Elliot rode into another town. The atmosphere was quiet, unnervingly so, save for the noise swelling from the town square. Dismounting, he secured his horse and glanced toward the commotion.
"What do you think is going on there?" Elliot asked.
"A whole lot of none of our business," Lilith replied. Only Elliot could hear her, and a bystander eyed him as if he were mad.
"Fair enough," Elliot muttered, stepping into a tavern.
The place was nearly empty, save for a few drunkards slumped at tables. Elliot approached the counter.
"Do you sell food? Seems the other spots are closed," he asked.
"Yes. Bad day to visit town," the woman said. "They caught a half-breed accused of consorting with demons. We've got chicken, lamb, and beef stew. Which will it be?"
"I'll have the lamb stew, ma'am," Elliot replied. She disappeared into the back.
Dealing with demons… could he be in the same situation as me? Poor guy, Elliot thought.
"Don't get any wise ideas," Lilith warned. "If you risk yourself for someone you don't know, I won't help."
"Let's head to the square. I want to see him," Elliot said, ignoring her.
"Elliot…" Lilith sighed.
"Ma'am, hold that stew for me. I'll be back," Elliot called, leaving before she could answer.
Impulsive as he is talented, Lilith thought grimly.
At the square, Elliot pushed through the crowd. A platform loomed above a basin of water. A priest in white robes, old and bitter, raised his voice. Paladins flanked him, swords gleaming.
"Today we do God's work! We expel abominations from our land. Bring him out!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
From behind the stage, a young man was dragged forward. Shackles bound his wrists and ankles, bruises marred his body, and his white eyes held no defiance. His blue hair streaked with white, his sharp ears — all screamed elf.
The jailer yanked him by the rope around his neck. Stones flew from the crowd.
"ABOMINATION!"
"ELF SCUM!"
"DEMON CULTIST!"
The boy staggered, beaten and broken, until he was tied above the basin.
"Today this abomination dies! Evil will be purged!" the priest bellowed.
The trapdoor swung open. The boy dropped, choking, clawing at his neck as the crowd cheered.
Then — a dagger sliced through the rope. The boy plunged into the water. Silence fell. All eyes turned to the source: a silver-haired youth glaring at them.
"Idiot," Lilith muttered.
"HEY! DON'T YOU DARE DIE! I SAVED YOU, SO LIVE!" Elliot roared, his eyes burning red, demonic energy surging from him.
The boy in the water felt it — strength surged back, his aura flaring. Chains shattered as a massive buster sword slammed into the basin. He rose, weapon in hand.
"I hear you, stranger," the boy said.
Three paladins charged Elliot. He didn't move his hands from his pockets.
The first swung for his neck. Elliot stepped back, then leapt forward, kicking the man's spine. The second lunged for his back — Elliot flipped, landing behind him, and kicked his ribs with bone-cracking force. The third's blade met Elliot's bare hand, shattering on impact. Elliot's following punch caved the man's chest, hurling him twenty meters.
The crowd froze in silence.
Then Elliot felt it — pressure, heavy and suffocating. He turned. A purple-haired man with a bun, sword in hand, approached.
"Be careful, stranger! That's the hunter who caught me!" the elf shouted, fending off paladins.
"Come on. Show me that malicious energy," the hunter said.
"Show me you're worth it first," Elliot replied, manifesting his dagger.
They clashed. Elliot slashed for the neck.
"Slow," the hunter sneered, his magic cutting Elliot's shoulder. Elliot staggered back, inspecting the wound.
"Only a scrape. Wind magic, huh? Let's see if I can break it," Elliot said, smiling.
"Good luck. My passive wind magic shields me. You cannot break through!" the hunter boasted.
Fifty percent speed enhancement should be enough, Elliot thought.
He vanished. The hunter's wind barrier rippled under countless unseen strikes. Panic set in. He swung wildly, desperate.
Then — cold steel pierced his abdomen. Elliot's hand gripped his neck.
"Slow," Elliot whispered, before snapping the hunter's neck. The hunter's body crumpled.
The crowd recoiled in fear. Even the paladins faltered.
"Let's leave," Elliot said, turning away. The elf followed.
Moments later, the two rode out of town.
"Sorry, sir… what's your name?" the boy asked.
"I'm no sir. Name's Elliot. No family, no last name. You?"
"Adriano of the Dreaded Forest. I am an elf half-breed… and my body is inhabited by a great demon, a calamity."
Elliot smirked. "We share that. My body too is bound to a demon. Seems we should stick together."
"Indeed we should, Elliot," Adriano replied as they rode into the horizon.
In a dimly lit chamber, the priest from Adriano's execution approached a table where a hooded man sat in silence. The priest lowered himself into the chair opposite, his movements deliberate, his eyes shadowed.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice, Eddard. The church requires your services," the priest said, his voice low and heavy.
"My services," Eddard replied, calm and firm. "What happened? What do I need to hunt?"
"Two abominations," the priest answered, urgency creeping into his tone. "An elf half-breed and a human boy. Both possess demonic power. The human boy is formidable even without magic."
Eddard leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Demonic power… your church clings to this mission-of-God act. Still, I owe you for taking care of my sister. I'll hunt them. Do you want them dead or alive?"
At that moment, a sinister aura leaked from the priest — pure malice, thick and suffocating. The air itself seemed to shudder under its weight.
"Bring me their heads," the priest hissed, his voice dripping with venom.
Eddard chuckled softly, a smile curling across his face. "Seeing you like this makes me happy," he said, rising to his feet.
Before leaving, he turned back, his piercing yellow eyes glowing brighter than any candlelight in the room.
"I will bring you your prey," Eddard promised coldly.
He departed, and the priest remained, a twisted smile spreading across his face as he whispered to himself:
No one survives Eddard… the Night Terror.