Benen had drawn closer while Ileana made her descent. Now he stood wide eyed and his lips formed an O in astonishment at Ileana’s transformation. He stood off to the side and clung to one of the fence posts as he watched her every move.
Ileana threw her arms around Felix and Demona at the same time. “I’m so glad to see you guys. It’s crazy at headquarters without the two of you.”
This isn’t like Ileana. She looks exhausted.
“What’s going on?” Felix asked. His brow was creased with worry.
“Right after you guys left the attempted possessions increased. Terra Hollow is chaos right now. The demons are invading the town. We’ve had our first death during an exorcism. Ezekiel doesn’t know how much longer he can hold them off. We need reinforcements at HQ.”
“This is not good,” Felix replied.
“And Darius sent word through Terra Hollow that he is ready to form an alliance,” Ileana said.
“I’m surprised he decided so quickly. It didn’t seem like he was too interested when I talked to him a couple days ago,” Demona said.
Benen moved behind Demona. He wrapped his arms around her waist and clung to her.
Demona pulled Benen around to look at him. “Hey, kiddo. Are you scared?”
Benen nodded shyly.
“Look, don’t you worry. We’re doing everything we can to make sure nothing bad happens to anyone.”
Benen stared up into Demona’s face. Demona watched as the tears welled up in his eyes and he began to cry.
“It’s okay.” Demona said. She pulled Benen into a tight hug and stroked his back.
Demona’s eyes met Felix’s. Ileana nudged him in curiosity. Felix bent over to whisper in her ear. Ileana’s eyes softened and she looked at the child sympathetically.
Demona pulled Benen away from her. “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?” She looked intently into his eyes.
“I don’t want anyone else to die,” he said. Tears ran down his cheeks.
Demona pressed her lips together. It reminds him of his parents.
“I think I understand how you feel. I lost my parents too.” Demona thought of how much she longed to know more about her parents. The memory of last night’s conversation had done little to ease her mind.
Benen wiped tears from his eyes with the back of his hands. “Really?” Benen sniffled.
“Yeah… Look, I promise you I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that nobody else dies.”
Benen wrapped his arms around Demona’s neck and squeezed tightly. Demona scooped him up into her arms and he buried his head in her shoulder.
Demona looked to Felix and Ileana. “We should find Molony,” Demona said.
****
They found Molony at the Sky Level in the large stone tower. He stood in the center of a gathering of volunteers. They walked towards the group with Benen still clinging tightly in Demona’s arms.
“Are you all ready to head to the northeast headquarters?” Molony asked.
Everyone in the group nodded their heads in agreement.
“Are you sure that you are up for this challenge and accept all of the risks?” Molony asked.
They again nodded their heads in understanding.
Felix cleared his throat.
Molony glanced over his shoulder and was surprised to find Ileana standing there. He turned back to the crowd. “Okay, get your things together and meet me on shore in two hours.” Molony turned to the four of them and waited for an explanation as to what Ileana was doing in Gleannbroch. Then, he glanced at Benen clinging to Demona.
“Hello Benen. How are you this morning?” Molony asked.
Benen sniffed. “Okay.”
“There you are,” Oakley said as he climbed the last of the stairs into the topmost level of the tower. He looked at Benen. “Well, I see you have made a new friend.”
Benen nodded. “Demona is nice.”
“I’m glad she is,” Oakley said. He looked up at Demona with appreciation and returned his gaze to Benen. “Do you want to go get some lunch?”
“Sure,” Benen said. He released his grasp on Demona and made his way for the stairs.
“I think he’s having a rough day today,” Demona said.
“Well, it’s nice to see him take to someone else. I’ve never seen him this attached. He’s been my ever constant tagalong since he arrived here. It’s nice to see him take to a woman.”
Benen stood at the top of the stairs looking towards the adults.
“I think, that Demona and Benen have a lot in common,” Felix said.
Oakley nodded. “Thanks for looking after him.”
“Not a problem. He’s like the kid brother I never had,” Demona said.
Oakley reached to shake Molony’s hand. “Good luck my friend and safe travels home.”
“You take care. I hope we don’t see one another too soon,” Molony said.
“Yes, I agree. Let’s hope this problem can be resolved quickly,” Oakley said. “It seems that I only see you when something bad is going on. Goodbye, everyone.” Oakley turned to join Benen before descending the stairs.
“Now that our little friend is gone, please explain what is happening,” Molony said. He looked at Ileana intently.
Felix was the first to respond. “Sir, Ileana brought news from headquarters. Ezekiel sent her.”
