Inside The Fire 2 Chapter 1

It's high walls and trained guards keep the city safe from the dangers of the wasteland. Although, a bit of danger seems to slip in from the outside from time to time.

That's why I'm here. A big city like this is bound to have a monster problem. After all, that's the reason why we were made in the first place.

Wandering the wasteland tends to drain your pockets, so I had to take a job.

Heading towards the entrance to the city, 2 guards wearing power suits were arguing with a family of immigrants.

"But, we need a place to stay!", the father pleaded, as his children kept crying and wailing on the hot sands.

"If you want shelter, head to Yakona village, southeast of here. We're under strict orders not to let immigrants in!",

"Yakona village's been wiped out... A demon attack..",

"That's too bad.. But still, we can't let you in here!",

"But - ",

Before the father can even finish his sentence, the guards drew their rifles, and fired a warning shot.

The bullet was just inches away from blasting his foot.

"No buts! We are under strict orders!", the guardsmen yelled.

I didn't meddle. It was none of my business, so I just rested on the nearby wall as the immigrant family ventured out into the wasteland once more.

I can't save everyone.

h.e.l.l, I can't even save an old friend.

The guard, seeing me nearby, gestured me to come forth. "You there.. What's your business in Talaran?", the guard asked.

"Work.",

"What kind of work?",

"This kind.", I said, as I flashed off my license.

"What the - ", the 1st guard muttered.

"Triple S cla.s.s?", the 2nd guard said.

"Demon hunter.. You may pa.s.s.", 1st guard said.

A door near the gate opened for me as I pa.s.sed, but before I could enter, the guardsmen yelled,"wait!",

"What?", I turned around.

The two guards, looked at each other, and whispered something.. After a couple of seconds later, they both nodded and faced me.

"Say... We'd like to hire you.",

"Oh yeah? What for?",

"Yakona Village.. We may have not look liked it, but we really do care about the immigrants who turn up here.. So, we'd like you to investigate what happened there..",

"What's in it for me?", I asked.

"200 pepe's.", The guards replied.

"I'll think about it.. But, if what that man says is true, I think that village is already demon meat.", I said bluntly.

The guardsmen looked at each other with concern and sadness. Surely, they knew someone there. But, if it really was attacked by demons, then there was no chance if anyone even survived it.

Trying to ignore it, I entered the city of Talaran.

I first went through the port, looking at notice boards for potential work..

"Nothing but bodyguard jobs... ", I muttered, as I looked at the noticeboard.

But this one poster caught my eye, as if it was shining with gold. It had a girl's face, and an insignia that belonged to my old order.

"Need bodyguard for my daughter, for The Resistance Phantom.. -Don Dominic", Without a second thought, I ripped the poster and went straight to the Bounty hall.

As usual, the bounty hall was filled with wannabe hunters. I could tell. They don't have the Eyes. I just casually walked through to the bounty desk while they share their "true" stories about their travels.

I pa.s.sed the poster under the gla.s.s table, to the beautiful desk lady. I tried my hardest not to flirt with her.

"This bounty is only available for S-cla.s.s hunters, can I see your license? ", The desk lady asked.

I took my license and flashed it to her. Then, seeing my ID, her face was filled with surprise and dread.

"T-Triple S cla.s.s hunter?? B-but that is only available for demon hunters! C-could it be?",

"Shhh! not too loud, you're attracting attention!",

"Sorry, sorry.",

After a bit of explaining, I told her that I was short on money and happened to pa.s.s by the city. Without any second thought, they authorized the bounty and I left the building, headed for Don Dominic's manor.

Lucky for me only the desk ladies heard it. If those hunters heard them, they would've challenged me just as soon as I left the building to get my eyes and sell them. Demon hunter eyes cost a fortune in the black market. Well, not that I would lose, it was just too much of a ha.s.sle.

Plus, I'd rather not to have my body count rise again.

Don Dominic's manor. Just the sight of it reeks of crime and corruption. Nevertheless, the pay's good. I could always back out if it breaks my code.

I approached the guard gate.

"Who are you?", the guard asked, pointing his sword at me.

"Hmph. the b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I could cut your hand with your own sword if I felt like it", I thought to myself. "I'm Neil Iosif, I accepted a bounty to protect the Don's daughter.",

"Hmm, I'll let the Don know. ", The guard then proceeded to contact the Don through an intercom.

After a couple of minutes, the guard let me through, and guided me through the mansion to the Don's room.

