While we continued our journey within the Great Tree's dungeon, I decided to look into Will's anti-demon capabilities. Its single attack, a bright light, caused the demons to be temporarily stunned and hurt. I didn't know the extent of his powers, but he had to be very powerful in order to do what he did. If the Great Tree were to see him, it would most likely be enraged. It's minions were being defeated by a single ball of light.
I used Imagination Amplification to create a mental tether between Will and me to investigate further.
I found out that Will had the ability to emit a strong, holy light that burned and damaged any demon or undead that came close to it. He could also control the intensity of the light and use it to blind or stun his enemies. Will's powers were not limited to combat, either. He could use his light to heal small wounds and cleanse toxins, and he could also use it to create barriers that could protect against magical attacks.
Neat, Will is a lot more powerful than he looks.
I had never seen a creature with his abilities before. He was truly one of a kind. He had the power to protect me from harm, but he didn't seem to want to use his powers unless it was absolutely necessary. I was glad that I had him on my side. I knew that he would do whatever it took to protect me, and I would do the same for him.
I reached out my hand and petted his small, spherical head. Will seemed to enjoy the attention and I could see the faintest of smiles on his face.
"Alright, buddy," I said. "Let's go." Will flew beside me as we continued to climb the dungeon. As we ascended, I could feel the temperature rising and the air getting hotter. We were getting closer to the Great Tree's core.
"Erol, do you happen to know how much further the Tree's core is? I feel like we're close." I asked.
"We are very close," Erol responded. "but the next room has a very powerful demon that is capable of controlling the elements." he finished.
"Is it a sentient demon?" I asked.
"Yes, and it is one of the most dangerous ones. It's name is Azgoroth. A demon who was once an elf that had a particular fondness for nature. It is the most powerful demon the Great Tree has ever created. If we can defeat it, the Great Tree's core will be exposed. The Great Tree has been weakened by quite a lot now, thanks to you killing the sentient demons that had its fragments. I know you have a few with you. I'd advise you to destroy the remaining orbs now."
I did as Erol advised and smashed the remaining orbs into pieces.
"Alright, now what?"
Erol replied, "now we have to get ready to face Azgoroth. He is a very powerful foe and he will not be an easy opponent to defeat." he added.
I nodded in understanding. "Alright," I said. "let's go." I gripped the hilt of my sword and prepared myself for the battle ahead.
***
On the surface, Althea and the rest of the elven warriors were struggling to keep up with the demon onslaught. Their bodies were battered and bloodied from the constant fighting, and their morale was beginning to falter.
"We can't keep fighting like this," Althea said, her voice trembling. "We're going to lose."
"Don't give up hope," Sophia said, her eyes filled with determination. "The Creator will defeat the Great Tree. I'm sure of it." But Althea wasn't convinced. She knew that Thomas had a tough battle ahead of him, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Suddenly, a loud crash shook the ground beneath their feet. A huge demon emerged from the tree line, towering over the elven warriors.
"Oh no," Althea whispered. The demon was at least twice the size of the others they had faced, and its eyes were glowing with an unnatural light. It opened its mouth and let out a deafening roar, sending shivers down Althea's spine.
Without warning, the demon charged forward, its massive body shaking the ground. Althea and the others were knocked off their feet, and they quickly scrambled to get out of the way.
Kyran noticed the powerful foe and immediately rushed to the frontlines. As he did, he could feel the fear and uncertainty in the air. He could see the weariness in the faces of the elves, the way their bodies sagged from fatigue. They had been fighting for too long, and the relentless attacks from the demons were taking their toll. He could sense their growing desperation, their need for a reprieve. But there was no time for rest.
"I will not let you hurt my allies. Come and fight me! One on one! I will defend Lord Thomas's vision for the world until my dying breath!"
The giant demon gave a wicked grin at Kyran's declaration.
"Lord Thomas? Oh, you mean the Author of Life? That pathetic mortal will die just like his little friends, and when we're done killing all of you, the Great Tree shall reign supreme and be the true protector of the elves. Now then, you wanted a one on one fight? I'm happy to oblige."
It was an intimidating sight. The giant demon towered over Kyran, its muscles bulging and its skin a deep red color.
The demon raised its battle axe and swung it down on Kyran's head but he managed to block it with his shield. The impact of the blow sent Kyran to his knees, but he quickly recovered and slashed at the demon with his sword. The demon howled in pain and swung its axe again, this time aiming for Kyran's chest.
Kyran was able to parry the strike, but he was unable to counter attack. The demon was simply too powerful. Kyran could feel his strength fading with each passing second, but he refused to give in. The injury he inflicted towards the demon fuelled his resolve.
He continued to block and dodge the demon's strikes, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. The demon was relentless, and Kyran was tiring. He knew that he couldn't keep this up for much longer. The demon was too strong.
With one last desperate attempt, Kyran lunged forward and stabbed his sword through the demon's stomach. The demon roared in pain and swung its axe down on Kyran's back, sending him flying to the ground.
Kyran got back up and let out a deafening roar that was heard all across the battle field. It was a roar of defiance, of determination, of pure will. The other elves stopped and stared at him in awe and admiration, their spirits lifted by the sight of his unwavering resolve.
As the demon swung his axe again, Kyran deflected it with his shield and then charged forward, slashing at the demon's legs with his sword. The demon stumbled, and Kyran took advantage of the moment of weakness, slamming his shield into the demon's face.
The demon staggered backward, and Kyran pressed his attack, slashing at the demon's chest and arms with his sword. The demon tried to defend itself, but Kyran's blows were too fast and too powerful. The demon fell to its knees, its body covered in deep cuts and gashes. But Kyran wasn't done yet. He was filled with a righteous fury, a burning desire to protect the world from the evil of the Great Tree and most of all, to defend Thomas as the true god of the world.
With one final swing, Kyran decapitated the demon's head, sending it flying through the air. The demon's body crumpled to the ground, its blood staining the earth beneath it.
Kyran stood over the demon's corpse, panting heavily. He was bruised and battered, but he had won. He had defeated the giant demon and protected his allies. And he knew that as long as he lived, he would never stop fighting for what was right.