Chapter 2: 'The devil's plans'
The scattered scars shone silver against pale skin, but his icy blue eyes glittered as malevolently as they ever did. He was staring coldly at his victim. The man in front of him shivered in fear from his angry countenance. Once upon a time, they used to be friends - but not anymore. The man had broken the oath. He'd done the unforgiveable.
The cult of darkness never tolerated deceit. Once you've made a promise with them there was no going back. Once you joined the cult, the only escape was death itself. The worshippers of the dark spirit were bound by an oath. As long as they followed the orders given by the cult leader, they had access to boundless powers as a reward. But the dire repercussions of failing to follow orders were beyond just "dangerous". The cult of darkness was ruthless - merciless. No one was ever spared or forgiven.
"Please, I beg you, I was intending to disrespect Cade, he… he must have gotten the wrong news." The warlock's friend begged as he frantically shoved his younger brother behind him.
The angry warlock stepped closer. His eyes were terribly calm but every fiber of his being screamed danger. Ahriman and his younger brother Seth were the members of his cult. They had tried to secretly overthrow their king. But Cade, the chief of blood-drinking warlocks, wasn't easy to fool. He sent his most trusted warlock, Damon, the king of demons and all evil, to finish off the traitors.
Before Ahriman could even defend himself, Damon had sucked his powers, making him no less powerful than simple humans. He was at Damon's mercy now.
"You can't lie to me. I feed off sins." Damon said in that low, dangerous tone that skimmed along the culprit's nerves to leave him strangely chilled to the bone.
Long ago, when he chose the cult of darkness, he'd given up on his humanity. The blood contaminated with sins was his food now. That's why everyone called him "the devil" - ruthless - merciless devil.
"I can smell lies from a mile away." Damon added, stepping even closer to the cowering figures.
"Damon, we were friends. I know I've committed a crime. I shouldn't have conspired against Cade. It was the sirens, they convinced me." The bulky man pleaded, going down on his knees.
"Don't waste your energy. We've left our humanity long ago. There is no point to beg forgiveness. People who consider themselves redeemable can only ask for that. We are unredeemable. Mistakes can't be pardoned here." He explained, circling the duo warlocks. "Now, tell me why did you conspire against us?"
"My younger brother… Cade wanted his soul. I couldn't let him do that. I joined the cult, my brother didn't. It's unfair." The doomed man tried pleading one last time.
"Do you remember your oath?" Damon asked quietly.
"Yes."
"Didn't you agree to give any sacrifice whenever or whatever chief demands. That's the price of your powers."
"I… I never thought he would…" Ahriman trailed off.
"Why were you saving him?" Damon asked, looking at Seth.
"He's my younger brother… I love…"
"Love!" Damon hissed, his face scrunched up into a look of utter disgust. "There is that word again. That wretched, horrid, terrible word. Why is it so terrible? Love wounds, love binds, love makes one anguish, love leads to weakness. Love is weakness… and why would anyone want to feel weak?" He asked them, a smirk playing on his dry lips. "There is no place for love in our world." His fist slowly curled and before he could chant a spell to freeze Ahriman's heart, Ahriman interrupted.
"No. No. Please. I…I can give you something."
"I'm listening." Damon replied, annoyed. He did not like these cat and mouse games.
"Your Queen. You're forced to stay away from her because of the magic of the one who never sins. I have a way you can reach her before the other warlock does."
"Is there idiot written on my face?" Damon snarled, pointing to his livid countenance. "I'm the king of demons. My magic is a thousand times stronger than yours. If I couldn't find a loophole in the spell, how do you think you can?"
"Cade's emerald ring. It will allow you to be around her. Cade knew that, but he never told you. You know why? Because he never wanted you to have her. He wants her soul to merge with the warlock of goodness. He's planning something big." Ahriman blabbed in one breath.
"And why should I believe you?" Damon asked, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"You're the devil. You can smell lies. You'll know if I'm lying." Ahriman countered.
Damon remained quiet for a moment, pondering on what he had just found out. His mind whirled uncontrollably with thoughts. If there is one thing he never compromised on, it was his queen - his heart. He drew a deep breath. "I believe you."
"Now, do you understand why it's important to over throw the chief?" Ahriman seemed relaxed now.
