“It is not I who is deluded, brother.” Daemon closed the distance between them and jabbed a finger to his brother’s chest. “Secrets and lies. That is what you believe. I know the truth.”
“The truth?” Daedal looked at Daemon as if he’d never seen him before. “The Dark has poisoned your mind. The Dark followed us as we left our dying Radiantha and interfered with this world's creation. It is evil, horrid. Earth was not ours, yet mankind readily shared her with us. We’ve no right to steal it away from them.”
Daemon chuckled and rolled his eyes.
“You laugh and yet you’ve made your judgements from the safety of a village you have never left. You have not seen what I have seen as I have traveled this earth. The Dark is a force that must be stopped. It is the duty of the Eche-mah to protect the humans from the evil we unknowingly brought with us.”
“What of the woman I love? What has the Eche-mah done to protect her as she suffered at the hands of a woman who should have cherished her, yet hid her evil behind the shield of her status? What did they do when our father was murdered, as well as hundreds of innocents? The truth, my misguided brother, is that the Eche-mah are powerless in dealing true justice. We must use the Dark against the humans and the wicked of our own kind. Justice must be served.”
Daedal moved to his brother’s side, the Protector power within him filling his form, stretching until he towered above his brother several inches. “You are not the judge of this world.”
“Do not use your underdeveloped gifts against me Daedal, I’m warning you. Adding a few inches to your height does not frighten me.” He raised his fist to the side and pointed to the forest. Daedal’s eyes followed the movement, and what he saw caused his body to shrink back to normal height.
“Shall I call them?” He didn’t wait for Daedal’s answer before whispering in a voice that rose chills on Daedal’s arms. “Walkarna.” Servants come.
Out of the forest stalked three monstrous gray wolves with red eyes and fangs dripping lines of saliva to the ground below. When they paused beside Daemon their heads were as high as his shoulder. “Beautiful, aren’t they? Perfectly loyal. I call them DéHool. It means—”
“I know what it means!”
“Hmm, they are teaching you Dark speech in Protector training. How interesting.” He ran his hand over the head of the nearest wolf. “Just pups. I think they will surpass even your Protectors in height once they are full grown.”
“What have you done?” The disgust in Daedal’s tone brought a furrow to Daemon’s brow.
“What is necessary, my brother. You think your Protector army can save our people when the humans continue to multiply in droves and their weak minds succumb to their primeval, wicked tendencies. The Dark does not turn them into Darkened, it only reveals their true nature. I can control the Dark. I am not weak. I can release the power entombed in Gyeesta and wield it. I will save our people from the filth that defiles this world.” As he spoke, the shadow over him deepened, his own form filled and stretched until he stood as tall or taller than Daedal had. His skin took on a reddish hue and an image of the most terrifying demon Daedal had ever seen filled his vision.
Daemon grinned down at his brother. “You saw him, didn’t you.” A flicker of pain crossed his face and he shrank back down. “Soon I will be strong enough to hold the power and the transformation will be complete.”
Daedal swallowed and took a step back.
“See, it is you who fears me.”
Daedal shook his head, his eyes filled with pain. “You misunderstand. I do not fear you. I fear for you. The creature before me is not my brother. My brother is lost.”
“You will fear me, Daedal. Soon everyone who tries to stop me will tremble with fear.”
Daedal turned away and trudged slowly back through the forest as Daemon’s laughter echoed through the trees.
Chapter 15
Autumn, 103LR
In the quiet moments before dawn I can feel the pain of my decision like a heavy cloud has been placed over my heart. As the sun rises and its light breaks through the cloud, I feel the tiniest inkling of hope, until my eyes open and the truth greets me...
Areen opened her eyes to the light of another day to see ReShya placing a mug of Lucid in front of Daedal, who must have just arrived, then sitting beside him at the table.
