Bargain Infernal

Episode 7: The Light Within

The aftermath of the battle left the forest eerily silent. The faint glow of Mara’s hands slowly faded, leaving her trembling in the doorway. Alex and Lila exchanged a glance, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they processed what had just happened.

“Mara,” Alex began, his voice cautious but firm. “What was that?”

She shook her head, her expression a mix of fear and confusion. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “It just… happened. I felt something inside me, something I didn’t even know was there.”

Alex stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “That wasn’t normal. Whatever it was, it’s powerful. And it might be the reason those things were after us.”

“You think they were hunting her?”Lila asked, her tone sharp.

Alex nodded. “It makes sense. Demons don’t attack randomly. They’re drawn to power, especially something as strong as what Mara just did.”

Mara’s hands clenched into fists, her voice rising in panic. “I don’t even know what I did! How am I supposed to control it?”

“We’ll figure it out,” Lila said gently, stepping forward to place a reassuring hand on Mara’s shoulder. “You’re not alone in this.”

Alex’s jaw tightened as he turned back to the forest, scanning the shadows for any lingering threats. “We need answers,” he said. “And I know someone who might have them.”

The journey to Alex’s contact was tense and uneventful, the group’s nerves frayed from the constant fear of another attack. They arrived at a secluded cabin nestled deep in the mountains, its exterior covered in runes that glowed faintly in the moonlight.

Alex knocked on the heavy wooden door, the sound echoing in the still night. After a moment, it creaked open to reveal an older man with a grizzled beard and piercing blue eyes. He looked Alex up and down before nodding.

“You look like hell,” the man said, stepping aside to let them in. “Come in. Quickly.”

“Thanks, Gideon,” Alex said, leading Lila and Mara inside. The cabin’s interior was cluttered with books, artifacts, and strange symbols etched into the walls. The air smelled of incense and old paper.

Gideon’s gaze fell on Mara, his expression turning serious. “So, she’s the one,” he said, more a statement than a question.

Mara shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. “The one what?”

“The one carrying a spark of the divine,” Gideon replied. “That light you unleashed back there it’s not human. It’s celestial.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Mara’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Celestial? Like an angel?”

Gideon nodded. “Something like that. It’s rare, but sometimes a fragment of celestial power finds its way into a mortal. Most never awaken it, but you… you’ve already tapped into it. And now, every demon in the region will be after you.”

“Great,” Mara muttered, sinking into a chair. “So I’m a glowing beacon for hellspawn. What am I supposed to do with this?”

“Learn to control it,” Gideon said simply. “That power is the only thing that can protect you and possibly tip the scales in this war.”

Alex crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. “How do we know we can trust her with something like that? If she loses control…”

“She won’t,” Lila said firmly, cutting him off. “Mara’s stronger than you think. We’ll help her.”

Gideon’s eyes flicked between them, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You’ve got a good team here,” he said to Mara. “That’s half the battle.”

“And the other half?”Mara asked.

“Training,” Gideon replied. “And time. Both of which are in short supply.”

The next few days were a whirlwind of lessons and practice. Gideon pushed Mara to her limits, teaching her how to focus her energy and channel the celestial light. At first, her attempts were clumsy, the power slipping from her grasp like water through her fingers. But with each session, she grew more confident, her control improving.

Lila stayed by her side, offering encouragement and support. Alex, meanwhile, worked with Gideon to strengthen the cabin’s wards and prepare for the inevitable attacks. The tension between him and Lila simmered beneath the surface, unspoken but palpable.

One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, Mara sat outside on the cabin’s porch, staring up at the stars. Lila joined her, handing her a cup of tea.

“Thanks,” Mara said, taking a sip. “Do you think I can really do this? Control it, I mean.”

“I know you can,” Lila said, her voice steady. “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 that?”

Lila laughed softly. “And you’re like the little sister I never wanted.”

They both laughed, the tension easing for a moment. But the peace was short-lived. Alex emerged from the cabin, his expression grim.

“We’ve got company,” he said.

Mara and Lila were on their feet in an instant. “How many?”Why? Lila asked.

Alex’s jaw tightened. “Too many. Get inside. Now.”

As they rushed back into the cabin, the distant growls and snarls of approaching demons echoed through the forest. Mara’s hands began to glow faintly, the light flickering like a candle in the wind.

