Loud panting echoed through the dense forest as a boy sprinted with all the strength he could muster. The forest was a labyrinth of towering trees, their skeletal branches barren of leaves. The ground beneath him was a chaotic mix of tangled roots, patches of grass, and fallen branches that snapped and crunched underfoot. The air was damp and heavy, carrying the faint scent of decay and earth.
The boy's name was Draco. His spiky black hair clung to his forehead, slick with cold sweat. He wore a glowing brown robe that fluttered with each frantic step, and a large, overstuffed bag weighed heavily on his back. His chest heaved as he pushed his exhausted body to its limits, heart pounding wildly like a drum of war.
"Damn it, it's still chasing me," Draco muttered through gritted teeth. He risked a glance over his shoulder and caught sight of his pursuer—a shadowy figure moving with terrifying speed and precision.
It was a Devil.
The creature had been relentlessly hunting him for hours, its glowing red eyes like twin beacons of malice in the dim forest. The Devil's razor-sharp fangs gleamed in the pale moonlight, and its blade-like claws tore through the underbrush effortlessly. Its humanoid form was twisted and grotesque, radiating an aura of pure evil.
Draco's thoughts spiraled into chaos as he remembered the horrific events that had brought him to this moment. Just this morning, he had been helping his aging parents on their farmland, as he always did. But when he returned from the fields, he found their lifeless bodies torn apart. The Devil had killed and devoured them. Only by sheer luck had Draco found his little sister, Anita, hidden inside a small backpack his mother had left behind. With no time to mourn, he had grabbed the bag and fled for their lives.
Now, as the relentless chase continued, Draco's legs burned with exhaustion, and his lungs screamed for air. The Devil was gaining on him, its heavy footsteps and guttural growls growing louder with each passing second.
"It's getting closer… and I'm running out of energy," Draco thought desperately, his fear mounting. He glanced back again, his stomach twisting in knots as he saw the creature charging through the trees with terrifying speed.
The only reason he was still alive was his intimate knowledge of the forest's terrain. Draco had used every shortcut and hidden path he knew, weaving through the trees in a frantic bid to outmaneuver his pursuer. But the Devil's stamina was seemingly limitless, and it showed no signs of giving up.
"If I keep running straight, I'll reach the Weeping Temple," Draco muttered to himself. "There has to be someone there… a Devil Slayer or a mage, anyone who can help us."
The Weeping Temple was a sacred place, renowned as the site where awakening and transformation rituals were performed. High mages would carry out these ancient ceremonies for the chosen ones. Draco clung to the hope that someone might still be there, someone capable of saving him and his sister.
The Devil's roars and the crashing of branches behind him snapped Draco out of his thoughts. His heart sank as he realized how close the creature had come. The forest's oppressive silence was now filled with the beast's guttural growls and the thunderous pounding of its footsteps.
After what felt like an eternity, Draco finally emerged from the forest and found himself standing before the towering golden doors of the Weeping Temple. The massive structure loomed over him, its intricate carvings and faded grandeur a testament to its ancient origins. Without hesitation, Draco pushed the heavy doors open, their groaning hinges echoing through the stillness. He stepped inside and slammed the doors shut behind him.
The temple was vast and eerily quiet. Tall stone pillars stretched toward the high ceiling, and dimly lit candles flickered along the walls. Most of the candles had burned out, leaving the space shrouded in a somber gloom. Shadows danced across the stone floor, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
"Hello? Is anyone here?!" Draco called out, his voice trembling as it echoed through the empty hall.
There was no response. Only silence. Draco's chest tightened as panic threatened to overtake him. He scanned the room, his wide eyes darting from pillar to pillar.
"There's no one here… What am I supposed to do now?" he whispered to himself, his hands trembling.
The sound of the Devil's footsteps approaching the temple sent a fresh wave of terror coursing through him. The creature was almost at the door. Desperation clawed at Draco's mind as he made a snap decision.
"Anita, I'm going to hide you here," he whispered, rushing toward one of the massive pillars. He gently placed the backpack behind it and crouched down, opening it just enough to see his little sister's tear-streaked face. She was curled up in a tight ball, her tiny body trembling with fear.
"It's okay, Anita," Draco said softly, trying to keep his voice steady. "Don't worry. I'll come back for you. I just need to lure the Devil away."
Anita's voice was barely audible as she whimpered, "Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise," Draco replied firmly. "Stay here. Don't make a sound, no matter what happens. I'll be back before you know it."
He closed the backpack carefully, his heart aching as he turned away. His eyes locked onto the temple's backdoor—a slim chance at survival. Draco sprinted toward it, his footsteps echoing in the vast hall.
Suddenly, a deafening crash shattered the air. The Devil had arrived, its massive form sending the golden doors flying across the temple. The doors skidded across the floor, stopping just a few feet from Draco.
The creature stepped into the temple, its glowing red eyes scanning the room. "Humans," it growled, its deep, menacing voice reverberating through the temple. "Always running. Always hiding. How tiresome."
In an instant, it darted forward with blinding speed, its claws reaching for Draco. But just as it was about to grab him, Draco burst through the backdoor, narrowly escaping the beast's grasp. The Devil roared in frustration, its claws raking the empty air.
The creature attempted to follow, but its massive frame couldn't fit through the narrow doorway. Snarling, it began to tear through the stone walls, each strike sending debris flying. Within moments, it had created a hole large enough to squeeze through and resumed its relentless pursuit.
Draco ran as fast as his legs could carry him, the pounding of the Devil's footsteps close behind. He burst out of the temple grounds and came to an abrupt halt at the edge of a cliff. The sheer drop stretched endlessly into the abyss below. Draco's stomach turned as he realized there was no way out.
He spun around to face the Devil, his back to the cliff. The creature approached slowly, its glowing eyes gleaming with malice.
"Are you done running?" it snarled, its lips curling into a sinister grin as its long, green tongue flicked out to lick its fangs.
Draco's heart raced as he took a few hesitant steps backward, his heels teetering on the edge of the cliff. Cold sweat dripped down his face, and his body trembled with fear.
"This is it," he thought, his mind racing. "There's nowhere left to go. It's over."
The Devil's laughter echoed through the night, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Draco's spine.