Chapter 1 - Invasion Felinia, Issla, 28th of Rain's Hand, 983 --- "Alishaa Ralsan!". Rngh. I was just resting from a long night I had yesterday. I hurt my ankle and had trouble getting back to sleep... But before I can so much as rub it to ease the pain a bit, my teacher yells at me again. "Alishaa! Since you can find the time to sleep, perhaps you can enlighten us as to what the countries of this world are?!". Tch. Even I know something so simple I stand from my seat and rub my ankle, then begin. "Yes sir. There are 5 countries on the pangaea of , which are Felinia, Mantania, Lapiva, Avistra, and Saurigastan". The teacher nods, and says "And why are we cat-based humanoids?". I sigh as he treats me like some stupid fool, and answer "Because we are decendant from the great felines of the past, when the humans of old spread their rule". He nods. "Very good, you may have a seat". I think I shall. --- Class drags on, and soon it ends, not a moment too soon. I dart out the door and into the blazing sun of Issla, my hometown. Most people feel uncomfortable under this blazing heat and hot sand, but it's just like home to me, and I wouldn't trade this desert oasis for anything. As I'm walking down the road back home, a town guard is down the road at the next corner, directing a crowd towards the northern gate "Excuse me, what's go-". As I'm asking, the guard immediately begins pushing me into the crowd saying "This is an emergency, everyone must evacuate immedi-". Right at that moment there is a deafening explosion, and I spin around and see a pillar of fire in the distance, not far away at all. This throws everyone in the crowd into a panic, as they all begin scrambling out of the gate. I squeeze my way out into a side alley way. If we're in danger, I have to know that mom and dad are safe!!! I'm very athletic and agile, so I climb up to the top of one of the buildings I'm sandwiched between to get a better view of what all is going on. I look down and see the panicking crowd, but I can't see mom or dad in it. I look around more in the residential areas of town and there are people just now exiting to get a look at what that noise was. Right before I began to run home as fast as I can, I hear a man scream, and turn around and look down into the town plaza where the oasis this desert town is centered around An icy chill runs down my spine and my heart rate skyrockets as I see a town guard lying on the ground in a pool of what looks like his own blood...! Above him is a knight in brilliant white and blue plate armour. He turns around and motions several other knights towards where the crowd is, as they draw their swords and run in my direction. I step back and trip over a rock and take off running. I have to find mom and dad! These guys don't look like they're here to play nice! Only a block or two away from home, there's another explosion, this time directly infront of me. A large pillar of fire engulfs a house down the street, as several white and blue knights with torches and a single blue robed figure walk down the street. What is going on?! Why do these knights want to kill us?! Are mom and dad ok?!... I have to stay calm...!... I can outrun knights in armour that heavy for sure, so I should be all right, but I have to reach home before they do! I run as fast as I can towards my home, and as I get to the street my house is on, I stop, shocked at the sight Dad is out front, dueling with a knight. Without thinking, I blurt out "DAD!!!". He looks over at me, and with his guard momentarily lowered, the knight takes a swing, lodging the sword right in the side of his abdomen. I fall down and begin screaming, I... I don't know what to do!!! Dad fell over as the knight pulls the sword out, and points right at me. I have to run, but I... But I can't...! I'm so scared, I can't do anything! I can feel myself trembling all over. I try to stand, but my legs just give out and I collapse back on the ground trembling, as the sound of their clanking heavy metal feet get closer and closer --- "Well well, what have we here? A little Felian child. A girl, no less". The man's voice is gruff and sends fear through my entire body. I stare, fearing for my life as he stands there, gripping his sword, still dripping with my own dad's blood...!!! I clench my fist, and get a whole fistful of sand by doing so. My fear slowly turns to anger as this disgusting man stands above me, laughing, just after killing my father! He looks down and gets his face close enough for me to see an icy, cold stare through his eye slits in his helmet, as he says "Thank you for that opening, chilf", and laughs. I toss my handful of dirt right in his eyes, as he drops he stumbles back, grunting in pain He throws off his helmet, rubbing his eyes. He is bald, with a scar on the right side of his head, just above the ear. He's a human, which means these must be Mantanian knights. Why would they do this...?! As much as I'd love answers, my thinking time is quickly shut down as he shouts in a very commanding and intimidating voice "I WANT THIS GIRL'S EYES GOUGED OUT AND ARM CHOPPED OFF". An intense fear immediately spreads through my entire body, as his red bloodshot eyes give me the scariest glare I have ever seen. I try to run, but like before, the fear is too intense, I can't do anything. A knight looks at me, and says in a rather quiet voice, "Abelard, s-sir... This is just a child". The bald knight holds his sword right to the other knight's throat and shouts "DO IT". The knight gulps, as he draws his sword with an incredibly shaky hand. As he's doing that, he glares at the other guards, and they immediately run over and hold me down. I try to get myself free, but they're way too strong. I'm trapped. The knight holds his sword up, ready to chop my right arm clean off. "HELP MEEEEEEEE!!!" I start to scream, and flail all around trying to get free. Try as I might though, no one shows up and I can't move an inch. However, the knight stays in that spot, shaking wildly. After a few moments, he drops his sword. As I slightly calm myself, knowing these men might actuall have hearts, a sword pierces right through the knight, as he's kicked to the ground beside me. The bald knight swings his blade to get the blood off, and growls "No one defies my orders when we're dealing with Felian scum". He walks over to me and fiercely stomps on my shoulder to hold it still while a knight holds my hand and elbow. He raises his sword, and I can see in his eyes that he has no intention of backing out of this. I scream and shut my eyes and make a final effort to wedge my arm free, when suddenly I can't feel my arm anymore, and a moment later, an intense searing pain at my shoulder --- I flail around screaming so loud it could probably be heard on the other end of the desert. Within moments, he grabs my face and prys my right eye open. I see a metal blade pointed right at me, no more than an inch or two away, the sun shining off the blade right into my eye. Next thing I know my eye joins the intense searing pain my shoulder is experiencing, and I can only see the back of my eyelid. I scream in pain, and soon blood begins to pool in my mouth, gargling my screams. I just want to die right now, I can't take this pain anymore...!!! Right as I feel his cold steel gauntlet over my left eye, I hear screams. That aren't mine. I open my single eye and see the bald knight looking off in the distance, then immediately getting off me and shouting "TO ARMS". The knights holding me down then let go and run off. My momentary curiosity wears off as I'm overcome by the pain again, and flail around kicking and screaming, as I try and push myself up, but constantly falling over because only one arm is pushing me. I look over to my right, and see my arm, lying there. Right as my eye connects with it, I begin to puke. I fall back down again in my own vomit, and just curl up and start to cry. I don't know what's going to happen to me... I'm going to die from these wounds, or I'm going to die from the knights. Either way, I'm going to die. I'm... so... so scared... Someone... Help me... Chapter 2 - Shadow of the Desert (VERSION TWO) Felinia, Somewhere in the Isslan Desert, 5th of Sun's Gaze, 983 --- All I see is darkness. Am I dead? Am I alive? Is my other eye gone? Where am I? What happened? Where's mom? Where's the bald knight? Dad?... Daddy... I begin to cry, and feel my tears running down the side of my face to the back of my head. Only on the left side though. Suddenly, I hear an old man's voice. "The child is conscious...?! Child! Can you speak?". I try to yell "Who are you?!", but all I can get out is "...ug...". I slowly open my eye, and I see a strange dark brown blur. I rub my eye to get the tears out, and realize that I'm looking at a cave ceiling. "Child, are you feeling strange at all?". Given the last thing I remember is being mutilated, I'd say I'm feeling fine. I softly squeak out a "...no...", and turn my head to get a look at who is talking to me It is an old Felian man. He's wearing a black cloak with purple trim. He's got a long beard and mustache, and many wrinkles. He must be in his 70's or 80's. Only nobles have any chance of getting that old... I look into his eyes, and he seems very concerned for me. I slowly ask, "...where am I...?". He smiles, and answers "You are safe now child. We are in my cave, south west of Issla". Issla... "...what happened...?", I moan out. He sets a warm, moist cloth on my face over where my right eye used to be, and says "...Your town is no more. The Holy Knights of Mantania burnt it to the ground, and killed everyone...". E-everyone...?! That... That can't be true...!!! "...Everyone but you, my child", he continues. I start crying again, as his old hands tenderly comfort me slightly. I look at him again, and with a quivering voice, I ask "...how did I... get here...?" The old man sits down before continuing. "Child, do you want to know everything now or later when you're feeling better". Missing an arm and eye... Family killed... Hometown destroyed... Why bother sheltering myself now? "...now...", I retort. He nods, and begins. "Child, have you heard of the Shadow of the Desert?". I have. The Shadow of the Desert is a myth of sorts that's been floating around town for as long as I can remember. He's a hermit who preys on desert travellers in the dead of night, although no one has any proof of him existing. "...yes...", I answer. He continues, "I am the Shadow of the Desert. I saw the Holy Knights on the move through the desert, and followed them to Issla, where after a short chat with the town guard captain, struck him down and began to raze the town". So my town was attacked by Holy Knights...? What kind of holy soldier kills all these innocent people?! "I chased after them as soon as I saw them go on the agressive, and pushed my way to the north to try and protect anyone escaping, as going out the opposite side they're coming in would be the logical thing. However, when I got there, everyone was already dead. I ran to the residential area, where I saw you being tortured by those knights, and I killed all but their leader, General Abelard. He was too powerful, and I could only force him to fall back. You were the only breathing body I could find, so I decided to nurse you back to health, child. One so young should not have her life stolen so soon". I feel like killing myself. I have nothing anymore, mommy and daddy are gone... My arm and eye are gone... We're being slaughtered by professional knights... What am I supposed to do?!?! As I cry, the old man stands up. "Rest now, child. Tomorrow we shall talk further". He then leaves me wallowing in my misery, as I slowly cry myself to sleep. --- The old man soon returns to see me. I have no idea what time of day it is, nor what day it is. I just want to go home... As I'm watching the old man, he sits down beside me and asks in a calm, soothing voice, "Do you have any other family?". I shake my head. If I have any aunts or uncles, I don't know who they are... My grandparents died when I was still a baby. The old man puts his hand on my head and says "I'm sorry, child. You should not suffer from political disagreements". Poli-what? I try to sit up, but my shoulder still aches and I still lose my balance, so I fall back down onto this bed, and realize how hard it is. Am I laying on a rock...? The old man stands stands up and begins pacing. I look at him, and ask. "Um... Mister Shadow of the Desert...? What is your name?". He pauses for a moment, but doesn't look at me. "Richard", he answers. I try once again to sit up, taking my time. I manage to prop myself up, and I swing my legs around and lean forward onto my knees. I look at my hand, then glance over at my bandaged shoulder. There isn't even so much as a stump left of my arm. I reach up to my face, and feel where my right eye should be. I feel a bandage covering it, sinking into my eye socket with nothing to stop it. I sigh and lower my head and start to cry a little bit. "...Child". Richard turns around and looks at me. He folds his arms, and looks at me sternly. "What is your name?", he asks me. I look up at him and answer, "Alishaa... Alishaa Ralsan...". He nods, and continues. "Alishaa. You have no family to return to then?". I shake my head. Without mom and dad... I'm alone. He looks off to the side, "...If you have nowhere to go, I have a proposition for you". I look up at him, but remain silent. He walks towards me and elaborates, "If you decline, I will take you to the nearest town and you are free to do as you wish". He reaches into his cloak, and pulls out a dagger unlike any I have ever seen It has two blades and two handles attached to a single hilt. There is a loop between the two handles as well. As I'm examining it, he continues, "I offer to teach you the power to change history. Soldiers of the battlefield is an honourable profession, but does little in the grand scheme of things. The path of the assassin, however, alters exactly where the problem lies. Noblity and royalty". A-an assassin?! Is this man an assassin?! "I've grown too old to alter the course of history. However, I offer to train you to wear the shadows and change the world". The power... To change the world? "Of course, I will also teach you to be a magius user to amplify your stealth and combat abilities". Magius, that's what mages use to control the elements. Can... Can I really do all that? "It's up to you child, you have no obligation, but remember, you'll lose your childhood but gain power beyond your wildest dreams, or keep your childhood and have a chance at a normal life. Take your time to decide. Call me if you need anything". He nods, puts his hood up, and leaves the room --- A life of training for power, or living as a normal girl, but without mom and dad. Neither sound good. But... If... If I gained power, maybe I... Maybe I can find these people who did this to me. Track down and kill the knights that did this to me, to mom and dad... To my life...! I... I'll do it. I have no reason to be on my own after what happened. I'll stay here with Richard and learn to be an assassin and magius user. Then I'll use those skills... And kill every one of those knights, esspecially that bald one... Abelard... One arm and one eye isn't going to stop me from ripping you limb from limb before slaughtering you...!!! If I'm going to be strong, I'd better start by getting off this damn rock. I push myself up and set my feet on the ground. I take a breath, and push myself up. Ugh... I'm sore all over. I must have been laying there for days... I stretch myself a bit, then walk around and learn more about where I actually am. I leave through the doorway Richard often leaves through when he's done checking on me, and come out into a large area, full of stal... Um... What did teacher say those are...?... Uh, spikey things. On the ceiling. There is also a stream of water running along the far side of the room. This must be our water source. There are several tables, with papers strewn all around. I walk over to one of the tables and have a glance at the papers on it Demons... Elemental spectrum... Magius... What is all this? I turn around and look around again. Where is Richard, anyway? I walk through another doorway and come out to an opening leading to outside. I walk out into the sunlight, and glance around. Desert dunes as far as the eye can see. If I left now, I'd probably get lost and die. I just dodged death's clutched by the skin of my teeth, so I guess looking for him outside isn't an option. I go back inside the cave, and hear things clashing together, like swords. It's coming from another room on the other end of the cave from the doorway leading to the large room. I peek inside, and see Richard there, hitting that two bladed dagger onto a rock "Umm, Richard, sir?", I ask, as he stops and looks at me. "Ah, child, I see you're up and about now". I nod and enter the room. "I've decided, sir. I want to be trained", I sternly announce. I can see him smile slightly, as he walks over to me and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure?", he asks. I nod, and he nods back and says "Then let us begin, child". I want to make these people who ruined my life pay... And I'll do anything to see it through Chapter 3 - Demon of Darkness Felinia, Cave of the Shadow of the Desert, 1st of Moon's Touch, 990 --- It's been 7 years since Master Richard took me in and begun my training. Looking back, it is amazing the progress I have made. He says I have skills in magius to rival most top class human mages, and he taught me the ways of the assassin, and using the darkness magius to help me, even with only one arm and one eye, I can still pass any and all of his tests. I'm 18 years old, and I'm getting tired of waiting around, training. I want to exact my revenge Master had been spending alot of time in his study recently, so it was never hard to find him. I went into his study, and he was hunched over a parchment of some kind. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was trying to hide certain parts of it from me once I came in. "Master. I'd like to talk to you about something". He stood up and faced me. Age has certainly begun to take its toll on my old master. He must be at least 80 by now. "What is it?", he asked me. I rested my hand on my waist and took a breath to prepare for the question. I asked, "Master, I think it's almost about time I put my skills to use out there, that knight is still at large". Richard waves a hand dismissively, retorting "You needn't worry about that fool, however, I feel the same way. I'm too old to continue to teach you more in anything other than theory, and that can simply be on parchment". He paced around for a moment, then went to his parchment. I simply watched, because I knew he had something in mind. "I've been working on something. I've been meaning to do this for a long time, but I needed your body more developed, it's too static to work with the dynamic's of a child's body. I lifted an eyebrow and shifted my weight to my other leg and asked, "Me? Why do I need to be an adult for this?". He runs his finger on his paper and mutters to himself for a moment, then elaborates, "I've taught you about the elemental spirits before, correct?". I nod. He's been over it several times before, they are theoretical embodiments of pure magius, and are often called demons, esspecially among the church, rather than spirits for their destructive power and life absorbing qualities. "And you remember natural elements". Yeah, every living being from the smallest insect to the largest whale has a natural element. It means they can more easily use a particular part of the magius spectrum, which consists of light, fire, wind, water, earth, and dark, in that order. Light and dark are both very rare, yet, both Richard and I have dark as our natural element. A convenience to be sure, it certainly sped up my magius training. "Alishaa". I snap out of my reminiscing and face him. "You looked deep in though". I nod, "Just thinking about old times sir, I apologize". He walks outside into the hallway past me. I turn to face him, and he gives me a stern look. "Anyways, I have been planning this for you, but if you do not want to do this, you are more than welcome to decline, for it has a chance of failure". I look at him, a little uneasy about this, but it can't be much worse than his training sessions, so I bite. "What is it?", I ask. He points to his parchment, which I turn to look at, and says what he has planned. "I never told you I was exiled, did I?". We'd respected each other not wanting to talk about our pasts, so I've always respected his. Without me replying, he continues, "I was exiled because I attempted to summon the spirit of darkness. Normally, summoning is a death sentence, but I was a respected scholar and knew the previous king of Manitania, who softened my sentence to exile from all populated areas of the world". He waves a hand in the air dismissively and turns, "But that's not the point. The point is I am able to summon, and I previously did so in an attempt to heal". I was impressed, risking your life to heal someone. But I am healthy, is he planning to extend his life? "That's very noble, master. Did you summon the spirit of light?", I ask, but he scoffs and turns to face me "Foolish girl, it is impossible to summon any spirit but the one your are most natually in tune with. So I made do with the healing powers of darkness". I nearly laughed, as darkness is the least capable element of healing, but I had to stay my tounge, I dare not insult my master. "It was to create a full illusion, rather than recreating it from the wound outwards", he explained, as he went into the training cave chamber. I followed him in, and while he was talking to me, he was making minor adjustments to a ritual stage he had constructed. "I believe I have perfected the technique of this healing art, and even if I haven't, I have a complete failsafe". He continues, and I'm beginning to get chills. I don't like the idea of summoning a demon, they are very destructive beings, if they even have sentience. He looks at me with a piercing gaze, and askes, gravely, "I'll be blunt with you. I can restore your right arm and eye using the spirit of darkness". I was speechless. I forget what it's like to have two eyes and a right arm. And if I had them both back, I could do so much for my fighting without needing to rely on magius to help me see depth, keep balance, and constrain enemies. But... I've come this far without them, so I ask for more information. "Master, I... I'm flattered you'd do this for me, but... I'm not sure. You say you perfected the technique?". He nods. "What is the chance of failure?". He folds his arms, and bluntly replies, "About a 4 in 5 chance you will be unharmed, 9 in 10 of the last fifth that you will be temporarily, severly, but survivably injured, and the last 1 in 10 is death". Chances are certainly in my favour of surviving, and becoming stronger. Only a 2% chance of death. But, there is another thing... So I ask, "Master, there is one other thing I'd like to know first. Summoning requires a great amount of life force, where are you going to get it?". He looks at me, a little confused. "Myself, of course". I was afraid of that. "But master, you...". He interupts me. "Old? Bah. I have enough left in me. Assuming it does kill me, that is the 1 of 5. You're natural affinity for darkness is why you have a low chance of being killed by the spirit, it will only drain some of your life, you will be as good as new after a quick rest regardless, but it will be painful and draining before that