Hidden away in a darkened room inside a musty chamber a single demoness sat alone, enveloping herself within the energy around her. From what she could pick up none of it was all too great, a lot of anxiousness, jealousy and brutish discourse floated around. Her face crumpled up, trying to weed out that negativity for something worthwhile, but in this place, it was partially impossible.
"Nike! Nike!" a voice barged it's way in on her peace. It was an all too familiar voice too, which didn't help her misfortune any. She sighed nearly on the verge of a complaint as she closed the third eye sitting vertically on her forehead and opened her two mortal eyes.
"Yes, your excellency," she spoke with the same enthusiasm of a fire imp on a rainy day. The hulking demon king stomped his way into her dim chambers with an impatient scowl on his lips. He wasn't alone, Jenny, her so called partner in psychic reading was there with him. The fluffy pink demoness stood there next to him with a huge smile, as obedient as a puppy.
"Where have you been!? The grand tournament is today, and you haven't accomplished any of your chores, you're lucky Jenny here has been covering for you!"
"Oh gee, was that today?" she asked dryly, fumbling with a few of the magical artifacts that surrounded her.
"Yes, and I see how deeply disturbed you are," Zennon could have rolled his eyes. "I need you to do a reading for me, The Devil in the Moon has been awakened and I must know where he shall be arriving. See if you can find him, that shouldn't put you out too much," the demon king finished.
Nike wasn't particularly interested in anything the demon king usually did, but the utterance of The Devil in the Moon admittedly perked the ear-like feather tufts a top her head. She rose up from her seating with a perplexed look on her face.
"Sir, The Devil in the Moon by all accounts could have fallen anywhere. Are you suggesting I attempt to scan the entire planet!?"
"No, dear Nike of all demons you should know that's nonsensical. I'm going to have you scan each and every one of our participants today to find him," Zennon corrected.
The demoness's expression dropped into one of horror. She tried to laugh it off and put on an overcompensating grin, "Oh sir, you can't be serious. You can't send me down there with all those pig-headed muscle-bound jerks that reek of sweat and barbaric insecurities!"
"Ah I understand your discomfort, but yes, yes you are, and if you want to keep your comfy niche in my domain you'll do as I say," his tone was clearly fed up with her as he began to walk away. Jenny followed close by, staring back at Nike smugly like a favored child. Nike couldn't help but feel her lip curl in disgust.
"You know sire, I know reading the celestial bodies and their energies isn't my particular specialty like hypnotics and mental manipulation is. But I would be more than honored to step up in place of Nike if that is what you desire," Jenny offered. Nike felt as though she could have thrown up.
"That won't be necessary Jenny, you've done enough today and thus will be treated to a portion of the royal feast tonight," Zennon announced.
"Oh, how generous of you sire," Jenny bowed herself, continuing to eye Nike puckishly. The aforementioned demoness stood still with her arms crossed.
"Sire, may I be granted the permission to speak with you privately about a concerning manner for a moment?" Nike spoke with a bite to her tone.
Zennon didn't seem none too eager, but with a sigh he dismissed Jenny and turned with crossed arms to view the fuming demoness.
"This better be important, for your sake," he grumbled.
"Believe me it is. What makes you believe The Devil in the Moon would even think to come here?" her talons tapped against the ground. She tried to remain as professional as possible but even she couldn't hide the agitated twitch in her tail.
"Why wouldn't he, I am the king of all demons, and any demon that matters and even many that don't are present today to greet our oncoming champion," Zennon answered casually.
"Uh huh, I see, but how exactly is he supposed to know that? He just got here!" Nike rebutted.
Zennon started at a low chuckle that soon became a rumbling guffaw, "Oh Nike, you're the expert here, right? You found this magnificent being, what do you mean he wouldn't know his purpose?"
"Purpose? I never foretold that The Devil in the Moon ever had a direct purpose, sir?" she pointed out. Deep down she knew the purpose he was hoping for. She knew the king only wanted The Devil around to serve him in this divine war and then ultimately become part of his pristine posse of rich, stuck-up, drunken warriors he congregated to entertain himself, but she held her tongue. She knew speaking back to him would result in an even more unfortunate state of living than she had now.
