TWENTY-THREE
The next morning we headed back towards the marketplace in Arwid. There was only three days left until the plague would reach the world of Pearu. Grethen had agreed to accompany us to the marketplace, but he drew the line there. He had no intentions of going into the City of Pearu. He didn’t want the chance of the King spotting him and arresting him for questioning. After fixing us a heavy breakfast of more nymph, the three of us set out.
Dyos seemed to be in a much better mood today as he conversed with Grethen about his travels around the world of Pearu. Grethen in returned shared with him his travels among the mortal world which Dyos found to be quite interesting. The two had seemed to form a brotherhood somewhere between my shower and breakfast. I hoped that the new brotherhood would be enough to help Grethen accompany us to battle. It was a long shot, but stranger things in the world have happened.
“I wonder if that Orc is still there from yesterday. I still would like some of that unicorn bread.” Dyos said.
“I tell you Dyos, the best thing to serve with unicorn bread is the nymph I made for you guys.”
“Enough talk of nymph you old fool. Is that all you eat? You should try more prime meats.”
“Nymph is all the prime meat that a demon should need.”
The two of them carried on like this until we made it back to the market. We peered through the trees at the barters that were moving around the marketplace like normal.
“Wait here.” Grethen. “I’ll go smooth things out with the locals.”
He left us concealed in the trees as he made his way over to some of the barters. The barters gave him looks of relief that he was alive. I could hear them questioning him on the events of yesterday. Grethen assured them that it was all a big misunderstanding, mostly on his part. I thought it was nice of him to take the blame.
“Listen to this old fool.” Dyos said. “I can’t believe he’s taking the blame.”
“He’s saving our throats.”
“He’s messing with our street cred is what he’s doing.” Dyos complained. “I’ve built a reputation here in Arwid and he’s messing up the works.”
“Dyos, do me a favor and be quiet.”
Dyos mumbled a smart comment as Grethen made his way back over to us. It appeared that the barters decided to trust him.
“Come on out you two, they’re fine with you.”
We stumbled out the woods behind Grethen as he led us through the marketplace. Dyos had stopped to buy bread from the Orc from yesterday until he remembered that he didn’t have any more money. Now, he was in a sour mood, snapping at everyone that bumped into him.
“Grethen, where did you say the guy that might have the cure was located.” I asked. We’d passed several booths, but none held the potions we were after.
“He is just up here. He likes to be close towards the front of the marketplace for ailing customers.”
We headed through the marketplace. The crowd today was thinner compared to yesterday. Dyos seemed to have taken notice of it too, but he had yet to say something about it. I figured it had something to do with our actions yesterday, though I wasn’t sure. We finally reached the front of the marketplace as we came to a table where another Orc was stationed. We waited for him to get finish selling a potion to a customer before he turned to us.
“Grethen my boy, it’s good to see you in one piece. Who do you have here with you?”
“The chasers from yesterday. We’ve seen to come to an accord.”
“Ah!” said the Orc. He reached up to scratch at the long strands of gray hair that hung from his chin. His nails were long like mine, but while mine shined, his were covered in dirt and some sticky green residue. “That is best thing to have with one’s enemy. How can I be of service to you?”
“We’re looking for a cure.” I said. “A good friend of mine was attacked by a blade that was dipped in venom. The beast the venom belongs to is unknown. We’ve tried everything, but the healing potions we have only seemed to heal the wound for a few seconds before spreading worse.”
The Orc tapped his chin as he stared at me. “This venom you speak of is not one that I have ran across.” He moved his hand off his chin and raised a finger. “But that does not mean it doesn’t exist.”
The Orc turned towards the shelf at the back of his booth that was filled with books. We waited as he thumbed through the material trying to find the right potion. After going through four books, he finally found the one that he needed.
“Aha, I think I have a solution. This potion is not a definite cure for whatever your friend has contacted, but it should work.”
“Are you positive?” I asked.
“Of that I cannot be sure for I do not know the beast that attacked your friend. However, this potion has been used on plenty unknown venoms and has removed them from injured creatures. I’m sure it can do the same too.”
