image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
The distant sound of a church bell, accompanied by the sweet melody of birds and the joyous laughter of children, roused me from my slumber. As I blinked my eyes open, I sat up, feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
The clock next to my bed gently illuminated the room with the soft morning light streaming through the open window. I had forgotten that I left the window open last night; however, it felt refreshing to be greeted by the pleasant breeze.
My bedroom was on the second floor of the building, a bit inconvenient but adequate for now. I had an important task at hand: acquiring the deeds to the mansion that Lord Moy's estate had put up for sale. This mansion, with its grandeur and seclusion, would be the perfect place for my apprentice, Arbos to practice his magic in peace.
Lord Moy had passed away not long ago, leaving behind a vast estate without any designated heirs due to his children being deemed illegitimate. The mansion's auction would begin at a significant sum, four hundred thousand gold coins. But it was a price worth paying for such a magnificent property.
Before I put my mind to the future, I had to think of the present. Money.
Money wasn't an issue for me. Joining the mages guild had provided me with a substantial sum, and I had other means to acquire more if needed, though stealing was something I wished to avoid. However, the remainder of the funds required for the mansion was my current concern. My mind wandered to the infernal treasury in hell, where we had obtained a considerable amount of gold from the elven nation. It seemed like my only viable option at this point.
The mansion was put up for sale at seven hundred thousand gold coins, while I only had around a hundred thousand saved up over the past two years of adventuring...
With three days left before the mansion auction, I needed to act swiftly. Returning to hell and obtaining the remaining funds was my best course of action. There was simply no other way to get the funds needed to but that estate, and it was going for fairly cheap considering what it was.
Closing the windows and drawing the curtains, I ensured no prying eyes were watching. With a determined mind, I whispered, "Gate of Abyss," preparing to embark on my journey to secure the resources needed for the mansion and for Arbos's magical endeavors.
The mansion, what truly captivated me about buying it was the elevated status it offered. Acquiring such a property would elevate me to the rank of lords and nobles, a title I had been aspiring to for quite some time. While Arbos's training had its significance, my long-term goal was firmly fixed on possessing this particular estate.
As I stood there, energies of magic crackled in the air, unveiling a portal of infernal and void energies before me. This was a new spell, a variation of the hell gate, possessing the unique advantage of being instantly cast without the consumption of mana.
This extraordinary skill was granted to me by the orb, which I now held in my possession.
Yet, I couldn't help but contemplate once more whether returning to hell was the right decision. Recent news and events weighed heavily on my mind.
Nonetheless, I found myself with no other option but to return. Neglecting my domain for an extended period could lead to the dimension crumbling, rendering all my painstaking efforts in its creation utterly meaningless.
image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]
Alpos carried out his duties in the hellfire citadel, perched atop his throne while his advisors engaged in a conversation.
Over the past two years, his inner circle had dwindled due to their defeats in the human world, leading to a decline in their forces.
The root of the problem lay in the fact that the creation of demons relied on mana. Even advanced variations like the impions were weak when it came to magic, lacking the ability to reproduce themselves. As a result, they depended on Vorner and his black scripture.
However, Vorner, a human and now a traitor, was no longer available, leaving them without a way to endure casualties.
The three advisors were once Alpos's friends, now commanders, and were nearly on par with him, though not equal.
"In order to bring the hellfire citadel back to its former glory, we must retake the barrens now occupied by the human armies," voiced the demon in black armor, exuding both pride and arrogance.
"I suggest we remain defensive until our lord makes a move," countered the second demon, dressed in robes siMilar to Vorner's, and more reserved in nature.
"You speak of cowardice, Farharim," interjected the third demon, Honen, the eldest among them and one of the Impions created in the first age. He carried wisdom, though many considered him a fool.
"Cowardice it may be, but it is warranted," Alpos supported Farharim's approach, though he also needed to maintain the image of a strong ruler. "Nevertheless, I appreciate your bravery. Yet we cannot afford to lose the city entrusted to us."
"I apologize, your grace. I merely implied what we demons pride ourselves in," Honen replied sarcastically.
"Damn our pride! We have a city to maintain!"
It was evident that Alpos had lost some grip on power within the demon factions. Their grand gathering was an effort to keep the demon sub-factions together, as they had split into three branches over the years.
Honen was the most popular, followed by Gora, the steel-minded one in black armor, and lastly, Farharim, seen as a coward. However, Farharim's caution did have some advantages, especially since Alpos had no intention of dying.
Honen and Gora proved to be the biggest thorns in his side, continuing their speeches of bravery, which Alpos found idiotic but had no choice but to hear them out—until he finally snapped.
Fury consumed Alpos as he struck his throne, bringing the room to an abrupt silence.
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"I will not send our forces out there, where those humans can hunt them down and kill them!"
What he spoke was the truth. The barrens surrounding the citadel were now under the control of humans, angels, elves, and dwarves alike. Venturing beyond the protective layers of the third sector would be suicide.
"My lord... if I may make a suggestion. Why are we not using the hellfire crystals?" proposed Honen.
The hellfire crystals were a recent discovery. They had emerged after their lord's disappearance, and their properties remained a mystery. However, they were highly volatile in terms of magic, making them potential sources of power for weapons and bombs.
The trio of advisors fell silent, as Alpos had insisted on keeping the crystals' use a secret.
"We have not perfected it... our researchers are still looking into..." Alpos began to explain.
The ground suddenly quaked beneath them within the throneroom, prompting the guards to rush in with panic in their eyes.
"What is happening? Are we under attack? Speak!" Alpos exclaimed, rising from his throne in shock.
"Our master! He has returned!"
