#ZyraSL

[zsjudgingyou]

On the hunt

 [Humans were almost as cunning and wicked as the demons. They would turn on each other with little provocation. Forcing them to live with the knowledge they were not the species on earth and that there were rules they all had to follow…it was interesting. When they broke those rules, claiming they would not beholden to those they considered lesser. Those were my favorite ones to play with. Murdoch and I would hunt them down, dragging them back kicking and screaming for Karii to deal with. Those that didn’t make it back or those I had been given free rein to track down were even better though. Few and far between that they were. If they died along the way, I had their souls to play with. They thought death was the end, then they would wish that it was. Murdoch wasn’t bothered one way or the other. He got off on the thrill of the hunt but hated the actual blood shed and torture. He was of the mind you only killed what you ate, unless it was at the hands of justice aka Karii. That didn’t mean he didn’t play with them first. Only once did I see him break his own self imposed rules. The prisoner had been found guilty of the most heinous of crimes and had been sentenced to death. He bribed one of the guards and escaped. They didn’t inform us for two days and by then he’d made it two states over. We’d found him preparing another victim. Murdoch flashed by me in a blur to get to him first. There was nothing remaining to bring back with us other than the soul I had carried. The only reason anyone was upset by that one was they didn’t get to witness it or take part. 

Humans were pesky with their skewed views of rights and wrongs at times. What was good for them wasn’t good for another and what was horrible to them was perfect to bestow on their neighbors. They loved it when we caught and punished an otherworlder but when a human was tried they thought we were unfair despite them all being held to the same laws as the rest. Because of that, they were often my favorite prey. Their minds and souls could be much darker because they made excuses for their actions, justified it in their own heads. 

We’d been on the road for four days searching for our latest quarry. In this instance it was a human teamed up with an angel. They had gone on a multi state carnage spree. Why a human would stoop so low was beyond me. Everyone knew angels could not be trusted. People thought demons were bad but we were honest about who we were and what we were. Angels would lie and manipulate the circumstances surrounding all of their choices. I didn’t want to hear the “not all angels” bullshit argument either. If demons and vampires could all be painted with one brush so could those flighty bastards. We had tracked them to a fancy ass hotel just outside the main drag of the city, which meant they knew what they were doing. Most tried to hide out in the outskirts or lowly populated places making it easy. Hiding in the city meant we had to be more cautious to eliminate innocent bystanders getting tangled up in the shitshow. Because of course that responsibility fell to those trying to maintain order. We didn’t do enough to keep shit safe. Of course it wasn’t the fault of the actual criminals causing the damn problems. The more good we did the more headache it was. I swear if it wasn’t for the pact I made with Egregore, I would have bailed ages ago. That was not an option though. For now I had to focus.

The plan was for Murdoch to capture the human and I would handle the angel. We checked our protections and drank the concoction Karii had created for when we hunted the other-worlders. We had to make sure they wouldn’t be alerted to our presence and that drink pretty much turned us invisible to any sort of detection, we didn’t even show up on cameras, thermal or otherwise.  It also protected us from any traps that might have been set. Kar might have had her flaws, but her magic was definitely not one of them. Murdoch and I went over the plan once more and then we were off. I took the patio balcony and Murdoch took the front door. We waited a beat and then busted in.  Murdoch tackled the human before the dude could even blink. The angel came out of the kitchen to investigate the noise, froze for a moment and then tried to stun us. The spell rebounded and as the angel launched, it caught him mid air. He crashed, legs immobilized. I was on him before he could try again, fist connecting with his jaw just because I wanted to shut him up for a moment. A moment was all it lasted too. He tried incantations, he tried screeching in that high pitched scream angels possessed, he tried making deals, tried throwing his human under the bus. All of that within the few minutes it took me to put the cuffs on to restrain him. I glanced at Murdoch who had his human nice and subdued and begged with my eyes to please please please let me kill him because if I didn’t I knew this angel would drive me out of my skull before we left the city limits. 

