On a large open plain, two armies clashed Battle cries and screams of pain echoed across the vast grasslands, now trampled into dust

Blood and bodies littered the ground, staining everything crimson

In the centre of this fray, a bolt of lighting shot towards the sky, drawing the attention of all

Plated heads turned in the direction of this summons and the fighting ceased

A circle formed, with two figures standing inside

One, clad in black robes and wielding a metal staff with a grotesque skull adorned upon its tip, grinned in savage glee

The other, wearing armour suited to her petite stature, held a bloody longsword aloft and glared ferociously at her enemy

"So... mutt, you truly believe you have the strength to challenge me?" the warlock demanded, eye alight with an insane bloodlust

"Lucien! I'm putting an end to your unholy rampage against the people of this land." the woman said with conviction.

"Unholy?!" he echoed.

He then began to laugh mockingly.

"You claim that I am unholy? How ironic coming from a mixed breed mutt like yourself! Your very existence is a taboo upon this world and you dare to call ME unholy?"

Power began to emanate from the warlock and the warrior gritted her teeth in preparation for a defense. Lucien's body began to shake as a change overcame him.

Hair sprouted from his skin as his body grew and shifted.

Soon, what was once a man was replaced with a lycanthrope.

With his transformation complete, he raised his staff and howled.

The soldiers behind him raised their weapons and howled in unison, betraying their roots along with their leader's.

So this was the power of a lycanthrope noble. The ability to transform when desired, not just during a full moon.

These thoughts flew through her mind as she decided upon her next move.

Chanting a spell under his breath, the warlock launched a ball of fire towards her.

She lunged forward, quicker than the eye could perceive as she dodged the attack, and slashed in retaliation.

The sound of steel against steel rang out as Lucien blocked the attack, his superhuman strength allowing him to easily fight back.

The two stared into each others eyes with hate as they struggled for superiority.

"Come, Iristen of Noleria." he snarled poisonously "Reveal your true nature to the men under your command. Show them the anathema that lies within that deceptive body of yours."

Lucien goaded as his eyes betrayed the hunger he felt.

The two armies stood still, watching in a trance as their commanders fought head to head.

A surge of strength from his form took Iristen by surprise and he forced the sword aside, striking her across the head and sending the woman flying.

The lycan howled in glee as he turned his staff towards the soldiers standing in shock before him.

"Maybe if I kill a few score of your men you'll do as you're told." he said with a grin as a ball of energy began to form at the head of the staff.

Before the soldiers could react, the arc of electricity raced towards them.

His eyes widened in surprise as the attack met resistance.

The light dissipated and Iristen was revealed once more.

Her long flowing hair, once the colour of gold, now glowed bright red. Her eyes too, were red as she gazed at the warlock.

"Your fight is with me, Lucien! Not my men! You will not harm them!" she yelled.

The blade she gripped was wreathed in blue flame, which danced and jumped in anticipation.

"This power! The power only wielded by the demons of the underworld. Finally, we see you for who you are, taboo half-demon!"

Lucien bared his fangs as he began another incantation.

Seeing her only opportunity, Iristen dashed forward once more and struck.

Spell and sword clashed as energy lashed out and the ground cracked under the pressure.

Soldiers on both sides increased their distance from the duel, widening the circle of battle.

Both fighters grit their teeth and put all of their strength behind their attacks.

Iristen's arms began to weaken under the strain of the continued assault.

"You can't win, half-breed! I'll ground your bones into dust and rip that demon heart out of your chest before feasting on it in front of your fading gaze!" Lucien gloated in triumph.

Realizing her options were dwindling, she put all of her power behind one final attack.

Deflecting the energy towards the ground, the earth exploded at her feet.

Dust flew everywhere and Lucien laughed, believing himself to be victorious.

Suddenly, a shadow appeared from above the cloud of dirt and descended upon him.

The warlock looked up in shock and uttered a horrified "What!?"

Iristen swung her longsword, shattering the skull atop the staff and cutting through the lycan's sinewy neck.

Lucien collapsed and his body was set alight.

His head bounced a few feet before rolling to a stop.

The half-devil woman knelt down as weariness overtook her, digging the longsword into the dirt to support herself.

With their leader dead, the lycan army began to retreat with Iristen's troops hot on their heels.

She felt someone brush her now-blonde hair aside and she looked up to find a soldier holding his hand out to her, a smile on his face.

Iristen smiled back and took his offered hand, lifting her back to her feet.

"Nice job, Commander." he said, supporting her with his arm.

"Thanks, Armen. That fool seemed hell-bent on making me show my true form."

"Guess so. it's a good thing we already know who ya are." he replied, grinning from ear-to-ear.