The Dark Path (Part 2/2)

Time Is Running Out

Time Is Running Out

[Archer’s POV]

I sat by a pool in the Dark Lands looking at myself. I still can’t believe that I literally slaughtered those muggers a week ago. I’m not only an agent of destruction. I’m a mass murderer. Yes, those guys were criminals but what I did to them was too much.

I had begun to accept the difficult truth. I was losing control of the demon within me. With each passing day, it became stronger. Only now I realised what was happening. It didn’t want to just cause total annihilation, it wanted to bond with my soul and have total control over my dark powers.

I was starting to embrace the sadistic pleasure in bringing darkness. However, a small part of my old self was making me feel guilty and that very small part was slowly getting eaten. I fear one day that I may wake up and forget my past and who I was.

‘No!’ I thought to myself. Change is good. I will embrace the darkness. I will control the darkness. I will BE darkness!

‘Get a grip on yourself, Archer! You can’t lose yourself!’

‘No…the darkness…it is good…the fear of humans is what shall…feed on…’

‘Look at yourself, Archer! Is this what you once stood up for?’

‘Hah! I never stood up for anything in my life before. Not before, not now, never will!’

“Stop it, stop it, STOP IT!” I shouted to myself loudly.

The two arguing voices in my head quieted down. I sensed a presence behind me. I knew who it was already.

“You’re just going to watch me suffer all day, aren’t you, Syschela?” I spoke without turning around.

“I could ask you if you were alright but I think the answer is quite obvious. Anyway, knowing you, you’re just going to say everything is alright if I had asked.” Syschela said.

“Leave me alone. I need some time to myself.”

“As you wish, my lord. If there’s anything you require don’t be afraid to ask one of your subjects,” she said pointing at the shadow people who were busy doing their own tasks.

Syschela was about to float away when I realised I needed some company now. “Syschela, wait. I’m sorry if have been sort of a jerk for some time. Could you err…sit next to me?”

“If it pleases my lord.” Syschela floated next to me and sat down. “Is there anything, my lord, would like to discuss?”

I was quiet for a while before speaking as I looked at my reflection.

“Is there hope for me?”

“There is always hope. As long as the light shines in the darkest of nights, there will always be hope. I’m sorry, my lord, for using light as a good thing and darkness as a bad thing but there was no other way I could put it right now.”

“That’s alright, Syschela.”

We sat there quietly, watching the soundless waterfall come down.

“I once loved someone and still love her now but due to recent events and my dark powers, do you think I still have a chance?”

“I’m sorry, my lord, but there is no place in the dark lord’s heart for attachments. You could lose control of yourself. A loveless life is harsh but recommendable for you, my lord.”

I stood up. “Syschela, I know I’ve asked you this question a million times but are positively sure there’s no way you could lift this curse of me?”

“Being the dark lord is not a curse, my lord. It is a blessing.”

“How is it a blessing? I lose control, people die. I stay in control, people die. Syschela, I’m tired of being in a losing streak. You don’t know what I’m going through.”

“Look around, my lord. Look at your subjects. They depend on you to survive but that is not the sole reason why they do what you say. These were once people who led either led harsh lives or died an innocent but violent death and have nowhere to go. What you’re going through is almost like what some of them went through. They understand you, my lord. That is why they serve you, my lord. They know the pain you feel inside.”

My main shadow wolf named Ava sat next to me. I ran my fingers through Ava’s soft and luscious fur. Ava was the only one of my shadow wolves who spent time with me. The others only appeared when needed.

“You’re going to have to make a decision soon, my lord.” Syschela spoke.

“Sorry?”

“Something big is about to happen. A life-changing event is going to influence your decision that will make it clear of the paths that will be and what could have been.”

“I don’t think anything will happen right now, Syschela. As long as I keep my distance from everyone, life is going to be carefree for me.”

“That’s sounds most selfish of you, my lord.”

“Say what you want, Syschela. I’m tired of the stresses of life. Crime, idiots, etcetera. I’ll be free from it all. No more worries. No more duties. I won’t have to think of anyone else anymore. The ones I used to be with…the ones I used to love…” I thought of Alexis at the last part.

“Something on your mind, my lord?” Syschela asked.

“Is there a such thing as third chances?”

“Well, that depends on the person. I mean…”

“That’s all needed to hear!”

“My lord, wait! You’re rushing into something. I’m not sure what you have in mind, but you really need to think first!”

“I’m sure I don’t have to, Syschela.”

“You’re going to make the decision soon, my lord!”

“I’m sure that can wait.”

As I walked through a shadow like a portal, I heard Ava whimper.