image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
The Hellfire Citadel, an awe-inspiring example of Gothic architecture, loomed majestically amidst the blazing skies. Emerging from the infernal landscape, this towering edifice beckoned demons from all corners, serving as a central congregation point. Built from hell forged bricks, a unique stone material forged with potent magic, the citadel's walls boasted an impenetrable nature, fortifying it against any assault. Within the depths of the citadel's first floor resided the grand throne room, an expanse that exuded an aura of dominance and power. At the farthest end, an immense throne of demonic origin stood boldly. Its crimson hue seemed to pulse with infernal energy, casting an eerie glow across the chamber. A sumptuous red carpet stretched forth, leading to the throne. The ceiling soared to remarkable heights, supported by a series of meticulously placed pillars flanking either side of the carpet. Each pillar was a testament to intricate craftsmanship, adorned with hellish carvings and artistry that exuded the dark aesthetics of the demon realm.
At the culmination of the luxurious carpet, the Demon God himself was enthroned, his imposing figure perched atop the seat of power. His eyes, radiant with an intensity that mirrored the flickering flames beyond, were fixated upon the arcane orb that lay before him. This mysterious orb, a focal point of otherworldly energy, seemed to pulsate in harmony with the rhythm of the netherworld.
The Demon God's discontentment festered; his gaze fixated on the enigmatic orb. Before long, a low rumble of his voice filled the chamber. "I need to wage war before they grow out of control. This is getting ridiculous."
Within the room, impish creatures stood poised, flanking the periphery of the stretched-out carpet with unwavering attention, their focus locked onto their sovereign. "But milord..." a servile imp-like creature hesitantly steps forward and interjects, his voice shaking in fear. "We must consider the risks of challenging the mighty Archangels! They harbor an unyielding hate for our kind, and the very instant we trespass into their realm, our annihilation is assured."
"Don't tell me of those cursed Archangels again! One loss against them was bad enough. I need to gather enough strength to assault the throne of heaven once more!"
"But... Milord... Are you sure that's wise?" The imp spoke, slowly bowing his head while looking up.
"Are you betting against me Alpos? You were once a mighty demon yourself, and those archangels stole your power from you. Will you bow your head in submission against those who have taken away your honor and pride?"
"Oh my... How gracious of you to remember my name. But Milord, how are we supposed to fight back? The angels outnumber us a ten to one, and not just that, we are the ones that are supposed to outnumber them! We have failed in all spectrums!"
"I am well aware of our current predicament!" the Demon God roars in response. "However, we may not be utterly defeated yet! Their God lies severely injured, presenting us with an opportunity we must seize."
"My lord," Alpos, the humble yet feeble minion, ventures cautiously, gathering his courage. "Allow me, your unworthy servant, to offer a suggestion."
"Speak then," the Demon God growls.
With a gulp, Alpos continues, "Milord, why not use your human? Let us fight fire against fire! By crafting a vessel and corrupting the mortal realm, we can incite humans to turn against one another, sowing chaos and destruction."
A flicker of interest ignites in the Demon God's eyes as he contemplates this proposal, weighing the advantages it may bring. "Fight fire with fire... That is an intriguing suggestion." The Demon God laughs a sinister laugh. "Yess... With the Arch Angels distracted by their dying God, I will enter the human world in demonic disguise. This should prove rather entertaining at the very least, don't you think Alpos?"
Hushed voices grew within the crowd of demons who were present, yet none dared to voice their thoughts.
"Yes, milord! Your intelligence truly knows no bounds." Alpos quickly spoke in an attempt to finalize the Demon God's focus.
"Alpos! I will go into their filthy human world personally. You will rule hell in my absence as my candidate."
"But milord! I'm not worthy of such dishonor!" He responds, bowing before his master.
"Bring glory back to Hellfire Citadel, rebuild, expand. Serve me faithfully, and I shall consider rewarding you with whatever you please."
Alpos grins at the Demon God, raising his head.
