In the distance, constant explosions could be heard from volcanic eruptions spewing scalding lava and pouring it down the mountainside like a flaming waterfall—yet it was strangely soothing.
How did I get here?
The memories of her past life were fading like stars trapped in a sunrise. Her recollection still existed, only now it lived in twilight reality stuck between imagination and consciousness.
Once more, the succulent fragrance wafted under her nose. An aroma with such allure, she couldn’t stop herself from growling with desire for it. She bared her teeth as she sprang from a horizontal position and found herself face to face—with dinner.
"Be very careful,” Kane cautioned.
“Good gods Kane, it’s a newborn!” Deme hissed when she saw the shade rise up from the open cocoon.
“Yes,” he whispered. “And she’s hungry.”
Her black lips parted, snarling as she exposed the full length of her fangs. Luminous white eyes shining like stars and silver hair undulating to Dark World’s infernal breath, she glowered at the two demons.
“Do you happen to have a mask on you?” Kane inquired quietly, keeping his eyes locked on the shade who was now crouching into attack position.
“Yes,” Deme replied, a line of sweat forming along her hairline.
As she slowly reached into a pouch on her hip, Kane was keenly aware of the shade watching their every motion.
“Hurry,” he insisted, noting the shade shift her attention to the tracker. He switched his sword from hand to hand and sliced a figure-eight pattern into the air, successfully diverting the newborn’s focus.
“Got it!” she announced, quickly producing a black ventilator and thrust it in Kane’s direction.
The abrupt movement, however, startled the shade, causing her to hiss and strike like a cobra. She leapt at Deme, arms outstretched and mouth open, taking the six-foot demon down with one hit. Deme punched and clawed the shade in self-defense, dropping the mask as the newborn lunged for her throat.
With one hand, Kane reached for the mask and with the other he grabbed a handful of the shade’s long, silver mane. While pulling her head back and slapping the vent over her nose and mouth, he uttered the word to magically seal the mask to her face, “Prensio.”
He then wrapped an arm around her throat and yanked her off Deme. The shade roared in anger, trying to rip the mask off her face. She thrashed and kicked as Kane dragged her from her prey. It took all his strength to hold her.
“Deme! My pack! There’s twine in my pack!”
She turned and stumbled towards his leather bag propped against a mound of rocks. Deme tore it open and began a frantic search. She located a bundle of cord and upon pulling it out returned to Kane.
“Tie her arms first!” he yelled, struggling to maintain his grip around the fiend’s neck.
Deme attempted to gain hold of the shade’s flailing hands. After acquiring one, she tied the twine firmly around her wrist. As Deme seized hold of her other hand, the shade suddenly brought her entire torso up, perpendicular to Kane, and kicked the tracker square on the throat.
Deme flew several feet backward, skidding along the sand, her mouth formed into a muted scream as the pointed shackles on her wings dug into her back. She clutched her neck and fought to inhale. Several moments later, spitting blood onto the dirt, she managed to take in a few ragged breaths.
“Damn it!” Kane growled at the shade, unsheathing his sword. “Now you’ve just pissed me off!”
He lifted his blade vertically, bringing the heavy, steel handle onto the back of the shade’s head. Instantly falling limp in his arms, he dropped her to the ground and quickly tied her hands and feet together.
“Let’s head home,” Kane ordered as he helped Deme to standing, then asked, “May I have your cape?”
Deme seethed in quiet protest, removing her cloak and handing it to him. He took it, draping it over the nude shade. Kane then bent over, scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder. He cringed as the coolness of her undead body breached his feverish skin.
Even as he held the feral fiend, he couldn’t help but feel the stirrings of hope. If he brought her back to the city, could he tame her? Then convince her to help him and his people? Or would she embrace her dark nature and destroy him?
Would she be a savior for the demons—or their extinction?
