“Conclusion 2:
There's nothing more demonic than two bored twins.
~Signed Tamaki”
― Bisco Hatori, Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 2
The cracks spread across both statues quickly, and before anyone could do or say anything. The cracks were everywhere, and like flakes of snow the marble skin peeled away revealing two living Cambions. Both girls fell to the floor still holding each other, Tabitha moved quickly placing her big hand underneath the twins breaking their fall. The twins fell unmoving but breathing, Tabitha placed them gently on the floor. Now that they were free from being marble statues. Tabitha truly saw how lovely they were. Both had raven black hair, and both had blue horns, and to Tabitha’s surprise. They both had blue wings and tails. Is having blue horns, wings, and a tail a common occurrence or is it rare? Tabitha would have to ask Malice or Balca about that later. Right now, she needed to take care of these Cambions.
“Kasca, Talin stay with them, Zula, Malice, and Balca. We will go back up to the temple, you three search for anything useful that can make them more comfortable. I’ll go into the forest and hunt.”
“My Lady Tabitha, I can hunt for the twins you should stay here with them.”
Kasca requested and before Tabitha could object, Malice said in a soothing voice.
“That would be wise Tabitha, demons are not uncommon in Avalon. But a devil will be noticed, even in the Dark Forest. May I suggest that you and Balca stay with the twins? Kasca is a marilith, her people are marvelous hunters. I, Zula, and Talin can search the ruins for anything needed to help the Cambions.”
Tabitha’s first instinct was to object, but she thought about Kasca’s and Malice’s arguments. Finally, she nodded and said.
“Alright, but if there is any trouble let me know. We need to stick together, who knows what kind of creatures inhabits the Dark Forest.”
Everyone agreed and went about their tasks.
………………………………..
FIVE DAYS LATER
THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE DARK FOREST
Sandra and her Arcadian warriors rode fast, having seen the camp’s smoke from five miles away. For three days they rode their saber cats a hundred miles to the edge of the Dark Forest. Three hundred Arcadians and saber cats traveled cross country; Sandra would follow her orders from the Holy Church of Romanto. She would bend to their will, but she would not break herself for them. That is the one thing she would never do, she would never give the Romantians that satisfaction.
Elias, her honey brown gold saber cat roared at the church patrol on horseback riding towards them. Sandra held a fist in the air to halt her riders. They stopped, allowing the Romantians to come to them. A lieutenant in breastplate and leathers spoke when they reached Sandra.
“Are you the War Leader Sandra Vales?”
Sandra nodded.
“Bishop General Zachery is expecting you at his tent. Your people can stable their animals at the eastside of the camp near the River Timber down wind.”
Sandra felt some of her Arcadians stiffen at the insult, but she held herself in check and nodded again. Moving passed the patrol, the Arcadians made their way through the camp to their designated area. After making certain that her people and their saber cats were situated with food and rest. Sandra presented herself at the Bishop General’s tent which was an impressive red and gold structure. Little man trying to compensate for his short comings, Sandra thought with amusement. Cato was smiling behind her to the right, she could see him out the corner of her eye. Apparently, Cato agrees with my thoughts.
One of the guards stationed at the entrance of the tent opened the flaps and spoke.
“Only the War Leader is allowed in the presence of the Bishop General. Unarmed.”
Cato frowned at that and was about the protest when Sandra said.
“It’s okay.”
She took off her sword belt and passed it to Cato saying.
“Let’s just get this over with. The sooner we find out why we’ve been ordered here post haste. The sooner we can get this job finished and leave.”
Upon receiving her sword and daggers, Cato nodded saying.
“I will be right outside if you need me War Leader.”
Sandra smiled and nodded her thanks, then she entered through the open flap of the tent. The interior of the tent was just as ostentatious as its exterior. The tent had an emerald, green carpet with patterns of a forest with woodland creatures and noble hunters on horseback. The tent was furnished with wooden tables of superb craftsmanship, and wooden chairs made by the finest artisans. There were gold and silver plates and cups, along with golden candle stands with lit candles that illuminated the interior. Sitting at his table going over papers and parchments is Bishop General Xander Zachery, who looked busy.
