Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  ‘Alexander, how is the Queen?’ asked Kieran, gently reminding Alexander of his duty: first and foremost to their Queen.

  Lady Enid stirred within his arms, and he laid her down gently onto the floor. ‘My Lady Enid, are you hurt?’ asked Alexander.

  Lady Enid’s eyes held a haunted look as she turned to Rowanne. A single tear slid down her cheek. ‘Help me to sit up.’ Alexander accordingly helped her, supporting her weight. ‘Thank you, I am well, as unlikely as that is to believe. It is Rowanne who needs our urgent attention. The force of the attack caught me off guard, and this is not my blood,’ she said, her voice coming out faintly.

  ‘Get help for the Queen,’ commanded Alexander. The royal guards hurried away to get the medical supplies.

  ‘Oh, Rowanne, my dear, you saved me.’ Lady Enid wanted to reach out and hold her hand, but she could not, especially, in the presence of all these demons.

  Rowanne nodded her head in understanding; it was too painful to speak anymore. The demon blood was to thank for her not dying instantly, as well as the fact that the sword was stopping her blood from rushing out in one go. Once it was removed, she was fairly certain that she would not have long to live.

  ‘Here, help the Queen,’ said Alexander, as he passed her to a guard.

  Lady Enid reluctantly let herself be led to the throne where she took her rightful place, but not where she longed to be: by Rowanne’s side.

  ‘Let me help you to carry her, Kieran?’ asked Alexander, and between them, they started to carry Rowanne off the platform.

  Evelyn’s eyes flashed in malice. The Queen lives?! No! This was not allowed. The audacity of that half breed, why could she not just have died?! The soldiers faced outwards, assured that she was no longer a threat. That is your downfall; when will they ever learn?

  Evelyn split her consciousness, focusing her intent, and suddenly the sword was violently pulled out of Rowanne’s chest. She smiled wickedly as she heard Alexander shouting for her to be subdued. She watched as Rowanne bled to death - they could not stop the rate at which the blood flowed out.

  Just as the soldiers turned on Evelyn with their swords pointed at her head, she closed her eyes and collapsed to the floor, as she sent her spirit on its last leg to finally be rid of her old friend and adversary.

  CHAPTER 34

  Lillian pulled back from Elisedd and looked at him with dread.

  ‘What is it, love?’ he asked.

  ‘Something’s wrong... I can feel it. Something terrible has taken place in the Great Hall!’ said Lillian, feeling uneasy.

  ‘Who else was in the hall with you? I’m sorry, I did not recognise everyone on the platform.’

  ‘Our great granddaughter was up there, along with my mother, and a half demon, and... Driskell.’

  ‘Rowanne!’ said Elisedd sharply. Only now realising from Lillian’s memories that the woman with the long brown hair and green eyes who had spoken forcefully to him had in fact been his great granddaughter. I did not even realise... His sole focus had been on getting Lillian away.

  ‘If they dare lay a finger on her...’ said Elisedd, his eyes burning with a violet green flame.

  Lillian looked with fascination at him. How did I not notice that before... she mused, as she took a step towards him and cupped his face between her hands. She looked deep into his eyes - there was something else mixed in with his demon blood, but what…?

  Elisedd bent his head closer to her, just as a sword was thrust straight through his chest. He pushed Lillian back out of instinct. She screamed as she was thrown back into her coffin, and the force was enough to propel her soul back into her body. It had helped that her mind had been distracted, so that her body had accepted her back without resistance.

  However, the timing was completely wrong as she lay trapped within her body, and looked out helplessly.

  Elisedd staggered to her coffin, and leaning over, he brushed a bloody hand across her cheek. ‘My love,’ he said, barely able to speak.

  He knew it would take time for Lillian to fully merge with her body. She would not be able to lift a finger until mind, body and spirit connected. Also, she would not be able to speak.

  ‘At least I had a moment with you. I am lucky in many ways, I never thought I would see you again. At least now I can tell you how very much-’ he coughed up blood and wiping it away, smiled tenderly at her. ‘I-love-you-’ he said, fighting to get each word out, before suddenly collapsing on top of her.

