The Daemon

This is my first attempt at NaNoWriMo so please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors.
I start off slow so the chapters will hopefully get longer as I go. Please let me know what you think.

The usual disclaimers: Original work of fiction, any similarities to anything is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1

Before I was needed in this place and time, human-kind was rare in our world. To be honest, humans would not have known of us nor had any sort of contact if it wasn’t for the fact that for some reason portals between realms would open intermittently. For many hundreds or maybe thousands of years some unsuspecting mortal would walk through or vice versa. Those of our kind that do find their way back bring stories and sometimes “souveniers.” No, what they bring back is very rarely some bloody body piece or enslaved being. The souvenirs tended to be small things like food, books, and sometimes a small piece of clothing (think missing socks or other items that you never find again). And yes we do tend to cause mischief, after all, we never belonged in your world.

My people were called many things over time immemorial and were beings of myth and legend to humans. We are all as different and varied as those of the “real” world and just as capable of great cruelty as well as kindness. We are demons.

For the most part, the people here go about their daily lives as best they can; working, fighting, living and loving. There were skirmishes and wars but it did not really affect most of us. This land we lived in was plentiful and wide enough for all of us. No one knew that the humans would be the cause of grief and destruction of what we knew.

We were the denizens of a world that is unseen and usually hidden from human eyes. There was relative peace across our lands.

It was beautiful, this world we called our own. The oceans had many colors, green, blue, pink and even red. The forests were so thick with trees and brush that it was difficult to walk through. The mountains high and intimidating were home to such creatures as dragons and chimera. The deserts were hot enough to scorch flesh within minutes but the sunsets across these sandy plains were worth every pain. The soil and land was rich enough that many of us did not starve. We mostly lived in as much harmony as our natures allowed us to.

When the humans invaded en masse, we learned that they had nearly destroyed their own home through over population and the pollution of their machines. At first, there was peace. They came through the old ways and claimed that they wanted to trade. The first year or so was fine. We developed a new commerce and everyone seemed happy.

Not too long after my people started accepting the humans; trouble started.

“Ara! Araaa….”

I can still remember my mother’s voice even though it has been ages since I last saw her alive. I am the “Daemon”, the ruler of this broken world and it is my job, my purpose, and reason for being to bring everything to rights. Our clan, my mother’s family is Kiiren. The meaning behind the clan name is our motto and it is who I am; “Belonging to all and to none.”

I am Kiiren Aranata, the Daemon.

My mother was a beautiful creature that shone with life and love. Her dark hair shone with blue and purple highlights and her red-gold eyes always sparkled with laughter. Her skin would glow a lovely ivory in the moonlight. She was coveted by all and my father always claimed that he was ‘one lucky son-of-a-bitch.’ Then my mother would scold him for his language but we could all see how flattered she was.

My father was a merchant of high standing, gruff, strong and not afraid of hard work. His looks were fairly average, all browns and tanned from the sun but broad of shoulder and a more honest or hard working man you would be hard pressed to find.

I am the youngest of three children, the only son and for a while I was the most naïve and the most protected. Life was good and we were all happy.

My eldest sister, Airen, was just entering her majority. For a long lived people as mine, the hundredth year of life give or take a little was when we were considered adults. Her name was fitting since it meant butterfly. Airen had the same dark hair mother had but with a more purple sheen. Her skin was a lovely mix of mother and father, making her a milky caramel. Her eyes on the other hand were an amazing royal blue that seemed to capture your very self within its sapphire depths. She tended to flit around in happiness as if floating on air. My sister always found something to be happy about and brought a ray of sunshine with her where ever she went. She already had her sights set on another merchant family. The eldest son of the other family was a bronzed god in body and coloring. Honestly he reminded me of my father. He was soft spoken and hard working and most importantly, he treated my sister like a goddess. I had already begun to see him as an elder brother.

Kana on the other hand was a bit icy. Her name meant elegance and she was that. Tall, willowy, and graceful, this sister could put the spoiled pampered princesses of the nobles to shame. Her hair was a dark brown that was a couple shades from being black. Her eyes were a vibrant orange-red that put the brightest fire opal to shame. Her skin was lighter that Airen’s but not as milky as mother’s.

