A mist slowly consumed the beach as the water lead in and out. The hem of Keshiema’s black dress was an inch soaked with salty ocean water. Keshiema could no longer see the shore, so she knew no one could possibly see her. She took comfort in the flat fact that she was finally completely alone. ‘Wait, I've been here.’

  Hearing a small splash behind her Keshiema instinctively turned around. She nearly fell backwards when she found a young man standing right in front of her. ‘I know you.’ The only thing keeping her from doing so was the push of the tide.

  Stranger than how quietly he had approached her was the young man’s appearance. 'Is he really so strange?’ Keshiema noticed first his eyes, As black as an Onyx stones. ‘Eyes as dark as his aura.’ His skin held a touch of gray and looked as though it would be as smooth and soft as silk.

  Stranger still, was the pair of grey black horns sticking out of his slightly shaggy black hair. 'No, horns aren’t that odd.’ And then there were the black feathered wings. There were no words to explain the elegant beauty in this young man’s appearance. He was handsome.

  “What’s your name?” Keshiema asked . ‘Why am I asking?’

  “It's Damien, and what's yours?” He smiled and the air suddenly seemed less dense.

  “I think you already know that.” She smiled in return. ‘No! There isn’t time for this.’

  Damien laughed lightly. “Of course, what’s your point?”

  Keshiema reached her hand up, curiosity filling her eyes. Realizing what she was doing she dropped her hand, looking at the water with embarrassment. Damien smiled at her amused by her self-consciousness. He reached out, put his hands on her waist and pulled her closer. Taking her hands, Damien looked deeply into Keshiema’s eyes. “It’s fine, Keshiema you know you don’t have to feel uncomfortable around me.”

  Unable to find any words, Keshiema nodded. Reaching up again, she settled her hands on Damien’s horns. “What are you?” She asked, not really paying much attention. ‘I know what you are.’

  “I’m a demon, Keshiema.” Damien sighed, saddened by the many times he had answered this question for her.

  “What are you?” Her mind was elsewhere, consumed by her thoughts. ‘Stop asking that!’

  Damien stole Keshiema’s hands away from his horns and gently placed them on his shoulders. Placing his hands around her waist. Damian lightly kissed Keshiema’s forehead. “Please listen to me Keshiema. I am a demon. I have always been and always will be a demon.” He spoke softly, never taking his lips from her forehead. “I must go Keshiema I’m sorry.”

  ‘No, I know what happens next. Please don’t leave me!’ Damien backed a step away from Keshiema and spread his wings. “Ipos! Please don't leave me!” The water around him settled as he rested his wings.

  “Wait, Keshiema?” In an instant the waves grew more aggressive. Keshiema realized the danger of getting caught underneath the crushing tide. She jumped to Ipos, throwing her arms around his neck. Something wrapped around her ankle, ripping her away and pulling her under.

  "Ayperos!" Damien called as he took flight, searching the water for any sign of Keshiema. An dark shadow moved below the choppy surface. "It's her!" He yelled as Ayperos met him in the air. Ipos dived down, plunging into the frigid water, with Ayperos following close behind

  The creature wrapped its inky tendrils around her legs and waist, it's touch searing her exposed skin. unable to move her legs, she clawed at the beast as it dragged her into the depths. It took her arms next before slithering itself around her neck. With an involuntary gasp, water filled her lungs.

  With his sharp claws, Ipos swiped at the dark inky beast, attempting to release Keshiema. It lashed out at him, refusing to let go its possession. When it grabbed his arm, its grip on Keshiema loosened.

  Ayperos took her hand, trying to pull her free. Feeling her slip away, the beast turned to Ayperos and knocked him back before tightening its hold on Keshiema. It's body pulsed and shivered, tentacles slashing and whipping as it guarded its prey.

  Keshiema's body flopped around like a ragdoll in the creatures grasp. The doppelgangers shared a look. Rushing forward, they attacked the creature on either side, relentlessly clawing at its tendrils. They hacked and slashed until finally, the creature shrank back, giving up its prize and making an escape.

  Scooping her up, Ipos hurried Keshiema to the surface. His heart raced and lungs burned as the seconds passed. Ayperos followed, making sure the creature did not try to follow them.

  When they finally broke the surface, they gasped. Tilting her head back to open her airway, Ipos breathed into Keshiema as he treaded towards the shore. With soaked wings, he could not take flight while holding her.

  On the beach, Ayperos started chest compressions as Ipos wheezed and coughed, struggling to catch his breath. "Come on Kesh, breathe!" Obeying the command, Keshiema coughed up the trapped seawater. Rolling over she hacked and gasped until she could breathe freely.

