Prologue

There was a strange, eerie silence across the Infernal Realm. The many demons inhabiting the realm had long since sequestered themselves away while their king, the great demon lord Azazel, rampaged off and on due to the overwhelming power he had consumed. The fool had been itching for a fight, and had escaped to the Mortal Realm on the words of travelers stating the elemental Titans were becoming corrupted and destructive. Itching to test his limits, he had gone toe to toe with the Titan of Fire, Karn, and barely came back to tell the tale.

Of course, while he was injured, he had also been victorious. From the adrenaline of battle, he felt the urge to consume the power before him, and drained the Fire Titan of MOST of its essence before the Muse people had arrived to contain the rest of it. He had slunk away injured, and made it back to the Infernal Realm before his power erupted. Azazel was already a powerful demon, but now with the power of one of the most destructive forces in the Mortal Realm, his power was beyond anything any demon would ever come close to again. As a result, he was destroying most of his palace in his rage while trying to fight for control over the very essence that was fighting to survive. After all, what is a Titan but pure power with a sentience that cannot be extinguished, only contained.

Azazel had long since locked himself away within the palace, in a room designed rather quickly to hide himself away until he either came out successful, or lost himself to the power of the fire. In his demonic form, he lashed out at the stone walls, littered with scorch marks and claws as evidence of the internal struggle being forced outward from the immense strength he now possessed. Occasionally, his body would alight with flames, whether it was his massive head with horns twisting forward, or his massive claws. This seemed to be the peak of the defiance of said titan. When the flames were gone, Azazel was given some reprieve, allowing him to regain his strength.

But the titans' fight was waning. He could feel it, the essence starting to give in. Soon, he would be in control, and he could return to his duties before the lords of his council tried to do something underhanded. After all, demons were power hungry, and any form of weakness would be taken advantage of. Azazel assumed that none would be so foolish enough as to challenge him, especially not when he just consumed the Fire Titans’ core. But he had learned long ago to always mistrust the demons around him. As many demons mistrusted each other due to the constant power struggles, he could not afford even the slightest misstep, or his newfound power could be lost to him before he even had the opportunity to solidify himself as their eternal king.

It was during one of his moments of silence, before the power could resurge, that he heard the sobs. It was quiet at first, he almost wasn’t even sure he had heard it. He knew there was no one down where he was, as quite literally the room had been designed in the deepest depths of the ground, with a single staircase leading to it. Where were the cries coming from?

He felt the power begin to rise up again, and Azazel braced himself for it, knowing he needed his strength. But the struggle never came. A bright light began to grow around him, overwhelming to a demon who is used to the darkness of the Infernal Realm. Azazel let out a defiant roar, thinking this was some trick the Fire Titan hadn’t used yet. But the light kept coming. He eventually had no choice but to close his eyes.

As strange as it was, the light slowly gave him a warmth he had never felt before. He wasn’t sure, but it certainly didn’t feel like how intense the flames had been before, but more gentle. Tender, even. Azazel couldn’t help himself, and opened his eyes.

As bright as it was, he quickly felt like he was becoming used to the brightness. Of course, it also helped that in front of Azazel was a being he had never seen before. He recognized the form, an ancient dragon body that did not exist among modern Draconian. This one still walked on all fours, but right now, the dragon was laying with their head between their claws, softly crying.

Azazel picked himself up and walked around to the front of the dragon. The white scales seemed to shimmer like starlight, and as he came around to the front, the creature lifted their head to look at him. Deep within the dragons’ eyes, there was nothing. It was simply a glow, signifying the power of the creature. There was nothing actually inside their sockets. Was that why the creature was crying? All he knew was he had never seen such a beauty. Sure he had seen beautiful people, whether they were demonic in nature or mortals visiting under unfortunate circumstances. But something about this creature called to him in a way he had never felt. Was this some trickery of the titan? No, no, that couldn’t be, he quickly pushed that thought out of his head as he didn’t even sense the power flaring like it had before. If anything, Azazel felt great, more in control than he had in days.

The dragon cocked their head, watching him with curiosity. There was no hostility or aggression that Azazel could sense from the being, so he sat next to them, nuzzling them reassuringly.

