A Hunter's Curse (Closed o/o with Nyx)

Nathaniel whistled, his wings at their full extent. 9 feet of iridescent feathers shimmering in the light. The fire patterns and horns had long since disappeared. “Son of a bitch? He must have done some despicable to you.” He grinned, chewing on the werewolf eye. To him, it tasted of blackberry. “Well, I guess being abandoned only for the fucking Devil to pick you is enough torment. But there is the possible luxury of becoming my wife.” Shrugging, he wiped the blood off his hands, clearing them in order to open the portal. “Do I scare you? Eating the eye of the wolf shouldn’t be surprising. Even evil get to munch on snacks.”

Nathaniel kneeled down, using a claw to draw a circle. Whisking his hand in a circular motion, a portal of red matter opened up, swallowing what was before it. “Come on, Ember!” He shouted over the wind of the portal. Grabbing Ember by the paw, he dragged themselves into the swirling wind of red matter. The portal dumped both of them into the grand hall. “Remind me how to teach you to teleport to hell. It’s soo much easier. And plus, I could use my normal method to getting back home. Flying down at high speeds.” He shook his head, his weapon dematerializing. “Let’s get cleaned up. We use fire rather than water to wash. Everything is basically fireproof in Hell. Hell! I can walk through it!” The demon started to lead the wolf to the washrooms on the left side of the great hall.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes, sauntering through the golden hall. Every part of this palace was majestic. There were many interesting rooms, to say the least. The demon wrenched open a door, poking his head inside. “Fire burns blood. Give me a few seconds, little wolf.” This washroom resembled one you might see on earth, except with dark decor and liquid lava everywhere. It’s Hell. Do you really think they would use water? The pipe system is connected to a river of lava. Instead of using the appliances in the room, he summoned a ball of blue fire. The blood on his hands crackled and popped as it burned away from his own fire ability. Just as one would, he provided to set himself on fire. Blue fire engulfed the spots where blood remained, until it seemed he had not murdered.

Slipping out of the washroom, he gestured to Ember. “Be careful when interacting with lava. I’m not sure if you’re entirely fireproof yet.” Taking a deep breath, he tucked his wings and kneeled in front of the wolf. The king got close enough for his fangs to be visible when he spoke. “Do you assume one thing about me without trying? I’m one for carrying on bloodlines— although it would be messy DNA-wise. I don’t like to be alone for long.” Standing up, he left the wolf to do her thing, sulking off to the stairs. He carefully climbed the grand staircase and hid in his private study.

Scanning the wall of books, he grabbed one with a splitting spine and cracking cover. He strode over to his desk, aggressively throwing other books to the ground. Slamming the book down, dust rose from the yellowed pages. It resembled a grimoire but was not distinctly close. He flicked open the pages, looking for a certain scripture. All the words were written in an old demonic language. Nathaniel knew the old language Daemonium his elders used (But I don’t really work on it, so I don’t 😃. We’ll use Latin instead, except it's Google Translate Latin). In an old tongue, he spoke, “Voco, te maiorum, commodare me omnes vires compositae inferos! Memento obitus magni regis nostri et in uno anno, daemones florebunt!” Fiery patterns appeared on his skin, glowing a bright orange. Horns sprouted from his head, the tips glowing a fierce red. Wind had picked up, the book floating above the desk. Once the spell was completed, the book crashed onto the desk, the wind settling. The fire patterns receded, the horns disappeared, and the king crashed to the ground.

Opening his eyes, Nathaniel shut them again as the light warming the room hit them. Everything was sore, especially his wings. He had crumpled on top of them like an omelet. Reaching up, he felt for his desk and grasped it. He propelled himself up on his two feet. "Eiqeilleims!" He grinned. The spell had worked. He felt the strength pulsing through his veins. Although, his tongue was adjusted to speak Daemonium like his elders while the powers settled. He stood over his desk, both palms planted firmly on the ash wood. Blood dribbled down his mandible as he hacked up a chunk of it. A price. But a worthy price. How long had he been out for? It must have been a full cycle. Hell did not have days or nights, but rather cycles. The king whipped the blood from his face, leaving the study and going across the hall.

