Kingdom of Zuland, The Undergrove, Present day.
The howls of distant demons filled the swamp like a grim ensemble.
Xeto trudged through the ankle-deep water, his boots lost in the fog of mud. His wrist stung from the ice-cold droplets that found themselves in his open wound. This isn't good, its only a matter of time before the demons here catch the scent of my blood. He looked back to find his companion with his eyes planted to the ground.
Roy looked up at him before nodding in disapproval.
Xeto scoffed and focused on the path ahead of him. He doesn't understand, no one does. He blames me for hurting her? I did what I had to—if he had just killed Giase, this would have never ensued. He swallowed hard. I hope Anaria is safe, even if is my final resting ground, I'll make sure to save her and take as many of these monsters with me.
The marsh seemed to be playing a cruel game as every inch of it resembled the last. A sudden loud bash bounced off the trees, shortly followed by the screeches of demons. The sound came again, it sounded like something was bringing down the forest as trees groaned before hitting the swamp floor.
"What is that?" mumbled Roy.
Xeto continued without answering as he readied his hand cannon.
The screeches sounded provoked, as if the demons were attacking something, or someone.
Anaria. Xeto quickened his pace, pulling up clumps of mud with every step.
The upcoming trees stood tightly near one another, the gaps in between them filled with thick mossy foliage.
Xeto reached for his hilt but stopped himself. A sword would be an ill-chosen weapon in such a tight environment.
At their flank, distant footsteps neared by the second.
Xeto aimed his magicarm into the darkness, a shiver sent down his spine as another screech cut through the fog. His eyes glossed over the sea of black as his hand lightly quivered. Was it fear, the cold, or the pain of his injury—a combination of all three, no doubt. His grip tightened as he saw the familiar lantern-like glow of demon's eyes.
The tall frail demon stepped into a fraction of moonlight. Leathery wood-like skin, yellow eyes, and two crooked horns that jutted out of its forehead, traits that identified it as a Ghoul.
Xeto felt a ping of relief, ghouls were a formattable threat for low-ranking demon hunters, but not for him.
Roy readied his bow, arrow drawn back.
Xeto shot him a quick glance. "Stay out of this, you'll only be in the way."
The eleven simply gritted his teeth through pressed lips.
The ghoul had its eyes locked on Xeto as it stampeded towards him. One well-placed bullet to the its knee caused it to tumble into the water. It quickly lunged using only one leg.
Xeto sidestepped and trained his sights on its skull. He fired, killing it instantly as its corpse flopped over. Dirty water filled the fresh cavity in its head as it sank lightly into the murk.
Another pair of footsteps, they sounded about the same weight and speed, another two ghouls.
Xeto pulled back from the cramped marsh and went up a small incline that was decorated with boulders. With his slight height gain, he spotted the incoming ghouls with ease. He relaxed his shoulders as four yellow eyes charged for him. The slope he stood on, though wet and steep, would work perfectly to his advantage here. He drew his sword, ghouls were tall and reaching their heads was a difficult task, but with this position fashioning a kill would be simple.
The ghouls were mere feet from him now, running behind one another.
Just like I want you… Xeto dodged the first strike by mere inches as the ghoul's claws scraped his chest plate. He retaliated with a heavy horizontal swing, cleaving the first ghoul's head from its shoulders. Without a second to spare he used the combination of the sharp incline and the wet grass to slide through its legs and bring him face to face with his second adversary. He readied his sword for another decapitation but was cut off as an arrow whizzed inches from his face and pierced into the ghoul's torso. He stumbled back as he turned towards the one responsible. His ears grew warm. "What in solitude are you doing, Roy! You almost hit me!"
The demon, who now had recovered from the shot, pounced atop Xeto as it displayed its festering teeth.
Blood splat onto Xeto's cheek as another arrow flew into the ghoul's neck. He quickly took hold of the arrow's base and used it as leverage to slam the demon's skull into a pointed end of a nearby boulder. The weight of its limp body suddenly pressed down on him. Gods dammit! He pushed it aside before wiping the blood from his cheek. "What in the gods name were you thinking! I told you to stay out of my way!" He and Roy shared glares.
