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Cursed Pt. 3, Chapter 2

One last chapter to preview of the next book. Enjoy!

Fifth Day Warrior's Plateau Yobira

"Can you fight?" Gyakutenno circled Khadrim, ragged cape fluttering behind him. Internally every part of Khadrim was screaming in agony but all he was capable of actually doing was standing still and staring. This strange man was scarred, scarred beyond anything he'd ever seen in his life and Khadrim had witnessed his fair share of horrors. Closing his eyes, Khadrim turned away.

His first act of free will.

He had to think! Had to breathe. Khadrim had to somehow extinguish the rage that consumed his heart and mind. Dimitrius had said something astounding in the courtyard earlier. Khadrim would be in control of his facilities as long as he didn't defy his will. Yet why couldn't he do something as simple as move? Perhaps it was because every fiber of his being wished to strangle the life from Dimitrius.

Khadrim was smart, smarter than anyone he'd ever known! If anyone could find a loophole to the tangled laws of Yobira and its magic then it would be him! There had to be a way he could outwit the Lord of Yobira and escape this wasteland of devastation and wickedness. All around him the air was heavy, hot and tinted red by the sky. The ground beneath him was made of black cracked stone, stained with blood. Even beneath that he could see that there was a story to be told. There were pillars all along the edges and from what Khadrim could see they were somewhere very high.

From behind the pillars there were creatures watching, hiding in the shadows. Some were unspeakable and others could have passed for human. They all watched him with that same greedy, wicked glare. Shadows darted left and right, too quick and too faint to properly comprehend.

This was Yobira.

There was no mistaking that. Any doubts that may have still lingered in Khadrim's mind of the existence of other worlds had finally been satisfied. How desperately he wished to go back in time and apologize to Tenameru for being such an arrogant ass. In his mind's eye he could still see the blue haired elf smiling. It wasn't the kind sad smile he remembered upon their first meeting. Rather it was the blissful and carefree smile he'd caught just before Tenameru had passed from existence. What was the name he'd said before he took his last breath? Nina? What did that mean?

Thinking of Tenameru was calming.

The elf was finally free. Free to be with the wife and children he'd lost so long ago at the hand of the same villain. Maybe that was it. Maybe his wife had been named Nina. Khadrim would remember the name. He would never forget those who had been lost at the hand of Eierthian, the madman. Blinking his eyes open again he stared down at his now gloved hands.

Someone had changed his clothing. He'd been so consumed by rage that he hadn't cared at the time but now the thought sent chills straight down his spine. Those demonic hands touched, groped, dressed him in the black, red, and brown colors of the world around him. His costume was covered in belts and buckles. He felt oddly naked without a jacket. Glancing at the sky Khadrim saw it shifting menacingly. Something about this calmed him, brought him back to reality.

This was Yobira.

He was trapped in Yobira.

The only friend Khadrim had died in his arms not even a few hours ago.

Then he'd slaughtered a man beyond recognition in retaliation.

Maybe this was the fate he deserved after all.

The ache in his chest was hollow, the sorrow so incredibly debilitating he could barely keep upright. There was no time to dwell on the river of emotion suddenly passing through him. Not when he was suddenly lifted completely off of his feet. Turning in place he reached to stop the scarred man from grabbing him but much to his horror and panic there was no one there grabbing him. Khadrim was floating!

Gyakutenno approached him, his slicked back black hair glimmering red from the sunlight.

"You will speak when spoken to. Do you understand?" The man's voice was angry and commanding but something about his sunken yellow eyes struck Khadrim. In Dimitrius' eyes he'd seen cunning, malice, the distinct urge to do harm. Even the man named Cronos had radiated with wicked intent. Hell, even Eierthian's orange eyes had reflected nothing but the urge to do harm. This was not so with Gyakutenno. "I said do you understand?" Gyakutenno pointed toward the ground and allowed Khadrim's feet to rest against the stone.

With a strike like a cobra his hand grabbed Khadrim's throat and squeezed. "Yes or no." Instead Khadrim latched onto Gyakutenno's wrist, squeezed and then kicked him hard in the stomach. Gyakutenno stumbled but didn't fall and chuckled under his breath. Still, Khadrim saw nothing behind his eyes. They were yellow in a way that reminded him of the assassin who had shown him mercy and warned him of a greater enemy. For a brief moment he recalled her voice but what words she'd said, he couldn't remember. Had she suffered a terrible fate in her attempt to spare him? She had defied the Lord of Yobira to keep him safe.

"Don't touch me." Khadrim's mouth tasted stale, his voice sounded gruff and foreign. This was the first time he'd spoken even a single word since Dimitrius had cast that horrid spell on him in the theater. It was the flood that broke the dam imprisoning him. Where he hadn't been able to move or speak he suddenly could all at once! Gasping suddenly for breath he turned away from Gyakutenno and nearly collapsed as his knees trembled. "Oh, shit…" Breath short, bile burning in the back of his throat, he panicked and anxiety gripped tightly at his lungs. He was in Yobira! How was he going to get out? Was it even possible?

"There's more resistance in you than I expected." Gyakutenno paced in front of Khadrim and with a graceful wave of his right hand flames burst to life over each of his fingers. Khadrim blinked in confusion, trying to catch his breath. As the mage snapped his fingers the fire disappeared and left behind thin strips of paper, each covered in intricate lettering Khadrim didn't recognize. "Stand up." Khadrim hadn't realized he'd been hunched over trying to catch his breath until his spine was rebelling and forcing him upright. His eyes flickered over the formidable man standing in front of him and then all around him.

This was magic.

How was he supposed to combat magic? Khadrim had done so a very small handful of times in his life but never to such an extent! Look at how poorly he'd fared against Dimitrius! "I'm going to ask you one more time before I find out the hard way."

"Yes, I can fight." Khadrim nodded and answered at last. For a moment he thought he saw a flicker of satisfaction on Gyakutenno's face but his eyes reflected nothing. Still he struggled to breathe. His chest was on fire, it was very distracting.

"The way mortals fight, I presume?" Gyakutenno scoffed and above his fingers the papers shuffled. Khadrim felt his stomach turn. Suddenly the air grew thicker and he felt like the space around him was shrinking even though he knew better. "Have you ever actually fought anyone worth fighting before?"

"I…" Khadrim wasn't sure how to answer that question and he was going to say just that but suddenly his tongue felt too big for his mouth. This time Gyakutenno did smile. With his left hand the scarred man touched the tips of three of his fingers against the papers and they stuck to him as though part of him. It wasn't just anxiety hindering Khadrim.

"My Lord says that you are going to be a great warrior, perhaps even greater than I am. But you are mortal. You are much easier to kill than I am." Gyakutenno looked him over. "I see no magic inside of you. But there is something… I can't put my finger on it."

"What are you?" Khadrim managed to find his voice though it was strangled and terrified.

"What are you?" Gyakutenno tilted his head knowingly and then with a flick of his hand the papers were gone and so was Gyakutenno. Khadrim turned in place and readied himself for a strike but he wasn't quite sure what he was preparing for. Magic was something he had very little experience with until the past week! On top of that Khadrim was sore! He'd been in fight after fight this last week and his muscles were aching in objection to his every move. How many times was he going to get his ass kicked over and over before his body completely gave out?

"Gotta focus." Khadrim wiped at his eyes as he took slow steps backwards though he wasn't sure how he would focus when he could barely control his body nonetheless breathe. If he was going to fight someone equipped with powerful magic he would need a better vantage point. They were in some sort of an arena it appeared. Khadrim didn't want to be near the pillars on either side that hid the creatures watching him like it was some sort of sport.

This struck Khadrim. Gyakutenno was right. Perhaps he hadn't been taunting him after all and had instead been warning him. Yobira was full of creatures way more formidable than anyone he had encountered in Eurchiro. If he stepped outside of this arena, this plateau, without more training he wouldn't stand a chance. These creatures were more powerful than anything he could have dreamt up. Sure, he'd fought Agarwaen but he had only won because she had given up. Even then the only magic he'd seen her use had been the jewel on the back of her hand and he'd broken it! Yobira was on a completely different level than anything he'd thus far witnessed.

As he slowly crept backwards he bumped into something very solid and turned in a panic. There was nothing there. Surely there had to be something. Gently reaching, sure enough his fingers touched an invisible wall barring him from moving any further and yet he still saw nothing. Risking any pain that would follow, Khadrim clenched his fist and punched hard at the invisible wall with a shout. The air rippled in front of him and with a shattering sound one of the three pieces of paper Gyakutenno had held appeared in front of him and the wall broke.

For a brief moment the paper floated in mid air then the edges hissed and crumbled to ash before the rest burst into flame. Black glyphs of ink appeared around the ashen paper, spreading in giant waves and then formed a wall of fire. Khadrim backed away from the warmth of the flames and then shook out his hand as he felt a sudden burning in his fingertips! His glove had been on fire and his skin bubbled painfully even after he patted it out frantically.

There was a sound behind him and instinctively Khadrim ducked and just in time. Something struck hard at the air above him. Gyakutenno stood before him and kneed Khadrim hard in the face with a thud. Khadrim stumbled backwards but kept from falling into the wall of flame. His nose bled freely, dripping down his face and into his mouth, the cartilage completely shattered. Wincing, Khadrim punched the air in frustration and shouted in pain before narrowly stumbling out of the way when Gyakutenno came at him again.

The scarred man disappeared in a burst of flame and smoke and then reappeared with the same trick of magic. Before Khadrim could turn his feet were swept from beneath him and he fell onto his back with a thud! He rolled from one side to dodge a punch and then to the other to keep from being kicked in the ribs. Gyakutenno stood over him and Khadrim kicked him hard! Leaping to his feet, Khadrim stumbled and nearly lost his balance.

Gyakutenno stood waiting for him to strike but Khadrim did not seize opportunity. His face was burning with pain! He had no idea how he was supposed to fight this monster or anything else in Yobira! He barely knew how to stay standing! Between the pain in his face, his burnt hand and terrible fog in his mind, touching and prying, ordering him what to think and feel, Khadrim didn't think it was possible to focus enough to fight back! Something deep within was telling him to fight but how was he supposed to decipher which thoughts were his own and which were planted by Dimitrius? Maybe that was the point.

Gyakutenno disappeared in a puff of smoke and fire and then suddenly dropped from the sky and smashed right into Khadrim feet first. Khadrim fell to the ground but managed to at least stay on his knees. Blood dripped over his face, his nose was throbbing and crooked.

