Temathil went into a steep dive as she neared the ruins. she was looking for an evil spirit demon that had been a problem to a nearby village for the past year. This was also training for her as she had never fought a demon, or a spirit. She pulled up from her dive, skimming over the remains of the city. she flew by twice and saw nothing odd so she descended into the ruined town square and landed, her bow drawn and an arrow knocked. She crouched on one knee studying the surroundings, looking for ambushers.She saw nothing.
"This place is already creeping me out." she thought as she felt a shiver go up her spine.
She got up slowly and walked silently and cautiously forward along the main street towards a very large building. It had a 8 foot high wall and metal spikes protruding from the top. the gate was cast iron and sealed shut. Sighing at the minor inconvienence she jumped while taking one powerfull flap of her wings to add to the jump. Clearing the wall she landed gently in the courtyard, crouched on the ground, one hand down, feeling the earth, the other still holding the bow with the arrow. She again studied the surrounding, looking for oddities but saw none.
Suddenly she saw a shadow flicker and in another place she heard the crunch of something under a foot. She quickly brought up her bow, determined not to be suprised.

Slizer stepped out from behind a pillar with his hands raised. "DOn't worry...I mean no harm." he said to the stranger, shuffling his wings. He looked at her for a moment with his blood-red eyes and said, "What brings you her? And what is your name? I am slizer, a half-demon, as you can see." He tried his best to be friendly. The last thing he wanted was a fight.

Zilena flapped softly above her friend. she watched her leap over the wall and turned her gaze to look into the areas she could not. Drawing her sword she made another fly by, just as a demon strolled out of the shadows. She saw him speak to Temathil.
"A lot of good that will do you demon." she said to herself. She suddenly flipped over and went diving to the ground. she flapped hard at the last second landing on two feet and holding the scimitar out with two hands.
"Any questions will be directed at me demon. You move one more step, or twitch your fingers, you will die." she threat menacingly.

Temathil saw her friend land with a thud.
"Any questions will be directed at me demon. You move one more step, or twitch your fingers, you will die." she said threateningly.
Temathil stood up and got behind her friend, arrow drawn on the demon. Her friend looked on the verge of charging the demon down. Temathil knew Zilenas story, and she was suprised she hadnt killed the demon already. While she kept the bow on the man she looked around and saw things that hadnt been there before, shadows that had shifted. Doors were open that hadnt been open.
She realized that they could be in big trouble.
Temathil figured Zilena had the situation in hand with the demon and swerved her aim to the area aroudn them. Trying to find the enemy shadows but without hope. The shadows moved when she wasnt looking.

Slizer kept his hands up to show he meant no harm. "I hope then, my freinds, you realize that I won't hurt you. However, they, on the other hand, are likely to. You see, while most of the demons reject me for being...neutral in things, some don't care one way or the other as long as I have demon blood in me. So, I'd recommend you focus on them, instead of killing a half-blood who's not interested in hurting you in any way. Keep that in mind." he said, with a soothing tone that carried a hint of a sincere warning. "Remember, by finding an oddball like me, you've likely found a hoard of demons that are the kind you're used to. Don't let your gaurd down to everything els, my freind."

Zilena kept her weapon up against the demon but her eyes flickered around. She was able to discern shapes forming from the shadows.
"This is not good." she thought.
Glancing behind her, she saw Temathil already got her prioritys arranged. With a snarl she turned to face a sudenly charging demon. She spun to the side and let it run across her blade, its own momentum opening up its stomach across the blade. It wasnt long before more demons joined the fight and Zilena found herself dodging, and blocking, more than she was attacking. The demons were swarming in. She twisted kicking at a demon and sending it falling back, as she lashed out with her sword, slicing open a demon. Demon claws and teeth attacked her back, she got a deep gash on her cheek, a claw racked across her stomach and several demons bit her arms and legs. She roar, more like a dragon than a human as she tried to fight back, but the demons were wieghing them down.....

Temathil loosed an arrow at a charging demon just as her friend, Zilena slashed open a demon that charged her. the arrow thunked into the demons chest and it fell back, arms thrown over its head as it fell. she quickly knocked and loosed another arrow, twisting a demon around as it hit its shoulder. It kept coming but was stoped as a second arrow went into its chest as well. she suddenly heard a demon coming behind her and she ducked down quickly, hearing the sound of claws slashing through the air. She twisted around and up, katana drawn, slashing up diagnoly across the demons stomach to shoulder. black ichor ran from the wounds as it fell to the ground in pain.
she didnt spare a second to end its pain because she was beset upon by more demons. She suddenly found herself seperated from Zilena because of the huge pack of demons. Claws racked against her chainmail, sometimes piercing it to cut her skin. She was backed almost to the wall, hacking and parrying as best she could. Her sword thrust and lashed like lightning. A demons head went flying but the demon was quickly replaced by another. By now she had no room to take flight, with the demons so close. She had a serious expresion on her face as she parried a blow and kicked the assailent. turning she blocked and then counter-thrusted with her sword. Before the demon even felt the blow the blade was free and arcing over Temathils head to parry a large demons over hand attack on her. she was holding her own, but she wouldnt forever....

