by Jon David
As the crowd died down, a figure emerged. It was Dottie.
Morgalla felt a knot in her throat and swallowed hard. She seemed terrified as the old woman approached her. Morgalla fought for the strength to keep eye contact. Dottie, on the other hand, never stopped looking at the young woman.
The demon could feel all the emotions, a whirlwind within the woman’s heart. Every feeling was there including anger, fear, and love. But as the sensations swam about, one finally made its way to the surface and won the battle.
Dottie took Morgalla’s hand. The demon girl stared up and saw the hurt in Dottie’s eyes, but she also felt the love in her heart.
Dottie turned to the crowd. “We will all face the same cold winter and the same dangers.”
Verbal approval whispered through the crowd, but Morgalla knew that most people didn’t like the idea of her living there.
“She can’t.”
Wulfric hobbled forward.
“What do you mean?” Dillon asked.
“The prism was designed to not only shield us from demons but also work against them.”
His words hit Morgalla in the stomach. “Wait…that’s why my real face was revealed when I touched it?”
“It will never shield you because you are a demon.”
Morgalla looked angry, and she stepped up to the elderly man. “You knew this, didn’t you? From the very beginning?”
“Don’t pretend you didn’t search the gem out of your own sense of goodwill. You knew you could use it, too.”
Morgalla’s lip clenched as her hands flexed into fists.
Wulfric’s face was blank. “If you wish to exact revenge against this old man, I won’t stop you. I’m not long for this world. My people will be free and safe, and that’s what’s most important.”
Dillon saw the expression on Morgalla’s face and was ready to stop her from making a big mistake. He didn’t need to. She wanted to yell at him at least, tell him what she really thought of him…but she held her tongue.
“That’s not fair,” Dottie said with a dropped jaw. “Surely you gotta be able to do something.”
Wulfric shook his head. “I cannot. It is magic far older than I, made eons ago by wizardry that is beyond me.”
“Makrus could never have used the gem,” Morgalla said. “It would not have shielded him.”
Wulf nodded. “That is correct.”
Morgalla stepped forward, and everyone grew concerned about what her next action might be. Dillon inched closer. He thought for a moment that he might have to stop her. Wulfric was still and silent. The old man’s soul was prepared for death, but he didn’t show a bit of fear.
Morgalla’s lip quivered for just a moment, and her eyes squinted. After a couple of deep breaths, she turned her back to him. The crowd parted as she strolled away. The old man seemed confused as she stormed off. His old bones creaked as he took a seat on the fountain’s edge. He drew a long sigh.
A man called out, “Three cheers for Sheriff Dillon.”
Hip hip, hooray.
Dillon did not join in on their celebration. He focused on the old wizard, limping towards him.
“I’m shocked she didn’t kill you,” the sheriff said.
“So am I.”
Morgalla was surrounded by the overflowing joy that the people of Freedom Ridge and their new Izari neighbors were free. They cheered, sang, danced, and embraced. The demon girl’s heart ached, and she felt a lump in her throat. Her eyes were red.
“Morgalla, wait.”
She turned and saw Mylo running her direction. The expression in his eyes was that of utter disappointment.
“You’re not leaving, are you?”
“There’s nothing for me here, Mylo.”
“It’s just not fair.”
Morgalla sighed. “Life is seldom fair.”
The boy’s mouth hung open, but no words came out. Among a sea of happiness throughout the town, he was one of the few people who wasn’t celebrating. Morgalla reached into her pocket and found one of the guava seeds she had been keeping. She had forgotten they were there. She handed it to the young man. He studied it curiously.
She smiled at him. “They’re called guavas, and they’re yummy.”
Dottie had come up, placing her hand on the young woman’s shoulder. Morgalla saw the tears in the woman’s eyes.
“I…thank you for everything you did for me.” Morgalla said.
“It was my pleasure. Please promise me you’ll be careful, wherever you go.”
“Always.”
She spun on her heel and started to walk away, sensing the eyes of four people behind her.
Don’t turn around…
She ignored her own good sense. With her throat aching still, she turned and saw Mylo, Dottie, Dillon, and even Sera, all watching her. Pain radiated in their hearts. Even Dillon’s wife was conflicted. There were no smiles on their faces, but their eyes told Morgalla what they were feeling. Her own bloodshot ones burned with the tears clawing to be released.
Morgalla winked before turning and walking away. She heard the commotion of the town behind her. All the people in celebration. For the first time in their lives, there was hope that they were truly free of the demon scourge and the Dark One’s minions.
She continued up the dirt road, her eyes set on the mountains in the distance. As soon as she stepped through the gates of the town, the voices were silent, and the souls she’d empathically felt were gone. Morgalla stopped and turned around again. Where people had been just an instant ago, now were there none. The buildings had disappeared, replaced by wilderness. No signs a town had ever been there.
She gritted her teeth and clenched her jaw. Just in time, too, for she felt the coming presence of demons in the distance. They were getting closer by the second. She had little time to put on the armor of hate over her heart.