"Enough!" Khadrim shouted in anger as Gyakutenno disappeared. He swore for a moment he could see a flicker of hidden movement around him and so he turned and blocked before Gyakutenno could strike at him again. Laughter echoed through the arena. "Stop laughing!" Khadrim felt that familiar rage bubble inside of his chest. It hurt, ached, drove him mad. Before he knew what he was doing he was swinging at the scarred man who blocked him with ease.

Khadrim leapt aside and dodged another swift punch but Gyakutenno's fist grazed still at his arm. Those stupid papers were still stuck to Gyakutenno's fingers! Every strike that met its target burned away at his flesh, his clothing, bubbled at his skin! The pain was overwhelming, blinding! He could barely stay standing! How much longer would he manage to keep conscious with his skin literally boiling?

It was those papers. He had to do something about them. Khadrim ducked low but was kicked onto his back where he slowly got to his feet and was kicked instead to the side. At least it didn't burn when he was kicked. Gyakutenno appeared behind him with a flash and barely rested every one of his fingertips against his back. Khadrim screamed in agony as the fire spread over his body. Desperately he rolled onto the ground to extinguish the burning and the pain.

Then he rolled onto his stomach as Gyakutenno grabbed his ankle and dragged him. The fire burned at his leg. Khadrim kicked hard to get away. Gyakutenno let go, disappeared again and Khadrim jumped to his feet though he immediately limped on his right leg. Tingling in his nerves radiated all the way up his thigh, making it twitch.

Finally as Gyakutenno appeared in a flash of fire and made to strike once more Khadrim grabbed his wrist, kicked the mage hard and then twisted him around and tore the papers from his fingers.

There was a brilliant burst of light and a crack in the air that sent such force at Khadrim that he flew head over feet and slammed face up on the stone with a thud! Looking at the papers he felt them fade to ash in his palm. On his back, Khadrim lay and closed one eye that was now stinging from the blood that dripped from his very broken nose. Mouth open he gasped for breath.

Footsteps approached and soon Gyakutenno was staring down at him.

"Smarter than I expected." He offered a hand to Khadrim who ignored it. "Faster too. Who taught you to fight?" He shook his hand in front of Khadrim again to indicate he should grab it. "You are going to have to start listening to me or I will make this very painful for you."

Reluctantly Khadrim grabbed Gyakutenno's outstretched hand and got to his feet. Then he leaned over and nursed his throbbing broken nose.

"Ugh, can't breathe." He grunted and felt around for the misplaced cartilage. His stomach lurched upon realizing just how out of place it actually was.

"I have been fighting since before I have memories." Gyakutenno grabbed Khadrim by his hair and forced him to tilt his head back. "Stop panicking, you're making it worse." With a wave of Gyakutenno's hand there was a horrid snap and the break in Khadrim's nose repaired itself in a flashing of blinding pain.

"Son of a…" Khadrim stumbled backwards and swung again at the air in frustration. "Warn me or something, shit!"

"I have fought for every breath I have taken." Gyakutenno approached Khadrim cautiously. "Fire burns through my veins. The very lords of this place trained me. So who trained you?"

"Did you just magic my nose back into place? Ugh…" Khadrim held his hand over his nose, the pressure behind his sinuses made it feel like someone was inflating a balloon between his skull and his skin.

"You're acting like a child. You've felt worse." Gyakutenno's eyes flashed dangerously. "I know you have."

"I can't focus! This place… it's this damned place!" Khadrim shouted in frustration and then gripped at his head. He swore he could see Dimitrius in his mind's eye watching but knew that wasn't possible. Was it?

"Calm yourself." Gyakutenno tilted his head to the side again curiously. "You are in Yobira. I'm sure that it must seem strange after being in Eurchiro for so long but if you do not adjust then you will die. Your soul will be trapped here and you will have no chance of leaving ever again."

"Yeah, because I have a choice right now."

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong." Gyakutenno spoke knowingly. "It's not the choice you may hope for but it is a choice nonetheless. You can continue to be this whiny child you've become, this weakling paralyzed by fear or you can fight."

Khadrim silenced and turned the words over in his mind. He knew he had to fight, he really did. But in reality all Khadrim wanted to do was curl up and mourn the loss of his friend, mourn the loss of any chance at a normal life. Every part of Khadrim wanted to retreat inside himself and give into the overwhelming sorrow that hung on him like a noose. How was he supposed to fight for a life he wasn't sure he wanted? Khadrim had always been proud of the way he handled the chaos in his everyday life but now he suddenly felt as helpless as those he watched and envied day in and day out in Gii.

"When I was a kid I was attacked by a monster." Khadrim took a deep breath and swallowed the fading pain in his face. He had to suck up his inner objections. If he had to fight to get out of Yobira then he was going to fight. Gyakutenno didn't seem a likely ally of any kind, but he didn't feel much like a villain either. There was something so indifferent about him that Khadrim kept tossing between wanting to ask him for help against Dimitrius and wanting to kill him. It wasn't that Gyakutenno was wicked. He was most definitely fearsome, it was that he simply did not care. Gyakutenno felt no pity for him and neither did the creatures that hid behind the pillars to catch a glimpse of Gyakutenno's training session.

Unlike Gyakutenno the creatures observing were curious. They enjoyed watching his pain. So what if he used that to his aid? If he could gain the favor of the creatures living in Yobira then he would consider it a step in the right direction. Surely there were those in Yobira who had information on how to resist the spell that hung over him and how to get back to Eurchiro. Khadrim knew there was no safety in Eurchiro but he wasn't sure there would ever be safety again no matter his location. He could barely stay upright, how could he possibly consider escape?

If Gyakutenno was going to teach him how to combat supernatural forces then maybe he could hone his edge. Maybe in the long run this training would backfire against Dimitrius.

"And so you learned to fight to prepare for the next monster?"

"No. I murdered an entire town of people." Khadrim spoke flatly and Gyakutenno seemed surprised with just a hint of amusement. "I had nowhere left to go so I ran. In the mountains there were priests who took me in when I was starving. I asked them to teach me to protect myself. I was only a kid. I'd never even fought a fly before." Khadrim returned to his full height and stretched his fingers, still burnt and pained from ending Gyakutenno's spell. "They taught me to fight."

"Priests?" Gyakutenno spat, his lip curling in disgust.

"Very devout. There are these temples all around Eurchiro where high priests dedicate their lives to preserving artifacts supposedly left behind by the Bomowé. They were very strong. Protectors of history or something." Khadrim nodded and pinched his nose. "They pitied me until they discovered the monster within me. Then they died too. From there I learned bits and pieces wherever I went. I'm obviously not practiced. It's not like many people screwed with me until about a week ago." Khadrim spat in irritation.

"Are you familiar with magic?" Gyakutenno flicked his fingers again and showed Khadrim the flames that appeared at his will and the papers that danced on top of them before disappearing into ash.

"Yes." Khadrim spoke hesitantly. He'd never considered the odd skill he possessed magic, not until that moment.

"Show me."

"I…" Khadrim looked at his hands and then back at Gyakutenno.

"I said show me." Gyakutenno's expression grew dark. He did not care about who Khadrim was or where he had come from. Most certainly the mage did not care about what he'd been through. Any words he spoke were designed to manipulate, to make Khadrim comfortable enough to do what was required. There were no niceties in Yobira for Khadrim and most certainly none from Gyakutenno.

"I can't." Khadrim released the grip of his clenched fists and sighed.

"It was not a request. Show me." Gyakutenno took a threatening step toward Khadrim who backed up nervously.

"It doesn't work like that! I don't do it on purpose!" Khadrim didn't want to share why he usually used his magic even though it seemed like Gyakutenno would attack him regardless of what he said. The last thing Khadrim needed was for Gyakutenno to have another reason to instill fear.

Grabbing Khadrim resolutely by the shoulder, Gyakutenno stared down at the boy, only an inch or so taller than him. When Khadrim did nothing but stare Gyakutenno thrust his fist hard into Khadrim's gut. Then he back handed Khadrim so hard that he felt his jaw snap and dislocate. Flopping onto the ground, Khadrim rolled onto his back and made to get up but the pain in his face made him dizzy. The red sky spun menacingly overhead.

"Show me." Gyakutenno took a step closer, barely giving him another glance. The mage reached for the clasps on the armor that covered his shoulders and with a click unlocked them and pulled them free. Tattered cape and armor clattered to the ground. The silver, gold, and red mail hidden beneath glistened in the fading light of Yobira. Khadrim slid backwards on his hands, moving as much as he could but as he tried to object his jaw wouldn't allow him. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. He swore that his entire face was throbbing with pain. Closing his eyes tight he tried to will it away, to force some kind of cognitive rationale but nothing was working. As he opened his eyes they changed, redder, glowing. His heart was practically exploding in his ears, drowning out the menacing sound of Gyakutenno's armored boots as they drew nearer.

Khadrim felt a horrible crack in his ribs as Gyakutenno's boot made contact. The wind knocked right out of him as he rolled onto his stomach and made a feeble attempt to get back up. The air grew thick, became more difficult to breathe and his face contorted uncomfortably. With a horrible howl of pain and a terrible snap, he opened his mouth. His teeth were suddenly too big to fit, the already shattered bone shifted and a deep scream of agony faded into a monstrous roar. He was going to become that thing. Gyakutenno would regret treating him so harshly.

Maybe the monster buried within him could help him escape Yobira.

"That's better." Gyakutenno reached for a fistful of Khadrim's white hair and lifted him off of the ground. Gritting his now fanged teeth, Khadrim's vision was blurred and could focus only on little details. Even Gyakutenno's gums were scarred. It was fascinating.

"Let go!" Khadrim's shouted but the words were slurred, even in the deep growl his voice had become.

Gyakutenno's laughter echoed throughout the arena and for a brief moment the air fell completely still. Then his smile faded and with great force he smashed Khadrim's face so hard against the ground that his nose immediately snapped out of place and his cheek bone shattered! Gyakutenno rubbed Khadrim's face in the blood that pooled beneath him and he gurgled and choked as it flooded through his sinuses.

Shadows gathered around Khadrim as he desperately grasped at the stone, trying to push up and away from the pool of his blood. The shadows swallowed parts of him, the air around him pulsed with dark energy. His hands shifted and changed but the sword that would come to aid him in times of crisis didn't appear. Instead his entire hand changed, his nails hard as steel, his fingers elongating into menacing claws.

Gyakutenno didn't release the grip on his hair but watched as the boy suffered and struggled, as shadows whispered around him words neither could decipher. Arching his back, Khadrim felt his bones ache and stretch, his muscles split. With a shout Gyakutenno smashed his face once again into the ground, hearing the terrible crack in his skull. Then he stood and placed his armored foot on the back of his head and held him in place. Khadrim clawed at the ground desperately, stone splitting beneath him but still he was too weak.

