The Reaper
Part Four
Aragim the devil stood proud in the desolate wasteland of Hell, for he was among the first ranks of the great demonic conquest. Afew hundred metres ahead, a large vortex was open. Soon Mundus and his loyal servants would tread foot on the human realm, and it would be added to Mundus' already immense Kingdom. And Aragim would be among the first of the invaders. He gripped his large scythe in anticipation.
Suddenly shouting could be heard up ahead. Aragim smiled. "Just some younger devils getting overexcited," he thought. It would be a while before the orders to march. Aragim allowed himself to daydream over the rewards when this was over. He would become a powerful devil, renowned and respected by all. He had to be, after all he had done. The shouting up ahead grew louder, and to Aragim's sudden realisation, it was panic. Frowning, he moved passed some other devils and stared at the portal. There was a dark figure standing by it. On the other side.
"Is that…Sparda?" Aragim whispered aloud, squinting. What the blazes was he doing? They had been given severe orders not to pass through until commanded to. The distant figure was moving his arms slowly in the air. He was invoking some form of spell on the portal. Devils all around Aragim were talking loudly in confusion and staring at the unexpected ritual. He had not been informed this would happen. Aragim had a feeling that something was very wrong.
Aragim made his way quickly towards the portal. He started to run. As he gazed up at the vortex, Aragim saw something that made him freeze for a second. He suddenly filled with terror and dread. The portal was shrinking. Fast.
Aragim ran, more determined then he had ever been before. Other demons had made the same realisation as him, they could be heard running as well, behind. But Aragim was well ahead. He was now close enough to see Sparda clearly. His armour. his face. Aragim felt an overwhelming feeling of repulsion and hate.
"Sparda! You treacherous vermin! You have betrayed us all. You will not stand in the way of what we have strived for. It cannot end like this." Aragin was almost at the portal, but it was shrinking rapidly. The thick, swirling edge of the vortex became more distinct. Soon it would be gone. He ran with all his strength, and when he reached the portal, he leapt into it. It closed at the same time. He felt numb, then nothing.
Aragim stood over the precipice, looking down the valley. That had been a very long time ago, yet he remembered every second as vividly as if it were yesterday. Aragim had not fully made it through the portal. He was stuck, between the human realm and hell. Aragim remained in one dimension, and after a period of time, was transferred to the other. He existed as a ghostly form, never fully in either world.
Pushing the memory from his mind, Aragim could see the two travellers making their way up the rocky path towards him, and smiled. He needed something to liven up his drab existence, and these two fitted the job perfectly.