The Demon Hunter Chronicles
Chapter 1
The Moth and the Flame
2036 – London – England
The flickering street lights lit the darkened streets as a handful of people hurried across the desolate streets. Fires raged around the once proud city launching thick clouds of black smoke in to the sky above blocking out the warmth of the sun for the city below. Buildings sat dark and in despair as they became neglected by the people around them. A small café’s lights lit up the street were people gathered to it like moths to a flame. Inside people sat gossiping and talking about their discontent of the world today, a TV sat in the corner, the voices on it being drowned out by the noise of the people in the café. “The Ironfist has united a once broken European union, and made it stronger then ever before. It is in the Ironfists vision that we now shape our bright and long lasting future.” The reporters were saying receiving angry replies and grunts from the customer’s closet to it.
Down the street a man walked towards the café, his hair was jet black and reached down below his shoulders and his eyes were a deep coloured red. His long leather rain coat flapped in the wind, hiding his tattered jeans and shirt from view. He walked up to café window and stood there looking in through the window at the people talking. His eyes looked over all the people before he let out a deep sigh, suddenly a chirpy ring sounded from inside his coat. He slowly reached down and placed his suitcase on the floor before reaching in to his coat pocket and pulling out his mobile phone. He flicked the lid open and placed it to his ear. After a while he responded “Yes Sir.” Before flicking the lid shut and placing it back in to his coat pocket. The man reached down and picked up his suitcase, with his other hand he reached for the handle on the door and pulled it open.
As he entered the café the people’s chatter seemed to die down to murmurs and whispers as everybody stared at him. Those that were standing in his way quickly moved to the side, he walked up to the counter and placed the briefcase by his side and sat down on the stool. The owner stumbled forward towards him, “What, can I get you?” He said with a hint of nervousness in his voice. The man slowly lifted his head and looked the owner in the eyes, which caused a bead of sweat to run down his forehead. “Coffee, Black” The man said in a demanding tone before looking back down at the counter. The owner quickly turned and started to make his drink.
The TV now seemed very loud now that it wasn’t being drowned out; it seemed to be showing some sort of history program or documentary about recent events. The man turned his head to catch a glimpse of the program in the corner of his eye. “With several high scale terrorist attacks, the world stood united as America and Europe attacked the Middle East. However after a while several weak willed Europeans started to break apart causing large scale civil wars across the whole of Europe, in this time our honourable leader rose to power and formed the Ironfist regime. After uniting Europe under this regime it is now that we turn back to our American allies to offer them, once again, our help with the threat of the Middle East in the interest of world peace” The presenter said with several maps and pictures being displayed in the back ground behind him.
“Hmm propaganda” The man murmured to himself as he turned his attention back to the owner who was walking over with his drink. The owner was shaking and the coffee started to spill on to the plate it was on as he placed it down and took several steps back. The man placed his fingers through the handle and took a small sip before placing the cup back down on to its saucer. The man placed his hand on the counter dropping several pieces of small change on it before spinning round on his stool and getting up. “The reason that there was a civil war was because of an increase of terrorist activities and news leakages of the treatment and tactics of soldiers being employed over there, they were not weak willed just afraid of what was happening” The man murmured to himself, “Sorry…” The owner said not sure what to make of what he had just said. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter” The man said as he started to walk towards the exit.
“Whew” The owner said as he placed the coffee cup in the sink and wiped the side down with a cloth. The man opened the door and left the restaurant he stood there for a couple of seconds staring in to the black smoke above before turning and walking down the street. He reached in to his trouser pocket and removed a small remote with a small square button on it. He placed his thumb hovering over it as he continued to walk down the street. He pressed his thumb down and the button sunk in to the remote with a click. “Boom” The man said as suddenly the café behind him blew up in a ball of fire, glass sprayed across the street as the fire whipped out in a tremendous blast throwing bodies and debris in to the street. People ran from all around and screams could be heard as the fire cut of any attempt rescue any survivors. Sirens could be heard in the distance but it was already too late, as the building started to crumble before collapsing in on it self sending dust, smoke and rubble everywhere. The man continued to walk down the street as people ran past him to see what was happening.
