Chris- To Hell and Back
The Underworld was the same as ever as Chris and Wyatt orbed in- not that it ever changed. With their parents and aunts watching them from above, and Wyatt's force field at the ready they felt pretty safe, but the underworld always had an air of doom and despair. The air itself was suffocating.
Wyatt looked in concern as his brother swayed slightly, hands to his temples. He knew without asking that his mind was elsewhere, scouring through the underworld in search of the girl. But Chris was worrying him- he was so pale, and bruises had begun to appear again, though he didn't seem to notice them.
Suddenly Chris opened his eyes, though they were glazed and unseeing. He swayed from side to side, and his gaze was miles away. He spoke, but his voice was a ghost of its normal self, so soft Wyatt thought he had imagined it. "Got you."
"Chris?" Wyatt asked, concerned, but his brother ignored him as he began to move, first hesitantly, then with more confidence till he was flat out running through the darkness, so fast Wyatt was struggling to keep up.
Everything they went past was ignored, and the demons stared as the two brothers bolted past in the darkness, but none followed, not anymore. Once, no witch in their domain had been accepted, but after several attempts to kill the Charmed Ones sons and a counter-strike on Hell, it had been agreed by the Tribunal that as long as the demons left the Halliwell's in peace, the demons would be left alone, unless, of course, they went to earth. Then they were fair game. Every demon now knew of the power of these two brothers, greater even than that of the Charmed Ones, and now they simply laughed at whatever demon they were after.
"Chris!" Wyatt called after his brothers fleeing figure. "Wait!" But it seemed Chris was unable to hear him, because he didn't even falter. "Chris, do you even know where you're going?"
Chris stopped suddenly, skidding to a halt, and Wyatt, unable to see him in the darkness, slammed into his brothers body, pushing him over and falling in a heap on top of him.
"What the hell is wrong with you Chris? Are you ok?" But Chris still couldn't hear him, because he was muttering to himself.
"Should be here, this is the place, help her..." The rest was lost as Wyatt stood up, pulling his brother with him. Chris looked even worse, his skin was white, his eyes sunken, his skin was freezing to the touch, and it looked like he was struggling to breathe, swallowing and gasping like someone dying.
Wyatt pulled Chris to him, hiding his head in his chest, but Chris began to struggle wildly. Holding him tighter, he muttered into his ear. "Is this the place you saw her?"
He felt, rather than saw Chris nod. "Ok, she's not here now, so were going back to the mansion to figure out another way to find her, ok? We're not giving up, just re grouping."
"Oh, leaving so soon, Wyatt?" They spun in unison as a demon appeared out of the darkness. Human in appearance and dressed in dark red robes, she was unquestionably beautiful, but her eyes were cold, hollow. Evil rose off her like a stench. "And you brought your brother! I get the set!" She giggled, the schoolgirl like sound eerie, and she jumped up and down, clapping her hands with delight, Like Prue did sometimes. "I get the Charmed Boys, and the Demon-lighter!" She sighed, clasping her hands and smiling broadly like an overzealous hostess eager to please. "What a good day for me. Bring in the demon-lighter please boys?" She called, her high girlish voice echoing off the cave walls.
Wyatt grimaced as more demons appeared dragging a slumped figure behind them. In the darkness he could barely make it out, but he could see she was painfully thin, the silhouette barely discernable. Her ankles and wrists were manacled, with chains looping to matching cuffs on the hands of each demon, and symbols glowed brightly in the darkness. Symbols for control and containment.
"That her?" Wyatt muttered to Chris, so low it was nearly impossible to hear him.
Chris didn't reply, and made as if to strike, but Wyatt held him tight on the shoulder, refusing to let him budge. His brother glared, and he gave him a tight-lipped smile that told him plainly, you try moving and I will freeze your ass right here. Don't even try helping her till we got rid of these demons, get me? Chris frowned, glaring at him, but didn't struggle.
