Prologue
Grandpa Nicholas and his grandson Charles had always been close. Even after the passing of Charles’ parents his presence made the loss less heavy. Charles was just eight years old when his parents died under mysterious circumstances. He was there when they died but the events shattered his mind to the extend that he has no recollection of them. His grandfather and younger sister were the only family he had left. While Charles stayed on the farm with his grandfather, his sister was in boarding school. Due to the unfortunate events and trauma that Charles had experienced it had been decided staying with Nicholas was the only way he would remain sane.
“Flashy isn’t it Charles” Nicholas smiling down at his short skinny grandson
“Mhmm mhmmm” Charles nodded wondering what kind of toy the box in front of him was “what is it?” he asked
“Its a sealing spell” replied Nicholas
“A spell, but you’re not a magician” Charles said giving his grandfather the suspicious side eye “you always lie to me about being a magic user, Im not a baby anymore grandpa”
“Hahahahah” Nicholas laughed out loud “but I al my boy”
“Whatever grandpa, Im bored lets do something fun” said Charles diverting his attention to the horses that were grazing not so far from the barn
“Okay horse riding it is then” said Nicholas “Ill be right back” he walked in the direction of the horses
As he walked further away from Charles something caught his eye, far hidden in the shadows of the woods that surrounded his farm was a figure. He glared in that direction and the moment he realized it a chill went down his spine. Nicholas’ face contorted from a calm relaxed look to one of sheer terror.
Charles no
Turning to his grandson who was still unaware of what was coming for him, Nicholas took a deep breathed in. Looking at things he was too far to make it there in time, it was either the box or his grandson and he knew what the figure had come for.
How could I be so careless, damnit
The figure had already taken off towards Charles at speeds too fast for the ordinary eye. Breathing out Nicholas shot from the hill he was at at a speed similar to whatever the figure was. Charles still oblivious of his surroundings continued to snap his fingers to a tune playing on the radio. First snap, Nicholas was already halfway close to him and so was the now clear figure. It was a humanoid being with rough scaly skin, wings and tiny horns on the forehead. Feeling a heaviness Charles finally lifted his gaze up and in that split second he saw it, before he could scream it had already got to him. Swinging its claws to decapitate the boy, like the snap of a finger Charles vanished from its sight only a heavy breeze blew where he stood.
“Aaaaaaaahhhhh” Charles screamed using his hands to protect his face
“Its okay” he heard his grandfather’s soft voice
Slowly opening his eyes he saw his grandfather carrying him in his hands. He seemed different, his eyes were a different color and his usually partially grey hair was completely white.
“Stay here” he said gently laying him on the ground
Nicholas stood erect and glared at the beast that just tried to kill his grandchild, bloods flowing down his back from the close call on Charles.
“Grandpa your back” Charles said in a sympathetic tone
“Its okay don’t worry” Nicholas turned and smiled at his grandson
The smile was so warm, all the fear Charles had been feeling at that moment seemed to just vanish. Nicholas turned his gaze back at the creature again, his expression the opposite of what he had shown Charles.
“So your kind still walks the earth” spoke Nicholas in a deep voice that frightened Charles a little
Charles looked at his grandpa then at the creature, before he could utter a word Nicholas was gone. His eyes widened when he saw his grandfather already landing a blow on the creature. When he landed it a vacuum explosion sound filled the air and the creature was blasted from where it stood. It bounced on the ground several times before sliding then stopping.
The creature stood up trembling from the severe damage it had taken. Its body could barely function after that hit. The wounds were too much for its healing to regenerate quick enough. Nicholas took off again in its direction for the final blow.
Just as Nicholas was about to land his blow, two more demons emerged from the woods.
“Grandpa look out!!!” Charles yelled and they diverted their attention to him
It distorted Nicholas’ focus allowing the demon to land an attack on him causing him to miss. That moment of confusion left him open and the demon stabbed him in the right lung, blood gushed from Nicholas’ mouth.
“Grandpaaaa!!!!!” Charles’ eyes filled with horror as he witnessed it
The two demons who came out of the woods charged at the boy instead of Nicholas. With no moment to spare Nicholas ripped the head off the one that stabbed him and charged towards the ones going for his grandson.
His vision blurred and he felt light headed. Due to the punctured lung and too much loss of blood, Nicholas was losing consciousness so he had to act fast. Using the last of his might he chanted some words and an outburst of power emanated from his body. Like lightning one moment he was at one spot then the next he had the hearts of the two demons in his hands.
“Grandpa!” Charles yelled and ran to catch his grandfather who was staggering about to fall “Im sorry I I”
“Its okay Charles” he coughed blood and knelt on one knee “I wish I had enough time to explain”
“What are you saying grandpa? Im scared, Ill call the ambulance” Charles trembled failing to process what was happening
In the distance Nicholas could hear multiple footsteps coming and he knew it was already too late.
“Forgive me Charles” he hasped for air “I will always be proud of you my boy”
Charles was frozen in place from the trauma. All he could do was cry.
Tugging off his necklace Nicholas put it in Charles’ hands and chanted some words in a different language. Just as he finished three spears came and impaled Nicholas nailing him to the ground.
Grandpaaaa!!!!!!! Charles tried to scream but his lips and body were refusing to move.
He could feel the necklace mounting him on the spot. Five of those demon creatures landed next to his grandfather’s body. One of them even walked through Charles, it was like he was invisible. It was at that moment Charles realized what his grandfather had done.
“Weren’t there two life forms here” asked one of the demons
“There was but the other was a boy, he is of no significance to us” replied the other
“Let’s go, get the box its time to bring back the master. The age of man kind comes to an end” said the demon
The other three carried Nicholas’ body away and they flew away. Just as they vanished into the clouds Charles’ body loosened and he screamed and passed out.
