"You've never met another demon before, have you?" Belphegor asked randomly. "Or even half breeds?"

Fitch grinned. "Belphegor, until you, I didn't even know demons existed. If I met any, I never knew it."

"Count yourself lucky, then." Belphegor laughed humourlessly. "The demon race is one born of pure hatred. We hate ourselves, we hate the humans, we hate the half breeds. And they are no better. They seem to think the humanity in their veins makes them seamless through both worlds, but it is all too obvious what they are. Two different species in one body just equals hate, hate, hate. Hate from both ends, boiling up inside until it literally consumes them. Revenge is all they think about, even long after the need is gone."

Belphegor's gaze turned to the sky. "Our age is one of pure iron. Metallic and bitter. Those who do not realize it are lucky, for their death will come swiftly and painlessly."

"You sound like you've known a few half breeds," Fitch commented. "Out of curiosity, how does that work exactly? Does the human parent know they're sleeping with a demon? Seems like something that should be addressed on a first date..."

"That depends," Belphegor replied. "If the human is a female, more often than not she's not a willing recipient. So a Charm is placed on her. During pregnancy, the baby in the womb will usually protect its host-or, mother-so they don't die before they're born. The birth kills most humans." She shrugged. "If the human is a male, he's usually seduced by a Demoness, after which she performs the ritual of the Praying Mantis."

"Praying mantis?" Fitch asked. He paused, thinking about where he had heard the term before, and burst out, "Wait, you mean she eats him?!?"

"In most cases, yes." She tossed a sly smirk at the boy. "Don't worry; I won't be eating you anytime soon if you're worried about that. Human gives me indigestion. Besides, it's usually only done in mating, to ensure proper growth of child. I don't pretend to understand it. My mother is the only Demoness I've ever known to do it."

Fitch swallowed hard, Belphegor's assurances of his safety hardly enough to calm him down. Then he considered her words again, realizing what she said.

"Your mother...had a half breed?" he asked hesitantly, unsure if whether the subject was a touchy one or not.

"My sister, Omega," she said offhandedly. "Foolish thing, she is. Thinks it's my fault the old bat died..."

"So you two don't get along, huh?" Fitch asked.

"You could say that," she muttered. "Someday you may meet her. Pray that day does not come soon."

"Why?" Fitch asked, intrigued. "Is she anything like you? Because in all honesty, when you're not choking me or burning a brand into my skin, you're not all that bad."

Belphegor chuckled at the comment. "She is like me in a lot of ways, but without my charm or sense of mercy."

Fitch laughed. "In that case, I hope we don't run into her, either," he said. "Something tells me I'm not lucky enough to escape harm twice, huh?"

He stretched out his arms, reaching towards the sky. "So how did you get into this job anyway? And who hires a demon to do his dirty work?"

"Many of my clients do not have to know of my lineage," she said mysteriously. "I did not exactly apply for the job, if that's what you're asking. I did some favors some time ago that labeled me as a good assassin. Ever since, ways to contact me seem to circle rich, potential clients. If one is offered, I take it. Money is often needed in this world, if one wants to keep attention off themselves." She grinned darkly.

"One benefit of being a demon is that nobody will ever cheat me out of a pay check."

Fitch nodded. "I sure as hell wouldn't," he commented. "Besides, anyone dumb enough to cheat a good assassin probably deserves what he gets."

He pulled the bit of string out of his pocket and began a game of Cat's Cradle. "Does killing bother you?" he asked as he looped the string around his fingers. "I mean, I know you hate humans, but does it free you from feeling bad about it?"

"I suppose it would, if I shared your belief system." She shrugged at his questioning look.

"Humans believe in some sort of deity. They usually believe the souls go to heaven or hell, depending on the way the life is lived. Demons believe no such thing. We believe the soul is there, but when it dies it becomes one with the earth and is born into an entirely different creature." She sighed. "All life ends. Whether the life ends today or a hundred years from now, it will happen. I do not believe I am responsible for a life leaving a body, even if I am the one that cut the vital tendons."

Fitch considered her words for a long time. "I guess that makes sense," he said. "I don't much believe in a God or a Devil. I'd be more comforted knowing my soul went to give something else life, instead of just sitting at some deity's feet chanting hymns."

The Cat's Cradle had grown quite complex by now and Fitch decided it had gone on long enough. He slipped one finger out of the design and the whole thing collapsed. He shoved the string back into his pocket.

"That's the problem with religion," Belphegor said. "It always involves something higher than you allowing something else to collapse. Like that's Cat's Cradle; it was not so hard to destroy it, and any deity would do the same if the creatures became boring or insignificant to it."

