Chapter 6: Arc 1: Chapter 6: Death of Merlin

As midnight came closer in the human realm, in a distant dimension of hell, sat Trigon on his burning throne, preparing to project himself into the mortal realm to collect his prize.

Hell isn't just one world, in the traditional sense.

The idea of hell was broader than mortals could ever imagine.

It was made up of different dimensions; each dimension represented an entire world, ruled by various Demon Lords. Including the widely known Seven Lords of Hell, some lesser-known but equally powerful demons and devils, and then the biggest heretic of hell, Trigon.

Trigon was pretty much the strongest of all the Demon Lords in hell. It despises the other Lords, yet it desires the seat of the King of Hell; its demon-kin dislikes it; the same goes for Trigon, whose feelings towards the demon-kin were anything but positive.

It was rude, savage, and crazy, feared by most demons.

"The time is nigh."

Trigon's deep voice echoed throughout the lava-filled dimension; all demons cowered in fear, unable to gaze into Trigon's overwhelming presence.

This dimension of hell was unique; it was made not of continents and lava pools but were small islands floating, chained together by thick, savage chains, like floating islands covered with red poison mist. It formed a bizarre scene.

"The souls of mortals are easy prey, but tonight, I shall have a prize jewel in my hands."

Atop the largest floating island, among the scorching atmosphere, Trigon sits on his throne, proudly gazing unto the human realm, for tonight, he will acquire a 'son' with immeasurable talent.

But as Trigon prepares to project himself, he hears a weak prayer.

It was prayer that belonged to Satan, one of the Seven Lords of Hell. Just hearing that name disgusts Trigon.

It must be a sacrifice made by believers of Satan, but somehow, the prayer directed to Satan was heard by Trigon.

This piques his interest.

He and Satan were competitors; they both desired the throne of the King of Hell. If this was related to Satan, perhaps he could benefit from it somehow.

The demon lord sends a projection following the prayers and descends upon the satanic believers. But was stunned to see the believers praying in a circle around a naked young woman.

It would seem that the beautiful girl was the sacrifice.

Huhu, these humans know their stuff...

Are they sacrificing one of their own to an existence from an outer realm in hopes of acquiring external 'blessings'? What a joke.

The naked woman was placed on an ancient altar, fear flashed in her eyes, but she is bound by chains, only able to sulk helplessly among the unholy prayers.

Underneath the altar was a satanic summoning circle seemingly drawn by an eleven-year-old, Trigon could spot over 30 errors with a simple glance.

It was expected that Trigon could hear their prayers, as they had completely messed up the arrangement of the runes.

It was just like calling the wrong number to report to their higher-ups.

Still...what was he expecting from foolish mere mortals?

It was impressive that they even made it this far.

Trigon's will floats above the altar; he contemplates the female sacrifice, though he is uninterested in the body. What truly grabbed his interest was her soul.

And with a glance, he stands from his throne.

This woman...was unique.

She had Satan's scent on her, which means she had met Satan before or is one of Satan's 'seeds' in the human realm.

No wonder these heretics were sacrificing her; she would be Satan's 'demon bride'. Her very existence was made for this exact moment.

All four of his crimson eyes light up, and he felt like a one-in-a-million chance had just descended.

"A body filled with demonic energy, a perfect breeding ground. Perhaps, you will birth me a true demon prince or princess."

The Demon Lord chuckles; an evil plan forms in his mind. What if he takes over this 'demon bride'?

It would disrupt Satan's plans, increase his strength, and, more importantly, he can embarrass Satan as the Demon Lord who failed to protect his own 'demon bride'.

A perfect plan!

Trigon walks down his throne, slowly shifting to his form with white hair.

He reaches out in the air and answers the heretic's call; he was going to the mortal realm to embrace his 'demon bride'.

"Oh, a descendant who inherits the mighty blood of Trigon...that will become the key...to a higher power!"

The Demon Lord walks through the fiery portal and descends upon the heretics as his True Form. His descent terrifies the heretics, and horror appears in the woman's eyes.

Tonight, Trigon will unleash his lust, and as for Merlin...

Merlin is unimportant in the face of the birth of the true son/daughter of hell.

But that doesn't mean that Trigon will give up on his new 'son'. He shan't waste a speck of power; thus, as he embraces the 'demon bride', he dispatches an underling to collect it for him in the modern world.

It's just that...

"He's gone?"

Trigon, in the human realm, with the woman, who is captivated by the dark powers, in his arms, receives news that turns his excellent mood into a terrible one:

The Demon Lord scolds with fury:

"What do you mean he's gone?"

Although thousands of miles away, Trigon's presence still overwhelms his demon underling, who is by Coulson's farm.

It was a high-ranking demon, ferociously twisted, just as legends say.

And from its four eyes that are similar to Trigon's, this demon should also have Trigon's powers flowing inside it; it must be one of Trigon's 'true' sons.

