Nyx walked towards his silent watcher. He didn’t have to wait long as Vanessa stepped from the shadows. He couldn’t help but notice her shape outlined in the nightgown she was wearing, curved in all the right areas.

She raised a long elegant eyebrow at him. “Are you stalking me or something? I seem to always see you in the most random of places.”

Nyx smiled wryly. “If anything, it must be the other way around. I would gamble that you set your brother on me so that I would end up in your care, and now it’s not me in the shadows doing the stalking.”

She scoffed raising a hand to her chest in mock hurt. “You should know better than that. I am just a weak girl, no threat to anyone. The more appropriate terminology would be admiring.” She made a face. “Stalking has such a negative connotation.” She paused, as though lost in thought. “It looked like you were dancing. It was beautiful. Something about it was powerful and at times you moved so fast you looked like a blurr. I didn’t want you to stop, so I hid.”

Nyx nodded thinking back to another lifetime. “Just like with art and music, there is a beauty to the rhythm of death. A painting can only be truly magnificent when there is enough contrast, but not too much to overwhelm the eye. Combat also has a balance between speed, timing, movement, and stillness. Only when they are working in harmony is the exquisiteness of it seen.”

Her laugh chimed playfully. “Big words for a chump who I just had to help patch back together after being embarrassed.”

Nyx shrugged and suddenly remembered he was shirtless as her eyes roved over his chest and arms.

“Those scars. I almost didn’t notice them they are so faint.” She reached out with a hand to touch one.

Nyx backed away, distancing himself. He was acutely aware of the grime his sweat hadn’t managed to wash away. “Listen, I think you are stunning and can easily have your pick of guys, but not me. We can be friends, but nothing more.”

She smiled at him, her pupils large in the dark, making her appear otherworldly in the loose nightgown. “If it’s my brother you are worried about, he doesn’t have to know. I can cover my tracks.”

Nyx shook his head. “No it’s not that, don’t take it personally. It just is not the right time or place, and you are very young.”

Her laugh rang slightly harsh, no longer the sound of jingling bells or crystal. “Young? You can’t be more than a year older than me.”

“But you are young, and still have much to learn. I don’t have time to become your teacher.”

Vanessa’s face transformed from one full of openness to a cold front. She turned, walking away from him. After a short distance, she looked back over her shoulder. The hurt was evident on her face. “You should know I do not give up easily… Oh, and you smell.”

Nyx sniffed, and the fact he could smell his own stink was not a good sign.

Still thinking about the bizarre encounter, Nyx was careful not to make a noise as he slipped into his room. He threw his clothes unceremoniously in a pile in the bathrooms corner, and hopped into the shower, feeling the soothing water clean the rest of the muck and sweat from his body. All his roommates were still asleep, unmoving in their rooms, and once he flopped into bed, he was ready to join them.

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

In the morning, Nyx felt fresh and well rested, even after the unnerving interaction with Vanessa the night before. It took him a while to realize the reason was the tentative truce with the chaos. Now that he had managed to understand it on a surface level, the stress he hadn’t even noticed before, now became apparent in its absence. He hadn’t woken that night once, and no longer was filled with worries about when the next episode might happen.

“So we are hunting tonight?” asked Dan with something close to excitement as they walked to the Mess for an early breakfast.

Nyx nodded. “I think we are ready.”

As they eat their meal, the others joined them noisily placing their trays on the table. So far there were only a few other teams already eating. Dan tried to start a few conversations, but Gabe and Garry were subdued saying few words, not that it was unusual for Garry. They went through their classes without incident though by the time night came around even Dan lapsed into moments of introspection, fighting some inner struggle.

Nyx grabbed Gabe’s car keys from the kitchen table and tossed them to him. "You drive, we need to make one stop on the way to pick up the U-Haul," said Nyx, walking briskly beside the brothers and Garry.

"What do we need a moving truck for anyways?" he asked.

"To dispose of the demon's corpse when we are finished."

A short time later Nyx swiped his badge at the entrance to the surface. The sensor's light changed to green, and a quiet 'click' indicated the lock deactivated. They filed out, and Nyx let the door swing shut after, lock clicking back into place.

