The Waking Hell

Isle Veni materialized into Jean's view with sparks of fire and the smell of burning land. He took in the sight, initially, with wide eyes. It was unusual, so foreign, to see his homeland burning. He calmed himself, focusing on a large black form in the sky over the isle. Without a doubt, it was the same creature from the Roanoke Islands' underground. Celezar's comforting presence in his mind reassured him it wouldn't be able to influence him as it had before.

Antonio sauntered into his view, a grin on his face that Jean would be foolish not to perceive as excited. "Got any plans?" the nephilim asked him.

"Unfortunately, no--wait, where's Celezar?" His brows furrowed as he looked around.

It took a moment, but the hybrid responded in his mind. "I'm in the fray, love. It's a warzone out here, I'm afraid..."

Lips pursing, Jean looked at Antonio. "Do what you can."

"Will do."

Before his eyes, the nephilim disappeared. Jean only saw a ghost of his movement as he ran forward much faster than any speed Jean had. Gathering himself, he glanced around. Celezar teleported them near the manor, which was, as of now, undamaged. He sensed people inside, the children, the wives, and the servants, bringing his lips into a greater frown.

"You!"

He turned to see Regina staring at him from a window. Behind her, he spotted other family members staring widely at him--some even with fear. The way they looked at him...

It didn't hurt as much as before.

He ran ahead.

Demons ambled around, destroying what little bit of structures existed on the isle. Fortunately, most of them were distracted by the many hunters that had come to help; Jean spotted the Wisk Hunters, the Crane Hunters, and there were likely more. Then, the Lowell Hunters and members of the family were further ahead in the thick of it. He didn't personally like this, but it simultaneously felt appropriate.

He took Ringe out of its holster, shooting the closest demon he could see. Ringe's gunshot was a unique one, and its sound brought several shocked glances his way. Keeping his eyes on the sky, trying to assess where he could get the best advantage to attack the demon hybrid, he continued running ahead.

Finally, after several rounds of shooting, he could spot familiar magic firing at both the demons on land and the demon in the sky. "Friedrich. Artie," he muttered. He had only a split second to wonder what their reaction would be to him being there before they took notice of him.

Their shocked sounds and parroting of his name went in one ear and out the other. He sliced a demon that lunged for him with a swift brandish of Hilde, then met eyes with Megedagik.

"Jean!" the younger man called, fighting off several demons at once that were ganging on him with a consecrated spear.

Jean shot four in rapid succession, then ran to his friend's side. "Are you alright?" he asked, noting the man was panting.

"Good enough. I'm glad you're here." Megedagik took a moment to motion to the sky. "Friedrich's magic isn't strong enough against it..."

"Yeah, it's a B-Class, at least," Jean informed.

"I was afraid of that." Megedagik quickly shot a demon lunging at him, then said, "Don't worry, Jean. We know."

The slightest of smiles pulled at his lips. "Thank you."

Megedagik patted his shoulder, then motioned ahead towards Friedrich.

Exhaling, Jean nodded and ran ahead, putting his weapons away to ready his magic.

"Jean?!" Artie spat upon seeing him appear. "What the fuck are you--?!"

"Tell me the situation!" Jean interrupted, coming to Friedrich's side. He noted the other demons were avoiding them, as if being near the demon hybrid was dangerous...

Friedrich gave him a look but fortunately didn't comment. "My magic. It's only managing to take a few limbs off the damned thing. Is it S-Class?"

"Unfortunately, no." Jean created a ball of blue magic in his hand and threw towards the demon. Midair it turned into a lance and hit its target, causing a wave of blue to envelop the demon.

It shrieked, still in the air as if paralyzed, and slowly lowered from its altitude.

Jean sensed his uncle's shock at the potency of his magic but avoided looking at him. "It's at least B-Class."

"What?! That's impo--!"

"I sense other demons in the area," he said, motioning towards the airstrip. "They're sieging the airport. Take them out; I'll try my hand at the Lord."

"How is th--"

"Do it," he ordered, not bothering to hide the growl in his voice.

His uncle flinched, taking a few steps away from him as if frightened. "Artie!" he called, taking off into the airport's direction.

As his cousin responded and Friedrich relayed Jean's orders, Jean watched the Lord break out of its paralysis and spin to glare at him from a pair of violent red eyes. "Hunter!" it hissed loudly, its voice echoing across the isle.

At once, it flew toward him. He took a few steps forward, creating a large sword out of magic. "Monster," he greeted.

It landed on the ground with a loud thumping rumble. The mist around its body dissipated, allowing him to see its true form.

It was insectoid in appearance with long limbs emerging from its sides akin to a centipede. Its color was blue-black, and towards the front of its body nearer to its mouth were two spiny limbs that gave it small pincers like a crab. Finally, its long mouth glowed red inside, creating a hue of red over the grass whenever it opened it.

"You're uglier than I thought," he scowled.

