"Astragoth, crush every undead on the western wall. Kalrun, the east. Etragos to me, we will drench this wall in undead blood!" I commanded with all the vigour of a demon lord.

Despite my feelings, my former human self wouldn't have had this much glee. But now, on this wall, amid bloodshed, I felt great.

Taking flight I left my mistress, my summoner and hopefully the key to the great mystery. Despite her enslaving me, I couldn't judge given my past actions, I needed her alive. She was the key to the puzzle and I will not allow this castle to fall.

Etragos flew to my side and we both looked down at the enemy below. The zombies were of little consequence, but their numbers were a problem. But for now, the Vampyrs and Ghouls were the enemy.

"I feel like I'm back in Nysegard, down in the muck with my fellow demons." The veteran beside me said, glee in his eyes.

"Well I hope this battle brings satisfaction." I said, matching his glee.

We scanned the field, locating several targets, pockets of higher-tier undead that needed to be exterminated. A collection of Ghouls and Vampyrs were making their way through the mass of corpses. Their intent was clear, climb the wall and make a path for their undead brethren.

Without hesitation, we descended rapidly, meeting the group head-on. Etragos withdrew a mace he had pilfered, and with reckless abandon, he hurled himself upon his foe. The mace came crashing down upon a Ghouls skull, the impact left nothing but fragments of brain and bone.

Before the group could even respond, I fell upon them like a whirlwind. Embracing the savage nature of a demon, entirely against my wizardly nature. I waded into the group with claw and fist. Three Ghouls fell easily, with only a few swipes to the neck and chest.

Cutting a swath through these bags of meat and flesh, I felt exhilarated. What I was feeling couldn't easily be explained. But one simple word was a close as any could be. I felt demonic, like a true demon.

These thoughts raced through my mind as I fought like an animal. I wished I could ascend to the sky and bombard them like a proper pyromancer. But I shouldn't waste the magic when such an effective weapon was literally at hand.

A Vampyr jumped onto my arm and sank its teeth into my flesh. To be honest, I was not sure my blood would even sustain such a creature. It didn't get the time to find out, once I reached over and pulled off its head. The wet flesh tore away like parchment and I threw the corpse at his allies.

Mace and claw were our weapons of choice and soon every undead of note was bloody chunks soiling the ground. Many other undead were caught in the battle, cut apart by a misbegotten swing of my claws or brained by a mace.

But in the end, the threat was neutralised. Or more accurately it was dismembered. Yet despite this bloody victory, there were too many for my demons to manage. Even if we spread ourselves thin and focused on the elite undead. Eventually, the castle would be overwhelmed well before we made a dent into these thousands of undead.

As I pondered this dilemma, I was struck by a sudden gust of wind. It sent me flying back and sliced me apart like knives across the skin.

Righting myself I scanned for enemies. What I saw was a collection of robed figures. They all had the bestial hunger for flesh. It was clear on their faces, but an air of intelligence remained.

"Ghoul wizards, be careful!" I shouted to Etragos, warning him of the threat.

Casting an eye in his direction, I witnessed the demon swallowed by the ground come alive. It reached out it with its earthly grip and swallowed him whole. He vanished beneath a swell of earth, animated by the power of magic.

Upon reflex I reached for my staff, sensing how many casts were left. Not many and so I needed to be accurate with my shots. Not wanting to test my own demonic endurance, I cast several warding spells, basically elemental protection.

Just in time as the same earth surge threatened to take me as well. The warding spell pushed back against the rising earth, long enough for me to take flight.

"That was Wizardry! Not demonic power!" One of the ghouls shouted, his mouth foaming like a rabid dog.

"Can we eat demons? I'm hungry!" Another ghoul rages aloud.

"Shut up! Your making me hungry. We need to get rid of this demon and get into that castle!" A third ghoul stepped forward and raised his staff.

The staff glowed brightly, releasing a gust of wind, it lashed against my wings, slicing them apart. My warding spell was easily overcome, I really should have studied wards in more detail. Groaning in pain I tried to keep upright but was unable to keep flight.

As I fell, I quickly pointed my staff and unleashed a barrage of fiery death. Plummeting to the ground, I landed with a painful thud.

Quickly reclaiming my wits, I watched as the fireballs struck the collection of undead. The blaze knocked back the first line of undead wizards, possibly killing one of them. But they too had elemental wards and so the attack was nullified.

