A Girl and Her Demons

Total Control

Chapter Fifteen – Total Control

                The three of them walked in silence toward the palace. People had gathered outside of the inn to ask about the large explosion that caused the hole in the second floor. The people all spotted Scarlet in her flame attire and wondered aloud if it was her. They managed to escape the throng of people and were underway. Scarlet attracted stared from all directions even more so now that it was getting dark. Her clothing shone brightly through the night piercing the dark corners of the streets.

                When they arrived at the palace gates, they were stopped by the guards much like the guard at the inn. After confirming her identity, the three of them walked onto the palace grounds. They had not yet visited the grounds at this point in the day. The animals were being led around to the back side of the castle and the stalls were gathering their books and papers and leaving. The grounds were clearing out quickly.

                They walked into the palace itself and there was not much movement within. Most of the council members were no doubt already in the meeting hall. The few people they did see on the way there were only servants who copied the same reaction upon Scarlet’s appearance. They reached the meeting hall without incident and once they reached the door they realized that they did not have a seal to unlock the door. Volde decided that he would knock. The door was opened by one of the council audience members and they stepped inside.

                It appeared that the meeting had started without them. The Infernal gave them directions still however as they entered the room. “Scarlet, Tempest, and Volde, please come forward.” The three of them moved to where they had stood in the meeting they had several days ago when they first arrived in Capitol.

                As Scarlet made her way toward the middle, she could hear the whispers of the council audience all around her and she was no longer worried about her new clothing as she felt perfectly in control of the power now.

                “We will begin the reason for this meeting with Scarlet. Scarlet, could you please repeat what you told me in private earlier today? If possible, could you have your counterpart tell us?” The Infernal asked this last question very carefully.

                “Xaphana, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind?” Scarlet said with a smile on her face.

                “With pleasure.” Xaphana said in Scarlet’s head.

                “High Council members, council audience, and friends of Scarlet, my name is Xaphana. I am the right hand of the Netherlord. Years ago, the High Council defeated me in combat but could not kill me so they placed me inside of a soul stone. They placed this soul stone within this girl’s body hoping that the stone would become latent and she would become powerful.”

                “Now, the Netherlord has struck out at the five villages that you train Elementalists at and no one has been able to stop his horde of minions. I have conversed with the Netherlord recently and I am to take control of Scarlet’s body and in three days’ time the Netherlord will attack Capitol.” This sentence was met with much conversation around the room.

                “Quiet!” Xaphana yelled. The room fell silent immediately. “Now, the Netherlord is extremely powerful and no council member within this room can defeat him. The only chance your city has is the girl whose body I reside in. If Scarlet’s mind remains intact and I am unable to take control of her your city has a chance. My part in this meeting is to tell you that you have three days.  Plan what you will, Scarlet is your only hope.” Xaphana’s last sentence hung in the air as Scarlet regained control of her mind. The council sat in silence for a moment with all eyes still on Scarlet. Scarlet turned toward the Infernal.