That night was really good. We got to learn how to cook and prepare lots of spices as well as a few other tricks to make food taste better. Besides that we heard a lot of stories from the paladins about many types of monsters and demons they had hunted before. One of them said one of them can easily fight a higher demon on par by themselves so this dungeon could be done with a company of at max of 25 which is going to be the number we split up in.

We have 100 paladins which will split into 4 groups and 200 trainees with 1 partner for each, except Lilian and I who have 2. So each group would have 25 paladin and 50 trainees and 50 partners with two groups have 1 extra.

In the morning we woke up to the camp being taken apart and the commander and captains splitting everyone. I was in commander Hugh's group while Lilian was in another one with Slade. She didn't care much a sat on top of and was grooming Plum and Kumi.

Kitsu: *sigh* “That girl pampers those two way to much.”

Rook: “girl...groom...lots.”

I smiled and started scratching them right behind the ear which took them by surprise but they couldn’t help but stretch themselves out from feeling so nice. When i stopped they both looked a bit sad but soon got over it when they saw the group was almost complete.

Hugh: “Ok newbies you kids will be vanguard, us paladins are here to train you so we will provide support if there is any great risk towards you kids we will intervene any other time we will only provide support in healing.”

Baal: So this training is to let us try our hand on tougher opponents...no i feel its something else entirely. It might be that later on but there is something else behind this.

With that nagging feeling our group heads towards the castle. At the gates the commander enters a room with his sword draw and after a bit we hear a roar and then it goes silent. Soon the lowered metal cage like gate starts rising opening the way.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Malbork_Castle_Gate1.jpg)

We draw our weapons, a group of 15 stay at the front with tower shields to block any incoming attacks while the rest are behind. There is about 20 meters of castle ground before we reach the castles large wooden doors but there was nothing outside except the roar we heard which was probably a gate keeper.

A few of the stronger looking trainees try opening the door by pushing or pulling but no success. I only facepalm myself at how weak physically they were. I could see a few of the paladins laughing behind us. I was wonder what they were laughing at so I looked around with a more careful eye and noticed that the earth was just slightly lifted over the threshold of the door. It was small but strong enough to hold the door if the person opening it was weak.

I also couldn’t help but silently laugh and a few of the trainees around me noticed and me with a questioning look. I pointed at the door and told them about the trick and soon they started laughing out loud while paladins put on a poker face. When the trainees pulling the door looked back i noticed the ground lower and open the doorway.

Trainee: “What’s so funny.”

Trainee 2: “If you think its so funny you go open the door.”

Baal: “Ok then.”

I walk up and watching to see if the ground rose again i pull the door and it easily opens revealing the entrance hall of the castle and a very large staircase.

The trainees that tried to open the door looked bewildered since i opened it easily and some got furious and started insulting me

Trainee: “You blocked the door didnt you kid.”

Baal: “Why would it i only noticed the block in front of the door after you guys were already trying to open it.”

Trainee 3: “Ya right a brat like you who can even be considered part of the demon race since you transform into one can’t be trusted like a human you’re just a…”

I didn't let him finish because he had my scythe around his neck and i was in my demon form.

Baal: what was that brat. I’ll have you know i was taught to be nice and protect everyone demon, human, elf who ever as long as they are good. Demons aren't all evil because if they were more than ⅓ of the mysterious races we know of would have attacked humans long ago. If you continue thinking like how you are now you will only get as far as trainee because someone who is so blind like you do will never be acknowledged by our goddess as someone of the light.

I pull my scythe away and while letting it lean on my shoulder with the blade aimed forward to attack I started walking forward.

Baal: “If anyone has any complaints say it now because once we enter the dungeon i don’t want to hear anything.”

I looked at each of them and everyone was quiet so i turned around and returned to my human form.

Baal: “Ok then lets go we are wasting time.

I walked in which snapped everyone out of their daze and they walked in and back into formation. In the back Hugh was watching the display and was talking with the other captains around him.

Hugh: “He sure knows how to educate the brats huh.:

Captain 1: “I worry it will cause problems later on.”

Hugh: “I don’t see any problems, Marcus”

Marcus: “What do you mean he threatened a nobles son”

Hugh: “Didn’t I do the same to you when we were doing the same test”

He looked at Hugh for a moment then at the children and then started laughing.

