"You're nothing but a fiend!"

"Oh? Was rescuing you a fiendish deed? Shall I correct it?"

She snapped her jaws together, knowing the man who carried her atop her shoulders was utterly and completely her benefactor.

"Rescuing me is one thing, but making me your slave, only the cruelest would make such a skewed deal with a helpless maiden!"

The man lifted her like a doll, one which now donned a rather casual green and brown outfit thanks to a small detour they took while descending Asmo's temple. His ears perked up at her words, one thing was for certain, Vespin was either very happy, or worse, very not.

"You don't say? So you admit to being a maiden? Or am I wrong and you still claim to be the god of this temple? Please do tell."

"It's both! I don't have time for lying to you cur!"

The man gently placed the pouting girl back atop his shoulders before casually continuing his thought.

"We'll have to do something about your manners. It hurts my tender heart to be called a cur! I'm quite the gentleman if only you would give me but a chance."

The exasperated breath escaped from little Asmo, as she prepared herself once more to retort.

"You? A gentleman? Don't make me laugh! I'm ten times the gentleman you'll ever be!"

With a concerned expression, Asmo was placed in his arms regrettably like a princess once more. Vespin kneeled drastically, a look of genuine concern washing over him as he stared directly in her eyes. His eyes glinted with a deep red hue like a fresh-picked rose.

"W-what is it?"

"It is quite regrettable…"

"Spit it out, what befalls us?"

"I fear it ails milady alone."

He placed his right hand slowly against her forehead closing the distance with his own.

"Did you figure out the reason for my curse? Is it, drastic?"

Asmo felt her heart hang on the slightest movement of the man before her, not out of concern, but rather, out of pure unabated fear.

"Milady mentioned me in a way that could only mean.."

"Yes? Yes?"

"She hit her head and lost any semblance of perception. I fear it's truly regrettable.. if you would permit me, perhaps I could cure you, but it could take some time."

Caught completely in the moment her jaw remained agape as his words finished. Moments later she looked to the side of him, regrettably seeing no other options.

"If.. if it's truly as bad as you say. Then, cure me. Get it over with."

The serious expression of Vespin flashed a hint of pity before his words began.

"It may be painful, is milady truly prepared to face it? There is no shame in turning down such a method."

It was a simple question and yet it made her contemplate, the lingering tendrils of fear halting her words deep within her throat.

"Yes. Just please make it quick."

"Regrettably I don't think that will be possible. Close your eyes."

Asmo closed her eyes firmly, bracing every ounce of resolve to face devilish pain in favor of a cure.

"Is this ok?"

"Perfect. Now hold still."

Moments passed by in fractions of seconds, the endless black behind her eyelids betrayed no hint of the ritual or method her "master" had planned.

Perhaps it was related to that? Maybe he took me as his captive for good reason. Could it be, I was too fast to judge?

Pangs of guilt were stolen away as touch washed over her senses. A soft, almost sweet sensation pressed against her lips. At first, she thought it was some form of medicine until it moved.

"Mmff!!"

Her eyes shot open to see the devil eagerly wrapping her lips in an unwilling embrace. Struggling came with pain, and despite her best efforts, it was all she could manage to close her eyes again.

Damn him!!

His lips finally decided to release her after a small grueling eternity of being intertwined.

"You!!"

"Yes?"

"You dare to kiss me!?"

"Of course. It was the cure."

"The cure to what? The remaining shreds of my dignity?"

"Well, you did mention you'd be fine with anything to cure you. With all due respect, you didn't even so much as ask what the ailment was. It was your damaged senses. You mentioned I wasn't a gentleman. I merely took the first step in curing you."

"You cheat! I didn't agree with this!!"

"Oh, but you did."

"You, you thief! You tricked me!"

"Trick you? No, I wouldn't dream of it. Though I almost forgot the other point of interest."

.

"I'm not interested in being tormented any further. Do not dare to speak with me."

"Oh? I thought you may do well with an end to the plague that ails you. Though if you don't want I could simply save it for myself. After all, it's worth a small fortune."

Her resolve could not stand up to the hope of an end to the painful movements, an end to being completely at his mercy.

"No! Give it here devil!"

"Is that how a maiden or god treats their savior even still? You've hurt my feelings."

"Please, just give me it, the pain is terrible, I'll even forgive you for your sins against me!"

The desperate and failed attempt at charm just summoned a deadpan expression from the clever Vespin.

