Don't own ect.
My humming echoes throughout the room as I work. The magic of my clan lacing every note so that it can enrapture any who would step into the training room. Building up my mastery of the most important skill of the Phenex clan, our song.
People believe that our immortality is what gives us power, even my family. They fail to grasp that the greatest power is in our ability to affect others. Not with our song like in battle or even how my brother Renal uses it for his pop career, no a subtle approach is key. Our song does not have to be loud to be actively used, I believe it can be used as we speak. We already do this on an unconscious level, all Phenex have a hint of the song in our voice at all times. However I am trying to hone that into an active effect. To keep it quiet so no one hears it but increase the effects that already exist.
Thus the humming while I work out, trying to get the Phenex song's effect in the tune I am humming without actually changing what I am humming. So you cannot hear the song.
Admittedly it is slow going.
'151, 152, 153' Of course good training does several things at once.
In this case I am also using my control over wind to fly upside down while using some basic body control magic to keep my blood flow correct and keep my body cool. This helps with the exercise as well. As I am doing sit ups currently. Finally several flames circle my being. I am trying to increase their intensity without their size changing.
So working on all of it at once, it is always best to make the most out of what time is available. I have plans for when I get more freedom, they promise to be time consuming. So best to get a head start now, plus there honestly is not that much else to do.
I already have a solid grasp on most educational items so the only lessons I could even need are history ones. However, just needing those and no others would be strange, so I convinced my parents that I should self study instead of schooling with a full time tutor. In my last life I ended up with a doctorate in economics and spent no small amount of time reading through documents and piercing together data. I am more than capable of basic arithmetic and reading comprehension. So I don't spend nearly the amount of time studying the basics everyone expects and my family is rather important and busy.
Thus training, lots of training.
'172, 173, 174'
"Master Riser" Reginald's distinguished voice comes to me through a communications circle nearby.
"Reginald"
"I am afraid that Lord Phenex's meeting is going rather long"
"So he will be taking lunch in the study." I finish for him. A small pause follows my comment. '179, 180'
"Yes indeed master Riser."
"Reginald if you could ask the kitchen to send my lunch up to the training room for me."
"Of course master Riser"
"Thank you Reginald."
'186, 187, 188'
Well it looks like more training time for me. Another normal day at Phenex manor.
.
.
"Stop it brother" my sister squeals out between bursts of giggles. The clear joy in her voice and grin on her face undercutting the message quite a bit as she wiggles in her seat. From the head of the table my parents simply look on, amused at the sight.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," my voice is the perfect imitation of faux innocence, "what do I need to stop?"
Even as I say the words I conjure a small flame on the back of her neck. For a normal human it would cause a burn mark but for a Phenex…
My ticklish little sister bursts out into another round of giggles before pointing at me with an accusing finger. "You are tickling meee," she whines while giving a little pout. It hardly stops me from seeing how her eyes shine though.
"What? I could not possibly tickle you, I am all the way over here." My tone is so overdramatic as to make my guilt apparent.
She gives a huff before turning up her nose at me, "magic."
"Magic? Is my darling little sister accusing mwa? And of disrupting dinner with magic to tickle my adorable little sister. I am offended that you would ever think I would stoop to such a low." Even as the words are leaving my lips another little flame spawns under the table to tickle my sister's foot.
"Big Bortheeeeer" is the response as she whines again shaking back and forth under the tickle assault.
A laugh sounds out from the rest of the table like a beautiful melody. "Alright Riser I think that is enough teasing your sister." comes the soothing voice of my mother. She tries to give a somewhat serious face but cannot contain her happy smile. My father and brothers on the other hand have no such control and are grinning from ear to ear.
"Alright mother, I am finished with dinner as it is. I will be heading off now." I circle the table over to my little sister. "How about it little one, truce?"
She looks at me then turns her head to the side with a humph.
I cannot contain the small laugh that escapes my throat. "Alright you win little one, big brother is sorry" I respond while reaching her head to pat it.
"Up" she responds while reaching out to me.
"You need to finish your dinner first."
She looks at the plate, it is mostly empty except for a few pieces of broccoli. "All done. Up," she commands again.
A quick look over her head shows my parents smiling and nodding to the request. "Alright." I reach and pick her up before seating her on my shoulders. "Where to?"
With another imperious finger she directs me "Forward!"
As the princess commands.
.
.
.
.
