The sun was high in the sky of Mahalo Beach. Its searing rays would lightly burn the edges of the leaves, from which Lumikki took cover. She sat there in her human form. Her skin was brown like caramel, eyes like the open skies and the golden sun. Hair periwinkle and in two pigtails. She wore a black and white bathing suit with a sheer skirt.

The Demoness waited in her little haven, chilling the air with her magic as she enjoyed some ice cream. She was waiting for her guild mate to meet her so they could cause some mischief. A petty human squabble was unfolding on the island and one would pay jewel to resolve. She did not care much for what the conflict was, only that she'd have her fun soon enough. But matters like these were rare to do in one's company. Often the Demon works alone. It simply was the occurrence of her guild to take on lighter tasks where she could bask in all. Yet today would stray from the monotony of the norm.

Her ravens were perched within the branches of the trees. Many of her birds would keep sight, a few were with the client and the target already. Spying on them both to feed her the things she'd need to know. And one would have delivered her message to Knuckles with a note, ready to lead him to her right after.

And as waited she would stare into the ocean ahead, memorized by the crashing tides. She would hum a song of her people between the licks of her vanilla ice cream.

One of the many ravens he had seen around the guild hall came to him, holding out his right hand he greeted it with a warm smile as his head tilted and his pink hues were shut off behind his eyelids as he closed them. "Hello little friend, what does our mistress require of this Daemon?"  Upon opening his eyes again he saw a note attached to the bird. "A message for me huh? Well, let us see what the lady wants." With this Knuckles reached over to the note and read its contents.  The Demon in his head chuckled at the site of the summons. Perhaps he felt slighted that another Demon was giving attention and requests to his Daemon. However, to Knuckles, she was to be obeyed as much as his own demon.

"Show me the way little friend?" With a caw, the raven lifted from his hand as Knuckles secured the note. Someone wanted their problem taken care of, it was odd to be back handling such matters instead of having a crew do it for him, but he would be lying if he said he did not miss the travel and good times that came with adventure such as this.  In time Knuckles approached the demon and gave a half bow upon seeing her in her human form.   "I have come as requested my mistress.  Ready to serve as I may."

Knuckles then restored himself to his full height as his pink hues captured the woman within them. How tempting it would be to bite into her flesh and explore the wonders of Lady Lumikki. A forbidden fruit was one way to express her. Perhaps if he too achieved the power of awakening into a Demon he could presume to approach her in such a manner, that she would do well as a mate and a powerful woman to lead the Shi name into a new era if he could court her in the first place. At last, he was still under her as Daemon and did not rate to even have these thoughts much less act upon them.

Joining her he looked at the waves crashing and listened to the sounds of the white caps on the beachhead. For a moment he thought this would be a wonderful place to take such a woman, but she did not summon him here to be a kindle to her needs of the flesh, they had work to do.  It was the first time they would be working together, and it was a good chance to see how they paired and fought together. Perhaps they could form a team of some sort if they were in sync.  

"I'll reframe from using my Void magic so that you can cast freely my lady, but if you are not opposed to the idea I would like to summon a storm. Under the storm, we can fly in amongst the center of their camp and tell them it is time to close up shop. Unless there is another approach you wish to try?"

He broke his gaze from the water and looked over to her, his eyes drinking up her figure and telling the tale. He would not hide how he looked at her. He was a warrior of course.

WC 550

Her raven would return just a little before he had arrived. Her ice cream was just about done and her excitement at its peak. She never got to work with a Daemon before. It was rare to meet them as it was but having one join the guild felt almost unreal. It would take a moment to register but working beside him would do wonders to ground her in the current reality.

His voice would wake her from her far away thoughts as she blinked her eyes back into focus. They were long lost in the waves crashing the shore. The ocean was a power she could admire.

Lumikki would see Knuckles first by the corner of her eye. Catching his slight bow would bring a smile to her face. One which was oddly warm, a contrast to her usual mischievous grin. Such small gestures were not lost on her. And his demeanor would melt her more frigid tendencies as the pieces that adorned him would remind her of home. There was a lot to him that would bring her comfort, something she didn’t notice she desired within the guild. She just hoped that the darkness in him would not sway her more than she’d like as the Demoness always had the tendency to get drunk off the darkness of others.

” Greeting Gunnar~” Her tendency to give pet name to those she’s met would continue as she called him a what he was, a warrior. She would never figure anything less from one who carried such hammers.

