Chapter 12: Fight
Danny paused as he watched Daemon streak by him, a black blur, straight toward Takune, who whirled around to face him. Takune caught Daemon by the throat and lifted him up.
"Daemon, I see my minions didn't even leave a scar." Takune said. As he spoke, a red gash appeared and moved as he spoke so Danny guessed it was his mouth. Now it split wide in a terrible smile all the while, Daemon was writhing in his grasp.
"Enough!" Annia's voice barely was heard over the sound of the bell that sliced through the bell. It was Sachiel, but it didn't affect Danny this time. But it was only powerful enough to get Takune to release both Daemon and a loud scream. Annia and Danny were knocked over by the blast. As they stood they saw Daemon leap upward, sword in hand, and impale Takune through the throat. Takune gurgled but swatted Daemon aside. With a sickening slurping noise, the demon pulled the sword from his throat and impaled it through Daemon's exposed back. Daemon's wings flared out and he writhed violently but couldn't budge. The sword pinned him to the floor and he couldn't reach far back enough to pull it free.
Meanwhile, Takune turned and smiled at Annia while a black liquid dripped from where Danny thought he was wounded. But in the semi-smoky body of the demon, Danny couldn't be totally sure.
"Annia, I've been thinking about you for the past three hundred years." Takune murmured. His voice was thickly coated by lust and a desire Danny didn't want to see.
"Three hundred years?" Danny questioned. Takune paused and his 'body' quivered. It began to solidify and Danny glared at the demon. The torso and upper body was the bare flesh of a man but below the navel were the legs and tail of a dragon. The reddish-brown scales gleamed malevolently as Takune swished it back and forth. But the demon smiled and again his formed changed, this time into normal legs, which were covered by simple linen pants. Takune was barefoot and Danny heard the distinct slap of skin against floor; this was no ghost.
"Annia hasn't been honest? For shame!" Takune cried sarcastically. He then greeted Annia by grabbing her throat and squeezing.
"She's about three hundred twenty-five years old by now, isn't that right precious?" Takune asked of the kicking Annia. Her face was turning red and her hands were clawing at Takune's arm. Her feet were kicking wildly. Danny felt the rage build up and the tingle of his transformation. He was going ghost.
"Leave her alone!" He yelled and barreled straight for Takune's chest. Surprised, Takune dropped Annia who turned on her side and began coughing. But as Danny ran at Takune he melted through his skin. He felt the heated chill that made up Takune's body. Danny tried to take over but felt a resisting force that shoved him over. Danny fell back out and onto the floor. Takune whirled around and snarled at him.
"A half-ling?" He hissed. Danny quickly stood but his eyes flicked to the left to Daemon. The Guardian lay still on the floor.
"Do not touch him!" Annia screamed. Danny watched the silver blade dig into Takune's shoulder. The demon turned, giving Danny time to run to Daemon and try to wrench the sword out. Unfortunately, it didn't budge.
"Daemon, come one, we need you!" Danny hissed. He turned and saw Annia's blade disappear and another one show up in her hands. It was more magic. A grunting took back Danny's attention and he watched as Daemon was bent over but on his knees. He began pushing on the floor to stand while his body moved up the blade and toward the hilt. Danny was caught in morbid fascination as he heard Daemon's bones crack. Daemon had reached the hilt and know grabbed the blade with his hands. Danny saw blood trickle down the blade. Suddenly, Daemon pushed and lifted himself off the sword. The hilt had gone through the wound. Without pausing, Daemon's skin began to regenerate and the Guardian wrenched the sword from the cement floor.
"Daemon!" Annia suddenly screamed. Both turned and found that Annia had been back into a corner and had no weapon. Again, Daemon charged at Takune and shoved the blade through his chest. Takune turned and knocked Daemon out of the way. Daemon went flying and hit the far wall. Takune pulled out the sword and concentrated on Danny.
"You next Ghost Boy." He muttered. Danny barely had time to phase out as Takune rushed at him faster than he could blink. He felt Takune put his arm through with the sword but Danny lost it and phased back.
With Takune's arm through his chest.
Danny's eyes widened and his mouth gaped as Takune's red gash turned into a smile. The demon slowly pulled out his arm and in doing so, took the sword through Danny's body. After the tip had passed through, Takune held his blood soaked arm downward while watching Danny. Blood poured down his arm and to the floor where it pooled. Danny saw none of this as his vision went dark and he began to fall.