ReShya had looked so hopeful when Areen had walked back in after meeting with Daemon. But Areen had only shook her head and burst into tears. She had cried on ReShya’s shoulder for hours, until night covered the house and ReShya had asked the trees to locate Daedal. They informed her he was wandering the forest, mourning. ReShya had broken down then.
Daedal did not return, and the two had fallen into a fitful sleep in ReShya’s bed, heads turned toward the kitchen door, each trying unsuccessfully to muffle their sobs.
“He is gone.” Daedal’s voice cracked and Areen looked up to see a single tear roll down his cheek. He wrapped his mother in his arms and held her as she cried. He glanced over and met Areen’s gaze. She tried to look away, but his eyes held her. A strange feeling started inside her, guilt mingled with longing. She could feel his character like a hammer against her gift. He was good, so good. The purest heart she had ever felt, even more than her own father, whom she’d always believed was very near perfect.
She raised a hand to her forehead and rushed from the house, seeking solace in the shed, too afraid to brave the forest where Daemon could find her. The smell of old wood, and the warm light coming through the cracked and warped boards was soothing, peaceful. She sat on one of the low stools used for milking the goat, and pushed her bare feet into the damp earth.
Tomorrow she would Transcend. Tomorrow she could leave this place of heartache and pain. But despite what she’d told ReShya about finding LadonRyn, the place where Spheres can go to die, she had no idea where to look and knew that to ask anyone from her village would doom them to her same fate.
No, tomorrow she would leave to wander the world alone until her life was spent. Her body trembled and she wrapped her arms around her middle.
A knock sounded at the door and she jumped. “Areen, may I come in?” Daedal’s deep voice felt like a soft blanket across her shoulders and she couldn’t find voice to tell him to go away. He waited several seconds before gently pushing the door open.
He walked into the tiny shed, nearly filling the small space, and looked around with a look of nostalgia. “I used to hide in here too. Strange that a tight space like this could feel so safe.” He chuckled softly, a nice warm sound. “I was a lot smaller then, though.” He pulled over the other milking stool and sat down. His huge frame dwarfed the chair, looking almost comical.
Despite the war of pain going on inside her, her lips curled into an involuntary smile. Something about this man did that—brought a strange feeling of safety and peace, that the whole world was not going to end. Hope. That’s what she felt. But it wasn’t real; there was no hope for her, it was just his character.
He looked up at her from lowered eyes, his long lashes brushing his cheeks, his brown eyes deep and warm. A shiver ran across her shoulders, but it wasn’t fear that caused her to tremble, it was something else, something she could not define. “I am so sorry for your pain, Areen.”
She swallowed.
“I hope it does not offend you, but mother told me of your situation. I am truly sorry.”
And she could feel it, his genuine pain for her, a stranger, and a lump rose in her throat. She swallowed again, hard. “Thank you.” Her scratchy voice gave evidence of her night of tears.
He reached a big hand toward her but she recoiled. She did not think she could bear the touch of someone so pure. He curled his fingers back and the stool creaked beneath him. “I wanted to offer you help. If I may?”
Her eyebrow lifted, and despite her doubts she could not help but hope; he seemed so sure, so confi
dent. “How can you possibly help me?”
A tiny smile lifted the side of his mouth.
Chapter 16
Autumn, 103LR
Under the care of my kind, behind the walls of a castle, waits a possible future I did not, could not, foresee...
Daedal walked into the kitchen and Areen’s heartbeat kicked up behind her ribs. After their chat in the shed, Daedal had left to “see to some business in town,” and Areen had gone back into the house to wait for him to return and tell ReShya of his plan. Her heart and mind had shuffled from hope, to guilt so stifling she could hardly breathe. ReShya had tried to coax her into talking, but she couldn’t. She was such a coward. She wanted Daedal’s plan. Selfish, selfish child she was.
“Afternoon, Mother.” ReShya leaned into Daedal as he squeezed her shoulders and kissed her cheek.
