Demonic humanity

[Shaon]

((This is a (somewhat) original story, based off a dream I had. As 90% of my dreams do, this includes allusions to several people and games. Namely Al and Morrowind.))
((Draft: 2))

When I was young, I wanted to fly.

To grow wings and soar, to touch the sky.

When I was young, whispers of adults intrigued me.

How horrified I was, to learn what they meant.

To become something unusual, to be beautifully unique,

To be shunned, never came to me.

---

"Mom, I'm going to go to Alestis's house."

"Come back before dinner, and call me once you get there, May."

Putting coats on, donning furry boots and a hat, complete with little puffball.

I loved the snow. I still do.

But it sure as hell wasn't snowing.

My mother, she didn't know.

Alestis -- he hadn't been in school for almost a week. I was getting worried.

Thankfully, his house wasn't at all far from here, only around the corner.

Humming to a song only I could hear, I walked the short distance to his house.

It was small, but not like the tiny cottage my house was. At least it had a second floor.

After reaching their porch (which is quite beautiful in the summer; Al's mom was an excellent gardener), I knocked on the front door.

Al's mom was there in a minute, clad in an apron and matching oven gloves. Obviously cooking dinner.

"Oh, Maori!" she said, looking strangely relieved.

"Hi, miss Forcedeth. Is Al around?"

Al's mom looked around, as if someone was looking for her, before beckoning me in.

Still acting oddly, she bent over, looking at me in the face.

"Look, May, Al's... he's a bit sick. I normally wouldn't have let you in but I know he'd like it if you visited. He's upstairs, in his room."

I nodded.

I practically lived in Al's house. I could walk to his room with my eyes closed.

However, I kept them quite open as I took off my winter clothing, and proceeded to head to Al's room.

I liked Al's room. It's just... him. I mean, from the outside of the door (plastered with posters from various bands he likes) to the window, on the far end of the room. Actually, I should've waved to him. He would've seen me. But... the light wasn't on, when I knocked on the door.

Something was definitely wrong, though. Music was playing in his room, like it usually was, but it was a lot quieter than usual. I could only hear the bass from the outside. Probably his sickness, whatever could cause this. Al is usually so happy. Even if he does listen to death metal and all that craziness.

I knocked on his door. Didn't want to walk in on something impolite.

I heard a low "Go away" from inside.

"Al? It's me, Mao-"

"May! Did mom call for you? She didn't- ah, just come in!"

I followed his invitations, opening the door. Al was crouched on his windowsill, looking out.

I stood in surprise.

He had-

He had ears. Long, black ears, with a small coat of black fur covering them, and a tuft of longer, equally black fur on the ends. A single ear was tilted, facing me. Probably from the door opening.

He also had a tail. Long, and black, with a sharp blade on the end, swishing absentmindedly.

He turned to face me, slitted eyes adjusting to the dark interior of the room.

He frowned at my look of surprise.

"I'm sorry."

His canines were much sharper than they were.

"Al, wha-what happened?"

I pinched myself. This had to be a dream.

But it wasn't. Why, why wasn't it? This is impossible!

"I don't know. I just... I don't know. I woke up... and I was like this, I guess."

"How could you just... grow all this weird stuff overnight? That's- that's not possible, you and I both know-"

He stood, revealing his oddly-shaped new legs. His feet were mutilated into a paw-like object, his legs permanently bent at the knees. His feet were furry, just like his ears and tail.

"Look, I have no idea. I-I just... I don't know. I guess I'm stuck like this."

"I guess... I guess we'll just have to survive, then."

"Yeah."

One of the ears twitched, also absentmindedly, though his tail had stopped moving as rapidly as it had before.

"Look... my mom won't let me outside, obviously, so I guess you should just head back home."

"Yeah, I guess."

I shrugged.

"I guess I'll see you soon, then."

"Yeah."

I hugged Al, and turned to leave.

"I'll miss you."

