Jaspen

Sweat beaded my face as I sat on the floor of the cave trying to follow their instructions so they could ban Iblis from me, but I was becoming weary. They were chanting in ancient demonic language and I could feel something different than usual- a shift of change in the air. Two of my father's scribes had been summoned for this reason and they sat there intently watching, hoping to bring good news back to their king. That's when I felt it- the ache of the fire within my veins and I tried to control it but failed. It shot from my hands in an angry burst, scorching the floor of the cave directly in front of the scribes- instantly killing them. Fear of my power rose in me, but Rentook and Bane kept chanting.

"Stop!" I screamed.

The other man had run out of the cave and fear was building in me making me feel an ache of fire within me and also Iblis rising in control.

"Stop!" I wailed again. "You're going to kill me!"

I felt Iblis slipping further and further into control as the sweat grew until everything went black.

***** Ibli

My eyes opened anew and I looked down at my hands- something felt different this time with being in control of Jaspen's body. Did I finally have full control and, if so, what person had given me such a gift? I looked at the two in front of me- the ageless ones. I thought they had been just a myth.

"To what do I owe this great pleasure?" I said with a smirk.

"Your life," said the one with a voice that seemed to seep away part of my life.

That's when I saw the dagger- one made of no earthly metal. How had he got his hands on a godly weapon?

"That's what you think," I spat and tried to stand up. It felt as if I was bound to the ground.

"You're spellbound," said the one with red triangles under his eyes. "We took every precaution with you, Iblis. I will see you rot in the next life."

Laughter was the last thing on my lips as I slipped out of the world of the living.

**** Jaspen

I awoke later, feeling as weak when I woke up from taking the bite for Neo, to see the sun setting on another day. How long had I been out this time? I sighed then realized I was back in my village back among my people.

"You finally stir," came Hassan's voice.

I turned to see the man that I was still trying to understand. In some ways in his own small way, he had been more of a father to me than my blood father. Ever since I had chosen to be a prince, Thekros had not spoken to me. The shock was too much for the simple blacksmith.

"Aye," I said weakly. "What happened this time? And don't leave out any details even if it is terrible. Just tell me it's over… that he is gone."

"I will when you're more recovered," he said. "I swear."

I sighed. "Very well."

With that, I let myself be taken into sleep's welcoming arms.