happens". I think the benifit is worth the risk. "Master, I accept. Please attempt the summoning". He claps in excitement, and leads me over to the middle of the ritual circle, excitidly repeating "This way, this way". --- My arm and legs are tied to the edges of the circle, and he kneels down near my feet, and begins his last minute explaination while I stare at the ceiling. "Now, the way this works is that I craft a new arm and eye out of pure darkness using the power of deception. They are so fake that they are real. Your nerves will be tied into them so you will have control, but you will never have feeling in them, since they are, well, fake. They will be cosmetically identical to your left arm and eye, of course. If anything goes wrong, there is a spell set to burn the ropes in half an hour from now, fleeing from a spirit would just be foolish. That is all. Are you ready?". I take a deep breath, and nod while nervously replying "Yes". Within seconds I can feel the darkness concentrate into a single source. I close my eyes, I really don't want to watch my own limbs being crafted. I relax as best I can as I feel darkness swelling outside. A few minutes later master shouts "Are you ready?! I am about to attach your... *cough*.. your arm...!". The life draining properties are certainly taking their toll on him, but... But is the spirit of darkness above me... Right now? I have to look. I open my eye and look, and see the blackest black I have ever seen, but that is all. No humanoid figure, no voice, not even any eyes. Just black. Unimpressed at the appearance but definitely acknowledging just how... PURE it is, I reclose my eye right at the same moment I feel a searing pain in my long-healed wound where my arm used to be. I scream in pain, as it feels like the insides are being ripped out and into a numb vessel. He shouts to me, "Just a few... *cough* *cough*... more seconds...". I feel an final intense pain, then suddenly just a numb feeling. I try to catch my breath, as master begins to cough more and more, almost like he's choking I shout to him in concern, "Master?! Are you ok?!". He manages to catch his breath a few moments later. He shouts back, "I am almost... Done...!". I can feel the darkness becoming even purer, but something is different. It feels less... Tame. Like it wants to spread out and consume. I shake off the thought, knowing master is far too powerful to let that happen. However, minutes pass and he doesn't give any word about his progress, and the darkness continues to grow. I'm starting to get worried, and shout "Master?!". No answer. I look up as best I can, and he's kneeling, holding his arm out, like he's using what little strength he has to hold the darkness. "Master!!! You can't keep this up!!! Stop!!!", but he doesn't even move. A few moments later, he slumps down on the ground, and lies down flat, not moving a muscle. At the same moment, the darkness violently spreads out and consumes the whole room. I could feel it drain me, it felt like it was sucking the breath right out of me as I tried to breath. My muscles tightened and blood pumped. However, my "fake" arm began to have feeling. But... That can't be right. Master said I'd never have feeling in it, it's a... It's just a fake. But I could feel everything. The cold, rocky ground, my thighs, the darkness... being... absorbed? My eye shoots open and I look at my right arm, as it begins to grow and turn a purplish tint. I start screaming trying to force the darkness out, but it's too pure and it's leeching too much energy out of me. My arm continues to absorb it, growing even larger, very muscular, and my finger tips begin morphing into long claws. I scream again, trying to resist the darkness, but it's no use. Suddenly, I feel intense pain in my right eye socket, just like when my pain was being attached. Did... Did he finish the eye after all? Is master alive?! Whatever the case, it goes numb after a few moments again, but isn't absorbing darkness like my arm is. But... I began to have strange thoughts. Like a will that is not my own. No voices, just... Thoughts that aren't mine. I scream and shake my head, but suddenly my dark arm reaches around and rips the rope holding my left hand by itself, and continues and frees my legs. Despite this odd will helping me, I don't have the strength to get up. The darkness begins to thin, as it all goes into my arm, but before all the darkness is gone, I my sight goes black. --- Chapter 4 - Demonic Symbiosis Felinia, Cave of the Shadow of the Desert, 1st of Moon's Touch, 990 --- I eventually come to. I have no idea how long I was out, however, I do not feel hungry or thirsty, so it can't have been more than an hour or two. I push myself up and rub my eyes, when suddenly I realize two things different. One, I pushed myself up with two arms. Two, I rubbed two eyes. I look at my arm and it's far larger than my left, almost to monsterous proportions. It is incredibly muscular, has what appears to be spikes of bone gouging out of my shoulder and elbow, and razor sharp claws that are cleaningly slicing the ground with almost no effort. I feel like crying, this arm is hideous, and I have no idea how to get the darkness out of it I realize that Master Richard collapsed as well, and rush over to him, shaking him and shouting his name, but no response. No pulse. Master's gone... I... I can't believe it... Master... I cry over him for what felt like hours, but couldn't have been more than a minute, for I noticed no tears came out of my new right eye. My arm became a hideous lump of flesh, what could have become of my eye?! I ran to our water supply and looked at my reflection, and although I couldn't see fine details, I knew it wasn't the way it should be. My eye was black rather than white, and a glowing red iris instead of my natural blue. This can't be happening... It's like... Like my new limbs aren't mine... They're the darkness spirit's. But... These look far more like a demon's than a spirit's. I'm half demon... Half demon... I sit down and think about what I just said. I'm half demon... Maybe... Maybe I have the power of a demon. After all, this was all about killing two people. The Holy Knight who killed my town, and the king of Manitania to end this war. With this... I won't need help. I can do it on my own, I'd just need to keep a low profile. I've lived outside of society for 7 years, maybe this wouldn't be so terrible... But I still need to find out more about this. I go to Master's files and shuffle through them trying to find out what he knew about the spirits, and to my surprise, alot of his notes refer to them as demons. Master never liked calling them that... Maybe they're from before his exile. Regardless, I find nothing. I don't think Master foresaw this outcome. I sit down and rest my head in my palm. I don't think I have much of a choice right now. I have to get information as to where the Holy Knights are. I'll find information about this arm, but I must conceal it, obviously. I wrap the entire thing in bandages and put on Master's assassin cloak and hood, as mine would only conceal my left arm, master's conceals the right, and I take a step out into the desert. The sun is high and bright, it must be around noon. Not the best time to be treking through the desert, but it is not a far walk to the western mountains, only about 2 hours. I set off, seeing only simple desert creatures and the occasional cacti. However, something seemed different about them. Looking at them with my right eye, I could have sworn I saw... A coloured aura? I decide it must simply be the heat and take a sip of my canteen --- I soon reach the refreshing shade of the mountain base. It is a common trade route, so I'll probably run into a merchant or two. Maybe a highwayman if I'm unlucky. But I can hold my own against a lowlife like that. About only 30 minutes down the road, I realized I must have jinxed myself as I notice someone hiding in the bush just ahead. I rest my hand on my blade and prepare to use magius incase he's foolish enough to jump out at me. Sure enough, he is. Right as I approach the bush, he leaps out at me, sword drawn. I swing my dagger at it, deflecting the attack and turn to face him. He laughs while taking a few steps back, as I faintly hear a bow being pulled from somewhere. Archers try to ambush from trees, as hitting a lower target is much easier than a higher or equal elevated one, not to mention the cover leaves provide. The nearest tree is infront of me slightly to the right, so I jump to my left. I guessed right, but I'm still not used to having two arms, so the arrow sliced across my right arm. But... It didn't hurt I look at the cloak over my arm as it begins to stain with a strange purplish-black, and I feel no more pain than I would from a light pinch. As the first highwayman shouts to the archer that I'm injured, I grip my fist and look around. No one is nearby but these men. I toss my cloak back behind me to reveal a fully bandaged arm with the black blood stained cut. The highwayman takes a step back, but doesn't halt his orders. I'd better not regret trying this in actual combat I sidestep the next arrow and dash right at the highwayman, sheathing my blade and clenching my fist. He takes a swing at me, as I dodge and give him a straight punch to the gut. But instead of just curling from the blow for a moment, he gets flung back a couple metres rolling along the ground, coughing blood once he stops rolling. What is this power...?! I look at the tree the arrows had been coming from, and saw those coloured auras again. I could see a brown one around the tree, and a man-shaped blue one in the tree itself. I try to channel magius into my arm to try and cast an illusion on him, but rather than just ingulfing the blue figure, it engulfs the entire tree in pitch black. I take a step back, shocked by my own power again. Soon I hear blood-curling screams followed by a thud. I dispel the dark field to see what fate befell the archer, as I see a shrivelled body lying on the grass below the tree. He died from exposure to pure magius... And I was just attempting to just blind him... This power is... I can not use this power anymore, it is far too powerful. I have to be rid of this curse. But I have to make sure the other robber doesn't survive either, I can not risk myself becoming known. However, as I walk over to him, I realize he's already dead anyway. I examine his body, and realize his ribs were broken and must have punctured his lungs. Just from one punch. This... This is too much. I quickly put the cloak back around my arm and run back along the trail, trying to reach the next town on this trail as soon as possible --- After running for a while, I decide that I need to figure out what these auras are. I take the obvious route and close my left eye, and as I thought, everything I see with my right eye has a coloured tint to it. Everything from the smallest blade of grass, to insects, even to myself. My own aura is black. The grass is brown. The insects underneath a nearby rock are all sorts of colours, I think these colours are... red, blue, brown, and green. Hm. I keep walking and think. Red, blue, brown, and green. Those colours represent the 4 common areas of the magius spectrum, fire, water, earth, and air. And my own is black... That archer was blue... Could it be that... This eye can sense something's natural element? My own is darkness, which is represented by black and purple. Same as my aura. I'll have to examine another mage to be sure, but it certainly seems like this is the case However, the more I focus on these auras, I begin to get a headache that grows more intense the more I stare with my eye. I decide to create an eye patch out of excess bandage from wrapping my arm. Ah, flat single eye vision, I've missed you. I proceed on my way, and finally arrive in the town of Foriss. --- Chapter 5 - Results of War Felinia, Trading Outpost of Foriss, 1st of Moon's Touch, 990 --- I waste no time with my investigation of the whereabouts of the Holy Knights. However, I notice a sight that is rather odd. These guards are not Felian, they're Human. Could they have...? I'd best avoid them for now if they did capture this town earlier in the war. As I explore some more, I see a lapian first aid tent. Lapians are rabbit-humans, often known for their neutrality, and small groups of government funded medics helping the losing side more often than not. This must be one, so I decide to go in and take a look "Hello miss! Welcome, what ails you?", a young lapian woman asks me, donned in medic wear. I walk closer and relax myself and decide to begin getting some information. "Nothing at the moment, thank you. I'd just like-" as I'm asking, she interupts me "Ah, miss. Forgive me, but we do not allow weapons in here. If you intend to stay, please leave all weapons at the desk here, otherwise please be on your way, we have many wounded to tend to. I nod and begin to set my weapons on the desk. My dagger, my knife on my thigh, and my throwing knife pouch. I take a step back and she points to my cloak and says "Hidden weapons as well, please". I look at it, and I know I can't take this out, because not only is it injured, but it's, you know, huge. I answer truthfully "I have no weapons under it, I gave them all to you". She simply replies saying "Then can you please lift the cloak?". Damn it. "I'd rather not... I actually had a large operation on my arm, and it's... swollen". Swollen? I thought I was better at lying than this. She smiles and assuringly says "It's all right, we have seen worse" Obviously there's no way out of this without lifting the cloak, so I reach down, clench my fist to hide the claw-like fingertips, and rest my hand over the arrow wound, as the lady gawks at it. I can already feel cold sweat when she says "That... certainly is swollen. Y-you may put the cloak down if you wish. I nod and lower it again, and before she can press me I state "I do not wish to talk about what happened to it". Thankfully, the lady nods in respect of my wishes. Now I can finally get back to getting some information "Can you tell me the progress of this war?", I ask almost hesitantly. I don't want to hear that many towns had suffered the same fate as mine. The lady leans forward and says "You're in the middle of a warzone, in a town occupied by your enemy, and you're telling me you don't know how much it's escalated?". Uh oh. "I'm sorry, no, I've been out of the country for sometime now, I have not paid attention to political affairs. I'd rather not stay in enemy territory long, so... Would you mind?". She nods and says "Well, Manitania has taken about a third of Felinia. However, their means have been far less brutal than the Massacre of Issla, not a single villager survived, bless their souls". It felt like my stomach had just been twisted into a spiral, hearing that my hometown was that thoroughly destroyed. I have to find these knights and stop them. "They've attempted to take the capital, but have been driven back every time so far, thankfully", she continues. I rub my eye and ask about the knights, "I remember hearing about the Holy Knights leading the war at the very beginning. Are they still on the offensive?". She shakes her head. "Their commander, Abelard, was stripped of his title and rank due to his ruthless tactics and not following the holy creed. Since then I believe they've stayed in Manitania, their new leader doesn't seem to approve much of this war". She takes a sigh of relief, and continues "I'm glad at least the most powerful battalion in their army sees the error of this war". This isn't good. Their old commander, Abelard, is the one I want, however, I have no idea where he is, and it seems like it'll be tough to track him down. But no harm in asking. "Do you know what's become of Abelard?". She looks at me, curiously and asks why. I simply reply, "He's a dangerous man, I want to know what's become of him". She shrugs and answers to what looks like the best of her ability. "I do not know. Last I heard about him was years ago, and it was that he became a mercenary. That's all I know, I'm sorry". I nod and return the courtesy, "It's all right. Thank you very much, you have been a great help". She smiles and nods "No trouble. If you are done, feel free to take back your weapons and continue on your way". I smile and nod and re-equip myself, and as I'm lifting the cloth door of the tent, another lapian woman, about my age, jumps out infront of me with a big smile across her face. --- "Hello! I heard you had a big swollen arm!". Great. It worked once so I show it again, this time much less nervous. She ooo's and ahh's my arm like a girl in a tailor shop. She feels it as I move my arm away and push her hand away. "Please, don't touch it", I state. She looks at me with innocent regret and says "Oh! Sorry! But healing arts are so fascinating! I wanna hear all about the story of your arm!". This girl is getting on my nerves. I brush her aside and continue walking down the path as she continues to follow me asking questions. "Where are you from? What's your name? What happened to your arm? Are you wearing an eye patch? Are you the strong silent type?". They never end... After a moment she suddenly grabs onto my arm, and I instinctively shove her away, but I forgot just how strong my arm is. The poor girl skid across the ground and slammed into a tree trunk. I immedately ran over to her and kneeled down beside her to make sure she was ok. I'm already sick of this arm, it's causing nothing but pain. As the girl lifts her head up and coughs, I remember the man I killed with a single punch and can feel tears welling up in my eye. I begin crying and pleading "Please!!! Are you ok?!". She looks at me, and tries to run away but is too hurt. I swear, if I killed an innocent I'll chop this arm off myself. "Please, stay where you are! I'll get help!". I rush back to the medic tent, and scream "Help! That girl that was following me was injured!!!". One of the doctors comes with me as I lead him to the girl I stand and watch the whole time to make sure the girl is all right. The doctor shortly helps the girl back up and walks over to me. "She'll be ok, a few large bruises and a sprained wrist. What happened to her? Did she fall off something?". The girl looks up, glares at me, and says "She... She...", but as I notice her eyes look into mine, I notice something. I'm crying, and she realizes that I didn't mean what I did. She smiles and says "I was walking with her and wasn't watching where I was going and I tripped. Haha, leave it to me to get this banged up from that". The doctor laughs and replies "Lily, you certainly are a magnet for trouble". I take a huge sigh of relief. That could have went so much worse. I look up at the sky, and the sun is already beginning to set. I have no money to stay at an inn, but I believe there is a lake not far from here. I'll set up camp there --- Chapter 6 - Exposure Felinia, Lake Suntail, 2nd of Moon's Touch, 990 --- I couldn't sleep. After a while, I decided to go for a swim in the lake to try and relax and wrap my mind around everything that's happened. I take everything off, even my bandages. It's far too dark for anyone to see my arm anyways, it's black enough in daylight. I step into the crystal water, as its warmth sooths my toes. I rarely get this luxury, after all, I've been living in a cave for a long time now. Soon it envelopes my whole body. It is surpisingly warm despite it being the middle of the night I relax and just float around for a while. I think about this arm. The only reason I wouldn't chop it off right here and now is because its power can help me fight Abelard. But, is it worth it if I'm hurting everyone left and right?... Perhaps I should tie it down to myself so it won't move when I don't mean for it to. As I'm thinking, I hear a splash in the distance. I swim back to my camp as fast as I can and get my blade, but as I turn to where the splash came from, I see a figure flailing around. Can they not swim? I grab onto my dagger and jump back in and start swimming to whoever fell in. I decide to try using my demon arm to swim since I'm not going very fast with a dagger in my hand. I pull myself forward, and it felt like I was moving as fast as a dolphin. I get to the person in a matter of seconds. It's the girl from the tent that was annoying me before. --- I grab onto her and pull her to shore. She start coughing and gasping for air, then lies down on the ground and squeaks out "Thank you...". She looks up at me and smiles, but slowly her expression turns to shock. I realize my demon arm and eye are fully exposed and quickly turn myself into a mist and use the night to sneak back to my camp, but right after I vanished, the girl shouted "Wait!!! Wait! I-I'm not mad! I'm not scared! I won't report you!". Hmph. Normally, I wouldn't trust her or anyone for a second. But it's the dead of night. I won't hesitate to silence her if she tries to turn on me. And I did just save her... I reappear, as she looks at me, this time expressionless. She nods, and politely says "Thank you. My name is Lily. I don't believe I know yours". I grip my dagger and growl "My name is of no concern to you". She nods, and looks at my arm. "That... That's not just swollen, is it? An your eye... It's... glowing" I grit my teeth and spread my stance. "Look, I don't like you asking all these questions. Tell me what you're doing here or else I'll kill you", I angirly growl at her. She crawls back a bit in fear, gulps, then pleads, "N-no!!! Don't kill me!!! I'm sorry!!!". I hate situations like these. I make myself look less aggressive, and turn to the lake. Maybe if she knew that this is more of a curse than something I wanted. "I didn't want to be this way... I... It just happened to me...". I look at her, and it seems like getting her to sympathise is working, so I continue. "It was healing gone wrong, I was overloaded with magius, and this happened". I turn to face her. "I'm trying to find a way to get it back to normal, but there's something I need to do first without myself becoming big news. So either keep your mouth shut, or I'll cut it out myself" She nods, and stands up and lowers her head, in embrassment it seems. She weakly smiles and says "Haha, umm, you have my word, don't worry. You saved my life just now, I don't know how to swim. I came out this way to... uh, find you". She swishes her foot back and forth in the dirt, as I look at her, confused. Why would she want to find me? "Why did you want to find me?". She looks up, weakly laughs, rubs her head, then says "Um, your arm. I thought you could tell me who healed it because I've never seen anything like it before, but, um, that certainly turned out differently. Ahaha...". She takes a bow, then turns around "I-I guess that I can't learn more about magius healing from something like that. Please, forgive me for interupting". Magius healing?! I cover my normal eye, and my demon eye senses a bright white aura around her. Could she be a light magius user?! "Wait!", I shout. She turns to look at me, curiously. "Are you, by chance, a light magius user?". She looks surprised, and nods. "I, I'm not very good. But yes, I can do simple light spells...". So, my demon eye really does sense their natural element. I begin to ask some more to see if she can actually be a little useful in learning about this curse. "Do you know anything about overloading magius in a body?". She shakes her head, "No". Then she smiles and continues, "But I know someone who probably does. My grandpa's friend, he taught me the basics of light magius. He's in the Felinia capital! We