I paused, in confusion. Miss me? Why?

"What?"

"N-nevermind."

I left, telling Al's mother, Miss Forcedeth, goodbye.

---

I never saw him again. His family moved the next day.

Alestis was the victim of a virus that little is known about, since it is next to impossible to catch without infecting someone.

The victim rapidly becomes a DEMON, or DEgenerated MONstrosity, as they are unofficially called. Scientifically, they don't have a name.

The DEMON virus most usually leaves the mind completely untouched, but as it has an extreme mutation rate, this is not always true.

The DEMON virus was thought to be created in a laboratory somewhere, though nobody is quite sure of exactly where. Probably Germany. Germany always has the crazy mad scientists.

Anyway, the DEMONs themselves are extremely powerful, able to easily take out a human. Thus, many are forced into becoming outlaws, living in deserted areas or, more commonly, in packs in large cities.

Thus, even the more docile DEMONs who just want to live like a human are often discriminated against, and are even more often killed for no good reason.

I bet you're wondering, then, what happened to me, and why am I writing this?

I'll tell you.

The next six or so years were somewhat uneventful. Nothing to be amazed about. Although the DEMON virus is now known to everyone, instead of being obscure and unheard of, I've never seen another DEMON. Our teachers were rather biased against the DEMONs, calling them horrible monsters and all sorts of things. But they weren't. I knew that. I never told anyone about Alestis. Nothing ever happened to me, my bizarre storage has been emptied out, right?

Or so I thought.
---

[Shaon]

Sleep. Sleep is good. I just want to sleep more.

Bang, bang

Hmmph. Who's there?

Bang, bang

I cracked open my eyes. It was early morning, with light streaming through the large windows in the south half of my room. Except for a shadow.

Bang, bang

Eyes opened more. Tiredly, I leaned up, rolled off the bed to get a better view of the window-

"Al...estis?"

The banging stopped. I jumped up, ran to the window, and pretty much fiddled with it until the moody thing gave up its grudge and opened.

Alestis was exactly the same as he was then, so very many years ago.

"Maori, will you play with me?"

Finding this totally not out of the ordinary, I jumped out of the window, onto the outside sill, and we flew away.
---

Argh. What a weird dream.

Bang, bang

What the... more banging? Still a dream?

Irritated, I rolled off the bed-

Ow, crap, my shoulder.

Wait. My pillow's stuck to my head. I pull it off. Something pierced it, apparently.

My arm's a weird shade, think it's the way I was sleeping.

Bang, bang

I stood up, shaking whatever was stuck to me, although my tail didn't want to leave the comforts of my eight blankets.

Wait, what?!

I turned to look at the rogue new limb. What I saw frightened me.

In the way of seeing behind me was a wing. A very sore one, in fact.

I grabbed my glasses off the bedside table, and looked at the window (finally). Just like in my dream, there was Alestis. No seven-year-old Alestis, however. He's just as old as I was. His ears were drooped, and his tail still. And though I could barely hear him speak through the window, I knew what he said.

"I'm sorry."

[Shaon]

---
Zebra, what is it like being a DEMON?

Well, ah... it's weird, I guess. I'm a good tap-dancer, I wasn't really when I was a kid, you know, the hooves and all that.

The third eye's kinda crazy, too. I'm all... tall.

And the horns! I could open a soda can with these!

My tail... don't touch it, please. It's really sensitive, like... a tongue on your butt, I guess.
---

Memories of that news report echoed through my head.

Tears in my eyes, I opened the window.

Al leaped in, hugging me as hard as he could as if to make up for the last six years.

"I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorr-"

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault, it couldn't be-"

"But it is, oh god, I'm so sorry, I can't believe this-"

He took a deep gulp, trying to regain his composure.

"I- I've got... my friends- our pack, you have to stay with us. It's how the law works, you don't want your mom to find you like this..."

"But- yeah- I guess, yeah... but I can't just leave her."

