RPG Hunters: Dark Blood (M)

[Blayze]

Phoenix whipped round, his trenchcoat flying out behind him as he spun and lopped off the head of a hell hound. It fell to the floor, blood spraying out of the severed neck. He used the momentum to stab his sword through another hound's face, killing it instantly.
"Night! Are you okay?" he shouted to his leader, who was surrounded by five hounds.
"I'm fine, just look out behind you!" he replied, swinging his sword through the flesh of the hounds.
Phoenix spun just in time and dropped. A hell hound flew through the air, where his head had just been a few seconds ago, and Phoenix thrust his blade up through it's midsection, and as it flew throught the air, it dragged the blade through the rest of its body. It fell to the floor, almost in two halves.
Phoenix got to his feet to see Night surrounded by five hell hound corpses. He was about to compliment Night on his fighting style, when he heard deep growling and strange voices from the shadows.
"We've got more coming!!!" he shouted to his companions. More black shadows flew towards them, emerging from the shadows...

[SilverCyclone]

Night spun around, dealing out slashes and stabs. However, he was beginning to falter as more demons pressed around him. Killing three with one slash, he left his back open and was thrown against a wall. Rising shakily, he defended against the hounds and demons. A brief interval allowed him to glance around. Phoenix, Ziarre, and Rebecca, along with the companions, were the only hunters who had responded to his call? Something was wrong, it wasnt like his hunters to ignore a request for help. He froze as he saw a demon on a flight of stairs. It was almost human, short of its glowing red eyes, gray skin, and silver hair. Night froze as he realized what it was.
"Ziarre! Phoenix! Rebecca! Its a damn elder! Its an elder demon! Kill it!"
Elder demons. Able to summon entire armies, they were the bane of every hunter who had ever encountered them. Night himself fought one before, which is when he recieved the scar on his face. Night shoved through the fray, trying to reach the stairs. The elder dashed upwards, gripping something...
"The child! Ziarre! Rebecca! Are you alive!? Phoenix?! We cant let it get away!"
Night was cut short as a demon landed in front of him. It unsheathed a sword.
"You should worry about your own skin hunter!"
WIth a snarl, the creature leapt at Night, who met it head on. The blades sang out as they smashed again and again.
"Damn it! Your no ordinary demon!"
"Heh. Thats right. My name is Berus, and I am Malacha'ai!"
Night shoved forward, forcing a breach in the masses of demons. He sprinted up the stairs, panting as he raced to catch the elder. The other demons poured onto the stairs, giving chase to the hunter. When Night burst onto the roof, the elder was standing at the edge with the child. Night leveled his sword.
"Let the child go or i'll kill you!"
"You'd kill me anyway Night of the Hunters."
Night took a step forward. The elder held the kid over the edge.
"Dont be so hasty. We wouldnt want to clean her up with a vacuum, would we."
"Dont you dare!"
The demon laughed. Night could hear the others storming up the stairs. With a shout, the demon hurled the child over the edge before leaping off the other side. Night dashed to the ledge and without a moments hesitation leapt over.

[demonchild781]

Rebecca and Alender fought bravely on the ground, keeping the demons attention on them as Night, Ziarre, Phoenix, and their companions raced after the elder demon. It had been so long. Rebecca cleared her mind and focused on the beast before her. Her sword sliced through her foes easily and blood spraid about.

There was a terrible scream drawing Rebecca's attention to the roof tops. Night and a child were racing towards the earth. A loud roar and a thud sounded at her feet and Rebecca looked down at Alender.

(Go to them, I will handle these.) His voice spoke sternly as he world around to take on more hell hounds.

Without hesitation, Rebecca launched herself into the sky but was suddenly dragged back to the ground. She swirled around to find demons clawing at her legs. "You viel creatures will not stop me!" she screamed at them slashing through them with her sword. She dragged herself back to the sky as Night and the child neared the ground.

Rebecca climbed desperately into the sky only to swirl around and drive towards Night. She watched the elite Hunter snag the child from the sky and hold it tightly in his arms. With only minutes to spare, Rebecca caught them and drove herself back into the sky. She could see Ziarre and Phoenix on the roof battling with the elder demon.

"Where shall I take you, Sir Night?" Rebecca spoke.

