<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong><em><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: arial;">Behemoth</span></em></strong></span></div><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>- Part One -</strong></span></div><br/>High above the bustle of the city streets, on the corner of the goliath skyscraper that was Nexus Tower, the beast crouched on its haunches. Looking down upon the neon-lined city streets, it surveyed the seething masses of humanity.<br/><br/>The demon could only be described as something out of a dark dream. Although humanoid in appearance, that’s where the resemblance to anything human ended. Even hunched over it was easily over six feet in height. Its face was flat and slanted back towards a low forehead and feral brow. A short nose sat between the eyes – two slits of black set deep within the shadowed brow. A dim red flame simmered in the depths of those pools of darkness. Massive shoulders slumped down towards huge arms corded with layer upon layer of rippling muscle and sinew. The creature’s limbs each ended in large, viciously sharp black talons. The beast’s chest bulged outwards, leading down to a muscled stomach and small waist. Powerful legs coiled beneath the beast’s heavy frame, ready to spring at any moment. Between the monstrosity’s legs hung supernaturally large genitalia, yet another abomination and a testament to the demon’s true nature. A dense layer of thick grey flesh covered the taunt muscles, not a single hair breaking the smooth surface. The creature’s pointed ears lay back, flat against its head – its senses keen. The beast was on the hunt.<br/><br/>Turning its head slowly, the demon reached out through the void of space and let its innate, supernatural senses take over.<br/><br/>A kilometer away northwest the demon could smell the fresh, sweet scent of perfume on a young college student stepped down from the steps of Babylon City Library.<br/><br/>Just a kilometer and a half to the south it could hear the nervous breathing of a desperate mugger as he waited in a shadowed doorway for his next victim.<br/><br/>Two and a half kilometers away to the northeast it sensed the wave of pleasure wash over a sweat-covered demon as it thrust deep into its pleading human victim.<br/><br/>The hunter had found its prey.<br/><br/><div align="center">*   *   *</div><br/>The attack was over in a matter of seconds. There was no warning, no signs of danger to warn the four demons. One moment the they had been enjoying the unwilling pleasures of a pretty young clubber, the next moment one of the companions was being wrenched off the crying, naked woman, being lifted clean off the ground and slammed up against the brick wall of the alleyway.<br/><br/>A massive black talon covered the demons head and pressed the side of the demon’s face against the wall. All the demon could do was flail blindly about and release a garbled scream – a mix of pain and terror. The skull popped with a sickening crunch. It was crushed against the brick wall with such force, large cracks formed in the brickwork and spread out away from the bloody gore. The limp, lifeless body slumped to the ground of the grime-covered alleyway.<br/><br/>The remaining demons withdrew from the slick orifices of their human victim who shrieked loudly before attempting to crawl away from her brutal attackers.<br/><br/>The trio spun upon their ambusher expecting to find a group of determined attackers – instead they found the hulking form of a single massive demonic beast standing beside the crumpled form of what was once their comrade. This creature was unlike any of their kin that they had encountered before, either on earth, or back home in the nether. Instinctively they spread out, cautiously circling the enemy, trying to take the brief moments to gauge the relative strength of their bold assailant.<br/><br/>There was to be no doubt – this would be a struggle to the death.<br/><br/><div align="center">*   *   *</div><br/>“Pathetic.” Behemoth could smell the scent of fear upon them, but like any smart demon they hid any hint of weakness from their faces.<br/><br/>The smell of iron, blood from the fallen danced across his nostrils, his chest rose and fell to the rhythmic beat of his powerful heart – this was the part of the hunt, which he savoured the most. It had been<em>far</em>too long since his last venture out into the concrete jungle. He’d been enjoying the comforts of his home a little too long, but he couldn’t deny his instincts forever.<br/><br/>“Let’s see what these pups have got in them.” Behemoth would let them make the next move he decided. It mattered little to him. They were already dead.<br/><br/>Sensing their enemy’s hesitation, the three attacked in unison – years of fighting together had granted them the canny ability to time and coordinate their attacks to maximum advantage. The centre demon darted forwards, swiping at Behemoth’s head with an extended claw. The demon to the left leaped towards his exposed side, attempting to grab his arm and sink his teeth into his flesh. To the right struck out with a swift kick towards his right leg, trying to put him off balance.<br/><br/>Behemoth reacted to the three simultaneously. Springing into the air with surprising agility for a beast of his size, he brought a taloned foot down against the chest of the centre attacker while avoiding the pair at his flanks. The resulting kick hit home, smashing the chest of the doomed demon and sending him skidding backwards five meters. With its ribs smashed-in, all the demon could do was lie face down and struggle to breathe.<br/><br/>Behemoth turned the three-pronged attack against his enemies. Seizing the left demon by the arm, he spun, manoeuvring so that he held the demon between himself and the final attacker. He wrenched at its arm and he demon responded with a roar of agony. Blood sprayed across the cobblestones. Behemoth glanced down at his hand… clenched there in his fist was the ragged, bloody arm of his enemy.<br/><br/>That was enough. The fourth and final demon relinquished any thoughts of victory, turned and fled down the alleyway.<br/><br/>The demon, which now lacked one of its upper extremities, fell to its knees, struggling to staunch the flow of blood. Even its regenerative powers weren’t enough to save him. Behemoth bent down over the bloodied demon, seized it round the head with both hands and with a sharp jerk and a loud “crack” – the demon fell – it’s head twisted around backwards. The creature’s horrified face stared lifelessly up at the night sky.<br/><br/>Behemoth didn’t pause for a moment; he had more prey to catch. Leaping into the air he cleared the twenty-five meters to the fleeing demon in a heartbeat. The massive bulk of his body crashed down onto the shoulders of the demon. The enemy rolled over and frantically lashed out with its viciously sharp teeth and claws, however the fury of Behemoth was greater. Behemoth’s blackened talons were stained red as they rent at the flesh of his enemy. Although demon flesh was abnormally dense, it seemed to come way in ribbons under his attacks. Behemoth’s full fury was unleashed - blow after terrible blow rained down until little more than a quivering pile of gore remained.<br/><br/>Behemoth stood and turned. He was covered in the blood of his enemies now, however he ignored the rivulets of blood dripping from his smooth, grey flesh. He stalked back down the alley to where the battle had first begun. The demon with the crushed ribcage struggled along the ground, a look of blind terror on his face. All pretense of pride and courage was gone now.<br/><br/>Behemoth didn’t even bother to look down at his fallen foe. He brought one taloned foot down to rest over the back of the demon’s head, before crushing its skull into the pavement. Gore pooled around his feet. The beast turned his head to the stars above and let out a single, long, primal roar.<br/><br/>A hollow whimper sounded from nearby. Glancing over he saw the pale, naked form of the young woman the four had been enjoying before the fight had begun. “I’d almost missed you there…” Behemoth pondered to himself.<br/><br/>He stepped over towards the young woman crouched against the dumpster.<br/><br/>“Spoils of war.” Behemoth mused, as his large shadow passed over her face.