"We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality."

-Iris Murdoch
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Adeline

I spit out several leaves before falling onto thick grass, I can feel where several branches cut me too deep on my arms and face. You would think that having new claws would help break away some of the branches but these things are useless.

Only to you they seem weak, the strength is mine remember. You should have asked for help. I snort, I don’t need her help, I’m free now and besides I didn’t want to know what else would start to grow if I asked for anything else.

I stand from the not so very green grass and dust off the few stray leaves and twigs from my jeans. Bastet won’t be able to come through, the crystal is like a key, the crystal!

I search the ground for the clear crystal, I can’t lose it, I can’t. I fall to my knees frantically searching for the very small object, it’s gone. How could I have lost it, I had it in my hands, it was here and now…I won’t be able to get back. How am I going to get back?

“You must be the one then.” I turn around but find no one there.

“Who’s there?” There was no sun here, no light for me to see.

“The cat, she said it would be a girl with fiery blue eyes. That is, you, is it not.”

I searched for the voice again, it had to be the warlock who spoke. “And are you the one she spoke about, the warlock that knows where Lilith is.”
His rather loud throaty laugh makes me search harder for him. I wanted to put a face to the person who would help me and I had to admit curiosity was nagging at me from all sides.

“You humans are so very enchanting. I can see why Death has you in his clutches.” He said, only to stop briefly. I knew where this was going, something about me being his property. “Does he know you are here little Halfling.”

“I do not belong to him. I am my own person so please can we do what we came here to do.” I was ready to not be uttered in the same sentence as Death and property.

“As you wish.” From my right a man seems to glide toward me, he radiates his own light that comes from nowhere in particular. I can tell he has no problem showing what he truly looks like, his dark skin is tinted with accents of red and gold. His eyes are nothing but two black orbs, they match the two small horns that protrude from his skull. From the looks of his features you would have thought his clothes would have been just as fierce but they were indeed not. He had on a dark cloak with a shirt that was left unbuttoned to show off his sculpted skin. His many pendants and necklaces swayed with the rhythm of his hips as he walked closer.

“Are you impressed?” He said.

That’s highly an understatement, I was astounded. I thought I had seen it all but it seems I haven’t. “My name is Adeline, if you didn’t already know that.”

He bends slightly forward, “It is wonderful to put you, Adeline. My name is Ulsif, the great and ultimately warlock, if you didn't already that."

I clear my throat of the imaginary blockage before speaking, “Why have you chosen this place to meet? It was very hard to get in.”

“Oh, but you are here, so no worries but I might ask where is the demon cat.” He reaches up to stroke his horn, I quickly avert my gaze before I ogle.

“When we were trying to get through, I sort of got stuck and it only took me inside the gate.” I was still confused and freaked out about that.

He slowly paces, rubbing his horns as if in deep thought, “You used the crystal from the guardian, yes.”

“Yes.”

He claps his hands, startling me. “Then I cannot see what you did wrong. Nevertheless, we must continue what you came here for.”

“Yes, of course.” I would have been way more comfortable if Bast were here but this was my idea. I was the one who wanted this not her.

“Come, this way. We must get away from the gate. Soon it will be swarming with fey guards and I do not feel like getting blood on my new cloak.”

I would not argue with that statement, he had a point also, what happened to the guard outside will stir plenty of attention already.

“Aren’t you curious about the guard outside?” That was stupid of me to say, of course he didn’t care.

His short laugh of amusement was note of that, “They do not concern me although I do enjoy myself here. The fey do know how to make things worth your wild.”

“So where are we going?” I didn’t want to walk aimlessly around with him, not because he scared me but because I wanted to get this over with. I was tired and I wanted to go home, to my family. I observe my black sharp nails, these had to be gone before I go back.

Too focused on my nails I didn’t realize a light now cascading down from the night sky. I shield my eyes from the bright white light of their moon, at least I think it’s a moon. Where I am from the moon doesn’t look like that, this one sits up in the sky but it’s so close I can see the dark craters that form and the shadows they cast. It is as bright as our sun, only its light is pure white, it makes everything around me appear just as magical. Now that my eyes have adjusted to the light, I can make out the trees and bushes that surround us.

We travel along a smooth path, etched out of the earth to walk freely upon. I glimpse into the forest, only seeing what is not cast in shadows but what the moon allows me to see as its light casts down through the many foliage from above. I am about to turn away when I see something, it sits on a branch with large blue eyes like my own. A small noise escapes it and I find myself straying from the path. Its eyes are so magical so bright with wonder that I want to see all of it. I make it just enough to see the red and pinkish hues of its feathers. Some are flecked with gold and others sit plain with red but a deep red like the color of roses. As it captures my movements its head swivels toward me in question. With a flap of its wings it moves to another branch this time closer to where I stand.

