Crimson Black

by C C Morgen

  The young girl was insecure with herself as we finally spoke. We introduced ourselves and her name was a peculiar one, Alphard, the solitary one. She was as gorgeous as a star burning in the night sky. One of those stars I wished upon to make my dreams come true. Her delicate appearance was compassionate by nature and exhibited no signs of the demonic creature it bred her to be. She created a smile radiant as the sun when I showed her the beauty of the sea with my gifts. I wondered if she knew how beautiful she was when I caught her catching long glances at me. She made me feel strange with her expression as if I was a treasure she had finally found. I could still feel her essence inside me like something linked us, heart and soul. This has never happened before. The connection between us was strong, and I wondered if she noticed the bond.

  It was brief, our time together, and we parted ways to our separate worlds. Her world was in the Dark Queen's castle, mine was in the cove. It was nice meeting Alphard even though she was a Demon. I still don’t understand why the Queen took her in. The center of her pain doesn’t come from the outside world, she seemed troubled by being here, so why was she brought here in the first place? I can tell that she didn’t feel free.

  The youth of her innocence intrigued me as she visited the cove for the first time, and her injuries were far worse than yesterday’s bruises. Blood ran from her lips from being hit. This girl didn’t have an ounce of power to fight strength on strength with Luna. She was weaker compared to the other servants of the Queen with her thin arms and gentle glances as her eyes met mine. She has the potential to be stronger if only she wasn’t still mortal; and if she matured into a Succubus, her strength would double since she would also inherit the powers of a Demon.

  Then after a while with Alphard, I realized she knew nothing about herself. I could tell by every visit by the confusion in her eyes. She was a curious girl, but she loved the isolation of my hut and the quiet beach. Her company made the days interesting again, and I looked forward to her visits every day. However, the injuries from Luna seemed to get worse, so I tried to encourage her to become stronger and offered a reward to take her swimming out to sea. Alphard was excited about the idea of it after she heard my stories of diving into the depths without surfacing for air. I’d describe life under the sea and the creatures that swam with me on my journeys; the dolphins, sharks, Mer-people. She was wide-eyed by all my adventures.

  It was hard to get a word about her life. I wanted her to open-up more, but it never happened. As much as I wanted to get to know her, it was an irritating challenge, which reminded me of how much I desired to see my home again, with the same frustration. Her vague answers made her even more mysterious, like a puzzle I wanted to piece together to answer my yearning questions about her life. I desired to know more, but even Yuna never mentioned a word about her. It was strange that they kept this young girl in silence around the kingdom. It was frustrating to seek anything about the girl known as the Solitary One. Even the Fairies, Pixies, and Nymphs didn’t have information to give about her.

  Manee had surprised me with a visit one day, while I was at a breaking point, letting my aggression out by lifting the water with my power and swiping it to the side.

  “WHOA THERE!” He ducked under the water as the waves crashed by. “Don’t kill me, Ocean Goddess.”

  “The ninth heavens… Manee!” I shouted in shock. “I’m sorry.”

  “Someone has too much frustration,” he stated. “There was a lot of tension in those waves.”

  “Sorry,” I expressed again more apologetically with a face of utter annoyance. “I have things lingering on my mind lately.”

  “Then I came at the right time,” he chuckled. “What has been going on? This is the first time I’ve seen you this flustered and ready to split the sea.”

  “Split the sea… Ugh. I want to just drown in a whirlpool for a while until my mind stirs up.”

  “That bad huh?” He became concerned. “So, it’s your mind that’s the issue?”

  “Not really… I’m just trying to figure things out.”

  “You know I have well opened ears,” he pointed at the hole in his ear. “These are superb for listening and solving problems.”

  “You know I’ve seen the Succubus,” I confessed. “I met her.”

  His eyes widen in amazement. “Did you now? Thank the ninth heavens, you have met someone in your fantasy. Is she devious like they say in the stories? Do they live up to the expectation as seductive predators? Has she tried to seduce and devour you?”

  I paused in silence.

  “Give me all the dirty details,” he requested with eagerness.

  “She’s not like I expected, to be honest,” I finally replied. “It’s actually quite the opposite. She’s still young and innocent. Her presence has no demonic intent, she’s fragile and sweet. I’ve grown to think not all Demons are born evil, just conditioned that way as they experience more.”

  “You like her, don’t you?” He concluded.

  “I feel protective of her,” I answered.

  “No… You like her. I know that look and that tone you use. You are feeling something for that Demon girl.”

  “She’s only a child, and is too sweet natured for the Dark Queen,” I avoided the question.

  “But she is the one that’s on your mind right now,” he pointed out. “Your frustrations are over her. She is something to you!”

  “I’m being a friend to her, that’s something.”

  “No… You're hiding behind that,” he retorted. “You are attracted to her. How old is she anyway?

  “About fifteen to sixteen years of age,” I answered. “She is too young.”

  “No, she’s not,” he had an appalled expression. “She’s the right age.”

  “I’m an immortal and about hundred years passed her age.” I nodded. “No thank you. I will not even swim in that direction.”

