Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:13:03 -0500 From: Sam Nightingale <morrighanscrow@gmail.com> Subject: The Daemon Chronicles: Heaven And Earth Table of Contents Prologue 4 A Sprite Apple 10 Luka 17 Revelations 39 The Holy City 46 Book Of Days 52 The Tree Of Dead Souls 57 B'hoketu Sela 84 War & Peace 98 Epilogue 108 Prologue Hello. My name is Sannon Thorcn. I am a Dragon warrior. Well, I am about to become one. I am waiting with my fellow warriors to take my final vows. At this time, I will keep my vows very close to my heart. Little do I know, that in only a few months from this time, that I will break my vows. We are waiting outside Sensei's stone house in our ceremonial white robes, the Forest Everlasting surrounding us. The River Unending flows gently by, while the Full Moon casts an eerie glow about the clearing. We started training when we were ten and trained for five years. The door to the house opens. Sensei's stern black eyes gaze at us. Although his face is stern, the glow in his eyes is one of pride. He is wearing his purple robes, his black hair falling to his shoulders. His ears are long and pointed. "Sannon Th--ran, are you ready to take your final vows," he asks I bow as I say, "Yes, Sensei." Sensei turns and I follow him inside. The house is modest. It has only two rooms, the first floor, and the second floor. The first floor is where Sensei eats and sleeps. In the northwest corner of the house is a wood-burning stove. In the northeast corner of the room is a fireplace with a wood mantel, upon which are several pipes and an urn filled with herbs. In the centre of the room are a wooden table and a couple of wooden chairs. Against the South wall of the room is Sensei's bed. At the east wall of the house is a stone staircase leading to the second floor where my ceremony will take place. I follow Sensei up to the second floor. The second floor is a large circular wall with no roof. At the front of the room is a stone pedestal with a pentacle carved into it. At each of the points is a differently colored crystal nestled into a cavity cut so that the crystals fit into the cavity perfectly. The white crystal is at the topmost point, the silver crystal is at the top left point, the red crystal is at the top right point, the blue crystal is at the bottom left point, and the green crystal is at the bottom right point. My heart is pounding in my chest. Sensei and I walk to the centre of the room. Sensei turns to me. "Are you scared, my son," he asks, "You may speak." During the ritual, you are not allowed to speak unless given permission. "I am more scared than I have ever been, Sensei," I answer. "Even more scared than when you battled that entire army of Spider Daemons all by yourself," Sensei asks "Yes," I answer Sensei smiles. "It may comfort you to know this, but I too was afraid when I took my final vows." A look of surprise flashes across my face. "You were afraid. I've never seen you afraid." "There are many things I fear, my son. I just do not show it." "But you laugh at the face of danger. How does your fear not hold you back?" "That is what bravery is. It is not the lack of fear. Bravery is the presence of fear with the will to go on. Did I not teach you that?" "You did." "Shall we get on with the ritual then?" I nod. Sensei turns and gestures to the pedestal. "Then take your crystal and kneel in the centre of the room." I walk over to the pedestal and pick up the white crystal. I walk back over to the centre of the room and kneel before Sensei. "Repeat after me, `I Sannon Th--ran...'" "`I Sannon Th--ran...'" "`...do hereby swear...'" "`...do hereby swear...'" "`...that I will uphold the laws set down by the Dragon Warriors past and stay true to my vows on punishment by torture by my Sensei until I am dead...'" "`...that I will uphold the laws set down by the Dragon Warriors past and stay true to my vows on punishment by torture by my Sensei until I am dead...'" "`...I swear that I will keep my identity secret from everyone except for my fellow villagers...'" "`...I swear that I will keep my identity secret from everyone except for my fellow villagers...'" "`...and I will never let the world of daemons cross with my own...'" "`...and I will never let the world of daemons cross with my own...'" "`...I swear this in the name of the Sacred Goddess.'" "`...I swear this in the name of the Sacred Goddess.'" "You may rise, my son." I stand. "Are you ready to receive your full powers?" I nod. "Then touch the crystal to your forehead." I lift the crystal and touch it to my forehead. I feel great energy surge through me as the crystal's Magick flows into me. As the Magick flows into me, my body begins to metamorphose. My face grows shorter as my nose becomes longer, growing into a snout. My brown hair disappears, as my ears grow longer and move to the top of my head. My muscles increase in size, as I grow taller. My brown eyes change to white. My skin changes to pure white scales. My robes disappear as bat-like wings sprout out of my back. A gleaming white broadsword appears at my side. The Magick fades as my transformation completes. "How do you feel," Sensei asks. "I feel different, that's for sure. It's weird that my voice is deeper, too." Sensei smiles. "You will get used to it. You want to take your first flight?" I nod. Sensei backs up a few paces. "Go ahead." I flex my wings in and out a few times. Then I throw them open and launch into the air. The ground quickly disappears below me, the trees becoming a green blur. I laugh hardily as the wind rushes over me. I circle in the air a few times and land next to my friends. They all stare at me in awe. "How do you feel," N't-- asks. "Amazing," I answer. N't-- continues, "You look so different. And you sound different, too." I change back into my human form. "It's easy to get used to." The door to Sensei's house opens again. "N't--, you next." N't-- swallows and steps into the house. N't-- is going to be the Fire Dragon Warrior. N't-- has jaw-length blond hair and emerald green eyes. I have had a crush on him ever since I started training with him. I haven't told him yet, but I have a feeling that he feels the same away about me. A few minutes later, we are all finished with our rituals. The Sensei stands before us. "You have all done well. Go forth and fulfill your destiny to protect this village from the daemons who live on the outskirts of the Forest Everlasting." We all walk back into the Forest Everlasting to our small village. A fence surrounds the village. At the front of the village is the market, which is currently closed. Empty booths fill the village square. A green field spans from the gate to the distant purple mountains where the daemons and the poorer people live. Up the hill is the residence area. We walk up the hill to our respective houses. I enter my house. My mother is up waiting for me. She walks in from the kitchen, which is to the left. She has long brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a pink blouse and an olive-colored skirt. "So how was the ceremony," she asks. "It was pretty neat. I feel so different." She nods. "Dinner is in the oven if you are hungry." "I am but..." I am interrupted by a yawn, "...I am so tired, I think I'll skip dinner tonight." "All right. Sweet dreams." I walk up the staircase, which is right across from the door. The sitting room and bathroom are down a hallway next to the stairs. There are two rooms upstairs. My mother's room and my room. My room is on the right. I open the door and enter. My bed is directly to the left. My ceiling slants with the roof of the house. There is a window set in it. To the right is the door to my private bathroom. I walk in and turn on the bathtub faucet. I strip off my robes and stand in front of the mirror. I metamorphose into my dragon form. It's very strange to see myself like that. The steam from the bath steams up the mirror. I turn back into my human form and slip into the bath. I reach up with my foot and turn off the faucet. After my bath, I change into my nightshirt and get into bed. A Sprite Apple It has been a few moths since I completed my training to become a Dragon Warrior. I am currently on the early afternoon patrol. I am walking around the market in my dragon form. A pearl from one of the booths catches my eye. I walk over to the booth and pick it up. My mother's birthday is tomorrow, I wonder if she would like this. "Good afternoon, sir," the vendor says. "Good afternoon. How much is this pearl?" "Well, normally I would sell it for ten corts. But for you, five corts." In our currency system, there are bronze pieces, silver corts, gold leies, and platinum acks. 100 pieces is one cort. 100 corts is one leie (pronounced like lye), and 100 leies is one ack. I reach into the coin bag of my satchel and pull out five corts. I set them down on the vendors counter. He takes them and I pick up the pearl as a rush of wind blows past me. I turn to see a boy not much younger than me running towards the entrance to the village. I turn back to see two guards running in the same direction as the boy. I stop them. "What's going on?" "That boy just stole something from one of the merchants." "Leave him to me." I take off my satchel and launch into the air. I catch up to the boy just as he reaches the bottom of the rise that leads up to the gate on the outside. I snatch him up and land. I set him down. If I was in my human form, I would be as tall as he is. However, because I am in my Dragon form, I am a couple of feet taller. The boy looks poor. His robes are dirty and torn. He has messy, greasy black hair the same length as N't--'s. But the most striking thing about him is his eyes. They are yellow with flecks of green. They remind me of cat's eyes. "Did you steal something from one of the merchants," I ask. The boy nods. "What did you take?" The boy reaches into his robes and pulls out a sprite apple. Sprite apples are a little more expensive than regular apples but only by a couple of pieces. "Why did you take it?" I am not sure why I asked this question. It is clear that the boy hasn't eaten very much in a long while. "I'm sorry, sir. But I haven't eaten anything in days. I was hungry." I can feel my sympathy for this poor boy overcoming my judgment. I sigh. "Go home, boy." The boy looks at me surprised. "You mean you're not going to turn me in?" "It's just an apple. Besides, you need it." "Thank you, sir." I nod. "Now go." The boy turns and runs towards the mountain range to the south. I walk back to the guards and pick up my satchel. "I am afraid he got away," I say. "I'd be more than happy to pay for whatever it is he stole." The guards wave me off. "Don't worry about it sir. It was just a sprite apple." "But what about the vendor?" "We'll cover it." The guards turn and walk away. I then realize that my patrol is over. I wait for Bertha, the Water Dragon Warrior, to arrive. She arrives soon, and I go back home. I walk in the door. Mom is in the kitchen making dinner. "How was your patrol," she asks as I close the door and take off my shoes. "Fine." I walk into the kitchen. A counter for eating is in the centre. Its top is made of blue tile. A wood counter goes all the way around the perimeter of the kitchen the sink is in the centre on the left side. Above it is a window. Mom is currently chopping vegetables next to it. Opposite the door is the oven with a simmering pot on it. To the right is the icebox. There are drawers and cabinets in the counter for silverware and cookware. There are cabinets above these for flatware and stemware. The cabinets are white. The tile in between the counter and the upper cabinets is red. I sit down at a swivel chair on the left side of the counter. There are eight total, two on each side. "So did anything interesting happen today," mom asks as she puts the vegetables she was chopping in the simmering pot. "Not really," I say. "Although..." Mom turns to me. "What?" "Well, this boy stole an apple from one of the merchants. A sprite apple." "Did you catch him?" Mom walks over to the fridge and pulls out a slab of meat. "Is that to'cn meat," I ask. Mom nods as she goes over to the counter to chop it. A to'cn is something like a chicken but more lean. "Why are you making my favourite meal?" Mom shrugs. "Felt like it. So tell me about this boy. Did you catch him?" "I did. But I let him go." "Why?" "I could tell he was poor. He needed it. Besides, a sprite apple costs like 10 pieces. So it's not like he stole anything expensive." "What did he look like?" She walks over to the pot and drops the meat in. She sits down at the counter opposite me. "You know how N't-- looks?" She nods. "He kind of looked like that. Except he had black hair. But the most interesting thing about him was his eyes. They were yellow with flecks of green. Much like a cat." Mom smiles. "Kind of sounds like you felt something more than sympathy for this boy." "Mom, c'mon. You know I like N't--." "I am well aware. But that doesn't mean you can't like this boy either." I consider what she is saying. "You may be right. But I don't even no if I'll ever see him again." "I think you will. Dinner will be ready soon." "I'll go wash up." I go upstairs and into my private bath. I wash my hands and face and change into my nightshirt. I go back downstairs. There is a steaming bowl of to'cn stew at my seat. Mom is sitting across from it. I sit down. "Would you like to say grace?" I nod. We bow our heads. "Oh, to be with the Morrighan where shadows dwell. The eerie mist. The chill of the wind. The Moon above giving the only light. Alone with Her in Her Forest of Magick and Mystery. Oh, Morrighan take me with you. Come, my mother. Take me into your darkness where few dare to go. Where the crow and raven dwell. Oh, Morrighan, Morrighan matron of priestess and witches. Come, how my heart longs for you tonight. To be embraced by your dark shadow. Amen." We eat and go in to the living room to watch a little TV before bed. Mom serves us a little Sprite Apple wine. There is a green sofa and a chair at a right angle to it in the living room. There is a coffee table in front of these. The TV is on the other side of the table. Behind the sofa is a bookcase. We sit down and mom turns on the news. After I finish my wine, I go upstairs to bed. I have the morning patrol. Meanwhile... In the small house of the cat daemon, Lord Bat--, the Lord is looking into his Magick cauldron at Sannon. His son, Luka, dressed in black robes, sits in a chair close by. The Moon casts an eerie glow through the large, arched windows and across the blue carpet. Bat-- turns to his son. "You are doing well, my son. You have Sannon completely infatuated with you. Soon you will have him completely within your grasp. And we will destroy him." "Thank you, father. I think I'm going to go to bed now." "Yes. Go. Rest. You deserve it." Luka goes into his modest bedroom with nothing but a bed and a bureau in it. He takes off his robes, pure black with a hole in the back for his tail, and lies down on his bed. Thoughts of Sannon run through his head. He thinks about what his father had said. "Soon you will have him completely in your grasp. And we will destroy him." "But I don't want to destroy him," Luka says out loud. "I love him." Luka falls into a gentle slumber. I am walking in the Forest with the boy I met that day. Except I am in my human form. And the boy is wearing new civilian clothes. I can tell that something is bothering him. "What's wrong, @#$%?" I say his name but I cannot hear myself say it. The boy stops and turns to me. "Sannon, there is something I have to tell you. But I am afraid to." "Why?" "Because I am afraid you won't love me anymore." "@#$%, nothing could make me love you any less than I do now. Tell me what is bothering you. Please." I realize that, as the boy turns to me, we are near the River Unending. "Well, the me you have been getting to know isn't the real me. Well, I mean everything you know about me is the real me, but there is one thing you don't know about me." "What is it?" The boy steps away. "I will show you. But I want you to know that no matter how this makes you feel about me, that I really, truly love you. And I always will." "Okay." Luka I awaken and sit bolt upright, panting. I put my hand to my forehead. I'm sweating slightly. "What the Goddess was that?" I look over at my clock. It's almost time for my patrol. I get out of bed and change into my robes. Mom doesn't have work today, today being her birthday, so she'll probably sleep in. I go downstairs and into the kitchen. I take the pearl from my pocket and place it on the counter. I write her a note saying, "Happy b-day." I walk out of the house and start