Innocence Lost

When Brandon rose from his body, he collected all the necessary items he knew he would have to carry with him. He put on the clothes, which seemed to have changed in style, going from normal everyday clothes into armor, boots, basically turning into a set of chain mail. He then turned to grab his key, which had also turned into the form from when he first encountered it.

After Brandon gathered everything, he then proceeded to my portal. Leaving his house, and began his journey. To the trees of old, that is where his destination lies. As he ran to the trees, seeing the blur which was the world around him, something caught his eye.

He stops, and sees something similar to the demon that he had seen earlier in the day.

"Who are you!" Brandon yelled at the being.

The being now almost in full view, it's appearance had changed from its shadowy form. It now has the legs of a spider, with three heads, one of that looks like a frog. Another with that of a feline, cat would be the best to describe it, a black cat. The final head has the face of a man wearing a crown.

When the being reaches Brandon it speaks in a subtle, proper voice, but the darkness is inevitably heard.

"Who am I?? Why young mortal, I am none other than Ba'al! I am a duke of Hell! I command sixty-six legions of demons that are at my whim! How dare you insult me, with your lack of proper courtesy!" He pauses, realizing that he is only speaking to an earthen child. "Oh, but I digress, you are only but a child, you wouldn't know of us stronger demons."

This upset Brandon, Ba'al had just insulted, by announcing that I was weak, it almost caused Brandon to attack Ba'al. Luckily Brandon knew better than to do something foolish like that.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir, I didn't know next time I see you, I will be sure to remember." Brandon said so honestly that Ba'al did not even have to second guess him.

"Yes, I believe you child, but there is something I must inform you of...You need to go to your friend's house...Megan I believe her name is?" Ba'al responded looking too overjoyed for the situation to look good.

"Megan?!? If she is hurt, I will hunt you down Demon!!" Brandon not caring, used the clothes to run to Megan's house. With his anger level rising, he practically teleported to her house.

Once he had seen what was left of the house, his heart dropped. An explosion of rage swept Brandon as he ran into the ruins of what was his best friend's house.

Frantically searching for her, he lifted the charred remains of the beams that held the ceiling together. He did this whilst moving from room to room, finally reaching Megan's room...

Her room was beautiful, of course looking past the remains, she had her posters of harry potter, and others on the wall, burnt to a crisp. Her bed was a bright pink with floral covering it head to toe.

As he searched for her body, he stumbled upon a notebook, which was probably the only thing left in a condition to where it was still able to be read. Brandon quickly put it in his bag and continued his search, he would peruse through the notebook after his main objective was complete. He moved the two beams that was laying next to the book, and that is where he found her...

He could not believe it, his best friend the one that was always there for him. The one that always comforted him when he was sad. The one who he cared more about in the entire world, was now reduced to an mummified state.

He collapsed in front of her body, with now a mixture of emotion running through him: Rage, Vengeance, Hatred, Sadness, and Envy. He started bawling, without even caring about controlling his powers, his skin changed, his body spikes grew abnormal longer, his aura was pronounced at this point, then... He released his biggest scream, thus releasing his power for all the spirit realm to see.

When he screamed his eyes disappeared, leaving nothing but a color of red that was darker than that of blood. His surroundings were obliterated in a vicious red and black explosion, that was equal to an atomic bomb. Leaving nothing but a massive crater and Megan's lifeless charred remains.

He went back to bawling over her, not noticing the number of spirits and demons approaching him. Focusing on his best friend, he cried more and more, endlessly. When suddenly, a being placed it's hand on his shoulder.

Brandon jumped up into a fighting stance, with his spiked arms at the ready, only to find....Ba'al.

"Earthling child, do you understand yet?" Ba'al started.

"Get away from me if you know what's good for you!" Brandon yelled at Ba'al, not caring if he was a Duke of Hell.

"I will say this though child, Robbedobb, your so called protector? Didn't do too well of a job after he said she had him too. Personally I would go see him, and...confront him about this whole situation." After he said that Ba'al disappeared, after planting that seed into Brandon's mind.

After all was said and done, Brandon carefully picked up Megan's remains, and sprinted to the trees of old. Getting there, he summoned the portal and stepped through, ready for answers, and possibly blood.