Marcus: “Hahaha ya you did but unlike Baal you beat the ship out of me leaving me a bloody pulp.”

Captain 3: “I remember that time, i believe you were making fun of the residents of the town and you pissed Hugh off since his grandfather taught him to respect others even the good demons”

Hugh: “It was that time yes, not only that time but i think i beat him 10 other times while we were training and we passed through demon towns before Marcus learned to keep his trap closed, wonder how long it will take for that brat to learn his lesson.”

The paladins couldn’t help but let out a laugh seeing the young child tremble and force his body to walk forward while shaking.

Hugh: I don’t think it might take too many times, Baal’s strength greatly surpasses theirs and a simple threat like this can do wonders for conceided kids like him.

Walking behind them group they also entered the castle and with the children took one of the four paths on the second floor after the large grand staircase.

Castle throne room

The large Oni was snarling as we sat on the large seat and eating a huge piece of meat.

A small 2 meter tall green skin woman appeared in the room. She was a brute but looked very human and didn’t have the normal savage look a brute had. She gave the feel of an amazon and she had very intelligent cold eyes.

Woman: “Master...humans have entered.”

Oni: “Hmp release trolls. Leave brutes on floor five and above.

She bowed and left. Not wanting to stay in the stench of the room where the boss was.

Woman: Soon I’ll be free from this disgusting monkey, I just need to stay clear of the paladins while they fight and appear after this monkey is dead and ask to join them I will finally be able to escape. Lets make this easier for the humans. Lets spread the brutes between the floors. It will be nice to get rid of those repulsive trolls as well as those brutes fufufu.

With a menacing grin she goes off and sets up her plan to rid herself of the boss.

Floor 2 Baal POV

I was sitting on Rooks back while we walked through the halls. It wasn’t so because i wanted to act cocky but because of his high jumping power if something appears we can attack or dodge quicker. Suddenly i notice is ears stand on ends.

Rook: “Enemy.”

Baal: “Good, how many?”

He grumbles instead of talks so i turned to look a Kitsu.

Kitsu: “Around 60 but its divided into two groups fighting each other.”

I tilted my head at this and turned to sit backwards looking towards the paladins.

Baal: “Commander Hugh are their any demons or monsters in here that fight against each other?

Hugh: “hmm I believe the trolls on the lower floors fight the Brutes for territory in the lower floors why?”

Baa: “Rook picked up a fight between 2 groups up ahead.”

Hugh: “If i remember right there's a large ball room up ahead. Be ready kids seems something is brewing.”

It quickly got tense as we got close. Soon we could hear the roars and sounds of battle. Prepared we entered the room to find 15 large 2.5 meter tall red gorilla like men fighting 45 2 meter tall hairy gorilla monsters who carried around large logs like clubs.

(trolls http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/10/899x759_3399_LOTRO_The_Cave_Troll_2d_fantasy_monster_troll_ogre_club_lotro_lord_of_the_rings_online_cave_picture_image_d.jpg)

Hugh: “What in the goddesses name is going one, large battles between them is uncommon”

Baal: “Everyone enter defensive formation these things are easily five times stronger than us.”

I have Rook jump to the back near Hugh.

Baal: “Should we let them fight and take out the stragglers or just fight them all.”

Hugh: “I dont know whats going on since this hasn't happened before while i was alive i think its best to wait for them to weaken themselves and take them on when weaker.”

Baal: “ok. Rook take me to the front.”

He turned around and with a jump we were in front of the wall of trainees. Kitsu soon jumped after me.

Kitsu: “What is the plan?”

Baal: “Wait until they are weaker and then attack.”

Kitsu: “One at a time?”

Baal: “That would be for the better since I don’t know how strong they really are.”

Kitsu nodded and looked out at the fight. After 5 minutes we could already see a few trolls drop dead along with 2 of the brutes. After a few more minutes more started dropping so i got ready. I was going to use Hell’s Flame to draw in one of them before we started.

Baal: “Get ready they are weak so lets begin.”

I enter my demon form so my attack is stronger and hold my hand up as a large orange fireball appears and radiates intense heat. Like I’m holding the ball I pull it back and throw it like a normal fire ball.