"Maybe I should set up my own religion," Fitch said with a rueful smile. "There used to be this guy who hung out on the corner of Park Street and 43rd, and he held this sign that said, 'The end is nigh!' Then at the bottom he had added, 'But I might be wrong...' I always liked his honesty. If I managed to get extra food I always took it to him."

He licked his lips to moisten them. "I hope he'll be okay," he said softly.

"I'm sure he will be. If not in this life, then the next one." Belphegor stared grimly ahead at the dark woods they were approaching. There was no going around them; they would have to go through. She did not like being in the woods, however, because it gave enemies many opportunities to attack.

"Do we have to go in there?" Fitch asked, eying the woods nervously. "I'm not too keen on enclosed spaces."

"Unless we want to try and find a way around it," Belphegor muttered. "This seems to be the only way for now. I pray it is not too deep."

Fitcher swallowed hard. "All right," he said. "I trust you..."

"A foolish move," she said before stepping over the invisible threshold and under the shaded canopy of trees.

"I know it is," Fitch muttered under his breath as he followed after Belphegor.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary about the forest, but Belphegor was always on edge anyway. Her guard was up at all times, especially in places where she was vulnerable. This would be the perfect time for an enemy to strike; in a place she could not move fully if she had to transform. They would not be sleeping in this place. They would move on until they had reached open air once more.

Fitch kept his mouth shut in this place. Belphegor's entire demeanor had changed once they stepped into the woods, and Fitch had no desire to distract her from keeping guard. He was all too aware of the fact that if the demon was caught off-guard and killed, there wouldn't be any hope for him.

Every little twitch of brush or rustle of a leaf sent Belphegor's hands halfway to her daggers. On one occasion, she did throw one, managing to spear a very unlucky rabbit. She simply handed the rabbit to Fitch silently, keeping her watch for any threats.

Fitch wasn't squeamish about taking the rabbit. Hell, he'd caught and cooked a pigeon once during a particularly cold winter. He wasn't fond of the way the rabbit's blood was sticky on his skin, but that was a minor inconvenience.

He wondered if Belphegor ate rabbits raw or if she cooked them first.

When darkness fell, Belphegor had to keep a tight grip on Fitch's arm. She could see somewhat with her demon eyes, but she knew humans were nearly blind in the dark. She couldn't have the boy wandering off and ending up dead.

He was relieved when the demon kept a hold on his arm. He had no desire to be wandering around the forest in the dark. Fitch didn't mind the dark, but he didn't like being on unfamiliar ground, either.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Belphegor said in a hushed voice. "Not even any hostile animals. Absolutely nothing."

"Can't say I'm feeling too good about it myself," Fitch whispered back. "Why do you think it's so quiet?"

"It could be nothing's out there," she said, swallowing. She didn't want to voice her next thought. "Or there could be something lying in wait, lulling us into a false sense of security, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

"Even I don't believe that there's nothing out there," Fitch muttered. "And I don't even know anything about forests."

"We should be out of the forest by morning. We just need to endure by then." Belphegor had no doubts that they would survive to see the other side of the forest. She knew that whatever was following them would probably die easily enough by her hand. However, she had to wonder just what was chasing them, and why.

"Then let's get the hell out of here as fast as you can lead," Fitch said. "This place gives me the creeps!"

"Panicking will do no good. That's just what it wants is confusion. We must remain calm, and must keep a hold on each other at all times to keep from being separated." She took a deep breath to quell her own fear. She could avoid it as long as possible; forever, if need be. The will to survive was stronger.

"I am not panicking," Fitch said firmly. "Not yet, anyway."

Still, he made sure to keep a hold on Belphegor and kept his mind clear.

Belphegor began to hum a tune she could remember hearing a long time ago. She could no longer remember the words to the song, but the tune was nice enough that it managed to soothe her. It always had a calming effect.

Fitch's breath caught in his throat. "Where did you hear that?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"An old traveler taught it to me a long time ago," Belphegor replied. She remember the day very clearly, even though she had been very young and it had been long ago. The traveler seemed unafraid of her, even though at the time it was very obvious what she was.

Fitch took a deep breath. "It...it sounds like a song my mom used to sing to me," he said. "I haven't heard it since she died."

"It is a small world," she said. "Perhaps your mother learned it from the same source, or one that had learned it from them. It is a very beautiful song."

Fitch swallowed back the lump that had risen in his voice and said, quietly, "Would you...would you keep humming it? Please?"

Belphegor continued humming the tune, over and over again, knowing it was probably the best way to keep both of them calm.

Fitch wished he could remember the words his mother used to sing with the tune. They teased just outside the bounds of his memory, and he could remember snatches of lines, but never the whole thing. To make himself feel a little braver, he joined in the humming, finding comfort in the way the song felt.

Belphegor didn't comment on how out-of-tune the boy's humming was, or how uncomfortable his gripped hand was on her forearm. She simply scanned the tree line, on the lookout for any enemies as the tune tickled her lips.

