Demon Hunter

The day was warm, and under my armor, I was unbearably hot. I softly pulled the reins of the white mare beneath me to a halt, and slowly turned my head to the left, listening. Just under the rustle of foliage and birds chirping came the sounds of fast-moving water. I sighed at the thought of the cool waters and pressed my heels into the horse’s sides. I moved her forward into a trot.

As we trotted along, I caught sight of the Paladins emblem on my gauntlets. I felt a sense of pride. I worked hard to wear the adored gold and silver symbol. The Paladins were created by the twelve knights of legend, members of Charlemagne’s court in the VIII century. They were in response to dimensional rifts opening and spilling forth demons across Western and Central Europe. I had joined the order when a legion of demons razed my village to the ground and killed my family.

The river sounds grew louder as I broke through a dense line of trees. I rattled the lingering coldness that locked my muscles when I thought of my deceased family. I left the mare to graze while I grabbed my water skeins and strode to the river, removing my gloves. I bent down and set the skeins down when I heard an unnatural silence ripple out from a point in front of me.

I searched the shadowed forest on the opposite side of the fast-flowing river and my eyes met burning red eyes. The beast leered at me as I quickly rose to my feet, steadying my figure. As it lumbered out of the woods, I gazed at its monstrous form.

The demon must be under a summoner’s rule, My mission was to kill this vile beast as it tracked down five Norbersian people who had escaped the Hyberian Captial city and its ruler King Mornagatti. A fly-shaped demon sported wings and a head similar to that of a fly. After hiking Hyberian Mountain for four days and galloping through the forest for two I was now face to face with Beelzebub. Its wings buzzed as it tore free of the foliage, standing three meters tall on clawed feet.

I wrapped my right hand around the sword sheathed behind my shoulder to free it of its scabbard. I faced the demon before me. Time slowed for a brief moment before everything shattered into chaos. It was like my life’s movie frozen at the most poignant scene: the hero at the climax of their tale, with a wicked smile upon her lips, about to kill the enemy. My heart pounded in my chest as I reached my hands back and unhooked the sword from the strap. I released it into the air and brought it up above my head. I darted towards the demon, reaching out to cut its wings off as I thrust my blade deep into its neck. My eyes glittered, feeling victorious, but my legs suddenly gave way. As I fell to the ground, my vision faded. Then all went black…

My eyes fluttered open, staring up at a soft glow. When I looked around, I realized that I was no longer on the riverbank, but instead in a luxurious bed. Soft music filtered in through the window, stirring the long strands of hair lying over my shoulders. A pair of thin straps hung loosely over my chest.

My heart leapt as I remembered last night’s events-the battle against the demon and my ultimate victory over him. But what happened afterwards? Why was I in this bed? And why did it feel so good?

And then I saw him. He was standing by the window, looking at the sun setting on the horizon. He turned to me and smiled. He wore only a loose-fitting robe. I gasped as I took him in, my mouth watering. He stood at his full two-meter height, towering over me. With hair as dark as midnight silk and piercing blue eyes, he looked more like an angel than any man I had ever seen. His skin was pale like snow, though he had clearly spent some time outside during the day. This was evidenced by the sun’s rays dancing across his bronzed body. Despite his strong build, he looked vulnerable.

“Who are you?” I whispered as he stared back at me with such intensity. I fell into his gaze.

He shook his head slightly, smiling sadly. “You don’t remember?”

A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to think. I frowned, trying to piece together my memories. “What is your name?”

He tilted his head slightly. “What does it matter?”

His voice sounded sad but sent a rush through me. “Why not tell me?” I asked quietly.

He sighed, running his fingers through his messy light brown curly hair. “Because if I do, you will never leave.”

His words hit me like a punch to the stomach.

“What?”

He stepped forward until our bodies touched, his gaze scorching me. “There is nothing in this world I would rather have than you by my side, Gwendolyn, but that is impossible.”

I pulled away slightly. “What are you talking about? I don’t know you.”

He grinned. “you are under a curse, Gwen. The ancient curse of Demonsbane has erased your memory. Strangely I’m connected to that curse. I am bound to remain in this castle until the curse is lifted. I am unable to leave, even if I wanted to.”

“But how did I get here?” I asked, pushing the heavy blanket aside and rising to my feet. “I came to fight that... thing, and now I’m here.”

He smiled softly. “That thing was Beelzebub. I summoned him when the king ordered me to execute the five traitors.”

His words rang in my ears as I tried to hear what he said. Brittle fragments of the past slowly return to me as I try to piece together a blurry picture. The legion sent me to retrieve the traitors from their captures. That is when I cross paths with the demon. Sudden realization crowds my thoughts.

“Did you summon Beelzebub?” I asked cautiously. “So that means you are a summoner, is that illegal?”

He chuckled. “When has being a Summoner been illegal?”

“Not often.”

He nodded slowly.” Exactly. We are known throughout history as one of the most powerful and feared human beings on earth, yet we are not technically considered criminals. That makes things easier for us. In fact, most humans would prefer to put their faith in a demon rather than in the authority of the king.”

“So what happened?”

He shrugged. “It was my job to kill the traitors, of course, but they surprised me. They turned into wolves, escaped through the forest, and left me no choice but to summon a demon to retrieve them here. It was not easy to find them.

“So that is why you summoned Beezlebub, to find and capture the traitors”.

He nodded “Exactly, Beelzebub had been hunting the traitors for over seven days and then became unresponsive.”

I nod and reply “Because I killed him” Slowly things are beginning to make sense. Although I can hardly remember much from my past this is an ideal starting point for me. However, one thing about this still makes no sense.

I ask, “I was sent to kill that Demon, doesn’t that make us enemies?“.

He grins and tilts his head slightly. “Not entirely. Remember we are now bound to a curse so I cannot kill you, even if I wanted to. Who do you think brought you here in the first place?”

I sigh “You brought me here, but still, that does not make sense, none of what is happening to me, to us makes any sense, and are you the reason why I can’t remember anything?”

He smiles at me. Something about his smile sends a rush up my spine. He then walks out of the room but turns his head around when he reaches the door.

" To be honest, I do not even know how or why we are bound to the curse that erased your memory nor how to remove it. But I have a feeling you will figure this all out when you leave and explore the capital. A mare and supplies will be prepared for you. You can leave at sunrise.

“Will I see you again?” those words came out without thought. Why do I care?

He smiles at me and says, “That will be up to you. For now, I’m catering to the king and his family here in the castle. Fate has decided that you are the one to embark on this quest.”

Frustration boils inside me but my fear is even stronger.

Having no control over my future, I feel like I have given my destiny to fate.

“But why me?” You can summon demons! You are more qualified than I am.”

“I would not be so sure about that Gwendolyn. After all, you are a demon hunter.”

With that, he turns and leaves the room.

***