Chapter 1
The Dark Traveler
Mist covered the ocean floor and the darkness of the night devoured the sky. In the eastern lands, a small town with a huge horizontal sign on both ends, entrance and exits displayed a name called The Rust.
It was a small town with no more then 500 people populating the place. Considering its size, the number of officers stationed in this area was limited. Only holding not more then thirty over officers part of the Universal Republic, a huge global organization that works to stop crime, uphold justice, destroy demons and prevent demonic events from happening.
The town was small and stacked in semi-detached styles. Little alleyways were created to prevent lack of hiding spots for criminals. However, for the past twenty five years, there has been a group of thugs that caused trouble. Stealing, and hoarding civilians by teasing, scary them, damaging and vandalizing properties.
As small as the town may seem, it has been very difficult trying to capture this thugs as they were have not just evaded but also capable of defeating the officers on patrol.
At a small time bar, noise could be heard. It was loud, full of screaming, cheering and glasses breaking could easily be heard. Inside was a well lit up place. The scent of liquor and the ocean's scent mixed well in this breezy town. The Red Hot Bar is built just beside the town port near the ocean.
A huge crowd of thugs had assembled in their favorite night spot to celebrate their success and growth through the years. Only three people stood out from the thugs with Mohawk hairstyles, tight leather pants and black jackets. One of them had long white hair that covered his right eyes, dressed in a black sleeveless shirt and grey jeans. He had a long staff strapped o his back, likely to be his weapon. He was known as the long range striker and dangerous in close combat. He was the captain and also known as Crow, his common used name and founder of his gang of thugs known as the Guyvers. He stood by the bar counter just opposite the Bartender who was in his forties with a rigid black beard neatly shaved across his chin. He had a smile on his face as he watches the crowd, but mainly since they were paying for his drinks and keeping him in business.
The other man beside Crow was dressed also in a black sleeveless t-shirt, short black hair. He wore long black pants, boots and half-finger gloves. He was not equipped, suggesting that he used his own bare hands as his weapons of choice. He was mostly addressed as Shawn, the third in rank in the Guyver gang. The last one was a young woman. Her hair was blond in color and shoulder length. She wore long black tight leather pants, a black top and full covered leather gloves. By her waists was a long used katana. Not the best looking sword but just well enough for her. She is also the vice leader of the Guyver Gang, and the second strongest. She is commonly known as Carla. The Guyver gang was filled with people of different age groups ranging from sixteen years to thirty years of age. Most of the gang members came ether from prison, or from poor backgrounds. Wanting a life of freedom, they resorted to the life of crime against the rich and wealthy. They saw themselves as robin hood and his merry men. Though they vandalize, rob and steal, they were known as bad people, until slowly, people realize the meaning behind their actions and also who the Guyver Gangs actually target. For they only target the rich and arrogant, or conmen themselves.
Shawn grabbed a large glass of beer and drank it down in a single gulp. He slammed the glass down o the counter and asked for another.
"Man that was awesome." Shawn laughed.
The bartender Calvin simply smirked and poured another glass of beer.
Crow, who was most of the time clam and moody gave of a small smile as the large group of gangsters drank and ate their hearts out. "Here you go, Shawn, drink till you drop." Calvin laughed and placed his beer on the counter. Shawn was about to grab his drink when Carla snatched it and drank it in one gulp before Shawn could even react.
"HEY!" Shawn screamed. "My beer!?"
"Come on, you already had your fill." Carla snapped back.
"Yeah, when you can actually order your own, woman."
"Be a gentleman and order me some drinks, boy."
