Fire entirely consumed hallways as we navigated this mess…
As heat started to get unbearable I manipulated my shadow to act as a shield.
First I made it less solid, then changed properties to cryogenic gas.
Cold air billowed from me outward and flames snuffed out one by one, the entire situation unfolding itself…
We were utterly alone…
But then screams sounded from below…
“Let’s hurry! Maybe we can go help them!” she yelled, still coughing as we started to run faster.
Then we arrived at the stairs or what’s left of it, they were gone as rubble took its place, leaving us trapped.
As fire approached ever closer, I made us intangible in a nick of time and we fell towards the lobby where screams took its place.
Instantly the burnt meat smell drifted to my senses as I coughed disgustedly.
Elizabeth wasn’t much better…
“C-can we even heal them?” asked Elizabeth as she covered her nose.
“Probably not, not with mortal magic anyway.” I replied and considered my options.
Since I’m half-demon, I can neither heal or get healed, so that leaves us with one option…
Bring someone who can, I thought and uttered words of power as I shed my blood to the ground…
[ᛋᚢᛗᛗᛟᚾ ᚠᚨᛚᛚᛖᚾ ᚨᚾᚷᛖᛚ]!
Air shimmered with purple lights and a rift formed its place, Winged being of considerable power flew out of the rift as space started to heal.
“Who Dares To Summon Me?” she said haughtily as words echoed in the hallway.
“It is I, Elijah,” I said, telekinetically flicking her in the head with my finger.
“Uh, what do you want?” she said, all haughtiness forgotten as she pouted.
“Heal” I said simply and she brightened with my words and asked.
“Who?”
“Everyone in this building.” I said, stroking my beard…
“Price?” she asked eagerly…
I smiled and replied…
“Cake”
“Cake?” she asked, visibly gaining color…
“Yes” I said and withdrew the strawberry cake from dimensional space and gave it to her.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Yes!” she said as she snatched it up, visibly devoured it in one bite.
And she blasted the entire area in bright purple light and every single thing visible healed as if time rewound itself, excluding me.
Burnt flesh dissolves and pink flesh replaces in its place as men and women of various origins start to heal.
They will still stay in coma for a good while I thought.
“Grandpa? Who is this woman?” asked Elizabeth after finally overcoming her surprise.
“The Angel of Gluttony, Celfie” replied Celfie proudly before I could even explain.
“Transactions are complete, you can go now.” I said quickly, and banished her to her realm or at least tried to.
Looks like I was wrong I thought, the same power that blocks dimensional travel from inside now blocks unsummoning spells too.
Things got interesting… also annoying…
“How mean, there is still something I want to do.” said Celfie pouting.
“And what would that be hmm?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“Trying a variety of dishes of course!” shouted Celfie proudly.
You glutton…
“Umm, I don’t want to interrupt conversation but I think we have to go?” asked Elizabeth hesitantly, looking at the staircase.
“Hmm? Oh? Yes, indeed, let's go.” I agreed after a pause and we hurried down the stairs.
“Hey! Wait for me!” yelled Celfie, as she blew a gust of wind behind her and tried to catch up.
**********************************
When we came to the lobby, flames were surrounding everything.
It was literally hell as we coughed and approached the exit.
Smell of sulfur came to my nose, that's when everything went wrong.
And we came face to face with the greeter again…
“Hello there, miss me?” said the greeter, turning her head 180 degrees in order to face me even as her neck snapped painfully.
Then her skin bursts open, revealing a monstrous smile beneath it.
Her presence grew stronger as she drank our fears.
A demon.