The pair of Demonic souls shot upwards, their prey so close they could taste it. Over a dozen souls were now falling from the sky, following the golden guide to their assumed destination. The one they would never reach. As they arrived at the barrier in which the golden and crimson magical pillars met the two drove their spiritual bodies into it. There was a satisfying cracking sound and an intense blast of magical energy that blew the two back several feet.
Thin fractures spread like spiderwebs across the surface of the golden tower. While not having a corporeal form its magical essence had taken damage and magic energy leaked through the fissures like water through a sieve. Glee filled the two as they renewed their efforts, the falling souls almost within their grasp.
Once they were then nothing that the humans, werepeople or even the Gods themselves could do would hold back the tide of darkness that would sweep over this world like a tidal wave.
Arms outstretched the barrier wavered and they shrieked in ecstasy at the victory only moments away.
Suddenly a bright light dyed their vision as a soul burning brighter than stars in the sky appeared in their path.
......................................................................
Aegan used everything in him, every feeling, every memory, all the experiences he had gained in his time in this world to fuel himself as he charged upwards at an incredible rate. The souls falling now were new, weak and innocent. As a resident of both this Earth and Nilarea, he needed to give everything he had to protect them.
The closer the Demons got the more it spurred him on as he watched the tower quake from the inside at their initial strike. The seconds it took him to intercept the pair felt like hours as he screamed internally. Faster. FASTER!
Just as the Demons were readying themselves to continue their onslaught Aegan arrived. His soul fuelled by sacrificing his body, he felt a momentary sadness knowing his friends would have nothing to bury. But duty came first, duty to his friends and both of their worlds.
Burning like the sun, he stretched out his gleaming golden arms. Like his eyes now were both whole and roared as he let out an incredible wave of magic power that healed the fractures in the barrier. Aegan did not need to defeat the Demons, he only needed to hold them off until the summoned champions reached the Offered bodies. Once they were there, they would be safe from the current threat the Demons possessed and while Aegan did not fully understand their plan it did not matter. All that mattered was preventing them from accomplishing it.
Power surged through his dazzling form as he held off wave after wave of attacks from the two. He focused all his power on defense, not attacking at all but combining his own power with that of the barrier to buy as much time as he possibly could. Every second he held them back was another moment closer to victory.
Although their faces were hidden by thick white masks, the panic was clear in their body language as their attacks turned from deliberate and joyful, to panicked and desperate. The barrier recoiled multiple times and each time the cracks healed slower despite Aegans magic. Yet he did not need to hold out forever, only long enough.
As these thoughts crossed Aegans mind the souls reached him then continued downwards on their journey. 1, 2, 3… 20, 21? No that shouldn't be possible. That was far too many and the ritual wasn't designed to summon 21 souls, not to mention the tax that would place on the gods to gift them all a portion of their remaining power.
This momentary distraction proved unwise, as the Weeping Lady smiled beneath her mask, and charged at the barrier with every inch of her strength.
The barrier bowed, then cracked, as deep fissures expanded in every direction until it shattered completely. Without stopping to catch her breath, if a soul could be said to have such, she tore downwards after the soul's arms spread wide.
Aegan cursed his momentary distraction as he too charged down in an effort to distract or destroy the Demon lord, the Sneering Man hot on his heels. The three crashed into each other repeatedly, like atoms crashing into each other, immense force creating gale force winds as these monsters battled in the sky above the capital.
......................................................................
Far below them the shattering of the golden magic column reached the ground and the bright blue magic circle as well as the outer blue runed spell both flickered before petering out.
Aedir looked at the smoking white clothing that was all that remained of Aegan and the shattered circles. His eyes full of fear. Kiera pulled on his cloak gently.
"Master, what is it?"
"Something… Something has gone terribly wrong!"
......................................................................
Aegan was beginning to tire. Even with the power that his benefactor, Phidar the God of Magic, had given him against two Demon lords he felt his strength beginning to flag. Glancing downwards in horror he saw that the outer barrier had been broken all the way to the ground. This magic circle was designed to not only guide the souls of the summoned, but also to ensure they went to the bodies offered and did not end up in those of any in the area.