  Lillian screamed within her mind. How was she going to live when she had just witnessed her love dying a second time? There was only so much a person could endure before they snapped. Elisedd, Elisedd, she called for him as tears slid down her face; what good were they to him, or to her?

  Evelyn leaned over, ‘Now really, you brought this onto yourself. If you had just let him go all those years back, and not encouraged his delusions, then he would have lived. You have all of eternity now to reflect and repent,’ she said cruelly.

  Lillian looked with unbridled fury at Evelyn; she would not allow such a reprehensible demon as her to live. She felt the power within her build. True, she could not use her limbs, but there were other ways... she was a demon, after all. Just as she was about to let loose, she was suddenly blinded by a flash of power.

  The room was shrouded in a violet mist, as sparks of green energy flashed, bouncing off the walls. There was a scream, and Lillian could not see where Evelyn had disappeared to. The room plunged into darkness as each and every candle was extinguished.

  Elisedd, she screamed, and watched in horror as the magic descended upon them both. Was this Evelyn’s doing? she wondered. She and Elisedd were covered in a shower of green and violet power. Her skin glowed and pulsed with the light. Meanwhile, a mass of white light began to build behind Elisedd. Lillian prepared herself for the next inevitable explosion of power, and her last thought was, I’m sorry, my love... and closed her eyes just as the light reached its pinnacle, and exploded.

  CHAPTER 35

  Alexander craned his neck and looked at Evelyn’s collapsed body. ‘Check on her, she may be feigning.’

  He watched as the guards carefully checked Evelyn cautiously in case of another onslaught of power.

  ‘Stand aside. I know how to deal with this,’ said Lady Enid. The guards were reluctant to allow their Queen to go near such a dangerous demon, and an unpredictable one at that; nevertheless, they obeyed.

  Lady Enid encased Evelyn’s body within a silver sphere, then ordered the guards to take it to the prison reserved especially for their kind. She would like to see Evelyn break out of that!

  Lady Enid addressed the demons, ‘Remember what you have witnessed here today. It was one of our own that attacked your Queen and also dared to challenge the order of our ways. And, it was a human who saved me, and risked her life...’ finished Lady Enid, as the weight of her words carried authority throughout the hall.

  The demons were subdued for the moment.

  Lady Enid went over to Alexander, ‘We need to help her now,’ and at the look of concern on his face, she replied, ‘do not worry about them. I’m not overly concerned about what they think right now. I will not stand aside any longer and let those I care about die!’ This is for you, my Lillian, thought Lady Enid.

  Rowanne suddenly went limp in Alexander’s hands as her eyes fluttered closed.

  ‘Rowanne, wake up! Don’t you dare give up on me,’ said Alexander angrily.

  A soft violet-white light started to emanate from within Rowanne, and began to lift her body, much to Alexander’s surprise. The celestial yin yang tattoo on her left shoulder began to change and formed into a new avatar, changing with it Rowanne’s very essence, transforming her.

  The light started to build, becoming brighter, blinding everyone in the hall. ‘Take cover, Your Majesty,’ said Alexander. The soldiers hurriedly took her down the stairs, trying to get her as far away from the platform as possible. Alexander shouted to the rest of the demons below in the hall t
o take cover.

  Alexander would not leave Rowanne’s side, even if this was their last moment together in this existence. He smiled down at her and closed his eyes, just as the light from within her exploded...

  The platform was bathed in a beautiful golden radiance. The light began to dim slowly, and it was easier to see what remained. Many of the demons still had light spots dancing before their eyes.

  Lady Enid made her way carefully back up to the platform. She had been unaffected by the blast. The hall appeared undamaged, and the demons were unharmed; the only two casualties appeared to be Alexander and Rowanne.

  She was frightened of what she might find as she took the last step, and upon reaching the platform, she stood still...

  Lady Enid did not know what to make of the scene before her. There laying on the floor were Alexander and Rowanne. They seemed to be sleeping side by side as Rowanne’s hand was encased in Alexander’s; they seemed at peace.

  The royal guards pushed the Queen back, but she demanded to be let through.