The Crystal Pyramid
With no visible sunlight to assist them in determining time, the creatures of Dark World depended on the faithful explosions of geysers sparsely situated throughout the realm. Upon firing scalding mist into the atmosphere like a canon, the eruptions occurred at a constant rate. Increasing in power and height as the day progressed and gradually lessening towards morning.
Only fifty feet from the nearest, Kane watched as a geyser discharged, sending steam and searing water high into the air.
“It’s getting late,” he stated, readjusting the shade on his shoulder.
Deme’s fiery gaze scrutinized the landscape. “Yes, the death worms will awaken soon.”
“We’ll stay in there,” Kane said, pointing to a cave at the base of Shard Mountain. Exhausted, he lugged the venomous human, still soundly unconscious, over the rocky terrain. Once entering the cave, Kane set the shade down in a corner. He arched his back and groaned, slowly moving towards a large rock and sitting.
Deme eyed him suspiciously, then asked, “When was your last bloodstone?”
Kane replied with a sigh, “A couple of days ago.”
Immediately reaching for her pouch, Deme retrieved a marble-sized, crimson stone. Hand extended, she offered it to him.
He shook his head and held up his hand. “No, you’ll need that for yourself.”
Deme gave him an adamant look and thrust her hand insistently towards him. “You’ll run out of energy soon, take it.”
He exhaled and accepted it from her. Kane held the rock within his fist and squeezed, crushing it. A thin trickle of red ran from within his palm. He tilted his head back and opened his mouth, allowing the essence to drip onto his tongue. A quiet moan escaped him, his blue eyes glowing brighter. After opening his hand, he observed the remnants of the bloodstone. With what little light was available, the bits of rock glimmered as they lay shattered on his open palm. Without the bloodstone, the demons wouldn’t have lasted more than few days after the radiance of the Crystal Pyramid died. Had his father known the true power of the giant monolith, he might not have divided the Bible.
“Do you remember what it was like, Deme?” he asked wistfully. “Before the shades took over?”
She exhaled sharply, sitting down on a large rock across from him. “Of course,” she replied with the same tone of longing. “I was only a child, but I remember.”
Kane looked at the unconscious shade, unable to ignore the streak of anger that coursed through him. He knew none of this was her fault, but she was still one of them.
“Let’s get some rest,” he said, leaning back against the cave wall.
“Yes sir,” Deme replied, crossing her arms over her chest and closing her eyes.
He watched as Deme’s chest rose and fell, she’d succumbed to sleep the moment she shut her eyes, or was very good at pretending to be. Kane looked at their feral prisoner, wondering how long she’d remain comatose. He fought against the fatigue but his eyelids reluctantly closed. Though sleep came quickly, he was immediately plagued with dream-like memories—memories of the apocalypse.
The sound of whips cracking echoed from within the mines followed by the pained cries of disobedient humans. The occasional rattle of chains and clanking of pickaxes emanated from within the mountain. The deep, authoritative voices of the demon guards resonated as they commanded the humans to work harder and faster.
Every so often, a cart would rumble out from the darkness, overflowing with bloodstone. Several humans pushed the heavy load, shackles around their necks. Barely acknowledging the young prince as they delivered the cargo beyond the mouth of t
he cavern, they simply returned to the shadows to labor for more stones, hatred residing behind their eyes.
While he awaited his father’s return, young Kane rest upon a mound of soft moss outside the entrance of the cave, playing with his satchel full of precious gems. He rolled them from one hand to another, admiring the way the tiny jewels glistened and glinted against the prismatic glow of the Crystal Pyramid. He stared into the distance, admiring the enchantment of Dark World’s only source of light. Not only did it provide nutrients for plants to flourish and cleanse the air, it was a source of power—one which fed the demons with unimaginable dark magic.
“I want ten thousand units today, no excuses.” Kane heard his father’s deep voice stem from within the cave.
“Yes, King Lucifer,” a demon guard complied.
The sound of large hooves crushing pebbles approached from behind the young demon. “Ready to go home?”
