text: The sun was setting as a thunderous blow crashed against Baron’s rib cage, forcing a cough that saw blood spew from his mouth. Struggling to breathe on hands and knees, he laboriously lifted his head to evaluate who or what he was being assaulted by. The creature before him had a large frame, standing roughly eight feet tall, and was covered in thick scale like skin that shifted colors between black and red. When it spoke, its voice bellowed deeply, and the repugnant stench of its hot breath could be smelled from several feet away. “Tell me... did you really believe you could slay demons?” the creature said as it kicked Baron again and again. The relentless impacts sent his body toppling further and further across the dirt road. First he felt his ribs being cracked, then his spine, and finally his will to live. The brutality of the scene was contrasted by Baron’s would be final thoughts. As the monster landed crippling strike after crippling strike, Baron escaped to the safe haven that existed in his mind. He saw her there, Amelia, smiling back at him. All the pain left his body as she walked towards him, gazing at him with eyes full of love and understanding, eyes that he had longed for. The only time he could see her was when the veil between this world and the next was the thinnest. He had to be on deaths doorstep just to hold her. As she took him into her arms, warmth washed over him and his body started to tremble. He wanted to cry tears of the purest joy. “I miss you so much.” Baron said as Amelia placed both of her hands upon his cheeks and stared into his eyes. “You need to stop doing this Baron. I miss you too but you can’t keep being so reckless. One of these times you could actually die.” Amelia said. Baron smiled as she pulled his head closer and pressed her lips against his neck. His physical body was in the process of being beaten to a pulp but his spirit was being reinforced to withstand it. Feeling her mouth on his skin sent a tingling sensation through his entire being. When she playfully licked his neck it wasn’t with a lustful fervor, but rather a slow, sensual sweetness that he desperately desired. They were a bonded pair, two monstrous spirit energies coalesced into a force of nature. She steadied him, acting as a sheath to his blade, and in return he fought tirelessly against the demons that plagued her mind. They were the source of each other’s power and desperately craved one another’s light. Unfortunately they were currently separated with no easy means to realign. Not much unlike the fated cycle of the sun and moon. They yearned for their eclipse but the toll was heavy. As Amelia pressed her lips against his own Baron slipped into a state of serenity. He knew he had to leave soon, that he still had a job to do, but parting with his beloved was the cruelest form of punishment he could be subjected to. “I missed your scent so much Amelia. I’ll never stop returning for you.” Baron said as his lips began to be separated from her own. He felt the cold pull of reality dragging him back. “I love you too.” responded Amelia. Her image faded and with a loud crack Baron’s body struck a tree and lied motionless. “I can’t believe this guy was supposed to be considered a threat.” the menacing creature said, laughing as it walked towards Baron to finish him off. The demon raised both of its hands high into the air brought them crashing down with a terrible force. Baron sprung upward, grabbed the creature’s wrists, and crushed them both effortlessly. The demon looked onward in horror realizing it had made a terrible lapse in judgement. The sky turned red, and upon looking up, the demon saw the fabled blood moon. “But... but... how?! She should be too far gone!” the creature said. Baron smiled and said, “She is with me now. She will never be lost again. Not entirely.