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I followed Annami, leaving Spike laying on the ground, cursing me, spitting dirt out of his mouth. I felt terrible leaving the one true friend I had ever had, but Annami hurried me away and kept Spike away with another one of those mental barriers that my mother had also put up. I wondered how they put the mental walls up, and I attempted to take it down... little did I know, I had actually succeeded.
Funny how I never even knew “the Devil,” or, Darius, existed before I agreed to go with Annami, “breaking” the promise I had never made to Antonio in the first place. I had no idea why I was begged to stay away from Annari and Annami in the first place-a prophecy, perhaps? I did not know, I did not care-at the time.
About Annari-she had somehow disappeared and Annami insisted that it did not matter. This intensified my curiosity, but whenever I brought it up, Annami scolded my curiosity and it cowered in the deep recesses of my mind for a bit before it got even stronger than ever before.
I did not know we were going to hell. I did not know it was possible to go before one died, even. Even when I was in hell, I did not know where I was. It did not seem so terrible-... at least, I did not know it was hell until I saw... her.
“Her”-Naery, Tai’s mother, my grandmother. I knew who she was right when I saw her and I knew that I was in hell. She greeted Annami coldly; how Annami could hang on her every word astounded me. She glanced at me a moment before deciding to completely ignore my presence.
Darius came by while Naery was yelling at Annami and his first reaction was to just keep walking, but then he saw me. He cleared his throat and when Naery looked at him, I noticed a look mutually between them. Former friends? No, still friends. Former... former lovers.
“Who is this child? Why is she here?” he demanded, gesturing to me.
“Oh, Naery, Naery-it’s your granddaughter... I swear it!” Annami said eagerly. Naery’s surprise was well concealed-but not well enough.
“Not Syti-this one has too much Vampire to-... did Taimo finally-...?” Annami nodded, pleased with herself for having been able to bring me here, but some type of jealousy shone in her eyes. “Euraefy the mother, no doubt?” Naery murmured. Annami’s eyes shone furiously with hatred. “Oh, Annami, you blind yourself. He would never have fallen for you, anyway,” Naery grumbled coldly, “besides, this child is much better than anything from your womb would be.” Annami was very offended but pretended that she was not. Darius crouched down so his eyes were on the same level as mine.
“What’s your name?” he asked kindly.
“Mysiri,” I sighed with boredom.
“Annami, what is she-...” Darius shook his head, “No. Mysiri, do you know why you are down here?”
“Annami said she needed my help. I don’t see what she needed me for.”
“The Prophecy, Darius!” Annami breathed, “She’s the one, I swear it! She beat Euraefy in mental war, she heals faster than Taimo-... she’s it.”
“What prophecy?” I growled. “Tell me what prophecy right now or I’ll rip your head off, I swear it, Annami. I’ll rip your-...”
“Now, Mysiri, that is completely unnecessary,” Naery cooed. “You’ll do it soonly enough, I promise,” she whispered in my ear. “Now, Annami, you are dismissed. Mysiri, come with me.” I followed Naery unwillingly. Darius watched but did not come after us.
Once in Naery’s chamber, she held her door closed mentally. “Mysiri, you are to get me out of here,” she said simply. I hesitated. This was the woman whom Tai had so looked down upon. The one woman who made his stomach churn with hatred. Then again, I felt I barely knew Tai and could not tell who I should trust or who would be there for me.
I felt I could not trust anyone since Spike turned on me. His retaliation to my having left him hurt me more than I allowed myself to realize. Without thinking, I told Naery, “How would I help you escape?” Naery thought that in that statement laid the implication that I was going to help her. Her face turned bright with pleasure.
“Child, you may not know this yet, but you are the strongest creature in existence. You will find a way, whether it be by force or using your sly mind-... just, you have to get me out of here. You will be greatly rewarded.”
“When should I-...?”
“Whenever the time is right,” Naery replied quickly and withdrew to be by herself. I left Naery’s room to walk around and think. I soon ran into Darius, who greeted me warmly. I stopped him before he walked away.
“Darius, I am so confused,” I blurted out as I grabbed his arm.
He smiled. I do not know why I had chosen him out of so many people in hell to confide in. He just had this feel to him; he seemed trustworthy and caring.
“Mysiri, everybody has several difficult decisions to make in their life. You are unlucky; you will have nearly twice as many difficult decisions to make... and I must sit back, as worthless as a pawn and not offer any help in the decision making.”
“Offer. Then I can-...”
“Sorry. Not offer; give.” I frowned. Darius just smiled sadly at me. “I’m sorry, Mysiri,” he apologized sincerely. “I wish I could help you, really.”
“Well, you can tell me what you know about Tai and Naery, can’t you?” I asked. Darius cringed but nodded.
“If that is what you want.” Darius took one look at my face and sighed. “So be it. Come, let us talk in private.” I followed Darius to what I assumed was his chamber. He shut the door and offered me a seat. I sat and watched him as he paced a moment. “What do you want to know, exactly?”
“Everything.”
“Obvious answer. Typical answer. I won’t tell you everything; just what I am allowed to.” Darius sighed and sat down. Then he began.