I figured the Orc was right. This potion would be better than nothing. I dare think how bad Kiowa’s wound has gotten since I’ve been gone. I knew the medics were doing all they could for her, but I still wished I could just reach in and remove the poisonous stream from her body. The Orc mixed up the ingredients needed for the potion and placed it inside of a clear bottle. He handed it over to me and wrote down a set of instructions on a piece of parchment paper.
“Make sure to give your friend only three drops. We don’t want to anger venom any more that necessary.”
“Thank you.” I said to him as Grethen handed him a bag of scales.
“No worries, young demon.” He opened the bag and sniffed the dragon scales. Satisfied with payment, he turned his attention back to Grethen. “Can I get you something today? You haven’t been to see me in a while.”
“No thanks. I won’t be around here for a while.”
“Very well then, we shall wish you on a safe journey.”
We left the Orc’s booth and took a few steps away from his booth. Grethen’s words to the Orc played in my mind. While Dyos went to go obtain a carriage, I turned to face Grethen. “What do you mean you won’t be around for a while? I thought you said you weren’t venturing to the City.”
“I’m not. I’m heading back to Samr’s world.”
I knew it was coming, but I guess I wasn’t exactly ready for us to part ways. I hadn’t grown an attachment or formed a brotherhood like he and Dyos had, but I still found him to be a good companion. “Why are you leaving so soon?”
“My work here is done Aristaeus. It’s time I return home to receive my next assignment.”
“Assignment?”
“Surely you did not think that we met here by coincidence.” Grethen chuckled. “It’s time you start realizing that there are no such things as coincidences. I knew you were coming to the marketplace to find Samr. I just had to make it seem like I didn’t. Samr sent me.”
“Why?”
“Because you were not ready to see her yet. You needed to get the full story from someone else. As you may have noticed, Samr does not like to spend too much time in this world. We can’t chance Lilith or Eris spotting her.”
I sighed. “I understand. I just hoped that you would join us in the battle.”
“It is not my battle, though I do love a good fight.”
Dyos came back towards us as a carriage followed. He still looked upset about not getting his bread, but I knew when we arrived in the City, he would be back to normal.
“What’s with the atmosphere?”
“Grethen is going home.” I told him.
I expected Dyos to take Grethen’s departure harder, but he didn’t. He gave the demon a hug and patted his shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re missing out on a good fight. Listen if Samr doesn’t have plans for you, you should definitely come back and join us.”
Grethen laughed and patted Dyos head. “You hellions take care. The next couple of days are about to bring more pain and destruction than you’
ve ever seen in your lives. Dyos you make sure to stay by Aristaeus side. He is going to need you if he is to succeed in his mission.”
“I will.”
Grethen patted both of our shoulders before walking off back towards his cabin.
“Can you believe that? He’s just leaving us. The least he could so was send us off with some bowls of nymph. The manners of the elite were just completely wasted on him.”
I laughed at Dyos and headed towards the carriage. We climbed in the carriage as it pulled us to a start and headed back to the City of Pearu. The carriage headed down the dirt road of the countryside of Arwid as I pulled out the battle plans I’d kept on me. My journals were lost, but since they were new, I could always rewrite my entries.
“So my father plans to open the Gates.”
“That’s what I got from the maps. The drawings on the map indicated the different places the creatures of Pearu would head in the mortal world. His battle plan seems to include spreading out the guards so they can take on the Gods one on one.”
I sighed. “My father has lost all sense lately. There may be few Gods, but they are powerful. It would not take them long to destroy his demon guards and move on to the next one. Not to forget, the archangels and the guild. This battle will not take long to be over. I just hate that with it, there will be mortal casualties.”
“What do you mean mortal casualties?”
“Do you honestly expect my father to have fair fight? He’s been brewing up potions to possess Eris powers. I’m sure he hasn’t quite captured the powers she possesses— but he has captured something. He’s been waiting for this battle for a while. He won’t go in empty handed.”
