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Have you ever thought back to the time when you were young? Fresh out of school or college with everything you needed to do behind you. The world ripe for the taking, to be explored by you… well, I did, but that didn’t last long.I was nineteen when my parents died in a car crash. I was told it was a quick and painless death upon impact, done and over in a moment, which I imagined was a good thing…not having to suffer through all that.It was a simple ceremony. It’s what my mother would have wanted, my uncle said, which would surprise the kind of circles my mother had to be a part of, but not for those that really knew her.She was the latest heir to the Goldwyn family heritage, a legacy of wealth, knowledge, power, fighting spirit, and a desire to help humanity prosper, and it has been like this since my great-great-great-… uh, how many was it again? Oh, well. My really old grandfather all the way back in the 16th century.I never thought that one day I would be taking the reins of the family “empire” that way, my mother told me that it was bound to happen one day, but it was too soon for my comfort, which it is why I left…not for good, obviously.My uncle, Edward Goldwyn, was taking care of things until I felt ready to come back, he understood the kind of position I found myself in and that some time away could help. “I’ll keep the fort secured, the gears running, and the lights on for you. Because when you come back home, I know you’ll be ready. Safe travels, my light.”Those were the words of goodbye from my uncle, no sadness, anger, or regret, just pure optimism for me.Before my parents’ death I only traveled to four places, Sicily, my father’s homeplace, Amsterdam, Florence, and Venice all with my parents. Going alone was different, less colorful, less bright, less…joyful.I cried a lot during those trips, especially when visiting an old café we went together. I spent the first three weeks in a hotel in Florence close to the same store my dad bought my first ever doll, the Annamarie Victorian Edition. I played with it for years until it broke, I was twelve at the time, dad wanted to just buy a new one, but I yelled no, it was broken but it was mine. I still have it in a box somewhere in the house.The first few months' traveling was the hardest one, lots of crying, sleeping, eating, rinse and repeat, but after some time it became less and less. I started waking up early and going for walks, actually seeing the landmarks instead of seeing it through my phone and trying to remember the good times without feeling completely miserable.It took time, and eventually remembering didn’t hurt. The pain was never gone, it just didn’t take too much space like before.After a year my grief trip was coming to an end, I was ready to come back home and continue the family legacy, but before that…he came.I had finished buying some essentials for the trip back home, it was a no airplane kind of trip, it was late and dark at the time, prime hour for something bad to happen…and it did.I still don’t know what attacked me that night, it looked like a life size broken porcelain doll filled with a black goo, and it had a gigantic clever on one arm. When I saw it jump at me, the only thing I could think was that it was a nightmare, a horrible dream but it wasn’t.I never ran so much in my life before, hours, minutes, can’t remember clearly. I would have died if he didn’t show up. A man in a red coat with a sword and two pistols. He killed that thing so easily that more appeared after, I thought we were going to die there but he killed all of them.When everything was over, he escorted me back to the hotel saying, ‘it isn’t right to let a lady walk alone at night.’ I offered to compensate him for saving me, but he rejected, it was his “job” to do that.I insisted a bit more and he caved, a few days later we went out for drinks, and then without realizing we both ended up in my hotel room… with no clothes. We continued to see each other after that, and every time the both of us would end up naked in bed, the shower, or other places too.But the time for goodbye was sad but not heartbreaking, we knew it wouldn’t last long, but it was beautiful for the time it did. On that night he gave me a gift, a necklace with a small blue crystal, he said that it would keep me safe, and something about God crying for humanity once, too. I love it and thought that maybe one day we could see each other again.When I came back home things changed, not with my uncle or everything else, but with me. I was happier, stronger, and felt brighter than before… and then one day I vomited on top of my breakfast.Uncle Ed hurried me to the hospital thinking I was sick or something, and I was, with a parasite.Now, what do you get when you combine good wine, good food, an expired birth control pill, and a charismatic white-haired swordsman? Answer: a 7 pound, 2 ounces and 18.5 inches baby boy that took nine hours to fully come out.It was painful, bloody, and I screamed and almost lost my voice, but when I saw that baby, my baby, I was beyond happy. Me and my little Luke went home after a week stay in the hospital, Edward wanted to make sure I was one hundred percent before leaving.When I came home the thoughts of what would happen next for me, and my family, were nothing like I imagined.It wouldn’t be long until my uncle stepped down so I could take change in the family businesses as the new head, at first, I thought that managing a bunch of companies and taking care of a baby would tear me apart, but my uncle took it upon himself to help me.While I was being a businesswoman or a mother, he was there to keep things in order for me. I would often tell him to relax and let me handle things, but no, he can do it so he will do it, that’s what he would say.Luke’s 14th birthday... was the day I went missing.We were out on walk that night enjoying a wandering circus, they had lions, jugglers, knife throwers, magicians, and obviously clowns. At the end of it his favorites were the magicians and knife throwers, and the intermission play about two brothers trying to uphold their parents’ legacy. Sometimes I remember and try to stretch that day as much as possible, but I can’t, it hurts to think about him without me around.It’s obvious that day broke him, for years he tried to find me, barely sleeping, eating, or actually living his life. He and Edward tried to look for an explanation, but nothing.My son was left with nothing but hope, hope to find out what happened to me.
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January 2nd, Wednesday, 08:31pm
Many sounds can be heard on the streets tonight. Cars riding through, people walking from place to place, some with a destination and others without, but most importantly, they live in the light.He used to be one of them, happy, naïve, and unaware of what was out there, of what lurks in the dark and underneath them. Monsters, nightmares, and some of the worst beings to exist… Demons.
The jet-black 1966 Ford Mustang stopped in front of a nightclub, The Sirens, a well know meeting spot for those looking to have a drink and dance, but not everybody goes there for fun. Some are there for the other kind of businesses they can offer. Guns, drugs, jobs, information, almost any kind of less than legal things can be found in there… and that’s why he is here.He exited the vehicle and closed the door, taking his keys and opening the trunk. “Rise and shine, Buck. Your day has come, let’s go.” A handcuffed man crawls out off of the trunk, he knows not to run or fight against the bounty hunter, being aware of the reputation he quickly acquired.The shutting of the trunk brings him out of his thoughts. “Let’s go, pal. Inside.” The hunter put a hand on his shoulder and guided him to the alley. The hunter knocks on the door and slides a piece of paper through a small hole, the door open and they walk in.“He’s in his office. Knock before going in, he has company.” The large doorman said. “Special kind of company? Maybe we can have a party.” The hunter pointed at Buck. They walk to the office, the loud music of the club passing through the thick walls and doors causing a gentle vibration to it. The hunter knocks on the door at the end of the hallway, “Come in!”The hunter opens the door half expecting to see some kind of scandalous situation, but instead being met with a woman in a rather small white business suit, brown knee-high combat boots, red sunglasses resting on her head, a rocket launcher laying on the table, and twirling a pistol while sitting on the couch and drinking a soda.
“Jane, good to see you. How was Fortuna? Exciting?” He entered the office while pulling the reluctant bounty. “Very. Lots of demons to kill, money to make. Maybe we should go together next time.” She said with a wink. “With our type of schedule? Doubt it.”The hunter then leaves Buck in front of the desk, while he sits on a chair opposite to Jane.“He’s taking another dump?” He jerked his head towards the door on the left side of the room. “A big one apparently. He has been in there for the past fifteen minutes.”The door opens and a man steps out. “Good lord. I need to see a doctor about this.” He takes a notice of the man in front of his desk, and then the hunter. “Oh, you’re back so soon. I thought it would take some more time considering our slippery friend here.” He walked to his chair and lazily set down. “It’s me, remember?” The hunter kicked his feet onto the coffee table.“Of course. Well then, let’s do business.” He picked up his phone. “Yeah, it’s me. We got him just like you asked. No cuts, bruises, or boo boos of any kind. Great, see you in a minute.” He hanged up before spinning his chair around.“Tom! Get in here!” A tall and lean man entered the room from a door in the back. “Yes, sir?”“Take our guest here, please. The client is coming to pick him up.” Tom nods and guides the man towards the door he came from.“Here, the other half as promised.” The man threw an envelope to the hunter. He picked it up and counted his payment for the job, a simple one, at least he thought.
