Bargain Infernal

Episode 3: The First Hunt as a Team

The night air was thick with tension as Alex and Evelyn made their way through the city. The faint glow of neon signs reflected off the wet pavement, casting eerie shadows that danced around them. Alex’s mind raced with questions about his new companion, but he held his tongue. Trust was a luxury he couldn’t afford, not yet.

“So, what’s the plan?”Alex asked, breaking the silence.

Evelyn glanced at him, her green eyes sharp and calculating. “There’s a demon nest in the industrial district. Small-time stuff, but it’s a good place to start. We’ll clear it out and see what we can learn.”

“And by ‘we,’ you mean me doing the heavy lifting,” Alex said, his tone dry.

Evelyn smirked. “You’ve got the hellfire and the shadows. I’ve got the brains and the strategy. Seems like a fair trade.”

Alex rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. He’d seen enough to know she was capable, and her confidence suggested she had plenty of experience dealing with demons. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t telling him everything.

The industrial district was a maze of abandoned warehouses and rusting machinery. The air smelled of oil and decay, and the faint hum of distant machinery added to the eerie atmosphere. Evelyn led the way, her movements precise and silent. Alex followed, his senses on high alert.

“The nest is up ahead,” Evelyn whispered, pointing to a crumbling warehouse at the edge of the district. “Three demons, maybe four. Nothing you can’t handle.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “You’re awfully confident in my abilities.”

“You’ve survived this long,” she said with a shrug. “Besides, I’ll be watching your back.”

They approached the warehouse cautiously, sticking to the shadows. The building’s windows were shattered, and the metal doors hung crooked on their hinges. Inside, the faint glow of red light illuminated the interior, casting long, flickering shadows on the walls.

Alex could feel the presence of the demons before he saw them. The pulse in his mind returned, a steady thrum that grew stronger with each step. He clenched his fists, summoning the hellfire to his hands. The flames cast an orange glow, illuminating his determined expression.

“Stay close,” he said to Evelyn. “And try not to get killed.”

“I’ll do my best,” she replied, her voice tinged with amusement.

The first demon was crouched near a pile of crates, its grotesque form hunched over as it tore into what looked like a half-eaten animal carcass. Its skin was mottled and gray, its limbs unnaturally long. Alex didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, hurling a ball of hellfire at the creature. The flames engulfed it, and it let out a shriek of pain before collapsing into ash.

The noise alerted the other demons. Two more emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes fixed on Alex. One was massive, its hulking frame barely fitting through the doorway it had emerged from. The other was smaller but quicker, its movements almost serpentine as it slithered across the floor.

“You take the big one,” Evelyn said, pulling a dagger from her belt. The blade gleamed with a faint blue light, etched with intricate runes. “I’ll handle the other.”

Alex didn’t argue. The larger demon charged at him, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a swipe from its massive claws. The hellfire in his hands flared brighter as he struck back, landing a solid blow to the creature’s side. The demon roared in pain, its eyes blazing with fury.

Meanwhile, Evelyn moved with precision and grace, her dagger slicing through the air as she engaged the smaller demon. It was fast, darting around her in an attempt to find an opening. But Evelyn was faster. She anticipated its movements, her blade finding its mark with deadly accuracy. The demon let out a guttural hiss before collapsing, its body disintegrating into ash.

Alex’s fight was far from over. The larger demon was relentless, its strength and size making it a formidable opponent. It swung its massive arms, forcing Alex to stay on the defensive. He waited for an opening, his mind racing as he analyzed the creature’s movements.

When the demon lunged, Alex saw his chance. He sidestepped the attack and drove his fist, engulfed in hellfire, into the creature’s chest. The flames spread quickly, consuming the demon from the inside out. It let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing into a heap of ash.

Alex stood over the remains, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Evelyn approached, her dagger still in hand. She looked him over, a hint of approval in her expression.

“Not bad,” she said. “You might just survive this after all.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Alex replied, his tone dry. “What now?”

Evelyn knelt beside the pile of ash that had once been the smaller demon. She sifted through it, pulling out a small, glowing shard.

“This,” she said, holding it up for Alex to see. “It’s a fragment of their essence. Useful for tracking and… other things.”

“Other things?”Alex asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Evelyn pocketed the shard and stood. “You’ll see. Let’s just say it’ll help us figure out what’s really going on here.”

As they left the warehouse, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that Evelyn was keeping secrets. She was too confident, too knowledgeable. And the way she handled herself in the fight it was clear she’d been doing this for a long time.

“You’ve done this before,” he said, breaking the silence.

Evelyn glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “I’ve had my fair share of experience. Let’s leave it at that.”

Alex frowned but didn’t push further. He had enough on his plate without trying to unravel her mysteries. For now, they had a common goal, and that was enough.

As they walked through the darkened streets, the city seemed quieter than before. The air was heavy, and Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching them. He glanced over his shoulder, but the streets were empty.

“Get some rest,” Evelyn said as they reached the edge of the district. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

Alex nodded, though sleep was the last thing on his mind. The fight had left him exhausted, but his thoughts were a whirlwind of doubt and questions. He didn’t trust Evelyn, but he couldn’t deny that she was a valuable ally. For now, he’d play along. But he’d keep his guard up.

As they parted ways, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The demons were getting stronger, more organized. And if Evelyn was right, there was more at stake than he realized. The hunt continued, and Alex knew he’d need every ounce of strength to survive what was coming.