the last hunter

In the centre of an unknown region a group of travellers were heading to the huge castle in the middle of the night. their target was of a race that is the most feared. They ruled over the humans due to not only their unfathomable powers but also due to their immortality. No matter how many times they got sliced, torn apart or even killed in every way known in the book they can just regenerate back to their original state. That was until a mysterious hunter made an appearance in a small village. His movements were graceful yet his swordsmanship was utterly chaotic. His face was of that of a savage cold blooded killer. He didn't have a hint of hesitation or sympathy when he took down the demons that stood in his path. Wherever he went only the ashes of the demons remained and from there the demon slayer was born.

The group of travellers were only minutes away from arriving to their location. Each of them was heavily armed since the demon they were about to take down should not be taken lightly.

The one leading the group stopped and turned back to look at them. His armour was mostly black in colour it looked like it was made of a obsidian like material and of a high quality when looked closely small ruins could be seen imbedded on the polished obsidian like material to give him some enchantments. His joints were protected with chainmail armours in order to offer him flexibility. In the areas like his shoulders, elbow, knuckles and knees they were covered with grey armour but on closer look it seemed that those were actually dragon scales or maybe it was designed to look so for style. No one was able to see his face due to the helmet with multiple small holes allowing him to breath and maybe see? if anyone saw him they wouldn't be sure how he was even able to see through them. Lastly he wore a cab made of grey fur from what seemed to be a giant wolf around his hips which went down above his knees and also wore one as a form of cab that was made of a mix of a dark cloth and grey fur with the fur part being on the top while the cloth being below. the fur part was worn in a way to cover his left shoulder and went all the way down until it reached his elbows while the dark cloth went all way down until it was under his knees. the dark cloth was slightly burnt from below and torn. The leading knight's overall look was intimidating which was fitting for someone of such role.

" Alright everyone, we are close make your final preparations. You have five minutes." He said.

While he watched all of the them preparing for what might be the last mission for some of them. he headed to a nearby tree and rested under it while lifting his head to the sky watching the beautiful stars. As he marvelled at such sight he slowly closed his eyes to rest. This was always what he did in such situation of course it was ridiculous for someone to try to just sleep for five minutes it was impossible! Yet he weirdly found peace in such an act. Sadly he got disturbed which made him open his eyes and lower his head to look at the culprit which was a magician who wore light silver armour and blue robes standing over him. Unlike the leading knight the magician didn't wear a helmet showing off his handsome face. His hair was golden in colour while his eyes were blue like the calm ocean. He held a silver staff in his right hand as it had a blue shining orb at the tip of the staff. Yet at the other end of the staff there was a sharp bladed almost long enough to fit in a spear.

"Aiden, are you sure this is the best way for you to prepare yourself? You do know our life is on the line and you are the most important in this mission right?" The magician spoke up with a slight hint of concern written all over his face making him seem like he didn't really want to die even though he knew the risks of this mission.

"It's ok I was ready the moment we went out Andrew. I am always ready" said Aiden his voice filled with confidence that didn't carry a hint of hesitation.

"If you say so then." Spoke Andrew and the concern he once had in his voice vanished getting replaced by a cheerful tone. While he spoke he moved to sit next to Aiden on the tree. Surprisingly the tree they were resting on was rather big then the rest of the trees around them. 

"Don't you think you should be ready Andrew? You said I'm the most important in the mission but you are the second most important " Asked Aiden with a raised eyebrow 

"Nah I was ready the moment we went out" said Andrew while rubbing the his his hair and laughing. That was how Andrew acted around Aiden he always joked yet he was always someone Aiden looked up to.

The five minutes passed and the group made their way inside the castle. The guards didn't really put up much of a resistance one second they were keeping watch of the halls of the castle the other second they turned to ashes by Aiden. This barely lasted for five minutes before the group arrived in front of massive gates.

"Ok I'll time to roll are you guys ready?" Andrew asked while turning around and only received nods from the group making him proceed to open the door without any delay. once the gates opened all the group saw was a dark room ahead of them. but as they stepped inside it the torches hanged across the room lit up.

Ahead of them was a huge throne room with a group of four knights ahead two on each side and on the throne sat a huge figure with the only noticeable aspect of him was his huge horns. The knights weren't any different they also had huge horns poking out of their helmets but none of them had horns as big as the one on the throne also unlike the one on the throne whose size seemed normal all the knights were at least two heads tall. Unlike the guards Aiden have fought he knew these ones were different their aura which he felt was utterly nastier yet the one on the throne had an even worse aura. 

"Well what do we have here?" The demon resting on the throne room spoke while his eyes opened as if he was sleeping. His voice echoed across the throne room sending a shiver down the spines of everyone in the group other than Aiden and Andrew. Aiden was confident in slaying that demon and Andrew was confident about Aiden's skills. "Oh? the demon slayer himself is here in my castle?" He asked with amusement while sounding a silent laugh making the group shiver even more that was how much power a demon lord. The demon lord start tapping at the throne with his finger while humming. "In normal circumstances, I would have held a banquet for you. Though I don't believe anyone outside is alive to do so. Also I'm sure you'd understand how much your head is worth right?" 

