The eternal cloud loomed over the Sonosian capital, Satana, as it did since the beginning of the kingdom. The cloud transformed the inhabitable desert into a bustling city, inhabited by hundreds of different magical and organic creatures.
The small island in the vast expanse of the sand, vibrant and beating with life as the heart of the continent, continued their work day after day. The people lived as they did anywhere else.
However, the fact that it was a paradise for all creatures was a double-edged sword, for all creatures comprised of the entire spectrum of what an intelligent creature could be.
Death, poverty, discrimination, war, famine, disease. That is the natural state of Sonosis. That is the purpose of the demon lord, to bring unification under a great leader.
Avangarden is a complete, homogenous nation which is protected by the hero. Sonosis is an incomplete, heterogenous nation which is completed and protected by the demon lord. That was the main difference between the two opposing nations.
Today was no different as Zealot went on his new day. With the 99th demon lord gone, he was the first to take control, to make sure that the nation kept its peace. This was going to be the kingdom that helped him achieve global domination as well as the realization of true paradise after all.
However, he knew that such a thing wouldn’t be possible if he could not even perfect Sonosis, which is why he was focusing more on his kingdom rather than exploring. Of course, sometimes his hands were forced to protect his kingdom against external threats such as the time when he visited Championnat, he was mostly occupied with the lives of Sonosians.
Currently, he was on a break from his kingly duties, though even during his breaks, he worked on his kingdom. Zealot was investigating a rumour of a cavern deep beneath the kingdom, which lay a slumbering World Beast. For this, he asked the favour of Interrobang as well as Karudo. Interrobang would first use his astral aspects to search beneath the kingdom for the cavern, which Karudo would bring Zealot to.
After arriving in the mysterious cave, Karudo began to wonder how such a cavern could exist in the first place. They were so far beneath the surface, the cavern felt hotter than the deserts above.
The three began searching through the complex system, shaped like a maze all around. Whoever created this cavern did not want to reveal its contents. Interrobang spotted some strange wall painting, seemingly warning the visitors about what lay ahead.
Finally, the three entered the correct path, leading them to a large pool of lava, a large gate on the other side. Interrobang began floating toward the gate, but gigantic tentacles lunged toward the spirit, destroying the rocks past.
The colossal beast eventually manifested itself, a Giant demonic creature, which resembled a woman, but with fangs, wings and tentacles. four eyes on the left and three on the right decorated the World Beast’s face as well as wings on each side covering her face. Large horns resembling dark blades protruded from her forehead, a warning for all warriors daring to challenge her. She had four wings on her back as well to dominate the skies, and twelve tentacles extending from just below to dominate the seas.
“So, I suppose the rumour was true. What is your name, World Beast?”
“...I am Tiamat, one of the primordial magical creatures. I see that you are the demon lords, though not the ones I am familiar with. I was on good terms with the demon lord”
“So… What are you doing beneath my kingdom?”
“I was here for as long as the kingdom existed, the treasure I guard just a bit younger than you. However, I am afraid that I will have to ask you to leave soon”
“Hm… Or, you could let us take a peek?”
“I’m afraid that is impossible”
“Well, I guess you leave me no choice, Miss Tiamat”
Karudo & Interrobang vs. Tiamat
Zealot signalled the others for battle as he dove into the lava. His talent was similar to Reginn’s but functioned differently. While Reginn had many immunities and repelled all forms of magic, Zealot gained complete immunity to most things after experiencing them once. During his difficult life, he had been hurt in many, many ways, but each scar helped it grow stronger, which granted him the defence to defeat the hero. Of course, burn damage was one of his immunities, the lava feeling merely lukewarm to the demon lord.
Karudo teleported to the World Beast’s face and kicked her. However, she was able to block the attack with the wings on her head, retaliating with the tentacles shooting out from below. Since Interrobang did not have any vessel to possess, he was forced into a support role, continuously attempting to possess the World Beast which distracted her mind and weakened her defences.
As long as the lava was beneath him, Karudo was forced to continue teleporting which tired him out continuously. He had to take rest on the hard surface often as the battle dragged on. Tiamat used her demonic eyes to try to stun the demon lord, but Karudo was able to teleport out of the way just in time.
Zealot emerged from the lava as if he had just left a hot tub. He was now on the other side of the lake.
“Alright, I trust that you guys can handle the World Beast. I’m going ahead”
The demon lord destroyed the gates with his fist as Karudo and Interrobang distracted Tiamat. Enraged, the World Beast began attacking faster, Karudo unable to keep up with his teleportation. Interrobang’s interference became ineffective as well, and her mind’s guard was raised after entering the next phase.
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The heat began to get to Karudo and he knew he would have the change the scene if he wanted any chance of winning.
“Interrobang! Latch onto my soul!”
Interrobang quickly semi-possessed Karudo, unsure what he would do next. Karudo then teleported to Tiamat and transported all of them to the outskirts of Sonosis, the shoreline of the desert kingdom. Tiamat fell into the sea as Karudo landed on familiar sand.
“Interrobang, I shall allow you to possess me. Let’s see your worth as a demon lord”
“R-really?”
“Of course. I can’t seem to think of a solution to the World Beast, but I trust that with your brain, you will think of something”
“I see… I shall oblige”
Interrobang completely possessed Karudo, gaining control of a new arsenal. The spirit could feel the immense power of the new body, hundreds of times stronger than the human body it possessed in Avangarden.
Tiamat continued her assault after finding footing in the water, tentacles once again slamming against the ground. Interrobang quickly familiarized himself with teleportation, which inspired hundreds of ideas in his mind.
This was the reason Interrobang was a demon lord and how he became one of the few demon lords who brought destruction upon the land. It was not particularly strong, but it was a great tactician, bringing down nations with mere ideas.
