Author’s note: Well, not much to say here… hope you’re liking so far!
Liesl pushed the last wooden chair into its table and sighed. Joe smirked at her, putting the glass he was washing down.
“Tired already?” he asked. Liesl glared at him.
“You haven’t been walking all day,” she snapped.
“I’ve been working.”
“Shut up!” A rock from the dust pile on the floor went sailing past his head. Liesl continued glaring at him as she grabbed a damp cloth off the counter and began wiping down the tables. A nock at the door shook her out of her grumbling. Joe opened the door and stepped back, shock playing all across his face.
“Your Grace, we weren’t expecting you,” he said, bowing his head more out of fear then respect. Liesl stilled as the strange man stepped into the inn. He’s a vampire, she thought, as the man’s roving eyes settled on her for a moment. He turned back to Joe.
“I must speak to the owner of this inn,” he said. Joe nodded.
“Liesl will you get my father?” he asked in a hollow voice. Liesl nodded and dashed out of the room, all to glad to be out of site of the vampire. She ran into the back courtyard where Heather, Jason and the innkeeper were just finishing the fence. Heather looked up, surprised by Liesl’s interruption.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“A vampire Lord has just arrived. Joe asked me to find his father,” Liesl replied. The innkeeper’s eyes widened. He hurried into the inn, followed by his son, Liesl and Heather.
“My Lord Orlan, I didn’t realize you were coming so soon,” he said. The vampire Lord eyed the innkeeper carefully.
“You know why I’m here,” he said. The innkeeper’s eyes widened.
“Just give me a few more days. I’ll have the money by then I swear it!” he sputtered. The vampire stepped forward deftly, the in-human speed and grace of his kind evident. He grabbed the innkeeper by the neck. Jason attempted to step forward but Joe’s hand on his arm held him back. Both shook with suppressed rage and fear.
“I regret, for your sake, that your time is up. Yours, and your sons,” Lord Orlan said coldly. Vampire fangs descended from already sharp canines. The Innkeeper let out a horrified shriek as the needle like teeth pierced the skin of his throat. The four young people could only watch in mixed shock and horror as the man’s blood was drained from him.
The vampire finished his kill, dropping the dead man’s body to the floor and wiping the excess blood from his mouth. His ruby gaze focused on the four humans in front of him. He pushed the males out of the way and grabbed Liesl by the throat. “You’re a pretty one, and so small too. You’ll make a tasty treat.” Orlan’s fangs descended again, falling towards the pale skin of the woman’s throat.
A searing pain shot through the vampire Lord’s spine. He howled, dropping Liesl to the floor. Heather stood behind him, a bloody chair leg in her hand. A second piece of wood drove home into the vampire’s heart. Orlan’s head snapped back to the front. Joe stood there glaring, hand still tightly clasped around a second wooden stake. The poisonous wood filtered through the vampire’s blood stream, slowly killing him. As he slipped to the ground, he looked at Liesl, who was being helped by Jason. “How…” With one last glance, he died.
Joe stepped back from the dead vampire, looking deathly ill as he surveyed the room. The smell of smoke filtered in from the kitchen. His eyes widened.
“Fire! We have to get out of here!” he yelled. Heather moved towards the door. It didn’t budge.
“The bastard locked us in!” she yelled back. Flames began licking at the kitchen doorframe, blocking the only other exit. Liesl was already coughing from the smoke. Heather thought fast. She grabbed an old, decorative hatchet off the wall and began hammering at the door with it. A window blew open, scorched and burning from the heat. Clean wind wiped through the opening and circled around the group.
“Come on! *cough* Out the window!” yelled Liesl. Joe just stared at the two girls as they ushered him into the wind stream and out to safety. Liesl collapsed against the still shocked Joe, exhausted and breathing harshly.
“You two have magic don’t you,” he stated. Heather stared at him.
“Yes. It’s nearly dormant but… how did you know?” she asked.
“I can see it,” Joe replied, fidgeting nervously. Heather grinned.
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s get to a safe place in those woods,” she said.
“Good plan.”
A pillar of smoke in the dark distance caught Anne’s eye. She poked her sister’s arm and nodded towards the flames.
“What the…” Marina stared at the fire. Cassandra frowned.
