Though the halls of his castle, Emperor Belos of the Boiling Isles was followed by his most loyal assistant, Kikimora, who was telling him of the majority of events that occurred around the Isles as of late.
"There have been reports and sightings of the Belmont girl in public." She states. "And at around the same time, mysterious sightings of...otherworldly creatures never before seen on the Isles. Some say they're from the depths of Hell while other believe that the girl had brought them with her from the Human Realm. However, sightings of mysterious, dark cloaked figures may tend to disclose these rumors, as we have sent spies to investigate...few have come back alive in one piece."
"That is rather unfortunate...yet curious." His Excellency spoke. "I fear there may be a third power in play. One that may be a similar threat to the Belmont, if not worse."
"Worse than...a legendary monster hunter?" Kikimora said, wondering what that could possibly be. "The people will want answers. If it is true what you say, my Emperor, we could be facing an invasion."
This...troubled Belos. He had not accounted for Night Creatures to suddenly arrive in the Empire he has sustained with his order for decades. From under his mask, he glared deeply, as such...complications would be bound to put all his plans into jeopardy. Or maybe...he could use it to his advantage? Work around the problem, and absorb it. As long as he had the faith of his loyalists and citizens, nothing could stop him. Not even the Belmont.
"We also finally managed to get word back from Hexside. Seems that there was something...unprecedented for."
"How is that possible?" Empire Belos asked. To which Kikimora replied "Apparently, there has been a new class that has been taken place there, albeit without our approval. Many of the students have already enrolled and have practicing magic that...I cannot even comprehend. They called it...Devil Forging, and I've never seen anything like it."
Never did he think he'd hear those two words again. Once before, had he heard of such a demonic form of mystic art, but he's never seen it himself. Only that the concept is to create life, obedient, demonic life from the rawest of materials. It is a form of magic that originated from Necromancers, as it was able to bring the dead to life and make the most loyal of servants. Resurrecting the dead, whether it be ashes, disemboweled, melted or even...petrified.
"The many who started the class, they call him Desu..." Kikimora continued. "...Offered generous donations to the school in order for this class to go on, unprecedented. Some say that if it continues, others schools may join in on the practice of this mysterious magic.
Now, THAT was a problem for Belos. Since Devil Forging was completely off the grid from his coven system, and if it were to continue expanding, the chances of rebellious witches rising again would multiply ten fold. And that would be troubling. It was then that a Guard came by.
"Emperor Belos, forgive my intrusion."
"Make your peace." Belos ordered.
"The Coven Heads are here. They wish to speak about the predicament, regarding the Belmont."
Later, Belos found himself in his throne room, where the Leaders of each Coven he made stood before him. Lilith stood idly by, avoiding eye contact with most Coven Heads. They wished for answers, for their concerns about a human, carrying a weapon that could end their lives in a split second drew concerns for them all. It was up to their Emperor to appease their minds.
"I know you all draw worry from the stories, saying that the Kin to a Fabled Family of Hunters lives among us..." The Emperor said with upmost confidence. "Rest assured, she will be dealt with in time."
"What exactly is that precedented time, my Emperor?" Darius, head of the Abomination Coven, asked. "Already, it seems that one...girl...has left her mark on our society."
"Afraid of a little whelp, Darius?" asked Terra Snapdragon, head of the Plant Coven. "You cannot seriously think that a girl with a bit of string in her hands is of any consequence to us."
"I head that she's actually been rather beneficial." said Raine, head of the Bard Coven. "That she's done more good than harm. Saving lives, stopping possible threats. Just this week, the Belmont herself and a few others have managed to stop a giant ball of decomposing bodies from wreaking havoc on the Isles."
Belos did hear about that. Legion, the demon who is many in one, making a sudden appearance at carnival, along with a few other Night Creatures. Stories got out that it was the Belmont who put an end to the demon. Perhaps, they've been looking at her the wrong way.
"She was only saving herself, Raine." Adrien Gray, Head Witch of the Illusionist Coven, said. "The fact of the matter is that the Belmont only looks after herself, and may see us all as potential threats to her survival."
