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Chapter 12-
Seeing The Truth
And now our exciting conclusion…
(of this one at least…)
*~********~*~********~* Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus *~********~*~********~*The demon gave a ferocious snarl, leaping towards Magnus, the acrid smoke billowing up chokingly thick, filling the room swirling and churning against Magnus's brilliant electric blue violet power, the room engulfed in a whirling, dizzying lightshow.
Magnus met the demon head on, power swelling up, slamming into it, sending it hurling back. He didn't give it time to catch its footing, ripping it back up, hurling it across the room the other way, slamming it full force into the other wall, pummeling it with a rapid fire succession of blasts.
It roared, dodging the next blow, leaping out of the way tearing into the brick, skittering up the wall, before pushing off with breakneck speed, hurling itself right at Magnus, slamming bodily into him, claws slashing, teeth gnashing. Magnus pushed out with his power crackling and flashing the surge rippling through the room like a sonic boom, reverberating, shaking the building clear to its foundation.
The demon shrieked, hissing, skittering away, circling, jaw snapping, hissing and growling, near animalistic. Magnus circled with it, keeping it in his line of sight, hands at the ready, power flickering and flashing.
"You have no sacrifice; no innocent blood…your plan has failed. Go back now willingly and this will all end."
It gave a harsh manic laugh, shaking its head,
"Oh no…I'm not doing that…
I quite like it here; I may not be able to reopen the door but that just means more for me…so much easy prey. So very easy…they don't even know the danger, so very easily fooled, influenced, lured in…it's…
What's the human expression? Like taking candy from a baby? Yes…that's it…they're helpless, powerless…
I will not go back…
And without that imbecile you cannot send me back…"
Magnus tilted his head,
"There was one thing I didn't understand; why were you trying to make him kill Alec? Why didn't you do it yourself?
I found the spell…there's nothing in it that says a human has to make the sacrifice, you just need the blood of someone brave and pure of heart…
Why force Raj to do it?"
It gave a cackling laugh, shrugging,
"Because it was fun…" it cackled again, head twisting at that unnatural angle,
"It was so very fun…he was oh so close to breaking…so very close to the edge. The knowledge that he murdered a helpless innocent, slit his throat, singlehandedly bringing hell to his world…
Mmm…
It would have completely destroyed him…he was so very close…Two more minutes and I'd of had him…"
Its eyes sparked,
"I was so close…but this world is full of fragile minded beings…and this 'Angel' masquerade was so very effective, worked so easily...I will just have to find another…begin my little game again."
Magnus shook his head,
"You will not get that chance; you're not leaving this building- I will raze this building clear down to the cellar if I have to. This was your only out…you are immortal…but not indestructible. I was giving you a chance to get out of this with your life.
Clearly I was being too generous. You are not walking out into this world-
Either you go back to Calon tywyll, or you die…there is no third option."
It laughed, tilting its head, smiling impossibly wide, revealing the rows of razor sharp teeth…
"Unless you die." It hissed, leaping forward.
Magnus dodged, spinning on heel, sending one bolt after another into the demon. It screamed and hissed, leaping to its feet, bounding over him, digging into the wall above his head, ricocheting off up to the ceiling, skittering across, flying off, digging into the other wall. Bounding around faster and faster. Magnus followed, sending wave after wave of power at it but it was moving too erratically, trying to throw him off.
Okay…this wasn't working,
He took a deep breath, crossing his arms over himself; drawing his energy in. he exhaled, flinging his arms open, the power exploding out with a deafeningly loud bang, shattering the window, shaking the building- possibly half the block.
The demon screamed, scrambling for purchase on the ceiling, losing its grip, falling right on top of the chair, it splintering under the sudden weight. It gasped, breath coming harsh and ragged.
Magnus moved closer, standing over the demon;
"I will tell you again; go back to Calon tywyll, or die…"
It rolled over, turning to face him, hissing, trying to pull itself up a bit, arms not really functioning quite right, legs at an unnatural angle. It gave a deep growl, bearing its teeth, eyes burning with hatred.
"What does it matter to you? This is not your world. You were born in Calon tywyll, you are the son of Asmodeus; one of the most powerful, feared demons to have ever existed.
You are more powerful than any of these insignificant little vermin; why bother wasting your time? You are immortal; these humans…they are nothing to you- lifespan but a moment compared to yours.
A few disappear, why would you care? It happens all the time, every day…they are gone in a blink…they kill each other, kill themselves, victims of each other, or their own stupidity…are preyed on by other, stronger creatures…a few disappear, it means nothing."
