Laila’s Demon eyes were not just for show. It wasn’t just a transformation that turned her eyes the color of rich blood. Her eyes granted her a myriad of abilities. With her vision she could discern the deepest secrets. Even she didn’t know all the things her eyes were capable of viewing.

Still, this was only one of the aspects of her eyes. They also had the power to cause fear in those whose will was weak or shaken. They could even daze and confuse enemies or notice weaknesses that weren’t necessarily apparent through normal sight.

Standing in the debris and rubble from the collapsed portion of the wall she just destroyed, Laila surveyed the enemy soldiers assembling not far from where she stood. Soldiers were running in from all directions and forming up into a shield wall.

As Laila’s gaze passed over them, a rippling effect spread throughout their ranks unsuspectingly. Despite being the only enemy facing them at that moment, they couldn’t help but shudder when their eyes met hers. Their shields vibrated as their bodies shook out of their control and it was difficult for the soldiers to properly form up. The fear was so strong that they had yet to recover even when the Demihuman warriors began pouring through the breach in the walls.

It took only mere moments for the effect to take hold among the Human soldiers. Laila only halted for a moment as she dusted herself off and then quickly moved into action. Her tall and shapely form moved at unbelievable speeds and she charged relentlessly into the enemy formation like a charging bull. She needed no weapon, her fists were more than enough to send the soldiers into chaos.

Laila smashed into the shields with her fists sending them flying in all directions. The Human soldiers her fists came into contact with were sent flying. The others couldn’t even properly respond due to fear overtaking them. A wave of Demihuman warriors quickly followed behind her, charging into the helpless Human soldiers and causing their formation to quickly collapse entirely.

These soldiers were already weary and morale was low from the many weeks that their city had undergone the siege. Their mental fortitude had already been greatly affected and they found it quite difficult to resist the initial fear caused by Laila’s Demon eyes and her formidable strike on their ranks. They were much like falling dominoes giving very little resistance.

However, this was only a small part of the entire force defending the city. There were still many soldiers throughout capital and the fighting had only just begun.

“Those that surrender, spare their lives! Capture as many as possible! If they resist to the bitter end and it is impossible to capture them, only then kill them.” Laila’s voice roared throughout the battlefield reminding the warriors of their orders.

Some of the Human soldiers hearing this dropped their weapons and fell to their knees hoping to survive and yet others resisted being quickly knocked down and suppressed. The Demihuman warriors were swift and made quick work of the soldiers at the breach.

Some remained to secure the Humans that had surrendered and those which had been successfully captured or knocked unconscious. To those Human soldiers that resisted to the bitter end and could not easily be suppressed, they were cut down mercilessly.

This had been one of Fayde’s orders before his disappearance. He hoped to save as many as possible. Too many Human deaths might destabilize the nations coming under his control. Fayde had hoped to recruit some of the former soldiers of the kingdoms to their armies as well as return others back to the farms to grow sufficient food to support the population.

There were many developments that needed to be worked on and it would require a sufficient labor force and enough food. The Demihumans had never been much for agriculture and it would be impossible to transition them over to farming in the short term. Their culture revolved around hunting for the most part. Of course it would be impossible to capture everyone and none would be blamed for killing in order to preserve their own warrior’s lives.

The Demihuman warriors began to spread out throughout the city, some being led by Laila and others by Reia and some of the other powerful tribal leaders who weren’t sent North. There were pockets of resistance throughout the city as the Human soldiers mobilized against the wave of Demihuman attackers. Laila was especially effective at spreading fear throughout the ranks of Human soldiers and crushing them with her overwhelming strength. She fought much like the namesake of her people, with demonic strength and with fierce wild abandon.

The Human resistance was quelled within a few hours of breaching the city walls. It only lasted that long because of the winding streets and many small enclosures where the Humans chose to make their final stands against the enemy invaders.

However, the remaining Human forces retreated to the castle and closed the drawbridge hoping to hold off the Demihuman warriors for as long as possible. The king and many of the nobles were also hiding within the castle walls fearing for their lives. There were not many soldiers left however and it would only be a matter of time before the castle itself fell.

For all intents and purposes, the battle ended in a victory for the Demihumans. Reia and Laila had effectively led the forces in securing the city and clearing out the pockets of resistance hiding within it.

It hadn’t been easy holding the army together after Fayde’s disappearance. Many of the Demihuman warriors had been unnerved by it. In their minds, Fayde was much more than just their leader. They were awed by his power which had stemmed from the Void and treated him in an almost worship like manner.

Thankfully, women had much more authority among the Demihuman tribes and being the wife of the Great Khan was second only to the Great Khan himself. She had regained control over the warriors with the help and support of Laila and continued the siege. Only the castle in the heart of the city remained.

