A Demon Born

Chapter 2

Unconvinced, Solus responded, “To fight for someone’s cause, I must know who that person is. Who am I fighting for?”

“You are fighting for your wife, dear Solus. But we will help you. We are the Firsts known as the Fallen, and I am Andras, a Lord General of the Fallen.”

Again, Solus pondered briefly what he heard. The dull throbbing of anger he held tightly in his chest reminded him of his loss. What did he have to lose? He was already dead, a lost soul on the verge of punishment for an unknown transgression.

“Do you know why the Guardian would not take me?” Solus had to know.

Andras stared silently at him for a long moment. Then with a nod said, “You have war in your heart, child. That would be the reason.”

Solus was dumbfounded. “What does that mean? My city is constantly on the verge of attack by our enemies! What I do is for the protection of my family, my people, not because I enjoy war!”

Andras began walking toward the gate. The whispering souls moved out of his way as if afraid of his touch. “I believe the Guardians feared you. You have a strength within you that would have seen greatness in your lifetime.” He stopped abruptly and turned to face Solus. “And perhaps they rightfully should,” he added mysteriously.

Understanding evaded Solus. How could wanting to protect your home be a sin? And why would such powerful beings as these Firsts be fearful of him? Shaking his head clear, he decided only one thing mattered.

 “I am yours to command, Master Andras. All I ask in return is to be with Katerine once more.”

“Good,” Andras breathed with a hint of approval. “Then let us make our way to the city of Dis. I will give you the means to get what you desire.”

Andras continued on to the gate, Solus followed warily behind. Up close, the massive fire-scarred doors exuded a despairing finality with its intricate design of skeletons dancing within a fire. Any who entered would not come back.

“Minos, come!” Andras shouted.

The immense doors shimmered brightly as they rumbled open. A great giant with a crown of horns growing from his head stepped forth. The souls moved back in panic, fearing his arms – the tentacles Solus had seen reaching through the gate – would grab them.

“I need you to send this soul,” Andras pointed to Solus, “to the demon city. He is not to be judged, do you understand?”

The giant bowed low. “Yes, Lord General,” he responded. Then one tentacle reached out and wrapped itself around Solus’s form.

Solus struggled, but he was held fast. Minos took him through the gate and hung him over the edge of the bluff. Below them was not the mist of a lake, but a spinning vortex littered with wailing souls. The wind was so powerful that it ripped the souls apart, only to have them reform and be torn apart again. Eyes widened in fear, Solus struggled harder to break free from his captor.

“Please,” he begged, hoping to be heard above the din. “Please, I do not want this fate!”

“Your fate does not belong to this or any Circle of the Lower Realm,” the giant’s voice rumbled like a mighty waterfall. “What awaits you may, or may not, be worse.” In one fluid motion, the giant unfurled his arm and sent Solus tumbling into the vortex.

Solus closed his eyes and waited for the wind to tear him to pieces. Instead, he was met by a sudden silence. He felt solidness against his back and a gentle vibrating hum passed through it to his body. He opened his eyes to find he was lying on cold, sandy ground. He willed his filmy body to stand up and took in his surroundings.

He was alone in a large courtyard surrounded by a high wall of black stone. There were low buildings visible over the wall. A great fortress stood behind the only entrance to the bare space. It glowed with an oppressive light that colored the sky. Two towering spires flanked the building like wings, each one chained to the ground as if they would fly away.

Solus then turned his attention to his translucent body. He looked closely at his arms and legs and saw that they trailed off into wispy tendrils of smoke. His soul was practically nothing but air, and yet he felt the ground when he arrived here. Spying a small stone, he reached down to pick it up. He could feel its solid mass, but could not wrap his hand around it. Frustrated, he tried again and again to pick up the stone.

“It’s no use, you know,” said a female voice.

Solus looked up to face the speaker. The woman leaned against the wall next to the entry and smiled at him. Her fiery red hair framed icy green eyes and ivory skin. The dark brown robe she wore did not hide her slender curves as she pushed herself away from the wall and walked toward him.

“Your current form can feel things, yet it cannot interact with its surroundings. But don’t worry, darling, you will have a new form soon enough.”

“Who are you?” Solus asked, struck by her cold beauty. “Are you a Fallen also?”

In answer, she gave a small laugh as large wings burst from her back and surrounded her with its ebony feathers. Still smiling, she reached out her hand and touched Solus’s body. Light at first, she began to put pressure until her hand sank through the clouded surface of his form. He felt pain spread from her touch all throughout his being. Her hand was where his heart should have been, and she slowly began to curl her fingers. Solus wanted to cry out, but his voice was frozen in his throat. She laughed once more and slowly unfurled her fingers and removed her hand from his body.

“Souls are such weak things,” she murmured lazily.

He dropped to the ground, reeling from the pain. A light whoosh of air filled his ears and he opened his eyes to see Andras standing beside the woman.

“Francesca,” Andras said her name chidingly, “that is no way to treat our guest.” He lifted a hand toward Solus and enveloped the gasping soul with a dull red light.

Solus felt the pain ease as the strange light faded away. He got up slowly, keeping a wary eye on the woman.

“Come now, Solus,” Andras began walking toward the entryway. “It is time to give you a new body.”

Francesca fell into step behind Andras and Solus trailed behind, the sheer horror of his situation now starting to penetrate his mind. He looked around him once more and realized there was no turning back.