Harrowgate….(The next day)

Bonifaas stood in the large stone throne room of Harrowgate. Taking in the sight and design of it all. It was peaceful and quiet until Daubeny barged in.

"You," Daubeny said in a sour tone. "It is time you explain yourself," he added.

The Commander entered alongside Daubeny.

"Explain myself for what?" Bonifaas asked defensively.

"You real purpose for this army! I was told you plan to make peace with all the factions! Is that true?!" Daubeny said again in a sour tone.

"It is," Bonifaas answered calmly.

"You imbecile! We are to go to war with our own people and you want to make peace?! We will lose this war before we are even to start it!" Daubeny exclaimed angrily.

"What is wrong with trying to make peace with others that have a common enemy?!" Bonifaas asked.

"We would be fighting a war on three fronts! Black Stone Legion, Vikings, and the Samurai would be on us! We can't have that happen! If we are to end Apollyons rule then we must do it on our own!" the Commander explained.

"Agreed! Now there is another matter to discuss." Daubeny said.

"Hold on-" Bonifaas was cut off by the Commander.

"What in Gods name are you?!" the Commander asked aggressively.

"What do you mean?" Bonifaas asked.

"He means exactly what he asked. What are you?! Your head turned into a serpent during the duel." Daubeny answered.

"So you remember that huh?" Bonifaas asked.

"A large head of a serpent is not hard to remember." said the Commander.

"Well if you must know I am still a man that you see before you. I had died in a duel against an overwhelming opponent. In death, I met the man you killed in the previous duel. I thought he was the answer to the problem. I thought with his help we would have easily ended Apollyon. But that was not enough. We were both defeated but in my last moments, I unlocked something within me I guess you could say. I immediately gained the power to overpower Apollyon. I had her cornered but in my foolishness, I lost the chance to end it all and got myself killed for it." Bonifaas explained.

"You are a warlock?!" the Commander asked.

"No. I am nothing of a witch or a warlock. I don't know what I am anymore but I know I am still a man. I cheated death and have access to powers I have yet learned and given the head of a serpent. I guess I am basically immortal but can still experience what dying feels like." Bonifaas explained.

"Is there more like you?" Daubeny asked.

"Apollyon is the only other person I know that has this kind of power," Bonifaas answered.

"Great. Not only is she in charge of a powerful army but she is also immortal? How do you expect anyone of us to stand against her long enough if she has this power?" Daubeny asked doubt in his voice.

"I don't expect anyone of us being able to stand against her long at all. This is why I say we need to reunite the factions once more, back then when Balendin was alive. If we want the biggest chance at fighting her we must get all the help we can get." Bonifaas explained.

"Before we even consider what to do next, I must know. Who are you?" asked the Commander.

"My name is Bonifaas. I am a Black Stone defector." Bonifaas answered.

"Bonifaas…" the Commander said calmly questioningly.

"My name reminds you of someone?" Bonifaas asked.

"Aha! You are the legendary Silent Judge! That's why your name sounded familiar." the Commander said proudly.

"Do not call me that," Bonifaas demanded.

"Why not? I've heard you had actually managed to leave the Black Stone Legion! Until your death in the far North in The Pit." the Commander said proudly.

"That name means nothing to me, never had," Bonifaas said annoyed.

"I never thought I'd meet the one man, the ONLY knight, who was actually one of Apollyons most treasured soldiers. How pissed she must've been when she found out you were murdered!" the Commander said elatedly.

"You've got your answer!" Daubeny shouted. "So have I." he added.

"Have you now?" Bonifaas asked sarcastically.

"Yes, I have. Now can we please discuss the war plan like this is an actual War Room?!" Daubeny asked annoyed.

Just when things were about to get serious a minion rushes into the three.

"My lords!" shouted the minion panting as he ran inside. "The Black Stone Legion, they have attacked and completely decimated the Viking fortress, Svengard!" he added.

The three looked to one another in unison.

"Apollyon took over the fortress?!" Daubeny asked shocked of the news.

"Took over, no. She destroyed everything I guarantee it. Nothing is left there but ashes, and corpses! Agh!" Bonifaas said angrily and turned away from the two.

"Why has she targeted that fortress? It's not a place where they train most of their warriors. It's a storehouse for mostly food." the Commander said.

Bonifaas immediately realized what she plans to do. "She didn't plan to take over or just destroy one fortress. She's planning on starving them!" he explained.

"The Vikings only have one storehouse? Does that mean-" Daubeny questioned until Bonifaas cut in.

"She plans on making them kill each other!" Bonifaas said. "If Svengard was the only storehouse for all the clans what do you think they'll do?!" he asked.

"I think they'd mostly starve." the Commander said uncaringly.

"Yes, that too but they'd turn on each other and get most of what others have that won't be given up easily!" Bonifaas said turning back to them.

Daubeny then asked, "Do we plan to make a move on her while she is distracted?"

"No. We can't. Not now when our numbers are still rising and even when the Iron Legion is still scattered." Bonifaas answered.

"If we wait too long your peace idea will fail before it even began. What is it we are going to do when we do have enough?!" Daubeny asked eagerly.

