User blog:AloofComputer/Dark Winds: Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Dark Paladin

A/N: Warning: Bad writing and rhyming, and lemon (sort of)

The morning sun melted away the shroud of mist covering the plains, revealing three figures on horses as they rode down the dirt road.

“All this dagger and cloak are really becoming bothersome, Pallanto.”

“It is necessary, Alatar. Don’t expect me to explain myself.”

“Do you really need to drag me and Veronica all the way to the mountains, though?” Alatar grumbled. “We have just finished an operation, and a rather dangerous one. Haven’t we earned a little vacation?”

“Your condition won’t wait for you to finish your vacation.” Pallanto answered curtly. “I do apologize to you, Veronica, although you needn’t come.”

“Save it for later.” The succubus answered with a yawn. “Let’s just get this over with. If it can help Alatar, I can forgive it. Just make sure it does.”

Alatar noticed the hands of his friend twitch a little, as they clutched the reigns. ''Not good. This is something risky.'' Pallanto was good at putting up a front, but he knew him well enough to read his reactions, no matter how slight.

“Well, there is a nice inn down the road. We should reach it by noon. Don’t you ever say I don’t take special care for anything.” Pallanto said casually. “And there is another onsen at the foot of the mountain, where we can rest at night. Don’t you tire yourselves too much, though-”

“Cut it out already, jerk. I can’t wait to see you married. Don’t expect any sympathy from me when Lucella squeezes all that smugness from you.” Alatar said with a laugh.

“ You didn’t hear this from me” Vanessa added with a smug smile, “but she is looking forward to it. She has planned excessive experiments and… other stuff, so much that would get ten liches blushing and green with envy. The longer you make her wait, the worse it’s going to be for you.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake… doesn’t she have anything better to do with her spare time? There is a possibility that I marry another monstergirl, or, heavens forbid, a normal human girl. I guess she hasn’t even considered that possibility.”

“Good luck with that. All of the monstergirls in Lescatie know very well that she has set her sights on you… and Druella’s advisor is not to be denied. As for the human girl… well, you won’t be able to find one in the demon realm.”

“ Geez, w hat a pain she can be… anyway, let’s get going, I’ve heard good things about the inn’s cuisine.”

