The Demon Hunter
By Lord Chaos (Josh Miller)
It was late at night when the black horse rode into the town of Kingrad. It's rider was slouched in the saddle, tired after many days of travel looking for work. The rider wore a tattered greenish cloak that covered most of his body. His long reddish-brown hair hung down on either side of his face masking it from view. On the riders back, in its scabbard, was a long curved katana, something rare in these lands.
The black rider stopped his horse before a two story building on the edge of town. Light was visible in one of the windows on the second floor. The weather beaten wooden sign hanging above the entrance read: 'The Red Dragon Inn", next to a small picture of a red dragon. The man tied his horse to a pole in front of the inn and stepped though the entrance into the building.
The tavern was empty this late at night. Only a single drunk was still sitting at one end of the bar and he was only still there due to that he had passed out from too much ale. The rider walked over to the counter and knocked on it to signal the innkeeper. A short bald portly man wearing and apron walked out from the doorway to the kitchen.
"What can I do for ya, traveler?" asked the innkeeper.
"The dark man dropped a gold coin on the bar and responded, "I need a room for the night please."
The barkeeper picked up the golden coin and examined it. Gold coins were very rare, most coins were made out of silver or bronze. "Say, where'd you get this?"
"That's none of your business, It's more than enough, will you accept it as payment for a room?"
"Yeah , yeah, sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, it's just sometime people try to pass off fakes that's all."
"I assure you it's real, now it you don't mind, I am very tired."
"Oh yeah sure," said the innkeeper handing the man a key from behind the counter, "second room on your left upstairs."
"Thank you," said the rider. He turned and started up the stairs. The Innkeeper held the gold coin up to the light to admire its shine before putting it in his pocket and returning to the kitchen.
* * *
The next morning the inn was filled with all sorts of people form locals to travelers who had either spent the night there or had arrived early looking for a bite to eat after a long night. Almost every seat was filled. Every seat except the one at the bar next to the rider. He sat alone sipping a mug of ale and slowly eating picking at a plate of fried potatoes. He had no use for the company of others. He only lived for the hunt. He had tracked his adversary to this area. Unfortunately his adversary had a power force for an ally and could mask his appearance. The rider would have to wait for his enemy to strike.
The rider hardly noticed the priest, dressed in a brown robe, sit next to him at the bar. He simply continued eating and thinking of the future, and the past. For this reason he was surprised to feel a tap on his shoulder. The priest soon found a knife to his throat.
"I'm s-s-sorry to bother you sir, I m-meant no harm," said the priest. The rider noticed several of the people were now staring at him and the priest so he lowered his knife and turned back to his food.
"I'm sorry, I have to watch my back sometimes." Said the rider, his vice hardly rising above a loud whisper.
"Well, I suppose it's somewhat my fault. It's just that I couldn't help but notice your sword. It's the sword of a demon hunter, are you a demon hunter?" asked the priest.
"Yes, but I only hunt for my own purposes," responded the rider.
"Your own purposes?"
"My business is no concern of yours," snapped the rider, growing somewhat uncomfortable with the priest's presence.
"It may be, you see this town has been plagued for sometime by a hell-hound. It comes at night, we would be very grateful if you could help us rid our town of this beast."
"I don't do charity priest, sorry."
"Oh, if you want money we could arrange something."
"Why are you the only person who has mentioned this?" questioned the rider, suspicious of the priest's motives.
"Not all the people are as familiar with the world as I am, me being a priest, I have seen much of the world. Most of the townspeople wouldn't recognize you as a demon hunter."
The rider eyed the priest for a moment than turned back to his food and said," I don't often sell my services, however I could use some supplies."
"So you'll do it?" asked the priest eagerly.
"Yes," said the rider.
"Oh thank you. The people will be very grateful."
"I'm sure," the rider had decided this town's demon problem may lead to some clues involving his own quest. Her was after all looking for a demon summoner that was suspected to be in the area. "By the was, what is you're name priest."
"I am Kalthor, and I don't believe I got your name sir."
"My name is Sabin. Tell me, where is your church priest?" asked the rider.
"My church? I am a wandering priest actually, I don't have a local church."
"If this isn't your town than why are you so concerned with it's troubles?" asked Sabin.
"I am a priest, it's my duty to help those in need. I tried to combat the demon myself one night. I hoped to be able to use my holy power to destroy the beast or to even turn it to good. My power proved to week."
"Do you know when this beast will attack next?"
"It comes only at night. Once a week. It will attack again tonight. I must be blessed to have found you today."
"Yes, tell me, do you know where the church is in this town? I have some business to attend to before I fight." Asked Sabin.
"I believe there is one about a kilometer up the road. I could take you if you like."
"No, You meet me later in front of this building. I'll return to fight your demon." Sabin stood up. "Be sure to bring payment as well."
