Hey guys.

Sorry its been more than a week but there was a death in the family and things were a bit hectic.

I hope you enjoy the read. Please remember to follow favorite and in case you have forgotten the agreement still stands. Once we reach 95 reviews/votes i will have a double release on that weekend. Please do not just give a full vote unless you really feel the story deserves it. If I get bad reviews it is my problem and I will still have the double release.

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64

The Demon

Sorren watches attentively as the boy who had been in a daze returns to what seems to be is normal demeanor. For a moment he looks around confused at not finding the pompous Alexo strutting about.

A second later the confusion leaves his face, looking outside Slyfer can see darkness is already starting to creep over the tents. –Was I “gone” for that long?-

Sorren’s voice interrupts his thoughts. “I told you not to underestimate him.”

Slyfer nods, “that you did… but you just gave me the thing I needed most.”

Sorren looks at him confused and Slyfer starts to laugh, his eyes starting to glow with a deathly red. “You idiots just gave me a reason to start fighting back, after all you did capture one of my comrades.” Slyfer gets up and Sorren takes on an aggressive stance.

“What are you doing? If you touch me or any of the men here she will die.”

Contrary to what Sorren believed would happen Slyfer smiles. “Ah yes, I will have to reprimand her when I go fetch her now, but first tell me do you want to stand aside, follow me or die?”

Sorren frowns, -what is this idiot thinking! If he acts my sister will die, does he not get that? Does he not care?-

Slyfer tilts his head as if listening to someone. He had asked the dragons if he would finally be able to use the power locked away inside him. He wanted to use the same form he took on against the abomination, but after some prodding and feeling around he felt that part of himself was locked away. The only other option left to him is the power sealed away inside him. The power of yet another dragon he knows little to nothing of, accept he somehow gained knowledge of herbs and healing from it.

The reply he got was not good to say the least. A few minutes would be all he has before his body will start disintegrating. His only chance at using it without killing himself for a long period of time would be in his dragon form. –If it comes to that… so be it. We can’t lose Atlantia if it can be stopped by revealing my secret.-

Sorren, ignoring his strange behavior starts to scream in a pleading voice. “Please, don’t act. Don’t let them hurt my sister.”

Slyfer sighs, he also feels worried for Luna. He cares so much it hurts, however he told her not to come and she insisted, he warned her it would be dangerous and she insisted. Remembering something from Malgrobin’s memories was the thing that stopped his naïve and childlike train of thought. After a certain age a hatchling is sent into the wild to fend for itself. Its parents will then let go and let it grow on its own to make its own decisions. To either become a hunter or the hunted. If the hatchling was killed they would destroy everything and anything in the vicinity of course but ultimately until it died they would not interfere since it would not only make the hatchling weak, but also rob its pride and for some reason a dragon without pride must be killed immediately. Slyfer could not search further into Malgrobin’s memories to find out why though.

All these questions, unknowns about himself and the world around him only serve to increase his frustration. Why can he no longer access the form he had? What happened to the dark voice in his head that day? How much strength will he need in order to use the power he has properly? –What am I?-

Pushing these thoughts away he once again focuses on Sorren who has not moved with a complicated expression on his face. “I have given you enough time to decide.”

Sorren’s own head and heart do not seem to agree. He hopes Slyfer can save her, but he also fears he may fail and cause his long lost sister’s death. He can remember their childhood. A small village in the Northern lands. They were poor and did not have much in life, but they had each other; Loving parents and a small farm with just enough crops and animals to help them survive. It all changed though. One day his older sister did something that made the village proud. She used magic!

The village even held a festival in her honor, then again such a small and dreary village was just begging for some reason to have a festival. That’s when it all changed though. The festival spread word of her gift and talent with magic. Almost a hundred years ago things were not as they are now and magic was still not looked down on as much as now. Word had reached them of the Templars and how things were changing in the big cities, but they thought nothing of it. They were a small backwater village in the middle of nowhere after all, who would care, who would pay attention…..? But someone did. Alexo’s master was still a young boy back then barely older than his sister when he arrived with the evil men that tore everything away from them. The village was wiped out, nothing but a crater in the ground when they were finished with it. Ironically enough, using the same magic the Templar order condemned and looked down on. It was then that Sorren’s own gift showed itself and he killed one of the men right after the man slit his mother’s float while calling her a whore for abominations and demons.

