Tempus Fugit

Velma pointed her finger at the shaded, gloomy alley, dirty and littered. “Dad, there’s someone crying over there” said the child. A few guards rushed ahead into the alley as her father, King Durney Dohert looked into the alley over his daughter and sighed – “Let’s see who is it.” She raised her head to look up at her father – “Thank you daddy!” He smiled and nodded – “Of course! I wish not for anyone to be homeless in our kingdom” 

The 2 guards emerged from the shadows, as they stepped into the light, king and his daughter saw a young miqo’te girl, covered in bruises, raggedy hair and tail, bloodied face. She whimpered, screamed, and clawed at the guard who was carrying her in his hands – “Sire, a beast child”. The little miqo paused her clawing and screaming as she focused her gaze on the king, still, whimpers and sobs escaped her lips. 

King approached the guard, a wide smile spread across his face as he reached and placed his hand on the young girl’s head, patting her gently – “There there little one! I’m King Durney Dohert! I promise to take good care of you! Everything will be fine now, you’re safe! You’re fine”. The girl’s lips curled up, as her expression shifted from fright to sorrow. 

A loud cry echoed through the street as the girl cried at the gentle touch of the king. He smiled widely as he patted the crying child – “there there! It’ll be fine!” the girl reached out, stretching her arms. The king chuckled a little as he took her into his gentle embrace. She was, by the looks, the same age as his daughter Velma who stood beside him and watched the crying child. 

As he embraced her, his gaze fell on 1 of the guards. His tone shifted to that of anger – “FIND OUT WHO DID THIS! Tear down the entire region! YOU have the authority to use the royal guards, the crest of royalty, and the kingdom’s army if you must! YOU WILL FIND WHO DID THIS!” The guard swallowed audibly and saluted- “YES SIRE! Without a delay, the culprit will be found and prosecuted as per royal law prohibiting human trafficking!” 

The band of bandits known as the ‘scar faces’ were discovered and exterminated within a few days. Dozens of beastmen children were freed and adopted by the good people. King Durney adopted that miqo’te child he had found, Velma liked her, and could use a friend. Velma stood by her window, gazing upon the sunrise and the forest she could see out of her room. A knock on the door – “Miss? Are you awake yet?” Velma smiled – “Zomi, sister, come in” 

Zomi entered the room and bowed – “Miss, good morning. The servants have prepared the breakfast, would you like to eat in your chambers or in the dining hall?” Velma tilted her head – “You know, I still don’t quite understand. Father said he’d name you his daughter-in-law, you’re practically a sister to me, we grew up together… why do you insist on calling me miss and remaining my bodyguard?”

Zomi smiled – “Because, without you, I’d have died in the streets! I will never ask for more from you or your kind father.” She bowed again, her tail swayed happily side to side, her ears folded in the cutest fashion. Her black silky hair and fur shone beautifully in the morning sun. “I will forever live with my life in your debt miss, I will never ask for more than what was given to me.”

Velma approached her and embraced her, placing her right hand on Zomi’s head, patting her gently before switching to her ears and rubbing them playfully “And to me, you’ll always be a sister! And don’t you ever dare say you owe us anything!” Zomi squirmed and chuckled – “VELMAA! Stoooppp!” the princess released her friend and giggled – “Alright! Let’s go, breakfast and training time!” 

And so they ate a simple meal. The royalty in the kingdom of Dohert was not spoiled. Sure, they had servants, but each of them were treated as more of close friends and fair workers rather than servants. The meals were basic, no more than what the casual people would eat. They were humble, caring, and accepting. A kingdom that all others used as a prime example of a good life and fair treatment. 

Princess Velma with help of Zomi put on her armor and grabbed her training spear, an amulet of Anda sparkled beautifully in the rays of light breaking through the windows into the armory where she had been. The only thing that made her armor stand out from the other sets was a simple stamp on the front of it, a seal of royalty with a parchment hanging off of it. Zomi approached Velma and examined her armor to make sure all the straps and buckles were secure, before pausing.

