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Alrighty, the next chapter in the wolf and rose story series is finally ready for submission. This one is kinda long, but I hope you will enjoy it anyway.

Comments are apprecaited and requested.

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Continued from 'Tests and Torture'...

I stared up at the towering demon that stood illuminated by the fel light of Hell before me, my jaw falling open in shock. Of all the things I had expected, this was certainly not one of them. At my look of utter shock, Redamarc chuckled.

"Surprised, Galen?" The demon asked, his mocking tone grating on my already ragged nerves. "Don't feel bad Hunter, I would have been surprised if you had known." Redamarc strode forward slowly, his footfalls making the stone floor shake. He walked over to where I was bound at a leisurely pace and knelt before me. With one clawed hand, he raised my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes, both of them an acidic, burning yellow that glowed with an unholy light, the mark of the dark god's powers. "As much as I hate to say this, you consistently impress me, young hunter. I didn't think anyone from your world could make it this far."

"My lord, you have met this creature before?" The vampire asked, speaking from behind me, its sword now resting point downward on the stone floor. He obviously felt that, bound as I was, I wasn't going anywhere.

"Oh yes." Redamarc said, releasing my chin and walking around behind me, out of my line of sight. "Galen and I have quite the history." The demon lord leaned in from right behind me, shouldering the vampire aside. He laid both heavy hands on my shoulders and spoke quietly so I alone could hear him. "You know Galen, ever since Auré tossed me and my brothers out of his realm, I have spent a great deal of time corrupting the mortals that he seems to love so much. And I believe I have seen enough to understand them as well as anyone." His hands tightened cruelly, his claws slicing right through my flesh. I gritted my teeth, grunting in pain, for his claws dripped with corrupting toxins, the wounds beginning to burn as if hot coals were being pressed into them the moment his claws pierced my skin. "And in all the millennia since then, I have never met a mortal with such a propensity for getting in my way." Redamarc snarled, pulling his claws upward and out, leaving ragged cuts up my shoulders. Dark trails of my own warm blood started trailing through my grey fur, the sensation very unfamiliar. Usually, my wounds began to heal almost instantly, but now, I lacked the strength. "I have fought many demon slayers, many priests over the years, and not one is quite like you. From the moment I first laid eyes on you, you have been a thorn in my side, and no matter what I have done, you still persist in making my life miserable."

With that last word, the demon lord grabbed my wrists, the magic tendrils that gripped my arms slackening as he pulled back, lifting brutally upward. The demon lord planted a foot against my spine and yanked with his arms, nearly pulling my limbs from their sockets. Sharp, biting pain blossomed in my shoulders and I gritted my teeth, letting out a low growl, the hard angle making it difficult to even draw breath.

"Three times you killed me Galen, and each time, it was harder to return to your world." He hissed, his mouth next to my ear. I tried to look back but all I could see was the demon's spiky chin. "And the last time, you destroyed my blood stone. Do you have any idea how hard those are to make?"

A moment later, he yanked harder with his arms, and though I tensed to resist the motion, it was useless. Even at the height of my strength, I was not the equal of a demon lord. It was like trying to hold back a flood with my body. For a brief moment, my arms resisted moving, and then, with a pair of horrifically audible pops that made Julianna cringe, my shoulders dislocated. The sudden pain that filled my body was more intense and debilitating than anything I had felt that day, though I had felt such pains before. It was as if the toxins the demon had left in my wounds amplified pain. Redamarc released me at my cry, letting me hang limp from the slackened magic. I couldn't help but wince as my feet and lower leg trailed on the ground, my shoulders throbbing angrily. "Come on hero. Get up. At least do me the courtesy of standing." Grudgingly, and though it cost me a great deal of pain, I dragged myself up to my feet, taking the pressure off my shoulders. I didn't know where I was finding the strength to get up, as little as it required, but still it came, from somewhere deep down inside me. The demon lord grinned evilly, "That's it."

Then, with only a moment's hesitation, as if to let me feel a moment of triumph before he took it away, he dug his claws into my side, just beneath my shoulder blades. I set my jaw tightly, gritting my teeth in anticipation and he began slowly to drag his claws through the flesh of my back, leaving long, horrific cuts across in their wake. I managed not to cry out until halfway through his motion, when he dragged his claws suddenly upward a few inches, right over my spine and I let out a howl of agony as my back arched, my body trying to get away from his claws, but putting even more pressure on my shoulders in the process.

"Please!!" Julianna cried, suddenly breaking her silence. "Leave him alone."

"Don't interrupt." Redamarc scolded, waving his free hand at her. A band of magic energy looped itself over her mouth, gagging her. "Its rude." Then, he continued to slowly drag his claws through my skin, until he had left four long scratches that stretched from arm to arm. "And as for your request, I might have done so, had he come earlier in his life." The demon returned his attention to me and I bristled at his next words. "I considered making you stay here Galen, until your protection was gone and then letting the curse take you, but you have proven yourself far too much of a nuisance to be left alive."

With that, Redamarc stood up, walking back so he stood in front of me. For a moment, he stood still, as if considering my fate, then he waved his hand upward and the tendrils tightened, lifting me off the ground, grinding my dislocated shoulders together, making the cuts on my back split wider. I gritted my teeth against the pain, managing not to cry out, but the horrible pain was as a pinprick compared to what happened next. The moment I was even with his head, Redamarc lashed out with a hand, his claws carving through the flesh of my chest with appalling ease and speed. I screamed, for it was more painful than anything I had ever felt before. The moment his claws penetrated my flesh, my entire body burned as if I had been dipped in boiling lava.

