Demon Heart

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Countless abominations have scoured what is now known as the Crimson Scar. The Scar is deep and blanketed in a vast forest. It is said the archangel Ouriel could no longer allow Hell to run rampant in the world of Vaross. So she plunged her spear so deep into the earth it pierced Hell itself. While the nightmares of Hell could trickle into the world, so too could Varossians now invade Hell. Where such monsters prowled, so too must hunters rise to meet them. So, the men and women of Vaross hunted and adapted to whatever horrors Hell spit out, claiming the Hearts of their prey. So much blood has been spilled over the years, that the Scar itself now thrives on it, harboring a desperate and insatiable hunger for more.

Crevan knelt beside shrubbery catching the scent of fresh blood. With the sun fading away, they’ll soon need to rely on more than their eyes. He drew his finger across a bloodied leaf. It was still warm and the metallic taste ignited his body. Crevan’s pulse quickened, forcing his blood to cascade through his body, pulling his muscles taut. His eyes turned a passion red.

“I love that color in your eyes.” Eldyssia said seductively.

Crevan didn’t need to look at her to know she was biting her nail as she drank him in.

Eldyssia had brilliant red hair, compliments of her bond with Faustrine. It was rare to see a Fire Elemental, let alone bond with one, but it was difficult to say no to Eldyssia. She had mischievous, fiery, eyes that never seemed to tell the whole truth and her body was like an arrow. It always knew how to wiggle in just the right way to meet her mark, much like the crossbow she wielded.

Blood and bones, I love that woman, Crevan thought as he tried to shake away those curves.

With a sly smile, Crevan retorted, “Let’s be done with this quickly then, so you might enjoy them tonight.”

Crevan stood in his brigandine armor and tattered cloak, both showing the wear of many previous hunts. His average stature was lean and gruff for a young man. His unkempt, short, dark brown hair gave way to ice-blue eyes that gleamed like the morning sky after freshly fallen snow. There was intelligence in those eyes, more than a mere brute. He wielded a long staff, roughly his height, with what appeared to be a frozen blue Heart on top.

In Vaross, Hearts do not die with the body, unless specifically destroyed. The Heart is an immortal shell for the individual's soul, where its power and consciousness are stored. It is possible to harness such power, assuming the soul is willing.

Crevan preferred an agile approach to hunts, otherwise one was winded before the fight even began. Hefting his Heartstaff, Crevan started in the direction of the blood trail.

Demon hunting was always tricky work, most of all Lust. Not only must you resist and capture some of the most luscious creatures in Vaross, you must also fight your own body’s urges. It’s one of those times he wished he could trade Hearts with a woman. Although, Eldyssia claims the feeling is worse. Perhaps I might find out some day, Crevan thought.

The scent of the trail was growing stronger, thicker. It seems Eldyssia’s bolt found greater purchase than originally thought. They quickly found their prey pulling the bolt from its side and scrambling into a tree’s shroud. Crevan nodded to Eldyssia who hefted her crossbow, covering his slow advance. As Crevan ebbed closer, he unsheathed his knife and drew a shallow cut across his hand. As the blood began to trickle, he grasped his staff and willed the ichor to slithered up the staff towards the icy Heart on top. The blood penetrated through the frozen shell of the Heart with a small crack.

Thump…thump, the Heart began to beat.

Thump thump, the soul slowly reawakened. Crevan could feel the consciousness within as he reached out mentally.

“Ready, Auchris?”

“I hate Lust. They make me feel warm…in a bad way,” the Heart complained in Crevan’s mind.

“I know, but if you help us out, Eldyssia promised to let you and Faustrine commune again.”

Crevan could almost hear the sigh audibly.

“...I accept your terms. Faustrine knows how to heat a water elemental properly.”

Accompanied by the sound of crunching ice, a long frozen sword blade formed and extended from the Heart on top of his staff. With weapon ready, Crevan stepped into the tree’s canopy.

Most demons could shapeshift, which is what made them so adaptively dangerous. Lust was no exception. This particular prey had chosen to flee in an impish form. It looked like a small, nude goblin, but sported a pair of wings. It made them difficult to track, which made Eldyssia’s earlier shot all the more praiseworthy.

