The Demons Hidden Kingdom

Rested

Eli - POV

Forgotten...... Fading..... I remember I created this realm as an escape.. a paradise, to protect those who needed it but I can't even do that when there are no people to watch over. What a sad excuse of a Demon I am, all this power and all I choose to do is stay in my resting place.

This castle where I sleep has turned dull and lacks life, the echoing breeze that passes through the empty halls rings in my ears as I rest. The curtains in my chamber remained open to give some light but they were heavy with dust, as was most of my belongings. My dressing table that sat in the corner was large and grand, my hair brush remained on the right side where I’d left it. My bed set in the middle of my room was larger than any Kings, my body rests on soft silk sheets black like the nights of Winter. A wooden desk resided by the window where I kept all my writings and letters, traditional patterns were carved into the legs and draw compartments giving it elegance. My dresser filled with dresses and other items of clothing for all occasions was made from Dark Hard Wood and stood tall. Banners with my sigil hung across my ceiling and walls making it feel like home, but also allowing me to not forget who or what I am...

Its so quiet here the silence kills me and at times can be deafening, my own thoughts are the only thing to keep me company. I’ve been sleeping for so long now, I don’t even know if my body works anymore. Thinking about it.. how long has it been? 300 years? 500 years? More? Why am I even awake now? There’s no reason for me to wake. I’ve laid here in hope that they will find this place that I’ve hidden and make my existence mean something again, maybe they don’t need me? That’s why I feel myself fading... they’ve forgotten.

Listening to the empty space saddens me, this kingdom should be filled with joy and happiness, dancing and laughing, festivals and feasts! I feel myself falling into madness knowing I’ll fail at the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do, think it’s time for me to give up.. I’ve waited so long to achieve nothing...

I’m the only one of my kind, in all the years that I’ve spent here in this world I’ve never come across anyone like me.. During my time in their realm I searched lands far across the sea for others but failed in my efforts, then once the humans started to reject and eventually exile me the void became bigger...

I thought it was best that I left the humans in peace, instead of giving them more reasons to fear me. I hoped that one day... they would need me again and I would be able to return. I understand why they feared me, I was strong, gifted and a threat to their Kings and Queens. I could do things they couldn’t, I was... different.

I came to this world long ago, the First King accepted me as I had helped make peace in The Storm War of the Dragons. Several generations of Kings and Queens accepted me after him also but other creatures started to disappear from the world, humans needed land and food but could never live peacefully aside them.. Forest Spirits, Dragons, Werewolves, Goblins and many other creatures were either killed or went into hiding when humans started to move in on their territories.. I didn’t agree with humans killing the other creatures and it was one of the reasons why the humans started to not trust me. I also became too different... All I wanted to do was keep the peace between humans and creatures, I think I knew in my heart that we’d never have total peace. But I hoped for it regardless.

‘arrrgghhhhhh!!’ why am I thinking about all this? And why can’t I seem to fall back asleep. I listen carefully but the silence stays the same and the breeze that echoes doesn’t differ. Thinking about the past can bring me so much joy at times, it’s the only happiness I have left really. But it also serves as a reminder to what I’ve lost, anyone I once knew will have passed away now. New generations of Kings will have also taken power, I bet a lot has changed...

As I lay here trying to get back to my eternal rest I just know something isn’t right. But nothing feels different... everything is still so qui...?!

WHAT IS THAT?!

I sense something?!

WHO.. IS THAT?!..

My eyes open and the light blinds me for a moment, I sit up quickly and focus...

The forest?!

Without thinking I jump from my resting place, out of my room window and onto the roof tops. My body aches and feels stiff, I push through the pain and head for the wall as fast as I can. The fresh air fills my entire body and the sun light burns into my skin, I haven’t been outside or breathed the air in centuries. I don’t have time to enjoy the feeling either, my focus is else where.

I’m getting closer... I can feel it!

I scale the wall, and reach the top where I come to a stand still. The wind blew through my hair and a shiver travelled through my entire body. Realisation and panic was starting to set in as I thought I may lose track of this new presence. I needed to know what this was..

I take a deep breath and a step to the edge, the forest stretches as far as the eye can see and my senses are all over the place. I couldn’t tell exactly where it was coming from, l let out a sigh and decide try search the forest first. My stance changes and I’m about to take the leap off the wall when I hear..

“Hi there?”