Jane then got up from the couch and walked to the desk. “I know about the shipment and who owns it. All I want to know is what’s inside and why is here.” The man sighed heavily realizing she wanted to continue the conversation from before. “I can’t tell you that because I don’t know. And even if I did, telling you would cause a lot of trouble, okay?”She leaned forward. “That’s bullshit and you know it. Just tell me who knows, and I go talk to them.” The broker scoffed at the proposition. “Jane, you know how this works. I call you when someone has a job, and if is of a particular kind, they used the password.” He picked his cigarette case and lit one. “Giving away info about something like this can be dangerous… for you, me, and everybody around us.”“I can be careful.” She shrugged. “Oh, I know you can. But this is not for you to stick your nose in it, got it?” Jane scoffed
while straightening up and kicking the table feeling annoyed about the comment. “Really? Come on, Manny!”“No, Goddammit! It’s none of your business, so drop, it.” Jane just shook her head, "Fuckin' ass." She took her rocket launcher and slammed the door on her way out.“Is it a bad time to ask if you have something for me?” Manny sighed while whipping the sweat from his forehead. “Yeah, I got something. A bunch of people had gone missing over the past few weeks in an apartment complex.” He showed him a newspaper.“Twelve people completely vanished from inside their apartments. No forced entry, no notes, or signs of kidnapping…simply gone.”“Then call the cops. Investigation is their crap, not mine. Got something else?” Manny sighed while putting out his cigarette. “They used the password. Yours to be more specific. It’s either you or no one else, kid.” He stated while lighting another cigarette. “Okay, then. But don’t get angry if somethings explode, like last time.”Manny put an envelope inside and handed him the newspaper. The hunter took it and left the office.
The hunter entered his car thinking about the long drive that would be to the complex, he did accept the job and the up-front payment, so he will have to do it. Twelve people vanishing from their apartments. No bang, no boom, no phone call, or ransom note. That has weird written all over it, but exactly how weird remains to be seen. During the ride, he takes the time to remember everything from before… his uncle and mother.How long has it been? Since she went missing, and since they attacked him and his uncle.How long has it been?They went for a walk on the night of his birthday. No party, no gifts, all he wanted was to spend time with his mother. They took a detour and went to a circus that was in the city that week. They saw all they had to offer, the games, the prizes, and most important, the main tent and attractions.Anytime he could, he would close his eyes and remember that night.
5 years ago
“Welcome ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages! Here at the Wayne’s Magnificent Circus, you will find the best types of entertainment! Action, comedy, suspense, magic, and the best theater play you will ever see. No one tell Broadway we have the next Hamilton.” The audience laugh as the announcer finished the introduction.They had almost everything there. Lion tamers, jugglers of many different items, balls, bowling pins, even people too; knife throwers, magicians, and the essential red-nose, white faced, and colorful haired clows.But for him the most interesting part, apart from the magicians and knife throwers, was the intermission play. A story about twin brothers trying to uphold their parents’ legacy, but due to their opposite views on life, they drifted apart. The bothers met many times during their lives, but each meeting would result in a fight to see who was right. In the end the brothers killed each other in a sword duel.
“So, did you like it?” She asked as they walked out of the tent. “I did, but the ending was a little upsetting.” He threw his empty soda in the trash “Really? Why?”“They were brothers, they should have just talked things out. Family shouldn’t fight like that; they can disagree, sure, but to that extent...to fight to the death, is a bit too much. Other than that, the fights were really cool.” She chuckled at his words. “I guess you’re right. But families tend to butt heads from time to time, it’s a natural part of growing up and living together.” They continue walking.“Did you ever argue with your parents?” He always wondered if his mother ever had moments like that. “Sometimes. Sneaking out to go to a party or two, drinking, and—” She stops herself for a moment. “…and other things. I’m not a saint, you know.”“Really!?” The boy gave a faked gasp. “Wow. Sabrina Goldwyn, breaker of rules. Scandalous.” He faked clenching his pearls. “Oh. Shut up, little Luke.” They laughed while walking through the circus.
That would be the last happy memory he would have with his mother. A simple stop in the restroom, had turned into a horrible and unforgettable moment. Sabrina had disappeared by the time he came out, how, why, and when, were the questions that never left his mind from that day forward.The son was not the only one that suffered that day, his uncle, Edward Goldwyn, would be there to take care of him from them on. They would try to find Sabrina by any means necessary, and many times they would fail, but they would use that to strengthen their resolve to finally find her.Days of searching turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, and months became years. And throughout them Edward would train Luke and teach him many things, and in just a few years the scared boy gave place to a warrior.He became a master of hand-to-hand combat, blades, swords, guns, and capable of adapting on the fly to almost any situation. But all of that wouldn’t be able to keep him or his uncle safe. As there are many things that go bump in the night... and sometimes they bump too hard.
“Very well. Again, but with more precision this time.” The older man ordered while standing to the side, watching his nephew train with the flying targets on the rather big front yard of the mansion.The young man stands in the center of a small circle, a set of throwing knives strapped to his waist. The targets fly around in a quick and almost random pattern, changing their course in an instant before been hit.His movements almost seem to predict the precise location of the targets, not where they are but where they will be. In less than a minute all targets fell, each with a knife in the center.“Bullseye, once again. You’re getting better, years ago you couldn’t even hit the target itself...” The man says while turning one of the targets with his cane. “Now I can do it with my eyes close.” The young man pridefully stated. “Yes, but still… you missed one.”The man pointed behind himself to a still flying target. The young man folded his arms and smiled as a knife hit the target from above. His uncle simply laughed while shaking his head. “Bullseye. I don’t miss.”“Keep that pride of yours in check, Luke. The bigger they are—” His sentence was cut short by a violent cough. “Uncle! Let’s get inside.”
Edward was now in the library sitting in front of the fireplace. “Here, uncle. Black tea.” He set the cup on the table beside the chair. “Thank you, Luke.” He took a sit beside his uncle. “Your tea is better now. No longer tastes like hot leaf water.” Luke chuckled. “Thank you. I learned from the best.”Edward chuckled. “That you did, nephew. That you did.” They lightly laughed a little. “What’s that you keep saying about pride, uncle? The bigger they are—”“The harder they fall, nephew. The harder they fall.” He interrupted his nephew. “Right. Of course.” Luke chuckled.“Always have pride in something done with love and competence, Luke.” He put his cup down. “Even tea?”“Especially when is a good cup of tea.”
In the study, Luke was staring at the boards filled with newspapers clippings, photos, files, writing, and red lines connecting many of them. Since that day he tried for years to find his mother, Sabrina Goldwyn.Barely sleeping, eating, relaxing or actually living a life his mother probably wanted him to have. Friends, a partner, a dog maybe, he liked dogs.He and Edward tried to look for any explanation, but nothing came their way. No clues or rumors. He was left with nothing but hope. Hope to one day find out who did it, how, and why, but most importantly where she is.
A knock on the door broke him out of his staring contest. “I imagined you would be here.” Edward had a rectangular red and blue box in hand. “What’s that?” Luke asked while sitting on the desk. “I found this a few months ago in your mothers’ closet. Neatly packed and with your name on it.” The young man looked intrigued about what could be inside the box. “For me? I guess she really did think ahead about everything.”The contents of the box proved to be very simple, a burgundy coat and an envelope. Luke took the coat out. Edward looked a bit surprised. “I never thought I would see this again. She never got rid of it, or maybe she couldn’t.”“This old coat. Why wouldn’t she?”“I remember her saying it belonged to your father…whoever he may be.” Edward walked towards the boards. He turned to see his nephew staring at the coat. “Well, put it on. Let’s see how good it looks.”“Smells like pizza… and strawberry ice cream.” He commented while putting the coat on. “A good wash will get rid of that. Don’t forget the other one.” He pointed to the small envelope left on the box. Inside was a note and a simple looking chain necklace with a dark blue crystal.Luke sighed remembering that it was the same necklace she uses to wear, and the only time she didn’t was when she disappeared. “She always wanted you to have that. A present from your father to her while she was in Europe, it was in the last day they met. A thoughtful gift, I assume.”He put the necklace on. “She never took it off. Except...” He stopped himself as he remembered his mother while rubbing the stone. “Yes, I know. But let’s not dwell on that too much. Here.” Edward presented him with one more box, small enough to fit inside his pocket. “Wow. Is it my birthday today?” He joked.“No. But these was always meant to be yours.” Luke opened the box. Inside was a watch and a signet ring with a compass engraved on it.“A ring and a watch. Here I was expecting a new Mercedes.” He joked while locking the watch on his wrist.“You can’t rely on your phone every time, this going to be more useful. And this.” Edward then took the ring out of the box. “Be it the journey or the destination, this ring will get you through it. Every man in our family had one, and this is yours.” He explained while putting the compass ring in his nephew’s right pinky finger.“Only the man... I remember my mom had one.” He looked at the ring. “She did, and that’s because she was strong and competent enough to be the head of the family. Just like you have become.” Those words stunned the young man. For years his mother and uncle were the figure heads of the family, commanding the businesses, and living up to the Goldwyn name.
