The Trouble With Slaying

The Trouble with Demons

There was a long moment of silence where that bit of news sank in. Then Aria was carefully breaking it. "Ah, forgive me if I'm the only one in the dark here but, what's a Balor again?"

I grimaced. "You watched the Lord of the Rings, right?" Aria nodded. "Remember the big beasty that chased the company out of Moria and killed Gandalf?" Aria paled, then turned on Matthew in horror.

"You want us to fight something like that?!"

Matthew grimaced as he nodded. "I realize the risks. Which is why I'm paying you up front. I'd rather you go in prepared so you make it back out alive. Anything special you need, I'll try to help you find it. Even if I have to call in my favor from the Vampire Mistress."

"It's probably best you came to us actually." Shaw drew everyone's attention. He was furiously smoking, looking like he was trying to draw the entire dose of nicotine in with as few inhales as possible. It was the only indication that he was just as fearfull of this endeavor as the rest of us were. His gaze slowly lifted from the money on the table to Matthew. "I've heard of your power and strength, but I doubt even you and your wolf pack could take on a Balor and come out on top. You just don't have the training. No offense."

Matthew had stiffened a little at the implication that he was weaker than this monster. He sighed and dropped the hostility when Gideon tugged on his arm a little. "The thought had occurred to me."

Shaw frowned at the money again as he finished his cigarette and snubbed it out in the ashtray on the table. Then he was slowly looking around the room to each of us in turn. "Well? I'm not gonna make any one of you go into this if you don't want to. It's going to take all of us to beat this thing too, so if any would like to object to this mission, speak now or forever hold your piece."

I bit my lip as I considered. With all of us working together, we could probably take down a Balor. But Shaw was right. If even just one of us decided not to risk it, we wouldn't be able to pull off the job. I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. I believed in this team.

"I'm with you boss."

Liam glanced back, his gaze taking me in before sharing a meaningful look with Sawamura. The Dhampire sighed and Liam quirked a smile as he turned back to Shaw. "Count us in too boss."

Aria sighed, shaking her head. "You boys are all insane. Fine. I'll come along." Lissi chimed a laugh from Aria's shoulder.

"Then we're all accounted for boss. We're hunting a Balor."

Matthew let out an exhale of relief. Then he was straightening up again and nodding in satisfaction. "Good. If you need anything else, then let me know. I've got a pair of wolves keeping eyes on the beast. I can give you the current location whenever you're ready."

Shaw snorted and dug into the bag of food he had brought home for dinner. "Let us eat. Hopefully it's not our last meal." We all came forward to grab our portion and Shaw quickly started setting out battle plans. He briefed everyone on a Balors typical fighting preference and weapons they were partial to. The swords sharpened specifically for severing heads sounded even more dangerous than the red hot whips.

"To counter the sheer weight of his unholy aura, we're going to need weapons of cold iron or that have been blessed. Preferably both. Balors are immune to fire, electricity and poison. Acid and cold doesn't do much either. He's also going to have some spell casting ability in addition to his brute strength. Not gonna lie, we've got our work cut out for us. But this thing has to be taken out sooner rather than later."

We bolted the last of the food and then we got to work. Shaw got the location of the Balor from Matthew, then shooed him off, telling him to get out from underfoot and let us do our job. Matthew snarled at being dismissed so casually, but Shaw had stopped paying attention. The Wolf King finally snorted and left, Gideon trailing behind him.