Spying on bandits

"Do you still want to do the mission? It could be dangerous," the man said, his voice grave, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening with concern.

I met his gaze, unflinching. The prospect of danger did little to sway me; the reward was too great to pass up. With the gold coins promised, I could free myself from Louise's financial hold for a full year. "Danger is part of the job," I replied, my voice steady.

He nodded, understanding the resolve of a mage like me. He unrolled the map across the table, his finger landing on a dense patch of green. "It's in this forest, not too far from here," he explained, tracing the path I would need to take.

I studied the map briefly, committing the route to memory, then folded it neatly and slipped it into my bag. "I'll bring you the bandits later on," I assured him, confidence lacing my words.

With that, I turned on my heel and left the house, the door closing behind me with a soft thud. The air of Alphacrest was crisp, the sky a clear blue, but I had no time to admire the day.

I set off towards the forest, my mind focused, ready for the confrontation that awaited. The promise of gold was a powerful motivator, but the thrill of the challenge was a siren call to my adventurous spirit. The hunt was on.

The forest of Alphacrest was a labyrinth of ancient trees, their trunks thick and gnarled, roots sprawling like serpents across the forest floor. The canopy was a tapestry of green, dappling the ground with shifting patterns of light and shadow.

Birds chirped from hidden perches, and the air was alive with the rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of a brook. It was a place that whispered of old magic and older secrets.

I moved silently, my senses heightened, every rustle of foliage and snap of twig underfoot registering in my mind. The forest was not merely a backdrop; it was an active participant in my mission, its dense underbrush providing cover, its towering trees serving as vantage points.

As I ventured deeper, the laughter of demons broke the natural harmony. I crouched behind a thicket, peering through the leaves. There, in a clearing, was a group of twelve demons.

They were a motley crew, their forms varying from humanoid to grotesque, skin ranging from crimson to ashen gray. They gathered around a fire, the flames casting their twisted shadows against the trees as they cooked their meal.

Their laughter was coarse, grating against the soft whispers of the forest. They spoke in guttural tones, discussing plans with a casual cruelty that sent a chill down my spine.

"The village won't know what hit them," one cackled, his voice like the grinding of stone. "We'll strike at nightfall, when the humans are asleep, unsuspecting," another added, his forked tongue flicking out with each sibilant word.

I listened, gathering information, my presence undetected. They spoke of weaknesses in the village defenses, of treasures to be plundered, and of chaos to be sown. I committed each detail to memory, formulating a plan.

One demon, smaller and less attentive than the rest, strayed from the group to relieve himself. This was my chance. I summoned my black fire magic, the flames coiling around my fingers like obedient serpents. I stepped out, my movements swift and silent, and confronted the lone demon.

He turned, surprise etched on his grotesque features. "What the—" he began, but I didn't let him finish.

"Shh," I whispered, my voice a mix of command and mockery. "You wouldn't want to alert your friends, would you?"

The demon snarled, baring fangs dripping with venom. "You'll pay for this, little demon," he hissed, lunging at me with claws extended.

I sidestepped, the black flames leaping from my hand to engulf him. He screamed, a sound that was quickly smothered by the roar of the fire. The smell of brimstone filled the air as he fell, defeated, the black flames consuming him until nothing remained but ash.

I turned back to the clearing, my heart pounding, not with fear, but with exhilaration. One down, eleven to go. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for my next move. I was ready. The game had just begun.

The demons' mirthful banter ceased abruptly as one of them, a hulking brute with eyes like burning coals, noticed the absence of his comrade.

"Where's Gark?" he growled, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver through the clearing. The others paused, their heads swiveling, counting heads, their expressions turning from confusion to suspicion.

Another demon, lean and wiry with a scar marring his face, stepped forward. "I'll find him," he snarled, drawing a long, curved sword from his belt. The blade gleamed ominously in the dappled sunlight, a silent testament to the violence it had wrought.

I watched from the shadows, my heart pounding in my chest. This was my chance to thin their numbers further. As the scarred demon ventured into the forest, I followed, silent as a ghost. He moved with a predator's grace, his eyes scanning the underbrush, but I was a shadow, unseen, unheard.

Suddenly, I stepped on a dry twig, the snap loud in the silence. The demon whirled around, his sword flashing as he lunged towards the sound.

But I was ready. I sidestepped his attack, my own magic flaring to life in my hands.

"So you're interesting," the demon hissed, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "I have a feeling we're going to have a lot of fun." He licked his sword, a grotesque gesture that spoke of his eagerness for the fight.

I faced him, my black flames crackling with power. "Fun isn't the word I'd use," I replied coolly, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

The demon attacked, a flurry of strikes aimed to kill, but I danced away from each one, my magic a protective shroud around me. "You'll have to do better than that," I taunted, my confidence growing with each evaded blow.

With a roar of frustration, the demon charged, his sword raised high. I waited until the last possible moment, then unleashed my black fire. The flames engulfed him, his roar turning into a scream of agony as the dark magic consumed him.

When the flames died down, there was nothing left but a charred circle on the forest floor. I turned back to the clearing, my resolve steeling.

Two down, ten to go. The demons would soon realize they were being hunted, and I needed to be ready. The forest was my ally, and I would use it to my advantage.

The mission was clear, and I would not fail. The demon queen's prisoners would be brought to justice, one by one.

"That's already 600 gold coins for me," I say, very pleased with myself.