my patrol. For the next five hours, I will be walking the streets of the village, keeping the peace. Close to the end of my shift, I am walking close to the edge of the Forest when I hear a rustling in the bushes. "Psst. Hey." I walk into the underbrush. Standing there is the boy from yesterday. "What are you doing here," I say. "If you get caught, you'll be arrested." The boy twiddles his thumbs. "I...I know. I just...wanted to thank you for yesterday." "You're welcome." I glance around nervously. "Now, you should leave before the guards find you. I shouldn't even be talking to you. I should be arresting you myself." "I...I know. But after yesterday, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I had a dream about you. I had to see you again." I am slightly taken aback. "What was the dream?" "We were walking in the woods together. We were by the river, and I was about to tell you a secret when I woke up." "I had the same dream. It totally freaked me out." "Me, too. Were you able to understand my name when you said it?" I shake my head. "I wasn't able to understand your name when I said it either." I hear someone call my name from the distance. "Sannon! Where are you!?" "That's N't--. My shift is over." "So can we hang out then?" I hesitate for a moment. "Yes. I guess I can give you a pardon. I don't really have the authority, but I think the guards will let it go. I command their respect. They usually do as I say." The boy nods. I step out of the underbrush. N't-- turns to me. "There you are. What were you doing in the underbrush?" I gesture to the underbrush. "I thought I saw a daemon in there. Sorry." "Well, go on home. It's my shift now." I nod. "I think I'll change in the woods." I walk back into the woods. The boy is waiting for me. "Welcome back," he says. "Thanks." "So, you told that warrior that you were going to change back to your human form in the woods. Are you going to?" I hesitate. "Can...can I trust you?" The boy nods. "I'm not sure. I've never revealed my true identity to anyone outside the village." "Please. What about the dream?" "I...I guess you're right." I swallow hard and change back into my original form. The boy scrutinizes me. "You're pretty cute." "Thanks. So are you. My name is Sannon. What's yours?" "Luka. So what do you want to do?" "Why don't we take a walk in the market?" Luka blushes. "But I look horrid." "Well, then, we'll just have to get you cleaned up." I transform back into my dragon form and kneel down. "Climb aboard." Luka climbs onto my back. I launch into the air and fly towards my house. I land on the stoop and open the door. I change back into my human form as we step inside. "Mom, I'm home," I call as we take off our shoes. She doesn't answer. "Mom!?" I go into the kitchen. There is a note on the counter. I pick it up and read it. Dear, Sannon, I got called into work. Corra is sick. I had to cover for her. I'll be home in time for dinner. And thanks for the pearl. I love it. Love, Mom "Oh, no," I say. "What's wrong," Luka asks. I set down the note. "My mom had to go into work. She was supposed to have the day off today. It's her birthday." "That's a shame." I nod. I turn around and point to the stairs. "You can use my bathroom to clean up. It's upstairs on the right." Luka walks up the stairs. A few second later, I hear my bedroom door open and close. I then hear the bathwater running. I go into the sitting room and turn on the TV. After an hour passes, I start to get a little worried about Luka. I go upstairs to my room and knock on the bathroom door. "Luka," I call, "are you all right. You've been in there a long time." "I'm fine, Sannon," I hear him call back. "I'll be out in a few minutes." "Okay. I laid out some clothes for you." "Thank you." I walk over to my bureau to the right of my window and take out some civilian clothes. A t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I haven't worn regular clothes ever since I finished training, I think to myself. I take out a t-shirt and a pair of shorts for myself. I quickly change. As I finish changing, I hear Luka call out, "Sannon, are you still up here." "Yes," I call back. "Could you go downstairs? I'm ready to come out now." "Okay." I go back downstairs and take a bottle of sprite apple wine out of the icebox. I take two wine glasses out of the cabinet and take it all into the sitting room. A little while later, I hear Luka come downstairs. "Sannon," he calls out. "Where are you?" "In here," I answer back. Soon, Luka walks into the room. "Whoa," I say. "What," Luka asks. "You look even cuter." Luka blushes. "Thanks." "Why were you in there for so long?" "I've never had a real bath before. I was enjoying it." I hold a glass out to him. "Wine?" "Sure." Luka takes the glass and takes a small sip. He then gulps down the rest. "That was delicious." Luka sways a little before awkwardly sitting down on the sofa. "Are you okay, Luka," I ask. "Yeah. I've just never had wine before." "Oh, I'm sorry Luka. Sprite apple wine is potent. You shouldn't have drank it so fast if you never had it before. Do you feel woozy at all?" Luka shakes his head. "No. Just dizzy." I get up and walk into the kitchen. I take a glass out of the cabinet and a carafe of natural soda spring water out of the fridge. I pour the water into the glass and walk back into the sitting room and give it to Luka. "Drink this. You'll feel better." Luka takes the glass and takes a few swallows. "Thank you," he says. "Sorry about this." "It's okay. If I'd known that you'd never had sprite apple wine, I'd have warned you of its potency. Have you ever had any kind of liquor?" Luka shakes his head. I sit down on the sofa. "Whoa. Than it was a really bad idea to give you sprite apple wine. It is one of the most potent liquors there is. I'm surprised you didn't get sick. Feel better?" Luka nods and sets down the glass of water on the table. He has a strange look on his face. "Luka, are you okay?" Luka's head suddenly snaps up. He jumps on me and plants a kiss right on my lips. He then sits back up, his face as red as if he had eaten a Fire Dragon Pepper. "I-I-I...I'm sorry, Sannon. It's just...no one's ever been so kind to me. And I find you very attractive. I'm sorry." I scoot closer to him and pull him closer to me. "You don't have to be sorry. You're a good kisser. But I wish you'd done it more like this." I put my finger under his chin, turn his face towards me, and kiss him softly on the lips. "You're right," he says. "That was much better." "Luka..." "Yes?" "I think...well I mean...I...You He interrupts me by placing his finger to my lips. "I love you, too, Sannon." I kiss him again. "Do you...want to go upstairs." "Not yet, Sannon." "Okay." I stand and take Luka by the hand. "Come on. Let's go to the market." We leave the house and walk down to the market. I see N'to patrolling near the Forest. We walk over to him. "Hey, N'to." "Hey, Sannon. Who's this?" "Oh, this is Luka. I met him yesterday." I notice N'to quickly glance down at mine and Luka's clasped hands. "Oh," he says, "I see. Well, I have to get back to my patrol. See you later, Sannon." He starts to walk away. "Wait, N'to," I call out N'to turns back to me. I turn to Luka. "Luka, will you wait here for me?" "Sure, love," he says. I walk over to N'to. "Come with me. We need to talk." I take N'to into the underbrush. "N'to, can I talk to the real you, please." "But this is the real me." "No. The human you." "Oh, right." N'to transforms back into his human form. "Look, N'to, I know how you feel about me." "You do." I nod. "Yes. And to be honest, I feel the same way about you. No," I interrupt him as he is about to say something, "let me finish. I like you, but with Luka, it's different. I love him. I don't know why. I just do. I'm sorry I have to disappoint you like this. But Love is Lord of Heaven and Earth. I have to follow my heart." N'to takes my hand. "I understand, Sannon. Can you just do me one favor?" "Sure. What is it?" "Can I kiss you? Just one time?" I nod. "I suppose I do owe you that." I lean into N'to. As our lips are about to meet, I hear Luka call out. "Sannon! Sannon, I need your help! Sannon, where are you!?" N't-- and I transform into our dragon forms and run out of the Forest. I quickly glance around and see Luka being dragged away by the guards. Luka is struggling to get away. N't-- and I run over to him. "Stop this," I snarl. "Release him!" The guards release Luka. He runs over to me and hides behind me. "Sir," one of the guards says. "He's the boy who stole that apple yesterday." "I am aware of that. I have given him a pardon." "But you don't have that authority," the other guard says. "Well, than you can take it up with Sensei. Or maybe you would like to make the treacherous journey to the Holy City to talk to the High Priestess about it. Or better yet, I can take you there myself, and while I'm there, I can tell her about how you were questioning the orders of her upper ranks. Or you can be my friends instead of guards just this one time and let this matter drop." "You are right, Master Sannon," the first guard says. "We will accept your orders." The guards walk away. I change back into my human form and turn to Luka. "Are you all right, my love?" Luka nods. "I'm fine. I'm glad I wasn't one of those guards, though. You were kind of scary there for a minute." "I was angry that they were trying to arrest you." I pull Luka close and whisper into his ear, "I love you, Luka. I never want anything bad happen to you." "I love you, too, Sannon," I hear him whisper back. " "Come on." I take Luka's hand. "Let's go shop." I start to walk away, but Luka doesn't move. I turn back to him. "What's wrong," I ask. "I don't have any money." I smile. "I have more than enough for the both of us. Now come on." We spend the rest of the afternoon shopping. Luka doesn't really seem interested in anything. However, towards the end of the day, something seems to catch his eye. He walks over to one of the jewelry booths. I walk up behind him. "See something you like?" He points to a sterling silver Triple Goddess pendant. A Full Moon in the centre, a waxing Crescent Moon on the left, and a waning Crescent Moon on the right, with an amethyst stone in the centre. "This is beautiful." "Do you want it," I ask. "Oh, no, Sannon. I couldn't ask you to do that. I'm sure it's far too expensive." I turn to the vendor. "How much is it?" "It's one leie." "That's 100 corts," Luka exclaims. He turns to me. "I couldn't ask you to spend that much on me, Sannon." I wrap my arms around him from behind. "I love you. I want to spend money on you. You're more than worth it. I'd spend a thousand acks on you if you wanted me to." Luka turns to me. "Really? Are you sure?" I nod. "So, the question remains, do you want it?" Luka hesitates for a moment. "I do." I reach into my coin bag and take out a gold leie. I give it to the vendor and pick up the pendant. "Can I put it on you?" Luka nods. I put the chain around his neck and join the clasps. As the pendant falls to his chest, he tenses for a moment. He then relaxes. As I step back, I ask, "Are you all right. You seem a little tense." Luka smiles. "I'm fine, love." I gaze into Luka's eyes. "What," he asks. "You're eyes are so pretty." "Thank you. They're my mother's eyes." We turn and start to walk up the hill. "What're your parents like?" "I wouldn't know. They died when I was really young. I don't remember much about them. My mother's eyes are one of the few things that's still clear in my memory." "I'm so sorry Luka." "You don't have to be sorry. I'm used to it. I've lived this way ever since I was eight." "You've been alone since you were eight!?" "Yeah." I stop. "What," Luka asks. I pull him in close. "You will never be alone again. I will always be here for you." Luka kisses me softly. "You promise?" "I swear on the sacred vows I took to become a Dragon Warrior." "Right. Your vows. The vows that you can never break on punishment by your Sensei by torture until dead." "Wow. That is almost word for word what I said when I took my vows." We again start walking back up the hill. "Aren't you scared that you'll slip up and break your vows," Luka asks. I shrug. "Why would I? I don't have a reason to break my vows, do I?" "Not as far as I know." I look to the east. The sun is painting the sky a beautiful orange and pink. "Wow," I say. "How time flies. It's already sunset." Luka's head snaps to the east. "Sunset!? Sannon, I have to go home." Luka begins to walk away, but I stop him. "Wait. You don't have to leave. You can stay with me." "All night?" "Actually, I was thinking...forever." "I...I don't know." "What's holding you back?" "Nothing. I guess. It's just a big change." "Nothing has to happen tonight. I just want...you. I want you with me always. Please stay with me." "Oh, how can I say no to you? All right. I'll stay." I smile and kiss him. We get to my house and go inside. "Mom," I call as we take off our shoes. "I'm home." Mom comes out from the kitchen. "Welcome home, sweeŅ" She stops as she sees Luka. "Is this the boy you were telling me about yesterday?" I nod. "Yep. His name is Luka." "Well, it's nice to meet you Luka." "You, too, Mrs. ...." "Oh, please call me Shera." "All right, Shera." "So, Luka," Mom asks, "will you be staying for dinner?" "Actually," I say, "I need to talk to you about something." "Okay. Let's all go into the kitchen." We all go into the kitchen. Mom starts to chop up to'cn meat for stew. I lean over to Luka and whisper, "She's making to'cn stew. That's a good sign." "Why is that a good sign? "To'cn stew is very hard to make. It means she's in a real good mood." We sit down at the counter. Mom puts the to'cn meat in the pot and joins us at the counter. "So," she says, "what did you want to talk with me about." "Well," I begin, "see...Luka doesn't...he needs a place to live." "I see. Go on," Mom says. I continue, "And, I said, if it is was all right with you, of course, that he could stay here." "That's quite a big promise, Sannon," mom says. "I don't know if that's a good idea." "Why not," I ask. "You were making good money before I became a Dragon Warrior. Now that I am a Dragon Warrior, we're both brining in three times what we were before. We have more than enough to support the three of us." "Sannon, it's not a question of money," Mom says. "What is it than," I ask. Mom smiles. "Let's go talk in private." "Whatever you need to say to me," I say, "you can say in front of Luka." "I'd rather not, Sannon," she says. I nod. "Okay." I turn to Luka. "Be right back, hon." "Okay," Luka says. I follow mom into the living room. "Okay, Mom. What is it you need to say?" She turns to me. "I don't want him in this house, Sannon." I am taken aback. "What? Why not?" "I don't trust him." "Why? What could possibly make you distrust him?" "I don't know." Mom glances towards the doorway. "There's just something about him. My intuition tells me he's hiding something. Something dark." "You think he's a daemon, don't you?" Mom nods and turn back to me. "I do." "That's impossible." "How do you know?" I turn towards the doorway. "Luka, come in here!" A few seconds later, Luka walks in. He walks over to me. "Yes?" I slip my finger under his pendant and lift it up. "This is how I know." "What's going on," Luka asks. "Mom thinks you're a daemon. But if that were true, your pendant would have burned you as soon as I put it on you." "I'm so sorry, Luka," Mom says. "I shouldn't assume that you are not what you claim to be." "It's okay, Shera," Luka says. "It's not the first time someone has accused me of being a daemon. It's my eyes, right?" Mom nods. "I know that they have the characteristics of a daemon, but I assure you that you have nothing to worry about." "Well, I can see that now. I'm sorry." "That's quite all right." "So," I say, "can he stay?" "What about his parents," Mom asks. "He's an orphan." "Oh," mom says. "Oh, I see." I can tell that mom is thinking about my proposal. It's not that she doesn't want Luka to stay. It's just that she's being sure that we won't hit any bumps in the road if she says yes. "I really don't see any reason why he can't," she says. That isn't necessarily a yes from her. "So, is that a yes," I ask. "I guess so." "Thank you," Luka says. "Thank you so much, Shera." Luka embraces me tightly. "Well then," mom says once he lets me go. "Shall we eat?" We all go back into the kitchen. Luka and I sit down at the kitchen table. As mom starts to put the finishing touches on the stew, Luka asks, "So, what's a t--'an?" "You've never seen a t--'an," I ask. Luka shakes his head. "Have you ever seen a chicken," I ask. Luka nods. I continue, "A t--'an kind of looks like a chicken. However, a t--'an