"No, this one doesn't have anything either! Growling in frustration our demon friend drops the remainders of the Pit Warden and scowls. "I must have eaten over twenty of these weaklings and yet none of them had any information on how to break through the bottleneck!" He's really upset now.
The worst part is that he drained the whole surrounding area dry of the Pit Wardens and he'll have to go elsewhere to find the info he needs. He was so sure that the stronger Pit Wardens would have the secrets he needs that he was completely bewildered how little information he acquired from his slaughtering.
"The only thing I could scrape off the rest of their minds was something about a 'Place of Power' wherever that is. No directions and nothing else even related to it, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FI- Huh?" Oh my, in the middle of his tantrum he finished digesting the rest of the last Pit Wardens mind and received a very tantalizing bit of information.
" Hmmm... What's this? 'The City of Sieges', Festung? Somewhere 'south' from here? That last Warden I ate had some memories of a place demons from all around converge!" Surprised at this news he quickly stood up mouth agape, "There has got to be someone who has the knowledge I seek at this 'city'!"
Fast as a bullet, he sprinted about gathering the remainders of his food reserves for the trip, cackling as he went.
"KHAHAHAHA! FINALLY, I HAVE A LEAD!" He finally had a goal rather than mindlessly eating, the key to power was right in front of him and all he had to do was head.....
"SOUTH!" At this thought he frowned and slowly began to scowl once more, his plight began once more.
"Which way is south? Damnit, none of the pit wardens knew directions!" Sighing he looked down and spotted a severed arm. "Better than nothin' I guess."
He threw the arm high up into the air and let it fall back down to the ground. The arm came back down with a loud SNAP. The arm gave him a direction, pointing with its crooked fingers.
"I hope this doesn't leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere."
----------------------------------------
Ghurururururu......
"Fuck I'm STARVIN!" He exclaimed, grimacing at the aching feeling from his gut. It's been days since he set off and the rations he brought ran out a while ago. Aimlessly wandering empty lifeless wastes can make one hungry after all. The food problem certainly isn't being helped by the complete lack of life around here. Back at the pits, he had food for days but if he doesn't get any sustenance soon he's gonna starve out in this dessert!
"Damnit, this was a terrible idea, I should have waited for someone to come by the pits, but now I'm gonna die!" He berated himself, if he could he would have strangled past him for rushing out here so soon.
"Haaaaa...." He was exhausted, running on an empty tank has left him with no energy to spare. "I need to take a rest and recover my stamina." He looked around, trying to spot a place to recuperate, someplace secluded and preferably high off the ground.
Spotting a jutting column of rock sticking out the ground, the mouth demon went over and scaled the rock formation. Reaching the top with a raspy breath, he rolled himself onto the peak and started contemplating his next move.
"I'm so hungry, there must be something around here to eat, my current pace is not possible without a full stomach." Realistically, he would die in just a few more days without sustenance. Demon anatomy, no matter how magical, still required some source of sustenance to maintain itself.
He suddenly had a terrible idea, looking down at his left arm he started to salivate, "Maybe if I ate a little bit of myself, I could keep going... Just a liiiiiiittle bit wouldn't hurt right?" But before he could fulfill his thoughts of self-cannibalization, he smelled something. Immediately standing to attention, eyes opening as wide as they could, he focused on the origin of the smell. A completely manic, toothy grin covered his face, absolute primal hunger emanated from his figure. He knew that smell anywhere, it was the smell of blood.
"I CAN SMELL YOU." Internally screaming he scanned the desolate valley until his nose led his eyes to his newest hunt.
A platoon of armor-clad demons was running through the wastes, having recently engaged in combat many were wounded, the blood from their wounds alerted the mouth demon to their whereabouts. Best yet was the cart of looted goods they were hauling behind them. It was truly a miracle, in his time of need starving in the middle of nowhere, a feast has been delivered right to him!
"Only about fifty of them too, and most of them are weak as well." Analyzing his prey, he quickly picked out any vulnerabilities and things he could exploit. Even when he was being tempted by the thought of rushing out to fight as fast as he can, he held back knowing that right now he was weak. Starved from wandering in this wasteland he was unable to exert his full strength. The only way to rectify this problem would be to pick off the weaker ones and devour them as fast as possible, as soon as he had food in his belly his strength would climb back to its peak allowing him to slaughter the rest with impunity. He would need to form a plan of action.
