Demon Scythe

The day of the tournament has finally arrived. It has been three weeks since Viv became my personal punching bag, and it is finally time to put Cera's plan into action. Celest will be happy with us for promulgating our relationship and support, but after today, I will make sure everyone knows that I'm married to the best girl in the world. I have my own plans for winning the tournament.

"My lady, please control yourself today. Remember that you're not allowed to kill anyone." Since Viv became Cera's personal watchdog under the pretense of being my bodyguard, I haven't been able to go out of the kingdom by myself.

"Viv, that's the third time you've told me that today, relax, nothing bad will happen." Viv was standing next to the living room couch where I was plopped over while waiting for Cera to finish her paperwork.

"I've also told you many times to also call me Viviana. As the lady of the house, you need to watch your manners around people and not form bad habits when you're at home." Damn it. She's just as bad as Noire.

"Don't wanna. Your name is too long, and I think Viv is a cute nickname." I got off the couch after annoyingly telling Viv off and ran to our room.

Cera was at her desk preparing some last-minute documents to give to Celest for when I win the tournament. We may need some extra protection after we declare that we will be pledging allegiance to Celest until I become strong enough to protect us. I bent down slightly and put my arms around Cera's neck and crocodiled my chin on her head.

"Can we leave yet? Viv is being a pain." I tried my best to not mess up the half updo braid that took me all morning to do. The light blue ribbon I adorned her hair with matched her white and silver knights' uniform perfectly.

"She's just doing her job and I need you to sign this before we go." Cera gave me a pen and I signed a few papers without letting go of her neck.

"Let's go! Let's go! I wanna see the arena that Celest prepared! Stark said she was in charge and I'm curious to see how much effort she put into it." Cera put all the documents together and we walked out of the room.

"My liege, the carriage is ready." Viv bowed as soon as she saw Cera.

"Viv, you're being too biased. Cera, tell her to be nice to me too." I clung to Cera's arm and held her hand while we walked outside the house.

Even though I know she's under strict orders, I can use this chance to have Cera pamper me.

"Can we go visit the palace after the tournament? I want to go pick up some cookies before we come home." Noire was waiting for us by the carriage with a few snacks in hand.

"The palace isn't a pastry shop. Besides, you've been eating too many cookies." We walked into the carriage, followed by Viv and Noire.

I rubbed my cheek on Cera's cheek and sat on her lap.

"Hold me until we get there." I placed my arms around her neck and let gravity do the rest.

She kissed my cheek and I felt ticklish chills all over my body, with one of her hands on my back and the other around my waist, we went along with the carriage's natural sway.

"Viv, we'll probably be seated next to Celest, be alert at all times. Noire will be coming with us, so you're in charge of protecting her incase something happens. I'll take care of Celest." I think Cera is worried over nothing, but her judgement is always spot on.

"See, I told you Viv was a good nickname." I added after Cera finished talking.

"You're right, it is a cute nickname." Cera lightly patted my back.

"Right? I'm glad you think so too." I kissed her cheek for agreeing with me. I think right now is the best time to ask.

"I kind of wanted to try beating everyone with only my Alm boost, can I try that?" I coquettishly hung back with my arms around her neck and looked into her eyes.

"Hm…" She looked back at me with an analyzing gaze, I just need to give her a little push.

I pressed my forehead against hers and gave her an eskimo kiss.

"Please?" I could feel her silent, breathy cadence quicken through her nose.

"Okay, but if at any moment it starts to look dangerous, you have to end the fight. If you kill them by accident, I'll figure something out with Celest, so don't worry and don't get hurt." I feel like I can do anything as long as you're by my side, I love you so much.

"Thank you!" I hugged her and I could hear Noire sigh behind me.

"Lady Cera, please don't give her permission to do such dangerous things." Noire's worried voice interrupted our couple time.

Without letting go, I spoke out.

"It's fine Noire, I'll be careful not to get blood on me." She probably doesn't want to wash my bloodied clothes.

"I'm just worried about you, my lady. Please be careful. The other contestants may be nothing special, but the two candidates are not pushovers. They both inherited the yellow flames from the king. They're dangerous." Yellow flames? Didn't Darlene also use yellow flames?

