Rygilya Semtek trudged through the Iryvirian swamps. Anogi walked beside him while the rest of Medusa's soldiers followed behind.

The serpent queen's​ informant had been tracking the Devil Huntress and her apprentices for some time. They were recently spotted in these swamps, searching for Medusa's hideout. Rygilya knew it wouldn't be long before they crossed paths.

"So, why'd you do it?" Anogi asked. "Why'd you kill your sister?"

Rygilya cursed inwardly. He hated that the incident with his sister was known to most of Lore. He'd killed monarchs, assassinated Knights and diplomats, destroyed villages but the one thing he was most known for was murdering his elder sister.

He had the supreme council to thank for that. The scum announced his deeds to the whole of Lore to cover their own tracks.

"What's it to you?" He didn't bother to look at her.

She moved in front of him and glared him down. Her silver eyes matched her hair.

"Listen," she began. "I need to know you won't betray me and my sisters. I need to know you won't turn on us like you turned on your sister."

Rygilya gave the young woman a bored look. "You really want to know?"

Anogi nodded.

"That sounds like a personal problem." he said. Then brushed past her. "Outta my way."

He trudged on but he could feel Anogi's eyes on him. Rygilya knew the woman didn't trust him. He didn't trust her either.

He didn't trust anyone anymore.

Well almost anyone. Two people held a piece of his trust. The very person he was going to rescue.

The other, he planned to kill.

Rygilya got an ominous feeling in his gut. Something was coming.

He scanned his surroundings but only saw tall, leafless trees and swampy waters.

Anogi must have sensed something too because her guard was up.

A high-pitched wail could be heard in the distance.

"Wailers!" One of the women shouted just as Rygilya saw a creature swinging from the tall trees.

Rygilya's arm became surrounded by black lightning as a pack of them appeared. They used tentacles on their backs to swing from branch to branch.

"Prepare for battle!" Anogi commanded. Pulling free her sword from its sheathe and a pistol from its holster on her side.

The others did as they were told. All drawing their weapons and creating mana skeletons. Some used mana powered suits. Rygilya was told the Medusa was resourceful.

The beasts descended. Now closer, Rygilya could see looked like canines that could stand upright. They had four tentacles on their backs with no arms. Their teeth were razor sharp.

The creatures fell on the group and all hell broke loose.

Rygilya didn't know much about wailers. This was his first encounter with them. He was not expecting the creatures to use mana so effectively​. They were fast and swift being able to dodge gun fire.

Rygilya cut the numbers in half in under two minutes. With the help of Anogi and her sisters, the wailers were finished off in a matter of minutes.

Rygilya hardly broke a sweat. It appears Anogi had little difficulty as well. He was slightly impressed.

"Anogi!" One of the women called. "Tylum is dying!"

Anogi dropped her weapons, swearing as she rushed over to the injured. All the women gathered around. They watched as their best healer tried to stop the bleeding but the wound was too deep. The injured woman wouldn't survive. Anogi spoke a rites of some sorts.

Sure enough, she closed her eyes as took her last breath.

Anogi stood then made her way over to Rygilya who was keeping watch.

"We're burying her." She told him as she wiped her eyes.

Rygilya looked at her. "We don't have time-"

"We'll make time." she said before turning away from him.

Rygilya glared at her as she walked away.

They were in the middle of a mission. If they wasted time then Veridan might happen upon them and they'd lose the element of surprise.

"Tch." Rygilya wasn't waiting around. He couldn't care less about these women and their fallen comrade.

Deciding he'd scout ahead, Rygilya marched on through the murky waters of the swamp.

As he walked, the Darkness Tamer kept an eye out for wailers or whatever else lurked in this swamp.

He noticed the small swamp creatures would scurry away whenever he approached.

How they must curse their own weakness. To have to run away every time something bigger than themselves lumbered near would frustrate Rygilya to no end.

Rygilya's instincts kicked in.

In a split second he willed his life force to shape black mana and used it to increase his physical capabilities. He flipped backwards as something crashed into the swamp, causing a small geyser of muddy water to shoot upwards.