"Can you keep a secret?" Damon asked, smirking at the relieved man.
"Of course."
"I was planning to over throw him all along." Damon added, wickedly.
Ahriman swallowed. A plan formed in his head. If he told this to Cade, it would turn into a war. Both Damon and Cade were powerful warlocks. They would battle until they killed each other.
"What's the matter, Ahriman? My secret is too big for you to keep. You're itching to tell it to Cade, aren't you?"
"No… I…" Ahriman was brought out of his thoughts by Damon's comment. His heart felt chilled again.
"I can see the plans forming in your head." Damon added, smiling. "No matter. I know how to make sure you'll keep your word." Damon's eyes gleamed evilly as he stepped closer to the cowering men.
Before Ahriman could protest, Damon clenched his fist, rapidly chanting an ancient incantation.
Blood ozzed out of both Ahriman and his brother's mouths. They fell on their knees, breathing heavily, squirming, begging. With click of his fingers, their hearts shot out of their chests and lay at Damon's feet.
"You can't tell if you're dead." Damon chuckled, bending down on his knees. He picked up the older man by his hand, breathing in the blood. It smelled of darkness and sins.
To stay immortal, Damon needed blood. He cradled the man's neck before sinking his teeth deep into the still throbbing vein.
..
..
Cade was pleased that Damon came back announcing complete success in his mission. Cade somehow still knew Damon was hiding something. When he demanded an explanation, Damon didn't refuse and told him everything… except for the part where Damon admitted he had plans to over throw Cade.
"He's right. I did have something that would've helped you. I didn't tell you intentionally. But Ahriman
lied when he said that I wanted the warlock of goodness to have your Queen. It's simply not possible."
"And why is that?" Damon demanded.
"Today is your Queen's eighteenth birthday, as you know, and the shield of your sacrifice will lift off tonight. Sadly, I see death in her fate. She'll die tonight as the clock strikes twelve. Tic. Toc. Tic. Toc." Cade spoke very casually as if he was simply discussing the weather. He did not seem at all bothered by his dire revelation.
"What?" Damon growled, shocked. "You never mentioned that."
"That's her fate. She cheated death once because of your sacrifice. But the shield lifts off tonight. There is nothing to keep her fate at bay anymore." Cade smiled evilly.
Damon gritted his teeth, glaring at the chief. "That was not the deal. You promised me that my soul will merge with hers. You promised the girl to me. She's my fate."
"I did promise the girl. But, it's not my fault. Her parents broke the vow. They must be punished."
"So, punish them. Not my Queen!" Damon growled.
"Oh, they will be punished." Cade said, smirking. "As for your Queen, I can save her… I can change the fate but it will cost you."
"Anything."
"Don't be rash, Damon. Your impulsiveness would be the death of you." Cade chided.
"What do you want Cade?"
"Your Queen."
A hiss escaped Damon's lips, his eyes blazed and before Cade knew it, he was surrounded by vicious fire, drawing closer to burn him to ashes. Cade lazily clicked his fingers, putting out the fire.
"Don't ever do that again." He growled. "You obey me. You do whatever I say."
"Not my queen! She's my heart. I don't play around when it comes to her." Damon meant when he said. She'd been destined for him from a thousand years. Every warlock and witch were born with half of their souls. The other halves of their souls were their partners. It was a supernatural connection. Only some warlocks or witches were lucky enough to find their other halves.
"I think you're misunderstanding me. When I said, I want her, I meant I want her to join our cult. She's half goodness and half evil. She's the descendant of Petrova's. Her blood is precious. If she joins us, our power would know no bounds." Cade explained.
"But for her to join the cult, she has to accept it. You'll do that. You'll lure her to us." He added. "You can keep the girl, and I'll use her blood for our spells. It's a win-win situation."
Something told Damon that there was more to Cade's plan that he wasn't telling now. Cade was powerful enough to hide his subconscious. Damon couldn't exactly tell if he was lying but his sixth sense tickled.
He agreed anyway. For now, he had to save his queen from death. He made the vow that he would convince his queen to join their cult but before that he'd have to win her first from the enemy warlock and then remove the goodness in her. That was the only way she could fully submit to the dark spirit and accept him.
..
..
