“I would stop if I were you.”
She licked her lips and took another step forward. The growling turned into snarls. “Daemon, please. I love you.”
A flicker of pain crossed his face and he shook his head.
Another voice echoed up as if from the ground. “She lies.”
Daemon looked back at her, his expression hardening. “You don’t love me. You would not even listen as I tried to tell you about this place, about the power I will soon have to save our people. You are too naive to understand the necessity of a great Cleansing. That this world and its people are meant to be conquered by the Eche-mah, the most powerful race. The only race. You will see. When I win this world, you will see.” Suddenly the flowers shot up from the ground, their stems long and curling, twisted around him. He screamed in agony and Areen tried to rush forward, but the flowers blocked her way, smoke rose from the hem of her skirt.
“Daemon!”
His skin bubbled, gray smoke billowed from his body. The smell of burning flesh filled the air and she covered her nose with her hand. The smoke thickened.
It was over. Daemon had paid the ultimate price for his choices. Gyeesta had only wanted to kill him. In the most horrible way possible.
She turned to meet Chryn and the others. To tell them it was over. She feared the flowers would attack, that Gyeesta would now turn on her, but they stayed still as she picked her way carefully back the way she’d come. Grief for Daemon twisted in her heart, but not as powerfully as the grief she knew ReShya would suffer.
A sound, like the distant rumble of thunder, met her ears. She glanced back expecting to see a heap of ash where Daemon had been, but instead as the smoke cleared she saw something that caused the blood to freeze in her veins. The outline of a huge creature covered in red scales stood there, chest heaving, burned clothing hanging off his muscled body. Thick black horns rippled out from his temples and ran down to his chin. His lips curled back to reveal black pointed teeth. When the creature opened his eyes, for a single moment they were darkest brown, but as the man she loved faded completely they turned poisonous yellow.
“Ah...”
When he spoke, her Shield failed and her gifts fled. Too much darkness... Too much! She stumbled and fell back. Her hand landed in one of the flowers, singeing her flesh. She cradled it against her chest and crawled backward, her only thought to escape.
Daemon raised his hand, vines shot up from the ground and wrapped around her arms and legs, trapping her. He moved toward her, paused mid-step and looked up. “Ah, Chryn, Reece, Dahj, Sallah, Forrest. How nice of you to join us.”
Chapter 19
Autumn, 103LR
And the world shall end in darkness...
His voice was like the rush of a roaring river, painfully loud, ferocious. Chryn and the others paused. Areen could see the pain in their eyes as they took in the monster before them that had once been their friend.
Chryn stepped ahead of the group toward Areen. “Let her go, Daemon.”
Daemon chuckled and the sound made them all cringe. “No. I don’t think I will.”
Chryn raised his sword and the others followed.
“You really think you can defeat me?”
Chryn rolled his shoulders, and gripped his sword tighter in his one arm. “I’m willing to die trying.”
The five men rushed forward, blades flashing. Areen struggled against her bonds but her every move caused them to tighten until she could barely feel her fingers, the vines on her ankles had cut through the flesh. She could feel the warm blood running over her feet.
It was over in minutes. All five of Daemon’s friends lay dead at his feet.
Tears ran down her cheeks as she tried to avoid looking the bodies. “Murderer.”
Daemon turned. “You brought them here.”
“I will carry that truth with me until I die, but it was you that chose death. They were your friends!”
Daemon’s eyes flashed. “I have new friends now.” He waved his hands again and the ground began to rumble beneath her. A crack opened in the earth, and out of it a giant ball of darkness emerged, twisting and molding into the shape of a man. His skin was covered in black scales, tall silver spikes rose from his head, getting smaller as they trailed down his nose.
Daemon looked up into the creature’s face. “Gyeesta said you would come.”
“I am Darsapean, born of darkness, highest servant of the Dark. Bow to me.”
A look of shock crossed Daemon’s face and Areen could see the anger building, distracting him from her presence. The vines loosened.
She searched inside for her gifts, her connection to the Light. They were only a small flicker, like a tiny candle; there was so much darkness here. But even the tiniest light can dispel the darkness around it. She focused on the flicker, willing it to grow and fight against the evil surrounding her. I follow the Light. As the thought took shape the vines shriveled away. She scrambled to her feet and turned to run.
Daemon’s shout reverberated through the trees. “Nice try, Areen. You cannot escape a Kludde!”
Kludde. Soul trackers.
Scattered moonlight danced across the twisted path, casting moving shadows as she ran from the horror behind her.
She worried about the trees and Daemon’s power over them, but they remained still. With a Kludde after her, he probably felt he had little to worry about.
Her sandal broke and she stumbled to her knees. Panting, she threw a terrified glance over her shoulder.
Silence.
She kicked off the other sandal, pushed herself up, hands and knees bloody, and rushed forward, sending her burning muscles what strength she could. She had no idea how to get back to the village and relied only on her life force to guide her.
Her feet protested against the tiny sharp stones embedding in the soft flesh as she ran.
Heavy footfalls shook the ground beneath her. They were close. She could almost feel the hot breath of the Kludde on her neck.
