Jade and her Knight Valerie followed the scent left by children and reached the serpentine sect. Even though they both have memorized the map they have never been outside the territory making them high on alert. This place is famous for its lethal poison and its antidote.
Suddenly their senses heightened reaching almost near the kids that were missing. They can sense them near, too much near. Their gaze lands on the forest. Jade gave a nod to her friend and both of them walked inside the forest cautiously. After a while, they found a camp and two children tied near the campfire. Jade and Valerie hide behind the bushes assessing the area. They found ten heavily built men, they could also sense dark magic.
"They are kids of our, territory but only two. What's the plan?" Valerie questions.
"Let's wait until we find any useful information and if they try to hurt them then we kill them," Jade explained with a low tone.
And so they waited getting no useful information. Until one of them stood up and approached the kids. Jade's palm made its way to her sword. Valerie did the same ready to fight with her master. The bulk man grinned at the kids.
"We will get a good amount of money after handing you to him." He said. The kids stare at the guy with a blank gaze. The kids of darkness aren't someone who can be intimidated by just anyone. They only bow to their king. Not getting any reaction he raised his sword to hit them.
Jade and Valerie sprint out of the bushes. Jade slashed the arm of the guy while Valerie kicked him down pointing her sword at his neck. The man screamed realizing his arm was gone alerting his other companions who rushed to them.
Jade freed the kid and focused on taking care of the man. One after one they took them down slashing their arm or legs down. Jade noticed the man pulling out the red stone and attacked them with fire. Jade mana enveloped her with protection while she slashed the head off him.
Jade and Valerie noticed them pulling out a black stone and an evil spirit came out. Before Jade can warn Valerie, she slashes them causing them to get multiplied into the four. Valerie backed away realizing.
"I should have warned you before. They can only be banished, using the dark mana." Jade explained to her quickly.
"Alright, and I am sorry," said Valerie and her mana enveloped her.
While others threw their stones raising more evil spirits. Jade approaches the kids hiding them behind her while Valerie vanishes the evil spirits. The spirits attacked Jade after getting multiplied by themselves.
"Sword of the eternal destroyer." chanted Jade and took them down until more evil spirits attacked her.
"They are many, Where are they coming from?" asked Valerie.
"I can feel them, hiding," said Jade.
Jade felt one more familiar presence before he jumped in with purple mana enveloping him. Jade's face soured up realizing the Royal investigator showed up again. Zebulon smirked at Jade and helped them to banish the evil spirits. His sword shined brighter as he slashed the evil spirits to their death.
Jade and Valerie took a few movements and returned to slay the evil spirits ruthlessly. Once it was done Jade grabbed the man nearest to her by his collar with a menacing glare. Her mana doing a good job to scare him off.
"Where were you taking the kids?" Jade demand.
"Capital."
"Who asked you to kidnap them?"
"I don't know."
Jade's sword inches away from his neck.
"We don't know the name, They told us to bring them there and we will get further instructions and money if we succeed."
"Where are the other eight kids?"
"We were able to take only two. Don't know anything about others."
Jade threw him away with anger evident on her face. Valerie checked the kids after asking their permission and her gaze widened looking at their bruised body. Zebulon also cursed under his breath noticing it. Jade's jaw clenched and the darkness envelopes her completely. Valerie noticed it but before she could stop her, Jade was already attacking them with a clear intention of killing them off. Zebulon blocked her attack with his sword making Jade more angry.
"Look I understand your feelings but I need to bring them to Emperor." Said Zebulon while pushing her away.
"Don't get into my business. They hurt my people." Jade said with a glare.
"They will get justice but you can't kill them Remember I can charge you of a crime."
Jade paused for a while making Zebulon think she won't attack until a wicked smile formed on her face.
"Then do so but if you will be alive after this fight," said Jade.
"Stop or else you will regret it." Said Zebulon with his palm clenched on his sword. His eyes turned hollow.