“Let’s just hope you can change his mind when you tell him about the plague. That should become first priority. You just have to find a way to convince him without mentioning Samr.”
“Believe me I’m hurting my head trying to think of a way. Did you gather anymore information while you were digging?”
“Yes, I did.” Dyos reached into his coat pocket and removed some folded parchment paper. “I found a list of names of the soldiers being used in the battle. I also found out that your father has been digging into the two places where you said the portals were at. I think he’s trying to find another way outside of the world into the mortal world.”
“I told him those portals are no longer there. Does he not listen to me?”
“Of course he doesn’t. I thought you would have learned that by now.”
I folded the papers and handed them over to Dyos. He would keep them safe while I was at the palace. “It does not matter. He won’t find anything. Let’s just keep focus on Lilith. She’s the reason I’m here. She’s the enemy.”
Dyos and I talked with each other as we left Arwid and headed for the City. Dyos eventually grew tired of all the battle talk and took a nap. I took the time to finish reading the novel that Grethen had allowed me to hold. He’d given me two more books saying that he’d already read those. I was happy to take them off my hand. Skimming through the book, I found myself becoming lost in the fiction story about a woman who seemed to possess the powers of four creatures such as a wolf, witch, fairy, and vampire. I followed her journey as she came to terms with what she was as she searched for more like her, leading them into a world of safety. Somewhere along the lines, we’d arrived in the City. The carriage headed down the cobblestone street coming to a stop near the many shops. I shook Dyos awake and put away my book. He woke up and stretched, his mouth stretching wider than that of a lion.
“Are you sure you do not wish for the carriage to take you home?”
“No thanks. I plan on enjoying a few drinks and the company of a lady. After all, tomorrow isn’t promised.”
He exited the carriage and bowed to me. The door closed as the carriage pulled back to a start taking me to the palace. I held the potion in my hand as I said a silent prayer that it would work and save Kiowa. I knew it was abnormal for a creature of my kind to pray for the wellbeing of another, but I was hoping the Creator take pity on me and save the only mother that I’ve ever knew.
The carriage ride to the palace came to a stop. The door to the carriage opened as the guard bent to bow to me. “Welcome home, your highness.”
I stepped out of the carriage as he closed the door. “Where are my parents?”
“The King is in a meeting with The Courant. The Queen is still in bed.”
“She hasn’t gotten any better.” I asked.
“It appears not your highness.”
Dryness strangled my throat as I tried to push away the dark feelings. I couldn’t let these feeling attack me. It would have me depressed and then no one would be able to help her. Getting control of myself, I headed into the palace. The servants were hurried back and forth with candles and dinner plates. They were all in a panic and I knew that The Courant would be spending a night in the palace. I headed up to Kiowa’s room with the potion in my hand. The door was already opened and the smell of death hit me. Kiowa lay still in the bed as I felt myself come to a stop. For a minute, I feared I was too late. But Kiowa’s head turned in my direction and she smiled.
“You’re home.”
Giving her a shaky smile, I hurried over to her side. Her body was covered in sweat and as I touched her hand, I felt coldness.
“Where is the medic? Why isn’t anyone in here with you?”
“Do not cause a fuss Aristaeus. Your father has them preparing rooms and dinner for The Courant. They are planning to stay the night here at the palace.”
I felt anger surge in me towards my father. Did he not care that his wife was lying in the bed rotting away. No, all he seemed to care about was maintaining his manners as part of the elite.
“I brought you something to help remove the venom.” I said to her. I placed the potion on the side table and turned to help her sit up. Kiowa had never been a heavy creature, but as I lifted her, I could literally feel the bones in her body. She moaned in pain as I got her situated against the pillow. Once I was done moving her, she sighed in relief. I grabbed the potion bottle and unhooked the top. Grabbing the dropper that was sitting in her table, I dipped it in the potion, filling it up. Kiowa opened her mouth as I turned and hang the dropper over her mouth. I squeezed releasing three drops as the Orc told me.
“Thank you.” She breathed out.
“You do not have to thank me for trying to save your life.”
