with the intent to harm, and thus was not ruled by it. In fact, she was very likeable, and clearly was probably now the most important part of Cole’s life, and he too of hers.
Rose looked about inquisitively, still clearly very interested in the strange workings of nature, and she watched intently as leaves continued to fall from the trees sheltering them and settled quietly on the ground. Isabel found the young demon’s observations quite fixating, and continued to not only trust little Rose, but even to grow fond of her.
Shortly after Cole and Zanriath returned they had food cooking over a roaring fire and they all sat in the warmth of the flames, no one speaking. Eventually they had all eaten and turned in for the night. They had a good few days of riding ahead of them to return to Kalaris, especially at the tired pace the horses were managing, and would need the rest.
Isabel lay with Zanriath, as always his warmth comforting her, and Cole lay propped up against Rose, each pair again either side of the fire. The sight was strange, but the demon that at first glance looked so deadly, was almost more protective of Cole than a mother is of her children.
Cole looked up at the rapidly darkening sky as he drifted into an exhausted and troubled sleep. Stars began to appear above him, and the combination of Rose’s heat and Zanriath’s fire kept him comfortably warm against the harsh chill of the night.
Winter was the time of year that brought the most hardship to the land. Crops could not grow, disease clung greedily to every living thing, and the deathly and relentless cold almost certainly marked the bitter end for anybody unfortunate enough to be caught out without proper provisions or shelter.
His parents had never minded the winter so, but then, with Zanriath’s elemental abilities, Cole supposed it had never really presented them all that much of a threat. He for one actually quite enjoyed the winter months when they came pressing down upon the land. The cold he did not mind, and the snow, though he was sure some saw it as an inconvenience, did not really bother him either.
The one thing however, that Cole did not enjoy about that time of year, was the longing darkness that seemed to hang over each day for an entirely unnecessary period of time. He had never been fond of the dark, and winter seemed to welcome it in an unholy abundance.
However, it would seem that now, though his dislike for the darkness remained, it no longer presented itself as quite as much of a bother to him. With his newfound awareness, he seemed to be able to see, or perhaps more accurately sense, his surroundings, regardless of whether there was light enough for his eyes to make them out or not. This simplified matters somewhat, and he continued to wonder not only what the strange awareness was, but also what its purpose might be.
The troubled young man’s thoughts flitted over these contemplations, and many others, during their return journey home. Their travelling, eating and sleeping routines continued robotically for the best part of four long days as they returned to Kalaris. It seemed that their thoughts were the only things not regulated by the spiteful cold emanating all around.
Isabel maintained regular checks on Thorn and could see thankfully that, at least from a demonic perspective, he was alone in the great ocean.
She spent some time tutoring Cole, teaching him to expand his thoughts and search large areas in such a manner that he still maintained control. At first he found this very d
ifficult, his power repeatedly running free from his grasp. But, as always, he learned quickly, and soon had at least a little more of a handle on it, even if he was still simply testing the waters. He would need to do much more in time still to come.
Though their return journey was a productive one in that sense, they all spoke very little, absorbed by all that had happened in such a short space of time, each of them attempting to prepare themselves for what they knew they had to do next.
Whilst they did not know exactly what was to come, their immediate challenge was to warn each island of the imminent threat. And so, it seemed, that there was to be plenty more travel for them in the near future, and they were surely to be bound to horseback for the days ahead.
The thought did not inspire Isabel greatly, as travel had never been one of her favourite pastimes, especially in winter. Cole however, was slightly more invigorated by the prospect, because, save his minor episode of running away to Inferno Range, he had scarcely ever stepped foot outside of Kalaris.
But he was certain that his future held much more than simply a little riding and sleeping on rough ground. His tasks were sure to be far more taxing than that, and so he must be prepared, and committed himself wholly to his training. He was sure that very soon his life would depend on his ability, and more importantly, his control, and wished to take as few chances as possible. In fact it already had done, several times, and it may only have been through luck that he had not as of yet lost himself to his consuming power.
Eventually, they made it home, and Kalaris appeared welcomingly on the horizon, spread out before them, nestled amongst the vast common.
Cole and Rose were reluctant to venture into the village so boldly, since doing so would likely terrify their neighbours, and so hung back somewhat. Isabel sensed however, that though that was the reason her son gave, there was something else pressing that they wished to attend to.
Nevertheless, she trusted that Cole had learned from his mistakes of late, and she and Zanriath proceeded to collect supplies, whilst her son and his demon remained just beyond the outskirts of view, far enough away so as not to cause a panic.
They would have a difficult time enough to explain two hasty departures, without adding the confusion of a demon into the mix.
Their efforts combined, it took Isabel and Zanriath several hours to collect additional supplies to those they had depleted on their journey already, and to make their way through the entirety of the village, warning everyone they could of what was surely to come.
Though there was much distress to be had, the two legends were firm and insistent that this threat could be defeated once and for all, though how they were not quite sure, but that was a minor detail that needed not be revealed at the time.
They had almost circulated the whole village and were ready to depart when Isabel cast her husband a pensive and determined look, which he returned with a raised eyebrow. There was one more place she needed to go before they left yet again.
“I’ll meet you back at home.” She told Zanriath calmly, handing him the reigns she was holding and brushing off her hands.
“Everything alright?” He asked, concerned.
“Yes.” She replied honestly. “There’s just one more thing I need to do.” Zanriath nodded understandingly in reply and kissed her lightly before departing for the stables once more, intending to exchange their horses for fresh ones.
Isabel sighed deeply and turned purposefully to her final destination, before their second, and perhaps even last departure from Kalaris.
