The forest was damp and clustered, the thick trunked trees were scattered around tightly. The light mist rolled through the trees, twisting in upon itself in random intervals. It parted before Lily as she strode through the forest, she kept to the golden beams of light that came from the afternoon sun as she journeyed deeper into the forest. Her boots sunk shallowly into the snow on the ground, the thick boughs above her having taken most of the snow. She could feel the stain of dried tears and her nose ran still, she was unable to tell if it was from the cold or her prior crying. She kept the large woollen cloak close around herself, staving off the cold and giving herself a welcome comfort. She could still hear the footsteps of Theo behind her, and her spirits were raised slightly as she remembered that she still had company out in the cold.

'What are we supposed to do?' Theo sniffed. 'Night is closing in and we don't have a place to sleep. Shouldn't we have stayed at the house for the night?'

She ignored the question.

'We just need to keep walking there is a village on the other side of the forest, I remember it from the big map in the common room.'

'But this forest is so big, and... What about the wolves?'

'I haven't heard any wolves little brother. Besides, we will be out of this forest before the night is up, I've checked the scale before, it is sixty to seventy kilometres, then we will be out.'

'That sounds like an awful long way.' Theo whined

'Well, it is a good thing you did lot of training with Harry isn't it.'

'Come on Lily, this is stupid, walking that far and then what? We just settle down in another house? We need money to live, and we don't have any.'

'We'll just find a job in the fields or something, I don't know we can do something surely.'

'You just seem to be dreaming or you are delirious with being able to get away from home. Don't you think you just need to stop pursuing this dream of yours for one second and think about what the smart thing is actually to do in this situation.'

Lily stopped walking and spun around to face her brother.

'Fine! If you don't want to have me trying to find a way for us to make a life after our old one completely collapsed, then fine, walk back home to where there are two dead people. And how could you say I'm pursuing a dream, who do you think I am? I'm not a thirteen year old like you. I don't chase after fucking butterflies on a summer's day and I don't dream about a fantastical world outside of our house that is free of conflict. I'm just trying my best to survive after our old life just collapsed. How can you even complain about having to walk after seeing Harry kill mum? How can you be that heartless, how is that the thing you complain about, your sister trying to get us to some place away from where we murdered someone. When Mum and Harry are found, which won't take long at all, it will look like we have killed both of them. We will become known as possessed children who killed their parents. So, I'm going to get us as far away from here as possible and if you don't want in because your feet are fucking sore then fine! Walk the fuck home and you can make your own big boy decisions!' Lily screamed the last few sentences at the top of her lungs, and in her anger, she immediately turned away from Theo and stalked off further into the forest.

She didn't look back as she walked but she could still hear footsteps behind her, and she inwardly sighed with relief. She kept walking through the forest, feigning her anger by standing straight and walking fast. The footsteps behind her grew louder and faster behind her.

'Theo.' She said in irritation 'can you stop having a hissy fit and walk properly.'

The footsteps didn't settle down and instead sped up to a run. Realising her mistake Lily spun around a screamed as a large, cloaked figure tackled her to the ground.

'Get off me please, get off!'

The man on top of her spoke softly and calmly. 'You let your anger blind your judgement, you mistook me for, what was it? Theo?'

'What have you done with him!' she cried suddenly 'Please don't hurt him' she struggled to escape the man's grasp. His eyes flashed a brilliant emerald as he stared with seeming indifference into her eyes.

'Don't worry, he is fine. My companion has just stopped him from talking in a non-lethal way.'

'Just let me go.' Lily said with a sudden icy tone to it.

'Are you going to run? I hope you say no.'

'No, I'm not' she said defiantly

The man got off her and held out his hand to help her up. She refused his help and stood up herself.

'Since when did sneaking up on people and being helpful go together?'

'My partner and I aren't exactly your typical humans; we are bred a different way to put it simply. We also have a different purpose. But… well, I’m sorry for the fright I gave you.'

'It is fine, I've had worse.'

'The look on your face and the scream made me think it was not fun for you but if you insist.'

'What was with that though, you seem to be being nice at the moment so why did you do that.'

'I heard something about possessed children and I thought I should check it. But your lack of perception was enough to confirm that you weren't possessed. Me jumping you though? I guess I was just bored'

'Are you serious?' her question was met with silence. 'I still don't know who you are or what you are doing in this forest.'

'It is a touch complicated; you want to come to my camp? Your brother will be there, safe and sound too I'll say.'

'Fine, I guess a place to stay the night would be welcome.'

'Excellent, I must warn you though, my partner is a rougher than I am. He is a big softie inside though.'

Lily didn't entertain the mysterious man with a reply and instead waited for him to lead the way to his camp. He took the hint and quietly lead her through the forest. His great cloak billowed behind him as he moved gracefully between the trees. Lily noted that his feet didn't make any sound as he walked. They eventually walked into a small clearing where a campfire gave off a dull light. Theo sat on a log with his hands tied together. The man's partner was a huge bulk of flesh that was as wide as two men and built of purely muscle that bulged from the clothes he wore. He was currently tearing into a rabbit on a stick, using his massive teeth to tear the meat from the bone. His face was chiselled and ridden with stubble.