"From now on, you shall be known as Alpos the Deceiver. Arise, and sit on the lesser demon throne!"
A secondary demon throne, much smaller and pathetic looking was created magically next to the real one at the command of the Demon God. Alpos took a step forward, his gaze still set on his lord. "I will make your excellency most proud. I take it you will leave right away?"
"Is that even a question?"
"I understand your majesty," Alpos remarked sarcastically.
"So you do."
And so, the Demon God vanishes, leaving behind a trail of black flames in the wake of his teleportation, transporting himself into the human world...
image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]
Looking around himself, the Demon God saw grassy fields as far as his eyes could see.
It worked... And I'm a human... Interesting... It's been some time since I've taken this form... This might take some getting used to, but that is of no consequence to my grand design.
Looking down, he was taken aback by the sight of himself, adorned in a sleek, form-fitting silk black top, complemented by a pair of well-tailored black pants and refined leather shoes.
It was an unexpected departure from his usual attire, as he typically favored being adorned by his hellfire-heavy armor. As he stood there, contemplating the peculiarity of his outfit, his attention was drawn to two seeming adventurers making their way towards him along the cobblestone-paved road that snaked through the field. From the distance, the party's eager eyes caught sight of his figure perched atop the hill. As they approached, their faces lit up with joy, and their hands began to wave with an enthusiastic energy.
Though he had not mentioned of this to Alpos, the Demon God had other plans set in motion. Plans for which he had been brewing for over half a century. The reason why he was there now were in response to harvesting the fruits of that endeavor.
He made his way down the hill, approaching the two travelers. Something about him in a human form bothered him subconsciously yet it was necessary for his plans.
The voice of a young woman, garbed in a white sorcerer's dress and wielding a staff, broke through the fog in his mind. She had long silver hair, and eyes of blue, like the deep sea. She spoke gently her voice soft like the wind. "Greetings traveler."
His eye was quick to catch on to the girl. She was no doubt the person he was there to meet. His teleportation spell had worked perfectly and had brought him as close to his target as possible. What evil misfortune, it almost made him laugh. But things were far from the perfect victory he wanted. No, he had to tread lightly.
"Greetings."
"Where is it you're headed to traveler?" grumbled a burly dwarf, his long beard flowing down his chest. Hanging by his waist, a formidable two-handed axe made its presence clear. Yet the axe seemed far too large to be wielded by a dwarf.
The Demon God, taking a moment to gather his thoughts, decided to elude the question. He was not too keen on memorizing the names of insignificant places. Though he was unaware of where he was at the current predicament, he shifted the dwarf's question to his own. "Might I ask who you are and where you're traveling to?"
"I am known as Graybeard, but you can call me Gray," the dwarf responded, a blend of pride and amusement coloring his voice. His rugged appearance and imposing weapon acting as a testament to his formidable nature. "And this here is Mila," he continued, gesturing towards the young sorceress.
They easily obliged to my question, without even a second thought... Is it because of this human form? Are humans this trusting? Well, he is a dwarf, perhaps he lacks the intellect?
"Graybeard... A fitting name," he mused, acknowledging the correlation between his grizzled visage and his chosen moniker. Turning his attention to the sorceress, he inquired, "And you are a mage?"
Mila's voice carried a hint of nervousness as she affirmed, "Yes, I'm a mage..."
Seeing she was nervous, he inquired to see what was bothering her. "Are you always this alert?"
"Worry not about her. What about you?" Graybeard inquired; his voice tinged with concern. "You really shouldn't be traveling alone."
"I'm fine."
His eyes darted off to Mila, who seemed mesmerized, her gaze fixated on him as she softly mumbled beneath her breath, but loud enough for the three of them to hear, "Your eyes."
Graybeard's annoyance was evident as he admonished her, it was clear to the Demon God as to who led the group from their exchange. "How many times have I told you not to speak to strangers like that?"
Curiosity piqued, the Demon God probed further, asking, "What about them?"
