Demon Hunters: Fable

By Darren Sloan

Jack and Jill ran up a hill to fetch a pail of.... holy water?
Jack and Jill Corba have lived a sheltered life on their family's farm, but when their father falls ill, they venture out to bring back the one thing that can save his life.
The task seems simple, but when the unexpected occurs, they find themselves separated and lost in a strange world of enchanted creatures and monsters of all sorts.
Jack encounters a young girl named Gretel who has been abducted by an evil witch while Jill stumbles upon a woodsman with an axe to grind with a big bad wolf.
Love is found and enemies are made as Jack struggles to find his sister and return her, and himself, home in time to save his family.
You know the stories, but you've never seen them quite like this before. Classic fairy tales get the Demon Hunter treatment and nothing will be the same ever again!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darren Sloan
• Release date: Jul 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311824035

Book preview

Demon Hunters: Fable

By

Darren Sloan

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2017 Darren Sloan

ISBN: 9781311824035

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Prologue

Once upon a time in the midst of what would be known as the Age of Enchantment, there lived a humble man by the name of Jerimiah Corba. He had a lovely wife, Grace, and together they had two beautiful children, Jack and Jill Corba, but as happy as they were, there was a darkness in their past that haunted them every day of their lives.

Their clan Corba lived under a terrible curse and in order to protect his children, Jerimiah moved his family to a remote farm deep in the woods where he hoped that they could live in secret; safe from the Corba family curse.

Jack grew up to be as strong and handsome a boy as any father could hope for. He had dark black hair and a strong body from years of hard work. Jerimiah taught Jack everything he knew about tending the farm, as he planned that to be their home for the rest of their lives.

As he got older, Jerimiah allowed Jack to leave the farm to visit the nearby market for supplies as they were needed, but insisted that he return home as quickly as possible. Jack enjoyed these trips. They were the few attempts he had to see the world beyond the woods and each time he grew more and more fascinated with it.

Jill was a beautiful young girl. She had long, cascading hair and brilliant blue eyes. She was the younger of the two and therefore the jewel of her mother's eye. Jill was kept on the farm all the time and never allowed to go past the trees at the edge of the farm. She was taught that there was nothing beyond the farm other than death. Any questions she had about the outside world could only be answered by Jack, as their parents wouldn't entertain any talk of the outside world.

As the years went on, Grace and Jerimiah became more obsessed with the protection of their family. They took every chance they had to teach Jack and Jill about the danger of the family curse with nightly lessons and rules that grew more strict. Neither of them was allowed outside after dark or before dawn. They couldn't make any sound outside. They were forbidden from leaving the farm, unless with permission. Their lives seemed to be more like those of prisoners than children.

As Jack grew older, he became concerned about their parents' growing instability over the family curse, and doubtful there was such a curse at all. Jill, on the other hand, knew nothing more and accepted their parents' word as gospel truth. Jack tried to bring her to her senses, but she was resistant to his words. She was happy to spend the rest of her living days on the farm. It was her world and she was content with that.

One day, their father had taken ill by what their mother referred to as the family sickness. Jill never saw but Grace needed Jack's help caring for Jerimiah. At first it seemed like nothing out of the ordinary, but soon the illness became worse. His eyes began to bleed and his skin grew pale and sickly. It wasn't long before Grace prohibited Jack from seeing his father at all.

It had been three days and everything seemed as normal as ever. Jack and Jill awoke to their mother happily preparing breakfast for them and once they were done eating, Jack went on to attend to his chores as Jill was taken to learn her lessons with Grace.

The farm wasn't too big and therefore couldn't boast too impressive a collection of livestock. They had a few cows and a healthy flock of chickens and some pigs as well. They had some modest crops as well. They grew mostly vegetables and grains.

As Jack was feeding the chickens, he heard his mother scream and he bolted for the house instantly. He burst through the door and saw Jill sitting by the fireplace in tears. She pointed up toward the stairs and then he could hear his mother crying and another voice. An inhuman voice. Jack charged up the stairs and followed the voices to his parents' bed chamber. He walked in and saw his father sprawled out on the bed. The scent of rotting flesh filled the air and his father looked as sick as he had ever seen him.