"With all due respect my dear, why would I trust you?"

"Because I have no reason to lie."

Asmo's face fell to the floor in dismay. With a gentle finger, Vespin drew her expression skyward forcing her into a stare.

"Oh, but it's quite the contrary love. You have every reason. Now, we could bicker here in this entranceway until we fade into oblivion, that, or you could make it worth my while."

Clasping her lips she glared at his notion.

"Letch! Cur! Bastard! Do you enjoy my suffering?"

With a dastardly smile, he responded without hesitation.

"I wonder."

"That means yes!"

"Then will you give up on your chances of living pain-free?"

"You are terrible to leverage help against me! Just tell me what you want!"

"Straight to the point and as cold as ice? You never disappoint, do you? Fantastic!"

"Waste no more time devil! What is it you want?"

"Ah, it's but a simple request. I want you to treat me nicely for just a moment."

"I don't like where this is going.."

"Worry not, you surely will given enough time of course."

The devilish grin sent chills down her spine.

"There is nothing you could do to make me like you or your vile ways! I hate you and you'll never change my mind."

The words felt good to say, even if she knew full well they would only give him ammo to trifle further.

"Is that a challenge?"

Asmo didn't like the sound of it, his implications slothed in venom.

"Why would I agree or disagree?"

"Simple. We make a bet, one that would judging by your confidence, be far too easy for you. After all, I'm a mere cur in the face of a goddess!"

"A god."

"Then a god-maiden no? Given your previous statements."

"Why must you recall only the most shameful moments?"

"Because they are almost always more fun."

"Ask then, demand, what can I truly do to stop you, devil?"

"It's quite simple really. Silence your devil with a kiss from his princess’s lips."

"You can't be serious, where would I even go about finding a princess?"

"Then I suppose you'll have to do, but the catch is, I won't do much as lift a finger to help or hinder you. This, my dear Asmo, is your responsibility, "

Fuming with anger and tense with horror she watched as he lowered his head, his hair trailing across her cheek. The hulking man looked almost peaceful when he lacked his typical snide expressions. She much preferred it this way, the lack of sound, the lack of endless taunting and headache.

“Well?”

“Why must you make these demands? Do you simply make habit of falling for those you’ve only just met? For all you know, I’ve been testing you! Perhaps I could smite you at any moment!”

“Oh, I’m afraid its already too late.”

“Too late for what?”

“I’m afraid you’ve already smitten me quite handily.”

“Why must you always-”

“It's your fault.”

It was impossible, like talking to a bedrock wall, no words, no matter the logic Asmo could muster would break his unfaltering determination for whatever misdeeds he had formed deep within his devil’s touched brain.

“Must I truly?”

The sound of sadness swept into Asmo’s voice, the idea of appeasing his nonsense was quickly growing to a point of no return.

“Not at all. Though, I would think such a task would be nothing for the divine. Surely you are not so meek as to be unable to deliver a sign of divine approval! Affection, or otherwise! Surely the gods can do this much, no?”

“You!! Of course, I can!”

“Ah, words are but lilies upon the fantasy of life. You speak such confidence but I find it rather hard to believe given your lack of fulfillment thus far.”

It was a point that stung deeply, worse yet, it made sense as distasteful as it may be.

If I bow to such a man it will be my eternal shame! And yet... And yet!!

It was decided in an anticlimactic flare of shutting eyes and pursed lips. She kissed the air awaiting the inevitable, but this time no familiar warmth, no slight soft feeling, nothing at all met her own.

“Why?!”

“Did I not make myself clear my dear? You must take this kiss from me.”

“You swear to give me the medicine if I do this? You swear on your honor and manhood?”

“What a strange place to swear, but certainly. You seem to be under a false pretense, in fact, I have not lied to you even once since we’ve met. Your lack of trust, what dastardly deed have I done to earn it?”

“Then, lower yourself.. Let us be done with this.”

The man once again faced her with fallen hair and closed eyes, the hint of a smile cast across his large pronounced features.

Don’t think, just do it! Sever the pain at its source!

The voice in her head rang.

This is unacceptable of a god! Stop! Stop before its too late!

Another conflicting voice decided to chime in.

I.. must make this sacrifice, lest I become a cripple.

The thoughts raced only giving moments before the fabled collision.