She focused her gaze on the parchment for the millionth time and read it out loud “Our virtues are simple and our laws are for all! Respect, protect, and love!” Velma looked at Zomi who was the same height as her and grinned teasingly – “Come on Zomi, you read it EVERY SINGLE TIME!” Zomi averted her gaze and stared at the wall – “I’m sorry princess… I just… love it so much”

The 2 ventured outside and the combat training began. Despite being only 19 of age, the princess was a captain of the special reconnaissance unit. Zomi was her 2nd in command, and this rank was not granted to them for their status or family inheritance. They earned it through hard work and perseverance. Zomi spent 3 years training in the shadow mountains with the best assassins on the continent. Velma trained daily for the past 7 years to make full use of her amulet and be able to use its full potential. 

The hard day of training with their unit came to an end. Velma found herself spacing out in the command office listening to the daily reports from the scouts. Scouts too fell under her jurisdiction, as did the spies and infiltration agents. Usually the reports consisted of nothing more than ‘bandits appeared on X border, we dispatched local guards to deal with them’ however, what the scout said next caught her full attention

“A band of farmers and civilians from the Southern border, from Horia, began flooding through the border. We dispatched the local guards to reinforce the border but tensions arose when Horia’s forces chased after the refugees and began killing them, calling them traitors.” Velma’s gaze wandered to the world map which was embedded into the table in front of them – “Refugees fleeing from Horia? What’s going on there?”

The scout continued – “Yes miss, erh, from the information we got from the refugees, Horia had been… well, accepting of demons and attempting to hold rituals with human sacrifice. One of the refugees informed us that 50 people of the city were captured and mass sacrificed, which led to the opening of the hell gates, supposedly about 20 lesser demons escaped through the portal and the king Antab of Horia demanded a larger sacrifice, which led to people fleeing for their lives.”

Velma gritted her teeth as she traced a path from the capital of Dohert to the southern border with Horia, and then another and another, and then her finger trailed to the west – “Royal garrison is stationed on the west due to the rumors of demonic beasts in the region.” Her finger trailed north “Pull in the valkyries of the north and griffon riders, we need them in the south border. Get the griffon commander into my quarters ASAP!” She continued examining the map for a moment 

Zomi pointed her finger at the forest close to northern border – “The black claws can be dispatched to assist the refugees they’re only a day away” Princess nodded – “you take command of the black claws and the death markers as well, get them on the border and begin infiltration, rescuing people is our top priority” she commanded. Zomi nodded – “yes miss! I’ll head out right away!

Velma bit at her finger – “1st army is to remain stationary, 2nd and 3rd to converge around the capital. Storm guards to enhance defense of the capital city. I need to speak with the generals to relay information and orders ASAP” The scouts in the tent nodded and dispersed, they all knew what had to be done. Before Zomi had a chance to leave, Velma caught her by the shoulder – “Zomi…” she turned her head and smiled confidently – “I know, sister… I’ll be careful” Velma smiled – “yes”

The rest of the evening went by rather fast as she relayed the report and information to the other captains and generals as well as her father. Whilst king Durney wasn’t too excited about the possibility of his daughter being at a potential frontline with demons, he also knew that they needed her unit if they were to have a chance to rescue civilians from a foolish leader. 

The plan was swiftly put in motion, and Velma along with her personal guard of 25 flew on griffons to the south. The rest of her unit, 400 in total, followed on horses and would be a few days behind. This mattered not. They were pulling in as many forced to the border as they could while a delegation was formed to try holding negotiations with the Horia, however, that was expected to fail and a likely civil war was to break out in Horia.

Upon her arrival, Velma found refugees being cared for and tended by medics and local citizens. Wounded soldiers reported encounters with lesser demons and small skirmishes with the forces of Horia, however, they also reported hundreds of Horian soldiers, entire garrisons, surrendering due to refusing to harm the civilians they swore to protect. Only the loyal army of the king obeyed his orders. 

She took direct command of the border-defense while she waited for the arrival of the valkyries and griffon riders who would relieve her of said duties so she could focus on civilian rescue operations. Zomi in the meantime with death targets and black claws, within the next 3 days successfully evacuated 80% of villages in the vicinity of the demon hot-spot. 

At last, the forces from the north arrived, captain of the valkyries, an elite close-quarters unit, took direct command of the border guards and operations, allocating half the griffon riders, 50 in total, to princess Velma for her rescue and infiltration operations. The next days were spent evacuating the remaining civilians within the 50km radius of the demon nest which was being built by the lesser demons that escaped through the portal opening. 