And, in my mind, as I writhed in agony twenty feet off the floor, every motion eliciting new waves of pain from my wounds, I could hear the voice of the demon's spirit in my mind, speaking words of despair and loathing. His voice was too terrible for words, but perhaps worst of all, I could feel my life's blood trailing from the cuts, painting my grey fur dark red. My blood was warm but a chill was starting to seep over me that it did not hold back. But Redamarc was not finished yet. The demon grabbed my left side, about at the level of my floating ribs, his claws piercing my skin, and then, without apparent effort, he ripped his hand across my body, slicing open my skin like a predator with his prey. It was agony so intense that I couldn't even cry out. All I could do was gape in silent anguish. I hung my head, and saw to my horror that my lowest ribs had been laid bare, white bone glistening in the foul orange light of Hell for the barest moment before it was obscured by more of my blood flowing from the terrible cut. The chill spread quicker now, enveloping every part of my form, and I knew then that I was about to die. I doubted that I would have been able to heal myself from wounds so severe, even if I had been at my full strength. But Redamarc would not be denied his fun. He jabbed the horrific wound with one clawed finger, making me cry out as he worked it into my wound, spreading more of the foul poisons into my body. But, even as he tormented me, I could feel his foul magics surging into me, and the flood of red fluid slowed to the barest trickle, the torrent of crimson held back by his power.

"Do not think, even for a moment, that I will allow you to die before I want you to, Hunter." He snarled quietly, leaning in and grabbing me by my chin. He then turned my head so I faced Julianna. My vision was so blurred by the pain that I could barely see her, but I sought her eyes all the same. She looked like she was about to be sick, her face having a strange greenish cast to it, and I knew that for all the agony I was being put through, it was worse for her. For she had to watch, knowing that when the demon grew tired of tormenting me and at last allowed me to die, she would be next. Our eyes met and I saw in them a desire to save me from the pain, to plead for mercy, and that made me smile sadly. But it also reminded me that though I was about to die, though I had failed to save her, I was still a Hunter, still a member of the Slayers of Auré, and if nothing else, I would die with honor, not begging a demon for mercy. I gave a slight shake of my head and her pretty face turned grim one more. Redamarc saw this and laughed, turning my head to face him whilst leaning his fanged face close to mine. "Admirable, but I will not kill you now, but neither will I save you to die later. No, as you are dying in torment, you will hear your lover's screams and know that she will die as my servant."

With that, he let my face go and waved dismissively with his hand, the magic tendrils that bound me slackening once more, lowering me to the floor. When my feet touched the dark puddle of blood that had collected below me, I began to shiver, for the chill had suddenly become all-encompassing. It was a chill that did not dissipate, a chill that only got worse as the moments passed in slow motion. I wanted to die, to go into the darkness that hovered just out of reach, to find peace and an end to pain in eternal slumber, but the darkness would not come at my command. My vision was graying, fading as my life slipped away, and yet I could still see the tiny ruby droplets that fell into the puddle that surrounded my feet with awful, crystal clear detail. As I watched them fall, I knew that with each drop that left me, my end drew ever nearer. This was it, there would be nothing more for me. But, even as death grew near, a vision appeared within my mind, and for a moment I thought it was another way by which Redamarc sought to torture me. But the vision felt different than the conjurings of the demon, its touch upon my mind pure, but still foreign. Redamarc would wait until my ward's protection faded and then he would corrupt Julianna, force her to serve him and his dark will. My own fading will strived to wake my mind and body to the task of stopping him, but it was too weak to resist death. I wanted to do something, anything to stop him, but I was just so tired. And worse, I was without hope. After all, I was just one man, alone against a dark god and his legions of demons. What could one man hope to accomplish against so vast a force?

And then, even as my will failed and I made peace with the darkness that was closing inexorably in upon me, something different seemed to touch my mind. It came from outside, beyond the darkness, something I had felt before, something different than the human within me. It was a presence, a powerful will that had lent me the strength to break free of Redamarc's control, twenty long years ago. It had allowed me to slay him that first time, imprisoned the werewolf within me ever since. It seemed to be revolted by the idea of giving up, giving in to this demon. It was calling to me, and my spirit wanted to heed its call, to rally my strength to fight back, but it didn't seem to be possible. My much-tormented body had nothing left for it to call on. But then, I heard Julianna scream as Redamarc tortured her, the sound frighteningly clear. And her scream of pain and misery did something to me as it echoed in my ears, drowning out all other sounds, something that I hadn't expected to happen. The werewolf within me, the creature that had thrashed against its bonds so strongly, violently trying to seize control of my mind from the moment I set foot within this blasted realm of ash and dust, suddenly stopped struggling.

Instead, I felt it coiling, seeming to be gathering itself as if for a spring, its heckles raising. Something new was emanating from it, something warm that held back the chill in my heart. It was anger, but not any kind of anger that I had felt before. It was deeper, more ancient and wild than any human could feel. And, accompanying the anger was a message. It wasn't words, for the creature it came from did not use them. Instead, it was more like images, impressions really, but I understood it well enough. The werewolf within me could stand much torment at the hands of a demon, and it had done so ever since it had been brought into being by the curse. It could endure being tortured, tormented to the last moment of life; it could even endure the idea of being slain by its master, but Redamarc had at last gone too far. It was true that I loved Julianna with all of my heart; that I would live for her, die to save her, but the feelings went even deeper for this creature that had lived within me, sharing my body and mind. To it, she was its mate, its future; a future to which every fiber of its being was devoted. A future, that was being threatened by its master.