"Nike, if this spirit is worth his prestige, he'll live up to the expectations of his kind. We are in desperate need of a deliverer in the face of the divine threat and suddenly this legend comes true. Clearly our plight has been heard and it's now on him to live up to our needs. I'm already doing all that I can. With this tournament today we shall gather and pick the greatest of all demons to fight with us alongside the Devil in the Moon."
The demoness seemed baffled by his assuredness. The feathers on her head ruffled as she shook her head and tried to wrap her mind around his words. She knew why he would think this, but simultaneously it was a very dangerous way of thinking.
"Spirits have purpose for themselves just like any of us sir, he is not owned," she argued.
The much larger beast of a demon uproared with laughter, "Any being that crawls on this planet's purpose is to serve those that are stronger or die. Easy as that."
Nike couldn't fight against a narrowed claim such as that and she wouldn't try to, there was no changing his mind. She simply took in a breath and started again.
"My King please, do not assume greater spirits' motivations are allied with your own. You may find yourself sorely disappointed," she tried to warn.
A chuckle reverbed in his throat, "Oh it will not be my disappointment dear." It took him a moment to collect himself as Nike stood on with a distressed look on her face. "Now I have no more time to waste. There are leaders to be chosen, and as prime a candidate as you might make for the harpies with the skill you possess, your attitude needs improvement. Therefore our time here is done, now get to your chore and I will see you at my council table, that's an order," he finished as he marched his way out.
With his absence, Nike was left to stand there with just herself and the endless list of colorful insults that piled up in her mind towards him. She kept it to herself as she had no other choice but to meet down at the candidate roster as much as she wished otherwise. In a single reluctant motion she opened her wings and flew out from the chamber.
The grounds bustled outside the Demon king's mountain as countless devils pushed and prodded one another to get a viewing of the next soon to be champions. The largest and mightiest of devils had been lining up one after another eagerly awaiting their turn to prove their power and superiority in the ring themselves.
Nike walked alongside the barrage of hopeful dreamers with an exhausted look to her. She only perked up when at last the end of the line was in sight. She couldn't wait to be done with her task, she'd had enough irritants and cat calls to last a lifetime as far as she was concerned.
As she finally came to the line's end, she concluded for certain that she had been correct. There was no sign of The Devil in the Moon's spirit anywhere and oddly for whatever reason she was mildly disappointed. Not because she wanted to see a great spirit as him caught up in all this mess, but still a part of her had hoped to catch a glimpse of him. She sighed and felt herself well enough to return to Zennon's council but then out of the corner of her eyes she thought she saw someone.
She dreaded who she assumed it to be and when she did in fact see her, she immediately wanted to turn the other way. Swooping in faster than Nike could get away, the white feathered harpy landed with enough inertia to send a dust cloud swirling around the demon witch.
"Fret not lesser demons, Sirene has at last made her appearance!" she boasted to an adoring paparazzi nearby. Nike shook herself staring at the newest arrival with a loathsome curl of her lip.
"Oh, and just as I was beginning to think nature was healing itself…" Nike grumbled. Sirene antenna perked as she spun around to see her. Her gaze narrowed at her as a smirk rolled up her face.
"Ah, if it isn't my old friend Nike, you've been demoted I see!" she spoke through a huge grin.
"No, I was just sent down here to inspect the contestants. Luckily, I'm finished now so by the universe's good grace I shall be leaving, and it seems just in time," she replied as she began to step away.
"Hold it now, I attend to compete myself," Sirene corrected, continuing to keep up her superior gaze. Nike could have cringed as she had to face the opposing harpy once more.
"Well my inspections were only intended to detect exceptional power see, and I don't think I need to be wasting any more time here, hmm." The other onlookers seemed to gasp and snicker at that comment, only widening Nike's simper and souring Sirene's evermore. She didn't stay low for very long, as she brought her chin back up.
"I think you might want to reconsider," her head turned to face all the present demons now as her tone turned to one of announcement. "For I have just returned from a long and noble quest! I set out to travel far and wide to fight many foes and prove my worth!"
