The Blood-stained Angel

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 She watches his transformation, then gathers energy to create blue-white, phantom angel wings, her hair returning to its silver color as the sun finishes setting and the moon rises, her blood-mark glittering brightly in the silver glow.

His transformation luckily starts from his extremities to his chest, going inward. Once his arms and legs have changed, he lands on his paws. He notices her getting her wings, and so he smirks mentally. He unleashes a haunting howl. “ARROOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” He starts to run as fast as he can towards their destination.

 she watches as he begins to run, then jumps into the air, flying overheard on her glittering wings.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”Anyways, if you want to avoid fights, then the best thing to do would be to not stop until we reach Espherlan. Once we get there, though, we’ll be heading straight for Hell’s Gate,”

He nods. Espherlan is pretty far away… He decides to turn into a wolf, to increase his speed, so he starts to transform.

 She watches his transformation, then gathers energy to create blue-white, phantom angel wings, her hair returning to its silver color as the sun finishes setting and the moon rises, her blood-mark glittering brightly in the silver glow.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”They were irritating me. Although that one with the back wound MIGHT survive. I hope he does. That way, others will know not to mess with me. Besides, I’m known as the blood-stained angel for a reason. I have a reputation to keep.” Dark jumps off the tree branch, her form glittering red before returning to its more human version, the red light circling above before gathering together and returning to its previous scythe form before falling to the ground to be caught neatly by Dark. “And… I honestly couldn’t care less how many paladin we fight, and it doesn’t matter how many they send after us. I’ll still win.”

“Hmph. I merely meant it would be a pain if we would have to fight all of them.” He starts walking back to the main road ahead of her. The smell of blood was burning his nostrils, and a slight throbbing was starting in his head. He sets his jaw and combats this feeling with all his strength, keeping it from controlling him.

 ”Anyways, if you want to avoid fights, then the best thing to do would be to not stop until we reach Espherlan. Once we get there, though, we’ll be heading straight for Hell’s Gate,”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”This isn’t even a complete shift, you know. See that shadow,” she points to her own shadow, drawing attention to the glittering marks on the ground. “That’s my form. This is an incomplete version, particularly for when I’m irritated.”

“You think that’s enough? We’ll still win!” The man’s voice was shaking now. Dark couldn’t help but wonder how terrified he’d be if her aura were at full strength, as opposed to the fraction of the original that it was even then.

“…. fool.” She vanished, reappearing in front of him, although he couldn’t react before she tore a large hole in his throat with a back handed strike before impaling another through the remainder of the man’s neck. She jumped over a poorly managed sword strike, landing neatly on the man’s blade before slashing his back open, leaving deep furrows in the flesh and cleanly severing the spine. One more attempted to swipe at her, but all three remaining men paused when she caught his blade, stopping it barehanded before crushing it with ease. She ripped out a portion of his ribcage before ripping his heart from his flesh, holding a bloody mass of crushed organ for the others to view. She stretched her wings, flying towards the remaining two, cutting both in half with her wings before landing on a branch, licking blood off one claw.

She kills them all, and Kibero sighs, his mind slightly freaking out at all the power she has.

He stands up. “You really had to be THIS messy?” There were body parts littered all around, and there was a large pool of blood weaving it’s way through the bodies.”Well, we should get going before someone finds us. I’d rather not have to fight the whole of the Kings Corp on our way to Mag Mal.”

 ”They were irritating me. Although that one with the back wound MIGHT survive. I hope he does. That way, others will know not to mess with me. Besides, I’m known as the blood-stained angel for a reason. I have a reputation to keep.” Dark jumps off the tree branch, her form glittering red before returning to its more human version, the red light circling above before gathering together and returning to its previous scythe form before falling to the ground to be caught neatly by Dark. “And… I honestly couldn’t care less how many paladin we fight, and it doesn’t matter how many they send after us. I’ll still win.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”Nonsense! No light show’s gonna make us run! Prepare to fight!”

“You really know nothing… Troublesome.” She raised one hand, calling shadows towards her. “Those are the words of someone who has no idea just who they’re up against. It annoys me when I hear those words…. I’ll make sure you never underestimate me again.” The darkness enters the two slits on the back of her shirt as she holds her scythe out over her shadow.

“I will give you a mere taste… of the true meaning of despair.”

Dark drops the scythe, the weapon turning transparent before disappearing altogether when it hits her shadow, the dark shape on the ground blazing out before changing into… something… with glowing red markings here and there, just as the darkness blazes outwards before taking the form of black angel’s wings. Black aura cloaks her hands before both are revealed as, not the smoky shape of devil claws, but the real thing. Her black hair glitters in the light before turning silver, while her visiable blood-mark changes shape to match that of the one on her demonic shadow’s cheek.

