BRONZE

“A moment, please,” Demesne called out to the driver of the limo that was waiting outside for her. She continued applying her makeup, though she did not need it. Demesne wore a formal black dress embellished with sequins that suited her lovely figure perfectly; her wheatish skin complimented her jade green eyes and a pearl necklace enhanced her amazing features. She started to apply an autumn red lipstick, when suddenly she heard a smooth, sweet voice, “Demesne where are your manners? Keeping the driver waiting for so long? I thought better of you, honestly.” 

Demesne’s eyes widened in surprise, her heart nearly stopped, and she gasped. It was a voice she knew very well, though she had not heard it for a long while. She turned back to face the person who possessed the voice, the person she knew so well.

“Hello Demena, how-how unexpected,” she said.

“Well, you know me, darling. I’m always what did you say - yes unexpected,” replied Demena.

“Madame, sorry to disturb you, but we’re getting late.” The driver looked in awe at the two very beautiful women he saw before him. They looked identical!

“I’m very sorry for keeping you so long,. You have my sincerest of apologies; tonight, you will escort me and my sister D—,” started Demesne but was cut off by Demena.

“Xalinia, that’s my name,” she said to the driver flashing him a big, bright smile, then turned to Demesne and pretended to start a hearty chat.

“Why didn’t you let me tell him your name,” Demesne whispered.

“It’s a dangerous world, dear, that’s why; you’d be surprised at what goes on and around,” whispered back Demena.

Demesne groaned. She could never get a straight answer out of her older sister. She was frustrated and she showed it by groaning again, but louder.

“Madame, where am I to take you?”asked the driver.

Demesne suddenly snapped out of her frustration. “Huh?” she said, confused, then said, “Oh, to the awards banquet at the country club at—” Demesne suddenly screamed as the limo flipped and on the other street a car crashed and exploded in a ball of fire. The glass broke and pierced Demesne’s skin. Demesne screamed louder. Then she noticed it. A tall black figure moving through the flames and chaos as though it was a walk in the park or something he did every day. He must have spotted her as well, for he started to move towards her and Demena. Demena had also seen him as she softly whispered, “It can’t be,” in a terrified voice. The man was moving closer and closer.

Demena screamed, ”Mostemorphorde,” and she disappeared taking only Demesne with her.

         *******************

Demesne finally woke up.

“Mmm …” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “Morning,” she said yawning. Then she remembered the previous night’s events, grew alert and asked,

“Hey, who was that man?”

“No one important,” Demena answered.

Demesne groaned and sighed. She could never get a straight answer out of her sister. Demena was a woman of many secrets who trusted no one, not even her sister; at that time, it seemed to Demesne that she trusted no one, especially her sister.

“I guess he’s not important. He did nothing valid or of interest except try to kill us and everyone in Silver Spring,” said Demesne sarcastically.

“I totally agree with you, Demesne. Now, turning to more important matters, what do you want for breakfast?” inquired Demena with utmost sincerity.

Demesne groaned again.

“Can’t I ever get a straight answer out of you, Demena? Can’t you ever just trust me with some information?” Demesne asked Demena.

“Of course not. Now, is porridge fine?” asked Demena.

Demesne groaned for the third time. Her sister could be so annoying! She turned to her sister who was pointing a finger to the pan which was magically cooking a creamy and delicious looking porridge.

“I see you’re still practising magic,” said Demesne and under Demena’s glare quickly added, “and yes, porridge is perfectly fine.”

“And I see you have completely lost your wits in times of danger. I mean, you could have saved yourself, but you didn’t, and that too when Venderr Bl—” Demena stopped herself suddenly.

“Aha! So this man is important, isn’t he! And his name is Venderr, is it not?” Demesne said jeeringly.

Demena kept quiet. At long last she spoke. “Demesne, listen and listen well for I am not going to repeat these words. Ever.”