Before Murdoch could respond, the angel bucked and I could see the cuffs warping. Not enough to come off but if given enough time they would. He cursed and spat at me as he twisted and before I could stop myself, the black tendrils slid down my arm, winding around the angel's chest and back, down his legs, his breath coming out in hitches and gasps as I stared down at him. It was like watching a movie scene. One I couldn’t pause or rewind. The angel’s olive skin was slowly turning black as tar as the life choked out of him. My smile grew, I could feel it, that sense of perverse pleasure taking hold. I hit the ground with a grunt as Murdoch tackled me, the tendrils snapping slowly. One small problem with Karii’s elixir was that it nullified other spells, other magics, other elixirs that even she created. Including the one that tampered whatever it was inside me. Murdoch was talking but it took a few minutes for me to return to the present. By then the angel was ranting and raving about torture and abuse and whatever other bullshit he wanted to spew. They knew though, the council, that whatever it was that ate up the inside of me only came out when it was needed. If it was needed. The angel didn’t even see the killing blow coming from Murdoch. One minute he was on top of me, the next he had severed the angel’s jugular. The human paled and slid into a fetal position, hoping he wasn’t next. He would be, just not here. We gathered them both up, then Murdoch placed some calls to make the transfer easier and a portal opened to the council's dungeons. I knew I’d have to talk to Kar because if I didn’t Murdoch would but it would have to wait. I needed to purge the soul of the angel and the darkness that I’d absorbed from him first.]

[zsjudgingyou]

Embracing the Darkness

[Groaning, I went to raise my hand to my head, only to find my arms were immobilized. Kauri…I forced my eyes opened and fought against the restraints, calling out my sister’s name. Laughter filtered the air around me and a candle flared, lighting the room slightly. Once my eyes adjusted, I saw that I was restrained by copper bonds, rendering me powerless. Not that it stopped me from trying to fight my way free. The bars cut deeply into my wrists, thighs, and ankles as I struggled, burning and cutting me in the process. Baring my sharpening teeth, both in pain and in fury] Where is my sister? If you harm a hair on her head, I will skin you alive.

  [A voice came behind me, “Worry not, brother dear, I am more than fine. You on the other hand…”  I whipped my head around in time to see a lash of chain come down hard on my shoulder. Smoke singed from my shoulder where the chain landed. It was not that had me gasping though, it was seeing my sister holding the other end, a wicked gleam in her eyes. Around her, others emerged from the shadows…those who attacked me a week prior. Eyes widening] Kauri? You? What is the meaning of this?

[One of the males spoke first, “Oh look, the freak needs help understanding. No one wants you. You do not belong in Shaare Moth or anywhere else for that matter. You are not a true harvester. Look at you. You are a pale, blond, gigantesque, shadow wielding pile of nothing. Your entire family feels the same way, so now we are making sure you never return.” I did not realize the entire time, lashes where being rained down on my body, the words spoken cut far deeper. Kauri stepped closer, a large dagger in her hand, “With you out of the way, Zyra, one of the true Belial Ruach will be able to take over for father, taking one of us sisters as their bride. Our family will continue to rule.” The blade cut from my left shoulder down to my right hip as she spoke, “Without worrying about what trouble you will bring.” I stared at my sister, finally seeing the hatred that burned in her eyes] Kauri, I never wanted the throne, I’ve never done anything to any of you. Why?

  [Her lips curled maliciously, “Why? Why you ask? Because despite your obvious flaws and that you are clearly not related, father still thinks you raise and lower the moon, with you around he will never think clearly. Now, he will have to grant Valusha’s request for my hand, giving us control since the others are already promised to realms. Not that I owe you any explanation” She made a mirror of the slash going from right shoulder to hip and stepped back as the lashings continued for gods knows how long. I could feel myself sinking further into myself as the torment continued. My brain shut down, but I still noticed the shadows growing around me. The taunting stopped, at least I think it did. The room grew silent around me and I figured they had finally had their fill and were leaving me here to die…until an ear piercing scream echoed off the walls. “ZYRA..STOP” What was I supposed to stop? Being beaten? Stop listening to the torment slung my way. “ZYRA!!!” Kauri’s voice drew me back and I raised my head from my chest to watch as the shadows grabbed the five males, wrapping their throats while Kauri stood in the center. I followed the trails back to my limbs and my lips peeled back over my sharpened teeth in a wicked grin] This is what you wanted, is it not dear sister? To see me as I truly am?