Nathaniel knocked on Ember’s door. Did she even enter her room? He wasn’t sure but persisted anyway. "Ember!" He screeched, coughing up spurts of blood. The given power flowed through him, burning his veins. Was the price worth it? He slid down, falling to the ground. It will be once everything settles. Nathaniel had woken too early. He should still be unconscious. Something was wrong with the sovereign of Hell. "Ember! Get up, you lazy wolf!" His angry hisses were now bellows of pain. "GET UP AND HELP ME!" Some of his guards came to his aid, but he vaporized their heads into black smoke and tore them to shreds with his claws. Entrails and blood were splattered around the hall, and he chewed on a small chunk of heart. After the killing of his guards, the king felt relieved now the excess power build-up had been used. Although, Nathaniel had been dripping blood from his mouth and nose. It was an odd color. Deep red and purple.

Nathaniel licked his bloody claws, chewing off any remaining entrails. The king carefully wiped the blood from his mouth. Looking up at Ember, he smiled. “I killed my guards!” He giggled like he was high, head reeling as his body tried to lure the king into the land of dreams. “And I used a spell to empower me with the forces of hell.” Another cackling laughing. “The price is overwhelming. Causes me cough up blood.” Nathaniel’s speech started to slur. “Awfter kiwlling my gwuards— I feel absowlutely fucking powerful.” The look in his eyes was both crazed but also dazed. The king pushed his dirty blond out of his face. “I thwink.. it’s lwights out.” And with that, the demon passed out.

Nathaniel opened an eye, hissing as the light hit the iris. He sat up, staring at Ember. “I want to kill or kiss something.” Now that was strange. Unfortunately, things were going to get stranger. The king had conducted a dangerous ritual that could alter his mind and body forever. Licking the blood off of his hand, he spread his wings, arcing them. “It’s nice to get a good stretch in every couple days.” His smile screamed unhinged, but his eyes deceived the average human of thinking he was kind. Once again, Nathaniel’s hair was stained red. Red from all the blood split. His pink burn scar tightened the skin on the left of his face. This wrapped a bow on the entire off putting look. “Do you want to torture an angel?” He hopped off the bed, heading for the door. “It could be fun! I love experimenting on people. Especially with blood experiments!” What did dear Ember get herself into? The king might be a psycho, but damn he was cute. “Although, whatever you do, do not communicate with Typhon. He’ll ruin your life permanently.” He excitedly skipped out of the room like he had never passed out.

(Just my average reminder of what Nathaniel looks like and that he’s not right in the head lol)

Nathaniel excitedly ran down the hall, scampering down the stairs and taking a sharp left to another set. These stairs lead to a gruesome part of the castle. It was dark with a brush of cold air hitting the skin. The wall was dark limestone and as you neared the end of the stairwell, it opened up to a wide room. This room resembled an abandoned hospital with tools and blood scattered everywhere. Nathaniel hummed a little tune as he walked past this hellish room and into the next. It had multiple cells and was bleak all around. The room’s only light source was a few flickering torches. He looked behind to see if Ember followed and then spoke. “Who wouldn’t want to ask that question?! Torturing an angel is the best pastime!” A few guards were guarding two cells. One with a man in white and the other with a muzzled demon.

This demon was chained to the wall, screaming as Nathaniel walked past him. Intricate patterns all over his face and body glowed orange. Rattles of the chains echoed throughout the room, the demon pulling against them. “This, dear Ember, is Typhon. A discord demon who tried to end my entire bloodline. He’s been chained here ever since I was born.” Nathaniel moved on to the other cell, smiling at the frail creature in white. “And this— this is Rasiel.” The angel hung his head, a mop of black hair obscuring his face. He was pitifully thin and covered in blood. Demonic chains were wrapped around his wrists, burning them beyond repair. “He’s my little test subject!” The king grinned madly, staring at his prize possession. “Angel blood is useful and little Rasiel has been providing it for me. Isn’t that right?” The angel slowly nodded his head, trembling as the king spoke to him. “I’m going to need more. And some information he hasn’t given up yet.” The white clothes were tattered, falling off of the angel’s emaciated body. He sat in the fetal position, wrapping his arms around his legs. His hands brought the chains to his legs, burning them but the angel didn’t seem to care. “Going to help me, Ember?” Nathaniel belted a crazy laugh, staring at the helpless creature. He was so cruel to the poor thing, but there wasn’t much Ember could do.

