Story- part one.

PROLOUGE
The room was enourmous. The hundreds of thick black candles give out an eerie glow, adding to the uneasy feeling i get from the place. My eyes adjust instantly to the dim light as i step through the archway. i jump as i feel a hand suddynly placed on my shoulder, and spin to face the person. it's Leo. Valken stands beside him, a grim expression on both of their faces. Conner and Orukahn are outside somewhere, but i can still hear them pacing anxiously and making unsucessfull stabs at conversation.
"let's get this over with." i say, letting out a deep breath and gathering my courage.
Leo leads us to the center of the room. The candles radiate from this point. Valken stands behind me, ready to do his part. Leo stands before me and places his hand on my forehead.
"This is gunna hurt, don't struggle. That'll only make the process harder. Just try to relax and stay calm." Leo tells me.
"At least you were honest." i reply forcing my mouth into a wry smile. He stares at me sympatheticly and trys his best to smile. it's a miserable attempt, but i still somehow find a slight comfort in it.
Leo nods to Valken, who places his arms around my shoulders and chest gently but firmly. Leo begins to chant the words from the ancient text Conner had given him. The language is forign to me and i can't understand it, but it sounds Latin.
i feel the pain begin to well up inside me. My joints begin to prickle and itch. my skin begins to crawl irritatingly, as if there are live beetles moving around beneath it. i feel my blood begin to race as my heart pounds with the effort of trying to fight the pain, but i can tell this is only the begining. My breath is coming in short rugged gasps now. My muscles start to cramp up. i feel as if my body is about to crumble under some emense, unseen force.
Valken grips me tighter, holding my arms down as my body begins to spasm involentarily. My insides feel like they're in a blender, twisting and contorting in all the wrong ways. My lungs contract as i desperately gasp for air. i can barely breath. immages blur and my eyes roll back in my head. i figure it looks as if i'm having an epileptic fit.
All my thoughts are overcome with the pain. Leo is still chanting, but i can hardly hear him over the thumping in my skull and the screaming that i unwillingly give up what little breath i have left to. Valken grips me tighter to prevent me from hurting myself. He whispers soothingly in my ear, but the words have no meaning to me now. All i know is agony.
Hot tears roll down my cheeks. i can't take it anymore! The pressure is too strong now. i feel like i'm about to break- physically and mentally. This is it. i can feel it. it's over for me now... i may aswell be dead...
CHAPTER ONE: 'Welcome to the real world'
My name is Daimon Blade. i'm fifteen years old. My parents died in an accident when i was just a baby, so i live with my dads' brother, Leo. Other than that, i'm just another ordinary teenager with ordinary teenage problems. You know- girls; school; friends; sport; money.... that sort of stuff. That's what i would have told you before that fateful day... Now, what most people call 'normal' is nothing more than a distant memory to me. That afternoon changed my life forever. And with no sign of any way back.
That day started out like every other day- with me running ten minutes late for school. Sleeping through my alarm clock and showing up late on school days was now almost like a ritual to me. But anyway, the story doesn't really begin until after school, when my best friend Alex and i were on our way home.
There we were, walking along talking about the plans we had already made for the weekend, when out of the corner of my eye, i could have sworm that i glimpsed a shaddowy figure standing by one of the trees on the other side of the road. Watching us. But when i turned to look, the space was empty.
"You okay there man?" Alex questioned, causing me to look away from the empty spot. i shook the thought from my mind and nodded. He stared at me sceptically, one eyebrow raised.
"i'm fine. Just thought i saw something, that's all" i said, trying to convince him. Alex shrugs and we pick up the conversation from where we left off.
Soon we came to my house. i farewelled Alex and headed to the door, getting out my key. The car was in the driveway, so that meant Leo was home, but he usually kept the door locked. i just thought he was paranoid, but little did i know at the time, but he had a really good reason for it. One that i was about to find out.
As i opened the front door, something big and heavy crashed into me from behind, bowling me inside and slamming the door shut behind me. i cursed, wondering what had happened and how i found myself facedown on the lounge room floor with both arms bent up behind my back. After the innitial confusion i noticed that my scool bag had been flung aside in the rush.
i felt breath on my ear and a man whispered "Get up slowly" in it, standing me up while keeping my arms immobilised.
"Where is he? Where is Leo?" My captor hissed.
"Leo?" i questioned "What do you want him for? And who are you? Why did you tackle me?"
"Wouldn't you like to know. Tell me where Leo is and i might think about letting you live." The man whispered menacingly. i could hear the malevolent grin he wore on his face as he spoke. i tried to turn my head to see his face, but the man jerked my arm upwards,  sending a jolt of pain through my shoulder. i scowled and muttered a curse. This man was obviously too strong for me to fight off.
"Leo should be upstairs." i said finally.
