Chapter 31: We have to run

"Three!" A thunderous voice screamed next to Clementine's ear.

The moment Clementine heard the voice she knew it was not Azael and both Emilia and Clementine could not help but stiffen up.

And out of reflex Emilia pulled Clementine away from where the voice had come from and hand in hand started walking backwards. Emilia immediately pulled out her sword, but still the darkness that was surrounding them did not allow her to see beyond her own extended sword.

Whoever, it was that was surrounding them at this moment, started giggling. It was a hissing giggle that was not unlike a hyena that was in heat. Following the sound Emilia swung her sword over and over hoping and praying that whoever was there would not come closer, but if they did her sword would stop them.

Clementine clenched onto Emilia's hand, worry invading all her senses but of course not worry for her but for Azael. Where was he? She tried to move her head around as if searching the area, but no matter how much she tried the pitch darkness of the forest was not letting her see a thing beyond her reach.

"Stay away," Emilia screamed, hearing the spine-tingling giggle getting closer to them. "I don't want to hurt you"

"Oh, but I don't mind the pain, because I know the reward will be so much sweeter." Whoever was the owner of the voice replied. His voice thin and nasally.

Emilia kept her nonstop movement of swinging her sword until a piercing scream erupted from the being who was now in front of her.

"You bitch!!! You cut me!!" Huffing and loud breathing could be heard all around and then movement. Swift and fast Emilia was grabbed by the hair, pulling her head down and then up. It was as if whoever was doing this to her was trying to pull all her hair out in one swift move.

Emilia could do nothing but scream in pain. She tried reaching for the hands that were grabbing at her hair, but with no luck as a sharp punch landed on her stomach throwing her entire body back and making her land on the ground. Clementine who was trying with all her being to hold on to her was also thrown back landing next to her.

"Are you okay?" Clementine reached over trying to feel where Emilia was. Her hands landing on her tights as she kept guessing where her friend was.

"Yes, don't worry," Emilia did not lie. She was physically okay. Although the pulling of the air and the punch did hurt her what hurt the most was her own ignorance. Human pain was something she had never experienced, and it was taking her a while to get used to it. Normally a punch like that she would have been able to take without falling not to mentioned that the possibility of dodging it was more probable.

"You will pay for this!" Their predator screamed at the top of his lungs, and then he started moving. But no matter how much he moved and walked around he did not reach them. It was as if he was walking in the dark just like them.

"He can't see either," Emilia whispered now understanding that not only were her powers limited here, but also his. "Let's go," Emilia grabbed on to Clementine and pulled her to follow her. They both started crawling away from the noise the unknown man was making.

"Someone hurry, light a torch!" It was then Emilia realized he was not alone. "We can't lose them,"

Both Emilia and Clementine hasten their movement, trying to escape before they were made, but to no avail... in a blink of an eye their surroundings were lighten up. Both were on all four instantly turned their heads over their shoulders only to see one of the most disgusting faces they had ever encounter.

"There you are," the unnamed now had a face. He was a tall and bulky demon. His short fade hair made him look more menacing and terrifying. His shirt was ripped down his chest, which made his taunting muscles more visible as he was a giant amongst man. Emilia immediately noticed that he was bleeding from his chest, that was the cut that she had made.

Licking his lips while ogling both Emilia and Clementine the stranger started waltzing towards them. A sinister smile on his face. "Which one of you will be the lucky first," His intentions were not hidden on the least. His drool and the drool of his two companions behind him made their dirty intent obvious.

"We have to run," Emilia kept repeating over and over on her brain, but no matter how much she kept saying these words her body remained frozen, unmoving, uncompliant.

And without realizing it the three of them were a step away from them. The first one was about to reach over to grabbed Clementine by the hair when an arrow flew in penetrating his hand and stopping his movement.