The smile on Celezar's face suddenly melted into a far-off gaze of horror.

His head snapped into the direction of Etheraven just as a violent quake rocked the entire mountain. "Fuck!" he hissed, standing and racing towards the way they came. "It's an attack!"

Barely given a chance to move, Jean watched as Celezar disappeared from sight. Swearing loudly, he jumped to his feet and ran to gather the horses. They were already fidgety, and he climbed atop the one he borrowed to lead it into a gallop with the other in tow.

By the time he arrived at the back entrance to Etheraven, a red swarm of what appeared to be flying demons had all but engulfed the sky. Jean jumped off his horse and watched the demons attempt to attack the haven's vulnerable overhead. They were stopped by a spark of white covering the entire haven, a barrier.

"Good!" said Alister, coming to Jean's side. "They're only C-Class. We've a better chance."

Jean looked from him to the demons. "This is a second attack?"

"One of several since the Infernal increase, I'm afraid."

Once more, he swore, then he looked around. Several of the hunters from Arden's House were firing projectiles, from arrows to magic, that passed through the barrier and hit the demons. The remaining hunters who were not attacking were protecting homes and buildings, standing in the doorways or atop them.

For the first few minutes, the situation seemed to be under control. The barrier slowly became coated in demon blood that eventually corroded to blackness to reveal the sky again.

The demons were steadily dying.

The overhead clouds suddenly parted, revealing a larger creature further up in the sky. It was different from the demons, far uglier and indiscernible, like a mass of limbs and eyes. Jean had never seen anything like it in real life.

"An Eldritch!" someone cried.

He blanched with true fear, looking up at the purplish mass. His eyes widened. "Creator," he breathed, realizing two large creatures were attached to and attacking it. "It's Celezar!"

Even in a larger variant of his inhuman form, Celezar was considerably smaller than the Eldritch. From what Jean could see, Celezar was eating at the creature, clawing mercilessly at it. The second other creature attached to the Eldritch was akin to a ghostly snake but bore long arms with clawed hands.

A hand shook Jean's shoulder, forcing him to look at Alister. His friends eyes were also focused on the creatures. "Leave the Eldritch to Celezar and Majihl!" he said, pulling him away.

Nodding, Jean moved just as another tremor shook through the mountains followed by the sound of the barrier breaking. Alarmed, they watched as the massive creature broke through. The moment one of its twisted limbs began to attack a house, a massive clawed hand, ghostly in appearance, grabbed it and literally punched it back through the barrier. The creature staggered, moving back in the air, and a mouth from somewhere on its being opened wide to emit an angry cry.

The sound was deafening. Jean lowered while covering his ears with his hands. It was horribly painful, and he felt his ears bleed. Sound waned by a bit, and he shut his eyes from the growing, throbbing pain. Someone suddenly came to his side and escorted him away. The screeching somewhat lessened.

He kept his eyes closed even as he was lowered. Someone then kissed him, and he opened his eyes just as the person pulled away.

"Celezar?" he called, catching his mate disappear around the corner. He couldn't hear himself, and he wished someone would shut the damned creature up.

Merciful relief came when the sound abruptly cut off almost moments after the thought. Jean staggered to the door to see what was happening. Celezar's human form had disappeared, and large white eyes that looked like magnified versions of Majihl's were staring at the creature as it twisted and groaned in the sky. Whatever the eyes were doing, it was only taking a stare to cause its effect to work. From the ground below the mountain, massive tentacles emerged and began to puncture the Eldritch's body. Naturally, this caused it to screech, but the cries were cut off after a flash from the white eyes.

Jean tore his eyes from the scene to see a few people standing in the market square. Amongst them were Caelum and Alister, their heads down and hands held up before them. Confused, Jean watched, and then he ran out of the house.

The imps were coming back, taking advantage of the battle between the three monstrous beings behind them to enter the hole in the barrier. When Jean came to Alister's side, he realized he and the others were chanting to keep the barrier from completely falling. Looking at some approaching gunners and others with long-ranged weapons, he beckoned to the imps.

"Cover them!" he ordered.

They obeyed without question. Along with guns and other weapons, some of the hunters summoned creatures to fight against the imps. All their strategies were effective at keeping the imps from so much as nearing most of the houses. Those that came close were taken out by weapon fire, as some hunters were also inside them, such as Nicholae.

