164 CHAPTER 156

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[David Lance POV]

After Death opened the door, light engulfed me, and in a blink of an eye, I found myself back in the forest. Watching the very same scene, I had seen before encountering her.

In front of me, I saw the old me, fighting one of Trigon's demons, or sons, barely keeping with them. It was only a matter of time before Raven appeared to the rescue. 

I smiled fondly at the memory.

I can't help but wonder if things would've been the same had Raven been by my side when I gave myself to my sorrow and hatred.

I doubt it.

My Rae would've found a way to stop that from happening.

I miss her.

I miss my home.

I miss not being alone.

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head. Right now, it was not the time to lament; I had a demon to subdue, and reminiscing about what I had lost would not help me with that. Time to beat Trigon once and for all.

Taking another deep breath, I was about to take a step forward when I felt something tugging softly at my pants. I turned to see what it was and saw a small black cat with green eyes looking up at me.

"Mrrrow?"

A cat?

It somehow reminds me of Death. I don't know why, but I can't shake the feeling this cat is related to her in some way. 

As I pondered about that thought, the cat proceeded to start rubbing its head against my leg, purring contently.

I couldn't help but smile as I reached down and started petting it. "Well, hello there, little one. What are you doing out here all alone? Did Death send you?"

The cat just meowed in response as it continued to enjoy the attention. I smiled at this, picking the strange cat up. "I see, so you're here to guide me, are you? Well then, let's get going. We have a demon to take care of."

The cat meowed in response as it settled down in my arms.

What a strange thing, a cat inside my head. A spirit animal, perhaps? I guess whatever the case, I was grateful for the company. It felt good not to be alone in this dark place, it felt good not having to face Trigon alone.

"There you are!" The unmistakable voice of Trigon boomed throughout the forest, causing the trees to shake. "I have no idea how you managed to escape me or how you managed to shroud your presence for so long, but it is over."

In a burst of flames, Trigon appeared before me, his red eyes glaring daggers.

"Aren't you bored of this?" I asked as I continued to pet the cat in my arms without a care in the world. "I mean, I honestly don't understand your fixation with me. By this point, I would reckon I'm not worth the trouble."

Trigon just chuckled darkly in response. "Tired of this? Why would I ever be tired of this? Your suffering, your hate, your resistance to the inevitable, it's all beyond delectable to me."

I guess that's about what you can expect from someone like Trigon.

"Well, unlike you, I am tired of this game, so this ends now. See, I even got a new ally," I replied, holding up my feline friend for him to see.

Trigon laughed at me, mocking my reply before his eyes widened in surprise. "How? How is that possible?"

So, I guess I was right. The cat is special and not another figment of my imagination.

At this, my feline friend proceeded to start hissing and growling at Trigon with all of his tiny might, baring out its ferocious fangs.

Trigon took a step back and then another, keeping his eyes glued to the cat. "Mors signum. Ex nihilo nihil fit. Veni, vidi, vici."

I knew that language.

It was Latin.

Trigon was speaking in Latin as he slowly retreated, and not only that, he seemed in some way to be scared of my feline friend, who, on the other hand, was not all afraid of Trigon. In fact, it seemed ready to lunge at the demon at any given moment.

"It's time to leave me alone, Trigon," I replied, feeling a sudden surge of confidence. "Lest you want to face kitty over here"

Trigon just glared at me in rage, looking between the cat and me before turning tail and disappearing into a puff of smoke. Almost immediately after, I felt a massive weight leave my shoulders as the presence Trigon represented in my mind left, and the darkness of the nightmare started to dissipate.

I smiled, petting my feline friend one last time before setting him down. "I think we make a pretty good team, don't you?"

The cat just meowed in response as it rubbed its head against my leg, purring contently.

"Will you remain in my head?" I asked the little cat as I scratched his chin. "I honestly wouldn't mind having you around."

The cat just meowed in response as it continued to purr contently, which I took as an affirmative answer to my question.

I smiled, feeling the warm embrace of relief spread through my chest. "Thank you, Death… for everything."

With that said, the world around me started to dissipate as I slowly started to wake up from the dream. It was time to face reality, to face my wrath, my sorrow, and more, this time without Trigon's interference.

This time, I would move forward without him whispering in my ear.

I was ready.

At least I felt ready.

I didn't know for sure. But at the end of the day, what did it matter?

I had much to accomplish. And I would see it all through.