Demesne eagerly listened. Demena started: “Venderr Bloodfest is, as his name suggests, a bloodthirsty man - no, beast. Long before you and I were even born, a council of the one hundred and eighty best wizards and witches, one from each country, was established. This council more or less governed the world. Their power was unimaginable. But even their power could not make them immortal. After the first council, a new council came. This council thought they needed a leader and so each of them fought against one another in a duel. The winner was the leader. Over time, the council had new ideas and the last reduced the number of council members to seven. The council consisted of the following members: Venderr Bloodfest, Vindatir Strilltame, Cyril Pathomanne, Xalinia Lomanneder, Delancy Beaurvinstorm, Xavier Starling and Demena Magicstone,” said Demena and continued ignoring Demesne’s bewildered expression, lost in her own thoughts, “All the council members got along well and Venderr was the leader, but one day Venderr, he - he changed. During a council meeting, while discussing what to do with the outlaws we had caught the other day, he suggested we torture and then kill them and imprison their souls for eternity. At first, we ignored this outrageous suggestion, but it was the first of many to come. Naturally, this was um … not right. The other council members told him that he must step down from his position and elected me as their leader. The power that came from the ancient members before us came to me and he was left powerless, at least against me. Outraged, he murdered all the other members, imprisoned their souls, and now only I remain,” concluded Demena.

Whoa, thought Demesne, and then asked, “If you’re so powerful, why don’t you just kill him and get it over with?”

Demena glared at Demesne then said, “If it were only that simple. You see, when my colleagues died their souls did not have permission to move on which left a considerable amount of power I couldn’t have. Besides, Venderr is not threatening me, he is threatening the world. Everything that you and I care about. He will destroy all of it.

Demesne thought silently, then made a request,

“Let me help you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Let me help you take down Venderr.”

“And why would I let you do that?”

“I am not asking for your permission, I’m helping you whether you like it or not.”

“Eat your porridge.”

“Ugghh!”

Suddenly they heard a loud crash.

“He is here,” said Demena in a deathly whisper.

And so he was. Venderr had a pale face and a scar ran across his eye and another across his left cheek. His eyes were black and showed pure hatred. He was tall, muscular and had dark hair and wore a long, grey coat and black trousers. He was most certainly strong.

He charged at Demena.

“Werminthord!” he yelled and the whole place erupted in fire.

“Aquihydrole!” Demena cast a spell so that water came all around her.

Venderr threw an angry glare at her. Demesne watched. Then suddenly Demena smiled.

“Morphdesmorge,” she said and the whole area was surrounded by snakes who awaited her command.

“Kill him,” she ordered and all the snakes charged on Venderr. Venderr took out his sword and pulverized each snake.

“Is that the best you’ve got?” he spat.

“No. This is!” came a voice from behind him.

Venderr turned around to see Demena behind him holding a blade laced with poison.

“Sorry, old friend,” she said with a bittersweet smile and stabbed him. Venderr’s body started rotting till there was nothing left but dust. Souls left with him, souls that he had imprisoned for a long time, souls that he had had no right to keep.

“Well, that was easier than I thought,” said Demena.

“Easy? I nearly died pretending to be you while you snuck up behind him.” said Demesne.

Both of them laughed. It was not funny, not in the least, but both of them felt that they had to laugh to release the tension. “So, what now?” asked Demesne.

“Now? Now we re-establish the council, govern the world, do a bunch of other stuff, but first we are going to have our breakfast. Oh, no; it’s gone cold!” finished Demena, pouting.

Demesne laughed than realized something, “Wait did you say - we?” she asked.

“Well … yes. I don’t suppose you would prefer going on with your normal life as a celebrity or whatever you were before I dragged you into all this drama. By the way, porridge is ready. Never try to save the world on an empty stomach, this I say from experience,” said Demena.

Demesne laughed and smiled eating her porridge, loving the answer that Demena had given her. She was beyond happy. No more secrets between her and Demena. They were going to be together and were going to trust each other. Life would be exciting and perfect.