The Lord Phenex sat sipping his coffee in the early morning light. To his right his wife sat finishing the last of her breakfast, looking far more awake then he felt this morning. Seeing his look she gave him a small smile before shifting her chair so she could lean in to him.
On his left his little girl sat staring blankly forward while slowly eating. Her eyes still glazed. His princess took after her father, they were both not morning people.
Normally he would already be moving with a purpose. Working through deals and trying to get all of his responsibilities completed. However today, for the first time in far too long, he was free. Everything was set up and taken care of, plans were in motion, and no meetings needed to be held. He could finally sit with his wife and enjoy his coffee.
"So," his wife's voice whispers in his ear, not seductive, just trying to maintain the tranquil nature of this moment, "what do you have today?"
"Nothing, I am actually free all day today." he quietly replied.
"Oh? Well I have an onsen reserved with Venelana and Cirila but afterword" now her voice got a distinctively seductive edge "I think I can find a way to occupy a few hours."
A soft growl, with an undercurrent that resembles a songbird's trill, escapes him as the arm previously resting on his wife's shoulders slides down to give her ass a firm squeeze.
"Now, now, you will at least need to distract yourself for the next few hours," she continues with a teasing lilt.
"Indeed," his voice still held an undercurrent of desire. Then with a soft sigh he resets himself, his arm going back up over his wife's shoulders. "Truly though I should assist Riser with some training, I have been meaning to do so but," this time a true deep sigh escapes him "well things just keep getting in the way."
His wife smiles and pats his chest softly, a look of understanding on her face, "Things have been very busy lately but we are almost done getting everything in place. Within a few years we will have settled down again."
"Yes it is good he is so young and still mostly studying, still though I wish this all could have finished up sooner. Terrible timing all around." He paused for a minute looking around the dining room. "Speaking of Riser, shouldn't he have been down by now? It is getting a bit late."
"I am sure he is just sleeping in. Reginald"
"Yes my lady?" The butler seems to appear out of nowhere.
"Could you please go get Riser up, I am afraid he will miss breakfast."
"Master Riser already had breakfast earlier my lady. He had some a couple hours ago after getting an early start to the day."
"Oh, I see, well then where is he now?"
"I am not sure my lady. He said he was going out to train and left some time before eight. He does this at least once a week. I imagine he will be back some time before dinner. Usually he returns around five."
"So he does this regularly then? He leaves for a while only to come back at dinner?" her voice then takes on a dangerous undercurrent "I trust he is safe."
"Of course my lady. At least two peerage members are assigned nearby in case of emergency and I check myself upon his return. Sometimes the clothing is a little scuffed but nothing abnormal and he always looks energetic enough. I imagine he simply prefers to do his more active training outdoors."
The lord then cut in "I suppose the open air is nice, shame that we missed him this time love. I will simply have to train him some other time, let him enjoy his day outdoors."
.
.
.
.
Riser sidestepped an incoming attack from the large demonic beast in front of him. It looked like someone took the body of a large cat and then gave it the head of a crocodile and scales instead of fur. It was big too, probably half again the size of a tiger and he was not so big. He is nine after all.
Not that size was making any difference here as he casually sidestepped another attack. It was strange though, usually creatures of this size would be further in.
Riser jumped back to get beyond the creatures range before creating a javelin of white fire. Sending it flying at the demon beast before him. Though the creature was somewhat catlike it did not have a cat's grace and the spear ended up lodging in its shoulder. A simple mental command had the spear detonate, effectively crippling the creature.
Upset and in pain the creature relied on its natural instincts, biting the offender. With another slower charge it came to bite him in half. Riser spun out of the way, creating a sword of fire in the process. With a swipe the sword cut into the back of the creature's hind legs leaving scorched wounds.
Still it continued to fight, spinning to snap at him once more. However, with only one good arm it was hardly even worth noticing. With a jump Riser somersaults onto the beast's back. Once there he stops to stomp on the spine just before the skull.
'Crack'
The spine gives out under the magically enhanced blow and the creature goes with it, collapsing to the ground. He jumps off the beast and lands without a sound, his control of the air making it a perfect landing.
This had to have been the 6th larger demonic creature he had seen today. While demonic beasts were not uncommon, like with most ecosystems, there was something at the top. From what he had been able to tell based on his books and previous time spent in the wilds around his home the larger creatures tended to claim areas as their domain. They would hunt there and drive off other large creatures in the area making it their territory. However this time there were many, and each was roaming around. Some were even fighting each other when he ran across them.
Something had disturbed the balance of the forest and in turn caused the creatures to redraw territorial lines. A war had begun between the beasts.
