"WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE GODS IS THAT?",one of the men yelled out as they got to the oak tree. They stood rooted to the spot, staring up at Sebastian who had transformed completely into the highest ranking of demon. He growled at them from the top of the tree, his massive wings standing proud behind him. But instead of bat-like wings like other demons, he had angel wings. Large and powerful black angel wings. The men were utterly speechless at the sight before them. A demon with angel wings didn't exist. This only proved their fear about Sebastian being the strongest creature ever to be created. A half demon and half angel. A hybrid from two of the strongest bloodlines;the pure ones and the demons.
"Send word to the master immediately!",another said urgently. "The powers of the hybrid demon is beginning to emerge".
"Yes Don",the first one who had sent the signal to the others said quickly and fled.
Sebastian watched him go, his emerald eyes trailing after him and he let out a blood curdling roar. His wings moved behind him, flapping rapidly and he leaped into the air, his wings propelling him upwards. Branches of the oak tree were destroyed with the force he used in tearing out. Up there in the sky, he soared for a while, his wings flapping behind him and making him look like the lord of dragons in the sky. And then he plummeted down, flying towards the men that still stood rooted to the spot.
"GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!",Don shouted in terror and took off as Sebastian flew rapidly towards where he stood. He dropped the flashlight he held and broke into a full run, tearing past the trees and leaping over fallen logs. He could hear the roar of the demon flying rapidly behind him and he dared not look back.
The third man behind kept looking back as he ran. His face was a picture of terror and fright, his breathe bursting out of his mouth as he ran as fast as he could, trying to get away from the advancing menace behind him. He tried to keep up with Don but he tripped over the protruding roots of a tree. A strangled cry escaped him as he fell heavily on the ground. He wasn't given enough time to recover himself when Sebastian crashed down on him and struck him with his claws. Don halted and whirled around and before his astonished eyes, he watched as Sebastian gripped the man with his claws and raise him up in the air. The man struggled to free himself from the death grip of the enraged demon and blood gurgled out of his mouth as the claws of the demon sank deep into his throat.
"CONNOR!",Don yelled out as Connor gradually stopped struggling. That was his mistake. Sebastian's head snapped up and he glared at Don. With a snarl, he ripped Connor's head off and threw the body away.
Don backed away slowly. He didn't make any sudden move as Sebastian stalked towards him. One hand reached behind him and pulled out his dagger, gripping it tight in his fist. Sebastian snarled at him, a warning in his eyes. Don kept moving backwards, his eyes and ears alert to any sudden movement. He could feel his heart ramming against his chest and he gulped down the fear that bubbled up in his throat. He stepped on a twig and the sound it made when it snapped was like a firecracker in the darkness.
He froze.
"Who sent you?",Sebastian asked in a hard grating voice, different from his usual smooth deep voice.
Don remained mute, holding the dagger up and trying to hide his terror. The height of Sebastian greatly intimidated him but still, he said nothing. If he spilled the secret, he would die. If he didn't, he would die. There was no way out of it. He couldn't let this hybrid creature discover that he was the son of the King.
"WHO SENT YOU?",Sebastian roared at him.
"Kill me demon",Don said viciously, despite the fear he was feeling within. "Kill me and you will never figure out who you are".
Sebastian didn't have time to reason like a human. Don's reply only angered him the more and in the next instant, he pounced on him, slashed him with his claws and tore him in two, throwing the bloodied corpse aside.
He turned and looked towards the direction of where the last man ran to. He would track him down and find the answers he needed. The smell of blood and death was rampant in the air but he could still recognize the smell of the man. It would be easy to chase him down and find out who had sent them.
He flapped his wings and was about to take off into the air when he heard a loud cry.
"SEBASTIAN!",Evaleen screamed.
Sebastian stopped and whipped his head towards the female sound. His eyes rested on the woman who stood a few feet away from her. She had tears in her eyes and her hands were held tightly over her mouth, like she just saw a ghost. He knew this woman. The scent emanating from her was familiar. Momentarily forgetting the last man he was about to chase, he turned and walked slowly towards the strange woman with the familiar scent. She whimpered as he got closer but didn't cower away. She stood bravely, looking into his eyes, her lips moving slightly as the whispered his name.
"Sebastian",Evaleen whispered. Fresh tears pooled beneath her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Seeing him in this current state made her terrified. She didn't stop to ponder how this transformation came about. All that mattered was for her son to turn back to normal. She gulped as he kept coming closer but she knew he would never hurt her. She tentatively stretched her hand forward as Sebastian stopped in front of her.
"Oh darling",she whispered as her palm grazed the side of his face. The wings on his back lowered and his eyes focused for a second, the emerald fading out to the true turquoise color.
"Mo... mother?",Sebastian stuttered in confusion. Then he cried out as another pain lanced through him.
"Sebastian...",Evaleen panicked. She tried to hold him but he pushed her away.
He fell down to the ground, writhing in pain and letting out a loud roar. The wings on his back began to shrink, folding back and slipping into the two bloody red scars on either sides of his back. His claws disappeared and his fangs shortened until they were gone.
Finally he lay on the ground, back in his human form, breathing hard on his hands and knees. Blood dripped from the open wound on his back and his eyes refocused.
"Sebastian?",Evaleen called uncertainly. She was scared of the way he remained still.
"Mother...wh...what happened..?.
These were the last words he uttered before he fell unconscious.
______________________________________________
The last man that had escaped with his life finally got to the castle. But he didn't go through the gates. He ran towards the east side of the castle and stopped by the high walls. Looking around furtively to make sure no one was watching him somewhere in the dark, he tapped on the wall twice and a part fell off, revealing an entrance into the east wing of the castle. He passed through and the wall rearranged itself and smoothened out like it was never there.
The man hurried through the deserted dark courtyard, breathing heavily. There were no guards stationed at this part of the castle so he moved freely. He went through an archway that elongated into a passage and he continued hurrying down. Soon he came to a particular room and knocked on the door.
The door was yanked open and the man fell inside and tried to catch his breathe.
"Zeke",Prince Stephan said in surprise and locked the door. "Why are you in such a hurry? Where are the others?".
"The master....",Zeke gasped breathlessly. "I must... see the master".
"What happened?",Stephan asked sharply. "Talk to me".
"The King's son....",Zeke tried to speak while he also tried to catch his breathe.
"Talk you bloody fool",Stephan was getting impatient.
"His powers... demon powers... emerged",Zeke managed to choke out.
Stephan didn't need to hear more for him to understand. Sebastian's powers as a hybrid demon were emerging.
It was all beginning.
They needed to act fast and stop him before he knew who he truly was.