Kraet, “We must quickly reach the fortress.”

The demons quickly changed positions while stepping up the pace that they where taking.

Aaron quickly caught up to Kraet who was at the head of the formation.

[Aaron, “probably should of asked earlier but should we have made a contract already.”]

[Enae, “I don’t think this is the time for it though it could greatly help us.”]

He quickly looked over to Kraet, “what’s the plan?”

Kraet shook her head, “We don’t know what we are up against s right now we are just going to do a quick scouting and probably take them from the rear.”

Aaron, “Good idea to scout it but are you sure we even have the numbers to take on a force large enough to lay siege to a fortress?”

Kraet, “obviously we don’t have the numbers but its still better then doing nothing and letting the fortress fall.”

He shook his head, “I’m not saying that we should do nothing but we need to think ahead on our main course of action instead of just running in.”

Kraet laughed, “You really are a strange one for a chosen.”

Aaron, “you think I’m strange then what about the drunk Laee?!”

Kraet, “well that may be a good point though I have no memories of them or fully unlocked my abilities yet.”

Aaron, “what do you mean Kraet?”

Kraet lowered her head for a moment before answering, “I have only recently have become chosen. The previous one… my mother died a few years back and following the chosen’s line of succession I became the next chosen.”

Aaron, “I didn’t know there was a chosen succession.”

[Enae, “Oh Kraet… Usually that does not happen unless the goddess was greatly weakened before taking on a Chosen. Chosen usually back in the day where our most trusted servant or believer who became part of us. But with the end of the war we lost our power and were forced to become one with our selected chosen or be sealed away.”]

Kraet looked away from him, “It’s a long story that we do not have time for now.”

Aaron noticed after his question that she looked saddened, “sorry.”

She did not reply for a moment, “we are getting close you better prepare yourself.”

Aaron checked his demonic sword and his only other good sword he had before they slowed coming out of the woods to a ridge crest. The sight revealed before him was beyond belief. There stood a massive fortress, which seemed pyramid like with three levels surrounded by an army of a few thousand. There where demons, undead, wraiths, Death hounds, Corrupted soles, bandits, rouges and a large number of beasts he had never seen before.

Aaron, “how are we going to defeat all those?”

Kraet seemed to be just as shocked, “I’m… I’m not sure but we should have reinforcements from the other regions poring in through the Fortresses portals.”

Aaron, “a lot of good that will do with them boxed in like this.”

Kraet was about to say something back when we heard a sound coming from off to our right. We quickly worked our way down the ridge making as little sound as possible. There they found an encampment for the enemy forces in a valley. At the mouth of the valley was a quickly assembled barrier and wall. A number of the enemy forces were waiting in the clearing behind the wall while more where working here and there through out the camp.

Deeper in there seemed to be a series of pens either filled with the demons riding beasts, horses, and a large number of captured demons. There where many woman and children that looked like they had been beaten and marched a long ways. The few elderly that were there seemed to be in the worst of shape of the group. There where a few men here and there but not as many as the woman or children.

Aaron, “whey is their pen’s of prisoners here?”

Kraet, “they are probably from the towns and villages in the area. The men will probably doing forced labor somewhere or worse. Those that are usually captured are usually used as slaves or…”

She did not finish as Aaron noticed some familiar figures around the pens as guards or moving equipment around. He could barely make out the members of Herculeses’ guild that had attacked him before then he saw them the three stooges beating up one of the elderly captured demons.

This enraged Aaron as he slowly drew out his demonic sword then the other as a black smoke began to form around him. He changed into Enae’s form as He quickly ran down the slope not thinking about anything other then killing those three idiots.

[Enae, “Aaron stop!”]

Kraet, “what are you doing?!”

Kraet tried to stop him but he already had too much of a lead. She thought about shifting to get in front of him but they would most likely be detected if that happened.

___ __ ___

Hercules, “what a pain, we may come back to life now instead of having to wait but we still lose all that experience.”

Mage, “well it is just a game we can easily earn it back.”

Chionis walked over with a small crate in his arms.

“ah boss you said to move the crates to… um where did you say to carry the crates to.”

Hercules slapped his forehead before turning to face Chionis.

“I said to carry them over to the guilds supply cash by our tents.”

