Chapter 12 arriveth! Now that the Flea Bite is recuperated, and Azxoll has built his kingdom, more loose ends need tied up and true intentions need revealed. The real plan of this ploy will surface under the real puppetmaster. Meanwhile, the dogs and wolves need to think of what to do next, or perhaps they will suffer yet another massacre. Plus, yet another shoutout here, to my pal GrinWolf. He has a fanfiction called "Tale of Grin," which I think all of my followers should also follow too. I appreciate everyone who has followed and favourited my tale thus far, as you guys are my drive to keep writing. After all, what would an author be without his audience?
I know my story has a decent number of followers now, but I must admit there are other fictions out there more deserving than this one. "Inchoation" is a novice story in comparison to the other stories I have mentioned up to this point, like "Love and Misery," "Betrayed," "Between Mercy and Severity," and "Misery to a Good Life." Not only that, but despite the fact these people may not be following my tale, I find it necessary to call out the skill in my other fanfiction peers' writings, including "Hilltop High," "A Lone Wolf's Melody," "The Adventures of Fatherhood and Forgiveness," "Healing Hearts," "Kate's Story," "Trials of Alpha and Omega: Adventure in the South," "True Love Starts at a Young Age," "Deal with Fallen Angel," and "Same Love." All of them - better than this, so you should really be checking out all these grand examples as well. (*Note: these are by Mr. Steal Yo Gurl, The Fun-loving Omega, Zee-Dude, The-crazy-lone-wolf77, Alpha Andrew, Porcupain, Tears of Soul, Dream web, Humphrey Loves Kate, Albedo66, Death's Shadow 2016, and RexieCakes.) Also, I would like to mention the HLK Forum (right in the forum area of A&O fanfictions), which is open to all who wish to converse with some friends. It is led by the one-and-only Humphrey Loves Kate, so...yeah. Now, onward and outward, to the story we go!
True Colors
Azxoll POV
Me atop my throne, standing before my subjects...this was my Paradise, more so than that I could imagine Heaven giving me. That holy realm would only try to deliver a feeling I knew not existed anymore...love. The very word put a foul taste upon my long tongue, as it was the forbidden fruit I was cursed to never taste. To me, love is myth, nothing but an insouciant fairytale that will only run over and over in my mind until one day I reach the threshold of insanity. I couldn't let this worthless aspect of life blind me from my goals. I knew that all I could be now was a tyrant - nothing more or less. I could not feel compassion or understanding of another individual on a deep level, just as no being will ever be able to understand the horrible twisted labyrinth that is my soul, vines and weeds growing over the dark and decayed rocks of it. "Just a myth..." I hissed under my breath.
Now that the stage was set for my announcement, and I had an idea what deal I had to offer, I stepped forth to the edge of my balcony high over ground level. Those living in my territory, whether they be hellspawn, tenevris organisms, or fleshy weaklings, all of them looked like miniscule insects from my perspective. This told me that I was the master, standing above all those beneath my talons. Now was the time for my first public address, allowing all in the area to know the presence of their new lord. I coughed a few times to clear my esophagus of any phlegm or blockages, then opened my mouth to create a siren to the city. A huge roar bellowed forth from the recesses of my stomach, dissipating across all of Zthasariia. Upon finishing, I allowed my disruption to silence to echo across all the recesses of the empire. It followed through my ears for a few seconds, letting me know all nearby would hear this beacon.
As I waited, I saw some of my subjects walk forth to the base of my throne, looking up to view a power much higher than their own. The demons and reptiles, surprisingly adaptable to each other, were the first to appear. I waited for some time to pass, when humans finally poked their little heads from the sanctity of remains of their homes. Peering onward, they kept their distance from the main crowd, unknowing of the new creatures inhabiting their...no, MY land. From here, I could not tell the direct expressions or mumblings of the humans; however, I knew every one of them held one universal element...fear. This I was pleased with. Giving my offer will likely flush the majority of the scum from my city, as they scurry away with their pride between their legs. I found a slight grin spreading along my scaly lips.