is about twice the size of a chicken, and it's feathers are a deep deep black. The word t--'an, in fact, literally means night bird or night chicken. And t--'an meat is a lot leaner and more tender than chicken, too. Which of course means it's more expensive. And Mom makes the best t--'an stew this side of the Holy City." Mom sets the bowls down in front of us. As she sits down at the counter, she says, "Luka, as our guest, would you like to say grace?" "Oh, well I've never done that before." "Well, that's okay," Mom says. "You can just wing it if you want." "That's okay," Luka says, "I feel a little uncomfortable with that." "That's all right," mom says. "Sannon..." We bow our heads. "Oh, to be with the Morrighan where shadows dwell. The eerie mist. The chill of the wind. The Moon above giving the only light. Alone with Her in Her Forest of Magick and mystery. Oh, Morrighan, take me with you. Come my Mother, take me into your darkness where few dare to go. Where the crow and raven dwell. Oh Morrighan, Morrighan, matron of priestess and witches. Come, how my heart longs for you tonight, to be embraced by your dark shadow. Amen." We start to eat. I watch, amused, as Luka wolfs down his bowl. As his bowl empties, Mom asks, "Luka, would you like seconds?" Luka looks surprised. "What's wrong," I ask. "I've never been offered seconds before," he says. "In my village, everything has to be rationed. Even one serving was never enough." "I'm so sorry that you and the others have to live in an environment like that," Mom says. "It's a shame that it's not within the power of our High Priestess to make changes for the poorer villagers." "It is," Luka says. "However, at least things have changed for one of the poorer villagers. I am so grateful that I found someone like Sannon, who has a mother like you." "Well, Luka," Mom says as she gets him a second bowl of stew. "I am glad that we could open our home to you." Luka quickly finishes his second bowl. "Well, now," Mom says, "it's almost time for the news." We all go into the living room. Mom turns on the TV. As the TV comes on, Lorel Cordia, the anchorwoman, a short brunette woman with dark eyes, is standing in front of several piles of smoldering rubble. "...We are on hour two of this evening's attack on the Holy City," she says. "For those of you just tuning in, today at four pm, the Holy City was brutally attacked by Shadow Daemons. Luckily, the High Priestess' guards were able to get her and her family out of the Holy City without any complications. They are currently sheltering in a nearby village..." We all stare at the TV in utter shock. "...Furthermore," Lorel continues, "of the villages small population of only one-hundred-fifty-three, three priests, two priestesses, and eleven of the town's residents have been reported dead. A total of ninety-seven of the town's residents were injured in the attack. The unprovoked attack came as a complete surprise to this normally peaceful village. And as you can see by the horrific scene behind me," she gestures behind her, "the entire village is now in complete ruins. And as you can also see..." The camera pans to the right, focusing on what once was the Great Temple. "...The Great Temple suffered the most damage. Hang on..." She puts her finger to hear, listening to the incoming data. "I've just received word that the village has been ruled safe enough for the High Priestess' return. Hopefully we'll have the chance to talk to her to get her word on this absolutely horrific and seemingly random event." Lorel looks past the camera. "The village gates are opening. The High Priestess has just arrived on the back of her dragon, Navernia." A few minutes later, the High Priestess steps into view. She is a very young woman with long, curly blond hair and baby blue eyes. "So, High Priestess," L--rel asks, "what is your reaction to this attack?" "I am completely horrified. Look at what they have done to my village. It is completely destroyed. Sixteen of my villagers are dead. Ninety-seven more are injured. As soon as my village is rebuilt, I am calling the Supreme Holy Council to come down here, and įshendam will explain why his daemons attacked my village." "Most are saying that it was rogues," Lorel continues. "What's your opinion on this?" "Ridiculous," the High Priestess says. "This was an organized, well thought out attack carried out by hundreds of Shadow Daemons. They were not rogues." "What are plans for rebuilding your village," Lorel asks. "Well, I have sent messengers to all Dragon Warrior Senseis to send their Dragon Warriors, assuming that their village is safe enough, to help rebuild the village. If I can get just a few of the villages to respond, it should only take a day or two to rebuild the Holy City." "Thank you, High Priestess." The high priestess gives a courteous nod and walks away. "We are on hour two of toŅ" Mom turns off the TV. We all sit in silence for several minutes, absorbing what we had just heard. The Holy City destroyed. The citadel of all that we hold dear. Gone. "I can't believe it," I say, "the Holy City destroyed." "I know," mom says. "It's devastating." "Why would non-rogue shadow Daemons attack the Holy City," I ask. "It doesn't make any sense." "No it doesn't," Mom says. I notice that Luka is being unusually quiet. "Are you all right, Luka," I ask. Luka snaps out of his trance and turns towards me. "Oh, yeah I'm fine." "Are you sure," I ask. "Yes. I'm just so shocked about this." "I know," I say. "The Holy City has always been there and now it's gone. Well, at least with all the Dragon Warriors helping it'll be easier to rebuild the city." "How do you know all be able to help," Luka asks. "Because," I answer, "she has five Dragon Warriors to protect her, her family, and her village. Each of these warriors can sustain a village all on their own for at least three days. Furthermore, there are exactly five villages around the Holy City. If she sends one of her warriors to each of the five villages, than she'll gain 25 warriors from the other villages. That's more than enough to rebuild the holy city within a few days." "So," Luka asks, "does that mean you'll be going to the holy city?" "If I am asked to, yes." "Oh." Luka looks disappointed. "What's wrong," I ask. "Nothing. I'll just miss you when you go." I smile. "You don't think I'm going to leave you here, do you?" Luka looks at me. "What do you mean? Are you taking me with you?" "Of course, Luka. I want us to see the Holy City together." Luka kisses me softly. "I love you so much, Sannon." "I love you, too. Now, we should get to bed. I have the early morning shift tomorrow." Luka nods. We say goodnight to Mom and go up to my room. My bed is big enough for the two of us to lye in. For a while, I lye there, staring up at the ceiling. Luka falls asleep first. I follow him shortly. As I fall asleep, I enter into a beautiful meadow. It is night, and I am in my daemon form. A lake is a few yards ahead of me, the Moon and stars reflected in its surface. Far beyond the lake are purple, snow capped mountains. Behind me is a luscious green Forest. I hear someone walk out of the Forest. She comes to stand beside me. She has long, flowing raven hair. She is wearing dark black robes. Upon her shoulder is a crow. A black broadsword rests at her side. Her eyes are dark but filled with love. "Welcome, Luka," she says. "Morrighan," I say. "You have come seeking answers, have you not?" "I have, Goddess. I was wondering if it would be wise to tell Sannon the truth." Morrighan smiles. "What does your heart tell you?" "My heart tells me to tell him the truth. However, I am afraid that he will not love me anymore." Morrighan places her hand on my shoulder. "As long as you follow your heart, the Goddess will provide you with what you need." I nod my understanding and turn back to the lake. "Alright. I will tell him." Revelations I awaken the next morning to find my bed empty. Where is Luka? "Luka," I call out. I hear no answer. I get up, change into my robes, and go downstairs. I look for Mom and find her in the sitting room. "Have you seen Luka," I ask her. "I'm afraid I haven't. But Bertha called and said that everyone is off shift today. Your replacement is coming so that you can go to the Holy City." "What time?" "Sometime after noon." I nod. "Okay. I think I'm going to go out and look for Luka." "Okay. But come back soon." "I will," I say as I walk out the door. I have a feeling as to where Luka might be. I'm not sure why, but I just know that he must be in the Forest. I walk into the Forest. I only walk a few meters when I see Luka standing in a clearing, staring up at the sky. I walk up to him and place my hand on his shoulder. He starts and turns towards me. "Sannon," he says, "what are you doing out here?" "I could ask you the same thing." Luka turns back to the sky. "I was just seeking some answers." I smile. "I often look to the sky for answers. However, I wait until the Moon comes out. Morrighan is the Moon Goddess, you know." "This couldn't wait for the Moon." He turns back to me. "Want to go to the River?" "Sure." We turn, our hands clasped, and begin walking towards the river. I can tell that something is bothering him. "What's wrong, Luka?" Luka stops and turns to me. "Sannon, there is something I have to tell you. But I am afraid to." "Why?" "Because I am afraid you won't love me anymore." "Luka, nothing could make me love you any less than I do now. Tell me what is bothering you. Please." I realize that, as Luka turns to me, we are near the River Unending. "Well," Luka says, "the me you have been getting to know isn't the real me. Well, I mean everything you know about me is the real me, but there is one thing you don't know about me." "What is it?" Luka steps away. "I will show you. But I want you to know that no matter how this makes you feel about me, that I really, truly love you. And I always will." "Okay." "Luka, what're you doing?" "You'll see." Luka closes his eyes and spreads out his arms. A great wind suddenly blows through, disturbing the flow of the river. Luka levitates into the air. His human ears disappear as two black, furry pointed ears sprout out the top of his head. His spinal cord extends, turning into a long, black furry tail. His eyeteeth grow longer, turning into fangs. His fingernails grow longer and thicker, turning into claws. His clothes disappear to be replaced by black robes. As his metamorphosis completes, he settles back onto the ground and opens his eyes. His pupils, instead of being round, are now long slits. I stand speechless. "You're...a...daemon?" Luka nods but says nothing. I feel the rage boil up inside me. I quickly transform into my dragon form, draw my broadsword, and point it at Luka. "You deceitful little liar. I can't believe I broke my vows because of you." "But you didn't," Luka protests. "I was very careful to be sure that you didn't break your vows." "What do you mean," I ask tentatively. "We never slept together. You never let my world cross with your own." "Yes I did." "What? How?" "I fell in love with you, Luka. At that very moment, your world crossed with my own. And now I find out that you never really loved me. You were just using me to penetrate the Priestess' inner ranks. I'm just glad I found out the truth before I brought you to the Holy City. Who knows what kind of damage you could have caused had you been able to penetrate the city." "But that's not true," Luka protests. "Yes it is! Admit it!" I thrust my broadsword closer to Luka's throat. A small drop of blood appears at the tip of my blade. "Alright," Luka says, "I admit that bringing down the High Priestess was my father's original plan. But I fell in love with you; I really did. That's why I'm telling you the truth now." "How can I trust you after you lied to me like this!?" Luka shrugs. "I should cleave your head off for this!" "Go ahead," Luka says. "Kill me. I deserve it." As I am about to drive my broadsword through Luka's throat, a small butterfly flutters down and rest gently on my hand. Both Luka and I are transfixed by it. Its wings are completely black. And painted on the back of it is the Triple Goddess symbol. We watch it as it flutters over to Luka and lands on his Triple Goddess pendant. And suddenly it hits me. "Wait a minute." I withdraw my broadsword, sheathe it, and turn back into my human form. I walk up to Luka, slip my finger under his pendant, and lift it up. I run my finger over the stone as I say, "You...you really do love me." "Of course I do, Sannon." Any holy symbol that comes into contact with a daemon's skin would instantly burn them. The only way a daemon can become immune to this is if the Goddess gives them a soul. And the only way a daemon could ever get a soul is by feeling a true human emotion. Love is the truest, purest human emotion there is. I pull Luka close and kiss him softly. "I love you, Luka," I say as I embrace him tightly. "I love you, too, Sannon." I look into his eyes. "No one can ever find out about this. Okay?" Luka nods. "I know. My father would kill me if he ever found out about this." I kiss him again. Luka picks up his clothes, and I take his hand and start leading him deeper into the Forest. "Come on." Luka picks up his clothes and follows me. I lead him over the river. The leaves of the thick underbrush slap at our bodies. Soon, the underbrush starts to thin out as we come upon a tall rise. I lead Luka up the rise to a small sun-warmed rock at the top. Luka drops his clothes and stares awestruck at our surroundings. The rise clears the trees by several feet. From here, you can see the entire Forest for miles. "Sannon, this is amazing." I wrap my arms around him from behind. "I know. This is where I come when I'm seeking guidance." "Do you get it?" "Sometimes. And sometimes I don't. But that is the way of the Goddess." Luka nods. "It's beautiful, Sannon." "As are you," I whisper. Luka turns to me. "Sannon, I've never felt this way about anyone before. I didn't even think I could." "I have never felt this way about anyone either." Luka hesitates for a moment. "I want you, Sannon. Now and forever." I smile. "My heart, my body, and my soul are yours, Luka. Now and forever "And my heart, my body, and my soul are yours Sannon. Now and forever." I kiss him passionately. Our bodies become one as we make passionate love atop the great rock. Our Magickal energies collide, sending waves of energies coursing through our veins. Our Animal Spirits' full power is released in a powerful storm of great Magick. The Earth's great powers wrap around us, embracing us. The whole Forest sways with our bodies. A great thunderclap rents the air as it all comes to a cataclysmic end, and the Forest sighs. We lay on the rock, our bodies covered in sweat, breath coming in gusts from our lips. We lye silently, enjoying the presence of each other's company and the touch of each other's hand. The wonderful silence is suddenly broken by the bellow of a great horn. I stand. "My Goddess. The Dragon Warrior from the Holy City is here. We have to go." Luka stands next to me. "Okay." I turn to him. "You should change back into your human form." "Oh. Right." He changes back into his human form and we dress. "Do you have robes with you," I ask. Luka shakes his head. "We'll have to go back to my house and get you some before we meet the Dragon Warrior." I transform into my dragon form and kneel down. "Climb on." Luka climbs on to my back, and I take off into the air. I fly towards my house. I land in the back yard so that no one will see me. I take Luka inside through the back door that leads directly into the hallway between the sitting room and the bathroom. I take him upstairs and take out a pair of purple robes for him. He dresses, and we step outside. The Holy City The village square is filled with people. Luka and I push our way through the throng and join the others at the front. "Where have you been," Sensei asks. "You barely made it." "I am sorry, Sensei. I was..." I quickly glance over at Luka, "...preoccupied." "Well," Sensei says, "at least you're here now." Sensei steps back in line. A few minutes later, the Spirit Dragon Warrior of the Holy City appears from the throng. He is the most magnificent Dragon Warrior I have ever seen. He is several feet taller than us. His scales are pure white and shine like the sun. His purple robes are completely smooth and flat. He walks gracefully up to us. What surprises me even more is when the High Priestess steps out from behind him. The seven of us stand awestruck as she approaches us. "Greetings to you all," she says gently Her voice has the lilt of the Holy Temple's golden bell. "I wanted to personally come to each village and