WormWood

The Devils Bargain

*Trigger Warning. Suicide mentioned*

One hundred years ago..

“Dorian, come help me with mother please!” My father yelled to me. “Coming father!” I rushed up the stairs to help. For the last five years now, my mother has been battling an illness that seemingly came out of no where. It all started with fainting episodes. Soon after her hands started shaking, she lost control of her lower half. She hasn't walked in years. On top of that, she's constantly sick and the pain she suffers is nearly unbearable.

I made it to my parents' room where my father was settling my mother back into bed. "Grab the medicine, it's on the dresser, just there." My father said, pointing to the green bottle. I grabbed it and took it over to administer the medicine to my mother. My father let out a sigh, “Dorian, I’ll be leaving for a few days. I’ve got a lead on a cure for your mother. I expect you to take charge in my absence.” I nodded, I'd been taking charge every so often when my father would leave in search of a healer or witch. He's been all over Elden looking for a magical herb or spell to cure her of her ailments.

"Isabelle said she'd look after your mother while you focus on the kingdom. Remember to be kind and helpful to the people." I nodded my head in understanding. "Of course father, I'll try my best." It was hard for me to listen to the complaints of those in the kingdom demanding things from us when my mother was ill. It only irked me that they weren't more considerate, the people of Wormwood seemed to walk all over me demanding I pay them out for their contributions to the kingdom when my father had already paid them handsomely. If it was my father in front of them, they would never make such demands.

I felt belittled by the people here. I wasn't respected as the Prince and it only made me worry that I wouldn't be respected once I became king. My mother and father are such kindhearted and goodwilled people. I'm surprised they've never been walked over.

Isabelle walked into the room, "King Redmond, you summoned me?" my father nodded. "Isabella, how many times have I told you to disregard our titles? You're practically family to us." she nodded in discomfort. "I know, it's just if I start to disregard titles others might start to do so as well. I wouldn't want you to be disrespected." she smiled graciously. My father nodded, "Very well then. I summoned you because I plan to leave tonight. I need someone to watch over Anne while I'm gone, and Dorian needs his rest. He'll have a long day tomorrow." She nodded in understanding and made her way to my mother's bedside.

"Isabelle, I have already given my mother her medicine for the night. She should be good til morning." I informed her. She nodded her head once more as my father made his way to me. I turned to leave the room. My father wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we exited. Once we were in the hall, my father began to speak, "I feel the need to inform you that I might not come back from this journey as myself, I may be a changed man." I looked at him puzzled. "What do you mean? Where are you going?" My father gave a heavy sigh, "Devil's Ridge," he said under his breath. "Are you out of your mind?" I yelled out. "Shh Dorian be quiet. You and Sam are the only ones that know I'm going there. It must remain that way." I shook my head in disbelief, "Why are you going there? You know that very few people return from there."

My father looked at me with eyes full of determination, "It's my last chance to save your mother. She hasn't got much longer." I began fidgeting, I ran my hands through my hair, trying to grasp what my father was saying. Then it clicked, "You're not going to make a deal with the Devil are you?" My father just looked at me, "I have to go now, son. I'll return soon." he said, and made his way past me. He left me with so many questions, I felt nauseous and scared. I made my way to my room and laid down. Was my father going to offer his soul in exchange to save my mother? Would he offer himself as a slave to the Devil? My mind was spinning with all the possibilities of what he was about to do. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. I knew it would be a night full of tossing and turning.

I awoke in the forest that I knew so well. I was in Wormwood still. It was dark and I wasn't sure how I got out here. I must have slept walked. "Dorian." A demonic voice came from behind me. I turned to see a man with an evil grin that stretched from ear to ear. He looked deranged and almost unhuman. "Who are you?" I asked in an unwavering tone. The man gave a sinister chuckle, "You should feel lucky that I have come to you. I am known by many names. Beelzebul, Ruler of Demons, Satan and The Devil. But I prefer Lucifer." I nodded, I refused to let my guard down while in his presence. "What can I do for you, Lucifer?"

He looked me up and down and began circling me, "Nothing, at least for now. I just came to see what's up for bargaining." My heart dropped. Was my father bargaining with my soul for my mother's life? "We'll meet again Dorian. Enjoy the little time you have left." Lucifer said before disappearing. "What do you mean?" I yelled out in question. I began panicking, my heart was fluttering in my chest.

I jolted awake, I was in my bed sweating up a storm. "Just a dream." I whispered out to myself. I got up from my bed and moved to the window. The sun was on the rise, it was time I got up and began my duties. I quickly bathed and gave myself a quick shave. I wrestled with my hair to fall nicely to the sides instead of in my eyes and then got dressed in appropriate garb for court this morning.

Before I headed to court, I ran up to my parents' room to check in on my mother. She was still asleep and Isabelle was just waking from a nap. "How was she throughout the night?" I asked. "She tossed and turned a bit, but she slept through the night with no issues. I'll be sure to wake her up soon to give her more medicine and feed her." she said with a smile. I nodded, "Thank you Isabelle," I said before taking off.

I arrived in court, the line of complainers was already out the door and I wish I had taken a shot of whiskey before coming here. I knew this was going to be nothing but a headache. I sat on my father's throne. Next to me stood the most trusted kingsguard Sam. "Are you ready for this?" Sam whispered to me sarcastically. "Am I ever ready for this?" I laughed back. I waved for the first in line to come forward and begin.