And now it was his turn.
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Luke was laying on his bed rolling a coin between his fingers, something he would do to help him think. He’s new red coat was hanging on a chair.The head of the family. Could he, do it? That was hard to know, for years he just lived one day at a time. Apart from looking for his mother he never expected much to happen, he knew one day things would change for him, but not like this.He rubbed his face trying to force those thoughts out. ’Better sleep before I turn into a zombie by thinking too hard.’ He turned the lights off and closed his eyes with a heavy sigh.
He was almost sound at sleep before a loud crash woke him up. He quickly got out of bed and turned the lights on. “What the— Uncle.” He ran to open the door, but before he could reach it, several dark figures burst through the door, windows, and walls in an explosion resembling sand.They had glowing red eyes, skull like faces, long dark ripped cloaks, and carried scythes. They surrounded him and quickly stabbed him. The arms, legs, stomach, chest, and any body part they could see had one of their weapons in it.They laugh believing their target was dead, but before they could commemorate, Luke quickly spined in place while holding two of the monsters, sending them crashing against the walls, their weapons, and each other and turning into sand.He stopped spinning and started to remove the blades from his body, his eyes flashing blue for a moment. The creatures started circling him try to understand what happened. “Man, I don’t remember setting a meeting for a midnight acupuncture.” One of the creatures try to attack but is quickly defeated with a punch. “Quick question. Does this count as a slumber party?”What followed was a one-sided beat down in favor of the young heir. Simple punches and kicks were more than enough to dispose of the creatures, but feeling the need to speed things up, he took a sword from the wall and used it to deal with them.After the last enemy was disposed, he ran to his uncle’s room, killing as many of the monsters he could see on the way. He came to a stop when he saw his uncle in the front garden fighting several monsters at the same time.He was holding his own but was starting to become overwelled by them. “Foul demons from the depths. What could you possibly want here? Death, maybe? Very well then, come to die.” Edward proclaimed preparing to attack the next one that moved.Two of them jump to attack the man from behind, one was pierced through the head by Luke, while the other was tied by a wire with razor sharp blades that was Edward’s cane.He gave a strong pull on the cane and sliced the monster to bits. “What the hell are these things?” The young man asked while cutting another one. “Precisely, Hell. Demons from the Underworld.” Edward kicked another one and turned into sand.“Demons are real? Since when?!” Luke yells as he blocks an attack. “Fight first, talk later.” His nephew nodded as they resume fighting until the last demon was turn to dust.If anyone was to witness that event and think that they had done this before, they would be wrong. Luke used all that he learned to fight the demons, as well as Edward using his cane and rapier to cut and sheered as many as he could. They fought long and hard until the last demon was vanquished, and they could breathe a sigh of relief.They entered the main room of the mansion. “So... Hell, demons, since when do they exist?” Luke asked while taking a sit on the steps of the entry room. “The beginning of time, I supposed.” The man answered with a heavy breath.“And yes, it is worse than you can imagined. Hell is a world unlike our own, twisted and mangled beyond human understanding. Some of humanity worse nightmares spawn from there.” He whipped his forehead. “Those books we have in the library, the information in them, how much of it is true?” Edward walked up the stairs. “Come.”
The books hit the desk with a heavy thud. “Half of it are documents made by scholars that were dedicated to the subject.”“The other comes from speculations, personal experiences and translated ancient texts.” Edward took a sit across his nephew.Luke scratched the back of his neck, trying to fully understand that Hell, the Underworld, is real, and that demons and devils are also real. “This is insane. Hell, demons, devils, monsters... all of that exist.” He looked through one of the books. “This is insane.” His uncle lit up his pipe. “It is. Insane and real.”“Your great-grandfather had an encounter with them before. Decades ago.”“Hector knew about demons? When did that happened?” Edward took a long puff before continuing. “When he was half my age, he found an island that had mysteriously appeared at the coast. It looked ancient, with crumbling structures, and probably with ruins of a past civilization.” Edward looked through the books before finding the one he wanted.“Mallet Island.” He opened the book and showed it to his nephew. “Also known as the Infernal Gate. A place dominated by an ancient castle, and guarded by various demons, for good measure I suppose.”“He was in an island filled with demons by himself? For how long?” Luke was reading the text finding it hard that a normal man could survive alone without help there. Walking puppet dolls, living shadows, a spider filled with magma. What kind of lunatic would willingly go there? “I don’t know for hoe long, but he wasn’t alone.” Edward then showed him his cane. “He had Elisabetta.”“He just took a cane with him?” He questioned while putting the books away. “No. He made it in there. He found the blueprints from an old inventor that died there.” Edward pressed a button on the side of the handle, quickly releasing the razor-sharp blades and putting them back in.The former head of the Goldwyn family, the father of his grandmother Emma, grandfather of his mother, and his great-grandfather. A historian, researcher and inventor that for years set out to find ways to make the life of all humanity better with his findings, until his curiosity got the better of him. Found himself trapped inside a mysterious island that emerged from the sea, no help, no back up of any kind, fought and survived long enough to escape using just his cane-whip and wits.And when he escaped, he had a new goal set in mind, to find out everything possible about demons, devils, the Underworld, and anything else that could possibly exist in the dark corners of the world... and how to defends us against them.
They were now in the kitchen as the kettle was hissing. “I assure you, Luke. Something like this is weirdly common in certain parts of the world. So much so, that are those that make a living out of it. They are called hunters.” He poured tea into two cups.“Yeah, cool. It definitely doesn’t sound very professional or regulated.” The young man sarcastically muttered the last part while taking a sip of his tea. “But it is, for the most part. With brokers and veterans keeping things civil between them.”“Well, maybe one day I will give them a visit. To see just how much they know about demons.” Luke made his way out the kitchen. He locked eyes with the cane resting against the table. “This thing is ridiculous.” He picked it up. “Elisabetta is many things, but ridiculous, never.”“It’s a very genius design. It looks completely ordinary.” Luke returned the cane to his uncle. “It may look ordinary, but with the push of one button… it becomes a formidable weapon. Without losing its elegancy.” Edward says while demonstrating its hidden trick. “She was named after your great-grandmother by your great-grandfather.” Edward pressed the button once again returning the razor whip back to its cane configuration.“Come. Let’s see if now we can get some shut eye.” They walked out of the kitchen, and Luke kept thinking what he could do if he was one of those demon. ‘Maybe in the morning.’“See if you can get any sleep. Tomorrow we may go take a look at that lead you found in the museum.” Edward made his way through the corridor as his nephew went to the opposite side, “Sure, uncl—” Luke’s response was cut short by the sound of glass shattering and of something being pierced. “What the hell was that? Uncle did you hear that?” He turned to look at him only to see a red stain appear on his chest. The man’s face wasn’t of pain or fear, but shock as he looked at his hand.The young man quickly ran to his uncle and held his body as he fell to the ground, he looked around trying to find any sign of what caused it, but he couldn’t focus as his uncle was in his arms.“Uncle Ed, Uncle Ed, Uncle Ed. Hey, hey, hey. Stay with me, okay? Stay with me, man.” He pressed his hand on the bleeding wound but it was proving to be in vain.“It’s okay. You’re okay. Everything it’s gonna be okay, I promise, just stay awake, please.” Luke’s eyes began to fill with tears.“Luke… listen to me.” Edward tried to speak as his voice came with a raspy tone. “Listen. The top drawer... take the keys on my office and take the car.” A single tear started to fall off his face. “Uncle, please just breath, okay? I going to go get help for you, okay?”He tried to get up, but his uncle held his arm. “No, no. Listen, take the keys and the car. Take them and get away from here.” Luke stared at his uncle. “Just stop talking. I need to get help for you, okay?”“I am okay, my boy. Don’t worry about me. You won’t have to worry about me anymore, okay.” His eyes began to close... his breathing started to slow down... his heart stopped beating. “Uncle? Uncle Ed, please. Please, Uncle Eddie. Uncle... please.”
