Fantasy Demons and Those Who Hunt Them

[StatusUndead]

Halbeaoon, Eater Of The Half Moon. Dragons always came with a fancy title. Halbeaoon was among the most powerful dragons on the continent of Alwheyre. He was a dragon of considerable power. Many have tried to hunt him for glory. All have failed. Halbaeoon met a woman one day. A demon woman named Zissa Rokeach. She was a powerful demon mage. They fell in love. Zissa used magic to transform herself into a form more compatible with dragons and they had a child. A child born of a dragon and demon is known as a wyvern. Wyvern are exceedingly rare and highly sought after. They named that child Insinsia, Warrior Of The Insane. His name, Insinsia, is of dragon descent, while the title, a dragon tradition, was influenced by his demonic half.

Insinsia was short, roughly 5'6", and of average build. Not too thin, not too rotund. His pale skin shone slightly, a pale silver luminescence. Though his skin tone can pass for human as long as no one inspects him for more than a moment. His body is covered with blue scales that shine brilliantly in the light. The scales form large patches on various parts of their body. One on each arm, leg, their back, and neck. The patches have tendrils that reach outwards, including around to the front of their stomach, chest and even creeping around from the back of his neck to his cheeks. His large ears are made of a thin membrane, and taper to a point, tilted towards the back of his head. He has short claws on their fingers and toes, leading them to walk barefoot at all times. His teeth are sharp enough to chomp through muscle and bone alike. He also has medium length vibrant orange hair, as well as orange, pentagram shaped pupils nestled in the black sea of stars that comprises the rest of his eye. Like staring into the night sky.

Dragons and demons are both hunted creatures. Some want glory, some want to exterminate them. A child born of a dragon and demon is known as a wyvern. Wyvern are exceedingly rare and highly sought after. This makes Insinsia, Warrior Of The Insane a high priority target. He would have preferred to stay in his dragon nest, the place where his mother and father lived, along with the rest of their brood, for his whole existence. Unfortunately, dragon tradition dictates that every dragon must venture out into the world and make a name for themselves. So, out into the world Insinsia went, covered in an oversized robe, disguised as a human mage. It was the only cover story he could think of, since mages often wore large robes that hid their bodies from sight, so no one should really question it.

Insinsia travelled down his mountain and through a forest. The dragon's nest was high up in the Rangor mountain range. A truly impressive formation. It was surrounded my a forest of pine and birch trees, giving the forest a bit of variety. He made quick work of the mountainous terrain thanks to the triangular shape of his feet and the accompanying claws. The cool weather of the coming winter was also no issues. Dragons were indifferent to both heat and cold. Some dragons lived in the mountains, some in the arctic, some the dessert, and some even in volcanoes. Respect and reputation meant a lot to dragons. Halbeaoon, Eater Of The Half Moon was his father's name. A name he intended to bring great honor to.

Insinsia, unfortunately, seemed to be a magnet for trouble. Less than a few days after leaving the nest, he was attacked. A small pack of Onyuda attacked him, completely unprovoked. Although Insinsia and his mother's side of the family were demons, their kin were different from the Yokai demons, like Onyuda. Yokai are spirit demons who often reside in The Dark Realm. Insinsia and his family reside in The Chaos Realm. His kin are referred to as Chaos Demons. Onyuda were large monk demons. Rather fierce in battle. Normally, they wouldn't be much of a problem for Insinsia to handle, but he didn't want to use his most powerful attacks, his breathe attacks, for fear of being found out as a Wyvern. Luckily, he still had his father's resistances and his mother's magic to rely upon.

It wasn't exactly an ambush, since the Onyuda came barreling through the forest. They were easy to spot, even though it was dark out. It made Insinsia wonder if they could somehow detect that he was a demon, despite the magical protections from his dragon half. He was able to cast several firebolt spells, though it harmed a couple, it didn't slow the small pack. Insinsia figured there must've been five or six of them, but the scene was too chaotic to determine for sure. Insinsia cast one more spell, downing one of the Yokai before the pack descended upon him. He turned tail and ran.

He dodged this way and that, through the forest, firing back spells all the while. As he descended further through the forest, the sounds of them chasing him seemed to keep growing louder. Every time he looked back, there appeared to be more and more Onyuda. Despite felling foe after foe, it seemed to do nothing to curb their numbers. Dragons aren't known for sweating. In fact, they can't sweat. Wyvern, however, can. Insinsia felt the sweat soaking into his robe. His fear made physical.

The longer he ran, the more worried he became. He began to wonder which would come first, his legs giving out, his magic giving out, or the Onyuda finally reaching him. Just as he was beginning to lose hope, he burst forth from the forest. He was met by a strong breeze that helped to cool him down. Straight ahead was a village. Insinsia was wary, since he never had any good experiences with outside races, nor heard any good stories about them, but it wasn't like he had a choice. He ran on. Finding his second wind, he began building power for a stronger spell. One last look behind him confirmed dozens of Onyuda were now chasing him. Unfortunately for them, he still had tricks up his sleeve.

Insinsia turned around and, with a grunt of exertion, launched a large fireball at the group. Light that could be seen for miles was emitted from the impact. An explosion that sounded like thunder ensued. Insinsia was relieved. He wasn't sure he had much else left in him. Luckily the village wasn't too far away. His legs wobbled as he began the short trek. Horror shivered down his spine as he heard the gurgles of a few remaining Onyuda. He turned around, stumbling backwards and falling down. His eyes widened from beneath his hood. He wondered if this was the end? He regrets not using his dragon breathe attacks earlier, since it was now too late. He hadn't had the energy left to use them. Surely, he thought, his father would be sorely disappointed in him for such a pitiful display of strength.