"Oh come on!" I complained, trying to get to my feet.

"How do we kill it? Not familiar with demons!" The enchanter ghoul wondered.

"Kill it? Better yet can we eat it. I heard demons regenerate." The geomancer grumbled.

"You want to eat a demon? Aren't you worried about demonic corruption?" The third ghoul question, aghast.

"We are already corrupted you idiot! Did you forget we are flesh eating ghouls! What would eating demon flesh do? Make us slightly more damned." The geomancer shot back.

"Yeah I'm pretty sure you guys are already corrupted. Probably best not to compound the issue." I added to the conversation, mostly to give myself time to rest and plan.

"The demon has a point." The enchanter said.

"He is a demon, demons lie, everybody knows that!" The geomancer added.

I tried not to be offended, but that did not work. Then again, I had the same opinion as them, not too long ago. Well, at least I tried to study demons beyond the typical nonsensical texts written about them. I realise that is just rationalising, but I will die on that hill if I must.

"Yes but why would a demon lie about that?" The third ghoul wondered aloud.

"We are getting off topic, we need to kill the demon, get past him and eat everyone in that castle, period!" The enchanter declared, brooking no argument.

"You can't kill demons, they just fade to the Abyss." The geomancer added.

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"He is right, I'll just fade to the Abyss if I sustain enough damage to warrant it," I explained, again I was not sure why I was engaging with them, I had finished my preparations.

With my spells ready, the somatic gestures and chanting the spell under my breath. I was ready to get back into the fight.

"Whatever, lets send him back to the Abyss and then we can get to the buffet." The enchanter suggested and received nods.

Getting my spell ready to cast, a figure burst from the ground and brought his mace down on the nearest ghoul. I witnessed the third ghoul get his head caved in. It exploded like a melon, blood and brain matter splattered across his companions.

Quickly the enchanter sent a gust of wind and pushed back Etragos mid-flight. Seeing my chance I sent the disruption spell, it battered against their wards, weakening the structure. At that moment, I summoned up all the staves remaining mana and sent a flurry of fireballs.

Their ward collapsed on impact and set the two remaining aflame. They screamed as the fire of the Abyss roasted them alive. I would feel guilty if they weren't just talking about eating people.

Etragos flew beside me, landing to my left. He inspected my work and nodded. "Impressive show my lord." He complimented.

"Not so bad yourself Etragos, that move of emerging from the ground and slaming your mace down on that ghouls head. That was quite a sight." I returned the praise and he smiled.

"I am unworthy of such praise." He answered and I frowned good-naturedly.

"You are very worthy, now lets kill the rest." I turned back to the forces arrayed.

The moment I did that, I wanted to cry. Despite roasting the ghoulish wizards, they were not the sum total of elite undead. A group of Vampyrs emerged from a mass of bodies and stood in formation. A ghoulish figure stood behind them, a dark and sickly aura spilled from his staff.

"A ghoul necromancer?" I wondered.

"That is quite a number of Vampyrs under his command." Etragos pointed out and I could not refute him.

"Master, I found something." Jelmak spoke across our link.

"Not now Jelmak, I am a little busy."

"But master, I found people who want to help." The little demon pressed and I was puzzled.

On reflex I ascended a little higher, casting my gaze across to the enemy camp. What I saw was another force exiting the area and onto the battlefield. I could sense Jelmak was among them, soaring overhead.

Examining the composition, I could see it was mostly composed of zombies. At the front was a very familiar figure. The necromancer Belus, flanked by two vampires, a giant with an axe, along with several undead that moved far too intelligently.

"What is going on?" I spoke directly to Jelmak.

"They want to fight by our side and free the castle from the siege. That necromancer, he is your ally right?" The little demon asked timidly.

"Oh, yes he is." I quickly replied, not wanting to elaborate.

"Asmordis, what is happening? Another force of undead has arrived?" Mistress Ephemia sent across our link, sounding exhausted.

"Nope, it seems they are on our side. Have your sorcerer direct one of his scrying spells, you will notice a familiar person." I suggested and waited patiently.

"Belus!" I heard her say over the link.

"Yes, I guess he has come to reinforce us. Best act accordingly." I added.

What followed was my mistress informing her fellow compatriots, followed by cheers. They were probably happy they weren't all going to get eaten and die. I grinned, I had taken a liking to the castle residents. I had no intention of letting them get killed off by some zombie horde.

