Prologue

Tension between every demon race was thick, but none thicker than those of the Elemental demons. The hate that ran through the veins of each individual was more than just bad blood it was their nature. So their emissaries didn’t extinguish at the borders of their Homelands, it was across all of Hell.
The evolution crisis, like a virus spread over Hell. It set fear, anger, and even a peace to some of the demons, but to the Elementals it ignited more hate between them. The Water Elementals combated the crisis by passing laws that stated any child born with impure blood was to be slaughtered. It was brutal, but their Monarch saw it as necessary to keep their powers not only as demons, but as Elementals. The Wind Elementals had similar views and together they massacred hundreds upon hundreds of children. Earth and Fire couldn’t watch such cruelty to the innocence and so began the Elemental Wars.
For years the Elements fought against each other in what seemed like an unending war. The number of deaths was staggering on all sides. At last it was brought to a halt with the signing of peace treaties. Still, there was no treaty that could ever actually bring peace between the Elementals. Every day they are still at war. The only difference it isn’t in the masses of an army, but with the prejudice in everyday life and the midnight murders that take out one family at a time.
It is a battle that will only come to a complete yield when they have wiped the other out to extinction.


Part One: Journey to a Stranger
A life of promised peace was taken from him at an early age, but it didn’t steal his dreams. For he had envisioned his dreams coming true with the gift his eyes had granted him, the gift of a Seer.
Rawstralin had brought him to the Fortress not to train him to just be a great soldier, but to be the perfect partner. He was to be the Captain of the Fourth army, Araken’s best friend, and anything else the other demon needed of him. A sheath that held the High Lord’s perfect weapon.
It was in this task that he saw the first of his dreams coming true and nothing could’ve brought him such happiness. He isn’t the one that lead the Army to victory or the one that put fear into the hearts of their enemies. No, he was the demon that held the great legend to a pedestal and made Araken able to achieve such feats.
This is the short tale of the demon that devoted every fiber of body and soul to Araken. He could only hope that one day he’d love him so together that could make each other’s dreams come true. His name was Cheshire Devoux.