Once all looked as it would be for my initiation, I cleared my throat one more time, opened my mouth, and projected my voice thusly: "Humans...hellspawn...dark multitude that now lives among my domain, I stand before all of you as your new LORD AND KING!" I silenced myself a moment, as the armies of Satan and blackness cheered with a combination of hisses, grumbles, shrieks, gurgles, and other utterances. The humans only shirked backwards in hesitation, knowing very well I had only introduced myself to them through my rage and fury. I raised a single hand, and all fell silent in mere seconds...the respectful audience I have always wanted and deserved. "I have cleansed this land of the morbid pollution long stagnating the planet. I have purged this...San Francisco...and have replaced it with a kingdom known to the Earth for millennia...that of the great TENEVRIS! My new world will be named after another similar to that of me...Zthasiikcii, he who hath punished his kind and kept them in their place. This is no longer the human San Francisco, but rather the agondrays' Zthasariia! I have learned from this cruel, heartless epoch that only the king and the subjects exist; only the STRONG WILL RULE, while the WEAK PERISH! Those who follow their lord will be shown mercy - those who do not...will be shown nothing but the ruthless brutality humanity has shown me over my short life. I know that my territory holds those worthy to live under my shadow, and then there are those who are pitiful lowlifes - HUMANS!
"To mankind...I will NOT relent or apologize for the destruction of this area or for the deaths of those you all held closest, for I don't GIVE A DAMN WHAT ANY OF YOU THINK! It was your useless species that drove me to this state - all of you are unworthy to bask in my radiance or that of my new Dark Lord! In fact, none even deserve to serve under the Father and Creator...for even He should banish thee to the deepest and most feculent corners of Hell, where my Lord will feast upon your searing flesh for the immortal's lifetime! All of you...a vile example of organisms, the worst that have ever crawled out of the crevasses of pestilence and depravity! Have you less of a heart than the dark soul that stands before you all?! You claw and tear at the will of a consciousness too weak-minded to fend for himself, until he falls into a state of madness; not one of you knaves have ever taken notice that I too am a living, breathing being! YOU ALL DESERVE NOTHING MORE THAN THE DIRECT PUNISHMENT OF THE BLACK MAN HIMSELF!
"But...I am a merciful king. I offer one - and only one - act of sympathy from the depths of my abyss of a heart. Any human who hereby wishes to leave my kingdom and live under the rule of your corrupt society is given the option; you are free to continue living your filthy, meaningless lives as you see fit, carrying the stigma of a repugnant race. However, those who remain here will become subjects of my Zthasariia; you will live as the lowest ranks in my domain, but you will be able to work your way up to respectable civilians if you are willing to follow my every command without hesitation or disinclination. You may have to suffer under my claw, but at you may feel better on the inside knowing you are passable in the eyes of an eminence - the almighty lagaareyy! Those who leave will never be able to return here, as the choice to live again among the world's refuse will be seen as an act of unredeemable willpower in my eyes and those of the almighty Underworld. Now, I give every single one of you twelve hours to make a decision regarding this offer. Upon the rising of tomorrow's sun, the final gate will be open to the human realm, and it will be forever sealed thereafter, until such a point I mayhaps wish to broaden my reign! Make a choice, and allow your fate to rest with that of purity or that of degradation! To my TRUE subjects before me, your king is pleased that his army is suitable enough for him. I dub this declaration adjourned, as my inauguration draws to a close. Go to your habitats now, and bow under that of your Azxoll."