.
.
.
.
She had always been awake and this meant she was clever. Even when she was a small creature, barely even prey, she had been clever. It was the only advantage she was given. While others had strength or speed, she was weak and slow. All she had was her cunning.
So she did the best she could. Using her small size to hide from predators and slowly absorbing power. Choosing to concentrate it instead of growing bigger and mutating into a greater beast. She knew that she was far too weak to survive out there in what she had come to know as the world. Even the strength she had gained only increased her standing from insignificant worm to small snack.
So she had not tried to become a great serpentine beast to battle the others for dominance and power. Instead she kept herself as a small assassin picking off the scarps left behind by her greater brethren hoping to gain at least a passable amount of strength.
It did not always work as intended. While she was small and harder to detect she was also small and weak so she was rarely able to hunt. Plus she had to be careful when scavenging not to attract the notice of greater creatures.
Then one came to hunt her.
She fled, but the creature was greater than her. Her greatest advantage, her mind, meant little compared to the difference in power between her and the great bat that circled. Chasing her, playing with her. The only reason she survived even this long was because it seemed to take some enjoyment from her fear.
Constantly it came upon her from the dark above. Swooping down quickly to scratch at the bark of a tree right beside her or tearing up the bush she hid in. Forcing her constantly forward and shrieking with joy as it forced her to run again and again.
But the attacks were getting ever closer, some even leaving faint scratches on her. She was getting tired and it was getting bored. The hunt would soon come to an end.
So she made a daring gamble, she fled for the blighted land.
It was known that this land was no place for any being. The elders, when they were active and not eating others as snacks, say that it was not natural. Instead it was banished here and was the spot of a terrible battle between a great being and a mighty serpent. The battle still lingers there and the land was killed in the fight, so none can gain strength from it.
But she had no choice, no options left. So she ran as fast as she could, hoping to lose the creature flying after her. To reach it before the creature decided to end her.
Every trick of the shadows she could use was employed. Every clever plan put into action. But with her level of strength all she ever managed was the smallest of delays. It had grown tired of the chase, now it came for the kill.
However fate was on her side. The blighted lands were close. She sent a small shadow one way and threw a rock another trying to create one last distraction for the beast. Then she dashed for safety hoping to reach it in time.
The trees were thinning, the ground drying, she was close. Just beyond the small lip would be
FEAR
It took her breath away, stopping her dead, her whole body frozen. Fear so deep and primal it was all she could do not to curl in on herself right there. Even the fear she had felt running to this point seemed inconsequential before this fear. This place was not meant for her kind, it was not meant for any creature.
A shriek sounded behind her, the beast was closing in. Yet she could not move, every instinct screamed against it. That way was death.
But she was not like the rest, she was more than her instincts. She could overcome her fears.
She was afraid, more afraid than she had ever been before, but in the end she had two choices. Slink forward and face whatever was causing the fear, or sit still and die. That was really only one choice.
She slithered forward into the blighted lands.
.
.
She had soon come to realize that the feeling of fear was artificial, not due to some great beast that lurked in the area. Which made sense, after all it was the scene of a great battle according to the elders not a place of monsters.
It also made sense why nothing had come here before her, the land was barren of any demonic energy. There was an energy here but it seemed to be negative for her, in fact she believed it was the cause of the fear that seemed to plague her every moment in this cursed place. She dared not risk absorbing it.
Which was why this place remained empty, her kind birthed from the pools of darkness that exist throughout the world and lived by absorbing the energy around them. The elders would spend entire cycles sleeping to keep their energy consumption down.
So nothing strong could come here as they would starve quickly and, from what she could tell, only the strong were awake. In this way she was an exception, unique. As she was awake from birth unlike all the others who had only instincts.
So nothing awake enough to overcome instincts would come here as it could not sustain them, and nothing weak enough to be here for any amount of time was awake enough to enter. It was perfect for her to hide out in.
Granted there were few places to actually hide as most of the location was made of barren cracked earth. Running through were four dried out river beds that met at a single point. Around craters dotted the land and large rocks sat as if torn up from the ground. With them the remains of trees, some still standing withered and lifeless, others now nothing more than empty desiccated logs. Except one.
It was as dead as all the others certainly. Yet even dead as it was, the tree loomed larger than the rest, holding a presence to it. Like a king long gone and yet still holding a feeling of majesty. Even she could not explain it. The tree was best avoided.
However as interesting and perfect to hide as this place seemed she was running into a problem. She was hungry.