Kibero’s eyes widen, but only slightly. So the difference in our power is that great…? He just watches as she goes under this transformation.

 ”This isn’t even a complete shift, you know. See that shadow,” she points to her own shadow, drawing attention to the glittering marks on the ground. “That’s my form. This is an incomplete version, particularly for when I’m irritated.”

“You think that’s enough? We’ll still win!” The man’s voice was shaking now. Dark couldn’t help but wonder how terrified he’d be if her aura were at full strength, as opposed to the fraction of the original that it was even then.

“…. fool.” She vanished, reappearing in front of him, although he couldn’t react before she tore a large hole in his throat with a back handed strike before impaling another through the remainder of the man’s neck. She jumped over a poorly managed sword strike, landing neatly on the man’s blade before slashing his back open, leaving deep furrows in the flesh and cleanly severing the spine. One more attempted to swipe at her, but all three remaining men paused when she caught his blade, stopping it barehanded before crushing it with ease. She ripped out a portion of his ribcage before ripping his heart from his flesh, holding a bloody mass of crushed organ for the others to view. She stretched her wings, flying towards the remaining two, cutting both in half with her wings before landing on a branch, licking blood off one claw.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”Yep! You’ve been hiding for quite a while, but we’ve found ya now! you’re under arrest. We have you surrounded, and—”

“And in doing so, you disturbed my sleep.” The paladin look up, and see Dark. Her kimono had been returned to her usual outfit— the sleeves unchanged, while her neck down to her ribcage was wrapped in bandages, a blue-black shirt with slits in the back halting just above it. Her pants had returned to the usual coloration, the ends of the legs tattered. Her shoes were solid black with white markings on them. Her eyes and one visiable blood-mark glittered ominously in the setting sunlight, her scythe in a casual grip. “You really are noisy, you know.” She yawned, her slight fangs causing no loss of intimidation.

She jumped to the ground, causing three of the six to jump back, her scythe resting on her shoulder. “My turn. Get out of here, or you will die.”

He sighs, annoyed that he couldn’t take care of them on his own. “I would do as she says, you know.” He knew they won’t, but he said it for added effect. He doesn’t move, though.

 ”Nonsense! No light show’s gonna make us run! Prepare to fight!”

“You really know nothing… Troublesome.” She raised one hand, calling shadows towards her. “Those are the words of someone who has no idea just who they’re up against. It annoys me when I hear those words…. I’ll make sure you never underestimate me again.” The darkness enters the two slits on the back of her shirt as she holds her scythe out over her shadow.

“I will give you a mere taste… of the true meaning of despair.”

Dark drops the scythe, the weapon turning transparent before disappearing altogether when it hits her shadow, the dark shape on the ground blazing out before changing into… something… with glowing red markings here and there, just as the darkness blazes outwards before taking the form of black angel’s wings. Black aura cloaks her hands before both are revealed as, not the smoky shape of devil claws, but the real thing. Her black hair glitters in the light before turning silver, while her visiable blood-mark changes shape to match that of the one on her demonic shadow’s cheek.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 Sometime during the afternoon, a group of paladin walk through the path, only to see a dozing man lying against a tree. “Hey, do you think we should wake him up?” one asks quietly.

“Nah. He must have been travelling through the night. Let ‘im sleep.”

“Are you nuts? That’s the ex-captain of the Night Raiders—a werewolf. As courtesy, we’ll wait ‘til he wakes up.”

“How long?”

“Sunset. At least. Then, if he doesn’t come quietly, we’ll kill him, and take his treacherous head to the king!”

He doesn’t notice them, as he has been really tired.

When it finally reaches sunset, they start shaking him to wake him up, and he stirs. He groans and sniffs automatically. The smell was off. It wasn’t Dark’s scent. He slowly opens his eyes. “…Of course.” Paladins were around him, swords ready. Kibero’s face doesn’t change. “You’ve found me, then.”

 ”Yep! You’ve been hiding for quite a while, but we’ve found ya now! you’re under arrest. We have you surrounded, and—”

“And in doing so, you disturbed my sleep.” The paladin look up, and see Dark. Her kimono had been returned to her usual outfit— the sleeves unchanged, while her neck down to her ribcage was wrapped in bandages, a blue-black shirt with slits in the back halting just above it. Her pants had returned to the usual coloration, the ends of the legs tattered. Her shoes were solid black with white markings on them. Her eyes and one visiable blood-mark glittered ominously in the setting sunlight, her scythe in a casual grip. “You really are noisy, you know.” She yawned, her slight fangs causing no loss of intimidation.