Day 7 since the report came in, the area has been cleared of civilians, and the delegation arrived. Velma, along with 20 valkyries, 30 storm guards who were allocated to the defense of delegation, 50 griffon riders, and the rest of her recon unit were ready to venture into the Horia to attempt to hold negotiations. During the first few hours of their trip into the rotting lands, they met no issues but remained on high alert. The delegation steered clear of the demon nest, circling a solid 5km around it.

The land around the nest location was rotting. Trees withered and plants died. Animals escaped, not even birds could be heard. It was spreading, like a plague, destroying the land all around it. Velma was already making plans on how to deal with the demon nest, but the plans would have to wait until after the negotiation attempts. 

“Behind you!! TAKE COVER!” Shouted Velma as she watched Valkyrie fall dead beside her, she once again chanted something in a tongue no one could comprehend! “BEHIND YOU!” Shouted Velma as the valkyrie beside her ducked, dodging a spear aimed at her head – “CIRCLE FORMATION!” The chaotic sounds of madness and battle echoed through the large open hall. The valkyries shifted and moved around until they stood side by side in a tight circle, defending the 2 negotiators inside it.

The princess standing a few paces in front of them all, her sword crossed with a demon’s axe. She grinned – “I KNEW YOU FELL TO THE CURSE OF DEMONS!” Her voice filled with naught but anger as the king of Horia, turned completely demon by now pressed harder. His axe slipped off of her blade as Velma took a step back – “So, I take it negotiations are off?”

The battle raged on as her scouts and valkyries engaged the demons! Some of them engaged closed quarters, whilst others fired at them from the balconies. Arrows, spears, axes and even rocks were flying all around. Velma felt burning pain in her side as she tumbled to the ground. A chant, she’s back up again, step to the left, an arrow flew past her – “WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE” she commanded, with no time to look behind her. 

Only screams and grunts could be heard, informing her that retreat is not an option. She rewinded time every time she saw someone fall on the battlefield, but with her focus glued to the demon before her and her own survival, there was little she could do to save everyone. The fight raged on, and slowly but surely, even with the amulet, her comrades died one after another. 

She dashed at the demon before her, he slapped her tiny sword away and retaliated with a strike of his massive axe, easily cutting through her armor and collarbone. Another chant despite the immense pain, she sidestepped the retaliatory strike and pierced the demon’s gut with her dagger with the other hand. The demon grunted in pain but the damage was minimal.

A swoop from the demon’s tail sent her tumbling to the ground, another chant, she jumped over the tail, bringing her sword into the demon’s arm. Too thick his skin was, and too tough his muscles were for her sword to cut through it. Her eyes widened as her blade got stuck in his massive, muscular arm. 

She rewinded once more. The battle raged on, every second was on the line. She prayed for relief, for backup. Sharp pain, as she coughed up blood, a lance pierced her from behind. She rewinded again, and sidestepped just in time, sparkles flew off of her armor as the lance scraped against it and pierced the demon before her. A pained shout. With no delay or hesitation, the princess twisted around and aimed her blade at slightly above her head height, a slash and crunch, and a demon’s head flew

She grinned as she quickly stepped back a couple of steps. That’s another demon down. In that time she had a chance to glance around. Only a handful of valkyries still stood, each battling a demon while trying to dodge a barrage of projectiles aimed at them. In that moment, as her gaze darted back to the former king of Horia, he let out a pained groan and a familiar voice brought a wide smile upon Velma’s face – “GOT YA BASTARD!”

Off of the Demon’s shoulder, a slim, tender miqo’te girl jumped off, backflipping and landing beside Velma – “Black claws have arrived, commander!” Her eyes watered as quickly glanced at Zomi and then onwards. A tear rolled down her cheek, she opened her mouth to speak but no words came out, only a sigh, a sigh of relief. Zomi grinned, although sadness could be seen in her eyes – “BLACK CLAWS ASSASSINATE THE FILTH!”

From the shadows emerged assassins, from the ceiling they jumped, and through the windows they flew.  Daggers sank into the unsuspecting demons. Rapiers pierced their vitals. Still, demons were no easy targets to kill, but the surprise attacks brought hope back to Velma’s warriors. They were ambushed, and now the ambushers got ambushed by assassins. 

