Tides Of Protomis CXXVII

Discontent in Zylsis

Maleggan’s keep was bustling with activity. Another general was dead, and apparently, a human force, who's individuals were growing stronger, trying its hardest to discover where their center of power was. The situation was not to the liking of most of those there. The various soldiers who made up the faction’s army discussed the situation as they made their way through the hallowed halls of stone. But what was there for them to do? They were not the ones with authority. Though the ones who had it were not too far away, it wasn’t exactly as if they could walk up to them and ask.

For the time being, they decided upon casting curious glances toward the doors. The remaining 4 generals sat within the same meeting place they had beforehand, around a table. Only now, the room seemed much quieter, and only four of the seven chairs were filled. Without Gammena to carry on the conversation. And to no surprise, Xi wasn’t exactly the happiest, after all, his lover had been killed. And yet, the one at the head of this organization seemed as nonchalant as he usually was. The humanoid demon had a large build. Standing at about seven feet, and a muscular build. Skin of gray was marked with red lines that seemed as if they were painted, spread across his body. On his head, three curved horns extended, the very largest being the one in the center.

The silence within continued, until Zeta decided to break it.

“The losses we have taken thus far are an issue… Sections of our forces have been lost along with those three, both from direct combat with the humans themselves, or by them deserting after finding their general had died…”

“It matters not… If they were too weak to make a difference in battle then, they surely will still be now. And the same goes for those generals who have died. Out of all seven, the Four that still stand here alive, were much stronger regardless.” Under the table, Xi clenched his fists at the apparent disrespect of his deceased mate. Or rather, he would have had it be that way. While it was true, power was what mattered most, to simply discard her memory as nothing…

“I should have expected no less.” He thought. If he noted the man’s anger, he didn’t acknowledge it, was it due to a lack of caring, perhaps? The quadruped Demon, Epsilon, began to pace around the chamber, taking a look at each of his fellow generals. The anger from Xi was noted, and he was sure Zeta was still angry about how Sigma was talked about in their last meeting. As for Deltus… He was always one that he couldn’t read. He was with them, sure, but he didn’t exactly interact with the others all that much, negative or otherwise. Either way, it seemed that focus was being lost, and the meeting fell into silence once more, something he couldn’t allow.

“Whether they were weaker than us or not was one thing, whether they were important is another. Most of our forces could not even approach their Level. They stood as deterrents for any enemy factions. Not to mention the untamed, who were useful enough on their own, even if not our equals. And the same could be said about Gusion… Who not only collapsed the tunnel between our world and Mvchk, but has still not been found since then.” A combination of factors that all within couldn’t see as good. But even so, Maleggan seemed nonplussed by the statements, simply leaning back into his seat.

“Then that simply means I will have a better fight, Sooner… Those humans who call themselves Slayers have apparently had their power grow over time, the same with that group of proto-humans… And I've arranged for replacements.” Replacements, that quickly?! He was at least prepared, but for those there who’d lost their comrade, the reaction was a mix of their surprise, and anger alike. But before they could say anything more, the door to the room began to part, allowing the three replacements in. One of which seemed more humanoid than the others. Deep blue scales across his body, and fins lining his muscular build. He was of an aquatic origin, if that was anything to go by. A baritone voice emerged from his dagger filled maw.

“Indeed he has…. I’ll make sure to do better than those weaklings, in any case” One of the newly inducted Generals, Barbatos. The one who stood beside him, seemed to be a mass of stone, who took on a more feminine shape. Though, her face itself seemed to be uniquely covered with skin, and appeared human-like.

“Yes. We will be a lot harder for a group of humans, of all things, to kill. You may call me Gremory.” She wasn’t exactly some no-name. The demoness ruled her own domain just beyond their borders, an archipelago which was filled by members of her species. The very last one seemed to be larger than others by a wide margin. Orange fur with black stripes covered his entire body, and a snout filled with dangerously sharp teeth was clearly visible. And the pungent scent of copper filled one’s nose. Making it clear what he’d done just before getting here. Muscular arms crossed over his chest, he looked down upon all of those in the room.

