“if the opponent praises you … you will not believe, you will take it as sarcasm. And, if the opponent curses you and criticizes you, you will not only believe it, you will take it as if he had made a declaration over a notarized stamped paper. So, granted and guaranteed.”

― Girdhar Joshi, Some Mistakes Have No Pardon

“War Leader!”

Sandra heard Cato’s voice, and she could tell that several others were moving towards her to support her. Without turning her head, Sandra snapped out.

“No! stay where you are! This battle is between me and Tabitha!”

Immediately, Cato and the rest of the Arcadians stopped in their tracks. Then, they began to retreat. Sandra nodded in satisfaction and said to Tabitha.

“Sorry for the wait, I am ready now.”

Tabitha nodded.

“Don’t worry about it. There is no time limit here, you can take as long as you want.”

“No, let us begin.”

As soon as Sandra finished the sentence, she attacked. Moving with all the speed of her Arcadian blood and boosted by shamanistic magic, she was fast. Almost as fast as King Adrian with Excalibur, but Tabitha’s devil eyes could see the Arcadian War Leader with no trouble. That is why Tabitha was able to block the sword thrust aimed at her abdomen. Tabitha’s counter came immediately, a fist aimed for Sandra’s left temple. But the War Leader brought up her round metal shield. Tabitha was just going to plow through the shield when to her surprise, her fist not only bounced off the shield but made her stumble back. Before Tabitha could figure out what had just happened, Sandra took advantage and struck.

Suddenly, Tabitha felt herself toppling over to her left side. She thought about staying upright and automatically her wings flapped in a rhythmic motion allowing her to hover in place. Tabitha looked down and saw that her left leg was severed above the knee. A few inches away she spotted her severed leg, Sandra had avoided the metal gold shin protector so that she could bite into the flesh. Tabitha smiled at Sandra.

“You are good, you managed to cut off another piece of me.”

Tabitha transformed into the blue flames once again, and then returned to her original form. It only took her a second and once it was done, Tabitha was whole, with her left leg reattached back in place. Sandra’s eyes narrowed in contemplation; Tabitha could see she was trying to figure a way around her regeneration ability.

“I acknowledge your prowess War Leader, Sandra of the Vales Tribe. You have truly earned your title.”

Before Sandra could say or do anything, something blue, long, and fast came at her face. Sandra had just enough time to bring up her shield to a guard position. She heard the clang of metal on metal, but before she could understand what the she-devil was using as a weapon. The blue object flashed forward once again; Sandra blocked again but the she-devil did not relent. Sandra dived and rolled avoiding the next strike, it gave her time to see what the she-devil was using. Sandra saw that the weapon Tabitha is using was her own tail. She retracted it and then shot it out in half a second, it was like a serpent strike. Again, Sandra held up her shield to block the attack.

After the first few strikes just to make certain, Tabitha confirmed that Sandra’s shield was also blessed by a shaman. Allowing the user to defend against both physical and magical attacks, and if Tabitha was analyzing the magical particles of the shield correctly. It could perform one powerful magical offensive maneuver. Tabitha can analyze and study different types of magic or magical objects by touch. That is why she is using her tail to get a better understanding of Sandra’s shield. Having already been bitten by the Arcadian’s gladius, Tabitha already knows what kind of magic the sword possesses.

Sandra continued to block the quick heavy blows, unable to counterattack. She tried to spot an opening, even if it is for a split second. She might be able to turn the tables on this she-devil. Suddenly and without warning, the tail did not return. Instead, Sandra’s eyes widen in surprise as the giant shadow of Tabitha loomed over her. The she-devil’s right fist was already cocked back and prepared to strike. Sandra saw red and orange flames surrounding the balled-up fist before the she-devil snapped it forward. Sandra raised her shield just in time to take the full impact of the blow. Where before her shield was able to bounce the attacks back, this time however, Tabitha used magic to enhance not only her physical blow, but to also break through the shield’s enhanced magical defenses.