escort the Dragon Warriors back to the Holy City myself." Her eyes fall on Luka. "Oh," she says, "there seems to be an extra person. Who might you be?" I step in front of Luka. "Forgive me, Priestess. He is Luka. He's a friend of mine. While he is not a Dragon Warrior, he wishes to travel to the Holy City to help rebuild it." "Sannon," she says, "you are aware that this journey is intended only for Dragon Warriors, are you not?" "I am, Priestess. I know it is not my place to make such a request, but will you please let him come with us. I need him there with me." "For what reason?" I hesitate, "...Because I love him. He is not from this village. I hate the idea of leaving him in a village he hardly knows. Furthermore, he committed a crime here. I am sure that, because of that, there are some here who see him as less than honorable." "Was he punished for his crime?" I guiltily look down at my feet. "Well, uh...No...Priestess. He wasn't." "Oh, and why not?" "Well, I, uh...I gave him an unofficial pardon." "Sannon, you do not have that authority. Only I and those above me have that power." I nod. "I know, Priestess. But my love for him made me lose my judgment." "What was his crime?" I look back at her, tears welling in my eyes. "It wasn't a very big crime. He only stole an apple. Granted it was a Sprite Apple, but that was all. Plus, he's poor. I'm sorry priestess. Please forgive me." "You said you did these things for him out of love?" I nod. She smiles and places her hand on my shoulder. "Than you have nothing to worry about, Sannon. Both you and Luka are forgiven for what you did. Love is Lord of Heaven and Earth. Besides, no one got hurt, did they?" I shake my head. "Did you pay for the apple?" "I offered to, but the guards said they would. So, Luka can come?" Priestess nods. "He may come. Now, we should leave. My Dragon, Nevernia, is waiting for us." She turns to her Dragon Warrior. "Cloro, do you have anything to say before we leave." The Dragon Warrior looks at us with the last thing I expected, respect. "My village," he says, "is my entire world. I am putting it into your care. I want to know if I can trust you to restore it to its original grandeur. Can I?" "Of course, sir," I say. "The Holy City is as sacred to us as it is to you. When you return, it will seem as though nothing ever happened to it." "I'll take you at your word then." "Are you ready to leave," High Priestess asks. We nod. "Follow me then." The High Priestess leads us out of the gate to her enormous Air Dragon, Nevernia. Nevernia kneels down, and we all climb onto her back. Nevernia launches into the air. The air rushes over us, pasting our robes to our bodies. The wind quickly fades, however, as Nevernia uses her Magick to form a protective dome over us. As we pass over the poor villages, I glance down at the squalid land. I am filled with disgust and horror as I see a large burly man raping a young girl on a pile of garbage as her parents look on in horror. My instincts kick in. I transform into my dragon form. I jump off the back of Nevernia. Before anyone can react, I land behind the man, grab his tunic, and throw him roughly to the side. Before he can recover, I draw my broadsword and place it against his throat. He is about to fight me until he realizes I am a Dragon Warrior. He just stares up at me defiantly. "If I ever see you hurting anyone ever again, I will cleave you in two. Do you understand?" The man nods. "Good." I withdraw my broadsword, sheathe it, and turn around. I am about to take off when I hear an angry roar from behind me. I turn just in time to dodge his swinging fist, draw my broadsword, thrust it between his legs, and draw it upward. My broadsword slices through him like a hot knife through butter. The man just stands there for a moment as his body starts to realize that it's dead. The two halves of his body fall away from each other, blood spilling out over the ground. The girl is still lying on the pile of garbage. I hold my hand out to her, and she takes it. I help her up as her parents walk over. "Thank you, sir," her mother says. "That man has been terrorizing our village for months." "You are welcome. I only wish there was more I could do for you." "You've done more than enough," the father says. I nod. "I must leave now. The Holy City has been destroyed. I must go and help rebuild it." "Oh, of course," the mother says. "Good luck." I launch into the air and fly back to Nevernia who is hovering above the village. I change back into my human form. Nevernia makes her way to the Holy City once more. As she clears the mountains, the Holy City comes into view. When I had dreamt about seeing the Holy City for the first time, I had pictured the buildings in their original grandeur, not piles of cold rubble. "My Goddess," I say. "It's worse than I could have possibly imagined." I stare down at the ruined city, tears welling in my eyes. I feel a hand fall on my shoulder. I turn and look into Luka's beautiful eyes. "Don't be sad, Sannon," he says. "I hate to see you cry. Besides, something that has been corrupted by evil can be changed...with love." I wipe away my tears. "You're right." Nevernia lands in what once was the town square. Dozens of creatures are gathered around a large wooden platform in the centre. We all dismount and take our place among the other creatures. The High Priestess walks up to a microphone on the platform. "My followers," she begins, "I know that looking upon the ruins of this sacred place burdens your hearts and darkens your souls. However, with your help, I know that we can rebuild this city and restore it to the splendor it once was. With love for our city and faith in our Goddess, we cannot fail!" At this, the crowd erupts in a cacophony of cheers and applause. As it dies down, the High Priestess continues, "Now, as it is almost sunset, I would like for us to rest tonight. I have set up tents around the Holy Temple. We will start at sunrise tomorrow. With all of us working all day, we should be able to finish rebuilding the city by sunset." Another cheer rents the air. "Now, my guards will show you to your tents." The High Priestess steps down, and the crowd disperses. The High Priestess walks up to us. "Come with me, please. I will show you two to your tent." The high Priestess leads us over to what once was the Holy Temple where several tents have been erected. The High Priestess leads us to one of the tents. "You will be sleeping here. I wish you two sweet dreams." The High Priestess walks away. As she disappears into her tent, I realize how exhausted I am. I let out a big yawn. "Tired, love," Luka asks. "Extremely. At least I'll be well rested for tomorrow. Come on." We go inside the tent and join the sleeping bags together. We snuggle in, and I fall into a deep, restful sleep. Book Of Days Luka wakes me early the next morning. "Sannon," he says, "it's time to start rebuilding the city." I stand and join Luka outside the tent. Everyone is gathering in the centre square, and we join them. The High Priestess is already waiting at the microphone. As the last of the creatures arrives, she begins to speak. "Today we start rebuilding the Holy City. If we work hard until sunset, then we should be able to finish by then. I have posted clipboards around the village with a list of who is supposed to be doing what. Now, let's get to work." The crowd disperses as everyone goes to see what they are supposed to do. Luka and I find one of the clipboards and fine my name on the list. Luka was not supposed to be here, so his name is not on the list. "Luka," I say, "look at this." Luka looks to where I'm pointing and gasps. "You're helping to rebuild the Holy Temple." "We're helping to rebuild the Holy Temple," I correct him. "What an honour. I wonder if we'll be able to help carve the statue of the Morrighan." "Yes. You will," we hear a voice say from behind us. We turn around and come face to face with the High Priestess. "You're going to let us carve the statue of Morrighan.," I ask. "The holiest of any monument within miles?" "That's right," the High Preistess says. "But why," I ask. "You will know soon, Sannon," she answers. I don't say anything. "We better hurry," the High Priestess says, "it's just going to be the three of us. Sannon, why don't you work on the upper third; Luka, you can take the middle; and I'll take the bottom third." Luka and I agree to her plan. Several of the people designated to bring stone and marble in from the quarry bring us a large marble stone. We each take a hammer and chisel and begin to chip away the stone, forming a replica of the Sacred Goddess. The sun passes quickly through the sky. We even work through lunch. As the sun sets, we all gather in the Holy Temple to watch as the statue of the Morrighan is moved into its final resting place. Luka and I each take a rope with a few of the other creatures. On the count of three, we all pull on the ropes, raising the statue of the Morrighan into an upright position in the centre of the rotund chamber. We all cheer as the finishing touch is put on the Holy City. We all face the High Priestess as she begins to speak. "I want to thank you all for helping me to rebuild the Holy City. I have had my chefs prepare a grand meal for us in the dinning hall. Tomorrow, you may all go home." We all cheer again as we follow the High Priestess out of the Holy Temple to the dinning hall. On the right side of the hall is a fireplace, a fire burning in it, casting a warm glow about the room. Above the fireplace is a stone mantle. Stone tables line the room lengthwise. A table is up at the front for the High Priestess and her family. Her husband sits to her right, and her son and daughter sit to her left. On the right wall of the room are three large windows looking out on the city. We all take a seat at the tables. The High Priestess walks up to us once more. "You two sit up front in the centre." Luka and I exchange confused looks and walk up to the front. We sit at the centre table. The High Priestess claps her hands and bowls and platters full of food appear before us. We all fill our plates and take in the bounty of the land. As my and Luka plates empty, we start talking. "Why do you think the High Priestess is doting on us so much," he asks. "I'm not sure. She says I'll find out soon." As the food begins to vanish, the High Priestess speaks once more. "Now that the city has been reconstructed, you may spend tonight at the inn. Sleep well everyone. And thank you for all your help." We all leave the hall and go to the inn. Luka and I get a room and go upstairs to our room. The room is simple. There is just a bed and a bathroom. We lye down on the bed. Luka falls asleep quickly. However, I cannot sleep as thoughts race through my head. I decide to go for a walk. I quietly slip out of bed and exit the room. I go downstairs and leave the inn. I go to the Holy Temple. The Holy Temple is a round chamber with the Morrighan statue in the centre. There are altars built at even intervals around the outer wall. There is no roof, and the Moon shines down on the statue, making it glow. I look up at the statue, praying silently. I hear footsteps enter the Temple. I turn to see the High Priestess entering the Temple. "High Priestess," I say, "what're you doing here?" "I came to thank the Goddess for sending me all the help to rebuild Her city. What about you?" I turn back to the statue. "Seeking guidance." "I thought as much." I walk over to her. "You know about Luka, don't you?" She nods. "I knew when I first laid eyes on him." "Are you going to tell my Sensei?" She shakes her head. "No. That's not my job. Besides, Luka is not like other daemons. I know he has been given a soul." "Yes he has. Speaking of which, why have you been so kind to us." The High Priestess turns and gestures for me to follow her. I follow her outside. We walk in silence for a while around the small city. "Sannon," the High Priestess says after a while, "have you ever heard of Book of Days?" "'One way to be my journey. This way could be my Book of Days,'" I quote. The High Priestess nods. "I thought as much. Do you know what it means?" "I think so," I answer. "Isn't the Book of Days the unbeaten path? The road that none have walked before? A journey that we write ourselves?" The High Priestess nods. "That is precisely what it is. Sannon, the moment you and Luka fell in love, you both began writing your Book of Days. You two are not going down the common path. You are both going your own way. You are defying society's norms. Because you are not following what others have done for centuries, you will make great changes for this world and its people." I am utterly dumbfounded by what she is saying. "Sannon," she continues, "have you ever heard of the B'hoketu Sela?" I shake my head. "I'm afraid not." "I'm not surprised. Not many have. They are an ancient race of people. B'hoketu Sela means Earth Speakers in their language. They live in an isolated part of the world. No one knows the way there. The only way to find their land is to be lucky enough to be taken there by an Earth Speaker. I myself have only seen it once before. It is a beautiful place. I'd tell you what it's like, but I swore to them that I wouldn't. But if you ever get the chance to see it, spend as much time with them as you can. I learned so much from them while I was there. But I could only take it so far. You could do so much more with their wisdom. And I hope you get the chance to learn from them. With their wisdom combined with your ambition, you could do great things." I am not sure what to say. "Well, I uh...I think I should probably get to bed. I want to get home as soon as I can tomorrow." "Oh, of course." I go back to our room with more thoughts in my head than when I left. The Tree Of Dead Souls Luka, the others, and I all awaken early the next day to go home. We transform into our dragon forms, and I kneel down so that Luka can climb onto my back. We launch into the air and fly home. As we near the village, I can tell that something is wrong. There is some kind of commotion going on in the village square. On a silent command, we all fly faster. As we near the village, I can see an entire army of Cat Daemons terrorizing the village. Cloro, the High Preistess Spirit Warrior's dead body lies in the centre of the square. "Sannon," Luka whispers, "that's my father's army. He's probably looking for me." We land in the centre of the square. "Silence," we all roar simultaneously. The terrifying sound is enough to silence the entire square. I turn to Bat--. "What is the meaning of this, Bat--!?" "Where is my son," he answers. "Your son is not here, Bat--," I answer back. "You have no right to attack our village. Leave now, or you shall face the wrath of the Dragon Warriors." "You lie, Sannon. Yes, I know your name," he says at my surprised look. "Now, where is my son." "I told you, he is not here." Bat-- smirks. "I see. Perhaps you need a little...persuasion." Bat-- snaps his fingers. Commotion from behind him catches my eye. I turn to see two of Bat--'s warriors dragging my mother forward. Fear rips through me as they drag her to beside Bat-- and hand her off. He grabs her, draws a dagger from his robes, and holds it to her throat. "Now, where is my son," he asks once more. "I'm right here." Luka steps out from behind me in his daemon form. "Luka," Bat-- gasps. Bat-- releases my mother, runs over to Luka, and embraces him tightly, but Luka just stands there stiffly. "I've been so worried about you, Son," he says. "Where have you been?" "I am not your son anymore," Luka answers. "And I have been staying with Sannon." Bat-- releases his son and stands up. "What do you mean?" Luka stares defiantly into his father's eyes. "I am no longer your son. I stopped being your son the day I fell in love with Sannon." Bat-- is taken aback. "You can't be in love with Sannon. You are a daemon. You don't even know what love is." Luka clenches his fists. "Yes...I...do. And this proves it." Luka rips off his pendant and throws it at his father. Bat-- takes a step back to avoid being touched by the holy symbol. Bat-- stares down at the pendant in horror. "You...you do love him." "I do." Bat--'s shock turns to anger. "How dare you betray me like this!" Before I can stop him, Bat-- reaches into his robes, pulls out a talisman, and throws it towards Luka as he shouts, "To the Tree of Dead Souls!" "No," I shout. I lunge towards Luka just as the talisman connects with him. He fades into nothing, and my hand closes on empty air. Just like Bat--, my shock turns to rage. I draw my broadsword and turn to Bat--. "You bastard!" I charge Bat--. He draws his broadsword to block me. My broadsword