The Morning Star

Chapter X "The Keeper of Hell's Wrath"

“Master, should I stop him now?”

“Not yet Haggarahael.”

“He's going to break, he's not ready.”

“Patience…”

David finally silenced Haggarahael. The two stared at Ray, which was now being engulfed in the dark aura his demons produced. The young male had fallen to his knees, with his hands clutching his head in an attempt to silence all the whispers. The chains extending out of his chest broke one by one, with every prayer he made, unleashing all of his demons. The pressure they all exerted on him was slowly breaking him down, unsealing his gate once and for all. Yet David seemed confident of Ray's ability to control his demons. “Ray, this is your chance. Control your demons or let go of your soul.” David finally broke the code of silence. As the words sank through the whispers in Ray's head, the teen's gasps slowly settled. He stood up, facing David, with eyes that have forgotten what emotions are. Ray's right hand raised forward, towards David. His fingers reaching out to the Keeper that stood meters away. Then Ray slowly whispered. “You… you killed him!” As soon as the whisper ended, Haggarahael's sphere barricade shined bright silver through the dim clearing. All six of Ray's demons, clawing, trying to reach inside the sphere to grab David's head. They were no longer of their free will, Ray's strong breakdown forced all of his demons to submit to the vengeance that was now burning inside of him.

“Marvelous!” David exclaimed at the sudden aggression that neither him nor Haggarael expected. If it wasn't for the protective barricade, David would surely be torn apart in that moment. “Now that you've managed to answer all your questions, don't waste your unique talent Ray. You're the only Keeper I've seen or known of that has six demons at his care.” To his response, Ray grew even more furious yelling out “Quiet!” Giving his gate the final blow it needed to be unlocked. A moment of serenity, a moment of silence. Ray felt each second to be an hour as he awakened the powers sealed within him. He consumed all of his energy by leading his demons to burst out their aura. The shockwave expanded rapidly, turning the entire clearing into a dirt field as the pressure blew off inches into the ground, scrapping the grass off. All but David's and Haggarahael's space, which was protected from the impact. Was affected. Ray, who was blown off by his own demon's aura, was now lying unconscious out of the borders of the clearing, right behind the first trees with his clothes partially torn off.

A while would pass till Ray regens his consciousness. Placed back on a tree with David sitting, facing him, on another. As his blurry vision cleared, Ray quickly tried to stand up before falling back to the ground. He groaned to his injuries clutching his arms around himself with pain throbbing throughout his body. With a sigh, David stood up and started walking towards him to pick him up.

“You have to rest.”

“Get off me! You're why he died!”

“Ray, things aren't that simple, I'm afraid.”

“Lair!”

“Ray… if you don't listen then all of your gifts are for nothing. Your father entrusted you with one of hell's finest demons, don't you dare turn your back on that.”

David finally managed to get Ray back up to the tree. The furious Ray still had a glare towards David, but his mouth was shut, trying to capture what really happened back then. David on the other hand, laid himself back into a seating position right in front of Ray. The male then proceeded to explain in hopes that Ray would understand the situation. “Your father, he stood against some bad people to make things juste among all Keepers. Preventing the strong from feasting upon the weak, but those people weren't friendly with their replies. They used force and blackmails to keep your father out, yet he refused to let go of his cause. This is when we met, and I followed his lead until the last day. Sadly I was indeed late, they got there first.” David sighed and lowered his sight to the ground before continuing. “They ambushed him… it took at least a dozen Keepers with all their gates opened to beat your father. And when I got there… he made me promise him I'd protect you, those were his last words.”

Ray's emotions calmed down after hearing the full story. All he saw in his memories were his father's with his demon's eyes. Now the bigger picture was cleared. “So, all of my demons belonged to my father?” he asked hesitantly wondering if they were meant to protect him as well. “All but one. Keepers usually have 5 Demons, your 6th demon would be considered a miracle if such bonds were holy.” Ray felt happy, not to the fact that he was special, but to the fact that a part of his father rested within him. “Which one?” he asked in a more composed tone that showed less fear and regret. “Hiphurzhass, he doesn't belong to your father.” trying to remember the shapes of his demons, Ray failed to remember anything but the prayers that were carved in his brain. He turned his head to the side to see the clearing that was now a crater, just a few inches deep with one spot completely untouched near the center. David turned his head along noticing the damaged area, he turned back to Ray and comforted him. “That will be taken care of by the damage control units, their main purpose is to conceal our existence from normal humans.” Ray looked back at David and suddenly figured things out. “So Haley…” David nodded in agreement. Any human to be endangering the confidentiality of demon existence would have their memories erased. This was the job of damage control units. With their unique talents, these demons are able to bend time and space, even memories, altering their direction and existence. Serving under a strict protocol,and being punished for each mistake or mishap.

David finally got up and started walking away from Ray. He spoke while walking, right before going through the thick woods. “I've called for your friend, she'll be here soon to help you get better.” With these words, he left Ray settled in his wait. “Ray!” A feminine voice yelled from the distance. Ray tilted his head to see Lilia running to his position. “Didn't I tell you to stay away from him! What's wrong with you! Are you hurt?” The young girl sat next to Ray, summoning Astra that quickly began healing his wounds. “I'm fine, just a few scratches.” Ray replied, noticing how worried Lilia was. “What got to your head? Did you really thought you'd fight and win against him!?” Ray locked his eyes at Lilia's glaring ones before looking down. “We… weren't fighting… these are all of my own doing…” Noticing the clearing being destroyed, and how severe were his bruises and wounds, Lilia didn't dare ask what he did to cause such damage. All she knew was that she was partially responsible for getting him into this world, and as a proof, she got called by a high ranking Keeper to the scene. Astra healed what she could in the time frame given, while the damage control units started arriving preparing to repair the place. The young couple walked out of the scene, and Lilia helped Ray back to his home before she headed her own way. The goodbye greeting was fast as the embarrassed young lady had never walked anyone back home before. Ray got up to his room, keeping a low profile so that his mother won't notice the torn out clothes. He quickly changed, dumping the old clothes away in a bag hiding them under his bed, before he climbed on it holding his phone to read all the texts he received.