7. Evelyn

7

EVELYN

T he building is nearly leveled with the force of another explosion, dust and debris raining down on us as we race through the crumbling hallways. Malakai is a blur of motion ahead of me, his claws flashing in the dim light as he cuts down any mercenary foolish enough to stand in our way.

I follow close behind, my own blade at the ready, my heart pounding in my chest. The air is thick with the stench of blood and brimstone, the walls reverberating with the howls and shrieks of our demonic foes.

I'm struck by the sheer number of the mercenaries coming after us.

But even in the midst of the mayhem, Malakai is a force to be reckoned with. He moves like a liquid shadow, his blade a whirlwind of death and destruction. I watch in awe as he takes on multiple foes at once, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly rage.

Together, we fight our way through the horde, our movements perfectly synchronized. It's as if we've been fighting side by side for years, not mere weeks. I parry a blow from a snarling demon, my blade finding the chink in its armor and sinking deep. Beside me, Malakai decapitates a mercenary with a single, brutal stroke.

But as the battle rages on, I begin to notice a change in Malakai's demeanor. His strikes become more vicious, more unhinged. He seems to revel in the carnage, his face contorted in a mask of savagery.

"Malakai!" I shout over the din of battle. "What are you doing? You're losing control!"

He whirls to face me, his eyes blazing with an infernal light. "Losing control? No, Evelyn. I'm finally embracing my true nature. This is what I was born to do!"

I watch in horror as he tears into a group of mercenaries, his teeth and claws a whirlwind of destruction. He laughs as he slaughters them, their screams of agony only seeming to fuel his bloodlust.

One after one, he rips them apart.

This man, this monster, who I am bound to is dangerous.

Finally, the last of our enemies fall, and an eerie silence descends over the temple. Malakai stands amid the carnage, his chest heaving, his clawed hands and visage dripping with gore.

I approach him cautiously, my heart in my throat. "Malakai, talk to me. What's going on with you?"

He turns to face me, his expression unreadable. "Nothing's going on with me, Evelyn. I'm just doing what needs to be done to protect you and stop this madness."

I shake my head, unwilling to accept his answer. "No, there's more to it than that. I saw the way you were fighting, the look in your eyes. It's like you were enjoying it."

Malakai's jaw clenches, his gaze dropping to the blood-soaked floor. "You don't understand, Evelyn. I'm a demon. Violence and bloodshed are in my nature. Embracing that power is the only way we stand a chance."

I take a step closer, my hand coming to rest on his arm. "But at what cost, Malakai? I don't want you to lose yourself in the process of saving the world, then you'll just be another one of those monsters."

He looks up at me, his eyes softening for a moment. "Foolish. I know what I'm doing. I won't let my demon side control me."

I nod, not entirely convinced but willing to let the matter drop for now. We have more pressing concerns, like figuring out how to stop the apocalypse.

I call and book us a new hotel on the opposite side of town, quickly bribing the authorities who were asking questions. It's a nice little abode with an office and passable internet. Instead of properly recovering, I search the digital archives.

I can't shake the feeling that there's something I'm missing, some crucial piece of the puzzle that I've overlooked. I pour over the ancient texts once more, my brow furrowed in concentration.

And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hits me. A passage I'd glossed over before, hidden among the dense metaphors and cryptic riddles.

"Malakai," I breathe, my heart racing with excitement. "I think I found something. The prophecy says that the invasion can only be stopped by a unique bond between a human and a demon. A bond of trust, of unity, of...love."

Malakai stares at me, his expression a mix of skepticism and intrigue. "Love? Are you serious? Demons don't love, Evelyn. It's not in our nature. You must be mistaken. That is impossible."

I meet his gaze, my own unwavering. "But what if it's the key to everything? What if our connection, our bond, is what gives us the power to stop the demon king?"

He shakes his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "You've been reading too many fairy tales, little mousey human. The world doesn't work like that."

But even as he says it, I can see the wheels turning in his head, the possibility taking root. "Maybe not," I concede. "But what if the prophecy is right? What if we're the only ones who can save the world?"

Malakai is silent for a long moment, his gaze distant. Finally, he nods. "Alright, let's say you're right. How do we know for sure? How do we unlock this supposed power?"

I bite my lip, considering. "The prophecy mentions a wise old sage, one who has knowledge of the ancient ways. Maybe he can tell us more about our bond, about how to use it to stop the demon king."

Malakai sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. "It's a long shot, Evelyn. But I suppose it's better than nothing. Do you have any idea where we can find this sage?"

I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. "As a matter of fact, I do. Pack your bags, sir. We're going on a road trip."

As we set out in search of the sage, I can't help but feel a flicker of hope amid the darkness. Maybe Malakai is right, maybe the world doesn't work like a fairy tale. But if there's even a chance that our bond can save us, save everyone, then I know we have to try.

Because the alternative is too horrifying to contemplate.

A world consumed by darkness. People harvested as slaves and pets.