"And you are far more powerful than I thought," it acknowledged. "You will make for a wonderful meal!"

At once, its pincers reached for him, snapping out with impressive speed. He dodged and swiped at the limb with his manifested sword, but the strange proportions made it easy for it to evade the attack. He growled softly, manifesting another weapon, a lance, in his free hand.

It cackled, moving both limbs to snap at him. He evaded one, then jumped atop its arm once close enough to run for its face. A growl caused the creature's body to vibrate, and he threw the lance at it. Much to his surprise, a field of energy blocked the lance, breaking it.

The creature snapped at him with its second pincer but he slapped it away with his sword. He spotted a few ridges in its carapace that would make for a good chipping point and lunged to its back. He figured it wouldn't let him and a shield appeared on its back before he could slash it. But the lunge did allow him to see an interesting point on its mid-nape area, if he could call it that. He thought it strange, the possibility that it had a weak spot; most creatures of its calibre didn't. But if it did...

Its tail end suddenly snapped up, and his eyes widened before he could dodge. It smacked him aside, causing him to skid him over the ground. He recovered, but the lance fell out of his hands and dissipated. The creature faced him, laughing once more and snapping its claws in his direction.

It had just finished when one of its claws were sliced clean off from a swift attack with his manifested sword. It shrieked, swinging its severed arm. He split it vertically in two, spurting its blood over the ground as it screamed even louder.

"You make for a mighty easy target," he taunted. "Too big, too bulky. Go into your other form; I know you have a human one."

"That pathetic form?" it spat with a snarl, attempting and failing to regenerate its arm. "You would like that, wouldn't you, hunter? Such an advantage?"

He shrugged. "I can handle you either way." He eyed its burbling arm. "Looks like you're having trouble, there."

He didn't wait for it to respond, adjusting the lance in his arm and throwing it. This time, likely because of the demon's distraction or frustration, the lance landed, throwing it back by several measures. After throwing it, he ran forward, and when it fell back, he appeared beneath it.

Taking Hilde and coating it in blue magic, he cut into its armored underbelly and jabbed into a crack. Some glowing green blood spilled on him, but he had already shielded himself, and he jabbed his sword deeper into the dark flesh. As it screamed, he sensed his magic was a perfect counter to its natural armor if he didn't hold back.

Easy.

Something grabbed his leg and pulled him from underneath the bleeding flesh, swinging him into the air. Upon seeing a dark blue tendril around his ankle, one that reminded him of Celezar's, he recalled the demon wasn't fully Infernal. There was hallow in it, too; it just wasn't using its hallow abilities--until now. He easily cut the tendril but five more came at him.

Before he could consider an attack, he was thrown. Wind brushed past him at a speed that could have killed him, but he created a platform in the air for him to bound off of back to the ground. He landed hard but steadily, looking up to scowl at the demon. He was far away from it now, and as it came his way, crawling over the land like an arthropod, he sensed something else creeping up behind him.

Spinning, he brandished Ringe and shot at the creature--but it was humanoid. He missed it by inches, and a burst of red magic threw him further back--toward the demon. As he flew, he caught sight of the magic-user. It was a woman dressed in red and black, a hue of Dark power around her body.

A witch...?

He scowled in realization.

The demon's mate!

He emitted a deep growl and flipped back midair to skid over the ground, glancing back to keep an eye on the demon. Instead of stopping himself, he created a magical whip and reached out to ensnare the witch. Before she could comprehend his actions, he swung around to throw her toward the demon while moving himself out of the demon's trajectory.

He dodged the magic, as it was powerful enough to hurt them both. Two of the projections hit the ground, but the remaining five followed after them. The demon raised on its back legs, revealing its wound, while the witch used her own magic to clash with Jean's. As he began to run toward it, the demon held the witch out of the way while a black and dark blue energy began to channel to its mouth: Either a projectile attack or a beam of energy.

Jean continued running, creating a symbol with his palms while channeling a shield around himself. Simultaneously, the witch began to chant, and massive thralls of Darkness rose from the ground. He narrowed his eyes and repeated a lesser version of the projectile magic that immediate blasted holes into the thralls' heads. They stumbled but continued, and just as his white magic projectiles neared the demon and witch, a blast of power emerged from the creature's mouth.

They blasted through his magic, evaporating them, and he winced as pure power enveloped his vision. He stabbed Hilde into the ground, bracing himself, as the thralls were completely obliterated like the fodder they were.

He felt the attack hit him, but his shield held. However, the witch was on the move; that much he could sense. He couldn't see her, but stretched his senses to follow her as she ran toward him. He focused part of his magic into the ground the same moment the energy turned away from him and the witch came into his vision.

Before she could attack with what looked like a slender sword, his magic sprung from the ground, enveloping her in a ring that blew her away.

Standing, he took Hilde from the ground and looked to see the airport explode from the ray of energy the demon directed at it. Or, rather, the airport was just another obstacle in the energy's way as more than half the land in Jean's view suddenly enveloped in flames. He wasn't given a chance to worry about anyone, spinning around to face the witch sword against sword.

