Chapter 4: The Demons
Demons are one of the few species that are not created by the Titans. They evolved naturally and cannot be controlled by natural means. They possessed powers that the Humans considered being evil and perverse.
They are the mortal enemies of mankind. A famous philosopher once said that there is no such thing as Good and Evil in the world but the holder of such power decides which to turn into. Most of it was true but there are some things you can’t use with reasons and that is called a demon.
There are different kinds of Demon species across the continent. Their forms and features are unlike the Beast men that have an animal part in them.
Some of the demonkind looked similar to humans and some outright looked like a monster.
The only thing that you could distinguish if a species categorized as a demon is that they naturally possess demonic energy in them.
Demonic energy is some form of power that can corrupt their possessors, turning them to become twisted. Especially for a non-demon wielder. They are the kind of people who is not a demon but willing to use their power for their ambition and greed.
Ruling them are the Demon Lords. There are seven Demon lords’ scatters across the continent. Each one has titles that coincide with their true nature as a Demon. Demon Lord of Greed, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Wrath, Gluttony, and Pride, each one rules a vast amount of territory and is hard to vanquish as someone will replace them the moment one dies.
But there is one Demon tribe that stands above all. They are called the Devil tribe. Their features are similar to humans. Each one of possessing a certain charm that attracts those who view them. Like an ethereal being, their skin is white as snow, their hair is blacker than black, red ruby eyes that can attract the one who look straight at them and a pair of black horns on the forehead.
They are a demon that possesses a high level of mastery of demonic arts like they are inherently born to possess it. The horns of their forehead signify how much power they wield. The bigger and longer they are the more powerful they be.
They occupied 3 demon lord’s seats and become the most influential and revered of all known demon tribes as they are forefront when it comes to demonic research, contributing to the survival of the demon tribe since ancient times.
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The surroundings turned to silence. The fight came to a halt as the black meteor struck the land, turning the surrounding into a tainted black color.
The observers, both sides are in dazed for a moment.
They don’t know what to do next as the main focus at the moment is the dreadful existence that is approaching their direction.
Finally, the two suddenly became alert as the source of the dreadful feeling is slowly became visible to the naked eye. Walking slowly towards their direction is a large tall man.
The man has a dark scaly shiny skin, eyes glows red, and square face, towering two and a half meters tall added to his intimidation his features are opposite to a common Devil's.
The man doesn’t have clothes but wore something organic like a hard substance that treats like an armor covering his body.
But what the 2 forces dreaded the most of the man is the pair of cut white horns on the man’s forehead.
“A Devil” Doe Juster utter in a stupor.
“I’ve participated wars, battling the demon army and that Devil doesn’t look similar the ones that I battled before” Frederick disagreed as he participated wars before and seen a lot of Devils fighting on the battlefield.
“Your so-called wars can only be called skirmishes in our eyes. If it’s a real war, that kind Devil variant would show up and wreak havoc on the battlefield” Doe Juster seem to know more than the Human Knight regarding Demons.
Very rare, a Demon Variant with mutated features is born. they possess strange powers not commonly seen in a normal Demon.
Even though Both Demons and the Beast man opposed human advancement around the continent they don’t get along with each other, much to be fortunate for humanity.
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That is because like humans, demons, especially the Devil tribe, to advance their research of demonic arts, they used Beast Men as an experimental subject and enslaving particular beast tribes as servants.
The Beast Tribes hated the Demon Tribes equal to the humans. Particularly, most of their settlement is much closer to the Demons than the Humans as the Beast Men depend on the forests to gather food and livelihood.
Each patch of forests in the Aswerth continent is protected by the Earth Titans. No matter how much trees were cut, they would quickly grow again and no matter how much people cultivate the land as an agriculture farm, the crops would die off after near harvest.
So, it’s useless to make a settlement for people to live in the forest as dense vegetation would just destroy the houses the would be built.
Besides hunting grounds for the Beast Men, it was used as a buffer zone, a natural border that spits between territories. Moreover, it's commonly known that the Demons is also has a hunting culture, and multiple times both meet at the forest, and conflict occurs most of the time and further escalating the tension until large wars commonly occur in the forest unknown to humans.
