Black Avatare

19 | BEAR

In every single instance Binara had fought supernatural entities in the past, she was the one to surprise them. She had the urn ready, runes drawn, and the hapless spirit didn't stand a chance. The universe appeared to test her of late, throwing everything it had at her. That was what flashed across her head as she watched the demon dashing at them—a swift shadow in the dim village garden.

Piumi recoiled while Binara's instincts kicked in. She grabbed the decanter of holy water in her bag and sent the water flying in an arc. The demon dodged, its reflexes lightning fast. Ectoplasm leaked from its form, like ripples in a pond, and particles shimmered in the reddish glow of twilight. Its aura was formidable. A sinking feeling in Binara's gut told her that this could very well be a Mara demon and certainly not in the lower end of the spectrum.

The monster released a guttural sound and shot out a hand. There was no time to think or react. An unseen force blasted them, ramming them against the trees. Piumi shrieked. The impact knocked the air out of Binara's lungs, and pain bloomed in her back. This was a dangerous setback that would cost her precious time. Her brain went into overdrive, coming up with ways to escape—except it also took into account the girl next to her. Why do I care? She made her own choice to come here. Not my fault if something happens. Despite logic and reason, a weight solidified inside, which she couldn't push aside. It compelled her to ensure Piumi's safety.

"The verses," Binara hissed, getting to her feet.

Piumi's eyes bulged. "W-what?"

"Verses. Then run."

The demon strode towards them, its old-fashioned attire streaming back. It was a gaunt male. The overcast sky cast shadows over its features, and red glinted from the puddles of black that were its eye sockets. It sped up, almost gliding over the ground. Piumi screamed out protective verses, halting its motion.

"Run!" Binara swerved sideways along the fence, just behind Piumi.

Their hurtling run knocked aside plants, but they barely made it a few meters before two pots soared up and sailed right at them. They veered away, avoiding collision by a hair's breadth. As the pots shattered, Binara tripped and sprawled on the ground.

A nanosecond later, a fist grabbed her hair and snapped her head back. Pure adrenaline made her spin around and swipe with her claw ring, but the demon dodged. She kicked it, her body breaking into the angampora moves she had learned. The demon released her but retaliated, making her roll away. The ground dented under the blow—where her head was a moment ago. She scrambled to her feet, panting, and backflipped to safety, though her foe covered the distance in a heartbeat.

Close combat was far from ideal, especially when her opponent was a six-foot demon using poltergeism. A volley of attacks made her dodge and parry—a dangerous dance that battered her with each passing second. Heliconias and jasmines slapped against them, tearing and flattening, while the relentless assault drove Binara back. A jumble of noises rocked her ears, vying with her frenzied heart. All it took was one miscalculated step for the demon to lunge at her throat. Its hands curled around her neck, and long nails tightened like pincers. Then it smacked her back to the ground. As she gasped, its eyes drilled into hers—a hellish scarlet that struck terror into her heart.

Suddenly, it straightened, head snapping to the right with unnatural speed. Piumi stood with a metal rod in her hand, chest heaving.

The demon leaped up and attacked her—a combination of physical blows and poltergeism. Piumi dodged and swiped, aiming for pressure points, but it made no impact. Binara jumped to her feet, barely avoiding a stray rock that whizzed past her head. She grabbed her half-empty decanter and flung the remaining holy water at the demon. A sizzling noise rose above the wind and the muted cacophony of unseen battles. Yet, it did nothing more than make it flinch. What the water did accomplish was anger the entity, judging by the gleam in its eyes and the slow, predatory half-smile.