[Hell’s Flame]

To my surprise and dismay the ball didn’t fly. Instead the front of it aimed towards the monster horde released monstrous amounts of flames filling the who ballroom and ate away at the monsters. When the spell was finished we saw a burnt room with half of the monsters standing while holding their arms over their faces to block the flames. Before the spell was cast 3 brutes had died and 10 trols had also been killed. After the spell it was uncertain since they monsters just stood their but the paladins didnt wait they started to push their way through but weren't fast enough.

One of the brutes that didnt die shook itself and looked by way and with speed that didnt match its size it reached me in seconds and with a single swing of its chared wooden club it smashed me into the wall. My vision became blurry and i also lost focus which made me return to human form.

Brute: “RAAAAHHHHH, *Sniff* royal, *sniff*”

He looked towards me and licked his lips and walked over. He then grabbed by head and held me in the air while grinning menecingly but the next second it changed.

Swish.

Brute: “GRAAAAHHH”

The brute pulled back and I fell to the ground with its huge arm above me. Yep his arm, as in his severed arm. Above me stood Commander Hugh holding his sword calmly looking at the demon. His sword was emitting a glow.

Hugh: “You ok kid”

Baal: “This...trip...it wasn’t...for level...training right.”

Hugh: “heh sharp kid”

Brute: “GRAAAHH DIE HUMAN”

With the brutes right arm cut he came holding his club in his left hand. It swung towards Hugh who didn’t even flinch. He simply put his sword, which he held in his right hand, down next towards his body pointed down and with and upwards slash the light in his sword seemed to expand and pass right down the middle of the Brute.

It stopped in its tracks and dropped the large club. His arm slumped down as he stopped. Slowly but surly blood started to appear along the center of his body which soon started to split in half but as he lost all his life his body turned into smoke just as it fell to the ground splitting in half at Hugh’s feet.

Hugh: “That was a reckless stunt using an AoE spell on high leveled monsters.”

He opened the hand of the brute which was still there and threw the hand way before before using a series of healing spells on me.

Baal: “That spell came from another fire spell I have. This was the first time I used it, I didn’t know it was an area of effect spell.”

Hugh: :*sigh* “Don’t worry about it what's done is done, at least we were hear to fix any mistakes that happened. Still thats one hell of a spell. It was able to damage all those monsters severely even with their amazing regeneration abilities”

Baal: “So what was the real training that was suppose to be taught”

Hugh: “Huh oh that well, never underestimate an opponent. This was suppose to be a trip to beat that into your bodies by having you fight a monster or demon way out of your league.”

Baal: “I definitely felt that lesson with my body, I’m sure they learned is as well seeing how easily i was trashed by the brute.”

Hugh: “Ya I’m sure now then everyone anyone that was hurt get healed, all trained men switch enter the ranks of the kids, fighting is now equal you protect 2 kids each. Beware of any dangers around you and don’t risk it.”

With his orders the trained paladins entered the ranks of the trainees and started to fix to formation after healing any unfortunate kid to be attacked by the surviving monsters.

There were two other rooms in the 2nd floor all of which were in similar situations as the first but near its end already. One room had brutes that died off and the other the trolls were killed. We could only feel confused seeing the monsters fight each other but it was much easier to kill the monsters so what ever.

3rd floor was MUCH harder mainly because of the number of enemies. It easily passed 100 in total per room and it looked like a war zone. The formation changed to the paladins in the front with the trainees in the back for magic support which did little to nothing except for the healing which was needed because of the number of enemies even with the trained paladins.

When we reached the stair room of the 3rd floor which was a large room like most of the rooms we set up camp and waited for the other groups that were behind us. When we were finishing the setup the tired group with Slade and Lilian entered the room. She looked haggard most likely she took the beating of a lifetime from some monster and later with all the fighting exhausted a lot of mana and was probably tired physically and mentally.

Lilian: “BAAL~ I’M TIRED AND HUNGRY~ WHERE IS THE FOOD~~!!”

She came over and desperately looked at the food before chomping down on the meat in my hands and taking it. After which she lay down on my lap and instantly fell asleep.

Baal: many look at her, so easy going even in this kind of place, *sigh* guess i can't help it, at least she can lighten everyone's mood if she is happy

That was one of the best things about Lilian and something I wish that never changes. I watch Lilian sleeping and soon lay back after pulling out a blanket and using as a pillow. I’m soon asleep as well while others were on watch.