Grey leads me down a hall and a sudden flash of light blinds my delicate vision. I wince and raise my arm to shield me from the sun's rays.

Then my vision adjusts and I begin to look around. "Where are we? We're not in the capital of WesterHallow, what happened?" Grey turns around and smiles mischievously at my question. I cross my arms and tap my foot angrily against the ground.

"You see, when I came to fetch you that odd companion of yours...what was her name...ah! Miss Lucile ordered me to bring you here. I don't know the reason why, I'm just following orders like the good little Reaper that I am."

I involuntarily let out a scoff and I shake my head in disappointment. "Oh Grey, your becoming soft...and here I thought we'd always be vicious creatures of death...so much for that..." I sigh and from the corner of my eye, I notice Grey smirk.

"Soft? Me? My deary, I wouldn't engage in something as absurd as that, you should know, you were my student."

I raise an eyebrow and stare at Grey as he begins to stoke his scythe. "Of course, you are the reason I'm such a cruel person." I return Grey's smirk with one of my own and we both stand facing each other. I wink at him and he winks back, I stick my tongue out at him and he does too, and we both share odd gestures until our fun is interrupted by an irritating voice.

"You two seem rather close."

Ida walks up beside me and crosses her arms as if wanting to show her disapproval. The Reaper and I roll our eyes in sync and we both give Ida a taunting smile. "What's the matter with both of you? What's the point of reflecting each others movement in a manner of banter?" Grey and I shrug our shoulders and decide to speak at the same time.

"Because we can, why else?"

Ida frowns and shakes her head, obviously frustrated from our antics. The Reaper chuckles and then waves at both of us before walking away. "Well I have business to attend to, so if you don't mind." I nod my head and wave goodbye as I watch the Reaper soar away in the sky.

"Anyway, why did you order Grey to bring me here?" I turn my attention to Ida and she pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "It's a sensitive matter and I do not have the clearance to tell you, so just be quiet and follow me through the forest." Ida responds coldly and begins to walk ahead with the impression that I'll follow behind.

"No."

Ida stops mid-step and turns around in annoyance. "It's not your decision to make, it's already been predetermined and there will be no exceptions." I scowl and continue to stand defiantly. "Alright, maybe I do have to follow your orders wether I like it or not, but I still have the right to know where you're taking me...and if otherwise, this is considered kidnapping...I ought to know, I've done it before."

I sneer at the Fire Elemental and stand my ground awaiting Ida's response. "Fine! If that's how it's going to be... The Lullamire's Tower received an unexpected group of guests while you were tending to your trial. We escorted the Crowning prince to safety but the Queen's servants are still fighting back the threat—"

"What?! Why the hell didn't anybody tell me?! And who gave the Queen's servants orders to stay back?! For the moment, they should only follow me!"

Ida blinks uncertainly before she shakes her head. "That's not the issue at hand! Demons have invaded the Tower and now they're coming after you!" Numbness spreads throughout my body like a poison and I slowly begin to feel myself sway back in shock. I stand there with my arms and legs frozen on the ground as if they were forbidding me to move.

"D..Demons..?"

The words barely graze my lips as I whisper them incredulously. Ida sighs and nods her head solemnly at my realization. "Yes, the person who seems to be leading the attack is a young woman...I'd say about 5 foot 8, long hair, beautiful skin complexion, and admirable facial features. Quite the attractive demon if I must say." My eyes widen like saucers and I almost lose my balance.

I grit my teeth with burning anger and I feel my hands involuntarily tremble from the shock. Baffled to even speak, I pinch the bridge of my nose and grumble vulgar curses under my breath. Ida doesn't show any interest in my reaction, but she does show enough curtsey to pay attention.

"I'm just going to go out on a whim here, but... Do you know this demon?"

