The Demon's Return

by Selva, SK

  “Can anyone go in and read books?”

  “Yeah. It’s not as big as the libraries in Kurunji and Tirakan, but there’s enough to keep you occupied.”

  “Okay, great, think I’ll swing by there.”

  “Sure, I’ll be busy all day. Going to train for the race. If you want to check out the battle classes, just meet me back here later.”

  “Thanks, Aaryav.”

  The young unicorn had gotten up to leave but hesitated at the door. His face softened as he took his time with his words.

  “I got your back, brother,” he said as he left the hut, waving goodbye.

  Veeran had close friends in the human world, but there was something about Aaryav that helped him feel assured. He suddenly felt guilty for not telling him about the voice from the fire but decided to push it from his mind. What if Aaryav wouldn’t trust him anymore?

  Veeran looked around the rest of the hut, suddenly aware of how lonely he was. All he could think about were the king’s words. If he were to get into any trouble, the unicorns would be banned from the games. He had to make sure that would never happen. One of the best ways to do so was to avoid trouble in the first place.

  He could feel his clammy hands as he paced back and forth across the small room, eyeing the door that led outside. Aaryav had not left that long ago, and it became painfully obvious that Veeran now had no one to hide behind.

  He put a shaky hand on the rickety knocker of the door, mustering up the courage to open it and go outside. It was incredible how such a simple movement had become so difficult.

  A sudden gust of wind helped the door creak open slowly as Veeran held it.

  Maybe the land isn’t against me, he thought, glancing outside.

  It was a bustle of activity, overwhelming Veeran by just looking at everything that was going on. Several unicorns carried heavy stones, walking toward a severely broken-down hut, hoping to fix it up. Others had baskets full of what Veeran could only hope were vegetables, greeting the other villagers and dropping some off at each home. He could feel his heart jump into his throat as an old unicorn walked slowly toward him.

  “Leave these for Aaryav,” he said, handing over a small basket of leafy plants. Veeran grabbed it with shaking hands, doing his best not to drop it.

  The unicorn continued on his rounds as Veeran breathed a sigh of relief.

  So far, so good, he thought.

  He laid the basket inside and walked out slowly, raising his hood to try to avoid stares. He couldn’t see very well under the cloak, but his ears picked up all conversations. He was getting better at separating the different voices, his hooves leaving footprints in the soft earth as he walked toward the library.

  “That’s him. The demon from last night.”

  “If he gets in trouble, our council seat is gone.”

  “Roshna trusts him, and the king as well. If he keeps to himself, what do we have to worry about?”

  “Don’t you remember what we heard about the demon tragedy? They almost destroyed the land.”

  “He’s just a young boy. He was not even alive back then.”

  “Creatures of a talon ride together.”

  “Balaraj has become more and more unpredictable. I don’t even think Roshna can contain him anymore.”

  “If he puts a toe out of line, I’ll bring him in myself.”

  “How are you, young man?”

  Something about the last one made Veeran look up. To his immense surprise, a unicorn that looked older than even Roshna was smiling at him.

  “I’m sorry?” said Veeran, turning around.

  “I asked how you are doing?” Her voice was so motherly that Veeran could feel his anxiousness ebbing away, despite himself.

  “Doing well, miss,” he said shyly.

  “I’m glad.”

  A loud gong suddenly made Veeran jump. He looked up and saw a giant bell swinging in the building behind the old unicorn.

  “If you ever have a moment, do join us in the temple,” she invited. “We like to thank the land for everything it has given us.”

  Veeran looked behind her and saw several other unicorns eyeing him with looks of fear and anger.

  “I appreciate the invite, miss,” he said softly.

  “Call me Poorvi,” she said.

  Veeran nodded and continued toward the library. He glanced a look back and saw the other unicorns protesting to Poorvi, who held her hand up for silence.

  Feeling extremely guilty, Veeran was happy to have finally made it to the library. Despite everything people were saying about him, he could not let it affect his mind. He had a job to do.

  I won’t let you down, Ammama.

  A stern looking librarian sat at the front desk. Deciding against drawing any more attention to himself, he quietly tiptoed past her.

  Maybe I should have asked, he gulped as he saw what was in front of him.

  Rows and rows of shelves held what had to be thousands of books. The wooden floor creaked as Veeran made his way to the first aisle, trying not to disturb the pin-drop silence. Sitting at the nearby tables were some of the most studious-looking unicorns reading books that Veeran doubted he could even lift. He grabbed the first book he saw, blowing away the dust as he opened it up.

  His heart sank as he saw the same markings that were on the fountain in Kiramam Square. How was he going to read anything?

  He tried another. The same thing. The ancient scripts that littered the pages tortured him. How could he be so close and yet so far?

  There aren’t even any pictures, he thought, knowing he was grasping for straws.

  Veeran’s shoulders dropped as buried his face in his hands, extremely disappointed.

  “You know,” said a voice from behind him as Veeran turned back around. A smart-looking unicorn was carrying the book he just put back.

  “There’s a wealth of information in this place,” she said, “so I’m curious as to why you chose to open a book about the history of soil during the summer months in Ilemuria.”