“Hello my joy.” The pain was still there in ReShya’s eyes and in her countenance, but Daedal’s presence seemed to lift her spirits the same way it did Areen’s.
“Mother, I have a plan.”
“A plan to help Daemon?” The hope in her tone made Areen’s stomach clench.
“No mother.” Her face fell, but Daedal grabbed her chin. “A plan to help Areen.”
ReShya looked over to Areen and her face softened, the love evident. “Of course.” She smiled a watery smile and opened her arms. Areen rushed into them and buried her face in the woman’s neck.
“I wish I could save him, myatha,” Areen hiccuped, the Eche-mah word for mother just slipping out. “I’m so sorry!”
ReShya patted her back. “As do I my sweet datha—my daughter. But we cannot control the will of others.” She sighed. “What is the plan, my joy?”
Daedal put an arm around the two of them and led them back to the table. He waited for both to sit, ReShya still holding tight to Areen, before he gave the details of his plan.
He would take them both to the Citadel of Light. Areen would plead forgiveness to the Guardians and pledge herself to a life of selfless service in the citadel. He testified of the forgiving and kind nature of the Guardians, his surety that they would accept Areen into their home, since most of her mistakes were the result of a childhood filled with twisted actions by a woman who only held the title of mother but did not deserve it.
As he spoke, Areen felt again the warmth of truth, of rightness. It would not be easy to admit her betrayal and dark thoughts to the Guardians, but a life of devotion, of service to the Light would hopefully make up for her past. She had loved the Light as a child; it was only as she’d gotten older had she begun to doubt them. The actions of her mother confused and depleted her. Daemon’s influence and attention had come at a pivotal time in her life and she’d grabbed onto the love she’d felt quickly without due thought. But she could not regret the experience, for it had brought back that love for the Light she had known as a child. And in ReShya, she had realized the Light had never abandoned her.
Daedal told his mother of Areen’s need to have a representative, a guardian, as neither of her parents would likely accompany her. ReShya nodded without reservation.
As the guilt threatened to consume Areen, another plan began to take shape in her mind. Something she must attempt as soon as her transcendence was complete, when her gifts would be at their peak. Something that could balance her selfish act of taking ReShya from her home. A plan that neither ReShya nor Daedal could know about.
***
“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t for ReShya.” Areen looked at the group of five young men later that evening. They were all former friends of Daemon, all injured in his cruel trick at Gyeesta. “I cannot bear her heartache. I must try, but I know I cannot do it alone.”
The one-armed boy, Chryn, took a deep breath. “I would do anything for ReShya, but what you wish to do... There is no way to succeed. The Daemon we know is gone.” The other young men all nodded their heads sadly.
Areen folded her hands behind her back to hide their trembling. “I only ask that you guide me in. I do not know the way to Gyeesta. I will shield us. Daemon will not know we are coming. Once Gyeesta is in sight, leave, get as far away as you can. I am the only one who can reason with him. I know this. I am going to try, without your help if needed. I will follow the tremors in the Balance and search until I find it or die trying. I owe that much to ReShya. I must try.”
Chryn looked around at the group and sighed. “Very well. When?”
“I go to the Capka tonight for my Transcendence. Meet me behind the Capka just after midnight tomorrow.”
Chapter 17
Autumn, 103LR
What have I done?
“Are we close?” Areen’s heightened Sphere abilities caused a tingle inside her body that was nearly overwhelming. The darkness seemed to be coming from everywhere. She’d been right to ask Chryn and his friends to accompany her. She did not yet have enough control over this stronger power to decipher the exact location of Gyeesta. She was sensing too much too deeply. She fought to rein it in, but it was like trying to hold back a cloud. She kept her focus on shielding the life forces of the men around her, keeping them from affecting the Balance and alerting Daemon to their presence. He was sure to have spies in the forest, trees to watch for him, she just hoped they could not sense the bodies moving between them.
“Yes,” Chryn whispered. “It’s just ahead there, see the blackness ahead? Thick, too thick.”