Chionis was about to walk away when one of the elder prisoners limped up to them.

Elder, “could you please spare some water, my daughter is pregnant. With her husband missing…”

Hercules backhanded the elder across the face.

“You really should not be asking for anything from us beggar, or should I say slaves should not ask anything of their masters.”

Elder, “but my daughter needs the water or she and the child wont make it.”

Chionis set down the crate, “um boss do you want me to take care of this pest?”

Mage, “I could use a new guinea pig to test some of my spells on.”

Hercules thought a moment before kicking the elder to the dirt.

“Well Chionis you can have some fun with him then leave him so mage can have some fun.”

Chionis popped his knuckles, “sure thing boss.”

He picked up the elder demon by his collar and punched him in the face before throwing him back to the ground. As the demon struck the dirt Chionis lifted up his boot and brought it down into his stomach repeatedly.

The other demons in the pen watched in horror as the elder continued to be beat. The daughter was weeping and trying to brake out of the hold of a few other women as she tried to get to her father. The elder slowly curled up into a ball while trying to ward off the continues blows.

Mage, “don’t do to much damage I still haven’t had my turn at him.”

The elder demon began to crawl away as Chionis turned to face the mage.

Chionis, “ah come one demons are stronger then the human Npcs.”

As the demon was almost four feet away from the two a boot came down on his back.

Hercules, “and where do you think you are going.”

Elder, “please have mercy.”

Hercules, “mercy now where have I heard that word… oh I know its what people usually say when they are weak and can’t stand up for themselves.”

He took his boot pining the elder to the ground and began kicking the demon laying on the ground.

The demons began turning away from the sight to block out the old man’s suffering for they could do nothing without becoming the next victim. The daughter was hysterical weeping and crying out for her father.

Elder, “please…Ah! Stop, please stop!”

Hercules, “oh did you hear anything Chionis?”

Chionis, “no can’t hear a thing boss.”

Hercules, “as I thought.”

He continued to beat the elder then turned to the daughter that had finally Brocken free of the other woman but was soon blocked by more.

Hercules, “oh it looks like we have another that want’s to join in the fun. Chionis why don’t you bring her over here. Mage you can have what’s left of this one.”

Mage, “its about time.”

He quickly took out his spell book and flipped through the pages.

Mage mumbled to himself, “oh which one should I use this time, life drain to boring, oh what about a light magic…”

Hercules watched as the woman where being shoved out of the way by Chionis to get to their next victim. He then heard a yell and was about to turn but stopped to watch the mage flying through the air past him. As the mage landed Hercules turned to see who had thrown him and found Aaron in Enae’s form standing there.

Hercules, “but… how did you get here you’re suppose to be in the Deathly Isles.”

Aaron, “Who cares what you think, I’m just taking out the trash.”

Hercules, “Trash! Ha you really want me to teach you a lesson.”

Aaron, “old man are you alright.”

The Elder was coughing up blood, “I’ll live and thank you stranger.”

Aaron, “don’t thank me yet we still are surrounded by an army of these guys.”

Hercules, ”Don’t just ignore me! Chionis get over here.”

Chionis, “but boss I just got the girl.”

Chionis walked up dragging the woman while the mage followed.

Hercules, “Oh good a hostage…” he turned to Aaron “are you still going to face us when it means the death of this woman.”

Aaron stood there a moment then smiled at something, “didn’t you forget about something.”

Hercules, “And what’s that?!”

“I never travel alone.”

Aaron vanished for a moment using Shadow step and appeared above Hercules, while Kraet and Spaazara appeared next to Chionis bringing their swords to his throat. Hercules quickly ducked out of the way while Chionis released the woman. She quickly ran to her father as more of Kraet’s patrol appeared around them or near other members of Hercules guild that where rushing over.

Kraet, “I thought you said we needed to plan ahead.”

Aaron, “I couldn’t just watch these three torcher someone.”

Kraet, “well at least I’ve learned something interesting.”

Aaron, “what was that.”

Kraet, “oh never mind, buy you know what you just did was very reckless.”

Aaron, “I wonder who I got that from.”

He remembered Laee and all those times she dragged them into a fight without any form of a plan and just winged it. With it all the time’s he was beaten by Crazed, and Mot… scratch that last one was his own fault.

