Chapter 17 – Training with Demons

Cedric sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed, focused on nothing but the thin air around him. He was trying to recall everything he had learned about the Golden and Gray Blades. The two swords were now at his command, stored safely within the space he had created. He could summon them whenever needed, but the trick was knowing when and how to summon them with enough control to be useful in a fight.

For days, he had been practicing. Each time the blades appeared in his hands, Cedric would carefully feel the weight, adjust his grip, and dismiss them again, each time trying to control his thoughts and actions more perfectly. He would summon them for longer periods, testing his endurance and his ability to fight with both. He needed them to feel like an extension of himself, as if they were just another part of his body, not objects that had to be controlled.

However, he knew that mastering his weapons wasn't enough. He had to test them in real combat, something beyond mere practice with trees or boulders. Cedric had to face the Pandemoniums, the demons that Raziel had unleashed upon the world. If he could defeat them, he would be sure that his training had been worthwhile.

For now, he had to prepare. He needed to study these demons, understand how they fought, and figure out how best to use his new powers against them.

---

The Plan to Watch the Demons

Cedric began his training plan by finding a quiet place to watch the Pandemoniums without getting too close. He knew that fighting these demons head-on without any knowledge would be foolish. The last thing he needed was to be overconfident or unprepared.

For several days, Cedric tracked them from a distance. It wasn't easy to find them, but he eventually located a group of them roaming near the outskirts of the nearby forest. They were huge, monstrous creatures—blackened, twisted shapes that seemed to be made of shadows and smoke. Their bodies were covered in scales, and their eyes glowed with an unnatural red light. Some had massive claws, others had spiked tails, and many had wings that allowed them to glide short distances through the air.

Cedric hid behind large rocks and thick trees, carefully observing the demons. He learned their movements and how they interacted with the environment. Some of them wandered aimlessly, sniffing the air for any trace of life. Others seemed more intelligent, staying in small packs and watching for signs of danger. Cedric noted their behavior, how they communicated with each other, and how they attacked.

They weren't just mindless creatures—they were dangerous, smart in their own way, and relentless. Cedric needed to be ready for anything.

---

Preparing for the Fight

After a few days of watching the Pandemoniums, Cedric felt ready to test himself against them. The demons had a simple pattern—wander, hunt, attack. He would have to strike quickly before they had a chance to surround him.

Cedric took a deep breath, thinking about the Golden and Gray Blades. He knew how to summon them now. The key was to focus and keep his thoughts clear. When the time came, he would need to act quickly, pulling the blades from the Solar Space and using them to cut through the demons before they could retaliate.

He packed a small bag with the essentials—a bit of food, some water, and a few other items he might need for survival. He didn't plan on being gone too long, but it was always good to be prepared.

With everything ready, Cedric set out. He moved quietly, avoiding any unnecessary noise, and made his way back to the spot where he had last seen the demons. It was a small clearing in the woods, and he could tell that they often passed through here on their patrols.

---

The First Encounter

Cedric crouched behind a large rock, watching carefully as the demons approached. There were three of them—one with large claws, another with wings, and a third that seemed to have a long, spiked tail. They were moving in his direction, unaware of his presence.

His heart pounded in his chest. This was it—his first real test.

He focused on his breathing, staying as still as possible. He could feel the two swords resting in his mind, waiting to be summoned. The Golden Blade was in his right hand, and the Gray Blade was in his left. He was ready.

One of the demons, the one with the wings, fluttered its large, bat-like wings and landed on the ground, sniffing the air. It was close. If Cedric made even a slight noise now, it would notice him. The demon was just a few feet away from his hiding spot.

Cedric could hear the demon's breathing, low and steady. He was running out of time.

Suddenly, he reached out with his mind and summoned the Golden Blade. In a single motion, it materialized in his hand, solid and heavy. He didn't hesitate. With the blade in hand, Cedric jumped out from behind the rock, swinging it in a wide arc toward the demon.

The demon's glowing red eyes widened in shock as it tried to dodge. But it was too slow.

The Golden Blade sliced through its shoulder, cutting deep into the creature's flesh. It let out a screech of pain, stumbling backward. But Cedric didn't wait for it to recover. He summoned the Gray Blade just as the demon tried to retaliate.

In one smooth movement, Cedric lunged at the demon's chest with the Gray Blade, piercing its heart in a single strike. The demon fell to the ground, twitching before it went still.

Breathing hard, Cedric quickly stepped back, his senses alert. The other two demons hadn't noticed him yet, but it wouldn't be long before they did. He needed to move fast.

---

The Next Battle

The other two demons were quickly approaching, their large forms blocking out the sky as they lumbered toward him. Cedric had no time to waste. He had to defeat them before they overwhelmed him.

He summoned the Golden Blade again, this time holding it with both hands. He could already feel the weight of the blade, its sharp edge ready to strike. The first demon came at him with a roar, its massive claws swinging toward Cedric's head.

Cedric ducked just in time, feeling the air stir as the claws swiped above him. He countered with a quick strike, slicing the demon's leg. The demon let out a roar of anger, but Cedric wasn't finished. He ducked again as the demon's tail swung toward him, narrowly avoiding it.

He quickly moved to the side, rolling to his feet, and in one smooth motion, summoned the Gray Blade. The second demon was closing in, its teeth bared, but Cedric was faster.

In one motion, he slashed the Gray Blade upward, cutting across the demon's chest. It staggered back, letting out a loud screech as Cedric followed through with another strike, this time to its throat. The demon's head dropped to the ground with a sickening thud.

---

After the Fight

Cedric stood there, breathing heavily, his body shaking with adrenaline. He had defeated the two remaining demons, and he was still standing. But he didn't have time to celebrate. He needed to get away before any more demons showed up.

The Golden and Gray Blades were still in his hands, their edges stained with the creatures' blood. He quickly dismissed them, sending them back to the Solar Space.

He didn't want to risk getting caught. Cedric turned and quickly disappeared into the forest, silently making his way back to his camp. The sun was beginning to set, and the shadows were growing long.

As Cedric reached his camp, he collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. It had been a successful training session, but it was only the beginning. He had faced the demons head-on and come out victorious, but he knew that the road ahead would only get more dangerous.

This was just the start.