can go there and lea-". We? I stop her, and hold up a finger. "We? There is no we. I travel alone". Her ears droop, and she takes a few steps around. "O-oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that, but... But I can heal! I want to go to the capital and see master!" Master. I know that feeling. But this girl is too... Eccentric. I have to keep a low profile, not to mention she's slow me down and be a major liability if I'm ambushed by anymore bandits. "I'm sorry, I travel alone. Now, please go back home. I'm trying to have a relaxing bath". I turn and begin to walk away, but I can still hear her following me. I turn around, showing my irritation and growl "I will kill you if you don't leave me alone". She must be already used to my death threats, she just lowers herself from intimidation and quietly says "Um... I'm sorry. At least let me offer you safe and quick passage to the capital, you'll get there a day faster than on foot, and it's safer...". She looks into the lake and rubs her arm and continueswagon bout your arm and even hide you if you want to stay that out of sight" Out of sight? Now she's talking my language a bit more, but still. "What is this 'they' stuff?", I ask, and she covers her mouth, I don't think she realized she never mentioned them. She bows apologetically and explains "I'm sorry, the Black Blade Caravan". I tilt my head to the side and ask "Who are they?". She seems a bit surprised, but explains anyways. "They are illegal weapon merchants, tomorrow morning they are arriving to supply the branch of the resistance we have here. The wagon arriving is Marty's, and my Dad's best friend son is in it and we're good buddies, he'll help us out. Illegal weapon traders, hm? Oddly, I think it's better to ride with illegal traders than official legal ones right now. I don't think I have anything to lose by checking it out. But I'm staying out here at camp, I don't trust this girl. I nod and fold my arms. "All right, I'll check it out in the morning". She smiles and exclaims "Great! I'm so glad, you look like someone who needs a kind helping hand". Hmph. I wave my arm and go back to my camp. "Tell me where the caravan will be and I'll be there at sunrise". She says it'll be only a mile south of this lake. She sets off and I go back to my camp, and go for one more soak in the lake before bed --- Chapter 7 - Black Blade Caravan Felinia, About a mile south of Lake Suntail, 2nd of Moon's Touch, 990 --- I get to the location right at sunrise. There's a group of about 8 felian men, all of which look at least 40. Although I know full well sometimes the best warriors are the old ones, but... It's not all that assuring that our resistance is such a small group of men who look more like farmers than warriors. And they haven't even noticed me yet. Hmph. After only a short time a dual horse large wagon pulls into the forest. I see that girl Lily hop out and begin talking to the men. I guess now that she's here I can reveal myself. I walk towards the wagon, and as I approach, one of the men sees me, takes out his blade and shouts "ASSASSIN!". I almost feel insulted. Not being called an assassin, after all, I am one. I feel insulted that he thinks such a rusty blade has any chance of stopping me. I softly and cruelly laugh, as Lily steps in for me. "She's not an assassin! She's one of us, she saved my life the other night". The men talk amongst themselves as the one resheathes his blade and apologizes as I nod. I approach the wagon, but again, the girl interupts me. She steps infront of me with her innocent smile and asks, "May I ask your name yet?". Ugh. "Alishaa. Now out of my way". I push her aside and look up at the man driving the wagon. It's a young Saurian man, with a rather odd set of goggles on his forehead. He stands up and spreads his arm out rather dramatically, and shouts in a rather odd dialect, "Sup resistance bros?! We've got all your weapons, from axes to zweihanders! Black Blade is open for business bros!!!". The men cheer as I'm still rather... 'what' from his introduction. A scrawny human man in a brown hooded robe comes out from the back of the wagon, followed my 2 others, a middle aged human man with a large pauldron on his left shoulder with twin blades on his belt, and a very tall and burly avian man with a very large and heavy looking sword on his back. The scrawny one takes his hood off and he spreads his arms like the saurian, and if he talks like him, I'll puke on the spot. "Hello, members of the resistance. My sincerest condolensces for your losses agianst the Manitanian army, and in these hard times, we know that money is scarce. So for today only, all weapons are half off the listed price! For Felinia!". "For Felinia!", they shout back, and begin to crowd around the wagon to browse the wares. Literally as I take a step towards the wagon, the saurian jumps down and takes a step toward me with half closed eyes and a sickening grin. "Well, hello there gorgeous. Don't see many warrior chicks these days". What the hell? I try to ignore him and just walk by him, but he walks infront of me. "Name's Jethro, but you can call me Jet, baby". Uuuuuuugh. I push him aside and keep walking, but as soon as I pass him, he spanks me and says "I'll be waiting here babe". I spin around and shove my dagger right to his scrawny little neck, and give him a piece of my mind. "Listen, pervert. If you value your tounge, I suggest you keep it inside your mouth or I'll cut it off before you get the first syllable out, and if you touch me again, I'll rip your fingers off myself" He gives me a thumbs up and I put my blade away. He rubs his neck then comments, "That's a nice blade you've got there, you don't see many two-bladed daggers. And what was that thing your index finger was through, between the two handles?". Hm, observant for a perverted idiot. "It's so I can spin it very quickly, so instead of simply slicing you, I can slice you 100 times in a second. Now, leave me the hell alone". I turn and walk away, and walk up to the wagon, and am greeted by the scrawny man "Ah, I'm sorry, I was not aware there we female members of the resistance here, I didn't have the time to smack some sence into Jet, my apologies, madam". Well, at least one of these men have manners. "I threatened some sense into him myself, thanks". The man laughs, and I smile from his easy going disposition, and continue, "I was talking to a lapian woman, one of the medics. She's right over there, Lily. Has she mentioned anything about me hitching a ride to the capital?". He nods and looks over at her "She has. Says you saved her life too. On her behalf, I thank you". I raise my hand in modesty. "It was nothing. So, do we have a deal about giving me transport to the capital?". He folds his arms and smiles "Mm. I will offer you what you seek, including secrecy if you desire, however...". Always a however. "...We ask two things. One, the Felinian capital is under heavy lock-down. We will not smuggle you inside". I nod and explain, "That's fine, I am not a criminal". He nods, and continues, "Two, if we are attacked by bandits, soldiers, or anything, I expect your assistance". I pause for a moment, then answer, "Very well, you have my word". "Excellent!", he exclaims, "Feel free to browse my wares, we depart as soon as these men here are done". --- I decide to browse the wares, although a dagger is the only thing I'm proficient with, and mine is rather unique. I browse the selection, and I must say, the quality certainly seems above average, and the prices don't seem TOO bad, althought they'd definitely be too much for these rebels without that 50% off he offered earlier. Maybe he doesn't think 8 or so lowered sales is too bad. --- Chapter 8 - The Capital Felinia, Rivessiga, 4th of Moon's Touch, 990 --- "Halt. Your cargo must be inspected before you are permitted to enter the capital", the guards demand as they cross their halberds blocking the entrance. Marty nods, as he calmly says "Of course, take as long as you need". The guards begin their routine search, as I use my dark magius to completely conseal myself. I'm no expert magius user, but I can hold a spell like this long enough to hide from the search The guards inspect as per usual, and their boredom is plainly obvious, as they don't give it a complete shakedown. Better for me, though. They end the inspection and motion the carriage through the city gates. Shortly after we enter, I hop out and sit in the seats with the rest of the group. Jet leans his arm around me and motions to the sight, describing its beauty. Although I feel the need to kick him off the buggy, he's not wrong. I have never seen the capital before now except in books with Master, and it's something else to see it with my own eyes. Our kind has always thrived in jungle and tropical areas, and the architecture and lay of the land reflect that. Buildings are attached to trees standing hundreds of feet tall, bridges all around, and beautiful sparkling rivers line the city with natural beauty As I shove Jet off me, Lily scoots towards me on my other side, and says "We're here Alishaa. Marty said they'll be here for a few days, so we have plenty of time to get some answers from my teacher. Do you want to go now?". I nod, as we disembark. Marty looks over and shouts "If you ever need us, we'll be somewhere in the market district, or at the nine tails inn!". I nod and wave as they head off. I turn to Lily and ask "So, where is he?". She motions to a very large building in the distance, and says "He's in there, the Felian University of Magius. Come on". Guh, a whole school of people who could be sensitive to my intense dark magius... Just what I need --- We arrive at the school and enter the main doors. It's a fresh scent, and helps calm me a little from what hell could break loose if my demon parts are discovered. As I'm still looking around the main room, Lily goes and talks to some folks at the main office. She comes back and says "He's in the 2nd floor, and his class is over in 10 minutes so we'd better hurry!". She hurries off, as I slowly follow along. Obviously this girl doesn't know the first thing about keeping a low profile. Of course, assassin wear in a place of knowledge isn't exactly blending in either, so I shouldn't be talking... As I approach the door Lily's waiting for me at, I hear the end of the professor's lecture. He's talking about the ethics of magius use. That it should only be used to benefit yourself or others, never to cause harm. Ha. What a joke. In only a minute or two he ends, and we enter as all the apprentices leave. He instantly recognizes Lily and shouts "Lily! What a pleasant surprise". She happily bounds over to him, as I give him a quick glance. Lapian. Must be in his 70's at the very least. His fingers scream light magius user, as they seem to never spread apart from an open palm formation. He looks over at me and says "I don't recognize you, and you don't seem like a magius user. What is your name, lady?". I look at him, and plainly respond, "Alishaa. Dark magius user". He grins and looks down at his book. "A dark magius user, eh? Those are rare things these days. Who was your instructor?". What is this, 50 questions? I could lie, but he's going to have to find out if he's going to help with this. So I ignore the question, and beckon Lily. She realizes that I want to hurry this along, and asks "Um, sir, my friend here has a bit of a problem and can't figure out a solution... About overloading magius" He looks at her, then me. "Overloading magius?". I wish I could give him the full story, but its too risky. "Yes sir. My eye was overloaded with dark magius from a failed spell, and I do not know how to reverse it. Do you have any theories?". He looks at me. "Your eye? May I see it?". Hmph. I remove my eye bandage, and keep my eye closed shut, and rest my hand on my blade incase he should make any sudden moves. He looks at it for a moment, then I ask, "It caused discolouration of the flesh, and I have no feeling in it. Other than that, nothing changed", I lie. He pauses, and says "Well the most obvious thing is to neutralize it with the opposing element. Have you tried?". I shake my head and say "No, Lily doesn't seem to have enough control or power for it to reach the potency I'd need anyway. Perhaps you could try a powerful light spell on it?". He folds his arms and pauses for a moment. Hmph, of course no one would do something like that for free. After a moment he sighs and says "Very well, I shall try once since you are my the friend of one of my brightest pupils". Lily, bright? Heh. He sets his hand on my eye, and I feel an overwhelming warmness on it, and it feels incredibly relaxing. However, it is short lived, as it begins to be numb again, and I realize that it's completely neutralizing HIS spell. He removes his hand quickly and shouts "What is this?!?!". Shit, I knew it couldn't be that simple. I say nothing, as he continues "This is not simply a magius overdose, this is something entirely different. Your eye... I did not sense a single vein in it!". Demons don't have veins. Great. He shouts again "Explain yourself!!! Who are you?!". I say nothing again, as Lily stands infront of me. "Please, don't! She has done nothing wrong! She's a victim! This was something done to her by someone else, her master. Please, trust us...". Tch... But either way, the professor collects his cool again after a few moments and nods. "Very well, but I'm afraid I do not know how to cure this. I've never seen or even heard of anything like this". What a waste of time. I formally bow in false gratitude, and silently leave --- I adjust my eye patch over my demon eye again, and leave the university. Lily sighs, and says "I'm sorry Alishaa. Maybe one of the other professors know...". I glare at her and growl "Lily, these limbs were created by summoning the demon of darkness, they are raw magius. If anyone in the law knew I could be convicted to death. I'll find my own way to solve this". She grabs my arm and says "Let me help! You shouldn't have to do this alone, Alishaa". I stop and turn to her and shout "I have to! I'm trained to keep a low profile at all times and subtly do anything I desire. I work alone. You'd only get in my way". She lowers her head, and softly says "I'm sorry, I just want to help, and you seem like you need a friend... I... I'll be somewhere in the city, probably in the market area. If you ever need me, I'll be waiting". As she turns to leave, I take a sigh, knowing she's finally out of my hair. The sun is beginning to set already, so I decide to go to the pub across the street, the Lonely Claw --- Chapter 9 - The White Angel Felinia, Rivessiga, 4th of Moon's Touch, 990 --- Alcohol. The familiar scent wafts into my nose as I enter the bar, filled with adventurers, off duty soldiers, farmers, and whores. I sit down at the bar, and the bartender gruffly asks, "What be yer poison, miss?". I wave my hand and say "Surprise me". He nods and proceeds to fix me a drink. I decide to start eavesdropping on everyone since, well, it's what I was trained to do. Two men behind me are talking about the status of the war, the young man at the end of the bar seems to be poorly attempting to woo one of the barmaids, a group of 3 men to my rear right are talking about their crop yield, and... Hm? There's another group of 2 men to my left that are talking about reporting the status of the city's lockdown to... "The White Angel". Hm. I turn around to get a look at them. One is wearing a heavy looking set of iron plate armour with a spiked shoulder, and one is in chainmail with a quiver on his back, and they're both humans. I don't like this. But before I can do anything, the bartender slids me my drink. "Northern Kitroot Ale. Enjoy", he says in his gruff, booming voice. I nod, say "Thanks", and hand him his coins I sip the drink, and it's smooth tasting, with a slight aftertaste, but with a nice citrus-like taste to it. As I drink, I continue to eavesdrop on the two strange men. "I'm going to head back to the camp, are you gonna be here?", "Nah. I'm going to make a quick stop to a brothel first", "You into Felian chicks?", "Female Felians have a slick body, sue me". Tch. Disgusting human. Either way, I notice them starting to leave, so I quickly chug my drink, since it's going to be a while until I get another drink that isn't river water. I set my mug down and stand up and follow the men out --- One deviates off towards the slum district of Rivessiga, which must be the one going to the brothel, so I continue following the other one. He heads out the city gates, as I follow him out. I'm going to have to keep my distance now that I'm out of the city. I pause around the gates for a while to give him a lead, then continue to follow. He goes off the trail, and looks at me, cautious of being followed. He goes into the forest, as I follow there, and climb up the trees to avoid being detected further I hop across a few branches, as I see him leaning against a tree with a sword in hand. I'd bet he's waiting for me to show myself. I sit down on the branch to give my legs a quick rest, as I wait for him to realize I'm not there. About 15 minutes later, he takes a look outside the forest for a moment, then proceeds to head further in. I stretch my legs for a moment, then quickly and silently hop from branch to branch following him After a while, he comes to a small clearing surrounded by the forest with a campfire in the middle. I gargoyle crouch on a branch looking over the camp, and listen in as best I can. The man from the bar sits down at the fire, and recieves a pipe from one of the others and begin smoking it. "Hey. I think I saw someone on the road behind me, but I stayed and check and there's no sign of them now". "Well, what's the problem then?". "Nothing, but just keep an eye open, you'd never know". The camper laughs and pats the bar man's back. This seems like little more than just a normal camp. Did I waste my time coming here? While I'm thinking, I realize they've started talking again, so I listen in. "So, is Abelard on his way?". "No, I heard he's got a new lead on that Felian he's looking for". Abelard. Abelard...!!! "Man though, that was crazy what he did all those years ago when the war started". What? I lean downward, I have to hear this. "You mean that Felian desert town? Man, that was brutal, but the warriors got a kick out of it and it sure shot up morale". Desert town?! Issla!!! Abelard, that is him!!! He's the one that... That killed my parents and mutilated me!!! I... I...!... As I begin quivering in rage, I feel my blood boil, and my demonic limbs gain feeling. I tighten my demon fist, as I hear it talk in my mind. "Squeeze every drop of information, and blood, that they have". Yes... They can tell me where he is so I can kill him myself... I tear off my eye patch and locate everyone. There are the two at the fire, one in a tent, and a fourth a short distance away from the camp gathering firewood. I'm going to find where Abelard is, then I'm going to kill them all --- I climb down the trees, and walk out from the shadows towards the camp. I don't have time for stealth, and I want to enjoy watching them die... The men at the fire shoot up and draw their swords on me and shout "Turn around right now, or it'll be your head". I laugh, and say "Look. You know where Abelard is. You're going to tell me. If you don't, I'll make you wish you were dead". The men laugh, as I toss my arm cloak away, revealing my throbbing, massively muscular demonic arm. They take a step back, and scream "What the fuck is she?!". I step towards them, trying to not lunge out at them from the rage I'm feeling. "Last chance. Tell me where he is". The man from the bar lets out a battle cry and charges at me. He makes a poor attempt as slashing me, as I sidestep, grab the sword, and snap the blade in half. I toss the blade to the side, and grab onto him and hold my dagger to his neck and shout "TELL ME WHERE HE IS" I could hear a demonic growl in my voice when I shouted that, but I didn't think much of it. The man was quivering in fear, but was still trying to act tough. "I'll never tell you where he is!". I slice his throat as blood spews everywhere and he drops lifelessly to the ground. His friend shrieks, drops his sword, and begins to run away. I chase after him and catch him in a matter of seconds, grabbing his leather vest and tossing him over my head and slamming him into the ground. I step on his throat and shout "TELL ME WHERE HE IS NOW". Again, I could hear a demonic growl in my own voice. The man on the ground flails and snivels in fear, as the man from the tent comes out, as he tries to attack me from behind, as I spin around and backhand him as he flies into the forest, rolls a few times and slams into a tree. I lick my teeth and feel the side with my demon eye spikier than my normal side. I ignore the thought because of my intense rage and shout one last time "WHERE IS ABELARD?!?!?!". The man shrieks again and shouts "H-HE'S IN MANITANIA, A MERCENARY LEADER, GOES BY WHITE ANGEL. LAST I SAW HE HAD HIS BASE SET UP NEAR THE MINING TOWN FALADON! JUST PLEASE DON'T KILL ME" As he spouts the information I want, I kick my foot across his neck and stab my dagger right through his heart. I remember that there's still one man out collecting firewood, so I quickly scrawl a message for him to give to this "White Angel". Perhaps giving myself an alias might be a good idea too, strike fear into some hearts. Afterwards, I run off and slip back into the capital with the lowered night shift security and turn in at the inn the Black Blades rented for us --- Chapter 10 - The Demoness of Death Manitania, Faladon, 5th of Moon's Touch, 990 --- "Sir, we just recieved a report from the camp near the captial of Felinia". Abelard turns around from his suit of armour on the marrionette rack and looks at the messenger. "What is their status?", he sternly asks. The messenger lowers his head and regretfully says "...They... They were wiped out, sir". He turns and looks at him, and asks "Did the Rivessiga guard find them?". The messenger shakes his head. "No sir. However, the killer left us a note written in our men's own blood". Abelard smiles, and asks "Killer's got guts. What did it say?". The messenger looks down at a piece of paper, and reads it off. "I am coming for you, Abelard. I am the sole survivor of Issla and will make you feel my pain 10x over. Signed, 'The Demoness of Death'". Abelard pauses. "Did you say, Issla?". The messenger nods. "Yes, that desert town you-". He slams his fist down on the desk, interupting the messenger "I know what the fucking town is. What I don't get is the 'sole survivor' part. Not a soul should have survived". He looks out the window. "You're sure it's not 'The Shadow of the Desert'?". The messenger nods and says "Y-yes sir, it clearly said 'The Demoness of Death'". He looks at the messenger. I can only think of one Felian that could have survived. Did you get a physical description of her? The messenger nods and elaborates, "Yes... Kind of. All we know are rumours that are floating around, there is no proof". Abelard glares at him and asks "Who is she?". The messenger steps back, and stutters "W-well, a Felian woman, supposedly fairly young. We don't know much else...". Abelard grunts and looks at his map. "Is she missing an arm and eye?". The messenger shakes his head. "No, as far as I know she has all her body parts". He grunts. "Must not be who I'm thinking of". He turns around and looks at the messenger. "There was a young Felian girl who's execution was interupted by The Shadow of the Desert. She's the only one who