Makraka’s orders had been simple. “Search everywhere and kill anything you see.” He wasn’t convinced the area was secure, so he wanted it sterilized. Soldiers swarmed the surrounding woods and finally came across a road. Following until it ended, they approached a section of wilderness. It didn’t seem remarkable in any way, other than the ground being unusually flat. Among the trees and rocks, the soldiers found a single figure, someone they did not expect: a small demon girl.
Her orange skin and hair made her stand out among the trees and rocks. Makraka himself stepped forward and met the young demon woman, her hair mussed, her face and clothes dirty.
“You,” he said.
Morgalla knew with great ease he was not happy to see her. His massive form approached, his boots thumping as he walked, his clawed hand on the base of his sword. With demons surrounding her, all looking down, Morgalla remained still.
“Did you see my worthless brother, child?”
Morgalla’s eyebrows raised for a moment.
“Yes,” Makraka answered his own question. “He and his kingdom are no more. But what I wonder is how you have emerged from this apparently unscathed.”
Morgalla’s eyes were tired, but she concentrated on how much she hated that she could not stay in this world. The annoyance and anger kept her shielded.
“I haven’t exactly come out without a scratch,” Morgalla said with a fatigued voice. “There is nothing left here for you, General.”
His eyes squinted, and he stepped closer, his hand gripping the sword. Morgalla remained still.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure fly out of the sky and land on one of the large rocks nearby.
Makraka frowned and turned his back to her. “Come.”
His soldiers obeyed and followed. Soon there were just two women in the forest. Delilah’s heart was overjoyed at the sight of her apprentice. She took the child, arms and wings wrapping around her. Morgalla was shocked at her teacher’s reaction.
Delilah released her and came to her senses.
Morgalla noticed a strange look in her eye. “Are you…happy to see me?” she asked.
Delilah’s lip clenched. “I am…pleased to know you are still alive.”
Morgalla smirked at her.
“Come,” Delilah said. “Time to go home.”
Morgalla remained behind for a moment, taking a glance where Freedom Ridge had been. She waved to the wilderness. Delilah noticed what she was doing, and a hint of confusion showed on her face.
“What are you doing?”
Morgalla replied with a frown, “Nothing. Let’s go.”
As her apprentice walked away, Delilah did a double-take towards the valley. There was nothing there but rocks and trees.
They made their way through the wilderness where the portal to Hell was located…the portal to home. Delilah saw her student’s filthy appearance and noted the fresh scars on her soul.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I want to hear it.”
27
Someone to Talk To
Morgalla’s world seemed both bigger and smaller than before. She returned to Hell in a foul mood, seeming like a caged animal, ready to strike at the first demon who looked at her the wrong way.
Delilah was on the edge of her seat as Morgalla told about her adventures.
“A witch, hmm? Please tell me you kept a trophy.”
“There wasn’t time,” Morgalla replied with a melancholy tone.
Before they made their way to the town, there was something Delilah had to know. She touched Morgalla’s shoulder to stop her.
“Child, your story is one for the ages, and I’m sure you’ll entertain many at the next party, but why do I feel you’re holding something back?”
Morgalla didn’t answer, only watching her mistress with eyes half-open. She knew she couldn’t keep anything from her. Any incomplete thoughts would be seen as a lie.
Delilah’s eyebrow raised. “You’re only telling me part of the story. You fought Makrus and his army? His witch? That’s not all of it…”
Morgalla interrupted, “Thank you.”
Delilah looked confused. “For what?”
“For…for everything. For everything, you’ve done for me up until now. And for coming for me.”
“I was ordered to, child.”
Morgalla smirked, having caught her teacher in a lie. “You came looking for me because you wanted to.” Morgalla’s face went serious. She had more to say. “I also know why we left Usteron. The real reason.”
“And what might that be?”
“Sure, it wasn’t safe for us, but that’s because the demon invasion had failed and finally drove them off their world.”
Delilah said nothing.
“Demons conquer or kill everything they see. The Usta were completely within their right to kick demons out of their land.”
“You mean our kind, right, child?”
“I have little to nothing in common with them.”
“They would not have seen it that way, and you know it…regardless of your pacifist attitude.” Delilah then gestured to the town. “After you.”
Delilah didn’t have to tell Morgalla to put on a brave face when they strolled back into town. Her student was so angry with the day’s happenings that the ball of fury within her heart was real, tangible.
Some heads turned as the duo passed. Morgalla’s torn clothing and dirty appearance had drawn their attention. Most demons just gave a fleeting glance, but soon both women heard a snicker that built into a laugh. They looked and saw Vex, the demon Morgalla had met at the doxer races, leaning on a post. He took a huge bite out of a black apple. Both women stood motionless as the male stepped forward.
“Delilah, does your student even know how to bathe herself?”
Other demons laughed at his words. They were clearly part of his entourage.
“She looks like a hog,” one of them said and leaned in to sniff the air. “Smells like one too.”