One as weak as her of course needed much less energy than most to survive but some was required. This place had none, and that bat remained. Waiting for the weak little snack to come out or die.
She had underestimated the creature's spite. While it still refused to approach it circled the area, leaving just long enough for a quick hunt before returning. Waiting for her to leave.
She couldn't take it before and now she was hungry, she needed to find food here. She would escape.
It was time to hunt in this dead land.
.
.
The good news was that the land had food, little though it was. It seems the battle that ragged here had been intense as pieces of the combatants lay scattered around. They must have been quite powerful as even all this time later the flesh had not degraded.
Scattered around were droplets and small pools of blood. Even better little pieces of flesh could be found in the area.
From what she could tell there were three fighters, two felt very alike but were very different in shape. One had great wings of black, she knew from those clumps of wing that she found laying about, dark feathers clinging to small lumps of flesh. The other was like her, a serpent, around the area she found pieces of flesh with scaled hide. These two must have been brothers as the taste was similar. They also left a majority of the blood and all of the pools.
The last person left only a couple droplets behind. They were different too. While the other two left blood of a deep dark red with some purple mixed in, this blood was gold. Even more it shined, literally glowing with a soft light in the darkness.
It was not to be eaten, the golden blood. She knew that a single sip would end her, so she stuck to the other sources. They at least seemed edible, though they did give her stomach aches. However she could not argue with the results. It cured her hunger for a time and even made her stronger. Her shadows grew denser and she grew fangs that contained poison, she could even spit it. Even better she grew larger, now a size closer to a true beast like the one that hunted her.
Which of course led to a new problem, with her growth she required more food. Plus she had been feeling a little off for awhile now. She figured she would need to leave soon. At this point the only place unexplored was by the great tree.
Not that she was expecting much but maybe there would be a light snack before she left.
The tree was barren of any flesh or blood, everything having dried out and disappeared long ago. Except for one small fruit, though it had mostly decayed. She was sure in a few cycles it would be gone. What is more, it was so far gone that only a small amount remained. Like a layer of flesh around a seed. That said it still had some power to it so she might as well eat.
Suddenly, with that single bite, her whole existence expanded. Things she never knew were obvious. Details about herself became clear.
She was sick, the flesh she had eaten did not sit right and due to the amount had disbalanced her magic. She had magic, that is what allowed her to control her shadow. It could also be trained separately from base consumption and growth. Suddenly new ideas and concepts flooded her mind as if expanding it. For a normal person it would not be much but for a simple beast, one that was just barely sentient to start, it was like a whole new world opened up.
Before, when she found food, it had been relief that she felt. When she saw that bat it was hate. New emotions beyond fear and hunger opened up to her. She looked down on the other lesser beasts because she knew she was smarter than them. She had felt proud.
She needed to leave this place, now.
The flesh was making her sick because it was only partially compatible with her. She did not know why. So it left parts of itself inside her, parts she could not consume. Not physically but its magic. Those parts built up over time and now they were poisoning her. She needed more magic, magic like her own, to push it out and she needed it soon.
She needed to leave this place and go out to hunt. Only by consuming others would she get enough magic fast enough. However she could not do so here. The beasts around here were old and powerful even with her recent upgrades she was no match for them. She needed a place where the weaker ones gathered. Towards the edges of the territories where the demon lands end. 'Towards the cities,' something in the back of her mind whispers.
Yes, she needed to go there and set up territory so she could eat and rest.
The cry of that blasted bat sounded above her as she came closer to the blighted lands edge.
But first a snack for the road.
.
.
Things had been going so well for her recently, she should have expected this.
The travel from the blighted lands had gone decently well. Avoiding many of the larger beasts she had managed to reach one of the edges quickly enough. Even had a few snacks along the way. So she had been feeling better but needed more essence and rest.
Both of which she thought would be easy enough to acquire. These beasts were strong but still far weaker than the apexes deeper in the wilds. So she searched for one in the middle range for the area. An easy task for her now, since her time in the blighted lands many things had become clearer to her. Most importantly the basics of controlling one's own magic and detecting others.
Once located she stalked the beast, a large creature of fur, and bit it once it went to sleep. Poisoned it awoke weakened. Surprisingly it did manage to get in a few good attacks even in its weakened state. However they were hardly enough to seriously injure let alone kill her. She was far stronger than it now, especially as she could outwit the stupid thing.
Thus she consumed the creature and planned to sleep in its nest. Claiming the territory for her own.
