Chapter 18 – The Journey Continues
The days following his first successful fight with the demons were a mix of quiet reflection and ongoing preparation. Cedric had learned a lot from the encounter, but he knew it wasn't enough. The demons he faced that day had been strong, but there were far more dangerous creatures lurking in the world. He couldn't afford to be complacent.
For now, Cedric's immediate goal was survival. His training with the Golden and Gray Blades had taught him that raw power wasn't always enough to win a fight. The key was being smart—being prepared. He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to survive alone in the wilderness, but he had to keep moving. It was too dangerous to stay in one place for too long.
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Each morning, Cedric woke up early and went through his daily routine. He had to keep his body in good shape, staying sharp and ready for whatever came next. He practiced with his blades, focusing on his speed, precision, and timing. The more he used them, the more natural it felt to summon them.
Every time Cedric summoned the Golden and Gray Blades, he focused on keeping control. He didn't want them to feel like foreign objects anymore—he wanted them to be an extension of himself. The trick was to use them without thinking too much, to summon them naturally when the time came.
When he wasn't practicing with the blades, Cedric spent his time gathering food and water. Hunting and foraging had become essential for survival. He wasn't in a position to rely on anyone else. The world around him was still dangerous, and the only way to stay safe was to depend on himself.
He learned how to set traps to catch small animals and how to find edible plants in the forest. It wasn't always easy, and sometimes he had to go without food for a while, but he had learned to endure. He had learned to adapt.
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A Close Call
One afternoon, as Cedric was preparing a small campfire to cook some food, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. He immediately stopped what he was doing, crouching low and drawing the Golden Blade in a single motion. His heart raced as he scanned the area around him.
He wasn't alone.
From the shadows of the trees, a creature stepped into view. It was one of the smaller Pandemoniums—a demon, but not as large as the ones Cedric had fought before. This one was hunched over, with sharp claws on its hands and feet. Its skin was a dark, almost pitch-black color, and its eyes glowed a bright red.
Cedric didn't hesitate. He had faced demons before, and he wasn't about to be caught off guard again. He moved quickly, summoning the Gray Blade as well, preparing to defend himself.
The demon charged toward him with a speed that surprised Cedric. It swiped its claws at him, aiming for his chest. Cedric sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blow, and countered with a strike from the Golden Blade. He slashed at the demon's arm, leaving a deep cut.
The demon howled in pain but didn't back off. It swung its claws again, this time aiming for Cedric's face. Cedric ducked just in time, the claws grazing his hair. His reflexes were quick, but he knew he couldn't keep dodging forever. He needed to end this fight.
He gathered his strength and lunged at the demon, using the Gray Blade to strike its chest. The demon staggered back, but Cedric didn't give it a chance to recover. He followed up with another strike from the Golden Blade, this time aiming for the demon's head.
The blade connected with a sickening crunch, and the demon fell to the ground, motionless.
Cedric stood over it, breathing heavily. He'd won again, but it hadn't been easy. He knew he couldn't keep fighting like this forever. Sooner or later, he'd come across a demon that was stronger than he was. He needed to get better, and fast.
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The Decision to Move Forward
That night, as Cedric sat by the fire, he reflected on the fight. He was becoming stronger, but he was still alone. The thought of being alone in the wilderness for the rest of his life was not a comforting one. He needed to find others—people he could trust.
The problem was, he didn't know where to start. The world had changed since Raziel's attack on Alistair. Towns and cities were in ruin, and most of the High Humans had either disappeared or were hiding in their own fortified cities.
Cedric could go back to Sky City, but he wasn't sure that was the right move. His time there had been… complicated. The High Humans had locked him up, punished him, and treated him like an outsider. They had no interest in helping him grow stronger, and he doubted that would change.
But maybe there were other places, other communities, where he could find people willing to work with him. There had to be a way forward, even if it meant leaving behind the safety of the forests.
The next morning, Cedric packed his things and began his journey. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he had to keep moving. The more he traveled, the more he would learn. The more he learned, the stronger he would become.
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The Road Ahead
For the next few days, Cedric moved through the forest, keeping to the paths he had mapped out in his mind. He didn't see any more demons, but he knew that wasn't a sign of safety. The creatures were still out there, and they could strike at any time.
He had learned how to survive, but survival alone wasn't enough. He needed allies—he needed people who could help him understand his powers better, who could help him unlock the full potential of the Monarch of Light's strength inside him.
One thing was certain: He couldn't continue this journey alone forever.
Each day, Cedric kept moving forward, determined to find the answers he needed. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to face whatever came next.
As the days passed, the landscape began to change. The dense forest slowly gave way to open plains, and the air became warmer. Cedric felt a sense of anticipation as he traveled. He didn't know what awaited him, but he was ready to face it.
He wasn't just fighting for survival anymore. He was fighting for something greater—for the chance to become the person he was meant to be.