Molony gave a single nod. “While I speak to Ileana, I need the two of you to go to the Council Chambers. Madame Elder and The Council elders need to speak with you about the artifact.”
Demona glanced at Ileana for a moment, wondering if she should leave her friend.
“Go on. I’ve told you guys everything anyway. I’ll catch up with you later,” Ileana said.
Demona and Felix made their way down to the next floor of the tower and entered into a room with several small slotted windows in the tower’s foundation. Rays of light flowed through the windows and illuminated specks of dust that floated in the air. Demona peered through the sun’s rays to find seven elders seated at a long rectangular table with Madam Elder seated at the far end.
“Please, have a seat,” Madam Elder said. She motioned for Demona and Felix to sit at the two empty seats nearest to them. “We have news on the artifact.”
Demona and Felix exchanged a glance, but remained silent.
One of the other male elders turned to Demona and spoke directly to her. “My scholars have been working diligently since the meeting to uncover any details about the artifact in the ancient scrolls. In the wee hours of the morning one of my scholars stumbled upon a reference to Constantine’s journal, in regards to the artifact. It seems that this artifact is being guarded by an archangel known as Fotos.”
“An archangel?” Demona said.
“Yes, Demona. Archangels are one of several races of angel that take on human form. They serve as messengers between Aleph and light beings. In order to find this artifact we will need to send someone into Dissium…to search for Fotos and the artifact,” Madam Elder said.
“What is Dissium?” Demona asked.
The elders exchanged glances. “Has Darius never explained the existence of Dissium?” Madam Elder asked.
Demona shook her head. “No, I’ve never heard anyone at TGHC mention a Dissium before,” Demona replied.
“How odd that he is keeping it a secret from his kind. Scholar Elder, will you please explain Dissium to our guest?” Madam Elder said.
“Certainly… Dissium is a shadowy realm on earth. It is a place where magic thrives. A place where many dark and light beings have found a home away from the human world,” Scholar Elder said.
“So, it’s like Terra Hollow?” Demona asked.
“No, Terra Hollow exists within the human world, just belowground where dark and neutral beings reside and trade. Dissium is almost like a different plane of existence, but is still part of this world. No one can find it or simply enter it. It is a location of magic, but also a dangerous place where dark and light continuousl
y battle for dominion. The residents of Dissium choose to remain there, because in Dissium one can gain easy access to magic. This makes it easier from some creatures to live and to survive.
“You will find some of the foulest beings there who attempt to drain the magical energy from the land with greed and attempt to rule the land. The light beings struggle to maintain some control in Dissium, because access to its purest spiritual energy brings them a closer connection to Aleph. As a result it is a land of civil war. The dark seek control and the light try to protect their sacred land.”
“Okay. I think I get it now.” Demona glanced at Felix uncertainly.
“I’m sure that I can give Demona more information on Dissium later,” Felix said. He returned her gaze in a reassuring way.
“We have an idea of where Fotos is living, but because of the constant warfare it is possible he has relocated since our last contact with him,” another elder said.
“Demona we are sending you to one of our best guides. You will journey to Dissium to find Fotos and the artifact,” Madam Elder said.
“Me? Why me?” Demona asked.
“We feel that given your special situation, you possess the best qualities to make this journey. You have had experience with both dark and light beings. Your neutrality between them gives you more of a right to negotiate between the residents of Dissium.”
Felix stood from his seat. “I ask that I be allowed to accompany Demona on this journey, if the Council approves.” Felix looked at his feet and waited for a response.
“Molony thought you might. We have already agreed that you will accompany Demona. You may go and prepare for your journey. Pack lightly with only necessities. You have a long trip ahead of you. You will meet here tonight as the town sings praise to Aleph,” Madam Elder said.
“Thank you,” Felix said. He grabbed Demona’s arm and led her away from the Council Chamber.
They made their way down the spiral staircase.
Demona followed quickly behind Felix. “Can you please give me a better explanation for this Dissium? I kind of get it, but I’m confused,” Demona said.
“This is how I think of it. Imagine the world as we know it, this big circular planet floating in the universe. There are continents that are divided into territories, by country or state and so on. Dissium would be like one of these territory boundaries on a map, except for there are actual magical borders separating it from the rest of the world. These borders are invisible to people and technology. The only way to access them is through a portal guarded by a race of angels called Powers. The Powers summon the portal into Dissium for people to cross over into the land,” Felix said.
“If Dissium is like a country, why can’t we just travel to it like any other country?” Demona asked.
“Because, only Powers have access to the portals and Dissium’s location is unknown to any other type of being. It is a hard concept to grasp. I’m not even sure that Dissium is a specific location at all,” Felix said.