That is not what happened. She counted on the others keeping to their own spaces. The creatures should be set in their ways and follow the same pattern like good little idiots. She would just slide into this one's place as she worked to gain ever more power. However all too soon they became aware of the loss of one apex.
Instead of accepting her in the other's place they began jockeying for power. Even lesser creatures tested the edges of her new domain, despite the fact that she had killed the previous owner they were afraid of. It was ridiculous, did the animals lack even basic sense?
Thus the fighting began and soon all in the area had come to brawl for territory and essence. Some hoping to gain more land, others simply hoping to eat and grow strong.
Unfortunately, she was in no shape for such a fight. The first few had been weak creatures, testing the waters to see if the land was open, easy prey. Then another apex had arrived, a weaker one but still a fight she did not escape unscathed.
She was already sick and needed rest. She was in no shape for prolonged combat.
Then it appeared.
The creature was massive with hair all over. It stood on four legs through the back two were slightly shorter. Its long front legs ended not in paws but large clawed hands. Topped with a head that had pointed ears, large yellow eyes and a snout filled with teeth.
It glared at her then stood up on its back legs, its arms spread wide as it released a howling roar.
This was the strongest apex in the region, almost certainly stronger than her. It saw her as its prey.
There was no running or hiding from this fight, she would just have to outhink it. Use her intelligence to win.
The first part of that was an attack while it was not ready. There seemed to be several ingrained responses amongst her kind. One of which meant starting any battle with displays of dominance before going into battle.
So instead of all that posturing she was just going to attack.
She rears back up in her full form, her hood flaring up, as if to respond with her own hissing challenge. Then instead she channels as much poison as she can in a single blast at the beast.
Then while it was writhing with poison in its eyes she shrunk down. Dashing through the forest. Of course the poison did not hold it back for long and soon it followed crashing through after her.
It was enough though, she ducked quickly behind a tree while out of sight. Then as the creature passed by she grew to her full size, slamming into its side with the combination of her growth and a spring attack.
It hit the creature fairly hard and knocked it into another tree. Seeing an opportunity she went in for a bite. Managing to get one in on its arm.
Unfortunately it was not as dazed as it appeared at first and immediately slammed her and the arm into the tree next to it.
It hurt but it was worth it, now the creature was thoroughly poisoned and she had a solid chance.
Now to wear down the beast. Shrinking again she flees from the creature. Dashing through the forest she managed to lead it into a small clearing. There, she hides among the trees and begins hit and run tactics.
She would shrink to circle around the beast then hit it from behind by growing. Sometimes she would use her shadows to distract it one way then attack from another angle. Sometimes she would distract it herself, dodging and weaving while her shadow attacked.
It was not a perfect system by any means as she simply did not have the combat experience and strength to complete it properly, but for every hit she took it took three.
What is more, the poison was working, the creature was slowly starting to weaken. Moving more sluggish, its hits packed less punch. Which was good as she was using too much demonic energy and was starting to feel sick again. She needed to end this quickly and eat him so she could recuperate.
The chance came soon enough, the beast stumbled and seemed to be panting. It's back turned to her. Now was the time to strike the finishing blow.
A new emotion rushed through her in that moment of victory, elation. She had done it, she had beaten her greatest adversary yet and proven how superior she was to her mindless brethren. While any other being like her would have died from the difference in strength she had outwitted her opponent and triumphed, and this was only the beginning.
Even as she approached the creature from behind she could see it. She was going to kill this one and gain its strength. Then as the greatest creature in the area she would claim a large swath of territory at the end of the fighting. Healing up and gaining strength she would eventually eat the others before moving back into the wilds.
From there she would outsmart all those stronger than her until she reached a true place of power in this world. Until she could rival the ancients themselves. Then she would consume them too.
She was born better than them all, born intelligent. With that she would surpass all of them and become the god queen of the wilds.
The creature had lifted up its arm earlier and was bringing it down to pound on the ground. Releasing a roar as it did so. How adorable, it was throwing a little tantrum. Yes bemoan your fate stupid beast. Rejoice that you will be the first step to my ascension.
Then everything went horribly wrong.
The ground cracked, shooting up in spires of earth in a giant circle surrounding the creature. The completely new attack took her completely by surprise. More than one spire slams into her, flinging her back. The pointed tips punching small holes in her hide and leaving wounds even as she crashes into one of the surrounding trees. Now instead of being moments away from victory she was being wounded on the ground.