“You mean its wine cellar.” Alatar scoffed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Well, that too.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You know, I know it’s not my business, but… aren’t you drinking a bit too much?” Veronica said with concern. “Have you ever tried anything non-alcoholic for a change?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Well, wine is the only safe bet in a monster realm for a human guy. After all-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You can skip that excuse, Pallanto. I may not know you as well as Alatar, but I do recognize when someone turns to the bottle to drown his sorrows.” she shot a side glance at Alatar. “You can use some help. You will need it, if you let things escalate.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto sighed. “No wonder you managed to snatch Alatar… you are sharp. And you can be a royal pain. You two are perfect for each other-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Pallanto.” Alatar cut him off. “You know she is right. You don’t have the whole mage’s division of the Order of Shadows on your shoulders right now. It’s time to wind down a bit.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Fine, fine, after this business is concluded, we can address this matter. But not a word to Lucella.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You do understand that she suspects it already.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, I do, Veronica. But that is another matter. Whatever, let’s get going.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ So, what is this whole experiment about?” Alatar asked. They were sitting in a private room, that Pallanto had reserved in advance. “You got us this far, so you expect it to be dangerous, and it probably needs to be done away from places with monster mana. So, no more secrets: what is it?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto took a swig from his mug. “It involves something… risky as all hell. I will try to create a strong bond for the demonic energy to your soul, stronger than what you have now, and on a different emotion.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“And that will mean that you need to sever that link.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes. And no. Severing the link of the demonic energy, especially in a place without it, will cause the remaining energy in your body to flee and you will die in a matter of minutes. I will need more time. The idea is this: I manage to isolate your soul inside two specific areas in your body. Your heart and your brain. Then, I will flood those isolated places with holy energy.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“… you need to explain this very thoroughly, pal, because all I hear is that you want to kill me in an excruciatingly painful way.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Your soul needs to be washed clean. The demonic energy hasn’t truly taken hold of it, as it has your body, because it was isolated by the Seals of Nemesis. That, I estimate, is the reason for your condition. After I fill those areas with holy energy, I will drain it, remove the isolating seals, and let the demonic energy do its work properly. It will be painful, VERY painful. The only reason why this will work, as I estimate this, is that your soul also has a lingering link to holy energy as well.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“The blessing...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, the blessing. I will rot in hell for this, but what I am trying to do is use this to reverse the monsterisation procedure. It was flawed, and this is what we will try to take advantage of.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“We?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, we. After I seal your soul, your conscience will be isolated as well. I don’t know of the effects of the procedure, but it will affect your intellect and your emotions, and you will need to keep it balanced and stable. Veronica will have to keep your body restrained and full of demonic energy, so that it won’t deteriorate. We will have to work in perfect sync. All three of us.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“If memory serves, you will need more than just us for this.” Alatar said thoughtfully.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I have arranged a group of mages and priests, with a couple of shadow knights for company. I have taken some devil gems with me, so that I can direct the holy energy accurately. This is going to be a VERY dangerous, and very difficult procedure, Alatar. So, you must be well rested and in top form.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> Silence followed his words, broken only by the noise of cutlery. Alatar was still processing the risks involved, when his friend emptied his mug. “So, now is a good time to ask this: do you want to go through with it? We can still ask for help from Druella and her mother. Maybe they will come up with something less risky.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“That’s… a lot to think about. Let me answer later… I need to clear my head.” Alatar stood up and went outside, while Veronica kept staring at Pallanto.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“He’s gone, now you can say it.” Pallanto said in a tired voice.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What are his chances?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Frankly, I have no idea. This is completely unknown territory, for everyone. I tried to think of anything that might improve his chances, however slightly. You can understand, it is not something easy for me as well. I’ve already operated on him when I broke the Seals of Nemesis, and his odds are worse now. He might go insane, or die.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You can ask for help-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">“Out of the question. I’ll be dealing with holy energy, along with demonic one. Lucella or Mimil will make matters worse.” He stood up with a groan. “We’d best get going. Make sure you are rested for tomorrow. If he changes his mind, it’s all right. I can understand it. But he must make his mind until tomorrow. A troubled mind can spell disaster.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I have made a reservation. A room for two, and a room for one.” Pallanto told the young brunette werecat at the entrance.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> The monstergirl, wearing a pink kimono decorated with flowers, bowed politely and guided them to the hall. The hostess, a yuki-onna with long blue hair and a blue kimono decorated with white snowflakes, was waiting them there. Sh e bowed to them and nodded to her helper, who guided Alatar and Veronica to their room. Pallanto followed the hostess without a word, as she guided him to his own room and entered it.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What is our situation?” he asked as soon as he had closed the door behind him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ We have withdrawn our border guards, under a pretense of a military exercise, and the humans seem to have done the same. The supplies you need are in that box.” the yuki-onna said softly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Thank you, good work.” Pallanto said, and with a groan he knelt before the wooden box and started inspecting its contents. He was absorbed in deep thought, when a pair of ice cold, soft hands on his shoulders rudely brought him to his senses.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What are you doing?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You look quite stressed...” he felt her cold breath tickle his ear.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He sighed. “I’m going to be VERY polite, and ask you to leave me alone. Like, right now.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Buuuuut...” the yuki-onna complained. He rolled his eyes. Raising one hand, now bathed in blue flames, he cleared his throat.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I am afraid I must insist, madam.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">The hostess left without a word, leaving the mage to review his audacious plan.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Aaaaahhhh, this is heaven… maybe not as good as the Fluffy Tails onsen, but still top-notch.” Alatar sighed, as he entered the bath. “ Get in, the water is just right.” After a few moments of silence, he turned to see his wife.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica looked at him with a troubled expression. He smiled. “You are worried, I get it. Want to talk about it?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica started stripping, slowly. Usually the whole procedure would have her wet and exited, as she felt Alatar’s eyes on her, but now her mind was in turmoil. She undressed and entered the bath, straddling him without a word.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He run a finger across her spine, from neck to tail. She shuddered at his touch, and leaned on him with force, her breasts slapping his chest with a wet noise. She kissed him desperately, passionately.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> After a few long moments, their lips parted. “Please, don’t do it. I can’t stand the idea of losing you. We can wait and see if Lady Druella can help, she surely can help, she is the Demon Lord’s daughter, just give it some time-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He interrupted her with a hug, squeezing her body tightly on his own. “I am afraid, too. When I turned and sealed myself, I had nothing to lose. Now I have. Many things, in fact.” He started stroking her head, when he felt her trembling and sobbing on his shoulder. “But I have my trust in Pallanto. I trusted him with my life, more than once, and he never disappointed me. He is the only one who has knowledge of what happened to me, apart from myself. And, while he is pessimist by nature, he is also dedicated. I am sure he has gone to great lengths to propose this. This may be a first for everyone, but he has the best chance to fix me.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He pulled her face from his shoulder. The sadness twisting her face made his heart clench painfully. He kissed her deeply, trying to calm her… and himself, as well. The procedure that Pallanto had described terrified him to no end. His rational mind told him that this was the best course of action for a permanent solution to his decaying soul, but he was terrified of what would happen if things went wrong. Veronica would be so devastated, she could die from shock and depression. Pallanto would never forgive himself, and sink further in the alcohol spiral. Frederic, Father Fullmoon…

