CHAPTER 36: The Wolf and Panther 5

"It's about time you showed up" Leo smiled, beaming despite his current situation.

"You didn't think I would let you have all the fun? Bethran fired back with a grin that dropped beads of thick saliva onto stone.

"Then let's finish this".

Leo rolled to the left evading an onyx shard that seemed to be the demon' s way of reminding them that he was still a major threat. More shards quickly followed; all of them heading for the supposedly weak mortal in their path.

Like before the shards all lost their marks, while Bethran covering the distance between him and the demon in two giant leaps made sure not to miss his.

"Too slow" mocked the demon who had just evaded another claw strike from Bethran before leaning backwards ever so slightly to dodge a stab courtesy of Leo that would have pretty much pierced his host's heart. The duo however were relentless and so continued with attacks after attacks in ruthless synergy as they left their malevolent foe with apparently nowhere to run.

At a point when it seemed the demon had tired in evaluating them, the fight had taken on a more worrisome tone with the two finding it hard to attack while at the same time dodge sharp onyx shards that threatened to kill, if either of them dared make a mistake.

Seeing the way things were going Leo put into motion a plan that he hoped will put this threat into the ground.

Pouncing forward with five claws pointed like deadly blades, Bethran made a quick jab for the heart; the demon's weakness judging from how he prevented the two from landing any attacks there.

A simple twist brought Wulfe out of the claws range but didn't save him from the mighty kick that sent the demon sliding across the floor making him to almost fall into the deep hole that Leo's space beam had opened earlier. Looking up the demon had decided to take to the skies to give himself some advantage but on noticing that Leo had for some reason disappeared, gave up the idea of flight and instead ran forward to meet the werewolf head on.

A giant fist coated with dark mana flew straight for Bethran's snout, and to the wolf's surprise the punch regardless of his attempt to dodge struck him in an uppercut that revealed various stars.

Another punch quickly followed the first one, making Bethran to double over when a force like that of a sledge hammer struck him in the gut.

Staggering back, the wolf narrowly dodged another of those dark punches while looking for his friend who had gave the unspoken signal to keep the demon distracted.

The signal had been nothing more than three blinks but Bethran having trained side by side with Leo, didn't need anyone to interpret what his friend had meant.

"It should be about time now" Bethran groaned, trying to punch the demon but ultimately failing when dark tentacles; thick as branches, rose up from the ground before they embedded themselves deep into his flesh.

As quick as lightning Bethran's claws moved in a fluid motion saving his hide but still not fast enough to stop the tentacle's effects which left him feeling so tired and weak but most importantly hungry.

A fact that meant it was only a matter of time before his werewolf transformation would fully take over.

"How the heck did I even miss the fact that you are a werewolf" The demon sighed. "Though a Halfling (which I wonder how that's possible) you are still not supposed to be on this realm" The demon laughed while saying the last parts out loud.

"Why don't you tell me? Bethran growled, jumping meters into the air and coming down hard with a massive fist.

The demon seeing this laughed and with a snap of his fingers, smiled as rows of dark tentacles rose up from the ground; each of the pointed tips heading towards the wolf.

"CHECKMATE!

*Pulch*

"How? Was the demon's unspoken question when a silver blade came out from his chest. Swinging his elbow back he tried to dislodge the Huntran behind him.

A white fist however stopped this from happening as it crushed his head in one fell punch...

"Get back! Leo warned his friend when something even more strange seemed to be happening near the demon's body.

Bethran obeyed the warning and disengaged; he and his friend now several meters away from the demon who still had a silver dagger sticking out of his host's chest.

Leo was quite disappointed on seeing this for he had put everything into this last plan. Everything from summoning enough mana to shift into a panther, to lurking in the shadows as he waited for Bethran to give him the right chance to strike.

He had even been quite nervous about rushing in but still he did it anyway and instead of seeing a fading black mist in the grid, all he saw was a mist that kept on growing as though threatening to surround them.

"We have to get out of here" Bethran panted holding his knee with furless hands. Leo nodded in support and soon the two turned tails and began to run through staggered breaths.

They didn't make it far and so currently stood; weapons drawn as they stared at the forsaken creature before them.

The demon didn't have any resemblance to Wulfe whatsoever save for the white hair on top of the scary horned buffalo like head. Ripped muscles black as obsidian covered the demon's entire body while an ominous cape of bones waved in the air; rattling eerily in the slightest breeze.

A loud voice accompanied by puffs of steam from a bull like nose, instantly bellowed across the castle and possibly the entire street.

"You have put up such a great fight, mortals". another huge puff of smoke followed "To be able to make me exhaust my host's spells and mana is no mean feat and so you can rest well in hell knowing that you died like true warriors".

"The only one going to hell... "Leo started, coughing out blood as dark blue fur coated his body.

"Is you" Bethran completed with a snarl that exposed ever growing fangs.