Nike was forced to stand there and listen as all the other demons swooned and she herself simply wished to disappear. Her neck became limp as her breaths of aggravation became more potent. Still Sirene carried on proudly, seeming to take pleasure in her old rival's discontent.
"After 40 long and harrowing nights and days I have completed my mission. I, Sirene, defeated two armies at once single-handedly. On one side a tribe of fearsome Gorgons and the other a troop of mighty reptilians, I slashed them all to bits and rose as the ultimate victor!"
At this point Nike wasn't even buying the story anymore, as if one demoness could defeat two warring armies alone by herself. The demoness covered in dark-purple skin and back markings could only stand and roll her eyes. That was until Sirene made her final statement.
"Behold, the head of the reptilian general, the last one I had standing before he perished!" she upheld the head as undeniable proof. Nike felt an icy chill course from her gut as she gazed upon it, something definitely didn't sit right. The others all congratulated her and cheered, awe-stricken by her trophy as Nike made her way to her side again as discreetly as possible.
As she came closer, she opened her third eye and gazed upon the harpy. It was then it all seemed to make sense, Sirene may have killed that general but from her energy Nike could tell she had been in contact with a much stronger much more abnormal being. Just the residue alone from whatever this was appeared far greater than anything Nike would have ever originally considered. She gulped knowing there was much more to this story.
"Sirene, Sirene," Nike whispered, trying to get her attention.
"What is it you want? To kiss up now? It's a little too late for you," she chuckled.
"No, I know you're lying. Who killed those armies? I know it wasn't you, but you encountered whatever it was. It scared you, didn't it?"
Sirene's smile fell from her, and for a moment a look of genuine concern crossed her features. She was never one to let on to her weaknesses however and quickly too on a snarled face instead.
"How dare you accuse me of such things, you're just miserable because you could never be as good!" she barked with ruffled feathers. Nike clearly had a cross look from the allegation but rolled her eyes and dismissed it for the time being.
"No, this is serious, I have to know what did this!" she insisted. Sirene gave her a side eye and seemed to be contemplating an answer, but it didn't last long.
"Sirene, you're up next!" a voice shouted from afar. It seemed that would prove to be Sirene's free ticket out. She didn't delay and immediately started off to meet inside the tournament ring.
"Looks like I have much more important matters to deal with. You best scurry along, legends are being made and we don't need the likes of you getting in the way!" Sirene laughed. Before Nike could make a rebuttal, she was too far gone. She cursed under her breath and lifted herself up off the ground. The demon witch didn't have a choice anymore, she had to fly back and return to Zennon's council. At the very least there she could keep a better watch out for unusual activity.
When Nike made her landing up in the king's overlook, she could see everything occurring below them. The crowds of lower ranking demons celebrating the battle of Sirene. Nike could see her battle with countless other warriors, she made short work of each of them and made sure to look good while doing it. As much as Nike hated to admit it, she really was a highly skilled warrior, and watching her was mildly entertaining. The demoness plopped herself down and kept a watchful eye out and tried to remain focused which was a challenge in such a wild environment. From the corner of her eye she could see the demon king surrounding himself with his harem of ditsy demonesses and gorging on a pile of decadent meats. Nike rolled her eyes and returned to her self-appointed task.
Sirene continued to fly and strike with grace and prestige until nothing was left on the battleground except her and the mangled corpses of her foes. She smiled fulfilled as she looked up to the King with blood still dripping from her talons and the roar of the crowd filling her ears. Zennon seemed pretty satisfied with the outcome as he at last came to his hooves and gestured for the rest of the demons to calm themselves.
"It seems we might have ourselves a winner, a true champion to uphold the honorable position of the commander of the harpies, Sirene!" he announced. Another mighty and thunderous cheer came from the others as Sirene soaked it all up.
"I would say so sire, not only have I proved myself in your ring today, but I shall also present you with this!" she displayed the head of the reptilian general one last time. Everyone reacted in astonishment as a vocal gasp filled the area. Even the king himself seemed ever more pleased at the revelation.