  “Oh, Ocean Goddess, something is different about you. I can feel it. Your energy has changed and has become brighter than usual.”

  “Now that you mention it, I have been feeling different lately,” I answered. “It’s actually the source of my problem. It has locked me into this connective bond with the girl. The day I healed her, a strange alignment happened with both of our energies. Like our souls attached. Now, I can feel her inside me… Her emotions, how she’s physically feeling being beaten every day. It’s all devastating. I just don’t understand what’s going on. Not to mention she's conservative, so I can’t relate any of her feelings to something real. It’s frustrating not knowing what a person is thinking, but you can feel their torment.”

  “So, she won’t become intimate with you,” he asked with even more excitement in his eyes.

  “She doesn’t trust me enough to tell me her thoughts even though I’ve become her friend, but I help her anyway I can.”

  “I’m sorry you’re in this much of a conundrum,” he replied. “She’s obviously reserved and probably with good reason. But about your link… You won’t be able to break it if you wanted to.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “It’s rare for a connection to come that quickly and stay. You two have found each other after all this time.” He giggled

  “You’re speaking in riddles.”

  “Twin souls, Ocean Goddess, I’m talking about twin souls. She is truly your polar opposite.” He dazed into a deep thought and had an enlighten look. “It makes sense why you were drawn to the dark side. Your twin was there all this time. That explains your fascination with Succubi and Demons.”

  “Now be serious,” I said. “I don’t want to resort to that conclusion, because we both know the downside.”

  “Why… It explains the bond and the reason you feel the need to be friends with her. But how long are you going to resist the temptation?”

  “What are you referring to now?” I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

  “You will fall in love with her,” he stated, knowing the truth. “It’s just going to get wor
se the longer you’re around each other. I don’t think she will resist either.”

  “But I don’t think she feels the link the same way.”

  “Oh yes she does,” he interrupted. “She’s most likely just as confused as you are.”

  “Now you’re giving your support to a Demon girl. Who would have thought?”

  “You were right,” Manee admitted he was wrong about the integrity of a Succubus. “If she’s really that innocent as you described, then maybe she’s someone worthy of your friendship.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, I just have to get her to open up more.”

  “Just have patience with her,” he stated. “She will share when she’s good and ready. Can you tell me what you know about her?”

  “It’s not much,” I answered. “They brought her here from the Norse territory. Her name is Alphard, and the Queen separated her from her family. It turns out her mother is, Frigga, the north goddess. Her brothers are Thor and Loki.

  “Oh, the ninth heavens!” Manee looked flustered. “Her fine-looking brother is Thor. That strong handsome devil of a man… ugh, luck never finds me with all the delicious Gods.”

  “Your luck has nothing to do with it,” I ran my fingers through his hair. “The hunger in your eyes sends them running.”

  “Ha-ha, hilarious. What’s my misfortune is your luck… Is Alphard at least attractive for a Succubus?”

  “She's quite stunning even though her skin is fair like the northerners. However, her eyes captivate me the most. The way she looks at me it sends chills throughout my body. It’s like every glance she takes, I feel like I’m someone special to her.”

  “I’m sure you are special to her,” he batted his eyes in sarcasm. “You should show her some mature things as well.” He winked.

  I swept water in his face. “Get your head out of those dirty thoughts. I’m not doing anything like that to her. Not while she is still adjusting here on the island and she has to go through that awful training with that vulgar hound.”

  “So… You have been healing her in a distinct way,” he added more sarcasm to the mood.

  “Ugh… You are not being funny you know.”

  “Okay, I’ll be serious now.” He tried to hide his smirk. “You’re an angst young lady. Especially over this girl. I do hope all becomes well with your new friendship. Make sure you give me all the juicy details the next time I visit. But I am glad that Yuna has been doing better.”

  “Yes,” I answered. “Thank you again for your help. She actually sent word today that she is doing much better.”

  “I want to meet all your new friends,” he forced a pouty face. “They all seem so interesting. A Wood Elf and a Succubus. Quite a pair to have.”

  “Maybe someday, when the times change between all of us, we can just laugh together about our past troubles. Until then, we have to just settle for this.”

  “It will all change the moment you choose to change it,” he voiced. “Tell that Ocean God to bury himself deep in the ocean trench and never come back.”

  “I don’t have the courage,” I laughed. “I would need an army of Manee’s helping me rise against him and my family.”

  “Maybe you can make a contract with the Dark Queen,” he suggested, being serious for once in our conversation. “Ask her to help you. She and her family have the power to rise to any God.”

  “I will not make such a contract with the Harpys.” I grunted with aggravation. “To have such a task fulfilled by the Queen is below me.”

  “But admit that it’s an option,” he stated.

  “Absolutely not! And not another word about it.”

  “Okay-okay, I understand,” he apologized. “No more about the Harpys, I get it.”

  “Thank you, sweet Manatee. You should come by again. I feel it’s a blessing every time you visit. You’re annoying at times, but I love you either way.”

