Chapter 215 - Demon Council ( Part 5)

The Demon Continent was never silent.

This was a place born of chaos—a land where skies flashed with red lighting and the earth vibrated with the pulse of ancient monstrosities. Every inch of the air reeked of the stench of a thousand years of darkness, every stone of the continent was witness to the wars that destroyed both kingdoms and gods.

But this particular night…

Was silent.

No drums of war sounded across the darkened mountains. No marching armies advanced. There were no banners fluttering in the poisonous wind. No conquests announced from the Citadel towers.

Only darkness.

And somewhere in this darkness, there was a movement.

Giant doors to the Demon Citadel opened.

These were huge doors crafted from black iron and heated by the fires of the abyss. They were covered with runes that emitted sickening red light. The metal groaned under the weight of opening and closing.

One by one, figures of black entered the night.

They were not clad in the armor of the Demon Legion—faceless soldiers marching in an endless chain, numbers that were hard to count. They bore no banners, no insignia, no signs of their affiliation. And they didn't make any sound as they moved silently in the ashes.

They were hunters.

And they left the Demon Continent.

They went towards the human world—the lands of light and hope, of kingdoms and empires, of mortals who had forgotten the fear of the dark.

Their target was to capture two women.

Lilia KingHeart. The Queen of Seraiya. The bearer of the Sovereign of Dominion.

Rudy Kiss. The Phantom Thief. The girl with forgotten name.

And everyone who would get in the way of their mission.

Deep in the underground levels of the Citadel, in the rooms never touched by the sun, Morgatha was standing inside a round chamber.

There were hundreds of black candles inside this chamber—they were not ordinary candles, but those burning with cold fire. Their flame was the color of the midnight sky, and they didn't give off any warmth, casting shadows that danced across the walls like restless ghosts.

Black liquid circulated inside channels on the floor. The liquid moved slowly, purposefully, like the blood flowing in veins. The substance was glowing softly, and where it touched the stone, the rock twisted as if alive.

In the center of the chamber there was a small glass container.

It was delicate—something beautiful in the sea of darkness. Its surface was smooth, and the edges were perfectly cut. Inside this glass walls there was something floating.

A single drop of blood.

Morgatha raised her hand slowly. She had long pale fingers, painted with black nail polish. They moved in the air with the precision of a surgeon's fingers, drawing shapes understandable only to her.

The blood started to move. It moved inside the crystal, reacting to her.

"Divine Marks."

She whispered. Her voice was soft, but it resonated throughout the whole chamber.

"Powerful."

The blood changed. It stretched, thinned and turned into something else—an extremely thin thread of black color that floated in the air like spider silk.

"But every power has its own weakness."

The thread wrapped around her fingers, twined and pulsed with dark power.

Morgatha smiled. This wasn't a happy smile—that of a person who had spent countless years studying the weaknesses of the divine.

"I simply need to find yours."

She had studied the prisoners—Legendary Mark bearers—for hours. She had learned about their magical structures, their reactions, their weaknesses, their resistance. Every one of them was unique in its expression of divine power, being passed down from generation to generation.

But there was one thing that they shared in common. They all could be suppressed.

And now she had developed something specially for them.

A curse.

Not a killing curse. Not yet. This would come later, when the ritual demanded it.

A restraint.

A curse suppressing the Divine Mark energy.

Morgatha put several black crystals around the chamber. They were small—they weren't bigger than a fist—but were pulsating with dark power.

"Mark Suppression Curse."

The crystals activated. Dark chains appeared in the air, not the physical chains, but the manifestation of magical power. Chains entangled and vanished in the darkness like smoke.

"If the Queen activates her Dominion…"

Morgatha clenched her hand tightly. The chains tightened, groaning under invisible pressure.

"...the curse will chain the Mark itself."

Her eyes were glowing. Crimson light was reflected in them, turning her eyes into two pools of blood.

"Even a Sovereign can be chained."

Meanwhile...

At the western gate of the Demon Citadel, Draven stood in front of a group of demons.

There were twenty of them. But these were not ordinary soldiers—not the faceless legionnaires of the Demon Army. These were elite warriors, picked by the Black Warlord himself.

Every single one of them wore black armor of demon steel—steel forged in the blood of dragons and tempered in the fires of the abyss. Every one of them carried weapons of ancient magic, filled with the magical power accumulated over hundreds of years.

Some of them had horns, protruding from their heads like bone crowns.

Others had wings folded against their back like a cloak of darkness.

Some had four arms with different kinds of weapons in each hand.

Another demon had half of his body covered with black scales, bearing the mark of ancient bloodlines inside him.

Draven looked at them. The Black Warlord's eyes were shining with anticipation, and his huge axe rested against his shoulder like a pledge of the coming violence.

"You know the mission."

The demons said nothing. They didn't need to—this was why they were chosen.

"Capture the Queen."

He lifted one finger. It was a huge finger—calloused and scarred, finger of the warrior who had smashed many skulls with bare hands.

"Alive."

Another finger.

"Capture the thief."