“So these are the remaining Generals… I am unimpressed. Regardless, I shall tell you my name. Valefor” It seemed as if the Emperor's one-track mind diverged from his romal line of thinking, at least, occasionally…. Those who were called in had a high level of energy, that much was clear, but how would interactions go from here on. The gazes that were thrown around the room were not exactly friendly ones. Aside from Deltus, who, as usual, seemed to be dissociating.

“So… Will the obsession with infighting all Denizens of this plane share take place? Or will they manage to keep the peace long enough to kill our enemies off first?” He thought. Either way, the meeting seemed to be over. Maleggan stood from his seat, and began to stride out of the room.

“We have also begun receiving help from another I didn’t exactly expect to join us… Out of his own interest in battling the humans. He’ll arrive later.” With that, the emperor left the room, unknowing, or rather, uncaring of any tension that may come to a head… The conflict may just cultivate more effective troops, after all. The remaining generals, save for two who seemed to mostly be uncaring about their infighting. Though, for entirely different reasons. The silence stretched on for what felt like hours, until, finally, one of them began to file out of the room. Xi’s feet clamored against the ground… From the standpoint of those watching, through the doors which were now swung open, offering a view into the deep happenings of their state, it almost seemed as if they were going to tear eachother apart, given enough time…

And it became clear that the happenings of the meeting itself were not exactly kept under wraps. The keep was large, no doubt. The castle itself was surrounded by two walls, one smaller, and the second, titanic, built both tall and thickly. The long structure also encompassed a large number of demons. Housed in buildings of ivory colored stone, spread throughout the walls’ interior. Paved roads ran between them, roamed by a number of different species. The largest area in the continent by far, where many demons, whether in the military, or not, lived. The city itself was dubbed Zylsis, with no input from the emperor himself. Whih, was not a surprise given his nonchalance on most matters. A group of demons sat within one of the many rooms of a building, near the city’s outskirts. Consuming various meals. A Vrshr, Tsalap, Mashavet and Yssqr.

The mashavet, one with thick, gray skin, and a single horn between his eyes, shoveled plant matter into his mouth, as he spoke.

“So… What do you all make of those generals, those new ones?” The vrshr placed his hand on his “Chin” thinking about the question for quite a while. He’d heard the names before, but did he know much about them? He couldn't say he had. They were from Isolated corners of the world, not ones that were commonly spoken about. Not on Zylsis, especially. A number of powerful demons inhabited the city, and those ones were of more relevance than the inhabitants of some backwater.

“I personally think they’re more trouble than they are good. Very few know who they are, Only their power. Whatever happened, Zeta and Xi came out angry. Deltus and Epsilon were as they normally were. That can’t bode well.”

As the Mashavet spoke, the Tsalap demoness glanced at the resident Mashavet.

“What do you know then, Diceros? One of the new generals is a Mashavet, isn’t he? Until recently, you all lived in the same underground complex.” The Mashavet shook his head, as he spoke once more.

“Afraid not. He apparently left long before the emperor’s forces began to take us out. We asked our late elder Dayspus about the nature of his leaving many times, but he always seemed tight-lipped about it. The one sitting to the tslapa’s left, was a dark-skinned Yssqr, who took in the facts of the conversation, trying to draw his own conclusion. How this would affect them mattered more than anything else as far as he was concerned.

“Then we may have an issue. Depending upon how things go from here on, we could be seeing a fight between Generals. And we all know how destructive that’ll be. Add in that those humans are trying to find Zylsis, and it becomes worse… Personally, I think it’s time to go… Zylsis has lasted longer than most attempts at building a “City” As the humans call it, but it was bound to fall sometime. And it looks like that may be soon.” It seemed that those around him were hard pressed to disagree, and they began to move to pack their various possessions, with a goal in mind. Clean this room up, and disappear into the night. They wouldn’t be here for the downfall, which was very likely, not going to be a peaceful affair.

But it seemed that they were not the only ones to share this opinion. There was another, who stood at the summit of the city’s walls. But there was a world of difference between them. While they were a simple collection of weaker level demons, this one was on the stronger end, and held a large amount of influence, General Deltus…. The happenings of the past day began to play through his head, and he came to the same conclusion as that group below him. Strangely, however, he did not show any fear at the prospect. Rather, he remained stone faced as ever, as he spoke out.

