Blood Moon

4. Dark Origins

As Luna continued to stare, she could see the burned edges of the its skin. She took a step forward to get a closer look but before she could examine it, a long blade pierced the melting head, followed by loud cracking hits from the Chief as he continued his onslaught on what remained of the demon. Tears were brimming in his eyes as dark blood splattered on his face. He was so far gone. Luna calmly sat beside him, placing warm hand on his arm. "It's done. It's dead."

His blows came slower and weaker until he sat there, his body shaking with sobs. "My daughter..." He hissed between gnashing teeth as he placed his fist on his chest. Luna could not console him. This was a normal occurrence now, children dying in the hands of a rogue demon. But this one was somehow different. Apart from being too early for attack, the killing was done in broad daylight, the time demons hate most. This demon withstood heat and stood there in the back of their house for hours. Sunlight may not kill them, but heat makes them weak. This one was smart enough to calculate the risks and attacked someone who could not overpower it even in its weakest state.

Thoughts piled up in her mind as she gazed upon the scene before her. Both revolving around the demon and the the barrier.

People started to gather around them, pulling the Chief from the mess.  As they dragged his miserable form away, Luna approached the barrier. She spread her palm and slowly placed it there. Not a moment later, she felt a sting. She pulled her hand back and saw her palm blistering. Her brows furrowed in confusion. It was the first time she had seen a barrier like this. The barriers Vaga had made served as walls of protection around the home but this one had offensive traits.

"Is it because he's a warlock?" Warlocks were able to cast any other spells like witches do but they struggle with healing and protection spells. But Legosi has somehow twisted the spell and turned into something of his own.

"We need to find out how this happened." Luna gestured to Rigel and slung herself upon his broad back. "Bring me back to Vaga's house, Rigel."

Legosi woke up refreshed but tingly. When he opened his eyes, it was already dark. He stumbled around his home until he was able to light his lamp and placed it on his table. When he looked down, he saw that his shirt had been changed and his fingers were wrapped in cloth.

"Maybe she's not as cruel as people make her out to be." He whispered to himself.

Then an image came to his mind. He remembered those dark eyes and red irises staring deep into him as black smoke seeped out of her fingertips. A shiver ran down his spine. He knew the existence of witches and warlocks, humans that were blessed with a gift to gain power from nature. These were people who can use prayers to cast spells. It depended on them which God they will pray to, evil and good.

But Luna, he doesn't know which kind she is. Witches and warlocks does not have such eyes. The evil in her presence during that time was palpable, almost compelling him to run. Was she a demon? That possibility enraged him. But he had never seen a demon who can do what she did, and she showed no predatory traits nor did she tried to eat any of the townsfolk. All this time they were baffled with how she was able to live on her own deep in the forest, hunting by herself so close to demon territory. Now he knew.

She had made him promise not to tell anyone but even if she hadn't, Legosi was not planning to. How could he tell the village about it when even he himself had no clue what she was? The people would not believe him. Legosi is an outsider and moved in after his family's death but the village people watched her grow here. No matter how much prejudice they held against her, they would not even consider that possibility, nor would they dare to drive her out of the village. She appeared on the village as a babe, or so he was told. Chief Faramus was the one who took her in, but at the age of ten, a cottage was made for her in the woods. She had always been an odd girl. In trying times, the village people would see her coming down from the mountain, a large doe swung over her frail body as she made her way to Chief Faramus' house. It wasn't long before the village people made use of her skills and brought her along to hunts.

But their favors didn't stop there. Luna began to scout the mountains, bringing down dead demons for them to observe. She became the herald for the Blood Moon. For years they had lived in fear, unprepared for the s*******r, their numbers dwindling in large numbers every year. Not just because of demons, but of hunger as well. She helped all of them survive those times. Even if he proved she was different, it will be suicidal to try and make her leave.

He had many questions that needed answering. All these years of trying to find answers but still he's just as clueless as he was before. He sat himself down on his wooden chair and gazed up the ceiling, wallowing in the silence. Thoughts flooded in his mind as he stared at his bandaged fingertips.

"I'm a warlock." He whispered to himself. He was surprised at first, but not anymore, all it gave him now was satisfaction. "All those years bottling up my rage and thirst for revenge, all those were what drove my power to this direction."

As he sat there, a prickling feeling came. He was sensing something. It was dark and ominous aura in his house. It was familiar. Was it Luna? Was it a demon? Either way he felt agreeable.

From underneath the table, he pulled out a dagger. "When will they come for me?" He twirled the dagger, watching it gleam in the yellow light. He looked over to where the door was and made sure it was unlocked. He was not afraid of demons barging in, it was something he had been waiting to happen.

"Just one demon," He had told himself long ago. "Just one would be enough to satisfy me."