The following week they travelled in cages, soon joined by other children who apparently also showed some talents with magic. All of them were then taken to a facility that in Sorren’s mind could be the true underworld where bad people went. Or so he was told as a child. He remembers thinking what he did to be a bad person, to be taken to this place. What did they do?

His sister had protected him as they traveled. She would give him a large portion of the meagre food they were given so he could eat more. She never once cried in front of him and he only figured out how sad she was on the forth night when he woke up to her shaking as she silently cried, trying not to wake or upset him. It was then that he made a promise to always try and protect her, to be strong for her…. but as if the demons that called themselves the Templar experimental division had heard his thoughts, they were separated the next day.

Time then turned into a blur as he was injected, thrown into a hole and observed. The magic inside him started to burn and change him from the inside out. Time had no meaning. Sorren’s life became a repetition of seeing some light only to be injected and fed before being thrown inside the hole again.

Until one day he did not return to the hole like he was used to. They cleaned him and had to teach him how to speak all over again. It was then that he learned more than ninety years had gone past! When they were satisfied that he could understand them. The “training” started. Even then he could see fear of him in their eyes, like he was a monster although he did not quite understand until Alexo showed up and showed him what Sorren had become. He saw one of the “failed” experiments get killed for not changing back even after receiving the orange powder they had to take on regular intervals. It was nothing more than a mindless beast; even before it was put down it killed nearly twenty Templars. Not long after he started to serve Alexo as one of his more accomplished failures, for years he helped the man with his schemes and over these years his memories slowly returned. It was only about a year ago that he got the nerve to ask Alexo about his sister. The man looked disappointed at first that Sorren had started to regain his memories, but he soon brushed it aside and told him about his sister and yet again got something else to hold over Sorren’s head.

The relief that Sorren had when he heard she escaped was short lived as Alexo explained the “evil” people she was with now. It was only when these people arrived and he scouted them that he realized he had been fooled once again. Now she was captured and his mind is screaming at him to stop Slyfer, but his heart is hoping he can save her.

Slyfer’s voice leaves him with little time to make up his mind. Decision made, he prepares for the worst!

Fira, with a clean and recently washed face makes her way over to the blood pack part of the camp. Looking at the warriors she is disgusted with how far they have fallen in such a short time. She had heard her teachers and father preach so many times about morale and how it makes or breaks an army. Looking at this lot, she can’t help but agree. Trisha the more timid of the two; when it comes to crowds stands not really sure how to handle the situation as more and more attention gets directed at them.

Fira feels her anger burn red hot like her hair. When she was small she used to lose her temper all the time and burn things all over the place. As she grew older though she was taught to rein it in, to control it as a proper princess should. That part of her got buried deep under tutelage and the ever increasing responsibilities her father heaped on her. She felt that part return if not magnified when the power flowed into her from Slyfer. She wanted to burn so many things! It would have been heaven to see everything burn! Her breathing intensifies for a moment as she remembers it. She had never felt so free and contained at the same time.

Looking at the drunk bastards in front of her the old Fira finally gets a chance to come forward after so many years. Trisha takes a step back at seeing the grass start to shrivel up. Fira looks around for a second and when spotting a wagon makes her way over.

By the time she has reached it her entire body is nearly wreathed in flames. She walks past a tent setting it ablaze, causing the warrior inside to swear and scurry out as he utters more swears and starts throwing it with anything he can get his hands on. This serves to get even more attention on her.

She climbs onto the wagon and turns around only to realize Grey King and about thirty wolves have followed her. She has received numerous requests from them for an audience in light of what they saw that day when they fought the shaman. She chooses to ignore them for now and turns to the scowling faces in front of her.

