Demon Hearts

Chapter 1 - First Impressions

He was dead, but Tom backed away cautiously. He didn't mean to kill him; though Greta reassured that it was absolutely necessary. There's no way you can join the ranks of a dark guild and not be branded a killer at some point.

"All done," Greta beamed as she patted Tom on the back awkwardly "let's go collect the reward, I'm saving up for a new paintbrush." Her brooding companion daren't speak nor move, he simply froze in place, gawking down at his lifeless victim. He was a murderer.

It had been almost three weeks since Tom Rhead joined Demon Hearts, a dark magic guild situated in the far south of Fiore, far from civilisation and anything but sane. Like all new members do, he'd been tested and given many trials whilst out on quests; but not one quite as extreme as this. 'The art of murder', as most in the tiny, dysfunctional guild referred this test to. They all had to do it. They say it's kind of like their method of initiation. Being the only one to take an interest, Greta had volunteered to show Tom the 'way'. Tom still had much to learn.

"Okay." Tom replied in a mellow tone, displaying no emotion whatsoever. His raven black hair swayed in the breeze as he turned around slowly to face Greta, who instantly looked away as they made eye contact.

"You don't talk much, do you?" The brunette conjuror chuckled, brushing off one of her many canvases, attempting to brew a conversation. She was curious about this newcomer but she knew that it would take a while for him to trust her - he seemed rather timid which rendered him all the more intriguing. Then she noticed something. Something smudged and worn away on his upper arm. To Greta's surprise, it was a Fairy Tail emblem, smeared and barely visible; were her eyes playing tricks on her?

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About an hour later, the pair had safely returned to their sinister and mischievous guild hall, riddled with thieves, misfits and just down-right insane mages. The tattered guild was surrounded by the severed heads of former enemies on pikes. Their unending glares made Tom uneasy.

"You'd better get some rest. "I'll check in on you in the morning but don't start to think that I'm going to mother you for the rest of your days here. Grow a backbone and get to work - Tom." Greta hissed, flicking her bronze plait behind her shoulder; the sass was unreal. Her sudden stubborn nature shocked Tom but he found it quite attractive for some reason. Mentally slapping himself across the face, he instantly dismissed the thought as he blushed uncontrollably.

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"HEY ROOKIE! GET OVER HERE!" One of the rowdy wizards called from one of the crowded tables. Whipping his head around, a suddenly nervous Tom edged over to his caller; he daren't look at him in the eye.

"There's been some trouble with Blue Pegasus a few miles West. I want you to take Killjoy and get down there-" he was cut off by Tom abruptly.

"It's dark out. Don't you think it's a bad idea?" Smirking maliciously, the dark-haired wizard shrugged his shoulders.

"Does it look like I care? I'll pay you. That's all you need to hear." Tom immediately nodded in submission as he realised he was low on magic power (as always) so a fight would surely leave him weak and helpless.

"Very well," he sighed, eyeing 'Killjoy' from across the guild hall. She may as well have been a demon. Like ebony, her scruffy, deep purple hair swept across her pasty face and her eyes glowed a brilliant and vibrant white; almost blinding. She was enveloped in a burgundy, leather jacket and the black 'Panic! At the Disco" shirt hiding beneath it was torn and tattered. Unnerving was the best way to describe her, Tom pondered as he cautiously approached the twitchy girl.

"Hello, I'm Tom. I'm pairing up with you I g-" He was unexpectantly interrupted by 'Killjoy' clasping onto the collar of his Tang Zhuang and pulling him up to her face threateningly.

"Tell me, Tom. Do you, or do you not know who Brendon Urie is?" She asked, tightening her icy grip. This was the most obscure question he had ever heard. How was this relevant?

"Um...no-" Once again, Tom was suddenly cut off by 'Killjoy's' guitar head plunging into his abdomen. Greta couldn't help but giggle as she observed carefully. Thrusting it back towards her, 'Killjoy' placed her guitar beside her, watching Tom as he grasped onto his stomach in pain.

"Then I don't want anything to do with you. Don't talk to me, don't come near me and most of all, don't ask to team up with me." She explained, sipping her orange flavoured juice box blissfully.

"Well, too bad. We have a job to do," Tom said meekly as he regained his bearings "and you're coming with me whether you like it or not."

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