Divine Intervention

Brighver Mountains, Derunia City, Earth

***

He walked striking through the heaving trees as he left the Seer's house. It was quiet now and the beauty of the forest sprang as the fog gradually fades. Crows and bats fled the area as no sounds were audible of their cawing and shrieks.

The evergreen leaves painted the scene with a combination of brown leaves covering the earth. No more voices, no more hostilities, only a beautiful scent of mountain air and the faint songs of birds.

Dreygo clasped his wounded shoulder and blood raced down his arm leaving blood trails on the ground. He knew he was stronger than this. He was not a normal human but now his mind flooded with doubts about his capabilities.

A Demon tested in the harshest environments, and he can take a wound like this. He hoped.

But his wound seemed to have worsened each time he gained steps. The pain seared stronger than a normal wound and the sting sprouted from the corners of the open flesh.

Then he remembered that the blade that struck him was the Ferrum minus. A bane weapon intended for Demons. He was a demon thus the pain was different than normal weapons would deliver. He convinced himself that he had the energy to hike for hours back to the road, away from the grasp of the forest.

He took the piece of paper that Elaine had given him and memorized the motel's address. His focus swayed and blurred simultaneously while reading the small written note from Elaine.

His feet started to drag and the brown leaves rustled hard against his feet. His strides were now calculated and with effort. Every bit of energy was poured on his legs to continue his pursuit. He felt weakness in his knees and his breathing increased, trying to survive and stayed up until the road.

He managed to walk for an hour but his energy drained, and blood continued to flow seeping under his shirt. His body was not able to handle the excruciating challenge, only his mind now was left fighting. He gave up, and his body slammed to the ground.

His eyes were now heavy as his head lay against the loam soil. His visions were more blurry now and fluttering. He fought it and tried not to succumb to sleep or death.

The cawing of crows grew once again and flapped overhead like celebrating an imminent feast, waiting for him to lay on the ground lifeless. The sun was low and the place grew dark, and what was left in his fleeting vision was the evergreen leaves until for a few moments, nothingness.

***

The horrors of Hell flashed before his dreams. He was conscious within his dream but could not escape it. So many deaths, so many fights, and never-ending pain. It replayed the sadness, hopelessness, and sin in his subconscious mind.

The dream was very distinct in that it almost felt real for Dreygo. But he knew that he was dreaming. His mind was stronger than these illusions. The Harbinger perspired heavily while he sleeps and his head was moving from left to right alternately. His inhalations increased and were abrupt. The Hell God's face suddenly flashed before his thoughts and it woke him.

Dreygo regained consciousness and his eyes fluttered to recognize the view. The last thing he remembered before he passed out was evergreen leaves and it was replaced with a brown wooden ceiling and a circular fluorescent lamp mounted at its center and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

He noticed the curtain drapes that naturally fell to cover the windows and below was a silhouette of a girl who appeared in his blurred peripherals. A familiar figure that seemingly imposed no threat.

The leaves that snugged his body when he dropped were now replaced with white bedsheets and cushions. The aching at his shoulder diminished and Dreygo felt more comfortable and rested. His eyes were still regaining their vision and tried to move his arms in the process.

He traveled his right hand on the sheets hoping to find his dagger, but it was not there. He thought he was now defenseless, with no weapon, and found himself in this unknown place with possible hostility.

His breathing increased and it was audible to his hearing. He slowly hauled himself from the bed to a sitting position. Touching and inspecting his wound was his first instinct and found that it was sewn and patched up. He suddenly knew he was saved.

"Oh, you are up!" A familiar voice startled him from the corner of the room. He looked for the source and found Elaine sitting in the corner chair with her legs crossed and a book on her lap. She smiled at him and her beauty emanated from the room's dull design. He urged himself not to look at the white complexion of her legs and stared at her eyes instead. His face was surprised to see her.

"You are safe now," Elaine assured.

"Where am I? How did you find me." Dreygo asked. He coughed faintly trying to regain the normal volume of his voice.

"I found you unconscious on the ground. I noticed the fog disappeared and went through it, trying to look for you." She grinned.

"Why would you do that Elaine, what you did was stupid." He bleakly smiled.

"If I hadn't found you, you will be dead dry in that forest." She replied.

Dreygo sighed and remained silent, assessed his shoulder once more.

"Is this your way of saying thank you?" She said. He knew that Dreygo was not used to valuing manners for Centuries of living in hell. She did not expect more from the Harbinger when it comes to relationships, friendship, or manners.

"I am just worried, you know," Dreygo said with a hint of concern.

Elaine grinned and her cheeks grew dark pinkish. She did not expect that Dreygo would show concern for her.

Dreygo groaned while he tried to stand up. He grimaced in pain as he moves his upper body. The only thing that rushed into his mind was Kragus in Meropas.

Elaine got up immediately trying to stop Dreygo from moving. Her cold palms kissed his bare naked chest and back as she tried to cease Dreygo from hurting himself. He felt it. Her hair fell along her shoulders and her scent as always was seductively inviting.

He glanced into her eyes and she glanced back as their face were closer to each other. Dreygo paused from moving while relishing the opportune moment. He felt blood rush to his cheeks. It was unnatural for him to feel that but it was involuntary.

'Perks of being a human.' He thought.

"You better rest more big guy, you are not healed yet." Her voice was now softer.

Dreygo shifted his eyes away from Elaine's and his thoughts focused on Kragus.

"Kragus is up to something in Meropas Sea. The Seer told me that he would destroy the oil rig. I have to go there now." His voice cracked.

"You are in no good condition to stop Kragus or you will end up dying." She said convincingly.

"There is no time Elaine. Take me to Meropas. I have to do anything to stop him."

"I could take you there by car. It is a five-hour travel from here to Meropas. But I cannot risk your life facing Kragus without your full strength."

Dreygo knew that she was right. There was no way to stop Dreygo from his current state. No other choice left but to ask for external help. He loathed the thought of it but it was a necessity.

"You have to pray to Viriel. This wound is not normal. I am struck by my dagger and the pain is different." Dreygo demanded.

"Ok. Ok. I agree, we need to ask Viriel's help." She sounded convinced.

She sat back on her chair comfortably and closed her eyes, and her body relaxed. Her lips fluttered and murmured inaudible words. It took about a few minutes and the room grew cold. He felt shivers down his spine.

Dreygo watched Elaine stay in her position and continued to murmur inaudible words and the room grew colder and colder and the air grew heavier and heavier. The fluorescent lamp flickered alternately and a strange air caressed his skin.

A sudden cracking sound appeared in front of them at the center of the room and a light came through from nothingness. The light grew larger and larger in the space and now the Television turned on even though it was unplugged.

Invisible energy invaded the room and a silhouette of a man came through the light. The light glared brighter like the sun that made Dreygo covered partially his eyes with his fingers. The blinding effect of immense light stayed for about five seconds and suddenly vanished into thin air. The room's temperature strangely went back to normal and the flickering lights steadied.

A man appeared before their eyes wearing a black suit. It was Viriel.