Demon King: Awakening

Chapter 1

The waitress set the food down in front of her. The aroma of the freshly cooked meat filled the air. Just as she was about to stick her fork into the juicy steak darkness swept into the tavern. She glanced up to where the floor lifted up half afoot. There were beautiful curtains drawn to the sides revealing two-foot-high round tables and one slightly rectangular table that had cushions laid behind it on one side. It appeared that only one person could sit there facing the other three tables that had thin cushions placed on the opposite side, which allowed for those at the round tables to face the one seated at the rectangular table. It was apparent that anyone who was seated at the rectangular table would be the leader.

A few moments later, a tall demon, with the appearance of a man with two ears, a tail, and the claws of a wolf attached to him, strode in. He took a seat behind the rectangular table. The way he sat made him appear to be a leader, maybe even royal. She looked him over, trying to decide what she should do. He was clothed in a long rob with glittering gold along the hem. The rest of the clothing was a beautiful deep purple that showed he was possibly royal or at the very least lived within the castle walls as a high-ranking official. His eyes were the color of the sky. He gazed around the room, his eyes looking over all those within the tavern. His face was strong and handsome, his white hair falling over his shoulder to one side, cascading to his waist.

Soon four other demons appeared taking their places at the other three round tables. One large black puma stood nearly past the height of a human. One appeared to be a female that was part reptile. She had a long purple scaled tail with parts of her body covered in lighter scales. She had no legs as her tail was like a snake, starting at her waist, appearing to use it as humans would legs. She looked briefly over the other demons which were seated in the area. Then her gaze shifted to look around the tavern and even though there were other humans who were seated, there were also demons around the tavern.

The woman who had been trying to enjoy her food shrugged her shoulders and decided that since it was a tavern between Farmeta Village and a road that would lead to the Slamenda Kingdom, it was normal to see both demons and humans eating in the same place. Instead of worrying, she started to eat her appetizing steak. She savoured only a few bites before she overheard something she wished she hadn't. The demon with the white wolf ears suddenly had a bird land on his shoulder and reported, “The Prince is on the road.”

The bird suddenly flew off his perch that was the man's shoulder and down onto the table. It turned to face the man or rather demon, “Tell the men it is time to act.” He instructed the bird.

“Yes, your majesty.” The bird took off out of the tavern door, quickly.

Areana looked longingly down at her beautifully delicious steak and sighed sadly. “Another time.” She whispered to her food. She quickly stood up, leaving the money for the food on the table and then exiting the tavern. She followed quickly after the bird, hiding behind trees as she tried to go unseen. Soon she neared where it appeared that a carriage was surrounded by pigmen and knights trying to fend them off. She looked more closely and recognized the carriage as one of the king's from her own kingdom, Zendora.

She felt slightly conflicted about whether to help him or not, she was not a fan of the prince who was more than likely sitting inside. She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard the bird speak up again, “Alive! The King wants him alive.”

“The others?” A pigman snorted.

“He didn't say.” The bird squawked.

The pigmen smirked as three of them grabbed three knights, while three more circled around the carriage with two knights trying to fend off the demons. Their swords were drawn, ready to defend the prince with their lives. Areana watched for a moment longer both trying to decide on a plan and trying to decide whether she really wanted to help or not. She sighed when she realized that she didn't want her fellow knights to be injured. She took a moment longer in thought on what her best move of attack would be, just as the three pigmen threw the three knights that they had held by their waists.

She quickly pulled herself up into the tree she was hiding behind and then ran along the branches toward the pigmen that were fast approaching the three knights that had been flung against three trees. Luckily, she was carrying her sword, but sadly she didn't have her armour since she finally had a day off and wanted to go and eat something delicious. She chose to drop down onto the middle pigman, knocking him to the ground and giving her the element of surprise. Then swiping the pigman's feet to her right and next she struck the other with the hilt of her sword in its gut. She knocked the wind out of it as it slammed against the tree, barely missing the knight that was slumped against it.

The one who hit the tree didn't move again, it had been knocked out, thankfully. However, the other two stood to their feet. They grunted and then shook off the pain. They looked at her angrily. She smiled up at them and then ducked when one tried to swat at her. She then countered by pushing herself full force up connecting her fist with the pigman's chin and causing him to step back a few steps. Then she launched herself into its gut knocking him over and his head cracked against a stone on the ground. She spun turning her attention to the other pigman, but he had stumbled backward backing into a tree. “Please, don't hit me!” He begged.

She looked at him perplexed, “You're a demon. Why are you scared of me?”

“You are not like the other humans we normally meet. You are stronger and you didn't even need to use a sword!” He nearly cried. “Here tie me up! I won't even complain.” He threw some rope at her. She grabbed it and then pulled more rope from around the belt of another pigman and started to pull them to one tree and tie them up quickly. She huffed, nearly exhausted from moving such large demons. She was drenched in sweat.

She then moved slowly advancing behind the pigmen that were surrounding the prince's carriage and two knights. Quickly she knocked one on the head hard enough for him to hit the ground with a thud.

