CHAPTER SIX

"I'm the Devil." The man grinned, showing off noticeable fangs. He let go of my face and took a step back, "Well kind of. I'm one of his seven children, but I'm next in line to take over for my father. My actual name is Asmodeus."

The man then grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles. "I should be going, but I'll be back for you, princess." He held eye contact with me throughout that sentence, his eyes burning with some strong emotion that I couldn't quite figure out.

He walked toward my bedroom window and opened it, then turned his head towards me before he left and said, "Oh, I won't be the only one who's going to be following you, though. You should be careful." Then he was gone.

The air instantly felt warmer yet I was still shaking. Why would he be back? Who else was following me? Why are so many people following me? Or are they people? Is this man really the Devil or his son or whatever he claimed he was? All these questions were making my head spin and I felt ill. I stumbled over to my bed and flopped into it, hoping that this was just some vivid nightmare.

I woke up to the sunlight streaming into my room. I was tightly wrapped in my five blankets yet I was still freezing. I opened my eyes in frustration to realize that my window was wide open. Why?

Then I recalled my dream, or what I had hoped was a dream, but seeing my window left open made me think otherwise. I looked around cautiously as I slipped out of bed and noticed I was still wearing the clothes I was in last night. I shook my head and grabbed a clean pair of sweatpants and one of Tyler's old shirts that didn't fit him anymore and threw them on.

I tried to go about my day normally, but something just felt off and my mind kept wandering to the man in my room last night. Maybe training would do me some good.

I grabbed my weapons and concealed them the best I could. My sword was tucked in the waistband of my sweatpants and hidden under my clothes. I tucked my knives into my sports bra. I calmly made my way to a forested area near the edge of town, and when I was sure no one else was around I took my weapons out and began practicing all my moves. I need to get stronger.

Using a tree as my target, I practiced various attacks, but having a target that doesn't move isn't nearly as helpful. I paused for a moment to catch my breath. In this moment, I heard footsteps approaching my direction.

I quickly jumped up into the tree to hide and observe who was coming. Within a few moments, two men appeared. The first was Colt, and beside him was another one of Tyler's teammates. I think his name was Kai. He was of average height, a slimmer build, and had longer blond hair.

"Want to train here?" Kai asked as he stopped walking. Colt took a few more steps before he paused and looked around.

"Yes, I believe this would be a good spot." Colt continued to look around.

I tried to be silent. I wanted to observe their skills. However, my body betrayed me and I choked on my own saliva. I began coughing to clear my lungs when I noticed a shiny object having been flung towards me. Colt then shouted in a commanding tone, "Who's there?"

Quickly dodging, I caught my breath and jumped down from the tree. Colt look surprised while Kai looked startled.

"I was just training head and then I heard you guys and I just wanted to observe!" I pouted and folded my arms over my chest.

"I'm sorry, Lady Nyx. I would not have thrown the knife had I known it was you. Please accept my apology." Colt spoke up, kneeling down.

"You dork, stand up. I understand why you did it, so don't worry about it." I shrugged.

"Is there any way I can make up for the trouble I have caused you?" Colt asked as he stood back up. I was about do decline when I had an idea.

"Yes, actually. Can you guys train me? I promise I won't tell Tyler!"

The two men looked at each other, contemplating whether this would be a good idea or not. Then Colt began to nod, "Sure. I think it would be good for you. Besides, I think that the Red Demon deserves to be given more difficult hits to carry out."

A smile spread across my face. "Yay! Thank you! Thank you!"

Colt and Kai did not go easy on me and they pushed me hard, but I enjoyed it and I was grateful. For the next several weeks, I snuck out of the apartment and met up with the two men to train. Initially, it was easy for them to land hits on me, both with their fists and their weapons. Thankfully, I wore my metal forearm guards to shield myself from their weapons.

Colts preferred weapon was also a sword, but it was very large and thick. Kai usually used a bow staff that had a blade on one end and was able to split into three pieces. Both were difficult to defend myself from. However, I could tell I was becoming faster and stronger the more the training went on. I also felt more confident in myself when I went to perform a hit. I felt more alive.

There was always a strange feeling, though, when I was training. I felt like I was being watched again. Was that creep that broke into my bedroom stalking me? However, no one else seemed to be around, even if Colt and Kai did a quick search of the area.

Colt had mentioned that this next training session would be different. I snuck out of the balcony door and headed to the clearing where I would normally meet the two men. I was told to dress in my more formal work attire. I wore my black silk robe that stopped at my thighs. This time I put my hair back into a pony tail. I tucked my weapons into my robe belt that I tied tightly around my waist. I made sure to wear my metal forearm guards and shin pads. Lastly, I threw on my cloak and mask.

I arrived at our spot to find five figures standing there instead of two. Colt and Kai were two of them, but the other man and two women...

They were examiners!

"Lady Nyx, we organized a secret examination for you to be able to perform A-rank hits. We think you deserve it." Colt explained in a calm, flat tone.

"The hell she is!" A voice spoke from the trees. I whipped my head around to spot Tyler. The fucker followed me!

"Yes! I am, and you can't stop me!" I snarled back. I turned back around to face the examiners, "I am ready to begin."

They looked at each other and began whispering amongst themselves before turning to me. One of the women spoke, "We have heard promising rumours about you. Do not disappoint us."

I grinned and felt adrenaline course through my body. "I will not." I answered confidently.

Tyler tried to protest but he knew that the examiners had authority over him, so what they say goes.

The exam involves me defeating an examiner in both hand-to-hand combat and then combat with weapons. I was nervous but excited. The same woman that spoke was who I was to spar with.

We stood in our starting positions, awaiting the signal to begin. It was quiet except for the light breeze that came by. This was then cut by a deafening screech as a massive creature came down from the sky and landed on the ground, facing me. It looked like the creature I had encountered before. A demon.

"Hmm so I found the pretty little creature everyone is chattering about." It hummed maliciously. Then, without warning, it charged at me.

"Nyx! Get out of there!" Tyler shouted but I ignored it.

What do I do? I watched as it came closer. I prove my brother wrong, that I can handle myself. That's what I do.

I waited until the right moment then launched myself above its head. As u turned, mid-air, I took my sword and slashed clean through its spinal cord between the C1 and C2 vertebrae. It fell to the ground and I landed beside it.

Everyone stood frozen in shock while I stood with a huge grin on my face. The examiners suddenly went into a huddle and whispered to one another, then turned to me.

"Lady Nyx. We have considered your performance today. We hope that you continue to improve yourself as we promote you to-" The man began speaking.

"No! Don't-" Tyler began to argue, and Colt and Kai held him back from marching over to me.

"Silence, Sir Tyler!" The man boomed, then continued his speech, "Lady Nyx, we would like to promote you to a Star-level assassin. Do you accept?"

It felt like the world had slowed down around me. Star-level? Did I hear him right?

I contained my excitement and answered him with confidence.

"Yes. I, Lady Nyx of the Forest core, accept the position of a Star-level assassin."