A/N: Oh wow, it’s been far too long since I’ve updated this story. My sincerest apologies for taking so long. I ran into some writer’s block for what to do with this chapter. I thank everyone who has read and reviewed this story. Your comments and advice has truly helped me become a better writer and have given me additional inspiration to continue writing. Without further delay, I give you the next chapter of Demon Assassin.

Demon Assassin

Chapter VIII

Without a second to loose, Ireina boosted herself off the ground and accelerated towards the trapped sword. She grabbed the hilt with both hands and began to pull the sword with all her might. The rumble of Satsugai’s heavy footsteps resonated deafeningly in her ears. Sweat poured down her face as nervousness grasped her heart, listening to the footsteps become closer. The determination never left her eyes, as inch by inch the sword revealed itself from the rubble. With one last quick jerk, Ireina freed the sword of its rocky captive, tumbling back slightly in the process. She turned around to face her assailant, ready for a final go around with the large fiend. Satsugai eyed his small opponent with malevolence, prepared to destroy her and all part of her existence.

A mutual agreement of hatred traveled between the pair’s eyes. Without any exchange of words, the two charged at each other. Ireina raised her sword high above her head as she took to the air, a loud battle cry escaping her throat. She swung the blade downward, closely approaching the area between Satsugai’s eyes. Before metal could pierce flesh, Satsugai flapped his massive wings and jumped out of the way. Ireina’s blade only tasted air rather than the sweet vengeance of Satsugai’s blood. Satsugai countered her close attack with a tail swipe; however, Ireina’s great agility permitted her to dodge it easily. A low growl vibrated in Satsugai’s throat. Flapping his large wings once again, he claimed the skies at an amazing speed. He disappeared in the clouds, leaving Ireina perplexed at his actions. Without wasting another second, Ireina flew to Leon’s unconscious form. She swung his arm over her shoulders, and wrapped an arm around his waist, supporting his entire weight on her body. Hearing the wind rushing though Satsugai’s diving form, she quickened her pace to escape the impact. Ireina jumped into the air as Satsugai emerged from the clouds at a high velocity, a loud roar shaking the world around them. The ground began to crumble beneath them as energy poured out of the beast’s mouth.

Ireina’s wings caught the air, pulling her and Leon away from the destruction. She eluded from Satsugai’s sight finding a small clearing below, her and Leon’s small forms easily being covered by the surrounding trees. She laid Leon down gently, brushing away some of his dark bangs from his face.

“Ireina?” a small voice startled the young woman. She looked down to see Leon’s eyes open.

“You’re awake,” she replied.

“What’s happening?” Leon asked groggily. He sat up, ignoring the sharp pains that ignited at the sudden movement.

“Satsugai is out for blood and I don’t know how to stop him,” Ireina replied.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find a way,” Leon said. A vicious roar shook the forest, followed by small quakes as Satsugai began his search for his enemies. Quickly, Ireina pulled Leon to his feet.

“We can’t stay here for long, he’ll find us,” Ireina told him. As they ran, Leon caught of glimpse of a large earth mass in the distance. A mountain, he thought. He then noticed the dark grey smoke emitting from the tip. No, a volcano.A small smile came to his lips as an idea percolated in his head to finally free them of this nightmare.

“Ireina, I have an idea,” Leon finally spoke, feeling a second wind overtake his body.

How could he have been so stupid to let those two pests get away? Satsugai searched around the forest floor. He was certain that they had not been killed by his last attack and instead was in hiding. Another bellow escaped his throat, cursing one of the few weaknesses of his dragon form, the inability to see small things easily. He cut his search short, deciding that burning down the entire area would prove to be a much quicker way of finding them. With one long deep inhale, the creature began to expel hot intense energy from his mouth.

“Over here!” a male voice called. Satsugai ceased his actions and turned around to face the voice.

“Leon,” he seethed, eyes narrowing.

