Seed of Hope

Chapter 8 : Now I see fire

Aisling rushed down the stairs, her heart pounding at a frantic pace, the screams ringing in her ears. She threw herself into the flow of terrified townsfolk, mingling with those fleeing in all directions. The cries of panic, the sobs, and the calls for help merged with the roars of the infernal creatures invading the island.

Outside, it was absolute chaos. The night sky, usually so peaceful, had turned red as if it were on fire. Fireballs fell from the sky at regular intervals, crashing to the ground with violent explosions, igniting buildings and trees in a devastating fury. Huge creatures emerged from the flames, similar to the demon she had left behind in the tree-temple. Winged monsters and emaciated beasts with sharp claws trampled everything in their path.

But there was something else. Aisling squinted, widening her eyes despite the smoke and surrounding terror. Winged beings, luminous, were also descending from the sky in a dazzling blaze, their shimmering feathers contrasting against the darkness. Angels, she realized with horror.

Angels and demons.

They had finally found Nimrach.

Aisling felt a chill of terror run down her spine. In a flash of clarity, she understood that the time had come. They were there for humanity, and humanity was no more prepared now than it had been at the time of the Apocalypse. The villagers were running in all directions, trying to avoid the titanic battles raging around them. Some angels seemed to be trying to intercept the demons attacking the humans, but they offered no refuge. For they too were hunting. For a reason that still eluded Aisling, they made no distinction. The angels appeared to be tracking both the demons and the humans.

She began to run, her mind racing, desperately seeking a place to hide, a spot to think about what was really happening. But a greater terror struck her: a massive demon had noticed her. It let out a guttural roar and lunged after her, its clawed paws digging into the ground with brutal force. Aisling, her legs trembling, tried to escape, but it was too fast, and panic made her stumble over every obstacle.

Her foot hit a stone, and she collapsed onto the dusty ground, breathless. She felt the shadow of the demon looming over her, its claw poised to seize her. A scream of terror escaped her lips.

Suddenly, a blade glinted in the air. Idris stepped in, striking the creature forcefully. The sword pierced the demon, which howled in pain, recoiling and growling, wounded. Without giving it a moment to retaliate, Idris lifted Aisling with a firm grip, his gaze burning with determination.

"Come on, get up! Run!" he ordered her.

In shock, Aisling let herself be pulled along, her legs regaining a semblance of strength. They ran, zigzagging between flames and debris, avoiding the battles erupting all around them. The most seasoned humans had already collected themselves, taking up arms to try to fend off both angels and demons. Houses were on fire, splinters of charred wood scattering into the air. The smoke thickened the atmosphere, making it hard to breathe and stinging their eyes until they burned.

The flames licked at the facades of the homes, turning the village into a hellish inferno. Aisling coughed, her lungs on fire with each puff of smoky air. But Idris gave her no choice. He forced her to move, dragging her along through the horror unfolding around them.

Finally, they reached the sanctuary of the Reflecting Pool, where several villagers had sought refuge. Trembling and injured, they huddled near the water, hoping this place, still untouched, could offer them a semblance of protection. Idris and Aisling entered, exhausted but alive.

For now.

Ren was there, in the middle of the sanctuary, trying to calm the elders and children crowding around him. He spoke in a soothing voice, attempting to tame the palpable panic in the room. The able-bodied adults were already outside, desperately fighting against the invasion. As soon as he saw Aisling enter, relief distorted his features, and he rushed to embrace her, trembling with a fear he was struggling to contain.