"It's how the law works. The government keeps a- a database of DEMONs, I guess. If a child's reported missing, they check the local packs before starting a search."

I nodded, numbly, waiting for everything to fully sink in.

We left the same way Al came, through my window.

--- ((Lost motivation, will continue later on))

Thank god it's fall.

In order to not wake my parents, we went the same way Al came in -- through the window.

Landing on the ground, a good ten feet or so below, was a lot easier than I thought. Probably introduced instincts.

We took the usual path out to the front of the house, walking through the gravel pathway and through two gates.

Then I let Al take the lead.

It was night. Late night. Why the hell is it so bright?

Probably have slitted eyes. Process of elimination, self.

Al stopped at the porch of the house across the street.

The Devil house.

We had a legend where the Jersey Devil of myths and legends lived in this house.

Jesus, what were the odds of it being a DEMON base?

...pretty high.

One of the blinds shifted, as someone inside looked out.

Seeing us, the blinds returned to their normal form and the door opened.

The person behind it was not as obviously a DEMON as us.

He had the trademark slitted eyes, but the only other changes were the digitigrade legs, wolfish tail, and animalistic ears.

"Oh! Hellcat! And... new person!"

Al sighed.

"Yeah, Wolf, that's the person I was talking about. She got infected. Where's Goron?"

"Hold on, I'll go get him."

Wolf, as he seemed to be named, leaned back, his face looking towards the lit room in the back of the house.

"Goron! Hellcat's back!"

A crashing noise, and a reply.

"Pancakes will be burnt this morning!"

A sizzling noise, and another DEMON popped out of the lit room.

This one was also digitigrade, which seems to be a trend, and had a row of scale-like plates lining his back. His hands were at least the size of his torso, and of all things he was wearing a worn pink apron with a duck inscribed on the front of it.

"Maori Carnadine?"

The DEMON, presumably Goron, asked me. I nodded. He beckoned me in with a monstrously huge hand, and I followed him.

"Jesus, Hellcat, it seems we named you well. Your friend here looks like Satan reincarnated!"

Al looked offended at this statement.

"Look, Hellcat, I'm kidding. That will be her name, though."

Goron turned to look at me.

"You here me? That is your new name. Just like how Hellcat is no longer Alestis Forcedeth, you are no longer Maori Carnadine."

He took his massive hands and gently put them around my shoulders, unintentionally pinning my arms.

"Your name is now Lucifer."
---

[Shaon]

((No comments? I feel so loved.

If you want to know, this is based off a lot of childhood memories.

Especially of the Jersey Devil. That myth extends into this reality, as well.))

Lucifer.

A Satanic name for a DEMON.

What lame symbolism. Whoever is writing this soap opera needs to die.

Goron looked up, facing the taller 'Hellcat'.

"I guess we'll be having the government over for lunch, then. Joy. Hellcat, show our recruit around. I have breakfast to salvage."

Goron then left for the lit room, presumably the kitchen.

Wolf had a new position on the couch by the windows, sitting in what looks like a very comfortable position for a DEMON. He spoke.

"So, I'm not the newbie, anymore? Shame, it was such fun. I hope you enjoy the ride."

I blinked at the aptly-named DEMON, staring rather blankly.

Al, however, spoke to cover him.

"Let's go show you around, then."

He gestured for me to follow him, and opened a door to the right of us.

"We're running low on room, so you're probably going to end up rooming with me. Unless, of course, you want to stay with Wolf."

I looked back at the DEMON on the couch, who grinned and waved at me in response.

"..."

"Yeah, I thought so."
---

Breakfast was, indeed, a flaming pile of pancake.

I don't know if it was enhanced sense of taste, or something, but burnt offerings taste horrible when you're a DEMON.

After this, I swore off ever eating Goron's food.

So, yes, I met all of the Berlin pack, as we are called.

There's actually five of us.

The fifth, and actually probably the eldest, is a bit of a recluse.