“Devil variant” Frederick is annoyed by the haughty reply came from the Orc shaman but acknowledged the demon that is right in front of him. Seeing is believing that was he though.
“How about we call a truce for now? As much I disdain you humans the Demons is much of a priority to us” Doe Juster called a temporary truce.
“Fine” Frederick easily agreed. Humanity’s main enemy is the Demons and their main religion of which Frederick himself is a faithful follower was formed around subjecting the so-called evil creatures which are the Demons.
“This Devil is in critical condition. His horn has been broken. No matter how strong a Devil is, if his source of power is cut, he would be nothing. I estimate his demonic energy is down to 90%” Doe Juster magnificently analyzed the Devils condition; he was much more experienced in Devil’s framework.
“Even I know that” Frederick rebuked as it was common knowledge for Humans.
“Hmph! Devils has 3 heart both sides in their chest and their pair of horns. The main source of demonic energy for a Devil is the horn and the pair of heart functions as a support. We just need to destroy one of them and he will become immobile.”
Doe Juster also angrily rebukes him as he added knowledge not much circulated in humanity.
Even before they take action, conflict starting to brew. but after a few moments both settle their differences and face the Devil right in front of them. Even a weak devil is a strong Devil, they know that much.
"I'll start attacking, cover me" Frederick initiates the offense.
"Alright, you all, join him!" Doe Juster commands his surviving men to join the attack along with the Knights that is still can move. He activated his shaman abilities to buff his men with strengthening magic including the Knights.
"Ready! Go!" Frederick quickly dashes towards the Devil along with his men and Shamans' men.
As he got close to fully view the Devil in front of him. He hesitates for a moment as he got a premonition that it will not end well to oppose the Devil in front of him, or he will die.
"My lord!" His Knight subordinates quickly wake him up and finally resolve himself to move forward.
As he got closer to the Devil. Strange black fog appears under the feet of the Devil and slowly appears dark tentacles from it. Suddenly, faster than the eyes could see, the tentacles shot forward at the attackers.
"What the!" Frederick is surprised at the ability that the Devil possess, added that he was not familiar fighting this kind of enemy, he was caught off guard. They were shot in the chest.
"Argh!" "Milord help!"
Frederick's men were struck by the incoming tentacles, fortunately for him, a Knight in front of his was the one to bear the attack from the front, saving him in the process. but safety will not last long as more tentacles appear in the black fog as they began attacking both men's subordinates.
"W-what are its things!" Frederick fell into panic as the men's body that was struck by the attack are turning into mummy until the first one to fall were left with skin and bone.
"Doe Juster!" Frederick shouted with a plea. he needs assistance and the only one who could help him is the Shaman at the back. but no reply was heard. as he turned around, the supposed helper that could help them in this predicament is gone, leaving the rope bound Elf on the ground.
"DAMN YOU!!" Frederick angrily cursed and his voice reverberates the surroundings. In the moment of distraction, he was struck at the back and passes through the front. The tentacles produce black miasma visible to the naked eyes as it wiggles happily.
Aside from Frederick, the last Knight he has finally died, turning into skin and bones along with Doe Justers men who seemingly accepted their faith, falls.
"I will not end this way!" his tenancy enables him to slow the process of being dead but it is also long torture for him. As he slowly getting thinner, his shaky hands reach out something in this pocket. it was a small idol that could be turned into a pendant. He exerted his last bit of strength to crush the idol with his hands.
Immediately his body turning into particles and a burst of light suddenly burst out, blinding the ones who view. As the vision comes backs there is no sight of Frederick to be seen along with the part of tentacles that is struck in his body, leaving only a dead silence and dried corps everywhere.
The Devil left standing for a minute, appeared to be in dazed. Finally, he moves forward, walking straight out of nowhere.
As he arrives in front of the rope bound Elf. The Elf is beginning to show signs of waking. As the small beauty eyes slowly open the first one she saw was the Devil right in front of her eyes. There was no reaction of fear or hate at the girl's eyes, only pure innocent as she kept her eyes focus on the Devils.
This was the start of the story of two people, adventuring together, traveling across the world.
To be continued:
Next: Chapter 5: Devil Meets little Elf