'Finally, you old bastard, haha!' he boomed as they walked into the clearing. 'Did you get her here with your charm and charisma?'

'I asked somewhat politely, but I think she is here more for her brother than anything else,' he turned to Lily. ‘But 'I'm telling you that you should stay here either way. I promise that anyone will be better company than that big guy over there.' He said the last sentence with a smile on his face.

'Oh yes, of course!' the big man replied, 'I'm bad company yeah sure.' he stood up and walked out of the clearing.

'Please have a seat...?’ he inquired

'Lily.'

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'Ah, a lovely name. Also don't worry about Grongon, that big man isn't offended, he is just making a scene for our visitors.' he turned sharply to Theo who was sitting with a look of fear and utter confusion on his face. 'What is your name kiddo?' the stranger said as he took the ropes off Theo's wrists with a knife.

'Theo.' He said quietly.

'A bit shy hey?' the stranger took a seat on a diagonal to Lily and stared into the fire for a second. 'I'm sorry you two. We had to stop whatever it is you are doing in this forest because there were reports of fetid imps here. Couldn't have you getting eaten up by them.'

'Imps?' Lily said with surprise 'But they aren't real.'

'Ha, not according to the authorities. Demonic influence is swept under the rug by the Inquisition, they do exist, just highly infrequent.'

'So... What does that make you and your partner? I'll have to ask your name as well.'

'I'm Rufus El Draegan, a touch of a mouthful but alas; that is me.' Rufus made a slight bow as he introduced himself. 'My partner was of course Grongon, and we are both demon hunters which is an occupation that has a very high mortality rate. We work for the Inquisition.'

'So, you kill demons for a living? The things that don’t exist?' She said incredulously

'Aye'

'I noticed that your feet didn't make any sound as we walked here, what was that?'

'As I said to you earlier when we met, we’re bred differently, I have been brought up since a young age with witches casting enchantments and hexes on me to create the perfect demon killing machine.'

'So, Rufus, are you a well accomplished demon hunter? If they exist at all.'

'No, not really,’ Rufus said, ignoring her comment. ‘I've been in the job for a while but I haven't had been consistently in the big jobs.'

'I noticed Grongon call you old earlier, but you do not look old.'

'It is this elixir I drink, black as coal that shit.' He shuddered visibly 'Yeah it tastes bad, but I drink it after every job to stop myself from expiring. I'd say that I'm nearing three hundred years now, I kind of lose count though.'

Lily sat quietly for a moment, surprised at Rufus' age. It was an unthinkable age for her, especially when his features were still so young and handsome.

'What is it like? Having that much time to do the things you want?'

Lily could still hardly believe Rufus’ words but the way he talked and what he talked about surely could not have been some ploy. For some reason, she found herself suddenly involved in the conversation.

'I've lived this long and I've tried to get out of the Inquisition multiple times but to no avail. When you have as long as me, especially as a young boy, you think you are invincible and that you can do anything you want. I remember every little thing I have done.' Rufus looked up to the night sky and didn't elaborate.

'What monsters have you killed Rufus?' Theo suddenly asked with interest.

'Well let me tell you young man,' He leant in suddenly with animation and began recounting tales and describing frightening monsters that he had to fight. He even talked about some tavern brawls that Grongon had started, those stories got a giggle from Theo. Grongon walked back into the clearing and sat down heavily onto a fallen log the two had been using as a seat. He looked at Rufus and shook his head as he heard the stories.

'What's wrong? ' Lily asked him

Grongon initially didn't reply and instead grabbed a large backpack and began rummaging through it. He looked up and noticed Lily looking at him waiting for an answer.

'Uh' He said in surprise.

'What? Did I do something?'

'Ahem... Erm... No not at all' He said in his gruff voice 'I just didn't expect you to talk to me. There isn't anything wrong, you just don't know the number of times he has told these stories, we are only going to have to get rid of any memory you have of us at the end. He just loves telling stories I guess'

'Did you just say you were going to erase our memory?'

Grongon stopped doing what he was doing, and a guilty look spread across his face.

'No'

'Rufus!' Lily called angrily. 'You are going to wipe our memory when we part ways?'

Rufus turned to her slowly and a sorry look controlled his face.

'I'm sorry Lily, it is just protocol, Inquisition's wishes.'

'This is bullshit!' Lily said abruptly. 'You can't just invade our life and then wipe our memory of our encounter.'

'I know it is unfair,' Rufus said in his calm tone 'but I wasn't taking the risk of seeing two children get killed by imps. You don't deserve that.'

'We also don't deserve to have our memories wiped. How can you think this is right?'

'I don't think it is right, but the Inquisition demands it.'

Lily felt her heart ache at the thought of forgetting her encounter with the two men and knew she didn't want to forget.

'What if you disobey?'

'Burnt at the stake… for everyone.'

'No no no,' Lily said suddenly frantic

Rufus looked at Grongon sheepishly before standing up.