She needed to get up and back into cover, to hide. But her body is so sluggish, slow to respond.
A large hand grabbed her lower tail.
Suddenly she was being picked up and slammed through several rock spires. She tried desperately to prevent some of the damage, her shadow moving to protect her from the blows. But none of it mattered. Over and over she was swung by the enraged creature. Into the ground and through spires and trees she is battered over and over. All the while the feeling of sickness and disquiet in her gut grew as her shadow became harder to control.
Finally the creature threw her, hurtling through the air to crash against a pillar of earth. She fell, limp upon the ground, broken.
Her body refused to move, her magic empty as the sickness inside seemed to eat at her from within. Spreading through her body like a poison without demonic energy to keep it at bay. Now for the second time today she felt a new emotion.
Despair.
Here she was once again, crushed by her weakness. Fleeing and hiding from her stupid brethren who understood nothing but were born strong. Why could she not have been born so strong? Instead of as a weak little snake that had to hide and scavenge from birth. This was supposed to be her moment, her time to shine, her victory.
She was born smart, she was born clever. She was supposed to be special, to be destined for something more.
Wasn't she?
It was all for nothing, all her work, all her scavenging, all her losses. So she cried, cried for all that she could never be, and she begged. She knew not where the words came from, just what they meant. So as she cried she begged. Begged for someone to save her, begged not to die, begged to be something.
All of it was for naught as the shadow of her killer loomed over her. Here in the wilds she was going to die, just another snack for one of her mindless brethren. After all she worked for, all she did, all her attempts. In the end
She was nothing.
No more cries left her, no tears were left to shed. Instead she simply looked on, defeated, as the great beast raised its hand to deliver the final blow.
Then there was a soft gust of wind and a pulse of magic and the beast's head fell from its shoulders, its body collapsing to the side.
Behind it was a small creature, with skin in a lightly tanned peach and fur only on its head colored like gold. By all accounts it would seem to be one of the weakest beings she had seen.
However unlike her brethren she had learned to sense magic. This small creature was intense. He glowed like a star descending upon the earth illuminating all before him, stronger than all the other beasts in the forest by a large margin.
She had been saved.
.
.
.
.
Riser had come over to watch the battle. Honestly he had expected it to be like the others where he showed up, they teamed up on him and he killed the creatures. Simple stuff.
As he approached though, things got strange. Instead of the usual hisses, shrieks and roars, he heard crying. Sobbing really and a voice begging for assistance, to be saved. Now the voice clearly was not humanoid and he did not know the language. However his Sinful Tongue translated it all the same. Monster or not, this one was intelligent.
Maybe it was a stray devil that had been too weak and demonified? Perhaps someone cursed to be a monster and banished to hell? Well it was certainly something more interesting than the usual beasts in any case.
As he approached it was clear the snake-like creature was the one that could talk while the gorilla badger wolf thing was going to kill it. Well if it was a stray it would need to die, but he did want to at least look into it a bit first. So he created an air blade and ended the other beast before approaching the snake that was now looking at him strangely. It was almost like reverence.
"Fascinating" the word slipped out without him meaning to speak at all.
This was a true demonic beast as it did not have the refined energy of a devil nor the feel of a curse. How curious. Detecting deeper he found there were some other influences, a slightly draconic feel to her makeup and magic that seemed denser almost than it should be. To top it all off the creature was dying. Not just from the wounds but from light poisoning of all things. How that could happen he had no idea as an angel would have just killed the beast.
Truly interesting, maybe it could be of some use to him. After all, an intelligent demonic beast, one that could talk even, was a 1 in a billion find. That said it was still a demonic beast so he would need to treat it as such.
"You really are something amazing you know? Something unique and special. I think it would be a shame for you to die. I can save you."
The creature looked up at him, hope seemed to burn within its eyes.
"However, nothing in this world is free. There is a cost you will have to pay. A life for a life." He paused, mostly for proper dramatic effect, a true devil is nothing if not a showman. The snake's eyes never leave his own. "Serve me, when I save your life that life becomes mine. Devote yourself to me above all others as your personal god and I will save you from this death. What is more, I will help you to become stronger." The snake continued to stare as if weighing its options.
"I know you can understand me so I will make this simple. Place your head under my palm and give voice to your agreement and the pact will be made." Magic swirled around Riser as he spoke. The central magic of all devils, that of a contract. One that bound both parties and once made could not be undone without the agreement of both parties.
A scaled head touched his palm and a voice, bestial yet soft, spoke "I agree."
