Devin's Quest II

.....from Devin's Quest I...

After a series of request for a counter offer to Demon Devin's offer to train guardians for Zamada, Yellow Demon has refused to give in and told Demon Devin by cable that she is on the verge of being "disbanded" from the clan. Devin angrily refuses to comply with Yellow Demon's orders. On August 8h, seventy-four Demon troops assigned to guard Zamada's compound were killed in a surprise attack by unknown assailants. Demon Nobu quickly came to the scene and notified Yellow Demon. Yellow Demon soon sends Erisu and Demon Estrada to question Zamada and Devin. A large army is sent and is soon blocked by the CM army on the CM mainland. Angered, Yellow Demon has Erisu and Estrada, plus a smaller group of troops, secretly come ashore. Devin maintains her innocents involving the Demon killings and continues to train a guardian force. Demon Keyoto remains in coma on Demon  Ninja Island.

Zamada enters the dojo in which Demon Devin has used to train the new guardians. It's a damp morning and Devin is preparing for the forthcoming lesson for her students. Zamada walks over to Devin and asks her, "I have been informed that Erisu, Demon Nobu, and Demon Estrada are nearby and want to talk to us about the massacre of those troops." Devin says, "I knew Yellow Demon couldn't let this go, but I can't believe he would send all of those guys. I guess he's worried about not getting your money." Zamada replies, "I want to see these new guardians in action. You have benefited from this massacre since almost all of the Demon troops were killed in that courthouse explosion. I believe either the Black Ninja or the Shocker clan had a hand in this. They operate in this area and both groups have targeted me in the past." Devin asks, "Have you made up your mind regarding the Demon Ninja and their protection?" Zamada sits down and says, "I can't see any reason to continue this agreement at the present time. I have not been happy with this new leader of theirs. I hope Keyoto is able to come back, maybe then we can renew our alliance." Devin laughs, "Don't hold your breath. That clan is finished if they don't get your money. They have done nothing for their people but barricade themselves within their villages and put up those silly walls. Yellow Demon is a complete idiot. He can't even bring himself to leave Keyoto's bed for a matter of this importance. He threatens to 'disband' me from the clan, merely for trying to better protect our allies. If Yellow Demon approved of my actions within the Demon Clan, he would still be getting his money. He's brought this onto himself." Zamada says, "Do you think Erisu and the others will cause trouble?" Devin says, "Erisu is Hiroto's 'golden child'. He has a good record for his missions, but he has the personality of a stone. As for Nobu and Estrada, they both have been emasculated by Keyoto, they only do as they are told....nothing more." Zamada says, "You do have a very deep hatred for some of your fellow clansman. I hope you don't put a knife in my back." Devin says, "I have had a knife in my back since my father died within that clan. Very few their or anywhere treat me with any respect. That's all I ask of you sir, respect me."

Erisu, Demon Nobu, and Demon Estrada visit the site of the troop massacre. A local police official shows them the scarce evidence that was found. Nobu says to Erisu, "Again, nothing. Whoever did this was good. Just a few arrows and swords. Nothing pinpointing who was responsible." Erisu says while looking at the cloudy skies, "If Devin had a hand to play in this she will be very sorry. I will give no mercy to her for this. She has betrayed the clan and to commit such an act will force me to act. I want to talk to her and Zamada within the day. This has gone on for far too long." Erisu has Estrada organize the dead Demon bodies and has them instructed to be sent back to Demon Ninja Island for a honorable burial.

The following morning Erisu, Estrada, Nobu and twenty Demon troops arrive at Zamada's compound. Zamada compound guards inform him and Devin that the Demon Ninja have arrived and demand an interview regarding the massacre. Zamada greets them and asks them to join him in a temple nearby to discuss these events. Nobu asks, "Where is Devin? She has to answer our questions. We believe she had something to do with this." Zamada replies, "She will be joining us at the temple." Erisu shouts, "I want our troops to accompany us as well, just in case this is a trap. I warn you, any attack onto us and you are a dead man." Zamada says, "I have no reason to attack you. Please, lets be on our way."

