Gone Too Soon?

"Demons are born to perish. No matter how powerful they are. No matter how crafty they are. No matter how much evolved they can get. No matter how many battles and wars they have won. Evil is bound to die in the hands of good. The weak always sees the things that are inside his comfort zone, but the ones who have the courage to change the pages of history make their way through the most painful and dangerous paths and don't stop till they have reached their destination. I know, you guys have come here, filled with the zeal of patriotism and a desire to make the world a better place for your upcoming generation, but only determination cannot win you any war. You will need the power to withstand the heavy whips of defeat, humiliation and death. But, if you don't consider defeat in front of your enemies, I can assure you that no matter what your earlier life was, no matter what you were called before, no matter what you had or not had. You, guys will emerge as victorious and your name will shine in the pages of the Manacan history." The words of Aliyah's teacher echoed through her head as she was sitting in the tub filled with ice cold water.

Aliyah hasn't talked with Biba since the fight, partially because they weren't actually friends and also because Biba was acting a bit awkward since the fight. She never left her room since the fight and only her manager, Sara was allowed to enter her room with edibles and beverages. Elgin overheard a bit of the conversation between Biba and Sara and he was sure that Biba is considering withdrawal from the tournament just like the other fighters. Aliyah mumbled, "She is right to take this decision. After all, why should she even stay in a tournament where demons are fighting with mortals and the organisers are evil." Aliyah wants all the fighters to withdraw from the tournament as she wants to hunt down the demons and kill them before they harm the innocent mortals. She looked around the room and felt a strange aura around her. She mumbled, "The scent of evil is increasing day by day. At first, it was quite mild, but now everywhere I can feel the negative aura around. If Alice doesn't hurry up, even Mother Manaca couldn't save us." She rose and wore her robe and went outside. The whole hallway is lonely and dark as if there is nothing left anymore. The whole hotel was reserved by the tournament's organisers so without the needed roster, the whole rooms are empty. Only six rooms were filled right now and Aliyah's room is on the top floor of the hotel. She took out her dagger and slowly walked towards the source of the scent that is troubling her. She is sure that someone unwanted is present in the hotel and the dark and gloomy rainy weather outside only made her senses more agile. She finally finds the door from which the scent is coming. She silently entered the room and looked at a big and muscular bald guy. The bald guy was Ben Shaman, one of Bayu's soldiers. He could feel the presence of Aliyah and as soon as she entered the room, he attacked her. Aliyah was quick to react and took him with a reverse roundhouse kick. Ben fell on the ground, but quickly caught Aliyah's left foot and threw her down. He took Aliyah on her shoulder and then threw her on the wall mirror. Aliyah rolled and thrust a piece of glass in Ben's thigh. Ben punched her on the face and then pulled her up by her neck and crashed her head on the TV. Aliyah fell on the ground unconscious and Ben took a knife and was about to kill her, when Elgin threw a dagger and it entered Ben's temple. He fell on the ground and died. Elgin took Aliyah and teleported to Alice's house.

Alice and Elena looked horrified when they saw so much blood coming out of Aliyah's head. Alice asked, "She is a ghost. So, why is she bleeding so immensely?" Elgin asked, "She is immune to human attacks, but when some demon attacks her she gets injured. Anyway, there's no time for such long answers. Quickly wrap a bandage around her head." Elena quickly wrapped bandages around her head and said, "Her blood should stop now. But, the glass pieces in her head would have to be removed surgically." Elgin looked at her wound and said, "I know some basic surgery, but I think we should contact some expert surgeon." Alice said grimly, "Don't talk bullshit, Elgin. No human doctor will get ready to treat a ghost."

Elgin said, "I cannot call for help from the kingdom. Things are already very volatile right now there and Vexana has gone into hiding. Apparently, many ogres formed a team under Kystion and they killed everyone in the castle and Vexana has to flee from their to save her own life. She told me this bad news in the morning and when I went to Aliyah to tell her the news. I found her fighting with a ghost." Alice asked, "Then, what should we do?" Aliyah came to consciousness and said weakly, "Don't worry. I'm fine. This type of wounds can't make me suffer for too long." Aliyah rose and said, "Vexana conveyed the news to me yesterday night and that's why I am so worried. The kingdom was a very reliable place for us to get help in the form of arms, books and army. But, that old prick Kystion decided to sabotage all my plans and kill my allies. I, honestly cannot fight another war with them, atleast not when the mortal world is threatened with demons. Call Vexana here and let's discuss what can be done now." Elgin asked, "What about the tournament?" Aliyah said, "What tournament? The tournament is no longer fair and has become just a legalized way to finish off Alice and take away the spear.Elgin said, "I cannot call for help from the kingdom. Things are already very volatile right now there and Vexana has gone into hiding. Apparently, many ogres formed a team under Kystion and they killed everyone in the castle and Vexana has to flee from their to save her own life. She told me this bad news in the morning and when I went to Aliyah to tell her the news. I found her fighting with a ghost." Alice asked, "Then, what should we do?" Aliyah came to consciousness and said weakly, "Don't worry. I'm fine. This type of wounds can't make me suffer for too long." Aliyah rose and said, "Vexana conveyed the news to me yesterday night and that's why I am so worried. The kingdom was a very reliable place for us to get help in the form of arms, books and army. But, that old prick Kystion decided to sabotage all my plans and kill my allies. I, honestly cannot fight another war with them, atleast not when the mortal world is threatened with demons. Call Vexana here and let's discuss what can be done now." Elgin asked, "What about the tournament?" Aliyah said, "What tournament? The tournament is no longer fair and has become just a legalized way to finish off Alice and take away the spear." Elgin said, "Whatever it is. We have to end it now. This invasion of demons is evidence that Xao Chang is soon coming for us. We have to finish off the enemies here before fighting with the ogres." Aliyah said, "We cannot afford lose one and get one policy. Both are equally threatening and interconnected. Kystion is a great warrior, but making an army and capturing the kingdom is too much to be accepted. Definitely something fishy is also occuring there. Call Vexana and tell her to bring the scrolls from the ancient library at any cost. Those scrolls will prove very useful for us." Aliyah rose and walked towards the wash basin and washed her face. Alice asked, "Are we going on a war, Aliyah?" Aliyah said grimly, "War is inevitable." Aliyah patted her head and said, "I will manage the tournament. You continue your training and try to improve yourself better every day." She disappeared in purple smoke.

