The Light Within

The battle had left the forest creepily silent. The soft glow of Mara's hands eventually flickered out, leaving her shaking in the doorway. Alex and Lila shared a look, their tiredness momentarily pushed aside to wrap their heads around what had just occurred.

"Mara," Alex started, his tone even but certain. "What was that?"

She shook her head, her face one of fear and confusion. "I don't know," she said in a whisper. "It just… happened. I felt something within myself, something I didn't even know existed."

Alex took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he observed her. "That wasn't normal. Whatever it was, it's potent. And maybe why those things were chasing us."

"You think they were tracking her? " Lila asked, her tone sharp.

Alex nodded. "It makes sense. Demons don't attack randomly. They are attracted to power, of which something like Mara just generated a fair amount."

Mara's fists balled, her voice rising in panic. "I don't even know what I did! How can I control it? '

"We will figure it out," Lila said gently, moving up to put a reassuring hand on Mara's shoulder. "You're not alone in this."

Alex's jaw clenched as he turned back to the forest, searching the shadows for remaining threats. "We need answers," he said. "And I know a man who could potentially have them."

The ride to meet Alex's contact was tense but uneventful, with everyone's nerves frayed from the ever-present worry of another attack. They reached the cabin deep in the mountains, its walls covered in glowing runes sparkling in moonlight.

It was well-written, and Alex knocked on the heavy door. After a moment, it creaked open to reveal an older man with a grizzled beard and keen blue eyes. He assessed Alex from head to toe, then nodded.

"You look like hell," the man said, moving to one side to let them through. "Come in. Hurry."

"Thank you, Gideon," Alex said, ushering Lila and Mara in. On the walls of the cabin were symbols and strange-looking drawings, like the markings on an ancient tomb, and they were not on paper but etched into the walls. The air was full of the smell of incense and old paper.

Gideon's eyes landed on Mara, and his face grew solemn. "So, she's the one," he said, more a declaration than an inquiry.

Mara squirmed under his gaze. "The one what? "

"The one who bears the divine spark," Gideon answered. "That light you let out back there, it isn't human. It's celestial."

Silence enveloped the room, the weight of his words settling in. Mara spoke low, just above a whisper. "Celestial? Like an angel? "

Gideon nodded. "Something like that. Rare it is, but seldom a sliver of a heavenly force creeps its way into a mortal. Most humans never awaken it, but you… you've already begun to tap into it. And now, they'll all be after you."

"Just great," Mara said under her breath as she dropped down into a chair. "So I'm a shining beacon for hellspawn." What am I going to do with this? '

"Learn to master it," Gideon said plainly. "That power is the only tool that can protect you and possibly turn the tide in this war."

Alex folded his arms, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "How do we know that we can trust her with something like that? If she loses control…"

"She won't," Lila interjected firmly, interrupting him. "Mara's tougher than you think. We'll help her."

Gideon's gaze darted between the two of them, a slight smile forming on his lips. "You've got a good group here," he told Mara. "That's half the battle."

"And the other half? " Mara asked.

"Training," Gideon replied. "And time. Of which there is very little."

The following days were a blur of instruction and practice. Gideon strained Mara hard, honing her to learn to harden her will to draw the celestial effulgence. Initially her efforts were awkward, the power already running through her fingers in an oily arc. But with each session, her confidence increased and her control improved.

Lila positioned herself at her side, cheerleading her every hurrah. Alex, on the other hand, collaborated with Gideon on expanding the cabin's wards and readying themselves for the attacks that were sure to come. The unspoken tension between him and Lila simmered beneath the surface but was always there, pulsating like the air in a punctured balloon.

On one occasion, having just finished a torturous training session, Mara found herself sitting outside on the porch of the cabin, gazing at the stars. Lila was beside her and handed her a cup of tea.

"Thanks," Mara replied, sipping her drink. "Do you think I can actually do this? Control it, I mean."

"I know you can," Lila said, and her voice was sure. "You've already come so far. Don't let the fear win."

Mara smiled faintly. "You're like the big sister I never had, you know? "

Lila laughed softly. "And you're like the little sister I never wanted."

Both of them laughed, a little of the tension breaking. But that peace did not last. Alex came out from the cabin, his face serious.

"We've got company," he said.

Mara and Lila leaped to their feet. "How many?" Why? Lila asked.

Alex's jaw tightened. "Too many. Get inside. Now."

The sound of distant growls and snarls of approaching demons reverberated through the forest as they stumbled back into the cabin. Mara's hands glimmered weakly, the glimmer sputtering like a candle flame in the wind.

