| English |
| РАССКАЗЫ (STORIES) |
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| Краткий обзор серии (Series overview) |
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| Часть 1 (Part 1) |
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| Часть 2 (Part 2) |
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| Часть 3 (Part 3) |
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| Часть 4 (Part 4) |
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| Часть 5 (Part 5) |
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| Часть 6 (Part 6) |
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| Эпилог (Epilogue) |
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The Dark Avenger
The new assignment
The store "Demons & Dragons", which Jessica so want to open, quickly began to bring a good profit. And soon the dragon-girl bought a two-story house in the center of the city, overlooking the square. It became both a point of acceptance of orders and a home for their small team.
It all began on a clear day... The sun's rays made their way through the trees and illuminated the spacious room. A large sword gleamed in the corner. Alexander, throwing his feet on the table, once again read the note, which a messenger delivered a minute ago.
Alexander: - Oh, really...?
The course of his thought broke off when Jessica entered the house with a bunch of papers.
Jessica: - I got a new assignment for us. It's not very complicated, but it should bring good profits.
Alexander responded without much enthusiasm:
- As I can see, you're not sitting still. Are all the dragons so restless?
Sad Jessica
Jessica: - No, not all. And do not forget, I'm half-dragon. Here is my father, for example...
She hesitated.
Alexander: - Sorry.
Jessica: - Nothing. You know, after the news of my father's death, I swore to take revenge on his murderer, but I didn't find out anything about him.
The voice of a cheerful girl is noticeably sad. Alexander decided to interrupt a sad silence, changing the subject:
- So what did you get for the task?
Jessica again shone, as if there was not that conversation:
- In a deserted castle on the mountain a woman appeared, a local woman called her the "Queen". The lady, along with her retinue, had taken to leading fear into the district and kidnapping people.
Alexander: - Be careful.
Jessica: - Why does it sound like you're out of business?
Alexander: - You know, I do not take on things that involve disassembly between people.
Jessica: - Yeah-yeah, I know. But I already agreed. I'll have to find out what's there and how. Do not you go?
Alexander
Alexander folded the note and put it in his pocket:
- No, I have some business in the city.
Jessica: - Okay, then this is my assignment. And a reward, by the way, too! It will take a couple of days, no more.
Alexander: - Good luck.
The demon passed by, took the sword and removed it behind his back, then left. And Jessica began to stuff her bag with everything necessary.
The old friend
Serik "The Spider"
The demon entered the tavern, where him already waiting. A healthy man with purple skin sat on an empty veranda overlooking the sea, and carelessly sipped not the first mug of beer. Next to the bench was a stuffed hiking bag, and beneath it, a huge axe, wrapped in brocade. Noticing the man who entered, the big man exclaimed in a cheerful voice:
- Alexander! Long time no see, my old friend!
Demon looked at the call:
- Serik. I'm also glad to see you.
They exchanged strong friendly handshakes and settled themselves at the table.
Serik: - Sit down, order whatever your heart desires. I'll treat you.
Serik ordered more drinks and fried meat. The busty waitress immediately brought a couple of mugs of beer and a ham hock.
Alexander: - What are your destinies in our region?
Serik: - I travel, I trade, I am engaged in mercenary business - all in a little. Now my road lies to Istanbul, and from there further to the east. In this city I turned out to be passing through. I accidentally heard from local mercenaries about the shop "Demons & Dragons: The Evil Spirits Hunters" and a horned blue demon with a huge sword. I immediately remembered you. I thought: what other demon would be interested in such nonsense? So I sent the message there.
Alexander rolled his eyes.
- The name was not invented by me. And in general all this enterprise is not my initiative.
He took a little sip from the mug. Serik grinned:
- Oh... is there a woman involved here?
Alexander: - Something like that.
Serik burst out laughing:
- Was there really a person capable of subduing a fire demon?
Alexander: - Don't talk nonsense. I don't obey anyone. We are just business partners. She just decided to make a financial profit from my occupation.
Serik: - Yeah, it is not everyone who hunts monsters. As in the old days... Do you remember how we had to make our way through a forest full of trolls?
Alexander: - There were too many of them, but we got out.
Serik stood up, waving his arms and remembering long-standing events:
- Burning web! There you are! Where are you going? Hold more! Sticky fire! Yeah!
Repast
Exhausted, he flopped back on the bench, eagerly bit off a piece of a pork knee and sipped from the mug.
Alexander: - Do you remember the lair of that werewolf?
Serik: - Oh, then! The place of my bite hurt for a long time.
He grabbed his hand behind his ass and rubbed the place of his former wound. Alexander laughed:
- I told you - you do not need to tag its territory.
Serik: - It's not my fault! It was the call of nature!
Alexander: - But only the werewolf did not know about it.
They laughed cheerfully.
Serik: - Yeah, glorious times... If my ship did not leave this evening, I would make you a company in the hunt. They say you've got vampires here.
Alexander frowned:
- Vampires?