At the parking garage Gabe entered the Honda’s driver seat, Dan next to him on the passenger side. Nyx was in the back with Garry. None of them talked or played music allowing for focus; the nerves were almost palpable. Gabe focused on driving, not even yelling at Dan when he forgot to blow his cigarette smoke out the window. Beside Nyx, Garry shuffled his deck of cards making a constant thrumming sound.

When the car pulled into the gas station, Nyx got out and breathed in the fresh night air. Clouds had moved in covering the stars, and a soft breeze ruffled his dark blue collared shirt. The cargo van he had rented two days prior, had U-Haul written across the side in black lettering, underlined by a thick orange stripe.

The van's engine started with a putter, and Nyx pulled out, taking a left back onto the road. He checked the rearview mirror to confirm the others were following him.

Once he reached downtown St. Louis, Nyx pulled the van into an alleyway and parked away from any street lamps. He grabbed his backpack, their weapons enclosed inside, and joined to the others as they pulled into a spot nearby.

"Let's find a bar and keep a low profile," said Nyx.

The others agreed without much comment. Dan grinned, though the tension remained in his bearing. "This should be easy, all the ladies love me, assuming the demon is a chick."

They walked towards Main Street, the area with all the bars. Nyx pointed into a dead-end side alley as they passed by. The walls rose up on three sides, and only with his enhanced eyes could he see into the shadows.

"That is the spot we will meet back at once we find the demon. Dan, it’s up to you to lure it into there,” said Nyx, pointing into the dark.

They reached Main Street, a wide road with many shops and Bars lining both sidewalks. Many different colored signed glowed in the night. Some advertised liquor while others tried to draw attention to their establishments by outdoing the others. Groups of people walked to the different venues or food stands, laughing and stumbling in the way only drunks could. Occasionally, a car blasting its music would drive by.

Nyx saw a dive bar he identified as 'the Hideaway,' by the neon flashing sign, posted on the wall above the door. He led the others inside past the loose wood panels that made up its exterior. There was no bouncer at the door, and Nyx made a quick survey of the space, noting worn tables and chairs spread through the place, with booths across from the bar. There was a noticeable lack of patrons. He placed his backpack on the ground and slid into a booth at the back.

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

"One just walked in," said Nyx nodding at an attractive blond in a tee shirt and jeans. "You’re up," he gave Dan a hearty slap on the back.

"Uhh, you sure I'm the best one for this?" Dan's eyes stayed on the drink in front of him, as he rolled a glowing cigarette between his fingers.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“I’m not the one who claimed to be able to get any girl I want,” said Nyx.

“But that’s not a girl!”

“What’s the matter? You seemed so gung-ho before.”

Beads of perspiration were pooling on Dan’s forehead. “I thought you were kidding about me being the bait.”

“I would never joke about that… as I recall you made excellent bait during our last encounter with the succubus." Nyx smiled. "Plus, this time, you have a weapon and Garry to shield you, so you don't become useless." He laughed, emphasizing the word ‘useless.'

Dan’s face flushed, cheeks turning red as he glared at Nyx. “Don’t forget it was me who saved your ass last time as well. Fine. I’ll do it.”

Nyx nodded, "good, I'll bet 'she' comes right over when you expose your Chi."

Gabe's usually confident voice was quiet with a barely noticeable tremor to it. "Why are these demons always attractive girls?"

Nyx tilted his head slightly, "What better way for a demon, new on earth, to gain strength than to lure men off to feed. Alright, see you at the alley," he said tipping his head to Dan.

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

Dan revealed his core, and the demon's eyes immediately snapped to him. Nyx was right, always seemed to be right. He hated the idea of being coached by someone younger than he was, but the results spoke for themselves.

The demon began to make her way over. Long blond hair flowed down delicate shoulders as she seductively twirled a few strands between her fingers. Why did she have to be a demon? He made eye contact and had to remind himself it wasn’t human, hadn’t been for a while now.