“Let’s see if we can help,” she said. The three ran towards the smoldering building. The fire had been burning for a few hours now and the building next to it was beginning to catch. The darkness surrounding Anne condensed and swirled around her, blocking her from view.
When she reappeared, she was dressed in a void like black robe that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. From her back extended midnight demon-like wings. Dark tendrils wrapped around the burning building, smothering and extinguishing the flames. When the darkness lifted, all that remained were charred bits of burned wood and blackened metal. Cassandra knelt to the ground near the center of the building. She brushed ashes away from a blackened human skill.
“Some one died here, just before the flames started,” she said, a clouded look in her eyes as she surveyed the scene around her. She smiled slightly. “Two lives were lost here, one human, and one vampire.”
Caitlin sat up on her little cot, finally awake again. As she rubbed her eyes, she noticed that the room seemed lighter than before. She looked around. In one corner, a single window revealed the dim rising sun. She stood up and ran to the opening, feeling the cool breeze against her face.
“I thought you’d like to see the outside, even though you can’t visit it,” said Trahern, ruffling his wings nervously. Caitlin smiled slightly.
“Thank you,” she said. Her hand brushed against her robe. She looked down, surprised. “Um, when did I transform?” she asked.
“Regent forced it on you. You wouldn’t have survived otherwise,” Trahern replied. Caitlin nodded. Light shone around her as her robe faded back into her normal clothes. She gazed out the window. “I’m sorry,” said Trahern. Caitlin turned, confused. The demon didn’t meet her eyes.
“Sorry for what?” she asked.
“I shouldn’t have brought you here,” Trahern explained. “No creature likes to be caged.” Caitlin frowned and looked back towards the window.
“I guess we’re all caged by something, whether it’s between physical barriers or mental. You’re bound by your loyalty and fear towards Regent and I’m bound to this room,” she said, voice holding no emotion. Trahern nodded, standing.
“Then you understand why I can’t help you, no matter how much I wish to,” he said, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face. “Regent raised me from when I was a small child. He was a harsh father and a harsher Lord, but I still can’t betray him like that.” Not yet anyway. Caitlin nodded.
“I understand,” she said. “Though for a demon, you’re very kind.” Trahern smiled, gazing into her blue-gray eyes.
“Regent was right about one thing. You are beautiful,” he said. Caitlin blushed brightly, her face showing complete shock. She turned away sharply. Trahern frowned. I expected that. Still, it hurts, he thought. Thoughts raced through Caitlin’s mind. What’s wrong with me? Ya sure, no one other than Regent has ever told me that but I know that Regent was lying!
Caitlin wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly. Still, he’s never done anything to harm me, if you don’t count bringing me here. But he’s a demon! Demon’s always hurt humans they become obsessed with! She cradled her head in her hands. What do I do? What do I do? she thought. Trahern raised a hand, wanting to comfort her, then dropped it and turned away. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that,” he said.
Anna and Aria followed Abby into a small village near a crystal blue lake fed by a small stream nearby. Anna grinned, looking out at the water. Two young boys were playing on the rocky beach. At the top of the rise, a young man, a little younger than Abby, watched them closely.
“Abby, who are these people?” he asked when they came closer.
“This is Anna and Aria. They’re going to be staying around here for a while,” Abby replied.
“Mom’s not going to like this,” muttered Alex.
“We can camp out if it’s a problem,” said Aria. Abby frowned.
“No, come on.” They followed Abby into town, ignoring the wary looks of the villagers. A small commotion caught Anna’s attention.
“Did you hear what happened last night?” asked one man.
“Yah, that it a few villages over was burned to the ground. They’re saying Lord Orlan’s dead,” said another. The first man scoffed.
“You can’t kill a vampire like that. We’d know, right boys?” A few of the men nodded.
“Old Ben down the way said her saw four people climb out of a broken window while the fire was going,” said a third man.
“Maybe Old Orlan finally got Regent off his rocker. It would explain it if he’s dead.” A few of the men shuddered.
“As bad as Orlan was, better him than Regent,” said the second man.
“Who’s Regent?” asked Anna. She had been listening to the conversation.
“You don’t know?” asked the third man, surprised. Anna shook her head.
“I’ve heard the name, but news doesn’t get out my way often,” she replied.
