Blood Moon

7. Ominous

Luna looked him down from a distance, her amber eyes shining in the setting sun. Her hands clutching her weapons tightly, pointed right at Legosi. "Remember Legosi, match your fighting scheme with your opponent. Take into account what demon you are fighting with, and then make a decision. If I was a deceiver, what will you do?"

"Remain calm and avoid direct physical contact, aim for the neck." Legosi answered, bracing himself. Luna struck, intent on laying a finger on Legosi. He dodged, moving away as he blocked her blade with a sword. Luna was using two daggers and him a sword but the battle was far from unfair. Luna was swinging nonstop, aiming at every visible skin. Sweat was stinging his eyes but he couldn't take a moment to wipe it. 

God, this woman isn't giving me a break.

Before their training, Luna made him finish casting barrier spells. All in all, it took him five days to finish. He was ready to breathe out a sigh of relief after casting the last one but Luna urged him to train. In a fit of excitement, he said yes. Now here he was, drenched in sweat, his mind and body being challenged both at the same time. She was wringing out every single knowledge he had about demons while attacking him. Legosi couldn't even catch a breath. "Wait!"

He finally slumped, chest heaving in exhaustion. His sword slid away from his hands as he laid there. Rigel approached him and started l*****g at his face but he was so drained he couldn't even push him away. Luna looked at him with a calculating expression on her face. She tilted her head intriguingly and he looked away, embarrassed.

His hair was stuck on his forehead and even his nose was flaring in an attempt to calm his breathing. "When casting spells alone, you can last long. But when physical movements are involved, you drain easily. Seeing that you want to fight head on with demons, you need to train both of those traits." She offered her hand and lifted him up. 

"Maybe we should heighten your stamina first, Legosi." When he looked up at her, there was barely any sweat on her small face. Looking ay her face alone, she seemed to not be able to hurt anybody. But then her eyes flare up and cowards run for the hills. 

"How are we going to do that?" He asked, his breathing going back to normal. So fast, Legosi thought he might've imagined it, a small smile appeared on her face. A slither of fear crept on his mind.

The next day, he was taken off his bed by Luna early in the morning. The sun wasn't even in the sky yet, the moon still shining in the horizon. "Get up." 

Hearing that voice, Legosi bolted upright. "What are you doing here?" Luna only pulled him harder. "Your training starts now." 

Then she brought him to a cart, him still in a disheveled state. The cart was filled with hay with no horse attached to it. "You'll pull this as you walk around the village. Twice." 

Sleep left his eyes just like that and he gawked at her. "What?"

Next thing he knew, he was pulling the cart, Luna sitting comfortably on it and Rigel trudging behind. It was still dark out but the moon gave him enough light. They were silent as he walked on, only sound of owls and chirping, along with the howl of the wind could be heard. "You smell that, Legosi?" Luna spoke suddenly.

"What?" He said, sniffing the air curiously.

"The smell of death." Legosi turned to look at her but her eyes were looking above at the moon. Her eyes were cold, skin shining under the moonlight. She had a sad look on her face, almost fearful. "The blood moon is approaching, Legosi. Don't you feel it? That eery coldness in your skin, hear the silence, smell the stench of rotten flesh?"

Now that she mentioned it, these past days, he grew more and more uneasy. Back then he wouldn't even know when the Blood Moon will come until the sky finally bleeds red. He took a deep breath and there he caught a whiff of something that made his stomach churn. It was familiar, a scent he hated the most. His grip on the cart tightened and his chest heaved momentarily.

"It won't be long before the sky turns red and demons come rushing down the mountain like flood. Two weeks, Legosi, you think you can survive that?' Luna asked tentatively.

"All this training is to make sure that I do." He answered.

"It will be a bloodbath and we'll only be able to rest for short moments. Thinking about it, we should start making shelters across the village. Places we can crawl in if we ever get overwhelmed." 

"We should talk to the Chief about that." Legosi suggested, rolling his shoulders to ease the strain.

They were silent for a moment before Luna spoke again. "What do you plan on doing after the Blood Moon if ever we survive?"

Legosi halted on his steps, contemplating the question in his mind. He breathed deeply and continued his walk. "I plan on going to the Castle."

"For what?" Luna asked, suddenly growing more interested. 

"You told me they have a lot of secrets about demon hunting, I intend on uncovering them. I know you noticed this, the demons are evolving with every passing year. Demons that we once thought were incapable of coherent thoughts are now able to devise plans for their hunt. But us? We're still relying on the same methods we used long ago. We can't keep living like this, we'll get wiped out." Legosi said firmly.

"If they catch a whiff of you, they'll bring you straight in and you could uncover secrets as much as you want. The only struggle is getting out alive."

"That's what I'll need you for. So you better make sure you survive this Blood Moon."