The battle died down, the screams stopped and only pained groans of the injured remained. There was no cheer to celebrate the victory, there was only rushing of footsteps to tend to the injured. Velma watched the injured carried out. Outside too was a battle of its own that was won with the assistance from the death markers whom Zomi brought with her. 

And although Velma was relieved that they survived, the battle was far from over. The delegation needed to be escorted back, but the priority was the destruction of the demon nest to prevent reopening of the Hellgate. “AT MY ACCORD! I ORDER HEREBY IN THE NAME OF THE ROYAL FAMILY OF DOHERT! ALL WHO CAN ARE TO HEAD TO THE DEMON NEST WITH ME!” The remaining 7 storm guards saluted without hesitation – “Princess” 

The griffons screeched, the griffon riders nodded. The valkyries who could still stand saluted “At the cost of our lives, for the good of humanity” chanted valkyries in unison. Zomi’s assassins dispersed almost instantly without a word, some disappeared into the shadows, and some dashed off into the woods. Zomi nodded – “Black claws and death markers are ready to go, your highness” 

Velma ordered a dozen along with 10 of the 17 remaining griffon riders to take the wounded back into their territory and escort the delegation. The remaining 7 along with the others who were ready lined up and prepared to march towards the demon nest. Zomi placed her hand on Velma’s shoulder – “miss?” she nodded – “I know… “ she said quietly as she walked to the front of the formation, jumped on horseback, and turned around, looking over her small, but loyal and heroic army, knowing they’re backed by almost a 100 assassins hidden all around. 

“AT THE COST OF OUR LIVES!” shouted Velma. Zomi smirked at her and in unison, all of them shouted back “FOR THE GOOD OF HUMANITY”. The march began and took a couple of hours until they could see the city of origin of the chaos down in the valley as they stood just outside the forest, the city where the demon’s nest was being built. She examined it from afar. “Zomi, my troops will charge in head first from the west, it should draw most of the lesser demons to our location and “

Zomi interrupted her “and give your assassins an opening to deal with the nest, yes yes, suicidal tactic and I hate it…” said Zomi silently – “Death markers will assist you, black claws will deal with the nest, I’ll stay with you” Velma shook her head – “No, I need you inside to make sure the nest is dealt with!”  Zomi growled – “I said…” Velma shut her up -”AND I GAVE YOU AN ORDER!” 

Zomi sighed – “yes, princess… The nest will be dealt…wi..th” her voice was shaky as she swallowed hard and turned her head to face away. Velma took a deep breath- “CHARGE!” the brave warriors without delay, charged after the princess who bravely and proudly led the remnants of their forces into the demon’s layer. “And us, mistress of the shade?” said a voice coming from the shadow of her horse. Zomi nodded – “Black claws on me, death markets with the princess”. The voice replied – “Yes mistress” 

Before they had a chance to get anywhere near the city gates, the princess was thrown off the horse by a rock that impacted the horse. The demons were quick to attack them and keep them away from their nest. “RIDERS! GET INSIDE!” shouted the princess as she drew her sword and the storm guards quickly formed up before her with their shields raised high to defend her from the projectiles. The griffon riders flew onwards, dodging rocks and arrows as they attempted to get into the city. 

The demons charged them from inside the city. Disorganized but mighty foes they were. Among the dozen lesser demons, a couple of regulars walked which shocked Velma as she did not expect to see a regular demon here. The nest was active and they were beginning to summon reinforcements, thought Velma to herself as she gave her next orders “Valkyries take left flank, death markers stay hidden and surround when we fully engage, storm guard attempt to break through the front and get inside the city to assist the riders” 

Not a minute later the forces of good and evil clashed in the chaos of battle that no man could ever describe. The valiant stand of the protectors against the forces of chaos and evil passed down in history for generations. Velma commanded her forces as they diminished rather rapidly. A single regular demon was mighty enough to fight 3 dozen human soldiers. They stood no chance with the appearance of regular demons, but their mission remained the same – win time for black claws. 

Velma used her amulet over and over, she was dizzy from the constant rewinding. She fought 1 of the 2 regular demons on her own. She faced him to keep her warriors safe, she died over and over and over. Each rewind led to new death, but she pressed on, the nest was still active else the regular demons would vanish. 