"Do it!" Gyakutenno ordered and then swiftly kicked Khadrim again in the ribs. When all he did was cough he kicked again and again! The toes of his armored boots broke flesh and pierced his lung. Blood poured onto the ground beneath Khadrim. Shadows that had once begun to consume Khadrim, to aid him, subsided and disappeared in a hiss as darkness enveloped Khadrim, just around the edges of his vision. The pain was so miserable, too much for him to handle. He could barely think.

With a disappointed sigh Gyakutenno kicked him onto his back and towered over him. The boy twitched and his features returned to normal though horribly maimed and destroyed. Reaching downward he grabbed Khadrim's jaw hard and popped it back into place. Khadrim screamed in misery and writhed on the ground beneath him. His cries echoed through the whole of Yobira. The blood loss was debilitating, his vision was blurred, his hearing muted, his stomach churned.

Gyakutenno held up two of his fingers on his left hand and the papers again appeared in a puff of smoke. Khadrim swore that even in his blurry vision the lettering on the paper changed before his eyes.

Gyakutenno placed one of the papers against Khadrim's chest and there was a hum in the air that shook Khadrim all the way through. The pain lessened and began to fade and then was gone completely. His vision cleared and he felt his bones repair and mend. Khadrim stared at Gyakutenno as he caught his breath. Carefully Khadrim groped at his side in search of the wound that had ruined his lungs but there was nothing there. The paper against his chest disappeared and Khadrim swore that this time he saw its master catch it. It was so quick an action that Khadrim couldn't be sure and his head was still spinning.

Earlier he'd thought that the paper had disintegrated but perhaps it had never truly been destroyed and the magic returned to whom it belonged to.

"Now…" Gyakutenno spoke and watched as Khadrim sat up and felt over his side in search of the wound. "Again." Gyakutenno punched Khadrim so hard in the chest that the wind was knocked right out of him. Then barely pulling back Gyakutenno jabbed him in the chest again and again until Khadrim was coughing and gagging so much that he had to fight off the darkness that threatened to send him into unconsciousness. Shadows didn't bother to come to his aid this time. Khadrim had spent so many years resisting turning into the monster that he'd hidden inside that maybe he couldn't change anymore. Gyakutenno beat Khadrim in the chest, then picked him up and threw him so he slid face first against the stone.

Just as Khadrim was sure he would pass out, die, Gyakutenno would kick him onto his back and heal him with that paper again. This process repeated, over and over with as little progress as the last. Every so often something would shift inside of Khadrim or in a fit of rage the shadow would consume him and then leave him as weak as he'd begun. There was no change and Khadrim was terrified by this. But why was he terrified? Wasn't this what he had always hoped for? The shadows could help him escape, help him leave Yobira. But what if he couldn't regain control?

Conflict swept through Khadrim's mind and yet when he closed his eyes all he saw was the face of the man he'd bloodied to a pulp out of vengeance. Eierthian. Was this what he deserved for taking the life of another?

As the light of the red sky faded into near blackness Gyakutenno waved his hand and the torches at the end of each pillar came to life at his will. Khadrim lay on his back, bloodied with his face contorted in rage and anger. He'd been nowhere near becoming that creature again. No matter how hard he'd struggled it was impossible. Eyes wide he stared at the sky above. There were no stars. He could feel Dimitrius' grip on his heart and mind fading at long last. He was almost himself. Maybe he could escape if he could even walk anymore by the time the morning had come. Would anyone come looking for him? Would Seth? Would Aykra?

No.

No one would come for him.

There was no one that could save Khadrim.

He could only save himself. He had to fight.

Gyakutenno slowly walked to where Khadrim lay beaten, trembling, terrified.

"I expected more from you." Gyakutenno crouched by his side and placed his hand over Khadrim's face. Khadrim stared at his palm, only inches in front of his vision and waited for the next blow, the next unspeakable horror that would surely come. With a whisper, Gyakutenno's yellow eyes glazed over and turned white. Something dark and horrid spread from his fingertips, like smoke. It invaded Khadrim's senses, creeping up his nose, into his eyes, ears, throat. Tendrils of darkness spread through his body, washed over his brain. The pain was searing and Khadrim nearly vomited as it shook him deep inside. Then there was nothing and the fog that had enveloped Khadrim when Dimitrius had taken him prisoner was renewed.

Whatever spell Dimitrius had used to subdue him had been wearing thin and Gyakutenno had done something to renew it, imprisoning Khadrim within the nightmare that was his mind. He wanted to scream, to fight back, he wanted to get up and kill Gyakutenno but he could do nothing but twitch on the ground in agony. Every move he made was pained, even breathing was a chore. Each time he opened his mouth to say something, even to beg for mercy, was ceased by the spell consuming his mind.

His body was no longer his own and it wouldn't be until he could find a way to combat the hold this magic had on him. Gyakutenno shook his head in disappointment and wiped the blood from his gloves. Khadrim expected him to reach down, to heal the bruises and bleeding from his latest assault but Gyakutenno merely looked him over.

"Tomorrow is a new day."

Khadrim blinked in surprise as Gyakutenno turned and walked away. He couldn't even turn his head to follow the sound and see if he actually left. Closing his eyes, Khadrim waited for the sound of boots to return, the sound of anything, but nothing came. The pain was overwhelming, he had at least a broken rib and a broken wrist, but he couldn't lift his hands to tend to his wounds.

Slowly opening his eyes he managed to lop his head to the side and stared toward the pillars at the edge of the arena where the shadows had watched him. Now there was nothing but darkness. Then a small flitter of movement followed by the opening of yellow and red eyes, creatures still watching him from afar. The torches Gyakutenno had lit were extinguished and darkness crept over the arena.

Then came the whispers.

People pleading for freedom and others taunting him for his failures.

Khadrim coughed and blood pooled in his throat, metallic tasting and terrible. Struggling, his fingers moved and he grasped the ground and made a feeble attempt to lift his body from the stone but the magic was too strong. He fell back to the ground and surrendered to the helplessness he'd become prey to.

Tomorrow would be a new day but it wouldn't be a good one.

You can purchase Cursed Pt. 1 on Kindle and Nook and Cursed, Pt. 2 on Kindle and Nook

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cursednovel · 7 years

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Cursed Pt 3, Chapter 1

A sneak preview of the next book!

Fifth Day Yobira

Rain hammered relentlessly against the roof of the theater as Dimitrius led his puppet in victory through its halls. An army of armored ghouls followed close behind, their unearthly groans beat in time with the rain. Khadrim's ears rang and while he internally struggled to regain his will his strength waned with every failed movement. Every forced step forward against Khadrim's will made every nerve inside his body scream in objection. There was nothing he could do, no matter how he tried. Down the hall, descending the stairs, the walls of the theater changed. Wallpaper aged and cracked, burnt and worn. Lights flickered out, some exploded at the far end of the hall. The thick stench of rot turned Khadrim's stomach but he couldn't even gag. Reaching the front doors of the theater, Dimitrius stopped. So did the procession of ghouls.

For a brief few moments there was silence, complete silence. Then there was an ear splitting crack that made Khadrim's head hurt so terribly he swore his ears had begun to bleed. Not that he could check even if they were. The dripping sensation was distracting and yet also strangely numbed. Pain shot through the back of his neck and spread across his skull. Nothing Khadrim did registered properly and every movement was a blur. When the doors swung open before them the sky was red and the air was heavy. The rain had ceased to be, everything he'd once known had disappeared. Not a single kweira could be seen.

This was not Eurchiro.

Khadrim's feet dragged beneath him and he stumbled on the dark, unfamiliar stone beneath him. All around the sights were unfamiliar, even the air smelled wrong. But he couldn't pinpoint anything, he could barely think. Every time he found focus the laughter of something horrible manipulated him and the world swirled before him again.

Khadrim had half expected to be condemned to a prison cell but what followed was far more terrible a fate. The illusion Dimitrius had created was gone. There was no theater, no town, no Central City. Everything Khadrim knew faded and was replaced with a wicked and unfamiliar place. Dimitrius led Khadrim down the cold stone road that stretched in front of him for what felt like eternity.

Even the buildings in the distance were wicked and bent, filled with shadows. What came out of them was beyond Khadrim's imagination. Twisted, shadowy creatures dripping with filth and rot crawled forth. They doubled and tripled in front of his eyes then melded back into one. He couldn't focus! There was no way to tell what was real and what was a trick of his mind! As Dimitrius walked he changed. Glittering red and gold armor Khadrim had spied in their earlier meeting materialized on his shoulders and a dark and wicked crown appeared upon his head. The Lord of Yobira's cape fluttered behind him, leaving wisps of shadow in the air as he walked.

Khadrim was dragged through the streets of this horrid place, boots scraping against stone. Scrape, scrape, the sound was magnified and torturous. His feet betrayed him with every movement. Creatures of every shape and size came to witness his arrival. They were cheering; at least he thought they were cheering. The sounds they made were terrible hoots and hollers. If Khadrim could have covered his ears, he would have.

Each move made was no longer his own. He'd become a marionette controlled by the will of the Deceiver. Dimitrius said very little but he didn't need to. Creatures hissed and sang his praise, proclaiming his greatness to all those who may have doubted. Celebrations were arranged, great parties to be thrown in their Lord's honor. These creatures of darkness had no idea what purpose Khadrim would serve but were practically making a holiday to commemorate that he'd been taken hostage from the mortal realm.

The first place Dimitrius led him, followed by a host of demons and monstrosities, was through a barren wasteland. Scenery was dizzying but Khadrim could do nothing to avoid it. The Lord of Yobira stopped along the stone road to a chorus of cheers. With a dramatic turn from the crowd he threw his hands on either side of him. Khadrim's body was forced to do the same. Any strength he felt within him drained as Dimitrius whispered words he did not recognize beneath his breath.

The black sands melted away on either side of the road and from within rose the brick walls of a massive building. The walls were barred and the stone oddly bloody, like a gaping wound. Agarwaen narrowed her eyes beneath the bright light of the red sky and ignored the shifting of the cells next to her. Every so often they did that. The cells moved and changed and showed her glimpses of luxuries she would never again enjoy.

This was not the same torment she'd grown accustomed to. No, this was very different. Agarwaen had seen this part of Yobira before in her travels but there was something far more sinister before her. The parade of souls, ornately dressed in gowns and armor, dripping in darkness and rot behind their king. With a wave of Dimitrius' gloved hand Khadrim was commanded forward.

Agarwaen stepped closer to the edge of the cell careful not to get too close for she knew that within the bars there was strong magic that would cause her harm. This was the boy who she had chosen not to harm, not to take captive.

