Waking with a yawn, Reza looked around, spotting Daniel still sleeping not one pace away from her. The sun was not yet completely out, and normally Reza only wake at this time if…


    There!


    Filha was growling in front of Cavala, protecting her from another mutant beast.


    Ugh, these Ancients need to stop doing this! This one might be the worst I’ve ever seen!


    As far as Reza could see, this beast was a mix between a bird and a human, except it was seven feet tall, and its beak had razor sharp teeth growing out of it. Its wings had a ten foot wingspan and its claws looked ready to cut through even diamonds,


    “Well, let’s get this over with,” she groaned, tugging on her clothes. A moment later, her armor fell on her. If Daniel sees this, he’ll flip, but it doesn’t matter. I aim to have fun, and to hell with Daniel if he doesn’t like it.


    The bird-man, noticing her, rose in the air, then dove for her at a speed that could only be described as inhuman. The Demon in Black and Purple matched its speed, reaching out with her fist and catching it in the head, and it was thrown to the ground, smashing in the dirt next to her. Filha immediately set on it,  ripping it with her jaws and claws. Screeching, the bird-man waved the hands attached to its wings desperately, and, grabbing the wolf, threw it against a tree, where Filha stood dazed. The bord-man, noticing that it was out matched, turned to run away, but Reza was already on it, with her daggers infused with lightning.


    The lightning arced around the creature as the daggers tore through both of its wings, and it screamed a chilling, animalistic sound. Angered and desperate, it clawed at Reza. her armor barely protected her, but she was still sent stumbling away.


    Swords don’t do any damage, but this beast’s claws do. How strong is this bastard?


    This time, the bird-man took advantage of its situation, turning towards her, and jumping, reaching its claws for her face. Before it reached her, it was torn from her grasp by Filha, who was finally focused. She locked her jaws on the bird-man’s face, rearing it, blinding it. The beast reached blindly for the wolf who swallowed the beast’s eyes. This time, Filha dodged the mutant, whose head swiveled wildly around.


    A dagger caught it in the stomach and it fell, gurgling. It was not long for this world. But it was better if Reza could bring it out of its misery. Grunting, she stabbed it through its neck, slitting its throat. Blood ran through her blade and armored hand. Weakly, the bird-man reached for her, but the hand fell limply a second later.


    The bird-man was dead.


    “Eat, Filha,” Reza implored. “There’s a lot of meat in the bastard.” Filah obliged, digging into the recently-dead creature. Grinning, the champion let the armor flow off of her and she cleaned her daggers with her mouth expertly. “Well, that was fun, but it is time I—” She turned around to find a wide-eyed Daniel staring at her, mouth agape.


    “I thought you''d gone and disappeared like every other woman for a second, but this…this I did not expect, Muriel,” He said. “I know you won’t answer me, but who the hell are you?”


    “Just a killer,” Reza said. “I used to be a beast hunter, so killing a mutant like this comes easy to me.”


    “Beast hunter?”


    “You would’ve heard it called bounty hunter.”


    “Aye, but that does not fully explain your armor, lass.”


    “No explanation needed,” Reza laughed. “I had no armor. That was all in your imagination.”


    “But you were wearing it!”


    “And where did it go, huh?” The champion asked. “I couldn’t have made it disappear, huh?”


    “Maybe you’re an ancient.” Daniel wondered.


    “If I was, I would’ve killed it with much easier methods.”


    “Fair enough,” Daniel frowned. “Still wish I knew what was up with you. You’re a right mystery, Muriel.”


    “Keep wondering. I won’t say anything, amor.”


    Daniel sighed. “Well, shall we head on the journey again?”


    “And skip breakfast? I think you should go on without me.”


    “But we just got started knowing each other.”


    “And you already know too much,” Reza told him. “Normally, I would have no problem killing those who knew too much, but I like you, so I’ll let you go. If you wish to join me later, then you can.”


    “When is later?”


    “Weeks from now,” Reza told him. “Good luck on finding your mother.”


    “Aye, and good luck for you too, with whatever you’ll do,” He told her. “Seems I’m the one leaving this time, not the woman. I guess I’ll take my leave now.”


    “You do that.”


    She turned around. Footsteps receding told her he truly was retreating,


    “Well, I don’t think we’ll see him again,” Reza said. “We’ll wait a few hours and then we’ll join him. You think I did the right thing, Filha?”


    Cocking and lifting her head from her meal, the wolf barked, and Reza nodded.


    “Yes, I did. For now, I must travel alone. Plus, Daniel was not right.” She paused, staring at her wolf. “You’re good company. I’m glad I have you. Daniel would’ve just been killed eventually. He’d be no help. At least I have you.”


    A few hours after, she set on her journey again.


    — — —


    My daughter, how goes the journey? Eva asked Reza.


