A Devil's Cure

On the edge of a forest of low hanging willows, a large carriage trailed behind a dwarf that could have easily been mistaken for a man. His diminished constitution made him look sickly, with only his coal black eyes telling the world that he was still a dwarf. Clutching at the reins of the carriage he pulled it forward as mana pulsed around his fingers, continuing to give him the strength necessary to move the carriage. Sweat poured down his brow and even with the increased redness in his cheeks he never stopped.

He looked out at the forest in front of him, feeling his steps speed up until he was right at the edge. A long trail stretched out before him that entered into the forest, just barely wide enough for the carriage. That was how the forest willed it to be, welcoming to all who have traveled the distance in search of it.

Early morning rays cast down into tree lines, as if trying to obtain but a peek into the mysteries of the forest. Slightly distracted by the view, Crixis was pulled back by vibrations passed through the reins.

“My Love, where are we?” A sweet voice called out from the carriage, one that could melt even the coldest of hearts.

For a second Crixis smiled in response before stopping himself, his reddened face creasing into a frown.

“The Forgotten Forest!” He called back, as he tightened his grip on the reins. He dragged the cart forward, slightly looking back at the tarp covered carriage.

“Oh how wonderful a place, for those that want to be lost and a place for those for something to find. I wonder what you are looking for?”

Crixis ignored her question, as he moved forward, a mist began to settle on the trail covering the entrance and where he was going. He could feel the tinge of magic in the air, and the will behind it.

“What happened to the horses my love?”

“They were eaten.” He said shortly.

“Shame I quite liked them, they were far better company.”

Crixis grunted in reply, not caring if she had heard him. He trained his eyes to the forest, as he felt the pull of magic guiding him. The Forgotten Forest was not a place meant to be taken lightly as much as there were things to be found, there were things that needed to stay lost.

“Do you really think that this journey will save her Crixis, do you really think that this place like any of the others will change what has already happened?”

“I do.” He said, telling her with a conviction with which he almost assumed he had lost.

“I see you have become a better liar than when we first met, I thought we promised we wouldn’t lie to each other?"

“I have made a similar promise before.” He sighed, as he felt the dusty trail begin to change to a soft grass. The mist seemingly dissipated, as Crixis found himself in a secluded enclave of trees. Instead of the willows he had been growing accustomed to, the trees before him were towering far above what he could see. Their leaves rustled along the wind, creating a symphony within the forest's canopy.

“Now whom do we have here?” A voice whispered in Crixis’s ear as he spun around, flames licking his right hand as he found nothing but air. He darted his head from side to side, yet all there was, was the wind and leaves.

“Who's there? Reveal yourself!” Crixis commanded, as he moved toward the carriage, prepared to defend it.

“You should let me out, I’m far more helpful out there with you my love.”

“I will never let you out.” Crixis said coldly.

“You have always failed in protecting that which you love, Crixis, your brother, our son, me. You will fail like you have so many times before.”

“Shut up! I have failed once and only once.” He said, as heard the muffled laughter from within the carriage.

“Your companion’s vile words are almost as bad as the radiating stench you have brought with you.”

The voice returned, its owner stepping out into view from behind a tree. The first thing Crixis looked at were the antler-like horns curled above a head of wavy green hair. A woman stepped into view, her dress a weave of grass and leaves that seemed to be attached to the ground with which she walked over. Her eyes sparkled like green emeralds and a smile graced her lips despite her words.

Crixis froze in front of her as she walked over to him. She towered over him so she bent down cupping his chin as she peered into his eyes. He did nothing to stop her as he felt himself entranced within her eyes.

“Such a poor soul you are, abandoned by the strength of the Earth, betrayed by friends and kin. You have traveled so far for so long only to be empty handed, yet within you strength persists.”

She uncupped his chin and cleaned a tear that had made it down his face without him knowing. Her smile persisted, and it was the most heart warming thing he had seen in years.

“I can already sense your desires my dwarven friend, but tell me why have you ventured into my forest?”

Crixis fell to his knees, letting go of the reins, his hands bloody and raw from holding them for so long. It mattered little as he prostrated himself in front of her.

“I have heard of your abilities my Lady, your command over spirit and nature is second only to the Gods themselves. Please, I beg of you, save her.”

He pressed his face into the ground as he could smell the scent of fresh soil and grass.

Crixis dared not to move an inch.

“Raise your head, I will help you…. for a price.”

Crixis raised his head, his weary face breaking into a grin that seemed too inconsistent with the frown lines that defined his features.

“I’ll pay anything! I haven’t held her in my arms for years! I’ve almost forgotten the touch of her hand and the smile that blooms along her face whenever we had locked eyes.” He continued to kneel but looked her in the eyes, tears threatening to spill.

“Hahaha! How many times have you acted this way? Someone whispers sweet words to you my love, and you lose your pride, it is sickening!” A woman's laughter filled the air, coming from the carriage.

“You are nothing, you have nothing…”

“Silence!” The Lady of the Forgotten Forest demanded. She didn’t scream, but it felt as much as her mana descended on the carriage. Even if not directed at him, Crixis felt himself unable to breathe, a suffocating pressure that strained his lungs.

