“There is time for a fight and a time for a flight; knowing the right time to do one or the other can mean the difference between life and death”

― Bangambiki Habyarimana, Pearls Of Eternity

It was too late to turn back, too late to retreat, and definitely too late to form any kind of combat-ready formation. In other words, Eldest was screwed, royally screwed and everyone but a fool knew it. Olana was war incarnate. Every time she swung her mace, any demon who was foolish enough to stand in her way was just blown away. Eldest watched in horror as groups of demons were sent flying with limbs or torsos crushed or broken. Even his magic users were powerless in the face of the Devil Queen. Energy bolts, beams, and elemental magic had no effect. Olana either dissipated, blocked, or deflected the spells aside with contemptuous ease. But when she cast a spell of her own, all that was left of the demons were blood and body parts.

Alone, Eldest may have been able to order his demons to overwhelm the Devil Queen. Olana was not alone. 5,000 Harkuns cut down demons left and right. Even his greater demons were no match for Harkuns who’s whole lives before and after was dictated by war. These species of demons were the greatest warriors throughout the Nether Realm. Perhaps, the greatest warriors in all the multiverse. As more of his demons were cut down in pieces, Eldest thought, this is not even a fight for them. This might as well be playtime.

“Olana is the key! If we take her down, then the Harkuns will lose heart!”

Eldest knew Sir Judah Kefir was clutching at straws, trying to save the situation when it is unsalvageable. But Eldest had to admit that the angel had a point. Taking out Olana could swing the momentum back in their favor. As Olana swung her mace once more, she completely decimated a greater demon in full plated black armor. She crushed him like a beer can, it was effortless. Eldest hefted his large claymore and said to Judah.

“We need to strike at her together at the same time! It’s the only way!”

The angel nodded in agreement, and as one, Eldest and Judah moved in unison. They came at Olana on both her flanks, she was not looking at them. In fact, she was dealing with a group of demons with more courage than sense. Eldest aimed for Olana’s head and Judah did the same. Their swords came in opposite directions, but despite not seeing them. Despite the Demon Lord and angel moving at blurring speeds. Olana was not taken unaware, she blocked both strikes at the same time. She blocked Eldest’s claymore with her mace and stopped Judah’s sword swing with her armored left forearm. Before either the Demon Lord or angel could understand what had just happened. Olana spun quickly and delivered a simultaneous kick to both. Her right armored booted foot got Eldest beneath the chin, and her left armored booted foot slammed hard on the top of Sir Judah Kefir’s head.

Eldest was sent flying backwards, and Judah slammed face first into the ground. Eldest suffered a broken jaw which was already healing, and all Judah received was a dent on the helmet he wore. Sir Judah Kefir was the first to recover and closer. He got back to his feet in a flash and launched a sword thrust to Olana’s abdomen. Despite her size, Olana was nimble on her feet. Twisting her torso out of the way and countering with an overhead swing with her mace. Judah barely had time to bring his sword to a guard position, blocking the mace which was aimed for his head. The force of the blow sent the angel to one knee however, and now, Olana’s face was only a few feet away from Judah’s. She grinned at the angel, knowing she had the upper hand.

“Sir Judah Kefir.”

She said his name with evident anticipation.

“It was unwise to come here. Now, you shall never leave the Nether Realm. This will be your last battle.”

“I am a Holy Knight of Romanto, a warrior for Romanhall. You shall not be the end of me whore of the hells.”

With that declaration, Judah pushed with all his might. With an effort, he managed to shove Olana back several feet. Expecting to see and incredulous look on her face, Judah was surprised to see a smile instead. Olana stood straight and rested the mace on her strong shoulder.

“You’re right about one thing Romantian. I shall not be the one to end you.”

Olana pointed at something behind Judah.

“My daughters will have that pleasure.”

The angel knight spun around just in time to get a black bolt full in the chest. Fortunately, his golden armored chest took most of the blow. Unfortunately, he was sent sailing. Twisting in mid-air before crashing back to the ground. Getting back to his feet once more, Sir Judah Kefir was surprised to see who had attacked him. The red jewel on Lydia’s black rod was powering up for another attack. Nanina stood next to her sister, her bastard sword at the ready.

