I was running like a mad man in the face of danger.

Hours had passed by since our plan had sprung into action. I had the unfortunate ordeal of leading Demon beasts and patrols back to the group. We laid an ambush in waiting with Martin and Camille who were cloaked under shadow magic by Silvia. I was wearing boots that gave me a fleet of foot, stolen from the caverns of Balenos. The monsters and Demons couldn't get close to me but never strayed far behind.

Sweat dripped from my forehead as I evaded magical attacks and heard the roar of monsters.

Two Demon patrols armed to the teeth were following me and I only hoped that they called reinforcements. Demon wolves and drakes chased after my smell as they sought a meal. My destination was in sight and I hoped the others were ready to counter. I ran pass a line marked on the ground and suddenly vanished like a shadow.

                "Now!" I yelled.

The confusion as I disappeared from sight was instantaneous and it left us moments to strike back. Camille charged through like a fireball from the shadows as her body was engulfed in a circle of light and magma. A secret technique that she learned from her family who lives in the southern region. Her gauntlets crushed the Demon wolves as her charge scorched the ground.

Camille shouted out with power and her vast martial art techniques were put into play. Bone crunched and flesh flew everywhere as the Demon beasts were caught off guard. Drakes tried to dive at her with their claws and talons but the energy from her fists killed them instantly. The Demon patrols were stunned at the ferocity Camille displayed and then prepared themselves to attack her.

Before they could get a chance, something else leaped up from the shadows into the middle of the soldiers. Martin wielded his two cleavers and began hacking at the Demons. They tried to fight back at Martin but his sense of bloodlust went out of control. The more Martin fought, the stronger he became. The sound of screams and metal echoed throughout.

                "Come on then!" Camille said. "20 silvers to see who can take out more!"

                "Can't you do anything without money involved?"

                "You're pretty strong Camille but you won't kill more than me!"  Martin said.

One of the Demon soldiers tried to call for a retreat but before he could do so, I had silenced him with a knife to the throat. I regained my composure and bearings to go into battle.  I flashed through from the shadows to help Camille and Martin. I drew my short sword and had many throwing knives ready to hit my targets.

                "Stop talking before they escape," I said. "We need a bigger commotion!"

The shadows we hid in started to mold up and formed into human shape.

 Silvia emerged from the shadows and quickly played her flute to give us an aura of protection. Shadow magic was an expertise known to only spies and assassins from the eastern Kingdom of Solace. When Silvia joined us she used her abilities in a support role to function with our own. The shadows from under her came near and connected to our own shadows. A glowing aura surrounded us and I glanced over to Camille.

She was under attack so I dashed over and landed throwing knives on the various beasts around her.

Camille stomped the floor and unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks. Their claws and teeth were no matches for the power of her golden gauntlets. They whined and yelped in pain as Camille obliterated anything in her path. I jumped and rolled closer to her as I stabbed one Demon wolf in the eye. Our backs were leaning up against one another and I let out a laugh.

                "You waste a lot of your time as a mercenary Camille," I said. "You could get more money as a royal instructor."

Camille smiled at me and then kicked a wolf in mid air as it tried to pounce on her.

                "You keep saying that Demitri but I told you that I wouldn't want to be caught up in politics."

I sliced and dashed my way through the monsters to get closer to Martin.

                "More! More! Is this how strong you are!?" Martin roared.

Martin handled the Demon soldiers easily and took a few blows. I had to make sure he was okay even though he was strong he was still a young man at the time. His muscles protruded out as he took waves and waves of soldiers. I helped Martin by ensuring all the range attackers were dealt with. Magicians and archers were taken out by me as I ran through the battlefield.

The number of soldiers was dwindling quickly as we fought. Even the number of beasts had gone down but still there was no sign of reinforcements. We only hoped that we made such a scene that would require them to call for aid. Gabriel, Cassandra, Liz, and Master Edwin had already made their way to one of the gates and were only waiting for us.

Finally, a flare signaled in the sky and it was just what we were waiting for.

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                "There it is!"

                "Yes!"