My sight was growing all the more dim. My heart was slowing, my breaths becoming all the more shallow. This was it, I knew, I was dying. A very few breaths remained to me, a very few beats of my tired heart. But I was not dead just yet. The werewolf was no longer straining to be freed, instead, it seemed to be holding obediently still, and the impressions pouring into my mind seemed to turn inviting, welcoming. And suddenly, I understood what it was doing. It was offering to join me. Offering me a last chance to fight for our love. And as I drew in a last breath, as my body grew still and my last sight faded into grey mist, I heard Julianna scream once more. The scream was a cry of utter despair and pain, the cry of one who has lost all that is dear to them and has no hope. And, as that scream echoed within the quieting confines of my mind, I made a decision, my spirit awakening, struggling against the darkness that had almost claimed me for one last, desperate act.

I removed the shackles I had placed on the beast that lived within my mind, letting it go free within me for the first time since it had been imprisoned. And as it surged from its prison, the grey clouds that had filled my sight were drawn back as life swiftly returned anew to my body. I felt the werewolf's mind join fully with mine, and at last I understood truly what the beast was. By imprisoning the werewolf within me, I had cut myself off from half of myself. I had lost my humanity the day I had been cursed, but not all, as I had thought. I was not fully human anymore, and never would I be again, no matter how much I wished to be. Half only was human; the other half was the wild wolf spirit of the werewolf, long enslaved by the dark will of the demons. But no longer. Now it had cast itself free, at the last moment its vessel lived, and in so doing, it had brought life back to it.

Alien instincts rose within me, instincts that were primal, wild and free. Fire suddenly filled my veins, driving back the chill of death, warming my body again and I welcomed the heat that I had locked away for so long. The cold of Hell no longer seemed to touch me. The werewolf's strength joined with mine and the blood flowing from my horrific wounds suddenly stopped. Torn muscle and sinew knit together once more, skin reformed and my blood resurged within me, coursing ever stronger with every beat of my heart. Its strength was one untouched by the demon magic that ruled in this realm, an untapped well unfathomably deep, a strength that I now accepted willingly. My wounds burned still, but that too was fading away, healed by a magic wholly different than the holy powers of Auré and his servants, and the dark, corrupt power of the demons. This was a power that no mortal had ever known existed within werewolves, a power that was as cool and wild as starlight.

And then, despite the pain my shoulders gave when I moved my arms, I gripped the tendrils that held me, pulling tightly, straining and stretching. And then, with a loud popping sound that echoed in the chamber, my shoulders popped back into place and I drew myself back up to my feet. Even the aches and pains that had accumulated during my time in this cursed place vanished, and I felt myself growing. I was getting bigger, returning to the size I had been during the full moon as the werewolf half of myself once more came to the fore. And then, as Julianna sobbed in painful torment, Redamarc's claws slashing her, I sucked in a deep, dry breath. As my eyes snapped open, my suddenly clear sight returning, the werewolf joined its voice with mine, and together, we let out a howl that was louder and more powerful than any I had voiced before. Our howl was deep and resonant, a pleasant chorus of voices crying out against our tormentor. It was a sound that protested the pain we had endured, protested the torture of the one we loved; a fierce and wild song that defied the will of the gods, both light and dark. We howled and strained together against the bonds that held us, two halves of a whole, for once in total agreement.

And then, as Redamarc whipped around in surprise, the priest marks spread out over my body, marks that had darkened almost to black with the dark touch of corruption, suddenly glowed brilliant green once more, for with the strength of the werewolf within my body, my spirit returned to life, at last heeding the clarion call of the presence beyond the darkness. And the marks were changing. Within the sunburst, a silver-white glow was starting to appear, spreading out, twining with the green light. The white light took on the form of a crescent moon, rapidly growing until half the priest mark was covered by it. And then, as the echoes of my howl became ever louder and more numerous as they rebounded infinitely within the walls of the hellish cathedral, the bonds holding me frayed and then shattered like so many shards of glass. I whirled around, facing the vampire that stood near and before it could react, I leapt upon it, my jaws closing upon its throat. The vampire shrieked in pain, a sound that was like music to my new wild soul, and then its voice was cut off, for my powerful jaws had bitten clean through its neck. The creature's head fell from its shoulders and I rose from its corpse, my sword blade glittering in my hand, reflecting arcs of bright energy onto the walls as the light coming from the broken shards of magic shone upon it. I turned to face Redamarc and reveled in the sight of his face twisting with surprise at my sudden recovery.

"How ever did you manage that, young hunter?!" He asked, a note of alarm in his voice. He took a step toward me, stepping away from my love, flicking a hand toward the wall. More magic tendrils, akin to those that had held me, but much larger, lashed out towards me once more, but they stopped short of grabbing me, the silver-white aura that surrounded me holding them at bay. Redamarc's surprised look grew all the more twisted as he came to the realization that his magic would not affect me any more. "What is going on here?"

But his question went unanswered as I stalked forward, my blade between us. His look turned dark, and then he snarled, stepping forward quickly to meet me. He struck at me with his huge clawed hand, his motions blindingly quick, but my sword was in the way, guided by instinct alone. When his claws touched the blended metal and stone of my blade, there came a sizzle and he drew back in surprised pain, letting out a hiss. Dark curls of smoke drifted up from my blade as demonic toxins were burned up by jade. Smiling to myself, I lunged forward quickly, the point of my sword aimed straight for his black heart. The demon lord was quick, batting aside the strike, his motion carrying enough force to drive my sword well out of line, his other hand darting for my neck. But his claws closed only on air, for I had never expected the strike to connect. Using the momentum Redamarc had given my sword, I had spun, my blade scribing a bright, glowing green arc through the air. The sword blade found its way through his guard, and it was Redamarc's turn to feel pain.

