"You’re alright there?" Tanya said

Crow got up slowly. His body was still sore from what had happened. He noticed that wounds had been cleaned and his clothes had been changed.

"You cared for me?" Crow asked.

Tanya nodded. "As you did for me. Something’s wrong?"

Crow shook his head. "Not really. It’s just nostalgia. I see your wounds have fully healed. You’re leaving soon?"

"Possibly. I need to go to the King of Knights and ask him for his help."

"King Forus? Yes. That’s guy a straightforward arrow. If you have a good reason, he shall help you. But the road there won’t be easy."

"I know. But I must do it."

"For what?"

"Revenge."

Crow looked out to the desert. A sandstorm was blowing at the moment. No one could travel in these times.

"The sandstorm would probably last for a few weeks. It will be safer to wait until it has passed."

"It is my intention as well." Tanya nodded.

"You use spear?" Crow said.

"Yes. I was trained with it. My trainer said it is the perfect weapon for war."

"Maybe. Your trainer did the best for you, I figure. But you still need more training."

Crow stood up and reached out a hand toward Tanya. "I might not be the best spearman out there. But I am proud enough to say I am one of the bests. Do you want to train with me?"

Tanya grabbed his hand, "It will be my honor."

For weeks, Crow trained Tanya. He showed her the techniques and minor details that training would never teach her. The experiences that he had to earn the hard way in battle.

Tanya didn’t know how to regulate her power well also. She’s a Rank-2. But she’s only an average Rank-2. In front of exceptions like Crow, she would mean nothing. Crow taught her how to use her power efficiently.

"Your power... There is a demonic trace within it." Crow said.

They were training in his courtyard. The sandstorm had calmed down for a bit, allowing them to train outside.

"What do you mean?"

"May I ask. You don’t know one of your parents, am I right?"

Tanya nodded.

"One of your parents is probably a demon."

"Can it even be a thing? The union of man and demon?" Tanya said.

"Of course, it is. You are the evidence of it."

Tanya stopped her movement and froze for a little bit. She was always different from other people. There was a power within her that lay dormant. A rage of another world.

Crow approached her and flicked her forehead.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Tanya covered her forehead.

"You’re thinking too much. Don’t worry."

"How can I not be worry? You just told me that I am a demon. What if I change? What if I am no longer myself someday?"

"Then you better make sure you won’t lose yourself then."

"How can I even do that?"

"I have a friend. He is a full fledged demon. His name is Bash. You might want to visit him before you come to Forus."

Tanya learned many things from Crow. She learned how to fight with intention. How to exploit the weakness of her enemy. Especially, how to use the power of the spear correctly.

Kaera looked at the table world and breathed in deep.

"That is a nice move." Kaera said. "Teaching her to accept her demonic side. It raises her chance of absorbing me. But is this really the right call, anarch? Accepting her demonic power also means accepting me. I can overwrite her."

The black cat stroked his whiskers. "Overwrite this. Absorbing that. That’s what you don’t understand, Kaera. I have no intention of killing you."

Kaera frowned deeply, "Then what is this game about?"

"This game is a journey. For Tanya to accept you. And for you to accept her."

The black cat floated to Kaera and caressed her cheeks. "I don’t want to kill such a fine demonic specimen like you, Kaera. Join me. Join me and I shall make you more powerful than ever."

Kaera smirked, "So this is what my kind has always warned us about. The temptation of a Warlock. Your kind really is a smooth talker."

"Señorita... Please. Do I look like a brutish cat to you? I know how to admire the fine woman."

Mater’s perverted eyes scanned the curves of Kaera’s body. He had to admit, demon always had the nicest package of them all.

"What would you give me if I join you? You should know Infernal Hell prohibits us from joining an anarch."

"And are you a lawful demon?" The black cat grinned widely, revealing his perfect sharp teeth.

"Laws are for the weak." Kaera smiled back.

"The contract is still there. You win, you get your body back. You lose and you are mine. And I can give you all the power you have ever imagined. Why stay a foot soldier for the hell of fire? When you can become so much more."

"Have anyone ever told you that you whisper like a demon?" Kaera chuckled.

"I ain’t no demon, woman. I am the Dark Lord that soon to be. And this world shall be mine. You can be apart of it."

"Hmm." Lights flickered in the demon’s eyes. She was tempted. But she needed evidence.

"As you said. The contract is there. You win. Then I’ll be yours."

"Heh. Hehehehehe." The black cat snickered lowly.

In the game world, Tanya had left Crow. She diverted from her path to the King of Knights. Instead, she went to the Red River. The place where the notorious demon of violence resided. His name was Bash.

"I can’t just let you direct the course of the story, anarcg. Let us see how your little human can face my pieces."

Kaera dropped two pieces on the board. They were her remaining Rank-2 pieces. Both of them were demons.

A winged demon with ranged spells. And a large demon with a trident. They were Tanya’s obstacle to reach Bash.

"Two pieces? Now that’s a little unfair. Why don’t I make it more balance."

The black cat placed Solarix onto the board.

"A Rank-1 Demon? Don’t kid yourself. She can’t win." Kaera said.

"We shall see, won’t we?"