Thread: Hunted (BurningWillows & BloodMoon)

Vale scoffed, The Cleansed City, what an arrogant name for a large town. Just because a handful of has-been bankers and CEOs live there, they believe they have created some kind of utopia city. Humans are as they have always been greedy. That city was built on lies and false power. She watched the other demon shift in her seat as she continued, However, rumors can hurt when it comes to hunter contracts. But when did that ever interest you, Searrinna? Last time I looked, you were no monster slayer. The only beasts you slay are the men you invite to your bed. Valeraine cocked her head, pulled her scarf over her face down to show off her pearly white fangs, every tooth in her mouth sharpened to a fine tip. Her ears could pick up the dying noises from outside as men found their ways home, or passed out in the street. Those that had remained in the bar for the innkeepers sake had either left or taken up residence in the farthest corner from the two demons. Thankfully the shadows played in their corner, keeping Vale's teeth hidden from human eyes. Two cloaked figures standing in the clearing in broad daylight. How ominous, Xael thought, his lips stretching into an amused smile. Ahead of him the other cloaked man stood, and he was indeed a man by his stature and broad shoulders. The smell of fresh blood danced in Xael's nose, telling him that either this was the murderer, or the only survivor. The former felt like a safer option as the cloaked man lifted his arm to reveal a short sword. Honestly, I'm not really looking to fight, Xael shrugged, his rich voice floating across the clearing, I have better places to be today. No response. Just a step forward. Internally, Xael groaned, knowing he'd have to fight this lunatic to continue on with his day. And with the weight of the setting sun on his back, he had to keep his hood far over his eyes to shield his skin from the rays until night came, making it harder to see. Coming closer the figure swung and Xael dodged, lifting his bow and knocking an arrow into place, then firing it at the other man's right knee. In a blink of an eye he had moved several feet, avoiding the arrow and rushing Xael. The inhuman speed told Xael that he was dealing with no mortal killer, and the fight took on a more serious tone. Dropping his bow, he reached for his two knives, both half an arm length in size. With these he dueled off the sword, always keeping a few seconds ahead of the wide swings the cloaked man made. The man swung in a wide arc and Xael saw his chance, doing a falling roll until he was behind the man then jumping up and swinging his body with his arms outstretched, both his knives striking flesh. The first caught the man's ear and the second his neck, and blood instantly soaked the hood. With two fingers, Xael wrenched the hood back, revealing an older man, but no sooner had the sun hit his face then smoke billowed, as his flesh began to crisp and burn. A high pitch scream of agony and fury deafened Xael as the man launched himself at him sending them both to the grassy floor. They wrestled until the man's face was on flames, the heat seeping through Xael's armor. Trying to shove him off, he gave one final push and the man fell over...still gripping Xael's hood. Immediately the sun was in his eyes and his cheeks began to pop and sizzle, the pain turning to torture in seconds. His eyes watered enough that his vision grew blurry, and he could not see which direction to go. He grasped for his hood but it seemed torn and he couldn't get a proper grip to pull it back on. Kicking away from the dying man, Xael tried to get up but was off balance and fell back to his knees. Quickly he crawled until his fingers smacked wood -the cabin, and he stood up using it to keep him standing, then feeling his way towards the door to the cabin. Behind him, the screams had died into mewling pants as the other man slowly withered. Vampire, Xael thought as his own skin peeled off, causing him great amounts of pain. Finally his hands found the door and he shove it away, stumbling into the cabin. At once the burning ceased and his skin began repairing itself slowly. The smell of death and blood was strongest here, but it was nothing like the smell of his own burnt flesh. He waited, letting his skin heal and his eyesight return.