Light in abyss

CHAPTER TEN: THE ROAR OF HOPE

Past lives are whispers; memories are gifts and burdens.

The stain of hopelessness is evident on the faces of Arman and his teammates. Barely holding back the demons, they begin to falter.

"WHO DECIDED THIS IS WHERE WE MEET OUR END!?" Bella yells at the top of her voice.

"We represent hope; we are what the people of Fulmyth believe in. Do not get discouraged now; there must be a way out."

Chad shifts closer to Arman and asks, "What are the odds you make us another tunnel, big guy?"

Arman smirks. "Chances of that are low, my friend."

Sakina overhears this and suggests an idea. "Listen, I never paid much attention in class, but I might have an idea."

Everyone listens attentively while fighting off the demons.

"What if you redirect the flow of your aura and turn it into energy?"

Chad laughs hysterically. "Wow, Sakina, you actually paid attention in class. So, what are the odds of that, big guy?"

Arman smiles. "I can do it, but you guys will have to buy me some time. My control of my aura isn't the best."

Chad interjects and yells out, "I don't know how long we'll last with the freaking infernal demon making its way towards us."

Bella, in a blur of speed, intercepts the infernal demon. Chad and Sakina are barely holding back the demons while Arman focuses on converting his aura into energy.

Bella’s blade shatters as she clashes with the infernal demon's attack mid-air. In a swift movement, the infernal demon grabs her left arm and breaks it, with the bone tearing through her skin. Before she can even cry out in pain, the infernal demon morphs its arm into a blade and motions to drive it through Bella’s heart.

The panic-stricken Bella twists and turns her body in an attempt to dodge the attack. The infernal demon misses her heart but still manages to drive its blade through the left side of her abdomen.

In a desperate attempt to escape, she reaches into the depths of her core to draw on her unique skill.

"King of the Forest: Fenrir's Rage."

A massive blast shoots from Bella’s right hand. The shockwave blows her all the way back to where her team is. Chad catches her mid-air and throws down a black ball that bursts and creates black smoke.

Arman yells out, "It’s done!"

Suddenly, the ground below them caves in. As the demons are about to jump in after them, Sakina throws a spatial slash, and Chad throws a bomb. The explosion pushes the demons back.

Debris starts to fall towards the group. Arman quickly closes the tunnel from above, catching the debris and stopping the demons from entering. While falling, he turns to face the ground and creates a gust of wind to soften the group's landing. Everyone reaches the bottom of the tunnel in one piece.

Suddenly Bella screams out in pain, like a screeching siren mixed with a loud roar.

Sakina rushes to Bella’s side, attempting to close her wounds by channeling her aura. Arman tries to walk over to help but passes out from exhaustion.

Chad, in a muffled whisper, says his trigger word to activate his skill. He then walks over to Sakina and hands her a vial. Chad, visibly sweating and panting heavily, tells Sakina to pour the liquid onto Bella’s wounds. Shortly after, he passes out.

With shaking hands, she slowly pours the liquid onto Bella’s wound. Within seconds, Bella’s wounds heal in an almost surreal way, with her bones popping back into place and her skin tissue bubbling and moving towards each other to close her wounds.

Meanwhile, in the treasure room of Amity Academy, Rebecca lies slumped over, her form battered and bruised.

In the right corner of the room, Kendrick is seated cross-legged, casually reading a book of poems.

Imaan bursts through the door. She announces that the Grand Elder has summoned the entire student council. In the corner of her eye, she sees Rebecca and rushes to heal her. Before the words can leave Imaan's lips, Kendrick starts to read from his book.

"Waves crash strong, soothing sound. A symphony that lifts me up. The ocean's roar, constant beat. A reminder of life's eternal heat."

(This is directly taken from *Moonlight Whispers on Signal Hill: A Collection of Poems* written by Theforgotten007™.)

Kendrick then walks out of the room while Imaan helps Rebecca up.

They arrive at the Grand Elder’s office. Kendrick enters and scans the room. On his left are Lance and Benjamin, and on his right are Lynette and the 5th Ace.

Kendrick glances over at Benjamin and sees slashes all over his armor, and clenches his fist at the sight of Benjamin.

The Grand Elder opens, "I would like to thank you all for coming on such short notice, seeing as most of you have just returned from your own missions."

"A demonic horde of 1,000 demons makes its way towards the kingdom of Bern."

The announcement shifts the atmosphere in the room, making everyone tense and on edge.

"We have to mobilize the entire academy and prepare for war."

Everyone immediately gets to work strategizing.

Moments later, the plan is complete. They have Kendrick, Lance, and the 5th Ace as the main striker unit. Their goal is to kill the infernal demon. Leading the medical unit is Imaan, whose main responsibility is to remove any and all injured from the battlefield to avoid casualties and possessions. Leading the main force, which is divided into four, are Benjamin, Lynette, Rebecca, and the Grand Elder herself.

With the plan of attack complete, they gather in the courtyard of the academy. Once more, they receive the blessing of the high priest and hear the Grand Elder speak to the now combined mobilized force of the academy and enforcers.

The Grand Elder captures everyone's attention with her commanding voice.

"I know many of you are tired and distraught. You've seen enough cruelties of the demons. You feel like giving up; you feel you've reached your limit. While the demons threaten our lives and poach our people, you want rest. They do not rest in their pursuit of our end.

SO WHY SHOULD WE REST IN THE PURSUIT OF THEIRS?"

The academy students and enforcers all cheer while Kendrick mutters to himself,

"Yes... the ocean's roar."