Shawn three a punch, but Carla dodged it quickly and easily. They soon started a brawl and everyone were cheering on who's going to win. Crow decided to leave them be and walked toward the door. He opened it and stepped out to smell the refreshing ocean breeze brush pass his face. It was way past midnight and everyone in town was sleeping the night away. Weak mist clouded the town, making it look haunted. Crow walked down the steps and sat down, breathing in, and relaxing. Just then, he heard the sounds of galloping horses. He looked at his left and saw a figure at the exit of the town. It seemed to Crow that that person came straight from the beach. Was it traveler, Crow wonder. Upon closer look, he saw a figure wrapped in black hood and cloak. Walking beside a large dreary looking caravan. But was more surprising is the fact that the caravan had no horse pulling it. That caught Crow' attention. Remaining seated, he watched in amazement as the dark figure, who also seemed strange had his face hidden in darkness of the hood. It was as if the traveler had no face. He walked quietly with the caravan, emitting the sound of horse galloping, but no horse. Just then, a white light glowed in the left hand of the traveler, which Crow finally noticed were sharp armored gloves that the traveler wore. The small white light was concentrated, and thus Crow was not able to see what exactly was glowing. The traveler looked at the tiny item in his left hand, and stared at the Red Hot Bar.
Crow's hands slowly reached for his staff behind him. He felt threatened by the traveler's presence. Not for even one second did Crow felt comfortable at all with this unknown passer-by.
He silently kept watch as the traveler stare silently at the Red Hot Bar. No one gave any movement until the shining object in his hand stopped glowing that the passerby started to turn full attention to the Red Hot Bar and started walking towards it. The traveler simply walked up the stairs, ignoring Crow. But just as it reached the door, a long staff shot up across the travelers face up front. Crow had made his first move, giving the passer-by a murderous glare.
"What is your business here?" Crow demanded to know. He kept his cool and remained well composed despite the dark traveler emitting a very powerful aura. Crow felt it, and felt slightly awkward about it. All his life he fought against so many enemies, never have he felt their power just like that.
The traveler didn't seem to care. But all it did was with one finger, it struck the staff upwards. Crow ended up giving an opening, and the dark one with one hand struck the Guyver leader right off the ground with a slight shake rumbling across the ground. Crow flew, but quickly slammed the end of the steel staff on the ground and spanned back, regaining momentum and offence at the same time. With only the right hand, the dark one blocked his high jump kick with its steel armored hands. Crow landed, did a sweep with his feet. The traveler jumped, avoided the attack and landed. But Crow continued his spin sweep followed by his staff. The weapon successfully struck the traveler's feet hidden beneath the dark cloak, and Crow heard a steel crashing sound, guessing that it is possible that that the traveler's feet was also armored worn. The traveler was struck off it's feet, went through a flip and grabbed the steel staff tightly, keeping Crow from launching another attack. The traveler landed, jerked the steel staff back, but Crow pulled it back out of its hands and recovered his weapon.
Crow noticed the enemy has been fighting with only his right hand. As the dark traveler look at Crow, it started to lift it's left hand, with the object on it's palm, hidden in its tight grasp, it moved its hand into it's face, like putting a hand in a dark hole.
The hand cam out and the object was gone. Then, two red glowing eyes shot as bright as red ruby lasers. Crow's eye's widen in shock. "A demon!" he whispered.
The glowing eyes of the demon traveler was extremely intense. Staring at it's red glowing eyes for long could hurt his own eyes.
"Who are you, and why are you here?" Crow demanded to know.
The demon tilted his head in curiosity. It could see that his opponent appeared shock seeing it.
Crow didn't hear an answer, and his calm composed self for the first time started to shake. The sight of demons are rare, and Crow knew full well that demons are extremely powerful beings of the underworld. He never knew much about demon combat because of his extreme lack of experience fighting demons. This was his first time encountering a full fledge one hundred percent demon.
Just then, the door opened, and some gang members were laughing and talking on their way out when they looked at the back of the dark traveler. "Men, hold back!" Crow ordered loudly.
The members all quickly draw their weapons ranging from knifes, daggers and sabers.
"Who it this guy boss? He wants trouble with us?" one of them laughed.
The being turned and revealed the demonic eyes and tattered hood and robe. Everyone was shocked and backed away, recognizing it as a pure demon. "A DEMON!" some of them screamed.
