Meeting the Demon Queen (1)

--Gatix--

It took me five minutes after encountering the demon gorillas to leave the city ruins. Its outskirts still featured some rubble, but it was significantly more open than the streets I walked through. The roars of battle were louder, and the creatures of prior were colored in with a bit more detail. I saw more of the demon gorillas, but the elephants walking on tentacles and fire-breathing salamanders were new.

I'll admit a secretive joy. Seeing animals previously restricted to the realm of imagination now breathing and engaging in combat would put a smile on anybody's face. And if they decide to bother me, I get to figure out what they taste like. A win-win situation all around.

“Agent, I'm picking up two high-powered organisms half a click to your west.''

“More gorillas?''

“Doubtful, they seem to be smaller. I'm also picking up an odd energy signature from them.''

“Magic, probably.''

“Magic does not exist, Agent.''

I raised an eyebrow. “Sorry?''

“Magic is just science we haven't figured out yet.''

“We've teleported into a parallel world featuring demon gorillas and fire-breathing salamanders, and you're denying the existence of magic?''

“The demon gorillas, so baptized, are simply a product of this world's evolution cycle, as are the salamanders.''

“Yet you have reported an energy signature in a world without electricity.''

“It could be a form of battery. Batteries dating back to 500AD have been discovered on Earth.''

“Let's say that after the fireballs start flying.''

“If I were human, I'd say let's make a bet.''

“If you were human, I'd take you up on that,'' I laughed. “Let's go see what that's about.''

“Smart.'' A diamond-shaped marker appeared inside my visor, indicating the target was four-hundred eighty-three meters away. “Looks like that cr-''

“** *****!'' A mountain of meat thundered past me.

“What the hell?''

Its fearsome appearance would make any veteran pause for a second. The visor readings put its height at close to four meters, but couldn't begin to tell me what the composition was. Comparing it to Earthen animals, an upright rhino featuring an eagle's head and four gorilla arms would be the closest I could get.

“Unknown.''

“No shit.'' I watched the creature disappear over the crater's rim. “I am suddenly reluctant to go there.''

“I thought Scythe could handle anything.''

“Think Dax might have taught you sarcasm.'' I gripped Scythe's barrel with renewed vigor as the crater's rim crept closer.

“*** ******* *** **** *****!''

Huh? Peering inside the crater brought another most unusual sight. The mountain of meat that charged past moments ago had been split into two hills. Dancing around the carcass were two creatures significantly more lively, but their appearance differed drastically. I could recognize a knight when I saw one. Clad in a blue and gunmetal grey panzer suit, the knight wielded a sword almost matching his length. The absence of a cape spoke of experience. I first dismissed the bluish haze surrounding the blade as a visual glitch, but the visor did report an odd energy radiating from it.

So there are humanoids here after all? Looks like a knight of some kind, which means… The knight's opponent confirmed my suspicion. Despite the slightly reddish skin, the tail, the scales covering everything from the hips and shoulders downwards, two horns pointing upwards, all men have an innate radar to detect a feminine figure. The rest was just dressing.

Every avid fantasy reader would recognize a demon queen if they saw one.

`****... *****... ****... *****!'' The knight continued his tirade of gibberish as he slammed the sword through the lady's shoulder into the rock behind her. “Now that has to hurt.''

“It does appear the scaly lady is losing the fight, yes.''

“You translating all of this?''

“Analysing their linguistic patterns as we speak. It may take some time.''

“** ** ***** ******* *** **** **** ***!''

“Battle must have been a long time coming.'' The knight's elation was obvious. Opposite him, the lady tried to mutter something to him in return, but he silenced her with a left hook to the head.

“*******!''

“Hey now, that's not right.''

“Agent?''

“I'm all for killing enemies, but don't torture like that.'' I frowned as the knight took out a collar. The lady's eyes clearly widened in fear when she saw it.

“**...''

“Pretty sure she said `no' there.''

“Please keep the commentary coming, Agent. This is helping my analysis a fair amount.''

The lady desperately tried to loosen herself from the rock, fighting until the knight snapped the collar around her neck. She fell limp almost instantly, but that didn't stop her from convulsing in pain until a white light formed above her chest. “Now that's a wee bit messed up.''

“You seem to be somewhat concerned for the lady, Agent. That is unusual for you.''

“Less her. The guy in armor is pissing me off.'' The lady's body shook visibly as the sword passed the light close by. “I don't like torture.''

“A word of advice?''

“Hm?''

“Saving her might increase your odds of so-called knocking off early.''

“Time for alliances?''

“Either she knows where the trisortium is, or she could help navigate this world.''

“Surprised you're not thinking I should ask the knight.''

“Power of first impression. His was bad, so you would always question him from here on.''

“True. Hm, she might not like us.''

“Then use two bullets instead of one.''

“Fair enough. Set Scythe to quarter power.'' It took me less than a second to raise my weapon, moving the scope until I was staring into the knight's broken eye slit. Less armor, less resistance. Breathing in, I waited just a second. Waiting for that perfect moment until the knight's muscles stiffened, the lungs filled with air, ready to deliver the coup de grace.

And there it was.

BANG.