Hi Everyone, I'm pretty happy to the see the reception that the first chapter got. I hope you all enjoy this one as well.
Bria held her younger brother close to her chest as a hulking Demon stood near them. Dressed in heavy armor with its head exposed and holding a curved sword in his hand as he glared down at the two of them. Not far from them, their village burned, their friends and neighbors being killed and captured. Bria couldn't do anything but hold her brother close to her as the Demon Soldier took another step closer.
"Close your eyes Damian, it'll be over quick." Bria whispered as The Demon Soldier raised his blade. Bria closed her eyes and embraced her brother as she heard the sword swing towards them.
Only for a loud clang to echo out.
Bria opened her eyes to see the blade had been stopped by another. The Demon Soldier struggled before he was pushed back by the other blade. The Demon Soldier took several steps back as a figured put themself between them.
She could see he was fully armored, the armor itself reminded her of knights from old bedtime stories. A blade was held in one hand, a shield in the other, his stance ready for a fight. Bria was in awe, this knight had appeared without a sound and saved both her life and her brother's. A small part of her mind hoped that this knight had been a summon, a gift given by the Gods in times of strife.
One for her.
Then the knight turned to her. The helmet obscured their face, but she swore she saw a pair of bright sapphires beneath the visor. "Get out of here, now!" The knight spoke, his tone strong and commanding. Bria only took a second to consider what he said before she stood up, keeping a firm grip on her brother. "Thank you." She let out as she turned and ran towards the forest.
She could hear metal clashing as she ran. The loud snarling of the Demon Soldier only made her run faster. As she made it to the treeline she took a small glance back. Relief filled her for a moment as the knight stood over the Demon Soldier, only for it to drop as others began to join in the fight.
She sent a silent prayer too the knight as she ran through the forest.
Jaune huffed as he jumped back, dodging an overhead strike from one of the Demons as it brought down a warhammer. He capitalized on the miss by slashing through the wooden shaft and bashing his shield into the Demon's face. The Demon stumbled back, dropping the shaft to clutch its face in pain.
Two more ran past it, both armed with curved swords like the first one. As both Demons slashed at him he moved quick, using Cocrea Mors to divert the blade coming from the right into the blade approaching from the left. Steel clashed against steel as Jaune drove his shield down and snapped the blades in half. The Demons looked on in shock before Jaune drove the pommel of Cocrea Mors across their faces. Blood leaked as one crashed into the other and both crumbled to the ground.
Jaune barely had a moment to rest as arrows flew past him. A small row of Demons with bows in their hands and arrows drawn glared down at him. Jaune brought his shield up as arrows flew towards him. The projectiles barely chipping at his aura.
As Jaune heard the Demons restring their bows he rushed forwards. The next volley barely stopped him as the arrows bounced off his aura. Some of the Demons dropped their bows, drawing short swords and axes to defend themselves. Others strung their next arrows as Jaune closed the distance. Jaune channeled his aura into Cocrea Mors and slashed, cleaving through the metal armor and weapons of those Demons in front of him.
Arrows flew before several of the Demons retreated. Many of their faces etched in shock as their clutched destroyed weapons and bleeding wounds. Behind them, many of the villagers who had been cowering began to watch, eyes wide at the scene in front of them.
As the Demons began to step further back, Jaune followed them. Step was met with step before a loud whistling was heard. The Demons grit their teeth and glared at him before they broke into a sprint. As Jaune watched them flee he saw another figure step forward.
It was another one of these Demons, yet it stood much taller. This one was fully armored, sharp metal running from top too bottom with thin fabric overtop the torso and crotch area. Its helm was angled upwards, with six holes allowing it to see. In its hands was a long Halberd, the whole weapone forged with metal and painted with dried blood.
"One lone Knight, giving my men such trouble, how aggravating." The Demon stated as it pointed its halberd at him with one hand. "Tell me your name, so that I may know who to curse upon your death." The Demon demanded. Jaune just huffed before aiming Cocrea Mors at his new opponent. "Not one to talk, lets hope you die quickly then." The Demon said as it charged. Jaune quickly brought up his shield to deflect the thrust of the Demon's Halberd. His feet dug into the ground as the Demon used both hands to push the Halberd deeper.
Quickly the Demon changed its strategy, shifting its left hand lower on the pole and swinging the other end into Jaune's abdomen. The weighted end was like a mace, clashing against Jaune's aura, yet Jaune did not falter. The Demon seemed shocked at the lack of damage, giving Jaune an opening.
Cocrea Mors was tilted downwards, locking the other end by the blade and guard as Jaune let his aura flow and cracked his shield against the Demon's right hand. A sickening crack echoed out as the Demon's grip slackened. Jaune quickly channeled his aura into Cocrea Mors and struck the Demon in the neck with the sword's pommel. The Helm and gorget warped as the aura pushed the blow deeper into its body.
The Demon let out a rasped breath as it fell to its knees. The Halberd forgotten as both hands desperately clawed at the warped piece of armor. Jaune stood tall as the rasping breathes slowed, then ceased as the Demon fell to the ground. Jaune looked down at the Demon, then glanced over at the other Demons who had been watching the fight.
He could hear their whispers, the fear that now permeated their voices. "He killed Hannibel." Was the one he concentrated on the most. He made one last glance at the downed Demon, before looking back at the fearful mob of invaders. "Is anyone else going to fight?" he asked in a stern voice. The Demons seemed to flinch before looking between themselves. "If no one else will fight, leave... Leave these people alone so that they can live their lives in peace." Jaune threatened as he held Cocrea Mors, ready for what fight may come next.
The Demons stepped back, then fled. Leaving behind the people they had chained and even the bodies of the dead. Jaune just watched as they fled down the road. Then he turned to the villagers, looking over their terrified gazes.
"Are you guys... Alright?" he asked carefully as one of the villagers approached him. No one spoke as the Demons disappeared off the horizon. Slowly Jaune looked around, taking in the sights of destruction around him. 'Not even an hour in, and this is what I find.' Jaune pondered before turning his shield back into a sheath and leaving both on his belt.
He could hear the villagers sound of awe at such a demonstration.
"I will ask, too those still alive, are you safe?" Jaune asked. The villagers looked between themselves before a middle ages man stepped forward. "I can't say... We don't know how many are dead." The man replied. "Then I must apologize for not arriving sooner." Jaune said. "Why?" The man asked. "Had I arrived sooner, less would have died." Jaune replied bluntly. The man paused as other villagers began to gather around him.
Jaune let them meander, quickly accept that they had lived while those they knew had died, then he spoke.
"A young girl and her brother fled into the woods that way. I only know about this because I came from there." Jaune said while pointing in the direction he had come from. "Wait, what are you here for?" One of the other villagers asked. Jaune paused, remembering his deal made with the unnamed divine being. "I am here to fight Demons and help those in need." he replied. One of the other villagers stepped forward; "Will you help us... bury our dead?" She asked. "Yes, and I'll spend the day helping rebuild, but after that I'll have to get moving." Jaune stated.
"What?!" "Only a day?!" "What if the Demons come back?!" Echoed through the crowd. Jaune let them get it out, then he put his hands up. "If I stay too long those Demons will have time to regroup. I am still just one man and my intimidation will only take me so far." he explained. The Villagers paused as Jaune put his hands on his Helmet and removed it.
He could hear their gasps and shock at he looked them over with his bare eyes. "Now lets stop dawdling, there is a lot of work to be done." Jaune said as he approached the villagers. They looked at one another for a second before getting to work.