Chapter 8: The Judged

Garem had trouble accepting my true nature at first.  I can't say I blamed him.  I never begrudged any mortal who feared me before after all.  He grew more comfortable with it over time when I had the chance to tell him my story as it was thus far and get him acquainted with my new life.  Ah yes, curiosity had gotten the better of him and he visited many times to sate it.  It was very helpful for me as well, not just to have someone to confide in aside from my children but he kept me informed of any new threats to the city that I could be helpful in locating.  Not much happened after the incident with the beholder though.  Perhaps rumors spread of evil doers vanishing mysteriously which caused many would be criminals to take their endeavors elsewhere

Well...rumors did spread but not quite like that...

It was a cloudy but not unpleasant day when Garem came to visit with a basket in hand.

"Uncle Garem!" as the kids became accustomed to calling him, "What do you got there?"

He grinned at me as he opened it up, revealing sweets he had brought from town.

"Oh Garem, I'm preparing their dinner.  Don't spoil them," I scolded.

But my words fell on deaf ears.  I swear, he did things like that just to test me.

"Oh yes, how did things go with the cultists from before?" I asked as I remembered.

"They have been questioned.  Most were being mind controlled, be it magical or just manipulation.  Seems they honestly believed him to be the herald of some "true" god."

"It's a good thing we stopped it when we did.  The ego of beholders knows no bounds and I shudder to imagine how far his influence might have spread," I said as I toiled away in the kitchen talking.

"What's for dinner mama?" one boy asked as he held my dress and looked up hopefully.

"Stew, should be ready soon.  Would you go tell everyone to wash up?"

"Okay!" he said as he walked off.

"Won't you stay for dinner Garem?"

He was a little hesitant but once the scent of the stew reached him, his resolve faded and he nodded.  That evening, we all sat down and enjoyed a nice meal.  I noticed Garem at the other end of the table couldn't stop looking around at the whole situation.

"A copper for your thoughts?" I asked curiously.

"Oh...it's just still such a strange sight.  You acting the role of some common house wife.  All my instincts say I should be cowering in fear of you but here I am instead sharing a meal."

"Mama," a girl turned to me and asked.

"What is it Marisa?" I answered.

"Why are people scared of you?  Why do you have to wear that cloak all the time when you go out?"

I had been asked that many times by many of my children and it was always so hard to explain no matter how many times I did.  I looked down for a moment before turning back to her.

"Well, Mama did some things that she shouldn't have.  People don't trust her."

"Can't you just tell them you're sorry?" Marisa asked confused.

"I wish I could sweetie.  But it's a bit more complicated than that.  But don't worry, Mama is working hard to get people to trust her.  Garem does so that's a start."

"I hope more people do trust you mama.  Then we have more people over to visit!" she said getting excited.

"I hope so too, but for now, let's just..."

I was interrupted mid sentence by the sound of a loud crash.  I arose to look but didn't have to go far.  Several armored men came streaming into the dinning room, their spears at the ready.  They all looked at me with fear and determination in their eyes.

"That's her!" they said.

"Mama, what's going on?  Who are these people?" several kids said as they clung to me.

That's when a man I could only assume to be their captain emerged.  He walked closer with great care as he eyed me suspiciously.

"Garem..." he said.

"Sir..." Garem said standing up but looking nervous.

"So it's true.  One of the cultists told us about the demoness.  When you started walking off into the haunted hills on a regular basis, we wondered and it seems my instincts were right on the money as always.  Explain yourself!"

Garem swallowed hard as he searched for the right words, "Sir, it's not what you think it is.  She isn't..."

"I'll judge that for myself boy," he said as he came to me, keeping a hand on his sword for good measure.

"Wait please!" I said.

He drew his sword reflexively as all the guards leaned forward on their spears, ready to strike.

"I'll go peacefully..." I said, "I beg of you, just please no violence in their presence.  They've been through enough already!"

The captain was puzzled by my request.

"What kind of trick is this demon?"

"Sir, it's not a trick, if you would just..."

"I wasn't talking to you Garem," he interrupted as he turned back to me.