"Are you ready for this? " His voice low, Alex asked, "You OK? "

Mara held his gaze, fear and resolve grappling in her eyes. "No," she admitted. "But I'll fight anyway."

Alex nodded in approval, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "Good. Stay close to me."

A monstrous face and glowing eyes broke through the trees, followed by the first horde of demons. Alex ignited his hellfire, and Lila readied her weapon, and Mara steadied her breath, her hands glowing brighter.

The fight for survival was on again, but this time, they were better. They would confront any darkness that came their way—together.

As the demons charged, the forest fragmented in chaos. Their guttural roars filled the night, punctuated by the sharp crack of branches underfoot. Armed with a bright, fiery hell, Alex stood in the front, illuminating the grotesque forms of their attackers in the darkness.

"Lila, cover the left flank! " he yelled, his voice rising above the noise. "Mara, stay back and shine your light! "

Lila moved with swift precision, her weapon slicing the air like a blade as she intercepted a pack of demons trying to flank. Every strike was intentional, her movements fine-tuned through years of fighting. She struggled with a ferocity that rivaled Alex's, despite impossible odds.

Shaking but determined, Mara focused on the vibrating power in her palms. The might of the heavens flared as she trained it on the advancing demon. The beam hit its mark, and the creature was consumed by flames in an instant. She staggered back, the raw, wild force of the magic shoving her back a step and leaving her briefly off balance.

"You're doing great, Mara," Alex shouted over his shoulder. "Just keep it up! "

But the demons didn't stop, and they just kept coming. For each one they cut down, two more crept from the shadows. Alex's flames fluttered when his energy toppled and Lila's movements slackened, her breath an uneven wheeze.

"We can't do this," Lila panted, looking at Alex. "There are too many."

Alex ground his teeth, thoughts racing. They required a plan, a means to reverse course before they were engaged. His gaze flicked to the cabin, its protective wards sizzling in the dark. Inspired, reckless—but this is all they have.

"Mara"—his tone was urgent. "Can you project your light into the wards? Strengthen them? "

There was a beat of hesitation in Mara, unease in her eyes. "I… I don't know. It's not something I've ever attempted to do."

"You have to," Alex replied, his voice determined. "It's the only way we can hold them off long enough to regroup."

She nodded, her fear replaced by determination. "I'll try."

As Mara ran toward the cabin, Alex and Lila pushed even harder, holding the line against the charge. The demons could feel the difference too, their attacks becoming more frenzied in an effort to batter their way past.

Mara entered the cabin and rested her hands on its walls, eyes closed. She drew up the light inside her, forcing it into the wards. At first, nothing happened. And then, little by little, the runes carved into the cabin's walls started to shine more brightly, their light pressing back against the surrounding dark.

The result outside was immediate. The wards had gotten too strong, and the demons shrieked in protest as they were blasted backward. Relying on the distraction, Alex and Lila hacked down the rest of the creatures with a newfound vigor.

At last, the final demon faded, disintegrating into dust. Once again the forest fell quiet, the stifling battle stagnating. Alex put out his flames, his shoulders slumping with fatigue.

Lila slumped against a tree, her weapon dropping uselessly from her hands. "Is it over? " She asked, her voice just above a whisper.

Alex nodded, staring at the glowing cabin. "For now."

Inside they discovered Mara slumped against the wall, her face pale yet her eyes alive with triumph.

"I did it," she said, her voice shaky but full of pride.

Alex knelt down next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You saved us," he said, his voice earnest. "I have no clue how, but you did."

Mara managed a faint smile. "Guess I'm not totally useless after all."

Lila slipped in behind them, her gaze going soft as she found Mara. "You were amazing," she said. "But we have to figure out what is going on with you. That kind of power … it's dangerous."

"She's right," Alex said. "We need answers, and fast. The demons won't stop coming. Not as long as they know you're here."

Mara dropped her smile, and her face turned fierce. "Then we discover what this power is and how we use it. I'm tired of being afraid."

Alex and Lila shared a glance, settling on an unspoken agreement. No matter the cost, they would protect Mara. But as they mentally girded for what awaited, a nagging thought crept into Alex's mind.

The demons weren't out for Mara just because of her power. They were missing something; there was more. And whatever it was, it would be a game changer.

Deep in the underworld, away from the cabin, a figure observed through a roiling pool of flame. Lucifer smiled a wicked smile.

"It's only the first taste of the game," he muttered. "Let's see what distance they're willing to move."