Chapter 3: Sibrand's Second Civil War

A Marauder's position in Hell wasn't an easy one. Sure, they were something of an officer corp, though their usefulness was increasingly weighed against the unsavory threat of having them around. Aiding in getting new argent was their old job. Now, they just waited. The Archviles, in their own apparent loyalty to Erebus, were only too eager to remind them that they would have never held any power here if it weren't for Erebus' generosity. They had a seocnd chance to be warriors after all, that was more than others got.

Sibrand, once a Sentinel of Argent D'Nur and now turned into this, had many years to wonder if he had done the right thing in betraying King Novik. Afterward, he ironically aided in doing the very same thing he had tried to stop. He rationalized it becasue Novik had fallen, and that his own painful harvesting wouldn't solve the inevitable. "Inevitable" previously anyway. Hell was blocked off. Surely the Maykrs would re-open a route to a world ripe for conquest?

He noticed an Archvile leaving a meeting with Erebus, doublessly talking about this very thing. He approached to ask about this. "Hail there, Archvile. I understand that we're still trying to resume our work on other worlds."

"Yeah, we're still working on that. There's been no update. Hasn't been for months."

"I am eager to embark. Do we know what the Maykrs-"

"It's your job to know what we TELL you. Don't try to go above your station. You need to remember that you exist solely at our pleasure. Now bugger off until further notice." The Archvile went off to associate with his peers and engage in whatever counted as fun in Hell, usually involving a condemned soul and one or more torture implements.

"Pff, 'bugger off'. I should have fought til the end if this was going to happen. The Khan Maykr needed us more than the other way round, elsewise she wouldn't have asked." The internal conflict only smoldered, Sibrand knowing he'd have to further betray his original conviction if a portal was re-opened, or face obsolescence if there was no need.

He kept up appearances by organizing fights among the lower-ranked demons, which he passed off as "training". To be fair, this was a legitimate military priority, though there was the question of how much could be learned or refined. They were only domonic bodies, with no minds or souls. Those destroyed were able to respawn, however, so there was no real detriment. Erebus permitted this, and at least found the apparent enthusiasm useful.

In contrast, the Archviles, being the aristocracy here, didn't view this training as necessary or worth the possible injury. Their bodies couldn't be so easily regenerated if destroyed, if at all. And even this assumed Erebus thought the individual was worth the effort. This was because they were organically native to Hell, as opposed to being mass-produced from dead humanoid bodies. This was also why they fought the Slayer so rarely, and tried summoning other demons while doing so instead of only fighting one-on-one.

Sibrand was taking a break from this outward show, reading one of the novels pilfered from Earth (he always enjoyed his fantasy and pirate adventures). While engrossed in his story, he noticed a Pain Elemental seemed to be beckoning him to follow. This wasn't unusual; Pain Elementals were intelligent, and were capable of non-verbal communication even if they couldn't speak. Sibrand decided to see what was up.

The Pain Elemental is a cow-sized, floating, ball-shaped demon with horns, a single orange eye, brownish-gray skin, rows of sharp teeth, and two arms it would emote with. Pain Elementals had also shown intelligence while fighting the Slayer, appearing frightened when they were dying.

They possessed this intelligence because they were also "native" to Hell, though were not as dangerous as Archviles or Tyrants. They also endured eternal agony for their entire existence, hence the name. Daizen knew they would be a useful way to communicate for this reason. He convinced this one to help him become leader of Hell, on the promise he would prioritize an end to its never-ending pain.

The Pain Elemental led Sibrand to one of the ruins in Hell, resembling a destroyed medieval monastery. Here, Daizen and a few of the other recovered demons were waiting.

Sibrand then asked the Pain Elemental, "Well my cyclops friend, what's up? Is something wrong with the Revenant?"

Daizen decided to speak. It was an awkward and trepidacious moment. The Marauder would know this shouldn't happen. "No, there's actually nothing wrong with me. I'm actually far better off now-"

"What? How are you speaking? I knew nothing of this. Has Erebus enhanced some of your number?" Sibrand wondered if he was no longer needed, and what else had been enhanced.

"No, it's not Erebus' doing. I got my soul back. And I've been trying to talk to others." Daizen didn't want to let him know others had also been recovered, in case this meeting went poorly. "It's a long story. But I can just say when on Earth, a human connected with me in a machine and my mind came back to me. I don't think he intended it though."

