Demon Hunter

Chapter 10 - Face to Face with A "Fake" Wizard

I twisted a few more times and then my hands sprung free. As soon as they were free, I went for the bozo's dumb throat. Grasping my hands around his neck in a choking pose, I threateningly whispered "listen a*shole, I've had the shittiest day ever so I just wanna go home and contemplate on what to do next in my life. By the way, you fool with zero brain cells, if your cult locked this stupid demon in a room before, then surely they can do it again. Unless they seriously downgraded in their skills. Judging by the rope handiwork, they most likely did. Pure pathetic hopeless creeps."

"Need air," he gasped, barely audible. I released my hands and checked them for rope marks. As expected, the tying was so weak that there wasn't even a scratch on my beautiful hands. They might look delicate but these bad boys can punch your teeth right out.

The silly gray haired ape looked at me, total fear evident in his dirt brown eyes. "I---I---I don't know how to trap her again. My mentor gave me a book of spells but I lost it when I tried to summon a demon---"

"Wait just a minute. You tried to summon a demon? And you're calling me the demon lover but it's pretty clear who actually is," I scoffed. This gorilla tried to bring a demon to him while I fought one.

"I wanted to bind a demon to me," he ran a hand through his long hair. "If you bind a demon to you, they grant you your every wish."

In a twisted way, I'll bet.

"Kinda like a genie except there's no limit. And yes, there's a twist to them," He added the last part as if he read my mind. "My powers were limited. I wanted more during that time. To my horror, it backfired and the demon stole my book of spells while giving me this---" he lifted the robe further up his arm and there was a dark scar on his arm in the form of a skull.

"It could be the Vulture," I muttered to myself.

He raised an eyebrow. "Could be. There's no way of knowing. It's long gone. I couldn't tell the person who entrusted me what happened for I was in shame."

"You should be highly ashamed of yourself," I shot at him.

"Unfortunately, they passed away months ago. They weren't an elder but were an ancestor of the elders, wise demon trappers and wizards who are long gone." He continued, ignoring my rude but full of truth snipe at him. "While I'm no full wizard, I was given some powers. But they've slowly been fading away. I'm supposed to use the book of spells to re-generate but as you already know...the demon took it."

"It should have took you with the book." I said flatly. "Gosh, you really suck at your job, don't you?"

I got up, brushing myself off and spun around, going for the door.

Suddenly, something-or rather, someone-was tugging at my legs. "What the heck is your problem?!"

"Pleeeeeeease, you can't leave me, I need your help fixing this." He begged.

"Ugh, please get up, it's embarrassing," I said, my eyes wide at such a strange action. He was requesting for me to help him. The problem is even I don't know how to fix this. It's his duty anyway, not mine.

"Look---" I paused. "I just realized I don't even know your name!"

"It's Gruff." He said, getting up. Gruff was pretty short. A bit under five foot. I had to bend over slightly to talk to him.

"Well, I'm Raven and I'm going to fly out of here like the bird," I told him. "This is your mission, not mine."

"But think of all the fame and riches you'll get if you help me. So many people will be at your feet. You'll be Cleopatra 2.0."

"Hmm..." I can't believe I'm actually considering this and hearing the irresponsible lunatic out.

"And you fought off a freaking demon. You're already a legend in my eyes, babe."

"Ew, you're like in your 60's and I'm in my 20's. Can you not call me babe?"

"Sorry," he quickly said. "Honeybee?"

"Just Raven will do," I shrugged. "And I think I had help from a purple ring. It was probably giving me the strength and energy to fight."

Gruff's eyes went supremely wide that I thought they would pop right out of their sockets.

"The Ring of The Indigo Shade. Only one made and it seems to pop up at random places. It's like it's got a mind of its own. It gives humans and certain non-human individuals extraordinary power to fight off soulless creatures. But it also gives them tons of dark energy that can drive them mad and ready to jump off a cliff." He shuddered.

"Wow," I said, stunned. "You made so many horrible mistakes that gave me an overall negative view of you but your research on this ring makes me gain a tiny ounce of respect for you."

"Thank you?" he said, probably unsure if I was being sarcastic or sincere.

"No problem," I yawned.

"So will you help me?"

"Sure."

"Yes!" He pumped his fist in the air. "I would say something like come here tomorrow at six pm. We'll begin our plan then. But every minute we waste is precious. Even now, as we talk, she gets one step closer to what she wants. So I'll just dive right in to what we need to do. Right now. Dahlia's going to the Crow City graveyard to revive the three ancients. But first, she'll be looking for the Ring of the Indigo Shade which she needs to perform the ritual. Luckily, she can't control it. No one can. Only the Indigo Shade can but no one knows where they are. They left the planet long before you and I were born. I'm still puzzled why the ring helps you fight demons but showers you with negative energy...hmm, perhaps it was a failed experiment gone wrong and they just abandoned it---"

"You talk way too much, you crazy donkey. Can you just get to the point?" I interrupted, tapping my foot anxiously on the mahogany carpet.

"Right! Sorry. What we'll need to do is get the purple ring before she does. Thank goodness you have it though."

My face drained of all color. "Umm, I had it. I threw it off..."

His face also went pale. "OK, we don't need to panic. If my guess is right, the ring takes time to disappear to another place. Just re-trace your steps and get it. Dahlia might gather ingredients for a location spell so we'll need to find it before her. Think you can do that?"

"I so can," I nodded.

I'll just run back to the place where I threw off the ring. Hopefully I can get it before my path even crosses with Dahlia.

"Awesome! It's not much but I'll give you half my power in case you find yourself in trouble."

I probably will.

I attract trouble everywhere I go.

-------------------

There were caution tapes all over the burnt building as firefighters were putting out the blaze.

Great, I groaned to myself in frustration. Just sneak in, get the ring and get outta here A.S.A.P.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shadowy figure. As she walked closer, I could see blood red horns poking out of her head. She turned slowly, until she was facing me. Our eyes met and her lips curled into a smile. Not the friendly kind. More so the "I want to eat your soul brutally and enjoy seeing you lifeless afterwards" smile.

Oh man.

I really do attract trouble.