Bonifaas was stuck without an answer to give. What will they do when they have enough men to send off to fight? Fighting is hard but commanding is even harder. You must be certain of the moves and strategies you make or you'll face heavy consequence's.

Apollyons castle….

Apollyon had returned to her castle, sitting upon her throne once again tapping her fingers away on the stone chairs arm. Her head resting in her hand that laid on the opposite arm of the seat. She had removed her helmet this time though. She had placed it on her lap while she patiently sat there. A single strand of her hair got in her face. She stopped tapping her fingers and grabbed the single hair, holding it still for her to examine. She saw it was lighter than usual. Was she getting old? Too old perhaps to her liking. She released the single hair and sighed as she stood from her throne, grabbing her helmet as she did. She held it by her hip and walked down from her throne. Walking across the carpet leading from her throne to the giant door, no guards approached her sides. She opens one of the doors and exits. The sun shined high in the sky but her castle was too tall for any light to shine over her. She'd prefer the shadows than the warming light. Her heart, her soul, her reasons for what she did, she was the walking meaning of death. Cold to all even herself.

Her castle was empty at the moment as she was able to get a horse to ride back by herself. All alone now, she walked down to the bridge area standing over her large exterior gates. Standing in the middle of it all she stared at its emptiness. She appeared to be in anguish but hid it well as only a tense noticeable twitch on her eye happened for just a second. Then suddenly she spoke in a soft commanding yet very tense tone, "Show me again."

The world around her slowly turned into a aftermath war zone. Did she command the power of the blue flaming skull to show a vision? Debris covered the area of the Black Stone Legion fortress. Fires burned, corpses laid all over the place, death was everywhere her eyes could see. She slowly walked across the bridge, searching for something. As she passed by more bodies, she saw recognizable soldiers she still currently has but dead. Until she came across what she was looking for but hoping at the same time she hadn't. Her eyes rested on the sight of another dead body but this one actually scared her more than anything. She silenced her breathing for a moment seeing as nothing changed for what she found, again.

"Spirit?" Apollyon called gently suppressing the shudders under her voice.

The blue flaming skull appears beside her, no cold feelings.

"I thought what I was doing changed this?! Did you forget to tell me something?" Apollyon asked softly never taking her eyes off the body below her.

"Death comes for us all. Run from it. Hide from it. Death cannot be stopped for those who are marked." the blue flaming skull said in its ghostly whispering voice.

"Marked?! I mark peoples death with my very sword and my own hands! I must be able to change this! I do not care what it would take! Tell me how to prevent this from happening." Apollyon said aggressively minding her temper.

Shooting its flaming glance to hear it asked, "Only this you want to prevent? Even after all you have done until now?"

Apollyon looked over to the skull, nodding saying, "Yes."

The skull knew this would change many things even if it was one death to be prevented. "Go to the East. You will find a fortress there. Inside you can seek the help you need to stop this. But heed my warning, death will come for many still but this one you want to be undone will change everything forever." the blue flaming skull explained.

Apollyon was able to relax a bit but she still feared what laid in front of her. The skull disappeared and the vision of the world around her returned to normal. As soon as she could see her undamaged castle again she looked up across the bridge again. She then began to heavily but slowly breath in and out. Shuddering in her breath and…. a tear?

She felt the lone tear run down her face. Using her free hand, she reached up and wiped it off her face. The shuddering, the heavy slow breathing… is she afraid? The unkillable, unstoppable, untamable, merciless Apollyon… scared? A force not to be reckoned with was afraid. Even adrenaline thrill seekers apparently fear death. Only, this death she wants to prevent felt different. Why? Killing is all she knows but being killed is an impossibility for her. What does she have to prevent her own death for then? Or was it someone else's?

Apollyon releases a sorrowing sigh before putting on her helmet back on. Looking down at the very spot she was looking at in the vision, she turned around to head to the jail entrance. She walked down the steps letting her boots and armor stomp loud as possible. When she reached the bottom and turned left into the hall, she saw who she expected to stay right where she wanted her. Amada, on the ground, curled up, pale more than ever before, and when Apollyon got closer what does she see? A small bump forming around Amada's stomach.

"Well, it didn't take long for you to become pregnant or is that just the leftovers filling you up?" Apollyon asked sinisterly.

"Go to-" Amada was quickly shushed by Apollyon finger.

"Shhh Shh, Sh Sh. I know. I am a heartless wretch with no love for anyone. But sadly you don't know me that well to even think that." Apollyon said softly then lifted her off the ground by grabbing her neck, choking her. "I gave you… so many chances to prove yourself to me. I did. Instead, you go, have your way with Mercy and when to make even the hardest decision, your second chance by the way. You let it slip away because of what?" she added.

Amada didn't say anything but look at Apollyon as angrily as she could.

"Don't tell me you actually love her?" Apollyon scoffed. "You were my second favorite assassin. Would've been my only favorite if you had just killed her," she added before letting her drop to the floor. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Well, no one actually cares about you anyway. I had the pleasure to hear Mercy tell me straight to my face that she has given up on you. She would've been happier if you just killed her. Now, look at you. Reduced to nothing but a whore. No real love from anyone except those wanting to be satisfied by what only a woman can give best in life. That being her body." she explained.