"Keep your guard up!" Crow ordered and charge towards the dark demon. The dark one jumped back and above the Guyver leader and landed right in the open.
Shawn and Carla rushed out. "A demon?" Carla said.
Crow swung his below and struck the sand on the ground, and brushing it up against the demon, in hoped to blind him. But the demon simply jumped back. Crow charged, and before anyone realizes it, Shawn and Carla were already all over the demon.
The demon placed its palms together and it's robes all started to moved like the wind. It darkened and started waving around like mist in black. Shawn jumped kicked, and Crow struck straight with his staff, but the demon jumped high and back again, remaining defensive. But Carla, equipped her katana and slashed down the demon, but unsuccessful in her attack as the demon amazingly side dodge in mid air.
It landed taking a quick glance at all the members, all the humans. It was like he was looking for someone. It kept wondering who it was.
Crow came up first. This time, the demon put his right hand inside the void of his face and drew out a wooden shape katana. It was superbly crafted and well made, making it look indestructible for a wooden material. The demon stood still as Crow charge forward. He started stabbing his weapon at the demon continuously, jabbing like murderous knifes. But the demon simply dodged them all like paper waving through it all. As Crow stopped, he swung down, and the demon side stepped so fast that not even one realize that it happened until it was too late. The demon performed a single strike and slammed the weapon against Crow's chest, sending him flying. Carla started to grow fearful. If that was a real sword Crow would have died instantly on the spot.
Shawn charged forward, and Carla, who was a swordsman knew the outcome of the battle just by analyzing this fight. "Shawn back away!" Carla yelled.
But Shawn ignored Carla's words and threw a series of punches and kicks. All which the demon simply avoided as if it could simply read his movements before he launched it. It took a quick step back and at lightning fast speed, shot back with it's steel armored first. Punching Shawn right in his stomach. Shawn staggered back, enduring the pain as blood tickled out of his mouth.
Carla knew he demon's fighting style was beyond it's current. It could simply have used it's armor gloves with sharp razor claws to stab Shawn but it didn't. Instead, it punched him, as if toying with his opponents before killing them.
Carla realize the demon stance was of a samurai, and it definitely is unique and unlike any she has read or encountered, Carla must admit. She decided to fight, and perhaps grow strong from this battle.
The demon looked at her and she drew her sword, swinging random slashes with considerable speed and agility. But the demon, simply dodged them all and without Carla knowing, the demon struck an opening she revealed at lightning speed with his wooden katana right down against her left shoulder, giving an immediate but not a bad bruising.
The Guyver members were all shocked. Three of the best leading fighters defeated so easily by one demon. So the rumors were true. Demons were far more superior compared humans.
The men decided to fight in numbers and they all ganged the one demon together, in hoped to defeat it quickly.
One minute later, the bartender, who was shaking and at the same time cleaning his glass, was staring at the demon sitting down on his seat in front of him.
The demon looked at the bartender, judging him, and felt he wasn't the one. "Tell me," the demon finally spoke in a rough and rusted echo voice. "who here do you believe is the most unique fighter?"
The bartender said no word but remained frightened. The demon shake his head. He walked out of the bar and watched everyone of the Guyver gang lying down on the ground, weakly battered.
He walked up to each member, observing their body and looks. None which seen to catch his attention. As he walked near the entrance, he realize the three main humans were gone. Suddenly without warning, Carla shot from above and down toward the demon with a slash downwards above it's head, but the demon anticipated it and side stepped. Carla missed, landed and swung her katana toward the demon, but he caught it with his index and thumb fingers quickly and easily. "Too slow." he said. Crow jumped out from behind and the demon jabbed his wooden katana right at the center of the staff, making it completely losing the striking momentum, causing Crow to stagger in mid-air. Carla slipped the katana back but the demon was to fast and in one single strike, his wooden katana swung in a crescent arc, striking both of them before they could even react. Both the humans fell, and the demon expected the third one to come from the side, which he did. The plan was to attack one after the other while each person hold him in position. But the demon successfully struck both of his attackers before the third could even finish the final part of the plan. As the third jumped out from the bar top, he threw a high kick, but the demon easily dodged it and grabbed Shawn's feet and slammed him on the ground.
