Beginnings Of War

**Aileen POV**

"Devon has always been a pro at playing both the villain and good guy. Let's just hope he isn't stupid enough to play both sides again. He'll get fucked by the wrong one this time. No more forgiveness will be offered or given." Squad Leader Tom came over and placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "I still want to pound you to the ground. Or make your pants literally go on fire... Still might indulge in that second option."
Neither my Father, nor I spoke as Lena got on her knees to heal him. Tom's attention never wavered from Devon. He still had no trust in the man. To his credit, I guess if a man has been wanting to kiss your wife for the last several years, there would be some seeds of suspicion. Well that coupled with him getting Squad Leader Nye killed. That would cause some wariness too. I heard Tom and Nye were like Father and son.
My hand gripped Father's. I knew that Lena's healing ability would hurt. A lot. I knew how much it hurt me when I got injured and had to get first aid from her, rather than an infirmary. Father had no idea what pain was about to come his way. He could at least squeeze my hand when the anguish came.
She wouldn't even have a chance to ease Father into the process. Shiuku had been watching our little skit and would most definitely be on his way back here. We needed to get moving before Shiuku came to save his future child.
Lena got started, forcing my Father's body to quickly heal with her ability. None of us envied the King of Lutz when Lena got to work.
.
.
.
"You look like you spent the last two nights getting drunk at a brothel. And the hangover has just now taken hold of you."
"Thank you dear daughter. Maybe it was better when I was cold to you. Before you never spoke to me like that." Father's throat was raspy and sore from all the screaming. Lena's healing had taken its toll on him. "Jesu, give me strength."
The two squad leaders pulled my Father and I to our feet. It was time for us to leave.
As we walked out of my room, we heard the sounds of war. There were screams, yelling, orders issued, orders ignored, and blades clashing.
At the head of our group was Devon. Even the demons running around in the chaos of battle ignored us. Devon and I were still known to them as allies. Had Lena or Tom been leading us, then they were more likely to have been attacked.
I surveyed the horrors of battle. A surprising number of humans fought against the members of the DSS. I had figured that damn near all of them would be fighting with the DSS; wanting their freedom from Shiuku. Perhaps Lena hadn't gotten to as many of them before meeting with Devon, Father, and I. Surely most of his servants would want to be free? They were all treated like they were expendable. Who would want to live in constant fear like that?
Or maybe that was it. They betted on us failing, and didn't want Shiuku to kill them for treason.
I found myself searching for one human in particular. Sam had been a great friend and help during my time here. If I hadn't had her, I probably would have gone insane. The DSS would have never grown the balls to launch an assault against Shiuku. In a way, all this was happening because Sam was there to keep me sane and productive. She may have had a kick ass attitude, but she wasn't a fighter. I didn't want her getting hurt in the crossfire.
Deep breaths. Getting anxiety about the uncontrollable would do nothing. So I smiled, the way I did when I was a child. I was aiming to unsettle the confused demons that raced around us.
"Devon, where is Sam and this Rena girl. Shiuku should be on his way. We need to get rid of Rena's, your's, and Aileen's marks before that happens. Unless you want to stay his little pawn lap dog." Tom said in a bland tone.
The slight twitch of his eyebrows gave away how nervous he was. Tom and Lena had seen Shiuku one time when they were seventeen. Clearly, he had left an impression.
A high pitched scream cut off any words Devon's mouth was trying to form. No clue if the victum of such terror was human, or demon. We all sound the same in pain. I swallowed the lump in my throat. There were crimson streaks everywhere I looked. Blood and death had never bothered me while in the DSS. War was a completely different story. This was horrible.
Things may have been different had I not lived here for so long. I knew many members of the DSS. I've lived witnessing their kindness and dedication to protecting those weaker than them. In the same way, I grew to know some of the demons here. Many of them weren't evil. The DSS and demons were just two opposing sides of war. Innocent casualties were unavoidable. Good people would meet their ends on both sides.
No one wanted to die. Many would.
"Spacey!" Lena called from behind. "Now is very much not the time to get lost in your own head! We have a battle to win and people need to be saved. We already have a slim chance of winning this. And a lot of it depends on you. You need to concentrate!"
If only she knew, my biggest gamble was yet to take place.
The stonework became familiar the closer we came to Rena's room. Sam had started staying there after we freed them from the green bird demon. Those two had to be alright. It wasn't like Rena was much use in a fight.
"Don't worry my light." Devon grabbed my hand, leading me faster to our destination. "Mallory is with them along with Sekai. They'll be safe."
Puzzlement hurt my brain as I tried to recall the face of who that name belonged to.
Dev winked at me and jogged my memory a bit. "She's one of Shiuku's higher ranked demons. You just talked to her last week about joining the DSS. She threatened to take all the water out of the air around your head if you were tricking her. Then she was going to jab ice shards in every joint of your body. Remember? You clawed at your throat as if you were already having issues breathing."
My face flushed with embarrassment. That was right. Most demons I gave a speech to about betraying Shiuku, threatened my health in one way or another. Typically they just said they would rip my head off. A few even said they would drag me to hell with them! Scary coming from a demon. A good thing I was a member of the DSS and knew they had no affiliation with the devil. Mallory, she had been more descriptive in how I was going to die.
The rest of the way to Rena's room was accompanied by sounds of fighting, screeching, and yelling. No one paid us any attention as they fought against each other. The DSS and demons both believed us to be on their side. So far everything was going as I anticipated. As good as that may sound, a plan never proceeds exactly as mapped out. Unease nipped at my heels. I sped up.
I observed new markings and rubble from all corners of every hall and room. Blood and more blood seeped into the stonework. There were obstacles on the floor where ground elements had changed the elevation, or created spikes. The most disturbing of all were all the corpses and their stink. Demon, demon slayer, and human bodies scattered wherever I looked.
I had to keep myself calm, so my baby didn't lend me his power. It was imperative that I remain in control of myself for this plan to work. Too much was riding on our success. All these lives and destruction couldn't be for nothing. They would not die in vain!
The DSS needed a victory here. Lena would have difficulty defeating Shiuku if the DSS lost faith. She would need them to stand with her along with new demon allies. Not to mention if this failed, I had a whole list of angry demons who would play ball with my head as compensation. Well, before Shiuku tortures them to death.
We walked passed a few members of the DSS who acknowledged Lena and Tom with respect. When they saw me, their eyes oozed their disgust. Shiuku had mentioned the DSS may wish ill upon my pregnancy. That they would want a miscarriage. We would undoubtedly be heading back to the DSS after this battle. The DSS leaders may decide it was safer to...prevent another form of Shiuku from coming into the world.
They had killed one of Shiuku's women many years ago... but she had attempted to kill an innocent life on their land. What about me? I was a member, but carrying their ultimate enemy's child. Thankfully, I did have connections. Lena was the final guardian. Tom was one of the top squad leaders. Then there was my adoptive family. None of them would allow the DSS to order an abortion, especially this far along!
Lena had made no comments about the pregnancy yet. She would take my side right? Her word, and my defense of well myself, would be the key to winning over the rest of the DSS. My stomach was feeling queasy again from all the unknowns.
*Stay focused. What happens after here doesn't matter if we all fail. FOCUS AILEEN.*
I brought myself back to reality before Lena or Father could scold me.
"Finally! I've been waiting for ages. Almost grew gray hair!" A playful voice I hadn't heard in what felt like ages teased.
I snickered back, "You should be thanking me! Some gray might fool others into thinking you're mature! Ya pain in the ass!" God did I miss him.