GWA29E

**START**

**Karaberasu in Enemy´s hands.**

When the girl regained consciousness her vision was somewhat blurred. It was a few seconds before it cleared and she became aware of what was happening to her. She found herself bound on a large table, with her arms and legs stretched out and apart, completely naked. She wore only the pendant stone around her neck, and it glowed brightly. She was cold from the touch of the icy slab on her back and from the night breeze. She was terrified, she could see no more than a faint reflection coming from a high ceiling and only by straining was she able to move her head from side to side to find nothing but an unhealthy reddish light. But she heard hissing noises in the shadows nearby that were produced by the poor lighting of the place. Sinister figures then approached her, and she could almost hear the wheezing of their gasping breaths.

- Let go of me, you, swine! - Karaberasu shrieked with disgust and shame. - "If any of you so much as lay a hand on me, I swear I'll kill you!

In response all around her, she heard mocking laughter and excited gasps. But a guttural voice boomed through the room thunderously, silencing them and shaking her with dread.

- Don't touch her, she's mine! - Karnoalk shouted as he approached his prey, the cultists instantly retreated back into the shadows, while the demon exclaimed. - I alone have the right to enjoy her!

- What do you want from me, let me go and fight if you dare! - Karaberasu challenged him, trying to appear more courageous than she really was. - You coward!

- Oooh! - her interlocutor smiled a pleased smile, flattering his prisoner with gleeful kindness. – You are brave, I like that, I'll give you the chance you ask for to fight. - And he immediately threw the prisoner out of her clothes and untied her using his powers. -

She dressed quickly and wielded her whip, regaining some of her courage and confidence.

- Now come if you dare! - Karaberasu exclaimed standing on guard. -

- You are a poor simpleton, ha, ha, ha! - the demon, approaching her unhurriedly with the reddish gleam in his eyes standing out in the gloom and mocked. - But it pleases me that you show such courage. It makes it all the more exhilarating.

Kalie was intimidated by the size of this individual, yet she forced herself to stand up to him and replied boldly.

- Here's a stimulus for you to learn!

Brandishing her whip, the Justiciera struck the demon across the face. Karnoalk bled from his lower lip, bright red, but he licked his own wound and continued to approach slowly, still smiling and declaring with amused excitement.

- I like that, I like that a lot, keep it up, baby! You've got a lot of charisma, I think I'm going to enjoy taming you, you little slut.

- It won't be so easy for you to defeat me, and if I have to die I'll sell my life dearly! - Her adversary attacked again, invoking her power. - Thunder Force! - she exclaimed, hurling a bolt of lightning at her enemy in which she gathered all her strength. -

Karnoalk simply absorbed the attack and let himself be shaken by the blast, but it had no effect on him. He advanced further, getting within striking distance of the frightened Karaberasu, who was already gasping for oxygen. The young woman was beginning to realise that this being was too powerful for her. In reality, the demon was merely toying with his victim and the girl, no matter how hard she thought, was unable to find a way to defeat it. Besides, this guy was huge, at least two metres tall.

- I don't mind dying. I'm not afraid of you. - She declared, plucking up her courage and shielding herself with her whip. -

         The Justiciera wrapped her weapon around herself, the long whip now glowing with golden flashes, anyone who tried to approach would surely be burned. But Karnoalk looked at her with a mischievous grin and replied with a laugh.

- Don't worry. You won't lose your life for the moment, in fact, I'm interested in you being alive and kicking, and if possible moving around a lot, ha, ha, ha!

- You bastard! Don't make fun of me," - the Justiciera shouted, cracking her whip and hurling it at him again. -

         The weapon struck the demon in the back, and he swung his arm towards his back, turning his head. Taking advantage of her opponent's moment of apparent bewilderment, the Thunder Lady kicked him in the belly. The latter doubled over from the blow, pretending to be in pain. So well did she do that the girl smiled hopefully and even the cultists approached her foe with daggers in their hands, but the demon was quick to stand up and order them to stand back.

-Stay back, she's mine now, you'll have time to have fun with her later...after I do, of course.

- I'm nobody's plaything, you bastard! - Karaberasu shrieked, striking him again with her whip.

           This time, however, Karnoalk grabbed it on the fly and pulled. Despite the heat of the weapon, the demon seemed unaffected.

- How is this possible? - the girl exclaimed, somewhere between astonished and terrified. -

- Ha, ha, ha! - Did you think a toy like this could affect me? This little heat is most stimulating.

            And although her enemy tried to hold on tight, Karnoalk's strength was far superior. With another tug he literally lifted her off the ground, pulling her to him and trapping her in his powerful arms.

- Now you will be mine! - the demon howled, his voice filled with desire. - The preliminaries were over.

- Let go of me! - the Justiciera demanded as she kicked and thrashed helplessly against her captor. -

           But to no avail. Karnoalk levitated her to the table. Snatching the whip from her hands, the demon tossed it away and sneered.

- You won't be needing this anymore, maybe I'll use it later to liven up the game, ha, ha, ha!

Despite fierce resistance from Karaberasu, who arched up, trying to shake and wiggle her legs, Karnoalk tied her hands and feet together again. With surprising care, he opened the top of the girl's uniform, exposing her breasts. He took pleasure in watching the look of terror in his victim's eyes and stripped her of her clothes, caressing her roughly as he licked. He left her in her underwear while he stripped off his armour, piece by piece. She had a horrible feeling that the demon wasn't going to sacrifice her, at least for the moment. Then she knew what he wanted.