Crow coughed out blood as he tried to stand but fell to his knees. The previous blow was no joke, and he knew the enemy demon has not even given its all yet. Carla's shoulder started to feel numb from the attack she received the first time.
"I never thought a demon would be so tough." Carla commented while clutching her wounded shoulder.
Crow said nothing. He was completely weakened with just two blows.
Shawn hopped back up with a back flip and charged towards the demon. He threw a punch, but the demon dodged and smacked him in the face. Shawn staggered back but pushed on, throwing his kicks and punches fiercely and continuously. But the demon easily escaped them until he side stepped, but fail to realize Shawn anticipated that movement and gave a side kick. The demon quickly defended itself properly for the first time and blocked the kick, but it was stronger then he expected, thus send him two feet back after his defense. The demon immediately looked up at Shawn, who was now tired from his attacks. "He must have exerted himself to strike me with that kick." the demon thought. "Since his lousy reflexes and untrained body is not conditioned for such a feat, exertion is the only way to perform it." "But nevertheless, he knew what was coming and made me defend myself. Could he be the one?"
The demon stopped moving and looked at Shawn, who now wondered what the heck the demon was up too.
However the demon held its wooden katana lightly and moved it into the faceless void. It was true. The demon had no face but only eyes that shined red ruby light. It unarmed itself and burst into black smoke along with the caravan. The demon was no more.
Shawn breath lightly and fell on his back, tired and weakened. "Man who and what was that guy?"
Carla weakly walked towards Shawn. "No idea. But it looks as though he found what he wanted."
Crow knew what Carla said was right. Observing the demon from outside iew it looks as though it was testing the fighting capabilities of their kind, as he if was searching for a suitable candidate for something. Was it true, this assumption he had, he does not know. But hopes greatly that he is wrong.
The following day, The Guyver Gang were all resting in a huge abandoned warehouse that once originally house import goods from across the region, but is now where they normally gather for meetings and plan their movements for survival.
Everyone were resting well from their total defeat last night while Crow weakly read the daily newspaper. He was flipping through the pages when he came across a very interesting article. He looked up at Carla and Shawn and his men. People, we have a job tonight. It seems that tonight, a large truck from the far end of this region will be making a pass tonight."
"Hey I don't know if I'm in the mood man. I've never felt so defeated in my life." Shawn grumbled.
"Aren't you worried that demon would show up?" Carla asked.
"That's what I'm betting on. I intend to steal whatever good stuff is hidden inside that truck load and also, hope that the demon would appear."
"Are you nuts?" Shawn yelled. "We were totally trashed last night!"
Crow knew, but he wanted to be sure of something. He looked at Shawn as Carla teased him and messed his hair.
Later that afternoon, Carla and Shawn went out shopping for medical supplies. Inside the store, displayed an array of medical products and they both quickly shopped for what they needed "I'm have a feeling we might get our butts kicked." Shawn grumbled.
"Crow has his pride hanging on the line. If people found out how easily the Guyver Gang were defeated by just one demon we'll become the laughing stock of this town." Carla explained.
Shawn scratched his head in irritation. "Just what the heck was that demon's problem?"
I don't know myself, but what I do know is that it could have easily killed us if he wielded a real sword."
Carla agreed and wondered why the demon didn't use more lethal weapons against them. "I wonder if he is one of them." Carla spoke aloud.
"One of them? Shawn repeated as he picked some bandages from the shelf.
"Yeah. You know, the legend of the Seven Silver Knights."