Kiowa smiled and grabbed my hand. “Did you have a good time in Arwid? I know Dyos was with you, his father called here in a rage I heard.”
“We didn’t have much time to relax like we usually did. I went there to find the woman who sold you the moonstone ring.”
Kiowa stared at me. “Did you find her?”
I didn’t want to worry Kiowa with what I’d learned, especially while she was in this state. So I told her no. I promised myself that when she got better, I would explain everything to her then. But by that, she would probably already know the truth. I couldn’t exactly hide an entire plague from her.
I stayed with her a little longer catching up. She missed her garden and being able to visit the library. I promised her that I would go down and pick out some of her favorite flowers. The servants had only brought dragon lilies. They didn’t seem to have a clue what their Queen seemed to love. I couldn’t blame them, they were new. Kiowa finally fell asleep and I left her room.
I headed downstairs to my father’s study. There were several guards standing outside the door, some ours and some guards of The Courant. I walked up towards the door but one of the guards put his hand up.
“I’m sorry Prince. The King has asked not to be disturbed.”
“I’m just going in to let him know that I am home.”
“The King already knows that you are home. He asked for you to wait in the library. He will meet with you once he is done with his meeting.”
; I rolled my eyes at the guard. My impulses made me want to push him to the side and enter despite what he was telling me, but I would not win any points over with my father. I needed him calm for when I told him about the plague. Deciding to give up, I left and headed towards my quarters. I had no intentions of going to the library at the moment. I made my way to my room and closed and locked the door. I made sure my windows were closed and that there were no lingering servants in my bathroom. When the coast was clear, I made my way to the center of the room. Closing my eyes, I decided to practice calling forth my powers. When it came to swords, battle axes, and hand to hand combat, I was a professional. However, with my new change, it brought new powers.
Concentrating, I allowed myself to breathe in and out. Images of Eris using her powers seemed to motivate me. I pulled up images on the way she moved her face or the way she positioned her hands. I pushed myself further by thinking of the pain she caused Kiowa. At first, there was nothing. There was no power coming from my hand, and then, there was a change in the atmosphere. My room felt as if it was running with bolts of electricity. Shock waves surged through my body as I felt a tingling in my hand. I opened my eyes and stared at the floating white ball in my hand. The ball lifted and hovered slightly in my hand. My moonstone ring shined with bright light as well.
I pushed my hand out as the ball left my hand. The ball flew out my hand across the room. The light smashed into the figurines in my room, knocking them into pieces as they fell to the floor. The ball caught on the ends of the Pearu crest tapestry also that hung on my wall. The tapestry lit up in flames as I stared in shock. Grabbing the washing bowl off the counter, I hurried to my bathroom and filled it in water. By the time I made it back to my room, the flames had made it halfway up the tapestry. I tossed the water on the tapestry completely putting it out.
A knock sounded at my door making me jump. I tossed the bowl to the side and tried to fan the burning smell away. The knock sounded again. The smell would not leave, and I could not make it. Hurrying over to the door, I pulled it open. I blocked the entrance of my room and stared at the servant.
“Yes, what is it?”
“The King requested your presence.”
I slid through the door making sure to block the view. The servant gave me a concerned glance but did not say anything. “Lead the way.”
The servant led me down the stairs to the library. She opened the door and stepped to the side as I stepped in. My eyes went around the room until I spotted my father on the second floor. I made my way up the curved staircase to the second floor. My father stood in front of one of the shelves, his attention on whatever book he was reading. I came to a stop in front of him.
“Father.”
“I thought I told you to wait for me in here.”
“I had to take care of something. You did not wait very long.”
My father shut the book he was reading. He turned to place it on the shelf. “Did you enjoy your trip?”
“It was eventful.” I said not giving him much. “Why did you call all the servants away from mother? She needs them more than ever now.”
“Aristaeus, we have to keep to the rules despite any tragedies that have taken place in the palace. We do not lose ourselves just because we are experiencing hardships.”
“You care more about the elite than your wife who is lying in your bed dying!”
