The Changeling Princess

by Jackie Shirley

  Wade side-stepped the Demon and cut off his arm with one quick slash. The Demon howled with pain as Wade moved in for the kill. Wade put a hug gash in the Demon’s leg, forcing him to drop down on one knee. Before the Demon could recover, Wade stepped forward. He had both hands around his sword and with one quick motion; he cut off the Demon’s head.

  I raised myself twenty feet off the ground so I could get a better look inside the Portal. What I saw was spine-chilling. The advancing hordes extended as far back as I could see.

  Wade initiated a chant and the wind began blowing. He couldn’t send a tornado into the Portal, so he positioned one outside the entrance. The tornado worked like a vacuum sweeper as it carried the advancing Demons high into the sky, locking them into a death spiral. I continued sending blasts of cold air at the Demons who were able to escape past the tornado. We’d been fighting for over an hour when the advancing horde stopped.

  “I think that was just the first wave,” I told Wade.

  “I think you’re right. Those guys were low level Demons sent out to test our powers. I’m sure the next wave will be much more difficult. I’ll keep my tornado in place.”

  We didn’t have to wait long before the second wave came rushing out of the Portal. These creatures were much larger and much stronger. My senses told me they were high level Demons who had earned their badges of evil. My senses also told me these were not Heat Demons.

  Leading the charge of the new wave were two creatures riding dragons and carrying staffs charged with energy. When they reached the entrance to our world, the creatures riding dragons remained behind in the safety of the portal as their minions marched forward.

  The dragon-riding Demons raised their energy staffs at the same time and sent a powerful energy bolt directly into Wade’s tornado. The tornado literally withered and died. The strong winds were reduced to a soft breeze and the hordes of Demons rushed forward.

  I turned up my energy beam to maximum strength as Wade threw a huge firewall into the front of the line. We held our ground and began blasting away. The Demons were falling to the ground in such huge numbers that the advancing Demons had to climb over them.

  When the remaining Demons tried to retreat, they were blasted by their leaders, who were still hovering in the safety of the portal. This was the price the Demons had to pay when they disobeyed the orders of their superiors.

  As the Demons were retreating, I spotted several objects that looked like spirits flying out of the Portal. I fired at them with my energy bolts, but two of them got away because I couldn’t pursue them.

  I was surprised when the dragon-riding creatures flew out of the Portal to meet us with their staffs held over their heads. I figured they finally got up enough nerve to join in the battle.

  I used my power of telekinesis to grab one of the leaders. I suspended him in midair and then sent him flying into his partner, knocking him off his dragon. As they were both falling to the ground, Wade and I blasted them with our energy bolts. The evil creatures were vaporized before they hit the ground. The dragons scurried back into the Portal as fast as their wings could take them.

  “I don’t think we’re finished yet,” I told Wade.

  “Probably not, but we’ve done a pretty good job so far.”

  Before I could reply, I looked up to see an army of Demons flying toward us. The air was filled with gargoyles and all kinds of strange-looking creatures I’d never seen before.

  When Wade grabbed his neck, I realized he’d been hit with some kind of weapon. He dropped to his knees and I knew instantly he was seriously wounded. I didn’t have time to assist him, so I threw a quick force field over his body to protect him.

  I released an ear-piercing scream as I faced the oncoming hordes. “Let’s see how you like defending yourself against this Changeling Princess.” I raised my sword in the air and morphed to my maximum height of eighty feet. My sword was fifty feet long and I was ready to go to war.

  I was nothing but a blur as I soared into the air and met the flying creatures head on. I was filled with vengeance as I sliced through the flying hordes, leaving nothing but a path of destruction in my wake. I was a one-woman wrecking ball as the sky turned blood-red and blotted out the Sun. I keep up my slaughter, zigzagging through the sky, killing everything in my path. In less than ten minutes, there wasn’t a single flying creature left in the sky.

  I dropped down to the ground to check on Wade. I was about to morph down to my normal height when I heard a strange screeching sound. I looked up to see another pack of creatures flying toward me. These creatures were so hideous they made my skin crawl.

  Leading the pack were four Demons riding dragons. The dragons’ scales glistened like diamonds and their teeth were jagged and sharp. The Demons riding the dragons were skeleton creatures with energy-powered whips. The whips sounded like a crack of lighting every time they were snapped. I suddenly remembered the story of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—Death, Pestilence, Famine, and War. I didn’t know if these were the Four Horsemen, but I was determined to kick their butts all the way back to wherever they came from.

  I attacked the first dragon and severed its head with one swipe. The dragon fell to the ground, but the rider morphed into black smoke and flew back into the Portal. The three remaining dragon-riding Demons flew high into the air and began cracking their whips in unison. The other flying creatures flew into formation, surrounding me from all directions.

  I held my sword out in front of me with both hands. I began spinning faster and faster until I became a mini-cyclone. My blade acted like a buzz saw as I began cutting a path through the surrounding creatures. At the same time, I released a barrage of energy bolts that lit the afternoon sky like the Fourth of July. Between my sword and my energy bolts, I destroyed the entire horde of flying creatures. The three remaining skeleton leaders lost no time scurrying back into the Portal. Like most evil creatures that prey on the weakness of others, they were cowards who were incapable of fighting their own battles.