"No tricks I assure you.  They are only my charges and my only desire is their safety.  Whatever happens to me, just don't harm them, I beg of you," I said as I leaned forward, keeping my hands visible.

"I don't know what you're planning but if that's your wish then so be it.  Put her in chains, see that proper shelter is provided for the rest of them.  As for Garem here, I want him questioned about what he knows."

The looks on their faces as manacles were placed on my hands tore me apart inside.  Most too afraid to move, one girl ran up to one of the guards.

"What are you doing to Mama?  Where are you taking her?!"

"I'm sorry miss," he answered plainly, "Your mama isn't what you think she is."

"We don't care what she is!  She's our mother and that's all that matters!" a boy protested.  The guards only shook their heads as they lead me out, my children could only watch in dead silence.

................................................

My weeping echoed through the damp, dark prison cell as I hung from the chains that bound my hands.  I was too weak to struggle.  Weak from sadness and despair.  Weak from feeling my efforts had been for naught.  I could only ponder these things to myself as I coiled back against the hard, stone wall.

"So...is this my punishment?  I am to have my happiness taken from me just like the happiness I freely tore from the hands of others?  I know I deserve it...but they don't!  They lived lives where joy was denied from them!  They lived in the same cycle of pain and suffering that I did, to others and to themselves.  They never even had a chance to know what love was!  I only wanted to give them another chance, a fair chance to see what their lives could be.  Was I wrong?  Was I only trying to change what was meant to be?  If that's so...was I past all hope too?"

The thought of that left me in tears.  My head fell to the hard floor as I poured my heart out despite having no one to hear it.

"Then why go on?  If I can't change my fate then there's nothing left to live for...nothing..."

Silence was my only reply...at least it had been until that moment when a soft voice broke it.

"Nothing Sister?  Oh, now you don't really mean that."

"Oh but I do..." I said, oblivious to the fact that I was supposedly alone.

"Nonsense Sister Aryll," the voice said, "If you had no faith, I wouldn't be here, but here I am."

I lifted my head as light pierced the cold darkness of the cell.  Before me stood a beautiful woman with long blond hair, fair skin and gleaming white, feathered wings.  She wore a simple white robe and her intense stare made it hard to return it.

"Hello Sister Aryll," she said, "My name is Lucia, deva servant of the higher powers at your service."

"Are...are you here to pass judgment on me then?" I said, resigned to my fate.

"No, that is still yet to come Sister Aryll.  You still have much to do."

"Why do you call me Aryll?  You know who I am," I said now noticing the fact.

"Of course, but didn't you say yourself that you are that person no more?  Aren't you now simply Aryll?  The one who selflessly protected this city and was even merciful enough to give it's wrongdoers life instead of death?"

"How do you know so much about me?" I said somewhat intimidated.

"A demon who humbles herself before the gods?  That is a rare thing indeed.  Surely you didn't think it would go unnoticed."

"So why do you come to me then?" I said confused.

"I wanted to meet you," she said simply, "I wanted to look into your eyes and see if what I'd heard was true."

She walked forward as I recoiled slightly, bowing my head down.  Understand, I was looking into the face of what was once my mortal enemy.

"Please Sister Aryll, look up.  Let me see your eyes," she asked kindly.

Finally I mustered the courage to comply as I opened my eyes and looked into her face.  She seemed to gaze straight into me and through me even.

"Amazing..." she said as she watched with fascination, "It is true.  All trace of malice...wiped from your eyes.  Were it not for your other attributes, I'd almost swear you were human."

"What's so fascinating?  I'm just someone with an impossible dream," I said weakly.

"That remains to be seen.  But it is a good dream whatever the result might be.  But imagine what a beacon of hope you could be Sister Aryll!  Living proof that none are beyond redemption!  Can you imagine?"

"I only can imagine," I said, "Whatever I do for mortals, it can never be enough to make up for what I've done to them."

Lucia kneeled down on the floor, so as to talk to me on equal terms.  It was a gesture that made me feel warmer inside.

"I think maybe...you're just not thinking big enough," she said, obviously beating around the bush about something.

"What do you mean?" I said intrigued.

