image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]

Alpos descended into the demon pits. The air wreaked of a terrible smell with each step. By the time he had arrived to the destination he sought, he let out a faint breath as he knocked.

"Master Vorner, may I enter?" Alpos called out, his voice echoing through the hallway.

Vorner peered at him through a small opening in the massive metal door, recognizing his face. "Ah, it's you, Alpos." He slowly swung the door open, allowing Alpos to step inside.

Alpos entered the room, which served as Vorner's office for his dedicated studies in the dark arts. This secluded space was nestled within the depths of the demon pits, where Vorner would spend endless hours unraveling the secrets of infernal scripture.

"I assume your research has yielded progress?" Alpos inquired, his gaze drifting towards the tome resting on Vorner's table—a copy of the sacred scripture, the word of their revered Demon God.

"It's a marvel to behold," Vorner responded, sinking into his swirling chair with a weary sigh. "Despite my intellect, deciphering it accurately still eludes me."

"As I've mentioned before, I can teach you the language of our demonic brethren, yet you remain steadfast in rejecting my assistance."

"And in exchange for your teachings, I would have to forfeit half of my life," Vorner remarked, closing his eyes and intertwining his fingers as he leaned forward onto the table.

Seated across from him, Alpos sought to entice him further. "Consider this, Vorner, your life span is already considerably limited."

Leaning back against his chair, Vorner gazed at the ceiling. "If I were to entertain this offer, what would be my gain? It would rob me of the thrill of deciphering our master's cryptic code—any amusement I derive from the demons' enigmatic messages would vanish instantly."

"Do you remember it? You were once an esteemed Archbishop of the Imperial Church. How far you've fallen," Alpos remarked, a tinge of sarcasm behind his voice.

"Do not remind me," Vorner said.

Vorner and Alpos had been close friends for many years, and his diligent study of the infernal scripture had extended his life beyond normal limits. Their bond grew stronger when Alpos recruited him into their service—a lifetime of servitude that Vorner strangely relished.

"Tell me, Vorner, do you believe it is possible to attain power equivalent to that of our Infernal Master?"

Vorner scoffed, his tone laced with caution. "Surely, you jest, its treason you ask."

"Treason? How so?"

"You seek to delve into forbidden territories, my friend," Vorner warned, his voice tinged with concern. "By questioning the authority of our esteemed ruler, you risk unsettling the very foundation of our existence."

Alpos lowered his voice, trying to convey his genuine curiosity. "I assure you, Vorner, I harbor no intentions of undermining our great ruler. I am merely driven by the desire to comprehend the path to such immense power."

Vorner tapped his fingers on the ancient tome resting on his desk, his eyes lost in contemplation. "To achieve the level of power possessed by the divine beings, one must be capable of constructing an entire system of magic... That is the defining distinction between Arbious and mortals."

"An entire system of magic?" Alpos leaned in closer, captivated by Vorner's words.

With a solemn expression, Vorner leaned forward, as if sharing a profound secret. "What I am about to disclose is highly classified, knowledge I obtained during my tenure as a bishop in the Library of Heaven."

Alpos leaned in even closer, eager to absorb every detail Vorner was about to reveal.

"There are ten tiers of magic, each representing different levels of power and mastery. However, among these tiers, there exists a transcendent level known as God Tier Magic. This extraordinary form of magic is exclusive to divine beings such as our master and the God of the angels. God Tier Magic serves as the foundation for all the magic we wield, as it channels the powers bestowed upon us by the Gods themselves. It is through this magic that we are able to cast spells and manipulate the forces of the universe. In our realm, there are two significant scriptures that house profound knowledge and magical spells: the Holy Scripture and the Infernal Scripture. Both texts are vital sources of magic, granted to us by the Gods. While the Holy Scripture is revered by many, I personally have not found great interest in it, leading to my conversion to your forces."

Alpos paused, trying to understand the implications of his words. "So, what you're suggesting is that to attain the status of a deity like our master, we must possess the ability to create our own source of magic?"

Vorner nodded, his expression grave. "Indeed, it is a complex matter. Mere seventh tier Godhood is meaningless in comparison to true power. To ascend to the level of our lord would require unimaginable power and mastery. In the eyes of the Gods we serve, we are insignificant, mere pebbles in their vast schemes. If we were to confront them directly, we would be nothing more than an inconvenience."

Alpos pondered his words, feeling a sense of confusion. "Yet, despite our insignificance, we still wage war against the archangels, the humans, the elves. What led to this conflict? I still don't understand the purpose behind all of this."

