The Artifact of Dissium (Demona Book 2)

by Megan A. Hepler

  “Illuminated manuscripts,” Molony said.

  A few tables and chairs were scattered about the room. Several people were situated in the seats. They seemed to be intently studying the antique documents. Other people stood at the shelves searching for something in particular. It reminded Demona of the library she once visited in Terra Hollow.

  Along the side of the room was the entrance to a stone spiral staircase. It wound both to the floors above and below and wrapped around the supporting exterior walls. Molony began walking up the stairs. Demona and Felix followed Molony upwards. A breeze swept over Demona and a pair of barely visible wings fluttered past her.

  “Don’t mind the fairies. They just enjoy mocking us bipeds when they get the chance,” Molony said. He glanced upwards. “She’s probably already at the top of the tower by now.”

  “Mona, why don’t you whip up a whirlwind and have it carry us the rest of the way up?” Felix said.

  “You would love that, wouldn’t you?” Demona replied.

  They continued to climb up the tower stairs passing floors filled with many wondrous things. The floor directly above the first was filled with more shelves upon shelves of documents. The third had even more display cases, and wooden benches lined the whole room. Demona had counted to the one thousandth step and stopped at another floor.

  Molony was bent over and held himself up as his hands rested on his knees. He breathed several deep breaths and looked up the flight of stairs once more. “We’re….almost…there.” Molony struggled to catch his breath.

  Demona peeked out the narrow slit of a window, in the stone wall at the scenery. The mountain peak was still much higher than they had traveled up in Gleann Tower. The overcast sky darkened the valley below. Demona watched as clouds passed not too far from the tower’s peak.

  Demona turned to find that the floor they now stood on contained a centered circular room, with small offices around the outside wall. Some chairs sat nearby and a desk was placed up against the wall where a woman worked busily at her desk. A few people waited, while men and women in white robes exited the offices and called names.

  They ascended the stairs once more and emerged at the topmost level, where it seemed as if they had met the sky. The ceiling above was nothing but clouds and patches of blue sky. They were only separated by a sparkling film that looked as if it floated in the air.

  Molony moved to stand beside Demona and Felix, while they marveled at the shimmering substance. “We call this the Sky Level. It’s a force field. Some of the beings in GLC are equally as powerful as those among TGHC. This wall, while made of magic, serves not only to protect us from the weather, but would prevent any form of physical or magical penetration.”

  “But outside it looks like there is a peak and everything,” Demona said.

  Molony nodded. “What you see outside is an illusion. It is all part of the magic intertwined with the force field.”

  After Demona was able to tear her eyes away from the sparkling wall, she glanced around the room. There were auditorium seats lined along the curve of the wall on one side of the room. On the other there was a series of three raised platforms. Demona counted seven podiums staggered on the platforms. One was positioned at the top platform, two on the one below and four on the bottom.

  Demona spotted a couple of fairies seated around the room among the other light beings. They fluttered their wings, with veins that ran through the translucent material, as they talked to those around them. Demona and the rest of her group found seats and waited for the meeting to begin. Demona stared at the podiums across the room and waited anxiously.

  Masses of people began filing into the room from the spiral stairway and the seats began to fill in around them. Soon, several very old and wise looking men and women entered from the stairway. Each of them wore flowing robes made of white silk. They approached the three platforms and took their designated places behind the podiums.

  The room grew quiet and still as all eyes turned towards the elders.

  The woman that was seated at the highest elevated podium began to speak. “We begin this council with news from the outside world.” She paused and her eyes scanned the stadium seats across from her, until they rested on Molony. “We have grave news about one of Constantine Caro’s prophecies becoming fulfilled.”

  The intimidating old woman paused. Her demeanor demanded respect and attention. Her dark mid length hair was streaked with grays and whites. A murmur echoed through the room. The elder folded her hands upon the podium before her and she waited a moment longer. Demona watched as all members of the audience whispered to one another in disbelief.

  The murmurs dwindled slowly and the woman dared to speak again. “An afreet has possessed a priest, one of our ordained.”

  Gasps rose from the mouths of those seated around them. Women covered their mouths with their hands in shock and some of the men seemed to straighten up to prove their fearlessness. The voices of those in attendance were now rising far above a whisper.

  “Hush!” one of the other elders yelled.

  The council leader waited for the room to settle before continuing with her speech. “We have guests here to tell us about the situation in our northeast headquarters. I ask that you all direct your attention to Alistair Molony and hear him speak.”

  Molony stood and went to stand in the center of the room. He pivoted in place to take in his whole audience. “Thank you, Madam Elder. I am Alistair Molony, as many of you know. We have recently had a unique situation occur. One of our local volunteers, a priest, was possessed by an afreet demon several weeks ago. We have been working with what resources we have to determine the best course of action.

