Empire Of Souls - Chapter 175

Aleks sat still on his throne as he watched Grobak leave the throne room. It was mostly silent despite the few unintentional sounds made by the servants or guards while carrying out their duties. Aleks was being fanned and lounging as he did occasionally, and he waited a few moments before he could hear loud footsteps approaching. The archway leading into the throne room was built with some of the larger subjects in mind and so it was already quite high, much more than normal. Despite that, when the two Daemon finally entered the throne room, their heads almost touched the top of the entryway.

They were quite formidable in appearance and due to their demonic looks, they were also quite frightening. The guards tensed when they caught sight of the two Daemon and their grips on their weapons became firmer. One glance by the two Daemon caused them to feel extreme fear and they almost collapsed in the next second, barely able to remain on their feet. Anathema chuckled wickedly, but one stern look from Cladem caused her to sneer before shutting up. They both looked ahead and finally made eye contact with the man on the throne. He continued to lounge in a lackadaisical manner as if nothing in the world mattered to him. The approach of these two Daemon didn’t seem to even faze him as if they were merely a passing breeze.

Cladem raised one eyebrow at this and was suddenly overcome with a bit of interest towards this mortal who was infinitely close to ascension. Of even more interest, was the golden and expressionless mask on his face. Although it wasn’t apparent to others, in Cladem and Anathema’s eyes, they could see a strange swirling haze which clouded over the golden masks’s surface. As the haze shifted and swirled, images of a strange world flitted across its surface.

Without notice and much to their shock, a set of ghostly feminine eyes appeared as they neared. These eyes were as deep as an abyss and it even caused them a moment of consternation. As quick as the eyes appeared, they were gone and it almost seemed like a dream. What could make these powerful Daemon feel something they had only ever felt once before? Even their progenitors, the Four Hors.e.m.e.n, didn’t give them such a feeling of dread.

Cladem and Anathema looked at each other almost simultaneously and could see the surprise in each other’s expressions. Only one had ever left them feeling as such, and that was the master himself. The Origin of Destruction and the lord of Abaddon. But while those eyes had left them feeling such severe apprehension, it was from the immensity of its power and not from some evil or dreadful aura. The Origin of Destruction was a being unparalleled in the Universe, and his aura alone possessed an insurmountable power. Who then could compare and give them that same feeling of helplessness and despair?

“No wonder.” Cladem hissed.

Those eyes were different from the Origin of Destruction however. They were not cold, emotionless, and empty like the void. They were filled with curiosity, and with the yearning passion of life. In those eyes, they saw the desire to live and the desire to experience the wonders of creation. Nonetheless, it was an uncomfortable feeling for the two Daemon who lived for destruction.

Even Cladem had been wondering why they had been sent to this mortal world to serve a mortal as their master. Although he was curious, he would never question his orders. But now, there were some mysteries which could be explained. This was something he hadn’t expected and there were a few secrets of the past which came to mind. He wasn’t entirely sure, but this would explain much.

Aleks finally seemed to notice them, but he hadn’t noticed what had just happened. Those eyes had never revealed themselves to him, not even in the past. So he had no idea what had just transpired, only noticing the strange reaction of the two, but not the reason for their reaction.

“You two have finally arrived, I have been waiting with bated breath.” Aleks said lazily.

The two Daemon approached much more cautiously than before, no longer eyeing Aleks with any hint of disdain.

“We came as quickly as we could, even riding ahead of your army so that we could arrive here quickly. We bring greetings from the Void.”

Cladem slightly inclined his head in greeting. Anathema on the other hand was carefully observing Aleks, her thoughts completely hidden.

“Then I welcome you with open arms, but I am quite curious. Why would those of your kind so willingly come to see me? I am but a mere mortal, and you are beings who would only disdain to come here. No?”

Cladem grinned, although it was intended to be sinister, he couldn’t help coming off as vicious. His teeth were sharp and inhuman and his overall appearance was quite demonic. If one didn’t know better, they would tremble in fear at such a grin. However, his smile was intended to be sincere.

“I am surprised that you are so knowledgeable about what we are.”

