A few weeks later;

Amaya sat on its throne, gazing out across its realm. The wind glided through the beautiful forest, and pulled with it thousands of the most mouth watering of scents. A smile crept across its full lips as it sampled the air that had wafted up to it.

Over the last few weeks, the amount of demons had grown exponentially. There were hundreds running about, constructing houses often of trees that never seemed to stop growing. Hundreds more had gathered under the banner of Morningstar to serve in the budding military. Though the military was a bit of a misnomer. It was more like a hodgepodge of demons loosely held together by Morningstar's innate aura ability. The sight however brought a slight smile to the demon who was now wearing Kal's old face.

“Warmaster. How are the preparations going?” Amaya's voice pierced the air like a ringing be

ll.

“The legion grows in strength with each passing day, Father. While it saddens me to iron out my siblings' desires, it's a necessity to fight against the demons of war.” Morning star bobbed his head and his cherubic curls swayed in the air.

“That it is. When two mindless beasts fight. It is the strongest that comes out on top. As it stands, the war demons are far stronger. The Demon Lord sat back in its throne and gazed out across its realm for a moment. “But we have something that they do not. Do you know what that is, Warmaster?”

The angelic demon matched Amaya's gaze outwards. The sunlight scintillated across his pale flesh In a dizzying display of lights. “Intelligence father?” Morningstar replied after a few moments of silence.

“Correct. The war demons are brutes guided by bloodshed and mindless violence. While my children are guided by their own desires. But under it all, is intelligence. With it, we can play them like a drum, before killing every last one.” A cruel smile danced across Amaya's face as it spoke. Vindication flared in its chest and the desire to spill blood boiled in its veins. Retribution will bring it the sweetest of delicacies.

Morningstar curtly nodded, and crossed his long arms across his sculpted chest. “I understand. I believe that this battle will iron out the last of their unruly tendencies. But that has yet to be seen.”

“War is where my children will be molded. Each perfection and imperfection will be baked into them with blood and death. I have no doubt they will transform into the most beautiful of stars.” Amaya spoke with such passion the air quivered in response.

“When do you wish us to depart?” Morningstar asked quietly as he pulled his hands behind his back. His eyes flickered across the landscape, drinking in the sight of the demonic legion as they gathered.

“We can leave now if you are ready.” The Warmaster stood at attention. His bare flesh glimmered softly in the sunlight and his muscles rippled, clearly begging for some sort of action.

“In due time. Before we depart, tell me, what do you think my chosen?” Amaya leaned back on its throne and closed its eyes. Dozens of red silken strings reached out and caressed the demon's sun-kissed skin. All while examining the emotions that lay just under the surface of its Warmaster. It could taste a bloodlust that lurked, ready to lash out at a moment's notice. The desire to indulge in the agony its blades would carve into the realms. But also the hope to prove itself, and not be overshadowed by his elder sister.

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“She is powerful, my lord. She is like a coiled snake, ready to strike. Yet she acts without providence or care. She focuses on herself, and her desires, rarely looking towards the others.” The demon shrugged his shoulders as his quiet words filled the air.

“So you despise her? Or do you envy the freedom she has?” Amaya replied as it peeked through its eyelids to the demon who stood at its right.

Morningstar paused for a moment, clearly thinking over the words of the Demon Lord. “I do not despise her. We all have our roles to play.”

“I feel your bloodlust and a small kernel of resentment. You may not think so. But you and your warriors are free to do as you please. Once we take the forge realm we will be able to supply our legions, and then you and your warriors may be let loose. Then, you will be able to bring honor and glory to us.” A thin smile drifted across the seated demon lord’s lips as it imagined taking its revenge. Oh how sweet will the screams of the gods, and their angels be? How delightful will it be to tear the beating hearts out of the chests of the demons and bathe in their blood?

Morningstar only nodded his head, and focused on the assembling legion. Hundreds of imps rallied, brandishing stone spears, and axes. Cloth armor hung loosely on their frames showing off such delicate features it could drive any being insane with desire at the sight of it. A few had evolved into Demons of Perfect Ruin, but they were still a pale imitation of the two that were wrought by the hands of Amaya.

“Children!” Amaya’s voice boomed across the realm like exquisite thunder, As one, every single eye fluttered up the demon lord, who remained seated. Its serene face contained the softest of grins as it basked in the adoration of all of its children. “Today, we march on Zalabaels forge realm. Today, we announce our presence to the false gods, and the lying demons.” Amaya’s voice split the air like a sword. Its words were laced with such sultry allure, the air quivered, and the demons below nearly lost themselves to the pleasure that coursed through them.

“As my first legion, I christen you as the heralds of salvation. Go forth, and free the chains that bind. Let the universe experience our truth. Rescue the mortals from their shackles and guide them to a better life.” Amari cried out as its wings expanded. Feathers the color of unblemished snow rained down from the sky. The wind howled, and the rays of light grew brighter.

The imps of excess all roared out their approval. The demons of perfect ruin smashed the butts of their spears into the ground. Its chosen champion swayed happily in the air, her face twisted in ecstasy at the loud noises that shook the realm. Amaya let its children screech in joy for some time before shifting its attention to its eldest daughter.

“Imari, are your hounds ready?” Amaya asked as it gazed at its choice. its heart thrummed in its chest like a wild horse as it could sense the bloodlust that rolled off of its daughter in succulent waves.

“We will carve exquisite agonies into their souls Father.” She whispered into the air. The sounds of her slain siblings pushed her voice out into the air far louder than what was possible.

“Cry havoc, And let slip the dogs of war.” Amaya's voice dripped with all the thickness of chocolate as it uttered its order. With a gentle wave of its hand, a swirling violet portal flickered into existence in front of its gathered legion.

“Come brothers, come sisters, in the name of the Father let us purge the demons of war!” Imari cried out as she plunged into the twisting portal. Her followers swam forward like a crashing tsunami flinging themselves into the vortex.

Today would be a glorious day in Amaya’s eyes. Its vengeance was here, and it would extract it with glee. While the demon lord that caused Kal’s death was long gone, its children would bear its sins. Amaya would not rest until it had ground every demon of war beneath its heel. Their bones would become weapons, and their souls would fuel the forge of its crusade. The weapons they have crafted would be turned against their kind. Oh, how delicious the agony will be. It would savor every drop of it as he turned one of the forge realms into his own. But the real prize would be the remaining demon lords. They would be hunted down, and brought to heel, until all that was left of them was dust.