Nothing

And before me stood my goal. The book that would both save Diana from the disease that corrupted her youthful life, and once again bring peace to our land and my family. Through all I had overcome, I stood only moments from the completion of my work.

Before me also stood the only thing capable of undoing what I had wrought. Above me it towered high, even as its clawed feet compressed and scared the dry earth beneath it. From my eyes it stood the height of two men and was three times as wide, its ravenous face nearly hidden in the dust that was kicked up by its stride. It approached me, flames burning briefly beneath its feet with each step, its long arms swinging from side to side. As each nail from its lengthened fingers slighted the ground, sparks would fly, the earth’s disgust and rejection of such a foul being.

Slowly, it lumbered forward, the ground shaking in fear of the evil it found upon its flesh. I craned my neck high to see into the demons face, to gaze at its ravenous mouth. Here its teeth gnashed together in anticipation, steaming drool falling from its jaws. I steeled myself and gazed into its eyes.

They were black as the night and twice as dark, save for the small pinpoints of light that marked its sight, small watchfires at the darkest hour. It was here that I gazed into the blackest soul I had ever seen. It was here that I saw that soul falter. I held its gaze.

The step of the beast quavered, and then stopped, both feet planted firmly on the fearful soil beneath. Its eyes flickered, the flames blown as if by a breeze and though it held my sight, it seemed almost to be searching the cavern for its fear.

I felt my advantage and drew my blade, given to me in my time of need to find the Book and free the world of evil. A gift of light to save the world from the dark. Ebony was its blade and it glinted fiercely in the faltering red of the demon. I rushed forward even as the demon took its first step back. My blade fell, and despite the fear in its eyes, the demon’s arm met my blow.

“You brought this upon her.” Came its low and rumbling voice. I heard disbelief in its voice. Heat poured from its mouth as it spoke, and I staggered backwards against his speech. It continued. “You invited the dark one into your home.”

I rushed forward, pushing all doubt from my mind in my need to drive back this darkness. Only two thoughts remained. The death of this beast and the salvation of Diana. My blade hummed in anticipation of our common goal. I swung the sword high, hoping to cleave its neck from its shoulders. The demon did not even try to block, only looked at me with sadness in its eyes.

As the blade fell, another blast of heat emanated from the demon’s body, leaving nothing but steam in its midst. Amongst that steam walked a stooped man, aged beyond his lifetime. His skin hung on his frame loosely, and he was draped in wispy strips of cloth. His eyes still held the fire of the demon, but as before, they were tinged with sorrow. I stood, my sword humming, hungry for blood, its tip resting on the earth.

“You invited it into your home with your prayers.” Said the man. His voice no longer bellowed with heat or sound, but now held the low edge of sharp age.

“I don’t know what you mean.” I said, my voice faltering with the possibility of blame. “I do not worship it. Nor do I serve the dark one.” I found strength in the truth of my words. I was here to save Diana. Nothing more.

“Do you truly think that’s all you come for?” Said the man, his eyes lighting with anger at my thoughts. “Who do you think brought the illness to your sister? Who has that power?” He began to take slow, staggering steps towards the Book, his cane supporting him most of the way. “Do you even know what it is you seek?” He almost whispered.

I stood for a moment, watching as the man placed his hand on the book, lovingly caressing its dark cover. At first it seemed as if the black leather began to ripple beneath his touch, till my eyes began to see that blood welled from its cover. The man smiled, a glazed look on his face, as if looking at a lover.

“Do you know what this is?” He asked, his voice soothing and condescending, the voice a parent uses with their children. He didn’t look up from his treasure.

“It is what will save my sister.” I said, finding strength in my belief. “And the world, should I be worthy to wield it.” He laughed at that, the soft chuckle an elder gives to a child who says that the dark one and the Fae will devour you if you wander outside the village. The man circled the pedestal on which the book sat, ending with his back to me. He gazed down at the Book.

“It is a portal. A gate between the Aether and our world. A gate the dark one can use.” His voice broke on the final words, a sob breaking his controlled voice. “I sought its aid as well once.” He turned to me, the fire rekindled in his eyes, verging on fury.

“And I found it. The great aid of the gods, sent to humanity as a crutch in times of need.” He began to shout, his voice rising in anger. “Such power I found within. The power to shape worlds. And always was it there, the wall where I could find comfort. The dark one. Unmaker.” The words began to dwindle. “He tricked me. A cruel jape against his enemies. He knew they would find me and punish me for my foolishness.

“But you’re different.” He said, his eyes hungry with need. “He wants something from you. He wants your desire to be quenched. That’s all he’s ever wanted. The end of worldly want so that his want can end.” He licked his lips, the fires burning. “But I won’t let that happen. Your need drives you and fuels the fires he wants doused. That’s why I was bound here. To keep the need alive. To fight him.” He began to run at me, smoking tendrils beginning at his toes as he began, once more to take the shape of a demon. “To fight you.” His words became a roar of bloodlust and hatred.

“Your lies mean nothing to me.” I said. My blade hummed in my hands, eager for the blood of evil to coat its edge. “I will die saving her, if I must.” I prepared myself, the warriors stance I’d been taught leading my body for the strike as he charged. “And so will you.” It took but a single thrust to impale the still changing demon on my sword. The fires of his eyes dimmed and became pools of glass.

“Fool.” His words sputtered, blood coughing up from his ancient lungs. “We’re already dead and gone to him.”

As his head lolled against his chest, the great weight of a demon receded, leaving only the skeletal mass of an old and sad man. Now it was not the size of a demon that pushed against me, but the weight of a single death. I looked up, the Book I had fought so long for within my grasp. “Liar.” I spat the words along with the demons blood from my mouth.

With a single touch, I opened the book, turned the page, and wanted nothing.