image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
Amidst the outermost sector of Hellfire Citadel, I stood witness to the aftermath of the devastation caused by the relentless siege waged by the human army. The once majestic gothic architecture, a symbol of our power, now lay in ruins, mere broken stones scattered across the tattered district.
The once vibrant city now appeared lifeless, with collapsed buildings and molten lava flowing through its heart. The haunting sight of thousands of lifeless impions, and casualties of the fierce battle that unfolded between humans and demons, bore witness to the scale of the conflict.
Our mighty siege engines, crafted with demonic ingenuity, now lay shattered, a testament to the ferocity of the enemy's assault. As we pressed on, I couldn't help but acknowledge the profound loss of our once formidable demonic might, a somber reality that dawned upon my return.
Upon reaching the gates of Hellfire Citadel, a heartening sight awaited us. Thousands of loyal Impions, perched atop the walls, celebrated my return with cheers that echoed across the citadel. The ringing of bells signaled the gathering of countless demons, standing united.
The third sector, heavily fortified with imposing perimeter towers, stood as a testament to the strategic prowess that we possessed, even in the face of such adversity.
In my formidable demonic form, an overwhelming surge of power emanated from my being, ascending towards the skies. My magic had been amplified tenfold, a display that left no doubt in anyone's mind.
As the gates swung open, granting us passage, the undead army trailing behind me grunted in an unholy symphony, a chilling reminder of the forces at my command.
The impions welcomed our arrival with resounding cheers, for Hell itself had been yearning for my return. As their master and sole ruler, I had reclaimed my rightful place among them.
The imps gathered closely, a loyal following that accompanied me as we advanced towards the inner city. Though unfamiliar banners now adorned the once-raised sigils of Arbious, the God of hell, I paid them little attention. The only emblem that truly mattered was the one representing power, the sigil that resembled my infernal eye – all-seeing and potent.
My supporters alone stood by my side, in awe of the inspiring might I wielded. None dared to challenge my authority, as it was evident that my strength knew no equal.
With our march reaching the grand citadel of Sector One, the throne room awaited us, a place of ultimate significance for which I issued my decrees countless times. As my followers lined up behind me in the courtyard, the guards stood stationed at the top of the stairs leading to the throne room, shook in fear, anticipating our approach with trepidation.
Taking the lead, I ascended the stairs, the rest of the demons following suit. The guards atop the staircase trembled in fear, witnessing the sheer force of my presence.
Upon reaching the summit, the guards respectfully opened the grand gates to the throne room, bowing in reverence to my unrivaled authority and boundless power.
Inside the grand throne room, Alpos awaited my arrival, flanked by three demons who particularly stood out among the crowd. They stood next to the throne, exuding an aura of authority and power. Each one was accompanied by an elite contingent of armed forces, a testament to their significance.
As I entered, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned towards me. The demons in attendance, both commoners and elite, recognized the gravity of the moment—the return of their ruler.
The three distinguished demons stepped forward, their presence commanding attention. One of them, clad in dark, ornate armor, appeared to be a seasoned warrior, muscles tense and eyes focused. The second, an elder of demons, presumably one who I created during the first age. The third, an agile and enigmatic figure, who wore the robes siMilar to Vorner.
I marched down the red carpet, as my gaze shifted to the status of hell itself. The citadel was broken down, visible from outside. Inside, the banners that represented my name were torn, while other banners of sigils I saw once I entered the city were raised high.
At the end of the red carpet stood Alpos, his expression tense as he greeted me.
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
"Hm... The pleasure is mine. But was it your hope to insult me by sitting on my throne?" I responded firmly, unwilling to be perceived as weak.
"Might we get an explanation as to where you have been all this time, my lord? I believe Hell deserves that at the very least," Alpos demanded.
As I glanced around, the soldiers' hostility towards me was palpable, and the three demons standing with Alpos mirrored his animosity.
"If you are going to make demands, you'll need far more than this lot," I retorted, amusement laced within my voice.
The demon clad in black armor stepped forward, unsheathing his blade and aiming it menacingly towards me, a clear warning.
"You are no longer welcome here!" he declared, his stance unwavering.
"No longer welcome?"
