Not What It Seems
Chapter 5

The next morning, Zeriah ate her breakfast in the study so we could continue our conversation. Ever since yesterday, our relationship had opened up a bit. She was less cold to me, and though I continued to tease, she knew it wasn’t out of hostility and she even would throw back her own teasing. We continued to share our lives with each other and compared the similarities and differences. It felt good to actually talk to someone again.

“So, let me make sure I’m getting this right, Vudu,” she stated. “Demons more often just use their abilities to tease non-demons just for a laugh?”

“Yep.” I said while leaning back. “Those really bad days that nothing goes right? Blame those on demons. You’d be surprised how much free time we have.”

She let out a chuckle. “And I always thought that Xegon had all of his demons busy with his plans to break free from Diab and take over.”

I bobbed my head side to side. “Truthfully, there’s only one way that he can escape Diab, but it’s incredibly difficult.”

“What’s that?” She asked, truly wanting to learn.

I looked her over a bit, if my assumption was correct, I didn’t want her to fully know that information. Letting out a sigh, I told her. “Remember when I said there was a third option for someone to become a created demon?”

She nodded.

“Well, there’s a little more with that.” I explained. “In order for Xegon to escape, he has to eat a pure soul. That gives him enough power to be able to break free. But it’s so difficult to replace a pure soul that very rarely does he actually escape.”

Her hand went to her chin. “You said the last time it happened was over a thousand years ago?”

He nodded. “I don’t remember it, because I was created after it happened. But yes, Xegon got ahold of a pure soul and escaped. The body left behind is changed into a demon.”

Zeriah looked at me and contemplated. “Then how did Xegon get sent back to Diab?”

“Romos always has a plan to defeat him.” I explained. “I don’t even know why Xegon keeps trying, it’s always the same thing. Romos would never let him stay out. Xegon only plans misery on this world.”

“You don’t sound okay with that.” She expressed.

I let out a sigh. “Well, to be honest. I don’t really like a lot of the demon’s or Xegon’s plans. I don’t see a purpose in breaking our toys. Playing with broken toys isn’t fun.”

Her face fell. “Oh, right. I forgot. To demons, any non-demon is just a toy to be used. There’s more to us than that. And here I thought you were actually acting a little more humane.”

I let out a snort of laughter. “Honestly, I’m a demon. Your expectations shouldn’t be that high.”

“I will admit that I am disappointed.” She stated. “And you were acting so nice to me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Zeriah, I’m a demon. I can’t do anything but be nice to you right now. If I wasn’t in this mirror, I would be pulling more pranks right now. No demon has ever seen humans, or elves, or anything other than a demon as something more than a toy for us to play with.”

“It figures that demons don’t know how to show compassion.” Her eyes turned to the ground.

“Compassion, affection, things like love and adoration are feelings demons can’t have.” I explained. “Xegon has told us that it can destroy us. We would cease to exist. That’s why we don’t see non-demons as something more than a toy.”

“So, we are replaceable.” She observed.

“Yes.” I explained. “But I prefer to keep my toys as long as possible before I need to replace them.”

There was silence for a time. Zeriah’s eyes didn’t move from their gaze at the floor. My words were truthful in demon culture. I saw no point in trying to hide it. But it seemed to have upset her.

Suddenly, she stood up and left the room without a word. She was upset, and I didn’t understand why. What was so upsetting about my culture that made it, so she had to leave me alone? Humans are a sensitive species that I didn’t understand.

A knock at the front door. Someone had come to visit Zeriah. I listened as closely as I could while I stared out the mirror. Eventually, I was able to distinguish the voice of the visitor as Zeriah’s friend that had come with her after she discovered me. Not too long after, they reentered the room I was in and continued to talk.

“This spell should free him from the mirror, but we will need a few ingredients.” Her friend stated as he walked over to the mirror. “Do you think he would be terribly upset if I took part of the frame to help with the spell?”

Zeriah looked over at me, and I just gave her a small shrug. “He doesn’t seem to mind.”

“Wonderful!” He exclaimed as he pulled out a knife and carefully took a shaving of the black wood. “Just give me a few more days, and then we can free him from there.”

“Of course.” Zeriah said with a small bow. “Thank you, Master.”

Her friend nodded and exited the room. Zeriah followed, and I was once again left alone. I had a feeling I’d be alone for a while. My words did upset the only person who could see or hear me for now. And I just had to give her some time to let the information sink in.

But on the upside. I was going to be freed in a few days. Free from a prison that denied me so many years of fun and life. I was ecstatic about it. Soon, I would be able to wonder the world again. Then an unfamiliar feeling settled into my chest. Wonder the world, without Zeriah. Why was she in my mind?

I suspected that she could have a pure soul that I was supposed to replace. Maybe I could take her with me? But how could I do that? I wasn’t certain she would just leave with me. I remember her telling me about her responsibilities here. I let out a sigh. I knew I was going to probably have to stay here for a while until I could get her to join me.