“How beautiful?” I whisper, completely captivated by the creature.

I reach up, wanting to touch its soft feathers but it does not move to greet me. With a small hoot, it breaks through the many leaves to catch the slight wind and fly off.

“It’s a blood owl.”

I gasp loudly, clenching my chest as I turn to find Ulsif standing close behind me, “What?” I was so scared I didn’t even hear what he said.

“The creature, was a blood owl.” He talks much slower, as if I were unable to comprehend.

“It was beautiful.” I mutter, he obviously didn’t care much for sightseeing.

He smiles, only one side of his face lifts to form an indent into his cheek, “They are very beautiful, as they are delicious.”

It was disturbing, “You eat them.” Something as beautiful as that bird should be kept left alone and protected.

“Oh, yes. You see blood owls are unique, one drop of their blood and you wouldn’t have to eat for days. I am quite disappointed I didn’t catch it in time, we could have had a meal before we went on.” He juts out his bottom lip as if having a tantrum.

“Maybe we should keep going.” I dance around him, not wanting to touch him in any way.

Not two steps away does he grab my arm, “If you want to live in a place like this Miss Adeline, you best not stray from the path. Understood.” His voice was low, harsh as he whispered in my ear.

I look behind me, meeting his gaze over my shoulder, “I don’t appreciate being touched,” I move away from his grip and take a step back. “And I understand completely.”

“Good, let us push on then.” He pushes past me, following the same trail again. “May I ask Halfling; why do you wish to see Lilith?”

I would have thought Bastet would have told him why. “I want her to remove the demon, the succubus that Death put there.” It was the talk it seems of the century for demons and other kinds of weird otherworldly creatures. I couldn’t see why it interested them so much.

“Ah, yes. I do recall the demon cat mentioned something of the sort. I am afraid though it will not be easy, certain obstacles are just too great even for someone as powerful as Lilith.”

“I don’t understand where you’re going with this.” For someone as devoted to Lilith as him had doubts of her power. That was very discouraging.

He laughs softly, turning to me with a smile, “Do not get me wrong, she will try to help you but I assure you she will need more power to undo what has been done to you. For starters, you are not in her domain. You belong to Death; he has a hold on you that is binding. Something as great as that is very hard to break, I only know of one thing that can possess the power to do what you ask.”

This time it’s me who grabs ahold of his arm, “What is it? I don’t want to go to Lilith unprepared. If you’re sure she will require something to help her then I have to get it.” I will not walk up to her door with nothing but a request only to be shot down because I don’t have what is needed to help me.

“Such strong devotion to your human body, usually humans ask for more power, you dislike such strength.” One by one he releases each finger from his arm to gently push it away.
I hide my claws, knowing I ripped his new cloak, “Not every human is how you perceive them. We aren’t a bunch of animals, however there are some that have half a brain and no common sense but there’s always a flaw in each race. Can’t you agree to that.” No one was perfect, I was certainly not neither was my family but we are who we are there’s no changing that.

“I see your point Halfling, that is why I will tell you what is required.” He said, a slow smile spreads across his face resembling the Cheshire cat.

“Why do I feel like you are sending me to my death?”

He opens his eyes wide then bursts into laughter, he grabs at his chest as if in pain but its far from that. “Oh. Oh, you are something.” He laughs again, this time a low chuckle that causes tears.

I cross my arms, not liking him laughing at me for no apparent reason. “Well, what’s so damn funny?” My voice was raised; I have to admit I was really irritated.

He clears his throat, becoming somewhat serious as he looks at me. A smile still lingers on his lips and it remains there as he wipes away the tears from his eyes. “You see the reason for such an outburst is due to the fact that I am indeed sending you to your Death. Not in the sense that you are going to die but to your favorite person.”

I could see now why that would be just so funny to someone like him. Even if I wanted nothing to do with him everything seemed to go back to him. “Why?” I gritted out. There had to be another way, I couldn’t go near him not now, I was so close to getting what I wanted.

His Cheshire grin grows as he stares down at me, “There is a problem, I can practically smell your anxiety. What is it, that it prevents you from getting what you want?”

I avert my gaze, kicking the dirt around with my shoe. “I don’t want him to try and stop me or worse keep me from doing what I want.”

“Hmm, there’s something else. Come on, spit it out Halfling.” He’s like a bantering old grandma, wanting the daily gossip from the neighbors.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There isn’t anything else.”

There was, I knew there was but he didn’t need to know because if I told anyone it would be true. And if it was true I would be faced with the fact that I hate myself for it. Because it’s not true, it’s not and I will tell myself over and over again until it is ingrained into my thick skull.

