Heritage

by Rebecca Walton

  “Let’s see just how powerful you are,” His voice beamed over me as he tossed me over a boulder. Every inch of me ached. I’m giving up, I can’t win. I’m no match for him. Lifting my fragile body up, using the last blast of energy I had. I threw a fireball in his direction, but my lack of energy caused me to miss. Throwing me against another rock, he gave me an evil sneer.

  “Where’s daddy now kid?” He mocked, kicking me in the stomach. Groaning in pain, I lifted myself an inch from the rock, using it for support.

  Lifting my eyes from the floor, I saw him looming over me. Making me feel more angry and weak.

  “What’s up? Given up?” He snarled. Gripping his leg, I pulled him down. It was a cheap shot, but it was all I had. His groan shocked his sidekicks, but they didn’t have time to help. I threw two fireballs their way, burning out both of them. The smell of burnt demon filled the air as I finally made it to a standing position. With Lorias still on the ground, I turned to him with a mocking smile. Megan ran towards me, but before she could reach me, Lorias threw me across the floor. Straight into the pond, that stretched out over part of the sandy terrain.

  The cool swampy water smothered me, as my body was unable to move out of pain. Lifting me from the pond with his powers, Lorias floated me back to lying on the floor in front of him. Opening my eyes slightly, I could see the destroyed dress that was meant to be a symbol of power and authority. It no longer symbolised them. It was torn by evil and put down in its place, just like I was. Drifting in and out of conciseness, the familiar voice formed in my head. Is that in my mind or is it actually happening. I can’t even bring myself to open my eyes. The pain was searing through my head.

  This offering I give to you

  One body with the mind of two

  Break the seal to reveal

  The darkness that is within

  Take away the ultimate power

  Breathe in life to what once was

  Break the cage and free the soul

  Release the demon from its hole

  “Witness Adabelle, The rise of a new era. Filled with power and destruction! Now doesn’t that sound like fun?” He chuckled.

  “Sounds like a hoot,” I whispered, opening my eyes to see the devils gate had been covered in a dark mist.

  The opened space between the two cliffs, had turned into a doorway. The side we were standing on was dark, but inside the gap it was darker and eerie. Blasts of grey air seeped through and disappeared as soon as they hit the cool air that surrounded us, my body froze in fear.

  “This offering I give to you...”

  “NO!” I yelled, as Lorias began to chant. I couldn’t let him do this. Pulling myself up off the floor, Megan’s hand pushed me back down. I was too weak to fight against the hand that kept me on the ground.

  “One body with the mind of two ...Break the seal to reveal...The darkness that is within.”

  “Stop, you don’t know what you’re doing,” I whispered. My mind became cloudy as Lorias continued to chant. I could hear him, but he sounded distant. Losing control of my own body I fell to the ground. My head hit the hard floor. Opening my eyes, the dark sky was all I could see. Every breath I exhaled turned to white glittering smoke clouds.

  “It’s working,” Megan exclaimed, her voice still muffled in my head.

  “Break the cage and free the soul ...Release the demon from its hole,” He yelled as the last glittery cloud left my body and floated towards the gate.

  Slowly turning my head towards the devils gate, I saw a silhouette appear out of the dark mist. I knew it was him. The man they had all been waiting for, the man who was going to kill me. I failed, I couldn’t stop them, and now I was the one that has doomed the whole humanity and magical world. I deserved to die.

  “Grandfather,” Lorias gasped as the strong built, half naked man appeared out of the shadows. Turning on my side I couldn’t breathe properly. Let alone stand up and face the man who had taken my powers and soon my life.

  “Lorias you took your time didn’t you. You're what now, twelve?” Demetri’s voice boomed inside my head, bringing me back into reality.

  “No, sixteen going on seventeen,” Lorias replied in a whimper. I groaned as I tried to pull myself up from the sandy ground. They were so engrossed in there reunion that they didn’t see me crawl over towards the pond. Splashing the cool water over my face, it brought my senses back to life.

  “Who is that?” Demetri asked. I turned to see him pointing in my direction.

