different Landon

Chapter 10: The Devil's Bargain

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Landon lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath as the dark energy swirled around him. His chest ached with the impact of Azazel's strike, and his mind raced, still trying to process everything. Azazel. The very name was enough to send a shiver down his spine. He had always known something sinister was tied to his bloodline, but this… this was more than he could have ever imagined.

Azazel stood over him, his presence like a dark cloud suffocating the air. His figure was a stark contrast to the fiery heat of Landon's Phoenix form—where Landon was bright and full of life, Azazel was an embodiment of shadows, a being made of pure malice and dark energy.

"You feel that, don't you, Landon?" Azazel's voice was smooth and mocking. "The power inside you? The power that's waiting to be set free?"

Landon's heart pounded as the demon's words echoed in his mind. He felt it—the pull, the darkness that beckoned, clawing at his insides. The bloodline. It was like a siren's call, promising power beyond measure, a way to finally rid himself of the fear and doubt that had plagued him for so long. But at what cost?

"No," Landon gritted out, pushing himself to his knees. "I won't be like you. I won't let you control me."

Azazel chuckled, stepping closer. "You think you have a choice? You are my blood, Landon. Whether you like it or not, we are bound by fate. You cannot escape what you are."

Landon staggered to his feet, his body trembling from the exertion. His powers—his Phoenix flames—were still there, but they felt… muted, in the presence of Azazel. The darkness inside him was louder now, louder than it had ever been before.

"You're wrong," Landon spat, shaking his head to clear it. "I'm not going to let you manipulate me. I've already got enough bloodlines inside me to worry about. I don't need yours."

Azazel's eyes narrowed, his smile never faltering. "Ah, the stubbornness of youth. It will be your downfall, Landon. But that's fine. I'm patient. You'll come to me when you realize what I can offer. When you realize what I can give you."

Hope, Rafael, and Josie had been watching from the sidelines, ready to jump in, but the overwhelming energy in the air kept them frozen in place. They knew better than to rush in recklessly when Landon was clearly in the midst of some kind of spiritual battle. But they were all ready to back him up—no matter what.

Hope's voice cut through the tension, a sharp cry of defiance. "Landon, don't listen to him! You are not Azazel's pawn!"

Landon's heart leaped at her words, the warmth of her support cutting through the darkness that Azazel was trying to wrap around him. I'm not alone. I'm not alone. He repeated the words in his mind like a mantra, forcing himself to stand tall against the crushing weight of Azazel's presence.

Azazel's gaze shifted to Hope, and for a moment, his eyes gleamed with irritation. "You think you can save him?" Azazel's voice was low and dangerous. "You all think you can stop what's already been set in motion? This is beyond you. Beyond all of you."

Landon clenched his fists, his mind whirling. I'm not alone. I'm not alone. Hope, Rafael, Josie—they believed in him. They were fighting for him, even when it felt like the world was crashing down around them.

"Get out of my head," Landon growled, his voice trembling with the power building within him. He could feel the flames of the Phoenix stirring, a flicker of warmth that fought against the cold darkness inside him. But Azazel's influence was strong—so much stronger than Landon had anticipated.

"You don't even know what you're up against," Azazel warned, his smile widening. "You think you can fight your way out of this? You think your little friends will be enough to protect you? They're nothing. You are nothing—without me."

The demon's words were like a poison in the air, twisting everything Landon believed about himself. The temptation was so strong now, stronger than ever before. But Hope's voice—her unwavering support—was a lifeline.

"You don't have to do this, Landon!" Hope shouted again, her voice full of raw emotion. "You're stronger than this. You're stronger than him!"

Landon turned to her, his expression conflicted, his eyes full of doubt and confusion. Stronger than him? How could he be stronger than Azazel? The demon was an ancient force, a being of pure darkness. Landon was just a kid with a messed-up bloodline and a power that he couldn't fully control. He was just trying to survive.

"Stop," Landon muttered to himself, his hands shaking at his sides. The Phoenix flames flickered briefly, but they were quickly smothered by the weight of Azazel's dark power.

Azazel's laughter echoed around them. "You can fight me all you want, Landon. But in the end, you'll see. You'll see what I've always known. You're mine. You always have been."

Landon's eyes glowed briefly, the embers of his Phoenix nature flickering to life. He gritted his teeth, trying to push against the overwhelming tide of darkness. His powers—his flame—was so close. So close to breaking free. But Azazel's grip was unyielding, like a shadow that was trying to consume everything he was.

"You want power, Landon?" Azazel's voice was silk, a snake tempting him to bite. "I can give you everything you ever dreamed of. You could have control over all of it. You could be unstoppable. The Phoenix inside you… the demon inside you… together, you could be a god."

Landon recoiled at the offer. The power, the temptation, was there, but it felt wrong—too wrong. He wasn't just fighting for his own soul; he was fighting for the very thing that made him who he was. I am not just my bloodline. He clenched his fists, his breathing growing more controlled.

"You're not getting me," Landon growled, his voice steady, despite the shaking fear in his heart. "I'm not going to be your weapon."

Azazel's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "You will regret this, Landon Kirby. You will regret resisting me. And when you do, I will be here, waiting."

Before Landon could react, Azazel raised his hand, and the air thickened with a burst of dark energy. The ground beneath them trembled, as if the very earth itself was rebelling against the force Azazel was channeling. But before Azazel could strike, Hope, Josie, and Rafael moved into position, each of them preparing to defend Landon, their combined strength ready to hold their ground.

Azazel, seeing the strength in their unity, hesitated for a moment, but then with a final, venomous smile, he vanished into the shadows, leaving behind an oppressive silence.

Landon stood there, breathing heavily, his heart still racing. His body trembled with the aftershock of the battle, but the darkness inside him was quieter now—though he knew it hadn't gone away.

"Are you okay?" Hope asked, her voice soft, full of concern.

Landon nodded slowly, though the uncertainty in his eyes was clear. "I… I don't know. But I'm not giving up. Not now."

He turned to face his friends, the weight of Azazel's words still heavy in his chest. The demon was right about one thing—they were all in this together. And the only way forward was through the darkness.

But as Landon stood there, with his friends by his side, he knew one thing for certain: no matter what Azazel offered, no matter how tempting the power was, he was not going to lose himself to it.

Not again.