Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  She passed under an archway and to either side of it, there were soldiers standing guard. They kneeled, heads bowed before her as she passed. She inclined her regal head, and walked to the courtyard.

  Looking up, she could see the citadel rising in the centre of the palace, adjoining bridges connecting it to each of the four quadrants of the building: each with their own defence, yet working in concert.

  The courtyard was paved in a pale stone that reflected the warmth of the moon. She went and sat by the fountain and looked into its depths, smiling at her reflection: a tall willowy young woman with penetrating violet eyes, long blonde hair hanging freely down her back. She admired the mid length white dress that showed off her long legs.

  Someone came up behind her casting a shadow over her reflection, and blocked out the light. Looking up, she smiled as she recognised who it was. ‘I thought you’d still be training with Alexander?’

  The young man with flaming red hair tied behind smiled as perspiration glistened on his forehead. ‘I’ll go back in a minute. He’s definitely one to watch out for, not to mention, he’s fierce in his determination to succeed.’

  ‘Only matched by yours, of course,’ she replied laughing.

  ‘Well, we both want to join the Queen’s guard one day. I get better each time I go up against his stubborn fortitude. Even when he’s bleeding and down, he refuses to be broken and springs right back up like a tiger, minus the claws.’ He had a warm feeling in his heart as he thought of his partner and best friend, Alexander.

  He was broken out of his thoughts by shouting. ‘Are you coming back in?’ called Alexander from the huge wooden door.

  She turned to Alexander, who was in his training gear with a sword resting along his shoulders.

  ‘Ah, I see it’s the beautiful Lillian, iridescently annoying! If you care to let me have my partner back, then we can both finish before we become old men,’ said Alexander.

  Turning back to her, Driskell said, ‘Ignore him, he’s just envious. I’m here in your fine company and he’s... well, he’s Alexander for you.’ And turning back to Alexander, he stated, ‘The only old man I see is you. I’ll give you time to recuperate my dear elder!’

  ‘Come back in and I’ll show you what this old man is made of!’ said Alexander, smiling wickedly.

  ‘I’d better get back in or he’ll... anyway, it will be to my detriment,’ he said with a shake of his head. Driskell was the very image of a penitent man, until he looked at her fiercely and, bending down, he placed a chaste kiss upon her hand.

  ‘Very amusing. Now get going, or you’ll really be in trouble,’ said Lillian.

  ‘I know, but a man can try, right?’ he asked wistfully.

  ‘When you’re a man, ask me then,’ she replied playfully, a sly glint in her eyes. She got up, leaving him speechless, with the sound of Alexander laughing raucously in the background.

  Lily walked past the out buildings, oblivious of the shadow that lurked there, watching her every movement like a snake watching its prey, biding its time patiently just waiting for the right moment to strike. It withdrew - now was not the night, but some day...

  ‘Hey, Lillian. Over here,’ shouted a voice from above, and looking up, Lillian waved to her friend in the top window.

  ‘I’m coming up. Is my mother with you?’ asked Lillian.

  ‘Yes, and you better hurry, she has a lot to discuss with you. I know it’s a year away, but still, a person isn’t crowned princess and heir apparent every day. So, move it you royal pain.’ Her friend laughed mirthlessly having watched the little performance with Alexander and Driskell. Honestly, the three of them were as thick as thieves.

  Lillian ran through the doorway and up the stairs, ignoring the bowing guards as she hastened to meet her mother. She finally reached the top, panting and out of breath, only to be met with the sight of a pair of steely eyes narrowed in frustration. ‘Mother?’ she asked apprehensively, expecting the worst. Before she could walk towards her, she felt herself being tugged. A vortex picked her up and threw her back, causing everything around her to fade to nothing. And suddenly, there was nothing as she closed her eyes, losing her mother all over again…

  Rowanne experienced a splitting headache, the pain making her feel nauseated. She could hear a buzzing sound around her that was irritating to say the least. She felt a warm glow behind her eyelids, and was not yet ready to open them. Why was she being shaken from side to side? Stop that! she thought.

  Slowly the buzzing receded to be replaced by a more cohesive sound; that of someone calling her name. Ah, so that’s what they’re saying: ‘Rowanne, Rowanne.’