I like her, though. Her name's Unisus. Like most of our names, it's quite obvious at first look.

Apart from television, she's the only hooved DEMON I've ever seen.

Al told me we'll go check out outside after the government guys come.

When I was human, we never dared go to the Devil's forest. We were afraid he would... I don't know. Eat us.

Wait.

When I was human? I still am, self. Nice job of giving hope so damn quick.

But anyway, it was relatively uneventful, you know.

Wolf likes lounging around, watching the poor obsolete television and making lewd comments wherever inappropriate.

Unisus likes sulking around in her room doing whatever. I'm not one to be nosy.

Goron's... uh... Goron. Thankfully, he doesn't cook often. He gets lessons off Alestis.

And Al is himself.

Why the hell do I have the urge to climb onto the ceiling? Jesus, what am I, Spiderman?
---

[Panther385]

((We don't want to interrupt- it's such a good story. Sorta messes up the flow of posts, ya know?

Well, crap, there, I just did what I was trying not too. Might as well take the Hyporcritic Oath...))

[3kul]

((Childhood memories with a bunch of people infected by a demonic virus?

I didn't want to interrupt for similar reasons, but it's proved to be an interesting read so far. Goron's currently my favourite character, mainly because the other characters feel a little more... cliche and predictable are the words that come to mind, but aren't really what I'm feeling. To put it as simply as I can, it's like they make the story flow, but don't really stand out that much.

Maybe that's just me though, so feel free to ignore my rambling comments here . It's an interesting idea behind the story and that alone makes me want to read more, keep up the good work.))

[Shaon]

(([9:59:35 PM] Goron is now back (Cooking. Yes, Goron can cook, haven't you read Shaon's story?!) - gone for 3h43m26s

We're having way too much fun with this in JRC. We've decided that all the characters need favorite pickup lines.

Wolf has a completely classic one. "Hey baby, they say dogs can hump faster than humans. Want to see what I can do?"

Maori/Lucifer has a slightly less awesome one. "I hope you aren't Christian, because there'll be premarital sex tonight~!"

And according to Al, Hellcat is all shy and is like "Hiiiiii" and runs.

I can't think of a good one for Goron and Unisus is all minor and I can't imagine her having one.

Update will be like... later. Jesus I'm sick of overthinking this.))

[Shaon]

Goron estimated correctly. Al was cooking up some lunch when there was knocking on the door.

Seeing nothing better to do, Wolf and I had ended up spending our day lazing around and watching TV.

Being a DEMON is just like being a normal human, it seems.

Wolf, like the last time, was the one who answered the door.

The people on the other side were, at first sight, a pair of well-dressed businessmen.

"Ross Hougestol. It's been..." The businessman on the left spoke first.

"Two years. And it's Wolf, now."

"Wolf, then. Do you know where Jason is?"

"Jason? You mean Goron, right?"

"...Goron, yes, I can see the similarities. Where is he? He's awaiting us."

"He's, uh, getting cooking lessons. Hold on."

Wolf fled from his spot in the doorway, walking to the other side of the house and poking his head into the kitchen.

"Goron? ... Yeah. They're here."

Wolf led the apparent leader of the pack from the kitchen, back to the businessmen.

"So, Ja- my apologies, 'Goron', we are here today about a suspected DEMONization of a certain Maori Carnadine. Might you know anything about this?"

The "businessman" on the left spoke. The one on the right was either mute or the retard writing this didn't give him any lines.

"Yeah, she's right over there." Goron replied, gesturing to me. "Luce, do you mind? They want you?"

I shook my head, standing and walking with my strange new gait to the businessmen.

"Maori Carnadine, then?"

Both businessmen kept a straight face, though I doubt that's how they felt.

I nodded anyway.

The right businessman began filling out a form.

"Maori Carnadine... digitigrade... ram-horned... gray skin... wings... Think I've got everything."

"Congratulations, Maori. You are now a legal DEMON. Have fun."
---

[Shaon]

((

Why, what is this, you ask?

