Blood Rising (Tag Seere, Eledore)

[N.P.C.]

[glow=black,3,300]The following events take place prior to those depicted in 'the book of darkness'[/glow]

*...the child never knew what powers she was meddling with...*

* On that day in the jungles, after her irresponsibility separated her from their guide, when she first crossed the threshold into that sacred ground, she foolishly thought she'd found that 'old place' her mother drug them too. She didn't bother to try to translate the vine-covered warnings that adorned the walls... didn't stop to think why this small temple would have been hidden this far into the jungle.*

* all that crossed her mind was the jewel before her.*

* It's impossible to imagine one so young could comprehend the lives lost due to this trinket. The sacrifices made to give it its crimson hue... or the evil that lay within.... the bloodthirsty beast that was held within. The only thought crossing her mind was how 'pretty' it was. And as with many before her, throughout the ages of this world... she simply took without bothering to ponder the ramifications...*

* And so it's been... for 3 months, she has been walking around with a sleeping demon hanging around her neck. An insatiable, inhuman beast silently waiting to be awakened.... to be infused with the life-giving fluid that will release it from it's prison.*

* And as such... that moment of opportunity came.*

* It was on a visit to Phoenix, her mother participating in an Archaeological summit at the University, with her drug along for the ride. The child, as irresponsible and unthinking as she was that day in the Jungle, disobeyed her mother, sneaking out of the lecture hall to wander the campus grounds. She thought she could just 'hang out' with a few of the campus alumni. As long as she stayed on the grounds she naively assumed she would be safe. But just as she misjudged the character of the Jewel, so did she misjudge the character of those two Frat-boys she 'hung out' with.*

* All she cared about was the free beer she was getting.... not the pills they slipped into it.*

* Thinking they could have a better 'party' with her in the desert, they loaded her into the trunk, and headed out to the northwest.... foolishly giving her system long enough time to dispel the bulk of second-hand 'roofies' effects. So that when they did make it out to their 'love nest'... she had enough awareness to put up a fight. Clawing and slapping with little aim or force... but enough to compel the party boy to 'settle her down'.*

* That ill-fated fist came down hard, breaking her nose, sending blood spraying everywhere... including down upon the Jewel*

* There where only two present to bear witness to the beasts Resurrection. It's unfortunate for them they did not live long enough to tell anyone. The first being a victim of convenience and necessity, his close proximity and his lapsed guard not hurting things either.... as the demon first act as it seized control of her body was to form claws upon her right hand and tear out his heart.*

* the other could only stare helplessly....watching his 'bro's' back explode in a mass of bone and blood.... then witness the unholy feast before him, the comatose girl moved like a puppet by bloody tethers emanating from the amulet. Watching as a new skin formed around her... as red as the blood covering the sands around them. And listening as a primal, demonic growl echoed through the night.*

* When he did try to run... he didn't get far.*

* The 3 where reported missing the next day. Vultures had led to the discovery of to the 'love nest' several days later... by then the demon had taken off across the unforgiving desert.... As the days and soon weeks past... more victims where discovered, each completely disemboweled... and completely drained of blood. Feeding on the blood and souls which it needs to return to it's former glory. But as it neared the border with Nevada... a scent caught it's attention.*

* These lives it extinguished was just a warm up. It's hunt had only just begun.*

[Seere]

I kneel on the floor, banting heavily, held up mostly by the wrought iron chains, my sweat covered body limp and weak. Slowly, I roll my head backwords, looking up at the cloaked figures around me, lettying my eyes drift over their expressionless faces, swinting to see through the blinding light that shone down on my face.

"Your power shall become our own" Bellowed the high preist, clutching his aged scepter, holing aloft a pewter skull. "My Brothers, My sisters, we have at last found one who holds the ancient might. Let the ritual commence!"

As one, the gathered worlocks chanted, speaking words who's meaning was forgotten, swaying. Smoke poured into the chamber, the lighting dimmed as their fell magic grew. I strained against my bonds, but to no avail.

"You are mistaken, I am not of evil! You must release me before you commit further wickedness in your misguided deeds. Turn away from this path, before it is to late!" I pleade, tears welling up in my eyes. But the cult chanted on. The high prist stepped forward, a black dagger clutched in his hand.

"Let the Sacrifice Pass into the bosem of Our Lord, so that his light may shine through!" He lunged forward, the blade trained to my neck. I shriked, recoling away, but having no where to retreat to.

A moment passed. Then another. I open my eyes, seeing the knife held before me. I sigh. The lights dimmed, allowing the rows of chairs before the stage to appear. I look out at the director, watching him scribble a few notes down. He looked up, his fat face twisted into what may or may not have been a smile. It was hard to tell, and I really didnt want to look to closely at it.

"Excellent work Mrs. Dee, A very nice audition. We'll certainly be considering you for the part."

I nod, slipping my wrists out of the prop manicles. I nod, giving my thanks, before departing off stage. I knew already that he had no intention of giving me the part. He'd already picked the stripper who'd auditioned second. She could barely remember three lines at a time, but she'd offered to take him to third base, so it wasnt like I had much of a chance. Suppose I couldn't be to mad about it. Anyone who was willing to see the lard blob naked clearly wanted the part more than I did. Some of us have standards set a little higher.

I make it to the changing room, disrobing the tattered maiden costume I'd been given. I look over in the mirror. My current guise, Sarah Dee. I'd tried to cut back on the appearence. D cups, nice rump, brown hair. Attractive, but not my best work. Sure, I could have taken the acting part. One word, I could have had everyone in there grovilng at my feet. One by one, feasting on their blackened spirits, basking in their eagerness to satisfy me. I could have made them kill eachother if I felt like it.

But Not Sarah Dee. Not the New me. Nope, nothing but the (mostly) streight and (relitivly) narrow. So while I could have damned them to the pit where they'd be skinned alive and have their flayed bodies impaled upon the scorching earth to lie in anguish, while their toungs we're scraped against jagged glass, choking them in their own blood, their gurgled screams flooding the air, watching them wriggle and squirm.

Wait...what was I talking about? I know I was making a point, but for the life of me, I can't remember. Must not have been important.

I change back into my clothing. Black tang top, short miniskirt. Flip flops. Just a simple, totally humble outfit. I stroll out of the theater, notcing the slut who was going to be getting the role that I'd auditioned for, watching her smoke beside the window, waiting around. I smile at her as we pass "You did really well, I hope you get the part". And I ment it to. Except in my head, I said 'Herpies' insted of 'the part.

