The Fallen Part 1

The Fallen - Chapter One

Nharakai fell to the ground, surprised by the strength of her opponent. Using her powers to manipulate space and time, she flipped herself up into the air and landed gently back on the grass. Taking a deep, concentrated breath, Nharakai focused her energies. This was a battle she could have easily won minutes ago, and yet she found herself almost wanting to fail. Although her powers were stronger now, she was not able to call herself a being of light. She had fallen. Evil now coursed through her veins and she hated herself for that simple fact. There was no honour nor grace within her, and that in itself was a disgrace to The Divine. She often hoped that she would be killed in order to right the wrongs she had committed to the Lord and Lady. That is why she sought battle after battle. Nharakai wished for death. Nharakai wished for an escape. Yet, she knew she would never do that to The Divine. They needed her.

“Kill me then.” She said simply, dropping her fighting knives and lowering her guard. Nharakai was nearly five foot ten and slender. She had long, raven black hair that was pinned back, dark, ocean-like blue skin and nearly-black scales covered her joints. One might say she could have been beautiful…if not for the demonic features that sometimes took over her human-like face. The demon before her was at least a foot shorter than Nharakai, but it’s shoulders were wide and it’s arms were taut and strong. The Unchadi were a deadly species, often underestimated due to their height but when under attack razor sharp horns protruded from their bones at all of the major joints. The Unchadi flexed his muscles and took a step towards her.

“Oh, do not fret, Nharakai. I will be bringing your body home for my young to eat. I think your flesh will give them great strength, you being the last of your sordid kind.” The beast hissed, chuckling for many moments, which only infuriated the Nharakai more.

Nobody insulted her kind. Nobody was to insult the fact that she was the only remaining defender of the Holy Children of The Divine. Since the day she fell from grace, there was no chance any such defender would ever exist again. The Divine and its power would one day dwindle away as each childe fell to darkness or perished. The guilt that this invoked was a mighty force to be reckoned with. Nharakai’s guilt was the one force that drove her to continue destroying demon after demon.

Nharakai’s demonic features slipped forward, replacing her kind, human-like eyes and teeth with bright yellow eyes, a rugged, bumped forehead and long, sharp fangs.

“By insulting me, you insult The Lord and The Lady.” Nharakai growled, shifting her weight to her back foot, preparing herself to pounce.

“You think that matters to a demon like me? You think that The Divine care about something as hideous as I? No. They love only the beautiful and the graceful. They do not care about those who had no choice but to be born this way.”

Though the demon was not faultless, those not born under the approval of the Divine lived a cold life. The sympathy she felt for the beast stung deep in her stomach for a moment. However, her new demonic urges soon overcomed such humane feelings and Nharakai roared, leaped into the air, slowing time as she did so to ease her passage through the space. Her feet landed on each of the beast’s shoulders and Nharakai reached for its head, ripping it from its body. As she jumped back to the ground demonic blood showered over her, as the life-force of another demon spurted from it’s neck. Dropping the head of the Unchadi leader, she let the blood of her enemy wash over her, raising her arms either side of her and relishing in the act. She knew it was wrong to enjoy such a moment…but it felt so very right to feel blood on her dark skin and lips.

She licked her lips, savouring the copper taste of her victim’s blood. This victory was a small one, but every taste of blood made it worthwhile. Now that she had destroyed the head of this nest, the young of the clan would be easy picking. She raised her nose in the air, tilting her head slightly as she searched all of her senses in order to find the young of the beast she had just killed.

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Her eyes flicked over the twelve corpses before her, each missing a head. That had been far too easy. However, their strength had again been surprising; it seemed as though the demons of this world were becoming stronger. Was that due to weakening of The Divine, or the strengthening of the many enemies they had? A question that Nharakai would probably never know the answer to, but that she would ponder upon for the millenia she still had to live. Millenia to feel guilty for what she had done.

Nharakai growled. She hated the fact that her mind always returned to one simple fact. She had failed and she had fallen. Then Nharakai roared, infuriated at herself, and it echoed throughout the cave in the mountain she stood in. She half expected something to appear and challenge her, but she was alone. Always alone. Her long, oil-black hair fell over her face as she dipped her head, almost in defeat. What a courageous, calm and proud being she had once been! Nharakai bit her lip,but tried to calm herself, letting her demonic features subside and her more human face slip forward. Her eyes returned to black from their crazed yellow demonic form, and the ridges across her forehead subsided, leaving her with the smoothest dark blue skin across a nearly beautiful face. The Divine had built a race of beautiful and strong protectors, but Nharakai was now the last of her kind and her appearance beared no resemblance to the grace and light of her former self.

She left the scene quietly, collecting her precious fighting knives and what ever other weapons might prove useful. There would be another battle ahead that would help numb the constant pain and guilt that plagued her insides. Instead of wasting energy on climbing, Nharakai closed her eyes, concentrated on her power and manipulated the space surrounding her in relation to her. Her feet lifted from the ground and the demoness opened her eyes, causing her body to rush through the air towards the temple.

As she moved through the space around her at speed, she enjoyed the views of the Athame mountain ranges around her. Sharp, jagged ridges jutted out of most of the mountains, making these ranges a dangerous place for normal humans. Only demons and the likes of Nharakai were able to navigate this part of the world. Forcing herself faster, she passed over the regions of Raven and Grimoire. Every region or city in this part of the world was protected by three levels of defensive walls, creating three circles around each. Three was a binding number and the strongest magical protection came in threes.

