Priscilla's group reached Blackthorn's gates full of vigor, but as they saw the entrance's ransacked state, worry struck them, and they rushed in. The sight of severed limbs and bodies littering the streets sickened them as they moved toward the inner area.

  The town square was a whirlwind of disaster. Shrieks and steel slammed against the stalwart buildings, echoing with dismay. Rubble piled up atop lifeless bodies and severed limbs, their cold blood seeping into the soil beneath the cobbled streets.

  From within the imperial ranks, flesh ripped and tore as grotesque aberrations clawed out from the human mask that disguised them, and they attacked with excited hisses. The hungering creatures slammed mercenary and soldier alike against cold stone walls, pressing them against it with bared, snarling fangs aimed at their throats.

  "What is this evil!?" Some of the soldiers cried out, their voices choked with disbelief.

  "You've all been fooled by demons! They've infested the empire from the top down, polluting it with their hateful touch." One of the mercenaries shouted. His hands slick with blood and sweat as he pushed back against his attacker.

  Pale-faced men glanced at one another as desperation ran down their backs, mingling with sweat. Seeing the town's state, something they caused with their hands and the transformed monsters they called comrades, mixed emotions swam through them.

  The largest of the demons fought against Jared, battering him through a building's already feeble wall and causing it to crumble. Jared grunted as the stone pressed against his back, but he endured and struck back against the beast, sending it crashing against the ground. "Don't let up! We can't let these bastards destroy everything we've been working toward. Until the countess returns, fight back!" Jared shouted in a desperate attempt to raise morale.

  One thing nobody could say about the Ellis Empire was that its soldiers were cowards. Despite their conflicted thoughts and confusion, having seen the bravery fueling these people who lived far from the empire's main cities, the soldiers couldn't help but get inspired.

  "Protect the people! Absolve your guilt through action!" One of the higher-ranked imperial's commanded. "There's no place for these vile abominations within our homeland! Purge them all!"

  The demon picked himself off the ground and sneered at the mortal's arrogant words. He howled, causing a buzzing sound to fill the town and darkness to shroud the sky. Shademauls unfurled their wings and dived into the square with pained screeches rippling through the masses.

  As they dove into the crowds, the bigger Shademauls lifted the powerless into the air, tearing them limb from limb before anyone could stop them. Blood rained down upon the square, creating a nauseating stench to fill the area. But the creature's ruthless act also stoked the flames of the humans' fury.

  From afar, Priscilla's group also saw the deluge of Shademauls flooding the evening sky. Priscilla leaped off her steed and rose into the air. "Follow behind, I'm going ahead." She said as the wind pushed her toward the square faster than the horses could keep up with.

  Priscilla reached the town square like a winter breeze. She hovered in the sky, witnessing the devastating state below. The bloodied streets and the desperate clashes as her people fought against the seemingly endless swarms of demonic creatures.

  Jared's voice cut through the night, loud and proud as he spoke, "Don't give up! Fight until the countess returns. The empire has yet to fall. Hope remains as long as we endure!"

  The mercenaries staying in Blackthorn and the folks trained by Jared roared in agreement, throwing themselves at the bitter battle before them. For the imperial soldiers, it was a different story. They had no understanding of this countess or why they should care, but despite that, they gritted their teeth and fought back for survival's sake.

  Priscilla smiled up above, "There's nothing to worry about. We're back now. Leave the rest to us," She said as her body began to glow with power. Her voice was calm, but it spread down, causing the battles to pause as many turned their heads upward.

  The main demon hissed as he saw the woman above. The power surging from her terrified him as familiar memories of the past swam through his mind. He shrieked, causing the Shademauls to swarm toward Priscilla's location en masse. Thousands of them shrouding the very sky with their unruly presence.

  "Be careful!" Jared shouted as he rushed toward the demon, but Priscilla merely laughed.

  The markings on her body glowed with a warm light that bathed the town beneath her. Flames roiled from her hands, and she attacked the Shademauls. The creatures hated the light, and fire was merely one type of light in their minds. Seeing the woman's searing blaze, the Shademauls frenzied and rushed at her with mindlessness.

  Flames erupted like a swelling tide that washed over the creatures. And as they came, they vanished into ash that drifted in the wind just the same.

  Priscilla's swift disposal of the beasts caused the demons below to howl frantically, attempting to flee. Jared struck at the main beast, halting his steps. At the same time, Jensen and the rest arrived, turning the battle into a one-sided extermination.

  "You bastard, it took you long enough to return!" Jared said toward Jensen with a smile across his face.

  "Save it. We were saving the continent! It takes time to run across the damn place." Jensen retorted as he slammed his waraxe across a demon's fleshy torso.

  Another demon lunged at Jensen from behind, but an arrow struck it square in the back of the head, causing it to tumble. Jensen reacted and turned, slamming his axe down atop the creature's head. "Thanks, Vera." He said as he flung the blood off his axe.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  The imperial soldiers gawked as they fought back against their own demons. Seeing these people wreaked havoc on their already conflicted understanding. "Don't allow them to outshine the empire's brave!" One of the soldiers shouted as he bore down upon the closest demon.

  Priscilla lowered herself from the sky with an expectant gaze as her people and the empire's soldiers culled the town of the demon's presence. This is good. She thought with a smile across her face. Against these plague-like evils, humanity stood a chance when united.

