Chapter 6 – Fallen and Found (v1)

Night Terrors

Kate’s POV

The oppressive feeling from outside weighed heavily on the cabin. Cyrus’s tense stance and the flickering wards indicated that danger was imminent. His unease was contagious, and I could feel my own heartbeat quicken. The shadows outside loomed larger, creeping ever closer, as if waiting for the perfect moment to shatter our illusion of safety.

“Cyrus, what do we do?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay calm.

He turned to me, his blue eyes serious. “Stay close and follow my lead. If things get out of hand, run to the cellar. It’s fortified and should keep you safe.”

I nodded, trying to swallow the lump of fear in my throat. Grabbing a sturdy wooden chair, I positioned myself behind it, ready to use it as a makeshift shield. My thoughts raced back to how I had healed Dan’s hand. If only I could control my powers, maybe I could help Cyrus fend off whatever was coming.

Cyrus moved swiftly, checking the locks on the doors and windows. The wards flickered more intensely, casting an eerie glow over the room. He paused, his gaze fixed on a point outside, his muscles tensing.

“Get ready,” he murmured, his voice low and urgent.

The wards around the cabin began to pulse erratically, their glow dimming and then flaring brightly. It was as if an invisible force was pressing against them, testing their strength. A low hum filled the air, growing louder and more intense, vibrating through the walls and floor.

The temperature in the room dropped suddenly, and my breath came out in visible puffs. The air grew thick, heavy with the scent of sulfur and decay. I could hear a faint whispering, indistinct voices that seemed to be coming from all around us, chanting in a language I couldn’t understand.

Outside, the trees swayed violently, though there was no wind. Shadows stretched and twisted, creeping closer to the cabin. The pressure on the wards increased, the hum turning into a high-pitched whine. The flickering intensified, and the light of the wards grew erratic, casting disjointed shadows inside the cabin.

“What’s happening?” I shrieked, my voice barely audible over the noise.

“They’re trying to break through the wards,” he said, his tone grim. “Stay close and be ready to move.”

The high-pitched whine grew to an unbearable screech, and with a sudden, deafening crack, the wards shattered. The protective barrier around the cabin disintegrated into sparks of light, leaving us exposed. My heart pounded in my chest, the sudden silence even more terrifying than the noise.

The next moment, the window shattered. Shards of glass flew through the room, and a chilling wind swept in, carrying the unmistakable stench of demonic presence. A hulking shadow loomed in the broken window, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent.

Cyrus sprang into action, his sword flashing as he confronted the demon. The creature was massive, its form shifting and writhing as if made of living darkness. Its claws were long and razor-sharp, and its eyes glowed a sickly green. It let out a guttural growl, a sound that reverberated through the cabin and sent chills down my spine.

With fluid grace, Cyrus sidestepped the demon’s charge, his blade slicing through the dark form with a flash of steel but cutting only empty air. With a quick pivot, Cyrus evaded another swipe, his blade flashing as he feinted a strike, only to dodge to the side as the demon’s claws slashed through the air again. The creature roared, its claws slashing wildly, inches from Cyrus’s face, but he narrowly twisted away. I crouched behind the chair, my heart pounding. The noise of the battle filled the cabin, the clash of metal against flesh, and the guttural growls of the demon. I felt helpless, useless in the face of such a terrifying enemy.

As the fight raged on, another demon burst through the door, its eyes fixed on me. This one was smaller than the first beast, but no less menacing. Its form was more defined, with sharp, angular features and leathery wings that unfolded with a snap. It let out a screech, a sound that made my ears ring and my blood run cold.

My heart pounded as the demon approached, its twisted body looming large and menacing. The creature’s breath came in ragged gasps, each exhale smelling of death and decay. Its glowing red eyes bore into mine, and I felt rooted to the spot. Cyrus was still locked in a life-or-death struggle with the first demon, unable to turn his attention away to help me. He fought fiercely with the first demon, his focus entirely consumed by the battle, leaving me to face this horror alone.

Its leathery wings rustled ominously, and its claws scraped the floor with a sickening sound. The creature moved with a slow, deliberate gait, savoring my fear. Its glowing eyes never left mine, filled with chilling intent.