"Lead the way, Daimon." My captor hissed in reply. i lead the man upstairs, the whole time wondering what was going on an d how this man knew my name, and the whole time he held my arms behind my back, tight in his grip.
"Leo! i'm home!" i shouted as we neared the top of the stairs. There was no reply. Suddenley, my captor released me and i heard the unmistakable twang of meatle on meatle. i spun around to see the man who had tackled me had drawn a sword from the sheath that was straped over his shoulder. And he was blocking a blow from my uncles' sword.
i took a step backward, trying to gather my thoughts. Who was this guy? What did he want with Leo? Why? And since when did Leo own a sword? My thoughts were now racing as i stared in awe at the full-on sword fight that had broken out before me.
Leo swung viciously at the man only to have the blow skillfully parried. The attacker swung at Leos' legs, but he swiftly leapt over the attack and got in a strike of his own. The man blocked just in time. i watched in awe as the two men attacked, blocked, jumped and danced around eachother with amazing speed and uncanny skill.
i took this chance to take in the features of the man who tackled me. He had close cut light brown hair. His eyes were a dull blue, almost grey eyes. He looked to be in his mid-thirties and he had heaps of scars across his body. Off one of his ears hung a small, silver even cross-shaped earing. Something about him struck me as familliar, but i couldn't quite put my finger on where i'd seen him before.
My train of thoughts de-railed as a flash of fire from they grey-eyed attackers' free hand flared into life and was projected at Leos' head. it sizzled past Leos' ear, just missing its' target. How did that guy do that? i thought, confused. My confusion grew even more as i saw Leo somehow send a gust of wind at the grey-eyed man, who was now mid-strike, and sent him flying past me and out the second storey window.
Leo and i rushed over and hung our haeds out the shattered window at the same time and watched as the man lay motionless for a moment. Panic surged through me as i thought Leo just killed that guy! My uncle's a murderer!! But then shock took over as the grey-eyed man slowly stood up, crakced his neck and somehow dissapeared in a flash of fire, leaving only a small pile of ash behind.
Satisfied, Leo put away his sword and turned to me. "Are you alright? Still in one piece?" He questioned, looking me up and down. i gawked at him.
"Am i alright? Am i alright? First i get takled by some fire-ball who almost snaps my arm off, then i find out you can sword fight and somehow make air waves, next this guy who should be dead gets up and bursts into flames after falling out a two storey building, and all you have to say is 'are you alright?' What the fuck just happened!?!?" i ranted furiously. Leo sighed.
"i guess it's explination time then. Come on." He said, turning and heading to the lounge room. i followed, curious and anxious for an elaboration of what had just occured.
CHAPTER TWO: 'Leos' story'
Leo sat calmly on the couch, putting his legs up on the coffee table. i stood, arms folded, waiting for him to gather his thoughts and explain.
"Where to begin..." Leo began "Okay... When your dad and i were younger, say... your age,  we stumbled onto an awefull truth. It started when one of our friends got caught up with a band of demons. He never told us exactly how-didn't live long enough to- but he got us dragged into it."
"Demons?" i questioned "Do you mean real demons?"
"Yep" Leo replied, continuing his story "But not all of them are bad. We met a few  who helped us get away from the gang. Helped us get a hold of what was going on in the world... There's more out there than you'd think. Demons, werewolves, vampires... They're all real- And they're everywhere. So we put together a team of demonics who we'd made friends with and became Hunters."
"Hunters? What do you mean? This is all a joke, right? i mean there's no way..." i questioned, trailing off as i saw the serious look on Leos' face hadn't faded.
"We sort of kept the peace between demonics and mortals... Stoped clueless kids getting caught up in stuff they couldn't even begin to understand, like we did... Amoung other things." Leo added.
"Great job you're doing there. You'll help strangers, but when it comes to your own nephew-" i said, my voice dripping with sarcasm before he cut me off.
"Shut up. i retired years ago." He threw back jokingly. "So anyway, we were making quite a name for ourselves. Rai was the best there ever was... And then pissed of a sort of demonic mafia-type group. We kind of killed there leader, Kykin, and the rest came after us. Caused a lot of trouble. We both decided to retire after that one.
"But anyway, it wasn't untill three years later, when you were born, taht we realised just how deep the pile of shit we'd stired up really was. Kykin had a younger brother. A mercenary demon who'd been taught by the best all his life, Zeru. The guy who attacked us, that was him. i don't know how, but it was"
"What do you mean you 'don't know how'?" i questioned sceptically.
"Zeru killed your parents, Daimon. Slaughtered them. He's a blood merce. it's his job to kill everyone of a particular bloodline. We're both targets now that he's back. i thought he was gone forever when the guys and i bannished him to the void. The only way out is to be summoned, but no one knew." Leo explained, not really answering my question.
"What? Why now? Wouldn't it have been easier for him to kill us all then?" i asked, meaning to humour Leo.