[SilverCyclone]

The child was only around seven or eight years old. She was clinging tightly to Night's coat, eyes shut. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Nice catch Rebecca...drop me on the roof, over there."
They swooped down near an air conditioner. Night deposited the child, and his coat, behind it. He spoke to her softly.
"Whatever you do, dont move from this spot until I come to get you. Dont make a noise. I will come to get you."
The girl buried herself deeper into the coat. Night turned to the battle. He made a flourishing bow to Rebecca.
"Ladies first."
They both leapt into the fray. Night fought until he was back to back with Ziarre. They whirled around, doing considerable damage.
"Ziarre. Zet is still in the tech center. She said dont come back, but I wouldnt feel right not telling you. I wont bother ordering you to not go, or to go. Its your choice."
The hunter broke off, stopping a group of hounds from reinforcing them. The others were already mopping up the remnants, and only a few stragglers were left of the fight. Night looked around carefully at the ruins of Raglad.
"Well...looks like we need a new meeting place..."

[Delta]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]
[i]Blood-chilling performance, lady Hunter. Well done.
[COLOR=Black]What the? What do you want?[/COLOR]
?We shall meet again, Queen of Hearts? Weren?t those your exact words?
[COLOR=Black]Huh, show yourself![/COLOR]
Dear Hunter, I came here to amuse myself? and probably pick up something, hmm, important?[/i]

A fresh wind blew from the East and swept the haze that now covered the ruins of Raglad. Pale moonlight broke through, illuminating the Hunters and their prey in wraithlike glow alike. Soft shades they cast but where the girl was clear shadows lengthened. Out of the ground a wisp of darkness rose and covered the girl in a binding black smoke.

Another gust of air passed and the smoke cleared. Naught now stood where it once was save for a card that floated down an unfelt breeze. A Hunter picked it up and read:

[COLOR=Black]
[CENTER][b]The Hanged Man[/b]
Bring me the thing I love the most
?Til then I will continue to elude you, Seven of Hearts[/CENTER][/COLOR]



[b]OOC:[/b] I may have went overboard with this little sidequest. Please PM me if I must change this post. The card Lisette gave is a clue to what Lisette wants Seven of Hearts (Rebecca) to do in exchange for the child. Easy as pie.
[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Redemption]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Ziarre looked at Night's retreating back. The expression of her face was that of hidden hurt. Rebecca had saved Night. Ziarre was about to use fire to create warm currents that would help him, but no, she had to go and save the day. She wanted to apologise to Night about not helping. She looked at Rath.
" I just proved I am weak...."
[I]Ziarre.......[/I]
They both walked out of the ruined warehouse and towards the tech centre.

All Ziarre could hear when she approached the tech centre was crashing and yelling. Rath growled, smelling demon.
" I know Rath...Zet's in trouble....." Without a second thought, Ziarre and Rath sprinted towards the centre.

OOC: ok bloody_moon, ur turn![/COLOR]

[Sword Breaker]

[COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Book Antiqua]OOC: Fine, if bloody moon refuses to post, guess i will.

Cold laughed as Silra ended the girls attack again, this time sending her flying into a massive pile of wooden crates.

"Demoness. Surley this is not all that you can muster. One so weak. It is revolting." Cold followed this with a laugh, sending chills throughout the air.

"Dont... call me that." Was all the girl said, as she pulled herself form the pile. She was completly unfased, pysicly and mentally. Her eyes were clam, and she once again activated her shadow rune.

"I have had enough of this cheap trick. Silra, leave here to me." Cold said, waving his rapier.

"Of course, master." Silra said, disapearing into the air.

And with that, Cold was engulfed in flames.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Flo]

[COLOR=Indigo]ooc: been grounded.

Zet sat in on the crates and watched Cold being engulfed in blue flames. Scanning the area she saw no sight of the spirt. When Zet stood up she looked down and saw that her legs were shaking. [I]This isn't the time. I can't worry about death. Ziarre wouldn't.[/I] Matialiing her spear Zet lunged at Cold using the little bit of ice magic she could summen and formed it at the tip of the spear. Cold was still encased in the fire though, Zet had a feeling that he knew what was going on. Casting off her shadow cloak Zet jumped and slashed downward at the demon. She heard her metal hit metal a nd knew that she had failed in stricking him.
" Demoness, I've grown tired of your silly trick and of this pointless battle. So now it is time to finsh it."
" I to am bored with this fight," she laughed," Never thought I'd say I was bored with fighting. Well lets finsh this." Zet said as she wiped the cold, wet, red liquid that was dripping from her shoulder. [I]I have to finsh this soon other wise my human blood is going to run out. I already feel my demon side growing.[/I]
" So a battle that will only end when one of us falls to ground dead." Cold said deeply.
" Yes. And I won't be the one to fall."
" HA! I dout that! Now prepare to die demoness!"
" Don't call me that! I wouldn't spend my last word shouting insults!"[/COLOR]