“Kate, get to the cellar!” Cyrus suddenly shouted, but I was frozen, my body refusing to move.

The demon lunged at me, and instinct took over. I raised my hands, a desperate plea for protection. A warmth surged through my veins, the same tingling sensation I had felt when I healed Dan. This time, it was more intense, more powerful.

A burst of light erupted from my hands, striking the demon and sending it reeling back. The force of it left me stunned, my hands tingling with the aftereffects. The demon roared in pain, its form shimmering and distorting.

Cyrus glanced over, his eyes widening in surprise. “Kate, do it again! Use your power!”

I focused, trying to summon the light once more, but my hands remained empty. The earlier instinct had been pure reaction, and now I had no idea how to replicate it. I tried to feel the energy again, to harness that burst of light, but it was like trying to grasp smoke. My hands felt cold and numb, the surge of power completely gone. The panic from earlier had triggered the reaction, and now I felt nothing but fear and exhaustion.

“I can’t!” I cried, tears of frustration and fear welling up. “I don’t know how I did it!”

Cyrus’s brief distraction was all the other demon needed. It seized the opportunity, its claws slashing, raking across his side. He cried out in pain, staggering but not falling. Blood dripped from the wound, and he tightened his grip on his sword, eyes blazing with determination.

“Cyrus, watch out!” I screamed, panic surging anew. He gritted his teeth and fought to stay upright, his determination evident even through the pain.

The second demon had gotten back up after my initial attack. It snarled and flapped its wings, sending a gust of foul air through the room before lunging at Cyrus again, its claws aimed for his throat. Cyrus ducked, the claws barely missing him, and swung his sword in a wide arc. The blade met the demon’s flesh with a sickening crunch, but the creature didn’t fall.

Desperation and fear drove me forward. I grabbed a heavy iron pan from the kitchen and rushed at the winged demon before it could fully recover. I swung it with all my might, striking the demon on the back of the head. The beast roared in anger, turning to face me. Cyrus, seizing the opportunity, jumped towards the winged demon and drove his sword deep into its chest. The demon shrieked, its form flickering and unstable, before finally disintegrating into foul-smelling smoke.

“Kate, get out of here!” Cyrus yelled, but I stood my ground, ready to strike again. I couldn’t leave him alone, not now. I had to fight, even if it meant facing these monsters head-on.

The first demon, sensing an opportunity, lunged at Cyrus with renewed fury. Its claws caught him across the chest, ripping through his shirt and drawing blood. Cyrus grunted in pain but managed to slash at the demon’s arm, forcing it to retreat momentarily.

I gripped the iron pan tighter, stepping forward to stand beside Cyrus. The demon snarled, its eyes flicking between us, calculating its next move. Cyrus glanced at me, a mix of frustration and gratitude in his eyes.

“We need to finish this,” he said through gritted teeth.

I nodded, determination hardening my resolve. As the demon charged again, I swung the pan with all my strength, connecting with its head. The demon staggered, and Cyrus took the opportunity to drive his sword through its heart. With a final, agonized roar, the demon disintegrated into smoke, leaving us standing in the midst of the chaos.

Breathing heavily, Cyrus turned to me. “Thanks,” he said, wincing from his injuries. “But next time, listen to me.”

I nodded, guilt mixing with the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. The cabin was a wreck, the wards shattered, and I could hear distant roars and growls, indicating more demons might be on their way.

“Cyrus, we can’t stay here,” I said urgently, looking around at the destroyed cabin. “The wards are down. We need to find somewhere safe.”

He grimaced, pressing a hand to his bleeding side. “The cellar. We can hold out there until morning.”

I nodded weakly. His face was pale from blood loss. “Help me,” he said, sweat forming on his face.

I wrapped an arm around his waist, supporting his weight as we stumbled towards the cellar door. We opened it and descended the narrow stairs into the dark, damp space below. I secured the door behind us, hoping it would somehow hold against further attacks.

The cellar was small and cramped, filled with old tools and supplies. We found a spot in a corner, and I helped Cyrus sit down, leaning against the cool stone wall. His breathing was shallow, and I could see the pain in his eyes.