Slizer jumped onto a broken pillar, and used his powers of Light to illuminate the clearing. "Hearken to me, spawn of shadows, my brethren! There are things that beckon your attention away to the North! The Infused are hunting you! Flee! Flee and leave these foolish mortals to their devices! I shall deal with them." His tone seemed to make the whole area quiet as he spoke, as if i carried some power. He was a half-demon, and that still meant something. The demons stopped for a moment and looked at one another, bewildered. They feared the Infused almost as much as the Gods themselves. The demons looked around nervously, and, after deliberating, decided to run, but to leave a few behind to make sure these things were so. With any luck, Slizer could stay for a minute, kill the ones who stayed behind, and then run as if he were near death, and tell the others that the Infused had killed the others. As the hoard ran off into the woods, Slizer gave a wink to the 2 strangers, to let them know thaat this was part of his plan to save them.

Temathil was back to the wall. She was completly on the defense when the demon suddenly began shouting about the infused coming.
"The infused arent coming, are they?" she thought.
but the demons stopped. she quickly cut down two more before they ran back into hiding leaving only a few. She made short work of two near her, kicking one to the ground, slicing the head from the other before driving her sword into the fallen demon.
When she finished she looked to the demonw ho winked, then to her friend who was busy with her enemies.

Slizer jumped down and impaled the last one on his staff. he looked over to them and said, "You'd be surprised how much most demons fear. Just about anything associated with light and goodness. THey consider me pushing the envelope at neutral, so....anyway, you better hurry. I'm going to go tell the main group that the infused killed everyone save me. That should make them run even farther. Use that time to get out of here. May the gods bless you. Goodbye. Now Run!"

Slizer took off running into the woods, and, after tearins clothes up a bit, told the others the story of how horrible the opposition was, and he had to run for it, but that the others weren't so lucky. That, fortunately, caused true terror among the demons, and all but on of them fled. The demon twitched his head and said, "You're lying, aren't you? I'll kill you, little half-blood. You denied us fresh meat. But a least you're showing some side of evil, me thinks. So now I'll be gracious and make it a quicker death." He picked up Slizer by the neck and drew his dagger. Slizer hoped that some miracle happened...or it might be over for him.

Temathil loosed the arrow. With a thunk it hit the demons head that was chocking the half-demon. she quickly drew and shot another arrow at its chest as it fell for good measure. she drew another arrow as she walked slowly to the half-demon, looking at the surroundings and keeping an eye on the man.
"I am out of my mind helping a demon, even a half-demon." she thought to herself.

Zilena chopped down the last demon she was engaged with as she saw the half-demon run off. She was drenche din demon blood and her heair was matted to her skull from the sweat and blood. There a was a few tears in her wings from demon claws but that would heal over, she hoped.
Suddenly she saw Temathil take off after the half-demon.
"Temathil! Wait it could be a trap!" she yelled running after her friend. she got delayed by a demon for a second before she could continue. She did not have to run far before she found her friend rescuing the demon. running up to her she said, "Temathil! He is a demon. What are you doing?"

Slizer slowly stood up, holding his neck for a moment. "Thanks. I wouldn't have lasted long. I am deeply indebted to you. I owe you my life, and if I ever can, I shall attempt to repay. Call on me if you ever need my services." he said to temathil. He then turned to Zilena, and said to her coldly, "Who is the demon? The one with strange blood? Or the one that allows another being to die? Do not assume that I am evil just because of my blood. Maybe some day you'll understand that."

Zilena glared at the demon, her grip tightening on her scimitar.
"Do not think i have already learned that. I've made too many wrong decisions because i thought they looked or acted nice and i was decieved. I learned the best thing to do is go by thinking everyone i dont know is inherently evil, until proven beyond a doubt. You could have pulled us into a trap right now. My friend here is too trusting, she probably trusts you already. But I never trust demons." she spat on the ground. "Not even half blood ones."
Zilena turned and stalked back to the main house to wait for temathil. They still had a quest to complete.

Temathil listened to her friends spat and watched her leave. She slumpoed her shoulders and looked back at the demon. She reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. She did not sense any evil in him. then she reached into a packet and pulled out a old note and handed it to him. On it it said "Temathil" as she pointed to herself.

Slizer looked coldly at Zilena as she spoke. Well ain't this a lovely little world...I don't even have demonic powers yet, and she already hates me just because of my race. Once I gain those powers, she'll probably assume even more so that I'm evil. I guess that's how most of these people are: biased and snobby. Well, I guess I'll be paying for my mother's mistake for the rest of my life. I can tell she's a half-blood too, and, if it wasn't for how much she hates my kind, I'd say she was a half-demon too. I guess she's a half dragon or something. he thought. As Temathil showed him the note, he said, "NIce to meet you, Temathil. I'm Slizer. If you ever need me, I will help you in any way I can. I owe my life to you. Many share your freinds veiw of me, but you did not. Thank you."

