After much work on improving how Hell looked, it was now much more reminiscent of the living realm. It had plenty of grass, vegetation and other living creatures like deer roaming around.
All the people who were once bathing in lava lakes, burning alive in some fire pit, or otherwise suffering could now enjoy a refreshing bath in the actual water-filled lakes of the dimension. I quickly came to find that people were not able to see my builder form, and never reacted to anything I did.
Floating log in the middle of the air? Nope, no reaction at all.
I propelled myself up to the arena again. To think this place once looked completely uninhabitable was almost like a nightmare I've woken up from.
“You’ve done very well, Andras. This place looks much better now.” Luca was standing beside me, looking down at the grassy fields now covering the once brimstone-ridden landscape.
“Right, you’re probably wondering how to exit your builder form. Well, it’s hard to explain. You need to project your will into your body back at the castle and remove your hands from the cube. Your builder form will remain floating here until next time you need it.”
“What do you mean by projecting my will?” I asked Luca.
“It’s similar to how you summon power from your reserves. Instead of thinking of a general direction, think instead of your demon body and empty your energy into it.”
Hmm, I can do that.
I stretched out my hand and focused on my body sitting inside my castle. I could hear Luca teleport, probably in order to greet me when I eventually returned to my body.
As I emptied energy into my body, I felt very tired as I was before. My sense of self was suddenly lingering right in-between my builder body and my demon body.
I had my demon body remove its hands from the cube, and I woke up looking at my hands.
The cube was now inert, lying still on the desk.
“Well done, you’re adapting very quickly.”
Luca’s voice spoke out from beside me. “As you probably noticed, the cube will be rendered inert after a day’s worth of usage. It will be restored tomorrow.”
Hm, good to know.
“There is only one more thing i need to tell you before we can head back to the living realm. Do you remember that your human body was my host in the Living world? Well, since it was still bound to me when you gained your new form, it’s still technically under my control. This means that if you wish to enter the living realm without staying in your demon form, You’ll have to project your consciousness inside the human body. and once again, you will have my voice in your head, just like before.”
Oh no! I thought we were past all that bullshit!
“Now you tell me?? Couldn’t you have told me before you started the duel?”
“No. A long time ago I committed a... Let’s just call it a sin, so I can no longer enter the living realm without a host human to inhabit.”
Ah shit. Hmm. As I saw it, I had two options. Having to deal with Luca’s bullshit once again or enter the living realm as an eldritch horror beyond regular people’s comprehension.
“Eh what the hell. It would be boring without your company anyway.”
“Excellent! Let me just get your human body...” Luca stretched out two arms and appeared to be pulling on an invisible rope. After not too long, a human-shaped block of fire rose from the floor. “Here we are, just, you know, project your mind into it.” The flames dispersed, revealing my lifeless body.
Looking at myself in third person was really strange, especially now that it was just an empty shell.
I once again closed my eyes, thinking of my human body and moved my energy into it.
-
When I opened them again, I found myself looking at my demon self. It remained standing there for a little while, before dissipating into green flames which promptly entered the floor.
Don’t worry, if you ever need your human body again you can easily summon it when we return to hell again.
Ah, that’s a feeling I was hoping to never experience again. Luca’s voice in my head.
Aww, I love you too. Now, let’s make this portal to the living realm already.
Apparently, the summon dorm ritual which required two body’s worth of blood to be cast did not apply in hell. Luca summoned the gateway without any blood required.
Ah, I almost forgot. It would be in bad taste to leave the Groundlings behind, would it not?
Luca summoned his hand outside mine and snapped his fingers. Two brief flashes of red fire later, David and Jesse appeared beside us.
“Oh finally! We can return to the living realm!” David exclaimed before diving headfirst into the portal.
“He’s always so dramatic...” Jesse said, before calmly walking into the portal.
After you, Anders.
-
Stepping out of the portal, I noticed I was right back outside the cave we had been at before I entered hell for the first time.
‘Huh, so we can only pass directly to and from one spot in the living realm?’