“Pay backs a bitch.”

Nanina said with a smile that showed off her fangs.

“I’m going to enjoy this Sir Judah Kefir.”

With her declaration, Lydia cast another spell. It was a black fireball filled with red energy. It shot out from the red jewel on top of her rod. The attack was quick, but the angel was fast enough to cast a protective shield spell. The black fireball crashed and dissipated on the shield, and then Judah flapped his white feathered wings and launched himself straight at Lydia. At the same time, he chanted a spell and an aura of light appeared in his left hand. In the blink of an eye, Judah thrust forth his hand and a beam of gold light shot out towards Lydia. Who promptly moved out of the way by flapping her own wings once to climb quickly to the sky? The spot where she was standing exploded. Judah was about to fire another light spell but was forced to cancel the spell when Nanina came in from his left flank like a missile.

Her bastard sword came down on the angel’s helmeted head. Judah blocked with his own sword, and as metal met metal. There was a ring that echoed throughout the battlefield. Judah parried and counter with a diagonal sword slash to Nanina’s neck. She blocked and parried and countered with a thrust. Angel and Cambion exchanged blows in the air, their wings flapping as they moved through the sky dueling. Lydia appeared out of nowhere above the pair and shot a bolt of crimson at the angel knight. In one motion, Judah kicked Nanina in the stomach doubling her over. Then, used the flat of his sword to deflect the bolt. Nanina recovered quickly, moved in, and attacked again.

And so, it went on. Nanina would engage Judah in a sword duel, while Lydia would snipe the angel from a far. Tabitha was watching the battle between her daughters and the angel knight. Sir Judah Kefir was good, but the twins worked together like a team. So, they’re pretty much even. Tabitha thought before she ducked and spun in place, her mace swinging. At the same time, she felt a whoosh of air brush past the top of her head. She felt the satisfying crack of ribs as her mace connected with the armored torso of Eldest who flew to the side clutching his broken ribs. Those would take a few minutes to heal, the Demon Lord had tried to sneak up and take her out from behind. Unfortunately for him, Tabitha was well aware. With the Crystal Pyramid as an amplifier, she had full sensory capability over the battlefield. Tabitha could see the Demon Lord approach her from behind. Eldest kept his balance even though he was sent skidding away from Tabitha some several feet.

“Eldest, long time no see. Although, this campaign of yours seems to be ill advised.”

Tabitha shrugged after her friendly tone. Then she said.

“That’s what you get for being a puppet of Romanto, he always pulls your strings.”

Eldest stood up straight looking down on Tabitha. She was 15-feet tall, but the Demon Lord was a full extra 5-feet taller. He was an impressive height, but in this case, size was not everything.

“Tabitha or Olana which ever you prefer. Romanto has been an enriching ally. So, from time to time I do his dirty work. It’s the price of doing business.”

Eldest cocked his head to the side as if to say that’s how things are done between the powerful. Tabitha narrowed her eyes at the Demon Lord, a thought had sparked into being and she remembered something of Olana’s past.

“Five thousand years ago I was attacked by three armies. Of course, Romanto and his Romantians were one of the armies. But also, Sawt and the other Highends brought their army, as well as Drogo along with the other Cranous. I was forced to fight the forces of Romanto and two other pantheons. And this was after Romanto disabled my pyramid. However, during the battle there was one question that kept going over and over in my mind.”

When Tabitha did not continue, Eldest asked.

“What was the question you kept asking yourself?”

Tabitha smiled at the question and said one word.

“How?”

The Demon Lord cocked his head in confusion, and Tabitha was all too glad to clarify it for him.

“How did they enter the Nether Realm with not one but three armies without the Nether Lords being fully aware? I was taken by surprise, yet, the most important question I ask myself was this.”

Eldest waited for Tabitha to say more. He did not have to wait long.