The moment my blade met his armor, there came a flash of brilliant green light, as if a bolt of lightning had struck within the chamber. The Demon Lord let out a bellow of pain and surprise, the acrid stink of burned flesh entering the room. The demon reeled backward from the blow, one hand clutching at his thigh. Julianna's face was lit with a look of wonder and fear as the tall demon reeled towards her, but the fear vanished when I leapt between her and the demon. Redamarc pulled his hand back from his leg, reveling that the plate of armor that had covered him there had shattered at the caress of my blade, and that a long black slice now stood out against his pale flesh, a burned weal that was not healing, though the flesh around it quivered as if trying to seal it.

"You will pay, Demon Lord. For every ounce of pain you have dealt us, you will pay." I snarled, bringing my glittering blade up once more. Redamarc stared at me with a look of such rage that I could easily feel its heat upon me. His great voice filled the room once more, speaking words of a dark spell and a black sword almost twice as long as I was tall appeared in his grasp, coalescing out of nothingness. He swung it around his head in one hand, as if testing its weight, making the air whistle with its passage. Then he stepped forward towards me swiftly, bringing the blade down in a mighty slash. For the barest moment, I hesitated, my blade faltering, for I did not think, even with my werewolf half helping me, that I had the strength to match him. But my hesitation lasted only for that brief moment, for I knew that if I moved, the blow would fall upon Julianna. My will steadied, I held my sword up high, supporting the blade with one hand near the point. Our swords met above my head, releasing a shower of brilliant sparks as Jade and silver met corrupted steel.

I angled my blade at the last moment, deflecting his strike to the side and down, his huge sword's blade cleaving deep into the stone floor at my feet. Knowing that the giant blade gave the Demon lord the advantage in the fight, I acted, doing the only thing I could to even the odds. Pressing one foot hard against the flat of his blade, I trapped it for a moment within the stone, pushing off with all my strength, leaping into the air, my sword slashing an arc through the air. And Redamarc again shrieked in pain, for my blade had bitten deep. But I had not aimed for his chest or his head, where the strike might have done lethal harm. Instead, the sword I wielded cut through the skin of his wrist, severing tendon and muscle, stopping just short of bone. I landed on my feet after my leap beside the platform where Julianna lay and hopped quickly back out of range as the great demon released his sword, his hand no longer able to grasp its hilt.

And, as he reeled backward once more, startled and in pain, I seized my chance, stepping to the attack, moving faster than ever, becoming a twilight grey blur, my sword never still in my hand, weaving a never ending dance of blows around him, as fast as he had been moments before. His clawed hands deflected many of my blows, but not all. With every strike that got through, a bright flash of green light rent the air, breaking armor and burning demon flesh. Soon, his black blood was dripping from a dozen rents in his armor, the great demon fleeing backward from my assault, crying out in pain as his wounds burned with the holy magic of the jade set into my sword, his own dark magic powerless to heal him. Lesser demons by the dozen who had lined the room, silent until now, were fleeing in terror at the sounds of their master's pain, as if they themselves were feeling his hurt. Redamarc slashed at me frantically, trying to drive me back, but my sword turned aside his blows with ease, as if a strength greater than any mortal was in my arms, but he was still a Demon Lord, and all the damage I had done to him were barely more than painful nuisances. Only his surprise at finding such power in me made him panic. It was by pure luck alone that I turned aside a few of his blows. But no luck could last forever. All at once, in the midst of my furious assault, his injured hand came from nowhere, a backhanded blow that only barely caught the side of my head. But even a glancing blow from so powerful a creature was devastating. The blow lifted me off my feet, sending me flying into one of the pillars that lined the room.

I hit hard, landing longwise against the pillar with a yelp, my head snapping back with whiplash. I saw stars as I slid to the floor, the impact cracking a few ribs. Pushing myself up a little ways from the heap I had landed in, I shook my head, clearing the stars from my vision. I rolled over, finding my feet once more, then spat a sticky line of blood onto the floor. I drew myself back up to my full height grimacing as the fractured bones knit back together. But Redamarc had bought himself all the time he needed. Two mujina, not quick enough to escape the chamber, shrieked as they were speared by red tendrils of magic that shot from the Demon Lord's hand, accompanying the last words of a spell that made all my hair stand on end.

It was extremely powerful magic of the most unholy sort, the very sound of the spell so vile that it made one feel unclean simply to hear it. Within moments, the smaller demons were reduced to nothing more than drifting ash, but Redamarc's many wounds closed over, even though they had been caused by my jade and silver blade, healed with the sacrifice of his minions. Gritting my bloody teeth and growling, I stepped forward quickly once more, interposing myself between him and his sword, stopping him short. He snarled in reply, slashing with his claws and taking a step forward, presenting me with his profile. I had only the shortest instant's warning from my instincts to duck, barely saving me, his spiked tail nearly taking my head off as he spun. He began to strike at me with great speed, but his blows were all short, as if he was feinting with every strike. Too late, I realized his purpose. He was drawing nearer with every false blow, eating up the distance between us. Before I could react, he lunged within range, his clawed hands closing about my wrists.

