They had been adrift only a short while, when the skiff seemed to be seized by some invisible force and drawn through the water. The sudden change in movement startled Demona, who peered apprehensively through the mist at the darkness before them, wondering what it was that drew them forward.
"Don't be alarmed," Goliath told them confidently, "We are nearly there." The skiff continued to gain in speed until there was a sudden flash of light and without warning, she began to endure the pain of her transformation. The boat in the water rocked as violently as her own body as she was deprived of her own nature and forced to take on a false one. When it was through, and she had allowed her eyes to adjust to the sunlight bearing down and reflecting on the water, she glanced over at Goliath and Lexington, who now slept in their stone forms, expressions of surprise still etched on their faces. It was midday in Avalon and the sun shone brightly through fluffy clouds over the beautiful island.
"I can't tell you how nice it is to have your help, my brothers," she muttered sarcastically, "So, who wants to be the anchor?"
She took hold of the oars and began sculling toward the far end of the island, away from the prominent castle on the other end, in order to increase her chances of gaining the shore without being noticed by anyone. As she rowed, she noticed a sudden gust of wind, blowing against her, and making her progress very difficult. Realizing that she was getting nowhere fast, she pulled the oars on board and secured them. The gust had become a gale and the waves, which had been gentle a moment before were now tossing the boat violently. Goliath and Lexington's stone forms slid precariously across the deck, and remembering the elder's suggestion, Demona took the rope and bound them down as tightly as she could. The wind and waves continued and in just a few moments, the bright sky had filled with menacing clouds. The waves continued to escalate, until Demona could no longer stand without falling out of the boat. She hunched down, sheltering herself in the bow, and peered over the edge suspiciously. She didn't believe the force that compelled this eerie change in the weather was natural.
Then, over the wind and crashing waves, she heard a most peculiar sound. High pitched and shrill, she recognized it as a malicious and almost childlike laughter. Clinging to the seat of the skiff, she looked about for the source of this unearthly sound, cursing her weak, human eyes that burned from the force of the wind and wouldn't allow her to see.
"Mortal woman, you trespass here!" thundered the voice from above her, and though her eyes squinted and watered, she caught sight of a dark form, riding on the wind above her, eyes glowing red.
"I'm no woman!" she cried defiantly. The gales of wind rocked her violently, but she sensed the dark shadow descending upon her, studying her with menacing eyes.
"Not a woman?" the voice repeated as if it found the claim amusing, "What are you then? A chimpanzee? Who sends you to Avalon?"
"I am a gargoyle," she yelled back, "And no one sends me. I come on my own."
At these words, an eye of the storm seemed to form around them and Demona felt herself lifted from the skiff and suspended before the mysterious being for his inspection. Even without the wind blowing in her eyes, all she could see was a dark, formless shape and those two glowing eyes as he turned her around and upside down, mocking and snickering at her the whole time.
"A gargoyle?" his voice still full of laughter, as if he found the claim preposterous, "I never saw a gargoyle like you! Well, then, let's see how you glide!" Demona cried out as she felt herself tossed violently into the air. Then her eyes and mouth filled with salt as she landed in the water, many yards away from the skiff.
"Not a gargoyle!" the voice declared hilariously, "Maybe you're a mermaid then? Swim, Bubbles!" To her dismay, the taunting voice laughed as the skiff plowed through the water, taking her companions away into the darkness, and the waves rose and fell, tossing her about and sucking her under. Just when she thought she was going to lose consciousness, she was drawn out of the water and suspended before him again, now coughing and sputtering.
"Not a mermaid either, I'm afraid," the voice laughed.
"I am a gargoyle!" she growled in between gasps, far too furious to show any fear, "That troublesome trickster, Puck, put a curse on me to turn me into a human by day. I understand that he considers it a gift!"
The strange specter laughed again, "Puck!? How is that miscreant? And how is it that he manages to continue dodging the Gathering?"
"I don't really know honestly, but I hear he's lost his magic," she explained irritably, "Perhaps Lord Oberon has no use for him anymore?"
"Really?" he exclaimed, clearly taking deep pleasure in Puck's scandal, "Well, serve him right!"
The glowing eyes seemed to penetrate her as their owner was silent for a moment.
"Wait! I do know you! You're one of those poor wretches that belong to the Weird Sisters! They call you 'Demona'. But our Lord told us all to leave the mortals alone, yet here they are, trying to sneak you in. I shall tell Lord Oberon on them!"
Demona didn't know which she resented more; being called a 'wretch' or the implication that she 'belonged' to anyone, but she decided it was best to stick to the matter at hand.
"The Weird Sisters also have me bonded in a curse," she admitted, "But I didn't come to Avalon for them. I am seeking Old Felix the Healer."
"I am Felix!" declared the voice, "Some call me the 'healer'. Others call me the 'trickster'. Why do you seek me?"
"Felix, I am honored to meet you. I have heard of your great powers and I hope to gain one of your magical healing gems," she explained, hoping a little flattery might make this encounter go a bit easier.
Old Felix laughed cruelly, as if he found her request hilarious.
"The gift I give is tremendously powerful," Old Felix told her, "But it is not for those who seek power for their own gain. My gems will heal any wound or illness a mortal can endure, even if he is on the brink of death! But only the most worthy can claim one, for only a mortal heart that can love purely, without spite, malice, or ambition can work its wonders, and you surely are not that!"
Her confidence was shaken by his judgment of her, but she wasn't about to give up so easily. She called to him again, over the howling of the wind.
"I was told there was a trial or a test of some sort, to prove worthiness. If that is so, let me undergo it."
"What would be the point? Even if, in your cunning, you managed to trick me into giving you a gem, what good would it do you? A treacherous soul like yours would never even be able to use it!"
"My daughter, my clan, all of my kind are in danger from the effects of a curse that was placed on me. I must try to break it, even if it seems impossible. If there is a trial, let me face it, so that I might prove my worthiness."
Old Felix laughed again, and dropped her into the still-churning waves.
"You waste your time!" his voice thundered, and the wind howled even louder as the waves sucked her under the surface, casting her into darkness.
She awakened, alone, on a thin stretch of sandy beach, hidden under the branches of some leaning trees that wept streams of leaves around her. She peeked out from among them and scanned the horizon, finding no sign of Old Felix, the skiff, or Goliath and Lexington. She stood slowly, brushing the sand from her bare arms and legs, and sat on a large piece of driftwood to collect her barring.
Dismayed at her failure to convince the trickster to even let her attempt to claim a healing stone, she didn't really know what to do next.
"Child? Child of Oberon?" she called timidly, to no avail.
"I'm here, on Avalon," she called, a bit louder, "Can you hear me? Are you watching me now?" Still, there came no reply and she slumped forward, resting her elbows on her knees.
"You say you like to do impossible things," she said as if the fairy child was right beside her, "It would seem that my quest truly is impossible. I could use some help."
A rustling sound behind her caused her to whip around hopefully, but there was no one there. Slowly, she rose, and knowing that she was quite alone, she began to wander the island.