Kane rose, still watching as the large crystal refracted a rainbow of colors, wondering if the sun on the Surface could possibly be as radiant.
“Father,” the demon child began. “Tell me about the Surface.”
“Again?” his father chuckled.
With an enthusiastic nod and wide eyes pleading, Kane asked, “Yes, what does it look like up there?”
His father’s face warmed with fond recall. He filled his lungs with a deep breath, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder. “It’s…beautiful.”
“When’s the last time you were there?”
“Not long ago,” he started, then glanced down at his son. “Don’t worry, you only have to wait two more years and then I’ll take you there,” he said, then muttered under his breath, “Hopefully.”
Young Kane ignored the comment, turning his attention back to the monolith, miles away yet easily visible with the naked eye.
“What’s inside the pyramid?”
His father paused. “I’m not sure,” he began. “Some say it’s solid quartz…others say it’s hollow inside, big enough for an entire city to live in.”
Kane furrowed his brow. “You mean you’ve never gone to see?”
“No.” His father turned serious. “The pyramid is sacred—it is forbidden to enter it.”
Kane’s indigo eyes widened, gazing at the mammoth tetrahedron shimmering in the distance. What secrets did it hold? What ancient wonders were hidden within?
The young prince vowed to find out—someday.
“Can we go home now?” Kane asked his father around a yawn, stretching his talons above him.
“Yes.” The King nodded, his head adorned with a heavy crown of horns. Placing one hand on his son’s shoulder, he swept the other over the awaiting horizon. “Shall we?”
His father unfolded his large bat-like wings and gave a mighty flap, propelling him into the air. With a grin, Kane secured his satchel of gems onto his leather belt, and spreading his young wings wide, joined his father in flight. They rose higher and higher into the atmosphere, father and son soaring over the flourishing landscape. A warm wind kissed his face as Kane pushed his wings harder in attempts to fly faster than his father. They dodged one another playfully, making their way back to the kingdom.
The Crystal Pyramid’s light shifted from light blue to violet, foreshadowing twilight. As it mirrored the illuminated moods of the sun on the Surface, Dark World’s aura varied throughout the day. Just like the Surface at night, Dark World was submerged into an ocean of darkness, only there was no moon or stars to enlighten the shadows. The light of the pyramid had always shone faithful, only muted while it rested for the night.
“We need to hurry,” his father stated with an edge of urgency. “The creatures of the dark will be out soon.”
Kane nodded with understanding. The moment the Crystal Pyramid’s light dimmed for the evening, nocturnal beasts of unfathomable terror would emerge. Most lived on land, unable to reach the soaring demons, but some of the most dangerous could fly.
Legion, the demon kingdom, shadowed the horizon. Tall ivory peaks bordered by a high, white brick wall. Home.
A place of power. Peace.
Until now.
The moment they neared the outskirts of the city, ice moved through the young prince’s veins, hearing screams radiating from within.
“Father! Look!” Kane pointed to columns of fire rising from inside the enclosure. As they moved closer, he could see an onslaught of silver-haired humans attacking the demons. His family.
How? We’re so much stronger than they are! Kane thought, panic growing in his chest.
“Stay here!” his father ordered, diving into the center of the mayhem.
“Father!” the young prince shouted, watching him spiral into the slaughter. It was the last time Kane ever saw the king alive.
Only days later, the Crystal Pyramid fell dark forever—its gift of power and immortality to the demons, gone.
A loud shriek woke him.
Dazed, Kane tried to determine whether what he was hearing was real or an echo from his nightmare.
“Sphinxes,” Deme commented, instinctively stroking the sheathed blade mounted on the outside of her thigh. “Let’s hope they don’t know we’re here.”
A flicker of anxiety lit within his core. While a sphinx wasn’t the most fearsome creature they could encounter in the dark wilderness, it was a dangerous and formidable predator.
