Chapter 3: The demon in charge

After a few tension- filled moments, a tall, lean man in his thirties stepped forward, arms crossed over his chest. He looked grimy, like he hadn't bathed in a while and his brown hair and beard were tangled and unkempt.

"Well, who do we have here?" he asked, taking another two steps forward and eying up my burn- covered, shirtless torso. His eyes held approval. I didn't know if it was for surviving my burns (which looked second degree) or if he was just accepting how sexy I am.

I stood as tall as possible and said in a nonchalant tone, " Oh, I am only your worst nightmare."

"Ha!" he snorted, "Well, let's get one thing straightened out right now. This is my cell compound. I am not going to put up with some newcomer disrespecting me!"

I smiled. "Thanks for making my life easier." I retorted. "I suppose I will just have to fight you."

He seemed surprised that his threats had not worked.

"Unless" I continued, "You are too afraid to fight me and are willing to exit your position of power willingly."

"Like Hell!" he growled at me, balling his hands into fists.

"That's just how I like it!" I said with a wry smile.

He ran at me and I stood waiting for him to be within striking range.

I don't think he had any idea of what hit him. I blocked his punch, gave him two good gut jabs, deftly stepped in front of him as I flipped him over my shoulder and he landed on his back, looking up at me as I held his wrist with both hands. I quickly turned my body and put my booted foot on his throat applying moderate pressure. He could still breathe and talk.

"Are you ready to give up now?" I inquired, "I could do this all day." I waited as he tried his best to free himself by squirming and using his free hand to pull at my ankle. Finally, he stilled again, but did not speak. Looking at his face I realized that he was too proud to ask for mercy and would refuse to admit I was superior. I turned my face from him to face the onlookers.

"Who here thinks I should spare him?" I asked them. No one said a word, but ten men stepped forward. I analyzed all of them in a glance feeling it important to remember their faces. I nodded. I turned my back to my opponent.

"You are lucky." I said in a loud voice, "I am in a good mood and so am feeling merciful. Besides, there is no shame in a human losing a fight against a demon of Hell."

I let go of him and stepped away.

"I used to be part of Legion; but Hell got a little repetitive so I came to earth. I am the demon Cyrus Tredecim. Anyone else object to me as leader around here?" I asked. No one dared to say a word.

The man had rose from the floor and caught his breath. I felt, rather than saw his aggressive aura. 'Is he really going to try again?' I wondered.

With my back facing him, he ran at me suddenly, planning to attack me. I turned my body slightly (once he was close enough) and grabbed his right arm with both hands and kept his arm mobile while the rest of his body continued with its forward momentum. I am pretty sure everyone present heard the loud, sickening 'pop' as his shoulder dislocated. Then I let go and let him proceed to land flat on his face. As he lay there, unmoving and groaning in pain, I moved to his side and bent down so I was close by his right ear.

"Next time you decide to attack me when my back is turned, it will be your neck that breaks, not your shoulder." I hissed coldly. Then I stood and spoke to the others.

"There are going to be a few changes around here." I stated. "First of all, I am in charge, those who disobey me will be punished. Second, I am never to be disturbed while I am sleeping; the man who does, will be put to sleep by my hand. Third, you will not question my judgments, actions or requests." I looked over the lot of them with a slow, unblinking stare. "Is that understood?" I asked.

There was no response.

"I'm sorry," I said, "But I didn't quite catch that. I asked if I was understood." I took three steps towards them.

"Yes." The men all said nervously.

"Good." I stated. "You there," I said pointing to a man in his late forties with shackled hands. "Come here."

He was suddenly terrified, and took a step back, but some of the others (possibly hoping to get on my 'good' side), grabbed him and dragged him forward while he fought to escape. They held him in front of me.

"Kneel." I demanded. They forced him to kneel. I lowered myself to a crouch, so my face was level with his. "I am going to take the shackles off your hands." I told him calmly. "That means I will heat the metal, and hot metal burns flesh. I can do this without harming you, but that is only if you remain perfectly still and there is silence, so my concentration is not broken."

I leaned my torso back a bit and made eye contact with the man holding the shackled mans' right arm. "Give the order for complete silence." I demanded.

Right away, he obeyed and bellowed, "Silence! There is to be silence. Anyone who says a word will face the consequences."

I faced the shackled man again. "Remember what I said, I told him, "because I am going to take those off now."

I took a deep breath and reached for power deep inside the source of my demonic strength and power- my essence core. I channeled it until I had a small red- orange fire ball of energy in my left hand. I held it close to the metal on his left wrist, waited for three seconds and then let the energy dissipate. Quickly, not wanting to waste time, I grabbed both sides of the iron and pulled. It opened and bent until it slipped off easily. I saw his eyes open wide in surprise, but he didn't utter a word. Then I repeated the process with his other hand, until his hand was free, and I held the warped shackles.

"All of you," I said waving a hand in a circular motion to indicate the newly unshackled man and those who held him, "are free to go stand with the others."

They let go of him and the lot backed away from me. I then used the same strategy as before to heat the metal and forge it into an iron dagger. 'Pretty nice craftsmanship.' I thought as I turned it over and back in my hand.