His great strength bore me backwards swiftly, driving me so I fell against the dais, lying over my love's bound legs. Redamarc leaned in close, maneuvering my sword's blade so it was in line with my own neck, edging perilously close to my flesh. I struggled with all my strength against him, for if the silver blade pierced my skin, it could well be lethal, and, though he was much larger and stronger than I was, the blade ground to a halt, quivering, barely an inch above my vulnerable flesh. Redamarc's arms trembled, bulging mightily as he strained, and the blade edged a hair closer to my fur. Acting quickly, I suddenly let up the pressure on my sword arm, the unexpected movement forcing the blade up and to the side, a direction that Redamarc hadn't expected. The enchanted blade of my sword slid sideways, narrowly missing my chin and Redamarc's face, slicing neatly through the magic tendril that secured Julianna's legs. Using the brief moment my action had bought me, I gathered all the strength I could into my free hand, and punched, bracing against the stone table I lay against. My blow caught Redamarc on the side, landing perfectly within one of the rents in his armor. I felt something give within the demon's body and he stumbled backward, allowing me to dive sideways along the platform and out from beneath the demon's shadow. Julianna instantly rolled to the side, out of the way of our struggle. She could not go far because of the bonds around her wrists, but she at least was safe for the moment.

But, before I could set back in a fighting stance once more, Redamarc was upon me, again gripping my wrists, the blade of my sword nearly poised at my throat once more. I grit my teeth and pushed as hard as I could, but it was all for not. Redamarc was angry now, and his rage had given him yet more strength. He pushed me backward, pressing his great bulk against me, bending me back against the stone dais, grinding my spine against it's edge. I groaned in pain, for he was on the verge of pushing my spine past breaking point. My will nearly failed once more, for this looked to be a hopeless battle after all. Even with all my new strength, he was still stronger than I was. I despaired, but then, for some reason I could not guess, my eyes were drawn upward and I saw Julianna standing close to the dais, her back to me, struggling to get free. And, as I looked at her, I noticed something glittering against her back, the pale radiance of uncorrupted steel. And, as Redamarc gave another push, driving my sword ever nearer, the object's shape resolved itself in my mind. It was a dagger, one of mine, the twin of the one that now was out of reach on my belt. And it was just within arms reach...

And, as I stared at it, my body nearly breaking in half, I felt something nudge my mind. The presence beyond the darkness had returned. And it was speaking now, in a voice that was familiar and yet remote, echoing with a hidden power. It was a voice I had not heard since that fateful day, twenty years ago, the day I accepted the mantle of Hunter. 'Do it.' it commanded, 'I will give you the strength to succeed.' I smiled suddenly and removed my left hand from the blade of the sword, allowing it closer to my neck, so close I could feel it touching my skin beneath my fur. Then, swifter than the eye could follow, I reached back, my hand closing about the hilt of the dagger, drawing it from its hidden sheath quickly. And then, with a mighty cry that echoed with a power not my own, I stabbed upward. And, as the dagger approached the Demon Lord, the priest mark on the back of my hand blazed brilliant gold, wrapping the dagger blade in amber light so bright I could not look upon it. In an instant, the blade passed through Redamarc's black armor as if it weren't there, piercing deep. Redamarc's eyes grew wide and he gasped, for the dagger was buried up to its hilt in his chest, piercing his heart. Redamarc reeled backward, letting me go, staggering back while the wound around the dagger vomited red light. Reacting quickly, I whipped around, a well aimed slash with my suddenly freed blade removing the last magic tendril that bound my love.

"Come on, Run!!" I cried, pushing Julianna towards the doorway, sheathing my sword as I ran. The moment my hand touched her, the priest mark surged with gold once more and her wounds sealed completely, as if they had never been. Her first few steps were faltering from having been bound for such a long time, but she ran on anyway, reaching the doorway ahead of me. I followed her, pausing for a brief moment on the threshold, looking back as the Demon Lord let out an ear-splitting wail filled with pain and anguish. The dagger could not be seen within the scarlet light that flowed out from his wound, and his face was twisting in terrible pain and anguish. Though I had not thought it possible, the dark god was dying, and from a wound I had dealt with my own hand. For a brief moment, I considered staying to watch the demise of my most hated foe, but Julianna tugged on my arm and I nodded to her, running down the corridor with my love beside me. The piercing shriek followed us as we ran, and we had barely gotten to the last chamber I had been tested in when the Cathedral began to rumble, every stone quaking, almost making us lose our footing. And then, with an earth shaking rumble, the arch ahead collapsed inward, filling the way forward with blocks of huge dark grey stone.

"We're trapped!!" Julianna exclaimed, looking around with terror. There was no other way out that I could see, save one.

"Hold onto me!" I cried, pulling her close. Reaching down deep, I tapped the magic within, drawing it forth. In an instant, a bright white glow surrounded us, turning the dark stones silver and suddenly, we were standing in the chamber beneath the earth, the demonic portal spread out beneath our feet. The ground was shaking so violently that trails of grey dust cascaded down from the ceiling, but the chamber was still intact, for the moment at least. The moment the glow faded, I felt my strength fade suddenly, making my legs falter, nearly sending me to the floor. The spell had taken away a great portion of my strength, but I would not need much more to finish my task. Julianna looked around us for a moment, confused by what had happened.

"That was amazing. I didn't think the priesthood's magic included such a spell." Julianna exclaimed, supporting me as I stumbled.

"It doesn't." I replied, smiling slightly. The touch of the magic had not been the warmth of the priest spells that I could cast. It had been cool, soothing as the night breeze on a summer's eve.

"Do you think you can get us home?" She asked, looking concerned as she led the way into the center of the demonic portal. Even as we stepped forward into the center ring of the unholy design, a series of spider-webbing cracks spread across the ceiling, a great portion of it threatening to fall inward, crushing us where we stood.

"We will know soon enough." I replied, bringing the magic forth once again. "Hold tight..."