Amada lifted half of her naked body up off the ground and said, "Liar! Mercy cares about more than you know! She'd never leave me here to rot! She'd kill you and every man who has done me wrong! The only person here who has no one to care about them is you."

Apollyon was certainly ticked off by the insult but brushed it off. "No one eh? Well, that's a real shame. I thought the entire youthful I lived said I had many that cared about me." Apollyon said.

"You're nothing but a monster! Torturing everyone who doesn't fall under your banner! Killing the ones who don't need to be killed! When you die… God won't have enough room for you in heaven." Amada said angrily.

"Yeah, and neither will hell when I'm done. I'll have the best view inside purgatory." Apollyon retorted.

Amada looked down, expressing a face of defeat.

"Aw. Don't feel bad. You win some and you lose some right? How about this? I'll give you the chance to end this and you can start over, sound good?" Apollyon asked jokingly.

Amada glanced up to Apollyon for a second then nodded.

"Perfect. All you need to do is just say, 'please.' Can you do that?" Apollyon said.

Amada knew nodding her head was probably the worst mistake she made. "Please," she said.

"Please what?" Apollyon asked sinisterly smiling and slowly crouching down to Amada.

"Please… end this. This… pain. This… suffering. I want it to stop. I want another chance." Amada begged her voice breaking up.

"Well, you actually managed to do it. I'm impressed." Apollyon said in a pleased tone.

Amada felt somewhat better from it and relaxed a little more.

Apollyon nodded her head slowly but then said, "That was good but sadly I don't give third chances!" Apollyon quickly wrapped her entire arm around Amada's neck and use her free hand to hold the top of her head still. "You said there won't be enough room for me in heaven huh?! Well then, let's start filling it up! Starting with you!" Apollyon shouted as Amada struggled for freedom and air.

She kicked, squirmed, tried to breath but with no success was she able to free herself. She kicked harder and harder, squirmed as crazy as she could to break free. But then, it happened, Apollyon quickly released her arm around her neck and grabbed Amada's bottom jaw. With little to no effort, she twisted Amada's head as hard as she could and the room echoed with a loud snap of a bone. The kicking stopped, the squirming ceased, and the heart of Amada stopped beating. Apollyon held her head until she saw she stopped moving then let it drop to the floor. Apollyon sighed as soon as Amada's body hit the floor. Another soul was ripe for the taking. Now there was only one thing left to do.

Apollyon grabbed Amada by long flowing brown hair and began to drag her out of the jail area. Once outside she walked over to an armaments rack with weapons of all variety. The one she wanted though lined up with many others like it was a pike. She took it from the racks and proceeded to walk back over to the bridge. She releases Amada's body and went to work on the pike. She impaled it into the bridge standing upright at her height to reach the point of it. Then she crouched down beside Amada's body. So young and frail she was but dies so easily like everyone else. Apollyon reaches for something around her waist. She pulls out a straight bladed dagger. Simple in design and nothing too fancy. She took her dagger and placed it above the bump Amada had.

She pushed the dagger into Amada's body and began to carve a circle around this bump. Once fully carved Apollyon pulled off the skin from the top of the cut she made. Taking more than skin off it was simple but extremely dirty work to reveal a small fetus, inside Amada. Apollyon reached in and ripped out the fetus from the umbilical cord. It was still attached to the fetus but no anymore to Amada's body. She drops the fetus, puts her dagger away and goes back to Amada's body. She used both of her hands to lift the body high off the ground, over her head. Apollyon then puts it on top of the pike, then used Amada's arms and legs to pull down so she is impaled on the pike. Halfway down and so much blood had been spilled. Once finally done with Amada's body she picked up the fetus again.

She reached for the top of the pike again and impaled its small body on the top. Pushed it down past the arrow tip, she let it hang there for all to see. The umbilical cord reached down to Amada's body, barely touching the edge of the hole where Apollyon had cut.

She had finished. The pike stood firm where it was planted and did not appear to lean or slide down. Apollyon's hands were covered and dripping with Amada's blood. What was the reason behind it? What was she gaining from this or what was driving her to do this? It was just sick in the head kind of disturbing. Reasons for it are beyond comprehension. She just had to satisfy her bloodthirst with a bit of flair to it. Stepping back, she examined her work. Like an artist soaking in the detail, the texture, and trying to understand the meaning behind it all.

Apollyon walks away from the messy scene that she had created. Now she must ride again to the east in search of a fortress that has the help the skull told her she needs. Crossing back to the other side she hops back on her horse and goes through the smaller gate she entered through that was out of sight but easy access. Her horse of choice Black all over and massive in size. Heading out through the gate she entered, she left it open since she wanted to not waste any precious time.

Somewhere in the woods….