- Please! - she begged in babbles of anguish. - Not that, kill me if you want, I beg you, give me a dignified end, but not that...!

- A dignified end? - he laughed sarcastically, to ask. - Don't you know who I am? -And after a dramatic pause, he added in a loud voice, full of pride. - I am Karnoalk, colonel of the horde, demon of the sixth circle, Lord of Dite and Baron of Hazel's Darkness, you, stupid mortal human female. I assure you that most she-devils would kill themselves to be in your place. You don't know the honour I do you. You are going to experience pleasure beyond your limited knowledge. Now relax and enjoy, it will be much better for you, or you can resist if you want, it always turns me on more.

- Nooo!"-  Karaberasu cried in despair and utter helplessness. - Please, girls, help me, I beg you! Where are you? - she cried and frantically tried to free herself, but to no avail. - Help me!

The demon stood stark naked before its prey. The girl had a vision that paralysed her. She could see him with nothing covering him, and Karnoalk's eyes were locked on hers. He seemed to want to hypnotise her like a snake does a mouse before devouring it. And the girl could do absolutely nothing but scream and sob, suffering one after the other the abuses to which she was subjected by this heartless monster.

- Nooo!" - she wailed, writhing helplessly. - Please... Nooo!

Karaberasu was almost completely paralyzed and could barely move her limbs. The demon had her completely at his mercy and delighted in making her suffer. It was heavenly music to him to hear his victim's screams of pain and anguish, as well as her pleas. The rest of those present were in turn indulging in orgiastic celebrations rather than being animated by the spectacle they were witnessing. Some of them were new recruits who admired their master's power. One of them, in particular, was getting extremely excited. If this Justiciera was the sister of those girls he knew, why not do the same to them too?

-I only hope that Lord Karnoalk will reward us for our loyalty. - He thought lustfully. -

However, another of his fellow cult and faculty members did not think so. He had joined the cult believing otherwise, that they were fighting to end the lies of the established order. Now, watching this terrible spectacle, he was horrified. Shaking his head slowly, but not daring to protest.

-They would kill me if I said anything. - He thought with a mixture of fear and dismay. -

                And Paige herself was there, having accompanied one of these new siblings. Equally disgusted by it. That poor girl was going through a real ordeal.

- God have mercy on her! - she thought. - I just wish my sister would stay out of it.

               And indeed, for the Justiciera, those moments turned into centuries. She did not want to scream any more, lest she should give the loathsome fiend even more cause for pleasure, but such were the indignities he was inflicting on her that she could hardly restrain herself. The worst came, however, when she was completely forced, and she felt something tear at her insides.

-Sisters... warriors... Where are you? Save me, I beg you! - She cried out, feeling utterly shattered. - Aaah!

          The helpless young woman howled in pain as her assailant penetrated her with fury.

- Ah, yes,"-  her rapist gasped with delight as his prey shrieked and moaned in fear and pain. - Feel all my vigour...

The demon, taking pleasure in this, thrust for a few horrifying and endless minutes. Karaberasu with a glazed look and eyes flooded with tears finally stopped moaning. She no longer felt anything, she was lost in a haze of suffering, almost unconscious. She didn't even notice when Karnoalk grazed her neck with his fangs, making her bleed. The girl did feel a torrent of burning fluid rushing through her loins as the demon finally consummated the aroused act. She could bear it no longer and, overcome with pain, collapsed. A trickle of blood gushed from her crotch as her assailant, slowly getting up, left her laughing and licking his victim's abdomen with delight.

- That wasn't bad, I just need to drink her blood, but I'm no vampire. To tell the truth, I liked it better than doing it with succubus who enjoy inflicting and receiving pain. But to possess a human against her will in this way, causing her all this suffering, pain and humiliation, is absolutely wonderful, ha, ha, ha!

          He put on his armour again and looked at his victim lying helpless, passed out on the table with her head bun undone and her long brown hair scattered about, and with tears in her closed eyes. But far from inspiring him with pity, he rejoiced at the sight of that broken doll. Finally, he turned away totally indifferent to it and motioned to the cultists to approach.

- She is all yours now, prepare her for sacrifice! - And with no further interest in his helpless prey he disappeared. -

-You heard him," - one of the leaders of these individuals said. - You! - he ordered Paige. - You will take care of washing and dressing her.

The woman, truly frightened, had no choice but to approach the poor wretch, who was still unconscious. A couple of cultists offered to help her. One of them took the opportunity to touch the girl's breasts and private parts.

- You pig! - Paige shouted indignantly. -

- Come on! - that guy lewdly grinned, not caring at all, when he pleaded. - She's already been used by the master. He said we could enjoy her too.

-But she has to be alive for the sacrifice. And we could kill her. - The other man replied, adding with a hint of warning. - " You wouldn't want to be the one to spoil the offering, would you?

The scoundrel immediately shook his head. This frightened him so much that he even turned away from the Justiciera. Finally, Paige and the other man carried her to a nearby room with a bathtub. After filling it with water, they put the girl in it.