Brandishing Ringe, Jean also fought, shooting the small heathens without discrimination.

This sort of extermination was easy. It didn't require thought, only action. Every now and then, his gaze went to the Eldritch. The creature was lowering to the ground, its body convulsing from the damage done to it.

Celezar was tearing it apart piece by piece, using his claws and a gaping, eerily fleshy maw from a ripped mouth to tear it to shreds. Once there was a large enough hole in its body, he crawled inside, making Jean grimace.

All then watched in awe as the creature gurgled and groaned, writhing grotesquely. The ghostly snake-like creature flew into the air, the white eyes continuing to stare at it, flashing every now and then when the Eldritch's mouth would begin to open.

Jean watched as the Eldritch began to fall apart into several pieces. Parts of its body began falling to the ground below. Its color drained to a dark purplish-black, and blood poured from its pieces like waterfalls, turning the grass and trees below a horrid blackish-red.

The demons, realizing the Eldritch was defeated, began to flee. However, the ghostly eyes merely glanced into their direction. In that same second, the demons imploded.

Lowering Ringe, Jean exhaled somewhat shakily. His ears were throbbing painfully, but he could hear well enough.

The attack had lasted for mere minutes. Blood from the imps was everywhere, having deluged upon the haven like scarlet rain. Scattered body parts mingled and mangled every which way, as did entrails and other organs. It was not a pretty sight.

But it was over.

Only when it was silent did everyone seem to realize Majihl and Celezar were gone. Some hunters remained in the doorways, awaiting the okay.

The doorkeeper Sisek suddenly pointed her gun behind them. "Who the hell are you?"

Everyone looked back to see a tall, hunched, hooded figure slowly approaching the market square. Jean immediately recognized this figure, and his eyes went wide. Beside him, Alister also went still with alarm.

After it was called out, the figure stopped. It didn't seem to so much as breathe.

"I said, who are you?" Sisek demanded.

The figure swayed before tilting its head to the side with an uncanny crack. All the blood that drenched the town began to move. At first it was slow, barely noticeable. Then they all looked around in shock and, for some, fright, when the blood trailed to the figure's body. Somehow, by some unseen means, the blood seemed to enter the figure's body, disappearing under its cloak.

"It's...a nosferatu," breathed another hunter.

Everyone, especially Jean, went tense.

"Wait," said Alister, holding a hand out to the nearest hunter with a trigger finger. "We can't harm him."

Jean looked at him with disbelief, and then he continued to watch as the blood disappeared before their eyes.

Once it was all gone, burning, deep red eyes glowed from the depths of the hood, setting everyone on edge. Suddenly, the main doors opened. All weapons and forms of attack turned towards the door at the ready, but soft, familiar voices emerged, followed by the human forms of Celezar and Majihl. Celezar was licking his fingers of blood, and Majihl swallowed the last piece of what looked like purplish flesh.

"...didn't have to eat the whole damn thing. Barely left me anything, you glutton," Majihl was saying, shoving the younger hybrid aside.

"I'm still a growing boy," Celezar laughed, closing the doors behind him. He then looked forward and spotted the figure. He went still, the smile dropping from his face. "What the..."

There was a low hiss from the figure before it stepped backwards, disappearing quickly from sight.

Only then were weapons lowered. Summoned creatures were dispelled. Bodies became human again. Murmurs arose from the hunters as they emerged from the buildings.

"Alister, who was that?" Caelum asked.

Grimacing, his teacher responded, "One of Holloway's men. Sylvestar is his name. I...never would have figured he was a nosferatu..."

"What does this mean for Etheraven?" Sisek asked, emerging from among the hunters that were in the square.

Majihl stepped forward, and all eyes went to him. Immediately, Jean figured Majihl was one of the leaders of the haven. Be it that only Majihl and Celezar had disappeared during the fight against the Eldritch, he imagined his mate was another and that Majihl had been the ghostly snake creature.

"We've never had an invasion like this before. We must consider the possibility of a rift between Daerth and a Hell Gate." Majihl shook his head with a rueful sigh, looking towards the doors. "The Eldritch inevitably caused some attention to Etheraven, and the Dox was informed. We should expect an inspection from the Holloway Hunters soon."

More murmurs arose. Jean looked over to one of the houses where Nicholae stood. He gave his uncle a nod, and it was returned.