Correct. Due to the nature of our powers, we can’t risk accidentally summoning a portal into a lair of fairies, or any holy creature for that matter.
Fairies? Good to know.
Well, we should probably return to our previous quest. While we were in hell I looked into the closest collections of fire shards, and it turns out the closest one is in a city not far from here. It’s called Avylon I think.
Hm. Interesting name.
'How far of a walk will it be?’ I asked Luca.
For us? Two hours. Anyone else? Probably a day or two.
The fastest path is over a mountain, and we can fly. So, what are you waiting for? Fire the engines up.
I smiled, before pointing my hands at the floor, palm open. My practice with flying while being in the builder form did for sure come in handy.
-
I’ve been flying for some time now, and I'd reached the peak of the mountain. Giving a little less throttle, I softly landed on the snowy surface.
Looking around me, I spotted what looked like a nest. It was filled with very large eggs.
That right there’s a dragon’s nest. Judging by the color of the eggs, I'd say one of the parents is a fire dragon.
The eggs were infused with a deep red color, safe for two which were white. A lightbulb lit up in my mind, and I asked Luca a question. ‘Your true demon form is a red colored dragon, does that mean you’re a fire dragon?’
Well, yes and no. Yes, I am a kind of fire dragon, but I'm not just any fire dragon. My fire is Hellfire unlike the regular fire that dragons produce.
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Ah, that makes sense. ‘What element of dragons do white eggs entail then?’ I asked Luca.
Wind dragon.
Interesting indeed.
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as a large roar erupted from behind me. Ah, daddy’s home.
A bright flash of orange flame shot out from behind me. Of course, being a demon and all, it didn’t affect me. Still, I was able to tell there was a lot of power behind the attack.
“IMPOSSIBLE. A MORTAL SURVIVING MY ATTACK?” The deep rumbling of the dragon’s voice reverberated around the mountain peak.
Jesse, appearing seemingly out of nowhere once again stepped in front of me with a dramatic bow. “Reality flash, this guy is not just any mortal. You’re talking to the newly appointed Demon Lord of Hell.”
The dragon’s eye twitched slightly. “SO, HELL’S UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT? DOUBTFUL. NOBODY CAN BEAT JIREN IN A FAIR FIGHT.”
I scuffed at his comment. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
The large reptilian creature flapped its wings, gaining a little altitude. Mere moments later, it landed with style in front of me on the stony bedrock of the mountain peak.
“HOW ABOUT YOU PROVE YOUR STATUS AS DEMON LORD THEN, AND I’LL CONSIDER SPARING YOUR LIFE.”
In response to this request, Luca manifested his limbs outside mine. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, I'm currently possessed by one of my underlings, but yes. Before you now, is the one and only Demon Lord of Hell.”
The dragon reached out its head toward me, looking at me with its predatory eyes. “INDEED, YOU DISPLAY POSESSION OF DEMONIC ENERGY.” The large creature sat its head down on the floor, clearly in a submissive stance. “DO FORGIVE ME. I WAS NOT AWARE HELL HAD A NEW RULER.”
I reached out my hand and touched the snout of the creature. “You have been forgiven.”
The creature’s scaly skin was akin to that of Luca’s true form. It was most likely completely unbreakable if you used conventional weaponry. Still, it would not be able to withstand a demonic attack.
What do you say we make this dragon your underling?
‘We can do that?’ I tilted my head in confusion. Everyone has a price, dear Anders.
“Dragon, what is your name?”
The creature puffed out a puff of smoke from its nostrils. “EGNIS.”
“Egnis, do you willingly submit to the will of the Demon Lord of Hell?” Luca asked, now having manifested his head outside mine.
The dragon looked a little offended. “WHAT HAPPENS IF I REFUSE?”
Luca looked to me for an answer. As I had no expertise in the area, I let him answer for himself. He nodded before facing the dragon. “As per now, the Demonic law entails every fire dragon directly opposing a demon’s commands will have their fire attribute removed.”
