Woot! Super-hero story. Well, not quite; I'm dark and solemnly inclined. This story will be dark, cruel and fun for me. Think of it like one of those video games with Karma choices where you choose between being good or evil, and the struggle that the character goes through as they fight with themselves over what must be done and what's wrong.

Only you don't chose, I just write the story. Much angst, dark romance, violence and drama await! Enjoy the beginning!

C h a p t e r O n e

The winter in Imperial City was usually bitter and harsh; it had yet to become as such. Daytime remained warm enough to walk around without a scarf and another extra layer - but nighttime dropped well into frosty temperatures.

It didn’t really bother Kailex that much, walking down the street with her hands tucked into her coat pockets. The young artist rolled her shoulders; shifting her coat to keep the cold out. She sighed, reminding herself that she’d soon be home and wrapped up in Ashley’s arms.

Ashley…a smile curled her lips - no matter what, even just the thought of her could bring warmth to Kailex’s heart.

She shook her head in amusement, running a hand through her dark hair and turning the corner. Not many people were on the streets at this time of night, but cars still rolled by now and then, others making their way home, driving out to dinner or going into work for their nightshifts.

Kailex had been working further on the project she and her team were on, another group of artists and designers along with countless others of various digital talent. Game designers to be more accurate. They were a crazy gang, and going into work was always fun even if they were busy. Luckily they still got plenty of work done, so no one had to bark at them to get a move on.

Most of her ideas had a darker angle, but it worked with their current theme, ‘Angels and Demons’. Ashley had always commented on Kailex’s work whenever she sketched up new thoughts in her office at home; usually that they were quite melancholic.

Kailex frowned slightly, other than Ashley she didn’t really have any happy memory to reflect in her drawings. Pictures of her love were usually thrown away, when Ashley had asked her why she did that, Kailex could only reply that no matter how much she tried, the drawings were never beautiful enough. Ashely had only smiled and given the Italian a hug, saying that she loved Kailex’s artwork no matter what she thought of it herself.

Another smile came to her lips; feeling happy again.

“HELP!”

Kailex jumped, looking around sharply for the voice that had just screamed from near by. She could hear scuffling from the nearest alley, someone struggling and a vicious snarling like a ravenous beast was in there. She narrowed her eyes, hearing the person yell out for help again. Reaching down, her hand closed around the knife that she always kept sheathed in her boot, slipping her fingers through the knuckle brace attached to the blade; it let her hold it with the blade point either up or down comfortably.

Carefully stepping into the alley she crept along until she could see clearly around the corner further inside.

“Hello…?” Kailex inquired softly, looking around. She stepped forwards only to hear a crunch, and looked down. There were a pair of spectacles crushed under her boot. What the? she looked up sharply as a whimper sounded out.

A man was on his knees, arms wrapped tightly around himself as he trembled in fear and pain. He was bleeding from his side, clutching at his ribcage with a bloodied hand; his clothing was in tatters.

Kailex carefully made her way to him, resting her hand gingerly on his shoulder. “Hey, you okay?” she kept her tone soft, not wanting to startling him. The man jerked, looking up at her. “Y-you have to get out of here…it’ll get you too!” he warned, his eyes wide in terror. Kailex glared, “what will get me? There’s nothing here, no one else, alright?” she gestured at the empty alleyway. “We need to get you some help, that wound looks pretty nasty…” she tried to help him up, but as soon as he stood, the man collapsed with a pained yell.

Looking down, Kailex realized with a start that the man’s knees were both broken. “Who the hell did this to you?” she muttered, somewhat in shock.

Imperial City wasn’t known for its low crime rate, there were plenty of supercharged gangs scuttling around, looking to cause trouble. But the Emerald District was usually clear of them, the Imperial Guard worked hard to keep this area extra safe - this is where the City’s leader, Scholar Jerumas, lived.

So who had done this?

The man shuddered, suddenly reaching up and grabbing Kailex by her shoulders, getting his blood on her coat. “You have to get away…” he wheezed, blood spilling from his mouth.

“He has a point you know, little one,” came a rasping voice from above.

Kailex looked up, in time to see a huge black figure leap down and land behind the wounded man. She fell over, scrambling away swiftly as she looked on in horror.

The creature she was staring at was easily ten feet tall, its massive frame accented by thick spikes running down its spine. Ebony skin stretched over steel bands of muscle - with a sheen of some oily substance covering it’s hide - giving the impression of immense strength.

Thick boney plates covered the top of its broad head, covering its brows in sharp slates as furious orange-red eyes narrowed at the young woman. It snarled, pulling its lips back over its dagger-like teeth.

The man in its grasp squirmed desperately, screaming for help. “Nourishment is needed…such a pity for you, so sad for you,” the creature rasped out, tightening its large, clawed hands around the man’s body before twisting sharply. The man screeched in pain as he was literally ripped in half, blood coating the ground and spewing out of his torn body.

Kailex flinched, her eyes wide in terror as she felt blood splash her face. She scrambled back further, her heart thundering in fear until her back pressed tightly against the alley wall. Oh god, what the hell is that?!

The creature lifted its head from chewing at its kill’s body, glaring at the trembling woman. “Domaz…” it hissed, placing a clawed hand against its chest. Apparently that was its name; but why was it telling her that? Kailex swallowed hard, trying to squash her fear, “K-Kailex…” her eyes never left the corpse Domaz was munching on.