Serik: - My friend, who lives in this city, you or I? In the mercenary guild, they are only spoken about in the morning, but nobody decides to tackle them. According to rumors, a woman named Scarlet commands a vampire, but the local call her the "Queen".
Alexander jumped from his seat:
- The "Queen?" Damn it! Jessica...!
Serik: - Is something wrong?
Alexander: - Yes, the great recklessness of my partner can cost her dearly.
Serik: - Well, I will not detain you. Run, save your princess from the dragon.
Alexander grinned at him:
- It's more like a dragon from the queen.
Serik: - Glorious hunting for you, my friend.
Alexander: - And to you a fair wind.
Serik: - See you again!
When the demon returned to the store, Jessica was no longer there. From the papers that the girl kept, he found out the location of the castle and went in search of his partner.
Blood and fire
Heavy gray clouds covered the ancient castle from the sun, making it seem gloomy. And at night the darkness just swirled around.
Approaching the gate, Alexander sensed a familiar aura. The demon looked around the surrounding landscape.
Alexander: - Show yourself, Bloodian!
The castle wall was covered in blood. The red stains increased, forming one large spot. Bloodian came out of this portal.
Alexander meets Bloodian
Bloodian: - Long time no see, brother. How are you?
Alexander: - I guessed that there could not have been without your participation.
Bloodian: - You mean my little hobby with the breeding of vampires? Yes, I decided to arrange a small vacation in the world of mortals. Recover the forces spent in the battle with your daughter.
- So it's Angelina cutting you off? - Alexander grinned, - I didn't think that the young demoness would be able to cope with the great demon of blood from the Fraternity.
Bloodian became serious:
- It's all because of the weapons of the gods! She was not alone! She was helped by a fallen goddess!
Alexander: - Yeah-yeah, if you so.
Bloodian tamed his anger:
- You know, I thought for a long time how the demoness was able to use the power of Heaven that is forbidden to demons. This thought haunted me. But the answer came by itself. Somehow I came across you with Lexa in Demon's Realm. I don't know what brought you to your homeland, but apparently it was a serious matter. I decided to follow you. The place you went to taught me a lot of interesting things. I, like you, learned about my origin. Your birth with Abaddon was natural, but me and Abigor father were imposed - created by order as some kind of addition. Our sentimental dad... I definitely won’t miss him. But now it’s clear where the young demoness’s predisposition to the power of light comes from. And who have you degenerated into...
Alexander started to get angry, and he threw a fireball at Bloodian, but missed. Bloodian jumped in time.
Bloodian: - Alexander-Alexander... To tell the truth, your behavior is incomprehensible to me. Heaven is guilty of the death of your mother. They ordered you to kill your father. And your daughter is in their service. And after that you still keep on balance? If I had your strength, I would have burned all the feathered defenders of light.
Alexander: - It's none of your business.
He waved it off and continued on his way to the castle, but Bloodian's words were firmly fixed in his head. Bloodian threw him after him:
- You're an exile, brother. And if you decide to take revenge on the Heavens, this will not untie the war between the worlds. But if you do not do this, our brother will soon make it. And then war can not be avoided.
Alexander did not look back and said:
- Abaddon is smarter than you think.
The smirk stretched out over Bloodian's face:
- And who said that I mean Abaddon? Ha-ha-ha...
Alexander stopped abruptly and turned to the fading echo of Bloodian's laughter, but the demon of blood was no more.
Alexander: - Abigor...?
Curse of the vampires
Alexander entered the spacious hall of the castle. Candles burned in candlesticks and chandeliers, but nobody was visible.
- Jessica! - Alexander shouted loudly.
The echo picked up his voice and spread through the castle's corridors. He repeated the attempt:
- Jess!
From the cellar came a woman's voice:
- Alexander?! Is that you?! I'm here!
Having gone down into the damp dungeon, Alexander discovered a cell with Jessica. The demon swept the sword and knocked down the lock, which locked the prison door. Jessica shook off the dust and went outside:
- What are you doing here, and if you're here, why so long?
Alexander: - I'm sorry. They detained business. Are you okay?
Jessica: - Yes. I could have done it myself, but there were more of them. Next time you will have to take a double fee for assignments with inaccurate information. This "Queen" with his retinue turned out to be vampires. Where did they come from here?
Alexander: - Bloodian...
Jessica: - What?
Alexander: - This is the curse of Bloodian. My brother once for a long time created it for the sake of fun and called "a gift to mankind". Bloodian wanted to see what would happen if people were given a piece of demonic power, but not gratuitously. He was interested in seeing how people would suffer under the influence of his curse of thirst for blood.
Jessica: - Curse in exchange for strength and immortality? Your brother is very strange, do you know about this?
Alexander: - I know...
Vampire Queen
The demon and Dragoness went into the great hall. But now the castle was no longer empty. In the main hall, the “Queen” appeared on the stairs:
- Welcome, uninvited guest. My name is Scarlet. And I'm the mistress of this castle. You dared to release my captive, this curious lizard...?
