1098 Coming Invasion

“Asmodeus, Asmodeus, Asmodeus.”

“There, there, why are you in a worry?”

“Leviathan’s forces have begun moving. My forces expect their arrival.”

‘Leviathan?’ he gazed out a window giving out over the castle walls, “-where is mother, we need to talk.”

A council convened, “-here’s the status,” a map unrolled over the wall, “-Leviathan’s army is marching toward us. It’ll take at least a few days before a force of that mass arrives.”

“What about Sathanas?”

“No contact,” added the soldier, “-we’ve lost contact with our spy. We can only expect the worse.”

“What are your orders, lady Lilith?” the dire situation broadened, ‘-the castle’s the only haven for us and the refugees. Getting around their forces might be foolish. The land’s not exactly favorable for a preemptive attack. Aside from the moat, if we’re to turtle, it’ll take a few days to break, and even if they can’t break, we’ll run out of supplies soon. To survive the kings, we’ll need backing from another faction.’

“There’s a way,” invoked Asmodeus, “-pardon my intrusion, mother,” he stood over the council, “-we can’t fight as we risk too much. We can’t surrender either, the only option is to seek shelter from another King. To choose between Satan, Leviathan, Lucifer, and Belial, is akin to choosing one’s death,” the council stared, amidst the unfamiliar faces were Beelzebub, Lilith, and Mammon, not counting the castle’s lord and representatives of the neighboring villagers.

.....

“Who’s going to support an illegitimate group?”

“There’s only one imposter in hell and said title goes to Lucifer. The man’s a fallen angel, he has compassion and empathy.”

“Not to forget pride,” Mammon interjected calmly, “-the man’s in hell for a reason.”

“Didn’t father already defeat him?” added a more innocent voice.

“Beelzebub?” they narrowed; “-do you know something we don’t?”

“Brother, mother,” he stood over the table in a toddler’s body, “-I have news from my servants. Something like this would have happened soon, I envy the kings of hell, I envy their power and status. I had spies stationed in their cities and constantly monitor the political situation. The best bet is Lucifer’s realm, Ragno.”

“It had to be Ragno,” Lilith held her breath, “-the way is through the alps, and the alps require us to cross the coming army. Getting there, we’ll require a miracle.”

“How about one person?” narrowed Lucifer, “-Sathanas for example.”

“What about her?” Lilith examined closely.

“It will take days before they arrive, correct? I’m sure if we ask for reinforcement, they may send help. Beelzebub, what’s the leadership status?”

“I can’t say,” he sat cross-legged, “-my men died after their hatching. My flies have a life span of two weeks max.”

“Either way, we’ll die,” Lilith rose, “-have the nearby villagers send their forces. Mammon, you’re in charge of gathering those troops. Asmodeus, you will leave for Ragno and seek out Sathanas. Beelzebub and I will protect the castle at all costs,” she held her stomach and lowered her hand to her womb, ‘-there’s something only I can do as the Queen of Demons. I’m sorry about this, Vanesa.’

historical

“Mother?”

“Worry about the assigned responsibility.”

Time was of the essence, and the siblings separated for their own duties, “-lord Asmodeus, you look a little troubled?”

“Yeah, of course, I am,” he saddled a skeletal horse, “-mother has a habit of overdoing matters. I suppose said quality makes her a queen to be proud of. My duty is to advance and get help,” he swallowed hard, ‘-and I will make sure she gets the help she deserves. Even if this battle kills me, I will crawl my way to the portal, that is a promise, mother, you best not falter.’

Mammon set out to the villagers. Enticed by the prospect of money and a better life, Greed’s ability easily required soldiers, and in the next few long hours – various troops would teleport and station inside the castle.

‘They’re doing a marvelous job,’ she held Beelzebub’s little hands, “-alright, my son. You will protect the castle, yes?”

“Understood, mother,” various barrier spells swallowed the castle, “-out of our family, I’m the strongest spell caster,” he smiled, ‘-please my brothers and sisters, make it home. Mother will need our support.’

She retreated to her chambers, and wouldn’t come out for the next few days. ‘-The secret ritual known to only the queen of demons, to bring forth an heir to carry the title of Abaddon. I’m sorry, Vanesa, I had truly hoped this would be a more pleasant ritual. Alas, I’m not as virtuous as the guardians. I sowed the seed for your eventual rebirth, and today’s the day you come to me, my daughter, rise from the depths, evolve from the Aedric Mistress of Curse and Maladies – awaken thy true force, Aedric Goddess of Malady and Sloth, Abaddon.’

Nightfall. A band of traveling incubus and succubus signaled the passing army, “-what is it?” echoed the front guard, “-the camp is under lord Leviathan’s orders. If you don’t wish to die, please move along.”

“Don’t play hard to get,” echoed one of the ladies, “-we’re demons, aren’t we? Let us work to relieve your forces’ tension. I’ll make sure the price is right.”

“What’s the commotion outside?”

“Lord Lian,” the guard gasped, “-these sex-craved demons wishes to entertain our troops. I’ve asked them to leave.. they’re persistent.”

“I see,” he took one look, “-let them through,” the floodgates open, and the night would take on a scene only dreamed by the servants of pleasure. To be ravaged by strong men and women, the night would flow with bodily fluids – copious amounts. One of the high-ranking tents ambered a timid flame. Lord Lian unblinkingly stared, “-no more,” said Asmodeus, “-Lian, I can’t believe it’s you.”

“Neither do I, Asmodeus. Why did you leave Leviathan’s service?”

“The decision wasn’t in my hand to make,” he sighed, “-I was summoned. You know how contracts work. Lian, you made the rank of High Demon. Congratulations.”