As Zamada and the Demons enter the temple, several miles from the compound, they see Devin and her guards within the dark, damp structure. Erisu shouts, "You dare to bring your fake Demon troops to meet us, I warned you Zamada about this." Zamada replies with caution, "They are only to protect me if you should attack. I have my fears as well." Nobu yells, "Who said we were afraid, especially from Devin's measly troops." Devin walks up to Erisu and says, "I see Yellow Demon couldn't take his eyes off of Keyoto long enough to even come here in person. Power has really gone to his tiny brain." The Demons fume at the insult and Erisu hisses, "You will regret that insult little girl. You have a lot to answer for." Devin replies, "I had nothing to do with killing those soldiers, nothing." Zamada adds, "I was returning from Lord Hamuru's funeral when this took place. My sister and my guards, even the remaining Demon troops, have said Devin was at my compound when this massacre occurred." Nobu says, "Zamada, we also want to know what is your answer to our master involving your protection. You have had a long time to come to a decision." Zamada says, "I have become very disappointed in Yellow Demon's attitude with me and my family. I have given your clan a very generous sum of money per month for this service and all I've gotten, especially since Keyoto fell ill, are delinquent adolescents dressed as Demon Ninjas. They are not the expert fighters I had asked." Erisu shouts, "You have fallen victim to Devin's venom. She has poisoned you against us. After today, you may see the error of your ways. We plan to put an end to Devin's little attempt to blackmail us and to shame our clan."

Devin laughs and says, "You have shamed yourselves. I thought Hiroto would have the backbone to guide Yellow Demon better, but I soon found out he is totally spineless. You lost your own alliance with Zamada. All of you were too worried about Keyoto to even care about anyone else." Erisu and Nobu shout, "That's not true! You liar!" Devin continues, "Why couldn't Yellow Demon confront me, he's not much of a man." Erisu says, "He has removed you from the clan." Devin laughs and says, "What clan? Keyoto's clan is finished. All you do is hide on an island, hundreds of miles from our homelands and warn of war to anyone who gives the villagers a hard time. I am the future of the clan. Yellow Demon doesn't even have the power to force me out. If Keyoto ever wakes, he can talk to me, or rather negotiate with me. I shudder at what he has to wake up to." Erisu simmers and tells Zamada to leave at once if he values his life.

As Zamada exits with concern on his face, Devin grins and says to Erisu quietly, "I hope they begged for their lives....." Erisu's eye widen and he shrieks, "You're pure......EVIL! You will die for betraying our clan you monster. I will honor my master with presenting him with you head." Devin hisses, "You have to loose someday golden child." Erisu replies, "That day isn't today!" A sword battle erupts. Nobu and Estrada and the Demon troops attack Devin's trained guardians.

The battle quickly moves to the nearby forest and to near a rushing river. Erisu and Devin fight with intense fury, their swords clashing and many kicks and punches being exchanged. Estrada soon finds himself in trouble as seven of Zamada's guardians attack him. Nobu tries in vain to come to his aid as he fights guardians as well. Throughout the dense forest they fight, with the sounds of a rainstorm hitting the leaves of the trees. Nobu shouts to Estrada often, to make sure his comrade is still holding his own. Estrada replies but is quickly loosing his fight as he is only able to take down two of the guardians. Nobu is able to kill both of the guardians that have fought him and soon comes to Estrada's aid. As Nobu takes down one of the guardians on Estrada, another one strikes Estrada in the back with a deep cut. Estrada turns and is hit again. Nobu shouts, "Estrada!!!" Nobu quickly attacks the group of guardians and is able to cut two more down. Estrada collapses soon thereafter as the remaining guardians flee.