Jessica: - I'm a dragon! You're the arrogant bloodsucker!
Scarlet: - Silence! You unintentionally invaded my domain, and this is a crime. And the punishment will not keep you waiting.
Alexandra and Jessica were surrounded by Scarlet bodyguards. Jessica was still unarmed and began to look around in search of something that could help her in battle. Alexander stuck his huge sword in front of her:
- Use it, but be careful.
Jessica fights against a vampires
The dragoness grinned and armed with the weapon she gave him:
- I'll be gentle. I promise.
Alexander himself as a weapon decided to use his element - fire.
Scarlet: - What are you standing for?! Take them!
Servants of the "Queen" rushed to the uninvited guests. Jessica furiously waved a huge sword and chopped vampires. Alexander deftly dodged blows and, grabbing the next bloodsucker, incinerated on the spot. The severed bodies and flashes of flame scattered throughout the great hall. The battle was short-lived. At last Scarlet made her move. She rushed to the gaping Jessica. Dragon-girl turned to the shout of "Queen", but it was too late. In addition to all, and a huge sword after the destruction of a vampire stuck in the column of the hall. Jessica squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the imminent attack.
Death of Vampire Queen
At this very moment Scarlet caught Alexander. He grabbed the "Queen" of vampires by the throat and raised them above him. The legs of Scarlet hobbled convulsively in the air.
Alexander: - Now die!
The demon's hand flashed. The next moment, the "Queen" of vampires was consumed by fire. Engulfed in flames, she shouted with all her strength:
- Lord Bloodian...! Sorry! I failed you...!
Bloodian
Bloodian sat on the roof all this time and watched the events:
- My dear Scarlet... So sad, you had such a potential. Well, not a great loss. Irreplaceable in your world does not happen. In any case, you did me a good service. The souls gathered by you are enough to revive it... Ha-ha-ha!
The demon turned into a bloody statue and melted into the darkness of the night.
Jessica returned her weapons and supplies. Alexander finished off the surviving vampires. Together they walked around the castle and found a dozen more people kidnapped from the village. One of the liberated people - a decrepit old woman - began to thank the saviors:
- Thank you. God sent you to me.
Alexander only gritted his teeth.
Jessica: - I'm afraid he has nothing to do with it.
Alexander: - We go, there's nothing more for us to do here.
The demon, the dragon-girl and a small handful of people left the castle empty.
On the way back Alexander remembered the recent conversation with Jessica and decided to develop the topic.
Alexander: - And what will you do when you found him?
Jessica: - Huh? Whom?
Alexander: - The murderer of your father. Could you fulfill what was planned? Kill for revenge?
Jessica thought.
Alexander: - And something will change after you take revenge on the murderer?
Jessica: - I don't know... For now, revenge for me is just a goal towards which I am moving.
Alexander: - Only the goal?
Jessica: - Yes, it gives me strength to move forward. And even though I don’t see the final goal, I continue to move towards it. In truth, I do not even want my way to end.
Alexander: - Did you know your father well?
Jessica: - Not really... Mom told me a lot about him, but personally I never met him... But... he was still my father!
Alexander: - You did not know your father, but you are ready to murder for revenge for him? Do you think this is enough?
Jessica: - Probably.
Alexander: - I see.
Jessica: - Ah?
Alexander: - Never mind.
The new ruler
The portal really opened. The sight of Astral Chaos was mesmerizing. But it was not for this admiration that Bloodian did all this. He wanted to return Abigor. A smile played on the demon's face. A few days passed after he returned to the Demon World. Bloodian was proud of himself, because he had stolen the Dark Blade. The demon waited a long time for the right moment. When the defeated Nexus dissipated, and the wounded Alexander fainted, Bloodian made his move. Dark Blade disappeared into the demon's blood portal. After the battle with Alexander, Dark Blade was exhausted and could not take control of Bloodian. Yes, there was no need - a demon of blood by himself was ready to help revive the mighty weapons. Bloodian then entrusted Scarlet with collecting human souls. This should have been enough to open a small portal into the Astral Chaos. Abigor was unhurried, but confidently stepped out of the portal.
Bloodian: - Greetings, brother. I hurried as best as I could to free you from the captivity of chaos. I also have a gift for you... a sword created from fragments of swords of light and darkness.
Abigor with Dark Blade
Abigor had picked up the Dark Blade:
- It was not captivity for me. There I found my true strength. With it help, as well and with the help of the Dark Blade, I will plunge the worlds into chaos. And we will start from the Demon World. It needs a new ruler. I'll be him!
Bloodian: - Ah... Abigor, are you all right?
Demon of darkness looked arrogantly at Bloodian:
- You don't like something?
Bloodian stumbled back a little:
- No-no, we will do just that.
Screams and murmur rumbled through the castle of Queen Lily. Abaddon ran into the throne room:
- Your Majesty! You urgently need to leave the castle!
Demon Queen
Lily: - What?! Why?!