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He mentally smiled a very bitter smile. Even though the list of his friends was pitifully small, the mental pressure was enormous. He ran his hands over the body of his wife, trying desperately to memorize every little detail he could; how she felt, how she smelled, how she tasted…

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He broke the kiss after a while, panting. Veronica must have felt the same urge, as her hands traveled all over his body, until they stopped on his member. Her soft touch caused it to react immediately, earning a groan from Alatar. Raising her hips, she impaled herself on his manhood, with deliberate slowness. Alatar’s hands grabbed her ass and pushed down, but she kept her slow pace, watching his eyes flare with desire and feeling his hands caressing her body with increasingly erratic movements.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Her slow torture continued for a while; she went up and down his length teasingly, looking deeply into his eyes. Her hands were at the sides of his head, massaging his ears, and their foreheads touched; she could feel his ragged breath, his need to kiss her, to fill her, but she kept teasing him until her own desire overflowed, and she started humping him as hard as she could. The shockwave of their climax was magnified by the long time she teased him in the hot water; Alatar pushed his manhood all the way and released his load deep inside her, filling her to capacity and beyond, as both of them trembled and convulsed with each wave. His eyes rolled back, and darkness overcame him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">His senses came back to him slowly. The first thing he felt was the warm and soft… something his head rested on. A small breeze cooled his face, and his body was clothed, and lying on a futon. After that came Veronica’s sweet smell, and the sound of her humming a melody. He opened his eyes slowly, and focused his blurred vision.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica’s smiling face greeted him… but it was upside-down. She smiled awkwardly, and brushed his hair from his eyes. “How are you?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He smiled back. “Just you wait until I get better… then I’ll return the favor manifold.” He tried to get up, but his wife just pressed him on her lap pillow.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Now now, no need to rush… let me spoil you a little. I want to try something the hostess showed me...” blushing faintly, she turned his face to the side and picked up a bamboo ear cleaner. “She insisted that I do it… alone.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica smiled at her husband’s blush, and proceeded to clean his ears with gentle, feather-light moves. Her heart beat faster with every content sigh, but she tried to focus on her task. Alatar couldn’t do anything more than sigh, as his Veronica used the thin wooden tool to lightly scrape inside his ear; after his furious climax, the pleasure was overwhelming.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He felt a jolt travel from his ear across his body when Veronica blew lightly on it. She repeated the procedure for his other ear, with increasingly better results. At the end, Alatar couldn’t find the strength to move; the feeling of comfort was overpowering.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Feeling better?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes… much better. Thank you.” he stretched and yawned. “We should get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">Veronica smiled and laid beside him, hugging him gently, her embrace guiding him to sleep.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The morning sun lifted the cloak of mist that had covered the inn, revealing the three figures standing at the entrance. Palanto was stretching his limbs, still sore from last night’s troubled sleep.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“So, have you made up your mind? Are we going through with this?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar shot Veronica a look before answering. “Yes.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I hope there are no second thoughts and doubts. In fact, I insist that there are none of them. The resonance must be perfect.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Yes, Pallanto, there are no doubts. Let’s get going. Where are we headed, exactly?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“There is a small valley in the mountains. It is a magical hotspot, or so the druids and the dryads told me – three ley lines cross there. The place should be good for the procedure, as it will slow down magical decomposition and increase spell control.” Pallanto said, as he got on his horse. “It’s a few hours’ ride from here, and the detachment that I asked should arrive by nightfall. When the moon is at its peak, we will begin.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You didn’t leave a single detail out, did you? It’s a full moon tonight.” Alatar asked, winking at Veronica.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I wouldn’t joke, if I were you, pal. This could very well be our last trip.” came Pallanto’s curt reply. He urged his horse, and the other two followed suit.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The road to the hidden valley was bad, full of dangerous twists, and badly maintained. When they arrived at the spot, however, they realized that it was worth it. The ground seemed to glow with heat, there were trees and foliage not seen anywhere else in the mountains, as well as a spring, pouring crystal-clear water to a small stream.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Well, I’ll be… this is a fine place to have a picnic, Pallanto. You really should have brought Lucella with you.” Alatar smiled.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Ha ha, really funny. It’s actually the ley lines resonating here. Water, fire and earth. Anyway, It’s time for me to get to work; I must draw the seals and diagrams. Care to help me, Alatar?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“… Fiiiiiiine….”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You can have your picnic with Veronica in a few, this won’t take long.” Pallanto said casually, as Veronica giggled.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I’ll set the picnic stuff, then.” she said cheerfully, as she took off to find a good spot. The two men kept drawing and casting spells on the ground, making the runes and seals glow, before fading out.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“This is easier than I anticipated.” Alatar commented.