I step out into the city, letting it all wash over me. Its amazing to see. Not the lights and neon. Not the music which comes from all around. No, these things are trivial and Mundane. But the blashpemy, the wickedness and corruption. Its all around, totally enveloping me. That one's a Fraud, that one beat his wife. Glutton, Bigot, Barrator, Envy, Greed, Anger, Thief, Discord, Sodomy. It makes me light headed to feel so many evils, all pressing against me, cooing softly in my ear, leaving lovemarks against my skin. Oh damn, it feels so nice.

Vegas. My kinda city.

I walk down the streets, neck deep in the sin's of the human masses. It helps me keep my impulses under control. No matter where I go in this place, theres always a reminder of evil and corruption right there, not letting me forget it, helping keep me from slipping. Thats the Theory anyway. With an opportunity for deprevity literally around every corner and down every allyway, temptation is everywhere. I'm good at brining others to submit to their baser desires. Not so good at resisting it myself. But somehow I manage. I'll be the first to admit I'm not perfect. Evil feels good. Satisfying dark urges is enjoyable. Deliberatly denying them, its hard, its unrewarding. No motivation beyond some abstract concept of doing whats right. I'd have to be an idiot to keep striving towards such an unreachable goal.

Maybe Im a macosist. It'd make sense. There's a spike, and I leave my own deliberations aside for a moment. That man, standing on the side of the road. I can feel the despair radiating from him. He's lost everything. This guys suicidal.

And I hate to admit it, I mean, I really hate to admit it, but I don't jump in to stop him from stepping infront of traffic. I watched, amused. This was going to be entertaining. Blood splattered everywhere, the driver swerving out of control. People screaming. That was my first instinct. And it disgusted me to recognize that, even as I move, I'm not doing this becuse I care. This guy, his living, his dying, I don't care either way. Saving him dosn't change the fact that he'll probably spend his life miserable and unhappy. He'll wallow, down in the dumps, no money, no friends. And he'll die. I know that I'm doing this only for selfish reasons, that as my fingers grab his collor and yank him off his feet, its only for my own reasons, because I know that letting him die would be wrong, and saving him would be right.

Take it from me. Doing whats right dosnt mean what your doing is inherently good. My actions may be noble, but the motivation isnt.

At least this loser gets to live though. As he lays on the sidewalk, breathing hard, eyes full of confusion, heart beating so hard it might burst out of his chest, looking up at me. I bend down, taking his hands in mine, smiling softly "Don't worry, I'm here to help you. Lets go for a walk"

My words are laced with my power. He nods, submitting to my request, his thoughts already under my sway. I take him with me, finding a clinic where he can be kept until proper psychiatric support can be given. I know enought that to avoid talking to much to him. Right now, he needs people who care. Not me.

I found out shortly after I left that he had stuck a fork in an electric socket. Death was instantanious. All that, and Id only managed to keep him going for an extra half hour.

But I'm ok. Like I said, I didn't care about him. But I'd like to believe that by trying, even if Im just going through the motions, I'll change a little bit. So that someday, maybe I will care.

[Eledore Mouring]

* Moths are just beginning to buzz around the street-lamps as I pull in, the Old 'Stang gracefully rolling up alongside the pump before I put it into park. The day is barely ended... the darkness barely having fallen. The cycle continuing to turn.*

* Just turned off of 93 a few clicks south of the Arizona/Nevada line to fill up. Some old Mom & Pop that got turned into an Amoco at some point. Decades of hard work either trampled or bought out by the bigger fish. I just slide the nozzle into the the hole, then lean up against the 'Stang to watch the bill go up. Damn these prices are murder Nowadays. Wipe the sweat from my brow as I lean back, letting my head bump down on the roof as I stare up into the vastness above.*

* Dammit it's hot out tonight.*

* Some people have the misconception that when you live in this climate for so long you become immune to this kind of discomfort. More like you grow a Tolerance to it. Doesn't mean you won't be sweating like a pig in 100+ weather as you stare up into the sky... listening to the gage spinning, your mind wandering.*

*Silva...*

* Aside from the heat index... Tonight's not that different than that night... is it? The moon... the encroaching darkness... the unsettling stillness. Navigating that defiled ground, a former house of worship turned into a bordello for sado-masochistic hedonism with bated breath.... only to find your limp body, laying battered and broken on that dungeons floor. I could tell by the remaining warmth left, by the absence of Rigger.... I was too late.... the burning sensation at the back of my neck, as the tears ran down my face... *

* I wonder.... could you be watching me now. Where you watching me then... as I.... as.... I...*

* I'm snapped back to reality as the handle snaps back, cutting off the flow of fuel as the tank becomes full. I sigh, taking note of my tally before I go in. I pick up a few necessities while I'm in there... Stale sandwich, Water, cup of coffee, and a pack of reds, before I head out to hit the road again. I slide the Reds into my coat pocket as I take a sip from the coffee. I'm lagging behind as it is. I've got to make it to 'Frisco... I have to free her... help her move on before she can hurt anyone else....*

* I'm well into my second swig when it hits me... Hard. The mother of all chills running down my spine... A painful gag-reflex causes me to violently cough back up my coffee... the Styrofoam cup falling down and exploding on the ground as I fall up against the side of my ride. My head literally throbbing.*

* I've felt, lived with all my life. It's the sign that something otherworldly is nearby. But I've never felt anything on this Level. It's like the Aura from a seizure... but with a darker, more primal stench to it... almost like a black cloud of just fell, and is trying to strangle the life out of me...*

* I've been warned of these things before... in both Grandfather's lessons and in Catechism. Paranormal eggheads refer to them as 'Non-human entities'... a politically correct understatement at best. *

* Demons....*

* I try to shake my wits back... I survey the area, trying to get a Bede on it... follow the interferance... it can't be far. Terrain isn't helping me out any... giving me deja-vu back to Afghanistan. But unlike the Taliban... this thing can't just use a rock or a half-assed Gillie suit to hide it's presence.*

* ...there...*

* I slide back behind the wheel... throwing the bag with the water and sandwich with one bite out of it in the back seat, and peel out of there. It's moving northwest... crossing the desert on all fours, like a predator stalking prey. Also making it a pain in the ass to follow. As I tail this thing, I begin to notice it's not fitting the usual non-human behavioral standards I've been educated on. While these things normally try to keep their unholy business in the shadows, this thing on the other hand... doesn't seem to give a shit. Nearly causes a pile up darting in front of an 18 wheeler as it changes direction...*

* Toward Hoover Dam*

* I fall behind thanks to the minor traffic jam it inspired... but I'm able to get back on it's tail in time. Unfortunately far too behind for my tastes. I am able to keep my eyes on the road as I reach over and pull the Ski-mask out from my glove box. Considering some of the sentiments on Mutants or Meta-humans around these parts, Anonymity is the better part of valor. My stomach begins to churn as I near the dam, sensing this thing has stopped on the concrete structure. Silently praying that it's not about to do what I think it is.*