Shawn paused for a moment and looked at Carla. "I only heard of rumors, but I don't think they exists." Shawn sarcastically said. "Anyway, let's drop the subject. All I feel I should do now, is follow Crow, rob that goody truck and enjoy life with beer."
Back at the warehouse, hundreds of unused crates were stacked neatly against all windows. Preventing anyone from looking in. It was done all this well, and despite being a large group of thugs, they actually kept the warehouse clean for their use. A pool table rests at the near wall while a large wooden table was placed in the middle of small warehouse where they performed strategic planning for their attacks.
Crow was alone by himself. The rest of his men were ordered to rest till their meet up at seven pm. He walked up tiredly to the pool table, thinking of playing a round on himself when mist started to fill the floor of the warehouse. Crow looked around, wondering what was going on.
Just then, he felt a presence unlike any other. But at the very same time, it was a presence he felt quite familiar with. He looked around, his feet clouded by tick mist and then, he heard a thump. He turned around, looked up and atop the unused crates, stood the demon he faced last night.
He took a step back, ran toward the main table and grabbed his staff, pointed it at the demon, ready for a fight.
The demon, floating in the air above the crates tilted his head in disbelief. "A human should know when to drop their ego and admit defeat." the demon phrased.
"That's the difference between your kind and mine." Crow argued back calmly.
The demon giggled in a maniacal manner. He then paused and looked at the eyes of the human with his own red glowing eyes. "I am not here to fight you, I am here to talk."
"You expect me to believe that?"
The demon quietly landed on the crates and then jumped down with a flip and landed on the ground without a sound. Mists puffed aside upon the demon's silent impact, giving Crow a hint that this demon is physical from feet bottom.
However, Crow did not hesitate. He immediate strike the demon by charging forward at a fast speed, to thrust his staff in the face of the enemy, but the demon was faster and it simply jumped back at the same speed Crow did to move forward, thus unable for the staff to reach him, and also, to slap the staff up with his right armored hand and at the same time slammed his the palm of his left hand against the human's chest. Crow skied back, trying not to fall. The staff flew high and landed in the hands of the demon, and Crow, didn't manage to fall. He was about to react when the demon started spinning his staff around like a helicopter's chopper. With defining speed, skill and acute handling of the staff, the demon proofed his own efficiency of Crow's very own weapon. Being able to display incredible skill that surpass Crow's own skill of the staff.
Crow halted his attack and for once in his life, let his pride go and admitted that the demon was superior then he was.
The demon realized the self-defeat of the human and he stopped his display of skill and slammed the tip of the staff onto the floor, gusting the mist all over the floor of the warehouse away from the ground, disappearing in an instant.
"I believe I've save some time rather then mindless fighting." the demon intellectually spoke.
"What do you want?" Crow asked, not letting his guard down in front of a demon.
The demon tossed the staff back to Crow, and took three steps forward toward the human being. "The man who fights with his fist? What is his name?"
Crow wasn't comfortable with this sudden kind of question. What did this demon want with Shawn?
"What does he mean to you?" Crow asked.
"I do not know." the demon replied honestly. "However, he may mean more to me then to this world depending on him."
Crow was impressed by the honesty of this demon. It had a proper formal disciplined ego, little pride, but it had confidence in the way it speaks. All his life, he heard hundreds of stories how demons can be ruthless, cold and barbaric. Yet this demon display humble and formal intelligence in his actions, though there are points where the demon still acted like a demon as it should be.
"You cannot expect me to trust you, considering who you are."
The demon paused before speaking and then said "However trust or no trust you are going to give me what I want."
"That would be?"
The demon remained silent, staring against the eyes of Crow. "I want that boy, the one who fights with his fist."
"For what purpose?"
The demon raised his hand and clenched it into a fist. "For my vision and mission to restore balance into this world."
"What?"
Both the demon and human said nothing. Crow had many things going through his head. Demons, humans, vision, balance. How were they all linked?
