Life and Death

Chapter 4: Greater Demon, Greater Problem

Ekron still has his cloak on, but the hood is down. He has chiseled features, and a long skinny nose. His eyes are solid gold, but one has three deep, pale scars going through it. The scars contrast greatly with his tan skin.

"Ah my dear Kalex. That battle was cut too short. We didn't even have ample time to prepare. As you can see, this time I brought my associates."

The group of demons now surrounds Kalex, Myanne, Marah, and Poixuhr. One lunges right for Poixuhr. Poixuhr's finger bones become sharp, and he stabs it right into the opposer's throat. It gurgles and sputters as blood wells up in its mouth. Poixuhr yanks his hand out. The creature falls and rolls down the stairs. Ekron stares as his servant tumbles down the pyramid. He releases a war cry, and the hoard swarms around the heroes.

Marah readies a fireball in one hand, and shadow claws on the other. Kalex draws his sword and his pistol. Myanne gets into a martial arts stance, her fists surrounded by ice. Poixuhr forms spikes on all his bones. A group of four charges at Marah. She rolls to the side and slashes at one with her shadow claws, shredding it. Marah pushes off the ground and blasts wind behind her, sending her up and over the now group of three. One attempts to punch her, she grabs its distorted hand and conjures fire. The fire consumes the creature in a white-hot inferno. It screams as it watches its body be consumed by Marah's otherworldly flames. The final two charge at Marah together. They both hold two shadow daggers. One comes from the left, the other from the right. They charge and the left one stabs Marah in the side. She winces in pain, but is able to continue. Marah conjures a swarm of shadow bees. They buzz and hum as they dive bomb towards the demon assassins. The assassins howl as the bees sting and stick, continually injecting poison into them, until the demons swell up and explode in a mess of black and green goo.

While Marah deals with her demons, Kalex is surrounded on all sides, by six demons. These six clearly are not magic users, but use a sword, like Kalex. One rushes towards him, Kalex deflects the demons sword and stabs it in the chin with such a force, it's head flies off and it's neck spurts thick, black blood, until finally crumpling to the ground. Three attack next, on all different sides. Kalex slashes at one, cutting it in half, and dodges under the blade of the second, and finally decapitating the third. The other two demons fill in the spots of the fallen. The second of the original three makes an attempt at Kalex's shoulder. The blade makes its mark, and lodges itself into Kalex's shoulder. Kalex pulls the sword out of his shoulder, and uses as his own. He stabs the second with his own sword then spin, cutting the final two in half.

Meanwhile Myanne is surrounded by three magic demons. She smiles and gets to work. All three demons attack at once, shooting various elements at various places. Myanne weaves through the web of death and hits one demon square in the chest. As soon as her hand makes contact, ice spreads. Soon the demon stands, completely and utterly frozen. Myanne roundhouse kicks and demon in the neck, and it shatters. She turns and punches the next demon in the face. It's head bursts into flames, but it continues to hurl shadow orbs at Myanne. Myanne kicks one of the shadow orbs backward, and it slams into the third demon, obliterating it. She realizes that this final one will clearly cause her some problems. She makes each appendage an element. Earth. Air. Fire. Water. Myanne jumps into the air and shoots. The elements combine and conflict, creating a high-powered, steamed rock. The demon catches the rock and hurls it back, adding some of its own magic. Myanne returns the favor, turning this into a deadly game of chicken. The demon adds a layer of white fire, Myanne adds shadow. Soon the rock is huge. Both struggle to keep control. Myanne catches the ball, stumbles back, adds ice and throws it back. The demon catches it, but its weight is too much. The demon tumbles back, down the pyramid, and is crushed by the ball of death.

Poixuhr receives most of the enemies. With a simple elegance, Poixuhr easily cuts down many enemies at once. They keep coming. Poixuhr shoots spikes from his spine. They impale the enemies behind. They keep coming. He curls up into a ball and suddenly releases, sending bone shrapnel everywhere. They keep coming. He lifts his arms up to the sky and lets out a bloodcurdling scream. All the surrounding demons shriek in pain before exploding in a mess of black blood and guts.

Ekron steps forward, clapping slowly, dramatically, "Well to say the least I didn't expect a band of misfits to defeat my army. Don't get too prideful though. It was just a small one, especially compared to what S has for you." A strange grin appears on his face, as he lets out a little laugh, "Whoops. I've told too much. I must be going. Oh yeah by the way Marah, I'm loving the new look. I hope being a greater demon adds a little color to your life." He disappears in a cloud of smoke.

"Well that was exciting..." Marah says as she leans lovingly into Kalex.

"Marah can you not." Kalex replies as he pushes Marah away.

"Not what?"

"Stop touching me like that."

"What do you mean?"

"Listen Marah I loved you-"

"Loved?"

"Marah I'm not comfortable dating a demon, much less a Greater Demon."

"Kalex. That's like saying you wouldn't date Myanne because she's black!"

"No it's not! You're a demon now!"

"The only thing that's changed is my appearance!"

"Are you sure?"

"How dare you! You're just jealous that I'm stronger than you even though I've had my powers for less time."

"That's not true!"

"Kalex you know the only reason I was dating you was because I felt sorry? Poor Kalex spent his whole life having to deal with the fact that his brother's death was his fault. Oh no your Dad died before you got to know him? I NEVER KNEW MY PARENTS! I LIVED ON THE STREET MOST OF MY LIFE!"

"Marah stop! Don't you see what you're doing?"

Around Marah dark clouds swirl ominously.

"I won't stop Kalex! You need to hear what everyone thinks of you! Everyone pities you! The respect you think they give you isn't respect! It's pity and it always has been! You know why don't you?! It's because you always bring it up! Not a day goes by without everyone feeling sorry that there's nobody left who loves you! I mean nobody! We all know your Mother hates you because she thinks if you would've been smarter, you could've saved her favorite son!"

"Marah you don't understand what you're saying!"

"I understand perfectly. I'm done feeling sorry for an unwanted, shallow, know-it-all! If you never spoke to me again it would be too soon! I HOPE YOU REALIZE THAT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON LEFT ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH THE CARED FOR YOU! ALL THAT'S LEFT IS YOUR PROTECTOR AND PEOPLE WHO WANT YOU DEAD!"

"Marah you can't mean what you're saying!" Hot tears run down his face.

"OH LITTLE KALEX IS CRYING! HOW ABOUT WE TELL THE WHOLE WORLD SO THEY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU! OH WAIT NO ONE WILL CARE ABOUT THE FORGOTTEN SAVIOR! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE CONSIDERED PERFECT! NO OFFENSE LIFE BUT YOU NEED TO WORK ON PERFECTION!"

"Marah look at the sky!"

"ARE YOU SCARED KALEX? ARE YOU?! YOU SHOULD BE! IF I DIDN'T STILL LOVE YOU I WOULD RIP YOUR HEART OUT AND FEED IT TO YOU!" Blood red tears start pouring out of Marah's eyes. "If I didn't love you so much. Do you see what you do to people Kalex?"