“You’ve grown attached, haven’t you?” He whispers as if someone is around us to hear.

“WHAT! No, that’s totally insane, where would you get such an idea?” The questions there, in my head and now it wants to be answered. No, the answers no damn you. I don’t like him, want him, attached to him.

There’s no cause for it, just because he wanted to kiss me doesn’t mean anything. We have kissed and you know what it wasn’t that great either.

“The idea, that is written all over your face.” I shake my head wildly all the while he claps his hands in victory. “Does the demon cat know?” I just stare wide eyed at him, I had nothing to say. “Oo, she doesn’t. Am I the only one who knows?” He studies my face searching for his answers. “I am!” He shouts loudly in sere triumphant.

“Just throw it all on me at once, I can take it.” I don’t answer. He folds his arms, a frown replacing his smile.

“Out with it Halfling, the only way to move past anything is to speak.” I could barely tell myself anything.

How could I possibly tell him what goes on in this head of mine?

“You are stalling. My pleasures in life are the secrets of others, your silence only tempts me to conjure more out of you.” His eagerness to know was unsettling but a part of me wanted to tell him, everything that’s been bottled away for the past couple of days since we last saw each other.

“He’s tried to kiss me and at the time I don’t think I would have minded it.” I said it, that small feeling that’s been bothering me. And it’s not only that, what Sov said nagged at me as well.
I watch as Ulsif’s eyes grow with intrigue. “At the time, are you sure because I can assure you no one’s eyes glow for just any reason but when they do, they feel a deep emotion inside their small body. And you my dear have your headlights on.”

I turn away, hiding the blush from my cheeks. There was no reason to feel this way. I had one issue here and that was getting to Lilith.

You should not trust him with such information. I do not know of him and neither do you. Small goosebumps raise on my arms from the intensity of her voice. She however had a point, I do not know who he was only what Bast told me of him. Why he was helping me, I have no idea? Be careful is all I ask of you. She said as she slowly slipped away from me before I could reply.

“We should be going, don’t you think. To find whatever is needed for Lilith to change me.” He said Death had this object, if I were to go get it no one would really question why I was there.

“Yes, of course. We can stop here and I will send you to Death’s palace. When you arrive, you will be presented somewhere inside I cannot guarantee that you will arrive safely but you will be inside. Now the most important part is you look for a painting, the rumors are that he keeps a hidden vault full of his treasures and precious heirlooms. The painting is of an Angel falling to be taken by demons with black inky wings. It is not hard to miss; Death is very much into clichés.”

Right, Bast had mentioned he was an Angel before, I still don’t quite believe it though. “Isn’t there like a key or something to get inside. And if this is on nothing but rumors what if it isn’t even there and I’m going in completely blind.” I understood this is because of what I want but he can’t just send me somewhere and tell me something is there when it might not even exist.

He crosses his arms with a smirk, “Then you must get creative. Are you ready or not?”

I didn’t bother asking him what he meant by that because I had an idea in what that might be. So I held my chin high not showing a single drop of fear and nodded my head for him to begin.

“Perfect.” He raises his hands, mumbling softly to the air. It appears to be nothing, if anyone didn’t believe what he was they would simply think he’s insane. But when his fingers start to crackle with small lights of gold, I know it’s not fake. The small lightning looking bolts shoot forward from his fingers forming nothing but a small storm in the middle of the walkway. His eyes then become bright with the gold light, it leaks from them like water only they do not travel with the loud golden storm in front of us. He extends his right hand toward the mass, lifting the left high up in the air, when they get farther apart from each other he quickly brings them down in a clap of thunder. It sends sparks flying and in one quick motion forms a circular doorway with small waves of light coming through.

“That’s amazing.” Seeing Death and Bast form portals is nothing like what he did, they can snap their fingers and form it but what he did was an art form that was surprisingly beautiful.

“Thank you. Now when you go through it will be unlike when you walk with Bast, you will not fall but walk. If I have this correctly, you will walk onto solid ground but if you do not simply fall do not try to walk back into the portal. Understand.”

I nod my head, “Don’t walk back in, just keep going. Got it. How will I get out of there?”

He smiles weakly, “That is really the only problem, you must find a way out. I am unable to find you once you are inside because of his wards placed on his palace. Though I am confident you will find a way Halfling.”

I breath out heavily, “Alright, I guess I’ll see you when this is over.”

“One more thing, if you do not find what it is you need, do not bother come finding me. No one will be able to help after this.”

How encouraging, “Um, right.” I’m about to walk inside when I remember the most important part. "What the hell does this thing look like by the way?”

“It will find you.” He pushes me forward before I can stop him.

••••••••••••••

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