"I second that opinion." Lilith finally spoke. "The first time we engaged in combat, and where she avoided capture, she did not hold back. Entire troops, practically tortured to the brink of their demise. And the fact that the Belmont does Magic herself, I fear...not even a sigil could hold back her powers."
Chills ran up the Coven Heads' spines as they heard. The Belmont's Magic was unknown to them, and if it was as powerful as Lilith lets on, that nothing at their disposal and bring it down, then they would have to live in fear, knowing that the Belmont's power was beyond anything that even Belos could comprehend.
"What else had you learned from the Belmont then, Lilith?" Emperor Belos asked.
"Only that she speaks false doctrines." Lilith answers. "Insulting the Coven System and speaking falsehoods against your way of life...she also said something about a way back to her dimension? Curtesy of my criminal of a sister, no doubt."
'So, there is a portal.' Belos thought to himself, know that's exactly what he needed on his plan for the coming days.
"It is better for the entirety of the Isles that the Belmont is persecuted." Lilith led on, but then Darius replied "And how do you propose you do that, Lilith? You made it clear that this child a force to be reckon with if she was able to get pass you."
The Emperor's Coven Head was about to walk towards Abomination Head, when Belos placed his arm in front of Lilith.
"Enough." He said. "This means a direct approach would be needlessly dangerous, should any of us engage the Belmont. But there are many other ways to defeat an enemy. We must find another to ensure that this child is no longer a threat."
"If I may be so bold to ask, Emperor..." Kikimora started. "Why not send the Golden Guard after her?"
Behind his mask, even Belos looked at his assistant with surprise and confusion. It was no surprise to him that she practically despise his nephew, due to his station. To suggest that he'd go after the Belmont...why does it feel like she would be sending her to a suicide mission?
"We know that his powers are most unique, given his own lineage. They may be able to match of the Belmont herself.
He'd be lying if Belos said he didn't consider sending the Golden Guard after the Belmont the second after he heard that she made her appearance on the Boiling Isles. No doubt, would he be able to match her skill in weaponry, and possibly even better in magic. But he knew his nephew's heritage, where he truly came from, and feared that if he were exposed to the Belmont, the truth would be revealed and Belos would lose him forever.
Speaking of whom, the Golden Guard himself, Hunter, was in his room, sharpening a sword that he owned. Belos told him that it was a Family Heirloom, one belonging to Hunter's Father, but that's all he ever told him. It was a blade of hardened steel, thin edged, sharp and beautifully crafted with its golden engraved hilt and fuller, and skull shaped pommel. The sword was part of Hunter's power, for he possessed abilities that no other witch has seen before. Hunter never fully told of his heritage, only that he got his looks from his Father. As he examined the sharpening of the blade, something caught the young Guard's attention as he peered out the window, his eyes widening at the sight of what was happening outside before he rushes out of the room to tell Emperor Belos.
"What should be the bottom line of this discussion is that, if necessary, we must improve upon our methods of persecuting any threats the isles." Belos stated. "And build upon any tactical advantage we can secure."
And it was then that the Golden Guard came and went towards his Uncle.
"Hunter...I had not summoned you."
"We have a situation, down at the courtyard." The boy said rather emotionlessly.
The 'situation' Hunter had spoken of was in fact, Desu in the middle of the his Devil Forging Class. The thing was that he was allowing the class to practicing their magic...on petrified witches. Amity among them was surprised to see their class had taken them into the shadow of the Emperor's Coven as she practiced the same spell that she and all other students were looking to prefect. They were a little skeptical as they were practicing on imperial, but Desu assured them that there will be no harm done. And much to their surprise, when they did use their magic on the statues...they succeeded. Former Wild Witches, completely reanimated as Innocent Devils and servants to the young Devil Forgers, who were in shock as in shock as their new familiars bowed to them. Desu smirked at the results; he couldn't be any more proud to see the training of his pupils paying off very well.
But then, their attention was caught when the man who ruled the Isles walked before them. The terrifying aura that produced made the kids back up and their new obedient servants growl, seeing their young masters feel threatened as Belos walked towards their teacher, standing at the same height of each other.
"What of this meaning of this?" The Empire asked in a low, monstrous voice.