“How were gods from the outer realm able to circumvent the Accords of Balance? After a while, I guessed the answer. Do you want to here what answer I came up with Eldest, Demon Lord of Lust?”

Eldest did not say a word, he dared not. If she guessed what really happened five thousand years ago…I must get out of here and tell the others. But he knew in the deepest part of his black heart that if Olana had guessed correctly. She would not let go, and when Olana spoke. He knew that his immortal life was finished.

“Romanto had somehow made deals with some demons in exchange for power, territory, and influence. You and I assume several other demons opened portals for Romanto and his allies into the Nether Realm. Causing my death and The Fall.”

Tabitha pointed her morning star mace at the Demon Lord.

“I’m very glad that you came Eldest, it saves me the trouble of hunting you down. I have many more questions and you will answer them. Yes, I will learn every secret and all your dealings with Romanto. I will learn which demons are your allies and if they had anything to do with what occurred 5,000 years ago.”

For a half a minute, Eldest did not say a word, and then he moved. He moved fast, but not to attack. He knew from the very first moment Tabitha had entered the battlefield that he was no match for her. She was a Devil Queen, a goddess among demons, and a force of primordial nature. Eldest forgot about getting his army to retreat, he would retreat himself. He flew fast and hard hoping against hope to get away. Tabitha watched in amusement at the so-called Demon Lord of Lust tried to flee for his life. She pointed her left index finger at the back of the retreating Demon Lord and a cast a bolt of lightning. Eldest arched his back in agony as electricity coursed through his body. He fell back to the ground but managed to somehow land on his feet. He dropped to one knee and tried to recover as quickly as possible.

Eldest heard something coming up behind him. Out of desperation, he held up his sword just in time to block Olana’s downward mace swing. He was able to defend himself from Olana’s mace, but he was still off balance and could not dodge or block her kick. Olana’s heavy armored boot slammed into Eldest’s chest. The Demon Lord felt his sternum crack in several areas. The kick sent Eldest hitting the ground with his back. Olana stood over the demon and said.

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“Escape is futile. Surrender or fight, it does not matter to me. The results shall be the same.”

With his free hand, Eldest cast a lightning bolt of his own. But Olana caught the attack with contemptuous ease and flung it back at him. At the same time, transforming the lightning bolt into a lightning stream. Eldest’s body was doing the jig on the ground as Olana maintained the attack.

“You call yourself a Demon Lord.”

Tabitha scoffed.

“Please, you are unworthy of the title. You were never the Demon Lord of Lust, just a pretender.”

Tabitha increased the power of her lightning stream, she wanted Eldest to suffer. He would pay for causing Malice and Zula pain, he would pay for enslaving all those incubi and succubi, and most of all. Eldest would pay for playing a part, however small in her death and the fall of her Crystal Empire.

As Judah dodged another fireball attack from one of the magic using twins. He managed to look over and saw that Eldest was absolutely no match against the Devil Queen.

“Useless piece of filth.”

That was all he could get out before the twin with the bastard sword struck at him. Judah blocked her sword with his own and the blades locked against each other. Their faces were just inches away from each other, and Judah could see the malicious grin on the half she-devil’s face.

“Eldest is nothing more than a puppet and puppets do not make for powerful Demon Lords.”

She said with glee.

“Sorry, Sir Judah Kefir. But coming here with Eldest and challenging my mother. My reborn powerful mother, well, you just came here to die.”

With an effort, Judah pushed the Cambion back and swung his sword. She deflected the blow and countered with one of her own. Judah dodged, avoiding the blade by flying back several feet. He pointed his sword at the Cambion saying.

“I am Sir Judah Kefir, a Holy Angel Knight in the serve of Romanto. The God of Order and Justice, one who will become the God of Gods, the All God. I have been blessed by him, and Olana, your mother has fallen to him before. She will fall again.”

“This is the Nether Realm. Romanto has no power here!”

Nanina retorted and charged, the two combatants went back to duel. Their swords flashed back and forth, and Lydia waited in the background for the perfect chance to end the angel knight.