  As the last demons fell under the blade of hope. The people rejoiced and cheered, thrusting their blades and fists into the air.

  "These vermin ain't that dangerous!" Jared arrogantly spat as he kicked the demon's corpse away from himself.

  "You merely got attacked by some trash, Jare." Jensen retorted. "We went against some insane creatures while traveling to the sand kingdom. Well, our Lady mostly did, but still. You would be shocked at some of these vicious monsters."

  "What!?" The imperial soldiers gasped. "There's worse creatures out there?"

  "There is," Priscilla spoke as she approached the people. Her clear blue eyes shone as she gazed across them. "What you've seen thus far are mere foot soldiers in a grand army of corruption."

  "There's a war brewing in the empire, and now you've found yourself at a crossroads. You can flee and attempt to protect your loved ones. You can cower and attempt to gain some modicum of acceptance from the demons. Or you can join us and fight."

  "Think about it for now," Priscilla said before turning to Jensen and the others. "The rest of you, there's work to be done. Check on the survivors, clear up the casualties, and toss these scum onto a pile to be burned." Her command rang across the town, crisp and clear for all to hear.

  Everyone worked into the night and into the starlit morning. Priscilla burned the demons, turning their worthless flesh and bone into ash to blow in the wind. While those who could be saved were saved, and those who couldn't were gathered for burial.

  As the starlit sky hung overhead, embracing the land in its warmth. Tears and sobs broke through. Cold corpses sunk embraced by the lifeless ground, never to be seen again. Their families cried out for the injustice. There were so many things they still yearned for, but they knew this would be the only chance they'd get to let their emotions swell.

  Priscilla stood at the back, watching over and aiding the entire process. She moved the soil and buried the people with her own hands. It was the least she could do for those who fought against the odds, believing in her name and claim.

  "Today, we mourn for those valiant souls unjustly taken by a demon's grasp. But tomorrow, we fight back and rain fire upon their wretched existence." Priscilla spoke once all of the people were covered in soil. "Those of you who cannot fight, worry not, for we shall avenge your loved ones, no matter what."

  "Yes, Countess Valentine!" Several spoke, cheering Priscilla's benevolence.

  "We'll oblige, My Lady!" Many others agreed. Nodding with fervent gazes.

  If the demons were a terrifying evil perched atop their shoulders. Then Priscilla herself was like a divine entity shining upon them and giving them hope.

  Priscilla left the funeral with Jensen and the others, alongside many of the imperial soldiers who were ready to speak with her.

  "Back there... when they said Countess Valentine, were they referring to the Valentine ducal house?" One of the soldiers asked.

  "That's right," Priscilla replied flatly. "Duke Valentine is my father."

  "That... can't be! His only heir was executed for wi-" The soldier choked down the words as he recalled the might the woman had shown.

  "Witchcraft," Priscilla said with a smile. "Yes, there was that. I still need to meet with my father about that. It left a pretty nasty scar that has yet to heal."

  "But, back then, I had no power, magic or witchcraft. It was one of the demon's ploys to set their schemes into motion. One of those creatures we killed confessed they had murdered more than a thousand children for their plans."

  "Then-" The soldier muttered, trembling as he recalled many things before they set off on their missions. "Is Duke Valentine one of the demons? Or involved with them?" He cried out with widened eyes.

  "I don't know yet," Priscilla honestly replied. "Everything that happened back then was too sudden and confusing. And I was too foolish to understand the intricacies involved."

  "He might be, or perhaps he has his own ulterior motives. Whatever the case is, I must speak with him before it's too late."

  "No, wait... This is terrible!" The soldier blurted. "Countess or Duchess- You don't know this, but the emperor has gone mad! He's struck fear into the hearts of the people and commanded us to fend against treasonous foes. That's why we came this far to Blackthorn! Even now, many clamor for Duke Valentine to return to the imperial city and strike his brother down to free them. If he's truly one of the demons, then it's a disaster waiting to happen!"

  "What?" Priscilla said, eyes widening at the reveal.

  "Holy- We're doomed!" Jared muttered in disbelief.

  Jensen slapped him on the head. "Relax, we have Priscilla on our side."

  "I don't know, Jens, this is major news. If my father becomes the new emperor and wins the people's hearts, it'll be a nightmare to make them aware of the demons." Priscilla said. "We must make haste toward the imperial city. If the emperor's gone mad, he must be a puppet under a demon's control. We can't let them have their way."

  "Jens, make preparations! Split the warriors and mercenaries into two groups: those who will protect the town while we're gone and those who will join us." Priscilla commanded. "And you- have you made your choices? Will you join us, flee, or pray?" She asked the imperial soldiers.

  "We greet the future owner of the empire!" One of the soldiers knelt before Priscilla. "If the emperor is doomed and the duke a traitor, the empire only has you now."

  Priscilla trembled, shock flooding her yet again. "What do you mean? What of the emperor's children? What of the imperial family's bloodline?"

  "They're all dead already..." The soldier replied with a chilling tone. "Accused of treason and heresy."

  "Dammit. Now, we really must make haste. The demons' plans are speeding up." Priscilla muttered with pain coursing through her head. "Go, Jens! Time is running out."

  "Yes, My Lady!" Jensen replied and rushed off.

  It was only a matter of time before the bells of war tolled for the empire, and now it was the time that everyone had to do their part for survival's sake.