But now as he sat there, fervently praying for one more demon to come his way, he knew he wouldn't stop at one. Not after Vaga. Not after having nightmares and seeing his body tearing her apart as he watched in the background powerless, being fully controlled by a demon.

"Never again." He whispered as he clenched the dagger.

Luna searched the shelves in the darkness, still seeinv clearly. She had gone through many books about spells but only three had any information concerning Legosi. One of those books had the King's crest in it. Vaga had come from the mainland, serving the king for many years before choosing to leave. They had advanced knowlddge about demon hunting spells but they keep it to themselves and those who are proven to share these knowledge with the outside world are executed. Luna caressed the book, wondering how Vaga was able to take the book with her. "Legosi will be needing this." She whispered to herself.

The moon was already at its highest peak when Luna made her way home, holding three books by her chest as Rigel ran up the mountain. Her face was set in confusion, her lips pursed in focus. In her mond she recounted all that she learned at Vaga's house.

The effects of spells can vary based on the witch's intent. It meant that Legosi's defense was offense. His intent was to kill demons to protect.

"Imagine barriers like that throughout the village, Rigel." Luna told his companion as she stroked his fur. "We could lessen casualties if things get better." But that tiny glimmer of hope faded immediately. The stench of rogue demons was getting stronger now, it can also get worse. There was still too many homes that has not received a barrier spell and of the rogues continue to get out of control, it might just be too late for the most of them. She knew she needed to be wary, the next hunt might just be slightly harder than all the others.

The mountains had gone silent now, not even the owls dared make a sound. This haunting silence falls upon all lands as the blood moon arrives, placing terror on the hearts of all humans way before it happens. This is the calm before the storm. Before multitudes of flesh eating monsters sweeps the land, pounding on barriers until they break. Humans will cower in their homes, far from the walls of the castle.

The castle lies miles away from them. Only the richest of the rich can step a foot in the land that was built inside that ramparts infused with spells. Only the most skillful of witches can live there without riches as they are provided by the King. Strong witches like Vaga that chose to help the poor and live outside those walls are rare. Some of them had no choice after they are exiled for various reasons stated in the laws of the King.

Halfway home, Luna felt it. The chilling aura and the low sound of a growl entered her ear and she glared at her surroundings. Her eyes adjusted to the dark until she caught something. In the shadows of the trees a lone figure moved, stalking them. A growl rumbled in Rigel's chest and he stopped. He bared his teeth in the shadows, the sound echoing in the mountain. Luna jumped off his back and took of her bow and secured an arrow on its string. She took a deep breath and her eyes started to glow in the darkness and scanned the place.

Two rogues in one day. Something was definitely causing this.

She heard an animalistic growl behind her and she had just a split second to jump away before the wolf-like demon pounced where she just stood. The books she held slipped from her arms and fell. She could see it clearly in her state and before she could get a clear aim, Rigel lunged at the creature. It was too kate for her to intefere now. They stumbled on the forest floor, trying to get a hold of each other's throat. She knew that if she tried to get in between, Rigel will be at more at risk.

They were similar in built but the demon seemed to be famished and smaller. But a starving demon is a dangerous demon. Claws sank on Rigel's back just as he bit down on the demon's neck. Both made a painful yelp, heightening both of their desperation and aggressiveness. They struggled for dominance, hitting the trees with a loud thump as they exchanged violent blows.

"Pin him down, Rigel!" Luna yelled, her hand on the bow growing tighter.

The large wolf's eyes lit up in and he stood on his back paws and let himself fall heavily upon the demon's back. He only spent only a second on the dirt before the sound of the splitting air came and an arrow went through his skull and into the earth. Rigel limped away, panting heavily. Claw marks ran down his back and blood made his black fur cling to his body.

The demon lay there, on the verge of death, his wild unfocused eyes twitching. Luna approached him, holding his neck down. "Why are you here?" She asked, hoping the demon still has some sanity. His deformed canine face formed a smirk. "He…knows.."

He wheezed. A garbled laugh slipped past his lips, making him cough out blood. Luna stiffened. "You.."

In a flash, Luna's hands clenched and the demon's neck was crushed, decapitating his head. She stood up angrily, flicking away the flesh on her fingers. She went over to Rigel and placed a palm on his side. She caressed his wounds and he released a yelp. "I can't heal you, damn it." She said, gritting her teeth in frustration. The blood kept on pouring but he just sat there, his silver eyes gazing at her gently.

She looked down into the village and some still had their lights on. It was risky. Luna stared at her companion and saw his suffering and hoped for the best. Black smoke gathered beneath Rigel and he was gently lifted up into the air. "He can heal you."

She picked up the books and made her way to Legosi's house.