Trisha soon joins her and augments Fira’s voice with her magic. Her voice is nearly hateful when she speaks. Every word lashing out like a searing whip, way past their flesh and bones to directly hit the warriors’ hearts.

“You disgust me! You pitiful sacks of shit do not deserve to be in the blood pack! You lose one man and all of the sudden what Slyfer has worked for means nothing! It is good that he cannot see this, because he would send you all to the afterworld. Did what he tried to accomplish with you mean nothing! Did it go down your throats and turn right into piss like the drink you are sucking on as if it’s your mother’s tits!”

Silence follows this, until one very brave and very stupid warrior steps forward. The alcohol in him, making his speech slurred. “Who are you to talk to ush? Ban was our leader, our friend. What are you. A princessh sitting in the tower doing whatever you people do. Where ish the glorioush Shlyfer…. Huh where ish he? He has probably abandoned ush, knowing the fight ish-”

The man abruptly stops talking, simply because he cant. Trisha appeared next to him and now has him by the tongue! She starts to drag the man who is whimpering as his mouth starts to bleed from the force she is using.

Fira nods at the now angry Trisha and in an instant she makes a decision that could spell doom for this group or turn them back into what they are supposed to be. “Slyfer is not here because he is already fighting for us and the next one who says he ran away will be punished with death!”

Her declaration causes many to stand up and mutter. Most are pulled right out of their drunken state. A man who looks the least drunk forces his way through the throng. “How is Slyfer already fighting, why did he leave us behind?”

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Fira recognizes him as one of the first blood pack warriors. “He has gone to infiltrate the enemy camp in order to speak to their leaders since we felt that not all of them were aware of what happened here.”

The man scowls. “Why were we not told! Why do you keep this from us. We deserve to –“

Fira’s flames flare and she nearly burns the man. “You deserve nothing! Just look at you. Out of fear of this the information was kept from you. Because you are weak you were not told. Look at yourselves… you are no warriors, but worse than children. Ban must be cursing you from wherever he is.”

A voice hidden in the back shouts in anger. “What do you know of Ban?”

“I know he was in command of warriors and not-“ She gestures at them in general  “-this. I know he was put in command by Slyfer since he proved himself worthy of that position. I also know he died in my arms like a warrior without fear of death, but regrets that he could not further serve Slyfer in this life. That is the man he was, the warrior he will be remembered as and you all never deserved him! We will be holding his burial rights this night. Those who wish to remain in this group will be there sober with full armor and equipment to give the warrior the respect he deserves and not this!” She turns to walk away and mutters quickly break out.

She stops and seeing them gossip like girls, drives her over the edge. Her flames expand lighting up the night like the doors of hell itself have opened, destroying  the wagon beneath her. “I said get ready!”

Alexo looks at those gathered around and rubs his hands together, smiling in his heart. So far things are going well for the man. He did not want to take part in this meeting but it brought on the perfect opportunity to further his plans, to give the other groups the little nudge they need to start marching. His eyes flow over the other representatives and stops on the dwarf King who has not stopped staring at him since he entered the tent. –The fool suspects something, but what can he prove?-

Everyone is gathered and they start to quiet down. The dwarf King takes the opportunity and directly asks. “Alexo, earlier an alarm was raised and I am told you captured intruders. Where are they and why have you kept it from all of us?”

Alexo’s heart nearly jumps out of his chest in happiness, but like always his inner thoughts and feelings are kept well under control. With a neutral face he stands up and starts to answer. “What you say is indeed true. There were imposters!” He falls quiet to let it sink in, but then shakes his head and with a sad strained voice says. “Alas the “imposters” were not enemies but fugitives. Men running from the army that is now at our door. Poor people that have been living in fear and had to watch as their families were killed only to be left with but a handful by the evil that has taken over OUR first stronghold and line of defense!”

Mutters break out at his words and the dwarf King frowns. Not liking where this is going. “Why did you not let us know of this immediately?”