Sandra tried very hard not to roll her green eyes, it was one of those power plays that the Romantians are so fond of. Making you wait until they were ready to talk to you, letting you know that they are the ones with all the power, and you are to wait for their pleasure. While waiting, Sandra studied the man. He wore white tunic and trousers which were tailor cut to fit his physic. Sandra had to admit that the general had a warrior’s physic, there was a scar on the back of his right hand, and one across his forehead. But his bangs of brown hair concealed that one, but not by much. Finally, after a couple of minutes. General Xander lifted his head up and looked surprise to see Sandra standing there waiting for him.
“War Leader Sandra of the Vales Tribe. So good of you to make it here…at last.”
This time Sandra could not help herself; she rolled her eyes and said.
“I and my warriors have traveled a hundred miles across country in three days. We came as fast as we were able after subduing and orc band that was raiding villages. We moved as soon as we got the message from Archbishop Gabriel. With all due respect Bishop General, would you mind getting to the point of why we were ordered here in a rush?”
As Sandra was speaking, the expression on General Xander’s face went from bored to mild annoyance. Apparently, the Bishop General did not take kindly to being talked too by anyone he deems lower than himself. The Bishop General got up out of his chair and walked around the table menacingly.
“Careful War Leader, do not forget who holds your leash.”
Sandra’s gaze turned deadly.
“Really.”
Her voice turned cold, Xander saw the change in her look and heard the threatening tone. It was all he could do not to step back.
“Why don’t you yank on that leash and let’s find out if I heel or bite.”
Her words sent a shiver down Xander’s spine, I almost forgot, the Arcadians are a dangerous people. Wanting to change the subject, Xander said.
“Time is being wasted.”
“So, like I said before get to the point.”
Sandra snapped back, this time Xander suppressed the urge to retaliate.
“Five days ago, a greater she-devil along with an entourage of five she-demons emerged into our world. According to our priests who investigated the area they had emerged from. Their demonic essence went east to the Dark Forest. We have been ordered by the Archbishop to track down this Nether Lord and her minions before they can do whatever it is they came to do here on Avalon. Because we are facing a greater she-devil, I with my thousand holy warriors and battle priests. Along with you and your three hundred Arcadian warriors. Will find the she-devil and destroy her.”
Sandra was taken aback at hearing that a greater she-devil was in Avalon. Never mind the demons, demons were common. Being summoned by wizards and witches, demons are dangerous but nothing special. A devil on the other hand is rare. Not since the days of Olana has there been a devil on Avalon. But something doesn’t add up.
“How did a devil enter our world with five demons in toe and why did she head for the Dark Forest?”
“How the devil got to our world is no longer an issue. That avenue has been taken care of.”
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Sandra raised an eyebrow at the Bishop General’s words.
“Why she traveled to the Dark Forest right away does not matter. What matters is that we must stop her now, before the greater she-devil does something that could threaten the world.”
What are you hiding you slippery bastard? Sandra knew like all Arcadians that the Holy Church of Romanto is not as holy as they would like the world to believe. The church was corrupt down to their very bones, accepting bribes, dabbling in crimes, and only the devil knows what else. But Sandra nodded her acceptance and spoke.
“Understood Bishop General. When do we move out?”
“Tomorrow, we go into the Dark Forest after the she-devil.”
Xander had a look of confidence, as if entering the Dark Forest would be like a stroll in the woods.
“The Dark Forest is dangerous Bishop General; you will lose a lot of people.”
Sandra warned, Xander sat back at his desk saying.
“All are prepared to give their lives for the greater good. So long as Romanto is with us, we shall prevail. That will be all War Leader.”
Xander waved his hands in dismissal, Sandra shrugged bowing and left the tent. All the while thinking, me and mine will not die for your false god Romantian. We will not die because of your stupidity either. Sandra was determined to keep her people alive, determined also to discover how a devil after all these centuries managed to enter the world. And why the Romantians are so afraid?
………………………………..
Lydia slowly woke to the smell of roasted boar; she heard the crackling of a fire. Lydia did not open her eyes right away, first, she wanted to get the feel of what was going on. It was a shock to discover that she was laying on something soft and warm, another thing she realized is that she was still holding Nanina. Which was a relief, she squeezed gently and was glad when she felt Nanina squeeze back. Her sister was awake too, but what was going on?
The last thing Lydia remembered was that knight driving that golden spear through Nanina and her. Why aren’t we dead? Why are we still alive? We should have ended up in the Nether Realm. What is going on?
“Come on sleepy heads, we know you’re awake. We can see your eyes moving under your lids. You might as well open them.”
