forest of the dread

"My Birth name is Lewis, My hunter name is Nephilim; people swear I'm the angel of death."

Neph grabbed the bolt from Laura, he did it delicately so she wouldn't be alarmed or get scared "May I?" He examined the tip of the arrow, He knew there was a toxin on it. He also knew that 2 hunters other than him used the same toxins. Jonathan and the other was deceased. He handed the Bolt back to Laura after observing it. Shortly after he saw that Laura seemed to be uncomfortable with him in her room when she came too. She requested him to leave and so he stood up and tipped his hat towards her.

"We shall, Laura. Once dinner is made I can give you some leads as to who may have done this. I noticed something peculiar. We can talk later though. Besides my companions are waiting for me down in the training yard by this point. Just don't let your anger consume you Laura. I'll be downstairs."

Neph made his way back to Dalton and Jakku. And stood in front of Dalton.

"So buddy, When will I be getting my gear; or do you expect me to battle everyone with my 2 hands like I did earlier. Not that I'm incapable it's just easier to kill with weapons."

 

The forest was filled with darkness once again. No moon to even light up the sky. The forest was dark and gloomy with nothing but nocturnal creatures foraging across the forest floor or flying across the sky. The demon body guards were just as active as they were before they stopped. The girl jumped out of the tree and landed on her knees. The raven soon followed after her. They were heading west, to a demon temple not too far away from the forest. However, they only travel in the cover of night so that the girl would be protected. From the middle of the forest, it would take three days to reach by foot.

 

New character!

Name: Jonathan
Age: 30
Weapon Beast cutter

Spoiler

And repeating crossbow
Special trait: part demon like Nephilim

Jonathan was walking through the forest, It was dark like it usually was; Silence filled the air, no noise in the void. Until... The snapping of branches came from above. Jonathan heard every shifting movement from this new person in the forest and anything moving like it was, well it wasn't possible by humans. His eyes fixated on this moving figure than in a motion he Unlatched his threaded weapon. inhaling the scent of the air around him he picked up on hers. He whipped forward.

Jonathan grabbed Artikka with the bladed weapon directly on each of her ankles, by the time she realized what was going on Jonathan tightened and pulled her back severely cutting her ankles she fell from the trees, branch by branch she tumbled down, The real surprise would be if she stood up after what had just happened to her. Jonathan however didn't stop at what he did he continued to walk towards her dragging his weapon across the ground. He raised his voice towards her.

"You never should have come here! Not this deep, You've gambled with your life, and now; now it's mine."

 

One of her body guards came running up to Jonathan. Clearly, it was in a real fowl mood as it's mistress was attacked and injured. Her hood had lifted from her face as she fell to the dirty forest floor.
" ...I have no intention on giving you my life..." She stated rather slow and cold.
Her face showed no emotion even though she was injured and the fact she faced an potential opponent.
"You are part demon who wishes to side with humans... How sad." She again showed no emotion as she tried to step back on her feet again.

 

The bodyguard running towards Jonathan was quickly shot down with 3 bolts, he used 1 with holy water and 2 with a toxin that will shut down any humans body. 1 of the 3 would incapacitate or kill them. Jonathan slammed down the beast cutter again this time it slammed on her arms and wrapped around them. He pulled her towards him and when she was close enough Jonathan grabbed her by her neck. Lifting her from the ground. He noticed her aura. She wasn't an ordinary demon, regardless of her lack of emotion he knew there was something buried in her.

Instead of Jonathan killing her he slammed her up against a tree, enough to incapacitate a normal human for months, if his suspicions were correct it would only be a few seconds. With his crossbow at the ready he paced away from her; Vaguely knowing who the person he encountered was, He decided to let her live. He could use her as bait, considering that is every demon hunters wet dream. You could hear metal latching together almost instantly, he would no longer be fighting unless she engages.

"I've seem to mistaken you as a Human/Demon hybrid. They're my only prey, They've all lead themselves down the corrupt path instead of using this curse as a weapon for justice they walk down the vile path. You however, you're only a demon and a strong one at that. You're none of my concern, I've no further quarrel with you. Leave me, or I will be forced to do something I might regret. Or coax me to walk the same path. My name is Jonathan... Come find me with clear intentions when you wish. Otherwise; Look elsewhere for answers."

Placing his gigantic weapon on his shoulder to rest he was no longer in ear shot or range for her. Once again silence filled the forest, nothing was heard but the cawwing of birds, and with each passing step they only grew louder.

 

Jakku had heard the sounds of fighting and ran towards the stoping as Johnathan came into view Jakku pulled out his curved and activated a fire enchantment * "stop there stranger before I turn you into demon bait".

 

The girl partially chocked and wiped away the blood that came from her mouth. Although she is a demon and can't be killed in normal ways like humans can, her body can still easily bleed but not enough to be fatal. She struggled to her feet using the tree. She had no intention on revenge. All her intentions was to reach the temple. Her ankles were slowly healing along with her arms. The other demon body guard starred at Jonathan as he disappeared.
"...No...respect...for...royalty..." The demon grunted. Clearly, it had poor English speaking skills.