  “Along with this unique situation, several other strange events have been taking place. The demon that has taken possession of the priest calls himself Abd al-Malik,” Molony said, “This vile creature has broken into the TGHC headquarters and released all of the demons that had been held captive inside the demon vault. Our town has been overrun with demonic activity.”

  Everyone in the audience hung on Molony’s every word. Several people inched closer to the edge of their seats as they listened to the disturbing details.

  Molony pivoted in position to look into the eyes of more of his listeners. “During the escape from the TGHC prison, this demon attempted to drain the power from one of the vampires in TGHC. This vampire’s name is Demona Brennan.”

  “Good, let them steal their power!” A man yelled.

  “Are you crazy? That thing has enough power to kill us all.” A woman retorted.

  A man stood. “What are you talking about?”

  “The priest was connected to Aleph. He has great power,” the woman replied.

  “Quiet!” Madam Elder shouted. “You are correct. These events are very worrisome and need our full attention before the situation becomes out of hand.”

  Molony nodded and turned his attention to the man who was in disbelief of the demon’s power. “I can sympathize with your opinion, sir. However, this vampire is unlike any dark being to ever exist.”

  “Please explain,” a male elder said.

  Molony turned back to the elders. “This vampire possesses elemental power—”

  “Impossible!” a fairy shouted from behind Demona.

  A woman rose from her seat with clasped hands. “Is it the Tzadekas?”

  “Do you have proof of the existence of such a being?” one of the other elders asked.

  Molony looked at Demona. “I have brought the proof to you today. Demona, please come forward.”

  I guess it’s show time? Demona stood and walked to meet Molony in the center of the room. All eyes focused on her with intent curiosity. She looked up at the curious faces.

  “Demona, would you please provide us with a demonstration?” Molony asked. “I ask that you all refrain from using your own abilities, so that we may prove the legitimacy of her mageia.”

  Demona could feel the weight of the situation on her shoulder
s, but she closed her eyes to escape the stares and shut out all thought from her mind. She felt for the energy within her. Sounds of shock and awe ricocheted off of the shimmering walls and into her eardrums. Demona opened her eyes to see the sentiments of the voices reflected on their faces.

  Then, the snowflakes began to fall lower and the GLC members looked on in wonder. Some stuck their hands out to touch the flakes that floated in the air in order to confirm what their eyes were seeing. The audience was convinced. The curious looks grew more interested, but others seemed more fearful.

  “This is something the Council will need to discuss at length, after the adjournment,” Madam Elder said.

  “Thank you, Demona. You can go sit down,” Molony said. He turned his attention back to the audience. “The demon priest has formed an army out of the lesser demons that he helped to escape. The situation in our town grows worse by the day. No being is safe!

  “We have had reports that they are attacking not only humans, but dark, light, and neutral beings too. We have been successful in preventing any possessions, at this point, but it has been very difficult. We have had our team out at all hours of the day and night, and they grow weary of the constant battle. We need support.

  “Ezekiel Holmes and I have been attempting to find a solution to put an end to the growing danger. We have been reviewing Constantine’s journals and found a reference to an artifact that will stop the flow of power from Aleph to the possessed. We have come here to seek further information on this referenced artifact.”

  Several members of the audience murmured and nodded.

  “In light of the situation, the Council has agreed that we shall send volunteers to the northeast outpost to assist the current members as they continue to fight this demon,” Madam Elder said. “We would like volunteers for healing and defense to report to Molony following this meeting. We also ask that any available scholars begin searching through the records immediately, for any reference to this artifact. We suggest that you look through all documents written prior to Constantine’s writings.”

  Molony looked at the elders respectfully. “If I could, I have one more thing I think needs to be addressed.”

  “Proceed,” Madam Elder said.

  “Thank you,” Molony bowed to the elders. “We are attempting to form a temporary alliance with TGHC. Demona is a former field agent and has agreed to work as liaison between our two groups. We are currently awaiting an answer from Darius Grier himself.”

  “Thank you for your efforts Molony. The Council will now adjourn. I ask that all of my fellow elders return to our chamber, within the next ten minutes, to discuss these matters at length. Molony we will send for you later.”

  The Council members descended from their podiums. Demona knew this was the opportunity she needed to take in order to speak to Madam Elder. She jogged towards Madam Elder before she could begin her descent of the stairs. She quickly caught up to her when others stopped to speak to her. Demona waited patiently for Madam Elder to finish her conversations.

