DEMONS | Nikolai Lantsov

Chapter 8

---Nikolai's POV---

Nikolai gritted his teeth against the pain searing through his leg as he led his group of soldiers on a desperate escape. The crash of their once majestic Hummingbird airship still echoed in his ears, a bitter reminder of their vulnerability in the face of the Darkling's relentless pursuit.

The hillside was treacherous, the terrain unforgiving as they fought their way upward. The Fold, a living manifestation of darkness, encroached upon them, its sinister presence amplifying their urgency. The nightmarish creatures it birthed snarled and slithered in the shadows, hungry for their souls.

"Keep moving!" Nikolai's voice rang out, laced with determination. "We can't falter now. We need to reach the palace and find shelter!"

"We are almost there! Keep the King in front!" One of the soldiers called out, letting Nikolai pass him.

The group pressed forward with unwavering loyalty to Nikolai. Despite the fear etched on their faces, they drew strength from their leader's resolute demeanor.

The air crackled with tension as they hacked through the thorny undergrowth, each step a struggle. Nikolai's mind raced, his thoughts consumed by the safety of his people and the woman he held in his heart—Mara. He yearned for her presence, knowing that her light could be their salvation in this abyss of darkness.

As they ascended, the Fold closed in around them, its suffocating embrace threatening to consume their hope. Shadows danced menacingly, concealing the grotesque forms of the monstrous creatures lurking within.

Nikolai's grip tightened on his pistol, his knuckles turning white as he fought back the pain and pushed his body to its limits. He exchanged fierce glances with his group of Grisha soldiers, their eyes reflecting a shared determination.

"We must hold our ground!" Nikolai's voice cut through the chaos. "We fight together, and we make it through!"

With a collective nod, the Grisha soldiers formed a defensive circle, their powers intertwining with one another. They unleashed bursts of fire and lightning, creating pockets of light within the encroaching darkness, driving back the advancing creatures.

Nikolai's pistol became an extension of his will as he fired shot after shot, each bullet finding its mark with deadly accuracy. He moved with the grace of a predator, his wounded leg a mere inconvenience compared to the urgency of the situation.

"You're doing great, keep it up!" Nikolai encouraged his soldiers, his voice a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. "Hold the line! We will make it through this!"

The clash of metal against monstrous flesh echoed in the courtyards of darkness as Nikolai and his soldiers fought with unwavering courage. They carved a path through the encroaching shadows, their determination unwavering.

With every step, Nikolai's heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of the love he held for Mara and the burning desire to keep her safe. In the midst of the battle, he stole glances at his wounded leg, urging it to bear his weight just a little longer.

As the darkness threatened to overwhelm them, a breakthrough emerged—a sanctuary amidst the chaos. A fortified hold within the palace walls, a beacon of hope in the sea of despair.

"Push forward!" Nikolai rallied his soldiers, his voice a clarion call. "We have a safe haven ahead. Fight with everything you have!"

Together, they forged a path through the final barriers of darkness, their resolve unwavering. As they burst into the courtyard of the palace, a surge of relief washed over Nikolai's weary frame. Safety was within their reach.

But as the shadows retreated, Nikolai's gaze swept the courtyard, searching desperately for a familiar face—Mara. His heart clenched with a mixture of fear and longing. Had she made it to safety? Was she unharmed?

---Mara's POV---

The great hall lay shrouded in an eerie silence as Mara stood alone, her senses on high alert. The weight of the room pressed upon her, its grandeur a stark contrast to the dark presence that had materialized before her—The Darkling himself.

Their eyes locked, and a charged energy filled the space as they began to circle each other. The Darkling wore a twisted smile, his voice dripping with malice.

"Ah, Mara, my dear," he sneered, "you have come to challenge me. How delightful."

Mara's grip tightened, her injured shoulder throbbing with pain. She took a deep breath, summoning her resolve, and met his gaze head-on.

"I will not let you destroy everything." she replied, her voice steady, laced with determination.

With a swift movement, Mara closed her eyes and widened her hands, unleashing a torrent of arrows made of pure light. But the Darkling was swift, evading the onslaught effortlessly. He retaliated, conjuring a monstrous creature from the shadows behind him.

The room trembled as the creature lumbered forward, its grotesque form a testament to the Darkling's malevolent power. Mara refused to be daunted, her injured shoulder screaming in protest as she faced the formidable challenge.

She fought with every ounce of strength, her body moving with grace and purpose. The clash of light and darkness filled the room as Mara's arrows collided with the monster's shadowy appendages.

Slowly but surely, Mara gained the upper hand. Her determination fueled her movements, each strike a testament to her unwavering resolve. The monster faltered, and with one final blow, Mara banished it into oblivion.

The room fell quiet once again, a pause in the battle. Mara's breaths came in ragged gasps as she stood, her body battered but her spirit unbroken. She refused to give in to the pain or the darkness that threatened to consume her.

The Darkling materialized once more, his eyes gleaming with a mix of fury and desperation. Mara's gaze locked onto his, her voice filled with a resolute determination.

"You will not win," she spat, her voice laced with a potent mix of anger and defiance. "I will not allow your darkness to prevail."

With a surge of strength, Mara lunged forward, tackling the Darkling to the ground. Her hands pressed against his temples, and a blinding light burst forth, swirling around the room.

The Great Hall erupted in a dance of swirling shadows and brilliant light as Mara poured her energy into the Darkling. His screams pierced the air, echoing with a mixture of agony and defeat.

"You are not invincible," Mara whispered, her voice resolute. "And I will ensure that your reign of darkness comes to an end."

But as Darkling's cruel laughter echoed through the hall, Mara's triumph turned to horror. She was thrown off him with a forceful kick, crashing into the marble floor. Darkness surged from the Darkling, filling every crevice of the hall, devouring the light.

The shadows slithered and writhed, their tendrils reaching out towards Mara, engulfing her in a suffocating embrace. Agonizing pain coursed through her body as the darkness seeped into her very being, tormenting her from within.

Her screams of anguish pierced the air, a desperate plea for mercy. Every inch of her skin felt like it was being torn apart, an inferno of suffering. Filling the entire palace with her sharp cries, as the pain continued.