Lydia knew that voice, but it couldn’t be. She opened her eyes to see Balca lying there on a set of rags, looking for all the world as relaxed as a princess.
“Balca. How…why?”
“Malice, you’re here too?”
Lydia heard her sister say, and when she looked Malice was sitting on a wooden box attending to a two headed roasted boar over a fire.
“Malice…you…?”
Lydia could not finish her sentence; she had no words. Malice looked at the twins with an expression of relief and sadness.
“First off, let me say it is good to see you both alive and well. I had no idea what happen to you until we found this place.”
“Yeah, you guys were stabbed with a magic spear that sealed you as marble statues. A temple was built around a tomb you were placed in.”
Balca said swinging her head back and forth as if she was listening to music in her head.
“That damned twice cursed knight. He sealed us so that we couldn’t return to the Nether Realm. So that we could not return to the fortress.”
Nanina said and let out a few more curses, Lydia was trying to understand, the knight was not trying to kill them. He had succeeded in sealing them, imprisoning them in this tomb. But for how long?
“How long have we been down here?”
“Aaahhh. From what I can tell from the aging of the stone bricks and all. I say about three maybe four thousand years, give or take a few centuries.”
Balca stated checking her fingernails, Lydia and Nanina took time to take in the fact that they have been sealed away for four thousand years. So much time as passed, Lydia looked at Malice and asked.
“Did you free us then?”
“About that.”
Malice began.
“Listen Lydia, Nanina, we did not come alone. There are four others with us, a marilith named Kasca, my own daughter Zula, Talin, Balca’s business partner, and finally the she-devil who freed you, Tabitha.”
“A she-devil?”
Nanina asked and Malice nodded.
“Now before you meet the others, especially Tabitha. I need to tell you a few things, listen very carefully.”
As Balca passed the twin Cambions pieces of roasted boar and mugs of water. Lydia and Nanina listened to Malice’s tale about a she-devil who was once human who came to the Nether Realm and set events in motion that will change the multiverse in ways no one can predict.
………………………………..
Tabitha returned from the surface to hear the sounds of not two but four people. As she emerged out of the tunnel with Kasca, Talin, and Zula right behind her. She saw that the twins were awake and eating, they had eaten most of the two headed boar Kasca had hunted. It was the freakiest thing Tabitha ever saw when Kasca brought it back dead over her shoulders. The boar must have weighed 2,000 pounds and was about eight feet long. Each head had four tusks instead of two. Tabitha thought it a mutant, an unnatural creature created by the Dark Forest.
But the two headed boar tasted good, it was the first time since becoming a devil that Tabitha ate anything. Even though she did not need to eat or drink, the meat tasted wonderful. Who knew Balca was such a great cook, and the water she drank tasted cool and refreshing. Even though it did not do anything for her devilish body, it felt good and enjoyable to just eat and drink. As soon as Tabitha came within view of the others, the Cambion twins looked at her with awe and…admiration? What’s that all about? Tabitha did not understand but said in a friendly voice.
“It’s good to see you both awake and eating, it’s been three days since you were freed. Yet, you guys wouldn’t open your eyes. I was afraid you’d stay in that coma for a while yet.”
The twins did not say anything at first, they just were listening to her voice. Finally, one of the twins the one in red and black robes stood up and bowed. Her sister the one in leather brown armor and chainmail followed suit.
“We understand from Balca and Malice that we have you to thank for our freedom Lady Tabitha.”
Said the twin in robes.
“Yeah, thanks a bunch. We appreciate you doing that, when you didn’t have to Lady Tabitha.”
Said the twin in armor, Tabitha held up a hand saying.
“Girls, there’s no need to call me Lady. Tabitha is fine, it’s bad enough Kasca keeps calling me Lady Tabitha. But that’s the way she is.”
The twins smiled and the one in the robes said.
“Okay Tabitha, you can call me Lydia.”
“And you can call me Nanina.”
Said the other twin in armor. Tabitha bowed to the twins.
“Yeah, these girls had a lot to tell us. And boy it is a story.”
Balca said munching on a boar hove.
“It is nice to meet you Lydia and Nanina.”
Tabitha sat down on the floor near the fire with the roasted boar. Tabitha did not need to eat, none of them did. It was all for the twins, Cambions are half human. They don’t need food like other humans, but food and drink helps them recover faster. Resting helps too, hence the reason why the twins were still asleep when Tabitha freed them.
