Destiny: Chosen For Battle

The Dark Forest

We walked into the dark forest, Lex constantly looking through the map and assuring us we were getting closer to the Ice Valley Kingdom. The young master had instructed us to go there to recruit more knights because seven of us couldn't face hundreds of demons alone. The Devil needed to be defeated.

Nixton wasn't getting any better. His wounds were worsening instead of healing, and sweat covered his pale face. He looked almost lifeless.

"Two days from now, we'll be there," Lex said, his voice filled with forced confidence. I nodded, hoping he was right. I didn't feel good either. The endless walking and fighting different creatures were wearing me down, but we had to kill the Devil and end this nightmare.

"It's going to be over soon," Camila said softly, holding Nixton close.

"We all need rest and food, or we're going to die before we get there," Gold muttered.

"And Nixton needs real treatment, or he's going to die," he added bluntly.

"We all know that, Gold!" Lex snapped, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "We just need to stay calm. All of this will end."

"Then stop talking about death," Camila said with a glare. "We know he needs treatment."

"Everyone, calm down. We need to keep moving," I mumbled, trying to ease the tension.

But before I could say more, Nixton was gone.

"Where's Nixton?" I asked, my heart racing.

"I thought he was sitting by that tree," June said, pointing at a dead tree.

"Oh, princess, he's here. I'm taking good care of him," a hard, crooked voice said.

I turned around and saw a massive, ugly demon holding Nixton by the neck. He was in visible pain.

"Leave him, or you die," I said, my voice shaking but firm.

"Don't touch him!" Kelvin yelled.

The demon laughed arrogantly, a dry smirk on his grotesque face. I glanced at Camila, and fear was etched all over her expression.

"The closer you move, the quicker his death," the demon sneered, pointing at me before laughing again.

A tear escaped Nixton's eyes. He looked almost lifeless, and I felt an overwhelming need to save him.

"Let me feast on him, and I'll spare the rest of you," the demon said.

Without hesitation, the demon dug his claws into Nixton's neck, making him scream in pain. He licked the blood that trickled down and laughed again.

I screamed and rushed toward the demon, conjuring ice from my palms and striking his arm. But he swatted me away like a fly, sending me crashing into a nearby tree.

Gold and Kelvin drew their swords and attacked, but the demon was too strong. He kept digging his claws deeper into Nixton's neck. I spotted Sofie hiding behind a rock, frozen in fear.

The demon chanted strange, incomprehensible words, and suddenly, my body froze. I couldn't move.

"Why can't we move?" June gasped, trying to twist her hands.

"What did you do to us?!" Gold yelled, breathing heavily.

"Let him go!" Camila screamed.

The demon sneered, his tone mocking. "Your master was foolish to send you children. You can't even fight the smallest demon, yet you dream of killing the Devil himself? You're all weak."

"Watch me feast on your friend," he added, his voice dripping with malice.

Before anyone could react, the demon ripped Nixton's head from his body. Blood sprayed as his lifeless body hit the ground. The demon held Nixton's head in one hand and split it open, sucking out his brain.

He tossed the hollowed head, and it rolled toward me. My eyes locked onto Nixton's, still filled with fear, pain, and disappointment.

I remembered his last words: "If I die, tell Camila her armpits smell like my grandma's. Please kill the Devil for me. And tell Camila…I love her."

I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Camila screamed, her cries filled with agony, while the rest of us stood in shock.

"Don't worry, everyone. Your turn is coming," the demon said, turning his attention to June.

"Please don't hurt me," June cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't you dare hurt her!" I screamed, struggling against the invisible force pinning me down.

"Oh, Destiny, your turn is soon," he said mockingly. He grabbed June by the neck, laughing maniacally.

"This is your final destination," he sneered, digging his claws into her neck.

"Please help me!" June cried, her voice filled with desperation.

Lex's eyes turned red with rage, but none of us could move. We were helpless.

"Someone save us!" I yelled, my voice cracking.

"No one is coming," the demon said, his laughter echoing.

June managed a weak smile, her voice barely audible. "I love you, bestie," she said before the demon tore her head from her body.

Her screams echoed in my ears as he devoured her brain. I cried bitterly, feeling the weight of hopelessness crushing me.

The demon turned to me, smirking. "You're brave, Destiny. But you can't save anyone."

He stepped closer, his voice filled with malice. "It's too bad you're dying today. This is your…final destination."