[Laee, “Is that what you think of me Aaron?!”]

[Enae, “this isn’t the time to be distracted Aaron.”]

Hercules quickly vanished from sight while mage began casting one of his spells. Aaron quickly charged at the mage activating fire blade. Before Aaron was close enough the mage began to form a orb of green flame. He quickly brought his sword down across the mages right shoulder canceling out the Attack. The orb exploded releasing a greenish smoke and ash around them.

Hercules attacked Spaazara from behind but did not pierce the demons armor. With Spaazara distracted by Hercules, Chionis jumped back while nocking away kraet’s sword with his gauntlet. Aaron looked over to Hercules as he drew out more daggers standing next to the mage who was back on his feet with his staff and book out.

Hercules sneered, “I think its time for a little payback and when I defeat you I will be greatly rewarded.”

Aaron quickly released one of his swords and slipped his free hand into one of his throwing knives pockets and threw it at Hercules foot. The blade slid right through his armor and boot and into the ground pining his foot.

Aaron quickly grabbed his sword from the ground and charged forward. While Kraet has hacking away at Chionis who could barely block with his great sword he somehow managed to get off his back. Spaazara was slicing his way through Hercules guild members along with a few other men from the patrol. The remaining members of the patrol where directing the freed prisoners to head up through the trees and over the ridge.

Hercules quickly tried to pull out the dagger while the mage began to chant while swaying back and forth. Aaron quickly charged at Hercules but was forced to stop as the mage finished his chant and began launching lightning bolts from his staff. He quickly dogged the first but was struck by the second sending him to his back tacking almost a third of his health away.

Mage, “Ha got him he should not…”

Aaron quickly used Shadow step to get above him.

Mage, “where did he…”

Aaron brought down his blades on the mage as he finished his short fall piercing through his back. As the mage vanished Aaron landed and rolled to his feet to face Hercules who managed to get the dagger out of his foot.

Hercules used his stealth skill vanishing from sight causing Aaron to pause in a crouch. He quickly grabbed a hand full of dirt and straw from the ground before standing up to look around him. As he began to turn he was rammed from the side by Chionis throwing him to the ground.

Kraet had been pushing Chionis back until Hercules tried to backstab her. She barely managed to doge it as she tried to get around Chionis sword but was still grazed by the dagger. She continued to back up from where Hercules was while Chionis charged off.

Aaron stared up at Chionis stunned for a moment as he began to lift his great sword. He quickly rolled to the side as the sword was brought down just managing to doge it. Quickly trying to get back up but Aaron was kicked back to the ground. He was once again looking back up at Chionis as he lifted his sword again.

Kraet kept an eye on her surroundings trying to find her invisible attacker. She slowly grabbed a small pouch of powder from her belt turning around to see Aaron on his back with Chionis singing his sword at him. She began to recite a spell while taking a step towards Aaron. Hercules lunged at her from the side trying to strike at her neck but she jumped back and threw the power in his face blinding him. She quickly finished her spell causing Hercules to freeze where he was cursing from the powder that was covering his face.

Aaron continued to roll dodging a number of Chionis’s swings until he was positioned near on of his legs and kicked it out from under him as he was bringing his sword back up for another swing. Aaron quickly rolled to the side as Chionis fell forward on the ground dropping his sword. Aaron quickly got to his feet bringing his swords up to face Chionis as he was trying to get up with his sword back in his hand. He quickly struck out with his demonic sword but was blocked as Chionis brought his sword up to block it. He was about to bring his other sword down at Chionis but jumped back as the great sword swung to take out his legs. Chionis quickly jumped to his feet while keeping his sword ready to strike or block.

Kraet quickly used demons flame lighting her sword with blue flame while stepping towards Hercules.

Hercules, “please don’t!”

Kraet, “now who’s the one that’s begging.”

Hercules, “I’ll do anything just please don’t harm me.”

Kraet, “its far to late for that.”

Kraet stabbed Hercules in the chest lighting his leather armor on fire causing him to yell out. Kraet quickly drew back her sword and slit his throat.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Kraet, “that shut him up.”

