The demon roared with laughter—a sound that drew other hunters. They landed beside me, eyes glued to the monstrous, rapidly growing demon. I'd never seen anything like it.
It was HUGE.
"Big trouble," Neima breathed.
Covyn sneered, "It's her fault!" Marcelene snapped.
"Shut your trap, Covyn! This isn't the time!" The other hunters wrestled Marcelene back, trying to calm her down.
"You fight, I'll live through the winner!" Eyes locked.
Steel met steel. My sword screamed—lightning time! The sky ripped open, thunder crashing down. It still reformed! I hitched a ride on its shoulder, hunting for its core, clinging on as it bucked like a wild stallion.
A monstrous howl echoed, demons swarming. Fellow hunters leaped into the fray, a whirlwind of steel. Tears streamed down faces peering from windows, witnessing our sacrifice.
Greed wouldn't cut it. A vision stopped me. I looked skyward, my eyes blazing, body rigid, clinging to the monster.
Gasps erupted. A blinding light engulfed me, the sky tearing open, storm clouds parting.
"What's happening?" Zylia whispered, as darkness claimed me.
Unconscious, I raised a hand. Pink, violet, and white light struck, forming a crowned, glowing sword. The light erupted, consciousness returned.
"What happened?" Horror etched their faces.
I climbed, stabbed the beast in the chest with the glowing sword. It exploded; I leaped back.
"Hide!" I screamed, seeking cover.
Demonic blood splattered. A father clutched his child, alive.
Tears welled, my hair glowing. Cheers erupted, but the nightmare lingered.
I sensed demons. Raising the sword, I slammed it down. Howling flames consumed them.
Eyes glowing, hands blazing. I had no clue what was happening, but my hands moved, a light erupting, pointing at the dead. I was controlled, kneeling.
Unconscious again. Then, the blood vanished; they lived.
Did I save them?
White light, then black.
I woke in bed, surrounded. Even Covyn.
"You saved the world. Happy?" he asked, emotionless.
Claudia helped me up. A strained smile: I watched the sunrise.
This wasn't over. More nightmares were coming. Could I save this town? Could I peel back the darkness, show them the light?
"Darcy, we owe you!" a woman said. I glanced from the window.
I nodded, a small smile.
"We didn't expect...that was you?" a man stammered. I just stared.
"How can we repay you?" a woman—the former sheriff—asked.
"I didn't ask for anything. I did what was right," I said, my voice cold.
"Let her rest," Claudia said, ushering them out.
I buried my face in the pillow, replaying the battle. Divine blessing? Or a death sentence?
I'm not getting any younger. Life's been a brutal fight. No freedom, just fear. But I stepped up. I won't let fear win.
This fear...it's holding me back. I need to prepare.
I tossed the pillow aside, staring at the ceiling.
"When will this darkness end?" I whispered, watching the sunrise.
After the darkness, there is a beautiful ending.
Heavy footsteps. Shadows emerged. Hunters, including Neima's arrogant face.
"The great warrior?" she sneered.
Marcelene muttered, "Leave her alone."
Zylia spoke, "We thought the sword's owner was dead. But it chose a new one..." So, the sword chose me?
Ryezev stepped in, his eyes intense. My jaw dropped—they were breathtaking. His face, perfectly sculpted, was stunning. How could a post-apocalyptic world produce such beauty?
His eyes were electric blue, and I couldn't look away. He was perfect, his bangs falling perfectly in the center of his forehead.
"Stop staring," he said, breaking the silence. The sound hit me like shattered glass.
Covyn and Demetrys snickered. They stopped when Ryezev glared. Scared of him?
"You're the chosen owner?" he asked. I nodded.
A greedy grin spread across his emotionless face. "What are you up to?" I asked. His eyes hinted at a plan, maybe worse interest in the sword.
He'd seen its power. Uncontrolled, it could kill.
"Nothing," he said, eyes still on me.
"I won't give it up," I said. Ryezev scoffed, clearly disappointed. Good.
Angelic face, devilish soul. Suddenly, a shadow fell over us. Three figures emerged, weapons drawn. "Give us the sword," one growled.
The fight was on.
Shadows moved behind the hunters. I leaped up, summoning my sword. It glowed, swirling until I transformed—into someone I didn't recognize.
"Who are you?" I demanded. A chorus of laughter answered.
A metanoia. A creature forcing radical change. He wielded twin blades, a disciple of darkness. Brown, four-legged demons—alien things—flanked him.
"Impossible!" Zylia gasped.
They advanced. A vision flashed: me, on a bed, legs covered by an old brown blanket. I shook my head, fighting for focus.
These things—the most dangerous creatures ever created. All for greed, recognition, a "forever" invention.
Forever? Yeah, forever haunting everyone with destruction, fear, death, and anxiety. A mark seared onto their minds. The fight was on. I charged.
I jumped, sword flashing. He blocked with his twin blades. Wait—he was skeletal! Eyes hidden in his forehead, a red hat perched on his skull. That hat…
A man in a red tuxedo and hat. Years ago. Vanished. Abducted? Experimented on? This was insane! What kind of monster would do this? A greedy, heartless maniac!
I gasped, weak. Sword glowing, I raised a protective barrier. Darkness crept into my vision, but I fought on. I wouldn't let it consume me. A sword slashed—Neima!
A roar erupted from my sword. I charged, a wild lunge. Then, he vanished. My eyes darted around. A presence behind me…
I spun, nearly falling. Shock froze me.
"How…?" I whispered. Silence.
Evil laughter echoed as a cruel smile twisted his face. My grip tightened on my sword, the battle a furious storm around me. One thought pierced through the chaos—Astra and Claudia! Were they safe? The question clawed at me, a desperate need to know.