She jumped to the ground, causing three of the six to jump back, her scythe resting on her shoulder. “My turn. Get out of here, or you will die.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 With a yawn, she snaps her fingers, her clothing changing into a blue-black kimono with ruby trim. She places her scythe against a tree before lying down against it, casting another blood spell to create another transparent veil to block the sunlight before quickly falling asleep.

She is suddenly wearing a Kimono, and a thought momentarily pops into his head. She looks cute in a Kimono… Wait, what I am I thinking?! He shakes his head a bit, and sits down against a tree, and can’t go to sleep.

 Sometime during the afternoon, a group of paladin walk through the path, only to see a dozing man lying against a tree. “Hey, do you think we should wake him up?” one asks quietly.

“Nah. He must have been travelling through the night. Let ‘im sleep.”

“Are you nuts? That’s the ex-captain of the Night Raiders—a werewolf. As courtesy, we’ll wait ‘til he wakes up.”

“How long?”

“Sunset. At least. Then, if he doesn’t come quietly, we’ll kill him, and take his treacherous head to the king!”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 She merely shrugs in answer. “We’re going to have to travel with a group of them anyways. In the end, it’s really their own decision.

“Anyways, it’ll be sunrise soon. Let’s get off the main road and make camp.”

He nods, and they start walking into the woods nearby. This sleeping change was fine with him since he barely slept to begin with.

 With a yawn, she snaps her fingers, her clothing changing into a blue-black kimono with ruby trim. She places her scythe against a tree before lying down against it, casting another blood spell to create another transparent veil to block the sunlight before quickly falling asleep.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”I guess so. Hey, maybe I could even get a member of the Templar to vouch for ya. I’m pretty sure we have a couple of werewolves in there…”

He shakes his head. “…Don’t bother.”

 She merely shrugs in answer. “We’re going to have to travel with a group of them anyways. In the end, it’s really their own decision.

“Anyways, it’ll be sunrise soon. Let’s get off the main road and make camp.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”Then it’s the king that’s overconfident… at any rate, even if you didn’t know, those are the questions you should be asking. As for them killing you…. They won’t challenge you at all in Mag Mel, seeing as I’m with you, but as for Wolraveren, I’m not as sure. I might be able to get us through, but the most I can garauntee is getting you a fighting chance…”

He doesn’t look scared at the proposition of him getting attacked. “We’ll deal with it when it comes, I guess.” They keep on walking, and Kibero’s brain is having trouble fully understanding all of this new information he was getting, so it ignores it for now.

 ”I guess so. Hey, maybe I could even get a member of the Templar to vouch for ya. I’m pretty sure we have a couple of werewolves in there…”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

“then aren’t you surprised I’m letting you near Wolraveren? That’s one of those places you paladin were looking for. Anyways, there’s a fair population of werewolves in Mag Mel, too, so I’m surprised that you don’t know about it. Just shows you how overconfident the average paladin is, right?”

“All the werewolves we encountered were on the run. They were found out and were heading back into hiding. We knew they were going somewhere… but we never knew where…” He takes a deep sigh. “It’s not unusual for that to have happened, though, as frustrating it is. The King likes to keep secrets from even his personal guard.”

A thought pops into his head. “Wolraveren, huh? I wonder if they’ll try to kill me as well… I did slay many of them, so it’s only natural.”

 ”Then it’s the king that’s overconfident… at any rate, even if you didn’t know, those are the questions you should be asking. As for them killing you…. They won’t challenge you at all in Mag Mel, seeing as I’m with you, but as for Wolraveren, I’m not as sure. I might be able to get us through, but the most I can garauntee is getting you a fighting chance…”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”Its a city in the abyssal region, and one of the places that the paladin are looking for most desperately. As an ex-paladin, I thought you’d know this stuff, but I’m guessing it’s on a need-to-know basis, and they didn’t think you needed to know. Anyways, that’s the demon capital of the world. There are more specified capitals, like Wolraveren, but Mag Mel is one where any and all species reside.”

“I was captain of the Night Rangers. The Paladins who fought exclusively werewolves. We thought they were monsters of incredible power and fury, nothing more. They didn’t even tell us about Demons…” He sighs and mentally curses the King.

“then aren’t you surprised I’m letting you near Wolraveren? That’s one of those places you paladin were looking for. Anyways, there’s a fair population of werewolves in Mag Mel, too, so I’m surprised that you don’t know about it. Just shows you how overconfident the average paladin is, right?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”… alright then, Wolraveren it is! They have this big, beautiful library there, and the moonlight highlights it so perfectly! Not to mention, word is they’re planning a raid on the paladin. Although we’ll havta stop by mag mell first. That’s where they’re most likely to be, since I basically told them to get lost…” she shrugs before walking forward, taking a side road.

He sighs. More Paladins… “Mag Mell?” He asks following her. “Where’s that?”

