We remember a world from long ago. A time when angels and demons were just stories in a book, now the war rages on and earth is caught in the middle. The most powerful Demons leading sieges against the heavens.
One would think that the heavens would be on the good side of the fight. That they would want to protect the very humans who worship their "almighty". However, this is not the story we will be telling here today. Believe what you will, but the truth is more harsh than one could even imagine. The Demons didn't start this war. The unholy did.
Who are the Unholy? Just listen well, for this is where our story begins a new chapter.
"Take up arms and protect the humans!" A large voice echos across the plains which used to be the southern part of Oklahoma. "Don't let the unholy breach our hold! Forward with our advance and take them all down!" The leader of the Demon army raised his holy sword and the armies ignited into battle.
The young man standing on the hill could only watch as this great being and his subordinates destroyed the large battalion of angel soldiers standing in their way. In what seemed like merely minutes silver blood sparkled and the once tall Demon leader slumped over with exhaustion. His wounds visible from the hill the young man stood on. He watched in panic as the mighty Demon started collapsing onto the ground.
"Master Azier!" The boy sprints to the weary leader unaffected by the gruesome scene before him. "Sir please stand up and let's get you back to the stronghold." Azier softly smiled. The boy was so much smaller than him, but for him he would amuse the small humans attempt to help. With this they returned to their main hold to regain the strength that the battle had stollen.
"Damion thank you for escorting me, but for now I need you to return to the human quarters." Azier gave a gentle smile and motioned towards the tents behind the Demon strong hold. Damion nods and proceeds to follow the orders his master had given.
As Azier started to plan his next advance on the Unholys he heard a soft sigh come from behind him. "Azier, I know you are fond of that human but you risk his life taking him onto the battlefield with you like that."
"I understand your concern Lucifer, but he sees what we cannot. He has been the reason we have won so many battles with the advantage of surprise." Azier knew the risk, but this boy had the ability to foresee the next moves of the Unholy and he was not about to let that go to waste. Lucifer gently touched Azier's arm and gave a warm smile. "It's not that I don't understand why. However, he is very attached to you and tends to not think straight when you are harmed. He has almost died thrice now running out to you. He would be safer here after you map out your next moves."
Azier chuckled. "I am aware, but I am unable to keep him here. The last time I did he snuck into the wine barrels we used to cover our smell." Lucifer laughed remembering the chaos it had caused that day. The boy had ended up consuming so much that it made him sick for days. It was the first time Azier had come home in a complete tizzy.
Lucifer's smile then faded. That day was also the day they lost 1500 of their Demon comrades in battle with the Unholy. "They are catching onto our strategies Azier."
"I know. Even Damion is finding it harder to see their moves." The Demon leader grit his teeth in frustration. Lucifer also clicked his tongue at this. "I can't figure how they are getting passed Damion's ability."
"I may have an idea." A high-pitched voice came from the front of the canopy. Azier and Lucifer now both looking over at the white winged Demon hybrid. "Well let's have it two tone!" Glaring at Lucifer for the unwanted nickname he began to speak. "My source inside says the Unholy have a "shielded" at their call." Azier and Lucifer exchanged looks. " No. That is absolutely impossible! The shielded died out years ago!" Lucifer stated, as if trying to convince himself.
The "shielded" were a special bred race of humans. They were created cross breading hybrids who hosted mostly Unholy genes and humans with the elder blood. Elder blood meant they contained the genes from the first three humans that were put here. That blood contains what the humans called a "special power."
"Who is your source on the inside Ezekiel?" Not that Azier wanted to doubt, but hybrids are known widely for their betrayal.
Ezekiel looked away. He knew he wasn't being trusted, but if he gave the sources name it would put them in harms way. The source was someone dear to him and he did not want to risk their lives. "Please Azier can you just trust that my source is on our side?" Lucifer scoffed. Azier put up his hand to silence the Great lord of Demons. "Very well Ezekiel. For now you will have my trust, but betray me and I will end you and that one you hold close." With this the hybrid bowed and took his leave.
"You can't possibly believe they have a shielded?" Lucifer questioned. "I don't know. How else can you explain them getting harder to defeat. Is it such a stretch? We have one too. Damion is also a shielded." Azier was now wracking his brain. If they do indeed have a shielded, then he needed to find out the abilities they possess.
Azier's eyes started to feel heavy as the battle from the day started to sneak up on him. He dismissed Lucifer and found his way to the one place he could seek comfort and rest. "Damion are you awake still?" Damion raised his head. His sleepy look always amused Azier. "What is it Master Azier? Would you like the usual?" Azier nodded. Damion then rushed off to start the bath and add the herbs. Finally, I can rest a bit. The now exhausted demon dozed off in the warm scented bath. Thoughts of the Unholy housing an Elder blood was starting to make Azier a little frightened.