He would voice his intentions and the Demoness would lick her lips to such a suggestion. So used to casting blizzards, it was invigorating to align with one who could call storms. Bringing her back to the very moment they met and bringing a smirk to her face.” Aye, this plan mostly pleases me. All but the last detail. Let’s have our fun Knuckles. Why hold back when there’s no call to~ We’d spare Melon sure, it’s one of our conditions for the pay. But the rest aren’t covered, and so let’s make this more fun so its more fitting for our time.”

The darkness the made up the shade she sat within would being to pull and cling to her skin. Coiling around the Demoness before obscuring her form and leaving nothing but her glowing eyes visible. It would shift and form her flesh and plumage. Her proper wings unfurling from her back before folding back again for the moment. Lumikki would get up properly and face her guild mate. Her shorter frame would coax her to take the wind under her wings so she could see him properly. And she would pout for a moment at the annoyance of always being surrounded by those much taller before pulled her lips back into a smile. ” I’m curious to see how ye have fun Gunnar.”

Knuckles' eyes sparkled with amusement and a hint of reverence as she called him 'Gunnar'. He chuckled, a deep, resonating sound that echoed in the quiet. "Gunnar, eh? Well, ain't that a term from the sacred texts," he mused, appreciating the allusion to his deeply held beliefs. A light wind brushed against his hammers, stirring a sense of divine validation. "You sure know how to pay a compliment, Demoness. I accept your challenge for fun. Let's make this a night none will forget easily. After all, what's a storm without a little bit of chaos?" With a playful wink and a nod, he prepared himself for their exciting endeavor. He was eager to see the extent of her power, both in battle and in merriment.

Knuckles watched with an awed fascination as Lumikki began her metamorphosis. His eyes, reflecting the glow from her form, traced the morphing darkness that clung to her shape. It was as if a great bird of prey was being sculpted from the darkness before his very eyes, the majestic plumage unfolding and folding back in a dance of shadows. As she rose to meet his gaze, her glowing eyes piercing the darkness, a soft, almost reverential smile tugged at his lips. The sight was eerie yet enchanting, a testament to the captivating power of the Demoness. The wind touched his hammers again as if whispering of the grandeur he was witnessing. He was ready, ready for the storm she would bring.

Knuckles would join her though, he allowed his own demonic energy to fill his body as he began his own transformation. Black energy began to cover his torso and arms, part of it even covering his face, though his human figure remained. Black wings sprouted from his back as he enchanted his shattered hammer with Darkness.  

He felt his own power surge as he completed the transformation, and he smiled with a sense of exhilaration. With a thunderous roar, Knuckles rose to meet Lumikki in the sky.
This was not all, as Knuckles lifted his Shattered Hammer into the sky, he called forth the power of lighting, as a storm would gather around. With it, the waves of the ocean reacted to his calling of the lightning storm, and the winds began to bellow out kicking the sand along the beachfront.  The smell of the ocean became stronger as the stronger tides began to creep up with his lightning storm.  Then, in a flash lightning struck down into his hammer as the lightning charged around him, cloaking him in lightning and with it gifting him the power of Thor.

With the power of Thor coursing through him, Knuckles paused, grounding himself amidst the tumultuous storm. He closed his eyes, clutching his lightning-infused hammer with a reverent grip. His mind turned to the gods who had blessed him with such formidable power - Odin, the All-father, and Thor, the god of thunder. He lifted his head towards the storm-infested sky, an unspoken prayer forming in his heart. Expressing his gratitude, he asked for the strength and courage to honor their gift. The wind echoed his sentiments, twisting and twirling around him, seemingly sharing his gratitude with the divine. This silent moment of deference amidst the storm served as a humble reminder of his earthly origins, and the divine powers that guided his path.

"I will gladly show you Demoness how I have my fun." With his Daemon form and his boon from Thor Knuckles felt at the height of his power. His wings gave a mighty flap several times until his body lifted from his footing.  Within moments, Knuckles hurled from their gathering place down into the midst of the Mercenaries below.  It was time to have some fun. As he hovered in the air, Knuckles gripped the handle of his Shattered Mijnoir and threw the hammer, he would then call for it to break apart allowing his shattered bits to strike several of those below.  The unexpected attack on the onlookers was too good to pass up.  He watched as the bits of his hammer found purchase into his prey. While some took fatal hits, some survived leaving 3 of the five he had attacked alive to keep him entertained.

WC 711
TWC 1261

Lumikki pulled back her wings, moving away to grant her companion the space to work. She watched as he shifted form, albeit not as dramatic as her own. Yet it was quite the fascination to see another Daemon at work. She never saw another who was strong, let along how they appeared in their form and power. It was pleasing to her, and all the more when he pointed a hammer to the sky and called forth a storm.