Abaddon: - There's no time to explain! You are in danger! Abigor is back! Together with Bloodian they storm the castle!
On a loud dialogue of the queen and the bodyguard, Lexa came out:
- Did you say "Abigor"?!
Abaddon: - And it looks like he's holding a cursed blade in his hands.
Lily: - This can't be!
The demon turned to Lexa:
- Now you are responsible for the safety of Queen Lily! Leave immediately!
At that moment, the doors of the hall flew into pieces, and Abigor entered. Bloodian walked behind him, smiling contentedly.
- Lexa! Hurry! - Abaddon drew his swords and rushed at Abigor.
Abaddon fights versus Bloodian
But he was stopped halfway by Bloodian. He moved and jumped out of the bloody puddle. The brothers crossed their arms. Lexa rushed to the queen. She took out a displacement crystal and opened a portal.
Lexa: - Your Majesty, come here!
Lily quickly disappeared into a shining whirlpool. Lexa was ready to follow her. Finally, she turned to see if everything was all right with Abaddon, but instead she faced Abigor. The demon of chaos stood a step away from her. Lexa shuddered. He, without the slightest feeling of pity, plunged the Dark Blade into her and lifted it into the air. Lexa's legs shook convulsively. She grabbed the blade of the sword, and her fingers immediately drowned in her own blood. Abigor was pulled out with a sharp movement by the Dark Blade from the demon's flesh. Lexa landed awkwardly at the stiff legs, and at that moment the demon of chaos tightly grabbed her by the throat.
Lexa and Abigor
Abigor: - Say "Hello" to Alexander from me.
With that, he threw her directly into the shining whirlpool. The portal closed itself.
Abigor: - It's even better. They can not stop us.
After this, Abigor and Bloodian were both disarmed and cut down Abaddon.
The demon of darkness sat on the throne:
- The Dark Blade has to seriously restore its strength...
Alexander was sitting in his room, rolling a flame in his hand.
- Alexander! Hurry here! - came the alarmed voice of Jessica.
The demon slowly left his idleness and went downstairs. The picture that appeared before him was shocking. First he saw the demon queen.
Alexander: - Lily? What are you doing here?
Lexa's death
Without waiting for an answer, Alexander turned his gaze to Lexa. Demoness lay in the middle of the room, in a pool of blood. On her stomach was a deep punctured wound, which the girl was trying to cover. The demon rushed to her. Lexa breathed heavily, choking at the blood coming up to his throat. Alexander lifted her head:
- Hold on, Lex!
A bloody hand slid across the demon's cheek.
Lexa: - You are here...
Alexander: - Don't even think about dying! Do you hear?!
Lexa smiled weakly in response:
- Alex... I'm... glad... I met you...
Her hand fell helplessly down, and life left Lexa.
Alexander: - Lexa! NO!!! LEXAAAAA!!!
Behind him, with bated breath, stood Jessica and Lily. Both eyes were shining with tears.
Jessica: - Lexa... How is it...?
Alexander slowly lowered Lexa's head to the floor. Then he stood up sharply and turned to Lily:
- How could this happen?!
Lily: - Abigor and Bloodian... They attacked the castle.
Alexander: - Abigor?! Bloodian...
Lily: - He had a sword similar to Soul Edge.
Alexander: - Dark Blade?!
The demon grabbed his sword:
- Open a portal to the Demon World!
Scared Lily tried to use Lexa's crystal, but the portal did not open. She tried again and again.
Loss
Lily: - It doesn't work. It's blocked. From the other side.
Alexander: - Dammit!
Alexander hit the wall with his fist.
Jessica: - Calm down! It will not bring her back!
Alexander fell exhausted to his knees next to Lexa's body.
Alexander: - Lex... I'm sorry...
The oblivion
After the death of Lexa, Alexander fell into despair. He did not pay attention to those around him and looked into the void with a glassy look.
In search of forgetting, Alexander came across a tavern, where he spent many hours trying to drown his grief in alcohol. Closer to midnight, swaying and holding a full bottle of alcohol in his hand, the fairly drunk demon returned home. In a small square in front of the "Demons & Dragons" shop, Alexander noticed seven silhouettes in white robes discussing something. Coming closer, the demon distinguished in them the messengers of heaven, and the white was not so much clothes, as the wings folded behind his back.
Alexander: - What did the feathers forget here?
The angels turned. One of them said:
- Demon-apostate?!
The commander of the detachment went ahead:
- We have come for demon queen, who is taking refuge here. She has no right to be in the World of Mortals. Give it to us! Immediately!
Alexander took a sip from the bottle:
- Get out of here!
Ordinary angel: - How dare you?!
The words spoken by Bloodian not long ago surfaced in the demon's head:
"Heaven is guilty of the death of your mother. They ordered you to kill your father. And your daughter is in their service. And after that you still keep on balance?"
Alexander: - It's true - I'm an apostate. I kill demons in the World of Mortals. But if angels do illegal things, they also become my target.