He was standing in the middle of a deserted road. Cade had told him that this place was where he would meet his queen for the first time. It was a very odd place but he didn't question his chief. Cade had an uncanny ability to predict the future. His predictions were never wrong.
As he walked further, he could hear a girl talking. "I just can't bring myself to tell him. At least not tonight. I'll call you later." She stuffed her phone into her pocket, turning on her heels and unconsciously walking toward where Damon stood.
It wasn't like he hadn't seen her before. Sometimes when he got bored, he would conjure her in mist to talk to her, but right now - seeing her in real life - it felt surreal. He was dead. He was a demon who had long ago given up his humanity for powers, but right now he somehow felt his heart begin to race.
She was dressed in a causal magenta top and ordinary washed out jeans, but there was nothing else ordinary about her. Wisps of her silky hair were falling on her face, touching her skin tenderly. Like a china doll, she looked fragile as if the slightest disturbance might make her crack. She turned her heart-shaped face up to the sky, her doe eyes innocent and framed with the longest lashes he had ever seen. Her long hair was down, her skin sun kissed. Soft. Sexy. Irresistible. She was divinely beautiful… and pure.
He looked at himself. He was in his demon form. Hideous and repulsive. The dark magic has destroyed his human form long time ago. He quickly chanted a spell to create an illusion to make himself look like the handsome human man he used to be.
"My queen," He spoke as he stepped toward her slowly.
Surprised, she looked behind her to make sure he's not talking to someone else. " No – um – I…I'm Elena."
Realizing that she'd seen him, he felt nervous. "Oh, you – you just look...I'm sorry, you just really remind me of someone." He lied. "I'm Damon." He added, as if trying to explain his strange sudden appearance on the road.
She replied, still hesitant, "Not to be rude or anything, Damon, but it's kind of creepy that you're out here in the middle of nowhere."
He retorted. "You're one to talk. You're out here all by yourself."
"It's The Fells. Nothing bad ever happens here." She said with a shrug.
She didn't feel afraid even though every fiber of her being warned her to be cautious. But something felt different. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him. It was as if her heart knew him.
There was an awkward pause. She tried to fill it, "Got into a fight with my boyfriend."
He bit the inside of his cheek at the mention of another man but he fought the revolting feeling of the thought of the diminutive human being close to his destined queen.
"About what? May I ask." He asked, out of curiosity. It felt so surreal to talk to her in real life. He'd talked to her conjured versions so many times. He had told her all his secrets, his fears, his weaknesses. But this was so different. A small part of him wondered how a naïve and innocent person such as herself could talk to a stranger like this… so kindly. So sweetly.
She said, "Life, future, he's got it all mapped out."
"And you don't want it?" Damon asked with feigned curiosity.
"I don't know what I want." She sighed, crossing her arms gently.
He replied, "Well, that's not true. You want what everybody wants."
"What, mysterious stranger who has all the answers?" She joked.
The confusion and innocence on her face seemed to shake something loose within him — something that ached to touch her, to make her smile, to make her laugh, to snatch her from the world, to capture and keep all her innocence and all her insolence. "Hm, well, let's just say I've been around a long time. I've learned a few things."
"So, Damon, tell me. What is it that I want?" She said softly, emphasizing his name.
He moved closer to her. "You want a love that consumes you. You want passion, an adventure, and even a little danger."
"So, what do you want?" She asked, tilting her head to a side.
He was quiet for a minute, surprised not only by the question but her tone. No one had ever spoken so kindly and softly to him. He'd been the cause of everyone's hate but this girl… she seemed different. 'Only because she doesn't know you're a demon.' His mind crushed into shards the tiny desires he felt because of the girl.
Before he could reply, they heard a car slowly driving toward where they stood.
"It's my parents." She said as she looked around.
When she turned back to him, he was standing very close to her, almost unnerving her.
"I want you to get everything that you're looking for, but right now I want you to forget that this happened. Right now, I have to go. I have to save you from your fate. But I promise you, we'll meet soon. Goodnight, my queen."
With a quick wave of his hand, a blank look came over her face. Confused, she turned around. Who was she talking to again? She didn't remember anything.
"Elena…" she heard her mother waving at her to come.