There was no ceremony for him. Edward kept a close group of friends from his time in the war, a seven-man team of tough-as-nails, SOBs soldiers. He always considered them a second family, which was why it hurt him to see each one of them passed. He was just a rookie back then, the last one out of the seven to go.Luke buried Edward himself that day, right next to the grave of his mothers’ parents. It wasn’t raining, that wasn’t even a cloud in the sky. ‘It’s a beautiful day for rain.’ He thought as he prepared the shovel to cover the coffin with dirt.He thought back to when he was a child and his mother told him something after his childhood cat died. ‘I know it’s sad to see someone you love die, especially when you’re right there for their final moments. But being sad it’s just one part of the process. Accepting what happened and understanding why it’s just as important. It’s not an easy process or a quick one, but it is necessary to go through.’ He took a deep breath and started to shovel the dirt. ‘It’s okay to feel sad, honey. You just can’t feel sad over the things you can’t control.’
Luke was sitting on his bed freshly after taking a shower. He sat there for hours thinking who wanted them dead and why. Could it be the same people that kidnap his mother or maybe not? Who the fuck knows?He made his way to his uncle’s office. He only been in there a couple of times in his life, with the last one been on the night of his death. He turned the knob, a part of him expecting to see his uncle hunched over some papers and drinking tea.He slowly walked to the table, caressing the mahogany with the tips of his fingers. He spots the top drawer and opens it. In the drawer was a set of car keys and an envelope.The envelope had an ancient piece of parchment with instructions for a ritual, drawings of four items, and a list of names of the last active brokers for the past twenty years, and a note with a word written on it... Sundum.
Present Day.
He stopped the car at a gas station a few blocks away from the apartment complex. “Okay. Twelve people vanished and no one decides to move out? Either rent is too good, or they don’t care about them. Where’s Fred Rogers when you need him.” Luke folded the newspaper into the pocket of his burgundy coat before walking to the store.The automatic doors open, he looks through the shelves for his favorites. “Spicy Bacon Chips where are— Found you, sweetie.” He moved to the ice cream freezer. “Now, which one... Chunky Monkey or Salted Caramel?” He turns to the cashier. “Which one do you think? Monkey or Caramel?” The cashier just shrugged not caring about the decision. “Yeah, you’re right. Both, both is good” He walked to pay while grabbing a case of soda.He walked out of the store, but while checking his bags he noticed a shadow moving underneath his car, a dry chuckle escapes his mouth. He turned and walked back to the store. “Where are the bags of ice?” The cashier points to the bottom of the ice cream freezer.He took two bags and left his food on the counter. “Hold this for me, please. I need got beat someone for trying to steal my car.” Luke walked out of the store with two ice bags.After getting a few feet close to his car he heard a voice from behind. “Don’t move or you die, got it?” Luke smirks as a second man walked from behind his car, the man walks up to him. “Keys, now.” The man says while pointing his hand from inside his jacket.“To what? The city, the state, the bank, a motel? Which one?” He joked as the robbers became angrier.“The car, dumbass. Don’t play stupid. Give us the keys, now.” The man from behind said while pressing something against Luke back. It wasn’t gun or a knife, that he knew.“What car?” He fainted confusion. “Your car, asshole. Give us the fucking keys, now!” The man in from of him yelled while pointing behind him. “Oh, that car. That’s not mine. It’s my uncle’s.” The man behind him grabbed the collar of his coat. “Shut up. Get the keys, D.”D walked up to the to get keys, but in an instant Luke threw the bags of ice at the man. “Ahh! Shit!” D stumble back and fell.The man behind Luke tried to pull him back by his collar but was met with a leg sweep from his right. He hit the ground while his partner was getting up. Luke grabbed D by his leg and swung him up and straight down the other man’s chest, knocking the air out from both men.They groan on the ground as Luke fixed his coat. He then picked both men up and put them inside a garbage dumpster. “Sorry about that, guys. But you can only blame yourselves for that.” He throws the ice bags on them and closes the dumpster.He took his bags and walked back to his car. “Sorry for the wait. Now, let’s find out what’s taking people from thin air.” He started his car, the roar of the engine almost sounding like an answer. “Yeah, I know. I’m definitely blowing something up.” He drove in the direction of his mission.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The building looked like any other apartment complex. Tall brick walls filled with residents just looking for a decent place to live. Maybe close to a grocery store, the subway, work, school, family, good take-out restaurants, and the most important one, no annoying neighbors looking into your business. The last one seemed to be true here. Not a single person out of the twelve that vanished was reported missing, not one, by nobody.Luke was standing on the other side of the street eyeing the building from top to bottom, and he couldn’t see anything standing out, no markings, graffities, open windows, or even people looking out to the street wandering why he’s just standing there. Nothing.He took a deep breath before crossing the street and opening the door. He quickly scanned the lobby and saw no one there. No doorman or anyone.He walked towards the elevator, pressed the button, and waited for the door to open, but after a few seconds it didn’t open. He looked up at the elevator and saw a sign, Please use the elevator from the 1st floor and up. Ground floor doors in need of repairs.He looked around again and noticed almost all of the mailboxes looked filled. He then took the stairs to the 6th floor while humming a little tune.
He opened the door to the hallway still humming to himself. He took a quick look around. ‘All doors seem locked. Maybe everybody is sleeping.’ He checked his watch. ‘At 8:58pm? Doubt it.’ He focused his hearing to try and capture anything unusual in the building floor, nothing just like before. ‘Yep, weird shit is definitively happening here. But what kind? Demon or human?’Reaching the end of the hallway he looked at the plaque on the door, 6F, the place of the last missing person. The doorknob and the doorframe looked intact, the floor had no markings or scratches, it actually looked clean, freshly clean. Not a single footprint, stain, or dust, nothing.He pushed open the unlocked door. The apartment still had furniture laying around, a TV, a coffee table, couch, dinner table, chairs, a bookshelf, some house plants, and kitchen appliances, the only thing it was lacking was the resident.Luke walked in and took a breath, the first thing to hit his nose was not the smell of the scented candles placed around, but instead of rotten food. A bag of Taiwanese take-out was sitting on the coffee table with flies circling around it, the TV was still on and showing the Netflix documentaries catalogue, and the fridge was open with whatever was inside spoiled completely.He pulled the recipe from the bag. ‘Order delivered at 7:09pm, Friday. Whoever was living here vanished before having dinner five days ago.’ He quickly checked the furniture, the door, and the windows. ’No signs of struggle or forced entry of any kind. Probably no kidnapping.’He finally entered the bedroom and turned the lights on. “Hmm. No human kidnapping at least.”
“It’s okay my darling. Shhh~ You’re going to be out soon... very soon.” A bloodied hand with dark long fingernails caressed the purple crystal pod as the being inside slept. The figure turned their head away and grinned. “Because He is here with us, my darling.” The figure snaped its fingers as a dark red portal appeared.
Luke looked at the former bedroom, now left in pure destruction. The walls had deep claw marks on them, the bed and mattress were cut in half, the closet doors ripped off their hinges, and a laptop on the floor was sliced in two.He took a small rectangle flask with a clear liquid inside and shook it. He removed the cork, and the liquid started to become a black and red smoke with shades of pink.
“That smell. It’s familiar.” The figure stood on the corner in the hallway as they sniffed the air. “Yes... Him. The traitor. Sparda.” A hint of poison filled hate could be felt in their words.
“Black, red, and pink. Black and red means a strong demonic presence, but pink... What was pink again?” He thought out loud while the smoke dissipated. The dark figure was getting closer to the door. “What was it exactly? Magic is blue or green, and pink is—“ The dark figure jumped from the doorway and straight at the hunter as they vanished into a red portal.
