The monstrous panther ran through the woods with a thirst for blood. But not any blood. It wanted her blood. It wasn't sure who 'her' was, but all its soul was consumed with having her. Devouring her. Owning her.
Its mind was muddled with confusion. All it knew was that it needed to get to her.
༻✧༺
In the basement of the Arquix castle, Tilda and Cosaria were tied up in the middle of the room.
Grysle said, "I'm sure you'll like Delrik's change. I know I will."
Tilda said, "You monster."
Grysle said, "Get the demon water ready. We'll see who's a monster after you've had a taste."
Cosaria begged, "Please, don't!"
Grysle said, "Now this is precious."
Tilda winced as Yrse grabbed her.
"Wait. I think we can use her." Grysle turned to Cosaria and said, "Do what I tell you, and this maid won't be hurt."
Tilda said, "Cosaria, you can't do this."
Cosaria cried, "Why! Why are you so terrible?"
Grysle spat and said, "Me? Terrible? What would you understand about the miserable life of us trapped demons! Constantly in hiding, running from the oppressive wardens that hunt us ruthlessly. You understand nothing."
"I understand pain," Cosaria said bravely. "And anyone who feels that, I can understand that."
"Ridiculous."
From corner of the room, the monstrous Ferris thwapped his tongue. Cosaria looked over and saw Vexi and Ioul huddled together with Ferris on a leash.
Cosaria said, "Vexi? Ioul? What are you doing here?"
Tilda said, "You know these monsters?"
"They are the ones who taught me about demon water."
"What!"
Cosaria looked down sheepishly, saying, "They… they needed it to survive."
Vexi said, "That's all true! It's true!"
Tilda said, "Cosaria! Why didn't you say anything about this!"
Cosaria said, "I had to protect them."
"And protect them you did," Grysle gloated. "In fact, it's thanks to you that all of this was possible. The holy water you provided them with, is the very same water that has been cursing the Arquix Dutchy today. Very potent."
Tilda's jaw dropped. She said, "Cosaria, how could you be so blind?"
"They needed my help," Cosaria said, as if that would justify her actions.
Grysle said, "And help you did. The demonic energy from cursed victims has increased the overall demonic energy within the kingdom, making the gate easy to find."
Vexi walked over and tugged at Grysle's cloak.
Grysle said, "What?"
Vexi said, "I don't think we need to torture her to get her to help us."
Grysle said, "Excuse me?"
Vexi said, "Boss, she'll help us."
Grysle said, "Don't be stupid. Nobody helps demons."
Ioul stepped forward while Ferris slept soundly behind them. Ioul said, "She helped us."
Grysle said, "And look where that got her."
Ioul glanced at Vexi as Vexi nodded. Their conniving minds working in tandem.
"Boss, I think we should give her a chance." Vexi said as Ioul quietly pulled a powder substance out of his pocket.
Grysle said, "Listen here-"
Grysle coughed as Ioul blew the powder in Grysle's face. Grysle passed out as his eyes rolled back into his head.
Yrse tensed up and grabbed his sword.
Talking to Yrse, Ioul said, "He's not dead, he'll wake up in a few minutes."
Vexi turned to Cosaria and said, "Will ye help us?"
Tilda said, "No way. Don't listen to them, Cosaria. They tricked you once already."
Ioul said, "We're sorry about that."
Cosaria told Tilda, "I want to listen to what they have to say."
Tilda was incredulous. She said, "Cosaria! Don't be stupid!"
"I want to listen!" Cosaria said with an angry force that made Tilda flinch back. She had never seen Cosaria like that before.
Cosaria turned to the boys and said gently, "Tell me."
Vexi and Ioul exchanged glances. Then Vexi said, "We'd lived in the demon-angel realm with Elder. Then the angels attacked and there was a war. They kicked us out of our home. They tore apart families and was forcing most of us to an eternal prison on earth. We can't exist without demonic water here on earth and when the church put a ban on producing holy water, we demons started dying out faster than anything. We don't want to live here anymore. We have to open the gate so that we can go home."