“Why do you cry? Has someone hurt you?” He asked, not even sure if the creature would respond.

The dragon trilled softly, turning to nuzzle back into him, accepting the comfort. A soft feminine voice filled the bright void they existed within. “I am in no physical pain, but… my heart hurts for my children in the Mortal Realm.”

Azazel had to admit he was partially shocked at even receiving a response. He pulled back gently to look at her more closely. If they were in fact not in the Infernal Realm anymore, which he doubted, and she was showing such concern for the Mortal Realm, who could she be? He looked over her form again, taking in details he had noticed before, but been too enthralled with to actually put together any other thoughts.

“... You are a goddess.” Not a question, a simple fact. Azazel had somehow ascended through the Infernal Realms limitations to the Astral Plane. The power of Karn had given in and in that brief reprieve earlier, the power had begun to stabilize, giving him a glimpse of a world he had never seen before.

She chuckled gently, sitting up to match his height and gaze, even with nothing where her eyes should have been. “A wise and powerful demon. I have not had such a visitor before… I did not think it possible for a connection between the Infernal and Astral planes.”

“Neither did I… The children you are referring to, are they followers of yours?” He asked, unsure if she meant ACTUAL children, as it was uncommon, but possible for gods.

“Yes… but I do also have a few children I gifted to some of the races among the Mortal Realm. Ones that could carry the power of a goddess. But I am no longer able to influence the Mortal Realms. I was… lied to. I was promised all of my children would be safe if I sealed myself off. All I can do now is observe, and watch as these titans destroy the very world my children must live in. I… I wish I could do one more thing for them, but it is too late. I can no longer go to the Mortal Realm, my power has been limited to the Astral Plane… That is why I weep, for I can only watch on as they suffer… Even my existing children do not have the power to destroy the titans.” She sighed, looking down again. Azazel felt a pain in his heart, not wishing to see her cry more than she already had.

A strange idea formed in his head and he moved closer to her, touching their heads together again as he purred for her. “What if… you could gift one more child to the Mortal Realm?”

She quickly raised her head to “look” into his eyes again, and he could feel the hope emanating from her. “But there are no other races I can gift one to. The mortals who inhabit the realms are not all able to carry the power of a goddess. I already gave the strongest ones children, I cannot think of any others within the Mortal Realm who could care for an egg.”

“Not someone from the Mortal Realm, my beauty… I have just consumed the power of a titan. Karn, the Titan of Fire.” Azazel nuzzled her gently once again, knowing he was already smitten with her. If he could only see her this once due to the strength he had just obtained, then he would take full advantage of it. If only to prevent her from crying again, for it hurt too much to see her in such pain.

She seemed to contemplate his offer, although for a moment he wondered if he had overstepped a boundary with the goddess. He pulled back briefly, but she stopped him, nuzzling up under his chin.

“You are a very kind soul. You are quite correct, your strength would create a wonderfully powerful child. I might not be able to access the Mortal Realms again, but I can send an egg to the priests I speak with. The Dragons would take care of the child until they were old enough to come to their full strength.” She pulled back to gaze up at him. “What is your name, O great demon?”

“I am known as Azazel. I once was a demon lord, but I overthrew the previous head of the council, and none have been able to dethrone me. Now that I have control over the power of Karn, I doubt very much I will be in the future. I am afraid I do not know your name, my goddess. After all, you are the first I have ever spoken with.”

She unfurled her wings, stretching them wide and high, almost as if she were… seducing him? Was he imagining things? “I am known as Io. My children worship the sun of their world in my name, and my light shines upon them to let them know I am there for them… Or at least… I used to be.” Her wings drooped once more as her sadness returned at the thought. “Now however… my light shall strengthen our child… I thank you for this gift for the Mortal Realm. I will nurture the childs’ soul until it is time, and then I shall send their egg to the priests within the Dragon capital.”

Azazel felt a surge within him from her words. How was he so enraptured by her, when none other before had called to him in such a manner. Her words seemed like coming from any other, there was a deception behind them. But from her he only sensed pure joy and gratefulness. She truly was happy that he would be able to give her one more child, one final one with the strength to protect the Mortal Realm in her stead. He gently touched their heads again, a soft purr coming from them both and harmonizing. “My Io… My Light…. I will give you what you seek. I may not be able to aid you in any other way, as my attention is focused on the Infernal Realm, but if I can lend you my strength to keep you, and your people, happy, then so be it.”

