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The (real) Souls of darkness |
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The beginning of an end.
The night was broken. Whispered voices cold and dead plagued her dreams, her body twisted round the bed-sheets. Her breath came out in mists. She slept fitfully, tossing and turning, tossing and turning. She shivered deep into her blankets; cold dark figures invaded her dreams. She closed her eyes tight and tears slowly formed. "NOOOOOOO!" A scream ripped from her throat as she jolted upright. She was shivering through her silken nightdress, her hands clasped her arms, trying to catch her dying warmth. She surveyed the room with bright sapphire eyes still glistening with diamond tears. The window was wide open, the panes patting on the side of the gray wall, a small breeze seemed to weave its way towards her, brushing her cheek lightly making her shiver to the essence of her soul. The curtains seemed to reach out to her cradled form with wide open arms. She burrowed deeper into her layers of silk and goose feathers. The moon crept shyly into her view and looked at her with great sorrow and wisdom, as if it shared her painful dream. She dared not to leave her sleeping chamber with the comforting shadows which whispered so many fond memories.
Her head buried deep into her knees, waist long bracken hair tumbled round her, sticking to the wet cheeks, her memories haunted by the pain of the visual dream. She rustled the bedclothes from her knees. Untwisting the swirling mass of sheets from her long slender legs; she arched her back like a young cat, a slight yawn escaped her mouth. Hands with trembling fingers smoothed her hair which tumbled in curls and waves around her pale face, elven ears poking out at the sides twitching with every movement of the silent palace. She slowly lifted herself off the bed, dainty feet wincing as they met the cold marble flooring a shiver crept up her spine, she stretched her legs then stood up, a slight moment of dizziness came and went. She walked towards the window her nightdress bustling round her knees, it was pure white and seemed to glow under the moons presence. Her eyes met the dressing table a strange mystical blue light emitted from one of the drawers, curiosity and wonder overcame her and she had to found out what it was. She opened the drawer very cautiously, it was her sapphire stone coiled in gold snakes it was humming violently warning her that great danger was near by, "Just like my dream," she whispered, she placed the stone on a golden chain which hung round her neck. Something jerked at the corner of her eyes, something wasn't right, her mind screamed at her to run to the nearest town but her heart told her to investigate. Crouching down, she felt worried the stone ice-cold on her chest, she tip-toed to the window, peering out glisming the outside world to the horizon, the moon hid behind clouds, too scared to face the reality of the horror waiting. She stared out her thoughts rambled wishing her parents told her more of her future, what did the old witch say to her when she as little?
Her eyes glazed over as the past opened up in her memories, she was stood by the lake of dreams, the waves lapping on the pebbles against her bare feet, the sun was blazing bright overhead and she giggled merrily as the fish nibbled her toes, like bells tinkling her laughter rang overhead, her mum and dad engaged in a deep conversation, like her they were elves her mother was terribly beautiful, her hair a shade of indigo and eyes like jewels in a forbidden cave, her father was strong and handsome he had blond hair which seemed to have a mind of its own;
"Saphira," they called out, be careful." Saphira tossed her bracken locks over her shoulder her bright sapphire blue eyes lit up with delight as she ran across the pebbled shore, then she noticed a gnarled tree perfect for climbing, running out of the water her tiny eight year old feet patting the grass, she jumped up grabbing the nearest branch, her small body clung on as she finally got on the branch, laughing triumphantly she climbed higher, she found a door, a door just big enough for her to climb through, curiosity got the better of her and she squeezed into the door.
A large room with a disarray of books and strange jars with unknown substances cluttering the floor and shelves, scared but even more curious she wondered into the room a large fire with a cauldron bubbling occupied her attention, a crouched figure hung over the fire chanting strange incantations, it was covered in layers of shawls deep purple's and faded reds trailing to the ground, Saphira stepped closer her footsteps stirring the layers of dust, the hunched figure stopped and sensed Saphira's figure hiding behind the antediluvian armchair.
