Demon's War

Chapter 1: It Begins

        The moonlight cast pale, deformed shadows across a broad field. The branches of brittle pine trees swayed in the slight breeze that haunted the night air. The stars were cold and dull in the cloudless sky. Two human-like figures appeared at the fringe of the pines. They walked towards the center of the field and stood facing one another. The flash of claws shattered the peaceful atmosphere as one of the figures launched their self at the other. A sword flew up just in time to block the potentially deadly attack.

The two figures fought until the sun lifted its rosy rays above the pine trees. The one with the claws had shoulder length red hair and tan skin. Instead of human ears, upon her head were two lion’s ears, and a lion’s tail at the base of her back that lashed angrily from side to side. Her eyes had cat-like pupils that were surrounded by jade-green irises. The one that she attacked had jet black hair that reached her waist. Her skin was a chocolate brown and she was armed with a graceful sword. The blade shimmered from red to blue and was three and a half feet long. At the tip, the blade curled slightly to the left. Her eyes shone royal blue with aquamarine flecks on the outer edges.

They lunged at each other again and the lion-woman screamed, “Return the Necklace! I know you have stolen it and I shall destroy you if needed!”

The sword-woman howled with pain as the lion-woman raked her claws across her right arm. Without hesitation she switched her sword to her left hand and slashed a deep cut in the lion-woman’s knee. She swung her sword again and laughed with dry-humor, “You fool! You are the thief! You have stolen the Ring!”

The lion-woman screeched in outrage, “Melanna, how dare you accuse me of such a vile act when you have acted so poorly! Give me the Necklace, Melanna Itystal! Our strength will cease to exist without it!” Yet again her claws flashed, this time raking the woman named Melanna along the hip.

Melanna’s right leg quivered but held her weight. She arched her sword over her head and snarled, “Oh you complete liar, Syra Vilane! Only once you give me the Ring will I cooperate, but never before then!” She brought down her sword and slashed deep into Syra’s shoulder. Her howl of pain sliced through the quiet morning and caused both the Natura Tribe and the Magia Tribe to gather in the fringe of the clearing.

The battle went on and on with the two Tribes watching. Neither group rushed to help their Leader; none were allowed to interfere with the battle. Swords and claws glinted in the waxing sunlight. The sky started to lighten ever more with the battle still raging on. Both women had sustained gruesome wounds, long gashes and sliced flesh weeping red tears. Their blows became weaker and weaker as pale, yellow sunlight streamed across the sky.

Melanna’s breath came fast and shallow as she swung her sword at Syra’s throat. Right at the same moment, Syra slashed upwards at Melanna’s chin. Both blows struck with horrid accuracy. Melanna’s beautiful sword fell from her hand as she crumpled to the ground, dead. Syra swayed and she too collapsed, blood streaming from the giant gash in her throat. The two Tribes’ voices mingled in their different laments of the Dead. The two Leaders were gone.