Chapter 55 - Empire

A golden age had once brought great prosperity to the lands of the Demon world, turning it from a mere band of clans to a kingdom that could raze humanity's civilisations. The shining palaces of the great Blood Monarchs could be admired from miles away by every demon or devil that ventured to the premises, the light of the Blood Empire was endless and joy was its perpetual soundtrack. In the unending days of the Golden Age, everything ended. An ironic twist of fate.

The once golden streets became dust in mere moments. The Blood Monarchs that ruled in harmony had died from wars of attrition, while defending the Demon World against the onslaught of a familiar foe. Death had entered its grand chorus, paving the land in blood; the blood of men, women and children too.

In these dire times, many powerful devils attempted to claim the mantle of Blood Monarch, only to be killed by their competitors just years after achieving the feat. As such, the title became a figment of the Demon world's once glorious past. It faded into history for many years.

This was until a terrifyingly powerful existence came to exist in the fragmented plains of the Devil World. This existence possessed the name, Malece Arch. She would become the Blood Monarch of Destruction. Through her leadership, the Demon World once again unified into a great power. The enemies of the past could no longer invade as they wished, otherwise their blood would be payment.

Children could finally live without fearing being eaten by their starving lower class families, and the nobles could finally expand without fear of being squashed by a hostile alliance. The Demon World had finally entered a stage of regulation and unification.

However, Malece never received a partner during the A.d.u.l.thood Ceremony, and therefore never bore her own child. Knowing this, darker powers waited for the time where she would die and leave the Demon World for the taking. Times of anxiety and mass hysteria followed, sweeping the streets with violent protests and armed rebellions. Murder became frequent yet again, causing the custodians to be formed as a preventative measure. The custodians were formed from the greatest warriors of the Demon World, often demons that had earned their way into devildom. Having the greatest combat experience that the Demon World could offer, these custodians are what stood between order and anarchy.

Of course as time went by, anxieties began to grow, more so now. While Simon may not highlight this, the world is moving faster than he shows it to be. In the time it took him to travel to the Reaper Territory, two Clars were assassinated in their mansions.

Also, Malece is nearing the time of her demise. Although still holding the perpetual beauty of her youth, she is only of the 9th vision of great visionary. No matter how much Malece invested into her training and breakthrough attempts, all that could be returned were ashes and consumed pills. It was almost as if destiny had given up on her. In such times of darkness, she could only stay in here palace and continue managing the state of affairs, dreaming of a way to continue the prosperity that she had worked so hard to build.

——————————————

A cold mist slowly started to form in the confines of the dead forest path, providing an eerie undertone to the already dark and cold nature of the black path. The sound of rocks sliding and grinding under Simon's shoes could be heard as they echoes in the misty darkness, sending withering chills down Simon's spine. The sounds of footsteps could also be heard, ones that belonged to Simon and ones that belonged to the source of the voice; slowly echoing and echoing as the sound of shaken leaves entered earshot.

"Xander? I have never heard of your name in the Demon World. May I know where you come from?" Simon asked as he felt his shadow briefly moving autonomously. The ground quaked slightly as he asked this, slowly dissolving with the mist to reveal a grey path filled with dead trees.

"I am the keeper of my own destiny, my homeland is destroyed and left to rot. My family is lost to history, and I am left to live in this peaceful home of mine, feeding on the foolish juvenile Devils that seek to find love in my holy waters. My waters attract the youth and carnal ambitions of the most unruly of youth, drawing them in to disturb my rest. But you are different, I have peeked into your emotions, I see no l.u.s.t, I only see intense rejection and a growing light of acceptance." The voice echoed as a brief wind blew towards Simon. A dark and mysterious aura of grand proportions materialised in front of Simon's very being, blocking the grey path in front of him.

There, he saw the face of a youthful Devil, of grey skin and black horns. Dressed in silky black robes, the devil opened his eyes to reveal a gaze of pure black.

"The waters are a place of purifying. Impurity destroys the efforts of the grounds, and dishonours music home. I have chosen the destiny of caring for my home, and that is why I meet you here today. You respected my home by avoiding l.u.s.t and using the ground's for its purpose. You answered my call, and I have come to greet you." The devil spoke as he directed his gaze to his hands of pure black, as if reminiscing of murder. In the end of his speech, he gazed again at Simon and smirked warmly.

"The blood of my blood, why have you come to this forgetful forest? I am sure that my name is lost and my family is dead. So why does Orange blood flow through you?"