  Veeran started to open his mouth to defend himself but was cut off again.

  “I mean, it might be very interesting, but I personally would rather read about our history, magic, and the government than the different types of mud. But that’s just me,” she rambled.

  Veeran was starting to get slightly annoyed. She was not that much older than him but still gave off the air of experience. Behind her glasses were calculating eyes as she looked up at the demon in front of her for the first time.

  “Look,” he said, continuing strongly before she had a chance to cut him off again. “I can’t read, okay.”

  There was a slight pause before the unicorn burst out laughing. Veeran held his tongue back. He couldn’t get in trouble.

  “I was just teasing,” she said. “I’m Thalia.”

  “Veeran.”

  “We know. Everyone saw your grand entrance. You had Balaraj, Roshna, and the king all interested. Being the only creature of your kind here, no wonder they thought you were special.”

  “Well, I’m not,” said Veeran. “I just want to be here in peace. I’ll be going now.”

  “Don’t you want to read these books?”

  “I can’t learn a new language that quickly.”

  “You do realize we’re speaking it right now, don’t you?”

  Veeran looked at her like she was nuts. “I hear my home language.”

  Thalia smiled and pointed at Veeran’s ring. He held it up, having completely forgotten about it.

  “It’s a translator ring. Communicating in the ancient language helps balance the magic of the land. Your ring helps you understand what everyone else is saying. We actually hear you speaking in the ancient language too.”

  Veeran’s mouth nearly dropped open as he brought the ring closer to his face, squinting to catch its every detail. “The ancient language?”

  “Agastya.”

  Veeran turned back to Thalia, who smiled warmly at him. “That’s incredible.” />
  “There’s a lot the land gives that we take for granted. It’s why we have to give back. To achieve balance.”

  “Where can I find out more?” asked Veeran.

  “Here, let’s get you some books. I’ll show you how to use the ring.”

  “Where’s yours?”

  “Took me a while, but I’m fluent.”

  Feeling extremely impressed, Veeran followed her to a nearby table as Thalia gave him a book from a nearby shelf. She clearly knew her way around the library.

  “I read this when I first came here,” she said.

  Veeran carefully opened the book to the first page, careful not to rip the antique paper. Thalia grabbed his hand and helped him place his ring on the words. Veeran’s heart fluttered a little.

  A slight tug on his finger surprised him as he felt his hand being dragged along the page. But he was not scared. Rather, Veeran felt a sense of comfort, more than anything that had happened so far.

  He looked down, and to his utter amazement, the pages translated to text he could understand.

  “The land is more likely to lend magic when it knows the creature will be using it for a noble purpose. Gaining knowledge for personal growth could not be more noble,” explained Thalia.

  “Everyone talks as though the land is alive,” said Veeran.

  “And indeed they should. Ilemuria is our mother. She wants us to learn.”

  Veeran quickly skimmed the page he was on. There was so much for him to learn. Before he knew it, Thalia had placed a few more books down at this table.

  “Magic, government, food. Just things you might be interested in.” She smiled.

  Though he found her pushy, Veeran had to admit Thalia was very helpful.

  “Do you spend all your time here?” asked Veeran.

  “Sometimes. I’m training, actually.”

  “For what?”

  For the first time, Thalia looked a little shy. “Sorry,” said Veeran. “You don’t have to answer.”

  “I want to enter the magic competition at the Vlatta Potti,” she said.

  “That’s incredible. My friend wants to enter the race.”

  “He has no idea how hard that will be. The games are fierce competition.”

  “Will the magic games be hard?”

  “I think I have enough experience not to embarrass myself. Almost entered last time, but Roshna wanted me to wait,” said Thalia.

  “You don’t look that old,” said Veeran, wondering why she smiled at this.

  “Thanks, but I still have a lot to prove. This is my fifth return, actually. Roshna brought me when I was only thirteen.”

  “That young?”

  “Yeah. I get that a lot. Many unicorns were against bringing in someone so young, but she argued that it wasn’t about my age, but my maturity. Guess I made it.”

  Seems like I’m not the only one Roshna brought here against the wishes of others, thought Veeran.

  Thalia plopped down at the same table and began to read with a clear, focused intent. Veeran grabbed what he hoped was the history book and opened it, knowing exactly what he was looking for.

  Veeran buried his nose deep into the pages as he skimmed through the text, praying that the information he was looking for was there. With each page he turned, his hopes grew dimmer and dimmer.

  There was not a single mention of the demons in the first book. Veeran reached for the second. He did not fare any better.

  The piles of books Thalia had left for him grew smaller as he tore through each, his heart sinking as he could only confirm what he had been told.

  The history of demons had really been erased.

  He was nowhere near closer to knowing what he wanted than when he had walked in. He looked at Thalia. Could he trust her?

  “Hey,” he said softly. She looked up, slightly annoyed at having been interrupted. “Do you know if there are any other history books here? Or are these only ones?”

  She gave him a quizzical look. “Some of the others have a more in-depth perspective on certain events, but those should have a general history. Though our library’s small compared to the one in Kurunji.”