“Who are you?!” He bellowed angrily. Grabbing hold of a tree, tearing it from the ground, and throwing it at her.

She swiftly dodged that attack, “My name is Areana Foreman, I am a knight of the royal army.” She spoke strongly and with pride in her position, to the pigmen. “I believe it is time for you pigmen to help your wounded and go back to your demon king.” She instructed.

There was a moment of silence with everyone staring wide-eyed at her, before one of the pigmen spoke, “Let's see you get past the three of us, it's a little different when you aren't hiding from the shadows.” They ripped the carriage door off and dragged the prince out, then snatched the two knights quickly, “Come on men, let's show this little girl how pigmen really fight!” He snorted encouraging his fellow pigmen to fight with their utmost abilities.

She drew her sword with two hands, lowered her stance, “I would rather end things peacefully, but that is up to the three of you if you want to continue on with this meaningless fighting.” She smirked full of confidence.

“She seems to be very full of herself. Why don't we teach her a lesson about fighting.” One said to the other. They snorted in agreement.

They quickly tied up the prince and the two knights before turning back to her. They drew their swords and without another word, they charged Areana. She smiled as she slid under their legs and they bumped into each other. Flustered they turned around, nostrils flaring and attacked again. She flipped her sword to the dull side before swinging it. She struck one along the shin cracking its bone. The second she struck his sword hand forcing him to drop it to the ground. The third chose to launch itself at her and all she had to do was sidestep. It landed with a thud, knocking the wind out of itself.

“Now, let's try this again. Would you like to surrender or try that one more time your way?” She asked with a confident smile.

The pigmen looked from one to the other until one finally answered. “You win this time.” He grumbled.

“Good, I'm glad that we can all leave without too much blood on our hands.” She let out a sigh of relief. “Now, there is the matter of what to do with you all since we can't have you running back to your king or your general right away. Since I do need to get my prince to safety.”

“Kill them! There is no need to keep these monsters alive. They will only come back to attack the villages at the edge of the kingdom. It will be safer for the people if they are gone and you would be a hero.” The prince exclaimed, urging her to listen to his command.

She thought for a moment, but she couldn't bring herself to think the way the prince was. It just seemed too cold. She took a deep breath before she responded to his, so-called, request, “No, we can't just kill them. It's not right, no matter what they have done or tried to do. I know how you feel, but we can't drop to their level and kill them. I will tie them up and they will be taken in by their king and I hope that he will see that what has been happening is wrong.”

“That is not what I want.” The prince raised his voice.

“That may be, but I'm not a murderer.” She said firmly.

She pulled the pigmen to nearby trees and began tieing them up. “Men, stop her! I want the pigmen dead!” The prince commanded.

“Stop!” She yelled trying to halt the killing. She pointed her sword at her fellow knights. “Don't take another step toward the pigmen.” She ordered.

“Miss?” One of the pigmen snorted hesitantly.

“Yes?” She asked, looking over her shoulder for a moment at the one who had spoken.

He pointed to his tusk, “We're actually boarmen, see?”

“I see, I'm sorry.” She said apologetically.

“No problem, it's a common mistake.” He snorted out a laugh.

“Are you finished making friends with the enemy?” The prince questioned, not really caring about her response. “Men move her out of the way if you must!” He commanded.

The knights started their advances toward the boarmen in various areas. She quickly raced around knocking down the prince's knights and tying up the remaining boarmen to other trees. Sweat was beading down her forehead as she finished. She was lucky that her fellow knights had shown no real desire to kill the boarmen and made slow advances rather than their usual quick movements.

The prince threw up his hands, “How dare you disobey your prince!” He bellowed angrily. “I will deal with them myself then.” He drew his sword and made his own advance toward them.

She raced to disarm him, reaching him just in time to redirect his sword. Rather than slicing off a boarman's head, it struck his shoulder. He let out an unearthly scream. “Stop! There is no point in murdering these boarmen. They pose no threat to you or us. They are confined.” She spoke calmly.

“They are monsters that need to be exterminated, for the safety of my people. I need to protect them by any means necessary.”

“This is not protecting.” She sighed. “Not all demons are cruel and inhuman.”

“Fine, but you defy me again and I'll have you executed.” He spoke through gritted teeth.

She bowed her head before speaking, “Of course, my prince.” She said as she sheathed her sword. He did the same in sheathing his own sword. “Wake up the other knights and let's get moving.”

“Yes, my prince.” She said, taking a deep bow.

She woke the men up and they began their journey back to the palace, which meant that they would have to travel passed Meta Tavern, where she had initially heard about the plan against the prince. It would be about a day's journey to reach Zendora. As much as she wanted to save the prince, she was beginning to feel a certain disdain for him. She had adored his father who served in the royal army and the king was kind and gracious to all and had never desired war with demons. But his son, his son cared for no one. He was selfish and self-centered. She had hoped he only behaved in such a way to appear strong. That it was a front, yet now she was finding that he was just as terrible as she had thought and more.