The demon laughed, a chill giggling sound that set their teeth on edge. "In case you were hoping, your aunts can't see you. Its just you and me, my lovely boys." She gave them both the one over and smiled, sick lust lighting her eyes. "My, my, I'd heard you two were handsome, but the stories fall short of the reality. I think I might enthral you once I take your powers. You'll make lovely bed warmers, and even your mommy and aunties won't touch me with you pretty-boys protecting me." She giggled again. "Oh what a perfect day!"
The two new demons were much more heavy set, with tribal tattoos running down every available piece of skin. The female demon smiled at them, her look that of a mother, proud of her children. "And these are my other two lovely boys. They're looking after my special guest." Her face became colder as she barked an order, floating over to the trio. "Lily, get up."
The figure lurched to its feet, moaning softly, her face striking the lights Wyatt had just summoned, making him gasp. She was so young, no older than Chris was, but her eyes were centuries older. Pale green, seeming to glow against the mass of her blonde hair, they were the only things discernable beneath the cuts and bruises. They covered her face, her lips were swollen, and her nose seemed broken. And it wasn't just her face. One of her arms was twisted at an odd angle, and every movement made her whimper with pain. Suddenly Wyatt understood Chris' outrage. Who could survive something like this?
The demon spoke again, how voice soft and gently. "My dear, attack them please. But do not kill them." The girl stilled, and her eyes were horrified, a terrible struggle in them as her mind fought the demons compulsion. But slowly, her non-broken arm lifted, and bolts of white lightning shot from her fingers, straight for them.
"DUCK!" Wyatt yelled, hauling Chris with him as he dived to the floor. Shifting the weight that had fallen on top of him and pushing his brother behind him, he opened his palms wide, forcing the magic through him. A sheet of flame erupted from his outstretched palms, moving swiftly and unstoppably forwards. As it hit the two male demons they exploded in a shower of flame and sparks, leaving the girl untouched.
"NO!" The female screamed, and for a split second the sound tore at his heart. He knew she was evil, but at that moment, she sounded like any mother, the unutterable grief of loosing children, all the pain and rage and fear, made the cave walls quake as she screamed. "I Will KILL YOU!" the demon shrieked, launching herself towards them. "You killed my boys!" It began to sob as it landed on top of him, fury lending its blows a terrible strength as her claws cut at his face. Again and again, she struck him, but he shoved her off him, and held out his hands ready to destroy her. But she didn't struggle, she began to giggle, high goblin like shrieks that echoed off the walls till it seemed the caves were filled with insane demons, cackling with glee.
"Kill them. Kill them now." Lightning flashed again, smashing him into the wall, where he slid down it groaning. The edge of his vision became blurred, and he couldn't see what Chris was doing any more. The demon laughed, a high, shrill laugh as she stood over him, ready and willing to strike. "Stop." She told the girl. "I will speak to the twice blessed before you end him. Thank you, my dear."
Chris barely saw as his brother hit the wall. Every time "Lily" threw out lightning he heard her cry out, and now, in the light of her power, he could see the tears of pain and humiliation trickling down her dirty cheeks. He had to get her out, and through the red haze of rage a plan formed in his mind. The manacles.
Focusing on them, he began to feel them out, looking for cracks and weak points. Diving deeper and deeper into their structure, he finally found one- a tiny fissure where they hadn't been cooled quickly enough, leaving them brittle. Grinning, he began to pour power in, more and more, till the symbols began to flicker, glowing redder and redder before breaking apart in a shower of sparks. Instantly the lightning ceased, and the girl collapsed again, striking her head. She didn't move.
"She won't be killing anyone anytime soon." He called, and the demon spun round, fear marring her features for the first time.
"No!" it shrieked, and before either of them could move, it vanished in a sheet of flame.
Wyatt struggled to his feet, wincing as his shoulder flared with pain. "You ok?" He asked Chris, who nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I don't think she is though." He turned to the girl, but Wyatt was already moving towards her slowly. Kneeling next to her, he placed his hand on her forehead.
"She's out cold. We need to get her home." He picked her up, but looked up in surprise when Chris took her from him.
"I got it." He said, orbing out.