Breaking Light

Chapter 25

The demon circled like a predator, its eyes focused on the mages. Large claws glimmered in the dark. Zhorg became a blur as he moved to strike but Michael's reflexes outmaneuvered him with a counter followed by a flurry of strikes landed by Adrian. The demon fought with ease and shifted his focus to Aria.

"Tell me child, do you feel the pain I inflicted on your demon pet?"

Runes on Aria's body glowed as she concentrated her powers and struck the demon. She rushed towards Zhorg.

"ARIA NO!!!!" Michael held his hand out to reach her but missed. The demon whipped its tail beneath her feet, throwing Aria off balance and grabbed her by the throat. It bared its teeth, grinning and opened its mouth to let out a deafening roar in her face. The demon's breath was foul and its roar was disturbing. Aria struggled to get out of the hold, kicking her legs in the air trying to loosen the demon's grip.

"Shame, you would have been a worthy opponent." His grip tightened, choking Aria.

Michael and Melissa instinctively took a step towards the demon who turned to face them.

"One more step and I crush the light out of your pathetic offspring."

Aria struggled. Her eyes glowed brighter and suddenly she stopped moving. Zhorg turned his head and a blinding flash of light burst from her forcing him to drop her. The demon's hand sizzled from the intense light as he retreated in the shadows. Aria got up and dusted herself, she drew sigils in the air that sent cooling waves of energy out from her.

"Zekhsh braga nakh waka!" Zhorg cursed. "Light of the elves... Should have known." The demon rubbed its burnt face and hand, it let out a pulse of energy that threw everyone away.

"My work here is done. Blood has been spilled. The master shall burn this wretched world out of existence." It extended its wings and flew off breaking its way through the ceiling. Michael lifted Melissa out of the debris and walked over to Aria who stood silently, staring at the wall. Adrian sheathed his blade.

"Mike, I have to get to Anna, she might need me."

"Go go, be careful Brother." Michael put a hand on his shoulder.

"Ha! right." Adrian walked through a portal he opened.

"Stag is in trouble. We have to find him!!" Aria spoke as she scurried away to the exit.

"Aria wait!" her mother beckoned, "Focus on his essence. Find out where he is. Then use the ether."

Aria closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She concentrated on the bond she shared with Stag and her aura glowed with a faint blue light. As her focus sharpened, the aura grew brighter and brighter and she knew it was time to search through the ether. She recalled all the training she did with her father in the limbo. Her eyes opened to a darkened world, it felt different than being in the limbo. Felt more alive and responsive. She turned her head to see her own self in the plane of reality, a mere shadow with a faint blue outline, training with her father had payed off. She concentrated on Stag's essence and suddenly found herself at a different location. She could see through the veil, Stag was held captive, being tortured by a demon in a dark cave. Her friend needed help, she reached out with her mind, trying to connect with Stag.

"Help is on the way Stag, hold on." Her voice echoed in his head and he grinned. The demon torturer cracked his whip, striking him on the back. Stag laughed through the pain and glared at his captor. The demon raised his hand to have another go at him but was interrupted by a portal that opened up behind him. The demon turned around and found itself pierced in the gut by Michael's blade, black tar dripped and before dropping on the ground, it burst in flames leaving behind the stench of sulfur and brimstone. Aria did a series of gestures that sent waves of energy, unbinding Stag. She knelt down beside him, hand on his shoulder and spoke very softly.