The Fated Curse

Chapter 9

Gideon

It has been two months since the war started. I have had the occasional hook-up with Valencia, but most of the time we are so busy and barely keeping our heads above water. A week into the fight, our eagle shifter friends and bear shifters joined our cause. The eagles supported our air attacks while the bears brought their war machines that can shoot projectiles and knock the demons from the sky. Once on the ground, the bears fight for us on land.

In the last two months, we have had two more dragon casualties and a handful of our allies have been killed. The battles have been nearly back to back with only a few days of reprieve. I swear they are like cockroaches. You kill one and a dozen take their place. The demon army had seemed endless. We had to create a separate task force dedicated to the removal of the demons' bodies as they were piling up across the battlefield. But no matter how many they lose, they just keep coming. At this point, their numbers far exceeded our original predictions.

My men are beyond exhausted, myself included. We decided to evacuate the civilians, and they are staying in a neighboring kingdom. It was unreasonable for the witches to maintain the barrier for such an extended duration. We decided to keep them on reserve for particularly large swarms. When not using the barrier, they have been assisting the foundation with caring for the wounded. While there have been only a handful of fatalities, my dragon army has fallen from 150 warriors to 100 due to many being put out of commission because of their injuries.

We were running out of allies we could call on. We have many who want to help, but they are useless in an air battle. At least the bears have artillery. I was in a meeting with my war counselors when Rick linked me. Incoming demons, the energy feels different about this group. I think they may have a High Demon with them. Most of what we have been fighting up until now has been lesser demons, the riffraff that is disposable. If they have sent a High Demon, they are getting serious. Some High Demons are strong enough to take out a dragon single-handedly.

Make sure everyone pairs up. I don't want any hero's trying to take a High Demon on their own. I will be there soon.

Yes sir.

And Rick?

Yes your highness?

Stay safe. Rick agreed and cut off the link. I had always liked the guy, but he had been indispensable these last two months. He has been my right hand and keeping me sane through all of it. I don't know how I would have managed up until now without him.

I left the war room and headed out of the castle. Once outside, I saw the swarm and there was an ominous energy in it. I think Rick was right. We have a High Demon to face. I shifted and took off towards the battlefield.

I have a bad feeling, Hades said.

Me too.

I watched as our troops engaged with the enemy. As I got closer, I saw a far larger demon at the back of the swarm. Once I laid eyes on it, their head snapped in my direction. The demon took off in my direction. I guess I am who they are here for. It makes sense, kill the leader and the kingdom will fall. My father is still technically king, but he is getting old and won't be as effective on the battlefield. Add the morale issue.

You need to be careful. If a High Demon has come specifically for us, then they must have a plan to take us down. Hades warned.

I will let you take control for the fight and I will monitor our surroundings. Rip the bastard to shreds.

With pleasure.

Hades took control, and we flew at top speed to meet the High Demon head on.

You want back up? I heard Rick through the link.

Not yet, but if you could watch my six. Make sure none of its friends try and get me from behind while I am distracted.

Understood. If you need my help, call me.

I cut off the link as I made contact with the demon. Up close, it was definitely a male. That made me feel a little better, but I couldn't let my guard down. Despite what you would think, the female High Demons are usually the stronger and more dangerous opponents.

Hades went straight for his throat, but he punched him in the snout before he could sink in. Hades snapped his head away and whacked the demon with his clubbed tail. The demon was sent flying back, but got his bearings and charged back at us. He had a massive bastard sword on his back that he unsheathed.

Hades avoided the blade as much as possible but still sustained a couple of cuts. We had done a number on him, he had large gashes across his body from Hades' claws. He kept fighting as though he weren't injured. I read somewhere that High Demons didn't have pain receptors, so they could keep fighting despite their injuries. We got a god grip of his should and Hades bit into him deep. The demon took the moment of us close together to slice us with the sword. Hades let out a roar and released the demon from his teeth.

We swooped in for another attack but suddenly our body felt too heavy. Our wings were no longer responding and we were losing speed and altitude. The demon had a wide smile across his face and let out a deep chuckle. It only took a moment more before we couldn't move at all. The sword had a paralytic on it and enough got in our system on that last attack to take us down. We started plummeting from the sky. The demon flew after us the sword drawn and ready to stab us through. If he stabbed me through the heart I was done for.

There was nothing I could do, my whole body was numb. This was going to be the end. I should have known it was odd for a demon to use a blade instead of their claws. I thought of my kingdom that I had failed. I thought of my father with no one left. I thought of the boy who died on that second night. And I thought of forest green eyes.

A moment before the High Demon stabbed me through, a red dragon grabbed hold of me. Rick had caught me, but then he let out an ear-piercing scream. The demon had stabbed him through. He took the blade in my place. I mustered a roar, "NOOOO!"

Two more dragons swooped in and ripped the demon's head from his body. Another helped me and Rick to the ground. I managed to shift back but was unable to move. Rick shifted too and there was a gaping hole in his chest. He was bleeding and there was nothing I could do to stop it. A warrior ran over and tried to put pressure on the wound. Rick moved his hand away and shook his head. He knew there was nothing that could be done. He turned his head to me, "It has been an honor serving you, your highness. I know you will be a great king someday. It is the greatest honor to die protecting you." He then began coughing up blood and then the life left his eyes. Everyone was quiet.

After a moment, "Close them. Please, close his eyes," I managed to get out. A nearby warrior came and pulled his lids down. I was numb, not just in my body but my mind. I never admitted it to him, but he was my best friend. And now he was gone.