"Khadrim?" She gasped and then risked any pain she may suffer and ran to the end of the cell. When she grasped the bars the unfamiliar feeling of vertigo overwhelmed her and the visage of the world in front of her dissipated as the entire cell rotated and shifted so that she could no longer see the road. Risking further harm she ran to the far side to take a closer look even as the world spun all around her. She saw a smirk play over Dimitrius' lips and knew it was meant to taunt her.

This time she was permitted to grasp the bars, to firmly touch the metal that she wasn't even sure had been there given how many attempts she had made at escape. Dimitrius wanted her to see him, to know that her refusal had meant nothing. Reaching through the bars she felt the warm air of Yobira that differed so greatly from the overly humid misery of her prison cell.

"No…" Despair hung in the elf warrior's chest and even as she spoke she could hear the words were magnified to a far louder degree than what she spoke. Khadrim dragged his feet behind Dimitrius to a chorus of demons and ghouls singing their lord's praise. "Khadrim! Khadrim run! Whatever deal he's offered you isn't worth it! Don't believe anything he says! All he ever does is lie! It's all a lie! Khadrim! Run!" She warned though Khadrim didn't turn to acknowledge her though her words echoed through Yobira's sky with such clarity she was sure the whole of Yobira could hear her pleading.

Several ghouls laughed, their chanting now louder, some mocking her cries of despair. There was nothing Agarwaen could do.

Dimitrius led Khadrim down the path and away from the prison. The man in the cell next to Agarwaen's had grown quiet hours ago but much to her surprise he had now gotten to his feet, run to the bars of his cell and was reaching beyond them, just as she was. However his words were not magnified and far different than her own. He was calling to the boy though he did not know his name.

Agarwaen stepped back to watch the prisoner foaming at the mouth as he howled through the bars. His words were so manic and slurred she could make out only very few of them but she distinctly thought he was calling for help. He pulled at the bars and the entire prison trembled beneath his strength. So desperate this prisoner was that his nails scraped against the metal of the bars and bent back painfully. Khadrim's capture was most definitely not an illusion

These cells had a way with illusions but whatever had caused them to witness this scene in Yobira was a machination purposely driven by Dimitrius' hand. He had manipulated the cells of the prison, had invited them to whatever horrible celebration he was having. Khadrim wasn't there by choice, Agarwaen could feel it in her gut.

He wasn't himself, it was as though someone else was behind him, moving him like a horrid puppet. Dimitrius wanted Agarwaen to see his prize, to see that he won and that her struggle had been pointless.

"Father! Father!" The prisoner yelped, slamming his fists against the bars before grabbing onto the metal and making mad attempts to fit through the small space between them. Something about the display had driven this man back into madness. His eyes flashed unnaturally and drool dripped past his lips as he growled. His nails bent backwards on the bars in front of him but he felt no pain. "Bring him to me! To me! That boy! He is the answer! The answer! The answer! To the unanswered questions he is the answer!" His breathing calmed at long last and he grinned in a way that bore every one of his damned teeth. Drool dripped down his chin and splattered as he shook his head and growled. "The solution! And the cause…"

Then Malcolm howled in agony as a great shock went through the bars of the cell and his grip tightened upon them as his body convulsed. The smell of burnt flesh filled the cell and as he let go he was shot backwards onto the stone.

"Khadrim." Agarwaen turned her gaze from the madman and back toward the white haired boy who was seemingly unaware of all transpiring around him. "What have you done to him?" She swore that Dimitrius again smiled at her but ignored her outcries and did not turn toward her. "What could you want with him, you monster? He's just a boy!" She knew that there would never be an answer.

Dimitrius wanted her to wonder. He didn't want her to know anything except that her resistance had been completely pointless. The ground shifted at his will as did the entire prison so that this top floor would remain in view of the rest of Yobira. Each cell shook as if fixed into place. Agarwaen would be allowed to witness his plans as they unfolded and be completely powerless to stop them. For eternity she would know that she had failed to put an end to this boy's suffering.

That, in itself, was the worst torture Dimitrius could provide her with.

Khadrim could hear her.

He could hear her but he couldn't understand her. Khadrim couldn't even recall why her voice was familiar. It was on the reaches of his mind, like a faint memory from his youth. He wanted to recall it but he couldn't. The voices were coming from seemingly everywhere and even if he had wanted to find them he couldn't. He was lost. Completely fallen victim to the will of Dimitrius.

Dimitrius was hailed as the conquering hero returning from a quest long in the making. He made his way through forests, deserts, villages, away from the prison. Every creature within Yobira came to show their support. Once at his tower and within his courtyard Dimitrius sat upon his throne with a graceful turn.

Against his will Khadrim sat next to the throne on the floor like a trained animal. His eyes had grown dark and hollow, no longer the reddish brown they once had been. Instead they were empty and gray. While he could see and hear all that transpired he could no longer rebel the way that he so desperately wished to. His mind was at war with whatever Dimitrius had done to him in the theater.

"Demiro, summon my most faithful servants." Dimitrius waved his hand as the demon with the small horns practically galloped toward him on all fours. Demiro bowed and his long dark hair fell gracelessly in front of his face before he galloped away. Moments later Demiro returned with three formidable men trailing along behind him. Gyakutenno, Cronos, and the third fate and last son of Dimitrius. Each had been asked to dress their very best for the occasion and had done as commanded.

"What is it you require of us, my lord?" Gyakutenno spoke with a bowed head when the brothers didn't. The usually war torn clothing he wore had been replaced by glittering armor and a fearsome horned helmet. Cronos didn't say a word next to Gyakutenno, he knew it best not to ask questions. The cloak he wore spread long behind him on the floor, bearing the familiar symbols of Yobira on them, his hood covered most of his face. The familiar black blindfold he wore had been replaced with black tape.

The third brother stared at the white haired boy seated next to his father in alarm. Jeremiah knew his face. Dimitrius' most rebellious son had donned a formal jacket, he was not much for formalities, but had done the bare minimum to be in his father's presence. It was best not to invite Dimitrius' wrath for no reason.

"I'd like you all to meet Khadrim." Dimitrius gestured to his right. Each eye turned to the boy who did not acknowledge them. "He needs training. Thinks he's a skilled warrior but it's pathetic what these mortals pass for warriors. I am open to suggestions."

"Doesn't seem worth the energy." Cronos spat in disgust. He couldn't see the boy but the energy around him was weak, muted, completely overwhelmed by Dimitrius' immense power. Cronos didn't need to see him to know exactly what he was. True, the boy had much in common with his father but it didn't mean he had any skills worth honing. They didn't need another anchor weighing them down in Yobira.

"You are wrong, Cronos. He requires guidance and I assure you he is more than worth the effort. His mind is… a little fractured right now. I may have broken it." Dimitrius chuckled with a menacing grin.

"Is he still in there at all?" Jeremiah's deep but gentle voice broke the silence that followed. He was far more soft spoken, more polite than the brothers. Of all three he perhaps looked the least like his father. That was by design. His hair was dark brown, short, messy.

"Yes of course. A few rules had to be broken to get him here. Did away with that pesky free will. He can still control his faculties and he can hear us just fine but anything that goes against my bidding will be completely suppressed. Right now he's quite angry. I'm sure if I let him go he'd try to kill me." Dimitrius clicked his tongue in amusement. Jeremiah stared again at Khadrim, his red and blue eyes filled with compassion for the young boy.

"Can you really do that? Free will? Won't Ebnéndhs be angry with you?" Gyakutenno furrowed his brow.

"You are a fool if you think Ebnéndhs has any power left over this place after my devastation of his world." Dimitrius laughed. It was a grand lie told to those who lived beneath Ebnéndhs light. That connection had long ago been severed with every world that remained.

"I volunteer my services." Cronos stepped forward, extending his left hand purposely so that Gyakutenno could not walk past him without effort. "Under my tutelage he will become a warrior amongst warriors! Fit for the highest ranks of your already formidable army, my lord. You can manipulate him as you wish but allow me to teach him the skills to do your bidding." Cronos bowed low, sweeping his arm out again dramatically.

Gyakutenno did nothing, just stood and watched. Let Cronos train him for all he cared. He had much more important things on his mind. This strange boy did not at all interest Gyakutenno. There was nothing notable about him that Gyakutenno found worthy of his attention or time.

Jeremiah said nothing and continued to stare at Khadrim. There was nothing at all for him to say anyway. He never much enjoyed the presence of his father or siblings and seeing what he had done to divine law filled him with anger and disgust. More than anything Jeremiah wondered how it had been done given the dire consequences Dimitrius should have immediately faced. There must have been more to the story than met the eye.

Jeremiah knew deep down that his father had no interest in his input. No, the dark haired demon had only been summoned so that his father's triumph could be rubbed in his disobedient face. It was assumed that since Jeremiah had very little emotional stake in Yobira that he would do everything within his power to sabotage his father's plans. Jeremiah knew the importance of the boy, he wasn't naïve enough to think that his father ever stopped scheming. But he had hoped that Khadrim would live his life without discovery and had worked quite hard to keep it that way.

"Sir, Cronos is the finest warrior in all of Yobira." Demiro spoke, his voice unnaturally high with nerves. Cronos flashed a charming fanged smile. Demiro couldn't help but be giddy to be acknowledged and nearly squealed. Demiro was probably Cronos' biggest fan. "I have no doubt he could make this boy into the warrior you dream him to be."

"Cronos cares of nothing other than himself. He'll kill the boy in frustration." Jeremiah spoke softly though he would not volunteer his services either. He would have no part in whatever terrible scheme his father was conjuring in Yobira.

"And who do you think would be better suited?" Cronos stood upright and towered over Jeremiah.

"Someone with a clear view of the fragility of humanity. Who isn't so arrogantly wrapped up in a blindfold because they view the world unworthy of sight. Someone who knows the strength and limitations of the mortals. Perhaps someone without a superiority complex." Jeremiah did not back down from his brother. "Just off the top of my head."

"You cannot be talking about yourself." Cronos scoffed.

"Most definitely not." Jeremiah rolled his eyes and turned away.

"I suppose it would only make sense that I would task the leader of my army with training my new pet." Dimitrius held his hand up lazily to silence the brothers' fighting. It was a sound he had long ago tuned out. The bickering was constant. "I have big plans for Khadrim, more than you could imagine. I require the experience of someone who has been out of Yobira to aid him in his training. Jeremiah is right. Gyakutenno you may not recall your former life but it weighs on you with every breath."