With the end of that long explanation, I allowed silence to once again dominate the atmosphere. None spoke or dared to rise against my authority. All below, now knowing me better, held a veneration for me in their eyes...whether it be of obedience or fear. Getting my point across, I now wished to return to my original size, that of about ten feet in height, so that I could retire into my new castle. "I have been able to do tremendous things with tenevris already," I thought. "Surely I can probably control my size!" I stared down at my ferocious pile of muscle, bone, and stoneflesh. The Azxolian Lagaareyy Armour still perched itself atop me, covering my already sturdy scales. "Time to return to normal," I commented out loud to only my presence. I thought hard about the darkness and its inner hold on me and my body. After some thinking, I sneak my eyelids open to find the armour, fading off of me, becoming gas and trickling downward to become part of the balcony floor. After another minute of mental strain, I felt myself shrinking to my original size. Sure enough, when I decided to look again, I stood at my normal level on the outer platform. "Good - back to the original Azxoll." Although the size left me, the power hadn't...I could continue feeling that surge of energy course through me like a serpent or angiis.
Before going inside, my peripherals caught a glance at the sky. My neck twisted around and I noticed the blackness from the power beam still there. After all this time, it never left the heavens above. Somehow, it had gotten even larger now, creating an ovular shape rather than the circular one it started out in. I was curious of its purpose, but I decided it be better not the question that which one does not understand. I shrugged and looked at the open doorway from the balcony. Inside, there lied a dark room with a flat, bedlike apparition in the corner. It wasn't a soft fluffy mattress with pillows and sheets, as it WAS still a dark element and all. However, I smiled knowing that for the first time in years I had a "bed" to sleep in, even if it was basically a flat rock. I trudged over to it and plopped my tired self upon its welcoming slick features. I closed my eyes and let darkness take my mind away to the dream world.
Simultaneously occurring, in the Wild pack territory...
Carface POV
Man, after helping Red and Belladonna escort that Azxoll boss guy to his destiny zone or whatever, I was beat. I should have told Otto to take of this job, but...I needed to make sure my two demon masters didn't punish me or anything. I know that I'm needed on this mission, and Belladonna and Red just aren't willing to admit it. "I should be getting more credit than this," I mentally concluded. "I mean, I feel like the third damn wheel here...something needs to happen soon."
After that dragon guy destroyed the city in a - dare I say it - awesome triumph over humans, I felt a respect for him. This guy knew how to take initiative to get what he wanted, no matter the price. I know that very well...I mean, I've killed my friends and made deals with demons! I saw black buildings emerge from the ground, higher than the last manmade ones. From here, I could see he made a tall skinny tower in the middle. When he finished, he flew up to the highpoint and stood up there for a few minutes, as if he were thinking about something important. Suddenly, he marched to the edge of the castle's top and screeched a roar across the city that pierced my ears almost to the point of bleeding. "Oww..."
"Dammit, Azxoll," Red began. "You didn't have to destroy all the townpeople's ears! Dear Satan, the humans might have been too weak to even take that scream!"
With that, Azxoll waited a few more minutes, like he was wanting a larger audience which would appear before him. Soon enough, he decided to go forth and speak. "Humans...hellspawn...dark multitude that now lives among my domain..." he projected his voice out like a megaphone.
"Hey! You didn't mention us dogs in that damn announcement!" I thought. I realized it was a good thing that I said this in my head - Belladonna would tear me a new rump if I disrespected this boss king. Yet...she had nothing to be angry about...technically she fit into the "hellspawn" category.
As he continued his speech, I took note of the dark emotion in his tone. Although I couldn't understand half of the words he said (one because he was speaking some stupid foreign tongue and two because he was stating some big weird words I never heard of), I could tell he hated humans with a passion. Apparently, man has taken advantage of the dragon and caused him to take revenge. Now that's my kind of guy. This only reminded me of my past, when I had a home for a short time. I had a great owner, until the damn kid blamed me for everything; that's when the parents kicked me out and I realized that only I can look out for myself. This guy seems to understand that - we both just adapted to this dumb and harsh world. Earth's like business in the fact some win and some lose; to win, one must be willing to reach maximum profits by any means, whether it be cheating, sabotage, or even assassination. Azxoll is a boss alright - he played his cards right by siding with Belladonna. Now, he rules over San Francisco...which now I'm hearing will be called Zataria...Zthusia...Zthasariia? I think that's it; these dragon people keep coming up with these weird ancient names or something.