"Most of them in the back are limping, and the ones in the center of the group have heavier wounds." While evaluating his attack plan his eyes drifted to the demon at the front. The largest and most heavily armored, in contrast to the demons behind him his armor was far better constructed than the ramshackle scraps of metal strapped to the other demons. "He must be the leader, all that armor is gonna be a pain to get through." Flexing his claws, he examined their exact length, around eight inches, and hoped that the leader's armor wasn't too thick, or else he would need some serious penetrative power to take him down.
What was most interesting, however, was the uniformity of the demons in the platoon. All of them were almost exactly alike, with some differences in height and size, but they were all identical except for the leader. The demons he faced down in the spawning pits had striking differences and almost all were unique, it was an odd sight, seeing so many demons identical to one another. They all had red skin, pointy noses, stubby tails, and pointy ears. Were the demons of the spawning pits special? Why were these demons identical, while the spawning pit demons were more diverse? Such thoughts had to be set aside for now, for the time of the hunt has arrived.
Using his claws like rock picks, he quickly descended the rock formation and made his way to the rear of the platoon. Far too tired to focus on anything, along with the sound of clinking armor all around, prevented the platoon from hearing their predator sneaking up right behind them.
Quietly he climbed onto the top of the cart, once up top he looked down at the four demons pulling the cart along. They had noticed the sudden shift in the weight of the cart but attributed it to one of them slacking off. One of the demons pulling from the front of the cart turned around to admonish whoever thought it would be wise to slack off on their return trip.
Ghurururururu...
Startled, the demon looked up at the source of the sound, but the only thing he saw was his death descending upon him.
SHLIIIIIICK
Descending from above, the mouth demon decapitated all four demons pulling the cart in one smooth swipe before landing on the ground. He had to act fast, soon the demons in front of him will notice that the cart has stopped moving. Clutching the four headless corpses in his claws he lifted them up high and started to open his maw. The seams of his mouth that traveled down his neck split open as his massive mouth tripled from two feet to a horrific six feet in diameter!
Dropping the cadaver into his pit of teeth, he swallowed them whole the best he could, their armor had to be chewed but added a nice crunch he kind of enjoyed. Almost instantly his stomach broke down these corpses delivering a burst of energy to his fatigued body. Rejuvenated he started phase two of his battle plan, rushing to the center where the most injured demons are at!
"If I can push through to the center I can feast on their injured and top off my strength!" Certain of his ability to do just that he started running as fast as he could!
Hearing the loud stomping sound of the large demon whelp from behind them, several of the demon soldiers turned around to face this new threat. They are too late, already the mouth demon has carved his way through their platoon. He was halfway to the center of their formation! A few however reacted faster than expected and began to attack, swinging and thrusting their weapons to cut him to pieces!
Ducking most of their attacks, the mouth demon responded in kind with furious strikes. Tearing limbs and heads from those brave enough to attack. He was almost there, just a little further and he would reach the wounded. More focused than ever he picked up in speed and leaped forward! Sailing overhead, the mouth demon's face broke into a ferocious grin when he saw just where he would land.
"I made it, now become my strength, you weaklings!" He braced for impact and aimed his legs right at the backs of his prey.
CRACK
Crushing two demons beneath his feet upon landing, the heavily injured demons turned around and paled at the sight of their evisceration.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
"Where did he come from?!" One of the wounded shouted, "Quick! Run away or you'll end up like those two!" Another shouted, gesturing to the two smears below the intruder.
Leisurely the mouth demon made his way through the group of wounded, all of them too injured to fight back he ate and killed as he pleased. Maximizing his efficiency the mouth demon took to stuffing as many demons into his maw as possible, swallowing a few of them alive as well. Their screams only hastened his efforts, fueling his bloodlust.
In just a few seconds he reduced the entire platoon from fifty demons down to less than twenty! The rest of the platoon soon encroached on his position, with weapons brandished and rage burning for their adversary. Narrowing his eyes, the mouth demon soon adopted a defensive stance. His strength had almost all been replenished, just a few more bodies and he could truly let loose. He just couldn't afford any heavy damage, any energy spent towards healing would hinder his combat effectiveness and get him killed.
The platoon took formation around him, weapons pointing at him from all sides. No one moved, as much as they would hate to admit it, the mouth demon could easily kill any one of them and they would have to be very careful. Everyone was soon snapped out of their concentration when a demon broke off from the formation and charged the mouth demon!
"WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? LET'S KILL HIM ALRE-AGGKHH!" Right before he could get into range, the mouth demon stepped towards him and ripped his head from his shoulders with a single swipe of his claws before stepping back into his original position. Their formation has broken from the decision of one fool. They couldn't make the circle any smaller lest they risk being in the mouth demon's range. The rest of the soldiers looked to each other, threw caution to the wind, and decided to...