After scolding Mila, Graybeard's attention was drawn to the Demon God's eyes. In response he exclaimed, taking a few steps back. "Holy smokes, I hadn't noticed it until now! Your eyes, they're red!"
"Is my eye color that concerning?" The Demon God questioned, genuinely curious about their reaction.
"Definitely..." Graybeard replied, his tone carrying a hint of caution. "Only demons have such eyes... But you aren't a demon, are you now?"
The Demon God quickly responded, "No, why would you even assume such a thing?"
Graybeard was certainly wary of the man before them, but it would not do his conscious any good if he were to turn tail and leave them. Graybeard's expression remained cautious as he shifted the conversation. "Right... So listen, we need to get going soon... We're already behind schedule for our work. Do you want to tag along with us? We could use your help, and you look strong enough to carry yourself."
Mila interjected, her voice tinged with worry, "But Gray! He might not be able to fight."
Asserting his capabilities, the Demon God interrupted, "I can fight. I can definitely do that. Who do you need to kill?"
A moment of silence hung in the air as both Gray and Mila exchanged puzzled glances, clearly taken aback by his eagerness. Confusion etched across their faces as they contemplated his words, unsure of how to respond to his unexpected proposition. "We aren't looking to kill anyone... We are hired adventurers tasked with dealing with pests, such as goblins," Graybeard clarified.
The humans often formed adventurer groups to take out my followers... It would be insightful to learn how they operate.
Mila chimed in softly, "Well, I suppose that is killing in a way, though."
Quick to counter her point, Graybeard responded, his gaze shifting from Mila to the Demon God, "No, it isn't. The holy order deems that eliminating goblins and any creatures of evil, not an act of killing, but rather a community service."
Community service? What a joke. The church they pray to is as corrupt as us, yet they masquerade their efforts behind blinding light. As for the goblins though, they were the weakest part of the demonic army. But having them under my control again could prove to help my conquest, but considering their betrayal, well... I'm not too forgiving.
A smile spread across his face as he extended his arm, offering a handshake to Graybeard. "I would be honored to assist you in dispatching the goblins."
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Graybeard's firm grip met his, sealing their agreement. Graybeard was still vary of him. Mila watched as the two shook hands, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. "And what's your name?" Mila inquired; her voice tinged with curiosity.
It was as if the winds had stopped, and the shrouding silence waited for the Demon God's answer. "My name... oh right, I suppose I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Arbious. A pleasure to meet you two," he replied.
The term Arbious was an abbreviation of a runic saying for lord of evil. Those who spoke runic and practiced that writing have been long since wiped from the face of the world. He made sure of that personally. In all spectrums, the name Arbious, was one that was the perfect representation for himself, and the term being runic would be an ironic joke to the false identity he had created.
Mila's eyes glittered with intrigue. "An interesting name!"
An interesting name huh? is that all you can say of my ingenious name? You wretched human.
Graybeard interjected with a hint of parental concern. "Now, now, don't get too attached to any stranger you meet, Mila. Your mother entrusted me to keep a strict eye on you."
A flash of defiance crossed Mila's face as she retorted, "I'm not a kid anymore! I'm 17, damn it. Stop treating me like a child."
As Arbious watched her outburst, he wondered if the mortal race often got into petty squabbles such as this one. His time in the throne room leading the demon armies had left him blinded for the real world.
The girl before her was none other than Mila Ashenhaul. The last surviving heir of the Ashenhaul bloodline. The Ashenhaul's were amongst the most powerful elves to roam this world, yet thanks to his deception, the family tree was wiped out, eradicated down to only her. The irony was that it was his interference that kept her alive.
Quick to act, Graybeard defused the situation, laughing at her words, not taking things to the heart. "She's a rebellious one as you can see."
As the tension eased, Mila's gaze shifted to Arbious, not wanting to continue in her unbecoming behavior. "But Arbious, how exactly will you fight? You have no weapons."