2 days later…
Pockets of sunlight managed to filter down through the black smoke that covered the sky above. A huge crowd had gathered in a large square, in front of them was a giant screen with a black outline of man speaking his face and figure hidden from view. People were cheering throughout the crowd as the man from the café stood there watching peoples reactions and listening to the large screen as speakers were placed all around hanging from buildings that littered the outskirts of the square. Guards and military were posted at the exits, they were carrying out inspections, glimpses of soldiers could be seen on top of the rooftops of several buildings.
“I will lead us to a new age, an age of prosperity. The Ironfist will stand united against the evils of this world, however rebellion is still strong and it must be weeded out for us to stand together as one. People I urge you too inform anybody of any discontent or of any words of rebellion that you hear.” The figure said in a deep and booming voice, the man looked around the crowd judging peoples reactions. People were cheering and chanting, he could hear people talking amongst with other people “Why is he shaded out” One man asked when a woman quickly answered “It’s to protect his identity from the enemy” the woman said with a stern tone.
“Because of these seeds of rebellion we will not be joining the war in the Middle East yet, it is important to consolidate our power and become strong against our true foes” this caused murmurs and muttering to spread across the square. The man instantly looked out around the crowd to try and find the sources but it seemed impossible. “But do not fear, we shall not forget the crimes that the Middle East has caused against us. Be strong and vigilant against the seeds of rebellion and the Ironfist will protect you. For The Ironfist!” The shadowy figure shouted raising his fist in the air; the crowd thrust their fists in the air in unison and chanted “For the Ironfist!” The chant was deafening, the man searched amongst the crowd and quickly saw two people not raising their hands. He quickly pushed past people to move over there and stood behind them listening.
“Tonight, at the church at the bottom of old market street it’s there” One man said, “Ok” The other one said in reply. The two broke apart and started to disperse in separate paths through the crowd. He quickly jotted the address the down before returning back to where he was standing. As he looked up the TV screen flickered off and the crowd had stopped chanting. The man sighed and looked down at his pad “Looks like I am going to busy tonight” he said before putting pad back in his coat. He turned and around joined the queue to leave. Suddenly someone nudged in to his back and he heard the faint words “You’re next Blaze” coming from behind him. The man instantly turned around and saw a mass of people behind him. His eyes darted across the crowd looking for someone or something that he didn’t even know. His eyes quickly focused on a person that was covered up in a big black rain coat with the hood up walking the wrong way against the crowd.
He quickly started to shove through the crowd getting yells, insults and complaints from the crowd as he quickly pushed them out of his way. He started to get nearer and nearer as his line of sight kept getting blocked by people in the way for a couple of seconds at a time. He then leapt forward as he drew close and managed to grab hold of the person by the scruff of his coat. He quickly spun the man around and pulled down the hood, “Damn” he said as saw an old man looking shocked and confused. He let go of his coat and patted him down “Sorry” Blaze said as he looked around the crowd again. “Who was that? And how did he know my name?” Blaze thought as he continued to look but to no avail.
That Night…
Blaze lay atop the church roof looking up at the sky above, the smoke was parting making way for the full moon to shine brightly. “How long has it been seen since I have seen the full moon fully, maybe it is an omen or perhaps a blessing” Blaze said as sat up and looked over the ledge in to the stone courtyard below. A make shift podium made of wooden crates was just below him as a man with a megaphone spoke to the small crowd of around forty people. Blaze reached over and grabbed his swords, he strapped it on across he chest with the ends poking up through his rain coat. Guards stood with a blockade made from pieces of building rubble and wood, guarding the entrance to the church courtyard.
“People we can not allow this new fascist Ironfist regime to take over, if we do we will lose all sense of the freedom we once enjoyed and we will become prisoners in our own homes afraid of what will happen next. We can no longer live like this and now is when we will make our stand. We will sow the seeds of destruction and set people free from the fear and lies that they have been fed by the corrupt media. Today is the day” The man with the megaphone shouted each line raising cheers from the crowd.
“Hmm he’s a better speaker then the leader” Blaze said as he reached in to his pocket and removed his phone. He flicked open the lid and dialled a number, it rang for a few seconds until somebody picked up. “I am here at the location” Blaze said, “Good” was the response; it was the same voice from the TV screen earlier that day. “What are your orders sir?” Blaze asked “Kill them, kill them all” The voice said in a demanding tone. “Yes sir” Blaze said before flicking the phone lid closed. “What a shame, I understand their notions of freedom and peace but they should understand that their fates are predestined and can not be changed. They are like the moth to the flame hoping to grasp something that will only bring them death.” Blaze said as stood up and removed the swords from their sheaths and lowered them to his sides.
