Demon Hunter 5

"That was pretty gruesome, but... thanks." The remaining Blackwing streaked in from nowhere and tackled Jeff in midair. Jeff took advantage of the momentum and rolled backward, kicking his legs up underneath the monster. The Blackwing flew through the air, and would have kept going if Jeff hadn't been so fast. There was a loud pop, and suddenly Jeff was in the Blackwings way. He reared back with his right arm and let loose a bone-crunching punch. The Blackwing was sent back to where he was first thrown and was met by a vicious uppercut. Finally, the Blackwing was put to rest with an overhead, double-handed hammer punch straight into the ground.

Jeff spotted the last Blackwing struggling toward the portal and darted towards it.

He landed softly beside the thing and grabbed it by the throat. He lifted it into the air above him, and, staring it in the eye, he snarled, "What's the matter, Blacky? Afraid you'll get you're wings cut?" He hefted the demon into the air and swung the bat as hard as he could. What was left of the evil thing sailed through the air, never to be seen again.

Jeff and Ashley both returned to their normal selves, their eyes becoming their original color again. Jeff rubbed his left side and was joined by Ashley as he walked steadily toward the portal.

"Something wrong?" Ashley asked, laying her arm around Jeff's shoulders.

Jeff rubbed his side, grimaced, and stood up straight. "Nope. Let's go."

With one last look at the rapidly deteriorating enemies, pair stepped through into the portal.

With one final smart-aleck remark, Bob stepped through the portal, followed by Dillon and Alex. He stepped through onto a large red rock. It was just one boulder of four, two set beside each other on the dirt path. The sky was red with scarlet clouds dotted all over, and he noticed a patrol of five demons, vampires, heading towards the group of three that were now crouched on the boulders.

As the troop moved closer, Dillon was able to get a better look at their faces. Their armor was nothing but leather straps and plate metal. Only one wore a helmet, and Dillon guessed that was the leader.

Bob's eye's suddenly lit up.

"Uh-oh," started Dillon, "He's getting that Lucy Ricardo look in your eyes again." Ashley giggled as Bob rolled off the boulder and landed in the center of the path.

"You guys wait up there until you think I need some help. This'll be fun."

The patrol was soon only yards away from Bob. He stood without movement, blocking the path.

"A Hunter?" asked the leading vampire. "In the Underworld? How unusual... Well, it's your funeral." He pulled a spear from a scabbard at his back and pointed the weapon at Bob.

"I have a challenge for you, demon." Bob pulled the broadsword from its scabbard and scraped a line in front of him in the dirt. "Cross this line."

The vampire stepped forward. "That is all? That's your challenge?"

"Yes," Bob answered, "But I must warn you: any of you who are brave enough, or foolish enough, to step over this line, will be dead in less than two seconds."

A vampire, last in line, saw this as an opportunity to impress the captain and sped forward, spear drawn. He passed over the line and stood in stance.

"One, t-" His head suddenly jumped from his neck and landed on the ground beside him. His body stood for only a second before collapsing.

Bob heard the shing of Alex's machete being drawn and plowed into what was left the vampires. He swung his sword clumsily, more intent on separating the patrol rather than killing any.

Bob reached the fourth vampire and stopped. Like lightning, Bob's hand was at the demon's throat, holding him in the air. With a sharp jab to the chest, Bob sent the thing flying. He spun and caught the unsharpened base of a spear blade coming from above. He snapped it off with a swift twist and tossed it over his shoulder. It stuck in the ground where it landed and quivered as if in fright.

"What are you going to do now?" He asked, standing with his arms by his side. He put his arms up in a boxer's stance and shifted his feet.

The demon tossed what was left of the spear aside and rushed Bob. He swung his fists, kicked with his legs, but nothing worked.

The vampire, panting, stepped back at a ready stance. "My turn!" Bob whispered. His eyes turned white as he popped his neck and knuckles. He walked briskly toward the vampire, a smile on his face. He reared back with one arm and snapped out with the other. He caught the vampire off guard, punching the thing in the chest. Before it had time to recover, Bob sailed in with his right, knocking the demon unconscious.