Feeling my anger seep through my veins, I take a shaky breath and I try to calm my trembling body. "Not really... But I'm sure she loathes my existence..." I speak to Ida through gritted teeth as I try to avoid showing my mutual distaste for the demon mistress. "I see... Hmph..! Well she can join the millions of demons who feel the same way. Seems like she's no different. An easy target don't you think?" My anger subsides for a moment and I raise my head to stare at Ida with shocked eyes.

"A..Are you trying to encourage me..?" I ask with a faint smile and Ida tries to hide a blush. "Let's just say at the moment we both share a mutual disgust for those demons...and we only have each other now, so it would only seem natural if we worked together... Don't you agree?" I chuckle and shake my head with a bright smile. "Yes, Ida, let's just call it the 'necessary means for survival'", I chuckle again when Ida frowns and forces back her blush.

She shoved past me and began to walk away. "Hurry! If we don't get moving, those demons will surely catch up with us!" I nod my head and continue to smirk at Ida's reactions.

"Don't you think it's weird though? Yes, the entire kingdom knew what the Protector has been up to, but no one, other than the ones the Queen has chosen, knows the locations of my trials...it's odd to say the least..." Ida looks over her shoulder and stares at my suspicious eyes with concern. She then turns her attention to the ground and reverts her gaze. "You're right... how can a lowlife demon like her know about the Queen's secret operations? Unless..." My eyes snap open and I hurry in front of Ida. "You don't mean there could be spies in the castle?"

Ida frowns and sighs as she shakes her head. "That can't be a possibility. Demons are easily detected by the Queen's loyal servants... Besides, if we had non-demon spies in the castle, you'd be able to pinpoint them. You have the ability to read minds. You do a weekly check. It's nearly impossible." I laugh half-heartedly and scratch my head embarrassingly as I face Ida's words. "Oh yeah... then what were you trying to say?"

Ida abruptly stops and glares daggers at me. "The demon mistress must have been watching you the last time you met, sending servants to record your every move. Congratulations Protector, your incompetence has gotten our hides in danger, and quiet possibly everyone near the capital."

I stop dead in my tracks and gawk at Ida's pointing finger. I frown and slowly cross my arms as I fall into a pit of concern. "No... That can't be true. Don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to justify myself or anything... It just seems unlikely... This demon mistress... Maybe she has a trump card...?", I raise a bended finger to my face and pinch my chin lightly as I ponder the situation. My eyes deep in thought and Ida's brooding figure began to cause tension in the air.

"A trump card? ...Are you implying th..that she has some sort of advantage over us... Like...?" My eyes shot open and my excessive thinking came to a halt. "No! Never mind! It's not as complicated as we think! Look, Gra-I mean the Grim Reaper is known as the Angel of Death to all and sworn protector of the crowning prince. All demons loath his existence... They weren't after me..!" Ida's eyes shot open and her hands began to tremble.

"You're right! Of course that lowlife demon wouldn't have a clue about the locations of these trials! It was sheer luck that she found us this time because-",

"Grey is in danger!"

My voice interrupted Ida's as her own words quickly fed my anxiety. I briskly turned around with one foot ahead of the other, ready to race against time. "NO! You'll only make things worse! The Grim Reaper can handle the situation himself! If you show yourself to the demons, you'll only fuel their thirst for blood! Think about the thousands of civilians that will perish or become hostages if you step foot on Lullamire's Tower!" My legs twitched and stood on the ground with my arms hanging by my side motionless.

I stared at the ground for a while before giving thought to Ida's warning. "You don't understand. The sword will cut either way. Those demons will overrun the city wither I'm there or not. Yes, Gray is powerful, but this isn't his battle, no matter if he's responsible for it or not", I slightly turned my head to the side and looked over at Ida's pained expression.

"Can't you see? I've vowed to give my life for my people, a few demons won't change that. I am the Protector, this is my duty, not Gray's... I'm sorry, but at this point your just dead wait to me", My eyes gleamed their frightening shade of amethyst as a wave of cruelty swept over them. Ida's mouth dangled in the air and her flame-colored eyes peered into mine.

