It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
Buddha
The walls of the corridor were smooth to the touch. They seem to have an inner glow about them, a bluish gloom beneath the surface. But Sandra could not be certain, even though she knew they were underground. There were no torches or lamps on the walls, it seems that the corridor had its own inner light. Yet, Sandra could not tell where the light source was coming from. Another strange thing about the corridor, it was not only long but huge. It was large enough to accommodate Tabitha’s 15-foot height. From what Sandra could judge the ceiling was 25-feet high and the width of the corridor was at least 15 or more feet. It’s as if this very corridor was built with the greater she-devil in mind. Sandra was missing something, but she could not put her finger on what.
After 30 minutes of walking down the same corridor without reaching any kind of fork or intersection. The women reached the end, the corridor opened into a large space. The space was so large that the ceiling could not be seen, and there were pillars. Dozens of them, perhaps hundreds. And the pillars were large, around 20 yards in circumference. Each of the pillars was carved with runes, the same runes for all of them. They all traveled up the pillars until they disappeared into the darkness above. Talin released a whistle.
“Woah, I would love to meet this old Nether Lord’s designer. This place is amazing, it must have taken centuries to build something like this.”
“The fortress is probably up above, so there must be an exit to the surface.”
Zula said, turning around and looking at the pillars. Sandra moved closer to one of the pillars, she studied its surface. Like the corridor, the pillar seems to possess its own inner light. Sandra pulled a glove off one hand and placed her bare flesh on the surface. The pillar was cool to the touch, and it felt almost like glass even though it looked like granite. Sandra removed her hand and put back on her leather glove.
“The Nether Lord was amazing, being able to construct this underground marvel.”
Sandra had no words to describe how she was feeling. There was something about this place that felt significant to her and her people. But that couldn’t be. What’s going on here? I’ve never even been here before, yet I can sense something spiritual about this place.
“The Nether Lord was a builder among other things.”
Nanina said casually, then motioned her head forward and spoke.
“That way, I think the exit to the fortress up above is in that direction.”
Then she began to walk and see how Lydia did not contradict her sister. Instead, followed in Nanina’s wake. Everyone else followed suit. For the next hour, they walked, the pillars were stationed evenly 50 yards apart. They were the same, built with the same materials and shaped in the exact same form. The runes carved on them were the same too, Sandra had been pondering their purpose ever since she laid eyes on them. Whoever this Nether Lord was, rune magic must have been a part of that Lord’s arsenal. If I might guess, the runes are meant to strengthen and stabilize the pillars for all time. If that is so, then those are some powerful rune magic. There are many different types of runes throughout the multiverse. Holy runes, demonic runes, light runes, dark runes, blood runes, death runes, life runes, etc. I mean the list goes on, and the Cambion twins knew this Nether Lord. Who was this Nether Lord anyway?
Even though Sandra was deep in thought, she kept her eyes on the surrounding area and on the demons. Especially the demons, she kept her eyes on the greater she-devil more than most. That is why she was the first to notice when Tabitha cocked her head to the side. Sandra saw one of Tabitha’s pointed red ears twitch slightly. Tabitha frowned in concentration, and by this time all the others noticed her reaction.
“What isss it, Lady Tabitha? Do you sssenssse sssomething?”
For a time, Tabitha did not respond to Kasca’s question. She was still focused on listening to whatever she had heard. Then she nodded slowly saying in an ominous voice.
“Yes…I do sense something. We are not alone; I can hear clicking noises.”
“Clicking noises?”
Talin asked not liking the sound of that. Again, Tabitha nodded.
“The clicking noises are from mandibles and legs.”
For a moment there was silence as everyone digested that information. Then Sandra said in a whisper as if she did not want anyone else to hear her words.
“Please, you are not saying what I think you are saying are you?”
Tabitha sighed in resignation and said the words everyone dreaded.
“Spiders.”
And with just that one word, everyone was on alert. They had been on alert before, but now that they knew there was indeed a threat. Now, their alert status went from 4 to 1. Kasca drew four of her six swords from their sheaths, Malice summoned a fire sword to her hand while Zula summoned a fire whip, Lydia drew out her black rod with the red ruby at the top from seemingly thin air, and her sister Nanina drew her two-handed bastard sword. Balca and Talin got their claws ready, and Sandra drew her gladius and round shield. All the while wondering what type of horrors these spiders would show when they revealed themselves.
