Just Checking Up! Part Fifty-Five: An Unexpected Guidance

Silks:

Flipping through the pile of books, something seemed off. A strange book called me, Rip hovering in the far distance. Flicking the cover open, a dark cloud of smoke sucked me into a black and white realm of stone homes. Rip’s panicking voice was the last thing I heard, shadows darting in between the small A-frame style homes. Cursing under my breath, a thick fog crept in. How did bad luck sniff me out? Oh wait, she was my shadow. How could one forget such a fact?

“No, why would anything ever work out?” I grumbled venomously, my brow cocking at the sight of a cloaked figure. Bony fingers clacked together, the scent of a curse pissing me off further. Why did my stupid bum have to open a cursed book, I thought icily to myself. Cutting my palms on the closest stones, carved wood appeared in my eager palms. Rolling them around in my blood, dual scythes crackled to life. Time to fight my way out of this bullshit.

“Time for you to solve the riddle, Silks.” A shrill male voice challenged me, the bony fingers clasping together. “Face the darkness that haunts you and may it not devour you whole! Welcome to the game, your majesty.” Flipping off the cloaked figure, fog whisked him away. A loud thud had me spinning on my heels, Blabbadon rolling to my boots. Kicking him to see if he was real, his thick leather cloak floated up. Sinking down to his level, his appearance meant that he broke the rules of the library. Rolling over with a groan, a loud fuck exploded from his lips.

“Not that I like you in the slightest but I believe we have to work together to get out of this hellhole.” I pointed out simply, his eyes rolling. “After that madness, our fight can continue. What do you say to my weak offer? Refusing will leave you trapped here. Not that it is a terrible outcome, but I can’t be certain you won’t come back. Death tends to be most definite in terms of endings. I need you dead. Do you understand?” Refuting my words, a shrug of my shoulders on my way to my feet shut down a bit of his defiance.

“Why would I work with the one that wants to shut down my damn dream!” He roared thunderously in my direction, no shock coming to my system. “Ending it all will cleanse it, so I can mold it into what I desire.” Waving my hand, a storm brewed to life. Grinning ear to ear, the bastard didn’t get it. The main issue was the skeletal freak, not our differences at the fucking moment.

“Nope, that really doesn’t align with my values. Hard pass from me. One day, your soul will be mine. All warm and cozy in my freaking own. Count on it, bastard.” I shot back jovially, my head tilting up to examine his weak storm clouds. “Someone bit off more than they could chew earlier, your storm feeling a bit soft for my liking. Suck it up, Buttercup. We have three tasks to blow through if you desire to get rid of me.” Flashing him a cruel smirk, a brisk fine escaped his lips. Hoisting himself to his feet, his death glare burned a hole in the back of my head.

“Flamios couldn’t have picked a better carbon copy in the annoying virtue department.” He huffed angrily, his arms folding across his chest. “That idiot would never stop fighting for the little guys. How sickening!” Gritting his teeth, our views would never meet. Chewing on my bottom lip, something had to give.

“Ouch, mean words from someone who is down bad worse than I am.” I taunted him meanly, sarcasm lacing my tone. “Then again, some one would have to change their self obsessed tendencies. Too fucking bad you can’t do that for one afternoon.” A devilish grin threw me off, dread bubbling in my gut.

“Would you take my darkness if a catastrophic ending were to strike me? Do you vow to take it?” He questioned with a twinkle in his eyes, something feeling fishy about his abrupt interrogation. Dropping my arms to my side, the idiot had to know the answer. Spinning on my heels, his face hovered inches from mine. Low growls rumbled in our throats, our claws extending. Smashing them into his raised claws, sparks fluttered in the air with a second clash.

“Not sure what you are getting at but you are fully aware that I vow to house your darkness to spare everyone else from a horrible fate.” I shot back defensively, his hands raising with his cocky grin. Shit, a verbal agreement had been reached. What did this monster have rolling around his head? Narrowing my eyes in his direction, a flick of his wrist revealed uncontrolled electrical burns emphasizing bright white veins. Parting his lips to speak several times, a boom preceding a cloud of dust. Laughing maniacally, his body began to disintegrate into a smoky ash.

“Good luck with my sister and my shadows!” He wheezed darkly, muddy ooze pouring from the corner of his mouth. “Revenge never felt so fucking alleviating. Enjoy the bite of my darkness!” Waving as he became nothing, his soul smashed into mine. That damn leather cloak fluttered to my boots, sheer panic set in. Stumbling into the closest building, a lockable cabinet provided me a bit of shelter. Vision departed from my left eyes, an inky blackness devouring it. The front door burst open, danger keeping me from screaming out in pain.