"There is an old legend that says every time a demon performs a selfless act, a damned soul is rescued from the lower planes.  I think you might be the one that legend refers to Sister Aryll."

"What?!" I said in surprise, "Then..."

"Yes, I don't think what's happened to you was a coincidence.  But I can't be sure yet.  The humans will test you Sister Aryll.  I will be watching and so will others.  I will tell you more if you are deemed worthy."

With that, she vanished in a flash of light just as the sound of footsteps approached but my mind was reeling.  A test?  And what would become if me should I pass?  That was when two guards entered my cell, keys in hand.

"The high lord wishes to speak to you.  Seems your young friend spoke on your behalf.  Consider yourself lucky demon," one of them said as they removed my chains, but keeping my warded bracers on to keep my powers suppressed.  They were certainly not fools.

........................................

I found myself in a large courtroom decorated with tapestries bearing the symbol of their order: A silver gauntlet clenched in a fist.  Knights and various councilors sat in chairs all around me, their eyes all on me as I was brought to the defendant's pulpit.  Behind the table at the head of the room stood an imposing figure with ornate silvery armor with a flowing mantle to show his rank.  He had graying black hair tied back and his face bore the marks of many battles.  He was obviously the high lord the guards had mentioned.  He gestured for the room's silence as he spoke.

"The court of the Hands of Glory shall come to order," he said as he turned his gaze to me, "In our midst, we have discovered the demoness who calls herself Aryll holed up near our borders along with a group of young children who refer to her dotingly as their mother.  Many would call this an attempt to corrupt our wayward youth into depravity.  How do you plead to this accusation?"

"Not guilty sir," I said plainly.  I didn't want to appear hostile in any way so I tried to keep myself calm.

"I see..." he said, "Then the other matter.  You are also recognized as one who led the slaughter of several neighboring kingdoms under a different name: Nekona the Scourge.  How do you plead to this?"

There was no use in lying, that would only further their suspicions, "....guilty..."

Mutterings rose among the ground that quickly grew in volume until the High Lord silenced the room again.

"Your honesty is admirable demon.  For that, what do you have to say in your defense?"

I had to choose my words carefully, I knew very well they could be my last.

"I offer no justification for my role in the deaths of your fellows sir...  Only the shame I bear for it.  Since then, I have felt what it means to suffer.  I have also felt compassion far beyond what I deserve.  To repay such a debt, I have sworn an oath of loyalty to mortals.  Since then, I have only lived my life for them.  I swear this on my honor as a warrior."

"Your honor is questionable," he stated plainly, "And what of the children mentioned before?"

"They are...they were once like me.  Depraved and void of love and compassion.  With my own powers, I have unmade their lives in hopes of giving them new ones, better ones."

"Wait...the murders...the raiders...all those who's acts had mysteriously stopped?" the high lord said beginning to understand.

"Yes, that was my doing."

More murmuring needed to be silenced before the High Lord spoke again.

"You tell a fascinating tale demoness.  Hardly a believable one but fascinating nonetheless!"

"No!  You have to believe me!" I said losing my composure at the suggestion that my pleas would meet deaf ears.

"A creature like you following the path of good?  It's inconceivable!  How can we ever believe such a thing?  We will not endanger our people for such a ploy!"

"But sir!  She speaks the truth!" Garem spoke out from the audience.

"Boy, I don't hold you to blame for succumbing to her.  You have much to learn about their kind.  There is nothing in them but malice and deceit."

"But..." Garem tried to continue but was silenced.

"For the crimes against our people, your fate shall be..." the High Lord began before I interrupted.

"Mar'theasa!!" I called out.  I was met with shock and quickly disgust as I had expected.

"You dare speak the demonic tongue in our presence!?" one knight called out, "that settles it!  Behead the creature before..."

"Wait..." the High Lord interjected as he thought momentarily, "Was that..."

"Yes...," I said, "My....true name."

"The very thing that would give any who know it the power to control or destroy you at their whim....you would offer it so freely?"

"It's a trick my lord!" someone called out.

"Doubtful," the High Lord said, "no demon would ever be willing to die for any cause...no normal demon that is..."