The Black Stone Legion marched its way back home but something was off, way off. The army was still strong and they had succeeded but Mercy and the Warden were missing. Nowhere to be seen at all and on top of it all, Holden was now by himself. Well, not completely as he was now holding a chain that was attached to the Shamans neck. Other chains were connected too and they were being held by three separate officers that had their chains connected to the Shamans neck. Inhumane to anyone but after the terrifying experience of watching this one Viking girl easily rip through armor without trouble and can kill with her bite was the only way of keeping themselves safe. However, the Shaman does not appear to be in any state of seeking more blood now. She visibly appears like she is relaxed now. Except relax is a bit far from how she is now.

She remembers that bloody night. It haunts her as she is still stained with all the blood she devoured and bathed in. Stone was the first victim and Holden is still contemplating about how he feels. He feels bad that Stone died but how he feels from just knowing him. Were they ever really friends? Did they have an actual friendship or was it just mutual? He wonders if he really feels like he lost a friend other than a soldier.

That night, when the Shaman was still crazed by the voices and blood. By the time she had returned to her senses, she witnessed the horrifying sight of her actions. She saw herself surrounded by dead bodies and they weren't Black Stone. She had murdered all the survivors in her frenzy. Apollyon then hopped on her horse and took off for their castle.

The Shaman never wanted this to happen. She never wanted to kill anyone unless it was self-defense. She's had to live in solitude and survive on her own because she became an outcast by force. Her own people made her appear as this evil disciple of death and sacrifice. Except she is only cursed with this unfortunate sinful desire because of her past. She was never raised from hell or any dark magic. She was born like all of us. A small child who had a big life ahead of her but she was taken and everything that would've been hers was destroyed. All she gets now is scraps.

She learned to hunt but not with the proper methods or anyway humane. She learned to live like a wolf, a lone wolf at that. No friends or anyone that's like family to her, well as far as we know.

As the Shaman continued to be pulled by the chains around her neck one of the officers got a bit tired of the slow movement she was giving them. Since he stood behind her he whipped his chain to try and make her move faster. When the force hit her from behind her head, she immediately darted for the officer behind her. But they were prepared for any kind of resistance she pulled like such. When she goes in one direction the others holding the chains pull her back to prevent her from getting anywhere. She ceased trying to get anywhere near the officer that whipped her and went on with moving forward.

A few minutes later the same officer did it again. The Shaman just kept her cool and ignored it. The officer does it again but the Shaman still continues to ignore it. Now the officer planned to do it again and this time the Shaman was ready. When she heard the officer lift the chain in his hand she instantaneously spun around and pulled on his chain in particular. He wasn't ready for it at all and was dragged into her range helplessly. The Shaman quickly latched onto the officer and held on tight as she began to beat the absolute crap out of him with her fist. She held nothing back as she would not take another whip from a chain. Holden and the others quickly tried to use the chains to pull her off the officer. She had a powerful grip on him though and continued to lay all her anger into him. As Holden and the others put all their weight into pulling the Shaman she used this as an opportunity. Letting go of the officer everyone that held a chain was thrown back like they were shoved. She could now move freely with no trouble as everyone let go of the chains. Quickly she crawled on all fours over to the same officer that whipped her who was now on the snowy ground. He was face first into the ground and was just getting back up.

But soon it was too late for him to react and the Shaman was on his back. She grabbed him with both hands by his shoulders and began to slam his face into the ground. She slammed his head a good six times before wiping the sweat she quickly built up from this. It wasn't long before she continued to slam his head again a few times harder than before. Just as she was throwing in a few more slams she was quickly pulled off by the chains by two officers that were also holding the chains. Holden rushed over as the Shaman was held back to check on the officer she attacked. He lifts up the officer by the shoulder and saw blood pouring out from his helmet. She has claimed yet again another victim. Now it was down to three people holding the chains. They decided to leave him as he would be just dead weight in their journey back.

They quickly got the Shaman under control again and Holden made sure he held onto two chains now. It seems for the rest of the time the Shaman had not tried to attack anyone of them.

Somewhere in the mountain forests….

Eir lead the group of survivors through the forest as far as they could go only to make sure that the Black Stone Legion was out of their hair. They barely had any remaining survivors though. Fifteen reduced to now twelve. Three injured survivors died due to their wounds. The remaining survivors that were are alive are capable of walking and able to help the Orochi walk. It was dreadfully cold and almost every one of the survivors have gotten sick but not Eir or the Orochi. They handle the situation like champs. But that doesn't help them in their current state though.

"Eir, we must find a way out of these mountains." the Orochi said groaning from the sharp pains on his chest.

"I know but this was not the way I had intended. If we were to go around Black Stone they would've caught up with us some time. They will not follow as long as we go deeper into the mountains. Once we are on higher ground we will be able to tell where we must go from there." Eir explained as she lifted her feet high above the ankle deep snow.

"Sure but how long will that take?" the Orochi asked in a rude manner.

Eir ignored the tone of his voice and responded. "As long as it needs to," she answered nicely.

"As long as we're still alive you don't care." the Orochi answered rudely again through the agonizing pain.

Eir didn't let that slide and told everyone to stop. Eir looked to the man who had taken responsibility to hold the Orochi up on his feet and told him to let him go. Without a moment to think he listened to Eir and released the Orochi.

"Walk to me," Eir demanded calmly.

"What?" the Orochi asked confused.

