The Devil and the Huntsman Vol 1: The Wolf Queen - Part 1

All is dark and filled with endless shadows. The night hordes hide in the darkness and prey on all who wander into the wrong places. The demons of Hell have arisen to overtake mankind and the earth. The world is now a place where the creatures of darkness rule over the weak and where all are slaves to their power.

One year has passed since Julius of Romania, once a knight leader under the rule of King Lancelot and King Harald succeeded in taking over the castle of Midland and killing the man he once called a brother. But he threw away his humanity and succumbed to the dark embrace to save his people from Harald's treachery. The sacrifice was massive because it cost him not only his humanity but his wife and daughter. His wife, Lucy, was killed by a creature who served King Harald; his daughter, Lagertha, ran away at a time when all hope seemed lost in her eyes. Time after time, the schemes of darkness overcome the minds of the strong and tempt the weak into making them join the armies of Hell.

Lagertha became a huntress and a queen of the night because such sacrifices from her father meant she had to give up something in return. She wields a longsword called the Bloodbringer and uses it to fight anyone and anything that gets in her way. Whether it be man or demon, she would fight back against the night until she draws her last breath. Until she is ready to find her father and save him from the darkness, she needs to hunt down as many demons as possible to become stronger. Lagertha once feared the night and feared all who wield such power, but the blood of the wolf encouraged her to be fearless.

There is no other huntress or adventurer who had her kind of power and none stood in her way to find out. Lagertha walked during the night and rested during the morning because she needed as much energy as possible to stay awake. Anything, man and creature, would be trying to go against her and try to test the level of her strength. Lagertha always became prepared to fight and crush her opponents at any means necessary, but it would cost her to have many people look at her with a different eye. She wanted to bring peace to her people, but her father brought fear and injustice to his people by mercilessly killing every person who was once friends with him.

It was in the hours of the noon sun that Lagertha woke up from her limited rest after killing many demons. Her sword was stained with the blood and gore of the opponents that stood against her in the night. Against all the evil that Hell can conjure, Lagertha fought to the death and became victorious as the people of the earth defended their cities and villages. Lagertha needed all the rest she could get before moving to a new location during the afternoon. She learned the hard way that she would never sleep in the night ever again because of how much time she spent in the outdoor world.

Lagertha got herself ready for the afternoon, and she prepared her weapons and armor before leaving that spot. Then, she looked at the blue sky and noticed what time it is and how long she has rested in front of a large tree. Lagertha has always been ready for her time of the day to start and get ready for more days to come. The Wolf Queen made sure her longsword rested inside her scabbard and became certain that it did not leave her side. She allows her long brown hair to run down to her thighs and breeze along with the wind.

"What a night. I wonder how long it shall run until I become ready to face the king of Midland. My father," Lagertha said. She knew that her father killed King Harald and took his place as the powerful ruler of Midland.

What she did not know is that there would be many people going to the kingdom to seek refuge. She also did not know how many things Mephiles will do as soon as he takes control of the minds of even the refugees. Lagertha wraps her red cloak around her neck and allows the rest of it to run down her back before leaving the tree. The cold wind did not affect her in any way because she has fought night creatures for a whole year and got used to it. Then, Lagertha took everything she needed and began walking onto the long road as the afternoon sun shines above her.

Everything that has happened in earlier days will continue to haunt her in both realities and her dreams. As she walked on the road, she could hear the sounds of every demon she has faced in every sleepless night she has ever known. She walked and began thinking about her best friend, Brant, and she wanted to know why she has never got the chance to see him again. Brant was once the son of King Harald, but that king is dead and he is left with his mother while being away from Midland. She could feel very heavy inside because, in some circumstances, she could find out if she is getting closer to meet him once more.

"Brant, I promised you that you and I will meet again. But something or someone inside me keeps preventing me from getting to you. I'll just have to fight back from having this force keep me from finding you," Lagertha said. She missed being with him, yet she had no idea what she wanted to say to him during the days that she walked the earth.