"You may have defeated my ghouls demon! But now you face me!" The necromancer raised his staff, ready to unleash his minions upon me.

"Your not a ghoul?!" I asked, puzzled.

"I am a vampire you simpleton!" The supposed vampire retorted.

"Whatever! I would turn around if I were you."

"You think I would fall for such a simple ploy, I will enjoy sending you back to the Abyss demon!" The self-important possible vampire proclaimed.

I could see a monologue coming, but as soon as he spoke, an arrow lodged into the back of his neck and out his windpipe. He choked rather comically, trying to speak, but couldn't quite produce anything beyond gurgling.

Looking over to Belus and his forces, I heard a booming voice scream. "Charge!" This spurned the army forward, zombies, vampires and other undead made great pace.

The choking necromancer finally turned around. I suspect he didn't like what he saw. But none of that mattered, he was quickly trampled by a flurry of undead. His Vampyrs went to protect him but were mobbed by an avalanche of corpses. The vampires and the giant sprang forward, chopping their way through the blood and guts.

The group was composed of two vampires, a man and a woman, along with a giant of a man, wielding an axe. The trio attacked the necromancer from all sides. Axes, swords and claws skewered him from three sides. His Vampyrs were swept away by the tide, so he was vulnerable.

Despite all his bluster, he was torn apart almost instantly. I stepped back as the trio approached, they were covered in blood. The giant was smiling in glee and waving his axe in triumph. The two vampires were more subdued, the female seemed slightly jittery.

"So I shouldn't drink this blood?" The female vampire asked her companions.

"Not at all, you will not like what happens after." The male vampire answered.

"Alright I will take your word Erik, but I am getting hungry." She tilted her head in thought. "Or is it thirsty?" She wondered.

"I'm going with thirsty, but you can use the terms interchangeably." The vampire now known as Erik, declared.

"Hey, it's the demon!" The giant pointed at me.

The trio turned their gazes to me and while I saw a degree of trepidation, there was no fear. That was rather novel of them and so I approached.

"You work for Belus?" I asked tentatively.

"Currently yes, we made a deal and we will keep our end. In that spirit, were does your mistress need us." The vampire grinned, showing fangs.

I conveyed these words to Ephemia and together we decided on the plan of attack. I called my demons to me and joined the new army. The moment Astragoth arrived he pointed at Erik and the giant named Edmund.

"Hey you guys are still alive, me and Etty shot you both off the wall! Stoked you both are alive or undead in your case." He acted in his typical odd manner, but they seemed to receive him well.

"How's your head demon? Looks like you put it back together." The giant joked and I didn't get it.

"Yeah got one hell of headache. I see you both still have all your hair."

I let the conversation fade into the background and turned to Belus. Using myself as a go-between, Belus, Sir Felmun and Ephemia discussed the plan. It was relatively simple, keeping putting on the pressure, but on both sides. Thin out the enemy to manageable numbers.

My demons and I ascended to the sky. Belus and his army began their charge in earnest. Undead clashed with undead, the enemy had lost many of its higher tier undead and so it was a one-sided slaughter.

I sent my demons to swoop down and eliminate any undead that posed a threat. Isolated Vampyrs and Ghouls were swiftly eliminated one after the other. Eventually, we managed to create a breach in the enemy's forces. Belus force grouped in a wedge formation, cutting through the mass like a dagger.

As they pushed through, Belus somehow was able to seize control of any undead in reach. The process continued all that was left was a small pocket of Vampyrs that grouped. Instead of supporting their undead horde, they ran at full speed to the wall and the food within.

"They are making a break for the wall, stop them!" Erik shouted his command and his companions made great speed.

They were outnumbered, even though the Vampyrs were reduced in number. My demons and I descended to the ground and followed beside them. We caught up to the undead just as they were scaling the wall. My claws met flesh, tearing out one of their spines as the creature reached for a castle soldier.

Etragos and Kalrun were both intercepted in mid-flight, the Vampyrs leaping from the wall. They could handle it, meanwhile, several Vampyrs made it up the wall. I quickly ascended, and Erik did so as well, his vampiric claws traversing stone.

Arriving together we lunged for the rogue creatures. They turned from their human victims and tried a desperate assault. Before they could reach us, they burst into flames, incinerated by unrelenting fire.