Followed by the first demon, an elder figure emerged, his gaze unwavering as he locked onto my form.
"We now possess a democracy. Your rule would undermine all the efforts we have made,"
A chuckle escaped my lips, as my attention turned to Alpos, attempting to figure out where he stood on this matter.
In that moment, it became clear to me that Hell was now divided into three factions, each vying for power and influence. Alpos and the elder demon had taken it upon themselves to lead Hell into a new direction, away from tyranny and towards a democracy where the voices of its inhabitants held sway.
Alpos was doing everything in his power to hold things together, and I couldn't blame him for it. His grin at their statements of democracy, however, told me everything I needed to know about his allegiances.
"Democracy? In Hell? You must be joking," I stated with a mixture of incredulity and disdain.
"We demons have the right to have a say in what our government does. We will no longer stand for your tyrannical rule!" the one in black armor retorted defiantly.
"Is that so?" I replied, my patience wearing thin.
Before he could continue, I decided that I had heard enough. With a wave of my hand, a dark maw opened underneath the defiant demon's feet, consuming him entirely. The maw of the void, the purest black, its razor-sharp fangs tore through any armor he had, leaving behind only a corpse full of holes.
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Everyone in the room was left in shock, witnessing the swift and decisive display of my powers.
"Any other... demon wants to tell me about their democracy?" I inquired, my voice cold and commanding.
The elder demon, having seen my terrifying display, wisely took a bow on his knees. "I see now that democracy has failed us," he admitted humbly.
Alpos, recognizing the immense authority I still held, immediately got down from his throne and gave a full ninety-degree bow, a gesture of apology. Although no harm had been done, considering his position, I gestured for him to rise.
"Arise, Alpos. No harm has been done. You have done well considering,"
"Thank you, my lord," Alpos replied gratefully, standing at my side as I ascended to my throne, reclaiming my rightful seat in my infernal court.
As I settled into my imposing throne, the grandeur of the moment was not lost on me. My gaze swept across the vast assembly of demons who had gathered to witness my long-awaited return. An air of uncertainty hung over them, understandable considering my absence, but I was determined to quell their fears and inspire confidence in my leadership.
The sea of demons extended beyond the throne room, with countless beings gathered to welcome me back. The once-closed gates of the throne room now stood wide open, allowing all to hear my decree and gaze upon my formidable form.
"You are in the presence of your ruler! I ask that you bow in reverence to our lord!" Alpos declared, utilizing the command magic he had gained through his class change to order the impions.
As his words echoed through the hall, the imps, one by one, bowed in unison. It was an awe-inspiring sight, even the most defiant among them yielding to the gesture. Even the old man and the suspicious-looking demon, who wore Vorner's robes, humbled themselves with a bow.
Turning his attention back to me, Alpos placed his right hand over his heart and lowered his head once more. "We welcome your return, my lord."
"Thank you, Alpos," I acknowledged, a hint of gratitude in my voice. "We indeed have much to discuss and a lot to do. It seems Hell has faced challenges during my absence."
As Alpos rose to his feet, so did all the imps, demonstrating their unified support. I was heartened by their loyalty, but I understood their curiosity and desire for answers.
"The Void Orb, a relic from ages past, now rests within my possession—an item of tremendous power created by beings far greater than us. For the two years I spent away, I dedicated myself to assiMilating its might, greatly enhancing my magical prowess in return. Now, with the Orb of Darkness in my grasp, I can command the forces of the abyss to bend to my will. I will call upon the relentless powers of the void, bringing my enemies to their knees, just as you witnessed that foolish angel's fall before my newfound might. The archangels and the heavens above will meet a siMilar fate."
The demons erupted into cheers as I proclaimed these words, their spirits lifted by the prospect of my enhanced power. Yet, I noticed Alpos's doubtful expression; he understood that my speech wasn't entirely truthful and that I spoke these words more to maintain their loyalty than to reveal my true capabilities.
However, most of what I said was indeed true, as my powers now far surpassed those of the archangels. Yet, with my growing strength, I found myself losing interest in personal battles. Proxy warfare became my new strategy—a way to combat the boredom that came with overwhelming power.