* I slam on the breaks and put it in gear, pulling down the mask as I move out of the Mustang. Staying low as I move in, past some of the Fleeing tourists.*

* Taking the blood-curdling screams into consideration... I can tell I've arrived too late.*

* By the time I come to the scene... it's hard to really identify the victim. The Poor soul literally torn into bloody pieces as nigh catatonic bystanders watch, horrified at the sights and sounds of this... thing ravenously feeding. Bones crack under it's jaws as the splattered and pooled blood that coats the concrete begins moving backward... soaking up INTO this things body. But the worst part is something they can't even see... watching as this hell-spawn literally drinks up this persons soul.*

* My combat training is the only thing keeping me from vomiting right there.*

* It's barely finished with this one before it heads on for the second course of it's meal, giving me only a fraction of the time I need to focus my energies. The shaft I conjure isn't as strong as I'd wish... but it's not like I have that much of a choice. I take aim... and let fly.*

* with a lightening-like streak.... it flies into it's target... nailing it square in the back. I'm taken back, confused as I shudder as this freak screams out in pain. I'm not sure of wich.... the fact I just had a reaction to hitting it... or the tone it just reacted with. This wasn't the sound of a wounded animal... this sounded almost... human.*

* It slams into the pavement as the Hors d'œuvres make their exit. Thankfully, these people have enough common sense that the light-crossbow wielding guy in a hockey mask and trench-coat doesn't have to point out the obvious. Get the hell out of here. Collateral damage is not something I need here.*

* Big shock... it doesn't stay down long, giving me the first good look at this hell-spawn. Jesus Christ this thing is ugly. Best description.... it looks like a wuzzle from hell. Lion's head, Goat legs and horns, and dragons tail slapped on to a red humanoid form, with a Grey mane wrapping it's head, breast, and legs. One thing that's hard to notice is the physical state it's in. It looks emaciated... it's skin hanging off it's bones, and it's mane liable to fall out. Almost like it's been starved somehow. This Mike's little sense... we passed multiple targets of opportunity here.... yet this is the first time it went after anyone. Just what is driving this thing?*

* The time for investigations is over however, as it rears it's head back.... staring daggers back at me with those firery yellow eyes.... and releasing an unholy growl.*

* Safe to say... I've gotten it's attention*

* My eyes are locked straight on target.... my hand holding much stronger psychic shaft, aimed straight at it's head.*

[glow=yellow, 3,300]" Hello Kitty cat."[/glow]

[N.P.C.]

--- Since I control both people, I'll be multitasking in this one---

* the beast turns black... it's eyes glaring back toward the mortal that dared to interrupt it's feast. It pushed itself back to it's feet... before it began to circle around him. This one is scent was different than the others bags of flesh.... it's soul glowed of spiritual energy, as brightly as the moon shone in the sky.*

* This one will make a great meal... more filling a dozen ordinary mortals*

* With a roar the beast leaped forth... using speed far greater than one would expect, given it's starved appearance, talons outreached.... ready to tear into his soft flesh. But it failed to realized just how 'different' this human was. The others before it where scared animals.... their reason stripped from them by the beasts presence. This one... decades of training in combat stayed his basic instincts. As the beast lunged, he ducked and rolled... leaving a late-model cutlass to taste it's wrath.*

* It turned, it's claws coming down upon him, only to strike down into the concrete as he leaped backwards... and as it reared to come at him again, took careful aim before he released a much stronger arrow at the beast.*

* The psychic shaft splits the air... tearing through the nights sky before it makes impact... off slightly by the creatures own movement, the energy still literally ripped the creatures face in twine by merely grazing it's cheek.*

* It reels back, blood spraying everywhere as it releases forth an ungodly shriek, clutching the open wound. Just as before... the hero shudders... more intensely this time to the beasts reaction. To those fleeing the scene, all they herd was a demonic roar... but the heroes own perceptions caused him to hear something else... something tied into this monstrosity.*

* As clear as day, he could hear a girls screams, he could feel the suffering of an innocent when his arrow made contact. And as it glared back at him.... his stomach wrenched as his suspicions where confirmed.*

* The half of the face which had been torn off... revealed to him something beneath... a face, no more than 16.... bruised, battered, with a gash from his own arrow in her cheek. Unresponsive green eyes staring back at him... back THROUGH him, in a glazed stupor... tears parting the dirt and dried blood as her jaw trembled*

* He only saw it for a moment, before the innocence was swallowed up again. The blood splattered up on the concrete flowing back to the main body... being absorbed through it's pours. All this while the face itself began to stick itself back together... the mass of flesh, once seeming like sanguine colored hog fat, liquefying and moving back up... swallowing back up the girls face beneath that of the demon which commandeered her body.*

* His bow was at the ready... a half-formed shaft in his hand... yet he did nothing, crippled by the knowledge he now held. With but the own beasts growls echoing through the night, and intense, yet brief, stand off began. Both sizing up their opponent... both trying to come up with a suitable line of attack.*

* It new it was wasting time.... this mortal was stronger than it has anticipated, and at the rate this battle was going this mortal would deplete it's powers and again leave it trapped in the gem. It had to end this... it had to find the source... that which billowed the infernal stench it has detected before... and sup upon it.*

* The Hero stayed on the defensive... not certain what this thing was up to, as the beast slammed its hands down into the pavement, bracing itself, as it let forth an anguished roar. The sickening sound of bones cracking and shifting echoed in time... as what appeared to be ribs began to pry their way out of it's body. Soon, the beast seemed to shrink... as a fresh coating of red 'skin' began to envelop them, creating a grisly set of wings.*

* Before the hero could react, intending to stun it, the fiend displayed yet another trick. It opened it's maw and sent a stream of sulfuric flames flying towards him. He leaped backwards, barely avoiding the demonic incendiary attack. His act of self-preservation gave it the opening it needed, as on all fours it charged forth...*

* Straight towards the dam's edge*

* The hero silently cursed... as he drew and fired, trying to prevent it's escape. If he could stop it... bind it... he could buy some time to properly deal with it. Yet this thing was learning... dodging the shots agilely. Then, after using a Pontiac like a springboard... leaps into the air, sailing down along the Dam's sheer walls before it spread it's wings to take flight.*

* the night sky at it's back, it sailed through the air. It surveyed the lights and sounds coming up from the new Sodom beneath it. Even for a predator such as this one... the scent of the corruption beneath it was intoxicating.*

*But such trivialities had to wait...*

*Through the melting pot of rampant sin and hedonism, it had to weed out the demonic force it detected earlier. The pure-blooded evil which could return it to it's prior glory.*

* within moments... the needle within the haystack shone like the moon in the sky*

* With what one could only describe as a sinister 'smile'... the beast swooped down... prepared to confront it's quarry.*

* It would feed well tonight*

[Seere]

Oh, now that is interesting. Here I was, walking home, minding my own buissiness. I'd been contemplating how I was going to spend my evening, probably watch some T-Vo for a bit before heading out for a snack. I've been careful to limit my dinings, keeping feedings spread out accrost the city, even venturing off to the outlaying suburbs from time to time. Its not to difficult, usually, finding someone who's guilty of enough crime's that devouring part of their life is justified. Its a tad harder to not kill them, kind of like eating just one potato chip.