Magnus shook his head faintly,
"You are wrong on all accounts; this is my world, my home. Asmodeus stopped being my 'family' when he tried to kill me and steal my powers the day of my thirteenth birthday.
Everyone I love is here, everything I care about.
I am the High Warlock of Brooklyn- This is MY city. I protect it, keep it safe, keep the people here safe; Humans, Fae, Magics, Shifters, Vampires, Lesser Demons and everything else…they are under my protection…all of them.
Yes, some of them are stupid, arrogant, hateful, violent, and panicky…honestly some seem a total waste of space.
But that is irrelevant. No matter how many of those there are, it does not negate the good, brave, selfless incredible ones. Even if only one out of a hundred are worth the effort…one out of a thousand…that is enough.
This is my world, my city, my home…
And you are done here…
Calon tywyll,
Or Death
Choose."
The demon tilted it's head from side to side,
"Hmm…well…I suppose if those are the only options th-" in a flash Magnus realized the distraction,
The demon shifted, lightning fast, using it's now healed arms to propel it up off the floor right at him. Magnus flung out his hands sending electric bolts surging towards it, but it dodged at the last second, hitting the ground, springing back up, leaping over him, catching his arm, those long ghoulish fingers wrapping completely around his forearm, claws digging in,
Magnus yelled, rolling trying to fling him off, hurling them both back half way across the room, but the claws were dug in, clamped on with a death grip. It wrapped its other unbelievably long limb around him, squeezing tight, so tightly he could barely breathe, pinning his arms down,
It was no use…he only had one move left…a last resort. The two shockwaves he'd used as of yet had been powerful, but not near at his full strength. It was the only way…it would kill the demon; nothing could survive the blast…
Only it would also level the entire building… along with likely several of the surrounding ones. The destruction would be immense; it would be a miracle if there were only a few causalities…
Still, it was the only move…
A few deaths are regretful, but if this demon got out into the world the damage it could wreak would be far worse…and it would only be a matter of time before it once again tried to open the door…would succeed at it, opening the world to all the horrors of Calon tywyll…horrors that the beings of this world were in no way equipped to face… that could not happen…
It had to be done…
He just hoped Raphael had enough time to get himself, Simon and Alec to safety…
Magnus shifted, pressing backwards, giving himself the slightest bit of space to move, grasping the demon's arms,
"Wha-" it started in surprise, grip loosening,
Magnus too advantage of the distraction, turning his hands, digging his sharp nails into the demon skin so hard a deep, green viscous blood began trailing down its arms. Magnus's temperature rose, power shimmering over him, licking the air like violet flames, snapping, blazing electric sparks erupting.
The demon made a pained shrieking sound, trying to pull away, Magnus dug in holding him in a vice like grip, power rising, building…
"W-what are you doing!?" it hissed, struggling
"I told you…you are not walking out of here…you are not going to go back willingly; I have given you plenty of chances.
You do not get anymore…
There is no other way…"
"I'll rip you apart!" The demon snarled, growling shrieking and hissing, sounding near feral, claws slashing at air, trying to break his hold, it reared back opening its jaw exposing rows after rows of needle sharp teeth, aiming right for his jugular,
An odd, thwack sounded, something smacking squarely into the back of the demons head, it turned in confusion,
Magnus followed, looking over towards the center of the room.
"Raj?" He asked in shock
He nodded, eyes wide, fearful gaze fixated on them. The man was standing near the edge of the hexagram, shaking in fright, holding the obsidian blade in an unsteady hand. As they watched he brought the blade down on his other hand, holding it over the hexagram, a few droplets splattering inside the circle…that was all it took. It began to smoke, sizzle and swirl, the floor opening, boards seemingly falling away, leaving in its place a swirling, dizzying black abyss,
Raj blinked, standing frozen in place, looking wide eyed and terrified at Magnus,
"But you…" the demon hissed in disbelief,
Magnus used the distraction, throwing the demon off, sending it careening into the wall, looking over at Raj,
"Raj! Move away from the portal! Recite the spell!"
He scrambled back, stumbling faintly, hesitantly starting, voice shaky and unsure, but a whisper, stumbling over the words…
It was awkward and clumsy, but it was the spell…
And it was working…
Magnus moved forward, voice joining in with Raj, a different spell, a spell to bind the demon to ensure it could never again cross over. The odd, exotic, lilting words sounding loud and sure, reverberating about the room.