The pain was bone deep and unrelenting, Olana was vicious and merciless. A true devil, and Eldest was in her crosshairs. With the last of his reserves, and with determined strength. Eldest gripped his claymore slowly with both hands and held it up in front of him. As he had hoped, the lightning stream redirected itself to the steel blade of his claymore. As soon as his entire body was no long incased in lightning. Eldest lunged forward and swung his claymore at Olana’s mid-section. She quickly cancelled the lightning stream, and simply stepped back. Just one step and Eldest missed her by several centimeters. Eldest quickly jumped back, creating some much needed distant. He was breathing heavily, but Olana made no move to attack. She just looked at him as if he was nothing.

“Olana, you know that if a demon has a chance to ascend the ranks of power. A demon will do it. Romanto made me an offer that would put me at the ranks of the Nether Lords. So, I took it. Yes, my ascention may have contributed to your downfall. But it was only business. Nothing personal.”

She pretended to think about what Eldest said before commenting.

“Nothing personal…nothing personal you say. Because of you and your friends, I was killed. Many of my Harkuns were slain, and because I was not there to protect them. Romanto and his allies caused my Arcadians pain and suffering. All because you wanted to be top dog. You say it was only business, but for me. It was very personal. You made a choice and now you will pay for that choice.”

Eldest lunged forward in a blur, hoping to take Olana offguard. He had recovered enough of his strength to attack, no longer trying to escape. It was useless, his only hope now is to take Olana unawares. As before, she was not taken unaware. Tabitha was just waiting for the Demon Lord to make his move, she was more than ready when he did make his move. Eldest came in with an overhead chop, and with one hand Tabitha blocked the claymore with her mace. Eldest swung again, and again Tabitha blocked. In desperation, Eldest increased the speed and ferocity of his attacks. Tabitha stood in one place blocking every single claymore strikc with her mace with almost relative ease.

Tabitha’s enhanced senses had no trouble following the Demon Lord’s movement. It was easy, like fighting a child. Seeing an opening, Tabitha thrusted her mace and locked its haft with the blade of Eldest’s sword. With just one hand, Tabitha held the Demon Lord in place. On the other hand, Eldest held his claymore with both hands trying in vain to move the mace aside. As he struggled, Tabitha said.

“A demon who assumes a mantle of power should be able the give me more of a fight. But that’s not you. You became the Demon Lord of Lust with the aid of Romanto and through trickery. You did not fight to earn the mantle, in fact, up until now. You have avoided any conflicts, but now. You have place yourself in my power.”

With those words, Tabitha wrenched the claymore aside and punched Eldest squarely in his handsome face. Eldest felt his nose break as he stepped back, stunned from the attack he barely had time to block Tabitha’s mace. But she was not through, she kept on battering the claymore repeatedly. Metal rang on metal as Eldest was forced to one knee. Tabitha kept at it until the claymore sword forged in the fires of the Nether Realm broke in two. Eldest was so shocked, he did not see the kick Tabitha delivered to his chin. Eldest’s neck snapped back, and he lost his grip on the half of the claymore. He did not lose his balance though, he shook his head trying to shake off the cobwebs. Tabitha dropped her morning star mace, the balled spiked head struck the group with the shaft pointing to the sky. She walked towards the Demon Lord casually, her hands bared. Eldest could not understand why she would willingly disarm herself. In any case, he was not going to miss this opportunity.

“You are foolish to drop your weapon, Olana!”

Eldest lunged at her with his claws out, seeking to overpower the Devil Queen. With his greater size and bulk, he would have no trouble taking her down. Pop, pop, bam! Eldest was pushed back, stunned at the one, two, three punches Tabitha delivered to his body and face. Eldest shook his head again, trying to clear his vision. Once he did, Tabitha was just two feet in front of him. He snapped out a right hook, the Devil Queen duck and delivered a straight jab to his solar plex. Then, a left uppercut to his jaw. Eldest was still reeling when Tabitha kneed him in the grapefruits. His eyes almost bugged out of their sockets. Before Eldest could scream out in pain, Tabitha jabbed him in the throat. Eldest could not let out a sound, it felt like his throat was crushed.

