Chapter 10

Strategy 

 

          Death and Ssnare spent the whole day avoiding Thatch, skipping most of their classes in the process. It felt good to slack off once in a while they agreed.  Eventually Thatch did catch up to the pair, and had long and serious talk with them.  Actually it was more like Thatch was scolding them like a mother would when her children did something naughty, and Ssnare and Death just sat there and laughed at his attempts to make them feel guilty.  Thatch eventually gave up and started harassing Death again, that ended in Thatch getting a bloody nose…again.   

          The rest of the week went by with building anticipation as the date of the competition drew nearer. Thatch was partnered with Ratech and he was still angry over the paring, heatedly arguing with each other in Ssnare’s bedchamber, where they spent their free time if not in pestering Death in her room.  While the fight of words grew louder across the hall, both Ssnare and Death where assessing the area of the arena.  They were deciding the best possible places where an ambush and traps would go unnoticed until it was too late.  They practiced sparing with each other constantly, to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the different fighting styles they both used and how they could adapt the two techniques and use it as an advantage.  They also developed a type of sign language to talk in stealth as so not to alert the other opponents.  The competition was in two days time, and they promised themselves they would be ready.   But there was another reason why Death choose to accept Ssnare as a partner; it was because she trusted him.  He saved her from herself, when the demon took over, and he alone was able to calm the beast within her.  Death had a fleeting suspicion that Ssnare held an extreme amount of power, he was not reveling, but even though he kept a part of himself hidden from her she still held faith in him.  Together they will win, but the rules stated that only one will be victorious, that proposed a problem.

Death presented the problem to Ssnare.

“I guess we will just have to think of a solution when the time comes,” Ssnare reasoned.

“You’re right. I think we should just concentrate on getting to that point before we decide anything rash,” she sighed. 

          A roar of applause erupted from the stadium, as the contestants entered the arena’s entrance. As all the five-hundred Dragonfang students lined up in a semicircle, they could hear only the thunderous crowd of students, teachers, and staff alike, cheering for their favored contender. The placing of bets on who would be the victor, who would be the first to get bested, commenced while the opponents tensely awaited the orders to begin.  

          Five of the instructors walked confidently and joyously to the awaiting challengers, excitement of the annual Cordial Demonfang War Games, sank in to the teachers with every step they took.  When they finally reached the candidates Lithnar spoke in his deep rocky voice.

“I have already explained the rules to you all, so I shall not repeat them.  The instructors that stand before you are the ones who will be overseeing this competition,” each of the teachers nodded as Lithnar recited his or her name, “You may begin when the red sparks ignite above you,” He said somberly, and the rest of the instructors stepped back and enacted a levitating spell over themselves in turn.  They raised high above the arena in order to keep a watchful eye on them all.  They did not favor cheaters one bit as they bluntly stated rising over their heads, but any means to get an opponent out is legal.  The competitors gulped at the thought of anything goes, while some grinned at the chance to not hold back.  Only Death and Ssnare remained impassive to it all, concentrating on the task before them.  

          A flash of crimson light flooded the arena and instantly the most of the challengers speed off to seek an advantage point, while some stayed in the now broken semicircle and fought with the other competitors.  Ssnare and Death moved so swiftly that no human eye could gauge their motions, to the far end of the arena towards the gaping black crevice, also called the Crack of Abyss.  Knowing that no one dared to battle by the abyss for fear of falling to their deaths, their plan was to wait the tournament out, letting the fools battle each other, shaving the opponents off one by one.  When the numbers dwindled, that’s when they would finally come out of hiding, and attack with out mercy.

 Chapter 11

The Price of Fame 

 

          After the flare went off it was like a silencing spell had been put over the enthusiastic crowd, they could only hear what was inside of the rocky arena.  From their point of view Death could see all around, she and Ssnare both watched as opponents dropped like flies, and the winner glean in triumph.  As each loser was struck with the would-be fatal blow, a small barrier of red light outlined him making the blow harmless.  Although shield made the blow harmless it did not stop the pain of the hit received, instantly afterward the defeated challenger would be forced to his knees bowing to the conqueror of the duel.  An instructor or participating judge would gently drift down from the air and land before the defeated, the judge would then thrust his palm into the loser’s chest and a golden light would appear and the beaten contender would disappear from view instantly.  