He watched her leave with her parents, a thousand stories on her lips. He looked at his watch - it was ten minutes to twelve. He didn't know what fate had in mind for his queen but he knew he would save her. He didn't let her die before; he wouldn't let her die again.
He had Cade's ring to protect him from the spell of the warlocks who never sinned, the protection spell his enemy put on his queen to make sure he couldn't reach her. But, here he was… so so close to her.
As the car drove onto the Wickery bridge, the bridge that connected Mystic Falls with The Fells, it suddenly skidded, sliding out of control.
Shocked, he didn't think another second. He clicked his finger. Within a Nano second, he was in front of the car. He held his hand forward, chanting a protection spell but the car crashed into the guard rail, and the weight of the car broke through the rail. It flew off the bridge, plummeting into the deep, cold river.
Desperate to fight fate, he lurched forward and dove into the river. He swam to the car, already knowing that two of the three were already dead and selfishly he hoped it wouldn't be her. After all, he didn't care about the other two deceptive humans.
Murmuring a spell, he broke open the door and pulled her out. She was injured and appeared to have been knocked out, but to Damon seemed like she was in a deep sleep. Closing his eyes, he focused on the power the dark spirit had granted him with. Without chanting the spell, he was transported back to the bridge with the unconscious girl in his arms.
Her heartbeat was unsteady and very slow. It seemed as if she was on the brink of death. But he was promised her life, and he knew she would survive. Yet, he was still anxious. His hands flickered over her, reaching where her pulse and breathing were supposed to be, and panicked when he didn't find them. What if Cade lied?
"Elena… Elena… wake up!" He shook his head frantically and put a hand on her chest just above her breast. He put his other hand on top and began pumping. "Breathe, please, breathe." It came out as desperate plea.
"I waited so long for you. I won't allow you to die. Please, wake up." He murmured to her limp body.
He breathed into her mouth for what felt like an eternity, before she coughed.
He helped her sit up, but she cried in pain, hissing and wincing, because of the aching deep wounds on her body.
"Don't cry. I'll heal them." He promised as he chanted a spell.
For the first time in his life, he was using his power for something other than evil and destruction. He didn't even realize this at the moment.
Her eyes opened slightly. Tears of anguish trickled down her face. "Are you an angel?" She asked him, deluded that she might have died in an accident. "Why do I still hurt?" Every part of her body ached.
"You'll be fine in a while, my queen. I promise." He said as he held her hand and suddenly her hand stopped aching, the bruises and scratches that she got from the broken glass windows of the car started to heal. She still hurt though. She still felt shaken.
"I… I feel so cold." She was freezing cold, to the point of shaking uncontrollably, though she was hardly conscious.
He drifted closer, wrapping his arms around her. What was happening to him? He was never a softie. But the girl was so vulnerable. She reminded him of himself… back when he was abandoned by his own parents.
"Mom… Dad…" She murmured, trembling, clinging to him.
"Listen, I…"
He could hear the police sirens approaching. It wasn't like he was afraid of humans. He could kill them with the swish of his fingers but he couldn't be seen yet. His illusion form was for only Elena's eyes. He'd used up all his power. He couldn't conjure the optical illusion for everyone.
He uncurled his arms from around her.
"Don't leave me, please." She pleaded. "I'm scared."
"I'm here. You can't see me, but I'm here with you." He vowed.
She didn't understand what he was saying. Was she even conscious? Was this death? She didn't know. All she knew was that she needed him close to her. She felt safe with him.
When she looked up, the man who saved her disappeared in mist.
"Elena!" She heard a familiar voice before darkness prevailed before her eyes.
...
"Well. Well. Well. Look, who it is?" The voice would have startled him if he hadn't heard the footsteps.
"Hello, brother." He said as he turned around, a sour look on his face.
"I'm no brother of someone who worships the dark spirit. You and your cult are…"
"Abominations, cursed ones, cruel blood drinkers, unloved lost souls, yeah, I've heard that about million times before. Come up with something new." Damon replied, bored.
"Why are you here?" Stefan stepped toward him, crossing his arms on his chest.
"None of your damn business."
"You're here for her." Stefan said, sounding as if he knew everything in Damon's mind.
"Is that a question? I never leave what's mine." He answered, shrugging.
