Who Am I? (Book 1)

Chapter 29

After several days of listening to the sounds of war, and feeling the magic in the air, I felt different. I found myself looking behind me, thinking that a demon or possessed would attack me, thinking that everyone entering the forest would never see the sun again. Tash seemed much calmer as she sat under the tree, playing on a guitar. I didn't understand how she so calmly could play and I didn't understand how Julia allowed her, but I couldn't deny that she was good. I didn't know which song it was as it didn't sound familiar, but I sat down and listened. Before I knew it the forest went quiet, and Julia stood there. "Are you ready?" She had gathered up those of us who were left and boosted morale. Tash stood up and laid her hand on my shoulder. "Are you ready for battle, Julie?" I gave her a resolute nod and followed Julia's signal as she led us into Death's territory. 

Everywhere I looked ... I saw dead bodies, both our own and monsters. Beasts of all kind of species, possessed villagers and demons alike. Our medics frantically ran around, trying to find injured warriors, survivors, anything ... but there were none. All the survivors were already brought out, back to the lair. All the bodies were covered in big gashes, they would have bled out in mere minutes. As we went deeper a horrific sight burned itself into my memory. Julius lay there, his eyes dilated, his expression expressing how his time had run out. I wanted to puke, his face was ... torn and bloodied, his body ravaged and ripped apart. Why was he here? How did he die? He was a medic apprentice, he should never have been here ... on the frontline. Was he scared? Did he feel alone when he died? I shook those thoughts away and looked another way, I couldn't bear to watch his body anymore. Both Julia and Julian stopped and hesitated. They were torn between mourning and carrying out their duties. "Here, take this. It's one of two weapons that can kill Death". She handed me one of her swords, it aura felt different form any weapon I had seen. It was ornate and light, it felt as if it was made for my hand. "It is yours, our mother's forged it and its twin-blade when we were born". I thanked her and continued forward with Tash. As I looked back I could see tears in their eyes. The final battle hadn't started, but I already felt ... as if I had lost. It felt as if I had no energy left, and I was on the verge of breaking down when a warm, familiar, and gentle hand rested on my shoulder. 

Natasha looked at me, her expression saddened. "Come, don't look down. Focus on me Julie, I'll always stand by your side". She gave me a warm hug, and I embraced her back, a tear escaping my eye. I took a deep breath, wiped my eyes and continued forward. We passed a group of warriors, they were exhausted. I couldn't spot any monsters, but they should be safe in the clearing. We continued on alone after exchanging nods, Death couldn't be far away. 

I had this strange feeling deep in my stomach, and it grew for every step we took. Our surroundings darkened for each step we took, and I felt as if something or someone was calling out to me. "Do you wanna plaaaaay?" I froze the moment I heard the voice, this voice ... it scared me, no it terrified me and I couldn't tell why. When I glanced over at Tash I felt dread sink in, she looked even more terrified, as if this was one of her biggest nightmares becoming reality. "W-who are you?!" I tried to scream with a powerful and demanding tone, but all I could cough up was a hoarse, shaky scream. A silhouette stepped out from the shadows, and Tash completely froze. "Nate?" Her voice sounded distant and hoarse. "Nate? Um ... spark my memory?" I looked intently at her, waiting for her response. She was paler than ever, and she seemed to struggle for words. "My ... he ... Nate ... brother ..." I couldn't recall him, but I tried ... had I met him before? Yes ... slowly I could recall a memory. We had been young, and we were playing together. Nate ... or Nathaniel, if I remembered correctly, was tall and had the same physical features as Tash, sapphire blue eyes and blonde hair. 

He came running towards us, much faster than even our species. His hands connected with my face and my world began to spin as he tightened them around my throat. I couldn't breath and panick began to kick in. Tash snapped out of her distant state and kicked him, hard ... but nothing happened. In front of me his face melted away, his eyes were white and dead, his skin completely gone. I wanted to scream out of fear but also anger. Anger for how unfair life was, how unfair my life was ... and how I was powerless to change it. My world started to darken, I was passing out due to the lack of oxygen. Then ... I could breath again, I gasped for air and sat up. Tash stood in front of me, holding my hand and visibly shaken up. The creatures head laid to my side, Tash and her sword bloody from the struggle and execution. "W-what was that?" It hurt to speak, my voice was even more hoarse and my throat sore. "That is a shapeshifter demon, they induce fear by morphing into your loved ones ... or your biggest nightmare". She went silent and then she stood up. "Let's find Death and put an end to this".

We walked in silence, both of us rattled, as we listened to the slightest sound of Death's presence. Then a sharp and loud snap could be heard to my right. I began to walk towards it when I noticed that Tash wasn't following. "You won't accompany me in the last battle ... will you?" Deep down I knew that this was my battle and that I had to face Death alone. "I'm sorry Julie, only you and Julia can engage in combat with him. Those who do not serve him, or have his blood in their veins will wither away and die by his mere presence if he wishes so". I stepped back and pulled her into a hug. "I knew it, deep down ... This is my destiny, Tash ... but I'm scared". I took a deep breath and gave her a kiss. "If this is goodbye I want you to know that I love you and I'll see you again, sometime". We looked at each other in the eye and a silent promise was made. Then I turned away and followed the sounds, I was ready to face Death ... and I was ready to destroy him.