  The room filled with chatter as all of the people once again found their voices. Some formed groups and seemed to be deep in discussion over the matters that had been revealed during the meeting. Molony was immediately approached by several members of the audience. Many of the younger GLC members seemed eager to volunteer to help.

  “Madam Elder!” Demona placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder before she could walk away again.

  Madam Elder turned in response. “Yes, what is it?”

  “Ezekiel Holmes said that I should find you. There is something I need to ask you about.”

  “I can only spare a few moments.”

  “That’s all I need,” Demona said. She followed the woman down to the floor below and into a sparsely furnished office. They sat and Demona noticed that the older woman waited for her to begin.

  “My name is Demona Brennan.”

  “Yes, Molony has explained this. Why have you asked to speak with me?”

  “Ezekiel said you might know about my parents, or know someone who might have heard of them? Their names were Darryn and Shanon Brennan.”

  “I do not recognize those names. Why do you think that I may know who they are?” Madam Elder asked.

  Demona quickly explained about her flashbacks.

  “Interesting… continue.” Madam Elder folded her hands in her lap and listened to Demona’s story.

  Demona watched as the woman’s eyebrows arched higher with every piece of information that she could think to tell her. After she had finished, she waited patiently for the woman to reply. A knock came at the door and another elder peeked into the room. Madam Elder shooed them away and promised to be with them momentarily.

  “This is intriguing. I am not certain who your parents are. I will ask my fellow Council members if they recognize their names, or have any other clues as to what this may have been about. Do you have any idea as to when this conversation had taken place?”

  Demona’s eyes rolled slightly up as she tried to piece together a time frame. “My best guess is somewhere around five or six years ago.”

  “I will send word to you when, if, I find any information for you,” Madam Elder said. “Demona, can we trust that you will not betray us?” The woman studied Demona’s face.

  “I- yes, you don’t have to worry about me. I never belonged with the dark beings.”

  The older woman inclined her head. “I hope that your feelings do not change. The GLC is always more than willing to befriend beings of any kind. Occasionally, however, it does not always work out for the best. I do not want any of my fellow members, or any other beings harmed. Is that understood?”

  Demona could not help but think of how much Madam Elder had reminded her of Darius. The only difference was that behind Madam Elder’s rigid personality, she had only the best of intentions for GLC at heart. She was only being cautious about the presence of a dark being among so many light beings.

  Demona nodded. “Yes, I completely understand.”

  Chapter 7:

  A Night of Truths

  Demona and Felix made their way to their assigned quarters, while Molony continued to make arrangements with the volunteers. The sky grew dark as they made their way through the town in the direction of the practice field. After they had stepped onto shore they made a turn on a path, which led them up into the mountains.

  Demona and Felix walked one in front of the other up the rocky mountain trail. Demona inched closer to the edge of the trail that wound around the edge of the mountain. She peeked over the edge at the shore below and saw a few kids playing in the water. She turned her attention to the trail and stepped carefully onto the rocks that littered the path.

  “I would have expected our quarters to be in Gleannbroch,” Demona said.

  “I don’t know much about this place, but from what I hear there are pretty cool things to see,” Felix said.

  As they continued on the steep, rocky trail, Demona peeked down at the lake town nestled in the valley below. She was surprised to find that they had traveled to quite a height so quickly. The lowering sun cast bright rays from over the top of the adjacent mountain. The sky grew darker and lamps began to flicker along the trail. Demona soon realized that these lanterns hung in front of large rounded doors situated along the path.

  Felix began to giggle.

  Demona looked at him in confusion. “What’s with you?”

  “Nothing really. They just look like something that came from the Lord of the Rings,” Felix said.

  “Only you would think that,” Demona said.

  They finally made their way to an unlit lantern with the numbers 450 hanging on an engraved wooden plaque beneath. Demona used her mageia to light the candle in the lantern as Felix examined the door. He pulled open the circular door and stepped into the darkened room. Felix swore as he bumped into something in the darkness.

  Demona pulled from the mageia within her and produced another small flame that floated just inches
above her hand. The light stretched out across the floor and cast long shadows from the objects situated in the room. Demona found a previously used candle with wax drippings that had run down its sides. She lit it, while Felix used a lighter to light more candles that were scattered about and soon the room was full of light.

  They found some modest furniture placed in what seemed to be a large room. The room looked like someone had chiseled out the stone to shape a room within the mountainside. Felix and Demona wandered around checking things out. There was a small cast iron stove for heating and cooking next to a sink where a large metal water pump towered above.

  Demona pulled and pushed the water pump’s handle, until water spurted from the faucet. It startled her with the sudden force of its flow. “Well, at least there is indoor plumbing.”