Graybeard interjected, offering a solution. "That won't be an issue. We're planning to visit the village of Hupu now. You can purchase weapons there if you need them."
"This Hupu village is close?" Arbious asked.
"Yes, Hupu is just about a thirty-minute journey from here. We're planning to stay there overnight and set out on our adventure in the morning," Mila informed, her voice brimming with anticipation.
Graybeard added with a mischievous grin, "Hupu is also known for its fine ale. I'm sure a man of your stature enjoys a good drink or two?"
Arbious's expression shifted slightly, a hint of distaste crossing his features as he responded, "I haven't had the pleasure, but I'm more focused on the task at hand than partaking in indulgences."
"Then it is imperative that we remedy this immediately! Someone like you... oh, the injustice of it all!" Graybeard exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and determination in his voice. "The drinks are waiting for you, my friend. We shall rectify this crime against nature."
With renewed purpose, they set off along the path leading to Hupu Village, their destination clear in their minds.
image [https://i.imgur.com/DvPC3dg.png]
A guy like me?
The words Graybeard had chosen had left a mark in Arbious's mind. His eyes shifted between the two. Mila tightly gripped her staff, prepared to unleash her magical prowess at a moment's notice, displaying her readiness to defend herself, despite the perceived absence of immediate danger. Graybeards short stature made Arbious question whether or not he could in fact use his weapons, but after listening to him talk, he could tell that he was no fool.
Technically I could wipe out any danger that may arise, but I should restrain my powers... Arbious thought as he kept his eye on Mila, walking behind the two.
Noticing that the two were very alert, curiosity sparked within him and questioned their vigilant demeanor. "Why are the two of you so alert? Is there a specific reason for concern?"
To someone as strong as Arbious, being ambushed was a trivial matter. He could single handedly lay siege to entire countries, a mere trap would not affect him. Mila's eyes widened and her response carried a tone of surprise. "Are you serious? These lands are plagued with goblins. I'm surprised that you've managed to survive out here without any weapons or knowledge of their threat."
I've already scoured the surrounding regions with magic and found nothing of note... I suppose for someone like me they don't prove a threat, so it is possible that I didn't notice them.
"Is the goblin population particularly high in these lands?" Arbious questioned.
If their numbers were high, then perhaps he could use this to his advantage. One thing that the Demon Realm lacked was labor. "Higher than we would've hoped," Graybeard chimed in, his voice weighed down by a sense of burden. "Those Arch Angels left us to fend for ourselves, and the church refuses to send aid. So, we have no choice but to take matters into our own hands."
"If that is the case then why support such a church?" Arbious questioned.
His question struck both Mila and Graybeard, however, the witty dwarf that he was, he responded, though his argument was not a sound one. "We support the church for the guidance they offer us. The path to salvation, and whatnot."
His words left Arbious on the tether of laughter, a dwarf who mused in alcohol openly claiming they will receive salvation from an order who abandoned them. Those who offered him this guidance must have been as drunk as he were.
image [https://i.imgur.com/Qj0qq7o.png]
After a short journey, they reached their destination: the village. However, it surpassed Arbious's initial expectations. What they encountered was not merely a village but a bustling town, its buildings reaching two to three stories high. The town was encircled by a sturdy wooden wall, which served as a protective barrier. Positioned atop the wall, guards maintained a vigilant watch over the bustling streets. As they approached, one of the guards noticed Graybeard and made his way toward them. "Graybeard! My old chum! It's been ages," the guard exclaimed, a warm smile spreading across his face as he placed a hand on Graybeard's shoulder.
"Bronzo... You're looking rusty as always." Graybeard spoke with an obnoxiously loud voice carried with a laugh.
The two clearly knew each other, and from the looks of it, they were rather close, or so that's what Arbious perceived. Mila on the other hand was not so comfortable with the two, perhaps it was because they were dwarves. Or maybe the stench of alcohol that came from Bronzo. Either way, in her shoes, he wouldn't want to be near them either.
