“When you dream you go inside yourself, even though it makes you feel like you are traveling many miles and light years to go to the dream worlds. This is the irony of all of it. Everything lives within the heart of the dreamer. Your heart can take you everywhere. It’s the world where we are still together. The heart is where you’ll find me and anyone else you have ever loved with all your heart and all your soul.”
― Kate McGahan, Jack McAfghan: Return from Rainbow Bridge: An Afterlife Story of Loss, Love, and Renewal
Razor was not in a good mood, not at all. He thought he and his boys had gotten lucky when they tracked that succubus down in the Badlands. She was alone and not that powerful. Hell, she was only 100 years old. It should have been an easy job, catch the succubus, bring her back to her Demon Lord daddy, and get paid in a boat load of power.
Razor growled at the memory if it weren’t for that Greater She-devil. Me and the boys would be drowning in power and chicks by now. Where in the deepest pits of the Nether Realm did, she come from? But Razor despite his anger at the situation could not help but remember the she-devil. She was a sight to behold, beautiful and strong and big in all the right places. Razor would not mind going a few rounds with her on friendlier terms. No, he wouldn’t mind at all.
“What are we going to do Razor? We don’t have the prize, going to the Demon Lord empty-handed sounds like a bad idea.”
Crank flew on Razor’s right and as always he had a valid point.
“True Crank, but we have information. While we were regenerating, my head was looking in the direction at where those two flew off to. They’re going to the Frost Back Mountains. That intel will be valuable to the Demon Lord.”
“But what’s to prevent the Demon Lord from taking the information and doing away with us without a pot to piss in?”
Block, the demon who flew on his left side had a good point too. Razor smiled at his partner, held out a strip of black cloth to show Block. Block looked at it in confusion.
“What the hell is with that piece of rag bro?”
“This my dear Block is a piece of the succubus’s dress. As long as I have this close to me, it will not fade away…”
“…and you can use it to track her in the Frost Back Mountains.”
Crank finished for him, and Razor nodded.
“Yes, the Demon Lord of Lust is no fool. Even if he knows where his daughter is going, the Frost Back Mountains is a big area to search. Without a small piece of his little girl, it would be like trying to find a very small needle in a very big haystack.”
Both Crank and Block nodded in agreement of this plan, Razor was glad to see that his partners had not lost faith in his judgment. The three major demons flew over the cities and passed the skyscrapers of the Courts. Razor looked down to see thousands upon thousands of demons going about their business. There were some vehicles on wheels moving through the streets and roads. But seeing how demons could fly, there were not that many of them. The vehicles were mostly used for transporting products, materials, and items for the lords and princes of the Courts.
Razor hated the Courts, the higher-ups always looked down on him and his pals. They were big shots and he and others like him were the small fries. But if you wanted to gain power and transcend to a new form, you had to deal with the Courts. Sure, you could go to Damns Town or another demon city, but the Courts are where the real power is at. Besides, Razor deals business here with other low-level demons with shops and small establishments in the Courts.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The three rogue demons soon came within sight of the Palace of Lust, which was a red, velvet, and black structure almost like a cathedral. Four tall towers in a square formation surround the main palace structure. All around the palace were statues of nude individuals of different species. There are of course statues of demons and devils. Also, humans, elves, dwarves, fae, and other beings. If you did not know that this was the Palace of Lust, the nude statues in various carnal poses would have clued you in.
Razor and his boys landed 50 feet from the entrance, the doors of polished obsidian and golden frames standing at 20 feet in height were guarded by six greater demons in full infernal black armor. Each of them held halberds so big and heavy, it would take ten grown men to lift them. Razor and his buddies approached the guards carefully with their hands out, they did not want the guards thinking it was an assault.
“That’s far enough rogues!”
Ordered one of the greater demons, they all looked to be 12 feet tall. But the one who spoke looked like he was in charge of the rest.
“State your business!”
The greater demon ordered with a growl. Razor did not waste any time with unnecessary chit chat.
“I’m here to see your master, we have information about his daughter.”
“Tell me the information and I will give it to my master.”
The greater demon said Razor shook his head.
“No, what I have to say to your master must be explained. This is not information that can be given out in the open where any demon with good hearing skills can listen. I must speak with your master in person.”
The greater demon did not look happy at that answer. Even though he wore a helmet with a T shaped opening, you could see a small part of his face. His nose looks like it belonged to the Red Skull, and he had an underbite like a dog. You could see his shark’s teeth. The greater demon approached Razor menacingly, Razor held his ground, but he was not liking the situation one bit. The greater demon stopped right in front of Razor who had to look up because he was facing the monster’s stomach.
“Listen here cockroach, you will give me the message. If you do that, I might not decide to rip you apart limb from limb.”
“Ah, I already spent a couple of days putting myself back together. I would not look forward to a repeat, but I doubt your master would be pleased. If he finds out that you delayed me when I have information about his daughter. I dare say it will be you he rips apart limb from limb.”
Razor’s words were calm and showed no signs of his fear. The greater demon did not look impressed and was about to say something when he stopped suddenly. He cocked his head to the side as if listening to someone, and then looked at Razor.
“It’s your lucky day cockroach, the master is aware of your presence. He will see you but be warned. This is a great honor if your information proves worthless. The master will not just tear you limb from limb, he’ll vaporize your cells and cast your ashes to the nether winds.”
“I understand.”
Razor replied in as calm a voice as possible, he had to show confidence. Demons can smell fear, and if any of these bastards thought him afraid. They would pounce on him like predators in a heartbeat. As the greater demon and his cohorts stepped aside, the double doors opened, and darkness showed beyond the threshold. Razor and his partners moved passed the greater demons and without hesitation went through the entrance into the palace.
It did not take them long to meet someone near the entrance. A male demon was waiting for the trio, Razor took a good look at the demon. The demon was tall and slender at 7 feet, he wore a black trench coat which looked oily from the light that entered through the doors before they closed. The demon resembles a Nosferatu vampire, with his long ears, long nose, and long nails and chipmunk-like vampire's teeth. His skin, however, was as blood red as Razor’s own.
“Good evening gentleman, the master will see you now. This is a great honor. For your sakes, please be on your best behavior.”
Before Razor could utter a reply, the Nosferatu promptly turned around and began to walk in a fast-measured pace. The rogue demons had no choice but to follow. The demon led the trio down a long half darkened hallway, with orbs of firelight floating high on the walls. As they passed by doors leading into rooms and chambers, Razor could have sworn he heard moans and groans of pleasure, but he could not be certain. Soon they came upon the doors to the throne room, it was decorated in gold and silver. As the Nosferatu looking demon butler approached the doors, they opened of their own accord.
As soon as the group entered the throne room, they stepped on to a velvet red carpet leading straight to the throne. The throne room itself was decorated and furnished with paintings of carnal acts, more nude statues, and murals of orgies and other acts straight up on the ceiling itself. Man, the Demon Lord of Lust sure likes to advertise. Subtlety is not his strong suit. Thought Razor as the Nosferatu demon reached the steps leading to the throne his master sat on. He turned to face Razor’s group and proudly announced.
“You stand before Lord Eldest, the Demon Lord of Lust, master of carnal desires, and ruler of all incubi and succubi. Kneel before your lord and master.”