Chapter 9: Encounter With the Golden Eyes

"Well, I'll be damned…" The man was the first to speak, causing Elijah's pain to fade away as a smile spread across his face. "You stole my line…"

"Daemon Sinclair."

—••••••••••—

BEYOND THE

VEIL: THE GREAT

SHIFT.

CHAPTER 9:

ENCOUNTER

WITH THE

GOLDEN EYES

PART 1.

—••••••••••—

Daemon Sinclair, the unwavering companion and pseudo-sibling of Elijah Black, was the one person who always stood up for him when no one else would. He fearlessly put himself in harm's way to protect his best friend from sharing the same unfortunate fate. However, seven years ago, Daemon vanished from the world, leaving Elijah to face the world alone.

Yet, here he was now, standing right in front of Elijah, once again saving him without even realizing it. A smile adorned Daemon's face, revealing his flawless, white teeth. "You look like a shit, old friend," he remarked. Elijah could only manage a smile in return. "I wish I could say the same about you. But, as you can see, I'm in quite a predicament," he replied, his voice filled with pain.

Daemon chuckled softly as he gently touched the blade that was embedded in Elijah's side. With a swift motion, he effortlessly pulled it out, causing Elijah to groan in agony. "Stop your moaning," Daemon scolded. "Come here, Kinder."

Elijah strained to see what was happening as a white cat named Kinder approached Daemon's side. To his surprise, the cat had a small wooden box strapped to its back. Daemon opened the box and retrieved a glass container holding a precious ointment. Carefully, he applied the ointment to Elijah's wound, causing it to emit a radiant, golden-white glow.

In an instant, the wound and all the damage caused by the dagger began to reverse, as if time itself was rewinding to a moment when Elijah was whole and not on the brink of death.

"What the hell did you do?" Matthew demanded, finally breaking free from Elijah's grip. Daemon turned his attention towards Matthew, a look of surprise crossing his face. "Oh, Mr. Mitchell, you're here too! Is the 'Little Lady' with you as well?" 'Little Lady' was the nickname Daemon had given Selena when they first met.

"Yeah, she's here - but you still haven't answered my question, what did you do?" Daemon flashed a mischievous smile. "Isn't it magical?" he replied. "Yesterday Ointments have the power to undo any damage done for a day. But there's a catch - once the time limit is up, the wound that was healed will explode, resulting in death." Daemon explained the nature of the Yesterday ointment to Elijah.

"So, I only have 24 hours to live?" Elijah asked, trying to grasp the concept of this magical ointment. Daemon wagged his finger playfully. "You would, if you don't seek professional help. But lucky for you, my friend, I have the resources to assist you." Daemon Sinclair assured Elijah, who nodded from the ground.

Daemon extended his hand towards Elijah and Matthew, both of them eagerly accepting the gloved hand and rising to their feet. Before anyone could say another word, Elijah pulled Daemon into a tight embrace.

"It's been seven long years, man. I thought you were dead…" Daemon appeared taken aback before returning the hug. "It's been that long in that world, huh? For me, it's been 12 years since I arrived here." Elijah let go of the hug, and Daemon followed suit.

Daemon then turned to Matthew and shook his hand, reciprocated by Matthew. "It's been so long... we should catch up," Elijah suggested, with Daemon nodding in agreement. "We definitely should. But as you've probably noticed, the current state of this city isn't the best. That sky angel from earlier really fucked shit up around in the city."

Elijah looked momentarily puzzled. "Sky Angel… like with wings and halos?"he questioned, while Daemon seemed surprised. "When did you arrive?" Daemon responded with a question of his own. "About two or three hours ago, give or take." Daemon hummed thoughtfully at Elijah's answer.

"If you have no information about the 'sky angel', then it's likely that it summoned all of us from Earth to this world, coinciding with its arrival and departure. Similar to how I was summoned." Daemon switched into full investigation mode, just like he did before.

"Sinclair, you're talking to yourself again," Matthew exclaimed, uttering a phrase that was both familiar and distant. Daemon snapped out of his thoughts, his left hand raised, and realized he was wearing a golden ring with a ruby gem in the center. With a soft chuckle, he explained, "Her name is Aryanna Eggers. I took her last name when we got married."

Elijah was momentarily surprised as he congratulated him, but their conversation was interrupted by the furious meowing of a white cat behind Daemon. In an instant, Daemon pulled out a hidden blade from his golden cane and turned around, only to face two men charging at him with incredible speed. These men were dressed in outfits reminiscent of the Viking Era on Earth.

Reacting swiftly, Daemon dodged the swing of a large battle ax and struck the first man with the sheath of his hidden blade. Simultaneously, he swiftly attacked the second man, delivering a fatal blow to his neck.

As Daemon dealt with the second man, Kinder, the white cat, darted through his extended arm and attacked the first man's face with its claws, causing severe damage. Taking advantage of the distraction, Daemon whistled to Kinder, who ran towards Elijah. Seizing the perfect opportunity, Daemon delivered a final blow, driving his thin cane sword into the man's skull which stopped at his throat.

The man's head slumped to the right and left, and Daemon retrieved his blade from the lifeless body. With a swift motion, he sheathed his sword, causing the crimson blood and brain matter to fall to the ground. Kinder, the white cat, climbed up Daemon's leg and settled on his shoulder. Turning around, he locked eyes with Elijah and Matthew.

Matthew's horror was justified as he witnessed the gruesome events unfold before him. He had seen death up close before, but never in such a brutal manner.

