She was a blur, the purple blood ribbons swirling around her.  A sharp cry of pain erupted from her lips as he slammed her foot into her chest.  Leaping in front of her, I need to control my new blade.  Popping up next to me, both of her eyes were black.  

“Think about what you want to defend, and the flames will concentrate with you.” She whispered calmly in my ear. “Think about your family or something.”  Raising my blade, the uncontrollable flames died down to a more controlled fire.  It was them I was thinking about, her real smile when we were alone and how her hand always rested on her stomach.  She wasn’t scared of me, so why should I be scared of me?  Charging at her, her blood ribbons distracted him.  Clicking her staff together, her choice was to just use the blood magic.  

“Golden dragon flames, grant me the power to strike down the evil standing in front of me.” I ordered nervously, her touch raising my confidence. “Combine with the blood and create an iron maiden.”  Purple blood swirled with my flames, a hard cocoon forming around him.

“Rise up in the air.” We chanted together, raising up our hands. “Final step. Crush him now!”  Spikes erupted from both sides of the cocoon, our fists closed.  A golden burst of energy tossed us back, blood and guts raining down on us. The scene melted away, the birds chirping in the garden.  Her eyes returned to normal, her body shivering with the venom.  Collapsing into my arms, she gave me one last sweet smile.  

Jerking awake, our heads bumped together.  Rubbing our heads, any sign of her poisoning was gone.  Massaging her temples, tears of terror streamed down my cheeks.  Clutching her close to my chest, she wiped away my tears.  Laughing to herself, a real smile lit up the room.  Laying down on the floor, she spun her staff around.  Tucking it back into her boot, her arms wrapped around my neck. 

“I knew that you could do it.” She chirped cheerfully, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “I love your pointed ears.  Let’s leave early.  People are really pissing me off here.”  My lips parted to speak, my aunt bursting into the room.  Popping to her feet, her face was inches from hers.  A snarl curled on her lips, the crack of her hand slapping my aunt’s face stunning me.  Cocking her head to the right, bitter words sat on the tip of her tongue. 

“How dare you guys call him a cursed child?” She snapped icily, flipping her off. “His mother died of cancer, and you chose to alienate him after.  He is not a curse, so no wonder he felt alone all of his life. I helped him because he just looked so lonely.  Every year he would come to school and just not talk to anyone.  Leave him alone or I will kill you myself.”  My aunt’s face was inches from her face, her fingers wrapping around Alice’s neck.  

“You don’t deserve a damn thing.  The crown was supposed to be mine, and only mine.  I am older than your father, but they still chose him.” She shouted shrilly, tossing her to the side. “How do you think that made me feel?  I only treated him like others treated me.  I started that nasty rumor, and it worked.”  Cocking her brow, her boots scraped against the old wooden floor as she stood up. 

“I see.” Alice commented calmly, dusting off her clothes. “You would have never stood a chance, and if I am not mistaken I do believe it is the sons who inherit the throne.  Daughters were meant to be married off into another kingdom as a form of a treaty to not kill each other.  It appears you lack the basic traditions of your country and that sucks.  Just not bad enough to destroy a kid’s home life.  Your son is Jeffrey isn’t he?  Well I kicked his ass, so let that marinate in your brain.  I have to go now.  I get to save the world again.  So have fun rotting back at your palace in god knows where.  Until you can respect us both, you best go back to your husband who probably refuses to sleep with you.  Ta Ta!”  Never before have I loved her so much than now, her cocky grin turning me on.  The sneer on my aunt’s lips made my day, her jaw basically on the ground.  Putting her jaw in place, my footfalls echoed Alice’s.  The knights ran up to her and bowed. 

“The lizards are ready.”  A young blonde maid called out from behind them, bowing in her direction. “So is the wagon.  Good luck on your journey.”  Smiling ear to ear, Alice leapt over the knights.  Patting the teenage girl on her head, a soft blush rose on the poor creature's cheeks.  