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Well, duh, we are in a magical hotspot. You can manipulate the arcane forces easier. Didn’t you learn as much at the Academy?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I did. But observing it in practice… even with my body, this feels like a breeze!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“We will need this kind of advantage for what is coming ahead. Phew! Finally done! Let’s get to Veronica, I am starving.” Pallanto sighed, as he cast the last spell. The two men made their way to the succubus, who was happily munching a sandwich, sitting in the middle of a small clearing. The three of them ate and chatted until dusk, growing more and more silent as the sun lowered over the horizon.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“They are late...” Pallanto mumbled.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Maybe they were delayed by the terrain? The paths here were in pretty bad shape.” Alatar tried to reason.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Let’s hope they make it. We have one shot at this-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The screeching of a projectile was all the warning they got. Veronica lunged on Alatar, pinning him down mere moments before a bolt whizzed by them. Pallanto fell to the ground, and crawled to take cover, as the couple did the same.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What the hell?! It’s us, you morons!” Pallanto shouted at the direction of the attacker. Three figures emerge from the forest, clad in black cloaks. Two of them wore armor underneath, the heavy plate mail making their forms bulkier. The most alarming thing, however, was their eyes, shining a violet glow amid the spreading darkness.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Three more of the artificial incubi? Here?” Alatar spat through gritted teeth. The unarmored incubus re-armed the crossbow he was holding. Alatar’s face darkened, as he got a glimpse of the weapon. Military issue crossbow, probably blessed. The middle figure raised an armored hand, and spoke.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“It’s no use to try to hide, flee or resist. Come out and surrender.” The incubus’ voice was deep and commanding, like he was used to giving orders. Alatar pulled his serrated blade, murmuring an incantation, and rose from his cover to see them.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Who are you?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Oh, our informant was correct, it is the Forgotten one.” the middle figure responded. “We have come to… escort you to the -”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You didn’t answer my question.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“It is highly impolite to interrupt.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“And it is highly impolite not to introduce yourself, nevermind trying a ranged sneak attack. You already know who I am.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“True, true.” The middle incubus raised his hands in a mock apology. “Pardon my manners.” He pulled his hood over his head, revealing a man in his forties. An irrecular scar ran across the left side of his face, from temple to jaw. Pallanto’s gasp set him on edge; it was highly unusual for his friend to have such a reaction.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I am Sir Allan Helmstone, paladin in Her service.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar took a deep breath, as memories and stories of the deeds of his adversary filled his mind. A prominent figure and devout faithful of the Order, the paladin had gone missing after a heroic expedition, never to be seen again. Most assumed that he had retired, or fallen prey to a cowardly attack from a kunoichi. Some of the more versed in the monstergirl lore assumed that he was taken by an echidna, posing as a female companion.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Alatar, we must flee. This is not a battle that we can win unscathed.” Pallanto whispered. Alatar shook his head. “It’s no use. That group of Order priests won’t be coming, will it, paladin?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Calling your little heretic group’s misguided souls as priests of the Order is an insult to Her.” Sir Allan frowned. “But you are correct. They won’t be coming. And it’s no use to flee.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I assumed as much. Well then, I guess it’s high time we skip the pleasantries. You know I won’t be coming quietly.” He raised his serrated blade, still glowing with a dull red.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Alatar! Come to your senses!” Pallanto almost pleaded.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“They are incubi. They will be able to track us down easily. We can’t move freely in this terrain. We have to end this, here. Also...” Alatar took a shaky breath. “… if it comes down to the worst, I want you to… break the Code of Conduct.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Damn it!” Pallanto growled, as he jumped from his cover. “Oh air, come forth, join the light, wrath of the gods, smite the evil, obey!” Blue-white lightning surged from the mages arms and shot from his fingertips. The unarmored incubus raised a hand.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Oh earth, come forth, join the water, fortify, shield, protect!” a mud wall rose with a rumble in front of them, intercepting the lightning spell’s path. Some globs of clay were torn off from Pallanto’s attack, but the wall withstood it.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Let’s leg it!” Pallanto turned to leave, but the other armored incubus had covered the distance with inhuman speed. Veronica’s blade whistled in the wind, clashing with the blessed weapon the incubus swung at Pallanto. The succubus held her blade with both hands; the force of the blow was immense. Pallanto tried to go past the two combatants and hit the incubus with a spell, but he ducked when he heard the sound of an incoming fireball, narrowly dodging it as it flew over his head. The mage incubus was already upon him, his clay wall crumbling behind him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar did not move, as his wife and his friend engaged the two incubi behind him. His whole attention was focused on the man before him, as he drew his blessed blade. The clay wall crumbled down, removing the only barrier between them.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">''Deep breaths, find your focus. I will need both swordplay and magic for this one. Blessed blade… I must be agile. The wind embrace spell. I will need to disable him quickly. A lightning bolt from a close distance-''

