Darkness in All of Us

I clenched my fist to keep my body from shaking as those horrible red eyes continued to move around in the darkness, never leaving me for a second. The three things imitating my Fireteam began to slowly walk toward the large monstrosity hidden in the shadows. A booming voice sounded out and said "Ohh, you are very interesting my little Human friend. To think that you could achieve a perfect balance...hehe no matter. You will die soon after I kill your friends, Little Morsel."

A throaty growl came from the monster as a horrifying smile crept up its face and shone through the darkness. I stared into its bright gold, razor sharp teeth and felt blood trickling down my hands. I felt my skin turn cold and clammy as bumps formed on my arms and made my hair stand on edge. I knew I was scared, but I knew I had to fight as well.

Just as I was about to begin my attack, I found myself smashed into a wall with a clawed hand on the side of my face. There was an albino, scaled, bipedal, dragon-like monster staring at me with its bright yellow eyes, it's slit pupils dilating slightly. The beast opened its fanged maw and let out a deafening scream before flinging me across the room.

I flipped in the air and landed on my feet in time to bring Sol up and block the beast's clawed strike. The sheer impact of the blow made my arms go numb and sent me sliding backwards as the ground rumbled and shattered. I desperately blocked and dodged the creatures attacks as it cackled out in glee at seeing its prey struggle.

I struck at me again, this time causing my weapon to fly out of my hand. I was crossed my arms in front of me and blocked its next attack, knocking my arms out wide and leaving me open enough for the creature to kick me into the wall behind me. A small line of blood began to trickle out of my mouth as I hung from the wall and watched the monster get down on all fours and spread its horrible, grotesque wings out with a wide smile.

Just as the thing lunged at my throat, it was suddenly flung to the ground. The monster in the shadows released a throaty growl as it said "You will finish him yet, for something is holding him back from using his full power...is it your little friends, or is it that annoying device broadcasting our encounter to Earth..." The creature turned its horrifying gaze onto Sam, who was floating high above us.

Sam froze before disappearing into my body, immediately saying 'Uh, I cut the connection...sorry bout that...' I chuckled before saying "No, you did just fine, Sam. Now, let me do the rest..." out loud. I looked at the albino creature as I released a steady stream of Light from my body.

I broke free from the wall and landed on the ground with little effort before taking Sol out of my inventory once more and lowering into a stance. I clad myself in dark flames as I imbued Sol with as much Light as it could handle before dodging the creatures strike and severing its hand. The beast jumped back and regrew its lost limb almost immediately as it snarled and released an ear-shattering scream.

I clicked my tongue and began to circle the beast, keeping the other three on my radar at all times. We charged and clashed, unleashing a shockwave that blew the stone ground under us to pieces. I wielded Sol with one hand while using the claws on my armor to deal some damage, however, the monster's wounds kept regenerating as soon as they were made.

I slashed out twice before attempting to sweep the creatures legs, but it just jumped over me and reached its clawed feet out for my face. I rolled back and blasted the thing with a ball of darkness enhanced flames. At first, all was silent except for the crackling of my flames, but the creature sliced through the fire and lunged at me once more, its bloodlust and rage more than tripled.

I kept backing up while blocking the furious monster's attacks before yelling out "NOW!" Wraith sprung to life and pulled on a string made of Void energy, cutting the monster's legs off, as Sigbrand and Sigwulf both lunged toward the other two creatures, one of which had assumed the form of a red furred nine-tailed fox, while the other a phoenix covered in bronze flames with glowing orange eyes. I was about to plunge my sword into the bastard skull when I felt my body float off of the ground before I got smashed into a wall once more.

Wraith and the brothers slammed into the wall as well as the monster lurking in the darkness finally revealed itself. The beast filled had filled almost the entirety of the cave and had two large, curving horns atop its huge spiky head, with spikes running down the entire length of its body, as well as on all four of its legs, a pair of massive, red wings, scales blacker than the night sky itself, a long, snaking tail, clawed hands, and shining, golden teeth filled with Solar energy.

The Dragon turned all six of its eyes to me and said "Clever idea, but you should know that you were not the only one who saw through their deception. Now, I shall have my children keep your friends occupied so I can test you myself..." The Dragon's form began to shrink until it became bipedal and scarily humanoid.