Nathaniel shrugged, clinging onto the bars to the angel’s cell. “Most people on Earth are oblivious, Ember. They don’t believe I fucking exist! And your kind? They abandoned you to follow the Devil home. Come on, let’s be real. Did no one tell you I am a fate worse than death?” The demon studied Ember as her face twisted with pity. “Don’t. Don’t give him any pity! These dumb angels are the reason I am like this! THEY ARE THE REASON I WANT TO MURDER ALL OF THEM! ALL. OF. THEM!” Wild emotion clouded his voice, turning it into a dark growl. His scowl turned into a convoluted smirk. “But it’s okay. I’ll make them pay.” His voice trembled, nose scrunched up. Titling his head, he smiled gleefully at the angel with one of his eyes squinted. The demon looked ill.

Nathaniel opened the cell, entered it, and kneeled in from the angel. “You’ll tell me what they’re planning right? You always had a habit of helping the hunters. Didn’t you.” Rasiel shied away from the devil, glancing away slightly. His trembling got worse and ceased when Nathaniel grabbed his jaw, forcing the angel to look at him. Rasiel’s golden eyes were dull with clouded pain behind them. “Now why don’t we be good and tell me what the HELL THEY’RE GOING TO DO TO ME?! GIVE UP, RASIEL! YOU’RE ONLY HURTING YOURSELF!” The angel parted his lips but glanced away. No sound escaped the angel’s mouth as Nathaniel’s hand tightened on the angel’s jaw. Rasiel didn’t give.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes and punched the angel twice maybe three times. “Useless as always, aren’t you.” Opening his hand, his scythe materialized from purple mist. The demon cuffed the blade around the back of the angel’s neck. “We can do this one more time or.” Nathaniel scrapped the point across Rasiel’s neck. Rasiel’s jaw tightened. “Kill.” Was the only word that left his mouth. Nathaniel removed the scythe blade from around Rasiel’s neck. “Well, I figured as much. But they can’t do it without the knife of Haiti. Nothing else can kill a greater demon.” Nathaniel turned to Ember. “Ember, will you be a dear and get a few vials from the next room over.”

Nathaniel stepped out of Rasiel's cell, propping his scythe against the wall, and slammed the cell closed. Rasiel flinched, scooting closer to the corner of the cell. "I'm not Hades, Ember! That's an old myth. I don't rule the underworld. This is literal hell!" He sighed. "I don't expect them to know I am behind their damnation, but I don't care anymore. It's behind me!" He crossed his arms, eyeing his guards with a devious smile. He untucked a clawed hand, thinking about how disposable his demons were. These two would be satisfying to kill. To let all my anger out on. Slash open their chests. The king crept closer to the demonic guards. "You go grab the vials, dear, I'm going to have a little fun." The angel looked up at Ember, looking deep into her eyes, and shook his head as if to say 'you made a mistake'. Nathaniel glared at the guards, holding his hand up to his face with the clawed finger spread out. "Why don't we have a little play fight, eh?"

Nathaniel shifted his gaze to Ember. "I've never heard hell referred to as the underworld. That is mythos speak. Humans never express gratitude to the other half. It's always praise the heavens." He rolled his eyes and returned his attention to his guards. He wrapped his clawed hand around the guard's neck and pushed the claws in. "Why? My security guards are disposable. They are aware of this. They've known since they began working for me." He pushed the claws in even further. "It helps take the edge off, and I'm really pissed right now." Nathaniel grumbled as he slit the back of the guard's throat. He then pushed his hand into the guard's chest and extracted their soul. As the king turned the soul around in his hand, the husk fell to the ground. It was red, with small pieces missing. It resembled a chipped vase. "Now, Ember, the vials." Rasiel kept staring at Ember, shifting his gaze between her and Nathaniel. It was as if he was saying, You really like him? Do you really wish to remain here? Take a look at how cruel he is.