It becomes important later in the story.

Remember it.))

Lunch was ramen.

Why it took two full hours to cook ramen I will never know.

Goron was grumbling about the state of the world's events while eating.

Wolf was too busy chewing on what looked like the twisted remains of a shoe to eat.

Unisus quietly ate her bowl, not joining in any strain of conversation.

Not that there was any.

Alestis, Hellcat, was just as quiet.

I was no exception.

I ate hesitantly, before tasting a bit of it and realizing that Alestis probably made it.

From trying to listen to Goron's ranting, I learned various things.

Something about the UN trying to turn the DEMONs into just another racial variation, and it not working out so well.

And that the thrift store, the name of which I can't recall, down the street is the main funder for the pack.

Jesus, I hope I don't scare the nuns.

So, yes, the first day wasn't very eventful.

The first night was somewhat different.

Sleeping conventionally is somewhat hard with a pair of horns and wings.

I couldn't get any sleep at all.

Until, for some strange reason, I tried the ceiling fan.

I tested it to see if it could hold my weight, which must be much lower now. Hollow bones and such.

I found managing to get a decent grip on the fan to be easy, and hanging upside-down was like the normal way of walking.

I think I am Spiderman.

I also suspect I'm a deep sleeper, because Goron had to wake me up. I think I made Al crap his pants when he saw me.

The morning after is where we, indeed, started exploring the outside.
---

[Shaon]

((Demonic Humanity takes place in a very real location, known as Berlin, New Jersey. Here is a map of where the Berlin pack's headquarters are. Where North Brill curves, it is on the left side.))

I'm quite the climber, now.

Before, I was very clumsy and unsure.

Now it's just... another story.

There's a lot of trees surrounding our base.

A lot of old trees.

Very good climbing practice. It's fun.

If you end up in this sorry state, you should try it.

Goron didn't try and warn me, tell me to hide.

Wonder why we never figured out the truth of the house, then.

The others don't go outside, often, I think. Al was a bit reluctant, himself.

I remember, when I was a kid, no, when Al and I were kids, there used to be cats all over this little wooded property. There used to be ivy all over the ground, too.

But it's gone now.

I wonder why.

But, anyway.

Time flies when you're having fun.

I attempted to train myself over the next few months. It's hard to realize you have a fifth limb.

Unisus helped make a new set of clothing for me, since by now it's winter.

Very innovative.

It helped very much later on.

This isn't really where the story starts, or even ends.

This is just the prologue. Sad, isn't it.

[Shaon]

So, yes.

This whole story was set in motion by, of all things, Unisus.

We don't know why, but things just... set themselves on fire around her. It was a common occurrence, and even more reason for her to not leave her room.

After a few weeks of this, she only came out for meals, and, often, Wolf was the only being that spoke to her between these times.

---

Average morning for us. Get up to Goron yelling that breakfast is ready.

I stretched, although gravity stretched me quite throughly while asleep, and climbed to the ground.

I really didn't need to, seeing that walls and ceilings were the same thing as floors to me, now, but it's common courtesy. Not many people expect waking up to Satan on their ceiling.

Anyway, I went in the general direction of food, which was waffles today.

Everyone was here.

Except Unisus.

Wolf pointed this out.

Goron, being the leader-figure he is, was the one to check her room.

He returned with a grim report.

Unisus is, indeed, still alive. She didn't set herself on fire or something.

Okay, that's a lie.

She's still alive, but she's on fire.

The fire isn't visibly hurting her, or anything.

It's just that... her hair's all on fire.

Goron was, understandably, worried.

"Hellcat!" He barked, bringing Al to attention.

"Hmm?"

"You get to go on a mission with Wolf to see the Hermit."

"The Hermit? Wait, why Wolf? Why can't I take Luce? She needs the experience."

Wolf, relieved to not have to work, leaned back on his seat.