With that the pact was sealed upon two souls. One bound to save the other's life and make her stronger, the other bound to serve devoted until her final end.
"Well let us get you patched up then" Riser reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a vial of Phenex tears he always had on him. "Drink up."
The snake's wounds began to close and he could feel the light poisoning diminishing as well.
"Now sleep, you have had a rough time of it. I will stand watch. When you have awoken we can talk more."
.
.
.
.
She had the best of dreams, it started out poorly but then her saviour appeared. He had slaughtered the beast that was to kill her then saved her life. Even the pain she has experienced ever since the blighted lands had faded away. All he wanted in return for all of that was for her to be loyal. What a small price, as without him she would have died as nothing.
Too small to be real, this must be her last thoughts at the end. Her wishing for some impossible savior to appear. They were nice.
"Alright I am going to need to head back soon, and you look like you have healed up. I am going to need you to wake up so we can talk."
A voice cuts through her rest stirring her awake. As she looks there before her is the savior.
"I do apologize for rushing you but it is late. Let us start with introductions, I am Riser Phenex." He completed the introduction by bending at the waist for some reason. "I do not suppose you have a name?"
"What is name?" she responded, the words popping into her head but no real context to them.
"Ahhh from the top then, a name is something to identify you from others like you. So instead of being say blonde devil, I am Riser. It separates you from the rest and marks you as a unique individual. There is more to it but that is the basics."
Something that would make her unique and special, different from the rest of her kind. She wanted it. "How get name?"
He smiled at her, it was a nice sight. "Well someone else gives it to you, I suppose I can give you one if you want?" She could not nod fast enough. "Well let us see, I know one of my ancestors had a powerful snake familiar. I will call you, Melascula. Does that work."
"Melascula." It was a difficult word on her tongue, but she liked it. "I like."
"Wonderful, on to other matters. From what I understand you gain strength by consuming other beasts, is that correct?" She nods at him. "Well then let me help you get stronger." With that he steps out of her line of sight. Behind him the clearing has been filled with the rest of the apexes in this area. Had he truly killed so many? Many of them stronger than her? And instead of consuming them himself he left them for her to eat. Her savior was quite strong and generous.
Again a new emotion surged within her. This time gratitude and deep affection for the person who had done so much to help her.
"Well I am not sure how long it will take before it spoils, do they go bad? Regardless, please have your fill. Eat all of them if you can. We want you to get as much out of this as possible."
She did not question the command, in an instant she shot forward expanding to the largest she could grow and consuming each of the beasts. Some had to be done in a few bites but the acids in her stomach quickly broke down each creature. Soon the whole clearing was empty except for her and her master.
Melascula, that was her name now that she was special and unique, was full for the first time in her life. Before she had been too weak to eat her fill, she used to go days without eating if there were no scraps. She spent the entire time in the blighted lands starving trying to extend what little food was present for as long as possible. From there she ran here and never truly got a chance to hunt.
But now, for the first time she was full. In fact she was feeling a little bloated for some reason.
"Well it looks like nothing went to waste, and you can grow that is an impressive skill. Can you shrink as well?"
She looked down at him again before nodding then shrunk down to a size just slightly bigger than his feet.
"Well that is perfect. Now I can bring you back with me." He reached down to pick her up in his arms. Before proceeding to stroke her head.
His entire being radiated warmth and power, plus the head strokes were very nice. Yes, she who is now Melascula decided, this is the best.
"So do you only gain strength from eating others? Does it work on other creatures as well?"
"No," her small voice replied. "Also gain from the land. Consume that energy like ours from the earth. That why territories."
"I see so you absorb it from the land and thus why bigger beings seem to claim and dominate such large areas. It is so they can absorb from all over. Makes sense, and other creatures?"
"Yes from flesh, but only partial. Some give nothing if different. Changes us too. Can be dangerous."
"Well then that opens up all sorts of things to explore. We will be home soon so let me explain for a bit before we get there. While I want you to get stronger for now it is best that you rest. While the tears helped heal you, light poisoning remains in your body and it will take time for you to recover. So it is best we not go hunting while your body settles and finishes healing."
He had stopped petting her while talking so she gave him a slow nod. Then promptly pushed her head under his hand.
"Such a greedy little pet I have acquired." He said with a laugh. The sound was pleasant with an undercurrent like the soft singing of birds. It soothed her in ways she could not describe.