Her demons and herself could smell the scent of human and demon blood coming from Jakku. This severely unsettled Her and her demons.
"Demon hunter..." The girl whispered as her Body guard directed her into the shadows once again.
She placed her hood on once more to properly blend into the night and the shadow from the trees. She didn't look amused. In fact she new with human scent mixed with demon blood meant a slayer was nearby. She hates them with a passion but she knows she mustn't attack them as there is no time for it. She must reach the temple.

 

jakku notice the girl walking away but was more concerned with Johnathan *you were there on the night at the demon sisters house you were part of the team

 

Jonathan payed no mind to Jakku, and insisted on not speaking, due to his preposterous accusations he especially didn't want to talk to anyone so unreasonable. Instead he pulled a notepad out of his jacket pocket and pricked his finger he wrote down. "Such baseless accusations from an unknown. I protected sisterhoods, fraternities, and travelers. That particular sisterhood you're standing at. I was a repeat contracter for them. I see I am no longer needed." He shot the note on a bolt to the wall on the side of Jakku.

Jonathan turned around and walked back towards the demon he just knocked down. The thing most people didn't know about Jonathan was his residence was the forest he lived off of it. Which means he would sometimes eat demon flesh when needed, cannibalism was less frequent but he did what he had too. After a few minutes he was back to where he started. Slowly watching artikka stand back up. He made his presence known and sat down back pressed against a tree. Like usual he was still prepared to fight if need be. Though she may not have noticed him. She certainly would.

"What are your intentions on this earth, You're a powerful one; It's the only thing that stopped me from continuing smashing you into pieces. I'm interested, and the injuries you sustained. You're not moving anywhere anytime soon. And tell your servant to stand down."

 

Her body gaurds were snarling, growling and drooling. Clearly, they don't like the fact that Jonothan came back and now there was a demon hunter in the forest.
"What right... do you have... to speak... to the...Mistress in that...way... worthless trash?!" The creature grunted.
Arttikka placed out a hand signalling it to calm down and not to attack.
"Don't... you dare... look... down on her... pathetic half breed." The creature continued insulting but it stood down on any intentions on avenging its Mistress.
"I am not...interested in worthless communication. My intention is my business. Nothing more... and nothing less." She coldly stated.

 

"You seem to have this communication pegged wrong, worthless is far from the correct description. You see, regardless of your servants not smiling down upon me so fondly. And you thinking of me as a demon hunter; I can say 1 of those 2 isn't correct. And that is I don't hunt demons, in fact I find 'em more interesting to work with. Besides, Having extra eyes along with you wouldn't hurt. A good example of you needing some help would be I got the jump on you. And believe me, I've killed demon lords before. You're no exception. However you had the will to live somewhere in you. I saw it."

Jonathan still sat motionless his eyes fixated on both her servant and her. He took a less defensive stance to show he meant no further harm he waited for her response, and her servants neither seemed too short on words or emotion.

 

Arttikka willingly removed her hood off her face.
"Killing Demon Lords does not have as much of an impact compared to Royal Demons but I still wold not think of myself as any exception. I had no need for violence when you attacked because I knew you would not kill me. I attack when it is necessary. Besides, the will power to live means nothing."
She could see that Jonathan was standing down which made her servants less alarmed.
"Why then... did.. you attack my mistress?... So called... allies... don't do that..." The demon servant growled.

 

"A royal has never come to the surface. I assume they've never had a good enough reason that or humans are just too low on the list of threats for them. Lesser demons are generally enough to deal with a small town or village. Unless the humans trained to defend themselves against them. Then you have people like me, I was cursed. My mother seduced by a succubus I'm barely a demon but I got enough of their strength in me to fight 'em. As for attacking your mistress... You see. This is my home, I live off the forest. The prey I slaughter I generally eat. And I bathe in its many ponds,lakes, springs, or just general bodies of water. When my weapons get dull I go into town for a blacksmith. So when I heard something above me and figured I was a humanoid based creature I had to stand my ground. You never know who means harm or not."

Jonathan reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a green apple. He didn't stand up instead he got artikka' attention and gently tossed it to her. It wasn't a trick it was a genuine Apple, no poison, nothing.

"I suppose you wouldn't have much use for me anyways, If you need a buddy to travel with let me know, I usually charge a handsome fee but considering the circumstances. I'll work for you for free, only thing I can think of after nearly killing you. I've definitely limited mobility for a little while."

 

"Humans are...becoming...threats...to Royals... like the Mistress." her body guard replied as it pointed to the scarring on Arttikka's left eye.