I always remember how she held herself with pride and dignity. No one could put her down. Though her attitude was a bit off putting to most people, she had a deep loyalty to family and those few friends that have always stood by her.

Airen was the loving and forgive anyone type while Kana was the type to never forget.

On some of my loneliest days, I remember their love and how they always tried to protect me. Mother, Father, Airen, Kana, none of them can help me now and I give thanks to the gods that they did not live to witness the atrocities that were done to our people.

The party was in full swing. We were celebrating my sister’s birthday and engagement. Everyone was laughing and dancing. I had been allowed to stay up a while with the family to congratulate Airen.

“Ara,” I turned to see my mother call to me. “My little one, it is time for you to go to bed.”

“Mother,” I whined and pushed out my bottom lip and made my eyes as big as possible. She just giggled and pat my head.

“Now Ara,” her gentle tone was firm but loving. “You can have a couple minutes to tell everyone goodnight.”

“Oh fine.” I could feel the scowl settling across my features. My mother laughed again and ruffled my hair, sending the red tinted black strands across my face. “Mother!”

With another laugh my mother ushered me toward my sister.

“Ah…Ara is it time for bed already?” My sister smiled at me with such joy that I could not help but smile back at her.

“Mom said I have to go to bed,” I give the best big teary eyes in my arsenal to my sister.

“Hahaha…nice try,” and she just laughed harder as I scowled once more. Her fiancée Makhail had amusement glittering in his golden brown eyes.

“Well, congratulations anyway,” I growled. I knew I was pouting but hey, I’m still a kid you know. Maturity is not a word that is in my vocabulary just yet.

“Aww, thanks little brother,” she said giggling. Then she gave me a kiss and a hug. Makhail just ruffled my hair. I gave him my best glare. With a gentle nudge, she got me heading over to my other sister and parents to tell them goodnight.

There were too many people and being so young and so short (only for now I hope), it was hard to find them.

“Ara,” the cool voice of Kana caught my attention over the din.

“Sister?” I looked around but could not find her. I was jostled around by the many guests and almost knocked over a few times. Tears started to form in my eyes. I really hated being the baby and so young because everything that frustrates you makes you want to cry. Just as I was about to fall again, slim but large hands pulled me up.

“Be careful young one.” I turned around and gaped. He was just so beautiful. If I hadn’t believed with my whole heart that my mother was the most beautiful person in the world, this person would fill that position. His silver mane of hair nearly reached the floor and his eyes of silver held me rooted to the spot.

“Are you alright?” his deep baritone was entrancing.

“Ara?” Kana had come up behind me and I jumped.

“Ah…sister, don’t do that!” I ranted at her to cover up my embarrassment for staring.
The deep chuckle that came from him sent shivers up my spine.

“So this is the infamous Aranata is it?”

“Lord Kairen, it is good of you to have come to our family gathering.” Kana slides her hand around my shoulder and pulls me to her side.

“It is my pleasure miss Kiiren. I would not miss an event such as this. Offer my congratulations to your sister if you will.” He bowed his head to Kana and then knelt to face me. “As for you little one, you should be more careful.” Then he ruffled my hair.

“Gah! What is with everyone and my hair!?” I glared at the man.

“Ara, your manners,” my sister admonished.

With a chuckle the man stood once more.

“That is quite all right.” When he smiled I saw his fangs and stared a bit. Though there was no malice in anything he said or did, he scared me just a bit.

“It is time for my brother to say is goodnights to everyone, if you would excuse us milord?”

“Of course milady. Good night, Aranata.” He rested a hand on my head a moment.

“Goodnight sir,” I locked eyes with him a moment.

Kana picked me up and after a small curtsey, walked away quickly. She weaved her way past relatives and friends to our parents who were near the doors to the balcony. Once they were in sight, my sister put me down. Turning to me she spoke quickly and quietly.

“Do not tell mom and dad that you spoke with that man. He is trouble and we do not need to worry our parents.”

“Why?”

“Just listen to me, there are many stories about what type of person he is and many end with people being hurt so just listen to me.” Her eyes were serious and worried.

“Okay.”

Then I was wishing everyone a good night and was swooped up into my mother’s arms to be carried out through the crowd. My thoughts were on what my sister had told me and wondering what that Lord Kairen could have possibly done.

My dreams that night were full of silver streams and silver stars that looked down on me like eyes.