Steven
Two women, heavily armored, strode through the carnage of the eternal battlefield just outside the borders of Lestos. Adelaide always had mixed feelings coming anywhere near Lestos, and this time was no different. It was the site of Alexander's inexplicable suffering. It was the place of his death. Both things she'd rather not think on more than necessary. Unfortunately this blood-soaked land was exactly what she needed for this particular endeavor. The constant raging battles meant plentiful resources for her dark arts. The carnage and the lost souls were perfect attractants for demons, which were her specific prey this fine day.

Yvetta wasn't her first choice of companion, but she had her reasons for not bringing Alexander. The aforementioned traumas were enough alone, though he'd do it anyway if she asked, which was why she didn't. She ensured he was busy with another task then set off, meeting Yvetta on the road along the way so as not to arouse his suspicions. She also had told him nothing of the plans she had been brewing, just in case they were necessary. It may never be of need, but she hated feeling unprepared, thus this little bloodbath was concocted.

The promise of battle and bloodshed was enough to lure Yvetta out. Looking over at the other armored woman, Adelaide smirked under her horned helmet. She could almost pretend her companion was Alexander anyway, with the hulking size, rage in battle, and silence. Breaking said silence, the Wilted Rose spoke in a frosty tone, **"Remember, nothing of this to Alexander. Or I don't invite you to my personal fights ever again."** She'd only formed a working relationship with Yvetta thus far; this was actually the first time the two women had ever been alone. Shifting to a more even, cool tone, she spoke as she scanned their surroundings, **"Be on your toes. This place should be crawling with creatures, but I see nothing. Either there was just a large battle and this is the lull, or the winner of said battle is watching us."** Demons were cunning and cruel; she would know, with them being the source of her power. 

The Knight of Dark Animation *Felt* More than heard the presence behind them. She'd developed somewhat of a sense for when demons were nearby, a skill she was glad to have and hoped to continue to develop. Turning with her chain-wrapped sword pointing out in front of her, the runes on the blade glowed bright green as her scarred left eye lit up purple. Spitting out angry infernal, she summoned multiple skeletons and a handful of zombies, the corpses pushing and pulling their way out of the soil around the two women to stand with them, ready. Adelaide shouted to her companion, **"Yvetta, now!"**
Robert
Lestos was truly one of her favoured places, it was such a bright land where one was able to bath in flames and magma rather than water. The lands smelt of death and brimstone, already she had stepped in a few puddles of blood. Her longsword was tightly clenched in her hand, tight enough that one would almost swear that they could hear the creaking of metal if they listened close enough. In her off hand, her shield was ready to be used as both a weapon and a shield, with a metal outline it would certainly be able to take quite a good hit.

Yvetta was already breathing heavily through her helmet, not a single word was spoken in return. All that she gave was a slow exhale as she stared at Adelaide through her helmet. Even if Yvetta did speak to Alexander about such a thing, who's to say she would even be understood? The Burning Maiden had quite the way with words that few were able to actually understand. But Yvetta was prepared for combat, one was able to tell in how quickly she waws pushing forward, unable to stand still for even a second when the promise of blood being spilt was so close.

.
Then, she heard the shout. Her eyes went wide as something within her mind clicked. Yvetta was out in the front, prepared to take the force on headfirst. It almost seemed like her head snapped as she turned around, heavy footsteps as she sprinted with quite shocking speed towards the demonic entities. Even the demons seemed surprised. She slammed into the first with her blade, it's torso being ripped asunder from the force as it was lifted off the ground. It flailed in agony as it desperately tried to remove the blade, but the sheer force had slammed through it's ribcage. Yvetta slammed the poor creature into the ground, placing her foot against it's neck as she tore the blade out. The first of many, and she was already ready to jump for the second. Of course, by now the demons had gotten out of their shock and were already attacking. It seemed like it was a group of ten strays who had been attracted to the battlefield.