With his bath done Azier was ready to sleep. He got into the bed next to the tiny fragile body. The coolness the boy's body possessed was enough to make the larger being relax into the blankets and close his eyes. "Azier, is there really another Elder blood out there?"
Sighing, but not opening his eyes Azier spoke. "So, you were spying on us were you?" The beautiful gentle face was now showing guilt of admission. "You know you're not allowed there. We demon train without restraint. You could be.."
"I know!" Damion yelled surprising not only his master, but himself. "You never tell me anything. I worry about you. You never really rest, nor tend to your wounds. You are reckless!" This comment made Aziel chuckle.
"Reckless huh? That is rich coming from a human that will run into battle without thinking about the consequences." Damion's olive face was now bright red. "Damion we aren't sure about the shielded human yet. The one who told us hasn't yet given us reason to trust him." Azier pulled the boy close and began to drift off. Damion knew he would not be told much, but it still irritated him to be left out. Knowing the talk was over, Damion also dozed off.
Chapter 2
"Damion." A female voice called. "Damion, find me please." A girl appeared in front of him. She was beautiful. Her pained expression and outreached hand twisted his heart like nothing else. He grabbed her just missing her hand. Her fingertips and his meeting with a burn as hot as a blue flame.
"Damion! Damion! Wake up!" Azier was shaking the boy with intent. "Damion are you ok?" Damion looked up to see the violet eyes of his master almost in tears. "You scared me. You were screaming in your sleep and when I awoke your fingertips were on fire!" The shielded boy looked down at his right hand. They were seared and blistered. As if the shock had just left his body the pain in his hands caused him to cry out.
"She did this." Is all he could say before passing out once again. Azier, now both worried and confused, picked up Damion princess style and walked him to the healer.
Azier ran into Lucifer on his way to Pyre, the demon healer. He did not have time to talk as he needed to get the child seen as soon as possible. Azier walked to a gaudy colored tent that smelled like herbs and musk. He opened it up and was met by a much smaller demon. His legs were scrawny and his face long with a wirey beard. His hair up in an unkempt bun.
"Now now what has our young friend gotten himself into now?" He knew the only time the almighty Azier came was if it had to do with the boy.
"He was screaming in his sleep and his fingertips were somehow on fire. I need you to tend to his wounds while I attend a meeting with Lucifer and Paimon. We have something urgent to discuss." Pyre nodded understanding both what to do and what that meant if he somehow hurt the boy.
Pyre giggled a bit to himself. "As if I could let something happen to you?" He looked down fondly at the boy.
In the middle of the camp stood a large black, gold and red tent. Emerald flakes danced in the sun making the place sparkle. Although beautiful, the flakes were a weapon to hide from the Unholy. Inside a meeting was about to start that would change how this war would turn out.
"Why the fuck is the two tone here?!" Lucifer screamed loudly. Azier crossed his arms and tapped his fingers on the skin clearly annoyed at the outburst.
"Like it or not Lucifer, he is our only chance to get information on the shielded. He is the only one with someone on the inside." Azier calmly stated knowing that raising his voice would only escalate Lucifer more. Luckily, this seemed to work and Lucifer relaxed his posture.
"I agree with Lucifer somewhat though. Hybrids have a tendency to switch sides when it fancies them" Paimon chimed in.
"I do appreciate your concern, Paimon. I do understand your history with them. However, we don't have much of an option. This could be our only chance to learn about this human." Azier said sternly. "Another thing that concerns me greatly, is these elder bloods were supposed to have died off so we let our guard down. It was ignorant of us to think we possessed the only shielded on Earth."
Everyone at the meeting nodded in agreement. "We need to investigate." Azier stated. "Not just with Ezekiel's insider, but one of our own." Everyone looked at each other, obviously confused at their leader's suggestion.
"Who do we have that could go into the camp?" Asked one of the demon soldiers. The rest also wondered the same?
"I have someone that I trust fully. If I do this Ezekiel, can you assure me that your insider will keep him safe?" Azier serious look gave away who he had in mind. "Azier are you sure you want to send Damion in? If we lose him, we lose our advantage."
"Lucifer to be fair we are already struggling with holding up against the unholy to begin with." Paimon stated. The others agreed with both sides and were torn on how to vote.