"Sit down my dear i won't harm you, just sit on that old armchair and i will be with you within a moment." a croaky female voice emerged from the layers of shawls, pale hands gnarled and old emerged at the side of the mass of material holding tightly onto a crooked stick. Saphira sat on the chair not taking her eyes of the strange being. The figure chuckled with great amusement, " What's the matter my dear never been in the presence of an old witch?" the witch chuckled again as Saphira's large eyes grew wide with amazement,
"My dear stop it you will be the death of me if you carry on, speak I'm sure you can o' chosen one."
Saphira couldn't believe her hearing what was this strange old women talking about? Surely she must have her mistaken, she opened her mouth to speak but the words never came. The witch chuckled lightly, she turned and faced Saphira, she had a wizened face but eyes that shone with spirit and wisdom, silver hair bursting heavily in a loose plait, she was visibly old but was young at heart it showed in all aspect of her face.
"Yes, i know who you are young saphira, past, present and future, have you not heard the legend of the saviour of the souls of darkness, you my young child out of all people should know this tale."
Saphira sat confused at this witch, one how did she know her name? And what is this about the chosen one? Her mind buzzed with topics with so many unanswered questions, she plucked up courage to speak.
"Please if you may, can you please tell me the legend of the chosen one? And how you have come to know me so well."
Saphira sat trying to see if she could catch some glimpse of the witch messing around trying to pull her leg. The witch sighed with great relief and sat on a stool in front of the fire wringing those old hands with crackles of magic hidden in the creases. She clicked her fingers together and a puff of purple smoke appeared by her side, smoke cleared and a table with tea and milk with an array of cakes and biscuits emerged, Saphira's eyes lit up with a sudden burst of hunger, the witch saw this and smiled with kindliness.
" Go on my dear you must be peckish, and we both will need refreshment for the tale i will tell is long." she paused and poured some tea, Saphira sat back content, a glass of milk in one hand and biscuits in another, the witch sipped her tea and stared into the fire.
" Long ago when time was happy and content, where the life you live now would have been experienced by people all around, where elven folk would have been playing in the spot where you have been, there was a man so discontent with the happiness around, he wallowed in darkness and soon dealed with the souls of darkness themselves, he became ruler of darkness and soon lost all good within him. He had no name that he remembered so they called him HIEM- His Ingenious Evil Master, soon people began to fear him, creatures of hell rose up and were nurtured in his darkness, they soon became accustomed to endure pain on the innocent, taking there souls in their claws. So many lives lost, soon the world was endured to darkness. But there was a whisper of hope, a legend of an pure of heart who could stop the darkness for taking every heart of the citizens of this world. Soon that whisper became a legend, that legend a myth and then soon was forgotten. But the people still hope but don't know it, many have tried to rebel against HIEM but have failed with each generation. But HIEM is getting old and his son will take the legacy and name, by the only way he knows, murder, and will start with a fresh three thousand year old rule, on your seventeenth birthday the new HIEM will take over and will find the chosen one, which my child, i am sad to say is you."
She paused and looked at Saphira, Saphira was silent taking to what was in account, she was afraid and yet inquisitive.
The old witch carried on looking at Saphira with great concern,
"My child, i will say this to you once, you are our only hope, although you don't know this now but you have immense power, which will be revealed slowly until you met the elven queen and restore to her what is lost. You will meet someone who calls himself the little child of darkness. Don't be fooled by his name he is the best fortune teller of our time and will aid you on your quest. But for now i will give you something which you must guard with your life."
The witch stood up and placed her cup down, she walked to the fire place and poked her cauldron, she whispered an inaudible incantation, the fire glowed bright blue and died completely. Saphira sat on the edge of her armchair her head buzzed from the story and curiosity stirred yet again it her mind, the old witch turned round, her hands cupping what looked the remnants of the glowing blue fire, but as the witch leaned closer showing Saphira the contents of her aged hands, it was a stone of sky blue with swirling mists of midnight, it had golden snakes coiled round and a small loop at the top, the witch pressed the stone in Saphira's small hands.
"See you when we must met again." Saphira stood up to open her mouth to speak but a moment of dizziness overcame her, everything went black.
The last thing Saphira could remember was waking up to her parents smiling faces, she was lay by the lake-side, on the pebbles lay the stone which the witch had given her she grabbed it and placed it in her pocket. Her dad ruffled her hair and tickled her, they all laughed and started to walk home.