One leapt for her, and she defended her body with her shield, watching as it tried to get it's arms around the fortress. Unfortunately, Yvetta lifted up the shield and slammed it down, before stamping her foot into the chest of the demon. The poor thing was still alive as one of her abilities activated, the flesh of the creature hissed as she left a smouldering imprint in it's torso, before lifting her leg up and slamming down again against the weakened flesh.
Steven
With an infernal shout, Adelaide sent the zombies and skeletons charging forward. They entered the clash, tangling up each demonic entity for as long as possible. The zombies were a bit tougher, a bit stronger, faring better than the skeletons that exploded in scatters of bone. It was rarely worth it to heal the skeletons; they were so cheap to create and maintain. The Wilted Rose swung her sword down at a nearby demon, shadowy and shifting, the chain unwrapping itself to shoot out and swing as well, such that the demon got slashed then whipped on the back swing. As it fell, she continued her string of infernal chanting, and it's eyes rolled back in it's head as she revived it and sent it at its former allies. Holding out a hand, she channeled some healing into the now undead demon, so it might last longer. 

With no little surprise, the Bane of Souls found it difficult to maintain her control over the dead demon. But she was beyond delighted that it was *Possible*. It opened up so many avenues and eventualities, should they be needed. Reserving her magical power to heal her undead and pull up more skeletons as needed, she primarily waded into the fray swinging her sword and bashing with her shield. Both, and herself as well, were covered in the dark blood of the demons before long. She thought errantly it might be worth harvesting some of the blood before they left.

Seeing Yvetta out of the corner of her eye made Adelaide's heart sink for just a moment. Their styles were so similar, save the fire, it was hard not to think of him. She hated keeping this from him, but she felt it was for the best in the end. If they were ever to be free, it was necessary. She hadn't shared such ambitions with him, with no one really. It was a far off dream that she wasn't even sure was possible. But this was giving her hope, as she and her companion cut through demon after demon.

But the spark of hope was short lived. The sense she had built to detect demons was somewhat tied to her sending stone eye. So when it started throbbing in a rhythm, then escalated to stabbing pain, her fear rose. Looking around frantically, fending off attacks with sword and shield as she called a few zombies closer to her, she shouted to Yvetta, **"A bigger one has come!! Watch out!"** That was when she saw it stroll leisurely out of the nearby shadows, a grin full of needle-like teeth, and sharp eyes trained on *Her*.
Luz
Thinking some fucker like this
Robert
The poor demon beneath Yvetta had it's ribcage stomped in, it's organs a mixture of burnt and crushed. The smell of a horrid sulfur wafted from the remains as Yvetta tore her boot from the wound and quickly charged the next. A sharp overhead swing sent her blade slamming into it's skull, the blade only made it about halfway down the head before she tore it out with a sickening squelch. A quick boot to the chest sent the corpse sailing away like it was a mere toy. Yvetta was *Loving* This. The smell of sulfur, the fires in the distance, corpses being left as a trail, it was such a *Gorgeous* Landscape. She could feel herself mumbling to herself beneath her breath, but she had nary a clue what the words truly meant. The ramblings of a madwoman, lost to the wind.

Then, she heard the call. A bigger one had arrived? Her eyes snapped off of the little ones that she had been tormenting, and her eyes found her target. Oh, it was beautiful. She could already imagine how the ash would *Sing* Once it burned. Anointed in ash, blessed in embers. The metal hilt of her blade groaned under the pressure it was receiving as she charged forward. A war cry escaping her as she brought her blade up, ready to leap and slam it into the neck of the devilish bastard. Only to be struck by the hand of the creature and sent flying.
.

She landed in a tumble, slamming against the stones beneath her before eventually coming to a stop. Using her shield to stabilize herself, she quickly pushed herself to her knees before climbing to her feet. The ones that fought the hardest always burnt the longest. Oh, she was excited and hurt. Fate was slowing down her flame and she would not have it. Once more placing herself into a ready stance, she glanced over to Adelaide. The Wilted Rose was a better tactician, she knew how to fight against larger foes with ease.

