Infernal Hearts: Madness, Passionate and Extraordinary Love of a Demon

chapter 6:- The Trial of Fire

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The days that followed were a blur of relentless training and tense anticipation. Evelyn and Azrael’s bond had grown stronger, but so had the sense of foreboding that surrounded them. The prophecy hung over their heads like a storm cloud, and they knew that their first trial could come at any moment.

One evening, as they were finishing up another grueling training session, Azrael received a message. His eyes darkened as he read it, and Evelyn could see the tension in his jaw.

“What is it?” she asked, her heart pounding.

Azrael looked up, his eyes burning with intensity. “The first trial is upon us,” he said. “We’ve been summoned to the abandoned cathedral on the outskirts of the city.”

Evelyn felt a chill run down her spine. “What are we going to do?” she asked.

Azrael took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “We’re going to face it,” he said. “Together.”

They arrived at the cathedral just as the sun was setting, the sky ablaze with fiery hues. The building loomed over them, its gothic architecture casting long shadows across the ground. The air was thick with tension, and Evelyn could feel the weight of the prophecy pressing down on her.

As they stepped inside, the heavy wooden doors creaked shut behind them, sealing them in darkness. Azrael lit a torch, its flickering light casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. They made their way through the cavernous space, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

At the center of the cathedral, they found a circle of ancient symbols etched into the floor. Standing within the circle was a figure cloaked in black, their face hidden beneath a hood.

“Welcome,” the figure said, their voice echoing through the cathedral. “You have come to face the first trial.”

Azrael stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination. “We are ready,” he said.

The figure’s hooded head turned towards Evelyn, and she felt a chill run down her spine. “Are you truly ready?” the figure asked. “The trial of fire is not for the faint of heart.”

Evelyn took a deep breath, drawing strength from Azrael’s presence beside her. “We’re ready,” she said firmly.

The figure nodded, and with a wave of their hand, the circle of symbols began to glow with an otherworldly light. “Step into the circle,” the figure commanded.

Evelyn and Azrael stepped forward, their hands clasped tightly together. As they crossed the threshold of the circle, a wall of fire erupted around them, enclosing them in a ring of flames.

Evelyn felt the heat pressing in on her, and her heart pounded in her chest. “What now?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Azrael’s grip on her hand tightened. “Stay close to me,” he said. “We need to remain focused and connected. The trial is designed to test our bond.”

The flames grew higher, and Evelyn could feel the heat searing her skin. She closed her eyes, focusing on her connection with Azrael. She could feel his strength flowing into her, bolstering her resolve.

Suddenly, the flames parted, revealing a path lined with burning coals. “You must walk the path,” the figure’s voice echoed. “Only then will you prove your strength and unity.”

Evelyn’s heart raced as she looked at the burning coals. “We can do this,” Azrael said, his voice steady. “Together.”

They stepped onto the coals, their bare feet searing with pain. Evelyn bit her lip to keep from crying out, focusing on the rhythm of their steps and the connection between them. Each step was agony, but with Azrael by her side, she found the strength to keep moving.