"He tried. But before he could get anyone else, the rest of our team helped me bannish him to the void." Leo repeated. i was confused now, but i went along with him.
"So now this demon guy, Zeru, is back? And he wants us dead?" i questioned, trying to get the story straight. Leo nodded. This is crazy! i thought.
"So what do we do?" i asked, still not sure if any of this was real.
"We're going to need some help from some old friends of mine."
CHAPTER THREE: 'Reunion'
Leo gathered that Zeru would be back for round two soon, so we had to track down his old friends.
"They live just outside a town a few towns away. They'll be able to help us with Zeru. i can't bannish him alone." Leo explained. So it was decided that i would skip school on Friday to go chase up some friends of my demon hunter uncle so we could stop some blood assassin demon who was trying to kill us. Try explaining that one to Alex i thought as we were leaving.
The whole trip was prety uneventful. Mostly i sat there staring out the window, thinking. The little conversation that did take place was mostly me trying to get the facts right.
"So let me get this straight" i said for the twelfth time "You and dad were part of some super-cool demon hunter group who had a merce demon after you after you killed his brother. Then this merce demon, Zeru, killed my parents, but before he could kill me, you and your group bannished him to some void and never told me about it?" i questioned again. Leo let out a frustrated sigh.
"That's pretty much it" He answered, slightly irritated.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" i asked angrily.
"Would you have belived it? Do you now, for that matter? There are some things you can't just be told Daimon. This is one of them." Leo snapped in reply. i sighed. He was right... i probably wouldn't even beleive him now if i hadn't seen Zeru with my own eyes...
*    *    *
it was dark by the time we reached our destination- a big old house surrounded by bush on all sides. Leo got out of the car as we pulled up and knocked on the door. The front light flicked on and a tall, blonde man with blue eyes answered the door. He wore black jeans and a sleavless black t-shirt. At first the man looked surprised to see Leo, then angry, then overjoyed. He grabbed Leo in a clumsy embrace and started laughing.
"Leo! Where've you been?! What are you doing here?!" The blonde man exclaimed happily.
"it's a long story V... Man, it's been ages!" Leo replied.
The blonde man who Leo called V, held my uncle at an arms' length and studied him. "Yeah, it has been years. Look at you... You look old!" V joked.
"The years haven't been kind." Leo agreed.
"Speak for yourself on that one! i'm still as good looking as the day you left!" The man called V laughed. "So where've you been, anyway? We kind of fell out of touch once Rai died." V asked, then seemed to make up his mind about something. "You know what, come inside. Tell everyone."
Leo nodded, then hesitated. "Hold on a sec. Daimon!" He said, calling me over. i got out of the car and walked over.
"How about that. it's Rais' boy. How've you been, Daimon? i haven't seen you since you were a baby. i'm Valken. Leo and i are close friends." V explained, offering me his hand. i shook it instinctivly.
"So you knew my dad then?" i asked needlessly. Valken nodded, then changed his mind.
"But i don't really remember him well..." He replied, ushering us inside.
"Hey guys! look who came to visit!" He called as we stepped through the front door. inside, three other occupants of of the house were sitting around in the lounge room. One of them was a tall, dark haired man with amber eyes. He looked to be Leos' age and wore only a well-worn pair of blue jeans. Across his broard, well-muscled arms and chest was a long, red chinese dragon tatoo that snaked around him, its' head resting on his abdomin.
The next man was similar-looking to Valken, except his hair was black and he looked a few years younger. i presumed that he and Valken were brothers. This man wore black jeans and a black t-shirt displaying images of a metal band called disturbed.
The final person was a woman, who looked younger than her housemates. She had blonde, almost white hair and abnormally bright blue eyes. She wore all black beneath an ankle-length dark green coat. She looked increadibly beautiful.
"Look who it is!" The shirtless man exclaimed "Leo, old pal, i missed ya!" He added, getting up to hug Leo.
"i missed you too, Con. All of you." Leo replied, talking to all four of his old friends.
"So what brings you back out here, Leo?" Valkens' brother questioned, then, noticing me, he added "He is the spitting image of Rai, isn't he." Leo nodded and answered his qustion with a quick recount of how Zeru had attacked us and how he thought they might be able to help.
"Zeru!? No way! Didn't we bannish him?" Questioned the man Leo called Con. Leo nodded.
"That means that someone summoned him. There is no other way out." Noted the woman in a brittish accent.
"Ayra's right. But who'd want to summon Zeru?" Valken asked rhetorically, eying Leo. Leo made a face that was difficult to read and Valken frowned. it was as if the two had just somehow had a mental conversation. Leo sighed and lay down on the floor, streaching himself out. Valken turned away, as if Leo had said something wrong to him.
That was when i realised that the others were all looking at me.
"Don't mind them, Daimon. Why don't you come sit down?" Valkens' brother said to me. Obeadiently, i walked over to the nearest couch and sat down beside the man called Con. He looked me over.