Sandra was sent flying, even though her shield took the full impact of the blow. The she-devil had put her magic and her physical might into the punch. As Sandra landed hard on the ground, the strap of her shield broke, and it was sent flying in another direction. But Sandra held on to her sword, if she lost that then it would only take the she-devil a second to finish her. Tabitha did not waste time once the Arcadian was on the ground and had lost her shield. That was the exact outcome she was hoping for. Tabitha charged the prone War Leader who saw her coming. She still held her gladius, Sandra gripped it tighter and then loosen her hold on the hilt just a fraction.

Magic rushed into Sandra like a raging river, flooding her body with strength. In the blink of an eye, Sandra was back on her feet. She bent her knees and jumped avoiding Tabitha’s next blow, the she-devil’s fist plowed right into the ground sending up dust and debris. Because of the dust smoke, Sandra did not see the she-devil’s next attack. Tabitha’s tail snaked around the War Leader in seconds.

“Gotcha!”

Tabitha said in victory. She had Sandra wrapped up in her tail, but Tabitha miscalculated. The War Leader still had her sword, and she had enough movement to swing it. Before Tabitha could stop her, Sandra’s enchanted magical gladius cut through the she-devil’s tail in one blow. Tabitha winced slightly at the pain; she was getting tired of having her limbs chopped off one after the other. Although the pain was not that bad, Tabitha still did not like it. Thankfully, the damage was not permanent. As Sandra launched herself at Tabitha with her sword stretched forward. The she-devil transformed her entire body once again into the blue healing flames. Unable to stop her forward momentum, Sandra folded her body into a ball as she went through the fire form of the she-devil.

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Luckily, Sandra was moving fast enough to go through the she-devil. She felt some pain from the burns, but they would be fine, not even first-degree burns. Sandra hit the ground and rolled to her feet, and then she turned around to face the she-devil. With her sword at the ready. Tabitha returned to her original form with her tail whole once more.

“Your gladius is incredible.”

Tabitha smiled and then her face changed into a frown.

“Also, annoying.”

Sandra shrugged nonchalantly.

“What can I say, my sword has served me well over the years.”

Sandra knew where her shield was, it was only a few feet to her left. But she would never be able to use it right away, the strap was broken. Her only option now was to take down this Tabitha, and even though this was the most difficult fight she has ever had. Sandra had the feeling that the she-devil was not only holding back, she was not trying to kill her…at all. Why? What are you playing at Tabitha? You could kill all of us in an instant, after exchanging blows with you I know this for certain. Yet…? Before Sandra could finish her thoughts, she saw the expression on the she-devil’s face change.

“Lady Tabitha, the twinsss have opened the cave. We are at the realm gate, asss sssoon asss you get here we will leave.”

The words came to Tabitha’s mind through her link with Kasca.

“Good to here. I’ll be there in a few moments; I’ll be bringing along a guest.”

Tabitha responded. Receiving a mental confirmation, the telepathic communication ended. Tabitha stood to her full height and said in a loud voice.

“I thank Camelot for its hospitality, but our time together has ended! It’s time for me to return to the Nether Realm!”

King Adrian, Dogan, Sandra, and Bishop General Xander Zachery understood what Tabitha was saying right away. But it was only Xander who shouted.

“STOP HER!! Do not let her escape!”

But it was too late, Tabitha flapped her wings and sped towards Sandra. Who barely got her sword up in time to strike, it did not matter? Despite her size, Tabitha was able to avoid the War Leader’s diagonal slash. She got behind her opponent, and with two straightened fingers Tabitha jabbed the back of Sandra’s neck. To avoid killing the Arcadian War Leader, Tabitha retracted her long talons to exceedingly small human looking fingernails. Sandra could not keep up with the she-devil’s sudden burst of speed. She felt a sharp pain at the base of her neck, and the magic that flowed into her body. Right away her body went limp, her limbs became unresponsive.

Before Sandra fell to the ground, Tabitha caught her and held her in one hand. Tabitha then used telekinesis to pick up the War Leader’s sword, and in a flash. She darted over to the Arcadian’s shield and used telekinesis to pick the weapon up too.

“Stop her! Use whatever means necessary! Cast spells! Shoot arrows at her! Fire! Fire! FIRE!!”