I shook my head and dashed off into the woods and vegetation that surrounded us. I leapt through the trees and quickly skimmed through the miles with stedfast determination to reach the soon-to-be bloody battlefield. I clenched my hands into fists and gritted angrily as my legs ripped through the air.

"Tch..! Those damn heathens..!"

My voice echoed through the lush forest and pierced the silence.

Soon the anxiety in my stomach pushed me harder and I eventually found myself back at the capital.

Coming to a sudden halt, I stared up at the clouded sky and gasped when I noticed a plume of smoke whisking away in the air. My heart pounded in my chest and a drop of cold sweat slid from my forehead. I regained my senses and ripped through the air once again at lightning speed.

From far away, I could see houses and cottages set ablaze on the streets. The smoke rising and twirling in the air as if dancing to the song of death. Flames engulfed and devoured the stores of unfortunate vendors. Children and adults alike ran in utter horror, their faces showing desperation and the will to survive. Everything that began to wither away in front of me sent sparks of anger and deep hatred coursing through my body.

The demons reveled in the chaos and danced around in the streets like drunken men. Their smiles and hearty laughs forced my lips to twitch and pull back into a pessimistic snarl. My insanity broke free at that moment and my reasoning had detonated from existence.

I raised my hands and howled with rage as I sent flames of magic crashing into the demons. My eyes began to glow and violet mist leaked from the corners. I growled and sliced the bodies of the demons with brute force. I snarled and pounced on their flesh to rip it off in one bite. They screamed in pain and their miserable cries sent a pleasant smile to my lips.

The demons quickly fled the streets and left their blood on my hands. Some of the coppery liquid even  stained my face and chest with splotches of deep crimson. As if hungry for more, my tongue slithered out of my mouth and playfully licked off a drip of blood from my cheek.

"What a sight! I see why so many demons take an interest in you, Protector! You're so very entertaining!"

A loud, booming voice broke through the pleasant silence of the scorched capital.

I raised my head and peered my eyes into the demon mistress'. Her bright smile and pearly white teeth gleamed with bloodlust. The woman stalked her way towards me and with every step she took, her luscious, blonde curls bounced off her sides almost rhythmically.

"Take a step closer and I'll rip your demonic flesh right off your body with a single tug!"

I snarled at the beauty and tried to calm my trembling hands. My breathing had hitched and I was soon losing control of my anger. The woman paused and stared shockingly at my foul expression. Her ruby lips curled into a wicked smirk as she noticed my mood. "Oh? I had no idea you had such fire burning inside of you! You'll make a most promising meal." I chuckled at the demon mistress' ludicrous words and I sent her a psychotic smile.

"The spider and snake finally take the stage! Hurrah! ...I wonder which predator will win?"

I chanted boldly and dashed after the woman in a hot pursuit. Her eyes widened to their capacity and she barely dodged my sudden attack. I grinned from ear to ear and reveled in her fearful state.

I pumped magic from my belt and materialized a sword in the air, the exact one I use to finish off my enemies in just one swift move. I raised the heavy sword and swung it toward the demon mistress Victoria Stephen.

"DIE!"

I shouted angrily and pierced Victoria's slender waist. She howled with pain and grumbled curses under her breath as she pried her claws into arms. I winced and roared louder as I pushed against her weight. I forced Victoria off me and once again raised the tip of my sword toward her delicate features.

I sliced at the air and the whistle of the wind was loud and clear in Victoria's ears. Her eyes widened at the close range attacks and eventually I succeeded in slicing off a ligament.

"AAAAHHH!!!"

Victoria screamed in utter pain and clutched her limbless shoulder as it squirted blood everywhere. She fell to her knees and trembled on the ground as I  walked closer. I swung the sword and let the dripping blood shoot off from the metal. "Ah..! Ah..! Y..You know... a spider's best ability is weaving a w..web for her prey..", my eyes shot open and I immediately frozen in my spot.