"WALK. TO. ME. Now." EIr demanded again a bit harsher in her voice.

The Orochi knew she sounded serious so he did not try to ask again and just do what she said. He took one foot, lifting it up above the snow and put it in front of the other, not without almost losing his balance from the shocking pain in his chest. He slapped his hand to his chest as he fell down to his knee. Only catching himself with his free hand that went straight into the snowy ground.

"Guess we should carry on, don't need dead weight holding us back right?" Eir asked the Orochi as she knelt down to his level.

"If you had to, you would. Don't tell me you would drag a dead man anywhere until you find the right place to bury him?" the Orochi asked pointing to the man that was carrying him to get his point across. "I'm sorry for the comment I made. But we can't keep going like this." the Orochi said calmly.

"I care about these people. MY people. Don't make me have to decide between them or you. Cause we both know what would happen." Eir explained angrily in a soft manner.

The Orochi would keep in mind now to not piss off the only person who could not only speak to him but also help him. Eir stood back up and told the same man to help the Orochi. He quickly walked over and helped the Orochi back on his feet and they continued their journey through the rocky narrow mountains.

Hours have passed as they continued through heavy brush and stone. It seemed like there was no end in the traveling and no sign of any opening leading up to the high ground. A peek at a cliff's edge would be enough to help in the journey ahead to plan out their route.

As they were still walking through the heavy unstraightened terrain, Eir's eye caught a sharp painful glimpse of what could have only been the sun. She winced at the small pain that struck her eye but then realized this could be the opportunity they need. She rubbed her one eye off from the pain and then began to follow the light that shined bright through all the trees leave's. She managed to get more out of the bright light as she got closer and closer to it until she breached out from the cover of the forest and was given a spectacular sight to take in. Valkenheim surrounding them for miles on, covered in a beautiful white blanket of snow. From this high above everything, she could see their borders meeting what could only be Ashfeld. The one place they planned to avoid walking into. Eir took in the peaceful sight and looked around below the edge of the mountain. It was hard with being very distant from everything but she was able to spot multiple large villages that she recognized due to their locations.

She now had the plan set for her group. She hurried back so she could explain to her group what was going to happen. As she returned to her group she had returned to see them just as she left them but sitting on anything they could sit on or lean up against. Eir saw the Orochi leaned against a large rock away from the rest of the group. She approached him first with the information.

"I figured out the plan," Eir said elatedly.

"The plan?" the Orochi asked confused but sounded as if he knew what she meant.

"I found our next location. A clan that controls a large fortress, one with supplies. Only, they aren't so fond of Samurai." Eir explained.

"Heh. Don't let that stop you. I can handle my- ugh!" the Orochi was explaining as he tried to stand up but the pain and bruising on his chest prevented him from finishing.

Eir caught him in her arms and said, "You are in no condition to fight or even defend yourself. You must rest. We have nothing to give you for this pain so you must bear with it until we get to the fortress."

"I'm fine." the Orochi said defensively.

"If you were I wouldn't be here telling you this. Listen, we must go back down the mountain again. We'll reach the fortress of the Warborn in two days." Eir said looking down at the dark purple bruises.

"Wait, if they aren't very fond of my people then how do you plan to get me inside with you?" the Orochi asked.

"We will deal with that when we get there. For now, rest and save up your strength. We have a long ways to go ahead of us." Eir said helping the Orochi sit down against the rock. Eir then walked around to the others that were still with her to check up on them. They were still very sick and extremely cold from this winter. Yet they are still willing to push on for safety. Some appeared as if they were about to drop dead stiff from the cold weather.

Open dirt road….

Apollyon was on the back of her horse. Riding fast with haste. She had traveled far in such a short time and her steed was beginning to tire out. She did not want to camp out in the wilderness, not tonight. If she would stop for the night she would stop somewhere with a roof over her head. She then soon came to a small village. Mostly with shops, a pub, and a few farms. Since the sun still shined the village was still pretty lively. Men and women going around minding their own business until she rode in. Apollyon was obviously a notorious figure around Ashfeld and pretty much all knew who she was. Eyes are constantly drawn to her where ever she goes. She struck fear into the hearts of her enemies and even simple villagers. So the reaction she got when a bunch of villagers stops what they're doing was the norm for her.

She rides up to the pub, not caring whoever was in her way when they knew they should move. She stops beside the building and hitched her horse on a wooden railing that was made for hitching horses. She walks over to the door of the pub and gently puts her hand on it. Before going in she felt the staring of everyone around her. But when she simply turns her head to see them, they all instantly go back to minding their own business. Apollyon enters the pub and inside she is greeted with a small crowd that was engaged in loud conversation and laughs until she entered. Soon the room died down when she walked in and all the talk that was going around turned into whispers.

Paying no mind to any of them she walked over to the counter of the pub where she can be served directly.

The barkeeper nervously walks down to Apollyon and asks, "H-How may I serve you, my lord?" His voice was shaking and he tried to hide it as best he could.

Apollyon without saying anything yet took off her helmet gently. Letting her grey hair gently fall out from her helm before placing her helmet on the counter. "Something simple. I'm not here to get overwhelmed in my thoughts," she answered softly.

