Story
In the war against the Horrors, Hunters come from all walks of life, each bringing unique skills and powers to the eternal struggle. Among them are those who wield a power as terrifying as it is potent, a force stemming from the depths of the infernal realms. These are the Infernal Guardians, the Hellforged, chosen by dark powers for reasons that often defy mortal understanding.
The origins of the Infernal Guardians are shrouded in mystery and steeped in legend. Some say they result from ancient pacts, bargains struck between desperate Hunters and the lords of the infernal realms in moments of dire need. Others whisper that they are chosen from birth, marked by infernal powers for a destiny as grand as it is terrible. Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: to be an Infernal Guardian is to walk a razor's edge between damnation and salvation.
The power of the Hellforged is a double-edged sword, a raging inferno that can consume the wielder as easily as the Horrors they fight. It is a constant temptation, a siren song promising unlimited power at the cost of one's very soul. Every day, every moment, the Infernal Guardian must fight not only the monsters threatening our world but also the monster within, the hunger for power that gnaws at their being.
I witnessed this struggle firsthand in Lilith, an Infernal Guardian I had the honor (and terror) of fighting alongside. Lilith was a force of nature, a whirling dervish of hellfire and brimstone that could reduce a Horror to cinders with a flick of her wrist. In battle, she was unstoppable, a living inferno searing the darkness with the fury of the sun.
But when the fighting was done, when the flames died down, I saw the toll it took on her. The power that made her such a formidable warrior also threatened to consume her, to burn away everything that made her human. She confided in me once, in a rare moment of vulnerability, that she could always feel the infernal power like a second heartbeat pounding in her chest. It whispered to her in the dark, promising glory and dominion if only she would surrender to the flame.
Yet, every day, Lilith chose to fight. She chose to use her power not for personal gain but for the good of all. She chose to be a Guardian, a protector, a light in the darkness. In doing so, she showed me the true strength of the Infernal Guardians, the indomitable will that allows them to harness the infernal without being consumed by it.
In battle, the Infernal Guardians are a sight to behold. They wield the flames of hell as extensions of their own bodies, shaping them into weapons and shields, into tools of destruction and salvation. I've seen Lilith summon walls of hellfire to block a rampaging Horror, then channel that same fire into a spear of searing light to pierce the beast's heart. I've watched her cloak herself in an aura of infernal energy, becoming a living torch that no darkness could touch.
Despite their power, Infernal Guardians are often regarded with a mix of awe and fear by their fellow Hunters. Many cannot understand the burden they bear, the constant struggle against the infernal temptation. Some even see them as ticking time bombs, monsters-in-waiting that could turn on their allies at any moment.
But I know better. I've seen the truth of the Infernal Guardians, the strength and sacrifice that defines them. They are not monsters but heroes, warriors who have chosen to take the darkest of powers and use them for the light. They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, to our ability to stare into the abyss and not blink.
So the next time you see an Infernal Guardian on the battlefield, wreathed in the flames of hell and standing tall against the darkness, remember this: they fight not only the Horrors without but also the Horrors within. They bear a burden that would crush a lesser soul, and yet they carry on, knowing that sometimes, to fight the darkness, you must wield the light.
Working with an Infernal Guardian is always an experience, let me tell you. It's like having a living, breathing flamethrower as your backup, which is both comforting and absolutely terrifying.
I remember this one time, Lilith and I were cornered by a pack of Shadelings, nasty little shadow creatures that like to swarm you and drain your life force. I was ready to make peace with my maker when Lilith stepped forward and went full supernova. Flames everywhere, Shadelings turning to ash left and right, the whole nine yards.
When it was over, I was half-deaf from the roar of the flames and my eyebrows were completely singed off, but we were alive. Lilith stood in the middle of a circle of ash, grinning like a madwoman. "What?" she said when she saw my expression. "I like my monsters well-done."
That's the thing about Infernal Guardians. They've got a sense of humor as dark as the powers they wield. I think it's a coping mechanism, a way to deal with the constant temptation and the heavy burden they carry. When you've got the fires of hell burning in your veins, you've got to find a way to let off some steam (pun entirely intended).
So if you ever find yourself fighting alongside an Infernal Guardian, make sure to bring some marshmallows. Trust me, you haven't lived until you've had a s'more roasted over the flames of hell. Just don't ask where the chocolate comes from. Some things are better left unknown.