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

of the first demon. He stabbed the second in the chest. He pulled his sword out and smashed the third demon’s nose with the hilt. The crunching noise was audible above the screaming.

As the other demons came at him, roaring in rage, Alex fought like a man possessed. Which he probably was. He swirled around the demons, ducked as they tried to take his head and sliced with his blade. He took out their arms, legs, heads, and even spilled the insides of some. Alex gave a roar of his own as the demons fell around him. As he sliced of another’s head, the remaining demons backed away.

“You’re good, Alex. You would have been a nice addition to our revolution,” Jamie said. “But instead you’re going to die.”

Jamie shoved the black dagger into Emily’s stomach. The girl had a gag in her mouth, but a scream still made its way out. Alex roared in rage. He slammed his sword at the invisible barrier. There was a glimmer followed by a ripple. Jamie stared at the circular line of red uncertainly.

“Let’s see how strong you really are,” Jamie said.

He dropped his golden satin robe. Underneath, he wore black leather trousers. His red chest was bare. He was naturally taller than Alex. But now his body began to expand. He grew a head taller. Jamie now stood at close to eight feet. His chest and arms looked like bodybuilders on steroids. Thick veins ran across his body. The horns on his head sharpened.

“That’s different,” Alex muttered.

“...the powerful demons can do that,” the voice said. 

The tone of the voice was different. It wasn’t its usual cockiness. It sounded thoughtful, as if remembering something.   

“You olrite there?” Alex asked. 

“I think so… we need to kill him. We have to stop Satan rising.” 

Alex nodded in agreement. “Any ideas on how we do that?”

“Let's have another go at the barrier,” the voice said.  

It was worth a try, Alex thought. His first strike at the invisible barrier had caused a ripple and worried Jamie enough for the demon to transform into this more intimidating form. If he struck again repeatedly with all his might, maybe he could breach the barrier. He needed to hurry up. Blood was dripping down from Emily’s stomach. Her skin was turning pale. Her body sagged to the left. It was held up by the manacles bound to her wrists.

But before he had a chance to strike again, Jamie stepped out of the circle of blood and passed the invisible barrier as if it did not exist. His movement was quick, and he caught Alex by surprise as he kicked him in the chest. It was a hard kick. Alex hit the wall behind with a thud and collapsed onto his knees. It wasn’t the first time that had happened to him. It was becoming a annoyingly frequent. He climbed to his feet wearily, wincing as he straightened himself. A throbbing pain pounded away at his temple.

 “Can’t let that happen again,” the voice said. 

The heat flowing through his body increased in intensity. The aches and pains of his body vanished. His head cleared. He felt energised and ready for the demon. Jamie charged, roaring in rage. Alex ducked as the black dagger tried to decapitate him. He slashed with his flaming longsword. Jamie was equal to his speed. He moved out of the way, then clawed at Alex, almost carving out his cheek.

“This is going to be fun,” Jamie said.

He reached for his waist with both hands and though there was nothing visible there, Alex wasn’t surprised when Jamie withdrew two black blades with glistening jagged bellies.

The duel began. Alex’s long sword flamed a mixture of red and gold. Sparks flew every time it struck Jamie’s black blades. The demon was good. He was fast and strong, almost on par with Scarlett. Alex knew some demons came with powers. They kept them hidden, drawing on them only when needed. Scarlett had the ability to control minds simply by looking at the individual. Jamie’s power was brute force and speed. It took every ounce of Alex’s attention to not be sliced badly.

Alex was forced back as Jamie came at him, striking furiously with both blades. He managed to parry the attacks but he was running out of space. The demon had driven him towards the barrier.

Jamie spun around and slashed with both blades. One aimed for Alex’s neck, the other was ready to spill his guts out. Alex managed to get his sword across his body vertically in the nick of time. But the angle wasn’t great. Jamie pushed his blades and forced Alex’s own sword towards his chest until the sharp edges pressed against his chest. Any moment now, it would cut through his thin cloth before it attacked the soft flesh underneath.

“I expected more from you,” Jamie growled.

He stared at Alex with his black eyes. His head was big and ugly, the horns were sharp but curled, like a goat’s. Jamie was ugly in the way that made you think he was stupid. Like a retard. Alex slammed his head forward, connecting with Jamie’s forehead, but managing to avoid the horns. It did little good. It was like headbutting a fucking brick wall.

Jamie wasn’t hurt. He was angry. He slammed his own head forward. His horns caught Alex on both ends of his forehead. Alex blinked as the searing pain forced him to stumble. His back touched the invisible barrier. His sword still held vertically began to waver. Blood dripped from both corners of his forehead.

Jamie no longer held his blades pressed against Alex’s sword. He held them by his sides, ready to drive them inside Alex and finish this duel. Jamie was right. This was too easy for the demon. Alex wondered what happened to the voice. It was there, but it wasn’t…

His sword flamed