World of Women-Chapter 35Volume 5 –

Of course, Brianna trained in body reinforcement. She could use mana just like Syph, but where Syph learned spells, Brianna only used it to strengthen her body. Unless I did the same, she was stronger than me, but my mind was far too much of a mess to do anything about it. I had experienced too many shocks in too short a period.

“My name is Syph Lionheart.” Electricity sparked from Syph’s fingers as she stepped toward the descending horde of demons. “You will not touch a hair on my Boss’s head while I live!”

Brianna picked me up and threw me over her shoulder, running up the hill. Lilith, Mia, Ash, and Rebecca all followed in a close formation of retreat. Only Syph remained behind. As they descended on her, there was an explosion of flames erupting out from either side, a massive wall of fire blocking the path of the demons. The demons who were closest were thrown back by the sudden eruption.

As they stood back up, they let out snorts of derision. “You think you can stop demons with fire? Fool!”

“Demons are resistant to all the elements. They also can regenerate practically any damage. The only way to destroy a demon is to destroy its body completely. The quickest way is to destroy the brain. In that way, I suppose they are like zombies.” Ash was mumbling under her breath.

“Intelligent, superpowered, bloodthirsty zombies.” Becky gave an uneasy look down below where the zombies were starting to walk through the flames as if they weren’t there.

One after another, with mocking smiles on their face, the demons took a step into the fire. They moved carefully and slowly rather than trying to race through, almost as if they were mocking Syph’s attempt to block them. The path of the firewall Syph was maintaining was only about ten feet, so it would only take about ten seconds to pass by it.

“I don’t know much about demons,” Syph admitted. “But I know about elements. When ice meets extreme heat, it explodes. I wonder… you’ve been chasing after us, digging through that snow… Are you cold?”

She raised her hands, and the sudden firewall exploded, the color of it turning from yellow and orange to a searing, hellish red.

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“Oh, shi…” A demon exploded, shattering into a hundred pieces which quickly caught fire.

More and more demons who had entered the wall did the same. Like that, six demons were destroyed. Demons were no joke. Even Rebecca had her way through a city for months without repercussions. Yet, Syph had destroyed six in a single move. There was no question about her skill and ability. Even Ash and Rebecca stood surprised at the display.

However, not every demon was in the wall. The majority of them had yet to reach it. Now seeing what happened to the others, they all stopped just outside of the wall, using its heat to thaw their frozen limbs first. They all watched Syph intently as she stood there panting, the exhaustion of using too much mana starting to overtake her. The firewall that had burned so brightly grew smaller and weaker. Syph sank to her knees as the flames were barely more than flickering embers on the burnt ground that had once been rocks and gravel.

The demons all rushed forward. Before I could see more, Brianna threw me up onto a platform and then jumped up herself. Syph and the demon castle were no longer in my field of vision. I tried to look back, but Brianna shook her head, grabbing me and pulling me along. I clenched my teeth, but I knew it was already too late to do anything. Syph had made her choice.

Brianna stopped for a moment, pulled a coin from my pocket, and then pressed it tightly. It spun up out of her fingers and then shot up into the sky. A moment later, there was an eruption like a firework. Everyone watched as the sparks burst forth, but the sun had already come out and it was no longer dark, so it’d be more difficult to see. It was anyone’s guess if Angela would be able to see it among the white mountain peaks.

“We need to keep moving. Syph…” Brianna stopped for a moment. “We already identified the best spot for the airship to pick us up in an emergency. Since it won’t be able to land, we’ll have to do a getaway like in the Republic of Trilor.”

I wanted to look back and see what happened, but there was a chance I’d see what had been left of Syph, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it. Making a face, I turned away. Her sacrifice wouldn’t mean anything if we couldn’t get away. The group of us started moving once again, using all of our strength to trudge through. The snow deepened on this side of the mountain, and our trek slowed considerably.

Soon, I was able to see the direction Brianna had been leading us. There was a very distinct ledge jutting out from one of the mountains. If we reached it, and the airship managed to find a way this deep in the mountains, we might be able to jump right on board, or at least grab ropes lowered to us. We increased our pace, but it wasn’t long before I heard noises behind us. There was loud shuffling, followed by snorts and growls.