  [I scarcely recognized the voice coming from me. It sounded hallow, much like I felt at the moment. I watched as the tendrils tightened the males throats, huddling the five closer until they were flesh to flesh, my sister trapped in the middle. Her eyes widened as she stared at me, “You cannot kill me Zyra, I am family.” My restraints popped free and I rose to my feet of a power not my own. Kauri gasped and she tried to back away, but was trapped by the other five around her.] Worry not, sister, you will live…for now.

  [I turned and started walking away, towards who the hell knows where. There was tension until the shadows retracted or released, I never looked back to look at what happened to any of those I left behind. There was no sound from behind me, not a breath or a whisper, but I cared not. The night air was crisp against my naked body, but thankfully the wounds had begun to knit closed to prevent me leaving a bloody trail in my wake. I walked until the sun rose and even beyond, walking until I could not go any further. Then and only then did I search for shelter, which I found in an old barn. I climbed up into the hayloft and rested against the corner of the wall. Alone. Where I belonged.

I felt my eyes had only fallen closed moments before I heard something in the barn below me. I rose from the corner and peered down from the loft to see a ragged farmhand. Hearing me, he turned his head upwards. “Hey! You can’t be in here.” He ran towards the ladder and I straightened to my full height, rolling my shoulders in anticipation. He barreled down the loft towards me, body poised to fight until he truly saw me, bare and ready to brawl. He skidded to a halt mere feet from me, ��Look, I know times are tough, but you need to go. I don’t run no charity house. Getcha clothes on and be gone.” I felt my teeth sharpen as my lips peeled back. I glanced down at my blackened fingers growing sharper and took a step forward.] I think that I will stay until I am ready to leave

[The man stepped back, still trying to show dominance, “You need to leave. I got a family. Can’t be having riffraff hanging about.” I took another step, then another until I was mere inches from the man.] Family you say?

[I licked my lips and reached out, scraping my claws along his arm to his throat and curling my fingers around his thick neck. The claws dug into the lump in his throat, pressing deeper as he struggled. The call of blood, of his life, was loud in my ears. Pounding. Filling me with wanted need. His gasped pleas fell on deaf ears as I used my other hand to secure his shoulders before I snapped his neck. The loud crack sent a chill down my spine. I dropped him to the ground and knelt along side the body. My hand on his chest above his now still heart, I murmured the words I knew almost since birth. The soul rose from him, crawled up my arm and filling me. I could feel his fear, his hatred, his hopes and dreams, each of his sins. It filled me, consumed me, made me crave more. I stripped him down and pulled his trousers on. Short, but they would help eliminate some of the looks. I lowered myself from the loft and turned towards the house with the flickering light filling the window. There were more and the time was now for taking what I wanted.

  I left a wake of bodies as I moved, not that I killed everyone whose soul I harvested, no, that was part of the fun. Leaving them as empty as I was, watching them try to continue on with no purpose or desire. Trying to put great distance between myself and where I knew the portal to be, I never stayed in one area for more than a night. I was not worried about anyone coming for me though. No, I was more worried I would to try to go crawling back. I could steal all the voices, taunting me and nothing would silence them. I was nothing, no one. I would feed from the souls and if the time came, maybe I would release them but for now, they were my only companions.

