For a moment, I could not believe my eyes. It was not as though I had never heard stories of the creatures called demons and the religious stance on their existence, but...Avar? How could he be a demon? He had befriended Rehid, looked after me, and...protected us. Whatever was attacking, be it that vile Viengre or something else, it had reduced all Rehid and I had left of our parents to rubble. It would have killed us had it been given the chance. And the only thing that stood in its way was Avar.
"Fall before the might of heaven, Second Sin!" the creature was still haranguing as sparks of what seemed like lighting appeared to dance about. The only area spared was a perimeter sheltered behind Avar, which in contrast, seemed dark and peaceful. However, I could see that most of the attack was directed at Avar himself, and that was the only reason we were spared damage.
I wasn't the sort to take any attack lying down, much less one that endangered my brother, destroyed my home, and attacked a man whom by now, I'd come to consider a friend. So what if he was a demon? What the hell would you call an insane old woman that tried to kill two innocent people? Starting to boil with anger, I motioned to Rehid to keep down and take cover behind some debris, while I reached for the only weapon handy: my crutch. Time to try out that ankle. Running to the side, I launched myself at the glowing humanoid form with odd wings that was still cackling madly.
"Abominable spawn! I shall end your corruption," Veingre sneered as she suddenly turned to me. I could see the energy building in front of her, but I could not dodge in time.
Just as I was sure I had failed, something slammed into me, pushing me out of the way, and at the same time, I heard Viengre's scream fade as if she was suddenly pushed far away. Strong arms had prevented me from hitting the ground, and I opened my eyes to see Avar's face. Not only did he have horns, but his ears were long and pointed, and in his panting mouth, I could see fangs. Furthermore, sheltering me were two bat-like wings. Although that should have stunned me, there was only one thing on my mind. If Avar was here, then..
"REHID!" I cried out as I looked over at the spot that had previously been under Avar's protection. However, instead of seeing a small, battered body as I feared, hurtling towards us was an enormous black form. And upon its back...
"Sister!" the voice I had longed for called out to me. But what he sat upon was no mere steed, although it bore some resemblance to the horse Avar had carried me home upon. Now it was far more muscled and monstrous, and sprouting from its withers were two huge black wings.
Before I could think or say anything, Avar tossed me astride the mount and leaped behind me, urging it to flee. As it took to the sky, I could see a dim white light in the darkness some distance away.
"You will pay for this, A-va-rice!!" an unwelcome voice howled weakly, but our distance from it rapidly grew as we careened into the night.
**********
Under the moonlight in a hillside clearing far from the village of Entus, we finally dismounted from Avar's...horse? Could that thing even be called a horse? And Avar...
I hugged Rehid, who despite his efforts to remain calm, was obviously shaken by the night's events. Within the span of minutes we had become homeless orphans without even shoes on our feet. Moreover, we could not go back. Who knew when that creature would come after us again. I raised my head and looked over at Avar, who was calming his mount. Although his wings and fangs had disappeared, he still sported his horns and long ears, as though to disabuse me of the notion that he was anything approaching human. Perhaps feeling my gaze, Avar started to speak.
"I apologize for drawing the two of you into my disputes," he said straightforwardly, although he did not look towards me. "I will ensure your safety and a comfortable dwelling, so I beg your patience--"
"Avar, your back!" I broke in, shocked. Although Avar was standing in profile, as he moved I caught a glimpse of the scorched and shredded flesh through the torn cloak. That's right, when I was about to be hit, he...
"It is of no consequence," Avar dismissed my concerns, although I still gaped at the injury. "There is a small estate near here under my authority where you might take shelter as long as you like, until further arrangements are made. I would recommend we head there, with your permission."
"You...are a demon," was all the response I could muster.
"Yes," he simply replied, finally meeting my eyes with his golden ones.