Under The Rose

      By lady Demon

 

 

                   

 

        The Fox and the Catman had gone out at the urging of the Starbearer.

 

            He had sensed someone but was unable to pinpoint where this person

            was or even who it was. He knew the keen senses of the Catman and

            Fox would make it possible for them to find whomever it was.

 

            Something had disturbed his dream and he had lay awake for a few

            hours before going to wake the Fox and the Catman. The Catman hadn't

 

            been happy about the summons, but the Fox simply shrugged and headed

 

            out into the night, leaving the Starbearer to wait for their return.

 

            "What is it Starbearer?" asked the Demon as he entered the room.

 

            "I sensed someone…something that had woken me from my sleep. I've

            sent Catman and the Fox to find him," said the Starbearer. The Demon

 

            sighed.

 

            "It is not a man," said the Demon. "It…is a woman," he said. The

            Starbearer stared at him for a moment, wondering how the Demon could

 

            possibly know when it was the Starbearer himself who read minds and

            emotions.

 

            "How do you know?" he asked as he tried to read the Demon's

            thoughts. As usual, the Demon had a shield up to his mental probes.

 

            "She came to me in a vision two nights ago," he said.

 

            "And why didn't you tell the rest of us about this?" asked the

            Starbearer.

 

            "Tell the rest of us about what?" asked Celestial as he came in and

            sat down. The Demon sighed.

 

            "I had a vision of a woman," he said.

 

            "You're always dreaming of women," snickered the Celestial.

 

            "This was no dream…it was a vision," said the Demon with a growl.

 

            "What happened in the vision?" asked the Starbearer.

 

            "I could see her face…and that was all. It was not clear," replied

            the Demon evasively.

 

            Running through the deep undergrowth, Sharianna cursed as branches

            and brambles dug into her bare flesh. The sound of pounding hooves

            was right behind her and she knew that if she turned to look, they

            would catch her. The darkness made it impossible to see exactly

            where she was going as she continued to run blindly through the

            woods.

 

            She came to a clearing and found herself surrounded be three men on

            horseback. She stopped, knowing there was no way for her to escape.

            She was a good fighter…but not good enough to defeat three men armed

 

            with swords. She knew she couldn't win, but she wasn't going to go

            down without a fight.

 

            One of the men dismounted and approached her. She backed up until

            she was pinned against a large tree. He leered down at her.

 

            "Blackwell will be quite pleased with you," he said reaching out to

            touch her reddish blonde locks. She tried to pull away but the solid

 

            tree behind her prevented it.

 

            "Tell Blackwell he can go to hell," she snarled, summoning up her

            courage. The man laughed and grabbed her by the wrist.

 

            "Let's go," he said starting to drag her toward his horse.

 

            "Let go of her," said a voice from the darkness. The other two men

            on horseback spun around to survey the darkness.

 

            "What is she to you?" asked the man holding her. He was not about to

 

            let his prize get away.

 

            "That isn't your concern," said a second voice from the other side

            of

            the clearing. "Release her," said the voice.

 

            "What will you do if I don't?" he asked. Someone stepped into the

            clearing and the light from the moon shone down on his face. He was

            massive, standing close to eight feet tall, the catlike features of

            his face making it obvious who he was.

 

            "I think you already know the answer to that question," said the

            Catman. The other man stepped into the light, his fox-like features

            now plainly visible.

 

            "Elder," said the man. He immediately released Sharianna's arm and

            hurried to his horse. Mounting quickly the three men rode off into

            the darkness. Sharianna stood staring at the two Elder before her.

            Her knees were weak and she felt them give out as she sank into

            oblivion.

 

            "I guess we scared her," said the Fox sheepishly. The Catman

            shrugged.

 

            "I guess so," he said.

 

            "I think this is who we're looking," said the Fox.

 

            "What makes you say that?" said the Catman.

 

            "I can feel it," said the Fox. The Catman shook his head and rolled

            his eyes. He picked up the unconscious woman and they headed back to

 

            the Citadel.

 

            The Starbearer heard the door opened and turned to see the Catman

            and

            Fox returning, the Catman carrying a woman. The Starbearer turned to

 

            the Demon.

 

            "It's her," he said. "What happened?"

 

            "She was being chased by some of Blackwell's men. We stopped them

            from taking her but when she saw us, she fainted," said the Catman.

 

            "I'd faint too if I came face to face with you guys in the middle of

 

            the night," said the Celestial with a cackle.

 

            "Take her to the guest chambers and have one of the girls check on

            her. I'll be there soon. I must speak with the Starbearer," said

            the Demon. The Celestial watched as the Catman and the Fox took the

            girl to the guest chambers. "Alone," said the Demon, pinning the

            Celestial with a stern gaze. The Celestial sighed and got up,

            leaving the two Elder alone.