“I’m the one you want,” Leon baited. Satsugai lunged for him, his large jaws opening to crush Leon’s small bones in his mouth. Leon dashed out of the way. His large black wings carried him high above the forest towards the distant land mass his had seen before. Briefly, the young demon looked over his shoulder to make sure the beast followed him. A grin came to his lips when he saw the enraged monster flapping its enormous wings to catch up to him. Leon increased his own pace to make sure Satsugai wouldn’t catch him. From the ground Ireina flew up behind Satsugai, far enough so he wouldn’t notice her.

As they began to approach the volcano, Satsugai began to shoot beams of energy at Leon, but with quick reflexes, he managed to evade the attacks. Soon, Leon’s form began to disappear into the dark smoke of the volcano. Satsugai managed to get glimpse of Leon diving inside before being completely engulfed within the smoke. The great beast followed, diving down as well into the smoldering environment.

Leon winced at the volcano’s intense heat, but his plan was working. He spotted a ledge of rock and flew to it, letting himself rest on it for a moment. It was hard to see, the thick smog stinging his senses. Two glowing red orbs suddenly faced him in the haze, followed by a loud gasp of air. Leon jumped off the ledge right before it melted away by Satsugai’s yellow acid. He flew lower, closer to the lava. He wiped away his sweat dripped brow before turning around to see the dragon no longer in sight. His ears twitched on top of his head and he looked up to see a large set of teeth coming down upon him at an alarming rate.

Leon leapt towards the wall of the volcano and kicked off the hard surface, sending himself upwards. Satsugai clumsily crashed into the volcano’s rocky wall, lacking the dexterity needed to make the sharp leap upwards.

“Now, Ireina!” Leon shouted. With his call, Ireina came barreling down with her sword high above her head. She struck down on the monster with all of her might against the midsection of his back. The momentum of the blow caused Satsugai to hurl downwards into the lava.

An ear piercing scream erupted from the creature’s throat as he slowly descended into the lava pit at the bottom of the volcano. Soon, his cries subsided as the magma fully covered his form finally ending his existence. Leon stared down with steel eyes as he watched his former boss burn away. His eyes reflected no sympathy and he said no words for his enemy, his heavy breathing the only sound emitting from his lips.

Leon felt a small weight rest on top of his shoulder. He turned his head and found it was Ireina’s small hand. His grey eyes found her beautiful green ones and he felt a weight lifted from his chest. He was finally free, truly free. There was nothing in the world that would keep him from her now. He pulled her into his arms and together they rose from the volcano.

Leon and Ireina rested side by side against soft grass in a nearby forest clearing. It was the first time in awhile that they could rest without any burden weighing down on their consciousness. Ireina’s wings receded into he back, changing back into her normal form. She rested her head against Leon feathery wings that were stretched along the grass. Her black armor was discarded a few feet away, leaving the woman in grey shirt and pants. One of the pant legs was shortened where she had ripped a piece of the material to create a makeshift bandage for Leon’s bleeding forehead. In her mind were remnants of disbelief. They did it. They killed Satsugai; it seemed so unreal, like a dream too good to be true. But it had happened and she could feel the unbelievable happiness slowly building her chest. She turned over on her side and faced her love.

“Leon,” she called in a soft voice. Gently, she moved a lock of black-red hair to side to find his eyes shut with such a peaceful expression on his face. She smiled and leaned over to place a kiss on his left cheek. They been through so much today and she was glad to find him taking the opportunity to rest and begin to heal.

Heal, she thought. Yes, it was the next step in their journey together. To heal from their wounds, both physical and mental. The death of her sister would not go forgotten and it would always leave emptiness deep inside both their hearts. Ireina moved closer and rested her head on Leon’s shoulder. She remained awake; to make sure that nothing lurking in the forest would disturb her love from his well needed nap. When he arose, they would journey home and start their new life.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the enjoyed reading this chapter. This is not the end. I will be writing a long epilogue where I’ll try to tie up some loose ends. I got some ideas already. I plan to finish the epilogue before I leave for NY, which will be in the next 10 days or so. Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to review!