The Shadows Within

I knew nothing of anyone in this world. Yet, I judged them based on my first impression.

It's such a human thing to do. Yet… Why is this demon kissing my hand?! Surely that warrants some reaction?!

Before I could say anything, someone else took the lead.

“Gael! What do you think you’re doing?! Have some decency!” Nyla huffed, slapping him on the back of the head again.

A soft growl left his lip, letting go of my hand. “Decency? We lost that long ago, dearie.”

The little goblin huffed, crossing her arms. “I don’t care! Ever since I got my humanity back! I intend to keep it.”

It was cute watching her pout like that.

Well, as adorable as a monster can be.

“Oh, please. If it weren’t for me. You’d be feeding on humans still to keep that part of you.” He chuckled, walking into the kitchen.

This entire time, I had neglected a simple question that he brought to mind with those words.

Why did my kin hate the demons?

“Feeding on humans?” I mumbled, feeling shivers run down my spine.

I didn’t mean to word it out, but it was too late. It caused Nyla to bite her lip, grabbing her arms as her glance shifted away from me.

“Oh, right. You know nothing about this world.” Gale sighed, making Nyla shake her head.

“Don’t…” her voice shrunk.

Ignoring her, he continued, “Goblins feed on flesh, much like most other demon. It’s what allows us to get our senses. A few of us feed on other things, but there’s something common between us all.”

His words left me feeling cold.

“And that is?” I asked, unsure if I genuinely wanted to know.

Sometimes ignorance is a blessing, yet in this case, I couldn’t afford it. No, I had to know who these people were even if…

“We solely eat humans. It keeps us sane from the curse flowing through our veins.” Gael smirked, eyes showing a light red hue.

Huh?

My brain lagged momentarily, unable to understand what he said. Yet the way he chuckled afterward sent shivers down my spine. It dawned on me that he wasn’t lying or trying to scare me.

Wait… So, I’m in a place where I can be eaten alive at any time?!

All the previous gazes from before finally hit me.

No wonder they were all looking at me weirdly! They were sizing me up! If I weren’t Finn’s wife-to-be, I would’ve been… Arg...

My body ran cold at the thought of being someone else's dinner, triggering me to shift my sight away from them and towards the wall.

“Gael!” The little goblin huffed, turning to me. “Sylvia, please don’t worry. None of us would dare to hurt you.” She reached for me.

But before she could, he snickered. “As long as you’d had your feed, you mean.”

“Gael!” she snapped again.

It was the first time I had seen her get angry, triggering a soft aura to erupt from her. However, he was unfazed by her little slaps. No, he was more interested in me.

“Don’t worry, little shrimp; I’m an incubus. So, I feed on sexual energy, which means I’m the least dangerous of the bunch here. Well, to a point.” He smirked, ignoring Nyla’s taps on his legs.

He barely budged at her assault, though I doubted she was trying to hurt him.

Something isn’t right here.

“Are you trying to make me feel afraid?” I asked, facing him head-on.

Shaking his head, he shrugged. “Oh, you wound me.” He pretended to be hurt before smirking, “Not at all. If you plan to live here or at least if it’s what Finn wants you to do. You should know you’re a walking platter for everyone.”

He paused, studying my reactions before taking a step closer to me. “This includes for our king, little shrimp.”

Gael appeared purely human, at least on first impression, but Nyla mentioned he was a shifter.

Is this real or an illusion? Yet… I don’t think you’re lying to me.

“Stop it!” Nyla growled, not wanting him to speak anymore on the matter.

Yet, since he offered, I would take the bite, especially since I needed to know more.

“So, the king’s the same?” I asked, gripping tighter into the bag that held Solas.

Even this fluff feeds off me… Why didn’t I put it all together before?

“Yes, and no. None of us die if we don’t eat, but we get irritable and animalistic. Sometimes, we lose touch with our humanity if it goes long enough. Finn—” Gael couldn’t finish, thanks to Nyla yanking on his hair, triggering a yelp to leave him instead.

“Enough! Don’t pry into our lord’s life! If she wants to know, she can ask him!” Nyla chided, huffing from where she was.