  ‘Rowanne? Leave her alone for demon’s sake! Look at what you’re doing to her!’ It was hard for Rowanne to place the voice but it sounded male.

  Again the shaking started, and she felt warmth on her face from someone’s laboured breathing. And now other sensations started to come back to her; that of a sharp pain in her back. She realised she was resting on someone’s knees, no wonder she was in pain.

  This time Rowanne made a concentrated effort to open her eyes, and slowly she did, blinking at first from the bright light. The room came into focus in stages and finally looking up, she was met with a look of concern clouding Alexander’s face.

  ‘Thank God you’ve come around. I’ve been calling your name for the past half hour,’ said Alexander accusingly, his eyes two glacial pools of controlled fury. She was unnerved by him, so much so that she looked elsewhere while she regained her composure.

  To her dismay, she found herself resting on the floor on Alexander’s knees, he was supporting her weight, and his arms were around her to keep her from sliding off. She felt herself go crimson. Why am I in this awkward position…?

  As if sensing her question, he responded, ‘I heard a loud explosion, and came running to your room, with no doubt you’d probably gotten yourself into another fix. And it was the same as before, I could not get in as the door was blocked.’

  ‘It was probably the resident ghost,’ Rowanne said archly.

  ‘I think so. It’s followed you here, so your theory wasn’t completely ludicrous.’ He’d meant it as a compliment.

  Rowanne looked at him drolly. ‘My head’s spinning.’

  ‘Are you alright?’ asked Alexander, concerned.

  ‘I couldn’t get over your compliment, plus my head is really spinning. Try not to move so much.’

  Alexander looked at her stoically, and replied, ‘I never hold back praise where it’s due...’

  Rowanne wondered how dense a person could be, and ignored his inane comment; he had actually meant it. She forcefully threw herself forward to get out of his grasp not realising that his arms were like steel, and consequently she bounced back and hit her head on his knees. ‘OW!’ What an oaf!

  Alexander looked at her patiently, and in a puzzled tone asked, ‘What is it precisely that you are trying to accomplish?’ and held up his hand before she could reply, continuing, ‘If, it’s to knock yourself out again, then by all means, go ahead.’ He was not amused.

  ‘And if you’d care to release me, then I can finally get up,’ said Rowanne, pointedly looking at his arms locked around her. He withdrew his arms accordingly.

  Finally free, Rowanne got up and managed to stand. She looked at Alexander triumphantly, and froze as the colour drained from her face.

  ‘Oh,’ said Alexander. ‘So, you’ve finally noticed...’

  Rowanne looked from Alexander to the mirror behind him; it was in one piece. In fact, it reflected a room that looked remarkably more intact than the ruin she’d left behind; there was no broken glass or bits of wood, everything was normal. Except...

  The mirror reflected a new addition to the room. ‘Do you see it?’ she asked Alexander, looking intensely at the mirror.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied calmly.

  ‘It’s behind you... Turn around slowly,’ she said, needing him to acknowledge the horror, to prove to herself and him that she was not crazy.<
br />
  Alexander looked at her steadily, ‘You’re mistaken, Rowanne. It’s, or I should say rather, she’s actually behind you.’

  Rowanne wanted to scream but held it in, and instead tried to move toward Alexander, but she felt light headed as she had moved too quickly, and nearly lost consciousness again. Alexander moved fast and caught her in his arms. She let him hold her, and rested against him until it subsided.

  Finally, she disentangled herself, feeling stronger, and turning to Alexander, mouthed a silent, ‘Thank you.’

  Rowanne faced the girl sitting on the bed. She was tall, and her shimmering blonde hair was tied back into a chignon. But instead of a dress, she had on a white trouser suit. She looked like the twenty-first century version of the medieval looking girl from her dream.

  ‘Rowanne, nice to finally be able to meet you in the flesh... Well, you know what I mean.’ She leaned on the bed, studying Rowanne, in whose mind she had been briefly imprisoned. It was not the poor human’s fault, who stood before her bewildered.

  ‘Alexander, it’s been too long. What do you think of my new look, very fit for this world, is it not?’ she asked, and winked at him.