"We shall launch our offensive soon enough," I declared, "but first, we must restore Hellfire Citadel, which has suffered during my absence. Let us ensure a stable foundation for Hell before we wage war once more. To that end, all of you will be put to work in construction and labor, and I will brook no objections. If any of you wish to challenge my rule, you are welcome to do so, but know that it will result in certain death."
Silence fell upon the gathering. Imps were not known for their willingness to work, yet no one dared object to my decree.
I turned to face Alpos, who had listened intently to my every word.
"Hell will rise to supremacy once more, will it not?" I asked him.
"It will, your excellency," he replied with a nod.
"Good," I said, my gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"Then let us begin the reclamation of the fourth sector! Raise those walls immediately!" Alpos commanded, rallying the demons into action. "Do not dare do anything that would bring shame upon our master!"
The crowd cheered, and as the imps began to depart the throne room in lieu of their new orders, Alpos turned to face me.
"You have a grand vision, my lord," he remarked.
"Indeed so..." The words lingered in the air as we both contemplated the irony of having democracy in Hell.
"I still can't believe you entertained such nonsense," I said, breaking the silence with a wry smile.
"I had no choice, my lord." Alpos retorted defensively. "In your absence, I needed to ensure our strength remained intact. A divided Hell would have surely fallen."
"It's fine," I replied, dismissing his actions that may have offended me. My attention shifted to the elder demon and the mysterious imp dressed in Vorners' robes.
"And these two are?"
"They are representatives of two of the three popular parties, Honen and Farharim," Alpos explained.
"I see."
Sensing our discussion of them, Honen and Farharim approached us, bowing respectfully. As the last imp left, the gates of the throne room closed shut.
"From this day forth, the two of you will work under Alpos," I declared, making my decision known. "I will hear no objections. Failure to meet his expectations will be a failure to meet mine, and death will be the penalty."
Both of them nodded solemnly, pledging their allegiance. Alpos placed his hand on Honen's shoulder, indicating that he should rise.
"Honen, you shall oversee the construction of the fourth sector," Alpos commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. "Make way immediately, and ensure that things go smoothly. You have free reign in deciding how to get things done, but always bear in mind that your actions must align with our master's wishes."
Honen bowed respectfully, accepting the responsibility bestowed upon him. "As you command, Alpos. I will see to it that the fourth sector rises swiftly and according to our master's vision."
With a sense of determination, Honen turned and strode out of the throne room, his impish form filled with a newfound sense of purpose. He knew that this task was crucial, and he would spare no effort to meet our master's expectations.
Alpos turned his attention to me, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Honen is loyal and capable, my lord. He will ensure that the construction proceeds smoothly."
Now, only Farharim remained, standing before us.
"Allow me to introduce you, my lord. This is Farharim. An anomaly of our race, an Impion capable of casting magic."
"A magic caster Imp?" I questioned, genuinely surprised.
"Yes, my lord," Alpos confirmed. "And so, we have decided to grant him Vorner's robe. Farharim is now in charge of the magical research operations Vorner left behind."
"Intriguing," I mused, my interest piqued by the revelation. "So he is of the warlock class... And I can sense that you can cast tier-two magic?"
"Yes, my lord," Farharim replied, his voice trembling with fear as he stood before me. His body quivered with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
"Hm... You show promise," I said, my gaze assessing the potential before me. "I will have you further strengthened in terms of magic later. But for now, go to the Demon Pit's and await my instructions."
Farharim gave a hasty bow, acknowledging my command before quickly leaving the throne room. As he hurriedly departed, I turned my attention back to Alpos.
"What happened to Vorner? Why is he no longer in charge?"
"After your absence, my lord, Vorner betrayed us," Alpos replied somberly. "He killed our test subjects within the dungeons and then vanished."
"I see..." I responded calmly, unfazed by the revelation.
"You are not surprised my lord?"
"It was only a matter of time before he betrayed us. Better sooner than later... I will deal with him accordingly. However, I must first gauge our wealth, an inspection of the treasury will suffice. I must evaluate how much funding we have available for our operations before we move forward."
Alpos looked taken aback by my nonchalant reaction and my sudden interest of the infernal treasury, but he quickly composed himself. "Understood, my lord. Please allow me to lead you to our treasury."