The Darkness Within (Demon Elite Death Squad #1)

BLADE 11

Rayne is standing by the door, watching as the men suite up, their faces set with determination. She can feel the tension in the air, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them all. But beneath the worry, there is something else—an unbreakable bond, a quiet strength that binds them together.

Blade steps forward, his eyes meeting hers with a steady gaze. He takes her hand, pulling her close. “This is it, Rayne. We’re going to end this tonight.”

She smiles, squeezing his hand. “I know you will. You’re ready for this. All of you are.” She looks around at the others, her gaze filled with determination. “I just want you all to remember that you’re not alone. You have each other, and you have people waiting for you to come back. I believe in every one of you.”

Talon gives her a crooked grin, trying to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry, Rayne. We’ve got this. Rake won’t know what hit him.”

Scar steps forward, his expression serious. “We’re going to put an end to this, Rayne. For all of us. And we’ll come back.”

Gage and Soren grunt in response, their faces mirroring the fierce resolve that fills the room. They all know the risks, know that this battle will push them to the edge. But they are ready, and with Rayne’s words echoing in their minds, they felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Blade leans down, pressing a kiss to Rayne’s forehead. “We’ll be back soon. Stay safe, and trust us to handle this.”

She sighs with a nod, a tear slipping down her cheek as she watches them go, her heart aching with a mixture of pride and fear. She believes in them, knows that they will fight with everything they have. And as they disappear into the shadows, she whispers a silent prayer for their safe return.

The Elite move through the night like shadows, their steps silent as they approach the ruined estate that Rake has made his lair. The building looms before them, dark and foreboding, its crumbling walls a testament to the darkness that resides within. Blade signals for the others to take their positions, each man slipping into place with practiced precision.

Scar takes point, his body cloaked in shadows as he moves through the outer defences, disabling alarms and taking out guards before they can raise the alarm. Reed is a blur of motion, his speed carrying him through the enemy ranks, leaving chaos in his wake. Talon holds his hands out, flames sparking to life as he sets fire to the barriers blocking their path, his face illuminated by the fierce glow of his power.

Gage and Soren work in tandem, their powers intertwining as Gage bends reality around them, making them invisible to their enemies, while Soren conjures illusions that lead Rake’s guards astray. Blade watches them, pride swelling in his chest as he sees the seamless way they move together, each one a vital part of the whole.

As they enter the main hall, Rake appears at the far end of the room, his form shrouded in darkness, his eyes gleaming with malice. He lets out a low, mocking laugh as he surveys them. “So, the Elite have finally come to face me. I’ve been waiting for this.”

The battle began in earnest, each of the Elite launching into action with a coordinated attack. Rake moves with a twisted grace, dodging their strikes and countering with waves of dark energy that fills the room with an oppressive weight. Blade can feel the darkness pressing down on him, but he stays focused, keeping his mind anchored to Rayne, her light guiding him through the shadows.

But as the fight intensified, Blade senses a shift. He turns just in time to see Scar stumble, a look of horror crossing his face as he falls to his knees. The shadows around him begin to thicken, swirling around his body like a living thing, pulling him down into their depths. Blade can see the struggle in his eyes, the way Scar is fighting to hold on, but the darkness is relentless, dragging him closer to the edge.

The others notice too, their movements faltering as they turn to their fallen brother. Gage reacts first, reaching out with his mind to anchor Scar, sending him a wave of steadying energy. “Stay with us, Scar. Don’t let it take you.”

Talon steps forward, his flames burning brighter as he directs them toward Scar, the warmth cutting through the cold that surrounds him. “Come on, Scar. You’re stronger than this. Fight it.”

Reed and Soren join in, their powers blending together as they form a protective barrier around Scar, their combined strength creating a tether that pulls him back from the brink. Scar’s breathing steadies, his eyes clearing as he looks up at them, a flicker of gratitude crossing his face.

Blade kneels beside him, his hand on Scar’s shoulder, grounding him further. “You’re not alone, brother. We’re all here. Remember that.”

Scar nods, a determined glint returning to his eyes as he rises to his feet. The darkness receding, beaten back by the strength of their bond, their unity a force that even the shadows could not break.

With Scar back at their side, the Elite turn their focus to Rake, who watches them with a mixture of rage and disbelief. Blade steps forward, his eyes blazing with a dark fire as he summons his power, the energy crackling around him as he prepares to end this once and for all.

“You’ve taken too much from us, Rake,” Blade states, his voice cold and deadly. “It ends here.”

Rake snarls, launching himself at Blade with a ferocity born of desperation. But the Elite are ready, each man tapping into his power as they close in, surrounding Rake and cutting off any chance of escape. Talon’s flames roar to life, engulfing Rake and forcing him back, while Reed’s speed allows him to strike with blinding precision, his movements too fast for Rake to counter.

Gage twists Rake’s perception, making him see enemies where there are none, leaving him vulnerable to Soren’s illusions, which traps him in a maze of false images, each one reflecting his own fear and madness back at him. Scar uses his shadows to bind Rake’s movements, holding him in place as Blade steps forward, his power surging as he reaches out, drawing the last of Rake’s strength from him, draining him until there is nothing left.

Rake’s body crumples, his face twisting in a final expression of rage as he falls to the ground, his life force fading, his power dissipating into the ether. The room falls silent, the oppressive darkness lifting as the Elite stand over Rake’s lifeless form, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they absorb the reality of their victory.

They had done it. Rake was gone, his threat extinguished, his reign of terror brought to an end. Blade looks around at his brothers, a fierce pride swelling within him as he notices the exhaustion, the relief, and the unbreakable bond that holds them together.

The battle is over, but their fight has only just begun. They have faced the darkness and emerged victorious, each of them stronger for it, each of them bound by the knowledge that they had fought not just for themselves, but for each other—and for the light that awaits them at home.

Blade turns his thoughts to Rayne, a smile breaking through the weariness as he imagines the warmth of her embrace, the peace that her presence will bring. They have faced the darkness, and they have won. And now, it was time to go home.