As Brandon exited the portal, the plane itself was empty. Brandon walked to the tree, and laid Megan's body down against the tree. With Brandon's rage still incredibly high, the entire atmosphere changed. Transforming from calm and peaceful, to chaotic and evil. The beautiful blue sky turned into an ominous red. Tornadoes began dropping onto the plane, circling around the tree. Thunder and lightning had became more prominent throughout the plane. Brandon was obviously trying to send a message as he waited. Waiting for an explanation as to why this all happened.

I felt everything, his explosion of rage, what he had done to my plane, even when he encountered Ba'al. My trip to the Abyss was more important, I am sorry Brandon, but I have to find her...

As I traveled through this pitch dark realm. I focused on her essence, my path was bare, and her spirit is slowly diminishing. I am rushing past these small time beings, I MUST find her. She is that important to the physical world as much as the spirit realm.

Following the pathway, I finally find her trapped within a cage. To my dismay, it was Asmodeus! He has her trapped and is feeding off of her! Now my rage has been known, Asmodeus turns to me and starts laughing at me.

For those who do not know who Asmodeus is as a being. He is a demon of lust, and for a demon of lust, he sure is ugly as all get out. With three heads, one being that of a ogre, another of a ram, and last one is that of a bull. His feet of that of a rooster, and expressly showing off his grandeur by riding a dragon. Wearing a crown for his heightened position in hell, the worst part about this grotesque being? Is that horrible stench that is his breath.

Then he begins talking in a very condescending manner towards me.

"Why, if it isn't Robbedobb? Hahaha, I thought I would find you here. How is my weak brethren doing? Oh and I must say, this astral child is quite tasty! You sure know how to find the most delicious of human souls." Asmodeus said just the right words to set me off. The fire of rage burned so bright that I inadvertently regrew my wings, and transformed into my true self. My hair was parted with the massive horns with that of a minotaur. My body changed from grey to black, from being slender toned, to bulky muscles. My eyes, glowed completely red, no longer that perfect green color. My whole image was changed: once a humanoid, to now a being that is a minotaur.

As my transformation was now completed, I made my way towards Asmodeus, we were now standing eye to eye with each other. Then I spoke:

"Ah I see the halitosis still hasn't left has it, you may need to get that check out, Brother." I started being condescending towards his ugly self. "Now I would strongly recommend you let her go, before you piss me off further, Brother."

"Aww, Robbedobb, you are going to hurt me? I am sorry but your power is nowhere near that of mine. How many legions do you command? Oh, that's right none, daddy banished you! HAHAHA! I'd like to see you try!" Asmodeus sure was full of himself, so I decided to humor him. All of these spirits and low level demons are just the amount of extra power that I need to at least banish him back to his shit hole that he calls home.

I focus my rage, and channel it into my spell:

"Animas ad me refectionem corporis potestatem magistrum vocat, opus domini tui. Auxilium me relegant quod est Asmodeus!!"

Rough translation: Souls, come to me, refresh my body with your power, master calls you, master needs you. Help me banish that which is Asmodeus!!

As my spell completes itself, I see the colors that is light and dark, circulating around each other. That stream of essence was more than I originally thought it was, good... I stretched my arms out to each side of me, accepting the essence that these souls have freely given to me. My body and strength grows by ten-fold.

I watched as Asmodeus takes a step back, since he has seen my power for the first time. He has only heard of what I can do, but actually seeing it is a much more terrifying sight, especially for demons. His fear, feeding my strength, adding to my power! As I step closer and closer to him, he keeps backing up until he could not move any further...

"Robbedobb...you have grown stronger, I am sorry, please...I-I-I will let her go and return her essence, just spare me" Asmodeus was begging, I was RIGHT! This trip was entertaining indeed!

"Asmodeus, you know very well, that in my position, you know very well that I contain the upper hand. As much as I should remove you from existence, I am deciding against that. Instead, you are to report back to Hell, and let everyone know that I am now a force to be reckoned with." I told him exactly how I felt about everything...

"Thank you, Robbedobb, I will not forget this, I see now that you do have the power to rule. I bow to thee, future king of demons." As Asmodeus bows, I sent him away with a powerful blast of energy. As he disappeared, he said:

"This isn't the last of me that you will see of me, future king." I scoffed at his failing attempt to anger me further.

After he was gone, I immediately rushed over to Megan, damn it, she is still so very weak. Asmodeus must not have given everything back like he said he would...

