The giant minotaur howled with wrath as it swung its ax in a cruel arc. The air shrieked, and the wind howled. The ground trembled as other waves of sonic booms racked the landscaped tearing it apart.
Imari's ears bled as her eardrums ruptured. Yet they stitched themselves together as quickly as the damage was done. Sweet pain racked her body as she stepped back and flourished her spear. The glass pane behind her grew more in definition and the outline of the minotaur began to appear.
“They say the mirror reflects the soul. Tell me darling. What do you see?” Imari jumped into the air as if gravity forgot she existed, and the mirror moved forward to take her place.
The minotaurs eyes became red as another bellow of pure rage passed through its snout. The mirror rushed forward and the form of the minotaur grew. Blood ebbed in steady trails down the monster's furry abs. Gore hung from the gray metal of its dual ax. The putrid scent of death hung in the air, and the faint sounds of screaming grew in a rising cacophony. The sight brought a pause to the demon, and the red that had filled its eyes faded.
“You are rather droll. You experience war, but not the delights it brings. You relish the blood shed, but not the screams. You relish death, but not the perfection of bringing it. There is so much more than death for death's sake. Come let me show you how beautiful and agonizing it truly is.” Imari's honey sweet voice rang through the air, and the sound of combat faded away.
The mirror hung in the air for another second before a stone spear shattered it. “Shatterstorm.” Imari sang the words, as glass fell into thousands of pieces. The minotaur roared in agony as it stepped back. Blood red cracks appeared on its leather skin, and its sanguine life force wept from torn wounds.
Agony melted into a sweet song as Imari's eyes focused on the greater demon. The iron stench of blood filled the air, and the chosen moaned sweetly at the sensations. Her body was broken in many places. Her ear drums ached, and bones were broken. Yet the wounds were stitching themselves together fast enough to feel and it slammed into her mind like a thousand ants.
“I'll kill you.” The minotaur groaned as it clenched its fingers around the metal hilt of its shaft.
“You are welcome to try darling. Let us dance together.” Imari whispered as she dashed forward, fast as quicksilver.
Her spear jumped forward, singing as it tore through the air. The demon responded by sliding its hands up the axes shaft, turning it into a polearm, and deflected the spear.
Imari stepped to the side, and the thousands of glass shards swirled around her like a vortex. The air grew thick with them, as they dug into her flesh, and echoed the sound that poured from her veins.
“Join my twisted Masquerade.” Magic oozed from her voice as the glass pulsated in response.
Arcs of violet magic filled the air, and the song that filled the air changed in rhythm. It slowed down, and beat with the steady pulse of a heart. The screams subsided around her, and became a quiet hum that echoed through the air. It sounded like a steady drum. The thumping filled the air, in a steady pattern of four.
Imari stepped forward, and brandished her spear. The minotaur stepped back in turn, and an angry snort answered in turn. “What have you done?” Its rough voice shook the air, as it was forced to spin with the demonic chosen’s movements.
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“Dancing my love. Let the pleasure overtake you, and let your senses run wild.” Imari said with a coquettish grin. Her fangs peeked from her lips, and her long hair danced in the air, as she spun. The stone spear sang as it cut through the air, and her song replied in kind.
“Free me now you wretched thing.” The minotaur bellowed as it swung its ax in a wide arc, barely grazing Imari. The shrieking howl of the ax, added to the melody that filled to the air.
“You shall be free, if you can out dance me.” She sang back, and swung her spear in another theatrical arc. She rocked her hips, and her body slithered like a snake, showing off every curve and her voluptuous breast.
The giant demon's muscles bulged, as violet chains appeared and sunk into its flesh. Blood red light poured from the sky, and the sounds of battle rose into a crashing crescendo that shook the land.
All the while Imari giggled and danced around the minotaur like a floating leaf. Unbothered by nothing else. The giant demon's muscles bulged once more, as more violet chains appeared and snaked around its bulging muscles. Blood red light poured from the sky, and the sounds of battle rose into a crashing crescendo that shook the land. All the while Imari giggled and danced with all the skill she had.
They danced on as time lost all meaning. Both were forced to ignore the battle that died out around them .All that mattered was the dance that had them both hooked. All that mattered was the music that shook Imari’s core. It felt like time had come to a crashing halt, and all her focus was on the giant demon before her. “How does it feel to see such perfection?” Her words flowed like honey, and her slender hips swayed life a leaf in the wind. Her spear sang in the air like a choir of angels. Its tip glowed with power, as ichor rushed to meet it. The countless strands of glass ripped through the air like a tornado, tearing up the dirt, and shattering stone.
A weak growl escaped from the demon's lips as it staggered. The glass chains tightened their hold, and the sound of a bone snapping filled the air. The minotaur shuttered as its body was forced to continue its dance. The sound of more bones shattering filled the air, and the pitiful cries of the demon overshadowed them.
“Oh you poor thing. You couldn’t keep up. I wish you had more stamina.” Imari whispered sweetly as her long tongue flicked out and tasted the delicious sounds that clashed with her ambient music.
The massive demon fell forward as its legs gave out. Its collapse filled the air with dirt, and a small shower of ichor. Though Imari won, she was in no better shape. Her chest heaved with each breath she took. Her spear quivered from her physical exertion. Yet, she craved more.
Her spell fell to the side, as she pulled herself from her trance and she looked around. Trees had sprouted around her. They were beautiful trees that stretched into the sky. The bark was the color of bone, and the leaves were small skulls of those that had died around them. Violet grass rose from the dirt, and twisted into vines that crept up the bone like bark of the trees.
A small smile crossed Imari’s face. Yes, this place was becoming more beautiful by the second. Her family was truly bringing salvation, both through bringing the mortals to the truth, and by bringing a better sense of fashion to those less fortunate.
“Ah, sister, you have finished off the field commander for this area. Congratulations.” The deep voice of Morningstar gently radiated through the air, and Imari’s eyes glanced up towards him. He had grown a set of white wings now, much like what her father had.
“Thank you little brother. How is the rest of the invasion going?” She asked, as she walked over towards the fallen demon. Its large form struggled for breath, as more of its crimson ichor sept into the dirt.
“We have taken a vast portion of the out perimeter, and secured many spawn pools. We are quickly producing weapons, and gearing the new imps for war. The faster we expand, the longer we will be able to hold the line until father ends his casus belli.” Morningstar flapped his wings as he spoke, clearly eager to go back to the front line.
“I will be there once I take this creature back to father.” Imari bent over, and clenched the creature's fur and started to drag it backwards towards the portal. She did want to kill the creature now, but she wanted to repay her father for the power he soaked into her. It was a thought that she didn’t have while she was struggling with her blood lust. But now, she could see clearly. This was the best path to take, she must honor her father and what he had done for them all.
“I see. Then we will be waiting for you at the front. Don’t take too long dear sister or we will take all the glory.” Morningstar purred as he flapped his wings once, and shot into the sky.
“Oh, don’t worry little brother. I will be back soon enough.” A wicked smile crossed her face, as she clenched her fingers into the scruff of the minotaur's neck, and drug him back towards her fathers lair.