We jumped for joy as we created an opening for the others. A thunderous cracking sound echoed in the air. The clouds swirled above us and the wind picked up speed. Liz was using her magic to create a portal through the gate. Now all we had to do was meet up with the others.

                "I killed 30 beasts, you all owe me 20 silvers!" Camille said.   

                "You know I took out more soldiers than that Camille!" Martin said as he patted his chest.

                "Stop it you two," I said and looked at Silvia. "Let's get out of here!"

Silvia nodded and started playing a different tune with an upbeat tempo.

She sunk into her own shadow and quickly her shadow came under us. We all moved closer to each other after defending off the monsters and soldiers. The shadow bounced on the ground moving towards other shadows.  All three of us were enveloped in the shadow as it moved towards us with supernatural speed. Quickly the shadow stretched out and sprung away from danger.

We headed for the rendezvous point with the others.

When we got close enough to the others, we emerged from the shadows. It was a weird feeling to be covered in shadows as we moved about. Shadow magic was quite useful but it had a toll on its user. Martin and Camille were fine but Silvia looked drained. Silvia was gasping for air as she seemed weak from using her power. I went over to her and held her up.

                "Are you alright?" I said.

                "I'm fine," Silvia said. "What about Gabriel?"

I looked over to our meeting point to see Gabriel and Cassandra finishing off some Demon beasts.

                "What took you guys so long?" Gabriel asked.

                "Well you know, just an onslaught of monsters and Demons," I replied with a shrug.

In a flash of light, Gabriel finished off the Demons with one swing of his holy sword.

Liz was still chanting something and thunder struck down on her. Suddenly, a portal had opened from the gate on the wall. Master Edwin began casting a light healing spell on everyone. Our health and vitality were restored almost instantly by the spell. I smiled at Master Edwin in appreciation and he gave me a nod back. Liz was stretching and seemed like she wanted to fall asleep again.

                "Liz," I said. "You did well!"

                "Hungry," Liz said. "Demitri, I want food!"

I walked over to her, rubbed her head and made a mess of her hat.

                "I'll treat you to a grand dinner when we get back."

                "Really!? Promise me! No take backs!"

                "Yeah, sure," I said. "It's a promise."

Cassandra and Silvia both ran up to Gabriel who looked determined for our next plan of action. Both sought praise from Gabriel who just nodded. Martin and Camille argued about who killed more creatures. Master Edwin thanked the Gods that we had accomplished our task.

Soon everyone gathered together and we confirmed our resolve.

                "Everyone, no matter what, don't die," Gabriel said.

                "That's why you're here," I said with a laugh.

                "Seriously," Gabriel said. "If anything happens, know that we are doing this for everyone!"

                "Praise by the Gods that will let us smite the Demon Lord," Master Edwin said.

                "I wonder how much it costs to slay a Demon Lord?"

                "I'm hungry"

                "Let's go everyone!"

We stepped into the portal and it brought us inside to the Demon Capital, Bahrut.

It was a first for our eyes for having to see something so majestic in nature. The city was made out of metal and machinery but grand in design. I never knew how much glass could be used in buildings until I saw Bahrut. It was a labyrinth similar to Balenos but bigger in scale. The roads were paved with something and lights were everywhere.               Some sort of machine like vehicles were moving on the roads.

                "What in the world is this place?"

                "This is a Demon city?"

All of us were shocked at the sights and sounds of the place but Gabriel was even more amazed.

                "It looks, like....a real city... from home," Gabriel said.

                "I don't think this looks like home," Cassandra said. "It's too weird..."

                "Yes, of course...I meant something else..."

Gabriel was contemplating something but shook it off.

                "Are you alright?" I asked Gabriel.

                "I was just....thinking about something..."

Gabriel moved his hand in the air like he wanted to touch something and then stared at it for quite awhile.

                "Let's go," Gabriel said.

                "Where?"

                "To the big building in the middle of the city."

                "Why?"

                "That's where the Demon Lord is."

                "How do you know?"

                "I just do."

Gabriel moved and we all followed him as he would take us to the end of our destination.

The changing of our fates laid with the defeat of the Demon Lord.

If I knew what would become of me, I would not have gone.