But seems like Ive got a friend flying in from out of town. He's still at least 8 miles out, but closing in rather quickly. Real nasty sort, equal parts bad attitude and big appatite. I start peering back through my memories, on the better than decent chance I ran into this guy before. The specific vibe we all have is sort of like a fingerprint and a biography all wrapped together, you get a sense of who they are, we're they come from. Guy's got a major old school mojo going on. I roll my eyes. Is it to much to ask that you at least try and keep up with current trends. I knew this one guy, Jabor. Nice enough fellow, if a bit lazy. He's been using the same form for the past five millenia. Don't get me wrong, showing up for some egyptian priests as a 10 ft tall human with a body like Schwarzenegger was certainly impressive. The Jackel head was always a nice touch. Nowendays, its not even retro.

I digress however. The demon which currently approaches isnt ringing any bells. Pity. If I knew this guys true name, I could send him scampering back to hell with three short words. I find a secluded back ally, away from the eyes of the city. I whisper under my breath, speaking the commandments of the damned. Without his name, there is still a chance he's bound to my service in some way or another. I'm not counting on it, since if that was the case I'm confident I could have remembered his name. But having your bases covered never hurts. The light filtering in from the street dims. On the ground, a tin can resting near my feet gives a slight groan as the metal twists and begins to rust. A small pack of rats scampers away, fleeing from the corrupting influence that I radiate as I speak.

The last word ends and the light returns. No dice. Since commanding obediance has failed, looks like a more direct approach will be needed. I shroud myself from the eyes of any passerbys, and allow the guise of Sarah Dee to disolve, taking my prefered shape, that of the majestic beauty befitting the demon Seere.

Two feathered wings erupt from my shoulders, each a shade of red so dark it borders on black. With a leap, my wings beat against the air, carrying me up into the sky. I smile, knowing that the night is going to become far more exciting than I'd first anticipated. As I soar towards the demon, I remind myself not to be hasty. There is a chance, however slim, that he's attempting to repent his ways. Its a fools hope, but I have to offer a chance to surrender. Mercy is a virtue, not a vice.

Against the starlight sky, I spot the approaching figure. Real peice of work. Blood everywhere. No points for creativity either. Horns, teeth, claws, tail. But following outdated steryotypes for forms is no crime. I halt in the air, 'standing' with arms crossed, letting him approach. As I watch, I notice that he's not even using a shroud. Meaning his form is totally visable to anyone who happened to glance up.

I drop my own shroud in responce. If he's not going to bother to keep quiet, Im not either. The distance between is is rapidly closing, and Im begging to think he's not going to slow down.

"So" I call out "Whats a big bad demon like you doing in this neck of the woods?"

I let a charge of hellish lighting gather in one hand, blight-wind in the other. Being nice and offering a chance to talk is one thing. Stupidly standing infront of a charging demon without any kind of defense set up at all like a deer cought in headlights, thats another thing entirly. Polite dosn't mean stupid. If he's not in a chatting mood, than I'll be ready to strike.

[Eledore Mouring]

* I feel utterly helpless as I stand along the guardrail, having just stood by gawking as that abomination made it's escape. Spreading newly formed wings, it takes flight... Making a B-line towards a Neon Blip to the Northwest.*

* Vegas... why am I not surprised?*

* I move along the parking area, try to find an alternate set of wheels. Aside from the likely probability of properly damage out there, the stang's too big and conspicuous to properly tail this thing through Sin City. Have to have something smaller... MUCH smaller. And with all the tourists having bolted during our tussle, I've got plenty to choose from. Luckily, I find a few bikes strapped down on a trailer. Some non-conventional lock picking and a quick hot-wire later, I'm back on the trail.*

* Still, wasted a good 10 minutes doing so.*

* As I speed down the winding black top, following that beast's stench down to Vegas, One single thought keeps running through my mind...*

*What the hell was that just now?*

* I'd be lying if I said that it's unheard of for Demons to take human hosts. It's all part of their M.O. in their war against the Almighty and his children. But in all my studies on the subject... I've never herd of any possession remotely resembling this. The taint wasn't inside the girl, using her as a mere vassal... the taint has ENVELOPED her, almost like that Serial Killer out of new york... she was wrapped in some sort of Demonic Cloak that used her as it's skeleton while it's muscles forced her actions.*

* The question then arises... how the hell do I get her out of it?*

* I've reached the city limits when I get an uneasy sensation in my gut. Something that could just get passed off on Nerves or that nasty sandwich I took a bite out of, if it didn't steadily intensify... beginning to take a much darker tinge to it. There is some seriously bad mojo going on in Vegas... the question being what's causing it. Could some idiot actually be trying to control this abomination... or is something guiding it here... ?*

* I get my answer soon enough, as the sensation hits me again. If not for it being not as intense as the first one, I'd likely have crashed and burned right now. As a Precaution, I slide to a stop... just in case it spikes on me. This is not anything like the first one.... the hellish stench is there, but it's weaker either by design or a true indication of this newcomers strength. But there's something else to it... like a perverse sensuality. The kind of base desire that a man would feel when he's in a strip club.*

*Just what this city needs... two of them.*

*My eyes watch the sky as this newcomer reveals itself, merely 'appearing' before my previous playmate. It's too far up for me to get a good look... or to know what's going down... but I can feel it. My blood freezes as the skies light up... the wind beginning to pick up... rustling the smell of brimstone and lost souls down below. The stench of damnnation descending down upon Sin City... and I'm the only one able to sense it.*

* The only one here left to stare ahead like a deer in the headlights of an unholy freight train.*

* I should have stayed in Afghanistan.*

[N.P.C.]

