Demon 'Punchers, Part V

V. He could hold his breath over a minute, bullets hit water, didn’t penetrate it, he’d used this trick before against his foes, water stopped slugs fast, not many did know. When he rose again the demons were out, so Sol cried out “Have you had enough now?” The wounded demon just pulled out a knife, charged forth through the water to end his life. Sol pulled a knife and threw it for the horse, the animal bucked, the demon unmoored, fell into the water, there he did scream, and from his body infernal smoke streamed. His body went black, skin crinkled and cooked, on the small island the other three looked, then Ashmedai said “That’s impossible...how?!” Sol shrugged. “Blessed the lake, it’s Holy Water now.” The demons were shocked, their jaws were dropping, and Sol said “It’s time for exorcising!” Then he began chanting, imploring God, the holy words the demon could not dodge. To ride for the water would be their end, and they had no bullets left amongst them, could do nothing but stare daggers and death as Sol weakened them with every drawn breath. It took half an hour to break them down, slowly they slumped then all fell to the ground, weaker with each prayer that Sol did recite, in the end they perished with no more fight. Until they became bodies with no spark, and Sol felt only sadness in his heart, what once had been human, destroyed by choice, seeking out power to fill some great void. He had known the feeling, once, long ago, but despite his sins, had not walked this road. Right at this moment, he did not want to think, he saddled and rode to town for a drink. It was the same bar he’d gone to before, he drank two whiskeys, then ordered two more, and while he drank, he asked the old barkeep, “I wonder, can you answer this for me? “I know there’s been some weird things going on, I’ve heard all the gossip, and might be wrong, but did have you seen a rider in these parts, wears a bowler hat, as red as a heart?” The bartender thought, and rubbed at his beard, said, “I think I saw a man like that here, maybe weeks ago, I think one stopped by, can’t recall his name…but he had dark eyes.” Sol just nodded, and said, “Thanks for the news. he’s a friend of mine, I’d heard he passed through.” And with that lie went out into the night, someone new was out there, preying on life. Folks didn’t call demons out of the blue, such arcane knowledge most people never new, something was pushing corruption hellish, and knew that, some day, he must deal with it…