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"What a disappointment," I muttered under my breath, struggling to conceal my frustration. The creature before me was a grotesque combination of elf and demon, a failed result of the experimentations on crossbreeding. Alpos, the scientist responsible for this creation, stood beside me, his face filled with anticipation, oblivious to my growing discontent.
"You're telling me that this is the best you could produce?" I questioned, my tone laced with disappointment.
Alpos stammered, clearly taken aback by my reaction. "My lord, we followed your instructions precisely. This is the outcome of our efforts in merging the bloodlines of elves and demons."
I shook my head in disbelief. "I had hoped for something far more extraordinary. A powerful being that could tip the scales in our favor, not this... monstrosity."
Alpos's expression shifted from excitement to concern. "My lord, I assure you, we utilized the healthiest elves available. Our royal doctor, trusted by you, oversaw the selection process. The issue lies not with the quality of the subjects but with the complexities of crossbreeding itself."
My frustration boiled over as I contemplated the situation further. Alpos's ill-informed decision to consult a plague doctor instead of an expert in elven biology or genetics only added fuel to my disappointment. The realization that the one responsible for this experiment lacked the necessary knowledge and foresight was infuriating.
"He is a plague doctor! One that specializes in making them no less!! Not an elven doctor or biologist or whatever. Why would you ask him to check?" I seethed, unable to contain my anger.
Alpos looked down, realizing his mistake, his face flushed with embarrassment. "My lord, I... I apologize. I didn't consider the specialization. I thought a doctor would have the requisite expertise."
His feeble attempt at justification only served to aggravate me further. It was clear that Alpos, for all his strategic acumen, lacked a basic understanding of the specific fields required for this ambitious experiment.
"Get out," I demanded sharply, my disappointment and frustration echoing in my voice. I needed to collect my thoughts and find a way forward without the interference of Alpos's misguided decisions.
As Alpos left the room, I shifted my attention back to the abomination before me. Its grotesque appearance, with its deformed eyes and misshapen mouth, disgusted me. It mimicked my own actions, imitating my blinks, a futile attempt at mirroring my movements.
I sighed heavily, contemplating the options before me. Feeding this abomination to our demons seemed like the only viable use for it, but even that felt inadequate. It was little more than a fleshy slime, lacking any meaningful purpose or potential.
However, a thought sparked in my mind. Perhaps there was a way to salvage this situation, to transform this abomination into something more. I pondered the possibility of enhancing it with my own magic, manipulating its form and abilities.
But for now, my mind was clouded by disappointment and anger. I needed time to think, to gather my thoughts and devise a plan. This experiment had clearly gone astray, and it was up to me to find a solution.
"I'll think about this later," I murmured to myself, my tone resolute. "Once I have a clear mind, I will explore the possibilities. There must be a way to harness its potential, to turn it into an asset rather than a burden."
I summoned a portal, beckoning the slime into the depths of the experimentation chambers within Hellfire Citadel. It would remain there until I intervened personally.
My thoughts shifted to our conquest. Tasildor had been obliterated, leaving only two trees standing. The oppressive powers that had kept me trapped in hell had been lifted amidst the chaos that followed me wherever I went. Even God seemed weary, and my demons had run rampant across the mortal realms.
The devastation I had unleashed was merely the beginning. The initial wave resembled locusts in the wind, but soon the entire world would witness hellfire raining down from the skies.
A foreboding shadow materialized before me, revealing Vorner emerging from the darkness. Though his failure against Grismala still bothered me, I hadn't sent him in with the expectation of victory.
"Speak," I commanded.
Vorner lowered his head respectfully and presented his report. "My lord, I have successfully tracked down Grismala and the elves who fled from Tasildor."
"And?" I inquired impatiently.
"They are sailing south on ships, my lord. These vessels bear the sigil of Lady Gray."
Confronted with Vorner's report, my interest was piqued. Lady Gray, a powerful sorceress and a formidable ally, had chosen to aid Grismala and the elves in their escape. The revelation intrigued me, as it added an unexpected twist to the unfolding events.
"Lady Gray..." I mused, my voice laced with curiosity. "So she has decided to align herself with our enemies. Interesting."
Vorner nodded, his expression betraying a mix of concern and determination. "Indeed, my lord. It appears that Grismala has gained influential allies in her quest for survival."
"But when did she even have time to ask for help... Our invasion was so sudden, was it expected by them?" I asked myself, only to reassure. "No... that can't be it... but perhaps we can make use of this opportunity..."
"Vorner, pay a little visit to Lady Gray. Perhaps she requires a little motivation to act in our favor. With her seeming to be on their side, we could potentially exploit her inside connections." I commanded, my voice filled with a cold determination.
Vorner's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he acknowledged my orders. "Yes, my lord. Consider it done."
With the plan in motion, I turned my attention back to the impending destruction that awaited Tasildor's remaining trees. Through the mirror of darkness, I peered into the mortal realms, where Tasildor once stood in its full glory. Now, above its exposed roots, a portal of hellfire loomed menacingly, the forests that once surrounded it now aflame. The era of subtlety and secrecy had come to an end; it was now a time of overt warfare and unrestrained chaos.
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"The world will know our might," I declared, my voice resonating with a dark, commanding tone. "Let the flames of hell rain down upon the mortal realms, consuming everything in their path. No mercy, no respite. Only devastation and despair."
As the echoes of my words faded into the air, I envisioned the impending inferno, the culmination of my desires and ambitions. The time had come to unleash the full force of darkness upon the world, to reshape it in my image. And I, the master of demons, would revel in the chaos and destruction that lay ahead.
