Demon Hunter

Chapter 8- Burning Ember, Literally

Seeing his smug expression just enraged me further.

What a bloody clown. That monster is going down.

Bursts of energy coursed through my veins and I could feel an immense surge of power consuming me.

Unfortunately, despite this good feeling, my head began to throb uncontrollably and my vision went blurry for a few seconds.

Shaking off these negative side effects, I got into a fighting stance.

The demon stopped in its filthy tracks and cackled like a freaking, crazed maniac.

"You're kidding me, right?" He said, "You buffoon, do you honestly think a pathetic mortal like yourself can stop me? Why, I'll tear your ring covered finger off and then I'll snap your neck in half as if it's a twig. I'll throw your body around in this area like it's a rag doll. Once I destroy you and slice you in half, I'll use your puny, split corpse as a carpet at my home. Or as a blanket."

Ew, as if!

His ember eyes glowed as he roared, "PREPARE TO DIE!"

"Not today, you twisted, mad, sick animal," I shouted. As he charged at me, I started seeing two of him.

Damn, my vision's gotta stop toying with me...OK, concentrate Raven, don't even let this demonic douche get a hit on you---

THWACK!

I flew backwards, crashing right into a brick wall and then I fell down right into a bush full of thorns. Not good.

"Ouch." I winced, getting up fast, knowing full well any slow movement could possibly cause me to meet my doom. Brushing myself off, I managed to remove leaves, but I could still feel some thorns digging into my skin. I sighed in frustration as I quickly removed them off my gorgeous body.

I need backup, ugh, but there isn't a dang citizen in sight in this monstrous rain.

Looking at the ring on my finger, I noticed it was glowing. Hmm, I should take this as a good sign? But despite my confidence, the demon literally landed a blow on me, injured me and is now coming for another attack.

I thought he was going to go in for another punch, but he changed his tactic. Instead, he shot bloodthirsty crows in my direction.

"What the heck?" Horrified, I rolled out of the way, thankful for my fast reaction, and ran right towards an old victorian themed building. Luckily, the front door was open. I slipped in and slammed it shut, tightening each and every lock as my hands shook, nervously. I spun around and began my trek.

Silence filled the hallway as I walked, not even the sound of rain could be heard.

With each footstep I took, I became increasingly worried. What if the unholy beast somehow managed to follow me in here?

And oh damn, my head is spinning like crazy, causing tons of agony for me. Ever since I put on that cursed ring, I haven't been feeling so well. But it's probably also the only thing helping me in my battle against that pain in the ass.

At the end of the dreary, gray hall that had claw marks etched into the walls, I spotted another door. Hope lit up inside of me. I just wanna live. As much as I want to eliminate that creep, I don't think I can. I'm not ready and I have absolutely zero experience in fighting demons. All I can do is run and hope the Church comes after him. With crosses, holy books and so much more.

"Yes, finally," I pumped my fist up in victory. "I'm outta here, I hope it's an exit."

Sprinting towards the metal door, I pulled at it. It didn't budge.

After several attempts, I became frantic and switched my method.

I started slamming the door like crazy, well aware that jerk could possibly hear me and find me...

"Someone, please open up!" I screamed. "There's a creepy psychopathic red thingy chasing me!"

"Pity, don't you think?" the demon growled from behind me, causing me to turn around. "Even the door wants you to die."

"It's not a real person, stupid," I glared. "I think someone drank a little too much in hell."

"My deer, the only thing I want to drink is your delicious soul," he licked his lips in hunger as he charged at me with lightning speed.

Using my quick wits, I jumped right over him, landing on my feet like a badass. Maybe...the ring aided me? The woman did say it would help me in a fight against the demon.

"What in Satan's name---" he sputtered as he slammed his horns right through the metal door. Damn, those things are strong!

I know I said I'll run and let others handle it but after seeing him impale a door, I feel like I can take him on. Perhaps. Yes, I'm well aware I change my mind about whether I want to kill this thing more often than a fashionista changes her clothes.

"Tsk, tsk," I scolded him. "Damaging property, huh? That just reinforces why you need to go to hell, you monster."

This demon may have come from hell but when I'm finished with him, he's not going back there as a demon, instead, he's going to that wretched place as a ghost.

The fool pulled its horns out and grabbed the door right off its hinges, flinging it at me. Yikes!

I wanted to shoot out my arms in protection, and hope the ring might aid me but I couldn't chance it. I rolled out of the way very quickly. As I did, bursts of purple energy radiated from the ring, forming a huge, strong shield, causing the door to bounce right off, and tip over.

I clapped my hands in happiness for a few seconds and then ran towards the stunned demon at a very intense speed, landing a huge punch right on his jaw and causing him to fly through where the door used to be.

I ran up to where he crashed. He got up immediately and cracked his knuckles.

"Dad?"

I froze.

The words had been uttered by someone standing on the stairs. A little kid was on them, holding a teddy bear. He looked extremely afraid.

The demon smiled an ugly smile. "If I can't have your sweet, pure soul, then I'll take this child's."

He rushed towards the frightened child.

NO! I WILL NOT LET HIM!

I bolted as fast as I could, jumping over him, and blocking his path towards the kid.

"Get out of my way, you b*tch!" he seethed.

Arching my arm back, I gathered all the strength I could muster and shot a huge blast of purple energy at him. He roared in pain as he tumbled down the stairs.

"Bulls eye," I winked.

Getting up, he glared.

"You're all worthless scum, wasting MY precious time," he spat out in anger.

"Are you only saying that because you're struggling to beat me?" I mocked him.

Ignoring my words, he began glowing red.

"Fire, take everything from here!" he yelled.

"No!" I screamed.

But it was too late, a fire full of dark energy had started and the demon disappeared in a puff of smoke.

I turned towards the kid, who was shaking.

"Don't worry, I'm going to save you," I said, stumbling a little as my vision started to get blurry again. "Ah, my head, dammit, it's killing me," I moaned.

I sunk down on the floor, holding my head as searing pain shot through it.

"Help me," the kid began to sob.

"I-I-" my eyes fluttered. I want to help. I want to.

This just can't be happening, shit no, please not now.

Not now...