"CHARGE!!!" With a cry of war, the platoon sped forward hoping to overwhelm their opponent with a synchronized attack. Alas, their only hope would be crushed, as the mouth demon proved to be far too agile to be caught in their assault. Only allowing the smallest of glancing blows, the mouth demon narrowly dodged all incoming attacks. Grabbing the corpses on the ground he covered any of his openings with body shields to buy more time. Deflecting attacks with his armored forearms. In the time between each attack, he was eating the other corpses still surrounding him, he was so close to refilling his strength! Just a few seconds more and-
"Finally now I can go all out!" His body finally fully revigorated, the mouth demon dropped his defensive stance and went on the offensive. The remaining demon soldiers stood no chance against his peak fighting strength and after a few moments of vicious slaughter, only two demons were left standing in a field of death and carnage.
The mouth demon and the platoons leader.
The platoon leader was a very large demon, twelve feet in height alone, he towered over the battlefield. Even though he was pear-shaped, his muscles showed through the armor showcasing his raw strength. His armor was composed of thick interlocking plates that covered his whole body from bottom to top, the headpiece was solid metal with two eye holes in the front. Leisurely he rested his weapon, a four-meter long mace adorned with hooked spikes, on top of his shoulder.
Eyeing the platoon leader, the mouth demon fully analyzed his last opponent. "He noticed me when I landed in the middle of the group earlier but hasn't moved an inch!" He thought scrutinizingly, "That armor as well, he's completely covered in it, I can't find any openings." Throughout the battle, he preferred to aim for the exposed body parts when fighting the soldiers. He could cut through it with some effort, but that took too much time and the soldier's armor only covered their torsos and upper thighs. He was interrupted from his thoughts when a guttural murky voice spoke to him.
"Who sent you huh? Was it that BITCH Lord Valmrax?!" The demon demanded, voice bellowing out accusingly at the mouth demon.
"Nobody sent me, and I don't know any Lord Valmrax." The mouth demon responded, grimacing as an odd tingly sensation clung to his tongue after saying that word. "What was that?" It was a foreign feeling, none of the other words he learned ever did that!
"You a stray then? Why the FUCK did you attack my squad!?" Yelling back at the mouth demon, the platoon leader was pissed off, just as he was getting back from a successful raid some ingrate decides to jump his group and kill all his men! Just great, how was he gonna get the loot back home now?
"I was just hungry, and your men looked like a good meal." Shooting a cruel smile to the other demon, saying his reason as bluntly as he could, fully expecting the platoon leader to rush him in outrage he was surprised to hear bellowing laughter!
"WHAHAHAHAHA! You were hungry? I guess that is as good a reason as any." Laughing at the mouth demon's answer, the platoon leader slapped his metal-covered stomach with his free hand, this situation was just too ridiculous to believe!
"HAHAAAaaa.... you know what? I'm gonna tear your head off and keep it as a trophy! I have been looking for something to mount on my wall! He coldly declared, lifting his mace off his shoulder he took a wide relaxed stance holding his free armored hand out in front of him, killing intent pouring forth from his form. Eyes practically glowing with rage.
This was it, the conclusion to this fight, both fighters raring to go, ready to tear into one another!
First to move was the mouth demon, he rushed forward claws at the ready, bloodlust blazing from his eyes.
"I need to test the strength of that armor! See if I can't just tear it apart!"
Moments before he could make contact, the platoon leader lifted his mace up high with his right hand preparing a powerful swing. Focusing on the mace, the mouth demon almost didn't notice the subtle movement to his left.
"Shit! It was a feint!"
The platoon leader was more cunning than he thought and had baited him with his mace, only to throw a heavy punch while he was distracted. The platoon leader's fist rocketed out towards the mouth demon, literal moments away from contact!
"Too close, I can't dodge! Gonna have to take it!" Quickly bringing his hands up to his chest the mouth demon barely managed to catch the punch in his hands!
creeeeeeeeeaaaak
His bones bent and muscles fibers screamed, the added weight of the platoon leader's armor gave his punch devastating force that almost pulverized the mouth demons arms! The impact alone sent him flying back several meters. Clutching his arms in pain he barely managed to stay standing after that attack. Looking back up from the ground, he was greeted with the sight of the platoon leader about to crush him under his mace!
"Not gonna give me a break are you?" Narrowly avoiding the downward swing by throwing himself to the side, the mouth demon delivered his own counterattack and raked his claws across the platoon leader's armor.
SHRIIIEEEEK
Sparks flew about as claw and metal met in a furious clash, but to the mouth demons disappointment, the cut just wasn't deep enough.
