Jen stood, trembling, watching her brother exchange blasts with the wrinkled goblin. When the blast of dark fire shot out of the tunnel and she took cover behind Damien’s shield, she had feared they’d be incinerated. That his power blocked it amazed her.

Jen knew her brother was powerful, his demonstration in the hall that morning made it clear enough, but the ease with which he blocked those flames then killed the goblins without batting an eye amazed her. It had always been her job to protect Damien, but now it seemed she was the one who needed protection.

A roar sounded from the tunnel, drawing her back to the matter at hand. The demon lumbered into view. Its head brushed the top of the tunnel as it stepped out into the clearing, yellowish-green saliva dripping from its tusks. The sight of an enemy she could fight jolted Jen out of her stupor.

She was a warlord and she had a job to do.

She pushed soul force into her legs and sprinted toward the monster. Her sword sliced across its chest then she was past, its claws missing her by inches.

The demon spun to face her, the wound on its chest closing as she watched.

Jen shook her head. Her father didn’t even heal that fast.

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She lunged toward it and sliced its knee. A taloned hand swooped down to tear her apart.

Too slow.

She leapt back and before it recovered darted in again, cutting its arm.

It went like that for half a minute, her darting in to cut it and the demon healing the shallow wounds an instant later. She put some distance between them and took a deep breath. She could keep this up for hours, but it didn’t seem like she was accomplishing anything.

Jen blinked and the demon was before her, its clawed hand rushing toward her stomach.

So fast!

She got her sword between her and the monster’s talons an instant before it sent her flying halfway across the clearing. The rough ground tore her clothes, ripping the left sleeve of her tunic off as she skidded through the dirt.

She sprang to her feet in time to meet the brute’s next charge.

Claws met steel.

Jen poured more soul force into her muscles to hold the demon back.

How could it be so strong? She’d hoped to save some power in case she needed it later, but if she held back the demon would kill her.

Power flooded her body as she let all her soul force go. She shoved the demon back and hacked a chunk out of its side.

Her sword blurred and thick black ichor flew as she hacked at her opponent.

The demon took a step back and roared.

Got you now, you ugly monster.

Dark power rushed from the demon, its wounds closed in an instant, flames burst from around its hands and the ground under its feet blackened.

Her body trembled as corruption poured from the beast. It had just been playing with her.

Standing face to face with the demon, its full power revealed, Jen saw her death.

Why hadn’t she listened to Damien?

This creature was so far beyond anything she’d ever imagined. She felt like a little girl. A terrified little girl, facing a hungry bear.

She would be devoured and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.