 

            "What is it Demon?" asked the Starbearer. The Demon stood with his

            back to the Starbearer, staring out the window into the night.

 

            "She is a Champion," he said.

 

            "What? She has no markings," said the Starbearer. "All Champions

            possess the markings of one of the Elder…she had none," he said. The

 

            Demon turned to face him.

 

            "She does…" said the Demon.

 

            ***

 

            Sharianna awoke to feel soft sheets beneath her tired body…thick

            blankets wrapped her in a cocoon of warmth. She slowly opened her

            eyes to gaze around the strange room she was in. She carefully sat

            up and was startled by movement in the corner.

 

            "Good, you're awake," said the woman as she approached. "They were

            worried about you."

 

            "Where am I?" asked Sharianna, terrified that Blackwell's men had

            taken her.

 

            "You're in the Citadel of the Elder," she replied. "They will be

            pleased that you are awake," she said. "I am Tiara," she offered.

 

            "Why am I here?" asked Sharianna. Tiara smiled.

 

            "The Elder will explain that to you. Are you hungry?" she asked.

            Sharianna thought for a moment.

 

            "Yes," she replied. "Thank you," she said. Tiara smiled and left

            the room leaving Sharianna alone with her thoughts.

 

            The Citadel of the Elder? She remembered being chased by Blackwell's

 

            men and then the Catman and Fox appearing…but that was it. She had

            passed out and they had obviously brought her here. A knock on the

            door startled her. She quickly lay down and pretended to be asleep.

            The door opened and she heard someone walking toward her with heavy

            footsteps.

 

            "You can stop pretending you're asleep. I know you aren't," said the

 

            deep voice. She opened her eyes and looked into the face of the

            Demon. Terrified she sat up, pulling the blankets up around

            her. "You have nothing to be afraid of. We will not hurt you," he

            said, trying to reassure her.

 

            He took a moment to examine her features. She was just as she had

            appeared in his vision. Her long reddish blonde hair and ice blue

            eyes just as he knew they would be. She was beautiful and nothing

            like he would have expected in a Champion.

 

            "Why were those men chasing you Sharianna?" he asked and she gasped.

 

            How had he known her name?

 

            "How do you know my name?" she asked. The Demon smiled.

 

            "There are many things I know…but you did not answer my question,"

            he

            said.

 

            "Blackwell's men were after me," she said hugging her knees to her

            chest.

 

            "I see. Well, you are safe now and you have nothing to fear from the

 

            Elder. We mean you no harm," he said.

 

            "I have to leave," she said. The Demon chuckled.

 

            "You can't," he said.

 

            "Why not? If I have nothing to fear, that means I'm not a prisoner,"

 

            she said angrily. The Demon sighed.

 

            "You can't leave because you have a duty to perform," he said.

 

            "What kind of duty?" she asked warily. The Demon laughed.

 

            "Not the kind of duty you're thinking. You are a Champion," he said.

 

            "A what?" she asked.

 

            "A Champion. It was not by accident that you came to us…though the

            circumstances by which you came to us would certainly make one think

 

            it was," he said. "We must go see the other Elder," he said taking

            her arm gently and leading her out the door and down the long

            corridor.

 

            Sharianna tried to remain calm. This couldn't be happening to her.

            A Champion? It couldn't be possible. She was just an ordinary

            person.

 

            They reached a large ornate wooden door and the Demon opened it and

            led her inside. The other four Elder were sitting around a table and

 

            their conversation stopped when Sharianna and the Demon entered the

            room.

 

            "This is our Champion?" asked the Catman.

 

            "Yes," said the Demon.

 

            "But she has no markings…all Champions have the markings of one of

            the Elder," said the Fox.

 

            "Remove your shirt," he said to Sharianna.

 

            "Go to hell," she snarled pulling away from him and putting as much

            distance between her and the Demon as possible. The Demon sighed.

            He walked over to her and grabbed her wrist, pulling her before the

            other Elder. She protested but couldn't break his grip and gasped

            when she felt the back of her shirt being lifted. The collective

            gasp from the Elder made her stop struggling.

 

            The Starbearer stared at the girl's back in disbelief. There, as

            plain as day were the five symbols of the Elder. She had no facial

            markings…but she bore the markings of all five Elder.

 

            "When did you get that?" he asked and Sharianna turned to face the

            five.

 

            "I've had it all my life. As far as I know, I was born with it," she

 

            said. The Celestial turned to the other four.

 

            "She bears the markings of all five of us…this has never happened

            before," he said. The Demon smiled.

