The Night of Blood

I never imagined that a simple errand would be the last time I'd see my family alive.

The evening air was crisp as I walked through the narrow streets of Raven's Hollow, a small village on the edge of the kingdom. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the marketplace, mixing with the scent of roasted meat from the food stalls. My mother had sent me to buy supplies—just enough to last us a few days. I was in no rush, unaware that every moment I spent outside was another moment stolen from me.

The stars had begun to peek through the darkening sky when I finally made my way back home, a small sack of food tucked under my arm. But as I turned onto the familiar dirt path leading to my house, something felt… wrong.

The night was too quiet.

The usual sounds of laughter and distant voices were gone. No flickering lanterns lit the windows of our neighbors' homes. A strange, coppery scent lingered in the air. My steps slowed, dread creeping up my spine.

Then I saw it.

Smoke curled into the sky, dark against the moonlit backdrop. My breath hitched as I broke into a run. My house—my home—was in flames.

"No… no, no, no!"

I dropped the sack of food and sprinted forward, the heat of the fire stinging my skin as I reached the entrance. The door hung off its hinges, claw marks raking deep into the wood. My heart pounded against my ribs. This can't be real.

I stepped inside.

The sight made my blood turn to ice.

My father lay motionless on the floor, his sword still clutched in his hand, but his body was torn open, his blood staining the wooden planks beneath him. My mother was slumped against the wall, her arms wrapped protectively around my little sister, Elena—both of them lifeless.

I couldn't breathe.

I stumbled forward, dropping to my knees. My hands hovered over their bodies, afraid to touch, afraid that doing so would confirm the nightmare.

A sob choked its way out of my throat. "Mom… Elena… Dad…"

Then I heard it.

A deep, guttural growl from behind me.

I turned slowly, my entire body shaking.

Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the burning flames, was a demon.

It was massive, its body covered in obsidian-black scales. Glowing crimson eyes locked onto me, filled with something beyond cruelty—pure, twisted amusement. Blood dripped from its razor-sharp claws, the same claws that had ripped my family apart.

It grinned.

"You're still alive?" its voice rumbled, low and mocking. "Shall I fix that?"

Rage drowned out my fear.

I grabbed my father's sword, barely able to lift it, but I didn't care. I gritted my teeth and charged, screaming as I swung with everything I had.

The demon didn't move.

Then, in a blur, it was gone.

Before I could react, pain exploded in my chest as something struck me. My body crashed through the wall, slamming into the dirt outside. The world spun. My vision blurred.

The demon stepped through the wreckage, its grin widening. "Pathetic."

I tried to stand, but my body wouldn't move.

The demon crouched beside me, pressing one clawed finger to my forehead. A burning sensation erupted through my skull, searing like fire. I screamed as something carved itself into me, a mark searing deep into my skin.

Then—darkness.

---

When I woke, the scent of burning wood had been replaced by the crisp air of the forest. My body ached, my head pounding. I wasn't in my village anymore.

A man sat nearby, sharpening a long silver blade. His face was lined with age, his eyes sharp and calculating. He glanced at me as I stirred.

"You're awake," he said simply.

I tried to speak, but my throat was dry. The man tossed me a water flask. I drank greedily before forcing out a hoarse whisper. "Who… are you?"

The man studied me for a moment before answering.

"My name is Kol. And if you want to survive, you'd best listen carefully."

I swallowed hard, confusion and fear warring inside me. "What happened to me?"

Kol sighed, setting his blade down. "You were marked," he said gravely. "By a demon."

I stiffened. My fingers instinctively touched my forehead—and I felt it. A strange, jagged symbol burned into my skin.

"The mark binds you to them," Kol continued. "If you don't learn to control it… you will become one of them."

My heart pounded. I clenched my fists, forcing down the terror.

"Then tell me how to stop it." My voice was hoarse, but steady.

Kol smirked, his eyes gleaming. "Good answer."

He stood, stretching his arms before tossing something at me—a wooden training sword.

"If you truly want to kill demons… then get up. Your training

I stared at the weapon in my hands, my grip tightening. My old life was gone, burned to ashes.

But if becoming a Demon Hunter was the only way to stop monsters like the one that killed my family—then I would not hesitate.

I would become strong.

I would find that demon.

And I would kill it.