First story I have written in a while. I wrote out an outline and this story is very different from anything I've ever dreamt up. I warn you it may be difficult to understand in the first few chapters. So tell me what you think! Constructive criticism accepted.
A crash sounded throughout the Demon World, the sound of a kingdom fallen. The cries of its demonic followers echoed through the forests, scattering the exotic wildlife within it. The smell of sulphur filled the air where the castle once stood. The dust settled revealing two young women, concrete covering the ground at their feet. Neither fully understood what had happened as they silently made their way through the wreckage.
For weeks, or so it seemed, they had been held prisoner by the ruler of this fallen kingdom. The dark-haired female looked to her companion with a tired expression, unsure of where they would go from here. Her gold eyes scanned the scene before them hoping for some sign of home. Seeing none she allowed the other girl to lead the way, as her eyes held a confidence she did not possess.
Her legs moved weakly beneath her, though she did her best to hide it from her new friend. It was clear she had taken the bulk of the damage. The teal haired woman suffered only minor cuts and bruises, where as she could feel the crack of her broken ribs and the sting of her sliced flesh. Even with that, she attributed her survival to the woman beside her, certain she would have given up long ago with out her presence.
The cell door creaked and she was roughly tossed in. She hit the ground hard feeling the full force of her captors. They laughed as they watched her wince in pain. Bruises covered her face and body mixed with various cuts and gashes. She crawled as far back into the cell as she could, anything to get away from the malicious stares. She made no effort to hide her fear, knowing that somehow they could smell it. Whoever they were, they were not human. Not by any sense of the word. Their skin rough as gravel and the color of puke green. Horns protruded from their face and each sported three pairs of completely black eyes. Their teeth were sharp and reminiscent of a shark with an overbite. Truly, a site she had not seen in any nightmare she could recall.
"Are you alright?" a soft voice called to her. She jumped at the sound of it, peering through the darkness to find its owner. Red eyes glowed from the cell beside her causing the young woman to gasp. The possessor moved nearer to the adjoining bars revealing herself to be a woman who couldn't have been much older than she. Her body relaxed at the sight of new-found companion. She nodded towards the girl and smiled weakly, "I'm OK, thank you." She lied. They both knew it. But neither wanted to point out the grave situation they were in.
"My name is Yukina, what is yours?" she stretched her hand through the bars towards the other girl. "Anna," the dark-haired girl replied, reaching for her hand. Before they made contact, the guards beat on her bars startling both girls. A cruel laugh could be heard in the darkness. Anna felt herself tense up again, vomit rising to the surface. "It will be alright, you know," Yukina started, "We will make it through this."
Through the beatings and starvation, they held each other up. Each continuing for the sake of the other. By the end of the first week, Anna had lost enough weight to slip through the bars. And from that day, Yukina never took another beating. A hand reached out and grabbed her leg pulling her from her thoughts. She yelped in surprised and fell forward, coming face to face with the guard who had taken her captive and tortured her. Yukina snapped around at the sound of her friend's frightened cry. Rushing to her side she saw Anna trying to pry their abuser from her leg. Anna watched as Yukina grabbed the nearest rock, jamming it into the creatures wrist, effectively releasing her friend. Standing up the girls hastily walked away from the dying guard.
Anna stopped soon after they started. "We can't do this," she said, "If we let him die we are no better than he is." Yukina's eyes widened in shock, only to relax into an understanding smile. The girls turned back to the guard. Each stood on either side of guard and grabbed his hands. He stared in disbelief as they pulled his arms around their shoulders and walked him. "Why are you doing this?" he growled at them, "Why, after all I did to you, would you save me?" Anna and Yukina stayed silent. She didn't know why exactly she couldn't allow him to die. She had every right to be angry. He deserved a slow and painful death. But she couldn't leave him there knowing she was in part the reason he would meet his demise.
Nearly reaching the forest just beyond the wreckage of the kingdom, Yukina paused. She and the guard seemed to be listening for something, Anna simply could not hear. Anna felt the weight lift off her shoulders as the guard found his balance. "You girls move along." He stated simply as he turned around. "But why? You are still hurt!" Yukina protested. Anna felt herself staring beyond the guard at a black mass headed quickly towards them. The sound of hungry dogs filled her ears and her eyes widened in terror. The guard shot her a knowing look as he braced himself for a fight. "Go!" He shouted. Anna whispered a thank you as she grabbed Yukina's hand and ran. The screams of the guard and tearing flesh echoed as they made their way through the forest.
Hours passed as the girls wandered through the forest. Darkness was beginning to settle in the wooded area, giving it an ominous feel. The girls decided it would be best to try to rest as they came upon a small clearing. They gathered sticks and for a fire, preparing for night to take over completely. The girls decided attempting to find food this late was futile and took their places beside the fire. Yukina told stories of the family she had come to know in the human world. Of her twin brother, whom she had yet to find and of the fox demon she had come to love. Anna listened closely, wondering if she would ever have the chance to meet the people she spoke of. Even more, she wondered what a "fox demon" would look like.
"So what of your family, Anna, and your friends? What is your home like?" Anna opened her mouth to answer and immediately shut it, interrupted by the sound of dragging footsteps. A large clawed hand grasped the trunk of the tree behind Anna. She jumped away and joined Yukina at the other side of the fire. "Thought you could get away from me after you destroyed my kingdom!" Anna stared unsure of how King Nepar had survived. He was definitely beaten, one could say on the brink of death. But he wasn't dead, and that didn't bode well for the two weak and battered women.
The king laughed as he neared the girls. They held on to one another, knowing full well if they ran they would only be prolonging the inevitable. They braced for impact which never came as the king fell to pieces before them. Opening her eyes Anna was met with a glorious sight. The literal version of a knight in shining armor. He rode a white horse who wore armor which shown the same silver as his. Behind him an armor of other knights followed. They did not shine the way their leader did, but nonetheless Anna was grateful for their arrival.
The leader jumped off his horse and approached the girls, introducing himself as Jeffery. Anna repressed a giggle. Jeffery was not the sort of name that belonged to a man like this. Removing his helmet, Jeffery revealed that he too was a demon. Though not the ugly putrid green type she had seen before. No, Jeffery's skin was a blue so light it could be considered white. He had black hair with the slightest green tint and two small horns parallel to his eyes. His eyes, however, were the same color gold as her own. This made her ponder her recently awakened abilities. She quickly dismissed the idea as Jeffery took her hand and kissed it. "I am a General in service to Lord Mukuro. We ask that you come with us." Yukina and Anna exchanged looks. "Mukuro you said?" Yukina asks. "Yes mam, She requests an audience with those involved with the downfall of the Northern kingdom." Yukina smiled and nodded at Anna, letting her know it was safe. Jeffery helped the girls up onto his horse before getting on himself and riding away, the others following close.
The ride to Mukuro's castle was long. It was morning before Anna could blink. Sunrise in Demon World proved to be worth the wait. The girls admired the scenery as the passed it by. Exotic flowers danced as the wind blew around them. Jeffery was kind and pointed out different landmarks on the way. He gloated about the battles he fought to earn the different places in the name of Lord Mukuro. The castle appeared in the distance, though Jeffery explained they still had many hours until they made it there. Anna felt her eyes droop in response. She laid her head on the horse's mane as her world began to fade to black.