"Yes, my lord." Gyakutenno was barely paying attention, not at all honored to be selected by the Lord of Yobira for such an important task. Cronos clenched his fists, his back stiffened, and he grit his teeth.

"Your magic here is unrivaled by any of my other subjects. Do not fail me. It will be your duty to prepare Khadrim for the very worst that even I could provide. Above all else you must keep him entranced. His mind is rebellious and he will escape if you give him the opportunity."

"I will do as you wish, my lord." Gyakutenno bowed his head but his thoughts had already strayed past his new task. Agarwaen had been shaken when she'd seen this boy. He had, of course, been watching the festivities unfold but more importantly he had never stopped watching Agarwaen. "How long do I have?"

"There is time. In Eurchiro there are three days left before the change. That's fifteen of ours. Do you think that's enough time to prepare him for what Yobira would bring? What Iwdiche would bring? He must be ready to crush even spirits trapped in the void."

"He will be ready." Gyakutenno shrugged confidently and Dimitrius chuckled in approval. Cronos grimaced and turned away.

"Very good. He's all yours." Dimitrius waved toward Khadrim who got to his feet. Gyakutenno walked to the boy and began to guide him from the courtyard. "Gyakutenno?"

"Yes, my lord." The scarred man turned just enough to gaze at his lord.

"Make me proud." He smiled knowingly and Gyakutenno nodded before leading Khadrim out of the courtyard. Cronos was seething, steam was practically shooting out of his ears his face was so hot. How could he have been passed up for this task? It was perfect for him! There was nothing special about this boy as he was but Cronos could have made him special. Instead the scarred man had once again taken his job! How many more victories would Gyakutenno rob him of? Even worse it was as though Gyakutenno didn't even want the damn job. Sometimes Cronos swore that his father chose Gyakutenno to punish him.

"What else do you require, father?" Jeremiah spoke lazily. "Perhaps a hug and kiss?"

"Unless you plan on kissing my boot Jeremiah I'll pass. You are free to go." Dimitrius didn't bother looking toward either of his sons as he waved them off before standing from his throne.

It took everything in Cronos' power to contain his anger until he had left the courtyard. He'd sensed the energy coming from Khadrim, he could see him in his mind's eye. He knew that the boy was the very image of his father in mortal flesh! If trained properly he could be a fine warrior. Still unremarkable in comparison to him, but if it was what his father desired Cronos would gladly deliver. Why, time and again, was he overlooked for important tasks?

Once within the city outside of Dimitrius' tower Cronos turned and slammed his armored fist into the wall of the nearest building. Several demons who dwelled within the city turned to stare at him. Some ran in fear at the sight of him. Jeremiah walked past him, in a hurry to get as far from his family as possible.

Cronos had worked tirelessly to gain his father's approval and yet he was never thrown even a hint of a compliment. Gyakutenno was the apple of Dimitrius' eye without even trying. Ever since he had fallen from the void Gyakutenno had managed to strip Cronos of every accolade he had ever earned. Those had been titles only he had been worthy of! Positions he had worked tirelessly for! If it came down to it Cronos knew he could stomp the life out of Gyakutenno with ease despite his father's insistence it wasn't so! Even blinded, Gyakutenno possessed only a mere fraction of Cronos' physical might!

His thoughts passed over the boy, this new prize that had been brought to Yobira. With time would Khadrim replace him too? How long would it be before Cronos was the reaper of souls and nothing more?

Would he be forced to live this pitiable existence carting the dead to and fro for the rest of his days? Never working at his father's right hand as he had always envisioned? It was all Cronos had ever desired and yet he was denied his father's approval time and again. Even Jeremiah received more attention than Cronos, not that it was necessarily good attention but it was more than Cronos was afforded.

Shouting, Cronos grabbed the demon nearest him with a great leap and clutched his throat, squeezing it tight before shoving his terrified face into the stone of the fountain in the center of the city square. Immediately the skull of this demon shattered beneath his palm and black blood dripped into the water, staining it. Cronos tossed his limp, dead body aside and with a wave of his outstretched hand summoned the scythe that had become a part of him.

With a vicious jump and a swing the blade cut smoothly through the body of a retreating demon. There were screams from those in the shops set up in the square, from those who were suffering their eternal punishments, and those who were simply shaping Yobira as they were born to.

Cronos didn't care.

The people of Yobira were expendable. How had it come to this? He was once the leader of Yobira's armies! Endless battles had been won under his leadership! The rewards had been endless! His skill legendary! The people of Yobira used to see him and rejoice! Now they ran in fear or averted their eyes. These creatures were worthless and their spilled blood would mean nothing to anyone.

He still remembered the day when Yobira changed. Cronos had been called from battle to train Gyakutenno, the frail boy covered in scars with little to no personality.

Rumor was that the boy had fallen from Iwdiche. In a way, he was reminded of a young Gyakutenno when he'd first felt Khadrim in the room. They were both void of any emotion and control. Any will to do anything of their own had been stolen by some spell. Gyakutenno's will had long since returned after he'd proven to be a loyal and faithful servant of Yobira but Khadrim was still under that spell and would likely be for the rest of his days. Humanity was far less simple to manipulate for long periods of time.

Gyakutenno had been difficult to train in the beginning. When he'd been brought from the brink of death he had been sewn together and the wounds that had covered his body had been open and sore. Dimitrius had left them that way on purpose, to make it so Gyakutenno would never forget where he came from. For weeks the boy's screams had echoed through Yobira. Gyakutenno had been in such pain that he had begged for nothing but death.

When the boy's wounds healed Dimitrius sent him to Cronos for training. At first Gyakutenno could barely walk, barely move after how long he had laid still. It seemed he had forgotten how to do anything much at all. For awhile, Cronos had even bonded with the boy. That was until Gyakutenno showed actual promise. Dimitrius had been pleased as Gyakutenno excelled at his training and even grew to enjoy it, excited in a way that Cronos had never witnessed. Very quickly Gyakutenno's skills had overlapped Cronos' in complexity. The magic the boy could wield was unrivaled in Yobira. There was nothing else quite like it. Cronos could never dream of casting spells the way that Gyakutenno could even in his laziest moments.

Cronos' strength however, had only ever been matched by one and that creature had no residence in any world any longer. Cronos was unrivaled in physical combat but Gyakutenno's cunning and use of magic had put Cronos to shame. It didn't matter how he had argued against his father or that he had led the armies of Yobira into battle and had killed countless white generals of Iwdiche.

None of it mattered.

He'd once brought Dimitrius the seven severed heads of the generals who led the white warriors and left them on pikes outside of the courtyard but his father had not been proud! Instead Dimitrius had scolded him for his over confidence and demoted him from leader of his army. Much to his surprise he'd been immediately replaced by the young Gyakutenno.

Cronos had been given the duty of reaper of souls, bound to forever seek out the most wicked that were lost between worlds and return them to Yobira for punishment. It was a tireless and thankless effort and Cronos had never enjoyed it so he had done very little to excel at his new job. The only thing that had truly become the focus of his efforts had been attempts to regain his position as leader of the dark army, a job that had been stolen from him in his opinion. Any bonding that he'd done with the wicked Gyakutenno had ceased immediately.

Even as Cronos choked the life out of another demon in the town square he knew something must be done. Khadrim was not a curse but an opportunity for Cronos to prove his worth in Yobira. How he would do that? He wasn't yet sure.

You can purchase Cursed Pt. 1 on Kindle and Nook and Cursed, Pt. 2 on Kindle and Nook

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Cursed Pt 2, Chapter 16

Beware of major spoilers if you haven’t read my books!

Fourth Day Northern District Central City of Gii

Beneath the stormy sky Khadrim walked until his feet went numb. His head spun, hands shook and he clenched them so hard that his palms hurt and his nails dug into his flesh. Every step he took he felt reverberate in his chest, echo in his head. When he closed his eyes he could see Tenameru's smile fading, see the stars in his eyes disappear into nothing.

Death.

Khadrim had no idea how much time passed as he walked, but didn't stop until he'd made it to the farthest reaches of the northeastern district of Central City. Abruptly stopping, he took deep breaths, hunching over. Air burned at his lungs, his chest ached. Then he punched at nothing and screamed in anger. The wind rustled around him and he stared at the ground, his heavy breathing calming at long last. Sweat dripped from his face, he watched it as it melted into the puddles on the cobblestone from an earlier shower.

Was any of this real?

He didn't feel real.

Hadn't he walked down this path earlier?

Wasn't that walk supposed to make him feel normal?

Days ago he would have killed to be free of the burdens Tenameru had brought with him. From the moment he showed up the elf had brought nothing but danger and strangeness.

Now Khadrim couldn't believe he was gone.

This was what happened to Khadrim time and again.

This was exactly why he chose to avoid making connections. After the chaos Seth had brought out of him in his childhood he'd known what could happen to those around him and had chosen to protect them by hiding. Now Khadrim knew the truth.

He hadn't been protecting anyone. Khadrim had been protecting himself. Loss was too difficult, too painful.

This was his curse, a curse that hung on him like a noose. Anyone around him, close to him for too long would suffocate. Khadrim owed it to the innocent people of Eurchiro to stay away from them. Many had mistakenly thought he'd hidden away because he was frustrated by humanity but it was truly the opposite. People were generally well meaning. Kind if not misguided.

Even the bullies that had picked on him in his youth had done so because they were frightened. Khadrim had always been different, had always stood out and others had been threatened by him. No matter what those children had done, how cruel they had been, they hadn't deserved the fate Khadrim had damned them to. They had deserved a chance to live.

Khadrim had brought them nothing but death.

Aykra was further proof of the value of humanity.

The girl was kind hearted, she only wanted to help him. Maybe now, after today, she would see what he brought to those with good intentions: death. Khadrim was the bringer of death. He'd known it since his youth but it had been so long since he'd watched it in action that the wound was suddenly fresh and bloody.

The wind blew, warm and comforting against his skin but Khadrim felt sick to his stomach. Clouds rumbled overhead. This storm was Tenameru's and it was all Khadrim could think about. He should have interfered when he'd first meant to. Listening to Seth's warning had been a mistake and Khadrim had known it. If he'd acted sooner then maybe Tenameru would still be alive.

Then again, hadn't it been his interference that had led to Tenameru's death? Conflict made Khadrim dizzy. Guilt, pride, upset; there was too much and he was overwhelmed.

"I’m done!" Khadrim shouted to no one in particular, looking up from where he remained still hunched over. Dimitrius had warned him that morning. This was punishment for his disobedience. He'd refused to play along and now he was being shown what happened when one defied the Lord of Yobira. Clenching his jaw, Khadrim stood up straight. Tenameru would warn him against what he wanted to do. He could hear the elf's voice in his head clear as day.