          Death was keeping a look out while Ssnare ferociously and hurriedly worked to cover their backsides from an attack from behind.  In a few short minuets Ssnare was squatting beside her slowly breathing in and out to control the rapid breathing when winded.  Death used her nimble fingers to tell her partner that six more had gone down while he worked and less than a hundred opponents still remained.

And Thatch? Snare replied back using the hand codes.

No idea, did not see him fall.

Ssnare grimaced in displeasure as he interpreted the hand signals, He is an idiot but an idiot we have to be weary of, Ssnare replied.

Death then looked out for any sign of Thatch and Ratech, then returned her gaze to Ssnare’s wine red eyes.

I think I should fight him, Death said with her fingers.

No too dangerous! Said Ssnare looking at her with a ludicrous expression.

Will he really harm his Love? Death asked with a challenging look upon her face.

Ssnare looked thoughtful for a moment then signed, You do have a point there.

Glad we agree!

Death looked back towards the center of the arena, and found it deserted. 

          It was now time to make there move they decided with curt nods of their heads. In a flash they leapt out of their hiding spots and dashed towards the far end of the arena where a large gap could be found in between two cliffs.  They both knew they had been spotted by the remaining Dragonfang ranks, composed of the older demons that had gradually worked their way up in weapons training to Demonfang.  By human school standards they would be seniors, while Death and Ssnare where only freshman.  The ones watching the progress thought them an easy target, since all the other weaker ‘freshman’ Demonfang students have been wiped out, save for one or two more.  They decided to call a temporary truce amongst themselves before the competition had started and gang up on the younger students, the plan had mostly worked, but they didn’t count on one thing.  

          As they reached a dead end in the gap, Death wielded about to see a group of thirty two upperclassman coming strait for them, with the look of triumph steeled in their evil eyes.  Death locked gazes with Ssnare confident in each others abilities, and at the same time they locked wrists.  Ssnare effortlessly swung Death around so her feet touched the wall of the gap so it looked like she was standing on the wall itself, Ssnare used Death’s steady grip to thrust himself onto the wall parallel to her own.   They ran across the wall with lightning fast speed towards the end of the gap from where they entered, did this maneuver in the same amount of time it took someone to blink.  Death and Ssnare supporting one another looked down upon the shocked and enraged faces of the upperclassman with grins.  As the magnificent team of Death and Ssnare cleared the gap Ssnare activated a trap set just seconds before the older students entered after them.  A rain of arrows rained down on the heads of all the upperclassman, fatally wounding some while others escaped unscathed.  The ones, who weren’t bowing to Death and Ssnare in defeat, ran to face the two lowerclassmen with their weapons bared, and poised for the attack.  They where ready though.  As the enemies encircled them cutting off any chance of escape, Death and Snare just smirked knowingly.  The upperclassmen where caught off guard by the smiles, and took it as another trap had been set around them, they tensed, and no one dared to move until their opponents moved first.  A new battle had been spurred, a battle of patience.  Not a movement could be seen between the two parties; the minutes that had passed seemed like hours until one foolish demon couldn’t take it anymore and charged at the two they surrounded.  Screaming like a wild banshee, he was trying to catch them off guard and knock them back on their heels with surprise.  It didn’t work though, with short movements of the fingers they where betting between themselves who would crack first.  Death won.  The charging demon headed towards Ssnare, thinking he had the advantage with the spear he used, over the sword Ssnare carried.  Without braking contact Ssnare bent over and with a roll Death swiftly came over his shoulders and back to face the demon charging, and swiftly cut open his leather tunic’s collar with a deft swipe of her scythe and exposed his neck.  She would have sliced his throat if it wasn’t for the barrier surrounding him.  Ssnare knew his disadvantage when it came to spears and other long weapons with great length and Death and him agreed that she could handle spears while he handled blocking arrows, throwing knives, and daggers.