 ”Its a city in the abyssal region, and one of the places that the paladin are looking for most desperately. As an ex-paladin, I thought you’d know this stuff, but I’m guessing it’s on a need-to-know basis, and they didn’t think you needed to know. Anyways, that’s the demon capital of the world. There are more specified capitals, like Wolraveren, but Mag Mel is one where any and all species reside.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”Anyone or anyplace you wanna see? I honestly have no preference… although I do have somewhere in mind, you probably won’t like it.” 

“…If it’s not here, I’ll like it.” He says with a dark tone, not looking at her, but at the ground.

 ”… alright then, Wolraveren it is! They have this big, beautiful library there, and the moonlight highlights it so perfectly! Not to mention, word is they’re planning a raid on the paladin. Although we’ll havta stop by mag mell first. That’s where they’re most likely to be, since I basically told them to get lost…” she shrugs before walking forward, taking a side road.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”Actually, I’m able to tell and would tell. It’s the kind of thing that I really don’t bother to hide. Ask anytime you get curious. On a side note, we’re obviously not staying here. Anywhere in particular in mind?”

He shrugs a bit. “I do not know much about the surrounding lands, and I have no opinion about exactly where. So, you can choose.”

 ”Anyone or anyplace you wanna see? I honestly have no preference… although I do have somewhere in mind, you probably won’t like it.” 

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 She turns to look at him carefully before continueing, passing the last of the houses of the village as she goes. “You know, anyone else would have asked me flat out just who my father was by now. It’s kinda weird that you haven’t.

“I have a feeling that if I asked, you wouldn’t tell me. Or, at least, be able to tell me.” He says simply, stopping with her. “Besides, it is not my place to encroach upon that kind of personal information.”

 ”Actually, I’m able to tell and would tell. It’s the kind of thing that I really don’t bother to hide. Ask anytime you get curious. On a side note, we’re obviously not staying here. Anywhere in particular in mind?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”I took out the paladins because they’re annoying jerks who keep following me even though they know that they’ll never be able to do anything I don’t want them to. I make no effort to hide my ‘trump card,’ I suppose you can call it—I can’t die. simple as that. It has nothing to do with power, though. My father just won’t let me.

“At the same time, it means I have one hell of a long life ahead of me. So, anything that’ll keep things interesting, I’ll keep with me. You’re interesting ‘cause I’ve never met a half-blood before. If I have something to do, the next few years can pass a little quicker. Boredom, despite being defined as the lack of anything to do… is really quite the driving force for me.”

He shrugs. That’s probably not the true reason, but whatever. It’s certainly better then what I had before… “…Then I’ll accept your offer. I have no wish to be surrounded by those who hate me.”

 She turns to look at him carefully before continueing, passing the last of the houses of the village as she goes. “You know, anyone else would have asked me flat out just who my father was by now. It’s kinda weird that you haven’t.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”So? Just ‘cause you’re not human doesn’t mean you don’t have parents! For example… a cat has parents, doesn’t it? Everything has parents! Sure, some parents are different than others. for example, a vampire’s parents could be the ones who gave birth to it, or it could have only one parent—the one who changed it into a vampire. Either way, someone parented it.

“My parents… are a little bit special, though. I’m lucky to be the one to have them. After all, even though my power would be enough to be borderline level 6 alone, I inherited a lot of power, too. got me a headstart, I guess.”

“Ah…” He nods. She said earlier that I was a level 1 demon… It explains why it’s hard for me to take down Paladins, but it’s so easy for her. “…Why are you helping me? Taking out Paladins, offering to let me travel with you… If you are so powerful, why are you bothering with me?”

 ”I took out the paladins because they’re annoying jerks who keep following me even though they know that they’ll never be able to do anything I don’t want them to. I make no effort to hide my ‘trump card,’ I suppose you can call it—I can’t die. simple as that. It has nothing to do with power, though. My father just won’t let me.

“At the same time, it means I have one hell of a long life ahead of me. So, anything that’ll keep things interesting, I’ll keep with me. You’re interesting ‘cause I’ve never met a half-blood before. If I have something to do, the next few years can pass a little quicker. Boredom, despite being defined as the lack of anything to do… is really quite the driving force for me.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 She looks at him, somewhat surprised. “Doesn’t everyone?”

“Well, Yeah, I guess. But… You aren’t human.” He says simply.

 ”So? Just ‘cause you’re not human doesn’t mean you don’t have parents! For example… a cat has parents, doesn’t it? Everything has parents! Sure, some parents are different than others. for example, a vampire’s parents could be the ones who gave birth to it, or it could have only one parent—the one who changed it into a vampire. Either way, someone parented it.