Sibrand was relieved, but still confused and also cautious. "I uh, well. That's quite something to hear. And you wanted to speak to me?"

"Yes. I understand that you have kept your mind, and that you fought for the Khan Maykr, and would fight again for Erebus is the need arises. I overhear things though, I don't think you like the idea, but you have no choice."

"That is... something I wouldn't want to say out loud, exactly. But how do you fit in to this? And what alternative would there be? It's not like I can just go back to Argent D'Nur."

Daizen had to be strategic with his pitch. He couldn't very well say, "Let's go and kill Erebus!", in case the Marauder decided he liked him, or wanted to curry favor with Erebus by exposing a traitor. He decided to reference their pride and insecurity. This could still be dangerous, but it was the only option.

He made his move: "You used to be knights? And you had to fight against your king because you wanted to stop the argent harvesting. But the Khan Maykr lied to you. It was all for her benefit. But she's gone now."

Sibrand tepidly responded, "...yeah? That's right."

"The Maykrs haven't re-opened Hell to any other worlds, so they must view Erebus as weak and ineffective. And we know they'd want to because they will need the argent. If they trusted or respected him, we wouldn't be in this mess."

Sibrand briefly looked around him to ensure that no one else new had joined. "The other demons here, you trust them?"

"Yes. They also have their own issues with Erebus."

"Did the human you mentioned restore their minds?"

"It's complicated, but no, that man didn't. Only with me."

"So what are you wanting from me? Or what do you want to tell me?"

"You have something you have never had before: a window. Erebus isn't as strong as your former masters, and the Maykrs for whatever reason don't trust him. He is insecure and isolated. You can get revenge for the deception which made you a traitor all those years ago."

It dawned on Sibrand what Daizen was getting at. "You're not seriously saying what it sounds like? If we tried that, we would face a fate worse than harvesting!"

Daizen tried to impart his strategy: "Not right away. The big obstacle are the Archviles. They are strong, but they are far rarer than others. They can be isolated."

"Isolated?"

"And then... dealt with. I realize you already organize fights? You can use such a fight to lure one into a trap."

Sibrand began to wonder if this odd Revenant was actually a trick to make him endorse treason, at which point an Archvile would have an excuse to harvest him. "How can I trust you? I'm not making any promises."

"You don't have to make any. Just find and lure one of them to your next fight. We'll have friends on the inside to get the job done."

Sibrand was pensive, and still wondering what the best course of action would be. "What's the goal in the end?"

"Erebus would be gone. And our minds, our fates, would be ours alone. And if others came to Hell, we would no longer torture or harvest."

"The Maykrs wouldn't stand for it. They would surely intervene to keep argent flowing."

"Maybe they should find another energy source. Maybe King Novik should have. That would have avoided this whole mess."

"Easier said than done. But they are weaker now. Maybe they haven't re-opened because they think they would be in danger."

"When and if we are in charge later, we would have the tools to learn that." Daizen wanted to ask about others who may be interested. "Other Marauders, how do they feel?"

This was an awkward spot for Sibrand. He didn't want to risk being part of a conspiracy if this gambit failed. He had spoken to them, and they felt similar, but he downplayed it, "I don't talk to them much. I keep to myself, I was largely an introvert in life, and I haven't changed. And also, how many 'friends' do you have for this idea?"

"I have enough. We'll stage a fight, but we'll have demons on both sides of the fight with us. Try to pick an isolated area, far from other Archviles."

Sibrand pondered this. "I know of a place, four miles from here." He drew a crude map showing the directions; he would enjoy going here to be alone. "Other demons don't go there too often. It's in a canyon, so it would make a good arena. Maybe two days from now. I always host the fights mid-day."

"Alright then, sounds like a plan. I'll have my friends there. If you can convince an Archvile to come, then we can take him down."

The pair parted ways for the day, with Sibrand's head still processing what had happened. There was still time; he could rat him out and gain favor. Well, maybe not; it's not like this Revenant stood out. He could just ditch on him. But he would miss this major chance. And if what he said was true, he needed this Revenant to trust him. But what if an Archvile caught onto him? He could play dumb, and say he was planning his own trap. After thinking this over, he made his decision. "Eh, screw it. I'll take the chance."

Two days later, he was waiting to run into the pleasant Archvile from before, "Mr. Bugger Off". As it was, he was finishing a meeting with Erebus. Sibrand waited just outside their meeting hall, and could hear the conversation inside.

