THE MAGICIAN'S TALE OF TERROR
Summary: Strange things begin to unfold in this weird tale. Jessica, with her mind enslaved by the evil will of the sceptre, must choose what her heart feels: to strive what she has been fighting for, or a burning desire wanting more than she realises?
A/N: I have been looking at DQ8 and completely forgot about this fanfiction! I know I haven't been writing in ages (more like 5 years ago) but things just got out of hand: university, personal projects, working part-time whilst trying to find a full time job. My old computer died and somehow I lost my original work! But never mind. Now I am back, I wanted to start this whole fanfiction again. Thanks to my good memory, I remember majority of the plot of my first draft. I also would like to add some references to the game, as well as new (gruesome) ideas too.
Critic would be most appreciated to help me improve my grammar.
This is rated 'M' for explicit reasons! Dragon Quest 8 and other references certainly do not belong to me!
Chapter 1: Possession
These flashbacks seem to get worse and worse...
"I won't leave your side. From now on I'll protect you."
"Cor Blimey!"
"Weary travellers."
"WHAT!? That fiend killed his own teacher!?"
"Parting is such sweet sorrow!"
"I am just happy that I can be at service for everyone."
"An epic tale full of laughter, thrills and tears."
"No words... Your shoes can tell the tale..."
"You must find the one who place the curse upon her... Dhoulmagus..."
"Are you entirely bereft of compassion!?"
"As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a daughter!"
"Fine! I was planning on leaving until you came to your senses anyway!"
"Are you really leaving?"
"Yeah I am and I want you to watch over the village while I am gone, okay?"
"What faith you have! Let's put it to the test, shall we!?"
"Go and do what you want! I haven't got time for this!"
"It seems fate and your benevolent Goddess are both on my side…"
"Put 'hem up, Dhoulmagus!"
"You'll pay for what you did!"
"Are you serious!? He's turned your kingdom into thorns of Darkness, killed innocent lives and yet you are willing to forgive him!?"
"I would like to fight him again! That's just who I am!"
"You defeated Dhoulmagus!? But this can't be! Why hasn't the curse been lifted?"
"He's alive!? And he's got a new look too!"
"You worthless fools! Prepare to be crushed! You'll never pester me again!"
"Let's do this!"
"We'll put an end to this here and now! BEGONE!"
"Help me!"
"No! Don't hurt them! Stop this Dhoulmagus!"
"Such a pity!"
"Die! Die! Die!"
"You're quite powerful... Why don't you join me?"
"NEVER!"
"Then... You must die!"
"Urrgh!"
"NO!"
"Ha! He! He! Pop goes the weasel!"
"I... Won't... Let you... Get away... With this!"
"ARRGH!"
"Not now! It can't end now!"
"I'm tired of fighting... Come on, we're going home..."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Now I can... finish you off..."
"Not a chance!"
"Clever girl..."
"You... You! You! YOU! YOU!"
Awake...
Eyes snap open. Hot, sweaty and breathing heavily. Jessica shudders in her bed. She violently throws the quilt covers off and sits up. The mage lets out a shaky but tired sigh. She slowly massages her head in attempt to get rid of the annoying voices that continue to circle through her mind.
"Nearing our destiny…"
Huh!? Oh well. It's probably nothing. Maybe she is just hearing things.
"Realising Evil's Demise…"
Is she going funny in the head? She forms her hand into a fist and lightly knocks it on her head. Jessica decides to get some fresh air. She moves her legs so that they dangle over the bed. Now that she could climb off the bed, she now stands on her own two feet. The mage takes a couple of steps but stops abruptly before reaching to the door.
"Please? Help me…"
Jessica gasps as she instantly turns her head round to face the room. She clasps her hands together and brings them tight into her chest, feeling her heartbeat racing. She hesitantly calls out in a soft voice. "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Nothing...
The mage sighs silently with relief. She steadily controls her breathing hoping that it would help her relax. She slowly lowers her head silently reflecting the past.