Several minutes later, when she reached the city of Triquetra, Nharakai landed softly. She squirmed a little, feeling suddenly more aware aware that she was covered in the sticky blood of the beasts she had slaughtered. Nharakai felt dirty. Unworthy. She took a breath and looked up at the opening of the temple. Not unlike the temples and buildings that the Romans had built, this temple had almost a hundred marble pillars lining its entrance. The roof was covered in intricate designs of the God and Goddess and their triumphs over the various evils they had encountered. It was beautiful. Everything about The Divine was incredibly beautiful and this temple often brought a tear to those who visited it.

She began to walk towards the large entrance, almost smiling about the fact that she was the only dark thing that ever ventured into the temple, everything else was made of light and good. Just inside the entrance, flowers and plants of all colours and sizes lined the marble walkway down the entrance hall. There was a fountain about one hundred metres down the walkway that depicted the God and Goddess together; a sparkling liquid that looked more like liquid mercury than water spilled from their hands. This liquid had been created by The Divine to cleanse all who visited the temple, to soothe any injury or pain. Nharakai made the sign of The Divine before kneeling in front of the fountain. She dipped her dark blue hands into the liquid, the dried blood washing from her. This liquid was indeed cleansing, but in a way that Nharakai could not describe. As soon as she touched it, the demoness felt it warm her entire body and any indication that she had been in battle disappeared. Though she had only washed her hands, her skin was now free of the blood of her slain enemies.

Nharakai rose, feeling rejuvenated with energy, hope and the knowledge that she still had a purpose to fulfill. No matter how far she had fallen from grace, she would still fight for them. At the end of the Entrance Hall, there were two enormous golden doors, with incantations of protection and healing enscribed upon them. No man nor demon had ever breached the doors to the Great Hall, and very few knew what lay behind them. Within the Great Hall was an altar to the God and Goddess, creators of the world Nharakai lived in. The altar was made of a metal more precious than gold, a substance that the Lord and Lady had created together. She had beared witness to many rites and rituals performed upon this altar. Two golden thrones sat either side of the altar, made comfortable with the softest silks and cushions. Beyond the Great Hall was a series of chambers. Each contained items that were of extreme importance to the wellbeing of The Divine and the world. In one, a great tapestry upon which the world had been woven was hidden. If anything were to happen to the tapestry, everything that The Divine had created would eventually become nothingness, unwriting the world piece by piece. In another, two great white urns stood in the centre of the chamber. Inside these urns were where the God and Goddess resided when they were not fulfilling duties to their people. In the others, various artefacts that held different powers imbued with the essence of the Divine were displayed and stored. Such artefacts were only to be used should the need arise, for powerful weapons had been forged to fight only the greatest of evils.

Though the God and Goddess had woven this world into reality and much of it remained beautiful, some of its occupants would fall from grace, and this created demon races. Nharakai had also fought other enemies of The Divine; pure demons from other worlds that somehow found ways to breach the barriers to this one. No matter how many demons she slayed, their numbers would always swell, and she would always have something to kill. This reminder filled her with more urgency.

The demoness began to walk towards the Great Hall with speed and purpose. As she stopped before the doors, Nharakai took a short breath and prepared herself.

“My Lord and my Lady, I am here if you wish to speak with me.” She said, kneeling slowly, looking up at the doors. A few moments passed before the doors to the Great Hall began to open. Nharakai stood and walked through the doors. The sight of the God and Goddess seated at their thrones in the Great Hall always took her breath from her; and it did again today. They were beautiful. A white light emanated from every inch of the Lord and Lady, washing over everything they came into contact with. Their golden hair was worn loose, and their white attire was simple but elegant. Nharakai noticed that their postures confessed they had bad news to tell her and she half-frowned, worry stirring in her stomach.

“Welcome, Nharakai.” Said Goddess, bowing her head slightly. Her bright green eyes glowed with sincere happiness and eagerness to see the demoness.

“Thank you, my Lady. I am here to inform you that the nest of Unchadi has been eliminated. Lana will be safe where she is now.” Nharakai told her Goddess.

“That is good news.” The Goddess paused and glanced at her partner. “Though, there is much to discuss that is not so fortunate.”

“Nharakai,” said the Lord. “We have reason to believe that there is a warlock who is rallying demons to his cause. This is not uncommon, but we believe that this warlock is somehow altering his minions with magick. You have noticed the increase in nests and the increase in power and strength of the enemies you have defeated. This is no coincidence.”

Nharakai took the information in. More nests, more difficult prey. This meant protecting them would be hard. She was the last of the great protectors, and she could not protect the Lord and Lady and all of their children at the same time. The children of The Divine had been scattered all around the land long ago to make an outright attack on The Divine less possible. Any childe of The Divine held within them a part of his or her parents. Her eyes were frantically moving between the the Lord and Lady, trying to decide which strategy she was supposed to take.

The Goddess smiled, and this soothed Nharakai. “Do not fret, this is not a task that you cannot complete, old friend.”

Nharakai raised her eyebrows and gave a small smile. “My Lady, I cannot defeat an enemy that will attack from all sides, though I will no doubt try. I cannot protect you all on my own.”

“You will not have to. We have rallied warriors from throughout the kingdom to help you. We have infused them with more powers so that you cannot fail. They will be under your command, Nharakai.” The Lord told her. His expression was serious, but his eyes showed a bright excitement. The information buzzed around in her mind. "We suggest a direct approach to reduce the threat. Find and eliminate the warlock, and the rest of his minions will weaken and be more easily defeated." The Lord glanced at his wife, who was now looking anxious.

Nharakai frowned, and worry started stirring in her stomach again. "My Lady, what is it...?"

The Goddess tried to smile again, but her face became serious almost immediately. "Nharakai, the warlock...you have encountered him before. Oh, it pains me to say this..." Tears were soon threatening to spill from The Lady's eyes. "It is Nhotanok. You have to find and eliminate Nhotanok." She finished, in a quavering voice.

Nharakai felt her heart stop.


Continued in..."The Fallen Part 2"