"Not bad!" said the feminine voice that belong to whoever landed where Rygilya had been a while ago. "You've got good instincts!"

"A'zaiah!" Called another young woman as she landed next to the first. "Don't go attacking strangers!" She smacked A'zaiah.

"Hey!" A'zaiah exclaimed. She shook her fist and said, "Don't think because you're my sister I won't give you a black eye A'liyah!"

Rygilya glared at the two young women as they bickered. Both women were brown skinned though the taller one was a lighter shade than the other. They were dark haired but some of their hair was braided and was a candy-red color. The youngest of the two, had a small lemur-like creature on her shoulder.

He knew who they were. The two apprentices of Veridan. A'zaiah and A'liyah Bloodmoon. These two were sisters who made a name for themselves during the Demon Hunt of Tur'set.

Their mentor emerged.

So much for a surprise attack. Rygilya thought a bit frustrated at his own carelessness.

Veridan Felicity landed behind the two younger women who immediately stopped their bickering.

"What are you two arguing over now?" The brown-and-black-haired woman asked, slightly amused.

"A'zaiah is trying to beat up this defenseless stranger." A'liyah said, shaking her head.

"Defenseless?" she pointed to Rygilya. "That guys obviously a Darkness Tamer!"

"She's right A'liyah." The Divine Knight said, looking Rygilya over. "Actually that's... Rygilya Semtek. What are you doing all the out in this region?"

Rygilya stayed silent. He only watched Veridan.

"Have you come to kill me?"

The Darkness Tamer still did not speak.

"Well regardless, we're capturing you and taking you back to the capital of Zyran."

She grabbed for the large weapon wrapped in bandages on her back but was stopped by her student.

"Master!" A'zaiah shouted excitedly. "Let me take him."

Veridan thought for a moment. Then lowered her arm. "Very well. You should be equal in strength. This will be a great training exercise."

"Should I join in?" A'liyah asked a bit eagerly.

A'zaiah shook her head. "I got this little sis. Just sit back and enjoy the show."

She stepped forward as her mana hull flared to life. Rygilya prepared himself. For now, he'd play along until Medusa's troops found him.

Rygilya and the young woman stared at each other, both looking for an open. She smirked.

Rygilya moved, a spear of black lightning forming in his hand. He launched it at the young woman who swerved. Rygilya watched Veridan catch the spear before it could hit her other pupil.

Rygilya turned his attention to A'zaiah as she charged him. She was upon him in an instant.

She punched for his face. He dodged and tried to counter but A'zaiah was ready. She evaded and unleashed a fury of punches and kicks.

Her fighting style was hard to read. Rygilya barely had time to dodge or block.

She launched a kick that Rygilya prepared to create an opening, except she was fainting.

Instead of kicking with her left leg as Rygilya originally ​thought she switched legs and kicked him hard with her right. A whistling sound could be heard from the swing of her foot and the attack connected hard with the Darkness Tamer's face. He crashed into a stone that sat in the swamp waters.

He tumbled a bit before flipping to regain his footing.

The dark-haired young woman laughed with zeal when she saw Rygilya had recovered with barely a scratch. "Not bad, not bad, not bad!" she said with increasing excitement. "Not bad at all! As expected of someone who even Aya Felicity has a tough time with! Guess I'll have to go all out!"

She then bit into both of her wrist, biting off large chunks of flesh. Rygilya could feel the increase in mana in the atmosphere.

It was then that the blood that leaked from her wrist began to take form. The red liquid covered her forearm and hands as well as her shin, calves and feet. Creating red gauntlets and greaves with beautiful flower patterns.

"Prepare yourself!" She called to Rygilya.

Rygilya took a stance. He increased the mana output.

A'zaiah was upon him in an instant. She throw out a combo of kicks and knees. Rygilya noticed while her speed didn't increase much, her strength and precision did. Each blow was accurate and packed incredible power. So much so that Rygilya had to resort to dodging as blocking hurt.

Rygilya found an opening when the combo ended with a kick that faced her away from him. He quickly summoned a black lightning spear to his hand, he jabbed it for her back.

She backflipped over him instantly, saying, "I see you!"