Legosi lay down on his bed, waiting for sleep to consume him when heard his front door bursting open. His heartbeat picked up its pace and he pulled a dagger from underneath his pillow. He stood up, a dagger in hand and ran out, prepared to strike a blow. But what he saw was no demon. It was Luna and her large wolf. "Heal him."

He was still muddled but Luna pushed a book into his hands, worry in her eyes. "Heal him, please."

In his muddled state, Legosi pulled the lamp from the table and examined the wolf. Deep gashes ran down his sides and his breathing was slow. His fingers flicked the pages fast and when he saw the healing incantation, he pinned the page with two fingers. Without bothering to remove his bandages, he placed his palm on Rigel's side. He took a deep breath and started to read. As a warlock, it explained why he struggled with the simple spells that Vaga pushed his way. Even now, he doubted his ability to cast spells of this kind.

Legosi read every word, praying it would work. Heat started to prick the tips of his burned fingers. A blue glow seeped from his palms, disappearing into the wound. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead but he found that it was way easier than when he first cast his barrier spell. It must be the mark. He continued with ease and felt the wound closing from underneath his hand. Luna watched them, her amber eyes glowing in the yellow light. Her head was tilted slightly in worry, her lips pursed and eyebrows slightly raised. It was a novel expression. A relieved sigh slipped past the poor wolf's maw as he reached the end of the verse.

Legosi sat there panting, trying to keep his breathing under control as Luna approached her friend. Her tiny hand brushed his fur gently as the creature fell into a deep sleep. "Thank you." She whispered almost inaudibly.

Legosi nodded. "What happened?"

"A rogue demon ambushed us on our way home. Rigel tried to protect me. It's the second rogue demon I encountered today." She answered, slumping into the wall in exhaustion.

"Second?" He asked, his eyes widening.

"Yes. The first one was a shape-shifting demon, it took the form of a goat and killed Chief Faramus' child when it got the chance." Her face was blank but there was something in her voice that seemed sympathetic.

"God." Legosi spat angrily. "While I was asleep?"

"Even if you had been awake, you wouldn't have been much help. You haven't fully grasped your spells, bor do you know which to use." Luna replied. Legosi only gritted his teeth.

"Were you able to kill it?"

"No." She answered nonchalantly.

"What!? By God, Luna what were you think-"

"You did." She cut him off. He went silent. "What?" He asked, confusion and anger almost blinding him.

"Or should I say your barrier did." From the floor she picked up a book with a mudded cover. "I was able to shoot its leg before it ran down the road, heading straight for Mr. Jefferson's house. I was prepared to deliver the last blow as soon as the barrier pushed him back but your barrier did more than just that." She opened a page and pushed the book towards him.

"Its skin melted off its bones and the chest was caved in, it was dead by the time I reached it." On the page of the book, the words witches and warlocks was written in bold letter. It was in Vaga's handwriting.

"The effects of spells can vary based on the witch's intent." He read out loud.

"You want to kill demons, don't you?" Luna asked, her eyes piercing his.

"Yes." He answered without hesitation.

"Make use of that rage. You'll start making barriers tomorrow." Luna stood up and adjusted her boots, hugging her robe closer to her small frame. She headed for the door when Legosi stopped her. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"Home. I hope you don't mind if I leave Rigel here for tonight."

"It's late. You can't go back there alone." Legosi stood up, his jaw hard set.

"I can handle myself." She pushed the door open and was about to head out when a firm hand clasped her arms. The smell of musk, man, and forest entered her nose and she felt him beside her. He pulled her back to his chest and leaned on her ear. "I don't know what you are or how strong you are and I don't completely trust you either. But at the moment, I need you alive. Until I'm sure that I am able, I will not let you put yourself at risk. The night is their domain and you're being overconfident. You'll sleep here for tonight." He yanked her back firmly but gently, maneuvering her inside until she was pushed into his dark room.

"I'll sleep downstairs, you can stay here." Luna emotionlessly sat down on the soft bed and continued to watch him open up a chest, pulling out a new shirt. He pulled his shirt up and off him, confident that Luna couldn't see his body in the dark. But she could. His back was facing her as he worked his arms into the sleeves, giving her a clear view of his body. Luna tilted her head in curiosity.

A large scar ran from the upper left side of his back, just above his shoulder blade, down to his hip. It was a gnarly pinkish scab that only large, talon like claws could make.

"He must've been attacked before." Luna whispered to herself.

Legosi picked up a pillow and a blanket and went downstairs, not giving her another look. It explained that intense hate radiating off his body when the demon had possessed him. "Poor soul."

Luna placed her robe and her weapons by the table and removed her boots, relaxing onto the bed. Her dark locks cascaded on the sheets, a stark contrast with the white sheet. Moments later, she fell asleep.