  ‘Please, my Lady Enid. We are not sure how to proceed, and have not to my knowledge dealt with this type of situation before. It could be dangerous,’ said Kieran.

  ‘It is my duty as Queen to ascertain what exactly has occurred. You are permitted to stay by my side and act accordingly, if anything should happen. But for now, you will not obstruct me. Is that understood?’ Lady Enid did not seek permission; after all, she was the Queen.

  Lady Enid knelt down to look at the bodies. She took Alexander’s pulse, then Rowanne’s.

  Turning her head to look up at Kieran, she said, ‘They are alive, against all odds.’

  ‘Where did the sword go? There is only a tear in her clothing to suggest it was ever there. She has stopped bleeding as well,’ said Kieran, dumbfounded by what he was looking upon.

  Lady Enid looked around the hall, and spied a stained glass window at the back. It had not shattered, but bizarrely the sword had gone partway through it to the other side. She pointed behind her, and Kieran looked in wonder.

  The stained glass had an image of a demon and an angel with a human standing between them. The sword seemed to go through the human. There were fissures from where the blade had struck, but for now it refused to shatter.

  ‘Do you think that is symbolic in some way?’ asked Lady Enid; it was ironic to say the least.

  ‘Looking at these two... it could well be,’ said Kieran perplexed.

  Rowanne began to twitch, her hand starting to move. Alexander began to stir too, slowly attempting to open his eyes, but it was still too bright for him.

  ‘They are waking up,’ said Lady Enid. ‘Give them some room, everyone stand back. Now, form a line before them,’ the soldiers stood like a wall facing out at the crowd of demons, giving the Queen the space and privacy she needed. ‘Alexander, can you hear me?’ she asked as she knelt beside him, while Kieran knelt beside Rowanne on the opposite side.

  Alexander’s eyes finally stayed open, and looked up at Lady Enid questioningly. He turned his head to look at who was holding his hand, and his breathing nearly stopped. ‘Rowanne,’ he said forlornly. Everything that had just happened came crashing down upon him. He struggled to sit up, and Lady Enid helped him, for which he was grateful.

  He knelt beside the prone figure. ‘Rowanne, wake up.’ You had better not have sent me back alone... ‘Wake up,’ he repeated angrily, whilst shaking her gently by the shoulders, afraid of hurting her.

  When she did not respond, Alexander’s heart nearly gave out, but suddenly her eyelids fluttered. Slowly she began to come around, her eyes reluctantly opening. The first thing she saw was Alexander’s severe expression, coupled with the storm that seemed to rage deep within his eyes, and as for his mouth? Well, it was more of a scowl than a smile really.

  ‘Good to see you, too,’ whispered Rowanne, and coughed to clear her throat. She looked down at the hand holding hers, and then back up at him. ‘I wouldn’t have come back if I knew that this is what I have to look forward to!’ she smiled mockingly.

  ‘How many times have I told you, not to play the lone hero!’ he added gruffly.

  ‘Fine. Help me up, I’m not feeling too heroic at the moment. My back is killing me, I feel burdened. One more thing, I seem to remember you holding me at my finest moment...’ she said, her eyebrow raised. Well, if exploding in a ball of light counts as a fine moment; more like my last moment! She laughed as Alexander waved away her comment indignantly.

  ‘Erm, Rowanne, there is something a little strange about you... Now, don’t panic,’ said Alexander.

  Accordingly, she panicked, her heart racing. Maybe I’ve been hurt in the explosion in some way... But I feel fine. She wriggled her fingers and toes, and moved her arms and legs; everything was working perfectly. She felt her face; no, nothing hurt there, though as she touched it, she came away with dried blood. Okay, not good, but still nothing to worry about.

  Turning to Alexander, she said, ‘See, there’s nothing wrong with me-’ Rowanne was cut off as something huge wacked her in the face. She froze. Her panicked eyes locked with Alexander’s, but strangely he was calm. Why does he have a weird smile on his face? she wondered.

  Rowanne breathed deeply and whatever it was went away, but then it came right back a second later. ‘Make it stop! What is it...?’ she asked Alexander, as she gripped his arm.