    “Fair enough,” she responded as she rode Cavala. “I’m almost at Boavida. I should arrive there by nightfall.”


    Excellent. I have been watching you through this journey. As you well know now, the Bloodmarked have returned to Boavida, and they have begun to subtly attack any opposition there. I expect you to not only be careful there but defy them well.


    “I will.”


    Protect the innocents. I know you do not care about them much, but I do, and I would see this kingdom still standing when this is done.


    “Yes, Eva,” Reza told her. “Is the Revanchist back at Boavida?”


    Yes, he is, and the entire city is becoming more pliable to his words due to this. Boavida truly is his house, so it will be hard to kill him and usurp him.


    “Usurp him? I hope you know I have no wish of taking over.”


    I know, my daughter. Do not worry. What comes will come, but for now, you must focus on your job. You have a plan?


    “Yes, I do,” Reza said. “I will begin to grow a reputation there, of the Demon in Black and Purple, until I become a legend there. Then, when the Revanchist sends his minions after me, I will take care of them until my army arrives, hopefully with new recruits. It is possible the Revanchist sends his own army after them, and if so, I expect to take action during that time. Whatever happens, the endgame will see me and the Revanchist face off and I will have my revenge.”Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Do not focus on revenge, focus only on the death of Dautha’s followers. As for your plan, I think it is good, albeit needlessly complicated, but if anyone could pull it off, it would be you. How are my powers faring you?


    “I love it, thank you,” Reza smiled. “The armor is astounding, and the lightning…I am without words, Goddess.”


    That is but a taste of my power, Eva said in her mind, sounding satisfied. If I ever arrive on this plane, then I can provide you so much more.


    “When will you come?”


    Oh, don’t sound too eager. It will still be a while yet. I am still waiting for Zade, specifically to rid himself of the Infinite and the Cult, and maybe in the continent of Genovia, I can convince Finis to finally kill his advisor.


    “I’m sorry?”


    Nothing for you to be concerned with, Eva told her. Leave me to it. It will be a long time before there is ever the possibility of me arriving here. You may even be dead before that time.


    “If you think I will die in battle, you are mistaken, pardon my audacity, my goddess.”


    Oh, it’s fine, and I do not expect you to be killed in action. Honestly, I expect to only arrive in your world after you have died of old age.


    “You never know,” Reza pointed out. “Life leads us in unexpected directions.”


    I doubt it, but you are right. You want to meet me in your world?


    “I would prefer to have you in front of me than in my mind, Eva,” the Champion said,


    Aye, I understand that, but you would prefer it this way than if I didn’t speak at all.


    “Yes, amor, that is true. Do you have any advice on what to do in Boavida? My plan is good, but it isn’t perfect.”


    Nervous, I see.


    “Me, darling?” Reza scoffed, then gulped. “I’d never be nervous. But if I was just a little bit nervous, what would you say?”


    I would remind you that you are not fighting for yourself, neither are you fighting with your own skill. Everything is mine. Your choices are yours, but you shall be fighting for protection of your kingdom for me, using my powers, and I shall protect you. I may not be able to stop them from killing you, but I am helping you. If you ever arrive at the point where you truly, desperately need my help, I will be there, Reza, because my mission is not only to stop Dautha, it’s to care for and love my champions, to love their world and their people.


    “I have no regard for others’ lives,” Reza responded.


    You know that is not true. Ever since you became a beast hunter, you’ve been ignoring others only because you fear being attached.


    “Not true,” Reza growled. “I have no such thing. Caution, Goddess.”


    You could not hurt me, my champion. Eva laughed. Not only are you afraid of attachment, you’ve built your own armor, one in which you can kill whoever you want and it’s alright. But your treatment of Daniel only shows that you want to be attached but it repulses you. I shall not tell you how to live your life, daughter, but you should at least admit to yourself what is happening.


    “I always admit the truth to myself, but this isn''t it,” Reza told her. “For me, this conversation is over, darling.”


    Oh, Reza, don’t stay irate at me, I was only trying to help. I pray that you find your way.


    “Who do you pray to?” Reza mocked.


    It’s a figure of speech. Eva sighed. If you truly want to end the conversation, that is fine, but remember that I am here for you. Also, thank you for giving me disciples.


    “Wasn’t really my choice, they begged,” Reza told her. “I am sorry for bursting in anger, but I would like to be alone in my head.”


    As you wish, my daughter. Be well.


    Eva’s presence left Reza’s mind and she breathed a sigh of regret, stopping to stare at Filha.


    “Want me to walk with you for a while?” Filha barked and the champion took it as a yes. “You’re much better than any human, always supportive, silent, and secure.” Patting the wolf, she nuzzled her head in her fur. “What do you say then? Shall we get to Boavida? The mission hasn’t started yet.”


    Grabbing Cavala’s reins, Reza began to walk at a brisk pace, her daggers jiggling on her wait. Her thoughts were troubled, filled with what the Goddess had said.