"The real curse is being born with human blood. Their hearts has been tainted in darkness but they deceive their own kind by assuring their people are safe. Meanwhile, they have become so much more horrible than any demon breed. They have cheated their way to the top with their toys and by using their enemies tricks. As they say. 'fight fire with fire.' In these cases, it's stealing Demon and Angels magic.... Being born with human blood and demon blood seems as a curse but it all depends on which side of the war you rather take..."

She caught the apple with her left hand. Her savants were carefully monitoring Jonathan's movements to make sure he had no hidden tricks up his sleeve that may resolve in their mistress being injured again. Arttikka gave him a weird look at the word 'buddy.'

"The choice is yours whether you wish to come or not. That is your business that I won't interfere with. I suppose an apology is in place to the demon you... However, to the human side of you, if you choose to attack me from now on, I will show no mercy." Arttikka coldly stated.

 

jakku took the note but did not read it he followed johnnathan and stop when he caught up with the group he watch the two talk in fronim not leaving with out answer " * jakku summoned a flame element bow and shot two arrows at Arttikaks demon servant's* he doesn't leave nither do you not till he tell me what he was doing at the house that night"

 

OOT: Wow. It looks like a lot's happened since the last time I posted. Sorry for the delay, I'm gonna try to get back into this.


Dalton was slumped against a wall having just pulled out a cigarette when Nephilim came in asking about equipment. He gave the demon hunter an annoyed look.
"You see anything that looks like a blacksmith's shop around here? We'll find you some gear next time we get to a town."
Shaking his head, he reached down to his left boot and pulled out a spare knife he carried in case of an emergency.
"Tell you what. If it'll keep you quiet for a while, you can borrow this 'til we get there."
He tossed the knife to Nephilim before going back to his cigarette, lighting it up and taking it in before giving a content, but somewhat tired sigh.
"I really was gonna quit these. But you know how it is. Things start getting stressful and all of a sudden that "last cig" is better than sex. Normally, I'd be throwing back a few shots right now, but...well, this day's been anything but normal, as you can plainly see."

He took another puff, staring blankly at the ceiling and speaking in a calmer, melancholic voice that lacked any of its usual bite.
"It all used to be so simple. "Demons are the enemy. Go out and kill them. Pick up a nice sack of gold on the way back for your trouble." That was the daily routine and it wasn't all that bad. That's before I realized the truth."
After taking in a little more of his "last one," he continued.
"There's a lot of people out there...who are just demons with a human face. Turns out evil doesn't always come with horns and a pitchfork."
Of course, that wasn't an accurate description of what demons looked like, it was just an old stereotype.

 

Nephilim, Kicked a chair from the dining room table out and straddled onto it, he pocketed the knife that was given to him though he didn't like the way Dalton went about handing him it. Instead of doing anything to harm Dalton he just conversed with him.

"I'm sure your hunting senses haven't left you yet there Dalton, S'pose you already figured me out, I'm not genetically 100% human. No sir, I got the demons blood coursing through me. That's likely why you wanted to rescue me back at that deadbeat town; you crave the power. And you need something to bargain with. Like you clearly compensating for smoking cigarettes. If you get stressed pick up your old gear and hunt. Nothing is better than killing that first demon, Or that first demon in years. But I S'pose you have a point. It's getting harder to tell who's the demon and who's the human. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut."

Neph paused for a moment and noticed Jakku stormed off and Laura was still upstairs.

"Say, Didn't we have a 3rd guy with us? He just seemed to disappear. You should go look for him. He couldn't have trailed off too far. Maybe he was looking for some action." Neph chuckled. "I'll sit right here and wait for the lady. Hunters honor. And I don't break that for anyone."

Jonathan saw 2 arrows hit artikka's demon. Though Jonathan not overly alarmed, He didn't move a muscle. His focus never broke Artikka's until he heard the wailing of a demon getting shot. Jonathan turned his head to notice a new person standing around however he just seemed like a normal person.

"Child, have you got a problem with counting? I don't care how skilled you are with your weaponry you're obviously outnumbered; And if we're honest I've been at this business longer. If you'd read the note I shot at you, you would know why I showed my face over there. And I ain't big on repeating what I said or wrote. I'm gonna give you 1 warning. Leave me and the lady alone. Or By the will of God I will show you no mercy."

Jonathan remained still and brought his attention back to artikka. In his stare it gave away not to say anything about who he was or who she was. Just remain silent and refuse to cooperate.

"Well son, what's your choice?

 

"I'm not leaving until you answer my question were you there that night the demon queen was awakened*Jakku raised his bow and notch another arrow half expecting a fight*

 

Her demons guards growled and moaned in pain. After all, they weren't high level demons.
"Damn you... Human food!" They continued to groan.
Her raven was no where to be seen. She squints her eyes and not looking overly pleased with the situation. She places her hood back on so that no one can see her appearance again. Arttikka stood standing with her arms under her cloak clenching her hand awaiting for what may happen next.

 

(sit in a tree watch what going on )oh my look what we have here(smiles)