The Demons.

Such powerful creatures, but so fragile, in their way.

The others think I am a fool, an arrogant, reckless fool. And they are right. But I know our enemies, and knowledge is power. They know that. If they knew that I know, they might fear me.

But the Demons…

Zed. Always seeking recognition… why? The adult substitute for love, the love he was never given. You try so desperately hard, Zed. But this way will not gain you their love, for they cannot love. Will you ever understand?

Lady Harken. What can I say about you? You made your choice. Do you regret it? Will you regret it?

Belselk. Such a strange creature. You have pretenses of power, but little to back it up. If the light shone on your inadequacies, would it break you? I think it would.

Boomerang. So sad. You are a warrior, and that is all. You are feared by all, and alone. Has the war killed you, inside? Is there nothing left of what you might have been? I like you, warrior. I, too, am alone…

Alhazard. Of all the Demons, you are one of the darkest. Nothing matters to you but yourself. That is the attitude that leads to evil in humans… an attitude the others think I share. They are wrong, but I do not care.

Zeikfried. Poor, twisted Zeikfried. You want a new home, that I understand and wish you could have… but you seek to destroy the other inhabitants. Can you not co-exist? Must you rule? I wish Demons and humans could live together, but you will not allow that. So be it. We both know the consequences. Is this because of Mother, I wonder? I cannot see the depths of your mind…

Mother. I have little to say. Evil and insane. There is nothing to understand, or be redeemed. Your appetite fascinates me, but I do not wish to observe it closely.

So, those are the Demons… Powerful, yet, they have their hidden pains. Yes, they feel pain, whatever the Humans and Elw choose to believe. Whatever the Guardians choose to believe. My fellows. Are you truly so blind? Of course, you are not MY fellows, but they are equally blind. Give your powers to the Humans. I will keep mine, and prey on the inner weakness.

That is my power, after all.

I am Gluzandem, Guardian of Pain… and Thought. Two things that never had a Guardian, until I came. Such powerful things…

They fear me. And they should.

Fools.

* * * *

“…Dammit…” A shadowy figure growled, swiping a cobweb out of his face. “Why do we always have to meet in crappy places like this?” A soft whine answered him. “I know, I owe him. Bastard always manages to keep me in his debt…”

~I think he likes to be around you.~ His lupine companion replied. Few could understand her, but he did. He grunted.

“Can’t imagine why. Fruitcake…” Muttering absently to himself, he almost stumbled over the warp tiling. “Awk! Dammit, I can’t SEE in here!”

~I saw it, but I thought I’d let you find it on your own.~ The reply was smug. He ground his teeth.

“Thanks a lot, oh wondrous Guardian of Desire.” The irony was thick enough to be cut with a knife.

~You’re welcome, oh wondrous Demon warrior.~ Came the playful, innocent reply. Boomerang finally laughed, patting Lucied on the head.

“Well, let’s find the Guardian of Fruitcake.” A stifled yap was his only reply, but Boomerang could see Luceid’s sides shaking.

“I heard that!” A spark of light shot out, orbited the shocked Demon a few times, then singed Luceid’s fur. She backed up with a yelp. “And I’ll have you know that I…” The voice went into a long rant about their inadequacies. The voice was shrill and very annoying. Boomerang rolled his eyes, swiping absently at the spark, which dodged effortlessly, not pausing its rant for a moment.

“Glum, what do you want me for?” Boomer asked wearily when the spark had paused for breath. The re-direction worked.

“I have a project!” Boomerang winced, and Luceid whimpered. Glum’s projects were notorious among the Demons and Guardians, and even the Humans and Elw. “I need you, Boomerang. Help me with this, and all debts are paid.” The Guardian of Pain announced, hovering by the Demon’s face. Boomerang frowned for a moment.

What could be so important that he’s willing to give up his hold on me? He shook his head, dismissing the problem. “Fine, fine. I owe you… even if you helped me just to put me in your debt.” The spark pulsed eerily, but declined to comment.

“This way.” It led them into another part of the ruin. Suddenly, Boomerang recalled the name the Elw had given this place.

The Vale of Tears.

How appropriate.

* * * *

Young Demon, following me now… forgive my temper. It used to be a façade. Has the mask become the reality?

I think it has. But that is good. I enjoy being a curmudgeon.

What was that phrase? …Ah yes.

Endured where e’er I go.

You might laugh, but it is true. I laugh. A little.

Young Demon, are you right? Did I aid you only for myself?

