Jane: the Curse, the Lost, and the Lovers (draft 1)

Prolouge.

She stood on the crest of the hill, waiting for the darkness to come. Her delicate hand rested on her sword, a sword that had seen numerous battles, made from the finest silver the gods had to offer. She grit her teeth as the sun took its descent. The breeze brushed her moon-kissed hair out of her face, its silken ends swept over her bare arms. ‘How did I get here? Why am I even still in the world of the living, but yet not alive? Why am I a guardian of a Soul?’

Memories of a life lost washed over her.

“Do you see this girl? She isn’t even human! Her hair is the color of an old person, not of a little child! Why do you even keep her, Klieth?”

Her father looked at Jane, a small smile on his face. “She is of my blood, Grandmother. I will not remove anything that is my creation. Although she is just a child, she is gifted in all her classes, as well as her sword.”

“But surely the other villagers know Jane is different! What do the mothers think when their children start to play with her?” The old woman pressed. “She is demon spawn! No one will want her when she is of marrying age. How are you to support an old maid?”

Klieth glared at her, silver eyes blazing. “She has my eyes, Grandmother, and the cause of her strange hair color is the Moon Goddess’s doing. Blessings are what she does best. Now, please leave my home. I have to teach my beautiful baby the ways of beating up the men who will cause her harm.” He pulled Jane up from her perch on the ground next to his feet. “Come along, angel.”

With a sigh, she closed her eyes. ‘The world has given us much pain, and I am not even sure why I do this. Why did the gods make me help the souls of others? Why am I cursed like this? I never asked to be stuck in someone’s body until they died. I wanted to pass on to the afterlife, like my husband, or my father.  But no, the witch just had to make me stay here. Damn her to hell.’

The Vampire smiled, her fangs glistening in the light. “True, Jane. I am a witch, but I am also the worst nightmare for any creature. You do not even know how much I have gone through just to keep my throne here. The High Council declared that I am to find a husband, or lose the throne to a childish little punk. I will not allow that to happen. And when I did find someone who also had as dark of a heart as me, you had to steal him away. You stole his heart away from me, and for that, I curse you.

“No longer will you be able to love. Death will come for you, but you won’t go to Heaven, nor Hell. Forever you will be forced to protect the souls of others, and never be able to protect your own. This curse will be finalized with your blood!” She sliced Jane’s palm open, her blood spilling to the floor, laughing as crimson light flashed around them. “Die, child of the Moon!”

Her eye twitched, lips trembled, yet tears did not fall.  “My father always told me tears were the thing that showed weakness. I will not be weak.” She turned away from the horizon, her attention on the forest behind her. “I know you are there, Phoenix. Come out and help me.”

 A white wolf stepped out from the brush, her blue eyes taking in every detail. Swirling red flames marked her flank, each different. Yes, Lady Jane? What am I to help with? Please don’t tell me that you are in need of a friend again.

Jane glared at her. “Don’t be a smartass. Can you not see the sun is almost set? I will not have you going off in the middle of a battle. The forces of darkness are almost here.”

Phoenix snorted. Me? A smartass? When have I ever been that way? I’ve only been putting up with you for over 219 years in this girl’s body. Why would I now be giving you sudden sarcasm?

“Be silent, and get ready. I never asked to be stuck here with you either, so suck it up. Get your claws ready. The battle for our host’s soul will begin again.”

What’s her name again? Pracilla? Pyrra? Something like that?

“Pracilla. ‘The Chosen One,’ one of the chosen to kill the Ruler of these bastard demons that come. He’s smart, that man. Not only does he send forces in the mortal world, but into her mind as well. He’s brilliant, no wonder I— never mind. Are you feeling well enough to fight them?”

Phoenix looked over the hills, watching the horizon. I’m fine. Just… It’s strange to think that a human soul is not just the symbolical image of a brain. Instead, I see hills, valleys, rivers. I can smell everything a wolf loves to hunt, and yet it is all just a mind. Is every soul the same, with mountains and seas? Or could they be different?

Jane opened her eyes, her steel irises taking note of every detail, glowing in anticipation. "Tis the only soul I've come to know besides my own. Let me assure you, souls are quite different. Mine is a black pit, as deep and dark as the Greeks' Tartarus…" She sighed, closing her eyes once more. “And why exactly are you talking in riddles? I hate those stupid things. How did we get on this conversation?”

Phoenix looked at her, confused.

“Why the gods have made us fight for the girl’s soul is beyond me. All I want to be free once more. I don’t want to continue fighting. I just want to be free.” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

Lady Jane, you and I both know that it is because of this girl we are not in the epitome of hell. I don’t want to be destroyed. I want to be free too. Ever since Pyrra was born we have been here. The gods knew what they were doing. Do you have any faith at all in them?

Jane grit her teeth and pulled out a dagger. “Do you see this blade? This pale gold blade? I died with this is my hand. Tis the last thing I touched before I was taken from my body and forced into this one. I have no respect for the gods anymore. Do you know what I am talking about? It is foretold that whatever I die with in my hand will become the thing that kills my host. Faith has never been my strong suit. I will not allow pain to happen to this girl. We are her protectors. And we will protect Pracilla, with or without the gods help.”

But… very well. If that is what you wish. Darkness falls, and I can feel Thanatos in the air. And that means…

“Death himself is here. Damn. I guess Anubis will also help destroy them too, or at least keep the demons away for a short while. I really didnt want to have to fight in front of them. Oh well, i guess the fight will still go on."

The sun slid behind the mountains, instantly plunging the world into darkness. Angry cries filled the air. Hisses, snarls, grunts, and demonic laughter surrounded the warriors, the shadows taking forms of creatures unimaginable. Jane unsheathed her sword, casting its plaid light upon faces of insanity, anger, and cruel evil joy. She pulled up her mask, and gripped her sword. The wolf snarled,  ready to spring into the nearest enemy.

This is the largest force we have ever had to face. We cannot afford to lose.  Phoenix growled.

"Agreed. It was an honor to serve with you. Let's pray the gods grant us their favor, even though I dont want it. Its time to kill the bastard demons!" Jane readied her blade.

The monsters leapt.