“You’re from one of the eastern villages aren’t you.” Anna nodded. “We’ve heard Regent’s been attacking villages out there and herding the survivors west.” Anna nodded again. “Then that explains why you don’t know. Regent is the Lord of the Underworld, the Demon Chief, the creature that controls the demon armies.”
“Then he was the one who attacked my village,” she muttered.
“Regent’s been attacking up and down the east for the past few years. No one knows why,” said the man. Anna frowned. They were looking for us. Trying to get rid of us before we awakened. Regent is the enemy, she thought. Abby tapped her shoulder.
“Come on,” she said. Anna nodded and followed Abby, the eyes of the group of men watching her retreat.
Cassandra, Anne and Marina sat around a small fire. It had been around a day since they had come across the burned out inn and they still hadn’t found anything.
“At this rate we’ll never find Caitlin,” muttered Cassandra glumly.
“It’s only been two days. We’ll find something,” said Marina.
“If we’re lucky,” muttered Anne to herself. Marina ignored her.
“Why don’t we push west in the morning. We can’t give up until we find something,” she said. Cassandra nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Caitlin sat in front of the window, arms curled around her, watching the gloomy landscape out the small window before her. A single tear ran down her cheek, though her face bore no emotion. I’ll never see them again, my sister, my new friends, none of them. I’ll never be free. Trahern watched from the shadows, shivering slightly.
*Trahern, I must speak with you, * Regent’s mind voice echoed through his mind. Trahern stood and walked out of the room, locking it behind him. Another demon passed by and glanced at him with a sneer on his face. Trahern sighed and leaned against the wall, wings half closed around him. I get that a lot don’t I, he thought. Since he had been a young child, others of his kind had been unusually hostile towards him, even with the knowledge that he was Regent’s charge.
The hostility wasn’t the only thing the 300-year-old demon had noticed. Physically he appeared much more human than other demons. His wings were not ripped, his eyes glowed a warm blue instead of the usual red, gold or brown. Only Regent among all of the demons had a single blue eye.
After awhile, Trahern had accepted his odd, unknown heritage. He had grown his hair long, another oddity among both the males and females of his race, and had stopped rubbing ink into the sliver veins of his wings to hide them. He vaguely remembered his mother telling him that his strange features were a gift from his father.
Trahern’s mother had disappeared when he was four, leaving him to the care of her half brother Regent. Regent had been a stern guardian, someone Trahern had never taken to calling father. He had pushed the young demon almost into insanity, never allowing Trahern to call him anything but Lord or Master. During his decades of military training, he had secretly snuck books and journals into his room until he had come across an ancient prophecy scribbled in golden ink and a spidery hand, the prophecy of Myrandel the angel, the last of the celestial race.
He never should have been able to read it. The words were written in a language far more ancient then even the angelic race. He never told Regent what he had found; such stupidity would have meant his death. He knew that Regent himself had only deciphered half of the words, while he knew all. Trahern shook his head. I shouldn’t be thinking of things like that here. Regent is always watching and the Guardian of Light is just beyond this door. I should go see what Regent wants, he thought.
Regent was already standing when Trahern arrived. He smirked as the young demon approached, stepping down from his dais.
“Trahern,” he said as he approached. “Are you true?” Trahern stopped dead. He gave Regent a confused look.
“What do you mean?” he asked. Regent approached him, taking a lock of his midnight hair and wrapping it around a finger tightly.
“Who are my people?” Regent yanked hard on the lock of hair. Trahern bit back a cry.
“Answer the question!” he yelled. Trahern bit his lip, not wanting to cry out.
“I don’t know. I don’t know who my people are,” he replied through clenched teeth.
“Fool,” Regent whispered in his ear. He pushed the younger demon away. “Do you truly want to know what you are?” Trahern nodded.
“I want to know who my father was.” Regent smirked and beckoned him forward. He stood the blue-eyed demon before the dark pool. Trahern’s eyes widened when he saw it, the multi-colored soul-stars swirling about the surface in an interacted dance. The Well of Worlds, the Pool of Souls, swam before him. Regent smirked behind him.
“Then see your fate!” Trahern let loose a strangled yelp as black hands pushed him into the pool. A flash of multi-colored light erupted and then vanished, taking Trahern with it.