"In that case, you might remember she's mine too." Stefan said, merely to get a rise out of him.
Damon clenched his teeth but kept his cool. "It's a pity that you think as you do, brother, your power is a quarter compared to mine."
"But she has my heart…" Stefan growled.
"I sacrificed mine for her, she truly belongs to me… and you know that." Damon angrily frowned.
Stefan huffed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night. Oh wait, demons can't. " He laughed sarcastically. "Well I think the demon is being delusional here. Demons don't get happy ending, brother. Heroes do… like I will and you won't."
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. This is what I like about you, when you're in the illusion that you are giving me a life lesson but in actual you're being a combative jerk. "Damon smirked. "And it's not that I don't admire your confidence, yes I do. You are making a valiant effort, but I simply don't consider you my competition. The more you call yourself impeccable, the more your existence in my view is trivial. To me, Stefan, you are a frail butterfly."
Stefan shook his head, "So, why am I your competitor if you are the lordly Damon."
Damon nodded. "That's the thing that bugs me all the time. If you want to compete with me, at least give me some competition. It's a shame but the reality is I'll burn you to ashes. Actually, no, I'd love to have mercy if you ask politely, you know, like they teach you in your angel skills polishing classes. You're still taking them?"
"Yes I am. Guess the lesson I learned." He stepped forward and whispered, "She will never give you what you want."
Damon cocked his head to a side. "Why would you say that?" he mocked. "I am handsome, taller, stronger, better."
"That's just an illusion. The truth is, you're heartless, soul eating, repulsive monster who sold his family soul's to the dark spirit for powers."
Damon chuckled. "Serves them right. They tied me up and left me in the middle of the forest to die. Of course I took revenge. Huh… funny times."
Stefan growled. "Funny, am I? Wait till you hear my plan to kill you and snatch Elena from you."
Damon grinned shaking his head. He took a step further and slowly touched Stefan's collar, then gripped it tightly. "Stefan, I am not five anymore - I know how to kill you."
Stefan nodded, "Oh, that's your only qualification so far, killing your family,"
He gave him a push, "And I won't mind if another member wants a one way ticket to heaven."
"Guess what Elena would think about that? She'll never love a monster. You'll never make her a monster that you're…" He continued.
"Stefan, I swear…" Damon stepped forward to grab him by the neck and teach him a lesson.
Stefan disappeared in thin air, leaving the seething warlock burn in his rage.
…
It was the day of her parent's funeral. She was weeping in her aunt's arms. People went to her and sympathized with her. Everyone felt pity for the poor orphan girl whose parents died in a car accident and somehow she mysteriously survived. They all told her they would support her but she knew they would all forget about her in a couple of days.
"You're not alone, darling, we're always here for you." The mayor's wife told her as she patted her hair.
Elena nodded out of respect but she couldn't stop crying. She wished she had died in the accident too. She still didn't know who saved her. All she remembered was an angelic voice telling her to breath, telling her to come back to life because he had waited for her. Maybe it was a delusion, an after effect of the near death experience.
"Darling, can you stay here by yourself for a while? I need to drop Mrs. Lockwood to the door?" Jenna asked.
She nodded.
Once Jenna left, she stared at nothingness, lost in her thoughts. She had a strange feeling that someone was watching her, someone was guarding her. She felt as if someone touched her, light as mist. It reminded her of the strange fragrance she felt the night she almost drowned. But again, it could all be her imagination.
…
"You're not alone, my queen." She couldn't see him but he was by her side, every day of every second, guarding her, taking care of her.
He could see of her face was pinkish, glistening wet where silent tears covered her cheeks. Sorrow never looked more beautiful.
He slowly untucked her hair from behind her ear, releasing them from their captivity. Annoyed, she tucked the strand back behind her ear.
He untucked her hair again, a smile covering his lips. "We'll be together soon. You and I will rule the world. I'll be the king and you… you'll be my queen. Only mine."
…
So, here is the official first chapter of the TDO. I hope you like it. The first three chapters would be slow and introducing so bear with me. This is going to be a little dark in future chapter so you've been warned.
Thank you to my amazing beta Rachel (JessicaRae) for proof reading and adding her input. Your work is flawless.
Please comment so I know you're enjoying the story.
So continue?