  “I’m now intrigued by this Succubus girl, you’re so allured by. Next time I visit, tell me more about her.” He drifted further out to sea. “But for now, I must take my leave. My father will wonder where I am.”

  “Tell your father I miss his jokes and his grumpy old self.”

  “Well he is a grumpy old Mer-man that’s for sure, but I’ll send him your regards.” He waved goodbye before he dived back into the sea.

  Then I noticed after he left, my thoughts had cleared from all the aggression and frustration that plagued me earlier. Speaking to him today gave me the clarity I needed to develop patience with Alphard. Our connection is real as he clarified; however, I’ll not admit to him just yet that I might actually like the girl more than I admitted. The truth was, I didn’t know where my heart will lead as I approach closer to the bright burning star known as the Solitary One.

  CHAPTER XX

  The Snakes Play

  MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALPHARD went beyond my own expectations. Her training with me began every day after the hard spars with Luna in the mornings. She would arrive exhausted, panting and aching from the beatings inflicted on her body, so I would revive her enough to do more with me throughout the day.

  “I feel so much better,” Alphard sighed in relief. “I can’t evade her blows. They hurt so much when she takes me off guard.”

  She sat on the sand, presuming it was a chance to rest. I raised a wave and aimed it at her, and the water sprayed her torso, slamming her flat. She sputtered and coughed as she fought to get back up, spitting out salty sea water.

  “What was that for?”

  “Get up,” I instructed her as harsh as my voice could be. “Your day is not over yet.”

  She propelled herself off the ground and stood stiff on her feet. I lifted the seawater, forming enormous snakes that swirled around me. Giant python heads with mouths opened, baring fangs to terrorize. Her eyes grew at the sight, flying around me and multiplying from three to six; from six to twelve, soaring high.

  “What are you doing?” Her tone carried panic and worry as the serpents hissed, displaying their fangs as they passed by her face.

  “Be on your guard,” I commanded. I guided one snake to strike, its mouth opened to consume her. She cowered at the sight and the snake collided head on into her and splashed her backwards unto the sand until its body disappeared and was soaked up by the earth. Once it dissolved, Alphard could draw a breath. She choked and spew out the leftover seawater that went into her nose. Her chest, expanding and contracting fast in dread of the water snakes.

  “Quickly. On your feet!” I yelled.

  She curled on her knees and got up once again, and her posture became stiff as she dealt with me and the serpents. I sent another one to attack and this time she charged the snake using her arms as a shield. The water sprayed her backwards and knocked her onto the ground.

  “Again!” I instructed.

  Alphard jumped to her feet again with the same firm stance. Yet again, my snake collided into her, producing the same result by slamming her back, because the force of the wave out-matched her weight. It didn’t seem to dawn on her she was addressing the scenario the improper way with such a frail frame.

  “You are too stiff,” I explained. “You need to loosen up.”

  She gawked at me with a bewildered look.

  “If I do that, it will hurt more!” She responded. “I will not have any strength if I did that.”

  “It’s not about strength when defending yourself against a tougher opponent.” I shed light on her issue. “Luna has more force in her attacks, and she is a lot more skilled by overpowering opponents who can’t match her strength. To guard yourself against force is to avert it by moving with it or around it.” I glanced up at the snakes intertwining into a rotating ball above me. “Have you noticed that the force of water is powerful and unstoppable unless something stronger can withstand its power, like the earth? Ocean creatures as myself and the mermaids, we travel with the current of the water and waves. We swim under the force, avoiding the full strength that can spin us out of control.” I noticed Alphard
loosening up her posture and the hardness of her muscles softened. “Imagine Luna as that wave. She’s a powerful foe that can knock you back and out of control. She has the upper hand when you are taken off guard by force and pain. You are not as strong to stop her, so you need to swim under her.” I maneuvered a serpent to leave the ball and it whirled around me. “This snake has power, but they can be evaded when you are one with its movements. Understand and anticipate your rival.” Her eyes became concentrated on mine.

  The snake rushed at her and she relocated her body to sidestep the maximum force of the water as it skimmed her rib cage. She was dumbfounded that she dodged the destructive snake, and it glided by her and continued back up to the ball of snakes, circulating above me.

  “I did it!” The excitement in her tone made my harsh methods as a trainer seem justified.

  “Well played!” I commented, proud of her instantaneous response. “You are exceptionally agile. It’s a skill that can be utilized to your favor against Luna. You need to get smarter passively and develop those skills. Become faster. Move like the wind to defend yourself.”

  I drew forth the serpents, this time in pairs, and sent them after her. Her body naturally moved to avoid them as they charged at her. The strength of the water no longer knocked her over like they did before. She slithered and swirled as if it were a dance when more snakes went after her. The expression in her eyes switched from depression to someone that has joy as the fear washed aside and she became more confident in her capabilities. Her insecurities disappeared while having fun with the water snakes; but she took the training serious.

  I noticed the exhaustion set in and I sent the snakes back into the ocean, so Alphard and I could relax on the beach. She collapsed in the sand, grinning in content. “That was so much fun!” Her eyes drifted closed while I settled next to her.