Once a Sister, Always a Sister

Because of the new bridges and a little knowledge about shortcuts, it was only half a day before they arrived at the lake. Due to the darkness approaching, the team made camp. Prier tried to fish but found that she barely remembered how. But Croix and Jacques, being mercenaries and all, knew a lot about living off the land. So they helped to teach the others the tricks of the trade. Then a Fire spell shot by Angie gave them a place to cook the food; and also roast marshmallows after all was said and done.

Jacques surprised everyone by pulling out a guitar after supper. He casually mentioned knowing how to play before, however nobody had heard him do so. Now, he began to strum an old camping tune about a lovely warrior maiden named Epee who had successfully fought of a Dragon to save her kingdom from falling under the curse of an enchanter. She later on became the lover of a handsome prince.

Everyone was amazed at how well he could sing. With the ballad finished, Jacques suggested the team have a sing-a-long; he would play and everyone could take turns belting out whatever song their heart desired. Prier, loving to sing, almost grabbed the guitar out of his hands so she could get started. But the mercenary managed to catch her drift and let her be the first to sing; it was either that or get killed.

Their celebration went on well into the night. Finally, as the hour of twelve approached, everyone decided to turn in. All that was except Angelique; she'd fallen asleep sometime around eight thirty. A small magical pebble thrown in the middle of the fire caused a barrier to encircle the camp; it was an old technique used by travelers. The item in question was cheap and could be brought at a church; they would use the money earned from these pebbles to support charitable activities and outreach programs.

S...S

Prier woke with a start early in the morning. At first, she was cursing the simple fact that she had woken up before eight. However, she looked over to see her daughter thrusting her aura into the barrier. Something or someone was trying to break through! Immediately, she went to work waking the others.

"We're under attack!" screamed Prier as she beat on a cooking pot with her baton, "Get up so we can drop the barrier; Angelique has been holding it up with her energy!" That got them moving. Once satisfied that the entire team was standing behind her, the child stopped supporting their guard sphere.

"Commendable humans! It was quite resourceful of you to set up a barrier over your camp. But no power can keep a Demon of my strength out. I'm going to pay you back for what you did in that maze of a forest!" shrieked a familiar voice. Out of the shadows stepped Javelot; looking much angrier and readier for a fight than she did last time. Prier sighed; it was just going to be a repeat performance so why bother? But something inside of her felt strange; like a foreign emotion building up inside her body.

Croix inquired, "Is this the kid you guys had to fight in Labyrinthe Forest?" Prier nodded at his query. "Well, it's nothing I can't handle. You beat her down with just a group of three so why should a group of six be any weaker? Besides…I don't think she's that strong; she has little control over her own powers. The only thing she can do is to keep them in check; she probably isn't able to use energy."

"Stop teasing me!" whined Javelot, "I'll tell my mommy on you! Besides, I don't need magic to fight when I've got my spear!" With that, she unsheathed the weapon and slung it right into the camp. However, the team dodged quickly. They then watched as she threw yet another fit about how nobody played fair with her. The Demon child rushed to grab her spear; however she was stopped by Angie.

"No more fighting! I can tell that you're a human being underneath all of your Dark energy. Don't you know that the Demons are only using you? They take advantage of those that are unable to pen the darkness within them; just as they did my daddy. Please…come back to humanity," begged the child.

Javelot told her, "You're wrong! I was born to Mommy and Daddy in the Dark World. I am not a foolish human! Nor is your daddy; he's a Demon like us but his love for that woman blinded him. Lady Sang wants you two to come back to her palace; she will follow the Dark Prince into battle against the human race with her army. But if you need a little physical persuasion, I am permitted to use force."

She rushed at Angelique. However, the child was ready. "Die Fiend!" Then, Angie struck out with her baton; knocking Javelot to the ground. A second later, Croix yelled, "Leave my kid alone!" He too rushed in to attack. A few gunshots later, Javelot appeared to have no strength in her to resist them.

"No choice," she muttered, "You are going to regret challenging me to a fight. Mommy said not to use this technique unless I really have to. But if there is any time where I must fight for my life, then now it is! Prepare yourself; this is my most special attack, the one I was saving. Wash over with Darkness!"

Out from Javelot's body came an aura of pure Darkness. It began spreading over the lakeside area; making all it touched seem to disappear in a void. Being on the edge of it, Francoise took a little damage until Jacques pulled her back. The sensation of being held in his arms made her feel tickled.

'That power! It's like Darkness is affecting not only our bodies but our minds. This feels worse than ten Dark Portals,' thought Culotte. He felt rooted to the ground in fear; almost as if there was a paralysis effect added to this skill. Almost certain death seemed to radiate from the Demon's body.

Prier suddenly exclaimed, "I know how to counter this! Somehow, a memory of my childhood resurfaced. Though it doesn't tell me what this spell is, or where I've seen or heard about it before, it does say that I can fight it. Wash over with Light!" Then, Prier's body began to glow with Holy power.

The two auras battled it out for a long time. Croix was holding Angie back so she didn't run to her mother, Francoise was still blushing in Jacques's arms, and Culotte simply stared at his sister. Was this one of the abilities that Soeur had spoken to them about? Why was it so similar to the one Javelot had?

Finally, Prier's Light struck right through the Darkness. Javelot screamed as she was thrown towards the ground. However, just then something strange began to happen. Unlike when a normal Demon was hit with such powerful Holy energy, she did not die or appear wounded. Instead, light began streaming out of her body. Instantly, it began to grow and age until she appeared to be a woman of about twenty. Her hair lengthened, her ears were no longer pointed, and she no longer had the aura of a girl possessed by Darkness; only a girl with Dark powers. As she settled back on the ground, the light died.

The woman sat up. She now had long hair the same shade as Prier's with deep brown eyes. She was also quite naked. Blushing, Culotte turned around and grabbed a blanket for her to use. Covering up her body allowed the woman to feel more at ease with having three men in her presence.

"That was a nightmare," she stated, "At last, I'm not a prisoner of those Demons any longer. Big Sister…where did you get to? It's been so many years so I'm sure you've left the area already. Did Mommy bring you with her, or did you go alone? How can I find anyone again after what has happened?"

"Dominique…don't worry. Your big sister is here now," Prier stated; her voice surprisingly quiet.

Teefa's Last Words...

If anyone saw that coming…sorry for being too obvious. If anyone didn't…I'm happy I wasn't too obvious. Well, we return to the village for more stories and setups next chapter. Plus deal with a PO'ed Ciel and Tonnerre shortly down the road. And Prier did have to keep calm at the end; the few memories she regained of her childhood told her that Dominique was quite skittish and she couldn't surprise her.