collides with him hard enough to send him flying backwards. Before he can recover, I rush over to him and kick his broadsword away from him. I draw a talisman form my robes and slam it down on his chest. "To the Tree of Dead Souls," I shout. Bat-- screams as his body fades into nothing. I turn to the other Cat Daemons. "Now, I suggest the rest of you leave, or you will suffer the same fate as your master." The Cat Daemons all rush out of the village as fast as their feet can carry them. I sheathe my broadsword and transform back into my human form. I then notice that the eyes of all the villagers are upon me. "What are you all staring at," I shout. "Sannon," I hear Mother's voice from behind me. I turn to her. "Mother," I rush over to her. "Are you all right." "I'm fine. Just a little tired." She glances around. "I think it's best we go home." I glance around at the other villagers. "Yes. I agree." Mother and I walk home. As we go inside, I help her into the living room. I kneel in front of her. "You sure your okay," I ask. Mother nods. "What about you? Are you okay?" "I..." I shake my head and look away from her. "I'm sorry." Mom looks at me. "What do you have to be sorry about?" "I...I broke my vows. I betrayed my village. I've done something terrible." She places a hand on my shoulder. "You've done nothing wrong, Sannon. You fell in love. You can't help how you're heart feels or the decisions it makes. I look at her. "Thanks for being so supportive." "I'm your mom. It's my job. Now, I think I need some sleep." "Okay. Do you want me to take you up to your room?" Mom shakes her head and lies down on the sofa. "I'll just sleep down here." "Okay. Do you need a blanket?" "Yes. That would be nice." I go to the storage closet under the stairs and get out a dragon-skin blanket. I take it to the living room and throw it over mom. "Thank you, Sannon." "You are welcome, Mom. Is there anything else you need?" "Just some peace and quiet for a while." "Okay. I think I'll go for a walk then. "Okay." I start to walk towards the door. "Oh, and Sannon." I turn towards her. "Yes." "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." "Okay." I walk out the door and down to the village square. Despite how much commotion there was, there isn't that much damage to the market itself. I walk up to one of the vendors repairing his booth. "Hey," I say, "is there anything I can do to help?" "Get away from me traitor." The vendor turns away from me. I then notice that all the villagers eyes are upon me. And their stares are filled with nothing but hate and loathing. Without a word, I turn and walk into the Forest. The only place I can find peace. I walk to Sensei's house, transform into my dragon form, fly up to a ledge that formed in the rock years ago, transform back into my human form, and sit down at the edge of the ledge. For hours I sit there, contemplating everything that had occurred over the last few days. The sun drifts through the sky and sets as the moon rises. As the Moon rises to the top of the sky, I decide to go downstairs and face my punishment. As I descend down the stairs, however, I can hear the other Dragon Warriors talking with Sensei. "What are we gong to do Sensei," that's Ethaun, the Earth Warrior. "He has broken his vows. He must be punished." "I don't know," Sensei says. "I don't know if any punishment is greater than what he has already suffered through. Losing your true love is the greatest suffering any man could survive. I doubt that any kind of torture that I could bring down upon him would hurt anymore than that." I decide that now is the time to make my presence known. "You are right, Sensei," I say as I walk down the stairs to the first floor. "No amount of suffering is greater than what I have already been through. My heart has been shattered to pieces. However, if you still wish to punish me, then I offer you a compromise." "What is it," Sensei asks. "I am leaving. I'm going to the Forest of Infinite Evils to rescue Luka's soul from the Tree of Dead Souls." They all stare at me horrified. "Sannon," N't-- says, "you can't go there. You'll be killed. That Forest will suck the life out of you. And if that doesn't kill you, the horrid creatures that reside in that Forest will." "So," I say. "What does it matter? I'm not coming back, and I have to die anyway. Once I leave, I'll be just like Schrodinger's cat." They all look confused. I explain, "In 1935, Erwin Schrodinger placed a cat in a box with a bottle of poison, a Geiger counter connected to a hammer, and a radiation source. Once the radiation source put out enough radiation for the Geiger counter to hit a certain number, the hammer broke the bottle, which released the poison that killed the cat. However, until someone opened the box, the cat could be thought of as both alive and dead. Once I leave for the Forest, I will be in the same situation. Even if I do live through it, until you actually see me again, I could be thought of as dead. Even if I'm not." Sensei considers this for a moment. "You have a point, Sannon." "Then I'm going." Sensei nods. "We won't stop you." "I'm leaving tonight then. I'll take a few hours to prepare. After that, I'll be out of your lives forever." I go back upstairs to the ritual room and begin to pray. "Morrighan," I begin, "if I have ever needed your help, I've never needed it more than now. The place I am journeying to is the darkest place any man has ever dared to go. It is a place where his darkest nightmares come to fruition. I don't even know what horrors lurk there. I need your guidance, Morrighan. Guide me through that Forest to the Tree of Dead Souls and back so that I may be with Luka once more. All I can do is ask. Amen." I go over to the stairwell. "Sensei," I call down, "I need to speak with you." A few minutes later, Sensei comes up to the second floor. "Yes, Sannon?" "I have some questions about the Forest of Infinite Evils. What do you know about it?" Sensei summons a couple of chairs, and we sit down. "I know a few things." "Has anyone ever survived?" "A few." "Has anyone ever returned with the soul they were seeking?" "Only once. And that was a very special situation." I swallow as the answer to the next question terrifies me. "What horrors lurk in the Forest of Infinite Evils?" "There are many. First, there is the Deathbird. The Deathbird has the power to steal your soul. They do so by plunging their dark talons into your heart and pulling out your soul. They then use your soul to build their gigantic nests. Then you are forever trapped in the Forest. Then there are the Black Orbs. If one touches you, you are sent to a strange place. No one is sure where, but some believe it's the Tree of Dead Souls. But the worst of all is the Veil of Dark Illusions. If you enter into this Veil, all of your darkest nightmares come true. Men have gone mad by being caught in this Veil. If you do fall victim to the Veil, just remember that it's not real." I nod. "Thank you, Sensei. I'm leaving now." Sensei accompanies me downstairs. The others are all waiting to see me off. They all wish me luck as I walk towards the door. Sensei stops me as I am about to leave. "Sannon, wait." Sensei holds out a bow and a quiver of arrows to me. "These were given to me by my Sensei, and his Sensei gave them to him. They have been passed down from generation to generation. Now, I am giving them to you. They were first made by an ancient race of people." "B'hoketu Sela," I whisper. Sensei understands everything in those few words. I take the bow and quiver. "Thank you, Sensei." "You are welcome, my son. Good luck." I nod my thanks and turn towards the door. I walk out the door and towards the Forest. As I am about to cross the border into the Forest, I hear someone approaching from behind me. "Sannon," I hear N't-- call out. I turn to him. "Yes?" N't-- pulls me in and kisses me softly. "I never got my kiss," he says. "I love you, Sannon, and I always will. But I love you too much to deny you your true happiness. Good luck." "Thank you, N't--," I say. I love you, too. But I love Luka more." N't-- nods. "I know." "Can you do me a favor," I ask. "Of course. What Is it?" "Could you tell my mom that, in case I never see her again, where I'm going and why. And that I love her very much." "I'll tell her." "Thank you." At that, I turn and walk into the Forest Everlasting. As I leave the Forest and walk into the village, I change into my dragon form. I stand for a moment and think. I'm not really sure where the entrance to the Forest of Infinite evils is. I know its somewhere in the southern mountains. Perhaps the villagers out there could help me. I launch into the air and fly towards the mountains. As I reach the village, I land in the centre of town. As I land, a few of the villagers look my way, but they ignore me for the most part. I'm about to start looking for someone when I hear, "It's you." I turn and see the father of the girl I saved when last I was here approaching me. He is an older man with graying hair and beard. Hit tunic is torn and dirty, but he carries himself with a sense of honour. I have a feeling that he holds some kind of title in this village. "Hello, sir," I say. "Hello," he says. "How is your daughter," I ask "She's fine. What have you come back for? "Someone who I care about very much was sent to the Tree of Dead Souls. I am going to save him. I know the entrance to the Forest of Infinite Evils is somewhere within these mountains. I was hoping that someone in this village might be able to take me to the entrance." The man looks surprised. "That is quite a lofty request, my son. You do know that few have ever come back from the Forest. And only once did someone come back with the soul they sought?" I nod. "Of course I do. But I have broken my vows. I assume you know the punishment for breaking my vows." The man nods. "I offered my Sensei a compromise. If I leave for the Forest and never come back, they could think of me as dead even if I wasn't." "Just like Schrodinger's cat." I nod. "I presented the same argument to my Sensei. It proved prudent enough for him, so he accepted my idea. So it doesn't really matter if I die in the Forest or not." The man nods. "That's true. There is an old woman; she is kind of like a shaman. Only she knows the way to the Forest. She will take you there if she chooses to do so. I will take you to her." The man leads me down the dirt street to a large hut. "This is where she lives," the man says. "Only he who seeks the Forest may enter." I nod and enter the hut. An old woman sits at a fire pit in the centre. She looks up as I enter. Her eyes are a dead grey. She is blind. She is wearing an old tunic and wears a shawl that looks like it's made from wolf fur. "Ah," she says, "you are here. Though, you are a tad late. Oh, well. It does not matter. The Forest can wait." I am not surprised she knew I was coming. "So you'll take me there?" "In good time, child. Have a seat. And change to your human form." I sit down across from her and change into my human form. "Now," she says, "you know the dangers of the Forest?" "I believe so." "What are they?" "The Deathbird, the Dark Orbs, and the Veil of Dark Illusions. Those are the ones I know. Are there more?" The woman nods. "Yes. There is one that you are not aware of. You will not be able to transform into your dragon form. Also, the Forest has many traps of its own: pit-falls, dead ends, plus many others. I see you carry the bow of the B'hoketu Sela. That is a good weapon. However, it will not be enough to save you from the horrors of the Forest. Neither will your broadsword. You will need something more powerful." The woman stands and walks over to a bearskin rug hanging from the wall. She pushes it aside and goes into the room behind it. I hear a crashing sound followed by a curse word. A moment later, the woman returns carrying a sword and a spiral horn. I point to the horn. "Is that a unicorn's horn?" The woman nods. "I thought they were all wiped out." The woman sits down. "Not quite. There are a few left. The horn's light will guide you out of any darkness." She hands me the horn. She then unsheathes the sword from its leather sheath. There is something familiar about the sword. Its leather sheath with jewels down its length. The gold hilt and the blade that shines like a bright star. Also, as she removed the sword from the sheath, it made a sound like the Holy Temple's golden bell. "Do you recognize this sword," she asks. "It seems familiar," I answer. "But I can't quite place it." She holds the sword out to me. "Hold it. Maybe then it will come to you." I take the sword from her. As my hand wraps around the grip, I can feel great power surging through it. Now I remember the sword. "I don't believe it. I thought Excalibur had been lost forever in time." The woman shakes her head. "Many years ago, an old traveling bard left the sword here, saying that a champion would one day come for it. He would come seeking to save a soul from the Tree of Dead Souls. You and Luka must come back from the Forest alive." "Why," I ask. "I cannot say. I have looked into the future many times, but it is clouded. Whatever the reason is that you and Luka must survive is known to no one. It is most likely because you are not following the same path as others." "Because together, we are writing our Book of Days." The woman nods. "Yes. Exactly. Now, we should get going. It is not a long walk to the Forest. Only about an hour." She and I stand and walk out of her hut. I store the unicorn's horn in my robes, and tie Excalibur to the place where my broadsword would appear if I transformed. The rest of the village is still sleeping as we make our way towards the mountains. As we near the mountains, I can discern a narrow path among the rocks. The woman leads me down the path. For about an hour, the path never changes. Suddenly, the path opens up into a wide valley. The view is breathtaking. It is the largest, greenest field I have ever seen. Deer graze in the centre near the lake. The woman points across the meadow to a dark hole in the mountain on the opposite side. "There," she says, "is one of the gateways to the Forest of Infinite Evils. Be sure to come out the same way you entered." "I'll...try." "And take this." She holds out a small piece of twine. "Twine? What's this for," I ask. The woman smiles. "You'll see." I walk across the meadow to the cave. As I reach the cave, I turn around to say goodbye, but the old woman is already gone. I turn back to the cave. The darkness beyond isn't like any darkness I've seen before. It seems to shift, to move of its own volition. It calls to me, beckoning me into its dark embrace. I take out the unicorn's horn and hold it close to my lips. "Light my way," I whisper. A bright light suddenly bursts forth from the horn. The horn glows like the moon. I step into the cave. The darkness recedes as the light touches it. The cave seems to go on for miles when, just as suddenly as the meadow appeared, it opens up into a grassy plane. But this plane is different. It is freezing cold. Its grass is as black as the darkness I just left. And a few yards beyond is the entrance to the Forest of Infinite Evils: a great expanse of trees with bark and leaves as black as the grass. I walk up to them. Their bark has a glossy sheen and is completely smooth. I touch one of the trees but withdraw my hand immediately, as the bark is so cold that it burns. The full moon casts its glow upon the bark of the trees, causing them to glow with a dark light. This creates a disorientating effect. But the unicorn's horn seems to counteract this effect. I'm not sure what to do with the horn. I can't put it away because then its light won't be able to push back the darkness, but if I carry it, then I can't use Excalibur. Then I remember the twine. I laugh at myself for being so foolish. But as I tie the horn to my left upper arm, I remember that that is one of the effects of this place. It screws up your senses, your cognitive thought, even your memories so that you forget why you came in the first place. I better hurry and find the Tree, because the horn, since it is no longer attached to the unicorn, its glow will not last forever. And once it fades, the maddening effects of this Forest will take on their full force. The horn itself is not very big. And coming to possess a unicorn's horn is difficult. There are only two ways to get a unicorn's horn. One is to ask the unicorn for it. Whether or not she gives it to you is up to her. The other way is to kill the unicorn and take the horn yourself. This, of course, is a great sin. To kill a unicorn is to kill a part of yourself. Of course, there are those who would kill a