- The water is cold! - Paige protested. -

-Maybe it'll do her good, so that the haemorrhages will close up. - The other guy commented indifferently. -

Her interlocutor had no choice but to wash the poor girl as best she could, and then get her out of the tub with the help of her companion. He left them alone there. Paige was then able to dry the woman with a towel.

-Hold on. - She whispered, trying to sound encouraging. -

          The victim of that terrible abuse was now semi-conscious, mumbling something unintelligible. Her good Samaritan sighed. She remembered how she had got there that night. An hour earlier she was barely in her room. There was a knock at the door. Peeking through the peephole she saw her sister. She opened the door immediately.

- What are you doing here? - She asked with a mixture of concern and surprise. -

- One of the Justicieras has been kidnapped! - April told her, pleading. - I'm afraid of what they might do to her.

-Don't get mixed up in anything. - She advised her then. -

-But Paige, they saved me. - Her companion affirmed. - At least I owe her that much.

-I don't know what I can do. - She declared. -

And there was another knock at the door with a combination of sounds that was very revealing. It was the secret call of the cultists. Paige immediately indicated to her sister.

-Go into the next room, that's where Marla is sleeping. Hide...

April ran to obey. Soon, Paige opened the door. There were two guys wearing hoods. One of them, in a hoarse voice, ordered her.

-Come with us, your presence is required.

-But... I have to get dressed first. - She objected, who was barely in her nightdress. -

-Five minutes. - The other man indicated to her. -

The girl nodded and hurried into the room that hid her sister. As she was changing, she said to her.

-I have to go with them, please stay with Marla.

                April nodded without saying anything. Her sister came out of the room already dressed. She closed the door of that room and after putting on some shoes she said to those two.

-I'm ready.

They both nodded, went down the stairs and led her to the street, where a car was waiting. Nobody said anything and she didn't dare ask where she was going. At last they came to a secluded part of the city, some old warehouse buildings stood there. They entered through the rickety door of one that concealed a new one. Opening it, Paige entered a large room, where a group of robed acolytes, wearing hoods that hid their faces, waited expectantly. The girl was able to look among them, observing a young woman, dressed in a strange uniform, who was unconscious and lying on a slab.

-Take care to undress her. Quickly! - One of those who had brought her there urged her. -

Watching the crowd and, above all, listening to some excited gasps, Paige decided that it would be better to obey before these perverts took it upon themselves to do it. She carefully stripped the poor wretch of her clothes. Then, two individuals ceremoniously tied her up.

- What are you going to do to her? - She dared to ask in a trembling voice. -

-We, for the moment, nothing. The master will take care of it. -A hooded man who seemed to be in charge said. -

- Master? What master? - She wanted to know. -

Though after a few seconds she would have preferred not to ask such a question. A sulphurous mist appeared near her position. She immediately moved away and went to hide among those guys. A few moments later, after the mist dissipated, she saw a huge being, more than six feet tall, with a human face and red eyes that glowed like two ruby lights. Paige was terrified - this was out of this world! And that individual, in a guttural, booming voice, spoke as the acolytes knelt before him.

-Well, you have done well. -He praised them, wanting to know at once, as he gave his full attention to that poor girl who lay there bound and naked. - Is she alive?

-Of course she is. My master Karnoalk. – That guy hastened to reply, he seemed to be the leader of the acolytes. - She'll be awake soon....

Paige was kneeling as well, mostly to avoid attracting the monster's attention. To her relief, the others rose to their feet at once. She followed, and after a few minutes of tense waiting, during which neither the huge, diabolical individual nor any of his servants uttered a word, the poor girl awoke. Now, however, she remained unconscious. Perhaps that was the best thing that could happen to her.

-I'm so sorry for you. You didn't deserve this. - Paige lamented as she dressed her in a white robe that had been left for her. -

Soon, two other individuals came in and pulled her roughly aside as they grabbed the girl by her feet and shoulders to carry her between them. A third, the guy who was in charge there, shouted at her from under his hood.

- Get the hell out of here!

And she hastened to obey. She had to get out of there and wander down the street until she was able to reach a bus stop. At last she boarded one that took her close to her house. When she got there, she went inside, locking the door behind her. Her sister April watched her with a worried expression. More so when Paige couldn't help but cry and mumble.

-I'm sorry, I couldn't help her....

The other Justicieras meanwhile approached the cult's lair. Roy did the same and they reached the door almost at the same time. He watched them in the air without transforming yet, as he wanted to remain hidden. Petz threw a bolt of lightning that shattered the door and the three entered. The boy passed by a few moments later. They saw Karaberasu lying on a large stone surface, dressed in a white robe. The tatters of her uniform and her hanging stone were piled in a corner of the slab that held her. Amidst litanies and a demented atmosphere of gasps, shrieks of excitement and ghoulish laughter, the master of ceremonies was ready to sacrifice her. He wielded a sharp curved dagger and recited a long string of satanic invocations.

- Oh, Grand Master! - he exclaimed with great glee. - Accept this humble offering from us, your loyal servants!

He was about to plunge his dagger into Karaberasu's heart when he was struck down by an arrow of fire from Cooan and a bolt of ice from Beruche. The rest of the cultists were confused at first, but then panicked. Nevertheless, they attacked the girls who, this time, were beside themselves with rage and fear of what they had done to their sister, and unceremoniously knocked them out, seriously wounding more than one of them.

