by Dahlia Lu
Kali opened her eyes, finding herself safely in Chevalier’s arms. Chevalier glared at Soren, his golden eyes full of boiled anger.
“Very good, Chevalier,” Soren praised him with a chuckle. “You’re just in time to save the damsel in distress.”
“Leave her out of this, Soren!” Chevalier shouted at him.
“But she’s the heroine of this story,” Soren laughed. “And you want a villain like me to leave her alone?”
“What are you up to?”
“Simple,” Soren said. “I want her and the child dead.”
“Over my dead body!” Chevalier retorted.
“That can be arranged,” Soren summoned his sword. He charged at Chevalier, lightning fast. He moved so quickly that his afterimage seemed to trail behind. Chevalier dodged, putting himself between harm and Kali. He landed nearby and put her down.
“Close your eyes,” he said gently. “It will be over soon.”
He turned around to face Soren. Summoning his sword, launched himself to join the opposing demon in mid-air.
“Chevalier!” Kali called after him. She was afraid he was about to die.
Soren skillfully slashed, slicing Chevalier across the abdomen. Chevalier began to bleed, but the wound healed almost instantly. He blocked the next few attacks before launching an offensive attack at the other demon. “You’re not going to hurt her!”
“What, with your skills as a newly-born demon, you think you can defeat me?” Soren asked scornfully. “I was created with the first order of the angels! I am and have been a demon since time began. Only Lord Lucifer can rival me!” He cut Chevalier again, this time across the shoulder.
Chevalier gritted his teeth to suppress the pain. It went away quickly enough. He managed to stab Soren but could only do so by coming perilously close to him, knowing that he would be pierced by Soren’s sword, as well.
“Chevalier!” Kali shrieked, watching in horror as the two demons simultaneously impaled one another.
“Fool! Do you think physical wounds can kill me? There are two things than can kill a demon. Do you want me to explain?” Soren’s voice dropped to a whisper. “There are two weapons that can vanquish anything in existence. The first is Michael’s sword, and the second is Lucifer’s bow. Other than that, you must stain your sword with the poison from the Black Thorns to kill a demon.”
“You-” Chevalier began to feel the effect of the poison.
“Of course, only if you know where to stab,” Soren mused. “I do not want to kill you, Chevalier. Be good, and stay out of my way. After all, you are my creation.”
He pulled his sword out of Chevalier’s flesh, the poison slowly causing Chevalier’s body to become paralyzed. He felt himself crashing to the ground. The bystanders began to scream when they realized the scene before them was not a show. They started to run, scattering in all directions.
Kali ran to Chevalier’s side.
“Chevalier!” she called his name in a panic. “How bad are you hurt?”
Chevalier opened his eyes, trying his best to slow the poison from spreading. “Run Kali, leave now!”
“No!” she cried.
“Run! He’s only after you. Run!”
Kali looked up at Soren, who was approaching much too quickly. She stared at him, frightened by his demonic aura.
“Stay away from him!” she spread her arms in front of Chevalier’s prone body, shouting with all of the courage she could muster.
“I suggest you worry about yourself first.” Soren said. He grabbed her by the neck and pulled her up until her toes couldn’t touch the ground.
“I despise you, Kali,” he said in a gentle yet eerie voice. She gasped for air. He threw her against the wall in one smooth motion. She fell to the ground, a small amount of blood spattering the floor as she coughed.
Chevalier watched in horror, unable to do anything to stop what was going on. Useless body! He cursed himself.
“What a beautiful sight,” Soren said, seeing Kali gripping her abdomen. He came closer and knelt down. Grabbing her hair, he pulled her face up to meet his. He pulled out a small vial from his pocket and opened the lid with this mouth. “Drink it!”
Kali shook her head, somehow knowing it was poison.
“Drink it!” he commanded.
“No!” Kali protested.
“I suppose you want to know what it is,” Soren grinned. “This potion can disintegrate your soul, Kali. Once you drink this, you and the child will evaporate. You won’t be in the living or the dead realms. Lord Lucifer will not be able to revive you.”
