Nano 2010

Ah, at last we come to this years entry to nano. 😀 So excited! Hehehe.

The demon howled in agony, its dark red flesh streaked with black, putrid blood that oozed from the numerous cuts crisscrossing its body. Yellow eyes with no pupil glared up at the girl panting over it, sword gripped in her small hand. It gnashed its sharp teeth in fury, longing to sink them into the pale, tender flesh of the one who had bested it.

"It is finished." The girl murmured, her shoulders trying to slump with a weariness that she could not allow. Not until the demon had been destroyed completely.

"You are a fool, little girl." The demon hissed even as it eyed her blade with morbid fascination. "It will never be finished."

Ignoring the demon’s pathetic attempt at intimidation, the girl raised her sword over it, the blade pointed straight at the creatures blackened heart. "I banish you from this plane for all time." She intoned quietly before bringing the blade down with surprising force. It pierced the demons heart with a sickening crunch spraying thick black blood over everything. The girl grimaced as the demon let out one last agonizing scream as its body crumbled into dust leaving only the foul blood behind.

Now, with her enemy vanquished, banished to the dark regions of the netherworld, the girl allowed herself to relax. Her entire body slumped forward in exhaustion, evidence of the sleepless nights she had spent tracking her prey. Long, white hair fell limply over her face obscuring her view. She had neither the energy nor the inclination to push it aside. A smile flitted over her face briefly, the joy of victory swelling in her breast.

"Well done child, well done."

The girl stiffened as the voice washed over her as cold and dead as the breath of winter. Her eyes darted frantically from side to side as she searched the shadows but to no avail. A tremor traveled briefly through her body before she tightened her grip on the sword and forced her body to stand tall, waiting.

"Although you do seem so weary. You should rest child." The cruel amusement in the speakers tone sent an angry pulse through the girl and she glared defiantly all around her.

"Show yourself, demon." She growled in frustration.

Dark, mocking laughter echoed from the shadows yet originated from none. "Soon, child. Soon."

"I will destroy you, demon. And any other that stands before me." The girl declared vehemently.

"Very soon child I will come for you." The cold voice whispered, the dark promise in the words chilled her.

Raising her sword defensively, the girl pressed her lips into a thin line. Worn though she might be from the last battle, she would not hesitate in sending the demon back from whence it came. And if she fell in battle, there would be another called to take her place.

"Soon." The demon crooned. "You will be mine."

Frowning, the girl said nothing, preparing for the demons attack. The hairs on the back of her neck had risen of their own volition and a small tendril of impatience crawled up her spine.

"Remember my name, child." The demon purred. "Scream it when I take you. Cry it out when your dreams are

full of terror. Know it as the beginning and the end of all that you are."

Fear crept into the girls heart deadening her limbs and causing her breath to still. Her mind screamed in shock as the demon spoke and she knew her death was nigh. She should not have been afraid. Deep within herself voices screamed at her to calm, to focus. She knew her death would not be the end and yet…terror consumed her. Terror, all-encompassing and numbing, gripped her heart in a vice and she could not move. She saw nothing save a faint glimmer of light reflecting off steal as a small dagger pierced her body.

"No." She whimpered, her own blade falling from nerveless fingers. The noise it made as it struck the cobbled street seemed distant, almost soundless. Her vision greying and her mind shattering, the girl stared deeply into the surrounding shadows, held captive by shimmering golden eyes.

"Remember my name child. Aeshma." The demons voice filled her mind, seeping into every dark crevice and shadowy nook. "Soon I will come for you. I will lay claim to you. Soon. Remember my name. Aeshma."

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