Demon Hunters

Chapter 23: The Aftermath

Grimm didn't care for where Brumm was taking him. His mind was replaying what he had just seen. His father, a nail wound to the heart, crying, and falling apart into ash.

He wiped a tear that was trying to slide down his cheek, taking in a deep breath. He never expected to see that. He didn't think anyone could kill the Nightmare King again, much less his father who was probably fighting to stay with them.

'Goodbye you two,' his father said before disintegrating into ash in front of him, Scarlet crying at his side and his dad giving a final smile-

Grimm shook his head. He gave a sigh and looked down at the ground. He had no idea you could care so much for someone even if you'd only known them for a few days.

He felt a firm hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Brumm giving him a mournful look.

"Try not to look so down, young master," he said quietly. "He's not truly dead. Just back in his realm."

"How is that any better?" Grimm asked, smelling faintly burning grass. He took a few deep breaths to steady himself.

'You can't let yourself be consumed with anger. Fire is far closer to anger than most emotions,' his father said, noticing him burning the floor of the tent in frustration. 'Take a deep breath in and then let it out.'

Grimm felt another surge of tears and shook his head. Brumm gave him a small pat on the back.

    "Just thought it'd help," Brumm said before opening a tent flap for Grimm. "Let's get you patched up."

    Grimm walked in and looked around the tent for a place to sit. It appeared to be more of a storage tent, or more accurately, first-aid storage. There were shelves filled with spring water containers and gauze could be seen peeking out from chests open ajar.

    Grimm finally found a few stools in the corner and walked over to the furthest stool. He guessed this was where his dad got the spring water from the first day.

    "Turn that way," Brumm said as he approached, gauze and a gel in hand.

    "How can you see anything?" Grimm asked. He knew at this point he had night vision, but he didn't see how Brumm could have it.

    "I have good enough night vision given the fact I perform in the dark a lot. But, if your really that concerned about it, you can light the lantern above us," Brumm said, sitting down.

    Grimm had to focus for a minute before making a flame small enough and controlled enough to put into the lantern. He forced himself not to think of his dad. That's when Grimm remembered what his dad had said and what Brumm had said.

"If my dad's back in the Nightmare Realm, than how are we actually going to see him again?" Grimm asked. "It's not like me or Scarlet are going to get banished, right?"

Brumm winced before starting to apply the gel to Grimm's shoulder, "Master... he didn't want to tell her out his fact until you were much older."

"Tell me what?" Grimm asked, wincing at the cool gel.

"Nightmare Kings aren't meant to stay in this realm forever. You're not meant to be here forever," Brumm said. "You'll be given enough time to master your magic, find a mate, and have a child before you return."

"W-what? And how long is 'enough time?'" Grimm asked, starting to panic.

"Hrmmm. Master estimated he'd live to be forty or fifty, if he was lucky," Brumm said sadly. "He had planned to explain that to you when he felt the time was right. Most likely with the next month once he had both of you and could leave this place."