A Light in the Dark Forest

"I see. Then it is my recommendation we construct a crude torch using the ingredients at hand." He eyed Nakata's brand new cloak. "Some of that bear hide could be used, in fact. However, I certainly hope you can bear the smell." He laughed out loud as if he had made a humorous joke. He then turned to their fire which was actually beginning to dim. "There may be a large enough piece of wood from that fire to use as a base. If not, I could lend you my tree branch staff. Hopefully, I will not require it down here."

Typically, creatures didn't live so far down in caves. Not ones he would actually require such a weapon for, at least. Then again, who knows what crazy monsters could lurk down there. Like usual, though, he wasn't worried about it.

"Oh, impressive, Master Nakata." He said as he handed him the staff. "You appear quite knowledgeable of the wilderness, indeed. You keep it for now, however. I can see well enough in the dark that I shan't be needing it. As I said before, the cave continues for about fifteen minutes of walking until it dips down. Hopefully, there is a reliable way down, I'm afraid I did not get a good enough look at it."

This was it. What he was looking for could be only minutes away from them. Nakata's willpower seemed strong enough to resist "it's" effect long enough for him to properly deal with it. And he would possibly need Nakata's help if anything less-than-friendly decided to show up.

Little did he know that "less-than-friendly" was a major underestimation.

—


Two. That's how many there were. Human, most likely. This world appeared to really only have one prime mortal race. They must've been seeking treasure, or something. It didn't matter. The fact that there were only two humans, though, compared to the three that awaited them down below, was a problem. That meant one of them would likely miss out on food.

The cave did indeed work as Alistair described, after fifteen minutes of walking the walkway suddenly fell away. In fact it opened up into a large open room, but this was difficult to make out in the dark. It was possible to climb up or down the ridge that was now before them, but it was difficult telling how far down it went.

"I see. That explains your prowess in melee combat, then. You do not cease to impress, Master Nakata." He appeared unaffected by the smell given off by their new torch. "Will you be alright?" He asked, after Nakata had finished his coughing fit. "If you have second thoughts, I am more than willing to escort you back to the academy." Of course that would also mean losing any chance of obtaining his knowledge. "I would prefer you do not push yourself to do anything you find uncomfortable. It is indeed very possible we will find something of great horror in the depths below. It is recommended you take great care in your steps and come to the realization that death is, at any time, possible." Not that he would let it happen so easily.

He laughed at Nakata's joke, clearly finding it humorous. "Very well." He declared. "Follow me and perhaps we can see what lies at the end." Not a ferocious monster would be nice, but hey, things liked to not be very convenient for him. He wasn't sure why, nor was he actually complaining.

As Alistair had explained before, the path suddenly ended after about fifteen minutes of walking. It was too dark to see clearly, but the cave had actually opened up into a large cavern, with a steep slope descending downwards. Alistair stopped and knelt down before the slope to examine it. "I believe we should be able to make it down this without issue. Coming back up may be a bit tricky, but it shouldn't be impossible." He looked back up to Nakata. "Before we continue I think it is important for you to know." He paused. "You may very well pass on from this world this day. I have no idea what lies in wait for us at the end of this cave, but there is a chance it is something I have been searching for. If it is indeed the very same, then both of our lives may very well be forfeit.."

Alistair appeared to be considering Nakata's words.

—

In a massive explosion of Divine light the horrible dragon made entirely of darkness cried out as if in pain. It shielded its head, as well as its red glowing eyes, from the multicolored streamers that fluttered past it as great speed. It could not handle this any longer. While its power was immense, it knew that the power of one of Yahweh's Archangels had bested it. The multicolored streamers parted to reveal the figure of the one that had bested it. It roared once again in defiance as darkness began to form around its own head. It would not allow itself to be destroyed so easily.

"Calm yourself, being of darkness." Echoed the voice of the one that had inflicted so much pain upon its form. The multicolored streamers floated about as if each one had its own mind. In reality, they were the elegant wings of the angelic being that stood before this beast. Covering his face, so that only his golden glowing eyes shown through, was a white hood bearing divine markings that matched the symbols on the rest of his armor.

But the dragon did not relent. The darkness around its head formed into a giant orb - indeed, the size of an average mortal household - and unleashed its destruction upon the angelic being. The angel lifted its hand and an orb of light, similar in size, formed in a time span quick enough to completely neutralize the orb of darkness in a vibrant display of good and evil. The resulting explosion caused visibility to be near zero for a time, the multicolored streamer-like wings of the angel fluttering as if enjoying themselves in the breeze.

It was then the dragon of darkness reverted its form. Its shape twisted and disintegrated, leaving behind the twisted humanoid that, apparently, had once been an angel. No longer was it Divine. Its wings had mutated into leathery dragon-like wings. Its face was scaley and twisted, and its eyes no longer carried the golden glow that His followers so proudly displayed. In its hand, was a scythe, made entirely of darkness. The contained form of the shadow dragon that once was.

The angel, too, reverted. His multicolored streamer-like wings merging together to materialize white, fluffy, feathery wings. The hood over his face fell back, revealing his humanoid head and golden hair. "You have lost, Rath." He declared. "No longer shall you be permitted to exist in this world. For all the pain you have caused. The torment you have wrought." He lifted his left hand, and an orb of divine energy fulfilled it. "It is of the Divinity granted to me by our Lord, Adonai, that I cleanse you from existence, De'Rathazamazillion. Wielder of The End of Dreams. Betrayer of the Betrayer. Begone from this realm, minion of darkness, and never bring harm upon Its denizens!"

The demon felt himself sucked into the angel's hand, his throat constricted by his grasp. Its eyes could not help but meet the one of the angel's. The eyes of the enemy that had bested him, despite all the power he had managed to obtain. But he saw not anger or hatred within the eyes of this angel.

He saw pity.

The angel's other hand reached up and placed itself upon the demon's face, and already the demon knew the pain that he would soon feel. The angel slowly removed his palm from the face of the demon, but the demon's inner soul would be removed with it. Sticking to the angel's hand like glue, the soul of the demon cried out in immense pain as it was forcefully removed from its body. The body, too, cried out in horror. No being could ever feel as much pain as this demon now felt. For the demon, the entire process felt as if hours, but indeed they were mere seconds. It was not long until the angel held the body in one hand, and the soul in the other. Both of them cried out for mercy. Both of them cried out for another chance.

But all they received was the tears of the angel, falling from his eyes as he wept.

A crucifix made of light manifested itself behind the soul of the demon, his arms and legs fixating to it. The angel's hand would let it go, as it floated there mid-air next to him. It was then large spikes made entirely of light manifested themselves behind the body of the once-demon. The angel removed his hand as soon as the spikes would impale the body of the demon, obliterating the life of it for eternity. Its screams could still be heard, echoing over the remnants of that destroyed world.

The soul, fixated to the crucifix, gazed up into the skies as a divine light brimmed overhead. Its eyes widened in horror as it continued to beg for mercy for its sins. But all would be done when the bright light flashed, as if lightning, so bright even the angel had to look away. The soul of the demon, and the crucifix fixated to it, no longer existed. The lifeless body simply deteriorated. No longer did the demon known as De'Rathazamazillion exist. Never again would it exist.

But the horrible scythe, the one to start this entire incident, was gone. The End of Dreams had vanished.

It needed to be found before more fell victim.

—

"I suppose you are correct. I will tell you as much as you need to know before hand, Master Nakata." He stated, standing once again, his eyes gazing over what little parts of the cavern wall he could make out. "I suppose first I should inform you that I am not of this world." He looked to Nakata as if expecting a "big shock" moment.