Ad Maiora Semper

Devil Inside

"It's demoso! Demons!"

People shouted around Darragh, running all over the place. Lorcan was propped against his calves, completely exhausted. He had drained himself by opening up the portal that had been deliberately closed by strong magic. If it hadn't been for Darragh, Lorcan could've killed himself in the attempt.

Chaos surrounded them, taking up everybody's senses. Darragh tried to focus on the looming shadows that were moving with an unearthly speed.

"We need to close the portals!" Darragh shouted at the unruly crowd. "Get back here!" He yelled again, sending medics scrambling inside. Soldiers ran into the dark field, their weapons at the ready. For a second, Darragh felt like he was standing in a river that was flowing in two different directions. On one side, soldiers moved to face the enemy, and on the other, medics ran to the safety of Ardos.

"I'm going to collapse it!" Gina shouted over the noise, looking at Darragh sideways. It was no question. They had to close the portal to keep Ardos safe. Demons were raiding Aelor but they cannot enter Nairet. Not today.

"Wait some more!" Darragh shouted in reply. He had to do it fast or Ardos would soon turn from a safe haven to a warzone. He waited till the last white apron was back over the dark cobblestones.

"Close it behind me," he said to Gina and the other gens who were holding the portal in place.

"Darragh! No!"

But Darragh had already jumped inside the portal with the crystal clear mission of saving what was left of Aelor. He kept running, trying to reach Fallon who rode at the front of his contingent.

"IBAR!" He yelled and there came whishing through the wind, his sword, his first love, Merveilleuse. It settled into his outstretched hand, fitting perfectly in his palm and secured by his thumb. He ran forward, the sword glistening in the night sky.

"Let the fun begin."

*******

"Secure the princess!" Fallon yelled as the demons came closer. Merry was quickly encircled by a small group of soldiers; Rus was just in front of her. The girl in her arms whimpered and Merry brought her closer to her chest.

Her eyes darted towards the portal that was dying down, its light fading, taking away whatever hope it had of a safe world. She couldn't reach it in time. But she had to save the girl. What should she do?

Raise hell.

The voice in her head sent a shiver down her spine. She wasn't going to raise any kind of hell. One was quite enough.

A sudden idea dawned on her. She touched the earth, trying to find an answer within herself.

Rise. Rise.

Nothing happened. The front line of soldiers was already engaged in a fight. She glimpsed towards the demons, clad in thick black armor, their faces obscured by shadows. A cold feeling settled into her stomach. No, she can do it.

Rise!

The earth was flat, ash settling into the craters that had formed into it. Her fingers gathered dust, turning them black.

Rise for god's sake!

A few soldiers lost their footing as the ground trembled. Merry saw it part just in front of her, sending Rus a good foot away. A huge explosion shot from within and there it was, a wall built around her. It gathered on all her sides in succession, making a fort. She set the little girl, who was almost asleep after crying, down. She would be safe here, Merry thought.