They were curved and had razor sharp jagged edges at the end of the blade; the handles were wrapped in a deep blood red colour leather with four sided stars at the joining of the blade and handle. One blade had a small spike extending from the bottom of the handle. Blaze crossed them across his chest with the curves joining the blades behind his neck. Blaze then extended them out crossed together, suddenly fire shot forth from the star all the way to the tip of the blade. The crowd below suddenly noticed him as the fire wrapped around the blades illuminating him, they started to scream and point towards him in panic. “Sorry, I must be the flame” Blaze said as he leapt off the church roof and plummeted to the podium below. He cut through the man on it like a knife through butter before crashing in to the podium causing it to collapse in to a pile of broken pieces of wood which quickly caught ablaze from the flames on his swords.
“Run!” Somebody screamed causing everybody to stampede towards the exit as they tried desperately to get over the barricade that was blocking the path. A piece of wood rolled off the pile of flaming wood and in to the courtyard. The fire parted in the middle as Blaze kicked the wood out of the way and emerged from the rubble. The fire engulfed the middle again after Blaze had walked a couple of steps away from it. Blaze slowly started to walk towards the crowd with his swords by his side.
5 minutes later…
A man started to walk towards the screams as several people pushed past him running as fast as they could, as he got closer to the church he could see the litter of dead bodies that lay near the end of the street. Some had been burnt, others had died from being cut by a sword and others had simply been trampled to death while trying to get over the barricade. The man walked past the bodies and leapt over the barricade made of pieces of scrap materials. In the courtyard Blaze stood with his two swords by his side, there were two men on either side of him they were both shaking with fear. One was holding a handgun while the other had some type of pipe; Blaze turned his head and stared at the man with the gun. The man stood there unable to move transfixed to the place with fear, the man with the pipe gripped it tightly and started to charge towards Blaze, while he was facing the other way, filling him with false courage.
Blaze swung his sword through the air, causing the fire around it to leap forward and engulf the man with the gun and he struggled in vain to kill the fire by rolling on the floor but it wouldn’t die. The man with the pipe swung it down towards Blaze’s head but before it could connect Blaze quickly turned and sliced it in half with his other sword before bringing the other one round to cut him across his chest, the man hit the floor with a thump. The fire left the man’s body and once again wrapped itself lovingly around Blaze’s sword. Blaze looked forward and saw the man standing there staring at him intently.
He was wearing a black suit and tie, like he was attending some sort of funeral. His hair was a light red which showed tints of oranges in the moonlight and his eyes seemed to burn with a fiery glow. Attached to his belt was a sword that was contained in its black sheath, “Your time has come” The man said as he placed his right hand on the handle of his sword. “My time? So it was you earlier?” Blaze said as he crossed his swords. The man started to slowly walk towards him. “Quiet one aren’t you? What’s your name?” Blaze asked him as he drew closer. “You can just call me Demon Hunter” Demon Hunter said as he withdrew his katana from its sheath. The handle was wrapped in black leather, and a circular section separated the blade and handle. It had a design of a dragon biting its own tail wrapped around it.
“Unfortunately I am going to have to disappoint you Mr Demon Hunter, for now is not my time. Now let me educate you why my name is Blaze” Blaze held out one of his swords and pointed it at Demon Hunter, the flames shot forward in a long line and set fire to everything in it’s path. Demon Hunter casually walked to one side as the flames went flying past him. Demon Hunter could feel the heat of the fire on the back of his neck. Blaze swung his sword back down to his side and the fire came flying off the ground and back around his sword, there were black scorch marks were the flames had traveled. Demon Hunter turned and faced him again staring at him intently “My turn” he said as he crouched down and placed one hand on the floor, his feet pushed against the stone paving. He quickly leapt forward towards Blaze at speeds that Blaze had never seen before. Blaze quickly thrust his sword forward sending a fireball flying from it. Demon Hunter quickly hit the ground before diving to the side to avoid the attack. The fireball shot past him and hit the barricade blasting it in to pieces sending flaming debris in all directions.
