The Return

A few days had passed since the mage and his assistant left on their mission. The General looked over the plan with a frown. Even though he didn't have high hopes for them, they needed to try something. Every day the situation became more and more grave, and options were decreasing.

He grimaced. Thinking back, there was another option, but it had its own problems. A few neighboring kingdoms were offering to help, but at the cost of becoming their slaves. That would just be trading one hell for another. He sighed. He needed to think, surely there was another way. Suddenly a soldier arrived in his office.

"Sir, the mage and his assistant have returned." He informed.

"How are they?" The general questioned.

"They don't look too well, they were ambushed." The soldier informed.

"I see. Well make sure they are tended to. I shall see to them shortly." The general commanded, before dismissing the soldier. Once the soldier was gone, the general let out another sigh.

Outside the castle, under the cover of night, a figure carefully navigated around the castle's defenses, sneaking by the guards. This figure looked to be a woman with emerald green hair and matching green eyes. Of course, no one who saw her would notice that at first glance, for their attention would naturally be drawn to her body and how shapely it was. However, now was not the time to flaunt and show off. Now was the time to be stealthy.

She glanced around, taking note of the open window to the mage’s study. She carefully opened her wings, and quickly flew towards it, just barely bypassing the watch posts. Once inside she landed with a light thump, her heels clicking softly on the ground. Now she would wait.

Victor looked, for lack of a better word, dead. He was beaten and thrashed beyond all measure, covered with numerous small cuts and scrapes, with his clothes torn to pieces. The General grimaced as he looked. It was debatable how lucky he had been. Some would have preferred **** as a means to escape, but Victor wasn't an ordinary man, that much he knew. He was prideful and arrogant but he had a somewhat good heart from what he heard.

As he glanced at Victor's assistant, he found the woman holding on to Victor tightly. She held on to him as if he would leave her any moment. Despite Victor's ragged appearance, his assistant actually seemed to have come out of the fight without scratch, save for the blood on her clothes. Well, she came out physically fine. Mentally it looked like she was somewhat traumatized herself. Victor himself didn't speak as the healers did their work.

"Shall I come back another-" The General was about to tell him to postpone his report, but Victor didn't let him.

"It didn't work." Victor answered. "It shrugged off the spell and fought back, laughing at us." He replied without any emotion. "I managed to distract it, but it wasn't enough." He admitted. "I would have died as well...if she didn't sneak up from behind." He noted as his eyes shifted to his assistant.

"Could you describe the creature?" The General questioned.

"It was...unreal. Big torso, long legs, skinny arms, long green hair...bat like wings. It looked so....unnatural." He answered.

"How did you escape?" The General questioned.

"I had weakened it with most of my magic, or what remained of it." Victor looked at his hand. "It wasn't enough. That thing had more magical power than I realized. I landed a good blow but it wasn't enough. Luckily, my assistant was able to capitalize on the opening I made."

"It's still out there." Victor added.

"I see. Well that will be all." The General answered before leaving. "I just hope you both get some rest, maybe take some time to recuperate." Victor didn't answer.

Shortly after the duo were discharged, Victor immediately went to his study along with his assistant. Once they were inside, he locked the door and turned to find the same demon he had faced before. Her emerald green eyes staring at him once more.

"Glad to see you made it."