The same portal opened with Luke and his attacker flying out of it. He broke off from the creatures’ hold kicking it away, he then stops his fall by catching hold of a metal pipe and using the momentum to spin and launched himself from it.He quickly started to jump from each of the larger vertical water silos before landing on a catwalk handrail. “Whoa, man. Haven’t done gymnastics in a while and still landed a 10 out of 10. Not bad.”He turned seeing his attacker climbing out of a recently made hole in the wall. “But you, 6.5 out 10. Need to work on that landing.”
Luke noticed that the interior of the bedroom was now replaced with the inside of an abandoned factory of some kind. The most obvious difference is the collection of dark red crystal-like pods opposite to Luke. Twelve pods in a circle with a bigger purple one in the middle. ‘The missing people? There’s an extra one, too. That doesn’t look human, and it feels like a demon of some kind.’The attacker stood up, flying to a catwalk opposite to Luke’s, as he could finally see her. Her white skin stained with blood and dark red markings was in full display, as a pair of black and red skeletal leather wings flapped from her back; her attire was akin to black lingerie complete with fishnet stockings and a small cape hanging at the waist. Two large horns and four small ones adorned her head alongside red roses, deep full ebony eyes, dark shoulder length hair complemented with several braids, and thick red lipstick.‘A succubus. Of course.’
“You don’t look like the traitor, but you have his stench. A disguise perhaps, Sparda.” She bared her fangs at the hunter. ‘Sparda. I heard that name before.’ Luke thought as he pulled his katana from his back. “Why are those people down there? What do you need them for? Starting an army or something?” He walked back and forth on the handrail maintaining eye contact with the demon.“Or just making something really ugly?” The demon eyes locked on him, with a rage filled fire behind them. “You don’t sound like him. Perhaps one of his spawns... Vergil or perhaps... Dante?”He shrugged not recognizing either name. “Sorry. Don’t know who or what they are but you can call me Luke.”“Luke...” She snarls while opening her wings. “Yeah. Oh, and by the way, you didn’t answer my questions. So, here’s a new one...what’s in that purple pod down there?”“What rests in there is but one step to bring back the full might of the demon world.” She waved her hand as she summoned a black and crimson scythe. “And you will not live to see His glorious return! Scum of Sparda! Raagh!” She pounced forward with a violent swipe. Luke jumped over her using her back as a stepping stool and landing on the other catwalk.He turned back to the demon, “Sparda? Lady, I met a lot of people, but the Legendary Dark Knight? Doubt it.” He flipped his sword into a reverse grip on his left hand while drawing one of his pistols from his back, a customized Colt M1911A1 called Mercy. “But if you wanna dance. Let’s dance.”
She speeds towards him launching a wide slash, but the hunter blocked her scythe with his sword. He took aim at her head, but she quickly ducked from the bullets and spined her scythe launching another slash. He stops her momentum with a kick and quickly started slashing at her with his katana.She found difficult to defend against his attacks and looked for an opening, with a snap of her fingers a portal appeared as she jumped back.Luke is taken aback by it but is able to sense the demon coming from behind, he jumped to side avoiding the attack and using his bullets to direct her away. He quickly disappeared from her view, the demon noticed his absence and assumed he was hidden behind some of the crates. She launched several slashes at the boxes reducing them to a pile of broken wood, but she quickly realized he was nowhere near them.She tuned just in time to block an overhead attack from the hunter, sparks flew from the impact as the katana started to crack. He continued his assault using quick and precise attacks with his sword and pistol.The demon broke his rhythm by blocking his blade with her wings, and violently opening them and pushing him away. But that move proved fatal as the hunter dashed forward and kicked her with extreme force into the mantelshelves behind her.
“I almost forgot to ask, considering we’re trying to kill each other, what’s your name?” He kept his pistol aimed at her and his sword resting on his shoulder. “You wish to know who you should ask mercy to, scum? I am Carlay, one of Mundus’ greatest generals.”“Okay, then. Next question, how do you intend on bring Mundus back?” He hoped the answer was as simple as blowing up a factory, but whatever plan she has would involve the pods in some capacity. And he needs it to know how and why.“By breaking him from his prison. And giving his sprit a body worthy of his power.”“Really? Last I heard he was sent somewhere unknow. Practically impossible to find, or to break free from.”“Nothing is impossible with the right tools, scum.” She bared her fangs with a hiss.“Like the body in the big pod?” The demon kept silent with her breathing being audible and viewable thanks to the cold air. “I doubt that will bring him back.”She lowered her head remembering of all of her failed attempts so far, cults, sacrifices, even dark rituals with little truthful information about them. But this... This has to work. A sacrifice made from and with love has to be enough to bring him back. “The King of the Underworld... the Prince of Darkness...” She rose to her feet. “The Destroyer of Worlds... the great Mundus will return!” She growled smacking the twisted metal away.She launched another series of attacks at the hunter, each one of her slashes being deflected by his sword or easily dogged.
Luke parried another slash and kicked the demon far away again; he then took the chance and opened fire. She deflected most of the bullets but two hit her left leg and one her right shoulder. “Argh! Filthy scum!” She held her wounded shoulder while using her scythe for support.“Say Carly. If you bring him back, what do you think will happen?” She stared at him with a confused look. “He comes back and then what? You two run into the sunset while humanity burns? Is that it? Because I read about him, and there isn’t a lot, but there is enough to know a few things.”“He’s a selfish, manipulative, vengeful, tyrannical, old bag of dicks, and an evil bastard who will definitely toss you aside the first chance he gets.”“You know nothing about him! He will see the sacrifices I made in his name. Her... sacrifice...” She glanced at the purple glowing pod. “My beautiful daughters’ sacrifice...”Luke raised an eyebrow and holstered his pistol as he was curious about her words. “Who’s in the pod, Carlay?”
She dug her heals and ready her weapon as a menacing dark red glow surrounded her body. “Enough talking! I’ll feed your blood to her, and then he will reward us!”“If you say so.” Luke’s body had a faint purple glow as he took a stance. They dashed at each other several times and clashing their weapons, but Luke’s sword finally broke as it was incapable of handling a fight like this.He then jumped into the air and draw both of his pistols: they looked the same except for the names engraved on each of the slides, Mercy & Wrath. He fired a barrage of bullets at the demon seeking to keep her at bay, but she was faster now and proceeded to cut or dodge them when she could.She came close to him then saw an opening and stabbed her scythe into his side. He yelled at the pain before being thrown through the top of a water silo.
Carlay landed as the glow around her vanished, she walked towards the purple pod and extended her hand to it... But she was stopped as the sound of a metal wire was heard, and the pain of several metal blades piercing her leg was felt. “Aaargh! What is this—” She was cut off by getting slammed against another silo on the opposite side of the room.Luke walked out of his silo, he had Elisabetta on his hand as he dusted himself off. He then pushed the button on the handle retracting the whip back to its cane form.Carlay crawled out of the silo and tried to stand up but found it difficult, she looked at her legs and saw that her lower left leg was missing. She clenched her absent limb while screaming as blood gushed from the wound to the floor.But she wouldn’t be focusing on that for long as the hunter used his whip again, this time it wrapped around her torso as he slammed her against the purple pod. She tried to get up and think of a way to retaliate but it was too late.Luke finked his cane on the ground and with a snap called Mercy and Wrath to his hands. In a flash he griped the twins and fired at the demon, the bullets piercing her body with great lead filled violence.
The hunter approached the fallen demon as she started to disintegrate. “Wished things could have ended differently, Carlay. Go in peace.” He raised his pistol.“Wait, hunter...” She raised her hand, not to defend herself but someone else. “Take... take her with you... please.” Those words...those simple words. They were never something he ever thought it would come from a demon. Perhaps it was a trick but the look in her eyes and the intent coming off of her felt genuine.She placed her hand against the crystal pod. “She doesn’t deserve to die here.” Her nails digging into the surface of the pod as she carved a magical mark on it. “It doesn’t matter what you chose to do... just please... keep her safe.”He looked at the pod, and then back at Carlay. He didn’t feel the need to lie to the demon, or the need to be honestly cruel with her since none of the humans were dead. So, he chose to be sincere. “I’ll do my best.”A single tear fell down her face. “Thank you, Luke.” She smiles and rests her head against the pod. “And goodbye, my beautiful Lynnora.” She says her final goodbyes finally vanishing into a cluster of red particles.