Kali shook her head violently, holding onto her belly. “I won’t drink it!”
Soren let go of her hair to force her mouth open with his hand. He poured the potion into her mouth. When he finally dropped her, she fell to her knees, spitting the potion out. She shoved her finger down her throat to dispel the potion she had swallowed.
“It’s alright,” he said in a pleasant tone despite the furious look in his eyes. “I brought extra.” he reached into his pocket to take out another one.
“And you will drink this one.”
A massive energy ball suddenly threw Soren back. Lucifer materialized beside her.
“Kali,” Lucifer said. Seeing the blood on the walkway, his fists clenched. His sword appeared in his hand as he turned to look at Soren.
Kali grabbed the fabric of his pants, desperate to get his attention. Her stomach was starting to cramp. She looked down as something caught her eye. Her white skirt was becoming rapidly stained with blood.
“Save it,” she begged him. Her voice broke. The pain was too much for her.
“Save our child, Lucifer,” she managed to say. Tears stained her cheeks. “Lucifer… please don’t let it die!”
Lucifer knelt down, gathering her gently in his arms. Her small body was trembling, blood beginning to flow more rapidly from her mouth.
“What can I do…?” he had never felt so helpless. Then he remembered. Using the sword to cut his wrist, he brought it to her mouth. Blood dripped onto her lips. He used his power to keep the wound open.
“Drink,” he ordered. “Kali, drink it.”
She continued to hold her stomach, fearing for the life of her child. If Lucifer told her to drink it, he must have a good reason. She grabbed onto his wrist and took a deep drink of the swelling blood. Soren let out a low growl. He looked away, unable to watch.
Adria appeared from a summoning circle that materialized next to them. Her eyes widened. Drinking the blood of a demon was both a blessing and a curse. Lord Lucifer must be desperate to save her. Or else, he wouldn't do something so foolish.
“It hurts so much,” Kali looked down. “Don’t let it die, Lucifer… I’m begging you…”
Lucifer closed his eyes, a pained expression on his face. When he opened them again, they glowed fiercely. He grabbed his sword and jumped up to attack Soren.
“Help me, Adria,” Kali said helplessly.
Adria stood still, debating whether she should help. This human’s life or death had nothing to do with her. But the girl was carrying Lucifer’s child, Adria said to herself. She was sure of it. She knelt down to Kali.
“I will help,” she murmured. Adria picked Kali up in her arms and flew into the home department of the nearest store. She laid the girl on a sample bed, covering her with a blanket.
The girl was in so much pain. Adria could tell she was near to fainting.
“Stay awake, Kali. If you want this child to live, endure the pain,” Adria instructed.
Kali nodded obediently. If her child could live, she’d endure anything.
†††††
Lucifer was driven by rage. He created an energy field around his sword, so powerful that it visibly glowed as he stalked forward. He struck Soren with such so much power that even blocking the blow, Soren received most of the damage. Soren pressed his blade against Lucifer’s, sure now that Lucifer intended to kill him.
“You’re going to kill me f
or a woman?!” Soren spat angrily.
Lucifer heard Kali screaming close by, although he wasn’t sure where Adria had taken her. He was distracted for a split second before his turned his full attention back to Soren. “Do you think I will let you get away with harming the woman I love and my unborn child?”
Lucifer’s tone was furious.
“Your child, my lord?” Soren asked mockingly. “It is even possible?”
“The child is mine,” Lucifer answered confidently.
Kali screamed again, her shriek rising several octaves from the pain. Soren took advantage of Lucifer’s distraction and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying against a glass display window. The glass window shattered, raining razor-sharp sparkles to the ground. Lucifer rose from the deadly shower to rise into the air to meet Soren.
“You misunderstood my loyalty,” Soren said bitterly. “If you name me as a traitor, I shall become one. Once I defeat you, I will become the new ruler of Hell!”
Lucifer’s body was cut by hundred pieces of glass. His skin was healing quickly, tiny slivers of glass tinkling to the floor as his body dispelled them.
