Chapter Nine

The Demon of the Sand

Nuri didn't say much during the next few days. Shamira tried to tend to his bruises

from the beating he had received from Kimball, but he never let her get close enough. The emotions dwelling within Shamira were new and confusing. She'd never let anyone get close to her, mainly because no one ever wanted to. Now that someone had it was peculiar. She wasn't sure how to act around him, or the others for that matter. Whenever Bardia went to ask what was wrong it seemed Kimball always had some new lesson for him. This annoyed Bardia more than anything. He felt left out of some big secret. Things were beginning to reach their boiling points when they came across an old road that ran straight through Vealen Woods.

"Where do you think this goes?" Shamira asked while the inspected their discovery.

"I'm not so sure it goes anywhere. It may have at one time, but it's probably been abandoned for quite sometime." Kimball said.

"I've never even heard of a road in these woods. You'd think it would have been mentioned at some point." Nuri said, breaking his code of silence.

"Should we follow it?" Bardia asked.

"Can we? It'd be nice to get out of the woods for a while." Shamira suggested.

Kimball thought for a moment.

"I don't see the harm in it. Come on."

The winter had set in, frost covered the ground each morning for the past week. However, this day there was no cloud in the sky and the sun beat down on them as though it were summer. They took many breaks. During each of them, Shamira meditated. She had given up on talking to Nuri, which aggravated her. Why would he have opened up all these doors if he didn't intend on talking about them? This wasn't her fault. She wasn't the one who felt the need to pour out all of her emotions on him. She couldn't concentrate. She sighed.

"What is it?" Bardia asked.

"Oh nothing." She said glaring at Nuri, who pretended not to notice.

Bardia did. Something inside him began to ache. He couldn't explain it. He was very used to having Shamira pay attention to him, this was too unusual. He was angry at Nuri for absorbing so much of Shamira's attention, but also with himself for being angry. He didn't have any feelings for Shamira. He'd known her his whole life. And besides in this realm she was much older than him. Though he knew nothing of how their lives ran. Maybe that wasn't such a big deal.

"Come on. Let's keep moving." Kimball said disturbing everybody's thoughts.

They all got up to trudge further on. It had been sometime since they fought and they way things were headed it wouldn't be for practice. Nuri was still acting like Shamira didn't exist and Bardia was still annoyed that Shamira paid more attention to Nuri not paying attention to her. This time, it was Bardia who initiated the provocation. He rudely shoved into Shamira while passing her.

"Well excuse me your majesty. I didn't realize I was in your way." She exclaimed sarcastically.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. You're always in my way. But what would you know, being a girl and all." He said offensively.

"Just who do you think you are! May I remind you, it was I who's kept you safe you're entire pitiful life."

"And my I remind you I am your prince. You have to do what I say. No matter what. We aren't training now. So stay out of my way before I have Kimball put you in shackles again." He said smugly.

Shamira opened her mouth to retaliate. A hand on her shoulder stopped her. Kimball stood behind her and seemed quite surprised by Bardia's action, but was in no position to reprimand him. So Shamira huffed and walked behind them all. Nuri smirked as he let her pass him. Shamira who noticed slapped him the back of his head.

"Ow!" He yelled.

He ran towards her and threw a punch, but she blocked it and knocked him to the ground. He got up quickly and threw a ball of fire at her. She ducked out of the way and it brushed by Bardia singeing his shoulder. He took this as his opportunity to join the fight. He made the ground shake beneath them knocking them both off their feet. Shamira got up first and sent a strong gush of wind directly at Bardia knocking the wind out of him. While Shamira was distracted Nuri send a blaze of fire towards her feet. Eventually the three of them were in a pile just swinging at each other. This meaningless fighting was brought to an end when a large wave of water fell upon them, soaking each of them.

"Okay. So now you're tired, bruised, soar, and wet. Satisfied?" Kimball said superiorly.

The three of them looked up at him from the ground while shaking the water off of them.

"Now, if you are quite finished you are not to dry yourselves off. Shamira, Nuri, you obviously have some friction between the two of you that will not again interfere with our mission. Prince Bardia I must insist you understand that what happens between people in private is their own business and in all due time things will be explained. Do you all understand?"

There were mumbled 'yeses' while they helped each other up. A little while down the road, now that the tension had been worked out they were more at ease and even began to laugh. Except for some awkwardness between Nuri and Shamira things seemed to be back to normal. They continued to show off as they had done. During one rest Bardia used his powers to make an attractive sand castle.

