Prologue

“Take your stance Lucius for we settle this!” Exclaimed Tyrannus pointing the head of his staff forward. The Reaper’s breath fills the soul shaken battlefield. The souls shrieking out in a resonance that beckons both indignation and acclamation. Almost as if, even in death the soldiers still stand in attendance for this great bout. 

“You should take your men and get out of here while you still can Tyrannus. You are in MY land. Do you think me weak?”  Lucius rebutted while taking out his silver saber.  The Alastar Bloodline’s silver saber is an ancient catalyst handed down from the Alastar family. Forged from heavenly silver that shines brighter than the hottest of fires. The handle was made from dehydrated demon bones that were encased in gold. The Demon King’s hold tightened around the grip of the saber as he looked upon the Ancient with absolute disgust. 

The Archdeacon began to walk forward clutching his staff in hand staring blankly at the proud King. “Now, Lucius , you shouldn’t take me so lightly.” Rebutted Tyrannus as he came to a stop. With a wave of Tyrannus’ hand he created a shockwave that could be felt for miles.  This barely pushed the Demon King back even an inch. “I should expect as much from someone who thinks they are as powerful as you.”  He said smugly. 

“Think I’m powerful?!” Exclaimed the furious King. The grip on his silver saber became ever tighter. In an instant, the King was in front of the cocky Tyrannus. Lucius swung the back of his sword into the arrogant archdeacon sending him backward. Without giving the archdeacon a second of reprieve Lucius tries to follow up with an aerial attack. But it stopped short when the sly Tyrannus used another shockwave but this time with his staff. Causing the blastwave to be much more powerful. This sends Lucius flying backwards crashing into the ground. The King gripping his silver saber stands up out of the rubble looking unfazed by the attack. Tyrannus closes in quickly using the head of his staff as a blunt object and tries to smack it across the King’s face.

          But was parried by the silver of his saber and with a well-timed riposte the King counter attacked. PIERCE. The demon king kicked the archdeacon in the chest, sending him backward. “Blood looks good on you Tyrannus.” Said the King as he couldn’t help but crack a smile.

“Shut your damn mouth you swine!” exclaimed the now furious Tyrannus. “I will have your head for this!” The archdeacon screamed as he put his palm up. His staff came flying towards his palm. He caught it effortlessly and without hesitation bellowed the phrase “Vitor Mundus” A beam of white light came rushing out of the head of his staff. And  it was barreling straight for the King. Lucius attempted to block it but the might of the blow knocked the saber clean from his hand. The archdeacon saw this as his chance to end the fight; Tyrannus slammed his staff deep into the ground causing the beam to split into three separate pieces. The beams pierced the King in both of his shoulder blades and in his chest. 

But even so the proud King Lucius barely flinches. In fact, in spite of the pain, he smiles from it. “I should be thanking you Tyrannus.” the King said with a maddening grin. The blood from his wounds begins to pour out rapidly shooting outward. “It takes a warrior of immense strength to put a wound on me such as this.” The King takes his hand and wipes the blood from one of his wounds picking his saber up with the other. He runs his hand down the silver saber applying his blood to the precious metal. In response the blade turns a rusty red color letting off vapor as the blade tries to purify itself from the demon blood. 

“Blood magic, really Lucius?” the cocky archdeacon mocks. “I would think a demon of such higher calib-” 

The Demon King leaps forward slicing at the archdeacon deliberately missing his swings. Lucius teleports behind the archdeacon kicking him in the back. “You don’t think you were simply dodging me did you?” Just then the after images of the sword swings activated from the bloodied mist. The vapor from the bloodied blade connecting all them together in a string. With one swipe of his sword throwing off the last of the blood on it;  the afterimages deactivated. 

The archdeacon first took cuts on his leg and chest cutting in through his decorative robes. The next few cuts came in quick succession to his abdomen and chest again respectively. The vapor and blood cover the air making it into a dense fog. The sounds from within can only be discerned as an animal caught in a trap. “You think this is anything to an Astral such as I? This pain is nothing to me!” Tyrannus said grudgingly as he fell to his knees and coughed up blood. 

“I gave you a chance here, Tyrannus, to take your men and leave this place. You chose this fight, you brought this fight to my land. You killed my people. You better damn well be able to take this pain after all of it you’ve dished out!” The proud Demon King exclaimed as his silver saber stayed clutched at his side. Without hesitation he raised his sword to the Archdeacon’s throat stating “For if you don’t retreat I will have your head and banish your lineage from this realm.” The coldness in his voice echoed across the battlefield sending chills deep into the veins of the living and the dead. 

The bloodied archdeacon looks up at the King with disdain showing absolutely no fear towards the Towering Demon. The Archdeacon looked around quickly, noticing his son Sylas off to the side running up to the both of them. “Back away boy! This has nothing-nothing to do with you.” Tyrannus yelled out.

“But Father- there has to be something else we can do some-” Sylas tried to speak

“THATS ENOUGH!”  Tyrannus shouted, waving his hand causing his son to fly backwards hitting the ground hard. The Proud Tyrannus looked back at the King with that same hatred in his eyes. “The Astral’s are a proud Congregation we don’t beg; we don’t grovel definitely not at some tyrant's feet.” He said piercingly as he spat blood on the King's saber.  Auburn vapor spews from the blade as a snake-like hissing rings out and the bloodied deacon begins to laugh hysterically, almost maniacal. 