A sudden scream shatter her memory, a jerk back to the present of sad lonely times, another scream started then stopped, She crawled along the floor, this was too creepy, her dream was being repeated for that was a scream off her mother. She heard her father shouting and then silence, eerie howls of wind were the only sounds left, Saphira felt the tears coming but strained them back, she knew what the old witch said was true, she had to trust her instincts. Quickly but as silently as possible she crept towards the wardrobe and opened it's doors, she slipped inside and closed the door. She felt for the light-switch hidden in the wardrobe. She flipped the switch and squinted at the brightness of the light-bulb. "Aha" she whispered and bent down to pick up the soft yellow shoes her mum gave her for her seventeenth a couple of weeks ago, they were yellow sandals with small angel wings at either side she smiled lightly, but that disappeared at the sound of distant roars, " Is that HIEM?" she thought, at first she wasn't certain but now she was convinced, "I must go to Aesop" she thought out aloud. "Perfect" she picked up a traveling sack and searched for clothes which would suit her mission, under garments too went in there anything she could need.
She pulled on some garments suitable for running long distances, they were light and flexible, a small red overcoat with a split down the front revealing yellow shorts with wings embroidered on the sides. She clasped her hair back with a special clip used for long hair, she was nearly ready to go but she needed her traveling cloak, but it was downstairs, she had to risk it she had to have that cloak to hide the ears, her mother always warned her she must, otherwise she would be dragged off to the circus, elves were really a very rare sight and people would do anything to get there slimy little paws on her. She sidled out of the cupboard not forgetting to switch off the light, sack on back, shoes as light as air, body arched in a awkward poise ready to leap in case any danger was lurking. She slipped out of her room without a creak onto the upstairs landing, eluding down the stairs with one hand on the bannister almost gliding. The once magnificent door was ruined, smashed wood and glass littered the floor, the tall marble columns supporting parts of the palace providing hiding places for saphira slinking around. Her cloak was next to what remained of the large oak doors, she grasped it desperately and got it triumphantly, she grinned and placed the soft velvet green cloak on her petite figure. She then made for the door but something breathed decaying breath down her neck, she shivered and turned round slowly and eye to eye, she saw a black skull covered in what looked like a tarry material, it grinned a crooked fanged snarl, Saphira locked into spot staring at those empty sockets, " soul's of darkness." she whispered fear nearly controlling her mind, body and soul, she tried to run but she couldn't move. Her arms clasped by crushing claws, more of them appeared floating on air, skulls on tarry tatters with claws like cutlasses, they started to frenzy their jaws dripping with drool. They fought over her pure soul, wailing like nails scraping down a chalkboard, Saphira closed her eyes tight as she meet its jaws up close, ready to meet her fate if need be.
"Stop!" a powerful female shouted out loud," We need her, she's the one we have been searching for all this time. Tie her to that pole, good and tight, we can't let her escape." Saphira was slammed against the marble column, ropes bond her tightly, cutting her arms and ribs and breathing space, but she didn't care, she wanted to know who could be desperate enough donate there life to HIEM's way of darkness. The souls of darkness lined up in parallel rows like they were greeting the master himself, she winced as the soul's of darkness screeched a tuneless entrance to who ever this female was, a shadow of a female figure emerged from the shadows. The soul's of darkness bowed and left leaving Saphira and the strange figure of a women who obviously had a grand connection with the evil one himself.
The silence was broken by the women's sharp laughter echoing round the entrance hall, it was a cold bitter laugh which rang in saphira's mind chilling the very essence of her soul. The evil women at last stepped from the shadows into the light, She was striking, red locks which curled round high cheekbones and crept like ivy down her back, eyes green and glowing like cats studied saphira's trembling form, she was tall and terrifyingly beautiful, her lips were big and red, making you think that at anytime she could turn round and snap. A long black dress stopping slightly above her cleavage made her look like a sleek black cat, it followed her curves hugging them tightly. A black cloak off her shoulders, held together by a moonstone chain, trailed behind, in Saphiras eyes she looked like a overgrown crow, but to any man she would appear incredibly provocative.