Elgin looked at Alice and said, "I don't want to pressurize you, but the war outcome depends on your progress. Many centuries ago, we lost very badly in the hands of them and lost many, many people, properties and honor. The ones that remained alive lived every day of their lives, filled with fear and remorse. I have seen my fellow elves getting chopped down by Kayuba and his army. We elves don't have much physical strength, but rely on our knowledge of magic. But, the treachery and cowardice of some dishonest elves led us to a very destructive outcome. I have seen the horrors of war and believe me this war is going to be more bloody." Elgin patted her head and disappeared in green smoke.

Aliyah looked at the room where Ben's dead body is still lying on the floor. There is no blood, but a very unpleasant smell is coming from his body. Aliyah put her hand over her mouth and nose and mumbled, "This must definitely be someone's possessed body that this ghost was using. I have to be more careful from now on. Only Mother Manaca knows how many more ghosts are roaming around in possessed bodies." Aaliyah slowly walked through the hall which is eerily deserted and is filled with the same horrible smell that has been troubling Aliyah for days. She quickly walked through the hall and reached the stairs. She slowly walked down the stairs, grasping the banister tightly as if afraid of falling down or someone pushing her from behind. She nevers got this much scared before and so she is chanting holy words. She looked at the reception desk where a strangely pale woman is sitting with her head on the desk. She walked towards the receptionist and pulled her. She fell on the ground and her dead eyes stared at her. Hundreds of goosebumps appeared on her skin and she slowly walked towards the door. She looked around and saw that the door has no doorknob nor any handle to pull or push it open. She mumbled, "Is it still mortal at any point? Should I use my power or not? If I expose myself, the enemies will become alert and if I stay like this, I will put everyone's life at risk." She is suddenly alerted with a faint scream at the corner of the hotel. Aliyah quickly took out her dagger and ran towards the source of the sound. She reached a door which is closed and the unpleasant smell is the maximum at this place. She kicked the door and saw two men wearing janitor clothes raping a female fighter. Her entrance alerted the ghosts and they circled her. One of them laughed, "More girls to fuck. What an awesome day it is." Aliyah quickly jumped and thrusted the dagger in his neck and slashed it with one cut. The other ghosts ran towards her, but killed all of them one by one and then covered the victim girl with the tablecloth.

Aliyah then looked around and saw Biba is lying there, slowly dying from immense bleeding. Aliyah picked her up and said, "Don't worry. I will take you to the hospital. Everything will be fine." Biba smiled, "I should have known it. You are not normal, Alice. You are something special, something way more powerful than us. I should have seen it coming when you defeated that giant. I should have not trust you...you are unlucky...bad..." Biba died in Aliyah's arms. Aliyah put her gently on the floor and looked for the girl who she has rescued earlier. She looked around as she ran from room to room. She finally stopped when she saw that the girl was hanging upside down from the chandelier in the foyer. Blood was falling from her throat as she was grasping for air. A sharp boomerang came and chopped her head and returned to a hand belonging to Tyson Lee. Aliyah looked at Tyson Lee who was sitting on the railing of the first floor. He smiled, "Welcome, beloved intruder. So, we have finally met at last." Aliyah asked, "Who the fuck are you? Why are you killing these innocent people?" Tyson Lee smiled, "Because you have something that I want and I pretty much doubt you are going to give it to me without some bloody persuasion." Aliyah asked, "What do you want?" Tyson Lee said, "Don't act so dumb, girl. I know that you know what I want. Give me that spear or else I have pretty more in my storage to kill. And one of them is pregnant. So, she will be a bonus kill."

Aliyah said, "I don't know what you are talking about. What spear? I don't know any spear." Tyson Lee jumped and landed in front of her and said, "Don't try to mess with me, foolish woman. I know that you are not a human, but something else. I sensed it earlier but all those sweaty bitches mixed the scents and I lost trail of you. I don't know what are you and frankly, I don't even care. I only want the spear and I know that you know about its whereabouts." Aliyah said, "You are crazy. I don't know any spear." Tyson Lee punched her in the stomach and said, "I thought that it will be less time consuming, but alas, if you want the hard way, then I can't help but fulfill your wish." He snapped his finger and Ludwig brought Isabella with her. Tyson Lee smiled, "She is just a teenager, who has many dreams and wishes in her life. But, because of your stupid decision, she will die pretty soon." Isabella screamed, "Alice, you motherfucking bitch. Give this rascal what he wants and let me go." Tyson smiled, "Oh. So, you guys are friends. Well, looks like even fate wants to spice up things." He signalled Ludwig and he slashed Isabella's throat. Isabella fell on the ground and started grasping for air. Tyson Lee smiled, "So, still don't remember any spear?" Aliyah said, "Kill her or whatever, I know no spear." Tyson Lee punched her stomach again and said, "Fine. Ludwig, kill all these idiots." He snapped his finger and disappeared in periwinkle smoke. Ludwig smiled, "Get ready to die." He took out a cleaver and moved towards her.....