"Don't worry about him," she spat, her eyes a venomous red and her face in a twisted smirk. "Focus on me, dear!"

She laughed when he snarled at her, forcing his physical power against hers. They broke away from each other, sliding back over the grass, and charged their magic simultaneously. The energies manifested as red and blue, swirling and curling around their limbs.

Jean took a brief glance to the right, noticing a dark figure in the sky that looked like Celezar's inhuman form. "I guess I will," he muttered, a brow rising. He looked her over, noting her black tunic-like dress adorned with nothing more than a red and silver belt hanging crookedly around her waist. Her hair was short, to her ear, and she was overall plain looking.

More thralls emerged from the ground, encircling both of them. He glanced at the tall forms undaunted, moving into a ready stance.

She ran forward, red energy enveloping her blade as she held it at her side. Narrowing his eyes, he quickly thought of a way to fight her so he could return to the demon as soon as possible. He placed his sword away, bringing her brows together with confusion, and quickly tapped his fingers together to weave a spell. It almost pained him to recreate the spell, as it was the same one he used on Celezar five years ago.

The witch's eyes went wide, going still for just a moment before scowling as she retreated. After dispersing, Jean's magic perused her, the circle following beneath her despite where she went or how far.

The second she lined up within the bounds of the circle, the magic shot up, enveloping her in whiteness. Unlike with Celezar five years prior, Jean couldn't see her body during the duration of the attack. What he did hear were her screams, see the remnants of skin peel from her body. He watched carefully, looking for any sign or possibility of her survival. Once the attack lessened, he was satisfied to see that she appeared thoroughly burnt.

Her body swayed and fell over after several minutes, making Jean's eyes narrow. Something felt off about it...

His eyes widened.

Spinning to the left, he had only a chance to see the dagger before it sliced his eye. Hissing, he jumped back to create distance between them and set off a wave of ice magic. With his undamaged eye, he saw her lower body become encased in it. She growled out, struggling for only a second before breaking out of the ice with a burst of fire. She took to the sky, using the bursts to fly.

He took the moment to assess his wound, placing a hand over it with a huff of disappointment.

As if by some ironic fate, it was his left eye again. He couldn't sense just yet how it had been sliced, but he couldn't see out of that eye--again. Placing a hand over it that glowed green, he allowed himself a moment of recovery. The witch was still airborne...

He flipped to the side to evade a thrall, then weaved through them in a series of effortless flips and sidesteps. Once he had them strategically lined up, he elongated and swung his sword, taking them all out at once. Using his platforms, he evaded an attack that took the form of a black-violet burst of Dark energy from the sky. Going airborne, he sheathed Hilde the same moment the witch gathered a red ball of magic to her palms.

Now that he was closer, he could see she was indeed injured from his white magic; a quarter of her right torso, arm, and leg were in tatters, her skin terribly burned. He made a soft sound of appreciation. What sort of witch was she, he wondered? Scanning her, gathering his own magic in one hand, he tried to assess what he knew so far.

Could she be a human Dark witch, a rare variation of them? Dark witches were particular in that they were a species, not a people. But, humans who called themselves "Dark" witches were simply closely aligned with and mainly utilized Dark magic.

If so...

The magic in his palm turned white, and he watched her carefully. A deep scowl formed on her face. He nodded to himself, but this wasn't a certain sign it was her weakness.

A haze of Darkness began to emit from her. She was going for a powerful attack--more powerful than the one he had used against her. Be briefly closed his eyes, the magic in his palm dying out. Her expression slightly faltered. She wasn't skilled at hiding her emotions, if nothing else...

Several apparitions of her appeared, encircling him, as she continued charging her magic. He raised a brow, eyeing the doubles. They all appeared to be charging their magic, which left a question for him: could she spread her magic around to ten doubles or was only one of them truly capable of attacking him?

He pressed his fingers together, touching them in different patterns, and a several balls of white magic surrounded his hands. His fingertip glowed white as he targeted each of the doubles, then let the magic disperse. Blue magic quickly emitted from him as the attack simultaneously hit all of the apparitions--all but one. Just as the attack was about to hit her, she released her magic.

An overwhelming orb of Dark magic exploded from her, blinding the horizon and his sight in more than just flames. He easily erected a shield without a thought, this one white in color. It protected him from the Darkness, and he crossed his arms, then clenched his hands.

She hadn't noticed his fingertips still glowed white.

Only after he made the motion did she realize.

The magic that had attacked her doubles returned, all nine of them streamlining to her single body. She gasped and put up a shield, but he charged at her with nine doubles of his own, all with his sword pointing directly at her.

The first hit didn't do anything, the second made her wince. The third and fourth shattered her shield, and the remaining doubles attacked her from all sides, cutting into her flesh the same moment the magic hit her.

As she screamed, Jean sliced her into two.