***

Aldric stood beside the demonic portal, staring at its center intently. The red lines of the portal were glowing a dull crimson, the same way they had been for more than twenty hours. There was no sign of his brother or of the young princess he had come to love. The Master Hunter had been waiting for many long hours, worrying about his brother's fate, hoping against hope that he would succeed. His brother was stronger, more dedicated than any other Slayer, and he was hands down the best fighter Aldric had ever seen. But all of that was for not, it seemed. It had been a foolish hope to think that anyone could go into Hell and survive. His brother wasn't coming back. Aldric gripped Galen's cross in his hand so hard that its finely shaped metallic edges were almost biting into his skin. He had to give the order, there was no more time. His brother was lost.

Bitter tears welled up in his eyes as he realized that his brother was gone for good, and he closed his eyes against the feeling. All the memories of all the Slayers he had seen killed in battle, all the friends and family he had lost over the years, came flooding back into his mind. He raised the fist with the cross to his forehead, feeling the cold metal of the chain rest against his skin. Despair welled up inside him, for if his brother, the best he had ever seen, could not defeat their enemy, what point was there in fighting at all?

"Master Hunter?" The head priest began, stepping forward so he stood beside Aldric. Walling the feelings away and quickly composing himself, he turned around, facing the old man. The old priest made no mention of the gaunt features of the warrior. Instead, he spoke quietly, respectfully. "Please forgive the intrusion. The time that the marks could have given him, even at their strongest, has past. You know as well as I how long an unprotected mortal can last in their realm. It is your decision Master Hunter." For a moment, Aldric stood, undecided, his head lowered, and his eyes closed. Then he raised his head, his eyes shining with a resigned light.

"Begin your preparations." He ordered, turning from the demonic portal and starting to walk away. The Slayers under his command got to their feet with the order, thankful that the long watch on the portal chamber was finally ending. Aldric stopped and turned, slumping against a towering stalagmite. The Slayers did not speak to him, for all had seen those close to them die, either in training or in battle. Out of respect for his station and all the years he had fought the demons, they did not stare or whisper as they took up positions in a ring around the portal, weapons in hand, allowing him his privacy to mourn his fallen brother. The priests stepped forward into the ring of steel formed by the Slayers, large pouches of jade powder in their hands. Each stepped up to the end of one of the red lines that formed the portal, preparing to seal the ghastly thing forever. Just when the head priest began to speak the first Litany of Purification, the first step in sealing the portal, something changed. He had barely spoken the first word when the still air shifted within the chamber.

Aldric perked up, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. The air around the portal seemed to be filling with energy, a crackle of invisible lightning that was swiftly becoming palpable. The crimson lines of the demonic portal suddenly began to brighten quickly to scarlet. The priests reacted quickly, dancing back behind the line of Slayers, their magic senses warning them to what was happening. Something was coming through the portal from the other side. The Slayers instantly separated into two ranks, their years of training taking over. The front rank knelt, each holding a bow or crossbow, bolt and arrow nocked and ready. The back rank stood with swords up in ready position, prepared to jump forward, covering their bow-armed brethren. While the Slayers readied themselves, the priests made gestures of warding, readying spells to deal death to any demon that survived the volley of projectiles.

Aldric himself stepped forward so he stood a half pace in front of the Slayers, his long sword raised, his eyes lit from within with hatred of the unholy creatures that were no doubt about to come through. His presence cheered the Slayers more than any words could have, for Master Hunters were very rarely defeated. The portal grew so bright that looking at it seared the eyes painfully, but the Slayers stood ready, unwavering. And then, without any warning at all, a column of brilliant light burst upward from the center of the portal, growing wider until it encompassed the central ring of the design. But this light was not red, the mark of the demons, nor green, the mark of Auré, but piercing, blinding silver-white. The touch of the light was not unwholesome, like the touch of demonic energies, and yet, it was not the warm, welcome feeling of the holy powers of the followers of Auré. Instead, it was cold, invigorating, like a dip in a cold spring. And the light was growing brighter still, until the Slayers and even the priests had to look away, covering their eyes. Aldric alone did not waver, shielding his eyes with one hand, but he did not turn away.

So it was, that he was the first to see that the light was fading away, the tower of brilliant light shrinking until it was gone totally. But the room was not as it had been before. The tower of light had left something behind in the room. At first, it was not clear what had come through the portal, for it was not in a shape that Aldric had ever seen before. For a moment, the Slayers stood stunned, and then they raised their weapons once more, preparing to fight whatever had come through. But, as the shape, as grey as granite, began to move, Aldric held up a fist, the Slayers freezing instantly at his signal. The creature in the center suddenly threw aside the folds of his tattered cloak, revealing what it was at last.

There could be no doubt, it was Galen, though he looked different than Aldric remembered. He was larger than he had been, taller and broader. Before he had gone, he had been fit and strong, but now, he looked like he had been hewn from stone and not built of flesh. His wolfen feet were wrapped in strips of grey cloth, and his cloak was very tattered and ragged. The priest marks alone were brightly colored, mostly green, but half of them had been replaced with other marks; strange marks of white that glittered in the light that had filled the room. He raised his head and Aldric realized what it was that had changed. His face was filled with defiance and pride, as if he were willing to challenge the entire world, despite the fact that his features were lined with utter weariness. The defiance Aldric remembered well, for he had seen it on his brother's face often enough. However, it was not what was in his features that had changed but his features themselves. The normally fierce and wild features of his transformed self had smoothed. Now, they were finer, nobler in a way. His wolfish countinence was still fearsome, but no one looking on him now could doubt his pure heart.

