Nyxoria, 28th of Lyra, 518 ER
Under the watchful gaze of the moon and its myriad stars, a fateful night unfolded in the kingdom of Goazer. In the province of Topple, two demons—Barksley and Leah—journeyed from Denair, the formidable military bastion of the demon realm. Dispatched by the dread lord Demonga Dilts, their mission was clear: infiltrate Topple, assassinate Minister Benjamin, and abscond with a crucial manuscript penned by Abel's father, Alex, a prominent official of Topple.
Disguised as a wealthy couple, they arrived at Topaz, where the minister resided. After gaining entrance, they approached the fortress-like gate, where two guards, a male and a female, stood watch. The male guard, noticing them, advanced from the gate and halted them. Meanwhile, a guard on the roof chamber above the gate peered through binoculars, his eyes narrowing as he spotted something amiss. He nudged his fellow guard, who immediately relayed the silent signal to the guards below. One of them, with urgency, hastened to the door of a room where the captain was stationed. Captain Jack, engaged in a sensual activity with two female attendants, was disturbed by the knock, "Who goes there? Disturbing my sweet moments!" he sighs.
Benjy, the guard stationed at the door, stood rigid, his face pale with apprehension.
Benjy: "Forgive me, Captain Jack. There are two unannounced visitors at the gate, seeking audience, my lord."
He struggled to find his words but managed to speak at last.
Captain Jack, still entangled in his indulgences with two female attendants, responded absentmindedly,
Captain Jack: "How did the town guard fail to alert the Xerxes?" He muttered, "Likely insignificant guests. See what they desire and send them away. Can't you see I'm otherwise engaged? Or do you wish your superior no respite?" His voice was laced with irritation.
Benjy smirked, scratching his head in confusion, then quickly added,
Benjy: "Sire Jack, they reached the gate before the Xerxes could alert us. They instructed us to observe them without notifying the minister or the Topple Six."
Captain Jack, still distracted, responded,
Captain Jack: "Then simply alert the Topple Six, as they are the minister's primary security force."
Benjy explained,
Benjy: "Sire Jack, they arrived before the Xerxes could inform us and specifically warned against alerting the minister or the Topple Six. They mentioned you by name, Captain."
Now grasping the gravity of the situation, Captain Jack sighed reluctantly. He kissed the female attendants, his muscular hands resting on their waists, and said,
Captain Jack: "Apologies, ladies. Duty calls me to the gate. Shall we resume our delightful engagement later?"
The attendants smiled. Tinnie caressed his chest, hugging his neck with her other hand.
Tinnie: "Of course, Captain. You know where to find us when you're ready."
She rose, and Captain Jack smiled, his bare upper body and well-maintained physique evident despite his age. He nodded, and both Jenny and Tinnie stood, adjusting their attire. Jenny opened the door and stepped out, followed by a shy Tinnie.
Guard Benjy stepped aside, bowing in deference, but his eyes widened, and he drooled as Jenny looked him over, her gaze sweeping over his form in a coquettish and proud manner. She then strutted away with the same confident demeanor. Tinnie followed, waving at Benjy, who returned the gesture as she quickened her pace to catch up with Madam Jenny.
Captain Jack rose from his repose, retrieving his Guard Top Uniform jacket and a pristine white shirt. With practiced ease, he donned his attire, the fabric settling comfortably over his well-toned frame. Securing his two swords and thier scabbards to his belt, he completed his ensemble by placing his captain's hat upon his head. A devilish grin played upon his lips as he strode to the door, opening it to reveal Benjy, who knelt in deference, perspiration dotting his brow.
Captain Jack's smile widened as he stepped past the prostrate guard, making his way toward the gate's open chamber. Benjy followed silently, his gaze fixed upon the captain, momentarily forgetting his apprehension. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Benjy sighed, his thoughts drifting into a quiet soliloquy.
Benjy (thinking): "Ah, our captain leads a charmed life. While we toil, he commands respect and enjoys the company of those two enchanting ladies. Lady Jenny, with her alluring form, and Tinnie, so demure—perhaps untouched. The minister, they say, is no less indulgent, known for his dalliances across races. Handsome devil, he is. But Captain Jack, he's a legend. Protected the former minister from that demon—what was her name? Leander. Yes, that's it. Left him with that scar down his right eye and a weakened sword arm. Demons give me the chills."
Shuddering, Benjy snapped out of his reverie and quickened his pace, nodding to himself as he approached the gate's open chamber. There, Guards Jasmine and Lucas stood with their backs against the parapet wall. Upon Benjy's arrival, he hastened to activate the Sentinel Scope device.