"We don't need to put this to a vote right now. Ezekial, I need you to get in touch with your insider and get them to guarantee Damion's safety. I will talk to Damion. The rest of you will think about it. We have an ambush planned in four days. With Damion's mapping, this battle should be an easy win. The camp isn't large and there are not many soldiers posted there. We have until then to decide what we want to do. For now, let us start training to win."
After the meeting ended, Azier headed to the healer's tent. When he arrived, he saw his companion sitting in a chair merrily eating some sponge snacks. The site of this made Azier smile warmly.
"So, I will be keeping my head today?" Joked Pyre. "Perhaps. We will see when I get him back." Azier snickered.
"Going to train today huh?" The healer questioned. "Well don't train him too hard. The boy needs his strength to finish the healing process." The Demon commander rolled his eyes and walked over to the child happily finishing his snacks. "Time to go?" asked Damion hopping right up. For almost a minute the giant Demon lord could have sworn he saw a tail wagging. "Yes. We also have something to talk about." Azier guided Damion out of the tent.
Damion sat on the makeshift benches while he waited for Azier to speak. He wasn't sure what it was, but he had a feeling it might have something to do with the burns. The poor kid had no idea how or why it happened though. One minute his name was being called by a beautiful girl the next his hands were engulfed in flames. That dream is all Damion could think about right now. What did it mean? Who was that girl? Why did this happen?
He was snapped back to when Azier approached him with a beer. "Here. This is for the nerves and the pain that was left by the burns." Damion took the beer and began to chug it down. "So, what happened this morning?" Azier looked at the Elder blood waiting intently to listen to his worries.
"There was a girl calling me. She called for help and I tried to pull her to me. When I did my fingers started to burn. It was so hot, like touching the blue flame of a fire." Azier stared. "Was it like your mapping dreams?"
"It was, yes. I just don't understand. In my mapping dreams I never get hurt. Not once and I can't interact with the Unholy. With her I could. She looked right at me. Azier I was so scared. My heart felt a pain unlike anything I had ever felt before, and the girl seemed so familiar." Damion grasped his chest as he felt the breath leave his body. He couldn't breath at all. Slowly things started fading. The last thing he saw was the twisted worried look of his caretaker.
"Damion." It's the voice again. Damion was stood in the middle of a field. It was covered in flowers of all colors. He looked in the direction of the voice. There stood the beautiful female he had been seeing. This time her gray eyes looked at him softly and she was smiling.
Damion approached the figure. "Who are you? What do you want from me?" The girl merely held out her hand and gestured for him to come closer. He complied stepping forward down the path, as he got closer he was awoken by Azier shaking him. As Damion opened his eyes he was pulled into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry I did not think that the beer would affect the healing process. Can you forgive me?" Damion smiled. Of course he wasn't mad at him. Snapping up quickly Damion told Azier about the dream again. Azier took in what he said and then sat for a few moments to think.
"Damion, it's entirely possible that the girl is the shielded living among the Unholy. That being said, I have a proposition for you. You can turn it down if you would like. But hear me out until the end." Azier proceeded to tell Damion the idea of having him be the insider to get information on, not just that shielded, but any shielded that may still be living. To be honest it terrified Azier to let the boy he raised go into enemy territory. He didn't care if he could "see" the enemy. He raised him from a toddler and now here he sits a man, in the human sense, willingly listening to an old demon's request. He truly cared for the boy.
Damion listened carefully, but his only thought was that he had a chance to help Azier and pay back all the kindness he had shown to him. As soon as Azier finished, Damion jumped on the opportunity to answer. "Yes! Azier, I will help you even if it means my life! For all that you and the demon army has done for me this is the least I can do!"
Azier gently stroked Damion's face. "Are you sure?" He himself wasn't sure what he could do once he got inside, but for Azier, he had to try.
Azier dropped his hand and spoke seriously to the small boy." Listen this won't be an easy ask. There will be many dangers that await you on this mission. We need to train you for what is sure to come." Damion agreed. This will indeed be frightening and the more prepared he can be the better.
What Damion didn't realize was Azier had bigger plans than just training to fit in with the Unholy army. Azier couldn't help but think about the flame the boys hand was able to create. If we can somehow get him to harness this ability it could possibly save his life. Azier's mind was made up. The training would begin immediately. Azier also hoped that the boy could learn to see further and be able to more directly target certain people.
"This won't be easy child. The training will push you past limits and wear on your body." Damion nodded understanding what he was just told. With this the two left the bench and headed to the training grounds the boy was previously told to avoid.
Damion, I hope you are ready for what is about to start. Azier said to himself. With that they began .