“Do you think that is possible?” Lucifer dipped as Soren slashed at him. Soren fell from the air, crashing onto the tile of the mall walkway. His body caused a large indentation in the floor. Soren got up slowly, giving his wounds a few precious seconds to heal.
“Hang on, Kali,” Adria’s voice floated to them. “Almost there!”
Kali’s face was drenched in sweat. Her nails dug into the linens on the bed beneath her.
“Breathe, Kali! Breathe!” Adria instructed. She had no idea why she was so enthusiastic about a human going into labor. “Push! Push harder!”
But it was Lucifer’s child; the first Prince or Princess of Hell. She supposed this was something to be joyous about.
Kali fainted. Adria eyes widened then she slapped the girl. “You weakling, wake up!” she yelled. “If you don’t wake up, the child will die!”
Adria slapped Kali once again. She opened her eyes again, barely breathing.
“Listen to me! Push!”
Kali nodded. Her face became extremely pale.
“You drank Demon’s blood! Lord Lucifer’s blood! So why are you still so weak?” Adria demanded, frustrated. Humans are so pathetic and weak, Adria thought. “Just push!”
Yes, I have to be strong. Kali told herself. She could die when the child is born, but not now! If she died now, the child would have no chance at survival. It was premature, only six months old. Infants only had a good chance of survival if they’re at least seven months!
“Lucifer,” she chanted his name, silently asking him for strength.
“Almost there!” Adria coached, “Push. Just one more push!”
Kali cried out and pushed one last time.
Lucifer and Soren paused, turning to look towards the store where they had heard a baby's cry.
“So it is born,” Soren said. “That bastard is born!!!”
He growled and flew in the direction of the sound. Lucifer grabbed Soren by the shoulder, preventing him from reaching Kali and the baby. Casting quickly, Lucifer called a circle to bind Soren. His sword transformed a bow and arrow of blue flame.
“Lucifer!” Soren snarled.
“Goodbye, Soren,” Lucifer said, leaping back and casting a spell on the arrow. He let the arrow fly, perfect in his aim as it penetrated Soren’s body. Soren’s soul left his body with a shriek of anguish, and then disintegrated into nothingness. His physical form turned to stone, and then rapidly crumbled into a pile of dust.
Lucifer raced toward Kali and her child. He spared a second to look back at the pile of dirt that had been Soren, a moment of sympathy and despair in his eyes. After all, they had been brothers.
He caught his breath when he saw Kali on the bed. She was covered in blood. He came to her side. His hands were trembling as they reached out to her. He could sense her faint breathing, and there was still life in her body. He could breathe again. Climbing onto the bed, he gathered her in his arms. He made another cut on his wrist, holding the dripping blood to her lips.
He waited patiently. The color returned to her face after a few minutes. Her breathing became stabilized.
“Lord Lucifer,” Adria watched, holding the child in her arms. She forced a smile and gently handed the child, now wrapped in linen, to Lucifer. He held the baby in his free arm.
“It is a boy, Lord Lucifer,” Adria said. “The first Prince of Hell.”
Lucifer was speechless. Its platinum hair was the same color as his own. The baby’s pale blue eyes were staring back at him. The child was indisputably his.
“He’s beautiful, Kali,” he whispered into her ear. “Thank you.”
†††††
Kali awoke in a hospital room. She looked down at herself, wondering if she was still alive. The sunlight peeped through the curtains to shine on her face. It felt warm against her skin. She pinched herself on her arm just to make sure.
“He really loves you, you know,” Adria said, taking a loud bite of her apple. “I take back what I said before.”
Kali gasped, her hands flying to her flat belly.
“My baby! Where is it?” she demanded.
“He’s safe,” Adria assured her. “He is half-demon after all.”
Kali calmed down a bit. "It's a boy?"
“He takes after his father.”
Kali’s delighted expression suddenly dropped. “It was his plan all along.”