* It's quarry must have realized how pointless it was to remain hidden behind the shroud. Even hiding in a maelstrom of depravity emanating from this city below it... there was no way it could mask it's presence. Not completely. For within moments... SHE revealed herself. The fallen veil not only revealing her curvaceous form... the Lascivious symmetry of a sanguine haired fallen angel... but also gave it a greater sampling of the powers she held. A pure-blood... one of the many spawned of the masters of the underworld. Royalty amongst the hierarchy of Damnation.*

* Even a 'mongrel' such as this recognized royalty. Unlike others... it was not looking to barter favor.... not looking to bow at her feet in servitude.... or allow itself to be subjugated as she had just attempted.*

* The princess hovers contently, black wings beating against the night sky, her arms crossed across her chest as she attempts to make pleasantries... before she summons a fraction of her own abilities. Damnation's winds howling as unholy lightening begins to illuminate the sky. To other like this one, this would prove ample warning to stay away...*

* This one refuses to be denied*

* With a mighty roar, pitched like enhanced feedback from one of the mortals devices... it spews forth a mighty plume of damnation's fire... itself likely a useless gesture against one such as her, but adequate enough as a distraction. Clouding it's maneuvering, it comes in from the side, prepared to eviscerate this child of darkness.*

* It closed the distance, Talons at the ready... the beast practically salivating with anticipation of the bounty before it. But as it's claws came down.... they met only air where supple flesh should be....it's talons, and soon it's body, passing through a thick bank of black smoke, smoke which stank of the abyss.*

* Enraged... it turned... ready to make another strike at the chylde..... ready to pounce like a lion as she re-assembled her form. It wouldn't even make it through it's turn... before its second attempt was denied before it even began. The night's sky erupted, a thunderous crack exploding above, in-time with the Beasts own anguished roar.*

* the Chylde had chose her response well... forging a lightening whip as she re-constituted her form. With ruthless efficiency, she took aim and, with one lash, cut a swath open across it's back.... severing the left wing at it's base.*

* As the severed wing lost all cohesion... literally disintegrating into a grizzly mist of crimson, the Beast began to plummet to the ground. Unable to stay aloft with one wing... and unable to grow another... it trashed angrily... it's demonic howls echoing through the night*

* As it spiraled in it's descent upon the gathered crowd below, many took flight... save for one figure, despondently staring up from his perch on a motorcycle.*

[Seere]

Meh, nothing ever changes. Extend an olive branch, and someone will try and club you upside the head with it, metaphorically speaking. This Guy here, dosnt seem smart enough to spell diplomacy, much less understand the concept. Gives a hell of a roar, the kind of thing that would have soiled the trowsers of lesser folk. Makes my ears ring a little bit, more annoying. The Plume of hellfire is a few steps up from annoying, coming in just above a moderate bother.

I think It would not be at all out of place to say negotiations have broken down.

Now, this is where you really see the difference between the lower class and the upper crust. This gout of molten sin is barely enough to dry my hair. I know this, and somewhere in that thick skull, I'd venture sunshine over there can understand that he's not going to make any headway with a half-assed effort like that. So then, what was the purpose? I suspect that he may really be that stupid, and that this is just a frontal assult. But there is a second point to be considered, and that there is a chance, however slim, of a decption going on. If it we're me, I wouldnt just throw my power out there without thinking of the best way to use it. The flames provide a nice bit of cover afterall, I've lost sight of the other devil, I'm vulnerable. So that likely means that any instant now, he'll be rushing me from behind.

My form disolves, skin blackeneing and distorting, breaking down into grains of ash that waft gently in the air. Right on cue, a very angry and somewhat confused demon passess through my insubstantial form. And what do I spy now? A very lovely, unprotected backside of a demon who was stupid enough to try and lay a talon on me.

The scattered clouds of smoke rush together, becoming a physical shape again, as my wings begin beating again. I give a very small, somewhat disappointed sigh. Lighting cracks to life within my hand, violet bolts sparking in the darkness of the night sky.

"Begon"

With a single swift movment, I gesture forward, my power concentrated down to a single thread electric fury. My intention had been to bisect this little nusence in half, and then go to work on whichever half seemed more alive. Torturing demons is fun, since they can take a lot more pain before expiring. Maybe somewhere inside this beast is a scrap or to of useful information. If nothing else, a truename would be nice, and oaths of alliegence.

Bastard is fast for a lowclass spawn though, and I've got to admit that if nothing else. Manages to avoid the worst of it, only losing a wing. With only one left, the fool starts to plumet, floundering about and roaring. I turn my eyes down, smirking. The fall probably wouldnt kill this guy, but it'd probably make a lovely splat.

And it might have, except for one very tiny detail in the form of a bum who decided to chill in the desert, probably looking foward to smoking the night away. This desert is huge, spreading for one horizon to another. And dont you just know it, with a hundred square miles of open space, this guy is standing in the only spot that is about to have a very angry demon drop out of the sky.

"You've got to be kidding me"

I don't, and I want to be clear on this, I really don't want to have to do this. Giving up the highground over one guy to stupid to turn tail when the sky started exploding with unnatural evil power, that was just sad. But I already know, not only that I'm going to have to save this guy. I just hope somebody is watching this little bit of self sacrafice.

I dive, my wings pressing against my back, streamlining my shape. The ground rushes up towards me, as I plow ahead, trying to overtake the other fallen. Not fast enough though. I jab one hand foward, the winds rushing to my command, splitting the very air infront of me, reducing drag to almost nothing. Even so, it was going to be tight.

Ive always known that people on either side of the line dont like me. I never expect any favors, and have gotten used to making my own way. But getting a shimmering arrow lodged in my shoulder, an arrow that I must point out was fired by the very guy I was going in to rescue, proved without doubt, that I was the whipping boy for the universe.

Even if it didnt have the oomph to kill me, it certainly hurt. I shriked, my wings reflexivly flaring out my wings. It was going to be a close call. Everything spun about me as I reached the ground. No time for being subtle, I send a gust of hellwind at the archer, knocking him aside. I only had a moment to act, bracing myself, spreading my wings up to create a slight buffer, before the asshole who caused this whole mess dropped out of the heavens, crashing into the ground right behind me, damn near landing ontop of me.

This is not my lucky day.

I turn towards the archer, seeing the shock in his eyes. Plus a good bit of steel. This guys no random bum or drug head. Nope, he's got a fire inside.

I flip my middle finger up at the guy. Saving his ass dosnt mean I've forgiven that arrow he try to lodge into my face.