The party is so exhausted after the long hard battle against Dhoulmagus. Indeed they have battled and brawled two days solid. Much to their surprise, the King and Princess haven't returned to their normal forms. 'Why is this?' the King kept asking the party of four. Nevertheless, they all headed straight back to the Kingdom of Argonia. They were unsure of what to do, having defeated Dhoulmagus, so they headed straight to bed, falling into a deep sleep. Well, all of them except Jessica.
The mage approaches the door in attempt to open it again until the weird voice calls for her aid again.
"Stop!"
Jessica instantly turns round with complete fright. She cautiously examines every spectacle of the room, still gripping her small hand firmly onto the doorknob. She knows that something was defiantly in this room. Or rather someone was in this room stalking her...
"Y-You… are the… only one… who can… save me… Please… h-help me?"
The pleading voice made Jessica feel weak and sympathetic. Her heart heatedly swelled in her chest. Desperate to find the victim, Jessica reluctantly let's her small hand fall of the doorknob. The mage carefully begins her search. Is it in the cupboard? No... Is it in the drawer? No... Dear Goddess, here we go. Where is it coming from? Not underneath the desk and not behind the mirror either. Upon glancing at the mirror, Jessica curses herself for being stupid. Of course! She sighs in annoyance, spinning on her heel as she walks towards her bed. She then kneels down and lifts the quilts to take a closer inspection from underneath the bed but to only discover a large stick that sleeps restfully. It was the sceptre that she had retrieved after Dhoulmagus' defeat. It was the only thing she could find. Yes, take the weapon and strike anyone down showing no mercy.
The mage snatches the large stick from under her bed and advances herself to the middle of the room. She pauses in her footsteps. Immediately empathy came to her mind. Her hazel eyes gazes at the shiny dark red orb gripping the sceptre tightly.
"I may not be the greatest magician yet but only time will tell. I have been studying magic for a while but still… Is it really possible to resurrect someone from the dead even if their soul has passed away?"
The one question she still asks herself. She knows fully well that she hadn't studied magic to her fullest extend. However, she has battled many monsters alongside with her companions: Eight, Yangus and Angelo, under the guidance of King Trode and Princess Medea. Together, they brought Dhoulmagus down to his knees. But now he is history she is determined to test her true magic prowess. She paces her footwork, feet shoulder width apart, psyching herself up into a strong stance. The mage inhales a breath to get rid of her nerves.
Finally, she utters a few words from her dry throat. "Okay! Let's see what this sceptre can really do!"
The dark gold sceptre begins to glow rapidly. Jessica's eyes widen and gasps as the sudden surge of power rushes uncontrollably. The power was so wild that Jessica stumbles back falling onto one knee. Suddenly, something ominous takes over. "Ha! Ha! Ha! I've been waiting for you. At last a new hand to hold the sceptre. A new body to control."
"Who is this? What do you want?" The mage demands as she glances round the room to inspect the magic circle that surround her. Suddenly, something thick and disturbing appears forming a tight weave round the mage's right arm. She looks down and gasps with horror. "The sceptre!?"
"I am your possession! You are a slave to the sceptre! You will obey my command!" It speaks darkly.
"Sceptres do not speak of their own mind…" Jessica exclaims in disbelief.
A terrible thorn hurls forward aiming straight for the neck silencing Jessica's voice. She catches the thorn with both hands franticly tugging it to pull herself free. Her 'cry for help' did not work. Soon, more drastic thorns multiply as they begin to take control, swerving in and out binding the mage. Her legs, arms and body were now trapped slowing disappearing into the deadly thorns. The sceptre, however, stands tall, with the glowing orb glistening at its peak. All Jessica could do is witness the evil power overthrowing her. Her vision becomes cloudy and misty; the air rises thick making it difficult to breathe. The grey hallucinating clouds fades and soon the darkness dissolves the grey into the black abyss.
And so, Jessica is gone…