“Everyone formed a circle with Sandra at the center.”
Tabitha barked out her command, and the others went into action. None of them even thought about arguing with Tabitha, except for Sandra who said.
“I am a warrior; I have earned that right. I do not need protecting.”
But Tabitha was having none of it.
“Yes, you are a warrior and a great one. Believe me, I am fully aware of your capabilities. But we are surrounded, and you are mortal, that does not mean you are the weakest. It means you are the most vulnerable out of all of us. We face demonic spiders, and they possess all types of venom. If we get injured or poisoned it would not affect us as much as it will affect you. You may be able to regenerate like demons but on the power scale of demons. You would be considered lesser than a lesser demon.”
Although Sandra did not want to admit it, Tabitha had a point. If she got injured or poisoned, she would be out of commission for a time, forcing the others to protect her in that weakened condition, reducing the combat effectiveness of the whole group. Sandra swallowed her pride and allowed logic to dictate her actions, she moved to the center of the circle. It was not long before they all heard the clicking and clacking of mandibles and legs. The sound seems to be coming from all around them, the noises even echoed throughout the underground cavern. But the spiders did not travel on the ground, Talin was the first to spot them.
“Tricky little buggers! They’re coming from above!”
Sandra looked up to see creatures better left in the nightmares of children. Some of the spiders were the size of dogs, others the size of warhorses. They were all covered in ebony black fur, and some were coming down using their webs. Most of them were crawling down on the pillars, making their way towards the circle of their little group. And there were a ton of them, Sandra was beginning to wonder if they could overcome the numbers disadvantage when a crescent of wind shot up and slice through three of the dog size spiders.
“We need to cut them to pieces before they reach the ground.”
Tabitha said as she fired off three more crescent winds at the spiders.
“Like all demons in the Nether Realm normal fire will not work on them. But we can cut them up. It will take them a long time to regenerate if they are in pieces.”
“Asss you sssay Lady Tabitha.”
Kasca with her swords cast energy blades slicing through spider after spider. Lydia summoned dark tendrils from her black rod which lashed out at the oncoming spiders. Cutting off heads and limbs, by the time the spiders reached the ground. Sandra estimated that dozens were cut into pieces. Yet, they came on. Heedless of their fallen brethren. They were a tidal wave of legs and pincers, coming for their small group from all sides. Like before, Tabitha was the first to engage the spiders. Three of them, the biggest ones Sandra had ever seen launched themselves at the greater she-devil. Seeing her as the most dangerous of the group. In that, the three spiders were correct.
However, it did not prevent Tabitha from using her razor-sharp talons to cut them up in a matter of seconds. The spiders fell back to the ground in pieces. Tabitha was not the only one putting a dent in the spiders’ numbers. Kasca and Nanina are incredible sword masters, every time their blades flashed through the air. Two or three spiders fell, but they were outdone by the mother and daughter succubi team. Malice’s fire sword was able to cut through spider bodies as if they were paper. Zula added blades on the ends of her fire whip, striking multiple spiders in one swing. Sending body parts flying in all directions. Talin and Balca held their own, clawing, punching, and ripping. Sandra waited at the center, her demon allies keeping the spiders at bay…for now.
Just then, one of the smaller spiders got through Tabitha who was fighting off two of the bigger spiders. The creature went between her legs making a beeline for the Arcadian War Leader. Sandra saw eight shiny black eyes that were like pearls, and a mouth with pincers on each side before the spider jumped. Sandra moved like lightning, the magic from her gladius enhancing her limbs. Granting her speed and strength, the spider did not have time to stop its attack to defend or dodge. Sandra swung her sword in a downward slash, cutting the spider in half from head to abdomen. The halves falling back to the ground in sprays of black blood.
“Alright everyone, we are getting out of here and we are getting out now!”
Sandra looked around in surprise at Tabitha’s words, and she was shocked at seeing the aftermath of their brief battle. All the spiders, all of them were in pieces. Some of them were already regenerating or body parts were reattaching themselves. But there were so many spiders, and these demons have already done this to them. It was then that Sandra realized that if Tabitha, the greater she-devil truly wanted to destroy Camelot, she and all her demons could have done it in less than a day. More and more it seems that Bishop General Xander Zachery was lying about the true intentions of the greater she-devil. Sandra was about to say something but stopped as she heard the unmistakable sound of clicking. Tabitha did not hesitate.
