Chapter Twenty-Seven: Anxiety
Cleaver and Garfield continued to trail behind the two demons they had just met who were escorting them to the imperial coliseum. Every once and a while Cleaver would glace over at Garfield sensing his concern. He truly didn't mask it well. At least they did not raise too much suspicion when they approached the demons. Yet, Cleaver would not lie or admit aloud that he was almost as nervous and tense as Garfield was. The thought of his leader in danger made his heart race. Cleaver, however, was able to conceal his anxiety unlike the man next to him.
Garfield's heart was racing quickly each step he took. The thought of Raven in danger made him uneasy. He was washed with many emotions that were not only his, but the beast's emotions as well. The thought of his mate in peril made the beast's blood boil and want to take everything and everyone down in order to get to his mate. Not only was Garfield trying to reign over his own emotions, he had to control the beast from emerging from the surface. Who knows what consequences he would face revealing the beast in the demon realm.
He looked over to Cleaver who he sensed was nervous as well, but kept his composure well. Once they made eye contact, Cleaver gave him a reassuring nod, but at the same time a face that expressed, 'Don't do anything stupid or irrational'. Recognizing this message, Garfield nodded and continued to act normal.
The walk to the imperial coliseum was silent the entire way. Not even the two demons that knew each other spoke to one another. It was subtle that they were uneasy about these men they only met minutes ago but chose not to act upon their suspicion.
Within no time, they group stood in front of the giant coliseum. The two men would have to admit, the building was very impressive. It was made of only dark stone and had carvings all around it. They could hear a loud roar of applause from the interior of the stadium.
One of the demons scuffed, "I truly hope we did not miss any of it."
"I as well, and I hope we can at least get a seat." The other demon replied entering the doors of the coliseum.
Instinctively, the two men followed the two demons to where they were going. They climbed several flights of stairs to enter in the middle of the seating. The two demons searched for seats blocking Cleaver and Garfield's chance to see what was happening. Garfield tried to push himself to see the bottom of the coliseum. Once he got an opening, his eyes were met with a gruesome sight.
Fifty feet below the newcomers, lay three beings on the stadium battleground. Two of the beings were these large black creatures Garfield couldn't recognize, but his eyes were immediately drawn to the last being. His heart stopped when his eyes found Raven lying on her stomach with small pools of blood below her. He couldn't tell whether or not that was her blood or the creatures they lay dead beside her. But he knew the pile of vomit belonged to her that sat on her left. Tears began to form in his eyes.
The man quickly attempted to take a step downward, but a forceful grip grabbed his shoulder. Garfield looked to see Cleaver holding his shoulder tightly with a serious expression on his face.
"What did I say about doing anything stupid or irrational Mr. Logan?" Cleaver drawled slowly for the man to understand how stern he was. Cleaver could see the fear in the man's eyes and also, fury and rage behind those fearful eyes.
Garfield looked away from Cleaver quickly and turned his attention to the demoness on the battleground. He did not know whether she was dead or alive. He could only assume the worse. Rage began to build up inside of him and refused to stand aside while his lover's body lay motionless. Without further thought, he jerked away from Cleaver's grip and ran down the coliseum steps.
Surprised Cleaver yelled, "What the hell Logan? Get your ass back here!" It was clear that his scolding would not stop the man from what he was doing and he followed pursuit behind the man.
Sprinting down the aisles, Garfield screamed her name hoping to conjure movement from the woman. He never got movement; just inquiring stares form all the demons in the audience. The stadium fell silent as they watch two men running down the rows.
Jumping off the edge of the aisles, Garfield nearly broke his ankles from the height of the jump. Cleaver followed afterwards attempting to be more careful with the fall. The entire stadium paid direct attention to the two men; not to mention two particular demons sitting in the balcony with questionable expressions.
After keeping his ground, Garfield ran towards the fallen half-demon. He was thankful to see her back rise signaling she was breathing heavily. However, her eyes were closed.
"Raven!" Garfield shouted trying to wake up the woman. "Please! You have to wake up!"
As if on cue, the woman's eyes fluttered open reveling her downtrodden amethyst eyes. Her eyes widen when she found Garfield fearfully shouting her name.
"Garfield?" came a harsh whisper. She could not believe that he was here. Hope flashed before her eyes, but as quickly as it came, it transformed into worry.
"Yes it's me and Cleaver." Garfield pointed to the right of his indicating Cleaver's presence. Cleaver quickly examined the woman noting many lacerations, deep wounds, significant blood loss, and a dislocated shoulder.
Using all of her strength, the half-demon raised her neck slightly to get a better view of the two men. "What the fuck? You two have to get out of here. NOW!" she said with a hoarse voice.
Garfield shook his head, "No way. We came here to bring you back and that is exactly what we are going to do."