On the other hand, Elijah appeared more impressed than horrified by Daemon's ruthless actions towards the two men. In his eyes, such a brutal death could only be justified if the victims themselves had been equally brutal. It was a fitting punishment.

Daemon's attention shifted towards the Little Lady, who stood at the entrance of the alleyway with another man. Both of them shared Matthew's justified horror at the sight of such brutality.

"We need to get out of here," Daemon suggested to Matthew and Elijah. Just as they turned around, Kinder, the white cat, hissed in a serious manner, alerting them to danger.

They saw a group of fifteen to twenty men and women rushing towards them. Without hesitation, Daemon grabbed hold of Matthew and Elijah's hands and led them towards the alleyway. "RUN!" Daemon yelled, as Augustus took Selena's hand and followed suit, running back towards the alleyway.

As they entered the alleyway, Kinder hissed again, causing Daemon to quickly turn around. He dropped his cane to the ground just in time to dodge two daggers flying towards him. With swift reflexes, he caught both daggers in his hands and threw them back at his attackers.

Crouching down, Daemon retrieved his cane and unsheathed it, swiftly dispatching the leading man by piercing his heart. He then continued running, with the horde of barbarians hot on his heels. As he ran, he sheathed his blade and stayed by Selena's side, ensuring her safety. She was exhausted, and it was only thanks to Daemon's support that she managed to keep up and stay alive.

It felt like they ran for hours until they finally found shelter from the pursuing horde behind the windows of a nearby building. The building was situated near an eight-figure fountain, the same place where they had previously discussed hope and the depths of despair.

Amidst the chaos they had stirred up by fleeing the Cathedral, all eyes of the barbarians were fixated on them. Tragically, several lives were claimed by the barbarians' merciless hands.

Slain and discarded, their bodies left to rest beside or within the fountain, the leader behind this bloodshed was a towering figure with short, blonde hair and eyes reminiscent of those commonly found in Asian individuals, he wielded a large battle ax that could and did sever and dismember many limbs and hearts.

Fortunately, their salvation came in the form of that crazed madman who diverted the attention of his men towards a court where the city's people executed heinous criminals.

The Hanged Court they called it.

Naturally, they chose to take the opposite bloody path - anything to escape the clutches of that crazed madman, relentlessly pursuing them like wild beasts.

They sprinted past countless buildings, until Selena abruptly halted near the end, her gaze fixed upon a seemingly abandoned and dilapidated structure named "Cecil's Miracle Clinic."

—••••••••••—

Inhaling deeply, Selena Delacroix lamented not opting for cross-country during her earlier years in high school. It would have undoubtedly alleviated the pain and exhaustion coursing through her weary legs

Rising to her full height, she commenced stretching, the sound of her bones cracking echoing through the desolate surroundings. First, she twisted her lower spine, then her middle spine, before finally twisting her entire spine, first to the right, then to the left.

Throughout the entire process, her violet eyes remained open, finding solace in the brief moments of relaxation, until she turned to her left. There, she beheld a colossal figure hiding within the alleyway, towering over her by nearly twice her height. The muscles on his arms were as massive as her entire head, encased in a suit of night-black armor that evoked images of both the black swordsman and the grim reaper himself.

In his left hand, he wielded a gargantuan sword, towering above him and containing thrice the iron present in her own body. "This is it? This is the end," Selena resigned herself to her fate, her gaze shifting towards her brothers and friends. "I could attempt to... no, I would perish and drag them down with me. That is not my desire." Selena's thoughts were interrupted as she noticed what the man held in his right arm.

It wasn't the object he held, but his actions that caught her attention. He tightly grasped the mouth of incredibly stunning women with flowing blonde hair, captivating eyes, and a flawless face. As Selena observed, she couldn't help but wonder if this woman was a victim or willing participant with this man, as she seemed to admire the man.

Beyond the rigid man and the beautiful woman, Selena noticed two handsome men accompanied by two equally beautiful women. At the back of the group, a small boy with blonde hair and blue eyes held the hand of a woman with striking crimson eyes and dark, raven-colored hair. This woman also held the hand of a large man with snow-white hair and mesmerizing emerald-green eyes.

Before Selena could delve deeper into her thoughts, an ancient and primal fear gripped her. It emanated from the rigid man, who stared at her with intense intent, causing her to feel as though her very soul and existence were in danger.

Raising his hand, the man motioned for silence, causing Selena's face to drain of color and her violet eyes to lose their vibrancy. In that moment, she noticed the dried blood on his armor and blade, briefly mistaking him for her executioner.

Her heart raced, and she instinctively took a step back, only to be snapped out of her trance by Daemon's urgent call. "Selena! Let's go!" he shouted, his voice filled with concern. Daemon, sensing her fear, revealed his hidden cane blade, ready to confront whatever threat lay ahead.

Selena nodded sadly, tearing her gaze away from the group and sprinting towards Daemon, who stood prepared to face any danger. As she ran, she stole one last glance at them, and to her surprise, the rigid man's gaze held no malice or deathly glare. Instead, it conveyed a multitude of emotions, with the most prominent one being, "You made the right choice…"

With all her strength, Selena ran past Daemon, who had his cane blade at the ready. He shifted his focus forward, watching Selena's determined sprint, before glancing back to see a group of six elegantly dressed individuals. Without hesitation, they all hurried towards the fountain square.

Among the group, Daemon recognized only one person: the renowned up-and-coming scientist, Yves Cassian, and the gem of House Grimjoy, Godiva Grimjoy