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“Balca, grab Sandra. We are flying out of here.”
Before Sandra could even make a move, she felt strong but gentle hands gripped her beneath her armpits. The next second, Sandra was in the air following the others. It was no surprise that the clicking noise doubled in intensity.
“Here they come!”
Nanina said, but everyone already knew that the spiders were right behind them.
“Oh, look at that, they’re jumping from pillar to pillar and some of them are even using their webs to swing.”
Balca’s words had Sandra turning her head to look behind and see that the green she-demon was correct. The demon spiders were nibble bastards, they used their powerful muscular legs to jump and their strong spider webs to swing. Keeping up with the flying group, the spiders were on the periphery of how far Sandra could see them. The spiders were not gaining, but neither were they pulling away from the horde.
“Don’t worry, everything will work out just fine.”
Balca said as if reading Sandra’s thoughts. Before the War Leader could reply, Lydia yelled out.
“There! The exit to the next level.”
Sandra looked up ahead, but she could see nothing, it was still too dark. Another thirty seconds and Sandra could make out an opening up ahead. It was at ground level but large and with a rectangular shape. Large enough for the greater she-devil to fly through, and just then Tabitha dived to the exit. Tabitha was the first to reach the exit but did not go through. She landed next to the exit and gestured for the others to go in ahead of her. As Sandra who was being carried by Balca flew passed Tabitha, for a split second she saw the resolve in Tabitha’s eyes. Sandra knew then that Tabitha would stop the spiders.
………………………………..
Tabitha watched as Talin and Kasca, the last of the group flew passed and through the exit. The spiders were almost upon her, but Tabitha was not worried. She had been gathering her magic for just one strike, ever since she heard the spiders coming. The magic within Tabitha’s core was built to its climax. The horde of spiders were just feet away from Tabitha when the front ranks jumped. At that moment, Tabitha released her magic in a thunderclap of electricity. Lightning streaked out from Tabitha’s entire body hitting spider after spider. The currents of electricity connected all the spiders to each other, the entire horde was electrocuted in less than five seconds. When it was all over, Tabitha was looking at the burnt remains of the spiders. Some of them exploded, losing limbs, but others were cooked from the inside out.
Tabitha saw that the spiders were already regenerating. She could have finished them all off, it would have been the smart move. It would prevent the spiders from becoming an issue later down the road. But something stopped her, some kind of familiarity with the spiders. It would have felt wrong to eliminate them. Why did she feel this way Tabitha had no idea? An inner voice was telling Tabitha that these spiders did not attack them out of any sense of malice, they did it for a reason. In any case, Tabitha turned around and went through the exit. Flapping her wings, reaching the next level of the fortress. She entered a waiting area, like everywhere else they had been in. The waiting area had its own inner light, and all the others were waiting for her.
“You see, I told ya she’d be back. No problem.”
Balca said confidently.
“What happened to the spiders?”
Sandra asked. Tabitha looked at the War Leader, she looked shaken by her experience, but she was holding it together.
“I stopped them. They’ll be down for a while, so we have some time to gather ourselves before moving on.”
“I knew the Nether Realm was filled with all manner of demons, but I had no idea that this place had creatures like those.”
Sandra was still shaking visibly; she may have fought demons before. But never demonic spiders and in such numbers. Tabitha walked over to Sandra and placed one of her large hands on the Arcadian woman’s shoulder.
“Breathe War Leader, breathe. You did well, facing those spiders you did well.”
Sandra took deep breaths, finding her center and calming down. Sandra then looked up into the face of Tabitha, straight into the she-devil’s gold and silver eyes.
“What kind of spiders were they?”
Sandra asked.
“Those were Anuhles Demon Spiders, and as you have already seen. Their size ranges from a dog to a warhorse. They spin webs as strong as steel, and they can be bred in various ways making them versatile. They can use their venom in a variety of ways. Their venom can be hallucinogenic, paralytic, or it can leave the victim weak-willed and highly suggestive. They also make great foot soldiers and even better spies. That is why sometimes the Anuhles are summoned by mortal sorcerers and wizards to do their bidding.”
“Well, the old Nether Lord had all kinds of creatures living in the fortress.”
Lydia said casually, and Nanina nodded in agreement. Sandra took another deep breath and spoke.
“I’m okay, let’s move forward.”