A stunned silence engulfed the throneroom, as everyone tried to grasp the weight of those words.
The king of hell, the God of Demons, had returned.
With a mix of awe and trepidation, everyone, including Alpos, left the throne room.
From the vantage point of the courtyard, they could see him standing in the distance, a sight to behold.
image [https://i.imgur.com/lhqCDcB.png]
A sight unlike any other before unfolded. Their master radiated demonic and foul energies, black spirits swirling around his god-like form. The magic he had sought for so long was now firmly within his grasp. Enormous demonic wings, larger than ever before, were engulfed in flames, while his malevolent eyes gleamed with a sense of dread. His armor emitted an overwhelming sense of power. He stood as fear incarnate, a demon among demons, a monstrous figure that struck terror into the hearts of all creatures. His aura had multiplied tenfold, his magical capabilities heightened to their very limits. His presence even distorted the skies, causing the weather to be in disarray. The intensity of his aura brought both humans and demons to their knees.
Flames rained down from the twisted skies of hell, engulfing the ground below in black and malevolent fire. His seething rage and inferno consumed everything in his path.
As the humans fled in terror, the demonic figure took strides forward. His form had grown considerably, and his mana capacity had expanded.
With an infernal motion of his hands, he gathered magic from the air itself, twisting it to his will. The crackling energies around his fingertips resembled red lightning. Pointing his fingertips at the ground, bolts of lightning shot forth, bringing absolute devastation to the human encampment that dared defile the unholy lands of hell.
Taunting laughter echoed through the battlefield as he declared his presence for all to hear.
"Tremble, mortals, and despair! For your fight was nothing more than a slaughter, with no one worthy to oppose me."
"Reveal yourselves, Eyes of the Void!"
With this chant, he summoned forth his newfound powers. Eyes of the abyss appeared in the skies, their gazes capable of driving anyone insane. The souls of the fallen humans were converted into mana, their screams filling the air as chaos ensued.
The demonic figure used the eyes to turn the humans against each other, causing them to fight and die underneath his malevolent gaze. As he sought their commander, cheers could be heard in the distance. It had to be from the hellfire citadel.
Another step forward and the ground trembled under his wrath. Hot magma flowed through the cracks as steam and vapor gushed out from the broken rocks. The Demon God had returned, and all of hell trembled before its might.
"Is THERE NO ONE WORTHY OF OPPOSING ME?!"
An angel ascended into the skies, his size seeming minuscule compared to the immense Demon God. His wings shone with purity as he brandished his sword with unwavering determination.
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
The angel locked eyes with the malevolent form of the Demon God, fully aware of the enormous odds stacked against him.
As the Demon God's gaze shifted away from the battlefield, the eyes of the abyss followed suit, targeting the courageous angel who stood firm in his faith and loyalty to his lord. Clutching a cross around his neck, he prayed with unyielding confidence.
With a twisted hand, I aimed at him, and his heart sank as my infernal fingers pointed his way. Yet, he bravely held his sword steady, attempting to buy time for his fellow soldiers to escape.
"Abysmal Grasp!"
A dark hand emerged from the depths of the abyss, its claws piercing through the angel's body, tearing his armor and flesh in an instant.
At that moment, the angel fell, his once-pure wings now torn and battered as the flames from the skies relentlessly assaulted him. The magical spell I had cast left him with no chance to resist.
Gasps of disbelief filled the air as I swiftly disposed of their protective angel, prompting my gaze to turn towards the remaining humans.
"Did you put your faith in one measly angel? Don't make me laugh! It was arrogance that drove you here! And now, I give you the warm welcome of hell you so desired!"
My mana reserves are full, any more soul conversion will be useless... In other words, it's time to gather obedient slaves...
"HARVESTER OF THE ABYSS! HEED MY CALL!"
Drawing upon the energies of the abyss, magical circles surrounded my form, and the air became saturated with black and sinister red hues. I channeled my magic to invoke ultimate despair, unleashing an instant death spell that could annihilate all entities in its path.
The spell activated within moments—only twelve seconds passed—before my aura erupted into an incredible shockwave of evil and chaotic energies, seeping into the bodies of all present on the battlefield.
Those who survived the shock found themselves succumbing to an unfortunate fate, transforming into infernal zombies whose skin cracked with fiery lava, zombies that would do my bidding without question, eternally loyal to their master.
As the spell concluded, thousands of undead soldiers stood before me, their bodies fueled by my malevolent energies, growling in pain as their bodies distorted and shifted, their minds oblivious to the events that transpired under my infernal boots.
The ground lay devoid of all life, and the once-proud angel had met a brutal demise. The zombies now feasted on the angel's corpse, while the skies continued to twist and swirl under my command.
My gaze then shifted to the hellfire citadel standing tall in the distance. The fourth sector lay in ruins, and from where I stood, I could make out multiple figures at the citadel itself. Among them was Alpos, along with a few other demons who cheered for my return. Demons had lined up along the sector walls to watch me, and the entire city echoed with chants of my name.
"ARBIOUS! ARBIOUS! ARBIOUS!"
Their fervent chants reverberated through hell itself, hailing me as the savior of the capital.
It was a welcome sight.
With a simple gesture of my hand, I commanded all the zombies to follow me. They formed organized lines behind me, preparing to obey my instructions.
"We march to the capital! Obey!" I commanded.
The zombies growled in resentment and anguish, but the energies of hatred that now possessed them far overpowered their personal feelings, forcing them to obey my every command.
With my sights now set on the capital, we marched, the zombies trailing behind as our armada of evil loomed ominously, approaching ever closer to the Hellfire Citadel.
"Alpos... it's been far too long..."