- Come on Kalie, wake up! - Beruche called out to her, reaching over to the girl and trying to revive her while untying her. She gently shook her by the shoulders and patted her face and insisted in alarm - Come on, come to your senses, please!

- We must get her out of here and fast! - Cooan intervened, also very frightened. - It looks like she's badly hurt.

- She has blood on her neck! - Petz exclaimed in horror as she examined her more closely - the bastards! What have they done to her? - She spat, trembling with anger and fear. -

At last the efforts to awaken her sister bore fruit. Agonisingly Karaberasu roused herself by opening her eyes. The first thing she saw in a haze of confusion was the comforting smile of her sister Beruche who took her by the hand. She was dazed and didn't even know where she was. For now, all that had happened seemed like a terrible nightmare. Only a generalised pain, more acute in her private parts, vaguely reminded her of what had happened.

- Bertie, is that you? - she mumbled very faintly. - Where am I?

- Calm down," - she replied gently, clasping her hands in hers. - "It's all over now.

- And the demon? - she asked with an expression of terror in her eyes and visible anguish as she began to remember. - Where is he?

- What demon? - Cooan asked. - Only the cultists who wanted to sacrifice you were here.

- Shut up, you, stupid! – Petz commanded as she looked at Kalie's frightened face. - Don't be afraid, it's all under control now. - She hastened to reassure her. -

            And the sweet voice she used contrasted with her expression, which glared at her indiscreet little sister.

- I'm sorry. - The author of that ill-timed remark stammered, lowering her head, conscious of the slip. - You're safe, Kalie...don't be afraid.

And Karaberasu, unable to contain her anguish and grief any longer, burst into tears, hugging Beruche who, as shocked as the rest, tried to cheer her up as best she could. They all thought their sister was crying because of what Cooan had told her and because she had been imprisoned, but they had no idea what had really happened. She didn't want to tell them either. She felt too humiliated and too morally and physically shattered to be able to do so. Then came Roy who, once he was sure that there was no danger of anyone ambushing the girls outside, entered the room.

- Are you all right? - he asked, panting, for he had come at a run. - I came as soon as I could.

- How did you manage to find this place? - Beruche asked him, once again surprised to see him in the right place. -

- I told you. Tom located it with the help of his knowledge of the occult. How are you," - he replied fleetingly, not wanting to elaborate any further and immediately turning his attention to the rescued woman, taking an interest in her condition. - Kalie? What happened?

Karaberasu's gaze was lost, she hadn't noticed the boy's arrival, let alone his question. She was locked in her own world and did not answer...

- Are you alright? - the boy insisted, looking at her with great concern. -

- Kalie! - Cooan called her sweetly, tidying her hair. - Don't worry. It's all right, it's Roy who has come to see how you are.

- Yes..., I'm... fine," - Karaberasu whispered with a trickle of voice trying to pull herself together. -

        She had barely stopped crying and was trying her best to remain calm, but she was trembling and her teeth were chattering uncontrollably.

- Get her out of here! - A very anxious Petz asked to Cooan who helped her sister up and out. -

- Yes, let´s go. - Cooan agreed, directing the bewildered young woman towards the remains of her clothes waiting for her in a secluded corner. - Come on Kalie...

Roy turned away from them to allow Karaberasu, in privacy, to shed the robe of sorts and get dressed. Hanging the Stone of Justice around her neck, she regenerated her uniform, if only she could have done the same for her body and especially for her soul! But at least now, having apparently regained her dignity, she felt a little better. Yet she was cold, that icy feeling of the sacrificial slab she had been lying on for so long had seeped into her bones, and as if that were not enough, the searing pains in her pubis and other parts of her body continued to torture her almost unbearably.

-We don't do anything in this bloody joint any more. - Bertie, who had stayed by Roy's side declared, perhaps to spare herself the ordeal of seeing her poor sister in this condition, or to avoid leaving the boy all alone. - We'd better go. - She gestured to the others. -

Petz nodded and they both set off. Beruche looked at the boy who was still standing there staring at the sacrifice area.

- Are you coming, Roy? - she asked, stopping in his tracks. -

- I'm going to examine this place for a moment, come out and I'll catch up with you. Don't worry about me, I'll be careful. Besides, there's no one dangerous left in this room. - He stated in a reassuring tone since all the cultists were still unconscious or lying on the floor and seriously wounded. - I'm going to ask one of these guys nicely. - He said. -

Beruche was about to ask him not to do so, that they had already been given a lesson, but she did not. She watched her poor older sister and a shiver of anger ran through her. If Roy wished to strike one of those wretched swine, she would not be the one to stop him. And the young man approached one of those who seemed to have occupied a pre-eminent position and grabbed his tunic and lifted him off the ground without too much consideration.

- All right, you scum! Now you're going to tell us where your bosses are hiding. And where you've got those stones...

-I don't know anything about that. - That guy, a dark-haired one with hardened features, spat defiantly. -

- Don't you? - Roy grinned avidly, declaring in what seemed like a cordial tone. - Well, in that case I'll leave you alone...sorry to have bothered you....

The sectarian looked at the boy with a gesture of surprise, he certainly hadn't expected that reaction. Although his relief was short-lived, without warning his inquisitor hit him in the stomach with a punch that made him doubled over in pain...

- Besides to be some fucking fanatics, you are idiots! - Roy shouted, dropping him to the ground. - Right, Ice Lady...?

