The Fortier Demon

As Kole took his first steps into the alleyway, he began to merge with the surrounding shadows. His once human-like shape buckled and twisted, vanishing within the span of a second. Any untrained passers-by would think that Kole was merely invisible, but there was more to it than that. He became all of the shadows that climbed the walls and also those that lay at the feet of the trash cans. He was now every shadow from the beginning of the alleyway to the end. His "body" would be waiting for Keera on the other side. For now, however, he was just the darkness; cool, tranquil, extraordinary darkness.

The darkness that was Kole suddenly heard Keera sigh. "Can't you just walk like everybody else? It feels like you're not even here anymore."

The darkness did not respond... at first. Then Kole said, "It's much safer this way."

Keera shrugged and walked into the alley herself. For normal humans, there's always an uneasy feeling being surrounded by darkness. Keera, being quite non-human and a personal associate of the shadows that currently filled the alley, felt none of these feelings. She more felt like she was sharing an apartment with annoying cousins. Before long, she reached the other side where Kole was waiting. The darkly dressed man was leant up against the brick wall of a building: his scythe strapped to his back.

"Did I keep you waiting, Kole?" Keera joked.

Kole wore no expression on his face.

"What was the point of all that anyway..." Keera said. "...I'm positive that you could have walked."

"It was a precaution." Kole replied stoically. "We aren't out of the woods yet; Mrs. Fortier's demon is still out there."

"Really? I thought that Royal's squad went after it before we were dispatched to deal with the summoner." Keera recalled the information from earlier.

Kole frowned. "This is Royal we're talking about. He found some way to slack off, I'm sure." Kole took a step away from the wall.

"So that makes it our job?" Keera quipped.

"It would appear so." Responded Kole, adjusting his scythe.

"That idiot." Keera whispered under her breath. "So what kind of demon is it?"

"According to the report, Mrs. Fortier summoned a demon of Greed." Kole answered. "Judging by the casualties, I'm guessing she asked it for financial help."

"Right. So where is it now?" Keera asked.

"Probably at an ATM machine." Said Kole. "I don't know."

"Well, let's track it down." Keera said. "I wouldn't want you and your scythe getting soft."