The Chronicles of the Four Heirs: WAR

Chapter 13

When we stepped through the portal back to the command post for The Holy 56th we were not ready for what we saw. The Demon Hordes were everywhere and over the snarls and howls of the demons were the battle cries of the Angelic Legions.

Everything was on fire and the air smelled of sulfur and brimstone all the while the smoke and fires Created an evil and menacing red tint to the sky.

“Remember your training thus far John,” Silas said sternly as he drew his twin swords, “with this travesty we shall show no mercy.”

I drew my sword and focused my mind on the task at hand. We both sprinted through the gates of the post to join the battle. Where once a courtyard that was meant for tranquility stood there was nothing but broken rock and demons now.

Silas was the first to strike as he lept into the air bringing his sword down into the first demon he landed on.

I followed his sword strike allowing me to plunge my sword into the chest of another demon. As we fought off the horde I felt myself become numb to my surroundings, it was just another task I had to complete and I only paid half attention to the fight. I found myself instead thinking of Norma Jean and wished that she was ok, and I tried to search for her with my mind but could not sense her anywhere nearby.

“Pay attention!” Silas snapped as he struggled with the last demon in the courtyard who was trying to sink his teeth into Silas’ neck.

As I snapped back to the task at hand and spun around swinging my sword through the demons neck.

“We must rally the others and get away from here,” Silas said sternly as he he started running, “we will meet back at the cabin if we can find anyone.”

Afraid of what might happen if stood in place too long I began to run in search of survivors or other warriors. As I ran I heard a familiar voice break the unnerving silence.

“Look lads I’ve said it before, you should learn to respect your elders.” The voice said chuckling almost maniacal.

As I turned the corner I saw the Forger standing in the middle of the street surrounded by 12 demons all gnashing their teeth with red eyes fixed upon him.

Before I could say anything one of the demons lept towards the Forger. Instantly the forger sprang up and brought his foot down on the demons head bringing his Axe across the demons neck severing it. The forger stood with his foot on the demons head almost as if it was a Soccer ball. I was in awe of the swiftness and precision he demonstrated.

As another demon moved to strike, the forger kicked the fallen demons head at him and at the same time threw his axe into the skull of another. All while in the same motion picking up the fallen demons sword and slicing the attacking demon in half at the waist.

He then paused for a second pulling his axe out of the second demons head. The Forger looked around at the other demons and twirled both weapons in his hands. He then noticed me in the background.

“Ah Nephilim, just wait right there I’ll be with you in a second.” He chuckled as he started to grin, “I don’t usually get to have an audience when I work.”

The rest of the demons all attacked together only to be dealt with swiftly. In a mere moment the Forger rested on bended knee with severed limbs around him.

As he stood up, he faced me and threw the demon sword on the ground, resting his large bloodstained axe on his shoulder.

“Ah Nephilim so glad you could join us on this beautiful day,” he said merrily as he slapped his free hand on his knee and walked towards me.

“What do you mean beautiful day, you were attacked!” I said shocked by his statement.

“Yes true we were attacked but to me I thrive for days like this,” he said chuckling to himself.

I couldn’t find any words for the Forger as he just seem locked in his own world of pure enjoyment.

“Well what say you and I go find more of these filthy beasts to best in combat,” he said lightly punching my shoulder and turning to walk down the road.

I stood there aghast not sure of what to make of the Forger yet again.

“Well if I fight together with you shouldn’t I know your name,” I asked as caught up to him.

“The name is Kahn,” he said extending his hand out towards me only to draw it back to wipe the blood off it and extend it again.

I shook his hand and we set about looking for more survivors.

As we walked towards the shower building we heard a voice yell over everything else.

“Nephilim,” the low evil voice growled.

We looked up and on the roof of the shower building stood a demon general staring at us menacingly.

“Bring him to me,” he growled again as he pointed his sword at us.

A large number of demon soldiers started filling in the street surrounding us. Not sure of where to start I looked to Khan to what his reaction was. As I turned towards him he took his axe and stabbed the end of the blade into the ground and walked forward a bit.

“You sure you want to do this?” He asked the Demon General.

The demon said nothing as he stared at Khan.

“Alright if you insist,” khan said as he shrugged his shoulders.

