Half Blood

The rundown hotel room had a single woman in it. She was holding rocking gently back and forth with a bundle in her arms. She started to talk to the bundle. “The world is overrun with demons. 

100 years have passed since ‘The Cataclysm’ and demons are just another part of everyday life. No human alive remembers what happened, but they also tried to erase the past with nuclear bombs. Those who survived found the one area not impacted by radiation and called it Eden. That's right, like ‘The Garden of Eden’ because nothing says ‘I am sorry I never believed in you’ like naming your sanctuary after a biblical paradise.

I have always hated the humans for how they destroyed the planet hoping to save themselves, but I have also loved them for their compassion towards each other, something demons are lacking in, and I should know, I have lived among them since I was born.

I know what you may be thinking ‘they hate humans but only live among the demons? What are they?’ Well simply put I am both and neither, I am a half blood. 

I was born after The Cataclysm. My father is none other than Lucifer himself, but he is not nearly as bad as the bible would have you believe. Is he a total ass, absolutely, would he kill you for disobedience, only if you put the life of others at risk. He may have ruled with an iron fist, but he is still an angel at heart, and that means life is a valuable asset not to be wasted just because Jim in accounting decided to take the day off. 

Anyway I got off track, where was I oh yes, I am half blood, and I already told you who my father is, and my mom, well I never got to know her because a few months after I was born Lillith killed her. Yes that Lillith. She was very much acting out of jealousy. She always thought she would be the one to bear Lucifer a child. Unfortunately every child she gave birth to was a grotesque demon who even she couldn’t love. 

I have only known the world as it is, humans and demons living side by side. Most humans do not even realize that they have met the daughter of Satan, they just brush right on past without even looking back. Others seek me out for protection, thinking I have some power over the demons in their neighborhood. The only power I have is the same power any spoiled child with a powerful father has, and that is my Father’s name, and he relinquished his throne years before The Cataclysm. He is still respected, though so some demons will behave if they think he will get involved. He never does though. I make sure of it, you see, I am a Demon Hunter. 

Yes I know another conundrum. I am half demon so why do I hunt demons? Well Demon Hunter is a high ranking law enforcement title given to those who have proven they can fight alongside and even kill a demon if necessary. When I was given the title they had no clue I was not entirely human. 

The law enforcement structure is a lot like a wild west movie where the town has a single sheriff and maybe a couple deputies, Except the Sheriff is a high ranking Demon and the Deputies are Demon Hunters. Oh and the Law enforcement is also the local mob.

I was given my Title as Demon Hunter because I am a successful bounty hunter. I really don’t stay long in any town and am often referred to as ‘The Wandering Hunter’. I am the only Demon Hunter allowed the freedom of travel without being on official business as well. I really love and hate the special treatment I get. From Demons it is out of respect for my father, but from humans it is out of fear. Not that I blame them, I would be terrified too if even half of what they blamed my father for was true.

I am currently just wandering around Eden with no bounty planned and no intentions of walking into a Hunting lodge. I have been traveling like this for about three years and I still have enough funds from previous bounties that I can keep traveling for another 20 before I need to work again. I have a very specific target in mind for my next bounty, I just need to wait until she does something to get herself put on the board. That's right, I plan on going after Lillith. She has been tormenting human women bringing them to the brink of death, but because she has not killed any (since my mother) she is free to go. Until then I will continue wandering.”

There was a knock on the door and then a note was slid underneath it. The woman walked over and picked it up.

___

Notice to all Bounty Hunters, 

A bounty has just been placed on The Mother of Demons, Lilith. It is recommended that no one under the rank of Blood Hunter seek this bounty alone.

Lilith is wanted for the torture of hundreds of civilians, the murder of Lucifer’s human companion, as well as the murder of sevral other humans involved with demons.

She is to be considered extremely dangerous. It is believed that she will be targeting half blood offspring. Do not engage alone if you believe you may be half blood!

The bounty set forth requests she be brought in alive if possible, We understand this may be an impossible task as transportation will be dangerous. 

Bounty will be paid in full alive or dead!

Please go to your local Hunters Lodge for further information.

___

“Well I guess she finally snapped. 

I guess that also means I need to gather some ‘security’ because she will be after me. I wonder if she found out about you.”

She brushes her hand against the bundle in her arms revealing a sleeping baby.