Vorner sighed heavily, the weight of the truth he was about to reveal evident in his voice. "If you seek the truth, then I shall reveal it to you. Well, this is really just a theory of mine, so don't take it too seriously, but the reason behind this relentless bloodshed and destruction lies in the fact that both the God of Heavens and our Infernal God of Hell are bored. They are tyrants who view our lives as mere pawns in their grand scheme. We exist solely to serve their entertainment, willingly participating in this war for their amusement."

"Absurd," Alpos scoffed, waving his hands dismissively to convey his disbelief at his nonsensical statement.

"Well, everyone has their own perspective," Vorner responded, clearly upset by his reaction.

"Listen, there must be a logical reason behind it. Our great lord has already defeated three lesser deities, absorbing their powers. There has to be a purpose to all of this."

"That's true. He did become stronger after eliminating the goddess of beauty," Vorner admitted.

"But let's be honest, her beauty was far from appealing."

"Absolutely, even my human eyes couldn't bear to look at a bald woman. It's a relief that our lord took care of her."

"Listen, regarding our conversation earlier," Alpos spoke, adopting a secretive tone. "You won't breathe a word of this, will you?"

"Of course not."

Alpos rose from his seat, satisfied with his conversation with Vorner. Turning to leave, he spoke with authority. "Our great master wishes to convene a meeting with us. Prepare yourself and make your way to the Citadel promptly. We will be gathering in the throne room."

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"A meeting? What's it about?"

"I'm not privy to the details myself."

Ha! Even Alpos the deceiver has been outmaneuvered." Vorner mused.

"Make sure you're there," Alpos stated, exiting Vorner's office.

Emerging from the depths of the infernal pits, Alpos gazed up at the ominous skies, contemplating their standing in Hell. Sigfi, an unwavering servant of the God they worshipped, was fiercely loyal, almost to a fault. While Alpos, too, harbored loyalty, their aspirations extended far beyond mere devotion. He craved power and sought to ascend, to stand by his master's side, wielding dominion over humanity. He yearned for personal dominance, second only to their great lord. But alas, despite his newfound powers, Alpos found himself outmatched. Vorner, a master of the dark arts, possessed immeasurable strength bestowed upon him by their great lord. Adding to his predicament, Sigfi had managed to capture his master's attention. Alpos knew he had to step up his game somehow, to find a way to satisfy his master and earn his trust.

Making his way to the Hellfire Citadel, Alpos noticed Impions bowing their heads in respect as they passed by. It was a welcome change, as his intimidating appearance now garnered favor from other demons.

Entering the courtyard, his eyes fell upon the lifeless corpse of a dragon lying at the base of the stairway leading to the throne room. It was a stark reminder of his failure in commanding his troops, having lost the dragon that his great lord had entrusted to him on the front lines.

Recalling his encounter with the archangel, Alpos remembered that he was now held captive within the depths of the citadel. While he hadn't gotten involved in that ordeal personally, he knew Michael was enduring excruciating torment. It was the least he deserved for opposing them.

image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]

From his infernal throne, Arbious gazed down, his divine form radiating sinister power. He had grown considerably in strength, and even hell itself could sense it.

Alpos approached the throne slowly, but Arbious sensed anger and frustration building within him, just as he had intended. Bowing his head in respect, Alpos spoke to Arbious while standing before the throne. "My lord, I have arrived early to be at your disposal."

"I assume Vorner has been informed of my summons?"

"He has, your majesty."

"Excellent. Now that everyone is gathering, I shall make arrangements to provide suitable accommodations for our conquest."

"Our conquest, my lord?"

Arbious looked at Alpos, who seemed bewildered.

"Yes... Our conquest, Alpos. You are with me on this, are you not?"

"Yes, my lord," Alpos replied with a solemn nod.

With a wave of his hand, Arbious manifested a grand table that stretched across the throne room, a table meant for those he had summoned. As for him, he could easily overlook the table from his throne.

On the grand table before them, a magnificent map of the human world unfolded, revealing strategic locations and their formidable strongholds within their realm.

Alpos approached the table with a mix of curiosity and reverence, his eyes transfixed on the mesmerizing sight of the magical map. It stretched as far as the eye could see, displaying a vivid and dynamic representation of the world.

"Behold the Map of Conquest, a relic of unparalleled power capable of providing us with precise information spanning across realms... There is only one of its kind in existence, and it is under my possession," Arbious proclaimed.

Curiosity brimming in his voice, Alpos couldn't help but ask, "From whom did you acquire such a coveted artifact?"

"I took it from the God of Wisdom. He no longer had any use for it."

Alpos quipped sarcastically, "I assume he didn't surrender it to you willingly."

"He had no choice but to relinquish it," Arbious replied with a touch of menace in his voice.