From a dusty corner in her mind, Kailex felt as if Domaz was familiar. Some strange sense of déjà vu, she couldn’t shake it; she had seen this creature before. Where? If I had ever seen this thing before I would remember, wouldn‘t I?! Kailex thought frantically, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

Once he was done, Domaz turned towards Kailex, opening the pair of powerful wings that were previously folded close against his back. A long, heavy tail flicked out behind him as he stretched up on his legs, glaring down at the insignificant being before him. “Now you die like him,” he growled slowly, reaching for her.

Kailex’s eyes widened, a rush of adrenaline shot through her; fire seemed to roar along every nerve in her body.

You are strong for us - you are a powerful vessel - a conduit for us - you will not die…

Everything went black as the demon’s hand grasped her, feeling pressure begin on her ribs, before everything faded…

-

-

“Hey, you okay? Miss?” someone was shaking her shoulder. Kailex blinked a few times and lifted her head, feeling groggy, as if someone had stuffed her head full of cotton. What just happened…? she struggled to her feet, an ordinary looking young man helping her and asking if she was alright. Kailex glanced at him; confused. “Wh-what time is it?” her thoughts were jumbled, looking around herself in puzzlement. He quirked an eyebrow at her, “its half-past five in the morning, Miss.”

Kailex looked at him sharply, in both fear and surprise. She pulled away from his helping hands, muttering a thanks and hurrying down the street. It had been ten at night when she passed out; what was the last thing to happen? The dead man, demon whatever-it-was, blood- lots of blood, teeth…snarling…pain. Kailex stopped moving, reaching up and clutching her head tightly in distress. What the…?

She pulled her hands away, staring at them - they looked normal, but that wasn’t what grabbed her attention. The cuffs of her coat were shredded; like something had clawed at them. Kailex frowned deeply and reached behind her, brushing her hand over her shoulders. My coat is torn…there were two gaping holes in her coat over the back of her shoulders.

Kailex shook her head, swallowing down the urge to scream.

-

Kailex closed the door behind her - stepping into her house - and locked it.

A sense of calm came over her, as if she had shut out the world and everything could just be normal here. This was the one place where nothing could be wrong. Kailex sighed quietly, putting her keys away and slowly walking down the hall, slipping her coat off.

She looked over it briefly, frowning at the two holes in the back; it was ruined but that was hardly cause for concern to her. Draping the coat over the banister for the stairs, Kailex walked into the living room, looking around the homely space.

Flamboyancy wasn’t in her nature, so her home wasn’t too decorated; the usual hues were simply warm and welcoming.

Ashley…guilt gnawed at her stomach as she saw Ashely curled up on the couch, a warm blanket wrapped around the young woman. A sudden thought came to mind and Kailex reached into her jean pocket; pulling out her phone to see a message from Ashley.

Hope you’re ok - I put dinner in the fridge - love you lots - miss you
Xxx

Kailex sighed, closing her phone and putting it down on the coffee table. Moving over to the couch she knelt down on the soft carpet floor, stroking Ashley’s face gently and brushing stray hair out of her eyes. Ashley shifted in her sleep and turned her head towards Kailex‘s hand, murmuring under her breath as a smile came to her lips.

Kailex dipped her head; placing a kiss on the other’s cheek. She then slipped her arms around Ashley and picked her up, carefully so as not to wake her.

Carrying the young woman upstairs, she padded into their bedroom and lay Ashley down in their bed; pulling the sheets up around her. Ashley sighed, cuddling down against her pillow and murmuring Kailex’s name.

As comforting as it would be to join her, Kailex turned away, changing her shirt - it was ruined like her coat - before she walked out. Closing the door softly she moved into her office, running a hand through her hair.

Kailex settled down at her desk, shaking her head to try and clear her thoughts. She started up her computer and went into the browser, looking through news snippets that reported the sighting of a strange creature in the City.

Man-Beast Seen at the Docks! [reported 10 months ago]
A group of children were reportedly sent screaming after coming across some sort of creature at the docks of the Black District. Whilst it has been seen before, this time there was description to backup the wild claims. The beast appears to be humanoid and taller than two men, its eyes burned like fire; the children also claimed that it had wings and a tail-

Creature of the Night Strikes! [reported 5 month ago]
Many consider the Verdant District as peaceful and tranquil, but for a young couple our beautiful park turned out to be a nightmare as they were attacked by a vicious beast. The young woman survived with minor cuts to her legs but her boyfriend ended up in intensive care with severe lacerations all over his body. The creature was winged, with red eyes and large body-

Terror of the Eventide! [ reported 6 hours ago]
Partygoers scattered as a winged beast tore through the streets of the Eventide District. Though most view the small area as excitement and fun, tonight it turned bloody as several people were snatched up and taken into the sky. With previous reports of this creature stacking up, the authorities are taking action to hunt it down-

Kailex sighed heavily; rubbing at her face tiredly. This thing had appeared before? It had also either maimed or killed whoever it ran into. Then why did I survive? she narrowed her eyes at the thought. How…? She growled under her breath, gritting her teeth hard as she fought off the urge to scream again. I should go to sleep; I need to sleep. She got up, turning off her PC and slipping quietly into the bedroom.

Ashley was still curled up, murmuring under her breath; she was obviously dreaming since there was a faint smile on her face. Kailex smiled softly, changing into a thin pair of pajamas and crawling into the bed. She was careful not to wake the pale woman up as she wrapped her arms around her.

Kailex fell asleep before anything else could bother her mind; yet with all her worrying before, she never noticed the dark figure watching her from every reflection she passed by…

I have all the chapters laid out up to sixteen so far. Super hero...this should be fun.