  “Damien, Ayperos? She called, her vision still blurry.

  “Right here, Kesh.” Ipos confirmed, his lungs finally clear.

  "I need you to return my memories," she stared at Ipos, "then I need you both to wake up.” Both demons stared down at her with their cold black eyes. Neither was sure if it was really her in front of them, or just Ethera playing another cruel joke.

  “Please. I don’t have much time. Adramelech has me.” What little color they held drained from their faces. “I’m as good as dead right now without awakening.

  Ipos spoke at Ayperos without taking his gaze off of Keshiema. “You still have the stone?” Without a word, Ayperos handed Ipos Keshiema's crescent moonstone necklace. “Kesh, this is going to hurt. Worse than every time I’ve ever taken a memory from you. I'm sorry.” Without giving her time to respond, Ipos pressed the moonstone against her star.

  Pain rang through Keshiema’s entire body. A thousand fires boiled her blood. A hundred knives pierced her heart. Needles stabbed every inch of her skin. Her skull pounded and her eyes burned. She screamed, falling to the ground. She struggled to breathe; every gasp of air like breathing in hot coals. Her muscles tensed, keeping her from moving.

  Nothing compared to this suffering; not the worst beatings in the orphanage, not the whistle that nearly killed her several weeks ago, not even the bone shattering impact of Adramelech throwing her to the ground.

  Unable to watch her writhe in pain, Ipos and Ayperos turned away. Her world warped and faded as she cried out for them to help her. But there was nothing they could do. If they touched her, her pain would grow, and to stop the process now would lock the memories away for good.

  ***

  Nestled on a hill, overlooking a forest, sat a moderately sized home. A large city cast it's gleam above the western horizon, but could not be seen directly. Other houses were near, but not close enough to be seen or heard, giving a peaceful sense of isolation.

  Four-year old Keshiema sniffled softly, her back pressed against a large oak tree behind the quiet house. The Full moon hung high in the deep blue sky, casting a silver luster atop the forest before her.

  A rustling in the wild oats made her jump. She froze in place, too frightened to run back inside, too terrified to call for her mother. The rustling grew louder and the creature approached the edge of the yard.

  A boy appeared, stumbling from the tall dry grass. The first thing she noticed was the bloody bandage wrapped around his arm. "Are you ok?" She called, no longer afraid. The second thing she noticed were his large black wings.

  He looked up, wide-eyed, surprised to see her standing there. He turned to leave, but tripped, falling on his mangled arm and crying out. Keshiema rushed to him as, one by one, every light in the house turned on. "Momma!" Keshiema called. "Momma, help! There's a boy!"

  Keshiema's mother slammed open the sliding patio door and ran to her. Seeing the boy, swallowed hard. "Kesh, get inside the house, now!" She whispered sternly as she scooped up the injured boy.

  ***

  “Damien!” she cried out, running up the hill in front of her house. “Damien! Look what I drew today!” Ipos laughed lightheartedly from a treehouse shrouded in branches. “Stay there! I’m climbing up!” She scrambled up the tree.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Ipos scratched it his budding horns, as she told him about her day. Showing off a piece of paper with colorful scribbles, she beamed brightly.

  "You look like you had fun today Kesh,” he smiled at her. Her own guardian angel protecting her, always.

  ***

  “I'm back," The young demon boy called as he landed. Keshiema sat at the edge of a large wooden deck, waiting patiently. “Hey, Kesh,” Ipos frowned at the girl. “You don’t look too good.”

  “Tired.” she managed the word through a yawn.

  “You want to take a nap?” His question earned him a glare.

  “You promised we could fly today!” she rubbed her eyes, trying to stay awake.

  “Fine. Come here.” Ipos lifted her up. Holding her to his chest, he took flight. Within minutes she fell asleep in arms.

  ***

  The inseparable pair sat in an oak tree, laughing at silly jokes and making funny faces. “Happy birthday, Kesh.” Ipos patted her on the top of her head. “I can't believe you turn five today.”

  Yawning, she leaned her head on his arm. “I can't believe it's been a whole year since I found you!” She exclaimed, forcing back another yawn. "You still never told me what you were doing out there."

  “I promise you I’ll explain when you’re older.” Trusting her guardian, Keshiema accepted the answer. With a heavy heart, the demon stared off into the sunset as his friend fell asleep.

  ***

  Facing the wall, Keshiema told herself to ignore the mirrors making up her closet doors. Hearing the soft click of her bedroom door close, Keshiema curled up into a ball. Nothing freighted her more than being in her room with no lights. Someone jostled her lightly. “Kesh, wake up. We need to go.” Knowing Ipos’s voice, she sat up. throwing her arms around his neck and closing her eyes she cried softly. “Shit!” Ipos never cursed in front of her. She tried to look at him, but he pressed her face back into his shoulder. "stay quiet, and keep your eyes shut!" He covered her ears and wrapped his wings around them.