Tugging away from her grip, he rolled his eyes at her. “You think he’ll talk? All he sees her as is—” he started, only to be interrupted by the little goblin.

“Even if you’re his oldest friend! You don’t have the right to—” she wouldn’t finish.

“Nyla, love, I know you want this to be a fairy tale, but this will kill him if it goes wrong. So, yes, I’ll fuck with her if I must. I won’t make that mistake again.” He scowled at me.

Again? What happened here? If only I can…

There was only one way to know.

“Mistake?” I mumbled, holding tighter into the bag.

A sharp sigh left Gael’s lips. “Nothing you need to know. You’re a temporary guest here, nothing more.”

Yes… I am. We can agree on that. It seems that this source of information has dried up.

“Gael! Enough!” Nyla slapped him again.

There was no point in me staying in this place. Dropping the rag in my hands on the table, I turned away.

“It’s fine, I’ll go. Sorry for wasting your time.” I declared, heading out of the door.

Before I could get far, Nyla grabbed me by my clothes and tugged them towards her. “Sylvia, you can’t. You must eat.”

“I’ll be fine without food.” I sighed, tugging away from her grip and heading for the door.

“Fuck, just sit outside. I’ll make you something.” Gael sighed, shaking his head.

A soft smirk rose on my lips, noticing a basket of fruits. It was with what he had brought in. Grabbing a red apple, I took a bite of it.

It's sweeter than what I’m used to.

“Actually. You don't need to do anything for me. I’ll be fine with this.” I huffed, walking out.

Once outside the kitchen, I ran into Rizak, who was waiting for me. Not knowing what he wanted, I gazed at him.

“Oh, there you are.” The white owl greeted, leaving his book on the table.

No matter where I turned, one of them was always around.

“What do you want?” I scoffed, feeling it from my previous treatment.

Not that it isn’t natural. It appears I have that effect on everyone.

“Oh, I will take you to my library after you eat.” He answered, shifting his eyes towards where I came out. “Is Gael back?”

“Yep,” shaking my head, I shrugged, taking another bite of the apple. “Well, this is all I’m going to eat. Why do I need to go there?”

A soft crackle left his lips. “For you to learn to use magic.”

Does that mean I’ll have to deal with the shadows from last night? I’d rather…

“And if I don’t want to learn.” I sighed, shifting my eyes onto the apple.

“Well, if you don’t learn. It’ll become a hazard to everyone around you. This includes yourself.” Rizak informed.

Ah… What a cunning owl… You won’t force me but will guilt me into it. Huh…

“Arg… Fine.” I took another bite of the fruit.

There is no choice to make again. You’re right, and I lost control last night; that alone is enough to give it a shot.

If this power responded to my emotional state, I was nothing more than a loose cannon waiting to explode.

I don’t know if I’ll be at peace thanks to that woman, Serena.

“Are you sure that’s enough food?” The owl asked, tilting his head and pointing towards the apple in my palms.

“Plenty. Let’s go.” I declared, walking towards him.

It was better to get this done. That way, they could throw me out or kill me once I failed. Perhaps I could only survive this by lifting the curse they spoke about. Either way, it involved following this owl.

He nodded, “All right, come this way.”

The track there wasn’t long; it was a floor above my room. Nyla stayed behind with Gael, probably scolding him.

She didn’t look so happy after what he said, but it’s none of my concerns.

Once in Rizak’s studio, I felt like I had entered a different world. My eyes widened, unable to believe the sight before me. While the rest of the castle was rotting, this room was extraordinary—every book, no, everything in here radiated energy visible to me.

Some were different colors, and others appeared like I was gazing into a galaxy. There weren’t any signs of the horrors outside this room. Every shelf was packed with shimmering books that caught my attention.

Is that wood vintage? The design is so unique, too!

They all had carvings of different types of dragons to décor. They were also made from the same wood my bed frame was, but much older. A soft hum left my lips, feeling a warm sensation grow within me with every step.

This room was a true scholar’s dream.

It feels magical and alive.

“What you're feeling is magic,” Rizak informed me, stepping inside.

