The city was silent, but not peaceful. Neon lights flickered over rain-slicked streets, casting long, jagged shadows across cracked pavement. Somewhere above, a black-winged demon screamed, tearing through the night sky before vanishing into the darkness.
In an alley, a lone figure moved with unnatural grace. His coat flared behind him as he walked, boots splashing in shallow puddles. His silver hair caught the dim glow of a street lamp, his eyes sharp and calculating. People said he was a myth—a hunter who danced with demons—but tonight, he was very real.
A low growl rattled the alley walls. The ground trembled. From the shadows, a creature emerged—twisted, grotesque, with claws that could shred steel. Its red eyes locked onto the hunter.
"Always at the wrong place, wrong time, huh?" the hunter muttered, spinning a silver pistol from his belt. With a flash, he fired—bullets tearing through the monster, sparks flying as they met its black, armored skin.
The creature snarled, lunging at him. He leapt, flipping over a dumpster, drawing a gleaming sword in midair. The blade sliced through the demon with a hiss of magic, leaving a streak of burning silver in its wake.
As the monster crumpled, he landed softly on the pavement. Rain ran down his face, mixing with the blood of the demon and the city grime.
Then, a voice—a lilting, teasing tone—echoed from the rooftops above.
"Wow. Is that the best you've got, hunter?"
He looked up, narrowing his eyes. There she was: a girl with fiery eyes, standing on the edge of the roof, her long coat fluttering like wings in the wind. Her smirk was infuriating, but something about it made his chest tighten.
"You're late," he said dryly.
"Fashionably," she replied, flipping down gracefully. "And you—always so serious. Lighten up. The world's full of demons, but it doesn't have to be boring."
Before he could reply, another growl erupted from the shadows—this time, a bigger one. The two of them exchanged a quick glance, silent understanding passing between them. Words weren't needed.
Side by side, hunter and rogue, they charged into the night, blades and bullets ready. The city would bleed tonight, but so would their enemies.
And somewhere, deep in the shadows, something far older and darker than any demon watched—and smiled.