Fan Fiction ❯ Arctic Blue ❯ You'll Never Know, I'm Afraid To Tell ( Chapter 1 )

I didn't understand what was happening then at all. They had told me very little, leaving me in the dark. All I heard was something about an attempt to slay the one who had forced them to succumb. But they never told me the details, like how, exactly, they planned on doing this. Though, they did give me an order that shed just a little light on this choice they made.

I was sent to Earth with two books. One was actual history and the other... well, it was a drawing book. While I was in the Kingdom I was made to draw sketches of their new demonic allies. The "Summoned Ones" as they were called, very original, I know. But these demons, though the name they were given was quite humorous, were most certainly nothing to be taken lightly. From the deepest and the most feared circles of Hell, they were the elite of all the clans. The greatest, the most terrifying, and the most dangerous. Almost immediately after being told what they could do and what they would do, I feared for the safety that I "once had." But, after realizing whose side I was on, they no longer struck such a low chord.

Each one of them was completely different in shape, size, talent, and speed. No two were even close to being like any other demons I'd seen. One of the many clans they summoned looked like winged knights. Seriously. Their wings were white and soft, unbelievably so. Wearing suits of armor and boasting swords encrusted with jewels and shields decorated with demonic runes, these "demons" were extraordinary fighters. I'd never seen finer. Called "Sirgands," they were, quite possibly, the greatest threat to the human race. Even the greatest Hunter had no hope if he went up against one of these demons. And the worst part was that they only fought on their own when all of the other members of their station were defeated. So, even if a Hunter managed to destroy one of them, he'd never be able to defeat any others... or so I thought. But that will come later.

The second clan hosted demons called "Hyroths" and these were the nearest to human that I had ever seen. In fact, they looked so much like humans that when I first saw them I had to ask my instructor if they were prisoners. But he laughed and called me a fool. Because they were nothing like those Earth-bound creatures. These bore human skin, human features, and human bodies but their speed far surpassed even the greatest of runners. And that's where their strength lies. For that speed, their physical strength was decreased but they suffer no disadvantage. Before any Hunter could swing his sword or fire his gun, these demons could run rings around him and kill him so quickly, silently, and painlessly that he doesn't even know he's dead. So, they are the Dark Lords' spies and thieves. Extremely successful spies and thieves.

Now, the last group of these new, summoned demons was the one that intrigued me the most. These were the shape shifters. Named Johvials, once they have seen something, no matter what it is, they can take its form. Whether it be anything from a wolf to a rain drop they can become it. They are quick, not so much as the Hyroths, though, and they are strong, but not so much as the Sirgands. They are the perfect combination of power, speed, and camouflage. I have watched this clan in their demonstration of power and, even though they're not the ones who present the greatest threat, these are the ones that I, personally, fear. Coming out of thin or thick air, they can drop silently and assassinate anyone in what seems to be mere seconds. A few of my "friends" and I have deemed it appropriate to give the members of this clan the nickname "Blind Striker" for their tendency to strike without notice.

After seeing a few of the new demons, certainly only a fraction of all of them, I had come to find that it was necessary to watch my back at all times, though my ranking was not what would be considered "low." Before this war we had started, I had every reason to walk the halls with my head held high, face full of pride but now I hang it in my defeat. I had succumbed to their greatness and level of expertise. But I wanted it back.

So I left my chambers and went to my instructor's hoping for a job to be open, something that I could use to redeem myself. And, luckily, he had just the sort of job that I'd been looking for. All it required was to go to Earth and get the current Hunters to ally themselves with me so I could lure them into a trap, giving us the guaranteed win. But, unbeknownst for me, the Fates had another job that they insisted I was destined for.

My instructor opened a portal, gave me my books, and set me off on my journey. Hopes were high in my heart because this was one thing I believed I could not mess up in any way. With directions and props in my hands I set off into the city were one of the Hunters supposedly lived.

Since the only cities I had seen were the ones in the Underworld, I had no idea what they looked like on Earth so I was mesmerized. The air was much cleaner than in the Underworld, grass was actually green, the sky was blue, and the smell of fear didn't hang in the air like a thick fog. For a minute I nearly stayed there but I quickly remembered why, exactly, I'd been sent there.

It didn't take me long to find him, though, thanks to some very friendly people who surely had something wrong with them. They pointed me to my destination with a smile and a wave, which I didn't understand at all. I came upon a large, run-down building and assured myself that it was definitely the place. Confident, I walked up and rapped on the door. From inside I heard footsteps then the sound of the doorknob turning. A man, so handsome I actually considered living on Earth just so I could see him, opened the door.

He looked at me, from head to toe. I assume he was trying to gather a make-shift profile from my physical appearance. And because of the loose the small, loose grey-blue t-shirt and black leather pants I wore, I take it he liked the profile he gave me. He smiled approvingly.

"Come in." He said, motioning for me to do so.

"Thank you." The man looked out of the corner of his eye at me while he closed the door.

"So... what're you here for?" Sitting down on his over-sized leather chair, he looked at me grimly. But then he motioned, again, for me to do likewise.

It took me a second to gather my thoughts and words after I sat down, trying desperately to chose the appropriate path to walk down. "First of all, I take it you're Dante."

"Yeah, well, that's me." He shook white locks out of his eyes.

"And I have been led to believe that you, as of late, have been looking for some leads. Anything, actually, that will get you a good fight."

He yawned "Your point...?"

"What do you mean?" I asked sincerely. Dante looked at me as if he was the one who didn't understand. My naivete truly had him stumped.

"Hey, babe, everyone knows I'm looking for a job. But those goddamn demons aren't doing anything. Makes a Hunter wonder." As he hit me hard with a suspicious glare I was sure I had found the right man, though, I didn't have any idea as to how to get him on my side.

"Well, I think I might have something for you, then." I sat the sketchbook down on the desk in front of him and inched it forward. Dante glanced at me again before he dared pick it up. I had laid my trap down but knew it might be some time before he sprang it, thankfully my instructor was in no rush as long as I got this damn job done right.

"Demons?" He asked as he flipped through the pages.

"Yes. New ones, well, not technically new. They are the 'Summoned Ones.'"

"Summoned from where?"

"The last circles of Hell."

Dante raised an eyebrow, pleased with the new business he knew he would soon be getting because of this. "Any serious ass-kickers? Anything I should be worried about?" He added that last part with a laugh.

"Of course." Cutting short his laugh, Dante resumed his penetrating glare.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"It is supposed to mean that these demons present a threat to you and this entire world. A threat I don't think you should be taking as lightly as you are."

"Fine, then. Obviously you know something about these demons, so enlighten me."

I sat there for nearly an hour explaining the weapons and powers these creatures had in more detail than I think my boss would have liked. I believe I gave Dante the advantage. Occasionally, I was at his side pointing out things in my drawings that were crucial to him. He didn't seem to mind much.

"If it's at all possible I'd like to stop by again tomorrow. I have more information that I think you'd like to know." I said, after I'd finished showing and telling him everything about these demons. I neared the door but he stopped me.

Dante tossed a card that resembled one for business at me. "You know the hours." He said, gesturing to the card.

I nodded and left. But, on my way out, I thought I felt his eyes watching me, looking at the back of my body as I walked away from him. More judgement, I presumed but I had to quickly dismiss that.

My feet, thankfully, knew where they were going so I didn't get as lost as I had anticipated. They took me to the only home I knew, the Underworld.