Ike's POV:
Sarah and I had found temporary safety in an abandoned bank. She suggested we take some money, and I agreed. "Good idea, we'll be rich when this blows over."
As Sarah stuffed cash into a backpack, I used a computer to browse the internet. It had been weeks since we met, since I saved her from a demon-possessed body. The same day I lost Maryam, infected and consumed by darkness. That day, I gained my powers, but at what cost?
We'd grown fond of each other, bonding over our shared struggle. We were each other's only hope in this desolate world.
I stumbled upon an article about Temple Gahena, a gateway to hell. The Sword of Azaddon, a tool to control the portal, caught my attention. As an atheist, I never believed in God or the devil, let alone demons. But the world outside had changed that.
I read all about the sword and the temple, but the website didn't state how to close the portal. Sarah and I discussed our next move. We couldn't live in a world run by demons.
Another article revealed the Sword of Azaddon's location: the British Museum, acquired from demonologist Astra Wilson.
"Britain," Sarah said, determination in her voice. "We need to get the sword."
"The airport," she added. "We can find a plane."
"I don't know how to pilot," I admitted.
Sarah smiled. "I do. I was a student at a pilot university."
We left the bank, Sarah shouldering the backpack.
As we navigated the desolate streets, a demon-possessed body appeared. Sarah tensed, but I stepped forward. "Stay behind me."
The demon-possessed body charged, halted in front of me, sniffed, and turned towards Sarah.
I pushed it away with my newfound strength. "You're not taking her."
The demon-possessed body rebounded, and I grabbed an iron rod, bending it.
I threw it at the demon, piercing its chest.
For a moment, it stunned, then looked at us and charged.
My eyes turned black, and I sprinted towards it.
I plunged my hand into its heart, feeling its darkness.
But it growled, summoning more demon-possessed bodies.
I pulled out its heart and turned to Sarah. "More are coming. We need to leave."
We ran, the streets filling with demon-possessed bodies in moments.
After what felt like hours, we found a safe spot.
Breathless, Sarah asked, "What's happening to you, Ike? Your eyes…"
I shook my head. "I don't know."
We found a small car in decent condition and got in. I drove towards the airport.
As we sped away, I glanced at Sarah. "We'll make it."
She smiled back, her eyes filled with hope.
Our quest for the Sword of Azaddon had begun.
And with it, our chance to reclaim our world.
The airport loomed ahead, a beacon of escape.
But what horrors awaited us in Britain?
Only time would tell.
I pressed the accelerator, racing towards our destiny.
Astra's POV:
We fled the movie theater, our senses on high alert. Marcus, Mike, Claire, and I had to reach the national library, our only hope for uncovering the secrets of the Sword of Azaddon.
As we navigated the deserted streets, the eerie silence was punctuated by distant screams and crumbling buildings. The once-familiar cityscape now resembled a war-torn nightmare.
"We need to move fast," Marcus urged, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Demons are spreading quickly."
We quickened our pace, our footsteps echoing off abandoned storefronts. Claire clutched my arm, her fear palpable.
"What if we don't find anything?" she whispered.
"We will," I reassured her. "The library's archives hold ancient texts that can help us understand the sword's power."
Mike, ever the pragmatist, nodded. "And maybe find a way to reverse this hellish chaos."
As we turned a corner, a snarling demon-possessed body lunged at us. Marcus swiftly dispatched it with his combat training.
We continued on, our senses heightened. Every alleyway, every shadow, could conceal a threat.
Suddenly, a pack of demon-possessed bodies emerged from a nearby building. Their twisted faces contorted in a grotesque grimace.
"Run!" Marcus yelled.
We sprinted down the street, our hearts pounding. The demons closed in, their numbers swelling.
A narrow alleyway beckoned, and we darted into its relative safety. We emerged onto a main street, the national library's imposing structure ahead.
Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.
Demon-possessed bodies poured from surrounding streets, encircling us. Their cacophonous growls and snarls surrounded us.
"In here!" Marcus shouted, yanking open the library's heavy doors.
We burst through the entrance, slamming the doors shut behind us. The sound of scraping, clawing, and pounding echoed through the hallway.
We leaned against the doors, panting, as the demons outside continued their relentless assault.
For a moment, we locked eyes, our determination renewed.
"We'll find a way to stop this," I vowed.
Marcus nodded. "Together."
The library's musty silence enveloped us, a fleeting respite from the chaos outside.
