Breaking through

In the press of combat, there’s little time to think, other than to push forward in the wake of Uzume. The huge Oni laughs as she slays demons, her club blasting foes aside with ease.

To one side of you is Clarissa, the stout woman chopping her way through the mass with her axe hissing as demon blood bakes on the fire of its edge. Her armor sheds blows like rain, seemingly impervious.

To the other side is Kali, white fire streaming from her eyes as she reaps enemies like a bladed whirlwind. She screams wordlessly, black to the elbows with gore as her blade rips through another demon.

Slightly behind you, Sadie is as grimly silent as Clarissa, though her style of battle is far more elegant. Her blue hair like a banner, she sways aside as a clawed hand swipes at her, replying with a blast of air like a blade, leaving a headless body to drop to the blood soaked ground.

You slash at a claw, severing the arm before it can hit Samara, who seems dazed and listless, occasionally clutching at her head. You don’t have time to be concerned, however, and she manages to pull herself together, using paralyzing magic to hold a foe while she chops them apart.

Another eye searing blast of red erupts ahead of you, and your party pushes deeper into the enemy lines. You pause as you hear a roar, glancing to the sky.

In a blur, a trio of dragons swoop over the battle and engulf the rear ranks of demons in dragon fire. You recognize the largest as Daigo, leading the attack. However, as they turn to make another pass, a tongue of black fire reaches up and sets the smallest dragon ablaze with dark flames. The screams are horrible as it crashes to earth, a cloud of dust marking the impact.

Their attack was successful, however, and your troop pushes through the thinned ranks, bursting out into the clear behind the army. To one side, you see the shriveling form of the dragon, the black fire consuming it rapidly. But more importantly, you see the tall, imposing figure of the demon lord, his sword resting easily on his shoulder. This close, you can see he’s nearly the size of Uzume.

Speaking of, as soon as you fight your way clear, the massive Oni hurls herself forward, club raised. You shout in warning, “Uzume, stop!”

But she either can’t hear, or won’t listen. The demon lord watches her charge with a bored look on his face, and just before she reaches him, he raises a hand, palm out. Uzume freezes in place, and you see her lifted from her feet. The demon lord looks at her a moment, then casually flicks his wrist.

Uzume goes flying back, landing on her back with a thud and rolling a few times before stopping. Her club lies several feet away, and wisps of smoke rise from her body. You turn to Kali. “Go check on her!”

Kali hesitates, then nods, running over to the motionless Oni. Meanwhile, Clarissa and Sadie are fending off attacks from nearby demons, and Samara…

Samara is on her knees, clutching her head as tears roll down her cheeks. The necklace glows with power around her neck. You hear a chuckle as the demon lord approaches. “That’s an impressive toy you’ve created, boy. Even now it keeps me from influencing her mind. But now it’s just you and me.”

You glare at him, striding forward. “This is your end. No more hiding!”

He laughs. “I hope you’re a challenge, little mage. I haven’t been challenged in centuries. Once I kill you, I’ll crush your little empire, and deal with those treacherous triumvirate idiots. The world will tremble before the might of the demon lord Vatrus!”

You nod. “So you DO have a name. Good, now I know what to write on your accursed headstone!”