There are worse, Kane admitted as he glanced to the prisoner in the corner of the cave. Convinced she was still out cold, he then worried he’d hit her too hard and permanently damaged her, but quickly doused the concern. shades were tough. Damn tough. He and the other demons had underestimated them. Until the war, the demons had no idea of the powers the shades held. Powers of healing, magic—and necromancy. But how could they? The shades were a new species in Dark World. An altered breed of human. An abomination.
He stood and wandered to the opening of the cave, scanning the landscape for any sign of sphinxes. Sphinxes were sleek and particularly sly opponents. Flesh eaters, they preyed on anything they could sink their fangs into. If a pack happened upon a lone demon or two, they wouldn’t hesitate to attack.
“Do you want me to do first watch?” Deme asked, drawing her blade.
“No, I’m awake now, you rest and then we’ll switch,” he responded quietly.
“Are you alright?” She moved to his side, close enough for her body heat to mix with his.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Straightening his back, he took a step away.
Without a word, she returned to her seat.
A sense of guilt washed over him. She was only trying to be kind, and she was very beautiful. He just—couldn’t.
Black and gray clouds rolled over the dark horizon, matching the storm in his soul. The image of his wife’s face wavered in his memories like a reflection in water.
Seren.
Ever
A dream wandered through her unconsciousness. Memories swam by, but never stayed in focus long enough for her to know if they were real or imagined.
Images of violence.
Fear.
Death.
A dagger glinted against the light of a pale moon before it entered her chest.
The boy.
The one who drove the knife into her heart, his voice resounded, “There is no death—only transition.”
Sinking.
Submerging into darkness.
Suddenly standing in a void, she saw a mirror. At first, it reflected a beautiful, yet terrifying fiend with white eyes, black lips, and silver hair. She gasped, placing a pale hand adorned with long, black fingernails against the glass.
What’s happened to me?
A dark fear swelled in her shattered soul. What had she become? What had she been? Shaking her head, the confusion angered her. The image morphed into another figure. Another face. A girl with long brown hair stared back at her, eyes the color of the sea.
The stars, the image whispered. Remember the stars.
But before she could recall th
e stars, a hunger, deep and aching, ripped through her body, overshadowing the dream. Her eyes snapped open, focusing on her surroundings.
Where am I?
The cave walls were damp with sweat from the heated rocks. Gold glistened on the surface like a network of amber veins. Creatures howled outside the cavern, a nocturnal world submerged in evil.
Come home, daughter, come home!
The voice, it was familiar. Somehow she knew. It resonated in her core. Sung by an anonymous mother she had yet to meet and hungered to find. The call—the need—to go home ate at her insides. A home she’d never seen, but felt its essence crawl beneath her skin like a million spiders.
She eyed the sleeping she-demon and seethed with hate. These demons were mortal enemies, she felt it with all her being. Their existence disgusted her, except—their scent. Their unbelievably delicious scent made her mouth water. The horrendous mask the male demon had sealed over her face somehow curbed the intensity of their aroma, but did not quash it.
Her eyes closed, hearing the hot blood as it rushed through their veins. Their hearts pumped the pure, crimson bliss throughout their bodies. But it wasn’t their blood she craved—she needed their souls.
She bared her fangs behind the visor and suppressed the growl of desire rising into her throat.
At the opening of the cave, a large shadow blended with the night, his head hung in apparent sorrow. The shade began slicing at the rope with the tips of her black fingernails—and formulated a plan of attack.
The memory of Seren’s scream tortured him, followed by the whisper of her final breath. Closing his eyes, he fought the emotions that threatened to rise to the surface. He clenched his hands tight, talons piercing, drawing blood from his palms. The pain on the outside could never equate the hurt within. His beautiful Seren—soulless—and it was his fault. He gritted his teeth, regret slicing through him.
If only I’d stayed home that day.
Long ebony hair had gathered under her head like a feather pillow, cushioning her as she stared up at Kane. Her amber eyes glistened with unshed tears while her chest fought to take one more breath.
Dark World (Book I in the Dark World Trilogy) Page 5