 Aiden didn't flatter to the demon's taunts and kept staring him down like he was some kind of prey. "Did you enjoy you're final moments ?" asked Aiden when suddenly silver flames surrounded his armour making him look ethereal.

"Final moments?" The demon felt mused while staring at Aiden with a sadistic look in his eyes. Oh he wanted to see his look of despair as he destroyed all of his hope. He wanted to know what type of look he would make when he ate all of his group in front of him! "Oh I'm sure you'll put up a good struggle as entertainment for me. Yet I don't really know about those friends of yours." The demon lord kept on taunting Aiden and he seemed to have made Aiden a little irritated leading for the demon lord to grin.

"A dead man doesn't need to concern himself with this kind of stuff." Aiden screamed with irritation before he and the others started running towards the demons. Their plan was for Aiden to fight the demon lord alone and kill him as fast as possible while the others distract the demon generals of course this was a big gamble as he didn't know how long their fight is going to last but he will have to do so while the casualties low. 

"Andrew the buffs!" Shouted Aiden

"Already on it!" shouted Andrew while aiming his staff at Aiden.

[ Your stats have been doubled for 10 minutes ]

Aiden heard the whisper of the system increasing the determination burning in his eyes. Aiden and the demon lord were moving so fast all that can be seen was a blur. Both of them swinged their blades at the same time but the demon lord blade was faster leading for Aiden to grit his teeth while dodging to the right side. He looked down to see the aftermath of the demon lords attack and noticed a deep cut to the ground making him narrow his eyes as he looked at the demon lord. It would have been bad if he received that attack head and he wasn't sure if his attack would even land but now seeing the blade of the demon lord still on the ground made Aiden see an opportunity to attack. Aiden decided to perform a spin to swing his sword as fast as he can at the demon's neck and suddenly everything was moving slowly. He saw how his sword was getting closer and closer to the demon's neck but suddenly he saw the demon's eyes moving at normal speed eyes his sword. "Honestly I expected more" The demon said in disappointment as he moved his hand right below the blade of the sword and then he delivered a flick from his finger to the blade. Time finally went back to normal and he saw his sword shot upward at fast speed stopping his previous attack. Aiden was even barely able to hold on to his sword as his arm vibrated none stop seemingly at their limit while also moving one legs backwards to stop him from falling. 'what.....' Was what Aiden thought with wide eyes how did a demon lord have such power?... He knew he was prepared to handle one but this... this wasn't something he called handle. Suddenly Aiden's broke out of his train of thought remembering he was still in the middle of a battle. Yet all he say was a simple kick delivered to his chest making him get shot right through one of the walls of the throne room

"Zooning out slayer? I really expected more of you." The demon spoke as he was now suddenly crouching right Infront of Aiden whose armour was now broken. The chest piece did not hold against the demon's kick which lead for it being destroyed with the enchantment that were mean to protect him from a few hits from the demon lord. His helmet got destroyed too the moment he hit the wall revealing his bloodied face as he struggled to breath due to the amount of blood coming out of his mouth feeling his chest cave a little which meant a few ribs broke and his lungs didn't fair any better. The silver flames burnt brightly inside his body allowing him to heal enough to breath and stop drowning from his own blood.

"You aren't a demon lord are you?..." Aiden finally spoke after taking in a couple shallow breaths.

"So you finally figured it out?" Asked the demon while holding him by the hair and lifting his head for him to look at him. Suddenly an even nastier aura started imitating from him. this made the wheels inside Aiden's brain spin really fast yet he couldn't think really well at the moment due to the pain. 'FUCK....We are going to die....I need to take Andrew and others to safety....Andrew?...' Aiden thought with a horrified expression on his face which then turn to a mad one. He wanted to look and see how the group was fairing yet he never expected in his wildest dreams Andrew getting stabbed by one of group members.

"ANDREW, YOU ####### WHAT HAVE YOU DONE."

Aiden shouted and tried to break free from the demon yet he couldn't the demon's grip was too strong and as a way for the demon to teach him a lesson he slammed his head to the ground further injuring him. 

"Oh I was waiting to see that look on your face." The demon said as if he found pleasure in Aiden's struggles and honestly how all demons felt they saw humans as nothing but prey, a source of entertainment for them. The demon lifted Aiden's head yet again not only to see his face but also for Aiden to see the fate of his friend Andrew.

Aiden opened his eyes again this time his vision was blurry and blurry due to the blood running down his head. He felt like could pass out at any moment yet he held on he knew what awaited them if did and he can never allow it at least not for Andrew.

Aiden never focused on the demon and only kept his focus on Andrew. Aiden realized that the fight stopped no one was fighting. Everyone from Aiden's group were only looking at him with a devilish smile and the all of them aside from the four demons started to show their real appearance they had horns larger than the four knights yet not as large as the one holding him and they started to emit an aura way higher than the knights almost like how the the one holding previously did when they first met... So that meant all four of them were demon lords.