[Eledore Mouring]

* Even if I had a pair of binoculars... I would have a hard time figuring out what's going on. Whether it's a rivalry or some kind of spat between master and servant, there certainly isn't any love lost between these two, as that THING breaths a plume of fire at the newcomer... circling around for an attack. I can't say for certain... but the beast appears to miss... passing through her somehow... before being struck in the back by some sort of unholy lightening, tearing off one wing in the process.*

* What others hear as an agonized roar I hear as a child's screams... the thought of what the hell that thing has done to that girl causing me to physically cringe. I don't know whether it's mentally latched itself to her psyche, or physically hard-wired itself into her nervous system... either option leaves me how I'm going to exorcise this thing off of her... after dealing with it's Friend...*

* Unfortunately... in my spacing off like that, the tendency of airborne object to plummet once they've lost a wing sadly slipped my mind.... *

* I snap back to reality.... the thing flailing as it falls down towards me, still leaving me time to dodge it. Then I see movement behind it... something rapidly gaining speed. It's playmate is coming from the high-ground, and from the trajectory, is heading straight for me.*

* My powers light up... the bows tips extending from the cross in my right hand as I bring the weapon to bare. As the demon continue to bridge the gap, using that hellish wind to increase thrust... I forge an fresh shaft, take careful aim.... and let fly.*

* My aim is off slightly, nailing that thing in it's shoulder. I hear it's screams tear through the air... but it's not as I expected. As it's body seizes up... forcing it to open it's wings.... I finally get a good look, and that 'naughty' vibe I picked up suddenly begin to make a hell of a lot of sense. A succubus? A female demon who makes sport out of carnal temptations. I really can't bother caring about what the demonic equivalent of a whore is doing playing around with that thing... as my top priority is a hasty retreat.*

* I barely have time to vacate the bike to run for cover before it hits me. A sudden gust of hellish wind nails me, the demonic taint almost sucking the wind out of me and sending me flying, landing further down the street as the two hell-spawns make a crash landing.*

* I cough, hard. That wind felt like a punch to the gut... one that reached down to my very soul. Uncertainty rages in my mind as I start peeling myself off the pavement, I stare ahead... primarily the only remotely human of the pair. A red haired woman... her curvaceous form barely contained under what little she's wearing... white corset with red lace and denim miniskirt. Two black angelic wings on her back lay partially crumpled on the ground. She turns towards me... glaring daggers back at me with eyes as blue as the sky... and proceeds to flip me off.*

*...Not the kind of reaction I was expecting... *

*I catch my breath as I force myself back up to my feet... re-charging my bow as I move ahead... forging another shaft and moving in range. I can see the girl laying at arms length behind her... covered in blood. The beast's bloody shell completely torn away... some attempt to protect it's host maybe? In it's present state... it can hardly be considered a threat. Still, I'm make certain to keep an eye on it as I address it's master.*

[glow=yellow, 3,300]" Demon... in the name of the holy father... I demand you explain your actions."[/glow]

* I growl out in a commanding voice, sounding like a cross between a priest on Sunday and an interrogator questioning a suspect. All the while keeping that shaft at the ready. Ready to let fly if either of them so much as twitches.*

[glow=yellow, 3,300]" What is this bloody... THING to you... why did you see fit to corrupt this child?"[/glow]

[N.P.C.]

* As the beast spiraled down to the ground... it focused not on the prize... nor upon the insolent interloper from before. No... it's concern was on it's host.... her frail body being able to survive this impact. Should this host die before it could regain it's strength... it would again find itself trapped inside the accursed jewel... waiting again for untold centuries for freedom to present itself.*

* This is a reality it could not abide*

* It didn't even notice the princess's actions in trying to spare the ungrateful mortal... It quickly began trying to stabilize it's fall before reconstituting it's bodies makeup. The flesh like blood beginning to strip away from the girl... instead congregating on the point that would impact, taking on thick, almost rubbery consistency in order to absorb the blow.*

* The impact was hard.... rippling up the gelled blood. It held for as long as it possibly could before it exploded outward like Ketchup forcibly stomped out of a packet. In the end, the creatures unholy epidermis was spread out like a grisly blanket...*

*...with the blood soaked girl laying at it's epicenter... staring blankly at the sky with glazed eyes.*

[Seere]

I guess, all things considered, I gotta give this guy some small amount of repect. Standing his ground in the middle of this battle field, even after me and the other demon came crashing out of the sky. That take a good set of steel balls to keep from flinching. No mistake, standing around when he should be running for the hills was probably the dumbest choice available. But hay, nobodys perfect.

Then he opens his mouth, and destroys that tiny bit of psudo-respect he had earned. He sounds like he's trying to be very prim and proper, invoking a biblical style of speaking. I roll my eyes.

"First, drop the tone. Nobody talks like that anymore, period." I comment, letting my disdain carry into my tone as I stand up fully. Oh good, he's got another of those arrows pointed at me. well, thats gratitude. The last one still stings a bit. "And I'd suggest dropping that bow. Its a nice trick and all, but your annoying me. You'll get hurt if your not careful. And Thirdly, your not in a position to 'demand' anything." I make it clear that he's not anywhere near the same level me or this demon were on.

I turn my back to the archer, looking over whatever is left of the demon. What I see is a young girl with the thousand yard stare in a pool of blood, non of which appears to be her's. Now, that wasnt even in the top ten list of things I was expecting to find sprawled on the ground. It dosnt seem to be an illusion either.

Now, possession is a fairly simple thing, even imps and moulers can acomplish it to a limited extent. This isnt possession, not the usual varity anyway. The girl seems to have some kind of corruption thats controlling her, but only to keep the body pliable. The rest must then have been some kind of projection of the real demon. A suit wearing the girl.

Oh goodie, the archer is taking again. Accusations fly, because clearly this has to be my fault. And he's still using the outdated prose. I turn, snapping my attention back to the man.

"You, shut up now. Because I can either save this girl from whatever has her under its control, or I can discuss the situation with you and argue till the demon reforms and possibly kills this kid."

My eyes are firm and unyielding, almost daring him to try and get in my way.

[Eledore Mouring]

* the girl just lays there... her glazed eyes staring up into the sky... in the hellish epicenter of gore that was moments ago the flesh that had enveloped her. Whatever that thing is... it's clear it still has some hold over her, something I intend to break once I get some answers. But considering her snarky response... It isn't something I think I'll be getting anytime soon. Apparently taking offense to the 'olde tymie' vernacular I addressed her in, and essentially telling me to shove my bow where the sun don't shine.*

* Did I miss the part in the manual where it warned they act like teenagers?*

* She pulls herself up, and while the side I struck her on still lagging... makes no effort to hide that she doesn't consider me a threat, Actually turning her back on me to look over the child. Only my second line of questions seem to get a response... as she turns, glaring back at me, her stare firm and unyielding as she tells me to shut up then growls out something along the lines of 'we can waste time arguing or I can save this kid'. I match her glare, my jaw locking, the sight still illuminating my eyes with the bow still in my grasp. She expects me to trust HER in dealing with this? Stating this is like putting a Fox in charge of the hen-house is an understatement to say the least.*

[glow=yellow, 3,300]" You honestly expect me to trust you?"[/glow]

