CHAPTER 8: HOW TO KILL A DEMON (or THREE)

KAELEN'S POV 

My cock dangled between my thighs and I stood in a fighting stance, watching and waiting as the three demons closed in towards me. Loud roars and ear-piercing snarls echoed through the forest, and the stench of rot hit me like a hammer.  

The three headed one spat acid and I rolled to the side, dodging his attack with ease. Flames flickered as the venom landed on the grass, burning through it. The fire immediately began to spread as the demon snarled and spat again. 

“Come here, you ugly fuck,” I roared as I whipped my chains forward. 

The creature growled as my chains wrapped around one of its snapping heads. The other heads tried spitting on me but I quickly planted my feet on the ground and pulled hard. The chains bit into the neck as the monster thrashed around and soon, a sickening crack resounded through the trees. Black blood sprayed into the air as the head fell to the ground with a wet crunch. 

I barely had time to regain my composure when the eight-breasted monstrosity charged towards me. Before I could swing my chains, it slammed into me, pinning me down to the ground as its hot spittle dripped down on my face. I tried to breathe but the bastard had its entire weight on my body, crushing my ribs and digging its claws into my arm. 

Snarling, I placed the palm of my hand on the ground. The runes on my arm burned red as the earth began to rumble. I turned to the demon and smiled as chains erupted from the ground. They shot through the monster's flesh, severing through its body fat and slicing off one of its breasts. I closed my eyes as a rain of flesh and vile blood rained down on me. 

I was going to need another fucking bath. 

I rolled onto my feet, my breath ragged as I scanned for the last monster. “Thrakos," I called as more chains curled out of my runes. "What the fuck are these–" 

Before I could finish speaking, the ground began to rumble under me. I turned to see the fanged one barrelling towards me, maw wide open and froth dripping from its mouth. I stood my ground. 

It hit me with a force that should have sent me flying, but I stood firm, digging my feet into the ground and grabbed its fangs. It pushed harder and the earth cracked beneath me as I tried to hold my stand. 

“Fuck you, bastards," I growled as I slammed my feet down on its lower jaw. 

It's bone, or what seemed to be its bone cracked, stunning the beast for a moment. I took my opportunity, uprooting two of its fangs out and leaping into the air. With a loud yell, I brought the broken canines down on its skull. It sank deep, bringing the beast down. 

A loud yelp caught my attention and I turned to see the three-headed monster—now two-headed—hunched over its bleeding fallen head, as though mourning it. It glanced up, glaring at me as a low guttural snarl slipped out of its lips. 

Suddenly, it stood up and began charging toward me. I waited for it to get closer before yanking the fangs out. With a sharp growl, I hurled it across the clearing like a spear. They spun through the air before hitting their mark, right at the front of its two heads. The beast screeched before falling to the ground, silent. 

I slid down from the dead fanged monster and sprawled myself across the blood-soaked grass as a small smile tugged at my lips. But the smile faded fast as I felt a warm trickle down my side. 

“What in the…” 

I froze as I looked down at my right side. A fang was buried deep inside my flesh-just below my ribs. The bastard's teeth must have pierced me and I hadn't felt it until now. 

“Fuck…” I groaned as I pulled the fang out and threw it to the side. 

‘You’re bleeding out,’ Thrakos said flatly, his voice crawling through my skull. ‘And I cannot heal you. The power I gave you at the cathedral—it’s gone. If you want me to mend you again, we need another ritual. But not now. Not without feeding first. If we attempt it, your mortal body will burn to ash.’

“Of course, it fucking would," I muttered, pressing hard against my wound as I staggered up and walked toward the stolen clothes by the bank. “There’s always gotta be some stupid fucking rule, isn't there? Everytime I need your help, you just bring up another fucking condition.” I hissed. "Beginning to think you're just a fucking joke." 

There was no reply from the demon king, but I could feel his presence, curled at the back of my mind. I chuckled inwardly. For the first time, I had him quiet. 

I picked up the pants and shirt, cursing under my breath as my fingers poked through a hole on it. I let out a soft sigh after seeing more holes eaten through the fabric. The burnt edgings told me it was from the monsters acid spit. 

I quickly tore one of its arms and pressed it against my side as I put on the shirt. “Those things,” I muttered a soft groan escaping my lips as I slipped on the trousers. “What the hell were they?" 

I felt Thrakos stir within me, his presence growing dark. ‘My brother knows now. He's sensed my presence inside of you, he's felt my power. He sent those demons to hunt you down, and they won't stop coming.’

“Perfect," I breathed. “First the inquisition, then the city guards, and now even hell's on my ass." 

‘We just need to get the Hell-blade. After that, defeating my brother will be—’

“No!” I cut Thrakos off, my tone sharp with anger. “We need to find me some fucking food and a place for you to fuck my ass. I'm not dying anytime soon." 

I held my side as I stumbled toward where I had parked the cart. I was half-surprised to see the horse still there, stomping nervously but unscathed. “You're a good boy," I rasped as I rubbed it's neck before jumping into the driver's seat. 

Grabbing the rein with one hand and holding my makeshift bandage with the other, I flicked the reins and the horse jolted forward. The sound of the cart rattling on the uneven ground provided a nice backdrop to my train of thoughts as the forest behind me rose up in flames. 

_______________________________________

I shifted my foot weakly, trying to stop the pool of blood forming under me from staining my new boots. Moving it wasn't helping anyway—the sole had gone from hazel to a darker brown and was dripping with blood. My gaze slowly dropped to the red, wet lump by my side and I sighed weakly. 

I was losing a lot of blood. 

The ride out of the forest was longer than I had thought it would be. The constant shaking of the cart did nothing to help with my dizziness, but thankfully the trees finally thinned, and we reached the cobblestone path leading back to civilization. 

If I saw another green, I was going to throw up. 

Thrakos stirred within me, trying his best to coax him, and even reached for my cock like before, but the pressure was faint. Weak. And even his hunger couldn’t drown out the pain this time.

“Pathetic…” I hissed between gasps, my grip on the reins faltering. “You’re losing your touch.”

The hustle and bustle of the closing market filled the air, adding to the pounding in my head but I did my best to ignore all of it. I could only steer the horse in the direction I knew too well as people gave way for me. 

Luckily, this town wasn't like the last; they didn't seem to give two fucks about me. They all focused on their buying and selling, hoping to be done before the lights fade from the sky. 

I coughed and the taste of iron filled my mouth. Slowly, I looked up to see a small roof peeking out from behind a store's—worn-out shingles and a crooked chimney. 

Sylvia. 

I yanked the reins, bringing the horse to a stop before stumbling down from the cart. Other cart riders behind me shouted curses and raised their fists at me but I ignored them all. 

My vision began to darken as I made my way down a small alleyway. The smell of piss caused my guts to churn and I used every ounce of will not to hurl. 

Finally, I reached her door and I slammed into it with my shoulder. Lifting a trembling hand, I knocked on the wood. 

No answer

I lifted my hands for a second knock, but managed just one single strike before my knees buckled and I fell to the floor. There was the smell of piss again and the last thing I remembered before blacking out was the soft creak of the door.