His companion who was watching him undeterred smiled a smile of glee in return...whatever Roy did to that bastard and the others would be fine. She watched helplessly as the young man lifted the wretch by the collar once more and asked him with mock condescension.

-Let's see if you remember anything now...remember.

-No... I don't know anything..." - The man insisted, his voice cracking, but he remained firm. -

-Today is not my day. - His interlocutor smiled, adding with pretended resignation. - Neither is yours, my friend... sometimes it's better not to get out of bed.

And he threw the guy against a nearby wall. The man protested with a muffled scream as he hit the wall. Now as he fell on his back he was bleeding profusely from one eyebrow and seemed to have broken some teeth... Without caring too much Roy approached him and stepped on his knee making him scream...

-Then let's try this. What have you done to that Justiciera?

- Ah! - It was the only thing that individual could reply. - You're hurting me!

- And more than I'm going to do to you, vermin! So it hurts you, huh? You're very brave against a woman alone and tied up... Aren't you? You were going to kill her in cold blood!

-It was a... sacrifice... for our master..." - The guy finally replied. -

-Well, I've got news for you. - Roy mumbled with patent fury now as he pulled him by the robe to lift him roughly until his eyes met those of the terrified individual. - Tell your master that the sacrifices of innocents are over. And that my friends and I will take care of him. But in the meantime, how about if I sacrifice you?

And as he said it, he squeezed the man's neck with one of his hands in such a way that the clinging man began to be unable to breathe, he chocked, trying desperately to catch his breath. Roy didn't seem to care much, however. At last he felt a gentle hand upon which he grasped the cultist. As he looked he discovered to his astonishment that it was Bertie. The girl had finally approached him with concern. Even in spite of the rage she felt against these scoundrels, she realised that this was not right.

-Stop it, please...we can't end up being the same as them....

- They're scum! - her friend retorted as he kept up the pressure. - They deserve the same consideration they show for others.

- We're not like that, you're not like that! - she pleaded, her eyes watering behind her mask, pleading. - We have every reason to hate them, but if we fall into that...I couldn't look my friends in the face...and you, please think if your parents would have liked to see you act like that.

That moved the boy. He could remember the faces of his adoptive parents and even some scolding they gave him when he got into mischief.

-Honey. Just because someone acts badly, even against you, doesn't mean you should follow their example. Those kinds of people are not your teachers. - He evoked those words from her mother. - Please promise me you'll be good.

He gave in and let go of the guy who collapsed on the ground without consciousness....

-I promise you, mum. - He remembered that he answered when he was only ten years old. - You're right. - He sighed sadly now turning to the Justiciera. –

He immediately embraced Beruche. The young girl was visibly in pain after glancing towards her other sisters who were trying to help Karaberasu walk. Roy then whispered in her ear with all the affection and tenderness he could muster.

-She's going to be fine. She has all of us to take care of her. Luckily they couldn't do anything to her. We got there in time. Thank you, little cube. Thank you for being there to remind me of the values my parents instilled in me.

She looked at him smiling this time with more optimism. So she could answer.

-I had good teachers.  Some who taught me that hatred is not good...and that it is better to be just than vengeful.

-We'll call the authorities. They'll take care of these guys. - Roy agreed and added thoughtfully. - I'm going to see if I can find some clues and I'll join you right away.

-Be careful. - She asked him. -

-There is no more danger here. - The boy smiled, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. - You'd better go with your sisters. I'll be fine.

- Please don't be long, though. - The young woman asked in a quiet voice as she walked away. -

            He nodded, looking for something that might give him a clue, some clue to help him find out who was behind it all. Rage and helplessness consumed him and the rest of the girls, what horrors had they done to poor Karaberasu to leave her like this? It was as if they had stolen her soul. Even Roy, who didn't know her very well, could see that the girl's vitality and joy were gone. He hoped that it was only temporary and that, once the shock was over, she would be her old self again. Damn bastards, how he longed to get his hands on them! But he had to restrain himself. He was thinking about it when a projection of Karnoalk suddenly appeared above the altar. The boy stood on his guard until he realised it was only an image, though this one in question addressed him in a contemptuous and defiant tone.

- So you have dared to poke your nose in here, Sun warrior. Well, you're as good as dead, next time it won't be an image of me greeting you. I'll kill you and all your friends. - He threatened him with jocular glee. -

- That'll have to be seen, you, wretch! - Roy spat angrily assuring him. - Next time, you won't be so lucky, I'll beat you to the death!

- Believe me, I can't wait to see it," - the projection scoffed. -

- Whenever and wherever you want! - The boy responded with the same tone of defiance. He added menacingly. - I don't know what you and your cronies have done to that girl, but you'll pay dearly when I get my hands on you.

Far from looking intimidated, however, the image of Karnoalk grinned wickedly and replied with amusement.

- Was she a friend of yours? What a small world! Knowing that pleases me even more.

- What have you done to her? - Roy gritted his teeth and gave him a terrible look. - Speak!

In spite of this, the demon was not intimidated, on the contrary, he laughed mockingly and proposed smugly.

- Let's meet to fight and before I kill you I'll tell you, how about tomorrow at twenty-three fifty-nine at night, ha, ha, ha! If it were twenty-four o'clock it would be the day after tomorrow, besides, we demons often set that time and I've always liked to be original.