“So, Lydia, Nanina, if you are up to it. Why don’t you tell us how you came to be sealed by that golden spear?”
By this time everyone had settle down, the twin Cambions did not feel afraid being in the company of a devil and demons. In fact, it felt quite familiar. Like home, and so they began. Lydia went first.
“A contingent of Paladins and holy warriors led by a Holy Knight attacked us on our way to Camelot.”
Tabitha raised her eyebrows at the mention of Camelot, but it was Zula who asked the question.
“Why did you want to go to Camelot?”
This time it was Nanina who replied.
“Because near Camelot is a small hill two miles from the city, near some woods. There is a hidden cave beneath the hill, and inside that cave is a realm gate. A realm gate that connects to an abandon fortress in the Nether Realm. We were going to use the realm gate, but somehow the Holy Church of Romanto...”
Nanina said this with bitterness before continuing.
“…got wind of our plans. They sent a Holy Knight after us, a man named Judah Kefir. A pompous ass if I ever met one in my entire existence.”
Lydia took up the story then.
“We were only a day away from Camelot when the Holy Knight and his people ambushed us. We fought in a village whose name we never knew. The battle lasted for hours; we killed half the Paladins and almost all the holy warriors.”
At hearing this Tabitha nodded her approval, Lydia and Nanina smiled at her for that. Nanina took up the rest of the story.
“But we failed to realize that the Holy Knight was the true threat. He was good, no matter what I did I could not penetrate his golden armor. Nor break his spear. Somehow, he managed to get within range of my sister. We knew the spear was magical, but we did not know what it did. As he stabbed at Lydia, I stepped in to try and shield my sister. The last thing I remember was feeling intense pain as the Holy Knight’s spear went through me.”
“The same for me.”
Lydia confirmed.
“The next thing we knew, we were waking up in this tomb with Lady Malice and Lady Balca. They told us about your situation Tabitha, about Eldest the Demon Lord of Lust. And the Romantians connection with him, and I think we have the solution to your problem.”
“Oh?”
Tabitha asked intrigued, Lydia nodded fervently.
“Yes, our mother was a she-devil of great power and wisdom. The cave is covered in her wards, and only those that serve her loyally may enter the cave and use the realm gate.”
“But our mother died long ago, but her magic still persists to this day. Her fortress is far away from the Courts. You can use it to rest and plan your next moves. Not a bad idea, right?”
Tabitha nodded at Nanina’s words, if they could reach this fortress. Tabitha could take stock and much needed time to plan.
“Okay, everyone we have a destination. To this realm gate that connects to this fortress in the Nether Realm.”
Tabitha declared.
“So, we are going to Camelot?”
Talin asked and then smiled in anticipation when everyone agreed with Tabitha’s plan.
“Jolly good then, I can’t wait.”
But then Zula asked.
“Hey, can you guys shape change?”
Lydia and Nanina raised eyebrows at the question.
“Yeah, if you can shape change. We can enter Camelot without trouble.”
Tabitha added and to her relief the twins nodded.
“Our mother taught us well in magic and battle. While I am a Warlock, my sister Nanina is the warrior.”
“Warlock?”
Talin questioned.
“Yes, I was made a warlock by my mother. I had an aptitude for fire, darkness, and demonic magic.”
Lydia said with evident pride.
“And I was more of the physical type, I had a talent for fighting. Hand-to-hand, weapons, and warfare.”
Nanina stated equally proud and then she said.
“I do know some magic though like shape changing, mother wanted me to have as many tools in my arsenal as possible.”
“And I know some combat skills, mother wanted me to be able to defend myself. Just in case anyone got passed my spells.”
Lydia put in.
“Your mother sounds like a wise and good person. The way you talk about her, I hear real affection in your voices.”
The twins to Tabitha’s surprise blushed at her compliment, she could see the blush through their red skins.
“Mother may have been a she-devil, but she was not evil.”
Lydia said.
“Unfortunately, that didn’t stop people from calling her the Prime Evil, Lady of Darkness, The Cursed One, and my favorite the Dark Mistress.”
Nanina sounded bitter at the titles bestowed upon her mother, and Tabitha stirred the conversation into a new direction. Correctly guessing that talking about the demise of their mother was a touchy subject.
“Lydia and Nanina, you two will be our guides in this world. You know where to go so, we’ll follow your lead.”
The twin Cambions nodded with smiles; they were happy that Tabitha had put her faith in them.