“My parents… are a little bit special, though. I’m lucky to be the one to have them. After all, even though my power would be enough to be borderline level 6 alone, I inherited a lot of power, too. got me a headstart, I guess.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 She walks towards the city limits, ignoring the occasional passerby. “I just adore the moon, don’t you? Although, I don’t know whether I like the full moon or the crescent moon more… I suppose full, ‘cause it’s brighter and all that. So pretty, so pretty… Anyways, I’ve been travelling pretty aimlessly recently. My mom and dad are probably never gonna die, meaning ive got a forever and a half to do nothing but busy myself looking for something to do. So, now that you can go anywhere ya want and not worry about the consequences, anywhere you wanna go in particular?”

He walks by her side, still not understanding why he is trusting her so fast. An odd question pops into his head. “…You have parents?”

 She looks at him, somewhat surprised. “Doesn’t everyone?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 when he finishes transforming, Dark lets go, walking over to the wall and picking up her scythe, placing it on her back as usual. “Now, the moon is full, the night is young, and I’m sure that more paladin will be here in the morning. Let’s get moving, shall we?”

He nods and stands up, still a little embarrassed about what just happened. He puts his sword back on his back and starts walking out.

 She walks towards the city limits, ignoring the occasional passerby. “I just adore the moon, don’t you? Although, I don’t know whether I like the full moon or the crescent moon more… I suppose full, ‘cause it’s brighter and all that. So pretty, so pretty… Anyways, I’ve been travelling pretty aimlessly recently. My mom and dad are probably never gonna die, meaning ive got a forever and a half to do nothing but busy myself looking for something to do. So, now that you can go anywhere ya want and not worry about the consequences, anywhere you wanna go in particular?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 Dark stands and stretches, then notices the change in appearance. She creeps forward towards him, soundless even on the old wooden floor. She gets ready, then pounces, hugging him tightly around the neck. “DOGGY!”

He gets woken up quite suddenly as she does this, and he freaks out for a second, then he calms down and sighs mentally. He starts the transform back, but it takes a while. He lets her hug him, though.

 when he finishes transforming, Dark lets go, walking over to the wall and picking up her scythe, placing it on her back as usual. “Now, the moon is full, the night is young, and I’m sure that more paladin will be here in the morning. Let’s get moving, shall we?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 The spell fades around sunset, permitting the last lights to draw Dark into waking dreams. When she finally wakes up, the moon is high in the air, reflecting in her eyes and making them, along with her blood-marks, glitter an ominous ruby color.

In his sleep, he subconsciously transformed, his dark fur glistening in the moonlight. He is deep into sleep, but his instincts are high, and he can be woken up easily.

 Dark stands and stretches, then notices the change in appearance. She creeps forward towards him, soundless even on the old wooden floor. She gets ready, then pounces, hugging him tightly around the neck. “DOGGY!”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 She watches him for a second, then takes her scythe, cutting the palm of her hand. After drawing a symbol on the window using her blood, she murmurs “Kuraikuro.” The window tints violet, blocking out the sunlight. “I hate the sun… It’s such a boring thing… just a big blob of orange…….” she relaxes in her bed. “so be it. do as you like and, if you need help, be sure to call. ill be there as soon as i can…” she drifts off to sleep.

He is confused when she cuts her hand, but then sees that she uses it to cast a spell. I’m a low level demon, eh? Just like her, but… less so. When she falls asleep, he stares at her for a while. Why is she helping me? If she is so powerful, and her goal is to get energy, wouldn’t I be high on the list? It’s confusing, so he pushes it to the side of his mind. He was tired, though he slept fine last night. So, he lays down and closes her eyes, going naturally into the position of a sleeping dog.

 The spell fades around sunset, permitting the last lights to draw Dark into waking dreams. When she finally wakes up, the moon is high in the air, reflecting in her eyes and making them, along with her blood-marks, glitter an ominous ruby color.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”obviously, even lower level demons like werewolves wouldn’t feel that fear. They tend to rely on common sense along with scent to avoid demons who they can’t hope to match. In any case, it does work as a very useful intimidation tactic while working with mortals.” She stretches and sits back on her bed. “In any case, speaking of intimidation… do you wanna bed to sleep in, or would you rather not have me scare the idiot innkeeper into giving me another bed?”

As much as he liked the concept of a bed, he shakes his head. “No. I am alright.” He felt annoyed. She shouldn’t have to do something like that for me, I can do it myself. He sits there on the floor, thinking about what she is, and all that has been happening.

 She watches him for a second, then takes her scythe, cutting the palm of her hand. After drawing a symbol on the window using her blood, she murmurs “Kuraikuro.” The window tints violet, blocking out the sunlight. “I hate the sun… It’s such a boring thing… just a big blob of orange…….” she relaxes in her bed. “so be it. do as you like and, if you need help, be sure to call. ill be there as soon as i can…” she drifts off to sleep.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”My friend will be staying with me tonight. Change the rent accordingly and keep the change.” Dark said casually as she and Kibero walked in.