"Fine, take Luce, then. Who you're going with isn't important. We'll plan this out today and you'll leave at dusk."

---

Goron explained the plans out to us before we left.

"The Hermit lives in Atlantic City -- I'm sure both of you know where that is. You'll meet up with our allies, the Ginta pack, there, who will escort you to his home. Got it?"

I pretty much didn't, but since Al was the one leading us, I assumed he did.

This also didn't explain how we were going to get there. With my skimpy wings, we sure as hell couldn't fly.
And Atlantic City was hours from here by car. I can't imagine how bad it would be on foot.

But, nonetheless, we set off at sunset, wearing warm clothes and hoping nothing much would come of us.

[Coolpikaaa]

Yaaa

more story!

-coolpikaaa

[Shaon]

((Oh god guys don't kill me I'm sorry I swear D:

I've been doing a lot of backround changes for DH, making it fit more. I might edit the earlier chapters, so watch out ))

A muffled yell.

"Come on-" something I couldn't understand. "-Got to get going!"

Leaving a doorway that was not meant to be opened.

Two children were fleeing.

Not children, DEMONs.

It was raining outside. A thunderstorm, in fact. How fitting.

On the ground, what the children were apparently fleeing from, was the mortally wounded, yet somehow still conscious, body of a spidery DEMON.

The male child was pulling the female along, but the girl stopped, turning back to the spider.

Then I realized who the girl was.

I saw the hooves.

The wings.

The horn.

It was Unisus.

"Uni, come on!" The boy cried after the young Unisus, momentarily pausing.

"I can't, Sting! I can't just leave him!"

Who was this boy, however? "Sting," as Unisus called him? I'd never seen him in my life.

"Uni, we - we have to go, before they-"

Unisus looked up.

Sometimes it really sucks to look like Satan.

This is one of those times.

Unisus immediately fell to the ground, stumbling back into the surrounding forest with terror shining in her eyes.

"Sting" immediately picked her back up, resuming their fleeing.

I stepped out of the shadows.

We stepped out of the shadows, actually.

I was accompanied by a fellow DEMON, one that looked vaguely like-

The DEMON on TV. The one that's a host for a talk show. It's the very same one.

"Well, Zebra, it looks like our siblings have run away," I said, in a voice much unlike my own.

"Yes, it seems they have. Shall we stop them?"

We paused, standing upon the spider DEMON.

"Rather, we should follow them. Make sure the others don't know where we've run off too, and I'll see where they're going."

Zebra nodded, and I snapped open my wings, using the gusts from the storm and my enhanced strength to lift myself into flight.
---

I awoke with a start, my feet unclenching and forcing me to fall to the ground, atop of Alestis who woke up from the impact.

It was midday.

Cars zoomed by.

I shivered.

Right.

It's winter, on the side of the famous Jersey Turnpike.

We've been trekking for a few days. Mostly uneventful, but we'll be in Atlantic City by tonight.

Al wasn't exactly happy at the rude awakening.

"Gah, Luce, what was that for?"

"Well, sorry, I have to fall out of the tree someday. I just decided today was convenient. Go back to sleep."

"Yeah, sleep. Sounds good."
---

[3kul]

Confusing! But also a good read, I'm enjoying this story of yours quite a lot Shaon .

[Shaon]

Atlantic City
City Limit
---

Figures. It's freezing out. I'm surprised I haven't died of hypothermia yet.

"Where the hell are we supposed to be meeting this group?"

"Jersey-" Car zoomed by way too close. Damn humans, thinking that we're invincible. "Shore."

"Oh my god, we're going to the beach, in the middle of December, when it's 10 degrees out?!"

"I didn't want to go, either, Luce," replied Hellcat.

We hopped over the barrier-thing onto a hill. At least the beach isn't-

"Oh, we found you!"

A group of very-thickly dressed people stood before us.

"We've been looking hard."

One took their hood off. They had ears.

"We're the Ginta pack. Goron sent you?"
---