  My limbs were covered with black twining marks. Too bad it took this to make me appear closer to my family than not. I rolled my eyes. I had no family and it was stupid to pretend otherwise. I did not need anyone nor did I want anyone. I made myself across most of Europe, found a portal to North America, coming in through Canada and working my way south and west through United States. I would lose hours and days as the time went. Waking in a pool of blood and bodies at my feet. These souls, these were the ones that tortured me inside out. Scratches appeared on my chest, almost like claw marks, and I never knew if they were from me or the internal struggle going on. Though, it was nothing less than what I deserved.]

[zsjudgingyou]

Meet Zyra

[Legs curled beneath me, I hunched over the large, ancient book before me, my long fingers underlining each word of the text as I looked for the answers I needed. There had to be answers in here, I had searched every where else and was now out of places to search. What was wrong with me? Why was I so different from all the others? I blew out a puff of air to rid my face of the shock white hair that was only part of my problem. Over the years, I had grown used to being mocked for my marble white skin, my white hair, even my towering size, but this most recent development not only brought the standard ridicule, it brought on fears and threats against me, against my family. I had yet to speak of it to my parents or really anyone. They would never understand, they never did.  

Being the only son out of thirteen tries, (six sisters on either side of me) I was the heir apparent to the throne. People hated me for that alone, but my appearance gave them more ammunition. I flipped the page and kept searching, looking for anything related to shadows forming in times of trouble, controlling the darkness around one, something beyond even using souls, something deeper, darker, but was met with nothing more than what I already knew.

My mind went back to the previous week, I had been minding my own business when I was attacked from behind. It was nothing new, yet this time something different had happened. As I was being beaten by the five males, heavier and stronger than I, darkness crept from my fingers, twining the air around me, wrapping each male and throwing them far from me with a force like none other. Three ended up with broken limbs and all crawled away in severe pain, vowing to end the ‘freak’ once and for all. When I could catch my breath, I watched as the darkness slithered back inside my fingers and I could feel the sensations through every nerve. Anger, rage, and power. I hopped back to my feet and watched the bruising fade to nothing, felt my lip healing itself in record time. It was good in the sense that no longer would I need to hide after such events, but at the same time it was yet another thing that made me different, made me the freak that all were both fearful of and at the same time it drew the attacks. It had been obvious since birth I was unlike the other Belial Ruach, but now that it had gone beyond appearance, beyond my slow to anger demeanor, I began to wonder how long it would be before banishment took place. While my father held the throne, others could force his hand, especially if this latest development was made public. He could only hold them off for so long before he would be forced to act. No, I needed to find answers, figure out what was wrong with me before that. I… “ZYRA!!! Come on, are you ready?” My head whipped up from the text and my eyes trained on the small female standing in the doorway. “Zyra, you did not forget did you? You promised me!” I blinked slowly and let the question process before realization dawned on me. Kauri’s ruby eyes were wide and glistening with the threat of tears and her lower lip had begun to tremble. I put my page marker in the book and pushed off my sleeping pad, shaking my head as I walked over] Of course I did not forget, little one. I am to take you for your first excursion top-side to celebrate your day of birth. Are you certain you still want it to be me who takes you though?

[I pressed a finger under her chin and lifted her head to meet her eyes. Kauri smiled up at me, “Yes, Zyra, I want you to take me, Everyone knows you are the one with the talent in the family. Are you ready?” Kauri was the youngest of my sisters and while we were close, this honor was usually reserved for parents or the eldest sibling. Going topside for the first soul harvest of adulthood was a big deal, one that should not be taken lightly. In fact, up until last week, it was assumed Thila would escort her. Until Thila stated she needed to go to Tzelmoth to make arrangements for her upcoming nuptials. Kauri cornered me shortly after Thila’s announcement, the day after I was beaten, and had me promise I would take her. Immersed in research since then, time simply got away from me. Thankfully it would take nothing to prepare for the journey. My lips curved slightly and I nodded.] Give me a few minutes to prepare.