  “I am the person whose powers you have,” I whispered. Gathering up all the strength I had left, I pulled myself up from the ground to stand before him.

  “Well in that case. I thank you, but you do know I now have to kill you right?” He asked approaching me. I stiffened as he came closer to where I was standing.

  “Yes,” I replied calmly.

  “Well seeing as you are being so calm about this. I will make it less painful for you. It’s the least I can do.” He smiled. He held out his hand and formed a fire ball in it. Awesome, I was going to be killed by my own power. Bracing myself I closed my eyes. Waiting for the darkness and fire to come and burn my flesh.

  If you kill my only daughter, I will come back and slaughter.

  The wind whipped around Demetri’s hand as I opened my eyes and blew out the fire ball.

  “But she must die!” He yelled at the air around him.

  If you kill my only daughter, I will come back and slaughter.

  The wind repeated its self as it whipped around his half naked body and ruffled his light brown hair. He didn’t look like any grandfather I knew, he didn’t look over the age of thirty five.

  “You’re making a mistake!” He yelled.

  If you kill my only daughter, I will come back and slaughter.

  “Mum?” I called as the wind wrapped itself around my body. It blew gently on my cheek, as if a hand was stroking the scratch on my face.

  “Kill her Grandfather,” Lorias Yelled.

  “I’m forbidden!” Demetri replied.

  “No one controls us! No one” Snarled Lorias as he sped towards me.

  “You wouldn’t dare,” I cried backing away from him.

  “I will have no part in this Lorias!” Demetri called. I saw him take Megan’s hand and orb away, leaving me alone with Lorias. Who had a demented look in his eye. Demetri had left with my powers, leaving me powerless and under attack.

  “Now I want witnesses to this event.” He chuckled, as soon as the words left his lips a crowd of demons surrounded the now empty devils gate.

  “Now where were we,” He sneered throwing me into the air. I fell to the ground, hitting my head onto a smooth rock on the side of one of the cliffs.

  His red satin cape appeared wrapped around his shoulders, fluttering in the wind around him, his face glared from under the hood giving the image of it drowning in the red sea. This wasn’t a situation that I was going to get out of lightly, if I was ever going to get out of it. Lifting my head from the ground it felt like lifting a rock. I smelt the blood that was flowing from the open wound on my forehead. The failed attempt to wipe it with the back of my hand had me feeling weak. Without my powers, I had no choice but to die. There was no way I could fight him, even with my powers it would have been difficult. Without them it was impossible, how could my mother do this to me?

  The realisation hit me like a lightning bolt. He had taken my angel and witch powers, but he couldn’t have taken my demonic ones. They were hidden so far into my subconscious that they were locked away. If it was my mother in the wind and she didn’t want me to die. Surely she wouldn’t let them take all of my powers. After all, she was the one who came up with this whole idea and plan. It was long shot, but it made me feel more powerful. Then again if I used the evil powers, how do I know I would turn back into myself. I could go off the rails with no hope of turning back. Well it’s either that or dying and I know for sure there is no way back from that. Even if I wanted to go to the dark side, how the hec
k was I going to do it. The ramble of thoughts distracted me from falling in and out of conciseness. I felt a sharp kick in my side that brought me back into the harsh reality of my enemy and his army.

  “Rise and shine Princess,” He sneered, taking another swing in my direction. His fist smacked right into my side, making me stutter for breath. I have to do this. It’s the only way I can survive, think Elle think. Closing my eyes again against my will. The wind picked up around me. The smell of floral perfume filled my lungs, the smell felt familiar, but I couldn’t place where I had smelt it before. My head suddenly became lighter, and the urge to stand up was strong. Before I knew it I was standing up, looking Lorias in the eye.

  The look of shock that he tried to hide in his eyes amused me. This feels weird, every thought in my head felt murderous and powerful. More powerful than I’d ever felt before. The wind whipped my hair, as I stepped closer to Lorias. He backed away. Why was he all of a sudden scared of me. Just moments ago, he was kicking and punching me. Now he was backing away like a scared little girl.