But there was no denying that mad spark that shone beneath the helmet, nor was there any ignorance in watching the blood drip from parts of her armour, igniting from the embers at her feet. Yvetta was ready to *Burn*. She was ready to grab onto the bastard demon by the horns and not let go until it was all turned to ash and cinders. Her shield was in front of her, ready to protect from any ranged strikes. She just needed to get under it's guard, and sink her blade into it. Then she'd be able to incinerate the horned creature.
Steven
Fighting to focus through the searing pain in her skull, Adelaide released her hold on the remaining skeletons, as they were just a waste of power now that the fight had escalated to this point. Few of the smaller ones remained, and she was fairly confident that with her pouring healing into the zombies, they could take them down given time. She wasn't sure if the pain in her head was just her sense for nearby demons or if this particular demon was able to manipulate the sending stone... An incredibly unsettling thought, but very good information for her to have, as long as they lived. It's dark eyes held a glow like blazing fire, and once it batted her large friend aside like a child's toy, it sped with a shadowy trail to stand in front of her. Addie met Yvetta's eyes for just a moment, giving one solemn nod. Even with her height, the demon had to be nearly twice as tall as she was, towering over her. It moved with incredible speed, and she wasn't able to dodge the hand that shot out in time.

The Wilted Rose's sword and shield clattered to the ground as she was lifted by the throat into the air. She struggled fiercely, her small gauntleted hands wrapped around its large forearm. For whatever reason, maybe the smell of demons already on her, it was especially interested in her, holding her in front of it and regarding her quizzically. Seeing the opportunity, she choked out as loudly as she could, **"Now,** ***NOW*** **!"** The creature was leaving itself rather open while it regarded her, perhaps Yvetta could find an opening. Growling, her eye fiercely glowing purple, blight began to spread from her hands on the creatures arm, slowly blooming and crawling up the limb. Where it appeared it left sizzling, rotting wounds that ate away the flesh. Meeting her growl with its own, the demon finally dropped her after a few minutes.

Rolling away, the Wilted Rose coughed and gasped in all the air she could before retrieving her weapons and finding a place behind her now freed up zombies. Holding her chain-wrapped sword high, the runes glowing once again, she nearly shouted the infernal summoning, a lich clad in deep purple robes materializing out of the shadows. His glowing purple eyes regarded her a moment, blankly, before he spoke in a gravelly tone, **"Mistress..."** Now speaking in common, Adelaide ordered the lich to attack, **"Stick to that demon no matter what, give it everything you've got!!"** Immediately, the lich floated speedily to the demon to aid Yvetta, casting more blight to progress the rot that had already begun on the arm. Panting for breath, her stamina draining quickly, Addie was determined to see this through to the end.
Robert
Already she was charging forward. Even as Adelaide was grappled and lifted into the air. Her blood was already leaking over her midriff, dripping on the floor from the wound she had. An odd side effect of her power was the sheen that her blood had. It almost looked as if gasoline had mixed with water, almost creating a rainbow like effect on the little drops upon the floor. As Adelaide grasped onto the creature's arm to spread blight, Yvetta ducked beneath her and managed to land a firm slash against the demon's stomach. It was a grand strike, cutting deep and leaving quite the mark. But Yvetta was not done. As she pushed passed the creature, she was quick to turn and attempt to impale her blade into the back of the creature, trying to spear through it's heart like it was naught but cattle. Unfortunately, with the speed that it had, it able to turn and catch her blade with it's hand.

Now it was trapped within close quarters, and there was no deny the sparks that surrounded Yvetta, soon touching her blood. She ignited with a hiss, the power of the flames swarming her body as her blood **BURNED**. It felt incredible! Like the weight upon her shoulders was gone. She was free and within the flames. She was unstoppable, and she could take the world if she wanted. It was obvious the demon was not expecting such a power, just judging by the eyes of the creature. She released her shield, grasping the hilt of her blade with both hands as she began to push against the demon. Normally, a human would not be able to win in a battle of strength against such a beast. But with the Lich appearing, and the rot upon the arms of the demon spreading, there was no denying how the blade was beginning to slip through it's fingers.
.