Io thrummed happily at his words, and allowed her astral presence to intertwine around them. They were lost to the full uninhibited raw power that the Astral Plane held, and within this void they could find comfort in one another.

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The light cleared Azazel's’ vision, and he blinked, squinting in the demolished room he had locked himself away in. It almost felt too dark after being with Io. He shook his demonic form like a dog releasing tension before reaching for the door to his personal dungeon. He placed his palm on the door, and a scorching smell filled the air as he released the spell binding he had placed to keep the door closed. He was finally in full control of Karns’ power, and it was now time to take his place back on his throne before the lords of his council tried to find a way to betray him. His thoughts mourned the fact he would never see his Io again, but he relished in her memory, and the knowledge that he aided his goddess would keep him going every night going forward in the Infernal Realm.

Azazel's reign would be eternal.

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Io lay curled around her nest. As a being of the Astral Plane, her view of the brightness was much different to that of a demon from the Infernal Realm. Nestled in what could only be described as gaseous nebulae, lay two gleaming eggs, shimmering in the starlight enveloping her realm. One, a brilliant ruby red, the second, a dark onyx. Azazel had been able to gift her not one, but two children. Surely a blessing for the Mortal Realm, but Io was unsure.

She could peer inside the souls of her children, slumbering deep in their eggs. Though she had no vision to tell them apart, she could feel them beginning to awaken. They might not yet be aware of their fates, but she could see their strengths, their weaknesses. The red egg seemed to have taken after her, more gentle and less likely to strike with wrath. The other egg, however, seemed to have taken after Azazel, ready to jump to the fight with vigor and no hesitation.

Perhaps this was meant to be. Two children. Two realms. Io knew in her heart Azazel's demonic body would house the titan Karn's power for so long, but at some point, he would in fact ascend. In order to keep some form of control over the Infernal Realm, perhaps a child, an heir would be a good idea. As a goddess, she could not see into the Infernal Realm, nor influence it. She had no wish to, but if Io could thank Azazel in any way, providing him an heir as he provided her a champion surely would be an acceptable way.

But would the twins handle each other being separated? No, surely they would be fine. After all, it’s easier to go back and forth between the Mortal and Infernal Realms. She could easily inform the priests during hand-off of the one egg that there is a sibling that could either prove useful, or even simply visiting each other.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

That was the final decision she inevitably decided on. She could have sent both twins to the Mortal Realm, but if one twin would thrive better in the Infernal Realm, she would be remiss to set him up for failure. She let out a soft high pitched humming call, glowing softly, until a Seraph, a being that existed within the Astral Plane that served the whims of the gods, appeared before her.

“Yes, my Lady?” He bowed respectfully, watching the nest closely. He had been aware of the meeting with Azazel, but the Seraph and Demon people had never gotten along. He was not pleased that his Lady had decided to have a child with the demon king, let alone two.

“It is time for my children to leave me. I have decided to send one egg to the Dragons. I will commune with one of the priests and send the egg with them. However, this egg… I fear he will not thrive in the Mortal Realm, and I wish for him to be with his father. I am requesting for you to personally deliver this egg to Azazel and inform him this is to be his future heir. I name him Ahronus.” She nuzzled it tenderly, wishing the child inside health and strength as one final goodbye.

The Seraph bristled, feeling disgusted at the idea of having to go to the Infernal Realm. “My Lady, surely you cannot be seriously asking for me to go straight to the palace with this egg and simply hand it over to Azazel. I will almost certainly be assaulted long before I make it there.”

“You will go unnoticed in the Infernal Realm. While you can come and go freely, your physical presence there must be brought about with very powerful magic. You will be untouchable, and once the egg changes hands, it will be a physical part of the Infernal Realm. Azazel will be able to protect him. Please, do as I ask.”

“... Very well, my Lady.” He bowed once more, going over to the nest and reaching down to pick up the onyx egg. He looked it over once, before allowing himself to phase out of the Astral Plane. Io simply watched him go before looking down to the red one left in her nest.