While they walked away Shamira turned back around to blow down the castle. She was shocked. It was no longer there. She looked around and stared closely at the road. A familiar eerie sense hit her at once.

"Master!" She yelled.

Everyone turned around and stared at her.

"What is it Shamira?"

"The castle. The castle is gone."

"Yes. The wind.

"No. No I didn't do it. And just look, the road, the road is losing it's width. I don't just mean up here, look further down. It's not as wide as it used to be."

She was right. The road was disappearing. Whatever had been following her in the woods was now ready to show itself. Nuri took his place next to Shamira, who had her sword drawn. Fire blazed at Nuri's fingertips. Kimball stood in front of Bardia who was told to be ready just in case. Bardia protested, he wanted to fight.

"I'm sorry sir, but you must be protected. You will only fight when it's absolutely necessary." He explained.

It was hard to tell where the demon was. Everything was so quiet and dreary. They waited for any sign of movement. It came at last, and it was only Shamira who noticed in time. A wall of sand and dirt came plummeted towards them. Kimball pushed himself and Bardia down to a crouching position and covered them with his cloak shielding them from the danger. Shamira stepped in front of Nuri and directed the sand away from them with wind. When it subsided a cruel sadistic laugh filled the air. Nuri and Shamira separated again. Sand gathered together in front of them forming a body. It was a man's body, dark black eyes and hair with skin pale as snow. He sneered at them eyeing Bardia.

"So. Is this the prince sent to overthrow the master?" He said in a sinister voice. "Don't see what the fuss is all about really. Honestly, he does seem quite pathetic cowering behind that poor excuse of a warrior."

Bardia went to step around Kimball who wouldn't let him pass.

"Only thing pathetic here is you." Shamira shouted.

"Mmm. You must be Shamira. Still fighting your destiny I see. No matter. Orders are to capture, not kill."

"Being captured is not an option." Nuri said chiming in.

"Don't know you who are. My orders are to leave her and the little prince alive. The rest are at my disposal."

"Not so high and mighty during the day huh?" Shamira said.

She charged at him and swung her sword. He did nothing to stop her. She sliced right through is arm and it fell to the ground. He laughed. Only it wasn't the demon in front of them laughing. The one in front of them had turned to a pile of sand. Nuri spun around and shot a stream of fire at the demon's head. The same thing happened.

"Where is he?" Shamira whispered to herself.

"Buthain." Kimball called out.

"Well, well. The great Lord Kimball knows my name." He said from up in a tree.

"I do. You are Buthain, demon of the sand star. You are notorious in these woods."

"That I am Kimball, as are you. I must say you are quite a soar on King Morrigan's side. That must be dealt with don't you think?"

"In time."

Burthain rushed towards Kimball and put his hand through him. Kimball used his own trick against him.

"Tricky, tricky, tricky." He whispered looking straight up at Bardia.

Until now he had never seen a demon. He looked almost like a mortal, only not all there. His eyes, they were dead, there was no soul behind his eyes.

"Only you left you prince defenseless." He said grabbing at Bardia.

Then Burthain screamed in pain. Nuri hit him right in the back with fire. He spun around right into Shamira's fist. But they did not hold the upper hand for long. As quick as they got it they lost it. Burthain was fast as lightening. Sand engulfed him and he was gone again. There was nothing they could do but wait. Kimball came from out of the woods. Bardia gasped when he noticed all the sand leaving from beneath their feet. Shamira took note of what direction it was headed and ran towards it. Before Burthain could strike she attacked him unexpectedly and sliced his chest with her sword. He yelled in pain and blinded her with sand. He moved in to punch her, but was caught off guard when Nuri jumped over Shamira and kicked him in the face. He disappeared again.

"Oh man. This guy's a real pain." Shamira said.

That's when they heard Bardia scream. He was being wrapped in sand from his feet. There were arms reaching up from the ground, pulling themselves around him. Kimball sent water and washed them away. Burthain snuck up behind Nuri and punched him from behind sending him crashing to the ground. This gave Shamira her chance. She flew up in the air with her tornado and that's when her chest burned, only this time, she let it. Her eyes lost their color and turned blood red. Her hair darkened and lengthened. This time even her finger nails turned to claws. Burthain stepped backward as Shamira came down in front of him. He was afraid of her. She lifted her lips and growled at him revealing fangs. Then she attacked. He was almost completely vulnerable against her. She clawed at him scratching his face. He did his best to keep her back. He made a shield of sand which only delayed her. She broke through it with her sword, which was glowing red. He fell to the ground and crawled backwards to get away from her. She smiled grimly at him and raised her sword. She brought it down to chop off the demons head, but immense pain radiated from her chest. She fell to her knees, dropping her sword. The Burthain smiled and got up.