More of the demonic blood leaked down the blade as Yvetta took a step forward, using her weight and strength to push the blade further. Even if the creature was taller, nothing would be able to withstand the plan that she had for such a beast. She just needed the blade to sink into the chest so she could carve her way through. She wwould tear the chest asunder and rip out the heart with her bare hands if she had to. She would not be stopped. Could not be stopped. The flames crackled by her ears, snapping and popping. She heard the whispers of her past. The screams of those that burned. The call of the flame. Her heart was burning just from the feeling.

She needed more.
Steven
Adelaide had to admit, she loved to watch Yvetta work. The chaos of her companion's flames and the ferocity with which she wielded her blade were a sight to behold. It was somewhat reminiscent of Alexander's mad dash of violence, but the flames added a new facet that the former knight found most entertaining. Especially when it was the screams and growls of a demon being eaten by the fire. With the demon defending against two attackers and seemingly beginning to lose, the Wilted Rose pushed forward with her zombies to aid in somewhat closer quarters. The zombies joined the lich, taking whatever free space around the thrashing demon could be found, sinking claws and teeth into its flesh. Its howls in abyssal were music to her ears, a dirge she hoped to repeat over and over again. 
** **
Feeling her strength fading, Addie kept some distance, knowing she couldn't dodge as well as she otherwise might. The lich was a large drain of power, but so often worth it when she found herself outmatched. The lich spread blight with ease, using claws to then rip away at the weakened flesh, tearing with teeth. It all made for quite a *Wild* Show. The Bane of Souls watched closely, throwing out the chain from her runic sword to whip or bind the demon's wrists or ankles as it tried to retaliate. She had to dig her heels in and grit her teeth to hold it, but she was able to disrupt its momentum enough to either stop or slow the blows that her allies were taking. The sharp ache just behind her glowing eye as well as the dizziness besetting her told her that they needed to end this soon.
** **

Seeing the large demon slowing, slowing, as it lost more and more flesh and blood to the barrage of attacks, Adelaide called out to Yvetta, her voice breaking in the middle of the sentence, **"Finish it... This needs to end!"** She could see the hungry madness the Ironclad Maiden's eyes and wouldn't *Dare* Taking this kill from her. Besides, it might perk up the interests of her her demonic lords a bit too much if they received the soul of a friend or acquaintance.
Robert
Yvetta's eyes were wide, staring at the demon as it slowly had it's flesh eaten by both flame and blight. She watched as it slowly wasted away beneath the attacks from the zombies. Flame and blight together, it was truly a gorgeous sight. She was witness to such a powerful creature being devastated by the elements. It's life being taken away by the forces it came across. Just like how it would be with flames across the world, each bit of fuel within the planet would be consumed and used by the fire to burn brighter and longer. Beneath her helmet, as she pushed the blade further against the Demon's struggling hand, she couldn't help but grin like a madman. 

As the shout to finish it was given, she couldn't help but comply. She thrust the blade forward, severing the fingers of the beast and piercing through the shoulder. The beast howled in agony as she tore the blade from it's place. Grasping the blade, she spun it around and slammed the hilt into the creature's knee as she forced it to kneel to her. She was quick to slash it across the chest before aiming the blade to pierce through the organs, ribcage and shoulder blade. As it pierced out, she released her grip and slammed her boot into the chest of the creature, forcing it to lay back. It was practically dead from the assault, but Yvetta stepped forward, and grasped the blade, using her weight and strength to tear it through the rest of the ribcage. She was panting as she stared at the half burnt corpse. It was not enough. She was quick to place her blade against the throat of the demon, sawing through before she ripped the head off. A good trophy.

