by George Fry
...there was a snap.
One of the padlocks that had burdened him for so long fell to the ground and disintegrated in the light. Then another one fell, and another one. Soon, the very chains that bound him slipped away and disappeared into the ether.
Locke was set free.
Having been released from his mobile prison, a single shining hand reached out from the blinding light to touch the first object it had felt in years, the Demon Sword. As he took up the blade, the light dimmed, revealing Locke’s true form.
He was the same species as Pad and Chain. A demon of pure white skin and youthful appearance, with a lean build. Compared to others of his species his grey hair was messy and only shoulder length, but his eyes were still the same piercing blue.
Drifter was fascinated with his appearance. He had no idea Locke even had a true form hidden under all those chains.
Before he could crack wise to the newly unveiled demon, Locke vanished before him. In that brief second, Drifter couldn’t sense his position, he moved so suddenly he lost track of him, but in the blink of an eye, he reappeared.
Without warning, Drifter was struck with the force of a ballistic missile, slamming him to the ground and dragging him across the land, tearing up the terrain as they flew by.
They stopped just shy of the edge, with Locke standing over Drifter and his sword lodged straight through Drifter's chest. It wasn’t until Drifter started coughing up blood, that he realised what had just transpired.
“Y-you fucker!” Drifter sputtered.
“Oh? Is that pain you’re experiencing?” Locke calmly ridiculed, jamming the blade further in. “How unfortunate.”
“Who the hell are you!?”
“No one special. Just another demon.
A demon, who five years ago, stood up to the monsters that ruled over us, to fight for our freedom, but failed. Nahas, the monster among monsters, sealed me away in chains, for his own sick amusement, to make an example of me. A lesson to all those who dared to fight back against the tyrants that ruled over them.”
“Cool… can you get off me now!”
Locke jiggled the blade, to further irritate Drifter’s nerves, keeping him quiet so he could continue his story.
“But, it wasn’t over. Another demon soon appeared, wielding the Legendary Sword, but due to his inexperience was forced to cast the blade away and then, it fell into your ungrateful hands.
While you wandered the human world I was banished to the far reaches of the demon world. For five years, burdened by the weight of those chains, I searched for a way home, for hope, and now that hope has come.
Nahas and his followers are absent and I have returned to Castle Zaphon, the place where the true king fell. Now, I’m finally ready to bring him back.
What did you accomplish in all this time? Nothing! You used your power selfishly. You helped nobody and killed aimlessly. You’re just as dangerous as the very demons you despise!
I will wield this blade and use its power to rid this world of the monsters destroying it. Only then can we finally begin repairing this broken hellscape.”
Despite having a sword lodged through his chest, Drifter still managed to let out a condescending laugh.
“You poor sod… that self-righteous bullshit sounds nice… but in practise… it’s a death sentence, to everyone around you… you think Nahas is going to fight you fairly…? That he’ll accept your challenge like man…? He’ll destroy you before you even get the chance… friends, family, even your memories… nothing is off-limits to that monster… you can’t change anything...”
“Now I understand… you’ve given up…”
“Yeah... “ Drifter laid down, with his head looking over the cliff. “I guess I have…”
“A shame…”
Locke pulled the sword out of Drifter, leaving him to bleed out.
“...you’re just wasted potential.”
Locke walked away in disappointment as Drifter slowly lost consciousness from blood loss, but just when the dark abyss of death started to descend upon him, random thoughts started flowing through his mind.
“Could I really live with myself knowing I let that power fall into the wrong hands…?
What if they were some crazy sociopath…?
Even I don’t know how deep this well of power is...
Don’t be afraid….”
That last voice echoed in his mind, waking Drifter from his nihilistic trance and triggering an explosion of power.
Suddenly, a burst of white light engulfed Drifter’s body as he rose from his bloody stupor. A burst of power Locke felt, without even looking at it. A presence of boundless strength where Drifter’s body lay. Power far beyond anything he’d ever felt before.
He faced the fallen warrior, stunned. His aura was practically on fire, his eyes were pupiless, burning white and his wound had completely sealed up.
“What is this!?” Locke cried. “How much power is this human hiding!? This is several times more than what he used against me! It’s beyond measure!”
In a flash, Drifter appeared before Locke’s eyes. He instinctively raised the sword and swung down to counterattack, but instead, the white warrior, slid back, avoiding the falling blade. With his knees bent, arm pulled back and fist at the ready, the failed attack left Locke wide open and in a second flash, Drifter launched his fist into Locke’s gut.
The force sent Locke flying like a burning white rocket, crashing through the iron castle gates and crumpled on the steps to the castle doors.
With that, Drifter’s powers wore off. He stumbled for a moment as he regained his senses.
“..oh shit…”
He looked around the area, relieved everything was still standing.
“...okay, we’re good, nothing exploded, or died… we’re fine…”
Drifter casually strolled over to Locke’s collapsed body. He was still alive, but completely immobilized, he didn’t even have the energy to stand. Drifter reclaimed his sword, sheathing it back in its scabbard.