"You sure have grown. i'm Conner." He said, then added "You know, you're famous around our kind." i stared at him, confused.
"Your kind? And what do you mean i'm famous?" i questioned. Conner looked down at Leo, who lay outstreached in front of the couch.
"Kept him under a rock, have you Leo?" Conner asked mockingly. A faint smile flickered across Leos' face.
"He likes it down there. Don't you Daimon?" My uncle joked. i glared at him.
"Right now i just wanna know whats going on." i said, frustrated.
Seeing my confusion, the woman named Ayra explained. "You know how your father was a great hunter, right? Naturally, when you were born, word was spread that the great Blade had a son. Alot of demonics feared you would follow in Rais' footsteps and become an even greater hunter than he was. You were feared before you could even walk."
"What! Thats' crazy! Until this afternoon i didn't even know demons existed! How could i-" i was arguing when Leo interupted.
"They all feared that Rai and i would teach you from an early age and that you'd become too strong for them to wipe out." Leo explained. i stared at him angrily.
"But you didn't." i argued. He sighed in frustration and said how he simply didn't want me to go through what he did. instead you wanted to lie to me for thirteen years i thought bitterly, then asked what Conner had meant in saying 'our kind'.
"it's worse than i thought!" Conner exclaimed, looking down at Leo.
"Okay, it's like this: Ayra is a vampire; Conner is a werewolf; Orukahn is a fire-tiger demon; and im an ice/air demon."Valken explained as if it were the most normal thing ever. i looked around. No one was laughing. i looked down at Leo, my eyes begging him to tell me it was a joke. He just shrugged.
"Don't look at me. i told you a million times on the way here: they're all real." He said.
"No way." was all i could think to say.
CHAPTER FOUR: 'Zeru strikes back!'
"Prove it then. One of you prove it." i challenged. The four looked down at Leo, who shruged.
"Okay, come over here then." Ayra urged. curious, i knelt before her. "Now look into my eyes." She added. Silently, i obeyed. Ayras' eyes seemed so full of life and energy. i found that i couldn't help but stare. My body started to go weak as i started to lose track of reality in the two pools of pure bright blue that i continued to dive deeper into. Suddenly i snapped back to reality as Ayra broke her gaze.
"Do you have to charm every boy you see?" Leo had interupted. Ayra winked and smiled sweetly at him.
"Only the cute ones. Which is why i still haven't charmed you." She replied mockingly.
"Vampires do that to their victems. Lulls them into a false sence of security so they're willing to let themself get leached." Leo explained to me while glaring at Ayra. She looked cut and turned away. i sighed and stood up.
"Why am i here?" i asked, shaking my head "i don't know anything about this stuff. Why did you drag me along?" i asked Leo. He sighed and looked a bit dissapointed.
"One, Zeru would've killed you if i'd shot through and left you. Two, Rai and Julie left me in charge of your care when they were murdered, and i intend to do just that until i die." He explained. i grunted in reply and stormed out the front, slamming the door behind me.
This is all fucking crazy!! Vampires! Werewolves! Demons... Why did this have to happen to me? i thought. i could tell there was something more to it all, something the oyhers weren't telling me, but at the time, that was just another secret that i'd only b let in on when it was too late. i heard the front door open and looked up. it was Leo.
"Daimon, i know this might be a but hard for you to handle... Me dragging you into a world you don't understand and expecting you to deal with it all..." He said.
"Hard on me? No way! Maths is hard. This is fucking impossible!!" i ranted, the sarcasm sounding distinct in the first part. it was like he didn't even understand what i was saying! Like he'd forgotten what it was like to be young and ignorant.
"Look, i'm sorry. i-" Leo said before i cut him off.
"Sorry? You aren't sorry! You don't even have a clue! i don't know if you realise it Leo, but not everyone is as good at dealing with whatever shit gets thrown at them as you are! i'm still trying to get over the fact that you lied to me-FOR THIRTEEN YEARS!!" i raved.
Then, as if all my rage somehow took on a form, a flash of fire slammed into Leos' back, sending him summersaulting across the grass and into a tree. He didn't move from the arkward position he had landed in, so i presumed he was out cold. As i turned to see what hit him, a tall shadowy figure was suddenly standing over me. Something small and silver glinted on one of the figures' ears. Fear swept over me as the figure unsheathed a familiar-looking sword from his back. it was Zeru. And his sword was aimed at me.
There was a swish as the blade came down upon me, followed by a dull slicing sound as it struck. But i was stll alive. i was still in one piece. Just as the sword was about to cut me in two, a blur of green darted between me and Zeru. i watched, confused as the head of the green-clad figure tumbled to the floor and it's body crumpled over. Zeru didn't seem to be as confused as i was. How did Ayra move so fast? And why did she save me? i thought.