Within a second khan snapped his fingers and blue sparks surrounded his entire body.

He struggled to pull the energy inward as he collapsed a blue ball of lightning within his hands. He clapped his hands together and when he opened them back up a dark swirling object floated in between his palms.

“You might want to hold onto something Nephilim,” Khan said smiling.

Hordes of demons began running towards us, climbing over buildings and flooding the street. Khan did nothing but smirk. He then threw his hands out in front of him throwing the object towards the oncoming demons. When it struck the closet one it caught the demon dragging it backwards but the surrounding demons seemed to be caught with it.

As it raced past the numerous demon troops it seemed to be pulling them with it. Kahn then made his hands into fists and when he did the object stopped but the demons were still being pulled towards it. It was then that I could feel a pull towards it. Quickly remembering khan telling me to hold onto something I plunged my sword into the ground and grabbed ahold of the light pole I was standing next too.

I looked towards khan who was gritting his teeth but still smiling as he tightened his grip on the object. More and more demons were being piled onto each other as they were all being pulled towards the object. When it seemed it could pull no more towards it khan clapped his hands together again as lightning danced around his entire body again and he put his hands on the ground.

Instantly a geyser of magma erupted under the giant ball of demons engulfing it and solidifying around it leaving a giant black ball. As he released his grip on it it hit the ground and crumpled into dust. I was left in awe at what I had seen, an entire battalion of demons turned to ash and dust in an instant.

“What the hell was that,” I asked shocked and bewildered.

“Oh come, come, Nephilim I know silas has already taught you Elemental Manipulation,” Khan chuckled as he pulled his axe out of the ground, “it’s really rather basic for someone like you but difficult for me, all I did was create a gravity well and allowed it to suck up those filthy little beasts and covered them in magma.”

I stood there stunned, he seemed so nonchalant about it and rather pleased with how many enemies he vanquished. He brushed off his forearms and looked up at me.

“Well let’s continue on Nephilim we have many more to deal with and I’d like to have this over with by dinner, so next is this teneg,” Kahn said almost skipping down the road.

The demon general stood atop the shower building with one of legs resting on the ledge. As we stared him down he let out a sigh and then a loud roar as he raised his sword skyward.

It was then that we felt the ground start to shake lightly at first but became more violent with each second that passed, then we heard a loud boom followed by an ear splitting shriek.

Something started to rise out of the ground behind the Demon General as he stared at us smiling. It stood up and unfurled its wings and revealed itself to be a giant Empyreal Demon.

“Ah, well,” khan said, he had to lean backwards in order to look at the Empyreal in the eye.

“Any ideas there Khan,” I asked getting ready to run.

“Oh ye of little faith, I always have an idea,” khan said as he started chuckling and laughing to himself, “watch carefully Nephilim there is always something you can do to turn the tide of battle.”

Khan began walking towards the Empyreal Demon as it roared again. He then put his hands together and began his Focus, as he centered himself I could feel his presence wash over me. I was in awe of how powerful the Forger felt.

Khan opened his eyes and released the built up energy within his body and blue sparks danced around him. However this was different than what I had seen before instead of them just dancing around him they seemed to engulf him, his body wasn’t visible and there was only a blue light in the outline of his body.

Khan then let out a mighty yell as he slammed both his hands on the ground. As he did the ground shook intensely and objects in the street started to fly towards him disappearing into the blue light. The street lamp next to me wriggled free from the ground and raced towards the light.

The wind picked up and the sky darkened even more and the sky started to produce lightning bolts. Then it stopped and everything seemed to stand still.

Then a massive bolt lightning struck khan releasing an enormous amount of energy and as it did the blue light emanating from khan disappeared and there stood a silver and blue suit of armor just as big as the Empyreal Demon.

“Khan!” I shouted unsure of what he did.

The giant suit of armor turned its head toward me as it unfurled it’s giant shining metal wings.

“You see Nephilim your ability is only limited to your imagination,” the suit said in khans voice as it drew it’s massive sword and the silver looking wings flared out, “now sit back and learn a thing or two.”

The Empyreal Demon straightened it’s back, Spread it’s wings and raised it head skyward as it let a loud roar and lept off the building it was perched atop.