“Sorry… but I’d never forgive myself if I let an idiot like you lose this thing.”
He loomed over the exhausted demon, who could do nothing but watch, terrified of what he’d do next. Drifter clenched his fist and thrusted it in Locke’s face. He flinched, but slowly realised that the fist never connected, instead it had opened up into a palm.
“Nah, I’m only kidding. Come on, you’ve got shit to do.”
Locke reached out his hand, and Drifter pulled him to his feet.
“You’re helping me? Why?”
“You seem like a cool guy.”
“But, you hate demons.”
“Look, at this point, I’ve realised there’s more important shit going on to let petty prejudices get in the way.”
“I see… but why didn’t you use that power of yours from the beginning?”
Drifter sheepishly rubbed his neck. “It’s… complicated…”
“Well… thank you, for sparing me.”
“Hey, Pad! You can come out now! Everything’s cool!”
Pad quickly rejoined the group, having hid on the spiralling stone stairs for her and her child’s safety.
“After everything I heard, I was almost certain one of you would die. I’m glad you two have reconciled.”
“We have?” Locke asked.
“There’s no need for sappy shit.” Drifter explained. “We’re cool.”
“Right… wait…”
Locke suddenly noticed the young demon, huddled in Pad's robes.
“Pad, you’re... carrying a child?”
“Y-yes…? I always keep him tucked away, for safety.”
“You raised a child in this wasteland?”
“He’s still very young, but we did our best…”
“Incredible… Drifter… do you now see why we must fight for the future of this world? For the future of our children. Human and demon alike. Will you help us?”
Drifter shrugged. “Got nothing better to do.�
�
“Then please, help us search Castle Zaphon. Hidden within its decrepit walls, the true demon king still sleeps.
Alexander.”
FINAL CHAPTER: One last Save
✽✽✽
The doors to Castle Zaphon screeched open, with dust and cobwebs fluttering down from the hinges, and the light of Eden illuminating the dark corridors of the grand foyer. A large staircase laid at the entrance, with short corridors on either side leading to the west and east wings of the castle.
Drifter, Locke and Pad entered as the door creaked shut behind them.
“Castle Zaphon.” Locke explained. “It was created as Lucifer’s own personal mansion and over time became the default living space to whomever was crowned the Demon King. The fact that even this has been abandoned, speaks volumes of how dire the Demons World’s issues truly are.”
“Why does it smell like arse in here.” Drifter responded.
Pad lifted her foot in disgust. “I think I stepped in carpet mold.”
“Is that the smell?”
Locke snapped his fingers. “Focus, Drifter. We’re here to find Alexander. This castle isn’t very large, we should have no trouble if we split up and search.”
“He’s up there.”
Drifter pointed to the large doors at the top of the staircase.
“How are you so sure?”
“It’s faint, like a dying candle light, but I can sense a demonic presence behind those doors.”
“Very well. Let’s tread carefully, in case it’s an enemy…”
Slowly creeping up the unpolished stairs, the three of them quietly snuck up to the door. They listened in, but heard nothing from the other side. Locke delicately held the handle, pulled down and lightly shoved the door open to just a crack.
Then Drifter battered the door wide open with a powerful kick.
“What are you doing!?” Locke yelled.
“Got bored.”
“Have you no subtlety?”
“There’s no one here.”
“But, what if there was!?”
“I’d beat them up.”
The room was decorated like a medieval study, with a desk, chair and bookcases lining the walls and a window opposite the door, as faint rays of light seeped in through the ragged, worn out curtains.
“Oh my god.” Pad gasped as she rushed into the room. “Is that….?”
Embedded in the wall, just behind the desk was the visage of a demon, sealed in stone. They looked as if they had been crucified, with their arms and legs melting into the wall. Even encased in rock, it was obvious the creature was of the same species as Locke and Pad, but taller and well built. A warrior’s body.
“Is this him?” Drifter asked.
“Yes. Can you sense his life force?”
“Yeah. He’s definitely alive in there.”
“But, how do we get him out?”
“The same we got you out.”
Drifter slid over the desk to approach the fossilised demon. Their eyes were closed, impossible to tell whether they were still conscious. He pulled out his sword and leant it against the demon’s body.
The blade began to glow, reacting to the demon inside. Cracks appeared and pieces of stone flaked off. Light shone from underneath the casing as more pieces were stripped away until the king was set free.
He fell to the floor on his knees, as the newly awakened being slowly regained his senses. The demon looked down at Drifter with a blank, disinterested stare.
His hair was long, curly and stringy, drooping over one side of his face, but most notable was his five o’clock shadow.
“Are you… human?” He muttered.
“Yeah?”
“The sword…. CORE.... Fell into human hands?”
“Is that a problem?”
“...you ...used it to free me?”
“You going somewhere with this?”
Out of nowhere, the demon embraced Drifter with a powerful hug.
“I’m so grateful!”
“Uh…. that’s nice… please let me go...”
“What? I thought that was how humans showed gratitude toward each other. Am I mistaken?”