“Let me try to heal you,” I said softly, my hands trembling slightly. “I don’t know if I can, but I have to try.”

Cyrus nodded, too weak to argue now that the adrenaline had started to subside. I placed my hands over his wounds, focusing on the warmth and energy I had felt before. It was like trying to catch a fleeting memory, but slowly, I felt a tingle in my fingers. The warmth spread, and I saw the bleeding slow, the wounds starting to knit together.

Cyrus’s eyes widened in surprise and relief. “You’re doing it, Kate,” he whispered. “Keep going.”

I concentrated harder, my hands glowing faintly as the wounds continued to heal. I kept my hands there, willing the healing to continue. After what felt like hours, the worst of his injuries were closed, though he still looked pale and exhausted.

“You did it,” he whispered, a hint of awe in his voice. “Thank you, Kate.”

I nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion. “We need to stay here until morning,” I said softly. “Do you think the cellar will keep us safe?”

Cyrus leaned back against the wall, his eyes half-closed. “We’ll be alright,” he murmured. “Just need to rest.”

I sat beside him, the coolness of the stone seeping through my clothes. The cellar was dark and cramped, but it felt like a sanctuary compared to the chaos above. The sounds of distant growls and roars still echoed faintly, but they seemed far away now.

As the adrenaline slowly faded, the reality of our situation sank in. We were trapped in a small, dark space, relying on each other for safety and comfort. The thought was both terrifying and oddly reassuring. I could feel Cyrus’s presence beside me, solid and comforting despite his injuries.

“Do you think more demons will come?” I asked quietly, breaking the silence.

Cyrus’s eyes opened slightly, a hint of worry in his gaze. “It’s possible,” he admitted. “But the cellar is fortified. It should hold.”

I nodded, drawing my knees up to my chest. The darkness felt oppressive, and I tried to focus on the warmth of Cyrus’s body next to mine. We were forced to huddle close together, our shoulders touching, seeking comfort in the tight space.

“Thank you for staying,” he said after a while, his voice low. “I don’t know if I could have made it through without you.”

I looked at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his tone. “I couldn’t leave you,” I replied. “We need to stick together.”

He nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. “You’re right. We make a good team.”

For a moment, the fear and tension seemed to fade, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. The cellar was dark and cramped, but in that moment, it felt like the safest place in the world.

The absurdity of the situation suddenly struck me, and I let out a short, shaky laugh. “I just fought a demon with a frying pan,” I said, a nervous giggle escaping my lips. “I can’t believe that actually happened.”

Cyrus chuckled weakly, shaking his head. “You did great, Kate. It was surprisingly effective.”

My laughter quickly turned into sobs, the reality of our situation crashing down on me. I buried my face in my hands, the terror and exhaustion overwhelming me. “This is my life now,” I choked out between sobs. “Running away from demons, fighting for survival. I’m so scared, Cyrus.”

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “It’s okay,” he whispered, his voice steady and reassuring. “I’m here. We’ll get through this together.”

The sound of more demons in the cabin above us sent chills down my spine. The scraping and growling were terrifying, but somehow, the cellar door held. We clung to each other, seeking solace in the warmth of our embrace.

“You’re going to be okay,” Cyrus murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “We’ll find a way to stop them. You have incredible power, Kate. You just need to learn how to control it.”

I nodded against his chest, the rhythm of his heartbeat calming me. “I saw what you did earlier,” he continued. “The light you summoned—it was amazing. Once you learn to wield that power, you’ll be unstoppable against these demons.”

His words were both comforting and daunting. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, holding each other tightly as the sounds of the demons continued above us. Gradually, the scraping and growling began to fade, and the cabin above fell silent.

Exhaustion finally caught up with us. Cyrus’s grip on me loosened slightly, and I could feel his breathing slow as he drifted off. I nestled closer, the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart lulling me into a sense of safety. As the darkness of the cellar enveloped us, we both succumbed to the overwhelming fatigue, our bodies entwined for comfort and protection. The last thing I heard before sleep claimed me was the soft, reassuring sound of Cyrus’s breath, a reminder that we were not alone in this fight.