Strained breathing escaped through his parted lips, leaving those around him to wonder what exactly his deal had been. Dragging footfalls seemed to carry him in strained effort throughout the city; the occupants seemed to make their way in a large arcing fashion around him, careful not to mess with him. It was the first time in a long time that he had finally been shown any form of respect, no less by a city population. Though, most really couldn’t quite call it respect, but more of a fear of touching him and causing some sort of issue. But regardless, fear was the same as respect to him, no matter the form of it.

White knuckle tight was the grip of his digits around the forearm of his left arm, hoping to keep himself from losing any more blood. It would prove to be no avail; however, because with each step he would take, a few more droplets of blood would drip freely to the earthen ground bellow, only to mark the path he was walking. A slight passing of dizziness would stop him dead in his tracks only long enough for him to regain his composure before continuing on as he had been before. He needed to find someone, anyone…But it seemed this was the wrong place to expect help. The fact that he never really trusted anyone didn’t really help his situation either, because he had been wronged so many times before. Family meant nothing to him, nor did allies. The only person he had given a second thought to standing up for was Sephine and she was by far no longer in his favor. In fact if he were to meet her again, he would do more than show her just where she stood with him, she would witness his dark side. When she first met him, she had thought she saw the true demon, but what she saw was nothing compared to what he could be.

Though there would be nothing he could do at the current state he was in, in fact he was helpless to anyone who decided to attack him, which made him think that coming here was really a bad idea. Like it or not his body had reached its outer limits; both magically and physically. Even if he really wanted to, he couldn’t even summon the raw energy in order to shape a spell to any form or shape. Faltering in his steps for a few moments, his head would bow downwards and his dark eyes would scan the blood splattered ground as his arm continued its relentless toll upon his body. Why was this thing doing this…? In all his years, nothing like this had ever happened, but now…Now it just wouldn’t stop, was it really content upon taking his life? He didn’t have much time to think as a figure stopped just in front of him, a blade brandished in hand. Lifting his dark eyes to the figure, he would allow a sigh and speak in a deep gravely tone, “If its money you want, I don’t have any…”

The figure jeered at the demon’s response and smiled coyly, “Oh, its not the money I want, but your life. You see, I’m a demon hunter and you’re a demon. Make sense…or should I explain it to you?”

Arrogance…Something he witnessed all too often, but now was not the time for this, he needed to think and think fast, “And how can you come to such a proclamation? Also, why me of all these others…?”

The figure gestured a hand off to the side as if trying to drive the demon’s eyes off to the crowd around them, “It’s quite simple really. You see these people, they’re low class demons, hardly anything to worry about or brag about. You on the other hand have been making a name for yourself and if I kill you…What’s that leave me?”

Glancing around briefly his eyes would swiftly return themselves to the demon hunter’s blade and then to his face, “I’m not sure…Perhaps another year older and another year stupider. Do you realize what I do to punks like you…?”

The hunter cackled inanely, before giving the blade a few twirls, his eyes never parting from Marius’s, “You’re a funny guy, but I don’t think you’re in the condition to make idle threats or to even attempt to poke fun at me. All I’d need to do is attack once and it would be all over for you.”

Relinquishing his grip on his left arm, he would draw his right arm up and off to his side in a poised manner, barring his nails to the hunter. If he would attack, at least he would possibly be able to defend himself, but it seemed it would prove to be a false hope, “Then try it.”

The hunter jeered again a Marius’s response, knowing very well that it would be his comeback, but it wouldn’t be such a wise option in his view. He knew that Marius had nothing to show, “Just give it up. You might be able to attack once, but you’re like a fish in bloody water and I’m the shark. You won’t walk away from this one, friend. You’ve killed way too many hunters to simply let you go on as you are. It will end here.”