  ‘Rowanne, I must say you’ve grown in more than one way, besides the fact that you nearly ripped my arm out! This thing that keeps hitting you is... another appendage, or a pair, I should say, that you have gained,’ said Alexander highly amused.

  This time Rowanne grabbed it, bending it slightly, though if she tugged on it too much, it hurt her back. Oh my God! she thought. I used to tease Alexander about growing horns as a demon; turns out I’m the one that’s grown wings!

  Rowanne looked with a mixture of trepidation and awe at her wings. They were beautiful, with a long wingspan. The feathers were so soft and a brilliant white glow emanated from them.

  ‘Your eyes have changed as well, my dear. They are no longer green but the violet inherent to our Royal family,’ said Lady Enid. She felt a recognition within her that Rowanne belonged to her clan.

  ‘What? But how could this have happened?’ asked Rowanne, scared at what she’d see in the mirror, Will I even recognise myself... she wondered. She looked at Alexander, her eyes widening in surprise, ‘Alexander, I’m sorry, but whatever that blast did to me, it also seems as if you didn’t escape unchanged either...’ she said, pointing to his back.

  Alexander flexed his muscles, and a dark wing came flying at his face, but stopped short. He looked at Rowanne calmly, and said, ‘I was wondering what that cumbersome thing upon my back was. But I put it out of mind, focused as I was on you...’

  ‘How can you take this so well? I’m panicking at the thought of turning up to work with two wings protruding from my back! Not to mention I’ll never be able to wear clothes properly again!’ said Rowanne, knowing she sounded hysterical.

  ‘Just breathe. It’s not so bad, is it? We’re both alive, it’s just that...’

  ‘What? Say it,’ said Rowanne, expecting the worst.

  Alexander looked at her solemnly, replying, ‘The small matter of you turning us into... angels!’ he laughed heartily. He wondered why Rowanne’s wings were white whilst his were black... One of those mysteries, he thought.

  Trust Alexander to laugh at the most inappropriate time. Rowanne felt angry, but this only served to make her wings flap up and down uncontrollably. She watched in annoyance as Alexander and Kieran fell to pieces laughing, and even Lady Enid was trying unsuccessfully to hide her mirth behind her hand.

  That’s it, if they don’t want to help, I’ll figure it out on my own. Rowanne did not care one iota, if the demons tried to stop her, she could put these wings to good use and swat them away!

  Rowanne stood up as the anxiety and frustration built within her. Suddenly her mind went hazy; it had become too m
uch for her, and she felt fear at the sight of her wings moving powerfully up and down.

  ‘Alexander, what’s happening to me?’ she shouted, as she began to rise up. She flew above the guards and kept rising. Below her the hall of demons looked up in awe, their mouths hanging open in surprise.

  Suddenly, Rowanne stopped rising, but thankfully her wings kept flapping, so that she hovered above them all. The power within her was feeding the necessary information to her mind, so that she could gain control of the wings. She slipped down a couple of times. Keep your mind clear, she thought. Accept it.

  It was like a muscle she had never used before, that was the only way she could describe it. The process of questioning how it worked confused her mind, and once the link was lost, she’d start to waver and fall.

  Alexander watched her - she was by no means safe. He had accepted the wings as being a natural part of him. Closing his eyes, he focused and steadied his breathing, and was up and away as a powerful updraft carried him to Rowanne.

  He smiled at her bemusedly, ‘Rowanne, you do seem to find yourself in the most awkward situations possible. As a demon, I thought I’d seen everything, but then you came along and turned my world upside down,’ he said, winking at her.

  ‘That’s rich! I could say the same of you. I was a perfectly ordinary human, before you came along. Now look at me — I’m an angel!’ Rowanne glared at him, and for good measure added, ‘You should come with a health warning!’

  Alexander laughed darkly, ‘Rowanne, look at where you are.’

  Rowanne was amazed to find herself on the ground. Alexander had distracted her enough, that she had descended naturally without even thinking about it.

  The guards stood before the Queen, with their spears held out towards Rowanne and Alexander.

  ‘Put them away, these two do not pose a threat,’ said Lady Enid.

  Kieran gave the command to stand down, and duly the soldiers stood to either side of the Queen in a defensive formation.