Closing her own eyes she timidly approached his own, a sense of dread and terror washed over all at once. The ever-present feeling of her hard beating heart made moments pass that much slower. Every few seconds of the slow-paced assault, she would peek open an eye to make sure she didn’t miss, for sake of not having to repeat it.

Just a bit more. This should be nothing, This is nothing This is-

At the moment of contact, a deep chill washed over her, only the familiar feeling of the soft and tender lips pressed against her own, this time, far more gently than before. The thoughts she had prepared to distract had melted into a jumbled mess of emptiness. It wasn’t unlike the feeling of falling, down and down, without an end to the supple, no, the gentle touch before her. It was something, that as a god, would have been impossible, no matter how much Asmo would have wanted or hated it. The sensation of mortals was something that couldn’t be explained in the mind of a god, a flare of explosives welled inside a soft gentle exterior, was the closest she could come up with.

“Asmo”

The muffled voice protested.

“How long are you going to kiss me for? I won’t complain but-”

“Mfffn!!”

The panicked Asmo had been caught by the estranged moment, lost to time and thought that was so genuinely replaced with curiosity that she had lost count of moments.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“You are surprisingly passionate. I.. dare say I am speechless.”

Him? Speechless? That means… kisses are...

“Vespin.”

The curt tone of voice returned as she looked off to the side, having no desire to meet eyes with him.

“Yes your grace?”

“I made you speechless didn’t I?”

For the second time, the devil man before her looked slightly caught off guard, as her last moment glance decerned.

“Yes, I suppose you did.”

The smile returned to her face, a confident almost cocky look faced him.

“That means I have power over you!”

The puzzled man looked utterly baffled by her second wind.

"I suppose.. that is one way to view it but-"

"No buts!"

Surprisingly Vespin held his tongue only smiling with a look of recovery.

Hah! I have found power in such a simple gesture! And now he must give me the medicine too!

"Give it to me as we agreed, quickly now."

She sat up in his arms with a smug look even through the stinging.

"As you wish my lady."

The man propped her up upon his arm and rummaged through the depths of his left coat pocket.

Scrunching his brow in concentration, he drew out at first a sea urchin looking creature, one that still appeared to be alive at that.

Looking at her he gave a smile and an expression as if wanting to explain but having no words that could properly convey it.

Placing it back in its place, a second attempt was made, this time retrieving a crimson vile, closer to the goal she surmised.

Sadly, his expression betrayed the second being a mishap as well, one that he quickly put back into his pocket. His eyes darted oddly to her own making her curious all the more of its contents. She refrained from asking for two reasons, the pain and possible inclination for him to raise the bargain to require even more hidden conditions before she could receive her cure.

"Ah! Here we are!"

His hand retracted, this time capturing a deep purple vile. It's contents looked as though a starry sky which may as well have been a piece of the stars themselves condensed.

"What is it?"

He gave her an estranged expression, awaiting a punch line that never met the silence of the air.

"Do you not know? Surely a panacea bottle is known even to the most, no, no perhaps your highness was merely an exception."

Giving a smug huff she reached for the bottle only for it to drift just out of her reach.

"Give it to me!"

Smiling with all the innocence of a shark before it's prey he gave his answer.

"Very well."

Popping the lid with his thumb he took the swirling liquid into his mouth in one horrifying moment.

"No!!"

Her arms reached out in vain for the empty bottle sadly.

"Why would you-- mffn!!"

Again with the kissing! I can't lose my control over him! It's a battle then... I won't lose to you devil!!

As she grimaced into his kiss she pressed with all her might in a clumsy motion of their locked lips. The softness escaping into a chilling crescendo of movements leaving his tongue slithering in her mouth.

What!? No! I don't--

The very next moment she could taste it even among his tongue which now encircled her own. She dared not move, the wide-eyed expression fading to completely shut eyes. The taste was inexplicable, like drinking ice and fire all at once. Her cheeks flushed with blood and her breath came in quick succession. The already fast pace of her heartbeat matched the subtle attempts to escape from the embarrassing feeling of his tongue that still explored her mouth without hesitation.

"Mff!!"

Slowly she drank gulp after gulp of the liquid through the small freedoms she found in the wake of his assault. His free arms enveloped her in an unwilling embrace as he quivered midway.

He's shaking?

She couldn't understand it, and just the next moment he broke from the kiss looking away from her like a wolf lone and brutal.

"There. I kept my promise."

The heaviness of the breathing caused any attempt at a retort to lead her mind to a blank crossroad.