Rygilya looked up at her as she looked down at him. She had a smirk on her face and Rygilya could see her eyes where a glowing crimson with feline slits as pupils.

It's her instincts. They've been enhanced dramatically​ along with her reflexes.

She landed behind Rygilya then tried to punch. The Darkness Tamer quickly spun and used his Lightning spear to block the attack. The force sent him skidding back a bit.

"Ow!" She shouted looking at her knuckle. She grinned and got back in her stance. "That black mana is amazing just like I had heard. You're a Semtek alright."

He cursed. A'zaiah was enough to rival Aya. Which meant the two were about equal. If he didn't do something soon, he'd run out of life force to use the medallion.

"A'zaiah, look out!" Yelled​ her sister.

"I know!" The eldest called back as she turned and used her gauntlets to block mana projectiles.

Rygilya sighed inwardly in relief when he saw Anogi and her group.

"Friends of yours?" A'zaiah asked Rygilya staring at the Bloodmoon. Even though her back was to him, her guard had little openings.

Rygilya ignored her. He reached for the medallion around his neck and poured mana into it.

Thick fog of dark green and black smoke swirled around Rygilya. He couldn't see anything but he could feel a power swelling inside him.

Incredible.

It felt like that dark mana Kaden couldn't control.

After a few seconds, the fog disappeared and the transformation was complete. He noticed he was a little taller and his skin was scaly. Rygilya saw Anogi give him a nod. He then looked for A'zaiah to see she had retreated​ near her comrades. She and her sister looked surprised. Veridan observed him.

"Well, that's quite the power up." she said. She then looked to Medusa's group. "So, Medusa hired you to kill me after all. Very well. I'll take you on."

She stepped forward, pulling her massive curved weapon from her back. It was made of leather and shaped like fang.

"A'zaiah. I'll take this guy from here. That power up puts him at a Divine Knight standing so you don't have a chance anymore. You and A'liyah take care of the newcomers."

"Right Master." They both said in unison.

A'liyah bit into her wrists and threads made of blood formed between her hands. The two Knights ran forward, leaping over Rygilya to come down behind him.

Rygilya let them pass. Keeping his eyes on Veridan, he heard the signs of battle behind him and blocked it out. Even with this new power, Rygilya wasn't guaranteed a victory.

Veridan was suddenly in front of him. Her large weapon swinging down fast. Rygilya blocked it. A shockwave parted the murky water upon impact.

The Divine Knight tried to kick but Rygilya quickly caught her foot and hit her with a right hook. She was sent skidding along the water before recovering.

Rygilya wasn't planning on giving her breathing room. He was upon her instantaneously. He punched and kicked while the Knight used her weapon to block and evaded.

Rygilya threw powerful punch to end a combo, expecting Veridan to block. Instead, the woman spun out of reach and quickly used her fang shaped weapon to smack Rygilya. Sending him hurtling through the trees and away from the girls. It took him a while to regain his balance.

When he did, he saw Veridan appear in front of him.

"Now that my student won't be in the way I can go all out." she said and Rygilya felt mana form around her. She outstretched one hand and three ripples appeared in the sky above her. Time and space itself was being manipulated. "I summon thee. Come forth and aid me! Shiba! Curaw! Lyvial!"

The ripples opened up and three creatures fell out. A feline like creature that stood on its hind legs. A grey primate that carried a staff and a large red dragon that fell behind her. It knocked over trees with ease.

"Okay Darkness Tamer." Veridan said. "Let's see what you're made off. Don't hold back!"

She moved and the other creatures did as well.

Rygilya expected as much. Veridan was not only a monster hunter, but a monster tamer as well. Using a powerful skill known as warp gate contract she's able to summon creatures she previously tamed.

It was the ape that reached him first. It used its staff to attack. Rygilya wasn't caught off guard by the creatures use of a mana. He knew Veridan only tamed creatures who could use mana in some way.

The creature was fast and agile but predictable. Rygilya grabbed its tail and slammed it into the ground before tossing it away, sending a bolt of black lightning to chase.

The feline creature kicked away the attack. It went upwards before painting the sky in a large explosion of black lightning bolts.