He gulped, he just had to get her to the alley. Easy. As she neared his heartbeat sped up, he gripped the locket hanging from the gold chain around his neck. It was his mums, the last thing he owned that had belonged to his parents. He was doing this for them, somehow that idea helped give him strength and his heartbeat settled down.

“Hello, mind if I grab a seat?” The demon gave him a smile that would melt most men's hearts. Dan's felt his anger bubbling, keeping him focused on the task. It was demons that had killed his parents.

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

At the alley, Nyx opened the backpack. He handed Gabe his sword and took one for himself then hid behind a stack of soggy cardboard boxes at the alley's entrance.

“It’s up to Dan now,” said Nyx.

Gabe squatted down next to him, hands quivering ever so slightly. Garry was silent, but other than Nyx, seemed to be dealing with his nerves the best. His lucky deck of cards never left his hands as he continuously shuffled them, his eyes trained on a gap in the boxes.

It wasn’t long before Nyx sensed Dan’s Chi along with stronger demonic energy moving towards the alley.

“Just over here,” said Dan, his voice contained a squeakiness Nyx hadn’t heard from him before.

Nyx watched shadows envelope the demon as it followed Dan into the alley, then stepped out from hiding. Light from a street lamp flashed as he tossed a sword. Dan reached up, catching it, almost like it had been practiced. Together Nyx along with the brothers blocked off the exit. Garry stayed behind, already working to create the array pattern.

The chaos inside Nyx core began to churn, as though responding to the impending violence. In alarm, he split off a piece of his mind to hold shut the door of darkness. It rattled against him, but he kept it closed. His bloodlust rose, and he felt an excitement that was not entirely unique to himself.

The girl dropped to her knees, eyes showing white, "Please, whatever you are planning, let me go."

Dan looked to Nyx for direction, “Are you sure she’s a demon?”

Nyx nodded, “stay alert.”

Realizing it could not trick them the demon rose to its feet and sneered, “To think such weak humans would try to corner me. The way is open. We will keep coming.”

Black smoke began to pool out of its body. Its legs changed, becoming long with coarse black hairs, resembling those of a spider, more of the protrusions grew. Its skin darkened, and small horns sprouted from its head. A harpy. Its eyes began to burn like embers, and hands morphed into long talons with dark red feathers covering her arms. The attractive blond was no more.

Nyx saw the terror fill Dan and Gabe’s eye, as their bodies began to shake. “Focus! Don’t let fear rule you.”

The demon tilted back its head let out a high-pitched shriek. Waves of demonic Chi blasted outwards. The trash in the alley blew up from the ground as though caught in a gale.

Garry brought the formation array to bear, and shields of natural encompassed Gabe and Dan. The demon's energy swirled around them as though river water over rocks. Nyx had no use for a barrier, he soaked in the demonic power and cultivated, feeling it burn its way through his body.

Nyx yelled at the duo, “Get it together you two! Now!”

To his surprise, only Garry was handling his fear well. The brothers shook their heads to clear them; their hands trembled, knuckles white on the hilts of their swords. Their eyes had gone wide, but they were focused.

"Make sure you both have room to maneuver, one attack high the other low. Don't lose focus!" Nyx continued to watch for a hint of the demon's intentions. He hung back to cover the other two, he was fast enough to keep up with the harpy, but if his Chi acted up, it would be dangerous. After all, he only had a narrow understanding of the element.

A slight tightening of muscles was all the warning they got. The demon moved like a cross between the scuttle of a spider, and a cats prowl. Dan stepped back, but not fast enough. A talon tore a gash into his bicep. Nyx watched him resist the urge to drop his weapon, as the wound began to bleed profusely.

Gabe didn't hesitate. He attacked high, teeth gritted, forgetting his fear momentarily. "Stay away from my brother," he growled, stabbing forward. It was a clean thrust, good form. A shallow cut was opened across the demon's cheek as it jumped back further into the alley. An animal cornered.

A Gabe moved to follow, he stepped on a piece of trash. The demon's eyes blazed bright as Gabe hesitated, feeling the unsure footing. Caught in transition, a razor-sharp claw swung towards his exposed throat. He raised his sword, muscles straining, but Nyx knew he was too slow.

