The Lady of Shadows

A challenge

    I walked into the door and suddenly a large knife flew by my face and imbedded into the wall. I looked at it with interest before turning to see Lilith and Dominic looking like disappointed parents. Dominic was staring at me without the amusing gleam of trouble in his eyes so I knew he was serious. Lilith looked just as threatening with another knife ready to throw and flames dancing in her eyes. 

    "There are better ways to tell me you are upset. Throwing knives will likely result in me throwing one back, with better accuracy." I said pulling the knife from the wall and setting it on the table. 

    "It'd be better than worrying about if you get hurt!" Lilith yelled. I looked at her. I'd proven my power time and time again for her, the idea that I would get hurt was laughable. I was physically stronger than the muscle mad man beside her, magically stronger than even herself, a living breathing dragon, and I was always seeking new ways to be stronger. Reading, studying, adapting new skills. I trained daily to make sure I didn't lose my edge... how could she think I would be hurt?

    "Seriously Shadow, of all the stupid things to do, telling us that you found a magic door that has been hidden under your nose for who knows how long, then not telling us where or even waiting to have us come help?" Dominic nearly growled. 

    "I'm fine. You two know better than anyone. I'm not stupid, I'm also not weak or fragile." I said pointedly, "I went in to see what the deal was, get some information, and come up with a plan. They have women and children chained up in the market, human flesh for sell at over half the vendors, dark arts supplies... a whole mess of things I have deemed illegal. I also saw someone that imploded a wolf-man." I said.

    "Imploded?" Lilith asked.

    "He was there... she snapped, and he was a huge splatter of blood." I explained. 

    "What? I've never even see you do that, let alone to something alive or as big as a wolf-man." Dominic said in full alert.

    "That child has some serious power, and no care about the repercussions. The reason I don't go around snapping things or people out of existence is because you always answer for your actions. In my case, I don't need that man showing up to drag me home or trying to use me as a weapon." I said. An image of the Lord came into mind, the blood red eyes and always in place creepy full faced grin... I shivered.

    "The Lord of your country?" Dominic asked.

    "Yeah, He never said it, but I know if I make a big mess or attract to much attention as a possible weapon, he'll use my mother to lure me back to keep other countries or kingdoms from laying claim to my power." I explained, "That's why I don't go out of my way to make waves and always try to get stronger. Once I'm sure I can beat him I'll take my mother and she and I will never have to answer to him or those vile people he calls family again." I said.

    "I see. You don't want to risk losing your freedom." Lilith said.

    "Exactly. Besides if I go around erasing people like that, I wouldn't be able to say I gave everyone I kill a fair chance." I said sitting down and waiting for them to come sit with me.

    "Okay, so this door. You found it and went in. Did you settle things?" Dominic asked.

    "No. I maybe strong but I've also never had to use all my strength. I wasn't sure if I could beat that child. Also anything I would have tried would have killed those women and children being sold as slaves." I answered.

    "You've also never seen anyone close to you in strength have you?" Lilith asked.

    "You and Dominic are the closest and that's mostly only because you train with me or follow my training plans to catch up to me." I answered, "Even the dummy doll I bring to life isn't close to a real fight. It's fast, but it has no power in its attacks. It's basically a tool to enhance dodging."

    "So you need a real spar. We may not be as powerful, but if it's both of us against you, we might be able to keep up enough to give you a taste of a real fight. We can use the back lot after lunch till sun down every day. It'd give us a chance to get stronger and you would have the challenge you need." Dominic offered.

    "Oh... and we can make a bet!" Lilith said in excitement.

    "What?" I asked, but Lilith was clearly talking to Dominic at this point.

    "What do you have in mind?" Dominic asked with a trouble maker grin.

    "Which ever of us does the most to beat her or gives her the most trouble gets to go on two dates with her!" Lilith yelled. Dominic looked ready to fight right there.

    "The other person can't crash the date?" he asked. 

    "Exactly. Time alone to get her attention." Lilith answered. I looked back and forth between them. 

    "I am right here. I don't see why you would fight for my time..." I tried to point out.   

    "Deal!" They yelled. I sighed and shook my head.

    "Fine I say we give it a week. If I overpower you two, you have a week to beat me. If you overpower me I have a week to get better." I said, "I will just have to move the rest of my training to after dark." I sighed. 

    "You train to much. Always fighting that dummy, using magic constantly to increase your range and stamina, plus you run every day... and I've even noticed you putting together a unique fighting style from all the different styles you already know." Lilith counted off. I shrugged.

    "I have a goal and I won't rest until I reach it. That's my challenge." I said, "Let's go sit down to dinner. We can start training tomorrow." I said as I stood to go eat. It was about to be very chaotic around here. I smiled as the two of them began to make fun of each other and share ideas of what they would do for our dates when they won and mock the other claiming a sure victory over each other. They were happy about spending time with me... and it felt nice to be wanted instead of used or hated.