| Sect nineteen: illusions By Richard LeBlanc Everything was spinning as Julia slowly awoke. Quickly she sat up in shock and looked around the luxurious bedroom she was in. She was about to call out for help when she saw a familiar person standing by a large picturesque window - Drake. "What happened? Where am I? How did I get here?" she asked tiredly. Drake smiled and looked over his shoulder. "It's over. It's finally over," he answered. Julia could hardly believe what she was hearing. Drake chuckled, walked over and sat down on the bed next to her. "But - but how?" she asked. Drake sighed and held her hand. "There was a battle - a fierce one. Kaine and I - we kept Gaurre occupied - then you cast the spell that sent him back into the ether. A powerful explosion rocked the place - it - killed Kaine and I feared I had lost you to," he answered. All color drained from her face upon hearing the news. "I - I killed him?" she asked - mortified. He shook his head. "No - he saw that the explosion was going to hurt you too - so he threw himself in front of you. He took the brunt of the blast for you. He would not want you blaming yourself for his sacrifice," he retorted. "But - how could I have cast such a spell?" she asked - confusion striking her to the very core of her being. Drake placed a finger on her lips and smiled. "It - is over now. Let us not dwell on that - time. Let us instead dwell on our - future," he suggested. The statement made her smile. "I would like nothing more," she whispered. In one fluid motion Drake lifted her up and held her in his arms. The two were about to kiss when a sharp pain jolted through her head. Drake looked over at her. "You okay?" he asked curiously. "Head - feels like it is being stabbed," she strained. "Do you want to lie down?" he offered. She nodded. Slowly he lowered her down to the bed. He kissed her on the neck. She jumped - holding her neck. "What's wrong?" he asked curiously. "Burns - where - you kissed - it felt like something was burning my flesh," she replied. Julia was going to say something else - but there was something - not right. It set her off. She looked at Drake as she had many times before on their journey - there was something different about him - something that distinctly wrong. "You might be ill. Do you want me to fetch the physician? A cleric perhaps?" he offered. She studied him more closely. For a brief split second - everything around her blinked. Drake smiled at her. "Something wrong?" he asked curiously. "You - you are not Drake," she muttered. "What? That is ridiculous," he dismissed. "No - I know Drake - I know his eyes. The eyes are the gateway to the soul - and yours are empty," she muttered - backing away from him. Drake sighed and shook his head. "Pity - I had hoped you wouldn't have noticed until after," Drake muttered. Flames erupted from the floor and enveloped everything around them. When they vanished - Julia was in hell - and in the place where Drake once was - was Gaurre. "After - after what?" she muttered nervously. The daemon lord quietly chuckled. "Why - after I had my way with you. Perhaps - I will just force myself on you," he hissed. Julia backed away - cringing of the thought of such a creature defiling her. "You - you won't get away with this," she muttered. "And who will stop me? You think that those fools Drake and Kaine would be able to stop me? Do you really think that they could get here in time? Face the facts girl - they were using you. Drake cares only for vengance. When your guard is down - he will take your life. Those of the Order he serves - they take their craft - and oaths - very serious. And as for that cleric - Ha! You honestly think he would risk his life to save one who allowed herself to be defiled by a demon born?" the daemon began. "No," she muttered - holding her hands over her ears. "Yes - they both want you dead! You are an affront to all they represent. You are of a line of traitors - everyone knows it. The sacred walls of those noble kingdoms would never had fallen had it not been for your ancestors," he continued. Tears began to seep down her face. "You're lying," she muttered - shaking her head. "Am I? Do you know that young girls believed to born of the guardian mage line - are stoned - beaten - and then if still alive - are burned at the stake? If your ancestors are as pure - as innocent as they claim - why would - your kind - do this?" he asked. Julia curled up on the ground crying. "I don't know," she whimpered. "You don't? Then your blindness must be willful. Everyone - my dear can't be wrong. That is why everyone - wants you dead - everyone - save - me," he stated seriously. Julia looked over at the daemon. "Surprised? Think you for an instant. Had I not wanted you dead - would I not have slain you in your slumber? Had I wanted to force myself on you - could I have not done so while you slept? I may be daemon - but my intentions are far more noble than the intentions of those that claim to be your allies," he added. "I - I don't," she began - but couldn't go on. The confusion in her head and her heart were more than she could cope with. She tried to deny what the daemon said - but so much of it seemed true that it was almost impossible to deny. "I know this must seem terribly confusing. Were our roles reversed - I would probably feel as though I had been turned inside out," he began. "Drake - loves - me - I know," she strained. The daemon shook his head. "Drake is not noble nor pure. He has been with many women in many different lands. To him - you are nothing more than a whore. One that gave in just like all the others. When he bores of you - as he has the others - he will dispose of you - and honor the decree of his master - and his Order," he rebutted. "Child - I know what I am saying must seem spiteful - but it is for the best. Illusions - will only serve to cause you further pain," he pointed out. "You - you're wrong - I - I had dreams," she began. "Dreams? Ah yes - the ones about the fall of Temal?" he asked curiously. Julia froze. "Yes - I caused them. I had hoped to warn you about Drake with that red dragon - but alas - he knew how to get you to ignore reason. He does have a way with women. Such is why he is the best at what his kind do. Give up your fool's quest. What will it serve - under the most ideal of circumstances?" he asked curiously. Julia wanted to speak but she was too choked up. Gaurre sighed and shook his head. "If you can not see it - allow me to help. You defeat me - the gate to your realm is closed and I would be banished to this place until such time as the wards falter - and they will without a guardian mage to protect them. Then you - would be alone - unprotected in a world - that loathes - hates - despises you - for saving them? This is your quest. This is what you seek to do," the daemon pointed out. "It - not like that," she stuttered. "No? You think the world will embrace you? Why do you think your mother - a woman that was a good friend to me," he began. Julia was too her feet pointing a finger at the daemon. "Liar!" she shouted emotionally. "Am I? Why do you think I sent the daemon who killed her to Gernome and stripped him of the power I had given him? She had a pact with the demon host. Her and your survival - for the Temal," he stated rationally. Julia could feel her hands shaking uncontrollably. "Julia - my dear girl. The world - has done such wrong to you - why do you give them so much when all - they have ever done - is take - and take - and take?" he asked seriously. "Because," she muttered. "Yes?" he replied curiously. But it was clear that she had no answer to give. "My dear - the time for change is now. Step out of the way of what will be. Stand by my side - and together - we will vanquish all that dared to cause you pain," the daemon offered - extending his hand to her. She hesitantly looked over at his hand and found her hand slowly rising up to meet his. "Julia no!" a voice shouted. Both Gaurre and Julia looked over. There - across the room stood Kaine and Drake. To be continued... |