“I suppose I should call for your new guardian. Grow well and protect all that has been created. You are my champion. My last hope.” She touched the egg lovingly, before pulsing with a soft glow once more, calling out to the High Priest whom she communed with regularly for updates on the Mortal Realm. It would take time, but he would soon appear before her once he heard her call.

Eventually, the High Priest arrived, a very different form of dragon than Io herself. For she was considered an ancient dragon, their people had adapted quite some time ago to stand upright on two legs and their fore claws became more arm-like. They became lithe but tall elegant creatures that could still destroy with deadly magical fire and fly gracefully through the sky. Standing next to Io, the High Priest was dwarfed by how drastically the dragons had changed throughout the years.

He bowed as he stopped in front of her, pausing as his gaze caught the nest with the ruby egg waiting. “...My Lady, is this another child?”

“That is correct. This is to be my champion, our final answer for the titans going out of control. Something must be done, and this child will have the strength to battle any titan.”

“This is wonderful news, but… who is the father? Is he also a part of the Astral Plane?” He placed his claw on the egg gently, sensing the presence inside.

“No, he is of the Infernal Realm. Tell me, have you heard of Karn’s death? Apparently, Azazel the King of Demons defeated him in battle, and consumed his essence. He was able to ascend with that strength, just temporarily, and join me here in the Astral Plane.” She purred softly as she recalled their time together.

The High Priest looked a bit shocked, not at the fact that Karn was dead, no he had certainly JUST received news of Karn's death from the Muse, it was the fact that Azazel had ascended that had taken him aback. “My Lady, are you saying this child is half demon?”

“That is correct. The very demon who was powerful enough to consume a titan. I think a rather fitting father, would you not agree?” Io knew of the prejudices towards demons. Perhaps these twins would change the Mortal Realms minds on that.

The High Priest himself was not so sure but he knew better than to argue with his goddess. “My Lady, is it time? Have you called upon me to take this child to the Mortal Realm?”

“That is correct. Astrius, my loyal child…You must raise this young one when his egg hatches. Teach him how to control his own power as he grows. I will gift him a weapon once he is a man and ready to face his first titan. In the meantime, continue to work on wards with the Muse people. They should be able to help with titan attacks. Unfortunately there is no way to rush the child growing up in the Mortal Realm, so we must be vigilant while he is training.”

“Of course, my Lady. Thank you for this blessing. Our people will rejoice-”

“NO!” She snarled, causing him to jump back and cower slightly in fear, for he had never seen Io angry before.

Her expression softened and she touched him gently to soothe his fears. “My apologies…. I fear for the child and the peoples safety if the titans should find out about him. You MUST keep him hidden away until it is time. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise, they may target our city in an effort to kill him before he has a chance to grow… Yes, I understand, thank you my Lady. I had not thought of such, I still have much to learn. But I will do everything for this child.” High Priest Astrius bowed, going back to the nest.

“There is one other thing you must know. The child has a sibling. I sent his twin to the Infernal Realm, to be with his father. However, there may be a connection between them unlike their other siblings, so if this one asks about his brother, please allow him access to the Infernal Realm”

High Priest Astrius stood tall looking up at her in bewilderment. “My Lady, surely… you cannot be serious? I am unsure of how to even reach the Infernal Realm, that’s not even mentioning the dangers-”

“You will find a way. There are people of demonic origin among the Mortal Realm. There may even be Demons among various cultures. I would suggest speaking with the Muse if the need should arise, I believe they will be able to aid you.”

“My Lady, they have their hands full trying to create wards for cities to protect from titan attacks, surely-”

“Surely, one single Muse taking focus away to gain access to the Infernal Realm will not take away from the entirety of their culture dealing with the titans. One titan is already destroyed, and if I am correct, the Muse were already dealing with the situation. They are quite a curious folk, I am confident that one would take an interest in Infernal Magics to allow the little one to see his father and brother.” She gazed down at him, and even without her eyes, High Priest Astrius could just feel the intensity behind her gaze, and he dropped his own respectfully.

“Yes my Lady, if he asks of his sibling, I shall do as you ask… What if he asks of you?”

