Sword Demons

*Ha* *Ha* *Ha* A heavy panting could be heard in the background.

A small group of five people could be seen running through the forest, Moving swiftly as if ghosts were on a mission to bring the underworld back into our plane of existence.

A much younger Eric was carrying a pale-looking woman in his arms. Three men were flanking them by their sides and behind. Eric, as well as these men they all, were wearing similar clothes, red and black robes, that looked of pristine quality, although they were a bit weathered because they have been running through this immense forest for so long.

"Lady Jhoan, Sir Eric they are nearing on us. It's do or die now, Sir!" A bald man from the group said in order to grab Eric's attention.

"I know Tilo, Is there no other way?" Eric said. A frustrated and angry expression could be seen painted on his face.

"We will see you in the next life, Master!" A round man with an impressive belly said as he suddenly stopped running. And so did the other two...

Eric stopped for a second after seeing his friends stop before him.

"What are you doing Eric, this is the moment I will repay my debt, If you stay here our sacrifice will look stupid in the eyes of the heavens. Now. GO!" The tallest man in the group with shiny blond hair started saying his piece.

He was right, if Eric lost any more time, this intervention of them would be pointless at the end of the day, and they would be meeting again sooner than expected...

"Tilo, Joseph, Dominick you were my only true brothers, we will be meeting again at the doors of providence. Thank you."

When those words were uttered the group divided and went in different directions to up their chances of escape, although slim, they still existed.

Eric ran like a fiend, even if his pride and honor told him to stay with his brothers to the very end and die. He had to take care of Jhoan nonetheless...

Voices at the distance could be heard, as a small army slowly approached and closed on them with every passing second.

"I heard something, get everyone over here!"

"Quick!"

"Show yourselves! Cowards!"

Immediately after one of the enemy goons said those words his world turned upside-down.

The attack was so sudden. So quick, so clean! He was still conscious when his head rolled onto the floor.

The only thing he could see was a man with bright blond hair standing with a katana in hand in front of a headless body, his devilish grin will forever plague his memory. Then the man said...

"You called?"

~~~~~~Present~~~~~~

"Sword Demon Eric! We know you are here, If you don't show yourself these people will suffer because of your cowardice!"

The woman shouted as one of her men approached the same old lady again and picked her up with one hand.

But suddenly his hand separated from his body and fell to the ground.

*Splat*

"You called?"

A sharp scream pierced the ears of those present, as the man whose hand had been separated from his body saw himself losing huge amounts of blood.

"YOU BASTARD! AHHH!!" After losing his sanity the man grabbed his weapon with his remaining limb and attacked Eric wildly.

But it was ineffective nonetheless, as before he could react the next thing to hit the ground was his head.

At that very moment, Eric felt a chill running down his spine and stepped back.

A quick slash passed through the space his neck has been less than a second ago.

The woman of the group with a sword in hand smiled at Eric, completely disregarding his recently dissected companion.

"The last of the Sword Demons, Eric. It's an honor for me to be the one who will bring you to justice." The woman said...

The other man in the group has just lit up something and threw it into the air. After a few instants, it exploded, alerting everyone in the vicinity.

The woman's swordsmanship was exquisite, the combinations of thrusts and slashes looked as if she was dancing over a bed of flowers. It was perfect! Perhaps a little too perfect...

Eric evaded each and every attack twisting his body while moving the least amount of space possible, those attacks that came from weird angles were easily parried by his own sword.

Although he was evading quite easily it was because he was familiar with the style that the woman was using. By mixing offensive and defensive moves interchangeably and controlling the flow of combat it was a near impenetrable defense.

One that could be beaten only by brute and raw strength.

Eric's stance changed a bit, and by purposely letting her sword graze his cheek he forced an opening that he would fully capitalize on.

His sword passed through her defenses right below her arms and with a quick upward slash both of her arms were instantly severed from her body.

This whole exchange occurred in the blink of an eye.

The woman took several steps backward after being disarmed as a cascade of blood poured out of her now nonexistent limbs.

The second the other man saw this he proceeded to run frantically, their main plan failed, one of them was dead and the other one was a soon-to-be corpse. he didn't plan to engage in direct combat anymore, reinforcements will arrive at any moment.

Even if he looked like a coward. His life was still more valuable to him than his honor.

He could feel death creeping on him. As red demonic eyes will chase him even in his sleep.

Suddenly the man tripped.

His head was saved by a hairs length of his bald head. A huge rock that was in the direction he would have been felled to pieces.

"Please, Spare me!" The bald man said in a meek voice.

But all he could see was Eric's silhouette obscured by his bright red eyes pulling his sword back and preparing to thrust it into his chest...