 

            "We finally have a way of defeating Blackwell once and for all," he

            said. "She is the key."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

      

      

                   Part 2

 

 

 

 

            Sharianna stood, listening to the Elder talking, trying to figure

            out

            how she had been swept up into this nightmare and wondering when she

 

            would wake up. It was obvious that the Celestial and the Catman

            didn't believe what the Demon was saying, but the Fox and the

            Starbearer did. She could sense their emotions and catch hints of

            thoughts from everyone but the Demon. He had his thoughts shielded

            quite securely.

 

            "Why don't we let her talk?" said the Starbearer gesturing toward

            Sharianna. She stood dumbfounded for a moment.

 

            "I don't know what you expect me to say," she said looking at each

            one in turn. "I'm no Champion…I'm just a woman," she said.

 

            "A Champion must be trained," said the Fox. "You will be trained."

 

            "What if I don't want to be trained?" she asked, wondering what they

 

            would say. The Catman was obviously surprised that anyone would

            refuse the duty of Champion and Sharianna had to hide her smile at

            the indignant outrage in his thoughts.

 

            "You have no choice," said the Demon. "It was decided before your

            birth that you would come to us to be trained as a Champion," he

            said.

 

            "I don't want to be a Champion," she said, wondering just what they

            would do to her if she refused.

 

            "You would refuse the honor of being a Champion?" demanded the

            Catman

            angrily. "We should have let Blackwell's men have you," he snarled

            and stormed from the room.

 

            "You cannot refuse," said the Demon, towering over her.

 

            "Why not? It's my life and I choose NOT to be a Champion," she said

            defiantly. He grabbed her arm in a vice-like grip.

 

            "//Demon, she is taunting us. She knows she has no choice…she is

            playing a game,//" came the Starbearer's voice in the Demon's mind.

            The Demon glared down at her.

 

            "//Little girl, I would advise you not to play these kinds of games

            with me again//," he said in her mind causing her to gasp in

            surprise. His eyes pierced her soul and she knew it would be unwise

            to anger the Demon further. "Your training begins tomorrow," said

            the Demon letting go of her arm. "Celestial, take her to her room,"

            he said dismissing her with a wave of his hand.

 

            The Celestial appeared next to her, took hold of her arm and they

            were gone in a flash of silver stars. A moment later they appeared

            in the room she had woken in. He let go of her arm.

 

            "I wouldn't make the Demon too mad," said Celestial.

 

            "Why not? It's kinda fun," she said with a smirk.

 

            "Look kid, I know you're not thrilled to be here but it's your

            destiny. You can't change that. Fulfill that destiny and help rid

            the world of Blackwell forever," he said before disappearing in a

            flash of stars.

 

            Sharianna immediately tried the door and was surprised to find it

            unlocked. She opened it quietly and stepped out into the dark

            hallway. Glancing around she tried to figure out which way was the

            way out. After a moment's contemplation she headed down the hallway

            and soon found herself at a doorway leading out of the Citadel. She

            stepped out into the cool night air and began to run.

 

            She didn't ask to be a Champion. She didn't want the responsibility…

            being afraid she would fail. She ran blindly, not caring where she

            ended up.

 

            The Demon burst into the room, startling the Starbearer and the

            woman

            he was with. The Starbearer calmly pulled the blankets over the

            woman and glared at the Demon.

 

            "She's gone," said the Demon.

 

            "I know… She will be back," he said.

 

            "We should have locked her in the room," said the Demon.

 

            "Do you think that would have prevented her from escaping?" asked

            the

            Starbearer. The Demon was surprised at his statement. Could she

            have gotten out of a locked room? "Think about it…there's a very

            good chance she possesses all of our powers."

 

            "I guess I didn't think about that," said the Demon.

 

            "She will be back. She is scared, but she will be back," said the

            Starbearer. The Demon sighed.

 

            "I hope you're right," he said walking out.

 

            Sharianna ran until her legs and lungs hurt before stopping to lean

            against a tree. She turned in the direction from which she had come

            and could easily see the Citadel. By know they knew she was gone.

            Why didn't they just teleport her back? The Celestial's words echoed

 

            in her head. Fulfill that destiny and help rid the world of

            Blackwell forever. The words echoed over and over. Could she really

            help get rid of Blackwell?

 

            She knew the Demon would be angry, but in her heart she knew she had

 

            to face him and the rest of the Elder. She couldn't let others

            suffer the way she had under Blackwell's tyranny. She turned around

            and began to head back to the Citadel.

 

            "She has returned," said the Fox. He had followed her through the

            woods, keeping an eye on her. The Starbearer smiled at the Demon who

 

            rolled his eyes and growled.