A small smirk appeared on her face as she replied, "I should be saying that to you."

When the sun rose in the morning, the villagers were surprised to see Legosi pulling a cart filled with hay. Not only that, Luna was also sitting there. Barking commands. Legosi had a determined look on his face but as more and more people went out to look, his face turned into a deep shade of red. His shirt was wet with sweat by the time he was nearing the end. 

More people flocked until the Chief emerged. "Don't you all have better things to do?" The faces from the crowd snapped from their reverie and proceeded to their household duties hurriedly at the sound of the Chief's voice. Luna got down from the cart and nodded at him. "What are you doing to this poor boy?"

"Improving his endurance so he can last longer in battle." Luna said. She gestured him to stop and he went up to them and greeted the Chief.

"Good day, Chief." 

"You started this day very powerfully, don't you think?" He jested. Legosi gave a small smile. "How's the training going?"

Legosi gave her a sideward glance, interested on what she had to say. "Quite well, he learns quick. But there's still a lot he needs to learn. Also, we would like to ask for a favor." 

"What is it?"

"Shelters, around the village. We would need some place to hide in every once in a while during the blood moon." 

The Chief halted for a moment before complying. "How many?"

"At least six, preferably somewhere hidden." 

"I'll gather the men then, you continue." The Chief tipped his head for a moment and wasbout to walk away when suddenly, the loud sound of a horn blasted, surprising everyone.

"What's that?" Legosi said, raising his voice. Ehen she looked at Luna, her eyes were wide in shock and nervousness. "It's the King's hunters."

After the blare, the sound of horses and their hooves striking against the hard soil was heard. The booming voice of the Captain has now reached their ears. Seconds later, the hunters came into view, saddled on horses twice as large as the ones they had with shiny coats and long manes. Their thundering steps made their way towards where they stood. The Captain's horse stopped just in front of Faramus.

"Greeting Sir, I reckon you are the Chief of this village?" The iron-clad man went down from his horse and stood in front of them, his towering figure almost suffocating. 

Chief Faramus bowed down in respect, forcing Luna and Legosi to do the same but with a hint of reluctance. The aura of magic that the man emanated was consuming, making Legosi feel small. This was no doubt a warlock.

"Good day, Sir Knight. What is it you need?" Faramus said cautiously.

"We are here for the annual hunt. We want to procure the service of a woman named Luna?"

"I'm right here." Luna spoke up. The captain turned to the direction of a girl and was stunned. Based kn the stories he had heard about the woman named Luna, he expected the woman to be of a large built. But now that was not what he was seeing.

"You're nothing but a tiny slip of a girl!" The Captain said incredulously. What was in front of him was a small woman with a face that could make the King's concubines have a run for their money. Her amber eyes were being hit by the sun's early light, making it look as if it was glowing. It was also surrounded by thick lashes that touch her smooth cheeks as she blinked. The woman's heart shaped face was also framed by pitch black curly hair that fell down her shoulders like a waterfall of darkness. 

This was far from the hunter he had expected to meet. His eyes went up and down her form greedily, making a dark look appear on Luna's face. She was no stranger to the tales of ravishing and plundering the King's warriors had done throughout the years. Even the lowest warriors were confident that they will never receive any punishment for their actions, how much more a Captain? Legosi was also starting to tense up beside her, disturbed by the way the Captain's eyes raked over her body. He looked back to his soldiers and beckoned one of them forward. "Are you sure that was what the General ordered?"

"Yes, Sir. This place has the most abundant source of meat. We have been performing hunts on Leona for years with her aid." Even with the soldier's reassurance, the doubtful look on his face remained. 

"Well then, the General asks you to accompany us on this hunt." He said to Luna, although in his mind, the woman was more fit to be a courtesan.

"I don't mind lending a hand, Sir, but I fear you have come too late this year. The blood moon has long started its signs, the animals in the forest are now in hiding." Luna said, her eyes glinting.

"Well then we'll lure them out." The Captain spat.

"Doing so will also awaken the demons lurking in the forest."

"You are talking to the Captain of the King's warriors. Do you think we won't be able to handle a mere rogue?" His temper was rising, making him bare his teeth at Luna. Legosi stiffened at her side, a burning feeling accumulating on his chest.

"There is no question that the Captain is capable of slaying demons, Sir Knight. But that is not my concern. Awakened rogues may decide to come down from the forest and terrorise the civilians instead." Luna said patiently, bowing her head slightly.

"And? My only role here is to gather more food for the King's guests and if you don't do as I say I will just take all your livestock and be done with it!" His booming voice echoed around the place. He took a threatening step forward and started to raise his hand when he heard a growl. That sound was the only warning he had to move away before a large mo came down on the spot where his hand had been only a moment ago. Large silver grey eyes met his, making him take a step backward. "What is this creature!?"

