Twilight Witch

Smoke, blood, and the screams of the damned. The clashing of blades, profanities thrown and the cries of others who have to put down those they once saw as their brothers-in-arms. That was the scene caused by a small portion of the Demon Lord’s power. Amidst this confusion, Faust bolted for the exit of the Cathedral.

Cybele arrived and was immediately swarmed by countless soldiers. They were no match for her, as with a single swipe of her blade they all fell by the wayside. Divided, conquered, she had seen these tricks before–she had fought the Demon Lord before. Still, the knowledge that it’s back worried her to her core.

The battle continued outside. The Demon Lord’s power continued even if his summoned soldiers killed others, so it could easily snowball. However, Faust felt a sharp pain in his chest, as though something longed to escape it, “Hold it. We need to go,” Alice said, “Your soul won’t be able to stabilize itself with everything going on. It can only hold these soldiers so much.”

“Yeah, I can tell that,” He felt his breathing difficult, “Where do we even go?”

“Away! Just run!”

Faust followed the witch’s order and ran straight through. Soon, the crowd thinned but the fighting never stopped, they just got louder, more violent. The soldiers, in their desperation, would find even without a hand, with their mouths and jaws biting at the neck of their former comrades. Now mindless, subservient ghosts of the Demon Lord.

The mist settled. It took the ghosts of their comrade and Faust with it. Within one night, the garrison of Ysha was reduced to a shadow of its former self, the blood of countless men and women filled the cobblestone streets like diverging rivers. The culprits had all but disappeared from the sight of any guard or citizen, as though they took the mist with them into the night.

“Knight Protector,” one of the knights knelt in front of Cybele who sat defeated on the steps of the Cathedral, “We tried but there are no traces of the vessel anywhere in Ysha,” The sun had slowly risen before them.

“And of the cult leaders?” Cybele asked, her gaze far into the distance.

“We have captured most of them, but the scholar Theophilus is not among them. I believe some even spoke that he was never present in the summoning,” Replied the knight.

“That can’t be the case,” Cybele groaned, she was sure that this war against the Demon Lord’s remnants would be over at this point, it would at least give the Neran Kingdom some time to breathe amidst the numerous rebellions they had to put down. It was so much worse now; a willing vessel appeared.

“Colonel Sabin,”

“Yes, Knight Protector?” The knight raised his head to meet the gaze of his general.

“Send a message to the Councilors, tell them that the Demon Lord has returned,” There was a grimness to her tone that the colonel immediately latched onto. Unlike most of the veterans of the Yshan Garrison, he was born at the tail-end of the Demon Lord’s reign of terror. He knew of the carnage and destruction, but never firsthand. He was about to stand up and salute to carry out his order, but then.

The crows which signaled death and the vultures which consumed it all stared at the two knights. They spread their wings and proceeded to fly around them, as if to blot the sun from above. Cybele sat there in annoyance and frustration, this was not the time for games after all. Still, the vultures and crows converged upon one another, and from them a tall figure emerged.

The visage of a woman beneath layers of void, her large feathered coat like wings unfurled. Her golden-green eyes carried a mischievous glare towards Cybele’s heavily exhausted self, “My, my,” the Twilight Witch, Minerva teased the red knight, “You’re moving far too quick, red knight. What would the monarch say if he heard of this?”

“He would immediately use all the resources to hunt down the vessel and have him killed before it gets worse?” Cybele answered, straightforward.

“No, no. You don’t really understand anything at all, don’t you?” Her soft smile turned into a grin, as though she relished in messing with the knight. The colonel beside them shuddered, it wasn’t always that he saw the Twilight Witch. The stories about her, that she was responsible for half the deaths during the Demon Lord’s reign in order to defeat him, could all be real. He could well be next.

“What do I not understand? The Demon Lord must not be permitted to return, the vessel must be stopped.”

“The vessel is not the Demon Lord. That boy is still human, and if he retains his humanity, then he will not be our issue for the time being. We must focus our resources on defeating Piso’s rebellion,” The witch reasoned, “Besides, if it goes well, that vessel might be the rebel’s problem, right?”

Cybele sat there in disbelief. If she had the energy she would’ve plunged her sword deep into Minerva, not that it would do anything. She knows that the witch is smart enough to not bring her real presence in front of her, “Inform the monarch then, if need be, I will embark on my own chase against the vessel.”

Cybele began to walk away from the rabble, from the knights both fallen and tired. Still, Minerva spoke, “Reckless as ever, I see. I’ll inform the monarch of the vessel’s existence, not like they already know.”

“Even if they know, it doesn’t change anything.”

With Cybele’s final words, Minerva disappeared. The red knight may find herself alone in this journey, but even if that’s the case, she would not falter in her search. The Demon Lord had taken everything from her then, it would not be able to do so now that she’s powerful and capable of protecting those she holds dear.

Faust laid unconscious on the steps of an abandoned church in the middle of a forest outside Ysha. It was small, humble stone steps and rising pillars cracked and destroyed by decades of neglect. Nature had taken it back, slowly but surely. Vines crept up the walls, moss made its way along the lower edges, and fallen leaves floated along like it was part of the ecology.

Alice sat beside the sleeping boy, gently brushing his hair as she maintained his soft rest. She may exist inside Faust’s brain, but she was a separate entity inside of it, even if no one could see her, she doesn’t need Faust’s consciousness to remain active. Still, she can’t go out too far and that’s what bums her out.

The boredom kills her, but it was certainly better than being trapped in a void for a dozen years. At the very least she could feel the sun on her face, and the wind on her skin.

Soon, Faust relieved himself from his exhaustion as he started to stir awake. First, there was a groan, then a question, “It wasn’t a dream?”

“No, dear accomplice, it wasn’t a dream. Now, sit up, we need to get moving. Or shall we do a more formal introduction first?” She lifted up Faust. At the very least she had one person she could touch in this existence.

“I would appreciate it if I knew what you are. You kind of just appeared in my head, you know?” Said Faust as he brushed himself off of any dirt.

“Right, you’re right. I am Alice, I am what you may call a witch. If that wasn’t obvious enough?” She tipped her hat, “I’ve been tasked with keeping you loyal in your duty to slay the heroes to resurrect the Demon Lord.”

“I… see,” Faust thought for a moment, “Can you at least give me assistance?”

“Of course! I’m not useless, you know? If you need it, I can offer magecraft support and spot exits and stuff. Unfortunately, I can’t stay too far away from you or read your mind,” She can also do one other thing, but it seems right now she doesn’t have to do that.

Faust sighed, “At least you’re not totally useless, I might just remember your face.”

Alice tilted her head in a sort of confused interest, “Is that so? Then you better ingrain my face into your memory, cause you’re going to be seeing me plenty! Now then, shall we be off?”

“Off where?”

“To our first target, of course! Come! Come! Just follow my lead!” Alice began her steps yet was abruptly stopped as though she bumped into an invisible wall. She looked back at her partner and yelled, “Hey! I said follow!”

Faust cracked a smile, “Sorry, was just curious what would’ve happened.” He quickly followed her as she continued to hurl insults and profanities at him.