    Is it true? Am I truly scared of getting attached?


    No, I can’t be. I would know if I was.


    Would I? Maybe this is a deeper problem than I thought.


    Or maybe it’s nothing. It’s better this way anyway, not caring about anyway and being able to get through the mission no matter how dirty it is. Screw Eva if she thinks she can convince me with such a blatantly false statement.


    She’s a Goddess, though. If anyone knew the truth, shouldn’t it be her? And why did I let go of Daniel? To not get to know him? To protect him? If so, that’s a form of attachment, of friendship. I did enjoy his company,


    No, I didn’t grow attached to him. That isn’t me, no matter what Eva says. I’m not suppressing anything and I’m not scared of attachment. This is who I am, and I love it.


    Do I? Am I?


    “Tell me I’m alright, Filha,” Reza begged. “Tell me I’m not going crazy.”


    Bark.


    “Aye, I guess that’s true,” Reza laughed. “Good girl, Filha. You’re the best friend a Demon Champion Beast Hunter could have. You’re the only friend I could have anyway.”


    And that’s how it should be. And I love it.


    With that firm resolve in her mind, Reza determinedly walked faster, her eyes narrowed as she got closer and closer to the capital city of Boavida. The Revanchist would be waiting for someone like her to try to kill him, and he would keep his assassin’s close for just that reason.


    But he wouldn’t be ready for her. Last time he’d seen her, she’d been weak of body and spirit, but now she was ready to kick his ass, to fuel him with lightning until he popped. Plus, she had Filha with her, and the wolf would be dangerous in combat. If the Revanchist wasn’t careful, he would die quickly.


    If he was, he would still die. It wasn’t really his choice. Reza was going to make the unbeliever pay for his sins, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.


    The city of Boavida finally came into view as the sun was setting below it. Reza could see the top of the castle there already, but the rest of the city was mostly hidden from sight, as she would climb a relatively small hill before the city finally truly came into view. Many citizens were going to the city, but there were none retreating. She pondered if that was normal or because the Revanchist was ordering a form of curfew.


    Many of the citizens stared at her wolf, but every time Filha growled, they would look away again. Reza glared at any who dared to make eye contact.


    As more of the city could be seen, Reza noticed there were men at the gate, checking everyone who entered. Clearly, the Revanchist was on high alert. Reza would have to be careful getting in.


    “Eva. Do you think I’ll have trouble getting in?”


    I don’t think so. Your daggers are classic bounty hunter weaponry so that should fly, and Filha looks enough like a greyhound to fly through security, so I think you should be okay. DO eb careful, though, and prepare to call on the armor if anything goes wrong.


    “I won’t need the armor, but thank you, amor,” Reza said. “I can take care of myself fine. Let’s see what these bastards want.” I hope they don’t recognize me, but I doubt they could. Only a few of the Revanchist’s disciples ever saw my face, and as long as I avoid saying my beast hunter name, they should let me through.


    There was a long line leading to the gate, and Reza stood behind a young woman carrying a child suckling at her breast. Both the woman and baby looked tattered and poor, and Reza wondered why they would be going to the city. If they thought they would find a good lifestyle, they were dead wrong. Most likely, they were coming to find her husband or something to that effect. Maybe he worked for the Revanchist’s army.


    For an hour, Reza stayed in the line, and soon the sun had set, the light turning to darkness. Finally, the woman approached the guard and Reza listened in.


    “Name and occupation.”


    The woman mumbled something and the two guards’ faces grew dark.


    “Reason for visit?” One growled.


    “My husband is here,” The woman begged, confirming Reza’s thoughts. “I was hoping he’d survived the campaign, and I was hoping to meet him.”


    Scowling, one guard went through a list he had, then shook his head.


    “Unfortunately, your husband has passed. You shall not be allowed in the city, not like this.” Looking her up and down, he waved her away.


    The woman began to screech and wail.


    “MY HUSBAND IS DEAD? NO!” She cried, shaking in despair and falling to the ground. “Please let me pass. I’ll die if I can’t get in. My baby will die. At least take him.”


    “We cannot,” The guard said. “Now leave before we kill you. Others need to access the city.” Pushing her away, the guard ushered Reza. “You may come.”


    She stepped up to them.


    “My name is Muriel Yunas, and I am a beast hunter, as you can see by my daggers. I carry my horse and my hound only, and I only wish to find a job here.”


    “You have coin?” A guard asked. “If you do, we would like a suitable payment. If yours is not enough, we shall not allow you in.”


    Smiling and nodding, Reza reached in her purse and took five gold pieces. The guard’s eyes widened and they choked.


    “You may pass,” the first shooed her in. “Welcome to Boavida.”


    As she went in, Reza smirked.


    She had infiltrated the Revanchist’s home.