had a chance of survival, but she was missing an arm and an eye. I guess she just died of her wounds then". The messenger shrugs. "Again sir, we don't have visual proof of anything. No one at the camp saw her and lived to tell the tale. Abelard turns and grunts, "Hmph". --- Chapter 11 - Demons don't need Friends Felinia, Riveggiga, 5th of Moon's Touch, 990 --- If Abelard is in Manitania, that's where I'm going. Both my targets are there, I have no reason to stay here any longer. I stretch out my legs after my sleep, get dressed, and head out to the market district. After a short while of searching I bump into the Black Blade stall. "How was your sleep, gourgeous?", Jet flirtivly asks me. I grunt and ignore him and walk up to Marty "I've discovered that I need to go to Mantania, so I'll be parting ways with you here", I inform him. I take a respectful bow and thank him properly, "Thank you for everything you've done for me, I appreciate it". He folds his arms and says "And how do you expect to get to the capital?". Hm? "Excuse me?", I say. He continues, "Every single border checkpoint has a restriction placed on Felians, not a single one is allowed in Mantania, and if anyone inside discovers you are a Felian, you'll be put to death". Of course it wouldn't be easy, I expected something along these lines. "I'm a dark magius user and trained in stealth, I can manage". He shrugs. "It's a suicide mission, but your choice". I smirk and retort, "I won't be the one dying, trust me". I turn around and go on my way. A short while after walking down the road, I hear a "WAAAAAAIT!". And I know exactly who it is... Ugh... I turn my head slightly and see Lily running after me. "Alishaa, wait!!!", she yells and finally catches up to me. I sigh and growl "What do you want?". She takes a few more breaths, and looks up at me "If you're going to the capital, take me with you!". What is this girl's problem?! I angrily grunt "No", and keep walking. She runs after me again and holds onto my shoulder, "It's too dangerous to go ther by yourself Alishaa!". I turn around and growl "You'd be in just as much danger". She nods and continues, "I know you think I'll slow you down, but think about it this way...". I fold my arms and listen. "I could be someone who helps you distract guards and stuff... There's no law against Lapians entering Mantania... I can go wherever you can't and get you anything you need!". She makes a point. Under the circumstances I won't be able to gather much information, maybe she can prove useful... I fold my arms and say "...Fine". She smiles and jumps for joy, but I quickly intervene and ask, "...But I want to know why you want to travel with me so bad". It's an itching, nagging feeling. She seems too innocent to have malice as her intention... She knows about my demonic powers and hasn't turned me in... Something doesn't add up, and I want answers. She pauses for a moment, and her face begins to turn red. "I... I just think that... You... You could use... A friend...". Her face turns even more red after that, as I take a step back in surprise. A friend?! Why would I need a friend? Knowing people can only be used against me. I grunt, "I'm not your friend". She lowers her ears and says, "But... I want to be yours". Ugh... She's never going to leave me alone... If she gets herself killed, it's her own damn fault. I turn around and start walking, and growl "...Come on then". She happily squeals and follows me outside the city --- Chapter 12 - Crossing the Border Manitania-Felinia border, Eastern checkpoint #004, 13th of Moon's Touch, 990 --- Over a week of this stupid rabbit girl... The first while wasn't so bad, but after a while, she grew more used to me. I'm not social. I'm not nice. I'm half demonic. None of these things seem to bother her the least bit anymore. This morning on the last leg of our journey to the border, she must have never stopped talking. Talking about her childhood, her time with her master, her experience with this boy back in Lapvia, the list goes on. I always have to bathe in the dead of night for some peace and quiet with my thoughts, but she always gets mad at me whenever I don't bathe with her. This girl had better prove damn useful or I'll save the Manitanians the trouble and kill her myself --- "There it is Alishaa, the checkpoint!", Lily yells to me. I cover her mouth, and take off my eye patch to get a better look. There is a red aura and a green aura at the gates, the wall goes on as far as I can see, covered in spikes. There is obviously a magius detector at the gate, so I can't make myself invisible with dark magius... There's no way I'd be able to get over the wall without flying or jumping 10 feet in the air either. There is a mess of auras inside the guardhouse, must almost be time for the night shift to come out. I put my eye patch back on and inform Lily of what I saw. She nods, and says "Ok, so what's the plan?". Hm... My dark magius can help disguise me, but without unleashing my arm I only have enough power to keep the disguise for a few minutes, tops. Maybe... I look at her, and ask, "You can get through yourself legally, right?". She nods and takes out her passport. "Getting into Felinia is no easy task either". I look at the gates, and ask "Are you any good at flirting?". She takes a step back and asks, "W-what?!". I look at her and grin and continue, "You said you'd make yourself useful as a distraction". She rubs her arm and says "Y-yeah, but...". I put my hand on her shoulder and point with my demon arm at the guards. "These guards probably sit here for days and days without seeing their wives at all. Assuming they have any. If you, a sexy young girl bats a few eyelashes, they'd drop their guards long enough for me to do my part". She tilts her head, and asks "What is your part?". I smirk and say "All you have to do is use a little bit of your light magius to help with your flirting, make your eyes or hair sparkle, and everything I do will be fine". She tilts her head and says "Um... O-ok..." I walk slightly behind Lily, assuring her I know what I'm doing. As we get close enough to make out details, I whisper "Now", and she uses her light magius to enhance her beauty and I use my dark magius to disguise myself as a Lapian, similar to Lily, but keeping several features of myself to make the magius use less draining, such as my blazing red hair and pale orange fur. Lily walks up to the guard, and says "Well hello there, sir~". She makes herself sparkle just like I told her. Heh. She shows her passport to help ease the guard, showing that she's legit. The guards let down their guard now that she's proved she has nothing up their sleeve, and the magius detector goes off just like I hoped. The guard moves towards Lily and says "Mm, a light magius user?". The other guard moves closer to her as well and says "I didn't realize it could bring out your beauty like that". Lily does her innocent giggle that makes my ears bleed, as I sigh and decide to make my move Flirting seems easy enough. Just show parts of yourself, say a few corny things, and the guy is as smart as a pole. I start doing a sexy walk towards them, and use my dark magius to make my clothing slightly transparent, as the guards stare right at me. Oh god this is so... Ugh... I hide my disgust and keep smiling and say "You like what you see, boys?". The magius detector is going off again, however, they label my dark magius use at my clothing transparency, not my disguise. The guards are completely under our control now, so I should be able to slip through without showing them anything. I say "Well, it's been fun boys...". I snap my fingers at Lily and point down beside me, as Lily flirtivly waves at the guards and walks over beside me, but before we go through, one of the guards shouts "W-wait!" I grip my dagger, prepared to kill both the guards, as he says "Where can we find your ladies again?". I laugh, and turn around and bat my eyelashes, and say "If you're ever in the capital, keep an eye open for us, would you, hon?". He nods and chivalantly returns to his post. Lily and I both burst into laughter, and I drop my disguise after we're out of their sight and sit down so I can have a quick rest --- "Manitanians are such fools", I chortle as Lily keeps giggling. "That was awesome Alishaa, you looked so good back there". I smile and says "I guess I did well for my first time". Lily tilts her head at me and asks "Your first time? You've never flirted before?". I scratch my hair and answer "Not in a live situation, no. Master taught me a few bits of seduction, since he said female spies have that advantage, as most guards are men and corruptable". Lily laughs. "That's not flirting at all, that's selling yourself out". I look at her. "Flirting is just having fun with another guy... or girl". I look at her again, slightly confused. "Just having fun?". She laughs at me again and says "Yeah, come on, have you been living under a rock your whole life?". "Um, yes", I angrily growl. Her ears shoot up and says "Oh!... I'm sorry... I shouldn't have laughed...". I wave my hand, "It's fine, just don't do it again". She nods, and we set off again, towards satisfying my lust for Abelard's blood --- Chapter 13 - Scent of Revenge Manitania, Faladon, 30th of Moon's Touch, 990 --- After a couple weeks of travelling around Manitania, we finally gathered a fair amount of information. With no magius detectors in common society, I can use my demon arm's near infinite supply of dark magius to keep my Lapian disguise up for a very long time without being too taxing on my health, only light magius users would be sensitive to my insane amounts of dark magius, and Lily claims she's getting used to it. But... One night when Lily woke up and we were both bathing, Lily pointed out something. She said that it seemed like the purple skin from my arm was... Spreading. She said that when she first saw me naked before, the purple stopped right where my arm and upper shoulder were. Now, she says it's spread and has covered my shoulder blade, and part of the side of my torso. Why would it be spreading? It's supposed to just be a fake arm. She said that the purple skin around my eye seems the same as it's always been though. Either way, it's not like I can get answers, and I still have feeling where the purple's spread to, so it's nothing to concern myself with, as there are far more important things right now. Like the fact we've finally arrived in Faladon --- I take in a deep breath, and let it out. I could swear I can smell the sweet scent of revenge... He has to be here somewhere. I look to Lily and say "Ask around and find out if you can find out anything about a mercenary led by White Angel". She nods, and heads off, as I take the anti-magius bandages off my arm and cast my Lapian disguise. I head towards the town pub and start my search there Like always, I'm greeted by the stench of alcohol and drunken laughter. I strut down towards the bar and sit down at the stool, and ask "Hey. I'm looking for some mercenaries, their leader goes by White Angel". The bartender stops his glass cleaning, and looks over at me. "Never heard of them". I can smell your lie. I lean forward and say "Oh?". He looks at me again, but says nothing. I set my leg up on the stool with me, showing my nice bare leg, saying "Is there anything I can do to jog your memory...?". The bartender takes a couple looks around, and walks over to me, "Come with me". He also motions to one of the barmaids to tend to the bar --- I follow him into a back room, it has some candles, and a bed. I think I took this a bit too far. He motions me onto the bed, and I quickly intervene, "No no, I'm not doing anything until I get the information I want". He points at the bed again "Get undressed and we'll talk afterwards". I clench my fist and feel my blood boiling. I am so close, and I'm not about to give my body to some sleaze bag pervert for information that may not even be valid. I yell again, "Information, NOW!". He quickly unsheathes a sword and points it at my neck. "On the bed, now". I look at the blade, and I start to feel weird. I'm so angry... Suddenly, my demon arm gets feeling again, and I suddenly realize my disguise is fading. Yet, I don't feel an ounce of fear. Instead, I suddenly laugh. A demonic laugh. The barman takes a step back and yells "W-WHAT IN THE... WHO ARE YOU?!". All I can feel is anger. I drop my disguise, and can feel the darkness flow through me. I laugh again and advance on him. "You're going to tell me where Abelard, the White Angel is, or you're going to die here and NOW", I scream with a demonic voice. He starts screaming, and I grab his face and scream "YELL AGAIN AND I'LL TEAR YOUR JAW OUT" Sudenly, I hear people coming behind me, and they yell "Are you alright?!". I laugh, snap my fingers, and as they open the door to check on us, they embarassingly close the door right afterwards. The barman shouts "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET HER!!!". I laugh again and growl "Their minds are under my control, as far as they know now, we're having sex". I laugh and throw him into the wall, breaking a few of the boards. I walk over to him and pick him up again. He coughs blood, and says "They... They have a camp... Just outside of town... I don't know if the White Angel will be there... Go... North...". I grin and growl, "Thank you. Shame I can leave anyone who sees me like this alive", and crush his skull with my demon arm, toss the body through the wall, and disguise myself as a Manitanian woman, and leave through the hole I made --- As I leave, my rage slowly subsides, my right arm loses its feeling again, and I begin to realize what I just did. I... I am brutal when angry. I know I had a bit of a temper when I was younger, but I've never felt anger like this before. And why do I gain feeling in my right arm and start to have a demonic voice? Maybe that has something to do with the spreading purple skin... Either way, considering I just killed a man and broke a hole in the wall, I have to find Lily and get out of here, fast As I'm looking around, I see Lily heading towards the pub, and I shout to her. She looks at me, slightly confused. "It's Alishaa! Get over here!", I yell, as she comes towards me. "Alishaa? I thought you were a Lapian". I shake my head and pull her arm while I start running out of town. "It's a long story, but I found the info we need, we've gotta get out of here now!", I yell as we run out of town towards the north Chapter 14 - Corruption Manitania, North of Faladon, 1st of Venus's Light, 990 --- We stop to make camp at a river to talk about what happened in town... Maybe Lily can help me figure out what's going on with me. I sigh and go into the river and bathe myself to get the blood off of me. Lily gets undressed and follows me in, and I sigh and turn around and look at her. "Why do you insist on bathing at the same time as me?", I ask. She turns red, and ignores me and says "So you said your demon arm is feeling weird?". I nod. I rub it, and say "When I get really angry, I suddenly gain feeling in it, and it feels like the dark magius in it is spreading through my whole body, giving me incredible strength and power. Lily looks at me, and softly strokes my right shoulderblade. "Alishaa... You have to stop using this arm". I turn around and look at her. "What?", I growl. She looks up at me, and says "I... I think it's corrupting you" I turn around and look at her. Does she even know how foolish that sounds? I laugh, and say "Lily, you know I'm an angry, anti-social person". She shakes her head and looks at me. "Alishaa, you slaughter people with this arm, and don't feel a hint of remorse". I look at her sternly. "Lily, I was trained to be an assassin, a job that is all about taking lives". Lily sturbbornly folds her arms and says "Most assassins I know don't kill anyone but their target, and your target is that Abelard guy, right?". I grit my teeth and glare at her. "You don't know anything", I growl and turn back around. Lily sighs, and says "Alishaa... I care about you... Please, don't hurt yourself like this just for revenge" I turn around and grab her neck and shove my demon hand right up to her face and scream, "MASTER GAVE ME THIS POWER SO I CAN EXACT MY REVENGE. KILLING ABELARD AND STOPPING THIS WAR IS THE ONLY REASON I LIVE". I shove her backwards, and she looks at me with sad eyes, but doesn't say a word. Suddenly, I feel it again. The darkness flowing through me, feeling in my arm... I start to do my demon laugh again, and growl, "Yes... I will never be happy until I taste their blood...". Lily steps back in fear, and says "Alishaa...?". I look at her and laugh. "I'm going to have so much power that I'm going to rip him to so many pieces that he'll be smaller than a grain of sand and use his bones as toothpicks!!!". I laugh as Lily keeps shouting my name, although suddenly, a searing pain strikes through my right shoulderblade and I grunt in pain I get back on the beach and start screaming in pain, as Lily runs over to me and yells "Alishaa!!! What's wrong?!". Rgh!!! It feels like something's stabbing me from my inside...!!! I hunch my back and scream, and I feel whatever stabbing me shoot right out of me, and the pain almost instantly goes away, as Lily screams at the top of her lungs. I sit up, and take a few breaths, and growl "More power... Hahaha...", then everything starts to go black and I collapse. --- I awaken the next morning, with Lily sitting there watching me. I sit up and rub my forehead. "What happened last night?", I ask. Lily looks at me, and says "You don't remember?". I look at her, and say "I remember something shooting out of me, then the pain went away, then I blacked out... Lily looks at me worringly, then says "Umm... I don't know how to tell you this, but... Uh...". She takes a breath, and spills it. "You grew a wing". What? I run over to the river and look in my reflection, and I see something large behind me. I feel it. I flap it, then turn my head around and look at it. Its frame is made of bone, with a thin purple skin as the wing part. I scream and fall down, looking at it. H-how did I grow a wing?!?! What is going on here?!?! Lily stands up and walks over to me. "Alishaa, I think I know why you grew a wing". I look at her, and she continues, "I've seen books about the elemental demons, and the Demon of Darkness has a wing just like that". I nod, I've read that same book with Master Richard. Lily then points to my back, and says "The purple has spread all around your shoulderblade, so it may have corrupted it into a wing". As insane as that sounds, it kinda makes sense... If Lily's right and it's because I'm overusing this arm's power, I have to never use it. I thought I swore that when I first used it, but... I feels like it's... Calling to me... I rip a hole in the back of my leather armour for my wing and get dressed. How am I going to hide this wing without my arm's magius...? This wing is so huge... At least as long as I am tall. I ask Lily if she has any ideas, and she laughs and says "Just one, but it's probably stupid". It wouldn't be the first time you said something stupid, so I insist, and she says "Well, it came out, maybe it goes back in". I face palm, although, I guess it's worth a try. I take a deep breath, and try and pull it in. Of course, nothing. It just flattens up against my back. Lily's eyes sparkle for a moment, as she runs and gets some rags. Before I can even ask what she's doing, she ties my wing to my back "Now only your bone is sticking up, and I know just what to do about that!", Lily exclaims. What the hell is she up to? She smiles and says "You can tie your wing down with one of those belts that warriors use for swords they carry on their back, and say the bone sticking upwards is your own unique scabbard, and that spike coming out at the top is part of the sword handle!". Does she realize how insane that is?! "Lily, that's insane, who would fall for that?!", I yell as I try and untie my wing, but she smiles and says "Who's going to think it's a wing?". Well, I guess a sword is more believeable than THAT. Ugh... I'm close to Abelard, so whatever. I won't need to disguise the wing long. "Fine, whatever, it's a scabbard. I'll use your rag for now, and in the next town you can pick me up one of those over-the-shoulder belts. She smiles and nods, as we begin our search for Abelard's camp --- Chapter 15 - Death to All Manitania, White Angel's Mercenary camp, 1st of Venus's Light, 990 --- There it is... A camp of tents full of middle age men with swords, axes, maces, bows, and all sorts of weaponry. The sun is just beginning to set, too. He's so close... I sent out my signal for Lily that I found it, and wait for her while I observe them with my demon eye. There are 7 men here right now. One of them has a white aura... Hm. For the sake of observation, I keep my eye patch off and continue to watch them while Lily takes her slow ass sweet time catching up with me She finally arrives and lays down next to me, and says "So, this is the camp?". I nod. "He's gotta be here...". Lily looks at me and frowns, and says "Alishaa, I thought I told you to stop using your demon powers". I growl and put my eye patch back on and say "This thing can help me see anyone Lily, it doesn't give me power like my arm, it's fine". Lily looks at me sternly, then back at the camp "So what's the plan?". I take out my dagger and point at them. Abelard is my target, so I'll have to use dark magius to approach while invisible, then use normal stealth to find and assassinate him. Lily nods, then I continue, "You're my lookout. If you see anyone spot me, make a light flash so intense that its practically blinding, then run for it to the river we made camp at, got it?". Lily nods, as I nod back and cloak myself and run towards the camp --- I uncloak behind one of the tents. Without that nagging girl around, I take off my eyepatch and let my demon eye do its part. I must be behind the armory. There are many weapons inside, and there is one man inside, sitting at a desk. Natural element, fire. I silently slice a small hole in the tent, and look through to see who this man is. Brown long hair, looks fairly young, wearing a tunic under some chain mail. Probably not who I'm looking for. I look around for any nearby patrols and go towards the tent with the white aura man inside. I can't cut a hole to look inside this one without risking myself, as the two men are facing each other, so there is no blind spot I can take advantage of. I put my ear right up to the thin sheet and listen in "We think the Demoness of Darkness may have been spotted in Faladon, sir", one man nervously says. The other man stands up and begins to pace, and gruffly says "And? You don't sound sure". The other man certainly seems intimidated by this other man. The nervous man explains, "W-well, the victim was last seen with a Lapian female, sir. Our base in Rivessiga was destroyed by a Felian female". The other man slams his fist down on the desk and shouts, "Get out of here, you're just wasting my time!". The nervous man says "Y-yes sir" and proceeds to leave This gives me a chance to take a peek at them both. I watch the nervous man leave. Tall, skinny, black hair, no armour or weapons visible. He can't be Abelard. I slice a hole in the tent behind the man as he faces the wall. I peek inside, and see a bald man looking at a display of weaponry and armour. White armour with blue trim, a large glistening battle axe, and a white and blue kite shield. I can feel the rage and demon magius well up as everything points to one thing... The man turns around, and on his right