Chapter One:Hope

It was a bright cloudless day as Cheshire giddily walked beside his mother while she made her round about the weekly market of Sweshon. Sweshon was a quaint village on the far outskirts of the Province Rodervic and the weekly market was the busiest time to be about the small village.
Demons packed the cobble stone courtyard as they went to each of the merchant’s stands to buy fresh food along with other merchandise like clothing. His mother was inspecting a bushel of apples when he was jumping from one foot to another. He looked over to the fountain at the center of the courtyard was pack with little demons playing in its water while their parents shopped. Cheshire frowned and wished he could go play with them. He turned towards his mother, she had golden locks pulled into a bun, turquoise eyes that matched his, and a soft delicate face. He tugged on the skirt of her bright yellow dress and pointed toward the fountain. “Momma can I go play.”
She stopped and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Of course you can Cheshy. I don’t want you going too far away from the fountain though.”
“Don’t worry I won’t!” he shouted as he ran through the crowds to get to the fountain. Cheshire bumped into multiply demons that yelled at him to be more careful, but he just wanted to go play.
Once he was close enough he jumped into the fountain and let the water splash all the other little demons. They kicked water at him in turn. He giggled and started a water war with them.
Cheshire was running away from an older demon that had gotten a bucket of water. His footing was lost on the slick bottom surface; he tripped forward, and tumbled out of the fountain. A puddle of water gathered around him as he tried to stand, but again he slipped. Two strong hands pulled him up. He rubbed the water from his eyes and brushed the wet hair from his face. “Thanks for the hel-.” He stopped mid-sentence when he saw what had helped him. A sharp featured face, soot covered skin, and crimson eyes that stared at him with a penetrating gaze. Immediately he jerked back, but the Fire Elemental wouldn’t release him.
“You should be more careful little one,” he growled. “You got your filthy water all over my boots.”
Cheshire struggled as the demon held him in the air dangling him. Snickers came from behind him. It was then he noticed a whole company of Fire Elementals. All of them suited in leather armor and armed with swords or battle axes. He gulped and closed his eyes tight as tears welled up.
“You better put my boy down!” a booming voice called. Cheshire raised his head to see his Pappa pushing through the masses of the crowd. He couldn’t have been happy. The little demon outstretched his arms to him while is fingers wiggled. His papa was a bulky demon with dirty blonde hair, scared face from Hell’s Frost burns, and pure teal eyes. Most would back away from him, but his son never feared him, and at this moment wanted him to rescue him.
“I said put my boy down,” he said as he got closer.
The Fire Elemental moved slowly before he suddenly dropped Cheshire carelessly on the hard ground. Cheshire crumpled on the ground grabbing his arm as pain shot up and down it. He cried out. “Pappa.” His father reached for the sword he had hilted at his waist, but once he saw the other Fire Elementals move forward he only knelt down and cradled his son. The little demon hugged his papa tightly as he was carried away from the Fire Elementals. He hid his head in the crook of his father’s neck when he saw the Fire demon still watching him.
His Mother had a basket full of fresh greens and a loaf of bread in her hand. The merchant was trying to talk her into buying more. “I don’t think I need anymore, thanks.” She turned around, a wide grin spread across her face as she saw them approach. “Wreyn, you said you wouldn’t be back from the forge ‘til after dark.”
“I told you not to let Cheshire run off on his own!” he snapped, pointing his finger accusingly at her.
“I’m sorry, but it was just the fountain-“
“Well, you’re lucky that I came from work early. A dirty soot face had his paws on him.”
