Considering I was a fabled Demon Hunter, the times that I actually spent hunting them were few and far between. Most of my missions seemed rather pointless knowing what I did now. That could only mean the Org was using us for something else. Our titles were just a platitude to make us feel we were doing something good. Worthwhile.
I felt the presence of the next demon before I saw or heard them. Even before the tracker picked them up. The billowing of an energy that vibrated the loose walls, causing parts to hum out, getting closer.
Despite my aging bones, I launched to the floor and rolled through the thick dust. In the space I had been occupying, a beam of purple energy surged through and burst on the stone behind me. Metal panels squealed and dropped to the floor, a clanking echo that ran down toward the perpetrator.
Now the tracker started to pick them up.
[Demon magic, Eric.]
Rather than swear under my breath, I righted myself to head toward the source - and almost stepped straight in front of a second bolt of this demonic energy. I could feel it crackle at the dense air as it narrowly passed me. They must be able to see me with some kind of sense.
Normally I would have used Private Eye at this point, and tried to cut off anything that might be trying to track me. Losing Rodney temporarily wasn’t the worst thing, but the demons above might be displeased that they could no longer watch what was going on. Not that I cared for their opinion, but I didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere and my chance of winning this championship legitimately.
Well, ignoring what I was, or that I lied to get in, anyway.
Another pulse of energy came my way, and I leaped to the side, flattening myself against a wall that threatened to buckle and collapse.
“Never thought I’d get to kill another Hunter,” the voice slithered through the darkened spaces that had been destroyed.
I didn’t feel much like talking things out, but the type of demon who needed to speak their accomplishments out loud could probably be drawn in to a false sense of security before I blew their brains out.
“Another? You’ve killed before?” I said, trying to make it sound like I was full of… awe? Apprehension? Unspent ammunition?
“The energy you use…” the voice continued, as a shadowed figure stepped forth. “Weak demons that are prisoners. Such a shame.”
As he came into the light, a beetle-like demon was revealed. Four arms that each looked as though they were charging up the magic spell he kept trying to cast my way.
“I’m not sure if weak is totally fair,” I said diplomatically, revolver going up toward him.
“You’d have to be a pitiful demon to become trapped by humans,” he… grinned? It was hard to read the wiggling mandibles.
The whisper of my attack fell into silence as the red beam struck his shining jade shell and went off into the walls instead. I was getting tired of demons that could reflect my demonic powers - although, thinking about it, I should have expected that.
“See?” He chuckled and purple energy bloomed in his sharp hands. “Weak.”
[I’ll show you weak, miserable fucking bug.]
A cold spiral of power shot down my arm, taking control of both my hand and the clasped gun.
If any emotion could be read from the multi-faceted eyes of the bud demon, it was his overconfidence suddenly turning to panic mid-attack. The ten beams of dark energy rocketed from my revolver in tandem, piercing through the beetle and burning away as his very existence.
“What the…” he began, before toppling over.
The tracker immediately switched to something behind me, and I felt the body of a demon shift up close as if they had teleported. I saw the glimmer of a metal blade in my peripheral as the assailant went to stab me in the neck.
I burned my energy reserves and shot my head backward, narrowly avoiding the killing blow while cracking into the face of the demon. As I spun, I let off shots with the revolver. Twice in the leg. Then, as I went for a gut shot, they vanished. Tracker still said they were in front, so-
No, now they had moved to behind me again.
Revolver spun in my hand as I turned again, lighting up the empty passageway with repeated shots. Wight kept it topped up, faux casings dropping out and bouncing from the dusty floor. As the tracker moved, so did I, only using normal shots while my reserves were still recharging.
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They were doing well to stay ahead of me and out of sight, even with an injured leg. Still, some of their blood had fallen to the floor.
As the revolver continued firing, I pushed my glasses up with my left hand.
They had an invisibility skill, projecting faux selves around until they decided to switch into this shadow-energy version of themselves. It’s why the tracker picked them up, but none of my shots were hitting. Well, we didn’t play those sorts of games here. They could clearly tell I had some way of tracking them, so I’d have to play along a little, at least.
I stopped firing as I now faced away from their ‘true’ self. Stood taller and tried to look confused as the tracker continued circling around. It stopped ahead of me, slightly to the left, and I tilted my head as if I was trying to get a bearing on the situation. If anything, I was gathering up the necessary power for the next attack. And… there it was.
As if playing by the script, the tracker suddenly switched to directly behind me. The demon trying for the same type of attack twice in a row. Not very entertaining for the fans, I assumed. I’d correct that.