[Redemption]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Ziarre and Rath watched Zet battle the demon Cold. Rath growled.
" I know Rath. Zet is weakening, her human blood is rnning from her veins. But do we help her?"
[I]That's a stupid question to ask. Zet is one of your greatest friends. Are you going to leave her at the mercy of this powerful demon?[/I]
" And Ranpu isn't here. She's doing it alone. She doesn't need to...." Ziarre trailed off. She could also sense Zet's gorwing demon side. Like her, Ziarre was also half demon although she hated to admit it. The demon's cold flames heated Ziarre's fire, making it more fierced.
" you do realise that we'll be denting her pride if we go in now Rath," Ziarre said to her silvery-tan coated cougar partner.
[I] I know but Ranpu isn't here to help her.....she needs him. Why did she him away?[/I]
" You expect me to know."

With that, the two jumped down from a high steel joining mast and landed in front of Zet, who was standing very feebly. Ziarre's black trenchcoat fluttered out behind her as she stood up. Heat waves radiated from her.
" Ziarre....Rath....." she said, feeling weak.
" Rath, take Zet back to the mansion. Get Night to heal her and explain to her why I'm here," Ziarre said to her companion, her gaze firmly on the demon. Rath sidled around to Zet and made her hop on his back.
[I]Will you be okay Ziarre?[/I]
" I'll be fine. He hurt my Zet. He won't get away with it," Ziarre growled very cougar-like. Rath chuckled and bounded out of the tech centre.

Ziarre stared the demon down.
" You're going to have to deal with me now demon," Ziarre snarled.
" So, you are a demoness as well," Cold taunted.
" Yes, I am half demon, but I have dealt with my demon blood, and I hunt other demons because of my past."

With that, Ziarre launched herself at the demon, fire exploding forth from her brilliant green eyes.

OOC: I hope you don't mind Bloody Moon adn SwordBreaker. I just didn't know where to go from last post. IF you do, PM me and I'll change it. Oh and when Ziarre says my Zet, she means it in a sisterly way.[/COLOR]

[SilverCyclone]

Night stared at his limp coat where he had left the girl. His fists were clenched tightly as he struggled to calm down.
"Son of a bitch..."
"Master Night?"
The Hunter turned to the others.
"Return to Sierra Manor. We have to think of a way to deal with this."
[I]Malacha'ai...cards....we're all being split up....this war is getting far too difficult to make sure my hunters are safe...[/I]
--------------------
Night walked up the steps. He paused as he saw the man with a lit cigarette standing by the door.
"Damnit...What do you want Alan?"
The man glanced down at the hunters. His nose wrinkled as his eyes passed over Rebecca.
"I came to talk Von..."
"You'll call me Night or I'll make sure you never speak again!"
"Fine. Can we talk in private?"
As they walked in, Alan glared at Rebecca, who merely glared back. Entering Night's office, Alan sat down without a word. Night began to discard his bloody clothes.
"Well, Night. You and your...hunters....have been causing far too much collateral damage. My superiors and I feel that you should leave all further cases to us."
"In other words, they sent their lapdog to sick me."
"You put far too many lives on the line. And the mere fact that you place your trust in those...half breeds proves that your unfit to fight this war."
Night's fist connected square with Alan's face. The man slid across the floor. He glared back up, but Night grabbed his throat and threw him against the doors.
"NEVER SPEAK LIKE THAT ABOUT MY HUNTERS! THEY ARE MY FAMILY, AND PUT THEMSELVES IN DANGER FOR ALL HUMANS!"
"They are no better then the demons themselves! Have you seen the flames in the tech industry!"
Selino was walking by the office when Alan flew threw the door. Night advanced on him, cracking his knuckles. The man dashed out the door in fright. Night, now in a black bodysuit with his silver hair falling to his shoulders, cracked his neck.
"Selino! Has Ziarre or Zet contacted us?"
"No sir. I'll be sure to let you know when they do."
Night walked back into the office and slammed the remaining doors.

[demonchild781]

Rebecca sat in the room just outside of Night's office. She watched the man run, terrified, from the house. She gave a slight chuckle and shook her head at the man. (What a fool.) she said to herself.

(What of...) Alender began.