Tabitha smiled and nodded once, and so the group moved deeper into the fortress. Yet, they were still at the lowest level of the fortress. Lydia and Nanina were again in the lead, the others taking up the rear. This time, instead of corridors or hallways. They traveled through demon-made tunnels and cave systems. Yet, it seems that the walls and ceiling were created by the same material. Tabitha was impressed with the construction of the interior of the fortress, and she has not even seen the exterior of the place yet. The old Nether Lord knew how to build stuff, I wonder who he or she was. That thought gave Tabitha pause, she never asked the twins that simple question. Who was the old Nether Lord? Tabitha opened her mouth to ask the twins that very same question but stopped when she saw them pause. Nanina raised a fist in the air, the universal signal for troops on the march to halt.
“What is it? What do you hear Nanina?”
Malice asked in a whisper, making sure her voice would not echo off the walls of the tunnels.
“I hear voices.”
Nanina said in an equal whisper. Tabitha moved to the front on silent feet, even though she was wearing golden boots. When she reached Lydia and Nanina, Tabitha asked.
“How many?”
“At least five, no…six.”
Lydia answered.
“Do you know who they might be? Could they be the followers of the old Nether Lord?”
Tabitha asked and Nanina thought about it for a moment, then answered.
“That is a probable conclusion, but a lot could change in a few thousand years. There could be some new people or old ones.”
Tabitha thought for a moment and then said.
“I’ll go and take a look.”
“Good idea, I’ll go with you.”
Tabitha turned her head and saw Balca next to her. Tabitha nodded; she had a feeling Balca would know who these people are over in the next tunnel. So, the greater she-devil and the little she-demon moved stealthily over to the next tunnel. Now Tabitha heard the voices, but she could not make out the words. However, Tabitha could tell that the next tunnel was located off a cliff. If was fifteen meters down, and she and Balca leaned over the cliff making sure to keep low. Lydia was correct, there are six of them. Tabitha saw six demons, four males and two females wearing leather, fur, and metal armor. Each of them had a weapon strapped to their hips, legs, or back. Tabitha kept one eye on the demons and another eye on Balca to see her reaction. Tabitha saw Balca’s green eyes widen in recognition and then narrowed in contemplation. When Tabitha signaled for them to go back, Balca followed suit. Silently, they made their way back to the others.
“What did you see?”
Zula asked as soon as the pair returned.
“Six greater demons, all of them above ten feet.”
“Are you serious? Six greater demons?”
Talin demanded in a whisper. Tabitha nodded, but then she said.
“And Balca knows who they are.”
Everyone turned their attention to the she-demon. Balca looked surprised but shrugged and nodded.
“Yeah, I know them.”
When Balca did not elaborate for a long moment, Sandra impatiently snapped.
“Well, who are they?”
“Oh.”
Balca said, she smiled and smacked her forehead with an open palm. Making sure to avoid her small greenhorns.
“Sorry, I sometimes forget to answer questions that are asked of me.”
“And…”
Talin demanded, motioning a hand for Balca to answer the question. Balca looked at her friend in confusion.
“And…what?”
Both Sandra and Talin glared at Balca with murder in their eyes. At the same time, they both demanded in barely a whisper.
“And who the hell are they?”
“Oh yeah, sorry. They are Harkuns.”
Tabitha saw a few reactions from the word Balca had uttered. Zula, Kasca, Talin, and Sandra all made starts of surprise and their eyes opened wide with disbelief. On the other hand, Lydia, Nanina, and Malice showed no reaction whatsoever. Making Tabitha think that they expected to come across these Harkuns.
“You’re sssaying the Harkunsss live here in thisss fortressss?”
Balca nodded in the affirmative.
“Yep.”
“But the Harkuns have not been seen in thousands of years. How could they still be around after all this time?”
Talin looked confused about the Harkuns continued existence. But Tabitha had a question of her own.
“Who exactly are the Harkuns?”
Everyone just turned and looked at Tabitha as if to ask, ‘have you been living under a rock or something?’ It was as if they expected Tabitha to know all about Harkuns. Tabitha rolled her eyes and spoke.
“Have you guys forgotten already? I’m new in town.”
They all nodded in realization, remembering that Tabitha was a new arrival to the Nether Realm. Except for Sandra, who knew nothing of Tabitha’s human life before she became a devil.