Ioul said, "So that we can see Elder again."
Tilda rolled her eyes, mumbling, "You're kidding me."
Vexi said, "Will ye help us?"
Cosaria said, "You've cursed a lot of people. You've done a lot of very bad things."
Vexi said, "We had to. It's the only way to build up enough demonic energy. It won't last either. As soon as the gate is open, the demonic energy will get sucked back into the gate and the curses will be completely gone."
Suddenly, Grysle spoke, "You're wasting your breath. She won't join our side."
Ioul jumped back, saying, "You're awake!"
Grysle said, "It only took me a matter of seconds to recover. I've been listening the whole time."
Ioul turned to Cosaria and said, "What do ye say?"
"I… I don't know." Cosaria said. She asked Grysle, "Is what they say the truth?"
Grysle said, "Why would it matter? You wouldn't believe me."
Cosaria said, "So tell me. You don't know that I won't believe you. I believe things that are true."
Grysle studied Cosaria, staring hard. He closed his eyes and his appearance changed to become that of a green skinned demon with pointy ears. He said, "I'm one of the first war prisoners that were forced through the gate. I've done a lot of, what you would call, bad things. Lord Grysle, the original owner of this face, was a decent man, until I took over his life. But back in the demon-angel realm, I have a wife and I will do whatever it takes to get back to her."
Cosaria said, "You can't keep hurting people."
Grysle bowed his head and spoke quietly, "I have to get back to her."
Cosaria said, "And I can help you, but I won't if you keep hurting people."
Tilda blinked a few times in confusion. She said, "Cosaria, what?"
Grysle said, "Are you serious? You'll believe me, just like that?"
Cosaria said, "Why wouldn't I? It's the truth, isn't it?"
Grysle said, "Yes, but-"
Cosaria said, "But you have to promise me to stop hurting people. Going home is a good thing, but the way you do it is bad. You can't keep doing bad in the name of a good cause."
Tilda said, "You're kidding me! Cosaria, he's lying."
Cosaria said, "You don't know that, Tilda."
"He's a liar! Liars lie!"
"I can figure these things out for myself, Tilda. Wasn't it you that told me to grow a spine?"
"Can you even look at yourself right now? You're being manipulated by this demon Lord."
Cosaria looked at Grysle, alarmed.
Grysle said, "I'm manipulating her? Oh please, I'm letting her choose for herself. It is you who is trying to force her hand at the choice."
Cosaria said, "If I help you, will you promise to not do bad things anymore?"
Grysle cleared his throat and said, "How do you describe 'bad things'?"
"No more hurting or cursing people."
"If you help us, I won't need to."
"Do you promise?"
"I promise."
Cosaria said, "And if I help you, do you promise to take away all the curses from everyone?"
Grysle said, "If you open the demon gate, I promise to leave and take all the cursed energy with me."
Cosaria stood up and said, "Then I agree to help you."
Tilda said, "Cosaria!"
"Don't worry Tilda, I know what I'm doing."
"No, you don't. How could you?"
"My heart is telling me this is right. Don't worry, I'm going to save everyone."
"You? You're a helpless little girl that is in need of constant saving!"
Tears welled up in Cosaria's eyes. She said, "Is that what you think?"
Tilda softens. In a quietly voice, she said, "Have you ever proven otherwise?"
Tears fell down Cosaria's eyes. She said, "You don't think I can do this?"
"It's not a matter of whether or not you can do this. It's about the choices you're making. You're making the wrong choice. Even now you can't recognize that you're being manipulated by this demon!"
Cosaria puckered her lips, saying, "I don't think I am."
"But you are!"
"I'm sorry Tilda. But I have to do what I believe to be right. For Delrik. For the Kingdom. For myself."
"Cosaria…" Tilda groaned.
Grysle said, "And now who is trying to manipulate who? Gag her."
"Cosaria!!!"
Cosaria said, "I think that's for the best. But don't hurt her."
Smiling sweetly, Grysle said, "Of course not."
Vexi and Ioul gagged Tilda.