Commander of the angels: - You are obstructing our order.
Alexander: - And what will I get for this?
Without releasing the bottle from his hand, Alexander took out a sword from behind his back and bangs loudly against the pavement.
Commander of the angels: - Take him!
The angels immediately surrounded the demon. One of the angels took out a vial of liquid and threw it into Alexander. He smashed it with his sword. The bottle broke and water sprayed over the demon. Alexander wiped the drops from his face and looked questioningly at the angel who threw the bottle:
- And what was that? You decide to wash me?
Angel looked at his commander with frightened eyes:
- Holy water doesn't work on him?! Why?!
This arrangement drove the assembled angels into perplexity. Alexander grinned:
- Everyone has their tricks.
The demon shook his bottle and splashed its contents into an angel who was throwing holy water. Alcohol impregnated the clothes of the warrior of light.
Alexander fights against angels
Alexander: - Here we go!
A small flame was enough to make the angel flare up like dry grass. Another warrior rushed forward. Alexander, throwing away the bottle, dodged the attack and broke the offender’s nose with the hilt of his sword. From the back to the demon, another warrior of light rushed, but immediately received a fist under his breath and collapsed like a wreck. The demon stepped his foot on his back and tore off the wing with his free hand. The angel roared with pain.
Alexander: - Well... who's next? I have nowhere to hurry. It's a long night ahead.
The angels somewhat collapsed and even moved back, but their commander himself rushed into the battle, and the remnants of the detachment followed his example.
The night sky over the city cleared and the full moon illuminated the square. Alexander towered over the bodies of his defeated enemies, clutching a bloody sword in his hand. At the demon's feet lay seven fallen warriors of light. This is exactly the scene that Angelina found when she suddenly appeared in front of her parent.
Angelina
Angelina: - Father...!
Alexander: - Angelina?
The demoness looked around:
- The angels are angry. Why did you do that?
Alexander: - It's their fault...
Bloodian's words couldn't get out of his head.
Angelina: - What? What are you talking about?
Alexander: - At the whim of Heaven, my parents died. Nexus... Elena...
Angelina: - Father, but...
- Wait, Angelina, the voice of Nemesis interrupted her.
The disembodied goddess of retribution materialized between father and daughter:
- Are you talking about an angel named Elena?
Alexander: - Yes. So what?
Nemesis: - I know her. More precisely, she knew. She was a noble and sympathetic angel. But the laws of the universe are undeniable. Elena was punished for her wrongdoing. She understood perfectly well what she was getting into by contacting the demon.
The goddess paused and continued:
- I took her life.
Revelations of the Goddess
- You...?! - Alexander threw an angry look at her, and raging flames surrounded the demon.
Enraged, the demon sharply extended its clawed hand, trying to grab Nemesis. But the fingers passed through the illusory body of the goddess. Angelina stepped back in fear, hiding from the advancing fire. Alexander's gaze fell on his frightened daughter. She covered herself with her hands from the fiery flashes. The flame went out.
Alexander: - Sorry, Angelina. I... didn't want.
Then he looked at the goddess again:
- It's good that you died. It's a pity that I wasn't the one who finished you off.
Nemesis: - Your anger will not bring peace to the world.
Alexander: - Why on earth should I be calm, because Lexa...?!
He paused. The mental pain that he spent the whole evening trying to drown in alcohol returned. Alexander lowered his head:
- Lexa...
Angelina: - Mom?! What with her?!
Without looking at his daughter, the demon shook his head. The demoness stood in front of her father with tears in her eyes, demanding clarification. He just nodded towards the house. Angelina hastily disappeared into the shop.
Nemesis: - I'm sorry for your loss. You have every right to be angry. But be careful, your anger can hurt those who love you. No need...
Alexander interrupted her mid-sentence:
- I beg... spare me from moralizing.
He put the sword behind his back, picked up the not yet completely empty bottle and trudged away.
- Don’t do rash things that you will regret, - Nemesis said after him and disappeared.
The hope
Alexander sat down on a bench in the middle of the empty square. Taking a sip from the bottle, he threw his head back and stared at the clear starry sky.
Alexander: - Forgive me, Lex... I couldn't protect you...
- We begin to appreciate someone only when we lose them, hearing a familiar voice, the demon turned his head.
Sitting next to him on the bench was his father, Nexus. Alexander was not at all surprised by his appearance:
Alexander: - Come to reproach me?
Nexus: - Far from it.
Alexander: - At first I lost my parents, whom I didn't know. Then I lost a love that was not appreciated.
Nexus: - Your state is familiar to me. But... do you just give up?
Alexander: - I'm tired of fighting for an unattainable balance of power, while losing loved ones.
Nexus: - You still have time to save Lexa.
This phrase completely sobered Alexander, and he looked questioningly at his father:
- Is there a way? How?
Nexus
Nexus: - Death is the same for everyone, be it a person, a beast, an angel, a demon or anyone else. They all end up in Realm Of The Dead. If you are not afraid of death, go there and bring back your beloved.