“You may tell him the truth. But during his growth, it will be too draining for him if he tries to use the alcoves to visit me. He may have access to the Astral Plane by birthright, but until he is at full strength, it could take too much of him to come and see me. Of course he will feel my warmth upon him as he stands in my light. But going back and forth between the Realms requires a lot of focus to be able to transcend the veil. Even you can only handle it for so long, and that is with years of meditation. As a child, his own power will be too unstable and he could accidentally drain himself. I would rather not risk his health until after he has come into himself.”

“Yes, my Lady. We will teach him of you and his siblings, of the many people who live amongst the Mortal Realm, and of his duty as your champion. You have my word that we will not let him stray from his path.”

She snorted slightly, almost scoffing. “Do not restrict his destiny. He may be my Champion, and he will defeat the Titans, but once the safety of the people is assured, he is first and foremost, my child, and I will not allow him to be kept on a leash. He will be allowed his own life once the people are safe. Should the need arise for aid again, I am confident he would step forward again, but he will have his own hopes, dreams, aspirations. I have a plan for him, but even I cannot see everything as it will be.”

High Priest Astrius bowed once more. “Of course, my Lady.” He knelt down to pick up the egg gently, feeling weary from being in the Astral Plane for far too long. He looked down at the ruby egg, feeling the power emanating from it, even though the child inside slumbered. “Does this Champion already have a name?”

Io lowered her head, touching the egg one last time in his hands. “Yes… His name will be Aaron… Protect him well, and be vigilant. Once he is a man, call upon me once more. I will have a gift for him to aid in his fight against the many titans… I will watch on as he grows… I am sorry I cannot do more for this world…”

“You have done so much already my Lady… It is not your fault… You just…. Trusted the wrong entity.” He offered gently, knowing she felt helpless. It was not uncommon for the gods of old to breach into the Mortal Realms, but so few existed now, either having long since corrupted and needed to be quelled, or retiring from a presence in the Mortal Realms. Io was among the few who remained to influence the Mortal Planes, and it was shortly after Mortas, the Titan of Darkness, had tricked her into accepting their sun as her physical manifestation that she realized that meant her level of influence had blocked her from being able to gain access to the Mortal Realm in full. Now, only her energy could be felt in the warmth of the sun.

Io pulled back gently, accepting it was time. “Go, take him, and be well. Let my Light guide you.”

High Priest Astrius bowed once more, holding the egg carefully as he allowed himself to be dismissed, the light fading for him, leaving Io once again alone. She sighed softly, sad, but no longer feeling the urge to weep for her people.

Now they had hope.

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High Priest Astrius opened his eyes, once again back in the Mortal Realm, sitting in the pool of water in the alcove. While it had the appearance of water, it was actually a magical substance that allowed temporary transition between the realms, and as such it was not actually wet. He looked down at the egg in his clawed hands, which shined in the dim lighting of the alcove.

“Well… I suppose we should get you settled somewhere until you are ready to hatch, little one.” He stood carefully, carrying the egg out of the alcove back into the actual temple. There were two priests waiting outside the alcove for him, as usual when he communed with Io. The look of surprise upon the two Dragons made him smile, wondering if he had looked just as surprised upon seeing the nest.

“High Priest, is that… another Child of Io?”

“That is correct…. This is her Champion. She gifted us a child that is the answer we have been praying for involving the increasing titan attacks. Once he is grown, he will take up arms against them. But for now, we must keep him here, within the temple. Away from public eyes.” He walked past them to carry the egg to the living chambers that only those living in the temple could see. The main part of the temple was free for all to visit, after all worship of Io was welcomed, but they could not go back behind the scenes where the priests took care of their duties. Even fewer saw the inside of the alcoves to speak with her.

The two priests followed behind him, knowing the priest was taking him to the original nest that was created for Ra, their brother that was gifted to them by Io as her Child of the Dragons. “High Priest, who is the father? Did Io bless us with a child between her and another god?”

“... No…” He hesitated while they walked along the hall towards the nesting site. “His father… is Azazel, the King of Demons.”

He could practically feel their tension behind him, as he suspected. The people would be hesitant to trust such a child, let alone a sibling that was sent to the Infernal Realm.

