Beautiful Darkness

➵The Monster Within Me

           

"The Dark One was born centuries ago." Davina scrapes through her memory like she hasn't used it for a long period of time.

"He has plagued the new world since it came into existence. It is uncertain as to how he received his endless multitude of power. Collin was a mere demonstration. I doubt we will live to see the full extent of what he is capable of. It is thought that the Dark One originally created the Dark Forest. If this is true, then all of our enhanced symptoms of its cruelty have an explanation. The amount of memory loss that has occurred within all of us, and with the prolonged continuation, there could be permanent damage," she trails off as the healer within her is displayed. "Anyways, every person who has come into contact with him has entirely forgotten the encounter. Mind control and manipulation are his specialties. Even saying his name is dangerous." Her paranoia is evident.

"Have you ever had a direct encounter with him?" I ask gently. Her eyes darken as a truth rises within their depth.

"I guess you could say that. He killed my parents when I was merely a child. Our sacred healer bloodline was of great need to him. They refused and payed the price. I'm not quite sure why he spared me." Davina's eyes weigh down with sadness and vulnerability.

"Why didn't he take my memories as he has down with everyone in the past?"

"He wanted you to remember. In his mind, fear is a weapon that he is an expert at wielding. The blame and guilt you bestow upon yourself will only aid his overall goal for you to join him. If he's making appearances this public, he probably wants word to spread that he's back- for good." Davina answers.

"Nobody has even tried to defeat him?" Roman's optimistic tone is laced with disbelief. Davina solemnly shakes her head.

"Those who somehow remembered or kept their memories wouldn't dare to oppose an enemy as powerful as the Dark One. His name is throughout ancient legends. It is said that he caused the overall downfall of humanity. Our races merely picked up the pieces of his destruction." Her insight sends a shiver down my back. We are facing an impossible enemy.

"He killed Collin. What's stopping him from killing us if we even glance in his direction?" The way we are thinking is suicide. If he is as powerful as Davina claims, we stand no chance.

"Absolutely nothing, except you. He wants you, Arailia. That is an advantage we cannot afford to pass up. I've never heard of him ever asking for assistance throughout the course of history. It isn't a coincidence that you have the gift. Every one of your ancestors who have had the very gift you do, have been consumed by its darkness and chaotic ways. The Dark One's very essence is evil. Maybe your gift and his power are somehow related." She presses quietly in a weak attempt to spare my feelings.

My gift. More like my curse. I don't see how in any lifetime this gift was desired. I imagine it was feared. Why 'bless' the elfin bloodline with a gift that would overall cause destruction to the race if wielded in the wrong hands. How will I turn out any differently than my ancestors before me? Maybe this is the purpose of the gift. To kill.

"My gift? He is immortal, all-powerful. What advantage or usefulness could I possibly give him? I don't even completely understand what my power is."

"You are more powerful than you think. All we have seen is a mere drop of what you can do, and that alone wiped out at least twenty people. If he trained you or shared power with you, it would be unstoppable. He could turn you into the perfect weapon. If there's one thing the Dark One is good at- it's controlling. That's what you would become. A pet. A slave." The lifeless quality of her tone sends a chill down everyone's spine.