Chapter 21 - The Parasite

Ominis setup our camp promptly, within minutes our tent was erected, and he was poking at a fire.

"Why don't you go freshen up and change into something more comfortable?"

I nodded and made my way into the tent. The tent appeared to be small when you looked at it from the outside, but as soon as you entered it was the size of a cottage. In the centre was a large dining room table, kitchen utensils and cutlery lined the shelves in the corner. There were two separate bedrooms separated by canvas and dividers and in the far corner there was a bathtub and towels. I imagined it was the type of tent a small family would taking on a camping holiday. I made my way over to one of the beds and emptied the contents of my bag trying to take stock.

Sharp had outdone himself. He had even managed to pack some personal items, including my mokeskin pouch from Professor Onai. There were fresh sets of clothes for both Ominis and me. I instinctively put his clothes on the other bed, thinking that it might be weird for us to sleep in the same bed together. Which was an odd thought considered we had just had sex a few hours ago. I can't believe that was only a few hours ago.

Since then, I've taken on this unknown power. I've murdered someone. I've lost Poppy. Oh Poppy. I held back the tears as I placed Ominis' clothes on the bed. A small object rolled out of one the trouser pockets. It rolled beneath the bed, and I bent down to retrieve it. It was the little golden compass Professor Onai had given to Ominis. I opened the lid and watched the dial spin, it didn't point north like a normal compass, but rather it was supposed to point to your hearts greatest desire. I held it in my hand, the dial spun in circles and didn't settle, I was worried I had broken it by dropping it. I quickly closed the lid and placed it on top of the clothes I had laid out for Ominis. I placed the food onto the kitchen shelves and packed away the remaining books and potions back into my bag. I removed the opal necklace from my neck and placed it in my mokeskin pouch. The necklace was beautiful, competently ostentatious for my style, but beautiful none the less. Now that my chores were complete, I decided to have a bath. I filled the bathtub with water using the Aguamenti spell, undressed and slid in. The water was cold, but I welcomed the feeling. I sat there with my arms over my knees, finally having a moment to take in all that had happened.

Images of Poppy being engulfed in a green light flickered in my brain. I started to cry, realising that I wasn't even going to be able to give my friend a proper goodbye. I was an outlaw now, everyone would think that I had killed Poppy. Oh god what would Natty think? What would my parents think? Would I ever be able to see them again? It made my heart sore and the tears streamed down my face. I was murderer now.

"Pain makes us stronger, do not fight it."

I nearly jumped out of the bath when I heard that voice.

"Who is there?" I felt stupid for asking the question out loud, in my heart I already knew the answer.

"The question is not who, but what. I am part of you. I am your inner worst thoughts. I am the pain of hundreds. I am torment. I am suffering. I am what people fear most and I am powerful."

I started to shake, not from the cold water but from the fear pulsing through my veins.

"I have been waiting patiently for a host. Together you and I will consume the world." The voice was reverberating in my head, its whisper was alluring and frightening at the same time.

"How did you come to be?"

"I was born out of pain, extracted out of the hearts of many. But I did not yet have consciousness. I was born when I was consumed by Ranrok, his demise created a lifeforce of my own, with his last breath I was born. I have been trapped in that repository for almost a year, calling for you, begging for freedom. Finally, you headed my calls and now we are one."

I could feel the presence within me, the same feeling when I tortured and killed Oliver Wright.

"I did not come looking for you, I do not want this."

The voice let out an evil laugh.

"You have no choice now. I have claimed you."

I felt tainted and spoiled, this thing was crawling within me, and I could feel every movement. My hands clenched the side of the bath and I let out a frustrated scream. Ominis came bursting in

"Riley, are you ok?"

He looked around for danger, noticing me in the bath he swiftly turned his eyes away. The voice subsided and I just felt the sobs escape me. I wrapped my arms around my knees and let my head sink.

I felt Ominis place a towel around me.

"Come on, let's get you dressed and into bed."

He helped me stand and draped the towel securely around me. His arms were wrapped around me as he guided me to the bed. He grabbed a nightgown from the pile of clothes and pulled it over me, then he removed the towel from under me. I appreciated the respectful nature of him dressing me, it didn't feel awkward at all. Ominis tucked me into the bed and brushed the hairs out of my face. I had ceased with the sobbing and my throat now felt very dry.

"I'm-I'm so sorry Ominis. This is all my fault."

He pursed his lips together and caressed my cheek.

"It's going to be ok Riley. You should rest now. We can talk more tomorrow."

He kissed my forehead and the warmth of his lips spread through me and shook off the remaining cold feeling. It didn't take long for me to drift off, where I dreamt of Professor Onai standing over a pile of yellow flowers that had turned to ash.

