“Temin, stop,” Orlon said in a stern tone that commanded obedience.
What is it now; another group of demons? I swear; it’s creepy that he always seems to know when something’s happening. We’ve been walking down this trail forever without any sign of the demons except for that one attack, yet he just suddenly knows that something is going to happen.
Temin paused and glanced over at the master lightwielder. Orlon’s brow was creased enough to show that he was frowning beneath the black bandana that he wore around his eyes. Sweat beads popped out across Orlon’s forehead and his jaw was tightly clenched.
“What is it, Master?” Temin asked, suddenly alarmed.
“I haven’t felt this power in nearly 200 years,” Orlon replied as if he were thinking aloud. “I was certain that he had been slain. How could he have survived?”
“Master Rin?” Temin said in confusion. “What are you talking about; who should've been slain?”
Orlon Rin stood so perfectly still that Temin instinctively knew something was seriously wrong. The silence and stillness quickly began to bother him. He was about to ask again when he noticed a strange light on the mountainside far below them. A shimmering ball of purple light seemed to explode out of the ground and soar off into the sky at an incredible speed.
“What the heck was that light?”
“Temin, you need to go back. Follow this path back up the mountain right now and wait for me at the bridge back to The World of Light.”
“Wait, Master, why are-”
“If I do not return in one hour,” Orlon continued, ignoring his protest. “Make your way back to Seteal and follow the road that leads back to the goddess shrine. Tell Master Lulod that he’s returned.”
“Who’s back; what are you talking about?”
“The demon from 200 years ago; somehow he survived. I would know that hideous energy anywhere; he must be the one sending demons into The World of Light, just as he did two centuries ago.”
“Then let me stay and help you fight him. I’m not as strong as you, but I have killed a demon on my own; we could work together to defeat him.”
“No!” Orlon shouted. “He is not like these lowly creatures that we’ve encountered thus far; he is fiercely powerful and ruthlessly evil. He is a true demon. The last time that I fought him, I was nearly killed. I cannot protect you from him, Temin; you need to return home, now.”
“But there must be something I can do?”
“There is; you need to inform Master Lulod that he is still alive in case I’m unable to defeat him.”
“There’s no way you could lose to a demon; you’re way too strong.”
“I hope you’re right, Temin,” Orlon replied in a voice laced with doubt. “Hurry, you need to leave before he knows that you’re here.”
Without another word, Orlon dashed down the mountain path, running straight toward the spot where the ball of purple light had emerged from the mountainside. Temin stared after him in confusion, unsure of what to do. As if sensing his uncertainty, an eerie voice began to whisper in his ear.
“He believes that you’re worthless. He can’t win against this enemy and he knows it, but still he refused to let you help him. Orlon Rin would rather face his death alone than put his faith in you.”
Temin’s hands curled into fists and he watched Orlon fade away in the murky half-light as he rushed toward his unseen adversary. White-hot rage built up inside Temin at what the faceless voice had claimed, but he knew that it wasn’t true.
No matter what anyone says, I know I can help him. There’s no way that I can just run away and leave Master Rin here to fight an enemy that powerful alone. I have to help him.
As fast as he could, Temin began to make his way down the mountain trail knowing that it was exactly the opposite of what he’d been told to do. Without a light to force back the shadows around his feet, he stumbled and nearly fell half a dozen times in less than a minute, but he refused to give up. He knew that despite what Orlon claimed, the blind lightwielder was going to need help in order to defeat such a powerful opponent.
I just hope I can get there in time to make a difference.
Devouring Darkness Page 43