All Chapters of THE DEMON IN ME : Chapter 21
- Chapter 30
53 chapters
THE ILLUSION OF BEAUTY
The clearing stretched endlessly, its towering crystal formations refracting light into colors Arden had never imagined. The air smelled sweet, almost intoxicating, but beneath it lingered a strange tension that made their skin prickle.Maya stepped forward, her eyes wide. "It's… unreal. I've never seen anything like this"Arden tilted his head, mesmerized by the soft glow that pulsed from the crystals. "It's beautiful… but something feels off. I can feel it in my chest"Sola's gaze swept across the clearing, his expression hard to read. "This place… It's confusing. It doesn't feel like the forest we know. Be careful where you step"Duke crouched to touch the ground, then recoiled. "The air itself feels alive. It's drawing at me… like it wants to pull me in"A faint hum rose from the crystals, vibrating through their feet, their minds. It was hypnotic, each step forward making it harder to tell what was real and what was an illusion. Arden felt the demon stirring, restless and curio
THE VESSEL OF RUIN
The air in the crystal-clear air grew heavy, charged with an energy that prickled the skin. Arden, Maya, Sola, and Duke froze as a low growl echoed from all directions.Suddenly, from the shadows between the towering crystals, twisted and disfigured creatures emerged. Their forms were grotesque, shapes that seemed almost human but warped, as if sculpted by a nightmare. Limbs bent at impossible angles, eyes glowing with a faint, eerie light.The creatures stopped abruptly, sensing something deep within Arden. One of them let out a piercing scream that shattered the serene hum of the forest. Its voice carried an unnatural resonance, echoing off the crystals in a chilling chorus."The vessel of ruin is here!" it bellowed, its jagged mouth opening impossibly wide. "It awakens! It awakens!"Arden felt a shiver run through him. The demon within stirred, reacting to the scream, its own energy pulsing in response. He could feel the creatures drawn to the power he carried, their focus fixed
A DEAL WITH THE DEMON
The creatures swarmed relentlessly, their grotesque forms advancing with terrifying speed. Every strike Arden, Maya, Sola, and Duke delivered seemed to only make their numbers grow.Suddenly, jagged tendrils lashed out, binding Sola, Maya, and Duke. They struggled, but the creatures held them tightly, leaving Arden exposed. The monsters' glowing eyes fixed on him, drawn to the dark energy within.Arden's chest heaved. "No! I won't let them harm my friends!" he shouted, swinging wildly, but the creatures dodged with unnatural precision.Frustration and panic burned inside him. "Demon! I need you! Help me!" His voice echoed, but nothing answered."I said help me!" He shouted again, the air trembling around him, yet the demon remained silent.Desperation clawed at him as he called a third time. "I'm begging you! Take over! Now!"Finally, a cold, commanding voice whispered inside his mind. "I hear you. I will act… but a price must be paid."Arden froze, his heart pounding. "A price? Wha
THE AWAKENING MARK
When the battle ended, the bright illusion surrounding them began to dissolve. The glimmering trees dimmed, the soft air grew heavy, and the once-beautiful sky faded into a dull, colorless haze. Within moments, the paradise they had wandered through vanished completely, leaving only the dark forest behind.The ground was damp beneath their feet, covered in twisted roots and scattered leaves. The air felt colder, the silence deep enough to stir unease in their hearts. Arden glanced around, his pulse steady but alert, the weight of the demon's power still present within him.Maya brushed the dirt from her arm, her gaze fixed ahead. Sola adjusted his blade, while Duke scanned the forest, wary of anything moving between the shadows. They had escaped one nightmare, only to find themselves stepping into another.Arden took the lead, his steps cautious yet determined. Though weary from the fight, a sense of purpose guided him forward. The faint whisper of the demon stirred in his mind, but
THE FALL OF THE VESSEL
The moonlight filtered through the tall trees, wrapping the forest in a pale, ghostly glow. The four walked in silence until their weary steps slowed, and they found a small clearing surrounded by thick roots and moss. It was quiet, almost peaceful, so they decided to rest there for the night.Maya sat close to the fire they managed to light, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. Sola leaned against a fallen log, staring into the flames as if searching for answers within them. Duke rested his weapon beside him, his body tense even in stillness.Arden sat apart from the others, the flickering light touching his face in uneven shadows. His mind wasn't at peace. Every time he closed his eyes, he felt the pulse of something dark beneath his skin, the reminder of what lived inside him.For a brief moment, the forest felt calm. The night breeze carried the scent of damp leaves, and the sound of crickets echoed faintly in the distance. Yet deep down, Arden knew the peace wouldn't last.The fire
