Visions of Self
Elise Redd Side Story
Copyright Matthew Leuthy 2005
Chapter 1
Around him the night air chilled his blood as the moon cast the forest into stark, wild patterns of light and dark. He didn't think, but rather concentrated on running. It was the only thing he could do, the only way he could escape. The eyes that wouldn't leave him; the low hiss that was like no animal he'd heard before; the rustle of the underbrush; all this told him to run, not knowing where. Aside from these the only things he could recognize were the path in front of him and the desperate beating of his own heart. His fear was trying to protect him, but in a cruel twist of fate, it betrayed him, as he didn't see the root rising out of the ground in front of him. When his foot hit the root time seemed to stop, and as he fell he knew that he wouldn't be able to get up on his own any time soon. Instinctively clutching his injured ankle, the young man again heard that menacing hiss, accompanied by a dark shadow that swiftly moved over him. All he could do is stare up into the blank face of the creature that had hunted him. A flash of red, and then the world turned black.
…
"Ah, there you are," said the weary Kohain Ravime. "Troublesome thing." He could see what had once been Elise Redd hunched over the body of a young man. The pitiful figure's blood had been spilt across the forest path, a large gash showing on his neck. A few trace drops of life were dripping from the Fallen's clawed hands, its bright red hue easily melding with the tone of her skin. Kohain approached, but started as the Fallen Redd sent a hateful hiss in his direction. It was like a predator protecting a fresh kill from a scavenger, only Kohain had absolutely no concern for the dead man and Fallen Redd was incapable of consumption. "This 'fun' of yours is beginning to irritate me," Kohain tritely spat back at the Fallen creature before him.
From behind Kohain another figure emerged from the darkness, this one vastly more imposing than Kohain's. His massive size, dark armor, and unseen face set him apart from all others in the land. As he spoke, the reverberation from inside his large armored helmet made his voice seem distant, but nonetheless powerful. "Think not long on it, Kohain," reprimanded the Dark Lord, Mellek Xaos.
"But master," said Kohain, "even though the effects of the Sword of Shadows is different for each being that meets its blade, I don't think I've ever seen a Fallen quite this… animalistic." As if on cue, Kohain's comment was met by another hiss from the fallen Redd. Kohain himself growled a bit under his breath in retaliation.
"As long as it obeys my commands," replied the Dark Lord, "I see no cause for alarm."
Looking back to the stoic figure of Xaos, Kohain complied, saying a brief "Very well," before beginning a short incantation. Raising his staff in the air, the trio of himself, Xaos, and Redd were in an instant taken from the dark forest path, subsequently finding themselves at the gate of Xaos's dark manor. For a moment Fallen Redd was confused at this sudden change, but soon realized that it was in a familiar place. The three proceeded forwards through the massive castle gate and climbed winding flights of stairs to Xaos's throne room, the center of his empire. As they entered Xaos continued, "Yet, you are right about this one's particular characteristics. Perhaps we could see how it acts after it rests. Put it to sleep."
Kohain was taken aback by Xaos's suggestion. By his wording Kohain thought for a moment that Xaos wanted the unusually wild Fallen to be killed, but after a moment of contemplation he somewhat understood. "But, master," Kohain responded, "the Fallen require no rest. They draw their strength from the sword's sorcery."
Xaos took his seat on his throne and spoke to his henchman, "Perhaps you misunderstood, Kohain." The Dark Lord leaned forward, projecting his full might onto the sorcerer. "Make it sleep."
"Y-yes, my liege," was Kohain's very quick response. Turning back about Kohain grimaced as he looked to the strange Fallen standing in the middle of the room, and with some incantation and a wave of his staff, Redd slowly slumped over and laid on the floor of the throne room, breathing slowly.
"What news of the Resistance?" inquired Xaos.
"Our sources report no major activity among the Resistance. We suspect that they may be at a loss due to the recent… departure of the Avriem." A sickening smile spread across Kohain's face. "Perhaps they mourn."
"It would not surprise me. The members of the Resistance have always been ones for over-sentimentality. But for now as long as they do not interfere I can concentrate on more important matters."
"Yes, master. I'm sure you've noticed the increasing power of the rogue element."
"Indeed. While she was naïve before, if she begins to learn too much we may not be able to manipulate her further."
"Quite," Kohain looked back to the sleeping Fallen and noted his own present fatigue. "If I may, I would return to my study, master."
"Do as you wish," the Dark Lord replied. With a small bow Kohain exited the way he came in, and as the throne room's doors shut Xaos took a moment to study Fallen Redd's sleeping form. "In many ways you continue to defy me, Elise Redd. But, for now those concerns have been… put to bed."
…
The world around her was black. At first all she could feel was a sense of weightlessness, but slowly she came to recognize her arms, legs, fingers, toes, even the tips of each strand of hair that touched her face. For now all she could do is feel because she couldn't move. For a long moment she attempted to command her body to act, to do even the slightest thing, but to no avail. 'Damn,' she thought, and much to her surprise her thought rang out around her, echoing in the unknown depths of nothingness. 'What is this?' she contemplated, her words again reverberating around her. 'Am I… dead?'
From out of nowhere she suddenly heard a voice not belonging to herself. "Well now," it said, the voice sounding aged and weary, "it certainly has been a long time since something like this happened." Suddenly new sensations assaulted her. There was something underneath her, and for some reason that weightlessness was gone, replaced by a strange, yet familiar force pulling her down towards whatever was lying beneath her. As she opened her eyes she could… yes, she could see something near her. A form, human-like, wearing a faded gray hood and cloak, three-fingered hands resting on its knees. Surprised at her own movements, she sat up and backed away a little. "K-Kalimundi!" she said, at once finding her voice.
"Yes," it replied.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I believe you should first pose that question to yourself," the Kalimundi said.
"What?" she spat out as she stood. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Why should I ask myself who I am?" With much gusto she stood in a firm pose, one thumb perched at the top of her breastbone. "I'm Elise Redd, geezer."
"Are you sure?" the aged Kalimundi posed.
"Huh?" Elise responded, laughing a little. "Of course I'm sure."
"Now, now, young lady," the Kalimundi said, "it isn't wise to jump to conclusions."
Elise stood puzzled for a moment, wanting to hit this weird old Kalimundi upside the head for talking to her in riddles, but suddenly he raised a hand and pointed off into the distance somewhere behind Elise. She turned to look for whatever he was pointing at, and a short way's off she recognized something tall and flat. It was a full-length mirror, oval in shape, its reflective side pointing in another direction. Looking back to the Kalimundi for a moment, Elise took cautious steps towards the mirror. 'What's this nagging feeling?' she thought. 'Why should I be worried?'
Elise stepped towards the mirror, approaching it still from its wooden backing. Once beside it she tried to fight off that lingering fear she didn't quite understand and resolutely turned to face her reflection. However, she couldn't find her reflection in the mirror's face. Instead a strange red creature with clawed hands, a devilish tail, and threatening black eyes, was moving strangely in time to all her motions. "What? What is this?" she shouted. No response came from the Kalimundi. She began to realize what this meant and horror filled her heart. "I can't- No! No!" Elise Red screamed as she gripped the sides of the mirror, her thoughts reverberating through the nothingness.