Onryo's Hellspawn Guardian
Onryo and Hell-Spawn
He awoke on the ground, aching all over. The bright sunlight stung his eyes, but he forced himself upwards and moved to rub the fatigue from his eyes.
Wait.
He had scratched the bridge of his nose. His nails were not this sharp last he recalled. Pulling his hand back, he saw it was gloved and his nails were now claws. In fact, his face was covered in something, and his whole body felt like it was in a skintight outfit. His feet moved clunky, as if armor or chains were on them.
Spying a puddle, he glanced in...and leapt back.
He then composed himself. Losing your cool never amounts to anything but trouble. He took a better look.
"I look like the lovechild of an edge-lord and a thorn-bush...in a superhero costume." He mused. "What in the name of...?"
"Aw geez! It's always something, isn't it?"
He turned to see a shorter man in a nice suit with horns atop his head and a blue beard.
"You Hell-spawn always got something to complain about:" The speaker groaned. "If its not the missing memories, or the time spent bringing you here and how the world's changed, or about you how lost your human face, it's how whoever you wanted to see one more time has moved on and is happy without you...Honestly, you'd think you'd be okay with that last one even if it hurts some, seeing as you're supposed to have loved them and all."
He did not like this newcomer. But something told him he'd be stuck with him for a while at least. Might as well get some kind of identity...
"Who are you?"
"Guess you could say I'm guardian Devil." The fellow grinned. "Just call me Oni for now."
Oni then chuckled.
"I bet old Violator's rolling in non-existence now. Sure, I'm short like he was, but at least I'm, pardon the pun, devilishly handsome! Perks of being the runt who never amounted to anything, I suppose!"
"Wait...Hell-Spawn?"
Oni stopped his musing.
"Yeah. You shounen, you mind if I call that? Never mind still going to. Anyways! You, my dear boy, are a ranking officer in Hell's army. At least...that's what you would've been if the big Up and big down weren't under new management."
And that's when he remembered in full.
ES
'Hell really ain't a bad place to be.'
He didn't recall exactly how he got here, which he had been expecting. All he did in this life? Mugging, fighting, destroying that shrine, stealing and cursing? The only thing he hadn't been expecting was to be this young; he had been hoping to make it until 30 at least, at the most after his mother died.
His form ached all over, and he could feel cuts all over his body, which seemed close to falling apart. He had to squint t make out his surroundings.
Then again...maybe this wasn't hell.
There was no fire, no brimstone and no big red guy with horns. And he hadn't seen a big ogre stamping sheets to send him somewhere...
'Is this...?' He began, only to be interrupted.
"Not quite. Do you wish to see her again?"
The presence behind him was a tall being in a high collar cape, obstructed by shadows save for two yellow eyes. Every part of his body told him to tread carefully around this being; was practically radiated in an otherworldly power yet also carried a sense of experience and wisdom.
"I'll ask once more. Do you wish to see her again?"
Her.
The one person who, aside from his mother and sister, was worth something in the damn world. The one who he'd been on the way to changing his life around for; from a punk to an honest, hardworking shmoe.
Her smile made any moment one of the best. Her spunky attitude and curious nature reminded him of his lost innocence.
She was out of anyone's league, in every way and manner conceivable, and in spite of everything, she fell for him: A nobody whose only cares were his mother and sister.
"For her? Anything."
The presence in front of him, content with this answer, explained his duty.
"There is a child on earth. Born of mortal and supernatural worlds. They are to accomplish great things through an attribute sorely needed, but often ignored. But without proper guidance, they may also destroy the world, after I worked so hard to make it better. You will find and protect this child. Guide them. Enable them to accomplish what they will. And in return, before their story comes to an end, you will see her again. Do you still take my offer?"
In life, he would not have entertained such a request; he'd had to teach himself everything and turned out not too bad, so he saw no point in giving someone a helping hand.
But this was his best chance to live again. See her again. Maybe even make sure mom and sis were okay as well.
"Just point me in the direction."
The presence smiled, and he found himself being pulled backwards.
ES
"You remember now?" Oni asked. Not waiting for a response, he cleared his throat and announced: "Well then, welcome to Blairwood! Population, a bunch of humans, a secret society living in the school and underground...and a certain kid that you're going to look after. Try not to screw it up!"
"What'll you be doing?" the Hell-Spawn asked.
"I'm just here to make sure you do the job right and don't get distracted." Oni beamed. "Now, if in you'll excuse me? I gotta go and find THE NEAREST BATHROOM! I'VE BEEN HOLDING IT IN FOR CENTURIES!"
Apparently, there were no toilets in Hell. When they say 'damnation without relief', they mean it.
Oni then vanished in a blur, but not before a piece of paper dropped into the Hell-Spawn's hand; a house number.
ES
The Hell-Spawn found the adress no problem; a real fixer upper. The onlu working appliance seemed to be a TV...which was nothing but static.
"...Well." He mused. "This is starting off..."
The static then flickered. Then it changed to reveal the form of a girl with long hair that covered her face in a long white dress walking forward to the screen.
Then her hands came out of the screen.
Instantly, the Hell-Spawn knew what was going on.
"An Onryo? Oh heck no!" He shouted. "I've seen the Ring and Grudge movies! I know where this is going! Nobody said anything about...!"
Wait a second.
The Onryo was...tiny. No bigger than a 10 year old, at most. Not only that, she was adorable, smiling and waving at him.
"Um...hi." Was all the Hell-Spawn could say as he waved back. "You...you live here?"
The Onryo shook her head, revealing a black and white eye. She then pointed downwards and out the door, to the house across the street.
Wait.
Her eye...
Just like...
"...Yori?" The Hell-Spawn asked.
The TV started acting up again, and the two turned to see another woman crawling out, the little Onryo happily rushing over to her.
Once out in the world, aid woman's form tensed and even though her eyes were covered by her hair, he could tell they were filled with rage
"How do you know that name, Hell-Spawn?"
To be continued...
Read and Review, would ye kindly?
Major thanks to bestpony666/ TheLethalSpreg for introducing me to this wonderful mini-comic about the cutest little ghoul, Erma herself, as well as helping come up with the idea for this story. I welcome suggestions for how things will play out later on, but (minor spoilers) already have plans for how to deal with a certain grandpapa.
In any case, hope this got your attention and interest. Have a great day, keep warm and safe.