Alexander: - Then why did not you do the same to bring Elena back?
Nexus: - In my case it was too late. When Elena lost her angelic blessing and became a mere mortal, at the same time she lost the benefits of immortals. The souls of people fall into the captivity of Death faster than demons and angels. Lexa's body hasn't turned to dust yet, so there's still time.
Alexander paused, pondering further actions.
Nexus: - But be careful. Death is cunning, and it just will not give you one of its victims. And the condition can be difficult.
Alexander: - What kind of condition?
He turned his head again, waiting to hear the answer, but Nexus was gone. The demon sat on the bench alone. What was it? An obsession? A ghost?
Alexander ran into the shop and grabbed the displacement crystal from the table. Lily, Angelina and Jessica looked at the animated demon in amazement.
Lily: - What are you up to?
Alexander: - I'll try to return it to Lexa.
The girls looked at each other with enthusiasm.
Jessica: - Do you know how to do this?
Alexander: - There is one idea. I hope it works.
Angelina stepped towards her father:
- Dad, I...
Alexander: - Forgive me for what happened, dear. You shouldn't have seen this. After Lexa's death, I was ravaged by anger and a thirst for revenge, which can be difficult to control. These same feelings have always fueled the power of fire in me. But now they are just tearing me apart from the inside. And I don't always manage to keep everything under control.
Jessica intervened in the conversation:
- So, does revenge give you strength too?
Alexander: - Apparently so... Being a demon of fire is sometimes not easy.
Angelina smiled back:
- In some ways I understand you... I understand your feelings and now I feel the same anger. But don't forget... Fire is changeable. It can incinerate, or it can give warmth. Don't let that which gives the power to blindly guide you.
Alexander: - I'll try.
Angelina: - Can you do it yourself?
Alexander: - Yes, I'll be back soon.
Jessica: - Can still help?
Alexander: - I'm going to the place where you'd better not meddle.
Lily: - You're not going to the Realm of the Dead?
Alexander: - That's where my path lies.
Realm of the Dead
Alexander fights versus undeads
The portal transported the demon into the pitch darkness of Realm Of The Dead. And almost immediately he was attacked by hordes of undead. Skeletons climbed from all sides. And from somewhere above, howling and flickering with a greenish light, ghosts flew in. Alexander cleared the way for himself with fire and sword. Suddenly the whole noise of the battle was drowned out by a loud voice:
- Enough!
Bone warriors, as if ordered, fell apart, and the ghosts dissolved into the air. The demon, illuminated by a flame, peered into the pitch darkness surrounding him. A tall figure in a black shroud was hovering around him.
Death: - Aren't you afraid?
Alexander: - I'm too angry to be afraid.
Death: - Use one feeling to drown out the other. How interesting...
Alexander: - What do you know about feelings?
Death: - You're right, I'm not allowed to experience them. But I know a lot. Alexander... And I see that you are following the path of your father. On the path of revenge.
Alexander: - Then you know why I'm here.
Death: - You have come for the life of a demoness named Lexa. But what can you offer me in return?
Alexander: - You've already taken quite enough from me.
Death: - What is true, the truth.
Alexander paused for a moment:
- You can take my life.
Death: - Aah... self-sacrifice. It always struck me. Can not you see for yourself that if you give your life for her, you still can not be with her. This is silly. Do not you think so?
Alexander: - I have nothing more to offer you.
Death: - Demoness will rise again, and will you die?
Alexander: - But just let me finish one thing first.
Death: - You passed the test. You really want to return your beloved and even ready to sacrifice such a unique soul as yours for this. The son of an angel and a demon is a great rarity.
Alexander: - My soul is not unique if it doesn't make sense and desire to live.
Death: - As an exception, I will return the soul to your beloved. But under one condition.
Alexander: - I'm listening.
Death
Death: - Not so long ago, one powerful demonic entity managed to escape from my possessions. Give her back to me.
Alexander: - You're talking about my father?
Death: - No, it's not him. Nexus is inaccessible to me. His soul has long been lost and can't find rest in any of the existing worlds. There is another dark soul, which is much older and more dangerous than the Nexus.
Alexander: - Then who is it?
Death: - Once he was the Lord of Demon World.
Devil
Alexander: - Devil...
Death: - Somehow, his disembodied essence managed to escape and hide in Astral Chaos. I still don't understand how he managed to do it.
Alexander: - Abigor... Perhaps my brother is involved in this.
Death: - Who knows...
Alexander: - But... how can I catch an incorporeal one?
Death: - There is one way... To survive, he will definitely occupy someone's body. This way he will come back to life. Destroy the bodily shell, and he will come to me again.
Alexander: - Agreed.
- I have nothing more to tell you, - the figure in the dark shroud extended a bony hand, opening a portal, - Fulfill your part of the contract, and you will get what you ask for.
Death slowly dissolved into darkness. Alexander already knew where it was leading. The Realm of the Dead has access to all worlds as long as the law of life and death exists.