Marius smiled faintly at the recognition the hunter had given him, “One attack is more than enough…” At least he had hoped it would be, but he wasn’t even so sure his body would even allow him that much. After all he was beginning to fade fast and it would only be short time until he would succumb to the blood loss. With a strain breath of air, he would prepare himself as the hunter smiled and raised its blade of its shoulder in preparation to attack him. It all seemed to happen within an instant for no more than he had blinked, the hunter was already rushing his way towards him. It was at that point when his vision would begin to blur with the rapid movements of the man in front of him, which was only another effect the blood loss had held over him and it was then that he had realized it would be the end of his reign, unless someone, anyone would throw themselves into the fray…

Light danced with shadows, giving the perfect cover for the slender woman to move without a hint of her presence. Her own nature had stepped in and taken over once more, as she had seemingly parted ways with he who would be the Master of her. It had only taken a short time for the woman to return to taking names and hunting them down, shedding away the last shreds of guilt she had felt after those long discussions with Aviar. He had broken her down, and promised so much, and yet here she was again, about to turn that last corner that would lead to the home of her next target. Still, she had turned away taking his kind as targets, as there was still this nagging part of the assassin that wished he would save her, make her that something more.

Hanging back, just around the corner, the woman found herself at one of those points where she was questioning herself, something that had not ceased to happen from time to time, even as she continued to fall further into the darkness. Yes, some part of what Aviar had impressed upon her, with his hatred of her had stuck. The softest of sighs escaped her lips as she turned, pressing her back into the wall of the building she was so close to entering, frustration filling her as she searched her mind for answers. It was almost as if his presence was there, as if his eyes were right upon her and yet he was long gone, probably in search of another 'student'.

Sudden sounds broke her from her somewhat deep thought, bringing her to press herself against the building even harder, to disappear from the sight of whomever might have come to the area.

“If its money you want, I don’t have any…”

Aviar? She slid her way along the wall, eyes wanting to confirm what her ears had just heard, her mind suddenly finding an explaination to the reason for her hesitation in performing her duties.

“Oh, its not the money I want, but your life. You see, I’m a demon hunter and you’re a demon. Make sense…or should I explain it to you?”

No, this was all wrong! How was it that he was even threatened by this would be attacker. The Aviar she remembered would never have bowed down in a way such as this. A demon hunter, no, he wouldn't have been standing long enough to state his intents. Sephine quickly knew something was wrong, and at the same time that she had been sent here for some reason other than to perform yet another killing. Sliding away from the wall, Sephine quickly took stock of her surroundings, knowing she would have to find a way to move quickly, yet silently to gain better position on the situation.

From the exchange of voices, she knew the hunter's attention was solidly held, giving Sephine the perfect cover to move in from behind. Chancing the exposure, which if it became an open affair, would put an end to the assassin's career, she slid away from the cover of the building, stepping out into the open and the light of the flickering lanterns. One hand moved down to where a dagger was nestled at her hip, resting in wait until she was upon the hunter, at which point she quickly brought it to his back, at the point where it would find the muscles of the heart. Her free arm reached up to wrap like a serpent about the neck of the would be attacker, pulling him backwards into her smaller form.

"Now, I say your advantage has just faded, as will your life if you continue with such idle threats." She paused a moment, pressing the dagger to the point that it would slip between layers of cloth and make her intentions well known. "I'm not of a moral sort, and if you wish it, I'll see that this dagger puts a quick end to your hunt." She pressed just a bit harder, knowing there would be a red stain spreading where the flesh was pricked, her voice coming in a soft hiss, "Be gone, and don't return. This isn't your territory." She was not so quick to release him, wanting some insurance by gesture that he would do as she demanded.

Just when he had thought his final breathes was soon to be upon his lips, a lone figure would falter the man in his further movements. The voice that would soon follow it; however, had brought a familiarity to his ears, a familiarity he hadn’t all too soon forgotten. In fact, in the past month or so, it was the only thing he could think of, but on a less than pleasant term. The thoughts of her twisted features, the strain of her muscles against the grip of his hand around her neck had been the only things that could cross themselves throughout the empty caverns of his mind. But through it all, he had been thankful that she had shown up, but it was much too late to do much good.

A sudden feeling of weightlessness swept its way throughout the core fabric of his entity, causing him to drift lifeless forward and close his eyes on the descent to the ground. With a loud thud, his body would collide against the cobblestone only to fall deathly still afterwards. The last thoughts that seemed to depart his mind were of Sephine and her heroic stand to protect him from the imminent doom that presented itself to him. If he would die, the last thing he wanted to die to was the very thing that had hunted him all of his lifetime.

