The Demon General

Exiting the train, Eris is met with a horrific sight. The tracks directly in front of their train have been completely uprooted, the thick metal rails twisted upwards like a withered tree. As to what had the strength to perform such a task, the question is soon answered by a ferocious roar.

Towering almost five meters tall and covered in shaggy white fur is a Yeti. Only its face and its extremities are exposed, but the gray, rock-like skin is far from a weakness. Its beady eyes glint with surprising intelligence and malice as it sizes up the passengers spilling out from the train.

A small detachment of Royal Guards is currently facing it, having been posted on the train as security, but before the raw might of a Demon General, even these seasoned warriors look like nothing more than toy soldiers.

“What is that thing?” Eris trembles, unable to believe her eyes.

“Balzac, the Frozen Monstrosity.” Celia answers. “The Demon General assigned to the North. He’s a bloodthirsty beast that has grown big from gorging on the blood of his own kind. Even amongst demons he is particularly reviled.”

A Royal Guard charges forward, his spear raised but faster than it would seem possible for such a massive creature, the yeti swings its arm in a wide swipe and the Guard’s shield crumples like wet paper. Eris watches as his body is ragdolled a good ten meters before coming to a rest in the snow, lifeless.

“No… I can’t do this. I’m supposed to fight that?” Eris’ legs tremble as every instinct in her body tells her to run away.

The remaining Royal Guards hold the line despite the loss of their comrade, their bristling spears enough to give Balzac pause.

One of them turns to give orders to the gawking passengers, “Hurry! Hide in the train! We’ve already requested back up! We’ll hold it off!”

“Do you really think you can stop me?” A deep, gravelly voice booms forth as if the very earth itself is speaking.

A palpable aura of dread settles over the battlefield as the Yeti speaks for the first time. His voice is dark and unsettling, like sticky muck that sucks at your feet and threatens to engulf you. Balzac grins, revealing bloodstained tusk-like teeth.

“I will kill you all and feast on your flesh.” Before the guards can even react, he bounds forward and smashes into them like a bowling ball, sending the soldiers scattering like pins.

He picks one of them up like a twig and is about to take a bite of him when Eris steps forward, brandishing her sword. “Hey! Let him go! I’ll be your opponent!”

“Oh?” The Yeti’s cruel eyes swivel to focus on her as he tosses the Royal Guard aside, his body impacting the train hard enough to leave a dent in the metal carriage. “You..” His nose twitches. “You smell familiar…”

“I’m the chosen hero to slay the Demon Lord. And I plan to start here with you!” The trembling in Eris’ voice betrays her true emotions. She’s scared. Absolutely terrified. It’s like facing the final boss in the tutorial stage.

“Hmph! The hero huh? The Demon Lord told me about you. Said you were for him only. Still, I don’t think he’d mind if I sampled the goods first.” He licks his lips with his tongue, a slab of black muscle.