Awakening (Redux)

Chapter 2: A Rude-ish awakening

The scent of smoke met my nose as I felt my body lurch awake in a dream state. The cream walls of my old room met my eyes, gray wisps rolling under them all. As I went to stand, the door to my room exploded in a bright blue burst of fire that latched to the frame and replaced the wooden door. The wisps of gray seemed repelled from the energy of the flame, pushing away from the heat and toward my feet. I began to walk toward the flame, drawn toward a deep rumbling from the other side. As I got closer, the heat I expected to be excruciatingly painful was surprisingly welcome. The rumbling sound turned to a deep laugh and the flames dissipated, revealing brimstone flooring of a large chamber. I took a few steps into the room and saw the end of a long table decorated with ornate gold and jeweled plates, large goblets and chalices full of a dark red, sickly sweet wine, and large amounts of food. Across the long table, a figure sat in a tall backed chair, their broad shoulders and tall figure silhouetted by the light of a sconce on the wall behind them. As I got closer, the figure stood, showing off their massive size, at least 7 foot tall and about as wide as a refrigerator.

"Please, sit and join me, Axel." The figure spoke, deep yet welcoming.

I pulled out the seat in front of me and sat down slowly, eyes locked on the figure as they began to walk closer. Their features became more clear, dark red skin and large curled back horns, their feet seemed to shift from large goat legs to human legs as they approached, and their large black eyes locked onto mine. They sat down a few chairs down and now I could tell what I was looking at.

"You're a demon, correct?" I asked, getting uncomfortable with the change in space between us.

The shifter laughed and flames roared up around the table, revealing a portrait painting of the man in front of me with a simple name written at the bottom. Satan.

"Close, Axel. A family friend, that's what I am to you. I brought you here to talk for a moment."

After taking a moment to compose myself, I looked at Satan. "You've got my attention."

"I'm not the only one you've got. I hear tales from many of my underlings that perhaps many of the other gods are... less than pleased with you being alive, they call you a bastardization of faith. I'd just like to let you know, the quiet life you wanted, you forfeited after that fight with the orc."

My jaw slowly dropped open as he spoke, and the severity of the news left me in a lack of words momentarily. The thought of never getting to relax again made me feel like I'd messed up by not dying, and Satan took notice.

"I warned you so that you may train and prepare. I know who you're going to have to see next and you're probably gonna want a little more preparation time. I heard the Valkyries have been dispatched, but if they can't find you, you'll have to fight with-"

Before he could finish, I was ripped awake. My heart pounding in my chest and sweat pouring out my forehead, I got up to get a glass of water. My footfalls were heavier than I wanted but at the moment, I didn't care. So much was just so real not even 3 minutes prior and now I'm back in the complex, and I couldn't wrap my head around what that dream meant or if I should actually trust it. I must've been too in my own head because I didn't notice anyone as I was walking until I actually ran into Luna walking out of the cafeteria, knocking her glass of water out of her hands.

"Oh, shit, I'm sorry ma- Oh hey, Luna. What's got you up?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

She was quiet for a second before just pulling me into a hug, crying and shaking softly. "I c-can't sleep. I keep thinking about that brute coming back..."

I held her close in my arms, gently petting her hair. The smell of her felt comforting and I couldn't help but relax a little as she calmed down, looking up at me.