The Demon's Return

by Selva, SK

  Veeran could feel his insides churning. He had asked to know what had happened, and now he was getting it. But at what cost? “What happened after the banishment?”

  “Samara had come back distraught. She told me she could not take on being leader for much longer, so she asked if I could replace her. Balaraj was not happy. You see, he loved my sister, but he loved our village and tribe even more. He wanted to turn us into a warrior tribe. Samara did not want that.

  “She gave me specific instructions as well. Should a demon ever return, I was to make sure to keep him safe. Karnan was told this too. I will admit I was not receptive to this idea at first, but after what Balaraj forced my sister to do, I was willing to accept.

  “It did take him a long time to recover afterward, though, especially after the death of Sonia.”

  “It must have been hard,” said Thalia.

  “Yes,” said Roshna. “Thing is, I don’t think he ever truly recovered. He’s been dedicating himself to training unicorn warriors ever since and has been very good at it, but he’s never been able to win the battle games. He believes if he can win the battle games with his students, he can overthrow me as leader. He sees my sister in me. We were told we looked very alike.”

  She had composed herself elegantly as she finished her story. There was never a doubt about how much Roshna had gone through and the strength she had needed to rise to become the woman she was.

  “I’m sorry for what happened,” said Veeran. “I wish we never started that war.”

  “No,” said Roshna, “you did not start it. Veeran, your grandmother was a hero. They had not known what was happening either. They were terrified when Ravanan disappeared. They were even more frightened when the army found them hiding.”

  “But why did those other demons stay behind?” asked Thalia.

  “Something happened to those demons that stayed and fought,” explained Roshna. “No one believed Samara.”

  “I don’t understand then,” said Veeran. “If something happened to those demons, maybe they didn’t cause all those disasters.”

  “I don’t know,” said Roshna.

  A small beacon of hope, powerful and consuming, opened a rush of emotions. Was there a chance?

  “This is it,” he said. “If I can just get to Poombuhar, then maybe I can find whoever is sending me messages and figure out what happened. I can clear our name.”

  Just like Ammama wanted.

  “But you heard what Roshna said,” interjected Aaryav, who had been silent the whole story. “The gates and entrance were closed. We’d have to travel there through the land, but anyone who knows how won’t tell us. We’d need a map or a book, but those are all gone.”

  “Not all of them,” said Roshna.

  Everyone turned their heads so quickly, it was a wonder their necks didn’t snap.

  “Samara had Karnan protect one book in his chambers in Kurunji. He has the history, notes, and more importantly, a map.”

  “But if he has the map, why not go to Poombuhar and see if there are any clues as to what might have really happened?” asked Thalia.

  “Because, and I agree with him, he thinks we need a demon to open the entrance,” said Roshna.

  “So you need…me?” Veeran stumbled over his words, suddenly aware of everyone staring at him.

  “I have talked to Karnan about this,” said Roshna. “He thinks the land is in danger.”

  “All the more reason I need to go,” said Veeran, standing suddenly. “If he thinks the land is in danger and if a voice is calling out to me, maybe I can help.”

  “Karnan would not be able to leave for so long without being noticed,” said Roshna.

  “But I can,” said Aaryav, puffing out his chest with pride. “No one else could get him there faster.”

  Their excitement was contagious, feeding into each a flood of ideas and wonder. Though they were different creatures, Aaryav knew what this meant to all of Ilemuria.

  Their joy was short-lived as a sudden bright object fluttered away the curtains, landing on Roshna’s lap. It was still smoking as she picked it up.

  “Is that a dragon scale?” asked Thalia curiously.

  Roshna gripped at the scale with a quivering hand, her lips trembling, waiting for it to speak.

  “Sammelanam Karoti has been invoked by the centaurs. All clan leaders and their advisor are to meet at Tirakan at sunrise.”

  The shock around the room was louder than any boom as a second scale suddenly flew in and landed in Roshna’s hands.

  “For you personally, Roshna. Do not let the demon boy leave Marutam. His judgment awaits.”

  Both scales fell to the ground as the candles burned out, the moon unable to cast light on their fear.

  CHAPTER 19

  ***

  “D idn’t you say Sammelanam Karoti hasn’t been called since the demon tragedy?” asked Aaryav.

  “It hasn’t,” said Roshna, “until now.”

  “And Karnan called it?” asked Thalia.

  “It’s got to be about Veeran,” said Aaryav.

  “Not necessarily,” said Roshna, her already light skin growing even paler. “Karnan addressed some concerns with me a few days ago about the balance of the land.”

  Thalia was not sure she understood. “I haven’t felt anything different.”

  “Neither have I,” said Roshna.

  She rose to her feet, the dragon scales clanking to the floor, and pulled the tattered curtains aside. The village was still.

  “Did any of you know that the dragon balance scale is not the first in the land?” she asked.

  Thalia gasped. “I thought it was!”

  “No,” said Roshna. “The centaurs created the first one, centuries ago. They gifted the dragons the one in their castle but kept the original. Karnan has it.”

  “Does that really matter, though?” asked Aaryav.

