Soul Thief

Good does not exist without evil.

Despond was not evil. Despond knew he was not evil. Oberon knew Despond was not evil.

Yet there was always a thought in Despond's mind that perhaps he was. If Ardora was so kind and good, then he must have been the opposite.

Irene cared for them both. Irene's love knew no bounds, even if Ardora's did.

Irene and Despond were in her domain one afternoon. She was healing the scars Ardora struck across his arms.

And every touch formed a flower against Despond's skin. Ardora would pluck them and set them into his hair.

But he refused to smile at her.

"This isn't fair," Despond said.

"You two will always clash," Irene said.

"Edol favors her."

"Edol favors no one," Irene tried.

"Yes he does, Irene. He favors those humans. He favors Ardora and he favors you. It's obvious."

Irene was silent, healed the rest of Despond's arm. His flesh turned red again and he sighed in relief.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"No. You will say what you will. Edol is mysterious, and it is often frustrating. If I were you I would be upset as well," Irene said.

Irene stared at Despond lovingly, even if he always held a frown.

"Do you think I'm evil?" Despond asked.

Irene looked at him sideways.

"Of course not," she said. "I love you. And I love Ardora. Neither of you are good nor evil. You are as complicated as the humans you despise."

Despond huffed, turned away. He shook the flowers from his hair but said, "Thank you, Irene."

She kissed his cheek, tangled flower seeds in his hair so they would grow back later.

Despond was created when Irene watched Oberon take the soul of a human child. It upset her so that she wept for three days.

Despond had appeared at Edol's feet with tears in his eyes.