Bloodlines

Chapter 3: Old Friends

Sylvia froze, staying perfectly still. She was unsure if the devil was staring right at her, or just looking around for the noise she had made. She watched, daring not to even take a single breath. The Devil Dog was hunched over on all fours, its red blister like skin glimmering in the sunlight that managed to break through the tree tops. It's claws were like small daggers, menacing and intimidating.

The devil growled, drawing the five pups' attention to where Sylvia was. She stayed perfectly still, praying it had not spotted her. Then the pups lunged.

"Guess not-" Sylvia cried out, tucking and rolling behind a nearby tree as the five pups darted towards her. Despite being young, they were already hip height on her. Ending her roll in a crouched position, Sylvia whipped out her two short scimitars from her waist holder. The curved blades crossed in the middle in a defensive stance. Two devil pups lunged at her, Sylvia dodged one attack and swung down hard on the second, decapitating the pup. It's head hit the forest floor with a thud.

Sylvia swung her head in the direction of the mother devil. It let out an ungodly roar, pouncing up from it's position. It swung one clawed forefoot at Sylvia, who blocked it with her swords. It left the creature with a large gash on its arm, but before Sylvia could attack it again one of the pups bowled her over with a tackle. She rolled with the beast down a small hill and landed with it square on her chest, dropping one of her swords in the process. It gnashed its teeth at her, Sylvia barely able to control it with one blade. She eyed the second blade, close by but a stretch away. With the current blade in her hand she knocked the Devil Dog off and rolled towards her blade, grabbing it just as it leapt at her. She ran the sword down the gullet of the devil pup as it lunged at her.

"2 down, 3 pups to go," she said, extracting her weapon. She could hear them running towards her, and whistled for Porche. While waiting, she spun around to face the final three pups, and the mum snarling at her. Sylvia had both swords in front of her, ready to swing at whoever attacked first.

In unison, the three pups ran at Sylvia full speed. She leapt over them, twisting in the air. As she did she passed over one pup and with a slice of her two swords finished him off. The two skidded to a halt, turning around to attack once more but they were too slow. Two thuds echoed as their bodies lay on the floor. Sylvia spun around to the mother, who grabbed her by the arm in her powerful jaws. Sylvia cried out in pain. The devil dragged her flailing through the wide-open plains. Sylvia stuck one of her swords in the side of the Devil Dog, which seemed to only make her angrier as she hurtled through the shrubs.

Suddenly, Sylvia heard the all too familiar clip clop of hooves. Porche had arrived, and as a gallant entrance kicked the devil with her hind legs. The devil released Sylvia, and made a run for it.

"Oh no you don't" Sylvia said, ignoring her throbbing wound that was oozing blood, and jumping atop Porche. She gave her a swift kick in the side, and away they went. They trailed the devil, gaining on it as Porche galloped. Sylvia drew her throwing knives from the pouch, splaying them out neatly in her hands. She had five.

She threw two which landed in the devil's rear, causing it to scream. Third knife, however, landed in the leg, causing the Devil Dog to fall. To avoid crashing into the devil, Porche jumped in the air, leaping over the devil and landing on the otherside. Sylvia jumped off, and in one quick motion drove her sword into the heart of the beast. It let out one final cry, before falling still.

Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Sylvia admired her work.

"Better collect proof then," she muttered to herself, drawing her dagger. She then proceeded to remove the head of the Devil Dog, and ride back to town.

***

The Father was greeted by Sylvia, who tossed the Devil Dog's head at his feet. It landed with a squelch. He looked revolted.