Nathaniel flicked the blood of his guards off his hands and smiled. “Oh this is beautiful!” He closed his hand around the soul and it shattered into little fragment. “It’s—relieving to shatter a soul. The enjoyment one can get out of murdering someone for eternity is— more than I can explain!” He grabbed the vials from Ember, smiling crookedly at her. “I see the way you look at me, girl. I’m not that cute, am I? I mean, many think I should be executed. My life is apparently a threat to them.” Nathaniel leaned over and kissed Ember on the cheek. “Apparently to others, my life is worth more.” There was a twinkle in his eyes. He turned and sauntered over to the angel’s cell. Rasiel looked up at Nathaniel, petrified. The king unlocked the cell and stepped inside. He pulled a knife out of the either and kneeled before the angel. Nathaniel took Rasiel’s hand and slashed his wrist. The blood well up at the site of the cut, dripping out a golden-red. The demon gathered the golden blood in the vials, one by one. The angel’s face twisted with pain as the process went on. Nathaniel got the blood he needed, stood, and stepped out of the cell. He locked it tight and turned to Ember. “I’ve got what I need.”

Nathaniel smiled, watching Ember flush the perfect shade of pink. "Have you been falling in love all this time?" He smiled mischievously, his blue eyes glowing in the dim light of the prison. “It's a strange feeling, isn't it?" He noted the natural glow of amber her eyes emitted. They seemed to be brighter than before, like a spark has been lit in the girl. Nathaniel pocked the vials of angel blood he had collected and started to leave the prison room. "I just need to store it. I do a lot of blood experiments, Ember. It's personally fun for me. Especially injecting angel blood into a demon. It burns them from the inside out." The king trudged up the creaky steps that led out of the cellar. He emerged on the first floor, right back in the grand hall. Nathaniel took a breath of fresh air. "I always think the air in the cellar is too musty. At least for my taste." He turned to face Ember face to face, staring deep into her eyes. "Have anything to say to me? Especially after I gave you a kiss."

Nathaniel shook his head, turning away from Ember and running up into his study. It was still a mess from a few nights before. Books scattered the floor and papers laid torn from their spines. The king's anger swelled, and he grabbed the demonic book. The one with the peeling cover and broken spine. Flipping through the tattered book, he found the page he had summoned his ancestor's strength with. "Ego te voco! Maiorum!" Quaint voices whispered, their voices echoing in Nathaniel's head. "YOU SAID YOU WOULD HELP ME!" He hissed. "BUT YOU HAVE CAUSE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE!" The voices grew louder, infecting the king's mind with the rambles of the dead. "SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT! I AM NOT YOUR SON." He whistled through his teeth. Nathaniel tried to close the book, but a strong force gripped onto his wrist, pulling it away from the book. He looked up to see a figure sitting on his desk. Shit

Not so fast, It mumbled is a distorted tone. The figure talked to the Ruler of Hell through his mind.

"What do you want Haiti? You're supposed to be long dead, your soul evaporated. And don't tell me I can summon you because I hold pieces of you. I'm your great-grandson, not your actual son." Nathaniel snorted, pulling his hand away from the ghost of fallen angel. Haiti did not speak to him again. The dead king was silent, watching Nathaniel cleaning up his study. Book after book, the dead ones stayed silent. I want you to accept my guidance. Nathaniel snorted. "You're guidance? I've been doing just fine without you. Every generation has. Who's the fallen angel here?"

Haiti looked Nathaniel in the eyes for a good minute and rolled his. Both of us. Have you lost your mind?

Meanwhile, another demon had been spying on Ember, and as soon as Nathaniel left, he appeared in front of Ember. "Hello little wolf." This demon was taller than the king. He had gray horns curling over his ears and short black hair. His purple eyes glowed in the dim light. "I'm Azazel." He bowed, keeping eye contact with Ember. "Having issues with my dear ruler? I can help you, but you can't tell anyone I'm here." Azazel put a finger to his lips, signaling Ember to stay quiet. Ember has now been introduced to the forger of demonic weapons and general of the fourth legion. The scapegoat demon, Azazel.

Nathaniel turned his head, watching Haiti's apparition closely. He threw a book at Haiti, but all it did was pass through the ghost, flickering his form. "Yes, Haiti, I have lost it! Are you coming back to haunt me? Have I deviated from your ideals or something." The king ripped one of the old texts in half, papers with strange symbols fluttering to the ground. Haiti frowned when he saw the destruction of his books. The apparition held out his hand and pointed his palm at Nathaniel. The king was thrown into a bookshelf, many old scrolls and diaries spilling to the ground. Others hit Nathaniel's head.

