Demons of the Dark Online Part 1

by Derrick R Williams

  "To Kill the Queen."

  Do you want to walk away or do you wish to defend the queen?

  An assassin! Jinx narrowed her eyes as she whispered an incantation. Before the murdering elf could fire her arrow into the shield, she cast her Demon Fire, tearing away the crossbow from her gloved hands.

  Her weapon was hurled down below as the elf turned to face her. Faster than a horse could kick, she had her ebony daggers out and leaped at her.

  Azhar charged, shoulder-slamming into the elf, flinging her back. Cat-like, she landed on her feet and attacked the demon.

  "Cursed warlock! You mettle in things you shouldn't." The assassin hissed like a cornered snake.

  This time when she cast her spells, she didn't forget her dot. It was a mistake she never wanted to repeat.

  Azhar kept her distracted with his taunts and insults, while she cast her spells on her. She heard the clamping of steel as the heavily armed guards rushed up the steps.

  Seeing this was the end, the hired killer popped a flask and put it to her lips. Jinx shot Demon Fire at her as a scream of surprise and pain emerged from her mouth.

  One guard grabbed her hand as another slammed his mace over her head. She fell to the floor like a downed deer.

  Another threw the would-be assassin over his shoulder.

  "Come with us." One guard grunted.

  Trepidation filled her as she followed them down the stairs and outside to the watching crowd. The weight of their eyes rushed down upon her shoulders, making her feel small and disapproved of. She'd never liked that feeling of disapproval.

  They thought she was part of the assassination!

  They brought her up to where the queen sat on her makeshift throne. One guard brought the assassin before the Queen and forced her to kneel before her. The Queen looked at her with calm eyes, full of wisdom.

  "What might your name be?" She asked her in a soft, compelling voice.

  "Jinx Hellfire." Her throat was so dry and her nerves were like overused piano strings.

  "She was the one that was fighting this scumbag." A guard said.

  There was a murmur in the watching crowd. She didn't like the people's attention on her. In her old life, she was just an ordinary person who couldn't get a date if she tried. Now, everyone was looking at her like she was a goddess or something.

  Did they notice anything off about her? Did they see that she was just an ordinary person and nothing great?

  Even though she sought power and respect, she felt fake.

  Jinx came to this game to be great. She wanted the praise and admiration of people who admired her for being an evil warlock that had come into power.

  In the game, she wasn't just Roxy, a woman going to school and struggling with a dead end job in an ordinary, plain life. Here, life was different. She was the explorer, adventurer and warlock facing foes that sought to kill her.

  At this moment, she wondered if she couldn't be as great as she desired. If she couldn't take life by the horns and make it go her way.

  In Demons of the Dark, she was starting to feel a power growing within her, but she didn't know what to do about what she wanted. Maybe it was grinding rep and becoming a well-known warlock.

  This was the start of that path, but suddenly her feet were cold and she felt so unworthy of this moment that opportunity had presented her.

  She just felt fake as the people cheered her once they had found out she was fighting the assassin instead of working for her.

  The Queen patted a quilted cushion beside her. Nervously, she sat down. She couldn't believe it! The Queen motioned for the parade to continue down the street amongst the cheering crowd.

  The guards dragged the assassin off the float and strode through the crowd as the killer was pelted with stones, rotten fruit and insults.

  "Thank you for saving my life. When we get to the castle, will you join me for a feast?" The Queen, Elisha'Di, looked at her as if expecting her to say "yes," which she did.

  The ride to the castle was as thrilling to Jinx as the parade. To be surrounded by Royal Guard as they trod along on strong, large horses with their spears ready to defend the Queen.

  It was exciting to be in the middle of these guards, beside the Queen who ruled this land. Jinx was taken away by the pageantry of the game and how realistic everything looked.

  It felt as if it were real and her former life was nothing but a dream.

  Jinx knew where her loyalties lie, with the Queen of this land. And she knew there were outside lands which she desired to see. Her adventurous heart sought out danger - to become someone other than an ordinary person.

  She'd be that person and be a legend among the people. And she was only level five! She was just starting out in this new world which would decide her fate.

  Chapter 11 ***

  Eating at the spacious dining hall felt like having a meal in a very high class restaurant. The rich food was served on silver platters embossed with gold. Servants took care of all her needs. All she had to do was tell them what she wanted and they swiftly brought it to her.

  It wasn't just her that sat at the long crystal table, there were lots of heads of state and diplomats. It may have been a formal dinner with the nobles and such, but she was taken in by the grandeur.

  The opulence of the place was too amazing for her to even comprehend. There were chandeliers lit up as bright as the sun and an orchestra playing soft music as people talked with each other.

  Jinx sat in awe of all of it and couldn't believe that it was so real she couldn't tell if it was reality or the computer. She dined on duck, swan, pheasant, venison and other things that she had no idea what they were. All tasted divine and she wished she could stay at the palace forever.

  There was a ball afterward, which had all the makings of a fairytale. Jinx sat in silence, watching the nobles, ladies and lords and other dignitaries dance.

