A lone dark figure shuffled along the deserted streets of Forumscant. Aside from the occasional lamp post, which barely lit the ground beneath it, the city was dark. Just the way Rocky, demon of the underworld liked it.
The demon let out a sigh; every now and then he received a mission like this. Non-combat assignments they were called, officially that is, Rocky preferred to refer to them as Bull****-Work, âEnter the Forumscant library, and liberate a very important book.â
Rocky reflected on the events earlier that day.
***
âRocky, I have another assignment for you.â
âYes, my lord.â
âI wish for you to break into the Forumscant library and liberate for me a very important book.â
âI am to resort to petty thievery my lord? Surely one of the lower servants can accomplish such a tedious mission.â
âNo Rocky!â Satan began, the tone of his voice confirming to Rocky that this was no ordinary book.
âI trust this assignment with no one else.â
âAs you command, so shall I obey.â
Rocky left the chamber.
***
Rocky continued along the sidewalk, being careful not to stand out too much, this was of course a stealth mission and despite his attempts at hiding inside the thin black cloak, his obvious bodily modifications couldnât help but make him stand out a little.
âThere it is.â He thought to himself, gazing at the four-storey building. âGet in, get the book and get out. Then maybe I can do something more fun.â Mumbled Rocky; mostly to himself as he pondered the thought of scaring innocent religious-types into a more âsuitableâ practice.â
Rocky began to scale the building, knowing full well the book he was after, was most likely stored in the highest, oldest and most securest section of the library, the Archives. Reaching the top, Rocky hung from the gutters as he peered into a nearby window. The demon chuckled to himself. âOnly one guard? And heâs standing right by the window, this is almost too easy.â
SMASH!
With a quick flash Rockyâs tail penetrated the glass, and wrapped around the librarianâs neck, the tip of his tail striking his hapless victim in the neck, instantly preventing his target from moving any part of his body. With a quick pull of his tail, he hefted the man out of the window; once he was out over the sidewalk he gave the librarian a one-way ticket down to the ground below. The body landed with a dull thud, the kind of sound one makes when practicing boxing techniques against a side of beef. Rocky crawled in through the window, being careful not to make anymore noise than he already had, quietly, he moved towards the back of the roomâ¦
***
âWhat was that?â Atsuya thought to himself, as he continued along his usual patrol route through the library.
âProbably rats again, seriously, if theyâre not gonna fix this place up; they should just close it down. Itâll give me an excuse to join the army or some other worthwhile organisation; lord knows this library doesnât get used much anyway.â Atsuya sighed, he had been working in the library as one of the few security guards for the last three months, during which time, aside from practicing his throwing aim by pinning cockroaches to the wall, he had done nothing at all even remotely exciting. Still, never one to lose hope of an exciting adventure, Atsuya headed towards the staircase, hoping that he find something of interest.
Silent as ever, Atsuya climbed the stairs leading to the Vault. Hearing noises, Atsuya began to feel the fine hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. âSomeoneâs up here.â He thought to himself, as he reached for one of the throwing needles strapped to his arm.
âHow the **** am I supposed to find one book amidst this stack of dusty moth-eaten tomes?â Rocky cursed to himself as he scrounged amongst the many decaying books spread out on the table in front of him.
FWIP!
Rocky looked up shocked, as a shot of pain went up his arm.
âWho are you?â Asked the young man, his pure white hair remained perfectly straight, the boy was dressed in a black cloak, not quite unlike the one Rocky was dressed in.
âYouâre the one who threw this at me? Isnât it customary to introduce yourself first?â Said Rocky, referring to the needle pinning the palm of his hand to the brick wall behind him.
âMy name is Yukito Atsuya, guardian and protector of this sacred place you have befouled. Now I repeat,
WHO ARE YOU?â
Rocky chuckled, a cool clean laugh, obviously enjoying the inexperience of his young attacker. âBefouled? Thatâs a little harsh, donât you think? I have a good idea, why donât you turn around and go back to where you came? I am almost finished here and once Iâm gone youâll never see me again.â
âHopefully.â Rocky muttered to himself.
Rocky pulled his hand from the door, but surprisingly it would not budge. Rocky struggled a bit harder, finally freeing the needle from the wall.
âI-I canât just let you leave. Iâm going to call for more security.â Atsuya moved toward the switch located near the door.
FWIP!
In one swift motion, Rocky threw back the needle, hitting the alarm switch and preventing it from being used.
âIâm afraid I canât let you do that, and before you go reaching for that little peashooter of yours. I suggest you donât underestimate me and walk away.â Said Rocky, his tone hardening.
OOF
From behind a book hit Rocky in the end, angry, the demon turned to face his would be assailant, to find another book thrown in his face.