Finally, she saw light! Dawn was approaching, and the edge of the forest with it. A town could be seen in the distance.

Fitch stopped humming when he saw the light ahead. "Thank God," he muttered under his breath. Raising his voice a little louder, he added, "I'd make a 'Don't go into the light' joke, but I'd really prefer to be out in open air again."

Belphegor began to smile when she noticed a figure standing half in shadow, blocking the only exit. She stopped, silently raising a weapon in case the figure decided to attack.

Fitch froze in his tracks, dropping his hold on Belphegor's arm. "Should I, uh...move?" he asked in a nervous whisper.

"It would be wise if you took cover," she said quietly. "We do not know if this person is hostile, but it is better to be safe."

Fitch nodded, not wanting to take any chances. He stepped off to the side and sought out a large tree that he could crouch behind. At a moment's consideration, he also picked up a few stones and put them in his pocket, in case he would have to defend either himself or Belphegor.

Belphegor stepped forward, knives held out in front of her as she took slow, careful steps.

"Who are you?" she demanded. "What do you want?"

His hand curled around the stone and he kept his eyes on the stranger. Fitcher was a decent shot with a small projectile, and even if he couldn't do any real damage, maybe he could pose as a distraction.

Though why he was suddenly so interested in being a distraction, he'd never know.

The figure laughed once, unsheathing a sword that seemed to glow orange in the growing light.

"Why, I'm hurt, Belphegor. You don't recognize me at all?"

Belphegor grit her teeth, raising her knives up. "Omega," she growled. "I was wondering when you would show up. You certainly took your time, didn't you?"

"What can I say, sis?" Omega sneered. "You're not my only priority, you know."

Fitch groaned internally. Great, so the crazy sister showed up, he thought. This just keeps getting better and better.

Omega raised her sword contemplatively. "You're moving awfully slow today, Belphegor," she commented. "Finally feeling your age?"

Belphegor laughed humourously. "My age? Omega, you will feel your age before I ever do. Need I remind you of those weak human genes you carry?"

Omega's lips twisted up in a sneer. "No need to remind me of my parentage, Belphegor. I'm fully aware it makes me stronger than you."

Belphegor had to clench her fists around her knives to keep from losing her temper. "At least my father didn't have to be eaten for me to be born."

Omega clenched her teeth. "At least mine served a purpose," she growled. "What did yours ever do for you?"

Fitch tensed as Omega shifted, but it appeared the half breed was just shifting from foot to foot. He realized his mistake when Omega suddenly leapt at Belphegor, sword flashing.

Lightning-quick, Belphegor blocked with both knives, sending Omega reeling backwards. "You have more of mother in you than I would have thought."

"You don't have the right to speak of her!" Omega shouted, her sword connecting with Belphegor's knives once again.

Fitcher nearly threw the rock in his hand, but realized it would be a bad time to interrupt. He waited to see which sister would ultimately be in control before making a move.

"Oh, have I hit a sore spot?" Belphegor grinned cruelly. "She's been dead for almost a century, Omega; it's time to let her go." She blocked a blow to her side, managing to rip Omega's tunic in the counter-attack. Unfortunately, her knives did not break skin.

"I'll never let it go!" Omega snapped, whirling and knocking one of the knives from Belphegor's hand. A series of vicious attacks drove Belphegor backwards, but she still did not manage to land a blow.

Fitch darted out from his hiding place while Omega was distracted. He ran for the knife on the ground. "Belphegor!" he shouted. "Catch!" He tossed it towards her as Omega pulled back her arm for another attack.

Belphegor caught it in the air, managing to duck down under Omega's attack and slicing a gash in her abdomen.

Omega fell back, clutching the wound on her stomach. "You didn't tell me you had a friend with you," she said, grinning wickedly in Fitch's direction. "That hardly makes it a fair fight."

Fitch clutched at the rock in his pocket again. "Not 'friend' per se," he said as he mentally gauged the distance between them. "More like...casual acquaintance."

"Oh, is that so?" Omega sneered. "I wasn't aware Belphegor had any 'casual acquaintances' who were human..."

Belphegor moved in front of Fitch, blocking him from Omega's view. "This fight is between us; leave him out of it."

Omega smirked. "Oh, so you finally found a human you don't hate?" she asked. "How sweet."

The blood was running down Omega's front and she looked down at it. "It seems we'll have to save this fight for another time," she said. "Your boy is on my list now, Belphegor. Better keep a close eye on him."

Omega seemed to fade into the surrounding forest, leaving no trace behind.

Belphegor growled savagely. "Damn you, coward! One of these days you'll have to face me for real!" She put one of her knives away carefully, but held one out defensively. "Come on," she said, gesturing to Fitch. "Let's get out of here."