Galendil roared in absolute fury and anger as the third day came to a close and he returned to the battle arena he had created only to find the slayer still alive, and the demon he had placed in with her dead.
From what he could gather, the slayer had waited until the last minute, dodging most of the blows from the creature and killing him just as her time ran out.
How did she manage it? A slayer, resisting the fight for three whole days? The concept was unfathomable and the idea that she might actually win all three challenges only fueled his anger.
He approached and took the slayer's face into account. It was one gigantic mesh of bruises and blood. She was barely standing, clutching her stomach through her torn and blood stained shirt in pain. He assumed that some ribs had been broken and she might have a concussion of sorts, but other than that she would survive and inevitably heal.
"You look surprised to see me." Her voice was cracked and weak, but a note of triumph existed in her voice.
"I must admit that I am." He replied smoothly, refusing to allow her to see his frustration at his inability to defeat her and capture her soul. "I thought for sure that this challenge would signify my victory."
"You underestimated me." She said quietly. "Again, I might add."
"It seems I did." He agreed. "But I still have one challenge to go."
"It's not going to be another demon that looks like my friends in a three day cage match is it?" She asked, resorting to the tone of voice he noticed she liked to use when attempting lame or quirky humour. "Because honestly? I thought that one was fairly lame, even by a demon's standards. I mean, at least the first one was clever..."
"Believe me, the third challenge will not be cliché in the slightest my dear." He growled. She smiled, happy to have gotten a rise out of him.
"Will I be starting right away, or am I going to get some physical recovery time? It's only fair if...."
"I'm not in the business of fair." Galendil replied shortly. "If I were, I would have set you and the vampire free out of the goodness of my heart. Trust me, it's not an effective way to run a hell dimension."
"I suppose not." Came her reply, her intense gaze fixed on him in apprehension. "So I'll be fighting injured then for the third task?"
"Amusing as that sounds, the third task is not a physical challenge, so in that respect you are quite safe." Galendil admitted. "It will be by no means easy however, and I am hoping that I have not underestimated you too much."
"Let's get on with it then." She requested calmly. "I have people waiting for me at home."
"Your confidence doesn't shake me my dear, so you can drop the act." Galendil curled his lip back in a snarl of pure evil. "I can feel your fear. It's absolutely wonderful."
"Glad you like it." She murmured. "Either way I'm anxious for it to be over with."
"I can imagine." The demon God agreed. "Unfortunately you will have to wait at least an hour or two while I prepare the final challenge for you. I've made up a cell just for you while you wait. I shall come and fetch you when the challenge is ready."
Snapping his fingers, he sent the slayer to the spot he had designated for her and set to getting the final challenge ready for her. If everything went his way, he would own her soul in no time. If she managed somehow to pass, then she would receive everything she wanted and Galendil did not want to see that happen. He wanted her soul more than anything.