"I present you with the head of the reptilian general! I defeated him along with the gorgons waring out in the West! After 40 days and nights I proved myself and bested them all, and I bring you this head as my proof!" she declared through a toothy grin. Zennon matched the same look she had.
"It appears you have gone above and beyond to display your strength and fighting skill, and for that I think this is an easy decision. I, Zennon, the king of demons hereby formally declare Sirene of the Harpies the next commander in chief of the harpy clan!"
The mass of devils erupted with an excited and joyous uproar. Sirene stood at the center of it taking in every bit of adoration and praise with a head held high over her shoulders. The deafening applause went on for some time but even through that Nike began to feel a little uneasy. There was something nearby, something large and powerful and from what she was picking up it wasn't none too happy. As the others rolled over themselves in elation, Nike felt a knot in her chest.
"Alright, let us move on to the final tribe. We shall now start the tournament for the beastia and who will be the next commander!" Zennon proclaimed. The sea of demons all seemed accepting of this transition as Sirene was invited to sit amongst the rest of the tribe commanders with the king. As Sirene landed she kept up her cheerful features, not even noticing the captivated face of the Dinozoa commander sitting just a ways away.
Everything was moving faster than Nike needed it too and she feared she was already too late as it was. There was no stopping what was to come any longer and she knew at any instant The Devil would be upon them.
The ground shuttered under the heavy and enraged steps of the mighty devil. Each stride he took was pushed by injustice and every breath burned with hostility. He could see the king's great mountain chamber and hear all the calamity that lay just beyond its walls. There was no masking the bellicose look on his face or the sound of a growl emitting from his clenched fangs.
When he made it to the entrance it seemed almost completely vacant, surely because all the demons were inside enjoying the violence and carnage. He didn't care, if anything that just made his task all the much easier, he went clomping in without a second thought. Some of the only two demons to have still been out there were both guarding the way inside the arena. At first, they were lazily chatting amongst themselves but the second they took an eyeful of Amon in, they both were shut up in shock.
He didn't even acknowledge them fully, intending to keep it that way and rush past them, but even still the little twerps somehow worked up the courage to say something.
"Excuse me buddy, are you a competitor or observer? You can't go through this way. If you're a competitor, you need to go around t-" before he had the chance to finish, Amon took him around the neck and squeezed tightly. He felt the devil tremble in his grasp and the other was hesitantly attacking his legs.
"Y-you let him go!" it stuttered out. It wasn't enough though, the demon in Amon's hold had been squished to a pulp with nearly zero effort from the attacker. He sighed and saw the other one now frozen stiff below him. He didn't need this to go any longer; he lifted his talon and brought it down forcefully on top of the other one. With both guards now being thoroughly handled Amon let himself inside and when he stepped into the ring a pleasant vibe of chaos is what he met.
All around, giant demons rushed around tackling and beating one another to a pulp. It looked like child's play to Amon. All he needed was to find that one demoness, the liar she was, he fumed just thinking about her.
He looked all around, vigilantly glancing over the crowds to see if she was a part of them. Just as he was beginning to get a closer look, he heard a loud stomping sound coming his way. The wings on his head lifted before he turned to see what it was and once he did, he could see a large beast coming right for him. For a moment he just stood there with a blank expression, as if determining if this warrior was truly serious. He kept coming so Amon could only assume this was an intentional act, frankly he couldn't care less, if a challenge was what this fighter was looking for, he'd get it.
With all the might in the warrior's body, he came crashing into the fabled demon only to find himself completely halted by his grasp. Amon caught the devil by its head and anxiously it looked up to see him grinning wide and impish. In that next second the competitor was in the sky and by the next one following he was cut in half mid-air. Amon didn't even intend for that to go noticed but the immediate sound of cheers and clapping caught his ear. He gazed around to make sure that applause was actually for him and when he realized it had to be, admittedly a spark of triumph filled him.