* Her resolve doesn't weaken as she rolls her eyes, before throwing my question back in my face, and pointing out what little choice I have in the matter. The tone that she talks in, and that look in her eyes give me pause. Her kind do not feel compassion, do not feel remorse, they are here to sew discord and watch the world burn, and they'll pull every dirty trick to do it. Yet... just now... as she snapped back at me... I felt something. My jaw slackens, my eyes weaken slightly, and I sigh... *

[glow=yellow, 2,300]" Fine. But I'm not disarming."[/glow]

* She practically gives me a 'whatever' before turning around to kneel next to the girl... examining her, all the while I keep both my eyes train on her and the surrounding area blood covered area surrounding us. She doesn't even bother looking over her shoulder as she asks what I can tell her about our street pizza-fiend over here.*

[glow=yellow, 2,300]" Not much of a sit-rep to give... tracked it from Arizona to the Hoover dam, where it stopped to munch on tourists, body and soul. After a brief engagement, it proceeded to retreat and go airborne, and made a b-line for you."[/glow]

* It's strange... by her words and the vibe coming from her, I can sense she genuinely has never seen this thing before. At first, I thought it was a disgruntled pet, or at the very least a rival. These things never could play nice with anyone. She doesn't know this thing, yet it cut a bloody swath across hundreds of miles of desert to come to come here, specifically to find her.*

* ...unless....*

* I rush ahead... my bow fizzling as I reach ahead, grabbing her shoulder and violently pulling her back.*

" GET BACK... NOW!!!!"

[N.P.C.]

* the Beast lay, shattered in both body and mind. It could only see glimpses as it lay dazed... it could hear them... smell them... the princess and the mortal interloper... bickering... over what it could not discern... nor did it care.... it's only thought... only goal... being to regain it's power.... the fact that it's target was within arms reach... yet it lay practically helpless... unable to take that which it needed....*

* or defend itself*

* bit by bit... it became more aware of it's surroundings... able to discern what was spoken... what action they where taking.... what they where doing.... and found itself disgusted to no end. The princess was offering her aide in freeing its host... not out of her own self-interest... but out of concern for this mindless piece of meat*

* Pathetic*

* This time amongst the mortals have made the princess weak! This childe has brought shame upon her house... upon their entire breed. This mortal trash are to mean to be nothing more than CATTLE to them... to be herded, manipulated, and devoured. If anything... it will be doing damnation a favor in devouring her... removing this stain of light from the darkness.*

* Even as it regained it's bearings and strength in the growth of it's rage.... it lay silent, unassuming, waiting for it's chance to strike. As this disgraced princess moved closer, waiting to attend to this 'poor little mortal', it was already celebrating it's imminent victory, savoring the taste of her royal blood as it tore her asunder. It began to forge it's weapon... a tendril, with bits of bone acting at thorns... a bloody spear ready to be driven into her heart, and like a bloody root, drain from her that which it needs to live.*

* Like a serpent, it coiled itself, hiding itself beside the child's body and waiting for it's moment to strike. Victory was so close... yet that mortal interloper would again try to deny it it's rightful place. It would NOT be denied. As the human pulled the princess back.... the spear shot forth, set to impale itself between her bosom.... denied it's true target by mere seconds... it was forced to take consolation in the damage it did inflict.*

* the thorny blades tearing open her right cheek as momentum continued it's course*

* Even as the pair rolled away... the change was almost instantaneous. The blood that had been spilled from the princess, as small as it had been, began to revitalize the gore that surrounded them... a blood-red glow emanating from the child's chest began illuminating the area... as its body began rushing back to the host, and began to envelop her. The blood began to cover her form like vines, branching over her limp form as they began to lift her back on to her feet, manipulating her body like some gory marionette. Her head was pulled up, set to face the pair, as her glazed eyes quickly became overcome, darkness spreading over them like Ink spilled upon a canvas.*

* The horrifying silence of this was soon broken, as a weak whisper emanated from her lips, in an unholy baritone that was not her own, as her right arm is brought up to point at the would-be 'hero'...*

[glow=red,4,300]"... you shall suffer.... for your insolence... mortal...."[/glow]

* Within moments it began to take a greater hold upon the body. While other 'human features' remained strangely exposed, her right hand was quickly enveloped in the red flesh as it was before. This time, it seemed to be overcompensating, almost boiling over into a grisly tumor which enveloped her arm and hand.... moments before it literally exploded, launching more of those jagged tentacles at the duo, like a volley of spears.*

* It would have it's feast, even if it had to lick her remains off the pavement*

[Seere]

Like any mortal, this ones first choice is to leap right to the most obvious and least important questions that his so called consciousness can grab hold of, as he angrily asks how he could possibly trust me. How unbelievably dull witted. He already trusts me, to some small extent. Otherwise he'd be peppering me with arrows still. He trusts me enough o converse rather than strike. A very foolish gesture. Discounting me, this small bit of trust would have resulted in him being torn to a fine meaty paste before he had time to realize just how terrible a mistake he'd made in even contemplating the possibility of a demon with benevolent motives.

"Trust me or don't, I can honestly say there is nothing I could care less about. If you think you can handle this yourself, I'll happily stand back and wait till you've done something stupid and gotten yourself killed. Really, it doesn’t matter to me at all"

I glance briefly at him, sizing the man up. His spirit, strong as it was, was torn. There was confusion, hesitation abound. I dug deeper, glancing through his desires. The normal ones where there, and I quickly ignored them. He wanted this demon gone, and preferably me as well. He wanted to save this girl, however possible. And there was another drive buried beyond the here and now. Pain, both to him and those close to him, and the unrelenting desire to set things right. Surprisingly unselfish. This wasn’t a pure spirit, not at all. But it had a spark of nobility in it. I turn away, before my mouth begins to water. Even now, in the barren desert, amid the filth and grim of a fallen demon, my hunger makes its presence known. Much as I hate it, the instincts are there. It would be so much fun, tailing him for a while, leading him along through a few temptations, tainting what purity there is before eventually devouring his entire essence in one gulp. Oh yes, so good! Getting me worked up just thinking about it.

I shake my head to clear away the thoughts of passion and vice, even if they still linger there, coiling up in the corners of my thoughts, out of the way, but not out of sight.

The mortal man accepts my presence at last, resigning to let me work, even if he won’t drop his guard. While I could make a point about how his arrows, despite his confidence in them, are worthless against one such as myself, instead I simply nod.

“If that’s what you want, go right ahead”.

Turning my full gaze on the child, and the demon which has enveloped her. The smell is the biggest aid here. Blood, lots of it. And pain, death, anger. The aroma of a demon, an old one. The amulet on her throat reeks of it. I can feel her life force being dragged out of her through the jewelry. Behind me, the archer shifts a little, the noise bringing him back to my notice. Might as well toss the guy a bone, make him feel useful.

“You don’t strike me as a random traveler, so spill. What do you know about this?”