  Alexander’s response was to bend down on one knee and bow his head. ‘Forgive me, my lady. I did not recognise you,’ he replied.

  Rowanne looked from Alexander kneeling down preposterously to the arrogant ghost girl. She would not bow to someone that she didn’t acknowledge as her superior in any way, form, or shape. At least, she had not to date. So, why start now?

  ‘Alexander, what are you doing? Get up!’ said Rowanne angrily.

  ‘Stop addressing me as ‘ghost girl.’ I’m Lily.’

  Rowanne responded bemused, ‘Fine. Lillian.’

  This stopped the girl in her tracks, and she reappraised Rowanne as a sharp woman who was not afraid of anything — even, a demon. ‘How do you know my real name?’ asked Lillian.

  ‘That, doesn’t matter for now,’ replied Rowanne, not wanting to give away too much, as she wanted to understand the situation first.

  Feeling bold, Rowanne walked right up to Lillian, forcing her to look up, for once. ‘How do you know Alexander?’

  Lillian liked Rowanne’s audacity. She was so used to commanding others that she had never really had to look up to anyone. Well, besides her parents and...

  Lillian got up, and her long silk coat opened to reveal a silk shirt. She was, in fact, taller than Rowanne, and looked her straight in the eyes. ‘Thank you for releasing me. I admit that this state is not desirable, but it is infinitely better than the narrow confines of your mind. No offence meant.’

  ‘None taken,’ said Rowanne stoically, fascinated with the woman before her.

  ‘There is one matter of great importance that I’d like to address to the both of you. For the present, keep my identity to yourselves. This is a matter of life and death, not just for me, but for you as well. I hope you understand what I’m trying to tell you,’ said Lillian.

  Alexander raised his head and stood up, facing Lillian. ‘I understand. We have to speak about...’ He felt uncomfortable asking her of her passing. But he had to know and suspected that it was hardly natural. Not to mention the fact that he had not seen Lillian in more than half a century.

  Lillian went to Alexander and patted him on the shoulder with great affection. She was not only the confident woman who stood before him today, but also the vulnerable girl with a strong spirit that he had known many years ago... Well, before her disappearance and the inevitable cover up.

  Nobody in Demon World truly knew what had occurred, though, there were rumours and the Court was naturally rife with speculation. Alexander suspected that Driskell had been involved in Lillian’s disappearance, but he was not certain.

  Lillian leaned into him, and whispered, ‘We will talk later.’

  ‘Come and sit on the bed. We three have a lot to discuss between us,’ and she held out her hand. Rowanne took it. Well, almost, as her hand passed straight through. And it took all of her willpower not to pull it back.

  There was a sad expression on Lillian’s face, and Rowanne sat down beside her.

  Lillian looked at Rowanne, weariness etched her face. ‘The crystal has at least freed me,’ she said softly. Alexander cocked his head to the side to try and hear. She looked at Rowanne pointedly, purple and green energy flashed in Lillian’s eyes, and once more, time froze.

  ‘What did you do?’ Rowanne asked in amazement, looking at Alexander frozen into position, a questioning look on his face.

  ‘I simply froze him, for a moment. I need to tell you something which Alexander for the present must not know, it’s a delicate matter. I don’t feel safe telling you, even here... Let’s go out,’ and she passed through the door.

  Rowanne ran after Lillian down the corridor, into the living room, and watched her glide through the glass door onto the balcony. She quickly followed behind, and finally leaned on the railing, a little out of breath, which was unusual for her.

  The rain had stopped, or more precisely frozen into place: raindrops were suspended at different stages, hung like crystals in the air. It was a beautifully mesmerising sight. Rowanne stood transfixed until Lillian snapped her fingers in annoyance and brought her back.

  ‘Sorry. I got lost there for a bit. But it’s not every day that you see the laws of the universe suspended literally before you! You did this, didn’t you? How?’ Rowanne asked in wonder.

  ‘Oh, this? It’s nothing. I’m still testing the boundaries, and the realm of possibilities that this new incarnation can afford me,’ Lillian said wistfully, with sadness colouring her aura. ‘Are you afraid of me?’