“This works better for me… Though I'm sure those fools aren’t exactly happy about their current situation.” In a short time, the demon’s personal council began to walk to his side, along with his closest advisor, a Tsalap.

“They are fools, of the highest order. Maleggan cares about his enjoyment in combat, much like any other denizens of the realm. Did Zeta truly think he would create an era of order? A few laws, perhaps, but nothing like that… And did Xi truly expect any sort of tact?” Deltus glanced at the demon, simply nodding.

“This is true, Coltis. But even knowing this, they will bite their tongue because he is the strongest… When the time is right, I shall not… The demonic way of life is indeed unsustainable, Zeta and I agree on that much, but who will lead us onto a new era is a different story. But regardless, let us depart, there are things for us to handle elsewhere.” With nothing more to say, Deltus, Coltis, and all of those who surrounded them began to make their way out of the city, leaping down its walls, and beginning to make their way down the paved path outside the city. In the being’s head, the question of where things would go from here still ran through his head.

Despite the whispers of conflict, it seemed as if daily life in Zylsis had remained unchanged, aside from those directly employed by the generals themselves, or in the military. Some of the more paranoid members of the empire's forces apparently found it necessary to discuss the abilities of their enemies with their troops. But night fell, and son, the city had become quiet. Outside of its walls, one of the new generals, Barbatos, was on his way to his personal keep, a building built in the depths of a nearby lake, one which, thankfully, was as salty as the sea he was born in. Apparently, a result of one of the earth-spheres, or rather, one which formerly was in the sky, depositing salt within as it crumbled. Though, that was a fact not many knew.

“So.. Valefor and Gremory will be the ones to slay the two human forces, and I am stuck here… How disappointing. Either way, I’m sure there'll be more chances to entertain myself.” Who would he battle next? Was it one of the generals who gave him those angered looks? Some demonic renegade who decided they wanted to take control? Perhaps one of the lords of the other continents? The species that inhabited it were entirely different from theirs, from what he knew… He would have to find something to occupy himself with in the meanwhile. Perhaps a visit to one of the local brothels would be simple enough. His gaze moved up to the sky above, and he was met not with the sight of the moon, above, but rather, a sphere of ebon. One which promptly exploded into a burst of orange light, without warning. His eyes widened in surprise as he leaped back, just barely avoiding the rapidly growing bubble of heat, and force. Which ripped apart where he once stood. What was going on?!

It seemed that the answer to his question was approaching quickly, a high source of demonic energy, one which almost seemed… Uncanny to him. As his feet touched the ground, he saw a yellow blur move across his view, and launched himself at him from above, a leg extended, with the intent to slam his foot into him, but in short time, the demon had already leaped backward. Letting the attack hit the ground, cracking the earth underneath, and sending out a cloud of dust… Silence returned, as the fish creature watched from his position. Eventually, the sound of boots hitting the ground began to clamor from the cloud, gradually getting closer, as the one responsible began to exit.

“What.. A human, with our power that that?! Are you one of those slayer types?” Barbatos questioned. The human himself had long, wild hair of gold, and a silken coat meant to be buttoned down, almost resembling the officer’s dress of most human militaries. Fair skin, and a face with a powerful jaw, and strong features alike. A few hairs dotted his chin, but the most notable feature by far, were the changes in his body. While one eye was an icy blue, the other was crimson, and the Sclera were entirely black. And a curved white horn, extended from his forehead. As he awaited an answer, the creature began to pull energy from within him. Yet, even so, the golden-haired man seemed nonplussed.

“No… Nothing of the Sort. I am Sesbastian Heinrich…” So that confirmed it, this had to be a human… only they did that two names thing. But there was a question to be asked here.

“How do you wield our abilities, and why has your appearance changed so much from the norm? What is your purpose here?”

A smirk crawled onto his face.

“It is simple… Power is authority among demons, and there is a certain human I want to kill… You will be my stepping stone, to gaining direct access to him.”

To Be Continued

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