The Awakened Arcane Legacy

Parent's In Pursuit

In a forest with towering trees stretching up into the sky, Aric and his wife, Stella, who was heavily pregnant, ran along the branches.

"Honey! Keep going, we just need to make it to the next city," reassured Aric, a man in his twenties, as he stared at his exhausted wife, who continued to run.

It was remarkable to witness Stella, in such an advanced stage of pregnancy, running this far while maintaining her speed.

Swiftly maneuvering among the trees, they seemed to glide through the air like a couple taking flight. Their long leather trench coats billowed behind them, radiating a soft, luminous glow under the light of the full moon.

"Ahhhhh!" Stella paused momentarily, clutching her stomach with one hand while gripping a branch with the other.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Aric hurried to join Stella, supporting her by holding her waist.

"I think it's the baby. I can feel its kick. I'm not sure if we'll make it," she added, feeling worried.

Meanwhile, Not far behind them, a group of pursuers could be seen. These demonic beings resembled humans but had a distinct black anchor symbol marked on their foreheads, setting them apart from ordinary people.

"Where are they?" The demon leader inquired, effortlessly leaping from branch to branch at a speed unattainable by an average human. They were nearly a hundred in number, relentlessly chasing after them.

Suddenly, the demon leader ascended into the sky, propelling himself upward with a leap, reaching a height of 20 feet above the trees. Surrounded by the forest, his body seemed to slow in mid-air as he absorbed the scent of the environment, illuminated by the moonlight.

"You think you're clever," he declared, his senses sharpening in that instant. His vision became keen, allowing him to discern subtle movements among the trees not far from his location. It was as if his eyes zoomed in, perceiving the distance with precision.

"I found you!" he exclaimed, zooming off towards their direction.

His men followed suit, becoming mirages as their extraordinary speed brushed off the tree branches.

****

Aric glanced at his smartwatch and noticed a red beaming light indicating the proximity of the next town.

"Just hold on, we will soon reach a town close by," Aric said, comforting Stella.

As they continued, Aric and Stella heard noises. "They are here!" Aric alerted Stella, freezing her in her tracks.

Aric approached Stella and kissed her stomach.

"Go! I will try to slow them down," he said, backing away. Tears streamed down Stella's face.

"Baby, stay safe," she pleaded, kissing him. They hadn't expected the demons to locate them so soon. Ever since the priest had told them their child would be the chosen one, they knew this day would come. But they never expected the demons to sense the baby's presence before birth.

The demons pursued them relentlessly, with the aim to collect the blood of the chosen one to awaken the potential in their own demon child.

Legend spoke of the immense power a demon child with the chosen one's blood would possess. They could become the strongest demon, surpassing all others.

*******

In an instant, a mask appeared on Aric's face, and his black trench coat billowed in the moonlight as he left Stella.

Two foot-long daggers materialized in his hands.

"Moon Shadow!" He exclaimed, disappearing in a dark mist and reappearing behind one of the demons running on the branches.

Aric swiftly slit the demon's throat, leaving behind a mist as he vanished. Another demon beneath him met the same fate as Aric dispatched him with both daggers.

Their leader sensed something amiss and turned back, observing the dissipating black mist with his enhanced sight.

"I hate hindrance to my plans. Let's see if the little guy can save himself, let alone his wife," he taunted, teleporting and materializing before Aric.

As Aric prepared to strike the demon close by, he sensed an aura locked onto him. He left the demon and vanished, avoiding the strike aimed at his head.

"Lucky you! I would have slashed your head," the demon leader said, wielding a black long sword.

"Wait and see how I drain the blood from your baby," the demon leader taunted as he vanished, leaving a mist.

He reappeared behind his opponent, sending his sword crashing against Aric's daggers with immense force.

"Ahhhhhhhh!..." Aric was sent flying back, colliding with the trees midair due to the immense force.