EGO

TREASURE

I felt unusually tired tonight and decided to turn in early. My bed was the most comfortable it has ever felt right now and I was not complaining at all. Since becoming King of the Underworld, I no longer had dreams or nightmares.

Merlon said it was because we experience them in real life. I agreed with him until a few weeks later I began to have dreams about a stone that glowed with a red pulse. Over and over I could feel the vibrations from the stone and wanted to be closer to it.

Remembering what Walter said about the Deru, tonight I decided I was going to get the stone to see if there is a connection.

The dream started the same...me walking through a dark cave and the sounds of something vibrating and pulsating. Then my name was whispered through the cave I walked through.

Nothing bothered or tried to attack me, I had open access leading up to where I was going. Once I reached the glowing red entryway, shadow figures floated around the stone. I had no idea of what the Deru looked like but I was positive I was looking at it.

Closer.....Closer. I heard a distant voice speak to me.

Without even realizing it, my feet were already obeying. The pulsing was felt through my body and the Deru locked me in a trance.

Unexpectedly, a shock was felt from behind me and I lost my sight for a few seconds as my body hit the ground. When I awoke, I was sitting up in my bed and in my hand was the Deru.

***

Ollie, why did I awake from a dream with the Deru stone in my hand?

I don't think you were dreaming, Dev.

Once he got himself together, Devin sat on his couch staring at the stone. It wasn't pulsing or glowing red but when he touched it, the Deru came alive.

What the hell am I supposed to do with it?

I'm still not use to the rules or value that different things in the supernatural world holds. Everything is still new to me and I want to make sure I know what I'm dealing with before I partake in its power. For me, dealing with mathematics is way easier.

What you use it for is for you to decide.

Well, you're no help.

After those words appeared a shadow figure standing in front of him. It was freakishly tall, thin and had no face. Devin wasn't afraid he just wondered why it was there.

"Did you follow the stone?"

"I serve and protect the stone."

"Oh, well...you can take it with you."

"We belong to you now. Whoever Deru chooses is who I choose. We are one."

The figure began to shift into a big raven as it's extended wings reached both ends of Devin's living room table.

"What am I supposed to do with you?"

"We can control supernatural nature and earth nature....which includes plant life, oceans or any kind of large gathering of water, animals, humans and weather."

Well damn....

"I don't think I will be needing your services."

"You do not wish to take the Demon King's throne?"

Devin looked at the raven confused.

"Why would I want the King's throne? I'm satisfied with where I am."

"You are the only one fit to take his place. That is why Deru chose you. The Demon King also wants you to take his place but he thinks you are too attached to your human life. He has summoned a soul in purgatory to disconnect you from here."

A soul in purgatory?

"Yes, a tortured soul."

Wait...you can hear me?

"Yes, we created you and she will be coming soon."

A bright light shot past Devin, missing him by inches. He ducked down then got up to see where the light came from.

"I knew you were full of shit...You took the Deru."

Devin stood up staring at Walter.

"I didn't take the Deru, it followed me. If you want it, take it."

Walter looked at him suspicious. "You would let me take this without fighting for it?"

"Yeah, I don't need it."

Walter was hesitant but soon realized his brother had not a clue at how much power he was letting go. He went to pick up the stone and dropped to his knees in excruciating pain. His eyes were bulging, foam formed in his mouth while veins protrude through his neck and forehead.

Devin cautiously took the stone back, releasing Walter from torture. He held Deru in his hand with no harm.

That was fucking awesome!

Walter laid on the floor unconscious. He had burn marks on his hand from where he held the stone. After a few minutes he woke up on Devin's couch.

"Here, drink this. I'm sure your throat is dry from the shock you just had."

Walter slowly sat up and took the glass of water.

"What happened?"

"You tried to take the Deru and it rejected you."

Walter took another drink, emptying the glass. He sat it on the table and shook his head.

"Why did you say you weren't interested in claiming the stone?"

"Cause I wasn't....it reached out to me and I answered. How did you know I had the stone....Have you been watching me?"

"We all watch you, we watch each other. It's always good to keep an eye out, you never know when we might need each other's help or guidance."

Devin smirked. "You, shooting a laser at me....was you helping me?"

"I thought the stone would have affected you negatively and you would harm me once I arrived...my apologies."

I believe him...especially since the stone humbled his ass, hahaha.

Devin snickered.

"I take it, Osmodeus is talking shit?"

"Yup," Devin said, chuckling.

Devin picked up the stone and examined it. "You said the brothers watch each other, which means they watch me. Should I be worried that everyone knows I have the stone now?"

Walter stood up from the couch. "Yes....very worried."