The Devil's Apprentice by Patrick Stewart (polar express read aloud TXT) 📕

seemed to have vanished. Despite appearances, Satan would probably easily kick his ass.

Satan glanced at the longsword in Alex’s hand. “Are you here to battle me?” he asked. “Is that why you freed me from my prison? To kill me?”

“Maybe,” Alex said. “Are you… are you evil?”

Satan laughed. It wasn’t an evil laugh. Nor was it un-evil. It was a laugh, much like any confident person might laugh. Alex shook his head, trying to stop overthinking the laugh.

“Define evil,” Satan said, flashing brilliantly perfect white teeth.

“I think he’s evil,” Karen whispered.

Alex agreed. Anyone who needed a definition of evil was probably evil. It was like asking someone if they were racist. Any person who responded with “define racism” was probably racist.

“So, we kill him?” Alex asked.

Karen nodded, though she didn’t move forward.

“Do I want to take my rightful place in hell and wage war with the angels?” Satan asked, not having noticed their little exchange. “Will millions of humans die because of it? Sure.” He took a step towards them. “Does that make me evil?” he shrugged. “I guess I am a little evil,” he grinned. “But no more than the angels and the man that leads them.”

The man that leads them? “Is he talking about God?” Alex asked.

“Yes, I’m talking about God,” Satan said, rolling his eyes. “Let’s just get this over with. I have things to do. People to kill. Revenge etc. I’m a bit hungry too.”

Satan held his arms out by his sides. Two long black blades appeared. Then, the devil charged at them. He was quick. But not exceptionally quick, not for Demon Hunters, at least. Alex stepped back, his left shoulder tilted and the black blade missed him by an inch. He sidestepped and came up behind Satan. He brought his sword down hard and quick, aiming for the devil’s back. Karen rolled forward and aimed for Satan’s waist, trying to slice him in half.

The devil was equal to them both. He easily blocked both strikes then slid away smoothly, as if on ice. He stared at them curiously. Karen climbed to her feet and stood beside Alex. Behind them was the pit from which Satan had emerged. The fire was gone. It was now an apparently never-ending pit of darkness. Alex exchanged a glance with Karen. Was she thinking what he was? Would throwing Satan back in the pit end him? Or at least trap him again?

“You’re not humans, are you?” Satan asked. “Your too fast for humans and a little on the tall side too. What exactly are you?”

“We’re Demon Hunters,” Karen said. “Satani offered us eternal life and power beyond that of average humans in exchange for our-”.

“Souls?” Satan asked, grinning maniacally. “Ah, my sister finally indulged in her fantasies. So you’re just her little toys, her experiments. I guess I don’t have to kill you. You can join me in defeating the angels and killing God.”

Alex almost rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you try that already?”

Satan frowned. He suddenly looked like a sulky teenager, one who’d just been told he’d gotten a Mercedes rather than a Ferrari as a birthday present. “I’ve been told God isn’t the same as he used to be.” Satan’s black eyes glowed red. His blades had retracted into his arms. He had fingers once more. Fingers that were curled into a fist. “He can be killed. Once that happens, those arrogant pieces of shit angels can either fall in line, or follow God into oblivion.”

“I don’t know if the angels will just fall in line,” Karen muttered. “They’re stronger than demons and they can fly.”

 “This conversation bores me,” Satan said, sighing. He opened his fists. The fingers merged together and the black blades returned. “Seeing as you appear to be refusing my generous offer, I'm going to kill you. Now.”

Satan sped towards them. He moved much faster this time. Much much faster… Karen, who had been standing beside him only moments ago was now on the floor ten feet away. Satan had kicked her in the stomach. Alex barely saw the black blades coming for his neck and waist as Satan aimed to slice him into three parts.

He would have succeeded too had there not been the sudden surge of heat shooting through his body from the centre of his chest. His senses heightened at the very last moment, but just in time for him to raise his own sword and block Satan’s strike.

There was surprise in Satan’s eyes as the blades pressed against each other, black versus a heated red. It was only momentary surprise.

Satan continued his attack with renewed vigour. His two blades came from all angles. His body moved fluidly and he struck at an insane pace. But Alex was equal to it. He blocked the strikes with his sword or swerved his body away from the razor-sharp black blades. Fortune was on his side too as he tripped over a piece of rubble and hit the ground, thus avoiding having his neck sliced.

He was on the floor, but Satan didn’t press his advantage. He watched with curiosity as Alex climbed to his feet. And before he continued his attack, he gave a nod of the head. The duel continued. Satan upped the ante. Alex was now struggling. A thrust from Satan almost impaled him in the temple. The attacks were ferocious and forced Alex to move back. He was perilously close to the pit. A few more steps, and he would fall in.

Satan swirled around like a dervish on crack. His black blades seemed like long cloths. Fluid. They came again, both blades trying to slice him into three parts via the neck and waist. That seemed to be his signature move. Alex felt an additional flow of heat from his chest. His heart felt like it was on fire, but it did the trick. Time seemed