  His body tensed. Fear told her to open her eyes. She needed to see; needed to know what was happening around her. A dark mist surrounded her older sister Arista as she crawled out of bed. Scared by the odd way Arista moved, Keshiema closed her eyes. When she opened them again, a monster stood in Arista's place. Blood covered the ugly, deformed creature, it's skin and long tangled hair falling to the floor in chunks. The crumbling teeth and blood red eyes horrified Keshiema further.

  A part of her realized the monster's true identity. “Damien! Save them!” terrified for her family, Keshiema screamed loudly. “save my sisters! Please!” her pleas fell on deaf ears.

  When the carnivorous mist faded, Ipos took her through the window. They hid in the woods where she cried inconsolably until no more tears could fall. The trees shrouded them in darkness, the light of the full moon falling through their crowns was just enough to see each other.

  Holding her tightly, Ipos brushed his hand through her hair. “Keshiema, I need you to forget what happened tonight.”

  Burying her head in Ipos’s shoulder she spoke softly. “Is it gonna come back?”

  “Not if it thinks it got you.” He held her out at arm’s length, looking her in the eyes as he spoke. “Keshiema, I’m going to cast a spell on you. You’re going to forget a lot of things.”

  Sniffling, Keshiema nodded. “I trust you.”

  Setting her on her feet, Ipos looked over her sadly. “Close your eyes.” Slipping his moonstone necklace over her head, he took the pendant in one hand and her tiny hand on his other. “Your older memories of me will fade the fastest. Soon, you’ll forget me altogether.”

  Her vision blurred and the world spun and twisted. Dizzy and lightheaded, she fell to the ground. When she awoke inside a police carriage. Her head felt fuzzy. She looked out the window to see two policemen talking by her front door.

  ***

  Laying on the floor, Keshiema scratched at her freshly emerged horns. Mia layed across from her, drawing on a piece of crinkled paper. Tobias layed on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Looking up at Tobias, Keshiema frowned. “I had a dream again. Another one with the dark angel and the little girl.” Tobias made a noise of interest, but kept staring at the ceiling. “He told her that her memories were going to start fading.”

  Turning on his side, Tobias stared a moment before responding. “Kesh, I don’t think those are dreams you’re having.” Keshiema stared blankly. “Kesh?” Tobias sat up, dangling his feet over the bed. “Keshiema?” worried, he hopped off the bed and kneeled next to her. “Keshiema!”

  She snapped back, shaking her head. “You're right.” She jumped up and started going through her small rickety dresser. Not finding anything, she crawled on her belly under her bed. Tobias stared at the bed, waiting for her to return. She pushed herself back out, dragging an old empty backpack. “He's my guardian angel. I have to get back.”

  “Kesh, this is crazy, you’re six.” Tobias took her backpack and kicked it back under the bed. “You can't go out there by yourself. If your guardian angel left you here, there's a reason!” his face softened when he saw her fighting back tears, her raven hair and eyes refusing to stay hidden. “I’m sure he'll come back for you eventually. You just have to wait it out. Until then, why don’t you tell me about all the dreams you’ve been having. So you don’t forget him again.”

  ***

  Sitting on the branch of her Favorite oak, eight year old Keshiema wiped tears from her eyes. “I know I wasn’t supposed to come here.” She said quietly. “But I miss you.”

  “Kesh… it’s not safe here.” Damien admonished her.

  “You keep saying that. But can’t you protect me?” she hated the orphanage, and she missed her friend.

  “You’re not safe with me.” He clarified. “I was here to… with…” he struggled to avoid details of the night her family died. “I've made it so you’ve been hidden. I know you hate that orphanage. If you could tell me why, maybe I could‐”

  “I just want to stay with you!” she shouted. He covered her mouth as a flock of birds took off in the distance.

  “Keshiema! You know better than to shout like that.” He scolded her in a hushed tone. “I need to take you back now. Before anyone discovers you.”

  “I’ll just come find you again.” She boasted.

  “I know you will. That’s why I can’t have you remembering any of this.” Reaching out he set his hand on her forehead. “You won't break the spell this time.” His words faded as she collapsed in his arms.

  ***

  Keshiema stood in a large forest clearing. A creak babbled softly near the western edge of the glade. Luscious green grass formed a plush carpet, cushioning her sensitive feet. A large oak tree, towered over her from the Northern edge. A soft wind came from the East, cooling the warm Spring air.

