The Story of Midnight

Chapter 28

"Revenge, the sweetest morsel to the mouth that ever was cooked in hell."
― Walter Scott, The Heart of Mid-Lothian

***

The night was filled with the sound of metal clashing against each other, grunts of pain and labored breathing.

The Commander stood with his sword point hovering above my neck as I looked up at him from my defeated position; sitting with my arms back to support my heavy body.

Agony and exhaustion gnawed at my body as my sweat mixed with my blood.

"Don't tell me this is over, demon-girl."

I grunted as I tried to get up, but even the slightest movement sent my head spinning. If I had all my senses I was sure I would see black dots float across my vision and I would probably pass out. But something kept me from showing such weakness. Maybe it was my resolve to finally beat the Commander at his own game or maybe it had to do with that idiot lying on the ground over there. Either way, I was going to make the Commander regret ever crossing blades with me.

A scream tore itself from my throat as I lunged at him.

"That's it, demon! Come at me with the intent to kill." He chuckled darkly.

I paused for a split second, hesitating because I didn't want to kill him even though I knew he deserved such a fate after all he has done.

The Commander knocked me back to the stone ground; my face smacking against the floor.

"What was that, demon, you don't intend to keep your worthless life?"

There was a moment of silence as I rolled over then I felt his foot kick my hands, causing me to let go of my weapons and stomped on my hand. I grit my teeth together still refusing to show weakness.

"Why don't you just die, Grim Reaper?" He asked as he moved his foot from side to side.

I laughed weakly. "You can't get rid of Death."

I think that angered him since he kicked my ribs. Pain exploded across my side as I clutched at it and coughed raggedly.

When I was done, I laid on the ground, panting, staring at the sky I couldn't see.

Again, I couldn't reflect back on my life, I was too worried about the breaths I was taking—would they be my last?

A cool breeze played with my bangs and caressed my face.

Was that a yes or a no?

My eyes started to close, wanting nothing but to leave reality when I felt something pierce my shoulder. At first I couldn't feel it then it started to throb and it finally blossomed. My eyes snapped open at the intense pain coursing through my shoulder.

I numbly reached for whatever stabbed me and realized it was a sword.

Now the Commander has me pinned to the ground.

"Are you awake now, demon?" His voice danced around my ears.

"Now you have my attention." I snarled in anger and frustration as I felt blood trickle out of the wound. Now I won't be able to use my left arm; his weapon sliced through the bone, disconnecting my arm from my shoulder.

"You know I'm not going to let you have a quick death, right?"

I didn't have the strength to remove the blade from my shoulder.

"So, what do you have in mind because I think you're running out of ideas," I grumbled.

"Kill her now!" The crowd yelled.