Luke sees the mark carved on to the pod and felt the magic radiating from it. He remembered seeing similar drawings in books about the occult, and their many purposes, and this one was a simple and powerful one. It was Familiar Mark of Contract.Whoever was inside that pod now would become his hellish familiar, for whatever desires he has. And for as long as he lives, they would be his loyal servant.‘This is a bad idea.’ He ponders the possibilities for a quick moment, and what sort of problems it would spell to his life. ‘It could be something really ugly, or really cool. Oh, what the heck. You only live once anyway.'He placed his left hand on the mark, the red glow turned bright blue before quickly changing into a deep purple and vanishing. A few seconds later the light inside the pods died down, simultaneously all of the pods cracked and fell apart, and the occupants were all released from their prisons alive but unconscious. And some even snorted while on the floor too.
Lynnora stepped out from her pod, and for the first time in decades, stretched her body from head to toe. She took a deep, deep breath as she could finally see the outside world again.Her skin is lightly tanned with some pink marks on her tights. She has deep green and ebony eyes, long brown hair with a subtle pink color to it, thin pink lips, and a set of black and pink horns coming from the sides of her head.Her clothes consist of a tight black dress with a short cut skirt and exposed shoulders, on her arms are a pair of gloved gauntlets that go pass the elbows, and she also has a pair of knee-high black boots. And every part of her outfit has pink glowing mark on all of them.
“Well... Hello, Master Luke~ What shall we do now?” She asked with a hint of mischief and joy to her tone.“We won’t do nothing. But I am calling—” Luke was about to grab his phone to call 911 but a discomfort, and a pinkish purple glow, on his left shoulder caught his attention. “The hell?” He partially removed his coat and hoodie and inspected the fresh magic ink he got.It is the same mark that was carved on Lynnora's pod was now on him as a reminder of the contract he made tonight. “Now it’s official. I’m yours forever now... Master~”.
. .
. . .
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
(In the previous chapter)
“Of fucking course.”“Aww, don’t act so disappointed, Master. I promise to be of help when needed~” The demonic familiar, Lynnora, teased him as she looked him up and down. “So what are we doing now?”
Devil May Cry: Bad Blood
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January 10rd, Thursday, 12:09am
After calling the authorities to sort out the problem of the missing people, Luke was now driving to a hotel for some needed sleep, and to try and contact Manny about the payment.Lynnora on the other hand, looked quite happy to be outside, and in the world of mortals no less. She still remembers her last time here before the betrayal of Sparda. “This is what the Mortal World has become. Interesting~” She spoke with curiosity leaning her head against the window.“Been here before?”“Once, half a century ago.”“That long, wow.” He raised an eyebrow as the next question came to mind. “You look great for a, uh, how old are you?”She turned to him with an unimpressed look. “Is quite rude to ask for a lady’s age, Master.”“Quit with the ‘master’ thing,” He dryly responded as the unrequested title was making the hair on his neck stand up, and not in a good way. “And you are a demon, so the question is valid.”She leaned on her seat while chuckling. “I’m a demonic familiar now, and I was well over what humans would considerer “my sixties” when Sparda rebelled and sealed the Underworld.”‘Sparda’s rebellion and the sealing of the Underworld. That was...’ Luke thought about what she said and mentally concluded. “You’re over a hundred years old, that’s pretty young for a demon.”“I suppose.” She simply shrugged in response. “I was the runt amongst my siblings, not the strongest or most wicked, just... me.” Her tone seemed to drop a little as she remembered ‘home.’
Sensing that the silence could become uncomfortable Luke decide to pick a subject that he need to clear up with her. “So, this mark on my arm—"“The physical manifestation of our contract.” She interrupted him with a tone of joy.“A familiar contract, yes, which means that—” He almost continued before being interrupted one more time.“You are my master, and I am your servant~” She spoke with an almost singing tone, as she seemed to enjoy saying it out loud.He could only sigh at the answer. He imagined that she was trying to make him understand that wasn’t going away any time soon. “What kind of servant exactly?” He already imagined what kind of answer she would give.“Whatever kind you want~” But he still didn’t like it.“Your wish is my command~” Not one bit.
The idea of having someone to help him around while on jobs, or in between them, sounded interesting at first but was quickly shot down. He tried to find someone to help him once but, unsurprisingly, most people in this business work alone, and only a few would consider having a partner, as hunting demons comes with unique dangers.
Luke made a left turn as he thought back to his mark. “Tell me something, is there a way to break this contract?” He remembered reading several books about contracts and packs with entities and demons of any kind, and that many had to be thought out extensively and meticulously before sealing an agreement.Throughout history there have only two know ways to break a familiar contract: a fulfilment of goals, take one or both parties somewhere or help them with some kind of task, or...“Death.” The deadlier option. “It’s the only way to break this contract. Our lives are now bound together when you die... I’ll follow.”Luke’s grip on the steering wheel hardened as his jaws tightened. The thought of a life depending on him again was a hard one, but it is a reality now and he needs to quickly accept it. “Let’s try and avoid that.”“Sure. Master~”
“We’re here.” The car came to a stop in front of the Palace, a famous hotel with the reputation of attracting “cheaters” and “presidents” a like, many believe it to be just coincidence while others think is a cruel joke of fate.“Hmm. A five-star hotel... How fancy~”“Yeah, well. My coat is a mess and needs some dry-cleaning, and they have it here so...” He cheekily joked.“And here I thought it was because of me.” She faked a face of disappointment as they passed the front door, and she quickly hid her demonic features with a glamour spell.
“Hello, sir, madame, welcome to the Palace. How may I help you tonight?” The short brunette receptionist greeted them with her best fake smile as they approached the front desk.“One bedroom for the night, two queens, two full dinners if possible, and this coat dry-cleaned. Thank you.”“Very well, sir.” She quietly sighed to herself and quickly checked the computer for any vacant rooms. “Oh, um, it seems we only have the Presidential Suite available right now; would that be an issue?”“Does it have separate beds?”“Yes, sir, it does.” She responded with slightly annoyed tone.“Then it’s fine.” He put his coat on top of the desk, taking out his wallet and journal.“Form of payment, sir?”“Here.” He handed her a black card with no noticeable info, except for the magnetic strip, the chip, and a golden ‘G’ with wings on the sides.She swiped the card and waited as the computer processed the information. The receptionist blinked a few times as she was taken aback while reading the screen, she cleaned her throat and gave the card back. “Um, well that takes care of everything. Welcome back, mister Goldwyn. Would you and your guest need anything else?”“No, thank you.” He took back the card, pocketed his wallet and journal. “And be careful with this, please. It’s one of a kind.” He said as an employee came and took his coat to be cleaned.“We will, sir. We always are.”
Luke had his eyes closed as he enjoyed the elevator ride to the top, and Lynnora decided to break the silence this time. “What was that?”“What was what?” He asked leaning against the corner.“That girl took one look at the screen and almost her entire demeanor changed, why?”“In places like this people with money make their lives hell, most of the time for no reason, so they act kind and unbothered but deep down they just want to...” He then made an exploding motion with his hands.“Understandable.”He chuckled and took a quick breath remembering how some of his “family friends” acted around those outside their circles. “Yeah. Sometimes one slip-up and this could be their last “opportunity” ever.”“How big of a slip-up?”Luke pushed himself off of the corner. “It doesn’t matter. For them a person that doesn’t show the respect they “deserve” gets what’s coming.”“Now that’s unfair.”“Universal truth: Life is a bitch. To some more than others.” The elevator dinged as the doors opened.
They arrived at the suite. The room is, expectedly, spacious and filled with expensive furniture. Lynnora dropped her glamour as she made her way to the kingside bed and promptly jumped on it. “Hmm~ This has to be the softest bed in the world~”“You been on a bed before?” He asked while checking the windows and closing the curtains.“A few times. Never alone though~”“It’s all yours then, I take the one in the other room. Food will be here in a few minutes so enjoy.” He started making his way to the bathroom while kicking off his half-destroyed boots.“By myself? You don’t want to keep me company. It’s okay... I don’t bite~”He didn’t even bother turning to answer her teasing. “I going to take a shower, and don’t think about following me.”“Could you blame me if I tried~”He kept walking, but before going inside he decided to kill his curiosity about a subject brought on earlier while fighting Carlay. “Lynnora, what do you know about Sparda?”