"Daimon! Move!!" Orukahn shouted, rousing me from my horror-induced trance, as he tackeld me out of the way of another stroke of Zerus' sword. By then, everyone was outside. i heard a series of sickening snaps and crunches and looked to where it was coming from. Conners' body was warping and twisting into a new, beastial form.
i stared, dumbstruck, as he leapt at Zeru, fangs bared and claws flashing. Zeru couldn't raise his sword in time to block Conners' onslaught, and it was knocked from his grasp as the werewolf collided heavily with his unprotected body. The two rolled across the grass, Conner tearing deep into Zerus' tender flesh, Zeru screaming in pain. Then Zerus' screams were cut silent. He was dead.
As Valken and Orukahn gently lifted Leos' unconcious body and took him inside, i watched, somehow transfixed, as Conners' nightmare form now began to devour Zerus' remains. i started to feel sick, but couldn't seem to look away. Sudenly, there was a hand on my shoulder. it was Valken. The shock of his sudden appearance pushed me over the edge and i threw up.
"Come on. You don't need to see this." Valken said to me, ushering me inside. i had to step over Ayras' decapitated body to get to the door, and i felt that sick feeling come back. Valken stoped at the door and turned back to Conner.
"Leave it alone." He called to the beast, who obeadiently slunk away from the body.
CHAPTER FiVE: 'Brutes and bloodsuckers'
it had all happened so fast that i was struggling to keep up with what was going on. i now sat by Leos' unconcious body, dazed, as Valken moved in closer to check that he was okay. Valken shook his head, as if deciding on something, then placed an open hand over Leos' nose. There was a blue flash and Leo sat up, coughing.
"Thanks' pal." Leo said to Valken, his eyes watering. Then, seeing all our grim faces, and the blood-covered Conner, Leo asked what happened.
"Zeru happened. Knocked you out. Then he tried to slice up Daimon... But Ayra saved him." Orukahn answered somberly. Leo looked up quickly, noticing Ayra wasn't present.
"Where is she?" He asked worriedly.
"Dead" Valken said gravely, after no one else would answer. Leo looked away, hurt and dissapointed, then turned back, his face more controlled.
"What about Zeru? i guess Con took care of him?" Leo asked, looking over Conners' blood-smeared body. Conner nodded, and Leo let out a sigh of both relief and frustration.
"i guess we sould get going then...?" Valken concluded. i looked around, confused.
"Going where?" i questioned. Leo answered by telling me how it was a vampire custom to return the body of a dead vampire to its' birth town to be burnt, and that the least we could do for Ayra is stick to it.
So we were soon all squished into the car headed for Ayras' home town, but not before having to convince Conner to come. He had insisted that it would be a bad idea for a werewolf to show up in a town run by vampires. Apparently the two races had been enimies after the werewolf rebellion. Conner explained that werewolves had always been considered lower than vampires, and that vampires had taken it upon themselves to ensure that they were kept under control. The werewolves became almost pets to the vampires, and most were treated poorly, and thats what caused the whole war.
After that, werewolves were then adopted by handlers (usually demons or humans, but never vampires) who helped them maintain control over their brutish other side. Conner explained how he had had a total of three handlers in his life (Valken, Leo and my dad) and how most 'wolves only needed one at a time.
When i asked how Conner and Ayra were friends if their races hated each other, Leo explained that when he became Conners' handler, he and Ayra were already close. From there, Ayra and Conner pretty much had to get along if they were going to stick with Leo and dad, so they worked on it.
it wasn't too long before we rolled into Ayras' home town. it was still dark out, so i guessed that it was getting pretty late. Orukahn and Valken collected up Ayras' body from the car and proceeded to carry it inside the building that we had parked outside.
"i think i'll wait here" Conner said, a shiver running through him "i have a bad feeling about this place." Leo nodded and suggested i stay too. He said that a vampiric funeral is one i could deffinatly live without seeing.
So Conner and i waited outside, standing in the fresh night air by the car. Conner had gotten cold earlier and was now wearing a leather jacket over his otherwise bare torso. As we waited, i noticed passing people with pale skin, hair and eyes (who i presumed were vampires) that were giving Conner strange looks. Some hurried as they passed us, others went so far as to call out abuse. Conner just tried to ignore it and hid his face from sight.
Finally, after an hour or so, Leo, Valken and Orukahn returned, followed by a young vampire who looked somewhat similar to Ayra. Leo stopped and talked to her for a while when they got to the car, and i concluded that this vampire was Ayras' older sister, Zalika. She didn't seem to mind Conners' presence as much as the other vampires had. She even started talking to him, reminissing about her dead sister.
And that was about the time it hit me. A huge, bulky, hairy body that came crashing down on me, seemingly from nowhere. i found myself flat on my back, staring into the enclosing jaws of a vicious, brutish animal. There was a sharp, searing pain in my neck, followed by a thick, sticky liqid oozing down my neck and chest.
i tried to yell in pain and confusion, but i couldn't breathe beneath the massive weight of the creature. Sounds began to fade, and i felt darkness threatening to drag me into unconciousness. There was shouting... Running feet... A hollow thud... A mighty raor of rage... i felt the emense burden fall aside from my body just before i blacked out completely.