The Lustling wasted little time, flinging itself toward Crevan with a high-pitched shriek. Eldyssia reacted quickly, releasing another bolt, which caught the creature in its right shoulder. Crevan followed up with an overhead swing, shearing through its right arm altogether. Unfortunately, the three-foot-tall-imp’s momentum still propelled it toward Crevan’s face as it forcefully landed, clinging with its remaining limbs.

“Ha! Take this hunter!” the Lustling cried as it pelvic-thrusted its tiny naked body against Crevan’s face. As Crevan attempted to defend himself, the Lustling winked at Eldyssia shouting, “If you ever want to know what a real man feels like, come visit me in the Passion Gardens!”

Crevan tore away his tiny assailant as he was temporarily blinded by its obscene barrage. The Lustling tumbled to the ground and dashed further into the forest, trailing laughter.

Seeing Crevan in his distraught state, Eldyssia tried—and failed—to stifle a laugh. “I like this one. It has more fire than others we’ve hunted.”

Crevan felt his rage bubble within, but it was quickly soothed by Auchris’ chilling cold. Composing himself he wiped the discharge from his face and in a deadly tone spat, “Your Heart is mine tonight, demon!”

Crevan sprinted after his prey, trudging through branches and bushes alike. He saw movement ahead, as a large arm attempted to clothesline him. Crevan was ready this time. He easily dodged the arm while countering with his swordstaff. The icy blade bit into the hamstring of the now large, naked man stepping out of the shadows. The Lustman quickly whirled, attempting to grab Crevan with his remaining hand, but was caught in the follow up. Crevan twisted, sweeping the demon's legs with the butt of his swordstaff. Pouncing, Crevan jumped up and drove Auchris straight into the earth as ice exploded around him. He could feel the blood leaving his body as sharp pillars of ice were violently forced outward, skewering anything within the blast. But, the demon managed to roll away before the blast could end the hunt.

The Lustman scrambled to its feet, leg and arm oozing blood. Eyes wide with fear for the first time as it took in the frozen lotus centered on Crevan. With a mad, hobbling dash, it ran toward the edge of a nearby short cliff and leaped. Before it could drop out of sight, a bola of chains flew through the air, perfectly tangling the naked demon. The chains burst alight as the demon fell roughly 20 feet down the cliff, screaming in pain.

Crevan stood, a little light-headed from the sudden blood loss. He wrenched Auchris from the ground, causing the ice to instantly dissipate into a light frosting of the immediate area.

Eldyssia trotted up to him. “Good thing you maimed it. I’m not sure I would have landed the chains otherwise.”

She reached up to place a hand on Crevan’s face. He could feel the warmth, not just from her, but from Faustrine as well.

“You shouldn’t expend so much blood like that,” Eldyssia reminded him.

“I know,” Crevan grumbled. “This one deserves worse.”

Eldyssia narrowed her eyes at him. When Crevan met them, he sighed.

“Your shot was as dramatic as it was expertly executed.” Crevan said with a hint of sarcasm.

Eldyssia beamed brightly. “Thank you, darling.” She patted his cheek and started heading towards their prey. “Now let's go take care of our little Lustling.”

How can she be so beautiful all the damn time? Crevan thought.

“While I do not understand human’s standards of attractiveness, Eldyssia does share some similarities with Faustrine. So, I must heartily agree with you.” Auchris interjected in Crevan’s mind.

“Did you just-” Crevan started.

“Oh, and thank you, Auchris, for your sacrifice today,” Eldyssia called back to them.

Auchris responded with the sound of cracking glass, as the blade on Crevan’s staff broke into mist.

Crevan gave Auchris-Heart a sly smile, “I seem to be rubbing off on you, old friend.”

Together, they crest the cliff, climbing down nimbly. The Lustling had managed to crawl a couple chained steps to sit up against a nearby tree. The holy-imbued chains cast long radiant shadows through the forest as they restrained the now nude body of a well endowed woman.

