1Chapter 3

Demon World

Siya awoke to find himself in an old, tattered cardboard box. It was quite large, pottery lay around him and shards of it cut his skin. Aggravated he snarled and clawed away at the side of the box. He struggled to get out of the confined space but to find that the top was pinned shut. Outside of his imprisonment he could hear voices.

"Lets get the pottery unloaded and onto the shelves," the voice was deep and full of strength. Other voices could be heard in the room yet they were to muffled to understand. Siya strained to hear the other voices but was disturbed by violent movement of the box. There was a moment of calm while the box was carried until the creature set it down. The box shook with the harsh landing, causing the pottery the rattle and crack.

"CAREFUL NOW! THAT STUFF IS FRAGILE!" an angry voice yelled. The sounds of demons skittering around outside the box could be heard. Once the noise had died off, a loud scratching sound arose from the silence. The young demon coward in fear as the top of the box was ripped off.

Siya saw his chance to escape. He leapt from the box and scampered past the demons who screamed and howled in surprise. Running as fast as he could. The wolf turned several corners and jumped several fences before settling down to rest under a great black oak. His breathing was desperate for air while his heart pumped rapidly with adrenaline.

He leaned back against the trunk, staring up into its mighty branches blowing in the wind. The tree seemed like a guardian spirit. He sat in the shade of the great tree, its branches loomed over the land around the tree, ready to attack any who dare threaten the young wolf. The leaves rustled in the wind, its gentle sound calmed the demon, drifting him into sleep.

At a different part of demon world two angels had entered the dark realm. Their wings glowed with a heavenly light in the blood red sky, bluish sliver and creamy white wings. Demons cried out in anger at the angels arrival in their lands. Hissing, howling, and wailing could be heard from the great demon city that lay below them. Saga sneered, flipped around in the air and changed his course in the direction of a dark forest. Merri followed his routine through the sky and to the ground where he had landed in the forest.

The forest was dark, full of evil life. Vines were strung from tree to tree as well as littered the ground, their leaves spread across the ground, threatening to trip anyone who dared to walk through their labyrinth of death. Mist hid most of the ground from view and kept the angels vision limited. Merri shivered at the sight of this terrible place. Saga, however, was not in the least disturbed.

He tucked his wings away and turned to face Merri. His eyes were serious and threatening, "Remember do not say a word and keep your wings hidden from view." Merri nodded her head in agreement. Staying perfectly silent, she tucked her wings away and followed her beloved through the dense underbrush.

Siya woke from his slumber under the great oak, stretched lazily in the light of the dark sun. Sitting up, he observed the landscape before moving on to his next destination, a mist had covered most of the city in grey. Only three things were running through his mind, food, finding the whereabouts of the oracle and finding his brother.

"First I'll need something to eat to keep me going," Siya shook himself vigorously before getting up. Then in a flash, he transformed into a great beast. A giant red wolf now stood on the hill. Its eyes glowed, fierce and dangerous, he flicked his tail and let out a roar, shaking the birds out of the trees from which they had lain, hidden amongst their branches. Taking off, he disappeared into the mist.

The mist covered much of demon world in its cold, dark embrace. The city, ravines, waterways, and the forest where it was thicker than any other part of the demonic realm were covered in its blanket. Many of the dark creatures that existed in this world were unable to see, Siya, Merri, and Saga were among the victims of its blinding attack.

Saga bit his lip, he was relying on his demonic prowess to navigate and it caused him to struggle to keep his mind focused and clear. Also, his power was not helping in finding their way out of the dense forest. It seemed as if he was leading them farther into evil's clutches. He paused for a moment, determining which direction to head in. Merri watched nervously as he tried to make a decision.

Quickly he turned around and ran straight for her. Grabbing a hold of her hand he took to the sky. Flapping his wings wildly, trying to escape some strange force that was after him. Merri was aghast, what had overcome her beloved to make him act this way. Acting as quickly as she could she released her long, beautiful wings. Saga realized her make flight and relinquished his hold.

"MERRI, QUICKLY, HEAD FOR THE CITY!" he ordered, swiftly rising into the blue.