Firstly, it had to change the scene once again. Seeing that Tiamat had both wings and tentacles, she was likely the most effective in liquid and air. Interrobang brought her to the centre of the nation, a scorching desert with no water to be seen for months on end.
Secondly, Interrobang would need to find her weakness. The spirit compiled all it knew about her in its mind; She was incredibly durable, most likely immune to most status effects as a demon lord and she was also immune to possession as well as mind manipulation from his experience. However, he did notice that she was unnaturally large, standing from her feet to around the size of the demon lords’ castle. Interrobang knew that ‘the bigger they are, the harder they fall’, which would be incredibly useful in this case.
Now on land, Tiamat was forced to attack with her true limbs as the tentacles began to weaken, kicking up sand as she attacked the demon lord. To put his plan into action, he would first need to disable the wings of the World Beast. Merely attacking it would not work, and so he needed an enclosed space to work with.
Using Karudo’s talent to the fullest, Interrobang teleported the World Beast into a small dragon’s hive. This would be small enough to keep her from taking to the skies. Swarms of dragons attacked the World Beast while the demon lord hid in the dark corner, teleporting every time a dragon caught sight. Eventually, Tiamat was successful in massacring the dragons, but she was visibly fatigued from their continued battle.
Interrobang revealed himself once again. This was the final part of his plan. While the World Beast was off guard, Interrobang teleported her upside down into a small canyon, too small for her to spread her wings. The World Beast tried her best to try and slow down the descent, but Karudo continued his attack, accelerating the World Beast. Finally, Tiamat met the bottom of the canyon, knocking her out instantly. The weight of her entire body was behind the fall during terminal velocity, causing an incredible amount of force to be delivered. This was how Interrobang dealt with opponents stronger than itself, using their strengths against them.
Interrobang immediately left Karudo’s body as soon as the job was done.
“...Impressive,” said Karudo seeing Tiamat’s unconscious body limp against the wall “I see how you were able to destroy Avangarden”
“I am honoured by such words”
“Now, what should we do with her…”
“...If I may, she spoke of a demon lord she was familiar with. Perhaps we will be able to meet them soon. Until then, I believe she could help protect Sonosis, now that her treasure has most likely been looted by Gilgamesh”
“I see… Then I will teleport her to the outskirts of Cadra and talk to her after she wakes up. Now, let us head back to Satana”
…
Meanwhile, Zealot finished destroying the locks and seals put on the vault, more than he saw in his entire life. Beyond the titanium wall, he saw a man tied up to a pillar extending from the floor to the ceiling.
“Uh… Hello?”
“...”
The man was unresponsive but had his eyes open. The stranger was still alive, stuck in this vault for tens of thousands of years if what Tiamat said was true.
“Who are you?”
“...I see that you’ve finally found me. I’ve been waiting for you, Zealot, the 2nd demon lord”
“Huh? How did you know my name?”
“I know a lot of things. I know everything. The future, the past. These eyes of mine are blessed by the Goddess, or perhaps they were cursed”
“The Goddess? Are you a-”
“Hero? Yes, I am. However, I wasn’t locked up here by a demon lord or God. I have been waiting here for centuries. Waiting for this moment”
“...If you’re a hero, why shouldn’t I just lock you back up to rot in here for a few more centuries?”
“Because you’re going to need me. The entire nation of Sonosis will need me. The world will need me. I am fine with staying down here for however longer you’d like, but time does not matter to me. You could say that I am a hero, and I was the hero of the 3rd era of the world. However, my purpose has changed drastically since then, and I answer to a new master”
“...And who is that?”
“I serve Viktim, the Spirits of War”
A shadowy figure entered the light, a cloaked spirit with hundreds of chains dragging across the cold, hard floor. The air became chilling as the dark entity approached.
“I come to speak on behalf of him. A prophecy to be fulfilled”
“What… What is that…”
“They are an amalgamation of spirits, similar to your friends Interrobang. However, they are a much greater spirit, comprised of all spirits that have died due to the eternal war”
“...What are you here to tell me?”
“I come to prophecies the coming of the 100th hero shortly. They will be the most powerful demon lord and the one to change the war forever. The end days are approaching, and the eternal war will come to a close, forced so by the 100th demon lord”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“This is a prophecy that will not be fulfilled unless the conditions are right. Fate is a fickle thing after all. I know that you will try to find the 100th demon lord and you will find success soon”
“...What’s your game here?”
“I am but the messenger. I have no ulterior motives but to serve my master”
“What is your master’s goal then?”
“...They wish to end not only the eternal war but all wars forever. The 100th demon lord is crucial to the plan, which is why we seek to cooperate with the demon lords”
“...Fine. I don’t know what you’re getting at, but I suppose I don't mind being an actor in your story. However, you will be kept here until the end of time. Have fun slaving away for your so-called ‘master’”
“I will see you soon, Gilgamesh”
Zealot left the vault as well as the cavern with the help of Karudo. It was a strange encounter, but Zealot knew that he was being played. However, he had no choice when faced with such a prophecy. He would need to begin his search for the 100th demon lord right away.
…
A young man walks the streets of Satana in jet-black formal clothes, blending in with the shadows. A few children run past him, one of them bumping and falling on the ground.
“Oww…”
“...Are you okay?”
“N-no…” said the child while showing his bloody knee
“...”
Silently, the young man waved his hand, hiding the wound from the child’s view. When he retracted his arm, the wound had disappeared, as if erased from existence.
The children thanks the man and continued on their path while the young man began wandering the streets once again, with no particular destination. Unbound by faith, luck would be his guide.
“I wonder what my sister is doing…”