But as we caught our breath, the creaking of old wooden shelves and the whispering of ancient texts hinted at secrets waiting to be uncovered.
And the demons outside would stop at nothing to keep those secrets buried.
We steeled ourselves for the challenge ahead.
The national library, once a sanctuary of knowledge, had become our fortress against the forces of hell.
Now, we had to find the answers within its walls – before the demons broke through.
James POV:
I lugged the two bags of weapons into the dimly lit bar, the air thick with the stench of rotting beer. The backpack and duffel bag weighed me down, but I knew their contents were crucial to survival.
I thought for a moment, then began loading the guns with silver bullets. It was a long shot, but I hoped they'd work against the demon-possessed bodies.
My mind wandered to Astra, my sister. Was she still alive?
I shouldered the backpack and gripped the duffel bag, stepping into the unknown.
The streets were a war zone. Demon-possessed bodies roamed, sensing the living. I moved stealthily, scanning for threats.
A growling demon-possessed body charged from an alleyway. I raised my gun, firing a silver bullet into its heart. It crumpled, motionless.
The silver bullets worked.
I continued on, navigating through abandoned buildings and side streets. Demon-possessed bodies swarmed, attracted by noise.
I encountered other survivors, but they were hostile, eager to claim my supplies. I fled, outrunning them.
Demon-possessed bodies closed in, infecting the would-be thieves.
I kept moving, driven by the hope of finding Astra.
As I turned a corner, I spotted a familiar figure – Astra – sprinting towards the national library. Marcus and two unknown companions, Mike and Claire, flanked her.
Demon-possessed bodies closed in, their twisted faces contorted in a snarling frenzy.
I watched, frozen, as Astra and her group burst through the library doors.
My heart swelled with relief and determination.
I had to help them.
I surveyed the surrounding area, planning my approach. Demon-possessed bodies milled about, unaware of my presence.
I crept forward, gun at the ready.
Time to even the odds.
With a deep breath, I charged towards the library, silver bullets loaded and ready to take down any demon-possessed body that stood in my way.
Astra was alive, and I would do everything to keep her safe.
The library doors loomed ahead, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
I burst through the entrance, gun raised, ready to face whatever horrors awaited within.
"Astra!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the hallway.
But my cry was lost amidst the sounds of shattering glass and snarling demons.
The battle for survival had just begun.
Astra's POV:
Gunshots echoed outside the library, growing louder. I exchanged worried glances with Marcus, Claire, and Mike.
I spotted a ventilation shaft and climbed up to peek outside. My heart skipped a beat as I saw James, my brother, fighting for his life. Demon-possessed bodies swarmed him, but he held his own, firing silver bullets into their hearts.
Without hesitation, I opened the doors and sprinted outside, Marcus close behind. We fought our way through the horde, grabbing guns and silver bullets from James' bags.
Together, we managed to clear a path, shooting demon-possessed bodies left and right. James joined us, and we made a mad dash for the library doors.
Mike and Claire slammed the doors shut behind us, using a long table to barricade them.
James caught his breath. "Silver bullets work. They need to hit the heart or head."
We armed ourselves, ready for the next wave of attacks.
As we caught our breath, Marcus and I began searching the shelves for any information on the Sword of Azaddon and Temple Gahena.
The others joined in, and soon we were all bonding over our shared quest for survival.
James regaled us with stories of his journey, and we shared our own tales of horror and loss.
As we delved deeper into the library's archives, I stumbled upon an ancient tome bound in black leather.
"Marcus, come see this," I whispered, my heart racing.
The book revealed the dark secrets of Temple Gahena and the Sword of Azaddon. Our eyes met as we read the words that would change everything:
"The gateway to hell can only be closed by the person whose blood was used to activate the Sword of Azaddon. They must sacrifice themselves, using the sword to seal the portal at Temple Gahena."
I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine.
I knew what I had to do.
I glanced at James, who was busy checking his gun. I couldn't tell him. Not yet.
Marcus's eyes locked onto mine, and I knew he understood.
We exchanged a silent vow: to see this through, no matter the cost.
As the others continued their search, Marcus and I stepped aside, our minds racing with the weight of our discovery.
"What's our next move?" Marcus whispered.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead.
"We need to get to the beach where you threw the sword. The Sword of Azaddon is our only hope."
Marcus nodded, his eyes burning with determination.
Together, we would face whatever horrors awaited us.
And I would keep my secret, for now.