Cole sat quietly with Rose for quite some time in his parents’ absence for, by now, communication between them was absolutely effortless, and required no physical means whatsoever.
‘What have I done Rose?’ The words Cole formed in his mind were not so much sensed by Rose, but rather they were innately known, for their link was now so strong it was almost as if their minds were one.
‘You know better than anyone that this had to happen.” Rose replied, and though Cole did not hear her words, for they were not spoken, he sensed that they were formed with the soft touches of love and sympathy, regardless of Rose’s still tender age, and indeed his own.
‘I suppose so.’ Cole thought for a moment. ‘Your power is growing quickly Rose.’ He added. She smiled, if that was somehow possible.
‘Not as quickly as yours.’ She replied. ‘Your mother is worried for your safety…As am I.’
‘I know.’ Cole thought, sighing. ‘But somehow I think I’m putting Tamarack in more danger than myself.’
‘You know we won’t let that happen.’ Rose replied. ‘Thorn is growing more powerful too.’
‘Hmm.’ Cole agreed. ‘He’s linked so strongly to the Souls now. There’s no going back.’ Rose nodded her enormous head absently in a once again unnervingly human manner.
‘Yes, I can feel that too.’ Cole sensed her sorrow as her words filtered through. ‘My brother’s malevolence saddens me greatly.’
‘Indeed.’ Cole sighed again. ‘My link with him has faded.’ He sensed Rose’s agreement. ‘That’s probably a good thing though.’ Cole continued. ‘I don’t think we would want to share his thoughts. Especially not now.’
‘The Souls have too great a hold on his mind.’ Rose concurred. ‘His thoughts are infected. They aren’t the same. We couldn’t even if we tried.’
‘My poor Thorn.’ Cole thought. ‘I don’t want to hurt him. But it seems that now we have no choice.’ Cole’s rational thoughts flowed naturally, as if they were not even his own, overtaking his human emotion almost wholly.
‘I’m no longer his equal as I once was.’ Rose warned. ‘The lost souls have given him too much power. Their energy is strange, but he’s feeding on it. That much I can tell.’ Cole nodded in initial response, more out of habit than by actual means of conversation.
‘I know.’ He replied. ‘I feel that too. It won’t be long before he has enough strength to summon more demons, just as the Souls desire. And then he’ll release those trapped in the demonic realm again too.’
Their thoughts remained quiet for some time after that. Cole’s hand petted Rose absently and rubbed behind her ears as she lay at his side on the grassy slope, awaiting the return of Zanriath and Isabel.
It had been some time, but Cole knew they would not be too much longer, and stood up to stretch his legs. Rose joined him and they looked out to the west, almost expectantly, towards the tiny spec on the horizon that marked Still Waters.
What lay there, and indeed beyond, was as of yet a mystery to them. The surely innumerable and dangerous obstacles that were undoubtedly blocking their path would, without a doubt, test them to their limits. They only hoped that their limits would continue to hold out as the pressure on them increased.
Cole breathed deeply and slowly, and rested his head on the vast column of Rose’s neck. She was everything he could have asked for, and yet then even more.
There was no way he could let anything happen to her, or to his parents, even if this journey cost him his life, he vowed he would do everything in his power to protect the ones he loved.
Even as the thought entered his mind, Rose looked to him with an expression of mixed understanding, agreement and desperation, assuring him with her simple gaze that the feeling was indeed mutual.
They would both fight to the death, if needs be. And before their journey could come to an end, it was altogether possible that that awful fate awaited them, equally in either success or failure.
18
Isabel approached Rosynn’s house with a strange reluctance and uncertainty that surprised her. The friendly, albeit a little odd, blind, young woman, had never done anything to harm her or Cole, and seemed content enough in her garden. Yet now, even as Isabel walked, with the walls of the young, blonde woman’s home coming into view, she felt an unworldly ambiguity that set her admittedly a little on edge.
As always, Rosynn was seated in her garden, wrapped now in numerous cloaks to keep the bitter morni
ng air from giving her a chill. The rose bushes around the young woman were still in full bloom, and she sat leaning back against the thick vines creeping up the side of her stone home, vines that Isabel had seen so many times before, and yet only now fully registered.
The recognition made Isabel’s heart skip a beat, and her stomach pitted nervously for some reason.
Rosynn looked somewhat concerned, more so than usual, though she still hummed quietly to herself as she tended to her flowers.
It was only at that moment, as Isabel viewed the young, blind woman sat alone so quietly, that she realised that in fact it was she who had been blind to the truth for so long now. She had been blind not to see her son’s fears, and foolish not to resolve them.
Rosynn looked up as Isabel approached, strangely, considering she was blind, and greeted her pleasantly.
“Good morning Isabel.” She said. “I was so hoping to speak to you before you left.”
“Before we left?” Isabel asked, shocked, partly by Rosynn’s greeting, and partly because she was unsure whether anyone had spread the news to her yet.
“Indeed. You must go to Vak’Istor now must you not?” Rosynn questioned.
“How did you know?” Isabel asked, stunned further now, but still not overly, for she knew somehow that the news had not reached Rosynn. Though it didn’t matter of course, for she had known regardless.
“It seems the logical thing to do does it not?” The strange woman replied. “Those of Hinaktor are almost continually mobile for war. Land holds the only remaining Demon-Slayers, aged as they may be, and Vak’Istor’s people are devoutly religious merchants - surely they require the most fore-warning?” Rosynn’s apt and extremely accurate suggestion outlined the detail of their plan exactly, and Isabel stood dumbfounded, mouth slightly agape, now genuinely surprised.
“What is there that you’re not telling me?” Isabel demanded, her suspicions most certainly confirmed. “You knew about Cole? You knew about his potential?”