 

            "Let her go back to her room and rest. We will talk with her in the

            morning," said the Starbearer heading back to his room.

 

            The Demon went back to his room and stood before the massive fire

            burning in the ancient stone hearth. There in the flickering flames

            he could see her creeping back into the Citadel and back to the room

 

            she had been given. She sat heavily on the edge of the bed before

            undressing.

 

            The Demon watched her clothes slip to the floor, her naked body just

 

            visible in the dim light of her room. She stretched before walking

            to the window to peer out at the night. His dark eyes feasted on her

 

            body and he groaned, feeling his body responding to what his mind

            was

            seeing. He could never have her unless she willingly gave herself to

 

            him. With a growl he banished the vision from the flames and turned

            away.

 

            Sharianna thankfully pulled the warm blankets over her tired body

            and

            was soon fast asleep. It had been a long day, a strange day and she

            knew that this was only the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 3

 

            Sharianna awoke the next morning to a knock on her door. She sat up

            as the door slowly swung open and Tiara entered the room carrying a

            tray laden with food. She set it down and sat down next to

Sharianna.

 

            "How do you feel?" she asked.

 

            "I haven't slept that well in a long time," she said stretching.

 

            "I've brought you some breakfast. You must be hungry," she said.

 

            "Starving!" said Sharianna. Tiara set the tray on the bed and

            Sharianna eagerly began to eat. The food was delicious! There was a

            little bit of everything…fruits, breads, even some sort of meat. She

 

            quickly devoured most of it, sighing with satisfaction when she

            could

            eat no more.

 

            "I have brought you some new clothes. You are to begin your training

 

            today," she said taking the tray and walking toward the door. "Bathe

 

            and dress quickly. The Elder will be sending for you soon," she said

 

            before walking out.

 

            Sharianna set the tray on the table next to the bed and went into

            the

            bathing room. She stood before the large tub, amazed that she would

            be given such luxuries if she were a student of the Elder. She

            undressed and stepped into the warm water.

 

            After thoroughly cleaning up, she stepped from the water and dried

            off. She dressed in the loose fitting shirt, form-fitting leggings

            and boots and opened the door to leave her room. Tiara was waiting

            for her in the hallway to escort her to the Elder.

 

            The Demon paced the room, impatiently waiting for Sharianna. He

            didn't noticed the amused looks passing between the Celestial and

            the

            Catman and it wasn't until the Starbearer sighed that he even

            acknowledged that there were others in the room.

 

            "Demon, you're going to wear a path in the floor," said the

            Starbearer with a smile.

 

            "Where is she?" asked the Demon of no one in particular.

 

            "She is coming. Be patient," he said. A moment later there was a

            knock on the massive door and it slowly swung open to admit Tiara

            and

            Sharianna.

 

            "Did you sleep well?" asked the Fox.

 

            "Yes, I did," replied Sharianna, deciding it would be best if she

            didn't tell them about her late night run. Maybe they didn't know.

 

            "Good. You will need to be well-rested for your training," said the

            Demon brusquely.

 

            "Where do I begin?" she asked, her gaze settling on each of the

            Elder.

 

            "You will begin your training with me," said the Starbearer. "Each

            of us will take part in your training. Are you ready to begin?" he

            asked.

 

            "As ready as I will ever be," she replied and the Starbearer smiled.

 

            Over the next couple of weeks, Sharianna's days were filled with

            casting spells, reading thoughts and emotions and physical training.

 

            The Celestial taught her the ways of white magic and sorcery as well

 

            as teaching her the art of teleportation.

 

            The Starbearer taught her to read minds and to manipulate thoughts

            and behavior simply by willing it to happen. Sharianna had no

            trouble reading the Starbearer's thoughts, or the Celestial's, the

            Fox's or the Catman's. The only one whose thoughts remained

            unreadable were the Demon's. He kept his thoughts and emotions

            carefully blocked from her and, from what she could tell, the

            Starbearer too.

 

            The Catman and the Fox taught her physical prowess and hand to hand

            combat, stealth in movement and attack. All skills she would

            eventually need and use.

 

            The Demon taught her the use of weapons and the arts of battle with

            a

            weapon. He told her it wasn't just slash and chop. It was an art

            form, one that he was a master of. He also began teaching her the

            basics of dark magic. The use of fire and dark spells were touched

            upon.

 

            Sharianna was beginning to feel like she was finally achieving some

            sort of progress with her training. She no longer received the

            lengthy lectures the Catman loved to give on the need for stealth

            and

            the Demon no longer yelled at her to try harder, fight harder or

            move

            faster.