“And after we get into Dissium…”
“It is pretty similar to here from what I’ve learned, but there is a stronger magical presence. It will be easier for you to access your mageia. Most of the dark beings are unapproachable. The light beings will be mostly the same as they are here, except for the fact that they might be more spiritually connected to the land and more warlike. There are some neutral beings, but most have decided to live among the human world in order to avoid the chaos between the dark and light.”
“Have you been there?” Demona asked.
“No, but it’s kind of like a pilgrimage for GLC members. If I make a journey there it will give me some experience to put under my belt. Being in Dissium and fighting to protect spiritual magic is like a badge of honor. Plus, it is possible that being there might help me access my own abilities and help me to develop them quicker than if I were here in the human world.”
Demona had speculated before that Felix’s ability might be trying to break through, but sometimes she was uncertain. She knew that Felix’s ability was developing later than usual. Most GLC members discovered their abilities soon after the initiation ritual was completed. Demona knew that Felix was trying to be patient, but that not having developed his ability was also disappointing.
They found Ileana flipping through an old leather bound book at one of the tables on the bottom floor. She stood and closed the book as they approached her. “How excited are you?” Ileana asked. She tugged on Demona’s arm. “I’m so jealous.”
Demona looked confused.
“Molony told me everything,” Ileana responded to her expression.
“Come on, Molony is waiting for the volunteers on shore. He wants to speak to you before he leaves.”
They found a group of volunteers hanging out near five vehicles close to the entrance of Gleannbroch. Molony left a conversation and walked towards Demona.
“We’re getting ready to leave here soon. Ileana, do you want to come with us?” Molony asked?
“Nah, I would rather stretch my wings.”
“Suit yourself.”
Ileana winked at him.
Molony turned to Demona and Felix. “Be safe,” Molony said.
“Will you be alright without us?” Felix asked.
“Don’t worry we will be fine. I’m still waiting on two more volunteers. We’ve got some seasoned men and women going back with me to headquarters. Just get that artifact and bring yourselves back to us in one piece.”
“Yes, sir,” Felix said.
Demona chewed on her lip. “Molony, what about Darius? I won’t be there to set the terms of the alliance.”
“You have the most important task ahead of you. Darius can wait until you get back. I’ll send word that you are seeking said,” Molony replied.
Demona nodded her head in understanding.
“Before I leave, I want you both to remember that you cannot trust the dark beings in Dissium. Demona, I know you have been around many dark beings before, but remember at TGHC there was a certain level of behavior the dark beings needed to maintain in order to keep their identities secret. In Dissium, they have no need to control themselves, unless they feel that they have something to gain from you. Allow Aleph to clear your judgment if you are uncertain about anyone,” Molony said. “Let him guide your soul.”
Chapter 9:
Dissium
After Molony and the volunteers had left to go back to the northeast headquarters, Demona and Felix purchased supplies from the various shops around Gleannbroch. They proceeded to place the supplies into their packs. Ileana had been exhausted from her flight and could now be heard snoring from the other room in their quarters.
“I still don’t understand why you need half of that stuff,” Demona said.
“We don’t know what we are getting ourselves into when we get there. We might be living off of the land. Some of this stuff could save our lives,” Felix replied.
“How long do you think we will be in Dissium?” Demona asked. She carefully folded an extra set of clothing and put it in her pack.
“I don’t know. Time moves differently there, it’s slower than it is here,” Felix replied.
“How much slower?” Demona asked.
“It’s hard to say. Remember how I mentioned that I wasn’t sure if Dissium even really existed at any specific place on earth?” Felix asked. “Well, time works kind of sporadically there too.”
Demona stopped packing to think about it. “So, we could be in Dissium for a minute and it would be an hour here?”
“Yeah, we could be in Dissium for what seems like three days and it would be a week or more back here. Or it could be shorter or longer, we just have to hope that time works in our favor and that we can get what we need there and get back to the northeast headquarters as soon as possible.”
“I would hate to think what would happen back home if we were gone too long,” Demona said.
“I agree. Let’s just hope we don’t run into any problems.” Feli
x watched as Demona placed her last three bags of rations in her pack.
“Let’s hope I can find a way to get rations or I don’t know what will happen.”
Felix did not respond to her comment. They both knew that it could end up being a serious situation, but at that moment the only thing that mattered was being ready to leave. “Do you want to wake Ileana? It’s going to start getting dark soon.”
Demona went into the next room and gently shook Ileana. Ileana was startled by Demona’s movement and squawked at her suddenly. Demona jumped backwards at the loud awkward noise.
The Artifact of Dissium (Demona Book 2) Page 8