"It'll be okay. I've fought against those flames before, they're not that impressive." I tried to calm Noire's worries, but she kept talking.

"My lady, please hear me out."

After 40 minutes of Noire's lecturing, we finally arrived. Behind the palace, they had set up a massive stadium with bleachers all around a centered ring of dirt.

"Why didn't they at least make the fighting stadium out of stone or marble?" Noire's grumpy tone made me think the same thing. They went all out for the sitting arrangement but not the fighting ring?

"Lady Zara, Lady Cera, I'm here to pick you up." Chloe appeared in front of us and slightly bowed.

"Hey Chloe! It's been a while!" I lightly waved my hand that was intertwined in Cera's arm.

"Please conduct yourself as proper noble, lady Zara." With a sigh, she disappointedly looked at me.

"I always tell you that you need to loosen up. You're too uptight." Ever since Viv and I started training together, Chloe only visits Cera to train her when I'm busy and doesn't bring me any cookies.

Chloe completely ignored me and went back to being a strict guard on duty.

"Please follow me, her highness is waiting." The other nobles kept giving us nasty looks as we walked by.

I can't wait to beat up all of their kids. I'll break at least a few of their bones. The rules said no crippling, but broken bones can be mended.

"This is gonna be a fun day." I happily hugged Cera's arm and we followed Chloe.

"Hey girls, come sit." We all respectfully got on one knee and greeted Celest before we went to go sit next to her.

This VIP sitting not only had Celest, but the other two wives as well. We didn't greet them simply because Celest was with us. It would make us look bad to greet her enemies, especially in front of her. We were slightly above the rest of the bleachers, with a small fence in front to prevent us from falling and very comfortable looking chairs for us to sit. There were two chairs next to Celest's and I assumed they were for us.

"What an amazing view, I can see everything clearly from here. You picked a great spot, Celest." Cera lauded her words toward Celest.

"Indeed, it is, Little Cera. I figured you would enjoy watching your wife trample over all those imbeciles down there." Celest spoke loud enough for the other two wives to hear. She really knows how to push people's buttons.

"Thank you for thinking of me, Celest. I very much enjoy watching my cute wife play around, but I don't often let her play around with garbage." Cera spoke loudly enough to get the attention of the other two wives and looked straight at them while releasing her despotic, malevolent aura.

Even though I was shocked to see her affront them, her flagrant use of her insanely developed aura is what astounded me. I haven't seen her use her aura since the first day we met in the alley. She has gotten much stronger since then, and for some unknown reason, I felt extremely attracted to her right now. I had an indescribable feeling of wanting to kiss her.

"Hahahaha!" Celest simply laughed as she looked at the other two wives with a nefarious smile.

I leaned in and whispered in Cera's ear before Celest stopped laughing.

"After I win, I want you to kiss me." With her aura still going off, I was starting to lose my composure.

She looked at me with a surprise look on her face and quickly pressed my face against her neck and held my head down with her hand. I don't know why she did that, but I wasn't about to complain. I simply let her hold me while Celest continued talking.

"Little Zara can stay here until her name is called. She is the last participant along with Prince Ian." I guess I'm fighting against the prince in the first round.

Feeling somewhat awed by Cera, the cheering of the crowd was zoned out and I felt Cera carrying me while still holding me to her neck. I could feel how she lightly picked me up and sat down while still holding me. I simply let myself feel more and more enamored by her caring actions.

"You two are as cute as when I first met you." Celest slightly chuckled as if her trespassing into our house was something funny.

"We're just extremely lucky to have found each other." Cera replied while gently scratching the hair beneath my ponytail, sending relaxing tingles down my spine.

"I was expecting more out of this tournament though. This is the third round, and I haven't seen anyone capable yet." Third round? When did the fighting even start? Was I so out of it that I didn't even realize the fighting started?

"Well, this was only put together for the sake of the two princes. Well, since little Zara is participating, I guess this was set up just for her? I even told the announcer to let Zara say a few words as you asked once she wins." Oh. I forgot about the plan.