"The child." Rebecca whispered as she looked about the room at the other hunters. "I don't know what we're going to do my Alender." Rebecca stood quietly and placed her hand on a red streaked head. The tiger looked up to his companion with his ice blue eyes. Rebecca removed her hand and pulled her coat from her body, laying it carefully on the back of a chair. She whipped her blood stained hands on the rough fabric before looking back down to Alender.

"Stay here," she told the tiger.

She took deep, long strides towards the office doors. She knocked on the hard, deep wood and waited for a reply.

"What?" Night's annoyed voice barked from behind the doors.

"Sir Night, it is I, Rebecca. May I enter?" Rebecca lowered her head instinctively.

"Come in."

Rebecca opened the door slowly and closed it gently behind her. She turned around to take in Night's pleasant sight. His black body suit accented his perfect figure and his beautiful silver hair fell about his face. Rebecca lowered her head, unwrapping her wings and placing them behind her. This allowed her blood stained figure to be exposed, she was hoping that it may brighten his mood a bit to see the red, black blood of demons upon her.

"I do not mean to invade, Sir Night. But I have great concern for this child. I do not want to give my body up so easily to this 'Queen of Hearts'." Rebecca rose her head to watch Night sit forward in his desk. "But Sir Night, if it does come to this. You know I would give my life for whatever you wish of me."

[Sword Breaker]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkRed]OOC: Things are about to get real Cold. Real fast.

Cold's twsited smile faded away, slowly transforming into a fould snarl of anger.

"I have had enough of you foolish hunters! When will I have a challenge! Give me what I want! Give me Night!" Cold shrieked, letting out a beastly roar.

"Heh, it appears you underestimate me, fool. I will teach you never to jdge by appearance." The girl replied, laughing.

With that, she extended her hand, and fire lanced from her open palm. A massive torrent of fire, searing and terrifying, was now barelling down on Cold.

Cold waved his arm, and the flame enveloped him.

A smile creased the girl's tender lips, as she snickered in triumph.

"Told ya." Was all she said, pushing her hair out of her face.

"Pitiful." With that, a fissure of ice rocketed out from where he was standing. The girl, taken by surpirise, did not have time to react to the piuller of ice that erupted from beneath her.

It took her from beneath, sending her rocketing into the air. Once their, it smashed into her side, sending her flying into the wall, where she slid down into another pile of creates.

"What a shame. For a second there, I was shaking at the knees." Cold said, as he slipped his rapier back into his seath. Slowly, he turned and headed for the exit.

Suddenly, a searing heat enveloped Cold's arm, as a jet of flame thundered passed him. Luckily, he managed to avoid the full force of the blast, but his arm had been cought in the flames.

"Troublesom wench" Cold snarled, as he flexed his damaged limb. His sleeves were charred, but his skin had remained almost entirly intact. Thus was the side effect of having ice flow through your viens.

"Damned demon-slave, you cant possibly think such a weak attack would defeat me!" She laughed, pulling herself from the creates. "Now, if you dont mind, I would like to start this fight. Any day now."

Cold redrew his rapier, and waved it anxiously. His masters would arrive soon, might as well put on a good show for them.

OOC: Ok, just so you know, the Demon Emisarry will be arriving soon, so you can put that in your next post if you want too, or if you dont want to, I'll do it in a few.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Blayze]

Phoenix took up his familiar vantage point on top of the roof of a small building. Down below he saw a battle unfolding. There was a demon there, as well as two of his fellow Hunters, Zet and Ziarre. Zet was on the floor, and Ziarre was faring much better. She had hurt the demon with her powers of flame, but he was a strong one, he could feel it. He was standing facing Ziarre, with a rapier drawn. He looked dangerous. Phoenix was thinking about how he could help them when he heard something behind him. He listened to the familiar growling and deduced that it was a demon.
He turned and drew his crossbow in one fluid movement, aiming it at the newly emerged demon's face. It was a human-looking demon, dressed in a black cloak, with two swords on its back. The hood of the cloak was down and its face was showing. It was bald and extremely pale, wiht blue veins visible through its scalp. Its eyes were yellow and cold, and it had a very thin mouth.
"I don't know what you want, but you're not gonna get it," said Phoenix.
"Ah yes, I seem to remeber you were a feisty one, Phoenix," it replied.
"How do you know my name?" asked Phoenix.
"I know a lot about you Phoenix. Like the fact that your life has been a constant search for the demon who killed your family. And that you couldn't care less if you die while you fight evil."
"How do you know these things about me? In fact I don't even care how you know or who you are. All I care about is that you die!" He raised his crossbow and fired at the demon's head. The demon was not there any more as the bolts flew through the air. Phoenix felt something grab him from behind and run him through with long sharp claws. He fell to his knees, before falling forwards and hitting the ground. Blood poured from his wound, and he blacked out...

