Jolene ran furiously through the fiery field, sweating from everywhere. Her heart beat fast, her heart pounding in her chest like the vibrations of an earthquake. She looked back in terror; they were closing in on her far too quickly. She hid in an old log, taking the minute of resting to think things over. These past months had been hectic, all beginning with the betrayal of her twin brother. She now had her doubts that he had done anything other than be a coward, he was very different now. Maybe Lord Krale and Ares had not been the saviors they had claimed to be, and she was on the wrong side altogether.

 

The demons would not let her escape, Krale was dead and Ares was banished. Her brother was on the opposite side, the place she could not reach. No one was left for her, not even her original deceiver, her world was in a dismal state, crumbling around her every step she took. She heard footsteps near the log, heavy footsteps stopping. There was a sniffing sound, then the demonic dog barked alerting the demon handler of her presence. She launched out of the log, just avoiding the demon’s grasp.

 

The demon cursed and fired a blast of infernal flames at her back. Fortunately she had followed her training, she did a back flip avoiding the blast, landing behind the demon. Taking out her two halberds, she cut his head off, she was tired of running. Five demons arrived, swords drawn.

They charged her, she simply dived to the ground under the lead demon’s legs, standing behind them. As they turned she cut three of them in the legs, as they fell to the ground she grabbed both blades from the two standing demons. Ignoring the pain caused by the blades she plunged both swords into the demons, as they fell dead to the ground she beheaded the remaining demons.

The adrenaline was pumping in her body now, she looked around but no demon was in sight. All thoughts of her brother erased from her mind at that moment, she crept stealthily to the small demon camp. They were not aware she was still alive, one demon standing guard as the others were busy eating the prisoners. She drew a makeshift dagger made of wood but sharpened to a tee and threw it straight into the demon’s heart. Before he could make a sound she leaped unto him from the bushels, cutting its head off.

 

Without delay she moved on, approaching the first tent she could see there were three demons. They spoke in their native language, Jolene slowly cut through the material behind them. Spotting a silver dagger on the table she grabbed it, slitting one of the demon’s throat. As the other turned she smashed their skull together with enough force to crack a boulder, they fell silent.

 

There were only five tents remaining, she crept out of the tent and approached the nearest tent to the left. As she approached a demon walked out, she quickly darted into the bushels. The demon looked around, nearing her location. She held her breath; she could do so for ten minutes without rest. Suddenly the bells rang in alarm, 20 demons in total came out of their tents.

She had to act now, diving directly into the demon nearest her stabbing him with the dagger she landed in front of the whole group, tossing the body within the crowd. They all fired detonations in her direction, she moved her halberds with blinding speed blocking every one of them as she came nearer to them. When within striking range she began her attack, doing a wide spread slash beheading the first line of demons.

She jumped over the group, stabbing two demons that stood in the middle and landing behind the group. She sliced one demon in the gut and stabbed the other in the heart. As blood poured out, burning the ground she kicked his head off, launching herself off the falling corpse she landed on the three demons of that line, twisting their necks.

With animal instincts she rolled forward dodging oncoming detonations, turning she threw rocks at the demons and said “ inprerano”.

The rocks caught fire, acting as detonations as they killed the remaining demons. Standing in the middle of this battle zone, both halberds drawn, face covered with blood she laughed. She had annihilated a whole camp; she had been weak for a moment, hiding away in a log. But now Jolene was back to herself, Lord Krale had been weak and Ares, well she thought Ares was correct in doubting his power. Her new master was much more powerful, her mission to kill her brother delayed for she was eliminating all primitive demons.

Her new master had brought with him new creatures, much more powerful these creatures were replacing the demons.

This was also a more practical way of training her; Jolene was covered with scars from battles. Dressed in black leather that hugged against her eloquent body, she would have drawn any human’s gaze with her beauty. But she cared not for petty feelings; one of the new creatures approached her.

It was as tall as Ares but its hind legs were far more animal like, more like grasshopper legs. It had four muscular arms and had the head of a lion, it spoke in the most monstrous voice “ Lord Constatino awaits you in his tent” He motioned to the monstrously tall tent made of demon hide she entered the tent. Unlike Krale’s tent he had no trophies showing, no throne or diamond table. The floor was covered by polar bear fur, seeming odd in contrast with the dark hide walls. She explored the tent but he was not there, suddenly he spoke from behind her in the most elegant tone “ Very well done Jolene, I see demon blood really has increased your performance. You are the best pupil one could ever expect”

Jolene looked over her new master; unlike Krale he did not hide himself. Dressed in battle armor, his blond hair accenting his purely ice blue eyes. He was of no extra-ordinary height but she knew his true power. She bowed in respect and asked, “What are your commands master?”

Constatino smirked and replied “ please do not use such a Neanderthal terms such as master, I have a name. But if you insist on using quaint formalities call me sir”

He walked and without a single motion a chair grew out of the demon hide, its base structure of demon bones. He sat on it, crossing one leg over the other he continued, “ what I want you to do Jolene is quite simple. Adonis can wait; they are being slow at assembling the seventh member anyway. I need you to assassinate the Queen of the Royal Kingdom. I must admit it will be no easy task, but I did not lie for it is quite simple in concept. She will be heavily guarded and will attempt to deceive you, do not fall for the witch’s vile deceptions”

There was an interruption, a tall demon charged into the tent and said,“ What is the meaning of this betrayal Constatino! You had your assassin kill off my demons! why?”

Not answering the demon commander’s question he simply said, “ I am in the middle of some important business. I sense you will not be reasonable and leave me be, but I give you the opportunity to do so.”

The demon went to grab him by the collar, Constanino simply hit his hand aside, grabbing him by the neck he drew his power and soul from his body and sent it in a soul catcher hanging nearby.

The demon fell and Constatino said, “ Now go and complete your task, choose any method to kill the Queen. Just make sure to send the Queen my regards, and make sure you get a lock of her hair and some of her blood within this vial” He handed her the vial and dismissed her.

As she rested the night she anticipated the coming mission, the Queen had done nothing to offend her personally but she was against the Coronian Empire, therefore she was an enemy. And she would be the one to kill their leader, she was glad Constatino had given her such an honor.