Blood Moon

3. Rogue

The smell of rot drifted downwards into the village, filling every home with grief. The howls rang true in the mountains, directed at the bright white light in the sky that would soon turn blood red. Luna sat by Rigel, a grim expression in her face. Something was bothering her.

"The demon," Luna whispered softly. "He knew me." She knew that protecting this village was putting her at risk but there was something about the village that she just couldn't leave. "It wouldn't be long before they swarm down here, Rigel. We must be prepared. Let's be more careful when we do the hunt."

The hunt happens a few weeks before the blood moon. Luna and Rigel scouts the mountain, searching for rogue demons that lurk the dark forest. The dangerous trait that rogue demons posses that sets them apart from those who belong to a group is there insane bloodlust. They are proven to be more dangerous during the blood moon. They have no sanity when they go through hunger and could spend days hacking on one home's barrier until it breaks. As they are rogue, they build homes in the dark forest, living in caves. To their luck, demons are at their weakest when it's not the blood moon. They are still capable of killing a human despite being weak, as all other demons do elsewhere, but not here. Luna gets rid of them months before the blood moon, and those who climbs into the mountain goes in groups of armed men and women.

"It's possible that word got around the smarter demons about my existence." She stood up and pulled out a black silk from her chest. It was the most expensive possession she has, given by the Chief himself as a gift. She laid it upon the table and started to cut it with her dagger. The blade cut through it easily and soon she had a sizeable silk on her hands. She placed it upon her face and tied it behind her neck. Once it was secured, her face was covered from below the eyes down to her chin. "This should be enough. Don't you think?" Rigel only huffed.

When the sun was just rising from behind the mountain, Luna was already on her way to the village. Rigel's large paws thumped upon the ground as he ran down, sending dry leaves up into the air. The stench of blood has gotten stronger now but the smell of soil still fought. They still had some time. When she reached the bottom of the mountain, she saw a tall figure standing near an oak tree. His copper hair was catching the first light of the sun, every strand glowing on an almost gold color. He was familiar. "Legosi?" She called out. The man turned and she was met by an intense blue eyes. His jaw tightened before he spoke. "I can't do it again."

Luna was perplexed. "What?"

"The barrier, I can't do it again. I tried so many times but not even the wind comes out." He disheveled his hair in frustration. "Why can't I do it?"

Luna got off Rigel and approached him. "Show me your hands." Legosi complied and spread his large hands toward her. Luna grasped it, pushing his sleeves back. She turned his wrists, front and back, searching for something. Confusion was evident in her face. "Where's your mark?" She asked. Legosi tilted his head, his brows slightly raised, then asked.  "What mark?" Luna cursed.

"The mark! The one that witches places on her apprentices to awaken their power, where is it?" Legosi only widened his eyes in pure ignorance. "I don't have one, Vaga never gave me one." Luna took a step backwards in shock. "Then how?" Legosi dipped his head. "How what?"

She pulled his arm and walked. "Come with me." She dragged him to where Vaga's house was, ignoring the shocked looks of the villagers they passed by. When they got there she turned to Legosi. "Where does she conjure her potions?" She asked.

"Upstairs." Legosi led the way up, not once paying mind with the dangerous creak of the stairs with every step he took. Luna made Rigel stay downstairs as she followed. When they reach the top, Luna saw lines of shelves containing old books and vials. In the middle of the room was a circle.



"She was about to..." Luna whispered to herself. "Legosi, help me find the book of rituals." She said to him.

The went over to the bookshelves, pulling out books one after the other. Finally, Legosi pulled out a large dusty book and handed it over to Luna. She opened it, flipping page after page with no ceremony. She stopped when the words marking ceremony appeared and sank down to the floor to read. As it was still dark, Legosi lit up the lamp and sat beside her.

"This ritual is to be performed at apprentices to awaken their powers once the witch decides that the apprentice is now capable enough to conjure spells." She read out loud. "Then how?" She looked at him with curious eyes. "You haven't been marked and I made a mistake of forcing you to cast that spell withy asking, how were you able to cast that barrier without a mark?"

"I don't know. All six months all she taught me was how to strengthen my mind and body to endure the after effects of casting a spell. I barely know anything about herbs and how to communicate with nature.  Much less about marks and how they worked." Legosi replied.

"I think that's why you can't do it again. Sit in the middle of the circle and read this words out loud. Let's see if an apprentice can mark himself. After all, you were able to conjure up that barrier."

Legosi sat himself in the middle of the circle and calmed himself. It was easier to gather strength from the outside when your mind is at ease. Spells that are casted purely out of your own strength and emotion takes its toll on the body. He breathed in deep and started to read the words out loud.

The circle began to glow, illuminating the room with a bright yellow light. Heat started to pulse in the tips of his fingers and as he was nearing the end of the verse, it slowly became almost unbearable. When he uttered the last words, the color turned into a deep red and sent gushing air everywhere, shaking the bookshelves and propelling Luna into the nearby wall. Legosi sat there with wide eyes, his fingertips scalding. When he looked at his hands, no mark was there. "There's nothing on my hands."