"Weakness. That's all you get from betraying your instincts." He said.

He waved his hands and sand began to pour on top of Shamira.

"Shamira!" Nuri yelled and ran towards them.

The ground beneath Burthain violently shook. Bardia concentrated and tried not to over use his energy. The spot where the demon stood quickly rose up and threw him away from Shamira. Nuri set him ablaze picked up Shamira's sword, but it did not glow when he handled it, and chopped off the demons head. All of the sand that seemed to be encasing Shamira fell to the ground. She rose to her feet and walked over to the demons dead body. Nuri handed her back her sword.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes." She whispered.

Kimball and Bardia came running over.

"Very well done." He said to all of them. "That was impressive. Shamira. Are you okay?"

"Yes Master. He hit me with sand in the stomach. It, it was unexpected." She said dishonestly.

"That transformation. Did you do that?" He asked.

"I, I think so." She said unsure of herself.

"Be careful. Otherwise. Excellent work. Nuri, is this your first kill?"

"Yes master." Nuri answered.

"It's a strange feeling to take ones life. Are you okay?"

"I, no. No I'm not, but I will be."

"Thanks." Bardia said to the both of them.

"For what?" They asked.

"For everything." He said, not quite the same Bardia as he was before.

There was something more mature about him now.

"We must hurry through to woods. We need to get to the Vultana mountains quickly. We will make camp once more. The rest is needed tonight. After that we will travel by day and night unit we reach to Vultanas." Kimball said.

"What are the Vultana mountains?" Bardia asked.

"They protect the city of Orestes. One of the only cities untouched from the wars, mainly because of the mountains. The dwarves dwell within them."

"Dwarves?"

"Yeah, a lot of good they'll do us. Maybe try to knock us off the mountain." Shamira said.

"Shamira. Many of the dwarves have been killed since Morrigan took over as king. They find it better to stay within the mountain where they cannot be reached."

"Wow. I guess I'm still adjusting to the creatures of Elam."

That night when they set up camp, it was decided that Shamira and Nuri would take shifts keeping guard, though it was obvious the woods were changing. Grass had already started growing back, being free from Burthain. Shamira took the first shift. She peered into the darkness and thought about what happened earlier. She still wasn't sure if she had caused the transformation, or if it just happened. She was also bothered about not being able to kill Burthain herself. She punched the ground every time she thought about it. She was startled when Nuri sat down beside her.

"What are you doing up?" She asked.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Yeah. Big day for you." She said, with less enthusiasm she intended to use.

"I guess. Shamira. What happened?" He asked.

"I told you. He hit me with sand. I was distracted."

He just looked at her. She sighed.

"I just couldn't do it."

"Why not? You were great. I mean, I think it was you who was great."

"That's just it."

"What?"

"Nuri, what if that wasn't me. What if, what if I did it, and, and I liked it?"

"I don't understand. Liked what?"

"What if I killed him and enjoyed it? What if I wanted more bloodshed? It's inside of me. You've said it before. I'm a monster."

"No. No Shamira, you are not a monster. I was wrong. Everyone was wrong for saying those things. I know you. You have a good heart."

"Good heart or not you know who's blood runs through mine. There is demon blood in me. There is a demon inside of me. What happens when I can't control it?"

"Well you've gone this far haven't you? Don't worry about it. You'll overcome it. I know you will."

Shamira smiled. They sat silently for a few minutes.

"Nuri. Did you mean that?"

"Mean what?"

"What you said. That night in the woods."

Nuri blushed and looked away.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I should have know..."

"Yes." He said looking straight into her eyes.

"Yes?"

"I meant every word of it. Shamira, I, I love you."

Shamira didn't know what to think. Her heart pounded and her stomach knotted in a way she'd never felt before. There was something about this, that felt right.

"I, I don't know what love is Nuri. I don't know if, if I can ..."

He interrupted her with a passionate kiss. His hand gently held the side of her face. He slowly pulled away and looked at her. She kept her eyes shut. When she opened them she smiled.

"I wanted to make sure that wasn't a dream."

Nuri smiled and put his arm around her. She nestled her head comfortably on his shoulder and for the first time in her life Shamira felt loved.

From within his tent Bardia had heard Nuri walk by and poked his head out to see what was wrong. Now he watched them kiss. He watched her cuddle against him. He breathed heavily and told himself to calm down. He went back inside his tent and angrily cried himself to sleep.