Confused the both of us took a glance at the source. What stood before us was the mistress herself. Lady Ephemia, Mistress of Wildhold and the woman at the end of my leash.

"You must be Erik, Emily spoke highly of you." The mistress declared.

"That girl, I hope she and her father are well. Tell her I'm sorry." He spoke sheepishly, an odd contrast to his previous behaviour.

"Tell her yourself, after we win this battle." She declared and the both of us nodded.

The battle went far smoother after that. Most of the problematic undead were eliminated and the horde was substantially reduced. The walls became manageable and with the addition of new undead forces, they could easily repel any large masses.

There were still many undead outside the wall, some had even scattered throughout the countryside. But the castle was secure and safe. Belus had entered through the gate, arriving like a conquering hero. He bowed respectfully to Ephemia, acting like a typical noble vassal.

And my demons stood to the side, Jelmak was still patrolling the skies and reporting on issues. Erik approached the mistress of Wildhold, went to one knee and spoke.

"Mistress of Wildhold, Lady Ephemia of House Narfalon, I beseech you to accept my surrender. Please allow my men to receive medical treatment, in accordance to the articles of war." The vampire presented his sword, deferring his life into her hands.

It was a surreal scene, the mistress stood like a battle-hardened queen. No pomp or ceremony, just her nor bearing as they all stood upon the dirt as the castle resident watched.

She paused as if pondering how best to execute her enemy. But I sensed that was not how this was going to go. The Lady of Wildhold straightened and turned to her vassals, Sir Felmun and Belus. The two nodded and she continued.

"It would be well within my right to execute you. But I must ask, why did you aid us?" She spoke loudly for all to hear.

Erik paused, perplexed but eventually he spoke. "I have a duty to my men. With our leader incapacitated. It is my responsibility to see them to safety. Even if it costs whatever is left of my life." The mercenary spoke truthfully and sincerely, I doubt anyone would think otherwise.

The mistress smiled, it was filled with compassion and understanding. I had not seen her smile like that to me.

"It is not your head I desire, but your service in recompence for your past actions. They will be forgiven and if you so wish it, you will be given a place at my side. You and your men fought bravely in defence of my domain. What say you?" She offered and the vampire was perplexed.

He quickly reclaimed his bearings and seemed to be thinking it over. He looked to the side, noticing a young girl timidly peaking behind a man's back. She smiled at him, waving a greeting.

Still kneeling, he looked up, steeling his resolve to speak. "I will accept your offer and serve you faithfully, in the defence of your domain." His sword was tapped lightly upon his shoulders and so the sellsword rose a knight.

"Rise Sir Erik and attend your liege. Your men will be treated, as well as your dear former captain." She turned to the others.

"I don't want to be knight." Edmund quickly replied. "My lady." He added.

"Neither do I, but thanks for the offer, my lady." The female vampire known as Jessica added with a curtsy.

With the ceremony complete, I turned away to leave, letting them do what nobles and knights do. I called back Jelmak and sensed he was on his way. Just as I was about to leave, someone commanded me to stay.

"Were are you going demon?" I turned and found Mistress Ephemia.

"Back to the Abyss, me and my demons need to regenerate. You have all this well in hand." I answered with a smug smile.

"I see, but before you go. What deal did you make with Gerald? He is awfully concerned about it." She inquired, narrowing her gaze.

"Nothing much really, I just want his help with a great mystery."

"And what mystery is that?" She asked, suspiciously.

"Why the best mystery of all. Were do demons really come from?" I said melodramatically.

"The Abyss." She answered, puzzled at my point.

"Are you sure?"

She paused to think, I could see her mind mulling over the question. Eventually, she shrugged, accepting something, I do not know what. With a simple command, she sent me back to the Abyss. I faded away, quickly pulling on my links and my demons did the same.

Returning to my makeshift cave, I collapsed to the floor, truly exhausted. I was bone weary and ready for a good, long sleep. Looking at my palms, I sat against the wall, pondering my next move.

"What's next? I do like the idea of s school, perhaps I could make one in the Abyss." I chuckled at the ludicrous thought. But then again, why not? It was a crazy idea and I was going to do it.

I laughed uproariously. "I was planning to setup a home in literal hell. This truly was, a Wizard's Journey into Darkness." I chuckled softly as sleep took me.