Hahahahahahaaa, how long this chapter is compared to the others! :D

A thunderous roar burst out of the beast as it lurched forward, coming for them. Recalling the rest of the task at hand, the soldier tried his best to stand. 

However, the ground shook and sent him back to his knees.

The monster gave out another long, ear-splitting howl.

It took a bit of time to figure out why the ground was shaking so violently. It turned out that the beast was striving to pull itself out of the ground. 

With a heave and a ho, it would stretch. Its ugly head tossing back and forth. Licking its lips and reaching out its long arms to grasp for one or the other. 

Which one looked more appetizing? The soldier or the lovely maiden??

In the end, it had chosen to just eat both, one at a time. 

To drink out all of their blood and nutrients for its ever growing structure. 

Greedy for more since it hadn't had so much to feast on in a year. 

Remains of it's other victims were clearly noticeable now, as it opened up its humongous jaws. 

Tauntingly, it smacked it's lips. 

The sharpest thorns—his teeth— grew sharper as he anticipated these new visitors going into his forever hungry, unsatisfied stomach.

They had to think fast, or they would join those poor unfortunate souls trapped for all eternity to give their blood and lives to that beast.

"Whatever else happens," he decided out-loud, "If one of us has to go into that deep, dark pit . . . It's gonna be me."

"No . . ." she replied. Shaking her head with conviction.

"I'm glad you care enough to not see me die, but I have to do this."

"It's not that I care!" she yelled over all the noise, "It's just, I don't want to live with more than one thing on my conscience for the rest of my life. I already have suffered enough."

"You don't know what suffering is." he exclaimed. Then he drew his sword, that he had sworn never to use unless it was for the right reason and that he had almost forgotten until that moment. 

It was an excellent sword, given to him by his father before he went into combat for the first time.

"Never use this unless it's absolutely necessary, or when you are at my highest or most satisfying ranking in the army. Got it. Not until you are a hero. When you are, you may use it freely."

"Why can't I use it now father?"

"Because my boy. This is not an ordinary sword. It has power beyond belief or possibility. Able to take on any foe or being that stands in your way. The ultimate power."

"Then why can't I use it?"

"Boy, in the army thou shalt learn to hold thine tongue!—Because you are not strong enough or worthy enough to wield it yet. Do you understand now, my boy?"

"Yes father."

Time to test if his father's words were true.

. . .

His father had been right. This sword was very powerful indeed. 

So much so, that when first trying to wield it, he couldn't handle it's strength. Yet he thought it better to at least endeavor and hope for the best.

The beast shrieked once again.

The soldier inched slowly and bravely towards the demon with his mighty sword, raised up the blade, and prepared to maim and possibly vanquish the evil creature before him.

The terror induced him when he realized too late that the sword would not work for him. 

Off he was sent flying, as the beast backhanded him into a cave wall, located a far off. 

His cherished sword had been ripped and thrown out of his hold onto the ground.

The young girl stared intently at the weapon lying on the ground only a sprint away.

'Destroy him. Kill him. You know what he hath done to your family. Murder the brute. Send your testimony to all that no one hurts you and gets away with it.' A voice she had never heard before rang in her ears. 

Instantly, the sword flew to her hand. Without even noticing the blade in her right hand, she neared the boy whom had promised and had tried to save them both earlier.

He looked up, strength completely gone, to see her drawing closer to him. 

The blade raised above her head.

"No, don't do it! Please!!" he forced his hands up in surrender.

Flames spewed out of her eyes. Dark flames of ash and misery. He noticed how she was crying tears—black tears—as well. 

Hopefully sorrowful, not frustrated or angry.

"Please, I know it's not you. We can stop this thing together you and me! I Promised You . . ." he droned on and on with pure sincerity and passion.

She nodded her head to the side slightly.

"I can't c-control it. It's t-t-too evil. Too powerful for me." she yelled in fear.

"No, it's not!" he spoke with realization again, "You have complete control over it yourself. It's just doing whatever your soul desires it to do."

"But I don't want to kill you," she whimpered, "I don't want to kill you!!" she cried.

"Tell it then, . . . tell your heart and mind and soul that. Fill your whole body with that one thought." he encouraged her.

"But the voice in my head!!" she screamed, "It is not mine."

"Force it to go away."

"I'll try . . . I'll try"

Soon the black fire dimmed, and something incredible happened. 

Her whole body became engulfed in brilliant red and gold flames. Yet she wasn't in pain. 

Actually, she felt the opposite of pain. She felt relief. A kind of relief she believed she hadn't felt in years. Beaming so much brighter than before, she gazed at him in pure joy.

Then the beast's conniving, heartless soul cried out to her. 

It also was in great suffering. Oh, how she could relate.

Taking off, the flames flew her over to the demon in a blink of an eye.

It howled when she came close. Although, it did not attack. Instead it began to tremble back.

"Wait!" she called to it compassionately, "I want to help you."

Hesitantly, it emerged into the light of the fire's glow.

"Here, this may hurt a little at first." she reached out her hand.

The beast jumped back again.

"Please" she begged.

Steadily it came towards her and allowed her to place her flaming hand on it's head.

In minutes, the evil had cleared away from the beast and it had returned to it's natural form. 

An apple tree. 

 A beautiful apple tree with juicy, red apples. No blood, no dead corpses, or evil vines and thorns could be found. 

It was just a simple apple tree.

"How did you know what to do?" the soldier questioned as she healed him with her fire.

"I don't know . . . Came to me I guess." she gave a laugh, then a wide grin.

"You're a very peculiar, lovely lady." he replied.

"I know. Here's your sword."

"Thank you." he spread his arms wide in a celebratory hug.

"Your welcome." she said accepting the offer.

They stood there for a few minutes.

"So, what is your name?" he asked a bit bashful.

"Fenna Adan"

"Fenna, what a lovely name. Nice to meet your acquaintance, Fenna Adan" he bowed.

She giggled.

I'm absolutely surprised that they didn't kiss in the end --> knowing me at the age I wrote this. 

This put a smile on my face even with the deus ex machina and the rushed writing.

I may revise it later if anyone desires it to be. I may do it on a day where I am bored and wish to past the time. 

Fantasy stories and music, always the best combination. Don't ya agree?

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Stop the presses, there is an emergency I must attend to!

I hope you are all safe and sound.

'Cause the world's about to go into total chaos with these last few words.

Bye, bye, have a great time! :P