The giant suit of armor d**g it’s right foot back and raised its sword so that it was parallel with the ground. As the demon raced towards Khan I could hear him chuckle a little bit.

As khan stood at the ready he twisted his sword and blue sparks danced around blade. The large sword then began to glow red and I could feel the heat radiating from it. As soon as the demon got within range Khan took a step forward and raising his sword up and brought it down with such force the ground buckled, severing the Demons head from its body.

As Kahn stood still from the strike, the demons body continued to run as its head flew off and landed at his feet, all before tripping over a building and collapsing off into the distance.

Kahn let out a breath as he released his Focus, and returned to his normal size. pieces of armor, no longer bound by his will, began falling into the street and shattering into smaller pieces of metal, shimmering like snow as they fell.

I stood there in pure awe of the forger, he was more powerful than I thought. I’m sure I couldn’t do what he just did, not without struggling, yet he claims i was more powerful than him.

As Kahn and I stood there staring down the Demon General, neither of us said a word. We began to ready ourselves for a fight, however it would seem the Demon had other plans. He immediately darted off but as I went to chase after him Kahn out his arm out.

“Let him go,” he said not changing his stance, “we can get him later.”

I nodded and began to stand back up and sheath my sword, as I did the forger let out a gasp and collapsed. I rushed over, catching him before he hit the ground, I didn’t see see any wounds on him so I sat him up and made sure he was conscious.

“Whoa,” he said airily, “been a while since that’s happened.”

“Kahn why don’t we take a few minutes and rest,” I said as he nodded in agreement. I looked around and saw a small building that looked relatively strong in construction.

I picked up Kahn and carried him into our little shelter, and we spent a little time resting. Kahn was breathing extremely heavy, and every few minutes his eyes would roll back.

“Are you ok?” I asked, noticing that he looked extremely hurt although he had no wounds.

“Yeah, I’m alright.” He said as he gasped for air, and began wheezing, “just over did it.”

“What is going on with you,” I asked catching him before before he doubled over.

“Like I said, for you doing all that would be child’s play, for me as a lower angel, that is extremely difficult and using those abilities takes an extreme toll on my body,” he said.

“That’s it, I’m getting you out of here,” I told him as I picked him up throwing him over my shoulder.

He didn’t argue with me when I grabbed him and passed out as soon as I threw him over my shoulder, I tried to think for a second and thought it best to take him to the cabin. I put my hand on the wall, “odo,” the door opened and I walked through finding Silas at the cabin with three other injured angels.

“John,” he said relieved, “I was wondering when you were going to make it back.”

“Well it was eventful,” I said carrying the forger inside the Dining room. Silas grabbed a pillow and blanket and layed them on the ground so I could lay Kahn down. Silas began tending to Kahn’s wounds as I looked around for Norma Jean.

“She’s not here John, but the fact you still feel her means she is still alive,” Silas said not looking away from Kahn.

“Does anyone know what happened?” I asked Silas, hoping he might have talked to someone already.

It was one of the wounded resting on a couch who spoke up. He struggled to sit up, when I got over to help him I had recognized him from when I was released from the prison, he was one of my guards.

“We had no warning, it was almost an instant full force strike,” he said resting his head on the back of the couch.

“We’re looking for my Muse,” I said checking his bandages and giving him a pillow, “she goes by Norma Jean, did you see her?”

“Hard to believe that a Nephilim would already be Linked to a Muse,” he said chuckling as he coughed.

“Well that’s a long story, what happened at the island,” I persisted.

He lifted his head to look at me, and for some a look of fear flashed across his face. He then told me and Silas everything that transpired.

From his account the Demon Horde went full force from the get go, there was no warning, and didn’t let up, it wasn’t a long attack as the majority of their forces were gone by the time Silas and I had arrived. However we learned that Garrison Commander Kanan was seriously wounded and nobody knew if he had been captured, or rescued, all the angel saw was a demon pick up Kanan by the neck and stabbed him through the chest and dropped him to the ground, but when he got to where Kanan should have been he was gone.

I looked up at Silas and he motioned for me to follow him out to the porch. I told the angel to get some rest and helped him lay back down on the couch before walking outside.

