The cavern was dark, flickering with blue flames from torches held by monstrous fighters gathered in circle. Bai Qi stood at the center , a confident glint in her purple eyes. Her white gown fluttered slightly with the breeze sneaking in from above. Around her stood her loyal demon fighters - each waiting for her command.
" It's time," Bai Qi said,her voice clear and chilling. " We start the first attack on the heavenly sect soon. They've had enough time to relax. It's time to shake them,"
Whispers rippled through the fighters - some excited, others nervous. But before anyone could respond, Bai Qi's eyes narrowed,she had noticed something...a subtle movement in the far shadows of the cave.
" Who's there?" She asked sharply.
The flicker of motion stopped. Silence filled the cavern. Then, slowly, a shadowy figure emerged from the corner, cloaked in darkness,his face hidden,yet his presence sending chills down the spine of everyone present.
" I asked a question," Bai Qi said coldly. " Answer"
The figure stepped forward without fear " I am an apprentice...of Master Rou, the General Shadow,"
That name alone caused several demons to gasp. Master Rou's assassins were feared across realms. Silent. Lethal. Unseen.
" You're one of Rou's assassins? Bai Qi asked,eyes narrowing.
"Yes" he said simply." Anyone under Master Rou is an assassin. I don't take orders from you."
Bai Qi raised an eyebrow."Don't take orders?" She repeated slowly, almost amused.
" You don't control me. I act only on the will of Master Rou,not some fox spirit playing queen."
Gasps rang out again. The disrespect. The challenge.
For a moment, Bai Qi said nothing. Then slowly,she raised her hand and revealed a glowing ring - the Demon king's ring. It shimmered with power,dark and ancient.
The crowd stiffened." How... How did you get that ring? " One of the fighters asked,voice shaking.
" The king gave it to me before his death," Bai Qi lied smoothly,her gaze locked on the assassin." He trusted me. And now this ring gave me authority over all of you. Including you."
Ths assassin scoffed," A ring means nothing to me."
That was his mistake.
Bai Qi's playful grin returned." Fine" she said,her voice soft but dangerous. " Let's do it my way."
From beneath her gown,her nine tails shifted subtly. One of them curled upward,and from its fur,she pulled out a small white sack - a pouch of fine, shimmering powder.
" What is that?" One if the demon fighters whispered.
Before the assassin could react, she blew the contents gently into the air. The fine white dust floated toward him like snow, graceful and silent.
" What are you __" the assassin began,but the dust entered his nostrils.
He froze.
His body stiffened,eyes wide. His breathing stopped for a moment, and then his head lowered. Obedience overtook him.
A puppet.
The room went completely still.
" I told you," Bai Qi said calmly. " I don't need you to respect me. I only need you to obey." She turned to the rest of the demons " Send him to the heavenly sect. He'll be our shadow. Let him strike first."
The demon fighters bowed, stunned but impressed. And Bai Qi smiled to herself,her tail flicking lazily.
" The game," she whispered," has begun."