“No… I just find it uncomfortable.”
“I see. Then… how about a handshake?”
“Sure.”
Drifter reached out his hand and the tall demon grabbed hold and shook.
“Come on, human. You got to use a more powerful grip than that.”
“Who the fuck is this guy?”
The demon suddenly rummaged through the drawers of the desk, searching for something.
“Ah, thought he put you here.”
It was a large, black, stetson cowboy hat. The brim was round at the front, but extended into two sharp points at the back. He seemed pretty happy to have found it, like he was finally complete again.
He looked over to Pad and smiled.
“Hey, sis. Is that a baby? Congrats.”
Drifter stood in stunned, dumbfounded silence as Pad rushed over to her brother crying.
“I thought I’d never see you again! I thought you were dead!”
“You didn’t really think they could kill me that easily, did you?”
“You two are siblings!?” Drifter yelled.
“Well, duh… can’t you see the resemblance?”
“What… Locke, are you his brother too!?”
Locke grunted. “Don’t be ridiculous. We don’t even have the same eyes.”
Drifter couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“You’re supposed to be the Demon King!?”
The wannabe cowboy looked confused. “I am?”
“You’re Alexander, right?”
“Yeah, did Pad tell you about me?”
“No, Locke did!”
“Locke?” Alexander looked over at the demon beside Drifter. “I’ve never seen that guy before in my life.”
“Holy fucking... goddamn…. I need to sit down.”
Drifter hobbled over to the nearest chair and slumped into it.
“Can we go back to killing each other?”
Locke stepped in. “Alexander, do you remember the demon locked in chains?”
“After he got his ass kicked by Nahas?”
“That was me.”
“Oh… man you got wrecked.”
“Hold on…” Drifter added. “You two don’t know each other?”
“Nope.”
“Locke you lying cunt! You said this guy was your king!”
Locke scratched his head. “I didn’t mean it literally.”
“No! Of course not! That’d make too much sense!”
“After witnessing their father’s death, I challenged Nahas of my own volition and failed. Before I was banished, I witnessed Alexander’s battle and was captivated by his power.
Even though he too lost, his selfless and righteous demeanour made him a far better candidate for demon king than anyone of those monsters. I knew I had to meet him again.”
“You’re just some fucking sperg who poked his big fucking nose into someone else’s business, just because you felt like it!?”
“When you put it that way, you make me sound like an insane fool.”
Tired of Locke’s shit, Drifter chucked a book in his face and moved on.
“And you.” He addressed Alexander. “What’s your deal?”
“Well… Pad wandered into the Garden of Eden when she was young and our father was killed as punishment. I disagreed, and took action. It’s not complicated.”
“Why?”
“I… just couldn’t forgive them. I always knew they were corrupt, but blatant murder? That was the last straw. I didn’t care about the consequences, they stole my father and my sister, so I took the legendary blade and used it to confront Nahas and his sycophants, but I lost…”
“Legendary blade?”
“CORE... It’s been in my family for generations, buried in a secret location. Father told me that in the wrong hands, that sword’s po
wer was borderline apocalyptic. Using it was forbidden, but I couldn’t just sit by and let those monsters destroy my family, not when they were the only thing I had left."
“So, do you want it back, or what?”
“Well, in my humble opinion, as a previous wielder, I can tell, just from looking, that you’ve drawn out way more power than I ever could. Hell, you’d probably give Nahas a run for his money.”
“Nahas… do you know anything about him?”
“He’s certainly got quite the history.
You see... in the ancient past, this world used to be illuminated by the light of Lucifer, but he was usually distracted by his fascination with humans and their world. Then, one day, he completely vanished. According to rumours, his fascination got the better of him and that the Legendary Demon Sword somehow played a part in his downfall.
After retrieving the sword, Lucifer’s second in command, Cherubim used his powers to create a barrier between our worlds as a precaution. That barrier persisted even after his death and upon Cherubim's death, began the Demon World's descent into ruin.
However, as time went on, the barrier weakened, until about twenty years ago, our father and a few of his comrades discovered they could conjure portals to the human world again, just like the demons of the old days.
This didn’t become common knowledge until yours truly used that same trick to throw CORE away. Incidentally, this sweet hat was a souvenir from one of my father’s visits to the human world.”
“Well, I’m glad we’re all familiar with the backstory of your hat, but what about Nahas?”
“After Cherubim died, as a fellow follower of Lucifer, Nahas appointed himself Demon King. Not that anyone had the power to protest this decision. That tyrant‘s nothing but a monster.
He cared for nothing but himself and plunged our world into darkness, all while he basked in the only light we had left. I have no doubt, that if it weren’t for Cherubim’s barrier, the human world would be at his mercy as well. You guys got lucky.”
There was a silence as Drifter spent a moment taking it all in.
“Satisfied?” Locke asked.
“Yeah… you fucking idiots...” Drifter responded. “Because you stupid faggots tried to fight your oppressive ruler, my whole world fell into chaos. God knows how many human lives were lost, because you opened that fucking portal right where Nahas could see it!”