“You are so adorable.” She chirped cheerfully, fixing her white apron. “You can call me Alice, and please don’t bow to me.  It irritates me greatly.  Now off with you.  Are you all coming or what?”   Everyone stood up, a strange twinkle in her eyes.  Adventure, she loved adventure.  Running out into the sunshine, she spun around.  Hopping onto the wagon, her hands wrapped around the leather straps.  Metal clanked as everyone rushed outside to their creatures, the animals roaring to life as we took off.  Her smile never vanished as we drove into the outskirts of the capital, her phoenix sitting on her shoulder.  Trees flashed by, her phoenix talking to her.  

“Go ahead and tell Emperor Scarvos that we will be there in a week.” She ordered sternly, tossing it a treat.  A warm gust blew her hair around as the bird took off, a soft coo rang out in the still air.  Trees flashed by us, the creatures'

screeching to a halt.  Launching into the air, she ripped out her staff.  Spinning it in the air, white flames shot into the forest.  Metal scraped against metal as the dual blades separated.  Her tail twitched irritably, a snarl curling on her lips. 

“Get out of your hiding spot, father.” She growled through gritted teeth, the monster of a demon stepping out of the bushes. “I refuse to let you win this fight.”  His seven foot frame towered over her, one of his horns was missing.  His black armor glistened in the black flames of his black staff, his mismatched eyes shimmering with excitement.  Charging at her, his dual blades slid out with ease.  Gasps danced behind me, ash snowed as their blades clashed violently.  

“I only came to talk.” He groaned in pain, her heel slamming into his face. “I am going to attack you after you give birth, so you can go all out.  Until then I will send hoards of my demon creatures in each kingdom.  So survive, okay.”  Shaking her head, black blood ribbons swirled around him.  Ribbons whipped in her direction, the sharp edge of them all slicing up her outfit and face.  

“Is that how you want to play?” She teased cruelly, red ribbons of blood swirling around her. “First you destroy my homeland, then you proceed to try to kill my brother.  I shall spare you no mercy.”  Their blood ribbons smashed against each other, their forms blurs in the blue sky.  A bright light blinded us, two beat up bodies crashing to the ground.  His body was lifeless, her claws growing out of her fingernails.  Both of them leapt to their feet, the fight continuing.

“Fine if that is how you want it, then just die.” He gurgled, black blood pouring from his mouth. “Black flames of darkness, come to my command.  Attack all that is light.” A missile formed, her clicking the blades back together.  Spinning her staff around in her palms, a shield of golden flames shattered the missile.  

“My turn, dearest father.” She gloated gleefully, both of her eyes going black. “White flames of the light, create a rain of holy arrows.  Blood of light, allow the venom to poison my blood.  Create a second rain of venom arrows.  Release!”  The ribbons turned purple, shooting up into the sky.  The ground shook as white and purple arrows rained down towards him, his feet stuck to the ground. 

“One more spell.” She announced proudly, slamming her staff into the ground. “White vines of light, trap him down.”  White vines broke the ground, the glowing vines curling up his legs.  Surprise widened our eyes, spines popping out of the vines.  Arrows crashed into his body, holes making his body look like swiss cheese.  Falling forward, black blood pooled around him.  Lifting him up by his throat, her hands wrapped around his cracking heart. 

“How dare you kill your old man so ruthlessly.” He wheezed, coughing up blood. “I will ki-” Crushing the heart in her palm, his body disintegrated into a pile of ash.  Her body swayed, ultimately collapsing to her knees.  Blood oozed from her body, her fingers twitching. 

“You have released me into the world, you fool.” A deep voice rumbled, storm clouds thundering above us. “I am going to spread darkness all over your land.”  Terror widened her eyes, a black figure growing from the ground.  Stooping down to her level, he sat her up.  His finger traced her cheek, his lips pressing against hers hungrily.  Slapping his hand away, we all tried to run and protect her. 

