616

Chasing the Wind

"Yes," Johnny Blazer sighed. "It's essentially a curse, draining the life out of my normal existence."

"As you saw earlier, I struggle to control the hellfire within me. It's always on the verge of burning... My lover left me because of this. I no longer wish to continue. Before, I had no choice. Now, I want to live as a normal person."

The Punisher said, "You're right. Ghost Riders, like Demon Hunters, draw power from darkness. But do you truly believe shedding this power will return us to normalcy?"

Johnny fell silent.

He knew all too well that after years of enduring it, the influence of the Ghost Rider had become deeply ingrained, almost irremovable.

Even without the Ghost Rider, his personality and habits belonged to the realm of the unusual. Father Moru found him recently, locked away in a cabin like a recluse.

To rid oneself of the Ghost Rider and live as an ordinary person, to marry and have children... Even he thought it sounded somewhat naive.

"You'll never know unless you try," Johnny finally said.

The Punisher replied, "But it could be worse—you might lose the Ghost Rider's power but not gain a life of ease."

After a pause, he continued, "People are always pursuing their goals. When you find comfort and happiness, the risk of losing it is more terrifying than anything else... Perhaps fighting is the norm."

"Fighting against the world's evil until the very end. At least I'm prepared for that."

Johnny couldn't help but be moved by the Punisher's words.

Should he strive to regain a comfort that might never return, or remain the Ghost Rider forever, battling endless evil like the Punisher?

After a long while, he reached no conclusion, only shaking his head. "Let's talk about this later. Right now, I need to find that child, as promised to Moru."

"Which child?" the Punisher asked involuntarily.

Father Moru interjected, "The Devil's child on Earth. According to prophecy, the Devil will descend through him."

Johnny nodded. "The prophecy's day is approaching. If we don't find Danny before the Devil's minions, and deliver him to the church, terrible disasters will befall the world."

The Punisher considered for a moment. "I'll accompany you."

"Good," Johnny gladly accepted the strong ally. "By the way, didn't you mention tracking a demon?"

"Don't mention it. That cunning demon has slipped through my fingers several times," the Punisher grumbled, saying no more.

The second night.

In the dark of night, the three rode their motorcycles swiftly, their engines echoing through the wilderness.

Johnny suddenly tensed and said urgently, "I'm certain the child isn't far ahead. We need to pick up the pace."

Simultaneously, the Punisher's expression turned grim. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "I sense a familiar demonic presence..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed convinced of his hunch. He gunned the accelerator, the motorcycle roaring ahead, straight into the depths of the night, the end of the wilderness road.

"This time, I must capture him!"

Several kilometers away, a car, seemingly broken down, sat parked on the roadside.

"Who... who are you!"

Inside the car, Nadya, a beautiful gypsy mother, clutched her young son close, staring in terror at the long-haired man who had suddenly appeared in her car.

The long-haired man had unnaturally pale skin, resembling a corpse from a morgue. His shaggy hair and disheveled appearance added to his ominous aura.

"It matters not who I am, Lady Nadya. You know why I'm here," he grinned, his voice chilling as an icy wind.

He glanced involuntarily at the boy in Nadya's arms.

"No one will take my son!" Despite her fear, Nadya declared firmly, holding her child protectively.

"Danny is the son of Lord Mephisto," the long-haired man intoned. "His fate is sealed, and you know it. Otherwise, you wouldn't have borne him... Do not resist in vain. I don't wish to harm you."

Nadya took a sharp breath, gritted her teeth, and revealed a pistol hidden in the shadows. She fired several shots at the demon before her.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

However, the bullets passed harmlessly through the long-haired man's form. They shattered the car window like air and whizzed out into the night.

The long-haired man's expression darkened. "Very well, since you insist..."

Before he could finish, his face twisted in sudden terror. He seemed to sense something dreadful.

In an instant, a golden warblade flashed forth like a shooting star, cutting through the night air with lethal precision.

"Ah!" A cry echoed through the night. The long-haired man wavered, fear etched on his face.

Desperately, he transformed into mist, attempting to flee.

At the same time, the pursuing Punisher leaped from his motorcycle, assuming a demonic form, his wings unfurling as he chased after the fleeing demon.

Johnny and Father Moru hurried to the car and found the mother and son safe inside.

"You're safe now," they reassured her.

"Who are you?" Nadya asked, still wary.

Moru replied calmly, "We're here to help you, to prevent a looming disaster."

Johnny added, "With us here, the Demon King's scheme will not succeed."

Eventually, the Punisher returned, a frustrated expression on his face. "Damn it, the wind demon escaped again!"

Johnny smiled reassuringly. "It turns out, the wind demon is the one you've been tracking. Interestingly, I've encountered him before. Chasing the Wind is no easy task."

...

Wind Demon fled through the night.

At times he transformed into swirling mist, elusive and erratic. Other times, he stumbled through the darkness, appearing vulnerable and exposed.

Fortunately, he seemed to have lost his relentless pursuer—for now.

Reflecting on his narrow escape, Wind Demon couldn't shake the dread of being hunted by the Punisher. Since their first encounter, the Punisher had doggedly pursued him, threatening his life several times over.

Thankfully, Wind Demon's ability to transform into wind granted him a means of evasion. Otherwise, he might have perished under the Punisher's blade.

But would he be so lucky next time? He couldn't help but wonder.

Suddenly, a cold voice shattered the silence. "Welcome to Latervia."

Startled, Wind Demon looked up. Before him stood a man in a green cloak and metal mask, appearing out of nowhere.

But that wasn't what rendered Wind Demon speechless—it was the figure beside him. "Black... Your Highness Black Heart."

Black Heart smiled faintly as he approached. "Long time no see, Wind Demon."

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