The abyss swirled faster and faster, slashed through with vicious red and impossibly black lightning. The demons screamed, scrambling at the floor, digging its claws in trying desperately to find purchase. The acrid black and red smoke filled the room, pulling from the demon, sucking into the vortex.
It snarled and gnashed its jaw, giving a ferocious roar, losing its grip on the floor sliding closer towards the abyss. It struggled, thrashing, its huge orange eyes landing on Raj, filling with hate.
Magnus gasped
"Raj! Look out!" he shouted, but it was too late,
The demon shrieked in anger, turning, leaping towards the man. It latched onto Raj's leg, long terrifying fingers completely encompassing his calf, clamping on with a death grip, pulling him to the ground,
Raj screamed, losing his footing, trying desperately to find something to hold onto, fingers clawing ineffectually at the floor. Magnus leaped forward, grabbing his hand, holding tight. He brought the other hand up, throwing a blindingly bright ball of energy right into the demons head.
It gave an unearthly scream, skin smoking an sizzling, losing its grip on Raj, hand instinctively going to the wound. Magnus wrapped his arm around Raj, jerking him from the demons grasp. The sudden shift made the demon lose any grip it had, twisting, flying head first into the vortex.
Magnus crouched over Raj shielding him. The vortex spun faster and faster, sparking. Suddenly there's a huge flash, a thundering clap and the portal collapses, room instantly, jarringly silent.
Magnus and Raj fall to the ground, side by side, panting, breathless, sprawling on the floor, just sitting for a moment, trying to catch their breaths.
Finally after a few minutes Raj sits up a bit, glancing over at him, tilting his head in confusion,
"Y-you saved me?"
Magnus nods, propping himself up,
Raj shakes his head,
"But…w-…you're a monster?"
Magnus shakes his head,
"No…I'm a warlock."
Raj nods slowly
"So…you're not trying to wipe out humanity?"
Magnus chuckles, quirking his eyebrow,
"It's not really on my to do list at the moment…"
"Why not?"
Magnus tilts his head,
"Why would I want to do that?"
"Umm… B-Because you're a monster?"
"Warlock."
He shook his head in confusion,
"Yeah b-…hell you know what, at least you're not a demon…" he gives a slightly disbelieving almost laugh,
"Nope…well…only, like half demon…"
Raj moves over a bit further, eyes wide.
Magnus just waves his off, giving a 'what are you gonna do?' shrug
"Dad's side…
Asmodeus; Grater Demon, prince of hell."
Raj blinks rapidly,
"Umm…M-My dad was an IRS agent…"
Magnus chuckled, nodding,
"Mine doesn't seem so bad now…" he shook his head, sitting up the rest of the way, pushing his hair back, when something on the floor catches his eye, causing him to still.
He glances over at Raj, quirking his eyebrow,
"Umm…Raj? Did you actually throw your shoe at a demon?"
Raj gives a faint shrug, and an almost sheepish nod,
"Well…I needed something to get his attention and it was that or the knife a-and I kinda needed the knife…so…
Uh…yeah…" he trailed off,
Magnus burst out into near uncontrollable laughter, nearly doubling over shaking his head, glancing at the other man in disbelief,
Raj blinked,
"Umm…a-are you alright?"
Magnus gasped, nodding, wiping at his eyes, trying to get himself under control,
"R-Raj…do you have any idea…You stopped a demon from escaping into the world or me leveling nearly half a city block with a shoe…"
Raj huffed out a quick laugh,
"Yeah well I d…wait…you were what!?"
*~********~*~********~* Raphael-Raphael-Raphael-Raphael-Raphael *~********~*~********~*God who the hell designed this building?
Raphael groaned as he turned yet again making his way down the seemingly never ending stairs. They were an odd almost square spiral thing that seemed to have an infinite procession of sharp angles, narrow steps and landings with just a flimsy, not quite waist high rusted out wrought iron handrail for protection from the dizzying drop to the hard stone floor of the lobby level.
No wonder the place was condemned…it was a freaking death trap…
They hadn't seemed so bad on the way up…of course on the way up he wasn't trying to carry six foot three, nearly two hundred pounds of dead weight and his leg hadn't been clawed open by a demon.
He didn't think Magnus said anything about Hanfod lladrata having any kind of toxin but he wasn't feeling right, the stairs were much more of a struggle, and Alec seemed to be getting heavier by the moment, and they'd just made it to the fourth floor.