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Disheartened by my own shortcomings, I left the room and headed to find Alpos. The Imps guarding the area informed me that he was currently overseeing the necessary arrangements in the fourth sector, which was still under construction.
Upon reaching the fourth section, I found Sigfi and Alpos discussing the blueprints. I approached them and reached out, interrupting their conversation.
"Alpos, can I have a moment?" I asked.
Alpos handed the blueprints to Sigfi and moved away to join me.
"What's on your mind?" he inquired.
Alpos had grown significantly, but I still saw glimpses of the old Impion in him—humorous, albeit with a touch of darkness.
"Walk with me," I suggested.
We strolled towards the third sector, engaging in a conversation along the way.
"I'm feeling quite frustrated," I admitted, voicing my inner turmoil.
"Why's that?" Alpos probed.
"You remember how inept the lord we serve used to be, right?"
"What do you mean?" Alpos questioned, his curiosity piqued.
"He was so useless before... So what changed?"
"Oh, you're referring to his sudden competence? Well, he's doing his best to project strength as a ruler now. It's only natural for his behavior to change when he leads a growing army. Consider this: we've suffered for so long, and it could actually be a positive thing that he's finally stepping up to aid our cause. Though I admit, the transformation does seem abrupt."
"And what about his powers? What about the chains that held him captive? Are you suggesting they simply vanished?"
"What exactly are you implying?" Alpos questioned.
"Just think about it. Why were the chains lifted? He didn't suddenly become stronger on his own. There must be something or someone empowering him, providing a significant boost to his strength. We could have never hoped to crush Tasildor without that, and let's not forget we now have Michael in our dungeons."
"Are you going back to your old theory that the two Gods are actually friends? That heaven and hell are mere playthings?"
"I'm just suggesting that there's more to this war than meets the eye. Lady Gray's abrupt change of allegiance, Grismala's escape—why would they suddenly cooperate if not to balance the powers at play?"
"So you're complaining that they didn't die?" Alpos retorted sarcastically.
"Come on... Let's be realistic... why else would the chains break, just forget about Grismala and Lady Gray, why is our God able to roam the mortal plane, in his divine form no less?"
"Last I heard, the God of the Heavens is now on his deathbed. It's possible that his waning powers led to the breaking of the chains that bound our lord."
My eyes widened in astonishment at the revelation.
"Wait, what? How did I miss that? Their God is on his deathbed?" I exclaimed.
"I assumed you were aware," Alpos replied. "Our lord drove his sword through their God during the previous war. If their God is weakening, the breaking of the chains could be a response to that."
"Even so, our God is not only growing stronger but also more intelligent. Something feels off," I mused aloud.
"That could be the result of his visit to the mortal world undercover... It could possibly have opened his mind up from the casual warfare, making him learn to strategize... Well, whatever the truth may be, I will remain unwaveringly loyal to our master. I aspire to rule by his side one day, and I have faith in the world he will shape," Alpos affirmed, his loyalty resolute.
Could he actually have grown from a singular visit undercover? To have to adapt? I mean it's possible... But he's a God... Is it possible for him to grow even more?
Upon reaching the entrance of the hellfire forges, Alpos and I stepped inside together. The scene that unfolded before us was a sight to behold. Undead workers toiled tirelessly, their grunts filling the air as they maneuvered heavy machinery and forged massive pieces of metal into various armors and crafts. However, it was the group of undead positioned at the center of the room that drew our attention. They were engrossed in constructing an enormous device, its intricate design taking shape before our eyes.
"What is that?" I asked.
"This is a new prototype I've been working on," Alpos explained, pride evident in his voice. "Since Tasildor has fallen, I've been making preparations for our next war—the elven crossing. And this device... well, it's more or less a bomb."
"A bomb?" I repeated, my eyes widening as I examined the intricate machine before us.
The contraption dwarfed even the colossal infernal juggernauts. It possessed a spherical shape, with four sturdy wheels attached both in front and behind. The main body was crafted from dark, imposing metal, adorned with inscriptions of demonic symbols. As steam billowed out from ventilation shafts atop the device, the room was filled with its hot and hissing presence.
"The elven crossing is an impregnable fortress like none we have encountered before," Alpos continued, his excitement palpable. "But we must remember, it is still a structure. We cannot scale its walls, nor can we fly over them. The pass is heavily armed, making Tasildor look like child's play. HOWEVER! This device has the ability to bypass all of that. Its sturdy exterior protects the bomb within, while the intricate runes nullify almost all magical spells below the 6th tier. Only a weapon forged by the gods themselves could destroy it. Once the bomb reaches the wall, assuming our demons pushing it are not wiped out, it will detonate, bringing the entire structure crashing down in a single devastating blow."
"I see... If it does work, it would be a remarkable feat," I commented, cautiously optimistic.
"It will work!" Alpos declared, his eyes gleaming with unwavering confidence as he gazed upon the contraption.
"Will it, though? What about Octavia's protective barrier that dispels negative energy?" I raised a valid concern.
Alpos turned to me, the light in his eyes dimming.
"Hmm... I hadn't considered that..." he admitted.
"I figured you wouldn't," I responded.
"I'll need to find a way to bypass that barrier... perhaps there's something within your book that can help?" Alpos suggested.
"The infernal scripture contains predominantly offensive spells... very few support spells, unfortunately," I informed him.
"Unfortunate," Alpos sighed, his attention returning to the formidable machine before us.
As we exited the room, the sound of the undead laboring resumed in the background. The impressive machine continued to command attention, its potential to breach the elven crossing and secure our path southward undeniable.
"Alpos," I began, my tone serious, "regarding our discussion today, I trust that you will maintain the utmost confidentiality, as you always have?"
"I will," Alpos affirmed, his commitment evident in his voice.