Cassandra jumped. The surge of celestial energy had been too great to ignore. Her eyes widened as before her appeared a swirling cloud of blood-red mist. Marina and Anne just stared at the death guardian, confused and shocked. A voice, light and musical but dark and foreboding at the same time, spoke through the mist.
“Child of Death, your assistance is needed. Come through the mists and return to your realm,” said the crystal voice.
“Why should I trust you and abandon my companions?” Cassandra asked. The voice chuckled.
“The key to releasing the light lies down Death’s path.” Cassandra nodded and stepped forward. Marina grabbed her arm.
“You can’t go. We still have to find Caitlin,” she said. Cassandra shook her head.
“If we’re going to help my sister, then the answer to saving her is down this road,” she said.
“Come,” said the voice.
“Then we’re going with,” said Anne, dark eyes harsh and demanding. The voice remained silent for a moment, as if considering something.
“You two may come, but be warned. The realms of death answer to none but their Lady. Besides, you may be able to help save him.”
“Save who?” Anne asked.
“My son.”
He floated in a sea of ice blue mist, unaware of where he was, of who he was. What had happened? Where was he? Who was he? Flashes of memory ran behind his eyelids, a kind faced demon woman, another demon male with a pale, ice like half face, other demons snarling and hissing at him, a dark haired human woman with eyes like a temperamental sea. All these imaged flashed before him.
They had meaning; he knew it. They were important, as were the feelings emanating from them, warmth and love from the demon woman, resentment, control and hatred from the ice like demon male, complete hostility from the group, and from the human woman, uncertainty, fear and, hidden beneath the two, curiosity, forgiveness and hope. A scene of the male demon standing near the human, touching her, brought feelings of anger and protectiveness welling up inside of him. Who ever he was, he had to get back to that world in his memories.
The realms of the dead were very different and yet very similar to the mortal world. Red mist hung everywhere and the seemingly familiar landscaped seemed more spectral and distant. Marina shivered. This wasn’t her place. Anne too was on edge, but less so then her sister. This place seemed to hold a darker quality then the living realm.
Cassandra smiled. She was fully in her element here. Her body seemed to overflow with power and her mind was more at ease then it had ever been. A figure appeared before them, a ghostly male figure. Short black hair swept across his brow and sapphire blue eyes glittered beneath long eyelashes. From his back sprouted four crystal-feathered wings.
“An angel,” whispered Marina, eyes wide in awe. The angel smiled and nodded.
“I am Myrandel, the prophet and the last of the celestial race. I am the one that called you here Lady,” he said, mostly to Cassandra.
“Why do you call me Lady?” she asked. Myrandel smiled.
“You are the Lady the souls of the dead have waited for. The one who will judge and protect them,” he said.
“The Child of Death,” Cassandra muttered. The angel nodded. He turned to Marina.
“Lady Life, you also are welcome here, though your power is greatly diminished. The souls have waited for you as well.” Marina nodded.
“Thank you,” she said. Myrandel turned to Anne finally, and smiled sadly.
“Lady Darkness, I fear my gift of prophecy does not see pleasantly in your future. Suffering and happiness both wait, as they do for your partner. While you are welcome here, there is but one place that can truly give you peace and that place only you can enter. Never forget what little gifts of happiness fate has given you, or your despair will be your destruction,” he said. Anne shuddered.
“Why, and when?” she asked.
“I cannot answer why, but I may tell you this. Each of you four will be tested at some point. This war is the test of Light. Life and Death will await their test for some time, and you, Darkness, will wait longer still. But when your trial does come, it may be the greatest any guardian will ever face.” Anne nodded, somehow keeping her composure.
“You said there was someone we could help here,” she said. Myrandel nodded and looked out into the distance.
“My son is trapped in the Well of Worlds. He is your only hope to save the Child of Light,” he said.
“Your son?” asked Marina.
“How can we help?” Cassandra asked firmly. Myrandel looked closely into Cassandra’s eyes.
“Are you sure?” he asked. All three guardians nodded. Myrandel smiled. “Thank you.”
The memories were becoming clearer and yet cloudier with each second. Visions swirled in a whirl of color and shape. So many memories, it was as if his entire life was displayed before him while he only watched from the sidelines. The scenes whirled faster and faster, their colors deepening.
