//-------------------------------------------------------// Death's Champion -by Pixel brony- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue Again, I find myself in unknown circumstances and in a place I am unfamiliar. Tired all the same.         A few hours ago, just as the sun was setting and my comrades and I were setting up camp, we were attacked by no less than six higher demons. They came out of nowhere, surrounding us in seconds. Seeing as my powers were useless against them, as demons do not possess a soul for my magic to act upon, I was forced down to nothing more than a brute. Slashing and beating the demons to death, or, at least, a farther distance from my comrades.         Speaking of them. Demitri received the worst of it. If he had not been wearing his armor, praise that he had yet to take it off, he would most likely be resting in pieces, or being raped by the demons. Sahra fared much better. Her speed and gun blades allowed her to keep a fair distance, but not even that saved her from receiving a few injuries. As I write this, they both lay on the far side of the fire, asleep.         I wish that I could join them in their slumber, but seeing as we are in a foreign predicament, its most likely for the best that I stay awake. Even now, I can sense the predators of this unknown forest. Some stalk other prey far away, and are of no interest. But for the few that have stalked just beyond the light of fire, making my grasp my sword should I have to protect my resting comrades; I have worry that the bigger predators may chose to investigate us soon.         I have gotten off topic.         The fault for why we are in this forest falls solely on me. We were forced to flee the clearing we had chosen to make camp, and run farther into the Dark Forest. After a few minutes of running, we found ourselves cornered and surrounded again, the laughter of the demons echoing around us. For me, the situation was of no concern. For my mortal comrades, on the other hand, the situation was dire. Not wishing to see them mutilated by the foul beasts that circled us, I used my sword to cut open a portal and threw my comrades through the tear.         Once we were wholly on the other side, I closed the portal, trapping us here for now. I know we are no longer in the Dark Forest, and for that matter, I know that we are no longer in the Known Land. It feels too… weak, innocent, uncorrupted, whole, the list goes on. Either way, as long as my comrades are safe, I am not worried about where we are. Only that we are safe for the time being. I do not know how or when we will be able to return ‘home’, but it matters little to me.         My gold would be placed on Lady Death wondering where I am, and seeking me out. Or I could simply open another portal, and return back that way, but the chances are slim. I was surprised that the spell worked in the first place. But, as I said, it matters little to me. This world… I don't know why, but I feel no desire to leave right away. It might just be that ‘adventurer spirit’ Demetri likes to go on about, or it could just be my curiosity. In the morning we'll find out. For now, I think I shall go and get some meat for my comrades to eat when they awake. I sense a small group of predators moving towards the camp. That will do nicely. Do we have any salt and pepper left, is the question I ask now.  It is usually a long night in which I find myself writing here twice in one days’ period, but that is not the case.         My comrades awoke at the first rays of dawn, and were very appreciative of the meat I had acquired while they slept. Manticore’s are well known for being large, and so delicious that they people have saw fit to turn them into livestock in some areas. Due to the sheer size of the animal, I have always seen this as foolish. But the taste could never be denied in my thoughts. The ones I killed last night were small, the biggest of the group didn't even come up to my chin. Curiouser, they seemed to possess highly expressive faces. The one I killed seemed to look at me in fear.         It did not bother me. I have eaten highly intelligent beings before, except my own species, and my comrades shared my thoughts exuberantly. Of course, it could just be that they were still tired and agreed with me in a ploy to stop my questioning so that they could eat in peace. After eating our meal, Sahra began to go over Demitri’s wounds. He moaned and complained as usual, but a slap to his ribs from Sahra silenced him. My chuckle from the action earned me a glare from Dimitri.         Moving forward a few hours. I told my comrades to stay here and rest, and headed out into the forest to get a better sense of what to do next. The forest, despite the thick overhead, had grown humid and hot. I started to sweat and grow uncomfortable almost immediately. After two hours or more, I found the edge of the forest and emerged into a peaceful field of flowers and short grass.         That is where I sit now, under the shade of a tree in said field. I was mostly taking a breather to allow my armor to cool in the breeze, and to enjoy the peace of it all. It is very nice here. The clouds lazily float ab…         Two flying chariots are headed towards the forest. Two dozen in numbers, horse like creatures. Wings, horns, armor. They took them, I wasn't fast enough. They took my wounded comrades, and left. They put up a fight, but the smell of strong magic lingers. Headed towards mountain in distance. City hanging off cliff face. I will free my comrades, and destroy all who try and stop me. By the name of Lady Death, I will destroy all who get in my way. I will get them back, for the wrath of the dead is unyielding.