The barkeep served her a small cup of mead. Simple enough in her standards. The barkeep was obviously nervous as he was sweating and shaking in his hands. Who wouldn't be nervous around a Warlord that can easily kill you by herself? "Is there anything else you want my lord?" the barkeep asked with a few noticeable cracks in his voice.

Just when Apollyon was going to deny someone cut in before she could say anything and asked, "How about a room and some company for the night sir?"

Apollyon squinted when she heard the word, sir, pop into the question. She then smiles and faces to the person who asked. A woman close to her height but just a bit shorter stood beside her. Wearing a dress that overly exposed her breasts and had the sweetest calm expression on her until she realized who it was she asked the question to. "Sir?! How lovely to know I can easily pull off the shape of a man." Apollyon said jokingly.

The women immediately regretted her decision when she saw it was a woman than a but most importantly when she realized it was Apollyon. "O-O-Oh my! Excuse me my lord but I did not realize it was you. Please excuse my ignorance as I was unaware it was you!" she begged with her head bowed looking away from Apollyon.

"Do not worry. You did not know and you are only doing your job as a whore right?!" Apollyon asked holding the smile she has on.

"U-Uhm yes my lord! I am doing my duty as a server to these men's needs." the woman answered nervously.

Apollyon laughed and said, "A server?! Oh my dear, you are but a whore to every man in this room. Even if I am not a man I know a whore who is doing this for the money when I see one. Only, they don't get strangled by my hands and feel as I crush the life out of them."

The woman knew she was in hot water by the way Apollyon spoke to her and prayed that she was just able to walk away. "I'm sorry my lord you are right. I am nothing but a whore. I'll leave you be from now on." said the woman as she began to walk away.

Apollyon reached out and grabbed the woman's arm and forcefully dragged her back over, this time pinned her against the counter, face to face. "Oh no. Stay. I would love to hear how much of a whore you are as I make you scream to the heavens." Apollyon said. She then put her armored hand up against the woman's cheek. Then softly asks, "Did you know that my name means death?"

"N-No." the woman said nervously her heart pounding hard and fast.

"Yes. And sometimes," she said as she ran her hand through the woman's hair, "even death gets lonesome and needs some company. Wouldn't you agree?" Apollyon asked as the woman's hair slipped out between her armored fingers.

"I-I would believe so my lord." the woman answered.

Still pinning her against the counter Apollyon takes her cup, drinks it all in one go then asks, "So, you want to keep me company tonight?"

"I-If it would please you, my lord." the woman answered as her heart rate begins to slow down.

"Good. I'll be in the room at the end of the hall upstairs." Apollyon said elatedly. "Don't keep me waiting," she added as she gently put the tip of her sharp armored finger under the woman's chin, gently applying pressure so she looks directly into her seductive desiring gaze. Putting down the cup, she then heads upstairs.

The woman was literally shaken by this whole situation and felt ready to die. Luckily she was granted the only time to get so close to Apollyon, leader of the Black Stone Legion, the ruthless Warlord with an army of undying fidelity. No one in history has said to have been this close to Apollyon physically without being murdered by her sword or her deadly grip. But her job was to serve customers needs when bought and now she must hope she does not disappoint the empathless Warlord. No one knows if she has ever been wedded and became a widow or something around that. No knowledge of even a lover.

Apollyon opened the door to the room at the end of the hall. When she opened it she came across the scene of someone who had bought the service of one of the women to choose from. Her presence obviously didn't go unnoticed when the woman riding on top of the man's waist below her looked up, stopped her movements and screamed from being seen nude. The woman basically hopped off the man's erect penis and crawled to the back of the bed. The man flinched from the scream, he looked behind to see what made his woman freak out. Sure enough, his first angry expression when the service suddenly stopped turned to fear right after laying his eyes on the Warlord herself, Apollyon.

"Get out," Apollyon said with no tension or anger but calm as she could be and the two scared out of their minds left in a hurry.

Running past her and out the door the two went searching for another room. Now having the room to herself she shut the door behind her. She knew she left her helmet down on the counter of the pub but she had little to almost no concerns of what she left behind. The only reason why she was where she stood now was that she had an itch she couldn't scratch herself. Apollyon began to unstrap her armor one piece at a time. First her arms and hands, then her chest armor piece, and lastly her boots and leg armor. Now she was stripped of all her armor and left in a sleeveless cloth shirt that she tore off over her head. Completely nude, Apollyon stretched out her body. Leaning from left to right with her arms over her head and spreading her legs bending them slightly the opposite way they are supposed to bend. After stretching she laid on the bed and awaited the woman she was going to pay for.

A few moments past and then the door to the room opens. Anyone else other than the woman she had requested who even saw a glimpse of her bare body would surely meet their gruesome end. But thankfully it was the woman she had requested who opened the door and entered the room. Apollyon couldn't be any more pleased with the way things were turning out.

"I hope I wasn't too long my lord." the woman said shyly.

Apollyon couldn't help but smile at the sight of this girl. Something about her just made her smile and she wasn't even dead yet. "The longer the wait, the more ferocious I'll get," she answered.