[Kauri bounced from one foot to the other while I gathered the items we would need. Perhaps this break would give my mind time to think, allowing the pieces of what I had learned to come together and make sense. I knew the answers had to be there, I was simply overthinking. Once I had everything in the bag, I led Kauri from my room and after telling our parents we were leaving, we made the trek through the tunnel system until we came to the portal we needed. A sense of unease crept up my spine as we walked and my eyes were on constant search for anything or anyone that seemed out of place. Kauri chattered nonstop which eased me slightly, but it wasn’t until we stepped through the gate that I let out a breath of relief. We emerged topside just outside of the cemetery and Kauri’s smile lit up the night sky. “Zyra, look at the moon! It’s huge.” She inhaled deeply, “What is that? It smells different up here! Zyra!” she pointed towards the church in the center of the cemetery, “What’s that?” Her excitement was contagious and I found myself smiling and forgetting all the troubles I had on my mind. I explained the various questions she had as I led her towards a fresh grave, promising we could even find a few of the flowers to take back with us if she wanted. She was already taking in the sights of the cemetery and making a list in her head before I finished even getting the words out. I knew I should have brought a bigger bag with me.

  I laughed soft and shook my head as I tried to get her attention back on the task at hand. We knelt beside the grave and I laid out the various herbs and the words Kauri would need to commit to her memory as we all had. I held her hands in mine as we faced each other on the dirt. I made her repeat everything three times, ensuring she knew what she needed to do, not willing to risk my baby sister should anything go wrong. Finally exasperated, Kauri pulled her hands free, “ZYRA! I knooooow, gods you need to stop treating me like a young.” I raised a brow] Kauri, remember, there are conse…

[My words were caught off by a whack to the back of my head. I remember seeing Kauri’s smile growing wider as I fell forward, face first into the dirt.]

[zsjudgingyou]

Joining the Council

[Every so often I had the feeling of being followed, yet I had no evidence of such events. It was the voices whispering, telling me I would ‘get what was coming’ that had me looking over my shoulder, causing me to imagine things not to be real. The voices were not wrong, I knew that eventually my deeds would catch up with me, but the way I was going, it would be of my own doing and nothing more. Despite the steady diet of souls and food I scrounged on my travels, I was thinner than ever. Bones protruded from my hips, my arms, my shoulders. I covered myself as much as I could with what I found from various victims, but I had yet to find anyone with legs long like mine.

  Instead I resorted to patching things together and stuck to the cloak of night. I became more discerning with the souls I took, finding those who needed to suffer, and committed my own acts of justice. I was the boogey man people told their children about. ‘Be good little ones or the pale man will come and eat your soul.’ Once my body became too full, I would find consecrated ground and release many of the souls I carried, sending them to their final resting place, then quickly move on before I could be traced. Some chose to stay, clinging to every fiber of my being so they could continue their internal assault. With winter approaching, I knew I should head south but instead I stayed north, wandering through the mountains. The longer nights were a welcome to me. Though the biting cold was unlike anything I had experienced before. No matter the number of layers I wore, the chill reached deep into my bones. Again, I became less choosy about my victims, now was not the time. I needed the souls to keep me going as I trudged through thigh deep snow.

  Smoke billowed from a cabin in the distance and I found myself turning towards it. Smoke meant fire, fire meant warmth, and also meant a soul was likely nearby. A hearty one I hoped. I pushed on through the snow, my clothes were soaked through and the leather wrappings on my feet had long come undone, but it seemed with every step, the cabin only moved further away instead of getting nearer. The moon, which was high when I first spotted the cabin, was now halfway towards the horizon. Numbness took hold, but still I pushed on. Hunched over and letting out a huffed breath with every step. The cold and long journey had rendered me too weak now to use any of my powers. I needed to get to that cabin. Dying was not an option, not yet, I still had plans to exact my revenge on those who attacked me, including Kauri and any others involved. It would just take time, careful planning, after I found out they were alive or not first. First I needed to find a location I could spend more than a night or two. I had to shake the feeling of being watched, of being followed for that to happen first though. The thought of revenge warmed me slightly and I picked up my pace, almost falling over in my rush to get to that cabin.