That only made him want to do it more. He'd do this for Tenameru. The elf deserved more than Khadrim's sudden bravery but it was the only thing Khadrim had left to give. He would call Dimitrius out. If the Lord of Yobira wanted to play a game then he'd have to play it face to face.

How was Khadrim supposed to do that exactly?

"If you want me? Come and get me, Dimitrius! Leave everyone else out of this!" Screaming in the middle of the street didn't exactly feel like the sanest thing to do but it was the first thing that came to mind. Hadn't Tenameru warned him against looking for Dimitrius out of fear he might find him? Algera had done the same.

So maybe that was what he was supposed to do.

Half expecting some wicked shadow to manifest in front of him and answer his call, Khadrim was mildly disappointed when the only thing that his shouting had resulted in was a woman peeking her head out her front door to check on the sound then quickly tucking herself back inside.

There was nothing but the wind and the thunder, the humidity growing heavier in the air. Khadrim felt stupid for thinking that would work. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, he turned back toward the path that would take him home. He needed a better plan than screaming into the darkness until someone finally called the peacekeepers to report the crazy guy outside.

After a few minutes spent walking in silence, Khadrim felt something in his pocket and stopped short. What was it? Taking it in his palm he pulled it free and stared at the curious metal piece. It was the microchip he'd pulled from that woman's neck that morning. Had that really been the same day?

The last few days felt like a lifetime.

Where would he go now after all of this?

Home?

It didn't feel much like home anymore.

His hands were still stained with blood, his knuckles practically torn to shreds, his palms sliced up. He'd killed a man. Why didn't he feel sick over it? Eierthian had killed Tenameru first so Khadrim had returned the favor. Shouldn't he feel some sort of remorse? Had that been Dimitrius' plan all along? Did he really have that much influence?

What if Dimitrius had wanted Khadrim to know what it felt like to end someone's life without the excuse of losing control? What if he'd wanted Khadrim to see how easy it was? Worse than that, what if Dimitrius wanted to see how little guilt he would feel?

Khadrim was jumping to conclusions and yet he felt like it could be close to the truth. The reach of the great deceiver was further than any author of any story could have predicted.

Clenching the microchip, Khadrim felt the name Carolynn pressed against his hand. Dimitrius was willing to sacrifice many lives to get what he wanted without even telling Khadrim what exactly it was that he wanted.

Tenameru had called Khadrim the Lord of Yobira's doppelganger but Khadrim felt they couldn't be more different! They were nothing alike! Khadrim had spent every waking moment protecting strangers from the darkness that lurked within his being.

"Where are you hiding? I know you're watching me!" Khadrim shouted and in his frustration threw the microchip. It clattered on the ground and smashed into a thousand tiny pieces! Then there was a puff of red smoke, something sparkling within it. Thunder crashed as lightning rocketed above in the dark sky. Khadrim stared in awe at the nebulous cloud in front of him. Once it cleared, there was a small jewel lying on the ground.

Crouching low, Khadrim stared at the jewel without touching it. It was white and in the shape of a familiar bird. It had a short sharp beak, small beady eyes, large menacing wings, and tail feathers so pointed they were like razorblades. These were carrion birds. The only time Khadrim had ever seen them had been after spotting something dead on the side of the road. Then again, he'd seen them quite frequently when he was little. He remembered seeing them that fateful day of his birthday too.

The kweira.

Khadrim had always thought that they were elegant but most people regarded them as a bad omen, as a prediction of oncoming death.

Khadrim felt he was always surrounded by death and so were the kweira. Khadrim understood them and they understood him. Wherever he was, death wasn't far behind. Finally Khadrim picked up the jewel and the little that remained of the data chip. Any chance of deciphering any information hidden on it was now lost but he'd decided he was never supposed to understand it so that was okay.

It was entirely possible there was nothing on it in the first place and that he was only supposed to find the little charm hidden within. Holding it up, he stared through the charm. It was barely translucent enough to see through. It was nothing special and had no other secrets.

What would this kweira be doing inside of a monster sent to kill him? Khadrim tacked it onto the lengthy list of questions he had for Dimitrius. Not like he expected to get any answers, but still. The Deceiver was notorious for that, even in old folklore. Shoving the charm into his pocket he heaved a sigh.

Back to square one. He'd lost the battle but the war continued.

His chest ached strangely. Something didn't feel right.

It wasn't pain so much as it was a bad feeling.

He dreaded what would come next.

When he got home would there be blood all over the ground? Could he really go back to that?

He had no other options. Khadrim had grown used to his home and as many times as he had promised not to get attached to anything or anyone he'd broken both of those promises. Home was all he had left.

The thought of dealing with what remained exhausted him.

Khadrim dragged his feet along the road.

A sharp cry on the wind broke the tense silence.

Khadrim turned all around in search of the sound, mentally prepared for a fight but he found nothing. Then there was another sharp cry behind him. He spun and saw a bird on the sidewalk.

It was a kweira. Not the charm in his pocket but a real kweira. The bird was big up close, spanning three feet from beak to tail.

Stranger still, it was looking at him. The bird tilted its head back and forth, blinked its beady black eyes and then flew into the distance, disappearing into the encroaching fog.

"Nothing's a coincidence." Khadrim pulled the charm from his pocket before starting after the bird. It was long gone, there was no way to see where it went, but he'd try.

The fog grew thicker the further he walked through unfamiliar paths of the north eastern part of the city. Even Khadrim never came this far east. He'd thought this part of the city was a little better off, but some buildings were so dilapidated they had vines growing along them and trees growing through their roofs.

As time passed and there was no sign of the bird Khadrim considered that it very well could be a coincidence. His feet were sore and numb, adrenaline at last beginning to wear off. Maybe it was time to throw in the towel or find a place to curl up and sleep off the sudden exhaustion.

Then there was another shriek of a bird and Khadrim turned east. This time he didn't wait, didn't hesitate, and took off at a run. The air grew steadily thicker as storm clouds brewed overhead, threatening rain but not giving in. Fog was so thick Khadrim couldn't see more than five feet in front of him. For all he knew, he was near the walls of Central City.

This continued. Each time he lost a kweira he found another to replace it and it led him further and further along. Was it possible this was his imagination playing a cruel trick on him? The charm in his hand felt warm. Warmer than was natural!

The winds changed, gusted past him and despite how strong it was, it did nothing for the thick fog. His breathing was labored, the air was too thick. Khadrim pulled his torn and singed black leather jacket around him tighter. Despite the fog and the humidity the breeze left a chill in his bones.

Still, he followed the kweira, followed them until his toes were so cold he was sure he would fall over.

Then he saw it.

The wall at the northeastern end of Gii.

He'd never been this far, so that was only his best guess. For all he knew he'd gotten turned around.

The wall stretched out of sight above him. Clouds hung so low in the evening sky that they obstructed the very top. The wall was so old it was cracked and worn, covered with overgrown ivy that crept over the length of it. It stretched left and right as far as Khadrim could see. Not that it was very far, the fog was so thick that he could barely breathe nonetheless see where he was going.

Every bit of instinct was screaming at Khadrim to go home, to take refuge. There were too many bad omens. The bad weather, carrion birds leading him through areas of Gii so dark Khadrim hadn't dared to explore them. But he didn't turn back. Rage still burned in his chest and drove him forward. He should have just gone home, curled up in bed, and sobbed like normal people did when crippled by loss.

But he wasn't normal. Khadrim was finally beginning to accept that.

Somewhere above him he heard the cry of the kweira.

They wanted him to leave Central City. There was something outside of the wall waiting for him. These walls had been built to protect the people of the city from the wilderness but Khadrim knew that what truly lay beyond them wasn't exactly wild.

There were abandoned cities, ruined homes, the death of an old society long since forgotten. Areas near the city gates in the west and south were clean and well cared for to keep up appearances. Khadrim knew that what was on the other side of this wall was likely a nightmare. Walls were rarely built to actually protect people but rather to keep them contained. The powers that be were fooling the people of Central City, tricking them into thinking that everything was all right.

Central City was perfectly fine.

The chaos they heard about on their virtuascreens wasn't theirs. Gii was safe.

Staring into the thick clouds above him, Khadrim felt a drop of startlingly cold water splatter upon his cheek. Then another.

Rain pattered the ground, disrupting the sound of the wind until there was a steady fall of it, soaking him slowly at first and then leaving him drenched. Oddly the rain felt soothing. Holding his hands in front of him he watched the water pool in his palm before spilling over his fingers, washing the blood away at last. His wounds stung, but even that felt good.

On the ground beneath him he saw no sign of the blood. It was gone but the memory remained. While he couldn't find the blood he did find something else. In the corner of his eye to his right he saw something boarded up. Through the fog he hadn't noticed it, but the rain had cleared the air a little.

Khadrim still had no idea where he was, but it didn't much matter. His thoughts were clouded by an ethereal haze of confusion. It was as though the world and weather clouded the emotions in his mind and heart.

Before he'd realized he was doing it Khadrim was pulling at the boards against the wall. They came loose with ease and beneath them hid a crevice just big enough for him to crawl through. Now he knew that the kweira were definitely leading him and they wanted him out of the city. Against his better judgment Khadrim crawled straight through the crevice. The wall creaked around him, the rain magnified beneath the stone. One wrong move and the whole thing felt like it would collapse and crush him. What did Khadrim have to lose?

The worst that could happen is he would die and right now that didn't seem like such a terrible option. Even thinking it made him feel guilty.

On the other side of the wall Khadrim had to push through overgrown bushes and crawl over grass that scratched him. Coughing and shoving the foliage from his face, he stumbled and got to his feet. A chill ran down his back and his skin broke out in goose bumps. Turning back to the wall Khadrim was mildly impressed that he'd made it through. The sounds of the city were shut out, all signs of life gone. Rustling sounds amongst the rain caught his attention.

Turning slowly, Khadrim expected to find another bird to lead him further from the walls but instead saw twenty of them scattered across the half overgrown, half ruined path. They were staring at him, unblinking.

His chest suddenly tightened and he moistened his lips nervously before stepping forward. They didn't scatter the way he expected them to, they didn't even bob their heads as they usually did. No longer did these birds seem like his kindred spirits but instead became menacing.

To his left there were more birds perched on an old carriage house staring down at him. There was a screech to his right and there were more atop an old disabled lamppost. Khadrim stopped in the middle of the cracked and worn street and took in his surroundings. There were droves of kweira all about, each staring at him.

"What do you want?" Khadrim whispered beneath his breath but all the birds did was stare in return. Had he really expected an answer? Khadrim should have known better by now than to think he would get any sort of answer from anyone, especially from birds. Running his fingers through his soaking wet hair, he waited and searched through the pouring rain for anything that would give him direction.