Joyous laughter filled the square as four demons took pleasure at Morgalla’s expense. Delilah glared at them all, her claws wrapped around the grip of her sword, ready to make their leader pay. Her student beat her to the punch as Hero was unsheathed. With lightning speed, the blade cut through the air and quieted the demon who’d made a comment.
Silence. Everyone, including Delilah, were shocked about what had just transpired. Morgalla was even surprised at how easily she’d taken the beast’s life. She didn’t show any emotion as the demon’s body fell and crumbled to dust. She only gripped her blade tight, eyes blazing at the young Vex who’d returned an intense look. Both women were ready to defend an onslaught, but nothing came. Though rage burned within the trio of aggressors, they made no moves.
Delilah broke the silence. “Come.”
The two walked away from the scene. Morgalla knew she had possibly added an enemy that day. Delilah swelled with pride, for she realized her apprentice had gained more. All those demons had seen how ruthless Morgalla had cut down the smart-mouthed one and for only making a disrespectful comment. She had shown no fear.
The next few days were uneventful for both Morgalla and Delilah, but their lives didn’t stay that way. Soon Delilah received two pieces of bad news. The first was that her student had accepted a position of a spy. The news made her shake her head.
“Where did I go wrong?” she asked Morgalla.
The second piece of news was that Zorach himself had requested an audience.
She was sure the demon lord was enraged over something. She reported to his chamber within his castle. The massive doors unlocked with an echoing metallic sound. It all made Delilah jump.
Get a grip…
As the doors opened, she felt a rush of chilling air envelop her. She saw her breath through her own trembling lips. From the chamber, a shadow emerged that flowed around the room, filling every corner and crevasse. A form took shape, and Delilah noted broad shoulders. From them, a horned helmet appeared. Though featureless, she sensed the eyes upon her. A pair of black gauntlets appeared at the creature’s sides.
Delilah’s heart raced. The beast spoke softly.
“Delilah…”
She bowed her head. “My lord, please forgive me for bringing Morgalla here. I understand my mandate…”
“Silence. I am aware of the conditions on other worlds and the need to bring her here. You have taught her skills that will ensure her survival. For the time being, that is all that is needed.”
“She is to explore an alien world.”
“I know of the world she is to indulge.”
Delilah seemed confused. “My lord?”
“She will be safe in this world. Her skills will see to that.”
“I…do not understand.”
“Morgalla is essential to my plans. For now, where she is will have to do. The world she will explore is dangerous, but it is a human world. No human can pose a threat. Her skills will protect her.”
Delilah bowed. “Yes, my lord. But what shall we do for the time being?”
The beast retreated into its chamber, and soon the light returned to the room. “Keep your eye on Morgalla, nothing more. I have plans for my daughter, but it will take time. The Dark One’s demands are great, but we must obey.”
“What is in store, my lord?”
“A great cost in life.”
The doors shut and Delilah felt the room return to a normal temperature. Her body still shook.
Morgalla slept soundly for the first time since she could remember. It was more out of exhaustion if anything. She liked her new bed, and the mattress conformed to her body.
“Morgalla…Morgalla, are you there?”
She woke and rose from the comfortable bed. Much to her surprise, Wulfric was standing in the room.
“Creep factor is at about level twenty right now, pal.”
The old man shrugged. “Really the only way I could communicate with you.”
“How’d you get in here, anyway?”
“I’m a wizard. Though I think the Dark One might just start to
sense my presence, so I gotta make this brief.” It was then he noticed the parchment on her bed. “What’s that?”
“My assignment.”
“They making you kill someone?”
“No, actually. I’m going to explore a world for them.”
“Oh, I see. I know of those too. There are plenty of worlds, Morgalla, and humans are on many of them. You have the gift of invisibility among us which is why the powers that be are okay with you doing this.”
“Also I’m not too willing to kill. They see it as a weakness.”
“It’s never weak to value life.”
“You say this after what you did to so many?”
The old man shook his head. “Look, I did what I did because I had to. I’m not proud, and I’ll pay for it when I face God. I’d like to point out that you just might have to do some things in your life you won’t be proud of.”
“Why are you here?”
“Of all the human worlds, you might find one where you can live in peace and safety. I most certainly hope you find that world.”
Morgalla sighed. “So do I.”
He leaned in to say something more serious as evidenced by his expression. “Demons are dying, Morgalla. Some of them must know it, but their culture is self-destructive and arrogant. The sooner you abandon them, the better off you’ll be.”
“If that’s true, then I have nothing to fear from them, neither does anyone else.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, girl. You know what they say about a wounded animal. I fear that Hell will try to take as many innocent lives down with them as possible.”
Morgalla soaked in what he was saying, feeling the significance of his words. “Thank you.”
“Oh, and I know you don’t have many people to talk to around here, so I left something on your desk that will help.”
“I don’t have a desk.”
“Now you do. You’ll see it when you wake up.”
“Wake up?”
“This is all a dream, Morgalla. But when you wake, I hope you find your gifts useful.”
Before Morgalla could ask another question, her eyes opened to her bedroom. She climbed out of bed and realized she was alone. She also noticed two holes left on her pillow. Oh, the horns.