Do NOT tear apart my things, Nathaniel! I am simply of your mind, nothing more. You know I'm dead— You know I cannot come back. Nathaniel held his hands to his temples as Haiti's voice rasped in his head. After all, you are of my legacy. And you're destroying it! Nathaniel got to his feet, scrambling over to his desk. What are you doing, boy? Haiti hissed. Nathaniel combed through each drawer, slamming them shut if he couldn't locate what he was looking for. He opened the largest drawer in the middle of the desk. A silver hunter's knife that he had neglected to place in the spoils room was found within. "I'm getting rid of you!" The silver blade was positioned over the king's extended palm. He slashed across his palm with the silver blade in place. Nathaniel's flesh began to sizzle and burn as he was at the blade's mercy. Both Nathaniel and the Haiti's ghost began to wail. Pressure built in Nathaniel's chest as the figure began to waver. It appeared as though what was left of his spirit was being expelled from his body. His shouts had an ear-splitting harshness to them. When the figure vanished into thin air, the demon removed the blade with a bloody spit. "I'm not requesting assistance ever again." Nathaniel watched as a fresh scar developed while he stood frozen in place.

Azazel raised an eyebrow, following Ember up the stairs. "Get in trouble with Nathaniel? No. It won't get you in trouble with him." The demon reappeared in front of her. "Please, tell me, what's troubling you. It's not like you made a deal." He guided Ember down the grand stairs, hoping to get the girl to listen. "The king respects me. He'll understand, after all, your face says it all." Azazel took a small breath, fixing the cuffs on his suit. "I can help soothe all your troubles. Nathaniel will be relived to not see you on edge. The transition between werewolf and demon must be rough. Some humans are screaming throughout the entire thing." This demon talked through his teeth. A nasty burn scar encompassed the bottom half of his face. It looked similar to Nathaniel's.

As he sat in the chair at his desk, Nathaniel turned to face his hurt hand. He seemed so desolate. The king turned to look at the shelf he had just crashed into, where books and scrolls were protruding from their shelves and paper was all over the floor. He had such vacant eyes. He coughed out more blood as he returned his focus to the book he had used to call forth his forefathers. Could the book be a cursed one? He had no idea. The only thing Nathaniel was aware of was his terrible dizziness. Please, Nathaniel, don't faint again. People require you. Blood trickled down his chin and onto his hand. A pool of blood was visible on the desk when he shakily glanced down at the splatter. The king's eyes rolled in the back of his head. He was knocked out cold as soon as he hit the hard ground, falling from his chair. He had vanquished Haiti, yes, but it cost a piece of him. Strands of dirty blond hair stuck to his forehead, and a small breeze fluttered around the room. The king was in real trouble now.

Azazel glared at Ember, growling at her with the corner of his lip pulled up. "You don't seem fine. You're acting souless each and every hour!" He lifted his hand up, calming himself down, and brushing down his suit. "Nathaniel doesn't tell you everything, girl. You don't think he's lying sometimes? He does." He stepped closer to Ember, grabbing her face. "Yes, let us go talk to my dear king right now. I'm sure he'll be happy to see me!" Azazel was dead set on wiping the smirk off her face, but instead ascended the stairs. "He's probably in his study or room. He rarely speaks to us anymore. Not after you came along. Can you believe he's dead set of marrying you? Sheesh, you're lucky."

Azazel huffed, rolling his eyes. "Acting as you usually do? Girl, you're getting caught up in a dangerous force. Look at the way you shutter when you snap. You're scared, aren't you." He kept climbing the stairs, making sure Ember was following him. "Because." The demon's purpled eyes shifted colors in the light. "I never lie to a person in need, no. I'm a scapegoat to their sins and crimes, why would I lie? To make contracts for their souls? Maybe. After all, taking the blood of a demon is— a sin." Azazel reached the second floor, making his way down the hall to Nathaniel's study. "Feisty little wolf! Keep that for Nathaniel." He smirked, watching Ember out of the corner of his eye. "As for his plans… no, you're not aware. That's not part of his plans, it's because he's fond of you. Loneliness does a lot to a person." Azazel knocked on the king's study. There was no response. "Come on, Nathaniel. Open the damn door." Another knock. No response. Azazel kicked the door in to see a passed out Nathaniel. "Well, it seems he's played with the book too much. This is not my issue, but yours." And Azazel disappeared.