Thunder cracked overhead and lightning illuminated the sky so brightly that Khadrim was temporarily blinded. Crouching defensively, Khadrim threw his arm up and closed his eyes. There was another crack of thunder but this time it was accompanied by the scream of the birds. They were frightened!

Each took flight, first a small handful then one by one they flew away. The sky was filled with black birds flying past Khadrim. Turning in the direction they flew, Khadrim ran after them in hopes of keeping up.

Lightning struck once more and this time he caught the shadow of a building.

It was a theater, a huge, old, abandoned theater. Khadrim stopped in front of it and stared at the old marquis that once listed who would be performing but letters had long since fallen off with time. Very few of them remained and they were old and faded by the elements. Kweira lined the roof of the building, casting long gargoyle like shadows along the ground with every flash of lightning.

Khadrim knew he was supposed to go inside.

This was the end of the line.

"This is a bad idea." Khadrim whispered and stared back toward the wall but he could no longer see Central City in the fog and the rain. He'd come this far.

He tried the door and it was unlocked but he didn't enter. Walking a few feet away, he looked up to the kweira to confirm he was in the right place but not a single bird remained. There were no feathers, not even the rustling of wings or the shadow of them in the darkening sky. They'd done their job and now they were gone.

Khadrim was definitely in the right place.

An eerie hush fell over the area, even the rain seemed muted.

Inside the building was completely silent.

The ticket counter, the seats, the decorations were all covered in dust and at once Khadrim fell prey to a fit of sneezes. Hand against the wall nearby, Khadrim coughed and sniffled. No one had been in there for years. The building creaked as if to remind him that this meant it also hadn't been maintained in years.

It was dark. The only time Khadrim could see a damn thing was when lightning struck through the windows that lined the front door. Posters covered the far wall and if he squinted and got close enough he could still make out what they advertised. Old operas, beautiful plays written in languages from the west, stories of love and tragedy sung in native tongues only by the most skilled of performers. These shows were still performed but only in the most prestigious halls of entertainment in the center of Gii.

Khadrim had learned in a history class once that entertainers had traveled in groups to perform in any theater available in the past but the art had long since died out. Arts, for the majority of the populace, were a thing of the past.

Khadrim couldn't further explore the theater without a light, it was too dark and foreboding. Every thought, every nerve inside of him still screamed to turn back. The whole thing felt wrong. The whole place felt wrong! It was like a lucid dream, a dream he would wake up from at any moment. Yet, Khadrim knew this was real.

Algera's words repeated loudly in his head.

Don't go looking for Dimitrius.

Khadrim had been skeptical but now he understood why. This was terrifying. Being a tough guy didn't matter right now. Dimitrius' power was far more than anything Khadrim had expected. All he'd done is call his name and it had summoned his attention in a very intense way. Even nature had bent to the Lord of Yobira's will to guide him. Forget light, Khadrim had to get away from there. Algera had been right. Tenameru had been right. Khadrim's' stubbornness had led him here.

Dimitrius was a force to be reckoned with. Khadrim had been a fool to walk into the web of a spider and expect not to be caught!

As he made to leave the theater, hand against the door there was a soft sound behind him that made his blood run cold. Rain drowned out the source so Khadrim allowed the door to close and waited for the thunder to pass.

The sound caught him again.

It was music. It was so faint Khadrim wasn't sure he was actually hearing anything other than the sound of rain on the roof. His mind could have been playing tricks on him.

Khadrim walked back through the lobby of the theater, searching for the source. There was nothing but he could still hear music, soft and low in the distance. Forgetting about the need for a light, Khadrim walked to the doors at the far end of the lobby and past a sign that guided him to a lounge. Pressing hard against the doors he walked into the next room, expecting the music to stop, for there to be nothing.

Instead he gasped. There were lamps lit on either side of the room and at the far end the bar shone glossy and new but unmanned. Chairs were plush, tables cared for, glasses were half full as though an entire crowd had walked out the moment Khadrim had entered.

Khadrim heard voices but they were distant, like someone was having a party in the room next door. Rushing back into the lobby, Khadrim felt his stomach drop to find that the whole room was lit up.

Life had suddenly returned to the old theater. Through the windows Khadrim could still see the world, horrid and dark, rain pounding against glass relentlessly and lightning flashing to illuminate the fog. But Khadrim couldn't hear the thunder that had once accompanied it. The building existed out of time. Cautiously Khadrim walked back into the lounge. There was a hallway on either end but only one was illuminated. Well, it was partially illuminated. Two lamps hung just on the inside and as Khadrim walked toward them another set of lamps a few feet down the hall flickered to life.

Khadrim boldly walked down the hall and lamps lit up one by one on either side of him until he reached the end of the corridor, the music growing ever louder. Now he could hear the voice of a woman too, singing in the language of the west. Khadrim had learned to speak many languages in his youth and had kept up with them. It had proven useful in many situations but right now, Khadrim wished he'd given it all up.

The song was from a well known opera called Lon Orchid. No matter how he tried to drown out the words, he couldn't. The woman singing was selling her soul to the lord of the underworld, having made a deal to save her love from a terrible fate. He had once very much enjoyed Lon Orchid. It was one of the oldest operas in recorded history.

Now, however, it made him sick.

His stomach lurched, uneasy.

Lon Orchid translated, quite literally, to "The End of All Things".

On his left there was a curtain closed over an archway that led into the theater, a sign hanging on a string of beads that read "quiet". Khadrim lifted the end of the curtain just enough to catch a glimpse inside the theater. He half expected the illusion to break as he got closer but instead the theater was filled to the brim with listeners, each staring in rapt awe at the players on stage.

A curvy tan skinned woman stood atop a raised pillar, all spotlights shining on her, a pale eyeless mask over the top half of her face as she sang along the impressive scale the song required. Khadrim closed the curtain and turned away but the music persisted.

"This can't be real," he whispered. Once more he turned to peer inside but this time he observed the crowd. Each was smiling, enraptured, pristine and dressed like they were out of another era. Men held top hats in their lap, women held fans. No one noticed Khadrim was there so he stepped past the curtain.

To his left there were steps that led up to the most expensive balconies and seated in the very topmost was Dimitrius. He wore no mysterious guise, made no attempts to be anything other than what he was. The Lord of Yobira took a glass of wine from a waiter wearing a mask with a jovial laugh.

Khadrim had asked for Dimitrius and there he was.

Stepping back into the hallway, Khadrim looked all around. There had to be a shorter path between him and the Lord of Yobira. Walking through rows of seats and excusing himself in front of whoever these people were felt like a mistake. It wasn't as though Khadrim expected the element of surprise to aid him, no. Dimitrius knew he was coming.

Closing his eyes he recalled the theater in his mind's eye. There had to have been a second floor at one point. While this place had to be an illusion, a trick of magic, it was sure as hell convincing. Khadrim backed down the hallway and caught sight of a staircase to his right. Two by two he took the stairs, there was little point in being cautious now. He was well within the wolf's den. Caution had been thrown to the wind long ago. Each step echoed in his ears and as he reached the top he considered running again. He could disappear into the night, never return to this place, never return to Central City.

But he knew Dimitrius would follow him, would come for him, no matter where he went no matter how he hid. And others would die, die for him. Running would only delay the inevitable.

At the top of the stairs there was another hallway, as abandoned as the last but pristine as if this were the theater's first show. There were four alcoves, each covered with curtains, each with a beaded sign that read "private" hanging across them. Dimitrius was in the last one on his right now. He was sure of it.

Khadrim pushed past the curtain and up the three steps to his left. Sure enough, only feet away, Dimitrius sat. Khadrim's breath caught in his throat. He'd gone over and over in his mind about how different he was from the great Deceiver but face to face, they really did look so similar. It was like staring into a distorted mirror and without any of Dimitrius' attempts at disguise, Khadrim could truly see their similarities.

Every difference had to be memorized. From the slight shade of eye color, to the length of his hair, to Khadrim's dimples. He also thought that Dimitrius held himself more confidently. They were about the same size, but Khadrim had a tendency to stoop over. He had to remember no matter what anyone told him he was not this man. He was different. He had free will.

He'd never gone out of his way to ruin anyone's life before.

This thought gave him strength, made him brave.

Even as Khadrim closed in on the Lord of Yobira he didn't turn his startlingly red eyes away from the performance. Khadrim stole a glance at the show and stopped in his tracks. The players had changed! The diva's face looked broken and old beneath a mask where the eyes were now painted on, more sinister than Khadrim was sure her actual face would be.

Arms outstretched, her fingers grasped at the air but they were bent and crooked, long like tree limbs. It was disgusting. Khadrim covered his mouth but couldn't look away.

"Take a seat." The voice shattered Khadrim's thoughts. He hadn't heard the sound of another person since Seth had stopped him from beating on Eierthian's face. Even if he had, he was sure this smooth and sinister voice would still frighten him. "Enjoy the show." Khadrim turned to Dimitrius who didn't look away from the stage and applauded with the rest of the audience as the song concluded. The way the audience moved, it felt robotic. Even the way they all watched. No faces turned away from the stage, no one whispered to each other, there was no emotion. Every clap was in perfect time. "I assure you it's unlike any show you'll ever see. Nothing in Eurchiro or even Yobira quite compares." Gesturing to the seat next to him, Dimitrius took a sip of his wine.

Khadrim stared at him in awe.

Dimitrius was acting so damn casual.

When Khadrim said nothing, Dimitrius at last turned his gaze to him.

"Honestly, take a seat. Unclench." He nodded again to the seat next to his and then placed his glass down on the table between them. Another appeared next to it from thin air. A waiter brushed past Khadrim as if summoned and filled the glass before retreating with a bow. His mask was cracked now, horrific facial features painted atop it as if made by the fingers of a child. "Have a glass of wine. I can feel your tension from over here."

"Why…?" Khadrim began but held up his hand and started over. His throat felt full to the brim with something slimy and horrid. "How could you be so… empty after ruining so many lives just to get my attention? Does my misery so delight you?"

"It's all about you, isn't it?" Dimitrius chuckled then picked his wine back up and reclined comfortably in his chair. "The second act is about to begin and it's truly worth watching. You'll never see a better performance of Lon Orchid. You're causing a scene! It's exhausting."

"Causing a scene?" Khadrim shouted and smacked the wine glass straight from Dimitrius' hand then grabbed him by his collar and lifted him right out of his seat. "Causing a damn scene? Do you think that I give a damn about causing a scene in the middle of this freak show?" Khadrim had expected him to look angry, but contrary to that Dimitrius was smiling. "If you come after me again, if you come after anyone I care about again I will rip your head right from your shoulders! You got that? I am done with you! I am done with this game!"