"I.. was.. that necessary?"

The words came out in a dazed mix of heavily hazed words.

"With all due respect my dear…"

He paused and held her almost painfully close in his arms.

"Shut up."

He descended toward her lips almost too fast to react.

"No!"

He paused the split second before reaching the point of no return, his breath hot and heavy on her face with a lingering smell of berries and ice.

"You're right. I may have taken things too far. I just.."

The sincerity of the internal strife of the man mirrored his hammering heartbeat. He looked almost scared, terrified of something she couldn't hope to understand.

"You are dangerous to me Asmo."

Hah! So he fears me. Serves him...

Halfway into an attempted smile she just couldn't find the heart to scoff at the struggling man.

"I recall you calling yourself my savior prior. If you mean those words then.."

His eyes met her own in deep anticipation.

"I'll command from above. I am a god after all."

He smirked returning to his confidence a moment later.

"You intend to stay by my side? Or, atop of me as it would be?"

The look in his eyes was rather like a little boy asking permission from his mother as the last words hit. It served to Asmo feel as though she couldn't allow such a frail man to go about on his own.

"Yes. Now up! I demand it!"

The sly smirk turned into a burst of stammering laughter, which came to a conclusion beneath her slightly frustrated glare.

"Yes, my lady. Oh and watch your head."

"At least you understand your place, and wh--ow!"

The entrance had collided against Asmo's head as she thought of yelling at him for such a late warning but was caught off guard by the breathtaking view of the sunset horizon from the ample height of Vespin's horns.

"Well, what do you think? Is my goddess appeased by the sight of the wilderness?"

From the breathtaking blue trees the size of a million sunflower stalks. The violet hues of actual flowers mixed seamlessly with the expected greens and browns one may expect of a forested expanse. The strange pourus bushes were ripe with perfectly spherical fruits. Likewise, the sun glistened even through the thick canopy that could have been miles above from where she stood. The ruins of a city overwhelmed by nature gave hint in her second glance. Some trees grew through the stone houses and firm roots and vines crawled across the ancient foundations and once cultivated ground of the lost city.

The only remnant of humanity that stood against nature's claim was her temple. The spire that swept against the clouds and sun as if they were nothing but a child's toy.

"I'll take your silence and rather compromising expression as a resounding yes."

"It's beautiful. Though it's far from what I remember."

The unkempt space inspired a mysterious upheaval in her heart. It hurt to see the town she once protected in such complete ruin, abandoned in the most primordial state imaginable. The description was far from what images the god had managed to garnish, but why? It was impossible to figure out from such a perspective and yet still she pondered until her head panged with a warning to stop. To no great surprise, he had noticed her expression and decided to comment.

"Your tone and expression say otherwise."

She huffed a disgruntled sound before the words even had a chance to escape or continue.

"Nevermind that, tis but an old memory, now, let's be rid of this place I believe I've caught a second curse."

"A second curse you say?"

The rumbling in her stomach stole her next sentence.

"Ah! Hunger. While I don't have rations we could easily set up camp once we leave the forest. Is that what you'd like my dear Asmo?"

She glared down at him.

"I'm not your anything. But yes, I wish to see more of this world."

The somber expression of the man below looked worried and slightly regrettable.

"Do you have a place?"

Curiously she responded.

"A place?"

He fidgeted with an answer dancing on the tip of his tongue.

"You know, a home, a place to call your own."

He paused again before finishing.

"A family.."

The weak, almost pitiable last words felt heart wrenching even if it came from the regularly infuriating man.

"No, not anymore I'm afraid. My brother killed me."

"And yet here you stand."

"Neither gods nor men truly die in this world. They just lose themselves to a new beginning."

[https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/557892123303608320/601387779716284466/file-394.jpeg?width=956&height=1353]

Asmo prodded the air half talking to herself.

"Us gods just lack the luxury of being blissfully ignorant."

The sorrow in her words came out in full. After all, nothing would change with truth or lie, no goal could be set to return and she would probably never see her brother or her love ever again. Worse yet, even if she did, how could she face either of them?

She could neither hope to slay her brother or be the god to match Lilith. It was empty. She was empty.

"Say Vespin.."

"Yes?"

"Do you think there is a place for me in this world?"

Unexpectedly asking it aloud roused a feeling of loneliness that almost made her happy to have the infuriating bounty hunter below her.

The man drudged on facing forward as if to ignore her question but then broke from the silence.

