Chapter 12: Motherly Love
After narrowly defeating the demon Dred, Samora prepared to lead the others through the ruins of Gatharham to some villas that she claimed were untouched. She waved her staff, summoning the flames from the lanterns in the surrounding area. They gathered onto the top of her weapon and formed a single flame that served to illuminate their path as they passed through the now dark ruins of the town. The group left the town square behind them.
"Let me start by asking the most obvious question. Dred is the demon that Grandfather battled eight hundred years ago, isn't he?" Cirris inquired.
Samora nodded. "Yes, he is. Dred is the former King of the Underworld. He usurped the throne from the previous king, then tried to conquer our world."
"When the hell did he break out? Did you know about it?"
Samora began explaining. "As you know, Father resumed aging seventy years ago, shortly before I was born. When I was 31, I cast the longevity spell on myself to maintain the seal on Dred's crystal when Father grew old, but it was already too late. In the brief amount of time that passed just before my spell took effect, the seal had already weakened. Despite my younger life force being used, it continued to grow weaker over the decades until twenty-five years ago, the seal finally broke and Dred was freed. He went into hiding and we were unable to find him."
"Bastard must have hidden himself to regain his strength" Nadia muttered.
"Yes, that's what we believe happened as well. Dred would have been defenseless from being sealed for so long. He had already hidden himself by the time we reached the location of the crystal. All we could do at that point was wait for him to show himself, and five years later he did. He returned and terrorized the family of an incubus, an elven woman, their first-born daughter, and their newborn son." Everyone turned to Tiafell, who hadn't spoken a word since they left.
"The 'newborn' son was me... wasn't it? I'm half demon, I'm no different than Dred or Bovindor" he spoke quietly, close to crying.
"Tee-Tee!" Mirya went to him and wrapped her arms around one of his. "That's not true!"
"Bullshit! Don't say crap like that about yourself ever again!" Nadia scolded him.
"You're nothing like those assholes!" Cirris added.
Samora looked at him sympathetically. "They are right, you are nothing like Dred or most demons, I sense no malice within you. Not all demons are evil, there are peaceful demons like you and your father that live quiet lives in our world."
"So why would Dred come back to go after Tiafell's family? What does he want with him?" Cirris asked.
"I don't know exactly, but do you remember what Dred told him about his potential? Elves and demons are capable of great feats of power, for good or for evil. But a hybrid of those beings has potential even beyond that. With the proper guidance, there is no telling how powerful Tiafell can become."
"Oh, but you didn't answer what Dred wants with him."
"I'm getting to that!" Samora berated her son, Nadia grinned at him. "Though he possesses physical properties, Dred is a spiritual entity. What you saw this evening was only a part of the larger whole that was his true form. According to Father, he was once a centaur-like creature that stood more than fourteen feet tall on four feline legs. As powerful as Father was at the time, he still failed to kill Dred. Every wound inflicted on him regenerated almost instantly, even holy magic did little to slow the monster down, he seemed to be invincible! Left with no other option, he used powerful magic to try and pull Dred's soul out of his body. He only managed to pull the top half out but that was enough. He cut that half of the soul off and sealed it inside the crystal, using his life force to strengthen it. With the dominant portion of his spirit inside the crystal, Dred's body and the reminder of his soul dissolved into nothing. He then used the longevity spell on himself to keep the demon contained for as long as possible while he searched for a way to destroy him permanently. Since breaking free, Dred seems to have grown a physical body of sorts around his soul, but he hasn't regrown the rest of his body and he never will. He can never regain his full form so long as he remains in our world. Only the foul atmosphere of the Underworld, which is too toxic for other beings to survive in, will fully restore his body. Fortunately, that world is closed off by a gate that is more powerful than the barrier surrounding the Endless Forest. So, we believe that Dred wants to possess Tiafell to replace the body he once had. With their powers combined, Dred could have immeasurable power. I fear there is no force in this world that would be able to stop him should that happen. As Tiafell is also half-elven, holy magic would not be as effective against him. There would be a second Great Demon War, and Dred would win!"
"We have to protect Tee-Tee at all costs!" Mirya shouted.
"You mentioned a first-born daughter. Tiafell has a sister then? What happened to her? Wouldn't she possess just as much potential?" Nadia asked.
"I don't know what happened to his sister or his father, nor do I know why he wouldn't have taken her. She could have died or perhaps Dred felt that Tiafell was the better choice." Samora speculated. "Father has not told me anything regarding either of their fates. But I do know a lot about his mother, she was a dear friend of mine."
"My mother? What can you tell me about her?" Tiafell asked.
"Her name was Erafell, I see her when I look at you. She was a brave and kind-hearted woman who I never once saw lose her temper. Father took her on as a student, which was rare because he refused most people that would beg him for even a single lesson. To this day, I don't know why he chose to teach her, Father's ways are mysterious. I studied with her, and we became friends. She left when she learned all she could and met your father sometime later. When Dred came after you, Erafell was able to take you and run. She and your father agreed that she would take you to Elfandall where you would be safe, and he would take their daughter elsewhere. Being a demon, your father could not go with them into the Endless Forest due to the barrier, so they decided that was the best course of action, though it meant they would never see each other again. By the time Father and I became aware of what was happening, she was already on her way to Elfandall. She had already made it inside the barrier with you when we caught up to her. Normally, the barrier would have prevented you from entering but she was able to force her way through by expelling all her magic. When we found the two of you, she was mortally wounded, a injury inflicted by Dred, and was beyond what healing magic can do. We carried out her last wish and escorted the two of you to Elfandall, and she died immediately after."
"Erafell, my mother..." Tiafell said quietly. "Dred... killed her..." he sobbed as he held himself in his arms. "And what of my father? Is there anything at all you can tell me about him? Even a little?"
"All I know about him is that he was an incubus named Cardexx. After Dred failed to take you away from Erafell, he followed your father and sister to an area up north. Beyond that, I know nothing. Just before the events I told you about transpired, Father lost the ability to see most of Northern Gashua. He said it was like a blanket had been thrown over it, I'm certain Dred is responsible somehow. Because of this 'blanket', we don't know what happened to Cardexx or your sister. I'm sorry to say this, but we fear the worst."
"I see" Tiafell's bottom lip trembled.
"We're almost at the villas. Once we get there, we should all get some rest. I'm going to write a letter to Father explaining what happened and pray that he will help us."
