Silver Lining

Michael sat up as he struggled to breathe, his eyes quickly scanning the area for any escape from the situation he found himself in.

He coughs up blood as his nose bleeds, his lower limit too little to supply him with blood, much less so fixing the damage his body has incurred.

His eyes stop at the group of unconscious soldiers, their close proximity an easier task, he weakly smiles as an idea pops up in his mind.

He tries to stand, before coughing violently as he holds sides in a wince.

He stands, his legs shaking in utter weakness. He uses his sword as a cane, trying to walk the small distance towards the unconscious man.

He takes his first step, and his body screams in pain, each step as if burning a hole through him. He grits his teeth in determination as bruises appear on his legs and blood seeps out of his orifices.

Every nerve in his body sending waves upon waves of pain, screaming for him to let go.

A seeming eternity passes for Michael as he takes a step in front of the unconscious soldier.

He kneels down as he holds the man's neck and his dark eyes light up in eerie darkness.

Runes then travel through the demon's purple skin, pulsing in light and power. Michael's eyes travel quickly as he redirects all his magic and energy into creating the program to use the demon as a catalyst to avoid the burden on his body.

A few minutes pass, dark spots appear around his vision, his view focuses on the code as unconsciousness pulls him in.

His eyes scan the code one last time, as he finishes the writing and rewriting the runes repeatedly till he smiles and closes his eyes.

The once looming darkness was then filled with an explosion of unexplained magnitude. Michael grins as he focuses every magic he could feel onto regeneration.

He could feel the energy coursing through his veins as the demon he held on to shouted in pain and anguish. The demon looks around for help as he tried to remove Michael from him.

Michael only grips his neck harder as each attempt for his life weakens at every attempt. A few minutes pass like this as Michael's once paling skin now turns back to its lively color.

He smiles as every clot was crushed and every wound was healed, he put to use the innate magic within every demon to quickly heal his body to his peak form.

Michael looks down, the purple demon now unconscious, he remains alive, though most probably exhausted.

After all, he was just used as a conduit, extension and a source of magic. All of which was done using something Michael never treaded on before

Michael stands as he looks up with a smile, excited about his new discovery.

He mutters to himself, "I'm so glad I'm still alive."

He hears a soft rustle behind his back, a sound that makes him grin. He looks behind him to see Orvin standing up as he weakly walks away, trying to walk away, unnoticed.

Michael merely takes aim and shoots, an explosion tosses Orvin back to the ground as he coughs to himself, only having the energy to glare at him with venom.

Michael though grins at him, his expression filled with smugness as he walks to him with each deliberate step, filling Orvin with anxiety at the sight of the seemingly rejuvenated Michael.

"Bishop Orvin!" Michael steps closer to him.

He grins, a terrifying grin, something that makes Orvin's stomach sink.

Orvin looks up, his robe dishevelled, all the while Michael looks down at him with a smug grin and dark excited eyes. Orvin tries to stand and run but before he could, Michael takes hold of his head.

He squeezes it as he spoke, "Don't worry, I'm sure this won't hurt at all."

Runes burst out of his hand, crawling all over Orvin's skin. Orvin sees this and panics before a pain so unbearable, consumes him, taking any thought he could've had.

Michael looks down, as the runes dim in light, "You alright? I didn't really wanna do this, cause you know it's morally deplorable."

He then shrugs as Orvin breathes rapidly, still glaring at him with anger, "But I can't exactly have you walking around, trying to kill me so."

Michael gestures with his hand, "So you'll be forced under my orders." Orvin stands as his anger rages within, unable to raise his hand against him.

Orvin stands up, Michael leaving a bit of strength for him to move and walk. Michael looks to him in a smile, "So would you kindly help me in forcing the other knights into my servitude."

Orvin bows, his hand on his chest, "I live to serve."

Michael looks to him with a shit-eating grin, "You seem to be trying to kiss up already, Nice."

They both walk leisurely through the clearing as Michael talked, "So, I'm sure you're aware of what you'll be doing from now on."

"I do not."

"Then how about you tell me your job before this?"

Orvin couldn't remain silent, the thought of struggling against it never crossing his mind, he then thinks to himself, 'it seems the runes he put through me is more than what it seems.'

"I am an advisor to King Avares, a supposed tutor to Prince Lenard and the planned head of the Rosalian branch of the Church of Deia."

Michael whistles in delight, "It seems, I caught quite the catch." He nurses his back, remembering the feeling of pain, "Maybe all that punishment was worth it."

Michael then stops in front of the unconscious man, "You gotta hold them down, while I"

Orvin immediately holds the demon down, something that makes Michael smile wryly, "Well, maybe I programmed you to be a lot more rigid than I thought."

A light erupts as the demons struggle, his eye wide as he lets out an earsplitting scream. Michael finishes as he shrugs,

"Oh well, gotta lookout for that silver lining."