"And who in the hell is this guy?" Bronzo asked, pointing a finger in Arbious's direction.
"I am Arbious. A traveling wizard of sorts."
"A traveling wizard with red eyes? You must be kidding. This guy's a demon." retorted Bronzo, his eyes carrying concern for their safety.
"A demon would never lower themselves to travel as a lone human," Mila interjected, slightly annoyed by his judgment.
Graybeard laughed at Bronzo's alertness. "Come on Bronzo. You're alert for nothing. If this guy was a demon we wouldn't be standing around talking now would we?"
"No..." Bronzo muttered. "I suppose we wouldn't."
Seeking to prove Arbious's innocence, at no request, Mila looked at him with a mixture of confusion and excitement, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You said you're a wizard right? So you can cast magic?" she inquired, unable to contain her fascination.
"Yes...? Isn't that what I just said?" Arbious responded, slightly taken aback by her surprise.
"But where is your staff?" she asked, scanning his attire for any trace of a magical implement.
"I can cast magic without it," he replied nonchalantly, assuming it was common knowledge.
"You what?" Bronzo the dwarf, interjected, his jaw dropping in astonishment.
Arbious regarded their reactions with mild bewilderment. "Is something wrong?"
"But... You don't look like a mage of that level... You look more like a warrior than anything," Bronzo voiced his doubts, casting a suspicious gaze in his direction.
Fighting with a sword does have its charm, still, magic is far more practical...
Mila, on the other hand, seemed eager to witness Arbious's magical abilities firsthand. "Could you show us a demonstration of what you're capable of?" she asked, her excitement palpable.
"Certainly," He replied, ready to showcase his powers.
I need to gain their trust, but a spell of high caliber would definitely be alarming...
Taking a moment to focus, he chanted the incantation, "Daesmorte Gotatre Reqminis. Infernious."
As the words left his lips, crimson magic circles materialized around him, enveloping him in their ethereal glow. However, realizing the potential danger of the spell, he swiftly added a cautious addition to his chant.
"Minimus," he whispered, infusing the incantation with a modifier to reduce its effects and mitigate any harm it might cause.
The incantation is more of a show than anything else. This could certainly be shortened greatly, but I do not want to alert them even further. The last thing I want is to bring more attention to myself.
Upon completion of the incantation, a small orb of fire manifested in the palm of his hand. With a fluid motion, he propelled the fiery ball forward, watching as it soared through the air before detonating in a burst of flames, creating a mesmerizing display. The three of them clapped enthusiastically, their eyes filled with awe at the magical spectacle he had presented.
They seem happy... Was this really impressive for them?
"How splendid! Truely a mage of the highest caliber!" Graybeard spoke with great enthusiasm, jumping in excitement and adrenaline at the sight of the explosion.
Yet Arbious's attention was caught by Mila who seemed to be lost in thought.
Mila, with a mix of excitement and concern, grabbed hold of Arbious's arm and pulled him aside, ensuring a suitable distance from the two dwarves. Once they were at a safe distance, she looked up at him, her gaze intense. "You used Minimus...?" She asked, her voice carrying a hint of accusation as she glared at him, her concern etched on her face.
Damn it, she noticed.
"Not even the bishops of the Holy Kingdom possess the knowledge to create a spell powerful enough to require the use of Minimus," Mila murmured, her voice laden with curiosity and intrigue. "In fact, most people are unaware of its existence. And that incantation you used for the fire spell, it's completely unfamiliar to me. What language was that?"
That was the language directly from the Infernal Scripture, but the use of that magic was prohibited by the church. She wouldn't know of it in specific, but if he were to say its origin, it would reveal his identity. Choosing to divert the conversation, he asked, "If that's the case, how are you aware of Minimus?"
"I know because I am an elf. We've existed in these lands long before the arrival of other races."
Acting surprised by this revelation, Arbious dug for more details, "You're an elf?"