And then, things got worse for him. Tabitha rained blows to his face and body. Her fists were like sledgehammers, her kicks were like boulders, and she showed Eldest no mercy. The Demon Lord did not have a chance to think, he did not have a chance to react. All there was for him is bone shattering pain, his whole being was pain. Eldest found himself looking up at the sky, with his left eye swollen shut and his right eye partially open. It took him a moment to realize the reason why he was looking up at the sky. He was flat on his back, his left wing was pinned between his body and the ground. It was uncomfortable, but a far cry from the pain he was experiencing all over his body. Then, his one good eye saw Olana standing over him.

Olana gripped him by the collar area of his armor and pulled him up. As she pulled Eldest up, she smashed her fist down on his face. Eldest’s nose and upper jaw broke again after it had just healed. But Olana was not finished, she pulled him up and smashed her fist in his again. She repeated the method half a dozen more times, and by the end of it. Eldest’s face was not so handsome anymore. To the Demon Lord’s relief, Olana released him, and the back of his head hit the ground with a slight thud. The pain from that was negligent, the pain to his face was excoriating. Olana looked at him in disgust and said.

“Weak, you are weak. Too weak to be a true Demon Lord. I was expecting you to put up more of a fight.”

Olana released a bark of laughter before saying.

“By the Nether Lords, I expected to be pushed, to have my power tested a little. But you have always been weak Eldest, and you managed to hide your weakness from others by hiding behind others stronger than you.”

Olana held out her right hand to the side, towards her morning star mace that was still on the ground some feet away. The mace levitated off the ground and shot straight into Olana’s opened hand. As she gripped her weapon, the morning star mace returned to its original rod form with 14 jeweled rubies. Seven on both ends of the rod. Then, Olana grabbed Eldest by his thick muscular neck and lifted him off the ground. It was effortless for her, and Eldest did not have the strength to resist. Even if he could, he was demoralized. Olana hand defeated him in single combat with lazy ease. She’s right, I am weak. Too weak to be a Demon Lord. This is a truth he knew in his black heart, but never wanted to admit it to himself. Until Olana shoved his weakness right in his face. He could no longer deny it, a puppet like him was not match for the Devil Queen of the Crystal Pyramid. As Tabitha held Eldest up with one hand, his feet a few centimeters off the ground. She said.

“Now, you will tell me everything about your dealings with Romanto. And who else is involved.”

Before Eldest could say or do anything, Olana placed the head of her rod to his forehead. Eldest’s mind went blank, all he saw was darkness. When Eldest’s mind began to work again, and when he regained her sight. Olana was using her rod to pull…something from his head. A white tendril of energy connected the Rod of Olana with Eldest’s forehead. As she drew it out, the white energy became thicker and thicker until finally. Olana drew out the white substance and it floated between them in the air. The white tendril slowly spun around until it grew into a sphere, and before Eldest could understand what he was seeing. Olana with her left hand back handed him. Eldest went flying, landing hard on his back. He looked up at Olana in a daze.

“This little white ball.”

Tabitha grabbed the ball in her free hand before continuing.

“Is a piece of your memories, the memories dealing with Romanto and your co-conspirators. I know everything now. I know how you, Davindor, Flex, and Thull conspired to have me killed and them worm your way into the hierarchy of the Nether Lords. I know that all four of you have been spying for the god of deceit and treachery. Using your positions of power to aid Romanto’s plan to destroy the other Nether Lord and to take over the Nether Realm as a whole. And you four honestly believe that you would be Romanto’s puppet rulers. Controlling the Nether Realm in his name.”

Tabitha looked at the down Eldest with pity and shook her head.

“Romanto would have used you for his own gains, and once you and the other three’s usefulness was over. He would have cast you aside. That’s what he does, he uses people. Demons, angels, mortals, and even other gods. And then he betrays them.”