A sob tore from her throat.
The light brightened, and the path widened to reveal her life force had led her to her own village. A thin white haze surrounded it. The Barrier! She had only a moment to fear her banishment would prevent her entrance before the first Kludde raked its silver claws across her back, ripping through her dress, and tearing into her skin.
She fell forward and her hand passed through the barrier. She kicked back and felt her foot connect with warm fur. She rolled to her back and scrambled backward, barely aware of the hushed voices rushing toward her.
Her gaze locked on the shiny green eyes of the Kludde through the white mist. Its dog-like, elongated snout was pulled back in a sneer. Thick saliva dripped from its bright fangs as it stood there with sweat rolling off its sleek silver fur. It glared through the Barrier, its eyes memorizing her soul print. Daemon would always be able to find her. She would never truly be free of him.
“Areen!”
She turned to the sound of her father’s voice. “Father!”
Her father, along with three other men, hurried to her side. She watched the fear and revulsion in their eyes as they took in the Kludde who was slowly retreating back into the forest.
“Thom, she is banished.” One of the men spoke softly.
The sounds of doors closing and more feet coming their way met her ears.
“Take her back to ReShya. Quickly!” He glanced over his shoulder, kissed her forehead, and the world went black.
Chapter 20
Winter, 101LR
I look back on these entries from two years ago, and I realize what a silly, naive child I was. Love is not a bird, and life is not measured in memories. Love is pain, and life is measured in successes and failures...
I only write now in the hopes that should I die in the battles to come, someone will find this and learn from my mis
takes.
The day following my ridiculous attempt to save Daemon, Daedal took ReShya and I to the Citadel, the Kludde not far behind us the entire time. Had it not been for Daedal’s incredible skill, we never would have made it. Three weeks after our arrival, the Guardians accepted my desire to join the Sentinel Spheres who shield the Light Realm. Two days after that we received word of Daemon. Gyeesta’s power had grown exponentially, Darsapean and Daemon had bred creatures of darkness more terrible than anyone could have dreamed. Half of the Lafar race had joined them, they are now referred to as the Daklafar—Dark elves.
The battles for the fate of not only the humans, but the Light had begun.
That same night, ReShya died of a broken heart...
Daedal and I became close as we shared the same heartache and loss. No matter how unworthy I was of his friendship, we needed each other. We were the only ones who knew and loved both ReShya and Daemon. Those who only knew him for the demon he was now could not understand our grief. How could they believe that such a ruthless monster could have once been a handsome, kind young man? This is the Dark in all its horror. It takes beauty and turns it into something unrecognizable...
Summer, 56 LR
Weeks have turned into years. The war still rages. So much life lost. I can no longer bear to count the casualties of both Eche-mah or human. Gyeesta’s Dark grows steadily, feeding on the conflict, spreading across the planet. I fear if we do not stop them, not only the human race will face extinction, but the Eche-mah as well, then all that will remain is the Dark. Earth herself is suffering the consequences. Her soil, so drenched in mixed blood, can hardly yield crops. Several Honitahai have been called away from the battlefield to help her lest we all starve...
Spring, 01L
I think we have found a way to end the war and entrap Darsapean and his creatures, but the plan must wait for the summer solstice—the day of longest light. I have promised Daedal if we survive I will forsake my oath as a Sentinel and marry him. I did not make this promise simply because I do not feel we will survive. I made it because I love him with all of my being. If we live to see the end of this war, I should not care to live the remainder of my life without him beside me.
Chapter 21
Summer, 01LR
It’s over...
“Is it really over? Are they really gone?” Daedal held her against his chest, the light from the spear in her hand slowly faded, and she didn’t have to hear his answer to know.
“Yes. It’s over. It’s finally over. Few creatures of darkness escaped, the Protectors will continue to find, destroy, or sentence them to Misery where Darsapean and all his creations will rot. The amount of Light in the united people should bind Daemon to the Shadow Realm for the rest of his miserable life.” He kissed her forehead.
“The Kludde?”
“Banished with him.”
She collapsed against Daedal and the spear dropped from her hand with a loud clang.
It was over.
Autumn, 01LR
To be free...
“The oaths of the Protectors and Sentinels of unfailing loyalty to duty, of a life of celibacy, can be pardoned.” Daedal brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “In special circumstances and through the proper channels we can get permission to marry.”
They sat beneath a gray sycamore, it’s orange leaves falling around them in a gentle shower. She leaned into him and sighed. “How long will that take?”
Daedal wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. The years of battle had aged him, but barely. The tiniest hint of gray winked at his temples. But in her eyes, it only added to his beauty.
“I do not know. There is still so much to be done, so much to rebuild. It could take some time to get an audience for something they will see as trivial in comparison, especially now with the Hidden-Human Pact, the prophecy of the Ninth, and all the trouble it will bring.”
Areen shivered despite the warm air surrounding them. The Eche-mah, to be known forevermore as the Hidden. She took a deep breath, “We’ve waited a hundred years Daedal. I want to be free of this. I want to start my life with you.”