Souls tended to follow the path of least resistance when summoned like electricity. Yet when given multiple options, they would seek out whomever carried a heart similar to their own. Those similarities created a bond that allowed them to be stronger than simply being given the bodies available, yet the cost was the likelihood that those not offered or even unwilling, would become hosts for the next line of Champions.
This was once the selection process for Champions when they were first summoned many, many years ago. But as belief waned, many cried out that they would not live in a place where they may be sacrificed without rhyme or reason. Hence the creation of a circle to ensure only those willing given (or unwillingly chosen, like prisoners) would find themselves giving their bodies and souls over to a new generation of Champions.
Suddenly the Weeping Lady broke free from Aegans grasp, streaking downwards as she reached for the nearest soul she could find. This was no time to peruse her options, the plan had failed. Time to take the second-best option. As the Sneering Man held Aegan back she grasped a Soul and attempted to overcome it. She was rebuffed. Shock would have been present on her face had anyone been able to see it. Seeing that her compatriot could not hold Aegan back forever, she chose to instead join with the soul.
As a smile graced her formless lips, she changed the direction they were heading just slightly, before she and the Champions soul merged with one of the bodies below in a great flash of light.
Aegan was devastated. The Sneering Man used this distraction to also grab a soul and continue downwards. He may not have the time to alter the direction but escaping Aegan and continuing with the plan was still a win. Aegan tried to grab hold and pull the Demon Lord back, but it was far too slippery, and he and the soul also joined with one of the bodies below.
Aegan was crestfallen, before looking around and seeing a handful of souls left floating down gently, now that the danger had passed. Aegan took careful stock of the souls and the remaining offerings below. There were 8 souls left yet all but one of the offered bodies had been chosen. No matter the choice, people would suffer, his friends would be hurt. Yet this one thing he could do to protect those closest to him he would.
Like blowing out a candle, he guided the souls out into the disadvantaged areas of the city. Perhaps they wouldn't thank him for this, but at least they could start a new life, and those chosen would be given more fulfilling lives on their next turn of life granted.
Then he took one still left and gently guided it down into a body below, merging with the soul as the Demons did. He would not give up, even if it cost him an afterlife, he would continue to help protect this world even after his death.
......................................................................
Wulfric gazed down in amazement as bright lights flashed around the bodies of those Offered, the souls merging with them. The owners' bodies began to shake like leaves in the wind. As they did their appearances began to change. The Summoning causes the body to fit the soul and change to take on the appearance of the Summoned while keeping the Offered strengths and abilities.
Most became more youthful, almost like children. No, perhaps they really are children. A terrifying thought but one that Wulfric did not have long enough to contemplate. A light flickered in the corner of his eye as he heard a word full of confusion and surprise.
"Father…"
Wulfric looked down in shock as he saw light begin to shine from Diego's body.
"No, no. NO!" Wulfric cried out grabbing his son and shaking him.
"It's ok, you were right" Diego whispered, loud enough only for his father to hear.
"Without hesitation. I give my body freely so that this world can finally be free of the Demons"
Around the room the diplomats looked in shock and horror as they saw the young Werebeast joining those in the room below as his body was filled with the soul of another. Those altruistic few reached out in a futile attempt to help or provide comfort.
Those less selfless and noble looked around in fear at the others, wondering if they would be next. Only Hallgrim continued to act as always, caring not at all about what was occurring around him. His eyes roamed over the weeping Wereking, then continued on disinterestedly. Weakness held no importance to him.
The light grew brighter until it was blinding and burnt the areas where Wulfrics' skin touched his son, yet he did not let go for even a moment.
"No Diego, please no" He wept.
"I love you father, give the others…"
The light finally swallowed him, and Wulfric howled like a beast, his sadness and pain reverberating like a wave of solid sound. Windows cracked and those in the rooms covered their ears in pain, yet he saw none of it. His eyes cloaked in tears.