14 Devil

Aaron ran through the muddy streets. He tripped on more than one occasion, and Ana was always a step close to him, pulling him back up before he fell. They slithered through narrow alleys, shoving people aside.

The wind howled above their heads. Then a giant shadow fell on top of them. Aaron looked up and almost tripped when he saw the source of the shadow.

"Keep running!" Ana screamed.

Aaron shook his head then immediately followed her. They crossed a wide street as the shadow loomed above them. They were one block away from reaching the temple. Aaron chanced one more look at the sky.

A giant beast hovered above them, beating its wings to keep itself stationary in the air. It had the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Two snakes slithered where its tail was supposed to be. It threw its eagle head back and screeched.

Aaron's gauntlet hummed with the scream, forcing him to stop.

Ana turned to him. "What the hell are you doing?"

Aaron gave her a nervous smile. "I don't know what's happening."

The beast screeched once more, and Aaron's gauntlet veered aside and smashed against a wall, carrying Aaron along with it. The gauntlet hit the wall so hard it broke. A large rock missed him by a hair as he emerged inside a house. Children and women shrieked as he fell into their living room.

He scampered to his feet and shook the dirt away. His gauntlet was functioning normally again. He waved at the frightened women and children and gave them an awkward smile.

"Sorry, crazy hand," he said.

"Aaron, let's go!" Ana screamed.

"I'll pay you back for the damages, I swear," he said then turned on his heels.

They reached the plaza, where Sofia stood, surrounded by half a dozen soldiers. They aimed their spears at the sky.

A burly man stood next to Sofia, towering above her by two heads. He shot Ana a quick glance then his eyes rested on Aaron.

"Good, you found the stray one," he said. "Chief says we will regroup at the fort, draw the beast in."

Aaron ran to Sofia. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. "Did you see that thing?"

Aaron nodded. "Looks like a Griffin," he said.

Ana joined them. "I'd hate to break your little lovely chat, but we have to get the fuck out of here, right now!"

They nodded and followed the soldiers. They led them through the streets in a hurry, as the Devil screeched above their heads. Aaron's gauntlet shook again, and almost whipped a soldier to his left. Sofia wailed and collapsed on her knees, clutching her chest in pain.

Ana grabbed her from underneath her arms and heaved her up to her feet. "Someone help me here!" she groaned as she tried to pull Sofia forward.

Aaron hurried toward Sofia, but she slapped his hand away before he could help. "Keep going! I can manage," she growled.

They reached the fork next to the tavern and stopped. The fort lay a few feet up the hill.

Down the road, Aaron saw the kids running, five of them, their eyes wide open in horror.

The Griffin flew above them, then its eyes turned toward the Branded.

"Drifter, we must go!" the burly guard said. He pulled at his sleeve but Aaron wouldn't budge.

"The kids won't make it," he said.

Ana joined him. "He's right! We have to get its attention."

Loud voices reached them from the fort's direction. Aaron turned to see the soldiers running along the walls, directing a heavy-looking machine toward the beast. They screamed, then the sound of loud snapping followed.

Giant spears shot through the air, whistling as they zipped over Aaron's head.

They hit the beast and pierced its body. It wailed and flapped its wings, awkwardly trying to remain in the air. The kids took the opportunity to run away at full speed toward the fort.

Damyan ran to meet them at the fork. He carried a long sword on his shoulder and wore steel armor. "What are you doing?"

"The Branded, my lord, they're in danger," the burly guard said.

He turned to Aaron and Sofia then gave them a slight nod. "I'm relieved you're both safe. Now, please follow Captain Bert to the fort. We'll handle things from here."

He turned on his heels and hurried toward the fort. He walked with his long sword on one shoulder, and his fist raised in the air. "Ballistas! Prepare to engage!"

Soldiers shouted in unison, and the heavy machinery atop the wall began creaking and whining.

The beast hovered above the main street. It looked down, and Aaron swore it looked straight into his eyes. It threw its head back and roared.

"Release!" Damyan screamed.

The men heaved and grunted, and the rattling of chains followed. More spears flew toward the beast and pierced it, forcing it to the ground.

The kids reached them, their frightened eyes fixated on the fort ahead.

The little girl stopped and turned to Ana.

"Sister Ana, Willem's group got lost," she said.

Ana cursed under her breath. "We'll find them. Go now, join your brothers and sisters."

Ana turned to Damyan. "I'll go make sure all kids can find their way to safety."

"I'm coming with you," Aaron said.

"Me too," Sofia said.

They made one step forward then the beast howled. Its scream filled the sky. A red aura enveloped it, causing Aaron to shudder. Everybody except the Drifters clutched their heads and covered their ears, cowering from the beast's strident scream.

Aaron and Sofia watched them, incredulous. They felt the beast's pain and fear. They felt its anger, and its thirst for blood. Its voice didn't affect them as it did the rest. Yet it filled their hearts with fear.

The Devil's wings flapped and wind swept down on them, pushing dirt and dust their way.

Aaron shielded his eyes and looked up. The beast shook the spears that pierced it off of its body then took flight. It landed atop a house and cracked its wooden roof. It howled again, pushing the soldiers further back.

The red aura around subsided. The beast heaved, its head lowered at the house.

It stomped on the roof and broke it. Its eagle eyes turned to the hole, scouting.

Then its head plunged down. A shrill shriek reached them. Aaron's blood froze in his veins.

The beast's head reemerged from the hole, carrying a full-grown man in its beak. With two quick bites, it finished the poor man off and swallowed him.

Aaron shook from head to toe. "No," he mumbled. "Not again! This is our fault.".

Sofia's head snapped toward him. "No, this is all on her!" she said through gritted teeth.

Damyan joined them amidst the chaos. "Venn be praised! You're unharmed." He turned to the captain. "Take them to the eastern tower. We can't let that beast get to them."

The captain frowned at him. "My lord, the Branded hide there…"

"Now!" Damyan screamed.

The captain nodded then asked the two to follow him.

They stood their ground and gave the chief challenging stares.

"That thing's after us," Sofia said.

"It won't stop killing until it gets to us," Aaron said.

Damyan frowned at them. "It's trying to lure us into town, where it will have a clear advantage."

Aaron growled. "Innocent people will die."

Damyan scoffed. "They're willing to give up their lives for our cause." He raised an eyebrow at Aaron. "Are you?"

"I don't care about your cause! I won't let innocent people die on my account," Aaron said.

"My lord, there are still some Branded hiding in town," Ana said.

Sofia nodded. "We won't let innocent kids take the fall for us. If the Devil's here because of us, then we'll face it!"

The chief chuckled. "You? Fight that? It takes a collective effort from all our soldiers to bring it down. You're just a fledgling. If you care about those kids, you'd best do what I tell you."

The captain tried to pull Aaron away, but he planted his feet firmly on the ground. "Sofia and I can draw it into the open, past the bridge."

She nodded. "Use us as bait. We can lead it away from the village, then you swoop in with your cavalry and finish the job."

The captain gave his chief a questioning look.

"Think of the last time a Devil was here," Ana said in a pleading voice.

Aaron knew he'd gotten their attention. He wouldn't allow the people of this town to suffer on their account. Damyan met Ana's eyes and sighed.

"I need some time to prepare. Keep it busy, and stay away from the residential areas."

Ana nodded. "I'll keep them safe for as long as I can."