  Why weren't the guys walking up to her and asking her to dance? When she saw a tall, elegantly dressed woman walk up to a young man, whose eyes lit up when she stopped and asked him to dance and then led him to the floor, she finally understood.

  I'm the one that is supposed to ask the guy to dance. Her palms grew clammy and a million butterflies sprang forth in her stomach. Her throat grew so sand-papery-dry that she couldn't speak!

  She forced herself to walk across the marble floor to her selected male. What if he says no? Does he expect me to lead?

  Dragging her cold feet to the guy she wanted to dance with, she stopped before him.

  "Would you like to dance?" She asked, attempting to keep the tremble from her voice.

  She spent the whole night dancing, talking and laughing. Jinx really enjoyed herself and danced throughout the night into the early morning.

  When the sunbeams awakened her, she stretched and realized that she must leave and continue on her way. She had quests to complete! She had come up with an idea to really get the rogue leader back. Even though this was a game, she felt more free than she had ever felt in her entire life.

  After a hearty breakfast, she left the grand palace, grabbed her horse from the stables and made her way down the streets to deliver the package. Finding the house, she dismounted her horse and allowed Odar to watch it while she conducted business.

  Knocking on a weather-beaten door, a slit opened and a rough, bestial voice demanded the password. She gave him the password and the door swung open.

  She was surprised that they had a Minotaur as a guard. The large bull-man looked as if he could handle a whole army by himself. He stood aside as they passed, watching warily.

  She was led by a goblin to a room and was checked for weapons. Only then was she allowed to see the leader.

  "So they have somebody new?" She leaned back against her leather chair, clasping her fingers behind her head as she stared at her.

  "Yes." She handed her the package.

  The woman took a large, long dagger, cut open the package, spilling out the contents. Jinx didn't reco
gnize them. They just looked like glittering rocks to her.

  She'd have to research what type of drugs they were.

  'Very good job." The leader was pleased at the production quality.

  A woman standing behind her, presumably her bodyguard, bent over and whispered something.

  Jinx didn't like that, but she displayed none of her distaste.

  The leader's eyebrows rose as she whispered something back ,which the bodyguard confirmed with a nod of her head. Jinx attempted to listen, but their voices were so low that even with her keen hearing, she couldn't make out what they were saying.

  The leader looked at her, appearing to be estimating her strengths. A sly smile appeared on her lips.

  "Come back in a few levels and I will train you in the fine arts of this business. If you're still interested at that time. I want you for my mule, but I want to test you first."

  She motioned her out.

  Jinx felt relieved as she walked outside and felt the cool air wash over her. Now it was time to go to the starting area and complete some other quests. And then see if she couldn't move to the next town and area.

  She'd accomplished much, but she knew there was much more to do. She thought about the other quest she needed to accomplish in the first area. Then she'd move to the second city she visited, before coming here.

  After this little jaunt, she wanted to explore more. There was so much to do here. Would she ever see Drizilla again or would she have a new teacher? Warlocks were supposed to walk alone, gaining their own knowledge.

  Would that be the case for her? How would she find this knowledge?

  "Mistress?"

  Jinx looked up to see Odar's concerned stare.

  She mounted her horse and turned around.

  "Let's go home." She said as her demon and Odar fell in line and walked beside her as she rode out the city gates.

  The return home was uneventful. When she saw her starting area, a smile ran across her face. She was back from her long adventure.

  When would she get the chance to PVP? When would she have time to go with the group in an instance or raid?

  "Mistress, you shouldn't lower yourself to do such mundane things." Odar said reverently.

  "I want to do it." She said, brushing the horse and enjoying being so close to a large animal.

  "But why?" He shrugged.

  "Cook some dinner." Jinx said.

  "Yes, mistress." He started cooking over the fire.

  Azhar stood watch over the camp.

  Jinx thought of her demonic horse. They looked so awesome from the vids Sandra or now Valdara showed her. Their fiery hues enchanted her.

  At least she thought she'd be able to ride one and care for it, once she'd mastered it.

  Jinx smiled when she saw the small starting area. Once they ate, she entered town and stopped at the enchanter's shop.

  There were gems of all sorts in glass cases and two large guards watching her intently.

  There were clothes and armor with gems embedded in them. There were weapons of all sorts with gems on their hilts and handles of the most exquisite weapons.

  "Hello." The mistress of the shop said with a bright smile.

  "Can you tell me what this ruby does?" She said, placing down the glowing gem.

  "For fifty silver." The enchanter said, taking out her eye glass and inspecting the magical gem.

  She pulled the coins from her pouch and laid them on the counter.

  The Gear, Weapon and Gem Inspector looked at the glowing gem, inspecting it this way and that.

  "It's a gem meant for a weapon or your gear. Its stats are special. You can blink every two turns. Also, you can blind a mob every two turns."

  No wonder Keylos wanted it. The gem would give it more power and - by extension - her.

  She had the gems she found polished and made into necklaces, which she sold for a hefty price - 15 gp.

  She sold the crystal for fifty silver.

  Jinx returned the horse, but she really didn't want to. She desired her own demonic stallion more now than before.

  She walked back to her old place. It was so good to be back.