“I recognize your strength as a Demon, but those who besmirch my blade meet its point.” As the King spoke the last of those words he pierced his saber through the Archdeacons’ skull. Pulling the blade out quickly then taking the silver saber and slashing it along Tyrannus’ pharynx decapitating him. The smile the King once had now fades from his face as a grim look takes over it. He turns towards Sylas and walks towards the boy. The King’s steps the only thing breaking the void of sound that was this battlefield. 

Sylas glared upon the King in the same look his father had.  “How could you do this?! He-” 

“He was a mighty Demon. I won’t fight another like that again in my lifetime- That I am sure.” The King interrupted. As he still continued to walk closer to the young Sylas. 

The fire in Sylas’ eyes fixated on the King. “I won’t forgive you for this.”

“Nor do I expect you to.” Lucius responded as he placed a hand on the shoulder of the boy. 

“Don’t touch me.” Sylas shouted, pushing the King’s hand off of his shoulder. “Don’t YOU ever touch me.” The light in his eyes set ablaze like coals in a hot furnace . Sylas reaches down to his side pulling out a wand. “Vi-”

The King quickly snatched the wand from the boy's hand and snapped it in half. CRACK. “What the hell do you think you are doing?!” Lucius firmly said as he looked down plainly at the young Sylas. But there was no fury in Lucius’ eyes; he held no hate nor disdain for the boy. 

Sylas’ eyes began to swell as he collapsed to the ground. Fighting back the stream of snot and tears running down his face. “Why doesn’t he hate me? Why isn’t he trying to kill me?” Sylas thought. 

“By decree of my battle with your father;  and seeing as you are the last of your lineage, I'll be sending you alone to the human world.”

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“This isn’t fair you can’t send me there. The Astral’s need a leader.” Sylas interrupted. 

“You needn’t worry about such things as this boy; I will take care of a proper leader as they are now under my rule.” Lucius said with a crooked smile. 

“This is preposterous, you can’t do this!” Exclaimed Sylas as he stood to his feet. “I won’t let you do this!” Sylas in an instant rushed at the King tackling him to the ground striking the Demon King. Swing, Swing, Swing, the boys fists placed on the Demon’s flesh. Blood falling from his face but a smiling ringing out still. The King was in fact in no pain whatsoever. Try as the young Sylas tried to hurt him he could not. 

“Get off me you little shit.” Said Lucius as he placed his palm on the boys stomach. “GanOnDulaf” The King declared as a ring of light from the base of his palm stretched outward in the shape of a halo. Lucius pushes ever slightly as the ring in an instant shrinks back to a small circle collapsing in on itself. This pops the boy off the proud Demon King. 

“What the hell kind of magic is that?!” Questioned Sylas struggling to get to his knees.

The King walks over to the boy and places his hand on his head.  “You won’t be alone in the Human world, there's a few demons there they’ll help you get situated.” 

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Sylas asked, looking the King in the eye. “Like I don’t get it; you kill my father, exile me, and then make sure I'm taken care of?! The hell is that about?” Sylas asked angrily. 

“To be honest, you are a lot like one of my sons. And in turn you remind me of myself.” Lucius said, still wearing that same crooked smile. “And plus, you're only a boy. I can't expect a demon in the human world to survive without assistance. You don’t know what it's like to cross THAT  barrier and to lose all feeling of the ones you loved.” The King said deeply while waving over his guardsman to take the battlefield. The Demons follow the King’s command hastily. Demon’s clad in iron and steel with fangs jutted out in front of their helmets. They take the field in a single file order; marching up to the King you can hear the clang and clink of their weaponry making contact with their demonic armor. Until they came to the front of the King and awaited their instructions. “You are to escort young Sylas here to the human world. Make sure he crosses the barrier.”

“As you wish m’lord we’ll take care of this swiftly.”The demon in front responded.As he spoke the grit and gunk in his disgusting mouth came out around his jutted teeth. This Demon in spattered silver armor with flower-like etching into the husk. In an almost impossible pattern; the etching weaves in and out of itself like fractals of light bouncing from one side to the other infinitely.  

“Ah Reugas my faithful General, you never let me down. And also strip him of all his demonic possessions, and any eldritch sigils he may possess. Can’t have this little one coming up with any surprises.”  The King said as he placed a hand on top of Reugas’ armor. 

A bellowing chuckle came exploding out of the brutish Reugas. “You flatter me m’lord, but do you really think this little pipsqueak will have any surprises?”  Reugas’ eyes shoot straight for Sylas’ eyes making contact harder than a bolt of lightning and water. “What’s with that look you little shi-” Reugas’ declared as he stepped forward.

The King’s hand waves signaling for Reugas to relax. “I’ll have you know Reugas, this boy here has more magical affinity than even you.” Spoke the King with that same crooked smile. “It’d be a shame if he killed you, so mind your place before you speak next.” Lucius said calmly as he placed his other hand on the boy's shoulder. 