A smirk came to his lip as his brow creased. He'd find that thieving little harpy, but he'd make sure to have some fun along the way. He casually strolled further out into the arena scanning across the stadium to see if he could find any trace of her. It wasn't an exceptionally long time to search however, as now a pair of warriors came charging towards him. He chuckled to himself and shook his head flying upwards. They followed him and parted ways, one came at him from the left the other from the right. Faster and higher they all flew until Amon decided to stop entirely and just in time too. He began to fall back just as the warriors were upon him, resulting in the lugging demons crashing fully into one another. With the two being disoriented Amon took this perfect opportunity to finish them off with a blast of energy, fragmented like stars.
Amon flipped over catching himself on the wind hearing their demise from behind and the roar of onlookers becoming ever more encouraging. The longer he went the more the rest of the fighters wanted to target him. One by one they fell to Amon's might causing the emotion in the arena to become ecstatic. He could hear the other bystanding demons commend him and ask about him.
"Have you ever seen that guy before?"
"He's so strong, how could he have never been heard of?"
"This one's wild! Who is he!?"
The comments only stroked Amon's ego more and pushed him further.
Up in the king's stand every eye was locked to him as well and each one read with a different intent. Most were wonder filled, but a few such as Sirene were wide with horror. Zennon was ponderous but a look of gratification hid just beyond it. Lastly, Nike sat enthralled being the only one to be completely aware that what she was witnessing was truly legendary. Even still more than that her concern bled through over all else.
Amon kept up his act the whole way, not a single one of his competitors ever stood a chance with him. In a final, climatic move, all the remaining challengers banded together to take down the dominating demon but even all together Amon looked at them like fools.
A massive cloud of dirt kicked up all around the final contestants, leaving all the watchers on the edge of their seats. Screams and screeches could be heard, and body parts went flying. A few lingering moments of this went on, until finally with a hot inferno of a blast the dirt was flung away as were the carcasses of the fallen fighters. Standing at the center was the finalist and the next commander of the beastia.
The red brutish devil stayed still and allowed himself to catch his breath until the sharp gleeful cries of all those around him brought him back to the present. He went around in a slow circle letting his victory sink in before a beaming grin took up his face. He threw his fist into the air and let loose a triumphant roar. The action only seemed to hype the crowd up more, Amon took it all in proudly glancing over every which way until something significant at last caught his eye.
High up he could see a great balcony in the stands holding a cluster of prestigious devils, including what must have been the great demon king. He wasn't shocked at all to see him only disappointed in how underwhelming he was compared to Amon's expectations. Starring over them all he also took notice of a sight that sent him into an instant rage. It was her that disgraceful harpy, he could see her squirming in her seat and rightfully so. The wings on his head fell back and he was ready to fly up there and teach her one last good lesson, but suddenly the arena's mood shifted, catching his notice.
He could see above him the demon king had brought the crowd's attention upon him, as he glanced down at Amon with a content smile.
"It seems we have a newcomer amongst us. What is your name, oh great champion?" his voice echoed in the bowl-like structure.
Amon appeared a bit reluctant to answer but his pride proved stronger than his caution. He laughed to himself quietly before he answered.
"I am called Amon," he looked back at him with a cocky grin.
"Hmm, very well and if you don't mind my asking Amon, where are you from? It seems quite odd with your power I have never heard of you," Zennon had a coolness to his voice but still Amon wouldn't describe it as trustworthy. He lingered for a moment and considered his response. Meanwhile Sirene was delicately trying to move further back and away as Nike sat and stared down with unblinking eyes.
"I'm not really from anywhere. I haven't stuck around in one place for very long my whole time here," he replied casually. Hearing that a gleam seemed to illuminate from Zennon's eyes. He sent a tiny side eye to Nike and regretfully she noticed it. She knew what he was thinking and every bit of her shivered with fear. In that small exchange Amon's sights as well trailed noticing the figure of the white feathered Sirene slinking away into a sea of faces. The anger that initially drove the mighty demon here in the first place, in that instance all fired up inside him once more.
"Hey! Hey, it's her! She's the reason I'm here!" Amon shouted in detest. Just like that any cover Sirene had made for herself all evaporated leaving her stunned still in terror.
"Oh?" Zennon glanced over to the newly appointed harpy leader. "How so?"
"She's a thief, she's the one who stole the general of the reptilian's head from me! I fought for 40 long and grueling days and nights to earn that head and in the last second she swooped in and stole it from me!"
