Knock knock knock.
Han went to the door and saw Claude and Minori at her doorstep early in the morning.
Claude: Did you feel?
Han: Yes. Shhh. Yan and Ian was still asleep. Come here, let me show you something.
They followed her quietly and then Han lifted Yan's sleeve to reveal the dvine word on her arm.
They watched in amazement.
Claude: Wow. How come I never knew about this?
Han: Me neither. Until we all felt the presence, suddenly the divine word on her revealed itself.
Minori: Do you know what it means?
Han shook her head.
The trio sat down in the living room where Han brewed some tea.
Han: So what happens now?
Claude: I'm not sure too. But definitely Cheng is back. I can feel her presence from last time.
Han: Same here but it appears to be missing now. She must have avoided us.
Minori: I think so too.
Claude: So what do you all think?
Han: Perhaps its time we set up proper defenses now.
Claude: That's a great idea! But how are we going to do that?
Han: Fear not Claude. You are rightfully the Queen of this village ever since you defeated the evil and claimed the winner. I believe once you talked to the villagers, they will be more than willing to volunteer.
Minori: I agree too.
They nodded together and then Claude held a meeting with the villagers in the central arena. The crowd gathered quickly, and they awaited their queen to speak.
Claude: Dear all, we have enjoyed years of peace and we can't take things for granted. I am thinking of setting up a defense army. Those who think can contribute can step out now. I would also need skilled artisans and craftsmen; architect and magicians and all that is good to help. Who's with me?
The crowd cheered and they divided themselves into groups. Warriors, craftsmen, clerics, magaicians, etc.
Claude was surprised by their sporting attitude.
Soon they were allocated jobs.
The architects and craftsmen worked with Minori on the structure they needed for the barriers.
Claude worked out the military training routine and schedule while Han lead the magicians and clerics.
All the plans were coming into fruition now.
Bella looked at herself in the mirror. She was weakening. Using her powers to build the arena and the minions drained a huge portion of her magic and soul. She needed more virgins to devour. She raised her hands and minions rose from the ground. They were skinny and hideous looking. They resembled those of greyhounds but they stood with two legs. Their body was heavily studded with thorns. Saliva was drooling down their razor sharp teeth.
Bella: Bring me twenty virgins.
The minions bowed and disappeared like wild unleashed dogs.
Their eyes red and they ran quietly and swiftly. Girls were kidnapped in sacks and they were brought back in a blink of an eye.
Twenty sacks were thrown into the dungeon in Bella's room. Some were moving in the sacks. The minions untied the sacks and the virgins came out from it and tried to escape.
But they were relieved when they saw Bella. They waved at her and then their eyes froze when they saw Bella transforming. Long thick branches protruded out from her back and went charging at the virgins, taking away their lifespan by extracting every single drop of blood in them. Bella could feel her strength regaining as she sucked in their blood. She could feel their tasty blood in her veins. They dried up like mummies instantly. Her body pumped up and was full of energy now. Her body was more masculine with a full muscled body. She looked at herself in the mirror again and was happy that all her strength was back. She raised her arms in the air and in an instant she was back to her beautiful body and she was looking young and radiant.
Bella: ahhh.. that felt really good.
She grinned to herself.
And she couldn't wait for tomorrow's tournament.
Coffeecans Reads
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