She threw the head to the side of the moment and removed her gauntlet. Her hand was already scarred, but she placed the blade against the back of her hand and quickly sliced through the flesh, allowing the blood to pour atop of the corpse, and quickly ignite. Her eyes stared as the body of the demon slowly withered away from the flames. It was so beautiful.
Steven
Once Yvetta began her happy butchering and the battlefield was clear, Adelaide dismissed all her undead with a wave, the breeze gently carrying away their crumbling forms. It literally felt like a weight lifted, and she regained a small bit of vigor just from releasing them. But she was still a bit tired. She'd been overworking herself of late, and perhaps it wasn't the best time to try this little endeavor. But she had to take the window when it was presented to her, lest she drag Alex here instead of Yvetta. He would ask too many questions she wasn't prepared to answer yet. And she hated the way his whole body tensed, the light left his eyes, anytime they came to Lestos. She had half a mind to burn it all to the ground, but that was a bigger project than she was willing to take on, especially alone. Looking over at Yvetta, however, mangling and burning the corpse of the demon, maybe it would be doable one day after all... But those were plans for another time.

Putting away her sword and shield, she pulled a few empty vials from her pack, seeming to casually saunter over to the demon's head, discarded to the side. She took off her helmet, sitting it aside, picking up the head with gentle care, tilting it to fill each vial with blood then stoppering them and putting them away. For a moment she just stared into the black, lifeless eyes, her own blue green ones distant and cold, the wind rustling her fire red hair. She stood, unceremoniously dropping the head to the ground, and with great force began stomping the head until the skull cracked, broke, and the contents became a stinking mush of sulfurous flesh. She wore a grimace the entire time, huffing once the deed was done, and spitting on the pile of gore. Dusting her hands, she went to stand by Yvetta and admire her work, her expression unreadable.
** **

When Adelaide spoke, her voice was unusually small, for her, though no less filled with anger, **"I know it's not really... I know you don't really speak, but again, not a word to Alex. I wanted to see how I compared, without him, should it ever come to it. I have plans in mind... Not fully formed, but... Plans I'd like to see through, some day."** When she looked at Yvetta, unshed tears made her eyes glassy, even more unusual for the former knight, **"He'll stop me if he finds out. He can't find out. I** ***Will*** **Protect him, at all costs, until the end of my days."** Her eyes, though glassy, were fierce and determined, her jaw set with her stubbornness. It was rather written all over her now sweaty, grimy face how quickly she would dismiss and shun Yvetta if the other woman betrayed this small sliver of trust that Adelaide was giving.
Robert
The deed was done. The beast had become nothing but ash and cinders. Yvetta leaned down to take a handful of the ash, some of it still flaming and she watched as it slipped through her fingers. Such a beautiful thing, nearly perfection. In theory, it could be molded into absolutely anything, made to mimic anything, made to be anything. But would the ash ever stay in one place? No. Yvetta knew it would always move on, seeking out the embers of the next flame it could be apart of. It was the remnants of a beautiful blaze, and none could keep it in one place. Bits of it were stuck in her gauntlet, but she paid it no mind. It was not the first time she had been covered in ashes, and she hoped that it would not be the last. She took a moment to breath in the stale air, smelling the roasted flesh of the demon. Oh, it was *Fantastic*. It was *Addicting*. It was *INCREDIBLE*. The feeling of a freshly defeated enemy, as well as the smell of their charred corpse in the air?

There was no greater feeling.

As Adelaide began to speak, Yvetta merely tilted her head to listen for the moment. Her eyes did move in their sockets, staring at the woman from the corner of the slits in her helmet. It seemed to strange to her that she wished to hide what was practically training from the knight she travelled with most. Yvetta was unsure about the relationship between the two of them, nor did she particularly care. But she gave a mere nod in response. Her word would be her bond, even if she hadn't spoken. A promise to not tell a single soul about where they had gone, where they had went, where they had traveled. Though, it was certainly a shame she wasn't going to be able to brag about slaying a demon to Alexander.
.

She would just have to kill something else.

Yvetta once more placed her cruel blade into it's sheath, the familiar weight returning as it hung in the air. There was something oddly comforting about having a bloodied blade by her side, she wasn't sure what exactly the cause was, but she couldn't deny that it made her feel right at home. For a moment, she was silent, before she turned towards Adelaide and spoke for the first time, her voice as gravelly as the grave. **"Now, what do we do?"** Her voice echoed slightly from her helmet.