Her face quickly went from fearful, to intimidating within a matter of seconds. "I am no joking. You guys have to leave and go back home. I will be fine." She hissed.
With a stern face Garfield frowned. "There's no way you will be fine while you are bloodied up and lying in your own vomit. We're getting out of here together."
Raven bit her lower lip thinking on what to say to get him to leave. A thought came to her mind that she would truly regret, but it must be done. She snarled and spoke, "Well I fucking hate you two. I don't even love you Garfield Logan. Get out of my life and let me be!" Raven was choking back tears hoping they wouldn't see through her charade.
Those words pierced Garfield in his heart. How could she be so cruel to him after all he had done for her? However, this feeling of sorrow began to pass as he looked into her amethyst eyes. Her face read that she was angry, pissed and any other negative emotion he could come up with. Yet, behind those eyes, passion, kindness, loyalty, and pride lingered. He knew she was bluffing in order for them to retreat without her. He smiled and gently rolled the woman onto her back noticing her dislocated shoulder.
When he finally had her safety on her back, he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss for a brief moment. She couldn't deny it; he was about as stubborn as she was. She knew that whatever she said, the man would not stop him from returning her the human realm. Raven blushed slightly as Garfield gazed gently into her eyes.
"You should know by now that I am so dense, that whatever you said didn't even register in my mind." He spoke, "Now let's get the hell out of here."
"Hmmmm, now what do we have here?"a loud voice bellowed from the balcony.
Fear struck through Cleaver and Garfield as they looked to the demon king above. He wore an amused grin and he rubbed his chin while he sat. Garfield's blood began to boil; whereas, Cleaver froze with fear.
"It seems that a team of two has come to rescue my dear daughter from my clutches." Trigon grinned showing his white canines. "You humans truly are small minded and ignorant. Was it really a wise idea to come knowing that you would be in the presence of my minions and I? We took you down in the human world, and you truly think you can defeat us in our own world. Insignificant humans. But I do have some interest in you human, being in my domain." His smile curled even more "It seems that we will have more entertainment than expected."
Garfield stood up hovering over Raven protectively. Cleaver engaged the opportunity to relocate the woman's shoulder while he had time to. "You messed with the wrong dude, dude." Garfield threatened.
A soft chuckle escaped the demon's lips. "I quake in my hooves." He said sarcastically. "I know who you are human, I can smell it from here and from what I remember when I went to the human world. " He turned his attention to Archon and spoke, "Do you know whom this human is?"
Archon shook his head in response, "I do not my lord. Pray tell, who is this insect?"
"That human is the one who took away what was rightfully yours." Trigon slowly explained.
It took several moments for this statement to stick inside the demon's mind. The demon inhaled and exhaled slowly trying to keep his composure around the demon king. "Is that so?" Archon asked angrily. His fists clenched in frustration and stood up. "Though I cannot get back what is rightfully mine, I could at least taste the sweet victory of revenge."
Trigon nodded towards the demon, "As you wish my child."
Out of nowhere, Raven screamed in agony. This startled Garfield and turned around to find Cleaver holding her shoulder. He didn't expect him to relocate her arm so quickly, and neither did Raven. Although her shoulder hurt less, the venom throughout her body buried. Glancing over at Raven, Garfield missed the demon jumping from the balcony and onto the battleground.
He turned his attention to the demon, knowing Cleaver would take care of Raven. The demon grinned revealing his pearl white canines. The look in his eyes intimidated Garfield. He wasn't just staring down the man; he was staring down on him like he was prey. The man kept his composure hoping not to seem weak. From what he assumed, this demon was most likely on of Raven's suitors. What they meant by what was taken from the demon puzzle the man. It sickened Garfield because they spoke of Raven as merely a possession. The beast lingered in his mind wanting to emerge.
Archon cleared his throat and spoke, "You see human, we demons do not take kindly to humans. Especially, when they have taken from us what is rightfully ours. I think of it as beneath me to fight you, but for the erotic sensation of revenge, I will reconsider. Human, you and I will fight to the death. Here and now."
Raven snarled trying to move, but Cleaver held her in place tending to her wounds. "Garfield! Don't do it! Just leave!"
Garfield turned his head over his shoulder to give her a reassuring smile. Nonetheless, she could see the fear in his eyes. "Raven, I love you all too much to leave you here. I am here to protect you and bring you back; whether that means fighting this demon and possibly my death. I'll take that risk knowing that I fought valiantly for your safety. But it won't come to that because I will win." He gave another reassuring smile and retuned his attention to the demon.
Disgusted, the demon scowled. "How touching and yet revolting. I guess that means you're in and that you've signed your own death warrant. Too bad that entire speech will have been for nothing. Do not worry; once you are dead I will take care of this insignificant half-breed. Only until she births my children, but after that, she will join you in the next life."
"You sick twisted bastard!" Garfield screamed and charged for the smug demon.