It was cozy and fuzzy, surrounding me and calling me to come in.

The most welcoming sensation I had ever…

“It’s electrifying!” I beamed in awe.

This place is something else. Even books are floating around like some wonderland!

Especially when Rizak picked out anything, they’d stay where he left them. A pedestal was holding a galaxy-looking orb within bounds by the center of the room. This owl kept this room pristine; even the purple curtains for the windows he had for décor worked for it.

The windows had a draconic stained-glass design that ran with the theme, too.

“Yes, I made this room a focal point where it all congregates.” He chuckled, shifting his gaze toward me. “Everyone in this world can use it. However, there are two types that only other world wanderers can use. These people are called Saints in this world.”

I probably had the astonishment of a child planted on my face, but I couldn’t help it.

Is Finn’s magic like this too?

Though he had consumed it this morning.

Wait? Why am I thinking about that you?!

Shaking my head, I tried to focus on the owl, “Which are?” I asked, shifting my gaze toward a book floating nearby.

Everything was so new and refreshing that I couldn’t help but want to know everything I saw.

“Light and Darkness are native to saints. They usually can only use one, but you’re different. It seems the gods are smiling on you.” Rizak commented.

My eyes twitched, taking a step back from the delusional owl.

That isn’t how it happened. Those two are looking for a circus act rather than blessing me. Though, Serena… She’s an odd one.

“I don’t feel blessed.” I sighed, gazing toward the infinite amount of shelves in this room.

It would take me years to read everything in there.

“Well, we rarely get what we want. Sadly, magic will take you years to master it.” Rizak picked out a book for me.

Years… with this empty feeling in my chest. Will I make it that long?

“Light has healing and purifying properties, meaning it can also inflict damage on beings like us. There isn’t much known about the Darkness, but it’s the basis of the curse they inflicted us with.” The owl informed, prompting me to turn my gaze towards him.

What? A saint did this?

In that instant, everything clicked in my mind.

“How can you stand looking at me?” I mumbled, feeling my voice shake.

Someone with my magic caused all of this pain… If I don’t figure this out, I’ll…

“Well, that girl only helped those who brought her into this world. I wouldn’t say she had a choice in it. There isn’t any point in being angry with a weapon.” Rizak sighed, picking up another book from the selves.

Gazing at my hands, “Is that what I’ll be too?” my voice quivered.

Even though I had washed them, they were still red to my eyes.

Placing a blue book in my hands, he shrugged. “In a way… You’ll undo the curse bestowed on us, so it’s different from a weapon. Sadly, if that can’t be done, Finn plans to destroy humans once and for all.”

You’re brutally honest. No pressure…

The scars of their story were written all over the walls, but that wasn’t enough to know everything I needed. If I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t remain ignorant. This owl appeared to be a man of knowledge, especially if this was where he spent most of his time.

“Why did she…?” I trailed off, unsure of how to feel about it.

Rizak’s eyes narrowed, shifting his red eyes towards me. There was a flash of red hue coming from them.

“The ones on the other side of the miasma are the ones who did this to us for the silly thought of conquering us.” He scoffed, snapping his beak.

It made a sharp noise that caused me to flinch.

“Instead of winning land, they created abominations, and now they have another saint to exterminate us. If they think, we’ll sit back and let it happen.” He paused, shaking his head.

The same crimson aura was shimmering out of him.

“Is this because you feed on them?” I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be until he snapped at me.

To my surprise, my questions caused his eyes to soften and gloss. These demons used to be people, and there was no way to know if they could be free.

“That’s their sin to bear. If they left us alone, Lord Finn and Lady Serah…” he trailed off, eyes giving off a bright hue before turning away from me and shaking his head.

Is that another demon I haven’t met?

“Who is she?” I asked, tapping my fingers on the book.

The owl turned to me again, “Lady Serah was… Ah, let’s not speak of this now. Let’s focus on your studies. Please turn to page twenty.” He shut me down.

I wouldn’t push him any further. Sitting down on a chair, I listened to him, and it would turn out to be a lesson I wouldn’t forget.