Disclaimer: Xanth is property to Piers Anthony, though the idea for my character is my idea.
Demoness
Edith had made her way up towards Mount Parnassus, but made sure she passed well away from it. If the Maenads didn't get her the Python surely would.
As she walked east around Mount Parnassus she came upon a small black creature, with pointed ears, a long tail, and whiskers that walked on four legs. Edith recognized this as a cat. There were no real cats in Xanth. Xanth did have copy cats, cat-a-pults, pussy willows and other similiar creature, but no realy cat.
Edith would've walked right on and ignored it, but it followed her meowing.
"What do you want feline? You wouldn't want to go with me," she said and walked on.
But the cat was persistent. It kept on trying to get her to go off the trail and follow it.
"What do you want? You want me to follow you?" She asked suspiciously. The cat be part of a dragon's or tangle tree's way of getting someone far away from the path and into it's clutches. But maybe she thought she should follow it. So reluctantly she let the cat lead her to wherever it wanted her to go.
After a half an hour of traveling she came upon a man's body. Edith quickly trotted over to him to see if he was still alive. He was. He appeared to be in his thirties, black hair and mustache, and muscular. He looked like a warrior of some importance although all he wore was cloth rapped around him hastily. But what Edith couldn't figure out was, what was wrong with him. He appeared healthy, but showed signs of some kind of illness.
Edith heard a rustling from the bushes behind. She turned and saw three man-size snakes burst out and lunge at her. She drew her bow and prepared to fire at them when suddenly the cat fizzled into smoke and repapered as a voluptuous woman in a tight fitting dress.
"Stop!" The woman yelled. Two of the snakes stopped in surprise, but the third lunged at the woman instead and bit her. Only she dissolved into smoke unharmed. The snake looked around bemused. The woman reappeared.
To Edith's surprise the three snakes turned into two men and one woman. nagas, Edith thought. That's what they were. It took her a minute to realize that they were all naked. They didn't form clothed when they transformed, like some mermaids who could form legs.
"I am Nido Naga. And these are Nirva Naga and Nee Naga," the naga in charge said. "And you are the Soul Stealer who has stolen our general's soul. You will be punished!"
Edith was taken back. Soul Stealer? What where they talking about.
The woman spoke up, "She's no Soul Stealer. I saw him."
The naga turned to her, "And who are you?"
"I am Demoness Artemis. Since, by accident I received a soul from the Soul Stealer, I have tried to stop him," she said.
"A demoness! We don't want her kind around when we're trying to capture the Soul Stealer," Nirva sneered.
"But I have a soul, so am caring," Artemis said trying to convince them.
Nee stepped forward, "How are we to know you're telling the truth?"
Artemis stopped and though for a minute, "Well, I don't see how I can prove myself."
Edith, who seemed to be the only one who didn't know what was going on almost screamed in frustration. Soul Stealer? What were they talking about? "Who is this Soul Stealer you keep referring to?"
"He, or she," Nido said accusingly at Edith, "has the talent of stealing someone's soul and then can use that person's talent, which is attached to it, later. Nobu naga, here," he said pointing to the body, "was leading a search party, of nagas, to find the Soul Stealer and take care of him or her however necessary."
"We were to meet general Nobu here, and found you, centaur, in the act of stealing his soul!" Nirva indicted.
The demoness spoke up again. "She is innocent. I found the body and went to find someone who could help. A centaur seemed like the perfect choice. Centaurs are well known for being very smart. She can help you stop the Soul Stealer."
"And how did you, demoness, come to meet the Soul Stealer, who supposedly gave you a soul?" Questioned Nee. "She takes souls away!"
He appeared most confident that Edith was the Soul Stealer.
"If you must know, I was going around looking for mischief, as demons do. I spied you and passed on. I figured you'd be a bore. I eventually came upon a human man. He was walking along the path. So, I materialized, forming the most revealing dress that I could without showing my panties. It'd be no fun if I freaked anyone out at the onset. When I tried to seduce him, he was quite adamant that I leave him alone or I'd be sorry. This just got me more curious. So when he said he'd had enough he pointed to me and all of the sudden I felt and cared. I had a soul. Well, the man seemed quite confused and ran off into the woods."
The three Nagas were reserving their judgment until she had finished.