Chionis quickly look back at Hercules when he yelled out giving Aaron an opening. Aaron quickly used fire blade and lunged forward and cut into Chonis’s arm with the flames burning into his flesh. Chionis jumped back and cursed as Kraet rushed over to help Aaron while Hercules character disintegrated.

Kraet stopped next to Aaron facing Chionis both their swords covered in flames. Chionis took a few nervous steps back moving his sword side to side trying to keep them at a distance. Aaron lunged forward bringing his swords down at Chionis side but was blocked. Kraet lunged forward as Chionis blocked cutting into his side.

Chionis quickly stepped back but they continued to hack and slash at him. After they got past Chionis’s guard a few more times he swung his sword at them trying to push them back to get some room. They quickly dogged it and jumped back in to hacking away at his health.

Aaron, “we don’t have time for this.”

Spaazara finished another of Herculeses’ guild members and turned to see how Kraet was doing and noticed that they where having a hard time with Chionis. He quickly worked his way towards them.

Aaron quickly cast fireball launching it at Chionis who blocked it with his great sword but sent him staggering a few feet back to within Spaazara’s reach. He quickly stabbed his sword into Chionis back before kicking him off his blade. Chionis fell to the ground dropping his sword while putting a hand over the exit wound from the blade. As he tried to get back up Spaazara quickly chopped off his head.

As Chionis’s body disintegrated his sword was left behind which Spaazara quickly grabbed and threw over his back. Aaron quickly looked around noticing that most of Hercules guild was now dead. He also noticed that the prisoner pens where now empty with the last of the prisoners heading over the ridge into the forest.

Aaron, “we should probably get out of here before we have some more company.”

Kraet, “I think we should do as much damage to this camp as we can before we fall back.”

Spaazara, “We can do that chosen but you should go back with prisoners.”

Kraet, “no I’ll stay up here on the front.”

Spaazara, “Yes chosen but this fool almost got us killed.”

Aaron, “Well sorry I just didn’t want to see someone in need get killed.”

Spaazara, “You are not one of us… you should have been killed when we found you.”

Kraet, “Spaazara you are out of line! And Aaron we need to stop them and currently the best option is to destroy as much of the camp as possible.”

Aaron, “then we had better hurry before their forces regroup or get reinforcements.”

Spaazara quickly ran to the rest of the patrol and told them to grab a torch and set fire to as many of the tents and fortifications as possible. Aaron quickly grabbed a torch from his inventory and stuck the tip in one of the nearby fires followed by Kraet. They headed towards the center of camp throwing open gates to animal pens and lighting tents on fire as they passed. Soon they began running into more of the dark lords forces that where beginning to organize. Aaron and Kraet quickly finished them off before heading on to the next line of tents.

They continued this process until they got to the center of the camp where the command tent was set up. Aaron quickly struck at the demon and bandit guards followed by Kraet. As the finished the guards they ran around the tent setting it on fire. Aaron quickly cut an opening in the back of the tent and hopped through. There were three generals and their aids running for the entrance while a few where trying to put the fire out before it could burn their notes and maps.

[Enae, “You should grab as much of those notes as possible.”]

[Aaron, “Why… oh to find out what they are planning?”}

[Enae, “Yes and it may help the demons.”]

[Laee, “What are you talking about what notes.”]

[Kris, “where are you!?”]

[Aaron, “I don’t have the time for twenty questions right now.”]

Aaron quickly killed the nearest aid before grabbing a number of papers and maps off the center table and stuffed them into his pack. Kraet had followed him in with another demon and began hacking through the aids and guards while the generals reached the exit.

[Enae, “Aaron and Kraet are currently in combat with the Dark lords forces.”]

[Laee, “you sure like to get yourself into trouble Aaron.”]

[Kris, “your one to talk Laee getting into trouble around every corner.”]

[Aaron, “Can you all stop already its distracting.”]

They continued to bicker back and forth so he just blocked them out.

Aaron grabbed a few of the books and other items off the table before turning to face a guard that was charging at him. He quickly jumped back and blocked with his demonic blade.

He quickly stabbed at the guard with his other blade but was blocked as he brought his demonic blade around and chopped off the demons head. He quickly grabbed the loot as it dropped while stepping forward to face the next guard. Aaron quickly swung his sword down at an angle but was blocked. While the blades where locked together Aaron kicked the guards chest pushing him back a step.