“I’m not letting that devil stay in my inn!” The innkeeper responded, his voice shaking slightly.

“What was that?” She said, her glare well hidden and voice quiet.

“Nothing… ma’am. You’re previous pay will cover the whole cost. Thank you for your patronage…” The man cowered behind his wooden desk, hoping she wouldn’t decide to kill him.

Dark signaled for Kibero to follow, the walked into her room. “I told you so. Mortals fear what they cannot comprehend. They don’t know who or what I am, although either would scare them into possibly deserting the village entirely. They just know that something about me terrifies them out of their wits. They’ll act brave if you ask them about it later, the honest ones will just say that anyone would be scared of someone who carries a scythe like mine and obviously knows how to use it. But none of them will guess what it really is—the instinct that tells any and all creatures to fear that which preys upon it.”

While they are in the inn, he doesn’t look at anyone, he doesn’t talk to anyone, he just stands there. When he goes into their room, he sits down, and listens. He thinks back. “That’s… odd…” I didn’t feel that kind of fear. Sure, I felt like she was going to kill me, but only AFTER she actually killed the paladins… “But, I guess it makes sense.”

 ”obviously, even lower level demons like werewolves wouldn’t feel that fear. They tend to rely on common sense along with scent to avoid demons who they can’t hope to match. In any case, it does work as a very useful intimidation tactic while working with mortals.” She stretches and sits back on her bed. “In any case, speaking of intimidation… do you wanna bed to sleep in, or would you rather not have me scare the idiot innkeeper into giving me another bed?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”They won’t have much of a choice. Again, you underestimate me. And, you’re still doing it. I really, really hate stereotypes, you know. Especially when not a single being of a race is guilty of it. Get this through your head—demons don’t drag people to hell. Act as the spiritual equivilant of a vampire? Hell yeah. But that’s about it. The weakest ones can’t extract a soul—those are the ones that leave bloody messes. The mid-levels don’t need that much energy, so they don’t even have to kill in order to feed. So, by process of elimination, seeing as I take so much energy that the soul can no longer remain attached to the body… just what does that leave you with?”

He doesn’t respond. With the fact that he is still alive, and the fact that what he has been taught all his life is not true, his head is spinning. It was times like these where he just wishes he could run off. Hide somewhere safe and forget all about it. But he can’t, and he knows that he can’t.

They reach the village. As she said, everyone backed away from them. He looked a few, and he knew they recognized him. They had angry looks on their faces, but they were also very scared. They walk over to the Inn.

 ”My friend will be staying with me tonight. Change the rent accordingly and keep the change.” Dark said casually as she and Kibero walked in.

“I’m not letting that devil stay in my inn!” The innkeeper responded, his voice shaking slightly.

“What was that?” She said, her glare well hidden and voice quiet.

“Nothing… ma’am. You’re previous pay will cover the whole cost. Thank you for your patronage…” The man cowered behind his wooden desk, hoping she wouldn’t decide to kill him.

Dark signaled for Kibero to follow, the walked into her room. “I told you so. Mortals fear what they cannot comprehend. They don’t know who or what I am, although either would scare them into possibly deserting the village entirely. They just know that something about me terrifies them out of their wits. They’ll act brave if you ask them about it later, the honest ones will just say that anyone would be scared of someone who carries a scythe like mine and obviously knows how to use it. But none of them will guess what it really is—the instinct that tells any and all creatures to fear that which preys upon it.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 She begins to walk back towards the village. “I payed for a four night stay at the village. I’m at least going to relax for one last night there, now that I’ve gotten rid of those idiots. They thought they were stealthy while they were ‘tracking’ me. It was pathetic, really. They don’t seem to realize that I could have lost them in an instant, if I wanted to. If I were in charge of the paladin, then I’d make sure that, if a demon knows that they’re there and doesn’t even try to loose them, they would run. One less funeral expense, ya know?

“Anyways, we have time, and you are doing on of the few things I really can’t stand.”

He looks forward and away when she says that. “..sorry.” He doesn’t reply to the rest of it. He doesn’t even know if the people in the village will try to kick him out or not. After a while of silence, he suddenly says. “I don’t think they will let me into the village.”

 ”They won’t have much of a choice. Again, you underestimate me. And, you’re still doing it. I really, really hate stereotypes, you know. Especially when not a single being of a race is guilty of it. Get this through your head—demons don’t drag people to hell. Act as the spiritual equivilant of a vampire? Hell yeah. But that’s about it. The weakest ones can’t extract a soul—those are the ones that leave bloody messes. The mid-levels don’t need that much energy, so they don’t even have to kill in order to feed. So, by process of elimination, seeing as I take so much energy that the soul can no longer remain attached to the body… just what does that leave you with?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”….. thought as much.” she banishes the darkness on her hand, as well as the shadows holding the wolf-boy to the ground. “What’s your name?”