Death looked down upon the bowing demon, “Dead,” she said with a grin.

The other demons took that as a cue to charge at the pair, trying to overwhelm them with numbers. 

 

          “Izin’t she amazing?!” asked Thatch in a dreamy voice as he watched Death’s deadly yet graceful dance with her scythe.

“She’s a freak of Fire that’s what she is!!” said Ratech in a panicky voice. Ever since the encounter with death, he has been panic stricken and paranoid whenever anyone even mentions her name.

“Zuch grace, zuch beauty! Somezing inside me yearns for her touch, her body, her blood!” Thatch said still gazing at Death, mesmerized by her elegance, and strength.

“I think I’m going to be sick!” said Ratech gagging, on his on vomit.  Ratech once to thought Death was the most beautiful demon that he had seen, but that was until he experienced her ugly evil side. He cringed at the thought of even touching that monster again.  So frightened by her he was, he didn’t even realize he was trembling, as he looked back to the terrifying dance of blade and scythe. 

 

          But suddenly as soon as the swinging of the blades they had stopped and Death and Ssnare where left standing all alone in the middle of a mound of bowing bodies.  Thatch detached himself from his hiding place, reluctantly followed by Ratech’s stumbling form. 

“Death my Angel! I am zo hoppy to zee you made it zis far!” Thatch said walking up to them in confidence, with his arms out in a welcome.

“I was wondering where you went to friend!” said Ssnare, happy to see his friend too, because if Thatch had been one of the weaklings who had gotten out in the very beginning then he would have to find a new friend.

“Yez! It is a pleazure indeed!” Thatch’s face suddenly darkened, “But now it iz time for me to defeat you!” Thatch said in a menacing sort of way.
Thankfull she still had her back towards Thatch, she worked her hands quickly to project a message to Ssnare.

Circle around Thatch and defeat him while I distracted him, she signed.

He is like an assassin! He won’t be distracted easily! Ssnare warned.

Bet! Death signed.  She unzipped the top of her leather vest a little, and turned to face Thatch.

“Hey Thatch?” Death asked in a seductive pout.

Thatch’s mouth hung opened as he stared goggle-eyed at Death’s reviled breasts, “Y-yes?” Thatch asked in a day dreamy voice.

Ssnare was so shocked by Death’s little stunt that he almost forgot what he was supposed to do, but the sound of Death’s voice tugged him out of his stupor

“Would you please do me one itsy bitsy favor and fix the zipper on my shirt?”

“YEZ MA’AM!!” Thatch roared with eagerness, drool coming out of the side of his mouth.  But before he could take to steps forward a sword gammed into his back, right where his heart would be, next thing he knew he was on his knees, looking up at Death zipping her vest back up. 

“NO! NO ZIPPY UP!—ZIPPY DOWN!! ZIPPY DOWN NOW!!!” said the saddened Thatch acting like a three year old, more upset about the lack of skin Death was now showing than his loss of the championship. In a flash of light Thatch was sent away into the stands where the other losing competitors now watched the battle.  Death turned to see Ratech looking at her with a mask of horror upon his face.

“Boo,” Death said.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Ratech screamed.  In a panic he plunged one of his throwing knives purposefully into his gut, disqualifying himself just to get away from Death.

Death looked at Ssnare and saw him laughing hysterically on the ground.

“Laugh it up Mr. Haha man your next!” said Death kicking Ssnare’s foot. 

 

          Suddenly the veil of silence was lifted, a deafening overexcited cheering came from all around the arena. 

“Congratulations, Death and Ssnare, you have outwitted your opponents in many and dare I say some unusual ways.” Thundered Lithnar’s voice from overhead.

“Great!” Death yelled back, “Now can I get the hell out of here? I have some important business to attend to!”