Aaron quickly lunged forward but was once again blocked by the guard. As he was about to swing his demonic blade he heard a sound coming from above him. He looked up while jumping back to see a part of the tents roof falling in. it landed on the guard who barely yelled out before he was struck by the burning cloth forcing him to the ground. Kraet quickly grabbed Aaron’s shoulder making him jump for a moment.

Kraet, “We need to get out of here before the rest of the tent falls in on us.”

Aaron just nodded noticing that it was getting hard to breath.

They quickly rushed out the front of the tent to more demons from the patrol fighting the dark lords forces. Aaron quickly lunged at the nearest enemy, as he was about to strike one of the demons from the patrol. He quickly blocked it with his demonic blade and stabbed into his chest with his other blade.

Kraet followed right at his side attacking the next enemy. They continued to hack their way through while the fires continued to spread through the camp. Soon they reached the valleys mouth leading to the plains around the fortress. The camps defenses right in front of them with a large enemy force heading right for them.

[Enae, “there are way to many of them, you need to get out of there.”]

Aaron, “There’s to many for us to face out there.”

[Kris, “now what is he surrounded again.”]

Kraet, “we need to fall back to the woods.”

[Laee, “ha… what?!”]

Spaazara, “we’ve drawn enough away from the main battle that the fortress should be able to make a push.”

[Enae, “the main enemy force is currently charging strait at Kraet and Aaron.”]

Aaron, “but wouldn’t it be a better strategy to have the main force stay in the fortress and another attack from behind enemy lines.”

[Kris, “get out of there!”]

Spaazara, “what do you think we are doing?!”

[Aaron, “I’m trying!”]

[Laee, “hiccup…”]

[Kris, “Really Laee now is not a time to drink.”]

Aaron, “we don’t have enough men for a confrontation out here.”

Kraet, “the other patrols have finally made it here so we have more men but your right it still is not enough.”

Spaazara, “we can hold them off here for a time but we need to use hit and run tactics.”

The defensive barrier began to go up in flames as the army drew closer.

Spaazara, “men get ready!”

The demon soldiers from the patrols began to fall into formations around the barriers gaps. As the enemy grew closer they began to hear yelling but it was not the sound they expected to hear from a charging enemy but from one that are in a full out retreat. The enemy began to notice the burning fires of the camp. Some stopped and where trampled over by the men behind them. The confusion continued to spread through the ranks and they started to split off into random groups some going off into other directions on the plains or to the ridges and forests around the valley. Still a portion of the enemy headed strait towards the camp.

They came straight on at them towards the burning barriers as the Demons from the patrols drew or readied their weapons. As the enemy force neared they did not slow down they just continued to charge. The enemy rammed the burning defenses toppling sections while others where impaled on stakes. Men here and there where screaming out in pain as fire burned their bodies. The enemy ran into the demons almost forcing them back while barely buckling under the force.

Aaron continued to hack and slash as the enemy continued to climb over the barricade and the dead. He killed a rouge and bandit here an demon an ghoul there. They just continued to poor through the barricade. As he finished off another demon he heard a roar from over the barricade. As he looked at the barricade he began to see the head of a rock troll and soon its shoulders as it continued to draw near. It lifted up its club and brought it down on the barricade crushing it and the people standing around it.

Aaron quickly jumped onto club then to a portion of the still standing barricade. The Troll lifted up its club to swing it down again Aaron jumped back down the barrier while striking a bandit trying to climb the barricade.

The Barricade shock from the clubs blow almost sending Aaron over the side. Aaron quickly cut into the trolls arm trying to lift the club back up. It howled in pain and used its other arm to try and grab him. He jumped up onto the trolls arm then to its shoulder as it swung its injured arm at him. Aaron quickly began to hack away at the troll cutting into its shoulders and neck. It continued to try and throw him off but eventually it swung its arm back missing him. He lost his balance from dogging the blow and fell off over its back.

Aaron quickly used Shadow step to strike at the back of its leg Causing It roared out as it fell forward into the burning barricade. Its roar began to turn into screams as it continued to burn while trying to get back up. Kraet covered in a mix of blood jumped up onto it and slit its throat before jumping down next to Aaron.