He only had one choice. He coaxed a spark of chaotic Chi to cycle through his meridians in a pattern he was familiar with, one that increased speed. To his surprise, it responded eagerly. His eyes flashed white, and he moved, a phantom, almost faster than the eye could follow. His sword rung out as it blocked the demon's talons, just inches from Gabe's face.

All Nyx's nerve endings were on fire, and only willpower kept him on his feet. A maniacal grin spread across his face. He hadn't wanted to use the Chi until he had more practice with it, but now that he had... it felt… euphoric. He forced the chaos back into his core before his bloodlust escaped its chains. Sweat ran down his forehead and darkened his shirt; he shook his head to clear it of the destruction he had wanted to cause.

The demon disengaged, jumping back, it refocused on Dan. Fangs bared, it closed the distance, scuttling forward. Dan stepped to the side, he struck with his sword, and a dull clang rang out. A gash opened on the demon's arm dripping black blood. Enraged the demon's other claw swiped, the talons tore through Dan's shirt, grazing the skin of his stomach.

Nyx backed up, breathing heavily.

Gabe saw his opportunity, and Chi strengthened his arm and sword. He moved toward the distracted demon, slicing low, the sword flashed slowing slightly on contact. One of the demon's protruding limbs severed at the joint. It howled out in anger ‘how could such weaklings cause me pain?! He told us the ones that glowed were for us to feed!’

The howl filled the air with the promise of suffering. Ropes of red power blasted toward everyone in the alley. Dan and Gabe stepped back, their legs trembled, they turned to run but found they were bound in place.

A cord of demon Chi passed the three at the front, snaking between them, it wrapped around Garry. His spirit was ripped from the Aether rendering his formation array inert. His mouth stood agape now seeing the scene with his own eyes.

Nyx stepped forward, coming between the demon and the others, its movements had become jerky with the severed leg. Cords of demonic energy wrapped Nyx, but had no effect, as he absorbed them. The demon's fiery eyes grew wide.

The demonic voice echoed, “This is not possible! What are you?”

His body felt like it was being torn to shreds by the demonic energy ranging through his meridians. He could feel the muscles, organs, skin, and bones being reformed yet again by the Chi. The power of the demons was undeniable.

Nyx walked through the storm that assailed him and smiled. “When you next see Aggoth, tell your General that I am coming for him.”

With that he loosened his muscles and flowed forward, slipping past the barrage of flailing talons. Its claws caught only air. Nyx tried to summon the chaos, but it didn't respond. He felt the storm building in his core. Nyx spun low, building momentum. A lunging claw cut the air above, and his heel hammered into the leg that was closest to him. The Harpy tripped, overextending as it tried to catch its balance. Nyx completed the spin straightening up; his sword rammed under the demons chin all the way through the top of its skull. With a flick, he flung the body off his blade as gore continued to drip from the weapon's tip.

The chaos began to writhe in Nyx’s core. He braced for the pain, then remembered what he had learned.  Forcing himself to relax, he gently urged it back to his core. For a moment he though it would reject his bidding as it buldged ominously, but then It retracted. He let out a relieved sigh, it had worked. 

The others were all freed from the demon’s influence as the tendrils of demonic power dissipated into the air. Nyx took a deep breath then got up, ignoring his companions he focused on the corpse. With precision, he blocked all the pores on the demon’s body burning them shut. He needed to prevent the demonic Chi from leaking out, or the corpse would be wasted.

Nyx turned to the others, they stared at him, still shaking from the experience with the demon. "Help me get this in the van." He jerked a stiff leg. Nobody moved, "Now." Finally, they reacted helping him to lift the body.

At the van, Nyx opened the back and grabbed several trash bags. They made quick work bundling the corpse up then sealed it with duct tape.

The vans back door slammed shut with the mummified demon inside. Nyx hopped into the driver seat and started the engine. He rolled down the windows turning towards the other three. They still seemed to be in a state of shock as none of them spoke.

“I am going to dispose of the demon, ill meet you all back at the order.”

With that Nyx rolled up the window, the others would have to find their own way of dealing with their shock.