  “How? What? Explain this!” He stuttered.

  “Explain what Lorias?” I asked strongly.

  “You can’t be! I took your powers! Your gifts,” He shouted but still backing away. The feeling roaming around every inch of my body grew stronger and stronger every second. I felt my eyes burn but, not with fire but with power.

  “Boss her eyes, there...”

  “Black!” The bustle of voices from his army fell quiet. All I could hear was his shallow breath and beating heart. I don’t have the patience for this quivering pathetic demon. I want to finish him. The feeling I had to smite this demon was overpowering and was giving me a headache. The power was controlling me. I’m not used to this feeling this power,these crazed thoughts filling my head. My head’s going to burst the burning and the ringing. Before I could stop it, a ring of fire burned all the demons standing around me, apart from Lorias. The burning fire crackled and filled the air with smoke and ash. I opened my eyes to see my destruction and saw Lorias staring at me. His shocked expression was how I felt. What had I done, better yet how did I do it. This wasn’t me, but it felt so right. Raising my head proudly, I sneered at him, stepping towards him closing the gap between us.

  “What’s the matter Lorias, not so cocky now are you,” I mocked. Flicking my hand, I threw him against a tree. The cliff side was filled with the loud crack of the tree breaking in half.

  “You see. You demon’s under estimate me really,” I complained. “I’m actually more powerful than you realise.”

  “You...”

  “Tut tut tut,” I interrupted holding my hand out and using a force to keep him on the ground.

  “I wasn’t finished talking,” I stated. “Now where was I, oh yes. I’m half demon, which incidentally means I have powers from both sides of the ball court. Just to dumb it down for you.” I walked over to him. Putting my face inches from his.

  “I’m more powerful than you could ever imagine.” Stroking his face before I turned and walked away. The power filled the hole that I hadn’t known was there. It was if I was suffering with a bad cold and this was the cure.

  “Now there’s something I have to do. That your grandfather isn’t going to like at all.” Closing my eyes, I breathed in and out with my hand still hovering over Lorias.

  “Over seas and skies, bring back to me what once mine. My soul calls for the pieces that were taken. Bring them to me,” I called. A bright glitter cloud appeared in front of me. Taking in a deep breath, the cloud disappeared into my lungs.

  The change from weak and defenceless, to powerful beyond words was complete. I feel amazing. I feel alive, every inch of me felt alive. I had no aches or pains. The wound on my head had healed. This felt evil, and I liked it. Turning I looked at Lorias crouched on the floor, and nothing came into my mind other than to kill him. This wasn’t me, I should be caring about this or have at least one thought of doubt. This is so exhilarating. Tilting my head to the side I pulled out my left hand and placed it face up. Clenching it into a fist. The sound of his groans filled the air, as I clenched his heart. Slowly letting it go, he fell to the ground.

  “ELLE!” He cried over the sound of the crackling fire.

  “What!?” Jumping the fire he stopped in front of me. Without flinching, I threw him to the ground.

  “Elle stop. This isn’t you!” He called, pulling himself up from the floor. His voice hit something inside me. Ignoring it, I continued to crush Lorias heart.

  “STOP THIS!” He bellowed holding my hands in his.

  “This isn’t you!” He sounded calm, and his voice soothed some of the anger inside.

  “How would you know Logan?” I asked, trying not to show my shield falling down.

  “You don’t know me.”

  “I know you enough to know that this isn’t you,” he argued. Everything I was feeling before haltered. The crazed thoughts in my head stopped. The only thing flooding my thoughts were him. Everything him, like he was hypnotising me with his eyes. I felt the amazing feeling escape through my skin, draining me. I don’t like this feeling. My hands feel like rocks. My body felt as if a plug had been pulled out, and I was swirling down the drain. The pain is too much, everything I’d felt, everything that was in my head gone. I’ll never feel that powerful, that free, that alive. I fell to the floor hitting my head as I fell.

  “Elle!” He called. Through my daze, I could barely see him. I saw the shadow behind him before he hit, sending Logan flying through the air.