 

            She actually looked forward to her training sessions…especially with

 

            the Demon. She would make up reasons to extend the training sessions

 

            beyond the point of exhaustion at times. She couldn't explain why,

            but she felt drawn to him but kept the feelings buried. She didn't

            want him to find out.

 

            "When are you going to tell her?" asked the Starbearer as he and the

 

            Demon strode through the hallways of the Citadel.

 

            "Tell her what?" asked the Demon, avoiding eye contact with the

            Starbearer.

 

            "Tell her what her quest is. She has a right to know," said the

            Starbearer.

 

            "So you tell her," growled the Demon.

 

            "She is really your student. It is not my place to tell her," said

            the Starbearer.

 

            "I will tell her," said the Demon.

 

            "When?" asked the Starbearer taking the Demon's arm and making him

            stop.

 

            "Soon," replied the Demon. "I will tell her soon."

 

            "I know you care for her," said the Starbearer. He had never been

            able to read the Demon's thoughts, but his actions spoke louder than

 

            any words could. The Demon was avoiding sending her on her quest,

            knowing there was a chance she would not come back.

 

            "No more than I would any student or Champion," replied the Demon

            evasively. The Starbearer fixed him with a penetrating gaze.

 

            "You and I both know it's deeper than that," said the Starbearer.

 

            "So, there is nothing wrong with it," protested the Demon.

 

            "I know that. But you must tell her about the quest. You can't

            continue to delay it," he said.

 

            "Someone will die," snarled the Demon suddenly and the Starbearer

            stared at him for a moment.

 

            "Who?" asked the Starbearer but the Demon didn't answer. The

            Starbearer knew he would get nothing out of the Demon. "You must

            tell her of the quest," he said and the Demon sighed.

 

            "I will tell her tonight," said the Demon.

 

 

 

       

 

 

                  

 

Part 4

 

 

 

            Sharianna was surprised at the summons to join the Elder for dinner

            and quickly made her way to the dining room. When the doors opened,

            she was surprised to find only the Demon there waiting for her.

 

            "Where are the others?" she asked.

 

            "It is just you and I tonight," he replied motioning for her to sit

            opposite him. She sat down and nervously rearranged her silverware.

            She had only been alone with the Demon during training

            sessions…never

            in a casual setting such as this. She didn't know what to say.

 

            Dinner was accomplished in almost complete silence, making Sharianna

 

            wonder what would happen next. She was surprised when the Demon

            stood and walked to her. He took her hand and pulled her to her

feet.

 

            No matter how many times she looked into his eyes, the Demon still

            intimidated her, yet his hand on her cheek was gentle and kind. He

            caressed her cheek with the back of his large hand and she couldn't

            help but lean into his tender touch.

 

            His finger softly caressed her lips and she suddenly felt his other

            arm around her, pulling her against his armored body. The cold of

            his armor and the spikes of his codpiece were surprising but not

            unpleasant. His massive hand cupped her chin causing her to look up

            at him. His dark eyes were softer now and filled with desire.

            Sharianna knew what he wanted because she wanted the same thing…but

            she was unsure whether it was permissible. His lips descended on

            hers, taking her breath away as she felt the fire rushing through

            her

            blood. When he pulled away, her knees felt weak.

 

            "Should we be doing this?" she asked, her voice nothing more than a

            ragged whisper.

 

            "Do you give yourself to me willingly?" he asked, his own voice a

            ragged growl that sent shivers of desire through her body.

 

            "Yes," she whispered and the Demon smiled before picking her up and

            carrying her from the dining room to his bedchamber. He closed and

            locked the door behind them before setting her carefully on his bed.

 

            He sat down on the bed and leaned down to kiss her, his lips

            devouring hers.

 

            The Demon began to remove his clothes, pieces of armor clattering to

 

            the floor loudly, followed by the rest of his clothing until he wore

 

            nothing. He reached down and began to undress Sharianna, taking his

            time, savoring each part of her as it was revealed to him. When she

            was as naked as he was, he lay down next to her, kissing her

            passionately.

 

            Sharianna's hands began to explore the Demon's body, hesitantly at

            first. She had never been with a man before and she was nervous.

            She wasn't scared because she knew he would never hurt her, but she

            wondered how she would compare to other women.

 

            The Demon's tongue parted her lips and explored her mouth and she

            moaned. Sharianna teased his with her own tongue and he smiled. He

            nibbled on her neck and shoulder before finding her sensitive nipple

 

            with his agile tongue. She moaned softly and arched up under him,

            tangling her fingers in his hair.

 

            The Demon grinned up at Sharianna as he moved lower, eager to taste

            her sweetness. He parted her thighs and slowly teased her sensitive

            flesh with his tongue. Sharianna gasped and the Demon chuckled.

 

            "You like that?" he asked.

