“So… what are we doing here?” Jael asked.

“Did you forgot?” Xiodar looked at him. “That guy said that in this world are only two races, demons and humans, and demons are serving the Demon Queen. Humans have a king but Demon Queen is immortal, they hate each other and are constantly fighting.”

“I remember that.” Vampire pointed at the front of them. “But why we are at the entrance of her castle?!”

“Well, somebody has to know how to travel through dimensions, and she is the best mage out there. According to that guy we beaten up earlier.”

“You think she will listen to us?”

“Nope. She will be arrogant, order everyone to attack us until we beat them up, finally attack us herself until we beat her up and finally listen. Then she will feel stupid and tell us what she knows. Sadly we will have to beat up everyone here first.”

“And you know this because…?”

“Because that’s how it always is!” After saying this he kicked the gate. “Demon lord’s inquisition!”

They walked through dark corridor of medieval castle. It was long and huge with countless doors at both sides. The only source of light were candles attached to the walls.

After five minutes…

“Okay! Enough!” Xiodar stated while stopping suddenly. Jael gave him questioning look without even bothering to open his mouth. “It’s too empty! We are walking like forever and no traps whatsoever! It can means three things!” Demon lord started explaining.

“One, this is illusion and we are going in circles. Two, they are not here. And three, they are waiting in amb*CRASH*” A big figure smashed through the doors on the left and slammed into talking demon. Then they both crashed to the doors on the right.

Jael was about to move but then a spear appeared, piercing through his chest. Vampire just looked at it and murmured. “And you say I’m jinxing.” He turned his head around to see his enemy. But it was just generic demon number 3.

“Now surrender and start talk!” Spear holding demon was making the best threatening face. That quickly changed when the blur from earlier flew back to the doors it appeared from. Xiodar just walked out and turned to them.

“You take number 3 I’ll take number 5.” And entered where the giant figure flew. Jael stared at the demon the whole time with blank expression.

“You’ll regret not taking us serious!” Number 3 shouted in anger. To his surprise, vampire turned black and split into small parts. “What the?!” He didn’t have enough time to complain as swarm of bats started biting and scratching him.

Demon started waving his arms madly but bats were too small and quick. “Fight seriously!” As he said it bats flew back and surround him. ””””””Ok.””””””” The voice came from everyone. Then a purple fireball formed in front of all bats.

“Ummm… I changed my mind?” Demon had nowhere to escape. Then was burned in a instant. “AAAAIIIIAAA!!!” He shouted and fall on the ground unconscious.

On Xiodar’s side.

“Ready to give up?” Demon lord walked up to the demon he punched all the way to the wall.

“…GOT YOU!” Giant demon suddenly stood up and wrapped his arms around Xiodar.

Demon lord was lifted up with only his right hand left free. “If you wanted a hug you could just ask.” He said while struggling.

“You fool! My skill makes everyone I hold unable to control their mana!”

“Oh really.” Xiodar reached up and break off one of his horns. Then stuffed it between demon’s eyes. “They aren’t just for a decoration, you know?” He said as the demon fall on the ground.

*******

Hermoth took a slip of tea and sighed. “That kid is probably dead by now.” He said while looking down at the valley. Jack was there more than a week, with a worn down sword as the only protection.

Old man just sat there enjoying his afternoon tea. Then suddenly a hand reached from the cliff. “KYYYAA!” He jumped back in fear. Shortly after, Jack’s head appeared. Hermoth joined his hand into praying sign. “Rest in peace vengeful spirit.” Then he started to push the head down.

“Hey! I’m not dead!” Jack resisted.

Old man just snorted. “That’s exactly what a ghost would say!” Then he kicked him down. After sighing in relief while listening to panic screams, he patted his own shoulder. “Another crisis averted.” He turned around with intention to walk away, but pissed of teenager stood there.

“That was on purpose.” He pointed at old man. He looked even more angry because of tattoos that looked like tiger strips. Even his hair turned yellow.

“Oh there you are. I was waiting for you and even fight ghosts, while you were taking your sweet time.” He waved his hand like dismissing the topic of attempt murder. While Jack were making strangling motion, Hermoth spoke again. “Go eat something and sleep, we’ll start tomorrow.”

He pointed at a house at the distance. Jack was just too tired to argue and listened.

The next day.

Jack stood in the circle drawn on the ground while Hermoth was hammering a wooden pole five meters away. When it was ended, he handed over another sword to Jack. “Now cut the pole down without walking out of the circle.”

Jack looked back with the look saying ‘The f**k you just said?’ and asked. “The f**k you just said?” He was looking back and forth between the sword and pole.

“C. U. T. Gap. T. H. E. Gap. P. O….”

“I heard! HOW!?”

“Swing the sword really fast and strong.”

“THAT’S IT?!”

“That’s it. Oh. And don’t use spirit.”

“Great. Something else?”

“You won’t move from there until you are done.”

“Wha?!”

“And don’t get food either.”

“What about water?!”

“Don’t worry. It rains a lot in the mountains.”