I couldn’t help but take a look back to see a group of demons coming up in pursuit. Some of them were bloody or burned, but there were still well over a dozen of them alive, and they were approaching fast. We increased our speed, moving as quickly as we could, but it was clear that this group would get to us before we reached the rock. That’s when an idea struck me.

I looked up the hill, and then a small grin formed on my face. I started to work the calculations out in my head. I had done this once before, so it was a little easier this time, even if the location was different.

“Boss?” Brianna seemed to notice my steps slowing until I was falling back behind everyone.

“Make it for the rock.”

“Boss, we’re not leaving you behind!” she declared, getting the attention of the other girls.

“Don’t worry, I don’t plan to.” I grinned. “Go!”

Brianna gave me a doubtful look but then she pointed to the other girls. “Go!”

I raised my eyebrow as she stood right next to me. The other girls seemed to understand, continuing up the pathway.

“Brianna…” I began.

“My path is right next to you, Boss,” she affirmed. “I won’t leave you behind… even if I have to carry you.”

“Fine.” I lifted my hands toward the peak of the cliff. “Get ready to run.”

It was going to be close, which was why I wanted to give the girls just a bit of time to get ahead of us, and the demons closer. When they were about halfway between us and the protection of the rocky outcropping, I lifted my hands and cast my spell. There was a shot of light that came out and then struck the area above. A moment later, there was a low rumble. That rumble only started to grow stronger.

“What did you-” Brianna frowned.

“Time to go!” I grabbed her hand and then started racing toward the rock.

The rumbling stopped, but something was different. Even those ahead had stopped for a moment, looking around. It was quiet. The sounds of animals had stopped, and it even felt like the wind had frozen. Then, a deeper rumble began. It was a low moan almost like the earth was sighing.

That’s when the snow we were on top of started moving. I immediately finished the second spell I had prepared. Within two steps, I was on top of the snow. I grabbed Brianna and picked her up, but even the extra weight wasn’t enough to cause us to sink. I started racing toward the rock. The demons were right behind us, but they couldn’t walk on the snow like I could, so I started widening my distance from them.

The snow began to collapse around us, massive chunks breaking off the cliffs and crashing to the ground dislodging even more. The demons were right in the middle of it, and the sheet of ice they were climbing through started to descend the mountain. They could only let out roars of anguish as they were carried away from their destination, the power of nature far greater than any strength they had.

It wasn’t easier for me. Even though I was walking on top of the snow, it was still collapsing. It was like running on a treadmill or climbing up an escalator. However, I desperately ran as quickly as I could. The girls who went ahead had already reached the ledge and had moved out away from the mountain to avoid being struck by falling debris. Rebecca even seemed to be putting up a spell to help protect them.

Meanwhile, I ran as fast as I could. Soon, the snow above started coming down in a massive avalanche. If I was caught in it, there was no doubt that I would be buried along with Brianna. I used all the strength I had left and leaped out onto the ledge just as several tons of snow slammed into the rock above me. The rocky outcropping we were on shook and groaned slightly, but it thankfully handled the blow and remained standing.

Brianna and I were both sprawled out, only a few feet from the rushing snow. She recovered first having been carried that distance. Grabbing me, she pulled me out farther from the snow, and the two of us ended up next to the others just as the shield Rebecca cast went up.

With that, the group of us could only wait as the avalanche continued to display its might. Occasionally, rocks would fly out, but Rebecca’s shield was strong enough to deflect them. After a long enough time, the rumbling finally quieted and then ended. Time passed, although it was difficult to determine how much, and the group of us huddled for warmth as we waited for rescue.

When I heard movement, I looked up excitedly, but my excitement cooled as I saw demons crawling back up the mountain. Not all of them survived, but there were at least six of them.

“I-I’ll take care of them.” I tried to stand up, but then I found my feet giving out.

I had already used too much mana. The cold also wasn’t helping things.

“The airship!” Mia suddenly cried excitedly.

Just then, the airship appeared. They flew in from some distance, and we could only watch nervously as the demons continued to get closer. Thankfully, Angela pulled up first.

“Need a lift?” she asked, letting out a laugh.

As the girls all raced to jump on board, I heard a noise behind us. I looked back to see a demon standing on the cliff base. No, it wasn’t a demon. It was the Demon King.

