The Wishmaster
Wish One
His feet thudded needlessly against the ash as the bare skin became dirty, even gray. He winced, every muscle of his tendons and ligaments aching. The wings drooped far below their normal holding points, unable to carry him any further than he already dared hover. Surely it wasn’t much longer now. He left Evelyn back at the town, knowing he would have to do this alone.
”The Wishmaster… have to find The Wishmaster.” He chanted as he rose higher and higher above the town of Red Hill. Each time he said the name, it caused new resolve to course through his veins.
He had heard tale of the strange force that people had named “The Wishmaster.” Supposedly, in exchange for something, he would make whatever you liked come true, no matter what it was. That was the legend, anyway. Normally, Will would have wished for Amy to regain her life, but now there was something more important. Ever since he caused so many ruckuses in heaven, and had finally made the king angry, he knew he was being hunted.
Soon they would come for him, and he wouldn’t be allowed any second chances. It was goodbye wings and goodbye memory. Say hello to living the rest of your mortal life out on earth as a human. He recalled his last discussion with Evelyn.
“Will... do you have to go alone? At least let me come with you.” She pleaded, taking his hands in her own and squeezing them lightly. She did not want to risk losing him again, not so soon.
“No, Evelyn. I must do this alone.”
“But Will… if something should happen to you.”
“Don’t worry, Evelyn. I have to do this and I will return. I promise. Angels never die. Never.” He caressed her cheek fondly. “I will return. I swear it to you.”
“Alright… I love you, Will.”
The angel shook his head slightly as he approached the tip of the mountain. As he entered the clearing, he paused to take in the sights. A shallow pool of water, somewhat gray from the ash that swirled within it, stood in the middle, with no apparent leads to it. Strange. A rock, rather a large slab, balanced itself as it jutted out just over the water. The clearing was sheltered from view on all sides but the one Will had used to enter, pine trees towering over most of the barrier. A willow’s sweeping branches covered a large part of the pool, parting thanks to the outcrop of rock.
“Who has called me?”
He whirled around, breathing in short pants since the sudden quiet voice startled him. “Will… Will, the guardian angel.”
“Will. You have a wish?”
“Yes… I do.”
Just then, the ash halted its fall from the sky. Will nearly jumped from the sudden presence of a figure. It was a man; that much he could tell. The appearance was difficult to say, as he looked to be covered in a sort of tunic that split into an upside-down Y shape as it reached his hips, to reveal pants below it. It was almost like a skirt. The man was playing with something, something that looked like a rock, perhaps a piece of flint? He paused tossing it in the air to glance at Will, his piercing blue eyes causing the angel to remain silent.
“You know the rules?”
“You mean… I’ll have to give something up, right?” Will asked, watching the figure carefully.
“You know the rules. Are you prepared to give, even through the consequences?”
“I am. What is it you want in exchange for my wish?”
“Tell me the wish first.” The voice of the man whispered coolly, tossing the flint carelessly.
“Because I have angered the king of the angels, I am being hunted. There is a girl, a girl that I have learned to deeply care for recently. I don’t want anyone else being hurt by my actions. And these people hunting me won’t stop hunting me until I am dead. I don’t want the ones I love coming to harm because of those searching me out. Will you help me? I just can’t let others continue getting hurt for my deeds.” Will rubbed his chest sadly.
“In return, I will require something from you. Something that is of great value to you, perhaps the greatest value you own.” The figure waved a hand as he allowed his legs to dangle over the sides of the rock, pieces of shale falling into the water, sending ripples to the edges of the pool.
Slowly and regretfully, Will pulled from his sheath Rose of Sharon and kneeled, offering the blade with outstretched hands. “This is a great treasured possession of mine. Take it, and use it as you wish.”
“The price of the wish is fair.” A quick rushing sound, almost as if a great gust of wind sounded, and Will felt the blade lifted from his hands as he closed his eyes against the ash that swirled about.
Suddenly, he gasped. He glanced down, only to see the exposed blade of his sword halfway through his body. How? No, it couldn’t be. He placed both hands nearly on the blade, a trickle of blood emerging from his lips as they tried to form words, but merely gasped in shock. “I… I…” The crimson fluid from his wound began to soak his white tunic, forming a small puddle below him in the dark ash. He leaned back, teetering on the edges of life and death.
“Your wish… is granted.” Will looked up to see the figure standing in front of him much clearer, the angel falling down forward, but not quite dead. “Did you not say that they would not leave you be until you were dead? Well, now your problem is solved and your wish is granted. So be it.”
He chuckled darkly as the angel’s chest heaved; the last breath escaped his mouth as his eyes glazed over into death. Who knew where angels go when they die, well, one thing was for sure, he was dead now. Snapping his fingers, The Wishmaster instantly caused superheated fire to set on the body, burning it so he would never be missed.
A single feather escaped the wrath of the burning body, floating high over the sunset, symbolizing something that few mortals knew. The other pieces of feather were now simply part of the scenery, joining the rest of the flakes of bitterness.
“More ash for me.” He cackled softly, taking the sword from the pile of tattered clothing and bits of bone that still remained, and even those were slowly disintegrating. “Well, well, well. A new weapon. I suppose I can find a use for it.” He stated as he sheathed the blade through the side of his belt. A small, glimmering silver ring appeared on his belt, and the figure chuckled as he slid a finger over it. “The Wishmaster waits for the next dreamer to approach.” He tilted his head upwards, listening. “And we shall gain more.”