“Asmodeus, I hope you understand the troubles ahead. We’re the vanguard, you’re lucky I found you first. If it had been the other lords, I dare not imagine the treatment of the servants. You needed something?”

“Sathanas. Where is she?”

“Satan’s daughter was last seen at her father’s estate. We got the news to deploy shortly after. I can’t say much else, our orders are to lay siege and control a rebel faction. Our monarch can be quite ruthless when it comes to deserters and traitors. Asmodeus, before the night ends, leave. Take the route around the mountain, it’ll lead directly to the portal.”

“Lian, you’re always a foul liar,” he smiled.

“Figured me out?” he rose his hands; guards invaded the castle.

“Guards arrests this man.”

Asmodeus made no gesture of fear, he sat and drank, “-you should know not to underestimate me, Lian,” *snap,* a pink hue covered the camp, “-you’re under my authority, Lian, there’s no turning back, poor Lian.”

“Damn you, Asmodeus,” he fell, “-you’ll regret leaving me behind, cheater.”

“I never cheated,” said a soothing whisper, “-you and I would have never worked. You care too much, whereas I don’t care as much. Our union would have fallen no matter the compromise. I’m a prince of Hell, Lian.”

“Bastard,” he coughed, ‘-I loved you..’

“Right,” Asmodeus exited the camp, “-pack it up everyone, you got your fair share of mana and life force. We leave at the crack of dawn, take the night to rest.”

Those events coincidentally linked with Igna’s ascension to Ragno’s leadership. The speech neared the end, and Igna stared the student body mercilessly, “-I’m a true believer of Survival of the fittest. Fate is in your hand, and thus, as the new Director, I formally remove the restriction of prestige placed upon the Student Council. Those able to show their worth will be chosen. If you think you’re fit to lead others, prove yourself. The separation between Commoners and Nobles will remain. If you have issues, please address my assistant, Lord Skeptor. As such, I bid you, students, a warm welcome to Lucifer’s Academy,” no applause, the whole room fell silent. Never in their years had a director like him taken the mic, an orator worthy of the king’s title.

Bell rang and the school day began, *knock, knock,* time showed 10:32, “-director, it’s Lilia, might I enter?”

“Come on in.”

She stood with her feet soaked in some kind of liquid – the heavy scent of perfume masked quite an ordeal, ‘-her hair’s messy, and her clothes crinkled in places. She’s getting bullied.’

“Losing authority?”

“Yeah,” she exhaled, “-as you put it, survival of the fittest, director. I don’t have the power to fight the coming tides.”

“You mean to tell me you’re a mere replacement for your brother? That boy was strong, he had the guts to face death in the face.”

“Did you know him?” she crossed her feet, clenched her hand, and gawked, “-director?”

“No. I didn’t know him, since I killed him. There are many people in this world, and some are innately more prone to death than others. Lilia, I killed your brother, I killed your ruler, and I sit here as the new Director. Realize, I was born a commoner, I was raised on a battlefield and chosen to carry the curse of death. No one has it easy, no one has it made – opportunities are what you make of them. This will sound condescending, and I mean for it to sound so. Lilia, you’re losing prestige and don’t have a place to call home. You’ve gotten bullied by your own friends, and the whole world’s turning against you – such is the cruelty of life.”

“Director?”

“I have daughters the same age as you,” he blinked, “-you strangely remind me of them, Lilia.”

“Why did you kill my brother?”

“Because he was in the way,” he echoed, “-if you want answers, seek Ereena. She summoned them. Now, your trouble,” he motioned, she approached, “-will you trust me?”

“How can I, how can I after you killed my brother..”

“Do you want to change, or not?”

“I want-”

“Then choose, Lilia. Will you change or will you not!”

‘..’

“Lilia!”

“TEACH ME, DIRECTOR!”

“Excellent choice,” he lit a cigarette.

“What should I do, director?”

“Request change from Academics to Students. You will leave your course and join Combat Class. Aside from the aspirations of becoming a great mage, I doubt Skeptor has the affinity to teach you, a special case. It’s a well-founded misunderstanding that magic is powerful – it is not. Not in the hands of the wrong person – true magic are those the gods utilize. What you share and invoke are party tricks – a candle within an inferno. Join the Student faction, join us and I make certain you have enough power to take the council by force. There are three months before the next election. I’ll have you challenge the next president and win, am I clear?”

“Director?”

“All you need is to sign this,” he pushed a paper, “-sign and free yourself from the tyranny of the Academics.”

“The students aren’t angels either, Director. They’ll-”

“Ah, don’t worry about that. With Luci and I here to control their frivolous antics, I’m sure we can figure out what comes next. Starting now, Lilia, you are part of the Commoner’s faction. You’ll be in class 3-2.”

A quick uniform change and Igna waited prominently before class 3-2’s combat lesson, “-students, I have an announcement. Lilia Enns will be transferring from Academics due to personal issues.”

Luci stepped forward, “-like the director said, Lilia, will be a new student. Treat her well – or not, that is your choice.”

“I despise those who take pleasure in fighting the weak. If any of you want to take on Lilia, please go ahead, do not come crawling into my office if you’re wounded or on thy death bed. Those who choose violence must accept the consequences.”

The director and Luci vanished, “-greetings, fellow students, my name’s Lilia Enns – your new classmate. Glad to be here.”

“HELL YEAH!” thundered the class, “-WE HAVE A PRETTY GIRL!”

A chant followed, “-Lilia, Lilia, Lilia!”

‘A breach?’

.....

“Director?”