"Demon! Can you understand us?" shouts a figure from one of the two sides, sitting on a high horse. Except for a few minor details, the man's armor resembles that of the other knights on his side, but his posture and voice quickly reveal that he must be a high-ranking member of the army. Or at least of the army to my left. That's what I call them in my head, since I don't know where I am or who is fighting here. Besides, it doesn't matter. Soon, there will be no more armies. Still, it's interesting that this person is trying to talk to me. Does it happen often in this world that a demonic creature appears out of the blue? And they let you speak to them? Well, whatever. Talking is not an option for me.

I shoot a jet of fire at the rider, which is deflected by a magical shield. But apparently not all of the heat was deflected, as the horse stumbles backwards while the person writhes in pain. It would have been nice if this simple attack had been enough to take out the rider and sow unrest in the ranks, but I guess I underestimated the mages on the enemy side and wanted to make it too easy for myself.

"Stay in formation! Focus your magic on the demon!" the person orders their subordinates, their teeth audibly clenched.

The other army seems to be undecided on what to do. Are they waiting for their enemies and me to weaken or even eliminate each other? Well, that wish won't be granted, even though I don't mind if they don't interfere at the moment.

Quickly, I use my magic to leap several meters into the air, leaving the humans with no choice but to tilt their heads back if they don't want to lose sight of me. Like an eagle swooping down on its prey, I fly straight toward the figure who just spoke. Magical projectiles try to finish me off, while more shields of concentrated magic are erected between us for safety. To evade the attacks, I release my fire magic explosively and change my trajectory, only to get back on course again. Because when humans lose their leaders, they are often even more headless than they already are. The magical shields cannot withstand my magic and break one after the other like thin glass. Only disbelief remains on the faces of my opponents before I strike like a lance of fire and pierce the rider's heart with my right hand engulfed in flames. Before the soldiers and mages can react, I leap into their ranks, and every blow with my claws and every kick claims more victims. Their uncoordinated magic and armor offer no protection against my flames and fighting techniques. One by one, they fall. However, they do have one thing they can throw at me: their sheer numbers and the mass of soldiers. Not to mention that there is also the other army, which has seized the opportunity to attack the flanks of the army I am currently attacking, where I am not raging. Although none of them can take me on by themself, I slowly realize that my magical energy is running out, and my muscles are starting to get heavier. The latter isn't really a problem, as I've learned over the years to keep my body moving with sheer willpower alone. But it will be a problem when my magic runs out. No matter how well trained I am, I definitely can't take on so many without it.

A deep sigh escapes me, and with most of my remaining magical energy, I create some space for myself. Somehow, I had hoped I wouldn't have to resort to this. But I knew all along that I didn't really have a choice. After all, there are thousands of men and women, armed to the teeth and trained in combat. And fighting a multitude of enemies without my sister is not exactly my forte. I prefer fighting a single strong opponent.

Enough time wasted. I close my eyes and turn my attention to a flame burning so hot inside me that even I would like to retreat from it. As soon as I tap into it, it spreads instantly throughout my entire body and consumes me completely. For a moment, I can still see fire forming around me, so bright that it probably blinds all life within a wide radius forever. Not a second later, an increasingly dense red cloak envelops my vision until I can no longer see anything. But it's not just my vision that is consumed by this uncontrollable fire within me. I can hear nothing but the roar of the flames. I can feel nothing but unimaginable heat that is part of me. Everything, without exception, is taken over by this divine power that the Organization has forced upon me. I am nothing more than a guest in my own body. No, that's not quite right. I am a prisoner, buried alive with my mind intact. Whatever may be happening to my body and around it, I have no idea. I could have been fatally injured at this very moment, but I wouldn't know until my consciousness fades. This absolute loss of control, this feeling of no longer being myself, of losing myself. It's so terrible. But the worst part is that I never know for sure if I'll ever regain consciousness and be able to return to my sister. I don't want to leave her alone. I don't want her to suffer alone with the Organization. I want to see her again. I want to be with her. Please.

Fortunately, it seems that my wish will be granted this time as well. I can't tell how much time has passed, but my vision clears, and I can feel and control my own body again. Groaning, I roll from my stomach, where I found myself lying, onto my back. My entire body hurts so much. It feels as if it were a vessel that has been almost blown apart by the force inside it. Hot winds play with my hair and sweep over my body. Even the clothes, which my normal flames cannot harm, have been entirely consumed by the fire. And the same is true for all life as far as my eye can see. I can't even imagine what I would have done if I had remained in this uncontrollable state any longer. Or if what is taking over my body had unleashed more energy. This region will likely bear the scars of my actions for a long time, and perhaps even the climate of nearby areas will be affected. It is a truly terrifying power. A power that is inside me, but which is not mine.

I take three deep breaths and pull myself together. What else did I learn to suppress the pain in my body so well for? The Organization will already know that my mission was a success, and if I return too late, they will punish my sister and me. So, with what remains of the divine magic still flowing through my body, I send them a magical signal, and immediately, I am enveloped by the white light that brought me here.