“Well, you see Tabitha, the Harkuns were or should I say are the greatest demon warriors in the entire Nether Realm. Perhaps the entire multiverse.”
Talin explained and Zula took up the conversation as well.
“Yeah, nearly unstoppable. Created by their Nether Lord to be the ultimate soldiers, even the heavens quaked at the thought of armies of Harkuns facing them on the field of battle.”
“But when their master fell, the Harkuns lost a lot of power. During the Nether Wars, I heard that thousands of them died. For a long time, it was believed that all Harkuns were wiped out. Apparently, that was not the case.”
Talin concluded.
“So, in other words, these Harkuns are best avoided.”
Tabitha guessed, and when the others nodded, she knew her instincts were correct.
“Yesss Lady Tabitha, we need to find an alternative route around or away from the Harkunsss.”
Kasca suggested, and then everyone turned to face the Cambion twins. Lydia and Nanina thought for a moment and Lydia asked her sister.
“Isn’t there a fork at the end of this tunnel that goes around the Harkuns?”
Nanina did not answer right away; she was still thinking. Finally, she said.
“Yeah, if memory serves me. We take a left and go down, then the tunnel curves in a semi-circle. We can bypass the Harkuns without trouble.”
“Then let’s go.”
Tabitha said, and so the group moved through the tunnel at a more slowly and cautious pace. Keeping their ears and eyes alert, so far, there was no long-term plan. Their only plan was to get to the fortress, and now that they were in the fortress. At least in the lower levels of the fortress. Tabitha was hoping to find an empty fortress if that was so. She could have planned her next move, but now the fortress is occupied. Tabitha needed a new plan, but first. They needed to get out of the lower levels. Just then, out of the blue. A single Harkun female stepped out into the middle of the tunnel from a hidden room.
Everyone stopped, Tabitha’s group stopped walking in surprise, and the Harkun girl stopped doing whatever it is she was doing in surprise. For that moment, time stood still. Tabitha saw that the Harkun was young, probably in her late teens. With hazel hair and green eyes, she wore brown and grey leather armor with vambraces and shin guards on her forearms and legs. Then the Harkun girl broke the silence, she took a deep breath and bellowed.
“INTRUDERS! TO ARMS!! INTRUDERS!!! TO ARMS!!!!”
In the blink of an eye, Tabitha darted forward and was behind the Harkun girl. She did a karate chop to the base of the girl’s neck with the edge of one hand. The Harkun girl did not have a chance to react, her eyes rolled up to the back of her head and she was out like a light. Tabitha caught the limp form of the Harkun girl before she hit the ground. She laid her on the floor gently, but it was too late. Already, Tabitha could hear the booted feet of the six Harkuns she had seen earlier. No doubt more are on their way. The Harkun girl magically magnified her voice. Her warning echoed throughout the tunnels; I should have been quicker to silence her.
“This way.”
Nanina yelled and ran up ahead with Lydia and the others following. Tabitha took up the rear, she wanted to guard their backs just in case. The tunnels were big enough for everyone to run at full sprint, but not big enough to take flight. Just as well, it seems that the Harkuns were experts at pursuing enemies. Tabitha could feel them gaining ground, again, Balca was carrying the Arcadian War Leader. Sandra was mortal, even though her gladius granted her speed. It was in short bursts, not for prolonging flights from an enemy.
The group turned corners and went into other tunnels. Tabitha only hoped that the twins knew where they were going. This place is a maze, it would suck if we got lost. Finally, there was a dim light at the end of the tunnel they were running in.
“Up ahead we’ll be entering another cavern. On the other side is a tunnel leading up to the next level of the fortress.”
Lydia said all this while pumping her legs as fast as she could. Her black and grey robes fluttered behind her like a cape. When they finally exited the tunnel and entered the cavern, Tabitha and her companions came to a full stop. What they saw was unexpected. Indeed, it was a large cavern. Big enough to hold a city, but it was not unoccupied. Dozens of huts and tents darted around the area, the cavern was a living space for hundreds perhaps thousands of Harkuns. As the closest Harkuns near Tabitha’s group were looking right at them. And from the looks on their faces, they had been waiting for the group, because they already had their weapons drawn.
“Well, this is an unexpected turn of events.”
Balca said jauntily, Tabitha was starting to believe that her little green friend was indeed insane. The hundreds of Harkuns facing them charged.