Tales of Knargas ch17

Chapter 17


Dropping his backpack to the floor, Daniel took in its appearance fully. It stood about 6 feet tall on all fours, it had the shape of a horse but its tail ended in a burning scythe and its feet; instead of hooves, had claws. “Candace go inside and get the chain” Daniel said, taking a few steps back and trying to bring forth some energy, casting away his disguise and growing taller before her eyes. The horse-demon reared and its tail gouged a melting chunk from the road it stood upon. Daniel sprinted left and turned once again to face the demon just as it pounced. He waited until the last moment and rolled beneath it, throwing the awkward bolt of energy at its chest. The blast did little damage and it whinnied, the tail crashed to the floor an inch away from his face, searing his skin with the heat; even as he continued rolling on to his feet. “Where is she?” Daniel said aloud, irritated, bringing forth yet another bolt of energy with his left hand. He jumped backwards, changing further and letting the tail sprout out, jumping higher with each second. The demon paused for a second, snorting and shimmying to the right as he moved right as well. Daniel threw the bolt of energy; more solid this time, and the demon jumped clear, sprinting towards him. “Shi—“ he tried to move out the way but it smacked in to him, sending him flying backwards a few feet.

He slid across the floor, cuts opening along his back. Daniel hissed and tried to stand again, but a head caught him in the midsection, throwing him upwards. Daniel dug his hand in to his boot as he fell down, bringing out his dagger. Just in time he turned away the scythe flying for his face, almost loosing his grip on the weapon. He dug his weapon in to the demons leg and channeled a burst of energy in to it; too weak to do any harm. Candace came back out of the door and Daniel ran for her, holding his hand out. She threw the chain and he caught it, just as he was hit in the back by the demon again. He rolled left and narrowly avoided being trampled to death. He pulled it on, fumbling with the clip on it. He ducked under the scythed tail once again, still trying to clip it on. He took a deep breath and finished the clip, the demon jumped back once again to charge at him. Daniel held out his right hand in invitation; it took the bait. “Release!” Daniel shouted, demon rushing at him. The giant sword materialized in the space between them and skewered the horse. For a moment everything was still, he could feel its last breath on his face as the snout came in range of his nose, body touching the hilt. Daniel sighed and the disturbance in the air sent the horse in to a cloud of rusty dust, gently falling to the floor.

“Phew…” Daniel all but gasped, locking away his weapon, flexing his hand. “I am out of practice” he murmured, just as a hand leant on his head. “Change back, before people come over to investigate” came Candace’s voice from behind him. Daniel nodded, putting his hand in his pocket and activating the small cube with a press of his thumb. Candace took her hand off his head, turning to face someone at the door of their temple-turned-house. Daniel turned to face the person; a girl, but she ran too fast past him and down the street to make out anything but her long and messy black hair. Daniel turned to face Candace in question, who just smiled “We’ll explain it in a moment, come inside and sit down. We have a lot to talk about still” she said. Daniels hands ached I’m out of practice, something as low-brow as that caused some trouble Daniel sat down at a table in the dining room, on a very comfortable seat, rubbing his hand across his back; none of the cuts were deep. He took in all the features, the house was full of many inventions he’d never seen before; he’d have to ask about them later if he had a chance.

Candace seemed to be pondering for a moment, when the door opened and the girl from before walked in, dumping a gem on the floor. “Door sealed” she said. Candace looked on the floor at the gem “Be more careful with such artifacts dear, sealing gems are pricey to make” The girl walked over to the table and grabbed a seat, her eyes were as black as her hair, and her skin was paper-white. Her inspecting stare made him shiver but he smiled politely. “This little puke is a hunter?” she asked, clearly unimpressed. Daniel resisted the urge to growl and gave her an insincere smile. Candace cleared her throat “Well now, Daniel meet Merle. Merle, meet Daniel” she said, rushing the introduction. “Daniel, as you may have guessed, demons are returning to the world. Our family has it in our blood to stop demons from killing us all. Though with the invention of guns making life easier, it’s no guarantee that every demon can be harmed by normal means” She began her explanation, but Daniel cut her off “So what do you mean by doors?” he asked. Merle rolled her eyes “She was getting around to that. The ‘doors’ are the means through which the demons got on this side of the world. You wouldn’t know this since, if you’re the same Daniel who those antiques belong to, then you died before they discovered the gates and ended the demon war” Why didn’t I see this from the afterlife? Daniel mused.

“Now then Daniel, your job is to integrate yourself in the world of now. Whenever a demon pops up, you kill it, we find the door, and then the world is safe for another day. By our estimate there won’t be another door for at least two days” Candace concluded.
“I…integrate?” Daniel asked. “Well, of course, you have to be a citizen, you have to go in to education and you have to keep preoccupied” Merle said, folding her arms. “That’s right, which is why Daniel is now lodging in the spare room” Candace said, grinning. “Eh?” Daniel and Merle complained in unison. “He can do the chores too since he doesn’t have a paying job. As far as I know he has no money…” Candace said. “Er-hem” Daniel said, clearing his throat and lifting his backpack. He put his hand in and pulled out the hefty pouch of money. Candace snatched it from his hands “This will pay for your lodging, food, clothing and most of your education. To make up the rest you’ll have to do chores” Daniel let out an exasperated sigh and hung his head, Merle silently giggling at him.