Veridan appeared in front of him next. Her large weapon was covered in flames as she swung it with ease. He dodged and blocked, his scales being highly durable and resilient.

During the woman left herself open.

Rygilya planned on taking advantage but was foiled when the feline creature caught his arm before he could swing. It then kneed Rygilya before quickly tossing him upwards. He recovered within seconds to find Veridan sending a large pillar of earth at Rygilya, knocking him even higher.

"Now Lyvial!" She ordered.

With a roar the dragon exhaled blue flames at Rygilya. The young man stopped himself midair.

"Damn you!" He boomed.

He opened his mouth and multiple bolts of black lightning shot forth. They​ tore the flames and collided with the dragon in an electrical explosion, sending it crashing to the ground.

Veridan and the Feline appeared in front of him. They dished out an onslaught of attacks while they were descending.

Rygilya fought back. Dodging, parrying, punching and kicking. Besting this divine Knight proved difficult.

The Knight used her flaming weapon and whacked Rygilya downwards. He crashed hard into the earth creating a cavity that the swampy waters sank into.

Rygilya got up, anger boiling inside him. As long as she had those creatures, she could utilize his openings​ against him while having little to no openings of her own. Even with this Demon Serpent medallion, this match was one sided.

Veridan and her feline landed on the dragon's head.

"Impressive." She praised. "To take a foreign power and make it your own in such little time. You truly are Arraline's younger brother. A shame you chose the wrong side."

"Don't you dare speak her name." molten rage bubbled inside him. A memory of his sister's smile flashed in his mind. "You Supreme Council lapdogs aren't allowed to speak her name!"

Black lightning surrounded Rygilya, forming a lightning cloak. He was in front of Veridan in less than a second.

He fainted an attack to which the divine Knight tried to counter.

Rygilya easily slipped behind her. He sent a lightning spear with green flames straight through the feline's shoulder before it could react. The flames almost instantly corroded the beast body part. It screamed in pain was it feel off the dragon.

The Darkness Tamer felt the medallion feeding off his anger.

He was getting stronger.

Veridan spun around and kicked at him but Rygilya defended. He sent a fast jab to her face, knocking her off the dragon and into the ground. The shockwave upon impact destroyed the trees.

He appeared overhead dropping down fast to land on her but she flipped out of the way.

The two exchanged blows that broke the sound barrier. Each strike caused shockwaves that inflicted large craters in the earth.

Rygilya now understood that the more rage and anger he let himself feel, the stronger the power of the medallion. He thought of Kezell being kidnapped. He thought of Memphis' harsh beatings during training. He thought of the day he killed his sister. He thought of his sister's last words. He thought of Kaden.

He yelled in outrage; his wrath could be felt with every punch. Every kick held his resentment. It was then that the ape from before grabbed him in an arm lock to his surprise. Veridan prepared her weapon for a massive attack.

Rygilya gave a defiant outcry and corrosive flame ignited from his body.

The ape released him, screeching as it stumbled backwards. Its arms eaten up by the corroding green fire.

Veridan eyes were wide with shock. She then regained her focus. She swung the large blade with a now massive flame encasing it.

Rygilya instinctively​ maxed his mana output. He dodged her attack and in a fluid movement used his arm surrounded by green flames to cut through her mana hull.

All his strength left his body.

Rygilya tumbled along the ground a good distance due to his momentum. He stopped just in time to see Veridan's head plop in the murky waters.

"Master!" He heard one of the sisters scream in horror.

Rygilya had just enough strength in him to move his head and see A'liyah running to her master's headless body.

Rygilya coughed up blood as his vision started to go black.

Damn. The side effects.

"Rygilya!" Anogi called out landing beside him. "You did it! Mistress Medusa will be so pleased!"

"Nooooooo!" He heard A'zaiah scream.

Anogi picked up Rygilya as he closed his eyes, unable to keep from falling into darkness.

"Rygilya Semtek!" A'zaiah Bloodmoon scream sounded distant. "I'll kill you for what you've done! You hear me! I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do!"

That was the last thing Rygilya heard before he lost consciousness.