"Is that what you want? To be needed?"

The sulking Asmo responded with half-lit eyes.

"Yes.."

She couldn't see his face as he answered.

"I think it's possible, but being needed and having a place are two very different things."

"Is it wrong to want both?"

The two fell silent with the last gleam of sunlight cast and the swelling darkness stealing the remaining sight of her servant.

"It is only wrong if done as a sacrifice, without value and love."

The combination of words seemed as confusing as the impending follow-up to his words.

"Value and love huh? I guess even cheeky servants have moments of deep contemplation."

The toothy grin returned with a glow to it that he must have seen.

"But what servent could there be? Oh please, don't consider yourself as a lowly servant of mine. You are my companion."

"Wait! That isn't what we--"

"Oh but it is. You simply twisted it to your needs, of course, I let you too."

"That's not the point!"

"Then what is?"

"You!!"

"It's fine, the ire of a girl of your caliber is well worth it. Certainly far from the first time as well."

"You're a bully!"

"Nonsense! The word you are looking for would be gentleman"

"Never!"

"So you would kiss a bully?"

"Don't bring up unrelated-"

"Wait, be silent!"

His hand covered her mouth mid shout, as the sound of movement surrounded from the darkness. His next breath came in silence as they huddled down low behind a giant blue-hued oak.

"Asmo, you will be in danger should they hear you."

The deathly serious whisper met her ear in hot breath.

"Then what will you have me do?"

A smile returned slightly to his demeanor.

"I will protect you, or did you truly think... no, nevermind. In any case, trust me and stay silent or you will get us both in trouble."

Asmo nodded with an equally serious look of her own. Her eyes, while not fully adjusted to the dusk, could see a landscape of silence, far too much so to be normal. Not even a leaf rustled without meaning. The sound of movement earlier was the only clue and it was but a single step.

Vespin walked into a nearby clearing drawing a bow from a green fire that circled his hands. The bow was a beautiful mix of white and green that made it seem as though it was crafted of precious gems and unknown metals. He stood tall and waited for a moment before declaring.

“Do I look as prey?”

An arrow responded to his words almost immediately whizzing from behind him, it was moving blindingly fast toward the back of his head. Asmo opened her mouth as if to warn him, only to be a precious second too late. She winced but soon realized his hand had caught the arrow by the shaft with near-perfect dexterity. So much so, that the energy of the shot was diffused and left his hand in pristine condition.

“Come now, that wasn’t a very kind display.”

Vespin gazed around with his arms up, clearly confident in his ability to evade any number of repetitious attempts at his life.

“Oy, you’re a cocky one eh?”

A far too soft voice spoke in a many times more brutish tone. She could see them creep into the scene from a nearby cleft of shadows. It was a woman, one that was surprisingly short but caused a rather mixed expression to paint its way across Vespin’s daring features.

“An elf? And one leading a band of Felfri at that, I understand times are tough but to pick a fight with a bounty hunter such as myself, are we not two sides of the same coin?”

The elf cackled with a low tenebrous growl to her words.

“You’ve got a mouth, but I’ve never seen you, and if I’ve never seen you.”

The woman closed the distance to Vespin in an instance, his calm looks raising to defend himself. Too late, the fist collided with his cheek with a positively massive sound, his body flailing away in an unwilling cartwheel matching the intensity of meteor strike.

The terrible impact shook the ground and riled sleeping birds to flight in a torrent of wingbeats. The all-consuming sound crescendoed into the next moment as shadows began to encroach toward Vespin who slumped against the tree in a haggard mess. Still, his voice was the one to break the silence.

“That was quite a hit milady. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you didn’t like me very much. And going for the face too. You’ve damaged my second best feature.”

Spitting blood his usual smile crossed his face in a crooked twist.

“Though I suppose by your lack of witty comebacks you’re not going to ask what my best feature is, though I think it may be all I can do to show you.”

The elf lunged toward his location, again matching a blistering pace like a bullet mid-flight.

“See that’s the problem with you elves.”

He cocked his head before gazing forward at the elf now three paces away. Pulling a crossbow from the green flames once more he now had her caught by momentum and unable to dodge. His iron sights fixated on her face.

“You’re all strength and no brains.”

He lowered the bow last minute to fire three bolts in quick succession. Each aimed at a pinpoint location, two of which were easily deflected from her head and chest, but the third pierced heartlessly through her thigh.

“Ahk!!”