*    *    *
CHAPTER SIX: 'Decisions- Chains or Bullets'
When i finally woke up, i was in a small room lying on a narrow bed. i was absolutely dreanched in sweat, but lay there shivering. The sheets had somehow become coiled around my legs like thick white snakes during my fitful sleep. i sat up, trying to remember what had happened and how i got here. Sudden flashes came back to me randomly, causing me to yell in fear. Suddenly the door opened and Leo barged in.
"What's wrong?" he questioned worriedly, his hand on the hilt of his sword. i rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to clear my head.
"How... How'd i get here?" i muttered, my voice rasping with dryness. Leo breated a sigh of relief and sat on the end of the bed. i was glad to notice his hand drop from the sword. He was silent for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain what had happened. He decided to put it bluntly.
"We were attacked. By a werewolf. She went straight for you."he explained.
"No way." was all i could think to say. Then, noticing the look on Leos' face, i asked what was wrong. He said nothing for a minute, then looked at me with sadness and hurt behind his eyes.
"i thought i might have lost you. Wasn't sure you'd make it... The way you were thrashing around and all..." He explained "i'm sorry Daimon."
i stared at him blankly and asked why. When he didn't reply, Orukahn, who had come into the room while we were talking, told me.
"He's being an idiot. He blames himself for letting you get bitten while he was off talking to his dead girlfriends' sister instead of watching out for you." The demon explained. i stared, afraid and confused now.
"She bit me?" i questioned. Leo and Orukahn both nodded. For a moment, i was horrified by the thought, but then another one hit me.
"What's the problem here? it's not like i'm gunna turn into a cold-blooded killer, is it? i mean, if Conner can control it... Why can't i?" i questioned, my newly-sparked hope fading as i noticed neither Leo or Orukahns' face lightened.
"Conner's had fifteen years and three handlers before he reached his level of control. And even that isn't total..." Leo argued. i started to feel sick as a strong sence of dread loomed over me.
"Well... is there anyting we can do... to cure it or something?" i pleaded miserabley.
"There is no cure. Except for death" Orukahn stated, crushing what little hope i had left "But there is an alternative."
"The binding..." Leo whispered, as if he'd just realised there might be a chance.
"Huh? What's that?" i queried, hopeful again.
"It's a ritual. Binds a werewolf to its' handlers. it basicly gives them a way to tame the wild, beastial side. Then the 'wolf listens to the handlers when they give him commands..." Leo explained.
"Fine selection of choices there..." i grunted "Either i become a pet or i get shot." i didn't like the idea of it, but i had already made up my mind. Leo and Orukahn were staring at me expectantly. i looked at them like they were idiots.
"Do you really think i'd want to get shot?" i asked, surprise in my voice. Leo let out a sigh of relief, a faint smile crossing his lips. He reached over and hugged me, telling me to get some rest. The ritual would take a lot out of me.
*    *    *
i woke with a start from my fitful sleep. Leo was standing over me.
"Come on. We need to get started. The moon will be up soon." He said quietly, placing a pile of cloths in my arms and going outside to wait. i slipped on the baggy jeans and t-shirt and followed him outside. it was only once i'd gotten out of the room that i realised we were at Leos' friends' house.
He lead me outside, following an old trail that showed little sign that it was ever used. The sun was setting as we walked, and i noticed that, somehow, it seemed like my sences were sharper than usual. i could hear things loud and clear that Leo didn't even seem to notice. i could smell everything. it was like a massive wave of scents bombarding my nose all at once. it was almost too much to handle. Soon we came to a huge gaping cave, which Leo explained was a hideout that werewolves once used during their war with the vampires.
While Leo stoped outside to talk to his friends, i started into the main chamber of the cave. it was enourmous. The hundreds of thick black candles gave out an eerie glow, adding to the uneasy feeling i got from the place. My eyes adjusted instantly to the dim light as i steped through the archway.
i jumped as i felt a hand suddynly placed on my shoulder, and spun to face the person. it was Leo. Valken stod beside him, a grim expression on both of their faces. Conner and Orukahn were outside somewhere, but i could still hear them pacing anxiously and making unsucessfull stabs at conversation.
"let's get this over with." i said finally, letting out a deep breath and gathering my courage.

CHAPTER SEVEN: 'Binding'
Leo leads me to the center of the cavern. The candles radiate around this point. Valken stands behind me, ready to do his part. Leo stands before me and places his hand on my forehead.
"This is gunna hurt, don't struggle. That'll only make the process harder. Just try to relax and stay calm." Leo tells me.