"I would be glad to but you haven't yet told me how much you wish to be paid."
"I don't need money. Bring some food, and water, enough for a month or two. If I think of anything else I'll let you know," said Sabin and he turned and started to the exit.
"Very well sir. I'll gather your payment and meet you later here then," responded Kalthor, but Sabin was already gone. Kalthor sighed and sat down at the bar.
* * *
Sabin was alone in the church. He preferred it that way. He enjoyed the company of silence to that of people. He walked to the alter and knelt before it. He did this before every battle. He would pray for a blessing, and pray for his lost love. The one killed by the one he sought. The one who was the motivation behind his quest, to find the evil behind his lover's death and exact his revenge. He knelt alone, in silence.
* * *
The demon hunter arrived later that evening back at the inn. Kalthor was there waiting for him. The priest had a small pack of provisions sitting next to him on the ground for payment to Sabin. The priest approached Sabin.
"Good evening sir, here are the supplies you asked for, I hope it's enough," said Kalthor gesturing to the pack on the ground.
"Sabin picked it up and looked over its contents, "That'll be fine, now where is this beast? I have urgent business in this area and I wish to continue on my journey early tomorrow."
"It shouldn't be to long now. It comes from the forest, from that direction," said the priest motioning to the woods to the North. "I hope this hasn't been too much of an intrusion upon you, I wasn't aware you had busin…."
"Quite, it's out there," interrupted Sabin.
Kalthor looked deep into the forest, "How can you tell? I can't see anything."
"I can feel its presence. This is one of his creations."
"Who's creations? Someone you know."
"The one I've been looking for. Get back!" cried out Sabin as the beast lunged from the forest strait towards the pair. Sabin quickly pulled his katana from his back and held it out in defense. The beast clinched its razor teeth on the blade and knocked Sabin back. Sabin almost ran into Kalthor as the hunter fell back.
The beast was a huge wolf type creature. Its fur was darker than the night surrounding them. The only color in the beast was its blood red eyes and sharp silver teeth. The beast and Sabin were locked in combat. The beast stood on its hind legs and held Sabin's sword it its mouth while Sabin kicked at the beast. Kalthor watched the two battle trying to think of an idea of someway to help. The priest held out his staff and started chanting a spell. A short blast of air erupted between the two combatants, knocking them apart. Sabin's sword dropped to the ground where the beast and the hunter had been before.
The beast landed on all fours and jumped toward Kalthor.
"Help me, I'm not a fighter!" screamed Kalthor.
Sabin ran for his sword. He scooped it up from the ground and charged the beast. The blade landed in the beast's side just before the hell-hound landed on Kalthor. Sabin's sword started glowing white and the beast howled in pain. It finally vanished in a burst of white light. A small red jewel was all that remained of the beast.
Kalthor stood up next to the warrior. "Thank you sir, I am in your dept. What's this?" asked the priest picking up the red jewel.
"It's the beast's heart in a sense. The summoner of this creature used this stone as a host for the beast's soul." Sabin turned and started toward the inn.
"Where are you going? That's it?" asked Kalthor.
"That is all. My job is finished I need to rest. I must continue my journey tomorrow."
"Let me come with you good sir. I have been wandering this land hoping to rid the world of evil such as this."
"No, I work alone."
"But sir, I could use your help, I have some good magic but I am no fighter. Together we could make a good team. I helped you tonight didn't I?"
"I could have handled it. I don't need a partner, especially one who doesn't know when to keep out of danger." Sabin picked up the pack of supplies.
"But you are such a powerful warrior, think of all the good you could do?"
"I don't think you know quite who you're dealing with. I thank you for the supplies, Good night priest," with that said, Sabin stepped into the inn. Kalthor began to follow but stopped. The priest kicked at the ground.
"Stubborn," the priest started walking away from the inn, "Though there are always other ways."
* * *
The next morning Sabin didn't waste anytime getting ready to leave. He ate his breakfast quickly and was out to the stable getting his horse just after sunrise. The hunter was surprised to see the priest waiting for him outside the stable.
"I told you, I don't need a partner," snapped the hunter.
"Oh, are you leaving this morning as well? Well I have no more business in this town so I though I would head out as well," replied Kalthor.
"Right, just don't plan on getting any thing from me." Sabin started riding East, the way he had been heading. Kalthor started to follow," and where do you think you're going?"
"Oh you're headed in this direction as well?" asked Kalthor trying to act innocent.
"You know, you're pretty deceptive for a priest."
"When has it become a sin to travel in a direction of one's own choosing?" asked Kalthor.
"Whatever," said Sabin. He pulled the reins on his horse to speed it up a bit.
"So since we just happen to be going the same way, are you sure you don't want a partner?" asked Kalthor.
On to Chapter 2