Captain Jack glanced upward, noting Lucas and Jasmine engaged in conversation. Clearing his throat, he drew their attention. They immediately ceased their chatter, standing at attention and saluting. The captain acknowledged them with a nod.
Jasmine stepped forward, her posture rigid with military precision.
Jasmine: "Captain, two individuals seek entry to the minister's residence, claiming to be artifact merchants."
Captain Jack's expression grew serious as he turned toward the gate entrance. Raising an eyebrow, he narrowed his eyes and pointed toward the entrance.
Captain Jack: "You mention two individuals, yet I see only one woman. Where is her companion?"
Lucas, visibly nervous, wiped his sweaty forehead and swallowed hard before responding.
Lucas: "Sire, we were unaware of the discrepancy. Benjy received information from the guards at the gate, who reported a couple approaching. Benjy relayed this to you, based on intelligence from Xerxes. Later, when Jasmine checked the Sentinel Scope, we observed the couple and the guards, including Johnny, inspecting the wagon. We decided to await your arrival before taking action."
Captain Jack's anger flared. He slammed his fist onto the parapet wall, the sound echoing through the chamber.
Captain Jack: "Do you comprehend the peril you've introduced, not only to us but to the minister as well? Your vigilance should never waver. The Sentinel Scope should have remained fixed on the visitors, and additional guards should have been dispatched to reinforce the gate. The fact that Benjy had to summon me, based on confidential intelligence from Xerxes concerning these individuals, indicates a significant threat. Your negligence has compromised our security!"
Jasmine, Benjy, Bendy, and Lucas stood rooted in terror, their eyes fixed upon Captain Jack as he chastised them. Suddenly, a guard plummeted from the left gate tower, his body crashing lifelessly onto the stone floor. In that same heartbeat, a poison dart whizzed past the Captain's face, narrowly missing as he instinctively dodged. Before any could react, another guard fell from the right tower, his hand still clutching a mechanized crossbow, mere moments from firing at the mysterious woman who had vanished from the gate's entrance.
Captain Jack's eyes blazed with fury. Drawing his dual swords from their scabbards, he bellowed, "Benjy, make haste to the minister's chambers! Lucas, sound the alarm and rally the remaining guards to the minister's house. Jasmine, dispatch the Xerxes eagle with a message for reinforcements. Alert the Topple's Five of this dire threat. We need all hands to contain this menace!"
Without hesitation, Captain Jack leaped onto the parapet wall, sprinting toward the left gate tower. Approaching the tower, he launched into a daring somersault, entering through its window and narrowly avoiding another poison dart. "NOW!" he roared, his voice echoing through the chamber.()
The command shattered the guards' paralysis. Benjy, Lucas, and Jasmine sprang into action, their faces set with determination. They raced toward their assigned tasks, footsteps pounding the stone floor as they endeavored to protect the minister.
Inside the Gate Tower, Captain Jack landed a dropkick on Leah's chest. She smirked, eyes gleaming with malevolence, as she shapeshifted into a shorter form, dodging his attack. The force of his kick shattered the wooden table and chairs behind her.
Jack drew his swords, charging at Leah. But she vanished, reappearing meters away, her seductive laughter echoing through the tower. Snatching a crossbow from the ground, she fired an arrow at Jack. He deflected it with one sword, then executed a backflip, aiming a kick at her stomach.
Leah disappeared again, reappearing mid-air, one hand transforming into a Viking hammer. She swung at Jack's head, but he crouched, dodging the blow, and rolled across the floor, narrowly avoiding the hammer's crushing force.
Leah landed gracefully, laughter dripping with seductive malice. "You're quite the worthy opponent, Captain," she said, her voice husky and demonic. Touching her ear as if sending a message, she commanded, "Barksley, leave me to handle Captain Jack. Go after the minister and those insignificant guards."()
She gestured with her right hand, which transformed back into the Viking hammer. Barksley, her demonic companion, nodded, his body contorting and sprouting wings. He took to the sky as a dark eagle, flying toward the minister's house with ominous intent.
Leah's gaze returned to Captain Jack, eyes burning with malevolent intensity. "Now, Captain, let's continue our dance. I've longed for such a fight." She readied her hammer, its head gleaming with otherworldly energy.
Before Jack could react, Leah launched into a somersault, her hammer hurtling toward his head with bone-crushing force. Jack instinctively crouched and sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the deadly trajectory. The weapon struck the air with a resounding whoosh, mere inches from his skull.