Jade swung her sword while Zebulon blocked her attack. A purple aura surrounds him. Their swords clashed as they fought with no intention of stopping. The darkness around Jade grew more. Zebulon's gaze stilled when Jade took a monstrous form. He had heard stories about them but seeing them for the first time he realized why most of the leaders were happy with the creatures of chaos and destruction not stepping out of the territory. They are scared of them but unlike them, the huge form fascinated him. He blocked the attack but his arms sting in pain. Healing it he called Jade out.
"Alright, calm down." He said in a most gentle tone while raising his arms in surrender. Jade paused, Getting his chance he pointed his palm at her, soon her darkness faded away.
Jade stood in shock, No one could do this to her. How? she questions herself. Zebulon approaches her with a smirk of his own.
"Do it better next time." He said. "Now I am going to take them to the emperor and you take kids back they look weak." He added.
"He is right, master." Valerie agreed holding kids up in her arms.
"Alright, take them away and they should suffer the same pain as those kids I don't care what the emperor thinks," Jade said with a serious tone.
"We have strict laws for these types of criminals and I assure you they will die in the end," Zebulon promised her.
Giving him a nod she turned around approaching Valerie. She checked the kids once more and assured them even though the kids recognized their kin and were calmer.
"I didn't know your name yet," Zebulon said. Jade glanced back at him.
"You don't need it." She seethes.
"I have to report it to the Emperor and you saved them so."
Jade thought about it for a while then shook her head. This person is dangerous she thought.
Taking one of the kids in her arms they walked at a safe distance away from the Zebulon. Opening the portal they head back to their territory and after making sure they are fine, they send them back to their parents.
Meanwhile, Zebulon glanced at the mess they made while fighting. He is a little disappointed about not getting the name of her. Soon he thought while using his magic to contact royal guards.
...
At the dinner, Jade and Valerie reported the incident to Lucifer. Lucifer stares at his daughter while she nervously eats her food. Jade knows that her father caught it quickly. Jade glanced at Valerie for help who in return ignored her and focused on her food. Jade shot her dirty looks and looked at her father.
"You did a good job but getting in a fight with Enperors man. It can be dangerous love." Said Lucifer calmly.
"I am sorry Dad but that guy took those traitors away." Jade protest.
"It's alright we got kids back safe and we will get others back soon. I trust the Emperor with the punishment, those people will get what they deserve."
"If you say so." Jade agreed.
A comfortable silence spread over them. Once they were done they left for their bedroom. Jade changed her clothes and walked to the library knowing well she would find her dad there. Walking in she found her dad already waiting for her. She joined him and snuggled beside him. Jade can accept any criticism but she can't tolerate her dad being mad or disappointed in her. Lucifer pressed a kiss on his daughter's forehead.
"No need to apologize. I won't stop loving you for such a reason." Lucifer assured her.
"I read books where the king kicks out their kid if they disappointed them."
"Stop reading nonsense. I love my child unconditionally, even if you do something wrong I will still not give up on you."
"I love your answer but Dad I won't do such a thing."
"I got it."
Jade chuckled hearing her dad's answer. She knows her dad enough but in a past life traumas were hard to forget. Lucifer patted her head softly. Jade thought about Zebulon and his powers.
"How powerful is the emperor and his men?" Jade asked curiously.
"They are strong but not stronger than me," Lucifer replied with confidence.
"Of course." she nods in agreement. "Dad, I will be visiting the capital to find out the rest of the kids, undercover," Jade added.
"Alright but be safe. Capital is full of people from various sects. The powerful families are included too."
"I know, Dad. I will be careful."
Jade closed her eyes hugging her dad. Lucifer took her in his arms and carried her back to her room. Tucking Jade on her bed, Lucifer smiled at his sleeping daughter.
She is just like me in the sense of being a ruler but her emotions are inherited from her mother because we don't feel much until we meet our other half. Lucifer thought.
Kissing her forehead he promised her. "If someone harms you then I will burn this world with them. Without your existence the world is useless, my daughter."