 

            "Yes," she replied, her voice a hoarse whisper.

 

            The Demon once again began teasing and tasting her and she couldn't

            help but writhe in ecstasy. His large hands cupped her breasts, his

            thumbs teasing her nipples and she gasped again. She tasted so sweet

 

            to him and he knew he wouldn't be able to wait much longer to have

            her.

 

            The Demon climbed up her body and claimed her lips in another

breath-

            taking kiss. She could taste herself on his ebony lips and moaned.

            He parted her thighs with his hips and slowly slid himself into her

            hot wetness.

 

            Sharianna cried out in pain and pleasure as he entered her. The

            Demon kissed her hard, smothering her cries as he slid all the way

            into her. Her cries of pain quickly turned to cries of ecstasy as he

 

            began to thrust into her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and

            looked into his eyes.

 

            Never before had she felt anything like what she was feeling now. It

 

            was incredible! The Demon's soft nibbles and gentle bites on her

            neck, shoulders and nipples drove her wild while his slow,

            deliberate

            thrusts drove her crazy.

 

            The Demon knew she was nearing an orgasm. Her skin was flushed and

            her cries and moans coming louder with each thrust. He began to

            thrust harder and faster and groaned as he felt her tighten around

            him.

 

            Their combined release caused the shield blocking the Demon's

            thoughts to drop and Sharianna could easily feel what he was

            thinking

            and immediately knew what her quest was to be.

 

            "Why hadn't you told me?" she asked looking into his deep brown eyes

 

            as she tried to catch her breath. The Demon looked at her in

            surprise for a moment.

 

            "If you know about the quest, then you know why I didn't tell you,"

            he said, a touch of sadness in his voice.

 

            "You're afraid I won't come back," she said and he nodded.

 

            "You are no longer just a student to me," he said. "I have never let

 

            anyone into my heart as well as my thoughts as I have you," he said.

 

 

            "Do you feel I am ready for this quest?" she asked, her eyes never

            leaving his.

 

            "Yes, I do," he replied.

 

            "Then I will return," she said with a smile. She kissed him

            passionately before resting her head on his chest as he pulled her

            body tightly against his. She smiled, knowing finally what it was

            like to be loved. It wasn't long before she fell asleep.

 

            The Demon lay awake for a while, thinking about what was to come. He

 

            didn't know exactly when his vision would come true…but he knew it

            would sooner or later and that saddened him. Eventually exhaustion

            took over and he fell asleep.

 

            Their peaceful sleep was interrupted by a flash of light in the

            room. Sharianna sat up and gasped when she realized who it was in

            the Demon's bedchamber. The Demon seemed as surprised as she was

            when he saw the lone dark figure standing beside the bed.

 

            "Well, well, well…isn't this cozy," he said.

 

            "Blackwell…" snarled the Demon.

 

            "I'm sure you're wondering how I got in here," said

            Blackwell. "Unfortunately, you won't live to hear the answer," he

            said drawing a sword and running it through the Demon's unprotected

            middle.

 

            "NO!!!" screamed Sharianna as she watched the blood pour from the

            wound onto the bed. He reached down and pulled the sword from his

            body, dropping it. He started to get up and collapsed on the bed.

            The Demon's eyes flared red before fading.

 

            Sharianna lept from the bed, her anger over-riding her good

            judgement. She let loose with a blast from her hands which seemed to

 

            startle Blackwell.

 

            "You're stronger than I realized," he said. "I'll be back for you

            little one," he said before disappearing in a ball of flames.

            Sharianna stood there for a second before hurrying back to the bed

            where the Demon lay motionless.

 

            "Please wake up," she said shaking him. A moment later, the door

            burst open and the other four Elder came into the room. "Please

            don't die," she said putting her head down on his chest. She could

            no longer hear a heart beat.

 

            "What happened?" demanded the Catman. Sharianna was sobbing

            uncontrollably.

 

            "Blackwell," said the Celestial.

 

            "He's dead," she cried, his blood soaking her. "Because of me, he's

            dead," she sobbed. The Starbearer took her into his arms.

 

            "It's not your fault," he said trying to calm her.

 

            "If we hadn't have made love, he wouldn't have been caught off

            guard," she said, angry at herself for letting the one man she loved

 

            get killed. "If it hadn't been for me…"

 

            "He knew he was going to die," said the Starbearer.

 

            "What?" asked the Fox.

 

            "He knew he was going to die… He said someone would die but wouldn't

 

            tell me who," said the Starbearer. He had thought the Demon had

            meant her. Never in a million years did he think it would be the

            Demon…or that it would happen in his own bed chamber.

 

            "How did Blackwell get in here?" asked the Catman.