She sighed sounding a bit tired and sightly annoyed. “The same as everyone, I believe.” She rolled on the bed, letting her arms hang by the side. “He was the Legendary Dark Knight, one of the strongest beings in the Underworld,” A smirk came to her face as she remembered about the stories than were told. “And that he fell in love with a filthy human woman, betrayed his own kind, and sealed us all away.”He raised a confused eyebrow. “Filthy, really? Should you of all beings be calling her that?”And now was Lynnora’s turn to look at him confused.“I don’t mean to offend, but..." He put his hands up in a defensive manner hoping that his comment didn’t offend her, as he wasn’t looking forward to another fight this late at night or in a place like this.She playfully shook her head at him. “It’s what they all tell each other.” She stated with a smirk. Raising her hand and resting it under her chin. “There’s no value in the judgement of a demon, Luke. No matter what it is.” She winked and smiled at him.
She then got up from the bed and waved her hand. In a quick puff of pink smoke her clothes vanished giving way to a pink nightgown, she twirled a little before felling satisfied with how comfortable it is.“I’m sure Sparda had more reasons than just love, I mean... he knew first-hand what kind of devils were in charge.” She plopped back onto the bed.“Yeah, I guess. Thanks for the talk, Lyn.”“Anytime, Master~”He only shook his head while heading into the bathroom.‘Lyn... Hmm... I like it~’ She thought before closing her eyes.
Meanwhile, Luke set his phone on the sink as he was on a call on speaker. “So, how was the job?” Manny asked from the other side the line.“A few hiccups here and there but nothing serious.” Luke answered dropping his shirt on the ground next to his hoodie. “And nothing exploded... which it’s a bit disappointed to be honest.”
“I’m sure it is. Well, a job done is a job done. I’ll send you the other half of the payment, same place as usual?”
“Send it to the Palace. Tell the front desk it’s for Goldwyn.”
“Got it. See you when I need you, kid.”
“See ya.” Luke hanged up the phone as he took off his pants and underwear.He stood there looking at himself in the mirror, examining his scars, some with months of history and others with years. But none of them is more important than the one over his heart.He brushes his hand over it, feeling the patch of skin that hasn’t felt anything for a long time. He still remembers the day he gained it, the person that gave it to him, and the one that paid the price for it.
2 years after The Attack
Professor Franklin J. Reed was a famous historian and teacher of Raven Hall Academy that was also an occult enthusiast, he had dedicated ten years of his life researching to prove that Hell, and by extension Heaven, are real and have interacted with humanity for centuries. Buy due to the nature of it he was ridiculed and later abandoned the academy.It was already difficult for almost anyone to find any kind of proof about his work, so to contact him, sit down and actually talk was near impossible.Until he got a call....
It was supposed to be a simple conversation. Find him, make some questions about demons, and say it’s for a research paper, get what he needed and leave. There, simple...But She was there...
The professor had heard someone was looking for him, and like many times before, he found them first. He called and agreed to meet the young man at a café to discuss his “research.”At first, he tried to pass as a college student looking for some easy extra credit, and that he also had some morbid curiosity about the occult, but Reed saw right through it with ease. “Why would one of the riches people on the planet care about the work of a, as they said, ‘a crazy old man.’” He firmly asked him while gripping his cane tightly.Luke tried to think of any elaborate lie that could convince Reed, but before he could, “I heard it all before. And if you just want to laugh at me too, then go ahead and save us both the time.” It was clear on that moment that no lie could help him. Luke couldn’t think of anything else to say...
Except for...“Years before I was born my mother was attacked by demons, luckily she was saved by a swordsman in a red coat, she vanished when I was fourteen. A few years later my uncle and I were ambushed in our own home by demons as well, and now he’s dead.” He held a straight face, but his eyes were full of determination.He can still remember the man’s face when he listens to those words. The wide eyes, the look of skepticism that turned to shock, and then into condolence for the boy. He knew what it felt like to lose a loved one, specially to something that many called as ‘the delirium of a grieving man.’ But the intriguing factor was that his family was attacked twice, at different points in time but twice none the less.“I don’t think you’re crazy, professor. I think you are exactly what I need. Because I know that whoever took my family is connected to these things in some way, and you can help me.” Luke was ready to put all of his chips down for this. Whatever the professor was to ask of him, money, influence, resources, he would give to him if he agreed.Fortunately he wouldn’t have to...
After that revelation it didn’t took much talk to convince Reed to share his research. ”Meet me at my house later tonight. We can both look for answers together, and hopefully some kind of closured after everything.” That response made the young man relived to finally find someone willing to help him, actually, truly help him and not disregard him again.But not wishing to waste time he asked him why not go now and his answer was simple, “My granddaughter is visiting, and she is very iffy about strangers.” He was a bit taken by the response, he understood and respected the man’s desires to keep their business private.But even then...
That was the first lead that was going somewhere. Which was a major sign that things were progressing for Luke, as all he had after his uncle died was a name on a piece of paper, Sundum, and now he will have more.He left the café a few minutes after the professor. He drove away wishing that nightfall would come fast as he didn’t want to waste time, but as he did, a woman with long white hair, piercing blue eyes, faint pink lips, and pale skin, wearing a light blue suit and a long white hooded coat watched him leave with a faint smile on her cold face.
Luke was on his way to the professor’s place. He left his motel late at night as per his request, and it was a slow drive as faint drops of rain were coming down. Thankfully he arrived as the rain started to increase, he knocked at the door and waited several minutes for the man. He eventually came down and opened the door, “You’re here. Come, come inside. It is best if we don’t lose time.”
The professor’s well of information about the occult, the Underworld, demon, devils, and entities were well stock with many dating from ancient times and back. They were all extensive detailed, illustrated, and some even with accounts of eyewitnesses.
Luke wasn’t just looking for something to related to Sundum, but also took his time and wrote down any info about the creatures of Hell in his leather journal. It was something he bought while in Spain from a weird merchant with a purple bandana on his face that seemed to appear and vanish from nowhere to anywhere, and even weirder was that it had his initials hard stamped on the front cover and it never seemed to run out of pages.
As they looked through the books and papers for something that could help them connect the dots to the attacks, Prof. Reed came to two conclusions. The attacks were random, or just a coincidence, an errand rift from the Underworld opened in wrong place at wrong time. Or the worst option, a powerful devil has amassed power and seeks to invade the mortal world, and, in some capacity, the Goldwyn family is involved in their plans.Knowing that, Luke started to search for powerful devils that could fill the role of leader for the demons. He looked for names and found some that fit, Sparda, the Legendary Dark Knight, Vulcan, a king of the Fire Hell, Bolverk, a warrior that was almost an equal to Sparda, Enkidu, an arrogant and gigantic hellhound, Bael, the ice toad demon, and a Baron of Hell, a high-ranking demon with immense strength. He wrote the names down hoping to start crossing them as soon as possible.In the meanwhile...
Prof. Reed was downstairs making some coffee and eating some chocolate cake, as having to stare at pieces of paper almost all night can get tiresome and boring, and besides his granddaughter made the cake and it was delicious.But outside on the other side of the street was the same woman from the café. She stared coldly at the house; her eyes moved from window to window seeking for a way in. ‘The backdoor leads to an alleyway with an exit to the front. The side windows are out of the question too, not enough space. Best option is...’ Her train of thought stopped when she saw the kitchen lights on. ‘Oh, professor... You shouldn’t have. I was coming for you anyway.’ She crossed the street and went to the front door.
The professor cleaned his hands preparing to continue searching his papers. *Ding, dong.*He stopped dead on his tracks and walked towards the door, but before he could answer it exploded into a thousand pieces and knocked him away.Luke having heard the noise ran downstairs, “Professor what was that—"His voice fell silent as he saw a woman standing a few feet away from the old man. She turned her head towards the stairs, her hood was still up but the glow of her eyes could be easily seen behind them.“Frank, run!”
The professor, still dazed from the blast, tried to get up and run. He fell down knocking a table and a vase, but quickly got up and out through the backdoor. Luke immediately jumped from stairs, pulled a sword from his back, and attacked the woman hoping to buy him more time.She quickly sidestepped to his right and attack his back with a wide slash. The pain of the impact was accompanied with a mixture of extreme cold and heat, Luke turned and attacked again but this time she blocked the blade and he saw her weapon.