"What? Do it again. This time read the words properly." And he did many times, but the outcome was the same. Legosi was nearing his limit but no mark appeared on his hands. "Where did we go wrong?" Luna was pacing, her voice grim. She looked at the book and at Legosi.

"I spoke the words properly and slowly." Legosi defended himself. Then Luna noticed something. "Stand up."

Legosi left the circle, confused. Luna looked at the book and at the circle Vaga had made. There was three lines missing on the book.



"This ritual is not the one she intended to use." She picked up the book from the from the floor and started to flip through the pages again. "What are you looking for?" Legosi asked.

"What did she make you do when she was training you?" She asked as she continued to search. "First she taught me how to use herbs and blend with nature. But that didn't last long, she made me hone the strength of my mind and body the rest of the days. Now tell me, what are you looking for?" He was starting to get agitated when Luna stopped at a page. She ran one long slender finger up the page and tapped on the circle in it.  At the bottom of the page was the word Warlock.

"She didn't make you focus on nature because you're not a witch, Legosi. You are a warlock." Legosi stared at her, still confused.

"Warlocks, unlike witches, posses powers that works well in battle. They are able to accumulate physical and mental power and materialize it into spells. That's what you did when you casted your barrier. That was the power you stored within you in your lifetime. You let it all out in one go. The mark was supposed to awaken your hidden power but since you had gathered so many, you were able to cast a spell without it. A mark also regulates how much power you release but since you had none, it all came out. You need that mark, Legosi." She continued to read and something caught her eye. "It says here that this ritual can only be done once. If you fail, you'll never get your mark back. Can you do this?"

Luna said.

"I can." A determined look was plastered on his face and Luna knew there was no stopping him.  "Get back to the circle."

Legosi sat himself once again on the circle, still dazed from the revelation. With a deep breath, he started to read. Unlike before, the heat wasn't just at his fingertips. Burning sensations ran down his body, pulsing in every vein. The circle lit up in a dark blue color, burning the slices of wood where the lines were placed. His skin was burning and was swirling from within the circle. He felt a piercing pain on his wrist and he saw how a brand started to form in his skin. Smoke rose up as he tried to finish the words but the spell wouldn't reach its peak. Legosi was running out of strength. "I can't finish it!" He bellowed out, his veins becoming evident as they glowed a bright blue.

"Say the last words, Legosi! Now!"

"I can't!" Luna curled her fingers into a fist in frustration.

"Then promise me, never speak a word of this!" Luna then sank to her knees just in front of him and placed her hand on the circle. Legosi witnessed how her eyes turned black as black smoke seeped from her fingertips and into the glowing line. Power surged within Legosi as the light fought with the dark power trying to enter the circle. He opened his mouth and uttered the last line and the blue light became intense, exploding outward into the room and pushing the black smoke to all the corners of the room.

The ground shook from beneath them, toppling over the vials in the shelves and sending them crashing on the wooden floor. A series of shrieks was heard outside as the rumbling on the ground continued. Then all noise seized. Legosi sat there, drenched in sweat and panting. The pain on his hand was immense but his eyes remained on the dark eyes girl in front of him. They both had a shocked look in their faces. Legosi spoke first. "How did you do that?" They said in unison. Silence came after that.

"I will not tell you anything. What you've seen moments ago will remain between the two of us, do you understand?" Luna said sternly. She was breathing hard as her eyes turned back into an amber color. "Yes." Legosi replied breathlessly. Tiny black spots started to appear in his sight and he slumped face first on the floor unconscious.

Looks of surprise followed them as Luna walked alongside Rigel who had an unconscious Legosi laying on his back. His skin was drenched in sweat and he was breathing deep and slow, his face peaceful but tired. It occured to Luna that the majority of those glaring at her were women of her age. Their eyes were glaring daggers from every direction as she urged her wolf forward. She came to a stop in front of an old farmers hoise and tipped her head slightly in greeting. The old man smiled a toothy smile and approached her. "Is there anything you need, lass?"

"I want to ask for directions. Despite knowing this place inside out, I don't know where this man lives.

"That's because he doesn't take visitors. He lives five doors from the Chief's house. You might not see it as it is hidden with thick vegetation." The man said, gesturing ahead.

"Thank you." Luna replied and hurried along.

Sure enough, his house was hidden by large trees and shrubs that crept up to his doorstep. The whole house was in good condition as the w**d ended just by the door, as if it was intended to be that way. She pushed the door open and the place was surprisingly clean. It was also empty. It seems that he was the only one living here. She assumed that he still had family but according to the looks of it, he was alone.

Luna placed him on his bed unceremoniously and started to leave when she felt a tug on her robe. She looked back and saw Rigel biting gently down on the cloth. When he saw that he got her attention, he leaned over to Legosi and licked his sweat off his face. He made soft whimpers, nudging at his shirt which was drenched in sweat. "You want me to pamper him?" She said incredulously.