"Thank you very much. I promise not to disappoint." Cera kept scratching the back of my head and I started feeling drowsy.

"Hey, baby, it's your turn. Finish quickly and come back to me, okay?" Cera's soft, girly voice echoed in my head, making butterflies swirl in my stomach.

I slowly got off Cera and looked into her husky blue eyes and grabbed both of her hands.

"I'll make it quick." I turned around and stood on the railing for a second before jumping down.

"Next, the pride of our kingdom and candidate for the throne, Prince Ian, versus lady Zara of the Valentine family!" The announcer gave me a really botched introduction. I should kill him too. What if Cera was participating and he undermined her?

I walked up to the middle of the dirt battlefield and watched prince Ian confidently walking with a smile on his face. For some reason, he pisses me off.

"I'm going to break at least a few of your teeth for pissing me off." I tersely broke the atmosphere.

He continued smiling at me with anger in his eyes, which pissed me off even more. He bowed traditionally to the duels of the kingdom, and I completely ignored him, along with the kingdom's custom.

"Begin!"

He ignited both his hands with yellow flames like Darlene had done and rushed at me, swinging his right fist toward my face. I slightly moved my body backwards and planted my right foot into the ground as hard as I could while spinning and landing a hook kick with my other foot right on his stupid face, sending him flying toward the bleachers.

With a crashing sound and many people falling over because of the impact and broken bleachers, I jumped back up to where Cera was and excitedly sat down on her lap. I purposely placed my head on her neck to let her know I wanted her to continue scratching the back of my head.

"Good girl." She complimented me and I felt like a purring cat with all the happy tingles she was making me feel.

"The winner is lady Zara Valentine!" After checking on the prince's condition, the announcer finally declared my win.

"Good job taking out the trash, little Zara." Celest commented after the announcer.

"Thanks, but was he really a prince? He was weaker than some of the bandits I've killed." Unaware that my comment made the second wife flinch, I silently, and secretly pecked Cera's neck.

Cera pinched my stomach and I let out an unintentional giggle.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it." I pretended to apologize while snuggling up to her.

The tournament continued after a short intermission and when it came to be my turn again, the other person forfeited, and I didn't have to go down to the fighting ring. How nice, I get to keep being pampered thanks to him forfeiting, I should send him a thank you gift.

"Hahahaha! They're so scared of you, little Zara!" Celest seems to be enjoying herself. She's been laughing at and making fun of the second wife, Olivia Lunite, since I knocked out her son.

After listening to Celest berate Olivia for 40 minutes, it was finally my turn to fight again. This time against prince Mason. He is barely eligible to compete in this tournament, had he been a year older, I wouldn't have been able to fight him. I hope he puts up a good fight.

I jumped off the sitting platform before Cera could say anything and I tried to make a majestic entrance by freezing the entire dirt arena with a thin sheet of red colored ice. Prince mason silently walked toward me with a wry smile and bloodlust oozing out of him. I looked around, trying to find Stark, who is supposedly overseeing the whole tournament, but I couldn't trace his presence. I don't understand his abilities at all. How does he appear out of thin air when his power is fire related?

"I won't go easy on you just because you're still a kid." Prince mason started off with a slight provocation.

"Don't worry, I'll make it quick and painful." I smiled egregiously and activated a portion of the demon's power, which makes my eyes glow and enhances my Alm.

"Begin!" The announcer didn't introduce us this time and simply started the fight while stepping back.

Prince Mason covered his entire arms and feet with golden flames instead of just the yellow flames that covered Darlene's and Prince Ian's hands. He's no pushover, and he has the height advantage in a fist fight. It's going to be hard to win without using my ice.

He started off by releasing his fire along the arena, trying to melt my ice. The scant heat of his flames made Celest laugh loudly from the stands. He failed to melt my ice, and Celest was having the time of her life up there. Not that I don't understand, the ostensible belief that he could melt my ice with simple flames, is laughable.

"Weakling." I provoked him to attack me, and he did just that.