“Shall I devour you now or later?” The evil version of my voice rang out in my mind, my extended claws digging into the side of my head. “Give in to your shadowy urges. Let them guide you to the end of the world. You are the queen of Hell after all.” Shivering in my spot, splotches covered the memories of my friends smiling. Orange lightning battled my orange flames, emotions battling each other. Intense heat seared my veins, the urge to not scream growing harder.

“The Earth hated you when you did what you had to do to survive. Only a few accept you and yet you want to keep humans alive. Come now, they don’t deserve it! Hell, most demons hate you! The first set of Sins wanted to betray you. How does that not destroy you from the inside?” She continued louder, my patience wearing thin. Going on about something else, claws dragging along the wall kept me alert enough.

“Shut up!” I screamed into my knees, an eerie silence coming over the space as everyone waved to me in my mind. The perfect amount of sunshine flickered in between them, the younger ones smashing into me. Sobbing uncontrollably, the darkness welded onto Flamios’ powers a bit clumsily. Yet the bond wasn't flawless. A blast of black snow hit me in the face, claws dragging me out. Vision returned to my left eye. Hitting her with orange lightning, her body smashed through the furthest wall. Catching my reflection in the ice, a jet black left eye disheartened me. Fighting a wave of grief for my purity, the flecks of gray glittered in a way that irritated me. Popping to my feet, a ragged breath drew from my lips. Ruby claws reached over the debris, a female elemental about my height hoisted herself to her feet. Ruby encrusted boots drew my eyes to the matching cloak, her silky shadowy hair swaying in a menacing manner. Fangs twisted into a sadistic grin, her dark ruby eyes glinting with malice. That dark shadowy body spoke of her blood sister relationship to Blabbadon, a healthy amount of dread writing itself on my features. Cursing under my breath, an endless stream of black cascaded from my new eye.

“No freaking fair, you rotten witch! Why do you fucking get his darkness! That was supposed to be mine, damn it!” She screeched in a bratty tone, a bit of bemusement curling my lips into a cruel smirk. “Too bad you won’t have it for long, your majesty!” Charging at me, her form glitched out. Using my new magical eye, her energy swirled over my head. Claws clashed with my scythes, steam curling into the air with every violent clash. Spinning around each other, our strengths currently match a bit too well for my taste. Something had to give. Bringing my leg behind my head, orange lightning built up around my heel. Slamming it into the ground, a wall of black ice prevented the blow from hitting her. Tying on my new mask, a dig around my bag had one of my new bombs rolling into my eager palm.

“I would love to stay and chat but this woman has to get home to suffer a million panic attacks!” I sang out sarcastically, confusion contorting her features. “Try to withstand the heat of a thousand dragons.” Ripping off the top, a toss behind me woke up the touchy crystals. Sprinting out the building, dragon magic swirled into the tiny space. Crystals began to spark behind me, her coughing pleasing me to no end. Wondering if that was the dark side of me, a scurry behind a thick building provided me the protection I required. Thousands of booms announced the explosions, her body thudding onto the floor. That blasted voice gave me pause, a cloak fluttering paralyzed me in place.

“Time for you to go, Miss Silks.” The guardian hummed delightfully, a pleasant tone unsettling me. “See you never.” Clacking a few bones together, the book’s realm frayed before an icy blast of energy tossed me onto golden sand. Icy waves crashed over me, the will to fight back dying for a moment. Rolling onto my back, salty water stung my wounds after each thrash. Stars twinkled in the sky, an orange moon dotted with inky splotches reminded me of today’s cost. Curling into a ball, Flamios’ smile played out like a movie. Would he be disappointed in me or would he despise me as I existed?

“Silks! My queen, where are you?” Rip called out desperately, tears lining his voice. “Where are you?” Sitting up with a long breath, water splashed as he smashed into me. Spinning me around to face him, his loving gaze lingered on my wet eyes. Unsure of what to say, my lips parted several times.

“Just to think, you couldn’t look more gorgeous! Everyday boggles my mind. Does it hurt?” He queried sweetly, his voice trembling slightly as the book's ashes drifted into the ivory foam. “Shall we go home?” A flurry of apologies flooded from my lips, every breath growing shorter. Silent anxiety dripped off of my chin, his lips kissing my tears away. Holding me until my breathing steadied, his palm cupped my disgusting cheek.

“Don’t ever apologize for what you can’t help. So the plan got pushed up for whoever killed him? Who did it by the way?” He questioned fairly, a shadowy arm draping around my neck tuning out his words. Focusing on the extending claws, clammy sweat beaded on my brow.

“Let him go!” A sadistic tone of my voice urged me sickly, horror rounded my eyes. “No one loves you, including him. Hell, this is merely a pity relationship.” Breathing became a hot commodity, Rip not seeing the arm. Attempting to comfort me from the invisible problem in his eyes, a tremble claimed my body. Vision faded from my left eye, a rough darkness stealing me away.