- If you fight like you make jokes you won't last me a minute. - Roy answered now with a contemptuous sneer. -

- Poor clown! - The demon, who had a go at him laughed.  - You think you're so powerful for having eliminated a scum of the devils, don't you? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you. For your information, the other time we met I didn't fight you seriously and I almost took you out. When tomorrow you see me display my full power you won't be so confident and you'll understand your mistake. But it will be too late for you.

- You don't know how much I want you to fight with all your power! For my sake don't hold back or you'll regret it, because I'll tear you to pieces! - The boy declared, clenching his fists in riveting fists. - I haven't used mine to the fullest either... When I do, you'll find out.

- We'll see about that, see you tomorrow. - The projection responded and disappeared. -

Roy walked away towards the exit, still shaking with fury and unaware that Beruche had returned to look for him as he was taking too long. She could hear the conversation between the two of them, though only in its last snatches. She approached him with concern.

- Has that demon challenged you? - her companion asked with visible concern. -

- Yes," - the young man responded dryly and continued walking. -

- But you can't accept that challenge! - the frightened girl objected. -  "He'll kill you, he's too powerful, what can you do?

- Let's go home,"-  the boy said more conciliatory, putting an arm around her shoulders and trying to avoid the subject. - It's been a hard day.

           Bertie, however, was not prepared to forget the matter, and insisted again with a pale countenance and a look of fear and anguish in her eyes.

- But Roy, you mustn't take any unnecessary risks.

- Don't worry," - he smiled reassuringly. - I'm not going to do it.

Beruche, who assumed that the boy meant not to accept the challenge on second thought, was calmer. The two of them left the room in an embrace. But he was thinking of something quite different as her head rested on his chest.

- I'll beat you, you fucking bastard, I swear I will! I won't let you get away with whatever you've done to Kalie. Let alone threaten the safety of the girls and the rest of the world. - He looked lovingly and resolutely at Beruche as she continued to think. - I'll tell you my secret in a little while, Bertie. Since I know yours, it's only fair that you should know mine too. All I ask is that you give me time to get rid of that damned demon, darling.

They both soon came out of their reverie, though. They joined the others waiting with their sister leaning against a pillar. Exhausted and battered, she could barely walk, her legs were in almost unbearable pain. Roy, noticing the poor girl's expression, offered to carry her.

-They'll think we're sweethearts. - The Thunder Lady was able to stammer, despite everything, trying for a moment to sound as acidic as she used to in her comments. - Don't you think so?

Nevertheless, the words came out in a halting, almost sobbing voice.

-Of course. - Roy smiled, full of compassion in his eyes. So did the other girls. He added nonetheless, trying to sound jovial. - As long as Bertie doesn't get angry with me....

               She tried to smile, suffering like the rest for her poor sister. For her part, Kalie accepted the offer gratefully. She really couldn't walk. They tucked her into that robe she had been wearing to keep her warm at night and headed for the girls' flat. On the way Roy felt the girl's body shiver with trembling and his fear increased. Something was happening to her and it seemed very serious even though she tried hard not to show it too much. He looked into her eyes and could see something in them, as if she was crying out for help. The young man opened his mouth uneasily, but the girl clutched his arm with one of her hands and shook her head slightly, gritting her teeth. She did not wish to alarm her sisters further.

-It's all right. You're going to be fine. - He mused with obvious sympathy, though he tried to be encouraging. - You just need to rest. It's over, it's all over....

          The poor girl was incapable of replying; she just gave as close to a smile as she could manage. She was absorbed in her memories of her youth, even in Nemesis. Her flirtations with men, her arguments with Petz. Then she thought about Earth and her new life, the shop and those walks with her friend Minako, going shopping and flirting with boys. It all seemed unreal and utopian now, as if it had never happened.

- Oh, God! - she mused. - Why did you let them do this to me, was it a punishment for being the way I was?

             The boy looked at her again, he thought he heard something, but now the girl's eyes were closed. Perhaps she had fallen asleep. So much the better. When they finally got out onto the street, the girls regained their civilian identities and hailed a taxi. Roy got in, along with Karaberasu in his arms, accompanied by Bertie and Cooan who were able to squeeze into the back. Petz got in with the driver.

-Good evening. - The taxi driver, a chubby, bald guy, greeted. - Quite a party, eh, folks!

-Yeah, it was a good one. My friend had a lot to drink. - Roy replied rather matter-of-factly. -

-There are too many of you. - The guy objected, stating with some trepidation. - I could be fined.

-This is to pay the fine. - Intervened Petz, offering him a hundred-dollar note. -

The man gladly accepted it, only to declare more casually.

-Well, I don't think that's going to happen at this hour. The police have other things to take care of. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can. Where do you want me to take you?

They told him which direction to go and set off. After half an hour of silently enduring the chatter of this taxi driver, they finally arrived at their destination. They paid including a good tip and went up to the flat, with Roy carrying the still unconscious girl in his arms. When they entered the house they laid Karaberasu on the bed in her bedroom. The girl finally opened her eyes.

-Rest now. - Cooan whispered lovingly. - We'll give you some supper.

         And so Petz went to great lengths to prepare something for her sister. But Kalie didn't feel like it.