A cold shadow in the day would stay inside of her because of the wolf blood she had from Rollo, the elder wolf. The Wolf Queen had every reason to hate everything about the demons and the one man who sends them out. Lagertha disowned her father and could not save him from the darkness that darkens his soul. In her mind, Mephiles is nothing more than a man who sought power and prosperity over his family. She used to love him, but the darkness and the shadows made her hate him more than anything.

She walked on the earth and saw a nearby village where she believed she could find a place to rest. She just needed somewhere to rest her weary legs and make herself be prepared for even more days to fall before her. Unlike most hunters and adventurers, Lagertha never rested in the night and never found a place to be by herself. She simply had her longsword remain in her scabbard and made sure the sword did not leave its master. She walked to the nearest village but could sense her father speaking to her and tempting her to rejoin him.

"Father... I come for you. What I'm going to do to you will make you fall to your knees. I'll either save you from this torment or put you out of your misery. No matter how I do it, that castle will be stained with your blood," Lagertha said. The Wolf Queen has always hated the fact that her father succumbed to power and took so long to tell her the truth.

For a short while, Lagertha could her body heat up in anger because of how much she thought about her father. Mephiles no longer knew himself as a knight leader who once defended Midland, and he had trouble concluding his true nature. But he did know that he will not simply defend the earth; he will go out and wipe out all of those who defy it violently. Lagertha chose the role of a demon hunter because it was her only chance to survive in a dark world. In the cold earth, she would continue to fight all of the night creatures and never surrender to her enemies.

Meanwhile, in the castle of Midland, Mephiles sat down on a chair near a collection of books he had with himself. During the time he ruled the region, he would either write poems of events that happened long ago or find mysterious books found around the world and have them for himself. He looked at a mirror and could see the reflection of a man who abandoned everything to rule a great kingdom. For a split second, he regretted taking the life of King Harald, but he did only what had to be done in his mind. He did that because no other man had the strength nor the endurance to fight a king with the powers of a wolf born from Hell.

Then, his door slowly opens, and he turns around and sees a young vampire girl with long ginger hair walk into the room to be with him before he does something new.

Lenora, the last surviving vampire of the northern lands, walked towards Mephiles as he sat down to make himself ready. She was a short, slender, and beautiful young-looking woman with pale skin and rosy cheeks. Her red eyes glowed with malice whenever she exhibited her vampiric nature and, as a vampire, she had abnormally pointed ears and sharp fangs. Her long ginger-red hair was partially tied into a thin yet long braid that traveled down the back of her head. The remaining hair was wavy and left loose.

It was obvious that to rule the world, he needs serious backup from those whom he can trust. He took a whole year to summon such generals to stay by his side and defend the earth from his opponents. But they would have to earn his trust and respect if they want to walk away alive. Lenora stands beside him and becomes curious at what Mephiles is thinking about as the afternoon sun shines above the castle.

"Your generals await your word, Mephiles. Best not to keep them waiting," Lenora said.

"They should not worry. I'll go to them as soon as I relieve myself. Then again, you could entertain them as you do with other strangers," Mephiles said.

"Entertain the guests, again? I know only one thing to keep them entertained and that's just to stare at all of your paintings. You can tell a story through a painting, right?" She asked.

"Of course you can. If anyone knows anything about me, they know I'll not be taken as a joke. God himself and other gods will be pleased with what I do and what I will do for the common good. It's what Harald's mother would always tell me and what my wife used to do if I ever get exhausted. If they can't handle that, then I don't know what else to tell them. They might as well have the brain of a tick and the mind of a little girl."

Lenora took his words into such an understanding that she will be able to keep it in her mind along with other things. Since she was the second leader of the castle, she could tell what Mephiles likes to think about. Above all things, the king loved thinking about his first wife and his daughter before everything went astray. Lenora walked next to him and held out her hand to help him up from the chair, and she looked at him with a bright eye. Mephiles held onto her hand and got up from the chair as he knew he was done wasting his time by himself.

"Tell them... I'll be there. No need to worry and no need to fear," he said. The vampire understood everything he said, and she bowed to him before leaving the library to be with the generals.

Mephiles realized this will be his first time to address a whole line of generals to carry out his every command. Being obedient and respectful towards a king is something these generals will have to get used to when they are before Mephiles. Lenora walked down the stairs to go into the throne room and greet all of the generals to thank them for coming to the castle. As she did that, Mephiles gathered his armor, cloak, and greatsword while thinking about the kind of words he should say. He could feel the shadows lurking around his body and giving him ideas about what the generals should know.

