3 Years Later
Three years have passed since I forged my alliance with Lilith, the succubus ruler of Aphrodisia. In that time, I have trained tirelessly, honing my skills as a warrior and leader under the guidance of Commander Rina and the elite guard of Aphrodisia. Now a man grown, I sit upon Lilith's war council providing advice in war and fighting in it.
The realm of Aphrodisia buzzes with activity as preparations for the impending conflict with the Divine Order intensify. I stand at the forefront of the army, my gaze fixed on the horizon, my heart a maelstrom of anticipation and resolve.
In the war room of Aphrodisia Castle, Lilith and I confer with our generals, mapping out strategies and contingencies for the battles to come. The stakes are high, the outcome uncertain, yet amidst the uncertainty, we find strength in our unity and determination.
"Caius," Lilith's voice cuts through the din of the war room, her tone commanding attention. "The time has come to strike. The Divine Order grows bolder with each passing day, their forces amassing at the borders of our realm. The scouts have seen a potential castle that could be Fort Senra."
The mention of the Divine Order's bastille drew my attention. "How sure are we that it is the fort?"
"Barring the banners flown from the ramparts, the scouts report prisoners being put in and forced to work with only bodies being brought out. The slaves also seem to be high ranking officials rather than the typical prisoner of war."
"We need to clear out the prison. This is the victory needed to win this war. Let the scouts investigate further for any weaknesses in the armor."
"Caius stay, the rest of you are dismissed." I watched as the rest of the council left the war room. "I assume you will travel with the scouting party?"
"I have to be sure Lilith. If any of my father's men live from Ashmere, they will be there." I said stepping towards the succubus.
"I know, I just worry if you are thinking this through. Your emotions can cloud your judgment," Lilith said, caringly.
"They won't even know we are there." Now an inch away from Lilith I softly grabbed her chin and moved her face to make eye contact with me. "If anything goes wrong, I entrust the rest of the war to you."
I placed a kiss upon her lips and stared into her beguiling pink eyes. "I will miss you, you know, " She cooed.
"You have every night I left the castle since I confessed to you. I have to do this."
"Just one more night," Lilith pleaded. "We rarely spend time together due to you leading the forces."
"It was your plan to enthrall me and force me into a leading role." I placed another kiss on her lips. "Don't be mad now that I actually follow orders," I joked.
Leaving her, I ventured to the armory and put on my plate mail and gambison, as well as grabbing my sword.
I left the castle and mounted my horse, Nightshade, and met up with the scouting party that would lead me to the prison.
…
The ride was long and interrupted by several demons on the way, but they quickly fell to my blade and we hastened our speed to make it there by daybreak.
As the sun rose above the horizon we dismounted and saw the blue banners of the order that had consumed my thoughts for the past three years.
I looked around the scouts who I had brought with me:
Chiyo, a female satyr who was an expert marksman with a bow and a masterful survivalist, who saved me from eating poisonous berries far too many times.
Ayleth, a dark elf who had come willingly to Aphrodisia in the same caravan that sold Zyldove to the castle. She acts as our ambassador with the dark elves to the south in Civia, in the shattered wastes.
And lastly, Velma House, a Motz,(a moth person) who was adept at summoning magic, and could fly to get a better sightline on the enemy.
With my shadow magic we made the perfect scouting party. My shadow magic was both a gift and a curse from Lilth's ritual which had enthralled me as a boy, corrupting the holy light magic of my family into its opposite form.