He pulled her away from him so he could look in her eyes. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying we should run away, get married, be free.” Her tone was teasing, but she couldn’t deny the truth of her feelings. She was ready. Ready to be his wife and begin their life together free of death and pain.
“If we renounce our oaths without permission, without an official release upon our life force, we will not—we can never have children.”
Areen looked at the devastation surrounding them. Despite the efforts of thousands of Honitahai, Earth still showed the scars of battle. The Dark had been slowed but not completely stopped. Gyeesta had been destroyed, its creation banished to Misery, but its influence remained in the creatures who had escaped. Daemon was trapped for now, but memories fade, truth becomes legend, and people return to their evil ways. It was cyclical. “I don’t want to bring a child into this world Daedal.” Her voice broke as she spoke the truth aloud.
Daedal stared into her eyes and, after only a second’s hesitation, nodded. “There is a place, a place I once found in my training. It is a beautiful island with the most kind Eche-mah Ladon. They would allow us room, I know they would.”
An island.
“It sounds perfect.”
Autumn, 01LR
I never truly understood love until that moment. Standing under the stars as Daedal and I wed. What I had felt for Daemon was tiny in comparison, trivial. The island is the perfect home, the perfect place to be free. I feel the world changing around us. I feel the growth of evil as I knew would happen and I cannot help but be glad we married as we did. To bring a child into this world would be cruel... As I fall asleep each night in my husband’s arms I can ignore the world outside, and I am at peace...
Chapter 22
July 10, 1996 AD
If I had not held him in my arms I never would have believed I could love someone as much as I love Daedal. If I had not held him in my arms I never would have believed my fear of the Dark could be overshadowed by another, far greater fear...
Talana, the midwife, placed the warm bundle in Areen’s arms. I’m a mother, she thought as she ran her finger across his tiny cheek. His eyes were open, and by far his most defining feature. One eye was the deep, earthy brown of his father’s, the other pale, translucent blue. Daedal kissed her cheek and leaned down to kiss his little forehead. “One of us must have Watchers in our bloodline.” A sliver of fear she couldn’t quite define settled above her heart.
When she had felt the child first stir within her she had been filled with horror. A child! Impossible! She did not want to bring a child into this darkening world. Their tiny island had remained apart from the world, but they heard the rumors, felt the truth of them; the Dark was growing—quickly. But now, as she stared at her son nestled in the blankets, warm in her arms, she could not wish him away no matter how afraid she was for him. She loved him with a love she did not know existed. And the look in her husband’s eyes said the same. For more than 2,000 years they had lived alone, feeling complete, not knowing there was a break in their circle until it was fixed.
“What will you call him?” Talana asked.
Areen looked into her husband’s eyes and said without hesitation. “Tolen, after your father, Daedal after you. Tolen Daedal Téloran.”
July 16, 1996
You never know what you are capable of until you are forced to find out. I will protect my son. No matter the cost...
Areen sat beside the hut watching Daedal tend the garden, Tolen sleeping contentedly in her arms. The only time he left their arms was at night, but sometimes even then they would lay him between them, just to watch him sleep. They couldn’t get over the wonder of their son. He was so perfect, his life force so strong, so pure, even more pu
re than his father—something she would never have believed until she sensed it herself. He was special, and she didn’t just feel this way because he was her son—he was more, so much more than average Hidden kind.
A strange sound cut through the air, a whistle that did not fit the wind, and with it came a surge of power rushing toward them, not evil, but not discernible either.
“Daedal?”
Areen turned to see him already hurrying to her side. “I hear it. Get inside.” Daedal ushered them through the door and pulled his sword from its sheath on the wall. The sound and the power came closer. A ball of light passed through the window and paused above Tolen. He reached a tiny fist toward it, but Daedal closed his hand around it first.
He opened his fingers and Areen’s heart jumped to her throat. “No.” She stared at the crystal Radia Shard in Daedal’s palm. “NO!”
“Areen—”
“No. They cannot have him. He will not be one of the Chosen. He will not fight for those—” Daedel placed a finger to her lips.
His eyes looked as wild as she felt. “I’ll take it back. I’ll make them take it back.”
“They’ll find us. His power...” Dread encased her heart. “Not just the Guardians, the Dark will find him!”
“You can protect him, Areen. Shield him.”
As soon as the words left his mouth her shield reacted and rolled over her son. Yes, she would shield him, from the Guardians and the Dark. Why hadn’t she done it before? Before the Balance sensed his purity?
“What else? Daedal, what else can we do to protect him?”
Daedal walked to their bedside and pulled a length of cord from her sewing basket, wound it around the Radia Shard, and tied it around his neck. He paced for several seconds before turning to face her, his eyes a mixture of resolve and terrible pain. “Take him back to the human world, Areen. Hide in plain sight.”
“I know nothing of the human world anymore. So much will have changed.” But as she looked at her son she knew Daedal was right. Amongst humans was the last place they would look for him. She would learn their ways, blend in. “What of his gifts? How can I hide those?”
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