Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles

Chapter 18: On Death's Door (Part Two)

Felix could only utter a weak "What?" at the demon. Orpheus on the other hand, cursed under his breath and materialised his staff. He pointed it at Satan threateningly, although he was visibly trembling in fear.

"You have done well, my beloved sinner," Satan said. "I must say, it was a pleasant surprise to find out that one of my most wrathful sinners has made his way to Purgatory by himself. I look forward to receiving your soul in due time."

The grin slipped off the demon's face. "But you have come here unauthorised and taken what does not belong to you. You have interfered with natural law, and your actions of hostility will not go unpunished."

"I've heard of you, demon prince. What you are, what you have done, what you will do. But you don't scare me," Felix snarled. "I've only come here to take back what's mine. Nothing is stopping me. Not even you!"

"Your sister's death was written in stone even before this world was conceived. Her soul no longer belongs with the living world, and neither does it belong to you."

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Felix raised his fists. "I'm taking her back home, and I'll defeat anyone- anything that stands in my way."

"Such misplaced arrogance!" Satan roared in laughter. "You almost remind me of Lucifer Himself!"

"But you don't really believe that, do you?" The demon's voice dropped sinisterly. "Deep down, you're just a scared little boy who's too afraid to face the consequences of his actions."

"Shut up..." Felix muttered behind gritted teeth.

"Oh, the pain... the humiliation!" Satan was now standing behind him. "You struggle so hard, just to make up for your mistakes; to make up for your incompetence. Oh but you can't, can you?"

"Shut up..."

"Your parents died because you were too frail to protect them!" The demon prince materialised in front of Felix and screamed in his face. "Your sister died because you were too feeble to save her!"

"And now, you'll die all alone in this place," Satan whispered behind his ear. "Because you are too weak... to defeat your demons."

"Shut up! Shut! Up!" Felix screamed in anguish. "No! No! I'M! NOT!"

A blinding pink beam exploded from his entire being, shaking the surroundings with sheer power as it hurtled towards his doppelganger. It collided with a barrier, and Satan nullified his attack with nary a strain on his face. He snapped his fingers, conjuring a spear that flew straight for his heart. Felix only had time to gasp in shock, but a black shield deflected the projectile right before it hit him.

"Lest you didn't notice, he's not alone." Orpheus glared at the demon. He stomped the ground with his staff, releasing the thousands of demons he had absorbed earlier. They wailed in unison, descending on the demon lord.

Felix took the chance to grab his friend while the demon was still distracted. He produced the glowing orb from within his body and put it in Orpheus' hands. "It's me he wants. I'll hold him off while you bring Marcia's soul back to the living world."

"He's going to kill you!" Orpheus exclaimed. "You're not a match for Hell's second in command. You can't expect me to just leave you to die!"

"I know, but I trust you more than anything in this world, Orpheus." A tear rolled down Felix's face. "T-tell Marcia that I love her. Tell her that I wanted this, my friend. And Orpheus, I... I love y-"

A grating screech blasted the air as the spirits dispersed themselves with the explosion that accompanied it. Felix looked back frantically.

"Go now, Orpheus! Before it's too late!" he yelled as pink wrapped around his friend's body. "Go, and don't look back!"