My Demon

Inner Dilemma - 7

I had to find a place under the demon radar or Claudis and the other demon lords will pick up on my trail.

I landed in a clearing a good distance from Claudis which was a couple hours ago.

I no doubt know he's probably looking for me again-it was what he does.

I wandered my way into the coverage of the trees and noticed a cave opening off to the right.

I jogged over to it and ducked myself inside.

I shivered as I made my way inside the place. It was spacious enough to hide in as I noticed a torch was already lit on the right wall of cave.

I cautiously made my way into the cavern. It was well lit as I heard bone snapping.

I calmly peered into the cavern to see a crone over by an alter with dead animal blood and bones. 

She didn't turn to look this direction. "Come in, fallen," she called to me. "I was expecting you,"

She was waiting for me, is she nuts?

"Why so troubled by demons? It was not their presence you are fearful of, it was your jealousy,"

I almost wanted to wring that bony neck of hers as her milky white eyes were blinded. Her whitish grey hair frazzled and wildly curled.

"You're blind," I uttered and her smile made me cringe as she had yellowed teeth and a few missing teeth.

She cackled lightly. "Am I now-you are blinded more than I, fallen."

"Why jealousy?" I asked her and she was still smiling.

"Your brother had the foresight of a man, but a heart too forgiving. He died a death with honor and love for the one he shielded."

I listened to her, but she knew about Ryu. She knew who killed him.

"Who killed him?" I asked and her smile faded from her wrinkled face.

"No one in particular killed him per se, but that hardly matters now."

"Of course it matters, old woman," I snapped, but she was emotionless.

"That is not why you here, fallen-you came here ready to expose the truth of anger's hold over your scarred heart," the crone stated sternly. "You have lost the way with vengeance on your mind, but you have yet to realize the reason why you are still here,"

Did she-no-was she the old lady from a town who warned me earlier?

"What reason is there?" I responded solemnly as she pondered the thought.

"Fallen are rare, but-they alone have a story to tell a weary heart. Demons have for centuries waited for one to fall from grace just as lucifer once did."

She found her way over to me as she held both hands out with her palms up.

"Do you wonder what future awaits you if you continue to pursue your anger or would you rather see the reason why you remain in this world?"

I wasn't certain of her intent, but she was a prophet or seer of sorts. I laid my hands on her parchment hands.

"Be weary young fallen, this is no illusion or trickery-this is a gateway to the answer you seek," 

I felt a jolt go through me. I held my breath and smelt the scent of pine.

I opened my eyes to find myself in the woods I used to play in before I fell from grace.

I looked for the crone, but there was no sign her.

What was I supposed to see? These woods were always empty of demons-but why was that?-I don't remember.