Another finger.

"Alive."

His gaze was ice cold. He felt neither joy nor anticipation anymore – only the centuries-old hatred towards humans and their kingdoms.

"Anyone who stands in our way…"

He smirked. It was a horrible, terrifying smirk.

"…will be broken."

The squad fell to their knees before him. Their heads bowed low; weapons lay on the floor.

"Yes, General."

Draven turned his eyes towards the endless horizon that was shrouded in darkness of thunderclouds and crimson flashes of lightning. There was the sea behind it, and beyond it…

"Humans. Let's see how strong they've become."

Far away from the Demon Citadel…

Another group had already started moving.

Lokiar's servants.

They had crossed the sea using illusion magic – not by boarding ships, but through the gaps in reality, created by the Lord of Illusions himself. They used false identities that were based solely on lies and half-lies, and memories of people that had never existed.

Merchants. Travelers. Scholars. Hunters. Even simple servants. No demon among them. No demonic weapons, no demoniacal looks.

They entered Seraiya via various gates – some went the usual way, some via secret pathways, some – under the city walls via the sewer system.

One of them entered Seraiya as a merchant who had brought some exotic goods from distant lands.

Another came with a travelling theatrical company, singing beautiful songs and wearing an angelic smile.

Another entered Seraiya as a healer whose skills were astonishing.

Another became the servant of a wealthy noble – obedient, silent and quick with work.

Another worked at a tavern as a bartender, constantly hearing and remembering everything that was happening around.

And one of them…

One of them walked right to the Royal Palace.

It was a young man in the uniform of the palace messenger. Brown-haired and smiling. He seemed to be just a simple boy – some people's son, brother, somebody who grew up in Seraiya and knew all of its streets and alleys.

He saluted the guardsmen standing by the palace gates.

"I bring a message for the Royal Court."

The guard took the letter. It had the symbol of a noble family from the eastern district – one that had lived there since ancient times and which couldn't be doubted of its loyalty to the Royal House.

"From whom?"

The young man smiled again. It was a beautiful smile – friendly, respectful, forgettable.

"From a noble family from the eastern district."

The guard nodded. He was tired – the night watch was always difficult for him – and the messenger looked harmless.

The man was let inside.

The moment the doors shut behind him… the man's eyes turned entirely black. The illusion spell that had been hiding his true nature flickered, giving a glimpse of the demon below.

He whispered into the silence of the corridor.

"Lokiar has entered the kingdom."

At the same time…

A second agent of Lokiar was standing in the midst of a bustling market. The crowds were thinning, but there were still a lot of people in the place.

She seemed to be a perfectly normal girl. She had come to buy some fruits, and her basket was half-full. She could have been anybody – a housewife, a servant, a merchant's daughter.

But under her skin…

Her body carried an illusion seal. It was deeply imbedded in her flesh and was invisible even to her own eyes.

She looked at the palace that towered above the city like a symbol of the absolute power. It consisted of white marble and golden spires, gleaming in the fading light of the sun.

"The Queen is here."

A voice whispered in her head. It was as cold as steel wrapped in silk.

"Confirm the target."

She smiled. It was a small smile – the smile of one who had found what she wanted.

"Confirmed."

The hunt had begun.

But the demons weren't the only one who was preparing for the attack.

Inside the Demon Citadel…

Azrael stood by one of the huge windows. The glass was black and opaque, but he didn't need to see through it. He could feel the movement going on outside – the departure of hunters, spread out shadows, and the darkness that tried to reach the human world.

He saw the soldiers disappear into the night. Their silhouettes became smaller and smaller and finally turned into mere memories.

Draven approached him. The Black Warlord's steps sounded loud in the quiet halls, filling the room like the storm approaching the shore.

"You seem worried."

Azrael turned to him. But he kept his eyes glued to the window, not paying attention to Draven.

"Attacking Seraiya is not a small thing."

Draven laughed. It was a mocking laugh of somebody who had never known joy, except for the joy of destroying and killing.

"Neither is resurrecting the Demon Emperor."

"Seraiya is stronger than you think."

"I know."

"Then you understand the risk."

Draven crossed his arms. Muscles of his arms bulged beneath the armor, and his axe was shining in the dim light of the torches.

"The Queen owns the Sovereign of Dominion."

Azrael nodded. "Yes."

"She commands wyverns."

"Yes."

"She has the backing of the Royal Knights."

"Yes."

Draven smiled. It was the smile of somebody who had already won a battle that hasn't been fought yet.

"And we have the Black Warlord."

Azrael turned to him. The expression on his face was peaceful – too peaceful, the expression of a very old man who knows a lot of things better than others do.

"This isn't about your strength."

Draven's smile disappeared. His eyes narrowed, and his hand was moving automatically towards his axe.

"If you'll attack Seraiya…"

Azrael interrupted him. His voice was calm.

"…then the human kingdoms will unite."

Draven gazed at him. Tension between them was palpable – two Demon Generals, every single one of them capable of wiping the whole city off the map, holding their breaths for some reasons that the other doesn't know.