“Not so fast!” Lithnar said, “The champion needs to be determined between the two of you! How it is to be determined is also up to you two as well!”

“How is it usually done?” asked Death.

“By battle between the two opponents with out the shields and protecting barriers!” Lithnar explained.

Ssnare had now composed himself, and stood side by side with Death, and tapped her on the shoulder.
“Excuse me a minute while I talk to my associate for a minute.” Death said.

Whispers could be heard from the two conversing.

“—YOU DID WHAT—?!” roared Death.

“SSSSSSHHHH!!” Ssnare said, and began speaking to her in softer tones.

“—uh-huh—I guess that would work—,” muttered Death.

Death looked up and pointed to Lithnar, with a questioning look upon her face she looked back down to meet Ssnare’s eyes again, and saw him nod.

“—What happ-?”Death started but was interrupted by Lithnar.

“MAKE YOUR DECISION NOW, I TIRE OF WAITING!!” he roared.

Death and Ssnare broke the huddle and peered up at Lithnar.

“You know you really need to switch to decafé, it’s better for you, helps relax—,”
“YOUR CHOICE NOW!!!!” Lithnar thundered, his patents warring thin with the sharp-tongued demon. 

“Alright alright! I have decided…that……you need a hair cut. But I mean that in a good way!” she said innocently.

Her remark brought howls of laughter from the crowd and a growl from Lithnar.

“Okay! okay! I get it!” Death said, “We’re going to flip a coin to determine the winner.”

“That’s it?” Lithnar remarked dryly.

“Yup.”

“Call it,” Ssnare said as he flipped a coin in the air.

“Heads!” Death said.

Ssnare caught the coin and peered under his hand, “I’m sorry Death but……” Ssnare started, feeling the tension within the stadium was as thick as gravy, as the winner of the toss was declared, “You win.” Ssnare hung his head as he showed the coin to her and Lithnar. Cheers erupted everywhere. Death punched Ssnare on the shoulder for worrying her like that, before she was carried off on the shoulders by the many spectators that swarmed her on the wasteland like terrain.

Great just what I wanted more attention! Thought Death, as she was washed away with the sea of demons. And it doesn’t end here does it? she asked herself rhetorically. 

Chapter 12

Blush 

 

          With a lazy but precise flick of her slender finger she unlocked the door of her room, with a soft click.  Her teacher had ordered them to use magic to do everything a whole twenty four hours. 

‘What a drag!’ thought Death.  As she opened the door she was bombarded by gifts, and letters of admiration. 

“Again?” came a smooth chuckling voice from down the hall.  This had already happened to Death once before and now she swore to herself that she’ll be more conscious and aware next time. 

“Shut up Ssnare and help me out!!” simmered Death.

Still chuckling he made his way towards the avalanche of presents and dug his way through the gifts, letters, and tokens, to her compressed form.  Death was not happy.

“When did you get so popular?” he said mockingly grinning as he heaved her out of the mess.

“Oh Ssnare, don’t you remember?” Death said in a shocked voice, “It was when I kicked you’re a** and everybody else’s at the tournament!”

“He-he, true but if you hadn’t won then al the money I bet on you would have gone to waist,” he remarked, with a shrug.

“You do have a point,” asked Death raising an eyebrow.

“And speaking of earnings I just went to collect my pay!” he said patting a pouch tied to his belt.

“So how much did we win?” curiously asked.

“We!?!” exclaimed Ssnare feigning disbelief.

“Yes we! You should remember what you told me at the arena.” Death said leaning up against the wall of the hallway.

“I don’t know…should I?” Ssnare remarked, pressing his body closer to hers and putting a hand on the wall above her head for support as he leaned in further towards her bodies almost touching. He wanted to make her blush; he thought she looked so cute when her pale cheeks tuned a rosy red.

“Yes,” Death said impassive to his approach and advances, knowing what he was up to.

