**Six Tasks - A Dusty The Demon Hunter tale.**

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdKo8mFmvRTnye5dDpbz9CdoHiAJVqTKD75C7Lxh2t9Pg/image.png)

Dusty's 6th story.

After the second story had divulged itself to me, I thought it might be a good idea to theme the stories with numbers. Obviously, it was too late for 'Double Trouble' and perhaps that would have been a little obvious anyway, but Trouble Times Three worked well. 

Santa and Doppelganger became the 4th and 5th stories and then Six Tasks arrived in my head  - Seven arrived with a nice reference to Viking mythology and I enjoyed writing that. I have an idea for eight and possibly nine, but they're still mulling themselves over in my headspace somewhere.

Neither six nor seven have been shared for free anywhere else, so this and the next are true exclusives for Steemit.com

I enjoyed writing this, the sixth of Dusty's adventures. I hope you enjoy reading it.

[Part 1](https://steemit.com/writing/@michelle.gent/dusty-the-demon-hunter-a-blast-from-the-past-six-tasks)
[Part 2](https://steemit.com/writing/@michelle.gent/dusty-the-demon-hunter-a-blast-from-the-past-six-tasks-part-2)
[Part 3](https://steemit.com/writing/@michelle.gent/dusty-the-demon-hunter-a-blast-from-the-past-six-tasks-part-3)
[Part 4](https://steemit.com/writing/@michelle.gent/dusty-the-demon-hunter-a-blast-from-the-past-six-tasks-part-4)
[Part 5](https://steemit.com/writing/@michelle.gent/dusty-the-demon-hunter-a-blast-from-the-past-six-tasks-part-5)

*Pictures from Google Free to use Image Search, gifs from Giphy.com*

---

Dusty didn’t let go of Hunter’s hand but she did relax a little at those assurances. 

“If you aren’t trying to harm me, what was the reason behind those tests? They were tests, weren’t they?”

The Devil grinned again, but it was a more laid-back kind of grin without evil intent. 

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUAkt42jJuUwDj69aHUeXxKG9qSrBwJr8Z9ivid6VqJWo/image.png)

“You are quite right, they were tests and you passed them all with flying colours, even the ones that I hadn’t intended for you. You managed to free Hunter, then you escaped the testing room before I had chance to begin to shrink it. You decapitated the Doppelganger in less time than I would have given you credit for and you have shown him such loyalty that I am almost sickened by it all.” 

He didn’t seem sickened; he seemed amused.

“Ah, you did skip one of the tests though; you didn’t wait around to see what the maggots turned into. I’m afraid that they escaped into your world and they wreak havoc as we speak.” 

He folded his arms and smiled in delight at the panic-stricken expression that arrived on Hunter’s face at the suggestion.

Dusty wasn’t fooled however. 

“Don’t give me that. The maggots couldn’t escape the room. There was an added membrane that we had to break through before we could get out. They wouldn’t have been able to break through it. Stop scaring Hunter, there’s no need. Just ask me the question and let’s get it over with.”

The Devil glared at Dusty’s impatience and she thought that he seemed petulant at her attitude but she had had enough of his games and lies.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmR7X3xDFf8XspdjFLXzMaSKZW5Yv9aCq4RRXzZp9qfQzq/image.png)

“I want to make you an offer. Your father has requested that I make you an apprentice to him. I have agreed but I cannot interfere with free will, I have to ask you if you would become his apprentice. I can show you the benefits that come with the position and hope to persuade you to join my legion.”

“The answer is no,” Dusty said without hesitation. “Now, how do we get out of here?”

The Devil seemed amused at her response, he grinned at her and she saw a twinkle in his eyes. Despite knowing how evil he could be, Dusty believed that when he was like this, she could get to like this fallen angel.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUZDRCXiS28mbi7JhDSLzFkFBR93H1SSxq8WdwhJKxRk5/image.png)

“To be fair to your father, I have to show you the benefits you stand to gain.”

“To be fair to me, I would also need to see the disadvantages too.”

The Devil’s grin broadened and he seemed genuinely delighted. 

He nodded and raised his arms. 

Dusty and Hunter grabbed for each other as their balance was challenged. The ground beneath them shifted and shook in an alarming manner. 

Then even as they watched, the Devil grew. He expanded and stretched until he towered above them and loomed ominously.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmScrVGNRbY9w6NhFkrYSmUgZx5mNwhLAjWtcmeeLrTRwS/image.png)

Dusty squeezed Hunter’s hand as much to reassure him that she was all right as to remind him to remain calm.

By the time the ground had stopped shaking and the Devil had ceased expanding, they could feel the difference in the atmosphere. 

Although they still sensed that they were underground – as in Hell – they also felt that they were extremely high up, almost as though they were stood atop a mountain. 

Dusty clung to Hunter’s hand as she stepped forward through the dust clouds that were just beginning to settle after the great disturbance. 

It was perhaps very fortunate that she had a firm grip on Hunter’s hand because as she stepped forward, there was a distinct lack of solid ground beneath her foot and she stepped off into nothingness. 

She dangled from Hunter’s grip but he had the presence of mind to steady his stance and he pulled her back from the brink, her feet scrambling on the loose stones, sending them clattering down, down into the unknown.

She grasped hold of both his hands as he pulled and she didn’t let go even when she was back safe on the solid mountain top. 

Hunter pulled his hands from her grip and took her in an embrace. She was shaking and he held her tight.

The Devil had been watching their struggle in what seemed to be amusement but as Dusty was safe again, he continued.

He waved his arms and cleared the dust. They could see clouds dotted about beneath their vantage point and as they looked around, the view seemed to be enhanced somehow. 

They could see things that should not have been visible at the distance.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPRJq4ynxXgicoBb5B1qJM858BdFzaGETASTVvrVyoMii/image.png)

Villages and towns, people and animals many miles below them drew their attention and the half-demons found it all fascinating.

“The view is wonderful isn’t it?” the Devil asked in a quiet voice.

Dusty and Hunter glanced back at him, although their full attention was not on him, but on the scene below.

“You would be let loose amongst the humans and you’d have so much fun. You would also become all but immortal.”

“I live amongst the humans and I already have fun. As for being all but immortal, I’m eighteen and every teenager is immortal in their own mind.”

The Devil laughed again. He seemed to be easily amused, Dusty thought, and she studied him.

Her brow furrowed as she scrutinised the Devil, her lips pursed as she concentrated.

“What are you up to really? Why would you do something for the demon that spawned me? What has he done to deserve your help?” she asked in such a tone, suspicious and wary, that the Devil stopped his laughter and became serious.

“He has promised me many things, including his undying devotion.” 

The Devil paused as Dusty snorted her derision. 

He looked at her in curiosity but he wasn’t laughing. 

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPJEwuEa6nBYp6TjguyX9PWS8km14Mn7aM4YX85Eomv6L/image.png)

“As I said, he promised his undying devotion, loyalty, a few souls that he manages to pick up on his way.” 

The Devil waited to see what Dusty would say next and he wasn’t disappointed.