side, just above his ear, I see a scar. It's Abelard --- I am immediately overcome by emotion as I growl and begin tearing the ground from clenching my demon fist, and my wing breaks its restraint and spreads out behind me, and my demon eye begins to glow bright enough that I see a red tint on the tent infront of me. I laugh, and rip out the tent sheet in my way and walk right in. The man immediately draws an axe on me and shouts "Who are you?!". I laugh and spread my arms out. "Don't you remember me?". What am I doing...?! I was supposed to assassinate this guy without him having so much as a chance...!!! But I can't stop myself... I can hear voices... Telling me to do everything I'm doing... The man interupts my thinking by laughing himself. "So you must be this Demoness of Darkness I've heard about", he says. His laugh sent insane rage through me and did everything in my power to not lunge at him then and there, because I want him to remember me before I kill him I scream in a demonic voice, "REMEMBER ISSLA?! HOW YOU SLAUGHTERED EVERYONE?!". He grins and says "Ah yes". I explode in dark energy from his grin and scream at him, as he takes a step back, but keeps his compossure. I scream again, "DO YOU REMEMBER A LITTLE GIRL YOU MUTILATED?!". He paused of a moment and raises an eyebrow. He grins and says "My, how you've grown". He remembers me. He grabs his battle axe off the wall and says "I see you Felian scum don't change a bit, you sold yourself to a demon just to come back, huh?". I scream and lunge at him, as he sidesteps me and swings the battle axe and lodges it in my back. It should hurt, but it doesn't. I simply laugh, and rip it out of myself and swing my fist at him, as he dodges it and grabs my demon hand and slams his elbow down on mine attempting to break it, but he just bounces off my arm and I laugh maniacily again and toss him through the tent wall as he rolls into the middle of the camp He grunts and gets up, as everyone surrounds him. I laugh and walk out to see him get back up. The nervous man looks at me, screams "IT'S THE DEMONESS OF DARKNESS!!!", and makes a run for it. As I get read to cast a fatal dark spell on him, there's a blinding flash of light that sends aching through my whole body. "SHIT!", I shout as I fall down. I forgot Lily thinks I'm still trying to do this stealthily...!!! On the bright side... I don't have to worry about her witnessing this bloodbath anymore. I rub my eyes and get back up and growl, "You all have just seen your last ray of light" I cast a spell on the nervous man as he is enveloped in darkness, screams, and his skeleton falls to the ground. The other men charge at me with weapons in hand, as I clench my fist and slam it into the ground, causing a shockwave making the men fall down, and I jump up into the air with my wing, I channel magius into it, and grow the bone spikes and curve them to point downwards, as I plummet onto them, piercing each one with my wing. I laugh and scream "THE BLOOD! AHAHAHA!!! MORE BLOOD!!!" and dash at Abelard, as he rolls out of my way. I flap my wing to stop my momentum and lunge at him, as he rolls out of the way again. I grab onto the ground with my demon arm and swing myself around and kick him in the face before he can dodge again. He falls down and I slam my hand into his face and start laughing again... I'm going to kill him... Ahehe... Ahaha... HAHAHAHAHA!!! I'M GOING TO KILL YO-but suddenly my demon arm feels a searing pain and he turns into a large flash of light. I scream and step back, as he gets up off the ground What the hell did he do?!?! I have the power of a DEMON!!! He laughs and says "So, all that darkness in you makes you susceptible to light, does it?". I grit my teeth and feel that the teeth on the side with my eye are as sharp as daggers. I growl and show my fangs, as Abelard takes a fighting stance. We both let out battle cries as I lunge at him ready to swing the hardest punch I've ever thrown, and his axe lights up with light magius, and the moment we clash, I black out --- Chapter 16 - From the Jaws of Defeat Manitania, ???, 8th of Venus's Light, 990 --- "Alishaa! Alishaa wake up!". I slowly open my eye and look around. Where am I...? I look over to my side and see Lily sitting there with tears on her cheeks, overjoyed to see me awake. She hugs me as I groan in pain. I look at her and moan out "...what happened...?". She keeps hugging me and crying, and explains "You've been out for a week... I got worried when you didn't show up at the camp for hours, and I saw both you and this bald man lying there, unconscious. I shoot straight up and grab onto her and shout "WAS HE DEAD?!". She shakes her head and says "No, I don't think so", and I let out a blood curling scream. I was so close!!! Lily quickly tries to get me to stay quiet, saying "Alishaa quiet! We're in a Lapian medic camp, if a Manitanian sees you, you're dead!". I slam my fist down and start crying. How did I lose...?! Lily pats me on the back and softly says, "I'm sorry Alishaa...". Damn it...! DAMN IT! I grab her shirt and pull her right next to my face and scream "WHY DIDN'T YOU KILL HIM?!". Lily looks down sadly, and quietly answers, "I... I... I can't kill people...". It's taking every ounce of willpower I have right now to not kill her right now for leaving the man that slaughtered my entire hometown alive. I let go of her and take a few deep breaths, and sit there growling. I glance over at Lily, as I start to see her crying, and when she looked into my eye she turned around and ran out of the room. Ugh... --- The doctors here were shockingly nice while they tended to the wounds my non-demon parts took over the next couple of days. Everything's gone to hell and back so badly that I didn't care that my arm, eye, and wing were right out in the open. Lily must have talked to them about it. I can't believe she isn't able to kill anyone. Although, a very small part of me is pleased because I want Abelard to die by my hand. Although Lily did let him leave alive, I shouldn't stay mad at her. She... She's been more helpful than I thought she'd be. Maybe I'd better apologize to her again before tracking down Abelard again. I sit up and get out of my bed and leave my room. I walk over to one of the doctors and ask, "Excuse me, do you know where Lily is? She's the young Lapian medic apprentice who brought me here" The doctor shakes his head. "She hasn't been here since she ran out of your room the other day. She said she'd be back for you later, but we don't know when later is exactly". Hmph. Unless I tap into my demon magius I can't keep a non-felian disguise up for more than a few minutes, so leaving isn't an option... But she keeps saying it's 'corrupting' me. What the hell is that supposed to mean? I feel stronger by the day. I've never felt sick since I got it... Well, I have grown a wing. But I get the feeling that that isn't what she means. Hmph. I'll wait here for one more day for her before I go looking. I look over at the doctor and thank him then head back into my room for a rest --- As much as I try, I can't sleep. I toss and turn, but I can't let go of my anger long enough to fall asleep. Maybe that's for the better though, because I think I just heard something. I lift up my eye patch and take a look around, and see the usual. All but one lapian doctor is asleep, and that seems like everything. I shrug and put it back down, and try and sleep again. Then I hear something slicing fabric. I lift up my eye patch again and turn around. There's a green aura manitanian slicing the fabric of the tent right behind me. Do they honestly think they can kill me? Ha. The man slips through the tent, holding up a dagger, as he steps towards my bed, and as he looks down and realizes no one's there, I drop from the ceiling and hold my dagger up to his throat. I laugh, and sinisterly ask "Did you really think you could sneak up on me?". He remains silent. I hold the blade right up to his neck and growl, "Who sent you?". He stays silent again. I growl again, "Answer me!". He laughs and says "You might as well kill me, I'll never talk". I seriously hate interrogations. Master Richard always said I had too short of a temper when he tried to teach me how to do this. It must be one of Abelard's goons. Did one of the doctors sell me out? I threaten him further by shoving one of my razor sharp demon claws up against his spine and say "Come on... You wouldn't lie to a lady...". As soon as I say that, I faintly hear him say "It's a woman?". I growl and say "That's right, you can't even kill a woman right". The man retorts saying "...What?". What does he mean what? I angrily say "You just said 'it's a woman', you stupid shit". I faintly hear him again say "Did I say that? I thought I only thought it...". What the hell...? At that moment, I remember Lily telling me that I grew this wing because of the purple skin spreading. I have been using my demon eye alot recently, and I think I'm only hearing the faint voice in my right ear, the same side as my demon parts. I wonder... I lean my ear right up against the back of his head and listen. I faintly hear "What the hell is she doing? Abelard said she was an insane, demonic, ruthless killer. Maybe there's some way I can get out of this, she's gotta be hesitating...". Are these his thoughts I'm hearing...?!?! I can just barely hear them even with my ear right up to him, but I swear they are there. This means all I have to do is get him to THINK where Abelard's escaped to. But how do I push his buttons...?... Hm, I know... I smile and seductivly say "Hey... If you tell me where the person is who sent you, it won't go... Mm, unrewarded~". Right as I finish I focus all my attention on what I can hear. "Is she hitting on me?! I spill that he's returning to the capital and a demon girl is going to do things with me...? What the hell is going on here?!" I laugh and growl, "Thank you for the information", then slice his throat. This demon stuff is coming in handy. Super strength, super sight, increased mobility, and now mind reading. All for the price of looking more and more like a demon. All I have to do is find Lily then we're off to the capital. If I keep using my demon magius and I keep gaining more powers like this, then I don't see a downside! Hahaha! I draw dark magius from my arm and cast my lapian disguise and slip out the back door this amateur assassin was kind enough to make for me --- Chapter 17 - Know Thy Enemy Manitania, Lumbarosh, 11th of Venus's Light, 990 -- As helpful as my newfound mind reading would be in finding Lily, it seems like I can only hear thoughts when my ear is right up to their head, and as the assassin proved, that only causes them to have confused thoughts, so I'd better stick with my usual tactic for gaining information. Eavesdrop on everyone in a bar! It's very early in the night, but I can't sleep, so I might as well start my search now. I go to the first pub I find, called the Blue Moon. I walk in and sit down at the bar. It's fairly empty, it must be further into the night than I thought. The bartender walks over to me and asks "What brings you here so late lil' missy?". I look up at him, and he's a manitanian, middle aged with a bushy beard growing. Seems nicer than the last bartender I met... I smile and look up at him and say "I was working a late shift at the medic camp, I just got off, but I can't sleep, so I decided to go for a walk". The bartender smiles and nods. He looks over to his side and says "I know what you mean, after I heard about this demonic Felian woman, I've been having some rough nights" What? Did that bastard Abelard spread news of me all across the country?! I look at the bartender and ask "Demonic Felian woman?". He looks back at me, slightly shocked, and asks "Haven't you heard?! The former leader of the Holy Knights, Abelard Barculo was attacked by a demonic Felian woman". He starts pouring a drink and continues, "He might be a little off the money with it being a demon and all, since he has a history of seriously hating Felians, but he was pretty banged up, and it'd take one badass warrior to hurt someone like him". He sets the mug of ale infront of me and says "It's on the house. You doc's do good work in this war". I smile and take the mug and say "Thank you. I wish this war didn't have to happen though". He nods while I take a sip and says "Same here, lady. Had a few friends back in Felinia, but for all I know they could be dead by now. I don't know what that king of ours is thinking right now". I set the mug down and wipe my mouth, and decide to pry for more info on Abelard. I nicely ask, "Um, you said that Abelard has a history with Felians that made him really hate them?". He nods, and continues, "I've heard stories that his father, Saggan Barculo, was killed by Felians way back, some 25 years ago. In defense of our land, it was an honourable battle, and a true shame to lose such a great man". I just can't see anyone related to that cold blooded bastard as anything but as horrible as him. Besides, I have more important things to be worrying about right now, like where Lily is. I take another swig of the ale and ask "I've also been looking for a young lapian girl, about my age, her name is Lily". The bartender shakes his head. "Sorry lady, haven't seen her". Damn it. I sigh and thank him anyways, and continue to drink my drink for a while --- Where the hell could that stupid girl have gone? For every minute she's useful, she's useless for a day. I learnt a bit at the bar, such as news of my presence spreading, and bits and pieces of Abelard's past. But nothing I can really use or particularally care about. I decide to head back to the medic tent, and when I arrive, I notice a little problem with sleeping there. It's on fire I run to it, as doctors are wheeling patients out. I run up to one of the doctors and yell "What the hell is going on?!". He quickly shouts "Stay back! It's not safe!", and goes back in to try and help the other patients inside. Shit, how did this happen?! I run around to where the assassin tried to sneak into my room, and I see a torch lying on the ground. Damn it!!! Was this the doing of those god damn mercenaries again?! Is it my fault this whole place is burning to the ground?!?! DAMN IT!!! I have to stop this fire and I have to do it fast. Master only taught me simple spells in fire, water, wind, and earth. I can only do a simple water spell to shoot a stream of water to extinguish candles and such. But... Maybe if I... That's it! I look around. No one's around. I hope I don't regret this... I drop my disguise, and use my wing to jump high into the air above the tent. I hold my breath through all the smoke, use my wing to spin myself, and shoot as many streams of water as fast as I can, as big as I can. The doctors and a couple people watching the fire look at the rain I'm firing down on the tent as it slowly but surely extinguishes the fire. This smoke, while seriously hindering my breathing, is providing the perfect cover to hide my demon form. I start to fall, so I flap my wing again, but instead of going up like I planned, I start rolling and keep falling. Shit... I plummet into the ground behind the tent. I groan and sit up and rub my back. I landed on my upper back, but it didn't hurt nearly as much as a 30 or 40ish foot fall should. Again, this demon stuff is proving useful. I groan and stand up, and look at the tent. The fire's still going. I gotta try again. I jump again and start my fake rain again. This time it looks like I've gotten almost all of the fire, as the smoke cloud I'm hiding under thins away. Satisfied, I flap my wing to stop my spinning, and look at the ground. I'm in for another hell of a fall. Gotta think fast... The last time I fell from a high height... Right! When I was fighting Abelard's goons and turned my wing into an iron maiden! My wing and arm took almost all of the landing shock and it didn't hurt at all! I spread my wing out over me and prepare my arm, and right before I land I push down with my wing and arm, slamming them into the ground just before the rest of me does I groan and slowly stand up. I guess adrenaline was a factor when I was fighting... I turn around and look at the now-extinguished tent. I smile. It's been a long time since I actually did something good. I recast my disguise and walk over to the crowd infront of the tent. The doctors, while confused, seem overjoyed that the fire's out. I smile again and walk over to them. I happily yell "The fire's out! How did it happen?!", then one of the nurses runs over and happily hugs me and yells "Yes! It's a miracle!". At that split second, I faintly hear "I wonder where that demon girl went though. The head doc was looking for her right before the fire...". I smile and ask "Where's the head doctor? I'd like to help out". She happily smiles and says "He's right over there, with the patients. I'm sure he has something for you to do, thank you so much for volunteering to help us at this late hour!" I walk over to the old man and ask "Excuse me, are you the head doctor?". He turns around and says "I am. My name is Reginald Ayms. Please excuse me mi-". He pauses for a moment, and looks at me. I take a second look at him, and realize he has a white aura. His natural element is light, he must have sensed all the dark magius I'm consuming! He looks around and whispers to me "Alishaa. I have news about Lily. Meet me in the alley behind the bar in an hour. Undisguised". I don't like this, but if it's about Lily, I don't have a choice. I nod, and leave without a word. --- I wait in the alley like the doctor asked. It must be urgent, given the time of morning it is. Thankfully I don't have to wait very long. The old doc comes around the corner and walks up to me. I unfold my arms and sternly ask, "Where's Lily?". The doctor sighs, and says "I believe she's been kidnapped by the White Angels". Shit. How did they find out about her?! I walk over to the doctor and ask "Damn it! Where'd they take her?". He holds his hand up and says "Calm yourself. Only minutes before the fire started, they arrived looking for you. They said that one of our apprentice medics has been accused of treason by protecting you, and by offering you to them, they wouldn't turn in the rest of us. Obviously those barbarians have no interest in anything but your head, so they must have set our tent on fire when they couldn't find you". He looks at me and continues, "Was that you who summoned that rain to put out the fire?". I nod. He smiles and says "I'm glad the darkness has not consumed your heart yet, then". I grunt, and say "I can control the darkness, old man. I'm going to go rescue Lily, I know where the White Angels are headed, one of their assassins tried to kill me and was kind enough to spill the facts". The doctor nods, and turns to leave, and says "Godspeed, demon" --- That god damn girl. How the hell could she get herself captured?! And those mercenaries, why would they be using the law to their advantage instead of facing me themselves?! And why would they come here at the same time as that assassin? If that message was for me, shouldn't I be dead if it went according to plan? I don't like this. But I have to get to the capital and find Lily before it's too late Chapter 18 - Infiltration Manitania, Holy Capital Gloisin, 22nd of Venus's Light, 990 --- After my journey across Manitania, I finally see it, spreading across the horizon. Gloisin, the holy capital of Manitania. Tch. Holy my ass. Master Richard used to study here before he was exiled. He was a greatly renowned sage. He never liked to talk about his past, though. Maybe when the war is over if I survive, I might come back here on better terms to learn more about master. But my priorities stand. Find the White Angels, and rescue Lily Breaking into the capital is not going to be a simple task, however. Magius detectors at the gates and district checkpoints no doubt, intense security in a state of war, since this is the winning side, unlike Felinia's capital. Scaling the walls seems like my best option, even if it's not a good one. There is no way I can sneak through the gates, there are at least 6 guards here at the front gate. I doubt the archers have access to magius detectors all across the wall, so I can use my demon magius to keep an invisiblity spell up long enough to sneak by, as long as they don't hear my climbing the wall I take off my arm bandage, stretch my arm, and summon its demon magius and turn myself invisible. I advance towards the city, and soon arrive at the wall. It looked alot less high when I was back on the road, though... Regardless, I fell about 40 feet several times not too long ago, it's going to take more than heights to stop me. I feel the wall, my fingers slide down its smooth brick. Far too smooth to climb normally. Good thing I'm anything but normal. I reach up with my demon arm, and push my razor sharp claws into the wall, and cut out hand holds as quietly as I can. I reach up and pull myself up, cut more holes, climb, cut, climb. Throughout all my years of assassin training, master always scolded my impatience. Assassins must patiently and calmly wait for their chance to strike, be it waiting a minute or waiting a day or waiting a week. Now here I am, slowly climbing the wall, and getting irritated by the minute. My patience in master's exercises began getting tried after 2 hours usually, but it's been no more than 5 minutes climbing this wall and it's driving me crazy. Why? I don't know why, but I just want to climb this thing right now. It can't be for Lily, because if I blow my cover, there's no chance in hell I'll find her. Ugh... I've gotta stay focused and scale this god damn wall! I reach the top finally, and look around. There is only one archer nearby, heading in my direction. Plenty of time to get past. I pull myself up onto the walkway, sneak across, and silently jump over the railing and dangle from it. I look down, and it's just as far of a drop down as it was from the other side. I sigh, and look around for anything to use to slow my decent so I don't kill myself. The nearest building has an awning above its entrance, just within my jumping range. However, if it breaks, which it most likely will, my cover's blown. God damn it... I pull myself up again and take a second look at the walkway. A short walk down the path is a guard tower. The wall does have some windows, but each one is too far of a drop to catch ledges without breaking my arm, and my demon arm would just tear down the bricks. But... I could sneak down the tower from the inside. Hopefully there are no magius detectors... But it's that or plummet over a hundred feet. I'll take the stairs --- I silently walk to the tower still in my invisibility cloak. I look down on the floor and see a trap door. I pull out my dagger and silently pry it open. I peer down through the tiny slit, and see nothing but an empty staircase. This is going to be a cakewalk. I quietly open it and drop down. I walk down the wooden stairs, taking extra care not to cause even the tiniest squeak. I soon end up on a floor with a side door. As I'm sneaking across, I hear people inside it talking "These public hangings are getting really common, it's getting ridiculous. What is the king doing?". "I hear it's not even the king. The military higher-ups are bending facts, I hear". "Shh! If they are, I doubt they'd be very hesitant to silence anyone spreading that!". "Bah, it's probably just pro-Roshaun propaganda. We're not paid to think, just to protect our families". Hm. Public executions, huh? Tch. These Manitanians... They call US the barbarians... As soon as I