"Are you?" Dimitrius chuckled and Khadrim curled his lip in disgust. He made to throw Dimitrius back into his seat but his grip suddenly faltered and he was holding nothing! Dimitrius was gone! "Mind your temper, Khadrim. You're hysterical over very unimportant things. I thought you were prepared for such loss." Khadrim turned to face the voice now behind him. Dimitrius stood there smoothing out the collar that Khadrim had mussed. "You had the choice to save you friends and you chose not to."

"Really? I don't remember making a choice. I remember you making it for me! How many crazed assholes have you sent after me, swords flying? Three now, I think?"

"I gave you a chance to end it this morning. I offered peace and you threw it in my face. Khadrim, I did not kill your friends. You chose to let them die because you are stubborn."

"I never should have had to choose between their lives and mine!"

"And yet here we are."

"What do you get out of this, huh? What is it you want from me?" Khadrim took a step back, as if wounded. Guilt hung on him as heavily as his soaked clothing. Dimitrius could smell it in the air.

"It's not too late to save that accursed little vampire boy. Though it is questionable if he's at all worth saving." Dimitrius turned his hand and his glass reappeared so he took a sip from it. Khadrim's eyes flitted to where it'd been shattered on the floor but all evidence of it was gone. "The girl, however, she truly doesn't deserve to die. She's not all innocent, you people never are. There's actually quite a bit of blood on her hands but all in all her soul would remain untouched after you allow her to die." Dimitrius shrugged. Khadrim gritted his teeth, hands trembling. He'd never been so angry in all his life.

"Is this some gross attempt at bargaining?"

"Are you sure you don't want a drink? Always helps with my mood. It's very good wine, as you'd imagine."

"This isn't a joke."

"Of course, it is!" Dimitrius laughed and took another long drink from his glass. "This is all a joke! This whole place is a joke. Your mortal lives are but a blink of reality and you all think they're so important. It's a cruel joke played on you by a selfish creator. I am merely playing my role as they intended. You are the one not cooperating. You do realize that all your objections are pointless, don't you? All this going on and on, the struggle with your moral ambiguity! You have murdered many people whether or not you meant to and that means your soul is mine. Someday when you die, whether by my hand or not, you will belong to me."

"Then why don't you just wait?"

"I have my reasons." Dimitrius smiled mysteriously. "It isn't all as bad as you think, Khadrim. In the long run, with me, you would gain far more than what you have lost."

"Right, because you've been so giving. Every story there is about you has been about how very generous you are." Khadrim rolled his eyes.

"You mean stories written by pious little kiss-asses hoping to charm their way into Iwdiche? Mortals are naturally wicked creatures, selfish by nature. You know that as well as I do."

"You're wrong."

"I'm never wrong. It's naïve to think I don't know better than you. You've been alive all of what, twenty years? Sure, you know much more than the creature who came from the shadows of the beginning of time." Dimitrius smiled when Khadrim turned away. Finally, the boy was listening even though he was trembling with anger. "If you come with me then I will grant you eternal life. Mortality doesn't suit you, Khadrim. Trust me, I should know, being what you are."

"So far, one lifetime has been more than enough. I don't want immortality." Khadrim shook his head. "There's nothing you can offer me that would make me do whatever it is you want me to do. Not that I even know what it is. You know if you tell me I'd never agree so you're avoiding it. I'm not stupid, Dimitrius. You're holding all the cards close to your chest so no one can peek until you're sure the whole deck is stacked in your favor."

"Cute metaphor, but you're over thinking things." Dimitrius laughed quietly and took a small step closer to Khadrim. Despite their similar height, he seemed towering in comparison. "Everyone has a price, Khadrim, even a man such as you and I will find it. There is no amount of intelligence or nobility that can't be bent. What of wealth? All men desire to be wealthy whether or not they admit it."

"I don't need money. I have everything I ever needed. Never had that sort of greed."

"Love, then? Did you not value the way the elf treated you? Anyone you dreamt of could love you in any way you choose. You could be famous, a god amongst men." Dimitrius grinned a toothy grin as Khadrim finally hesitated and turned away. He hadn't loved Tenameru, not by any stretch of the word but even knowing the elf had made him long for a father, a family.

"I'm not worthy of worship." Khadrim grimaced and finally Dimitrius' smile faltered though only for a second. "I had love. My parents loved me. I killed them." It was the first time that Khadrim had admitted it out loud. "I don't deserve a second chance at that."

"I'm offering you that second chance. Who cares if you deserve it? If people only got what they deserved your world would be very different." Dimitrius shrugged. "I'm offering you a choice, Khadrim. You gain or lose. It's up to you. Join me and be my right hand. My throne is extensive, my armies unlimited, my power far beyond what is written. It could all be yours if you would look past that stubborn wall of stupidity you've surrounded yourself with. There is no good, no evil, it's all perception." Dimitrius reasoned, voice filled with infectious passion. "You view me as wicked because you need me to be your villain. You are no hero, Khadrim. It's time to stop pretending."

"All I've ever wanted is to be left alone." Khadrim whispered before he realized he was responding. "I don't want a throne or a kingdom. I just want to live my life as I see fit! I want the same boring choices everyone else is given. I want the chance to be normal. Everyone else is afforded that same chance, everyone except me." Khadrim found himself shouting over the music that accompanied the interlude of Lon Orchid.

The theater silenced.

The air grew cold and Khadrim felt a chill run up his spine. Every face in the theater, every member of the audience turned toward him. They all wore masks now, every single one of them and they weren't plain, nor were they painted. Each bore demonic features, each was cracked, jaded, melded and mixed with the features of mortals. Those on stage stared at him, spotlights still aiming toward the pillar where the diva had performed her aria. She'd returned to the stage, her jaw hung open, stretched unnaturally, teeth too long to fit within her mouth, tongue hanging between them with black drool dripping past her lips.

"What makes you think anyone has a choice?" Dimitrius spoke, his voice echoing and commanding the attention of the entire theater. The air, though cold, grew thick, so thick Khadrim felt sick to his stomach. One after another each spotlight swung from the stage and landed on Khadrim with a thud, blinding him. "How do you know their lives aren't scripted from start to finish? Every mortal, every creature in Eurchiro has their part to play." Dimitrius held his arms out on either side of him, the wine glass disappearing in a puff of smoke. "Tenameru was meant to die! He knew that! It is why he embraced his death when he chose to help you! There was nothing that could have prevented it."

"He died because that psychopath had this…"

"Tenameru died because he was meant to die." Dimitrius interrupted quickly. "Eierthian was meant to kill him! And you were meant to kill Eierthian." Laughing he continued. "The choices made along the way are irrelevant! The results are predetermined, always what we intended. There is no free will, it's the oldest joke there is. A cruel joke played on all of you by an equally cruel creator. There are real choices, Khadrim, but they are few and far between. I am kind enough to offer you one now. I assure you that no matter the choice you make the outcome will remain the same."

Khadrim's stomach turned again. He was going to be sick.

What if Dimitrius was being honest?

There were no choices. They were all puppets on the end of a string being led like lambs to the slaughter. They were told they could live lives of their own making but it was all an elaborate lie! Khadrim choked on the thick air and gagged, stumbling backwards toward the curtain. His vision darkened around the edges. He needed air, he couldn't breathe!

Turning to run, he stopped short and nearly ran into someone else. Members of the audience stood, blocking his path. Their intricate suits and gowns were torn, changed, replaced with wicked looking armor. Khadrim turned again and ran past Dimitrius who even stepped out of his way. Before he could start down the stairs, more wicked creatures blocked his path.

Every which way he turned, more and more of the audience had gotten up from their seats and were closing in on him. Khadrim was gripped by fear, trembling from head to toe. All the anger he'd stormed in there with was replaced with terror. He didn't know what to do. Even if he fought them off, he couldn't fight them all.

"No…" Khadrim whispered, backing literally into the corner. He lifted Dimitrius' chair from the ground and swung wildly. One of the ghouls fell backwards. Another grabbed the chair and was joined by many other hands before pulling it from Khadrim's grasp. They made a wide berth around Dimitrius who never took his eyes off of the boy. Fright consumed Khadrim.

They grew closer and there was nowhere for him to run, Khadrim stood with his back to the wall. They were closing in. Cold, clammy hands grabbed him. They were wet, why were they wet? They pulled him from the wall, grasped at him, groaning in an unearthly tone. Khadrim tried to push them away but no matter where he went their hands were on him, pulling at him, touching him. No matter how he shoved, no matter how he fought or screamed they wouldn't relent. He swore his heart was beating so hard with fear it was going to seize up.

"Stop! Make it stop!" Khadrim gripped at his ears, trying to drown out the groaning of the creatures. All at once the hands pulled away, the sounds stopped. The only thing Khadrim could hear was his ragged breathing and his heart bursting in his chest. Cautiously Khadrim opened his eyes and put his hands at his sides.

They'd stepped away from him. Spotlights shone again on him, hurting his eyes as he looked toward them to see who was in control. No one was there.

As he turned, a gloved hand covered his eyes and he was forced to close them. A scream barely escaped his throat before he no longer had the will to. Khadrim wanted to fight, he tried to with all of his might but his body no longer obeyed him. A haze fell over the boy, as though someone else was in his mind. The hand lifted from his eyes and when he opened them he felt weak.

Dimitrius stood in front of him, smiling, but it no longer seemed kind or understanding, it was instead what Khadrim had already known it was; wicked, sick, evil.

Khadrim tried to take a swing but his body didn't move, didn't respond. "No…" It took every ounce of strength he had even to say the simple word, a word he said so many times in the last week. He envisioned himself reaching forward and grabbing Dimitrius to beat in his face but his body wouldn't move even a little. The more he willed it to do so, the less he had control. His knees grew weak and he crumbled to the floor in a heap. He stared up at the lights that shone down upon him.

"I gave you a choice." Dimitrius stepped around him and stared, blocking out the spotlight. "You chose poorly." His smile had faded and as he stood he was replaced by many ghouls, surrounding Khadrim on all sides. With a wave of Dimitrius' hand Khadrim got to his feet but it wasn't because he wanted to. His body was acting without his help, he had no choice.

Invisible strings were being commanded by an excellent puppeteer, forcing Khadrim to follow Dimitrius as he walked through the crowd of ghouls and out of the theater.

You can purchase Cursed Pt. 1 on Kindle and Nook and Cursed, Pt. 2 on Kindle and Nook

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