Cleanup began immediately. The bodies of the imps were easy enough to compile, drained of their liquids, no thanks to Sylvestar. They were little more than dried husks charring under the sunlight. After they and their pieces were brought together in a pile, Caelum made a spell that eroded the bodies, dissolving them into nothingness. Majihl, as one of the elders of the haven, went around to talk to his people, assuring them, reassuring them, and making sure no one was severely injured by the creature's screams. Due to everyone's efforts, the damage was mercifully kept to a bare minimum.

Alister spoke to the other hunters, informing them of Caden Holloway and echoing Majihl's thought of the likelihood of his arrival. For the first time, their proximity to the country's Hunter Underground Headquarters would be a detriment to their survival.

This brought in discussions of the Eldritch to light. What summoned it? What brought it to Etheraven? It couldn't be mere coincidence, not even with all that was happening with the Infernals. No one was willing to believe that. Eldritch were creatures that, by what was known of them, could only be summoned. They did not naturally pass through the Hell Gates even if one in modern time was opened by some unholy means.

The discussion could go on indefinitely but had to be adjourned. The threat of the Eldritch was over. The threat of the Holloway Hunters was next.

*    *    *

It wasn't long before they heard the sound of and saw the expected helicopter flying on the horizon. Everyone watched with bated breath. No one stopped the helicopter from approaching, and before long it was landing in the center of the square.

For a moment, Jean was about to ask why the barrier didn't prevent them from entering. He eventually figured the barrier either didn't work on technology, or maybe even humans, or was put down. He bet on more of the latter.

He recognized the military-grade helicopter, colored black with mustard accents. In white font on the side was the name Holloway. The many hunters that were in the township had hid. Most of the townspeople had evacuated the immediate area, and some could be seen at the doorways to their houses. Others were near chapels, looking out windows and with solemn expressions upon their faces. Not a single store had reopened.

Alister, Caelum, Sisek, and at least three others along with Majihl stood closest to where the helicopter was landing. Only Alister shielded is eyes from the dust and wind.

Once the helicopter landed, the doors to the haven opened, much to everyone's surprise, and none other than Sylvestar walked inside. Behind him was another figure completely wrapped in bandages instead of a cloak, but it seemed to be male by their body type.

A pilot was visible in the helicopter, and he moved back to the cabin. The helicopter's side door slid open, and Caden was the first man out. Next to depart was Nigel, still grinning slyly, and then Raven. Following them were two other men that were unfamiliar to Jean. Nigel looked around as Sylvestar and his companion came around to the helicopter's side.

"Well, this is quaint!" he exclaimed, looking about the architecture with a smile. "How absolutely quaint. How did we not notice this place before, eh, Cap'n?"

Caden only nodded, silent as he looked around at everyone who was present and those watching from afar. When he saw Alister, and then Jean and Nicholae as they approached from behind, his expression slightly shifted. He took some steps forward, his head low to mind the helicopter blades as they stopped whirring.

"Crowley, not surprised to see you. Heard there was a bit of an invasion from Infernals," he shouted over the blades while he approached. Nigel kept just a step behind him. "Is everything alright?"

Alister nodded. "We're fine, thank you. Your man, back there...He's one hell of a sneak."

Glancing towards Sylvestar, who was now crouching beside the helicopter's door as everyone emerged, Caden smiled a bit. "Well, you see, such an unusual, rather large invasion such as that, so close to the Dox, we had to send in our best to investigate."

"I see."

Jean came to Alister's side. They exchanged a glance before looking forward again.

Caden tilted his head to the side. "Lowell."

Jean merely nodded.

Looking at them lined up, Caden held up his hands. "Now, don't think anything of me coming, here. It's just protocol." He looked amongst them. "Which one of you is the...mayor? Official?"

Majihl stepped forward. "I am one."

"Your name, sir?"

"Majihl."

"Majihl." Caden approached, stopping a respectful distance away. "My man Sylvestar tells me many of you aren't here."

Majihl glanced over at the cloaked man. It must have been telepathy. "That is true. I'm not sure where they all went, myself. I suppose some are in hiding."

"Now, why would that be?"

"We don't like most outsiders. Especially ones who come by aircraft unannounced."

Nodding in sympathetic understanding, Caden once more looked around. Beside him, Nigel moved to stand nearer to Jean.