Areen nodded and stopped walking. “Thank you for leading me. Go back to the village. If I am not back by morning tell—tell Daedal. Make sure he does not try to look for me.”
Chryn looked at his companions. “No. We are going with you. We knew when we accepted your request what it could mean, but if we can stop Daemon, we too must try.” She could see in their eyes they had no hope of saving their friend, only stopping the monster he had become. Nothing she said would change their minds. She could feel it.
“Give me ten minutes. I will shield you as you wait here. Do not come until you feel my shield has left and know for certain hope is lost.” The words sounded braver than she felt. She was ready to die trying to save Daemon, for the love she felt for his mother, her mother. She only hoped she was strong enough to go through with it.
The shadows seemed to curl away from her, sensing light that should not be there, exposing her. She held tight to her shield, seeking to blend in the shadows, while avoiding the tips of the dangerous flowers blooming around her, but the voice that echoed from ahead confirmed her failure.
“Trying to sneak up on me?” Daemon sauntered out of the black-purple of Gyeesta, a strange yellow tint clouded his eyes, red lines crisscrossed over the skin of his face and arms, like the outline of snake scales, and what looked like tiny black horns peeked from his temples.
Fear crept up Areen’s spine. “I-I came to see you. To talk to you. I-I love you Daemon.”
Daemon stepped closer, a blood-red cloak hung from his shoulders and dragged on the ground behind him. “Loved me, you mean.” He was taller, broader than she’s last seen him. The dark power that emanated from him caused her to stumble backwards and nearly tumble into the fatal flowers. She felt their heat as she righted herself.
“Daemon, please.” He continued forward not caring as she stumbled backward away from him.
“I know how you feel for my mother and my brother. You cannot hide it.” He sneered showing pointed teeth tinged black. “You can’t have him, you know. He has promised his life to the Protectors. Stupid man.”
“I-I—”
“What? Surprised that I know? I know more than you can possibly imagine. How about a little history lesson Areen? A lesson in the truth of this world you call home.”
She stared at him, fighting to keep Chryn and the others shielded, the effort draining her quickly. She needed to leave, but she stood there transfixed, rooted to the ground.
Chapter 18
Autumn, 103LR
Something stirs in the belly of this planet my kind now call home, something our kind never could have anticipated, something no one understands well enough to fear, yet fear it they should, to the extent that we should leave, leave this twisted world to its fate...
“The Light creates worlds and the Dark seeks to enhance those worlds, make them...better.” Daemon began to pace side to side. “When our kind came to this world, the Dark followed and, in its infinite wisdom, hid a piece of its power in the belly of this planet, so that one day, someone powerful enough to wield it would release it and use it for good.” He held his arms out to his sides and motioned to the horrors of Gyeesta around him.
“You call the destruction of an entire race good?”
“When it benefits the whole, yes.”
“To which whole do you refer?”
“The Eche-mah Ladon, our people. Well, the ones who deserve to live. People like your mother must not be allowed to pollute our race. Those who live as was intended are the only whole that matters.”
She took another step back. “Death and judgment are not ours to deliver. Light Messengers, Daemon. That’s what Eche-mah Ladon means. To be Eche-mah is to be one with the Light. It is to be fair and compassionate, it is allowing everyone the freedom to choose. To make mistakes and learn from them.” Warmth surged through her and she felt her gifts reacting, seeking to protect her from this place. “What you speak of is control and slavery. Forced goodness is not freedom. It is not right.” She was running out of time. She could feel Chryn and the others moving closer.
“Why did you come?” A tiny sliver of light crossed his eyes and she knew somewhere inside the monster before her was the man who loved her.
She changed direction and took a tentative step forward. The flowers beside Daemon’s feet curled their petals toward him, a protective gesture, and somewhere behind him something growled, a deep bloodcurdling sound.
A Twisted Path ebook Page 4