Aiden knew something was up with the group for them to insist on coming and being given a mission to kill a demon lord this urgently. Aiden heart ached in pain not due to his injuries but to the overwhelming guilt because of him Andrew his blood brother will die or receive a fate worse than death. Suddenly something awakened inside him. He had hastily made a plan to get out of this situation but the chances of this plan to work was slim. He knew he had to do it since he will die anyways if he didn't do anything. He can't let this happen.......not again.

"Screw you demon king...." Aiden spoke bitterly before spitting his blood into the demons eyes making him flinch and drop Aiden. Without wasting a second Aiden both the scroll and healing potion from his bag in one hand and his sword on the other. He looked the scroll for a second before disappearing from where he was previously.

This confused the demon lords as they haven't known what had just occurred. They looked around to find Aiden but he was no where to be found. That was until they felt the murdering intent and the last thing some of the demon lords saw before turning to ashes was Aiden's figure crouched next his friend Andrew and an empty bottle on the ground, with that one demon lord and three demon generals got dealt with. The scroll he used was a teleporting scroll while the bottle was a healing potion and a strong one at that all his bones were reconnected and his wounds closed up making him able to think straight yet his sight was still red due to the blood covering his view. The silver flames on his armour started to shine brightly and ran at an even faster speed towards the demon king. Who finally got his sight back and saw what happened making him frown in annoyance.

"A last struggle? Fine then!" The demon king spoke with clear annoyance as the determination in Aiden's eyed didn't fade but burnt even brighter under his red eyes. "darkness doom !!!" Said the demon king after that a formation appeared under Aiden. Making him feel his armour slowly decay even his mana too. Aiden saw the formation under him but he didn't flinch instead he just eyed the other demons before he felt every vain in his body bulge making him feel powerful like never before. He vanished and with him did the last demon general and two demon lords as they turned to ashes before the last realised what happened and dodged leading ro only his left hand to turn to ashes which was painful for him.

"Burning your blood too?" asked the demon king uncaring for the demons that fell under the hands of Aiden and He was only annoyed about his undying determination.

"I already told you a dead man doesn't need to concern himself with that kind of stuff" After Aiden said that he threw his small bag on the floor and appeared in front of last demon lords and grabbed his head and watched his horrified face when he realised what was about to happen and then he started to watch him slowly burn while he struggled and screamed yet it was futile...

"And here I thought demon lords would put up a fight against me. But here they are falling like fly's. Maybe you too aren't that strong the only difference between you and them is but a rank..." said Aiden trying to taunt the demon king which worked quiet perfectly.

"I won't kill you instead.... I'LL TOTURE YOU TILL YOU BEG FOR YOUR DEMISE" the demon king blasted towards Aiden and Aiden did the same. He wondered why the demon king didn't attack him immediately but maybe because that was his way of getting his hopes up..... Yet Aiden didn't let this opportunity go one last enemy was left in front of him after all.....

With each attack that they exchange loud bangs could be heard all around the room. The demon king was full of wounds but they weren't that fatal Aiden's wounds on the other hand... He was unrecognizable it was really a miracle how is still standing in such a bloodied state. Aiden knew this wasn't enough to kill the demon king as his flames only became strong enough to bruise him ... So if he doesn't do anything in the next second.

"AHHHHHHH"

Aiden started screaming from the top of his lungs and attacked with a speed that is three times faster. The demon was shocked from the speed but he controlled his emotions in a second. The demon king threw a punch at Aiden's sword thinking it will break if he hit it. But little did he know that he was totally wrong.

before Aiden's sword hit the demon kings hand silver flames came out of his sword and when it hit the hand of the demon king. his whole arm was sliced cleanly and burned to ashes. He decided toto burn must of his blood essence in this one single attack and weirdly enough it worked!

"YOU DARE SLICE MY ARM YOU WRETCHED HUMAN"

"THE ANCEINTS WANTED ME TO BRING YOU TO THEM ALIVE. BUT IT LOOKS LIKE I'LL HAVE TO DISOBEY THEM AND THAT'S ALL YOUR FAULT."

Then the demon king started to burn his blood at a fast rate and his aura got stronger. Aiden didn't flinch from that instead a smile.

"Your time is up." said Aiden as he disappeared next to Andrews side who held a scroll in his hand. "Man took you lung enough" Andrew spoke annoyingly before the scroll lit up and under them a magic formation appeared. Aiden then carried Andrew carefully on his back with the bag.

"LIKE I'LL ALLOW YOU TO LEAVE" said the demon king and sprinted towards the two clearly enraged by the audacity of the two humans.

When he was a couple of feet's away from the two. Aiden was already prepared as he had the last scroll in his hand already being thrown at the demon king. The demon king didn't know what it was but it felt slightly threatening leading to him to cover himself with both hands. Suddenly everything turned white and what followed was a huge ocean of white flames that filled the whole castle turning anything in it's way to ashes. Before the flames consumed the Aiden and Andrew they were teleported away from the scene.

the end of chapter: the beginning of an end 1