Humans truly were strange creatures weren’t they? Predictable at times, yes, but still no less curious.

All it had taken were a few death threats to clear the city of any opposition to his reign, the mages fleeing in droves all across Angelas. Had he truly frightened them that much? If only he’d put his plans in motion sooner. Then again, it took quite a bit of research and preparation on their part to make their coup successful.

For one, they had to rely heavily on Gingee’s tunnels for espionage. While not as luxurious as he may have liked, they made sneaking in and out of the city a simple enough endeavor. Especially after Jeffrey figured out the mage rotations.

It’s a bit surprising how much we got away with in such a small window. Were the humans truly so oblivious?

He couldn’t help but remember every time Gingee stuck their head out and nearly caught the attention of a patrol. Or whenever Karla felt compelled to flash an illusion by a rookie mage. Or whenever Jeffrey got caught eating someone. It was a wonder they even managed to make it to the mayor’s kidnapping, let alone the citywide broadcast.

Perhaps I overestimated the humans of this planet. Or underestimated my minions.

Neither thought was comforting, but the former seemed more likely given the mass exodus of humans. Some of which weren’t even mages.

In the wake of their takeover, news was quick to spread outside the city, many outlets dismissing their efforts as acts of radical terrorism. Unsurprisingly, that scared quite a few humans into evacuating, although their declaration broadcast was just as much to blame for their newly tainted reputation.

According to Gingee, there were still a fair number of humans who remained cowering indoors, more than likely awaiting instructions from either the news or any level of human authority. Karla and Jeffrey suggested going door to door to make introductions, but Luizitine quickly shot that idea down. They’d just taken over. And humans were fragile. They would need much longer than a few days to settle into the new state affairs, especially if they decided to go greeting them all personally. Did they forget that humans were all terrified of their kind? The minute they went making house calls, their reputation would only further plummet.

No. If they wanted to ease tensions, reassuring the populace that they could continue their lives as normal took priority.

“We can’t afford to incite any further unrest from within,” Luizitine explained as he had everyone gathered in the junkyard.

Given the tower’s state of disrepair, it would be several days before they could safely christen it as the Tower of Undeath, a name his minions all insisted on keeping. Fortunately, the human contractors assured them repairs would be finished within the next month or so. Assuming the mayor’s old construction crew were trustworthy. They’d paid quite a lot to employ them all.

“But I’m tired of the junkyard,” Karla complained. “Wasn’t the whole point of this so we didn’t have to hide anymore? Y’know, ‘no longer in the shadows’ and all that crap?”

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“Partially yes, but-“

“Bark! I when can we play outside again, Master?” Gingee cried. “Bark! I miss the sparking metal toys.”

“Gingee, you’ll get to play plenty when-“

“Bark! You said we’d get to play if we won. Master, you promised.”

The devildog rolled on the ground, pounding its paw like some child throwing a tantrum. Something that, much to Luizitine’s annoyance, Karla joined them in doing, even going so far as to transform into a second devildog.

“Master never lets us play!” Karla cried out. “So mean!”

“Bark! Master, why are you punishing us?” Gingee echoed.

As the two rolled along the ground, Luizitine found himself once again cursing both his minions for existing. Were they warriors or babes? He looked to Jeffrey only to find him trying to break him down with a pleading gaze, going as far as lowering his head to try to beg. Had they already corrupted him so easily? Luizitine sucked in a frustrated breath, the noise of the junkyard too much for even the likes of him to bare.

“All of you are acting ridiculous,” Luizitine groaned.

“And we’ll keep acting ridiculous until you comply!” Karla shouted back.

“Bark! Master promised!” Gingee cried out in turn.

Luizitine pinched his forehead hard enough it could have drawn blood. While he did recall making such promises to his minions, he’d hoped they’d be wise enough to realize the value of patience. Evidently not.

Dammit all of you.

***

Unfortunately for the citizens of Angelas, his promise was one his minions refused to relent on.

“Bark! Chase me, Master!” Gingee cried as they went racing through the streets, knocking over fire hydrants and lights in the process.

Karla flew after them. “Gin, hang on! Gotta mask you from the humies, remember?”

Luizitine pinched his forehead, trying his best not to berate them all for such childish antics. They were fortunate he was a hellspawn of his word or he’d never have agreed to let them out. And even as he did, it was only with the stipulation that they be quiet and not attract unwanted attention from the humans. Neither of which they seemed to remember the minute they got outside the tunnels.

“Dammit Karla. Dammit Gingee. Wait, where in the name of the underworld is Jeffrey?”

He followed the sounds of screaming to find the reptile gleefully leaping rooftops, heedless of all who could, and more than likely did, see him rushing about.

“Dammit Jeffrey. Does no one understand what stay under the human’s eye means? For spirit’s sake.”

He looked out to find Gingee with a truck in his jaws, tail wagging expectingly.

“Bark! Master! Come on!”

He sucked in his agitation, his annoyance levels long since having surpassed the tolerable.

This is it, isn’t it? This is my kingdom. This is my burden to bear.

Gingee waved him over with a paw, Karla also motioning for him to come play. And as much as he detested the idea, he was already too far gone to turn back now.

It was his job now, wasn’t it? As their king and leader. To both command and subject himself to the needs of his subordinates, relishing in the losses as well as the victories. And their many childish antics. Such was his duty as their newly appointed king and the man who would one day control the world. With utmost reluctance, he finally approached the two minions waving him over.

I can only hope we keep the death toll to a minimum.