The dragon seemed to weigh its options. After a few moments of thought, it spoke. “I ACCEPT.”
“Splendid! As per the power entitled to me, I hereby bind your soul to that of the Demon Lord’s for the rest of your existence.”
Immediately following Luca’s words, a tiny sphere of light emerged from within the dragon’s chest. It floated in the air for a little while, before it changed color to green.
The sphere began floating toward me, and eventually entered my chest.
Congratulations on obtaining your first creature bond. Considering this dragon is mated and has offspring, the hatchling’s souls will also be yours to control upon their conception.
Egnis’ eyes closed. After a few moments he opened them again, now with his eye color being green like those of my demon form.
“I SERVE YOU NOW, GREAT DEMON LORD.” He puffed out some smoke from his nostrils before elevating his head again.
Dang, this is pretty cool! I have my own dragon!
‘What about it’s mate though?’ I asked Luca.
Before he could even answer, another loud roar rang out into the air.
“MY MATE HAS RETURNED.”
Following Egnis’s words, a large white dragon came diving in from high above, before perching on one of the mountaintops.
The white dragon looked at me, then at Egnis. “WHAT IS ALL THIS COMMOTION?”
“MY LOVE, WE HAVE VERY IMPORTANT VISITORS.” Egnis replied.
The white dragon seemed to understand and bowed its head toward me.
“I TAKE IT YOU’RE THE NEW DEMON LORD OF HELL. SEEING AS YOU’VE ALREADY SUBJUGATED MY HUSBAND, I’LL CONCEDE MY SOUL TO YOUR CONTROL AS WELL.”
Well, that was easy. I was thinking I'd have to blabber on with some elaborate explanation, but I guess not.
“Dragon, what is your name?” I asked her, putting a hand on her head.
“MY NAME IS RAGNAR.” She closed her eyes in submission.
“Ragnar, do you willingly submit to the will of the Demon Lord of Hell?”
“I DO.”
As soon as the words left the dragon’s mouth, a sphere of light just like Egnis’ emerged from its chest. Just like previously, it changed color to green before entering my chest.
Ragnar’s eye color was now green.
Two dragon bonds created in the span of three minutes. Hot damn. As the Lord of Hell, I suppose it’s only natural.
Since we have the time, I might as well tell you how to summon and desummon your new creatures. Simply ask for their presence inside yourself, and they will be teleported here.
‘What do you mean by inside myself?’
The souls you just absorbed are basically your connection with the creatures. To speak with the soul, do as you would speak to me but focus on the soul of the creature instead of me.
This is, of course, easier to do when you’re on your own. When we return to hell, you’ll probably have an easier time performing commands.
Anyway, as we were. Luca waved a hand in front of the dragon eggs, creating a barrier of demonic energy. Soon after it was cast, it went invisible. Wouldn’t want something to crack the eggs before the dragons inside are ready to be born.
Luca then stomped into the ground, launching us up into the sky. I took this prompt to attempt calling the dragons over to me, and it worked! Egnis came flying up into the sky, letting me land safely on his back.
“WHERE TO, ANDERS?”
-
After riding Egnis for a while, we were right above the city of Avylon. “Here’s good. You’re dismissed for now, Egnis.”
Egnis nodded and turned to fly away. In response, I got up on my feet and jumped off his back. I was too preoccupied with doing stylish flips to realize I was going to land on a hut. Said hut was completely ruined by my impact and burst into flames.
There’s a stylish landing for you! Luca said.
Getting up from the floor, I noticed I was standing on a large metal sheet. I tilted my head in confusion, before trying to kick it away. It didn’t budge, when suddenly it shot up into the air like a bullet.
Well, that was weird.
Deciding to avoid all the commotion, I sprinted out of the house using demonic energy to quicken my pace.
-
Allright, now we need to locate the fire shard deposit. Shoot some of my energy into the ground, I'll find it.