 

            "I don't know," said the Starbearer.

 

            "The Elder can't die!" she screamed. "You're supposed to be

            Immortal!"

 

            "We never grow old and die…and mortal man cannot kill us. But a

            sword, tempered by the fire that created us can kill us," said the

            Celestial.

 

            "Then I will find that bastard and kill him with my bare hands," she

 

            snarled pulling her clothes on quickly. She grabbed the Demon's

            sword and strapped it over her back.

 

            "You can't just run after Blackwell! You're angry and you're not

            thinking straight," said the Fox.

 

            "You're damn right I'm angry and I AM going after Blackwell," she

            snarled.

 

            The Starbearer hit her with a beam from his eye to knock her out and

 

            was shocked when it had no effect on her. She was now stronger than

            they were.

 

            "You can't stop me," she said sticking out her thumb and teleporting

 

            out of the room. The remaining four stared at one another in

            complete surprise.

 

            "What now?" asked the Celestial.

 

            "Now, we wait," said the Starbearer.

 

            He looked to the body of the Demon and felt a terrible sadness in

            his

            heart. How long had the Elder been together? He had lost track over

            the eons and never in any of that time did he think that one of them

 

            would be killed. They had found a true Champion and he knew in his

            heart that she would defeat Blackwell…but what a price they had

            paid. He tried to convince himself that it was worth it, but he

            wasn't having much luck.

 

            Sharianna appeared before the gate of Blackwell's castle. Her face

            and hands were still covered in the Demon's blood and she stood

            there

            for a moment. She had found love, and in the blink of an eye it was

            gone. He never even had a chance to fight back. He should have died

            in a battle, fighting…not lying in his bed, unarmed and unprotected.

 

            She felt the tears and bit them back. She wasn't going to let

            Blackwell win. She would get her revenge and avenge the Demon and

            the Elder.

 

            "Come face me coward!" she screamed at the closed gate. "I know

            you're in there!"

 

            The gate slowly opened and she started in. She realized that

            Blackwell would expect her to be so angry she would act irrationally

 

            so she took a deep breath and calmed herself. She thought back on

            all the training the Elder had given her and cleared her mind of all

 

            anger or pain. This would be a battle she wasn't going to lose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

Part 5

 

 

            The main door to the castle was open and she slowly stepped inside,

            turning when the door suddenly slammed behind her. She was alone

            now. This was her battle to fight and she would NOT be defeated.

 

            A lone dark figure descended the stairs and she stood where she was,

 

            scared to death, but determined not to back away. Blackwell

            approached her and smiled down at her.

 

            "I knew it wouldn't take you long to come after me," he said.

            Sharianna said nothing. She was trying to contain her anger and knew

 

            if she started talking, she would lose control. "You are much

            stronger than the other Champions the Elder have trained. It's not

            surprising the Demon would take you for his own," he said.

 

            "He loved me," she said through her tightly reigned anger.

 

            "Loved you? Why would he love you?" he asked.

 

            "I don't know. But you took him away from me, and for that you're

            going to pay with your life," she said and Blackwell began to laugh.

 

            "You are welcome to try, but you will fail just as all the others

            have," he said as Sharianna drew her sword. It was heavy…heavier

            than any weapon she had used in her training. The sword had belonged

 

            to the Demon so was proportioned to him. "That's a large sword for

            such a little girl," he said and Sharianna swung at him.

 

            Blackwell easily ducked out of range of her sword, taunting her with

 

            gesture and word. Her anger built as he continued to play with her,

            hoping to wear her out. Her strength was great, but after wielding

            the Demon's sword for a while she was beginning to tire.

 

            Sharianna was surprised when she felt a searing pain in her right

            arm. She looked to see a large cut from the sword Blackwell now

            carried. He grinned at her and she raced at him, swinging with all

            her might. He easily ducked her blade and kicked her, sending her

            crashing into the stone wall.

 

            Sharianna could feel the blood running down her face from a gash on

            her forehead but she was determined not to give up. Blackwell rushed

 

            at her and she quickly stuck out her thumb, teleporting to the other

 

            side of the room. If she couldn't out match him with her sword, she

            would use all of her powers. She could sense his surprise at her

            teleportation and allowed herself to smile.

 

            "You are full of surprises aren't you?" he said. A moment later he

            was right next to her and before she could teleport away, he had

            caught her leg with his blade. Lightning flowed from her fingers,

            striking Blackwell and knocking him back a few feet.

 

            A ball of flames came at her and she dodged, narrowly escaping it as

 

            she rolled to safety. She tried to get to her feet but was surprised

 

            by Blackwell standing over her, his foot firmly planted on her

            throat.