"Then..." I said hopefully.

"I can't deny your actions are strange to us.  Even your respect for this court struck me as odd.  Enough that is to allow you a chance to prove yourself."

My eyes teared up, "You have my thanks my lord!  I will do whatever it takes to convince you of my sincerity!"

"I hope so..." the High Lord said as the court was adjourned.

.....................................

Not much later, I was led to the armory where several other knights were preparing themselves.  The High Lord himself was there as well obviously to instruct us.

"Aryll was it?" he said.

"Yes sir, so what is my task?"

"If your words are the truth, then we do have use for your skills.  Have you heard of the Azure Valley?"

"Yes...it was a town in the path of J'heponze's army."

"J'heponze?  That is the name of the one who led them?" he asked, somewhat surprised I knew his name.

"Yes, he was another high ranking general of Prince Nethkazar.  Back then, he was a rival of mine," I explained.

"Fascinating," the High Lord pondered, "I really do hope you prove yourself now.  I see your insight into our enemy could be of use to us."

"Oh yes sir!  I know the names of their officers, I know their tactics, everything."

"I see we'll have much to discuss, but now the matter at hand.  Your former colleague didn't merely attack the town in the valley, he committed an atrocity so foul it continues to taint the region now."

"What happened?" I asked now curious.

"His troops were ordered to ransack the town and each of them were to take a hostage who were all brought to the town center.  On his signal, they slit the throats of every man, woman and child there at the exact same time.  To further their indignity, he placed his amulet around the neck of the statue in the town center, it's power binds their souls to the region, furthering their misery and denying them proper rest.  The region has been shrouded in darkness and bears a foul taint in the air and we fear it's spread as well as the well being of the ghosts who now haunt it.  Your mission is simple, the amulet must be removed from the region so that it can finally heal."

It certainly sounded like my former rival.  J'heponze always had a reputation for cruelty.

"Our five best knights will accompany you so that your performance can be judged.  Don't abuse this chance if you truly are sincere," he finished as he saluted his men and went back upstairs.

I bowed politely and received harsh glares in return.  I could see this wasn't going to be easy but they had their orders as did I.  We made our preparations, saddled up horses and headed out.

Hmm?  Oh yes, I can ride a horse.  It's somewhat awkward because I have to side saddle but I manage.  Anyways, the journey there was quite silent.  They barely spoke and it was never to me when they did.  Even despite their barely contained hostility towards me, I couldn't help but be awed.  Paladins, mortals sworn before the gods themselves to uphold peace and order to the world with no expectation of reward aside from the satisfaction of a job well done.  It was like my own desires.  I wondered if it was possible.  Could I even dream of calling myself one of them some day?  It seemed even more impossible than earning their trust then, but as Azure Valley came into view, I had to return to reality and an ugly reality it was...

"Yonder is Azure Valley," one of the paladins said as he motioned for the others to follow.

I looked down to see nothing but unnaturally thick fog and feel a cruel chill from the air.  Even from here, one could sense something was very wrong with the region.

"Leave the horses here, there's a trail down to the bottom," he continued as we all followed suit.

It was hard to pierce the fog but even from what little we could see, something was out of place with the region.  It was all as still as death, almost as though frozen in time.  This was even more apparent, and literal as we came to a river fed by a waterfall, frozen to solid ice in mid fall despite the spring months.  One of them knelt by the river to examine it.

"You knew the one who did this I'm told," he said, not turning to face me.

"Yes...his name was J'heponze.  By now, he is probably Nethkazar's top general."

"Despite your willingness to divulge such information, you understand why that alone will not convince us.  We know Nethkazar is a master manipulator and very little happens he does not intend."

"Yes...I will show my intentions with actions, not just words," I replied.

"I will admit, the idea of one of his own turning against him...I'm not even sure Nethkazar would stage such a deception.  It's just so impossible to believe."

"Sir!  I hear something!" one of the paladins called out as he pointed towards the misty horizon.

It sounded like heavy breathing at first, then wheezing and gasping.  Then came a strange trickling sound.

"Ready yourselves!" the captain said as they drew their weapons, myself following suit, "Halt!  Who goes there!"

