The Rapture

As Arlo shuts my door and slides into the driver's seat, a chilling transformation washes over him. The warmth and charm he exuded moments earlier vanish, replaced by a predatory intensity that sends shivers down my spine.

"There was a demon in that house," he growls, his voice low and urgent. "I have to kill it before it gets back to its lair."

Before I can even process his words, the car roars to life, tires screeching as we peel out of the driveway. The peaceful suburban streets become a blur as Arlo navigates the winding roads with impossible speed. My knuckles whiten as I grip the leather seat, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Where is it?" I ask my voice barely a whisper above the roar of the engine. I frantically scan the surroundings, but I see nothing out of the ordinary.

Arlo's eyes flick to mine, a flash of impatience in their depths. "Use your aura, Evie," he commands. "Reach out, try to sense it."

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I focus on the energy around me, extending my senses beyond the confines of the car. At first, all I feel is the chaotic hum of the city, a symphony of human and supernatural auras blending. But then, amidst the cacophony, I detect a discordant note, a pulsating orange glow that cuts through the noise like a siren.

I open my eyes, my gaze drawn to a car about a mile ahead of us. It's glowing a fiery orange in my mind, its Aura a stark contrast to the muted colors of the other vehicles.

"How did I miss it at the house?" I whisper, my voice filled with self-doubt.

"You're still learning, Evie," Arlo says, his tone softening slightly. "It takes time to master your senses. But you're getting there."

He maneuvers the car with expert precision, weaving through traffic at breakneck speeds. The demon's car, a sleek black sedan, swerves, and dodges, desperately trying to evade us. Street lights of red, yellow, and green flashing above us as we pass with no regard.

We turn onto the interstate feeling the speed hitting new heights, the city lights blurring into a dazzling kaleidoscope. But this isn't the interstate I remember. Focusing on my aura makes everything appear different, and twisted. The familiar highway now seems darker, more sinister, the air thick and heavy with otherworldly energy. It's as if a veil has been lifted, revealing a hidden layer of reality, a path intertwined with the supernatural that I was blind to before.

Arlo pushes the car to its limits, the engine screaming as we close in on the demon. I brace myself, my heart pounding in my chest.

With a calculated move, Arlo clips the back of the demon's car, sending it spinning out of control. It crashes into the embankment, metal crumpling and glass shattering.

As the dust settles, a horrifying sight emerges from the wreckage. A winged demon, its skin a fiery red and its horns sharp and menacing bursts through the roof of the car. It lets out a guttural roar, its eyes blazing with fury.

Fear grips me, but I also feel a surge of adrenaline, a primal excitement at witnessing this supernatural showdown. This is the world I now inhabit, a world of danger and power, where the lines between good and evil are blurred.

As I watch Arlo confront the demon, his Aura flaring with an intensity that rivals the creature's own, I know that I'm not just a bystander in this conflict. I'm a participant, a player in a game with stakes higher than I ever imagined.

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch Arlo, a whirlwind of motion and power, leap from the car. He brandishes an ancient sword, its ivory hilt gleaming in the moonlight, a faint golden glow emanating from its core. The demon, its wings tattered and bloodied, screeches and lunges at him.

The clash of black steel against demonic flesh echoes through the night. Arlo's sword pierces the demon's wing, a sickening crunch filling the air. The creature howls in pain, its claws raking at Arlo's arm, leaving deep, bloody gashes.

They tumble through the air, a macabre ballet of violence and desperation. Arlo, using the momentum of their fall, twists his sword, tearing a gaping wound in the demon's shoulder and wing. The creature's screams intensify as it plummets to the pavement, its body slamming against the concrete with a bone-jarring thud.

Arlo doesn't hesitate. He's upon the demon in an instant, his sword plunging into its back with brutal force. The demon's body arches, lifted off the ground by the sheer power of the blow. It struggles, its claws scrabbling uselessly at the blade, but its strength is fading.

Dark energy begins to consume the demon, spreading from the wound like a corrosive stain. Its screams turn to gurgles as its body disintegrates into ash, leaving only the sword embedded in a pile of dust.

Arlo, his face grim and his clothes splattered with blood, sprints back to the car. He wrenches open the door, his voice urgent. "We have to go, Evie. Now. Before we're swarmed."

As he slides back into the driver's seat, he sheathes the sword in a hidden compartment in the car door. The golden glow fades as the blade is concealed, leaving behind a lingering warmth that seems to pulse through the vehicle.

As we speed away from the scene, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins, I can't help but ask, "Arlo, what was that sword? And... how did you just... vanquish that demon?"

He keeps his eyes on the road, his grip on the steering wheel tight. "Demons are incredibly difficult to kill, Evie," he explains, his voice grim. "You can only truly destroy them with a weapon imbued with holy power, or a strong relic. Angels have this power innately, but others, like us, need special weapons."

He pauses, glancing at me briefly before returning his focus to the road. "That sword," he continues, "contains a fragment of the True Cross. It's one of the few weapons capable of permanently destroying a demon."

I'm speechless. A fragment of the True Cross? The relic of Christ's crucifixion? I'm holding onto the seat, my mind reeling from the implications.

"As for the battle," Arlo continues, "fighting a demon is a delicate dance. They're incredibly strong and fast, often driven by a relentless desire to kill. The key is to wear them down, to wait for an opening."

He recounts the fight, his voice taking on a more analytical tone. "The demon was already weakened from the death of its host, which gave me an advantage. They also tend to be overly aggressive, relying on their wings for aerial superiority. Once I grounded it, I had the upper hand."

“So a demon takes control of people’s souls?” I ask worried.

“Not exactly,” Arlo responds thoughtfully, “a demon can take control of the body, but nothing can take over a soul”.

“During an exorcism knights use holy water to not kill the host, er person.” Arlo continues, “If you make contact with a host's skin with a relic for over 10 seconds both the host and the demon will die, using holy water only makes the host's body unbearable to live in for the demon, it will not kill it.”

Arlo now going back to the battle at hand, “Demons are stronger outside of their hosts' bodies. They will not take you on as a vampire while in a host, so if you approach one, do not try to kill the host, it will weaken the demon but will not give you too much of an advantage without lots of training. The demon will leave willingly to fight you.”

He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. "Remember, Evie, if you ever find yourself facing a demon, you need to disarm them, literally and figuratively. Take away their advantages, and then, if you have a weapon like mine, you have to maintain contact for at least ten seconds. That's how long it takes for the holy power to completely eradicate them."

“What if I do not have a weapon?” I ask.

“Run”

I nod, my mind absorbing his words. The world of vampires, demons, and angels is far more complex and dangerous than I ever imagined. But with Arlo as my guide, I'm determined to learn, to adapt, and to survive.

As we pull into the familiar darkness of the Obsidian Spire’s parking garage, my mind is abuzz with questions. The adrenaline from the chase has faded, leaving behind a restless curiosity. I want to know everything, about Arlo, about the supernatural world, about my newfound abilities.

But before I can even open my mouth, Arlo speaks, his voice a gentle reminder of my exhaustion. "Evie, there's too much to go over tonight. You need rest." As the car rolls to a stop in the garage, Arlo's tired, bloodshot eyes meet mine. A wave of concern washes over me as I notice the dried blood crusted on his arm, a stark reminder of the violent encounter we just escaped.

His words, though stern, are laced with concern. I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. The world I've been thrust into is full of dangers I can't even begin to comprehend. I need to learn, and fast.

With a sigh, I step out of the car, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the lingering warmth of the demon's demise. As we make our way back to the penthouse, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the lessons to come.