[SilverCyclone]

Night had been tossing books from his shelves, glancing at the titles, when Rebecca had come in. At her last sentence, Night had reflexively tightened his grip on a book. Though he loved all his Hunters, he enjoyed talking with Rebecca the most.
"It wont come down to that. We'll find another way. There is no way in hell I would tell any of you to do such a thing."
He leaned back in his chair, going over the recent events.
"So...the child has been kidnapped [B]again[/B], and in order to get her back, I have to hand you over to this Queen of Hearts. I still have had no contact from Zet or Ziarre, Phoenix dissapeared after the battle without a word, and on top of it all, Alan's breathing down my neck."
"If I may ask, who is Alan?"
Night clenched his fist. The hate was easily recognized in his voice.
"He's a lapdog for Black Ops, the branch responsible for covering up our "collateral damage" and keeping us a secret. They usually stay out of our way, since we have such a large task, but they're getting bolder of late. Oh, they also believe that half demons should be killed as well. The fools..."
Shirow sniffed at Rebecca's hand, licking at the blood. Night glanced at her carefully.
"What do you know about Malacha'ai?"
"Not much...they were an elite group of demons who led the first assault on the humans. Why?"
"We have one, named Boru. If he's here, that means that something is being planned. But, we have to deal with that Queen of Hearts before anything else. If we just knew where she was, we could fight her, but our spies have never even heard of her short of the police reports."
------------------
Boru watched the fight in the tech district. He flapped his wings lazily, his grip loose on the large halberd. Another demon, female, rose up next to him.
"Watching a little entertainment, Boru?"
"Yes...that Cold is quite a fighter. But I think he's overconfident."
"Is that the pyro, Ziarre? I can kill her from here."
"Patience. We need to wait for the emissary. He should be here in a few minutes. Weren't you sent to see to that Queen of Hearts?"
"Yes. She's a strange one. Obssessed with collecting hearts. What do we do about her?"
"Nothing. She's inflicting quite a bit of damage to the Hunters. She apparently has something against that half breed, Rebacce or whatever her name is."
"Hah! Look! One of the hunters has been stabbed! Ah, such sights are a rare piece of beauty!"
"A pity this cant go on..."
Boru flew down, slamming his halberd into the ground and separating the combatants. Cold snarled as Boru looked at him.
"What do you think your doing?"
"Stopping you from killing someone we need. The master would be dissapointed if you killed her here. I need your services elsewhere."
The demon turned to Ziarre.
"As for you Hunter. You have shown great skill in battle, but you are far tioo weak to be of a threat. Return to your Night, and tell him that I want to speak with him face to face. Midnight, at the ruins of Raglad."
A jet of flame shot towards him, but he knocked it aside. It took him two steps to grip Ziarre's throat.
"Dont tempt me half breed. I would kill you, but your blood is not necessary here."
He threw her aside, then turned to Phoenix's limp form. He slung him over his shoulder before leaping into the air.
"Midnight Hunter. Or else your friend here dies! Hahaha!"

((long, I know))

[Redemption]

"As for you Hunter. You have shown great skill in battle, but you are far tioo weak to be of a threat. Return to your Night, and tell him that I want to speak with him face to face. Midnight, at the ruins of Raglad."
A jet of flame shot towards him, but he knocked it aside. It took him two steps to grip Ziarre's throat.
"Dont tempt me half breed. I would kill you, but your blood is not necessary here."
He threw her aside, then turned to Phoenix's limp form. He slung him over his shoulder before leaping into the air.
"Midnight Hunter. Or else your friend here dies! Hahaha!"


[COLOR=DarkOrange]Ziarre watched in horror as Boru took off with Phoenix. She just stood there in shock, not knowing what to do. Boru had talked to her as if she was nothing, an insignificant pest that could be squashed at any moment.

At this moment, her anger took over. Alone and infuriated, Ziarre let loose all the power within her. A huge explosion blasted the warehouse apart. A fire tornado reached into the sky, causing the temperature of the whole city to increase dramatically.

Enough was enough!

The heat increased Ziarre's power as she walked from the flames, her trenchcoast flying out from behind her. Her eyes were fire red - signalling her demon self had taken over. She started walking towards Sierra Manor - to Night where she would deliver the message.
__________________________________________________

Ziarre approached the manor. She looked back at the huge plume of smoke she had caused. Fire was her passion and it gave her comfort when her other love did not. Walking up to manor, Rebecca strolled out.