No answer came.  We thought our senses were deceiving us...until we looked at the ground.  Blood, small drops appeared on the ground before our eyes.  The trail came closer to us as the struggled breathing grew louder.  Then it came into view: An image of a young man with a torch walking along the path in a stupor.  He stared ahead with glassy, vacant eyes and most horrifying of all, he bore a cut across his neck that wept blood onto the ground, betraying the source of the blood trail.

"Demons...'' he cried hoarsely, "Must...defend...village..."

The specter floated towards us menacingly.  The paladins drew their holy symbols and chanted softly.  Their symbols emited a flash of light that washed over the spirit, knocking it back as it began to destabilize.

"Must...warn...everyone..." the spirit cried as it dissipated.

They continued on as I followed.  Things only became grimmer as we approached.  Plant life weakened and ceased to be as we approached the ruins and the chill in the air grew ever stronger until everyone shivered under it's touch.  As we reached the village limits, I could see even the paladins' uneasiness about the place.  As silent and still as the graveyard it was, the remnants of a battle long past still lay there.  It seems even treasure seeking grave robbers dared not come near this place seeing how everything had remained undisturbed for all this time.

"I sense terrible evil about this place, we best find our goal quickly before..." one of them began because his train of thought broke from the sight that greeted us.  Blood trails again, this time dozens of them all around us began to close in slowly but surely.  We all stood in a circle, our weapons pointed forward as the sight of many townspeople appeared before us.  All of them bore the same maddened expression, pale eyes and gushing wounds on their necks. All spoke in indiscernible ravings that only served to further unsettle us.  The paladins presented their holy symbols at the ghosts to drive them back but as they did, more began to appear a short distance away and close in.

"Damn!  We can't stop all of them!  We'll be overwhelmed!" the captain said looking around frantically for an escape.

"There!" I replied, pointing to a church down the street, "It should have wards on the door."

Seeing little alternative, the paladins followed my lead as they warded off the ghosts in our way to run to the church.  The ghosts pursued us with fury in their eyes as we dashed inside and closed the door behind us.  As I'd hoped, they were held back by the faintly glowing runes on the door.  Everyone took the chance to breath as we considered our next move.

"Is everybody okay?" I asked.

"It seems so," the captain said, "But we can't stay in here forever.  We must get to the town center if we...what?"

That was when another apparition appeared, a robed figure standing at the head of the room.  Though it was different from the others in that it lacked the neck wound or the maddened eyes.  It simply looked at us with what seemed to be concern.

"What are you all doing here?" it said in a whispery voice, "This is no place for the living unless you wish to join our ranks.  You must leave here now."

"You are...were the priest of this church?" the captain asked.

"Indeed...I was killed in the initial attack instead of the mass murder in the town square which has somewhat helped me hold onto my sanity but I could do nothing to help my fellows outside.  All I have had is my faith all these long years that brave souls would come to remove the source of their rage."

"Well, that is exactly what we have come to do so you can rest easy," the captain replied reassuringly.

"But..." the priest said as it turned towards me, "You count a demon among your ranks?  What is the meaning of this?"

"She..." the captain said, unsure of how to explain, "She claims to have defected from their ranks.  She fights with us to prove herself."

"I see..." the priest answered as he drifted over and looked closer at me.  He pondered to himself for a moment as he looked on.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I can sense something unusual about you, that much I can say.  I also sense you bear the weapons of your defeated foes.  But you lack one capable of defeating formless beings such as us.  I have a request of you demoness."

"What do you need?" I replied.

"With my essence, you can created a weapon capable of forging a trail to your goal.  I was unable to stop the attack in life and unable to help them as I am now.  But for a chance to change that, I offer you my power so that you can succeed where I failed.  Please, there isn't much time.  Take me!" he said as he hung in front of me motionless.  I looked around at the others for approval.

"If it is the wish of the dead, honor it," the captain said nodding.