And then, as the Slayers lowered their weapons, a murmur rose from them, for another figure was there. Princess Julianna stepped away from her werewolf protector, looking around the room and blinking in the dim light. Her dress was missing a sleeve and it had several soot blackened holes and long tears in its surface, but around her right upper arm, a familiar band of jade green scales glimmered brightly, tied together by silver wires, the sunburst clasp brilliant even in the dim chamber. Against all odds, Galen appeared to have succeeded. Silence heavy with stunned surprise reigned in the chamber for a few moments while the Slayers and Priests stared at the warrior who had suddenly appeared amongst them. Then, Aldric moved, sheathing his drawn sword and stepping forward towards the tall werewolf. Galen looked on him without fear, taking a step forward so he shielded Julianna from Aldric with his body, but Aldric stopped before him, looking up into his brother's eyes. Then, the Master Hunter smiled and held out his hand to him. Galen looked at him for a brief moment, considering the look on the aging warrior's face, then clasped it up to his forearm, pulling his brother into a backslapping hug. Aldric laughed, stepping back from his younger brother and the Slayers lowered their weapons. It was a long moment before Galen spoke, his voice the first sign of the troubles he had weathered on his journey, for it was weakened and hoarse.

"Do you have any water?" He asked and Aldric laughed once more, leading the battered pair from the ring of Slayers, allowing the priests to begin their work anew...

***

The doors to the throne room were thrown open wide by the two footmen that flanked them, their faces frozen in looks of utter surprise. The once lively discussion the flamboyantly dressed courtiers had been having was stilled as the faces of all present fell open in shock. Aldric led the way inside, shining in his robes of bright white, the very incarnation of the light we Slayers served. Julianna and I walked a step behind him, flanking him to either side, our heads held up high, though we were filthy and soot stained. My reclaimed cross hung about my neck, but it had made no difference, I was still in my transformed body. It was the form I had willingly chosen to bear, and no magic would change that. The flock of courtiers that stood in the space before the throne suddenly stepped to either side before Aldric, as if a silent command had been given, clearing a path to the throne. Julianna's father was seated in his throne at the other side of the room, and the blue and crimson dressed man looked to have been deep in conversation with Prince Talorn, who sat at his side in a seat of much less extravagance. But, as the members of the royal court stepped aside, clearing a path for us, the King and the Prince rose to their feet, their eyes wide upon seeing us. It was clear that both had long since given us up for dead. But when we stopped a few paces in front of the King, Aldric and Julianna bowed in respect, the latter going down on one knee in homage to her father, but I did not move, remaining standing before them, tall and defiant. A murmur of surprise and outrage washed through the court, but I ignored them. The prince however, was harder to ignore.

"How dare you!!" He cried, stepping forward angrily, "Show respect to the King of Gulnia."

"I have stood defiant before one of the legendary Demon Lords in his own realm, and have returned alive." I snarled, my quiet voice echoing in the silence, eyes fixed upon the black clad prince, glaring menacingly. "I will bow before no man." Talorn reached for the sword at his side but the King put up a hand, stopping him short.

"You have earned that right at least, Hunter Galen." He said, stepping forward slowly. He stopped before Julianna and, for a moment, he seemed to be struggling with some deep feeling. And then, the king's face was split with a look of such tender love and joy that at last I knew I was looking on the king without the shields of distance and regality that decorum required he wear in public. He went down on his knees as well, embracing his daughter, seeming to be on the verge of happy tears. "Julianna my daughter, I thought I had lost you."

"Galen saved me father." She said and he rose to his feet, pulling her up beside him. "Again."

"Yes, he did." He said, looking upon my face with an odd expression, waving a pair of handmaidens forward to tend to his eldest child. While they walked away, Julianna held my gaze until she had to turn, entering the crowd with her servants. The king returned to his throne, standing before it, speaking loudly enough so his voice rang through the room, bringing my attention back to him. "Hunter Galen of the Slayers of Auré," he began. "I find myself in your debt once more. Twice, you have returned my daughter to me after I had thought her lost, but this time the debt goes deeper than any before." He paused, then raised a hand in gesture of welcome towards me. "Name your desire Hunter, and if it is within my power to grant, it is yours. Even my throne and my allegiance, if that is what you desire. I reserve nothing for myself now."

An audible gasp washed through the audience, for the King had just done something unheard of. He was offering to make me, a werewolf, King of Gulnia. More than that, he had just offered to place himself in my service for the rest of his life. I smiled, for I knew that I could have anything I wanted. But in all the years of my life, I had wanted nothing to do with ruling a country. Indeed, though I had desired many other things over the years, there was but one thing that my heart longed to ask.

"I am honored, your majesty." I said, lowering my head in a slight bow, acknowledging his kindness. "But that which I desire most is not something that you can give. So, as my reward, I would ask of you a gift for another." The king nodded for me to proceed. "Relieve Princess Julianna of all the obligations you have laid upon her. Allow her to choose her own path in life; allow her to go where she chooses, to do what she will."

A second, louder gasp echoed in the court, for I had just passed up a chance that all of the courtiers, and indeed most people in the world, would leap at. Instead, I had asked for something for someone else, a selfless gesture that no one had expected. But, even as a murmur rose from the court, a cry of joy echoed in the air, drowning it out and Julianna pushed through the crowd swiftly, running to me and flinging her arms around me. I returned her embrace, holding her close, finally showing the love I felt for her to the world, completely ignoring the incredulous looks on the faces of all present, even Aldric's. My brother was obviously stunned by my audacity, but, after a moment, as Julianna released me from an embrace that belonged only to those who loved one another dearly, the King spoke, the surprise on his face easing into a warm smile.

