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8. The Demon Portal

Ester

Now that Claire was gone, I could finally have some peace and quiet without the fear of someone's eyes on me.

I walked over to my balcony doors, making sure to draw the curtains. My room would have been dim if it wasn't for the tiny streams of sunlight forcing their way in.

I stood in front of a mirror that was long enough to fit my full frame.

Now, let me begin.

My skin started to darken into a dull gold color. With one flick of my hand, sharp claws replaced my fingernails.

Not only that, but my hand also became thicker and longer. If I wanted to break the door down, or throw someone, I could. My palm was bigger than a human face.

The gold tint stopped at the base of my neck. I could feel energy running through me, caressing my insides and asking to be let out.

Such untapped power, and nowhere to release it. I looked up at the ceiling, knowing that my eyes had been stained a shimmering gold. My breathing became soft panting. It was as if it was waiting for me to connect with the troll side of myself ever since I came back to this time period.

However, this was not a place where I could do as I wanted freely, and I'd be put under more observation once I entered the palace. I was only free to venture about when I gained King Chester's trust. This time might not be any different.

But I knew the perfect place where I could get some practice in.

Night swept up the land in a soft blanket of darkness. I placed one of my old wigs on my small handbag and placed it on the bed. My pillows were dressed up in my night clothes. This will be enough to act as my dummy until I get back.

I covered it and started to change into something more inconspicuous.

The balcony doors opened and shut behind me. Unknown to Claire and the others, I had learnt to pick the lock a long time ago.

Guards surrounded the grounds. I gently tucked my hair beneath my beanie and jumped off.

My landing barely made any sound, but I kept quiet in case someone noticed me. The guard nearby barely made a move. I continued moving along the edges.

Since the lawn was lit up by dim lighting, it was easy to hide in the shadows. With one giant leap over the wall, I was free.

The area where the portal was quickly became populated with farmers after word spread about how good the soil was there. There were plenty of residents who weren't farmers at all and just liked the peaceful atmosphere.

It took two hours for me to sprint there on two feet, but I didn't mind. It was good exercise, and I got to experience the refreshing breeze on my face.

The otherworld smelt like true freedom.

Since it was late at night, many of the houses were locked up. All the animals were placed in their homes, no longer being able to roam freely in a fenced-off area because of the threats they were forced to deal with. I could sense the portal not far away. Its pull led me to a grove with trees aplenty.

I used my magic to form a gold ethereal armor and covered my face. Depending on the type of demon the residents are dealing with, I might not have to use a sword.

And hopefully, the situation doesn't demand one, because I didn't bring any.

I planned to fight it with brute strength alone.

The portal was up ahead. I could feel the negative energy radiating off it like waves. I stooped down below some plants, thinking about my next step now that I knew where it was. Should I wait for the demonic creature to appear? Or destroy the portal and find and kill it afterwards?

Then, I felt a sudden presence close to me. They must have been ten feet away. How could I have not noticed it?

I lifted my gaze, only to meet that of Chester Lavendale's.

I couldn't hide the shock on my face. What was the king doing here, and so late at night at that? Had he come to check out the portal too?

Well, obviously, Ester. Do you think he came in the middle of the night for a picnic?

His sharp eyes held a look of suspicion. They glanced over my golden armor. He must have known that this type of armor couldn't have been summoned by any of his men.

"Who are you?" He asked in a low voice.

There was rumbling coming from the portal.

I put a finger to my lips and motioned in the direction of the portal with two fingers.

We crept closer until the door to the nether realm was in plain sight.

The waves of demonic energy surrounding its oval opening resembled smoke that was tainted red.

The earth shook once again, and that's when the demon appeared.

It stood on hind legs with feet that had long claws. From its humanoid torso sprouted the arms of a human man. Two horns sat atop its head, while another two grew out of the base of its neck. The face of the demon looked like that of a feline predator.

The entire body was covered in swamp-green scales. It started marching forward, heading in the direction of the people.

I was ready to extend my own claws when Chester stepped in front of me. Once again, I didn't notice when he moved.

"Stay here and get rid of that portal," he muttered. "I'll deal with that thing. And don't you dare run away, I have a lot of questions for you."

He waited for me to look him in the eyes before he snuck off after the demon. Looks like he didn't recognize me.

Demons like that were usually great hunters, sneaking up behind them wasn't likely to work. I wanted to shout at him and tell him that but I held my tongue. What if he recognized my voice? What then?

In the end, I could only pray that he had enough knowledge about them to realize that.

I resigned and made my way to the portal. Its strong aura felt like a beast was breathing onto my skin with its nasty breath.

Sigils of ancient times formed a circle at the base. As long as I could destroy it, the portal would close.

"Ah!" That sounded like Chester.

I spin my head around in time to see Chester being flung back into a tree. He held up his sword in time to block the monster's attack. He looked at me, eyes wide.

"What are you doing?" He yelled. "Get rid of it. Quickly!"

His words got my head back in the game. I called for my claws and used them to destroy the circle. The portal disappeared with it immediately. I sighed in relief.

Until I heard a roar loud enough to wake up the woodland creatures sleeping around us. The demon didn't care about Chester anymore.

It was charging right for me, bloodlust evident in its eyes.

Chester regained his footing in a quick second and went after it. But it was too late.

The demon held me up by the neck. I could hardly breathe.

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