"Emperor Belos, it is a honor to finally meet you." Desu said before bowing towards the Empire.
"I take you are the Teacher of the Devil Forging Class, Mr. Desu?"
"Master Desu to you, sir." The teacher replied, much to the surprise of his students. He spoke in such a tone that would've gotten him killed right on the spot, but that didn't seem to be the result. "And yes. I am the instructor of the Devil Forging Class."
"You know...it came to my surprise to see that a new class has been going on in one of the Isles' public schools...unsanctioned by the Emperor's Coven." said Belos.
"Forgive me, you Excellency. But most recent events have left me unable to get word out to you."
Belos merely replied. "I see. And you still thought it a good idea to let this...class of yours continue without my permission?"
"Principal Bump allowed it." Desu replied. "Besides, many students have taken a liking to what I've been teaching them. As of right now, I am readying them for another lesson."
"Oh? And what might that be?" Belos asked. To which Desu replied. "So far, my pupils have done well in craft Innocent Devils, creatures that can be created through this form of Mystic Arts only. A wisp of conjured matter is all it takes to breath life into these creations. For example-"
Clapping his hands, Boscha, Amity and Mattholomule all stepped forward and summoned their own Innocent Devils. Boscha's being a Devil Type, Amity's a Fairy Type and Mattholomule's a Battle Type.
"As you can see, the majority of my students are able to craft works of art from stone husks, deprived of life. Each individual familiar is symbiotically bound to their master, in sync with their movements and mindset. And while so far, they have been able to create these obedient guardians, there is one type they have yet to give birth to."
"Which is?" Belos asked, losing patience.
Desu replied "Mages. It is rather ironic that out of all they can create, a being that can create magic on its own and disrupt the flow of reality is where my pupils falter. Of course, I cannot blame them, it is merely a matter of raw material that are needed in order for the creature to take form. And when I heard that many lives had been taken throughout the history, this land, littered with spilled blood and decay...well, it doesn't get anymore raw than that.
"I see..." Said Belos. "This form of magic would be considered most impressive...if it weren't for the fact that it violates many laws that I had constructed for the Isles. For instance, it not part of the Coven System, nor, I say again, had it been sanctioned by me, and of course...you cannot hide the fact that this is a dark form of magic. Most demonic and corruptive. The fact that you teach it to children is unsettling. So tell, Master Desu...what's to keep me from sentencing you death right now?"
Seeing the staff pointed at his face, Desu did not flinch as he merely said "You would be squandering opportunity, my Emperor. I believe we share a common enemy after all."
"Is that right?"
Walking out of hearing distance from his students, Desu silently spoke to Belos.
"We both have common interests, to see our intentions through, in order to better our existence. The fact that a Belmont walks in this world is problematic, as she could interfere with both our plans. You should already know how the family itself comes to be a nuisance in the human world. After all...you do your research, don't you?"
Belos' eye jetted to the old man with shock and anguish. Just who was this guy and how much more does he know?
"But I'm willing to propose an alliance, for both our sakes in the hopes of ridding the universe of that Monster Hunting Lineage." Now Belos was intrigued. Certainly, an alliance would help to solve a few of his problems. And it would not take any time to see the Devil Forging art liquidated into the Coven System. Still, there were too many unknowns with Desu. If there were any chance of this Alliance working out, Belos needed to know everything about him. And that's when a smile came upon the Emperor's Masked face.
"We can further discuss this...if you'd be so kind as to follow me, Master Desu." He said to the DF Teacher, who dismissed his students, much to their confusion.
"What was all that about?" Amity asked herself. "Might have to ask Luz about this.
To Belos, he now thinks he's gotten the tactical advantage he needed. But little does he know who truly gains the advantage here.
I wanted to add more to this chapter, but I lose my idea after I got caught up with other things. It happens. But at least I did and you got to see more of Amity's Devil Forging Class, and Belos' reaction to it.
Just so you guys know, I'm not gonna let Belos and the Collector come even remotely close to winning in this story. Luz and anybody else against them will have them falling for their tricks, hook-line and sinker.
Also, Hunter is Alucard's son in this one. Figured it would be a good idea.