He sits up against a tree, rubbing his ankles lightly. “Kibero. I used to be a Paladin. What is yours, if you have one, that is…”

 ”…It’s Dark.” She begins to walk away, only to turn back towards the wolf-boy. “You coming?”

He sighs, then curses under his breath and stands up. I have nothing else to do… might as well follow her… He walks up to her and walks with her, keeping a careful eye on her in case she attacked him.

 She begins to walk back towards the village. “I payed for a four night stay at the village. I’m at least going to relax for one last night there, now that I’ve gotten rid of those idiots. They thought they were stealthy while they were ‘tracking’ me. It was pathetic, really. They don’t seem to realize that I could have lost them in an instant, if I wanted to. If I were in charge of the paladin, then I’d make sure that, if a demon knows that they’re there and doesn’t even try to loose them, they would run. One less funeral expense, ya know?

“Anyways, we have time, and you are doing on of the few things I really can’t stand.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 ”….. thought as much.” she banishes the darkness on her hand, as well as the shadows holding the wolf-boy to the ground. “What’s your name?”

He sits up against a tree, rubbing his ankles lightly. “Kibero. I used to be a Paladin. What is yours, if you have one, that is…”

 ”…It’s Dark.” She begins to walk away, only to turn back towards the wolf-boy. “You coming?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

…..this is quite the ‘sweatdrop moment’ “Calm down, tawake. That’s not my work. Not yet, at least.”

He hesitantly drops the prayer hands, but keeps a nervous eye on her. “…You asked me what I am… I… do not fully know. I used to be a human, but I’m not one of those cursed werewolves…”

 ”….. thought as much.” she banishes the darkness on her hand, as well as the shadows holding the wolf-boy to the ground. “What’s your name?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

“Such things, while impossible for you, are very easy for one like myself. After all…” She cloaks one hand in darkness, showing him as her skin turns pale, then darkens from almost while to an off-black blue-grey, while her nails sharpen before her hand twists into the clawed hand of a demoness. “what kind of demon would I be if I couldn’t rip the soul from a man, hm?”

Demon…? His face fills with fear. “No… NO!” He tries to drag himself away, unable to move his legs. knowing that he can’t get far, he stops, and holds his hands in a praying position towards her. He starts talking fast and worried. “I apologize for my sins! I have tainted myself and killed many in the process! I repent! I REPENT! JUST DON’T SEND ME TO HELL!”

…..this is quite the ‘sweatdrop moment’ “Calm down, tawake. That’s not my work. Not yet, at least.”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 Smirking slightly, yet annoyed for once with her aura, Dark calls shadows to bind the wolf-hybrid’s hindpaws to the earth. “Calm yourself, Kozo. I’m simply curious, is all. Now, what exactly are you, anyways?”

His hind paws get bound, and he falls, and knowing that he cant get out of it, he turns and looks at her, retracting his transformation, turning into a human again. He narrows his eyebrows. “…I should ask that of you. You tore out… something out of that man, and he died. How could you just kill someone like that, without even damaging his body?”

“Such things, while impossible for you, are very easy for one like myself. After all…” She cloaks one hand in darkness, showing him as her skin turns pale, then darkens from almost while to an off-black blue-grey, while her nails sharpen before her hand twists into the clawed hand of a demoness. “what kind of demon would I be if I couldn’t rip the soul from a man, hm?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 Dark finishes off the soul, but snaps towards the sound of a twig cracking. Breathing deeply, she senses the strange, demonic essance she had sensed the previous night. The ‘beast,’ huh…? Restrapping her scythe to her back, she leaps into the trees, moving swiftly and near soundlessly, only to slow when she notices a man running. She might call him normal, if not for his demonic, dog-like scent. A werewolf…? No, it’s not strong enough for that. He smells diluted… a hybrid, perhaps? She moves quickly just until she gets a decent distance ahead, then drops down from the trees in front of the wolf-hybrid-creature.

She drops down in front of him, which surprises him and makes him run so fast that he actually falls on his back for a second, but then he gets up and starts running away from her, on all fours at this point. He barely knew why he was so scared.

 Smirking slightly, yet annoyed for once with her aura, Dark calls shadows to bind the wolf-hybrid’s hindpaws to the earth. “Calm yourself, Kozo. I’m simply curious, is all. Now, what exactly are you, anyways?”