“Can you possibly refresh my memory?” he asked in a calmly gentle, almost seductive manner. 

          The crowd was tingling with excitement patiently waiting form the outcome of the glorious and exhilarating battle.

“I want you to win,” Ssnare said quietly, just barely an inch apart in a huddle, whispering so none could hear but Death.

“Why?” asked Death thinking he was tricking her.

“Well,” started Ssnare, hesitating, “—well because I think you should, you fought more than I, and you most certainly proved—”

“Cut the crap!” Death said annoyed.  She wasn’t annoyed that Ssnare was lying to her, she was annoyed because of how badly he did it.

Ssnare let out a sigh of defeat, “Well because I betted on you to win.  Others placed bets on you to be the first who loses, the odds where stacked so high up against you that I couldn’t help my self!” He said in his defense.

“YOU DID WHAT?!” exclaimed Death.

“SSSSSSHHHH!!” sounded Ssnare, and began talking in a lover voice, “Look we’ll pretend to flip a coin, and you call heads.  If you do this then I’ll split the money twenty-eighty with you!”

“Okay!” said Death.

“Really?” Asked Ssnare surprised that there was no argument.

“Sure! I get the eighty and you get the twenty!” Death said grinning as happily as a little kid with a lollypop at her reasoning.

“Funny.” Ssnare said with no humor in his voice, “How about thirty-seventy?”

“Ummm, how bout…fifty-fifty?”

“Forty-sixty.”

“Fifty-fifty.”

“Come on be reasonable!” said a stone faced Ssnare.

“I am,” said Death clearly enjoying herself.

“But I made the bet with my money!”

“Ah—but you see, I’m the one you made the bet on. Soooo technically, I can either make you or break you!” Death smiled sweetly as she said this.

“Fine!” Ssnare agreed reluctantly, “You’re such an agreeable kind of person you know.” Said Ssnare his voice coated with sarcasm.

“I think so too!” Death said grinning.

“Need I say more?” smirked Death, her voice echoing through the hallway.

“Alright! You convinced me!” Ssnare said feigning exhaustion and slumped his head on her shoulder.

“I just knew you’d see it my way!” she said, “Now will you help me trash this stuff so we can step into my office and…lets just say….talk?” Death said in a manner of enticement teasing him, with her words as she lead him into the bedroom.

“Of course!” Ssnare said eagerly, “After you, my dear!” he said gesturing for her to proceed before him.

Both raised up their right hand, “Rrakïnar úr äcnúm thrÿstp!” they said in unison in the demonic tongue of dark magic.  They felt the dark magic’s icy matter surge through their veins, as they directed it to the pile.  In a split second the mound was consumed in blackish flames eating its way through the heap burning it into nothingness, as they commanded it to do. For the language they used was as old as the universe, and over the years the language grew powerful the more it was uttered.  Most demons dare not utter a single word of the language throughout his whole lifetime, and demons can live for thousands of years, for fear of the language overshadowing their thoughts or actions, for the language is one that could destroy even the invincible.  All demons were taught this language at birth but did not use it without permission until they graduate.   The pile disappeared and a waif of black smoke was left, quickly disappearing into the air.

“Follow me lover boy,” Death said teasingly, looking over her shoulder to the blushing Ssnare.  

‘Darnit! She turned the tables on me!? Why is it that she is the only one who can make me feel this way?’ he said as he cautiously stepped into her room, his body burning with urges he had a hard time controlling, and didn’t want to control. The fact that he knew he was blushing made him even more embarrassed, making him turn as red as his own hair.

Death’s heavy metal door slowly closed behind them giving them privacy that they both desperately wanted.  The last thing the stalking hooded figure saw before the door closed completely was Death wrapping her slender, but well muscled arms around Ssnare’s neck, and their bodies closely touching.

“Sssso the Princessss has a weaknesssss!” hissed the figure.

“Vot vould dat be?” asked a second hooded figure stepping out of the shadows.

“The Princcce of Darknessss himssself!”

“Interesting.”