Hell was everything that one would imagine it being. To the weak, Hell was an endless toil of survival, subjugation, and a prison of fear, flesh and death. To the strong, it was a paradise and was coupled with the right and recognition of the being among the most powerful.
Samael's domain, Shadow's Edge, was were he first brought Dark Grey. The first thing Grey noticed was that the land was similar to Death's home. They were both dark and foreboding, but in Shadow's Edge, ash and shadows were not the only thing prevalent there. There were several pillars that were created in Samael's likeness, and Samael wasted no time explaining the workings of the Demon World to Dark Grey who tuned it out as ash blew across his face. Suddenly, Samael and Dark Grey came they to the lower floors of Samael's realm. A portal opened and the duo stepped through it, taking them to a dungeon like area, where dozens of humans were being held.
" This isn't what I agreed to, Samael. You said that I could fight to my heart's content and that you could tell me where the Champion of Grimm and its master are."
" Patience," Samael said as he placed a hand on Grey's shoulder, " Before you is the remains of the White Fang and their conspirators. Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. Compared to the demon lord and its servant, you are weak. Compared to them you are, but a pest. You see there is a law that binds Heaven, Hell, and Remnant. When Heaven and Hell wage the End War, what you humans call the Apocalypse, the battleground will be the world of humans. Yet, the war can only commence once the humans are capable of truly fending for themselves. You and your sister are children of prophecy, two of many those that carry the blood of both human and demon. Of course, you are special case as you tried to purge Grey, the human side of you, but that is impossible as you are both two sides of the same coin."
Dark Grey slapped Samael's hand off of him and pointed to the frightened White Fang members before him. " What do they matter, Samael ? I don't like being lied to."
Samael smiled and nodded his at Dark Grey. " Patience is a virtue they say, but we both believe differently. First, they don't truly matter as they all are simply a means to introduce to this. You see, the heart's of demons are where much of their power comes from. Humans carry their power in their souls, but you yourself cannot grasp the entirety of a person power because you cannot strip them of their souls. However, a good deal of a human's power resides in their heart. You need strength if you want vengeance, and before you is a substantial amount of strength to achieve that goal. In Hell, the weak are crushed by the strong and in the more cruel circles of Hell, demons cannibalize each other to try and become stronger, to no avail as the weak devouring the weak breeds more weakness. Yet, you can become stronger, but by how much depends on you."
Dark Grey looked at Samael and then back to the Faunus that were bound and blinded. Among was a familiar dark haired woman in an elegant red dress that Dark Grey recognized as Cinder Fall.
" As I said, you cannot purge Grey Rose from you, as you both share the same body, and are two sides of the same coin. However, you CAN overpower him and become stronger than he could ever be. So, what will be your choice, child of prophecy ? How far are you willing to go to be your own being ? Shall you be Grey Rose or someone else ? "
Samael looked at Dark Grey with curiosity as he drew Alastor, the blade practically unable to be seen due to the massive dark aura surrounding the sword. He swung the blade once, barely missing Cinder's head, but managing to take several strands of hair. He then turned the sword towards Samael, who looked at him with curiosity.
" Nice try, Samael " he said without care, " But that's not happening. To answer your question, i'm not Grey Rose. I'm more than he could ever be. Child of Prophecy or not, if you assume that i'm willing to get stronger with stolen or borrowed power, you'd be wrong. Give me something, anything, to fight and i'll show you. The Champion of Grimm for instance, tell me where he or bring him to me so I can rip its beating heart from its chest ! "
" Very good, Child of Prophecy. You passed the first trial I planned for you. The right of the strong is to demand the very best and such, you should feast on those with sufficient strength. So, gather your strength and prepare for a battle unlike any you've ever experienced. But first there is one question remaining. There is Grey Rose, and then there is you, but do you know who you are ? "
" You'll learn after my battle. Now take me there, Samael."
As agreed, Samael took both Dark Grey and him to where they would find the Champion of Grimm. Samael brought them to a large castle, adorned with hanging black trees that had several corpses of demons hanging from their branches.
" SAMAEL !, " a voice boomed as the duo approached the castle, only for the massive ebony doors open to reveal a knight clad in dark armor, " YOU BRING THE CHILD HERE ! YOU INTEND TO SHATTER-"
" Oh don't worry, the child came here of his own free will. Quite amazing how you try say that I've broken laws when in actuality, he's only here because you had your underling attack the boy. Very foolish, but it works out in the end."