FWIP FWIP FWIP FWIP FWIP FWIP FWIP FWIP FWIP
Atsuya emptied the belt of needles strapped around his arm, and soon enough Rocky found himself hugging the wall, the deadly aim of Atsuya, pinning him there with his needles each one strategically placed in his arms, legs and neck, effectively stopping the demons ability to move.
âI suggest
YOU, donât underestimate
ME!â Atsuya retorted, a mocking tone in his voice.
Rocky scoffed, acknowledging the young fighterâs quip.
âI guess this mission wonât be as boring as I first thought.â
Showing amazing strength and resistance to pain, Rocky took a step forward, leaving both his cloak, and the array of needles, still pinned to the wall. Rocky cracked his neck, the musty smell of the library and the imprisonment of his body inside the thin cloth had made him stiff. Finally free, the Demon began to show off his distorted yet amazingly crafted body. His large wings unfolded to their full glory, and his tail whipped and lashed crunching through a nearby bookshelf scattering the books, among other things, onto the floor.
âAhhh, much better.â The demon said, as much to himself as to Atsuya.
âW-whatâ¦are you!â Stumbled Atsuya, the young warrior was barely able to form words in his mouth as he took in the awesome sight of Rocky.
âThat doesnât matter anymore, what matters now is that youâve pissed me off, that there, hanging on the wall was my
FAVOURITE cloak, and youâve put a lot of holes in it, and I donât like that.â Rocky said, a fiendish grin appearing on his face.
Atsuya drew his tanto, knowing full well he had awoken the beast. âI need to set off the alarm; I must draw him to another room.â
âA weapon? Thatâs not fair; I guess Iâll have to even the odds.â Rocky taunted
Atsuya watched in horror as the demonâs red eyes changed to black.
âMy lord, some interference has been encountered, I require the use of Satanâs blade, I humbly ask for your sword.â
âSo be itâ¦â
The ground below began to crumble; the very foundations of the old building began to shake as the Devilâs own sword broke through the ground into Rockyâs eagerly awaiting hands. Grasping the mighty two-handed sword he lifted it into the air, pointing it squarely at Atsuya. With a mighty charge Rocky leapt at the still shaking Atsuya, swinging down hard with his massive sword.
CLANG!
The sound of metal hitting metal rung through the library halls, Atsuya, with lightning reflexes managed to lift his blade in time, preventing himself from being cloven in two.
âThatâs quite a little knife you got there.â Rocky said.
âDeiros is his name, and as long as I breathe life, he will not break.â
âIntriguing, but I promise you; before this fight is over I
WILL break that sword.â
With his obvious physical advantage Rocky threw down Atsuya, trying to end the fight immediately he went for a stab, but once again Atsuyaâs speed gave him the time he needed to escape and Rockyâs attack pierced nothing but the hardwood floor. Rocky swung again, using all his might to spin on the spot as he hefted the massive sword in a three-sixty degree motion. Back flipping, Atsuya avoided contact only to charge forward, perceiving a weakness in Rockyâs attack. Atsuya struck as Rocky was at the end of the movement.
CLANG!
But to no avail, Rocky showed he was no slouch as he blocked the strike with his sword.
âAttacking me at the end of my swing was a good idea, but Iâm too good for that.â Rocky boasted, as he forced Atsuya back, pinning the young warrior to the wall.
CRACK!
Rocky connected with a massive head butt. The only free part of his body, his arms obviously tied up carrying his sword and legs forced into a stance that would lock Atsuya into place. Atsuya looked dazed, as Rocky continued his assault, smashing his head into Atsuyaâs knocking the boyâs senses around.
âHad enough?â Rocky mocked as he saw the blood dripping down from Atsuyaâs head.
âDonât count me out just yet.â
Using his free hand Atsuya drew one of the needles from his ankle holster, stabbing Rocky in the leg. Rocky tensed but the momentary distraction allowed Atsuya to roll away from the wall.
FWIP!
âWhy youâ¦â Rocky started as he was struck in the back by another one of Atsuya's needles.
FWIP!
âWhat theâ¦â Rocky started as another, needle hit him in the back.
Rocky turned to face the wall and watched, perplexed as the needles Atsuya threw earlier, began to wobble out of the wall and launch themselves at him.
âForce powers?â Rocky though as he caught and snapped a needle aimed at his chest.
âImpossible, heâs no modiwan; this must be some kind of telekinesis.â
With one slice of his sword, Rocky cut the remaining needles from the wall thus preventing them from being used as effective weapons, he watched as his hole-filled cloak fell to the floor with a flop. Rocky winced in pain as he pulled the remaining needles from his body.
âThat boy...where is he?â
Rocky looked around with confusion as his opponent was nowhere to be found.
WEEE WORR WEEE WORR!
âAn alarm? Why that little brat. He distracted me till he could find another alarm switch.â
Suddenly security bots began to flood out of hidden compartments along the wall. Their lights red, indicating they deemed Rocky as a hostile target.
âYUKITO ATSUYA! THIS ISNâT OVER!â