With some quick thinking and ingenuity, I decided to give her some of my essence. I know of the consequences, but I do not care. If I am to become weakened by my noble intentions on saving a life, then so be it! My existence is not worth the in-existence of an innocent girl. I will not allow it by any means!

I kneel down to her spirit, placing my hands on the temples on her head and I then summon up twenty-five percent of what I have left. Focusing on saving her, allowing the power to flow through me into her. After a few seconds, I feel her energy pulse through her spirit, bringing life back to her.

She slowly gets up, staggering much so as that of a baby when it first learns to walk. I caught her as she begins to fall, then she spoke weakly:

"Robbedobb? What happened? Why am I here? Am I...dead?"

"I am sorry, little one...your soul was completely severed from your body...there was nothing I could do, I...made the house burn...so that it looks as though something else had occurred..." I spoke solemnly

"Does Brandon know?" Megan responded with tears in her eyes.

"I felt his anger, his rage, his sadness, his hurt. I do believe so, we need to get to my plane, an idea has just struck me. Hold my hand, little one." I said confidently.

"Yes sir." Megan said with a half smile, tears still rolling down her face.

As she grabbed my hand, I transported us to my world, to see it in chaos, to my dismay I see nothing but destruction to my world. I am at a loss...

Wait...Brandon is no longer himself. His floating, screaming into the heavens, eyes glowing red, innocence lost, gone in a fiery rage. Megan ran over to him and grabbed his leg and pulled him towards her.

"BRANDON!" Megan exclaimed. "Brandon come back to me! Please..." Megan exclaimed and exclaimed at Brandon, but it was to no avail. Brandon was too far gone...until...

Megan pulled him down to her, staring into his eyes, no not his eyes, but his soul...she grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him into her as their bodies were connected by their kiss. Slowly the entire plane was was returning to it's original state. As was Brandon, I can say this though, I have never seen a bond between two humans like this before. It was a beautiful sight indeed. This made me remember the wonderful times with my love and my daughter.

As Brandon returned to his normal self again, he was still attached to Megan's lips. When they finally parted. Brandon fell to his knees, and began crying relentlessly.

"Megan, I am so sorry, I am so sorry! You did not deserve this..." Brandon uttered whilst still sobbing.

"Brandon, it is okay, it really is... I should have protected myself better. I should have told you before all this happened, but I really like you. Maybe even...love you. Yes Brandon that is it, I love you!" Megan's smile did have that effect on him. He stopped crying and stood up and hugged her, never wanting to let go.

"Robbedobb, I have-" Brandon was cut off by me.

"Yes, I know, but first..." I paused for a brief moment "We need to reunify Megan first, and it requires your power...fast" I could not believe that I had never thought about this before, with the sheer power this boy released he could very well re-tether her soul to her body, without him losing his own existence...so I hope.

"Yes! Absolutely! What do I have to do?" Brandon was not wanting to waste any time, of course, this is a strong bond of love that reminds me of...them.

"First, I need to repair her body. Then after that has been completed...you must...give her almost all of your essence. I must warn you though, this could very well make you lose your existence, on both planes. Spirit and physical." I sighed hoping my plan would work. "Also on another note, this is a one-time occurrence, so you will not be able to do it again."

"Yes sir, I am prepared to give up my existence for her to live." This kid, ha, he is really courageous. Man has not done this sort of potential sacrifice since, well, centuries ago. He is one of the reasons why I care for their race. I am proud...

"Okay allow us to get started." I looked over at Megan and Brandon, and the gave me their nods of acceptance. As we moved over to my tree, I moved Megan's remains onto the grass. Focusing my power, I begin my ritual...

"Corpus quod corrumpitur perducere ad statum fruebatur quod felicitas, caritatem et risus. Patitur puella vivere semel ... Feliciter semper post. Robbedobb rege daemonum vis tibi ego solet vivifica corporis maxime. Animam meam quod nunc fluens in tua erit anima tua in salutem. Non mortem te, quia tempus malum est ire. Reducam vitae, adipiscing vitae vis."

Translation: "Bring the body of which has been destroyed, to the state that it once enjoyed, happiness, love, and laughter. Allow this girl to live once more...happily ever after. Robbedobb, king of demons, I flush my power unto thee, revive this body to the highest degree. The breath of life which is mine, now flowing into yours, will be the saving of your soul. Death need not take you, for now is the wrong time for you to go. Bring you back to life, as my life force goes.

