An Unexpected Companion, The Great Daemon
After the hearty meals and discussion, Noah told the men to go to sleep as he stayed awake and watched the surroundings.
Hours after the men slept, Noah's head turned quickly to the side, his gaze piercing through the leaves and branches of trees. Narrowing his eyes for a bit, he confirmed that it was nothing before minding his business once more.
At the direction he looked at, a shadow darted backwards as it quickly retreated into the wilderness.
As the dawn came, some of the men already began to wake up. Three or so people woke up way earlier, saying that they were more comfortable with just four hours of sleep. At that time, Noah went for a short nap. When the sun finally showed its morning glory, Noah opened his eyes as they packed their tents and resumed their journey once more.
Halfway up the mountain range, they stopped. "We're here." Noah said to them.
"Here? Just here?" A kid suddenly voiced out. Everyone, in shock, turned around and saw a kid of about ten stretching his arms and feet.
"Dawid?" Noah blurted out. The kid, Dawid, chuckled awkwardly, which was met with an annoyed slap at the back of the kid's head.
"What art thou doing here?" Noah reprimanded him hostilely.
"I-I'm sorry." Dawid cowered when he saw how mad Noah had gotten. "I know I can handle myself in the battlefield, ye can trust me." He pouted; eyes filled with tears.
Seeing that, Noah softened and sighed, "It's not that we doth not trust thee, but what we are facing is something more profound and powerful than just a lesser demon. Thou can be in danger here."
In actuality, the greatest reason why Noah didn't want the child to go with them was to keep him safe, and the village safer. If he remained within the village, it guarantees the safety of the people within. Such is Noah's thoughts when he discovered that Dawid gained not just any divinity's blessings, but gained his power from God Himself.
It could be said that Dawid's importance to the cause is greater than any of them combined. He is so important that no one other than him knows this information about Dawid to protect him from both the outside and inside the village.
"Let the child off, Noah. He just wants to see the world." A deep and wise voice spoke, startling everyone as they looked at where it came from.
Tuun! Dum! Dum! Dum dum dum dum!
Deep within the forest, booming sounds of trumpets, drums, cymbals, and many more assaulted everyone's ears. As the sound became more and more loud and seemingly near, the visage of an old man was revealed to everyone. He was wearing a ceremonial gown with rims of gold, while on his head sits a tall and pagoda-like silver crown. Riding on his precious dromedary, he was being followed by thousands of human-like spirits playing several types of instruments.
The old man held in his right hand a golden staff with large rings atop it. Beneath the rings were small bells, emanating sounds of chimes every time he moves.
Seeing him, Noah immediately knew who he was. He waved his hand quickly and shouted, "Everyone, behind me. Now!"
The hundred men swiftly followed orders, all getting behind him in a matter of seconds. The old man in front caressed his mount and raised his hand, stopping the troupe behind him. "I'm honored that the current generation's Servant of God knows me." He said, smiling at Noah.
"Greetings, Paimon." Noah replied coldly. "How disrespectful." Still smiling, Paimon replied to the cautious man, but contrary to the pleasant countenance on his face, his voice had an unconcerned tone that sends chills down one's spine.
"Urghh!" Much to the hundred men's shock, Noah's knees weakened as it fell down, causing him to kneel.
"Lord Noah!"
"Master Noah!"
Concerned voices came out of the men's mouths as they rushed to help him while others stood to shield him from the Great Daemon. Dawid, even despite his small stature and age, rushed and unsheathed his wooden dagger that—due to his size— looked like a sword, to defend Noah.
Seeing how he so quickly rushed to defend Noah, even beating everyone to it, the men immediately rushed to pull him back behind the line, not even letting the kid try and protect Noah.
"Hey! I'm powerful too! Let me go at the front!" Dawid pouted, which was only disregarded by the soldiers.
"Listen to the kid, humans. He is, by far, more powerful than any of you combined." Paimon, seeing the nervous emotion on Noah's face, smirked and said to them.
Despite that, the soldiers did not even move an inch. They placed Noah's safety more than having an argument with a deplorable demon.
Paimon sighed at the strong-willed men. They were unyielding, which makes a formidable and commendable force, yes. But their ignorance knows no bounds. Finally having enough, Paimon urged his dromedary to move forward.
Ding, ding, ding! The bells sounded out every single time that the dromedary stepped its feet forward. Feeling the threat, the men clasped their hands and prayed.
Soon, the skies opened and holy light shone upon them. The demons behind Paimon stopped on their places as they were enveloped in the Holy Temple's light.
Still, to the surprise of everyone, Paimon still continued, as if not being even the slightest bit affected by the light. "I-Impossible!" The men gasped in terror.
"Of course, thy holy light would not, even the slightest bit, affect me." The Great Daemon smirked and laughed at the horrified looks of the people.
"I command thee to stop!" From behind their lines, a youngling's voice, but much more profound than any voices they have ever heard, sounded out.
When they turned around, there they saw the "unassuming kid" standing at seven feet tall, surrounded by the purest and holiest divine light they have ever laid their eyes on. He had his hands raised, pointed at Paimon whilst commanding him.
Plop!
Not even realizing it, every single one of them fell to their knees at the sight of this being. Noah, knowing full well who they were in front of, bowed and kowtowed, murmuring, "This Servant greets The Almighty God…"