“What?!” Reugas growled with his eyes still fixated on the young Sylas. “How can this little shit be stronger than me?” The angered demon contemplated as his eyes moved off the boy now focused on his King. 

“That's right Reugas, but if you will- please escort this boy to the human world and do away with his magical possessions. The boy shouldn’t be a problem. I broke his catalyst so magic should be tough for him to use.” Lucius said, removing his hand from the boy’s shoulder. The King knelt down next to the boy and looked at him plainly. “You will be fine, trust me these men here will take you to the barrier and there you will hand over all your magical possessions. Understood?” 

Sylas looked at the King with such defeatedness. “Yes sir, I understand.”  “Why didnt he just confiscate them from me?” Sylas thought as he placed his hands to his sides.

“Very good.” The King said as he extended his hand out to the boy. Looking almost uncomfortable as he does it. 

Sylas looks at what he's doing and is looking utterly confused. “What pose is that sir?” He asked.

“Humans call this a hand-shake. I think it’s supposed to show a deal has been made.”  The King said, looking at the young boy with a smile. “So reach your hand out like mine and shake my hand.” 

“Okay sir.” Sylas walks up to the King and very awkwardly pulls his hand out in front of him and takes the King’s hand and starts making a motion from right to left. “Like this?” Sylas said sheepishly. 

“NO dammit like this,” The King placed the inside of his palm and stretched his thumb under Sylas’ as the rest of his hand rested on the outside. Then proceeded to violently shake up and down. This makes Sylas give out the craziest noise. 

“OhWOAH!.” Sylas yelled, feeling like his arm was going to fall off. As a hard thud hit his back.

“This one’s got heart wouldn’t ya say Reugas?” The King asked as he placed a hearty pat to the back of the young Sylas.  

“Hmph, yes m’lord.” Said the hulking brute placing one hand on his chest and gave a hearty laugh in accordance with the King. “Your observation never fails in the slightest m’lord.”   Reugas proclaimed as he reached into a dirty brown sack that was kept hanging at his waist. He places one hand inside of the foul satchel only to reveal a pair of restraints. Bone white in color with both cuffs of the restraints being connected together by a tusk. Jagged edges along both of the cuffs like a mountain range on a map.  “Forged these from a bork’s skull I did.” He said as raised them up to show the young Sylas. 

“What’s a bork?” Sylas asked, looking at the towering demon now with a huge smile across his face. 

“A bork? You’re tryin to tell me you don’t know what a bork is?” Said Reugas in a nasty tone. 

“You will have plenty of time to fill him in on what those are on your way to the barrier. Make haste!” Ordered the King as he raised his hand and pointed toward the north. 

“You heard the King, let's move, boy give me your hands.” Reugas commanded as he reached for Sylas’ hands. In an instant he had clasped both of the rugged restraints over his wrists. “Don’t give me any trouble now.” Reugas said under his breath in a nastier tone than before, as he snapped a chain around the front of the tusk.  “Ah that’ll do nicely.” He said as he gave the chain a firm tug. “Come on.”

The battalion marches their way through the dimly lit battlefield. Lit only by torches and the fire on the freshly burned corpses. The smell of flesh and sulphur stains the air as their foul stench fuses itself to the very ground it lies in. The very ground they march on cracks underneath their feet like snow in winter. 

“How far’s the barrier from‘ere.”   asked Sylas, marching closely behind Reugas.  The young boy turned back to try and see his father’s body one last time. Sylas was watching as the King walked closer to the archdeacon’s body.  CRASH

“Better watch where you’re walkin’ boy.” Reugas said smuggly as his tension on the chain became laxer. 

“You pulled me down you prick.” Responded Sylas glaring at the brutish demon. He gets back up on his feet quickly walking up to the demon. 

“Mind your tongue boy, you’re lucky the King told me not to harm you. Or I’d kill you for that damn comment” He said glaring at Sylas.

Sylas came to a stop quickly. “He’s lying even without using observation magic. I can tell.   Sylas thought. “ My apologies please forgive me for my outburst, it’s the loss of my land you see I’m just distraught.” Sylas said very playfully, placing the back of his hand on the top of his head.  

“That’s more like it, just move your ass, we are almost to the barrier.” Reugas yelled pointing towards a circular purple ring  swirling with a dark wavy pattern on the inside. “Go on men, I’ll take this one the rest of the way on my own.”

 The entire battlian let out a loud cry of relief and excitement.Some of the battlian talking about women they’d take to bed, or taverns they’d go get drunk at. “Come men, let’s go get drunk!” Said one. “I’d rather bag me a whore on a night such as this.” Said another reaching his hand towards his groin grabbing it. All the men let out a loud chuckle as they disperse heading their own separate ways. 

“Come now boy, I too would like to see a whore this night.” Said Reugas as he pulled on the chain again. Young Sylas didn’t fall down this time instead assumed it would happen and walked in accordance.

      “This little shit thinks he can talk bad about me in front of his Highness. He’s not gonna make it to the barrier. Not like the King will know anyway.” Plotted the Brutish Demon.