“What do you mean I have demonic blood? Last time I checked, I am one hundred percent human.”

“Harper misspoke. What she meant to say is that your powers are demonic in origin, but you are still a human being.”

Thank the gods! For a second there, I thought I would develop a taste of human flesh. Not that I have anything against species who consume human flesh, as long as they purchase it from the store and do not obtain it fresh through illegal means. 

The thought that a dragon can just waltz into a store and buy a pack of “Hankburger” at the store makes me want to puke if I think about it. Thinking about human meat brings my mind back to those who met their ends with those black hellhounds.

The blood-curdling screams, the sound of human flesh tearing apart, and the blood creating a pool on the pristine ground. Suddenly, I threw up the contents of my stomach onto the floor. Dammit, I thought that I would be stronger than this. I saw some shit back at the orphanage that would make the hardest criminal cry in despair.

I experienced some of the horrors at the orphanage myself, but I guess I underestimated my threshold for the grim. What makes these people want to risk their lives to obtain Demon Hunting Licenses? Is it the money, the fame or is it revenge? I am pretty sure that their goals are far nobler than mine.

Why am I doing this? Is it to help the Frost sisters get revenge on their sister who killed them over one-hundred years ago? Or is it for my own sake of trying to be a hero for those who are in need? At this point in time, does it even matter anymore? I said that I will help them and I will see it through to the end, that is all there is to it.

“Are you alright, Ken?” Harper bent down and rubbed my back.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just give me a second.”

My whole body feels like it's on fire. Sweat starts dripping down on my face but I wipe it off with the back of my hand.

“It is not like it matters anyways, we are stuck in here for the next two hours or so,” I say between haggard breaths.

“As I suggested earlier, let's head for the castle. It could be safer than staying outside.” Noel says, pointing at the castle with her thumb.

“Alright, let’s go.” I nodded and started towards the castle.

Hopefully, the other people in my group have gotten away from the chaos and managed to get somewhere safe. I decided by myself to look for any survivors and form a group.

I push open the heavy doors and head inside the old abandoned castle. Natural lights seep through cracked windows, illuminating the statue of the Baikyo (the other name for Byahu) in the center of the lobby.

Demonic and human Life Force energy overwhelm me like a hot blistering wind in the middle of summer. Many of the life signatures I detected are being snuffed out rapidly. I don’t have time to ponder where to go, so I just follow my gut. And my gut is telling me to head to the east wing on the first floor. A one-eyed demon blocks my path. Its mouth is covered in fresh blood and so is its weapon, which is a giant club. All I see is red and burn the demon to ash. More demons come tunneling out of the east wing, trying to devour me I bet. Using my right foot, I freeze all of the demon's legs in place. With both of my hands, I create an ice ceiling with sharp stalactite hanging from them.

With a loud bang, the spiked ceiling came crashing down onto the demons. Blood as well as large chunks of ice fly everywhere. The lobby falls silent after all of the chaos and I fall onto my knees, breathing heavily. Both of my hands, as well as my right foot, are freezing cold.

“You should be using my powers more often,” Harper warns me.

“I can’t risk burning down the castle. There are too many people here,” I say as I struggle to breathe. It feels like I am breathing in knives, as my throat stings from frigid cold air.

Harper shakes her head.

“I guess it can’t be helped. But still, you already used Noel’s powers twice and mine only once. You have to maintain the balance, Ken.”

“Easier said than done, especially when I am in an old building like this. Just one misstep and this whole place goes up in smoke.” I say as I stand up and face the sisters.

“Looks like you’ll have to give Ken some more of your power, sister,” Noel says to Harper.

Harper nods.

Harper turns her attention back towards me. “Listen up Kenny, I am about to give more of my power.”

“Kenny?”

She ignores me and continues.

“Close your eyes, it’s a little embarrassing if you see me do it.”

I do as she says. My eyes are closed and my body starts to feel warm all over.

“Okay! You can open your eyes now!” She says in a singsong voice.

I open my eyes and see Harper and Noel standing side by side staring right back at me with their red and blue eyes. I don’t feel any different, but at this point, I know not to question anything that they say.

“Well, aren’t you going to ask?” Noel says, crossing her arms over her chest.

I shake my head. “There’s no time for that. I have to look for any survivors.”

“Fair enough, but do you wish to continue that way? I sense nothing but death there.”

“We have to be sure. If there is anybody that’s injured or scared, then I have to help them.”

I walk past the mess I created earlier, thanking the goddess that I don’t have to see the bodies even if they are demons. I enter the east wing of the castle with my guard up. My spine is tingling with dread as I check each room for any survivors.

“Hello? Is anybody there.” I call out into the void.

There is no response so I check the first room to my right and call out again. Nothing, so I try every room in the wing.

“This is pointless,” Harper complains. “There is nobody here, you should check somewhere else.”

“Perhaps, but I can’t rely on some mystic sixth senses when I have working eyes,” I say as I check one of the empty rooms.

“Fine,” Harper raises her hands in defeat. “Just don’t give me some crap once you realize you were in the wrong.”

“I won’t,” I promise.

After five minutes of searching for survivors, I was on the verge of giving up and going upstairs. I decided against it because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I knew that I could’ve helped someone but didn’t because I didn’t look hard enough. Besides, there is only one room left. It'll only take a minute to look there and if it’s empty, no harm no foul.

I open the door to the last room and I already regret my decision.