A Quiet Discord

The sky was white, like a fluffy blanket over the horizon. No chirping. Erica rose to her knees, which were covered in roses. They too were as white as bones. They smelled of honey. She picked one up and felt their long, curved petals. Her finger slid off them.

The wind started picking up and the horizon seemed to expand. She saw that ahead, more roses of white stretched far beyond. She was alone. Her hair, now to the back of her shoulders, stretched angelic in front of her face. The petals started swirling around her, then flowed to a set direction. They seemed to usher her to follow, which she did.

She walked for what seemed like hours, just following the trail of flora. She glanced over a ravine. The breezes echoed loudly. The petals flowed into it, so did she. As she did, she began hearing voices.

"*d. I ** soy ***"

They were first mumbles. As she scaled below, sand pouring from the edges where she stepped, they became louder.

"We... really..."

The path started becoming more narrow. Erica glanced up top; the sky was now sandwiched between the fissure she had entered. She continued her descent.

"Is that why you came?"

That last line caught her attention. She hastened. Small petals became hand-sized rocks that fell below. Her feet searched for another ledge to hold on but caught empty air. She fell and opened her mouth to scream. Nothing came. A silent despair as the noise became louder.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not! I-I kill—"

"Don't say that!"

Her drop halted. Below was only darkness, a little light seeping in from above. She continued to follow the voice, knowing too well where it came from. Her walk became a sprint.

"But I... why? Why do this for me?"

Light started appearing ahead. Her footsteps echoed, her breath panted, her hair swayed, growing longer.

"It's because I..."

She saw an opening. A chance. She reached her hand.

"I hate you."

Fire. Just flames with shadows everywhere. The figure stood with his sword jabbed into someone's throat. He thrust his blade; the body slipped off like butter. His gaze was cold.

He finally noticed her.

"Erica."

His eyes bled black. He strode to her.

"I wanted to save you for last."

She stumbled to the floor. Tried to crawl away. Although she could hear her pattered breath, she couldn't speak, as if someone held her mouth closed.

The figure now stood atop her. Their sword was coated in red. He pressed it closer, then closer. She closed her eyes and felt a jab in her stomach.

Erica: "NEIL!"

***

She awoke, perspiration staining the bedding she was cooped up on. One hand held her pillow while the other pressed against her belly where she felt a lump. It slightly moved at her touch, then disappeared.

Erica: "Where am I?"

Erica was in a quiet room. Oak made up the walls, hand-woven wool the floor, and steps echoed toward her room. The door swung open, revealing a woman around her age with an enchanting smile.

Woman: "Oh, you're okay."

She leaned in to give Erica a hug, which she froze at.

Erica: "Um... thanks?"

Her senses told her it was a trap. She quickly looked past the woman's bright blue dress and long blonde hair, tied in a ponytail. The window was visibly weak, enough for her to break open. The door, although seemingly sturdy, gave a creak when opened, signaling a flaw in design. She could escape. She could survive.

Woman: "I'm so sorry. You must be wondering how you got here."

The woman let go of her embrace in embarrassment and walked to where a stool was. She sat on it and gave Erica a flustered look through her blue eyes.

Flux: "You see, my name is Flux. On my family's trip to find food, we found you in the middle of what looked to be a battle."

Erica: (That checks out.)

Flux: "So, despite my dad's wishes, I brought you here and healed you up."

Erica: "How many days has it been?"

Flux: "Almost two weeks."

Erica's eyes dilated. She instinctively felt for her sigils.

Erica: "What?! How?! And this entire time I was here?"

Flux blinked twice.

Flux: "...Um, I guess it was a bit weird you not waking up, but I got used to it."

Erica stood from her bed and got to her feet. She felt okay. Fine, in fact—more energized. She felt for any scars, any marks of pain, but found none. She looked at a mirror across from her and saw her reflection, blowing a sigh of relief. Her skin was its normal pale glow. She still harbored the burn mark Ernest gave her on her neck, and scanning her forehead, she saw two small horns coming through.

Erica: (Impossible. I'm a fugitive. How could I have survived detection in my sleep for almost two weeks? Unless...)

"Oh, and your pursuers? I'll take care of them."

Erica: (Azazel. What did he do?)

Erica saw an amused look from Flux as she worked out her next plan.

Erica: "My bad. I'm a bit..."

Flux: "Conflicted?"

Erica: "...Yes. I don't know how to thank you. But you must have realized I'm not human."

Flux tilted her head.

Flux: "Really? What about your sigils?"

Erica: (Damn, I forgot.)

Erica had a good reason to fret. You see, people with sigil abilities, also known as "Castors," are almost exclusively human. Legends say that millions of years ago, when creatures of all roamed, humans were the weakest and most fragile. They couldn't compete with other races' superior strength, intelligence, and even powers.

Thus, as the legends go, the gods pitied them and gave them sigils to call their own. They embodied powers of earth, fire, air, and water—elements that the gods used to create the universe themselves. After this gift, humans slowly started flourishing.

Flux: "So if you're not human, then what are you?"

Erica: (Should I lie...?) "A demon."

Flux's bright eyes gleamed even more. She closed the distance between them and held her hands.

Flux: "Oh, yes, yes, yes! I knew it. I've been dying to meet your kind! Those horns, those eyes, and oh my god, those teeth!"

Erica: (Teeth?)

Erica looked at the mirror once more. Her teeth had grown into fangs.

Erica: (Great...)

Flux: "Tell me, is it true you guys can possess people, shapeshift, even fly?"

Erica: "Well..."

"Flux, dinner's ready!"

The voice came from past the open door.

Flux: "Hey, I've got an awesome idea. Come meet my family. I'm sure they'll be dying to get to know you."

Erica: "I... can't."

Flux: "Why not? You at least owe them that much for allowing me to keep you."

Erica: "I... guess."

Flux sensed Erica's hesitation. She gestured a concerned hand at Erica's shoulders.

Flux: "You know, I see something in your eyes. It's dark, a bit scary. Even in your sleep, I hear words and phrases I think hold you tight."

Erica cringed.

Flux: "But I also see hope. I don't know your past, but I know you aren't a bad person. Something tells me you think you are. You scan the area. You want to leave—not from fear of being caught, but to be free of hurting others."

Erica paused.

Erica: "How are you so sure?"

Flux winked.

Flux: "How about this, miss demon? First, tell me your name and meet my family. I'm sure then the answer will be clear."

Erica nodded. As Flux went ahead, calling out, Erica followed but stopped at the door. She gazed once more at the window. It was fragile. It was weak. She could leave. Why risk it again?

Flux (distant): "Hey, everyone's waiting!"

Erica: "...Sorry."

Erica bolted the door shut and slammed through the window. She ran as fast as she could over the forest floor. Although tears stained her vision, she couldn't stop moving. Trees that stretched on forever started surrounding her. Behind her, she could see Flux's blonde hair in the distance. She didn't need to be close to know there was sadness in her eyes.

Erica: "I'm sorry!"

The forest started unraveling, and she spotted a clearing where rain now fell.

Erica: "I just can't!"

The clearing came into view, and she was met with a sight she never wanted to see. Covered in drops of rain lay hills of bodies spread across the horizon. Their faces were scraped off, their limbs ripped into unnatural positions, their skin drained of blood and swirling with flies overhead.

Erica: "Where am I?"

Flux: "This is hell."

Flux walked behind her with figures she had never met before.

Erica skidded away from them and halted when her sandals almost touched a corpse. She snapped sigils over her feet.

Erica: "What is the meaning of this?!"

Flux started to scratch her head.

Flux: "Didn't I tell you already? This is hell, meaning you died. And like I said, for almost two weeks now."