Page 79 of Witch's Promise

Gabe nodded, his jaw set with grim determination. "Marcus," he barked, "get Sean and the others out of here. Now!"

As Marcus blurred into action, moving with superhuman speed to evacuate the wounded, the demon let out a roar of fury.It charged at Gabe, claws extended and mouth open in a rictus of rage.

Gabe threw up a hasty shield spell, wincing as the demon's claws raked across the magical barrier. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, nearly driving him to his knees. But he held firm, gritting his teeth against the strain.

"Is that all you've got?" Gabe taunted, forcing bravado into his voice. "I thought demons were supposed to be tough."

The creature's response was a barrage of fireballs, each one hurtling towards Gabe with deadly accuracy. He dove and rolled, narrowly avoiding being incinerated. The heat seared his skin, leaving angry red welts where it passed too close.

Gabe came up in a crouch, his hands already moving to form the next spell. A torrent of ice erupted from his palms, flash-freezing the air around the demon. For a moment, it seemed like it might work – the creature's movements slowed, ice crystals forming on its skin.

But then the demon flexed, shattering the ice with a burst of hellfire that sent shards flying in all directions. Gabe threw up another shield, but not quickly enough. A jagged piece of ice sliced across his cheek, drawing a line of blood.

"Fuck," Gabe hissed, pressing a hand to the wound. It came away sticky and red.

The demon laughed, a sound like grinding glass that set Gabe's teeth on edge. "Poor little witch," it mocked. "Did you really think your pathetic magic could stand against the power of the Nine Hells?"

Anger surged through Gabe, hot and fierce. He was tired of being underestimated, tired of feeling like he wasn't enough. With a wordless cry of defiance, he unleashed a spell he'd been developing in secret – a concentrated blast of pure magical energy that lit up the room like a miniature sun.

The demon's eyes widened in surprise as the spell hit home. It staggered backward, its skin smoking where the magic had made contact. For the first time since the fight began, a flicker of uncertainty passed across its inhuman features.

"Not so pathetic now, am I?" Gabe growled, gathering his power for another assault.

The battle raged on, magic and hellfire clashing in a dizzying display of light and shadow. Gabe threw everything he had at the demon – elemental attacks, binding spells, even a desperate attempt at a banishment ritual. But nothing seemed to stick. For every blow he landed, the creature struck back twice as hard.

Gabe's breath came in ragged gasps, his limbs trembling with exhaustion. He could feel his magic reserves running dangerously low. If he didn't end this soon, he wouldn't have the strength left to protect himself, let alone banish the demon.

"Getting tired, little witch?" the demon taunted, stalking towards him with predatory grace. "Don't worry, I'll make your death quick. Relatively speaking."

Gabe's mind raced, searching desperately for a solution. He was out of options, out of clever tricks and tactical maneuvers. There was only one thing left to try – a spell so dangerous, so potentially catastrophic, that he'd sworn never to use it.

But as the demon closed in, its claws reaching for Gabe's throat, he knew he had no choice.

With a deep breath, Gabe reached deep inside himself, tapping into a well of power he'd kept locked away for years. White light began to emanate from his body, growing brighter and brighter until it was painful to look at.

The demon faltered, momentarily blinded by the intensity of the light. "What is this?" it snarled, raising a hand to shield its eyes.

Gabe didn't answer. He poured every ounce of strength, every scrap of magical energy he had left into the spell. The lightcoalesced around the demon, forming shimmering chains that bound it in place.

"Alex!" Gabe shouted, his voice strained with the effort of maintaining the spell. "Now!"

Alex stepped forward, hellfire wreathing his hands as he began to chant in a language older than time itself. The air shimmered and tore, revealing a swirling vortex of darkness and flame – a portal to the Nine Hells.

The demon thrashed against its bonds, howling in fury and fear. "No!" it screamed. "You can't do this! I won't go back!"

Gabe felt his control slipping, the strain of the spell threatening to overwhelm him. Black spots danced at the edges of his vision, and he tasted copper in the back of his throat. But he couldn't let go. Not yet.

With a final, desperate surge of will, Gabe pushed. The chains of light constricted, forcing the demon back step by agonizing step. It clawed at the air, leaving trails of fire in its wake as it fought against the inexorable pull of the portal.

"This isn't over!" the creature shrieked as it teetered on the edge of the vortex. "I'll be back! And when I return, I'll make you watch as I tear apart everything you love!"

Then, with a final, ear-splitting howl, the demon was gone. The portal snapped shut behind it, leaving behind nothing but the acrid stench of brimstone and the echoing silence of its absence.

Gabe's knees buckled, the last of his strength finally giving out. He collapsed to the floor, gasping for air that suddenly seemed too thin. His vision swam, the room tilting and spinning around him.

"Gabe!" Alex's voice sounded distant, muffled as if coming from underwater. "Gabe, can you hear me?"

The world swam before Gabe's eyes, darkness creeping in at the edges of his vision. Every instinct screamed at him to give in,to let the exhaustion claim him. But a stronger voice, one honed by years of responsibility and self-sacrifice, pushed back against the encroaching oblivion.

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