THE AWAKENING OF DARKNESS
The night burned with chaos. Maya, Sola, and Duke fought with every ounce of strength they had left, blades clashing and bodies moving through exhaustion. Blood marked their faces, their breathing ragged, their hearts heavy. Yet the weight of loss hung over them like a curse. Maya's grief for Arden slowed her every move. Her strikes lacked precision, her focus shattered by the image of her fallen friend.Sola tried to cover her, shouting for her to stay behind him, but the creatures came in endless waves. Their eyes gleamed with hunger, circling the three like predators savoring their final victory. Duke swung his blade until the hilt cracked, his arms trembling with fatigue.The massive creature that had slain Arden stepped forward again, its guttural voice echoing through the trees. One by one, the smaller monsters joined in, surrounding the group completely. Their claws tore through the air, striking and breaking what remained of the hunters' weapons.The sound of shattering stee
ECHOES OF THE LOST
"Arden!" she cried, running toward him, her voice trembling with emotion. He turned slowly, his expression distant and confused."Maya?" his voice was faint, almost like a whisper carried by the wind. "Why are you here? You shouldn't be here."She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. "I came for you. You can't give up now. You have to come back. They need you, I need you."Arden looked down, his hands trembling as shadows coiled around his arms. "I can't. He's stronger than me. I tried to fight, but now he's in control. If I return, you'll all be in danger."Maya reached out and grabbed his hands tightly. "You're still in there. I can feel it. You've always been stronger than him, Arden. Don't let him win."He hesitated, struggling as if torn between two worlds. The fog began to swirl violently, voices whispering from the darkness, voices of the demon trying to drag him back. Maya pulled harder, shouting through tears, "Fight him! Come back to us!"Arden's eyes flickered
THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS
It was dawn, and the soft light crept through the cracks of the forest canopy. The air was cool and filled with the scent of damp earth. Arden and his friends lay motionless, their bodies bruised and covered with dried blood. The battle had left them broken and exhausted.Not far from the clearing, a man and his daughter were padding through the forest, carrying hunting bows and small traps. The man paused when he noticed the marks of destruction on the ground, scorched earth, shattered trees, and faint traces of dark energy that hadn’t yet faded.“Lina,” he said in a cautious voice, “stay behind me.”The young girl stepped closer despite his warning, her eyes wide. “Father, look… people.”They hurried forward and found Arden and his companions barely breathing. The man dropped to his knees, checking their pulses. “They’re alive,” he said with relief. “We must get them to shelter before the forest takes them.”Hours passed before Arden stirred. His head throbbed, and his chest
WHISPERS BENEATH THE SKIN
The warm smell of stew filled the small hut as steam rose from wooden bowls placed on the table. Arden and his friends sat together, still sore but grateful to have a proper meal after everything they had endured. Lina smiled faintly as she handed each of them a portion, while Orin sat across from them, silent but observant.Maya was the first to speak, her voice gentle. “Thank you for taking care of us. We would not have survived without your help.”Orin nodded, his tone firm but not unkind. “The forest is cruel. It spares no one, not even the brave. You were lucky my daughter found you when she did.”Sola took a small bite of the stew and gave a tired smile. “Guess luck finally decided to be on our side for once.”Lina giggled softly, though her father’s stern glance made her straighten up. “It’s true, Father,” she said. “They needed help. Anyone could see that.”Arden remained quiet, watching the flicker of firelight on the table. “We’re grateful, truly,” he said after a mome
THE NEW CAMPANION
Days passed, and the four friends finally regained their strength. The wounds that once weighed them down were healed through rest and Lina’s careful use of herbs. Morning light streamed through the trees as they prepared to continue their journey, their supplies neatly packed and weapons sharpened.As they stood near the hut ready to depart, Lina stepped forward, her face filled with determination. “Let me come with you,” she said, her voice steady but gentle. “I know the forest well, and my knowledge of herbs can help if any of you fall sick again.”Orin, who stood behind her holding his walking stick, frowned deeply. “Lina, this journey they are taking is not safe,” he said firmly. “You have no idea what dangers lie beyond these woods.”She looked at her father with pleading eyes. “I can’t stay here forever, Father. I want to help them. You always said life is about purpose, and I feel mine is beyond this hut.”Orin sighed, torn between love and fear. He gazed at the four stra