I jumped and high kicked his incoming fist and twisted my body to land a kick with my other foot's heel, but he stepped back and shot his flames at me at point blank. I punched as hard as I could before landing and dispersed his flames with enough momentum to send him flying back. As I landed, I kicked the ice-covered field and used the slippery floor increase my speed. I caught up to him before he could land properly and kicked his knee, completely bending it the other way.

With a wretched scream, I grabbed him by his hair and repeatedly kneed him in the face, forcing him to spit out teeth with every hit.

"Come on, fight back." I could feel his warm blood dripping down my leg, and I started to feel excited.

I let him fall over as his flames went out and picked him up with a kick to his stomach, sending him airborne. A bit of his blood dripped on my face and as I was about to uppercut his falling body, Stark appeared in front of me.

"That's enough, lady Zara, you've already won." I saw prince Mason land on the hard, ice floor behind Stark, but I hadn't had enough blood.

"I'm still not done. Move aside." I menacingly stared at Stark, both of us releasing our Alm at the same time, ready to fight.

"Stand down, Stark." Celest commanded Stark, who immediately disappeared into thin air.

"Wake him up, little Zara. A prince of my kingdom cannot lose in such a pathetic way." I don't know when it happened, but I started to like Celest.

I stepped on his fingers with enough power to crush his hand and breaking the ice floor, forcing him to wake up from the pain. Prince Mason's disgusting face let out a howl.

"You're a disappointment. The kingdom doesn't need someone as weak as you." The demon's power started to fill my head with images of a scythe, an hourglass, and nails.

I followed my instincts and created a weaponized ice scythe that was slightly bigger than me, with an hourglass at the end of the hilt, and nails sticking out on the opposite side of the sickle. It looked more like a hammer than a scythe. Before I could do anything else, I felt Rose Lunite rush at me from the stands. I swung my scythe directly at her incoming presence and intercepted her extremely heavy punch. The shockwave from our clashing attacks sent waves of pain throughout both my arms. I rotated the scythe by spinning it with my hands and dug the nails of the scythe into her shoulder, pressing her into the ground.

This time, Celest intervened, lightly patting my head and happily smiling.

"That's enough, little Zara. I'll punish her myself for attacking a participant and interrupting the tournament. There's no need for you to do it." I didn't think about it when she attacked me, but I just injured one of the king's wives. Is this Celest's way of putting the blame on her, instead of me?

"Thanks, big sister Celest." Even though things didn't go as I wanted, I still have to find a way to make the plan work. I spoke loudly enough for several nobles in the front bleachers to hear me.

"Hahahaha! Was this the big surprise you two planned?" Celest looked around at the nobles and continued patting my head.

"Very good. I'm extremely pleased with your performance today, little Zara. If there's anything you want me to do for you, tell me now." Anything I want?

"Send some cookies and pastries to our house every day." I released my power and the scythe disappeared, sending my body into contending pain.

I held in my gasp and looked up at Cera, mouthing at her to come help me. In the blink of an eye, along with a cool breeze, Cera appeared behind me, picking me up and tightly hugging me.

"Thank you very much for your offer, big sister Celest, but I'll be taking Zara home now. Please send Stark and Chloe to guard us." The pain in my body started to exacerbate. My hands started to shake, and I tried to hide them by putting them between Cera's body and mine.

"Thank you for making this boring tournament very enjoyable. Next time I plan something, I'll make sure to ask for your input. Please take it easy and rest comfortably. Stark, take Chloe with you and guard them until further notice." Celest released her power, enveloping Rose Lunite's body and constricting her with scorching lights.

"And you, I'll be punishing you myself." I wonder why the king married such a weak woman. If I'm able to break through her Alm boost, she must be relatively weak.

"Let's go home." Cera started walking and I comfortably drooped my head on her chest before falling asleep.

When I came to my senses, we were already on the carriage.

"It hurts..." I whimpered and tightly grabbed onto Cera's clothes.

"I know. It's going to be okay, just rest for now." Cera replied and gently stroked cheek. With my eyes still closed I could feel her accelerated heartbeat on my ear.

"Stay with me. Don't leave me." Right before I lost consciousness, I felt her velvety lips on mine.

"I'll never leave you."