They turned to face more of the oncoming enemy who now spaced out as the faster living had already arrived. What remained in front of them where stragglers and the undead portion of their army.

Aaron, “how many more of them are there?!”

Kraet, “I don’t know…”

Aaron quickly whipped his swords on a cloth before sliding his blades back into their scabbards on his belt. He quickly pulled out his bow and aimed at the necromancers mixed into the undead. The first one he shot was beginning to chant one of its undead resurrection spells stopping it in its tracks. He then aimed at the next necromancer as Kraet killed the first of the oncoming undead.

Aaron continued to fire arrows until the mass of undead was to close so he switched back to his swords. He quickly cast his fire blade spell before cutting a undead in half. Another undead staggered forward with its ax raised for a swing. He quickly stepped to the side missing its swing and cut off its arm before kicking it back into the growing mass of undead. He continued to cut into the undead until they where surrounded back to back.

Aaron, “This reminds me of the old ruins.”

Kraet, “What are you talking about at a time like this.”

Aaron, “this reminds me of the time I was surrounded by the undead while becoming Enea’s Chosen though the ruins funneled them into small numbers…”

[Enea, “now’s not the time for this Aaron.”]

[Aaron, “I know…”]

[Kris, “What’s going on now?!”]

[Enea, “Aarons surrounded by undead right now.”]

[Kris, “if only I was there I could use my hammer on them.”]

[Laee, “Ah… jussst usse fire sssttorm on tthem.”]

[Aaron, “I don’t know fire storm!”]

Kraet split open one of the undead’s skulls as it charged at her.

Kraet, “And how did you get out of that one.”

Aaron, “I used a magic circle to teleport to Enae’s domain.”

Kraet cut down another undead, “I’m really growing sick of this.”

Aaron thought for a moment and quickly chanted Firewall blocking the oncoming undead from getting to them without walking through the fire.

Kraet, “Why didn’t you cast it earlier.”

Aaron, “I was running low on mana… and… well I haven’t used it in a while.”

They continued to hack away at the undead around them until there was no undead on their side of the firewall. Aaron watched as the undead turned away from the firewall towards the Fortress plains. Soon he heard metal striking metal so he climbed to the top of the barricade noticing a number of the demons still stood on the opposite side.

As he turned he spotted more demons dressed like Kraet’s patrol. There was a large mass working its way through the undead while a few other groups chased after the retreating enemy.

Kraet quickly climbed up next to him and looked over the battlefield also spotting the demons forces heading towards them.

Kraet mumbled, “Father…”

Aaron, “What was that?”

Kraet, “My father the demon lord is leading that charge.”

Aaron quickly scanned the demons working their way towards them and spotted a Demon in black armor with red strips with a blue flower emblem on his shoulders. As they got closer Aaron noticed that the man was about seven feet tall.

Aaron pointed to him and nervously asked, “is that him?

Kraet nodded, “yes that’s him.”

Aaron groaned inside, [“that’s not going to be good.”]

[Enae, “what do you mean.”]

[Aaron, “oh nothing just a seven foot demon lord I need to make friends with… what more should I say.”]

[Kris, “don’t trust the demons Aaron their evil.”]

[Laee, “Ask them for some of their sake if you will.”]

[Enae, Kris, “Laee!!!”]

Aaron, “is there anything I should know or worry about right now?!”

Kraet, “don’t worry stick with me and you will be fine.”

As the demons finish off the last of the undead Aaron lowered the Firewall and climbed down with Kraet. The waited at the base of the ruined barricade which still burned in spots. Spaazara lead what remained of the patrols through the barricade and stopped a few feet away from us while the demon lord stepped forward.

Demon Lord, “it is good to see you’re alright daughter.”

Kraet, “Thanks father I would not have made it this far if it wasn’t for Aaron here.”

The Demon Lord turned to face Aaron, “Aaron is such a strange name for a woman.”

Kraet, “Father he is a chosen like myself.”

The Demon Lord frowned when she said he and looked Aaron up and down trying to find something.

Demon Lord, “Look’s like a woman to… Me.”

Aaron turned back to his normal form before the Demon Lord could finish his sentence. As he stared at Aaron his face became stone cold not revealing any emotion he may have.