“I know what you are thinking. We must trust Io in her decisions. She stated he was the one who struck down Karn, the Titan of Fire. I had heard as such, but she mentioned he was able to consume much of the titans essence, the very core of its power. He was able to ascend to see her. Something above that of a standard demon, and as close to a god as he could have been. His strength will aid their child. However, this child will remain hidden away until it is time for him to face the titans, so his lineage will not be recognized right away. I hope that his deeds will show that he is not tainted by demonic blood.” He flinched, realizing he was letting his own personal prejudices get in his way.

“My apologies. I spoke out of turn. It was Io’s decision to have this child with Azazel, we must respect her wishes and treat this child with the same due respect as we would show our Lady.” High Priest Astrius paused at the doorway leading to the nesting chamber. It wasn’t locked, it had simply just not been used since Ra’s egg. He gently opened the door gazing into the room, dimly lit by the light leaking in from outside via a grate on the roof.

The other two dragons went around to the various braziers littering the edge of the circular room, using their fire to light each one, showing a circle of stones in the middle of the room. The High Priest stepped forward, gently placing the egg into the nest, cradled around a variety of stones to keep it in place.

The others joined him and stood by his side, all three gazing upon the egg. This was their best chance at destroying the titans that were now rampaging freely, even if it would take time. Io had given them this gift, and it was up to them to protect this child until he was of age.

With one deep breath, High Priest Astrius unleashed his fire upon the nest. The stones, imbued with magic to hold the fire, blazed to life as the fire enveloped the nest and egg. This was now a waiting game for the egg to hatch.

“One of you please, stay here. We will begin a shift schedule to watch the nest, as the priests before us did with our Ladies’ son Ra. I will create the scheduling before I come to relieve you. It should not take more than a few hours, no priest will stand watch more than 6 hours.”

“I will stay, High Priest”, said the first, all three of them bowing to each other before looking back at the nest.

The future of the Mortal Realms was at stake, and they would struggle with the other cultures to keep damage and casualties to a minimum, but the final line of defense had finally been found. It was unfortunate that they could not tell the people, it could certainly raise morale for the people, but in order to protect the future, they had to hide such a precious gift from Io from the rest of the world.

For now.

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The darkness that enveloped the Infernal Realm felt disgusting to the Seraph as he flew overhead towards the palace. He carried the egg begrudgingly, looking down at all of the demonic beings beneath him. Initial glimpses looked normal, markets, homes, just standard civilization. But the Seraph knew Demons, they were vile and dark, unlike his Lady of Light.

Blinded by his own rage at giving such a gift to creatures he deemed unworthy, he turned away from the Palace. He flew a slight ways away, to the edge of the main city, where the decrepit forests and mountain range littered the landscape. He would not kill the child, no he would never manage to destroy a child of his goddess. But he refused to hand over the child to the King of Demons, even if it meant he had to hide it from Io. She after all could not read minds, she could not “see” anything within the Infernal Realm. She would never have to know that this child never made it to the palace, and if he should meet his demise, his soul would most likely be trapped here in the Infernal Realm anyways with no access to the Astral Plane without outside influence. Even if somehow the childs’ soul survived, even if it makes it back to the Astral Plane, for all Io would know a demon could pass through palace defenses to have killed such a small frail child. It would be easy, but he would not dirty his own hands. He would leave that to some demon or creature in this realm.

He gently placed the egg down, hiding it just ever so slightly from view by using a few bushes. “You may be a child of the goddess, but I feel your violence. Your father influenced you too much. You will never be a true Child of Io… A mothers love is blind, but I see you for what you are… Vile Demon.” He glared down at the egg, confident he would never see this despicable smear ever again.

The Seraph turned away and flew off, allowing his connection to the Astral Plane phase him back out of the Infernal Realm, leaving the egg alone in the silence that filled the woodlands.

The egg sat there quietly for some time, before it shook slightly. A crack formed, and a dragons’ claw broke through, almost desperately. The claw took a moment, the hatchling inside resting for a moment now that it had broken through. The chicks claw removed itself from the hole in the egg, and the hatchling shifted, its eye showing through, red covering its entire eye except for the iris ring of black, differentiated from its pupil by a tiny sliver of red. A small growl escaped and shadows began swirling out from the hole in the egg. This hatchling was already awake, aware…

… and a will to fight.