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Sir Allen knelt, whispering a prayer, and glowing runes shone from his armor and through his cloak. Alatar’s blood froze. Blessed armor. How could he wear such a thing?

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ Oh wind, circle within, embrace my body, move me as you, rage, torrent, obey!” he focused his mind for the spell, still in shock at the sight of an incubus wearing blessed armor. The monk’s words resurfaced in his mind. What even the others don’t know, is that this isn’t the only thing that can keep you alive.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">He dashed forth, his blade coming down in an arc in front of him. The knight didn’t move; he stood his ground and clashed his blessed weapon with Alatar’s blade. Small sparks and a deafening metallic screech followed the impact, as Alatar pushed as hard as he could… but he felt like he tried to move a mountain with his hands. The knight’s blade didn’t move at all. Sensing danger from a counterblow, he quickly sidestepped and tried to hit the knight from a blind spot, looking intently at his armor, trying to find a weak spot.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">But it was not some rookie that he tried to take on; it was a paladin. Sir Allen moved quickly, keeping Alatar in front of him, parrying his strikes. His moves were fluid and seemingly effortless, while Alatar struggled to keep his breath in check. The wind embrace spell kept draining at his mana, but releasing it would spell his defeat. Sir Allen’s counterstrikes were impossibly fast, and sometimes off just by a hair’s width. This only increased Alatar’s anxiety. A paladin was a very skilled and trained warrior, picked from the ranks of the knights for their deeds and unwavering faith. A paladin of Sir Allen’s caliber would never miss. That only meant that he was toying with him, and wearing him down. He intended to capture him alive.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The sounds of battle behind him intensified; Pallanto and Veronica didn’t have an easy time. The two incubi looked trained. Gritting his teeth, he swiped at the paladin’s legs, and dashed back, hoping to disengage from his fight for a brief moment and defeat one of the two incubi. Then, with two versus one, he might have a chance.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">But the paladin was not deterred. He parried his serrated blade, and simultaneously body-slammed him. He let out a pained cry, as his hand touched the blessed armor. He grabbed the knight and tumbled backwards, trying to roll him over his body, but the paladin’s armored hand grabbed him by the throat.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Thinking quickly, Alatar grabbed the hands of his opponent. “Oh wind, join-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Sir Allan quickly squeezed his throat, silencing him. He rose and threw him like a ragdoll. He crashed to a tree and fell to his knees. His vision became blurry, and his lungs burned. He heard Veronica’s frightened cry, and raising his head, he saw her rushing to him, while Sir Allan raised his blessed blade at her. Sheer instinct and fury made him jump to his feet. Fury…