Eldest managed to sit up, it was painful moving, because everything hurts. He spat out blood before saying.

“That is the way of things. There are two types of people in the multiverse. Those that use and those who are used. I want to be the one who uses others, but to get to that point I must be used by others first. It is the simple truth.”

Tabitha looked at the soon to be dead demon and thought about his words. In some cases, he spoke the truth but not the whole truth. And the truth is Eldest and his partners did what they did for power. They wanted power and to hell with everyone else. Tabitha moved in a blur and stomped her foot down hard on Eldest’s stomach. The breath was knocked out of him, and he had a hard time breathing. Tabitha lowered her face closer to Eldest and growled out her words.

“Actions have consequences. Your actions brought great harm to me and mine. I don’t care what silly little philosophy you want to use, I will not forget or forgive what you have done.”

Tabitha pointed her rod at Eldest’s head, she was going to finish him once and for all. Tabitha was about to unleash a spell, one with the power to kill the demon permanently. But a familiar voice stopped her.

“Please my Lady.”

Tabitha looked to see Asmodeus with Tombs standing behind him and they were not alone. Hundreds, perhaps a thousand demons stood at their backs. They looked read to attack, to follow the orders of Asmodeus. Tabitha looked at the former Demon Lord of Lust.

“Lord Asmodeus, I wondered when you would come out.”

Tabitha stepped back and gestured to the down Eldest.

“Go ahead, this is the chance you’ve been waiting for. A weakened and beaten Eldest. Now, you can reclaim what is rightfully yours.”

Asmodeus smiled and bowed.

“Lady Tabitha, no, Lady Olana. I should have recognized you the moment I laid eyes on your beauty. May the Nether Realm curse me for a fool? How could I forget your subtle curves, your aura of power, and your strength of will? My only defense, it has been so long. Five thousand years to be exact since I last laid eyes upon your magnificent body.”

Tabitha had to control herself from swooning at Asmodeus’s words. Even though he no longer possesses the mantle, he is still a demon of lust. His attractive six-foot frame, his exposed muscles and one pectoral, and his words are all to inspire lust and passion in others. In some ways, he was even more alluring than Malice or Zula. But Tabitha did not change her expression, for a while she has been using Olana’s memories to gain some perspective and information. She had to be Olana to others outside the pyramid. Only her inner circle and her Harkuns really know the truth. Every other devil and demon in the Nether Realm must believe that she is Olana reborn, back from the dead. Because the name Tabitha does not strike awe and fear throughout the land.

“As you say Lord Asmodeus, it has been a long time since we’ve seen each other. I have been away, and I needed to learn the political landscape before revealing myself. Plus, I needed time to prepare my Crystal Pyramid and my Harkuns.”

Tabitha gave Asmodeus a knowing look.

“I assume you guessed why?”

He nodded and replied.

“Of course, you plan on going to war with Romanto. But before that, you needed to discover which demons are in his pocket. That is why you did not reveal yourself to me or anyone else until now.”

Asmodeus looked over at Eldest who trying to crawl away. He waved his hand nonchalantly at the Demon Lord. Eldest let out a roar of pain as an invisible force cut off both his legs below the knees. He cursed Asmodeus in the infernal language of the Nether Realm.

“Now, now.”

Asmodeus wagged a finger, as if admonishing a naughty child.

“You shouldn’t leave just yet. I still need to deal with you.”

“Why are you out of your cell?”

Eldest demanded, and Asmodeus chuckled.

“You can thank Olana for my freedom, and once I was freed, I watched and listened. You and that Romantian angel had many interesting things to say. So, Romanto was responsible for your rise to my throne.”

Asmodeus winked at Tabitha.

“It appears that your enemy is my enemy as well Lady. If Romanto has plans for the Nether Realm, it does not bode well for me or any other Nether Lords. When this is done, I would like to finalize our alliance.”

Tabitha nodded her agreement. Asmodeus smiled, clapped his hands together and rubbed them.

“Good, now is time for me to reclaim my Mantle of Lust.”