Mephiles simply got ready and walked out of his library to be beside his throne; he felt warm inside as he was about to meet new people who were summoned to his castle. He then opened the door of the throne room and saw ten generals who lived in darkness and ruthlessly fought against all of their foes. Lenora stood next to his throne like she always does when he gets ready to make demands to other people. Despite being a vampire, she can wield a large scythe and slice down anyone who defies the one true king. And so, Mephiles stood in front of his throne and gazed upon every general who would live in Midland's castle and do whatever the king orders them to do.

He stood there and said, "My generals. We prosecute a good war. By the death of King Harald, the treachery he unleashed upon the land is now gone. The family of King Lancelot and all of his offspring are now wiped away from the earth. Midland is our seat now. This kingdom will thrive forever and by our hand, our enemies will tremble before us. But as your king, we are in the business of protecting the earth and making this kingdom greater than any other kingdom of this world. Humanity will learn that we are far superior and we are the only ones who can save them. The humans are not our enemies even though they are the weaker links. We will not make them our slaves. They will thrive and live their normal lives.

"But if they ever insist on coming here and threatening to take this castle, they will meet their fate. This castle is mine by right and deed. Your service and your concerns will always be under my protection. When King Harald took the throne, he promised mercy and peace. I make no such offer. We will lash out at anyone who threatens these walls and are known for committing many crimes against their people and our people. Mercy is wasted on all who would dare bring death to mankind because they will lash out and do it again. But we will continue using my legion and allowing them to carry the death sentence if necessary. Afterward, I'll give the rest of the world to them. Perhaps that will be better."

The generals stood there and became confused about what their king said, and they became suspicious. They existed to bring an end to the human race because it was humanity's fate to fall into the hands of the demons. The dark leaders who led these night creatures were a bit anxious because they might not get as much blood in their hands like they used to. Then, Mephiles looked at Lenora and saw the other generals, and he knew they lacked the skill and strength to get most things prepared. Underneath most of that madness, Mephiles could see a woman who was pure and able to get things done if anyone wills it.

"Lenora, present me with plans for our next steps today," he said. Lenora knew what he wanted and understood that she should not stray from the orders that are given to her.

But some of the generals had issues with the vampire being able to plan their next moves, yet they could not do anything about it. One of the generals, whose name is Naberius, became offended, and he moved up an inch and pointed a long finger at Lenora.

"The only one who is not like any of us. She is the one who will plan our next attack?" He asked. Lenora stared back at him, but she did not fear him nor have the time to punch him to seclusion.

Then Mephiles answered and said, "The only one... who stood by my side until the very end. The one who showed me that I will do whatever it takes to win this castle and the rest of the world. Indeed, she is not like you or your friends, Naberius. Lenora is bound by loyalty and intellect. She is your leader and my second-in-command. I've summoned most of you here and she summoned the rest of you. I can only imagine that we may have requested for one more powerful being to join us, but it seems like he is delayed. It's further proof that we are in the business of ruling this world and defending it from all of our opponents. Lenora is simply a mortal who said that she will go out her way and do some things that even I have not taught myself in doing. And that is why she stands with me."

After that, Mephiles walked away from all of the generals and went back to his library so that he could have his rest. All of the generals, including Naberius, stood with each other with feeble minds and had all kinds of confusion being spread. They thought this powerful king would unite them as one, not divide them and leave matters into their own hands. Naberius understood what it was like to be mighty and powerful against all of his enemies, but pride was his downfall. His pride was what kept others from fully trusting him and being convinced by his words when it came to being a ruler of nations.

Then he spoke aloud, saying, "What the hell was that? He summons us from all over the world and tells us it's war. We're finally gathering together and taking over the human world. And now this? Turning the whole thing over to a little vampire? What is this nonsense?"

As Naberius had his reasons to disagree with pretty much everything Mephiles said to them, Lenora walked slowly back to wherever the king went. But the prideful demon leader was not so hesitant in letting her go to where she pleased, and he needed answers from her.