  I paused to check up on Wade, but I sensed another wave of creatures deep in the portal, quickly making their way to the entrance. I was suddenly overcome with a strange sensation running throughout my entire body. I had no idea what was going on as I was lifted off the ground. I had no control over my actions as I rose higher and higher into the sky. When I came to a stop, I realized I had been positioned between the Sun and the Portal. I glanced from side to side and for the first time I could see my wings. I had a feeling of complete bliss. I knew instantly that the Supreme Entity was guiding my actions.

  I felt my entire body absorbing the energy from the afternoon Sun. At the same time, my powers were being elevated to their maximum strength. I sensed that my newfound strength extended all the way out to the outstretched tips of my newfound wings. My entire body grew brighter and brighter until I was as bright as the Sun itself. With my wings spread wide open, I became the cross of righteousness, filled with fury to be feared by all evil creatures. I channeled my light into a solid beam and directed it toward the Portal. When the Portal weakened, I used all of my strength to exert maximum power. I watched as the entire structure exploded into a million pieces. The threat to mankind had been postponed for another five hundred years.

  I fell to the ground completely exhausted. I morphed back to Janis French and crawled to Wade on my hands and knees. The first thing I did was dissolve the protective shield I had placed around him. I saw that he was still breathing, but I knew in my heart he was dying. I tried using a rejuvenation beam, but it had only a minimal effect. There was nothing more I could do. Wade looked up at me and smiled.

  “I saw your wings, Janis. They were beautiful.”

  “Don’t talk, Wade, you’re hurt pretty bad.”

  “I know I’m not going to make it, but I have to tell you a couple of things while I still have the strength to say them.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Do you know what I wished for at my last birthday party?” />
  “You can tell me if it’s important to you.”

  “I wished we were normal teenagers and we were high school sweethearts. I’ve got to confess that I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. My only regret is that I’ve never been able to tell you before now.”

  The tears were running down my cheeks as I lowered my head and whispered softly, “I love you, too.”

  “You mustn’t cry, Janis. I’m going to a far better place and I know we’ll be together again someday. I see you’re still wearing my ring. Does that mean you’re still my girl?”

  “Yes, I’m still your girl and I always will be.”

  Wade was still smiling as he closed his eyes. I could sense the life forces leaving his body as his heart stopped beating. I looked up at the sky and released an ear-splitting scream that shook the ground. The pain I felt was more unbearable than anything I had ever felt in my life. I suddenly felt a presence hovering above me.

  You have done well my child. I am sorry this victory has caused you so much pain.

  “Couldn’t you have done something to save Wade?”

  This is what I once referred to as free will. Wade made his choice and that’s the way he chose to lead his life. He was pure of heart and he will receive his just rewards in the kingdom that awaits him. You, on the other hand, still have much work to do.

  “Are you saying I have more battles to fight?”

  That is correct. Down through the centuries there have been many who have escaped into your world. It is your job to find these creatures and imprison them until they disintegrate.

  “How long is that?”

  The Demons that escaped from the parallel universe have an average life expectancy of five thousand years. You must make sure they are imprisoned for that length of time. I suggest you take Wade back to his home. It is time to mourn.

  “I understand.”

  I picked up Wade’s shield and sword and prepared for the journey home. I broke into tears at the thought of facing his aunt. I hated to be the bearer of such bad news.

  CHAPTER 34

  I landed in Wade’s backyard and carried him to the back door. Miss Wilson was waiting for me and opened the door. “Bring Wade into the living room and lay him on the sofa.”

  Miss Wilson remained silent as she ran her hand tenderly over Wade’s face. “Did he suffer?” she asked.

  “No. Wade died like a warrior, with his sword in his hand.”

  Miss Wilson was a very strong woman, but I sensed the grief in her trembling voice. “Wade was very special, but I think you know that already.”

  “Very, very special. No one will ever take his place in my heart. Will there be a funeral?”

  “Yes, but our Clan has its own customs. Wade’s body will lie here for two days. This will permit his friends to stop by and pay their respects. The two days of mourning will start the day after tomorrow. Wade will be buried at the Grandview Memorial Cemetery, but there will be no services at the burial.”

  As hard as I tried, I couldn’t stop the tears flowing down my cheeks. Miss Wilson put her arms around me to comfort me. “Life has dealt us a cruel blow, but we have to hold our heads high and carry on. In the Witch religion, death is not the end; it is a beginning.”

  * * *

  My parents were elated when I walked through the front door. It was as if I’d been missing for a year and I’d suddenly found my way home.

  “You were only gone for one day,” said my dad. “Did you defeat the Army of Darkness?”

  “Yes, we did. I closed the Portal of Darkness and the Earth is safe for another five hundred years.”

  My mother realized something wasn’t right. “You don’t seem very happy about that. Did something go wrong?”

  My voice cracked as I spoke. “Wade was killed on the battlefield.”

  There was silence in the room until my dad spoke. “That’s terrible. I’m very sorry, sweetheart. Wade was a very special young man.”