"And?"

"They will declare war."

Draven approached him. His voice became soft – soft as the deadly whisper.

"Azrael."

He looked into the Second General's eyes. His eyes burned crimson flames, and his presence pressed upon Azrael, like a physical power.

"The final war has already begun."

Azrael did not reply, but his look changed, as if he realized something terrible.

Draven walked past him, his steps sounding loud in silence of the chamber, until they became unnoticeable.

"They just do not realize that yet."

The night became even more dark.

Seraiya was peaceful.

The royal city was lit with thousands of lanterns and candles fighting the darkness, merchants closed their shops in their usual sounds and voices of trading, children went home laughing somewhere in the streets and knights changed shifts making noise of their armor clashing.

Palace guards were at their posts, their eyes scanned the darkness but their posture was relaxed – Seraiya has lived in peace for years, wars were already over and demons have become a distant fear – an urban legend to frighten the children.

They did not know that the shadows have already come into their lives.

In the Royal Palace...

Jennie sat on the balcony and enjoyed the cool air and the scent of roses floating to her from the garden.

There was a cup of tea near her, but it became cold hours ago because she forgot about it – now she looked at the moon hanging in the sky like the eye watching everything.

Roxy slept in the room behind the glass, her hair was scattered on the pillow, sometimes she twitched in her dreams.

Snow lied near the girl – somehow the giant Divine Wolf managed to squeeze half his body in the balcony, his nine tails were wrapped around him like the cover, and he was sleeping.

Jennie sighed quietly.

"You're blocking the door."

Snow opened one eye, looking at her in sleepy, but very sharp look of a predator, ready to catch his prey at any moment.

"I am comfortable."

"You are blocking the door."

"I was here first."

Jennie looked at the wolf with flat look – the look of someone who was used to her insane companion.

Snow closed his eye.

"Good night."

Jennie shook her head and a smile appeared on her lips.

She turned to the city and looked at the lights in Seraiya – at all those lives, stories and dreams.

For several seconds... Nothing happened.

The night was peaceful, the city was quiet and the world was calm.

Then...

Her hand moved towards the Excalibur.

The sword shivered slightly, the vibration spreading from the blade to her hand and making the girl shiver.

Her look changed, the peacefulness disappeared from her eyes and the expression became sharp.

"Excalibur?"

The blade shivered faintly two times – the warning that only Jennie could see.

Jennie rose.

Eclipse appeared slightly from under her cloak, the dark blade was vibrating.

Leviathan reacted, the blue sword was pulsing inside her soul with ancient power.

Then Tempest. The storm blade was crackling with lightning.

Then Gram. The crimson-black sword was burning with heat, as its rage was waking up.

Five Divine Swords. At the same time.

Roxy woke up and opened her eyes wide, reaching for her staff.

"What happened?"

Snow rose quickly and stood up, raising his ears and spreading his nine tails slowly.

"I smell them."

Jennie turned to the horizon.

"Demons?"

Snow narrowed his eyes, his divine aura started glowing and he stretched his claws.

"Yes."

Roxy ran to the balcony.

"Where?"

Jennie did not say anything, she was staring into the darkness beyond the walls of the kingdom, stretching her senses beyond the city, fields and forests.

Something was approaching. Not one presence, but many.

But there was something else. Something that hid behind them. Something cold and ancient.

Jennie gripped tightly the hilt of Excalibur, her knuckles becoming white.

"I do not think they are coming here for the kingdom."

Roxy frowned, trembling.

"Then why?"

Jennie looked at the royal palace, then at the chambers of Lilia, at the window with the burning candle.

Her look became serious and her voice was soft but confident.

"For someone."

A distant sound of the bell.

Then another.

The voice of the guard shouting from the courtyard sounded sharp.

"Movement beyond the eastern wall!"

Another voice answered, the one was sharper.

"Multiple unidentified figures!"

Jennie stepped on the balcony and looked in the dark – her silvery white hair dancing in the night wind.

Five Divine Swords started glowing.

Excalibur burned with golden light.

Leviathan shone with deep blue power.

Tempest crackled with the silver lightning.

Eclipse radiated the dark shadow.

Gram blazed with the crimson flame.

Snow transformed, his white fur expanding, his nine tails spread out like wings, ice started forming on his body and his divine aura was shining brightly.

Roxy's staff started glowing, magical energy started crackling around her fingers.

Jennie looked in the darkness and smiled faintly.

Not because she was happy. Just because she understood finally.

Peace she was longing... Was over.

"Looks like..."

Jennie drew Excalibur – the golden blade sang loudly, when she took it from the scabbard, the light pushing the darkness away.

"...someone came to find trouble."

Far beyond the walls of Seraiya...

The black figure sat on the rooftop.

His violet eyes glowed in the dark – not with the usual magic, but with something deeper and darker. The man was tall and slender, his body was enveloped in the living shadows.

He smiled – a cold smile of a hunter who finally found his prey.

"Target confirmed."

And behind him... Hundreds of shadows moved in the dark, silent and faceless.