Sirene appeared bashful and laughed nervously as she shrugged her shoulders to the king, "Sire, I'm not sure what he's even talking about. He's clearly insane."
"And she's a liar too!"
"How dare you accuse the commander of the harpies of such things!" she shot back with ruffled feathers.
The verbal vengeance between the two was cut short by the sound of the king's buoyant guffaws.
"Now, now there's no reason to be so uptight on these matters. If anything you both have only proven to me you're highly powerful and cunning demons and that's the making of a great leader."
Equally Amon and Sirene both became visibly surprised. Amon lifted the wings on his head and listened earnestly.
"You know Amon, in our short encounter together I am quite impressed with you. As a matter of fact I suspect you could be exactly what we've been looking for," his voice had a slyness to it. "Wouldn't you agree Nike?" Zennon turned his attention to the weary witch. All eyes fell to the sorceress, and she felt every one of them, but her sights fell strictly to the demon warrior below. The expression on her face was contemplative and sincere. Amon couldn't understand why but something about her awoke something in him, as if this was a distant memory.
She rose and spoke with a shaky voice, "He is a strong warrior...but no. There's nothing special about him."
She had remained utterly formal and direct in her response. As stiff as a board she sat back down feeling the burning in her chest praying the king wouldn't see past her lie. Zennon was taken back but didn't allow it to outwardly show as he turned his vision back down to the befuddled champion. Amon's wings pulled back on his head appearing mildly offended. He turned his head and waited to hear the demon king's comment.
"Hmm disappointing, even still you've proven your worth to me and surely you could make a great commander," Zennon carried on.
A feeling of accomplishment swept all throughout the devil, even despite the unfortunate news. Though he shouldn't have been shocked, he had already completed far more taxing challenges.
"You wish to make me a commander? I like the sound of that, but if I may ask a commander of what?"
An addled expression made itself present on the king's face for a moment before laughter returned to him.
"Why, the commander of the beastia tribe, are you not aware of the contest you had entered?" Zennon's tone was jovial, but Amon had asked in all seriousness. He chuckled along with him but to a lesser extent.
"No actually, I just followed that demoness here. I didn't even know demons had things like these."
That last comment caught Zennon's urgent interest. He kept the grin on his face but became more questioning.
"You didn't know? Well, surely you must have been born under some tribe and learned of our ways?" he suggested.
Amon shook his head, and it was then reality truly seemed to dawn on the demon king.
"Wait, you really don't know of our laws or tactics, do you?"
"I know the strongest survive and that's about it," he shrugged.
Zennon seemed amused by that answer, "Well at least you learned the most important one. Here I am very enthusiastic about you becoming the next beastia commander, but first you must be taught. I shall recruit you in my finest training camp where you will learn our ways from the inside out." He then shifted and addressed the rest of the present demons. "Tournament is now dismissed, all newly appointed commanders excluding Amon shall meet in my quarters!" the ruler announced.
By just his words alone the droves of demons began to exit their seats either flying away or making it to the gates in one big herd. They scurried out and disappeared in all different directions, to where exactly Amon had no idea. Even the council was leaving and heading back to the mountain's entrance in a horde. He watched them all step out even taking notice of that no-good harpy Sirene who went on her way with a huge grin. The red devil felt nauseated seeing her so pleased with herself. However, strangely the thing that he noticed most was the figure of that demoness, the witch. She hadn't moved with the rest of them; she stayed where she was staring down at him with what almost looked like sadness. He couldn't help but feel captivated by her, she seemed so familiar but from where? His memories had become so fuzzy since his birth and the sight of her seemed nostalgic, as if he had known her once in a dream.
"Excuse me champion!" a new voice broke him from his trance. He looked down to see a furry pink demoness at his feet. Her whole body was a head with arms and legs attached to it. Amon looked at her quizzically. "My name is Jenny; I work for King Zennon, and I will be escorting you to your new position."
Amon seemed accepting of her explanation and started to follow behind her as she floated away. As he went, he couldn't help but look back one last time, only to find the figure of that demoness was no longer in sight.