“You ready for this?”Alex asked her, his voice low.

Mara met his gaze, fear and determination warring in her eyes. “No,” she admitted. “But I’ll fight anyway.”

Alex nodded, a flicker of respect in his expression. “Good. Stay close to me.”

The first wave of demons broke through the trees, their glowing eyes and snarling faces a terrifying sight. Alex ignited his hellfire, Lila readied her weapon, and Mara steadied her breath, her hands glowing brighter.

The battle for survival had begun again, but this time, they were stronger. Together, they would face whatever darkness came their way.

The forest erupted in chaos as the demons charged. Their guttural roars pierced the night, accompanied by the sharp crack of branches underfoot. Alex stood at the forefront, his hellfire blazing in the darkness, illuminating the grotesque forms of their attackers.

“Lila, cover the left flank!”he shouted, his voice cutting through the din. “Mara, stay behind me and focus your light!”

Lila moved with precision, her weapon slicing through the air as she intercepted a group of demons attempting to circle around. Each strike was deliberate, her movements honed by years of combat. Despite the overwhelming odds, she fought with a ferocity that matched Alex’s.

Mara, trembling but resolute, concentrated on the glowing energy in her hands. The celestial light flared brighter as she aimed it at an advancing demon. The beam struck its target, incinerating the creature in an instant. She gasped, the sheer force of the power leaving her momentarily unsteady.

“You’re doing great, Mara,” Alex called over his shoulder. “Just keep it up!”

But the demons kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. For every one they cut down, two more emerged from the shadows. Alex’s flames flickered as his energy waned, and Lila’s movements slowed, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.

“We can’t keep this up,” Lila panted, glancing at Alex. “There are too many.”

Alex gritted his teeth, his mind racing. They needed a plan, a way to turn the tide before they were overwhelmed. His eyes darted to the cabin, its protective wards glowing faintly. An idea formed, reckless but their only chance.

“Mara,” he said, his tone urgent. “Can you channel your light into the wards? Strengthen them?”

Mara hesitated, doubt flickering in her eyes. “I… I don’t know. I’ve never tried anything like that.”

“You have to,” Alex said, his voice firm. “It’s the only way to hold them off long enough for us to regroup.”

She nodded, determination replacing her fear. “I’ll try.”

As Mara sprinted toward the cabin, Alex and Lila redoubled their efforts, holding the line against the onslaught. The demons seemed to sense the shift, their attacks growing more frenzied as they tried to break through.

Inside the cabin, Mara placed her hands on the walls, closing her eyes. She focused on the light within her, willing it to flow into the wards. At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the runes etched into the cabin’s walls began to glow brighter, their light pushing back the encroaching darkness.

Outside, the effect was immediate. The demons recoiled, their snarls turning to screeches as the strengthened wards repelled them. Alex and Lila took advantage of the distraction, cutting down the remaining creatures with renewed vigor.

Finally, the last demon fell, its body dissolving into ash. The forest fell silent once more, the oppressive weight of the battle lifting. Alex extinguished his flames, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion.

Lila leaned against a tree, her weapon dangling limply in her hand. “Is it over?”She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex nodded, his gaze fixed on the glowing cabin. “For now.”

Inside, they found Mara slumped against the wall, her face pale but her eyes alight with triumph.

“I did it,” she said, her voice weak but filled with pride.

Alex knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You saved us,” he said, his tone sincere. “I don’t know how, but you did.”

Mara managed a faint smile. “Guess I’m not completely useless after all.”

Lila joined them, her expression softening as she looked at Mara. “You were incredible,” she said. “But we need to figure out what’s happening to 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’s smile faded, replaced by a look of determination. “Then we find out what this power is and how to use it. I’m tired of being afraid.”

Alex and Lila exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They would protect Mara, no matter the cost. But as they prepared for what lay ahead, a nagging thought lingered in Alex’s mind.

The demons weren’t just after Mara because of her power. There was something more, something they were missing. And whatever it was, it would change everything.

Far from the cabin, in the depths of the underworld, a figure watched the events unfold through a swirling pool of fire. Lucifer’s lips curved into a sinister smile.

“The game is just beginning,” he murmured. “Let’s see how far they’re willing to go.”