  “Is there anywhere else I can learn more?”

  “Why? What else do you want to know?” Thalia asked sharply.

  Veeran reigned himself in. Looking up the history of demons was not something he wanted others to know.

  “Sorry, forget I asked,” said Veeran, a little too quickly.

  “Some history’s been erased,” said Thalia quietly. “All records were ordered to be wiped from the libraries and scrolls.”

  Veeran was quickly regretting asking. Thalia clearly knew what he wanted to look up.

  “That’s a mistake, if you ask me,” she said as Veeran felt a sudden slight ray of hope. “Generations that chose to ignore history have no past, which means no future.”

  Veeran could not quite place what she was trying to tell him. Whose side was she on?

  “Why was it erased?” he asked, trying to be casual.

  “After the demons were banned and everyone who survived returned, the king ordered the destruction of the history of demons. A great spell was needed to wipe out everything that was ever recorded about them. He was in such a rage, I heard, but no one argued.”

  “But he was so nice to me.”

  “Yes, that’s what we were all wondering too,” said Thalia. “Maybe he’s had a change of heart over the years.”

  Veeran could not help but think of how the king looked at him.

  “Thanks,” he said, turning his eyes away.

  “I know you want to know more, but just remember. The stories you are hearing are what history’s winners want you to hear.”

  Veeran closed the last book of his pile. What was he going to do now?

  CHAPTER 12

  ***

  “S hhhhh!”

  A stern-looking unicorn shushed them from nearby. Veeran glanced up in time to see Thalia return him a scathing look.

  “What are they reading about?” asked Veeran softly.

  “They’re training, actually,” said Thalia.

  “For what?”

  “The knowledge competition at the games. Only the best scholars enter.”

  “What are scholars?” asked Veeran.

  “It’s what we call our most learned warriors. Battles are not only won with iron and magic.”

  “Um, my mentor told me there were magic lessons at midday,” Veeran suddenly remembered.

  “I can take you there,” she said cheerfully, pointing behind him. “Just look at that sundial. It’s the same one on the outside of this building too.”

  Veeran followed Thalia’s finger to what looked like a clock looking down on them. The markings did not make any sense to him.

  “We have a concept similar to time as back in the human world,” explained Thalia. “Ilemuria awakens and sleeps at very similar moments as the days go on. Midday is when the shadows creep straight up. The land keeps us on track so we know when she wants to sleep again.”

  It was incredible how little Veeran knew. Barely moments later, Thalia pointed at the clock and said they could make their way to the class.

  “Just show me the way,” he said. “I don’t want to trouble you.”

  “No trouble,” she responded. “I need to swing by anyways.”

  Veeran left the books he had been skimming on the table and followed Thalia, trying to keep up with her confident walk. The high sun helped him see the forest at the end of the village all the way to the Yonder Gate they had arrived through.

  A small clearing nearby was their destination. Veeran quickly sat on one of the old wooden benches, seeing nothing else there that would remind him of a classroom. Two other young unicorns, female from what Veeran could tell, were already there. They hushed quickly when they saw the two new arrivals. A rather smug-looking unicorn arrived a few minutes later. Veeran could feel his contempt as he sat beside him, doing his best to ignore it.

  Thal
ia had not joined them on either of the benches, but rather stayed standing at the front of the class. She waited until the smug unicorn had been seated.

  “Welcome to your first class,” she began. “I am Thalia, the early energy and magic instructor.”

  She could have told me that, thought Veeran a little irritably.

  “Roshna has tasked me to teach the new creatures about Ilemuria and the ways we control the flow of energy through us and the land,” she continued. “It is both a great and dangerous tool, and I will show you how to control it.”

  “And when do we learn about the unicorn mirakum?” asked the smug unicorn, rather rudely.

  “That is for a later class, if you show enough aptitude, Puli,” said Thalia. “You will need to master the basics first. It takes some creatures several trips before they figure it out.”

  Puli looked like he wanted to push more but held back.

  “How does it all work?” asked one of the other students.

  “Through the land,” said Thalia. And with that, she lifted a small branch from the ground.

  “Listen to Ilemuria. Feel her as she flows through our bodies, even our very souls.” Thalia took a deep breath and smiled, almost humming to herself. Suddenly, the stick began to stretch and grow other branches. Leaves started to sprout, and even cherry blossoms.

  The class looked on, fascinated. Just as quickly as it had started, the branch grew smaller and the leaves and flowers fell to the ground before disintegrating.

  “The land gives energy to those she trusts and especially to those that give back. Never take more than you need.”

  “Why did it go back?” asked one of the students.

  “I only asked for enough magic and energy to show you a demonstration,” said Thalia. “For the branch to become a tree forever more, a lot more magic would be required. It would be better to plant it and let nature grow naturally. This is how we work with each other. It is important to know when to use it and when not to.

  “You see, the land, its energy, and creatures are an ever-recycling ecosystem. I may borrow energy now, but the land knows I will give back because I have done so before. I will tend to the small garden near my hut. I will help our farmers and our village agriculture. I will document the land’s history and make sure to only use what I need. The more I help, the more she trusts me.”