  “Not so tough now are you kid,” Lorias mocked. He picked me up by the neck. The air beneath my feet felt unsafe. He moved towards the cliff edge. I’m over the edge, how am I going to survive this, this is the end. I hope it's quick and painless. Of course, it’s going to be painful, I’m going to hit the ground.

  “Let her go,” Logan yelled, now standing behind him, palm outstretched.

  “Ok ill let her go,” He sneered as he released his grasp and I fell. I grabbed the edge before it was too late. My hands were slipping as Logan fought Lorias. I couldn’t see Logan amongst the red cape flying around. Surrounding them like a red shield. I can’t die, not like this. I won’t. Trying with everything I had in me, I failed to pull myself up. My fingers began to slip. I can’t hold on any longer, the drop is so big. Tears began to fall down my cheeks as my fingers one by one, fell from the cliff side. My right hand dropped from the side. Trying desperately to grab the side again. I failed, and a piece of the cliff fell. I watched as it disappeared beneath me.

  “Grab my hand.” Logan appeared on the side of the cliff.

  “How can I trust you? You’re a demon,” I’d rather fall than be dropped by the hands of him.

  “Please Elle, I won’t let you fall. Trust me.”

  Why did everything inside me trust him, why would he want to save me. The brush of wind that swayed me made up my decision and I reached for his hand. He pulled me up and just like he said, he didn’t let me fall. As soon as I was on land I collapsed, my eyes strained to stay open as Logan leaned over me.

  “What happened to Lorias,” I asked half heartedly.

  “He escaped.”

  “What!” I yelled, pulling myself together and sitting up. If he escaped,that means he will come after me again with his now powerless grandfather.That only looked old enough to be his dad.

  “Calm down, he won’t be back for a while.” He calmed. As he took my face in his hands, my heart skipped.

  “You’re safe now.”

  “Funny but your still a demon,” I corrected.

  “Funny ten minutes ago, so were you,” he explained. That’s what happened. I turned into a demon, the thing that I hunt is what I was. Is that what my destiny is to become my enemy. The pain in my stomach increased with the doubt in my head.

  “Are you ok?” He asked. His cute serious eyes made my head hurt and stomach flip.

  “I have a few cracked ribs. A gapping head wound and a hole in my chest, but I’m
great, how about you?” I replied sarcastically. He chuckled and looked around. All the commotion and I hadn’t realised exactly where we were. We were sitting on the edge of Goodrington Cliffside in Blackstoke. Of course we were, I knew I recognised the pond.

  “I suppose Demetri is out now,” I sighed.

  “It’s not your fault Elle. It's mine,” He sighed dropping his hands from my face.

  “How?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t want you to take all the blame,” He smiled.

  Sitting up so that I was closer to him, our faces were inches from each other. His breath caressed my face and my heart tripled in beats. I winced as the pain in my chest grew stronger when I moved.

  “Shit!” He exclaimed as I dropped to the floor. Losing a lot of blood wasn’t agreeing with me very much.

  “Logan. Sorry about the other night,” I breathed

  Tearing the shirt he was wearing. He tore off a piece of material and held it to the open wound on my chest.

  “Your friends should be here in a minute, and they can fix you up.”

  “Are you listening to me,” I asked, stopping his hand from clearing the blood on my body.

  “Yes Adabelle. I always listen to you, and I don’t know why you are being so dramatic. It’s not like this was anything serious,” He replied.

  “Ouch.”

  “Sorry did I hurt you?” He asked pulling his hand away from my wound.

  “Not physically no, but I’m glad that cleared a few things up.”

  “I’m only saying what you want to hear Elle,” He replied. I’m sure that wasn’t what I wanted him to say, but at the moment the pain in my body was so strong. I was having difficulty speaking, never mind making sense in my head of what was going on.

  “How about for once actually say something besides from a smart arse remark,” I grunted clutching my right side in pain. Where was Alex and her father. He should be able to heal me with a single touch. My mind was slowly going in and out consciousness. As the wound on my chest continued to bleed.