-It will do you good, and it will tone you up. - Petz said in a loving but firm tone. –

              At last, her sister condescended. Sitting on the bed and with a tray on her knees, they put the food on her. A light consommé and some cheese to warm her up.

-Careful," - Bertie whispered softly as she served her. -

Her sister's hand was shaking so badly that she was unable even to bring the cup to her mouth without spilling the contents. The others looked at each other between astonished and very frightened.

-Calm down. - Intervened Petz, who, being the older sister she was, took care to gently give her a drink in small, slow sips. -

-Thank you. - Karaberasu groaned, not daring to look up. -

-Everything will be all right. - Cooan told her warmly. -

                Despite not believing this at all, Kalie nodded weakly. At last she was able to finish her frugal, uneventful dinner, and the others tucked her into bed. Cooan touched her forehead and was startled, her sister was burning. She must have a high fever. They immediately gave her a painkiller and prepared to watch over her. Roy meanwhile waited outside that bedroom. He was restlessly pacing the room, still half devastated by the previous day's fight. Petz came out to see him as soon as she left Karaberasu in the care of the others.

- Thank you for your help. - She said in a soft, tired voice. -

- If I can do anything else for your sister or the rest of you, don't hesitate to let me know. - He hastened to reply solicitously. -

She shook her head and smiled just a smile before adding in a calm, quiet voice.

- I have not yet had a chance to thank you truly for all you have done for Bertie and Cooan since they came. Both you and Tom have proved to be very good friends. And I'm very sorry that you're getting into this mess for us.

- But what are you saying?  - he flatly denied. - On the contrary, it's my fault. They were coming for me and if it weren't for your warrior friends and your sisters I would be part of their army. It was I who put you all in this terrible situation! - he lamented, lowering his head. - I beg your forgiveness.

Petz approached her interlocutor and placed one of her hands on his whispering kindly.

- If there is one thing I learned from my warrior friends, it is never to abandon my friends. They taught me a lesson I will never forget. In fact, they gave us all our souls back, but none of us were to blame. We were manipulated, just like those terrible demons did to you. No one is responsible for this but them. And now that we have the chance to fight for good, we will try to imitate as much as possible the courage and fortitude of our saviours, so that no one else suffers because of evil.

- You already do. - Roy praised her, sincerely impressed as he sentenced her. - You are all admirable women.

His companion was silent for a few moments in gratitude for those words, and then added with obvious affection and consideration.

- You will be tired, as we are, go home quietly and we will talk tomorrow. I'll take care of my sister so that Beruche and Cooan can go to school.

The boy, realising that the girls wished to be alone and to heal all their wounds, (both physical and moral), said goodbye to Petz in a quiet voice, instructing her to do the same for him from the others. He dared not disturb them. He returned, not to the college, for it was too late and it was locked. He could have gone in through the window, but he didn't want to. He went to his own flat and lay down on the bed, trying to think. Then the phone rang, and without hesitation he quickly picked it up, worried that Karaberasu might be worse but fortunately it was Tom. The boy hadn't been able to sleep a wink either, and although his parents weren't too happy about him staying at the university, he had persuaded them to do so, just as he had done when he convinced them to return to Kansas, claiming to be able to fend for himself.

-But Tommy. - He remembered his mother asking him from the other end of the phone. - Let us come help you.

-That's not necessary, Mom. It's really not necessary. - He assured her, adding. - Take care of Dany. He's at a difficult age.

- Hey, I heard you! - his younger brother's voice interjected, adding with a mixture of playfulness and some concern. - I'm not a kid anymore. What do you think you are?

He must have been listening in on the other device they had in the house. Tom smiled, replying affably.

-I know. You're a computer geek. I don't know what's worse!

But his brother replied, now with a more serious and concerned tone.

-Seriously Tom, if you need anything... I can come over there...

- And see how many pretty girls there are in the Golden? Then I wouldn't kick you out of here! - his older brother interrupted him, trying to sound jovial, although he immediately added with a more serious tone. - No, Dany. I just want you, mum and dad to get on with your lives quietly. I assure you that I have learned to stand on my own two feet.

Maybe that sentence was no really appropriated, however, he'd been able to survive that she-devil, it wouldn't be so hard to get by on a day-to-day basis. Of course, he couldn't tell her that. Instead, it was his mother who declared.

-Whatever you want, sweetheart. But call us if you need us.

-Sure, mum. - He agreed, mostly to reassure her. -

          Of course, he and his friends had enough problems without complicating them for the rest of his family. Later, when Roy told him that night about Karaberasu's kidnapping, he was quite uneasy and cursed the impossibility of accompanying the girls and his friend. But far from being frustrated, he promised himself that he would do something useful. Indeed, he consulted all the books and notes his mentor had given him and was investigating some way of bringing the cult to an end. At the moment there was nothing firm, but he wanted to know if the search had been successful and if Kalie had been rescued. When Roy explained what had happened, Tom pitied the poor girl, but what worried him most was learning of the demon's challenge.

- You must be very careful. - he warned his friend. - From what you've told me about this individual, he probably belongs to the upper echelons of the infernal hierarchy. And that's a big word. You told me he had a title, didn't you? As in nobility.

-Yes, he mentioned something about a baron. - He thought he remembered Roy. - And a place. Dite, or Dime, who knows!

