Black Feather Falls (COMPLETE)

Ariel (29)

I discarded the talisman from my palm and less than a second before the lance could plunge into me - it was eviscerated with fire which now slowly consumed my being. The only fire capable of burning clear through holy oil weapons or even godly artifacts is Hellfire. How did my fire burn clear through his lance?

My heart began beating rapidly in my chest, causing me to lose balance and blurring the lines of my vision. My feet wobbled as I tried to remain flat-footed but it became more difficult than I could've imagined. I teetered to the left and fought to keep my balance but could not do so. As I drew my eyes upward, I saw the world around me - frozen like never before. What the hell?

An unspeakable, deep gut-wrenching pain emerged inside my stomach and I felt like I was going to die. It sluggishly branched throughout my body until it reached both the crown of my head and the soul of my feet.

"My, aren't you in a bind?" It spoke so cynically. From behind the body of the hunter came a figure of fire, shaped disturbingly like me. It sauntered toward me, raging with heat of epic proportions. Though I could see and feel the black fire, I was unaffected. The figure's fiery hair blazed like an inferno and its body was translucent and contained raging fire. It's as if I was looking at walking glass filled with black fire.

"Who- who are you?"

"Fire." It said followed by a chuckle. "I'm here to help you, but you must accept my help." It said moving back away from me. It returned to the suspended body of the man and twirled all around him carefreely. "Accept the fire, Daniel!" It smiled, revealing its fiery teeth. "We both know you won't win without it." It laughed so maniacally, echoing throughout the hollow frozen land.

"I- I will-" I didn't even believe my own words.

"You will die here!" It chortled like a young toddler. It walked toward me and outstretched its hand. "Will you accept?" I need all the help I can get because I can't beat him on my own. As long as the hunter dies, what happens to me if of no consequence. I'd happily give my life to save my friends. Though hesitant, I outstretched my hand to the fire, as it slowly reached to grab it. Then,

'Resist the call of the fire! Trust it not, for it will burn not only your enemies, but it shall render all that is precious to you to ash.' Lilith's words resounded in my head, forcing me to come to a screeching halt.

"No." I said resolutely, finally coming to my senses. "I won't give myself to you. I do not need your help!" I slapped away the hand of the figure, but it reacted not.

"Bummer!" It said as it rubbed the hand I had slapped away. How did it even feel anything? It's just a living entity of fire. "And we could've had so much fun, too." It's like I'm talking to an immature child.

"I don't know what you are but I will never succumb to you!" I unleashed in fury. "I am Daniel, the archangel of destruction. I am an angel and my job is to protect and serve! To fight! I will fight to protect my grace. I will not fall. I will NEVER fall!"

"The yelling isn't necessary." It whispered with palpable annoyance. "I'm fire; I'm not deaf." It peered at me and smiled with its eyes. "I like you." It said cheerfully. "I'm sad you refused my full power, but I will be back." Its smile immediately descended into a death glare. "After all, his Hellfire can only do so much." In the distance, I could see the world slowly unfreezing around us, drawing closer and closer to where we stood.

"Don't come back!" I spoke with authority.

"You will be beset on all sides by enemies and rendered powerless against their onslaught of attacks. When that day comes, you will have to choose. Die with them, or fight to protect them. And when that day comes, I know you will make the right choice." The weather returned to normal, drawing my attention to my surroundings once more. "It will be the only choice you have." It cackled maniacally. "By the time I looked back, the figure was gone. "Goodbye, Child of Destruction!" Its voice lingered on the air. The hunter was unfrozen and his eyes dwindled not at my earlier resolve. He stood and flared at me callously, goading me into attacking.