A Realm of Hell

Chapter 9

The next few days passed by in a blur. Abaddon and I worked on strengthening my wall. Every once and a while he'd make a small move to attack me so I could practice keeping it up while fighting. I never saw Lylith during that time. In fact, I hadn't seen her since the small battle. I tried to ask Abaddon about her but he only shrugged and said she needs time to calm herself. Which left a shiver running down my spine.

I could feel the barriers within my mind becoming stronger. No longer did they quiver from overuse. Now they stood tall and never came down, even when I was done with training.

"Very good," Abaddon purrs, as he failed yet again to take over my mind, "I believe you may be ready for the next step."

"And what would that be?" I ask picking at my nails.

"Fighting," he replies with a grin. A swipe of a leg comes to my face in a flash. I duck instinctively. Wide eyed I look up at my attacker. His handsome face splitting into a grin.

"What the hell!" I yell. He ignores me, throwing a punch to the left side of my face, I dodge but not fast enough as it grazes my ear.

"Put up your hands, dumbass," he yells before throwing a hook to the right side. I use my forearms to block it, an ache already beginning to bloom.

"At least you have common defense," a swift kick to the shin sends me stumbling back, landing on my butt, "but you lack concentration," I see his leg move and create a X in front of my face to block it, only to have it aimed for my ribs. I suck in an aching breath, "the easiest way to learn to defend yourself," another kick, now I am left in a ball on the ground, my vision pulsing, "is to almost die." And with that I feel a chop to my neck. Everything goes black.

"What were you thinking?" her soft voice sounds In darkness,"I told you to train him. Not beat him up."

"Relax, the least of his worries is getting attacked by me," Abaddon snarky voice replies, "you're about to send him into a full battle against evil and you're afraid of him being hurt right now?"

"He shouldn't feel pain right now," a hand comes to caress my face.

"He'll feel it soon enough," he snaps, "what happens after this is all over? Do you really think that he will forgive it?"

She continues to stoke my face ignoring his words.

"Get use to see his face in pain. It's the only way to accomplish your goal," with that I hear a slam of a door. My eyes continue to refuse to open. The warmth of the hand enticing me back to sleep.

"Don't listen to him," I can feel her whisper, her face so close to mine, "I will protect you no matter what." I feel the brush of lips on my nose before sleep drags me under.

When I wake back up I am alone in my room. The memories of how I got here still hazy. I walk to the window. The dark sky oddly calming my racing thoughts. Sighing, I run my fingers through my growing locks. The blonde curls now landing on my shoulders. I stay like this for awhile staring at the reflection of the man in front of me before the click of the door sends me whirling around.

"May i come in?" Lylith asks, speechless all I can do is nod as I examine her figure. Just as beautiful as ever she glides into the room. Her dark hair braided away from her face heightening the sharpness of her cheekbones. Her black depths look me up and down, leaving licks of fire in their wake.

"How do you feel?" She asks, oddly shy.

Clearing my throat, "fine.. and you? How are you?" I ask, a blush creeping its way up my neck.

A giggle escapes her mouth, relieving the odd tension in the air, "I am still living." I nod my head at this. We stand there in the silence. Neither one of us knowing what to say.

"When he said you needed to calm down..?"

"The darkness," she whispers with a grin, "it needed time to be controlled."

So many questions race through my mind but I can't seem to will my mouth to move instead what comes out is, "would you like to go for a walk?"

She smiles at me, probably the most pure smile she's ever mustered and nods her head.

We take the same trail to the lake. The night breezing cooling my burning cheeks. Side by side their is no rush to our steps and I feel oddly content with just how normal this walk is.

"I apologize for Abaddon," she says breaking the silence, "in his own way he was helping."

We continue to walk, our arms lightly brushing against each other.

"And how would that have been helpful," I turn my head to look at her, seeing her eyes already on me. My face comically red.

"Pain is something you learn," her ords sucking me in, "it is something you grow use to. He was preparing you".

"And this journey?" I ask.

"There will be much pain," she whispers, stopping on the rock path. I stop along with her, my eyes searching hers. A chill runs down my spine when I once again find nothing inside them.

"For you too?" I whisper, my hand inching for hers.

"Yes," she whispers back, her hand coming to stoke my cheek as if I was a delicate piece of glass. She leans closer, our breaths now shared, "that is the price we must pay."

I don't reply to her words. I'm rooted by the beautiful darkness that stares into my soul. I want to lean closer, to stretch out my hand. To captivate this beauty the same way she has captivated me.

As if she knows all this she smiles. The grin that of a serien. I am no longer in control of my actions as i bring my head closer to hers. She waits, making no move to deny or accept my advance. She waits. Like a hunter who had sent their trap.

"Why do i feel this way?" I breath, my lips inches from hers. I don't give her a chance to reply as my hand comes to cup her porcelain cheek and devour her lips.