I am the Guardian of Pain, and your pain made me stronger, gave me power over you. Why, then, did I end it? Ending pain is for Hope, Love, Desire. Not me. Although Desire tried, didn’t she? She could not help you…

Did I help you for myself?

No. I did it for you. You do not know me, little one. But then, how could you?

I never allowed you…

* * * *

Boomerang stepped into a large room, glancing around idly. It looked like the throne room of this abandoned, desolate castle. Wall hangings of what should have been a rich, vibrant blue hung tattered and desolate from the walls. The skeletal remains of a large, stain glass window did nothing to stop the cold, damp breeze from blowing through. Luceid abruptly sneezed at the dust and fog. The dull grey stones crunched as Boomerang stepped forward, following the bobbing, weaving spark. Wrinkling his nose, he noticed that the room… smelled. It wasn’t carrion, he knew the smell of that, but it was close. Definitely rotten. “Have you ever considered cleaning up in here?”

“Hell no.” Darting out from under a hanging, the spark hovering in front of his face. “I have better ways to spend my existence.” Slipping back under the drape, the spark slashed out, cutting it off neatly. The drape fell to the ground with a wet thud, sending small pieces of mud rolling. Boomerang’s eyes widened.

“What is THAT?” “That” was a tiny pinwheel of color. It circled merrily, glittering and glowing with so many colors it was difficult to look at. Boomerang had never seen anything quite like it. The Guardian of Pain preened, circling his item.

“It’s very important. A key to the most amazing thing.” The glow from the Guardian brightened, a sign of enthusiasm. “The solution to all our problems, if it’s used properly!”

~Do the other Guardians know you have this, Gluzanden?~ Luceid asked shrewdly. Glum didn’t answer, which, to her, was answer enough. ~They don’t, do they?~

“Those fools!” The Guardian of Pain finally burst out, surprising Boomerang slightly. “They’ll lead us to nothing but ruin! “Bury the past.” PAH! We’ll all be buried if we don’t do things right this time!” Flying around irately, the spark suddenly darted right in front of Boomerang’s visor. He had to repress the urge to swat at it. “What goes around comes around. You of all people should know that, with that damned Boomerang of yours. If we don’t STOP what’s coming around, we’ll all be doomed!” Finally seeming to run out of steam, the spark stopped talking and hung sedately in the air. Boomerang and Luceid both eyed it like a potentially dangerous lunatic.

“All right, Glum.” Boomerang spoke in the kind, soothing tone usually reserved for someone who’s standing on the ledge of a very high building. “We’ll do what you want, just tell us what.” Luceid whined slightly, and Boomerang cocked an eyebrow at her.

~This isn’t going to make the other Guardians like me any better…~ A burst of light indicated the Guardian of Pain’s withering scorn.

“Nothing will make them like you any better, you silly bitch!” He barked, making Luceid’s ears fold back and Boomerang grip his Sabre Fang. “The despise me, too. Why do you want the approval of such idiotic cretins?!?”

~I don’t, I suppose, but…~ There was something in her mental voice, some longing that could not be qualified. The spark settled back.

“But even Guardians have their pains.” With that cryptic announcement, Glum flitted away. “Come along, now. We have much work to do.” Boomerang and Luceid traded slightly depressed looks, but followed.

There was no other honorable choice.

* * * *

A month of work… so much has happened.

I expected it. How couldn’t I? The situation was reaching a peak…

But I hoped for better.

Zed, you did well. The girl gives you the attention you need, and a kind regard you never knew you craved. The love you never had. Your pain has eased… I only can hope it remains that way.

Lady Harken… Elmina. I have mixed feelings. I understand that Jack wished to spare you pain, but pain can be a goad and the source of inspiration and great deeds. Must pain always be eased?

Alhazard. Farewell and goodbye. You shall not be missed. I admit you gave me much power, but I found it distasteful. Agony of the body does not necessarily mean agony of the heart and soul, but you managed to combine the three so well. It fed me such power around you… and made me nauseous. That takes a great deal. But it hardly matters, now that you have met your end…

Boomerang. Oh, Boomerang. You disappointed me, warrior. Whatever shall I do? You were pivotal in my plan. Perhaps I overestimated myself… but I had succeeded once. But then, my work was direct… with you, I touched your dreams. It was not enough.

Still, you leapt from the depths of hell once before… can you do it again?

With a little help?

We shall see…

* * * *

“Done.” The Guardian of Pain announced with grim satisfaction, flitting around the apparatus.

To be continued...