Still struggling, supple flesh pushed against ever-tightening chains. The Lust of Hell looked up at Crevan and all signs of its pain faded as it gave him a seductive look.

“It seems you’ve got me right where you want me. Bound for your pleasure, Crevan.”

This made Crevan stop short. How does it know my name?

Auchris retorted, “Oh good, we’re becoming popular with Hell’s most scandalous.”

Eldyssia stepped beside Crevan, offering her knife with similar markings as the holy restraints.

Lust continued to plead. “If you release me, I’ll let you do anything to me,” as it tried to hypnotize him with its limited body movements.

Crevan nodded to Eldyssia, and took the knife eagerly. He descended upon his prey. With quick, expert cuts, Crevan plunged the dagger into the woman’s chest as her screams flooded the Scar.

“No!” it screamed through bloody coughs. “Mas-ter!” *cough* “you…promised...”

The knife blazed in righteous fury, easily cutting through demonic flesh and bone. Crevan severed the very Heart from Lusts' cavity and pulled it free. The body went limp, spilling ichor from the gaping wound. Crevan held the bloody and still-beating Lust-Heart aloft in triumph. That’s when Eldyssia struck.

Snatching the Heart from Crevan, Eldyssia held it over her open mouth, letting the blood drip onto her tongue. Her eyes quickly bled to a passion red and her very clothes seemingly melted from her naked body. As the Lust-Blood coursed through her veins, muscle began to contract and tighten on her frame, causing her skin to glisten. Her breasts engorged and stood firm. Hair somehow blazing more than a hearty campfire. Her very form embraced the passion within as she licked her bloody lips.

She pounced on Crevan, sending them both to the ground. She held the Heart to his mouth as he eagerly accepted. The passion rushed through his wanting body. Muscles inflamed, as they began to probe and drink in Eldyssia’s shining body. His own clothes similarly evaporated, revealing a strong chest and firm arms as they wrapped around her. Their hot bodies finally met in true and wonderful delight. Their love and lust finally came to fruition after a long day, as Auchris and Faustrine watched—together—from their own small paradise.

<3

Crevan and Eldyssia drained the Lust-Heart of every last drop. It naturally began to crystallize, as all dry Hearts do, they enter a form of hibernation. When reintroduced with blood, the Heart will begin beating again, reigniting the soul—and power—within.

The pair would have stayed all night, feasting on each other, but they needed to return to their hunting group soon. Otherwise, there would be a very disgruntled search party.

As they donned clothes again, they heard rustling in the nearby brush, only to find a Razorbuck sniffing for the blood that was spilled earlier. The Scar comes to accept the tithe the demon has paid, Crevan thought.

“Go on and head back. I’ll bring dinner shortly,” Crevan said with a smile.

Eldyssia returned his smile by kissing him on the cheek. It sizzled as Faustrine and Auchris said goodbye as well.

“Don’t take too long,” she cooed as she grabbed the chained demon body and started to drag it back to camp.

Crevan watched her go, longingly, before turning back toward the deer-like creature. It had a set of antlers that grew down to protect its face. Across its back, thick plates of bone grew, almost like the spine never stopped growing with the body. When threatened, the Razorbuck fall on their back and viciously kick their legs in all directions. Their naturally sharpened hooves tear away at anything unfortunate enough to be in close proximity.

Crevan’s hunter instincts guided him as he began to stalk his new prey. Creatures in the Scar grew to feast on blood of all sources and the Razorbuck was no different. As the deer closed in, Crevan noticed its stride was a little abnormal. Almost like a new fawn just learning how to walk. Odd, must be desperate for new blood, he thought.

While hiding in nearby brush, Crevan expelled a little more blood for Auchris, as he readied himself to pounce.

“I appreciate the time you give Faustrine and I, Crevan.” Auchris said in Crevan’s mind.

“Of course,” Crevan said with a smile.