unicorn to get her horn. Depending on the trader, a unicorn's horn will get you anywhere from three to 10 acks, which is a lot of money. A person could sell one unicorn's horn and live the rest of their lives in the lap of luxury. But, as I said, stealing a unicorn's horn is a great sin. The punishment for stealing a unicorn's horn is banishment to the Tree of Dead Souls where you will suffer for all eternity. This thought pains my heart as I think of Luka trapped in that horrid place. As I walk through the Forest, I hear strange sounds all around me, a cracking twig, a rustling sound, the call of an animal. As I look to find the origins of these sounds, I see only strange shapes in the darkest recesses of the Forest. Then again, it's probably best I don't know what evil things are now watching me. To assure myself, I reach down and place my hand on the hilt of Excalibur. Its powerful vibrations travel through my hand, calming my churning thoughts. After what seems hours, I stop to get my bearings. I know that the Tree is at the very centre of the Forest. I pivot around, my heart's pace quickens as I turn to look behind me, and the light from the horn reveals several pairs of dark glowing eyes. I don't need to know what the creatures are to identify them, banshees. I draw Excalibur. As its ring fills the Forest, the banshees back up a few paces. I sheathe Excalibur, turn, and start walking through the Forest again. As I walk through the Forest, I hear strange sounds all around me, a cracking twig, a rustling sound, the call of an animal. As I look to find the origins of these sounds, I see only strange shapes in the darkest recesses of the Forest. Then again, it's probably best I don't know what dark things are now watching me. To assure myself, I reach down and place my hand on the hilt of Excalibur. Its powerful vibrations travel through my hand, calming my churning thoughts. After what seems hours, I stop to get my bearings. I know that the Tree is at the very centre of the Forest. I pivot around, my heart's pace quickens as I turn to look behind me, and the light from the horn reveals several pairs of dark glowing eyes. I don't need to know what the creatures are to identify them, banshees. I draw Excalibur. As its ring fills the Forest, the banshees back up a few paces. As I sheathe Excalibur and turn to start walking again, I get the strange feeling that this exact same thing has already happened. I sheathe Excalibur, turn, and start walking through the Forest again. As I walk through the Forest, I hear strange sounds all around me, a cracking twig, a rustling sound, the call of an animal. As I look to find the origins of these sounds, I see only strange shapes in the darkest recesses of the Forest. Then again, it's probably best I don't know what dark things are now watching me. To assure myself, I reach down and place my hand on the hilt of Excalibur. Its powerful vibrations travel through my hand, calming my churning thoughts. After what seems hours, I stop to get my bearings. I know that the Tree is at the very centre of the Forest. I pivot around, my heart's pace quickens as I turn to look behind me, and the light from the horn reveals several pairs of dark glowing eyes. I don't need to know what the creatures are to identify them, banshees. I draw Excalibur. As its ring fills the Forest, the banshees back up a few paces. Now I swear that I've already done this. I sheathe Excalibur, draw my dagger, and make an "X" on one of the trees. I sheathe my dagger, turn, and start walking again. This time, however, I walk more slowly, looking for any sign of any kind of time spell. After a few minutes, I get the feeling that I just passed through the time loop that has been throwing me backwards in time. I look around at the trees and find a tree with an "X" on it. I have been stuck in a time loop. If I can find its origins, I can break it with Excalibur. I draw Excalibur. This time, I just ignore the banshees. I start walking as slow as I can. Each step, I check for the origins of the time loop. Then I see it, a red line between two trees. I raise Excalibur above my head and bring it down. It slices through the barrier, causing a ripple to vibrate through the spell. Suddenly, it bursts and the time line returns to its normal pace. I continue onward. I hear movement. I turn but see nothing behind me. I then hear movement in front. I turn back around, but again, there is nothing there. I know that there is something watching me, waiting for me to let my guard down. I still have Excalibur drawn. My hand tightens around the grip. I wish I could transform into my dragon form, but I know I cannot. Suddenly, two Black Orbs drift out of the trees. I slip the horn out of its twine. If I use the horn to destroy the orbs, it will lose its glow. But I have no other option. I point the horn straight up in the air. "Starburst," I shout. The horn's glow suddenly brightens, filing the clearing. The orbs let out a terrible screech before bursting. "Huh," I say out loud. "That was easier than I expected." I expected the horn's light to die out, but it seems to only glow brighter. I tie the horn back onto my arm and continue onward. As I walk through another clearing, a dark shadow swoops over me. I look up to see a dark black bird circling the clearing. A Deathbird. I unsling my bow and nock an arrow. I take aim at the bird and let fly the arrow. The bird stops in its path and falls to the ground. I sling my bow and walk over to it to make sure that its dead. I raise Excalibur above my head and bring it down, slicing off the bird's head. I turn just in time to dodge the raking talons of another Deathbird. The clearing is now filled with them. They all fly at me, trying to plunge their deadly talons into my chest. I look around for the thickest part of the trees. The thickest part is off to my right. I dodge a Deathbird and run to the thickest part and hide in the trees. The birds try to get through, but the brush is too thick. I don't know how I can kill this many Deathbirds. There are dozens of them. I can't use my Magick, because it won't work in this forest. The only Magick that I have is Excalibur, and I don't think that's enough to kill all of them. I wonder if the unicorn's horn could kill them. They aren't exactly Shadow Creatures like the Black Orbs. They're more like Ashendaemos, the Shadow Daemons. Not wholly of Hell nor wholly of Earth but something in between. Although, sometimes the horn can scare off Shadow Creatures. Shadow Creatures fear pure light. And the only pure light that mortals have access to is from a unicorn's horn. Once more, I remove the horn from my arm and step out from the brush. I hold the horn up. "Straburst," I shout. The horn glows suddenly brighter, filling the clearing. The birds scatter for a moment, but as the horn's light fades, they return. The horn's light is bright enough to keep the birds at bay for the time being. As they swarm around the clearing, an idea comes to me. It is a fleeting idea, but it's an idea. I kneel in the centre of the clearing and begin to pray. "Morrighan," I begin, "I have served you faithfully for many years, and now I need your help. I cannot defeat these birds all on my own. Please help me. I must make it to the Tree of Dead Souls." Suddenly, a large dark shape shoots into the middle of the clearing, and it lets out a loud "caw." The clearing suddenly empties, and all that's left are me and a large black Crow. "Did Morrighan send you?" The Crow dips its head. "Thank you." The Crow dips its head once more and flies away. Now, there is only the Veil of Dark Illusions. That is the terror that I fear the most. Not only do I not even know what my darkest nightmares are, but to have them found and brought to life by this Veil. Suddenly, the forest opens up into an enormous clearing. And in the centre is a gigantic tree. The Tree of Dead Souls. But this Tree seems different. Then I realize why. This is the Veil of Dark Illusions. My heart pace quickens as dark thoughts come forth from the deepest depths of my mind. In only a matter of time will these dark thoughts begin to coalesce into this false reality before me. Not only that, but they will repeat themselves over and over until they drive me mad. Then the Veil will consume me. And the horn cannot help me here. But I cannot let the Veil win. I have to be strong. I step forward. "Hear me, Veil," I shout, "I am not afraid of what you can show me! You may try to drive me insane by bringing that, which I fear the most to fruition, but you will not succeed! I will survive your onslaught! Hell or high water, I will survive!" A dark laugh fills the Forest. "You think you are not the first to make such a promise," the Veil asks. "The strongest men have said the same thing to me, and they have all fallen to my great power. What makes you think that a measly young mortal like yourself could stand up to me?" "I just have to remember that what you show me is not real but a creation. A farce thought up by a powerful entity." "Then face what it is your truly fear, mortal." As the world around me begins to shift and bend before me, I shut my eyes tight. I begin to hear the crackling of flames. I begin repeating to myself, "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real." The smell of burning flesh fills my nostrils. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real." The sound of voices, crying out in agony and begging for my help fills my ears. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real." Then, out of the countless voices, I can discern my mother's voice. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real." Her voice grows louder, drowning out all the others. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real." I feel her hand grab my own. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real." Her voice just continues on, begging me for help. "It's not real. It's not real. It's not real. IT'S NOT REAL!!!" I throw my eyes open, draw my sword, and thrust it through my mother's torso. She places her hand near the blade. As she pulls them away, her hands are covered in blood. She looks up at me, her eyes full of sorrow, fear, and confusion. "Why, Sannon?" "Because none of this is real." I pull out my sword. As mother falls to the ground, the entire scenario disappears in an instant. "Hmm," the Veil says, "you have a strong will, Sannon. You have evaded the madness to which so many have fallen. I promise that you will make it to the Tree safely. You are not far from it. Its just past the trees before you." I sheathe my sword. "Thank you, Great One." "You are welcome, Sannon. I hope the Tree gives you back the soul you seek." I step through the next stand of trees into what seems to be the exact same clearing I had just left. Only now, before me is the real Tree of Dead Souls. An enormous glowing tree with amber orbs containing lifeless bodies hanging from its branches. Soulfruit. I kneel before the tree. "Welcome, Sannon Thorcn," the Tree says. "Greetings, Great Tree. I assume you know why I have come?" The trees branches twist and turn until the foremost Soulfruit is Luka's. "You have come for him," the tree answers. I nod. "Sannon," the tree continues, "you know that only once have I returned a soul to the world of the living, and that it was a very special exception." I nod. "Then you have wasted your time in coming here. I will not grant you the release of Luka. However, I will grant you the same courtesy I have others. I will ask you why I should return this soul to the world of the living. If your answer sways me enough, I will release him to you. However, if I am not swayed, you must leave the Forest of Infinite Evils and never return. Do you understand my terms?" I nod. "Very well then. Sannon Thorcn, tell me why I should release Luka to you?" "Can I have a moment to think about it?" The Tree hesitates for a moment. "...Very well." I think for a moment as I gather my thoughts. "Because," I begin, "he deserves to be released. Luka's love for me is pure and untainted. And it has earned him a soul. A daemon with a soul does not deserve to suffer for all eternity. And I need him. Without him, my life means nothing, and there is no point in going on living." "These arguments I have heard before. They are not persuasion enough for me to release Luka. If you have no more arguments, then you must leave." "Oh, please, Great Tree. Please give him back to me. I beg you." "I cannot. Now leave my forest before I kill you." I stand, tears dripping from my face. I turn and begin my journey out of this accursed forest. As I am about to step back into the underbrush, I suddenly remember the words that both Luka and I said to each other just before we first made love. I turn back to the Tree. "Wait," I say. I walk back and kneel before the Tree once more. "I have one more argument to make." "Very well," the tree says irritably. "What is it?" I take a deep breath and begin, "Before the very first time Luka and I made love, he said to me, `I want you Sannon. Now and forever.' And I promised to him my heart, my body, and my soul. And he promised me the same. After you took him, you stole his heart, body, and soul from me. Since he gave them to me, you cannot take them unless I give them to you. I have done no such thing. You have to return him to me, or face the wrath of the gods." The Tree begins to make a strange sound. It is only as it grows louder that I realize that He's laughing. After a moment, the Tree stops laughing and begins to speak, "Well spoken, my boy. You have a strong spirit and an even stronger tongue. You have proven to me that Luka's soul indeed deserves to be released." The tree extends the branch with Luka's Soulfruit out towards me. "Pluck the Soulfruti gently, and hold it as if you were holding him. Then he shall return to the world of the living." I reach up to the Soulfruit, which is about as big as my head, and gently pull it from the branch. I hold it gently in my arms. It begins to glow. It grows thinner and wider. Then its light fades to be replaced by Luka. Luka's eyes slowly open and focus on my face. "Sannon? Is it...really you?" I nod. "Yes, love. It's really me." "How can I be sure this is real?" "It is real, Luka," the Tree says. "Your soul has been released." Luka sits up and embraces me tightly. I kiss him softly. "Now, I ask that you both leave the forest and never return. I will grant you safe passage. But be sure to leave through the same gate you entered. There is no telling what world you'll enter into if you leave through the wrong gate." "Thank you, Great Tree," Luka and I say simultaneously. "You are welcome. Now go." I turn to Luka. "Can you walk, love?" Luka nods. "I think so." I help Luka stand, and he seems steady on his feet. We turn and begin our walk out of the Forest. Then, before I know it, we arrive at the cave I entered through. The walk back didn't seem to take as long as the journey there. Of course, not having to stop and fight does help. Without a word, we step into the cave, the light from the unicorn's horn pushing back the darkness. As we step through to the other side, the horn's light suddenly vanishes. Of course, the horn's Magick was sustained by the Forest. I untie it and stow it in my robes. "Sannon," Luka says, "I don't think this is our territory." I look around at the desert landscape. "Yes. I think your right. But if we aren't home, then where are we?" We stand silent for a moment. "Look, Sannon," Luka says, "An Astron Tree!" I look to where he is pointing. A black, twisted tree grows up out of the desert landscape. "My Goddess," I say. "That can mean only one thing." Luka nods. "Were in Shadow Daemon territory." Shadow Daemons are ruthless warlords. They will kill anyone who trespasses on their territory, daemon or not. "I wonder which way is home," Luka whispers. "I don't know. These lands are enormous." Suddenly, the hissing war cry of the Shadow Daemons fills the air. It's followed by the sound of dozens of footsteps. Luka pushes close to me. "Sannon, I'm scared." I turn to him. "Luka, I need you to do something for me. And you must promise to do it before I can tell you what it is. Promise me you'll do as I say." Luka hesitates. "Promise me!" "Okay, Sannon. I promise." "Good. I'm going to turn my back on you. As soon as I do, you run in the opposite direction. And don't stop until you feel grass under your feet and the shade of trees above you." Luka nods as tears well up in his eyes. I draw Excalibur and transform into my dragon form. I turn from Luka, but he doesn't run. "Sannon, look," he shouts. I turn to look. Shadow Daemons are advancing from all sides. There aren't just