The Dragon's new form was that of a Human, albeit with two red eyes, two large, curving horns atop its head, and black scales that covered the entirety of its body. The Dragon smiled, showing off its razor sharp teeth, and said "Now, come and show me your abilities. O Chosen One!"

I fell to the ground and immediately charged forward, reaching the beast in an instant. I had gained much more control over my powers in the time I had spent with my Fireteam, getting stronger than I ever thought I would have before. That's why I had to defeat this thing. So I could prove that I was strong enough, to the world as well as myself. I had to believe that I was strong enough to protect those that I cared about.

For I will never let another tragedy happen so long as I am alive. I'll kill anything that stands in my way. I shouted out and swung Sol with all my might. The Dragon smirked and caught the tip of my blade with its clawed hands before attempting to push me back. The Dragon's eyes widened slightly when it saw that I had not moved an inch, a fire now burning brightly in my eyes.

I pushed my blade forward in an attempt to plunge it through the creatures throat, but it dodged. I spun and slashed out toward the Dragon's side as I moved my foot to sweep its leg out from under it. The Dragon let out an impressed 'Hmm' before vanishing like dust in the wind. I spun and blocked a claw aimed for my head, causing the beast to say "Oh? Good reflexes, morsel, but you will most certainly die if you keep this up..."

I snarled and said "I don't need your damned praise, monster! I'll kill you and your 'children'! You won't take my family from me!!" I smacked the Dragon's claw from my blade and aimed my blade for its throat once more. The beast caught it in its hand and I tried to place my hand on its shoulder in hopes of overpowering it, but the creature just grabbed my hand with its own.

We stood there with none of us gaining any ground, the Dragon with a smile on its face, and I a vicious snarl. We both leapt back and I threw a condensed ball of Solar energy out at the beast. The Dragon opened its mouth and a large swath of flames erupted forward, engulfing my attack completely.

I reflected the thing's fire with Sol before using Void energy to cloak myself, however, the Dragon appeared in front of me and said "Tsk, tsk. I'm the Master of Darkness, did you think I could not see you...?" before backhanding me and sending me crashing into the ground. The Dragon was on top of me with its clawed hand around my throat as it dragged me through the stone floor before tossing me aside like a toy.

I hit the ground and began to roll, my body feeling cold and broken. I heard the eerie laughter of the beast as it walked toward me and asked "Aw, you're finished? Already?" with a mocking laugh. The Dragon lifted my head up and said "Heh, if you give up, I'll spare your friends from a slow, and cruel death..." My eyes flashed with uncertainty as I saw Wraith, Sigbrand, and Sigwulf slowly getting pushed into a corner.

I looked at the smirking Dragon and my words got caught in my throat. It was then that a voice rang out from behind me and said "Damnit Lucifer! Do you think we're that weak? Don't worry about us and go all out! We've known since the day that we met you! Do it damnit!!" Wraith's voice echoed in my mind as Sam asked "Should I do it now...?" in a concerned voice. I grit my teeth and looked the Dragon in the eyes before saying "Do it..."

It felt like my powers were unsealed as a powerful torrent of Light and Darkness exploded from my body, blowing the Dragon back as I slowly rose to my feet. Two curved horns made of Solar energy formed atop my head as the black flames around my body began to burn brighter and grow stronger. It felt like my power had increased tenfold.

I looked at the Dragon, who was now wearing a confused and angry expression, and said "It's over..." before leaping toward the beast and slamming my fist into its jaw. The Dragon crashed into the wall and I was at it in an instant. I landed a barrage of kicks and punches at the Dragon as blood poured out from its mouth. The damned beast was no longer wearing a cocky smirk.

I pulled the Dragon from the wall and slammed it into the ground before appearing next to Wraith. I swiped my hand out in front of me and the other three monsters flew back and hit the ground, rendering them unconscious. I looked back to the Dragon, who was now standing with its chest heaving in rage and its red eyes gleaming with an unquenched bloodlust.

Without looking back, I said "Wraith, take Sigbrand and Sigwulf up tot he top and go. I'll only be a moment..." before appearing next to the Dragon and swinging my sword in a clean arc. We both roared out as we traded blows, both knowing that only one of us will survive this encounter now that we were at our full strength.

I knew that the City would see me as a traitor when I came back, but I would still protect them no matter what. Maybe...I could use this Darkness for something good, and use it as a way for atonement...