The Champion of Grimm knelt down on one knee and placed his sword in front of him.
" What are you doing ? Oh, you're challenging me to Nex Sacramentum. " Dark Grey said with realization as he walked towards the Champion and drew Alastor from his back. He mimicked the Champion and stabbed Alastor into the ground before him.
" Indeed I am, boy. I, Eros, dark knight of Hell, challenge you, Child of Prophecy, to Nex Sacramentum. Let us fight until one falls by the hand of the other. "
" Oh this is going to be fun. Alright, Eros, I accept. Just so you know, this IS personal. "
Samael watched in enjoyment as he stepped to the side to allow Eros and Dark Grey room to battle. They both rose to their feet and picked up their swords as they circled each other. Dark Grey charged at Eros with Alastor, going immediately for a decapitating blow, but Eros parried the strike and they locked blades.
" Come now, this cannot be all the strength you possess ! " Eros taunted Dark Grey who grinned wickedly at the notion. Just then, Eros's grip on his blade went weak as he felt something pierce through his armor. He looked down to see a black spike created of a dark aura was impaled in his abdomen and piercing through to his back.
" No, but now that you said that I have no reason to HOLD BACK ! "
Dark Grey smiled evilly as a black aura surrounded him and Eros watched a black bolt of lightning came down and struck Dark Grey. In that instant, the ground between them began to shatter abruptly as he changed to his true demon form, yet lacking the Grimm mask. Eros was in shock as the transformation staggered him back, making him drop his blade. Luckily, the sword reappeared in his hands and collided with Alastor, yet he was forced on the defensive by the now demonic Dark Grey.
" So this is what the demon blood in your veins has turned you into ! I admire that you embrace your demonic blood, but you are weak ! You cannot compare to my power ! "
Eros was strong and he made that known as he used nothing but brute strength to overpower the demonic Grey, forcing him on the defensive end of the blade lock. He then gripped the demonic Grey's face and flung him several meters into the air.
" You're strong boy, but not strong enough."
" Strong enough to take you on ! "
The scythe...use it.
Dark Grey threw Alastor to the ground, the demon sword landing blade first in front of Eros, who looked down at the blade. When he looked back at Dark Grey, he was merely gone and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back. He weakly turned his head to see a black scythe embedded in his collar bone, cleaving easily through armor and flesh. Eros spun around wildly while swinging his sword in an attempt to strike Grey, but he hit only thin air and a quickly fading black streak of lightning.
Eros then collapsed to the ground, using his sword as a crutch as Dark Grey impaled him with Alastor, watering the ground in Eros's black blood.
" Like I said, I'm strong enough to take you on. Wanna know something funny, Alastor's electricity is severing your connection to your muscles and nerves while Eclipse Rose has runes etched onto the blade. Those runes came from an old story that says that they are angelic in nature. So in other words, a sword that stops your movement and a scythe made to kill demons. In reality, you never stood a chance."
" You arrogant, pompous, little-" Eros's words were caught in his chest as Dark Grey drove his clawed hand through Eros's chest, shattering both armor and bone in the process. Dark Grey dropped his smile as he felt what he was looking for and pulled Eros's beating heart from his chest. He stared at the beating, black heart with intent and suddenly felt Samael's hand on his scaled shoulder, as Eros's corpse hit the ground in meaningless heap.
" Samael, you asked me who I was. Well, I have your answer."
Samael looked at Dark Grey with interest. " And what is your answer ? "
" The two aspects of this soul and of this body are Grey Rose and the lightning demon Raijin. There's your answer, Samael."
Samael smiled darkly and nodded with understanding as he released his hold on Raijin's shoulder and took a step back. Raijin kept his gaze directly on the heart of Eros that he had ripped from his chest. The black beating organ seemed to radiate with an aura all its own and Raijin could feel his own dark heart begin to race as he stared at the one in his hands.
He felt a craving overtake him and drove his claws into the heart, ceasing its beating completely. Without hesitation, bit down and ripped half of the heart off with his fangs. He felt power surge through his entire being, his veins pulsate and a fire ignite in his very soul as he swallowed the morsel he had ripped apart from the whole.