What he knows turns out to be virtually nothing, just a few details about its movements. Hoover damn sounds like it had a rough time, especially if it came all the way for ‘zona. Weirder still, it crossed all that distance, only to turn around and head this way once it got there. Strange, almost as if it was looking for something else.

The realization hits me and just as I start to move, so to does the meat bag with the bow, along with the sticking barb of the demon. I feel a flash of heat on my skin as it cuts into my flesh. The wound is shallow, only a few drops spilling before it heals over again. But the damage is done. It absorbs the sanguine essence, erupting with a sudden ferocity that was completely at odds with its appearance only a moment before. The Childs face, limp and without direction, still opened its mouth, issuing a guttural moan of the punishment it intends to inflict upon the archer.

The Childs arm boiled and frothed with demonic energies, devilsflesh, red as hate and black as sin, formed over the human limb, swelling bulbous, ungainly. My palms itched, my gut warning that something was almost certainly not right here. When it erupted with a cascade of thorns, I react faster than any mere mortal could, my wings flaring, taking me off the earthen soil, I tumble over backwards, grabbing the archer by his shoulders and ripping him off the ground, out of the line of evisceration which had been unleashed. I spin again, giving a strong wing beat to carry us up, while I gesture with a single finger down at the barbed vines. With a crack, a bolt of he lightning crashes down, striking the target and severing the roots from their source. I know it won’t likely be enough to stop this being, but it certainly won’t enjoy it. And as I hang there, suspended between flaps of my wings, hovering in the night sky, it hits me. This is a Kulrichir. An old demon, akin to the vampires who skulk in the shadows. They draw power from blood, human or demon. A single scratch could be enough to give it another jolt of power.

Despite the crude attempts at morality, knowing is not half the battle. Battles may be aided by knowledge, tactics, and skill. But the battle itself is decided simply by two forces crashing against one another until one breaks. Knowing the nature of my enemy does me little when it comes to defeating it. If I am to have any hope of success here, I’ll need to keep my distance and keep sharp. But, and I think just the thought of this is enough to make me sick, I could use a hand.

The mortal has shown he’s got a big enough pair to keep from pissing his pants. He’s pathetically frail, intellectually feeble, and has managed to scrap together a hilariously tiny amount of spiritual power. Maybe I’d be better off using him as bait. But I know that would be wrong. I sigh, and speak swiftly while we are out of earshot.

“Pay attention. The Demon there, it is trying to feed on my power. I can either kill it and the girl, or protect myself and you. I cannot do both at the same time without risking it drawing even more of my blood. Use that little bow of your and give me some cover.”

It was not a suggestion. I fly high, a good hundred yards above the soil, and I drop the man. My legs dissolve and swirl about, becoming a single coiled mass, a serpentine tail. Diving down to catch the plummeting mortal, I entwine the coiled muscles around him, leaving his torso free to shoot. With a mobile source of covering fire, I can focus more on addressing the matter at hand.

Now all I need to do is figure out the best way to do it.

[Eledore Mouring]

* It all came together so clear... so perfectly. And of all times I had to piece 2 and 2 together, it comes at the worst possible moment.*

* This thing isn't just killing for, pardon the pun, the hell of it. This thing is some kind of Vampire... using the blood and souls of the living to replenish it's strength. THAT is why it's wrapped around the girl, it's too weak to function on it's own right now. It's using her as a skeleton while it pigs out on the populace at large. But to properly fuel a demon... that would take hundreds, maybe thousands of normal humans, and all the effort it would have to put forth would make it a fools errand. But, if it found a suitable shortcut... say a fellow denizen of hell.*

* this Demoness isn't it's master, or even it's rival. She's the main course!*

* I rush ahead, grabbing her by the shoulder and jerking her backwards.... barely avoiding that damnable things latest attack... forging a marquis de sade style pig-sticker from it's body. We tumble backward, coming to rest a short distance away.... at first but it becomes painfully obvious that the damage is already done. It might not have hit where it was aiming... doesn't change the fact that it drew blood. And with this little bit of blood... that damned thing begins to pull itself back together.*

* literally*

* I can feel it... see it... almost instantaneously. That sickening feeling I felt earlier washing over us... but more intense... almost suffocating.... as the gore that surrounded us was drawn back toward the epicenter... back toward the girl. A deep crimson glow emanating from her chest... a crimson so deep it's almost black... it was there that all of this blood and gore was pulled back toward the epicenter, before it began wrapping itself back around the girl, branching out like little vines as it began forcing her upright... like a puppet.*

* And all we're left doing is sitting here... watching as this THING forces her head up... making us watch as it continued to force it's will over her. Letting us take a good look as the blackness washes over her eyes, drowning out any remaining humanity, overpowering her will before using her to speak. It pulled her hand up, and pointed directly at me. It's voice was low... but was clearly audible in the deep baratone as it told me I was in for it.*

* Seconds later, the blood began to envelop her arm... morphing around it like before... only this time it was adding far too much onto it... I barely had time to get to my feet the gory tumor erupts into a mass of those nasty little harpoons... all of them aimed to turn us both into a nasty blood smear!*

*... Fuck...*

* Not much time to react... let alone escape unscathed... but it's not like I'm going to be some deer in this unholy 18-wheelers headlights.... not with what's at stake. If it got this power on a little knick, who knows how powerful it could get on a main course. Suddenly... a wind kicks up... and I feel hands clamping down on my shoulders, before I'm torn up skyward like a bungee jumper at the end of his cord. Left to just watch as the demoness let fly with that lightening of hers.... making a retaliatory strike down at our common enemy as she gets some distance between us.*

* It's not long before she starts barking orders.... pointing out the obvious, and telling me the only way to actually save the girl is to provide her cover fire... right before dropping me without benefit of a parachute. A few yards down... smoke starts to swirl it's way down around me.... a serpents tail catching and semi-comfortably wrapping around me. Not the kind of combat I'm used to... but it'll have to do for now. While it's surprising enough that this demon would save me... her altruistic act here wasn't unexpected.*

* It's not like street pizza can provide cover fire.*

* I extend my arm... my tuner flares, a fresh shaft forged in my hand.... as I take aim at the beast below. The situation has changed in more ways than one. The unholy mass of stolen blood and souls below hasn't just gotten stronger... it's gotten smarter as well. When it would wrap itself in that feral, demonic form... it was easier to shoot at... but now, it's leaving it's 'juicy center' out for all of us to see. Taunting us. Making certain we know that if we attack it, we attack the girl.*

[glow=yellow,2,300]" Sorry kid... but this is better than the alternative." [/glow]

* A small prayer... and I let it fly... and another... and another... targeting that evil things shoulders before it can launch another attack.*

* I'm not letting another innocent die.*