The elf’s momentum worked against her as she tumbled forward as her pierced leg lacked the coordination for the next step causing her to roll forward in an ungrateful slump. Her momentum ceased as she struggled to regain her balance, unfortunately, the arrow was placed against her throat a precious second too fast.

“What’ll it be Zeli Windheart?”

He taunted from a point of complete dominance, it was clear even from Asmo’s point of view that the woman had a slower reaction speed than he, which spelled almost certain death if she so much as breathed the wrong way.

“So you did come fer me did ya?”

The young woman laughed in a spiteful last effort.

“Suppose you’re going to kill me now are you?”

Vespin smiled gleefully at the proposition.

“That, my dear, depends on you.”

“We have a proper gent here fellows, giving a lady such amiable choices, but I ain’t the only lady round here am I?”

The words finished with a cruel hint of control that stole the confidence from Vespin’s fading expression.

A knife found its way to Asmo’s throat almost like clockwork, as she was forced to her feet by a similarly horned fellow like Vespin.

“Move wench.”

Vespin caught Asmo’s movement toward the circle and grit his teeth in disapproval.

“So now here we are, a bloke and a lady lost in the woods, and worse, you’ve got a bounty out for me. How about we gut you both for tryin’?”

A sea of voices erupted from the silence, at least a dozen maybe two dozen men and women rallied by the elf’s words.

“Ah, it would seem we’re in a standoff then.”

Vespin lamented with a perfect poker face.

“How about this one, if you don’t lower your weapon, the little miss gets a knife in her gut. Sound like a deal?”

Vespin shrugged his shoulders and glanced toward Asmo with a cruel smile.

“You don’t honestly think I care, do you? She’s a bounty just like you. She’ll fetch a hefty price dead or alive.”

Asmo looked shocked at the man she had just moments before had a rather deep conversation with, the harsh truth piercing like the arrow from the elf’s thigh.

“You bastard! How dare you!!”

Asmo screamed with all the ferocity of a wild beast before being kicked hard in her side. A symphony of coughs filled the air as she desperately tried to regain her ability to take in air.

“Besides, you’re worth more dead if I recall little elf.”

The elf’s eyes flashed with a half dozen thoughts as her confidence a moment before broke into the reality that she may die, then and there.

“Then what’re we gonna do ya bastard? Sit ere all night? Bet it would get mighty boring.”

Vespin looked intently around with a sigh.

“I didn’t want to have to do this, but I suppose its better than the alternative.”

The large man dropped his bows as they fell into the deep green fire taking them out of sight. Strangely he was gone from his location, completely ripped from sight. It was as if he simply disappeared. The thugs looked back and forth, completely lacking a sense of urgency that was picked up on by the elf.

“What’re you oafs doing?! Find the bastard, take the little lady away to camp, we’ll deal with her when we get more information.”

Was this your plan all along you bastard! Leaving me as a distraction?!

She cursed in her mind, the bitter feeling of betrayal at war with wanting to hope for more.

“So what is it we do with this little runt?”

The large man behind her asked out of the blue as they marched toward fires that lit the distance.

“Why not do what we usually do?”

“Heh, the boss wouldn’t mind right?”

The edging voices of the two carried red flags by the sheer excitement behind them.

Daring not to speak, Asmo contemplated means by which to escape, the likes of which looked grim given the ropes fastened to her arms which now were taught against her back.

This is bad, this is bad! There has to be some path forward...

“You two would dare to speak that way to Asmodeus?”

Asmo attempted to buy some time.

“Asmodeus? You?”

“Damn, the girl must have hit er’ head, saying something so stupid.”

“Doesn’t make a difference in her performance I’m sure.”

The laughs sent chills down her spine, a horrible grotesque kind of feeling. Bandits had a bad name all those years ago but being placed in such a situation gave her a new appreciation for how terrible they were. The bonfire in the distance grew closer with every step as the envoy of bad-smelling men lead her onward. Hands explored her back and chest giving a vastly more horrific feeling.

"Do not touch me cur!"

The laughing bellowed from all around, at her complaint.

"What are you going to do little miss? Curse me? You should consider yourself lucky you have a bounty else the gutter would have claimed ya!"

The crippling pain that formally claimed her body was all but gone in the wake of the medicine's slow-progressing effect. In its place was the cruel truth of her situation.

"Unhand me!"

