The Demon's Game

Oswald and my trip into the Ever After was brief, but when we returned we both felt overwhelmed and couldn't meet each other's eyes. Yes, Minias had made Oz younger, but it wasn't from the goodness of his cold, disgusting heart. His ulterior motive was to breed a child from Oz and I. Since any child Oz had belonged to Minias, and my blood was the demon's blood, a baby born from us would be Minias' ultimate possession. I was revolted, and I refused to look at either of them when I teleported us out. Oz swore he had no idea that that had been Minias' plan from the beginning, but it didn't matter. The damage was done, and instead of seeing Oz as my best friend, I saw him as a spy, and I pushed him away.

Eventually, the shock wore off, and I realized it was not Oz's fault. I trusted he didn't know. Minias' sick plan was of his own creation and I knew Oz needed to be free of him. Oz was such a kind, warm person, so trusting so lovable, even after all he'd been through. I needed to do something for him.

So I went to the book we'd picked up in the Ever After, the Demonomicon, its meaning roughly translating into the The Book of Eternal Death. I knew to fight evil, you must think evil, and I scourged the book until I found what I hoped was it. A spell to break a powerful curse.

I prepared the spell during the day, collecting the components. I knew it was black magic. I knew it would make my white aura covered in smut and while I wished there was another way, I knew there wasn't. Oz had done so much for me, been there for my business, been there for me when my heart was broken by Severus... He was a true friend. His freedom was worth my tainted aura. Once dusk fell, I set the curse in motion, moving quickly. It would not take long for Minias to register what I was doing. I hoped I had enough time...but I was wrong.

Moments before I was able to finish the curse, Minias appeared, throwing his dark energy at me, paralyzing me. He reached inside me, and pulled away my soul. The pain was excruciating, as though every happy thought, ever emotion other then hate and anger, was ripped out of me.

But once my soul was gone...a new me emerged...