16: Near Miss

Nick felt determined as the wind whistled into his ears.

He was at maximum speed, recovering the pearl from his pant's pocket, he held it high, shouting with a thunderous voice— "My Family!"

The pearl turned into a golden-blue spear, which sparked with energy of white magic.

He stabbed some demons with the spear, giving them some kicks he learned in karaté class.

The spear was so powerful that immediately it touched a demon, the demon sizzled in smoke and dust.

A demon ran, carrying a sword, he looked like the second in command, because he was the largest among the group.

"Do you think you fight demons with human tactics? Kicks, blows... Nonsense! I'm going to show you how it is done using your idiotic friend, Edrek," The demon spoke laughing.

"The way we fight here kills not only flesh, but your spirit— either good or evil... " He added, drawing out his sword.

"Edrek? Come on..." The demon slurred.

Edrek, who had been watching from above, spread his wings and landed, the darkness still in his eyes.

"It's done this way," The demon said, raising his sword to stab Edrek.

"No! I'll be the one to demonstrate!" Nick shouted, driving his spear straight to the heart of the demon.

Surprisingly, the spear broke and changed back to the pearl.

"You see, I always laugh my heart out whenever I hear humans say another human has a heart of stone, but, if I just hover my sword over it, it pops! But, now, I have a heart of pure stone both literally and figuratively." The demon said, snickering.

"Let's fight!" The demon ordered, amusement present in his eyes.

"Ok!" Nick said, also amused.

"I'll be done with you in less than a minute." The demon boasted.

"Or you mean, 'never'?" Nick rephrased.

"Try me."

Nick changed the pearl to a sword.

He struck the demon but the demon dodged in a swift movement.

"If that's all you've got, stop wasting your shitty time," The demon sneered.

'I need help... I'll use my powers, then...' Nick spoke to himself.

He changed the sword back to the pearl and held it up high.

He thought of his ancestors who he knew, could assist him.

"My Family!" He roared in a thunderous voice.

He waited, but nothing happened.

"Oh, shit! You think your stupid stuff works? Which superhero goes out screaming 'My Family' like a banshee?" The demon laughed.

"We do, because our family comes first!" They all looked up to see Mrs. Ruby Matthias in the air, flapping he glorious wings.

The floor started to buzz, vibrate, shake... break?

The were millions of cracks on the floor and out came good spirits who possess good magic.

"Attack!" Mario boomed.

The angels flew to fight the other demons leaving Nick facing Mario with a still hypnotized Edrek between them.

Nick flew high up and turned the pearl into a fearsome spear.

He made his target and threw it straight at Mario.

It went with maximum speed and was so close to getting into Mario.

But... He missed.

A very near miss.

"Nice try," Mario said catching the spear.

"Say goodbye to your friend..." Mario smiled, thrusting the spear right into Edrek's heart.

Edrek dropped dead, his spirit going with him.