Two hours later and I had only made it half way through the line. I was getting ready to dismiss the court in a few seconds when I suddenly heard my mother singing. I turned to see her looking down from the balcony. "Ring around the Rosie, pocket full of posies." I was baffled that she was standing and singing. I hadn't heard her voice or seen her stand in years. "Mother, it's a miracle! Are you feeling well?" I shouted to her.

"Ashes, Ashes." She sung out and swung her legs over the balcony. "What are you doing," I yelled out. Sam had already taken off up the stairs to try and pull her back. "We all fall down." she sung out the last line and jumped from the ledge. Screams came from all around the courtroom. I rushed forward to try and catch her. I didn't make it in time. She hit the ground so hard that her head split open and began to bleed. My stomach turned, I felt lightheaded from the sight of her.

"M-M-Mom?" I managed to stutter out. My vision began to blur from the build up of tears. Isabelle came rushing down the stairs and ran straight to her. "No Anne, why did you do it?" she whispered out as she checked for a pulse. "Where were you?" I yelled, questioning Isabelle. "I was in the closet getting her some clothes to change into. The door slammed behind me and I was locked in there. I was unable to get out. I was screaming for help." Isabelle explained as tears ran down her face. Sam now stood beside me, "She's telling the truth, Dorian. Once I reached the top of the stairs I heard Isabelle's cries for help." I shook my head in disbelief. "Then how did you get out?" I yelled in full rage. Tears were streaming down her face, "I don't know. The door suddenly opened and I came out here immediately," she sobbed.

"Everyone out!" I yelled in a rage. People began exiting through the main door. Isabelle and Sam did not move. I cried out in pain, unable to control my emotions. I moved closer to my mother and dropped down next to her. "Why did you do this mom?" I questioned as the tears rushed down my face. "What's going on?" A voice came from the doorway. I turned to see my father, his face full of worry. I shook my head still in shock, "She jumped." I bowed my head down in shame that I couldn't protect my mother. "Who jumped?" I looked up once more to see my father's face. I could tell he knew but didn't want to believe it to be true. "Anne!" Isabelle cried out. "It's Queen Anne!" more tears flowed down her face.

"No, it can't be." My father rushed over and pushed us out of the way. "Anne?" My father said in a heartbreaking tone. "My sweet Anne." He said as he dropped to his knees and pulled my mother to him. "You were supposed to be fine, that was the deal." He cried out in agony.

We had been sitting in the courtroom for what seemed to be hours, my father still holding onto my mother's lifeless body looking off into the distance as if he could see something that he wasn't ready to deal with. "I think it's time we took her to get cleaned up." Isabelle whispered to my father. He just nodded his head and slowly began to release my mother into Isabelle and Sam's grip. My father quickly got up from the floor and began making his way to the stairs. I jumped up and began following him.

"Sam make arrangements to bring her body to Eldenberg. She deserves to be in a sunny, bright place." My father yelled out as he made his way up the stairs. "Yes, your majesty." Sam said back. I turned back to see Sam and Isabelle taking my mother away. I was torn between wanting answers from my father and going after my mother and over seeing that she was cleaned up to perfection. I knew Sam and Isabelle would make sure my mother was properly taken care of. I needed to press my father for answers. After all, he did go off and meet with the devil.

"We need to talk." I said to my father as he made his way towards his study. "f**k off Dorian." My father said back to me in a hurtful tone that stopped me dead in my tracks. I felt so utterly hurt. I began to shut down at that moment. I turned my back and made my way to my room. As soon as I walked through my bedroom door, I slammed it shut and began tearing my room apart in a rage. "f**k, why? Why did you do this?" I screamed out, not sure if I was directing my question towards my mother or my father.

After an hour of raging out tiredness overwhelmed me, I dropped on to my bed and let my eyes close hoping death would take me next.

I heard birds chirping off in the distance. I awoke in Wormwood forest once again. I got to my feet knowing this had to be a dream once more. "Where the f**k are you Lucifer?" I screamed out. "You miss me already?" I heard the demonic sarcastic tone come from the right of me. I turned to see the smug look of satisfaction on his face. "What was the bargain?" I demanded an answer from him. "Well, your dumb daddy didn't seem to catch my loophole when accepting the bargain." My heart was racing, I felt full of rage. "I told him one loved one must die, one must sacrifice, and one must serve. He jumped to accept my offer so fast, but didn't realize I would decide which of you would die, sacrifice, and serve. You know Dorian, I read your father's mind. He chose you to die, your mother to sacrifice you for her life, and chose himself to serve."

My heart dropped to my stomach at his confession. I could sense he was telling the truth. "So you decided differently?" Lucifer nodded. "I took your father's decisions into consideration, but I knew I did not want him to serve me. Your father is weak for love, if he were to serve me, he would throw it all away for his mortal wife. That is why I decided I needed someone not in love. You've never been in love, have you?"

I shook my head, "No I have never been in love, I was waiting to find someone worth it." Lucifer smiled at me, "Well, soon you'll have all eternity to find a woman you love or just to screw, hell you might even get lucky enough to have a mate!" he cackled out. "All eternity? A mate?" I questioned. "Yes, all eternity, as you will serve under the title Death. We'll go into more detail the next time I see you about your new position. I'm just waiting for your father to die to complete the deal. As for a mate, it's something us supernatural folk get. It's a person we're absolutely drawn to because our souls are one in the same. We feel the need to protect, f**k, and I guess even love this person. Anyways, that's enough for now. We'll talk more in the future."

"Wait.." I said, but it was too late he was gone. "God dammit." I yelled out before jolting awake.