I take out a smoke and light it with a lighter I found on the streets on the way back from delivering Azxoll to his spot of attack. Placing it in my teeth, I inhaled deeply. The tar and smoke filled my lungs. There was a slight sting to these deep breaths, but with it came memories of my glory days, like when I ruled a business empire in New Orleans. Now, I'm nothing but a sidekick to a bunch of beasts from Hell and ancient times. I felt the urge to boss someone around about now. "Killer," I grumbled. As MY sidekick, Killer's always been loyal to me...as it should be. He fumbled over to me, almost bumping into the barrel near him.
"Y-yes boss?" he stuttered.
"Grab me one of those steaks over there! The meat's gonna go bad after tomorrow or something." I took another puff from the cigar. He picked one up and handed it to me. I snatched it from his grubby paws and his eyes gained a slight fear to them. "Now go over to my..." I saw Red standing behind me, "I mean...Red's curio shop and fetch me my damn armchair! I'm tired of sitting my rear end on this cold, hard cement!"
"B-but boss," he whimpered, "I can't drag that chair here by myself!"
"I don't care if you can or can't! Get freaking Scarface or something to help ya then! I don't give a damn what you do - just get me my chair, crony!" I took a deep breath of tobacco smoke and threw it at his face with my mouth. "Now!"
He scrambled back and gestured Scarface to go with him. As they left my presence, I saw Belladonna come up to me. "Taking charge finally, you buffoon? It's about time you grew a backbone again. Just don't think you can talk to ME like that...or else Satan's gonna have another personal prisoner!"
I gulped. Despite my ravenous want to feel in charge, I knew if I stepped over the line Belladonna and Red wouldn't hesitate to make me suffer. "Why do I have to serve under them, or even these stupid dragons? I should be their equal...I have an evil past too, where I ruled a business empire over in New Orleans!" I nodded my head and responded, "Well, of course, mighty Belladonna. Or course..." Man, how I actually hated her.
She paused a moment and then looked upward for some reason. Suddenly, she spoke up, "Good, mutt. Now, I have something important I must attend to. Red, I'm taking my leave. Just keep track of the rest of these mongrels."
Red gave a demonic hiss. "Don't act like you're my commanding officer, dog! We're equals here, remember? But fine...these other worthless canines cannot be trusted alone anyway. You know how it is, with 'dogs' and all." That "dogs" had a very vicious tone added to it.
Belladonna just stuck her paw up at him and released her middle finger. She then walked out of the alley not looking back to see Red's pissed-off look. "Goddamn dogs..." he muttered under his breath.
At the same time, in Hell...
Satan POV
I watched the pitiful lagaareyy do just as I knew he would. After annihilating the city of San Francisco, he created his own silly little town out of tenevris. What waste of a perfectly powerful material...f***ing idiot. Tenevris is the most powerful element in the damn universe, both of the mortal and spiritual realms. The petty dragons that roamed God's shitty world thought they had ridded the humans of their gift; they were wrong. Near the end, while those fools were destroying all of their evidence, including that of the darkness, a mortal agondray was wise enough to consult one of my kind. This damnable beast went by the name Hizixaxith, one of the last tenevris agondrays. He made a pact with one of my minions, allowing himself a longer life in exchange for his natural tenevris flowing through his body. I have kept this left over power, locked away from the mortal realm. Throughout the years of that even more worthless race known as man, I have personally held this component in my fortress, allowing it to fester and grow over time so that it may be used at the correct time. Unfortunately, demons cannot use tenevris - absorb it. Our bodies are incorruptible by the material, as we are already dark-souled. Therefore, I have had to wait for an opportunity like this to arise. While f***ing humanity has missed out on this great power, I have now released it back into the world in the form of my newest imp - that insufferable lagaareyy, long-time follower of the damn Father.