"Hello Saphira" She rolled her r's with the tip of her tongue, her voice as loud and clear, but with sexy huskiness to it, " I am Solofini, future wife and engaged to the new all powerful HIEM." she paused for a moment to see Saphira's reaction, her lipstick blood grin grew, "Now he will adore me for you, something about exchanging your soul with evil and nothing could stop us!" she laughed again throwing her head back, hands on hips and her whole body shook with wicked laughter.
"Now i thought getting you would be harder but it turns out after we killed your parents getting you was a snap. Now my dear," she moved her face up to Saphira's, and placed a long red finger nail on her cheek and ran it slowly down saphira's already wet cheek, "I expected much more from a girl with powers to stop HIEM but you are as weak and pitiful as your parents."
"STOP!!!!!!!" yelled saphira her eyes blazing, "That's enough!"
Saphira stood there pinned against the column, her heart pounded, hatred boiling her blood, Solofini stood looking bewildered only for a moment or two, and her sly grin returned yet again.
"Oh touchy i think i hit a nerve, if you think that's bad wait till you hear what we did to your parents, how they begged for mercy, stuff that could make your darkest nightmare's come true." Saphira's blood was boiling into overdrive, she could feel the burning desire to punch the hell out of this women almost radiate out of her skin. Solofini wasn't watching her, she cackled away making her seem even more like a demented crow. Saphira looked daggers at solofini, 'Conflagration" she whispered almost mouthing the words. A fire crept around her, solofini was unaware, still cackling, it swept around saphira's trapped body attracting Solofini's attention, the fire died, leaving Saphira's body unharmed but the ropes turned to dust and fell to the floor. Solofini stood in pure shock, her face shown in Saphira's emotions.
"You, you.........," Solofini stuttered.
Now Saphira laughed and stood in front of Solofini staring her in the eyes,
"No, Solofini, i will be yours and HIEM's darkest nightmare." She took two steps towards the door, and crouched slightly, she turned her face to see the fuming Solofini, "Till we meet again oh monstrous one." Saphira smiled at her small joke and disappeared with immense speed, within a blink of an eye she disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving Solofini seething in the light of the dying moon.
"GET HER." she screamed shaking the house, the soul's of darkness appeared behind solofini, obedient to there all powerful mistress, " Bring her back to me, ALIVE, then we will see who is all-powerful in HIEM's judgment, GO!" She snapped her hand towards the horizon, they glided almost dragging there cutlass claws, they were fast but it would be hours for them to catch up with Saphira's head start, but they could catch anything if they were hungry enough.
Solofini stood there her head full of thoughts, her evil ideas turning the little cogs in her head, she turned round and faced the large painting on the wall;
" You were right, little child of darkness, she is very powerful, we must watch our backs if we want HIEM to rule for many aeons. Come out, and see me my dear."
A little rustle emerged from the paintings curtains, they moved apart to show a figure no bigger than a small child, "I am not here to help you," it said with a mellow mystical voice, " I am here to fulfill out the prophecy that has been written by my ancestors, and do not be fooled by my name, for i never take sides but my own." It stepped into the light, a tall brown, patched mages hat sat on blackness with only two illuminating red eyes, then a washed-out blue coat too big for it trailed on the floor along with the sleeves, puffy, striped, light and dark blue pants tucked into worn brown boots.
'You of all people should know that. Solofini, a word of advice, don't get your hopes up about getting what you want, after all HIEM is a very difficult person to please."
It walked up to Solofini and nodded its mysterious head and disappeared in a puff of blue smoke. Solofini stood straight and placed her hands on her hips, she walked to the door her heels echoing in the dead house, "So it begins, let the prophecy be broken by a foolish child, let the legend become that because we will prevail," She stood outside the night air dead and the moon clandestine, the dawn moments away, and she shouted into the sky. " Enjoy your last moments of freedom Saphira, because it will be your last, and the brothers of destruction will rise again." She cackled her spine tingling laugh and didn't stop, not even for the dawn to begin.
 Saphira Moonlily · Thu Nov 23, 2006 @ 07:24am · 1 Comments |
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