rescue Lily, I'm going to tear this nation apart from the inside out...! --- Chapter 19 - Execution Manitania, Holy Capital Gloisin, 22nd of Venus's Light, 990 --- As soon as I exit the guard tower, I know something is up. The streets are empty. What is going on? Is it that public hanging the guards were talking about? Well... If I'm going to learn anything, I have to go to where the people are. I change my disguise to a Manitanian female and wander around. I see an old man walking the streets after a bit and walk up to him and ask "Excuse me, but do you know where everyone went today?". He looks at me slightly confused, and says "Eh? Well I'll be! Someone other than me realizes how barbaric these hangings are". He walks off grunting, as I follow and ask "They are barbaric, but I need to find my friend, and she may have went to it. Do you know where it is?". He points the opposite way he's heading, and says "It'd be best to wait for your friend though, a beautiful young girl like you needn't stain your soul witnessing such ridiculous deaths" My soul is as inpure as they come... I thank him for the information and head off in that direction, and soon arrive at the back of a large crowd. I try to push my way through the crowd, but everyone is too stubborn and shoves me back behind them. I grunt, and climb up one of the buildings on this street. I pull myself up onto a balcony and look out over the crowd. It looks to be the town square, with a large wooden gallow set up in the centre. There are several people at the gallows, there is a fat Manitanian, shouting out who is being hanged and why. There is another man in a white hood, standing beside the lever that opens the trap door below the noose, the executioner. There is only one doorway not blocked by the crowd, made of iron with barred windows. That must be where the prisoners are. I don't have time for this, though. I have to track down the White Angels. I jump down from the balcony and start asking people if they know anything about them, although no one is co-operating, they're either too into the executions or the gossip about why the king is doing this. Maybe I'd better head back into town and find more people like the old man who aren't so damn preoccupied with this crap. I start walking, as the crier begins shouting, "Condemned to death for the crimes of treason, is this Lapian woman, Lily Smille". LILY!!! I spin around and start climbing the building back to the balcony as fast as I can go. I look, and see her being lead to the gallows by 2 guards, with one behind her jabbing her with a spear. Shit! That fucking girl...! I start climbing higher up to the rooftop, and peek above. As I suspected, there are snipers along the rooftops incase of any sort of escape attempt. Damn it... I've never used a bow and arrow before, after all, I only had one arm through my entire training! Shit... If only throwing knives could kill from this distance... I can't throw that hard... Unless...! I hope I know what I'm doing. I drop my disguise, climb up onto the roof and sneak up behind the sniper. Before he even knows I was there, I knock him out. I don't need a blood fountain right now, I need time to prepare for this before everyone sees me. I take out one of my throwing knives and hold onto it with my demon arm. It is only half the length of one of my demon fingers... Shit... I look down, as they're already fixing Lily into the noose. She's probably scared shitless by now... And why am I doing this for her...? It was because of her that Abelard is still alive, and I'm about to risk my life to save her worthless pacifist ass... Whatever. I've come this far for her... I take a deep breath and concentrate on the executioner. I don't need to be accurate enough to hit a vital point, but I do need to hit him. At the force this arm can throw it, It'll phase him long enough for me to... Uh... Haven't thought that far. As I'm trying to figure out what I'd do after that, I already hear the crier say "Do you have any last words, my lady?". I take a deep breath and re-focus my aim on the executioner, as I hear Lily shout "Alishaa!!! If you're out there!!! I'm so sorry, and... I love you!" I feel an incredible twisting pain in my chest as I stare down at her. She... SHE LOVES ME?! FUCK LILY, NOT NOW! Rage takes over me at her making me completely unable to focus anymore, I... If I can't focus... I can't save her...!!! All of a sudden though, I hear a voice inside me. "Throw it". Without even thinking, I throw the knife as hard as I can, and it goes right through the executioner's heart and cracks the stone ground below him. I jump down to the square and use my arm and wing to take as much of the fall as they can. The moment I land, hell breaks loose and panic spreads like wildfire. The crowds bursts into deafening screams, the crier also runs in panic, and I hear several guards shout "KILL IT!". I quickly look around and see every archer having their bow aimed at me. I jump and curl into a ball and completely cover myself with my wing, as all the arrows just bounce off it. Even against the thin skin of my wing, they feel like nothing more than a bee sting. I spread my wing out again and run up to Lily as she screams "ALISHAA?!" I growl "Shut up and get on my back" as I cut the rope. She nods and jumps on my back, as I look around at the archers already ready to take another shot at me. Without hesitation, I flap my wing and jump as fast and far as I can away from here. I hear the arrows flying all around me, but I don't think any of them hit either of us. I land and was moving forward so fast that I can't stay steady and we start rolling along the ground. I spread out and stop my roll, as Lily keeps rolling. I run after her and grab onto her shirt and take another jump. I look behind us for another volley of arrows, but we must already be far enough away that they can't aim at us at this speed. I take a small breath of relaxation, and look down at Lily, as she vomits, making a putrid trail of horrid liquid behind us. I land with more care this time, and we're already at the city gates. I hold onto Lily tighter this time, and clear the wall in one jump, and land right beside a forest. Better shelter than nothing... I run in there, and after about 10 minutes of running, I stop and set Lily down for a rest Chapter 20 - Thawing a Demon's Heart Manitania, near the holy capital, 22nd of Venus's Light, 990 --- Lily is out of it. She must have passed out after she vomitted during my jumping. Such a fragile girl... I sigh and sit down across from her on a log. I close my eyes and listen. I don't hear any guards anywhere... We should be safe. I patiently sit and watch Lily rest. How long has she felt that way about me? And why does she? We're both women... Master never said anything about this... I don't get it. I've never been cut out for understanding peoples feelings anyway... I groan and lean back, and start bandaging my arm and wing back up to hide them Shortly after I finish, Lily finally awakens. She groans and rubs her belly, as I sit down infront of her. She looks up at me, and without saying a word, she lunges at me and hugs me. I can hear her crying... Feel her warmth... I slowly hug her back with my normal arm, as she whispers "Thank you... I... I thought I was going to die...!". I smile and softly say "Not today". For the first time in a long time, I kinda feel... Happy... But, I'm still confused. I softly push her away, and ask as nicely as I can, "Lily. Why do you love me?". Her face turns red and she starts playing with her hair. She nervously laughs and says "So... You heard that, huh?". I nod. As much as I want to yell at her that it almost cost her life saying that to me, I can't bring myself to do it right now. Lily continues, saying "W-well... You... You're so strong. I mean... Your life was destoryed when you were little, and you're still hanging in there. When you set your mind to something, you can do anything. I... I really admire that about you". I shake my head and say "No no no. I mean, master said that only men and women can really love each other, but we're both women. I don't get it" Lily looks at me like there's a monster growing out of me. More so than already... She says, obviously confused, "W-what? That's not true at all!". Master, wrong?! I glare at her and say "How can master be wrong?". She lowers her head and says "W-well, he's not wrong, exactly... It's just... A small amount of people...". Damn it I hate how unclear she is sometimes. I give her a push by growling and say "Speak up". She looks at me, then says "Do... Do you know about gay people?". I shake my head. Never heard the term before. Lily quietly laughs, then says "Well, you did live under a rock for most of your life...". My eyebrow twitches in anger, as she continues, "Um, a small amount of people actually fall in love with people the same gender as them, rather than the other gender. Almost every government in this world frowns upon us, so, we can't be open about it...". I scratch my head. Lily looks at me and says "Have you ever had a boyfriend?". I shake my head again. Lily smiles, and says "Do you like guys or... girls...?". I growl without hesitation, "Neither" Lily laughs, "Hahaha, Alishaa! You're so funny when you don't mean to be". I growl and fold my arms. She waves her hand and says "I-it doesn't matter right now. I know you have more important things to worry about right now than my feelings. I'll keep a lid on it until you're ready, ok?". I nod, and say "Yes I do. I still don't understand, but it's not what's important right now". Lily nods, but she looks sad. I decide to get to the point and ask, "So what the hell happened?". Lily takes a deep breath, then says "Well..." --- "I was so sad that you were so mad at me for letting that bald guy live... So... I wanted to help you by finding more information about them. After I stopped crying after you yelled at me, I was walking down the road, when these two guys walked by me and asked me to stop and help them find someone. You know me, always glad to help. But... But they were looking for you" I look at her and say "...Were they those White Angel Mercenaries?". Lily nods, and she continues, "They were looking for a demonic Felian girl. I lied and said 'a demon girl? Hahaha'. That taught me to never laugh at a mercenary...". Lily laughs and rubs the back of her head, as I rub my forehead and think "What an idiot...". She stops giggling at herself and says "They drew their weapons on me, and although I never said anything about you, they knew I was lying... So they sent me to their camp outside town, and I saw that bald guy...". Lily looks down, as I take a few breaths to calm myself. She continues, and says "He said the I could be used to gain favour with the king so he could be re-accepted into the holy knights, whether I really knew you or not, Alishaa". She rubs her arm and continues, "So they knocked me out and when I woke up, I was in a dungeon in the capital. I started freaking out, and the guard told me that I should spend my last hours a little more wisely. Then I was so scared... And then they took me out there... Then you... You saved my life...". Lily starts sobbing and hugs me again. I sigh, and hug her back again Lily rubs her eyes as I lean forward and say "So, let me get this straight... Abelard wants to regain favour with the king?". Lily nods, "That's certainly what it looks like". I fold my arms and tell her "When I was looking for you in the capital, I heard talk about those public executions being a new thing and that they were disappointed with the king. I think something big's going on behind the scenes". Lily excitedly adds "Ooooh, yeah! Maybe the king's just a figurehead in all this!". I nod and conclude "Yeah, it's looking that way right now". I stretch myself out, as Lily softly asks "Uh, Alishaa...?". I look at her, and she says "Um... What happened to your ear...?". I feel my ear, and it's grown longer, harder, and spikier than my normal ear. I sigh, and explain "Yeah... I was attacked by an assassin the same night you were kidnapped, and I realized I could hear... His thoughts". Lily's eyes widen and she speechlessly tries to say something. I nod, and said "It was thanks to that new power that I found you". Lily looks down and says "I... I thought I told you to stop using demon magius...". I grunt and say "Lily, we're in the middle of the country of my sworn enemy, and everyone here wants to kill both of us now. If I didn't have these powers, we'd both be dead by now". Lily says "But! Alishaa! It's turning you into a demon!!!". I growl and yell "I saved that fucking medic tent! I risked my life to rescue you! I'm capable of more than slaughtering!!!". I grunt and fold my arms, as Lily is slightly taken back by that. She turns red, smiles, and says "I... I'm glad you have good in you. Don't let go of it, ok?". I groan and growl "Yeah yeah...". I stand up and take a few steps into the forest and lean on a tree. "So, what now Lily? All our answers are in the capital, and the only way I can get back in there is if I smash our way in". Lily smiles, and says "Not quite. Remember how we got into the Felian capital?". I look at her, and answer "...The Black Blade Caravan...?". She nods. They should be able to smuggle us in just like before. You can use dark magius for you disguises, and I can just change out of my medic uniform!". I shrug and say "All right, sounds good. Where do we find them?". Lily smiles and says "It's only about half a day's walk from the capital, they have a headquarters of sorts. We can make it before sundown if we leave now". I nod, and say "All right. Let's go" Chapter 21 - Social Skills Manitania, , 22nd of Venus's Light, 990 --- Like Lily said, we arrived in this small village right around sunset. I checked out rear constantly on our travel, but there are no signs of pursuit. I don't like this. Either way, Lily runs off in search of the HQ. That girl is too easy-going... I'm not the only one being hunted now, she's been accused of treason. I sigh, and cast my usual Lapian disguise and wander off. Soon I hear Lily shout to me "Alishaa!". I look behind me and see Lily happily run to me, changed out of her medic uniform. She is wearing a white sleeveless cloak with leather armour underneath, with 3 belted pouches at her waist and a short skirt, with high belted boots. She smiles and says "How do I look?". I shrug and say "All right". Lily giggles and says "I'm glad I'm getting good at telling that it's you even when you're disguised, it's like we're, connected~!" as she turns red. I groan and say "It's because you're sensitive to my dark magius use because you're a light magius user". Lily frowns and says "Not just that!". I walk off and say "Keep a lid on your feelings until this shit's done, Lily". She sighs, and runs after me again "Ok Alishaa. The Black Blade Caravan meets in just a simple house somewhere around here. They respond to a password that I know, we just have to knock on each door until we find them". I groan, and ask "Great... What's the password?". Lily leans up to me and whispers "Oi, don'tcha just love the Dwarven Stout Ale?". I look at her and ask "What the hell kind of password is that?!". She laughs and says "I think it's cute! Come on, let's go find them". She runs off again, as I grunt and start walking down the street, checking houses for any sign of commotion first before I say such a ridiculous phrase to each and every door --- Soon I arrive at one with a wagon stationed outside, and an Saurian man outside, armed with a longsword on his side. I walk up to the door, and knock. No answer from the door, but the man beside me asks "Lady, what are you doing?". I sigh, and say "...Oi, don'tcha just love the Dwarven Stout Ale?". He nods and motions to the door, "Go on in". I open the door and take a step inside With the exception of a forge in the corner, it looks like any other home. There is an Avistrian man sitting at the table, eating lunch. He looks up at me and says "Well, I usually don't get visitors as beautiful as you". I grunt, as he laughs and says "Ah, but I see there is a strong, fierce fighting spirit underneath that beautiful shell of yours". He motions to a chair at the table and says "Please, have a seat". I sit down, as he continues to eat. I look around and say "I'm looking for transportation to the capital". The man looks at me with a piece of fruit dangling from his beak, as he states "I'm sorry ma'am, we deal with weaponry, not transportation" I groan, and before I have a change to coerce him, Lily bursts through the door and yells "Hello!". The man stands up and says "Ah! If it isn't little Lily!". The two hug and exchange friendly greetings as Lily sits down next to me, as the man sits back down at his meal. Lily scoots closer to me and says "So I see you've already met my special friend Alishaa!". The man chokes for a moment and looks up "Oh! Well! Good for you Lily! Congratulations". Part of me wants to shout that I'm not her special friend, but whatever. She probably needs to vent her feelings every so often, I might as well give her that much... Lily says "Alishaa and I need to get to the capital, but... Well, let's just say neither of us are on good terms right now with the kingdom right now". The man nods and says "Hm, I see". Lily leans forward and pleads "Please, it's very important to us". The man stands up and sets his plate with several others next to a barrel of water, and says "I'd love to help you, Lily, but we aren't going to risk our whole operation in this region of Manitania just so you and your... Special friend can get into the capital. I'm sorry". I slam my fist onto the table and growl "Listen up, you bureaucratic asshole". I stand up and walk towards him and growl "There is something going on within the royal family, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it. I'm trying to do this with as little violence as possible, but you're making it pretty damn hard". I grab onto his shirt and hold him up off the ground and yell "All you've gotta do is get the two of us through the gates, then you can deny anything and everything about us! Got it?!". Lily rushes over to me and puts her hands on my shoulders and softly says "Alishaa, calm down...". I grunt and let go of the man as he catches his breath for a moment, and weakly says "...Quite a fiesty one there, Lily..." Lily smiles and pushes me aside and helps him up. I growl and fold my arms and lean on the wall. The man says "...All right, all right, there's a wagon headed in the direction of the capital tomorrow morning, we'll take a short detour there for you there, but that's all the help I can offer". Lily happily says "That's all the help we need, thank you very much". Lily walks over to me, and pulls me to the door, as she turns around and says "Bye! Again, thank you!" and we leave --- After a bit of a walk, Lily turns and looks at me and angrily says "Alishaa, I seriously wish you'd stop doing that". I look at her and ask "What?". She points back and says "You get so angry and always try and intimidate answers out of everyone!". I look off and growl "That's how I was raised, Lily", and start walking off. She reaches out and grabs my arm and says "Alishaa, look. I know you lack social skills because of your training, but please, try and be more civilized". I shake her off my arm and yell "Leave me alone!!!" and storm off, as I hear her sigh and walk off I go into the town pub and take a seat at the bar. I sigh, as I ask the bartender for a drink. He brings it to me, and chats with a few other patrons as I sit and drink my beer. Why does it matter if I lack social skills? I get what I need. We wouldn't have a way into the capital tomorrow if it wasn't for me. Damn it... Soon, a young Lapian sits down beside me and says "What is that's troubling someone as beautiful as you?". I look over at him, and go back to drinking my drink without a second thought. He puts his hand on my arm, and I reactivly jab him with my elbow. He grunts and says "Fine, sit there and drink your poison", as he gets up and leaves. I sigh and lean down on the bar Maybe I should learn how to behave... After all, what did he do to me? He just wanted to help, so I jab him in the gut. Ugh... I sit up start walking over to the door, when a Manitanian man stands in my way. "Where do you think you're going, missy?". I sigh and expressionlessly say "Get out of my way, I've had a bad enough day". I walk forward as she pushes me back and says "Do you usually jab people who try and help you out". I try walking past him again but he keeps blocking me. I take a few breaths, trying to control my temper. I hold up my hands and calmly say "We can talk about this...". Five words I never thought I'd say... He grabs my arm and pulls me over to the table with the Lapian man. I sigh as the large man motions me to sit down. I sit, as the lapian looks at me and says "H-hey, come on Eric, I told you not to-". The large man interupts and says "She's willing to talk now, you can thank me later". He walks off, as I slink into my seat with my arms folded. The lapian turns in his seat to face me and says "Forgive both my friend and I's rudeness. My name is Gio, may I ask for yours?". I sigh, and answer "Alishaa". He smiles and says "That's a very beautiful name". I groan, but stay silent He sets his arms onto the table and says "You seem troubled. Anything you care to talk about?". I shake my head. He smiles and says "Come on, it'll make you feel better if you get it off your chest". I sigh and say "My friend says I lack social skills, and... She isn't exactly wrong. But I'm too busy to learn or anything...". He looks at me, and says "You? Your social skills are fine". Like hell he means that after I elbowed him. I growl out "Don't be sarcastic you little ass". He pauses for a moment, laughs, and says "I wasn't sarcastic, but perhaps you could use a few tips...". I grunt and sit back in my chair with my arms folded again. He pauses for a while and says "I'm headed out tomorrow morning, but, you know, if you live around here, I'd be happy to teach you some, erm...". He rubs his head, as I growl out "Manners?". He rubs his head and says "I'll be back in about a week. Maybe you and I, can...". I hold my hand up and say "I... Appreciate the offer... But like I said, I'm busy, and I'm just here for the night". I stand up to leave and he says "Uh, w-where are you headed? I get around alot in my work, maybe I'll run into you?". I pause, and say "I have no idea where I'm going to end up" before leaving --- Chapter 22 - Second Offense Manitania, road to the Holy Capital, 23rd of Venus's Light, 990 --- At sun up Lily and I reunite at the Black Blade HQ... If you can even call it that. Lily must still be mad at me from last night, as she isn't very chatty for once. In a short while, 2 men walk up to the wagon... Oh my god... It's the same two from the bar. I groan as Gio notices me and walks over to me and says "YOU'RE the ones we're taking to the capital?". I groan again and nod, as Lily walks over and says "Have... You two met before?". Gio looks at her and says "Ah, you must be Alishaa's friend". Lily slowly nods, and says "W-where did you two meet?". Gio says "Ah, we met at the pub last night, had a few drinks". Lily immediately shoots a glare my way. If learning how to be social requires this much, I'd happily return to the life of a hermit... Lily regains her composure and says "I-is that so?". Gio nods, and says "I suppose we'd better be off then, we don't want to be late". Lily hesitantly gets in the wagon, as I stand outside and sigh. Lily looks at me and