Death Defying Book: The Devil Watches

The air seemed colder than usual, wrapping around him like unseen hands.

What is it going to happen this time? But the unknown entity had promised to let him go... Why come back so soon?!

Can't I even spend a single day in a normal world?!

Every creak of the floorboards felts deliberate, like a message from something lurking just beyond his sight.

Creak–

Darius gulped when he heard another sound, half-expecting to be grabbed by a pair of cold hands.

'That was the creaking of wood... A weight must've been upon them... Could it be? No— no way' He arrived at a shocking conclusion that he doesn't want to accept.

Could it be that the creature has arrived into this world instead of dragging him to that dark space?!

'Throkos be damned! Everyone is going to die?' Darius is nearly hyperventilating at this point, trying to muster the courage to face the inhumane existence!

"Sir please! I'm willing to accept, just let everyone go please!" He turned around swiftly dropping to his knees and bowing, nearly smacking his head on the wooden floor.

The seconds ticked by and he could only hear sounds of breathing, which further cemented his earlier theory.

He sweated profusely and tried to think of some other way to plead to this entity.

"I beg of you, I will do anything — anything you asked!" Darius added.

Yet he received no answers.

'Dammit... I'm done for'

"Hahahahahahaha..."

Laughter ringed in his ears, and to his surprise the space doesn't rumble.

'He isn't as strong... In here?' He wonder, 'But, definitely strong enough to slaughter everyone here'

"Sir...?" Darius asked, his tone unsure, the laughter doesn't sound as deep as it use to no does it possessed it's ominous tone.

"Rise, my loyal servant" The voice said, appearing deeper than before, as if a child is trying to sound like an adult.

Darius shakily raised his head, the next second, his eyes widened.

"You—!" Darius stammered, his face flushing a deep crimson.

Leon stood there, grinning like he'd just pulled off the prank of the century.

"Yes, Me!" Leon declared, puffing out his chest like a knight claiming victory. "You should've seen your face, brother" He said, adding to Darius's embarrassment.

"Brother, you truly are funny. Father said anyone who refused to adhere to the righteous path shall lose their mind"

"Tsk..." Darius clicked his tongue in annoyance, his face heating up.

'Of all the times I have been wishing for this boy to appear instead of an unknown horror, he decided to appear now and... I did all of these embarrassing stuffs...'

"Gods why" Darius sighed exaggeratedly.

Leon laughed loudly, "I really have to become a knight maybe a Baron! Or render great services and become a Marquise or perhaps a duke!"

"Your childish ambitions knows no bounds" Darius said, shaking his head with an amused smile., "A knight, a baron, a Duke— what's next? Emperor of the realm?" Asked Darius, the stress washing over him anew.

He dragged his tired body to the bed, lying on his back.

"Why not? I don't need petty tricks to succeed! My sword shall cut through the heavens and the earth! And I shall be the strongest and the heavens and earth shall bow toy blade!" Leon declared.

Darius looked at him like how one will look at a talking Parrot.

"Well, I don't think the Arkyn you served will take it kindly to your boasting of cutting the heavens"

Leon shrugged, "Arkyn knows it isn't my intention to displease." He sat on the opposite bed.

"There were ancient records of powerful creatures of our world Ascending, i will grow so powerful... Powerful to Ascend as well, and I'll protect you all." Leon seriously added.

"Yea yea, good luck little guy. Be taller than me first before setting grand goals like protecting everyone" Darius joked, at least he hoped it sounded like it.

Leon didn't seemed offended, "To be honest, for people of your age, you are pretty short. And believe me, when I'm as old as you are, I'll be tall enough to keep a plate on your head and eat from it"

Darius chuckled feeling sleepy again, he wondered where his mother is, she is the overcaring type, she should've been here by now.

"For how many days was I unconscious?" Darius asked.

"A night and half a day of Muttering nonsense" Says Leon.

Darius's face heated up, and imaginary scene of him talking in his sleep appeared in his mind.

"It wasn't that much... Then where is mother?"

At the mention of their mother, Leon's expression turned a little dark, Darius's heart grew heavy.

"Where is she?" He asked, springing into a sitting position.

"The men in this back-water village are so useless and mother... Had to lend them a hand"

Darius is still confused, "What happened?"

"Majority of the powerful men are out with Lord Thorne, an unknown creature broke into the village, So Aldwin and Mother left immediately, refusing to take me along" Says Leon, letting more annoyance seeped into his tone towards the end.

"Gods, you've had me worried!" Darius heaved a sigh of relief, "turns out you are just annoyed about not being taken along"

Even though Darius said that, he feels his brother's boastfulness masked a deeper worry.

'He is worried... But acting tough' Darius thought.

He knew his brother took well, he could see it in the wat his younger brother's fist clenched when he first spoke of their mother. The bravado was a shield, but the cracks were evident to the eyes of Darius.

Leon darted him a glance, "Isn't that a reason enough? Now how will I know if they are alright or not? Mother has quit being a Beast Tamer for years now, her Guardian Beast must've grown rusty as well"

Darius shook his head, "And you think you being there will help?"

Leon nodded.

Darius chuckled lightly once again, his heart relaxing.

"Don't worry brother, mother was pretty strong during her younger days, everything will be alright" He said.

He thought some ill fate had befallen their mother, turns out he is wrong, and he is glad for it.

'Truly overthinking is a great self-harming tool'

"Brother," Leon asked, without a trace of joke or playfulness on his face.

Darius curiously turned towards him, "yes?"

"Jokes aside," He said, his hand trembling as he held a tattered, brown book at arm's length, as if the very touch might infect him.

"This thing reeks of evil," he said, his voice tight with anger. "Will you rid yourself of it, or shall I bring father into this?"