Cladem was no fool and he easily caught the innuendo in Aleks’s choice of words. Although he had some suspicions of whether Aleks would easily identify them or not, he hadn’t been wrong. Releasing his aura back then had been enough for Aleks to know what they are. It was only a simple gesture when he originally did it and he wasn’t fully sure if Aleks would be aware of their true selves, but he was pleasantly surprised.

“Perhaps another might be fooled by your appearance, but how could I not know when you so obviously made yourselves known to me? I suppose I should be grateful for your gesture. You didn’t try to hide what you are, but were straightforward enough. Then again, I have read that your kind are not deceitful, but instead give those what they desire at the cost of their souls being brought into oblivion. Those who deal with your kind know what they are getting into, yet walk straight forward to their own demise. I wonder, is it a natural ability of your kind? Or perhaps are there just too many fools willing to gladly surrender their existence? If only my enemies were such fools.”

Cladem chuckled, and even Anathema had a slight smile.

“What an interesting mortal you are.” Anathema couldn’t help but speak her thoughts out loud.

“Now you have us to help you handle your enemies. Let those fools come. My greatsword will be waiting here for them. It is always thirsty for blood.”

Cladem motioned towards the sword on his back which made the atmosphere tense for everyone except Aleks. They were already afraid as it was, but seeing the Daemon reach towards his weapon caused the guards to reach for theirs. Aleks remained as calm and uncaring as always.

“You call that a sword?” Aleks mused out loud.

Cladem noticed the tension from the guards and servants and moved his hand away from his weapon. This didn’t seem to calm the guards, but Cladem didn’t care. Only one person in the room mattered and that was Aleks. As for the others, they were nothing more than irrelevant bugs in his eyes. It wasn’t that he necessarily disdained them or had any contempt for them, they were just completely irrelevant to him. Their lives were dust, meant to be swept aside, so why have his thoughts linger long on them?

Aleks finally moved and stood up slowly. He rose almost as if he were in a drunken state, but he was completely sober. It was as carefree and unrestrained as any could be, but once he stood fully, he once more had the aura of a sovereign. His body straightened and he stood tall, without fear and with all the majesty that a ruler should have.

“You still haven’t answered me. Why have you come?” Aleks’s voice was calm and he although he didn’t shout or raise his voice, his words resounded throughout the throne room.

He was no longer asking carefreely, but with authority. Even the two Daemon were surprised by his aura and poise. They considered their words carefully, but before they could respond, they heard the clicking sound of heels against stone. A frail and gentle looking woman of incomparable beauty slowly entered the throne room from a side passage. Her eyes were as brilliant as the stars, and even her frail and vulnerable appearance only accentuated more her somber beauty.

But to those two Daemon, what they saw was a monstrous being. They hissed almost as one, surprised by the presence of this woman who brought forth emotions of anger and disgust.

“Angel! No, fallen angel or perhaps something in between. Not quite an Angel, but not quite a Devil. So, this is how you knew. What is that thing doing here?”

Anathema said while gripping her hands into fists furiously. There was a natural hate between Daemons and Angels, but it was not the same type of hatred that existed between Angels and their fallen ilk. This was a primal hatred, for the Angels had abandoned their true purpose, instead becoming slaves. To the Daemon, Angels and Devils were all the same. They had betrayed the Creator and had abandoned the Creator’s plan for all existence.

“Betrayer. You and your kind deserve Oblivion the most.”

Lariel smiled, before coughing small amounts of blood into her handkerchief.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances as well.”

Anathema snorted and subconsciously reached for her weapon. Although Cladem too felt anger and disgust towards Lariel, he had better control over his emotions.

“That’s enough Anathema, don’t forget where you are.”

“Tch… fine.”

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way…”

Aleks broke the tension and motioned for the two Daemon to speak.

“Since you know what we are, then you should know what we want. We were sent here to aid you, because our goals align. It is as simple as that.”

Aleks raised his eyebrows beneath the mask in interest, “But are you sure we hope for the same thing?”

“You have heard his voice. That is all the words I need to say.”

Aleks nodded and stepped forward, releasing the entirety of his aura. The power of the Origin within him burst forth from his body and dyed the world with dread. Even the two Daemon were affected by this power and each took a step back.

“I suppose I can find a use for you two, but you should understand that I make no promises.”

Cladem nodded and gave a slight bow of his head in obeisance, “That is fine. All in time.”