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The intoxicating sense of power filled him, as he summoned his mana. The magic resonance of this location made it ever easier. “Fire, come forth, blaze, rage, destroy, OBEY!” Black flames shot forth from his hands, rushing towards the paladin. Sir Allan raised his hand and murmured something, and a blinding light shot forth, colliding with the black inferno. The two forces struggled for a moment before exploding. He saw his wife falling back; she crashed on the ground and tumbled further away, before stopping and standing on her knee.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">But this was just a passing thought in Alatar’s rage-filled mind. The power was calling… and he did not deny it. Smiling wickedly, he gripped his blade.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Sir Allan felt the change, and gripped his blessed blade with both hands. His armor’s runes glowed brighter, as he charged towards Alatar, who took a battle stance. Black flames enveloped him and his weapon, as he clashed with the charging paladin at full force. The sound of their blades colliding echoed through the clearing.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Sir Allan was surely holding back before, but now he fought like a man possessed. The two combatants fought with impossible speed and strength, their weapons spitting sparks and flames around the point of clash, the deafening screeching of steel accentuating each attack. The paladin’s armor repelled the engulfing black flames from him, as he parried and attacked, looking for an opening. Alatar’s attacks were becoming more and more reckless, as the hate consumed his thoughts and the demonic mana fed on his fury, making his eyes glow ever brighter. With a step forth, he locked blades with Sir Allan and pushed forth.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Not so smug now, are we?” he spat with a wicked grin. With a burst of strength, he managed to push the paladin back. “FIRE! COME FORTH! CONSUME! DESTROY! RAGE! OBEY!” Streaks of red-black flames flowed from his arms and shot forth.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“VERONICA! TAKE COVER!” Pallanto’s keen magical sense was his only warning, as he screamed and jumped to take cover behind a rock, casting a barrier as fast as he could. The fiery blast broke through his protection and tossed him back. He stood up coughing.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What is that idiot thinking?! Veronica, are you all right?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I will live… what has happened to him?” Veronica stumbled to Pallanto, grabbing her hand.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“This is bad… damn it! He is using monster mana. A LOT of it. And he seems to be lost in his fury.” Pallanto’s mind worked fast, trying to find a way out of this situation. “I will try to-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“They are still alive, those two.” Veronica interrupted him. The two incubi had survived the blast and were coming to them at full speed, their empty faces showing no emotion. Veronica and Pallanto stood back to back, and prepared to face them. However, the incubi changed direction at the last moment, and Veronica grabbed Pallanto and jumped out of the way, as Alatar and Sir Allan raced by, exchanging fierce strikes. The two men no longer cared about anything; they fought to kill.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar laughed like a maniac, as he rained fiery strikes on the paladin, who parried then with calm focus. The flames around them scattered the rest of the combatants, as they fought all over the clearing. Pallanto winced when he sensed another big spike of magical energy, and dodged another fiery blast. He looked at Veronica.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Listen carefully. Alatr will run out of steam soon. When that happens, you must put him to sleep. I’ll create a distraction. Just grab him and go.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“What about you?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“It’s him they want first. I’ll manage… maybe I’ll get a horse and cast a spell on it. Anyway, they will go after you. Make sure you don’t get caught. That village we stopped by last night is an outpost. The hostess of the onsen will aid you.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“He doesn’t seem to be running out of steam...” Veronica said, worried, as she looked at Alatar. Pallanto looked at his friend and cursed. “Damn it, the fusing is becoming stronger, and this place’s magical resonance is intensifying it. I’ll have to place a seal on him, or we’ll lose him forever. We must-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A bright flash interrupted him. Sir Allan had shot forth a ray of light, hitting Alatar’s fire spell head-on. Pallanto waited for the right moment to act… but that moment never came.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“BY THE POWER OF THE GODESS, LET THE EVIL BE PURGED! LIGHT BE MY WEAPON, FAITH BE MY SHIELD!” the paladin roared, as he raised his blade to the sky. Pallanto cast his strongest barrier; the paladin was going all-out. Intense light flooded the area, colliding with the black flames that roared to life… but were soon pushed back. Alatar’s pained cry told them who was the victor.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The light died down, revealing the paladin, his cloak burned in many places, and Alatar, kneeling before him, his face and hands bearing scorch marks from Sir Allen’s attack. He rose to his feet shakily; he would not die on his knees. Turning his eyes to the side, he looked at Pallanto’s and Veronica’s mortified expressions, and just smiled. Pallanto’s face hardened; he understood what Alatar wanted. If 'it comes down to the worst, I want you to break the Code of Conduct. When he nodded, Alatar turned his eyes on the paladin before him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You fought well.” Sir Allan commented, breathing heavily. “It’s a pity that you chose the wrong side.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Says the paladin incubus” Alatar scoffed. “I never expected a paladin to follow my path.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I want to win this war. Unlike you, who wishes to see it continuing forever.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Then spare me the sermon and finish it. I deserve as much, at least.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“I did not come here to kill you. If I wanted you dead, you would be. No, you” he pointed Alatar with his blessed blade “are to come with me. So, now-”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto watched, as Alatar jumped on the paladin’s blade. He heard Veronica’s scream, as she jumped to him. It was time to fulfill his friend’s wish. With an incantation, he hit Veronica with a paralyzing spell from behind; the succubus fell to the ground, her body rigid and her face frozen in an expression of pure terror. He grabbed her and made a mad dash for their horses; hopefully they hadn’t run far off. With the corner of his eye, he saw Alatar push the blade all the way through his chest, as he hugged the stunned paladin. What followed, however, almost made him drop Veronica.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Alatar grit his teeth, trying to cope with the pain. Curiously, the blessed blade didn’t burn so much… Gripping Sir Allan’s shoulders, he tried his final gambit.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“Seven seals the Goddess dictates,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Seven seals, to break, forbade,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">And those, here, I shall release,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">My soul will never find peace.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">I order open the Heavens' gate,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The abyss shall be my fate,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Calling down upon myself,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">The magic power of man and elf.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Hear me, oh Godess great,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Your heretic hero calls awake,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Your divine power of yore,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Like none has ever called before.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Here it will become my grave,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">That of a worthless hero knave,