Demon Hunter shot forward again dragging his sword along the ground causing sparks to fly out as the sword scrapped along the ground, Demon Hunter swung his sword upwards towards Blaze. Blaze quickly crossed his swords as he struggled to mount a defense. The swords smashed together and sent Blaze stumbling backwards. As Demon Hunter looked up he could see their shadows extending on the stone paving and light coming from behind him. He quickly pounced forward and placed one foot on Blaze’s chest before kicking off and leaping in to the air. Blaze was thrust to the floor with a crack, just as he held out his sword the fireball past under Demon Hunter and wrapped around the naked blade Blaze was holding upright. Demon Hunter could feel the intense heat radiating from it.
Blaze stuck one of his swords in the ground and used it to prop himself up. He quickly looked around him but he couldn’t see Demon Hunter anywhere. “Where is he, he must be somewhere” Blaze muttered to himself. Then several birds flew past roof of the church. Blaze instantly looked up and saw Demon Hunter falling down towards him. Blaze quickly lifted his sword above his head, the two swords clashed together and Demon Hunter seemed to suspend in mid air as the fire from Blaze’s sword began to wrap around Demon Hunter’s sword becoming entangled. Demon Hunter quickly swung down and kicked Blaze squarely in the chest sending him tumbling across the courtyard floor. Demon Hunter flipped in the air and landed on his feet by Blaze’s sword in the ground, steam rose up from his sword as the fire died out. Blaze skidded across the courtyard before finally stopping close to the barricade.
“Just what the hell is going on here? Who the hell is this guy?” Blaze thought to himself as he stood back up. Blaze turned his head to see Demon Hunter standing there, his sword was now glowing a gentle white light which illuminated the courtyard. “What is that?” Blaze thought to himself, “I need to get to my sword” Blaze muttered to himself seeing it next to Demon Hunter. Demon Hunter suddenly charged faster then before. Blaze only just managed to parry the attack, Blaze was slowly been pushed back by the force of Demon Hunter’s attack. “It’s now or never” Blaze thought to himself as he quickly swung his sword with all his strength, Demon Hunter stumbled back slightly and in that instant Blaze quickly leapt over him. Demon Hunter quickly turned but it was too late, the fire from the sword in the ground shot outwards in a circular direction covering most of the courtyard. Demon Hunter took several steps back because of the heat.
Blaze landed on the hilt of his sword as he turned to look back at Demon Hunter. “What’s the matter Mr Demon Hunter, I thought you said my time was up. You’re not going to let a little fire stop you now are you?” Blaze said in a cocky fashion. Demon Hunter looked down towards his glowing sword and then turned his attention towards Blaze. Demon Hunter started to smile as the entire white glow on his sword formed at the tip of the blade. The light was so intense that Blaze couldn’t look directly at it. “Sun’s Ray, Tear Through The Heavens Above, Radiant Slash!” Demon Hunter shouted as he slashed through the air as he did it, it left a white line of energy there. The light from the sword died out, the line instantly shot forward at incredible speeds. Blaze quickly jumped up as the attack passed beneath him, just missing his feet. The attack shot past him and crashed in to the church doors cutting them horizontally in half. The door quickly snapped off its hinges, because of the weight of the door and collapsed to the floor.
The fire suddenly shot to the edges of the circle leaving the middle bare, Blaze rolled on to floor grabbing his sword pulling it out of the stone paving before leaping to his feet. Demon Hunter was about to leap over the line of fire, however Blaze swung his sword in to air and the fire quickly shot up to height of the church causing Demon Hunter to take several more steps right back to the broken barricade. “Not bad, not bad you have some very impressive abilities who ever you are. It is clear now that you are not human but a demon like us. The next time we meet you will not be so fortunate Mr Demon Hunter; you will not catch me by surprise next time. So long Mr Demon Hunter!” Blaze shouted over the wall of fire to Demon Hunter.
As Demon Hunter looked up he saw, Blaze jumping over the flames and on to the roof of the church and disappeared out of sight. The fire died down after a couple of seconds, Demon Hunter wiped his sword with a cloth from his trouser pocket before placing his sword in its sheath. The fire had completely died down now and all that was left was a pillar of black smoke that blocked the sight of the moon. Demon Hunter turned and let out a sigh “The next time we meet Blaze, I will bury my feelings and show you no mercy” He said out loud as he started to walk down the street.
End of Chapter 1
| Previous | Next |