  “It does. It has been dangerously tipping, the only one. He’s been attempting to figure out why ever since we returned.”

  The room became colder, despite the warm night, as Veeran gathered his thoughts.

  “But if the scales are dangerously tipping, it either means the land is running out of magic…”

  “Or she is not happy with us,” finished Roshna.

  She prayed this was the reason why Karnan had called the emergency meeting, but in her heart she knew it was not. Why else would the king have sent the second scale warning her about Veeran?

  “So what should we do?” asked Veeran.

  Roshna did not turn back from the window, basking in the few moments her village was still, at peace even. What she would give to just have a few moments of serenity.

  “I have my instructions from the king,” she said abruptly, “but now I am giving you each yours. Veeran, you are not to leave this home. Aaryav, you are to make sure of this and give Thalia regular reports.”

  “But how am I supposed to get the map and go to Poombuhar?”

  Veeran had been so daring not too long ago, even questioning his leader. His fingernails dug deep as he grabbed his knees, hoping to capitalize on his adrenaline.

  “You are not to do so yet,” said Roshna. “You will give me and Karnan time to sort everything out. Once we understand what is happening, we’ll see if we need to go. The king has given his orders. We cannot risk our entrance into the games.”

  “But Roshna,” argued Veeran, taking a step forward, “if the original scales are tipping, and I keep hearing this voice, then maybe there’s something in Poombuhar that I’m supposed to find. What if we need that to restore balance to the land? I don’t care what the king said!”

  “The king has spoken!”

  It was the first time she had raised her voice. Even Aaryav and Thalia had never seen her like this. Roshna had not led the unicorn tribe for many decades without her fair share of villagers disagreeing with her, Balaraj especially.

  Veeran immediately knew he had crossed a line. As quickly as his bravery had come, it left him,
seeping away into the very night. Shoulders dropping as he tried to hide his disappointment, he sat back in his chair.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to overstep my boundaries.”

  “I understand how difficult this might be for you,” Roshna said. “However, we need patience. My number one concern is everyone’s safety and our clan. After everything that happened tonight, I will need to be in the king’s good graces to ensure we stay in the games to fight for our council seat. I need to prepare for this meeting and am exhausted. Aaryav and Thalia, you have my instructions.”

  Her words were final as she left the hut, leaving not a trace of her being there other than the stunned faces of the few villagers she had entrusted the land’s most forbidden story.

  “Well,” said Aaryav, breaking the silence, “that was a lot to take in the last few hours.”

  Walking to a cupboard that looked like it hadn’t been open in ages, he produced a bottle unlike Veeran had ever seen. Like an expert, he broke off the cap and took a deep swig.

  “Anyone else?” he asked. They both declined.

  Veeran’s head was still ringing with Roshna’s final instructions to him as his grandmother’s own words began to fade away.

  “You’re not still thinking of getting that map, are you?” asked Thalia.

  Not anymore, thought Veeran.

  “Because you heard Roshna and the dragon scale. The king himself has given her instructions not to let you leave. You cannot get her in any more trouble, especially after everything she’s done for you.”

  She was right, and Veeran knew it. They had all risked everything to bring him here, and now they would be lucky even to still be in the games after what he had done. Veeran could not look Aaryav in the eye, knowing he might have cost their clan’s council seat and his first chance at his dream.

  He turned to the candles that had long gone out, taking his few moments of boldness with him.

  I’m sorry, Ammama.

  Thalia rose to her feet and made her way to the door, her strut eerily resembling Roshna’s.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, “but after what happened, we cannot afford to go against the king or the land.” She walked out with all the dignity in the world.

  The only sounds left were the final swishes from the bottle Aaryav held.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Veeran thought of everything Aaryav, Thalia, and Roshna had done for him, but he had still never felt more alone. He had almost killed another unicorn, found out his clan murdered Roshna’s sister, and now the king himself had ordered him not to go anywhere. Not that he wanted to anymore. He doubted he would ever leave the hut again.

  Of all the demons to come back, it had to be the most cowardly. I’m a failure, Ammama.

  CHAPTER 2 0

  ***

  R oshna had not slept. Struggling to get out of bed, she tried to make herself look presentable. Leaving her quarters and stepping into the still, calm village, it struck her as silly knowing she had been the last one home and the first one up after the night before. The empty skies teased her, and she yearned to spread her wings without a care in the world.

  To her surprise, Balaraj was waiting for her in the village, two of his students with him. He stepped in front of her, his pompous face boiling her blood.

  “Do you need anything from me, Balaraj?” she asked with forced politeness.

  “Sammelanam Karoti,” said Balaraj. “It’s for trusted advisors as well. I assume that means we’ll be going together.”

  “I was actually planning on going alone,” said Roshna, not wishing to deal with Balaraj and his drama at the moment, “but if you wish to attend, then I will not stop you.”

  She did not need to ask how he had found out.

  “I appreciate that,” said Balaraj.

  His surprisingly gentlemanly tone made Roshna keep her guard up. Something was up.

  “May I ask who is going to watch the demon boy while we are gone?” Balaraj glanced at Aaryav’s hut.