"Don't try to pull a fast one. The world has been imbalanced for almost five hundred years after the history and destruction of the Antique Organization." Crow reminded aloud. "Why would you, a demon restore the world to it's original balance state? It is impossible to achieve ever since the birth of the demon king."
"Naïve." the demon said suddenly.
"What did you say?" Crow sternly replied back.
"You humans are naïve." the demon said. "It is because of such narrow minded perspective you humans never saw the truth. Pinning the blame only to what may seem evil to you, and casting aside all possibilities of another party out there disrupting the balance of the world of demons and humans."
"YOU KNOW NOTHING THE HARDSHIP OF THE PEOPLE WENT THROUGH!" a voice screamed.
The demon and Crow turned to the entrance, there stood Carla and Shawn.
"We went through hardship and lived our lives in slavery to this world, only now to stand up and fight for the freedom we so choose to have." Shawn debated. "You, a demon, an enemy of humans have no right to say we are naïve!"
The demon remained silent, listening attentively to Shawn's words.
Shawn's angered expression gave hint to the demon the insane rage he held inside. However, the demon has no plans to hold his words back.
"I have traveled far and wild, tasted the blood of both humans and demons alike. Enter mindless wars and watch before my eyes the love ones of both humans and demons die for the cause of higher power that simply stands far behind, watching their men die and homes destroyed. I have seen more then you ever did in your life time. Don't share your insight like you know the world as it is."
Shawn started to get truly ticked off by the demon's words.
"I never had a family, and I don't even know my last name. To live life in poverty, without the freedom to choose, I have suffered as much---
"..and who's fault is that!?" The demon snapped.
Shawn was stunned for a moment and stared against the demon's red eyes. "Are you saying all that has happened to me is my fault?"
Carla held Shawn's shoulders, knowing the kind of life he led. Shawn was angry, Crow knew he was going to burst.
"Typical humans." the demon said. "Why it chose you I don't know. Like any human, you too are that of a typical coward. Who blames the world for all that has happen. The poor and the failures chose only to blame, while those who are successful to the top that the poor and failures will deem the worst."
"You know nothing about my life." Shawn said, holding his anger back.
"You know nothing about this world."
Crow didn't know what to say. Hard to digest as it is, the demon made valid points and he himself, and most humans would probably never accept responsibility for their current life situation. Crow could see where this is going, and truly started thinking about the well-being of his comrade Shawn for the second time, who was like a son to him.
"If that is the case, then why are you looking for someone like me?"
Crow then knew Shawn came back earlier and overheard the early conversation.
"Don't get me wrong, human. I never chose you in the first place." the demon clarified. "However, someone else did, and it is my job to see to it."
"WHO!" Shawn demanded loudly.
"Who it may be is none of your concern."
"Demon." Crow called out after a long time of silence. "Tell me, exactly…what are you trying to accomplish being here…finding my comrade."
The demon turned, looked at Crow, and then turned to Shawn and replied right into Shawn's eyes, as the answer was only meant for him to know. "My goal is to gather a team of selective members to move forward and change this world and restore order and balance between the human world and demon world."
Shawn heard it, and because the demon said it right to his face it felt as though the burden of this goal was suddenly thrown onto his shoulders. Shawn felt light headed and got to one knee, feeling his head. Carla tried to help, but there was nothing she can do.
"You,,,,change the world?" Shawn whispered aloud. "Don't joke with me."
Crow sat down on a bench and started thinking hard.
"I'm sure you humans know of the history of 500 years ago?" the demon asked.
"Yes." Crow said. "A demon hunting organization known as the Antique existed during that period, training people to become strong enough to fight against a powerful demon known as the Fallen One. His revival cause the near end of the world, and because of the sacrifice of one man, who lost his partner to the Fallen One, chose the path of darkness to defeat an angel who converted to demonology. His sacrifice saved the world, but what price he paid, that was never revealed."
"Yes, correct." the demon said.
