"If this is my fault, will you let me help fix it, the leaf didn't work anyway so let repent for what I had done," Aemeon spoke with despair.
My hand in a fist at my side,
"Can't be all bad can it, I mean we have each other," Said the demon who I haven't been able to lay to rest.
What if there is no demon what if it's my darkest desires I'm to scared to admit?
"Ooh, that's a good one. Someone's getting creative," the monster laughed as is went into the silence of my head.
"Shut up, I'm not even talking to you," I said angrily covering my ears.
"What?" Aemeon asked confused.
"Sorry it's nothing, what were we talking about again?" I asked lost.
"We were talking about that if I help I'd repent for what I have done." Aemeon said uncomfortably.
"Right, okay what should we do?" I turned to Merlin in question.
"Theres only one thing we can do," Merlin said solemnly.
"Okay, well what is it?" I questioned.
"You two must travel to Avalon," Merlin explained.
"Only us?" Ariel questioned.
"Tired of us already old man?" I asked smirking.
"I'm unable to go back," Merlin said looking up at the dying tree again.
"Why not?" Aemeon himself asked.
"If I go back I won't be able to help you with the rest of your journey, to save your village, I'll be forced to stay in Avalon; which I know you can't do all this on your own," Merlin explained.
"Okay fine, how do we get there?" I asked impatiently.
"There is a lake not too far from here. You must think of your destination and your intentions, the Lady of the lake will decide the rest." Merlin explained.
"Where is the lake?" Ariel asked.
"Its passed this kingdom through the trees." He directed.
"Great, more people eating trees." I rolled my eyes at the thought.
"We are in this together." Ariel said smiling taking my hands and hers.
I smiled back, reassuring more to her then myself, for more reasons than one.
'We're in this together," The demon mocked.
I barred my teeth behind tightened lips of a smile.
The more I argue the more amusement he gets.
'Maybe a little," the monster said entertained.
'Wait you can read my mind now too?" I thought testing my theory.
'Of course, what you think; I think. What I think; you think. No matter how hard you try, you are stuck with me.' He began to rumble with laughter and it took me a moment to realize that it wasn't just in my head, we were both laughing.
No it was him through my lips, as if to prove his point.
"This is no laughing matter boy." Merlin said bitterly.
"I-I know, I-I'm sorry." I said through fits of laughter.
Merlins face turned flabbergasted as I continued to laugh, tears filled my eyes full of fear from being unable to stop, my sides began to ache and so were my lungs from lack of air I fell forward onto my hands and knees against the marble floors, that's when the laughter stopped.
"Is there something you need to tell me boy?" Merlin questioned with his eyes crinkled with suspicion.
"No," the demon choked out pushing me to the back of my own mind.
We; the demon and I got off the floor and straightened our clothes.
"Are you telling the truth?" Merlin questioned again crinkling his eyes more seeing through the demons facade.
"Of course," The demon forced us to smile as we replied.
'What's happening to me?' I thought to myself.
I tried to move my arms but they stayed in place by our sides, I'm starting to panic as the images through my eyes began to go dark.
'No!' I screamed in our head, I pushed my consciousness back up to the service and I was back to being able to move.
'Do you believe me now?' He asked more amused than before.
'Yes, I believe you.' I answered back.
'Good.' He replied as he retreated back into my unconsciousness.
"Should we get going then I asked looking at Ariel.
"I guess so, but are you sure you're alright?" Ariel asked her eye brows knitted together in worry.
"Yes, I'm sure." I answered taking her hand and planting a small kiss on her forehead.
She closed her eyes with a genuine smile on her face as she leaned against my lips.
"Okay let's go, oh before we go what are we getting in Avalon anyway?" I turned merlin, who had been staring off at the dying tree.
"Hm? Oh yes right, you have to get a pale of water from Avalon." He answered barely paying attention.
"Why dont I just get a pale of water at the stream?" I my face scrunched up with curiosity.
"Its not the same, it must be from inside Avalon, or it won't work." He explained slowly trailing off.
"Why not, what's the difference?" I challenge letting go of Ariel's hand.
"Because Avalon has magical properties, which a regular stream would not." He explained still not looking me in the eye.
"I guess that makes sense." I nodded in response.
"I guess we should be on our way then." Ariel says facing me.
"Yes I guess we should." I agreed eyeing Merlin.
I know, he knows I'm hiding something but it's for the best.
'Everyone knows you're hiding something, your kind of an open book.' The demon says metaphorically rolling his eyes.
Ariel and I began down the hallway where we came.
'What are you anyway?' I Questioned.
The demon laughed in before responding,
'You dont want to take anymore guesses, have you given up that fast?'
'Yes, tell me what you are so I can figure out how to get rid of you.' I I snapped.
'Oh you poor human,' He said through laughter. 'You can't get rid of me, even if you die I'll still be around."
I held Ariel's hand tighter as my jaw flexed, she wrapped herself around my arm as we walked.
'Are you going to tell me or not?' I questioned.
'Your species really isnt all that smart, the name is Lucifer, ever heard of me?" He laughed and I stopped in my tracks.
"Lucifer...?" I said out loud, my voice hitched.
I could barely speak.
"What?" Ariel asked confused.
"Oh, uh... nothing." I shook my head.
'So you have heard of me then.' Dark humor in his voice.
'No, theres no way I don't even believe in god then the devil himself.' I thought bitterly.
"I know I have been asking you this alot lately, but are you sure you're okay?" Ariel asked letting me go.
I pursed my lips and thought for a moment before answering.
"Yes Ariel I'm fine I think it's just from hitting my head." I explained slowly.
She pursed her lips and folded her arms, turning to face me.
"Stop lying to me Luke, I've known you forever I know when you're lying. " she says upset.
I took her face in my hands and looked deep in those glassy grey eyes.
"I'm not lying to you, I just don't really know what's going on myself." I say half-truthfully.
Her face softened as she held onto my shirt, staring at me teary eyed.
"I'm sorry, I'm just worried about you." Ariel's voice breaks as she speaks.
"I know, I'm sorry I keep worrying you." I say wary.
I place a kiss on the top of her head, she closed her eyes in response and laid her head onto my chest.
'Awe, how sweet.' Lucifer rang out.
I ignored his crude comment as I held her closer. If I had it my way I'd stand here with her in my arms forever.
Her soft dark hair remnants from the sun, and strays go into the wind.
"Are you ready?" I asked her in a whisper, she nodded letting me go and taking my hand again.
We continued to walk through the small city as elves scatter around quickly to their destinations nervously watching us as they did.
I sighed, I get they blame us for all this. I mean it was one of our faults.
'That it was,' Lucifer laughed grim.
'Why do you say it like that?' I asked accusingly.
"No reason, no reason at all." Lucifer continued to chuckle on.
I rolled my eyes we strolled along for what seems to be hours.
"I'm starting to think we are lost, theres no way the city is this big!" Ariel said loudly.
I swallowed hard and took a look around, the stone buildings are the same ones we past 15 minutes ago.
"We have been walking in circles!" I exclaimed irritated.
"Okay why dont we try that way?" Ariel wondered as she pointed east.
"Worth a shot." I mumbled as we walked in the pointed direction.
Finally we see a large golden gate like before.
"Good job, you found it." I appraised with a smile making her blush.