After a lengthy fight, Erisu and Devin stop near the edge of  the river's falls as the rain lightly falls onto them. Erisu shouts strongly, "Give yourself up girl and let our master be your final judge. I believe you played a hand in those murders and your treachery within the clan is a matter of great shame. It sickens me that my own brother had anything to do with you." Devin stays silent for a moment and quietly says, "You are blind Erisu. Blind to the world around you like those masters you serve. As our people want normalcy and the honor of living in peace, you and Keyoto's clan only live in the world of the barbarian codes. It's as if Keyoto and Yellow Demon live a thousand years ago." Erisu points his sword toward Devin and says, "I give you one last chance to give yourself up and be judged or else your fate is death by my jagged sword." Devin replies, "If you cut me down, I will rise tomorrow with the power that you and your masters have only dreamt of. I will wait for the day when Yellow Demon and Juki Wu are being roasted by our people as the traitors that they really are. If you continue your ways Erisu, I see you and your spineless father at that roast as well." Erisu boils with rage and hisses, "GIRL, YOUR BLOOD RUNS COLD!" With that Erisu and Devin clash their swords with intensity and soon fall into the river. They wrestle in the river, fighting for dominance, but Erisu brutally punches Devin's head and forces her to the falls. She is able to grab onto a branch as Erisu climbs onto shore. Devin pleads, "Are you going to leave me to fall to my death........Erisu..........?????" Erisu turns his back toward her as she slowly looses her grip on the branch. Devin screams, "You turn your back to me??? You .....you...." She shouts as she falls over the edge of the waterfall. Erisu sees her disappear into the black waters below.

Nobu and an injured Estrada soon find Erisu and he fills them in. Soon the Demon troops meet, eleven of the twenty died and an estimated fourteen Zamada guardians perished. Erisu soon finds Zamada who is waiting nearby  his compound. Erisu walks up to Zamada and says, "Devin was defeated. Her fate is unknown, but I beat her in battle and our Demons badly repelled your guardians. Your choice turned out to be a poor one." Zamada tries to reply, Erisu points his finger into Zamada's face and says, "We don't need your money. We will survive without it. Never call upon us again." With that the Demons walk away.

As the Demons head to the local village to cable Yellow Demon, Demon Nobu asks Erisu, "So what happened between you and Devin? Did you kill her? Are we rid of her?" Erisu looks back as the Demon troops nurse Estrada and says, "We fought hard and long. She was much more powerful and skilled than I had imagined, but she was careless. I do not know if I had killed her, I doubt it, but she will not give us trouble for some time. She fell over the great falls into the dark waters below. My mission was accomplished. If she should make trouble for us, I will be ready. We all will be ready."

At Demon Ninja Island, a cable is received from Nobu informing the clan of their victory. Edosu is saddened to hear of Devin's fate, but hears his father crying, "Come Edosu, master Keyoto is moving." Edsou enters Yellow Demon's room and sees Keyoto moving his head. Yellow Demon,  Juki Wu, Prowler, Keyoto's doctor and Hiroto are in the room. Keyoto turns his head toward Yellow Demon and whispers, "Prowler, Prowler!!!" Yellow Demon says with glee, "Master, I'm your Yellow Demon. Prowler is here as well. You have been in a long coma." One of Keyoto's eyes opens and he whispers, "I will rise again my boy." With that Keyoto goes unconscious. The doctor says, "He has emerged from the coma, but will be in this state of loose consciousness for a few days or even weeks." Yellow Demons falls to his knees and says, "I'm grateful he has returned from his long journey."

A few days pass after the battle and a twelve-year-old boy notices a movement along a forest trail one early morning. He cautiously approaches and sees a bloodied girl within the weeds and forest undergrowth. He leaps away with fright, but she weakly cries, "Boy, please come here. Please." He walks over to the girl. She is shivering and is very battered. She says, "My name is Devin. Please give this note to the name on the front. I wrote directions on there as well. I will give you this gold coin as payment. If you deliver this to the person to whom it is addressed, I will give you my last five gold coins. Please, I beg of you." The boy looks at the battered red-haired girl and shyly takes the note and the coin. Devin says, "Please hurry. I need help!" The boy runs down the trail. Devin lays on the ground and says to herself, "I have only one person to turn to. My fate is within their hands. With the last fibers of my being I will show Keyoto and his clan what a demon really is!"

by Jesse Nightingale ©2006

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