“What? Cheshy are you okay.” He felt his mother’s hands trying to grab him. “Wreyn let me see him.” His papa passed him into her after she set her basket onto the ground. She petted his hair and warmly embraced. “I won’t let you out my sights again. I’m so sorry. Did they hurt you?” Cheshire held up his swollen arm. She gingerly examined it before she placed a soft kiss on the injured limb. “I’m going to have Old Keliegh take a look at it to see if she can make it all better.”
“Verlise, I’ll see you when you got. I’m going to go and start dinner,” he said as he kissed her cheek. His mother smiled and walked away down a small dirt path. The path led them out of the village up toward the tops of grassy green hills. A small herd of sheep passed by them. Their shepherd tipped his hat to Verlise. He had a lanky build, soft brown eyes, and a touch of stumble upon his round face.
“Good day, off to see Old Keliegh.”
“Yes.”
“Better get up there quick. She’s on her way to the mountains for some herbs.”
“Thanks.”
Once they reached the top of the hills the thick forest could be seen as far as the eye could see. Their dark hues of green like a blanket surrounding the small village. His mother carried him toward an old cottage just within the depths of the forest. A small garden was upfront with a fence bordering it off from the wild brush and plants. Its stone walls covered in moss, the windows dirtied, and the door practically hanging off its hinges.
Verlise knocked on the door softly. It was immediately swung open. An old woman, with long gray hair and a plump build welcomed them. Her wrinkled face smiled brightly as her brown eyes lit up. “Oh, deary you caught me as I was leaving. What brings you up here?” she asked happily.
“I don’t mean to be a bother and delay you, but I was wondering if you could take a look at my son’s arm.”
“It’s not a bother at all the herbs will still be there in morning. Come on in and I’ll see what I can do for Cheshy.”
Old Keliegh’s cottage wasn’t anything special. It had the bare minimum furniture, a small round dining table next to a window. An overstuffed bed was in the corner, its rotten frame barley holding on. A couple dressers for storage and a wall dedicated to the preservation of herbs for her remedies. Cheshire came up her with his mother a to visit and for accidents he tended to take frequently. He loved the Old Keliegh like a grandmother, since he never had a chance to meet his real ones.
“Sit him on the stool over there,” she said as she closed the door.
Verlise sat him on the stool and stood behind him. Keliegh gingerly lifted up his arm. He gasped in pain as he tried to yank his limb back. “I’m sorry dear there isn’t much I can do. It is either a small fracture or a bruised bone. I can give him something for the pain but that is all.”
His mother smiled. “Thank you.”
“No need for that I’m happy to still be useful in my old age.” Keliegh hobbled over to her shelves and picked off a glass vile. “How did Cheshire do that to himself, if you don’t mind me asking.”
Verlise stiffened and her lips pulled into a purse. “A Soot Face got a hold of him at the fountain.”
The old lady quickly turned around. “Don’t you bring that sort of tongue into my home,” she scolded.
“I’m sorry,” his mother downcast her eyes like a child being punished.
“You’re forgiven, but it’s that hate between the races that brings injury to innocent.”
“Yes, Keliegh.”
Old Keliegh let out a huff and handed his mother the vile. “Give this to him before supper. I’ll have more of this tomorrow for him. So you come up here bright in the morning to fetch it.”
“Thank you again.”
“It’s nothing, but I meant to ask if I could borrow your husband next week to help me fix a few things around the house.”
“Of course.”
Cheshire hopped off the stool. He wrapped his one good arm around Keliegh in a half embrace. She patted him on the head. “Off you two go before it gets dark out.”
The pair waved good-bye as the Keliegh watched them leave from the threshold of her house. He held onto his mother’s hand while they carefully treaded down the hill. The sun was just barley setting. Its orange beams falling upon the rooftops of the village. Cheshire looked up to his mother and smiled. “It’s pretty.”
“What’s pretty?”
He pointed toward the sun. “That.”
“It is very pretty Cheshy.”
It was a moment when everything was beautiful. There wasn’t a worry in the world, just the two of them walking back to their home. Neither of them could’ve been happier.