Roy shrugged. "You're welcome, lad."
"Really? Here and now?"
"I was trying to help you."
Xeto threw his arms out. "Much good that did. Now you decide to help! What about when Anaria needed you? You couldn't kill Giase but you have no problem almost putting an arrow in me?"
"Killing? Is that all that drives you? You're just like the men that you're against." Roy lowered his bow.
Xeto grimaced as he turned away from the elven. "See me in whichever light you want, it doesn't matter to me."
The new day's light peaked ever so slightly through the ceiling above them. A distant blue flash bounced off the muddied waters.
Xeto squinted to assure that his eyes were not playing tricks on him. There was no doubt, the cobalt light belonged to the Lionslayer. A beautiful display of blue tongues of fire, countered by the dread of the demon casting them.
A sudden shriek pierced through the fog.
"Anaria!" yelled Xeto, as he dashed and muscled through the pain at his ankle. With every step his heart beat harder as the glow of the Lionslayer's energy enlarged, illuminating the nightmare that surrounded them.
Four ghouls appeared from the shadows, growling and screeching as they closed in on the brute.
The Lionslayer swung both of its blades horizontally, cleanly cutting through two of the ghouls.
What? Why are they attacking it? Xeto shook the thoughts away. They were doing him a favor, ripping each other to shreds.
The remaining demons pounced for the knight.
The Lionslayer drew its crimson-stained blades back before thrusting them forward, catching the demons midair. They squirmed as they desperately clawed at their attacker.
Xeto stepped into the light as the Lionslayer slammed the demons against nearby stones. His eyes darted from moss-covered tree, to stone, to shrub in hopes of finding Anaria. His heart skipped a beat as his eyes landed on her.
She was on her knees, her clothes covered in mud and dirt, her hair a bit undone and with thin twigs tangled in it. Her sorrowful eyes were stuck on the combat between the demons.
"Ana—" Xeto was cut off as a sudden force pushed him onto the swamp floor. A massive weight plagued his chest as a ghoul pinned him down, its jaws inches from his neck. With his breath caught in his throat he pulled his sword up to block incoming bite. Thick warm saliva dripped onto his face as the ghoul snapped its jaws against the black steel of his blade. Dammit! I let my guard down! His muscles strained as the wretched smell of copper overtook him. He craned his head over to Anaria, who now was being approached by the blood-covered Lionslayer. No no no no! The strain on his arms loosened as an arrow pierced into the ghouls' head.
Roy eyed him with his prior eyes of contempt.
Xeto groused as he threw the demon's corpse into a nearby pool of water and quickly got to his feet.
The Lionslayer was now right above Anaria, its chest heaving heavily as fresh blood dripped from its armor.
Xeto's head as if it was aflame. "Get away from her!" All previous injuries were a memory as adrenaline filled his every vein. He released the weight of his anger as he swung at the blue beast.
The Lionslayer caught the incoming blade in its palm before pulling him in and bashing him with the backside of its fist.
Xeto crashed into the water, now disarmed as the Lionslayer tossed his sword aside. He languidly got back to his feet; the flame of adrenaline now stifled as muddied water and sweat dripped from his bangs. He used his remaining energy to encase his hand in black crystal, forming a crystal claw. "I'll…kill you." His eyes focused on the dim light in the knight's visor. "I'll kill you." He dashed at full sprint; claw drawn back.
"Xeto, no!" cried Anaria as she stepped in between him and the knight. She spread her arms wide as her glistened eyes met his.
Xeto blinked rapidly as if waking from a dream. "W-what? Anaria, what are you doing?" He swallowed hard.
"Please don't hurt him."
"Him? What—I," he stammered.
She put his hand on his shoulder. "He was protecting me," she continued between heavy breaths.
Xeto put out his hand. "This thing isn't alive, its nothing but a monster."
The sound of grinding steel echoed though the surrounding trees as the Lionslayer's blades folded back into its armor.
The orchestra of distant demon howls resonated around them.
The marsh appeared as if it was still encased in nightfall as the new day's light was barely visible through the ceiling of thick greenery.
Anaria leaned in. "Please trust me, Xeto."