Oh look…another turn…
He took the corner, idly wondering exactly how close he'd have to be to the ground to be able to just toss Alec down and jump, pausing, glancing over the rail.
Nope not yet…that'd almost certainly kill the detective…
He'll check at the second…
Two floors doesn't seem too bad…
He shifted Alec against his shoulder, trying to find a more comfortable way to carry a guy half a foot taller than him.
There wasn't one…
Stupid demon; couldn't have just gone for a normal short, easily carried sacrifice…no apparently it had to have a predilection for people built like freaking basketball players…
Raphael startled at a sudden, jarring booming sound from above them, the entire building trembling, sending clouds of dust and bits of plaster into the air…
Okay Mag's means business…need to pick up the pace a bit…
He shifted Alec yet again, moving a bit quicker towards the next set of stairs passing still more empty offices and rooms.
Oh what a surprise…another turn…
He sighed making his way down the steep stairs and around yet another turn leading onto the landing.
Seriously, who designed this place?
This was j-
He froze, the sound of fast, odd heartbeats and rapid panting breath catching his attention. They were approaching, seven…
Coming from near all directions; four from the floors above, three from below.
That was not a human sound…
He quickly shifted Alec over, moving to the corner, leaning him against the wall, taking position in front of him, readying for whatever was coming.
He could feel them closing in but there was nowhere to take cover. They were on the landing between the third and second floor, there was nowhere they could go, and the creatures were closing in fast…
He could now hear snarling, hissing and growling…
Ah crap…that was not a good combination…
There was only one creature he knew of that made those sounds.
Madfall-ci demons.
They were vicious pack animals… about three to five feet long, built like some bizarre, unholy combination of a dingo and a predatory lizard or crocodile…
Thick, smooth leathery greenish black hairless skin, long limbs, deadly claws, and elongated, vaguely crocodilian like snapping jaws filled with long razor sharp jagged teeth and slobber.
They didn't usually travel this far into the city, at least not above ground anyways, generally preferring to stick to the outer areas and the sewer system. However they did at times nest in abandoned buildings, especially in the winter during their hibernation. When a pack had established a nest they'd fiercely defend it.
He was beginning to think he knew why this place had never been renovated.
Humans couldn't ever actually see Madfall-ci, - could almost never see Anifail in general. A few types like the rhwystro tân could draw a human's attention and show themselves when they were hunting, but as Madfall-ci hardly ever preyed on humans they were one type of Anifail that humans could never see, their eyes did not actually process the creatures.
When a human encountered them they'd just get an unsettling feeling, the threat registering even though they couldn't see the actual threat.
It was that cold unexplained chill that sets your teeth on edge, sending your eyes darting around anxiously. That feeling of being watched that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up and the desperate need to get away from somewhere as quickly as humanly possible.
That was a Madfall-ci.
Even in an actual attack humans couldn't see them, just hear the sounds and feel the blows…Attacks from Madfall-ci are where the mythology and folklore of hellhounds arose from.
It was actually a pretty apt description of the beasts.
The growling, hissing noises moved closer, deep, near subsonic sounds that reverberated straight through you. He could hear the foot falls now, the click of the claws on the steps. Raphael braced himself, readying for the attack.
Still the first was a surprise. It leaped up from the floor below, latching onto the guardrail, the long, fingerlike toes curling around, inch long razor sharp claws clinking against the metal, pulling itself up, launching straight at him in a blink, brilliant red eyes glowing, jaw wide.
He turned just in time knocking the beast back, catching it in the throat, sending it flying into the two that'd just reached the landing from below with a pained yelp.
Raphael crouched, readying for the next attack. The snarling from above grew closer, glancing over he saw four sets of unearthly glowing red eyes, the glint of the jagged fangs catching in the light, drool and foam dripping onto the hardwood.
Oookay he may be in trouble here…
He's injured, possibly poisoned, literally backed into a corner, the only thing standing between an unconscious, helpless detective and a vicious pack of pissed off, slobbering death that just woke up from hibernation…likely not having eaten in over a month…
Yeah…t-this might not go his way…
Still…there's no other option. He's not leaving Alec to the creatures…he'll just take a page from Magnus's book. Run at it head on and hope like hell he comes out on top.
He crouches, baring his own fangs, hissing, launching himself at the biggest one. After that it's a free-for-all, the beasts leaping at him, all gnashing teeth and slashing claws, him reacting going purely on instinct; whirling, grabbing, striking fast and hard, taking any opening he saw; going for the soft spots, the belly or neck, the creatures snarling, yelping and hissing.
