different Landon

Chapter 7: Unseen Forces

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The day after the training session, Landon found himself wandering the quiet halls of the Salvatore School. His mind was still reeling from the intense moment during the exercise when the darkness nearly overtook him. Despite the support of his friends, something lingered in the back of his mind, gnawing at him. The demon bloodline was still there, waiting. He could feel it, just beneath the surface, its presence as heavy as a shadow.

He stopped in front of the door to the storage room, the familiar scent of old books and wood filling the air. This room held more than just dusty shelves; it was filled with answers—answers he needed. Answers that might help him get a grip on what was happening to him.

Pushing the door open, Landon stepped inside, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room. The shelves were crammed with books and artifacts from every corner of the supernatural world. Some of them were dangerous, others were ancient, and a few were just plain bizarre. He knew he shouldn't waste any more time, but he needed to find something—anything—that could give him a deeper understanding of his father's bloodline and how to control it.

His hand brushed across a row of old books before settling on one that seemed to call to him. It was a thick, leather-bound tome with strange symbols etched into the cover. He hesitated for a moment, then opened it, scanning the pages for anything that might help him. As his eyes skimmed over the cryptic text, one word jumped out at him: Azazel.

Landon's heart skipped a beat. He had heard of Azazel before—a powerful demon tied to some of the darkest forces in history. A being so ancient that even the most seasoned hunters in the supernatural world spoke of him in whispers. Landon had no idea his father's bloodline was connected to such a figure.

He quickly turned the pages, his pulse quickening. The book described Azazel as a demon lord, capable of controlling vast swaths of the demon world. But what caught Landon's attention wasn't the power Azazel wielded—it was the connection between Azazel and the children of his bloodline. The demon lord had the ability to imprint his power onto his descendants, twisting them into something far darker than human.

Landon swallowed hard, the weight of the revelation settling on him. Was this why I feel like I'm losing control? He thought. Could Azazel's bloodline be the reason the darkness inside me keeps growing?

A sudden noise from behind him snapped Landon out of his thoughts. He turned quickly, the fire inside him flaring for a split second before he recognized the source of the disturbance.

It was Hope.

"Did you find something?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she stepped into the room. Her eyes scanned the book in his hands, and Landon could see the concern growing in her expression.

"I think I found more than I wanted," Landon said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Azazel. My dad's bloodline is connected to him—directly."

Hope's brows furrowed. "Azazel? That's... that's bad, Landon. Really bad. Azazel is one of the most dangerous demons in history. If your father's bloodline is linked to him, it could explain the dark power you're feeling. That kind of energy doesn't just go away."

Landon ran a hand through his hair, feeling the familiar tension creeping back into his chest. "I don't know if I can control it, Hope. I don't know if I even want to. What if I turn into something like him?"

Hope stepped closer, her voice gentle but firm. "You're not your father, Landon. You're not Azazel. The power's in you, but it doesn't define who you are. You've got your friends. We're all here for you. You don't have to do this alone."

Landon nodded, but the fear didn't fade. It was like a knot in his stomach, growing tighter by the second. "I just… I can feel it. The darkness. It's like it's waiting for me to slip up, to lose control."

Hope placed a hand on his shoulder. "You won't lose control. You're stronger than that. But you have to face it head-on, Landon. You can't hide from it. Not anymore."

Before Landon could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside the room. Both of them spun toward the door, eyes widening in alarm. Without a word, they rushed toward the noise, the urgency in their steps matching the dread that had suddenly gripped Landon's heart.

As they made their way down the hallway, they were met by Rafael, who was already rushing toward them, his face grim.

"We've got trouble," Rafael said, his voice tense. "Monsters. Big ones. They're on the school grounds."

Landon's heart dropped. This wasn't a drill. The tension in the air, the dark energy he had felt for days—it was all connected. Something was coming. Something dangerous. And it was happening now.

---

The group quickly assembled on the training grounds, where they were met with the full scope of the threat. The monsters were unlike anything Landon had ever seen. They were huge, their bodies covered in thick, armored plating, their eyes glowing with a feral hunger. At first glance, they resembled a mix of demon and beast, their snarls echoing in the air as they moved in tight packs, clearly organized.

Landon felt his pulse quicken as he took in the sight of the creatures. This wasn't just a random attack—it was a calculated move. Someone, or something, was orchestrating this.

"They've got a plan," Hope said, her voice low. "These creatures are working together. They're not here by accident."

Landon clenched his fists, the fire within him stirring in response to the impending battle. "We need to act fast. Before they can do any more damage."

Rafael stepped forward. "I'll take the left flank with Josie. Hope, you take the right with Landon."

Landon nodded, his gaze flicking to Hope. "Ready?"

"Always," she said, her eyes fierce.

The battle began with a roar, and immediately, the monsters charged. Landon's instincts kicked in. He raised his hands, feeling the heat building in his chest as the Phoenix fire flared to life. With a burst of power, he unleashed a torrent of flames, pushing back the creatures that were advancing on them.

But even as he fought, he could feel the darkness stirring again. It wasn't just the fire inside him. There was something else—something pulling at him, urging him to give in to the power of his bloodline.

"Focus, Landon!" Hope's voice cut through the chaos, snapping him back to reality. She was beside him, her eyes locked on him as she fought off another group of monsters. "You can't let it take over."

Landon gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay in control. The Phoenix fire burned hot and bright, but it wasn't enough. The monsters kept coming, their numbers growing.

Then, just as the tide seemed to turn in their favor, something darker began to emerge from the shadows. From the center of the field, a massive figure began to rise—its features cloaked in darkness, but its eyes glowing with the same demonic energy Landon had felt earlier.

It was here. Azazel's influence was closer than ever.

Landon's blood ran cold.