"Ha, did you actually think you could penetrate my armor with those puny claws of yours? YOUR PATHETIC!" Roared the platoon leader, swinging his mace back at the mouth demon.
"Dinky!? I'll show you! I'm going all in! It's all or nothing!" He growled internally, barely evading the mace and getting some of his skin torn by the hooked barbs.
Grunting in pain the mouth demon leaped back to widen the distance. "If I can't cleave through that armor I'll just pierce it instead!" If he concentrated all his strength on a single point it should be possible to stab right into that platoon leader's gut. He needed to get very close for this to work though.
Rushing back into range with the platoon leader, the mouth demon focused on dodging to get as close as possible for the right moment. Evading thunderous punches and barely dodging destructive swings the perfect moment had arrived.
Raising his mace with both hands, the platoon leader had enough of the mouth demons evasion and was about to crush him with overwhelming force! Channeling all his strength into one blow left him wide open from below as a result.
"YOU SLIPPERY FUCKING RAT! DODGE THIS!!!" The platoon leader yelled, putting all his weight into this one attack.
"ALRIGHT LET'S SEE IF YOUR ARMOR CAN HANDLE THIS!!!!" He leaped forward right into the range of the platoon leader's attack, he positioned his claws into a thrusting position, keeping his claws flush against another he formed two sharp edges and thrust his claws into the center of the platoon leader' stomach!
SCREEEEEEEEEEECH
Awful screeching noises shrieked out as claw met metal once again, but this time the armor would be the one to fail. Throwing all his weight into one attack was the platoon leader's biggest mistake, his momentum towards the mouth demons attack gave him the extra force needed to impale the armor!
SHLIK
Warm fluid flowed over the mouth demon's claws. He did it! His claws up to his wrists were now firmly planted inside the platoon leader's intestines. Smiling at this success he started pushing deeper, but was stopped as two armor-clad hands grabbed a hold of his shoulders!
"AHHH! YOU CLEVER BASTARD! GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY GUTS!" Yelled the platoon leader, attempting to pry the mouth demon's arms out of his innards.
Now it was a violent struggle, a desperate standstill as the platoon leader was literal seconds from death! All the mouth demon had to do was reach up into his chest cavity from his gut and crush his heart and he would be dead.
Muscles straining, bones aching, the outcome of this fight would be decided by a test of strength!
Digging his clawed feet into the ground, the mouth demon was determined to win. Using every muscle he could he strained as hard as possible against the platoon leaders might. Trying as hard as the platoon leader was, he was losing ground. It was too difficult for him to maintain momentum in his armor, also his opponent was below him, trying to pull him out of his guts from this angle was impossible.
Slowly the mouth demon's arms pushed deeper and deeper into the platoon leader's guts, up to his elbows in demon intestines. Almost at the heart, a little more and he would win, victory was in sight.
With a final push, the mouth demon's hands finally wrapped around the big bastard's heart, a bowling ball-sized organ that thumped madly within his grasp. Gripping the heart with his claws, he yanked down as hard as he could and ripped the platoon leader's heart right out!
Stumbling backward, the platoon leader weakly stood on shaky legs. "You, damn you, I hope you choke on my heart you sadistic fuuuuaaaaahhh...." and with that final gasp of life, the platoon leader fell over dead.
Grinning wolfishly the mouth demon held the massive heart in his hands like a trophy and messily bit down on it, savoring his victory. After messily consuming the gigantic organ he looked back at the rest of the platoon's corpses that he hadn't eaten yet. One of them had to have information about the location of 'The City of Sieges, Festung!
"Time to get to work."
----------------------------------------
After eating the entire platoon, he did not get any directions for 'The City of Sieges" which greatly enraged him, but he did get some information on what exactly they were hauling in the cart. "Something called an 'Orb of Direction' a device used for navigation, apparently it's a very valuable artifact."
Finally, after unpacking everything from the cart he found it, an 'Orb of Direction'. It was a palm-sized glass ball with a band of gold wrapped around the middle. The four cardinal directions and several other symbols he could not recognize were engraved on the band of gold. All one had to do was ask the ball 'Where is ____?' and it would lead you there. Holding the orb to his mouth he asked the orb:
"Where is Festung, 'The City of Sieges'?" He stared at the orb waiting for a response, he could barely contain his excitement.
The orb itself turned in his hand to align the four cardinal directions, and then within the glass ball, a small golden arrow materialized. Wildly spinning about the arrow started to slow down before finally giving him what he wanted, directions to 'The City of Sieges'!
"Finally, Festung here I come!"