“What do you make of it all?” I asked Silas as we stood outside the cabin unnerved by the calmness of the night.

He stood there for a moment with his eyes closed as he thought not saying anything.

“It’s unusual for a demon Horde to just appear out of nowhere,” he said as he opened his eyes and crossed his arms, “Demons by nature are pack hunters, the small demons will run around in groups and search for prey. When they find something of interest one will alert the rest, and that’s how a Horde travels, they don’t just randomly attack somewhere without being disturbed and never without any kind of warning. There will always be scouts seen before the Traveling Horde arrives.”

“So this was an actual attack and not just a roving group,” I stated turning my head towards him.

“That’s what I’m thinking, however I don’t know why,” he said as he leaned against one of the porch support beams, “my only conclusion is we may be dealing with either a Demon Noble, or worse yet one of the Princes of Hell.”

“Can they control a Horde in such a manner?” I asked turning to face him.

“Correct,” he said half turning his head towards me, “A Noble as well as one of the Princes are able to control not just a small Horde but a vast Legion of Demons, the difference between the two is simple the Nobles are more reserved, their humanity remained almost in tact and their appearance is almost human, they show mercy in the interest of gathering information but also because they prefer not to cause bloodshed.”

He paused for a moment and turned his head towards the night sky and there was almost a chill as he continued speaking, “however if we are dealing with the arrival of one of the princes we may be in serious trouble.”

“What is with the Princes?” I asked hoping his change in tone was simply the result of battle stories being exaggerated.

Silas turned to face me, straightened his back as he stood so close he only had to whisper, “the Princes of Hell are ruthless beyond any measure. They will not hesitate to kill or destroy anything and everything in their path, they are the strongest and deadliest demons that Hell has to offer. There only motivation is that they one day may be selected to rule this planet, that is why they are the way they are. If you ever have to face one you must run.”

He lowered his head and I could see There was pain in his eyes as he told me about the princes, he was experienced in dealing with these demons, but I wondered what has happened to him, why did he have such a regard for the Nobles but seemed absolutely terrified of the princes?

I continued to ponder but my mind started drifting to another possibility?

“Silas?”, I began to say as he raised his head, “what if they are trying to flush me out?”

He stared at me for a moment before turning away crossing his arm as he pondered my question.

“It would be in Hells interest that you be destroyed,” he stated bluntly, “without you against them they would have a better chance of winning this world.”

He continued to mumble to himself as he bobbed his head back and forth, after a few minutes he finally reached a conclusion.

“If the Nobles or the Princes are trying to flush you out, it would explain why we can’t find Norma Jean, they would keep her captive to force you into a confrontation on their terms, where they hold all the cards,” he continued, “unfortunately there is only one way to know for sure and if you do that you can possibly give away this location.”

I nodded in agreement, if I scryed in order to find Norma Jean and I did so without control I would not be able to mask my location, which meant anyone who was waiting would surely be able to find me.

We stood in silence as we both stared out across the mountain range being lit up by the moonlight.

What if this attack was because of me? I thought to myself, where was Norma Jean. Could someone be trying to flush me out.

As I was deep in my thoughts I sat down on the porch, and began searching for Norma Jean. I had a nagging feeling about what happened to her. If she wasn’t among the dead, and hasn’t let us know that she was ok, then where was she. I knew she was alive, but where she was I had no idea.

I scryed the battlefield searching for her, but all that was left was bodies and rubble, the base itself had been claimed by the Demon Horde.

I began listening to the planet, I knew I wasn’t supposed to but this was not the time to be careful, then I heard it. I could hear her calling out my name, I focused in on it.

I couldn’t see her but I could feel how terrified she was, I tried to reach out to her unsure of if she would hear me. It was like trying to push my hand through some kind of barrier, I called out to her hoping that she could hear me.

As I tried to get Norma Jean to hear me I heard a sinister laugh. Everything went dark and I could no longer hear or see Norma Jean. Then Levirnius face appeared and laughed.

“You are so predictable,” he said. As he reached out a hand and I felt like he had a hold over me.

An image of a castle appeared, and I felt like I was thrown back into my body.

When I returned I fell backwards and Silas rushed over.

“It was Levirnius,” I said looking at Silas