angrily says "Come on Alishaa". I slowly walk over and hop in As soon as we start moving, Lily hits me and yells "Why would you do that without telling me Alishaa?!". I look at her and yell "What?!". Lily angrily faces and me growls "You know how I feel, and you still go and do that?!". I growl and yell "I don't give a shit right now Lily, I met him by elbowing him in the gut!". Lily throws her arms up and yells "God Alishaa...". I take another deep breath to try and stay calm, and say "Lily, I didn't do anything with him if that's what you're freaking out about. I told you to control your feelings until we're done". Lily grunts, then tries to calm herself The next few hours of travel is as silent as the dead of night. The tension can be cut with a knife. Lily is mad at me, Gio is confused about why Lily is mad at me, and I just want to get to the bottom of this strange events in the royal family. We eventually get close to the gate as I drop by disguise spell. Lily looks over to me, as her eyes widen in fear. I sigh, and ask "What now?". She points to my mouth, as I lick my lips and realize what she's pointing at. My teeth have become long fangs. I close my mouth and feel the fangs fit together like spiked scissors. I sigh, and say "Just stay focused". Lily lowers her head and says "Alishaa, please stop... I'm scared for you...". I don't say a word, as we approach the gate. "May we check your wares, sir?", the guard asks. Gio nods and says "Go ahead". The guards come around and look inside the wagon. Lily and I are hiding in 2 barrels lined up in the back. The guards hop in and look at all the weaponry strewn around. They walk over to the barrels we're in, and kick mine. They ask "What's in the barrels, sir?". Gio calmly responds "Just some water". The guard uses his sword to pry open the lid, as I snap my fingers and use as little dark magius as possible to make just the top of the barrel look like water". He looks in, and closes it back up. The moment he does I remove the spell. As he's leaving, I faintly hear the guard talking with the other, as he walks back to the front and says "Are either of you a dark magius user?" Gio calmly says "Yes, my friend Kelso here is a dark magius user, he isn't good at controlling it, so it doesn't surprise me that he set off the detector". The guard walks over to Kelso and says "Mind if I see a demonstration? Dark magius is pretty rare". Gio nods, and Kelso says "Uhh... Y-yeah". I sigh, as I take off my eyepatch so I can see where he is without getting out of the barrel. Gio sure seems confident despite the fact I never revealed that I'm a dark magius user. His natural element is wind, so I doubt he could have sensed my excess darkness. Kelso slowly opens his hand, and at that moment I cast a spell right above his palm of a very weak dark mist, then dispel it a moment later The guards nod, as they go on through. After a short distance in, we stop as Gio and Kelso give us the signal it's safe to come out. I recast my disguise and climb out of the barrel and ask "What the hell is the big idea, making me use dark magius blind?". He laughs and says "Sometimes its good to keep a calm face, things tend to work out". Tch. I jump out as Lily follows me and says "Well, thank you very much for your help". I nod, and begin walking off as Lily quickly walks after me --- "So let's get everything straight here...", Lily says. I nod, and say "Everyone says this is unlike the king, and I hear rumours that the military representatives are bending the truth to get very strange things done, such as these public hangings. Our best lead of information is to infiltrate the castle and learn more about the military leaders". Lily pauses for a moment, then says "Y-yeah, but... I-I meant about you and I and him...". I clench my fist and growl "Lily... Not now". I storm off as Lily makes a short, angry grunt and follows me. We arrive at the castle, and I say "All right. I'm going to sneak in through a window, you try and get information as a civilian. We meet back here in 2 hours". Lily nods, as she walks off towards the front gates, as I go into an alleyway and drop my disguise. I survey the castle from the shadows, and see a window one floor above the ground floor. With my wing I'm fast enough to get there without anyone seeing, but I'd be far too loud. My best chance is to just walk up undisguised, jump the gate, and climb the wall as fast as I can and slip in without being seen. Simplicity is sometimes the key. I slowly walk out of the alley, as I put up my hood and cover my arm with my cloak. I reach the wall and look around. No one. That makes things easier. I unbound my wing, and use it to jump right up to the window. I peer inside and see only one old man, his back to me. I take out my dagger and slowly cut a hole in the glass. I pop it out and set it down inside, then fluidly roll through the hole I quietly set the glass back in place, and sneak along and hide behind a cupboard. I take off my eyepatch to get a better look. The man seems to be fixing a meal. There is just one guard outside, walking this way. I stay where I am until the guard comes by. He knocks on the door and yells "Old man, the Royal General is growing impatient". The old man nervously replies "Y-yes sir, I just finished". He picks up the plate and hurries along with the guard, as the two leave. I slip out from behind the cupboard, and slowly open the door and leave the room. I quietly close the door and take a quick look up and down the hall. It is lined with red carpet and candles... Could be worker's quarters or something. I push myself up against the wall and watch the old man and guard walk down, then turn a corner. I look both ways again, and silently follow them They eventually arrive in a large banquet hall, as the old man walks over and sets the plate infront of a man with long black bangs and plate armour. The old man bows and scurries off. I jump up and hold myself near the ceiling with my arms and legs on opposite sides of the hall. The old man hurries beneath me, as I slowly move up the hall from the ceiling, since there is no other hiding place in such a large room. At the edge of the hallway I stop and close my demon eye so they don't spot its glow, and listen in. --- The man in armour begins by saying "Your majesty, the situation on the warfront has greatly increased because of your support". The king sighs, and says "I'm glad. But I want this war to be resolved, it's been going on far too long". The armour man leans forward and says "And it can. Barculo has been turning in many suspects of treason, he has always been loyal to his country. With him at our side, we can penetrate the Felinia capital and end this war once and for all". The king slams his goblet down and says "I do not want this to end in a massacre!" Well, I'll be damned. The king really does not want to slaughter us like animals. The king continues, and says "I want another meeting with the chieftain of Felinia to try and settle this like civilized people". The armour man shakes his head and says "If you wish, your majesty...". The king nods, and leaves the table. I think it's time I had a word with the king myself Chapter 23 - Changing History Manitania, Royal Castle, 23rd of Venus's Light, 990 --- I stay in the ceiling until everyone in the banquet hall leaves. I have a small window to quickly get through without being seen before the maids arrive. I drop down and run across the room as silently as I can. I slip into the hallway that the king went down and look down it. This would be much easier with a disguise, but I can't use dark magius in here, there are no doubt light magius users who would be sensitive to the darkness, and of course, magius detectors at high security places. I continue down the hallway, and soon I notice a mage talking to one of the guards. The mage walks away, and goes into a room. I can't sneak past this guard... But maybe... I lift off my eyepatch, and see that the room the mage went into is empty. I grin and slowly make my way to the door, and slip inside when the guard looks the other way. The mage is sitting at a desk, writing something. I silently sneak up behind him, and knock him unconscious with the non-lethal blade of my dagger. I undress him and put on the robes, then head outside. I walk past the guard, and continue down the hall. As I round the next corner, I see the king patting a young man on the shoulder, as he runs off somewhere and the king goes into the room. I take a peek with my demon eye, and again, he is alone in his chambers. Things are finally going my way... I sneak up to the door, and when the king has his back to the door, I slowly open it and slip inside. The king sits down on a chair and sighs, as I sneak around the room to behind the bed. I take the robe off and slide underneath the bed. I peek through the soft silk fabric. The king stands infront of a fireplace, and quietly says "This isn't war anymore... This is just madness...". I come out from the bed, sneak up behind him, and grab him and hold my dagger to his throat and growl "That it is". --- I expected the king to cower and snivel, but he remained calm and simply said "...What is it you wish, assassin?". I quietly say "I wish for an end to this war". The king laughs and says "So you intend to cut the cause at its source?". I nod and say "That's right". The king sternly says "Then it is not I you want the head of". I growl and push the blade into his throat and hiss "The royal general will get his". The king then says "Oh, will he?". I push my demon ear against his head and growl "If you die, all troops will lose morale, your army will plunge into chaos, and we can drive you out of our country, we will not invade you as you have to us". The king then thinks "Foolish child, she does not even realize what that mad man is planning". The king says "As much as I wi-", but I interupt him and ask "What is he planning?" The king pauses for a moment, and says "...Excuse me?". I hiss "What is that madman planning?". He hesitates for a moment, then continues. "My death will only cause a small hiccup in morale. The military leader will push the army into Felinia under the guise of revenge of my death, and your country will be lost". I growl and yell "You've already invaded my country!!!". He pauses for a moment, and says "...What?". I put my ear up to his head and say "Your army has already attacked the capital several times, and occupied countless towns". I listen to his thoughts. He's telling the truth, he doesn't realize how far the war's escalated. He thinks it's just at a stalemate, battling around the border. What a fool. The king pauses, and asks "What has this war stolen from you, my child?". I pause for a moment, and growl "My home, my parents, and my childhood". The king lowers his head and says "I apologize on behalf of my country. I will not ask for your forgiveness". I growl, but don't say any more. I should just slice his throat right now, but... He is a respectable man. At that moment he says "Assassin, if you believe that my death will help bring a swift end to this war, then do it". I look at him, and he continues, "I am an old man, and I live for the benefit of my people. If you truely believe that my death will end this war, then it is yours for the taking". I lower my head, and whisper "...I will make sure, no more shall fall victim in this war". I see his cheekbones smile as he says "I am glad. Perhaps this is for the best. Tell my daughter she will make a fine queen". I nod and say "I will...". I grip the dagger tightly, and softly say "I am truely sorry. You are a very strong man. No one will ever forget you". *slice* His body falls to the ground as his blood spews all over the floor. This is a job no one should have had to do. He was truely strong to accept death for the better of his people. Now the Felians should be able to drive the scattered Manitanians out of Felinia and end this war. I sheathe my dagger, walk to the desk, and write down a note. "King Roshaun died 23rd of Venus's Light, 990. His final wish was to bring a swift end to this senseless war, and he wishes to tell the princess that she will make a fine queen. Never forget his legacy". I set the note down on his body, and bow in respect to him before taking my leave. --- Chapter 24 - Rematch Manitania, Royal castle, 23rd of Venus's Light, 990 --- I sneak my way back out of the castle, and stand infront of it, waiting. Not just for Lily, but for the course of history to change. Part of me wishes I could take back killing the king, but it had to be done. The death of one can save thousands. After a while, Lily arrives and walks over to me and apologizes, "I'm sorry Alishaa, I couldn't find anything... Security is so tight". I pause, and quietly say "I killed him". She looks up at me and says "K-killed who...?". I look at her and say "King Roshaun" Lily steps back and covers her mouth to stop her from screaming. I motion her to follow me as I turn around to leave. Lily runs after me and finally says "Alishaa, you...?! Oh my god...!!!". I sigh, and say "He wants this war to end as badly as we do, I had a chat with him before he died". Lily looks at me and says "I-if he wants the war to end, w-why did you kill him?!". I look at her and say "He's a figurehead. If he dies, the public will plunge into chaos, which will take all of the government to quell, leaving the forces in Felinia scattered, then we can drive them out, and end the war". Lily pauses, and says "W-wow... Is the war really going to end...?". I turn around and look at the castle, and whisper "I really hope so..." --- We leave the capital with little trouble and set out to Felinia. The war is almost over... Then once it is, I can track down Abelard with ease and... Well, I don't know what I'll do after I get my revenge... I guess I'd try and get rid of these demon limbs. I only need them to kill Abelard. But there is no use thinking about it right now, let's just stay in the now and put an end to the war --- We stopped at an inn our first night because Lily insisted that I get a good night sleep after all that's happened. I decide to go to the bar tonight, and Lily comes with me again so that another Gio episode doesn't happen again. We sit there and have a few drinks together, then something catches my eye after a while. Old, scruffy men with battle axes, sitting in the corner. Standard attire of the white angels. I tell Lily to be quiet for a bit so I can listen in. They're not talking about much. News of the king's death hasn't spread this far, I guess. I go back to my drink with Lily and enjoy the rest of the night with her We go back to our room, and Lily sits down on the bed and says "So, Alishaa...". I sit down on my bed and look at her. She rubs her arm and says "So... Um... Now that the war's over...". Here we go... I start taking off my armour and weapons, as she keeps talking. "The war is coming to a close now, right? So, maybe, do you want to... I mean... Can we... Can we talk about... Us?". I set my equipment down beside my bed and drop my disguise. She continues "I have to know though, Alishaa... Are you... Are you straight?". I lay down on my bed and say "I don't know". Lily stands up and walks over and sits on my bed. "Please Alishaa, this is important to me". I repeat myself, "I don't know Lily. I've never been interested in a man or woman". Lily looks off, and says "So... Do you think, if you can love someone, you can... Love me?". I roll away from her and again say "I don't know" Lily spins around and puts her arm on my shoulder and says "I want to be with you, Alishaa". I don't say a word. I don't know what to say. This is too confusing for me... Lily lays down behind me and says "I love you". I stay silent, as she snuggles against my cold, demonic back and says "I love you..." --- I fall asleep with Lily against my back. I don't know how to feel about all this, but I can't push her away. I'm growing soft because of her... Feeling remorse for killing the leader of my enemies... Letting a woman fall in love with me... Ugh... However, my dreamless sleep is interupted by a loud noise downstairs. I look over behind my shoulder at the door, and listen again. I hear heavy boots coming up the stairs. I quickly get off the bed and grab my weapons and throw the sheets on Lily's bed around my body and fold it like a hood, then flatten myself against the wall beside the door. I listen through the door, and they're coming right this way. There are two. I take off my eye patch, and the last one is white, a light magius user. The one in the front stops infront of our door, and gets ready to kick it down. I throw off my cloak knowing they're not here to talk, take out my dagger, and clench my demon fist. He kicks down the door, as I swing around and stab him in the heart Lily shoots up and looks at the dead body fall down, and a heavily armoured man swing a giant battle axe and shouts "ALISHAA DUCK!". I duck as a battle axe smashes through the wall from the hallway right where my neck used to be. I spin around and throw a punch at him, but my demon arm bounces right off him. I scream in pain from having my arm stopped, and look up and see him. Abelard. I jump out of the way of the axe again, as shout "LILY! GET OUT OF HERE!" Lily throws my armour my way, then starts climbing out of the window. Abelard grunts and says "The time of your exorcism has come, demon". I spread out my wing and scream "I'll gladly drag you down to hell with me!!!". I lunge at him as he side steps me and I punch a hole right out of the side of the building. I spin around, and flip over the axe, and spin kick him in the head. He stumbles back as I throw another punch that he dodges, and slams down on my arm with a blindingly bright elbow, as I feel another incredible burning sensation. I scream in pain, as I swat him away with my wing. He's using light magius so well that it's overpowering my darkness!!! How?! I have the power of a demon...!!! I let out another battle cry and flap my wing during my lunge to spin myself, and punch him right in the gut. His armour is burning to the touch, but I still hit him without enough force to send him rolling backwards. I hold onto my fist and try to shake off the pain. He gets up and says "Pretty good, demon. But I know your tricks. Darkness can not survive in light". He chants a spell, but in the middle of it I take a swing at him as he effortlessly dodges it and keeps chanting. I use my wing to stop my momentum and do a sweep kick that he fluidly hops over. I use my spinning motion and do a roundhouse kick that he bends back to avoid, and before I can throw another punch, he stops, and the room is engulfed in a blinding light and searing pain all over my body I scream in pain and fall down onto the floor, and roll over onto my back. My normal flesh feels like it's on fire and my demon flesh feels like it's melting right off my body. I scream even louder, as I feel his axe slam right into my demon arm. I scream as he stomps his foot onto my face, and says "Now to end you, like I should have all those years ago". He draws a sword, and holds it right above my face, ready to slam it down into me. I scream again, pushing my mouth open, and as he's taking a breath to get ready to finish me off, I slam my mouth shut, and my demon fangs pierce his boot, flesh, and bone. He drops his sword beside me and screams, as I jerk my head to the side and rip a chunk out of his foot. I spin myself around and yank the axe out of my arm, and swing it at him and it lodges itself right in his side. I pick up his sword and slam it into his other side, scream "GO BACK TO HELL WHERE YOU BELONG", as I spread my wing, launch myself at him, and scream "DIEEEEEE", and throw the hardest punch I've ever thrown in my life square into his chest. He goes flying out the hole I made earlier, rolling across the grass, and slowly stops into a skewered lump. I fall down onto my knees and laugh "Ahahaha... I did it...". I burst into a loud, bloodcurling screaming laugh and scream "I KILLED ABELARD!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" I walk over to his body, still laughing maniacally. I take his axe and scream in laughter as I slam it down and chop his right arm off, take out my dagger and laugh as I open his right eyelid and gouge his eye out. I toss his eyeball and laugh and collapse onto the ground in laughter. I feel like an insane psychotic killer, but... He's dead... The man who took everything from me is dead...!