Her warm touch calmed his breathing as he hesitantly nodded back at her.
"Dangerous…here, must escape…"
Xeto's eyes widened. "What did you—"
"He's right," interrupted Roy.
Xeto didn't face him as he picked up his sword from the maws of mud. "He?" He returned a glare. "Did you forget who attacked Hansel?"
They were interrupted by the screams of nearing demons.
"We have to go, that thing isn't coming with us." Xeto took lead as he pointed towards distant darkness. "We have to get higher up, then maybe we can find where to go." He fastened his pace, beckoning for the others to the same. From the corner of his eye Anaria took hold of the Lionslayer's arm and pulled him along. She was such a compassionate person, more so of why he yearned to protect her. But being kind was a weakness in the eyes of the wretched. He cursed the thought of her being injured because of it. He walked up a steep incline and offered his hand to Anaria.
She quivered as he pulled her up. "Thank you," she said softly.
Traversing through the marsh was made more difficult by the lack of paths, light, and distinct scenery which all appeared the same.
A low growl came from a low hanging tree ahead of them. Two candlelight eyes peaked between the cracks in the leaves.
Xeto stiffened as he readied his sword.
A ghoul pounced from its den of leaves; jaws opened wide and dripping with saliva.
Heavy footsteps came from behind them as the Lionslayer dashed forward and caught the ghoul by its neck. The demon's body went limp after a loud crack as the knight tightened its grip. It tossed its kill aside then turned back to face them.
With closed lips, Xeto gritted his teeth as he looked into the empty abyss of the knight's visor.
The screams at their flank were almost upon them.
Xeto looked down at the elven siblings who wore opposite expressions. "We can't outrun them going uphill. We have to hold our ground here." He eyed the knight. "Time to prove yourself, demon."
There was no reaction from it.
The void of darkness surrounding them was filled by demonic eyes.
Xeto's breath shuttered. "Anaria, get behind me. Roy, guard the steep end. And you… take the vanguard.
The demons of all shape and sizes surrounded them, some of which were a variant Xeto had never seen before. They howled in unison before rushing on all fours.
A thundering sniper shot overruled the shrieks of the further provoked demons. A series of magicarm shots echoed above them each of their bullets met their mark, hitting the demons in the neck or head. One by one they tumbled into the mud as they attempted to make their way up to them.
Xeto eyed the branches high above to no avail as all he could make out was the muzzle flashes of their unknown saviors.
A hooded figure landed beside them.
Xeto pointed his sword towards the newcomer.
"Calm yourself, boy," said the gruff voice under the hood. "Take this." He tossed a small red shined marble.
"What is this?" retorted Xeto.
"Crush it, now," he ordered.
All eyes were on him once more. He hesitantly obliged. The marble shattered with minimal effort. Suddenly, a blinding red flash overtook him. He put up a hand to shield himself from the bright assault as he tumbled back. Warm soil pushed in between his fingers as he caught himself. He opened his groggy eyes as warm sunlight kissed his face. His stomach churned as the ringing in his ears was replaced by the chirps of birds. He grunted as his vison cleared, like waking from a nightmare he was surrounded by large open plowed fields with buildings in the distance.
"Where am I—"
"Safe, for now," came the voice of the man.
The man came from his flank and lowered his hood before extending his hand. His strength was presented as he pulled him to his feet with ease. "You have a name, boy?" The man's skin was tan with a thick beard decorating his square jaw.
"Xeto," he replied. "Wait—" His mouth went dry as he looked all around to find they were the only ones in the field. "Where are my friends?"
"Calm yourself." He put up his hands. "Xeto, was it? Your companions are safe, they were simply transported somewhere else in town." He swept back his long soil-colored hair. "I'm called Ren. Ren Lordes." He loosened his cloak, revealing his thick leather armor.
Xeto sighed and took a second to take in the surroundings. They were surrounded by massive wooden walls that stretched almost a mile long around them.
Ren towered over him. "Crimson pearl teleportation can leave one a bit disoriented. Get your bearings."
"You said 'town'?" echoed Xeto.
"Yes. You're in Elegliss."