“Jenji.”

“Do you think that’s a suitable name for me anymore?” she asked, giving me a mocking expression.

“Are you going to stop us from escaping?” I asked.

“Why bother? You’ll be coming to me soon enough.”

“You… what do you want?”

“Lilith.”

I blinked. I hadn’t been expecting her to answer so blatantly.

“Lilith?”

“Give me Lilith, and I will allow you and your…. harem to live unmolested. I’ll even keep your children alive. You can live the rest of your life in your mansion, fucking your family members and screwing around. You don’t need to worry about this world. This world was never for you. Don’t you want it? A peaceful life? No drama. I can give you that.”

For a moment, her words sounded mildly tempting, but I quickly shook that off. “Not a chance.”

She shrugged. “Suit yourself. I have waited centuries. Sooner or later, you’ll bring her to me. You won’t have a choice. Just make your decision, soon. If you make me work for it, I might not be so magnanimous when the time comes.”

The demons who had been crawling up the mountain finally reached it.

“Clyburn! We need to go!”

“You’ll find me where it all started for you.” Jenji stepped back.

I gave the Demon King one last look as the demons behind her began to race toward me, past their master. I turned and raced back to the end of the outcropping, leaping over to the deck of the ship in a single jump. As soon as my feet hit the deck, Angela pulled up, and the airship began to fly away. One of the demons leaped out from the ledge, but it struck the bottom of the ship and then fell down the cliff. The others stopped, glaring up at us as we pulled away.

I couldn’t help but look back at the cliff. I couldn’t see the Demon King there anymore. I wondered if she had even been there, or if that had been an illusion like Charlie. Just what did she want with Lilith now? I shook my head and turned back. The ones who had traveled with me were all shellshocked, but those on the ship weren’t much different. They had witnessed the demons.

“Daddy!” Lexy ran toward me, Raven right next to her.

They both gave me hugs of relief.

“Are you girls alright?”

“Mm… we only watched from a distance as the Zoskar sent an expedition following Daddy, but suddenly they all went crazy and started howling. It was scary,” Lexy explained.

“Don’t worry about it.” I patted her head as I looked over her head at the helm. “Angela, take us back to Valiant.”

“Is there even any point?” Lilith spoke up angrily.

“Lilith!” Mia gave her a warning.

“My life! My entire belief system!” Lilith yelled. “I thought I was saving this world… but I was always just helping the Demon King... Everything they all said about me, it’s true!”

“That’s not true!” Mia cried. “We’re all trying our best. We just made a mistake. We can’t give up now.”

“What? The Demon King is free! Is there even a point?” Lilith seemed unconsolable. “The thing I spent my life trying to prevent happened.”

“We can survive…” I told her. “We can fight back.”

“What for? A life ruled by demons? You saw them down there. The demons have already come. How many are already here? The entire country of Zoskar is a demon country now.”

“The country is technologically behind. It’s a low point to start for a demon nation,” I said.

“Yeah? And what about the other nations? What about all of those demons?” she demanded.

“Most women don’t have enough demon blood for possession. Only men…” I froze as the realization struck me.

“Men… all of the men,” she declared, her expression dark.

“Valiant…” My eyes widened.

If every man turned into a demon, then Valiant would be ground zero. It would be nearly as bad as Zoskar, although where Zoskar was technologically inferior, Valiant was practically a world hub. Demons could easily get their hands on airships and spread out anywhere in the world. Not to mention, how would women feel if every man suddenly became a demon? It would prove the WRA correct all of this time. Even if we survived this, would men even have a future?

“Boss, you’re going to want to hear this.” Kemala rolled up in her chair with a communication stone in her lap. “Valiant has suddenly risen.”

I took a step toward her. “What do you mean, risen?”

“The island has risen into the sky.”

“The flight controls on it… we irreparably damaged.”

“Well, someone fixed them anyway,” Kemala responded. “But that’s not all.”

“What else could there be?” I asked, feeling a wave of helplessness.

“All of the islands… all eight islands of Amaryllis, they’ve all begun to move. They’re all flying for a certain spot.”

“Where?”

“The location of the Amaryllis’s demon king castle.”

She said we’d meet where it all began…

“Angela… set a course for Amaryllis."