"At least you were honest." i reply forcing my mouth into a wry smile. He stares at me sympatheticly and trys his best to smile. it's a miserable attempt, but i still somehow find a slight comfort in it.
Leo nods to Valken, who places his arms around my shoulders and chest gently but firmly. Leo begins to chant the words from the ancient text Conner had given him as he places his hand on my forehead. The language is forign to me and i can't understand it, but it sounds Latin.
i feel the pain begin to well up inside me. My joints begin to prickle and itch. my skin begins to crawl irritatingly, as if there are live beetles moving around beneath it. i feel my blood begin to race as my heart pounds with the effort of trying to fight the pain, but i can tell this is only the begining. My breath is coming in short rugged gasps now. My muscles start to cramp up. i feel as if my body is about to crumble under some emense, unseen force.
Valken grips me tighter, holding my arms down as my body begins to spasm involentarily. My insides feel like they're in a blender, twisting and contorting in all the wrong ways. My lungs contract as i desperately gasp for air. i can barely breathe. immages blur and my eyes roll back in my head.
All my thoughts are overcome with the pain. Leo is still chanting, but i can hardly hear him over the thumping in my skull and the screaming that i unwillingly give up what little breath i have left to. Valken grips me tighter to prevent me from hurting myself. He whispers soothingly in my ear, but the words have no meaning to me now. All i know is agony.
Hot tears roll down my cheeks. i can't take it anymore! The pressure is too strong now. i feel like i'm about to break- physically and mentally. This is it. i can feel it. it's over for me now... i may aswell be dead...
Suddenly my head clears. The pain somehow dulled to a low buzzing. valken is still holding me tightly, but now i hear his whispers.
"Shh... it's okay... Don't worry... it'll be over soon..." He soothes. i stop screaming and fall limp in his grasp, panting heavily. Leo finishes the last of the chant and takes his hand off my head. Gently, he and Valken lay my unresisting body onthe cool ground, where i lay panting and feeling sick. i haven't the strength to do more than breathe. Leo kneels beside me and strokes my head gently.
"You did good. Just rest now." He says quietly. i close my eyes and let darkness overpower me, bringing with it escape and releif from the incomparable pain i feel deep within my chest.
*    *    *
i wake to find myself in the same position Valken and Leo had left me in. There is a blanket over me now, but i'm still shaking and sweating feaverishly. The candles are still burning dimly, lighting up the cavern. i go to sit up and see where Valken and Leo are, but a strong hand gently pushes me back down. i feel like i'm about to throw up all my organs, but i find the strength to smile weakly up at the person sitting by my side- Leo. Valken is beside him, looking down at me.
"Did it work?" i rasp, my throat hoarse from yelling. They both nod.
"You'll be feeling better soon. Then we can go inside." Leo says quietly. Valken raises a small bowl to my lips and tells me to drink. i gulp down the water, relishing it, but cough and spill the rest.
For the next half hour or so, we just sit there, recovering. Leo and Valken don't really show it, but i can tell that the ritual took a lot out of them too.
CHAPTER EiGHT: 'Friends or foes?'
When we finally went insde, Leo announced that we were going home for a while. We'd only been away two days, but already it felt like years. Once the subject of us leaving came up, Conner seemed to remember something and went into one of the bedrooms to get it. He came back with my mobile phone. Until now, i had forgotten i had even brought it with me.
"You got a message." He said, handing it over. it was from Alex. it read:
         'Where were u 2day? u were ment 2 b @ skool 'memba? i hope u rn't bailing
         on our plans for 2moro. >: ( nd wot hapnd 2 the windo?'
i messaged him back, giving him the low-down on the past two days. Then he told me i had a lot of explaining to do when we got back in town.
As Leo and i were getting ready to leave, Valken announced that he was coming with us for a week or so. Just to keep an eye out. incase something happened. Leo thought it was a good idea too, so the three of us loaded into the car, leaving Orukahn and Conner to have the house to themselves for the week.
*    *    *
Within half an hour of pulling in the driveway, Alex was knocking on the front door. i lead him into the loungeroom to elaborate on my message and introduce him to Valken. The whole way through my story, Alex stared at me skeptically, one eyebrow raised. He didn't believe me.
"Demons? Vampires? Werewolves? You must be insane!! There is no way you could be a werewolf. They don't exist. Daimon, whatever you've been smoking, i suggest you quit before it messes you up perminantly!" Alex lectured. it made me angry that my best friend didn't belive me, but on the other hand, if i hadn't experienced it all first-hand, i doubted i'd believe me either.
Eventually we got off the topic and played Halo on my xBox for a while. We were just sitting there, playing, when out of the corner of my eye i glimpsed a flash of flames behind Alex. When i turned my head to see what it was, there was nothing there.
"Did you see that?" i asked Alex. He gave me an odd look.
"See what? Are you feeling okay?" Alex questioned in reply.