  “Aaryav will.”

  “No. I want my men on this, not him.”

  “Until last night,” said Roshna, “he was one of your top men.”

  “Not anymore,” said Balaraj. “Now that I know where his true colors lie, I would like to speak with him.”

  He really is trying to take over the village, thought Roshna. How much can I give in to him?

  “If you wish to speak to him about Veeran, then I will not allow it,” said Roshna.

  “That’s fine,” said Balaraj, to Roshna’s astonishment. “This is about him only. You can watch our conversation. I will not raise my voice.”

  She thought about it for a moment.

  “All right,” said Roshna, giving in, “but be sure to watch your place, Balaraj. I am still the leader.”

  “Yes, Roshna. Thank you,” he said, reaching up and knocking on the door to Aaryav's hut.

  *

  Aaryav did not know how long he slept at his kitchen table, but it hadn’t been for long. The first rays of sunshine hit his face forcefully, waking him from a restless slumber. His mind had not stopped racing. Disobeying Balaraj was not going to be forgotten so easily. Maybe if he went to one of the last battle classes tonight before the games and begged for forgiveness, he could keep training with them.

  But where would that leave Veeran?

  The other students had always teased him, but that had always been in good fun, wasn’t it? They would understand that Veeran had just lost control. He could ask them not to goad him, like they did at the market. Maybe they would see what they did wrong on their side. Veeran was just a scared creature, just like they all were when they first came. If he could convince them of that, then all could be forgotten. He could get his friends back.

  The door to Veeran’s room creaked open as the demon peeked his head out. He looked like he hadn’t slept either. Aaryav remembered what had happened in the marketplace and how Veeran had acted afterward.

  He’d a good kid, thought Aaryav. And I promised to have his back.

  “I know last night was a lot,” Veeran said, still half in his room. “You’ve done so much for me, Aaryav. I want that map bad, but more than anything I want to make sure that you, Roshna, and Thalia do not get in any trouble. I don’t need to stay here. If you want, you can go back to Balaraj, and you don’t have to be my mentor anymore. Maybe Roshna has some private chambers I can just wait in. Whatever’s best for you.”

  The words tortured him. Aaryav knew just how easy that would be for him. He would get back in with Balaraj and the other unicorns. He wouldn’t have all this responsibility. The weight would be lifted off his shoulders.

  But he couldn’t do it.

  “You did nothing wrong,” said Aaryav. “Roshna asked me to do this. I want to show her that I’m more than just another unicorn. Also, don’t think life would be very fulfilling if we always did what was easiest. Besides, I got your back, brother, remember?”

  A loud knock on the front door interrupted their conversation. Aaryav's bewildered face confirmed what Veeran was thinking. They weren’t expecting anyone.

  He pulled back on the door to see who his surprise visitors were. Veeran crept closer to listen in, keeping out of view.

  “Can you come outside for just a minute?” asked Roshna politely.

  Aaryav’s eyes caught Balaraj’s. They stared at him, colder than he had ever felt in the land. Maran and Jagan snickering not too far behind did nothing to calm his spiking nerves.

  “Look, Balaraj,” said Aaryav, “about last night, I’m sor—”

  “It doesn’t matter what you have to say right now, Aaryav,” said Balaraj.

  Aaryav could see the fury emanating from his teacher, but that did nothing to stop his confusion. I’m on your side, he thought.

  “I always thought you had great potential,” said Balaraj. “You were one of the swiftest warriors I had seen in decades, but your mind is not strong.”


  “I’m going to interject,” said Roshna, noticing Aaryav's crestfallen face, “but I have given Aaryav a great task, and he has performed admirably. He shoulders no blame for anything that has happened.”

  “Be that as it may,” said Balaraj, “he has shown where his true loyalties lie.”

  “How?” asked Aaryav. “I got Veeran away from everyone else last night, preventing any further issues. My loyalties have always been to the unicorn tribe and Marutam. I’ll always be grateful for you, Roshna, for bringing me here, and for you Balaraj, for training me all this time. But last night, by helping Veeran, I kept everyone else safe too.”

  “Disagree,” argued Balaraj. “You showed me where your loyalty lies should any danger come to our clan.”

  “In what way? I told you, I brought the danger away and settled him down!”

  “You should have left him to us,” said Balaraj.

  This is getting out of control, thought Roshna.

  “Balaraj,” she began, “I allowed you to talk to Aaryav only if we were not to discuss what happened last night. If you have nothing else to say, then this conversation will be over.”

  “Fair,” he said. “Aaryav, for your actions last night, I have no choice but to forbid you from my battle classes until the games.”

  It took the little strength Aaryav had left not to retort, his teeth clenched. If I keep quiet, maybe that’s it, he thought.

  “As well, we will need to do damage control after last night. We will have to convince the king to allow unicorns to stay in the Vlatta Potti. Shouldn’t be too hard after we explain what happened. However, once we confirm our entry, I will not be allowing you to represent us in the racing competition.”

  His knees buckling, Aaryav let out a cry of dismay.

  “You can’t do that to me!” he shouted, turning to Roshna.