" Where have you been? Master Night has been waiting for your return?" Rebecca scolded the pyro.
" Did Zet and Rath arrive?" Ziarre replied fierly.
" Yes. Master Night has seen to her and Selino is looking after her now. Rath is with Night now."
" Good. Now, get out of my way," Ziarre snarled as she shoved past Rebecca. Rebecca fell to the ground but hurriedly got back up and followed a wrathful Ziarre.

As soon as Ziarre come to Night's door, she could hear his voice.
" Where is Ziarre? If she stays out any longer, I will have to severely punish her."
This just fueled the fire. Ziarre slammed the door open.
" Night. I have a message for you," she said firmly. Night swished around to see Ziarre with Rebecca behind her.
" Hunter, where the hell have you been?" Night growled, furious.
" I've been doing what you should be doing! Hunting!" Ziarre spat back.
" Ziarre, I'm warning you," Night snarled again. Shirow had his hackles raised. Rath snarled at Shirow.
" Here is the message I have to give you Night! A Malacha'ai has Phoenix! And the demon wants to speak to you personally at the ruins of Raglad at mindnight. Happy now!?" Ziarre yelled at him. Night could see she was in a furious state. He calmed himself down. He knew she hated leaving a Hunter behind, even worse when they got captured by the enemy and it was her fault.
" Midnight at the ruins of Raglad...." Night mumbled.
" Shall we accompany you Master Night?" Rebecca asked.
" No. But you will however be backup....Ziarre...." Night looked up to see she was gone. Rath too.
" The girl is nothing but trouble...." Rebecca sneered.
Night stared at Rebecca. " Come...lets go to this meeting...."

OOC: I hope this is ok SilverCyclone

[/COLOR]

[Blayze]

Phoenix struggled back to consciousness, and tried to move his hand to rub the haze from his eyes. He found that he couldn't move his arm because it was shackled to the wall. He was slumped against a cold stone wall, with his top and weapons removed. He coughed to clear his throat, and whispered:
"Kathra? Kathra? Are you in here?"
He heard a small whimper from the corner, and saw that his beloved companion had been forced into a muzzle, and was chained to the wall in a fashion similar to him.
He looked down at his stomach, where he had been stabbed earlier. He had been bandaged up, but blood was still leaking from the wound, staining the bandage scarlet. He felt the blood rush out of him, and blacked out again...

[demonchild781]

OCC: my character is a tad stronger than amgoddess played her out to be. Also, my character only hates that which is evil. she does not look down upon other half-demons. she hates herself more than anything except those that cause pain and destruction for pleasure. I'll post later. thanks

[Sword Breaker]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkRed]OOC: Why is the last half of Silver's post in yours, amgoddess?

Cold laughed, a low, satisfied laugh. Boru. Legendary Boru. A Malacha'ai, one of the greatest demons still in exsistance. His laugh grew as his shield of ice melted away, the inferno no longer a threat. The entire district was a disaster of charred ruins and broken buildings.

"Silra! Track Boru, keep yourself hidden. Notify me if he does anything, I want to know when and where he will be. In the mean time, I will go to the place he called..." Cold pondered for a second. What was it's name...

"Regald." Silra said, appearing at his side.

"What?" Cold retorted, snarling.

"The place sir, it is called Regald. It is in the slums, I believe, a longtime outpost for the hunters." She said, bowing.

"Excellent. Go then, Silra, I will call for you. Gather as much information on the whareabouts and activity of Boru, I will see you soon." Cold said, nodding his head.

"Of course, master. I will see you soon." She said, disappearing in a puff of smoke.

OOC: Sorry so short, I didn't have much that I could do. [/COLOR] [/FONT]

[SilverCyclone]

