Inferno Of Desire

Chapter 41: Into the Abyss, Once Again

The skies of the Celestial Realm were darkening as Seraphine and Azrael prepared to descend into the Abyss for their trial. The council's eyes weighed heavy on them, their trust still fragile.

The task was clear — seek out and neutralize a demonic force within the Abyss, a mission that would either seal Azrael’s fate or vindicate him in the eyes of the Celestial Council.

"Are you ready?" Seraphine asked, her voice steady though her silver eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. She had full faith in Azrael, but she knew how much was at stake for him.

Azrael adjusted his dark-toned armor, his wings folded tightly behind him. "I've been in the Abyss too many times to count. This time, though… it feels different. It’s not just about surviving. It’s about proving something, not just to them — but to myself."

"You don’t have to prove anything to me," Seraphine said, stepping closer to him. Her voice was gentle but filled with conviction. "But to them, we will show them your strength. We’ll face whatever comes, just as we’ve done before."

He smiled faintly, his molten amber eyes meeting hers. "Together, then. Let’s show them."

They exchanged a nod, then leaped into the air, their wings unfurling as they soared through the shimmering skies of the Celestial Realm.

The air was crisp, carrying the faint hum of the realm’s magic, but as they flew toward the edge of the Celestial Gates, the atmosphere began to change.

The transition from the Celestial Realm to the Abyss was stark. What had been bright and ethereal gave way to thick clouds of darkness and a swirling mist that enveloped the horizon. The sky turned a sickly green, and the ground below was cracked and blackened, as if scorched by centuries of corruption.

It was like descending into a nightmare, and yet, it was all too familiar for Azrael.

“Stay close,” Azrael warned, his voice hardening as they crossed the threshold into the Abyss. The cold weight of the place bore down on them immediately. Seraphine tightened her grip on her sword, her wings glowing faintly in contrast to the darkness surrounding them.

They flew low, skimming over jagged cliffs and barren landscapes, keeping their senses sharp for any sign of demonic activity. Azrael’s eyes scanned the horizon, his instincts on high alert.

After what felt like hours of navigating the oppressive terrain, they spotted movement below — a gathering of demons, their eyes glowing red in the shadows. Their hideous forms were hunched and gnarled, their claws glinting in the low, unnatural light.

“There,” Seraphine said, pointing to the group. “That’s our target.”

Azrael nodded, already feeling the dark energy of the demons pulsing beneath him. They landed on a rocky outcrop just above the demonic encampment, hidden for the moment from the creatures below.

“There’s at least a dozen of them,” Azrael whispered, his hand gripping his blade. “We’ll need to be careful. Their leader is probably the strongest one.”

Seraphine crouched beside him, her silver wings tucked close to her back as she peered over the edge. “We take out the leader first. Without their commander, the others will fall apart.”

Azrael smiled, a dark glint in his eyes. “Always the strategist. I like it.”

Seraphine smirked back. “Someone has to keep us alive, right?”

With that, they descended swiftly, landing in the midst of the demonic horde like a storm.

The demons shrieked in surprise as Azrael’s sword cut through the first of them, molten flames igniting along the blade as it cleaved through the air.

Seraphine followed, her blade glowing with celestial light as it struck down two more in quick succession.

The demons retaliated, lunging at them with claws and gnashing teeth. But Seraphine and Azrael moved like a deadly dance — years of battle experience and training manifesting in perfect synchronization.

Every swing of their swords was precise, every move calculated to protect the other. The horde’s numbers began to dwindle, but their leader, a towering demon with glowing red eyes and a sword of dark energy, stepped forward.

Azrael’s eyes locked onto the demon leader, his stance shifting as he prepared for the real battle. “That’s him,” he muttered. “He’s the one we need to take down.”

Seraphine nodded, her grip tightening on her blade. “Together.”

The demon roared, swinging his massive sword toward them with incredible force. Azrael blocked the strike with his own blade, but the impact sent him skidding backward, his boots digging into the dirt.

Seraphine dashed forward, her sword slicing through the air as she aimed for the demon’s flank. The creature snarled, parrying her attack with a backhanded swipe, but she was quick, ducking beneath his counterstrike.

Azrael took the opening, flames erupting from his sword as he slashed at the demon’s chest. The creature howled in pain, staggering backward as black blood oozed from the wound.

But the demon wasn’t done. With a guttural roar, it unleashed a wave of dark energy, the force of it sending Seraphine flying back into the rocks. Azrael’s heart lurched as he saw her fall, her body hitting the ground hard.

“Seraphine!” he yelled, turning his full fury on the demon. His wings flared wide, and the flames on his sword blazed brighter than ever before.

He charged the demon with a roar of his own, their blades clashing in a violent flurry of sparks and fire. The demon was strong, but Azrael was relentless, his strikes fueled by a mix of anger and fear for Seraphine.

With a final, brutal swing, Azrael’s blade pierced the demon’s chest, the flames consuming the creature from the inside out. The demon let out one last anguished scream before it crumbled to ash, its dark energy dissipating into the air.

Azrael dropped to his knees beside Seraphine, his heart pounding. “Seraphine…”

She stirred, wincing as she pushed herself up, her silver eyes blinking open. “I’m okay,” she whispered, though the pain was clear in her voice.

Relief washed over him, and he helped her to her feet. “You scared me.”

Seraphine smiled weakly, leaning against him for support. “You should know by now, Azrael. I’m not so easy to kill.”

They stood together, battered but victorious, as the last remnants of the demon horde fled into the shadows.

The trial was over, and they had succeeded.

But as they caught their breath, the weight of what was still to come pressed down on them.

This was only the beginning.