  All she wanted was a long, hot bath, a nice meal and then bed. She'd start her quests tomorrow and couldn't wait to accomplish them.

  Jinx prepared herself for the next day. Curling up in her soft bed, she read a book. Once her eyes grew heavy, she snapped the book and sank into a blissful sleep.

  The smell of hash browns, eggs and bacon perfumed the air as she opened her eyes to the new day. Her stomach growled as she saw Odar bring in a large platter full of food.

  "Good morning, Mistress, how are you? Forgive me if I overstepped my bounds, but I thought you'd like a nice breakfast." He smiled at her as he sat the platter of food down on her lap.

  "Nope. In fact I would prefer breakfast in bed every day." She took the food and forked a delicious mouthful. It tasted heavenly.

  "Your wish is my command." He said, with a bow.

  She dug into her meal and enjoyed every savory bite.

  Jinx saw that a few warlocks were outside the window. They gossiped as they stared up at her. No doubt they couldn't believe a Founder could get a servant so early. Yes, she had. But it was a Founder quest they hadn't found yet. To the early bird goes the worm.

  She read a book while she ate. Odar stood by, in case he was needed, refilling her drink as often as she desired. Azhar leaned against the wall, watching out for trouble.

  The others watched her in fascination as she ignored them. They'd come across that quest soon enough and then there would be more servants running around. Or, more likely, they'd just get slaughtered and the witch would grow stronger.

  She liked that second thought better.

  They were whispering amongst themselves and she let a smile play across her face. Her fame was growing. As a Founder, she would be the most powerful warlock in the land. Would anyone prove worthy enough to best her?

  Not on her life! She was going be the top warlock on this server and nothing would stop her. Jinx knew she had a head start and maybe the Founder quests would keep her ahead of the game.

  Once she was through with breakfast, she bathed and mentally prepared herself for her day.

  Outside, she trotted to town and dropped by the stable master who was dealing with a rebellious horse.

  They greeted each other when she was finished dealing with the equine.

  "I made the rope and halter for you. Now, since the heart is still fresh, maybe you could attract him with it. Take it out to the rocky hills and lay it on the rock and wait for him to come."

  She nodded and started out, feeling like she could conquer the world.

  It was a bit of a hike to get to the foot of the hills. She checked the map and found that there was an X on top of the hill. Rolling her eyes, she trudged up the hill and found the spot.

  Taking the unicorn's heart out of her pack, she placed it on the ground and gave a long, piercing whistle as a way to attract the Night Stallion to her.

  A loud scream shattered the peace of the landscape as a large, imposing fiery horse appeared in a puff of smoke. His yellow eyes scanned the area as he trotted confidently toward the heart of the unicorn.

  Grabbing it, he devoured it in one gulp. From a rock she sprang, lasso in hand and threw it around his powerful neck.

  Azhar grabbed the rope from her and held on as the stallion fought against it. He reared, bucked, kicked and screamed in a frenzy to get away.

  While he was distracted, Azhar pulled the rope closer to him. Then, the mighty stallion attacked him with all his might as the demon blocked his savage blows with his shield.

  Seizing the opportunity, Jinx placed the magical halter on the struggling horse. He instantly stood still with his head lowered as he felt the powerful magic course through him.

  Leaping on his back, she then rode the horse all the way into town. The guards perked up when they saw her riding such a fearsome animal.

  Peopl
e halted their work and gossiped as they watched her ride the flaming-red stallion to the stable.

  "Come here! You won't believe this!" The stable-girl who mucked out the stalls, shouted.

  The stable-mistress came out and was shocked to see her controlling the magnificent beast. With a smile, she took the now-gentle stallion into her stables.

  "Have you dealt with very many Night Stallions before?" Jinx hopped off and walked back with them.

  "Yes. They come in four colors. Red, is the most common of the four. Then there's the yellow and black which is the second most common. Then the blue fire one and then the rarest of all, the purple and black hellfire horse." She said as she put him in a stall and gave him some meat to eat.

  "What would you have to do to catch the purple and black one?"

  "It's a complicated spell for you warlocks to do. It's comprised of killing a unicorn, Griffin and a white stag and placing their hearts in a lonely cave up the mountains a ways." She pointed.

  It sounded tough, but she would have to train a night stallion or mare and bend it to her will.

  The handsome stallion stood calmly before the stable-mistress.

  'It's a complicated spell in binding one of these guys to you, I'm sure. Your teacher will give you more info when you're ready." She said, handing chunks of meat to the stallion who bolted it down like a large pet dog.

  Jinx nodded, knowing that when the time came, she would summon the purple and black demonic horse. She'd except none other than the top horse and the rarest that a warlock could get.

  No matter how hard the quest was, nor how much she had to do to get that horse, she would. She could picture herself riding upon her mount. How would the stallion handle under her hands?

  She looked over her experience points and found that she was halfway to level 6. As she went along the trail that led to the Thieves' Guild, something slammed into her, knocking her to the ground.

  Her head whirled as stars danced in her eyes. She was snapped out of her daydreams by a familiar voice shouting at her. The dusty road hurt as dust clouds puffed up.

  "How dare you kill my mother!"