“You aren’t the Lord of Darkness, then what are you?” She queried curiously, coughing up blood. “Nor are you a demon, so are you an angry spirit.  That’s right you are a dead sorcerer, in fact the original dark sorcerer.  You can’t attack me because you are weak.  It’s a shame that I am too weak to kill you all over again, Riso Somoto.  You may have won today, but I will win the war.”  Scooping up the staff, he snapped his fingers.  The force field broke, her body crashing to the ground.  Dust blew all around me, my boots crashing towards her trembling body.  A blond-haired man in a blue sweater and white pants landed next to her, a black bag in his hands.  His green eyes twinkled with excitement, a crooked grin on his face.  

“You really need to stop killing yourself. I am Dr. Slater, here to assist you on your journey.” He introduced himself politely, opening up his black leather bag. “I specialize in half demons, and other creatures.  Nice job taking down your father, but Riso Somoto will be rather difficult to defeat.  You will need the Priest of the Dragon Flames to assist you.  Could you carry her to the back of the wagon?”  Her slacking form felt heavy in my arms, a tired smile looking up at me. Panic ran through my mind, tears welling up in my eyes.  She can’t die on me, I need her.  She was the only one who understood how I thought, and stood up for me when even my old man couldn’t.   

“I am sorry.” She whispered weakly, her quaking hand reaching for me. “I didn’t want you to get hurt.”  Tears of pain and sadness leaked from her eyes, fresh bruises appearing on her skin.  Setting her down, Dr. Slater began to work on her.  He pulled out a tool wrapped in black chains, howls of pain exploding from her lips as the black chains snaked through her body.  

“Goddess of medicine, heal her now.” He ordered gently, a blue light bathing her.  His lips moved fast, the words barely understandable.  Flicking his wrist, a large needle with white milky liquid slid into his eager palm.  Cold sweat drenched her skin, the screams scaring her knights. 

“Just another minute.” He whistled happily, jamming the needle into her neck. “This should just about do it.”  Removing the tool from inside of her, the light died down.  Gentle snores rumbled from her mouth, her chest rising up and down.  Covering her up with a blanket, he turned to me.

“In case you are wondering, I am a half demon too.  My mother was a doctor in the underworld or whatever you want to call it.  My father was a human doctor.” He explained calmly, putting his tool away. “My special power is healing both humans and demons.  I have been following her everywhere her whole life, healing her when I needed to.  She would already be dead if it wasn’t for me.  Can I join you on your journey to help you with your casualties?”  Before I could open my lips, his true form came through.  Blonde cat ears flattened, his tail flickering.  Erant rushed up to him, squeezing him to death. 

“Bro, did you see her take him down?” He cried out joyfully, setting the five foot seven man down. “She did amazing, right?”  Turning to him, my death glare met his eyes.  A sneer curled on my lips, rage seething in my eyes. 

“How can you cheer her on like that?” I blurted out, my voice breaking. “She nearly died, and  she has all of her kn-”  His hand on my shoulder stopped me, his touch freezing me in place.  Erant sat down on the ground,  his hands resting on his knees. 

“Don’t you get it already?” He exclaimed coolly, running his hand through his hair. “Her knights would have died if they even tried. Hell, even you would have died.  It was something that she needed to do.  The lies he told her, the falseness of his love was enough to make her powerful. She channeled all of her pain and rage into her attack.  When she wakes up in the morning, she will only have good times with him.  Even though he said he hated her, he really loved her.  He said all of that to get her to hate him.  He was trapped in his body, her light being the only thing he set free.  Soon enough, she will see why he did it.  Just stay by her side.  Can you do that for me?  She really loves you.”  Setting me free from his spell, I sat down next to him.  The knights began to gather wood, and set up camp for the night.  Erant and I talked about her childhood, my heart shattering with each word.  She was tortured every day and still smiled like nothing happened.  I wish I could have her strength.