(Literally every time I tried to read over this chapter for editing purposes, I changed or added something. I'm not sure I'll ever be completely satisfied with how this turned out, but if I don't hurry up and publish it, then I probably never will. So here it is, I hope you enjoy.)

I swung my swords full force as someone ran up behind me. I barely saw Evan dodge my attack at the last second before I turned to block an assault from Lisa.

She jumped back a moment later and smiled. "You're doing wonderfully, dear."

I didn't respond. I couldn't let myself get distracted. I stood silently, waiting.

Then I felt it.

I turned quickly and raised my swords just in time to block a barrage of butter knives. I deflected the last one and saw Sebastian drop to the ground. I panted, leaving my swords raised.

Lisa and Evan had both decided several hours earlier that if I wanted to fight against the threat that was coming, then they were in no place to try and stop me. We'd all sat back down in the living room to discuss our options.

"Really, I don't think it is a good idea. He's powerful. I'm concerned the three of us aren't going to be enough to stop him," Lisa said.

I felt myself smirk a little, my confidence still high. "It's a good thing you have me, then."

Sebastian had squeezed my hand and Evan had smiled. Lisa's frown deepened.

"If you truly wish to fight with us, you will need intense training. I know Sebastian has trained you with your swords and that you are extremely gifted, but your abilities as they are now are not going to be enough to fight this demon."

"Who is he, anyway?" I asked her. "You know who he is. Why don't you just tell me?"

"He has many names," Evan answered. "Demon names, Earthly names..."

"Then just tell me one of them and we'll go from there," I urged him.

"His name doesn't matter. You won't know him either way. We're wasting precious moments here."

I sighed, giving in. I guess it didn't really matter what this demon's name was, I was just curious.

"Anyway," Lisa continued, "we will begin training after lunch. The other officers and guests will not be returning here. They've all been moved elsewhere at the request of James and myself. They will be perfectly safe. This way, you can worry about yourself."

I smiled to myself. Thank you, James.

"We aren't sure how many people he will bring with him," Evan said. "He may come alone, or he may bring as many as a thousand followers with him. Of course, it's just the four of us, but to better train you for fighting against multiple enemies, I think it would be best for the three of us to all fight against you at once."

I nodded, agreeing with him. A year ago when Sebastian and I had been hidden away in a cave, I had trained hard with him. I had even gotten strong enough to fight him off and outsmart him. I may have the ability to do it again, but I knew I couldn't handle more than one demon attacking me at once. I did need training in that regard.

"I have a question," I told them, but directed my attention toward Evan. "Is there a way for me to train myself so that I can control my abilities even while I'm human? At the very least I know teleporting could be a really useful skill to have during a big battle."

"If there is, then I don't know what it would be. Besides, I don't want you to use any of your abilities before or during the battle if you can help it. You'll need every bit of strength you have if you want to survive."

I frowned, but nodded to him. I understood that even practicing my teleportation would drain my energy rather quickly. I was just hoping I could try to be useful in this fight.

And now here we were, at a standoff. I had been fighting them off for hours, dodging, blocking, and repelling every attack they threw at me. I was breathing hard, and it was starting to become difficult to remain standing, but I knew I had to push through it. I had to keep fighting.

I quickly shook my head to clear it of the intrusive thoughts of weakness. No, I was not about to let myself get distracted.

Suddenly, I felt movement. I focused and felt all three of them rushing at me. I readied my swords, preparing myself to attack all of them at once.

Then my mind went blank.

"Sebastian!" I heard Lisa cry out as the world faded away. I felt strong arms wrap around me as my vision darkened.

The darkness slowly lifted, and I found myself in a dimly lit and unfamiliar room. As I inspected the place more closely, I saw the dirty stone walls and the rusted metal bars. It only took a moment for me to realize I was in what appeared to be a dungeon cell.

I tried to stand, but my wrists and ankles were in tight metal shackles. I was sobbing, wondering what I had done wrong. I chose that man. I thought he'd loved me too. But as soon as he held me in his arms, he'd rushed me here. I cried into my hands, confusion making my head spin. A moment later, I heard the creaking of the metal door of my cell opening slowly. I looked up, and through blurred vision, I saw a familiar tall figure.

My body froze, and I felt a fear so intense I began shaking violently. I tried to back away, but my back hit the wall, and there was nothing left I could do but look up into his eyes.

Who is he? I thought. What does he want?

Suddenly, my perspective changed, and I was watching the scene unfold from outside my body. I could do nothing as I watched Sebastian approach the quivering me and kneel before her. He moved a lock of her dirty white hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek, all while she stared at him with so much fear that it hurt to see it.

"Wh-Who are you?" she asked him. "Wha-What do you want from me?"

There was a beat between them as Sebastian searched her eyes for any form of recognition. He then removed his left glove and clasped his hand in her shackled one. The chains clinked together as he gently showed her the marks they shared. I watched as her eyes grew in terror, and Sebastian's closed in sadness as his last shot failed him.

"I've come to fulfill my promise to you, My Love," he whispered, and I saw a tear fall down his cheek. My heart ached for him, but I couldn't move or look away.

"What? What promise? I don't know you! Get away from me!" she screamed.

I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and turned my head. Evan and Lisa were standing outside. Lisa turned her back to the scene before us, and her quiet sobs drifted through the room. Evan placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. I turned back to the scene before me.

Sebastian gave the scared girl a strained smile. "I love you, Chrystal. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you..."

"No! I don't know you! Go away!!" she screamed again. "Someone, help me! Mmmm!!!"

I stood in tears as I watched Sebastian kiss her. Soon, the girl quit screaming, and a moment later stopped moving. I let out a sob of my own, then everything went dark again.