  A familiar presence filled the clearing. Keshiema spun around, knowing in her heart who stood behind her. Damien smiled briefly when their eyes met, softening, and warming his normally cold, intimidating eyes. The smile quickly vanished.

  Broken chains hung from shackles around his wrists and ankles, and his unbound wings appeared disheveled. Bruises, burns, and deep cuts covered him, and dried blood clung to his matted hair. A fire burned behind his pitch-black eyes. The sight of him made her want to cry, but his gaze pierced her soul with such ferocity, she knew she could not go to him. She wanted to, though, and it took every bit of strength she had to stand still.

  "What happened to you? Who did this?" she asked trying not to think about how his eyes showed the threat he really was. forward, pulled Keshiema to him and spun her around in his arms with his wings spread wide. His smile returned and the hostility emanating from him vanished instantly. The shackles disappeared and his wounds healed before her eyes. “You have grown so much!” Gently holding her to his chest, he felt a weight lifting from his heart.

  Keshiema felt something unlock in her mind. Faint memories of Damien struggled to rise to the surface. “It was you.” she spoke quietly, remembering the night her family left her. “Stop” she said, stepping out of his embrace. “I need to ask you something.” she was trying to figure out how to word her question but he answered before she could.

  “I had to protect you. I know you wanted your sisters protected too, but it was not possible. A mere human can’t survive that darkness, no matter how many Guardians are there to protect them.”

  “But you didn’t even try!” she screamed at him, falling to her knees. The nightmarish scene flooded her mind, more vividly than ever before.

  “Keshiema! It would have been futile; I would have lost you! And I would not have been able to handle that!”

  “There’s so much I don’t understand Damien!” her tears flowed heavily and unrelenting.

  “Keshiema, daybreak is coming upon us.” Damien lifted her face gently as he spoke. “I will explain more later, I promise, but for now, you must forget about this conversation completely” He placed his palm on her forehead, covering her star.

  “NO!” she screamed as a searing pain riddled its way through her entire body.

  ***

  More forgotten memories filled her mind. Dozens of lost dreams over the course of the last several months. Dancing in the forest clearing, having picnics on a sunny beach, talking for hours under the light of the moon.

  Each pain-filled memory of him invading her dreams pierced her heart. Every happy reunion ended in agonizing terror. She knew he cared for her, but not only did he hurt her every time he took her memories, he kept making it necessary by returning to her.

  “Damien?” She called, sitting up and pulling her knees to her chest. She shivered, wishing for a fire, while knowing it would not warm the icy chill forming around her heart. In the short moment it took for her memories to return, her world crashed around her.

  Kneeling next to her, Ipos took her hand. “Why did you do it? You’ve repeatedly dragged my soul through the mud. For what?” Deciding the coming conversation needed some privacy, Ayperos walked a fair distance away.

  Unable to look at her, Ipos closed his eyes. “I missed you. I stayed away for nearly twelve years. Desperate to see you and determined to at least watch you from afar, I joined the Academy, and found you'd grown into a kind, beautiful woman. After seeing you, no matter what I did to distract myself, I could not stay away. I wanted to give you those memories back for so long. But the night I resigned myself to release them, that Primordial stole you away. That same night, Nergal confronted me, telling me he knew who you were.”

  “Dásos? That's your excuse?” She stood, spinning around, trying to find something to take her rage out on. When nothing made itself apparent, she faced Ipos again. “From what I can tell, you were invading my dreams for months before I met him! And Nergal? How did that turn out? He almost killed me so many times! If I hadn’t lost my temper after he'd attacked Cresil, he probably would have succeeded! And where were you? Trapped in a tower going crazy! Because he used me against you!”

  The dark demon looked vulnerable and broken. “He had control of me, Keshiema.” She stopped pacing, giving him a chance to explain. “I was in spiritual chains for years.”

  “So, the first night you returned to me,” she remembered him being bruised and bloody, with broken shackles hanging from his wrists. “Nergal did that?”

  “It wasn’t until he realized you were Snow Lily's daughter that he connected me to you.” Ipos stepped towards her, hoping she would hear him out. “Please, Keshiema. All I ask for is a chance.”

  “Damien, I-" A pounding headache cut her off, and a sharp pain stabbed her stomach, causing her to double over. Seeing Keshiema fall, Ayperos ran back over to see if he could help.

  "Out of time." The strange voice returned, its words echoing through her mind, increasing the throbbing headache.

  “Both of you! Come here!” When they both kneeled next to her, she placed her hands on their chests, sending every ounce of aura she could muster directly to their souls. “You’d both better be awake when I get back home!” Her body disappeared before their eyes, leaving them staring at the empty spot in the sand between them.