"It's a old folks tale, mainly shared to the children to inspire them to do good and follow the footsteps of good men." Carla added. "But I read somewhere that the Fallen Angel was defeated and sealed in a kingdom by that one lone hunter in an island."
"Seven special keys was used to seal the demon king, otherwise known as the Pandora's Keys." Crow continued. "Once used, it vanish into thin air, believed to be destroyed, or otherwise hidden, never to be found again."
They all looked at the demon in unison and shock in their eyes.
The demon finally got them to realize.
"You mean to tell me the power of the seal is…
"The seal is diminishing." the demon said. "Though I don't know when, but many will know of this truth, and many will seek the keys."
"Demons you mean." Crow assumed.
"Humans as well." the demon added strictly. "Who desire the keys which by possession has power over the Underworld is used correctly after sealing the Fallen One again."
Crow thought about what the demon said. "I have heard hundreds of stories since young, how people have tried to change this world and create balance and harmony to all." Crow recalled. "It is however, an impossible mission."
Everyone looked at Crow.
"Hundreds have lost their lives for such ideals. To maintain balance is to go above the three forms of justice that governs this world, and to permanently destroy the sealed Fallen One. It require influence greater then the most influential organizations in the world and power unlike any other. Demon, you are totally out of your mind. You are no greater the a fool blinded by an idealistic and unrealistic goal."
The demon never said a word but looked only at Shawn. Memories flooded his head as he turned to look at Crow. "I don't recall asking for your opinion if this is a possible feat or not." the demon suddenly replied.
"What?"
"I simply told you what you asked. I never gave you any permission to limit my capabilities. Human, that is the difference between your kind and mine, I quote you."
"For me, it doesn't matter what you say or what others would think. Even if I have to go against the world…I will, and I can assure one thing to you, human."
Crow raised an eyebrow.
"I will restore the original balance of this world between the human world and underworld."
Crow was stumped. The demon spoke with confidence without hesitation or doubt in his own words. Those were big words, not something to be taken lightly.
Crow, Carla, and Shawn, for the first time were able to hear the words all humans have always wanted to hear from a brave soul.
To change the world means a lot. Lesser wars, more harmony, better understanding, lesser poverty, and true and absolute justice.
"The world is in war against demons from the realm of the bottom. If the underworld is released, a larger war will commence, blood will cover the ocean and humans will truly vanish. Once that happens, without good, evil cannot exist and balance will corrupt this world, decaying this planet into nothing more but waste and trash."
"You can never hope to fight the world, along with the underworld." Crow said. "You are a demon yourself, why choose to balance rather then destroy?"
"You are one to talk when you have never done a thing or lift a finger to know if it is possible or not."
"It's logical. Think about --
"Logic is nothing more then observation and assumption. True wisdom brings forth our inner power through experience of the world that will lead us to a greater truth."
Crow didn't now what to say. Carla was too stumped but Shawn on the other hand, stood up, his hands wrapped into a fist.
"Why…why help maintain balance when you demons…"
The demon walked up to Shawn and looked him in the eye. "I have lost too much to the point I have nothing more to lose except myself. Through my endless journey, I came to a conclusion…that for things to change, I must first change. That is when results will come."
That line struck Shawn like a cupid arrow. It was lines of true wisdom. Lines he has never heard of from anyone in his life. These lines made Shawn see that this demon has gone through a lot to know such things.
"Shawn, your name, yes?"
"Yes." Shawn said.
"I am Cavern, others call me the dark wanderer. I see fire in your eyes, and I can tell you want to make a change. Decide, and I shall come forth tonight and I await a positive answer."
The demon stepped back and dispersed into mist. The warehouse grew tired and Carla and Crow looked at Shawn.
"Shawn?" Carla called softly. "Are you…going to accept that demon's insane and impossible request?"
Shawn stared blankly at the floor. "I…don't know."
Crow looked tirelessly at Shawn. 'I don't know' was a phrase commonly known that any individual is torn between a yes and a no.