My father shot me a harden glare. So apparently he was aware of Kiowa’s condition. It just seemed The Courant was more important than her at the moment. “Your mother will be fine. What she needs is sleep. She doesn’t need you hovering over her babying her every second of the day. You went to Arwid and got the cure didn’t you?”
“I got a cure. It’s not definite that it will help.”
“Well we’ll just have faith. Do not let your emotions get the best of you.”
I wanted to tell him that he was the one to talk. He was allowing his emotions for Eris and all these attacks drive him to do insane things. He had lost what he once stood for and was now making careless mistakes.
“Why are The Courant here?” I asked. “Did something happen?”
My father walked past me tucking his hands behind his back. I followed behind him. “We are meeting to discuss battle plans and the future of Pearu.”
“So you’re really going to go through with this.”
“Aristaeus, the time has come that we stand up against these Gods. We have bowed down and took their criticism since the day our worlds were created. I will not let my people submit to these righteous winged beasts any longer.”
I scoffed and came to a stop. “Who fed you that speech? Was it The Courant or was it all the rumors around Pearu calling you weak?”
My father came to a stop. His shoulders were raised high. “I do not expect you to understand. You’ve changed so of course you will side with them.”
“Cut the nonsense father. I thought this was a suicide mission before I changed and I still think so. You are going to lead our world into misfortune. I will not stand for it!”
My father turned on around his eyes wide. I could sense the anger in him as his true face broke through his mortal one. “How dare you question me? I am King! I have ruled this world far longer than you have ever been thought of. You will not go against me. You will join us to fight the Gods!”
“There are more important things than fighting the Gods!” I yelled back.
I stared across at my father. My true face had emerged as well. It seemed to bring shock to my father. I guess he thought with my change, that part of me would not be shown again. It was enough to get him back into control. His face settled back into mortal form as he smoothed out his blazer.
“What are you trying to tell me?” He said once he was back in control.
My face had retreated as well as I tamed the anger in me. “Father, I know why Lilith has shown herself in Pearu. She plans to release a plague in Pearu.”
“Plague? What do you mean plague?”
“Eris has found the Cosmic Orb that her father was once assigned to guard. The Cosmic Orb has been tainted with a spell that would only open once it had received a certain amount of mortal souls. That is why she had Lilith break into the vault at Belham’s. She needed the souls for the orb. If she releases this plague in Pearu. It will be the end of our world.”
“Where did you get this information?”
This is where things got hard. I couldn’t tell my father that I’d learn this from Samr or Grethen without causing another alarm in him.
“I learned this while I was in Arwid.”
My father scoffed and began to chuckle. “Are you listening to wild tales now Aristaeus?”
“It is not a tale. This plague is real and it will be here in four days.”
“This is why you are not ready to be King yet. You go around believing every little thing someone tells you. I would think with your transformation that you would wise up and learn to take your position seriously. There is no such thing as a Cosmic Orb. Whoever told you this was probably recognized that you were of elite and wanted some dragon scales from you.”
I shook my head in frustration. “This is not about money father. You said yourself that you found it strange that The Rogue would choose this moment to suddenly appear. You can’t believe that this all about coincidence. Eris has planned this ever since she was cast to live in this world. She wants to see this world destroyed.”
“See that is where you’re wrong. Eris would never destroy a world she worked so hard to build up. It would all be a waste of time. She is after the throne. She always has been. And with the way you’re acting, she is going to end up getting it before you do. Now I want you to drop this nonsense about this plague.”
“You’re making a big mistake father. This plague is coming and if you don’t prepare yourself for it, you will go down as the King who let the world of Pearu meet its e
nd.”
My father and I stared each other down. I knew he didn’t want a reputation as such. I saw him think over what I said. He considered that maybe I was on to something. Maybe Eris was trying to destroy Pearu along with all the other worlds. Just as soon as I thought he’d come to terms and believe me, I watch distrust enter his eyes again.
“I’m sorry son, but I am not going to call forth any guards for a fake mission that does not exist when we have a real one waiting for us.”
“Then I request to call forth and train my own guards for this mission.”