After a while of walking through the Don's huge mansion, I was led through a corridor with a large set of double doors at the end of it. At each side of the corridor were paintings from before the war. You could tell from the images, it was handcrafted, painted, unlike today's portraits.

"Through here... the Don will see you through that door.",

"Thanks. So long.",

I was getting nervous. I haven't met the Don personally before. I only know him through my old friend Ed's stories. I was told that him and Ed fought in the Mutant wars, The Don was still a footsoldier, and Ed just graduated from the Demon hunter Academy.

Both of them would fight together on the battlefield, backs against each other, and helping both. He said he was a good friend.

I opened the double doors, and a flash of light blinded my eyes. It took a couple of seconds to adjust the brightness.

To my surprise it was the Don's riches, shiny pepe's all over the room. Stacked on the shelves, the tables, the chairs, even on the bed.

And with a snappy turn of his chair, he faced me.

"Hmm...", he looked at me dead in the eyes, then proceeded to look at my gear.

"I know "what" you are. And to be honest, that's what I just need at the moment.", he continued.

"Need? Not want? You must be really desperate... You have hundreds of men here at your disposal and yet you posted an S-cla.s.s notice to guard your daughter? Tell me, what's this job about? I'm intrigued.",

He lit his cigar and started to smoke...

"Truth be told, the church is after my daughter..",

"The church?",

He exhaled the smoke.

"Yes.. apparently my little girl has a.. hmm, "Gift" you might say. And the church desperately wants it.. And, these blokes that are working for me can't really do anything against Paladins that might be knocking on my doors later on.. After all, those paladins are on par with you Demon Hunters right?",

He's not mistaken.. I encountered several paladins during my adventures.. Most of the battles were settled in a tie, or a close victory..

Let's just say I survived those fights because I was lucky.

"Yeah... You could say that.", I replied.

"I am well aware. so? Will you take the job or not?",

"I would like to meet your daughter first.. Would like to know what kind of person I'm protecting..",

He clapped 3 times, and heard footsteps approaching from the corridor.

Then, the doors slammed open.

It was a butler, in his late 40s, and an old fashioned one at that. Black coat, tie, black shoes, white gloves. Just like how they look back then.

"What is it Sir?", the butler asked, in a deep and suave voice.

"Take this man to Ca.s.sidy's room. Tell her that this man is her bodyguard now.",

"With great haste sir.", he faced me then continued, "Right this way sir.",

"Hold on... I haven't agreed to this job yet.", I retorted.

The don, stared at me menacingly, exhaling the tobacco smoke outside the window.

"Trust me. You will.",

And with that sentence, I became even more intrigued, and so I followed the butler to the girl's room.

He led me through the mansion, to another corridor leading to another set of double doors.. You could tell that this was a girl's room. The wallpaper's pink, and the paintings on the walls were ponies and unicorns.. Smiley faces covered the window curtains, and rainbows filled the ceiling.

The entire atmosphere was too bright for me, I put on my hat to cover my face.

"Sir?", the butler asked.

"Sorry, this is just.. Too overwhelming for me.",

"What is, sir?",

"The atmosphere. It reeks of happiness.",

"I see sir. Both you and the lady have the same reactions when entering this hallway. ",

"Eh? Wasn't she the one who put these here?", I asked confused.

"No, her father did... Lady Ca.s.s is - how do I put it - Gothic.. She prefers dark colors, she despises joyful colors.. ",

"Huh. Some princess. Like someone I used to know.", I muttered.

I kept silent, and continued towards to Ca.s.sidy's room.

The butler opened the door, his head bowed before anyone even spoke. "Madam Ca.s.sidy! This man has been appointed as your new bodyguard.",

Then, a cute little voice spoke out from the room, "Ehhh?? Again?",

Then from the shadows, out came a cute little girl in a lolita outfit, complete with frills and a little umbrella. She was pet.i.te and fit, probably around the age of 14.

"Yes, madam Ca.s.s. ", the butler replied.

"So? Who is it this time?", the girl asked, heading towards the door.

"Sir? Introduce yourself?", the butler whispered.

I cleared my throat, straightened my posture, but I didn't bow. "Neil Iosif, a Triple S cla.s.s hunter. Good to meet you.", I said, trying not to give in the temptation to pinch her chubby cheeks.

The girl, arms crossed, looked annoyed by my introduction. Her head turned sideways as she examined me. Then, after some time of awkward silence, an expression of amazement and surprise filled her face. "You're a Demon Hunter!", she yelled out.