Erebus was venting his frustration. "I don't know what the Maykrs' problem is. Surely they want what we have. But it's been months."

"I don't know either, your grace. Maybe with their Khan dead, they have all suffered a fatal dose of indecisiveness."

"That's an understatement. The boredom is worse than anything."

"You are correct. This can't be for eternity. And I don't like the idea of keeping the Marauders around. They are a liability, sire."

"We'll keep them for now, since we will need them, until we don't."

"I guess that's that then. I'll check in again in maybe a week. Or you can send for me."

"I'll call for you. I don't like guessing... by the way, summon me Adolf Hitler. A new shipment of pineapples has come in, and his ass is the perfect place to store them."

"Ha, he sure won't like that! He never does. I'll be off then." He stepped out and was surprised to see Sibrand waiting. "What are you doing there? Listening in?", he asked in an accusatory tone.

"Not at all. I just realize that you would be finishing your meeting soon, and I am hosting another training fight. It would benefit the demons there if you wanted to participate."

"Don't be stupid. I would hardly benefit, and I have more important duties to tend to."

"Are you sure? It wouldn't waste your time. Maybe keep your own skills up."

"I have an errand to run anway. Now be gone."

Erebus heard them chatting outside, and got curious. "Phil! What's going on out there? Do you have Hitler already?"

Phil the Archvile stepped back in and informed Erebus about the conversation. After a few moments, he returned. "Well then, Erebus thinks it would be a good idea. If he says so. Let's get it over with and see how useful it is. I can tell Erebus how good you are for him as well. Let me just get Hitler, and then you can show me your little display."

After this errand, the two went off for the arena-like canyon, with Phil not speaking much. Sibrand didn't speak at all, due to nervousness uncharacteristic of his kind. Phil interpreted this as him being stuck up. "You sure picked an out of the way place. I don't see why. It'll take forever to get back. But you probably consider it a good place for some reason."

Sibrand just nodded. Worst case scenario, if Phil survived, Sibrand could just blame the demons and insist on mass punishment.

They walked down into the canyon, with demons waiting on either side. Some were above the cliffs. Cacodemons were also here; they resembled the Pain Elementals, except they were red, had no horns, and their one eye was green. Daizen had recruited more, including fellow Revenants, and built a varied group, for this critical moment. These recovered demons could plan better, and retain battle experience, unlike their soulless counterparts.

Sibrand took in the sight, and instructed Phil, "This is a great vantage point. You'll see the training and you'll be able to take part from here if you like."

Phil was a little confused. "Wouldn't it be better to watch from the top there?"

"It's a great view from here, you'll see-"

"You don't know anything, I'll head up." Phil wasn't playing neatly into their trap. Daizen decided to act while he was still in a good position. The recovered demons attacked; Phil assumed they began too early, while Sibrand ran from him.

"Hey Sibrand, they're coming for me?! All of them! What the hell is this?" This "ambush" became a pitched, tooth-and-nail fight. The Archvile fought with indignation, which turned to uncertainly. The demons fighting him and not each other were weaker "on paper", but here was something Phil didn't see before. The demons were coordinated and- yelling out? To each other? Injured demons fell back, something they never did before. The soundtrack Rip and Tear would be fitting.

"Sibraaaaand! You'll have Hell to pay for this negligence! I'll stick your head on a pike!" He tried summoning other demons to help him, but the attacks interrupted this. He also tried teleporting, but was immediately attacked each time. His anger turned to panic and fear as his body was destroyed, after ten gruelling minutes of Phil fighting for his life. He fell onto his back, groaning.

Sibrand, upon seeing this, stepped forward and instructed the others, "Fall back! I'll handle this."

"You stupid bastard. You almost had me killed. Erebus will make an example of you."

Sibrand only held out what appeared to be a staff. A glowing, red axe head made of energy shout out of it. "No, you're an example of me having enough." He brought down this axe on Phil, severing his head and causing his body to burn into nothing.

Sibrand took a moment to absorb it. He didn't know what to feel. He fell to his knees where Phil had been. "It's begun. And now, we will need to finish it. Or they will destroy us."

Daizen approached. "It's a start. And he was an asshole anyway. By the way, the name's Daizen."

"Sibrand. At least I used to be." He rose.

"Do you know how many Archviles there are?"

