2 ~Chapter 1: Escape -Part: 2 ~Nieka~

Nieka ran full speed at the two demon guards. Unlike the demon she had just killed, they had no wings and only one tail, their faces a little more squashed than their larger brethren. These demons wore swords at their hips like humans, likely due to having much shorter claws and teeth. Only one of the two bothered to draw their sword, more to point it at her threateningly than to try and kill her, but she didn't stop or even slow down. Taken aback by her seeming lack of self-preservation, he was slow to react as he began drawing the sword back. They were supposed to keep the prisoners alive after all. She ducked her head and smashed her hands forward, one striking his inner elbow and the other shoving his arm back at him as she barreled right past him. At worst the sword should slam into his windpipe stunning him for about a breath, at best... well, she hoped he choked on his own blood. She heard a strangled gurgling sound behind her followed by a thump.

There was silence for about three heartbeats no demon snarls or pounding feet. It was broken by an ear-splitting screech that chilled her blood and urged her faster. She ran up the steeper, more narrow part of the cave that opened up to a wide vertical hole. The top was solid rock and in the poor light, it was impossible to tell how far it was. There was a drop at the opening below her and the cracked floor held pools of steaming water and red, hot lava burned through cracks in the stone.

Without slowing her run she ran right for the drop and leaped as far as she could. When she hit the wall on the other side rocks cracked and began to fall. She slid several feet tearing up the palms of her hands and feet before she was able to stop. The earth groaned all around her encouraging her to climb quickly. A demon flew over the base of the small lava vein and landed hard on the rock surrounding her, a clawed hand embedded in the stone on either side of her head.

The impact caused a defining crack and brought a ledge from up above crashing down on them. Nieka ducked in close to the wall and the rock smashed into the demon ripping him from the wall; only scraping her and pelting her with small rocks. They would likely leave bruises all over her back and arms, but she felt nothing as the adrenalin blocked out all pain. She wasted no time in continuing her climb; it would be easier now that the overhanging ledge was gone. Far below she heard the crash of the demon and bolder hitting the crust and the crackling roar of the fire that flared from the lava vain. The fire, hotter than most, must have scorched the next demons as they tried to fly across the gap because she heard the painfully high screeches of demons and the roar of flames. She climbed faster to escape the blistering heat.

She reached the top of the chasm just as a demon grabbed her leg, digging his claws deep into her calf. Frantic she pulled her free leg back and then kicked him as hard as she could in the throat; he clutched at his neck and fell from the edge. Luckily, that one could not fly. Nieka scrambled to her feet and ran towards the bright light at the end of the low cave. It was so bright to her unadjusted eyes that she could not see much of anything. She ran blindly, stumbling on her bare and bloody feet, carelessly crashing through brush and branches. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, she felt eyes on her and knew that she was still being followed.

It didn't take long for the screeches and roars to catch up to her, there was also a fast pounding like galloping hooves from somewhere, but it could also have been her heart. Claws sank into her shoulder, and she was wrenched to the side, but it was the demon that screeching in pain. Warm blood splattered her back and arm, the claws wrenched free, and she scurried back onto her feet without sparing a look at whatever had attacked the demon. She did not want to know what could so easily split apart a demon. Behind her, there was a sudden clang of metal and claws, a chorus of screeches, and a loud angry roar she knew wasn't a demon's but couldn't guess at the thing that made it. Her accursed curiosity forced a quick look back and she spotted two humans fighting the demons on horseback. They were drastically outnumbered, and she felt sorry for what she had unleashed on them, but not enough to stop.

The sounds faded as she ran on and then so did her strength. She began to feel her aching feet as they repeatedly hit the ground. Her lungs began to burn and ache along with the rest of her. No! I need my fear, I'm not safe. I must keep going! She pushed harder but the pain and stumbling continued to slowly increase, all was silent except for the rustling and cracking she made as she clumsily crashed through the forest in no particular direction other than away. Suddenly her neck hairs prickled and with no more warning she was tackled to the ground.

She squirmed and kicked and hit violently her heart hammering with renewed fear, but strong arms quickly seized her hands and binned them with one large hand behind her back. Chest heaving painfully tight she bucked and kicked wildly. Suddenly she was flipped over, her hands pinned at her side, one arm pulled uncomfortably under her back. Her legs were pinned to the ground and something hard and slick with blood pressed on her throat forcing her still. She glared up at her captor to find that he was human. Relief washed through her despite her situation. A very callous-looking young man with jet black hair, pale skin, and dark eyes stared down at her in confusion.

She saw his shock as he took her in, she must not have been what he had expected either. His face suddenly took on a dark mask and in a voice of controlled anger he demanded "Who are you and why are you in our forest?"

"Escape…" She managed against the blade on her windpipe. Nieka barely recognized her own voice it was so raspy, and she was still breathing hard. The world was swirling and her vision fogging. Exhaustion took hold and she sank deeply into it.

"What is it?" another male voice asked echoing as if at the end of a tunnel, darkness closing in from the edges of her vision.

"It's a girl." The words were fading farther away though she could still feel the one holding her down and see his fuzzy outline above her. She felt like she was falling into a black void, but this dark was soft and warm, inviting. She gave in to it and the world disappeared.