The deer cautiously approached the pool of coagulating Lust-Blood and began to lap up what it could. Crevan lightly touched the ground in front of him with the tip of his staff, sending out a slow frost across the vegetation. When the frosting reached the deer, Crevan sprang, but stumbled when the deer began to shine. The Razorbuck’s body seemed to turn to a blob of blood as it began to reshape itself.

Crevan cursed and dove backward. As he rolled and turned back to see, a thin steaming figure stood before him. Clad in darkened robes with subtle gold inlay, the seven-foot-tall greater demon turned to face him. It had long tall horns adorned with dangling jewels. It swept its long, sinuous arms in an open, half-bow motion.

“Ah, the great hunter, Crevan. We meet at last.” The demon said in a deep and gravelly voice.

“I am Trag-”

Crevan immediately raised his staff and, through Auchris, let loose a howling blast of frigid air and needled ice. Trag responded by raising his hand as hellish flames enveloped him, hissing loudly as the cold blast was instantly turned to steam from the heat.

“Crevan!” He shouted. “Stop!”

Before the Demon Lord could see more, Crevan was already upon him. Auchris-staff slashed as pieces of dark robe fell to the ground, while Trag twisted away. Crevan whirled, but Trag followed. Long and bony fingers grasped the staff tight as it flung around, pulling Crevan face to face.

“I come with a proposition, Crevan!” Trag barked.

Crevan wrenched at his staff, but the demon held tight, he was forced to look up into its eyes. Amid a bony frame and a gaunt face were deep purple eyes. As he peered into them, he saw desperation.

Crevan tried to kick the demon, but its long frame kept it out of reach.

“What do you want, Trag?” Crevan spat, enunciating its name in spite.

“To talk,” Trag said in a more calming voice. “I’ve been watching you for some time now.”

“Is that how Lust knew my name? Was this ambush orchestrated by you?” Crevan said through clenched teeth.

“Yes…I need your help, Crevan,” replied Trag.

“If you’ve truly been watching, you should know we do not make deals with demons!”

Crevan drew his knife and cut down the length of his staff. There was a bright flash and more hissing as the holy knife severed Trag’s left hand. Trag let go of the staff howling in pain as he clutched where his hand had been. Crevan quickly retreated, out of the demon’s reach, and pulled the severed hand from his staff. He tossed it aside as he readied himself. The Demon Lord snarled at Crevan, rage visibly washing over him. Trag lifted his stump and willed demon ichor from the wound with his right hand. The blood started shaping into a sword blade, solidifying as it was being created.

“Fine. I’ll simply make you listen!” Trag said in fury.

Be ready, Auchris, thought Crevan.

He could feel Auchris’ unease, “I don’t like this, Crevan.”

Crevan dug his heels in and pointed Auchris-staff at the Hellord. Trag let out a hellish cry and charged. Crevan let loose a barrage of frostbolts, whipping each out of his staff. Trag sliced through the first bolt with his Blood-blade and dodged the next. The demon’s thin form was shadowed by the remains of his robe, where two more ice shards tore through, one landing in his thigh. Trag barely stumbled as he threw himself at Crevan, wicked blade gleaming in moonlight. What Trag did not see was Crevan standing in the area he frosted earlier. Crevan spun his staff around and slammed the butt into the ground. A large stalagmite of ice erupted, piercing Trag’s entire chest as blood and entrails spattered the forest behind. Trag lashed out with long arms, right hand grasping Crevan’s throat. Crevan tried to reach up with his own right hand, but felt searing pain as his entire arm fell from his shoulder. He could hear the demon’s low, gurgling laugh, as it coughed out.

“Eye...for…eye.”

Crevan drew in as much breath as the dying demon lord’s grip allowed and spit. A small shard of ice, about the size of a crossbow tip, shot out and pierced Trag’s eye. Trag tore out Crevan’s throat, letting the hunter fall to the ground, coughing laugh echoing down the Scar.

Crevan lay on frosted ground, listening to the deathrattles of their bodies attempting to sustain life. Blood oozed from his throat and right shoulder, his body already starting to numb. Vision began to spot. He could hear Auchris speaking to him, but couldn’t make sense of the words. All he could think to say was, Thank you, Auchris.