The Soul Keeper

I watched in silence as the Ancient Demon took form before me, not too far away from the marked cliff by the valley of starsnatchers. 

"Human?" Dorith's voice echoed. "Is that what you are?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. 

"Well, yes." I hesitated. "Without me telling you that, would the word have meant anything to you?" I couldn't think of a better way to ask that question.

The legendary demon shrugged. "No, not really. It's the first time I'm hearing it." His form became more prominent as he drew upon the power in the valley. "Where did that guy hear it from?" He asked. "Fetheion." He added, noticing my slightly confuse glance.

I shrugged. "That's what I'd like to know." I bit my lower lip. Had Asher told him about it? Or Mona? "I'm certain I never told him. It never came up in our conversations."

Dorith sighed. "What does it matter for anyways?" He asked. "We're going to war tomorrow. Focus on that."

I rolled my eyes. "I am focused on that." What I wanted to tell him was that I had the ability to focus on more than one thing, but instead, I just shook my head. "It's just stuck in my mind. I feel like there's something really important that I'm missing. A piece of information that I should have!" What if something happened to someone because I was missing a piece of vital information?

"You're worrying too much." Dorith's sharp voice pulled me away from my thoughts. "The Lord gave you a task. If you don't fulfil it, you and your friends die. Or worse." His eyes flashed purple. "That's what you need to focus on – to get the Keeper's soul back to satisfy the Lord." 

My shoulders dropped. "I know." With the Demon Lord's threat hanging over me like this, I didn't have any options anyways. "Are you done?" I finally asked as Dorith became fully visible. The only reason I could tell he was a soul and not a real person in flesh and blood was the connection we had.

"Almost." He grinned. "You know," He added after a moment. "All I'll be able to do is increase your power." He glanced at my left hand. Noticing his gaze, I clenched it into a fist. "I doubt you even need my help." Our gazes met. "Why are you going to such lengths to have me help you?"

I looked away. "I don't know what awaits me. Best to be prepared, right?" I chuckled to hide my uncertainty and fear.

One more day, I told myself as I stretched my arms. "Besides," I forced a smile. "You wanted to see the destruction of the Ereth too, didn't you?"

He laughed out loud. "I do want that, that's true!" With his eyes letting out a purple glow, he grinned, showing his sharp fangs. 

I couldn't help but chuckle, somewhat nervously. "See?" I said, then looked at the sky. The sun had set a while ago. It was time to go back and sleep. "Let's go back," I finally said as the cool evening breeze tugged at my clothes.

Dorith simply chuckled before letting go of his form. I felt his power melt into my chest once more. This time, though, it was an overwhelming power. I could almost feel my own power become extinguished by his.

"Keep yourself hidden," I said as I stretched my wings. "I don't want Fetheion to take notice of you." I hesitated. "Or anyone else, for that matter." If anyone else found out that I harboured a conscious Ancient Demon within me, I knew their trust in me would be broken. I could keep this hidden, even if it is for just one more day.

"Sure," I heard Dorith's voice echo in my mind. I felt his magic wane as he hid himself deeper within the void in my chest. 

Satisfied, I leapt high into the air flew up.

A handful of minutes later, via the use of rifts and some flight, I was back at our base. At the home of my predecessor.

As I landed not far from the river, I noticed Asher sitting outside. His eyes were closed, though I already knew he was well aware of my arrival.

"That was a long walk." He commented as I approached him.

"It turned into a flight." I said with a weak smile. I hated hiding things from him and Lucius. "Are you alright? You seem exhausted." He was a bit more pale than usual. The dark circles under his eyes were hard to miss too.

"I'm just exhausted." He sighed, then quickly opened his eyes. "Ah, sorry." He looked away. "We're going to battle tomorrow, so you should rest."

I furrowed my brows. "What's wrong Asher?"

The blonde sorcerer hesitated. "I just had a chat with Lucius." He finally said. "I pressed him on the matter of how you'd both be treated after you returned."

I flinched. "I…" What could I say? "It's not something you need to worry about." 

He shook his head. "I may be butting in a bit too much, but I can't help but feel like the way your family acts is a bit… backwards." I raised my eyebrows. "It's a bit awkward, actually. I feel like I've got to do something after we get out of here." He glanced at me, gauging my reaction.

I laughed. "No, no it's fine." I said after my laughter subsided. "I get that you feel that way, but it's really fine." I couldn't even imagine having Asher barge inside our training hall and argue with Mother. "Don't worry about me, let's just focus on getting out of here."

I headed inside, but not before smiling at him. "I would like you to visit though," I said as I laughed.

The next day came quickly. And so did dusk. We stood on a hill overlooking the city, our minds cleansed from everything but the upcoming war.

"Ready?" Fetheion asked, glancing at each and every one of us.

I stepped forward as everyone nodded. "Remember," I said, my gaze fixed on the city bathed under the crimson lights of the setting sun. "Survive, no matter what."