The shift was hardly gentle. It was like the weather had long prepared surge the moment he insisted for it to. The trickle lasting mere moments before the warm tropical rain would pour atop of them. Lumikki’s head was pulled back as she watched it unfolded. The sudden appearance of clouds like it was snapped into existence and blocking away the sun made her revere the Gods all the more. Especially one often mentioned by her Nan. She almost forgot their presence as the change in her life plunge her out of their reach. Yet not all drifted far as the primordial frost and dark poured into her very existence.

She stuck out her tongue to catch the falling rain, only to be snapped out of her childish glee in the lightning striking near her. Lumi lowered her gaze to watch as it fed its power to Knuckles. Circling him as she observed him in such splendid peace. She would have been jealous of him if she didn’t have power of her own. And as much as she boiled over with the desire to inquire of him, she held it for a moment longer to let him finish. Opting to look down in awe at the wild tides also brought to life and vigor within the raging tempest. The Demoness twirled within the air with arms stretched, giggling until her friend was properly done.

” It’s odd seeing a Daemon so favored by the Gods. Makes me quite curious Gunnar as to what makes so many love ye so. What charm do ye harbor to sway ‘em? I suppose not being a God Slayer for one works in yer favor.”

The pair fly toward the camp an upon arrival, Knuckles would rain down his power. Lumikki, only hearing of his great weapons in stories, would watch in awe. She has never dreamed to see such in her life, figuring them within the gasp of Thor himself or relics lost in time. The shards he sent down we not like any story she’s been told. And the Demoness was one to consume many books and tales pertaining to things of lore and myth. She could only surmise it was but boons granted to him alone and she drank in the faces of his victims. Sadly some too weak to handle a move one would figure as simply to him as the act of breathing.

Humans were annoying in their need to make things difficult for themselves whenever they thought they had a crumb of power. It vexed her to see how pointless their efforts appeared when met with a force greater than their own. Yet it was moments like these that would make her want to topple all they had for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Her hungry eyes would dart around as they looked for the fool who must live, all movement below grabbed her attention for a quick inspection. It did not take long for her to see the man cowering behind a structure. Watching as his wounded men would scramble for guns in an attempt to defend themselves. But she would now send her cold below to merge with the falling rain at last. Mixing the magic of her own with her companion to send her frigid spell. The three men’s movement would slow into a crawl. Black frost creeping along their skin to rob them of their strength. Flowers like obsidian would ensnare heir drenched bodies an bloom. A marker of her magic.

The Demoness would descend from here, rapidly dropping and only pulling her wings back to catch the air in the very last moment. The thundering skies would bellow in a way that added more intimidation than the soundless Demoness would figure. The cracking lighting would light up their lovely fearful eyes in a way her magic could not. And so she savored ever drop of it as approached her victim.

Disdain would flash on his features for a moment as she figured he much of seen her as a monster. He did not deserve her cruelty but she needed little reason to inflict it. Jewels making the simplest excuse. Lumikki would have a sway in her walk, her merriment showing with each step. And when she finally got close to her prey, should would brush her talons along his arm before digging them into their flesh and pulling away. A scream would escape his lips only to be drowned by the raging storm. Leaning in, she would observe his suffering carefully before pulling back. She’d jump back into the air to glide around him. Talon on his throat to send her magic on his neck and to his core. She slowly froze his airway until she was content and pulled back for good. Letting him choke to death before moving onto the other and sending black shard of ice to jut from the ground and impale him.

Two for two, the Demoness thought. Considering it a nice even. She relaxed her magic on the last one so that his strength could return to him. Garnering him more agency in this fight for his life. He first dropped to the floor until he could move his legs again. Taking off the moment her could. She looked up to the air with Knuckles was, playfully smirking at him in a way the would show all her sharp fangs. Gesturing to the last one if he would be privy to take them.

And as the man would run, she would look back to see that Melon would try to do the same. She flew for the weasel instead.

Knuckles watched the Demoness from above, his eyes narrowing as he studied her intricate dance of power and precision. Her movements were lithe and lethal, a symphony of violence that was as awe-inspiring as it was petrifying. Her magic unfurled like a storm, wild and untamed, yet wielded with unrivaled control. The way she targeted her prey was methodical, almost predatory. Each human she went after became a small piece in a larger, more sinister game. She toyed with them, not out of necessity but out of a twisted sense of pleasure, freezing their airways or sending black shards of ice to impale them. As he watched, it was clear to him that to the Demoness, this was not just a fight. It was a performance.   Meanwhile, while his shards would recall to his handle and reform into the Shattered Mijnoir.