The hunter quickly stopped dead in his tracks when the arm drew itself up and around his neck and the blade presented itself to his back. Releasing an agonizing growl, he would speak through clenched teeth, “I’m afraid you have more problems to worry about with your friend over there. Seems his blood loss has taken its toll and if you don’t act fast, then you may end up losing him. Is that what you would wish for?” Narrowing his eyes briefly, they worked their way down towards the fallen man and the pool of blood that seemed to seep out from his injured left arm. And from there, they would swiftly move up and to the big open gash that laid across his upper back, which seemed to still continue to bleed endlessly. Knowing full well that her worry would reside upon the fallen form of Aviar, he would plan to force his way from her clutches and escape, knowing full well when he was beaten, but his intentions would be put on hold when another would present themselves to this mix-mash of people.

A woman adorned in black leather workings, shoulder length jet black hair and eyes that resembled the very essence of blood themselves had emerged forth from the shadows of a nearby building. By no means was she any simple sort of woman, but she too had also been much like that of Aviar; a half breed. She carried herself with a certain air about her, but when her voice would break the silence, it would be that of a rather eloquent tone, “Aviar Zevatos is far beyond your ability, Vincent. If he had been in any state to fight, you would have never seen the light of day, consider yourself lucky and depart while you’re allowed to do so.” Faltering in her steps not far off from both Aviar and Sephine, her voice would pick up again, “So, you must be Sephine…” The syllables that made up her name seemed to roll freely from her tongue and linger in the air for a moment, before continuing, “A pleasure to finally meet the woman that has replaced me…Not that it really matters a whole lot at this point, not with a dying man in our midst and a would be killer still lingering around.” Elegant crimson hues danced their way across the numerous forms that littered the fields of her visions, until they came to a dead rest upon Vincent.

A malicious grin graced her slender lips in a sadistic manner, which would leave many to wonder what her intent had been for being here. While she would not show it openly, it would surely be revealed later on in a more convenient setting when the three were alone and the hunter was no longer in their midst. Giving a slight flick of her wrist, a long steel blade would jut out just at her wrist, only enough to expose it to those that dared pay close enough attention to her actions. Keeping herself composed, a burning desire for blood began to rise from within her, but it would be quelled for the time being. Now was not the time and place to have fun with either one of them. So instead she would simply toy with Vincent who seemed all too intent upon staying. Whether it was through fright or mere shock, she hadn’t known nor did she really care. Pushing off with her right foot, she would begin in a slow jeering walk towards Vincent, the blade waving its way precariously at her side with the sway of her body as she walked. A wry grin placed itself to her lips, causing them to twist and distort in sick gratification, “Now…What should I do with you…? Should I make it so you can never have kids again…Orrrrrrr…” Her words would falter when she caught a glimpse of the widening eyes of Vincent. That had been the key to driving this man’s fear to the surface, “Maybe I could make you so hideous that no one would ever want to have an offspring with you to begin with, what's your choice?”

Vincent stood frozen in fear at the woman’s appearance. It was by far the last thing he had expected to run across in this confrontation with Aviar. If anyone could instill fear in anyone’s heart, it would be her. When her words continued and spoke of fixing him, a sudden urgency rose within him and without further notice he would jerk quickly from the two of them and drive his way through the shadows of the streets in hopes of escaping them both.

The woman came to a dead halt at the second the man had left, a smile prominent upon her visage as her eyes situated themselves upon Sephine’s, “It seems he values what little the God’s have granted him. Now…As for Aviar…” Peeling her gaze from the woman before her, she would turn her head and cast her gaze over her shoulder at the fallen form of Aviar. Debating on the best course of action for a moment, an idea would implement itself into her head and again her attention would return to Sephine, “I have a place we can take him to rest up. The cleric there seems pretty well inclined in the arts of healing, so it shouldn’t be much of a problem to fix Aviar back up. The only question remains…Would you like the honors of trying to carry him, or should I? Or would you rather the both of us do it, because it matters very little to me. All I know, is we can’t leave him out here with freaks like Vincent running around.”