And currently, in the claws of this 4-feet, muscle-filled demon is the contract between Trigon and Merlin.

It stands in front of the Coulson's farm, its eyes full of cunning and viciousness; however, deep within those eyes were fear. As it scans the farm repeatedly, it finds no trace of Merlin; there was nothing but farm animals.

Not even his scent!

It's like...Merlin was erased from existence as if he had never existed in the first place.

"Oh, supreme emperor, I can only say that I find no trace of Merlin's soul.

The son of hell shudders and continues:

"Either he has left this world, or an unknown power had cut off the mark that mi-lord left on him, I am unable to crack through this kind of seal."

"You good-for-nothing!"

Severe scolding accompanied by a woman's moaning flows into the demon's mind, Trigon was never a merciful one, and its punishment was as heavy and swift as always.

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It had felt like thunder had struck its soul; the demon curls up on the ground due to the immense pain, his flesh boiling, switching between flesh and smoke. Without a doubt, its power had gone out of control because that power had never truly belonged to it.

Trigon can easily give his 'sons' power, just as easily as he takes it back, or control them to punish the inefficient.

"Blurgh"

The son of hell spits out blood, with bits and pieces of its organs in it, but the demon dares not to make a sound in fear of further angering its demon master.

But to be honest, in regards to Merlin's disappearance, Trigon has his concerns.

Just as he would spare no effort to foil the other lords' plans, they too will retaliate.

And Trigon suspects that Merlin's disappearance had something to do with the other Lords of Hell. After all, no Lord of Hell would miss the chance for a pure soul that had also experienced death, like Merlin.

Excellent things are wanted by many.

"Tear the scroll! Release the mana!"

Trigon commands in the demon's mind:

"If I can't have it, no one else can! Erase that soul! Leave no trace of it!"

"As you wish, milord."

The wounded demon kneels humbly on the ground. Following its master's wish, it places the scroll in its claws and tears it in a fit of anger. As crimson lightning jumps, the contract formed via demon language was torn to shreds.

The torn parchment turns into flames, burning before the demon, like a butterfly, before disappearing into thin air.

This means the contract is destroyed, and the soul on the other end of the contract will be erased as Trigon's power goes berserk.

No matter where he is.

He's doomed.

---

A dozen kilometers away from Coulson's farm, Merlin drives Lola across the grasslands with an uneasy feeling in his mind.

The Phantom Stranger had warned him to stay as far away from mortals when the contract activates.

But Merlin was unaware of how far 'far' meant, so he decided to go as far away from his family and other humans as possible.

After leaving the hospital, Merlin had been driving across the grasslands of Wisconsin in Lola, and the car he fixed didn't let him down, for it took only 2 hours for Merlin to exit Madison County.

He knows not where he is, nor does he care.

With his watch hanging on the steering wheel, the uneasiness and pressure in Merlin's mind increase as time ticks by.

Death may not be the worst ending; knowing what time you die and waiting for the time to come, in other words, not knowing when death will strike, is the worst ending. 

"Clack"

As the minute hand and hour hand strike together, Merlin presses the brakes hard, and with the screeching sound, Merlin comes to a halt.

On the watch in front of him, midnight had struck.

He sits in the driver's seat, in the middle of nowhere. Silence fills the air, with the moon shining down onto him.

Merlin looks around, his breathing hastens, his body freezes, and he closes his eyes, waiting for his destiny to arrive.

Like those strange superhero comics and movies Phil watched, receive strange power in strange times.

Will it be fire?

Or smoke?

Or even unbearable pain?

Merlin does not know, nor does he wish to know.

But after waiting a few minutes, nothing had happened, besides his shoulder being sore for maintaining the same position for too long.

He opened his eyes and looked at his watch; it was 12:09, nearly 10 minutes had passed, and yet nothing happened.

Does it mean he's safe?

Or maybe, it has already happened; it's just that he doesn't know?

Either way, Merlin was relieved.

He reaches out his hand and pulls down the rearview mirror; he checks himself from it, black hair, black eyes, slightly thin face, it was him, Merlin Reilly.

He had not turned into a horrible monster, nor was he killed by magic. He had survived!

At this moment, Merlin's anxiousness subsides, and he relaxes.

He reaches out, takes a cigarette, and lights it under the night sky. He also turns on the radio, and Madison county's newest song plays.

Merlin holds the cigarette in one hand and holds the steering wheel with the other; then, he steps on the gas.

Lola unleashes a roar, and this beautiful red convertible turns a 180 degrees arc and heads for Madison county. Merlin wants to go back to Madison county, head to the hospital, and accompany his injured father and tired mother.

Then prepare for college season, and head over to New York to begin his new life.

However...

Just as Lola is about to accelerate, a crimson flame appears on the two fingers Merlin uses to hold the cigar, and without warning, consumes Merlin in hellfire.

The real night...

Has arrived.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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