“Request denied.” My father said.
“Well then I will go at it alone then. It seems I am going to have to be the one to save our world from your mistakes.”
“You will do no such thing. You will forget this heresy and you will join us in battle against the Gods. It’s time you’re proved your loyalty to me and to the world of Pearu.”
I stared at my father as an unsettling feeling went through me. I had a feeling what he was about to say, but I prayed that he wouldn’t say it. “What do you mean father?”
“It’s time you to choose between the two. It’s time you accept your demon side fully.”
There was silence between us as the weight of his words weighed down on my shoulders. Like Zeus, he was giving me an ultimatum. He was asking me to claim my demon side, not only proving to him that I was his son, but that I was choosing the creatures of Pearu over Astraea. He hadn’t accepted her like I thought he would. He still hated her and he still despised what I’d become. He did not care how this kind of decision could torment me. He proved it by the smirk that was on his face.
Feeling as if I was about to collapse, I said, “I’m sorry father, but I cannot do that.”
The smirk dropped off my father’s face. He stared at me in shock as if I had just betrayed him. In a way, I had. I’d chosen what I believed in over his foolish mission. I’d chosen Astraea over him, and my mother. It hurt me to have to make that decision, but I could not accept being a full demon. I was never a full Hell Demon to begin with. I was here on a mission. No matter how I felt about my parents, I could not be swayed for it.
“Guards!” My father suddenly called.
I stared at him in confusion as guards entered the room. They came rushing in at the sound of the King’s voice expecting to find an intruder. At the sight of us standing there, they came to a stop behind the King, their weapons still raised.
“I hereby charge, Prince Aristaeus Priam, betrayer of the King, enemy of Pearu. I hereby ban him from the world of Pearu, forever.”
The shock that went through the room at the King words rooted everyone into place. The guard’s mouths opened and closed as they stared from the King to me. They’d often seen the King giving me different punishments, but he always forgave me. But to be banned from the world of Pearu, to be outcast and labeled as a betrayer and enemy forever, seemed to be unheard of. I was his son. I wasn’t some criminal on the streets of Arwid.
“Father.” I pleaded. The hurt in my voice was evident. I knew it hurt him for me to choose to remain a Sacrilege, but I never thought he would react in this way. He hated me enough to ban me from the only world I knew and from my mother. He was separating me from Kiowa at a time when she needed me the most.
Turning on his heels, my father said, “Take him away. I want him out of my world now.”
The guards got over their shock and rushed forward. Staring at my father’s back, I realize that we would have to be enemies from now on. Not being one to be captured by my enemy, I dodged the hands of the guards. I didn’t want to kill any of the guards, but I wouldn’t let them harm me as well. I escaped the hands of the guards, knocking one over to the rest. My father stood off to the side as I raced to the door. I took one more glance at him and left the room.
“Capture him!” Shouted my father.
As I ran into the hallway towards the front door, more guards joined the fray. I hit them in places that would cause them to stop as I continued to run. I raced down the steps of the palace and down the driveway towards the bridge. Coming to the bridge, I removed my demos and sliced the roped. The bridge rope snapped as the bridge hurled down. Glancing up at the palace, I saw Kiowa standing in the window staring down at me. From here I could see her eyes filled with tears. Placing my fingers together, I curled my pointer and thumbs until the shape resembled a heart. The other fingers touched each other tips.
Seeing the guards coming down the stairs, I raced across the bridge and away from the only home I knew. The guards chased me through the City as citizens moved to the side. All around me true faces emerged at the rush of a kill about to happen. I circled behind one of the stone buildings and hid behind a barrel of fruit. The guards raced past not seeing me in the alley. I was out of the clear or so I thought until a hand clamped down on my shoulder. I turned to dispatch my attacker when I saw who it was.
“Grethen, what are you doing here?”
Grethen smiled down at me. “I decided to take your friend Dyos up on his offer. What kind of demon would I be if I didn’t join a battle?”
I stared at Grethen thankful that he’d decided to stay. I could use an ally since it seemed I was now surrounded by a world of enemies.
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