"Not sure, but we can manage them with some luck. We won't be able to lure them all like this though. And I don't think we can just assassinate Erebus now. The Archviles would certainly destroy us after seizing the power vacuum for themselves. We'll have to build our own strength while dealing with them on a comprehensive scale, or we won't succeed."

"It'll have to be open war then. Any other demon types we should worry about? That can't have their mind recovered? I already know about the Archviles and Tyrants, how they were 'born' here, for lack of better word."

"There are the Barons. They are also native here. They were something of a royal guard. I say 'were' because after Davoth's death, they don't have a clear allegiance. Unlike the Archviles, they're not as confident in Erebus."

"So the danger they pose will largely depend on how strong Erebus looks to them."

"I would say so. It would probably be a good idea to leave them alone as much as we can."

"Another Marauder can plant the seed of doubt with them, before we make this war full scale. You don't think Erebus will miss this one dead Archvile, do you?"

"No, he wasn't planning on seeing him until there was a development with the Maykrs. Who knows how long that would be."

"It will be long enough."

"So what's next?"

Daizen took a moment, and decided, "I should meet your fellow Marauders."

That evening, Sibrand introduced him to three of these other Marauders, at the ruined monastery: d'Outremont, Rigaud, and Dave. They discussed what had happened so far, what the Maykrs were doing, and their ultimate goal. While two of them appeared eager about the plan, Rigaud held reservations. "This would be a second betrayal of ours. Are we sure it would end well this time?"

Sibrand replied, "It's the best chance we have. We can finally accomplish the mission we had failed, all those years ago."

Rigaud reluctantly agreed, for now. He agreed above all else that the Archviles were the worst immediate threat, and that they wouldn't accept Daizen as their leader. Rigaud also wondered, on that note, why Daizen was leader. Because he started this? Was that reason enough? Surely, any Marauder would best him. But he would need to be an ally, albeit unwilling, for now.

The next morning, d'Outremont went to the Barons, after formulating his argument with Sibrand and Daizen. They would focus on their discord, and desire for a strong and worthy leader. d'Outremont stated his mind, "Fellows, I wanted to speak to you about the current state of our realm, and your position in it. I realize you've been watching Erebus, and yet, despite no outside threat, you are not unified behind him."

"What of it? Do you mean to criticize us?", on of them replied. The Barons resembled twelve-foot-tall horned demons with orange blades coming from their wrists. They were hooved, and their gray skin appered to be bursting with red light coming through the cracks.

"No, in fact it is the opposite. You are a professional and proud group. Erebus has not convinced the Maykrs he is strong or trustworthy."

"What are you getting at?"

"Could Erebus be strong enough to command respect even among Hell itself? What would he do if he was challenged? He should have to earn respect in that moment, if something like that were to happen."

"Are you planning something yourself?"

"No, but I know some others may be. Some demons are smarter than others. And they grow restless. That much is certain. We have no idea if, or when, the Maykrs will re-open." This was a half-truth; d'Outremont was involved but kept this secret.

"Like you said, we're still watching Erebus. We'll see."

"I would like for Hell to have a strong leader myself. If it were me, I'd see how Erebus handles any such threat before coming to aid him. He is a Slavedriver; he leads by fear, not respect."

"Well this is Hell. And it would depend. We're not into open treason, but we don't want a weak leader either. If anything happens, we'll keep an eye on it."

d'Outremont left satisfied, and informed Daizen. The Barons respected strength; this didn't guarantee they would never get involved, but they could gain momentum.

And this they did; at first ambushing or luring one Archvile at a time. Small skirmishes were next, as some couldn't be so easily isolated. Daizen's group grew, and eventually engaged in larger skirmishes, and full-scale battles. Daizen's group gained experience and formed strategies. The heavier demons, such as Mancubi and the Marauders themselves, anchored the fights and focused on the Archviles, while the others conducted faster raids with them falling back when fighting got heavy. Their speech to one another was how the recognized each other. Meathook should have been playing.

The Tyrants, while powerful, were also dumb as a rock, and could hardly tell what was happening. They attacked indiscriminately since all the combatants looked the same. The recovered demons were smart enough to evade them. The others weren't.

This was now a full civil war, with Daizen becoming an increasing threat. The Barons initially watched, and waited. Eventually, some of them trickled to either Daizen, or Erebus, depending on who they bet on. The rest stayed their hand until the stronger arose.

This civil war caught some very curious eyes from Earth, and they would come to make their own gambit.