Night gripped his blade tightly. He was still wearing his body suit, his sword hanging limply at his side. He glanced at Rebecca.
"Remember. No killing unless he provokes it."
They entered the ruins of Raglad. Night was faintly aware of something moving in the shadows, but he was quickly diverted to Phoenix's limp form.
"We're here demon. What do you want?"
"As I told the half breed, I wish to talk with you."
"Release Phoenix, then we'll talk."
Boru rose, and with a swift movement broke the chains with his hand. He picked Phoenix up by the wrists and slung Kathra over his shoulders.
"We meet halfway, no weapons."
Hesitant, Night handed his sword over to Rebecca. He walked to the center, coming within two feet of Boru. The demon handed the captives over slowly.
"Tell me Night. What happened between you and the half breed? This isnt the same one as before, though I must admit this one is rather easy on the eyes. Was the other one afraid of showing her face after I threw her around like a rag doll?"
"Shut up. If you just came to taunt me, then this exchange is over."
"Very well. The exchange is over. I look forward to the next time we meet, when we can have a proper chat."
"Likewise."
The two turned, Night heading back to Rebecca. Boru paused.
"I also hope you'll always bring such a beauty with you whenever we meet."
The demon leapt into the air, heading towards the docks. Night watched him dissapear before handing Kathra over to Rebecca.
"Lets go...We still have to find the girl."
The two left the ruins, unaware of the figure that flitted through the shadows as it followed them back.
[I]Ziarre...Zet...Phoenix...Rebecca...Cold...Queen....Night...Boru....so many targets....so many...which to choose...[/I]

[Blayze]

Phoenix was jerked back to consciousness by a syringe being inserted into his arm. He gasped, and rubbed his eyes. He looked around, and saw that he was no longer in the cell, but on a soft medical bed in Night's mansion. Selino was by his side, administering a quick-healing drug developed from the venom of a certain demon. It would close up Phoenix's wound in no time.
"Selino," Phoenix croaked, "How did I get here?"
"Master Night exchanged you with that Malacha'ai demon. It was tricky, but we got you back."
"Did any of you see the demon that did this to me?" he asked.
"No, but it's quite a wound. It'll take several hours to heal."
"I don't have that kind of time. I have to find that demon."
"I'm afraid that's out of the question, Hunter. If you take part in any stressful activities then the wound will reopen and we'll be back at square one."
"Okay, Selino, but make sure I get a computer in here. I managed to get a tracking device on the demon without him seeing, although it could be tricky. He was a teleporter."
"Very well, Hunter, but I urge you not to get too excited."
Selino completed administering the drug and left the room.
That demon knew who I was, thought Phoenix. I have to find him...
Already he could feel the drug taking effect. The wound would be closed soon.

[demonchild781]

Rebecca wandered the corridors of Night's mansion. Her large black wings wrapped around her collar, her sword tucked at her side in its shealth. Night was meeting with the other Hunters, at least that was what she thought he was doing. The demon they had met with at the remains of Raglad was powerful. Powerful and far too cocky for her liking. If she had been without Night, she might have had her way with him. And he wasn't going to like it.

Rebecca watched Selino walk briskly out of one of the rooms in the nurse wing. Selino turned to the half demon with a startled expression on his face. He caught his chest and sighed relief at her sight.

"Lady Rebecca, what a pleasant surprise." Selino said sweetly to her.

Rebecca lowered her head lightly at the man and replied, "how is he?"

"Phoenix is doing well, I am to fetch a computer for him." Selino answered.

"Let me, Selino." She nodded her head and turned around. She walked into one of the various rooms and found a dozen labtops. She grabbed a random one and headed back to the nursing hall. Selino had left the corridor and Rebecca knocked gently on the wooden door.

"Come in." Rebecca heard Phoenix's voice.

The half demon slid the door open and walked in. The human male sitting on the small white bed looked up at the half demon. There was a slight look of puzzlement across his face as Rebecca handed him the laptop.

"What did you need that for?" Rebecca asked as she leaned up against the wall next to the bed.

"I put a tracking devioce onto the demon that captured me." He answered quickly.

"Ah..." she replied.

[SilverCyclone]

Boru landed near the docks. He glanced around and saw a female demon flying towards him. She landed next to him lightly, her black hair falling around her face. The Malacha'ai stared at the wharehouse.
"Well?"
"The Queen of Hearts has stolen a child from the Hunters. She wants one of the half breeds in return for it. Cold dissapeared after you interfered, and that apparition of his has yet to be found, not to mention that Kara's getting impatient. Wonder why she hates the half breed that was with Night at the exchange."
"So many pawns getting in our way. What of the other half breed, the one that attacked me?"
"She went to the mansion, but after that I couldn't find her."
"I see...hmm...Cold has a vendetta against Night, and you seem to want to kill this...Queen of Hearts."
"For my own reasons, yes."
"Now, the Hunter we just handed back wishes to kill me..."
"How do you..."
A small imp crawled onto Boru's shoulders.
"I have my spies as well. Phoenix is tracking me now. I wont dissapoint him. I'll wait here, then kill him when he comes."
Boru walked into the warehouse. At the entrance, he turned back to the demoness.
"All these rivalrys will get in our way. Get the pyro to the church in North Telbar, then kill her. Thats where her blood must spill."
"And Cold?"
"We'll deal with him when he's taken care of Night. No Acolyte will show me up. Deal with the Queen in whatever way you see fit."
Licking her blade, the demoness bowed.
"Thank you, Lord Boru."