The flapping of bat wings followed, along with Samael's clapping and demonic laughter. " You are REBORN ! "
Yet, Raijin didn't hear any of it. Instead, he could only hear his own quickening heartrate and the next thing he knew Alastor and Eclipse Rose were thrown aside and was hungrily ripping through Eros's broken armor and eviscerating the corpse and devour any and all flesh he came in contact with.
Raijin soon lost himself as he gave into his primal lust for blood and began gnawing away at every piece of flesh he could grasp. He reverted from his demonic form to his human body during his feeding.
More !
More !
More !
Just as it began, Raijin realized that it was over all too soon. He snapped his head back, his hunger overtaking him as he looked to see that Samael was no longer behind him. He snapped his head forward and took in the scent of Eros's master, who was growling low in rage. He took what remained of his Eros's corpse, a cleanly picked skull, and held it up to look at it. With ease, he crushed the skull in his hands, reducing it to a fine powder.
" Well done, Raijin. Enough for now, leave the pathetic creature be for now. You'll have your turn soon enough."
Raijin, looked back at Samael with a dark glare, but felt no reason to continue. He had won his battle, killed and devoured his foe in front of its master. So, Raijin looked away, but picked picked up Alastor and Eclipse Rose, sheathed them both on his back and returned to Samael's side. Raijin felt the lingering, sweet taste and began to crave more. Though, eventually the hunger subsided as they returned to Shadow's Edge.
" If Shadow's Edge is a realm owned by demons, then who rules demons ? "
Samael looked at Raijin who glared back, not backing down, much to Samael's amusement.
" Humans have called him many names, The Dark Prince, The Devil, Lucifer, The Dark One and so forth. What name he refers to is not of any importance. Do you believe you can challenge him ? He may be nearing the end of his life, but he could destroy you like a gnat."
Raijin shook his head and sighed, " No, I don't care to challenge the ruler of Hell. You promised me conflict, that I could fight and right now I've had ONE half-ass duel from something that was more bark than bite."
Samael laughed lowly before nodding in understanding as he opened a blood-red portal in front of him. " I'm sure you'll find a way back. "
Raijin looked at Samael in confusion before being shoved through the portal. When hit solid ground, he looked up to dozens of vaguely humanoid figures, some brandishing claws, some hands, some had horns and fangs, one eyes, several eyes, and tails. They had one thing in common and it was that they saw Raijin as a human that wound up in Hell and were looking to have a light snack. Raijin quickly reached onto his back and realized that Samael had taken his weapons during the instance that he shoved him.
" GET THE HUMAN ! " One roared out, but they stopped in their tracks as Raijin cried out in pain. What remained of Grey's clothing was torn away by Raijin as he forced him to his feet and felt a deep pain run along through his back and to his shoulders. The pain continued and Raijin yelled even louder in agony as the pain traveled to his mind, where he couldn't physically stop it. Then, he heard a familiar voice.
NO ! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, RAIJIN !
Grey was persistent and stronger, but Raijin was stronger and they both knew it. Grey's pained screams followed Raijin's dark laughter that unnerved even the most violent and battle-hardened demons in the area.
IT'S ENOUGH WHEN I SAY IT IS ! YOU'RE NOT IN CONTROL ANYMORE ROSE ! I AM ! I STRONGER, I'M DEADLIER, I'M MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER BE ! I'M WHAT YOU COULD NEVER BE, WHAT YOU REFUSED TO BE !
All at once, the pain Raijin felt had ceased completely. He removed his hands from his head and extended them outward as a dark began to manifest along his arms. It vanished all at once as he took notice of a nearby weapon. The demons surrounding him all took several steps back as he walked. He stopped once he found what he was looking for and picked up a crudely made battle axe, the blade being made of some metal native to Hell while the handle was made from the bone of some creature that clearly lost its life.
Raijin slowly turned his head towards the demonic horde, his face completely covered by a black Grimm mask with red accents travelling up to the eyes like pulsating veins. Black lightning arced out from the axe as a sinister aura began to envelope the area around him. He felt his blood surge, his senses heighten, and hunger overpower him as he saw nothing, but prey before him.
Don't do this... please !
You had your chance. This is what we really are. This what we were made for. We were born a monster and that's how the world truly sees us.
" GET HIM ! "
Raijin smiled darkly as the entire area became a pitch black void. The only thing that could be heard were demons yelling rage, but that quickly ceased as they all yelled in fear.