His tiny whimpers turned to huffs and Luna looked back at Legosi. He was indeed in a bit of a bad shape, his mark was reddish in color and so was his fingertips. He must've burned it during the rituals. She let out a defeated sigh and removed her robe, placing it carefully on the side. She searched around the house for some

linens and salve. As she was rummaging through his house, she saw a number of blades tucked into small places. Behind the shelves, behind the door, and even under his bed. She then pulled out a shirt from his chest which also had a dagger tucked in between the clothes.

After placing some  cold water in a bowl, she settled herself beside him. She started wiping of the sweat on his face and neck as he laid there like a log. The cold cloth did nothing to wake him up. Even when she pulled his shirt over his head he remained asleep. When it was finally removed, Luna gasped.

A large gnarly scar ran down from his chest down to the left side of his hip. The wound must've been deep as is shown by pinkish welt. Claw marks also covered his waist and chest. Luna stared at his scars with curiosity. It explained the numerous weapons he had placed around his house. He was afraid of something

Yet, here he was waking up before her, practicing his barrier spells, risking his life to save others. He had every trait that a good warrior will possess and Vaga has seen that. He was no witch. He was a warlock. He was made for battle, both from his traits and past experiences.

Luna finished cleaning him up, bandaged his burns, and changed his shirt. When she was done, she gave him one last look before she went out. She looked around to see if there was anybody around and when she certain, she looked back at the house. Her eyes turned into a dark color once more and wind swirled around the place. Then all noises seized. "That would keep him protected. For now."

A warlock arrives after decades of witches. Odd.

On her way home, Luna was met by the Chief. He had a grief stricken expression on his face as he approached her. "Luna, can you join me for a moment. There's something I need to discuss with you." Luna nodded her head and walked with him to his house.

He sighed lightly and spoke. "How long would it take for him to cast barriers to the rest of the village?"

"He needs more time. He had only gotten his mark as Vaga wasn't able to. He has potential, Chief. This year might be better than the last." But the Chief shook his head firmly, his brows creasing and his jaw tightening. "No, Luna. This Blood Moon just might be the worst. Come with me." He walked ahead and paused for a moment. "Be prepared, this will be quite devastating, even for you."

He led her back to his house where people have flocked in his doorstep. As she walked closer, the stench of blood and death entered her nose. Also of rot. From behind the wall of people, Ataska's cry could be heard. "What happened here?" She asked. The Chief did not answer.

"Step aside." With those words, the people parted, making way for Luna and the Chief. Once the path was cleared, Luna was frozen by the sight. There by the doorstep sat Ataska, cradling the mutilated body of her child. The little girls grey eyes started up at the ceiling, full of fear. Her chest was caved in and her innards was gone. Ataska's wail went straight to Luna's frozen heart, pricking it. "My child, my child!" She screamed.

"Rogue demons are descending, Luna. They have gotten brazen."

Luna sank on one knee and held Ataska on her shoulder. She looked up and in deranged desperation, clasped her hand and placed it upon the dead child's face. "Help her, Luna, help her. You can, I know you can." Her frail body was overcome by sobs and Luna saw a tear drop from the Chief's face. "Oh God, please help her!"

She shook the child in her arms, desperately gathering what remained of her insides and pulling it close to her body, as if it would revive her. But the body has gone cold and the child's eyes was glazed over.

"Faramus! Help your daughter, oh God, I can't..." she cried pitifully. As she was about to console her, Luna picked up a scent in the wind.

"It's still here." The Chief looked at her, rage now burning in his eyes. "Where?" He asked, pulling his blade from its sheath. Luna stood up, removing the bow from her back and placed an arrow on the string.

"Around here."

The smell was strong, filled with bloodlust. The scent led her to the back of the house where their livestock was placed. There were only goats and chickens clucking around but the scent was thick. It was near. Luna drew her arrow, looking at each of them in the eyes. Then she heard it, the low purring sound. She loosened her hold on the arrow and went straight through one goats leg and out the other side, piercing its flesh. But instead of a loud shriek, what they heard was a roar. It was a shape-shifting demon. It jumped out of the fence, slowly morphing into a beast. The hooves turned into claws and the horn became large. Its fur fell on the ground, replaced by scale and slimy skin. Screams erupted around the place, women and children were forced back into the house. Luna ran after it, her legs pumping fast. She secured another arrow on the string and shot the demon on its other leg. Still, it kept moving. Having eaten young flesh, it has become more resilient. The Chief was closed behind, his blade raised up on the air, ready to stab. As they got closer, Luna noticed that the demon was focused on one house. It was Mr. Jefferson's house.

One child remained sitting on the porch, his innocent eyes looking at the demon in pure curiosity. The demon let out one animalistic growl before it charged forward with more speed. Luna knew that there was a barrier and it won't be too long before the demon hits it and become dazed for a moment. Enough time for her to shoot its head. As the demon neared, she readied another arrow, ready to kill.

The demon leaped, his claws brought forward and aimed at the child. But as he hit the barrier, he did not bounce back. The barrier held the demon for a moment before launching him a few feet away. It did not move again. When Luna came close, he saw that its chest was burned and its face was melted, an eyeball dangling on the side of his head. Even as she watched, its flesh melted of its bones, sending a putrid smell upwards.

The barrier did that?