"Yes... I possess a deep understanding of magic and its lore. However, I must admit that I have never witnessed Minimus being employed in any situation before. Your magic must be truly formidable for you to feel the need to utilize it," Mila expressed, her words a mix of admiration and curiosity.
Before Arbious could respond, Mila eagerly interjected, her excitement palpable. "It's okay if you don't want to share all the details. But, if you truly possess such mastery over magic, would you be willing to teach me? I would be honored to learn from someone with your expertise."
....
"So, you seek to strike a deal?" he asked, momentarily slipping back to his old habits as a Demon God, where such exchanges were commonplace.
In response, Mila's eyes widened with anticipation as she posed her own question. "If I agree to the deal, will you teach me?"
This was a reaction that Arbious did not expect, however, he couldn't afford to back down. "I would, but of course, a price must be paid for such knowledge."
Taking a moment to think, Mila gathered herself, "A price? Very well, then tell me. What is it that you desire?" Mila inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity. "What price would that be?"
Taking in a deep breath, Arbious regained his composure. With his demonic intentions getting the better of himself, he risked his secrecy as the words of darkness escaped his mouth. "In exchange for my wisdom, all I ask is for your soul."
The wind seemed to stand still, and an eerie silence settled upon them. Mila's expression shifted from anticipation to shock, her eyes locked onto him in disbelief.
I shouldn't have said that to her... If she reports what I told her, I might be in serious trouble. Elves have never made deals with us in the past, there is no chance that she will agree to this either.
"You want my soul?" Mila's voice broke the silence, filled with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
It was the sin of pride that he had yet to let go of that did the talking. "Yes." he replied softly, hoping to lure her.
Her gaze locked with his, searching for understanding. "And in return for my soul, you promise to teach me, to make me strong like you?"
his response was equally soft-spoken. "I will..."
Mila took a deep breath, her emotions swirling as she grappled with the weight of my proposition. "I'm sorry... But please, give me some time to consider this..."
Is she really considering this... How intriguing... I sense a turmoil in her, but I can't say for certain what it is yet. Had I not sensed this and got refused I would most certainly have killed her on the spot.
He nodded, acknowledging her need for contemplation. "Of course, Mila. Take all the time you need."
With their dealings at an end, they returned to where Graybeard and Bronzo were engaged in their jovial banter, playfully thumping each other on the chest. Their laughter subsided as they noticed Arbious's and Mila's presence. "Ah, you're back," Graybeard greeted them with a wide grin. "Did you have a pleasant chat? You didn't take advantage of her now did you?"
Mila remained silent, her gaze fixed on Arbious, waiting for his response. The weight of Graybeard's stare made Arbious feel irritated. Feeling a tinge of frustration at his remark, Arbious replied, his voice carrying a hint of defensiveness and pride, "No, I would never take advantage of her in such a way. That is not who I am."
Seeing the tension, Graybeard spoke, attempting to break the deadlock of the conversation. "Why don't we all head to the Inn?" Graybeard suggested, his fingers gently stroking his beard as he pondered for a moment.
Bronzo chimed in, curiosity piqued. "Oh, are you planning to go to the Lawk Inn again?"
Graybeard nodded with a wry smile. "Yes, it may not be the fanciest establishment, but it's the most affordable one around here."
Bronzo chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, you can't deny that the ale there leaves much to be desired..."
Graybeard shrugged, a twinkle of optimism in his gaze. "Perhaps once we've dealt with those pesky goblins, we'll have the coin to indulge in some finer dining. How does that sound, Mila?"
Mila's face lit up with excitement. "I would absolutely love that! It's a promise then. Once we've taken care of those goblins, we'll celebrate together."
Graybeard's enthusiasm was infectious as he gathered us closer, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. "Then it's settled. We will feast together as kings!" Graybeard proclaimed, his voice filled with determination and a touch of playfulness. "A feast that will make the very lords of this country green with envy!"
You shouldn't make fun of her.