Adria burst out with laughter. “You foiled his plans right from the start. You shouldn’t have been so vulnerable to Soren’s advocate. Whatever Lucifer did, he did out of blind jealousy.”
“Where is my baby now?” Kali changed the subject.
"He was in the hospital's care during the months you were asleep.”
“Months?” Kali blinked. “How could I have slept for months?”
“You did take demon's blood into your body,” Adria reminded Kali.
Kali remembered Lucifer feeding her his blood.
“And?” she asked when she could not interpret Adria’s tone.
“Those who drink a Demon’s blood will gain eternal youth and be forever bound to that demon. Well, that’s not really the bad part,” Adria laughed, obviously amused.
“That’s enough,” Lucifer said to Adria as he walked through the door. “Be gone.”
“You are being rude to the woman who saved the life of your firstborn, my Lord,” Adria said. Then she laughed again and faded into the shadows.
“I want to see him,” Kali said. She was no longer concerned about herself. “I really want to see him.”
Lucifer nodded. Helping her off the bed, he led her out to the hallway. They stopped in front of a large glass window that opened into the nursery.
“Which one do you think he is?” Lucifer asked, wondering if she could recognize her own child.
Kali scanned the tiny beds. Her heart fluttered when she saw a small sleeping boy on the far left.
“Him,” she pointed to the boy with platinum hair. “My heart tells me that he's mine. I’m actually really glad his father’s a demon. If he wasn’t a half-demon, he wouldn’t have survived being born three months premature.”
“So now you're willing to admit that his father is a demon?"
She lowered her eyes so her thick lashes would screen her tears. "You're not taking him away from me, are you?"
He gently guided her to face his. "No one will be able to take him away from you, Kali. I will not allow it. He is the one thing that truly belongs to you.”
Her tears trailed down his hands and trickled to the ground. She felt affection from him for the first time. She had been so afraid that he would punish her by taking her baby away, but now that he had reassured her, she felt an enormous weight lifted from her shoulders.
"I should punish you for lying and pretending my child was another's," Lucifer said in a very soft voice.
"Neither of us le
ft her much of choice," Chevalier said as he approached them. Kali let out another sigh of relief to find him alive and well.
"If you hadn't murdered me, this would never have happened. Before you get angry with him, Kali, he didn't do it to deceive you. He did it out of pure jealousy. I can't say I forgive him, but as a man, I understand it.”
Kali looked to Lucifer for confirmation and found an uncomfortable expression on his face. When their eyes met, he diverted his gaze.
“You left her a mess, and pregnant. Who else can this crybaby turn to?"
“Chevalier, I’m sorry,” Kali looked at him through tears. "I'm so sorry I lied to you. I’m so sorry I kept it a secret when the memories came back, we were so happy and-”
“There you go again,” he smiled. “You’re already somebody's mother and you’re still acting like this. I think I’m going to take a long vacation, Kali.”
“Where are you going?” Kali asked. Something told her he didn’t intend to come back. “Chevalier!”
“I don’t know. Anywhere, I guess,” he turned away and sighed. “I really need a long vacation.”
“When are you coming back?” Kali asked with a breaking voice.
“Not any time soon.”
“Can’t you wait?” she grabbed the back of his shirt. "I really need you here.”
“Won’t you let me go, Kali?” he said, “Now that you have another person who loves you as much as I do, won’t you let me go?”
“Are you angry that I lied to you, Chevalier? I promise I’ll never lie to you again. Please Chevalier, I've learned my lesson.”
"I'm not angry with you, Kali.”
She shook her head, silently protesting.
Chevalier closed his eyes. "Don’t hold on to me. If you hold on to me, I won’t be able to let go of you.”
He slowly pulled her fingers from his shirt. "It's about time you stand on your own two feet, Kali. If you keep depending on me, I'll...I'll..,” his voice began to tremble.
He didn't want to turn around because he didn't want her to see how pathetic he looked.
Kali covered her mouth with her hands.
"Don’t go,” she managed to say. "Chevalier, don’t go. Please?"
