Beginning of the End

"What did you think, little ants?" the Demon Lord's voice rolled out. "That mother would not notice your spies? That you could slip in and take the greatest Demon Lord in history down that easily?"

Vada's jaw clenched; she spat at the air as if the words themselves offended her.

On the battlefield behind them, Alvis's summoned legions held the line. Earthkin warriors and fireborn spearmen filled the front ranks, fighting the demon forces. Alvis continued pouring mana his into the staff, his face pale with concentration. Caliondur moved at his flank, stringing arrows with fast speed and pinning the flankers before they could get close.

Verena dove like a falling star, her black dagger ate and poisoned through every armor and flesh it cut. Gorran's hammer smashed the earth. Great slabs of stone would jump up and he would throw them with the hammer, like catapults into the rear of the demon tide. Maeryn hurled globes of flame that exploded in columns, splitting ranks and buying them precious seconds.

They were working as one — until the commander and his monster pushed into view.

The hound lunged first, a grotesque mockery of nature. It thundered forward, every patchwork limb propelling it with devastating speed. Gorran spat, wiping sweat from his forehead. "That dog's the ugliest thing I've ever seen," he grunted, swinging to intercept.

A fire-bullet struck the commander's helmet and skittered off, leaving only a sizzle of steam. When he came within shouting range, his voice poured out from the iron helm — oddly high and feminine in tone.

"Hello humans. I am Varkhul," he rumbled. "This is Shargûl, my pet. I saw what you did there; woman, your flames have no effect against my armor."

Maeryn only chuckled; Gorran laughed, blade flashing. "For a menacing armor like that, having a voice like yours is already halfway to defeat, metal-mouth."

Varkhul's helm creaked. "Laugh all you want. You will be sobbing when this battle is over."

Shargûl crashed forward, jaws wide. Gorran planted both feet and let the hammer fly; the beast's flank slammed into the ground, throwing it off balance for an instant, but the stitched horror rolled to its feet and continued.

Varkhul brought out his chain whip and swung an attack on Maeryn.

Inside the castle, the bailey's torchlight painted the flanking towers in orange. Kazuki shifted into his Sovereign Authority form as the Demon Lord locked eyes with him. A gaze that both challenged and delighted.

"So," the Demon Lord said. "You are the hero they sent to save them. My arch nemesis. I, too, possess Sovereign Authority." Darkness merged around him; a crown of black shards formed on top of his head and his eyes turned crimson. He stepped forward into an all-too-familiar stance: authority mirrored back at Kazuki.

"And yet," the Lord continued, sweeping his hand toward Kazuki so all could see, "I hear you've mixed the dark with light. Now looking at you; I can see it. Golden crown shining beside the tarnished armor of shadows yet pierced by radiant rays, with eyes glowing white. How elegant."

He glanced at others. "You brought women and an old man, too. We will rid this night of you and that old fart and I will take these women for my own. Demon women are quaint—but humans…" His grin widened. "Human women got softer skin and a more delicate figure."

Rage sparked across the companions' faces. Zephyr tightened her grip on Lightbringer; the sword hummed, casting a glow on her whole body, resembling the ancient hero in her stead.

At that moment the cloaked mage peeled back her hood.

She was not human but an elf. Frail as bone, pale skin stretched tight across ribs, neck and cheekbones, ears sharp as knives. Her eyes red like the setting sun at dusk. Around her neck hung a talisman. Matching with one wore by Vaerik Morrath—the demon commander that attacked the kingdom.

"Impossible," she breathed. "The Hero's heir." Her tone was rich and resonant, elegance and disdain in equal measure, each syllable spoken with the slow confidence of someone who had no need to raise her voice to be obeyed.

Her hand rose. With a gesture, she set the castle into motion.

Demons attacked from above and ground. As the enemy wheeled and appointed archers released a storm, Zephyr created a barrier of pure light around them. The shielding glow swallowed arrows and hissed when poisoned bolts struck it. Holding the horde at bay.

"Follow me to the tower. We need to change the plan." The mage spoke as she looked to the Demon Lord.

The Lord—voice hard, teeth bared—snapped back, "But mother—"

The mage's wrist raised, close to his throat. A smoky silhouette appeared, gripping his neck; her tone chilled the marrow. "Everything you are and have, is because of me. You do what I say when I say it, that was our deal. Refuse, and I take it all from you. Do you understand, Shiro Kano?"

The Demon Lord's fury folded into a dark obedience. "Yes, mother."

He turned to Kazuki. "This is not over, hero." Then, they retreated toward the tower, closing its gate behind them.

As the barrier held back the arrows and demons, Zephyr glanced at the mage. "That's the mother everyone's been talking about?"

Vada's eyes narrowed. "She was the one who performed the ritual."

Kazuki pressed his palm against his chest, feeling the pulse of the relic buried there. His voice was low, conflicted. "Shiro Kano… that name belongs to my world. And that relic… it's the same as mine."

"Kazuki, my son," Ardent's voice cut through the storm, sharp and grounding. "Now isn't the time for questions and doubts. We're in the middle of a battlefield."

Kazuki snapped out of his thoughts and met his gaze. He nodded. "You're right, Master Ardent." His eyes hardened, and his voice rose. "Master Ardent—take the left battlement with your slashes. Vada, clear the right. Zephyr—charge your sword. I'll handle the ones on the ground. When you're ready, blow up the tower's gate."

Zephyr couldn't help but smile, her grip tightening on the Lightbringer. Seeing Kazuki command with such certainty lit a fire in her chest.

The battle roared back to life. Ardent's sword carved arcs of water through the left battlement, cutting demons like wheat before the scythe. Vada flew upward, her white dagger shining as she skewered the archers on the right.

Kazuki strode into the heart of the fight. With one hand he drained the strength and life from the demons; with the other, he cut them down, holding his sword imbued with light.

"I'm ready!" Zephyr's voice rang out.

Kazuki stepped aside, and the ground trembled as her blade unleashed its full force. The blast ripped across the castle, tearing through the last of the demons and shattering the tower gate in a storm of golden light. The earth quaked, dust and debris raining down.

When the smoke cleared, silence fell for a heartbeat. The battlements and the ground were cleared.

The party regrouped. Together, they turned and rushed toward the tower.

Whatever awaited them inside; would decide the fate of both races.