Demons surrounded me and protected their beautiful, dainty master. I growled and felt a cold sweat on my back as I faced the new recruits. "Yeah? Well snakes are notorious for their venom!" I shouted and sliced at the skin near my index and middle finger. I ran these fingers on the surface of my sword and black writing and symbols appeared on the metal. I lunged myself toward the demons and with only one swift movement, I impaled groups of demons and when the sword cut deep into their skin, it sent deadly venom cursing through their veins and arteries.

I laughed in triumph and returned my attention to the demon mistress as her back-up cried in agony over the deadly venom. I raised the tip of my sword and positioned it under the woman's chin to lift her face up to stare into my eyes. "Either you leave or I'll make a mockery out of you." I spoke harshly and began to prick her creamy skin with my sword.

She winced and smiled devilishly at me.

"Of course. I got what I needed, so there's no reason for me to stick around any longer. Thank you Protector, you brightened my day with your ignorance."

I raised an eyebrow and pouted like a child.

Then I swung my sword without much hesitation and sliced at Victoria's neck, leaving her headless. I then poked at her head with the tip of my sword and played with it for a while before noticing the permanent expression. "I wonder why she was so surprised..." I mumble under my breath and briskly walked away as I casually passed the howling demons bawling in pain.

I let my sword rest on my shoulder as a long sigh escape my lips.

"Elizabeth?!?"

My eyes lazily scanned the streets and I found my servants and Gray running towards me in worry. "Are you alright my Young Mistress?! You should leave, it's too dangerous! The demons have invaded and—"

"You mean those demons over there?"

I pointed my thumb behind me and Siva's eyes widened with utter shock. However, Gray was quick to bust out in amused laughter. "Well shit!" He cursed and slapped his knees in hysterical laughing. Jinx eyed the scene curiously as Siva remained speechless. "Did you catch the demon who ran off with the files?"

My mouth gaped open and a wave of anxiety fluttered in my stomach. "What files?!" I spun my head around and peered into the ranks of demons lying dead on the ground. Then a certain messenger demon leapt to the trees with papers in his hands. I instinctively raised my sword and prepared myself to dash, but the demon teleported away before I could.

"GODDAMMIT!"

I scowled furiously and started to breath heavily. Gray shook his head and placed a warm hand on my shoulder. "Don't fret, the demons only stole the locations of the trials, nothing important." My eyebrows twitched and I stared confusingly at Gray. "B..But..!" Jinx nodded his head and smiled. "We can change the locations, the data they have will no longer be accurate." Jinx assured me but a worry expression still clung to my face.

"But if they had come all this way to actually snag those files... why..? Why Victoria of all people..?" I mumbled under my breath. Siva raised an eyebrow and frowned at my distress. "Young Mistress, who is this Victoria you speak of..?"

My eyes shot open and my breathing hitched. I calmed myself with a deep, unnoticeable breath and I faced Siva with a poker face. "Victoria was the demon responsible for this. I met her before I killed her so I was just curious why she wanted the data, that's all. If you want to see her, her severed corpse is over there laying next to the street." I raised a finger and pointed behind me as I stared into Siva's emerald eyes without emotion.

He spent a moment staring back at me but he soon averted his gaze before bowing. "Forgive me, I failed to protect you and you had to do all the work by yourself." Siva responded with a frown and Gray and Jinx merely stared at him wondering why he was so well-trained. I chuckled and let all the anxiety welled up inside of me slowly disappear. "No, I should thank you actually, today was fun." I responded and Gray burst out laughing while both Siva and Jinx stared at me confusingly with genuine concern.

I brushed off their fear of me and casually walked passed them.

My smile faded and as my face was out-of-view, a frown soon swept over my features like a thick fog. "She isn't dead... I can feel her soul even from here... What does she want..?" I knitted my eyebrows and nibbled on my nail as more anxiety and frustration whirled in my stomach.