A bony finger pointed towards Celezar. "Isn't that the one who attacked you, Lowell?"

This grabbed Caden's attention, and he glanced over Majihl's head to see Celezar. He then looked at Jean. "Is that so?"

Irritated, Jean reached up to turn on his microphone. "Nicholae and I came to find some allies, Holloway."

"Including him?"

"Most likely him. We knew him for six years, after all. Our complete list of other options is severely limited."

Caden's eyes narrowed a bit. "Six years..." He glanced between Majihl and Celezar, who was beginning to approach. "I see. So, then, there are more inhumans here?"

"This is a peaceful haven," Celezar said, moving to stand just a bit behind Majihl, who moved aside. "If you have a problem with it, you can turn around and leave."

Caden shook his head. "Can't do that. This place could be a breeding ground for trouble."

"Trouble?" Alister interjected, appalled. "Holloway, I'm afraid the only trouble here is coming from your hostile presence. Please, leave. We're recovering from an invasion."

"You all seem to be doing well, in my eyes," said Nigel, leering around. He began to walk idly. "No destruction. No beginnings of funerals. And against an Eldritch."

"Eldritch are creatures in league with devils," said Caden, crossing his arms. His expression was steadily losing its friendly disposition. "The fact that this little haven was able to hold on its own against one is not something to take lightly."

"We helped," Jean said, his eyes narrowed.

Caden sighed, "Frankly, Lowell, I don't care why you're here. Perhaps, any other time, I'd be willing to overlook this. But this is coming from my superiors."

"Fuck your superiors," Jean spat. "You're in the way of my diplomacy."

Nigel's lips became a round 'o' and he took a step back as Caden rounded his head on the younger man. He moved to stand in front of Jean, and then lowly growled, "A word, Lowell."

"I think I can manage your scolding right here, Holloway."

"What the fuck are you doing?"

"What the fuck are you doing?" Jean snapped. "Have you any idea how outmatched you are, here? Waltzing into an inhuman/human haven with six men, insinuating you're about to start killing women and children?"

"None of that will happen."

Jean looked sarcastically impressed. "Oh, really?" He motioned to Celezar and Majihl. "Explain. Because I think that's what everyone else was thinking."

Exhaling deeply through his nose, Caden's gaze lingered on Jean's as he said to them, "We don't want to kill all inhumans. It's been made obvious that plenty of you only want peace, as you likely do." He looked away to focus on Majihl and Celezar. "The most powerful of you...are asked to come with us for negotiations. Your women and children will not be touched."

"Unless, of course, your women and children are one of those powerful others. Then they can come, too," Nigel added with a beckon of his hand. Caden nodded at his words.

Majihl and Celezar's eyes narrowed dangerously. Celezar placed a hand on his side. "Pray tell why you want us to come along. So we'll end up like him?" he said, pointing to Sylvestar. His hand also went to the one wrapped up. "Or like him? No, thank you."

Caden was silent, as if in deep thought. Softly, to Celezar and Majihl, he said, "I'm not the only one with inhumans under control. I've heard things about what the governments have done to some of the most outrageous types we've ever seen. I wouldn't want you all to end up taken out by them." He even sounded sincere.

But Majihl and Celezar weren't having it. "Thank you, boy," Majihl said with a smile. "We can handle ourselves."

Leaning back, Caden took a moment. He then gave a stiff nod, turning around and beckoning his men to go back into the helicopter. Nigel gave Celezar a long look before waving and turning to follow his leader.

A low hiss emitted from the hybrid, but it went unheard.

All but the two men wrapped up and cloaked went into the helicopter. As the aircraft began to take flight, they slowly turned and went back out the way they came. The wind and dust gathered, and Jean, Nicholae and Alister shielded their eyes.

Once the helicopter was airborne, it immediately took off. People began to emerge from their houses, and the hidden hunters came out from their hideaways. Some, to Jean's surprise, were in plain sight, invisible to human eyes. Once the helicopter disappeared, everyone seemed to deeply exhale.

If Jean had to guess, this was indeed a protocol visit the government told Caden to investigate. Caden didn't seem so stupid that he would do what he did on his own volition.

Jean abruptly nearly keeled over but shook himself off. He saw Celezar's eyes snap over to meet his, but he managed a small smile. "I'm alright."

Those were his last words before everything blurred and went black.