  Rowanne thought long and hard, before replying, ‘Well, now that you are no longer in my head, I find I can think more clearly. I used to walk around in a daze, frightened and not really knowing my mind, but I feel differently now, good. I’m sorry...’

  ‘What are you sorry for?’ asked Lillian, looking steadily at Rowanne, trying to understand her.

  ‘About you being trapped. I don’t know how it happened. I feel like I should know, but there’s a block. When I try to recall the week before, it’s obscure. There are gaps in my memory... Care to enlighten me?’ asked Rowanne shrewdly; the woman before her might have some of the answers, at least.

  ‘Rowanne, do you really want to know? Think carefully before answering. What I say cannot be taken back. You might find a life of ignorance to be infinitely more desirable than the shadow you are about to cast on it. And mark my words, you will not like it.’ Lillian held her gaze, willing her to be strong and brave, and believed that Rowanne could accept the truth, after all.

  ‘I feel cold. And if I’m to face the truth, I think I’d rather be in a place of warmth, just to soften the blow, you know.’

  ‘Very well, let us go inside,’ and as soon as Rowanne was through the door, Lillian clicked her fingers and the rain began to fall once more, and passed through her; luckily, she was a spirit, she didn’t feel the cold anymore than she did the rain. But she missed the sensation of feeling, of touching another being...

  Rowanne huddled into Alexander’s giant sofa as she watched anxiously, a knot of fear coiled in her stomach. But she was Rowanne Knight, she would not turn away; she’d stay and face whatever life had in store for her.

  Lillian sat, well, hovered in a sitting position, next to her on the sofa. It was as much of a mystery to her as to why she didn’t pass through the sofa, but she suspected that it had to do with concentrating really hard on what it was that she wanted.

  ‘Why didn’t you want Alexander knowing about this?’ Rowanne asked, as she pulled the pendant out of her t-shirt.

  ‘You guessed correctly. This pedant that you so casually hold is actually a family heirloom of mine. No, keep it on,’ she said to Rowanne, who tried to take it off.

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know that this belonged to you. It was actually my grandmother’s, who gave it to me on my-’

  ‘Eighteenth bi
rthday,’ finished Lillian, much to Rowanne’s surprise.

  ‘How do you know that?’ asked Rowanne.

  ‘My mother passed that very necklace to me when I was eighteen. It’s a family legacy and how in the world it ended up here, is a mystery.’ What Lillian had actually wanted to say was: ‘on Earth,’ but she was not quite ready to reveal Demon World to Rowanne just yet.

  ‘Do you think by any chance you could be related to my family? How long ago did you receive the necklace?’ asked Rowanne.

  ‘It’s been a very long time; more than half a century, if my calculations are right,’ replied Lillian and laughed mirthlessly.

  Rowanne quickly did the math and guessed that Lillian must have passed...

  ‘When I was twenty, if you were wondering. You’ll never ask, but to satisfy your curiosity: no, I didn’t pass by natural causes. My family is more resilient than that, I hope,’ stated Lillian.

  Rowanne felt taken aback, and looked slowly up at Lillian, who wore a stoic expression.

  ‘Don’t worry, you’re too polite. Yes, some ghosts can read minds, sometimes using it negatively against a person.’

  Rowanne looked worried, Well, at least I know I didn’t say those things aloud.

  ‘I have another question: sometimes I think something, only to have a person reply back to me, as if I’ve spoken it aloud. How can this be possible?’ Rowanne was dying to know, it had been bothering her for quite some time.

  ‘Have you ever considered that you may be telepathic? And that you’re a natural medium since you can clearly communicate with me; not to mention, you’re probably psychic...’ said Lillian to Rowanne, who paled at the idea of her new unwanted and unwelcome abilities. ‘Those gifts, yes, you heard me correctly, could help you in the future, if you’re willing to develop them, but I’ll leave that to your discretion.’ Lillian had to remain calm, when really she wanted to shake the uncomprehending human.

  Demons revered all gifts bestowed on them, and made the most of what they were given; especially since in Lillian’s world it was one’s identity, a part of who they were, and could potentially save their life.