Ashen Light

Chapter 12: Pieces

The air felt heavier with each passing mile, as though the desert itself grew tired of their presence. The group moved steadily, guided by the dim glow of Cyrus's blade, its golden light a quiet reminder of the divine power they sought. But the silence of their journey was broken by distant thunder, a sound unnatural in the arid landscape.

"Thunder in the desert?" Zack asked, shading his eyes against the horizon. "That's not a great sign."

Skylar scanned the skyline, her sharp gaze locking onto faint flashes of light—a streak of purple illuminating a low sandstorm. "That's not thunder. That's someone playing god."

Cyrus's jaw tightened, already sensing who it might be. "Zephyr."

As they approached the commotion, the trio took cover behind a ridge of dunes. Below them, a chaotic battle raged. A swarm of demons, larger and more coordinated than any they'd encountered, clashed against Zephyr's crackling lightning strikes. His black jacket making him look like a dark cloud in the desert, sending crackling lightning everywhere, his every move commanding attention as if he were performing for an unseen audience.

"Think he needs help?" Zack asked dryly, crouching beside Cyrus.

Skylar rolled her eyes. "He doesn't want help. I say just let him do it. If he's some god-chosen or whatever kind of guy then he's got that."

Cyrus stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the battle. Despite his annoyance with Zephyr, the sheer size of the demon swarm was concerning. These weren't mindless scavengers, destroyers; they moved with purpose, their attacks coordinated as though directed by some unseen hand.

"Something's not right," Cyrus said finally. "They're not just attacking. They're trying to pin him down."

As if to confirm his suspicion, one demon broke away from the group, carrying what appeared to be a large, dark crystal along its back, sticking out like some sort of spine. It fled westward, moving with unnerving speed.

"They're transporting something," Skylar observed, nocking an arrow. "If that's a demon artifact..."

"We can't let it leave the area," Cyrus cut in. He turned to Zack. "You and Skylar track the one with the crystal. I'll deal with Zephyr and hold the swarm back."

"Are you sure?" Skylar asked, her tone skeptical.

"Trust me," Cyrus replied, his blade glowing brighter.

Zack sighed, pulling out his revolver and aiming a shot at the fleeing demon. Cyrus had to give it to Zack, to nail a speeding demon in the foot from roughly 200 yards away with nothing but iron sights is quite the achievement. "I hate being useful."

Skylar gave Cyrus a sharp look, then added with a shrug. "Don't die."

As Zack and Skylar sprinted off into the dunes, Cyrus leapt down toward the fray, his blade flashing gold as he sliced through the closest demon, watching is dissolve. Zephyr turned, spotting him instantly, his face twisting with anger.

"You again?!" Zephyr bellowed, his voice cutting through the storm like thunder.

"Focus on the fight," Cyrus shot back, deflecting a demon's claws before landing a precise strike up its chin, through the skull.

Zephyr sneered, releasing a burst of lightning that incinerated a nearby group of demons. "I don't need your help."

"Tell that to the dozen demons pinning you down," Cyrus retorted, his calm voice laced with quiet defiance.

Zephyr didn't respond immediately, instead turning his fury on the swarm. Lightning arced from his gauntlets, searing through the creatures, even brighter a stronger than they were previously, arcing from demon to demon and searing holes into them, watching the burns spread throughout their twisted bodies as they shrieked and writhed, Zephyr's eyes glowing even brighter.