'Lily, there is a way but you have a family to get back to and friends to see.'

Lily stood silent for a moment and pushed back the lump in her throat as she thought about Verona.

'I don't have one anymore' She said finally 'No one but Theo'

Rufus kept his calm tone and interlocked his fingers out in front of himself.

'No, don't even thing about it!' Grongon said in a great and loud voice. He continued anyway.

'The Inquisition allows for recruits to be incorporated into the demon hunting job. It is dangerous though and not wise for someone who hasn't had years of enchantment and hexing.'

'Rufus!' Grongon yelled again 'This is madness, they are just kids and now you want to conscript them into a life of hell?'

'No I don't but it isn't my choice to make, it is theirs and I'm willing to train them.'

'Fuck off Draegan'

'Don't speak to your elder like that Grongon. Remember who has the quill to write you off.'

'You'd write me off for these kids?'

'No I wouldn't write you off ever, you are my friend but if I must take official action to ensure my decision here is enforced I will do it.'

'Alright, fine. Do what you must, but I ain't going easy on these kids.'

Rufus looked away from Grongon slowly and back at the brother and sister again.

'If you are to become a recruit you won't have the establishment requirements of a demon hunter and instead you will be tasked with finding another way to apply some of the effects.'

'I accept. I'm in.' Lily said hastily. 'How about you little brother?'

'If I get to have tavern fights with Grongon, yes.'

Grongon stood up slowly making everyone stare at him.

'I might have already changed my mind; I think this might be a good idea.'

The two children were fast asleep, and the night was completely still. A gathering of firebugs was the only life in the forest, they spun and darted around each other, quickly they dispersed as a tall man and a large but muscly man walked underneath.

'I still don't like this idea, they won't even remember all this, and most importantly the moral dilemma of memory wiping.' Grongon said gruffly.

'You think,' Replied Rufus 'That I'm going to feel good about it after she has protested so heavily about it.

He paused and ran two fingers down his sternum. Grongon noticed the impulsive twitch but didn't say anything. Rufus continued.

'I feel bad, and so do you when we have to brainwash people, and they don't even know about it. Honestly, we should feel worse about that but what does it amass to in the end. She has made herself more human than anyone else has in the short time we talked and now I don't think I can carry out a memory wipe. Either way it is her will to become one of us.'

‘She doesn't know what we are or what it contains, you are still affected by the experiments, I noticed you touching your chest again. You only do that when you are thinking something rebellious.'

'I noticed myself doing that as well and I hoped that you wouldn't. Yes, I am thinking of something stupid but as already stated; it is stupid. Nothing I'm going to pursue.'

'I won't ask any further.' Grongon said plainly fearing for his life if the Inquisition found out he knew of any counterintuitive behaviour.

'Thankyou friend.'

They stood awkwardly for a moment.

'How are you-' Grongon said suddenly and rather loudly '-going to train these stupid tykes to be able to hunt demons? They are just human after all'

'Well... You know how I joined the inquisition, so it can be done.’

'Yes, you are right.'

'In regard to how, we will show them the ropes with the imps, they are lethal but only when they can get you alone. And they won't be alone at any time, consider that as an order by the way.'

'Right, and if they step into one of their holes, what then?'

'That could be a slight problem now couldn't it.'

'I don't exactly want their heads getting popped open like a can on their first day. A list of problems; they are young, they have no elixir, they are naive, can't see through enchantments, never used a weapon, and finally; I'm bad with young ones'

'Well... Err... You take Lily then, she is older and probably better at making conversation.'

'But you like this girl I thought.'

'All the more reason for you to take her.'

'But she obviously wants you to teach her, she hardly ever looked at me during that conversation.'

'If you haven't forgotten, you were against her staying so why would she speak to you?'

'Exactly my point Rufus.'

Rufus hesitated 'Right, I'll teach her, the boy seems to like you probably cause he wants to weigh as much as you.'

'Ha, fat chance'

Rufus snickered but quickly pulled a straight face when he saw that his partner didn't mean to pull the joke and was simply looking at him strangely.

'I hope to never see you laugh like that again, one would think you were having a seizure.'

'Come on you bastard, you don't have a problem with my laugh, you're just jealous.' Grongon opened his mouth to back chat, but Rufus changed the subject quickly. ' Do you have a plan on how you are going to teach this young Theo?'

'Nah, I'm going to make it up but don't worry he will be safe, I'll make sure of it.' Grongon looked at the two sleeping in small woollen lined bedding. 'I'll never understand why a three-hundred-year-old bloke cares for someone so young, nor can I fathom why they want to experience this.'

‘They probably don’t,' Rufus said with a slight unease in his stomach 'but I was taken into the inquisition when twenty-five and I've maintained the physique of myself at that time, just wiser and more mature, that's all. In my head I still think I'm twenty-five... so if they do accept this and they can pull through a life of being enslaved and forced to work under the inquisition…' He trailed off ‘They will still have a life to live. Now how exactly were you planning on keeping Theo safe?'