The Demon's Curse

"I do hope Dante is safe," Valerin commented as he picked up his glass. Trila glanced at Braur as she set a pitcher of water on the table near the bed in the cellar.

"He was fine when I left him," Braur replied as Valerin leaned slowly back.

"That was when you left him. Who know what condition he is now?"

"Come on, Braur. Let's get some sleep. It's been a busy day," Trila said and Braur nodded his head as Valerin set his glass on the table. He waited until Braur and Trila left the room then slowly took his clothes off. He laid his head on the pillow and sighed. He hoped that Dante was already making the trip back to Seosur.

Please come back soon, Dante, Valerin thought. I don't want to continue life without you. We've shared so much together. You also know how to please me just right.

Valerin sighed again and turned on his side. He then lay on his back again and sighed. He wasn't fond of sleeping on his back but because of his injuries, he didn't have a choice. It was going to be a miserable night for him.

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Dante awoke with a shock and sat up. Where was he? What had happened to him after he had passed out? He felt something licking him and stared at the ground. Reign gazed up at him and grunted slightly.

"So you're finally awake," Phaesur commented and sat beside Dante. Dante drew back at the heat emanating from Phaesur's robes and Phaesur smiled.

"I hadn't thought that my natural heat would be uncomfortable for you. Would you like a drink?"

"Where am I?" Dante asked as Phaesur stood up.

"You are in our home. Do not move your leg too much. You have put an awful lot of strain on it."

"I have to get back to Seosur."

"Wait a bit. You need to regain your strength in order to defeat your enemy. Do you remember the last time you fought him?"

"What do you mean the last time I fought him? I've never fought any demon before."

"Really? I wonder..."

"Now please. My companion is injured as well and I need to get back to him. He has a habit of worrying about me more than himself."

"Your companion, what does he look like?" Phaesur inquired and Dante sighed.

"Why does it interest you?" he asked as Reign licked Phaesur's hand.

"Well since you are the one then it only makes sense that your companion is Myst."

"My companion is no woman. His name is Valerin and he is the lord of Asynia. I am...extremely fond of him," Dante said and tightly closed his eyes.

"Your companion, does he have a unique mark somewhere on his body?"

"Yes but that doesn't mean anything."

"Dante, there's a reason for all of us to exist. Now I have been the guardian of Iloria for many years waiting for the right one to come along. Now that the sword is in your hands, I must soon depart for the heavens. Myst has been well taken care of I see. Her magic is indeed strong and she is extremely stubborn. I look forward to seeing her again. Here, drink this. It will help ease the pain."

"There can be no truth in what you're saying. I'm not fond of women."

"All right, then how do you explain what's been happening?"

"I can't," Dante replied as he stood up. "But I'm not going to live my life a certain way simply because of a legend."

"Fate is fate whether you choose to believe in it or not," Phaesur said and Dante frowned.

"I seem to remember hearing that somewhere before. I wonder where..."

"What will you do when you find out the legend is true?"

"Nothing because it's not true. I'm in love with a beautiful man. He is extremely well-endowed and I just cannot believe that he's someone else. Valerin is Valerin and that's all there is to it. I'm doing a lot better, thanks. Maybe I'll see you again," Dante said and walked out of the cavern. He began running then heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the exit. He hoped that Valerin was well.

Phaesur sighed as he glanced around his home. He had been there for so long that he had forgotten what the heavens looked like. Reign nudged his hand and he glanced down at his pet and smiled. He sighed and stretched his arms for a moment then sat down.

"I wonder if her father is watching all of this. I wonder what he thinks of all this. 'tis sad, though, having a daughter who believes she is a man. Perhaps she is seperate from the companion our friend spoke of. Perhaps she is trapped in his body. Such a thing has happened before. In any case, now that Iloria is safe with its owner, all this shall be sorted out soon," Phaesur said and picked up the glass that Dante had used and gazed at it. Reign whined and climbed up onto the chair beside Phaesur. Phaesur smiled when Reign laid his head on Phaesur's lap and closed his eyes. "We'll be going home soon. I wonder if anyone remembers us. We have been gone for quite some time, haven't we?"