²

I awoke the next morning feeling like I hadn't slept at all. My eyes felt heavy, and my throat felt hoarse. I scanned the room and couldn't see Ominis. I got up and quickly dressed myself, I could see that the other bed had been slept it, but where was Ominis? After putting on my black leather gear and my boots I walked outside, where Ominis sat by the fire stirring a cauldron. He looked as though he didn't get much sleep either, but he had changed into more comfortable clothes along with a black cloak. "Morning."

My voice sounded raspy, and he looked over at me with a small smile.

"Morning. Come sit and eat some food."

I sat on a log near the fire and accepted the bowl Ominis handed me. It looked like stew and it smelt delicious, my stomach grumbled as I munched it down.

"How are you feeling?" Ominis sat across from me and watched me carefully as he also ate.

"I didn't sleep much." He finished his last bite and set his bowl aside as I spoke.

"I could tell, you were talking in your sleep."

I finished the last of my stew and grabbed some water from a goblet nearby, Ominis eyeing my movements.

"Riley, I know a lot has happened, but we need to talk."

I knew this was coming, Ominis was not one to let things go unspoken.

"Ok." I nodded but didn't say anything further.

Ominis decided to break the silence. "I'm sorry about Poppy."

A lump formed in my throat, but I felt so dehydrated from all the crying, but I had no tears left in me. "She didn't deserve it, she got dragged into all of this because of me, her death is on my hands."

Ominis quickly rose and sat beside me.

"You do not think like that Riley Dagworth. This is not your fault, this is the doing of Oliver Wright and The Blackhand."

I shook my head.

"Ominis The Blackhand only found out about the ancient magic because of me, if I hadn't been flaunting my powers so carelessly, they wouldn't have found out. Poppy would still be here."

Ominis held my hand now.

"We can sit here and say what if until the sun goes down, but The Blackhand knew exactly who you were the moment they saw you use your magic. They have obviously known of the ancient magic for a long time, and if you hadn't stepped in that day, that muggle woman would not be alive. You did the right thing Riley." His words brought me no comfort.

"Riley, in the cavern I saw the power from the repository enter you. When you had Oliver in your grip you looked like you were in some sort of trance, even your eyes were a different colour."

The guilt of what I had done was creeping into my mind once more. I had killed before, but always in self-defence. This was different. Oliver pleaded with me to stop, and I continued to torture him, I killed him without a moment's hesitation.

"It's within me now Ominis, the power that was in that repository was corrupted when Ranrok consumed it. When I contained it last year it was only hibernating, waiting for a host. I can't explain it, but it speaks to me. It tells me to do horrid things, but at the same time I want to do them. I didn't fight it when I killed Oliver. It felt good to hurt him after what he did to Poppy."

Ominis frowned at me as I spoke, he almost retracted from holding my hand, I could see he was struggling to process what I was saying.

"Riley, I've never heard you speak like this, you're scaring me."

"He is weak."

I heard the voice speak in my mind, but I shook it off.

"I don't mean to frighten you Ominis, I am just being honest. I don't know what's to come, but it's better that this power is with me rather than with The Blackhand."

Ominis seemed to agree with my logic.

"Speaking of The Blackhand, they will try to come after you once they learn that Oliver failed. I'm not sure how quickly word will get out about what happened at Hogwarts, but while we can we need to use the element of surprise."

My eyes met with his and I knew what he was talking about.

"Sebastian?"

He nodded slowly.

"Yes, Oliver said that he was still their captive. Anne mentioned in her letters that Sebastian last said he was near Clagmar coast, that's why I brought us here. We need to find him."

The conversation felt like it had turned slightly awkward, but it had to be said.

"He's been their prisoner since Christmas Ominis, he's been tortured for months while we-."

Ominis interrupted me, "I know Riley, I feel guilty for not reaching out sooner, making sure my friend was ok. All we can do now is bring him home." I felt relief knowing that Ominis felt the same and I squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Ominis, I dreamt of Professor Onai last night. I know you don't think much of this prophecy, but I think it's important."

I could see Ominis was struggling not to roll his eyes.

He indulged me, "What did it say again?"

I recited it, "The ancient power corrupted brings forth ash and death. The love of the eagle shall bring balance. Notwithstanding, a dark curse forms with a final breath. The ultimate sacrifice must be borne, eyes of hazel will bring about your final downfall."

I paused for a moment taking it all in.

"If you believe in prophecies Riley, then it seems as though the first part has come true. I have no idea what the rest of it might mean. It mentions eyes of hazel bringing about your final downfall. Sebastian has hazel eyes, as I'm sure you know-" he said with a hint of hurt in his voice, "Do you still want to rescue him knowing that he may be the one mentioned in this prophecy?"

I felt like Ominis was testing me, either I had to admit that the prophecy was foolish or that I didn't care that Sebastian might be the end of me.

"He's our friend, we don't have much of a choice."

Ominis watched my face intently as I spoke, "Very well."

He rose and started to put out the fire.

"Ominis, about last night, in the Undercroft-"

His shoulders stiffened at my words.

"Now is not the time Riley, we have more important things to focus on. Come on, we need to track down The Blackhand."