“Reia, it seems the king and the other nobles are hiding within the castle. What a bunch of cowards!”

Reia gave a slight chuckle, “It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise, this is how Humans fight. You should be well aware of that.”

Laila of course knew this. She had spent most of her life fighting the Empire. Demihumans did not build castles and cities, they were in many ways a nomadic people.

“Doesn’t change the fact that they are cowards, no matter how effective it may be.” Laila said with contempt.

She couldn’t help but be reminded of past battles where the Demonkin had thrown themselves against the mighty walls of Imperial cities only to lose many of their kind. There had been both victories and defeats, but in the end it had only amounted to great misfortune.

“What will we do then? There aren’t many Human soldiers left but it will still be difficult to take the castle. Many will die.” Laila muttered bitterly.

She would have loved to crush the castle with her bare hands but she knew that would be impossible. There was only one path towards the castle and no other way to approach it safely. With the drawbridge up, it would be difficult to cross without suffering lose or injury. Even with her strength, it wouldn’t be so simple. She was powerful, but she wasn’t invincible.

“You are overthinking. This castle won’t pose much of a problem for us, have you forgotten Allein?”

Laila scoffed at the mention of Allein’s name, “Her? She’s useless!”

“Laila, I understand how you feel but you shouldn’t be so hard on her. She is our sister now and also Fayde’s wife. Whether you like it or not, it would be in all of our best interests if you could at least have a minimum of civility towards her.”

“Hmph…”

While Laila wasn’t exactly thrilled about it, she had at least mostly calmed down. The battle had allowed her to vent her anger and she wasn’t as angry as she had been earlier.

“If Fayde doesn't return, I will kill her myself.”

Laila left those words before walking away. Reia watched her leave but said nothing more and soon called for one of the Demihuman warriors.

“Bring Shar and Allein here.”

“Yes my Khatun!” The warrior said while saluting and quickly ran off.

Both Shar and Allein had remained within the Demihuman camp outside the city walls while the battle took place. It took a while for them to arrive where Reia was keeping a safe distance from the castle. There were still magic casters and archers who were manning the walls of the castle and it was dangerous to get within range of their attacks.

Shar had a look of concern on his face as he approached Reia. Even though he had essentially joined the side of the Demihumans he still had some apprehension about the invasion of his homeland. He felt no such apprehension towards the other kingdoms but he couldn’t help but feel slightly anxious as he stood not far from the castle that had once been his second home.

Allein on the other hand had not fully recovered from the realization of Fayde’s disappearance. She was equally anxious and perturbed but for very different reasons. Reia was the person she found most difficult to face because she had been with Fayde the longest. Allein felt the most guilt towards her.

Reia’s hand rested on her pommel as the two approached. She didn’t turn to look at them and instead continued to stare off at the castle in the distance.

“You two have arrived, good.”

Reia had an air of command about her and the role of a commander truly fit her well. In her own way, she was quite gallant and inspiring. She had grown well into her role as a leader. Allein could only admire her confidence and fierce aura.

In the end, Allein was just a princess, someone who was lost in time and out of place in the present. Or at least that was how she felt as she admired Reia’s presence from behind.

“Shar, you will be the one to speak with those in the castle. You do understand that the only reason we are going this far is because Fayde values you.”

Those words were said as a statement and not a question, they were to remind Shar of his place.

“I understand. There is no need to say anything further.”

Reia nodded and prodded him on, “Good, then do what you came to do.”

Shar stepped forward and approached the castle walls. The drawbridge was up and there was no way to cross the moat which separated the entrance to the castle from the area around it. The soldiers along the castle walls watched him approach warily. They aimed their bows at him but seeing as it was only one Human and that he was holding a white flag, they didn’t fire their bows.

Instead, one of the soldiers called down to him.

“Shar? I thought you were dead!”

The soldier who called down to him was the captain of the royal guards and was someone who knew Shar well.

Shar looked up towards the castle walls. It was difficult to make out the person who had shouted down to him. The sun had just begun its descent and there was a bright glare which made it difficult for him to see. He was forced to block the glare of the sun with his hand but he recognized the voice.

“Knight Marnier, is that you?”

Although he recognized the voice, he wanted to be certain and so called out as loud as he could.

“Indeed, it is I! I can’t believe you’re alive! Were you captured by the Demihumans?”

Shar had an awkward smile on his face which couldn’t be seen by those on the castle walls when he heard that.

He hesitated slightly before calling out again, “Eh.. something like that. Anyway, I have come to speak terms and wish an audience with his majesty.”

Knight Marnier wasn’t sure of what to make of Shar’s words but when he considered the circumstances he figured Shar didn’t have a choice and was being used by the Demihumans.

“I will speak with the king. Please wait until I return.”

With that, Knight Marnier disappeared from view while Shar waited below.