 

            "Now you will die just as the Demon did…afraid," he said. Sharianna

            panicked and began struggling just before her anger flared and she

            took her own fear and sadness and projected it into Blackwell's

            mind. He doubled over, grabbing his head.

 

            "All the anger and hate you have been the cause of will now be the

            cause of your death," she said focusing her thoughts on her anger

            and

            sadness over the Demon's death. She could feel the pain Blackwell

            was feeling and turned it back on him, causing him to fall to his

            knees. "You killed him, and now you die," she said taking the sword

            and bringing it down in one swift motion, taking his head off.

 

            She stared unemotionally at the stunned expression in Blackwell's

            lifeless eyes before turning and walking away.

 

            Sharianna returned to the Citadel, bloody, exhausted but victorious.

 

            She dragged the Demon's sword behind her as she walked up the steps,

 

            too tired to teleport. The Fox ran to her as she collapsed inside

            the doors.

 

            "Take me to the Demon," she pleaded.

 

            "Sharianna, he's dead," said the Fox.

 

            "I know that. Take me to him," she said.

 

            "Sharianna…" he started.

 

            "NOW!" she screamed and the Fox obediently picked her up and carried

 

            her to the Demon's bedchamber. Nothing had been touched since she

            left. The Fox set her down and she walked over to the bed and

            climbed onto it. She brushed the hair out of his face, his skin cold

 

            under her bloodied hand. The tears came freely now and she didn't

            try to stop them.

 

            "I would gladly give up everything that I have that you might still

            be alive," she said, running her hand over the wound. "I love you,"

            she said.

 

            "Sharianna, there's nothing you can do," said the Starbearer. "He

            must return to the flames." Sharianna sat there for a moment before

            getting up and leaving the room.

 

            "Has the fire been prepared?" asked the Starbearer and the Catman

            nodded. "Tonight we will send him back to the flames from which he

            came," said the Starbearer.

 

            The body of the Demon in full armor was carried to the water's edge

            and placed upon the boat. The four remaining Elder stood at the

            water's edge, the sadness in their hearts overpowering the joy they

            should be feeling at the defeat of Blackwell. The Catman lit the

            fire and the boat slowly made its way out into the water. The bright

 

            flames lit the night but couldn't chase the darkness from their

            hearts.

 

            Sharianna watched from the window in her room. She saw the Four

            gathered on the shore and knew that they were feeling an even

            greater

            loss that she was. How long had the Elder known one another? She

            couldn't savor her victory because she felt that, in some way, she

            had failed. The Demon wasn't supposed to die. She was…she was

            expendable…he wasn't.

 

            She watched until the boat disappeared beneath the waves and then

            made her way to his bedchamber. The bloodied sheets had been removed

 

            and she slowly climbed into the bed. A fire burned in the vast

            hearth in the room and she stared into it for a few minutes.

            Exhaustion finally took over and she soon fell asleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                   

 

                  Part 6 Finale

 

 

            Sharianna awoke to a sound in the room but wasn't sure what it was.

            She sat up and looked around, trying to figure out what it was that

            had woken her. A log settled in the fireplace and she figured that

            was what had woken her. She was just about to lay back down when

            another log moved in the fire. Suddenly a large dark figure rose out

 

            of the embers and stepped out of the fire and into the room.

            Sharianna could hardly believe her eyes. She rushed to him, throwing

 

            her arms around him and capturing his ebony lips in a heart-stopping

 

            kiss.

 

            "Demon! You've come back to me," she cried as he held her tightly to

 

            his body. She looked into his eyes and saw the sadness. "What?" she

            asked.

 

            "I am dead," he said. "Nothing can bring me back, but you will take

            my place on the Council of Elders," he said.

 

            "What?" she asked incredulously.

 

            "You will replace me. You are now an Elder. It is your duty to

            judge and mete out justice now," he said caressing the side of her

            face. She felt the tears well up in her eyes.

 

            "I love you," she said. "I don't want you to go…"

 

            "And I love you and always will, but I must go," he said letting go

            of her.

 

            "I'll never see you again," she sobbed, burying her face against his

 

            chest.

 

            "I will see you in your dreams," he said. "There we will always be

            together."

 

            Sharianna sat up in bed, looking around the empty room. She was

            alone in the room, the fire having died out hours ago. She got up

            and went to the bathroom, startled when she saw her reflection in

            the

            mirror. She now bore facial markings in a pattern resembling that of

 

            a hawk. She was truly an Elder now. She smiled at her reflection.

 

            "I will not let you down," she said to the Demon before returning to

 

            bed.

 

            She would miss him terribly, but he had told her she would see him

            in

            her dreams. She would always have a part of him in her.

 

            The End.