dozens of them but thousands. They quickly close in around me and Luka. And standing at the front of the line is their king, įshendam. "Well well well," įshendam hisses, "if it isn't Sannon Thorcn and the traitorous Luka. Am I glad that you trespassed on my territory. Now, I can kill you without having to worry about any consequences." "Please, įshendam," I say. "Let us go. We harbor no ill will towards you or your people." įshendam smirks. "You should. After I attacked your Holy Lands, I would think that you would like nothing better than to slaughter me." I am taken aback by his confession. "You really did attack the Holy Lands," I ask. "Of course. And your foolish High Priestess believed me when I told her I had no knowledge of such an attack." "You monster," I say. įshendam smirks once more. "I've had enough of you. Kill the warrior first. Make sure he dies slowly and painfully. And make the daemon watch." A soldier grabs each of us. Two others approach us with swords drawn. Pain rips through me as one drives his sword into my stomach. The soldier lets me go and I fall to my knees as Luka cries out my name. I fall over onto my side. The world around me starts to darken at the edges. Suddenly, the sky fills with a bright light followed by a loud winy. "Run," įshendam yells. The last thing I see before I black out is thousands of Shadow Daemons turning tail and running away. B'hoketu Sela I slip in and out of conscious. I see face after face after face standing over me. But I am not awake long enough to discern any features. After what seems days, I awaken into full consciousness. The place I am in is made entirely of stone. My head is pounding, and I am naked. My stab wound is completely healed. I attempt to sit up, but it only makes my headache worse. "Ah, my head," I moan as I lay back down. "You have awakened, I see," I hear a woman's voice say. A woman steps out from behind me. She is old. Her hair is grey and her eyes are tired. But her frame is strong from years of hard work. The robes she wears are made of a material I have never seen before. As is the sofa I am laying on and the blanket that covers me. "It is good you are awake. You have been unconscious for a while." "How long," I ask. "Three weeks." "Three weeks." "Three weeks!?" The woman nods. "Wow. Why did you save us?" "Us?" "Yes. Me and Luka. Why did you save us?" "Is Luka the daemon that was traveling with you?" I nod. "Yes. Now, please answer my question. Why did you save us?" The woman smiles. "You were carrying our bow." "Your bo-" The realization of where I am suddenly hits me. "Are you...is this the land of the B'hoketu Sela?" The woman nods. "Aye. It is. And we welcome you." I lye there, awestruck. "I...I can't believe I'm actually here. I've heard of this place, but I never thought I'd get the opportunity to see the land of the B'hoketu Sela." "How do you feel," she asks. "My head is pounding." The woman hands me a piece of bark. "Chew this. It does not taste good. It is gritty, but it will cure your headache." I take the bark and chew it. She was around about it being gritty and tasting bad, but my headache fades immediately. I attempt sitting up again, and this time I am successful. I look around the room. It is a one-room house with a bed, made from the same plant as the sofa against the wall behind me. The woman walks over to the opposite wall where a pot sits simmering on a stone oven. She takes a wooden ladle and fills a wooden bowl with some kind of stew. She brings it over to me. "To'cn stew," she says. I take the bowl from her and eat it greedily. "Thank you," I say once I am finished. "I am glad you liked it." I nod. "To'cn stew is my favourite meal." The woman takes the bowl back over to the oven. "Would you like more?" I nod. "Please." The women refills the bowl and brings it to me. This time I eat more slowly. "So," I ask as I eat, "where is Luka?" I thought for sure that he'd be here, waiting for me to wake up. "He's in the prison," the woman answers. "Prison!?" I drop the bowl. "Aye. We weren't sure what your plans were for him, so we decided not to kill him and kept him prisoner." I sit on the edge of the sofa. "Take me to him immediately." "But you need rest." "No," I say as I stand. "Take me to him right now." "Alright," the woman says, "if you insist." She hands me a clean pair of robes made from the same material as hers. I dress and follow her to the door and step outside. The scene takes my breath away. We are standing on an outcrop of an enormous cliff face, into which countless homes are carved. Dozens of people walk along bridges and staircases connecting the homes to one another. As they step on the Earthen patches, small flowers sprout around their feet. On some of the outcrops are crops and on others are livestock. On one particular outcrop is an entire flock of to'cns. But the thing that awes me the most is the forest. Trees, as tall as the cliff face stretch for miles in every direction. I look above me and see more gargantuan trees on top of the cliff face. The view is so amazing that I completely forget about Luka for the moment. Then he comes back to my mind. I turn to the woman. "Where is Luka?" The woman turns to a staircase to the right. "This way." The woman leads me up the staircase to the top of the cliff face. She leads me to the right across another outcrop where a solitary door awaits. I point to the door as we approach it. "He's in there," I ask. The woman nods. "At the bottom of the stairs." I blow past the woman and burst through the door. The stairs are immediately to the right. I run down them. There is only one cell with guards in front of it. I rush over to it and look in through the small window. I see Luka sitting in the far corner in his daemon form, his legs drawn up to his chest, and his head on his knees. Hi robes are torn and dirty. "Luka," I call out. He lifts up his head. "Sannon!" He stands and runs over to the door. I turn to the guards. "Let him out!" The guards don't move. The woman reaches the bottom of the stairs I turn to her. "Tell them to let him out!" The woman turns to the one of the guards. "Angh te nc." The guard pulls a key from his belt and unlocks the door. Luka bursts out and embraces me tightly. I return the embrace. "Oh, Sannon," Luka says through his tears, "it was horrible in there. I couldn't get any answers. I didn't know where I was, or how long I've been here. Worst of all, they wouldn't tell me if you were alive or dead." "Hush, love. It's all right. Your safe now. I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner, but I just woke up." I step back. "Are you okay?" Luka nods. "I'm fine. Just a little tired." I smile, pull Luka in close, and kiss him softly. "I love you so much, Luka." "I love you, too, Sannon." "Wait a moment," the woman says. "You two are lovers?" I turn to her as I take Luka's hand. "Yes." The woman stares at us for a moment. Then she turns to one of the guards. "Tc icht na sh'ka na ahn oht na prophecia jhet nise creta." The guard goes up the stairs and disappears out the door. "Where is he going," I ask. "You'll soon see," the woman answers. After a few minutes, the guard returns. "Na shika ist note oht sha creta." The woman nods. "Greta tc." The guard nods, and the woman turns to us. "Follow me," she says. We follow the woman up the stairs and out of the prison. She leads us up to the top of the cliff face. She leads us into the forest. Beautiful flowers surround us on all sides. Animals of all kinds frolic before us as we walk along a well-worn path. Luka and I are awestruck by the majesty of the forest. Never in my life have I seen so many different types of trees. Even the extinct Buka Tree. Of course, that's why the sofa was so soft. It was made of Buka leaves, one of the softest materials in the world. I then notice that as the woman walks, flowers sprout around her feet. My mind is drawn away from this, however, as a full-grown unicorn steps across the path with her mate and their foal. If I had to guess, I'd say the foal is a girl. A filly. Her horn is almost at its full length, a sign that she is ready to care for herself and choose a rider. Suddenly, the unicorn stops in the middle of the path and fixes her staring blue gaze at me. Her parents stop and turn back to her. The unicorn slowly approaches me. She stops right in front of me and bows her head. "Sannon," Luka whispers, "what's going on?" "She...she wants me to be her rider," I answer, astonished. "So what happens now," Luka asks. The woman answers him, "If he accepts, he will return her bow. If he declines, he will turn his back on her. I hope he accepts though. It is rare for a unicorn, especially a Lunar Unicorn such as her, to ask someone to be her rider. You have to work for a unicorn's respect." I place my feet together, stand up straight, and return the unicorn's bow. We both stand up straight at the same time. The unicorns horn begins to glow brightly, and it grows to its full length. The unicorn steps forward and places her head on my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her neck and laugh. I step back and look into her star-blue eyes. "She's beautiful," I say. I turn to her parents. "What's her name?" Her mother whinnies. I turn back to my new unicorn. "Starbeam, huh?" She snickers. "It's a beautiful name." I turn to the woman. "Can I ride her?" "She's your unicorn," the woman answers. "We're almost to our destination, but you can ride her there if you like." I turn back to Starbeam. "Starbeam, is it all right if Luka rides with me?" Starbeam dips her head. I walk to the side of her. She is about a head taller than I am. I place my hands on her back and jump up onto her. I hold my arm out to Luka. He takes it and I help him up onto Starbeam's back. "Lead the way," I say to the woman. She starts to walk down the path again. I click my tongue and Starbeam follows her. "So, why would Starbeam choose me as her rider," I ask the woman. She shrugs. "I don't know. You should ask her." "Starbeam, why would you choose me as your rider," I ask. Starbeam lets out a series of whinnies, snorts, snickers, and grunts. "Huh," I say. "That's a shame." Starbeam dips her head. "What did she say," Luka asks. "She said she doesn't know. There was just something about me that drew her to me." "I didn't know you could talk to unicorns," Luka says. "It came as part of my powers," I answer. "I can talk with all of nature. I don't get to use it a whole lot. The most I ever used it was when a pack of wolves tried to steal some of our sheep. I was able to make a deal with them." "What was it," Luka asks. "I told them that we would breed more sheep so that when the time came to slaughter the sheep, we would share some mutton with them. They agreed and haven't bothered us sense." "Here we are," the woman says. I look forward. The woman has led us to a hollowed out tree. Standing in front of it is a very old woman dressed in a black robe. Luka and I dismount. "Leave us, Shiva," the old woman says. The woman, whose name I realize I learned just now, steps into the hollowed tree. The woman circles us as she speaks. "I hear much about you two. And I wait for you to arrive many moons." "What do you mean," I ask. "Der is prophecy written dat says human fall in love wit daemon, and wit deir love, dey change world. You two are ones spoken of in prophecy. But I am not best one to answer question. You must go to shrine of All Mother. She will answer question. Shiva take you der. Shiva!" Shiva steps back out of the tree. "Yes, mistress?" "Take dem to shrine of All Mother." "Right away, mistress." Shiva whistles through her teeth. A unicorn steps out of the underbrush. "Isn't that Starbeam's mother," I ask. "Yes," Shiva says as she mounts her unicorn. "She is my unicorn." Luka and I mount Starbeam. "It is a long journey to the shrine of the All Mother. It won't take long, though, to get there riding unicorns." Shiva's unicorn bolts off to the right with us in tow. She leads us down a long slope. As we reach the bottom, we curve left following the slope. As we reach the end of the slope, we turn left again, following the face of the cliff we were just on top of. As we reach the centre, we find a path leading into the forest. We turn onto it and follow it deep into the forest. Starbeam's hooves barely touch the ground as she flies along the path. Never have I felt so free, even when I was flying. I had heard many stories of people riding the backs of unicorns for the first time, and how amazing the experience was. They were right; it is one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. After about an hour, we reach a dark cave hidden among the trees. Two gigantic trees stand guard on either side of the cave's entrance. "This cave," Shiva begins, "goes deep underground. At the very bottom is the shrine of the All Mother. She has something very important to say to the both of you. She will explain everything. Follow me." Shiva leads us into the cave. The darkness surrounds us. Luckily, the cave is basically a straight downward slope. We walk for what seems forever. Suddenly, the passageway opens up into a small chamber. At the centre is a small basin filled with glowing blue liquid. "This," Shiva says, "is the shrine of the All Mother." Shiva waves her hand over the pool. A thin Veil appears above it. It begins to coalesce into a solid shape. The Veil takes the shape of a beautiful woman. She has long brown hair and bright green eyes. Her robes are made of Buka leaves. She wears a crown of branches in her hair. "You have arrived," she says. "Yes, Goddess," I say. "I hope you don't mind me being forward, but I keep hearing about this prophecy that says Luka and I will change the world. Yet, I haven't heard how. Will you please tell me what this prophecy is?" "Of course, Sannon," the All Mother says. "It was my every intention to. The prophecy says that a human will fall in love with a daemon. It is at that very moment they will start to write their Book of Days together. It is because of this that they will be the only ones who can stop the great warŅ" "What great war," I interrupt. "The Shadow Daemons' attack on the Holy City was more than just an attack. įshendam has spent the last thousand years building up an all-powerful army. The attack on the Holy City was the spark that is going to begin a great war. įshendam will win this war, unless the daemon and the human can show that this war is unnecessary. You don't have much time to return to your lands and stop him. The Shadow Daemons march on your lands at sundown tomorrow." "What," I exclaim. "Tomorrow!?" I turn to Shiva. "How far are we from my lands?" "If you start for there now with Starbeam, you should just make it before sundown tomorrow." I turn back to the All Mother. "Thank you, Goddess. Is there anything else?" "Yes," She says. "You both will need the power of the Earth. This is the most powerful Magick in existence. With it, you will be able to stop the war." The goddess raise here hands, and two crystals swirling with Earthly colours appears. "Take these crystals, and the powers of the Earth will become yours." We take the crystals. My body tenses as an awesome, almighty power flows into me. Great knowledge fills my mind, along with the language of the B'hoketu Sela. As the last of the Magick fades, my body relaxes and the crystal shatters. I look over at Luka. His crystal has also shattered. The Goddess speaks, "You now possess the greatest Magick any human can wield. Use it wisely. And before you leave, Sannon, there is something I want to ask you." "Okay," I say. "Many times, Sannon," she says, "I have looked into your dreams. I have seen your heart's deepest desire." "You have," I ask. The goddess nods. "Yes. You want nothing more to be as close to Luka as possible. To be a part of his world. You want to be a daemon. I can help you. I can make you a daemon." I step forward. "You can?" "Yes," the Goddess says, "I can. If it is what your heart truly desires. You will still have a soul, but you will have the Animal Spirit of a Daemon. You will be just like Luka." "Sannon," Luka says, "is all this true? Do you really want to be a daemon?" I turn to him. "Yes, Luka. I've wanted to be a daemon ever since we first made love. But I'll only do it if you want me to." "Sannon," Luka says, "I...to be honest I've wanted us to be a part of the same world but asking you to sacrifice the most powerful Animal Spirit in the world...are you sure you're want to do that?" I step closer to him and take his hands. "I would do anything to be closer to you." "Well," Luka says, "if it is what you really want, then I want you to do it." I turn back to the Goddess. "Okay. I'll do it." The