And All Things Come

The Littlest of Things

~~~~~WARNING, THIS STORY CONTAINS SENSITIVE TOPICS REGUARDING RELIGION, RAPE, MURDER, AND VIOLENCE. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED ~~~~~~

"You've been condemned to the Earth. What say you in your defense?"
"My actions were just. Do what you will. I have no regrets."
"Very well. Guardian Adri of realm 12, you have been condemned."
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A shadow opened on March Street. From it emerged a dark figure with the same shadowy glow as the portal to Hell. It moved, slowly along the street. At the end, at the March and First Street intersection, it collapsed. It shook and trembled, the dark glow faded away from it, leaving a pale and naked figure hunched on the ground. It seemed distressed. The obvious demon rose to it's feet. She looked down at her frail, bare body and created clothes to cover her.

She walked through the grass of the park in the suburban neighborhood. She observed the playground equipment and the trees close by. She moved down the sidewalk, past houses. No one knew of her presence, and despair fell upon her. Though she didn't show it, the pain ripped at her dark heart. She moved to a nearby tree and absorbed into it. Adri, Guardian of Realm 12 of Hell, rested in the Earth for seven days and seven nights.

The sounds of children passed her ears, but she didn't stir. It was only on the seventh night that a girl approached the tree in which Adri had slumbered.

"I know you're there. Maybe we could talk some time? I have to go now. Goodnight." She said.

Adri awoke at that. She emerged from the three and looked for the girl for weeks. Though she couldn't find her, she still looked. Adri wanted to see the girl who knows of her presence, for she wasn't the first to know. Adri wandered for months, years, and eventually gave up her search. Again, despair fell over her. She hid amongst the Earth's creatures. The wolves of the forests, the trees in the woods, even the dirt everyone walked upon. She explored the continents. Part of her ached for that girl to show up again, but it was pushed aside.
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"THERE, THERE SHE IS."
Adri ran. She wouldn't stop. The sound of gunshots rang out and the Demon Hunters chased her through the trees. She used them to put some distance between Eric and his bandits.
A silver chain wrapped around her legs, causing her to fall. The ground scraped her body. She tried to quickly pull the chain from her burning legs, but it burned her hands as well.
She cried out as another wrapped around her bare arms and torso. The silver trap burned her skin badly.

"Finally, I have you now." The thick Russian accent of Eric Stratsky cut the silence of the forest. The Demon Hunter approached Adri with his gun drawn.
"Last time you tried to escape, you didn't like what I had for you, did you?" The deep voiced tyrant spat.
"You don't scare me, Eric. Do you not remember what I'm capable of?" Adri spat back, fighting against the chains, biting back the pain of the burning they caused.
"Don't test me, Demon." Eric removed the mask that hid his face. A deep and ugly scar ran from his collarbone to his hairline. "I haven't forgotten anything. However, I've learned some new skills." He aimed his gun at Adri. She struggled against the chains more. The burning not bothering her anymore.
"As have I, Monstrum." The chains released from her body and she morphed into the ground, leaving the chains in the dirt where she sat.
"Where did she go?" One of the new recruits asked, fearfully.
"She's here, somewhere." Eric smiled evily. Suddenly, their torches went out and darkness encased them.

Movement could be heard in the trees as the men worked to get their lights back on. A few men screamed.
By the time they got their lights back on, only two men remained.

Eric, and the recruit.

"FIND HER!" Eric cried. The recruit looked around frantically for Adri. As soon as he turned his back, she made her move. She snatched Eric up and hung him from a tree by one leg.

Adri silently appeared behind the young man. He screams when he turns around, then stumbles back and falls. He looked at the tall, pale figure, absorbing every detail.
Adri took pitty on him and knelt down to meet him at eye level. The black eyed and red irised demon looked through his soul. She smiled thoughtfully, seeing that he was innocent.
"You should leave this group while you can, Little one. They're nothing but brutes and evil." She said calmly.
"You- you're not g-g-gonna kill me?" He asked, terrified.
"Why would I? You haven't tried to harm me. Nor have you tried to harm anyone else. What's your name, Young One?"
"K-k-k-kent. Marshall Kent." He stared in awe at the demon in front of him. He didn't feel afraid anymore, suddenly. He started to stand up. She rose with him. They met at eye level.
"Marshall Kent, do you wish to be free?" Adri's eyes faded to a pale green color. Making her look more human.
Marshall hesitated, then took a deep breath and said, "Could you free me?"
"I will." Adri looked at him with innocent eyes.
"Please," he dropped his shoulders and let his head fall,"set me free."
"Let me see your hand." She offered hers, and he took it. Immediately, warmth spread through him. He felt a weight lift from him. When he open his previously closed eyes, he could see clearer than before.
"Thank you." He said softly.
"Should you need me," Adri drew a symbol in his palm with her finger,"draw this symbol with blood on a blank surface. I shall come to you."
The symbol was a circle with three, evenly spaced vertical lines through it, then two diagonal lines intersecting at the center with the vertical line down the middle of the circle.
"Thank you, Adri."
"You're welcome, Little One. Go now, before they wake."
Marshall turned to leave, but turned back around.
"Adri, I-." She was gone before he could even turn around. He looked at the empty space in front of him, disappointed. He turned to leave again, and walked the direction they came.

Adri lingered in a nearby tree until he was gone. When he was, she allowed the trees to lower the Hunters enough for someone passing by to see them and help them. She looked at Eric one last time, taking in the handsome features of his face before kissing his forehead.

"Perhaps one day, my love, you will remember who I am."
With that, she shed a single tear, pain gripping her once whole heart, and faded into the ground once more.