With that I reached into the priest's form and concentrated.  He only made a soft sound, as though in relief as his form melded into the shape of a silvery mace decorated in runes and glowing in pale light that shone as brightly as a torch.  Without wasting another moment, we picked up and heaved a pew through the window to create a quick escape towards the town center.  The ghosts closed in on us as the paladins drove them off with their holy symbols and I followed suit with a blast of light from my new weapon.  As we ran, the silhouette of a man came into view that cleared into the sight of a large statue.

"That's it!" the captain called out as we ran faster.

We stopped before it and turned to face our pursuers as one knight began to climb up to retrieve the amulet.  As we stood ready to face the ghosts, they suddenly came to a dead stop and faded, an expression of fear doting them.

"What are they..." the knight on the statue began before he was interrupted by flames that suddenly engulfed the statue, knocking him off.

The chill of the air suddenly faded and was replaced by choking soot and unbearable heat.  Fire began to erupt from the ground, encircling the entire town center and surrounding us.  Our attention was turned towards the burning statue which began to crack and break but the flames maintained their form and began to move with a will all it's own.  Towering over us, the humanoid flames looked down on us menacingly as it bore it's white hot eyes.

"An effigy...it must be the result of the amulet and the burning hatred of all the spirits here.  We have to destroy it to claim the amulet!" the captain ordered as we drew weapons and readied ourselves.

The creature roared as it glided towards us.  Amidst the crackling of the flames, one could pick out speech though only curses and death oaths.  It swung it's blazing claws, sending us scattering in either direction though the walls of fire prevented escape.  Able to flank it now, we all ran in at once in hopes of overpowering the creature though the burning heat that surrounded it stung our eyes and hindered our ability to strike effectively.  The paladins focused light through their swords as they struck, dispersing the flames though it rapidly tried to reform itself.

“Suffer!” the creature screamed as it blew flames at them, setting some of them on fire.  As they frantically batted themselves to put them out, the creature advanced only to meet a blast of light from my mace to drive it back.

“Are you all right?” I asked as I stood between them and the effigy as it's sight returned to it and gazed upon me with utter malevolence.

“Just some burns, hold it off while we heal them,” the captain said, this time not reluctant to trust my actions.

“Not a problem!” I said smiling as I turned to the effigy, drawing my other weapons including the holy avenger blade from before.  I had summoned it's cleansing light before, surely I could do it again.

“What?” one of the paladins said as they summoned their diving magic to sooth their burns, “A holy avenger?  She can't possibly...”

It still required effort on my part but less than the first time I had summoned it's power.  I focused inward on my desire to protect my allies, my compassion for the souls of this place who continued to suffer and my devotion to further purging the corruption of my dark heart.  I watched as the sword responded, bathing itself in blinding light.  The paladins arose and watched in amazement at the sight of a demon who could call upon powers not unlike their own, powers created to destroy my kind no less.  I hadn't time to bask in it's radiance though, I rose on my tail as I lunged forward.  The creature frantically met my attack with multiple gouts of flames that I recklessly dove through, caring nothing for the pain as my sword met it's target, cutting viciously through it's fiery form, causing it to flicker and spark, like a campfire struggling to remain aglow.

“Death...” the effigy boomed as it looked at me momentarily before finding a different target, the captain who looked dazed from expanding his power healing his men.  The effigy darted towards him but instead of simply attacking, it faded as it passed through him.  The captain convulsed for a moment before dropping his head downward.

“Captain!  Are you...” one of the paladins said with worry before the captain suddenly looked up with his eyes aglow and crimson red flames began to cascade over his body.

“No!  He's possessed by it!  If we don't cast it out, it will burn up his life force and kill him!” another paladin cried as they loosed their holy symbols upon him.  The light washed over him but was rebuffed as the flames re-ignited.

“Die!” the captain said in a maddened tone as he attacked his own men in a blind furry.  I rushed to their defense, fending him off with my own weapons but I couldn't keep it up forever.

“We...can't cast it out!  We have to fight him or we'll all die here!” one of the paladins said as they stood ready to attack only to be stopped at my signal.

“Out of the question!” I commanded, “The life of another is a sacrifice not ours to make!  I promised to finish this mission and do it with honor and that is what I will do no matter what!”