As I complete my spell, a swirling light of blue, yellow, green, white, and orange. The light enveloped her body. The glow of holiness was incredible considering that I am demon. As the light grew, it instantly absorbed itself into her body, her body glowed as her skin returned to it's natural state. Life was returning to her body, it is almost complete. When it was all over with, her body was perfect, as if it was never burnt. Now it is time...

"Okay Brandon, are you ready? You are going to have to get yourself at the power level prior to us appearing." I told him and stressed it that he needs to attain that level of power in order to successfully perform this task. If I have to I will trigger his rage...

"Yes sir, I will, even if...I die." Brandon had the unwavering determination upon him. Like my plan, nothing will stop him from saving this girl. As Brandon tried to get himself into his rage-state, but it was to no avail, I had to step in.

Creating a nice machete out of thin air is a very nice means of informing someone, that something was indeed about to happen. As I grabbed Megan and held the blade at her throat, she screamed bringing Brandon's attention to me:

"Come on boy! You want to hurt me!! If you do not get your power up, I WILL KILL HER PERMANENTLY!! STRIKE ME INSOLENT CHILD!!" As an added effect, I decided to transform into my true form, my minotaur body. For extra dramatic effect, of course, I need him to get to that point to completely resurrect Megan.

"You...why...Robbedobb, I thought you were our friend, you are no different than the others...I...am...going...to... KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!!!" Brandon started trembling, my plan worked...maybe a little too well...I hope I can withstand his power surge.

Brandon's whole demeanor changed as his rage grew. The sky in my plane started changing once more, perfect. When he finally reached his point of full power, he...materialized a weapon? The weapon was in the form of a great sword, but it was enveloped in flames. His anger is truly an amazing gift.

Now at this point, Brandon is walking towards me with the gargantuan blade in one hand. He is ready to kill, I will allow him to draw my blood, but only to a certain extent. I released Megan and pushed her out of the way, so she would not get hurt. As Brandon is getting closer, I can see the fire in his eyes, he is beyond himself once more. I would sure hate to see the poor soul to set him off to this point.

He stands two feet away, the sword readied in his hand, I take a defensive position to ready myself for his attack. He lifts his sword, and takes a massive swing at my body. Instinctively, I had taken a few steps back, attempting to avoid the devastating strike. It makes contact with my chest leaving a slash that was luckily not that deep of a cut, It burns worse than hell, no pun intended. Strange thing is, is that I felt my power drain slightly. This was a problem, a real big problem, I may actually be decimated by this child.

Brandon keeps swinging and swinging and I am having to dodge each blow, in order to stay alive, this kid is faster than I. This is incredible, this boy is the one! The one who will help me save this world! HAHA YES!

Whilst in my mind of my monologue, Brandon snuck in a deep stab into my lower abdomen. The pain was relentless, so intense that it almost brought me to my knees. Almost brought to my knees by a child, me a demon! I am enjoying this, especially as my blood is freely pouring, my smile becomes wider and wider.

A brilliant idea struck me, I ran over to Megan's body, picked it up and rushed to her side, trying to bring Brandon back to his senses.

"Boy! You have drawn enough blood! Use your power to save your love! She is waiting for you. SAVE HER SOUL!! NISI ANIMAE!" As I said this Brandon's rage had concentrated itself. The aura with which the rage had manifested itself into his face...Oh shit! He is going to use his screaming ability.

I rushed out of the way as he prepared himself for the strongest scream yet:

"Nisi mea! eam ad me! Si constat vitae, FIAT!" Brandon screamed as his body was engulfed in a bright light that can be compared to that of the sun. Almost instantly, the blast shot from him, it was magnificent. Such a blast...it had to be at least ten feet in diameter! As the blast was connecting to Megan's body and her soul. I could see that the tether was indeed being re-established now.

It looks as though Brandon has survived through this in experience. He collapsed onto the ground, whilst Megan ran over to him, and took him over to the tree. Megan asked an inquiry towards me:

"Robbedobb, Brandon is really weak, am I able to give him some of my essence?" Megan was extremely frightened that she was going to lose him. I understand completely, and as much as I would like for her too, he cannot have it. For good reason...

"I am sorry child, but he will recover on his own. Let him rest for the time being, and carry him to his body. So he can awaken." I did not tell her the whole truth, but it is indeed necessary.

As Megan carried Brandon back to his house, I carefully watched over them and then realized...

