Legend of Parocaav: The Quest for Redemption (First Draft)

Chapter XLVII: Talk with the Dead

It's been several days now since Sammi has seen anyone other than the servant who brings her meals to her. The conversation and confrontation with Kraag rattles in her mind. He really had attacked her. That man appeared to care about his daughter and Sammi's brother. After recent events, it was clear to her that this man had no sense of family, only loyalty to Lord Xivaac.

Darkness eats away at Sammi from the inside out. The choice she made to accept Xivaac's offer is now haunting her. She feels as if she is becoming as heartless as Kraag. Hatred towards Drayk rises in her. Nothing she is starting to feel, she can explain. The love she feels for her brother are slowly fading away. Sammi drops to the floor and crawls over to a mirror. Her pupils are dilating till her entire eyes are swallowed by blackness. Her blonde washes away into a silky black color as well. The darkness was consuming her.

"Nooooo!" She yells as loud as she can.

"Samantha...." a voice whispers in her head.

"Get out of my head!" Sammi roars louder.

"You must not lose sight of who you are...."

"I am Sammi! Kind hearted.... darkness.... death...."

"Focus child."

Sammi throws herself onto her back, still screaming. Her body is aching from head to toe. Pain shoots through her, even her eyes hurt. Twitching, she tries to roll over onto her stomach.

"Don't forget who you are," the voice whispers in her mind.

"I.... am...." Sammi starts, but cannot say another word.

She drops onto the floor of her room. Dust scatters around her as she thumps down. The sight of herself in the mirror frightens her. She has no idea what is happening to her. Her eyes are shifting back and forth from normal to solid black like those of Lord Xivaac.

"I am.... Lady Samantha," she finally says, "Futureseer and sage to Lord Xivaac."

"No child. Dig deeper, don't let the darkness win," the voice gets a little louder.

"Who the Hell are you?!"

"Tsk tsk Sammi. Your brother would be ashamed if he could see you now."

"I asked you a question!"

Sammi waited for a few minutes, hoping the voice would reply to her. Beads of sweat drip onto the floor and tears form in her eyes. She rolls back over onto her back and stares up at the ceiling. Her vision is kind of blurry from the tears. She couldn't be falling into Xivaac's grasp, Bahemyth had said she was destined for so much more. The voice returns once again in her thoughts. At first, Sammi ignores the words and listens to the tone of voice. It is that of a woman. Somehow very familiar to her, and yet so very foreign at the same time.

"You are destined for so much more than to be a puppet at the disposal of Lord Xivaac," the voice echoes in her mind.

"I can't remain here. The darkness is overwhelming me," Sammi cries in pain.

"You are not ready to fulfill your true calling. The day will come that you will get the chance to explore your purpose."

"Wait! Don't leave me here!"

Sammi begins to weep. A non-stop flow of tears pour from her eyes. The room is left in silence. She cannot find the strength, nor the willpower, to get up off of the musky floor. Closing her eyes, Sammi tries to picture her brother in her mind, but cannot. The sight of Lord Xivaac keeps popping into her head. Her body shivers with a chill.

Several hours later ~

Sammi has not moved whatsoever from her spot on the floor of her room. The voice never returned, which has left her feeling alone. Her body aches too much to try using her futuresight. Nothing interests her more than the future right now. Locks unlocking break the long silence she has found herself in. The door to her chambers open slowly with the sound of creaking wood.

Kraag is standing at the door before her, looking down at her sprawled out on the dirty floor. He walks over and helps her to her feet. Her cold, lifeless black eyes looking into his as she is brought up off the floor. Once on her feet, Sammi brushes the dirt of her mother's robes. Kraag sits down on her bed workout saying a word. His face is not showing any emotion.

"I wish to apologize about what happened before Lady Samantha. Mostly regarding my actions towards you," he finally speaks after a moment.

"Don't worry about it," Sammi says with a hiss in her voice.

"Lord Xivaac wishes to speak with you," Kraag simply states as he stands back up.

Xivaac walks into Sammi's room with his hands held together behind his back. He slowly approaches her, staring deep into her blackened eyes. A smirk cracks to life on his face. He seems most pleased with what has happened to her.

"Until the day comes, you are my puppet dear Samantha," Xivaac whispers into her ear.

"Yes Sire," Sammi obediently agrees.

"Good girl. Now. I want you to look into the future for me," Xivaac commands, "Do not leave any details out this time."

Now ignoring the pain, she closes her eyes and concentrates. Her breathing quickens for a moment, then slows to normal. She takes a deep breath and a white light flashes in her vision.

~~~~

Everything is white. There is no discernable floor, ceiling or even walls. Sammi looks all around and sees herself suspended, her feet are not touching anything. Her body feels so very light and all the pain is gone. She lifts her hands so she can see them. They are soaked in blood. Her once again blonde hair is draped over her right shoulder and reach down to her knees. Much longer than it was before.

A shadowed figure appears in front of her. The figure's outline begins to develop color. The robes show crests of the forgotten Red Mage Clan. It is a red robe with golden trim. The figure's face comes into view. He appears to be a middle-aged man.

"Sammi," the man speaks.

"Where are we? Who are you?" She asks immediately.

"My name is Leon," he begins, "and you are dead child."

"What?! I can't be dead!"

"Well, you're dead in a sense of the word. I need to speak with you."

"In a sense? What do you mean? Wait... did you say your name is Leon?!"

"Yes. I trained the Bringers of Hope in Red Magic. I have interrupted your futuresight Sammi. You must not let Xivaac gain control over you."

"How could you do that? Aren't you dead?"

"The bridge between life and death is less than you think. Nonetheless, I did not summon your spirit here to share my wisdom with you. I have brought you here to warn you."

"Warn me of what?"

Leon leans in close and starts whispering in her ear. Her eyes widen as she hears the words.

~~~~

Sammi wakes up suddenly in shock. She is gasping for air, almost like she hadn't been able to breath. Xivaac is standing over her with a look of concern written on his face. She sits up and looks around her room. Kraag is no where to be found. Her eyes lock onto Xivaac's eyes as she stands back up.

"What happened to you Samantha?" Xivaac asks her, "You were dead for almost five minutes."

Without saying a word, she glances over to see herself in the mirror. Her hair is still as black as night and her eyes are as lifeless as the Dark Lord's. The words Leon spoke to her playing over and over in her thoughts. His warning to her has left her speechless as she is before the God of Darkness once more. She cannot find words to speak. There's no way any of that was real. If it was, the world is in serious trouble.