Royal Devils

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A deafening roar ripped through the trees. From the darkness emerged the hulking mass that was his mother. Bianca landed with a loud thump and the grass flattened around her. Aceli was pushed back by the blast of air from her impact. After a moment of shock he scrambled to his feet running to Claire's side. Claire lay sprawled across the ground her limbs at odd angles. Fear began to consume Aceli as he saw her so contorted. As he panicked her eyes fluttered open although she was staring blankly at the sky, but as a bolt of lightning cracked across the sky she sat upright. No sooner than she had, she doubled over clutching her body tightly.

"Claire, we have to move now."

Claire looked up her expression twisted with pain, it was clear that many of her bones were broken; pieces of bone poked at her flesh. What concerned Aceli was if her organs were ok, he would have to check later. Blocking out the pain she turned around and tried to focus on the large figure making its way towards them. Although Bianca was still a little ways away, with her large gait it would take her mere moments to reach them.

"Ace, I can't move anywhere. My entire body is agony, at least heal my legs so I can run."

"If we stop to heal it we'll die, please endure it and I'll carry you."

Aceli thought she might retort but she didn't instead she let out a sigh and nodded her head. As Aceli lifted her he winced at her cries of pain, unable to help her agony. Her cries soon died down to whimpers which made Aceli feel worse. Luckily the woods became more tightly packed here meaning Bianca would have more trouble following them.

As soon as they were far enough away and the trees were compact enough Aceli stopped. He was breathing heavily but they were safe for now at least. As gently as he could he lowered Claire to the ground. In the process he nearly dropped her due to his exhaustion causing Claire to let out a pained shriek. Claire looked like she was teetering on the brink of unconsciousness, her usual bright eyes were dull and hazy. She wasn't looking anywhere in particular and her breathing was shallow and ragged.

"Ace, please fix it." Her voice was hoarse and pleading.

Silently he nodded and straightened out her body as best he could, he was worried that the pain might cause her to pass out but her eyes remained open. Once she was lined up as well as possible he murmured an apology before casting the spell. Her body was engulfed in his black flames, sending a reddish- purple glow over the forest. For a moment all was silent but then her screams echoed throughout the forest.

He tuned out her screams of protest and focussed on her shattered bones and on closer inspection damaged lungs. He worked furiously aware of the danger they were in, once the worst of the damage was rectified he stepped back. His hands were shaking and sweat drenched his brow, Claire's screams echoed through his ears although she herself was silent. The pain must have caused her to black out.

"My, my, what a touching scene." Aceli spun around, his muscles aching but tense. He made sure to block Claire as he faced his mother. She was eyeing Claire over his shoulder like a bandit cat. Seeing the hungry look in her eyes Aceli stepped forward.

"Leave her out of this." He was now only an arm's length away from her.

"Now dear, why should I do that? The sooner she dies the sooner you can claim your first soul and then return home with me."

"No mother! I will not return, not if the cost is her life."

The sickly sweet smile then dropped from her face.

"How dare you child!"

With that she let out a jet of red fire, Aceli was only just able to protect Claire from the blast but the trees around them erupted into flames. Aceli and Bianca would be left unaffected by the fire but Claire would soon choke on the smoke.

"I will get rid of that pet of yours."

Aceli felt his anger rise, "what did you just call her?"

Bianca let out a derisive snort and looked down her nose at him, "I called her a pet, is that not what she is; a worthless creature kept to amuse those better than her."

At that Aceli snapped and black flames erupted around Bianca. She seemed taken aback but after the initial shock she simply growled and began trying to set her own flames. She knew she could transform here unless she wanted to break her wings but she couldn't cast her flames either because of Aceli's. It took her a moment to realise that she was done, when she finally realised her fate she let out a resigned sigh.

"Well done son, you have finally bested me. I hope it feels good, tell your sister I love her."

With that she sat down and seemed to disappear into the flames but Aceli could feel her inside his flames and could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks but he would not stop. He would not endanger Claire any further.