  “He was more than that,” said my mother. “He was in love with Janis and she loved him too.”

  I nodded my head. “Yes I loved, Wade, but it just wasn’t meant to be. We had a greater calling and we knew that came first.”

  I spent the rest of the evening relating the details of the battle. When it was time to go to bed, I said goodnight and walked slowly up the stairs.

  The kitties were waiting for me at the foot of the bed. How did it go? Missy asked.

  Izzy spoke next. Did you smack ‘em good?

  I picked up both kitties and held them in my arms. We defeated the bad guys, but Wade died on the battlefield.

  Oh no! said Missy. I really like Wade.

  I liked Wade too, said Izzy.

  I was filled with grief because I knew I was never going to see Wade again. The grief would eventually diminish, but it was going to take a long, long time.

  * * *

  I was at Wade’s house for the two days of mourning. Wade was placed in a casket in the center of the living room. Miss Wilson was dressed in black and she sat at the head of the casket. I was sitting nearby because I felt a great sense of comfort in her strength.

  All of the Clan members stopped by and paid their respects. Sherri broke down crying and had to be helped out of the room. There are many definitions of strength, but the strongest of them all is the ability to deal with pain and suffering. Life goes on and you just have to make the best of it.

  * * *

  I visited the Westgate Memorial Cemetery where Wade was buried. The bronze plaque set into the grass read, “Wade Wilson, 1944 - 1962.” I tried not to cry, but I couldn’t help it. Life wasn’t always fair and I knew I’d have to learn to take the good with the bad.

  My senses suddenly told me I was in the presents of a Witch. I looked over my shoulder and saw a man standing about twenty feet away. I was positive it was Wade’s father. I walked up to him and asked, “Are you Eric Wilson?”

  “You are very perceptive young lady, but my senses tell me you’re not a Witch.”

  “No, I’m a Changeling and I was a very close friend of Wade’s. I was at his birthday party when he received your postcard from London, England. Wade loved you very much.”

  “I don’t know why. I didn’t do anything to deserve his love. I was nothing but a big disappointment in his life.”

  “Maybe you were, but that doesn’t change the fact that you were his father. If Wade had lived, I believe things eventually would have worked themselves out. In his heart, Wade believed that and that’s all that counts.”

  “The sad thing is that I was on my way to see Wade when he died. If I had come a week earlier, things might have been different.”

  “It’s not too late to visit his grave and tell him how you feel. I’m sure he will be able to hear you.”

  “I’m sure he will—and I’m going to go by and see my sister too. We have a lot of patching up to do. I just hope she’ll find it in her heart to forgive me.”

  As I left the cemetery, I turned and watched as Wade’s father walked up to the gravesite. He got down on his knees and folded his hands in front of him. I had no doubt whatsoever that Wade would forgive his father. Wade was that kind of guy.

  I had two more matters to be taken care of. First, I went to see Grandma Pauline. I had written a detailed report covering everything that had taken place during the battle. She could use this information to keep her records up to date.

  After I left Pauline’s, I flew to the mountain clearing with Wade’s equipment—his sword, his shield, and his robe. Wade loved the mountain retreat and I thought this was the perfect place to bury his belongings.

  I wrapped everything in a silk sheet and placed it into a deep hole close to the large tree where we used to hang our swords and shields. I filled in the hole and patted the ground.

  “This clearing will always be our place, Wade. I will never come here without recalling the wonderful memories that are locked in my heart. I love you now and I will love you forever.”

>   My eyes were filled with tears as I ascended into the sky and headed for home. It was time to move forward. I knew that Wade would want me to carry on.

  CHAPTER 35

  It was two o’clock in the afternoon. My mother was visiting Pauline and I was home alone, playing with the kitties. I sensed a presence and then I realized the Supreme Entity was about to speak.

  It is time for you to fulfill the rest of your obligation as an Ivarr. The list you are about to receive contains the names and general locations of the creatures that have escaped into your world. It is your job to capture as many of these Demons as possible and imprison them for the remainder of their lives.

  I sensed the Supreme Entity was no longer with me. A sheet of paper I’d never seen before was laying on my dressing table. I knew instantly that this was the list that contained the names of the creatures I was instructed to round up. I picked up the list and skimmed through the names, reading who and what they were and where they lived.

  Ackula: Female Vampire, Louisiana.

  Albazar: Flesh-eating Werewolf, Michigan.

  Araknazoid: Spider Demon, Mexico.

  Antista: Sea creature, Loch Ness, a fresh water loch in the Scottish Highlands.

  Cumado: Devil bat, New Guinea.

  Gensa: She creature, a cave in Greece.

  Hensha: Cat Demon, Paris, France.

  Idos: Snow Demon, Himalaya Mountains.

  Mestra: Snake Demon, Cairo, Egypt.

  Omazato: Giant centipede, Serengeti ecosystem.

  Zalazar: Invisible dragon, France.

  Zimbro: Demon gorilla, lowland forests of Cameroon.

  The list consisted of twelve names. There was a wide array of strange creatures, so I knew I had my work cut out for me. When I explained to my parents that we had to have a conversation, they were very attentive and gave me their full attention.