Dedicated to my

cousin Brayden.

You look so much like

your father, and you

inspired me in the

creation of one of

my characters.

I wish you well in

your life.

I Love You Brayden!

Unwanted Destiny

Prologue

Do you have a long forgotten moment, that was so precious and dear you would do anything to retain it? Or maybe it is something you would want to change?

I would want something to change so I could have long forgotten moments. You probably wonder who doesn’t have a forgotten moment. Well I do, I have memories, but not ones that I chose to create.

I am not like most seventeen year olds; you see my life has always been run for me. I was a princess;(no this isn’t my problem), controlled by a demon who destroyed my life. My story begins twelve years ago in a land called Elysia.

Chapter 1: Possession

Elysia, a valley enclosed land surrounded by massive mountains, had been my family’s homeland since it was discovered by my ancestors. I knew this land like the back of my hand. To the west was a dark, thick forest, the men of our kingdom had only dared to explore the half closest to their homes. To the east was a dry barren desert which was either a pathway to other countries or a pathway to immediate death. Needless to say not much vegetation grew on the eastern side of the land. Unlike the desert in the east, far to the north was a vast lake feeding the surrounding vegetation. Not many people knew about this lake partly because it was shrouded in the mountains dark shadow but mostly because nobody dare travel that far. I only knew about it because my father once traveled with some of his best knights to explore the northern part of Elysia.

At the very center of Elysia was a tiny kingdom called Rea, this was my home. My father was a righteous man of great stature with sandy hair and blue eyes. He ruled with a iron hand that was gentle yet firm; he was King of Rea. His lovely wife, the Queen, and my mother was a petite woman with curly blonde hair and green eyes. I was their only child, Princess Nerisella, a perfect little angel, with my father’s hair and my mother’s eyes. We had a peaceful life, but one day that all changed.

‘Twas the eve of my fifth birthday and the castle was filled with the sound of hustling feet as each servant prepared for my party the next day.

“No, no, no. That doesn’t go there, it goes there. Zavier! The arrangements of the tables is all wrong. Everything needs to be perfect for Nerisella’s Birthday. David what are we going to do, nothing’s going right!”

My mother was panicking. With her everything had to be perfect.

“Angelica don’t worry, everything will be fine. As long as Nerisella is happy we should be happy. Nothing is going to go wrong.”

Oh how wrong my father was. Just as the final decorations were being hung the black sheep of the family, Aunt Monica, burst through the ballroom doors.

“Nerisella, darling I come bearing a gift for you.”

Aunt Monica was a sorceress on my mother’s side.

“She doesn’t need anything from you Monica. Your presence isn’t welcomed here.”

“Come now Angelica your sister isn’t that vile, and means not harm. Let Nerisella have her present.”

Mother didn’t trust her sister, since she was known to meddle with the dark arts in her sorcery. Father didn’t know her as well, so he still trusted her, which he would soon regret.

I was handed a gift wrapped in a small box. I pulled at the bow attached to the box and let it drift to the floor. Slowly the lid was lifted off. My parents were in front of me, my Aunt beside me. Everyone was staring intensely as I reached my hand into the box and drew out an amulet with a ruby centerpiece. Awestruck at it’s beauty my parents and I were unaware of the danger that dwelt within the amulet itself.

The next day I awoke to the sun’s rays pouring through the cracks between the drapes. Stretching my arms I remembered today was my big day. I quickly rubbed the sleep from my eyes and ran to my wardrobe. Its huge pine doors were flung open as I gazed at my vast selection of dresses to choose from. I finally chose the perfect dress, a white dress with red roses winding around it. I donned the amulet finishing my apparel. A silent knock came from my door followed by mother’s voice.

“Nerisella are you awake? Your party is going to start without you.”

“Yes mother I’m awake. I’ll be down in a minute.”

Her footsteps echoed as she took her leave. I stared at my mirror and gave my dress a twirl. With a final look in the mirror I took a deep breath and opened my door and skipped down the steps leading to the grand ballroom. The room filled with applause, celebrating the guest of honor. My party had officially started, a big feast was held then everybody slowly and gradually made their way to the middle of the ballroom where couples danced for hours. My father took my hand and let me stand on his feet as we turned about in circles. When it came time for me to open my presents every child there rushed the table where the presents sat.

I couldn’t decide which to open, my friends were shoving multiple gifts in front of me. I finally finished opening every present and was ecstatic because I got everything I asked for, and more. My whole birthday was a huge hit, however, that all would change at midnight.

My friends and I were dancing in the middle of the ballroom with couples around us making comments on how cute we were. My parents watched from their thrones. The grandfather clock struck midnight, and the entire grand ballroom turned red; the source, the amulet. Before anyone could scream, a man garbed in a black robe, with red eyes, and long silver hair, appeared in the middle of the room. My amulet gone.

“I am Xanamros, Demon of Darkness. Who has released me from my eternal imprisonment.” No one moved a muscle as Xanamros turned and faced me with those blood-red eyes. Somehow he knew I was the one who released him. “THANK YOU FOR RELEASING ME! YOU WILL BE REPAID BY SERVING AS MY SLAVE, FOR LIFE!”

My parents rushed from their thrones to be by my side, as my friends ran searching for their mother’s comforting arms. My parents fell to their knees begging and pleading.

“Let her stay!” they cried, outraged.

Xanamros waved his hand toward them and they fell silent. My father rose from his knees, staring deep into Xanamros’ eyes.

“Let her stay!” gesturing toward me. “She had no intention of releasing you!”

Xanamros raised an eyebrow and lifted his head higher, staring down upon my father.

“Do you think I would believe you, the mortal father of my new slave?” Xanamros replied placing a cold hand on my shoulder.

I was shaking as this strange man touched me. Xanamros snapped his fingers and pitch-black smoke began to swirl around us, blocking my parents from view. Through the smoke I could here mother scream,

“Nerisella! No my baby!”

My surroundings were fading as my mother’s desperate cries faded.

The next thing I knew, I was in a dark musty room that was dimly lit by three torches with black flames. I had realized this was the underworld my parents had described many a times. I began to look around when I noticed the outline of someone across the room, it was Xanamros. He slowly and eerily made his way toward me.

“Do you have a name little girl?” I stood there, frozen I fear. “Answer me child,” said Xanamros with no emotion.

“Nerisella,” I replied shaking, avoiding Xanamros’ deadly gaze.

Xanamros then begun circling me, nodding his head each time around. When he finally stopped, he stood before me and said,

“You will become a fine slave for my demonic deeds. Moreover, you will have no choice in the matter, for I will be controlling what you do and say from now on. Am I understood?”

I nodded.

As if I had a choice.

The next few minutes were like a nightmare brought to life. Xanamros stared straight at me with lifeless eyes, a wicked smile spreading across his face, his head cocked to one side. Then, my entire body went numb, and I fell to the floor. Xanamros knelt beside be and whispered into my ear,

“This won’t hurt a bit.”

My head then flooded with pain. It felt like someone was drilling into my mind. My most private thoughts and memories became known. My body thrashed violently, arms writhing, legs kicking. I sat up my body retching the contents of my stomach out onto the floor as the alien being of Xanamros moved in. He was taking over my mind and body. I was helpless to fight him off. Xanamros was almost in complete control of my mind; then I blacked out.

When I awoke my body started to stand up, but there was something wrong. It felt as if I was watching my body rise rather than telling it to. Xanamros was standing across the room motioning my body to come forward, and it did.

“Who is your master?” asked Xanamros.

I tried to keep my mouth shut, I couldn’t bite my lip, the words spilled out.

“You’re my master Xanamros.”