The head of the Greenwood family, Toka was laying in a healing bed. She had fought along side thousands of her brothers and sisters and been one of the few lucky enough to survive, the Channelers around her sacrificing their lives just to save her from the battle. Her wounds were deep and would take a few weeks to heal, but she was able to do her work well enough, which was good as it took her mind off of the crisis her entire family was suffering through and the deaths of those in the battles. The Golden-Chaos family had taken several of their cities for unknown reasons, and were excavating deep under the first one they took over. The other cities were strategic placements to protect what they were doing. Which was still baffling any spies the family had watching them. Toka didn't regret engaging the Golden-Chaos family for moving in on their land, but she hadn't been prepared for the resistance they would put up over that one city. It was assumed there was something of great value there, but the way they threw resources and Channelers at the protection of it made everyone wounder what could be so important. Some believed it was some kind of elaborate ploy, and the real reason the Golden-Chaos family was in their cities was that they were helping the Burning-Heart League. The league had already begun to start battles over the land they wanted, but the Greenwood family had been well prepared for their attacks and those bastards met with more resistance then they could handle.

Still with all their Support from other major Family houses gone, the war was slowly waning the Greenwood's resources and the front lines were breaking. Especially with two forces coming against them at the same time. If they could just defeat one, destroy a single Force against them then they could focus all their power on the other entity. Be it the league or the Golden-Chaos family. The Greenwood family was not one of the largest on the Chaos continent, but they were all well trained and disciplined. They believed in focused power. And took pride in the fact that each one of theirs was worth two of any other. Toka read reports about how the war was going, and signed orders to move supplies and Acolytes from one position to the other. She also made sure that the front lines that needed it had plenty of treasure weapons and Treasure traps, along with any power enhancement devices they could afford. The family had hundreds of thousands of years worth of preparation for times like these. Their Treasure stores were well stocked. but still it wouldn't last forever so it was all a matter of placement and strategy. Toka had all the numbers memorized and knew what could be expended, she only needed to order where it would go. Everything she was reading told her the situation on the lines wasn't changing. Which meant it was still dire. They weren't gaining any ground on ether front, and were spreading their forces too thin. Their spies also spoke of unfortunate events unfolding outside of their control. Like the Burning-Heart League enlisting a mercenary force to join the fight for them, and trying to strong arm other families onto their side. And the Golden-Chaos family beginning to gather a large force together in one of its home cities whose purpose was unknown. meanwhile Anytime the Greenwood family tried to garner other families or Forces to join them, they were always mysteriously denied. And the Burning-Heart League Always got involved. It was frustrating, and put a damper on all family relations as no'one would stand with them. Leaving them alone in an unfair fight.