Alexo sighs and sadly shakes his head. “These men told me of the problems and the issues they faced. They are also fearful, fearful that one of us may be colluding with the enemy and in doing so may assassinate them. Respecting their wishes I kept it quiet, but I felt I can no longer keep it from you as the situation is truly dire beyond our imagination. I have-“

He is abruptly interrupted when the dwarf King speaks. “Where are these people you speak of< I wish to have a word with them seeing as some of my dwarves were killed when they entered the camp.” The dwarf’s eyes turn deadly with his statement and the hand gripping his hammer creaks as his grip tightens in anger. The dwarves were young, barely over a hundred.

Alexo opens his mouth to speak.

BANG! A loud sound fills the tent causing all within to jump. The ground trembles with the force of the blow. Alexo’s eyes resting on the source narrows for a moment. The Dwarf King with a deep scowl lifts his hammer from the crater he had just created. “No more talk, bring them out.”

Alexo who is about to talk more is once again interrupted, this time by the Snow Elf King. “I agree, reveal these men so that we can talk and discover what is going on ourselves.”

Alexo swears inwardly. He wanted to smooth things over a bit more before bringing out his “fugitives.”  Looking over the gathered people he can still see doubt in their eyes. Something he does not like, but if the “fugitives” play their part well perhaps he can turn them to his side.

He swears again inwardly before nodding at one of his “blessed” children. The man quickly disappears and a moment later a herald steps forward. “I present to my Lords. Lookin, a noble of the High Elves and master of the sword!” Lookin walks in looking haggard and defeated. He even has a few bruises on his face curtesy of Alexo’s men. All for appearances of course. The herald quickly pipes up again. “I present to you Great Spear, leader of the Spear clan and noble of the Dark Elves.”

Great spear walks in, looking even worse. He has a deep cut in his shoulder and is walking with a limp. Seeing the two causes the others assembled to start muttering among themselves. The Dwarf King looks over the two and instead of feeling placated, doubt further fills his eyes. The men they found in the fields were all dispatched with one decisive blow. There was not a spec of blood on their armor and weapons. Well at least on those who still had there armor and weapons. He is just about to say ask when the two kneel before him.

“Dwarf King, we are aware of our Sins and will definitely pay the price for it, but please listen to us.” There is a demon among the army that is at your door. He has killed many of us, destroyed lives as if our people are mere cattle!”

Great Spear looks up into the dwarf King’s Eyes. “Master Dwarf, he killed my son. Crushed him right in front of me. Stepped on his head like he was a mere ant! All because we did not want to follow him. Those with him have been affected by his dark magic and have fallen prey to his words!” Of course he never told Alexo about Slyfer. If the armies die they will forever be is lackeys stuck under his boot, but if they can take control of the army again they could be leaders in the council!

Lookin nearly snorts at the dark elf fool. Sure Slyfer felt strong that night they met, but how could a boy of that age take out so many of the Dark Elves. Lookin did not stay long when the humans attacked. He had fled as soon as he got the chance knowing the human leader was not supposed to know of his involvement in the matter and if found would be killed along with the rest of the Princess’s group.

It is because of this that he was so surprised to hear of the same boy when the dark elves arrived at the hide out Alexo had placed him in.

Alexo nearly screams in anger. He clenches his fist imagining how he is going to kill them after this. It would serve his purpose if the council thought they had been assassinated.  They had never told him about this demon!

The Dwarf King does not take their words to heart, how could he? These people look far to haggard and defeated. The dwarfs and humans that were killed and hidden in the field all died with one strike! How could they have done it? Unless of course some of the people with them were more capable and in better condition.  He is just about to ask when a feeling of fear fills his heart and with every growing second it intensifies nearly driving him to his knees! It feels like eyes are staring into the back of his head. Eyes of a predator. Eyes of a killer!

Some of the representatives and dignitaries pass out. He can even see some wetting themselves! Alexo staggers back, but a ward activates protecting him from the strange power. Most of his men go through the same experience.  The snow elf King and others well versed in magic cry out and start bolstering the defenses around their minds.

“What is this! What is approaching us?”