[Delta]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]
Atop a spire in the shadows Lisette sat with the girl on her lap. Though her little companion was most certainly her captive, she did not bind her for the girl willingly kept quiet as they waited for the Hunters.
?What is it love??
[COLOR=SlateGray]?Miss, are you after ?it? too??[/COLOR]
?Hmm? ?It?? I do not know of this ?it? that you?re talking about.?
[COLOR=SlateGray]?Then why did you??[/COLOR]

?Ah, child,? Lisette laughed. Never had she a companion as naïve as this one. The girl had been kidnapped before; surely she knew that she was being held for a ransom.
?Do you remember the lady with wings??
[COLOR=SlateGray]??Yes.?[/COLOR]
?Well... she has something I need.?
[COLOR=SlateGray]?What is it??[/COLOR]
?It?s a secret.?
[COLOR=SlateGray]?Is it something I have??[/COLOR]
"Oh, possibly.?
[COLOR=SlateGray]??Then have mine? just let me go home, Miss.?[/COLOR]

Of course, she couldn?t say what is it she wanted from the Hunter, not in front of this girl. The prospect of a heart as pure as the girl?s tempted her yet the Hunter?s heart she valued more. She looked at the girl and saw that she was playing with Poppy, her pet bird. The girl had a way with strangers; even Lisette felt her heart draw near to the girl?s. Ah, maybe, just maybe, in another circumstance she would take this child under her care. Yes, she would watch over her until she grows up. But her immediate business was with the Hunters; not with the child nor with anyone else.
Her musings she will have to set aside until all of this was over.

[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Blayze]

Phoenix scratched his wound, feeling it heal. That healing drug was extremely effective. He was almost well enough to hunt again. He was staring unflinchingly at the computer screen, watching the Malacha'ai demon who had kidnapped him move rapidly across the city. Currently he was in the docks, waiting for something. Soon Phoenix would be able to kill him. Soon he would be strong enough to fight.
There was a knock on the door, and Selino walked in.
"I'm here to check up on you," he said. Phoenix laid down on the bed, and Selino unwrapped his bandages. The wound was now completely gone, within a few hours ofhim receiving it.
"I think I can safely say you are completely healed, Phoenix. You can return to hunting any time you're ready.
This was excellent news. Now Phoenix could go out and find the Malacha'ai demon as soon as he was ready.

[demonchild781]

(Are you sure you want to do this?) Alender's sweet voice echoed through Rebecca's mind.

Rebecca turned around in mid run, throwing her wings open to swirl her around. Her hair streaked across her face as she watched her companion slid to a graceful stop. The massive white tiger brought his eyes up and took in her sight. Rebecca searched the animals beautiful eyes for a moment, trying to find what she was looking for. Rebecca brought her eyes slowly up, taking in the sight of the mansion, the balacony still in sight. The beautiful structure pierced the night sky and at times brought terror into the eyes of whom looked upon it. She had called Night's mansion home for serival years now, growing highly attached to the mansion's owner. He had taken her in when no other would. He loved and cared for her that she even was denied from her parents. She knew at that very moment what she had to do.

"I have no other choice Alender. Night has far too many things to worry about right now. Phoenix trying to commit suicide, Zet and Zairre and then the demon named Cold. No, I can't let him worry about the girl too. Its my problem, my responsibility. I could not protect her or save her, its my duty to set things right again. Even if I don't succeed in defeating this Queen of Hearts, the Queen would have what she wants and would return the girl to Night. Either way, the girl will return to his arms." Rebecca announced in a voice a little louder than a whisper.

Alender looked at her and knew there was nothing he could do to stop her. Her mind was made up and she was going to accomplish this task, even if it meant her life. He nodded slightly towards her.

Rebecca nodded back and gave another quick glance towards the mansion. "Please forgive me if I shall fail this night."

Once out of the forest, Rebecca took to flight, sending Alender amongst the streets. The sweet warm breeze filled Rebecca's lungs, telling her that this night was ending soon. She placed her hand on her hilt, feeling the smooth rounded end. She ran her fingers over the leather on it before grasping it tightly in an almost rage.

"Where are you Queen of Hearts?" Rebecca whispered allowed.