I blasted a hole a foot wide out of the back of my leather jacket, the revolver barrel having been pointing behind me - snuggled into my side. With a spin, I went for the follow up. It had taken the arm of the demon, and they were clutching at it in surprise. Finger struck the trigger.
And I didn’t stop. Maybe a dozen normal shots, blood spraying from the shadowy figure with each shot, until the light in their eyes dimmed, and they dropped down to the ground.
A couple extra shots for good measure.
[It is done, Eric.]
“There’s still so many demons here, though.” I looked up at the ceiling and wavered slightly, as if I could see through and glare at the hundreds of monsters that needed removing from this world.
[You need to manage your energy better. Perhaps the
“I’m fine.” I ran my tongue across dry lips. They were my own lips, so it was acceptable. A little bit of burn out.
//Great work, Eric. Plenty of thumbs up here. Hold tight and-
A blast of rock shuddered down beside me, a cloud of dust illuminated by amber light right before a ladder clattered down. I had expected to be dumped down into a further pit, or led to a staircase leading back to the upper floor. This way was more archaic… and somewhat tiring for my body.
//Yeah, that. Pearl is offering you… no, I’m not saying that… gross.
“Comms,” I murmured.
//Apologies. We’ll say there’s further incentive for putting on a good show.
With a grunt, I walked up to the ladder and grimaced up at the light. This whole process had been a lot more tiring than I had anticipated it being. Wight wasn’t totally incorrect - the dodge was a literal lifesaver, but it was eroding away at my capability to endure the Hells. Still, I had plenty of power in the tank for three more fights. Wight might even be able to Entropy things if I ran out of juice.
That said, as I began to climb the ladder, there was a pain that radiated through my right arm. As if my very skin was fracturing and cracking away. Nothing to worry about, I was sure - a little demonic regeneration and I wouldn’t lose that arm today.
I emerged into the light, to the jubilant cheers of hundreds of demons. It was agonising, and I wanted to personally shut them the fuck up. Violently. Before I had the chance, I was assailed by a pair of vulture-demons.
“Impressive work, Hunter,” one of them cooed, and by the rolled eyes, I assumed the praise was sarcastic.
“You have a few minutes of rest, and then we’ll take you to the challenge ring,” the second added.
Seemed rather unfair there was so little time between battles. A prospective new champion would have to be much stronger just on the basis of having to chew through both pit stages, and then all three champions in the same couple of hours.
They led me away from the pit areas and toward a small building. The various balconies and rows of demons watching over the area were slowly vacating. There must be a whole other area where the main fights would take place. Doorway opened, and I stepped inside to find a strange area.
A recovery room, no doubt. Cushioned and extravagant in some ways. Semi-naked and athletic male and female demons of different types stood at the ready - blocking view of what was either a bar or deli. Probably some demonic mixture of the two.
“We are unaccustomed to having humans at this stage—possessed or not—so we are unsure of what kind of food and sex to provide you before you go and die.”
“Oh,” I grimaced at the gathered… participants. “That won’t be necessary. I fight better on an empty stomach. Just let me meditate in peace?”
The vulture shrugged his feathered arms. “Suit yourself, weirdo.” The other bird-demon snapped his fingers, and the gathered parties left the room to leave us three, plus a devil who looked like he might be the barman.
I took a seat—which was remarkably comfortable—and sighed, deflating into it. Nice of them to reward you for going to die with a few luxuries. Still, I planned on living on after the fact, so didn’t need them. Not that I could eat or drink anything demonic. And the extra activities went without question. Even without Pearl watching, or in the picture, regular demons didn’t move the needle for me.
“Bronze challenger is getting ready. Since you are avoiding the provided activities, you have five minutes before it’s time.”
I gave the vulture a nod before closing my eyes. Time to focus on my energy and tried and allow it to fill back up. The bottleneck was the divine - down here in Hell it took longer to recharge. It prevented me drawing in more demonic energy from the surroundings as I would get too overwhelmed and turn into naughty Eric.
//Ah… David would like to try something?
Brief nod. I assumed he meant something to do with my current predicament, rather than just in general.
//Hold.
At first, nothing. Then it was easy to understand. Much like the viewing connection I could see with Private Eye, there was a thread of golden light spiraling down this bond, straight into me. David was recharging my divine battery. A minute passed before I felt it fade away.
//That’s as much as he is able to. The mass vomiting from earlier took a lot out of him.
As much as I would have liked to say ‘comms’ again, or pass on my thanks, it might look a little suspect with the demons in the room. I opened my eyes to find them all standing and staring at me. Perhaps I was a novelty.
“Alright,” I said, grunting as I stood. “I’m bored. Show me to where I’m supposed to die.”