A Girl and Her Demons

The Voice of Xaphana

Chapter Fourteen: The Voice of Xaphana

                It was not long before the next dream materialized in her mind. She quickly looked down to see who was in control of the dream. It was her skin and flesh, it was under her control. Once the scene became clearer however she was not where she wanted to be. She stood at the edge of the field just outside their village. This scene was one of the most welcoming she had identified as a child. It was home. Right now however, this was without a doubt the worst scene she could have dreamed up.

                She walked forward unwillingly but under her own power. The scene was overtaken much quicker than the last time she was in a village. The skies darkened and the minions came from through the field behind her. She did not flinch as they passed; she knew the village was doomed.

                “Go home, Scarlet.” The voice of the Netherlord rung in her ears. The demonic tone in his voice returned and he was back to sounding very evil again. She walked home slowly as she heard the cries of battle and screams from children and parents being killed by the minions of the Netherlord. She observed some of the fights that were taking place around her. The humans tried to fight but the minions were too powerful and too many.

                She arrived at her house and opened the door. The room was filled with the acrid smoke left behind by the minions of the Netherlord and the Netherlord himself. As she moved through her house she heard a conversation happening upstairs. She moved into the living room and saw her father dead at the foot of the stairs. Scarlet closed her eyes but maintained her composure. She stepped over her father and walked to the top of the stairs. The voices were coming from her parent’s room at the end of the hall. She approached the door and listened to what was happening within.

                “Hand over your daughter.” She heard the Netherlord say in his demonic tone. She heard multiple cries from inside the room.

                “No, just kill us and do what you came to do.” She heard her mother say through tears. Scarlet’s eyes began to fill with tears as well. She was worrying about what had happened to her family before she slept but she did not want to hear or see them be killed in front of her.

                “I came for your daughter. Your husband died because he tried to attack me. If you hand over your daughter, I may spare your life.” Scarlet was confused. He wanted her mom’s daughter. Did the bait work? It couldn’t have, the Netherlord knew that she was in Capitol. Was he going after Ruby?

                “I have no husband, you are taking my daughter, and you have killed the entire village. What do I have to live for? Just kill me.” Her mom screamed at him.

                “You may go see your daughter in Capitol. I am sure she would be happy to see you.” The Netherlord’s laugh echoed inside the house. The door suddenly opened and her mom was standing on the other side of the door. She saw her mom’s eyes grow wide.

                “Scarlet?” she whispered. Then, suddenly a spear pierced her mother’s chest and she was pulled back into the room, dead. The door remained open and Scarlet could see the long spear that was being wielded by the Netherlord as he tossed her mother’s corpse to the ground. The Netherlord then turned his gaze toward the open door.

                “Well, it was nice that she was able to see you before she died. Please join us.” Scarlet’s body moved involuntarily and she looked down to see her flaming body step into the room. How did she take over? When? Scarlet’s mind was racing. She looked over and saw Ruby sitting in a corner.