Arbious watched as Alpos examined the intricate details of the map, his eyes tracing the contours of the landscapes, the delicate representation of clouds, buildings, and cities, and the tiny figurines of people scattered across the map.

"Fascinating," Alpos murmured in awe, captivated by the immersive depiction before him.

As the imposing gates to the throne room swung open, Vorner and Sigfi entered side by side, bowing their heads respectfully upon their approach. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the magnificent map at the center of the table.

"Take your seats," Arbious commanded with authority, his piercing gaze fixing upon them.

Obeying his order, one by one, they settled around the table, their attention wholly absorbed by the awe-inspiring map.

"Why have you summoned us, Your Majesty?" Vorner inquired, a tinge of skepticism coloring his words. "Surely you don't intend for us to spend our time merely gazing at this relic."

Sigfi, visibly irked by Vorner's impertinence, added, "Such insolence from a human!"

Arbious thundered, his voice resonating through the chamber, "Silence!"

The room fell into a hushed stillness as his command echoed in the air, a clear reminder of his power and authority.

Why must they be so difficult...

"You have assembled here today in response to my summons, an act that should be met with the utmost respect for your great ruler. Your behavior thus far has shown disrespect towards my name, and be assured, appropriate consequences will be administered. However, this is not the time for retribution. Alpos, enlighten them about our current situation, about your accomplishments, before we delve into further details."

Alpos rose from his seat with a sense of pride, his tail swaying with excitement. "Of course, your majesty," Alpos spoke confidently.

"With the dark authority bestowed upon me, I have rallied the rebellious Impions who once defied us. We have initiated the production of infernal siege weapons within the Hellfire Forge, utilizing undead labor to create the Infernal Juggernauts. These ultimate tanks are capable of obliterating buildings with ease. With our modernized weaponry, the Infernal Juggernauts, can unleash the fury of hellfire itself onto the battlefield."

"With the Hellfire Forge operational once again, powered by undead labor raised by our esteemed ruler, we can expect a continuous supply of weapons to arm our forces. The Infernal Juggernauts will undoubtedly become an indispensable asset in our arsenal. However, to further enhance our capabilities on the battlefield, we require skilled demons proficient in ranged spells," Alpos added.

Vorner interjected, "To achieve such goals, we need more acolytes to aid with our summoning rituals."

"And you shall have them soon," Arbious declared from his throne.

Pointing to the map, Alpos continued, "Our conquest, combined with superior technology, has already yielded results. We have completely eradicated the elven foothold in the Galdenrein Forest. The once thriving forest now burns, consumed by chaotic corruption, transforming it into a desolate wasteland."

Vorner appeared taken aback by their revelation.

"The Galdenrein Forest is burning? Are you serious?" he exclaimed.

Alpos grinned, emanating a sinister aura. "Indeed, it is."

"That will suffice for the briefing. Thank you, Alpos," Arbious stated, acknowledging his contribution.

Alpos nodded and returned to his seat at the table, ready for the next phase of their plans.

Sensing the anticipation from the trio, Arbious took center stage. "Having successfully infiltrated the ranks of the human world, I have gained valuable knowledge about their vast networks and the individuals in positions of power. Equipped with this information, I shall endeavor to persuade influential figures to join our cause. However, I must emphasize that we shall not overlook the opportunity of having Heaven's strongest warrior, Michael, in our custody. We shall exploit this situation to its fullest extent."

Vorner couldn't resist a sarcastic remark. "Ah, it appears that you have everything meticulously planned out, my lord."

In response, Arbious made a subtle motion with his hand, lifting Vorner into the air and gripping his throat firmly, though without causing fatal harm.

Alpos observed with a mixture of amusement and fascination, while the room fell into a tense silence.

"Another insolent comment will be met with swift consequences," Arbious warned, as Vorner struggled to breathe. He hastily nodded in agreement and submission as Arbious released his grip.

"The time for change has come," Arbious declared, taking control of the moment. "I shall bestow new titles and positions upon each of you."

"Alpos, you shall assume the role of my Demon General. Your recent promotion to Doom Guard has demonstrated your aptitude for leading our army," Arbious announced. "Vorner, you shall serve as Alpos's second-in-command, providing unwavering support as he deems necessary. Your loyalty requires unquestioning obedience to his orders. Sigfi, your responsibility shall lie in overseeing our Hellfire Domain, ensuring the smooth production of weapons, demons, and resources. If you require assistance, do not hesitate to seek it."

They all accepted their new roles, acknowledging the absence of choice in the matter.

"Now, with this in mind, let us embark upon our plans for the future," Arbious declared, setting the stage for the next phase of their journey.