******************************************************
Their house was sturdy and aging. Wreyn’s parents had given it to them as a wedding present. Its walls decorated with paintings of family portraits. Dimly lit lamps dangling down. A kitchen at the back of the house. A mantel was in the living room with a fur rug to sit on and warm the family in the winters.
His mother and him walked in to see that his father was already at work with getting dinner prepared. A pot was boiling on the stove and he was chopping greens. “You didn’t have to this Wreyn. You should be resting after work.”
“Yes, I did. I needed to make up for snapping at you earlier. I know it’s not your fault at what happened today.”
“Well thank you.” His mother stepped toward him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He wrapped an arm around her waist. Chesh couldn’t hear what he whispered to her, but it made his momma smile. “You get cleaned up. I’ll finish up here.”
His father chuckled. “Do I smell that bad?”
“Yes, now get out of here.”
**************************************************
Cheshire pushed his plate away and outstretched his arms. “All done,” he said as he hopped off his chair. He put his dirtied dishes in the sink.
“Cheshire does your arm feel any better?” his father asked as he caught him by his good arm.
“Ah huh the medicine Old Keliegh gave me made it all better.”
“Good that lady is a saint.”
“Oh, that reminds me she wanted me to ask if you can go help her next week.”
“I’ll stop by after work.”
While his parents’ continued to speak over supper he curled up on the fur rub. Before long he felt himself dosing. The fur was so soft, it was warm against his skin, and very quickly his eyes were lead.
He couldn’t see the wide grin that spread across his father’s face. Wreyn nudged Verlise and nodded toward their sleeping child. “I’ll carry him down to his room.” He quietly made his way over to the sleeping demon. His father picked him up in his arms and cradled him. “My little Chesh.”
Verlise followed him in to their son’s room. She watched as her husband tucked Cheshire in. the little demon stirred and woke up just barley. His small hand brushed against his father’s scruffy cheek. “Love you papa.” Verlise sat on the edge of his bed and kissed his cheek.
Softly, she began to sing him a lullaby.
“Hush now my baby please don’t cry
The storm’s rain is falling
The thunder passing by
But I’ll protect you for its wraith always
Ssshh my baby everything will be okay
The night is now calming
Its stars high in the sky where they’re always stay
You’re dreaming,
Sleep peacefully my baby.”
Once she was finished her husband took her hand and led her out of the room. Both of them gazed at him before they shut the room door, leaving just a crack of light because their son was scared of complete darkness. It was a beautiful night, nothing out of place in their home, a peaceful family. So full of love and hope.
**********************************************************
Violent coughs woke him from his sleep. He opened his eyes; the air was thick with smoke. It burned his eyes and made everything difficult to see. Cheshire stumbled out of bed. Crackles could be heard. A loud clash rang through the entire his house. Stomps trampled everywhere. He cried in fear. Suddenly his momma was barging into his room. Her face covered in blood, night gown torn, and completely panicked. “Cheshy, run. Get out of here.” A feral scream cut through air. Flames licked their way into his room. His mother gasped. She wrapped a blanket around him. “I need to be brav-“
“There’s that fucking whore.” A Fire Elemental snarled as he wielded flames behind him. His hair was crazy, face covered in soot, and blade dripping blood. His mother shield him as the flames licked up towards them burning her flesh. She screamed and hurled herself at the demon. He was caught off guard and stumbled back. “Baby run! Baby run. Don’t look back. I love you.” She yelled as she held down the other demon with everything she had. Tears streamed down his face as he run out of his room. The halls were burning and the fire enveloped the house relentlessly. Cheshire was just at the entrance to the living room, a beam collapsed behind him. His body was crushed by the weight of another demon. He cried out and vainly tried to get up. The body above him rolled off. It was his father. “Papa.” His father gripped his abdomen as blood gushed from it. He weakly held up his weapon and he crawled backward. Seven or so Fire Elementals surround them, bloodlust in their eyes.
“Cowards! You can have me, but there is no way in hell you are ever going to touch my son again!” he snarled. Wreyn used the strength he had left to hoist Chesh over his back. The other demons rushed at them. His father shattered the kitchen window and swung him outside. Cheshire held onto his hands. Blood covered his entire body. His father’s face was contorted by pain and sorrow as blade was stabbed into his back. “I love you….run.” Cheshire was frozen in place for a moment ‘til his father’s body slumped down and revealed the face of his killer. It was the demon from the fountain. The Fire Elemental snarled. “After the boy!”
Cheshire turned on his heels and bolted into the streets. He tripped as he made his way into a neighbor’s yard. He banged on the door, hoping they’d open up. They didn’t so he tried the next, he could hear the Fire Elementals heavy boot steps behind him. His heart was beating out of his chest and his stomach knotted. All he could think was he was going to die. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Suddenly the heavy boots stomped and a loud crash drew his eyes up. His home was crumbling to nothing. The Fire Elementals were scrambling and shouting at eachother. “Come on we have to get out of here, leave the boy!”
“Dammit.”
They disappeared into the night. The demons had spared him his life, but taking everything that he loved with them. He fell to his knees and watched the flames eat away greedily at every scrap of his home. The local demons gathered around him. Some tried to comfort him, but all he did was push them away. Nothing could bring back his parents.
It only enraged him that the whispers of folk where that his parents were murdered over the fact they were Water Elementals. That’s it, that hadn’t done anything wrong. He couldn’t understand why someone would do this simply because of their race.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and flinched away from the touch, but that only made the demon wrap him in an embrace. He snapped around only to soften. It was Old Keliegh, tears were rolling down her aged face and her body was trembling. “I’m so sorry Chesh. I don’t know what to say to you.”
“They’re gone.”
“No, they’ll always be in your heart. Don’t you forget that they loved you.”
But they’re gone. If I would’ve been careful and not have gotten that demon’s boots wet this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Oh, this didn’t happen because of you. Don’t blame yourself. This is an act of hatred. It only this damn hate between the Elementals. This is what happens. I can only hope that you don’t become like them, but I couldn’t blame you if you did. This is a tragedy.”
Cheshire tightly embraced her and wept. He couldn’t help any of it in any longer. She rubbed his back and tried to comfort him the best she knew how, but in her heart she knew that nothing could ease the pain of the little demon.

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 23.12.2011

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