Great Spear starts to scream at Alexo. “This feeling, this, this aura… No he can’t be here. Why is he here!” He had escaped from Slyfer but every dream he had since then had been a nightmare. The demon that killed his son would come for him. He saw Slyfer jump in front of Great Hunter, but he ran before seeing the result. He ran in fear. He ran because he knew if he did not the demon would kill him. Now the feeling has intensified tenfold as opposed to that day. –how much stronger has he become?-

Slyfer watches as Sorren kneels in front of him, his face strained and body shivering. –This feels great!- For the first time in a long while Slyfer  is releasing his aura to the max. He never realized how good it would feel doing it. Always keeping it wrapped up over the last few months had made him used to it. Sorren, filled with fear he can’t explain tries to stand up under the weight that feels like its crushing his spirit! His legs fail him however and he stays in the position. Right now he is nothing but a dog for the slaughter. He had stepped in Slyfer’s way, fearing for his sister.

Slyfer ignores him as he expands his mind even more. The simple reason he has done this, is to find Luna and in doing so he needed all of it. He scans over the thousands of life forms. Lights that are not lights. Not aware of what releasing his aura on this scale has caused!

Luna in the tunnel suddenly stops and a grin spreads from ear to ear. It was this power, this feeling that brought her back from the abyss. She doubles her speed rushing forward all the while dragging the woman behind her.

Slyfer frowns. He found her after all her light is very unique and to is surprise similar to Sorren’s. She is underground though and not alone. A weak light seems to be following behind. He talks aloud to himself. “Not captured then?”

Slyfer looks down at Sorren and sighs. He has to kill the man. Sorren got in his way after he warned him. “Sorren you can die in peace knowing that your sister will be safe. It seems she was not captured or has already escaped.”

Sorren does not know what is going on and he can barely think through the fear, but Slyfer’s words helps him break free from it to some extent. He looks up seeing Slyfer make a fist. “Wait! Let me join you. If my sister is truly safe let me join you. I hate Alexo, I hate the Templars. They tore my family apart. Turned me… turned me into this.”

Slyfer’s eyes flashes with a promise of death and for a second Sorren believes his words were useless, but then Slyfer lets out a breath and lowers his hand. “If I get one whiff of betrayal, you die.”

Sorren is about to answer, but when he looks up Slyfer grabs him by the scruff of his neck and starts dragging him. Sorren heard anger in Slyfer’s voice. Every word not only sounded in his ears, but reverberated through his mind as well.

Slyfer fights against the voices in his head. The dragons wanted death for Sorren, but Slyfer once again fought against them. He feels like a fool for not taking Sorren’s life, but he may need him now. After all who knows more than Sorren about Alexo’s activities?

Slyfer walks outside the tent only to find the guards placed their on the ground. He thought he would have to kill his way out, but now….

With no time to think on it he heads to his hammer at first trying to stay out of sight, but the more he walks, the more he realizes the humans all around him were shivering in fear. Some crying others curled up into little balls. It reminds him of when Alric was so angry. For a moment he believes Alric should be close but their connection quickly shows it to not be the truth. The dragons solve the mystery. “It is you who is doing it.”

Before Slyfer can ask further questions Sorren manages to speak again. “Where are you going, what about my sister?”

Slyfer ignores him for a second  as he ponders on what the dragons said. “Your sister is somewhere underground.  She is safer there then with us.”

Sorren wants to speak again, but Slyfer suddenly drops him and jumps forward grabbing a spear from a soldier the ground. He hears a rush of air followed by a resounding clap as the spear is launched through the air. It rips the air as it travels creating a whistling sound. The sound stops but is quickly replaced by griffin’s cry of pain. He hears Slyfer approach again while muttering something about pigeons.

Sorren starts to feel another fear grow inside him. The griffins! He had forgotten about the griffins!

In Slyfer’s mind he can sense more and more griffins closing in his direction. Bending down he grabs Sorren again and speeds off through the camp. He needs to hurry, there is no way he can face so many of them!