He sent one over the railing, careening into the stone floor. Another tried to dash around him, making a b-line for Alec, he caught it, snagging it by the back leg, throwing it against the guardrail, hearing a familiar crack, then the groan of the section of railing coming loose, tumbling out of sight.
Okay two down…
Five to go…
Crap…
Two leaped at him, teeth gnashing, he dodged one, ducking under, grabbing the other, digging in, slamming it full force into the brick wall, it yelps, falling to the ground limp. He doesn't have time to enjoy the victory though as yet another slams into him, knocking him to the ground.
He hears the growl over him, trying to knock it off, but its claws dig into his shoulders, pinning him, he can hear the other three growling, hissing, and snapping, circling him.
He tries to push up, but can't get enough leverage. The creature leans in, he can feel the hot acrid breath at his neck,
Oh god, this is it t-
"Hey! Get off him you slobbering, creepy whatever the hell you are!"
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
He hears in quick succession, along with sharp yelps, and something hitting the ground. He feels the creature above him suddenly collapse. Raphael shifts, pushing the now dead weight off him looking over towards the steps in confusion.
Simon re-holsters his gun, looking him over worriedly,
"Are you alright Raphael?"
Raphael sets frozen,
Simon saved him…
O-only...
How did he save him?
Humans cannot see Madfall-ci
Humans can NEVER see Madfall-ci
Not even in an attack…
Their eyes cannot process the creatures…
He spent most of last night with Simon, and two hours the day before…
He's human…
He's never registered as anything other than human…
Not even the slightest bit…
No trace of a spell or any of the like, he'd be able to sense that…
He's human…totally human…senses not enhanced in any way…
And yet he can see the Madfall-ci…
That should not be possible…
The only way that would be is if…
He tilts his head, moving into a defensive crouch, giving a low hiss, eyes fixed on the detective,
Who is not just a detective…
Not just a human…
"Gwir-dyst" he growls
Simon blinks eyes wide, taking a hesitant step back, swallowing, putting his hands up placatingly…
"Okay, so…I can totally explain."
*~********~*~********~* _End Of Chapter Notes_ *~********~*~********~*Madfall-ci (Lizard-dog) demons
***I may have took a few ideas from the hellhounds in Supernatural here though those just looked like dogs basically and I didn't want that, so we have weird, invisible dingo-crocs…
I'm thinking being unable to see them might actually be a blessin***
Anifail- animal (animal like demons…not sentient beings)
I know, I know, I'm terrible stopping there but I have to keep you all coming back
Sorry for it, this really was the best place to stop; you know Raphael and Simon's conversation is gonna be a hell of a lot longer than a few pages.
This should be the last of the cliffhanger endings for a while…
I planned these first three to kinda work as a trilogy kinda thing. After the next one (Titled -You can't go home again (though…really why would you want to?)
We're mostly going back to the each story is one self contained storyline format like my other series. Some themes or story arcs may carry over (I have plans…LOTS of plans…
Hint* Magnus's 'supernatural forget me not type spell may not have worked quite as thoroughly as it's supposed to…but WHY didn't it?) but this should be the last straight up cliff hanger…
At least that I have planned…
So, you know
Shrugs
Sometimes the characters seem to have a mind of their own.
Anyways, as always thank you all so much for reading, I'm so glad people seem to be liking this cause I'm having a blast.
Next episode obviously we're gonna get a lot of Saphael (yay!), we're gonna learn more about Gwir-dyst- I know I haven't went into them a lot yet…that's because we're gonna have like half a story dedicated to Simons past…all the questions about them will be answered, I promise.
Also we're gonna meet Divya and figure out what to do with Raj (I know he was working with the demon, but he himself never hurt anyone and he genuinely thought what he was doing was to protect humanity…that he was being led by an Angel trying to save people from fearsome, evil monsters…and he did come back in the end to help save the day…with a shoe- it popped in my head and I couldn't resist)…
And Alec's dealing with his concussion and confusion (FYI there may not be a TON of Malec in the next one-at least not that I have planned as of yet (once again shrugs) we have a lot of plot to deal with, lots of other characters, Saphael and Clizzy's first meeting and much, much more so…yeah…
Malec might have to take a back seat, just this once)
Thank you so much for all your comments, they really do make my day and make me that much more excited to keep writing,
You guys really are amazing!
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