Page 86 of Caught in the Devil’s Hand

A mutable temper like hers had been one of Vallen’s worst qualities when Shumei had first met him. Was it a demonic trait?

Majo took a deep breath. “Very well. After all, even I didn’t know until he told me. Listen well. The last empress, slain in her bed by a blondie, was not killed quite as quickly as many believed. She had enough time to utter one of the few powerful invocations reserved only for a champion—the Ceasefire.”

Vallen make a small noise of surprise. Did he know of the invocation? Or was he reacting to something else?

“It only works if the champion is not killed by her enemy, and if she has no heir. And it guaranteed a temporary truce between both sides until a new empress was born. The last empress was a quick thinker. She knew a blondie uprising would dismantle her court and demolish her army. The new empress would be vulnerable. One such as I would easily slay her and charge into the Divine One’s territory with no army to hold me back.

“So the Divine One waited, patiently watching, until the population of dark-haired humans had built up again. Then he chose one female from among them and gave her the Light of the Empress. Until her magic awakened, she would be just another crow girl, living out her simple life. It wasn’t until I found the Devil’s Hand that I was able to prophesy the empress’s identity.

“What a terrible surprise to find out it was you and not me,” Majo said a frown. “But it was easy to gain my king’s support. I told him of the barrier flaw and your identity, and even promised the return of his high general’s long-lost spell book. Losing it again earned me my due punishment.” She traced the scars on the left side of her face, and for brief instant she seemed frightened.

“Of course,” she continued, “my king cannot control all of his servants, just as the Divine One could not prevent the blondie uprising. Some demons still preyed upon humanity during the three hundred years of peace, but they were punished for violating the ceasefire.”

“And now that the ceasefire is over?”

“My dear, this war has been raging for millennia. The ancient rules of battle set by both sides, long-forgotten by most, are still valid.”

“And those are?”

“One champion must kill the other. Only then can the winner take her army into the enemy’s domain and attempt to assassinate the other god. She has one year to do so, or else she must defeat a new champion. If she perishes in her attempt to kill the other god, then both sides must choose a new champion and start again.”

“So in all those millennia, not one champion succeeded?”

“Oh, a few managed to lead their armies into Oblivion. But defeating a god, Shumei? Only a champion of champions can accomplish such a thing, which is why I pity you for being chosen.” Majo giggled, and Shumei’s back stiffened as if a drop of cold water were running down her spine. “You won’t survive this battle,” Majo growled, voice dropping to an earth-shaking rumble, “let alone a fight with my king.” The building behind them shook. The leaves in the trees rustled.

“What makes you so confident?” Shumei asked, folding her arms. Majo’s threats would not cow her. She had heard too many from the other villagers over her short life for Majo to dent her will.

“I know what scares you, Shumei,” the witch replied in a normal voice. “I know what makes your stomach clench. What thoughts wake you in the middle of the night. As the Damned One’s champion, I know everyone’s strongest fears. For example, that girl there, holding her sword so tightly. She is deeply afraid of a man’s touch—of sex.”

“E-Empress,” Mai whimpered. Shumei hastily looked over at Mai, whose sword was violently jerking as she tried to keep it up and in front of her. Rosuke glanced at her as well, though Shumei couldn’t see his expression. She hoped Rosuke would keep an eye on Mai.

“It’s not going to end here, Mai,” Shumei said. “I’m on your side.” Her assurances seemed to bolster Mai, whose blade steadied.

“You see what I mean?” Majo tittered. “With just a threat—”

“Fear can be overcome. I wonder if the Damned One is as stupid as you. If so, killing him will be easy,” she bragged, hoping to incite Majo. If it was going to happen, it had to happen soon. Otherwise, Majo’s taunts would weaken their resolve.

“You are the fool. You think a few words can so easily defeat one’s fears?” she asked. “We’ll see about that.”

Vallen and Rosuke tensed. Then she felt it too. Her magic was rapidly expanding, as if it knew something she didn’t. Within seconds, her skin emanated heat as though a bonfire raged inside her.

The witch raised her hand, which made one of her long sleeves slip down to her elbow, revealing a series of intricate tattoos on her forearm.

“Kurayami,” she invoked, snuffing out the light that had been hovering so innocently above their imposing scene. Shumei heard Mai’s gasp, and then the screaming began. Every demon howled, bayed, and roared their war cry.

She had only a couple of seconds to think. The demons closest to them would undoubtedly leap forward to dig their claws and teeth into the nearest bit of human flesh. Her side needed to see in order to avoid it. She needed to see in order to kill Majo.

“Rosuke, come to me!” she called over the demons’ deafening barks. She took a step toward Vallen, placing her hand on his arm. Rosuke’s fingers touched her elbow, and she quickly grasped for his sword hand. She did the same with Vallen and gripped the base of their blades. Neither of them questioned what she was doing. There was no time.

“Sokobikari,” she whispered. She carefully ran her hands up the length of the blades, and a bright glow followed her fingers, giving the blades their own inner light. It was bright enough to see a several yards in all directions, something Majo could not dispel from afar.

“Rosuke, touch blades with Mai and stay close to her,” she hurriedly told him. “Vallen, keep them away from me as long as you can.” Both men nodded and Rosuke ran toward Mai. She heard a clang and the glow of her spell spread to Mai’s blade as well.

This was the best she could do for them now.

“Tsuyosa.” She invoked her strength spell, watching as the first few demons entered their ring of light. Rosuke hollered as his fight began.

“Tajuu,” Vallen called. His sword multiplied into five more, the blades of which hovered in front of him as if ghosts wielded them. He lunged forward, and all six swords thrust in unison, directly striking four demons. It was time.