The air grew colder, a biting chill that seeped into the very bones of those present, a testament to the raw, untamed power of Lumikki's magic. The storm and the ice became one, an interplay of cold and electricity, creating an awe-inspiring and terrifying display of magical prowess. The battlefield was no longer just a field of grass and dirt; it had transformed into a stage for Lumikki's lethal dance, a blend of raw elemental forces that left spectators in awe-struck silence.

While watching the Demoness, Knuckles lost focus on what he was doing. The ways she handled her prey were inspiring, he called out to his blood lust and made his want for her deepen.  It would be an honor to die at the hands of someone like her. Someone who was strong, both physically and in magic. As their eyes met, he could see a flicker of something in her gaze, a hint of recognition perhaps. He couldn't be sure, but it only served to excite him further.

But just as quickly as his mind had wandered to these thoughts his ears picked up on gunfire behind him. Either due to nerves or just bad aim the bullet would only hit the top of his left shoulder. Instead of breaking out of rage Knuckles would only chuckle slightly, his shoulders raising and falling.  She had asked what made his Gods and a Demon both want him, why was he loved. He did not know if he was loved but he did have an answer for her.  He looked up towards his lighting storm as he lifted both hammers into the sky as the lighting around his body shots volt into the sky  Lighting came crashing down a moment later upon the mercenary who shot at him.  The damage was extensive as it charred his flesh and left a smoldering corpse.  Where Lumikki was playful in her attacks, Knuckles was merciless.

" You ask how I am so loved, and what charm I have. My Lady allows me to show you, that I am but a vessel for their Powers, I am the brush that painted the will of the Allfather Odin and Thor Odinson, I honor them in battle and offer them my praise.  My soul be dammed, I am an honorable warrior but to Beelzebub, the fallen god turned a prince of hell I am the pinnacle of greed and envy. I envy the power of demons, and I am greedy enough to sell whatever parts of myself to attain that power, that price was my soul for his power.  I will become a vessel for his will as well. I will breed chaos and destroy his enemies but I will do it in terms that are honorable and worthy to my Gods, so that I may one day ascend to Valhallia and dine with the warriors. "

As he spoke he fed mana into his hammer, the glow of the lighting from his body brightening as the storm began to rage on growing in more strikes of lighting leaving more booms in the sky.  His storm was bolstering the attacking of his lighting.  While he still had three on the ground that had been wounded Knuckles looked back over to the Demoness as her pretty was running.   They had to keep that one alive.  Knuckles dove down from the skies as the Demonness' ice magic slowed everyone in the area.   Landing in front of the man Knuckles eyes were flowing red and could be seen through his clown helm. Black demonic energy had crawled over half the mask at this point and all Knuckles had to do was yell "boo", the man wet himself. Piss covered his pants and dripped down his leg no doubt warming him for the moment, but the snowying thunderstorm would like to change that.

WC 788
TWC 2049

And as she raised her gaze, the rain turned into snow as it fell, long before it could obscure her vision. She noticed the lines of the shot before the bullet grazed his shoulder, but the crackle of lightning he sent in retaliation took most of her focus. The man was charred where he stood, the sight quite entertaining as such was not something her magic could do.

" Tragic combination Gunnar!" She called out to the Daemon still above. Lightning danced all around him like a glorious spectacle blooming in its own way compared to her blooming frost. She was dazzled by his show and hoped he too enjoyed her playful performance. Humans like these would rarely serve as anything more than toys to pass the time sadly." But I know all too well the desire for more, and the will to throw everything for it. Ye've chosen yer path, one I could respect. So consider me yer ally for power Knuckles. Let us give yer patrons a promising return for their kindness~ Sides, I too am curious now of the length ye'd go to honor this dream of yers." Her mouth pulled back in a toothy grin that exposed her sharp fangs. And she would lick her lips as she gave the prospect more mulling over.

Her thoughts were cut of course as she knew her target was trying to flee, but it was Knuckles who would cut the man off first. She cackled as she flew over. A dark tendril formed of her magic would swiftly wrap around his leg. Dragging him onto the ground and pulling in over. She crouched just beside him, her nose scrunching at his putrid smell. " I sure ye know who sent us, and we came to see it done...." A large frost talon would group the man and hoist him up. " Let's drop him off so we can get our pay, aye? Do ye hunger Gunnar?"

Melon was dropped in front of the client and the pair got their proper pay.