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! --- Chapter 25 - Long-sought safety Felinia, Rivessiga, 11th of Jupiter's Shadow, 990 --- I was in an intense bliss for the entire remainder of the journey to Felinia. I ended the war, and I killed the man who ruined my life. Within Felinia, there are already less Manitania soldiers than the last time I was there. Lily was happy for me that I did everything I wanted to do, but was sad because they both involved killing. The way I see it, I purged two great evils from the world. We arrived at the capital, which has signifigantly less security. Already news has spread of the king's death, the army's disorganization, and the White Angel's disbandment. I waltz into the capital with my Lapian disguise with Lily, as we both admire the peace within the city Lily looks over at me and says "Well Alishaa... All we have to do is figure out how to get rid of your demon parts and...". I smile and look up and say "And I can live a normal life". Lily smiles and says "Yes. I'm so happy for you...!". Lily hugs me as I laugh and say "Thanks. But you probably won't like what I'm going to do next". Lily looks up at me and I continue, "I'm going to get an audience with the chieftain, show proof that I killed the king and Abelard, and request that he help me find a way to rid myself of these demon parts". Lily nods and says "Yeah. You've always been a straight to the point kind of woman. I'll be by your side no matter what you do, Alishaa" We walk to the clan leader buildings, and I enter the chieftain's area. The guard stops Lily and I and asks "What business do you have with the chieftain?". I face him and say "I have important news about the state of the war and mercenary gang 'White Angels' that I wish to share, it won't take long". The guard motions me inside, and follows Lily and I inside. I walk down the hall to the chieftain and says "Ah, what do two Lapian women need of me?". I pause, and say "My lord... I am not Lapian". My disguise fades away in a dark mist, as my natural self reveals itself, as the chieftain leans up and I continue, "I am a loyal Felian woman, my lord" The guards surround me, weapons drawn, as I stay kneeled down, and Lily stands beside me, bowing down with me. She says "I swear my life to the gods that this woman is not your enemy. Please, listen to her". The chieftain holds his hand up and says "Hold your arms men, I'll hear her out". I take a breath of relief, and say "Thank you, my lord". I look up and say "I am the assassin who killed King Roshaun and slayed the ex Holy Knight Abelard Barculo". Chatter begins to fill the room as the chieftain stands up and says "Those are strong claims. What proof do you have?". I slowly pull out a piece of fabric and set it infront of me. "This is a piece of the cloak of King Roshaun himself, and this...", I pull out a sword hilt and set it beside the cloth and continue, "This is the hilt of Abelard Barculo's sword". I continue kneeling, as a guard collects the items and hands them to the chieftain The cheiftain looks at them for a moment, and says "If what you say is true, then we may very well have been saved by you, demon". Lily steps forward and yells "She is NOT a demon!!!". I grab onto Lily's skirt and pull her down and whisper "It's all right Lily...". The chieftain stands up and says "Is there something you want out of this?". I nod, and say "My lord, I request that you help me find a way to rid myself of this demonic corruption". The chieftain folds his arms and says "Very well, but you must complete one trial first". I nod and say "Of course my lord. What is it?". He walks over and grabs a large greatsword and says "Defeat me in a duel". I look up confused and say "W-what...?!". The chieftain laughs and says "That Barculo was argueably the strongest warrior in the land. Not only would I like to see the capabilities of someone who could best him, but I never do get to have a real duel anymore". I stand up and say "M-my lord, I'm sorry, but no. I do not know how to combat in a non-lethal situation". He laughs and says "Oh come now". I look around and say "I-I can demonstrate my strength though... Do you have anything hard I can break?". He laughs again and says "I'm not interested in seeing you chop a brick or two". I shake my head and say "I can punch holes in walls". He raises an eyebrow and says "Well... That's something else then. Follow me then, and your friend as well if you like". He sets off into a nearby hallway, as Lily and I shrug and follow him, and the guards follow behind us We finally end up in an underground dungeon, as the chieftain pats a wall and says "If you can crack this wall with just your fist, then I will help you rid yourself of your demon". I rub my bicep and look at the wall as he gets out of the way. Lily claps and says "You can do it, Alishaa!". I take a deep breath, and punch the wall as hard as I can. I break right through the stone and go right through the earth behind it until my shoulder slams into the wall and cracks it from the impact. I pull my arm out and turn around to face the chieftain and bow. The chieftain gawks at my strength, and exclaims "W-wow...". He walks over to me and puts his hand on my shoulder and says "I'll get our finest magius researchers in it. Please, stay in our guest chambers until your cure is ready, and you needn't hide yourself anymore. I'll inform all our soldiers and people that you are our hero. What was your name?". I bow and say "Alishaa Ralsan, my lord". He pushes my chin up and says "Alishaa, you have served your country proudly. Now is the time for rest" Chapter 26 - New Years countdown Felinia, Rivessiga, 31st of Jupiter's Shadow, 990 --- Today is the eve of the new year, 991. Lily and I have been living in the guest chambers of the clan leaders hall, and although the people were initially scared of me, being a half-demon, but some have accepted me as a hero. I never did this to be a hero, but I will admit, the glory feels good I wake up to the shining sun, as Lily says, "Ah, good morning...". I look behind me and see her cuddled up behind me. I smile and get out of bed and say "Good morning". I start getting dressed, as there is a knock on the door. I look over and hear "Lady Ralsan! The chieftain requests your presence". I take a silk dress out of the dresser and rip a hole in it for my wing and put it on. Lily stretches and also puts on formal wear, and we head down to see the chieftain He laughs and says "Ah, Alishaa Ralsan, you're looking beautiful as always". I smile and say "What did you need?". He stands up and says "We found it. We know how to cure you of your demonic possession". Lily shrieks in happiness, as I smile, but a voice fills my head, screaming "Don't do it". I hold my head and say "What do I have to do?". An old felian man walks up in a white cloak and says "We must purge the darkness within you with light". I think back to all the time light magius has been used on me... Abelard's armour and attacks... Lily's flash... They all caused searing pain. I look up and ask "May I be unconcious when you do it?". The mage nods and says "Yes, but you may not wake up for a day or two if you do". I shrug and say "I don't care, light magius hurts like hell". The mage nods, and escorts me to a chamber of sorts with an altar, and many light mages around it I sit down and lie down on the altar as Lily kisses my forehead and says "It's almost over, Alishaa. You can almost live a normal life". I smile, and she steps back and lets the magius users do their job. They cast a spell on me, as my eyelids droop, and I black out --- I slowly open my eyes again. I'm back in the guest chambers... I moan and try leaning up, but fall over on my side. I only pushed myself up with one arm. With one arm...!!! I fully wake up and look at my side, and see nothing but my torso. I feel my face and only feel my left eye. I start crying and sob out "Oh my god...!". I look over as Lily spins around and yells "Alishaa!!!" and runs over and hugs me. I cry into her shoulder and sob "I'm normal...!!!". Lily hugs me tighter and says "They... They summoned the demon of light to cure you". She smiles and says "It was amazing... Raw light magius... It just soaked away your darkness...". I keep crying on her shoulder as she pats my back. Lily continues, "I'm so glad that it didn't take the body parts the corruption spread to...". I keep crying into her shoulder even more, as she stays silent and holds me as I let out all my feelings... I'm normal again... --- Lily and I head to the town square for the new year celebration. The moon and stars fill the sky, and the feeling of joy fills the air. I smile and take some deep breaths to finally celebrate my first new years without revenge in my heart. As the town crier announces "Ladies and gentlemen, let us take a moment to reflect on the new year". Lily hops infront of me and says "Alishaa, I want to spend my life with you". I smile and rub my head, as Lily laughs and says "You don't have any excuses to push me away anymore~". I laugh, and look at her, and say "I... Um, I don't know what to say, but...". I keep smiling, as Lily hugs me and says "You don't have to say anything Alishaa". I hug her back, and look up at the sky, and notice something strange. Did a patch of stars... Disappear? I shake it off though. I'm done worrying about this stuff. I don't see anything wrong with being a normal woman with Lily. I've grown attached to her. I... I really like her. Lily happily hops around infront of me and says "Alishaa... Can we...". She pauses to brush her hair aside, and her face is turning red. "Can we... Kiss at midnight?". I smile and nod. Lily happily giggles and says "My new years resolution... Is to help you live a normal life". I smile and say "Mine... Mine is just to put war and violence behind me". Lily hugs me and says "I'm proud of you". The town crier starts chanting "Ten! Nine! Eight!". The crowd starts joining in and Lily yells "Come on Alishaa!". Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three... Tw-...?!?!?! I look up and see a flaming ball of fire headed right to us and pull Lily and run away from the crowd. It lands in the dead centre of the crowd and plunges the surviving crowd into chaos and panic. Lily looks around and shouts "What's going on Alishaa?!?!?!". Before I can even answer, a guard runs up to us and yells "Lady Ralsan! We need you!!! Rivessiga is under attack by a massive Manitanian army!!!" --- Chapter 27 - The Final Battle Felinia, Rivessiga, 31st of Jupiter's Shadow, 990 --- Lily and I rush back to the clan leader huts as I re-equip myself with my old battle gear and Lily gets her medic supplies. I spin my dagger and put it in its sheathe and leave the armory, and we bump into one of the captains. I walk up and say "Where are we needed most?". The captain looks at us and says "Lady Lily, head to the main gate. Tend to the wounded there". Lily nods and says "Right!" and runs off, as he looks at me and says "We need you to slip past their lines and flank them and take out their commanding officers. Can you do it?". I sigh and say "I was born for bloodshed... Let me put an end to this shit once and for all" --- I leave the capital from a side gate, as soldiers line the entire perimeter in deadlocked battle. I look around, but... I feel different. Seeing violence and bloodshed used to... Fill me in a state of ecstacy... Now, it does nothing but fill me with disgust and fear. I shake it off, and take a deep breath, and cast an invisibility cloak on myself, and run through no man's land. I jump when I reach the soldiers fighting and launch myself off one of the Manitanians and keep running towards the rear-more units. However, on my dash there, I start panting and running out of energy. Damn it... Did I really rely on demon magius this much...?! I jump into a trench and drop the disguise and take a rest to catch my breath Thoughts of regret fill my head. I JUST lost my demon powers, and I need them now more than ever... Irony that is going to cost me my life, my home, and my country if I fail today. I wipe my eyes and clench the dirt, and recast my invisibility and run forward more. I slip past the archers lined up, and uncloak in the forest and catch my breath again. I start sneaking through the forest, looking for important or lone soldiers to kill. As I sneak along, I watch the battle, and even though they got a jump on us, we're holding our own. We continue to hold them in place, preventing them from breaching the capital. I smile that we may succeed in defending our land even if I fail, and continue sneaking I soon find a man on horse top directing soldiers as they run down to the battle. I take a throwing knife out of my pack, and take a deep breath, and toss it right into the back of his head. He falls down off his horse as I slink back into the shadows and continue. The soldiers clamour around the fallen officer, and one shouts "When is the demon getting here?!". I softly laugh, although disappointed that I can't fulfill that anymore. Then I hear another one says "Just wait... The demon of light will put an end to these barbarians once and for all The demon... Of... L-l-light...?!?! Oh no... No no no no... NO NO NO!!! I look around for any sign of intense light magius but can't sense a thing. I speed up my travel along the forest, and find another officer on horseback. However, he is just sitting there. I take out my dagger and sneak up on him, then jump up and slam my dagger into his spine. However, as I look at his helmet, on the right side, I see nothing but a bright white light in the shadow of his helmet. He grabs onto me with his right arm, and tosses me into the field as I roll along the ground before I spread out to stop my rolling. I look up at him, as he unfastens his armour over his right arm. "Well... The Demoness of Death is no longer a demon... This is going to be far too easy then...". That voice...!!! He removes the armour to reveal a sleek, blindingly bright white arm. I look up in complete despair and scream "IT CAN'T BE... HOW ARE YOU ALIVE?!?! ABELARDDDDDD!!!". He laughs and says "I have tasted death, and it is bittersweet. I am no longer mortal... I live on as the demon of light. And now that you no longer have the demon of darkness, you can do nothing but be crushed under my might". He jumps down off his horse and grabs onto me and throws me again. I roll along the ground and begin coughing blood as I try to stand up, but he just kicks my ribs as I do. I continue to cough blood, as he picks me up by my hair and throws me up into the air, and I fall down onto the cold hard ground and hear some of my bones crack I look around. I... I'm at the main gate... How far have I been tossed like a sack of potatoes...? As I try to stand back up again, I look up and see a lapian running towards me. "ALISHAA!!!". Oh hell no, not Lily...! I try and shout back to her to tell her to run, but I can't. I'm too weak...! I cough as I look behind me and see Abelard slowly walking towards me. I try again to scramble to my feet as Lily slides down beside me and helps me up. "Alishaa, oh my god, what happened...?!". I cough and say "Abelard... Demon... Light... Too... Weak..." and cough up blood again. Lily looks down at me and says "Oh my god I think your ribs have collapsed!". She sets me down and starts healing me as I try and scream to tell her to run but I can't She sets her hands on my ribs and starts chanting a spell. I scream in pain, as it slowly starts to feel a little better, bit my bit. Suddenly though, it stops before I feel fully healed. I open my eyes, and see Lily flailing her legs around, being held up the face by Abelard. I scream in terror as Lily muffled screams fill my ears, as Abelard grunts "Thank you for reviving my punching bag, but I'm afraid it's time for you to die". He punches Lily right in the gut with his demon arm as blood spews from behind his hand holding Lily's face, as he grabs her body and tears her in half and tosses her body and head into the bloody battlefield. At that exact moment, I felt nothing. Lily was the last reason I even wanted any part of this world. She loved me. She wanted nothing but a simple life with me. She never deserved anything that happened to her. I stare at Abelard's blood soaked armour, and let out a bloodcurling scream and feel an intense darkness flowing all through me. He reaches down to pick me up with his demon arm, as I grab onto his with my own, as he begins to groan in pain. My arm explodes in darkness as I squeeze as hard as I can and he falls to the ground panting and groaning in pain. I scream again and feel darkness explode all through my body and hear a familiar voice "You and I, we are one in the same". I scream and a shockwave of darkness shoots out from me sending Abelard flying backwards. I look at myself. I have two arms. But they're both identical, both normal sized, but purple with bone blades jetting out, with very long, very sharp claws. I feel my face, covered in fangs and horns. I feel two wings on my back, flapping. My feet have bones jetting out forming a sort of natural high heel. I am no longer mortal. I know what I have become... I am the demon of darkness I walk over to Lily's body and bring her head over and set it where it should be. I tear off my cloak and set it over her, covering her body. I kneel down and kiss her before setting the blanket down. I start crying for a moment, as I sense Abelard behind me. I let out a scream that could be heard for miles as I spin around and pierce my claws right through his chest, and toss him into the air. I fly upwards after him, and axe kick him back to the ground. I flap my wings and rocket down and drive my feet spikes into his face and heart. I fling my foot and rip his head off and tear out his heart and scream as I continue to skewer him As I am though, an arm grabs onto my ankle and slams me into the ground. I look up and see his skewered body stand, and although it doesn't speak, I hear it in my mind. "I told you. I am the demon of light. When my soldiers found my body, they did exactly as I requested and used the demon of light to revive me. I must say. I did not expect a little girl like you to be able to fuse yourself to the demon of darkness as quickly as you did". I kick the armour right in the gut, as it grabs me and tosses me away. "You and I are both immortal now. We can not die". I stand up and scream "YOU KILLED LILY!!! SHE DIDN'T DESERVE ANYTHING!!! I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE, EVEN IF YOU ARE A GOD, I WILL STILL KILL YOU!!!!!!!". I lunge at the armour as slam right into it and begin tearing it to pieces. I rip off the armour and begin tearing away at the flesh underneath. The armour tosses me off, as I flawlessly land and jump right back on and continue to tear it to pieces. "Wounds do not phase either of us, don't you understand?". I rip out every vital organ in its body, but it continues to rise. I take a breath as darkness fills my arm, as it explodes into a thick black mist with red blades. I look at the armour, as its arm begins to shine. I scream at the top of my lungs at we lunge at each other and clash, and create a massive explosion. I push my arm through the light and grab onto its arm. I close my eyes and concentrate as much darkness there as I can, as the voice starts screaming "How...?! HOW?!". I scream as I squeeze even tighter, and pull back and rip the arm off and slam it into the ground. The arm flails around screaming "How can a mortal...?!" I scream as I begin tearing the arm apart piece by piece. Soon, the arm stops shining and becomes just normal flesh. I look up and see a bright white haze floating above, and says "You win, demon of darkness". I scream and swat at the light, but my arm goes right through it, then it slowly vanishes. I take a few breaths, as the adrenaline starts to wear off. I collapse to the ground and begin to cry. Lily's gone... I fall down onto the ground and start pouring my heart out, screaming and crying, as panic spreads through the Manitanians from the fall of their demon of light and the demon of darkness right infront of them. I'm too heartbroken to do anything about it though... I crawl over to Lily's body, lay down on it, cry for her, and eventually black out --- Final Chapter (Ch 28) - Demoness of Life Felinia, Rivessiga, 1st of New Dawn, 991 --- I awaken in a bed. I push myself up with two arms. I look to my right side, and it looks like a perfectly normal arm. I get up and look in a mirror, and see two normal emerald eyes looking back at me. I look at myself in confusion, as I hear a faint voice. "Mortal, you have served me well. I will remain inside you and remove your handicap for the remainder of your life. Mortal warriors should be rewarded when they defeat a demon, no?". I close my eyes and rub my arms together and get dressed. I leave the room and a guard looks at me and says "Ah, Lady Ralsan, you are awake". I look at him and ask "Wha... What happened...?". The guard looks up and says "We drove them off, thanks to you stopping their ace and breaking their spirits". He looks at me and says "The chieftain has already sent a peace request to put an end to the foolishness. He also wanted to see you when you awoke". I look down, and remember Lily. I burst into tears and walk down the hall to the chieftain's room I enter, still crying. The chieftain stands up and walks over to me. "I am so sorry for your loss, young one". I fall down as my tears pour out all over the floor. The chieftain pats me on the back and says "Come, there is something I need to show you before we get to business". He helps me up as I wipe my tears and he leads me to his quarters. He touches a sequence of bricks, and a trap door opens near his bed. We go down, and he shows me a crystal. He hands it to me and says "This is the Crystal of Lost Spirits. You and Lily... You didn't get to say goodbye, did you?". I burst into tears again, as he continues, "Just hold onto this and think of the person you desire to see again". I sob and close my eyes and think of Lily. A few moments later, I hear her voice. "Alishaa..." I open my eyes and see her faint apparition infront of me and I cover my mouth and she smiles at me. I drop the crystal and run over to her as I stumble through her. I spin around as Lily sadly spins around and looks at me. "Alishaa, I am so sorry". I look at her as tears run down my cheeks and scream "I never got to say I love you, Lily!!!". Lily smiles and says "You just did". She holds her hands over her heart and says "I love you too, Alishaa. I will always be in your heart, remember that". Lily opens her eyes and softly smiles at me and says "I'll live on as you do, I will always be with you, my love...". I fall to my knees and can't even see anymore from the tears. Lily closes her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest and says "Goodbye, Alishaa" I scream and try and grab onto her as she fades away and I fall down onto the ground. I wipe my eyes and scream "LILYYYYYYYYYYY!!!". The crystal suddenly shatters to pieces as I faintly hear Lily's voice echo in the wind... "Goodbye~" --- The chieftain patiently waits for me to get all my feelings out, which took several hours, no doubt. Afterwards, he brought me up to talk to the people of the capital. Maids helped me into the fanciest dress in all of Felinia, and I stepped outside onto the balcony, looking over a massive group of people, chanting for me. I cover my mouth as tears well up in my eyes, as the chieftain steps out beside me and says "People of Rivessiga! Today, we stand united as one, victors of one of the greatest, and costliest battles ever fought. Many, many good men and women were lost that day, and they will all live on in our hearts and memories. I have here the greatest heroine of this war, one who lost everything, but still fought on to protect the lives of all. Alishaa Ralsan!". I look down at the crowd as they all cheer for me as the chieftain steps back and hands me some sort of device that makes me louder... I take a few breaths to calm myself and say "I... I was only a little girl when this war started... I lived in Issla... The very first town that was invaded... I was its sole survivor... I lost my home, I lost my parents, my friends, everything I ever knew. I was rescued by a kind, old, wise hermit who trained me. Since then, I had only the desire for revenge in my heart... Then I met Lily Smille. She was a year younger than I, and an apprentice medic... She taught me to feel... She taught me to live... She taught me to love". I wipe my eyes and take a few more breaths, and continue, "She stuck by my side no matter what happened. She helped me through things I could never have done alone. And...". I cover my mouth and wipe my tears again, "She died in the battle yesterday, protecting me". I drop the device and fall to my knees crying. I pick it back up and yell "NEVER FORGET ANYONE WHO DIED YESTERDAY, PROTECTING US ALL SO THAT WE COULD LIVE... ANOTHER DAY...!!!". I drop it and begin crying, as the crowd cheers out for me. The chieftain walks over and helps me up and escorts me inside --- We're sitting at the banquet hall, I'm in the seat next to the chieftain. He looks down at me and asks "Alishaa, how would you like to become a princess for our country? I look at him, and shake my head. "Thank you my lord, but nobility is not where I belong". I stand up and walk off, as he stands up and shouts "Where are you going?!". I pause, and say "...All my life I have taken lives. I am going to spend the rest of my life protecting lives, so that no one else has to suffer what I have". I grab my gear, and leave the hall --- I stand in the graveyard, where Lily's tombstone rests. I pull out my dagger and set it infront of it, as well as some flowers. I close my eyes and kneel down infront of it, and pray "Lily. From this day on, I promise I will never take another life, and I will forever work to ensure no one else's life is taken. Thank you for everything you've shown me. I will never... I will never ever forget you...!". I wipe my tears, and walk off. I am a demon. But no longer will I strive to bring death to my enemies. I will protect everyone... All in your name, Lily. Rest in Peace, my love. END PLOT HOLES OR DETAILS THAT NEED FILLING IN LATER VERSIONS: - Give the gawd damn chieftain a name - Fit the reason the Manitanians made that final assault on Rivessiga in (The military guy convinced the government peeps to launch a final assault on the Felians because of their king's death and Abelard as their ace to win) - Better explain how Abelard became the Demon of Light - I wanted Alishaa to talk to Richard's spirit at some point. Fit that in somewhere - Reread earlier chapters, I'm sure there are inconsistencies back there :3