"You are truly a bold one, Hunter Galen." He said, and Julianna turned to face her father, a questioning look on her face. "None before have had the audacity to ask for such a thing. And yet, how can I refuse, when what you ask is within my power to grant?" He paused, then lifted his voice so that all could hear clearly. "Henceforth, let it be known that my daughter, Julianna, is free from her obligations as princess. She will be forever free to choose the life she wishes to live. And, though he has asked nothing for himself, let it be known that Galen Galnikin, Hunter of the Slayers of Auré, shall be counted as a Lord of Gulnia, until his dying day, and that he shall be forever welcome within our kingdom."

Julianna smiled broadly at her father, then turned to me, brown eyes glittering with tears of happiness. I returned her smile, and drew her close. And then, we kissed, the gasps of the courtiers filling the air. But we did not care what they thought of us. We imbued that embrace with a love so strong that none present were long unmoved by it. But all was not happy. Unseen, and forgotten for the moment, Prince Talorn stormed out of the throne room, his face contorted by a snarl of utter rage. While we stood in each other's arms, ignoring all but ourselves, the King called loudly for a celebration to be declared through the whole of the Kingdom, to celebrate the safe return of the princess, and the heroic victory of the Slayers over the demons. When we broke off our kiss, the king stepped forward to us and laid a hand on our shoulders.

"When I was young," he began, his voice quiet enough so only we could hear what he was saying. "My tutor once said that the truly wise ask nothing for themselves. Lord Galnikin, I believe that I am a wise and just King, but you have shone me today that my tutor spoke truly. It is clear to me what path my daughter has chosen, so I need say only one thing more to you, but I say it not as a king, but as a father. Keep my daughter safe Galen."

"That, you need have no fear about, your majesty." I replied and the king nodded, walking away to see to the preparations for the celebration. But Julianna and I had no intention of joining in. Though we were loath to part even for a moment, Julianna walked away with her handmaidens once more, and a servant came by order of the king to be my guide. I was led first to a room where a steaming bath had been prepared, a delight I had not been able to enjoy for many years. I spent a long time soaking in the steaming water, washing the filth and the last memory of Hell from my body, scrubbing again and again with scented soap, another nearly forgotten luxury. When I was finished, and had toweled myself dry, my grey fur was sleek and shiny for the first time in quite a while, and I smelled fresh and clean.

Soon after, the servant returned and led the way to a suite of guest quarters. I found myself in rooms that were obviously meant for someone of high standing, for the sheets on the bed of down in the bedroom were soft silk in the royal colors of Gulnia. The quarters had a main room with a table and some comfortable chairs, as well as a door to a private balcony, through which the wholesome orange light of sunset was shining. A large meal was waiting for me on the table when I entered and I tore into it ravenously, my stomach growling in rage at its scent, angry for being empty while my body was so weak. When I had at last sated my appetite, a good twenty minutes steady going later, I went out and stood on the balcony for a few moments. Once outside, I leaned on the railing, looking out on the world beneath the radiant sun. The dying sunlight seemed to soak into my body, warming away the last of the hellish chill from the journey. Experiencing the bleak grey world the demons called home seemed to have changed my perceptions of my own. Never again would I take the sunlight for granted, nor shun the caress of the wind through my fur, nor forget the sweet scents of the world around me. Taking a deep breath of the moist, sweetly scented air, I turned back, shutting the door behind me.

Finally, I went to my bedchamber and unclasped the battered cloak that hung about my neck, setting it aside on a table. Next, I lifted the baldric from around my chest, laying my weapons aside at last. Then, I stretched my arms out to the side, reaching out far, stretching my tense muscles. I remained in that position, reaching out as if to drag the walls closer, until I felt my muscles relax at last. And, as my shoulders finally relaxed, I let go of the self control that had allowed me to last this long without rest. Immediately, the weariness that had been held at bay by my re-forged will washed over me like a wave. Smiling to myself, I took the cross from around my neck, laying it aside. And then, with a thunderous yawn, I lay down on the soft bed, sliding my naked body gratefully beneath the smooth sheets. And yet, as tired as I was, as comfortable as the bed made me, I could not yet sleep. Something held me back from rest, as if something were missing. But the something did not stay missing for long.

I had lain awake for barely five minutes when I heard the oiled hinges of the door to the chambers open and then close once more in near silence. I looked expectantly towards the doorway, and it was not long before a familiar outline appeared in it. The sweet scent of roses wafted through the air towards me, making me smile broadly as she approached. Julianna, wearing a white sleeping frock, walked to my bedside, standing before me. She returned my loving smile, no words being needed between us. After a moment's hesitation, her white frock joined my cloak on the table, and Julianna slipped beneath the sheets, cuddling up to me as she had done on the night of the full moon, after we had loved for the first time. I put my arms around her and we lay together, our naked bodies pressing against each other gently. And, at last, in the now dark room, the sum of all the terror and pain had brought welled up within her.

She began to cry, huddling close within my embrace, the memories too much. I held her close, being the support she needed. I had been hardened by my life, by long torment until the horrors I had faced did not find purchase within my soul, but still, there in the soft, warm darkness of the bedchamber, I found myself crying as well. For a long time, an hour perhaps, or longer, we lay together, drawing comfort from each other. We both needed this, more than any other comfort to banish the last remnants of Hell from our souls. Finally, out tears dried up, our raw emotions spent. I stroked her back with my hand for a moment and she smiled once again, nestling in closer to me. And, with my love lying against me, my eyes closed at last on the end of one of the longest days I had ever lived. After so long a time spent awake, pushing myself beyond my endurance, I faded away. I slept such a sleep of peace that night as I had never known before, because, for once in my life, I was complete...