Zilena came into the clearing infront of the house again and went to examine the entrance. She flapped her wings impatiently.
"Temathil is too trusting. She needs to keep better watch on who she talks too. She could get herself killed!" She thought bitterly. Truth be known though, she was starting to trust the half-demon. He tried to help and warn them, and he did almsot get killed by his own kind.
She shruged while examining the door. Her eyes settled on a familiar symbole. Taking out a piece of paper, she compared the symbole fromt he paper to the door. She brightened up instantly while she shouted, "Temathil! Temathil I found it!"

Slizer heard the other's screams. He smiled. "I think that's a subtle hint she wants you to see what she found. Are you both looking for something? Sorry, pardon my being nosy. It's none of my business." he said, looking at temathil. He was feeling pretty weak from the demon that attacked him, and he could use a rest. However, he was still worried about Zilena. He couldn't risk a rest until hhe was sure it was safe to be around her.

Temathil nodded and found the paper with her objective on it. Unfolding it she handed it to him. It read: "Tasked with the extermination of the demon spirit Gameheil found in a large mansion within the ancient ruins."
She then motioned to him to follow her. She knew Zilena wouldnt like it but she would see the tactical need of a demon, even a half-demon. she put on a warm smile, hoping it might convince him.

Slizer looked at her, somewhat puzzled. "I suppose I could go...as long as it won't cause problems...fighting amongst ourselves is the last thing that we need. If it won't cause problems, count me in." he smiled at temathil, grateful that for once someone trusts him like a being, not just some demon worthy only to be killed.

Temathil nodded and lead the way back to where Zilena was. When she got there, she saw her friend looking up at the door frame. In the center was the mark they were told to look for. She had chosen the right mansion after all.
"Good." she thought. "Now to find this evil thing."
she checked her bow and knocked an arrow as she came up next to Zilena. She looked to her friend with a grin and motioned for her to go.

Slizer watched them as they entered, and, holding his staff, followed shortly behind, to gaurd the rear. He wondered what they were searching for....he hoped it wouldn't kill them all...eh, he was a half-demon...he wasn't going to worry...he'd just be one less problem for the world to deal with....

Zilena glared at the demon, but held her hand. She didnt liek the idea of having a demon with them but she decided she would give him a chance. She pointed at the demon saying, "You get one chance demon. If you screw us up, you will die."
With that she gripped her scimitar and ducked through the door, her eyes penatrating the dark of the musty room. She stood in a small welcoming area, and ahead there was a long hall. Dust and corpses of dead animals lay about. A few statues stood on pedastals along the side, and some lay broken on the ground. she walked softly over the broken statues as she went down the hall, steping over them carefully, trying not to make a sound. she strained her ears to listen to the darkness, making sure no sounds came that were unwanted. There was doors and lon the left and right, some open to show everything from a broom closet, to a massive dinning room. After going only about 10 yards, she came to an intersection of hallways. She stood, peering down both hallways. Looking back she asked, "Any ideas?"

Slizer turned around for a moment. He said with a bit of a smile, "Well, as she doesn't talk, I assume you're asking me. But I can't help much 'til I know what we're supposed to be doing..." he waited patiently for a response, keeping his guard up, just in case.

Temathil held her bow ready, an arrow drawn as she watched the area behind them. She heard her friend ask a question and turning around, saw the problem. She went up to the front and stepped into the intersection carefully, keeping her eyes and ears open. She heard the demon respond but she ignored it. the hallways looked the same both ways, they went out for about another 10 yards before turning or splitting. She couldnt discern any signs nearby or anything that might point in the right direction. She expect there to be but she hoped. She then turned around and shrugged.

"Well, how about this...we take a route, I lead, in case there's a trap, and if there's a trap, ya'll can go back and take the other way. How about it?" he said to them. He honestly was willing to do that to help the one who saved his life.

Zilena nodded. She hoped the demon wasnt taking us to the trap instead of him being the trigger. She looked down the hallways, trying to discern anything odd but she coudlnt find anything. Finally she turned back, flapping her wings once to stretch them out. Wings were a big hassel when indoors, it cramps them up of there isnt a lot of room.
"Ok demon. Lead the way, we will follow you. But be warned, i will kill you if you play us wrong." she said. she thoguth she saw a disaproving look from her friend but she ignored it. She didnt like demons.

Slizer nodded. "You could try. But you wouldn't have to worry, I won't harm you. I can tell you dislike demons, and, for the record, I somewhat dislike you. But your freind saved my life, and that is why I tolerate you as well. Let's go." Slizer turned, and tucked his wings tightly against him as he walked down the pathway....

Temathil shook her head as she heard the teo talk to each other. She checked her bow and followed the other two down the tunnel, making sure to keep an eye out for movement int he shadows. She didnt want any suprises.