“Ha, didn’t learn your lesson from the chief?” the demon stalker taunts as it simply grabs Anumbrius mid swing. However, I send the the shadow nature from Anumbrius out, burning the stalker’s hand. “What!? H-How are you so strong compared to when we first met?!” the weakened stalker exclaims in shock as it holds its bloody hand.
“Because I’m a Homathreas, you bastard,” I declare as I activate my new power. The scars on my eye again bleed as if they have opened. I slash at the demon. Though the demon tried desperately to block, my attacks are just too fast and strong. Everyone gazes in amazement as my shadow nature on Anumbrius slices the demon’s chest. Severely injured in multiple places, the demon falls to the ground.
I go to finish the demon off, holding Anumbrius above my head. I bring him down upon the helpless demon. But before I can finish off the fiend, a hand grabs my sword, completely stopping my swing. The figure grabs the demon stalker, before suddenly appearing on a tree branch.
“Damn Umbaro, getting carried away again. Why do none of my subordinates listen to me?” the mysterious figure complains.
“And who are you?” I ask the figure, clad in a dark armor.
“Well, I am Hojan, and this idiot I’m holding goes by Umbaro. I do sincerely apologize for his behavior. It’s fairly disgraceful for a demon stalker to hunt the same target multiple times and fail.”
As Hojan speaks I ready Anumbrius, though my body is visibly shaking from exhaustion.
“So, you’re the human everyone’s so worked up about? Ron Amar was it? Don’t worry, I’m not a plotter like Umbaro here. I’ll fight you when you’re stronger; otherwise I’d get bored of this war too quickly.”
I don’t answer him. It’s taking most of my energy to remain standing.
“I hope to see you on the battlefield,” the armored figure remarks before disappearing completely, not even leaving a trace. I let out a sigh of relief--it’s finally over.
“Whew, that was a good workout!” Anumbrius declares.
“You call that a workout? You’re crazy,” I express with a laugh as I am embraced by Rose.
“Ron, that was amazing! You have become so much more powerful since we first met!” she exclaims with delight.
“You are indeed a powerful warrior, Ron!” Nikud admits.
Rose suddenly turns to Nikud, giving her a quick glare. I give her a confused look.
Nikud, however, just has a smirk on her face. “Oh, I see what’s going on here,” she whispers to herself.
Joshua just laughs. He is clearly enjoying this situation.
“Good job, buddy, but next time you’re looking to say a badass quote, don’t steal mine,” Tink teases with a smile.
“Maybe some help would be nice,” I answer with a sigh.
“Nah, didn’t want to steal the spotlight from ya,” Tink exclaims with a smile. The chief suddenly walks up to me, a serious look on his face.
“Sorry, sir. I don’t think we can continue the duel,” I pant with a tired smile.
“No need! You are clearly my better, defeating an enemy I almost lost my life to. As our sacred laws state, we are yours to command as you see fit,” the chief declares, suddenly kneeling before me. At this all the other felions also kneel.
“Wow, Ron, moving up in the world, I see,” Anumbrius remarks.
“Whoa! Whoa! I appreciate the gesture, but please don’t be so formal. You are still the leader of your people. I just want to lead you in battle,” I reply, still shocked at the scene unfolding before me.
“We would like to do the same,” a wolf-like cadon suddenly declares, also kneeling before me.
“Whoa, ok--who are you?” I ask with even more shock.
“I am the chief of the cadons,” he explains. “We are forever in your dept for saving us from that demon, human. The felions and cadons have been enemies since ancient times, but I now see a greater threat rising,” the cadon chief states.
“For once I agree with a cadon. I now see that we have been fighting a pointless fight. An embarrassment as leaders for the both of us. For the sake of both of our peoples, we will join forces under your leadership to combat our new foe,” the felion chief adds.
“Wow, Ron! Just as I say that, you obtain even more followers. I think I’ll have fun with you as my master,” Anumbrius declares.
I say nothing. All I can do is maintain the surprised expression I still have on my face.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Demons’ Advance
Meanwhile, at the prison, multiple orders are being shouted. Commanders of the demon armies are arriving at the prison with their soldiers. “Why are we all being gathered here? I thought we were leaving the elves to the shadow demons? Do you know anything about this, Feven?” a fire demon commander asks.
“I wouldn’t know, Charma. By the looks of it it’s not just us fire demons, either. It seems there are a few commanders from the thunder and poison armies,” another commander adds. “What do you think, Vors? Vors?” The two commanders turn to a third commander.
“Ah... there are a lot of heat signatures in this place. I’m getting the chills just thinking about all the warmth,” the demon commander called Vors replies as he shivers in place.
“Hey now, don’t do anything stupid, they are our allies! Seriously! Charma, why did your dad, general H’raut, even promote this nobody commander almost immediately?” Feven complains.
“I don’t know, Feven. He may be my father, but to him I’m just another one of his pawns for his game of war.”
“Speaking of which...” Feven mumbles as a figure encased in metal enters the courtyard.
“Father,” Charma bows.
“Ooo! I sense sooooo much heat!” Vors exclaims as he rushes to hug the general’s metal suit.
“I still couldn’t find an answer in all the Nine Hells as to how that clingy idiot can be that close to the general. I mean, even with the metal suit, your dad’s fire nature is too intense for me,” Feven whispers to Charma.
H’raut glares across the courtyard, his suit of metal starts to glow from within. “There was a battle here, not to long ago. I can still sense the flames of war lingering in the air.”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous, general. At best you’re probably just sensing the prisoner fights down below. That Warden is a sick bastard, I tell you,” Feven states.
“Whatever, the only reason I agreed to come to this front was because the other four generals are here,” H’raut exclaims as his suit begins to glow even brighter.
“Well, actually, Generals Velenia and Theso are still on their own fronts. They just sent a few commanders, sir,” Charma respectfully informs.
“What! Then what about Hojan!?”
“He has already embarked for the front lines, sir.”
“That bastard when to get a head start, huh? Not on my watch!” H’raut exclaims with fury as his suit starts to buckle under his immense pressure.
“Father, may I suggest calming down. If you exert any more fire nature you risk the lives of your loyal soldiers. If I may voice my opinion, I think it would be best to wait for the remaining commanders to arrive before heading out. I trust that Hojan can hold his own without winning the war by himself, sir.”
“You are lucky I’m in a good mood, Charma. Those damn commanders better hurry up. We can’t start without all the pieces,” H’raut mutters to himself as he strides of.
“Jeez, your dad sure is something else! I don’t blame him though, I kinda want to get out of this prison and head for the front lines as soon as possible,” Feven remarks.
“Ah-hah, I can’t wait to feel all the heat from battle!” Vors agrees as he shivers from excitement, among other things.
“Really, Feven? You usually complain about fighting? When did you change your mind?” Charma wonders.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, the mom
ent I can afford to, I’m retiring. It’s just that this place isn’t your average prison. Who knows what secrets the Warden has down there,” Feven mumbles as he looks to the ground.
Down in those very depths of the prison, the shadows grow restless. “This is your new home,” a warrior of the Cornax grunts as he throws David into a room.
“Who’s there?” a voice suddenly calls from the darkness of the new room. David walks over to the voice. He walks through a large room with seemingly no souls besides his own. David suddenly stops in his tracks, a shocked look on his face. He is stunned--no words can escape from his mouth. For before him, in the deepest parts of the prison, is a room full of humans!
End of Book 1
A New Fate
A Homathreas Emerges
A New Fate Page 14