Goddess nods. "Okay. But I must warn you that it will be painful when I rip away your Dragon Animal Spirit." I nod. "Okay." "Close your eyes." I close my eyes. My body levitates into the air. I feel searing pain rip through me as my Animal Spirit is ripped out of me and all my Dragon Powers drain out. I feel the power of the Cat Daemon as its Animal Spirit enters me. My robes are stripped away and are replaced by the robes of a cat daemon, pure black with a hole in the back for my tail. My human ears disappear and are replaced by two furry, pointed ears on top of my head. My eyeteeth grow longer and pointier, turning into fangs. My fingernails grow longer and thicker, turning into claws. The muscles that control my pupils change so that my pupil is no longer a dot but a long, thin slit. Lastly, my spinal cord extends, growing into a long, furry tail. My body settles back down on to the ground. I open my eyes, Luka is standing in front of me. "How do you feel," he asks me. "I feel...different. A lot different. I can see and smell much more clearly. I feel more agile and...flexible. This is amazing." I flex my fingers, studying my claws. "I've never felt so...good." "So," Luka says, "you are happy with this change?" I pull him in and kiss him softly. "Absolutely. Now, come on. We have a long ride ahead of us." "Good luck, Luka and Sannon," the Goddess says as we run up the passageway, thanks to my new eyes, I can see where I'm going. "The fate of the world is in your claws!" We burst out of the cave and mount Starbeam. I turn to Shiva, who had apparently come back out with us. "Which way is home?" Shiva points down the same path we took to get here, which continues past the cave. "Follow that path. It will lead you to marshlands. After that is Shadow Daemon territory. They fear unicorns, so you should be safe. After that is Morrighan's Mountains. Then, of course, is your territory where the war will take place." "Thank you for all your help." Shiva nods and walks away. I turn to Starbeam. "Starbeam, we need to get home as fast as we can. I need you to run faster than you ever have before. Can you do that?" Starbeam snickers. "Alright then...Go!" War & Peace Starbeam takes off like a rocket. Her hooves float over the ground. We hardly feel her hoof beats as the forest flies past us. As the sun sets, the forest disappears and turns into the marshlands. We ride through the night. As the sun rises the next day, the marshlands transform into a bone-dry desert. The Shadow Daemon territory. Well, the southernmost edge of it anyway. We are still a full days ride from our territory. As the sun reaches the top of the sky, the mountains appear on the northern horizon. However, the mountains quickly grow larger as we find the direct path through them. Starbeam powers through the mountains. We pass the meadow with one of the entrances to the Forest of Infinite Evils. We then join the path that goes down to the mountain village. As the sun sets, we leave the mountains and enter into Morrighan's territory. I can see the Shadow Daemons marching towards my village and the advancing army of my village, as well. As the two armies meet on the battlefield, Stabeam arrives at the centre of the conflict. For a moment, the war is forgotten as my army's eyes turn on us in awe, and the Shadow Daemon's eyes turn on us with uncertainty. I dismount and Luka follows. I stand in silence for a moment, carefully gauging my words. The fate of not just these lands but also the entire world rests in what I am about to say. "Hear me, everyone. I have traveled to Hell and back to bring you this message. I have survived the perils of the Forest of Infinite Evils. I was rescued from an encroaching army of Shadow Daemons. I have even met the legendary B'hoketu Sela. The Earth Speakers. Over the course of this journey, I heard many times of a prophecy. It spoke of a human who falls in love with a daemon and stops a great war from destroying the World. This is the war spoken of, and Luka and I are the human and the daemon. Although, it is most likely apparent to most of you that I am no longer human but a daemon. However, I still possess a human soul. The prophecy still rings true. This war is unnecessary." I turn to įshendam, who is standing at the front of his army. "įshendam, why would you attack my village?" "Because," he answers, "the way that our currency is divided up is unfair. We are as poor as the squalid villagers who live in the mountains. It is time for a new order where we have the riches, and you are the poor ones." "I agree with you, įshendam," I say. I begin speaking to the entire gathering again. "The currency system is unfair. However, war is not the answer. War will get you nowhere. Luka and I were chosen by the All Mother to speak with the Supreme High Council and work out a solution. Please, let us fix this problem. Let us not go to war. The only thing that war will get us is thousands of corpses and that's all. Please, don't let us go to war." The two army leaders stand silent for a long while. Then, all at once, they both draw their swords and thrust them into the ground. "No war will be fought today," įshendam says. He turns to me. "We will let you try to work out a peaceful solution, however, if you should fail, we will go to war." I nod. "Thank you, your grace." įshendam pulls his sword out of the ground and sheathes it. He and his army march away. I turn to my army. "Go home and rest. There will be no fighting today or ever." The army marches back to the village. However, a few remain on the field. My mother, my Sensei, and my friends. They all walk over to me. "Sannon," my Sensei says, "what have you done to yourself?" "When Shiva of the B'hoketu Sela took me to see the All Mother, the All Mother said that she had seen into my heart and knew my deppest desires. She knew that I wanted to be a part of Luka's world. She said she could make me a daemon if it was what I truly wanted. I told her it was, so she turned me into a daemon." N'to steps forward. "Did it hurt?" I nod. "Yes. When she ripped away my Dragon Spirit, it was quite painful. But it was worth it." I glance over at Luka. "You realize," Sensei says, "that, as a daemon, you can no longer enter this village." "Yes," I answer, "I know that is the law as of right now, but it will not be for long." "What do you mean," Sensei asks. "I mean," I answer, "that there is a prophecy that I heard of many times throughout my journey. However, until we reached the all mother, I had not heard the prophecy itself. The prophecy foretold of a human who falls in love with a daemon. And with their love, they change the world." "I..." Sensei begins. "I have heard of such a prophecy. Never had I thought it were even possible for such an unlikely event to occur. Such a thing is rare. Never in history have I ever heard of a human falling in love with a daemon. Perhaps I have misjudged you and Luka both. This may very well be the start of something new." "I believe so, Sensei," I say. "Come," Sensei says, "we have much to discuss." Sensei leads away and into the forest towards his home. As we go inside, Sensei offers us each a pipe. All three of us take one. "So then," Sensei says as we sit down, "what is your plan, Sannon." "Well," I say, "I was thinking that tomorrow, Luka and I would ride to the Holy City and gather the Supreme Holy Council. I am hoping that after hearing my story, they will listen to what I have to say." "How do you plan to fix everything," Sensei asks. I take a moment to think about my answer. "Well..." "...It will take time." I am now standing in front of the Supreme Holy Council. I am standing at a pulpit in the centre of a round chamber in the holy city. A long table sits before me. The Supreme Holy Council is seated at it. I have just finished telling them about my grand journey to places few have even dreamed to go. "And it will take everyone's help. But if we all work together, we will be able to find a way so that everyone, the daemons, the elves, the wizards, the humans, everyone can live in prosperity. Now, I know that me giving up my Dragon Animal Spirit for a Cat Daemon Spirit does put me in kind of a bad light. But I assure you, I still possess a pure soul. This change has in no way clouded my judgment. In fact, my journey has opened my eyes to new ideas and new opportunities. I hope that you will take what I have said to heart and listen to my ideas. That is all I have to say. Thank you." No one makes a sound. They all just stare at me with uncertain eyes. The High Priestess stands and walks over to the podium "Sannon," she says. "That was quite a passionate speech. I cannot speak for everyone else here, but I have faith in you. I think that you can make great changes." "Really?" She nods. "Yes. I do. In fact, I have such faith in you that I am going to put you on Morrighan's High Council." "There is no need for that," says the High Master Priest, leader of the Supreme Holy Council. "Sannon, your ideas were indeed passionate. And while I may not accept them right now, I also do not understand them. Therefore, I cannot be sure that they will be successful. In my opinion, I think you would be of great value to this council. I think you should be a part of the Supreme Holy Council." "I'll second that," the High Priestess says. "Any objections," the High Master Priests asks. There are a few mumbles and whispers among the congregation, but no one outwardly objects to the idea. I turn to the High Master Priest. "Well then, Sannon," he says, "I'll put in the paperwork. It should be approved by tomorrow. Then we can start spreading these radical new ideas. I hope they work." "Oh, believe me," I say, "they will work. But what about Luka." I turn to him. "He has ideas, too. He's just shy around non-daemon breeds. Besides we need someone who's from the other side of this issue. Someone to interject if he doesn't think that our ideas are the right way to go." "Luka," the High Master Priest says, turning to Luka, "if you have ideas, then we should hear them. Do you have anything you'd like to share?" Luka shakes his head. "Not at the moment, no. But I might later." The High Master Priest turns to the council. "Then I think that he will also be a valuable part of this operation." "I'll second that as well," the High Priestess says. "Are there any objections to this," the High Master Priest asks. "I will object." King William of the human kingdom stands. "I was going to object to Sannon being a part of this council, but I thought since he still possessed a human soul that it wouldn't make a difference whether I did or not. But I will not let a daemon, born and bred, sit on this council and ruin everything that we have worked so hard to accomplish. I don't even like having the daemons that are already on the council in these seats." "Your objection is noted, William," However it must be seconded before it can be taken into account. Then it must be put to a vote." "I am well aware of the rules of this council, Priest." "When you are speaking to me, William, you will address me as High Master Priest. Do you understand?" "Yes, High Master Priest," William says submissively. Luka and I stay in the Holy City for the rest of that night. The next day, we receive our papers saying that we have been accepted into the council. We have to go to the royal seamstress to be fitted for our robes. I had never met the royal seamstress before. Not many have. So I am surprised to find that as we walk in that the seamstress is in fact a dragon. An Air Dragon to be exact. Therefore, I say as we walk in, "You're a dragon." "Aye," she says. "That I am. You sound surprised." "To be honest, I am. Dragons are rare in this realm. I've never seen one here before. I've never seen one at all. Except for the dragons on the council and Navernia, the High Priestess' riding dragon." The Air Dragon laughs. "I am Navernia." I nod. "That explains it. Well, we are here to get fitted for our robes." She nods. As she stands she grabs a small platform and sets it in the middle of the floor in front of the mirror. The chamber itself is rotund with hundreds of colourful fabrics hanging from the walls and ceilings. Near the centre of the room is the mirror. At the very centre is the platform, on which I am currently standing. Navernia takes out a length of string and takes a few quick measurements. "You may step down, Sannon," Navernia says. She turns to Luka. "Luka, if you would please step up." Luka steps up onto the platform. Navernia takes a few more quick measurements. "Alright Luka," she says, "you may step down." Luka steps off the platform. Navernia stands and starts pulling black fabric down from the wall. As soon as she has enough material, she sets to work. Her hands are a blur as she sews the materials together to make our robes. Within just a few minutes, she has made two pairs of beautiful black robes. Navernia point to a screen near the back of the room. "You can change behind that. Luka and I step behind the screen and take off our clothes. As we put our new robes on, Luka says, "You know, Sannon, we haven't made love since that day atop the sun-warmed rock." As I slip my arms into the robes and let the robes fall to my feet, I say, "You're right. It has been a long time. You know, after our inauguration today, we are going to get a new house here in the Holy City. Perhaps, when we are alone this evening, I could find us a bottle of Sprite Apple Wine, some candles, and we can have a romantic evening together." "That sounds wonderful," Luka says "But first," I say, "we have an inauguration to get to. Today is an important day." "Shall we." Luka nods, and we step out from behind the screen, thank Navernia for the robes and walk out of her home. We make our way towards the centre of town where City Hall is located. We step inside. The Supreme Holy Council is waiting for us. As we approach the centre of the room, the High Master Priest stands. "Welcome, Luka and Sannon," he says. "Are you both ready to take your final vows?" We both nod. The High Master Priest steps out from behind the long table. He is carrying the Crow's Tome of Knowledge. The holiest book in these lands. As he approaches us, I hear from off to my left, "I still reject this unholy occurrence." The High Master Priest turns an angry eye on King William. "Your objection," he says angrily, "was noted at the last meeting, William. Another outburst from you, and I will have you impeached." William chuckles. "You think you can get more than half this council to vote for impeachment?" "Oh," the High Master Priest says, "you don't think I can?" "I do not," William says. The High Master Priest turns back to us. "Would you two mind if we delayed your inauguration for a few moments?" "No," I say. "I don't mind," Luka says. The High Master Priest turns to the council. "I move that King William be stripped of his title and thrown off his council seat. Furthermore, I move that a new King for the Human Race be elected shortly thereafter." "Second," įshendam says. "Any objections," the High Master Priest asks. No one says anything. "Alright then," the High Master Priest says. "Tomorrow we will hold a vote to decide whether or not to impeach King William. Nirvana," the High Priest turns to the Water Elf queen. "Will you please deliver a message to the humans that if King William is impeached, they will have to select a new leader?" "I will do so." "Thank you, Nirvana." The High Master Priest turns back to William. "Do you have anything you'd like to say?" "This is an outrage, Luke. How dare you disband me from this council. I have been on this council for almost fifteen years." "You are to address me with respect, William," the High Master Priest says. "And this is not the first time that you have angered this council. You are a black mark on this council. I am glad to see you go. Now, please leave. You're negative energy is bringing this room down." William stands angrily and storms out of the hall. After Luka and I are sworn in, the hall is dismissed. Luka and I have our romantic night together. We are married by our very own High Priestess. William is never heard from again. It is theorized however, that he met his end in the Forest of Infinite Evils, trying to surmise the location of the B'hoketu Sela from the Tree of Dead Souls. Richard is elected king of the humans. Epilogue I am now High Master Priest of the council, and Luka is my cocouncil. The world has changed drastically ever since our plans have been put into action. It is now more prosperous and peaceful than I ever could have imagined. And that is the story of how the love between an ordinary Dragon Warrior and an ordinary Cat Daemon changed the world.