"Well while we are there resting I will try to teach you a bit. You are smart enough to talk so it should be no issue teaching you to read. Plus let us see what we can do to improve your magic and your control. Does that sound good?"
She could only croon back, at some point he had approached the edge of the forest and gone through a bubble of magic. In doing so he flared his own magic and now he was even warmer. Between that and these head pats she was far too happy to care about anything else.
She was full and wrapped in an aura of warmth while getting pets. Her master was the best.
With that last thought she fell asleep.
A excerpt of the introduction in Lord Fethrac Naberius' Chronicles of the Great War
Often considered one large conflict it is in fact a series of four wars that occurred over several millennia. There is some debate if the Mourning War should be added to the list as well. However most scholars agree that the Great War is a war between the factions of heaven and hell and thus the Morning War would not count as it was, at its core, a civil war.
The Great War was a multi denominational conflict that shaped the world wide political landscape into the modern era. While the central players were the "Three Factions" that is to say the Angels of Heaven, the Fallen, and the Devils, they were not the only players and often were known to work with other groups.
The opening of the Great War was the sacking of Sodom and Gomorrah by Heaven. This began the War of Earthly Purity where Heaven marshaled its forces to remove the other two factions from having direct strongholds on the Earth itself. In the process it also attacked and removed several other factions from Earth. This led into the Underworld War as the Fallen tried to take territory in the underworld and the Devils removed Heaven from any territories held within. With territories secured the factions began the First Shadow War. In this almost all active groups fought in shadow and used Humanity and nations as disposable troops and as proxies. This war continued for over a millennia until the rise of Solomon.
Solomon's peace lasted for as long as the First Temple stood. After it fell the final war of the Great War began. Known as the End War, this conflict lasted several centuries and resulted in the largest death toll among magical beings to date having been fought across the realms. It only ended with the death of the four remaining Satans at the hands of the Heavenly Dragons, who were also defeated and then sealed into two sacred gears.
Entry on the Great Ten in Terec Valac's compendium Things Best Avoided
The being declared one of the Ten Strongest Beings or a member of the Great Ten is a title granted to the ten beings believed to be the strongest in all of existence. It is also a complete fabrication. At my last check over twenty five beings are considered in the "top ten" depending on the pantheon or faction questioned.
Now certain people are listed in almost all, like Shiva, and some are obvious falsehoods that no one takes seriously, like the Fenris Wolf. That said it is best to consider anyone who is legitimately put into this category as a top tier existence. As we have no way to truly test and create a definitive list.
The beings in the top ten are massively powerful, any one of them could annihilate a planet if pushed too far. So having a tournament or challenge to test them is simply not feasible, the destruction such an event would cause would be cataclysmic. So it is generally just accepted that if a being is strong enough to claim itself as in the top ten, it probably is.
Now sometimes upstarts get a bit arrogant and proclaim themselves in this group, but usually such people are humbled quickly by a real member. Sun Wukong in particular is known to enjoy teaching a lesson to such individuals. Basically if you are strong enough to place yourself in this category and no one is willing to fight you on it, even existing members, then you are in the group.
As for what to do when facing a member of this group, it is this humble author's opinion that you don't. There are easier ways to commit suicide.
There we have chapter 2 and the introduction of Melascula. Speaking of I just want to clear up any confusion on the peerage characters. They will not be from the original worlds, they will be the DxD versions of those people. So it is more as a basis but they wont be exactly the same. For example Melascula will never have her commandment since there is not a way to fit it in DxD that I like. Nor, who we saw in the interlude, is not an orphan. So he is not summoning them from other worlds he is finding the DxD equivalents. Hope that clears up any potential confusion.
I haven't changed the peerage since last chapter, still trying to find a second knight. Unless they have been mentioned in story the peerage members are not yet set, so if you really like some character feel free to offer them up. Still trying to keep one per franchise, though Fate continues to tempt me.
King: Riser Phoenix
Queen: Valerie Tepes (DxD)
Rook: Kagamiin Kyōka (Dragons Rioting) - hero lineage
Rook: Nora Valkyrie (RWBY) - Demigod child of Thor
Bishop (mutated): Albedo (Overlord) - Devil/Fallen Angel hybrid
Bishop: Kuroka (DxD)
Knight: Ayane (Dead or Alive) - ninja
Knight:
Pawn x4: Osakabehime (Fate) - former ghost now sorceress/spy
Pawn x2: Melascula (7DS demon snake and necromancer)
Pawn x2: Viola (One Piece) - Romani with the Sacred Gear Eyes of Argus