It became apparent to her why he had made such a fast exit. The forest was coming to life, vines lashed out through the air angrily while high pitched cries could be heard as a deadly miasma filled the air. The vines shot out at the two angels.

Saga whorled around to face the demon plant, his eyes flared, ready to attack. The demon blood in is veins was awakening causing his canines to grow into large fangs. His body pulsed with the energy swirling inside of him. Struggling to keep his mind free of the killing blood, he yelled out to Merri.

"FLY HIGHER TO STAY OUT OF ITS REACH! DON'T SHOW YOURSELF UNTIL THE FIGHT IS OVER!" he cried out and dived straight for the tangled mass of thorns and vines.

Siya keeled to a stop, exhausted and dumfounded by a loud irritating noise. The cries of the demon forest filled the air leaving the demons in aw. Pulling himself off the ground, transforming back into his human like self, he listened to the terrible music of the trees. He knew immediately that his brother was in demon world, searching for him relentlessly. As well as the fact that demons can sense an angels aurora.

"Brother...," he wined, leaping onto the roof top of one of the buildings and running in the direction of the forest.

He swerved from the buildings to the street, sliding passed several confused demons, he slipped unnoticed into the forest. This part of the forest did not stir with any sign of life. The screams and wails of the forest were coming from far ahead. The aurora filled him with great unease. Shaking himself, he transformed into the giant wolf. The great creature shook its mane and let out a bellowing roar.

"I AM COMING FOR YOU BROTHER!" Siya cried, his call rattled the trees and shattered leaves in the air. He leapt into the brush.

His ears could hear the cries of angry demons all around as he dashed through the trees. The low life demons had gathered in hordes. Hordes of terrible, evil spirits. Their rancid moans and wails filled the air with their undeniable, disgusting presence. Siya bristled at the sight of the nasty creatures, but continued to his destination.

At the end of the path he could see vines thrashing around wildly. Lashing out this way and that; hitting trees and knocking shrubs of their roots. 'I don't have time for this!' Siya thought. Opening his jaws, a great red light could be seen from the back of his throat. The light began to glow brighter, releasing a demonic aurora into the air. Leaning his head back like a snake and released the ball of light. It shot through vines and surrounding shrubbery, burning off the demon plants, leaving a barren path before him.

He charged forward only to be blown back by a large amount of energy. Dazed, Siya lifted himself up on his feet, the wolf form had left him. He scanned the area to find a large crater where he had once stood, causing him to fall backwards. He only lay stunned for a moment for a scent had caught his nose. The scent of his brother.

Tears began to form in his eyes. His brother was in demon world, searching for him. A single tear rolled down his cheek, dropping down upon his chest. Within seconds of its landing a red glow came from beneath his shirt. The glint catching is eyes, Siya looked down to behold the ancient crystal charm his brother gave him many years ago. He still remembered what his brother had said to him all those years ago... 'Keep this with you at all times... If you ever get lost I will find you, for that crystal is your guide to find me...' his words fading into the distance in Siya's memories. More determined than ever, the young wolf charged into mass of vines.

"BROTHER!!!"

The fight lasted several hours, taking everything to keep the plant at bay. The battle finally ended in a large blast of aurora sent by Merri; scaring off the hordes of angry demons. Around the last few minutes Saga saw his brother just as he passed out from exhaustion, leading him into darkness.

Saga regained consciousness some time later. Rubbing his head, he surveyed the landscape around him to find the unexpected. Merri was throwing everything she could find at the innocent wolf. Who in turn was throwing things back, avoiding most of the angels frantic attacks. Scenting his brother's breath Siya ignored Merri and began to race to his brother's aid. Seeing her chance, she threw one of the boulders at the young wolf who fell into the dust as it hit his head. Saga just shook his head disapprovingly, staggering to his feet he wandered over to his dizzy, bewildered brother. Lifting Siya's head up off the ground, he pulled out a sprig of mint and wavered it in front of the wolf's nose.

The smell of the sweet herb wound its way into his nose . He opened his eyes to find his brother smiling at him. Merri fell to her knees, dumbfounded as the demon and angel hugged one another, reunited once again.

"You know I knew you liked mint," Saga laughed.