"I happened to notice where the man was standing, there was a piece of wood. I knew there was something about it but couldn't quite place my finger on it. When I went to pick it up I felt all weird and messed up. I immediately dropped the wood chip and felt better. It was a chunk of reverse wood. It had reversed his talent. I then remembered you and your search and knew that he had to be the Soul Stealer. If it hadn't been for that reverse wood I'd have been transported to wherever he keeps his souls because we demons are souls, at least that's what our bodies are made of. So now I have a soul," she concluded.
Nirva spoke first, "I doubt highly that this demoness is the Soul Stealer because demons don't have that kind of power, but I'm not as convinced about the Centaur filly."
"But I can prove she's not the Soul Stealer," Artemis spoke up.
"Oh, and how is that?" Nee asked skeptically.
"Why, easy. Centaur, demonstrate your talent," she said urbanely.
Edith hadn't thought of that. She concentrated and her hair and tail looked like the rainbow. She sported all it's colors.
Nirva gave an 'ah' of appreciation. Edith had to admit, her talent wasn't that bad.
"Everyone knows that a person can't have two talents," said Artemis.
"It does appear that our accusation was false, centaur," Nido admitted. "We apologize."
Edith was relieved. "Apology accepted. And my name is Edith of Centaur Isle. Or I used to be from there."
Nirva was the first to put two-and-two together. "Yes, you have a talent. Centaurs may be one of the smartest creatures in Xanth, but some of them can be so stubborn."
Edith had to smile. Nirva was right.
"Now that you know I'm innocent, this matter of the Soul Stealer. He must be stopped!"
Nido spoke, "your assistance would be very appreciated. Will you too, demoness, help?"
"Of course. Because I have a soul I want to give it to it's rightful owner!" She said.
"Good. Nee, go with Edith and Artemis. Artemis, go where you last saw him and search for him. If you find him send out this flare," he said and handed a small metal container. "We'll be here protecting the body of our general. If we see the flare we'll orientate on it and assist you."
So it was settled. Artemis turned into a cat and curled on Edith's horse back, while Nee, in his snake/human form. The body of a snake and the head of a human. They headed off roughly to where she met the demoness.
"Who exactly is this Soul Stealer? Why is he, stealing souls?" Edith asked.
"From what we know, he's collecting souls with powerful or useful talents so he can take over Castle Roogna. So far he's tried to do so quietly without anyone noticing, but we have," Nee explained.
Two thoughts came to her mind and noticed that a small swarm of thought flies were flying around her rear. She easily swatted them away, but held onto the thoughts.
"Nee?"
"Yes?" He replied.
"I haven't personally seen someone who doesn't have a soul, but aren't they usually as active as souled folk?" She asked.
"Well, yes, but in this case the Soul Stealer's victims remain in a comatose state. It's very strange, but must be part of the magic," explained Nee.
Edith was starting to think she was way over her head. This Soul Stealer sounded very powerful.
She remembered her second thought. "Artemis, if you got one of the Soul Stealer's wouldn't you have a talent also?"
"Why, I never thought of that. I suppose I do," she said thoughtfully.
"Try to find out what it is," Nee suggested.
She concentrated, trying to think what it could be. Suddenly Edith stumbled and she fell off, unhurt because she was a demoness.
"What happened?" Nee asked concerned.
Edith wasn't sure, but it felt like she her foot had passed right through the ground.
"Edith," Nee yelled, "You're leg!"
She looked and it was in a pot. But not just any normal pot. Her leg was halfway in the pot.
"I recognize that! It's a pothole! They're usually found on roads, and like to stumble travelers. They're bottomless from the inside, but on the outside they look normal," Nee explained. "As I understand it, they're in Mundania as well."
Something clicked in Edith's head. "Artemis, your talent! Try it again!"
Artemis shrugged and concentrated. A man form appeared. When Edith looked through it, she saw black. It was a man shaped whole.
"A manhole!" Nee exclaimed.
So it was. "Artemis, I'm betting you're talent is making holes!" Edith said excitedly.
"That must be it!" She said. Then she had pained look on her face. "But it's not my talent! I've got to return this soul to it's rightful owner!"
Artemis was right. They had to stop the Soul Stealer and return all the souls he stole.
Artemis suddenly yelled. "That's him! That's the Soul Stealer!"
Before them, in the forest stood a man. His clothes slightly tattered and bag hanging from his waist, but he looked menacing. He pointed right at Edith. She would have gotten out of the way, but she was too scared. She could feel her soul being torn out of her. It was all over, before it even started.
To be continued ...
I hope I've tickled your curiosity!