  Snow began to fall again, stinging my nose and eyes as the wet flakes clung to my already frozen skin. The wind whipped with a renewed frenzy, turning the entire landscape into a blinding white field. No longer could I see the cabin…or anything else for that matter. The struggle was senseless and I realized my folly. If I continued on, I would walk myself into circles and get no where. I saw the faintest shadow of a tree off to my left and turned towards it, nearly slamming into it when it came up quicker than I anticipated. I walked around until I found the spot the wind hit less and crouched down, pulling my tunic over my head and trying to make myself as small as possible. I just needed to wait it out, I was patient, I told myself as I succumbed to the exhaustion that had been chasing me on my journey.

Softness greeted my cheek and the smell of firewood tickled my nose when I yawned and stretched some time later. I cracked my eyes open in confusion to find myself not in the harsh elements of nature, but instead I was laying on a pile of soft fur in front of a crackling fire. I clutched a blanket to me when I realized I was bare and bolted upright, eyes wild as I looked around. A disembodied voice surrounded me, “Be at ease Belial Ruach Zyra, we have much to discuss.” I had heard that voice before, often in fact. But never like this. Normally it was just one of the many voices in my head, the one that calmed me and kept me centered. Instantly, I was on my feet and the shadows had begun to form from my hands as I searched the room in earnest.] Show yourself!

[I barely formed the words before I was thrown back against the rough stone wall by invisible hands. “I said be at ease.” I struggled, but was unable to move even a millimeter from the invisible bonds. My eyes widened as I watched the shadows sliced and evaporated like a wisp of smoke before me and finally stilled my struggle. “That is better, is it not? We have much to discuss and this seemed the most opportune place as I do not wish to be disturbed. If you promise to remain calm, I will release you and you may dress in the warm, dry garments hanging by the fire so you may be comfortable.” I gave a slight nod and let out a breath of relief when the bonds released and I stumbled to the floor. I quickly dressed, appreciating that whoever this was thought to get me clothes that actually fit me, then I took a seat at the small table, still looking around in hopes to see the owner of the voice. “I have been watching you for many years, Zyra. Despite your recent endeavors, I believe you are ready to fulfill your role in serving the Council.” My head whipped up and eyes burned bright] Council? What are you speaking of? Who are you?

[A soft chuff filled the air, “Apologies, I am Egregore. Normally a council member would have come before me, but with your current state, it was unwise.” I gave another small nod and motioned for the voice to continue, which it did. For many hours, I heard tale of the council and what their objective was, how I had been chosen many years before, and a number of other things. I asked questions where I deemed appropriate, but otherwise, I simply took it all in. Food and drink materialized before me, as did a large very old book that I was told to flip through. In it was the council history, including members and the roles each member had. Everything was clearly explained and the final question I had regarded my revenge. Egregore tutted, “You shall not be allowed to hunt them down once you join council, but you may be able to persuade the council to banish them from rising topside.” My lips curved wide] That will be all I need.

[A knock came at the door when those six little words left my mouth. Egregore announced the council and they all filed in without me having to move a muscle. Aeron, the vampire, eyed me suspiciously, Karii, the petite sorceress, was next, her eyes filled with pain as she forced her smile upon me, Murdock, the lycan offered a friendly smile but his eyes told another story. I wondered if they realized how their eyes gave them away so easily. Or maybe only I saw. Egregore popped into my head and chided me to be nice. To which I responded by hanging my head and greeting my new cohorts. Once all introductions were made and the three were brought up to snuff on me, including the first order of business, we ironed out the details to bring before the others on council and then we headed out to Sagle Falls. Adjusting to living among others was tough, but it was even harder to control some of my impulses. Karii helped, creating concoctions for me to tame the darkness and the voices, Murdock let me go on hunts with him, and then I was directed to the sites of fresh deaths to feed and release souls. We looked out for and protected each other, as well as those under our keep in town. ]