A rapier with a blade made of multicolored crystals and thin dust coming off of it. She gripped her weapon with strength and finesse and use it with precision to strike Luke at every opportunity she saw.Luke tried to fight the best way he could, but the powers of the weapon were wearing him down fast. He was able to see an opening and threw a coffee table at the woman. She jumped back seeing the furniture heading towards her, and in a quick motion sliced it in half, but she didn’t see the broken vase the flew straight to her face.She staggered a few steps back with a hand over her eye, she then whipped her head up causing the hood to fall. She moved her hand from her face and brushed some strands of her white hair, she then looked down at her at and then back at Luke.
She pressed her hand on her coat as the previous pristine white was now ruined with a bloodied handprint with the same cold expression. And even when the sharp object that hit her and left an open wound over her left eye.Luke could only stare at her as he gripped his sword, as the strange powers of the blade were causing him great pain and fatigue.“Do you like it? it’s one of the many abilities of my Devil Arm, Crystal Dancer. It can absorb elemental attacks of any kind and release them at any time too, and I can choose which ones to release... like poison for example.”
As she spoke Luke felt the cold sweat on his face, his skin burns, his body ache, his mind was starting to haze, and his eyes were getting heavier. He tried to attack again but it didn’t work, as it was true to its name, she was dancing around him like it was nothing. In a few moments he fell to the floor, keeping himself awake by sear willpower.
The professor ran as fast as he could when the fight started, but he wasn’t getting far. In less than a minute he was cornered by the woman in an alleyway. “Professor Reed, no need to run. I just want to talk.”“What... what do... you... want...?” The man could only speak in ragged breaths.“The Arcana. Where are they?” She inched closer to him. Her blade casting a rainbow on the walls.“I don’t know... they are...”“A myth, yes. I know the stories, professor. What I want is the location.”“I can’t... They don’t—” She touched the tip of her sword to his leg and a loud searing sound came from it. “Aaaargh! Stop! Stop, please!”She lifted the blade from his leg but kept it close enough to the wound. “Where are they, professor?”“My journal... in my office. There’s a... a piece of an ancient scroll.”Hearing this the woman moved the sword away from his leg completely, as she stepped
away from him. “I thank you for the help, professor.” She simply gave him a bow and began to walk away.
A few minutes later Luke was feeling the poison leave his system, he immediately got up and went to look for Reed. He quickly found him and brought him back to his house. Upon arriving they saw the study completely ransack, both assuming that the woman had gotten what she wanted and left.But that was the wrong assumption...
As they looked through the thorn papers and books a shadow loomed in the doorway. Luke’s senses perked up as he snaped his head to the door, and there he saw her glowing blue eyes.In a split-second Luke shoved Reed out of the way, but as he did Crystal Dancer had impaled him through the heart. There was no pain this time... just numbness. He fell to his knees as the woman approached him.“So you are a hero. Okay, good to finally know.” She put a hand on his head as she gripped the rapier with the other. “Just so you know that bullet was meant to you... Luke.” His eyes went wide from both her words and the sword being violently pulled from him.His vison turned dark... his body was cold... he could taste the iron, dirt, sweat, and rain in his mouth. He was dying and nothing was stopping that. He was close, really close to finding out who could be behind this, or why they were doing this... but he guessed this was it. The End. Roll credits.
“Wake up.” A voice rang out.“What...?” Luke opened his eyes. He was standing in a void. All around him was darkness. Cold, endless, and unfelling darkness.
“Wake up, Luke.” The voice rang out again.“Who the hell?” He turned to every direction he could looking for the voice.
“Wake up, my boy! This is not the end for you.” The voice yelled into and from the void almost like it was speeding pass him.“Who in the hell saying that?!” He yelled as loud as he could as the echoes were carried into the darkness.
“Right here.” The figure appeared to Luke. Its form was blurry and unfocused even though it was three feet in front of him, not many features could be made from them, but some were noticeable. A fair skin tone, a white head of hair, a monocle maybe? But aside from those the biggest one was the long flowing purple coat they wore.
“Who the fuck are you?” He stepped forward to the figure, but the distance somehow was still the same. “What is this place? What just happened to me?”“You died trying to save Professor Reed. A noble and honorable decision.” The figure’s tone seemed to sadden a bit. “But it wields no difference in the end.”
“What do you mean?”
“The woman that killed you has also killed the professor.”
“How do you know that?”
“I have been watching you, just as I been watching another person too.”
“Who?”
”That’s not important. What it’s important is that the professor is dead. Killed by the same woman.”
A look of confusion took over his face. “But why... Why would she do that?” Small specs of purple light began to form in the darkness behind Luke. “She got what she wanted, right? Why come back— Why stick just around to kill him?”
The figure watched as the lights slowly started to grow around the boy, and form into spheres.“To kill...me?” He remembers the words uttered by the woman. A whisper meant only to him. ‘That bullet was meant for you... Luke.’The lights began appearing more and more while changing between red, blue, and purple.
“That bullet... was meant for... me. She wanted me dead. Uncle Ed... he wasn’t...” He shook his head trying to understand what she told him. His face was filled with anger as the true of that day was revealed to him. “She killed my uncle instead of me. She killed my uncle instead of me!”The lights started to dance around him and flash even more violently as his emotions grew stronger by the second.“She killed my family because of me!” He screams causing a shockwave and sending the lights throughout the void, they explode and filled it with color. The darkness of the void had now given space to a floor made of a semi reflective surface like water, and the sky was now made of shades of red, blue, and purple, and also has a dark sun.
“Yes, she did. But that is not your fault, that falls under the ones that did it.” The figure spoke in a calm tone, as it sought to quell the emotions of the boy.Luke gritted his teeth as he took deep a breath. “Yeah, I know.”
“You need to wake up.”
He looked at the figure with such confusion that the light from the sun grew. “Wake up? Wake up?! I died! I got a sword through my fucking heart! How the fuck do I wake up from that. Huh?!”“Because this is what we do. Not even death can hold us back... unless we let it.” The figure seemed to smile and chuckle at that statement knowing just how right they are.
Luke just shook his head at that. “What makes you so sure I can just bounce back from this?” He stared at the figure intensively expecting a bullshit type answer from it.
“The blood in you veins, the soul in your heart, and the power that still lies dormant in you.”
The figure and the sun started to flicker as Luke could fell himself being pulled away from there. “Wait. What the hell—"
A deep gasp came from Luke as his body desperately tried to fill itself with air. He rolled to his back, as he now felt the pain of his wounds hit him all at once. His nervous system was flaring up like a Christmas Tree decorated with strobe light. Pain was the only thing he was felling for hours while lying on the floor.It took him almost five hours of steading his breathing, counting to fifth thousand on his head, and not moving a single inch to minimize the pain.
He should be dead, by all accounts he shouldn’t be alive, but by some kind of miracle, or twisted fate, he wasn’t dead even when a sword went through his heart. And speaking of heart.He checked the place where the sword would have left a hole was just a scar. A dark, ill formed, thick layered scar, which didn’t feel like scared tissue at all... it felt like a thick scale like flesh. He had no idea how his wounds were healed, or why he had a black scar where the previous death blow was.
After getting his bearings again he finally took notice of his surroundings. The house of the former professor was now gone, as was also any kind of infrastructure in a fifteen-block radius. Everything was reduced to piles upon piles of rubble. It seemed like several elements hit them all at the same time, fire, water, air, and earth.It seemed impossible, but for a Devil Arm the can absorb the elements...not so much.As he looked around him just one thing was on his mind... find the woman responsible for all of this and make her pay.
And he would do that, but it wouldn’t be easy. She is strong and has a weapon with unique powers. A simple katana, or a whip-cane, or a pistol couldn’t compete with that. So he set a new goal, to grow stronger as much as possible every day to put her down.
He was now standing in the middle of the road far away from the destruction in the city. He turned to his left as his car came driving itself to him.He got inside and the car revved its engine sounding like a question. “This? Me and my bad blood.”
Present Day
Luke took a deep breath as he stopped remembering.He took his hand of his scar and got in the bathtub.