Ancient Soul

Azviel yawned. "Yes, yes. Whatever it is, I can take care of it. So, relax Falziel!"

Falziel frowned and looked back at him. "I'm not joking around, Azviel. The amount of demonic energy in the tree root is unusual. I'm going to check it out." He spread out his white wings and started heading towards the center of the root.

"If you're going to go see what it is, then I will too." Azviel quickly followed him. They flew up to a thick area of the root. Placing his hand on it, Falziel closed his eyes. "There is indeed a huge amount of demonic energy here. It's as if someone was sealed here and now it's about to come out."

Azviel sighed. "If you're so worried about it, then I'll check it out. I'm sure it's nothing." He pulled back his fist and slammed it into the tree root. Instantly, the side of the root crumbled into pieces.

From the hole that he made, there was a single porcelain jar with a piece of paper taped to it. The paper was yellow with age and had a few runes written on it.

Azviel reached in the pick up the jar, but instantly leapt back when he made contact with it. He flew back a few feet. "What the hell is that piece of paper?" The tips of his fingertips were slightly burnt.

Falziel reached in and picked it up without a problem. "It's a seal for demonic spirits and energy. It'll hurt you if you touch it."

Azviel yanked the jar out of his hand and ignored the pain. "I'm fine, thank you very much." He ripped off the piece of paper and the burning stopped.

Falziel quickly took the jar back from him. "Why did you rip the seal off? We don't know what is in here." He waved his hand and a piece of paper appeared in front of him. "Holy Light: Seal."

A rune slowly started appearing on the paper, but the jar started shaking. Azviel tilted his head. "Is the jar supposed to be shaking?"

Falziel shook his head. "The thing inside is trying to escape." He tried to hurry his inscribing. "Could you keep it in the jar? Please?"

Shrugging, Azviel grinned. "Nah, have fun. I'm curious to see if the thing inside the jar will bring me some excitement at least." He poked the cover on the jar. "Wakey, wakey~ Time to show me a good time!"

Falziel sighed. "Please? I don't know when the thing inside will come out. It can be very dangerous for all you know." He was finishing up inscribing the rune.

At that moment, Azviel pushed open the jar in Falziel's hand. A blast of wind formed, pushing them both back. A booming voice echoed around their head. "Who awakens me from my slumber?"

Both of them flew back a bit from the jar. Falziel sighed. "Azviel! I told you to seal it, not pop it open!"

He shrugged again. "What's done is done! Plus this looks like a fun fight!" Azviel shouted, "I did, so what?"

A smoky white shape formed in front of them then turned into a humanoid figure. They had pale skin with red horns on their head. Their black hair had streaks of red through them. "I am Apollyon, an ancient soul. What have you called me for?"

Falziel held out the jar. "I'm sorry to awaken you. Could you please go back in?"

Apollyon tilted his head. "An angel? You really think that I would go back into the jar willingly? And who is this over here? A demon?"

Azviel froze. "The ancient soul, Apollyon? As in the 3rd demon king, Apollyon?"

Apollyon nodded. "Yes I am. Now, tell me, what did you awaken me for?"

Falziel fidgeted, sliding the jar between his hands. "Much appreciation if you would just go back in..."

"I'm Azviel, the seventh demon king." Azviel pointed at the hole in the tree root. "We just sensed abnormal demonic energy. We didn't mean to wake you up. You can go back to sleep now~"

Apollyon laughed. "The seventh demon king? I see that standards really have degraded in the time that I was gone. This little bug is a demon king?"

Azviel raised his eyebrows. "Why don't you look in a mirror? I think this will be a fun fight." He clenched his fists together.

Falziel quickly flew between them. "Uh...calm down! Could you please head back in the jar, Apollyon?"

"Who is this angel, thinking they can talk to me like that?" He crossed his arms in annoyance.

Falziel dipped his head slightly. "Nice to meet you, third demon king. I am Angel Falziel, archangel-in-training."

Apollyon frowned. "What is an angel doing around a demon king?"

Falziel hugged Azviel. "Azviel is my friend~" Azviel quickly pushed him off. "He was sent to watch over me since I committed too many murders or something."

Apollyon laughed. "Maybe you're not half-bad then. To be assigned an angel because you killed too many people. However, I do want to see how good the current demon king is. Bring it on." He got into a fighting stance, preparing to fight.

Azviel grinned and unsheathed his sword. "Don't blame me if you get hurt, I won't account for the injuries!"

Both of them flew towards each other, their wings flashing.