Jack! His mother called out as she ran to him. Get out!

Mother! What's happened to father?

Get downstairs! Now!

But,

Now! She shrieked. Jack then retreated downstairs and sat down next to Jill. She looked up at Jack.

What's happened to father?

I don't know, Jill. I don't know.

A few moments later, Grace came down and went to her children. She looked worried and calm all at the same time. Jill stood up and ran to her.

Mother? What's happening to father?

I'm afraid the family sickness has taken him. Jack stood.

Family sickness? You mean the curse?

The curse is real, Jack. I don't know how you came to doubt this, but you must believe or your father is doomed. Jack tried to think of something to say, but he chose not to make a bad situation worse.

What can we do? Jill asked.

You and your brother must go to the chapel up the hill and fetch some holy water. That is the only thing that can help your father now.

You want me to take Jill?

Yes. It's for the best.

But she's never been off the farm. It would be faster if I went by myself.

Take Jill, Grace said. Her tone was stern but Jack looked into her eyes and they seemed to be begging. Please. She'll be safe with you. Just go and get the water and come right back.

Yes, mother, Jack looked over at Jill, who seemed on the verge of tears herself. He brightened his face and shot her a smile. I guess we're going on an adventure! Jill's face lightened a bit.

I get to go? For real?

Yes. Your brother will take good care of you.

Of course I will.

Now mind what I said. Get the water and come right back.

Yes, mother.

As Jack and Jill left, he was surprised to see how enthused Jill was to finally leave the farm. She could barely stay calm on the trail as they headed toward the fields outside the wood. As she danced and fluttered about, Jack realized he wasn't going to be able to calm her down.

What's the world like outside? Are there people?

Calm down. We're just going up to the chapel. I doubt we'll run into any people at all. Would you please try and stay on the trail? It's easy to get lost.

I'm sorry, brother, They continued on toward the path in silence for a time. What do you think has happened to father? Jack looked back over at Jill. Her joy had been replaced by grave worry. He thought for a moment and decided he didn't want her to concentrate on their father's 'ailment'. He stopped and as he did, an idea came to him.

You know where the chapel is, don't you?

Yes. Straight ahead, around the bend, and up the hill.

That's right. Since you do know the way, what about a wager?

Wager?

Yes, Jack then produced a gold coin from his pouch and it caught Jill's eyes instantly. It had been a fascination of hers for years and he knew this. She had always wanted it ever since the day he showed it to her after he had found it when he started going to the market for the family. It was magic to her. If you can beat me to the chapel, this shall be yours.

Honestly?

Of course. Although, if I should win, you will have to help me with my chores for the next month. That means getting up early and working in the fields. Do you agree to this? Jill was still staring at the coin in Jack's hand.

Yes!

All right then. When I count to three, we go. Ready? Jack and Jill took their stance across from each other and they stared out at the path before them.

Ready.

One. Two. Three!

Chapter 1

Hurry, Jill! I cried as I raced out to the field outside of the forest. It had been my idea to race. I just wanted to help get Jill's mind off of our task. I had decided to use her excitement about leaving the farm for the first time to my advantage.

I looked over my shoulder, but there was nothing behind me. I couldn't even hear her footfalls. I grew a bit concerned. She had not traveled the forest before and I was worried that she may get lost. I slowed my pace and waited for some sign of movement. My heart began to race. I had wished I could have come alone, but mother insisted I bring Jill.

Hey, Jack! I heard from above. I looked up and saw Jill leaping across the branches of the trees above. It didn't surprise me. All she ever had to do on the farm was play in the forest. She had become quite adept at climbing trees of any size. She effortlessly lunged from one branch to another until she came to the edge of the forest and then she leapt down and once she landed on the ground, she sprinted forward, laughing as she went. I continued after her with every ounce of strength I could muster.

I was glad I could make the journey fun for her. Our mission was not too pleasant. We were on our way to the church on the hill to fetch a vial of holy water for father. He had fallen ill with what mother referred to as the 'family sickness'. It seemed that the Corba family had been cursed by a wicked witch centuries earlier and the curse left our entire family vulnerable to