They all were taken aback by my determination but even more so when they saw what happened next.  I was loathe to do it but I had little other choice.  As the captain raised his sword to strike a killing blow, I leap onto him and pinned his arms to the ground as I closed my eyes and concentrated, my own form blurring and fading as it merged with his.

“What? What is she doing?” one of them said in shock as the captain arose seeming to struggle with himself.  The flames began to rapidly appear and vanish as the glow to his eyes changed colors back and forth.

“You are no match for me!  I cast you out!” the captain yelled in my own voice rather than his own as the effigy was knocked from his body and left stunned.  The captain looked and grinned just before slumping to the ground, leaving me standing over him, sword pointed forward for a killing blow.  The effigy only looked up in time as I plunged the sword through it's very center.  As it's flames began to die away, I reached into it's form with my lower hands.  The effigy was extinguished, leaving a pair of clawed gauntlets on my hands that glowed red hot and emitted a dark purple aura that hungered for the flesh and life alike.

“Ugh...” the captain groaned as he arose, “...did you?”

“Yes sir, I had to possess you to force the effigy out.  Please forgive my action,” I said bowing.

“...It is forgiven,” he replied after a moment's thought, “You did what was needed.  But for now, let us finish our mission.”

I picked the amulet off the ground from the ashes left in the effigy's wake.  It was indeed the symbol of J'heponze, a fanged skull biting down on the blade of a sword.  As I did though, our moment to compose ourselves became short lived as the ghosts who haunted the area appeared all around us.  This time more than ever before, now that they no longer feared the creature in the town center.

“We can't fight them all, run!” the captain said as we dashed through a gap in the crowd back towards the valley's trail to the main ground.  The ghosts angrily gave chase as we ran with every ounce of our strength.  We ran up the trail alongside the cliffs with the ghosts in hot pursuit, unhindered by the obstacles that plagued us.  The mist itself even seemed determined that we would never leave alive as clawed hands began to form in it, trying to claw at us.  We fended off the attacks with our weapons until one paladin's cloak was caught by a claw, trying to pull him over the edge.  Before he could fall far, my coils wrapped around his arm and pulled him up to my waiting hands as I continued to flee without missing a beat.  As the hands multiplied and grew harder to dodge and the ghosts came closer and closer, the light of day began to pierce the mist.  With one mighty leap, me and the paladin dove out of the valley just as it's inhabitants would have torn us asunder but instead were left only to curse us as we stood outside of their realm.

“Is...is everybody okay?” the captain asked looking around.

“Yes...thanks to her,” the paladin I saved said, “You have my gratitude...Aryll.”

To be called by name, was it a sign they finally were trusting me?

“Indeed!” the captain said enthusiastically, “I never would have thought it possible, but you truly do fight with honor like any of us.  I will ensure the high lord knows of your bravery when we return!”

“Th-thank you sir!  You are too kind,” I said surprised at his words.

“Please, my name is Dekar miss,” he replied.

The others looked at each other before standing and talking in turn.

“Trion.”

“Cristoph.”

“Vincent.”

“Russ.”

“Aaron.”

They saluted me before turning to retrieve their horses and begin the journey back home.  This time, with a much more friendly tone.  I felt it was a good time to ask what had been on my mind for the past few days.

“Umm...Sir Dekar?” I asked.

“Yes, what is it?” he replied.

“How...does one become a paladin?”

“Well, it's not exactly learned.  It's something that comes naturally to you if the gods deem you worthy of it.  We seek those who show such promise and offer them training to hone their talents and teach them the way of the paladin.  Do I dare ask?  Do you truly dream of being a paladin yourself Aryll?”

“I don't deny it would make my heart soar,” I said.

“Well, alas, that is a decision left up to the gods themselves and they will test you harshly to prove your worth.  Be aware of that when the time comes.”

“I will sir,” I replied smiling before turning back to the road.

Several days later, the city came into the view over the horizon.  At first we were excited to return in triumph but our excitement was extinguished as we came closer.  The flames of war were erupting from inside the city walls and I recognized the banner of the invaders all too well.  It was the banner of my former comrades, the army of Prince Nethkazar himself!