The fraternal strife
Alexander reached Demon World. The portal closed behind him. The picture that appeared before the demon was not encouraging. Residents of the capital took refuge in their homes. Some, having collected their belongings, hurried to leave the city. Alexander fixed his gaze on the queen castle. The mutilated bodies of guards lay at the main gate. And above the collapsed dome of the throne room towered a huge pillar of darkness, in which the essences of fallen demons swirled.
Abigor sat proudly on the throne of the ruler, leaning on the Dark Blade. The sword flickered and absorbed the souls of the fallen demons that were circling above the castle. At the bottom of the stairs Bloodian cheered:
- Soon.
The chain clinked. The chained Abaddon raised his head. Bloodian turned around:
- Ah... You've finally woken up.
Abaddon: - What are you doing here?!
Bloodian: - Join us, brother. We will once again gather Brotherhood, and we will rule this world.
Abaddon closed his eyes and shook his head:
- Killing your own kind will not bring you either honor or glory. You betrayed the Demon World!
Bloodian: - This sacrifice is for the good of the common cause. The death of our brothers will serve to strengthen the strength of the Demon World. Their souls give Abigor unprecedented power. A force capable of plunging other worlds into chaos. Unleashing a war that has never been seen before. And we will need the demon of war in this matter more than ever.
Abaddon grinned.
- Bloodian, you are blind and stupid. However, as always.
Bloodian: - What?! How dare you?!
Abigor intervened in their dialogue:
- Then you will die as a traitor to the new order.
Sons of Nexus
- This will not happen! - a fourth voice rang out.
The three demons turned around in amazement. Alexander walked into the center of the throne room.
Bloodian: - How did you get here?! After all, the passages to the Demon World...
A fireball flew towards Bloodian. The blood demon jumped to the side. Abigor frowned. Alexander slowly approached Abaddon and cut the chains shackling the demon of war. Abaddon rose to his feet and rubbed his wrists.
- Thank you brother. Now I have a better chance.
Silence reigned in the hall. On one side are Alexander and Abaddon, on the other are Bloodian and Abigor. The sons of Nexus were ready to engage in deadly battle.
The dark avenger
Bloodian teleports Abaddon
Bloodian made his first move. Realizing that he had little chance against Alexander, the blood demon rushed at Abaddon. Bloodian clung tightly to his brother, and the demons fell into a bloody portal that blurred under their feet. Abigor rose from the throne:
- A long stay in Astral Chaos, where you left me, did me good. There I found new strength. And upon returning to Demon World and new weapon. Dark Blade told me a lot, including the story of father. Alexander... Now I know why you care so much about mortals. You are different from us. The son of light and darkness is a demon born in the World of Mortals. You are trying to maintain a balance of power. I was born to wreak havoc. I will unleash a war between the worlds and drown them in the blood of endless wars.
Abigor's voice echoed. His voice was echoed by the second - the voice of the fallen ruler - Devil.
Alexander: - If you know everything, then you should be aware that this sword is the same as me - a creature of light and darkness. No one can use its full potential due to its too fickle nature.
Abigor: - You're wrong here. I feel the Dark Blade tearing apart the confrontation. This confrontation creates chaos. And chaos is me!
Alexander vs Abigor
Alexander grabbed his sword tighter and prepared for battle. Abigor bared his teeth angrily and rushed at his brother. Strike, another, and another...
Abigor: - Where is your rage? Has your strength left you? Or have I just become much stronger?
The swords sparked after each blow, and bounced back with a ringing sound to prepare to launch a new attack.
Abigor: - You will die here! Just like your girlfriend - that pathetic demoness!
Alexander's eyes flashed with fire:
- You wanted to awaken rage in me?! Well, I'll show you the fury of fire!
Alexander released his element, turning into a fiery demon, consisting entirely of flame. The greater his anger, the stronger the flame flared up. Furious attacks fell on Abigor, and he even began to retreat.
Abigor: - Impressive. You are truly a demon of fire.
But, having waited for a short respite, Abigor did not hesitate to use the power of the Dark Blade. A bright flash blinded Alexander for a moment. Blows followed.
Abigor: - What happened? Are you blinded by revenge?
Alexander vs Abigor
Alexander did not immediately come to his senses and randomly reflected the blows, missing a good half. The flames surrounding the demon gradually died out. Alexander jumped back and landed on the ground, falling to his knee. Breathing heavily, he did not let go of the sword. Blood trickled down his forehead. Flooding his right eye, he slid across his cheek - like Lexa's hand.
Alexander: - Lexa...
The thought of her sobered Alexander. He quickly came to his senses and examined the wounds. Here and there blood oozed from his body. Proud Abigor with the power of the Devil and the Dark Blade towered over Alexander:
- Finally! I have surpassed you, brother. You can't win!
Devil
Abigor's voice changed dramatically, and this time it was the Devil who spoke:
- I knew from the very beginning that you would cause problems, son of Nexus. Get ready to experience nothingness!