"Master Toka!!" A yell of urgency sounded as a Deity realm Acolyte burst into the room looking worried. Toka knew this Acolyte personally, he was her head of communication, a very wise and powerful man. One of the Family's proudest, and the Wounderkind of the Deity level. Toka held back a wave of dread as she sat straighter in her bed, If he was upset like this then it was very bad news. "What is it?" Toka's arms and stomach were bound with white cloth and her dark shoulder length hair was unkempt, but she wasn't worried about how she looked right now. "An entire Demon hoard is flying over the west sky of our land. Millions of them! Heading for our second most valuable Treasure lands!" Toka didn't let her shock and fear show through her hard expression. "Inform everyone! First our own, tell them to be ready for an attack. Then call every Family from here to the West Coast." The Man nodded. "I've already got people on it, but.... the reports might be exaggerating this. They claim almost half of them are Deity realm." Toka's eyebrows rose slightly. Demons were dangerous in hoards, they were immune to so many Elements and had bodily toughness that was usually a realm ahead of their Level. They were such a hassle to drive away that it took more resources to get rid of them then they were worth. But the damage they could cause was kept down by the fact that when they reached the Deity realm they ascended off the planet. They had no loyalty to the hoard unless it could help them. For so many Deity realm demons to roam the world in one force… "That's... unfortunate." Toka said. A force like that would be detrimental to the family They couldn't spread themselves any more thin. If this hoard had it in for them they could be wiped out by their enemies completely. Toka wasn't sure what could be done... she fought off hopelessness and focused on their options. "If they want the Devil's Ash valley let them have it. We can't fight them right now, and we'll get it back when They are eradicated. The other families might be ignoring us, but they can't ignore a demon hoard." Greenwood's never backed down from a fight, but they didn't just step into a Massacre ether. And this was not a situation they could win. Who knows how many families it would take banding together to wreck this hoard… the losses would be unfathomable. Toka just prayed the demons weren't here for blood. The Acolyte looked at her with concern and understanding of how Truly screwed they were.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Gabe and his army of various types of demonic figures all came to a dead stop over the black sanded desert. even several miles over it, all that could be seen was dry gritted sand dunes for miles all around. "This place is filled with treasures master." One of the demons near Gabe said with a greedy smile. They all might be nervous about drawing so much attention to their hoard, but that didn't stop their thieving spirit. "It's all just under the sand. Most of it's not even deep." Another demon stated. This land had been sectioned off for millennia, the Greenwood family waiting for the treasures to Evolve in mass. "Nobody takes anything!" Gabe said. "Understand! If you see a demon taking a single treasure, kill them on the spot." The expressions of every Demon around him dropped. And the news of his order quickly spread over the whole hoard. Gabe could care less how they felt about his orders, in his experience Demons couldn't be treated with kitten gloves. "You know kid, this place is probably loaded with Heavenly treasures." Sisfar spoke in his mind. "I'm not saying you should loot the place, heck I don't even think you should have come here. But it wouldn't hurt to take just a few." Sisfar had been against moving the hoard. He didn't see how Gabe was going to keep it, and doing all this for a girl was beyond stupid. Gabe rolled his eyes. "Don't you think I'm aware of what's under the sand. I don't care. I'm not stealing from the family that has been so kind to me. Now if it were another family... even my own, it would be a different story. But the Greenwood family doesn't need anymore enemies." Gabe and his hordes flew slowly over the land, he had been prepared for a small battle to take this place. Knowing the Greenwood family would Always put up a fight, but so far he hadn't seen a single soul here. It was as if they were giving it to him. That could only mean they were in worse shape then expected. Gabe cursed inwardly, he'd rather have seen an entire army waiting for him here then see such a proud family back down. But at least he didn't have to go through the hassle of fighting them without causing harm.

They found the arch directly in the middle of the land, it was huge. At least half a mile long. And half a mile tall. It stuck out with its deep green Jade color over the black sand surrounding it. There was nobody here guarding it which only solidified that the Greenwood family had abandoned this place. Gabe began issuing orders, having his demons scout the nearby area, and posting high powered guards to patrol the borders of the land. He then Began to look the Gate over making sure it hadn't been booby trapped or damaged. The number of giant runes written on the arch was ridiculous and would take a full day simply to skim over. "We don't have long master." One of the demons on Gabe's counsel said, he didn't take the time to learn all their names, he didn't like them or any of his demons. "The families are surly on their way to end us, and our territory is probably already swarming with human scum." He was speaking calmly but Gabe could see the hate in his eyes, all of his demons thought they were going to get themselves killed doing this. "I'd wager not a single one will lift a finger. At least for a couple of weeks." Gabe told him. "I have a feeling the Burning-Heart League will do us a favor here. But even of they don't we can escape. Worse case scenario we use the Gate to portal out of here." The demon rose it's crooked scared eyebrow. "And if they follow us master?" Gabe wondered how uncommon his Demon King's get away trait was. he wasn't absolutely certain it would work on such a big portal but he didn't see a reason why not. From the question the demon had asked Gabe guessed most demons didn't inherit the trait. "They won't be able to follow us. Now go prepare everyone for battle. We were lucky there wasn't a fight to take this place, we won't be so lucky when we fire the Portal gate up"