A small hand was placed on the wolf's head and it backed down. "It is only a mere wolf, Sir Knight." 

His eyes were wide in disgust as he looked at the abnormally large canine in front of him. "A mere wolf? That wolf is the size of my horse!"

"He wishes you no harm, Sir." Luna said, which was contradicted by the low growl coming out of Rigel.

"Never mind that! You will accompany me to the forest, girl. That is the end of it." He said with finality.

"If you don't mind, Sir. I can also help." Legosi interrupted. The captain looked down on him and scoffed. "Well I suppose you can watch over this girl so her head won't be torn off by some random demon." He raised his gauntleted hand and placed it on Luna's chin, forcibly making her look up. "What a waste of beauty that would be." He finished with an undertone that did nothing to hide what he was implying. Chief Faramus stood their red faced, not able to do anything. If he does anything to offend a Knight, he could very well wipe out this whole village.

"I will fetch my weapons first, Sir." She bowed down and was about to leave when the captain waved his hand. "There's no need. The General wishes you to have this." A soldier ran up to them and offered something that was covered in satin. When he pulled it off, a bow came into view. He tossed it unceremoniously to Luna and she catched it with both hands. He then gave her the arrows, which Legosi caught before it fell.

"I am thankful for this gift, Sir Knight." 

"Then lead the way." 

Left with no choice, Luna complied. She lead the warriors up the mountain, Legosi following close behind. As they reached the bottom of the mountain, they heard a wolf's howl. It was a warning. She halted. She was about to convince them to go back when she felt a hand push her forward. "Get on with it, lass!"

She reined in her anger and continued. Just as expected, the whole place was eerily quiet. The sun's light has not yet penetrated the dense leaves from the trees surrounding the forest and the air was still cold. There was not even a sound of chirping birds, only metal clanking as the warriors' metal boots collided with the forest floor. She sniffed the air tentatively, trying to pick up even the tiniest hint of a smell of an animal, but there was none.

As they went up, they heard a whistling sound. It was an ominous sound, making them halt. "What's that? Is that some kind of a bird?" The captain asked.

Luna frowned and shook her head. "No. We don't have birds that sound like that in here." Beside her, Rigel started to claw at the ground, giving out a low growl.

"Maybe that's just a shepherd. Let's get going." The captain waved his hand and the men walked again.

"We don't pasture in the mountain, Sir." Luna told him firmly.

"Do you think I'll stop the hunt over a whistle? Get on with it!"

Luna nodded, her fingers curling into a fist. Gritting her teeth, she continued walking. Even as they went up, Rigel was still restless, whining softly as he trudged along.

They were already at the heart of the mountain and still no animal was to be found. The soldiers were already sweating inside their armours and the Captain was getting more and more impatient. "There's still no game!? Do you really know what you're doing? Forget it, men, lure them out!"

Before Luna could stop them, the soldier began to pound their swords on their shields. The sound reverberated throughout the mountain. "Stop! They'll all come down here!" 

Still they went on, each pound louder than the other. Small animals crawled out of their burrows, hares running left and right. The soldiers were triggered at the sight of it, abandoning their ranks and chasing after them. "Don't leave your group, goddamn it!"

The place sudden became dark, the little sunlight that was able to go past the tree leaves fading. Legosi tensed up, sensing the unnerving aura.

"Captain, how much experience do your troops have with demons?" Luna asked.

"What are you implying-"

"I asked how much experience do your troops have with demons!?" Luna snapped and for a brief moment, the Captain thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He thought he saw her eyes burn red.

"N-not much. Some of these men never faced a demon outside the walls, only in the Training fields in the King's palace." He grumbled. 

The sunlight disappeared and everyone seized moving. The captain looked up and saw that the leaves has gone dense. His eyes started to blur, making him disoriented. "What's happening?" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw smoke creeping up to where they were. From the ground up, the smoke started to spread, stinging their eyes.

Tears pooled at their irritated eye as they struggled to cover it with their arms. "Tell them to group themselves!" Luna urged the Captain. He hesitated for a moment before complying.

"Men! Go back to your ranks!" The soldiers heard the captain and tried to arrange themselves but the smoke was now thicker. They stumbled around, groaning in pain.

"Luna, have you ever encountered a demon that could do this?" Legosi asked, stepping close to her. They both held on to Rigel for security but even the wolf's eyes were as bad as theirs at the moment.

"Never. Damn, I can't smell where it's coming from." Luna cursed.

Then suddenly, they heard a loud thump. The ground shook for a moment and stopped, giving them tome to realize that the sound was coming from the front. Another thump was heard, but this time it did not stop but continued, each sounding closer. It was too late for them to realize that it was the footsteps of a large demon. From what little that remained of their eyesight, they saw a silhouette of a behemoth.