The demon’s spear swooshed past her, a nick on her ear and a drop of blood, a slight groan as the princess, exhausted and dizzy attempted to counterattack. Her sword was caught by the demon as he grinned, a mighty kick into her chest sent her flying a few meters, she did not remind, this wasn’t a cause to rewind. A massive dent formed on her chest plate from the kick, but she quickly jumped back up to her feet and drew her daggers. 

The demon acknowledged his foe and has no interest in others around, this was good, this meant her people had a chance. She charged the demon as he stabbed at her approach with his spear. An easy dodge for the princess. She slipped on the ground and slid beside him, her dagger slashing at his knee’s tendons. 

The demon fell to 1 knee and at that moment, before she had time to get back up, his tail pierced her chest. Remind once more, repeat, again same outcome. Once more, this time she went on the other side and managed to dodge his tail. ‘Good, the demon is now slowed but will regenerate’ thought the princess as she calculated her chance of victory. 

Minutes passed, or maybe days, it was impossible to tell in the heat of battle. Each second felt indefinite, each blink felt like a full night’s sleep during which somebody died. She had no time to contemplate, she acted on instincts. There were no more orders to give, only a battle to win. Every soldier fought vigorously, and everyone who died, did not die in vain as their efforts helped kill a demon in the next moment. 

Princess found herself pinned to the ground with a mighty arm holding onto her neck choking her, the demon’s ugly grimace in her face, and in that moment, as she was about to rewind once more, the demon screamed as he was seemingly grabbed by an invisible hand and pulled through a portal that instantaneously appeared behind him. 

Velma jumped up to her feet as she watched the demon disappear and the portal right after it “they…did it!” she said silently… “No… no time to..” she turned to look over the battlefield, but exhaustion took it’s toll. She fell to her knees as a sharp pain pierced her head – “AGGH” She clung to her head as she lifted and gazed upon the battlefield. 

Corpses and blood, human and demon. A sight of nightmares. On one side valkyries, 3 of whom remained, were charging a couple of lesser demons who were pre-occupied with the storm guards. On the other side a griffon, pinning a lesser demon, down to the ground, screeched as a soldier stabbed at it with a spear between the griffon’s legs.  

She tried to get up but almost fell again, in that moment, she was caught and embraced. Zomi’s soothing voice whispered in her ear “Relax sister! I got this” she said as she slowly helped Velma down. Princess looked at Zomi, her expression changed to happiness, almost in tears she spoke “Z…zomi… I..” the Miqo smiled at her – “we’ll talk in a minute, let me wrap this up” She said as she disappeared from Velma’s vision, appearing next to 1 of the lesser demons.

Instantly sinking her daggers into the demon’s neck, and with an angry roar she slashed, the demon’s head went flying. The other lesser demon, in disarray, turned to face her, just to be surprised by three blades piercing his chest, the valkyries behind him shouted as they tackled the demon down to the ground. The battle was won!

Once more, Velma attempted to get up, but the exhaustion brought her down, this time for good. She lost consciousness and collapsed on the battlefield. Seeing the final demons defeated, her body relaxed and her mind shut down. She awoke 2 days later in the field hospital, Zomi, napped on the bed beside her, clinging onto her hand.

As she noticed the shifting and movement from Velma, Zomi jumped up awake instantly. Her eyes welled up as she broke into a cry of joy – “VELMA! VELMA!!!” she cried out as she embraced her sister, tears, like waterfalls, poured out of her eyes nonstop.

After getting dressed up and caught up on the situation, she was reunited with her father who had arrived there to help people in need. And with this, the kingdom of Dohert took over the lands of the kingdom of Horia. Expanding their territory by 30% and making new friends along the way. Memorials to the heroes who fell in this battle were erected and the city that was destroyed by the demons remained in ruins, to serve as a memorial for why one must not ever accept deals with a demon. 

Zomi became the head of all assassins in the kingdom of Dohert. Loyal forever to the king and his daughter Velma. Velma in the end became the heir to the throne. The kingdom prospered and the people lived happily. No poor soul was left unfed and without a home. Dohert grew its influence and without conquest, became an empire hosting every kingdom on the continent under their banner and rules.