"Then I shall keep you waiting no longer." the woman said trying to sound seductive but was too scared to put in the extra effort. She began to strip off her clothing till she was nude just like Apollyon.

Apollyon put up her hand when she saw the woman was fully nude and said, "Stop!"

"Is something wrong?!" the woman asked shaking in her voice.

"No, I- just want you to stay there and do as I say," Apollyon said seductively laying her head in her hand while laying on her side on top of the bed.

"O-Oh…" the woman said still nervously and now becoming a little embarrassed as she covered up her body with her hands.

"Remove your hands," Apollyon commanded softly.

The woman obeyed and slowly moved her hands away from any private area of hers. Apollyon eyed the woman up and down with a sexual hunger in her gaze. Her gaze even bothered the woman she was paying for when it was only her eyes and nothing physical happened yet.

The woman's face was burning red as she was just standing there without anything to cover her up.

Apollyon noticed and asked, "Does standing there exposed bother you?"

"If I may be honest, yes." the woman managed to get out.

"Good," Apollyon said as she chuckled at the sight. "Now, turn around for me," Apollyon asked softly.

"What?!" the woman asked shocked.

"Turn around and show me where your father punished you," Apollyon said more aggressively this time.

The woman was not enjoying this in any way but if she wanted to be able to walk away from this she must obey. She slowly turned around until her backside was to Apollyon. This only fueled Apollyon's hunger. She was basically torturing herself to get what she wants.

"Perfect. Now, show me where I have my fun with you." Apollyon said while getting more relaxed.

The woman did not hesitate or resist. She listened to every word Apollyon has said and couldn't back out now. She used both of her hands to reach behind at her butt cheeks, tightly grabbing both with each hand. Then she slowly moved them apart from each other and revealed her most private areas. Apollyon enjoyed watching long enough, now to have her fun. Quietly she got up from the bed and walked over to the woman who was presenting her goods. When Apollyon was standing right behind the woman, she brushed two fingers from the bottom of the woman's vagina to her anus. The woman shuddered when she felt the touch of someone else on her.

The woman wanted to say no so many times now but was forced to endure it. Apollyon lowered her two fingers back down to the woman's vagina. Instead of brushing up again she stuck them inside roughly earning a yelp from the woman. Apollyon felt around inside with her two fingers the slimy substance. The woman kept her mouth shut from letting out any other loud noise that came from her with her hand that was grasping one of her cheeks.

"How does it feel?" Apollyon whispers into the woman's ear. "To feel death's loving touch?" she added.

The woman moaned slightly after feeling a swift rub from inside her, "It feels, amazing."

Apollyon enjoyed the sweet soft sounds the woman's voice made. Even the slimy nectar her body creates when she caresses its weak points. It's definite hypocrisy. Before she attacks one of her own for beliefs of having intimate relations of the same sex but now here she was, doing just that. "Doesn't it? The sinful pleasure that I bring you? Nothing more desirable than your body asking for intense release? Power and greed also have a hold on the people of this world. Even if power, comes with a drop of blood, or a cup big enough to drink your sorrows away, blood will be spilled for it no matter how big the price to pay or the toll to bear on your shoulders… every… waking… moment." Apollyon ranted in questions as she turned her soft feeling around the woman's vagina with her two fingers into rough thrusting.

"My lord!" the woman gasped as she felt the sudden thrusting of Apollyon's fingers inside her. So rough that she was beginning to have a hard time keep her moaning and voice down.

"Do not be afraid my sweet. Let the world hear your voice." Apollyon said softly into the woman's ear.

"I don't want to disturb anyone in the other rooms, my lord." the woman said holding back a moan.

"You came into this world screaming. You can still shout out to the heavens even now and show God what a disgusting sinner you are as you fall victim to even me." Apollyon said more aggressively this time.

"I'm only doing this to help me and my family, my lord. We are making barely anything to get by right now." said the woman sorrowly.

Apollyon stopped thrusting her fingers when she heard what the woman said about her family. Hits her to close to home since she too was practically poor and in need of money. Her eyes gapen, her jaw drops, and the memory of her home kicks in. A small girl sitting by the door of a pub almost similar to the one she entered into. Patiently waiting for someone. Then the door shoots open nearly hitting her. A woman holding onto the waist of a man she probably just met but clung onto him as they both stumbled outside. The two laughed as loud as they can as they were drunk with the sinful drink that turns anyone dumb.

The small girl shoots her head up to see it was the person she was waiting for, the only person she could've been waiting for. Her mother under the arms of a man she does not know. Drunk to hell and ignoring or forgetting someone who was waiting for them. The girl did not chase or try to get her attention but the pain of being forgotten hit her like a Raider's ax. Swift and certainly painful as her mother kept walking away and she was left on her own. Tears filled the eyes of the small girl but no red cheeks or a runny nose came with it. What appeared to be sometime later, the girl still sat by the door, again waiting for whatever but her head covered by her arms and legs bunched up.