Then it dissipated as soon as it began, and the carriage became still. The Lady of the Forgotten Forest looked down at Crixis, giving a smile that had to suffice for an apology.

“My lady, thank you.” He said.

“You may call me Lady Erinth, would you do me that favor?” Lady Erinth asked, as Crixis gave a small nod.

A genuine smile bloomed on her face once again, as she walked carefully around him, her shadow looming over his own as her body was caught by the morning rays. For a minute she walked around him, any secret, any thought Crixis had, he knew was laid bare before her eyes.

“I have determined what the price shall be, show me your right hand.”

Without hesitation, Crixis brought up his right hand before Lady Erinth, prepared to give her his hand if that is what she desired.

All kinds of tolls were taken by mages, a hand was not too hefty a price compared to what others had asked of him.

Lady Erinth’s long slender fingers reached out to his hand, and he braced for the pain, gritting his teeth. One hand braced his wrist, as he struggled not to employ any mana in self defense. Instead of a tearing sound, he felt something far more precious leave his body.

Holding it up to the light, Lady Ernith held a small golden ring. It held no special engraving or gems yet Crixis felt as if he had been kicked by a horse. The price for help was far worse than Crixis had prepared himself for. He remained silent, biting his tongue to not saying anything.

“Let us begin.” Lady Erinth said, as waves of mana gushed out from her as she waved her hand towards the carriage. Instantly the tarp flew off, revealing the what laid underneath.

Thick metal bars covered what should have been the windows, with runic inscriptions drawn over them, spreading across the entirety of the carriage. Bright blood red eyes glowed in the shadows of the carriage as Lady Erinth flicked her hand again and the top half of the carriage was torn off.

Making a clutching motion, what seemed like a woman was torn out from the carriage, held up to the brightness of the morning. She had long ears with curly black hair that cascaded down her shoulders. Onyx goat-like horns protruded from her head and her eyes glowed crimson.

“Witch! Filth! Let me go!” The woman screamed, as she let out a demented howl.

“You will leave this woman demon! You have little choice in the matter!” Lady Ernith commanded, mana flaring wildly as it formed illusionary hooks that pierced into the woman. Yet they did not harm her flesh, but something else as a black mass seemed to be ripped out of her. The woman wailed, as she cried out to Crixis to make the pain stop. She questioned his love for her, she cursed and hissed yet Crixis ignored her. Slowly it was drawn out, but then it stopped.

The demon howled with laughter, her eyes blazing with contempt.

“You cannot force me out so easily, this body was freely given!”

Lady Erinth's eyes went wide, as she cast a saddened gaze over at Crixis.

“What is your price demon?” Lady Erinth spat, “There must be something that will make you leave this body.

The demon formed a twisted grin, “I wish to have my will enacted,” she cast a side glance at Crixis, “and I would want his body to do so.”

“Very well.” Crixis agreed immediately, as Lady Ernith stared at Crixis.

“Does your yearning for her truly extend that far?” She asked.

“My desire for her has transcended the farthest stars, the deepest oceans, and the tallest mountains. I have traversed this continent in search of a cure. I have seen more blood than I have desired, do not question how far I would go.” Crixis said, his eyes blazing with a vigor.

“Very well.” Lady Enrith said, as she let go of her hold of the demon who was gently lowered to the ground. A smile persisted on its face, and for a second Crixis wondered if this is what it had desired all along.

Crixis looked at the warped appearance of the woman he loved as the demon walked up to him, and offered its hand. There was no magic necessary than this, as Crixis took the hand. The demon's grip was tight, making the wounds on his hands burn.

Immediately black smoke flowed out of the demon's body, crawling its way into Crixis. He could feel its heinous laughter wiggling around in his head and his body slowly losing strength. He stared down at his only love, her appearance having turned to normal. The horns receded and her hair returned to the rich auburn color he had fallen in love with. Her eyes were closed in a restful slumber that filled his heart with a joy he hadn’t felt in ages.

“No witch! You have no power in this.” A voice came out Crixis's mouth that he had no control over as his eyes moved over on their own to Lady Ernith who pulsed with mana. Her own mana being poured into his body as he felt the presence in his mind recede into the background. Her face was grim, it seemed as if she fought a battle Crixis could only barely perceive.

Soon the shackle that held his body was released as cries of frustration sounded out in his mind. They sounded more like background noise than anything else.

“That will not hold him forever, he will slowly worm his way back in like the parasite he is. When that happens you must return.” She said, but he didn’t care about that right now as he was already kneeling against the ground. He raised a tentative hand toward the woman on the ground, brushing away a piece of hair on her forehead.

Her eyes fluttered, they were a gorgeous blue that in Crixis’s own opinion put the sky to shame.

“Crixis?” Confused eyes met his own as he let the tears he had been holding for so long fall across his face. He barreled into her, wrapping her in his arms as he felt her nestle into him. They stayed like that, until he felt her move under his grasp as she looked up at him. Tears flowed down her face as he gave her a kiss more passionate than he had ever mustered. Her lips were soft and better than he had ever remembered. He held the side of her cheek, as she embraced his touch.

“Welcome back Amelia.” He said with a smile.