- Did you say Dite? - his friend asked. -

-I think so. I am not quite sure. - His interlocutor said -

Tom immediately searched through the books and told him, leaving his companion perplexed.

-That name appears in Dante's Divine Comedy. It is a kind of city in the fifth circle. - And having said this, he read. - Dante doesn't want to talk about Argenti anymore and begins to see the walls of the city of Dite and to hear the wailing of the damned who are locked up. He sees burnt towers, protruding from the walls like mosques. Meanwhile they arrive at the pit surrounding the walls, from which opens a door guarded by a myriad of devils" ... (The Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri)

Roy shrugged his shoulders and then commented...

-That's sounds all very well. But what good does it do me to beat this guy? Does that Dante guy say anything about how to kick his ass?

-He doesn't say anything about that. - His colleague admitted, shaking his head. -

-Then he's not worth much, except to brag about being a nerd when you talk about it. If it's even a topic of conversation. - His friend sarcastically dismissed. -

-It at least serves to make you aware of his level. - An anxious Tom responded, explaining. - Until now our enemies have been of low to medium levels. And their powers seem to increase almost geometrically as you go deeper into the circles of the underworld.

- I know, I have felt his strength and I have seen it. But it is precisely because he is so powerful that I must destroy him at all costs. - Roy declared with determination, adding in a concerned tone. - Please, you must think of something to give me a hand.

                Tom didn't like the idea of his friend having to fight such a demon at all. But, on the other hand, he knew it was inevitable, so, realising the lateness of the hour and the fatigue that gripped his companion, he agreed to talk to him the next day. Roy thanked him and hung up.

-Well, I'll have to consult a lot of books. - Tom was thinking when there was a knock at the door. - - Who is it? - the boy wanted to know with obvious surprise. -

-It's April, Rodney... Open the door, please! - The young woman asked him in a whisper. -

It was late and the girl did not wish to be seen. Although, on the other hand, she might be taken for just another girl paying Malden a late-night visit. Anyway, that didn't matter to her now. She was truly shocked and horrified by what her sister had told her.  She wished she could help, and while she could no longer do anything for the wretched Justiciera, at least she hoped she could give information to the others. She went first to Connie and Bertie's room, but there was no one there. At first she didn't know what to do, then she thought Tom would be trustworthy. She sighed, trying to gather her courage as she heard him approach. The door opened and that boy, sitting in his wheelchair, questioned her with his eyes. She said to him.

-I have some very important things to tell you....

-I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time. Please come in. - He asked her with a serious gesture and tone. –

               The young woman did so, closing the door behind her. In the meantime, Roy had not the slightest trouble in dropping off to sleep in spite of all that had happened. Such was his exhaustion. To her misfortune, Karaberasu was not so lucky. Her fever was rising and she was delirious. She had terrible nightmares where she could see the cruel face of that monster forcing herself on her again and again. Her restless sisters took turns accompanying her. First Cooan, who soaked rags in cold water to ease the burning that seemed to consume her. Then Bertie, who tried to understand some of her sister's words to no avail. She was very worried and seriously considered telling the others to admit Kalie to hospital. Fortunately, her fever broke and she didn't think it was necessary. Finally, exhausted, she allowed herself to be relieved by Petz. Petz was careful to watch her sister carefully, now at least she seemed to have fallen asleep more serenely at last.

- Oh, Kalie, what have those bastards done to you? - she mused in a quiet, visibly worried voice, struggling not to cry. - I wish we could have been by your side! I should have protected you, I'm your elder sister. Forgive me!

             But there was nothing more she could do for the moment, except gently caress the cheeks and hair of the convalescent girl. Until at last she herself felt sleepy. She soon fell asleep, wishing that the next day would dawn better for her poor sister. ....

-All will be better in the morning. - She wanted to force herself to believe. -

In Tokyo, Usagi was also resting and woke up shaken and in cold sweats. Luna herself, who slept beside her, woke up in her turn. It was already daylight, though still early...

- What happened to you, one of those nightmares? - She wanted to know. -

But she was stunned when she saw her friend's face, she was pale and tears were running down her cheeks.

- What's the matter? What did you dream? -The cat asked her with astonishment and concern. -

Her interlocutor tried a tremulous smile and shook her head and hurried to reply with a cracked voice...

-Nothing... it was just a bad dream, Luna. It had nothing to do... no, it couldn't have anything to do with this...

She still remembered that dreadful vision of that girl being forced in such a terrible way by that cruel demon. But what frightened her the most was not that. Near that scene she could see that figure in a long black sackcloth holding a large book and taking notes. That really shook her. It was not the first time she had seen it. And he whispered something to her. The words echoed in her head, and the girl repeated them, mumbling.

-The cup of suffering has not yet been filled... Not yet...

-Usagi, what are you saying? - the feline asked with obvious concern. - Are you all right?

-Nothing. There's nothing wrong with me. - Her interlocutor smiled adding in a vain attempt to appear jovial. - Let's get up now and have breakfast. I'm hungry, aren't you? We have to meet the girls and then visit Mamo-chan.

And the cat didn't want to ask any more questions. Even though she could clearly see the dread in Usagi's eyes. She must have dreamt something really horrible to have that look on her face. Though she had known her for too long not to know that this time it was best not to dwell on the subject. Still, Luna trusted her completely. Her friend would have some good reason to avoid it. She nodded and they both set out to start the day...

**START**