Dawn of Arcane Destiny

Chapter Seventy-Two

How to kill a demon. These were the important things that Caelum should have been taught in his lessons. But no. Apparently this was the type of thing that he had to learn on the job. Which was unfortunate because he was doing a rotten job of it.

Zraa cackled crazily as she stumbled towards him with her blood-stained fangs and claws. Caelum backed up as quietly as he could. The rumbling had ceased. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. He hoped it was good. If so, he only had to keep Zraa occupied long enough for Drayce and Lillia to get back. Thankfully, he had the advantage of the demon being blind, but she seemed to be able to sense where he was.

And all he had was a boot knife. Great in a bind, but in a full-fledged fight? Absolutely not. Caelum could name a hundred other weapons he wished he had in that moment. Zraa was almost upon him. He took a cautionary step to the side and cringed when his boot scuffed stone. She turned sharply to him and hissed. Caelum tightened his grip on his knife. Sweat ran down his face stinging his burns.

“I know why you wanted them to get the Sword.” Caelum blurted. It was better to keep her occupied talking. Besides, he might be able to find out something important.

“I wish only to guard the Sword of Amasar!” She screamed.

“No, you need them to get it for you, so you can turn around and give it to Keir.” Caelum said. Zraa didn’t say anything, she just prowled closer.

“Why does he need the Sword?” Caelum asked, stopping where he stood.

“I am Zraa! I answer to no one! I am Slayer of Man, Guardian of the Sword of Amasar!” Zraa screeched.

“Yes, yes, we’ve established that.” Caelum said. In that moment he lunged at the demon surprising her. She was obviously used to her prey cowering in fear. Well not him. He shoved her, causing her to lose her balance. A seed of an idea started forming in his head.

She raked her claws across his chest. The pain was immediate and severe. He gritted his teeth, his knife at her throat. She grabbed at his face, momentarily blinding him. She shoved him off. Caelum cursed scrambling to his feet.

What had Zraa said? Your friend fell into the pool below. If he incapacitated Zraa then sent her into the Well of Tethoris…

Zraa lunged at him, he swept his arm in a wide arch missing her face by mere inches. How did she know what he was going to do? She grabbed his shoulder, her talons digging into his skin. He sliced her forearm and grabbed her wrist breaking it. The crack was satisfying but sickening. She screamed, stumbling backwards.

He advanced, grabbing her uninjured arm and twisting it until he heard a pop from the shoulder. What were demons anyway? Zraa could be injured, felt pain, just like a normal human. She was a servant of Keir, but the amount differences between demons and humans, that Caelum had been able to ascertain, were shockingly low. Caelum tried not to think about that disturbing thought.

He shoved her forward but kept hold of her arm. She stumbled forward, screaming, tugging at her dislocated shoulder. He swung her around, sending her into the pool.

She fell down in the water with a splash. She stood, dripping wet, with murder on her face. “You fool!” She screamed. She stepped forward and fell into the Well of Tethoris.

***

“Ha!” Drayce laughed. “I just fell in the pool!”