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A heretic's wish, with dying breath

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Dooming my soul to eternal death.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Blue-white currents of magic started spiraling around the two men, gaining in speed and number. Alatar’s eyes had lost all of their violet hue, as he stared at Sir Allan. Now, two frozen white eyes stared at the face of the paladin. He spat a big amount of blood on him, as his lungs filled with the crimson liquid from his pierced heart.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Pallanto struggled to get away, his heart beating furiously, straining to keep up with him and his load. He saw the two incubi closing in, and cursed, but the two figures ran past him and towards the two men. He looked back, and the sight caught his breath.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">Sir Allan tried to pry Alatar off him, in a way that seemed… desperate. Alatar’s voice changed, as the color of the magic currents around him turned black and red.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">“You learned nothing from me, paladin. I will do whatever it takes to win.” he said, before spitting out another mouthful of blood on Sir Allan. “Epikataratos imi apo panton ton thniton epi tis gis, eis tin gin ex o elifthin, ouhi apelefso, stenousa ke tremousa y psichi emou esetai epi tis gis, eos to telos ton imeron aftis.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">A blood curse?!

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.03in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; font-style: normal">The last thing Pallanto saw before loading Veronica to a horse and mounting the other, was the paladin summon a pillar of white light, and the mage incubus screaming an incantation. He cast the wind rider spell on both horses and with a yell, he rode at full enhanced gallop, with the paralyzed Veronica in tow.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal">A/N: Read and review.