魔界猟 Hell's Hunting

Episode 57: A Different Beast

Nero got up from being downed by Osiris's earlier technique. His clothes were tattered due to the flames of the latter. He held on his staff and used it as a support while standing up right.

"Shit." He said with a smirk. "I never thought that I would have to resort to this." He added.

"?" Osiris thought to himself.

The advent demon charged up his Youkai and red lightning began to fall within the vicinity. His eyes which were orange in color began to change in form akin to a tiger's eyes. He held on his staff which was in the process of merging with his right arm.

"Akumahomen 鬼神放免 (Demonic Release)" Nero said while his voice began to change.

"What the hell?" Osiris then said while defending himself now from the immense Youkai pressure that the advent demon was emitting.

Nero's staff began to fuse with his right arm and his form began to change as a consequence of such act. His skin was changing color from its regular flesh color to a dark grey hue. The sclera surrounding his eyes switched from white to a dark black color.

His facial features were now that of a full-fledged demon and his hair was white in color. From his temples protruded two horns which curved upward. His torso was exposed due to his black shirt getting ripped and there was a burning red insignia-like magic seal that was orange in color that was carved on his chest. His right arm merged with his staff and it was now shaped like a rocket launcher while his left hand was somewhat normal but there were claws on the area where his left hand was instead.

He was now barefooted but still wore his red cargo shorts and his feet were shaped like the talons of an eagle and speaking of such, a pair of dark wings protruded from his back. Nero roared and as he did, Youkai of the red lightning variety began to surround him.

"Jabberwock ジャバウォック (Crazy Demon)" his distorted voice said.

"What the hell are you?" Osiris then asked. It was clear that he had never seen such a creature before.

"The power of the advent demons includes always a second release." Nero said as a response. "Now enough talk!" he shouted.

He rushed toward Osiris and tried to swing at him with his right hand, the same hand that had the staff fused on it and which became a make-shift rocket launcher. Ozi parried the attack with his blade but he felt the additional pressure and strength of his adversary who was now in his true demon form.

"Yeeaaahhhh!" Nero shouted and his right hand pulled a trigger which was on the staff.

"Shit!" Ozi said in response and he tried to move away.

The advent demon pulled the trigger and a red lightning explosion ignited on Osiris and it landed flush on him which of course staggered the Soul Reaver. He held on his torso which was now exposed because that part of his trench coat was ripped due to such explosion.

Osiris landed on the ground and he tried to follow up with a parry in case Nero was rushing towards him, but then the latter stayed in the air. He pointed his right hand make-shift rocket launcher which propelled his Youkai lightning energy with great speeds and he charged up another round of red lightning on it.

"Made ya look!" Nero rushed and teleported close to Ozi instead of firing the energy blast that he charged up and the latter staggered with the surprise attack.

The Soul Reaver defended the melee attack effectively but then Nero closed in and quickly flicked the trigger that he had on his right hand and this time a pair of explosions had damaged Ozi and the latter was sent flying towards a wall. He fell to the ground and was using his weapon as support while he struggled to get up.

"I told you don't underestimate me." Nero said and his voice was still distorted.

"Shit..." Ozi said with a smirk on his face. "Ever had anyone tell you that you talk too much?" he quipped at the advent demon.

"Still have the strength to be smug I see." The advent demon replied to him. "But I have to admit, you are quite respectful." He added.

Ozi got up and let his blue flame Youkai rage around him and he held up Kagemoyasu now. His amber eyes continued to look more intense as he shifted to his fighting stance.

This time Osiris was on the offensive and he attacked Nero in his Jabberwock form with speed and precision. The latter parried his attacks with only his left hand and he was doing it with ease as well.

"I need to find an opening" he said and he stepped back from the advent demon.

Ozi charged up his blade with his Youkai and he swung it with quickness and force.

"Tokeru-kama! 溶ける鎌 (Melting Scythe)" Osiris shouted. Upon swinging his blade, a crescent beam of darkened azure flame headed straight towards his adversary.

Nero just stood there and took the attack square in the body. Osiris had a smirk on his face when the attack landed, but then he was surprised at what he saw.

His blue flames were slowly being sucked in by the body of the advent demon and this energized Nero further.

"That all you got?" Nero said with an evil smirk.

...

...

...

Samara and Hanzo crossed their blades and the latter was pushing the former around with the strength of his swings. The female Death Lord was parrying his attacks but the Youkai impulse surrounding his blade was beginning to overbear her own strength.

Samara pushed off and sped away from the traitor and the two were facing off once again.

"What's the matter?" Hanzo said to her. "Don't tell me that you are scared." He taunted.

"Why did you defect?" she asked him.

"I don't have to explain myself-" the traitor tried to reply.

"Answer me!" Samara then shouted and an explosion of her Youkai energy raged around the two of them. Hanzo felt a bit of uneasiness and fear. He had never seen the female Death Lord in such a manner.

The betrayer tried to calm down himself and regain his composure. He then held his blade in front of him and charged up his own spirit Youkai around it.

"I am in no obligation to answer any of your questions." Hanzo said then his formless blade lit up a bright white color. "Instead I will just end you now." He added.

Samara felt his Youkai get stronger so she protected himself with her own spiritual Youkai pressure. Hanzo was concentrating all his energy on his blade and his eyes lit up in a bright white color.

"He's going to do it..." Samara said and she likewise charged her own spiritual energy on her blade.

"Koetenkai!!" the two of them shouted and a bright flash of green and white Youkai was seen around the area that they fought in.

The two of them seemed intent to end each other quick.