Xander screamed out his orders, he needed to stop this she-devil now. All the while, he was wondering what had happened to his people that he sent to the hill after the she-devil’s minions. He had heard nothing from the lead priest since they had engaged the hell spawns. That did not bode well, not at all. As the archers, priests, Paladins, and wizards who were still able to fight and still standing followed the Bishop General’s commands. As arrows and spells of varying types flew through empty space with Tabitha as the target. She saw every arrow and spell coming at her, she could have raised a force field to protect herself. Tabitha spread her wings, 40-foot bat-like wingspan stretched out and up from her body. With one massive flap, Tabitha shot up into the air at incredible speeds.

Before any of the archers, priests, or wizards could retarget the she-devil. Tabitha flapped her wings once again, but this time she changed direction. Tabitha aimed for the hill with Sandra in her grasp and her sword and shield sailing alongside her. Sandra tried to wiggle out of Tabitha’s grip but to no avail. Tabitha was holding her not only with physical strength, but she was also using a small amount of magic to paralyze the War Leader. In a matter of moments, Tabitha was landing at the opening of a cave. Priests and Paladins of the Holy Church of Romanto lay on the ground. From the way their chests rose and fell Tabitha knew they were still alive. They were unconscious, this was good.

Letting the mortals live was a strategic method or you could say it gave Tabitha the moral high ground. Once she left with Camelot still intact, the lies they talked about her would hold little weight with the King. Tabitha walked into the cave with Sandra in her hand and the sword and shield floating behind her. Her pointed devil ears picked up the sound of armor and running boots. It seems the Bishop General would not give up just yet. Without turning around, she flicked one finger and a wall of flames erupted. Blocking the entrance to the cave. The cave in question was big, big enough for Tabitha to walk up right. Ahead, Lydia and the others stood in the middle of the realm gate. The realm gate was crafted on a stone platform touching the soil of the earth.

“Release me she-devil!”

The angry words came from Sandra who finally gave up trying to break free.

“I’ll release you once we’re done.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Sandra demanded, but Tabitha did not answer. Instead, she asked.

“Malice, Kasca how are we looking?”

“We are ready to go. All you have to do in step on to the realm gate and Kasca and I will activate the teleportation spell.”

Malice stated with a smile.

“According to Lydia and Nanina, thisss realm gate only goesss to one location. Onccce we have arrived at our dessstination, thisss realm gate ssshall be dessstroyed.”

Tabitha looked at Kasca with a question in her eyes, but it was Nanina who answered.

“There is a secondary spell that will activate a few seconds after the teleportation magic is completed. This particular realm gate was set up to be used only once in an emergency. The spell is old, and I was told once that it was created by one of the Nether Lords.”

Tabitha nodded in understanding and said.

“Okay then, let’s get a move on. My fire spell will block the entrance for a time. If any of the mortals can free that Wizard Dogan, he could probably break through my fire in a few minutes.”

With all of that said, Tabitha placed a foot on the platform and on to the realm gate.

“Wait a minute! What do you think you’re doing?”

The protest came from Sandra. Tabitha gave the War Leader a raised eyebrow in question.

“If you are going back to the Nether Realm using realm gate. Then why would you bring me along? I don’t understand, you obviously don’t need me.”

Tabitha thought about the War Leader’s words, and after a moment she shrugged.

“I don’t know why I’m bringing you with me. But there is something about you, something inside me is saying that bringing you along is the…right decision.”

Sandra shook her head not understanding what the she-devil meant by those words. She continued though.

“I warn you Tabitha, I will fight you every step of the way. I will not allow you to torture me in the hell fires of the Nether Realm.”

Tabitha chuckled as she stepped fully into the center of the realm gate.

“Torture.”

Tabitha shook her head in amusement.

“No, War Leader Sandra of the Vales Tribe. You will not be tortured. No harm will come to you by my hands or from the hands of those on my side. If you stay with me, I promise to return you to your home.”

Sandra blinked at that, trying to dissect the words Tabitha had just spoken. As Sandra was doing this, there was a bright flash of gold light. When the light died away, Tabitha and her group were no longer in the cave. Moments later, there was an explosion strong enough to destroy the realm gate, the cave, and part of the hill.