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 Dark cuts down the first on the first blow, cleaving through the metal as though it weren’t even there. She vanishes before the others can stab her, reappearing on a tree. “If I can take you down that easily, you don’t even deserve my blade.” She jumps down, impaling two others with her hands alone before blocking another with her blade. Knocking the sword away, she cuts him in two before slowly approaching the last man, who cowered against a tree. She pressed her hand against his chest plate before ripping it off.

Summoning her claws, she reached into his chest before pulling out what appeared to be a ball of shining blue mist before crushing it in her hand, the man falling down as she did so, dead. Breathing in the soft mist, her blood-marks shimmering faintly before returning to their usual blood red color.

As she watches this girl cut through the Paladins, his eyes fill with fear, and his mouth is gaping open in a twisted sort of awe. How…? Those are the best trained knights in the land! Only the king is better!

He sees her crush was seems to be one of the Paladin’s souls, and she breathes in the mist. He backs away slightly, worried that she will come after him as well. There is no way that I will be able to win that unfair of a fight! As he steps back, he hears a slight crunch as he accidentally steps on a twig, breaking it. He mutters under his breath, “shit!” and he starts running, starting his transformation, but only on the legs, making him go faster.

 Dark finishes off the soul, but snaps towards the sound of a twig cracking. Breathing deeply, she senses the strange, demonic essance she had sensed the previous night. The ‘beast,’ huh…? Restrapping her scythe to her back, she leaps into the trees, moving swiftly and near soundlessly, only to slow when she notices a man running. She might call him normal, if not for his demonic, dog-like scent. A werewolf…? No, it’s not strong enough for that. He smells diluted… a hybrid, perhaps? She moves quickly just until she gets a decent distance ahead, then drops down from the trees in front of the wolf-hybrid-creature.

taintedlight:

kuroiyami:

 Dark stopped soon after entering the forest. “There’s no one around, you know. If you want to die so quickly, just come out already.” She was surrounded by a group of men, each one wearing a suit armor, marked with paladin symbols.

“You on under arrest on charge of being a demon and eating the souls of the living.” the leader raised his sword. “Do you deny it?”

“Deny? Denial is for the weak.” She turned towards him, raising her blade in turn. “You have no idea just who you’re dealing with.”

“Surrender now, or prepare to fight!” The others raised their swords as well.

“I’ll do what I like. If I wanted to, I could easily do neither, you know.” the paladin did not answer, but instead charged foward, blades at ready. Dark only sighed raised her scythe further, prepared to strike.

Kibero heard sounds coming from the edge of the forests, and was confused. He takes a deep smell, and smells the heavy build of the Paladins, and something else. It was like the smell was no smell at all, combined with a little singe of death. It hurt his head a bit, so he ignored it.

“What’s going on…?” He walks over to where the battle is, hiding behind a tree so that they don’t notice him. He sees a odd girl with a scythe lung at a Paladin, and is extremely perplexed. She’ll get cut down, It’s 5 on 1!

 Dark cuts down the first on the first blow, cleaving through the metal as though it weren’t even there. She vanishes before the others can stab her, reappearing on a tree. “If I can take you down that easily, you don’t even deserve my blade.” She jumps down, impaling two others with her hands alone before blocking another with her blade. Knocking the sword away, she cuts him in two before slowly approaching the last man, who cowered against a tree. She pressed her hand against his chest plate before ripping it off.

Summoning her claws, she reached into his chest before pulling out what appeared to be a ball of shining blue mist before crushing it in her hand, the man falling down as she did so, dead. Breathing in the soft mist, her blood-marks shimmering faintly before returning to their usual blood red color.

Dark turned in her waking dreams, attempting to avoid the sunlight and catch a little more sleep. However, no such luck. She instead stretched before standing. She grabbed her scythe off of the wall, walking into the hallway. Alone with one other in the hall, she quietly summoned her claws, reaching out and grabbing his soul as she passed. He to the floor, dead, as she absorbed the soul and its energy. She left the building, walking towards the village limits.

Dark walked into the village of Relaryn, smiling inside as people made abrupt changes in their pathes to avoid the scythe-wielder. Perhaps it was the blood-marks setting them off… although they were mostly hidden. The only one she couldn’t hide was that one right underneath her eye…

She walked through the village calmly, looking for an inn, when she overheard a man speaking. She stopped to listen in. “And, every so often, you can hear the beast howl…!” he seemed to be coming to an end with his story.

“What beast?” She asked, feeling a tainted essance in the air.

“The beast of relaryn forest, of course!”

*beast, hm? This petty village might be interesting after all…* she held the man’s gaze for a second more, smiling slightly when he looked away, disguising his instinctive fear with excitment in his tale.

it was sunset by the time she found the inn. she glared at it before walking inside, quickly paying for a four-night stay before relaxing in her room. She watched the moon for a time before closing her eyes and loosing herself to sleep…