"Just then. There was a flash... it looked like... fire." i said slowly. it was then that i realised Alexs' voice had been unusually deep when he spoke. Was that....? i decided to do an experiment.
"Alex, wether you belive me or not, demons are real..." i said suspiciously. He raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you say that?" He asked. This time i could tell. His voice sounded too deep. it sounded like someone elses... Someone dead. Alex saw the confused look on my face and sarted laughing. Somehow his eyes seemed greyer than their usual light brown. i watched, dumbstruck as he raised his hand and a sword appeared in it, seemingly out of nowhere. Alex rose the blade and spoke in the voice that wasn't his.
"Prepare to die, Daimon Blade." He said with a familliar, menicing grin. Shock came over me as i realised what was happening here. Somehow, Zeru had taken over my best friends' body!
CHAPTER NiNE: 'Zeru returns!'
i came to my sences just in time to duck out of the way, but a sharp pain cut into me as the blade clipped my arm. i fell backwards between two couches and a corner. i was trapped. Desperately, i tried to stall my attacker.
"This isn't happening! You're dead! This can't be real!" i exclaimed hoping my voice was loud enough to alert Leo and Valken. An amused smile crept across Alexs' face.
"Oh, but it can. And it is. i'm very real Daimon." He hissed, his smile broadening.
"But...How?" i stalled. Zeru let out a sigh.
"ignorant fool. A demon might die physically, but their spirit can easily comandeer a new body." Zeru replied, advancing slowly. Despite his speed, i knew i'd never make it past him without getting sliced. it didn't help that i was unarmed.
"Get out of Alexs' body! He never did anything to you!" i excliamed, desperately hoping Leo had heard me this time. His smile turned to one of pure evil.
"Actually, i quite like it here. Some simple changes must be made, but this body is very comfortable." Zeru teased.
it was then that i caught a glimpse of Leo creeping into the room to come up behind Zeru. He made a motion for me to keep Zeru occupied, and warned me not to look in his direction. Out of other options, i obeyed.
"Why Alex though? Wouldn't it be easier if it was someone older? Or someone who can use magick or something?" i questioned, partly to stall, partly for my own curiosity. Alex snapped his fingers and a fireball appeared in his hand. Somehow, his smile grew further.
"Anyone can use magick, you fool. Most just need a little help... And i would suggest that Leo froze if he didn't want his nephew to burn to death." Zeru explained, staring at me the whole time, then adding "The same goes for Valken, too."
Leo stopped edging closer. He wasn't quite close enough to attack yet, but he still held his sword firm in his hand. Valken stopped too. He had dcome through the other door in an attempt to ambush Zeru. He held his sword, poised to attack. Leo made a descreet signal for Valken to make a move as he spoke.
"Looking kinda short there, Zeru. What's the matter? Are'nt you man enough to pick an adult? What's next? A little girl?" Leo jeered in an attempt to distract Zeru. For a moment, i thought Zeru would attack him, but then he managed to control the annoyed look on Alexs' face.
"One more word out of either of you and there won't be a second chance. i'm not here to kill you..." Zeru threatened, extinguishing the fireball in his hand and adding "i want him." He leapt at me with amazing speed. it was almost impossible to belive that Alexs' body could move that fast.
There was a sudden blur of movement, followed by the sound of metal on metal. Somehow Valken had moved faster than Zeru and blocked his attack. Zeru gritted his teeth and spat a curse. Valken smiled slyly. While Zeru had been distracted by his sudden defensive manouver, Leo had come within attacking range.
i watched in awe as their teamwork payed off. Leo Charged into Alex, sending him flat on his back, where Leo pinned him tightly. Both swords fell harmlessly on the carpet. i took this chance to move out of my corner for a better view.
"What do you want Zeru? Revenge for your brother?" Leo questioned, holding Alex down so hard that his hands began to go purple. Zeru spat in his face and laughed his deep, menicing laugh.
"Kykin? You think this is about him? Ha!! i'll let you in on a secret Leo, it was never about Kykin. This was always about him. Precious little Daimon." Zeru said, sterssing the last three words in a slow, deliberate mannor. Leo stared in shock.
"No... it can't be... What would you want with Daimon?" Leo questioned in disbelief. He seemed just as confused as i was. False shock came over Alexs' face.
"Oh no... Looks like someone didn't tell you the truth..." He shook his head in digrace.
"What are you talking about?" Leo questioned, digging his nails into Alexs' arms.
"Back off Leo. We wouldn't want to hurt Daimons' little friend, now would we?" Zeru urged, as if talking to a child. Reluctantly, Leo eased off a bit.
"Thats' better." Zeru said, satisfied, then added "Now back to 'wolf-boy, over there... Didn't that fool of a brother of yours ever tell you where his son really came from?"
"Wha... What do you mean? Daimon was born like any other child." Leo argued. Zeru laughed again.
"No... He was born of a demon seed."