Shit...her house is gone...I need to fix this...

I went to where her house used to be and shocked as I was, there was a crater where the house used to reside. Suddenly I felt an extreme presence that I am all too familiar with...

"Ba'al" I growled viciously.

"Whoa easy, friend. Just wanted to talk." Ba'al replied, as he took on a humanoid form.

"Help me fix and clean up this mess, then I will you the pleasure of a conversation. Got it?" I felt like wasting no time, whatsoever.

"Absolutely, considering you are going to want to hear what I have to say." Ba'al walked towards me as I began to renew what was lost in devastation and chaos. With Ba'al giving his assistance, the task was completed in a matter of minutes. It looked as though nothing had even occurred. Then Ba'al resumed...

"Let us take a walk shall we?" Ba'al asked quite politely.

"Yes, lets, so what is it that you need to talk to me about?" I responded curious as to what brought Ba'al to me.

"I am sure you remember the last being you had ended up training? Razor?" As Ba'al had said this name, my eyes opened wide.

"Razor?! What about him?" I couldn't believe that he is still alive, he died not too long after his training with me was complete.

"Well yes, thing is somehow he has become full-fledged demon. Also there has been talk that he is looking for you, and your new trainees. I wanted to give you word of caution... He is truly dangerous, for he is not bound by the same laws that you and I are bound to." Ba'al actually was being sincere to me. It is not unusual for him to, but when he seldom is though, it usually a very serious matter.

"Shit, how many lives has he taken thus far?" I had to know to judge his power.

"Over twenty thousand in the past month. The thing is Robbedobb is that he...he has your powerful ability." My whole being just crumpled upon receiving this news.

Next to Brandon, Razor was one of my best students. I knew of the evil that resided in his heart, but foolishly ignored it. He must have seen me use my power enough times to learn how to perform it. If so, then the twenty thousand souls within that month will cause a major spike in essence power. It is truly will difficult to bring him down. In order to restore the balance, I must absorbed one of my old students, whom now is a demon, before he absorbs me. Brandon and Megan will have to help.

"Thank you Ba'al, for this forewarning. I must go now, and get the destined astral children ready for this powerful entity." I told Ba'al as I started to walk away.

"Robbedobb." Ba'al stopped me.

"What now Ba'al?" I was becoming a bit snappy towards Ba'al.

"Just wanted to tell you, your father is not thrilled with what you are doing here." Ba'al said with haste.

"Well he is the one who banished me, he has to stand by his decision and consequences as well. Now I will see you later." Before Ba'al had a chance to respond, I was gone. I rush over to Brandon's house, to make sure they both are protected. I arrive and the first task I performed was putting a protective enchantment over his house, and I step inside...

Megan was placing Brandon into his bed, I intervened for a moment.

"Megan, just a moment little one. I must do something first." I spoke towards Megan wo was shocked to see me.

"Um yes sir." She stepped aside, and I put my hands over Brandon's body, and put the same enchantment on him. When I completed this task I turned to Megan to do the same.

"Sir what are you doing?" She was curious, I decided to allow her the pleasure of knowing.

"Well little one, in order to prevent what just recently happened...I am putting an impregnable protective enchant over both you and Brandon, as well as your houses. Now come with me, I will take you home. There are too many evil entities that will try to take you. I also have to push your body back into the physical world, somehow Brandon pulled it from there...Grab my hand child, and we will be off."

As she grabs my hand, I transport us over to her house. This is when I place the enchantment unto the house. We walked inside into her room, I had her lay down onto her bed. I then began the difficult part of this ordeal.

"Exemeris, abstulit a mundo. Hoc est ut revertar illuc. Que redire vult, ubi sit. Nunc denuo vita frui."

Again with another rough translation: Once removed, taken away from their world. It is me to return such a thing back. No matter what, she will return where she belongs. Now go, and enjoy your life once more.

She quickly fell asleep and with her looking more like a spirit now, tells me that it worked properly. Last thing on my agenda now... Her protection. For this little one, she will have my mark, as well as my enchantment. This way I will always know if she is safe or not. I start the process of giving the mark, allowing the bright green swirl envelope her body, absorbing into her.

After I finally finished with all that, I made my way back to my plane, and fell against my tree. Slowly drifting into my thoughts once more, conjuring a cigarette once more. Began smoking and thinking about how this was one hell of a day...