When my worthless mutt Belladonna told me the lagaareyy was abandoned and darkhearted, even I was surprised. Throughout the ages, that lowlife lord has received respect from entire races, just because he "risked his life for them." God, that fool in the skies, marked each of these guardian bastards so that another golden age of the lagarr would erupt. Yet, I liked it SO much better when the damn king was gone, and those stupid reptiles were left to suffer under the other races of the planet. Only one lagaareyy so far has proven himself a real leader...Zthasiikcii. That there was a lord! He treated the lagarr like I do my demons - by showing them who's boss! Yet, some shitty rebellion rose up and killed him or something, and the lagaareyy's soul was banished to my realm for millions of years until once again it was naturally freed to return to the mortal plane. That sixteenth protector, Zwakithox, was just another dumbass - he wasted the entire first portion of his life redeeming the lagaareyy name! And now...there's Azxoll. This one wasn't naturally evil, like Zthasiikcii, but he was convinced to turn dark. So much for redemption, then!
When Azxoll caused my beam to enter this world, I released forth the tenevris I had been saving for those last millions of years. The last of the darkness is now in him...he better not screw this up! The lagaareyy has long dealt with this element, and I knew the best way for it to be used now was if I took advantage of his forlorn mind. The fool is my puppet, and I can tell, glimpsing at him from the pool of sins in front of my throne, that he wonders of that black scratch upon Heaven. I grinned, my sharp, black teeth sliding out from under my lips. Through him, I have finally been able to release my true plan...
TO CAUSE THE DOWNFALL OF ALL HEAVEN!
That scar in the sky has now linked itself to the immortal, goody-goody world above like a leech. Over time, it will continue to expand farther and farther, until it opens a black rift to Heaven's gates. Then, the tenevris will rip open the doors to Paradise, and all of the angels will fall, only to land in my domain. Once in my kingdom, light will fade from the universe...forever. Not even God himself will be able to stop me; soon, I will enter the mortal realm and I will create an even larger kingdom...my Hellworld! Azxoll's lands now will look pitiful in comparison to my grand empire! I will be supreme overlord of all that exists, and time will bow in obeisance of me, Satan! "Soon enough...I will be the ruler, Azxoll. Don't get too comfortable, you dumb mother***er, because this will be all mine."
Just then, I hear someone enter my throne room. It was that bitch, Belladonna, exiting from a vortex. "My Lord," she began.
"What do you want, worthless mongrel?!" I bellowed. I was not in the mood now to see this failure of a follower.
"W-well, my King, I have come to report all is going as ordered. I hope you are taking a liking to the tyrant I have created in your name...already he has fallen San Francisco!" she barked proudly.
This was a minor achievement, but it would lead to something much bigger. "Very well, Belladonna. You have done satisfactorily - make sure nothing goes wrong, or I will personally make sure I deal with you myself."
She gulped loud enough I heard her. "I will make sure not to, all powerful Devil," the whippet squealed. "I will make sure the lagaareyy is tended to, so that you may use him for the next part of your plan."
I hissed in a vague agreement. However, Azxoll was no longer my concern, for his purpose has basically been used already. In due time, his worth will be completely gone, and for the second time a lagaareyy's soul will be joining in on my collection! "Now then, bloody dog, get out of my face before I tear it off! There are no beings I wish to lay my all-seeing eyes upon, except for me, get it?"
"Of course." She twisted around and exited through the same portal.
"Next on the agenda," I pondered, "Is the spread of darkness. Have your pathetic fun, lagaareyy, for soon that fun will end and YOU will be serving under ME!"
BAM! Now, we see what the TRUE plan is - the Devil is planning on the downfall of Heaven! Dear Lord...can anyone stop this, before Azxoll goes too far and finds himself in a literal Hell? Well...find out next time by reading the next chapter when it comes out! To my friends and the HLK forum...you guys are all great, even if some of you will never see this message! And those who haven't joined the forum yet, I would highly recommend it! Hope you liked this chapter...but even if you didn't please REVIEW! I love reviews, even if they tell me how cruddy this tale is. Also, follow and favourite if you would be so kind. Until chapter 13 -
KingAzxoll9 signing off