Using demonic energy, I ran all through to the outskirts of town. There were only one or two farmer huts out here, surrounded by a flimsy-looking wooden fence.
I got down on one knee and put my palm against the ground, shooting some of Luca’s energy into the earth.
Uh-huh, hang on a minute.
Deciding I could use this time productively, I took a moment to try to speak to the two dragon souls in my chest. I sort of rewired my mind away from Luca and connected the cable coming from the soul of Ragnar.
‘Hey Ragnar, can you hear me?’
YES. DID YOU NEED ANYTHING?
‘To be honest, no. I was just checking to see if I could communicate with you.’
WELL, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED I RECON.
‘Yeah, I suppose so.’
Suddenly the connection to Ragnar was broken, and Luca came online in her place.
Found it. We must be really lucky, because it’s actually right underneath our feet.
‘Allright, let’s get down there then.’
I wound my arm back, charging it with demonic energy. Luca summoned his hands, understanding my idea.
I began punching the earth with my hands. Not just simple hitting either, it picked up speed quickly, eventually turning into a barrage of attacks. Luca did the same thing, having four arms simultaneously hitting the earth.
I had to physically hold myself back from yelling ora ora ora. Besides that, it was a quite effective strategy.
Before long, my hands hit the marble coat that surrounded the fire shard deposit.
Both Luca and I stopped punching when I saw the marble. Fire shards are very sensitive after all, and we didn’t want to set it off.
Judging by what I felt with the energy you sent into the earth, I'd say this is a very pure deposit. If we set it off, it would probably completely destroy everything from here to the mountain of Pillan.
Nodding mentally at his words, I condensed demonic energy into only one finger. I started lightly tapping the marble, which easily cracked.
Pulling away some of it, I was nearly blinded by the immense amount of light radiating off the Fire shards within. ‘Yep, definitely very pure.’
I put my hand on the crystal and felt the agonized screams of the souls within. Now that hell was a much better place to live, I felt it was merciful to free them from their prisons.
As per usual, every soul that comes to hell will be split evenly between you, me and Heltana. Well, I say evenly, it’s more like you get 40% while me and Heltana get 30% each.
I began creating some cracks in the shard sphere with my nails. Eventually, it formed a perfect circle which prompted the Shard to fall downward.
Shit!
Luca, thinking fast, shot out a stream of energy, just in time so that the shard didn’t hit the floor of the hollow sphere.
Goddamn, you’re lucky I'm here... That would definitely have set off the deposit if it had hit the floor.
Luca retracted his energy stream and caught the shard in his hand. It began sinking into his flesh.
Oh yeah, this is pure crystal. I’d say there are at least 40 thousand souls contained in this deposit, if not more.
With every inch the crystal went into his skin, I could feel both his and my power reserves rise.
‘Luca, I must ask. Why do demons make these deposits? It seems illogical to just... leave all this power around, especially considering they can’t retrieve it as it gets sent to the three most powerful demons.’
Well, it’s mostly a gamble. Either they’re counting on becoming one of the third strongest themselves, or they want to pay tribute to us. Actually, you can sense which demon made the reserve. This one was made by someone calling themselves Clyde. What an unusual name for a demon.
Ah, good to know, I guess.
-
Me and Luca had spent the rest of the afternoon collecting shards from the deposit. We left some for later, for no particular reason.
‘I don’t know about you, but I'd like to return to Hell around about now.’
Sure thing boss. I’ll summon David and Jesse over immediately.
After the sacrifice was completed once again, Luca performed the –summon dorm- ritual.
As per usual, David dove headfirst into the portal and Jesse walked calmly into it.
Ah, I almost forgot. Now that you have two beasts connected to your soul, your casle will be updated accordingly. They will each have their own perch in addition to a place for them to store their eggs. As you move between the dimensions, your beasts will follow you. Don’t worry about having to teleport them manually, as their souls provide automatic storing capacity for their physical forms. It’s complicated.
‘I’ve found that everything about being a demon is complicated. This is nothing new.’
With that said, i stepped through the portal.