She spoke half out of fear and half due to trying anything she could to avoid the almost inevitable fate of being a toy to the worst kind of men. Unfortunately, her protest had caught her a painful knee to the gut. The wind once again escaped her as she coughed and struggled for her breath.

"Damn...you.. if you harm me you'll regret it.."

The laughing poured like an oasis in the desert of silence.

"What? Is your boyfriend going to save you?"

"Hah, the poor thing was abandoned by even her bounty hunter, cry little bitch, cry so that none can come to your aid."

"Sorry love, there are fairytale princes who can save you. Only nature, and nature made you a sheep to be devoured."

The men leered at her, forming a circle, her surroundings bloodied and signs of their previous "fun" were strewn about.

"The bitch doesn't even have clothes on. Are we sure she wasn't asking for this?"

"Who cares just get on with it! Some of us aren't that patient for new blood."

Wishing silently her eyes began to water. This was too much, three times on the same day she had been reduced to tears.

Anyone end these fools, don't let them!! Please, Lilith, save me!!

Her eyes, teary and afraid looked upward even before she felt the greasy hands explore her body.

A glint of movement caught her attention above, distracting from the horrible feelings. Part of her thought she imagined it, but part of her desired so badly for it to be real. The amalgamate of flesh and teeth moved horrifically from one tree to the next.

"Look..out..up above... "

She meekly said with a point in some hope it could spare her from the next moment.

"You think we would fall for that, you're more innocent then--"

The man's sentence was cut short by chance or fate.

"Oy you ok Chaplin?"

The man didn't move, not so much as a blink, as a small paper-thin line of crimson began to form around his neck.

"Is that blood? Gods get this man a--"

A loud thud happened in that surreal moment, everything stopped. Asmo had her wish. The head of the headless body of the man stood for a long three seconds before falling alongside its head.

"Bloody hell!! Get your weapons, you idiots!"

"Where is the bastard!? Show yourself you coward!"

As if to respond to the great mass descended from above, it was not unlike a slime, only that it was made of blood and sinew, in the shape of gnashing teeth and whipping limbs. Nothing was where it belonged, a gruesome mix of features that combined to make Asmo wonder if falling prey to the men was a better fate. The man who called out to it fell backward in pure fear of the purple-hued mass that reeked of death.

"What are you waiting for!? Kill the horrible thing!"

The massive maw struck out, cleaving the man who spoke in a grizzly bite. It left one of his arms, one of his legs, and a small portion of his face ripped away.

The gurgling noise escaped from the dying man's throat in an almost surreal display of gore. Asmo couldn't look away despite wanting to.

A forced jarring of her body sent her flying forward, tumbling toward the beast. Regaining her balance she looked back just in time to witness the creature lash out a whip-like arm grabbing the culprit by his hapless leg.

"Oh, gods!! Gaia, Lilith, Mastia, Bastion, anyone! Gods save me plea-"

The man was severed bringing his meaningless prayers to their untimely end. Daring not to make eye contact with the many faces of the beast she looked straight down. Shuddering in fear of the inevitable, there was nothing. Only a creeping silence and the soft sound of the now babbling brook formed of the combined blood of the innumerous corpses looming just out of eyeshot.

The beast, it doesn't seem to be able to see me or I would be dead. Be still!

The thoughts raced as the near silence persisted into the depths of the night. When she dared to move slightly she noticed the beast had long since disappeared. The hideous beast had, for better or worse, spared her from being defiled, but had left her, for the first time in eternity, completely and utterly alone.

"Does anyone live?"

Her voice escaped in an eerie almost desolate echo. Yet no response came, no sound of movement or even a breath, only the dull sound of emptiness ringing loudly in her ears.

Stumbling forward she went toward the massive bonfire enthralled by it's light, the subtle crackling as the only thing to give her escape from the emptiness.

Why is it so loud? Was it always so overwhelming? Why didn't I realize it?

The feeling of emptiness had been growing but she still walked with empty steps toward the bonfire as if a moth to a flame. Arriving at her destination came only with a heavy anticlimactic feeling. Seeing the mangled remains of the man who had bound her arms didn't give her a feeling of joy at his misfortune, instead it just felt like looking at a rock or a tree, it was no longer anything at all.

A wave of dizziness overwhelmed her remaining senses as she witnessed a strange blending of vision and sounds she couldn't identify. Despite her pleas with her body to move the darkness came just as swiftly as she collapsed into the sweet embrace of unconsciousness.