The Devil and the Huntsman -Medieval Dark Fantasy-

Introduction Arc: Chapter 2

The light of the moon was as bright as the eye could see, yet the presence of the demons could be felt. In the night, the demons were the only thing that could be felt and seen. The sense of the creatures who serve the night had a possibility of death for a commoner yet a chance of survival for someone with a weapon.

Such is the case for a hunter like Lagertha. Her sword that carried the souls of her enemies became even stronger every time she kills a demon. She continued her walk on the road and followed wherever it would take her on a night such as this. No mercy would ever be found for a warrior of her caliber; no sense of light would be found for her in her hunt.

While walking, Lagertha could feel the atmosphere change into something more sinister and more ominous. The presence she started feeling resembled a demonic knight with a broadsword that also carried the souls of fallen warriors. The warriors who were cut down by him had their souls trapped in the sword; they could not leave for paradise until the expert in the blade dies.

Such would also be the case for Lagertha. Unfortunately for the demons, she killed so many night creatures to the point where even the good people of the world's kingdoms started to fear even her. Nevertheless, she began to come to her senses and understand that her new great opponent would be this demonic knight.

"I can feel it in my mind," she whispered. "I feel myself reaching towards that kingdom. That... knight. That demon knight. That knight protected by the magic of Camelot's king. That knight who serves... Mephiles."

Lagertha opens her eyes and sees that the demonic knight would be no easy foe, yet she will do whatever is necessary to make her keep moving. Lagertha knew in her heart that the demonic knight was heading towards the kingdom of Rodan where she killed her second demon king and restored the kingdom to its people. The king of Camelot was already aware that many demon kings were now being warned of Lagertha's presence.

"I can feel it," Lagertha said. "He is near... and I am coming for him!"

Whatever would happen to her on a night like this, Lagertha kept her left hand on the handle of her longsword. While walking, she could not only feel the darkness revolving around her, but she could also feel her inner self awakened with its crimson powers. Her inner self would always make her feel inhuman and force her to tear her enemies to shreds.

But while walking, she could feel an even more sinister figure approach her in this ungodly hour. Instead of the demonic knight she heard much about, a figure dressed entirely in black began walking towards the hunter. Lagertha kept her hand on her blade's handle as she began walking towards the dark figure.

The figure walked out of the shadows and revealed itself; it was revealed to be Lagertha's alternate self. Referred to as Lagertha Alter, her hair was white, her steel armor was black, and her cape was a blackish purple. Her longsword was also black, but it had a few red shapes with a long red line which ran from the hilt to the tip of the blade. The hunter's rival was certainly a foe worthy of being feared.

Lagertha walks to her alternate self and prepares to hear whatever she has to say. Lagertha Alter had many opponents, yet all of those who fought against her met their untimely end by her blade. The hunter walks to her enemy and proceeds to hold the handle of her weapon to be ready for whatever attack her alternate self had up her sleeve. It was during this ungodly hour that the time of blood was ready to commence.

Lagertha pulls out her longsword and points the tip at her enemy's head. She then walks very slowly to her alternate self and had much to discuss.

"What... are you?" Lagertha asked.

Without giving an answer right away, Lagertha Alter forces the hunter down on her knees without saying a word. The power makes Lagertha's head start to ache, and she lets out a painful noise because of it. This newer opponent was unlike anything the hunter has ever faced before. In many ways, this foe was even more powerful than most of the demons Lagertha had already put to the sword.

Lagertha Alter spoke to the hunter, saying, "I thought you would be bigger. But you're certainly the one. Long way from your kingdom, aren't you? I can tell from the look on your face that you are exactly the one. The demon hunter from the kingdom of Camelot."

"What... what do you want?" Lagertha asked.

"Oh, you already know the answer to that. You should already know that one of these days, I will come for you... and claim you."

Lagertha's alternate self walks even closer to her and continues having her hand raised up to keep the hunter on her knees. This was one of many powers that Lagertha lacked because she only fought her enemies to protect the kingdoms of the world and herself. Lagertha Alter's only moral for fighting was so that she could continue serving the god who created her: the goddess of Death.

"Who are you? Tell me who you are!" Lagertha shouted.

The hunter's alternate self answered her, saying, "My god... you really don't know, huh? I am the blood that runs through your veins. I am the dark shadow that chills the hearts of men as you pass. I am your fury, your hate, and your vengeance! I am... your fate!"

Lagertha Alter lowers her hand and allows the hunter to get back up and prepare for a duel, yet the night was still young. She pulls out her black longsword and waits for the real hunter to make a move before she makes hers.