“You’re well aware that Naery is Taimo’s mother. You don’t know who his father is yet, but that doesn’t matter.” Darius eyed me carefully. “I know everyone’s deepest secrets. I know things about people that they don’t even know themselves. I know Naery and Taimo better, though, than I know anyone else.” He paused. “Naery is not what you-or anyone else-thinks. There is a Naery hidden beneath the tough outer shell. She wishes for world domination but only because she thinks she can perfect the world... that’s her one flaw. She thinks perfection exists. Maybe she would improve the world from how it is now... you never know. The Naery I know is loving and caring and only wants the best for anyone... anyone other than herself, anyway...
“Taimo takes more after his mother than he wishes to admit. He is loving and caring and wants the best for everyone... but he goes after the best for them in more of a hands off method. He lets people learn from their mistakes; Naery tries to stop them from making mistakes. Like I said, Naery seeks perfection. Taimo acknowledges there is no such thing and doesn’t even go after it.”
“Which do you relate more with?”
“I am more like Taimo, but I wish I were more like Naery at times. Idealism and optimism are good as long as they don’t get out of hand.”
“You said you know things about people that they themselves don’t even know. What do you know about me?”
“Oh, lots. You’re young, yet. You have lots to discover.”
“Oh, tell me something, at least!”
“Spike misses you.”
“Something I don’t already know!” I insisted. Darius laughed good-naturedly.
“Oh, you knew that, did you?” he smiled softly. “Well, it’s all so shocking, Mysiri. I don’t know if you’ll be able to handle it.” I gave him a look that meant, “cut the crap.” He sighed. “Naery is not your grandmother.”
That meant only one thing to me-Tai was not my father. My jaw dropped. Darius watched as I stood and walked around in a daze. Tai not-... then who? Even the twins were fooled by my looks... and Naery, too... everyone but-...
“Does he know?” I whispered. Darius nodded. “And Euraefy knows...” This knowledge made something snap inside me. Euraefy-but I felt as if I despised her... so selfish, she seemed to me-and it is she that is family, not calm, cool, admirable Tai.
I noticed then for the first time how much like Tai Darius looked. My eyes widened and I was about to comment on it, but then Darius answered the look on my face.
“Yes, yes, very perceptive, Mysiri,” Darius smiled. “Now, be on your merry way. It’s almost time.”
He knew I was going to help Naery escape. I was quite angry at Tai for having lied to me and this was my revenge. Darius knew that, too... and he approved of it. Either that, or he knew he could not stop the hands of time.
Naery was surprised to see me return so soonly and with such a look of determination on my face. She was even further surprised when I said quickly, “come on, Naery. We’re going now.” She was pleased, though, and hurried after me. I pushed through the crowds and Naery stayed close by my side. When we got to the gates of hell, Darius was waiting for us.
“I can’t let you leave,” he said. I saw the pain in his eyes; it was his duty, that did not mean he enjoyed it. Naery stuck her bottom lip out in a pout.
“You’re letting us pass, Darius,” I replied simply. “Or-...”
“Mysiri, you are strong, I admit that, but I was made deliberately so no one could ever destroy me,” Darius sighed. He knew my plan-my original plan. But I could easily come up with a new plan.
“Yeah. I know,” I shrugged. “So? Who said I was going to destroy you?” I held him still with my mind. He could not move. I shocked even myself with this feat of strength. “C’mon, Naery,” I said, walking past Darius. Naery stood still, stupefied for a moment, but then hurried after me. Once past the gates, I set Darius free again. He just watched me, a smile on his face, shaking his head.
“Nice one, Mysiri. Just... be careful out there.”
“Thanks, Darius. I will be.” Naery took the lead then, and I was left to following her. She talked a lot, but I rarely or never listened. I dealt with her little wanderings for a few days, but I eventually got bored and left her without a word.
I was going to get my revenge. I had to see Tai and I had to ask him why he had lied to me. I sensed him out and was not surprised to find he was... “home.” I did not even hesitate upon entering. Tai was in the library; just where I thought he would be.
“Tai,” I growled when I entered. He glanced at me.
“Mysiri-hello.”
“Don’t ‘Mysiri, hello’ me!” I snarled. “Why did you lie to me!”
“Lie?” he asked innocently. I looked down.
“You’re not my father,” I mumbled.
“Oh, Mysiri-...”
“No, Tai. Stop. Just don’t come up with any excuses. Don’t give me any of your excuses.” I shook my head. “You lied to me. You were the one person I actually wished was one of my parents. You played along; you told me you were my father. And... Euraefy, whom I despise for her selfishness, is my actual mother. You have no idea how much it perturbs me.”
“Mysiri-...”
“No. Just-...no.” I turned away. “I released Naery from hell. I hope you’re happy.” I started to leave. I heard Tai rise from his seat.
“Mysiri. Please, stop.” I turned and faced Tai, my cheeks smeared with tears. Tai’s eyes looked completely sympathetic. “Mysiri, I didn’t know it would hurt you so much-...” he paused. “So, Naery is really free?”
“Yes. I heard basics about your beliefs and Naery’s beliefs... I just found more admiration with Naery...” Tai cursed.
“Mysiri-...”
“No, you know what? I’m really mad. And if you don’t understand why, then I’m even more furious.”
“Mysiri, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry. I thought it was best for you.”
“Oh, so, you felt ignorance was better for me than the truth?” I retorted. Tai’s face grew red in frustration.
“Will you let me speak some sense into you?”
“SENSE? Speak some sense into me! You? I doubt it. From this point on... I am not speaking to you.” I turned away and went to the basement. Tai did not follow. He thought I just wanted to vent and calm down, then I would forgive him and speak to him again. He didn’t know I was serious about never speaking to him again.