The Devil Essence gradually took control of the chaos demon. Abigor began to raise his sword above his head. The voice of Nexus sounded in Alexander’s head:
- Hold on, my son!
The wandering spirit appeared again to support Alexander in a difficult struggle.
Nexus: - You can handle him. Just like I once did.
Following him, a second voice was heard - this time a female one:
- Don't let revenge cloud your mind. Believe in yourself, and you will succeed.
Alexander had already heard it once and could not forget it. The voice belonged to his mother - Elena. The demon recognized the third voice immediately - it was Lexa:
- Alexander, I'm glad I met you. Please... come back to me.
Alexander nodded silently, took a deep breath, and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword:
- Let it be so!
He sharply repulsed the raised Dark Blade and rushed at Abigor with renewed vigor. Nameless' blows rained down one after another. If it was not possible to break through the defense with weapons, Alexander used the power of fire, burning marks on the Dark Blade and on Abigor’s body.
Abigor: - This can't be!
The power of light and darkness
Alexander's sword began to emit light. At first it was light, barely noticeable, but with each blow the glow became brighter. The same glow surrounded Alexander himself. With each blow, the collected souls flew out of the Dark Blade in a crimson stream and were carried into the sky.
Abigor: - What's going on?! Where does such power come from?!
Alexander: - Fire is fickle! It can give warmth, or it can incinerate!
Abigor once again tried to defend himself from the blow, but Alexander's sword simply cut the Dark Blade's blade in half. The astonished Abigor recoiled:
- That's bullshit! How is this possible?!
The living sword spent too much energy on defense and was exhausted. The next blow fell on Abigor's hand. The chaos demon bared its teeth, staring at the missing limb. At that moment, Alexander grabbed him tightly and put a shining sword to his throat.
Alexander: - Once upon a time you wanted to kill my mother. And your father paid with his life trying to stop you. And also Lexa... I suddenly realized that not only Heaven deserves my revenge.
Abigor tried with all his might to break free from Alexander’s strong grip.
Abigor: - You won't dare!
Alexander: - Farewell, damn bastard!
Abigor: - NOOOOO!!!
The blade of the sword made a sharp jerk forward, piercing the flesh of the chaos demon. A pillar of fire and light cut through the thick clouds above the castle and dispelled the pillar of darkness, freeing the captive souls of the fallen demons. Abigor, and with him the reborn Devil, were destroyed.
Abaddon raised his head, watching the play of light and shadow far above the castle:
- Well done, brother. I see that you have won.
Bloodian lay unconscious at his feet.
In the pitch darkness, Realm Of The Dead Death snapped her bony fingers:
- The contract is fulfilled.
The soul of the ruler of the Demon World belonged to her again.
At the same moment, Lexa opened her eyes. She carefully rose up in bed.
Lexa: - Where am I? What's happened?
Amazed Angelina rushed to her with hugs:
- Mother! You are back!
At Angelina's scream, Jessica and Lily ran into the room.
Jessica: - Lexa! Alive!
The demoness still felt weak, but these were minor things compared to the incredible healing. The wound has completely disappeared. A proud smile spread across the queen's face:
- He succeeded.
Hard Victory
The enemy was defeated. Exhausted, Alexander dropped his sword and collapsed to the ground. His body was surrounded by fire.
Alexander: - Father... Mom... thank you. Lexa... I hope you're okay...
Small flashes gradually grew into strong flames. In an instant, the raging fire consumed Alexander. When the flames died down, the demon was no longer there. He disappeared, leaving behind only a sword.
Epilogue
Life returned to normal.
Queen Lily has once again taken the throne of Demon's Realm. She had to restore order for her people.
Abaddon, even in the darkest hour, was loyal to his queen and remained in the service of her Majesty.
Bloodian was imprisoned for betrayal, murder and an attempt to start a war between worlds.
In Mortal World everything was unchanged. No one noticed those events that once again could decide the fate of the worlds.
As for Lexa...
Lexa
The sun's rays made their way through the trees and illuminated the spacious room. A large sword gleamed in the corner. Jessica flew into the house with a bunch of some papers:
- I received a new task for us. It's not very complicated, but it should bring good profits.
Lexa turned around at her voice.
- I'm ready!
Returning to life, the demoness lost someone who was very dear to her. But Lexa did not lose heart and did not lose hope that someday and somewhere she would find Alexander. And no matter how long it takes, she will find him.
Remark
This text was written in the period from 29 January 2017 to 11 April 2017, translated to english in 18 April 2017.
I translated by myself. So I apologize for any grammatical errors.
| РАССКАЗЫ (STORIES) |
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| Краткий обзор серии (Series overview) |
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| Часть 1 (Part 1) |
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| Часть 2 (Part 2) |
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| Часть 3 (Part 3) |
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| Часть 4 (Part 4) |
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| Часть 5 (Part 5) |
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| Часть 6 (Part 6) |
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| Эпилог (Epilogue) |
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