Village of Hansel, The Fountain Square, Present day.
Xeto weaved under another of the demon's swings. "What's wrong, Bastard? Losing your speed?"
Then came another flail.
Xeto stopped it midway with his shield. It didn't shatter this time. "Zuland waste!" He swung for the knight's abdomen with no avail as it did little to damage the armor. There had to be a way to bring it down. He could feel it, the knight moved a slight slower and its swings had a ting of less force behind them. Demons didn't tire but having that layer of aura around must have been slowing him, even if just a little.
A sudden flash came from the knight's flank.
It spun around without hesitation to catch a bolt of lightning that was flying at him.
Lightning? Alzac. He never thought he'd smile at the sight of the blonde-haired pompous that emerged as if from nowhere.
The knight was now between himself and Alzac. "Now that's a neat trick." Alzac slid two fingers on the flat edge of his sword as new sparks of gold flashed around it. "Think you can catch another?"
The knight crushed the bolt in his hand, the lightning coiled around his body like serpents before dissolving into his body.
A sniper shot shattered the wind.
A spark of lighting flashed behind the knight's leg. A second later a bullet bounced on the ground.
The shot was meant to hit the back of his— Brilliant thinking, Rebecca. Xeto's eyes widened as he smiled inwardly. The lighting had shielded it this time but if he could somehow drain it of its aura it would leave it exposed for Rebecca.
"Eliminate Loradel Commanders," said the knight, as it turned its back to Alzac.
"Don't give your back to me, Cur," said Alzac.
It formed a bolt of lighting in its palm and held it above its helm like a spear. The sparks bounced uncontrollably off its armor before he threw the spear.
Xeto blocked it though it did little as his muscles stiffened from the minor bolts that managed to elude him. His head burned with sweat. "Alzac, I need you to draw its attention."
"Don't think that's going to happen, Little Wolf. He seems to fancy you, something fierce."
The lightning-covered knight began to catch speed as he rushed towards Xeto.
How much more could he endure? Xeto wiped away his sweat and with it his doubts. The combination of heat from his hatred and the burning sun kept him at the ready.
The knight leaped and failed his thrust attempt as its right blade dug into the ground. Waves of lightning emerged from the point of impact. It pulled the blade free from the soil as it uppercut with its other hand.
Xeto sidestepped but felt his heart skip a beat as the blade was inches from impaling him.
"Over here!" yelled Alzac as he took hold of Xeto's sword. The sound of squelching flesh came as he pulled it loose from the knight's back.
As if angered the knight angled itself to counter attack.
Alzac met steel with steel as blocked using both swords. "Xe— Xeto here." Whilst still holding back the knight's strength with one hand he threw Xeto his blade.
Xeto felt a wave of vigor as he felt the familiar grasp of his sword. He swung at the knight's opposite side.
It blocked it, and now held a them both at bay.
Just as Xeto wanted, he pushed with his remaining strength to keep it locked between blades. He smiled alongside Alzac as he heard the sniper shot whiz passed his ear.
The knight suddenly fell to one knee as the satisfying yet off-putting sound of cracked bones filled the air.
Xeto felt the pressure loosen as he pushed harder down.
"Shoot this bastard's other leg off, Rebecca," shouted Alzac.
Then came another shot.
A sudden burst of energy from the knight blew Xeto and Alzac to the ground.
Xeto blinked rapidly, his mouth agape as he saw the knight had stopped the second bullet. It floated in place as the knight held his open hand in front of it.
Alzac jumped to feet. "I don't think so." Sword in hand he ran for the kneeling knight.
The knight swayed its arm towards its attacker, redirecting the bullet.
"Back on the—" Alzac groaned as he dropped his sword to the ground. He quickly joined it as he fell to his knees. He gagged loudly as he shakily covered the open wound with both hands. Blood seeped through his fingers and turned the soil to mud. "I—" He fell on his side lost consciousness.
Everything froze as Xeto eyes locked on the scene.
The knight's blue flames began to fade away as it struggled to get to its feet. It leaned on its blades for aid and looked to the sky.
"No!" yelled Xeto as his anger fueled him to his feet. "Damn you." He was inches away from the weakened demon before an unexpected gust of wind suspended him into the air and made him land hard on his back. He covered his eyes with his forearm as it felt like a sudden hurricane had arrived into the town. He unshielded himself to catch the source of the impromptu tempest.
The beast-sized hawk from before was now only feet from Xeto. Like a storm, it engulfed the area beneath it in darkness and every flap of its wings clouded the air with dust. In its talons it held the knight.
"Can't be…" uttered Xeto.
The hawk broke into flight followed by an ear-wrenching squawk of pain as a bullet pierced under its wing. It ripped through the skies and was lost behind the Owlen Mountains within seconds. It was silent once again.