Seizing the moment, Jack struck swiftly with his swords, targeting the juncture of Leah's hand and hammer. The blades bit deep, forcing Leah to stumble and fall to the floor with a loud thud.
Dazed for a split second, Leah performed an impressive Chinese get-up, her body flexing fluidly as she sprang back to her feet. Her eyes flashed with anger and surprise, widening in shock as she let out a blood-curdling scream: "Ahhh!" She vanished, reappearing as a spider on the tower roof, eyes fixed on Jack with a sinister grin. Her left hand transformed into a new Viking hammer, while her right hand, severed by Jack, remained disembodied.
Leah's laughter echoed through the tower as she brought her wounded hand to her face, eyes gleaming with excitement. She watched, mesmerized, as her hand rapidly healed before her eyes. Once healed, she tossed her head back, laughter growing more animated and intense.
Composing herself, her gaze locked on Jack, who looked on in shock and disbelief at her incredible healing speed. Leah's voice took on a seductive, playful tone: "Not bad, human! Not bad at all! You're the first to wound me in ages. But now, the game just got a lot more interesting!" Her eyes sparkled with mischief, hinting at the escalating danger ahead.
Leah's ecstatic scream filled the air as she unleashed the hammer from her left hand, eyes gleaming with exhilaration. The hammer hurtled toward Jack's forehead, but he dodged reflexively, avoiding the blow by a hair's breadth. The hammer crashed into the ground behind him, shattering on impact and sending shockwaves through the earth.
Jack's fear spiked as he felt the hammer's force reverberate through his body, mind reeling from the close call. Leah seized the moment, disappearing and reappearing behind him in an instant. Her right hand, now fully healed, transformed into a new Viking hammer, poised to strike Jack's head with deadly precision.
Anticipating Leah's next move, Jack acted swiftly, rolling onto his stomach in a lightning-fast reflex. This unexpected action caught Leah off guard, leaving her stunned and momentarily vulnerable. As Jack quickly sprang to his feet, he simultaneously used his legs to grasp the hammer Leah had swung, holding it mid-air. His swift maneuver left Leah frozen in a stunned position.
Jack used his leg to exert force on the hammer, pushing himself backward and causing Leah to stumble. He quickly regained his balance and drew his two swords, aiming to slash her hammer hands once more. As Leah recovered and steadied herself, Jack struck, successfully cutting off both her hammer hands.
With a half-smile, Jack thought he had the upper hand. But Leah's anger and agony fueled her next move. She used her sharp teeth to catch one of the swords, cloning herself in the process. The clone appeared behind Jack in an instant, a smirk on her face, as she then released the sword from her teeth. Jack's eyes widened in shock, mouth agape, realizing his precarious position.
The clone brought down a hammer. Jack tried to dodge, but in his desperation, he mistimed his move and threw his sword into Leah's clone, inadvertently driving the hammer into his own right shoulder, shattering the bones.
Leah screamed in agony, suffering from the aftereffects of the sword thrown by Jack, which struck her clone and caused her pain. The clone disappeared after being struck, leaving Leah wounded. Overwhelmed by the pain and weakness from the sword's impact, she tripped and fell through the window.
Jack, close beside her, tumbled from the shattered window, swept away by the wild momentum and chaos of their clash. Leah's anguished cries rang out, her wound still burning from the strike against her clone's chest. Jack, bracing for the fall, landed hard upon his injured shoulder—bones snapping and cracking beneath the brutal impact. The pain overwhelmed him, and darkness claimed his senses.
Meanwhile, Leah, having slowly recovered, shimmered and transformed into a mighty eagle. With powerful wings, she alighted safely on the eagle's feet. Then, she shifted back to her true form and collapsed onto her back on the cold stone floor, mere paces from Jack, her body still trembling from the fierce battle.
After a long moment, Leah, weakened but alive, dragged herself painfully to her feet. As she rose, her flesh and sinew healed swiftly, restoring her to her original state. She stretched languidly, yawned, and cracked her neck with deliberate ease. Then, with a seductive sway, she strode to where Jack lay half-dead.
Squatting beside him, she caressed his tangled hair, her gaze soft and happy, yet dripping with temptation. "Oh, Jack, that was awesome!" she purred, before planting a teasing kiss upon his brow.
Rising, Leah laughed devilishly, her eyes sparkling with mischief and dark delight.
To Be Continued...