Malion: Up In Flames

Dealing with a Devil

"Alright then," She hummed turning away from me, "Now that we are nicely acquainted, Decoda... If I'm right, you want your little friend back." I glanced over at Orin's grinning face as she glared at me over her shoulder.

"If you hurt him, I won't hesitate to rip your throat out and bash your head in." I spat.

"Well well... then I suppose I don't need to worry, and neither do you... unless you give me something in return for that pathetic man." She growled, slinking around me with a slimy smile.

"You're a despicable, horrid hag. You will pay for taking him." I threatened. She gave me a taunting laugh that echoed between the walls of the cottage.

"I won't hurt him if you give me your compass and come with me. You can bring your gross little friends with you if you like, but it's easier on everyone if you keep it to a minimum." She said casually. I glared daggers into her.

"The more power I can bring with me, the easier time I'll have giving you a taste of your own medicine." I hissed. She burst out into another fit of echoing laughter.

"Oh please, my dear! You plan to give me poison compared to molasses. I only need your help, that's all." She said, leaning in close. I growled and launced my hand forward but it froze in place and restrained by threads of darkness. I watched the sickle shaped arch of darkness that floated above her head glow up slightly.

"If you hurt me, I kill him. There is no compromise here." She told me coldly.

I sighed and handed the compass over to Orin. She grinned and grabbed the compass, cupping it greedily in both hands.

"Thank you. Now, let's go." She said, the threads of darkness pulling me towards the ladder. I tore away from her grip and stepped backward.

"We leave tomorrow. Wherever we're going, I'm preparing for it first." I snarled at Orin. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Fine, but I only have two extra spots free so don't take too many slimeballs with you." She huffed and made her exit with another circle of darkness that she sank into.

I stumbled out of Nathaniel's cottage and towards the Burns' ship. They would surely be awake already. It wasn't easy, but I got Michelle to join me for the journey the following morning. Alex was an easy next pick and an even esier to recruit. They joined me for Selvan's training for the day.

Surprisingly, the night passed uneventfully. I slept lightly and awoke with the growls and deep howls of hunting Endoran. The next morning, we gathered in front of Nathaniel's cottage for what felt like the final time. I hated that feeling. Suddenly someone cleared their throat behind me. Herross smiled at me when I turned to face him. Tavius and Drevel idled behind him. Alex made sure to say her goodbyes before anything else. Hero smiled at me and handed me a vial.

"It's just some of your blood in this. When you open it, it should turn green. Take this in an emergency situaltion. Don't let her find it." He told me, "That's what I've been preparing."

"We should be off. Be safe, all of you!" Tavius waved and gave Alex a smile. That's when they all disappeared and left Selvan behind. He heald a familiar hilt and an attached, wrapped blade.

"I figured you could need it. It's as good as new, with some extra pizzazz sprinckled onto it." He said, handing me the weapon. I launched myself into him and wrapped my arms around him.

"Thank you so much, Selvan. This will come in hany. Im glad I also brought my hatchet and bow." I said softly.

"I'm off. Good luck. All of you." He said and disappeared like the rest of his family did.

Just then, a voice echoed around us. "Has everyone said their goodbyes? I hope so! Because where you're all going, some of you might not come back." Orin warned, appearing right in the middle of our small group. We all became a bit uneasy as Orin smiled proudly. "Alright. Let me get you slimeballs to the entrance." She hummed, calmly. A large circle drew itself around us. It appeared to have burnd itself into thr ground before the deep purple glow of her magic illuminated the circle. Suddenly a pool of the same violet colour appeared below our feet and we sank into the cold void. Soon after we emerged into pleasent warmth. We'd appeared in the middle of the Ramir Desert. In the distance, we spotted a structure. As we drew nearer, it turned out to be a type of temple.

This one was rather small and run down. The cacti that grew around the temple were menacing as they loomed over the temple. The temple its self was full of holes and overgrown with black flowers. Orin smiled at the sight of the ancient structure and lead us inside. Inside it seemed to look even worse. Rubble lay everywhere, scattered all over the already treacherous paths. She led us very deep down into the temple. She led us down into a hallway in the dark deapths of the structure. As we turned the corner in front of us stood a gate decorated with orbs that swirled with faces silently screaming.

We each stepped through the portal. It felt like whatever this portal's magic consisted of, it was hungry. It grasped at my skin and greedily pulled me into it.

I emerged in a land of pure white with deep black stretching throughout the entire sky. I stared at the terrain and came to a mind boggling revilation... this was the Ramir desert, but there was something very wrong with it... I couldn't figure it out. Every landmark I saw was out of place. No colour stained anything in this realm. I looked at Alex and Michelle to see only Alex's colour paled.

"Dude, Michelle... You're the brightest thing in this world, holy shit." Alex admitted to a colourful and blushing Michelle. Orin stepped between us, her own colours full and bright.

"Welcome to the realm of the Banished!"