A sudden flash of scarlet light startled him. His dreams exploded into bloody mist. Four figures, all winged, formed in the cloud, the first a tall, severe looking woman. Silver edged black wings like a birds extended from her back and she leaned comfortably on a tall scythe. A single flash of memory blinked through his mind. The blue-eyed woman, this mysterious one looked like her.
Her dragon-like midnight wings looked oddly familiar. He curled his own wings about him, trying to protect himself against the intruders. A single crystal feather floated in front of him. He looked back, stunned. While one of his wings had remained the usual demonic black membranous shape it always had, the other had transformed. It was now sparkling with translucent multi-colored crystal feathers. Her jerked his wings back in shock and looked up…
And stared into a mirror. The four-winged creature before him cupped his face in a pale hand.
*My son,* his gentle mind voice echoed through the icy mists of timeless space. The dark woman stepped forward and knelt at his other side.
*Who are you?* he asked. The dark one smiled.
*You’ll find out soon. For now, I’m just the Guardian of Darkness. We’ve come to bring you back through the Well of Worlds,* she replied. The Well of Worlds, yes that sounded familiar.
*My son, you still have a duty to perform in Regent’s layer. Only you can rescue the Guardian of Light. Remember who you are, my son Trahern. Go back to the world of the living and take back the memory of my love for you and the memory of who you truly are,* said the four winged being.
*Who am I?* asked Trahern. Yes, that was his name, Trahern. The Daughter of Darkness chuckled.
*Did you ever wonder who your father was Trahern? He stands before you now, proof of your other heritage. You are both demon and angel Trahern,* she said.
*I’m what?!* Trahern asked, shocked. The mysterious one and the emerald one also came forward.
*You’re half angel. Let me introduce you to your father, Myrandel the prophet,* spoke the mysterious one.
*Who are you?* Trahern asked her. She smiled, familiar blue eyes bright.
*They call me Lady Death,* she told him. *This is my partner, Lady Life* Trahern nodded.
*If I’m half angel, then why have I passed for a demon for all these years?* How did he know that? Where his dreams reality?
*Your celestial blood has only just awakened. An angel’s soul must be awakened by a parent,* said the angel Myrandel. The dark one place a hand on his arm.
*You must go back Trahern, back through the Well of Worlds, back to the one you love,* she said.
*How do I get there?* he asked.
*I will guide you,* spoke a new voice. Beside the dark woman appeared the blue-eyed human from his visions.
*Caitlin?* gasped Lady Death. The woman smiled, her features blurring slightly.
*I’m still trapped in the fortress Cass. This is just a spirit form.* Caitlin turned to Trahern and held out a pale hand. *Trahern, I’ve done you a great wrong by my prejudice. I’m sorry. Let me help you now.* Trahern reached out and took her hand. As the two began to disappear in a crystalline light, Myrandel stepped forward.
*Lady Light, the strength of hope and determination, as well as gentleness and love is your greatest weapon. Be wary, for your trials have just begun.* Caitlin nodded.
*Thank you.* she said, and faded into the light with Trahern.
*Well then, we better find the others,* said Anne. Marina nodded and Cassandra twirled her scythe in her hand. Red mist filtered in around them. Myrandel smiled.
*Thank you* he said. Cassandra nodded.
*No, thank you. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have a prophecy to fulfill.* Myrandel smiled brightly as the three disappeared into red mist. When they had gone, he frowned. Beware Guardians, your greatest challenge is yet to come.
Author’s note: Yay!!! I love Trahern for some reason… and he was never supposed to end up being who he has become now. Have any of you guessed who he really is??
*Caitlin is my sister* spoke a mind voice. The bird winged woman smiled at him and stepped aside, revealing her companions. Two were female and dressed as she was, one in emerald and one in black darker than the night. It was the dark one that claimed his attention.
Myrandel: You still haven’t told me why I have to be dead…
Cat: hehehe… um, well… blame the muses!! They made me do it!!
Arien the Muse: It was Diedra’s idea… I claim no input!
Diedra the Muse: That was SO you’re idea! You’re the evil one around here anyway!
Arien: ….. YEP! And proud of it! *jumps on her Throne of Evil and cackles insanely.*
Myrandel: So it WAS you! Grr…
Cat: Right… hehehe… well, see you next chapter! (Why did I let them into the a/n’s??)