Stirring awake, the walls of my bedroom greeted me. An inky eyed version of me twitched in the far left corner of the bedroom, a ball of dread forming in my gut. Flipping between terror and annoyance, this emotional limbo nauseated me. Rushing at me, she climbed on top of me. Pinning me down, her claws dug into my chest, her hot breath mingling with mine. Sickening me further, the sulfur smell wasn’t exactly the morning wake-up call I desired.

“Would a mint kill you?” I growled through gritted teeth, her mouth opening to try to get inside my head. “Nope, you are definitely not going there. Get with the program before I force you to! Many scars may be wide open but you do not have permission to waltz on into them. Do you understand?” Glowering in my direction, her brow cocked as she folded her arms across her chest. Leaning back, her boot knocked into my covered foot. Way to throw a fit, I thought bitterly to myself.

“Fine!” She huffed in defeat, her legs crossing over each other. “Allow me to teach you how to use the lightning powers. You went a little nuts with that.” Finding my usual composure, dark magic could be used for good after all.

“Sounds electrifying. I am always down to learn. Let’s get revenge together and rule Hell with a balanced head, yes?” I returned sternly, a cut of my palm intriguing her. “Cut your palm and swear your allegiance to me. One wrong move and we both die. One can assume that is the last you desire.” Slicing open her palm, a firm handshake binding her to my soul. Curling into a ball at my feet, the sight of myself unsettled me. Pressing my lips into a thin line, her depression was mine. Plopping down next to her, her fingers intertwined with mine. Lingering in the moment, matching broken smiles haunted our lips. No longer did she have to feel alone.

“Must you be so compassionate.” She uttered in pure disbelief, her form glitching a couple of times. “Be careful with that or it will be the end of you. See you in the next one, freak.” Glitching one last time, her form disappeared in a flurry of lightning. Rolling onto my back, that side of me was going to be a handful, wasn’t she? Hearing my children downstairs, a gentle smile spread across my lips. Swinging my feet over the edge of my bed, the hem of black tie-dye t-shirt brushed against my knees. Sniffing the cotton, his smell dissolved half of my stress.

Tripping over the door frame, a weakness had me sinking to my knees. A freshened up Rip appeared in front of me, his goofy grin threatening to wake up my heart. Crouching down to my level, his simple black button up shirt and gray trousers had my breath hitching. When did he get a bit more muscular?

“Attaching evil to your soul tends to be draining, my queen. Would you like a ride downstairs?” He offered with a wink, his arms scooping me up. “Everyone was right when they said that you could handle his darkness. Orchid brewed up some tea before leaving to go back to her territory. My heart belongs to you and only you.” Snuggling into his chest, his finger lifted up my chin. Kissing my lips tenderly, time slowed down. Releasing me from his spell, a goofy grin twitched on my lips.

“Nice to see you are still a bit shy. Did I tell you that your new left eye is simply breathtaking?” He flirted shamelessly, his finger dancing up to my lash line. “Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.” Pecking his hand affectionately, his cheeks burned bright red. Mumbling something about spoiling him, his dress boots clicked downstairs. Turning the corner to the living room, all my children cheered up at the sight of me. Our fathers soaked in sight of my new left eye, Dade putting two and two together. Setting me down by him, the bun his hair had been twisted into softened his usually stressed out appearance.

“Who is the new bad guy?” He asked calmly, my hands folding across my lap. “Don’t worry about it. Tell me later if it is too much. Did you tame your dark side with compassion or a threat?” Crashing onto the back of the couch, his cocked brow matched mine. Snorting under my breath, the odd mixture really was something to experience mentally.

“How else do you think I wrangled her in? I didn’t survive years of trauma for a little gnat to bully me into turning into a monster.” I joked lightly, my dark humor causing him to snort loud enough for everyone to pause for a moment. “Nah, the new problem is his sister. What poisons a dark elemental? That is the initial question.” Tapping his chin, his simple gray dress shirt looked nice with his jeans. Leaning onto his knees, curiosity twinkled in his eyes.

“That is something you can ask your new friends. Thank goodness you are alive. I can’t have my daughter pass away before me. Lord knows that a soul as pure as yours could understand that darkness isn’t inherently bad.” He pointed out simply, relief showing on his features. “Isn’t it nice to come home to this?” Nudging his shoulder, both of us knew why I fought hard everyday. The older kids leapt into our arms, any strife taking a back seat. Soaking in their tales, their giggles made all of this effort worth it. Sprinkling a few comments in, their smiles grew bigger with excitement. Clicking on the television, Rip put on a movie while pouring us cups of tea. Zoning out for a minute, new plans had to be formed. Looking on the bright side of my new power up, lightning could strike the same spot more than once with excellent control. Staring out at the pink and the orange of the sunset, the flames of hope burned high within my soul. Come Hell or high water, her bad ending was going to be inevitable. May good luck find us, this new adventure hopefully proving to be electrifying.