 

[Emotional Enigma]

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Nothing could've prepared Chiha for the moment she'd watch her mother howl in agony right before her. The look of dread that seeped from her pale eyes into Chiha's bones made her shiver. The woman squirmed and rolled around on the floor of a giant wooden cage. Each pillar decorated with a paper seal of protection. Her mother groaned and clawed at her throat but Chiha could only sit and watch from the outside. There were others inside of the cage but they had all stopped moving, stopped attempting to fight their possessions; they had given up.

"She will die soon. Are you ready?" An old woman said as she took a seat beside Chiha. She had a cane in one hand and showed great struggle to reach the young woman's sitting position. Chiha barely noticed.

"She was a very talented woman, your mother. Saved countless lives here in Oodaki."
Chiha nodded silently in agreement, humming a bit to herself. She was convinced she had caused this entire mess. The reason three people were locked in a cage at the moment and why her mother was convulsing and oozing saliva. Her miscalculation, her misguided attempt to be a hero caused others to die.

"It was her job as her mother to protect you and now you must do your job as her last living family to bring her peace," the old woman struggled to get back to her feet but this time Chiha rose as well. She hooked her hands under the elder's arm and steadied her upright. The old woman smiled, "Your mother liked irises, yes? Perhaps she'd like to leave this world with some." Chiha knew what the village elder was doing. She could tell she was trying to give her some time to come to terms with the harsh ending her mother was about to receive. Perhaps a walk would ease her mind. She couldn't possibly screw up anything else today...

Chiha returned to her humble abode only long enough to snatch a woven basket and a blessed dagger. If she stayed too long she feared she'd get lost staring at all the memories that would no longer bring her joy but instead an aching sadness. With the basket in hand and the dagger safely tucked in her waist sash, Chiha walked through town in much of a haze. Her cheeks were pink from her constant wiping of tears and her eyes had deep red rings around them. The village people strayed far from her, hushing as they passed but whispers could still be heard.

"...Terrible time for a mother's departure, don't you think?"
"Who will line her suitors?..."
"No one would think to marry as bad of a demon hunter as she..."
"...Poor girl. First her father now her mother."

Chiha's grip on the basket tightened as she wrapped both arms around it like a shield. She hadn't expected to feel so lonely and unwanted. She could almost recall the last conversation she had with her mother. It was full of anger and hostility; longing to be a better hunter. As her mind trailed back to the harsh words that were exchanged a loud horn pierced through the village's whispers. First one horn, then two, then three, then too many all at once. Only a few seconds passed before people started running back to their homes. Stalls were abandoned, horses tied to their posts, birds scattered. Then emerged a large group of the hunters, weapons in hand and running for the front gate through the middle of town. Behind them was the elder.

Chiha dropped her basket and ran to catch up with her group. Something was amiss - it had been months since they'd had a yokai sighting so close to the village and judging by the amount of horns that had gone off it was a lot of them. The elder stopped Chiha as she pulled up the rear, waving her wooden cane at her, "No!" She pursed her lips, her grey caring eyes pleading.

"No child," the elder sighed, "No, not this time."
"Elder Mameha, please! They need me, they --"

"No child, they don't. You've done enough today." The words hit Chiha in the chest and tightened around her heart like a chain whip. They stung but she knew elder was right. The faces of her comrades all had a twisted expression of relief and guilt. Chiha hugged her hands under her armpits uncomfortably, nodding to the elder as the group continued ahead. The old woman rested a hand on Chiha's shoulder softly, "Your day will come child. You're just not ready yet. The village needs you here. Guard the children." She gave a weary smile and took off after the hunters, leaving Chiha to watch in silence until they disappeared.

Atop the village's walls archers' nocked their arrows and readied their bows. Chiha climbed to the highest building in Oodaki, watching from the rooftop as the archers' stood in waiting. Hunters were gathered outside at both gates, whispering and chattering nervously. Their blessed weapons had a faint glow to them and their armor gleamed against it. She watched as the designated patrols dispatched from the groups, descending into the shadow of the trees before them. The elder was at the front gate and seemed to be saying something to which the hunters all nodded in unison.

Chiha ached to be in the action, to show everyone she wasn't a screw up. She had talent, she was worthy. She climbed down from the building in a hurry, grabbing a spear as she raced through the armory. Quickly down the steps she leapt and through the village she ran until she was at the back gate. The elder would never have to know as long as she didn't do anything reckless. The judging glances from her team however did make her second guess this plan.

The more time that passed the more agitated Chiha became; worried to be caught by the elder. Finally, she hoisted her spear over her shoulder and pushed herself to the front of the group and then simply kept walking. People grunted and groaned but ultimately just let her leave without so much as a warning. Chiha looked back but sure enough no one looked eager to stop her. So she kept walking...

Chiha walked until she found bloodied prints on the trees; giant paw hands like a gorilla. The stench of death made Chiha wrinkle her nose and upon further investigation there were skull fragments on the forest floor. They were old but newly broken, the cracks still brightly white. But there were far too many to be from a single person and they scattered all over. A roar rang out that sent Chiha's spirit into misalignment. It was dizzying even but she bolted off in it's direction still. Leaping over fallen branches and weeds until she found the source.

Up head on a narrow path came running someone or something and behind them a horde of Onyudo. She couldn't piece together what exactly was unfolding but she was willing to help. Grabbing her spear and turning it in her hand twice for good measure, Chiha's chucked the spear with such force that made a zipping noise as it passed the person running. It dug it's way straight into one of the yokai's head causing it to tumble backwards and it's tongue to sizzle as it hit the ground. Chiha celebrated with a smirk but it quickly faded when she saw the other yokai crawl over top of him, relentless to eat their target. She waved her arms frantically, "This way! Follow me!"

Chiha, while she was eager to prove herself, knew she was no match for the hulking horde of yokai.