Demons, part 10
The weary mages had struggled home. Some of them were injured, others merely exhausted. Nervous eyes watched the young witch the entire trek, but she remained in her magic induced coma, never even opening her eyes. The rest of guild welcomed their comrades home with open arms. No one asked about the girl. Surely Puck knew what he was doing. After all, he was one of the guild leaders. Leaving team three to recuperate, team one followed Puck into Veda's sanctum. She watched with soft eyes as he placed the sleeping witch down gently before hugging him in relief.
Glancing at the child, she turned her eyes back to her husband, full of hope. With a faint grin, Puck produced the crystal that trapped Jasper's psyche. Veda cradled it softly in her hands before also embracing Kavi. Her boys were finally home. Rani and Ronen quickly traded stories before Rani rushed to Yona's arms with concern. Yona held her with pink cheeks. "You worry too much", she said, trying to assure her friend. "Sometimes, but not this time. If it weren't for Blythe, you wouldn't be standing here", chided Ronen. Rani looked Yona over as if inspecting her health. Satisfied, she turned her affections on Blythe, thanking him profusely. He hugged his exceed friend and made light of his actions. Kavi watched them all in silence. It was nice to see such warm emotions flowing, but things were not over. He stared at his brother's unconscious body, deep in thought. A hand on his shoulder dragged him back to reality. It was Puck, offering an assuring grin.
Team four was released from guard duty. Only Acheron remained behind in case he was needed. The chamber was completely silent as Puck approached his son. Veda held tightly onto Kavi as they watched. Everyone covered their ears as the elf began to chant. Kavi distorted the sound waves around his guild mates, as well. Such words were dangerous to mortal kind. Strange lights emanated from Jasper's body. He convulsed against the restraints. Aldegund was fighting back; She wasn't ready to let go just yet. The pure light took on a sinister air, changing colors and even lashing out in small sparks. In a split second, everything froze in time, then a massive pulse of energy shot out in all directions, knocking the mages back several feet.
Yona opened her eyes. "Owww", she whined, rubbing her hip as she got up. "What just happened?". Looking around, it was clear she wasn't going to get an answer. Everyone stood in mid freeze frame, as if time had stopped. Even the light and magic was solidly in place. She waved her hand in front of Puck's face. No response. She squinted at him in question. "What the hell did you do? Did you blow me up? Am I dead?! Why'd you kill me, asshole?!" An unfamiliar voice sounded behind her. "You're not dead. You're between worlds", it said. Turning, she stood in shock. An image of the old witch she almost killed was staring at her. "What do you want?", demanded Yona. Aldegund watched her without emotion. "I brought you here", stated the witch. "Why?", asked Yona, skeptically. "I've been watching you. You have potential, so I'm offering you a choice...Welcome me into your mind and I will teach you everything I know. You'll be unstoppable. No one will ever tell you what to do again, child", said Aldegund.
Yona maintained her distance. "If I refuse?", she ventured. Aldegund smiled politely, almost eerily. "I can keep you trapped here with me forever", she replied calmly. Yona laughed. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. I can be pretty annoying after a while", she scoffed. "Perhaps, but in time you may change your mind. I would much rather have a female host as it stands", said the witch. Yona stood in silence momentarily. "No one will ever tell me what to do again?...Bullshit. You'd be in control. We both know it. I'm smarter than I look", retorted the dragon slayer. Aldegund sighed, "Dragon slayers are always so testy and never very bright. I'm not surprised by your answer."
It seemed like several hours passed. Yona tried her best to get any of her friends to respond, but nothing worked. Aldegund watched her with amusement, sue she would win the battle of wills. Bored, Yona decided to wander around. She was surprised to find herself confined within a finite space. Some form of invisible barrier prevented her from going any further than the blast range from the magical feedback. Annoyed, she searched for a way out. This place sucked. No one to talk to, but the old hag and her magic wasn't working. Finally, something caught her eye. "What the - ?", she uttered. The space where Jasper had been confined was empty...No, it was bent. Light didn't seem to behave normally as if it was being drawn into this rip in reality. Aldegund sneered as she watched Yona head toward it. "Stay away from that! Are you trying to get yourself killed?", spat the witch. Smirking, Yona said, "It's better than hanging around with you", and stepped into the vortex.
Yona couldn't breathe. At first, she panicked, then she realized she wasn't suffocating. Her lungs and body felt fine. It almost felt falling, but no air was moving to tell which way was down. "Hello?!", she shouted into the void. Something grabbed her arm and tugged hard. She cried out in surprise before firmly hitting a stone floor. "Gaaahhh, dammit! Why do I always land on my ass?!" Faint laughter caught her attention. She suddenly realized a pair of boots were standing just before her. Following them upward, she found she was no longer alone or in the void. This new place was cold and smooth stone covered every surface. "Are you all right?", asked Jasper, offering a helping hand. Getting to her feet, she withdrew her hand. "You pulled me out of that pit, didn't you?", she inquired. He gave a soft smile and nodded in response.
Yona stepped close to him, inspecting him thoroughly. He stepped back in surprise. "So, you're an incubus?", she ventured, poking him here and there. Noticing him squirm, she grinned and added, "A ticklish one." She lightly tugged his pointed ears in fun. Finally stepping back, she stuck out her hand. "Name's Yonaguni. You must be Jasper...and that means I'm stuck in the crystal,too...Damn! Why do I always get sucked into parallel spaces when I try to help people?!" He shyly shook her hand. She was quite the odd one. "If you know me, then you've been helping my brother", he ventured. "More like your whole family", she said. He shied his gaze, seemingly lost in his memories. "Aren't you mad?", she asked bluntly. He looked at her in question. "I mean, if my dad locked me in a rock without trying to help me, I'd be pretty pissed", she shrugged. Jasper sighed, "You don't know the whole story. They all tried to help, but in time, hope diminishes. As a last resort, I was sealed away, yes, but it was done to protect me from rotting any further away." Yona gave him a funny look. "Dude, you're wordy. Definitely the nerd's brother", she said. Jasper blushed despite himself. Such words should make him angry, but he'd had no contact for a long time. Any company was good company. "So, are we trapped her forever or what?", blurted Yona, feeling along the seamless walls. "If anyone can get us out, it's my dad", assured Jasper.
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Back in reality, everyone else got back to their feet. "Is everyone all right?", asked Puck. Slowly, everyone came to the senses and responded. Only one wasn't getting back up. Rani shook her friend' arm. "Yona-chan! Wake up!", she pleaded. Concerned faces gathered over the fallen dragon slayer. Puck made his way to her and focused on her aura. "Her mind's been taken", he stated grimly. "What does that mean?!", snapped Ronen. Puck sighed in concern, "I was hoping it would be me." Glances were exchanged. Finally, Blythe uttered, "You mean - ?". Placing a hand on his shoulder, Kavi nodded. "It's up to her now."
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To be continued...