That is when the same person appears again, her mother. This time she is coming back to the pub and now sees who has been waiting for her all this time. When the mother approached closer, as if she knew, the small girl lifts her head and looks up to her mother, the tears dried up and marked on her soft pale cheeks. The mother looked devastated, as her own daughter most likely saw what happened. The mother moved her lips and said something that came out mute. Like a record stuck on a line, she repeats the muted words. Nothing could be heard until something was heard. Too quiet to hear but slowly got louder and louder until she heard it. Apollyon. Apollyon!

Apollyon snapped back to reality around her. Back inside the room where she was having her fun with the pub whore. The woman she was previously pleasuring. Now though, she was standing in the center of the room, blank-faced. Standing ever so still and staring into the wooden wall. Below her, was the woman who held her hand and held a concerned expression when saying her name again. Apollyon.

"Apollyon, my lord. Are you ill?" the woman asked repeating the name again.

Apollyon looks down into the eyes of the woman and says plainly, "I feel fine. I just…"

"What? What is it, my lord?!" the woman asked worryingly, tightening her grip around Apollyons hand.

"Take me to them," Apollyon answers softly.

"To who?" the woman asked confused.

"Take me to your family. I wish to see them." Apollyon answers.

They had gotten dressed and were now exiting the pub. The woman led the Warlord over to a large home, behind other massive buildings of this village. This home once used to be someone else's and probably a beautiful during its time of use. Now it was broken, holes almost on every side of the building. The roof was torn off, leaving behind a huge skylight but also letting rain, snow and whatever else that fell from the sky to fall in. Apollyon and the woman stopped as soon as they set their eyes on it. One of them in awe, the other hiding the sorrow.

"This is all we have now, my lord. Where… we currently sleep." the woman said depressingly.

Apollyon took a few steps closer as she was in awe by the sight of it all. "How many?" Apollyon asks.

"There are only me, my young brother, and my father who has fallen ill." the woman answered.

Apollyon was moved by it all. The house, the current situation with this woman. It honestly made her feel, sorry. To think Apollyon now felt sorry for someone was a myth but this was the honest true feeling. All that was happening too this woman was too real as in her little moment, she too experienced this as a child.

"Your mother?" Apollyon asked.

"She was sadly taken away from us, my lord." the woman answered.

"How?" Apollyon asks.

"She was sick just like my father is now. We thought this was a small thing but soon she came across fevers. Constant pain for seven days. We tried and tried to help her with the pain but it was not enough and now it is only us three." the woman explained tears filling her eyes when remembering those moments again.

"Let me see them," Apollyon said.

The woman listened and led Apollyon inside this broken home to meet a broken family. They go around the house where there was a giant open hole for them to step into. The woman who led Apollyon stepped inside first. She immediately reaches for a candle and lights it. Apollyon then steps inside the home and follows her in further. They enter a quite larger room of the home, the woman lights other candles and reveals what room they were in. A family room, or living room whatever you may call it. A room that is known for comfort and relaxation during harsher days. When the room was lit up enough with candles she saw the other two family members. The father laying on the floor, under a blanket, and the younger brother who looks no older than nine. He heard them come in but he said nothing because he was shy.

"Has he succumbed to the fevers?" Apollyon asked looking to the woman.

"He did just a night ago. We were fortunate enough today to put him to sleep so he could bear with the pain but…" the woman paused as she began to get teary-eyed again. "But I'm afraid he will end up the same way my mother did. We can keep trying to help ease the pain and help him sleep but I do not know what to do. I can not afford the right medicine to help him." she added.

Apollyon looked in the eyes of the woman. Feeling the pain she was going through, again this hit her too close to home. "What is your name?" Apollyon asked.

"Dielle, my lord. This is my brother, Agusto. He has been caring for my father while I have been working to put money into our pockets." Dielle answered.

"Tell me, Dielle. What is it you plan to do when your father dies?" Apollyon asked.

"I'm afraid I can't give you a different answer, my lord. Even if he passes I will still be here with my brother." Dielle answered.

Apollyon looked back down to their father. He looked sickly and sure would act like it if he was awake. Probably for the best he shouldn't wake up. If he is suffering the same way as their mother did, why have him suffer longer? To save them all the trouble she would probably kill him and ease the pain for either side. "Dielle." Apollyon softly called.

"Yes?" Dielle answers wiping her tears away.

"I know what you think of me is probably terrifying," Apollyon said.

"Oh no no no, my lord! I see you as our protector, our hero!" Dielle said defensively.

"Do not lie. I know many others do." Apollyon scoffed and continued, "It is all I can do. Terrify. Command. Conquer. I also have murdered those who are our enemies… and those of our own people."

"My lord?" Dielle asked confused.

"I have murdered for my own reasons. Too many dead now to keep track of my unending slaughter." Apollyon said only seeing Dielle become even more confused. "What I'm trying to say is… Let me help your father sleep through this illness. I believe even not knowing him well enough, he would be happier if we laid him to rest." she explained carefully as still knowing the small brother is in the room.

Dielle was speechless. She knew what her Warlord was getting at now. She did not want to but it scared her when knowing that when her father wakes up, she's right back into the reality that he is dying painfully and slow. So the decision was obvious and made. Give her father a peaceful sleep to end the pain and suffering.